Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday I get to introduce everyone to upcoming books I am excited about!

This week I'm waiting on: 

Grave Dance( Alex Craft #2): July 5, 2011

After a month of down time, Grave Witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But when her new case forces her to overuse her magic, it might be the last mystery the Grave Witch ever gets to solve...

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson): August 6, 2011

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper Extraordinaire, is back in this sexy, suspenseful novel of supernatural shenanigans

When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?

Here is your signpost for the most hilarious read of the summer: Second Grave On The Left.


What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

How to Win Leigh's Big A$$ RT 11 Bag

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Guest Blog: Marked: An Expose of Characters

Xan

Present King of the Cats and sister to Ari and Ova. He is a member of the Knights of the Templar and friend to Overlord Lucca of the Wolves.

Gifts:

·         He can shift between his lion form and a human form.

·         He can speak mentally with his sister, Ari.

·         He has the ability to mesmerize.

·         He can hear the thoughts of others.

·         He can wield the Eye of Panthera.

·         The limitation of his gifts is unknown.

Description:

·         Tall, with straight, black flowing hair that reaches his lower back.

·         The reddish fringe of mane that would outline his face as a lion shifts into a trimmed blondish beard that outlines his muscled angular jaw, and accentuates his high cheekbones.

·         His honey colored eyes mesmerizes all that dared look into them for too long.

·         He has a wide frame and a muscled torso marked by a cross of hair on his chest.

·         His typical attire is black leather pants, slung low on his hips, and a long, black hooded leather jacket.

Ari

Ari is a Princess in the royal pride and leader of the army protecting the Palace.

Gifts:

·         She can shift between her lion form and a human form.

·         She can speak mentally with her brother, Xan.

·         She can wield the Eye of Panthera.

·         She has the gift of strategic insight.

Description:

·         Ari is taller than Ova but shorter than Xan

·         Blondish brown hair and honey gold skin.

·         Hazel eyes often change from gold to green.

·         Her wide, muscled frame makes her a warrior through and through.

Ova (Sister)

Ova is a Princess in the royal pride. Being the smallest, she is also thought to be the weakest. She is still in the process of losing her spots. Although at the console, Ova is the reigning queen of any kind of technology.

Gifts:

·         She can shift between her lion form and a human form.

·         She can communicate mentally with her sister, Ari

·         She can see her Mother’s preternatural presence.

·         She is in the process of learning her gifts.

Description:

·         Ova is the smallest of the siblings

·         Blondish brown hair and honey gold skin.

·         Hazel eyes often change from gold to green.

·         Her slender frame makes many underestimate her abilities.

Catherine

Catherine is the administrative assistant to the Senior Councilman of the Knights of the Templar. A usually conservative woman, with a hidden streak of wild passion; she falls for Xan.

Gifts:

·         None

Description:

·         Dirty brown hair

·         Green eyes

·         Average height

Lucca

Overlord of the Wolves, Lucca is a shape shifter who maintains tight control over his rage and pride. He prides himself in his logic.

Gifts:

·         He can shift between his wolf form and a human form.

·         He dabbles in the magical arts.

Description:

·         Tall

·         Well muscled

·         Pale olive skin

·         Icy grey eyes

·         Salt and Pepper hair

Xor

The old King of the cats, Xor is a tall lean aging shape shifter. Father to Xan, Ari, and Ova – he is prone to long periods silence. 

Gifts:

·         He can shift between his lion form and a human form.

·         He can speak mentally with his off-spring.

·         In his lion form, he can go without food or drink for extended periods of time by falling into a deep meditative sleep.

·         He can wield the Eye of Panthera.

·         The limitation of his gifts is unknown.

Description:

·         Tall

·         Copper skinned

·         Curly hair adorned with a crown of coins.

Ova ( Mother )

Ova is the Mother of Xan, Ari, and Ova. Having died during childbirth she usually appears only to her youngest child and namesake – Ova, in the form of a ghost surrounded by bright light.

The characters in Marked were developed in response to the need to step outside of the stereotype.

While the Lion is the epitome of dominance, I wanted to depict a character that also had questions and doubts.

Similarly the wolf is usually seen as vicious and uncontrollable. At least the references seem to be that every shifter is a raging monster. I wanted a character that was always in control.

The rest of the characters were born and developed in a similar fashion.

I had to do quite a bit of research on the big cats and some of their traits distinguishing myth from fact and then figuring out what I wanted for the storyline.

Check out: My Review

About the Author:

Bitten Twice is an author who primarily writes in the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres.

She recently released the first in the Macedo Ink vampire series in October of 2010 and can be found on

the web at http://www.bitten2ice.com.

Bitten Twice currently lives in Hollywood, FL with her family. Courageously in love with one man and two

children, they all take care of the family’s two dogs. Bitten is a lifetime member of the Florida Writer’s

Association and an associate member of International Thriller Writers.

Marked by Bitten Twice

Summary(from Goodreads): 
Great legends tell of the pairing of souls. 
Two that would come together in an eternal bond yielding great power. 
Forever marked with a destiny waiting to unfold
The wielders of light in darkness' final hour

Demonic forces threaten to tip the balance of power for all worlds. Xan, King of the Cats, is one of many called in by the Templar organization to eliminate the source of the trouble brewing in North America. Arriving in New York Xan, a powerhouse of seduction, meets Katherine and begins to wonder whether he has met his soulmate or fallen into a trap. The war with the underworld comes topside and Xan is in the midst of fighting an unfamiliar battle - rejection. Can Katherine accept their differences






My Review: 
This book is the first in Bitten Twice's "Were" series. I really liked this book, it was short and sweet and drags the reader into the story right away. This is a great start to what is sure to be an amazing series. I loved the way the author describes things.  Right away from the first two lines you get that: 

"Since the beginning of time, the invitation for dusk was pre-empted by a glorious display of

the sun’s magnificence. The light, in a breathtaking array of reds, oranges, and yellows, kissed

the mountains, rocks, trees and grasses, in a promise of tomorrow’s possibilities before being

consumed by darkness."

The plot of the story is great I think one of my favorite aspects is the way opposites attract. The characters are all really strong and you can't help but be drawn to them. If you like urban fantasy I think you will really enjoy this blend of fantasy world with the aspects of the real world. Its really hard not to giveaway spoilers with this book. 

Come back tomorrow for a Guest Blog from the author. You can learn more about her from her website. 

My Rating: 

**I received this book from Mystical Events for an honest review. ***

Blood Song by Cat Adams

***Warning This book is intended for an older audience. There is no sex but there are some descriptive phrases. If you are at an age where this is not appropriate check out my YA site ***

Summary (from Goodreads): Bodyguard Celia Graves has definitely accepted her share of weird assignments, both human and supernatural. But her newest job takes the cake. Guarding a Prince from terrorists and religious fundamentalists is hard enough, but it seems like the entire supernatural world is after this guy too. When she is betrayed by those she is employed to help, and everything goes horribly wrong, Celia wakes to find herself transformed.

Neither human nor vampire, Celia has become an Abomination—something that should not exist—and now both human and supernatural alike want her dead. With the help of a few loyal friends—a sexy mage, a powerful werewolf, and a psychic cop—Celia does her best to stay alive. On the run from her enemies, Celia must try to discover who is behind her transformation…before it’s too late.

My Review: 

I saw this book on the Goodreads Urban Fantasy discussion group. Lucky for me my library got in all 3 books recently so I was able to get my hands on a copy right away. The next day I was only half way through the book and I ran to the library to pick up the second book , which I will start after I write this review. Can I be Celia Graves badass bodyguard extraordinaire? Her character is awesome and to have so many things happen to her in less than a week and still be standing to tell the tale. Then if I can be her can I have my very own Bruno? There are hot guys galore in this book Bruno and Kevin are the two main ones and I'm sure we are going to hear more from them in Siren Song. The plot of Blood Song is great after two chapters you are already invested in the story and its very hard to put down after that. I was late to work because I was reading it and didn't want to stop. I really liked the story line but its really hard to give a detailed review without giving away spoilers, which I don't want to do because its all stuff you have to learn on your own as you read. 

So my suggestion is if you like Urban Fantasy and you need something new to read, definitely check out this series. You can learn more about Cat Adams on her website, she has more books written under different names so you can check those out as well 

My Rating: 

Series Order: 

1. Blood Song

2. Siren Song

3. Demon Song

4. The Isis Collar- March 2012

Its Monday What Are You Reading 5/9/11

It's Monday, What are you reading this week? is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read and the books to be finished this week. 

Sadly last  week wasn't a great reading week for me but this week I plan on having an awesome week. 

Books I finished last week:

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Blood Song by Cat Adams

Books I'm reading now:

Girl in the Steel Corset

A Brush of Darkness

Books to finish this week: 

Divergent 

Between Shades of Gray

Karma

Black Dust Mambo 

So what are you reading??

Happy Friday!

Hi and Welcome!

Thanks everyone for the follows. Sorry I haven't posted anything this week. As of Wendesday evening I finished up with classes. YAY!! I hope everyone had a fun Cinco de Mayo yesterday. I spent all day outside cleaning my new car, DOUBLE YAY! 


Don't forget to enter the Spring Carnival Hop   it ends May 8th at 11:59. Also if you haven't already enter my giveaway for a Prize Pack that ends tonight at 11:59. Both of these giveaways are hosted on my other blog New Reading Mania. Soon I'm going to do a awesome giveaway specifically for here! 


Later tonight or early tomorrow I'm going to have a review up for Storm Born by Richelle Mead and one for Blood Song by Cat Adams. 


I hope everyone has a great weekend!! 

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Summary (from Goodreads):A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. 

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to go into the light. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. 

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

My Review: 

I may have mentioned before that one of my favorite magazines is RT Book Reviews. If you have never read it you definitely should! Anyway that is how I heard about First Grave on the Right. This was the February 2011 issue, when I got my copy all I could think was OMG look at those awesome shoes! The cover of this book is AMAZING!  

 I'm going to have to admit that at first I was a little iffy about Charley Davidson. Her character came off as really spacey and  kind of scatter brained. However after the first 2 chapters I realized that just who she is and I loved it. She is really awesome and I would love to be friends with her. For a while now I have had a thing for reapers whether it be Grim Reapers, dark reapers, light reapers, angelic reapers..etc. I love them as a paranormal character. Charley Davidson is not just a Grim Reaper she is THE grim reaper and her job is crazy. She is also a private investigator and she works with the police to help solve crimes which is how she ends up in the majority of her bad situations.  The plot of this story is a fast paced paranormal mystery. First Grave on the Right keeps you going from start to finish.  Her best friend and assistant Cookie is really awesome and funny. Then there is the Romance portion of First Grave *fans myself* so super steamy...nearly on fire. Wow So can I have my own Reyes please? Overall I thought this book was amazing I can't wait to get my hands on more books by Darynda Jones.

The next book is called Second Grave on the left and will be out August 16, 2011. The third book is called Third Grave Dead Ahead and is expected to be released some times in early 2012. Want more info check out Darynda Jones's website. There are excerpts, deleted scenes and a bunch of other awesome stuff.

My Rating: