Cover Gallery: Cover-gasms gallore *woot*

Last week contained quite the cover releases with a wow factor for me.

Darkhunter's Touch: This cover and blurb instantly screamed my name and I want it something fierce!! What I find annoying is the fact I can only find a preorder at Amazon Kindle *sigh*

Got the summary info from Jessa Slade's website

They said fairy godmothers
would grant all our wishes.

They said Tinkerbell would die
if we didn’t believe.

They said magic was just pretend.

They lied.

Once upon a time (in the original, more ominous inflection of the phrase) eldritch creatures stalked the world. They ranged across mountains and deserts and waterways—even the heavens—in a glory of guises. Some of the phaedrealii court were beautiful; some horrific. Some lived in harmony with humans; some…did not. Eventually, the chaos human passions—fear and hatred, joy and desire—drove too many phae to acts of madness. With deadly iron, humans forced the phae to retreat to hollow hills and storybooks.

Then the humans forgot.

But the phae never did.

Welcome to the world of the steel-born phae…

Jesse Slade on the www:
website | Hot Excerpt Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Pre-order @ Amazon

Soul Weaver: Hot many body - I've said it before but these kind of covers just make me purrrr in delight. Again, I find it annoying that it's only up for pre-order via Barnes & Noble and iTunes. WTF!!

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Forever Yours
ISBN: 9781455523467 (ebook)
ISBN: TBA (print)
E-book release date: August 1, 2012
Print release date: August 1, 2012
Wicked Kin, Book One
Length: Novel

Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family’s bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel—but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe’s life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself—for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth.

Wicked Kin is my new paranormal romance series.

Coming Soon From Grand Central Publishing’s New Forever Yours Line!

Hailey Edwards on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Preorder @ Barnes and Noble

Loving The Dead And The Undead: The next cover just beckons me to come with him - what will he lure me into? Passion, danger, adventure? Who knows but its inviting nonetheless *wink*

I couldn't find much info on this book except that it contains a few Libby Fox novellas. The, Loving the Dead and the Undead, print book will soon to be out.

Lauralynn Elliott on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter no pre-order link found :(

The Shift: When I stumbled across this cover on facebook I was instantly drawn to the face; piercing soulful eyes and a somewhat angry look on his face. I want to know what happened...can you imagine my surprise when i found out it was a Samhain release and they have a free book discount of $5.50 with code RT2012. I bought this puppy faster than I could say *woot*

By: Kate Sherwood
Type: eBook
Genre: Gay Alternate Worlds
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: 05-22-2012
Length: Novella
ISBN: 978-1-60928-959-1

Summary from Samhain:

Two men, too many monsters.

Raised off the grid, Cash has trained all his life to protect humanity from The Shift—a mysterious force that creates monsters capable of unspeakable destruction. For Cash and his warrior family, risks are just part of the job and death is an ever-present possibility.

When his daredevil tendencies defeat a monster but leave him over his head in a puddle of green goo, Cash figures his number is up…until he’s plucked to safety by a devastatingly handsome stranger.

Toby needs no weapons to fight The Shift, that’s why he’s perfected the art of laying low. Sudden moves draw unwanted attention, but he can’t stand by and watch Cash drown. Big mistake—it isn’t long before Cash is returning the favor, rescuing him from kidnappers intent on harnessing his genetic enhancements.

On the run with danger nipping at their heels, romantic sparks fly between them. But there’s no trust without truth, and things get complicated when Toby reveals everything Cash has fought against is a lie. The time has come to decide who’s the real monster—and whose side he’s on.

Product Warnings: Super-romance, Super-sex, Super-heroism. Super-hot. Moments of Super-cute.

Kate Sherwood on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ Samhain for free till 5/31/2012 with code RT2012

Thrown By A Curve: Okay, every Jaci Burton cover in her Play By Play series has been amazing. I still say the first cover in her series remains my #1 but every cover is made of win. This one hit twitterverse a few days ago and lots of ooohhh's and aaaahhhh and purrrrrrrs have been uttered ever since ;)

THROWN BY A CURVE, Book 5 in the Play by Play series.
It will release in March, 2013.

Summary from Jaci Burton's website;
She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.

Jaci Burton on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter Couldn't find a pre-order link :(

Can you see how I'm a puddle of satisfied cover hussy at the moment?! Has anyone got cover or release news to share I have to know about?

Sunday's Brunch; A visit to a friend, LLC & a free book

Last week summer arrived in the Netherlands which I loved and hated at the same time. It never is a gradual increase of heat, oh no, the Netherlands had to go from around 14 C to a whopping 28 C in a few days. Can I say; Yikes!! But now that I’ve come accustomed to the humidity and temperatures I’m enjoying myself – if I don’t have much to do ;)

On twitter I’ve been following Pearl’s progress in her move to a new house and yesterday she and her hubby celebrated it with a housewarming party. It was one of those days that had a golden glow to them. First of all I was on schedule, which means I could take it easy and go to the bus in a less than frantic mode. On the bus I listened to music, sun was shining on my face and people were all in a good mood. A free day full of summer weather will do that to the Dutch people *wink*

PS: Due to hot weather my feet were swollen and I had to wear these, instead of the strappy sandals I had in mind, so I could walk to and from station & Pearls house.

I got on the train, had free wifi *woot* and though I had some stressors due to new public transportation route I was doing good. To Pearl’s former home it took me about 2 and a half – three hours but now it is a tight route and it takes me one and a half hours which is so full of win!!! I got out in Pearl’s neck of the woods and of course lost my way. The first friendly face I found I yelled “whelp me”. She did and while I walked in the right direction I found a beautiful fix me upper:

With a fantastic view given from across the street.

Then I got to the street of Pearl’s home to find myself at number 101, looked at the invite and yeah, I had to go way down the street. But there were cute stores; a fresh veggie and fruit store, an Italian ice-cream parlor (very important to me cause I LOVE Italian ice-cream!) I even came across a mill!

Pearl was already outside to greet me and from there on it was good company, good food – my taste buds got acquainted to a whole new set of tastes and structures *win* and most important good convo’s. I had a blast. Met with Lucy again after five years and we talked up a storm! Before I knew it, it was nine PM and time for me to go.

On the way back I was tired, I had a sun soaked skin, a grin on my face and I was uber tired. I had to take a picture from my view to commemorate the moment.

Then at eleven-ish I got home to find this:

It was the cherry on the day and it made me buzz around for at least forty-five minutes before I dropped dead in bed!

Now it’s Sunday, I’m taking my day to have some ‘me time’ before I have to get my apartment ready so my bro & his girlfriend will come in a reasonably organized house. They are going to furry sit on Lady Bug and Queen Furry while I am going to the Love letter Convention. On Thursday I’m going to my sister, Natascha, have a home cooked meal with brownies as dessert and catch up. Then on Friday our Love Letter Convention adventure is going to start. We’re going to meet up with @Lucy73 and @Pearl_828 and have a grand gurl time. We’re also going to see @xAurianx and her bestie, hopfully @susisunshine, @pattepoilue and @_ClaudiaGC, too!!

I know I’ve said it once or twice already *rolls eyes at self* but to meet Nalini Singh, Larissa Ione, Lara Adrian, Maya Banks, Shannon McKenna, Lisa Marie Rice, Bella Andre & a few more authors is just such a treasure!! It’s going to be an awesome experience!

I will close this Sunday’s Brunch with the annoucement that Samhain Publishing is having a $5,50 discount with the code RT2012 which will last, if my information is correct, till May 31st *woot* I already got me some good and free stuff;

Kate Sherwood - The Shift (m/m alternate worlds)

Arianna Hart - Waking Up (m/f paranormal)

Have a great sunday everyone!!

Joely Sue Burkhart: The challenge in writing a menage a trois.

The challenge in writing a menage a trois.

In a really powerful romance, there has to be enough real, believable conflict between the hero and heroine that the reader has to wonder how in the world they're going to get together. Yes, we know it's a romance and so we're guaranteed a happy ending, or at least a happy for now...but it's the rollercoaster ride that we crave. Will they get together or not? Who's going to be devastated by a secret, betrayal, or doubt? How can they work out all their differences and find a way to be together?

Now think about trying to work out a relationship between THREE people. Of course there's inherent conflict from the beginning. Who's going to feel jealous? Who's going to walk out first? Are they all attracted to each other or not? In a modern day world where even basic marriage rights are still argued in America, how can they figure out a three-way committed relationship?

In Yours to Take, Vicki is at the center of the menage. She has a prior -- very fiery -- relationship with Elias that ended three months ago. The sex was good, maybe too good sometimes, but they fought over their jobs constantly. They wrestle each other for dominance and that's the way they like it. But it's also exhausting. Elias isn't a warm and touchy sort of guy and he has difficulty even finding words to say how much he cares for Vicki. His way of showing his love is to sit guard outside her place in the wee hours of the morning, even after they broke up.

When Vicki brings a homeless street artist in from the cold, her dominant tendencies are only exacerbated. But Jesse brings out her tenderness too. He's a snuggle bear. There's no fight with him -- he's perfectly willing to do anything and everything she says without question. She's in control without a fight, without any drama. But she fears that he doesn't have enough self assurance to stop her if she goes too far.

Then of couse there's Elias. When he comes charging in on his white horse, who's going to get hurt? Can he swallow his pride enough to accept another man in her bed, when he couldn't bring himself to apologize for walking out on her three months ago? When he's been sitting outside in his truck without ever knocking on her door?

It's definitely an emotional rollercoaster. But really, the best part of writing a menage....

Is figuring out where all those hands and mouths are going to wander. :-D

~ * ~

Joely always has her nose buried in a book, especially one with mythology, fairy tales, and romance.

A GIVEAWAY YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS: One winner will get a download of Yours To Take, format of their choice!! Winner will be announced on May 30th 2012. Let me have a way to contact you!!

Find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.. Be sure to check out her Free Reads

Celebrating the romances of Nora Roberts

After reading The Witness (review) a month or so back it fueled a re-read spree of some of my favorite Nora Roberts books. I didn’t get to read them all because after four books in small towns I just about had enough of the setting. I also noticed that the female protagonists mostly have to deal with a controlling mother. Still, each plot and the incorporated tropes were exciting, drawing me in to the story and the vibrant characters made the small town setting come alive.

From the books I’ve read I accumulated many quotes, even though I didn’t do extensive reviews I wanted to share the quotes celebrating Nora Roberts and her many wonderful heartwarming romances!

The Witness
Quote 1; She understood the concept of pursuit and conquer. The male felt challenged, driven to persuade, capture, conquer. Perhaps she should reconsider having sex with him. With sex the pursuit would end, the challenge would be removed. His interest would begin to wane.
Those were logical reasons.
It would also include the benefit of eliminating this yearning. Once her own physical needs were met, his challenge met, his interest faded, she would have no reason to think of him at inopportune times. Everything would go back to normal and routine.
She considered the theory valid.

Quote 2; You’re in love with me. I can see it, and I can feel it. Why don’t you try the words?”
“I don’t know. I want to know.”
“Just try them out, see how it feels. I won’t hold you to it.”
“I … I’m in love with you. Oh, God.” She closed her eyes. “It feels real.”
“Say it again, and kiss me.”
“I’m in love with you.” She didn’t ease in, but flung herself. Starving for that knowledge, the gift, the light of it. Love. Being loved, giving it.

Carnal Innocence;

Quote 1; He slipped his hands into his pockets, leaned a shoulder against the jamb, and let himself drift along with her. It was odd, and certainly foreign to him, that he could find a woman so restful, so quietly appealing, so deeply arousing, when it had nothing whatsoever to do with sex.

Quote 2; “Damn. The nastier you are, the more I like you. I’m perverse that way.” “And other ways?”
He chuckled and sat on the arm of the sofa. “We’ll have to get to know each other better first. You might hear I’m easy, Caroline, but the thing is, I’ve got my standards."

Quote 3; On a professional level he was a tremendous asset to me. He pushed me musically. He said I was the finest artist he’d ever worked with, but I could be better. He would mold me, sculpt me.”
“Why didn’t he buy himself some Play-Doh?”

Carolina Moon;

Quote 1; She folded her hands. "No, I haven't forgotten anything. Who are you?"
"That sound you hear's my ego crumbling. Even after all these years, I could've picked you out in a crowd. It's Cade," he said, and stepped closer. "Kincade Lavelle."

Quote 2; "Cade, I'm no good at this sort of thing."
"Which sort? The kissing sort?"
"No." Her own laugh came as a surprise. How could he make her laugh when she was terrified? "The man-woman thing, the relationship thing."
"Then you'll just have to practice."

Quote 3; None of the others had been able to fight him, but she would. God, she would. I am Tory. The words were a battle cry ringing in her ears. She was Tory, and she would fight.

Birthright:

Quote 1; "She felt it was her fault, that she'd done something to cause it."
"I smoked a lot of pot in college."
Callie blinked, then found something rising unexpectedly in her throat. It was laughter. "Oh, Mom, you wild woman."
"Well, I did." Vivian wiped at tears even as a smile trembled on her lips.
"And I did LSD once, and had two one-night stands."
"Okay then, that explains it. You slut. Got any grass in the house now?"
"No! Of course not."
"Oh well, we'll get through this without blissing out then." Callie leaned over the table, patted her mother's knee. "So you were a pothead floozy. Got it."

Quote 2; I like books. I'm afraid I treat them carelessly, in a way that would make bibliophiles like you and Roger weep."
"You dog-ear pages?"
"Please, even I wouldn't go that far. But I break spines. I spill coffee on pages. And once I dropped an Elizabeth Berg novel in the bathtub. I think it was a first edition."
"Obviously, this relationship is doomed. So why don't we order?"

Quote 3; "Caught you." She gestured with her fork. "You smiled."
"I did not."
"Oh, yes you did. And there, you're doing it again. A very nice smile, too. Does it hurt?"
"Only a little. I'm out of practice."
She picked up her wine and chuckled. "I bet we can fix that."

Quote 4; "I hate when I get that mad. So mad I can't think straight. I'm going to hate this, too." She looked back at him. "You were right."
"Wait. I want to get my tape recorder out of the car."
"If you're going to be a smart-ass, I won't finish thanking you."

Quote 5; So far her time in Woodsboro had been just a little too interesting. Old family secrets, crude graffiti all over her Rover—which was why she was driving Rosie's enormous Jeep Cherokee—murder, mystery and finally gunshots and mild concussions.

Quote 6; "Look into it," Callie finished, and managed a laugh. "Can't blame the guy for being skeptical. A thirty-year-old crime solved by a couple of diggers, a girl lawyer and a bookseller."
"Excuse me, two respected scientists, a brilliant attorney and an astute antiquarian book dealer."

Of course I want to know which Nora Roberts is your favorite!!

Nora Roberts on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Buy @ BookDepo

Review: Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban - Cut And Run

Format: E-Book, 376 pages
Release date: September 1st 2008
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 193519223X (ISBN13: 9781935192237)
Language: English
Title: Cut & Run
Series Cut And Run #1
Characters: Ty Grady, Zane Garrett
Setting: New York (United States)
Copy read from my personal e-library

Summary from Goodreads:
A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He's cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he's paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it's hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic cliché: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again — this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer's knife.

Review:

For a very long time now I’ve been hearing good stuff about the Cut And Run series by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban. While I purchased the first three books at a fictionwise sale perhaps as long as one and a half years ago, it is only now that I started to read the first book in this series. I really had no expectation going in to Cut And Run but it turned out the story elements pulled me in to two directions.

The first hundred pages I had no idea what to think. The opening contained a grabbing angle with a perpetrator doing its worst. But after that the suspense fell flat for me and instead I got to meet the two FBI agents whom kept me invested in reading. The flow of the story was working against me and it wasn’t the rapidly altering point of views that was the cause. The story was either pulling me in with the lure of these two amazing men or it was throwing me out with the suspense. The second hundred pages I got action scenes on steroids, a deeper insight in who Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are with a few unraveling clues on the case. I still felt the push and pull and I already had a big hunch on the identity of the perpetrator. Then the third hundred pages the case was falling flat again for me with an ending that was good but couldn’t deliver the chills, thrills and gasps of surprise.

I feel an aggravation for not being able to adequately explain why the plot elements didn’t mesh for me. I mean, overall speaking the plot was nice, the action certainly over the top but with the macho attitudes of Ty and Zane it worked and in the end the serial killer was revealed. It was just too much hotel room for me, which makes time for incredible character and emotional development but didn’t add suspense to the plot. Then you get a few moments of investigating clues and either Ty or Zane end up hurt so it’s back to the hotel room again. I didn’t feel involved in the case, in the in-depth thought process of Ty or Zane in agent mode or even the serial killer wreaking havoc.

What drew me into Cut And Run you might ask? Why did I keep reading on? Well, Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban created Ty Grady and Zane Garrett. Two men whom mesmerized me, aggravated me, baffled me and I just couldn’t resist them. Ty Grady; 6 ft 3" tall is a potent male, chaotic with no people skills, impulsive, with a wry sense of humor and I loved him on the spot. Then there’s Zane Garrett 6 ft 5" tall athletic body, analytical, has lots of issues, smart and talk about polar personality traits. At first he is a straight-laced agent, abiding by every rule in the book which unravels gradually and I got to see a total different side of Zane. I inhaled their interaction, both verbal as physical. It’s a clash of testosterone with moments of utter devastating emotions. Ty has the bad-boy image yet hides a good heart and turns out to be so very likable. Zane’s development however caught me off guard. He’s complex, intensely flawed and so messed up inside I just had to fall for him.

I have to say they get under each other’s skin easily and the attraction feels very real, the sex is awesome and the intimacy issues add layered problems to unravel. Not every personal problem gets fixed by the end of Cut And Run but this whole series is about them so I expect a continuation of their relationship progress in further stories. This is an epic gay couple whom I enclosed in my heart. I hope the suspense will work for me in the other stories but for Ty and Zane alone I will read it. Their interaction is phenomenal and I have a boat load of quotes to give you a taste.

3.5 stars

Quote Ty;
“Listen up, ’cause I'm only gonna say this once,” Ty muttered as they walked to their gate. “I don’t talk when I fly. I sleep. And I don’t listen when I eat, understand? I don’t wanna be buddies. I don’t wanna chat,” he said with a sarcastic lilt to the word. “I don’t wanna know about your childhood or how your momma whipped you with a rubber glove or how much therapy you had to go through ’cause you flunked out of preschool. I don’t wanna hear about how you want to be Director someday or how many collars you got chasin’ those Internet freaks or how proud you are of your bowel movements. I don’t wanna go shopping at Barney’s with you, and I’m not gonna help you pick out your ties to match your socks and, I swear to God, if you get me shot, I’ll kill you.”

Quote Zane;
Zane’s look was patently disbelieving. “I think you decide what a perfectly polite person would do and then do the absolute opposite. It’s like it’s your life’s goal to be the Antichrist.”

Quote Ty;
Ty stared at Zane incredulously for a moment and then looked away with a shake of his head.
“Perhaps you prefer Scooby Doo?” Henninger offered politely.
“More like the Dark Knight,” Zane muttered without thinking first.
Ty smirked and glanced over at the man. “Does that mean I can call you Robin from now on?” he asked with an amused glint in his eyes.
“That’s Boy Wonder to you,” Zane answered flatly, turning to look out the window as Morrison stared at them both.

Quote Ty;
Zane looked significantly up and down Ty’s barely covered body.
Ty looked down at himself and then back up at Zane with a sniff as he realized what Zane was blathering about. “I’m a lethal weapon, man,” he grunted.

Quote Ty;
Ty grabbed him and pulled him off the counter to kiss him again, forcing himself not to think about the consequences. If he thought about it, he’d cut and run—as far and as fast as he possibly could.

Quote;
Ty banged his head back on the door and closed his eyes, huffing through his nose as he tried to regain some control. “I lied,” he groaned plaintively. “I didn’t wanna know.”
Zane couldn’t help but smile and snicker. “Too late, hotshot,” he said.
“Bastard.”
“Coming from you, that’s pretty much an endearment.”

Quote:
Zane shook his head. “Are you feeling this, too?” he rasped. This insane, blown-away pleasure, the near impossible-to-assuage hunger, the ache deep inside, contrasted by short moments of tenderness that seemed so out of place. Zane certainly wasn’t sure where they came from, but oh, God …

Quote Zane;
Well, fine. They were just getting used to each other again, right? The insanely satisfying and addictive sex was just a bonus. Anything else he felt was shoved away as far as he could push it.

Quote:
It didn’t even faze Zane. “You look like sex on legs to me. You’ll blend in, no problem.”
“I swear to God, if you try to put me in leather pants or some shit like that I’ll kill you,” Ty warned with a point of his finger at Zane.

Quote;
It was a gloriously violent kiss that he poured all his anguish and anger into.

Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban on the www:
Abigail Roux website | Madeleine Urban website | Goodreads | Abigail Roux Twitter | Buy @ Dreamspinner Press