Interview & Giveaway: Larissa Ione, author of Sin Undone

Today I'm glad to be hosting Larissa Ione, who's Demonica paranormal romance series is a favorite of mine (LOVE Wraith!). Her latest installment, Sin Undone, was recently released and she's here to tell us a bit of what to expect.

Great to have you here at The Eclectic Book Lover, Larissa! Could you tell new readers a bit about your Demonica series?

First of all, thank you for this opportunity! It's nice to be here with you and your readers! Okay, so about the Demonica series...the easiest way to describe it is "Buffy The Vampire Slayer meets E.R." It's a series set in and around an underworld hospital run by vampires, werewolves, and demons. It's very dark, gritty, and sexy, but there are a few light moments in each book, mainly because I'm a little twisted like that...

Sin Undone features the first female Seminus demon in your books. Is she an anomaly or will there be more?

She's definitely unique, and she'll stay that way. She was created in sort of a "perfect storm" of events, and I just don't see that being recreated. But...because she's unique, it's always possible that she, unlike her brothers, may have female children. Hmm...the possibilities... *g*

Read more after the jump »

Pint Sized 'Pinions: Contemporary Romance Edition

Pint-Sized 'Pinions are mini-reviews that I post often (usually weekly). The books reviewed have either been reviewed a lot or I don't have much to say for them, whether negative or positive, to justify an extended review.

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Well, the first one's not technically a contemporary romance, but fans of the genre may like it...

Family Affair by Caprice Crane
Women's Fiction/Chick Lit
Bantam (September 29, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0553386233
368 pages

When Layla Brennan married her high school sweetheart, Brett Foster, she finally got the big, loving family she’d always wanted: his. Now she’s closer to Brett’s parents than he is, partners with his sister in a successful pet-photography business, and confidant to his younger brother. She couldn’t be more of a Foster if she’d been born one. There’s just one problem: Brett wants a divorce. Stunned and heartbroken, Layla turns to the Fosters for comfort, only to realize that losing Brett means losing them as well. What else can she do but sue him for the most valuable thing he’s got–namely, his family. Breaking up may be hard to do, but for Layla and Brett it’s even harder to undo.

Fresh, funny, poignant, and brimming with insight into what makes modern families tick–and what can blow them apart–Family Affair proves that in love and war, everything’s relative.

Told in alternating POVs, Caprice Crane tackles an interesting subject in a humorous way. Unfortunately, all the humor in the world can't make up for Brett's selfishness. He's initially unwilling to work on their (relatively minor) issues and instead decides to dump his wife. After that, he goes on to be pretty hateful towards her when what she really deserves is some compassion and sympathy. While he goes on to make it up to Layla, I can't say that he was totally redeemed in my estimation. Still, Crane's trademark humor managed to rescue this novel for me somewhat. However, if you're looking for more likable characters, try her novels Stupid and Contagious and Forget About It.

Grade: C+

Read more after the jump »

Rookie Wednesday & Giveaway: Kathy Charles, author of John Belushi Is Dead

So, I'm reinstating a former feature of mine today. Rookie Wednesdays are where I interview authors, of any genre and/or reading level, with recent or upcoming debut novels. If you're an author with a recent/upcoming debut and would like to be interviewed, hit me up at jax @ eclecticbooklover . com

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Today's debut author is Kathy Charles whose YA novel, John Belushi Is Dead, was just released yesterday in North America and was initially published in Australia and New Zealand as Hollywood Ending.

Great to have you here at The Eclectic Book Lover, Kathy! Let's start off with one random tidbit about yourself.

I own a pug dog named Tubs, but really it is him who owns me.

What were you doing the moment you found out that John Belushi Is Dead had sold?

Uh, is it uncool to say I was sitting at my laptop frantically clicking the refresh button until I saw an email from my agent? Because if it is, I totally won't say that.

What's the best book that you've read over the past six months?

Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis.

Read more after the jump »

Currently Coveting (15)

In case you haven't seen this feature before, I'm switching from my usual Waiting on Wednesday post. Instead of just one upcoming title that I want, I'll list several, along with some backlisted books that I have on my wishlist too. If you guys have read any of the previous releases, let me know what you thought about them.

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On Shelves Now

Black Swan Rising

Urban Fantasy

When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can’t believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening. . . .

That evening, the precious silver box is stolen. When Garet begins to investigate, she learns that she has been pulled into a prophecy that is hundreds of years old, and opening the box has unleashed an evil force onto the streets of Manhattan and the world at large. Gradually, Garet pieces together her true identity—one that her deceased mother desperately tried to protect her from. Generations of women in Garet’s family, including her beloved mother, suffered and died at the hands of this prevailing evil. Does Garet possess the power to reclaim the box and defeat this devastating force?

On her journey, she will meet the fey folk who walk unnoticed among humans and a sexy vampire who also happens to be a hedge fund manager that she can’t stop thinking about. But the fairies reveal a desire to overpower mere humans and the seductive vampire has the power to steal the life from her body. Whom can Garet trust to guide her? Using her newfound powers and sharp wit, Garet will muster everything she’s got to shut down the evil taking over her friends, family, New York City, and the world.

I don't recall when I first heard of this one, but it's been on my wishlist for a while. A vampire hedge fund manager? That's new...

Read more after the jump »

Post-Mockingjay Blues

It's over.

I've read it and had few days to reflect upon it. I'm sure I'll read it again. Probably sooner rather than later.

Still, there's nothing like reading a great book for the first time. Especially one that's the last in an amazing series.

It's time to move on to other books, though. Which shouldn't be hard considering my toppling piles.

But I don't want to. I want to revel in Mockingjay, in The Hunger Games. I want more of Katniss and Peeta and even that other guy.

I know what I need. Another epic story.

Got anything to cure the post-Mockingjay blues?

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Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Spoiler Free!)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, 3) by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Scholastic Press (August 24, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0439023511
400 pages
Review copy provided by the publisher

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Read more after the jump »

Lazy Day

I literally can't think up what to post today. I've forgotten any ideas that I had forming yesterday. I stayed up until the crack of friggin' dawn to finish a certain book that came on Friday. My head's so full of Mockingjay - I'm taking a break until Monday, maybe even Tuesday.

Have a great weekend, all!

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Friday Feature: Something for readers, something for writers

Friday Features are weekly posts that give the basic facts about an event or item. They are not always, but often are, book-related. If you have anything that you think I might find interesting enough to feature, feel free to send me an email at jax @ eclecticbooklover.com.

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For Readers

Who: Young adult authors Brent Crawford, Hannah Harrington, April Henry, Kirsten Hubbard, Denise Jaden, Kody Keplinger, Jo Knowles, Lindsey Leavitt, Sarah Darer Littman, Michael Northrop, Sarah Ockler, Micol Ostow, Lisa Schroeder, Elizabeth Scott, Mindi Scott, Emily Wing Smith, Courtney Summers, Kristen Tracy, Melissa Walker, Sara Bennett Wealer, and Daisy Whitney.

What: The Contemps Challenge. Here's what they have to say about it:

Love to read contemporary fiction? Accept the Contemps Challenge and promise to read at least 18 of the 21 upcoming Contemps books between now and August 15, 2011. One lucky challenger will win the grand prize: ALL 21 of our books! That's like a whole bookshelf of books!

Read more after the jump »

Pint-Sized 'Pinions: Dystopian Edition or A Hunger Games Love-fest + One Other Book

Pint-Sized 'Pinions are mini-reviews that I post often (usually weekly). The books reviewed have either been reviewed a lot or I don't have much to say for them, whether negative or positive, to justify an extended review.

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I bet you saw this coming.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press (Sept 14, 2008)
ISBN-13: 978-0439023481
384 pages

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

Seriously one of the best novels I've ever read. It's not lacking in anything. Characters, plot, action, dialog - you name it, it's spot on. Katniss is lovable in spite of her hard personality. It's rare to find a character like that done well, but Collins manages to do it. I love the way that she's reimagined the US as Panem, as well. And don't get me started on the amazing secondary characters (Haymitch! Peeta!) and the constant suspense.

Grade: A+

Read more after the jump »

Currently Coveting (14)

In case you haven't seen this feature before, I'm switching from my usual Waiting on Wednesday post. Instead of just one upcoming title that I want, I'll list several, along with some backlisted books that I have on my wishlist too. If you guys have read any of the previous releases, let me know what you thought about them.

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On Shelves Now

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

Young Adult Fantasy

Young Countess Meliara swears to her dying father that she and her brother will defend their people from the growing greed of the king. That promise leads them into a war for which they are ill-prepared, which threatens the very people they are trying to protect. But war is simple compared to what follows, in peacetime. Meliara is summoned to live at the royal palace, where friends and enemies look alike, and intrigue fills the dance halls and the drawing rooms. If she is to survive, Meliara must learn a whole new way of fighting-with wits and words and secret alliances.

In war, at least, she knew in whom she could trust. Now she can trust no one.

The Firebird edition of Crown Duel combines the hardcover editions of Crown Duel and Court Duel-and features a never-before-published story by Sherwood Smith!

I hadn't even heard of this series until the YA Fantasy Showdown.

Read more after the jump »

Mockingjay - My predictions on the death toll and injured list

Like me, you've probably been inundated lately with a dearth of Mockingjay predictions and talk. But you haven't heard my thoughts yet! Here's who I think will fall - or come close - on August 24th.

(Note: This is all in good fun. Though, I do think that I make a pretty convincing argument for the demise of Gale . . .)

The Close Calls

Everyone - It's a time of upheaval! This means battles, assassinations, accidents, you name it. But I'm guessing you're looking for specifics, huh? Well, how about . . .

Read more after the jump »

Review: For the Love of Mollie by KT Grant

For the Love of Mollie by KT Grant
Erotic Contemporary Romance
Decadent Publishing (Aug 7, 2010)
Ebook
ISBN-13: 9781936394036
115 pages
Copy provided for review by the author

Synopsis:

Mollie McGree is on a mission to seduce her best friend, the sexy masseuse Juan-Carlos. But she wants to lose a few extra pounds first. She joins a gym run by self-made millionaire and personal trailer, Conner Bean. Conner thinks Mollie doesn't need to lose any weight, and is perfect the way she is. He plans to seduce the curvy Mollie by giving her his own special training sessions in passion and desire.

Read more after the jump »

Guest Post: Why Mollie? How To Create A Character by KT Grant

Today I'm lucky enough to host KT Grant, author of three erotic romance novels. Her contemporary release, For the Love of Mollie, was just released this month. Some of you may also know her as the blogger Katiebabs of Babbling About Books, and More! I'm glad to have her here talking a bit about her heroine, Mollie and want went into creating her.

Why Mollie? How To Create A Character

One of the hardest parts when starting on a new book is coming up with the main protagonist, the character that the story revolves around. For the Love of Mollie and the character of Mollie McGree came out of my own experiences with my body image and weight issues. I've always dreamed about the perfect man sweeping me off my feet and not caring what I look like or if I'm not under a certain weight number or have a pants size too big. So many romances that I've read has a perfect looking heroine. My favorite romances are those with the not so perfect hero or heroine. These two characters may have specific traits that those other characters around them may find lacking. It could be their face, personality or their body. For the heroine, it's usually their disgust over the size of their chest or too many curves too count.

Read more after the jump »

Review: Kiss It by Erin Downing

Kiss It by Erin Downing
Young Adult General Fiction/Romance
Simon Pulse (June 15, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1416997009
288 pages
Review copy provided by the author

A girl's gotta do who a girl's gotta do.

Chastity Bryan has never been shy about going after what she wants. And when sexy, mysterious, so-not-from-this-town Sebastian walks into Chaz's life, she knows in an instant that what she wants next is him. Chaz has no intention of playing for keeps—but she most definitely has intentions. Who needs true love when you've got true lust?

Read more after the jump »

Are we reading the same thing?

That's the questions I sometimes have after reading other bloggers' reviews on books that I've read myself. The various ways that fellow readers interpret books never fail to surprise or intrigue me.

I recently read Lou's review of All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins at The Book Pushers and was stunned by her perception of a scene that was so disparate from my own interpretation of it. (LARGE SPOILER AHEAD!) The scene in question was one in which the main character, Callie, is caught kissing her former lover and longtime object of desire by her new boyfriend, Ian. I agree with Lou's assessment that it's kind of a forced occurrence used to cause some conflict between the hero and heroine. Where her ideas differ, however, is when it comes down to the who-did-what details.

Read more after the jump »

Currently Coveting (13)

In case you haven't seen this feature before, I'm switching from my usual Waiting on Wednesday post. Instead of just one upcoming title that I want, I'll list several, along with some backlisted books that I have on my wishlist too. If you guys have read any of the previous releases, let me know what you thought about them.

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On Shelves Now

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume I by Diana Wynne Jones

Young Adult Fantasy

In this multiple parallel universes of the Twelve Related Worlds, only an enchanter with nine lives is powerful enough to control the rampant misuse of magic--and to hold the title Chrestomanci...

The Chants are a family strong in magic, but neither Christopher Chant nor Cat Chant can work even the simplest of spells. Who could have dreamed that both Christopher and Cat were born with nine lives--or that they could lose them so quickly?

I'm ashamed to say that I've yet to read anything by Diana Wynne Jones, despite having heard so many great things about her work (esp. Howl's Moving Castle). What actually prompted me to put this on my wishlist was the YA Fantasy Showdown between the protagonist Christopher Chant and Hermione of Harry Potter fame.

Read more after the jump »

Contest form fixed!

Hi guys,

Apparently there was an issue with the giveaway form for Captured by Desire by Kira Morgan. It's working now and I'll extend the contest for an extra day so it now ends on the 25th. Go enter here!

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Having fun with the YA Fantasy Showdown

So today marks the beginning of Heather Zundel's YA Fantasy Showdown. The list of characters is pretty diverse in both gender and race. What's really cool about it are the short scenes that Heather's written up imagining how the battle will go down between each match-up. Plus, I'm getting introduced to some characters/books!

Here's a look at the Edward vs. Katsa battle (click to enlarge):

Read more after the jump »

Guest Post & Giveaway: What makes the perfect hero by Kira Morgan, author of Captured by Desire

Today I'm lucky enough to host Kira Morgan, a prolific romance author that has written several novels under the names Sarah McKerrigan and Glynnis Campbell. Her latest release, Captured by Desire, is the first under her new pseudonym and was released on August 1st. Take it away, Kira!

What makes the perfect hero?

Broad shoulders, big muscles, white teeth, right?

Well...maybe. A certain amount of what we consider physical attractiveness stems from primal instincts rooted in caveman days when health and fitness ruled. Cavewomen needed mates who could hunt and who weren’t going to die before the last kid left the cave.

Now that our well-being doesn’t rely on our partner’s mammoth-hunting skills--though we still have a bit of a vestigial attraction to hunky men--our qualifiers for attractiveness have shifted. We’re now capable of finding beauty in every kind of beast: skinny boys with tattoos, red-haired beanpoles with freckles, roly-poly biker dudes, pale nerds in glasses.

It’s truly a blessing. Imagine if everyone hungered for the same man.

Read more after the jump »

Friday Feature (on Saturday): Dystopian August @ Presenting Lenore

Friday Features are weekly posts that give the basic facts about an event or item. They are not always, but often are, book-related. If you have anything that you think I might find interesting enough to feature, feel free to send me an email at jax @ eclecticbooklover.com.

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Who: Book blogger and dystopian YA enthusiast, Lenore

What: Dystopian August. According to Lenore, here's what she has in store:

Reviews of over 20 dystopian novels, past, present and future - complete with my infamous Zombie Chicken Ratings . . .

as well as . . .

Interviews with authors of dystopian fiction.

Read more after the jump »

Pint-Sized 'Pinions: YA Fantasy Edition

Pint-Sized 'Pinions are mini-reviews that I post often (usually weekly). The books reviewed have either been reviewed a lot or I don't have much to say for them, whether negative or positive, to justify an extended review.

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Today's minis cover three young adult fantasy novels and one middle grade fairy tale adaptation.

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (December 22, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1599904306
240 pages

Nimira is a foreign music-hall girl forced to dance for mere pennies. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing with a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new and better life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets are beginning to stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumors swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry's involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. Then Nimira discovers the spirit of a fairy gentleman named Erris is trapped inside the clockwork automaton, waiting for someone to break his curse. The two fall into a love that seems hopeless, and breaking the curse becomes a race against time, as not just their love, but the fate of the entire magical world may be in peril.

Dolamore's unique story is pretty engaging. I found myself caught up in Nimira's world and characters (although, I ended up liking Erris a bit more than I did Nimira). The plot was well-crafted and the love story was very sweet. In the end, I wished that the author had delved deeper into the world she had created. Especially when it came to the fairies. I'm glad that the ending came with a sense of resolution despite the fact that a lot was left open for the sequel.

Grade: B

Read more after the jump »

Audiobook curiousities

As you may or may not know, AudiobookCommunity.com is doing a big promotion of YA audiobooks this summer by giving away downloads of popular and classic titles. I've been using the opportunity to give audiobooks a real try.

Growing up, I had listened to a few audiobooks - in school and at home. I remember really liking the experience of listening to a book, but that was before I grew out of wanting to be read to. Since my teens, I've always believed that I prefer holding a book and reading it for myself. This belief was cemented by my utter loathing of my dad's habit of reading almost everything aloud. So, you could say I've been a bit unfairly biased against purchasing audiobooks.

Since the Sync promotion began, I've downloaded quite a few of the books (never let it be said that I don't love a free book - no matter what the format is). The first that I listened to was Bloody Jack by L. A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren. I was especially excited about it because I'd heard a lot of great things about the series and had been meaning to try it. If there was ever an audiobook that could fully convert a reader, it'd be this one.

Read more after the jump »

Currently Coveting (12)

In case you haven't seen this feature before, I'm switching from my usual Waiting on Wednesday post. Instead of just one upcoming title that I want, I'll list several, along with some backlisted books that I have on my wishlist too. If you guys have read any of the previous releases, let me know what you thought about them.

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On Shelves Now

Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon

General Fiction

"Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is do you believe I killed my father?"

So begins Upstate, a powerful story told through letters between seventeen-year-old Antonio and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Natasha, set in the 1990's in New York. Antonio and Natasha's world is turned upside down, and their young love is put to the test, when Antonio finds himself in jail, accused of a shocking crime. Antonio fights to stay alive on the inside, while on the outside, Natasha faces choices that will change her life. Over the course of a decade, they share a desperate correspondence. Often, they have only each other to turn to as life takes them down separate paths and leaves them wondering if they will ever find their way back together.

Startling, real, and filled with raw emotion, Upstate is an unforgettable coming-of-age story with a message of undeniable hope. Brilliant and profoundly felt, it is destined to speak to a new generation of readers.

I found this one in a round-about way via one of those Goodreads sidebar suggestions of her other novel, Conception (which I also added to my wishlist). I chose to feature this one instead of the other due to its abundance of positive reviews and the fact that it won an ALA Alex Award (which is given to adult novels with young adult appeal).

Read more after the jump »

Review: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane, 1) by Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical Romance
Grand Central Publishing (July 27, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0446558945
416 pages
ARC received for review from publisher

Synopsis from Amazon:

A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES . . .

Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .

Read more after the jump »

In My Mailbox (37)

This weekly meme that gives you a look at my latest book haul is all thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren, the host, and Alea of Pop Culture Junkie, the inspiration.

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First off, I got a few more duplicates that I put up for swap. Here's what's left: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff, Fallout by Ellen Hopkins, Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, Vivian Rising by Daniella Brodsky and Strangers at the Feast by Jennifer Vanderbes. Plus, there's the rest that's languishing on my swap page. Now, on to the new...

For review

Read more after the jump »