Contests (updated) and a rant about requirements...

Sorcha Mowbray is having a Love Redeemed blog hop at this link.
and for those who are reading on Nov. 11, she is holding an Author Chat at this link...with pretty good chances to win one of her e-books.

There are tons of participants in the aforementioned hops...enjoy!

Romance Books 4 Us has a Thanksgiving (or is that Htanksgiving?) Contest at this link

and there are plenty of other contests going on at the usual places (Writerspace, Fresh Fiction, Coffee Time Romance, Night Owl, etc.)



Those of you who don't want to hear me whine should stop HERE, lol.



I have a complaint (well, actually, I have a lot of complaints but this is the one that is forefront in my mind right now).

I DON'T use Facebook.  I also don't use Twitter (although I discovered I had signed up on it many many moons ago in order to enter a contest...and promptly forgot about it until my brother 'Tweeted' me one day).  I haven't been on Pinterest although it does sound interesting and I don't plan to join it in the near future, either.  This lack on my part automatically disqualifies me for more and more contests, coupons to my favorite restaurants and other goodies and I have idly wondered whether it is worth going through the hassle of trying to set up a Facebook account...a frustrating experience the last time I tried it.  I waste (ahem, devote) far more time to writing this blog than I probably should and I don't keep up with posting about the books that I am reading because of the lag time before some of my reviews are posted on the Night Owl Review site.  (so, I have about 20 that I need to make blogposts for at this time and the number continues to mount!)

In my opinion, far too much time can be spent updating social media sites or reading postings from social media sites and I'd much rather spend that time reading.

Ok, so what does that have to do with anything?  I participate on Street Teams for several authors.  Usually that involves notifying others about new releases, promotions and contests.  I enjoy helping out authors whose books I have enjoyed and am happy to do so on my blog, with or without bribes--although those are always enjoyed, lol.  I was dismayed to discover that I wasn't 'suitable' to join one of my favorite author's 'Ambassadors' team because I don't have three forms of social media that I am active on.  I hate being discriminated against although this is not unusual...I can't apply to do reviews for certain publishers also because I lack the requisite number of followers on my small blog.  I realize that I could increase my numbers by participating in giveaways and requiring that entrants become followers but that just isn't my style.  I greatly appreciate those who have taken the time to follow my blog but I hope that those who do, follow because they share my love of reading and like to hear about the new releases...not because I twisted their arm in some way (sorry, RMR and those of you I begged to follow me, lol).  I don't really want to use my spare money for shipping books to winners, I'd rather use it to buy things for the soldiers who are serving far away from home or donating books to the local library...but that's my choice.

It irks me that I am not considered good enough to join a team that should be comprised of fans who want to share their love of a particular author just because I don't Tweet all day or spend my day 'liking' things on FB.  It is my impression that there are a few of us 'dinosaurs' around...and we are readers too!  I'd love to hear people's opinions on this if you took the time to read this far.  I am going to stomp away pouting and exclaiming, "it's not fair!" and grab my next book now...thank you for listening (virtually).

Lord's Fall

Lord's Fall   

by Thea Harrison is a wonderful addition to a fantastic series.  I devour these titles whenever I find a new one, no matter what else is due on my plate, these books get moved up to the top of the TBR stack.  (and yes, I have several TBR stacks with various degrees of priority--those for Night Owl Reviews, those sent directly from publishers and authors, and those from the library)  Thea Harrison's books tend to bypass any others because I love the combination of romance and imagination in her tales.  I am an unashamed animal lover and her ability to transfer certain instinctual animal behavior into a human paradigm and tell a great story always entertains me.  Some of my favorite quotes have been from her books...including this one from Devil's Gate

  “I don’t want you to curb yourself, deny yourself, cover up your face or head or any part of your body.  I don’t want you to lose or gain weight, or watch what you say, or deny how you feel, or try to be anything but who you are, because who you are is the most beautiful person in the world to me’.

Thea Harrison, “Devil’s Gate” 2012

Sigh...who could resist a declaration like that?  And isn't that what we all want?  Someone who loves us just the way we are?

I love the characters in this story, they were introduced in Dragon Bound and I was so impressed by the way the author epitomized the stereotypical dragon (covetous, hoarding, arrogant, top of the food chain) in an alpha male that was swoon-worthy yet found a match for him who was deceptively mild, self-effacing and cunning.  It just tickled me that a single unassuming penny could be the cause of such upheaval and I enjoyed the repartee between the characters.  This book allowed us to see them a little further along in their relationship even as it shows many of the other factors in their respective lives.  My Amazon review for Lord's Fall is at this link.  All of the stories in the 'Elder Race' series have been extremely entertaining to me and it is my hope that there will be many more to delight this talented author's fans.  Ms Harrison deservedly won a RITA at the RWA in 2012 and I highly recommend both the novels and the interspersed novellas to paranormal fans who love romance and intrigue.  These books are ones for my keepers shelf, I only hope that the novellas will be released in a single volume one of these days since I am definitely an old-fashioned person who loves her books in print!

The novels:
     

The novellas:
     
I had the pleasure of reviewing many of these titles for Night Owl Reviews at this link and I was delighted to meet the awesomely talented author herself at RWA this past summer.

Wicked Release (adults only) is on sale...and a few asides

Wicked Release (adult title!) by R.G. Alexander is on sale at Amazon for a short time.  It is part of her Magian series and an erotic title about a society that is menage based.  (Click on cover for link)
 

Also, Lisa Renee Jones' Dangerous Secrets is free on Amazon for a limited time.  Please click the cover.




and she has a special offer for her Vampire Wardens and Werewolf Society series, only $1.99 for a 5 volume set!




During my wanderings, I came across a few items that were appalling yet hilarious...at least the authors' responses.  I enjoy wandering around various authors' websites and getting a feel for their personalities but I must admit that I never thought about this aspect when I thought about crazy fans.


Karen Hawkins post on letters from prisoners...link to website, click on Goddess Grins tab...WARNING:  Do not drink anything while you are reading, otherwise you may have to clean liquid off of computer screen (0:

Cherry Adair's answers for her incarcerated fans is at this link.  (go all the way to the bottom of the FAQs)

Funny, when I think of the things a writer has to deal with...I think of writer's block, everyday household concerns, etc.  I NEVER thought about this aspect of being a public figure.  Ewww.....

And finally, I was somewhat appalled to read the following since I equate having a published book with fame and fortune, lol.
Sabrina Jeffries' summation on the misunderstandings about the typical romance author's life is at this link.

Enjoy.

Fox's Mask

The Fox's Mask  

by Anna Frost is a delightful young adult story that inventively combines Japanese folklore about kitsune (foxes with magical powers) with an adventurous tale featuring a samurai warrior and his sidekick.  I enjoyed the lyrical nature of the story and the frequent twists in the story...especially the one at the end.  The combination of the mystical beliefs, self-deprecating humor and a nice cast of secondary characters made this an impressive debut.  This is the first story in a trilogy and I look forward to seeing what the inventive author comes up with in subsequent tales.  It is my understanding that the next book in the series is called The Fox's Quest and it will be available in 2013.

Ice Cold

Ice Cold  

by Cherry Adair is part of her enjoyable T-FLAC series that centers around an elite group of counterterrorists.  Rafael Navarro is an expert at explosives and has the nickname ‘bomb whisperer’ but has kept his heart guarded ever since the tragic loss of his wife.  Honey Winston is a cybercrimes specialist who has worked hard to hone her skills and actively reinforces her ‘ice princess’ moniker.  The two are thrown together when a series of serious bombing attacks require their individual skills but neither is thrilled about partnering with each other nor the attraction that they are feeling.  They will have to work together if they are going to save the world as they know it but neither is sure that it is going to be worth compromising the emotional barriers each has erected for self-protection.

This was another fun read from a prolific author who excels at writing romantic suspense.  The intriguing equipment and fun toys that aid the operatives in their respective jobs adds both realism and intrigue to the overall story even as the sizzling attraction between the main characters adds complications to their already dangerous jobs.  It was fun to read about a female computer geek who is an engaging combination of prickly defensive agent and vulnerable woman even as she finds a way to breach the defenses of a macho ladies’ man who deals with past hurts by refusing to ever let anyone into his heart.  An entertaining addition to a fun series.



I had the great pleasure of listening to a talk by this wonderfully warm author a couple of years ago and her statement about the books in her office really resonated with me because she said that they were ‘old friends’ that she revisits every so often.  Only another bibliophile can understand the connection we have with our favorite stories that we go back to when we are feeling blue or stressed or in need of a guaranteed happy ending.  I also had the opportunity to watch Ms Adair in action as she graciously signed books and chatted with her adoring fans at the RWA conference in Anaheim this summer.  It was plain to see that she truly enjoys what she does and loves to interact with her readers and I was thrilled to have a chance to watch her arrange her display table artfully (I believe that she was an interior decorator in her previous incarnation) and to chat with her and reap the benefits of her droll wit.  I have enjoyed the stories I have read thus far and look forward to more adventures featuring the charismatic T-FLAC team. 

Ice Cold is being spotlighted on the SOS Aloha blog at this link on November 6, 2012.

Shadowlands

Shadowlands    
by Violette Malan continues where Mirror Prince left off.  It is much better to read that one first because this is a very intricate fantasy world.  This author has such a wonderful ability to create intricate worlds and complex characters that it is always a delight to read but one has to pay pretty close attention to what is going on.  I liked the twists in this book and, although it took me awhile to remember the events from the first book, once I was in the proper 'world', I enjoyed the tale. 

My Amazon review for Shadowlands is at this link and for Mirror Prince is at this link.




I am very fond of this author's other series that features the characters of Dhulyn and Parno.  These are fun fantasy books with swordfights and plenty of quirky characters.  Start with The Sleeping God and continue from there.  All of them were a lot of fun and excellent sword and magic adventures.  My Night Owl Reviews are at this link.

        





And...

For all of you who are reading this on October 31, 2012---Happy Halloween!  Be safe and don't overdose on the candy and treats!

Spicy adult titles

Adults only titles

Roping Your Heart  

by Cheyenne McCray is a continuation of her 'Riding Tall' series and returns the reader to the Arizona town described in Branded For You.  A tear-jerker but great combination of spice and romance and the hamster, Sam, reminds me of my beloved hamster Rose who was an amazing escape artist but so fun to watch as she 'unpacked' her jaws and displayed all of the treasures she found during her travels around our house (although only a hamster would fill up on cotton balls!).  My Amazon review is at this link.




Boots and Promises (Ugly Stick Saloon)   

by Myla Jackson
This was a great and spicy short story that combines reminders that we need to follow our dreams but have to remember that it is often that special someone who makes it all worthwhile.  The author does a wonderful job of presenting a very realistic scenario very succinctly and I look forward to reading more of her tales in the future.  My Amazon review is at this link.


Frankendom  

by Robin L. Rotham.  Warning:  This is a tale filled with very edgy sexual practices, not suitable for everyone's tastes.  I thought it was well-done with an intriguing story that brings science and imagination together but admit that I was a little startled by some of the 'scenes' being described.   A very talented erotica author who manages to combine carnality and romance in a fascinating tale.  My Amazon review is at this link.