Throwback Thursday (131)

I found this picture of Trinity College Library, and thought it would work for this meme with a little play with lighting and adding the words.

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

This was another free ebook I picked up. I love the sounds of it. But time works against me.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Barely eighteen-year-old heroine Valentine Shapiro got a raw deal in the parent lottery. Her father was part incubus demon, and her mother's never forgiven her for that.

Life after high school is tough enough without having to go 15 rounds with your inner demon. Thrown out of the house by her mother, Val puts one foot in front of the other and does the only thing that seems to make any sense - she takes aim at the town vampires. A stake a day, keeps the demon at bay. But don't call her Buffy. That makes Lola, her demon, very cranky.)

Her dark side makes everyday life a roller coaster, but means she's perfect for her night job as a bounty hunter. San Antonio's vampires are out of control, and it's up to Val, her faithful hellhound Fang, and her new partner, a handsome San Antonio police detective, to get the deadly fangbangers off the city streets.

Soon enough she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not.

I've heard back from a few bloggers that they would like to join in this meme post, so I'm adding a Linky for you to join in.  Grab the picture above, and join in.  All I ask, is if you can acknowledge my blog in the post so others know where to come back to 

Book Review: Cold Blooded

Cold Blooded

By:  Amanda Carlson

Publisher:  Orbit

Publish Date:  October 8, 2013

Format:  eARC (NetGalley), 273pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd in Jessica McClain series; 0.5 Novella ~ Blooded: Jessica McClain, 1st Book ~ Full Blooded, 2nd Book ~ Hot Blooded

Recommendation:  OH MY GODNESS!!! Do I love this series! Dang. Everything in one nice package for everyone. Urban Fantasy Action, Magic, Magical/Mythical Creatures galore, Story!, Characters, Love - of mated, family, and friends.  AMAZING BLEND!

Synopsis:
Jessica arrives back in town to find her best friend missing and the most powerful witch in the country is blaming her for it.  But before they can move to save her, the group is attacked.

On the run, Jessica and Rourke head to the mountains.  Several surprises await them, but in order to save her father they are forced to leave for New Orleans early.

Arriving on the Vampire Queen's doorstep unexpectedly, and bringing trouble on their heels, the Sects are thrown into an all out war.  The vicious skirmish ends up forcing the vamps and Jessica to fight on the same team.

The Vamp Queen ends up owing Jessica, but what Jessica doesn't realize is just how soon she'll have to cash it in...

First Sentence:
"Get down!" Tallulah Talbot, the most powerful witch in the country, grabbed on to my arm and hurled us both into the bushes.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

**I read this book for an honest review, as I requested from publisher.

My Thoughts and Summary:
***THIS REVIEW IS OF BOOK 3, MIGHT SPOIL PREVIOUS BOOK(S) ENDINGS***

An explosion hits the parking lot - a spell from the Sorcerers sent for Jessica.  On the run yet bond to find her missing best friend, Jessica heads to the heart of the witches coven, with the most powerful witch in the country - Tallulah (Tally) Talbot.  What Jessica learns there sends her on her run to help her father.  Tally has an oracle that sees Jessica and her family and friends - good news and bad news.  Away Jessica goes, hoping for the safety of her best friend Marcy and James and to help her father, while the Sorcerers and Demons follow on her tale working together to find her.  Every Sect is after her.  Jessica runs head first into the Vampires, who want her for their own reasons, looking to barter for protection.

An explosive set of happenings, from action to love, all in one place here!  Each page is full of new information and action.  Jessica is one of a kind, in more ways than one, and draws people of all Sects to her - in one way or another.

We start EXACTLY where Hot Blooded ended!  With Jessica and Tally at Jessica's office, yet in the bushes now.  So much happening here!  But well organized and all is handled by Jessica as she goes.  Much from the first two books lead to here.
   James and Marcy missing
   The Demon court date
   The vampire "party"
   Rourke!! *sigh*
   Every Sect after Jessica
   her powers and what she is
   the Southern pack and her Dad.

All collide right here!

Jessica's been having it rough.  Supes are out to get her, attacking her at about ever turn.  And it's taking all she has to not run off to find and save Rourke, but she knows she has to be prepared and get information first.  There are rumors flying of Jessica and what she is and what she'll do.  Each has more information about the prophecy.  And maybe Jessica is what it says...maybe not?

The supernatural world is all shaken up.  Sects are teaming up with each other, the one thing the DO NOT do, all because of Jessica.  Jessica's group is together because of her.  Others are teaming up, to stop her.  The supernatural world is changing.  Including wolves as someone is messing with them.

We have all our favorite characters once again.  We see them all!  Rourke is just plain amazing.  Wow.  Do he and Jessica finally get their moment?  Well, you'll have to read to see. *giggle*  We still have Tyler and Danny at Jessica's side helping her, along with her mate Rourke.  We have Naomi and Ray as well.  Oh, what we see of Ray.  There is something different about him, Naomi can't control him.  But just wait until you see what happens to/with him.  Yep.  You have to read for Ray.  So, we've been waiting to learn more of Rourke.  What he is, and oh so much more.  Yep.  YOU HAVE TO READ THIS ONE!  Everything we wanted, and much more, from Rourke.

You HAVE to read this series in order.  You don't have to read the Novella, but why not?  It's one of the BEST novella's I've ever read, and I read lots.  The ending is a touch of a hanger.  The story line of this book ends, but there is new adventures started at the end of this one.  Amanda knows how to hook her readers and make them salivate for the next.

This series is high octane.  If you love action packed, fast paced, heart thumping Urban Fantasy reads, this one NEEDS to be the TOP of your list.  ASAP!  There is even a touch of romance as a bonus.  I don't know if I've mentioned it enough in this review (sarcasm) but you need this one. ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cold Blooded is the third book in the series.

Is AVAILABLE NOW!

Jessica arrives back in town to find her best friend missing and the most powerful witch in the country is blaming her for it. But before they can move to save her, the group is attacked.

On the run, Jessica and Rourke head to the mountains. Several surprises await them, but in order to save her father they are forced to leave for New Orleans early.

Arriving on the Vampire Queen's doorstep unexpectedly, and bringing trouble on their heels, the Sects are thrown into an all out war. The vicious
skirmish ends up forcing the vamps and Jessica to fight on the same team.

The Vamp Queen ends up owing Jessica, but what Jessica doesn't realize is just how soon she'll have to cash it in...

Blooded (#0.5) Novella

if you would like to start earlier with Jessica, but you don't have too

Jessica McClain was born the only female in an all male race. The only problem is — she's no wolf. Called a curse, a witch and the Daughter of Evil by the superstitious wolves, Jessica decides to fight for her freedom, at age nineteen, the only way she can — in the ring.

When she's brutally attacked right after her fight, is it enough to finally earn her freedom off Compound, or will she be forced to endure the hatred even longer...

Full Blooded (#1)

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

Hot Blooded (#2)

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amanda has offered up a great package

to one entry in the rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who? What? Where? (130)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

his is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm with Dante readying to eat breakfast in Jace's mansion of a home in Nuevo Rio. Jaf, Gabe, Eddie, and Jace are here too. But Dante is trying to figure out how to take Santino down without tipping him off. And kill him. As her job has been, since meeting with Lucifer. And without getting those here hurt, or even going with her.


Working for the Devil
By:  Lilith Saintcrow

Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Happy Release Day! With a Teaser Tuesday (178)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

Melissa's Read:

I clacked my teeth in front of her nose and smiled widely, showing her all my pearly whites. My growl was low and harsh and she backed up quickly.

Cold Blooded
By:  Amanda Carlson
 pg


HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!
Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson
is available TODAY!



Cold Blooded (Jessica McClain)

Need to start the series? (image is the link to Amazon)

Mythical Monday (28)

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Urban Fantasy/Romance author O.M. Grey

Talking of "Seductive Succubi".

Seductive Succubi

Constance Saggese is the perfect woman. Every woman. She is the demure virgin. The ignored wife. The experienced concubine. The lonely crone. Whatever her lover most wants, she complies. In the end, however, her will alone shall be done.

Always her will, and after five hundred years exacting justice for violated women, she's gotten pretty good at spotting evil men.

Constance is a succubus, but unlike succubi in popular mythology, she is not a demon. Not really. Historically, a succubus is a female demon or supernatural entity who tempts and destroys men through sexual intercourse or through sexual dreams, feeding off of the innocent man's life-force. These creatures often cause illness or even death, according to religious traditions. Like many Judeo-Christian religious traditions and mythologies, a feminine power is demonized and portrayed as an evil temptress whose raison d'être is to destroy the poor, innocent, unwitting man by exploiting his sexual desires. Historically, the truth is almost the exact opposite. Men in power, like bishops and archbishops, abuse their position to "seduce" and control women, then hide behind lies and piety. Centuries of pedophilia in the church have been swept under the rug and hidden behind rhetoric. Of course, these predators don't only exist in the church. Sex scandals break out rather consistently around high ranking men in corporations, politics, and educational institutions.

I've turned the succubus around in Avalon Revamped. She is, indeed, a supernatural creature who feeds of men's sexual energy, but she targets only the wicked. The rapists. The lotharios. The predators and abusers. She sacrifices herself again and again for the greater good. When she has irrefutable proof of their evil deeds, she exacts her punishment and ensures each suffers as much agony, fear, and pain as each of their victims. True justice is served. She is the anti-antognist to Arthur's anti-hero.

Arthur Tudor, a vampire for nearly four-hundred years, finds himself bored with life and love, yet again. His tolerance for his newly-turned girlfriend Avalon wanes, and he's again on the prowl for fresh blood to drink and succulent flesh to pierce. While investigating a series of mysterious disappearances, the couple come face to face with Constance. The supernatural trio joins forces to stop a serial rapist and murderer.

Similar to the new perspective on the succubus, the anti-hero vampire shows his true sociopathic nature in Avalon Revamped. Vampires are little more than fantasy versions of sociopathic narcissists. Charming and seductive, captivating and erotic...yet completely empty. Soulless. They manipulate their targets to feed off their life-force, casting them aside once they're no longer useful. Vampires have been deeply romanticized in popular fiction over the past twenty or thirty years, but they are, indeed, monsters. We must never forget that for all their charm, they are killers. Even the hero vampires of Buffy and the like are the anomaly, struggling against their nature to be a better man, to stop hurting others. They are the equivalent of the self-aware sociopathic narcissist. A rare thing, indeed. Arthur is not such a creature. He is a spoiled, former heir to the English throne still looking for that narcissistic myth of "perfect love," and he thinks he finds it in Avalon Revisited. However, in Avalon Revamped, the sequel of sorts, Arthur is once again bored and even angry when he realizes Avalon is a woman, not a perfect fantasy-come-true. Avalon Revamped shows what happens the day after "Happily Ever After," when the princess realizes Prince Charming isn't such a prince, nor is he that charming.

Set in Victorian London, Avalon Revamped is a Steampunk horror novel about justice, retribution, and redemption. It's available on Amazon in paperback and on the Kindle.

C. L. Stegall, author of The Blood of Others, says this about Avalon Revamped:

"Every once in a while I get the opportunity to read a piece of work that makes me think, 'This is the one the will put this author on the map of the reading world.' Avalon Revamped is that book for O. M. Grey. It deals with some horrific truths and should be read by every person on the planet. It is a great adventure, with serious underpinnings that elevate it into a higher realm of genre literature."

If you haven't yet read its predecessor, Avalon Revisited, you can also get it through Amazon, Kindle, and other eBook versions via Riverdale Ave Books. It was an Amazon.com Gothic Romance Bestseller, and it won the Steampunk Chronicles Readers' Choice Award for Best Novel in 2012.

For more of my published words, including short stories and poetry, please visit my blog http://omgrey.wordpress.com.

Thank you for reading. May you all find peace.

Author Bio:

Olivia M. Grey lives in the cobwebbed corners of her mind writing paranormal romance with a Steampunk twist, like the Amazon Gothic Romance bestseller Avalon Revisited and it’s newly released sequel, of sorts, Avalon Revamped. Her short stories and poetry have been published in various magazines and anthologies, like SNM Horror Magazine andHow the West Was Wicked. Ms. Grey also blogs and podcasts relationship essays covering such topics as alternative lifestyles, deepening intimacy, ending a relationship with love and respect, and other deliciously dark and decadent matters of the heart and soul.

Read more by O. M. Grey on her blog Caught in the Cogs, http://omgrey.wordpress.com


Find O.M. Grey:
Site:  caught in the cogs
Facebook:  O.M. Grey Author page
Twitter:  @omgrey

Find the books on Amazon:

Avalon Revisited

Avalon Revamped

Sunday Post #30

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~

Well, life happens. I have no idea what it was I did last week. Really. But I didn't get to visit any blogs let alone comment back on mine. I'm hoping this week is very different. Very different.

I have loads on my list to do this month, so I'm ready for NaNoWriMo next month.

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow


Finished Last Week:
A Dance of Cloaks by David Dalglish
Gaming for Keeps by Seleste deLaney

The Coffee Legacy by Katharine Bordet - a podcast reading of the book, I'll start listening to while at work

Finished Podcast Book Listen:
I haven't got to the Podcasts yet.  I will, they are lining up on me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)
Ruled by Steel by S.M. Reine

Guest Posts:


Reviews:
Book Review:
A Dance of Cloaks by David Dalglish

Into Darkness by S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

GIVEAWAYS:

None at this time.

Weekly Posts:

***NEW*** Mythical Monday - Resa Nelson talks of The Legend of the Hidden People.
Teaser Tuesday
Who? What? Where? Wend.
Throwback Thursday
Looking Forward To...
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

I have a review of Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson.

And I'm going to schedule the review for Crossline by Russ Colchamiro this week as well.

~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Week:

Review:

Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Free Ebooks:

Halo by Paul Cook
Goodreads Synopsis:
The mysterious alien artifact called the Halo came quietly and mysteriously and then sowed the earth with seeds that threatened to destroy humanity by destroying their souls. **** But the aliens had underestimated the human spirit and a band of Moon-based scientists survive to fight and take back what is rightfully ours. **** A powerful, visionary and scary look into our future and a possible encounter with an alien species almost impossible to beat.

The Royal Dragoneers by M.R. Mathias
Goodreads Synopsis:
Hold on to your dragon! You’re about to journey through a brave new world of hearty survivors straight into a dragon riding, troll fighting adventure for the ages.

After struggling for more than two centuries to tame the inhospitable, dragon infested Islands where they washed up, the descendants of the survivors of a lost passenger ship are now striving to tame the Mainland they have found.

But the Goblin King, an Ivory antlered demon called Gravelbone, has a different plan for the men who are invading his territory. He and his Nightshade are rallying the trolls to defend their lands.
With the help of the dragons, goblins, and orcs they plan on rendering the wall the humans have built useless, so that they can drive man back to the islands from where they came.

When stubborn King Blanchard finally accepts that the kingdom really is under attack it may be too late, and the only ones who can save the people on the Mainland have been locked away in the dungeon.

Join some brave young men and their mentor, a grizzled old King’s Ranger, and a particularly clever young magic wielding woman, as they traverse the wild frontier, and sail to King’s Island to warn the King of the warring trolls. Then hold on for your life as you tear through the pages, because the pure blooded dragons they have befriended have another plan all together.

The Sward and The Dragon by M.R. Mathias
Goodreads Synopsis:
If you took every major epic fantasy that has ever been written and twisted them all into one fantastic tale of magic, sword play, and just plain old fantasy fun, you might get the first half of this monster of a read. The last half is a climax so thrilling that words can't even describe it. A new Master of Fantasy has arrived and he is delivering what fantasy fans have long been waiting for.

Iron's Prophecy by Julie Kagawa
Goodreads Synopsis:
Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child… 

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series

Scavenger Hunt by Yvonne Montgomery
Goodreads Synopsis:
Denver stockbroker, Finny Aletter, dreams of quitting her cutthroat job to restore historic houses, but the murder of her boss—and ex-lover—Elliot Fulton keeps her in the world of scavengers.

When a prized manuscript that once belonged to Elliot surfaces, Finny tops the list of possible killers.

Now, Finny must find Elliot's killer by tracing the manuscript's origin and stay one step ahead of Lieutenant Chris Barelli, the cynical homicide detective working the case, if he is to see her as more than a sexy suspect.

~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews in the Works:

Quarter Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Half Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Full Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book
Double Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Captain's Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Into Chaos by S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Owners Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Crossline by Russ Colchamiro

Playing for Keeps by Mur Lafferty - a podcast reading of the book
Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

The Coffee Legacy by Katharine Bordet - a podcast reading of the book

Gaming for Keeps by Seleste deLaney

Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (67)

Barnes and Nobles Freebie Friday Thread.

Deals:


Freebies:

Iron Prophecy by Julie Kagawa
Amazon ~ Kindle  /  Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook
Goodreads Synopsis:
Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child… 

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series

*sigh* Not much found this week. Hope you had better luck finding deals than I did.