Friday, January 20, 2012

Next of Kin by Sharon Sala

Next of Kin
ARC provided by NetGalley.com

Beth Venable is staying at a friends apartment while her apartment is undergoing repairs for a gas leak when she witness's a murder through the window ~~ never does Beth guess that this will lead to her life spiraling out of her control. 

Beth's reaction to seeing the woman murdered through the window is to call 911 ~~ never guessing that she'd just witnessed Ike Pappas, mob boss, murder his ex wife, or that Ike would have informants in place with the police.  Within hours of Beth going to the station to give her statement, the friend she'd been staying with when she witnessed the murder is dead, and she is secreted away in a safe house...or is she?  It's not long before Beth's safe houses begin to come under attact, and the even the FBI can't keep her safe...so Beth does the only thing she can think of.  She runs, and she calls family.  Family she'd left behind in the hills of Kentucky many years ago, but who she knows she can count on to keep her safe...

Ryal Walker never got over Beth leaving 10 years ago ~ she'd been the love of his life.  And she and her family had just up and left in the middle of the night, no explanation, no letters, no calls, nothing.  And now she was on her way back, and for family's sake, he'd help protect her...

I'm so thrilled to say I loved this book!! 

 I'm a Sala fan from way back, and have to say I've been dissapointed in her last few....but this book brings back that classic something special that Sharon Sala has always been able to infuse into her books....the feeling of love and warmth that you get between Ryal and Beth, even when neither is sure what is between them, that total feeling of family and us against the world....and while you know whodunnit the whole time, you still wonder how she's going to manage wrap it up and still give us that HEA we just know we have to have. 

So get this one on your lists, it's not to be missed!!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Reader Rally – 1/17 – 1/31/2012 Free Books from all participating sites!!




www.RomanceatRandom.com is hosting a Reader Rally!! 

Be sure to go to Romance at Random and Enter for the GRAND PRIZE!! 




 1 Grand Prize winner will be chosen from the commenter’s on the Romance At Random website




  •  http://www.romanceatrandom.com/reader-rally-begins-now-thru-1312012-giveaway-grand-prize/






  •     Here is a list of Participating Blogs
    ~~ Chances to WIN at each and every one ~~


    1.Manga Maniac Cafe2.Romance At Random
    3.jessica@jessicascott.net4.Delighted Reader
    5.A Bookish Affair6.BOOKS R US
    7.Me and Reading8.From the TBR Pile
    9.Reviews By Molly10.Coffee Beans & Love Scenes
    11.Celticlady's Reviews12.The ABCs of Erotica - Malia Mallory
    13.The Blogging Book14.Vanessa Kelly, Regency Romance That Sizzles
    15.Novel Thoughts & Book Talk16.teresamhill@bellsouth.net
    17.Kickin' Back With Kiwi18.Bronwen Evans - Regency Seductions
    19.Sharon Cullen20.Mimmi's Musings...
    21.greenidmama@gmail.com22.tina9561@yahoo.com
    23.Books . . . Looks and Takes by Eleanor Anders24.Lush Book Reviews
    25.Hanging with bells26.Love To Read For Fun
    27.Deborah Macgillivray Nattering28.franbaker05@gmail.com
    29.Bitch Can Write A Book30.JoAnne Kenrick
    31.A Place for All Romance and Book Lovers!32.Kacey Hammell
    33.Stephanie J Grace34.Regan Walsh
    35.Gotta Love a Cowboy36.etstella56@yahoo.com
    37.Sandra K-Horn38.Keta's Keep
    39.Lisa Kumar40.thebookreadinggals@gmail.com
    41.Cherie Marks42.The Write to Make a Living
    WHAT can you WIN at this blog? 
     I've been thinking on that 
     ~ and I think I'll give away 2 books ~~
     from two AWESOME authors I discovered last year, and would love for you to discover in 2012!!  
    Dragon Bound by Thea Harrsion (LOVE this series!!!)
    Print or eBook on this one
    Dragon Bound (Elder Races, #1)  
    His Secret Past by Katie Reus (I'm so addicted to her writing!!)
    There's a catch w/ this one, it's eBook only, but It's available from all major retailers. Barnes & Noble, Amazon,  All Romance ebooks, etc. It's also available from Audible :) There are links to the retailers here: http://katiereus.com/bookshelf/his-secret-past/

     


    His Secret Past :

    To enter, just share with me an author you've discovered recently ~

    doesn't have to be newly published, but NEW to YOU!
    And be sure to tell me which book you'd like to read!
      I'm always on the hunt for new reads I'm missing out on! 
    And be sure to hop over to www.RomanceatRandom.com
    to be entered for the Grand Prize!!

    Sunday, January 15, 2012

    WINNER of Shadow Highlander by Donna Grant!!

    And the WINNER is..............

    Tanya1224

    Tanya ~~ email me at Mimmi862@aol.com with your snail mail addy and I'll
    forward it to Donna so she can get your book out to you~~
    Congrats!! 
     
    Shadow Highlander, Book 6 in The Dark Sword series

    Shadow Highlander
     

    Shadow Highlander

    The Dark Sword series captures all the power, passion, and magic of Scotland’s legendary warriors—sworn to fight for victory, in battle and in love…
    HE CAN FEEL HER MAGIC
    Sent on a dangerous mission into the shadowy world of the Druids, Galen must find a powerful ancient relic to defeat the enemies of MacLeod Castle. But what he discovers is far more powerful—and far more dangerous. A Druid lass whose beauty is as spellbinding as any magic…

    CAN HE FREE HER SOUL?

    Reaghan is the most enchanting woman Galen has even met—and the most enigmatic. She alone is immune to his mind-reading gifts. He alone makes her feel safe and secure. But Reaghan holds a secret power deep inside her that could destroy them both. And if Galen hopes to hold this captivating woman in his arms every night, he must defeat the darkness that draws closer around her every day…

    Tuesday, January 10, 2012

    Donna Grant, author of The Dark Sword series!!



    WELCOME Donna Grant, author of The Dark Sword series ~~
    and a Chance to WIN!! 

    Darkest Highlander

    In the acclaimed Dark Sword series, the darkest, fiercest warriors of Scottish legend finally meet their match—in the brave, fiery hearts of the women they cherish…
    HE IS HER SALVATION
    For years, Broc has watched over her, protected her—and hidden his love for her. But when his beautiful Sonya finds herself in a hopeless situation, the Highlander flies to her side to save her. Unfortunately, before the Druidess can thank him, Broc is captured by his enemy and destined for eternal pain…
    SHE IS HIS DESTINY
    Sonya vows to help her noble warrior, though he is imprisoned in a mountain of pure evil—bound in chains of the darkest magic. With Sonya’s own magic fading, she must summon the greatest power of all to save the man she loves. But even if these two hearts are united, will they be strong enough to defeat the heart of darkness? Or will their undying love doom them for all eternity…?



     

    Hi, Donna!  Welcome to Mimmi's Musings!!   I'm SUCH a fan of your Warriors!!
    Thanks, Melissa!  Always glad to hear when someone likes my hunky Warriors.  :)
    For new to you readers, can you give us a little background on the Dark Sword series, and how you came up with your Warriors? 
    Sure!  The DS series is a historical paranormal series set in Medieval Scotland.  It features Highlanders who are immortal with primeval gods inside them that give the Warriors special abilities and powers.  My heroines are all Druids who have magic that can compliment - or hinder - the Warriors' powers.

    I made up my own mythology for the series by asking one simple question: Why did Rome never take hold of Scotland?  I then incorporated much that I had learned of the Druids to shape it into what I needed for my stories.  The Druids are both good and evil, as are the Warriors.  Who fights for who, and who can be trusted is always an issue in each book. 

    To read "The Beginning" about how the Warriors came to be, go here: http://www.donnagrant.com/dark-sword/?cat=5

    How many books have there been in the series so far, and how many do you have planned? 
    There are six books in the Dark Sword series (http://www.donnagrant.com/category/books/?series=dark-sword).  However, with Broc's book DARKEST HIGHLANDER (Jan 31) and the 6th book in the series, there is a lot happening with the Warriors and the overall story arc. 

    For those readers who haven't tried one yet, can you read your Dark Sword books as stand alones?
    You can, yes.  I write each one to stand alone, but there is a bigger, overall story arc that connects all the books.  I recommend the books be read in order if a reader can. 
    OK, YAY!!  On to the BIG questions I have, lol ~~  tell me about your upcoming release, Darkest Highlander ~ I've been DYING for Broc and Sonya's story since they were introduced!
    :)  I love to hear when a reader feels like this. And then there's the stress of what if the story doesn't live up to expectations.  But...that being said, I had a lot of fun with Broc and Sonya.  If you read SHADOW HIGHLANDER, then you know how the book ends for Sonya.  Yet, no one realizes she's gone.  Broc, thankfully, can use his power to find her, but will it be too late?

    Sonya has a lot to get through in her book.  She does things she doesn't think she's capable of doing, and she risks it all to save Broc from Deirdre.  That scene with Broc and Deirdre is one of my favorites of the entire book!
    What's up next?   I've heard rumors there are BIG things ahead for the Warriors!!
    lol.  Yep, big things. 

    The series moves to the Dark Warriors series ( http://www.donnagrant.com/category/books/?series=dark-warriors) which begins this May and Logan's book (MIDNIGHT'S MASTER) with back to back releases.

    Same series, just a different title and lots happening.  The Dark Warriors will have 8 books so far.  In addition, there's a spin off series called Dark Kings which will begin next summer with back to back to back releases.  Its in the same world as the DS/DW series, and there will be interaction between both series!
    So who is your favorite Warrior so far? 
    It was Hayden for a long time, and he will always be one of my favs.  But Phelan and Malcolm are in a tie right now.  I'm really looking forward to writing Malcolm's book.

    If you could have one of their abilities which would you choose? 
    Oh, easy.  Teleportation.  No more airports, baby!!!  :D  I could go anywhere I wanted in a blink of an eye.
     And finally, how'd you decide you just had to write about those hunky Scottish Highlanders? 
    How could I *not* write about them? :)

    I've always loved writing about Highlanders.  They embody all that is honorable, sexy, and strong.  For me, they make a perfect hero.  And the accent really helps, too! ;)
    Thanks for stopping by today, Donna!!  I'm so looking forward to The Darkest Highlander ~~ and all the surprises you've got in store for us!!

     
    ( That would be ME and the lovely Donna Grant!! ) 
     
    Donna is giving away a copy of Shadow Highlander, Book 6 in The Dark Sword series, to one lucky commenter!!

    Shadow Highlander


    Don't miss Donna's  Jan. 28th release, Darkest Highlander!!
    Darkest Highlander

    In the acclaimed Dark Sword series, the darkest, fiercest warriors of Scottish legend finally meet their match—in the brave, fiery hearts of the women they cherish…
    HE IS HER SALVATION
    For years, Broc has watched over her, protected her—and hidden his love for her. But when his beautiful Sonya finds herself in a hopeless situation, the Highlander flies to her side to save her. Unfortunately, before the Druidess can thank him, Broc is captured by his enemy and destined for eternal pain…
    SHE IS HIS DESTINY
    Sonya vows to help her noble warrior, though he is imprisoned in a mountain of pure evil—bound in chains of the darkest magic. With Sonya’s own magic fading, she must summon the greatest power of all to save the man she loves. But even if these two hearts are united, will they be strong enough to defeat the heart of darkness? Or will their undying love doom them for all eternity…?


     
    

    Monday, January 9, 2012

    Donna Grant and a Contest Tommorow!!

    Donna Grant will be stopping by tommorow to talk hunky
    WARRIORS
    DarkSword_Logo

    And a giveaway!!  Be sure to stop by and chat with her and check out
    her Warriors!!


    Friday, January 6, 2012

    Down The Darkest Road by Tami Hoag

    Deeper than the Dead
    Received ARC from Netgalley.com

    In this 3rd installment of Tami Hoag's Oak Knoll series, we meet The Lawton family ~ or at least, what's left of the Lawton family.  Lauren and now 16 yr. old daughter, Leah.  Four years earlier the foundation of their once perfect family had begun crumbling when her oldest daughter, then 16 yr. old Leslie, was abducted and never heard from again.  Two years later, her loving husband Lance, who'd worshipped both of his daughter, drove his car off a cliff road.  Suicide or accident, it didn't really matter ~ all that was left was Lauren and Leah, and Lauren was becoming obsessed with finding out what had happened to Leslie ~ and with the man she thinks is responsible. 

    Lauren has moved herself and her daughter to Oak Knoll, CA to try and get away ~ or had she?  The story picks up with Detective Anthony Mendez  ~ we met Tony in Hoag's previous Oak Knoll books, Deeper Than The Dead, and Secrets To The Grave ~ meeting Lauren Lawton when she literally runs into him in the grocery store.  Tony follows her, and finds himself intrigued by the story Lauren Lawton tells him...and the fact that she claims she's just seen the man who abducted her daughter.  In Oak Knoll.  Tony Mendez begins to look into the case, going to Santa Barbara where Lauren Lawton and her family lived when the abduction took place, and following the case back...meanwhile, Lauren is convinced noone can help her find out what happened to Leslie, that only SHE can make the man responsible pay......

    Wow!  Tami Hoag takes us on a breathless run through the pages of Down The Darkest Road ~ I'll admit, I'm usually all about the HEA, and not much into books that don't deliver it.  In the first book, Secrets to The Grave, we got the romance AND the awesome suspense, and we saw more of the relationship build in book 2 and MORE awesome suspense in Deeper Than The Dead.  We didn't see much of that in Down The Darkest Road, although I will say it strikes me that she's setting Tony up for his HEA ~ BUT,  again, WOW.  The story is compelling, and just so darn GOOD I was sucked in and couldn't quit until I was done.  I HAD to know what Lauren was going to do next, and who dunnit??  And HOW?  I LOVE this series.

    I'm a HUGE Criminal Minds fan, and this whole series revolves around the beginnings of the BSU in the FBI ~ for that reason, Ms. Hoag has gone back in time to set her stories, the first being set in 1985, up to this one being set in 1990.  She's done a fabulous job and I hope she continues this series for some time!

    Thursday, January 5, 2012

    BOUND IN SIN by Cynthia Eden FREE!!

    Blurb:
    What’s the price of sin?
    Human Paige Sloan once loved werewolf Drake Wyler more than life, but then that life was taken away from her.  Attacked by vampires, Paige was bitten, and, on a cold, dark night, the life she’d known ended. She was reborn as a vampire—a werewolf’s deadliest enemy.
    Paige ran from the vampires who attacked her, and she ran away from her lover. She didn’t want Drake to know what she’d become, and she didn’t want to face the fury of his pack.  But a girl can only run for so long until the past catches up with her.
    Some sins mark your soul.
    When Paige learns that Drake is being targeted for death, she knows that she can’t hide in the shadows any longer. She has to return to him, and she will do anything—anything—in order to make sure that he keeps living. The vampires might have destroyed her chance to live and love Drake, but they won’t take him.  Not over her undead body.  She’ll slay them all…and maybe, just maybe…she’ll even have the chance to sin—one more time–with the werewolf who’d marked her as his mate.
    Some sins are worth dying for…

    ***
    BOUND IN SIN is currently listed as free over at All Romance eBooks and Smashwords.  The novella is available in various formats at these locations, including in ePub, Mobi, and PDF (so you can read the story on your e-reader or a home computer).  

    Here’s an excerpt from BOUND IN SIN ***
    “I’m being hunted,” she told him in that low, husky voice that made his cock swell even more. He could just see the hint of her fangs behind her red lips. The sight should have repulsed him.  It didn’t.  “If you don’t help me, I’ll die.”
    “You’re already dead.”  That knowledge made him feel as if his chest had been ripped open. Since Paige had been human when he’d known her before, she must have been made into a vampire.
    A rare few, the purebloods, were actually born as vamps, but the rest of the parasites out there? They’d been turned. They were bled until the point of death, then brought back as a vampire.
    Drake would kill the one who’d turned her. He couldn’t wait to hear the vampire’s screams.
    Don’t say that,” Paige snapped at him, then she showed him just how strong she really was.  She twisted beneath him and yanked her hands free. A fast roll sent them tumbling across the bed.  Then she was on top of him. Her knees straddled his hips, and her hands slammed down against his chest. “I’m as alive as you are!”
    Color stained her cheeks. Her breath heaved out. For an instant, they just stared at each other. Then she grabbed his hand and shoved it against her breasts.
    “My heart still beats,” she told him and he could feel the frantic beat beneath his hand. That fast beat…and that sweet, plump flesh. Paige was curved in all the right places.
    “I breathe,” she told him and he heard the rush of her breath. “I feel. More than you can imagine, all right? So stop treating me like shit!”
    Maybe if she’d stop clawing his heart out…
    But then, she was doing that just by breathing. Just by being there. Close enough to take…
    So take her. The growl was from his beast, one that was never far from the surface these days.
    “You want me to protect you.” He held the beast back, barely, because they had a deal to strike. He knew how these bargains worked in the supernatural world. So much could be bartered and exchanged. Flesh. Blood. Sex. Souls.
    Sure, humans might be shocked by a deal like this—but then, humans would be shocked to see a man turn into a wolf.
    Deal with it.
    “You came to me, to my pack,” he said slowly, determined not to let his rage escape, not yet, “because you want us to keep you safe.”  And he would. He—
    “No.” She shook her head.
    Drake frowned. If not for protection, then—
    “I want you to kill the bastard after me.”  Her fangs seemed to lengthen. “I want you to rip his head off, and I want you to make damn sure that he never rises again.”
    Never rises again.
    “You’ve got a vampire you want me to fight.”  He’d grown used to battling them. In this part of Alaska, where the cold could creep straight to the bone, where darkness could reign for days and days…this part was home to all manner of supernatural beasts.
    The ones at the top of the food chain?  The wolves…and the vamps who kept trying to fight them for supremacy. A supremacy they weren’t ever getting.
    “I’ve got a vampire I want you to behead.”  Her breath rushed out. “A vampire named Gabe is the one who made me, he’s—”
    Drake’s claws burst from his fingertips and sliced into the bedding. “He’s fucking already dead.”  As far as Drake was concerned, the vamp—Gabe—had died the instant he put his fangs in Paige.
    Her gaze held his, and he saw the worry there. “Gabe is a pureblood. He’s strong, he’s—”
    “No match for an alpha.” Didn’t she get it? He wasn’t the boy she’d left behind.  He was a warrior. A monster.  A walking nightmare.
    Since she’d left him, he’d seen more blood and hell than she could possibly imagine. No, he’d always known the blood and hell…Paige had been the only thing that had been good in his life.
    Sweet. Pure.
    Then she’d left him, and he’d gone back to the darkness.
    She won’t leave again.

    Wednesday, January 4, 2012

    Hot Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice

    Hot Secrets: A Dangerous Lover Novella (Dangerous, #1.5)

    Hot Secrets: A Dangerous Lover novella by Lisa Marie Rice is a short story follow up to Dangerous Lover, where Jack Prescott reunites with the love of his life, Caroline Lake.  In this short follow, which really reads like an epilogue, we get to Jack and Caroline a year after the end of Dangerous Lover ( I loved this book ~ LMR can WRITE some heroes!! ) and Jack is still crazy protective over Caroline ~ in fact, he's made it his mission in life to teach her to defend herself in every possible way, so she'll never be a victim again. 

    However, on Christmas Eve, while hosting a Christmas party for some local shelter children, Caroline finds herself in a harrowing situation ~ without Jack there to help save her and the children. 

    For such a short novella, Lisa Maria Rice manages to convey suspense, courage, sexy tension and the unbounding love that Jack and Caroline have for one another ~ and show us how they've already grown as a couple in this short span, yet have a ways to go.  You have to chuckle at Jack's rueful humor at his own perpetual hard on around Caroline ~ all in all, it's a winner!!  And I'm loving these shorts between longer books, it's giving me a stay on my LMR fix!!