Sunday, November 28, 2010

1st in a Series Challenge 2011


Hosted By: A Few More Pages

Guidelines for the 1st in a Series Challenge 2011:

There are four levels to this challenge:
Series Novice: Read 3 books that are the first in any series.
Series Lover: Read 6 books that are the first in any series.
Series Expert: Read 12 books that are the first in any series.
Series Fanatic: Read 20 books that are the first in any series.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts. The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.

1. Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
2. Northern Exposure by Jennifer LaBrecque
3. The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
4. Darklands: A Vampire's Tale by Donna Burgess
5. Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire
6. Merryweather Lodge/Ancient Revenge by Pauline Holyoak
7. The Truth About Vampires by Theresa Meyers
8. Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian
9. Claimed by the Wolf Prince by Marguerite Kaye
10. Devil's Descent I by Claudia D. Christian
11. Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent
12. Reason to Believe by Leslie Ann Dennis
13. Fairy Flavor by Anna Keraleigh
14. Once Upon a Mate by Christine Kirchoff
15. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle
16. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
17. The Rebel Bride by Catherine Coulter
18. Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend
19. In a Treacherous Court by Michelle Diener
20. A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady

Challenge completed on August 12, 2011.

Gothic Reading Challenge 2011



There is nothing better than a great Gothic read - crumbling old castles, mysterious legends, shadowy characters, supernatural beings and unexplainable events, make for some of the most haunting and captivating reading imaginable.

There are four levels of participation to choose from:

A Little Madness - Read just 1 novel with Gothic elements.

The Darkness Within - Read 5 novels with Gothic elements.

A Maniacal Frenzy - Read 10 novels with Gothic elements.

Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know - Read 20 novels with Gothic elements.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

*****

1. Darklands: A Vampire's Tale by Donna Burgess
2. Merryweather Lodge/Ancient Revenge by Pauline Holyoak
3. The Abandoned by Amanda Stevens
4. Deja Vu by Lisa Childs
5. Torn Asunder by Kiki Howell
6. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
7. Haunted Heart by Carolyn Rosewood
8. The Taker by Alma Katsu
9. Ghost on Black Mountain by Ann Hite
10. The Wolf of Haskell Hall by Colleen Shannon

I'll call this challenged completed as of 9/25/2011.  I reached the  "A Maniacal Frenzy" level @ 10 gothic books read.  I may read more gothics this year, but I won't complete enough to reach the next level.

My husband's thoughts on COMFORT FOOD by Kitty Thomas


Emily Vargas has been taken captive. As part of his conditioning methods, her captor refuses to speak to her, knowing how much she craves human contact. He's far too beautiful to be a monster. Combined with his lack of violence toward her, this has her walking a fine line at the edge of sanity. Told in the first person from Emily's perspective, Comfort Food explores what happens when all expectations of pleasure and pain are turned upside down, as whips become comfort and chicken soup becomes punishment.
Disclaimer: This is not a story about consensual BDSM. This is a story about “actual” slavery. If reading erotica without safewords makes you uncomfortable, this is not the book for you. This is a work of fiction, and the author does not endorse or condone any behavior done to another human being without their consent.

(Blurb from Goodreads.)

So, I (Diana) read Comfort Food about 4 months ago after a long internal debate over whether I should read such a book!  It is, after all, erotic fiction about non-consensual sex as the disclaimer warns.  After reading many glowing reviews from other book bloggers I know and trust, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and read it.  Simply put, the story blew me away.  It was so much more than I expected.  I wrote up a review shortly after finishing, but I don't think I did it justice.  My head was still spinning from the experience.  Needless to say, my husband, Patrick, got an earfull about it and decided to read it himself.  Here's what he thought:

There are a couple of things that surprised me in Kitty Thomas' Comfort Food. The story focused on the psychological aspects of the captive and even the captor to a lesser extent. Much of the narrative is an internal monologue of the victim, so the story follows how the captivity affects her. I would have expected more time on the mechanics of the captivity and the mystery of how she got herself into the situation.

The other thing that surprised me was how non-graphic the story was. A story about a nonconsensual relationship certainly could have been very graphic. Even during the scenes with sex, the language was rather tame, often alluding to the act but not giving much for details.

In spite of the story being different from what I expected, I really enjoyed reading it. Comfort Food is an interesting psychological study in nonconsensual relationships.

At one point while reading the book, Patrick mentioned that he thought "Master" would actually make a poor Master because of his insecurities.  But by the end, he had changed his mind and believed that Emily and Master were well suited for each other.

It was fun to have my husband read a book I've read so we could talk about it.  I think the last time that happened was 11 years ago when we read What's Eating Gilbert Grape. (Great book, by the way, though much different than Comfort Food!)

Thanks for the review, Patrick!

And the winner is...


The winner of an eBook of Wrapped Around Your Finger by Fallon Blake has been chosen!  Random.org picked commenter #2, who was:

Sally Sapphire

Congratulations, Sally!  I have sent you an e-mail to confirm that it is correct.  Please respond within 2 days.  Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with Fallon!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Have a Romantic Christmas Giveaway!


It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  To celebrate the upcoming holiday, I’ve teamed up with Tanya from Among the Muses (plus our joint blog The Forbidden Bookshelf) to host the HAVE A ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!  We will choose three winners.  What are the prizes?  Electronic gift cards to online bookstores! *  Take a look:

First Prize: $30 eGift Card

Second Prize: $20 eGift Card

Third Prize: $10 eGift Card

* Each winner will have her/his choice of an Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com or Borders.com eGift card.  This contest is open internationally, so the winners may also choose books from The Book Depository up to the amount of the prize (in US dollars).

How do you enter?  This is a combination giveaway with Among the Muses, Book of Secrets and The Forbidden Bookshelf.  You may enter the contest up to three times – one time at each of the blogs.  What’s the catch?  We only ask that you be a new or old Google Friend Connect follower at each blog where you enter the contest and be 18 years old or older.

To enter the contest here at Book of Secrets, just fill out this FORM.  (Comments are appreciated, but they do not count as entries; you need to fill out the FORM to enter.)

For additional entries, visit AMONG THE MUSES and THE FORBIDDEN BOOKSHELF and look for the HAVE A ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY post.   Just remember to be a GCF at each blog before you enter!

The contest begins on November 24th.  Entries will be accepted until December 15th at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.  Winners will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

2011 Paranormal/Fantasy Romance Reading Challenge



The goal of this challenge is to read at least 12 Paranormal or Fantasy Romances between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.  Audio, eBooks, paper all count. Re-reads are ok but try to keep them to a minimum. Cross overs from other challenges are ok.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

oOoOoOo

1. Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
2. Playing Easy To Get by Kresley Cole, etal.
3. Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire
4. Merryweather Lodge/Ancient Revenge by Pauline Holyoak
5. The Truth About Vampires by Theresa Meyers
6. Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian
7. Inevitable by Michelle Rowan
8. Catching an Evil Tail by Mary Abshire
9. The Beauty's Beast by E.D. Walker
10. Fairy Flavor by Anna Keraleigh
11. Once Upon a Mate by Christine Kirchoff
12. Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker 

Challenge completed on May 19, 2011.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Interview and Giveaway with Fallon Blake


I'm very excited to welcome author Fallon Blake to Book of Secrets today.  I had the opportunity to review her latest release Wrapped Around Your Finger, and I thought it was amazing!  I was thrilled she was able to answer a few interview questions for me.  (At the end of the interview are details of how to enter for a chance to win an eBook of Wrapped Around Your Finger.)

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.  Who is Fallon Blake?

I'm a happily married mother of two. I love to read, write and cook. I'm weirdly obsessed with zombies and cupcakes. I can fully admit that I'm painfully introverted and a bit of a geek. I still love comic books, science fiction and horror. I'd rather read than watch television and I spend entirely too much time on the internet.

2. Please tell us a little about your latest release Wrapped Around Your Finger.  What inspired you to make your hero and heroine a talented chef and an unconventional fetish model?

I spent quite a few years in the food industry in my twenties and developed a serious love for cooking. To me, there’s nothing sexier than a guy who knows his way around a kitchen so making Banner a celebrated chef seemed like the thing to do. I also have a teeny obsession with pinups. The era of the Forties and Fifties when models were curvy and sexy has always appealed to me. I love that there has been a revival of that in recent years and I wanted to create a female character who captured that in a modern way.

3. Why do you think erotic romances with BDSM elements have gained in popularity?

I think BDSM romances give readers a safe way to explore taboo fantasies that they might not otherwise be comfortable with. And I might get nailed for this, but I think that despite the modern egalitarian view of relationships, some of us very are turned on by handing over control to someone else in the bedroom. 

4. Your previous book was an erotic paranormal romance called This Side of Heaven.  Do you prefer writing one genre over another?

I like them both at different times. When my brain hurts from world-building and plot-twisting while writing paranormal, it’s nice to delve into a contemporary. But, when I’m drained from the more emotional aspects of writing BDSM, it’s nice to get back into the realms of the supernatural.  

5. You are active on Goodreads and are an avid reader.  Is there an author or book you've read this year that really stood out?

Oh…man. How do I even begin to answer this? I read A LOT. Off the top of my head, this year’s stand outs would have to be: Carolyn Crane’s The Disillusionists Trilogy, Willing Victim by Cara McKenna, Comfort Object by Annabel Joseph and Rhiannon Frater’s As the World Dies Trilogy. This is just a small sample. There are so many more great books I had the pleasure of reading this year.

6. Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

If I have my trusty MP3 player handy, a cup of coffee and some chocolate, I’m good to go.

7. What do you like to do for fun?

I am a horror movie fanatic. Nothing beats curling up on the couch with my husband and watching something gruesome and scary. Other than that, I love to play outside with my kids. Ah the glamorous life of a writer…

8. Can you share your current or upcoming writing projects?

Right now I’m working on Aimee’s story, Indigo’s roommate. It’s planned as a short, but we’ll just have to see if it stays that way. I am dying to get to work on this erotic horror I’ve been plotting and I’m also putting together the pieces of an urban fantasy.

Thank you so much for having me here at your blog and for the fun interview questions.

oOoOoOo

Thank you so much for stopping by for an interview, Fallon!  I'm excited to hear that Indigo's roommate Aimee will have her own story soon.  Fallon has offered to give one person who leaves a comment an eBook of Wrapped Around Your Finger.  Just leave a comment or question with a way to contact you, and you will be entered in the giveaway!  (This book is an erotic romance, so you must be 18+ to enter.)  Contest closes at 11:59 pm Central Time on Saturday, 11/27/2010.  Good luck!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Paranormal Erotic Romance Challenge 2011



This challenge is to read 10 paranormal erotic romance books.  The book (or eBook) has to be at least 120 pages.  Challenge runs Jan. 1st - Dec. 31st.

This challenge is for erotic paranormal romances, new or old releases, and you can pick your books as you go.  You can read vampires, shape-shifters, witches, faries, demons, etc. - just make sure the book is romantic in nature.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

oOoOoOo

1. Playing Easy To Get by Kresley Cole, etal.
2. Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire
3. Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian
4. Catching an Evil Tail by Mary Abshire
5. Fairy Flavor by Anna Keraleigh
6. Once Upon a Mate by Christine Kirchoff
7. Torn Asunder by Kiki Howell

Well, I read seven paranormal erotic books this year.  I really got caught up in contemporary erotic, so I didn't get to as many paranormal themed books as I usually do.  Maybe next year...

Friday, November 19, 2010

Review: WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER


By Fallon Blake
Blurb:
Plus-sized fetish model and aspiring chef Indigo Hartley has plenty of tattoos and a fiery attitude to match. When she’s offered a job as a sushi model for one of Miami’s trendiest restaurants, she jumps at the chance. Little does this country mouse-turned-city-vixen know that what starts out as a modeling job, will end up the answer to all of her kinkiest fantasies. Three days serving as a sub to this hot chef is too tempting an offer to refuse.

Banner Faust has worked his ass off and sacrificed his love life to become a rock star in the culinary world. On what should be the biggest night of his career, he realizes something is missing from his life—the submissive woman he’s always craved. The curvy new model with the blue-streaked hair and innate submissive nature just might be the one he’s been waiting for. And when he gets her home—and in his bed—he soon realizes three days will never be enough with this woman. 
oOoOoOo

Simply put, I loved this book.  It delivered everything I'm looking for in an erotic romance: unique and engaging characters, an engrossing storyline and some very delicious sex that will leave you squirming in your seat.  We're first introduced to Indigo who is a rather unconventional heroine.  She's a curvy fetish model and culinary student with brilliant tattoos and blue-streaked hair.  Indigo is hired last minute to be a sushi model (a living, breathing food display platter!) for the very famous and talented Chef Banner Faust.  Indigo is a fangirl of Banner's so she is both nervous and ecstatic to work with him.

Banner has devoted his life to becoming a top chef, but his personal relationships have suffered for it.  Banner is a Dom in the Miami BDSM scene, though his need to find his perfect submissive has been pushed to the back burner, until he meets Indigo.  Banner senses a submissive nature in Indigo that he longs to explore.  He offers her a 3-day "trial" period to experience the pleasures of dominance and submission.  A painful past has caused Indigo to build a tough, protective barrier around her true self to avoid being hurt again.  Banner's challenge will be to break through those walls and show her how liberating the act of submission can be.

Fallon Blake is one of my tip-top favorite new-to-me authors I've discovered this year.  I read her first book This Side of Heaven (an erotic paranormal romance) a few months ago, and I couldn't wait to see what she had in store for us next.  Wrapped Around Your Finger was worth the wait!  She has a very pleasant writing style, and her words flow together effortlessly.  The characters are written so that the reader gets to know them right away.  Indigo and Banner are both multidimensional and realistic, and they're believable as a couple.

So, what about the BDSM and sex?  Scrumptious would be a good description considering this is culinary erotica!  What can I say except that Banner is my kind of Dom.  He's not into rigorous D/s protocol, though he doesn't mind Indigo calling him Sir.  He's into gaining her trust and taking control so they both will have maximum pleasure (not to mention he's also quite charming and, of course, he's a great cook.)  He has a very naughty use for ginger which is actually somewhat common in BDSM, though I've never seen it practiced in an erotic story.  Bravo to the author for making something I was a bit scared of very erotic!

Wrapped Around Your Fingers will appeal to fans of erotic romance and BDSM.  Highly recommended!

Review copy courtesy of the author.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

2011 Historical Romance Challenge



This challenge is to read 12 historical romance books from January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011.

This challenge is to read historical romance novels. Historical fiction is allowed as long as it has some romantic elements in the book. No Young Adult books for this challenge.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

oOoOoOo

1. Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
2. Treasure Me by Robin DeHart
3. Claimed by the Wolf Prince by Marguerite Kaye
4. Bound to the Wolf Prince by Marguerite Kaye
5. The Beauty's Beast by E.D. Walker
6. Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker
7. Torn Asunder by Kiki Howell
8. Lily Mine by Annabel Joseph
9. In a Trecherous Court by Michelle Diener
10. Devil's Mistress by Heather Graham
11. Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
12. The Wolf of Haskell Hall by Colleen Shannon

Challenge completed on September 25, 2011.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Review: HANDS ON


By Christina Crooks
Blurb:
Want to make Fate laugh? Try telling her who’s in charge.  Talented, down-on-her-luck puppeteer Ginnie Anderson’s life seems destined to fall down around her ears. Much like the rented bungalow that’s just collapsed in a heavy rainstorm, endangering her precious collection of marionettes.  Her livelihood in need of protection and repair, she can’t refuse her landlord’s offer of temporary shelter in his magnificent home. Under his roof, though, she finds her hard-won grasp on her independence slipping—and herself falling into his arms.

The hallmark of Harry Barrett’s business success: he never makes the same mistake twice, particularly when it comes to manipulative women. So why is Ginnie, who pulls strings for a living, like a siren’s song in his blood? It’s best to put temptation as far out of reach as possible.  Yet when Ginnie’s past threatens to destroy the life she’s built for herself, Harry must decide which is more important. Holding tight to his sense of self preservation, or letting go to capture Ginnie’s fragile heart—before it breaks into a thousand pieces. 
oOoOoOo

In Hands On, Christina Crooks has woven a charming modern-day fairy tale fans of contemporary romance will enjoy.  Ginnie is a masterful yet unlucky puppeteer whose difficult past, including an abusive ex, brings her to Portland in hopes of starting a new life.  Instead of a fresh start, she finds more despair when her rented house crumbles during a strong rainstorm.  Luckily for Ginnie, her hero arrives just in time to save her and her marionettes from certain doom.  Her champion just happens to be her landlord Harry, who is also a reclusive billionaire business tycoon hiding from unforgivable betrayals in his past.  Certainly fate has brought these two troubled people together for a reason.  Both Ginnie and Harry must decide if they're willing to give up a bit of their control and risk opening their hearts to the possibility of love.

For me the highlights of Hands On were the well-developed characters and the original use of marionettes in the story.  What first drew me to the story was the heroine's unique career as a puppeteer.  I was impressed with the author's knowledge of puppeteering and her descriptions of the marionettes.  She even had the characters use them to express their feelings for one another.  This story was definitely focused on Ginnie and Harry and their struggle to learn to trust again.  I had a difficult time with Harry's character at first.  He was not easy to like, and he pushed Ginnie away for a very long time.  I really liked Ginnie from the beginning.  She was charming, strong, caring, and talented, and she didn't deserve to be treated poorly.  Obviously his hurt went much deeper than hers, but by the end Harry had definitely won me over.  Hands On was a very enjoyable romantic story with compelling, realistic characters.  After reading this book I definitely see puppeteering in a new light!

Review copy courtesy of the author.
 

Monday, November 15, 2010

2011 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge



The goal of this challenge is to read AT LEAST 12 novels that are Romantic Suspense between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.  Audio, eBooks, paper all count. Re-reads are ok but try to keep them to a minimum. Cross overs from other challenges are ok.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

1. Just A Cowboy by Rachel Lee
2. Deja Vu by Lisa Childs
3. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
4. Haunted Heart by Carolyn Rosewood
5. Rough Play by Christina Crooks

Unfortunately, I have to abandon this challenge.  I didn't get as many romantic suspense books read as I'd hoped.  Maybe next year!

Paranormal Romance Challenge 2011



This is a challenge to read 20 paranormal romance books between Jan 1st through Dec 31st. Any books read before January will not count. You can pick any adult paranormal romance book as you go, new release or old release it doesn't matter. This is only for paranormal romance.  Please no urban fantasy, young adult or paranormal erotica.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

*******

1. Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
2. The Truth About Vampires by Theresa Meyers
3. Inevitable by Michelle Rowan
4. The Beauty's Beast by E.D. Walker
5. Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker
6. Deja Vu by Lisa Childs
7. Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
8. Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
9. The Wolf of Haskell Hall by Colleen Shannon
10. The Goblin King by Shona Husk
11. Her Dear & Loving Husband by Meredith Allard
12. Unleashed by Sara Humphreys

Unfortunately, I have to abandon this challenge! *hangs head in shame*  I thought this one would be easy to complete, but I got caught up in other genres this year.  I did read 12 paranormal romances as of 10/31/2011.

50 States Reading Challenge 2011


Hosted By: Book Obsessed

January 2011 - December 2011

Are you ready to take the challenge!?!

The goal of this challenge is to read books that are set in each of the fifty states. Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. The idea of this challenge came from a Goodreads group.  Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

For more details and to sign up, just click HERE.

*****

Alabama: Captured By Moonlight by Claire Wilson

Alaska: Northern Exposure by Jennifer LaBrecque

Arizona: Catching an Evil Tail by Mary Abshire

Arkansas

California: The Trust She Yields by Jennifer Leeland

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida: The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho: Pretty When She Cries by Sarah Kate

Illinois: Button Holed by Kylie Logan

Indiana: Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana: A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady

Maine: The Taker by Alma Katsu

Maryland: Caught by Cassandra Carr

Massachusetts: Willing Victim by Cara McKenna

Michigan: His Elle by Jemima Valentino

Minnesota: Sleight of Paw by Sofie Kelly

Mississippi: At His Mercy by Alison Kent

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York: On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

North Carolina: Caught by the Master by Cooper McKenzie

North Dakota

Ohio: Haunted Heart by Carolyn Rosewood

Oklahoma

Oregon: Thread Reckoning by Amanda Lee

Pennsylvania: Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian

Rhode Island: Unleashed by Sara Humphreys

South Carolina: The Abandoned by Amanda Stevens

South Dakota

Tennessee: Safeword: Rainbow by Candace Blevins

Texas: Pleating for Mercy by Melissa Bourbon

Utah

Vermont

Virginia: Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent

Washington: Club Mephisto by Annabel Joseph

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming: Just A Cowboy by Rachel Lee

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Winners! Winners! Winners!


The winners of Stronger Than Sin are...

Zee

Kelsey

D for Darla

Mom2anutball

Cecile Smutty Hussy

Congratulations!  The winners have been notified by e-mail.  Please respond within two days or alternate winners will be chosen.  Thank you to everyone who entered!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Review: ALPHA WOLF


By Linda O. Johnston
Blurb:
When Dr. Melanie Harding comes to rural Maryland to open a veterinarian clinic, she has no intention of buying into the area's absurd werewolf legends. Until she rescues an ordinary dog shot with a silver bullet, and meets his sexy owner, Major Drew Connell.

A founding member of the Alpha Force on a nearby military base, Drew has developed an elixir that helps werewolves control their shape-shifting abilities. Drew has always tried to keep his distance from the civilian population, but Melanie's sweet and gentle nature soon wears down his defenses. With the attacks on people and animals in the area mounting, can their fiery attraction withstand their toughest challenge?
oOoOoOo

Alpha Wolf (#56) is the first book in Linda O. Johnston's Alpha Force series published by Harlequin/Silhouette Nocturne.  I picked this one up because I enjoy paranormal romances with werewolves (my favorite otherworldly creature), and I thought the book's premise was intriguing - a secret military group comprised of shape-shifters is trained to be "a last resort in national security situations were special undercover skills were needed."  It made me wonder how a group of shifters could pull off a hush hush undercover mission without being detected.  Wouldn't demons or vampires be a better choice?  They seem more stealthlike than werewolves.  Unfortunately we never get to see the team in action.  I got the impression this book was more of a set up for things to come.

The story begins as Beverly Hills veterinarian Dr. Melanie Harding moves to the small, rural town of Mary Glen, Maryland, and takes over the practice of the town's previous vet who was shot and killed - with a silver bullet.  Not long after her arrival, she saves a dog outside of her animal hospital who almost met the same fate.  When the dog's owner Major Drew Connell comes to claim him, Melanie becomes entangled in the craziness of  Mary Glen's werewolf legends that are somehow tied to the secret operations happening at the nearby Ft. Lukman.  Locals become enraged that the town's new vet saves what they believe is a werewolf, and Melanie becomes the target of an anti-werewolf group.  Though she is sure the rumors are false, Drew knows paranormals do exist as he and his teammates are shifters.  In order to protect Melanie and the secret operations at Ft. Lukman, Drew must risk exposing his true nature in hopes she can be trusted with his secret.

While I did like the premise (I love the idea of shifter military men!), the overall story and characters didn't hold my interest like I'd hoped.  Drew and Melanie fell a bit flat, and chemistry between them was lacking in a story that was meant to be a paranormal romance.  Drew spent most of the story pushing Melanie away because of trust issues from his past, and then suddenly everything is fine and they're discussing marriage and kids/puppies?  Not likely.  The story was enjoyable with a few exciting moments though no big surprises.  There were a few times I was scratching my head over how unsecure and understaffed their military base was!  I think the author did a good job of building the world of the Alpha Force and introducing us to characters we'll meet in future books.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Stronger Than Sin Blog Tour: Interview and Giveaway with Caridad Pineiro


By Caridad Pineiro
It's been six months since Liliana Carrera helped her brother rescue Caterina Shaw from Wardwell Laboratories, a group of fringe scientists experimenting on human beings. Now, Liliana--with funding from the FBI--has set up a new facility to continue testing the inhibitor complex, a cure for the patients of Wardwell. What's even better is the FBI has managed to recover another of the patients, Jesse Bradford.

When Jesse arrives at Liliana's facility, he has been drugged and displays violent erratic behavior. As Liliana helps him detox, Jesse demonstrates strange powers--superhuman strength and the ability to heal quickly.

Despite their growing attraction, Jesse is secretive and Liliana remains fearful of him. Eventually he admits that Wardwell scientists threatening his sister's life in order to maintain control over him and his powers. As they try to locate her, they begin to suspect that the scientists may have corrupted the FBI. Unless they can discover Wardwell's master plan soon, Jesse's sister, the other patients, and an unknown number of innocent people, will pay the price.
oOoOoOo

Please help me welcome Caridad Pineiro to the blog today!  Caridad is the author of 25 published novels, including the award-winning THE CALLING Vampire series and the contemporary CHICAS novels.  Last year she debuted her paranormal romantic suspense series that began with Sins of the Flesh.  Her latest release Stronger Than Sin is the second book of the series.

1. Stronger Than Sin and your previous release Sins of the Flesh involve scientists preforming experimental gene therapy on patients that makes them superhuman. Where did you get your inspiration for these books?

I was a science major in college and took some courses in genetics. I loved the subject and even after college, I kept up on what was happening, especially since genetic engineering was becoming such a hot topic in the news. I saw that there was a lot of concern about genetically modified organisms and their introduction into the human food chain via genetically altered plants and animals. It made me wonder what would happen if someone decided to create the ultimate genetically modified organism – a human with special powers. Once I started thinking about that and refreshing my knowledge of what was currently happening with genetics, the idea for the stories developed.

2. What kind of research was involved for writing Stronger Than Sin?

For STRONGER THAN SIN I watched a lot of football (okay, so I do watch football anyway!). I also went online and back to my text books to decide on what kind of bone diseases would cause bones to break and how such diseases were normally treated. I viewed a couple of documentaries on people with these diseases to see how they were being affected and treated. Then I took that to the next level to develop the story of how Jesse Bradford is injured and becomes involved with the scientists who promised him a miracle sure so he could return to the only thing he had left in life: football.

3. What are your plans for future books in the SINS series?

I’m happy to say there will be at least two more books in the SINS series. It’s actually expanding into the SIN HUNTER series since we’re going to see a race of energy-gatherers descend on the Jersey Shore in search of a missing son who is the key to maintaining their race. There will be familiar places and faces, including Liliana and Mick’s younger sister Bobbie Carrera. The SIN HUNTER series will be darker though and the Hunters will possess powers that others covet and want to create via either genetic engineering or breeding. Did I mention there was another sect of the Hunters called the Shadows who are the equivalent of energy vampires and are in a civil war with the other Hunters? The new mythology and stories are even more action-packed and sexier and I think readers will really enjoy where the series is headed with the addition of the Hunters and Shadows. THE LOST is the next book and will be available in August 2011. THE CLAIMED will be available in early 2012.

Five Fun Facts from Caridad:

1. Although New Jersey is home to two professional football teams, neither one bears the Jersey name. So for her home state and Jesse Bradford, the hero in Stronger Than Sin, Caridad created a new team: The New Jersey Marauders.

2. If Caridad had to pick one character who was most like her, she’d pick Dr. Liliana Carrera because on the surface Liliana seems professional and logical, but deep down she is very passionate and likes to draw outside the lines.

3. The hero’s superhuman strength, speed and bone formation are paranormal elements based on real life science which was a natural for a former science major like Caridad.

4. To make the ethnicities of the hero and heroine accurate for what is seen along the Jersey Shore, Caridad chose to make Jesse Bradford of Irish descent while Liliana is Mexican.

5. To do research on the Jersey Shore, Caridad spent many a weekend traveling around the various towns in which Stronger Than Sin is set. You can check out the photos of the locations here and here.

Thank you, Caridad!

Giveaway Details:

Thanks to Hachette Books, I have 5 copies of Stronger Than Sin to give away! Here's how to enter:  Please leave a comment about the interview or a question for Caridad along with a way to contact you.

Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. No P.O. Boxes, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail. Contest is open until Friday, 11/12/2010, at 11:59 pm Central Time. Winners will receive their books directly from Hachette. Good luck!

oOoOoOo

The contest is now closed.
Winners will be announced in a separate post.
Thank you!