Monthly Archives: November 2012

Ravyn’s Fall (Heaven and Hell #1) by Julie Blackstone-a review

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Ravyn’s Fall (Heaven and Hell #1) by Julie Blackstone

RAVYN’S FALL (Heaven and Hell #1) by Julie Blackstone

RAVYN’S FALL is the first novel in Julie Blackstone’s new Young Adult series Heaven and Hell. Focusing on the battle between Angel and Demons: Nephilim, Cherubim and Seraphim- Ravyn’s Fall follows Ravyn Creed as she tries to navigate between good and evil, knowing that both want to end her life. And to complicate matters she is falling in love with the demon that made a deal with the devil. Ravyn lived for 16 years with her guardian Hank. But on this night, she would learn what it meant to truly be alone.

Ravyn is a 16 year old girl with a gift and this gift has made her a target in the world of the supernatural. The demons from hell want to protect Ravyn; the Cherubim want her destroyed; and the Nephilum want her blood. Could anything else possibly go wrong? At this point everyone will need a spreadsheet to keep track of the various types of angels and demons, on the hunt for a crossbreed child.

Enter Ezekiel (Zeke) Lancaster. Zeke is unlike anyone that Ravyn has met. And when Zeke reveals a little of the history behind the recent attacks, Ravyn is sure that she quite possibly has gone insane. As Ravyn approaches her 17th birthday a series of attacks will force Ravyn to search alone for answers, but she will unwittingly expose those closest to her to danger.

Ravyn and Zeke’s relationship is intense from the start. But unbeknownst to Ravyn, Zeke’s intentions have not always been admirable or pure. Zeke has made a deal and Ravyn is the price. But the ultimate betrayal will come from the family she never knew existed and their connection to the young man with whom she is falling in love.

We meet several of Zeke’s extended family and friends and, each will play a significant role in Ravyn’s new life. Ravyn’s guardian must answer to a few questions and Kimmy-Ravyn’s BFF is the only human who is completely aware of the angel and demons existence.

RAVYN’S FALL is a well-written, fast paced Young Adult storyline without the usual teen angst and whoa-be-gone self-pity that many young heroines endure. Julie Blackstone weaves a tale of warrior angels, loving demons and a vampire existence connected to both Heaven and Hell. The heroine is thrown head first into a world that wants her dead, and she comes out fighting for her life with her heart and soul. Ravyn’s Fall is a fascinating look at Heaven and Hell. I am looking forward to RAVYN’S GRACE later in 2012.

Order Now: Amazon Kindle / Amazon Books/ Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

Copy supplied by author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Wolf Within (Purgatory #1) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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THE WOLF WITHIN (Purgatory #1) by Cynthia Eden

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

THE WOLF WITHIN (Purgatory #1) by Cynthia Eden

THE WOLF WITHIN is the November 15th, 2012 release from Cynthia Eden’s NEW paranormal Purgatory series. Like the name implies, Purgatory is a holding prison for members of the supernatural race, only this Purgatory holds the ones who cannot be controlled.

Duncan McGuire is one of the FBI Para Unit’s most lethal and powerful werewolf hunters, but on this night Duncan would become the victim of a werewolf bite that will force his partner to make the decision to either end or save his life. What Duncan doesn’t know is that there are others in the FBI with secrets and powers, and Duncan has become a pawn in a game between the Feds and an unknown source. People in power know the history of every agent, and Duncan’s family history hides a few skeletons that even he is not aware.

Holly Young is the Unit doctor who patches up the bullet wounds and broken bones whenever an agent is hurt. Holly believes she is unlike anyone else in the FBI and she is hoping to keep her identity a secret. But when Duncan McGuire is brought into her office on the verge of turning wolf, Holly will discover that Duncan’s wolf will lay claim to Holly as his mate. And Holly knows that the secret she is hiding, is the very one that calls Duncan to her blood.

We are introduced to several of Duncan and Holly’s fellow agents, as well as Holly’s stepbrother Pate. Pate is a rather interesting character and one that I am not sure if I like. As the Para Unit commander it is Pate’s duty to ensure his men are well aware of the risks and dangers, but Pate continues to expose his men to an ever-increasing world of evil. Pate is a player in a much larger game, and he too hides a few secrets of his own. He is a user and he will use anyone or anything, including his sister and his friend, to keep the Unit strong.

Holly and Duncan have always been attracted to one another, but since her accident the year before, Holly has kept her distance. Pate is trying to help Holly with her recovery, but Pate’s actions will place everyone, including his sister in danger. Duncan’s wolf wants its mate and nothing will stop him from claiming Holly.

THE WOLF WITHIN is a fast paced story with plenty of twists and secrets that have yet to be revealed.You think you know the bad guy – just wait !  There is a struggle for power within the FBI and the supernaturals will pay the ultimate price when one of their own is hoping to start a war. The FBI has been compromised and the Para Unit will have to go under cover to discover who is pulling the strings.

And….it doesn’t hurt…. Francesco J Cura is on the cover !!!!!

Reviewed by Sandy

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King of the Damned by Juliana Stone – a Review

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King of the Damned by Juliana Stone – a Review

Description:
For millennia the struggle between light and dark, between the upper and lower realms, has been policed by a secret group of warriors culled from every fabric of existence. They are both otherworld and human, male and female. They are light and dark themselves and known to each other as the League of Guardians. Their pledge, to protect the line between dominions and make sure neither side grows too powerful. If they fall, so shall the earth, the heavens and hell. And there will be no more.

With darkness all around him, The League of Guardians is his only means of redemption…

Review:
King of the Damned is the 2nd book of Juliana Stone’s A League of Guardians series.  When we left off at the end of Wicked Road to Hell, we met Azaiel, who is our hero in this book. 

Azaiel is a fallen angel, who was saved by the Seraphim Bill, who secretly heads the League of Guardians.  Azaiel, due to his previous deeds, that led him to become a fallen angel, is not liked by most of the Guardians.  Bill sends Azaiel on a mission, to find out who killed one of their own Guardians, Cara, as well as to ensure their secret group has not been breached. 

We meet our heroine almost at the start.  Rowan James comes home to see her grandmother, after running away to escape her duties as a powerful witch, as marked by a master demon.  Mallick, the powerful demon, has been looking for Rowan for a long time.  He marked her as a child, and now that she is grown up, he wants her for himself.  However, Rowan’s grandmother used her witch powers to hide the mark on Rowan, and Mallick nor any demon can’t find her.  But now that Rowan comes home, she finds out her grandmother is dead, and probably killed by Mallick.  Knowing that she cannot hide anymore, Rowan decides it’s time to step forward, and at the risk of her life, gather her coven of powerful witches to fight Mallick at the Samhain.

Azaiel meets Rowan, as she comes home to find out about her grandmother.  Rowan is now coming into her powers, as she will become a very very powerful witch, due to the ancestry of her father.  Azaiel senses her power, which she has not fully harnessed.  When they first meet, Rowan senses he is not human, but of the otherworld.  Azaiel says he will help her find out who did this to her grandmother, and at first Rowan did not want his help.  But demons were coming out to find the witches of her coven, and trying to kill them. Mallick wanted Rowan, and he had no problem sending demons to kill all to find her. 

Rowan is also a good fighter, and she holds her own with Azaiel as they fight the demons.  She knows she needs all the help she can get, and she begins to trust Azaiel.  We get to meet Rowan’s cousin Hannah, and that was an explosive meeting, as years passed with some resentment of her leaving town.  But with more demons arriving, they must join hands, and bring back the other witches to help Rowan find a way to stand up and defeat Mallick. 

Azaiel knows they have no chance to win this alone, so he requests help from the Guardians.  Shortly after, Priest and Nico (we saw him in Wicked Road to Hell), arrive to lend a hand.  The ladies certainly are in awe of these gorgeous specimens that have come to help.  🙂   Azaiel, as I mentioned earlier is not liked by the men, though Nico was way over the top with his hatred of Azaiel.  But Priest was more in control, and he handled most conflicts.  I really liked Priest in this book, and I hope he is one of the next Guardians we learn more about. 

This was a pretty exciting story, and some wonderful characters.  You begin to see the romance build up between Azaiel and Rowan, which has no possible future for either of them.  Him being a Seraphim, cannot be with a human, and she facing almost sure death.  But it was a wonderful romance that grew slowly, with you finding yourself rooting for them.   What made this story so good, was not only the fight with the demons, Mallick, the romance; but it was the mix of characters brought into play, part of whom are Rowan’s family (mother, brother, etc), that made this story so interesting and fun. 

King of the Damned was a great fun read, well done story by Juliana Stone.  I could not put the book down, as it kept my interest throughout, without a dull moment.  Wonderful characters, great story, excitement, tension, family disagreements, and a wonderful couple.  Another terrific book in Stone’s League of Guardians.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher


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Wicked Road to Hell by Juliana Stone – a Review

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Wicked Road to Hell by Juliana Stone – a Review

Wicked Road to Hell is the first book in Juliana Stone’s new A League of Guardians series.  There is also a prequel novella released a month prior to this release, Wrong Side of Hell.  Below is a description of Wicked Road to Hell, and then my review.

Description:
With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty, not even her…Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker…more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences. As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan’s traveled before…the wicked road to hell.

Review:

We meet our hero, Declan O’Hara, just about from the start.   He is sent on a mission by a Seraphim, who is called Bill.  It is Bill, a very very powerful being, who saved Declan from the depths of Hell. Declan, who is a powerful sorcerer, now has a dark and more magical side to him, due to his 6 months being tortured by Lillith. When he was rescued by Bill, he became beholden to him to be a warrior of the Seraph, to help fight evil.

The mission sends Declan to find a target that the demons are also looking for, and to bring that target to the Seraphim. He has no idea who the target is, but using his magical ability, he ends up in New Orleans and to an old friend for help.  Ransome, is the alpha of the pack in New Orleans, and together they go to this old run down mansion, where Declan can tell a vampire is in residence with someone else.

Here is where we meet our heroine, Ana, who is a vampire. As it turns out, Ana was Declan’s long lost love, whom he watched get killed by his own father two years ago.  Declan is shocked to see Ana alive, and with mixed emotions, he pushes his way past Ana to find who she is hiding, and why.  

Ana DeLacrux is a tough kick ass heroine, who also unbeknownst to Declan, was brought back from death (though she is the undead), and hell by Bill.  The difference is Ana is likes Bill, and is loyal to him for saving her.  She is also on an assignment, to protect and take care of young boy from demons or even the Seraphim.  Bill obviously uses Ana differently then he does Declan, and the other Seraphs.  There is another ulterior motive that we are not privy to at this time.   Declan is confused, and unhappy that Bill has not told him about Ana being alive.  Ana is determined to protect the teenager, and despite her feelings for Declan, is willing to fight him to protect the boy.  Eventually Ana is able to explain that the boy is deserving of protection against the demons, and even the Seraphim who will surely kill him if he doesn’t turn to their way.  He bears the Mark of the Seven, that have unknown powers, which will either help or destroy the world, if the seven are all together.  Declan agrees to help Ana protect the boy, Kaden, and at the same time try to find out where the others are, and help prevent the wrong hands get ahold of the others.

What ensues is a wonderful action filled story in a dark and dangerous world, where there are demons, vampires, werewolves, seraphs, socerers, not to mention a full blown look at Hell.  All through the eyes and imagination of Juliana Stone, and Wow…what a ride this is.  As Declan must go to his worst nightmare ….back to Hell and Lilith.  He is propositioned by Samael, the chaos demon to find and bring back two other children with the Mark of Seven, who are now under the control of Lilith.  Without telling Ana, Declan goes on the ‘wicked road to hell’. 

Ana and Declan have acknowledge their love for one another, and Ana, once she finds out what Declan is doing, does everything in her power to meet him in Hell, and help him, even if it costs her whatever life she has left.

It was also a great romance between Declan and Ana. I loved them together, and it was their strong love for one another that will help save their lives.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching them rediscover their love, their sexual chemistry was great, and their determination to survive against insurmountable odds was awesome.  Ana was so great a character, and would do anything to save Declan.  Ana, as a vampire not only had to find a way to help Declan fight Lilith; save the children; and also to protect him from her own vampire council.  The last half of this book was totally non stop, you could not put the book down, and just when you think it’s time to relax, you are pulled back in.

Juliana Stone has done a fabulous job with this first book, and I for one cannot wait to read her new release King of the Damned.  A League of Guardians will continue with many of these characters that we have already met, as they will continue to fight evil, even if those doing the protecting have a bit of evil inside them.  Juliana Stone has created a group of Guardians who will come from all types or paranormals, such as the demons, sorcerers, shapeshifters that we have already met.  Of course, as in any story, we have our villains, and none could be worse then Lilith.  This series promises to be an exciting ride all the way through.  I am happy to have found this series.

Reviewed by Barb

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John Paul Pfeiffer-Interview with the Model

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John Paul Pfeiffer-Interview with the Model

The Reading Cafe recently featured Jim Butcher’s THE DRESDEN FILES series of novels and we would like to introduce you to the cover model: JOHN PAUL PFEIFFER

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

John Paul: HI Sandy. My pleasure to be here… Im originally from Upstate New York. I lived half my pre 20 life in the Adirondacks in a place called Brantingham and the other half in Rotterdam New York which is a suburb of Schenectady.

I went to a year of Prep School at Trinity Pawling Prep and then went to St Lawrence university to study Biology where I had was on a football Scholarship. I also Wrestled and during the summer played Semi Pro Baseball as well as Raced BMX Bikes. Just before my senior year of college I broke my leg racing bikes and I was out of sports the rest of the year. This gave me time to focus on other things which led me to begin a modeling career in Toronto since my school was about 2 hours away from there. After Graduating I moved to NY and modeled internationally for the next 10 years. I then started Commence Quest and ModelsApartments.com. Commence Quest is a model management company and ModelsApartments.com is a company where we house a large number of models for all the agencies in New York.



TRC: Your bio states that you are a champion BMX competitor. How did you become interested in BMX racing? Are you still active in the racing community?

John Paul: When I was 10 years old my neighbor and best friend Bob Iovinella was racing BMX bikes. He was like my big Brother. Everything he did I wanted to do.. He influenced me to begin to race as well. From there the love of racing just never left me. I stopped racing after breaking my leg and during the time I was pursuing modeling for the 10 years. I then started back up in 2004 and have no plans to stop again anytime soon.

In BMX there are two bicycle classes. Cruiser and 20”. Cruiser is a larger mountain bike size bike with 24” wheels. 20” is the standard BMX bike with 20” wheels. Before 2012 there were also two different US sanctions. NBL and ABA. In 2012 there is not only one called USABMX. You can check out the site at www.usabmx.com

In 2007 and 2008 I was 2 time NBL national champion on Cruiser. 2007 I was UCI world #6 on Cruiser in Victoria Canada. In 2011 I was #1 in the NBL standings on Cruiser going into the National Championships and I broke my collar bone 3 week before the race. 2 months later I was able to recover and race the ABA National Championships and take National #4 on Cruiser and #5 on 20”. In May 2012 I took UCI world # 6 on Cruiser in Birmingham England and in one week from now I leave to Tulsa OK for the USABMX National Championships. Right now I go into the race ranked 3rd on 20” and 2nd on Cruiser. Very attainable with a good race to have two national titles. Ive been busy training the past several months for this race.

TRC: We were first introduced to you through your various cover images especially with Jim Butcher’s DRESDEN FILES series of novels. Do you know how many covers of the DRESDEN FILES your image appears?


John Paul: I Believe its 15 of them… Here you can see the link to them… Im not sure if this is all of them…Its possible I may have done a couple more…
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden

TRC: Would you please tell us how you got started in the modeling industry?

John Paul: My time was almost always consumed with athletics up until I broke my leg… During this time It forced me to find something else to focus on. I had been approached previously about modeling by scouts but never thought anything of it till this time. I had not had any strong direction for what I wanted to do after graduating so modeling sounded to me like a great alternative to actually having to go get a job. Lol.. At this time it was the period of the supermodel still so it was a job where you heard about all the money and great things that were associated with becoming a model. Seemed to good to not at least try… So after Graduating I moved to NY and jumped into the business head first.

TRC: There is a stigma in the cover model industry especially as it pertains to romance covers. The romance novel industry has dramatically increased in popularity over the past few years. Do you think the cover illustrations and ‘hero depictions’ have pushed the industry in such a way, that the reader’s imaginations can be fueled by the representation on the cover?

John Paul: From the perspective of most fashion models I feel that the romance novel covers have had a negative connotation to them as well. First reason being that they are on the opposite end of fashion for the most part. The business is 100% image based so once the “image” of a model is put out there it can then harm the future potential of their work if seen by the decision makers. For a Fashion model its typically not beneficial to have very commercial Image. So for that reason most fashion models usually shy away from doing the covers. With the economy changing for the worst as well as the popularity and amt of work available in doing covers I think this opened up a lot more models to do them whom normally may not have done them before.

To answer your question I do feel that the images on the covers do fuel the imagination of the reader. One example to back that up would be… An ex girlfriend once told me before we were dating that she read a book that I was on the cover of and she imagined me as the character. Shortly later we were an item… It must have been a good book..…

TRC:  😉

TRC: Would you please tell us about COMMENCE QUEST?


Click HERE to access COMMENCE QUEST


John Paul: Commence Quest is a Model Management company. Not to be confused with an Agency. As a Management company we scout, develop and place models with Agencies. We try to find models with top potential and try to help them utilize that potential to their full extent by making a plan for their career and guiding them in the right direction. Most of the time this includes traveling so we organize all travel plans, placements and details. An important aspect is also that we make sure the models are treated well, promoted strongly and are getting work by their agencies. We also help with making sure they are paid on time and problem solving any issues that may arise. The best part of the job is that it cost our models nothing for our service. We are paid a % of the agencies commission as their mother agent.

TRC: What was behind your decision to start COMMENCE QUEST?

John Paul: I had been helping all my friends with getting agencies at the last few years of my career. I had also met a photographer whom was also a Top NY scout. We collaborated briefly to form COMMENCE QUEST. It seemed like a natural progression for me and It also felt very wasteful to not utilize the past 10 years experience after I discontinued modeling myself. So I put my connections and experience to good use in deciding to form Commence Quest.

TRC: At present how many models do you represent or promote in the industry?

John Paul: The past year we have really tried to keep a higher standard of our models. So the number of models has gone down a lot and I feel its better to have higher quality models and focus on them than have a lot of models whom may not be as strong or doing as well.

Right now we have 19 girls and 9 guys.

TRC: Would you please tell us about your favorite experience in the modeling industry?

John Paul: One of the best jobs I feel that I had was while I was in Tokyo. I was booked for a Kool Cigarette campaign and they wanted a strong swimmer. I grew up in the water so I was fortunately booked for it after doing a casting in a swimming pool. We flew to Tinian and Saipan where I spend 4 days basically jumping into the crystal clear waters all day. In between breaks I would snorkel and check out the amazing coral reefs and aquatic life. In School I was a Bio major and my intentions were to get into Marine Biology. My love of Marine life was the main influence so this job was amazing to me.

TRC: What have been some of the challenges and difficulties you have faced in the modeling industry?

John Paul: Some of the most challenging aspects of modeling is trying to get jobs and not let failure affect you. It’s a very competitive business which is now oversaturated with models and less work than ever. Trying to find a way to make yourself right for as many clients as possible is always a challenge. There really is no set “if you do this then you will get that” like you can find in most jobs. If you go to School for something and study and do well you can get this or that job. There can be a set process of preparation for most jobs.

In modeling no matter how prepared or right you think you are for a client they may not like your hair, the pants you were wearing that day, your personality, or that you have blue eyes. They were looking for someone taller than you, shorter than you, your too skinny, your too big, your too edgy, your too commercial. Its just the decision makers opinion and sometimes they can be even be in a bad mood when you see them. It can be frustrating when you spend 2 hours and money to go see a client and they just flip thru your book without even looking at you. There’s really no rhyme or reason sometimes and luck can at time play a big part. The only thing you can do is to try and stay positive and not let criticism or failure affect you and keep moving onward. Perseverance I find is one of the most necessary qualities needed to be a successful model.

TRC: Nudity in the modeling industry can be very controversial. Photographs can range from sensual and sexual to bordering on pornographic. What advice would you give to young and up and coming models in the industry about nude photography?

John Paul: My constant advise to all my models is not to do nudity. Very very rarely is it beneficial for their career I find. There are certain exceptions where if its for a big photographer or Major Campaign and it could be good for their image or career. Examples would be Calvin Klein, etc.. Most of these times its done tastefully. If this is the case I always make sure that the model knows that they should feel comfortable at all times and if that’s not the case then they should not do it. There are of course some photographers that we don’t let our models shoot with. Part of our job as agents is to make sure our models are protected and safe.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

John Paul: Right now my time is focused between Commence Quest, Models Apartment and Racing. This is usually what 95% of my day consists of.

Im scouting a great new model today from France who should be arriving in NY early December. We are working on acquiring more apartments in Manahattan for the Models Apartments and im training daily for racing.

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – Sushi

Favorite Dessert – Tiramisu

Favorite TV Show – When not watching MMA – Tosh.O or Daily Show,

Favorite Movie – Zoolander of course..

TRC: Are you able to ‘turn left’? 😉

Last Movie You Saw – Heartbreaker ( French film)

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk

Favorite model of car – Porsche Panamera Turbo

Last vacation destination – Montauk

Describe you ideal date – keeping it simple… More about the company than where we are….

TRC: Thank you John Paul for taking the time to answer our questions. You have some amazing cover images. Congratulation on all of your success. We wish you all the best with Commence Quest.

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Dannika Dark-Guest Post and Blog Tour

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Dannika Dark-IMPULSE Blog Tour

Dannika Dark-Guest Post and  IMPULSE Blog Tour

WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING AN AUTHOR?

Painfully hilarious. I work a regular 9-5 job and I can tell you a little bit about my average day:

I wake up around five a.m. each morning and sit down to edit. I’ve always got a book in the pipeline that is in the editing process, and I’m more productive in the early morning. Around seven, I go to work. Most of my readers are aware that my ideas always seem to come to me while driving. This is not recommended. I often ask myself, why can’t I be one of those “shower” people, who get all the great ideas while taking a bubble bath or a long walk at sunset? When I’m in a relaxed state of mind?

Because the gods are laughing at me. I’m usually flying down the road at 40 mph with a notebook on my lap and a pen in hand. I have one in the car and carry one in my purse. I get a zinger and go into panic mode trying to jot it all down, and of course, I never can hit a red light. At work, those ideas end up on sticky notes that are stuffed in my purse. This process is a rinse and repeat during the drive home. My actual writing and editing time after work can be anywhere from 4-7 hours. I don’t sleep much, so this works to my advantage.

In my world, there is no writing table and chair by a window with a picturesque view of mountains and bunnies hopping along a meadow blanketed by yellow daisies. I think the trials of real life can be a great inspiration for writing, because I weave real life problems into the story. Politics, gender barriers and double standards, racial lines, relationship struggles, and so forth; all wind up playing a part in a world of fantasy. This connects me to my characters more than having a good vs. evil plotline.

As for the voices in my head? I have them. During my writing and editing process, there are often specific characters that I seriously want to smack over the head so they’ll shut it. Simon Hunt from the Mageri Series is one of them. He is effortless to write because his voice follows me around like one of those little gnats. This is a good thing, because when a character leaps out of the pages and into my daily thoughts, the writing will benefit.

They are often all trying to tell me their story, and it’s up to me to stop and listen.

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Dannika Dark-Author’s Bio

Down in Texas, there’s a woman who drinks copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to her laptop. Yeah, I know. I’ve got a drinking problem. Hi, I’m Danni.

When I’m not writing (which is all the time), I’m listening to obscure music, watching movies, reading, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the internet. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I’m not sure which)

Some people count sheep when they have insomnia. Since I was little, I used to make up stories in my head in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I’d get so wrapped up in my “head stories” that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down more and more, creating short stories which evolved into poetry.

Lots and lots of poetry. It’s almost embarrassing that I have an entire box loaded with spiral notebooks filled with furious, heartfelt, and blushing words. Apparently, I had a lot to say.

Another one of my hobbies is digital art. I designed all my book covers.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to: giving my characters a pulse through publishing. I write adult urban fantasy romance, but I don’t like labels. I let the story tell itself, and color outside the lines. I am not a YA author, but I think it’s pretty great that there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal. These are the future readers!

The work that goes behind self publishing is hard work, I won’t lie. On top of my regular day job: I write, edit, format, create cover art, and market.

But it’s what I love to do, and someday, I’m going to be doing this full time.

Thank you!!!
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Author Links:

Website/Blog:  http://www.dannikadark.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannikaDark
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dannika-Dark-official/148451945238628?ref=ts&fref=ts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5181752.Dannika_Dark
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dannika-Dark/e/B005LXWZWM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1351019685&sr=8-2-ent
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/dannika-dark

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IMPULSE by Dannika Dark
BLOG TOUR
Tour Dates and Hosts
Monday, November 12, 2012 - Blog Launch:
Dannika Dark’s Blog

Tuesday, November 13, 2012:
Talk Supe Blog

Wednesday, November 14, 2012:
Mad Hatter Reads

Thursday, November 15, 2012:
Pimp in Reads

Friday, November 16, 2012:
Readaholics Anonymous 

Saturday, November 17, 2012:
Romancing The Dark Side

Sunday, November 18, 2012:
Delphina Reads Too Much

Monday, November 19, 2012:
Claire’s Book Corner

Wednesday, November 21, 2012:
Addicted 2 Heroines

Thursday, November 22, 2012:
Viviana, Enchantress of Books

Saturday, November 24, 2012:
The Reading Cafe

Monday, November 26, 2012:
My Parahangover

Tuesday, November 27, 2012:
Books & Kisses

Wednesday, November 28, 2012:
Pure Textuality

Friday, November 30, 2012:
Readers Confession

Saturday, December 1, 2012:
Vamp and Stuff

Sunday, December 2, 2012:
Reading Between the Wines Book Club

Monday, December 3, 2012:
Highly READdioactive

Tuesday, December 4, 2012:
I’m a Book Shark

Wednesday, December 5, 2012:
Fang-tastic Books

Thursday, December 6, 2012:
Book Savvy Babe

Friday, December 7, 2012:
Cocktails and Books

Saturday, December 8, 2012:
Literal Addiction

Sunday, December 9, 2012:
Bookish Babble with Michelle

Monday, December 10, 2012:
The Consummate Reader

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 – Blog Tour Closing –
Dannika Dark’s Blog

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To Order IMPULSE: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY
November 12 to December 11, 2012

1 Box Set of The Mageri Series (Sterling, Twist, & Impulse)
Book Cover Cards (4×7) (Sterling & Twist)
1 Set of Key chains (double sided)
1 Car Charm (double sided)
1 Surprise Gift from Justus himself

 

 CLICK HERE FOR: a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kendra Elliot : Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Kendra Elliot at The Reading Cafe

Kendra Elliot grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives there with her husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. She left the dental world after sixteen years to write full time in 2012. Her first two books HIDDEN and CHILLED spent months on Kindle’s top 100 paid best seller list. Two more Bone Secrets novels will be released in 2013. She’s always been fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and loves a strong Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai. Before being published, Kendra’s manuscripts finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart Awards, the Daphne Du Maurier, and the Linda Howard Award of Excellence.

Connect with Kendra: Website/ Facebook / Twitter

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HIDDEN: A BONE SECRETS NOVEL – Book 1

Release Date: July 17, 2012

Eleven years ago, the Co-ed Slayer murdered nine female students on the Oregon State University campus. Lacey Campbell barely escaped his attack, but lost her best friend whose remains were never found. As the sole surviving victim, Lacey helped send the sadistic serial killer to prison for life.

Now a forensic odontologist examining teeth and bones for the state Medical Examiner, Lacey is devastated when she arrives at a crime scene and identifies the skeletal remains as her college friend’s.

The remains are discovered on the land of ex-cop Jack Harper. Sparks fly between him and Lacey, even as they realize that the prosecution’s witnesses from a decade ago are now being murdered one by one. All the evidence points to the Co-ed Slayer as the culprit—only, he’s long since dead. So who’s the new killer? And is Lacey next in line to die?

Order Now:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble /

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CHILLED: A BONE SECRETS NOVEL – Book 2

Release Date:  AUGUST 14, 2012

As a forensic nurse on a search and rescue team, Brynn Nealey braves a dangerous blizzard to find the survivors of a plane crash in the Cascade Mountains. Joining her is Alex Kinton, a former US marshal with self-destructive tendencies. Alex lies his way onto Brynn’s team to find the man who killed his brother—and then return the favor. But once the team members reach the plane’s wreckage, they discover everyone aboard has perished…except for the man Alex is hunting. Alex will do whatever it takes to track his target through the vast, snowy wilderness.

As the temperatures drop, however, so do Alex’s defenses. His contact with the sharp, kindhearted Brynn makes his lust for vengeance difficult to reconcile with his growing feelings for a woman who risks her life to help others. What will happen to Alex’s savage instincts when he finally has the opportunity to confront his brother’s killer?

Order Now:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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Blog Tour and Hosts

11/20 – Bookworm 2 Bookworm

11/23 – The Reading Cafe

11/24 – All Things Books

11/26 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

11/27- Romancing The Book

 

Kendra is offering a copy of CHILLED to ONE lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

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

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Google, please post your email address with your comment as Twitter et al does not allow for email address.

3. Giveaway open to USA and Canada only.

4. Giveaway runs from November 23-November 30, 2012

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An Interview with Jim Butcher

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An Interview with Jim Butcher

 

The Reading Cafe is thrilled to have the fantastic Jim Butcher as our guest today. Jim is here today to discuss his highly anticipated new release Cold Days, which will be released next Tuesday, November 27th. Cold Days is Jim’s 14th novel in his fabulous The Dresden Files.

Without further ado, let’s talk to Jim.

 

 

Hi Jim.  Thank you taking the time to answer our questions.  THE READING CAFÉ and its’ members are looking forward to our interview with you. Since we have posted your bio, we will skip the usual question of telling us about yourself. 

TRC: With Cold Days about to be released on November 27th, and being the 14th book in your popular Dresden Files series, can you tell us how you came up with the idea of Harry Dresden, a Wizard PI, and the entire world building of this series?

Jim: The Dresden Files started life as a class project in my Writing a Genre Fiction Novel class.  In point of fact, it was my attempt to prove to my writing teacher how wrong she was about all this structured, story-craft nonsense she was trying to teach me about.  You see, I knew about these things because I had a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing–whereas she merely had a master’s in journalism (and had published forty novels).  So to prove her wrong, I set out to do absolutely everything she said exactly the way she said it–to be her good little writing monkey and show her exactly what horrible things resulted from such a restrictive, cookie-cutter approach to writing would create

And I wrote the first book of the Dresden Files.

Which showed her.  Hah.

TRC:  Though fans want this series to go on forever, you have discussed ending this series somewhere near 25 books, ending with an epic trilogy.  Is this still your plan, what timeframe are we talking about, and how will you feel when this series comes to end?

Jim: That is still my plan.  Stories don’t go on forever.  They have a beginning, they have a middle, and they have an end.  The Dresden Files is a great big story, but it’s a story, and I’ve had an ending in mind since the first book.  Which is a really great thing because it means that I know where things are going.  I can plant things early that pay off in the future.  I can control the tension and the pace to best effect.  Having an end is /good/ for a story.  Having an indefinitely ongoing tale… to me, it’s like comparing a single performance of an Ode To Joy to a nine-hour round of “One Million Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” 🙂

TRC:  Cold Days is to be released in a few days…November 27th.  Can you please tell us the premise of this story?

Jim: Harry Dresden, having been mostly dead all day, wakes up to find out that he hasn’t managed to weasel out of his bargain with Queen Mab after all.  Now he’s stuck being the Huntsman to her Maleficent, a role known as the Winter Knight.  And she has a fairly simple first job in mind for him–Hi, Harry, nice to see you on your feet again, now be a good Knight and go murder an immortal and be sure to make it stick.  No problem, right?  And that’s just the first part of a day that gets catastrophically worse as it goes on.  The consequences of Dresden’s choices are arising to haunt him–and they’re not just things that have happened to /him/.  His friends have been impacted too.  So how do you keep faith with the mother of all wicked faeries (who will /kill/ you if you don’t), and with your friends (who might /die/ if you don’t), /and/ do the impossible, all while trying to hang on to your conscience, your identity–your soul?

Apparently, it’s helpful to shoot your mouth off a lot.

Links to Pre-order Cold Days:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository/ Books a Million

TRC:  Besides working on your next Dresden Files book, are you working on anything new?  Do you have any thoughts as to what you would like to write after the Dresden Files ends, and would it be Fantasy or Paranormal? 

Jim: I like having a non-Dresden project to do in between Dresden Files books.  Harry’s a great guy, but having him live in your head full time induces a lot of random twitching, and it’s nice to evict him for a while so that I can torment all new imaginary people.  Currently, my alternate group of imaginary people exist in a quasi-Victorian steampunk series of novels currently called “The Cinder Spires.”  It’s sort of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Sherlock meets Hornblower, and it’s been ridiculously fun to write.  I hope to have it finished by the end of the year, so that I can plunge into the new Dresden fresh in 2013.

I mean, you know.  Assuming the Mayan apocalypse fizzles.

TRC:  With two writers in the family, how do you and Shannon handle the pressures of a deadline, especially if the timing is the same for both of you? 

Jim: We manipulate time.

Shannon does her most productive work in the morning and early afternoon.  I do /my/ best work between midnight and dawn.  So when the writing pressure is on, my usual day is to wake up noonish, or a few hours after, right about when she’s finishing her work for the day.  We spend the rest of the afternoon handling errands or whatever, hang out together in the evening, and then once she goes to bed, I get to work.  Neither of us interferes with the other’s work at all, because we’re busy being asleep, and we still get to hang out together.

I do feel bad for our dog, though.  He’s determined to be snuggling the feet of whoever is writing.  It is apparently his sacred duty.  So after a deadline-pressure week or two, there’s a lot of little snores drifting up from our feet while we work.

Thanks again Jim for being with us today.  We have enjoyed having you here, and we wish you good luck with Cold Days.  We look forward to having you come back and visit us again in the future.  

If you want to learn more about Jim, you can find him at the following links:

Website: http://www.jim-butcher.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

REMINDER:  Like Jim’s covers?  We have an interview with the Cover Model on Sunday November 25, 2012-John Paul Pfeiffer aka Harry Dresden!  Drop by and check out John Paul’s interview.

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