Enslaved by the Others - Excerpt

Tomorrow it's the official release day of Jess Haines' newest H&W Investigations book Enslaved by the Others.

There will be several posts on my blog this week to celebrate this release. Today we're starting with an excerpt from Enslaved by the Others, but keep your eyes open for more H&W Investigations fun.


Coming July 1st, 2014 from Jess Haines: ENSLAVED BY THE OTHERS


EXCERPT:


If I hadn’t already been so stunned by the contents of the room, I quite possibly would’ve been shocked immobile by the palpable interest of over a dozen—old—no, ancient—vampires locked on me. This included Max, whose steely grey eyes had widened as he sat up in the oxblood leather chair he had been lounging upon, clearly taken aback by my spectacular entrance. The weight of age in this tiny room was crushing; a football stadium would be too small to contain the power they were unconsciously radiating. It only took a few seconds for me to figure out that, whatever the hell they were doing here, obviously they now considered me part of the menu. I hastily backed up, using my arms to cover as much of myself as I could, while Max schooled his own features into a passably blank expression.

“Of course,” Max said, his smooth voice carrying only the tiniest hint of irritation as he eased back in his seat and nodded in my direction, “I had not intended to showcase her so soon, though I don’t suppose there’s any harm in it. She is newly arrived, and has not been groomed properly for servitude yet. I doubt you would be interested in one so fresh, Kyle.”

I skittered back, but a guard who had been standing to one side of the door barred my escape and I backed right into him. He laughed at how I jumped at the unexpected contact before giving me a little shove in Max’s direction. I pivoted and darted to the side so I could press against the wall instead.

No weapons, no way out, and surrounded by vampires. I was on the verge of hyperventilating, and Max didn’t seem keen on stopping the guy he’d addressed as Kyle from approaching me.

This new vampire was well dressed in a tailored “I make a thousand dollar suit look like cheap trash” way. He set aside a cane with a freaky demon-looking thing crouching on top with what I would swear were real diamonds for eyes before approaching me. The power of his mien paled to the invasive metaphysical touch that brushed over my skin, tasting some intangible part of me and making me want a piece of sandpaper, a pumice stone, and the world’s hottest shower to scrub the feel of it off of me. His manicured nails were blunt, shining as brightly as that whiter-than-white smile when he ran a smooth fingertip over my cheek, the other hand lifting to toy with one of my bra straps. I flinched and batted his hands away before twisting aside and putting some much-needed distance between us.

“Mm, perhaps you’re right. Aside from being fresh, she’s got facial scars. I do hope you weren’t intending on offering damaged goods.”

Though I wasn’t often hung up about my looks, his comment sent my hand flying to my lower lip in reflex. I often did my best to forget about the scar left behind when Peter bit me, nearly tearing my lip in half in the process of assaulting me.
Another vampire spoke up, his tone dripping disdain. “Look how scrawny she is. No meat on her where there should be. And that skin of hers is a wreck—the mark on her face is not the only one I see.”

And another. “This one is disappointing, Euphron. Very disappointing.”

Scowling, I dropped my hand away and balled my fingers into tight fists of rage at my side, finding the condescending laughter of the others in the room too much to bear. Max started speaking but I cut him off, shouting loudly enough for most everyone to flinch.

“I’m not a fucking pet, I’m not your fucking plaything, and who gives a flying fuck if I’m scarred? Ask Max how it happened. I got it while I was busy killing one of your own, you fucking leeches.”

Stunned silence followed my pronouncement, and I took advantage of the moment to dive for the door again, shoving the surprised guard out of my way.

“Stop.”

The word was quiet but forceful. Every muscle in my body went rigid and I found I couldn’t move.

“Come here.”

The other vampires watched with interest as I turned around, breaking out in a cold sweat as I fought the command. I managed to hold out until I made the mistake of meeting Max’s eyes. Though I didn’t want to do it, one foot lifted, then the other, bringing me closer to him. After three steps, I was back in the room—and found at that point that I could stop, though I couldn’t withstand the power of his spell enough to run again.

“Extraordinary,” commented another vampire that had been quiet up until now, his fangs glinting as he favored me with a wolfish grin. “I do believe this one doesn’t care for you, Euphron.”

A few of the others seemed to find this funny, smirking or making wry comments of their own. Catty bastards. 



_____

AUTHOR/BOOK DETAILS:


Author Bio: Jess Haines writes about furred and fanged things that go bump in the night. Best known for the H&W Investigations urban fantasy series, she's been writing since she was a teenager and was first published in 2010. Visit her at www.JessHaines.com for the latest news and updates.

Follow Jess Haines on the web:

www.JessHaines.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JessHainesAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jess_Haines
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines


Enslaved by the Others Book Description:

Vampires, werewolves, magi and worse—the Others have joined the mortal world, and there's no turning back now…
As a New York P.I. and Other specialist, Shiarra Waynest has been in plenty of trouble before. But waking up in a windowless room the prisoner of a vampire slave trader is a shock for anyone. Shia has her wits, her bravado, and a couple of used staples, so maybe she can take on a mansion full of serious evil.
But although she's desperate to escape, Shia needs some answers too. Her friends are in danger. There are betrayers and spies among them. And even if she can figure out what's going on and somehow get a message out, she's still a captive of the worst kind…

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon Canada
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Books-a-Million
Powells
IndieBound

TBR Orphans Challenge Update - June

In case you wondered why there wasn't an update on my TBR Orphans challenge in May: I failed miserably that month.

So I did my best to give my poor orphaned books some attention this month and read two books that where on my shelves for longer than 3 months.

Kiss of Midnight had been on my shelves since April last year.
Knight's Curse since September 2012.

Kiss of Midnight has already been reviewed, Knight's Curse will be reviewed soon.

So far I've read 9 TBR Orphans this year, if I won't have anymore bad months, I will make my target of 12 orphaned books easily.


How about you?

Cover Love - The Hidden Rune Of Iron

Have you seen the cover of the final Spellcrackers book?

Isn't it awesome!?

I will so get my trotters on this book, but first I must find the time to catch up on this cool series.


The Hidden Rune Of Iron (Spellcrackers.com #5)
by Suzanne McLeod

The fifth novel in the Spellcrackers series, and the final book featuring sidhe Genevieve (Genny) Taylor as the main character, is a brilliant and action-filled adventure. Packed with humour, magic, romance and even a few revelations, THE HIDDEN RUNE OF IRON is a cracking end to Genny's fantastic story.

Unearthly - Book Review

Unearthly (Unearthly #1)
by Cynthia Hand

What is it about:
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

What did I think of it:
This is a very nice read.

I liked that Clara is the one who should be out there rescuing someone, instead of her being the one who has to be rescued. It felt fresh, even though it was the second angel book I read in a short time.

Clara moves to a new town to find her purpose, and I liked reading how she's trying to fit in and to get more clarity on her purpose. I didn't like Christian much, so I was glad there was also another love interest for once.

The story is enjoyable and fun. The background about the angels that is uncovered in this book, isn't fully used, but gives room for some promising developments later in this series.

I will confess I had my fears and doubts about the outcome, but was pleasantly surprised. The ending does leave the reader with lots of questions and unfinished business though, so I will most likely get my trotters on the next book when I run into it.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Paranormal read.

On McPig's Wishlist - Masque of the Red Death

I will confess: It's the horrible cover that makes me hesitate to buy this book, even though it sounds very intriguing. Yes, i'm shallow.


Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1)
by Bethany Griffin

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Kiss of Midnight - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Kiss of Midnight (Midnight Breed #1)
by Lara Adrian

What is it about:
He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell’s deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night—or this man—is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite.

Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.

Here, in the arms of the Breed’s formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all. . .

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a really fun and hot read.

The few first chapters I had to get used to Gabrielle, I didn't immediately connect with her. But I really liked the setting and the idea of the Breed warriors, so when Gabrielle and Lucan met the story took off for me.

The romance between the two is hot and there are some very steamy scenes. There's one scene that might set off triggers with people who want their sexy times consensual, but I myself really enjoyed all the hotness in this book.

The action storyline was very well done as well, it took the backseat a bit, but that's what happens often in PNR, so I didn't mind.

I very much enjoyed the glimpses you got from other Breed warriors, who will get their own story told later in this series. I already have my eye on the hero of book three, I can tell you.

All in all this is a fast and very enjoyable read. I have the next two book of this series in my tbr-pile, so I will be picking up the next book soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a hot Paranormal Romance

Teaser Tuesdays - Collision

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


I absolutely love the books Berinn Rae writes under the pen-name Rachel Aukes, so I decided to give one of the books she wrote under this pen-name a try as well.



The little angel on her shoulder that should've warned her to get out of there before it was too late, that he could kill her, was MIA. But the truth was, her body wouldn't have listened anyway.

(page 23, Collision by Berinn Rae)

Red Glove - Book Review

Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)
by Holly Black

What is it about:
After rescuing his brothers from Zacharov’s retribution, Cassel is trying to reestablish some kind of normalcy in his life.

That was never going to be easy for someone from a worker family that’s tied to one of the big crime families—and whose mother’s cons get more reckless by the day. But Cassel is coming to terms with what it means to be a worker, and he’s figuring out how to have friends.

Except normal doesn’t last very long. Soon Cassel is being courted by both sides of the law and is forced to confront his past—a past he remembers only in scattered fragments, and one that could destroy his family and his future. Cassel will have to decide whose side he wants to be on, because neutrality is not an option. And then he will have to pull off his biggest con ever to survive…

What did I think of it:
I loved the first book in this series, and this book is a worthy sequel.

I like Cassel, his first instinct is to look out for himself, but he is trying hard to learn how to deal with having friends. His attempts are pathetic at times, and he fumbles a lot, but that only makes him more likeable.

I loved the story in this book. Some things that took Cassel a long time to figure out, I thought were pretty clear, but the story is good and complex enough that it didn't bother me.

And the ending...

Boy, talk about raising the stakes for the last book in the trilogy!

All in all I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to getting my trotters on the last book to see how the story will play out. I will also certainly read more books by Holly Black.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Paranormal YA read.

The Three - Slightly Ranty Book Review

The Three
by Sarah Lotz

What is it about:
The world is stunned when four commuter planes crash within hours of each other on different continents. Facing global panic, officials are under pressure to find the causes. With terrorist attacks and environmental factors ruled out, there doesn't appear to be a correlation between the crashes, except that in three of the four air disasters a child survivor is found in the wreckage.

Dubbed 'The Three' by the international press, the children all exhibit disturbing behavioural problems, presumably caused by the horror they lived through and the unrelenting press attention. This attention becomes more than just intrusive when a rapture cult led by a charismatic evangelical minister insists that the survivors are three of the four harbingers of the apocalypse. The Three are forced to go into hiding, but as the children's behaviour becomes increasingly disturbing, even their guardians begin to question their miraculous survival...

What did I think of it:
This is a nice read.

The story is set up as if it's a non-fiction book about the events around the surviving children of the plane crashes. It is told in a series of interviews and articles and such. This means it has many different narrators.

And there we have my first little grumble. As is often the case with multiple narrators, some of those narrators sound very alike. Especially the narrators that kept using the name of the person who talked with them sounded very much the same.

But other narrators luckily had more of a unique voice, so I didn't grumble too much about it.

And overall this is an intriguing story. I liked how it was kept vague if the things people thought had happened, really did happen or not. I liked how this story left it up to the reader to draw his/her own conclusion.

Until I reached the point I thought was a great ending, and there were some extra chapters still to come...

And in those last chapters I was force-fed told what conclusions I should draw from this story...

Yeah.

It ruined the story for me to be honest.

And I wonder why. Why tell a really good story that leaves it up to the reader to decide what to believe, only to slap on a couple of 'anniversary edition extra's' that take away all room for interpretation? Really?

So what could have been a good story with a strong ending, open to interpretation, this turned out to be a disappointment for me. I don't think I will try more books by this author.

Why should you read it:
It's mostly a really intriguing and suspenseful read.

Hush, Hush - Book Review

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1)
by Becca Fitzpatrick

What is it about:
Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

What did I think of it:
This is a nice read.

I will confess I really disliked Nora's best friend Vee. She disregards Nora's feelings and doubts about things, and acts like a brat to get her way. I especially disliked this behavior because it was used to set certain events in motion.

But even though Vee made my blood pressure spike, I really liked Nora and Patch. Nora was a very sensible heroine, who didn't trust easily. She did act impulsive and unthinking at times, but not annoyingly so.

The story is intriguing and suspenseful. Some things were easy to figure out, but others kept me guessing. The mythology used wasn't anything new, but Fitzpatrick used it in a way that made for an enjoyable story.

All in all this is a very entertaining read, and I think I will try to get hold of the next book in this series to see what's next for Nora.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Paranormal YA read.

On McPig's Wishlist - The Eighth Guardian

This sounds really intriguing. And it had time travel!


The Eighth Guardian (Annum Guard #1)
by Meredith McCardle

Amanda Obermann. Code name Iris.

It’s Testing Day. The day that comes without warning, the day when all juniors and seniors at The Peel Academy undergo a series of intense physical and psychological tests to see if they’re ready to graduate and become government operatives. Amanda and her boyfriend Abe are top students, and they’ve just endured thirty-six hours of testing. But they’re juniors and don’t expect to graduate. That’ll happen next year, when they plan to join the CIA—together.

But when the graduates are announced, the results are shocking. Amanda has been chosen—the first junior in decades. And she receives the opportunity of a lifetime: to join a secret government organization called the Annum Guard and travel through time to change the course of history. But in order to become the Eighth Guardian in this exclusive group, Amanda must say good-bye to everything—her name, her family, and even Abe—forever.

Who is really behind the Annum Guard? And can she trust them with her life?

Five - Book Review

Five
by Ursula P. Archer

What is it about:
EVERY CORPSE IS A CLUE

A woman is found murdered in a field. Tattooed on her feet is a strange combination of numbers and letters.

Detective Beatrice Kaspary quickly identifies these as map co-ordinates, which lead the police to a ‘treasure box' containing several severed body parts – and a note from the killer with a series of cryptic clues to the identity of the next victim.

So begins a desperate scavenger hunt in which Beatrice herself becomes a pawn in the killer's game of cat and mouse, as she risks all to uncover the murderer.

What did I think of it:
So Ursula P. Archer is actually Ursula Poznanski, but I guess they made her name sound more English for the English translation of this book.

Anyway: I picked this up because I really enjoyed Poznanski's YA book Erebos, and I was curious about her other books.

And this is a really cool read!

Beatrice and her colleague Florin get to deal with a killer who uses Geo-caching to lead the police to his victims. I haven't participated in Geo-caching myself, but know enough about it that I really enjoyed this aspect of the mystery.

The killer leads the police on a hunt that keeps raising the stakes. As clue after clue is found and solved, things get more and more suspenseful and time is running out. Will Beatrice and Florin catch the killer? And why is the killer leading them on this grisly hunt?

I was gripped from the start and had to keep reading to find out what happened next. Apart from the murder investigation there's also things happening in Beatrice's personal life, but those fitted very well within the overall story and didn't distract from the suspense.

All in all this is a really good read that I can advice to anyone who likes a good detective story. I will certainly keep an eyes out for more books by Poznanski.

Why should you read it:
It's a very suspenseful Detective

Relinquish - Release Day Alert

 



 

 

 

 Release Day!

 

Release Date: June 17th 2014

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Fantasy

Book Two in the Lost Souls Series

Regan has a life in Georgia. She is going to school, has managed to make some friends, and has even found a new love interest in Colter. So what happens when she can’t hide what she is anymore? When do all the lies become too much to handle? And how much longer can she hold onto her sanity—while Agro pushes her closer and closer to the edge of no return—her ascension to Elite?

Colter is beautifully oblivious. Wanting so much to believe that Regan is safe, and Agro has been halted, he ignores Finn’s constant skepticism at the risk of their friendship. Overlooking what is so clearly right in front of him, Colter passes off Regan’s outbursts of emotion on her recent trauma. Colter can feel Regan—his one exception to his retribution—slipping out of his arms, but fighting her to stay with him may not be an option.

Colter and Finn are now at odds, and there is a newly formed alliance between Kaiden and Exile Max. Will this group of Collectors be enough to fight off the new enemies and old threats that emerge in the battle for souls when Regan is broken, and their group is on the brink of self-destruction?

The lost will be found, the Collectors will be exiled, and the Elites will reign.

About Book One, Retribution

Regan Edison has just moved from California, to enter her first year at Georgia Liberty College, the place where jacked up Chevy trucks and hunting are a way of life. Regan hopes to start a new life for herself and she thinks that Georgia is just the place to do it. That is until she meets an unexpected stranger.

Colter Hayes is a member of the Collectors, a group of wrongfully punished lost souls. Colter and the rest of his team, Finn, Kaiden and Devon, work for the Requiem Council who pass judgment on those souls that are neither tagged for Heaven nor Hell. The Council has charged the Collectors with finding the lost in exchange for a chance at redemption.

When an ex-councilmember known to pass Retribution on lost souls sets his sights on Regan, the Requiem Council dispatches the Collectors to Georgia to work as protectors for Regan. The Collectors must fight to save Regan from a fate they know all too well, but can they work to earn back their chance at redemption or are their fates sealed forever?

Who is meant for Heaven?
Who is meant for Hell?
And who is just lost?

Start the series for just 99 Cents!

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/m9cml6m

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/ouve6qf

Smashwords: http://tinyurl.com/kfn58lm

About Amy Thompson

Amy Thompson graduated from college with her B.S. in Biology. She currently works as a high school mentor and has just earned her M.S. in Higher Education. Amy is a self-published author of Retribution, a new adult, paranormal romance novel that is the first in the Lost Souls Trilogy. She lives in Southern Virginia with her family and two lazy cats. Amy Thompson is currently working on the next book in the Lost Souls Trilogy, Relinquish and continues to be an avid reader of all things books.

Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Archangel's Storm - Book Review

Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunter #5)
by Nalini Singh

What is it about:
With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

What did I think of it:
Although not my favorite book in this series, this is a really nice read.

I really like Singh's writing, it kept me reading even at times that the story bored me a bit.

I also loved the romance: Jason and Mahiya make a really intriguing couple. Both have their secrets and have been hurt in the past. I really enjoyed reading how they slowly opened up to each other. It was a very sweet and touching romance.

The mystery part of the romance didn't really grab my attention though. There was too much talking, guessing and waiting around. And to be honest: I pretty soon had my suspicions on how things would turn out.

But even though that part of the story didn't work for me, I enjoyed this book and will most certainly pick up the next book in this series soon, because overall this is a really cool world to get lost in.

Why should you read it:
It's a really nice Urban Fantasy Romance.

Allegiance - Book Review

Allegiance (Penton Legacy #4)
by Susannah Sandlin

What is it about:
British vampire psychiatrist and former mercenary Cage Reynolds returns to Penton, Alabama, looking for a permanent home. The town has been ravaged by the ongoing vampire war and the shortage of untainted human blood, and now the vampires and humans that make up the Omega Force are trying to rebuild. Cage hopes to help the cause, put down roots in Penton, and resolve his relationship with Melissa Calvert. The last thing he expects is an attraction to Robin Ashton, a trash-talking eagle shape-shifter and new Omega recruit.

Meanwhile, as a dangerous saboteur wreaks havoc in Penton, the ruthless Vampire Tribunal leader Matthias Ludlam has been freed on the eve of his scheduled execution. But by whom? And to what end? As war and chaos rage on, love is the last thing Cage is looking for, but will his attraction to Robin distract him from the danger living among them?

What did I think of it:
This is such a great series.

Next to each book having a stand alone romance, there's an overall action storyline that runs through this series.

And thing are getting more and more tense with each book!

I really liked Cage when he appeared earlier in the series, but wasn't too happy he seemed to connect with Melissa. I am not a big fan of Melissa. So I was very happy when in Allegiance Robin turned up, and she set her eyes on Cage.

Robin and Cage make a great couple: they spark! I loved reading how they got to know each other. Robin is a really fun character overall btw. I liked how she stands her ground no matter what, and even takes on Mirren, who is one scary vampire.

The action storyline was also really intense. I thought things were at their worst after Omega, but I was wrong. More nastiness is headed towards Penton and at times things looked very, very grim. And although the romantic storyline got resolved, the events in this book leave Penton with some serious problems the vampires and their allies have to overcome.

You can bet I will keep an eye out for the next book in this series, because I need to know what's next for Penton.

Why should you read it:
It's a really cool Paranormal Romance with lots of action.

Hijacked! - Guest Post by Susannah Sandlin + giveaway

Today Susannah Sandlin is visiting my blog to tell you about how her book got Hijacked!



Hijacked!
Susannah Sandlin

A funny thing happens when one writes something as long and involved as a novel.

Think about it. The average novel is about 150-200 typed, single-spaced sheets of standard printer paper. It’s 90,000 words long, give or take a few thousand.

As we write, we get to know our characters really well—we know things about our characters’ lives that never make it onto the page. (Ernest Hemingway called character development an iceberg: most of the material remains below the waterline.)

Which means that this weird thing happens as we write: the characters develop minds of their own. Quite frequently, they say or do something that I, as their supposed creator, do not anticipate, even when I’ve plotted out my scene ahead of time. They surprise me, entertain me, exasperate me, and occasionally confuse me.

And sometimes they don’t listen to a word I say.

Last year, I wrote a paranormal romance book called STORM FORCE that was loosely tied to my Penton Legacy series. There were some characters in Storm Force I really liked and wanted to get to know better, so when I began writing ALLEGIANCE, I decided to see what would happen if I brought a couple of those other characters into my Penton world.

Enter an eagle shape-shifter named Robin (I know, right?) and a human Army Ranger with psychic abilities, Nikolas Dimitrou. I’d planned to have Nik and Robin, who had a friends-with-benefits relationship in Storm Force, to move to Penton as a couple and help my Penton vampires rebuild their town after their author destroyed it in the previous two books. Yeah, that would be me, the Destroyer.

Nik behaved gallantly. He liked the vampires, respected their leaders, helped them however he was needed. I like Nik.

Robin was a nightmare from the minute she walked into the book. First, the 5-foot-1 Robin picked a fight—a nasty one—with the 6-foot-8 Scottish vampire who heads up Penton security and has a bad disposition to begin with.

Well, okay, I can roll with that. Mirren and Robin were kind of fun together. Anything I can do to annoy Mirren has always entertained me, and Robin really annoys him.

But then Robin did something I did not expect. She caught the eye of my book hero, Cage Reynolds, a British vampire who was trying to resolve another relationship. I had other plans for Cage.

But okay, just because Cage finds her interesting doesn’t mean anything. She’s an extreme kind of character, and he was a psychiatrist in his human life. He would naturally find her intriguing.

My mistake was having Cage accompany Nik and Robin to their new quarters on their first night in Penton. It’s a ten-minute drive in Nik’s car.

Here’s how the scene was supposed to play out:

Nik wants to move to Penton hoping he can’t read psychic images from vampires. He can get disturbing images from other humans, from inanimate objects, and from some shape-shifters. He’s never met a vampire before. So in this scene, I wanted to establish that he could, indeed, touch vampires, so Penton would be a peaceful place for him to live. Since Nik’s not so good at opening up to people, Robin’s purpose in the short car scene was to tell Cage that Nik needed to touch him, to test out the psychic thing.

Yeah, that was what was supposed to happen, and it did. Robin did her job. She also exchanged sexual banter with Cage, played with his hair, and became fascinated with her first vampire. She wanted to feed him, to see what it felt like. She wanted to...well, Robin has few limits.

After that, it really didn’t matter what I wanted. This became Robin’s book. I hope you like it. If not, you know who to blame—the eagle-shifter named Robin!



About Susannah:
Susannah Sandlin is a native of Winfield, Alabama, and has worked as a writer/editor in educational publishing in Alabama, Illinois, Texas, California, and Louisiana. She currently lives in Auburn, Alabama, with two rescue dogs named after professional wrestlers (it was a phase). She has a no-longer-secret passion for Cajun music, Canadian French pop music, and reality TV. She's single and is on the hunt for a longhaul Ice Road Trucker who also hunts gators.

* ABSOLUTION, book two in the Penton Legacy series, won the Holt Medallion for paranormal romance in 2013 and was a finalist for the 2013 Prism and Gayle Wilson awards. 

* Penton book three, OMEGA, was nominated by RT Book Reviews Magazine for the 2014 Reviewer's Choice Award in paranormal romance. 

* STORM FORCE is a finalist for the 2014 Prism Award for dark paranormal romance. 

Susannah is a member of Romance Writers of America and the following chapters: Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, Southern Magic, Georgia Romance Writers, and Kiss of Death. She also is a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and Novelists Inc.

As Suzanne Johnson, she writes the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series.

Website - Facebook - Twitter


ALLEGIANCE (PENTON LEGACY BOOK 4)
By Susannah Sandlin

Release date: June 10, 2014
Published by: Montlake Romance
Available in print, digital (Kindle only), and audiobook

British vampire psychiatrist and former mercenary Cage Reynolds returns to Penton, Alabama, looking for a permanent home. The town has been ravaged by the ongoing vampire war and the shortage of untainted human blood, and now the vampires and humans that make up the Omega Force are trying to rebuild. Cage hopes to help the cause, put down roots in Penton, and resolve his relationship with Melissa Calvert. The last thing he expects is to find himself drawn to Robin Ashton, a trash-talking eagle shape-shifter and new Omega recruit.

Meanwhile, as a dangerous saboteur wreaks havoc in Penton, the ruthless Vampire Tribunal leader Matthias Ludlam has been freed on the eve of his scheduled execution. But by whom? And to what end? As war and chaos rage on, love isn’t something Cage is looking for, but will his attraction to Robin distract him from the danger living among them?

Buy links:
Amazon - Barnes & Noble

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Giveaway:

Susannah kindly agreed to a giveaway.
One reader of my blog will win one of the earlier Penton books: Redemption, Absolution or Omega as either print, digital copy or audiobook. (winner's choice)

So for your chance to win:
- Leave a comment for Susannah
- Leave a way for me to contact you
- Do so before June 22nd, a winner will be randomly selected on that day.

The winner is Victoria Zumbrum

Open internationally to anyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

City of Ashes - Book Review

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)
by Cassandra Clare

What is it about:
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

What did I think of it:
Just as the first book in this series, this book is entertaining, although predictable.

But I have to say I don't mind the predictability. This is a very enjoyable read, and the characters (apart from Simon) are really starting to grow on me. I especially like Magnus, a mage who is one of the minor characters.

What I did mind is how the villain acted. Instead of just going through with his plan, (which would have made him successful) he is stalling, and even gloating. Surprise, surprise: this behavior leads to the heroes having enough time to save the day!

That annoyance aside, I enjoyed the book enough to get my trotters on book three to continue this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Paranormal YA read.