Author Interview + Giveaway: Jennifer Estep

I'd like to welcome back urban fantasy author Jennifer Estep! She's the author of two wonderful series, the urban fantasy Elemental Assassins series and the young adult Mythos Academy series. Today, we're celebrating the recent release of her fifth Elemental Assassins book, Spider's Revenge.

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Sara: How would you describe Spider’s Revenge, for readers who haven’t heard of it before?

Jennifer: Spider’s Revenge in the fifth book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series that was released on Sept. 27. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can cotrol the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals –- Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone. Other books in the series are Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, and Tangled Threads.

In Spider’s Revenge, Gin is gearing up to finally go toe-to-toe with Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered Gin’s family when Gin was a kid. Also, Gin has to deal with the bounty hunters that Mab has hired to come to Ashland to track down the Spider –- and there’s a bounty on the head of Gin’s sister, Bria, as well. So there’s a lot of action in the book, which I hope will appeal to readers.

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

Jennifer: Finnegan Lane, Gin’s foster brother, is a lot of fun for me to write. Finn is a shameless, greedy womanizer who says exactly what he wants to whenever he wants to –- no matter who’s listening or what the consequences might be. Finn usually gets the best and funniest lines.

Bria is a bit difficult to write at times, mainly because her character is in between two worlds. On one hand, Bria is a good, honest cop. On the other, she has Gin, an assassin, as her sister. So it’s sometimes challenging to have Bria straddle those two worlds and have her struggle with where her heart and loyalties lie versus her job.

Sara: How many more novels set in Gin’s world can we look forward to?

Jennifer: I am currently under contract for two more Elemental Assassin books. By a Thread, the sixth book, will be released in March 2012, while the seventh book (untitled) is scheduled for an August 2012 release.

I’d love to write even more books in the series beyond these. I think there are a lot of Gin stories left to tell.

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

Jennifer: Good question! Hmm. There are a lot of great heroes and heroines in urban fantasy, but I would say Harry Dresden from the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. I think Gin and Harry would make a pretty formidable team, with her deadly skills and his magic. Plus, I think it would just be fun to have Gin hang out with Bob the skull, Murphy, and the other characters in the series.

Sara: If you could have an elemental power, which element would you choose?

Jennifer: Well, my hands are almost always cold, so I would have to go with Ice magic. LOL. Plus, it would be handy for cooling down on a hot summer day, and we’ve had plenty of those this year.

Really, though, I think all the elemental powers in my books would be cool to have. It would be interesting (and dangerous!) to be able to create fire with your bare hands or turn your skin into the equivalent of human marble so that nothing could hurt you. I always have a lot of fun thinking about the elemental magic and how Gin and all the other characters can use it and what they might do with it.

Sara: Do you have any other projects in the works? Are there any genres you’d like to branch out to in the future?

Jennifer: I also write the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.

Touch of Frost, the first book in the series, was released in August. First Frost, a prequel e-story to the series, is available as a 99-cent download. Kiss of Frost, the second book, will be released Nov. 29. Dark Frost, the third book, will be out in June 2012.

Also, Halloween Frost, a Mythos Academy e-story, can be found in the Entangled e-anthology that I am participating in with several other authors. The e-anthology is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. All proceeds from Entangled will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. For more information about all my books, folks can visit my website at www.jenniferestep.com.

I’d love to branch out into even more genres. I’d love to write a western someday, along with a romantic suspense book and a heist book.

Sara: I saw that your Bigtime novels are being released in e-book format with new covers. Can you tell us a bit more about them?

Jennifer: Of course. The Bigtime paranormal romance series features sexy superheroes, evil ubervillains, and smart, sassy gals looking for love. The books are set in Bigtime, a fictional city where everything is bright, colorful, fun, and larger-than-life, including the zany characters.

Books in the series are Karma Girl, Hot Mama, and Jinx, and they are available as $2.99 e-books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance Ebooks, and Smashwords.

Sara: What are you currently reading?

Jennifer: I’m in between books right now, but some of the titles in my TBR pile are Carte Blanche by Jeffrey Deaver; Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick; Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter; Last Chance by Christy Reece; and Kissing Comfort by Jo Goodman -– along with about twenty other books. I always wish I had more time to read. Happy reading, everyone!

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Thanks again for stopping by, Jennifer! Thanks to Jennifer, I have one (1) copy of Spider's Revenge to giveaway to a lucky person! To enter, just leave a valid e-mail address.

Giveaway Rules:
1. US only
2. Must leave a valid e-mail address
3. Giveaway will be open until midnight October 9th
4. Winner will be chosen using random.org October 10th

Title: Spider's Revenge
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassins #5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 09/27/11
Summary:

Old habits die hard for assassins.
And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.

Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very, very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen. Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters Mab hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second. Good thing I’ve got my powerful Ice and Stone magic—and my irresistible lover, Owen Grayson -- to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a good chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me... no matter what I have to do to make that happen.

Pocket Books: Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

Title: Alterant
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
ISBN: 9781439195246
Release Date: 09/27/11 On sale now!
Price: $7.99/$9.99 Can
Description:

In this explosive new world of betrayals #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR and shaky alliances created by New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love, the only free Alterant faces an impossible task -- recapture three dangerous escaped creatures before they slaughter more humans... or her.

The way Evalle Kincaid sees it, saving mankind from total destruction should have cleared her name. But when words uttered in the heat of combat are twisted against her, she's blamed for the prison break of three dangerous Alterants. She has one chance to clear the cloud of suspicion hanging over her... for good. All she has to do is recapture the escapees. But deals with gods and goddesses are tricky at best, and now the lives of all Beladors, and the safety of innocent humans, rides on Evalle's success. The only person she can ask for help wants to see her dead.

http://books.simonandschuster.com/buy/Alterant/9781439195246/from-other-retailers#book_retailers

Click here to get the FREE Short Story of FIREBOUND! A Belador Story. Only on Pocket afterdark.com!
http://pocketafterdark.com/_Short-story-from-Sherrilyn-Kenyon-and-Dianna-Love/blog/5105912/159176.html

Two Year Blogoversary + Giveaway!

I started blogging two years ago, and I never thought my blog would be what it is today. True, it's still pretty small in comparison to many, but I like it this way. I have enjoyed getting to know other bloggers and authors. And to celebrate, I'm hosting a giveaway! Here's a picture of what's up for grab:



Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs (graphic novel)
Personal Demons by Stacia Kane
Demon Inside by Stacia Kane
and Falling, Fly by Skyler White
In Dreams Begin by Skyler White
A handful of bookmarks from Jennifer Estep
(All books are gently read, with the exception of Demon Inside, which is brand new!)

This small pile of books will be going to one lucky commenter. To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address and an answer to the following question: What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

Giveaway Rules:
1. Must answer question and leave a valid e-mail address.
2. Giveaway is open to US resident only.
3. Giveaway is open until midnight on Thursday 10/06.
4. Winner will be chosen using random.org on Friday 10/07.
5. Winner will have 72 hours to respond with their mailing information. If the winner fails to do so, I will choose another winner.

In My Mailbox (101)

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

I rewarded myself this week with two books because I kept my spending down (and my paycheck was a little more than expected). I had to venture further than my local B&N, because that one is a small on in our tiny mall, but we also got cupcakes so it worked out. I also got a completely unsolicited ARC this week from a publicist I've worked with before. I have not included it because it is in no way paranormal, and therefore not my cup of tea. I think I'm gonna ask around at work to see if anyone wants to read it.


Review:
Dead Mann Walking by Stefan Petrucha [Buy now]
Thanks to Stefan and Roc!

Bought:
Roil by Trent Jamieson [Buy now]
Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff [Buy now]

Review: Surrender the Dark by L.A. Banks

Title: Surrender the Dark
Author: L.A. Banks
Series: The Dark #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 03/29/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

National bestselling author L.A. Banks’s electrifying new paranormal series is set in a sizzling world where Dark and Light are trapped in an eternal struggle for the fate of mankind.

Celeste Jackson has fought all her life against a fog of hallucination and substance abuse, but it’s not until she meets her protector, Azrael, an angel who has left the safety of the Light, that she learns of the evil forces that have been trying to ruin her, and why. A fierce battle for control of the mortal realm is brewing, and only Celeste -- with the help of the Remnant, her half-human, half-angel brethren -- can stand in the way. Together, Celeste and Azrael must gather an army of sensitives to defeat the dark powers that have ruled humanity for centuries, but time is running out. If Azrael surrenders to his growing desire for Celeste, he risks being trapped among humanity forever. But the longer he stays, the harder she is to resist. To save the world, Celeste must draw on her own dark experiences with addiction to help Azrael overcome the one temptation that could possibly make him an eternal prisoner -- his obsession with her.

Plot: 2 Stars
My biggest problem with this novel: I don't like my fallen angels to be tied to religion. I read paranormal fiction, not religious fiction, for a reason. Although Azrael explains that all religions tied together to the same God that he never really named, there was still a large amount of religion within the novel. I could almost deal with that, but there was a lot of preaching added on to that. In order to help Celeste, Azrael had to help her cleanse her body. Not just from alcohol and drugs, but from processed food and drink also. I could handle that, except for the delivery. Instead, I felt like the author was using these characters to preach to the reader about all of the horrible things humans put into their bodies. Also, I wouldn't recommend reading this novel unless you have the sequel ready to go right after it. This novel didn't end in a cliffhanger, but there wasn't much resolution.

Pace: 1.5 Stars
This book really dragged. It felt like everything had to be explained to Celeste in painstaking detail. Azrael was one of the most long winded characters I've ever read, and Celeste wasn't that far behind. The worst part about these super long explanations was that they didn't feel real. It didn't feel like conversation. It felt like I was back in college, sitting through a lecture for 400 pages.

Characters: 2 Stars
The novel starts off with Celeste thinking she's schizophrenic and using alcohol to make the voices go away. She is also living with an abusive boyfriend who is a horrible person. Azrael comes into her life because she is a piece of the puzzle between good and evil. He cleanses her body of her addiction, and it's like Celeste had never had alcohol before. It just wasn't a very realistic description of an addict fighting to stay sober. I understand that this was an Urban Fantasy, but I think Celeste would've been a much stronger character if she continued to fight with her addiction throughout the rest of the drama. In regards to Azrael, I don't think the book's description found on the back cover holds true. It talks a lot about Azrael's obsession with Celeste and how awful it could turn out. But in the novel, he is intrigued by her and develops feelings, but it is never portrayed as an obsession.

Cover: 3 Stars
I applaud Pocket for embracing these characters and not white-washing the cover. The characters were people of color, so they used models who were people of color. I think the cover model chosen for Celeste was a great match to the descriptions within the novel. I wish that the cover model they chose for Azrael wasn't facing away from the reader. Although it allows for a better shot of his wings, I would've liked to see him turned towards Celeste since he was sort of a Guardian Angel to her. The greens in the title blended well with the background were a good choice for the cover. It stands out on the shelves in a genre that has much more reds, oranges, purples, and blues.

Overall: 2 Stars

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

Waiting on Wednesday (45)

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

Title: Nightshade
Author: Maryrose Wood
Series: Poison Diaries #2
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release date: 10/25/11
Chosen by: Christen
Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Jessamine Luxton is heartbroken. Her true love, Weed, the strange but intriguing young man who came into her life so suddenly, has disappeared. How could he have left her with no farewell, and no word since?

Jessamine may not know why Weed vanished, but she does suspect that her own father, Thomas, may have had something to do with it. Thomas, who was so obsessed with Weed’s secret knowledge of dangerous plants that he would do anything to learn it. This suspicion -- and her experiences with poisons -- has changed her. She is no longer innocent, and now she has her own intimate knowledge of the power of the plants.

So when Jessamine learns that Weed is alive, she will do whatever it takes to be reunited with him.

She is, after all, her father’s daughter...

Title: Darker Still
Author: Leanne Renee Hieber
Series: Magic Most Foul #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release date: 11/01/11
Chosen by: Sara
Summary:

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

Giveaway Winner: Damned by Nancy Holder & Nancy Viguie

There was a total of 16 participants in the giveaway for an ARC of Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie. Using random.org, I randomized the list of entries, and then random selected the winner. The winner is...

xander_316!

Congratulations! Please respond to the e-mail I sent with your mailing information within 72 hours.

Didn't win? Haven't started the series yet? You can pick up a copy from The Book Depository and have it shipped for free!
[Crusade] [Damned]

In My Mailbox (100)

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

I hit the jackpot at the library this week. I also had a couple great afternoons in which I found some lovelies in the mailbox. Hopefully some of these titles with help me with the reading slump I've gone through. So far, I'm about to finish my third novel of the month (only three!), and they've each taken six days each. It's driving me nuts, especially since they've been really good.


Review:
Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner [Buy now]
Thanks to Nancy and Ace!
Radiant Desires by Inara Scott (not pictured)
Thanks to Netgalley!

Won:
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies [Buy now]
Thanks to Goodreads and HarperTeen!
The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay [Buy now]
Thanks to Katiebabs @ Babbling About Books and More and Pocket!

Used:
The Taste of Night by Vicki Pettersson [Buy now]


Library:
Nocturne by Syrie James [Buy now]
Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones [Buy now]
Shimmer by Alyson Noel [Buy now]
Dead Rules by Randy Russell [Buy now]
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey [Buy now]
After Midnight by Lynn Viehl [Buy now]
Blood Red Road by Moira Young [Buy now]

Waiting on Wednesday (44)

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

Title: First Kill
Author: Heather Brewer
Series: Slayer Chronicles #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release date: 09/20/11
Chosen by: Christen
Summary:

Joss McMillan’s perfect life crashes down the night he witnesses his sister’s murder -- at the hands of a vampire. He then finds out his family’s secret heritage: They are part of the Slayer Society, a group whose mission is to rid the world of vampires. Joss is their new recruit. As Joss trains, bent on seeking revenge for his sister, he discovers powers that could make him the youngest, strongest Slayer in history. But there is a traitor in the Society, one whose identity would shake Joss to the core... if the traitor doesn’t kill him first. With over a million copies already in print, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is still sinking its fangs into new readers every day. Now, bestselling author Heather Brewer brings us the other side of the story, from the perspective of Vlad’s former friend turned mortal enemy: vampire slayer Joss McMillan. This is the first in a series of five books that can be read alongside Vlad Tod or entirely on their own.

Christen: I love, love, love Vlad Tod and didn't want his series to end. As much as I'm looking forward to this spin-off, I'm also skeptical because I'm really not a fan of Joss.

Title: Between the Sea and Sky
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release date: 10/25/11
Chosen by: Sara
Summary:

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren -- the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood -- a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship... and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Sara: Jaclyn is a local author for me. We've chatted on Twitter a bit (mostly about the local libraries and Borders closing), and I think it'll be a lot of fun to meet her in November and celebrate her new release.

In My Mailbox (99)

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

So, my mailbox is a bit smaller than usual. This past week, I had a bit of a wake up call from my bank account O_O and although books weren't the only spending problem, they're in the top three. So I've decided that I'm going to rely on the library more, and try to get through my giant TBR mountain. Considering at least 50% of my books have not been read, I should be set for a while. My local library's YA section has grown a lot over the past year, plus I can also borrow from a neighboring county's library too (although I can't put anything on hold without paying) and that library system is huge. If there are any new releases I HAVE TO HAVE, my birthday is next month and I'm sure I'll get a couple gift cards. I also received a RAK today, but I'm going to wait until my wrap-up post at the end of the month to highlight it.


Won:
Demon Night by Meljean Brook [Buy now]
Thanks to Meljean!
Chimera by Rob Thurman [Buy now]
Thanks to Jackie Kessler via the Deadline Dames!

Used:
Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore [Buy now]
Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead [Buy now]
Thanks to Cindy @ Princess Bookie!

Review + Giveaway: Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Damned
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Crusade #2
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 08/30/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Vampires -- the Cursed Ones -- have made their presence known to mankind... and declared war on humanity. Most people are too afraid or unwilling to take a stand, but eighteen-year-old Jenn Leitner trains to become a vampire fighter, risking everything in the process.

When Jenn falls for Antonio, a vampire fighting on the side of humanity, she discovers a love that transcends attraction and physical consummation -- but before the couple can reconcile their forbidden affair, they must bring light into the darkness that vampires have spread across the world.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
This novel picks up shortly after where Crusade left off. The fight against the Cursed Ones, or vampires, seems even more dire than before. The team gets wind of a Cursed One in Russia making "super soldiers" by combining the DNA of vampires, werewolves, and humans. The Salamancan hunters set off for Russia to try to stop these experiments, and they find out there's more to the situation than everyone originally thought. This sets off a chain of events that has them running across the globe in hopes of not only defeating the key vampires in this war, but putting their team back together.

Pace: 4 Stars
The pacing of this novel was better than the first novel. Since we learned about each character's past and foundation in the first novel, it allowed the story to develop a bit faster in this novel, even as the point of view jumped between characters. Considering the group doesn't always stay together in this novel, the book needed the different points of view to keep the reader in the loop with many of the events. Also, by getting inside each character's head, it helped the reader fully understand the motivations behind each character's actions and decisions. There were a number of plotlines in this book that kind of weaved around each other through the different points of view, and I can't wait for the next book when these different paths are all going to come together.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
This series has such a strong cast of characters. Jenn, now the leader of the Salamancan hunters, has to make a number of important decisions throughout this novel. She doesn't understand why Father Juan put her in charge, and neither does Jamie, who voices his opinion every chance he gets. Antonio is definitely put to the test in this novel, and only time will tell which side he will end up on. Eriko's body continues to breakdown, due to the elixir given to her when she was chosen as the hunter, and she tries to hide it as best as she can. Her past comes back to haunt her, although the team does use it as a chance to attack the Cursed Ones. I really enjoyed learning more about Holgar before he left his pack to fight vampires because I felt like he was the team member we learned the least about in book one. Skye's past comes back to haunt her also in this book, and it'll be very interesting to see how she deals with it in the next novel. Father Juan continues to be a rock for the entire team, even as the university is put in danger.

Cover: 5 Stars
I loved that we finally get to see Antonio on this cover. The cover model chosen to depict Antonio was perfect, very close to how I envisioned the character. The snowy background and blue colors were perfect for this cover considering a good portion of the novel takes place in Russia during the winter. It also lends a starkness to the cover that really fits Antonio's character and what he goes through. The placement of the cover model on this cover really helps continue the feeling of isolation that Antonio often feels. The cover model himself is very small, with the cold, snowy background taking up the majority of the image. While this cover (and the new cover for the paperback release of Crusade) are a bit of a departure from the original cover for Crusade, I feel like they really embody the two main characters of the story.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel for review from the publisher.

Giveaway:
I have one (1) ARC of Damned to giveaway! To enter, just answer the following question: Would you join the resistance against the Cursed Ones?

Giveaway Rules:
1. Must leave a comment answering the question.
2. Must leave a valid e-mail address.
3. Giveaway is open internationally.
4. Giveaway is open until midnight on Sunday 09/18.
5. Winners will be chosen on Monday 09-19 using random.org.

Waiting on Wednesday (43)

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

Title: Flesh and Blood
Author: Kristen Painter
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: 10/25/11
Summary:

With the ring of sorrows still missing, and the covenant between othernaturals and mortals broken, Chrysabelle and Malkolm's problems are just beginning. Chrysabelle still owes Malkolm for his help, but fulfilling that debt means returning to Corvinestri, the hidden vampire city neither of them is welcome in.

The discovery that Chrysabelle has a brother could mean reneging on her promise to Malkolm, something that might make him angry enough to loose the beast living inside him. And fulfilling her vow could prove devastating for Chrysabelle -- especially when you throw in power hungry witches, dead fringe vampires, and the Kubai Mata.

In My Mailbox (98)

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

I hit Borders for one last time this past week. I got four mass market paperbacks and a hardcover for under $20. We also had a larger number of new releases at work this week, so yay for my employee discount. And this was me keeping my spending in check... It could've been so much worse (there were so many new releases this past week) if I had less self-control.


Won:
Blood Cursed by Erica Hayes [Buy now]
Thanks to Suzanne Johnson!

Library:
Dead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey [Buy now]
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce [Buy now]


Purchased by Sara:
Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch [Buy now]
Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong [Buy now]
Blood Rules by Christine Cody [Buy now]
Feast: Harvest of Dreams by Merrie DeStefano [Buy now]
One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost [Buy now]
Fury by Elizabeth Miles [Buy now]
All You Desire by Kirsten Miller [Buy now]
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver [Buy now]
Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix [Buy now]
A Shot in the Dark by K.A. Stewart [Buy now]


Purchased by Christen:
The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood [Buy now]

Edit: Due to my card being declined and getting a reality check from my bank account, I have returned a number of recently purchased titles because I need gas and cat food before my next paycheck. The following titles need to be disregarded for this week's IMM: Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong, Blood Rules by Christine Cody, One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost, Fury by Elizabeth Miles, and Soul Thief by Jana Oliver. And the following titles from previous IMM have also been returned: Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delany and Nocturne by Syrie James.

Review: Blood Rights by Kristen Painter

Title: Blood Rights (ARC)
Author: Kristen Painter
Series: House of Comarre #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 09/27/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré -- a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world... and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
The author created a very unique new twist on vampires in this novel. There were different castes of vampires, and even a race bred solely to feed the royal vampires The comarre were very interesting, with their gold tattoos and their secrets. It was great to learn more about them as Chrysabelle educated Malkolm. There were also fae and shapeshifter races that I hope to see more of in future books as Chrysabelle continues her journey. There were a couple plotlines in this novel that twisted and turned around each other until everything came together in the end. I was on my toes throughout the entire novel, never knowing what was going to happen next and it was a fun ride.

Pace: 4 Stars
Although Chrysabelle's storyline is the main storyline of the novel, there were a couple smallers ones that wove themselves into the story as well. Because of this, the point of view switches between a steady number of characters throughout the story. What could've easily been muddled and confusing, was treated perfectly by the author. Each change in perspective was needed to understand the full scope of the story, and not just Chrysabelle's point of view. There were a few times in which this seemed to slow the pace down a bit, especially when multiple scenes were happening at the same time. After bouncing from point of view to point of view, it felt like more time had elapsed between scenes from the same point of view than had really elapsed. But it was definitely worth it to get inside the heads of multiple characters.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
This novel had a very strong cast of characters. Chrysabelle was a tough heroine that learned to stick up for herself quickly once she was out in the human world. Malkolm, with his voices and tattoos was a vampire carrying a curse. It took him a bit to open up, but he turned out to be a great foil for Chrysabelle. They tested each other, and neither would back down. Mal lived on an old ship with Fi and Doc. Fi is a ghost tied to Malkolm and Doc is a shapeshifter who is also cursed. Together, they make an interesting team that comes to Chrysabelle's aid. Tatiana, the noble vampire who is after Chrysabelle for the murder of her master, is a very evil woman. I really enjoyed rooting against her as the story progressed.

Cover: 5 Stars
This cover is absolutely gorgeous. I would've wanted to read it due to this cover even if it wasn't an urban fantasy centered around a new kind of vampires. Although Chrysabelle spends most of the novel in more casual clothes, I could totally picture her in the outfit the cover model is wearing. The intricate gold tattoos were the make or break detail of this cover, and the artist totally delivered. Even though Chrysabelle covered them at times, I couldn't imagine the cover without such an important detail to who and what she was. The intricate frame around the cover model is an interesting touch, especially once I noticed that the red ribbon is hanging out of the frame. The choice to have the cover model's back to the reader adds to the mystery of Chrysabelle, although I was glad when the covers for books two and three were released and we got to see her face.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel for review from Orbit.

Random Acts of Kindness: September (& August Wrap-Up)

If you haven't checked out the Random Acts of Kindness program, hosted by the Book Soulmates, then you're really missing out. Basically, book bloggers sign up with their wish lists and other generous book bloggers can send them a something from that wish list. I didn't receive any RAKs this past month, but I sent a couple out.

I sent Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simber to Faye at The Book Angel, and I sent Peeps and The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld to Shannon at The Scribbling Quill.

Now onto September. Below, I have posted both information about the Random Acts of Kindness program along with my wishlist for September.


Here are the details for September Sign Ups.

Rules:
• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)
• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month. (Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.)
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
•NEW REQUEST: Please, once you receive a RAK, email or tweet me {Vanessa} so that I can update the Google doc. There are a lot of requests for this!
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Wishlist:
Kitty's Greatest Hits by Carrie Vaughn
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey
Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff
Another Kind of Dead by Kelly Meding
Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper
Crux by Moira Rogers
Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey
Nightfall by Ellen Connor
Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston
Twisted by Gena Showalter
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
Haunting Violet by Anyxandra Harvey
Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison
After Midnight by Lynn Viehl
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Roil by Trent Jamieson

***Note: I do not have an eReader, but I am all for used books and ARCs.