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Review + Giveaway: Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson (ends 01/21)
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Please Note: New Holiday Review Policy! (extended indefinitely)

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Stacking the Shelves (1)

Thanks to Tynga at Tynga's Reviews for hosting Stacking the Shelves and making this awesome graphic.

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process! --Tynga

I have stayed quiet about the drama that overtook the book blogging community this past week, and plan to stay quiet. I don't like drama and am not here to stir the pot. But I am no longer going to be participating in In My Mailbox anymore due to said drama. And apparently I'm not alone. Tynga, at Tynga's Reviews, has started Stacking the Shelves as a way for those who no longer want to take part in IMM to share all of the pretty books that we receive. So I will also be participating in Stacking the Shelves. I also had this post all ready and posted when the mailman came by and added two to the pile. He had perfect timing. :)


Review: (Thanks to Netgalley!)
Velveteen by Daniel Marks [Pre-order]
The City's Son by Tom Pollock [Pre-order]
I didn't think the publisher was going to give me an e-ARC for Velveteen, since the request sat there for two weeks, so I'm very excited. The City's Son sounds like a more grown up YA novel. I didn't know it was YA until I saw who was publishing it.


Bought:
Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black [Buy now]
Evil Dark by Justin Gustainis [Buy now]
Coveted by Shawntelle Madison [Buy now]
I'm really excited for Coveted. I love that the different packs are from New Jersey and Long Island. Normally, stories take place in NYC, not the surrounding area. And I know I'll love Deadly Descendant and Evil Dark because I enjoyed the first books in both series.


Free Reads: (These titles may not still be free.)
Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer
Tempted by Rebecca Zanetti
I was excited for Elemental to be free because I want a taste of the series before purchasing the first novel, Storm. I also grabbed Tempted while it was free since I have the first of the series waiting on my Kindle.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Mini-Review: The Dragon Stirs by Lynda Aicher

Title: The Dragon Stirs
Author: Lynda Aicher
Series: Energen #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 02/07/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:
The energy might bind them, but their love could save us all...

When Shifter Airiana Draco volunteers to scout the enemy’s compound, her family thinks it's to prove herself. In truth, she wants answers. Plagued with doubt and a secret shame, she hungers to learn more about the Energens, the people who have opposed the Shifters since the beginning of time. But getting captured wasn't in her plans.

Energen Loukianos Aeros has always wondered about his exiled older brother who was accused of aiding their mortal enemy, the Shifters, long before Louk was born. Now, the answers Louk seeks are within his grasp when he stumbles upon a beautiful enemy spy right outside his door.

Forced together by the energy, Airiana and Louk are unprepared for the sudden attraction as they struggle to gain the answers they seek. As the danger builds and their lives are threatened, they must learn to trust the energy and each other. But are they strong enough to challenge all they were raised to believe or will the pressure cause them to turn on the one truth they can’t deny?

The time is coming when earth will be changed forever. The dragon is rising and with the joining of The Two, he stirs.

Warning: Mix two opposing forces with some elemental powers, add in a little shove from the energy and you get earth-shattering sex, one angry dragon, a world that is altered forever.


Mini-Review: I really liked the idea of the energy in this novel, along with the Shifters and the Energen. The feud between the two made for a lot of tension. I just wish there could've been more details included about the energy that surrounded everything that happened. There were a few times in which I was wondering if I missed a prologue. The pace of the novel was great, I read it in an afternoon. I also really enjoyed the alternating points of view between Airiana and Louk. It gave me a good look into both the Shifters and the Energen. I really enjoyed the main couple, Airiana and Louk, but I wish some of the other characters could've had slightly larger parts. The cover model's hand looks a bit like claws at a first glance. And the dragon in the background is faint enough that I didn't notice it at first.

Plot: 3.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 3.5 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (52)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: The Taken
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Series: Celestial Blues #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: 06/12/12
Chosen by: Sara
Summary:
Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was back when gumshoes hoofed the streets... and he was still alive. Fifty years later, he's an angel, but that doesn't make him a saint. One small mistake has altered fate, and now he's been dumped back onto the mortal mudflat to collect another soul -- Katherine "Kit" Craig, a journalist whose latest investigation is about to get her clipped.

Bucking heavenly orders, Grif refuses to let the sable-haired siren come to harm. Besides, protecting her offers a chance to solve the mystery of his own unsolved murder -- and dole out some overdue payback for the death of his beloved wife, Evie.

Joining forces, Kit and Grif's search for answers leads beyond the blinding lights of the Strip into the dark heart of an evil conspiracy. But a ruthless killer determined to destroy them isn't Grif's biggest threat. His growing attraction to Kit could cost them both their lives, along with the answer to the haunting question of his long afterlife..

Mini-Review: Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson

Title: Wicked as They Come
Author: Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Blud #1
Genre: Paranormal/Steampunk Romance
Release Date: 03/27/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)
Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk... and completely irresistible.

When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?


Mini-Review: There is one word to sum up the awesomeness of this novel: bludbunnies! Little blood-sucking bunnies! After falling into this strange new dimension of Bludmen and clockwork devices, it wasn't long before Tish was punting the little bludbunnies away like a natural. I really loved how Tish fell into this new world while asleep. And the alternate dimension she fell into was a creepy and crazy world that was a touch dystopian, a big part steampunk, with a fresh take on vampires known as Bludmen. I really loved all of the circus performers, and hope we will see more from them in the next book. Criminy Stain was a very interesting character. He was mysterious, humorous, dangerous, and definitely a performer. He accompanies Tish on her quest to find the missing locket, and this journey brings them all over this new world. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, and all sorts of new places along the way. The cover itself is a gorgeous blue. I loved the hints of blood and gears, and the cover model's outfit is perfect.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

In My Mailbox (124)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

I really shouldn't be allowed in the library. I go crazy. It's always the same. I get excited because they have something relatively soon after a release, or it's finally not checked out. And then I just keep grabbing. I never read them all before they're due back, so I really need to slow myself down. (Plus, I have so many unread books in my room...) I did find a few interesting titles in the $1 section at the used bookstore.


Bought:
Trolls in the Hamptons by Celia Jerome [Buy now]

Used:
Every Demon Has His Day by Cara Lockwood [Buy now]
City of Dreams & Nightmare by Ian Whates [Buy now]


Library:
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson [Buy now]
Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones [Buy now]
Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones [Buy now]
Possess by Gretchen NcNeil [Buy now]
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver [Buy now]
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan [Buy now]

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mini-Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black

Title: Dark Descendant
Author: Jenna Black
Series: Nikki Glass #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 04/26/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.

Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die... Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy. But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy...


Mini-Review: I'm still new to this trend of blending Mythology with Urban Fantasy, but this novel has made me a fan. The author has created a dark and fantastic world where Mythology blends into the real world, and Nikki Glass gets thrown in head first. She resists at first, but reluctantly accepts this new reality. There are many twists and turns, and Nikki doesn't always know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. I really liked the aspect of the story in which the descendants of each god had attributes reminiscent of the god. The cover is a nice punch of bright blue. I really enjoy how all of the elements of the cover are centered. It draws your eye straight to the model's gun.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review from the publisher.

Review: Knight’s Curse by Karen Duvall

Title: Knight's Curse
Author: Karen Duvall
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 08/23/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
A skilled knife fighter since the age of nine, Chalice knows what it's like to live life on the edge -- precariously balanced between the dark and the light. But the time has come to choose. The evil sorcerer who kidnapped her over a decade ago requires her superhuman senses to steal a precious magical artifact... or she must suffer the consequences.

Desperate to break the curse that enslaves her, Chalice agrees. But it is only with the help of Aydin -- her noble warrior-protector -- that she will risk venturing beyond the veil to discover the origins of her power. Only for him will she dare to fully embrace her awesome talents. For a deadly duel is at hand, and Chalice alone will have to decide between freedom... and the love of her life.


Plot: 3.5 Stars
This novel was a very unique Urban Fantasy. The author's gargoyles were completely different from any gargoyle I've ever read and I really enjoyed them even if Chalice's gargoyle trapped her in her current situation and was definitely not a good guy. The idea of the Vyantara and the Hatchet Knights was very intriguing. The author gave little bits of knowledge here and there, but I feel like I still don't know that much about the Hatchet Knights. Although a little bit is revealed about the past, almost nothing is revealed about the present day Hatchet Knights. Hopefully the next installment will elaborate on these women, because I'm definitely intrigued. The Vyantara, on the other hand, are a group of sorcerers with evil intentions. It wasn't difficult at all to root against them.

Pace: 3 Stars
This novel took a bit for me to get into. The first chapter was from the past, when Chalice was originally kidnapped. Then the story jumps to the present while Chalice is on a job. I didn't really learn much about Chalice or the world she is in until after she returned to Gavin after the job. And it wasn't until she met Aydin a few chapters later that I was turly invested in the story. The introduction to everything was a bit drawn out before the action started. But once the action started, it didn't stop and the pace of the novel picked up.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
Chalice was both a strong, kick-ass Urban Fantasy heroine, and a vulnerable young woman. Her world was thrown upside-down when she is kidnapped, and she tries to work around her restrictions as much as possible. Her super strong senses were very intriguing, but I felt like she didn't use them nearly enough. For something that could both help and hinder, they weren't mentioned very often. Aydin was a very interesting character. I really enjoyed how her introduced Chalice to many things that the Vyantara had kept quiet, and how he stretched the limits of his own gargoyle. Chalice's gargoyle can be a bit scary at times, and he's not very similar to Aydin's gargoyle. Gavin, the one holding Chalice, was not a good person. In fact, it was all too easy to hate him.

Cover: 4 Stars
The stained glass in the background is my favorite aspect of this cover. Not only does it add a riot of colors to an otherwise plain brown cover, it draws the eye. The angle of the sun coming through the stained glass puts a bit of a spotlight on the cover model, while leaving the rest of the cover in the shadows a bit. It's a very striking image. The cover model is a great depiction of Chalice. Her pose and her outfit scream kick-ass, and she doesn't let you down in that respect. The swirls around the title complement the text very well. Small embellishments that really work with a title are always great in my book.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review from the author.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (51)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Shadow Bound
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: 05/22/12
Chosen by: Sara
Summary:
Kori Daniels is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she's ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if it means taking it from someone else...

The job? Recruit Ian Holt -- or kill him.

Ian's ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he's on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower's top Binder: Kori's little sister.

Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they'll have to choose between love and liberty...

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Author Interview: Lynda Hilburn

Today, I'd like to welcome Lynda Hilburn to the blog! Earlier this month, on April 3rd, she celebrated the release of The Vampire Shrink.


Sara: How would you describe The Vampire Shrink, for readers who haven’t heard of it before?

Lynda: Here’s how my USA publisher describes it:

A sizzlingly sexy urban fantasy sure to feed the hunger of ravenous, vampire-loving fans.

Kismet Knight, a brainy Denver-based psychologist with a stalled career and a nonexistent love life, is about to have her world rocked. Not only does her newest patient, Midnight, long to become a vampire, but the teenager insists that a coven of the undead hangs out at a local goth club. The always-rational Kismet dismisses Midnight's claims as the delusions of an attention-starved girl -- until bodies start turning up drained of blood and the hottest self-proclaimed vampire ever to walk the face of the earth enters her office.

What's real? What's not? As inexplicable events and romantic opportunities pile up, along with the corpses, Kismet finds herself in a whirlwind of passion, mystery, and danger. But this tough and funny heroine -- who doesn't do damsel in distress -- is about to turn the vampire-meets-girl convention on its head.

Sara: In three words, how would you describe you main characters?

Lynda: Cerebral, clever, quirky.

Sara: Do you have a favorite character to write? Is there a character that’s a bit harder than the rest to write?

Lynda: The main female character, Kismet Knight, is my favorite to write because she’s an idealized version of me. I can make up all sorts of exciting experiences for her that I’ll never have! So far, none of the characters in the series has been difficult to write. But Tempest Moon in my Undead in the City novella was challenging. She’d had such a hard life it was difficult to give emotions and depth to a character who has learned to be cold and cynical.

Sara: What sets The Vampire Shrink apart from the other vampire novels?

Lynda: I think it’s the fact (as my British editor says) that the story is both humorous and darkly bloody. My psychologist character behaves realistically, meaning she isn’t easily persuaded by the supernatural. I have had lots of clients in my private psychotherapy practice who claimed to be something I didn’t believe for a minute. No matter how many times they told me over months or years. So, as infuriating as it might be for a few readers who wanted Kismet to “believe” much faster, that’s just not how her mind works. But once she figures it out...

Sara: Can we look forward to a sequel? Are you working on any other projects?

Lynda: I just turned in the manuscript for the new book #2 in the series, Blood Therapy. It should come out in the Fall. The book that used to be #2 (formerly called Dark Harvest) will be re-titled, rewritten/expanded and will be a future book. I also hope to start a second series as soon as I win the lottery and can quit my day job!

Sara: If Kismet could work together with any Urban Fantasy hero or heroine, who would you want her to work with?

Lynda: I think Kismet would have a wonderful time counseling any of the warriors in J.R. Ward’s series, Charlaine Harris’s Sookie, or Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake. I also imagine she’d be professionally challenged by Death from Kalayna Price’s Alex Craft novels. What awesome psychotherapy sessions those would be!

Sara: Tell us a little about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Lynda: I’m a pantser! I wish I could plot because I suspect it would save me a ton of time, but that’s not my nature. I literally never know what’s going to show up on the page until I see it. I tend to write in spurts –- I write a half hour, check email, get up and go to the kitchen, stop to click through the TV channels, write another half hour, write a blog post, etc. You get the picture. Short attention span! But if I stick with it long enough, I finish whatever I’m working on.

Sara: What are your influences both in and out of Urban Fantasy?

Lynda: I was mostly influenced to begin with by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the weird fiction of Tom Robbins and Anne Rice’s vampires. Now I read as much mystery/suspense (paranormal and psychological) as paranormals and urban fantasies, especially enjoying the work of Robert Crais, Jeff Lindsay and Stephen White. J.D. Robb’s “In Death” series is a major favorite. And my writing is heavily colored by listening to my clients’ stories.

Sara: What are you currently reading?

Lynda: I just read and enjoyed Darynda Jones’s three novels, the latest J.D. Robb, and am half way through Anne Rice’s The Wolf Gift.


Thanks for stopping by, Lynda! And here's some more information for anyone interested in The Vampire Shrink!

Title: The Vampire Shrink
Author: Lynda Hilburn
Series: Kismet Knight, Ph.D., Vampire Psychologist #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 04/03/12
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
A sizzlingly sexy urban fantasy sure to feed the hunger of ravenous, vampire-loving fans.

Kismet Knight, a brainy Denver-based psychologist with a stalled career and a nonexistent love life, is about to have her world rocked. Not only does her newest patient, Midnight, long to become a vampire, but the teenager insists that a coven of the undead hangs out at a local goth club. The always-rational Kismet dismisses Midnight's claims as the delusions of an attention-starved girl -- until bodies start turning up drained of blood and the hottest self-proclaimed vampire ever to walk the face of the earth enters her office.

What's real? What's not? As inexplicable events and romantic opportunities pile up, along with the corpses, Kismet finds herself in a whirlwind of passion, mystery, and danger. But this tough and funny heroine -- who doesn't do damsel in distress -- is about to turn the vampire-meets-girl convention on its head.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

In My Mailbox (123)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Review:
Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson [Buy now]
Thanks to Tor!
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa [Preorder now]
Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen [Preorder now]
Via Netgalley

Bought:
Article 5 by Kristen Simmons [Buy now]

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Quick Update

I just wanted to let everyone that I'm still here. This past week has been stressful in real life. I woke up at 7:30a on Monday to a text that my dad was in the hospital for chest pains. It wasn't a heart attack, thank goodness, but he's still in the hospital. They have to wait until this Monday to do the needed procedures because he has insanely low platelets. Besides that, there have been some changes at work that now make my job a bit more intense.

Not just the blog has suffered. I've also hit a bit of a reading slump as well. I'm about five reviews behind, with a couple of them being review requests, and I would like to apologize. I don't know if I'll be able to really get back into the right mind frame until I know everything goes ok for my dad Monday, but I promise to tackle the reviews this week.

I have also signed up for SpringKazNo, a NaNoWriMo-like event held by Karen Mahoney thru her blog this month. Some of us are writing while others are editing. My original goal was 40-50k and I wrote over 10k my first week. But this, of course, has been effected along with my blogging and reading. Although I did get a bit of plotting done. I think I'm going to make a new goal of at least 500 words per day. Now that I have a better idea of my capabilities, this seems like a much more attainable goal.

I will be posting an IMM tomorrow since it's been a while, and I have an author interview to post on Tuesday. Add some reviews to that and it's going to be a busy week. :)

Monday, April 9, 2012

Author Interview: Delilah S. Dawson

Today, I'd like to welcome Delilah S. Dawson to the blog! Last month, she celebrated the release of Wicked as They Come which was a fantastic blend of Paranormal Romance and Steampunk (review coming soon).


Sara: How would you describe Wicked as They Come, for readers who haven’t heard of it before?

Delilah: It’s a steampunk paranormal romance that unfolds in a dark Victorian world where half the population and most of the wild animals are blood drinkers. A gypsy caravan, clockwork animals, a kraken, a ghost, and a very smoldery hero await!

Sara: In three words, how would you describe you main characters?

Delilah: Criminy Stain – corybantic, magical, wicked
Tish/Letitia – good-hearted, spunky, tenacious

Sara: Do you have a favorite character to write? Is there a character that’s a bit harder than the rest to write?

Delilah: Criminy all but writes himself, and his banter is especially fun. I had trouble writing Elvis because he’s such a nasty, prejudiced little dude.

Sara: What sets Wicked as They Come apart from the other Paranormal Romance?

Delilah: The world is entirely unique, merging paranormal with magic with steampunk. It’s dark but doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a new spin on vampires. And what other book has blood-drinking bunnies?

Sara: Where did the idea for Wicked as They Come come from? Is it a novel you have always wanted to write or did it sneak up on you?

Delilah: Totally snuck up on me! After watching a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and listening to the album Like Vines by the Hush Sound, I had a dream that I woke up naked on a rock in the forest with this extra-naughty, long-haired version of Mr. Darcy staring at me. The story just naturally flowed from that moment, with little hints from the songs on Like Vines.

Sara: Can we look forward to a sequel? Are you working on any other projects?

Delilah: Yes! Wicked as They Come is the first in a three-book series, each book of which will follow a different romance. The next offering is an e-novella out this October called The Mysterious Madam Morpho, which takes place entirely in Criminy’s Clockwork Caravan. The second book, Wicked as She Wants, is out next spring. It’s excerpted at the end of Wicked as They Come and follows a much debauched and fallen Casper on his adventure with a character based on the story of Princess Anastasia -- if she was a blood drinker. Book three is tentatively slated to be Sang’s version of Moulin Rouge. But I hope I’ll have more chances to write about Criminy and Tish, because I had an entire story arc planned out for them...

Sara: Tell us a little about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Delilah: A little of both. I spend a long time meditating on the story seed, and I pretty much know from the beginning how it will end. I have a loose sort of outline with lots of room for adventure in between plot points. I start at the beginning and tramp straight through to the end without stopping and save the fleshing out for later drafts. If I get stalled out, I can jump start the story by running a bath in the dark and listening to music and basically putting myself into a trance. It always works!

Sara: What are your influences both in and out of Paranormal Romance?

Delilah: If we’re talking strictly books, then I love Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series the most, with a big nod to Anne Rice and Charlaine Harris for being my gateway to the genre. When I’m gearing up to write the Big Smex Scene, I reread Karen Marie Moning and Gena Showalter to remind me how it’s done. Outside of PNR, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander first showed me that romance books could also be stories that touched your heart and mind. And I love Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julie Grey series, too.

Sara: What are you currently reading?

Delilah: I’ve got Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck in my purse, Paper Towns by John Green on my bedside table, and Timeless by Gail Carriger on my Nook. Oh, and my husband bought my copy of Matthew Stover’s Caine’s Law today, which I’ve been waiting on forever! The really cool part is that I’ve gotten to know James, Gail, and Matt online and love their books all the more, knowing what warm and lovely people they are.

Thanks so much for interviewing me! If anyone has any burning questions, I can always be found on Twitter (@DelilahSDawson), on Facebook (facebook.com/DelilahSDawson), and on my blog (delilahsdawson.com). I don’t bite. Probably. =)


Thanks for stopping by, Delilah! And here's some more information for anyone interested in Wicked as They Come!

Title: Wicked as They Come
Author: Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Blud #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Steampunk
Release Date: 03/27/12
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me -- only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)

Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk... and completely irresistible.


When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?