Monthly Archives: October 2012

An Interview with Maureen McGowan

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An Interview with Maureen McGowan

The Reading Cafe is happy to have the wonderful Maureen McGowan as our guest today. 

This Tuesday, Maureen is releasing Deviants, her first book in her new YA series, The Dust Chronicles. Our review of Deviants is the post below this Intervew.

Maureen is here today to discuss her new book, as well as to tell us a little bit about herself.

Let’s meet Maureen.

 

Hi  Maureen.  Welcome to The Reading Café. We appreciate you coming by to answer our questions. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC:   Please tell us something about yourself?

MAUREEN: I have a Masters of Accounting degree and my previous career moved me from my home in Canada to California and Philadelphia for a decade. I’m now settled in Toronto, where I love the vibrant arts scene, the ethnic diversity and attending the Toronto International Film Festival. (Toronto tourism should pay me for advertising!)

TRC: Have you always had an interest in writing?  When did you first start writing?

MAUREEN: I always enjoyed writing and painting and acting, and wanted to pursue something creative for as long as I can remember, but since I was a good student, my parents and teachers counseled me away from the Arts. For better or worse, I listened—and somehow ended up in accounting!—but I never stopped writing. I became more serious about my writing after taking a break from my previous career and signing up for some classes. I soon found a fabulous group of critique partners, (who’ve become close friends), and I haven’t looked back. Better late than never, right?

TRC: What is the name of the first novel you ever published?  Please tell us how you felt, when your first book was accepted by a publisher.

MAUREEN: The first novel I had published was CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR. The news that it was going to be published came with an almost impossible deadline to finish it, so I didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate! But once it finally sunk in, I was thrilled. I got chills the first time I saw it in a book store!

TRC: What did you find to be the biggest challenge in writing your novels, not to mention publishing them.

MAUREEN: In writing, the biggest challenge for me is working through the times when I don’t think the story is working, the days when I lose confidence. In contrast, the days when the words are flowing and my fingers are flying are magical. I have to remember those on the bad days.

Publishing is a whole other story. It’s not for the faint of heart. 🙂 Let’s just say that the life of an author and the publishing process bear little resemblance to how they’re portrayed in movies. But doing interviews like this and meeting readers makes up for all the frustrations and disappointments that come with publishing.

TRC: You have written two series in different genres.  You have one that is a fairytale adventure romance, and the other is a post-apocalyptic thriller.  The fairytale is intended for middle school, and the new Dust Chronicles looks to be YA.  Which genre do you find most difficult to write and which genre are you the most comfortable writing?

MAUREEN: I absolutely love young adult fiction. I love the fast pacing, the tight storytelling and the wide-ranging types of stories being published these days for the YA market. I also love that YA books blur genre lines. For example, it’s very common to mix, say, sci-fi, suspense, romance and fantasy all in a single novel. That’s less possible in the adult world where publishers want to understand where to shelve your work before you even write it. For an author, it’s fabulous to let your imagination run free—and that’s possible in YA.

The recent batch of YA novels might be about teens, but they certainly aren’t written exclusively for teens. In fact, the majority of YA novels these days are being purchased by adults—for themselves.

I really wish more books like the ones out today had existed when I was younger—books that have big ideas and aren’t afraid explore dark subjects—books that have young protagonists, but aren’t juvenile. I enjoyed writing books for younger teens too, and have a few adult novels in my back pocket, but right now, my heart is in writing (and reading) YA. Two of my favorite books over the past year were Blood Red Road, by Moira Young and For Darkness Shows the Stars, by Diana Peterfreund.

TRC:  Deviants is the first book in your Dust Chronicles series.  Can you please tell us something about the premise of this book? 

MAUREEN: The Dust Chronicles series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where our planet has been ravaged by multiple asteroid strikes that triggered volcanoes and earthquakes and left the earth’s surface covered by a coarse dust that’s lethal to most humans and changes the DNA of others. The DNA mutation gives some people new abilities and turns others into monsters called Shredders.

In Deviants, Glory is a sixteen-year old girl who can kill with her eyes. She lives in a domed city whose authorities fear anyone with special “deviant” abilities. When discovered, Deviants are kicked outside the dome to be tortured by the Shredders. When the boy Glory’s always loved joins the secret police and betrays her, she must leave the only world she’s ever known to save her paraplegic younger brother, and herself. Plus, there’s a hot hunky guy and some kissing.

TRC: Can you tell us a little bit of your fairytale adventure series..Twisted Tales, which currently has two books out.  Cinderella: Ninja Warrior & Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer. How did you come up with the idea of doing a different take on fairytales? Do you plan to continue this series?

MAUREEN: The publisher actually came to me with the idea of adventurous fairly tales with a choose your own adventure element—and they wanted me to start with Cinderella. Before writing the proposal that earned me the publishing contract, I wanted to test how much freedom I’d have in writing the stories. So, I asked the editor, “Can there be ninjas?”

I was joking—mostly—but when she answered yes, I immediately saw an image of ninjas dropping out of trees to surround Cinderella. Soon after, the title for Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer came to mind. I loved that title and so did the publisher—all I had to do was figure out how to tell a vampire story, adapted from a fairy tale in which the heroine is traditionally asleep! 🙂

Right now, there are no definite plans for more in that series, but I hope it continues. I’ve got several ideas up my sleeve, and kids often write me to suggest titles and ideas. Some of their suggestions are hilarious.

TRC: Do you plan to continue to write YA, or would you consider writing an adult series?

MAUREEN: I actually wrote adult books first, but none of those have found the right publisher—yet. The editor who offered me the chance to write the Twisted Tales books actually approached me, because she’d read my manuscript for a dark and sexy urban fantasy. The timing wasn’t right for that particular novel, but based on reading it, she knew I could do world-building and action.

TRC: What are you working on today?  Do you have any thoughts of a different series?

MAUREEN: Right now, I’m doing my final edits for Compliance, the second book in The Dust Chronicles series and also writing the third book that will tie up Glory’s story. Compliance, The Dust Chronicles #2, will be released in May 2013, and the third book, tentatively titled Glory will come out in either the fall of 2013 or early in 2014.

After that, I’m not sure, but I do have several new YA series ideas, including other stories set in The Dust Chronicles world, and an unrelated series I can’t talk about yet. I’ll keep you posted!

TRC: Please do.  🙂

TRC: Many authors and artists have spouses/partners who offer advice, ideas or
criticism.  Who is your muse when you are looking for ideas?

MAUREEN: I have a fabulous group of critique partners who are also very talented authors. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

TRC: Do you have a favorite place, or a favorite time (day or night) to write? 

MAUREEN: I am not a morning person. Never have been. Likely never will be. I like to write in coffee shops—I’m in one right now—and usually write in the afternoon and into the evening.

TRC: Is there anything you would like to add?

MAUREEN:  I’m so excited about this new series. While Deviants isn’t my official debut, it feels like my debut… It’s my first hardcover and my first novel that I conceived from start to finish. While it took me years to get to this place, I can hardly believe Deviants going to be out in the world soon!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: turkey dinner

Favorite Movie: just one??? Short Cuts, The Hunger Games, Clueless

Favorite TV Show: just one??? The Vampire Diaries, The Wire, Friday Night Lights, Homeland

Favorite Dessert : anything with lemon

Dark or Milk Chocolate: milk

Last Book that you read: The Hunt, by Andrew Fukada

Favorite Author: just one??? Robertson Davies, Moira Young, Carrie Ryan, Suzanne Collins

Favorite Fictional Character (not your own): Anne of Green Gables—or Zsadist from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. How’s that for contrast? 🙂

Thank you Maureen for answering our questions.  We wish you good luck with your wonderful books now out and those soon to be released. We look forward to having you come back again.

MAUREEN: Thank you! This was really fun and I hope your readers enjoy Deviants.

If you would like to learn more about Maureen, you can find her at the following links:

Website: www.maureenmcgowan.com
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Maureen has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win a copy of Deviants.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment and say hi to Maureen.

4.  Giveaway open to U.S. or Canada only

5.  Contest runs from October 28th – October 31st.

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Deviants by Maureen McGowan – a Review

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Deviants by Maureen McGowan – a Review

Deviants is Maureen McGowan’s first book in her The Dust Chronicles series, which is a YA dystopian novel.  I read this book in one day, as I could not put it down. Here is a description from her website:

Description:
In a post-apocalyptic world, where the earth is buried by asteroid dust that’s mutated the DNA of some humans, orphaned, sixteen-year-old Glory must hide and protect her younger brother. If their Deviant abilities are discovered, they’ll be expunged—kicked out of the dome to be tortured and killed by the Shredders. Glory would give anything to get rid of her unique ability to kill with her emotions, especially when Cal, the boy she’s always liked, becomes a spy for the authorities. But when her brother is discovered, and she learns their father, who was expunged for killing their mother, is still alive, she must escape the domed city that’s been her entire world.

Outside in the ruins, they’re pursued by the authorities and by sadistic, scab-covered Shredders who are addicted to the lethal-to-humans dust now covering the planet. Glory’s quests to transport herself and her brother to safety make up the thrilling and fascinating first volume of The Dust Chronicles.

Review:

Deviants immediately introduces our heroine, Glory, as she is scrounging prohibited places for rats.  Why rats?  Because she is starving, and she needs to feed her younger brother, so when you are desperate, rats are food.  This is a dystopian story, and the world as we know it has been destroyed, and those survivors live inside a dome called Haven.  No one is allowed outside, where the dust will kill you, unless the evil Shredders get to you first.  The conditions for the majority are poor, as they live in close encounters. The Comp rule the Haven. 

Glory hunts, with her friends, Jayma, Cal and Scout.  We find out early, that Glory has a secret power, which she is trying to learn to control.  No one, other then her brother Drake, knows about this power.  Glory can kill with her eyes, which she uses only to kill the rats.  Glory and her brother are Deviants, people who have various powers, and they are also hunted by the Comp.  When Deviants are found, they are expunged to the outside world, where the Shredders will kill them. 

Glory hides her brother, as he is crippled, due to a horrible accident three years ago. Her mother was murdered by her father, and her brother was crippled.  Glory knows her father was expunged and is now dead.  But she hid her brother, since he too came into his Deviant power, but being crippled, he cannot do much on his own.  If he is found, he will be killed.

Glory has a crush on Cal, and just when they start to date, she becomes concerned when he tells her he knows about her brother.  Around that time, Glory meets a stranger, who tells her that her father wants to talk to her.  She doesn’t believe the stranger and runs away. A short time later, when she goes home, she finds the stranger taking her brother with him. He tells her they are in danger, and he must take them to safety.  At that time, she hears the Comps searching her area, and she panics and goes with the stranger.  From here on is a very exciting adventure, which takes them outside the Haven, which puts them in constant danger against the Shredders, the elements, and other survivors who are very much interested in Glory.  At first she did not trust Burn (the stranger), but he treats her and her brother with kindness, and helps fight off the enemy.  Along the way, Glory begins to see that life at Haven, and the outside world was not what they were led to believe.  However, when Glory meets her father, she realizes he is alive and all that she believed was a lie. 

There are so many twists and turns along the way.  So many truths to discover, and betrayals. Glory does get to know Burn, and his Deviant and dangerous ability. They both become close, and she realizes that she has begun to care about him. They go through so much, in helping each other save their lives.

They will eventually meet their destination, a settlement which is run by the Freedom Army. But there are so many surprises & twists during the last ¼ of the book, and they will change the game drastically.  McGowan takes a surprising turn, that was very unexpected, and it leads to a cliff hanger, that will put Glory in more danger then she has has ever been before.  I for one cannot wait, as Maureen McGowan has created a wonderful new dystopian adventure that should not be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publisher

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Mortal Defiance ( Dark Betrayal #2) by Nichole Chase

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MORTAL DEFIANCE (Dark Betrayal Trilogy #2) by Nichole Chase

MORTAL DEFIANCE (Dark Betrayal Trilogy #2) by Nichole Chase

MORTAL DEFIANCE is the second instalment in Nichole Chase’s YA Dark Betrayal Trilogy.  At the end of Mortal Obligation, our heroine Ree McKenna has just lost a close friend to the Dark Ones.  Discovering that most of the people she knows are not quite human is a shock, but finding out her beloved brother Tristan, long thought dead and buried, may be responsible for a string of vampire-like murders, pushed Ree over the edge 

Junior year in high school should not be this complicated.  Darklings and godlings, vampires and guardians, gods and immortals should only be read about in books, but Ree is living a nightmare.  To complicate matters, her best friend Paden is now one of her guardians and he has made things ‘very personal’.  But there are others who believe that Ree is the epitome and re-incarnation of a former Dark One’s mate and he  wants to ensure that Ree survives the upcoming war for his own reasons.

The gods are after Ree and the guardians are confused as to the why. Her nightmares and dreams are premonitions and messages–warnings from the gods. And when the god of war and the god of mischief are involved, you know someone is taking sides.  But like every teen, there are parents involved, and Ree’s mother is an emotional wreck.  Believing her son is dead is nothing compared to discovering he is going to cause the end of the world.  Sending their parents away is probably for the best.

Tristan’s power is gaining in strength but there is someone else pulling the strings. The Dark Ones are attacking en masse and the small group of Guardians are sadly outnumbered especially when two of their own would not survive the fights.  Hoping to discover who or what is behind her brother’s rise, Ree knew the only ones that could get her the information are the gods.

MORTAL DEFIANCE is an action-packed story that continues the adventures of the Alastriana and her Guardians.  Nichole Chase did a superb job keeping my interest.  I read the novel in one sitting, hoping to find out what happens next.  Another great instalment in the Dark Betrayal Trilogy.

Copy supplied by author.

Reviewed by Sandy


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Jacquelyn Frank-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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JACQUELYN FRANK-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

The Reading Cafe would like to welcome Jacquelyn Frank. With her upcoming release FORBIDDEN, Jacquelyn revisits the World of the Nightwalkers and introduces us to the Bodywalkers. For a chance of pace we asked Jacquelyn a series of ‘different’ questions.  Hope everyone enjoys!

Jacquelyn Frank Bio: 

New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank is an old and decrepit 44 years old. She can’t remember shit, loves her eight cats to the point of lunacy, and lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She prides herself on being a crazy cat lady in the making (if not having already succeeded) and spends her free time rescuing teeny tiny kittens barely big enough to fill the inside of a toilet paper roll. You can watch for upcoming projects at www.jacquelynfrank.com or you can write to her at jackifrankwrites@gmail.com. If you’re writing her to complain about something, make sure you finish the book before you do 😉 She loves to mess with your head. 

You can also find Jacki on: 

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR-Jacquelyn Frank

TRC:  Hi Jacquelyn and welcome to The Reading Café. Today we have a list of questions out of the ordinary and some very important questions as well…enjoy!


FORBIDDEN is your new novel due to be released in October 2012.  Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Jacquelyn: I won’t tell you much because it would spoil the adventure of finding out for yourself. It takes place in my original Nightwalker universe. It’s a whole new set of races that the other races don’t know about, and as the series progresses you’ll see more and more crossing over between the two. If you like stories about love with sweeping romantic ideas, gasp inspiring adventures with twists and turns abounding and the evilest of evil, then this is your kind of book. The second book FOREVER is very evil.

TRC:  As part of the World of Nightwalkers, how many books do you have planned for this particular series?

Jacquelyn: Seems like six, just like the other set. I won’t go beyond that most likely because I hate it when series go on forever and you are too old and decrepit to remember who is who and…what if you miss a book?! Ack!

TRC:  FOREVER is the next installment (after Forbidden) in the World of Nightwalkers series.  Would you please tell us something about the premise?  Do you have an anticipated release date?

Jacquelyn: It looks like it’s coming in May. It was supposed to be January, but SOMEBODY was late writing it. *whistles innocently* Forever…well, I can’t tell the premise because it gives away a surprise at the end of FORBIDDEN.

TRC:  If you could virtually cast FORBIDDEN which models and actors would best represent the main characters ?


Jacquelyn: Henry Cavil for Ram. Ummy num num! And Docia wouldn’t be movie start pretty, more average Jane pretty. Like Meryl Streep in her youth. Only not as obviously strong-willed as Meryl always seems to be portraying. Her strength is much more understated…but very much there.

TRC:…mmmmm Henry Cavil !!!!

TRC:  Would you please tell us what 5 things you would like to accomplish in the next 10 years?

Jacquelyn: TRAVEL. Australia. And Alaskan cruise. Visiting Italy in perhaps a European cruise format. A cruise of the Grecian Isles. And, I want to start my own not-for-profit neo-natal kitten rescue.

TRC:  Please name the 3 people who have been your greatest influence (not necessarily your writing) and why?

Jacquelyn: My best friend Laura, she always believed in me and was the one who made me push the button that started me out on the road to success. My stepmom who gave me my first typewriter and read the most PAINFULLY immature stuff in order to encourage me when I was a teenager. Mead, for creating spiral bound notebooks, college ruled. And my sister Laraine who tells me not to read my reviews because she knows it will just hurt me or piss me off if it’s too critical.

TRC:  Do you remember your very first date?

Jacquelyn: Umm…no actually off hand I don’t.

TRC:  Tell us about a ‘date from hell’?  Did you ever return to the ‘scene of the crime’?

Jacquelyn:  It was my birthday (actually my birthdays historically ALWAYS suck) and the guy was just a douche. He thought making a frozen dinner and a candle in a cupcake was enough payment to warrant sticking his hand where it didn’t belong.

TRC:  Did you ever throw a party or attend a party/function that went to ‘hell in a handbasket’?

Jacquelyn: Hehehe. That’s one of my favorite sayings. The worst for me is when I throw a dinner party and it all turns out wrong. 😉

TRC:  Did you go to your senior prom?

Jacquelyn: Nope. I went to my boyfriend’s though the next year and since all my friends were a grade behind me it worked out perfectly.

TRC:  What makes you angry?

Jacquelyn: Liars. And crappy, thoughtless, selfish stupid-ass drivers. Of which we seem to have many in my home town.

TRC:  Please tell us the happiest event in your life and why?

Jacquelyn: The day Kate Duffy called me from Kensington Publications and told me she wanted my stuff.

TRC:  If you could have dinner with anyone (real, imagined, living , dead) who would it be and why?

Jacquelyn: Kate Duffy. I miss her terribly and just talking about her makes me tear up.

TRC:  What kinds of things would we see ‘hanging’ around your computer and desk?

Jacquelyn: I write in bed so…CATS! Lots and lots of cats! I have eight and they all want a piece of me whenever I sit still.

TRC:  When you write do you prefer quiet and solitude, or do you listen to music ..e.g. specific playlist or group?

Jacquelyn: It depends on my mood. I’ve been tending toward silence lately because my train of thought is so fragile these days as I grow old and decrepit.

TRC:  With whom do you bounce ideas or strategize?

Jacquelyn: I tend to keep things to myself to keep from handing out spoilers. Beth Miller, my agent’s assistant though is a regular help.

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

Jacquelyn: Book three in The World of Nightwalkers series. I haven’t thought of a name yet. 😉

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Golden Oreos.

Favorite Dessert
Apple crisp w/ vanilla ice cream…mmm.

Favorite TV Show
Grey’s Anatomy. Now and forever. Been watching it from day 1.

Favorite Movie
Pride and Prejudice w/ Colin Firth. Not that suck ass other one they did.

Last Movie you saw
Dark Knight Rises. Great movie.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
MILK! I despise bitter dark chocolate. It’s like, what the HELL is the point of that?!

Last Vacation Destination
Disney World 😉

TRC: Thank you Jacquelyn for taking the time to answer our very well thought out questions ;).  We wish you all the best and are looking forward to your new release FORBIDDEN.

Jacquelyn: Thanks for having me. I had fun. 🙂

Jacquelyn Frank’s FORBIDDEN Blog Tour

October 21 – Under The Covers –  http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspot.ca/

October 22 – I Smell Sheep – http://ismellsheep.blogspot.com/

October 23 - Vampire Werewolves & Fairies Oh My – http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

October 24 – RCJReZine – http://rcjrezineblog.blogspot.com/

October 25 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind – http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/

October 26 – Riverina Romantics - http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

October 26 – Cocktails & Books – http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

October 27 – Reading Between The Wines – http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

October 27 – The Reading Cafe – http://thereadingcafe.com/

October 28 – Book Monster Reviews – http://bookmonsterreviews.blogspot.com/

October 28-LITERAL ADDICTION - http://www.literaladdiction.com/

LIVE CHAT from 2-3pm EST – http://www.literaladdiction.com/author-chat.php#/general/

October 29 – Book Reader Addict – http://bookreaderaddictsgiveaways.blogspot.com/

October 30 – United by Books –  http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

October 31 – Book Lovin’ Mamas – http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

November 1 – Grave Tells – http://gravetells.com/

November 2 – My Keeper Shelf – http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com/

November 5 – Paranormal Haven – http://www.paranormalhaven.com/

November  6 – Romancing The Book – http://www.romancing-the-book.com/

November 7 – Books-N-Kisses – http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

November 9 – The Book Nympho – http://thebooknympho.blogspot.com

November 10 – Reading on the Wild Side – http://readingonthewildside.blogspot.com/

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Publication Date:  October 30, 2012
Preorder Now:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

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Forever (The World of Nightwalkers #2)
Publication Date:  March 26, 2013

Preorder Now:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

After being brought back from death, police officer Jackson Waverly receives the shock of his life: he has become host to a Bodywalker, a spirit that is reborn in flesh and blood, and part of a proud, ancient race that uses its extraordinary gifts to battle dark, evil forces. Jackson’s spirit is a powerful one—none other than the Egyptian pharaoh Menes, who longs to reunite with his eternal love, the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut.

While Menes is obsessed with finding the perfect vessel for his queen, Jackson cannot stop thinking about Dr. Marissa Anderson, the gorgeous precinct shrink who keeps pushing him to confront his grief over the loss of his K-9 partner. But what Marissa really arouses most in Jackson is intense desire, which is exactly what Menes is looking for. To fight a great enemy, pharaoh and queen must join; but to host Hatshepsut, Marissa will first have to die. Fate has given Jackson a profound choice: save Marissa from Menes’ plan or keep an entire species from the brink of extinction.

Jacquelyn is offering a copy of FORBIDDEN to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address as Twitter etc does not allow for email information for contact.

3.  Giveaway OPEN internationally

4.  Giveaway runs October 27 to November 10, 2012

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FORBIDDEN (World of the Nightwalkers #1 ) by Jacquelyn Frank

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Forbidden (World of the Nightwalkers #1) by Jacquelyn Frank-a review

FORBIDDEN (World of the Nightwalkers #1) by Jacquelyn Frank

FORBIDDEN is the first novel in Jacquelyn Frank’s new spinoff from the World of the Nightwalkers-The Bodywalkers.  The Menes Bodywalkers are a species of beings from ancient Egypt whose soul or spirit remains in the Ether, waiting to cross over and ‘blend’ with another, and like the Nightwalkers, the Bodywalkers are nocturnal.   The Bodywalkers are at their weakest during the blending while the soul and the host merge into one and the dominant personality comes forward.  For a Bodywalker, this is the only way life will begin anew.  But sometimes, the host remains dominant and that causes a series of problems.  Hoping to find a host for their Queen, the Bodywalker’s select Docia Waverly.

Docia Waverly enjoyed life.  Along with her brother Jackson (SWAT Sergeant) they teased and joked. But Jackson had recently suffered a loss and he is all about his sister’s protection since the death of their parents.  And the morning Docia wakes up in the morgue following a fatal push in the Hudson River, her death is only the beginning.  Following a second attempt on her life, Docia discovers there are others who are targeting her and Jackson is powerless to discover whom. 

The Bodywalkers have been looking for suitable candidates for their King Menes and his Queen Hatshepsut, and when the prophetess Cleo guided them to an American woman in the nexus of New York, they knew the time had come. Ram, as the Queen’s guide and protector must find the new host and take her into protective custody in Sanctuary before the others discover her identity.  Knowing their Queen is now at her most vulnerable, Ram and the warrior Asikri must protect and defend the woman known as Docia from the faction that decimated them all a century before. But Docia’s blending was taking time and her human personality was trying hard to hold on-she was trying to resist. 

Ram and Docia’s relationship began as protector and Queen, but all too soon, their feelings would get caught up in each other, and Ram knew there would be problems when his Queen emerged as the dominant to the host-King Menes was Ram’s best friend, and Ram was falling for the host. But Ram’s host Vincent was also falling for Docia and the stakes were becoming more complicated. With whom had Ram/Vincent fallen in love?

Docia’s easy acceptance of the Bodywalker assimilation was interesting. She had plenty of questions but in her own way she was trying to compare herself to Star Trek and the Borg.  Jacquelyn writes this particular story with many references to modern day media and television. The Bodywalker phenomenon and life-cycle is explained in detail including their ability to seemingly live for thousands of years. Many of the Bodywalker’s are the original rulers of ancient Egypt and in a surprising twist Docia will discover that the war between the ancients and the Templar traitors was directly related to issues of subjugation between Bodywalker and the host.  Even Ram was once a king. But the Templar traitors have problems of their own. And they were willing to go back to war to stop the King and Queen from ascending the throne once again.

There is a secondary storyline as it pertains Jackson Waverly and the precinct psychiatrist Marissa Anderson.  The sexual attraction rolls off both characters until they merge together in a continuous battle of wills. One up-manship never looked so hot. But Jackson’s first concern is the safety and return of his sister, and what he finds is something out of a horror movie. And when he finally finds his sister, it may be too late-for everyone.

Jacquelyn mixes Nightwalkers, Bodywalkers, humans, living gargoyles, dragons, Djynn and humor.  The storyline is fast paced, well written and the character development is smooth as it blends ancient Egyptian rulers with modern day men. Jacquelyn Frank does an amazing job re-writing the myths and legends of Ramses, Cleopatra and other well-known and infamous kings and queens. Another amazing new series from a fantastic author.

For me, the ending was predictable, but then again, I am rarely led astray. So, here’s to two lost souls, finally finding each other, once again.

Reviewed by Sandy

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

 

 

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HIDDEN (House of Night #10) by PC and Kristin Cast-a review

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HIDDEN (House of Night #10) by PC and Kristin Cast-a review

HIDDEN (House of Night #10) by PC and Kristin Cast

HIDDEN is the tenth full-length novel (October 16, 2012 release) in PC and Kristin Cast’s young adult HOUSE OF NIGHT series focusing on 16 year old Vampyre Zoey Redbird and her gang of misfit vampyres with affinities to the elements. When last we saw Zoey and her friends, Zoey’s mother had been killed by the High Priestess Neferet, Aurox had just killed Weapons Master Dragon Lankford during the reveal ceremony and Kalona swooped in to save his ½ raven ½ human son Raphaim. Oh, and everyone on the High Council now knows that Neferet has aligned herself with everything evil. It took ten books for the Council to pull their heads out of the sand, but finally Neferet’s true nature has been revealed.

The Goddess Thanatos (Death) is now in charge of the Tulsa House of Night where Zoey and the vampyres are schooled. With Thanatos in charge, she makes it her responsibility to ensure that the young vampyres follow the path of good, but when Neferet defected to the ‘dark side’ she left a path of destruction and betrayal. Blood sacrifices called forth the beast known as Aurox and while we all know his true identity, the vampyres at the House of Night only know that he was created from Darkness to destroy Zoey and her friends.

To be honest, the storyline does not progress much further than the previous book and only about 2-3 days in total. Neferet continues to feed the ‘dark tendrils’ using her blood and the blood of immortals, but it is her power and control over Aurox that will waiver when his humanity begins to usurp the beast buried beneath the human façade. And it will be the power of the elements that will help Aurox control the beast and with Zoey’s magical seer pendant, Aurox’s true identity will be revealed to everyone at the House of Night but not before Neferet devises one final plan to bring Zoey down.

Within this particular storyline Kalona and Aurox, once puppets ruled by Neferet, will see the error of their ways and the Goddess Nyx will begin to show some compassion for two of her lost children. A newly marked red vampire will be gifted with ‘the sight’ and with the ability to read colors and auras she will become a valuable member at the House of Night much to Aphrodite’s chagrin.

The usual cast of characters return with a young fledgling defecting to the ‘dark side’ but what I noticed is that some of the Cast’s writing has changed and matured (not all) which was a pleasant and welcome surprise. In the past, the negative, immature and derogatory name calling and comments from many of the characters was becoming unbearable and pushed this particular series into the –”not sure if I want to continue pile”! There is still quite a compilation of immature theatrics from a couple of characters including the high and mighty Aphrodite, who can’t seem to stop the swearing and rude behavior. How many times can one character use the term f***tard in one chapter?  But overall, many of the characters appear to have stepped up to the plate (so to speak).

The writing style continues to be stilted. The storyline will flow along and then all of a sudden falter, but we know there are two writers for this particular series. Similar to all of the other storylines, the books stumble whenever the characters enter into what seems to be a forced conversation with one another. Sometimes it is like reading two different books.  And there is plenty of repetition as it pertains to Zoey’s thoughts and comments. IBS anyone?  

I would like to add that if anyone has not read the HON novella Lenobia’s Vow, I would suggest that you check it out. Lenobia’s Vow is a short story revealing the past life and love of the horse mistress Lenobia Whitehall and the story will come full circle within the pages of HIDDEN. If you are a fan of the House of Night series, the novellas are of a much better quality of writing and speak with more maturity and grace.

Overall, I enjoyed HIDDEN much more than many of the previous storylines. Perhaps it is the change in the maturity level of the writing or the fact that many of the characters are no longer struggling with their own identities and have stopped ‘pushing’ themselves into the storyline at every opportunity.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cover Reveals

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COVER REVEALS 

SPENCER HILL PUBLISHING wants your help!!

BLOOD BOUND:   Blood Bound is the debut release of new author Keish Swaim.   For the cover reveal there are TWO options and SPENCER HILL is asking for your help in choosing which cover they will use for Keisha’s new novel.

Vote HERE for your favorite cover!!

















TITLE:  Bound Blood
AUTHOR: Keish Swaim
PUBLISHER: Spencer Hill Press  www.spencerhillpress.com
ISBN: 978-1-937053-45-1
RELEASE DATE: September 10, 2013
FORMATS: Paper, e-book

Starting college a year early is hard. Starting fae college and learning to protect the world from the Unseelie is harder.

 

Brielle Reed has always been an over-achiever, but this time she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Between her crash course in fae politics, struggles to control her new mind-reading ability, training sessions with the demanding Dr. Schwartz, and discoveries about the father who is still a mystery to her, Brielle finds herself longing for a chance at a normal life. But she may not get that chance. Or chance at a life at all, for that matter.

 RELEASE DATE:  September 2013

 

Omens

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home, and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

Release Date: August 2013

 

TITLE:  Loki’s Wolves 

AUTHOR:  Kelley Armstrong/Melissa Marr

SERIES:  The Blackwell Pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: The Winemaker’s Dinner-Entrees

AUTHOR: Dr. Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond

SERIES: The Winemaker’s Dinner

RELEASE DATE: TBA

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Affliction

AUTHOR: Laurell K Hamilton

SERIES: Anita Blake

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Gameboard of the Gods

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

SERIES: Age of X

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: The Lass Wore Black

AUTHOR: Karen Ranney

SERIES: Scottish Romance

RELEASE DATE: January 2013

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An Interview with Kristen Painter

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An Interview with Kristen Painter

The Reading Cafe is happy to have the wonderful Kristen Painter as our guest today.

Kristen has her newest release, Out for Blood, coming on Tuesday, October 30th.  Yesterday we posted an early review of her terrific continuation of Kristen’s House of Comarre series. 

Kristen is here to talk to us about her latest book, as well as telling us a bit about herself.

Let’s meet Kristen.

Hi Kristen.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book, and it is a pleasure to have you here at The Reading Café.

TRC: Would you please tell us about yourself?


Kristen: This is a tough question. What do I say? I love pretty things, but I’m not sentimental. I have four cats and two fish tanks that fascinate me endlessly. I get cranky when I’m hungry (my husband made me add this.:) I’m fiercely loyal to my friends. I can be silly or serious. Family is important to me. I tend to speak before thinking, although I’m working on that one. Graphic novels are one of my favorite escapes. And I have a shopping addiction. I think that gives you a good general picture. Hah!

TRC: When and how did you become interested in writing?  Have you always liked to write?

Kristen: I’ve written stories since I’ve been able to hold a pencil and (mostly) spell the words necessary to get my ideas onto paper. I don’t know if I ever consciously thought “I want to be a writer.” I just always felt like I was one. If you write, you’re a writer. For me, it’s that simple.

TRC: What was your first book published?  What was your reaction when you saw your first published book?

Kristen: My first published book was All Fired Up from Samhain Publishing in 2010. Seeing that first book was pretty thrilling, as I think it is for most authors. There’s definitely a sense of, “Wow, I did it.” I had another genuinely heart-stopping moment when I first saw the cover for Blood Rights. It’s an amazing cover (the whole series of covers has been amazing!) and I feel really blessed to have ended up with them.

TRC: How did you come up with the idea of House of Comarré?  Can you please tell us the premise of the House of Comarré Series?

Kristen: The idea of Chrysabelle came to me in college – this mysterious, gold inked woman in a white gown who was far more dangerous than anyone realized. The rest of the series grew up around her with the basic premise of what if vampires had blood geishas? That’s loosely what I built off of.

 

TRC: Please tell us a little about Out for Blood, which is being released October 30th.

Kristen: Out For Blood will take the characters to some dark places emotionally, but I promise it will all be resolved in Last Blood in a very satisfying way.

LINKS TO PRE-ORDER
Amazon / The Book Depository / Barnes and Noble

 

 

TRC: We have read that Last Blood, coming in July 2013 is the last book of House of Comarre series.  Was this your intent to end the series after 5 books?

Kristen: I didn’t have any real idea of how many books it would take to tell this story, I just told it the way it came to me and that turned out to be five books and one novella. I’m happy with that. I never wanted to be an author who hung on to a series longer than necessary. It’s still hard to say goodbye to the characters though – they’ve been a part of my life for a while now.

TRC: You have written Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.  Which genre do you prefer, and is there any other genre you are interested in writing?

Kristen: I’ve also written steampunk, but I definitely love Urban Fantasy. You can do so much crazy stuff in this genre and it’s perfectly acceptable. I love that!

TRC: Many people seem to be confused as to what is Urban Fantasy.  Can you explain the difference between Urban Fantasy & Fantasy or Paranormal?

Kristen: To me, if the book ends with a happy ever after, it’s paranormal romance. If the romance is just an element of the book, it might be Urban Fantasy.

TRC: What are you working on now? Do you have a new series planned?

Kristen: I just finished up book five, Last Blood, so now I’m working on my next series idea. I actually have two, so I don’t know what I’ll end up writing next. I’m excited about both of them, though, so whatever it is, I’m ready to write!

TRC: Who is your muse?

Kristen: I don’t really believe in muses – not any more than I believe in writer’s block. I write because telling stories is my job. I can always write something, always figure out a way to make something work. That’s what authors do. And those days that the writing is hard, but I get it done anyway? Those are some of the most rewarding because it’s often those days that produce some really great stuff.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Kristen: I just want to say I love my readers, love hearing from them and am always willing to interact with them on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor.

Thank you, Kristen for answering our questions. We look forward to continuing to read your books, and to work with you again in the future. 

If you want to learn more about Kristen, you can find her at the following links:

Website: http://kristenpainter.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Kristen has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win a copy of any book from her House of Comarre series.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment and say hi to Kristen.

4.  Giveaway open to U.S. & Canada only.

5.  Contest runs from October 26rd – October 29th.


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