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Supernatural Smack Down: Shawntelle Madison’s Aggie McClure

May 19th, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
Posted by Kristie under Supernatural Smack Down Tags: Bitter Disenchantment, Coveted Series, Novella, Shawntelle Madison, Urban Fantasy

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE…

Aggie McClure

Name: Aggie McClure

Book Series: Coveted

Job: Socialite/Works at her father’s international shipping business

Height: 6’ 0’’

Weight: 120lbs

Hair Color: Red

Eye Color: Blue

From (Location): New York City

Significant Other: None

Signature Move: Oh-No-She-Didn’t Tackle

Enemies: Long Island werewolf pack

Favorite Pastime: A full-course meal at a fine restaurant

Other Facts: Aggie is the daughter of the Manhattan werewolf pack.

#

Hey! Guess I need to let you know about me. Get comfortable and have a few of my cookies here. ‘Cause I love to share. Where do I start without the quintessential my name is? Eh, who cares? My name is Aggie McClure. My life has changed a great deal over the past couple of months. A few months ago, I was living with my parents in our family penthouse in New York City. As the daughter of the Manhattan pack leader—a rich one—that is, I was expected to fall in line and become the good daughter. I was expected to mate with another pack leader. But my father, the master manipulator in question, didn’t raise a fool—even with all the control he wanted to exert over me. Growing up the daughter of a millionaire, I didn’t suffer. But I was expected to learn to defend myself as a future alpha female. That meant training in hand-to-hand combat, lessons in warfare and battle planning, and basic firearm techniques. I’m not the best with advanced weaponry, but if you step up to me to party and act like you want to mess with me or my friends, I’ll sure as hell go Doc Holliday and be your huckleberry.

A few days after I was of legal drinking age, my dad took a rare night off work to take his socialite daughter from Park Avenue to the gritty corners of New York City where I was forced to defend myself. No bodyguards. No backups. It all began with a drink in a busy Irish pub. Isn’t that always the opening line: two werewolves walked into a bar… I sat at the bar and ordered a drink. I could’ve pretended to be coy and let my dad order, but I’d gotten plenty of drinks before. While I got my alcohol-laden beverage, my dad had been busy going through the crowd. Eventually, he stopped to talk to two older chicks. The rough-around-the-edges type. He pointed out how he’d seen me take something from them. They searched their pockets and then threw a dark glare in my direction. I couldn’t resist grinning. Now what kind of thief hung out for a drink after they robbed someone? Now most ladies don’t want to mess with me. But, thanks to my good ol’ dad, my pockets needed to be searched. And the minute they put their hands on me it was on like Donkey Kong. Mistake number one, the gal didn’t ask me about her wallet, she just grabbed my shoulder. Second mistake, you don’t grab a werewolf and step up to them like ‘what’s up’. I took her bold hand with my right hand and squeezed that sucker.

“Ask first. Grab later,” I growled. “Common decency means you ask someone what’s going on.”

The woman’s friend tried to grab me next, but I was ready for them. Soon enough, all three of us were tangled together on the floor. Them swinging and me blocking. Attempts to walk away pretty much ended when one of them slapped me. Hard. Restraint for the wolf side of me pretty much ended there.

My shouts of, “I didn’t do it,” apparently translated to them as: “Wipe the floor with my face, please.”

A few seconds later, both of them were out cold on the floor and the sounds of police sirens reached my sensitive ears. I made a beeline for the door and found dad waiting next to it. With arms crossed and a wide grin like I’d caught my first rabbit during the full moon, he couldn’t get anymore smug.

As we left the bar I said, “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?”

As far as the Smackdown is concerned, I can win these matches because I fight to win. I’ve had too many people try to tell me what to do. If I want to enter the Smackdown, I’ll damn well do it because I want to do it. I’m here to represent. Let’s do this!

VOTE HERE!!!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

About Shawntelle:

Shawntelle Madison is a web developer who loves to weave words as well as code. She’d never admit it, but if asked she’d say she covets and collects source code. After losing her first summer job detassling corn, Shawntelle performed various jobs—from fast-food clerk to grunt programmer to university webmaster. Writing eccentric characters is her most favorite job of them all. On any particular day when she’s not surgically attached to her computer, she can be found watching cheesy horror movies or the latest action-packed anime. She lives in Missouri with her husband and children.

You can visit Shawntelle around the web here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Want to read more from Shawntelle Madison?

Bitter Disenchantment (Cove...Collected (Coveted, #0.5)Coveted Kept

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Available April 23, 2013 from Shawntelle Madison

About this Book:

Werewolf Natalya Stravinsky’s outspoken sidekick, Aggie McClure, is featured in this prequel novella. Before Agatha set foot in South Toms River, New Jersey, she had the fight of her life to face. Destined to be the alpha female over her Manhattan pack, Aggie was fully prepared to take on her role until her father arranges a marriage without her consent. She wants out–but the only way is with money–something her new controlling husband won’t give her to escape. But such odds never kept a wolf like Aggie down. To sever the twisted tie, she finds herself pitted against raging wood nymphs and backstabbing brownies in an underground supernatural fighting ring. With every victory, the sweet taste of freedom is closer, but her husband isn’t willing to let her go that easily. Until the very end, Aggie must fight for the one thing she’s never had: a choice.

Click HERE to read an excerpt

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Supernatural Smack Down: Cynthia Eden’s Tanner Chance

May 18th, 2013 @ 11:55 am
Posted by Kristie under Supernatural Smack Down Tags: Avenging Angel, Cynthia Eden, Paranormal Romance, The Fallen Series

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE…

Tanner Chance

Name: Tanner Chance

Book Series: Fallen

Job: New Orleans Police Detective

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 200 (all muscle, baby, all muscle)

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Dark Green

From (Location): Louisiana

Significant Other: Marna (a recently fallen angel)

Signature Move: A fast and furious claws-to-the-throat attack

Kill Highlights: He’s been known to take down six opponents in under a minute.  When you come with your own weapons permanently attached (razor sharp claws that can burst from his fingertips at any moment), you’re always ready for action.

Enemies:  Anyone who gets better Tanner and what he wants—and what he wants is his angel, Marna

Favorite Pastime: Kicking ass, of course.

Other Facts: Tanner is a Gemini. He enjoys long walks under the moonlight, romantic dinners, and making his enemies scream for mercy.

#

Hello. I’m Tanner Chance, and, yes, I am a bad ass.

But then, in order to survive, I had to become this way.  I grew up in one of the most vicious panther shifter packs in the world. Kill or be killed—that was my father’s motto. I guess it’s a good thing that SOB is dead.  Now there is a new alpha in charge—me.

I spend my days working as a detective in New Orleans.  I’ve got a hunting instinct that can’t be contained, and tracking down criminals, well, let’s just say they are my prey of choice.  When night comes, I really let me wild side out. All those creatures hiding in the dark? They need to fear me.

And that’s why I’m here for the smack down. It’s time to claim my official Bad Ass title.  Everyone needs to be official, right?  Besides, I’ve got a girl to impress. She’s a real angel.  And I mean that.  I want her to know that she count on me. That I’ll keep her safe—no matter who or what might try to come after her. No one will ever hurt her, not while I’m near.

So…let’s get this party started. Who wants to tangle with me first?  My claws are ready, and I’m eager to go in for the kill…

VOTE HERE!!!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

About Cynthia:

USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Eden writes tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She has published over 20 novels since she began writing full-time in 2005. Her books have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and her novel, DEADLY FEAR, was named a RITA® finalist for best romantic suspense.

You can visit Cynthia around the web here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Want to read more from Cynthia Eden?

Bound By Blood Bound in Darkness Bound in Sin Bound by the Night Bound In DeathEternal Hunter I'll Be Slaying You Eternal Flame Never Cry WolfHotter After Midnight Midnight Sins Midnight's MasterDeadly Fear Deadly Heat Deadly LiesAngel of Darkness Angel Betrayed Angel in Chains Avenging AngelBleed For MeAlpha One Guardian Ranger SharpshooterThe Wolf Within

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This giveaway is provided by Cynthia Eden

Two lucky winners will each receive a copy of Avenging Angel (Print or Digital – Winner’s Choice)

Available May 28, 2013 from Kensington Brava

About this Book:

Earthly Delights

With a messed up family background and a tendency to grow claws and fangs, Tanner Chance isn’t exactly the boy next door. But he’s a decent cop, and he keeps himself on the side of the good guys. Convenient, because when he rescues a survivor of a horrific shifter attack he finds himself instantly smitten—with an honest-to-goodness angel, as innocent as she is irresistible.

Marna may be angelic, but she’s not stupid or weak. She can take care of herself. Tanner is more temptation than protection anyway. Or so she thinks, until someone wearing her face starts taking out some of New Orleans’ more unsavory paranormals. With police and predators both gunning for her blood, Marna has no choice but to trust Tanner…even though what’s sparking between them is hotter than anything holy.

Click HERE to read an excerpt

Order from

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:

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Review: Ours to Love by Shayla Black

May 18th, 2013 @ 11:45 am
Posted by Shirene under Review Tags: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Ours to Love, Review, Shayla Black, Wicked Lovers Series

Title: Ours to Love

Author: Shayla Black

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Series: Wicked Lovers (Book 7)

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

Format: Paperback, 400 Pages

ISBN-10: 0425253392 (Berkley/Penguin)

ISBN-13: 978-0425253397 (Berkley/Penguin)

Reviewed by: Shirene

Synopsis

Between two brothers…

Xander Santiago spent years living it up as a billionaire playboy.  Never given a chance to lead his family business in the boardroom, he became a Master in the bedroom instead.  His older brother inherited the company and worked tirelessly to make it an empire.  But while the cutthroat corporate espionage took its toll on Javier, nothing was as devastating as the seemingly senseless murder of his wife.  It propelled him into a year of punishing rage and guilt…until Xander came to his rescue.

Comes an irresistible woman…

Eager to rejuvenate Javier’s life, Xander shanghais him to Louisiana where they meet the beautiful London McLane.  After surviving a decade of tragedy and struggle, London is determined to make a fresh start—and these sexy billionaire brothers are more than willing to help.  In every way.  And London is stunned to find herself open to every heated suggestion…and desperately hoping that her love will heal them.

And inescapable danger…

But a killer with a hidden motive is watching, on a single-minded mission to destroy everything the Santiago brothers hold dear, especially London.  And as fear and desire collide, every passionate beat of her heart could be her last.

Quick & Dirty: Does one woman have a heart big enough for an alcoholic grief-stricken widower and a playboy allowing three hearts to mend or will fear rule the day?

Opening SentenceAfter warming up the submissive’s curvy, feminine ass with his hand, Xander Santiago cast her a discerning eye.

Excerpt: Yes

The Review:

This book is not for the faint of heart.  There are two very strong Doms, each one with his own issues. An alcoholic consumed with the death of his wife, Francesca, and a playboy that has never considered himself part of anything larger than the last relationship that lasted maybe 2 hours.  Both men are large personalities and yet they compliment each other as siblings often do in their own unique way.

Xander has watched Javier self destruct over the past year following the death of his wife and the knowledge that she cheated on him.  This is compounded by the lingering anger that Javier has for Xander in not taking Francesca on as a submissive with the hope of reigning her behavior back under control.

Meanwhile, Xander has had more affairs and spent more time spending the family money but never felt that he could take an active part in the family business.  In part because every olive branch handed out was thrown in his face by his determined brother.

The third portion of this triangle is the innocent and scarred London.  She is a woman with all sorts of baggage but little to no experience with men much less two doms and their expectations in this relationship.

What amazed me most is the level of sharing that was reached by all three of these willing participants.  The fact that you have two doms not just sharing but actively cooperating, when up to the entrance of London into their lives they couldn’t be in the same room with out telling the other to get lost.  This speaks much to the large role that London has in placating and soothing both men in her way.

This story revolves around these three characters much like a horse on a carousel at a park.  Each one is part of a bigger picture but each contains their own character and story to tell.  London is such a dynamic character to go from innocent to submissive to two doms and yet she retains her scars that play an active role in her journey.  Xander’s journey is more of a river running deep because he must learn that being valued for oneself is not only to be sought but prized.  Javier’s path is littered with guilt, alcoholism and search for perfection that he can never obtain while seeking to bear all the burdens alone.

This story is not for everyone not just due to its graphic nature or even the bdsm that it contains but also from the depth of heartache that each of our three leads is caring with them on a daily basis.  Each one has just decided to cope differently but through the care and trust of each other they start to realize that their fears can be overcome and happiness might even be obtained for them all.

This is the type of book that I recommend but with stipulations.  If you are comfortable with bdsm, threesomes and erotic fiction then I humbly believe you will think your time and money is well spent.  However if you have any qualms about any one of those three or you just aren’t sure then I would say try another book.  You will be much happier for it.

Notable Scene:

Xander wondered what it would be like to love someone enough to want to put a ring on her finger and plant a seed in her womb.  He shrugged.  Not that it mattered.  He didn’t see that happening, ever.

Javier watched Morgan, too.  His express held a gravity, a sadness…longing.  Not for Morgan herself, but what she represented.  Home, hearth, love, devotion.  Forever.

And maybe, Xander mused, he needed to get laid again.  Or fuck someone more interesting.  That wouldn’t make his problems go away, but it damn sure would help him forget for a while.

As soon as Morgan drove off, Javier turned to him.  With a narrow-eyed glare that dared him to object, he took a long draw from the bottle of Ciroc.

Wicked Lovers Series:

1. Wicked Ties

2. Decadent

3. Delicious

4. Surrender to Me

5. Belong to Me

5.5 Wicked to Love

6. Mine to Hold

6.5 Wicked All the Way

7. Ours to Love

7.5 Wicked and Dangerous (October 1, 2013)

8. Theirs To Cherish (March 14, 2014)

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Ours to Love. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

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Review: Alchemy by K.J. Wignall

May 18th, 2013 @ 11:40 am
Posted by Michelle under Review Tags: Alchemy, K. J. Wignall, Mercian Trilogy, Paranormal, Review, Young Adult

Title: Alchemy

Author: K. J. Wignall

Genre: YA Paranormal

Series: Mercian Trilogy (Book 2)

Publication Date: September 25, 2012

Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages

ISBN-10: 160684265X  (Egmont USA)

ISBN-13: 978-1606842652 (Egmont USA)

Reviewed by: Michelle

Synopsis:

In the thirteenth century, William, heir to the Earl of Mercia, was attacked and turned into a vampire. For 750 years, Will has spent his life in the shadows. Until he met Eloise.

Together, Will and Eloise must destroy an ancient evil that has led them to Marland Abbey, where Will’s ancestors lived and Eloise attends school. Here they uncover the truth about the four vampire kings, Will’s past, and an uncertain future.

But the mysterious sorcerer, Wyndham, is still hunting Will and using Eloise as bait. To protect the girl he loves, Will goes in search of answers—but does that mean walking right into the enemy’s trap?

Quick & Dirty: A sequel a little better than the first, but just didn’t grab my attention.

Opening Sentence: A demon ended my childhood.

Excerpt: No

The Review:

K.J. Wignall brings us back to the Merican Trilogy with Alchemy. The story begins shortly after the end of Blood. Eloise has returned to school with the purpose of investigating Will’s past. Only visiting Eloise in the evening, Will has inhabited his family’s property. But danger has risked Eloise’s safety, forcing Will to keep her safe. A sorcerer named Wyndham is a threat, keeping watch over their actions. The plot progresses and the momentum moves forward. Can Will keep Eloise safe? And will they find what they’re looking for?

Each moment is cataloged in a journal-style entry with a third-person narrative. Wignall changes Will’s voice, which makes him a little more appealing. It was hard for me to connect to him in Blood, but that changes a bit in Alchemy. Will is a little more believable, a little more human. Will’s emotions, his vulnerabilities and fears were the one thing that allowed me to connect to him. There was a moment of disparity that made me long for his well being.

It’s rare that I would like a sequel over a debut, but that is the case for Alchemy. The writing seemed to have developed into something more natural, whereas Blood had a more forced plot. The depth of the characters were more substantial, easy for me to form tangible people rather than just words on a page. Wignall’s world was a little more believable, but there was something about it that I just couldn’t connect to.

It’s difficult to be a book in the sea of young adult paranormal stories,  I felt that there were too many things already done before. I felt that the characters’ chemistry was too easy. The romance, which should have been complex and complicated, was actually fast and cliche. An arch nemesis was introduced, a rival to be defeated.

I wanted to love this book, and maybe I would have if I just didn’t read another amazing book previous to this. The world and the history of Will seems well-thought out with substance. But I couldn’t connect, and simply, I didn’t love. There were a few mistakes, but they were easy to look over.

It’s sad when my heart isn’t in a book. I hope that you’ll give it a try and maybe it will work for you.

Notable Scene:

Will thought of her clutching the pendant round her neck, but he had not seen the item of jewelry and could not now know what it had signified. Unless . . . He reached up and held the broken medallion round his own neck, wondering if this was what she’d been trying to tell him, to think on this medallion and all it promised. It was cold in his hand now, but it had been warm, and somewhere else its twin was warm against Eloise’s skin. It promised a different future to the one painted by Fairburn, and that different future was the only one Will dared imagine.

Mercian Trilogy:

1. Blood

2. Alchemy

FTC Advisory: Egmont USA provided me with a copy of Alchemy.  No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

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Born to Bite by Hannah Howell, Erica Ridley, Diana Cosby

May 18th, 2013 @ 11:35 am
Posted by Michelle under Review Tags: Born to Bite, Diana Cosby, Erica Ridley, Hannah Howell, Paranormal Romance

Title: Born to Bite

Author: Hannah HowellErica RidleyDiana Cosby

Genre: Paranormal Romance

SeriesMacNachton Vampires (Book  6)

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Format: Paperback, 266 Pages

ISBN-10: 0758273436 (Kensington)

ISBN-13: 978-0758273437 (Kensington)

Reviewed by: Michelle

Synopsis:

Dark Secret“. Murdina Dunbar sets out in search of the only family she has left – and finds an ally in the mysterious Sir Gillanders Baldwin. Soon, not even the whispers that he’s a dangerous demon can keep her from his bed…

Highland Vampire“. As King of the Highland Coven, vampire Aedan MacGregor knows that falling for the fey Rowan Campbell could destroy her. But one taste of her healing blood and he craves her like no other…

Never Been Bitten“. Rumoured to be a vampire, the rakish Mr. Macane is ravishing all the ladies of the ton. But once Miss Elspeth Ramsay feels the touch of his teeth at her throat, she finds herself biting him back! Surely this sudden bloodlust can only mean danger for her family – and her heart…

Quick & Dirty: Good short historical paranormal stories , and enjoyable for quick reads.

Opening Sentence: The two crosses were simple, the letters carved into the wood neat but obviously done by an untrained hand.

Excerpt: Yes

The Review:

The Born to Bite anthology of stories are historical short stories with a laird theme. It’s always difficult for me to love anthologies. For the most part, I always want more. That was the case for this anthology. I am enjoying historicals again, and I loved that these were set in that period. This anthology is great for a weekend read, especially for those who love historical paranormal.

Dark Secret by Hannah Howell - Murdina Dunbar is an orphan and homeless without family, she traveled to locate her next relatives. Bad news changes Murdina’s plans, leaving her to accept a position as a maid in a local keep, Dunnantinny. She becomes assigned to be the maid of an important guest, Sir Baldwin, a dark and mysterious nobleman. Sir Baldwin holds a secret, as does Murdina, and chooses to keep his. She has no other reason, but trusts him in a way she can’t describe. Danger lurks around the corner, forcing Sir Baldwin and Murdina to run. What results is a relationship that is as warm as home.

Dark Secret was a nice read. I really enjoyed Murdina and Baldwin. For a short story, I felt I was satisfied with reading a full story. I didn’t feel like it lacked anything that I would have normally gotten from a full novel. It was interesting to see the different connections Murdina and Baldwin had. I enjoyed their relationship and conversations. It was easy, morphing into this natural progression. Great read.

Highland Vampire by Diana Cosby - In a ceremonial circle, Rowan Campbell discovers a dying warrior, Aedan MacGregor. Unable to resist him, she heals him with her blood, not realizing the bond they have formed. But with this act, Aedan realizes that he has found his mate. It is unheard of, breaking all of the rules. A fey and a vampire are drawn together. Rowan’s blood is dangerous, their union forbidden. Enemies would do everything to destroy this union.

I didn’t connect to Highland Vampire as much as I wanted to. It seemed rushed to me. There was so much history and lore woven into the story that it was hard to fathom the instant bond, the forbidden relationship, and the conclusion. My experience reading this could have been ruined after reading Dark Secret. The characters didn’t feel as solid and I didn’t connect. It was a good story, and I loved the potential, but for me, it didn’t fully carry out.

Never Been Bitten by Erica Ridley -  Elspeth Ramsay is a paranormal investigator. She blends in the background, often missed, observing. In the height of the Regency Era, Eslpeth is tasked to investigate a rake suspected to be a vampire. Martainn Macane is a handsome rake, elusive to the women of the ton. He nips the women, earning the nickname Lord Lovenip. He is in search for a vampire of his own, crossing paths with Elspeth. Secrets are revealed, changing Elspeth’s life and heart forever.

Never Been Bitten was a cute story. I enjoyed Elspeth. She was a wallflower, but with a bright personality. I connected so much to her and her feelings. Maccane was fun to get to know, surprising me every step of the way. Her background and setting complimented her strong characters and story, making it an enjoyable read. Ridley did a great job with this story and is worth the read.

Dark Secret – 4 stars

Highland Vampires – 3 stars

Never Been Bitten – 4 stars

FTC Advisory: Kensington provided me with a copy of Born to Bite.  No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

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