Friday, January 29, 2010

DIK 2010 Reading Challenge - J.R. Ward's Dark Lover

I have always liked to read stories that are off of the normal realm. Vampires, shifters, demons and other things that go bump in the night are right down my alley. When I discovered J. R. Ward's wonderful Black Dagger Brotherhood, I fell in love with her world. This book, Dark Lover, is the first book in the series, and I have read it many times since the book literally jumped off the shelf at the bookstore and screamed "Buy Me!! Take Me Home! Read Me!" I did all three and never regretted it.

The Brotherhood is composed of vampires, fighting the good fight to protect human and vampire alike from the attention of the evil lessers. This was a novel approach for me the first time I read it-the vampire as the good guy, the hero. Granted Wrath is very much the tortured hero, believing he will never find his shellan, that one woman who will complete him. He doesn't expect to, he expects to continue being the warrior that he is. But he does have some big challenges, and he is trying to hide them, even from his brethren in the Brotherhood. You see, not only is Wrath their king, and the only pure blood vampire left on the planet, he is also slowly going blind. When Darius, one of the brothers, asks Wrath to look out for his half-breed daughter should something happen to him, all of the brothers think it is a bad idea. Darius is worried what might happen, between the war with the lessers, and the chance that Beth may become vampire once she reaches enters her transition. Beth Randall doesn't even realize that vampires exist, and has never met the man who is her father. When Darius is killed shortly after discussing his request to Wrath that he protect Beth and if necessary help her with her transition, Wrath is shocked by the attraction he feels for Beth. Can Beth survive the transition, with Wrath's help? Will she accept all that is offered?

Ms. Wards characters are without a doubt the hottest group of men, or vampires, to grace the pages of any book. All of them are larger than life, but none more than the hero of Dark Lover. Wrath is a giant among men, strong and determined to not get sidetracked in his mission to lead the war against the lessers. Polite vampire society realizes the need for men like Wrath, but they don't have to accept them into their homes. Beth Randall is a strong and resourceful woman, a reporter for the local paper in Caldwell, New York. She wants to take on the big stories, but her boss has other ideas. He wants to keep her on the back pages, while he flirts with her at every chance. The sparks that develop between these Beth and Wrath are nothing short of volcanic, and once Beth understands the full scope of her feelings nothing will get between her and her goals. The detail that Ms. Ward puts into her stories is marvelous-she has created a language unique to her people, and even offers us, the readers, a glossary of terms so that we can better understand the action and learn who is who in the scheme of things. This is one very good and extremely hot book, and I recommend it to those who want to take a walk on the wild side. You will not regret it, I promise.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Heart Association campaign







All Romance eBooks Has Heart...

During the month of love, when everyone's attention is focused on matters of the heart, All Romance eBooks (ARe) is helping to fight the number one killer of women, heart disease, with their 28 Days of Heart campaign. You can help by supporting the effort. How? Spread the word!

Enjoy any or all of our 28 Days of Heart Novellas!

! Beginning February 1, 2010, we'll be releasing one new novella per day for twenty-eight consecutive days. All proceeds from the sale of these shorts, which will be offered exclusively on AllRomance.com and OmniLit.com as individual eBooks, will be donated to the American Heart Association.

The stories cover all the genres, from Gay to Interracial, Paranormal to Historical, Contemporary to Sci Fi. They were generously donated by both best selling and up-and-coming authors from some of your favorite publishers including Kensington, Berkley, Pocket, St. Martin's Press, Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen, Samhain, Total E Bound, Loose Id, Phaze, Liquid Silver, Torquere Press, Siren, Amber Quill and more!

The stories range between 10,000 and 20,000 words, so they are a perfect sweet (or more accurately spicy) Valentine treat. Each includes! a foreword by author Charlaine Harris (of True Blood fame) as a show of support for the charity the stories will benefit. Indulge yourself this year for Valentines Day—enjoy one of each, and know you are helping a worthy cause at the same time.

Still thinking

It is strange still to think about the past couple of months. Just when I'm sure I'm okay, something reminds me that everything is different. Does it get easier, does it fade? I know there are no easy answers out there, so I just take it one day at a time, and do the best I can.

Posted my first ever review for Naughty Editions, don't know if they will want a second one. Interesting book, not what I would have chosen for myself, but I enjoyed it anyway. Hopefully, they will like it and I can continue with them as well as with the other but if not, I love my first review sites anyway.

Back at work, the first full week was tough on me. I am just not used to full times days but I need to get back to normal life for a while. My favorite form of escape is still reading, and I have read some marvelous books lately. Still sorting through the papers and stuff from the other apartment, trying to decide what is worth keeping and what is trash. Did you ever try to fit two four room apartments into one place? That is what it feels like here right now. Add to that, my one outlet, the internet, was down until yesterday, and you have one frustrated woman.

I don't think anyone else will read what I have to say at this little corner of the world, but if I ever offend anyone here I am truly sorry. I mean no harm, just my mind meandering, okay? I think I may start a weekly posting of what I'm reading, just so I don't lose track. With pertinent comments of course.

It's Entertainment

It's Entertainment

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Random thoughts

I don't do this much, but this is for all of those wonderful people who held me up and kept me going this past month, when Mom was ill, and after she passed. You know who you are, and I am sure you will be blessed for being the wonderful and supportive people you are.

I am starting a new chapter in my life, and it is a bit scary at times if I stop to think too hard about it. So I have decided to just jump in with both feet, and hope for the best, expect the worst and settle for doing my best and hoping that is enough.

Again a big thanks to all who cared enough to reach out and help, and I'm back and better than ever. I am reading and reviewing, and have accepted a second reviewing position, so I will be busier than ever, between day job and reviews.

One piece of advice-treasure your family and tell them each day that you care, before it gets too late for it. I was lucky to be able to be with Mom for her last days, and I will always treasure those last days.