Monthly Archives: June 2012

Renegade Passion (Zodius 2.5) by Lisa Renee Jones

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Renegade Passion (Zodius 2.5) by Lisa Renee Jones

RENEGADE PASSION (Zodius Series 2.5) by Lisa Renee Jones

RENEGADE PASSION is a short story (May 2012 e-novella) in Lisa Renee Jones Zodius Series. GTECHS are a group of scientifically manipulated super soldiers fighting a war between themselves. Similar to Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalker series, there are two factions both hoping to find the one woman made especially for each other. Each woman is naturally gifted with some psychic ability and the DNA manipulation has further enhanced each of the special-ops soldiers who were used in an experiment without their permission. Trying to prevent the kidnapping and DNA manipulation are the Renegades. A group of super soldiers whose abilities include memory erasing, wind walking and control, and memory retrieval. The Zodius are the rival faction, kidnapping all of the potential women capable of mate-bonding with the soldiers and holding them imprisoned. The life of a potential mate-bond female is risked when, she is abused by the Zodius team hoping to find their match.

Kel is a super soldier. Changed without permission, Kel regrets having to fake his own death to ensure that the woman he loves will not be pulled into war between the Renegades and the Zodius warriors. But finding Sonia on a video making a call to the police, warning of a potential kidnapping will bring Kel full circle and the only woman he has ever loved back into his life-if only for a short time.

Sonia has always suffered unbearable dreams. Her nightmares are so realistic that since the death three years earlier of her fiance Kel she has come to realize that they are premonitions-she is able to see into the future. And when her fellow employee Carrie is targeted as the next victim, Sonia knows that she must place a call and possibly expose herself as crazy to the police. But finding herself awakening from a drug-induced sleep with Kel at her side, she knows that she must still be dreaming.

Kel knows that he will always love Sonia, but keeping her protected feels like imprisoning her against her will. His only solution will be to tell her the truth, about the GTECH super soldier project and the enemy Zodius team willing to risk everything including the lives of the women who could be mate-bonded through DNA. But having to explain why he faked his death will probably be the most difficult assignment-knowing he could lose her again-because of his lies. And to complicate matters, she may not be his mate-bond. But for Kel, there is only one sure way to find out, and if in the end the mate-bond mark does not appear, he knows that he will lose Sonia forever.

RENEGADE PASSION is a short story (book 2.5) in the Zodius series. Lisa includes much of the background information from the previous storylines allowing for the reader to be aware of the premise at all times. I admire those authors that recount the details of the series premise with each storyline, allowing for new readers to keep up to date and not lose themselves with missing information. The premise is familiar to the fans of CF but different in that the death of a mate means death to the other, when the blood bond has been exchanged.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Fevermoon-Press Release

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Fevermoon-Press Release

From the press release for Fever Moon:

“Full of otherworldly creatures, action, and magic, Karen Marie Moning’s #1 New York Times bestselling Fever series has long been ripe for translation into full-color graphic novel form. FEVER MOON (Del Rey Hardcover; July 10, 2012) is an original story set within the world of Shadowfever. Written by Moning, adapted by David Lawrence and gorgeously illustrated by Al Rio and Cliff Richards, it will captivate Moning’s fans and delight readers of graphic novels such as Fables and Sandman.

In Shadowfever, MacKayla confronts an eerie, dangerous being that almost steals her voice and mind. Appearing as a tall, gaunt, faceless man nattily dressed in tailcoat and spats, he is called the Fear Dorcha—ageless, evil, and full of rage against humanity. When Mac meets him in Chester’s, she averts destruction only through the intervention of the dreamy-eyed bartender.

In FEVER MOON, young sidhe-seer Dani is not so fortunate. Now, for the first time, Moning reveals what happened to Dani during her absence from the events of Shadowfever—and follows Mac and Barrons as they desperately search for an otherworldly killer wreaking havoc on the streets of Dublin.

Reported by Marcie

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Anne Mendel-Interview with the Author

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Anne Mendel-Interview with the Author

The Reading Cafe would like to welcome author Anne Mendel.

TRC: Hi Anne and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Anne: I wrote an end-of-the-world book because I am an optimist. I believe my fears are based on what I don’t know. So, the more I know about disasters and survival and the better prepared I am, the less fearful I become. I’m a community organizer and my main character is one too, although she’s much stronger than I am. The book is more do as I say, not as I do, because in a terrible disaster I would probably end up on Darwin’s short list to extinction.

I have two sons, who have made it very clear they do not want to be in my books in any way, shape or form, so, Etiquette for an Apocalypse ended up with three generations of women living in the same house. It left a lot of room for conflict, intrigue and humor. My husband is neither a doctor nor Haitian, but we do live in Northwest Portland and the book is set in our neighborhood.

TRC: What was the catalyst that first sparked your interest in a career in writing?

Anne: Writing is just what I do. Can’t help it. But writing this book did have a specific moment when a light blub came on.

A few years ago I saw a movie about what happened in Cuba in 1990 when the Soviet Union collapsed and they lost all of their fuel overnight. The Long Emergency was about the things in Cuba that got better after the collapse. People lost 30 pounds, diabetes II disappeared and community flourished.

I thought it would be great to write a book that explained how, in hard times, some things can get better; BUT, it will be a lot easier if you start preparing now!

TRC: What have been some of the writing challenges you have faced?

Anne: Writing brings out all of my basic insecurities. I worry…. about everything. Am I good enough? Will people like me? Can I stick it out when the going gets tough? I worry I’ll be an utter failure. And, if I am successful, I worry I’ll never be that good again. I worry about big things like world peace and small things like what I’ll wear to a book signing. WORRY is my biggest life challenge and it seeps into everything…. will the answer to this question be good enough?!

TRC:  The answer is perfect!!

TRC: What challenges did you face on the road to publication?

Anne: It took years of writing research, persistence and many, many, many rejections just to get started on Etiquette for an Apocalypse. I’m not good with rejection. I think resilience is the most important personality trait to get us through rejection and hard times so I would say courting resilience helped me through the mess up and rejection. Publishing has been harder than writing the book. When I first found the book would be published I thought that was the perfect ending. I didn’t get that it’s a lot like giving birth to a baby and thinking that the hard part was over, and it was just beginning.

TRC: ETIQUETTE FOR AN APOCALYPE is your recent release. Would you please tell us something about the premise? CLICK HERE for our review

Anne: The simple premise of Etiquette for an Apocalypse is that an apocalypse leads to finding the limits of one’s human potential (if they survive, of course). My hope is that this book will inspire people to create and develop resilience, community and basic skills. 

TRC: The condo tenants are quite an eclectic mixture of characters and personalities.  What were some of your influences behind the personalities? Are any of the characterizations based on people in your own life?

Anne: Well, yes and no. There are bits and pieces of dozen of people I know in each character; for example, my protagonist’s mother. She is my mother’s obsession with weight, my best friend’s ability to strategize and she is also one of my neighbors, who trains show dogs. It’s a jigsaw puzzle of personality traits.

TRC: Do you have plans to write a series of novels featuring the Cohen’s and their condo friends?

Anne: Yes. I’m writing a sequel with most of the same characters. It’s about a rebellion. That’s about all I can say because I never know how a book is going to turn out till it’s finished.

TRC: How much research was involved in the writing of Etiquette for an Apocalypse?

Anne: I spent about a year taking classes and reading books about emergency preparedness. I now write a blog, “survival guide” which you can find on annemendel.com. I’m not an expert but I have collected a bunch of information.

TRC: Is there a message in your novel that you would like the reader to think about?

Anne: Yes! Take chocolate chip cookies to your neighbors TODAY. They are the one’s who will be pulling you out of the sinkhole. I have a weekly blog that give suggestions for one thing to do each week to better prepare. Anne Mendel’s website

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors, or between family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Anne: I have the best writing group imaginable. The-Last-Writers-Group critiqued every word I wrote, sometimes two or three times. Marc Acitio, a well-known writer himself, is my coach, tutor and teacher. This book would not exist without these people.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Anne: I am spending most of my time and energy on promoting Etiquette for an Apocalypse. For years I fantasized about becoming published one day. I never imagined the efforts it would take to market my book.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Anne: Yes. Whether it’s a natural disaster such as a tornado or a financial disaster like Wall Street greed, the better prepared an individual is, both with skills and tools, the less fearful they will have to be. I know I’ve mentioned this earlier, but being prepared is so vital to one’s survival. You can check out my suggestions for building resilience on my blog at  Anne Mendel.com or follow me on Facebook.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: This is a much harder question than the ones you’ve already asked. Just one? Bar-b-qued ANYTHING.

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Bread Pudding

Favorite TV Show: Arrested Development

Favorite Movie: Galaxy Quest

Last Movie you Saw: The Avengers

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark (No contest)

TRC: Thank you Anne for taking the time to answer our questions. We are looking forward to your next installment.   It is always a pleasure to meet the author behind the books we read and review.

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ETIQUETTE FOR AN APOCALYPSE by Anne Mendel- a review

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ETIQUETTE FOR AN APOCALYPSE by Anne Mendel-a review

ETIQUETTE FOR AN APOCALYPSE by Anne Mendel

ETIQUETTE FOR AN APOCALYPSE (April 2012) is a novel written in the dystopian/science fiction genre that follows the Cohen family as they endeavor to survive in the post-apocalyptic world of 2023.

2020 saw the world enter into an apocalyptic nightmare. In the wake of earthquakes, floods and volcanoes those that survived had to endure solar black-outs, famine, cholera and an assortment of frenzied and fevered paranoia. Without the aid of government direction, those that somehow survived were left on their own to seek out some form of existence. But like all forms of ‘war’, anarchy ruled and those that had the resources, were now the one’s in control.

Sophie Cohen has found a way to survive. With the help of her neighborhood condo tenants, Sophie organized a daily exchange ‘market’ for anything from food to string, metal to cloth. And the most important aspect of life is the survival of her little eccentric family. Drug running was never Sophie’s intended goal in life, but as a former social worker, her skills were never readily accepted in the nightmare world of starvation and gun-toting neighborhood watches. As her husband Bertrand continued his daily commutes to offer what little aid as a physician that he was able, Sophie’s brother continued to design the medications necessary to ease the pain of those slowly succumbing to the exposure and injuries. But when Bertrand discovers a number of ‘heartless’ women piling up outside the hospital doors, Sophie and her husband take it upon themselves to investigate the possibility of a serial killer in their midst.

The condo cast of characters is a wide-ranging as the colors in a box of crayons. Each with their own specialty and ability, the condo residents combine what little they have in order for each to survive. But when word is out that the Cohen’s have stirred the ire of those in control, it is not only the Cohen family that is at risk for exposure. Sophie and her husband are soon swept into an underground world of armed guards, artillery stockades, food hoarding and the control of both physical and solar power. 3 years without power has left the country without food, clean water or the ability to heat their homes. And whoever has control of the source of power will have the ultimate control of the people.

Finding themselves at the center of a war, Sophie and Bertrand must face the possibility that their small group of family and friends may have survived the apocalypse but not necessarily survive this war. Those in power will use any means possible including murder, to secure their place at the top of the struggle for power. And it is Sophie’s family that will suffer one of the first losses of life.

Sophie’s social skills are soon put to the test when she is called upon to as an emissary between the powerful factions hoping to gain control of the power sources within the city. But when her daughter disappears, Sophie soon finds herself awash in the knowledge that perhaps it is too late-that getting involved may have caused more pain and suffering to those she loves the most. With one last journey and the directive of the underground clan, Sophie will embark on a life and death mission that will reveal the ultimate source of power that everyone has been in search (of).

Etiquette for an Apocalypse is written in first person POV from the perspective of Sophie Cohen. Once a wife, a daughter and a mother of two, the former social worker traverses the harrowing streets of a desolate city that only comes alive at night with a shower of gunfire and the threatening force of the gangs. There are two rival factions, who have everything including the power, but it is the fight for the power, that will eventually result in a calm settling over their tiny group of friends. Anne Mendel writes an interesting story that forewarns there is a very distinct possibility that life as we know it could end up an apocalyptic nightmare.

But…don’t misunderstand…there is plenty of sarcastic humor from Sophie as she comments on the various characters that she has learned to call her friends. Reading from the first person POV is a wonderful addition by Mendel, because without the running commentary of a well-meaning, albeit sarcastic heroine, the reader is never drowning in pages of anxiety or fear. Experiencing life in an apocalyptic world is tempered by a former social-worker hoping to keep her family and condo friends together for another day. An interesting look at Survival 101.

LINKS to purchase
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Books
B&N Nook
B&N Books
The Book Depository

Copy supplied by publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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DANGER NEXT DOOR (Red Stone Security 2) by Katie Reus-a new release review

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Danger Next Door (Red Stone Securities 2) by Katie Reus-a new release review

DANGER NEXT DOOR (Red Stone Security #2) by Katie Reus

DANGER NEXT DOOR is the second storyline and June 2012 release in Katie Reus’ Red Stone Security series. As part of Katie’s romantic suspense series, Danger Next Door is the second novel but can be read as a stand-alone without missing any of the background information. In fact, more information about the family and Red Stone Securities is revealed in Danger Next Door.

Grant Caldwell was a former marine and a former detective with the Miami PD, on permanent leave due to a horrific drug bust that went horribly wrong. Scarred both emotionally and physically, Grant had begun to withdraw. With his father and brother offering him a position as part of their team with Red Stone Securities, Grant wasn’t sure how long he could put them off. But self-pity was ugly and he knew he needed to get a handle of things before he made the next step. And the next stepped just moved in next door.

Belle Manikas was on her own for the first time in her life. Leaving the family home was difficult especially when her over-protective big brothers and parents worried about her health. But with a career as a neo-natal nurse, she was able to afford her own home and would hopefully escape the prospects of the ‘arranged’ marriage her parents had made for her with the son of a family friend. But finding Paulo Balis manhandling Belle is her backyard, moved Grant into action and all of his police training came to the forefront. Perhaps it was time to accept his brother’s offer.

Grant was uneasy. Years as a member of the Miami PD and detective had taught him that when a man is abusive towards a woman, this would not be the first or the last time. But when Grant stops an armed stranger dressed in black wearing a mask from entering Belle’s house, Red Stone Securities was the next contact on his list. He was going to make sure that Belle was protected at all time-including when she was not at home.

The relationship between Grant and Belle is slow to heat, much to Belle’s disappointment. But Belle is aware that Grant is self-conscious about the scars that cover much of the left side of his body. And she knows it will take a strong woman to let Grant know, that beauty is on the inside as well as the outside, and that two can play at the game of -who has the prettiest scars.

But the attacks against Belle begin to escalate including an attempt to drown her in the pool, and they now know the attacks are no longer random but a direct attempt. And when Belle is abducted by a stranger posing as a deliveryman Grant knows that his worst fears have come true. Someone from his past-unsolved cases of rape and murder-has stepped up the game and has made Belle his next intended victim.

DANGER NEXT DOOR is another fascinating storyline in the Red Stone Security Series by Katie Reus. A little more suspenseful than book #1, Belle and Grant’s story will have you wondering what and who will be the featured hero in Katie’s next Red Stone novel.

Reviewed by Sandy

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How Fast Do You Read?-Take the test today

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HOW FAST DO YOU READ?–TAKE THE TEST TODAY

ereader test
FROM: Staples eReader Department

CLICK the RED BOX on the e-reader.

Want to try something for fun?  Free-Take the test today and let us know your results.

A good book is hard to put down. But if you’re enjoying it on an eReader you eventually have to break and recharge. How many pages can you get through before your battery runs out? How fast can you read classics like The Lord of the Rings or War and Peace? Check your reading speed on this fun interactive  and compare it to the national average.

Post your results and let us know how fast you read.

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Amanda Ashley-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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AMANDA ASHLEY-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

 

Amanda Ashley-The Reading Cafe has recently featured several of the novels by author Amanda Ashley. Today we would like to introduce the author of His Dark Embrace-Amanda Ashley

 

Name: Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker
Resides: in Southern CA
Marital Status:  married
Children:  3 sons

WEBSITE: Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker

TRC: Hi Amanda. Welcome to The Reading Cafe. Please tell us something about yourself?

Amanda: Gee, there’s not a lot to tell. I love spending time with my family, going to lunch with my friends, walking my dog, playing with my grandkids. I love going to movies and plays. I collect all things Star Wars, also Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera.

TRC: You are a very prolific writer of many different genres.  Have you always had an interest in writing?  When did you first start writing?

Amanda: I never intended to be a published author. I was always, however, a reader. I started writing out of boredom. My husband worked nights. My kids were young. There was nothing on tv. I’d been reading a lot of romance novels and one night I sat down and started writing a book of my own. I wrote three books before I ever told anyone what I was doing. If not for a friend of mine, who read one of my stories and suggested I find a publisher, I would probably still be writing stories and hiding them under the bed.

TRC: What is the name of the first novel you ever published and in what year? How did you feel when you were notified that your novel was accepted by the publisher?

Amanda: My first published novel was Reckless Heart. It was published in 1985. Everything about that first sale was so exciting. I remember calling my best friend on the phone when I got the contract, and then running down to her house to show her the cover when I got it in the mail. Of course, actually seeing my book on the shelf was beyond words. I went back home, got my camera, and went back to the store to take a picture of my book. It was amazing, seeing my book on a shelf next to books written by authors I’d read. It’s still exciting to see my books on the shelf.

TRC: You have several different series and single books, in several genres including paranormal romance, historical romance and western romance. Which genre do you find most difficult to write and which genre are you the most comfortable writing?

Amanda: I don’t have trouble writing any of them. I think paranormal is my favorite because I can let my imagination run wild.

TRC: What or who do you attribute the rise in popularity of today’s many paranormal romance authors and books?

Amanda: I think it’s because there is such a wide variety in paranormal that you don’t find in other genres. In paranormal, we have werewolves, vampires, ghosts, fairies, shapeshifters, selkies, even zombies, not to mention other worlds.

TRC: Many of your short-stories can be found in anthologies, along with other authors.  What is your take on the anthology?  Do you use the short –story to keep the readers and fans happy, or do the works in anthologies, add to the different storylines already published?

Amanda: Actually, the only reason I’ve ever done an anthology was because I was invited to do so. I do think they’re a good way to connect with someone who might not have read my books before.

TRC: At The Reading Café, Sandy is a big fan of prequels-the story before the story-the background information never revealed in the current timelines. What is your opinion on prequels?

Amanda: I’ve never thought about it. I know the editor of my Reckless series wanted me to write a prequel to Reckless Heart, but I could never come up with a plot. I don’t think I’ve ever read a prequel.

TRC: His Dark Embrace is the next instalment in your Vampire Romance novels. Would you tell us something about the premise of this book? Click the title for our review: His Dark Embrace

Amanda: My hero is a very old vampire who found a tonic that allows him to live in the sun and eat mortal food. When the maker of the tonic dies, he tries to find the formula, which was made by the heroine’s grandfather. There is also someone else, someone evil,  looking for the formula, and the story involves Kaiden and Skylynn falling in love while looking for the formula, and defeating the bad guy.

 

TRC: Kaiden and Skylynn are the characters that drive His Dark Embrace.  What was your decision to match up this pair?

Amanda: I have no idea. 🙂  In the book I’m currently working on, the character I thought was going to be the hero just didn’t work, so I brought in another character who knew how to behave as a hero should.

TRC: On your website, you offer your fans and readers, quite a bit of information with excerpts, chapter out takes and prologues.  That is very generous.  Many authors post hints and clues. Why do you post so many ‘goodies’ for your fans?

Amanda: Because they deserve it. I have the greatest fans in the world. They’re always so anxious to know what’s coming next. And I love sharing my new covers as soon as I get them. I think it’s also a good idea to give someone who’s never read one of my books a chance to find out what they’re getting before they buy the book.

TRC: In your Vampire Romance series, which hero or heroine is your favorite and why?

Amanda: It’s usually the couple from whatever book I’m writing at the moment. I have to say, I really love Zack from Bound by Blood. And Gabriel, from Embrace the Night, which was my first vampire book.  But then, I love all my heroes. As for heroines, I love Kaitlyn, from Desire the Night. She’s such a spunky little werewolf!

TRC: Is there any character you regret?  Any character who is not redeemable?

Amanda: Nope! I have a character, Rhys, who was supposed to be a bad guy in Everlasting Kiss. But I liked him so much, he turned into the hero in Everlasting Desire.

TRC: DESIRE THE NIGHT will be released September 2012.  Please tell us something about this novel and its’ characters Gideon and Kay—a love story between a vampire and a wolf?

Amanda: Oh my gosh, I love this book. I think it may be one of the best I’ve written! Gideon is such a hunk. It was fun to pair a vampire and a werewolf and watch the fur fly! They meet under the worst of circumstances – he’s been imprisoned  by a witch and Kaitlyn is captured and brought to him as his prey. The story revolves around escaping the witch, falling in love, and trying to win her father’s approval. I can’t wait for it to come out. And I love the cover.

TRC: Have you ever considered writing an anthology that included all of your Vampire Romance characters/couples-each with their own chapter than culminating in a single event?

Amanda: No, but what a great idea!

TRC: As an author, you have several short stories available.  Which type of book/novel do you believe is harder to write—a full-length novel or a short novella, where all the information must be contained with a shorter number of pages?

Amanda: For me, full-length novels are harder simply because I tend to write short….my preferred length is 80,000 words – my publisher wants 100,000 – we compromise at 90.

TRC: What are you working on today?

Amanda: I’m working on a story that is very Twilight Zone-ish. My critique group thinks it’s kind of creepy, scary, which it is. It’s very different, but I’m loving it so far. I don’t want to say more. But this is the book where the character I thought was going to be the hero isn’t. I’m loving this one!

TRC: Many authors and artists have spouses/partners who offer advice, ideas or criticism.  Who is your muse when you are looking for ideas?

Amanda: My critique group. We’ve been together for years. One of them, Carol Amato, gave me the idea for Unforgettable. My oldest son gave me the idea for A Whisper in the Wind.

TRC: Is there anything you would like to add?

Amanda: Just a hearty hello to all my readers. I appreciate you and your support through the years, and hope I never disappoint you.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Movie: The Holiday

Favorite TV Show: The Vampire Diaries

Favorite Dessert:  Chocolate anything

Dark or Milk Chocolate:  Definitely dark

Last Book that you read:  River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Favorite Author: It’s a tie between Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris

Pink or Red Roses: Red

Favorite Food: Spaghetti

TRC: Thank you Mandy for answering our questions.  It has been a pleasure.

**************GIVEAWAY************

Amanda has offered a copy of her new release HIS DARK EMBRACE  to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1.  To be eligible, you must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If you are not, please sign in using the Log-in at the top or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  You MUST post a comment.  Please answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.

3.  Open to Canada and continental USA only.

4.  Contest from June 11 to June 15, 2012

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