January 28, 2013

Author spotlight: Diane Thorne



Hi everyone!
Diane is here with us today and she’ll be telling all of you about her books and her favorite characters. ;)

Diane is an erotic romance author living in Indiana. She writes in a variety of genres such as Contemporary, Menage a Trois, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, and Paranormal Erotic Romance. As a lifetime lover of the paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy, her mind constantly wanders into other worlds full of dark and mysterious creatures. Vampires, werewolves, demons, and other supernatural creatures are her friends. A few bite, others tempt, and some are hot as hell. Reader beware: She is not responsible for any titillation, increased temperatures, hormonal stirrings, or unusual bite marks. Besides writing, Diane enjoys sunny days, strong coffee, traveling, shopping with her daughter, laughter, and red wine. She dislikes taxes, slow drivers, cold weather, and cranky people.

Favorite Characters

When I'm writing, I'm in another world. I'm looking through the eyes of my characters and imagining what they would do and say. Sometimes, I lose myself in a character. It doesn't seem possible, but trust me, it happens.

Jay in my Sexy & Damned series is one of my characters I adore. The wannabe rock star is very passionate. He knows what he wants, which is my protagonist. He'll do anything and everything to have her. I love his drive, his desire. No matter how many times my protagonist tries to deny him, he returns. Go Jay!

In my Playful Demons series, my favorite characters are Anthony and Dominick. They are two very naughty demons. I can't explain it, but looking through their eyes is so much fun. Both just want to play and fuck women. They're kinky, lustful, vulgar, and determined to fuck. Anything is possible with them. After all, they're demons with hot sex on their brain every minute of the day. Oh, the fun I have when I'm in their shoes. LOL.

My Sisters of Lonewood series is a contemporary one and calmer compared to the other series I've written. Sisters of Lonewood is about seven sisters and each one of them finding love or realizing who the love of their life is. I started with a general description of each sister. I get to really know my character when I sit down to write her story. Some of the women are sweet. Others are more kinky and playful. Although they are blood related, they each have a unique personality and love interest. I've enjoyed stepping in the shoes of each one (all 7 stories are set for publication in the next few months). If I had to select a favorite of the seven, I'd probably select Alison and Lisa's stories. Okay, Heather's too.

Destined for Love is a stand alone ménage I wrote a year ago. I saw a Verizon commercial a few years back with a genie and thought it would be a good idea to write a story with a genie. Well, as time passed, I thought about it more and wanted to make my genie story unique. So, I wrote the story with two hot genies. A woman is down on her luck and she happens to finds a bottle that looks a bit like a beer bottle but with strange marks. You can somewhat figure out the rest, but my story is not a typical genie story. Oh no!

In every story I write, a small piece of me is in each character. This helps me connect with my characters. For example, I'm not a stripper but I am a survivor like my Sexy & Damned stripper, Celee. She is a fighter to the end and she has a good heart. Even thought she's damned, she's trying to make amends and save her soul. She's one of my favorite characters too.

If you want a kick ass type of character, check out Sexy & Damned series. If you want some naughty and fun demons in a fun and playful Hell, check out Playful Demons series. If you want a sweet ménage, go for Destined for Love. And if you want a variety, then look at the Sisters of Lonewood series.

What's next? Well, you'll have to wait and see. But trust me, I'm always looking to write something different. I'm working on a two projects now that are just that. Variety is good, right?

Where to find Diane:
Her Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Where to find her books:



Three wishes. Two men. One woman and a very happy ending.

Valerie is a confident, independent, and cheerful woman with a boyfriend, a great job, and a cozy home. In one day, her life falls into the dumpster. To unwind, she takes a stroll on the beach. She locates a strange looking bottle and removes the cork. When two gorgeous men appear, she thinks she’s died and gone to Heaven.

Cursed to a bottle, Mark and James roam the earth until someone in desperate need of their help releases them. The handsome duo offer Valerie three wishes, but warn her they come with great responsibility. While she ponders over her choices the two hot genies show her love and passion beyond her wildest dreams. She falls in love with them. But do they share the same feelings for her?

Confused, in love, and still needing to put her life back on track, Valerie must decide how to use her remaining wish after she mistakenly uses two. Should she spend the last wish to help herself, or free her two insatiable lovers?
Jennifer is in love with her handsome and charming boyfriend, Brian. Months of kissing and exploring each other’s bodies have left her starving for deeper satisfaction. Yet Brian denies her. Jennifer vents her frustration to her best friend, Sally, and jokingly says she’d sell her soul for one night of passion with Brian. When he shows up later and fulfills her every desire, Jennifer believes their relationship is moving forward.

Life is spectacular, until the next time they consummate their love. Jennifer notices a few differences from their first wild encounter, and when she questions Brian, he denies having sex with her before.

Jennifer turns to Sally for answers, and they soon discover Jennifer unknowingly made a bargain with a demon. Brian loves her. Sally wants to help her. Can love and friendship save her from an eternity in Hell?


[Menage and More: Erotic Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, voyeurism, spanking, HFN]

Heather is attracted to her two coworkers, Chris and Nick. Their toned bodies, charm, and flirtations deepen her desire for them. Overwhelmed with lust, she jokingly states she’d sell her soul to be with them. When they ask her out on a date, she wonders if they have more than a friendly interest in her.

Anthony and Dominick are two sex-hungry demons who enjoy bringing innocents to Hell. They particularly love to collect and play with women. They respond to Heather's call, and disguised as her two coworkers, they fulfill her wildest fantasies.

Chris and Nick admit they want to explore a relationship with her. Heather considers it until they deny having sex with her the night before. Anthony and Dom show up later and reveal the truth. In a strange turn of events, she will have to decide if she wants an eternity filled with playful sex in Hell, or a chance with two men who care for her.

Note: This book contains dubious consent.
Celee Spence is a stripper trying to survive in a world full of supernatural creatures. She also works for a demon whom she sold her soul to and got a raw deal. Her life is full of sex and violence with no end in sight. Then, a hot vampire finds her and presents a deal. In exchange for help in locating a young woman mingling in Celee’s industry, he offers the powerful elixir she needs to stay alive. Although Celee lacks understanding the vampire's motivation for wanting to save the girl, she accepts his proposal.

Sexy, armed, and dangerous, Celee places her life in jeopardy to save the human. What she discovers in the end not only shocks her, it gives her a new job to add to her resume.

The Deadly Stripper is the first book in the Sexy & Damned Series

Months of preparation for Nikki's wedding have fallen down the toilet in a matter of days. One accident after another pops up and she must scramble to make amends. Her six sisters come to her aid, but when the priest scheduled to preside at the ceremony suddenly becomes sick she wonders if it's a sign telling her to cancel the wedding.

In less than two days, she must decide what her heart and soul desire.

Sisters of Lonewood #1


Kate longs to meet Mr. Right, but doubts she ever will. Because she hasn't been on a date in years, she believes men are not interested in a geek like her. Then Dylan Wallace moves to Lonewood to take a job at the school where she teaches. In little time, she discovers love. When unforeseen circumstances threaten to separate her from the one man who completes her, she must take action to ensure Mr. Right doesn't slip from her grasp.





Find her books at 
Amazon | All Romance Ebooks | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand | Kobo | Evernight Publishing | Total E-Bound



DhesiX Web Developer

January 24, 2013

Review - Angel's Flight by Nalini Singh



Title: Angel's Flight
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter 0.5, 1.5, 4.5, 4.75
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Original Publication Date: February 28th 2012
In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all...

In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless...

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.
Angel’s Flight was a positive experience for me on several points. First, it is a collection of short stories, so I got more for my money; even if the facts weren’t really important, they were interesting. Second, I absolutely loved three out of the four novellas. They brought characters for whom I didn’t care much before closer to my heart. Congratulations Nalini!

 


Read my full guest review at Exina Art 
DhesiX Web Developer

January 20, 2013

Cover Characteristic – Angel Wings



Hosted By Sugar & Snark
The goal of this meme is to post your favorite 5 book covers with the week's characteristic. Which is why I will love to participate in this. I'm a cover whore! If I could I would buy all the books with awesome covers, even if I actually hate the book... Good thing (or bad luck) I don't have the money for that... ;)
Today’s cover characteristic:
Angel Wings!
If you'd like to participate in this meme, go HERE!
DhesiX Web Developer

January 19, 2013

Review ~ Bewitch by Felicity Heaton


Title: Bewitch
Author: Felicity Heaton
Series: Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance #5
Length: 64000 words / novel
Released:  January 18th 2013
A vampire with a past stained with blood and a soul tainted with darkness, he is perfect in his self-control, never surrendering to his darkest desires. Now a beautiful witch in the shadowy fae underworld threatens to reawaken long denied hungers and tempts him with carnal pleasure.

Payne despises the incubus side of his mixed genes and refuses to give it free rein, but when the wickedly sexy Elissa offers him a possible way to help a friend, he finds it difficult to resist paying the price, even if it will be his undoing—one night of passion at her command.

Elissa is a witch down on her luck until Payne comes crashing into her life. The dangerously handsome male is the key to fulfilling a promise she made, but he is also forbidden, and surrendering to the wildfire passion he stirs within her means risking ruin and death.

When one incredible night of fulfilling their deepest fantasies leads to more than just a pathway to keeping a promise and saving a friend, will they be able to overcome the barriers that stand between them and forever?
 Adults only--highly erotic vampire romance book

Books in the Vampire Erotic Theatre romance series
Covet
Crave
Seduce
Enslave
Bewitch
Unleash - Coming Soon!


My Thoughts:
ARC review!

A sexy, possessive, dark vampire is always a good sign when it comes to erotic romance books. A hot, possesive and mysterious incubus is even better. But imagine what you get when you mix the two!

Bewitch is book five in the Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series, but it can be read as a stand alone - but really, you don't want to miss out the others, trust me!

Payne was my second favorite character in the series, because he was mysterious, dark, dangerous. Typical bad boy figure, but he's also loyal and cares about his friends. I loved him in Bewitch most of the time, but as we got to know him, he seemed a little more weaker character, than he was before. Of course he had a pretty rough past, but sometimes it felt like I'm reading about a twenty some years old boy instead of a hundreds of years old man and because of that, his character lost a litttle of the "magic" that bewitched me when we first met him in the series. Maybe it was too romantic for me, personally. I loved when he switched to the possessive incubi or vampire, though. I'm so jealous of Elissa! And I'm really interested in his real name.

Speaking of Elissa, she made quite an entrance. And I immediately liked her. She was sassy, kick-ass witch, and gave a really hard time to Payne and even had a good sense of humor. However, as the story went on, all these traits disappeard leaving an innocent, sweet, scared little girl behind. Why not mix the two? A kick-ass girl can be vulnerable too.

The plot including Payne's and Elissa's personal mission had some flaws too (like why the hell she didn't use her magic when she should and could have, or why was the big bad enemy that weak and where were his loyal minions when he needed them the most?), but the book's real essence was, however FLAWLESS. The relationship between Payne and Elissa was passionate and not just because the guy is a sex demon, but I could truly believe that they were meant for each other. The only thing that I will say about the erotic scenes is that they easily topped any others in this series.

One thing out of so many I love about Felicity's writing is that she has an incredible imagination when it comes to world building and she's never afraid to use it. Even when it's not the point, and we won't see that place again, she makes it unfogottable by describing it so beautifully and making that, too, interesting. And that says a lot since I truly hate the description parts in the books. I loved that we stepped out of the theatre setting into the fae world.

Overall: Not as good as the previous book, but still my second favorite so far. It's blazing hot, so be prepared when you step into the fae world, you're going to be bewitched and not only by a seductive and naughty vampire incubus. ;)


Read an excerpt from the book to give you a taste of Bewitch


Available in e-book from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US/International | UK | Germany | France | Canada

Apple iBookstores:
US | UK | Canada | Australia | New Zealand

Other Retailers:
Author’s website | Kobo Books | Smashwords | All Romance eBooks


Available in paperback from:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk


If you haven’t had a chance to read any of the books in the Vampire Erotic Theatre romance series yet, they’re all available at major ebook retailers and in paperback, and you can find the links and samples of the books here:

Covet (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #1)
Crave (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #2)
Seduce (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #3)
Enslave (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #4)
Bewitch (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #5)


Follow the author on: 
DhesiX Web Developer

January 16, 2013

Review - Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster



Title: Kiss of Steel
Author: Bec McMaster
Series: London Steampunk #1
Length: 423 pages
Released: 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
When Nowhere Is Safe

Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price?

Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single-handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood-craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.

When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.
Read my guest review at DMG|SPIKE. Also, be sure to follow them, since I'm gonna be a returning guest there ;)  
DhesiX Web Developer

January 7, 2013

Top 5 Sundays #123 - Favorite Covers of Upcoming 2013 Books! {So Far}



Hey everyone!
It's the Top 5 Sunday on Monday...yes, I'm late.

Here is this really cool event, i'm following for a while now, called "Top 5 Sundays" hosted by "Welcome To Larissa's Bookish Life"

Rules:
1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3 - Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4 - After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

The theme for today is:
 Favorite Covers of Upcoming 2013 Books!
*in NO particular order
DhesiX Web Developer

January 6, 2013

Cover Characteristic – Men without shirts




Hosted By Sugar & Snark

I always forget this and I never know when to check the new week'S theme, because sometimes it's so random, but now I did and giiiiiiiiirls... this week's theme is the best so far, haha!
The goal of this meme is to post your favorite 5 book covers with the week's characteristic. Which is why I will love to participate in this. I'm a cover whore! If I could I would buy all the books with awesome covers, even if I actually hate the book... Good thing (or bad luck) I don't have the money for that... ;)
Today’s cover characteristic:
Men without shirts!
If you'd like to participate in this meme, go HERE!
DhesiX Web Developer

Review - Born of Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon




Title: Born of Silence
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series:  The League (Book 5)
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Original Publication Date: May 1st 2012
In a universe where corruption and deception rule all aspects of life, sparks of rebellion threaten to ignite... 

BORN OF SILENCE

As the Resistance leader, Zarya Starska's only goal is to topple the government that destroyed her entire family and left her penniless. Her biggest asset is a mysterious man known only as Kere.

But Kere has a dark secret. Born into a world that is as privileged as it is corrupt, his real name is Darling Cruel-and he is heir to the government Zarya wants to overthrow. No one has ever seen the real man behind the legend. No one except Zarya. But when she allows a weapon he designed to be used against his beloved sister, all bets are off.

Betrayed by the Resistance, Darling's goal is not only to reign, but to kill every Resistance member he can find. Zarya must stop Darling's reign of terror, but can she reach past his insanity to restore the hero who once fought by her side?


I’m trying to write a mostly spoiler free review about this, but this is the kind of book, where it’s impossible not to include some little spoilers, so be warned. However, not major spoilers are included.

So, this book was a little different from the others in the series. Less sci-fi and action elements, more politics and romance. I’ve read the first four chapters on Sherri’s Facebook page before the book released, and I was immediately sucked into the story. So it was a very bad idea to read the chapters before release, especially given that KILLER cliffhanger at the end. Nice job, Ms. Kenyon, as always!

 


Read my full guest review at Exina Art 

DhesiX Web Developer

January 2, 2013

ARC Review ~ Dualed by Elsie Chapman


Title: Dualed
Author: Elsie Chapman
Series: Dualed #1
Publish Date: February 26, 2013 by Random House Books for Young Readers
You or your Alt? Only one will survive. 

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.


When I first saw the cover, I immediately thought this is the kind of YA book I will like. I fel it. Then I read the blurb and I wanted the book right then right there. Didn't want to wait 'til February. So when I found it on NetGalley and requested it and actually got it.. I was in the clouds from the happiness.

Unfortunately I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. Now, stop here for a minute- I'm not saying that it was bad or that I didn't like it. I'm saying, that it didn't quite live up to ALL of my expectations. There was something missing.

Let's be clear on something. This book is not for every fan og dystopian. But I think if someone is even a bit, deep down geeky they will enjoy it. I did. I loved the world its set in, I loved its society, its rules, even though they aren't pretty. Dualed set in a harsh world, where other than their families, people don’t really care if someone lives or die. And that's natural. Kids have to learn to fight so they could kill ther Alts later.

The story picked up with a good pace, West, the heroine and her brother witnessing an Alt completing his assignment. It's an everyday view. From then on, the reader learns how this society works piece by piece. And this is what I think you'll definitely enjoy if you're even a bit geeky. I especially liked that everything has a really simple name, like Alts, RK (Revenge Kills), AK (Assist Kills), completes - those who are completed their assignments, incompletes-those who are failed. Everything was simple, meaningful, and easy to remember but still perfectly fitting.

From the moment West leaves her home, everything is about survival. And that's where the pace is getting slow. West become a striker - an assassin paid by the filthy people, who are too afraid of or too weak to kill their Alts. The whole Striker community is a mystery, because what are they doing isn't allowed. Anyway, she gets a few contract, completes them, and here comes my first problem. They say this is the best training for an Alt who can't afford the Elite training. It's dangerous, yes, but by the time they get their own assignment at least they will know how to kill and will be prepared, won't freeze when the time comes. Plus it pays better than most jobs. Yeah well, I wanted to see more of this community and wanted to see more action when West goes after a strike-a target. But it happened either way too fast or it was too easy, or both. Didn't really see how dangerous this job really was and how it should help her when confronting her Alt.

I had the same problem after she got her assignment and went active - the Alts whose assignments kicks in. They have 31 days to complete, if neither one kills the other by the expiration date, they both will die by a self-detonating genetic timer embedded in their shared Alt code. West chooses to run away, keep doing the strikes, while her Alt is out somewhere searching for her to kill her. It was slow, nothing interesting really happens until she finally tries to kill her Alt (I really wanted to know her name, but we don't.). The twist there was a good surprise and it made pick up the pace again. But West's brain worked a little bit slow, so sometimes I was practically wanted to scream the only logic answer at her.

Then my other problem was with the logicality of this world. Because Kersh is the only "peaceful" city surrounded by constant War zones. And it sounds it's a freaking big city, but it looks just the opposite when West is on the run. So i didn't really see how this one "little" town can hold on.

I loved the names. Every character had a unique, unusual name, like West, Chord, Baer, Dire, Aave, Ehm, etc. I love when I don't have to read the same named over and over in different books. Also I liked their personalities. I even liked West most of the time, with her fifteen years old, she was a good YA character, maybe better than some adult.

OVERALL: So all in all, I think that the only think this book needs is more action, more excitement and more information about the Board and the Strikers and all the world. And I hope we'll get that in Divided, the second book. The title is definitely promising. I didn't regret that I picked up this book and I say maybe it's not a book you will want to re-read it hundreds of times, but definitely worth a read. And a movie. Yes, I think a movie would be extremely good. So where are you, big guns of Hollywood??


I recieved an e-ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you very much!
DhesiX Web Developer