Let Strider-Fest Begin!

So as of September 27th The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter was released into stores. This will be the 12th story in the Lords of the Underworld series. And this novel revolves around Strider the keeper of the Demon High Lord of Defeat. I just picked up the novel today and have been itching g to crack open the binding. (As I previously stated I am re-reading and reviewing each of her previous novels in this series.) I am so excited and can't wait to get to know the immortal warrior Strider and see who finally can challenge his heart. (And recently announced the next book will be the long awaited Paris' story!!!!) But for now let me leave you with the summary from Ms. Showalter's artfully crafted 12th Lords story:

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.

Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he as an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…

Interest Piqued? I know mine is (: And if your curious about the rest of the series I'll be posting reviews of novels 2 & 3 shortly!

LOL=Lots of Love

The Darkest Night

Title: The Darkest Night

Author: Gena Showalter

Reading level: Older Teens/Adults

Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN #: 978-0373772469

Received From: Bought It

Publisher: Harlequin

Group Genre: Mythology/Romance

Cover: B+

Overall: A+



"All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapp ed in a hell of his own. Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments . . . and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love . . ."

So the summary of this book does not do this book nor the series justice! This book is a perfectly balanced juggling act of everything I want in a novel history/mythology, drama, romance, intrigue and a cliffhanger ending that leaves you reaching for the next novel in the series. Ashlyn (love the name) is a little wimpy for my tastes at first and yes she can hear past conversations which is pretty cool but whats with the constant need to be taken care of (yuck). But she does come into her own later in the novel and did manage to live up to Gena's strong woman in charge MO. Now Maddox is the story of violence ( no really he is violence). He is one of 12 Lords and here's that back story:

"Long ago, twelve immortals warriors – each more dangerously seductive than the last -- stole and opened Pandora’s box, unleashing the evil from within. Now they carry that evil within themselves. Violence, Pain, Death, Disease, Disaster, Misery, Doubt, Promiscuity, Defeat, Lies, Secrets, and Wrath. When a powerful enemy returns, they will travel the world in search of a sacred relic of the gods – one that threatens to destroy them all. "

And I know this may sound confusing but the novels do a wonderful job of setting you up with the storyline of the Lords. And if your a mythology junkie like myself this is the series you've been waiting for. What a fun and fresh new look into the story of Pandora's box and I cannot wait to read the whole series. Caution: These books are extremely addicting I read the first and bought the rest within a week of reading the first! I'm on book 2 now! (:

*A note these books are Adult Paranormal Romance and do contain more erotic material that I don't recommend for younger readers.

LOL=Lots Of Love

Finally Back

Oh My Goodness it's been awhile. However, I finally have internet back again. (I know what your thinking but welcome back to the 21st century for me haha!) But I'm kicking off the month of September big time with the new release of Gena Showalter's The Darkest Surrender (biting my nails until the 27th as we speak). So to celebrate my big return back to the modern age and this fantastical new release I will be reviewing her previous titles in the Lords of the Underworld series. So thanks for sticking with me this past year it's been a tough one but I'm back and ready for blogging!!!!

LOL=Lots Of Love

The Final Winners of Wind Warrior Blog Tour

So the final winners have been posted via Cynthia Roberts and I'll just reiterate her email here. Although we didn't win big ): I'm still very excited about the interest that was generated for Wind Warrior, Cynthia's fantastic new novel. I personally have just finished and absolutely adored the way the book was written. But here is Cynthia's email on the winners:

Tabulations are in and the grand prize winners chosen from all of your entries are as follows:

Kara Piehl - Basket for Two - from the Book of Secrets Blog

Barbara Platt - Godiva Tier - from the Shibley Smiles Blog

Jan Herberger - Necklace - from the Intense Whisper Blog

Pamela Shockley- $25 Amazon Gift Card - from Cakeblast.com

Melissa Barnes - $25 Amazon Gift Card - from the Simply Stacie Blog

The 5 hosting blogs chosen as the grand prize winners are:

Candace Redinger - Candaces Reading Blog - Basket for Two

Christie - The Fiction Enthusiast - Necklace

Aleksandra Nearing - Busy Working Mama - Godiva Tier

Carla Costa - Cuidadocomodalmata - $25 Amazon Gift Card

Yvonne - Divas Book Case - $25 Amazon Gift Card

I will contact your finalist winners to let them know of their winnings and to request their individual delivery addresses.

Again, my sincerest heartfelt thanks for taking the time to participate in my first blog tour. Your support has been so deeply appreciated. It is my hope the benefits far outweighed the few kinks that popped up along the way. I would love to do this again when Book 2 of my series - Captive Heart is released.

And we can't wait for book 2 Captive Heart. Thank you Cynthia and I look forward to reading the next in the series!

LOL=Lots Of Love

My Fab 5 Finalists!!

So September is ending and I have been running around like crazy during ratings season @ work! (For those who don't know I am a pastry cook for a fine dining restaurant and we are in the middle of food critic season ugggh). But anyways I'm blabbering on when everyone wants to know who my five finalists are I will be submitting to Cynthia! YAY! And via Random.org the lucky winners are.......drumroll please........


abitnerdy
Cindy
Dovile
Dani
Angel Jacklyn

Congrats my lovely finalists. I will be sending out emails shortly and hope to hear back from you as soon as possible so I can send your info on to Cynthia. Thank you to everyone who entered the first stage of this giveaway; and to my finalists I'll keep my fingers crossed that ya win big!

LOL=Lots Of Love

Blog Tour/Giveaway Time for Wind Warrior

So I know I've been AWOL for about a month now and I promise an explanation later! But for now it's time to tour with the lovely author Cynthia Roberts and her new Historical Romance novel Wind Warrior. And what makes this tour huge is the amazing giveaway prizes that are being offered which you could win by leaving a comment under my post and being a follower (these are the musts to qualify to be a finalist)! For extra entries you can:

~Tweet the following text:
Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts A story of longing, wanting & a love so strong it conquers human evil. On sale now at Major Book Retailers

~Post the same tag on your Facebook and/or Myspace Profile

~For myself personally I will give an extra entry (for you to be chosen as one of my finalists) if you give me a fact based around the Iroquois Tribe (since this is the first book in Cynthia's Iroquois Series)

This contest will run from September 1st until September 30th. And guys n dolls this contest is international. We have blogs participating from all over the world!! Once I randomly choose my five finalists I will submit my Fab Five to Cynthia and she will randomly choose the winners. A lot of great blogs are participating and you can enter on any, all or just one for a chance to win! Have we peaked your interest yet? If not just get a look at these fabulous prizes:

Jewelry, a romantic picnic basket for two, chocolates ( every womans weakness), and gift cards!! Honestly what more could you need (; Well besides the man that is!

So enter away, spread the word about Cynthia's phenomenal new book Wind Warrior, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the winners come from my blog! Hey who knows maybe a little Native American magic will pass this way! And for more information on Cynthia's new novel Wind Warrior or the giveaway you can check out her website here!

LOL=Lots Of Love

Goddess Of Spring

Title: Goddess Of Spring

Author: P.C. Cast

Reading level: Older Teens/Adults

Paperback: 326 pages

ISBN #: 9780425227084

Received From: Bought It

Publisher: Berkley Sensations

Group Genre: Mythology/Romance

Cover: A+

Overall: A+++

"Lina’s trendy bakery in Tulsa is proving to be less than lucrative, and she must come up with a plan. When she stumbles upon an Italian Goddess cookbook, Lina can’t help but think she’s found the answer to her problem – even if it means invoking a goddess to save her business. Soon enough, Lina finds herself face-to-face with Demeter, who has a plan of her own. She proposes that Lina exchange souls with Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, who will breathe new life into the bakery. In return, Lina must set order to the Underworld. Before all this, Lina’s problems mostly involved sourdough and second dates. Now that she embodies the enchanting Persephone, Lina has weightier things on her mind – like the formidable task of bringing Spring to a world of spirits. But when the handsome, brooding Hades kindles a spark in her heart, Lina wonders if this Lord of the Underworld might be the man of her dreams… "

Hands down!!! My FAVORITE of the Goddess Summoning Series. P.C. Cast delivers a stunning mythical romance following some of the guidelines to the myth of Persephone and Hades (but also throwing some of that myth to the wind). Lina the main character and heroine is so relate-able to my life (and not just because we're both bakers). She is a strong, resilient career driven woman not able to slow her 100 mile per hour life for a little romance. That is until she finds herself head over heels for the Underworld and it's enchanting ruler. And speaking of that ruler; Hades embodies female fantasy i.e. dark, brooding, handsomely masculine, but most of all he's lost and set apart until he finds that which can complete him! And I love the interwoven myths throughout the story for example Orpheus does make an appearance although not in the hero kind of way! This story definitely had me laughing, wistful, tearful, and overjoyed at times but I guarantee that you will be engrossed completely from cover to cover. This is the best retelling of Persephone's myth I think I've ever read so kudos to P.C. Cast. And since I think if there is even a glimmer of romantic twinkle in your eye YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK; I'm not going to say anymore to spoil this little gem for you!

LOL=Lots Of Love