Cover Reveal and Synopsis: "Up From the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost

There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones.  They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights.  Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences.  And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.


The 7th book in the Night Huntress series, Up From the Grave, is expected to be released January 28th, 2014.  It's a long way off and I'm so anxious for more Cat and Bones... especially after this tease.

Review: "Edge of Dawn" by Lara Adrian

In this pulse-pounding and thrillingly sensual novel, New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian returns to the mesmerizing world of the Midnight Breed, following new characters into a dark future where an uneasy peace can unravel into war—and a great betrayal can mask an all-consuming love.

Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost. 

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts.
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     Lara Adrian did an outstanding job flipping the Midnight Breed series on it's head.  After so many books in the series it was at it's peak and instead of trying to carry that out with new characters, the series takes a jump 20 years into the future and we are now following the children of the Breed that were just being born in the last book.  I doubt there are many authors that could have pulled this off so seamlessly.  It was a smooth transition into the new world of characters and we still get to see a little of our old favorites too.  

     It was amazing to see Mira come into her own finally.  She was a kick-ass heroine even as a kid and she has certainly grown into an amazing warrior.  Mira and Kellan were of course the favorites of the children so far as they were children in the previous books so we've gotten to know them quite well.  The other one I was anxious to meet was Lucan Thorne's child.  I'm sure as leader of the Breed, Lucan's son will have to be one of the biggest baddest warriors of the bunch! 

     The reunion between Kellan and Mira was heartbreaking throughout most of the story but there was tons of action too, and as usual, amazing character and world building.  The rest of society now knows that the Breed exist which certainly opens it up for some new storylines as well. I was worried about missing all the old characters but the new ones are such strong, well- built characters already in this book that I can see that's not going to be an issue.  Lara Adrian writes some of the most unique, action packed, paranormal romance!  This series has always been in my top 3, but this new story arc and time jump brings it to a whole new level. 

Edge of Dawn is scheduled to be released February 26th.


To learn more about Lara Adrian and her books, visit her website here.

Review: "Immortal Craving" by Kendra Leigh Castle

Wild, uncontrollable, and powerful, the lion-shifting Rakshasa were hunted down by vicious rival vampires who feared their dark, magical abilities. Somehow one survived, and now, after centuries of hiding, Tasmin Singh reemerges as fierce and fearless as ever at the door of the Lilim queen, seeking answers . . . and sanctuary.

The human best friend to a vampire queen, Bay Harper traded her quiet, comfortable life for a world filled with immortal assassins, warring werewolves . . . and this hauntingly sexy shifter. Only Bay's gentle touch can subdue Tasmin's inner demons, even as he brings out a passion and sensuality she never imagined she could feel. But when a bloody struggle threatens to tear them apart, can Bay risk everything on her faith in him-or will his dark side be stronger than even their all-consuming desire?
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Immortal Craving is book 4 in Kendra Leigh Castle's Dark Dynasties series.

In each book of the Dark Dynasties we've gotten to know another faction of the vampire society but at the heart of each story has been the cat-siths.  In this installment, the author switches it up a bit to give us the bigger, badder version of the cat-shifting vampire.  Tasmin is an ancient breed of vampire that can not only shift into the form of a lion but also has magical abilities.  This magic is not your typical hocus pocus.  We're talking mind reading, giving people hallucinations, bending shadows and so much more.  Tasmin awakes after 400 years sleeping in a cave to find out he's the last of his kind still alive.  He seeks out the new vampire queen, Lily, to see if he can get some answers to what happened to his people.  Lily, who we've gotten to know well through out the series, has a human best friend, Bay.  It's this friend that Tasmin ends up going to in an attempt to get to Lily.  Unfortunately, Tasmin's not alone.  The little secret to why he's survived this long... he has a demon that's been trapped inside of him by the warring Ptolemy vampire clan.  Bay and Tasmin must work together to get to the bottom of what happened while also battling with the demon inside him that very much wants to kill Bay.  

Tasmin and Bay have so much to overcome in this story let alone the fact that Tasmin is from a race of vampires that was known for their tough, wild nature.  It was touching to see how hard they both had to work for this relationship and everything they had to overcome.  Tasmin is overly protective of her right from the start and wants to do right by her through out the story.  Even though Bay is just "a fragile human," she is really the one to save Tasmin at the start.  He is in bad shape after his time in the cave and it was touching to see how humble Tasmin was forced to be to accept her help.  I'm sure it goes against everything in his nature.   

In addition to the romance building between Tasmin and Lily, we also have a lot of familiar faces from the previous books.  Lily and Bay are still trying to figure out how their relationship can survive the fact that Lily is now a vampire queen and she's merely human.  Also, we have the ongoing battle with the Ptolemy queen that continues from the previous book.  The story arc that continues through this novel is fascinating.  Ms. Castle has really written riveting stories that could easily be read on their own and be enjoyed but watching the vampire society evolve through the series has been captivating. 

Kendra Castle has created an amazing world with the Dark Dynasties series.  I love that each book wraps up nicely so there are not huge cliffhangers, but enough of a tease for what's coming up that I can't wait to read the next novel.  There were lots of twists and turns that kept me on my toes but overall I just loved Tasmin and Bay's relationship.  Each novel in this series just keeps getting better. This is certainly not your typical vampire book.  Ms. Castle has built an entirely unique breed of vampires that gives this series a refreshing originality. 

Ms. Castle was nice enough to stop by a couple days ago and give us a little more insite into the character building of Tasmin and also offer a signed copy of Immortal Craving.  Click here to see her post and enter to win.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Kendra Leigh Castle - "Immortal Craving"

I would like to welcome Kendra Leigh Castle to the blog today!  She's the author of the amazing Dark Dynasties series, among others.  I will try to save my gushing over Immortal Craving for my review which will be up soon... but it's so hard.  I'll let Kendra take the reins from here and tell you a little more about this hot shape-shifting vampire.

     When I started thinking about who I wanted for a hero in the fourth Dark Dynasties book, Immortal Craving, I knew I wanted to do something a little different.  The heroes of the first three books are all Cait Sith, a bloodline of cat-shifting vampires who, up until recently, were the pariahs of the world of night.  They’re gorgeous, they turn into big black cats, and they purr…I mean, yum.  Still, much as I love them, I wanted to introduce a completely new guy, with a completely new bloodline.  So I thought about it, and before long, who should come prowling out of the ether but Tasmin Singh.

     Tasmin is a Rakshasa, a dynasty of powerful lion-shifters that was wiped from the earth in a genocidal campaign by the Ptolemy…which will surprise no one who has read the previous books.  When he awakens in a small, manmade cave deep in the Gir Forest in India, he soon discovers not only that it isn’t the 1500s anymore, but that he is the only one of his kind still alive.  This would be a lot for one person to deal with regardless, but Tasmin has the added problem of blackouts that he awakens from covered in blood…and the occasional unfamiliar, malevolent voice whispering in his head.  He’s what you might call “troubled.”  Or just plain “trouble.”  Still, he is compelled to seek out the Queen of the Lilim, Lily MacGillivray, who is the one person he thinks may be able to help him with both his past and, he hopes, his future.  And that, of course, is where he meets his destiny in the form of one stubborn, kind-hearted human named Bay Harper.  Oh, and her enormous slobbery dog, Grimm.

     I loved writing Tasmin. It was really kind of freeing to be able to create a guy who didn’t have the particular sort of baggage that all Cait Sith carry. I got to create new baggage just for him! Tasmin came from an amazing dynasty. They were day-walkers, mind-benders, illusionists, creatures of fierce strength and beauty and magic. And they’re gone, something Tasmin is still struggling with. He is a man out of time, and alone in ways that none of my other characters have been. Before he was put in that cave, he had pride brothers who were his family. He had a life, hopes and dreams. When we meet him in Immortal Craving, he’s really starting from scratch. He’s got no idea how to relate to these other dynasties, who he never would have bothered with before. To the younger vampires he’s a frightening novelty, and to the older ones, a potential threat. He presents himself as proud and aloof and, often enough, rude—and what choice does he have? In the world of night, showing a highblood vampire your weakness is death. But underneath it all, what Tasmin really needs (though he would never admit it) is to be able to connect to someone again. When he does, we start to catch glimpses of the man he was before he had everything taken away. Tasmin is incredibly loyal, surprisingly sweet, and capable of the kind of love that will last lifetimes. He takes nothing for granted, because he knows better than most how everything can change in a heartbeat. And as a bonus, while he may not purr like the Cait Sith do (lions don’t purr, a fact I was sorry to discover), he has one hell of a roar.

     I hope you enjoyed this peek at Tasmin!  He’s a golden-eyed warrior with a lot of heart… and his arrival in the world of the Dynasties won’t just change Bay Harper’s life.  For the vampires, it changes everything.

     Thanks so much to Underworld Love Addiction for having me back to celebrate the release of Immortal Craving!  If you’ve got any questions about the series, the characters, or anything vampire related, ask away in the comments…I’m here all day :)

            

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For more about Kendra Leigh Castle and her books, visit her website at http://kendraleighcastle.com.

Cover Reveal: "Styxx" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

The cover has been released for Styxx, the next novel in the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.


The most highly-anticipated novel in the Dark-Hunter series since Acheron, is here - the unforgettable story of Styxx, Acheron's twin brother and one of the most powerful beings on earth.

Just when you thought doomsday was over . . .

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now.

She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her. But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul? 

Cover Reveal: "Dead Ever After" by Charlaine Harris

The cover for "Dead Ever After," by Charlaine Harris, was released this week.  I have never been a fan of the covers for this series but this one does leave a lot to speculate about.  To me, it looks like Sookie is walking away from Alcide, Quinn and Sam and walking towards one of the vampires on this cover. Which vamp though?  Maybe there's a clue in the plants that I don't recall.  What are your thoughts on the cover?

Cover Release: "Immortal Craving" by Kendra Leigh Castle

Check out the sexy new cover for "Immortal Craving" by Kendra Leigh Castle.  This will be the 4th book in her Dark Dynasties series.  It is scheduled to be released January 29th, 2013.  I am loving this series and am really looking forward to more of her hot vampire shifters!

Synopsis:
Wild, uncontrollable, and powerful, the lion-shifting Rakshasa were hunted down by vicious rival vampires who feared their dark, magical abilities. Somehow one survived, and now, after centuries of hiding, Tasmin Singh reemerges as fierce and fearless as ever at the door of the Lilim queen, seeking answers . . . and sanctuary.


The human best friend to a vampire queen, Bay Harper traded her quiet, comfortable life for a world filled with immortal assassins, warring werewolves . . . and this hauntingly sexy shifter. Only Bay's gentle touch can subdue Tasmin's inner demons, even as he brings out a passion and sensuality she never imagined she could feel. But when a bloody struggle threatens to tear them apart, can Bay risk everything on her faith in him-or will his dark side be stronger than even their all-consuming desire?


The 3rd book in this series, "Shadow Rising," will be released next Tuesday!  I'll have an excerpt up on the blog tomorrow along with a great giveaway!

Comic Con 2012

I just had to share a few cast interviews and videos from this year's Comic Con...


Vampire Diaries:








True Blood:








Twilight- Breaking Dawn part 2:

Review: "Seduce" by Felicity Heaton

     Seduce is the 3rd installment in the "Vampire Erotic Theater" series.  This is a novella that can be read as a stand-alone without feeling lost in the story.

     Bloodlust runs in his veins, a dark master waiting for the day it will reign over him. Now a woman with a pure soul and wicked intentions has him in her sights and is determined to crack the ice around his heart.

     Antoine, one of the owners of Vampirerotique, has kept himself walled off from all emotion since his blood addiction has been threatening to take over.  With a dark past that haunts him every day, the only one he cares about anymore is his brother, Snow.  That is until Sera comes into the theater one night with her Sire to audition for a job.  Sera has no idea that awakening feelings in Antoine that had long been buried could be her downfall.  Will she risk it all for the unattainable Antoine?  Will she even want to when she finds out about his dark addiction?

     Sera certainly has a "get him at all costs" attitude.  She's been admiring Antoine from afar at the theater but now has come up with the "brilliant" plan to audition for a part in order to get some alone time with him.  Things don't go down quite like she was hoping but obviously we wouldn't have a story if she didn't get somewhere *wink, wink*.  Antoine was certainly a tough man to crack, but after getting to know him and his brother Snow, you can certainly tell why.  Especially with a past relationship that he has been dwelling over for many years.  Their story managed to build it's way up even for a shorter book and didn't feel rushed.

     I have to say that I am really anticipating Snow's book now!  We found out just enough about him to be very intrigued while still leaving him a huge mysterious, tortured character.  I can't wait for him to get his happily-ever-after.  Obviously I'm not alone since Ms. Heaton is holding out on his story, saving the best for last I'm hoping.  This was certainly a fast, sexy read!

   

Her next book in the series, "Enslave" will be coming out in August.  Then "Bewitch" in late fall and "Unleash" (which I'm hoping will be Snow's) in 2013.

Check out Felicity Heaton's other books on Amazon or view her website.