Cover Reveal: "Entwined" by Kristen Callihan

Entwined is Kristen Callihan's upcoming novella (#3.5) in her Darkest London series.  

It is expected to be released this November. 

"Winterblaze" Blog Tour: Exerpt and Giveaway

Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series has been getting rave reviews and Winterblaze is no exception.  In the latest installment of her historical paranormal romance, we get a much deeper look into the darker side of London that very few know about.  Thanks to Ms. Callihan and Grand Central Publishing, I have an excerpt to share with you from the first chapter of Winterblaze.  

You can check out my reviews for all of the Darkest London books here:  Firelight, Moonglow and Winterblaze.  
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The West End, August 28, 1883

A telegram, as sent to the SOS Home Office:

Daughter of the Elements STOP All of us must reap what we sow STOP Now it is your turn STOP I’ll take not the heart of ice that resides in your sweet breast but the fragile one that beats in another and sail away with it on a ship of fire STOP When I tear it to shreds you will remember the agony of failing STOP Again STOP


The way to her parlor was along a winding stair, but down, not up. Down in the pit of the earth where sunlight and fresh air never reached. Yes, a proper English parlor with electric lights and air forced by means of an elaborate fan system of such strange modern devices that even the most jaded persons took a moment to stop and wonder.

Poppy had recently shown her sister Daisy the way in, a fact that she was beginning to regret as she settled back in her desk chair and surveyed the two women sitting in front of her. One of the women was Daisy, looking luminous as ever and trussed up in an extravagant frock which was no doubt highly fashionable, and equally uncomfortable. Having ferreted out Poppy's secrets with surprising speed, Daisy had earned the right to be here.

The other woman was the problem. Miss Mary Chase. Oh, she sat demure and quiet as Daisy prattled on in that way of hers, but the girl's glittering eyes took in every nook and cranny of Poppy's office. Learning and secreting away bits of information as only a GIM could do.

GIMs, or Ghosts in the Machines, were the best spies in the underworld. Blessed by a demon to have an immortal body with the ability to leave it in spirit form, they could drift into any room, listen in on any conversation. And now this GIM knew the way to Poppy's office. Bloody hell. Poppy had requested to speak with Daisy. She had not expected her sister to bring along a guest.

"Well?" Daisy prompted, breaking into Poppy's thoughts. Poppy took a short breath and pulled herself together.

Something that was getting harder and harder to do. Inside she was frozen and fairly certain that, one day, her outer skin would simply freeze over as well.

"You want me to bring this girl to Mother," Poppy repeated, her lips feeling numb. Mother was the head of The Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, or SOS, an organization whose sole focus was to keep the world from learning the truth: that the monsters in their fairytales were real. Mother, whom no one, no one, ever met. Really, the nerve of Daisy sometimes. Poppy tapped her fingers to relieve the urge to wrap them about her sister's lovely neck.

Daisy too was a GIM. A decision she'd made in the face of a gruesome, prolonged death. She'd saved herself by making a devil's bargain. And now she would never die. Daisy would be here long after Poppy was dust in the ground. It made Poppy unaccountably sad, though she really couldn't say precisely why.

Daisy glanced at Poppy's thrumming fingers. Poppy instantly stopped. Daisy too tapped her fingers when she was agitated. A stupid slip to do in front of her sister. Damn it all.

When Daisy replied, it was with exaggerated patience. "Not precisely. I am here to make an introduction to Mother." Poppy  froze.  Daisy  could  not  possibly  be  implying what she thought she was. "Why did you not bring your
request to Lena?" Poppy hedged.

Daisy's eyes gleamed bright for one sharp moment. "I had assumed my sister would be a little more accommodating. Perhaps I was wrong."

Poppy looked away first. It had been petty to bait Daisy. While Lena was Mother's official go-between and requests for Mother always went through her, she had also been Ian Ranulf's lover years ago. As Ian was now Daisy's husband, the women did not particularly find each other's presence comfortable.

"Look," Daisy leaned forward, her tone forgiving when Poppy knew she'd normally drag out her displeasure, "Mary is the best GIM we have."

"Then why do you want to lose her?"

Mary Chase stirred. "If I may speak for myself?" There was a bit of fire in her eyes, something Poppy had to admire, and so she nodded. Miss Chase settled her slim hands on her lap as she faced Poppy without blinking.

"My term of service with the GIMs is over." Her hands clenched for a moment. "Mrs. Lane, I want to be a Regulator. I have wanted this for some time."

Poppy managed not to wince upon hearing her name. Mrs. Lane. A farce, for her husband had left her. The pain that lived in her chest spread out to her arms and then down to her fingers. She didn't allow it to show but let her gaze wander over Miss Chase. The young woman appeared to be all of nineteen, but from Poppy's reports, she was closer to Poppy's own age, having lost her first life in 1873.

"I gather you know this," Poppy answered. "However, I feel compelled to remind you that being a Regulator is no easy task. They live a hard life, and it is often quite short." Regulators were the SOS's agents, men and women on the front lines of the supernatural world. They came face to face with things that gave monsters nightmares. Poppy leaned in a touch. "And believe me, many an immortal's head has rolled while on the job. Just because you cannot die, doesn't mean you cannot be killed, child."

Mary Chase's wide, brown eyes narrowed. "I am not a child. And I'm not afraid of death."

Poppy rose from her desk, no longer willing to sit still. "Everyone says that." She grabbed her thick cloak. "And then they discover that, in their heart, they have lied. I don't believe GIMs get a second chance should they lose their head, do they?"

"No," Mary said after a moment. "Come."

The two women rose and followed her to the door. Poppy walked through it, not waiting to see if they kept up. Outside of the office, Mr. Smythe sat at his desk, his pasty skin blending with his grey hair. He faced a vast and dark corridor, and often times Poppy wondered how he could stand looking into that abyss on a daily, sometimes nightly, basis. Mr. Smythe, however, never complained. He gave her a deferential nod as she passed. She had worked alongside Smythe for fourteen years, and yet he did not know about Winston or that she had a fondness for meat pies sold by street vendors. Not one person within the SOS truly knew her. People tended to stay away from Poppy as though they felt she was something alien and not like them. Which said quite a lot, given that most of her colleagues possessed gifts that were the epitome of unearthly. She did not precisely mind the isolation. She had Winston. . . . Poppy's step nearly halted. She did not have Win. He was gone. And she was alone.

"I had a good reason for this, you know," Daisy murmured just behind her as they slipped into the stone-lined corridor. Here and there electric torches glowed, turning Daisy's blond curls a harsh yellow. Mary Chase followed at an inconspicuous distance, her eyes lowered and subservient. Ha. Men might be fooled by the display but not Poppy.

"You  better  have,"  Poppy  said,  just  as  low.  "You've come quite close to breaking my trust today, Dandelion." Daisy made a noise of annoyance at the nickname, but she  quickened  her  stride  to  catch  up  and  then  grabbed Poppy's elbow, forcing her to slow down. "Pop. Listen for
a moment, will you?"

Every muscle in Poppy's body went heavy and cold. She knew that tone in Daisy's voice, as well as the soft, despicable pity that dimmed her eyes. "Well," Poppy said through her teeth, "out with it. And then explain what it has to do with Miss Chase here."

Daisy took a stabilizing breath. "She knows." Her voice dipped a bit. "Who you are."

The struggle not to break something, or someone, held Poppy in place, frozen with shock and outrage. Daisy took a half step back, her mouth opening and closing like a puppet's, her hand lifting as if in defense. Smart woman. Poppy couldn't fathom why her sister would break her trust in such a manner.

Poppy advanced. "Have you lost your nut? What on God's green earth gave you the right?"

Daisy's pointed silence gave her a moment's qualm, which Daisy pounced on. "I agree that it is bloody irritating to be managed by one's sister." Poppy scowled, and Daisy ignored it. "However, as you've been known to point out, I have only the best intentions." Daisy touched her arm. "You need a companion, Pop."

A harsh laugh burst from Poppy. "You think I'm that infirm, do you? I bid you to remember that I am thirty-two. Hardly ancient, despite what your society friends might think."

"I do not think that you are ancient, Pop," said Daisy quietly. "I think that you are in pain."

"Do not." Poppy took a sharp breath. "Do not ever pity me, Daisy."

Bad enough that her sisters knew Win had left her. It had been humiliating. But that was nothing compared to the emptiness and the dull, unwavering ache that his absence wrought upon her.

In the gloom, Daisy's eyes gleamed like star sapphires, the effect of her new GIM nature when emotions were roused within her. "Pity and empathy are not the same thing."

"You have brought a GIM to keep me company," Poppy snapped, "as if you fear I might do something drastic."
What nonsense. Poppy did not do drastic things. She simply died a little more inside each day and wished the world to go away. That had not worked particularly well; the world was still here.

Daisy's gaze searched hers. "Mary is loyal and discreet. And she is entirely trustworthy. On my life, I swear that."

"Good thing to swear, as your life might very well be what I take." It was entirely too temping at the moment.

"I am shaking," Daisy said with an unladylike snort before becoming serious once more. "You need someone to keep you focused. And lord knows that bitch Lena will not do that for you. She's just as likely to stick her fangs into your neck when your back is turned."

"You really ought to get over your dislike of Lena." "Pish," Daisy said with a wave of her hand, "that woman means nothing to me. And you know full well that I speak the truth in regard to her character."

Unfortunately, Daisy was right. Lena wasn't the helpful sort. She despised weakness even more than Poppy did.

Poppy sighed, then looked at Mary Chase who hovered just beyond the circle of light where Daisy and Poppy stood. The young GIM had drifted back, having correctly read Poppy's request for a modicum of privacy. Poppy turned back to Daisy. "I asked you here because I seek information, not a nanny."

"Then ask away," Daisy retorted. "Mary won't tell a soul, and as she is currently my right hand, I'd tell her anyway. So you can drop that repressive glare, Pop."

Just once, Poppy would love to wring her sister's neck. Hell, Daisy would easily recover so it wouldn't be out-right murder. She studied the unflinching Mary Chase for a long moment. Sensible woman, crafty, discreet. It could all be a lie. Poppy's life depended on her choices. Which meant she had to use more than logic, but instinct as well, to survive.

"All right then, Miss Chase," she said to the woman. "You have your chance"

Miss Chase curtsied prettily. "Thank you, Mrs. Lane." "Don't  thank  me  just  yet.  A  demon  has  escaped  his prison," she said to them. "I received the report from Lena an hour ago. The only information we have of his current whereabouts is from a telegram, which may or may not have been sent by him. It makes mention of a ship of fire." Her hand rested upon the cold, stone wall. "It is imperative that the SOS locate him. Immediately."

Needing to move, Poppy turned away and strode up the cast-iron staircase that spiraled upward. Heels clanked upon the metal, then Poppy reached the top and turned the handle, which released several heavy bolts. The heavy door pushed open without a sound, and the familiar, comforting scent of books and wood polish greeted her as she stepped into her bookshop.

Daisy and Mary followed, and then she pushed the door shut and heard the sound of the bolts slipping back into place.

Daisy's pretty face was pale. She knew something. Damn. Instinct had Poppy's hackles rising before Daisy even spoke. "Winston is on holiday in Paris."

"Paris? Win hates Paris." Poppy had tried to get him to take her there on holiday years ago, and he'd outright refused, calling it a heathenish, boorish city, filled with wastrels and gadabouts. Poppy told him he'd overstated his case, but Win had made it up to her by keeping her in bed for their holiday, giving her an interesting demonstration of his own rather heathenish proclivities.

Thankfully,   Daisy   responded   before   Poppy   could dwell any further on that time. "All I know is that he went there after . . ." Daisy nibbled on her bottom lip.

"After what?" Poppy could not cull the worry from her voice. Win had left her, and still she was fretting over him like a bloody mother hen.

Daisy's nose wrinkled. "He beat a suspect to a pulp two weeks ago. The CID let him go, Poppy."

Poppy sagged against the counter. She could not fathom Win losing control of his temper. And the CID was his life. Winston Lane was an inspector, first and always.

What would he do now? How must he feel? Lost, she realized. Win had given up everything to become an inspector, including being cut off from his very powerful family. Daisy's voice broke through her musings.

"He is set to return aboard Archer's boat," 

"Ship. One does not call an ocean liner a boat."

"Ship," Daisy corrected with an eye roll. "At any rate, the ship is called The Ignitus." Daisy made a halfhearted attempt to smile. "Archer named it for Miranda."

Poppy's heart stopped. Ignitus, Latin for "set on fire." Daisy's breath came out in visible puffs as the air about them chilled and ice began to crackle over the counter. Poppy couldn't rein in the reaction. Dear God, how had Isley known? She'd been so careful to keep this life separate from Win.

"When is the ship set to sail?" Poppy's body hummed with the urge to move, to run.

"I believe it's due to depart this Friday. That is two days from now." Daisy's smooth brow furrowed. "Poppy, you can't mean to meet it. The bloody thing is in Calais! We are in London," she added with unnecessary emphasis.

Rage pushed its way along Poppy's veins, making her see more clearly than she had in months.

To find out more about Kristen Callihan and her books, visit her website here.

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Review: "Winterblaze" by Kristen Callihan

                                                        Once blissfully in love . . . 
Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . . 

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test.
Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy's love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.
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*Mild spoilers if you have not read the previous books in this series*

Up until now, the Darkest London series has touched on certain paranormal "species" and the society that keeps them in check.  In this third book, Winterblaze, everything comes to a head and we get to go deep inside the Society.  The whole series is set in a Victorian London setting which gives it a unique quality to it.  Each book in this series has had a very different feel to it.  Winterblaze, is definitely the darkest of the series so far... in a good way.  

In the past two book we have gotten to know Winston and Poppy as side characters.   They had been happily married for quite some time, but after Winston was attacked by a werewolf in the last book and finds out that Poppy has been keeping this secret world from him, things quickly change.  Poppy certainly had her reasons for keeping it from him but Winston wasn't aware of this.  Both of these characters are strong willed and stubborn, making it hard for either one of them to overcome the mounting problems between them.

We find out a lot more about Poppy that really changes things for the series.  I loved both Poppy and Winston's characters.  They both have their own identities and lives outside of each other but still rely on each other to be their safe haven.  Their relationship building was very different than most romance novels since we were not looking at a new couple falling in love.  This is the story of a couple that had been married for quite a while and were ripped apart by an accident and a betrayal and are now seeing that they truly miss each other.  We watch them build their friendship back up before anything else which, for me, was the only way these two could have gotten back on the right foot with their marriage.  It's not an easy road though, for either one of them.

The only thing I had mixed feelings about with this book was the flashbacks.  Some chapters were set back when Winston and Poppy first started dating.  While this gave more depth to their characters and allowed us to find out a little more about their past relationship, it was a little hard to switch back and forth.  Normally flashbacks don't take away from the story but I just felt like some of these did.  Maybe it was just that the story was very dark and heavy mixed in with these romantic, light scenes.   

I would definitely recommended starting from book 1 in this series as you would miss out on a lot of the things mentioned and emotions brought up throughout the book otherwise.  I'm looking forward to Jack and Mary's story next, they should certainly be an interesting match.  I'm loving Kristen Callihan's new take on historical paranormal romance and can't wait for more!

Winterblaze is due to be released February 26th.

For more information on Kristen Callihan and her books visit her website here.

February

Here is a list of some of the most anticipated paranormal and fantasy books releasing in February.

Week #1:
A Howl for a Highlander by Terry Spear   (Heart of the Wolf #10)
Dead Things by Stephen Blackmoore   
Going Under by Lauren Dane   (Bound by Magick #3)
House Rules by Chloe Neill   (Chicagoland Vampaires #7)
A Lush Kiss of Surrender   (Renegade Angels novella - #2.5)
Hunting Daylight by Piper Maitland   (Acquainted with Night #2)
Magic at Midnight by Gena Showalter 
The Reunited by Shiloh Walker   (FBI Psychics #3)
Soulbound by Tessa Adams   (Lone Star Witch #1)
Undercover Wolf by Linda O. Johnson   (Alpha Force #6)
This Wicked Magic by Michelle Hauf   (This Witchery #2)  
Under the Gun by Hannah Jayne   (Underworld Detection Agency #4)
The Water Witch by Juliet Dark   (Fairwick Chronicles #2)

Week #2:
Feral Nights by Cynthia Leitich Smith  
How Beauty Saved the Beast by Jax Garren   (Tales of the Underlight #2)
Vampires Gone Wild by Sparks/Palmer/Arista/Falconer   (Love at Stake/Vamp City anthology)
The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead   (Bloodlines #3)

Week #3:
Neferet's Curse by Kristin and P.C. Cast   (House of Night Novella)

Week #4:
Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter   (Angels of the Dark #2)
Dead Letter Day by Eileen Rendahl   (Messenger #3)
Heart of the Demon by Cynthia Garner   (Warriors of the Rift #3)
Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian   (Midnight Breed #11)
Immortally Embraced by Angie Fox   (Monster Mash #2)
Immortal Ever After  by Lynsay Sands   (Argeneau #18)
Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan   (Darkest London #3)
The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter   (Goddess Test #3)


What am I most looking forward to?  Edge of Dawn, Winterblaze and Beauty Awakened were my most anticipated releases for February.  I did read Edge of Dawn, which was amazing.  I will have my review up soon.  I am almost finished reading Winterblaze, which so far has been very good. 

Cover Reveal: "Winterblaze" by Kristen Callihan

Winterblaze is the third book in Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series.  It is expected to be released in February 2013.

If you haven't checked out the first two books in this series, check out my reviews.

"Firelight" review
"Moonglow" review

Amazing Authors Reveal Their Favorite Series

Have you always wondered what your favorite authors are reading in their down time?  I asked a few amazing authors this question and also which of their series are their favorite to write.  Here's what they had to say.

Gena Showalter:

My absolute favorite series is Barefoot Bay by Roxanne St. Claire.  It’s set in Mimosa Key, a fictional island off the Gulf coast of Florida. These books center around four female friends who met in college and remain close, all in their thirties.  The books are romances at the core, but they deal with universal issues so many real life people face.

This brand new and utterly amazing contemporary series begins with Barefoot in the Sand and gives readers everything they want with a summer getaway book -- a sizzling cougar romance chock full of heartache and heat (meow!), it’s set in a tropical paradise (yes, please!), and has the promise of a whole cast of characters you'll want to visit again and again.  You don’t want to miss it!  I can’t tell you how excited I am for the next one, Barefoot in the Rain.  (And by “excited” I mean I’m foaming at the mouth for it!)

As for my own, my favorite series to write is, hands down, White Rabbit Chronicles—plus Otherworld Assassins and Angels of the Dark. LOL.  Wow, choosing is difficult, because each world brings something different to the writing table.  But okay, all right, I can do this.  If I have to pick one and only one I’ll go with… Angels of the Dark.  I had such fun creating the Army of Disgrace, the “Sent Ones” in danger of falling.  These winged warriors are rough and tough and they have been tasked with defending humanity at any cost—and watching their ice cold leader melt over a human female who spent the last four years in an institution for the criminally insane was quite fun.  Plus, I’m currently working on the second book in the series, Beauty Awakened, and it’s such a heart-wrenching tale of forgiveness and redemption, that I’m all aflutter over it.  So, yes, that’s my answer and I’m sticking to it.  Until tomorrow…        -Gena Showalter

Gena's upcoming release Wicked Nights will be released June 26th!  You can view the trailer in our previous post here.  I am so excited for this release as I'm a huge fan of Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series!






Rachel Vincent:

Rachel devoured The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, which first sparked her interest in writing YA.  Her current favorite series to write is the Soul Screamers Series.

Before I Wake is due to be released June 26th, 2012.  This is the 6th book in her Souls Screamers series.







Kristen Callihan:

Let's see... Favorite series... Recently, I've been totally glomming (is that a word? Anyway) on Stacia Kane's Downside series. It's dark, gritty, Chess is a mess, her relationship with Terrible is tempestuous, and it's totally addicting! lol     -Kristen Callihan

Her upcoming novel Moonglow will be released July 31st.  The first novel in this series was great and I'm excited to read the latest installment.  You can read my review for the first book, Firelight, here.

Darynda Jones:

I love JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. That has to be my very favorite. I also love Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series and Jacqueline Frank's Nightwalkers series. And, yeah, I could go on and on. LOL. And I guess I enjoy writing the Charley Davidson series the most because Charley is just so much fun. I love that she is ADD and I can bounce her thoughts all over the place. Sometimes she's hard to rein in. hahaha.           -Darynda Jones

Her latest release, Third Grave Dead Ahead, is currently available.  I have heard great things about this series!

Ilona Andrews:

As far as Urban Fantasy, for me the Sookie Stackhouse books are my favorite.  Also, Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series.  Non Urban Fantasy would be the Spenser books by the late Robert B. Parker and almost anything written by David Gemmell.  For Ilona, it would be Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter and the Psy Changling series, also Meljean Brook's Iron Duke books.  I know for a fact, however that she loves Loretta Chase books.  - Gordon

The upcoming novel Gunmetal Magic is the next novel in The World of Kate Daniels.  It is scheduled to be released July 31st.

Crista McHugh:

Crista is a self-proclaimed "huge fantasy geek."  Her favorite series are Lord of the Rings, Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce,  Cleopatra's Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Raine Benares by Lisa Shearin.

A Soul for Chaos, the second book in the Soulbearer Trilogy, is due to be released in December 2012.  I really enjoyed the first book in the series, A Soul for Trouble.  You can check out my review here.

Stacking The Shelves 6-1-12

http://www.tyngasreviews.com/

This week's books that I've either received 

for review or purchased.

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . . 
Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . 
Their growing passion knows no bounds . . . 
Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Ancient Secrets, Dark Passions...  

As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend Sammael vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.  A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, they begin an alliance of necessity that soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally . . . or tear them-and everything they care about-apart.

There's always been something a bit off about Perry Palomino. Though she's been dealing with a quarter-life crisis and post-college syndrome like any other twenty-something, she's still not what you would call "ordinary." For one thing, there's her past which she likes to pretend never happened, and then there's the fact that she sees ghosts. Luckily for her, that all comes in handy when she stumbles across Dex Foray, an eccentric producer for an upcoming webcast on ghost hunters. Even though the show's budget is non-existent and Dex himself is a maddening enigma, Perry is instantly drawn into a world that both threatens her life and seduces her with a sense of importance. Her uncle's haunted lighthouse provides the perfect catalyst and backdrop for a mystery that unravels the threads of Perry's fragile sanity and causes her to fall for a man, who, like the most dangerous of ghosts, may not be all that he seems

Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love? Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?


Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.


Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

"A captivating love story"-Lisa Oliver Monroe, Kirkus Magazine "Detailing how family dynamics, cultural diversity and past relationships shape who we are, debut novelist Hiatt subtly explores the cavern between a successful life and a meaningful one . . . An exceptional first effort that captures the harmony of two beating hearts."-Kirkus Starred Review "When the door shut behind Kate, some invisible detail changed in the room, maybe something to do with the air pressure, or possibly the temperature. Gradually minor noises took on a strange magnification, like the grinding tikka tikka of the antique clock on the credenza and the splatter of raindrops against the windows as the long drizzle finally turned ardent. He felt a chill in his arms and rose to put the clock in a drawer, wondering how he could have occupied this room for two weeks without consciously noting such an irritating sound. Back at his desk, he picked up a pen, reminding himself how rejuvenating it was to work in solitude, free to swear all he wanted. He put the pen down, remembering he didn't need it. He sat back in his chair. The office felt dead." Ryoki is comfortable is his custom-built hell, making money with both hands and slashing his path through the world of men. But there's something about Kate, something important dangling just at the edge of his consciousness. She can't read a map, she falls off her heels, and yet she saves his life with a button and a bit of thread. Terrified she's privately plotting to marry him, he studies her with hooded eyes, attempting to discover her secrets for himself. But understanding Kate will challenge everything he thought he knew. Why exactly did Eve hand over her apple?

Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two vampire coalitions: 
Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors... 

Hot-blooded and hard-edged, Tristan Santiago has an uncanny ability to see beneath the surface-a skill that serves him well as the Guardians' region commander. But when a deadly plot against his fellow vampires is uncovered, he must turn to the one woman he can't read: the beautiful yet mysterious Roxanne Reynolds, whose sensual presence soothes his tormented memories.  Roxy had put love before, with devastating results.  To

root out a dangerous traitor in their midst, she must put her faith in Santiago, the one man skilled enough to break through her defenses. Posing as lovers, Santiago and Roxy work side by side-and discover a powerful craving that threatens to consume them both.

 Alexa O'Brien has never been like other people. A hunter of supernatural rogues, she is a werewolf with unusual but extraordinary power. Power that draws her to Arys Knight, the mysterious vampire who awakens her dark side. What they create together is dangerous and binding, forcing her to question the source of her abilities. It threatens not only her remaining humanity, but her relationship with fellow werewolf, Shaz Richardson, as well.  

When Alexa's womanizing former lover and the Alpha of her pack is framed for murder, he draws public attention that could earn him a death sentence if she won't step in to help him. Alexa would love to watch karma at work but as the body count rises, long buried secrets are exposed. She's forced to face the painful truth that not everyone is who she thinks they are.

Warrior Braden Koll is on a mission to retrieve DNA-compatible women for breeding on the planet of Xylon. His current assignment is to locate an Earth woman-Alexa Sandor-found to be a match.  The lesser problem is she doesn't know anything about The Lair, him, or that she is a Xylon by birth. The greater problem is that, after meeting Alexa, Braden wants this woman for himself, even though the Warrior Council decreed she must mate another. Alexa Sandor is experiencing nightmares about a strange planet and a responsibility she doesn't understand. They hope she can help produce children to save Xylon from domination by the Egesa-a half-creature, half-humanoid race of Slave Masters. Despite her initial disbelief, this powerful, sexy man captures her heart with his strength and tenderness. He shows her things about herself and her body that she never thought possible. Ultimately, she believes his story, wants to help, and stay by his side forever.  She needs to find the strength to leave Earth and travel to an unknown planet. If she can't, she will have to turn away from the only man she's ever loved. And her decision will not only affect the future of Xylon, but Earth as well.

Annie Hynes is a tomboy. Naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends, and her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger. 

Social Worker, Tyler Jones, previously hurt in two relationships, signals disinterest in women, and only wants Annie in his life as a good buddy. Oh yeah! And to help with his mixed-up street kids. Perversely, once her life alters, he misses her like hell. In one sweet night of loving everything changes. But, due to an overabundance of nightcaps, she doesn’t remember the night he can’t forget.

 Erin is a young psychologist, with no time for anything but her work, and unable to remember anything about her past. She leads an uneventful life, but a lonely one, in which she secretly wishes for a soulmate... 
Conner is an unusual patient who approaches her, thrusting her into a strange world of darkness that runs beneath our own. He believes himself to be a creature of legend-a werewolf. But he also draws Erin with a roguish charm, and an irresisitible feeling that seems to bind them together... 
Conner desperately tries to save her from an unknown evil that persues her with a relentless passion that crosses centuries, an evil that once took her very soul away, somewhere in Erin's lost memories.  

As she becomes more entwined in a series of events that will remind her of who she really is, will she make it away from the oncoming darkness unscathed?

...and some fun bookmarks and promo items for Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series :)

Purchase or pre-order any of these novels at Amazon.