My Interview with Juliet Blackwell plus an International Giveaway!

Welcome to Book of Secrets, Juliet!  Congratulations on the release of your latest book HEXES AND HEMLINES. Please tell us a little about yourself.

Thank you so much for having me on Book of Secrets!

Oooh, starting with the tough questions, I see! I’m from California originally, majored in Latin American studies at UC Santa Cruz, then moved to the east coast where I studied (and taught) anthropology. I like to joke that I’ve managed to hit just about every career that doesn’t pay: after the anthropology degree I became a social worker, then moved back to Oakland, CA, and opened my own art and design studio, painting murals and faux finishes in people’s homes. Then I started writing and couldn’t stop…. I really caught the bug! Essentially the most consistently lucrative job I’ve had was when I was a waitress. Still, I’ve been lucky enough to live my life doing things I love, and that’s nothing to complain about.

I’ve traveled a lot, speak a few languages (some a LOT better than others!) and have lived in several countries, but now I make my home not far from where I was born, in a house that’s turning 100 this year. It’s haunted by some very friendly ghosts.

For those who are not familiar with your books, could you give us a little background information on your Witchcraft Mysteries series? How many books do you have planned for the series?

The Witchcraft Mysteries feature Lily Ivory, a natural witch who was run out of her West Texas hometown at the age of 17. Since then she has wandered the world searching for a place she feels safe…and she finally finds that community in San Francisco’s famous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. She opens up a vintage clothing shop, because she can sense vibrations from clothing and enjoys their history and connection with humanity. As a witch, Lily is powerful and able to stand up against demons and such; but as a woman, she still has a lot to learn about trusting other people and making friends.

I don’t have any particular number of books planned for the series. I think there are some series that are successfully sustained for only five or six books, but as we can see in Sue Grafton’s case, there are some that go on for the lifetime of the author! Because of the huge world of witchcraft, I think Lily’s stories could continue for some time to come. Right now I’m contracted through six books.

What was your inspiration to write about a magically inclined amateur sleuth?

I wanted to write something in the paranormal vein, and though I’m fond of vampires and the like, there were plenty of those stories already written! I’m drawn to witches because of personal experiences –I have an aunt and a mother-in-law who are both amazing, magical women-- as well as through my anthropological training. I studied the anthropology of health and medicine all over the world, and there has always been a strong association of healing with witchcraft.

I also like the witch theme because unlike vampires and werewolves, witches are real. They’re human. Whether we believe someone is a “real” witch or not, they believe that they are, and identify themselves as such. That brings up a lot of interesting issues of identity and magic.

Finally, I wanted to present witchcraft not just as the tradition handed down from Europe, but also including curanderismo, the traditional folk medicine of Mexico. I speak Spanish, my mother-in-law is from a small indigenous village and was raised in that tradition, and I’ve always been fascinated by it.

What is in store for Lily Ivory in HEXES AND HEMLINES?

In Hexes and Hemlines Lily is surprised to be called in by the SFPD to consult on a homicide scene. The victim is on the 13th floor, and is surrounded by symbols of bad luck – a broken mirror, a black cat, an open umbrella – and the police inspector who knows Lily is afraid that there might be something magical afoot. While Lily’s trying to tease out superstition from real magic, and tracking down the killer, one of her good friends finds a hex on her doorstep, ratcheting up the stakes.

Meanwhile, Lily is trying to finish her witchcraft training, which was left undone when she had to leave home so early. But seeking training from Aidan Rhodes, powerful (and sexy) male witch, may not have been her brightest idea….

What was one of the most interesting things you learned in researching your book?

I learned about Anton LaVey, self-proclaimed founder of the “Church of Satan” which was active in San Francisco during the late sixties and early seventies. He had nothing to do with real witchcraft, of course – among other things, witches tend to be pagans who don’t even believe in the concept of The Devil or Satan. In fact, LaVey was a showman who used the satanic stuff for shock value. And it worked: he had several bestselling books and even went on the Phil Donahue show. Essentially his “philosophy” espoused looking out for number one, and he declared that selfishness was the ultimate goal – quite something during San Francisco’s “Summer of Love” hippie heyday.

I also learned lots more about botanicals and how to make “Goofer balls” and “spirit bottles”…that was fun ;-)

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Oooh, that’s a tough one! I suppose it was when I actually sold my first book. Up until then it seemed unreal, like a dream that I was almost embarrassed to admit to anyone. But as I took myself more seriously, I realized I allowed myself to make writing a real priority, and then I felt like a real writer. Now I couldn’t imagine a day not writing.

What is your writing process like?

I write just about every day. Even if it’s only for fifteen minutes in a corner somewhere, I’ll sneak in time to write. Normally, though, I get up early and start writing until I reach my word count goal, which might be from 2000 to 5000 words every day. And then there’s editing, of course, and proofing galleys, etc etc. The work never seems to stop, but since I love it, even the hard parts aren’t so bad.

I usually start out with characters, and maybe an idea about a crime – or, in the case of Hexes and Hemlines, I imagined the setting for a crime scene sprinkled with bad luck signs. And writing series are fun, since once the characters are established you get to push them this way and that, put them into difficult situations, and sit back and see what they do ;-)

I write an outline only under duress – my editor asks me for one before I begin writing-- but usually I wander off of it by the second chapter or so. I like to be surprised by my story and follow it wherever it might lead – for me, that’s where the fun comes in, the almost magical way that a story unfolds as though I’m only channeling it, rather than inventing it!

Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

I think I keep a lot in my head. I always want to be more organized, to write up spread sheets and all the way neat writers do, but I never manage it. Other than using the computer as a word processor, I do all the rest by hand – my study is littered with handwritten notes and drawings and charts.

Also, I find endings difficult so if you speak to me a week before deadline I’ll probably have that “deer in the headlights” look, as I frantically search for inspiration. But it always seems to work out, so I’m learning to trust myself more.

What was the last amazing book that you read?

I was just out on tour with Sophie Littlefield and her new book A Bad Day for Scandal – I love that book! I love the whole series, which features Stella Hardesty, a 50-something woman in small town Missouri with a chip on her shoulder, a foul mouth, and an irresistible fury against abusive men. Sophie’s a friend, but she’s also written a great series, and I think Scandal is the best of the bunch.

Besides writing, what are some of your passions in life?

My son, painting, spending time with friends. I love cooking, and good food and wine…I work on my house and garden when I can, and walk around the lake or hike in the woods a lot. I used to love to volunteer, and there are a million other things I’d like to do, but there never seems to be enough time. Still, with good friends, art, writing, and family, what else do I need?

What can readers expect next from you?

Several more books in both of my series, the Witchcraft Mysteries and the Haunted Home Mysteries. I’m also working on a non-mystery novel, which is very exciting.

Where can readers find you on the web?

Contact me through my website, http://www.julietblackwell.net/, and find me on Twitter @JulietBlackwell and on Facebook!

Thank you so much for being with us today, Juliet!

About the Author:

Nationally bestselling author Juliet Blackwell writes the Witchcraft Mystery series (Secondhand Spirits, 2009; A Cast-off Coven, 2010; Hexes and Hemlines, June 2011; Obsidian). If Walls Could Talk launched the Haunted Home Renovation series, featuring Mel Turner, who reluctantly inherited her father’s upscale construction company and finds more than she bargained for behind the walls of historic homes. Dead Bolt, the second in that series, comes out December 6, 2011. As one-half of the sister duo dubbed Hailey Lind, Blackwell wrote the Art Lover’s Mystery Series--including Agatha-nominated Feint of Art and the most recent, Arsenic and Old Paint (September; Perseverance Press).

A former anthropologist and social worker, Juliet has worked in Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Italy, the Philippines, and France, and is now a painter in Oakland, California. She served two terms as president of NorCal Sisters in Crime and also sat on the board of Mystery Writers of America.

oOoOoOo

Would you like a chance to win one of Juliet's books from her Witchcraft Mysteries series?  Awesome!  I'm offering one randomly selected person her/his choice of Secondhand Spirits, A Cast-Off Coven or Hexes and Hemlines.  The contest is open anywhere The Book Depository delivers, so please be sure they ship to your country.

To enter, please leave a meaningful comment on today's interview.  Of course, you are welcome to comment on the post even if you're not entering!  Just be sure to leave your e-mail addy if you'd like a chance to win.

The contest is open until Tuesday, 7/5/2011, at 11:59 pm CST.  Good luck!

Waiting On Wednesday: DARK WARRIOR

DARK WARRIOR

By Rebecca York

ISBN: 0425243702

Publisher: Penguin Group

Release Date: September 6, 2011

In the first century BC, Ionian Priestesses made a bargain with cursed warriors called the Minot. When the truce fell apart, the Minot remained cursed, and the Ionians remained mistrustful of men. In modern-day Arizona, Jason Tyrone, son of a Minot and an outcast Ionian, has come to reclaim his heritage.

At the Seven Sisters Spa, where the Ionian women live and hide their true identity, Jason falls in love with the beautiful Sophia Thalia-and their passion will re-ignite a conflict that could destroy the Ionians.

Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

LURE OF THE WICKED Book Tour: Interview with Karina Cooper and Giveaway

Hello, Karina, and welcome! Can you give us six words that best describe yourself?

Thanks for having me! I'm terribly excited to be part of this wonderful Book of Secrets.

Wait, six? Just six words? Ohgod... Manic! (Obviously?) Indecisive! (I'm part Libra... I'm allowed!) Prolific? (Good luck getting me to scale back on just about anything...) Ah... um... Persistent! (This comes from a friend, who finally gave in when I kept pestering her with this question... 'Tis true!) Exclamatory! (Obviously...) And, of course, outgoing.

Wait, is that it? Okay. There's six. Whew!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

"Writer" is such a funny little word. Technically, anyone who writes -- who, in fact, places words in some kind of order upon some kind of paper, digital or otherwise -- is a writer, and I support their proud declaration! But I also think it's such a personal definition; a personal moment when a writer actually goes, "Holy--I'm a writer!" For me, it came when I finished the first book after I learned how to plot. The whole process, from the start of the plotting board to the finish of the final revisions, made me so ridiculously happy. I felt this sudden... shift in how I viewed myself, the world, what I'd just accomplished.

I heard a little jingle, saw a little sparkle, and read the words as they floated over my head: "Writer Achievement Earned!"

And like all achievements in every game, collecting them can be addicting.

For those who are not familiar with your Dark Mission series, please tell us a little about it. How many books are planned for the series?

The Dark Mission series is set fifty-odd years after the cataclysm that destroys much of the world as we know it. From Paris to California, New York to Australia, Mother Nature wreaked havoc in a way that left the world reeling in the wake of disaster after disaster. For the most part, the series focuses on New Seattle -- the new metropolis built on the remains of the Seattle we know -- and the ongoing struggle between those who are desperate to survive and those bent on hunting down the criminals that infect the city streets. Most notable is the conflict between witches, blamed for the worldwide cataclysm, and the men and women of the witch-hunting Mission.

Each of the characters is a piece of the puzzle that is this city, this world and this life. Whether witch or hunter, innocent civilian or one with secrets, they all have something to say or to do. I really look forward to exploring how it all fits together, and I hope you do, too!

Can you share some juicy details about the hero and heroine from your latest release LURE OF THE WICKED?

I... have so much I want to say about Naomi and Phin, but for the sake of not spilling any secrets, I'll see if I can't moderate myself a little. I can tell you this, though! Naomi doesn't have very many friends out here. Whoo, the comments I'm getting about her from her appearance in BLOOD OF THE WICKED are downright vicious. Which actually makes me cackle all the more at the fact that she's my heroine for LURE OF THE WICKED. I had a lot of fun chronicling her descent into... Oops, nearly did it again!

Needless to say, Naomi may actually be one of my favorite heroines so far. She kicks ass like a man, but she's got things that she's never had to work out before, but really is going to need to if she expects to survive a mission guaranteed to drive her insane. I can also tell you that Phin is, to date, absolutely my favorite hero. I call him my alpha-beta (a designation the mancandy has taken on for himself in my household), and I love the fact that he's an unruffled sensitive type with killer moves. The man has panache, that's for sure, and I really loved how he handles Naomi. Because, let's face it, Naomi's a woman that needs to be handled.

Insert joke of choice here...

What was the most interesting thing you learned while researching your book?

This is actually something I learned after I was done with the book! I'd had it signed, sealed and delivered. Months later, as I went about researching my Celebratory Thing that I do with each successful book delivery, I realized that the piercing I gave Naomi isn't really how it's done anymore. Which is to say, it still exists! Barbells through bits of skin are still done, but it's not really the safe or advanced method anymore. The rejection rate is too high. Instead, what's done now is more how my fabulous cover artist Tom depicted it: microdermals are all the rage.

I know this, because when I was talking to my piercer -- a fab little fiery redhead named Jax -- about nape piercings, she pointed me to them. The rejection rate is minimal (although they come out eventually), and I now have two on the back of my neck, like Naomi but vertical instead of horizontal. So for all you piercing aficionados out there: mea culpa! I promise not to misrepresent any more piercings in the future.

I suppose, really, the most interesting thing I learned during the course of LURE OF THE WICKED's pre-shelf life is this: microdermal piercings hurt like a sonofabeech, and I will never get one done ever again. But I sure do love the ones I have. It gave me a healthy new respect for Naomi's piercing fixation (and my own!).

What is your writing process like?

Ahem... Follow me here:

1. Pre-Week: I watch, read, and pay attention to everything around me. There's inspiration everywhere!

2. Week 1: Draft up characters. Assign random dates as birthdays; read up on the astrology. Why are they like that? Or why aren't they? Figure out who they are, what they like, what they fear, what they want. Goal, motivation, conflict. Shuffle them around. Make new ones, save the old. Flip. Insert secondaries. Remove secondaries. Add a few more.

3. Week 1 and/or 2: Fill up a yellow legal pad (one per book, usually) with notes, ideas, scrawls, chicken scratch, colored Sharpies. Find the plot thread and pull, pull, pull 'til I get a solid idea.

4. Week 1 and/or 2: Plot. I use colored post-its on a white board, and I plot out the entire book, start to finish. I know what each scene is, where it goes, how it looks.

5. Week 2 or 3 and onward: Write it! The plot is there, the scenes are designated, I just have to put words to it. Eventually, I get to THE END, whee!

6. After: I revise. I revise and edit and shuffle and add and subtract and pull it apart.

7. Done! Whee! Now I wait for editor revisions, then copyedits, and so on. But I don't stop there... I'm now back at "pre-week" for the next project!

I sort of don't stop writing. Ever. It's that achievement, you know? I keep wanting to collect more and more gold stars. I figure, there's an achievement for splattering a certain amount of zombies, or for blowing a kiss to a certain amount of random animals, and one for visiting a certain amount of locations -- there's gotta be an achievement for certain number of books, right?

What or who were your early influences that lead you to write paranormal romance?

I'm not entirely sure, really. I think maybe it was amalgam of stuff. See, my older brother used to watch horror flicks and they scared me so bad, I'd hide in my room sobbing under my blankets. But I could read horror no problem! I loved staying in my room reading, and I pretty much devoured all things that crossed my path. I think I was in the fourth grade when I read a copy of Shakespeare's collected works, front to back, with pages so thin and fine they felt like silk and print so tiny I had to hold the book inches in front of me. (I managed to avoid smearing this one with sugar and kool-aid...) I just read. Lots.

Then, when I was twelve or thirteen, I discovered romance. I loved it! Happy endings, conflict between lovers, action, adventure! Somewhere in the middle, my love of the fantastical merged with my adoration of romance, and that line became known as "paranormal romance". I fell into it easily, and I can't see myself leaving anytime soon. Romance is such a genre-bending industry, anyway. You can get mystery, horror, suspense, crime, comedy, inspiration, all of it and anything you want all in romance as a broad category, and I love that.

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

Uh... Is the mancandy reading this? No? Okay, here we go! Guilty pleasures: black-haired animated/drawn guys. I don't know why! I'm a sucker for Ian Nottingham, Canon Hawke, Tuxedo Mask (it started with him!), and every black-haired boy in every bishounen anime ever. Speaking of? Don't laugh... I love yaoi animes. I call them my "boy-love" animes. It's like romance and ridiculousness and darling men falling over each other all wrapped into one! They're just so charming sometimes.

Although if I were honest, I'd say anime in general is kind of a guilty pleasure. I love the ones that have romance, but I also adore the funny ones. (Ouran High School Host Club ranks high up there!) Romantic comedies, also. I kind of love chick flicks. The chickier, the better. My favorite go-to is still French Kiss, with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline.

Now, I also have a thing for shoes. I will buy shoes until I drop dead of exhaustion. I'll wear the most painful shoes in the world if they look amazing. I have way too many shoes, and the mancandy has already tried to cut me off, but it's a no go! I feel the same way about cute bras, though I'll avoid wearing them if they're uncomfortable. I just love how darling bras are these days! (I don't even care if they match.) And, of course, I'm sort of addicted to hair dye and piercings. I am always changing my hair color. Last interview I had, I mentioned that my hair was blue. This is no longer the case -- it's now red. And I have a handful of piercings with plans for more. It's fun!

I think it's easy to have guilty pleasures. Oh! Oh! Jericho Barrons. Now there's a guilty pleasure...

Where can readers find you on the web?

I have little dens of iniquity scattered all over, but most notably I have a website, Twitter, and a Facebook fan page. You can find me respectively at:

http://www.karinacooper.com/
http://www.twitter.com/karinacooper
http://www.facebook.com/romanceauthor

I have a running joke that Twitter is filled with my glistening spam-meats while Facebook is the quieter and much more tame of the two, and it's more or less true. You have been warned!

Thanks so much again for having me, this was great fun!

About the Book:

LURE OF THE WICKED
By Karina Cooper

Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 006204690X
Release Date: June 28, 2011

Plucked from the no-frills interior of a stark jail cell, missionary Naomi West has been buffed, polished, and shined to topside perfection. Bitterly resentful, she is imprisoned within the city’s premier spa and resort and forced to pass as one of the topside elite to hunt down an agent gone rogue. The plan is simple: kill him, before the gilded cage she hates so much gets to her first.

Phinneas Clarke has put heart and soul into the spa, turning his family’s secrets and dreams into a successful business that hides the operation he runs behind the scenes. When the beautifully untouchable Naomi checks in, everything starts to unravel, and he must choose between protecting his investment, his family, or a woman too damaged to be any good for his heart.

Giveaway Details:

Karina is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one person who leaves a comment on her book tour. Click HERE for Karina's tour schedule. The the more tour stops you comment on, the better your chances of winning!

To enter, please leave a comment or question for Karina along with a way to contact you. Good luck!

A GHOST OF A CHANCE Book Tour: Interview with Minnette Meador and a Kindle/Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

I'm pleased to welcome Minnette Meador to Book of Secrets today!  Her latest release is the paranormal romantic comedy A GHOST OF A CHANCE.  Hi, Minnette!

Please tell us a little about yourself.

Somewhere between thirty and dust...red hair, blue eyes...six kids, one slightly used husband, and any number of pets from time to time... wanttabe hippy... wanttheirmoney yuppie... pro musician and actress for 20 Years... native Oregonian... lover of music, beauty, and all things green. Willing slave to the venerable muse. I currently reside in Portland, Oregon with my husband, having replaced the children with one dog. The dog, Pierre, pretty much runs the show.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I penned the much anticipated Star Trek episode when I was 8. It never got picked up, but it gave me the eternal bite of the muse. She has abused me ever since.

Please share some juicy details about A GHOST OF A CHANCE.

Juicy, huh… The sex scenes made one site expel it from their romance side delegating it to the erotic version of the blog. Those who try to corrupt me to write erotica had a party. ~g~ Ghosts and demons and angels, oh, my! Sexy story of ghosts meet boy, boy meets girl, boy meets succubus, boy loses girls, boy gets girl back, boy saves the world, ghosts rejoice. Loads of twists and turns… you’ll never see it coming! Everyone says it’s very funny.

Was there a character you enjoyed writing the most?

I think Keenan would have to be it. I went totally from his POV, which means you won’t know what’s happening until he does. That made it very exciting to write and tough at the same time. I mean, building in foreshadowing was a killer; how do you put it in when the main character hasn’t a clue. Keenan has been living with hundreds of ghosts since he was a teenager and they make his life a living hell, but for all of that he grows to appreciate them in the end.

Do you have a special formula for creating character names?

I like sounds first and meaning later. The names usually either just come to me or I look them up. For example, Keenan means little ancient one. This is kind of an inside joke readers will get when they read the book. Isabella, of course, means God’s promise and she certainly is.

What is your writing process like?

I used to be a pantster, someone who writes by the seat of her pants. I am more of a plotter now. I usually use OneNote to roughly outline the story, build my characters using character sheets, select location, time period, etc. and put as much of it in the notebook as possible. Then I start writing. I walk a lot and think things through, or I lay down and things usually come to me then. People look at me strangely since I’m usually running dialogue between the two characters verbally while I’m walking. I’ve grown to love it. I usually write a chapter and then go back and do a couple of reviews, then go onto the next chapter. I go back through the book as I move along; that keeps the story fresh for me. Then I edit it about a dozen times, send it off to my critique partner and beta readers, get their input, make changes as appropriate and then send it to my editor, who makes more changes. When we agree on all of them, it goes to a copy editor who takes care of all the technical stuff, typos, spacing, etc.

Do you write other genres besides paranormal romance?

I am called the Schizophrenic Muse for a very good reason: I’ve never met a genre I didn’t like. To date I have published 2 epic fantasies, 2 historical romances with a 3^rd coming out in August, a children’s book, three humorous essays, a paranormal romantic comedy, and an urban fantasy thriller coming out in October… oh, and newspaper articles. I love to write in different genres; I think each challenge keeps my writing chops up. I actually read many different genres and love them all. My secret passion is mystery, especially Nero Wolfe books, so I might try my hand at that one day. 

Where is your favorite place to read?

In bed, hands down.

Other than writing, what are some of your passions in life?

Music has always been a passion of mine and I was a professional for many years. I am retired from that life now, but love to listen to different kinds of music. I am currently in love with Imogene Heap, Josh Groban, Technoshark, and Charlotte Church, especially if the music is funky. My other passion is butt dancing in my chair while I write. ~G~

What can readers expect next from you?

The Gladiator Prince, the third book in the Centurion Series, hits the stands on August 18^th. This is a completely stand alone book, so anyone can enjoy it. Then, in October, The Bell Stalker (working title), an urban fantasy thriller comes out. Here are a couple of blurbs:

THE GLADIATOR PRINCE - Excerpt
a historical romance
by Minnette Meador
Book III of the Centurion Series

RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

Prince Thane is the last surviving royalty of the Trinovantes Tribe in Roman Britannia, having surrendered to the Romans after the Boudicca Revolt to save his two daughters, whose identities he sacrifices his freedom to protect. He is condemned by Nero himself to become a gladiator, to fight until he dies in the arena. Years later, when his two daughters are taken in a slaver's raid, Thane escapes, forcing the daughter of his master to take him to Rome to save his children. Little does he know that the beautiful Syrian woman holds not only the key to his passion, but a secret that triggers a disaster that ignites the world. Will this spoiled willful girl betray him in the end or sacrifice herself to save them all? Book III of the Centurion Series.

THE BELL STALKER - Excerpt
an urban fantasy thriller
by Minnette Meador
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

For a year, Belle Stark has struggled to conquer fears plaguing her since being attacked by a maniac who continues to roam free and the murder of her father. And she nearly succeeds, until she discovers her lover's murdered corpse spread over the furniture, making Belle a prime suspect. Certain her attacker is to blame, she seeks help from her ex-husband, homicide detective Mike Cranston, the one person she swore she would never let back into her life, or heart. In their hunt for answers, the two uncover more than a lunatic: a supernatural underworld hidden beneath the tall skyscrapers of the city and a secret that could kill them both. Faced with a terrible choice, Belle surrenders herself to the hands of a monster and Mike must solve an ancient mystery before it's too late to save her---

Where can readers find you on the web?

Minnette’s Web Site

Minnette's Blog
Myspace
Facebook
Coffeetime Romance
Manic Readers Author Site
The Romance Studio
Gather

Thank you so much! You are so welcome, Diana. This was really fun! You are the best! M:o)

About the Book:

A GHOST OF A CHANCE
By Minnette Meador


Paranormal Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Resplendence
Release Date: June 22, 2011


Keenan Swanson is your typical, everyday graphic designer. Well, except for the hundreds of pesky, prank-loving poltergeists that make his life interesting (in a Chinese curse sort of way). He finds his situation precarious yet manageable—until witty, smoking-hot coworker Isabella enters the scene and Keenan decides he wants her all for himself. With a horny succubus who has other ideas, a burly city cop determined to lock Keenan away, and an evil entity who’s hell-bent on using Keenan’s seed to create a living demon, the reluctant psychic realizes he just might not come out of this alive—or with heart intact.

Buy Links: Resplendence Publishing, Amazon Kindle 

EXCERPT:

Keenan headed down Thirty-second Street, turned left onto Hawthorn, and ran like an antelope with a lion biting his tail.

When he hit the crowd outside Taps at full speed, he came to a crashing halt and sailed to the ground, taking down two brawny beer drinkers, their respective girlfriends, and an innocent table that was sitting there minding its own business. Four obviously filled pints of stout flew through the air and the contents rained down on the struggling quintet in a dark brown shower, soaking all of them. Two of the empty pints hit Keenan squarely on the back of the head, one after the other.

The tangled pile of human beings and beer began to disentangle itself, but Keenan’s head was spinning wildly. So wildly, in fact, that he didn’t feel himself roughly yanked to his feet and then off of them, or see the swollen fist appear out of thin air until it was too late. All he heard was a distant son of a bitch and the sound of meaty flesh striking cheekbone.

The sparklers that gleamed in front of his eyes reminded him of the Fourth of July on the coast. He found himself down on the ground again.

“…you stupid prick!” The words soaked into his stupor and he squinted up to see six-foot-six of angry male mountain, a pleading red head attached to the man’s arm.

Not that it would have stopped another blow, but Keenan forced his hands into the submissive position and tried to find his voice. “Oh, man…” he said to the mountain. “I’m really sorry. Are you all right?”

Giveaway Details:

Minnette will be giving away a Kindle at the end of her promotions campaign and anyone who comments on her tour, or on her blog, will be entered into that drawing. One randomly drawn commenter from the tour itself, will - in addition - win a $100 Amazon gift certificate. 

To enter, please leave a comment or question for Minnette along with a way to contact you.  Good luck!

For Minnette's tour schedule, visit here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/05/virtual-book-tour-ghost-of-chance-by.html. 

Bodice Ripper Revival (1): Review and International Giveaway

THE REBEL BRIDE

By Catherine Coulter

Publisher: Signet

Series: Regency, #1

Original ISBN: 0451089510

First Published: December 4, 1979

Katharine Bradon is a hoyden with hair as red as a stormy sunset. When Julien St. Clair, Earl of March, sees her for the first time, she is dressed like a boy while engaged in a rather mock duel with her brother. And since it's her turn to be fatally wounded, she dies dramatically at Julien's feet. A powerful, sophisticated nobleman who is bored and restless with a life that holds little more interest for him, the earl finds himself suddenly and thoroughly bewitched by this unusual young lady.

Spoiler Alert!  Spoiler Alert!

It's too difficult not to reveal spoilers when  talking about the parts that make this book a "bodice ripper," so expect some spoilers if you read on...

oOoOoOo

I haven't read a true, old-school bodice ripper romance in about 15 years, so The Rebel Bride was an interesting trip down memory lane.  The story is set in England in 1814.  Bored of life in London, Julien St. Clair, Earl of March, has returned to his country home.  One afternoon he happens upon what he thinks is a duel ending with a boy being shot.  The "boy" turns out to be Katherine Brandon simply pretending to die at Julien's feet, a game she and her brother Henry love playing.  Julien is immediately drawn to the intriguing Kate, a feisty young woman unafraid to speak her mind.  They form a friendship, and soon Julien asks for her hand in marriage.

Knowing that Kate lives with a cold, abusive father, Julien is certain that she will accept his proposal.  After a painful childhood, Kate simply longs to be free, and she has no interest in becoming the property of a husband.  To say that his pride was bruised when she refused is an understatement.  Unaccustomed to not getting his way, Julien uses his influence and wealth to pursue Kate, in essence backing her into a corner so she has no choice but to marry him.  In a final desperate attempt to be rid of Julien, Kate runs away to Paris only to be caught by him soon after her arrival.

Knowing that she has no other choice, Kate marries Julien in Paris, and they begin a trip across Europe to Switzerland.  Kate has no desire to consummate the marriage, and Julien believes it is because she is a fearful virgin bride.  His solution is to kidnap his own wife, wearing a mask and using a fake German accent.  He proceeds to tie her up and force himself on her, thinking that this will cure her frigidity.  As is common in these stories, the heroine's traitorous body responds to her attacker, and Kate is consumed with guilt.

Julien's rape of Kate has some powerful consequences.  He discovers that she's not a virgin after all, and of course, he's furious at first.  Kate starts having nightmares which reveal to Julien that she was raped as a girl but has repressed the memory.  And finally, Kate becomes pregnant as a result of the rape.  She's too ashamed to tell her husband about the attack (not knowing it was actually him), so she forces herself to seduce Julien to have an explanation of the pregnancy.

What a tangled web we weave!  Right?  What follows is their return home to England, and Julien attempting to help Kate work through the nightmares of her childhood.  And, of course, Julien admitting that he was actually the German lord who kidnapped and raped her.  If there was one thing that could redeem Julien, it would be that he immediately felt remorse for what he did to Kate.  He admitted that it was rape and it was wrong.  Whether that is good enough for readers is the question.

Overall I thought that The Rebel Bride was a good read.  I enjoyed the angsty, troubled characters, and there were plenty of heart wrenching moments between them.  I enjoyed observing Kate's transformation throughout the story.  When we meet her, she's witty and spirited, but her demeanor darkens after her forced marriage and, of course, the rape.  By the end, she has definitely regained her feistiness as we see in a confrontation scene between her and one of Julien's former lovers. 

Dislikes?  There were a few.  I thought that the story dragged in places, especially during Julien's failed seduction attempt leading up to Kate's flight to Paris.  I also thought that the POV jumped around too much within the same scene.  Finally, the story seemed overly wordy at times, however I thought that the author did an excellent job capturing the dialouge of the Regency time period. 

I don't have a problem with the "political incorrectness" of these novels.  It's what was common at the time, and it makes them unique.  I know many readers would disagree and would prefer to leave true bodice rippers in the past!  What do you think?

Rating: 3 Bodices

Giveaway Details:

This post is part of the Bodice Ripper Revival, a new monthly event here on my blog and at Tanya's blog, Among the Muses!

For a chance to win a copy of either The Rebel Bride or the book Tanya reviewed, please leave a comment with your e-mail address on this or both posts.  If you leave a comment on both reviews, you will get two entries!

The winner's choice of book will be shipped from The Book Depository, so the contest is open internationally.  (Winner will receive the most recent edition of the book.)  The contest is open until Monday, 6/27/2011, at 11:59 pm EST.  Good luck!

Guest Review: TOUCHABLE LOVE

TOUCHABLE LOVE

By Becky Due

ISBN: 0974621269

Format: eBook; 174 pages

Release Date: August 30, 2010

Source: From Author

Love will always conquer fear, but Christy has lived fast and wild, and fears she has contracted HIV. When she enters the lives of two men, Paul, a gay man dying of AIDS and his nurse, Brian, she learns everything she needs to know about love. But, will Christy love herself enough to get tested so she can move forward with her life? 

Reviewed By: AsianCocoa

Twenty-eight year Christy has had a rough life. She has been raped multiple times, worked as a prostitute and struggled with bulimia. She has had numerous one-night stands and has never been in a real relationship. Plagued with low self-esteem all her life she doesn’t know how to love anyone. How can she when she doesn’t even like herself? Fed up with her life in Minnesota she moves to Florida to accept a position as an assistant for a famous photographer named Paul. Her job assignment is to shoot photos of Paul while he is dying of AIDS. Paul lost his partner to the disease three years prior and has given up on life because he wants desperately to join Jim on the other side. But before he dies, Paul wants the last days of his life documented through photos that will be published as a book about AIDS. He hopes the book will help other people to understand the affects of the disease and the need for protection against the HIV virus.

Paul and Christy become extremely close during their months working and living together. Christy finally realizes what it is like to have someone to love. Even though she doesn’t love Paul in the traditional sense she starts to open up her heart to the possibilities of falling in love with a man. Then Brian, Paul’s nurse, enters her life. He knows right away that Christy is the one for him. But it takes Christy awhile longer to recognize that her feelings for Brian are true love.

I went into this book expecting a very emotional read. Unfortunately I was disappointed. Even though the heroine, Christy was a very sympathetic character, I felt her voice was very detached. The scene where Paul passed away should have had me in tears but my eyeballs stayed dry. This book had a touching storyline and I expected to be sucked in except the emotional element was lacking throughout the book. The story idea was good and I completely empathized with both Christy’s and Paul’s struggles but the flow of the book seemed very disjointed and lacked feeling. Touchable Love gets 2.5 stars.

The First Half of 2011 in Review and a New Monthly Feature!

We're almost at the half-way mark of 2011, so I thought I'd take a look back at the first half of the year:

I've read 50 books so far, and I except to complete at least two more by July 1st.  I am on track to reach my goal of 100 books this year.  (A few of them were novellas, but I'm still counting them!)  I'm not a fast reader, so reaching that goal will be an amazing feat.

I've read a lot of great books so far this year, so it wasn't easy to pick a favorite.  I think Mary Abshire's two books, Claiming the Evil Dead and Catching an Evil Tail, were at the top of my list.  They were sexy, suspenseful and spooky!  I was thrilled to have Mary visit my blog twice on her book tours.

I also really enjoyed On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle.  I've taken a liking to cozy mysteries.  Oh!  All of the books I've read by Cara McKenna/Meg Maguire were wonderful (some naughtier than others *wink*).

Here is my "Books Read" list for 2011 (in alphabetical order by the author's last name):

1. Abshire, Mary: Catching an Evil Tail

2. Abshire, Mary: Claiming the Evil Dead

3. Blevins, Candace: Safeword: Rainbow

4. Burgess, Donna: Darklands: A Vampire's Tale

5. Carr, Mari: Do Over

6. Childs, Lisa: Deja Vu

7. Christian, Claudia D: Devil's Descent: Purgatory

8. Cole, Kresley, etal: Playing Easy To Get

9. Coyle, Cleo: On What Grounds

10. Dale, Jennifer: Her Lord and Master

11. Dalton, Tymber: The Reluctant Dom

12. DeHart, Robyn, Treasure Me

13. deMello, Suz: Highland Vampire

14. Dennis, Leslie Ann: Reason to Believe

15. Elyot, Justine: Honeytrapped

16. Evers, Shoshanna: Chastity Belt

17. Gayle, Eliza: Midnight Playground

18. Hensley, Alta: Traditional Love

19. Holyoak, Pauline: Merryweather Lodge/Ancient Revenge

20. Howell, Kiki: Torn Asunder

21. Hunsaker, Laura: Highland Destiny

22. Joseph, Annabel: Caressa's Knees

23. Joseph, Annabel: Club Mephisto

24. Julian, Stephanie: Kiss of Moonlight

25. Kaye, Marguerite: Bound to the Wolf Prince

26. Kaye, Marguerite: Claimed by the Wolf Prince

27. Kent, Alison: At His Mercy

28. Keraleigh, Anna: Fairy Flavor

29. Kirchoff, Christine: Once Upon a Mate

30. LaBrecque, Jennifer: Northern Exposure

31. Lee, Rachel: Just A Cowboy

32. Leeland, Jennifer: The Trust She Yields

33. Maguire, Meg: Caught on Camera

34. McKenna, Cara: Don't Call Her Angel

35. McKenna, Cara: Skin Game

36. McKenna, Cara: Willing Victim

37. Meyers, Theresa: The Truth About Vampires

38. Reisz, Tiffany: Seven Day Loan

39. Reese, Laura: Topping From Below

40. Rhoads, Roxanne: An Unexpected Evening

41. Rowen, Michelle: Inevitable

42. Sands, Ariel: Never the Face

43. Stevens, Amanda: The Abandoned

44. Thomas, Kitty: Tender Mercies

45. Thomas-Sundstrom, Linda: Vampire Lover

46. Trent, Gayle: Murder Takes the Cake

47. Valentino, Jemima: His Elle

48. Walker, E.D.: The Beauty's Beast

49. Welfonder, Sue-Ellen: Sins of a Highland Devil

50. Wilson, Claire: Captured By Moonlight

New Monthly Feature: Tanya from Among the Muses and I are starting a new monthly feature this weekend called THE BODICE RIPPER REVIVAL.  The last weekend of every month each of us will be reviewing a classic, old-school bodice ripper, one on Saturday, one on Sunday.  We will include a giveaway too, usually winner's choice of either book reviewed, or an optional eGift Card if the book is not in print.  With The Book Depository and eBooks, we will try to keep the giveaways open internationally.  Tanya is hosting this month, so check out her announcement post HERE for more details!  It's going to be fun!

Here's to an amazing second-half of 2011!

Waiting on Wednesday: THE GOBLIN KING

THE GOBLIN KING

By Shona Husk

ISBN: 1402259859

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: October 1, 2011

Cursed by a Druid millennia ago, Roan lives a bleak existence in the Shadowlands, desperately trying to retain his soul and not succumb to the goblin horde.

When a beautiful human summons him to grant a wish, he sees a glimmer of hope. But will she ever agree to be his queen?

According to the author's website, this book "is the first of a paranormal romance trilogy about cursed Celtic heroes and their struggle to be free of the Shadowlands."  Celtic heroes?  *swoon* I'm very excited because Shona Husk will be stopping by my blog in October for a guest post about why she chose to write about Celtic heroes!

Hosted by: Breaking the Spine

Welcome, Summer! Giveaway (US)

Summer officially arrives this week, and I've thrown together a quick giveaway to celebrate!  These paperback books are from my own bookshelf - some gently read, some unread.  At Book of Secrets, I have two sets of books to giveaway, and you may enter to win one or both sets.  Here are the details:

Set #1 includes:

Ripe for Pleasure by Isobel Carr (ARC)

Masked by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon (ARC)

Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland (ARC)

For a chance to win Set #1, just fill out this FORM.

Set #2 includes:

Heart of the Witch by Alicia Dean

Promises Reveal by Sarah McCarty

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles

For a chance to win Set #2, just fill out this FORM.

Giveaway Rules/Requirements:

- To enter, you must fill out the contest form(s) above.  Shipping to US addresses only.

- You must be a Google Friend Connect follower of Book of Secrets to enter.

- You must be 18+ to enter.

- I reserve the right to discard suspicious and/or duplicate entries, or entries that do not meet the requirements.

- Contest open until Sunday, 6/26/2011 at 11:59 pm CST.

- Winners will be chosen using Random.org and notified by email. Winners have 2 days to respond before alternates are chosen.

- Prizes will be shipped by USPS Media Mail. Sorry, not responsible for items lost or damaged in transit.

(Psst! Would you like the chance to win more books? Yes? Then check out my other Welcome, Summer! Giveaway over at Seven of Magpies too! Just click HERE for details.)