Monday, September 17, 2012

Teenage Vampire/Werewolf hybrid? Oh My!

It's Monday once again, but this time I have something new for this Sassy Vixen. Normally I have authors who write material that is geared more for adults, but this time I've agreed to host an author who writes in the young adult genre.


Before I continue, I wanted to make sure that those who have entered this blog are reminded once again this is a spot where I post adult materials. I write erotic romance and erotica as well as poetry. All of it is written with an over 18 year old crowd in mind. Much of it is very explicit and some may find it offensive. If that sort of material is not up your alley, then please, by all means, leave this site. No harm, no foul. If you choose to continue, you acknowledge you were warned that there is explicit material all over this website and it doesn’t bother you to be exposed to it.  You also acknowledge you are over 18 years of age. 

Blogger is great in that it allows me to have an adult content warning posted at the beginning and you have to click on the appropriate button to gain entry into the site. Unfortunately, there are folks out there who will click to gain entry without reading the warnings and then raise holy hell because they are offended by the content they see.  

For those of you who wish to continue with reading today’s post, welcome to Sassy Vixen Publishing! 

I’m very happy to have as guest today author Robin P. Waldrup.  The second book in her young adult Blood Moon series is what we are focusing on today. As of this writing, I haven’t read the first book in the series yet, but plan to do so. You’ll understand why in just a bit. Also at the end of the post you will have a chance to collect entries in a contest to win free ebook copies of the first two books of Robin's Blood Moon series. Excited? Let's dive right in and enjoy! ~The Vixen





I received this copy of Shadow of the Blood Moon from the author for being part of her blog tour. I also agreed to post a review of the book here on Sassy Vixen as part of the post.  I’ve not posted a review on any of my blogs before so this will be the first of what I hope will be many more to come. 


Blurb

Genevieve Labreck is back with a score to settle. Her mom has been kidnapped by Zane, hybrid and all-around monster. Rumors fly that Gen’s mom is holed away in Prague, a city recognized by humans for its serene beauty and intense culture, but Gen and Will know something humans don’t. Prague is haunted by dark, evil forces.

Can Gen and Will save her mom, or will they be too late?

Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?



My interest was piqued right from the start just with the blurb. Why was her mother kidnapped? Why Prague and who gets left behind in her mission to save her mother? Shadow of the Blood Moon starts right where the first book left off with Gen and Will traveling to Prague to investigate reports that her mother is being held there. As a new vampire-werewolf hybrid, Gen’s hunger for human blood gets her into trouble right from the start.  Instead of heeding Will’s repeated warnings about the dangers for vampires in Prague, Gen gets into one bind after another. So much so, her escapades draw the attention of one of the oldest and most dangerous vampires in the world, Laszlo who is also known as the Almaric.

After yet another misunderstanding between her and Will, Gen sends out the call to her best friend Luna and Luna’s twin brother Joseph. Both soon join her in Prague and find themselves smack dab into a situation that ends up changing Joseph forever. I don’t want to give away any more specifics, but this change in Joseph makes him all the more interesting to the dark and yes very evil Almaric.

Gen is still coming to terms with her role as the Adlet princess and also with her abilities as a werewolf turned by a vampire. She’s incredibly strong and powerful and at times I get the feeling she doesn’t know her own strength. She’s constantly at odds with herself as to doing the right thing and rushing head on into situations where she can get herself and her friends killed. Going into a fight with one of the most powerful vampires ever and thinking she has a chance of winning is a bit over the top. This is where she really bugs me. For someone who is supposed to be the prophesied leader of a tribe of werewolves, she sure has a lot to learn about controlling her impulses and thinking about the bigger picture. It's more about the instant gratification for her and she ends up ignoring the advice of those around her. That being said, she is only 17 years old and this is exactly the kind of behavior that many expect from someone so young. It does make for an interesting and fast paced read. The action pulls you right along throughout the story.


My only complaint is that even though it is a bit different overall, there are too many similarities to the Twilight stories. I enjoyed those books and yes I was very entertained by Ms. Waldrup’s story as well, but I would have loved to see Gen act more like the Adlet princess and less like a teenager torn by her feelings for Will the Vampire and Joseph the Werewolf.  Since I have not read the first book yet, I was a little lost at times with the back story. I have Ties to the Blood Moon on my Kindle Fire ready for me to dive into it.  I think it is a must read in order to keep all the details of Gen’s story straight. 

As with the first book, Shadow of the Blood Moon ends with a cliff-hanger and I look forward to the next book to find out what happens to Gen and the rest of her friends and loved ones. Will she make a good leader of the Adlets? We shall see!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and was immersed in the action from the first page. It definitely left me wanting to know more about all of the characters. The comparisons to Twilight will be there and many will notice them, but if you overlook that and let yourself get lost in Gen’s world, you won’t regret it.  

I give this book 3 and 3/4 stars

Shadow of the Blood Moon September Blog Tour






About the Author

Robin is a wife, mother, grandmother, business owner and author of YA/Urban Fantasy paranormal novels. Ties to the Blood Moon is the first book in her series and is available on all digital sites. It’s also available in print and audio formats. Shadow of the Blood Moon is her current release and the second book in her Blood Moon series.




Where to find Robin
Facebook
Twitter
Blog



Where to find Shadow of the Blood Moon
Amazon
Smashwords










Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thursday Thirteen from the Sinfully Delicious Lustful Cravings

I'm baaack! It's Lia here. Tammy's taking a little time off to snuggle with that stud of a husband of hers. So not fair she has her happily ever after with her muse no less! I'm happy for her, really I am. It's just that I wish she would send a few of his Coast Guard buddies my way! ;) You know, for research. hehehe

Enough about me. It's time to reveal our latest Thursday Thirteen. This time it's from Paloma Beck's Lustful Cravings. Not only has she provided the opening lines from the book, she's included an EXTRA thirteen sentences in honor of today being the 13th. 

Excited? So am I! Let's get rolling shall we?

Blurb from Lustful Cravings


Available from Secret Cravings
Seven sisters are entwined in a legacy bigger than anyone ever expected. One by one, they will find their mates from the immortal Valendite breeds and secure their place in history. 

Each sister embodies one of the seven deadly sins only to be cast aside once claimed. But claiming comes at the price of separation, causing a weakening of their combined powers, which none want to happen... until Layla, holding the sin of lust within her body, locks eyes with Madden.

Madden is one of the strongest of the Valendite Breed, a group of near-immortal men originating from the Italian Wars in the 1500s. Today, the Valendite Breed serve as the Terrorist Elimination Unit (TEU), an invisible arm of the CIA. Their only weakness is their need for a mate to carry on the Breed.  So now that Madden has found Layla, he will never let her go.
With forces mounting up against the Breed, Madden and Layla will need to rely on all of their powers combined to get them to their Pronouncement.

First Thirteen Sentences


“Open the damn door.” Madden’s deep voice vibrated through the thin door of the Sinster sisters’ home. He pounded and it seemed as if his large fists were going to knock down Layla’s door. He probably could if he wanted to. Clearly, he was holding himself back. And if this was his restraining himself, she was in trouble.

Crap. When she and her sisters headed home from that damn bar, her sisters had sworn he hadn’t followed them, and now their neighbors were going to hear all the noise if she didn’t let him in. They were always complaining that her family was too loud for the neighborhood, but darn if it was all her fault, with her sisters running in and out at all hours. 

Their house was a gift from their parents. When the sisters were all grown, their parents left to travel back to their native land and gave them this home to stay together until each went their separate way, finding a mate of their own. Though they drove each other crazy, none could imagine living apart. Layla, in particular, wasn’t looking forward to the very thing that was at her doorstep even now.

BONUS Thirteen

She and her sisters were part of Magdalena Circle and this man at her door, this breed, was most certainly her mate. 

Layla knew she should’ve stayed home like she’d planned but when Gracie had begged her to come along for a girls’ night out, she couldn’t resist her sister. Layla preferred her quiet writing time when her sisters were out, choosing to pen her manuscripts during the night. Night seemed much more appropriate for the paranormal romances she wrote. 

She was pulled from her thoughts back into reality by more banging. 

“Damn it, Layla. I saw your eyes,” Madden continued pounding on the door as he shouted, “I know who you are to me.” He had the good grace to lower his voice at the final words, but she felt their profound truth. He needn’t say anymore. At those words, her hands became clammy, her heartbeat accelerated and a warm sensation grew in her stomach.

She knew this feeling simply because she’d experienced nothing like it in her life – that warmth in her lower stomach, that dull ache between her legs. It was one she had managed to avoid for years but still knew instinctively. Lust. It was her soul sin.


What do you think? Paloma has grabbed you and pulled you right in hasn't she? Want to know more about her and the Seven Sin Sisters series? Well click on her links below and get to reading! I had the pleasure of having Ms. Beck over at The House of Taboo last month. The links to her guest spots are also included below.

Don't wait too long to get your very own copy of this sizzling read! Until next time sassy ones...

~Lustful Lia ;)

About the Author

Paloma Beck is an erotic romance writer in both the contemporary and paranormal realms. Happily married and living a life of total contradiction, Paloma runs carpool service for her three sons, volunteers in PTA and teaches religious education. 

Then in the moments when her characters talk to her, she journals their stories - and they are anything but PG. As a natural introvert, quiet time with her characters is necessary to keep sane while writing is the perfect outlet for her creativity.

Paloma believes a daily dose of coffee and a good book make any day better.

Where to get your Seven Sinful Sister fix







Monday, September 10, 2012

She Talks to Dead People...Oh MY!

Welcome back vixens! I'm thrilled to welcome author Ann Everett to Oh My! Monday here on Sassy Vixen. Ann is one hell of a funny lady and it shines through in her writing. Her most current release, You're Busting My Nuptials is the second book in her humorous romantic mystery surrounding  Tizzy Donovan and Ridge Cooper. This one starts right off with their wedding day with Ridge a no show!  What would you do if such a situation happened to you?  What do you think Tizzy does? 

Well, right now just the print version of this book is available, but hopefully by September 20th all versions of this book will be available through Amazon, Smashwords, ibooks and Barnes and Noble. Make sure you check out her website for further information, but right now Ann has been kind enough to share an excerpt with us from You're Busting My Nuptials, and also one from her current work in progress. It's a sweet romance with some steamy sex. Enjoy! ~The Vixen


Blurb


You are invited to a Wedding! After almost five years, widow and single mother, Tizzy Donovan finally met the man of her dreams in Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper. But when he fails to show up for their wedding, she’s determined to find out why. 


Enlisting the help of first cousin Jinx Monroe, and best friends, Rayann Tatum and Synola Harper, it’s not long until they’re dealing with clowns, yard gnomes, a missing stripper, and a Baptist deacon. 

After a car chase and gun fight, head-strong Tizzy is more committed than ever to claim her happily-ever-after. All she needs is a séance with an old witch and a little help from Positive Jesus.


Excerpt from You're Busting My Nuptials

A Hunter’s Moon hung high in the sky and lit up the night. The temperature hovered in the low forties, but the thirty-five mile per hour wind created a chill-factor much colder. Tizzy wished she’d grabbed a coat before she left the house. The backless dress proved to be a poor selection as far as comfort was concerned.

Thanks to a text from Jinx, Tizzy knew exactly where Ridge was parked on Lide. Not that she would have any trouble locating the old Chevy. But, at least she wouldn’t have to drive up and down the street looking for him and risk him seeing her first. Once she parked, she sat in her car for a few minutes and watched Ridge. There wasn’t much activity. The cold wind was keeping the Johns at home and the girls off the street.

Tizzy checked the blond wig in her mirror and decided the time was right to make her move. She was almost to his window when Ridge noticed her. He rolled it down and she leaned in. “Hey cowboy, need a date?”

“Jesus, Tizzy. Do you ever listen to anything I say?”

“The name’s Velvet and are you sure you don’t want some company?”

“Cut the crap. What are you doing here? I thought we agreed. Made compromises.”

“If we’re going to have a long conversation, may I please get inside?  I have a full nipple alert,” she said, sticking out her chest, displaying the warning.

Ridge gulped for air. “No. You need to leave and we’ll talk about this when I get home.”

“Okay, if that’s the way you want it.” She straightened to her full height, started to leave but stopped and leaned into the window again. “Just one more question. Would you be less mad if you knew I wasn’t wearing any panties?”

“Jesus Christ,” he said, running his hand across his forehead. “Get in the back seat.”

Tizzy opened the door, slid in, and kicked out of her shoes. “Start the car and turn on the heater. I’m freezing.”

Ridge complied, then spoke into his walkie-talkie. “Bubba, I’m gonna be off air for a while. I’ll let you know when I’m back on again.”

“Roger that,” Bubba said.

Ridge stepped out of the driver's seat, slammed the door and slid in next to Tizzy. “I knew you’d give in,” she said, undoing his belt. “Velvet always gets her man.”

“How did you know where I was?”

“Just another example of my investigative skills.” She rubbed her face in the hollow of his neck and breathed him in. “God, I want you so much,” she whispered and unzipped his pants.

He lifted his hips. She tugged his pants down, and stroked him. A low moan came from deep in his throat.  “Velvet is gonna make you feel so good,” she cooed.

“Why the hell are you calling yourself Velvet?”

“It’s my stage name. Just play along,” she said, dropping character for a moment.

“Well, Velvet, are you getting warmer now?”

“Warm and wet,” she said, guiding his hand up her skirt.

“Jesus."

“You got a condom, baby?”

Ridge jerked his head away from her neck. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No. if you’re gonna bareback, it’s extra.”

“Bareback?”

“Yeah. No condom, it’s extra.”

“Fine,” he said, moving in for a kiss.

She backed away. “No kissing.”

“Are you shittin’ me?”

“If you want to kiss me on my mouth, it’s extra.”

“Money’s no object. My wife is rich,” he said, taking her lips and hanging on to the kiss.

Tizzy giggled into his mouth.

When their lips parted, he asked, “Any more rules I need to know about?”

“Yeah. I don’t do kink. No threesomes, no backdoor, no bondage. Got it?” She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you laughing?”

“Darlin’, you’re on a street known for hookers, in the back seat of a Chevy, calling yourself Velvet, wearing a blond wig and no panties. I think you may be in denial about the kinky part.”


Excerpt from Tell Me A Secret

The library door swung wide and Jace Sloan strutted in with the confidence of a peacock, leaving a trail of pheromones to settle on every peahen in the room. A wave of whispers circulated, each female transfixed, mystified, and mesmerized by his imaginary plumage. All but Maggie Fielding.

She strummed her fingers and felt the beginning of a headache twisting behind her green eyes. The meeting was scheduled for six p.m., and it was almost six-thirty. Just what she expected. Jace was irresponsible and undependable. An egotistical college jock interested in only football and girls.

Maggie pushed a lock of unruly auburn hair behind her ear, slid her glasses up on her nose and decided to look on the bright side. Given his reputation, he’d never stick with tutoring and she’d be off the hook. Fine with her. Helping a self-centered pretty boy pass anatomy was the last thing she wanted to do.

Jace appeared to shift into slow motion, his stride lyrical, like he was shuffling to a soulful beat. Maggie surveyed his approach. She knew why air-head bimbos found him irresistible: ruggedly handsome, chiseled jaw, body of an athlete, teeth like a string of pearls, and a small paper-thin scar on his chin. What was there not to swoon over?

“Maggie?” he smiled. “I’m sorry I’m late. My truck had a flat.”

She motioned for him to take a seat and glanced at her watch. “Since you’re late, I’ll briefly go over the technique we might use. I don’t really have the time for much more. I have my own studying to do.”

He took the seat across from her, reached over and placed his hand on hers. “Thank you.”
She pulled her hand away. Forget it, slick. You can’t charm me. “I’ve been thinking about the best way I can help you. Do you know what a mnemonic is?”

“No, I’m sorry, I don’t.”

“You probably do. You just don’t know the word for it. It’s when you take the first letter of something you’re trying to remember and make up a sentence to help jog your memory. For instance, to name the cranial bones, we’d use, Old People From Texas Eat Spiders. Old would be occipital, People would be parietal, From would be frontal, and so on. Get it?”

Jace smiled again. “Yeah, I get it.”

“Do you think that method would help you? If you do, that’s what we’ll use."

Before he could answer, a curvaceous blonde, with more boobs than brains, wearing a halter top slightly larger than a babies bib, approached. She leaned down, placed her palms flat on the table, and provided Jace a clear view as a gold chain with the number ten-and-a-half escaped from between her bulging breasts and dangled in mid-air. She handed Jace a note and whispered ‘call me.’

Instantly, Maggie thought how horrifying it would be if every girl was forced to wear her numeric rating, realizing hers would be a four, at best.

Jace put the note in his pocket, as if nothing had happened. “I think that method would be helpful,” he said.

“Okay then, that’s what we’ll do. I’ve typed these out for you.” She passed him a stack of index cards. “Study them on your own and I’ll quiz you next Monday.”

He stuck them in his shirt pocket just as a second girl came to the table and gave Maggie a look that asked what’s he doing with you?

“Hello,Carla,”  Jace said.

“I thought you were going to call me, Jace.”

“Sorry, Carla, I’ve been busy. You know, practice, studying,” he said, gesturing toward Maggie.

God, what’s with all these girls and their double-d-dumplings? Maggie unconsciously rounded her shoulders trying to disappear into her B-cups.

Jace smiled at Carla and politely got rid of her, then Maggie regained his attention. She gathered her books and papers, put them in her backpack and looked at her watch. “That’s all I have time for tonight. Try to be on time next Monday and we’ll get more done.”
Jace stood. “Look, I’m sorry I was late. It wasn’t intentional and I’ll try not to let it happen again. Would you like me to walk you to your car?”

Maggie rummaged around in her purse and pulled out a piece of paper then wrote on it. “I understand. But just in case you have another flat, here’s my phone number. I’d appreciate a call.” Maggie slung her bag over her shoulder. “And no, I don’t need you to walk me to my car, but thanks.”

Jace took the note and stuck it in his pocket. “No problem.”

“See you next Monday,” she said, and walked away.
****
At nine fifteen, Maggie dropped her backpack onto the floor, walked into the kitchen, took a bottle of water from the fridge, and downed half of it in one gulp.

Her roommate Sarah Henderson stood in the doorway. “So, what did you think of Jace?”

“Not much.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows. “Whataya mean?”

“I mean, I wasn’t surprised. He was thirty minutes late. Claimed he had a flat tire, but I’d be willing to bet he was with a girl.” Maggie pulled the band from her pony tail and threaded her fingers through the long strands. “I admit he’s gorgeous. As a matter of fact, I think he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Maggie stared into empty space and spoke in a far off voice. “He’s like a box of candy and every girl in the place wanted a piece.” She snapped from her trance. 

“ It was pathetic.”

Sarah rested her hands on her hips. “You know, Maggie, just because your mother made bad choices, doesn’t mean every man in the world is a jerk. Jace is actually a nice guy.” She shifted her weight and crossed her arms over her chest. “If you’d keep an open mind, you might like him.”

Maggie walked past her into the living room and plopped down on the sofa. “He’s not my type.”

 Sarah broke into a full laugh. She walked over and sat down next to her roommate. “My God, Maggie, you’ve only dated three guys in your entire life. I’m not sure you know what your type is, or if you even have a type.”

Maggie frowned at her. “I should have said I’m not his type.”

“So what kind of woman do you think he likes?”

“From the looks of the girls who came over to talk to him tonight, I’d say ready and willing, with parents who paid for boob jobs.”

Sarah crossed her legs Indian style. “Sam tells me Jace has never had a long term relationship. He dates or should I say sleeps with a girl a few times and then he’s done with her. Now that I think about it, even though he’s nice, I’d have to say he’s somewhat of a man-whore. Are the distractions gonna be a problem with the study sessions?”

Maggie finished off the water, screwed the lid back on, and started to peel the label. “Not for long. While I waited for him tonight, I made a decision.  I’ll meet with him three times, then call it quits. That should satisfy Dr. Adams. I only agreed to try tutoring Jace. I made it clear if I didn’t like it or I didn’t feel Jace was interested in applying himself, I’d end it.” Maggie wadded a piece of the label into a small ball and rolled it between her fingers. “I can already tell. Jace Sloan is going to be a total waste of my time.”

Where to find Ann and her books




About the Author

Creator of the White-Trash-Face-Lift, halter tops, and beer-bling bracelets, Ann Everett is a fourth generation Texan and award winning author.

Ann grew up in rural small town Brownsboro, which is where her Tizzy/Ridge trilogy takes place.  When she was a young girl, she couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to live anywhere but Brownsboro. It’s just a spot in the road, but will always be near and dear to her heart.

For many years, Ann enjoyed doing stand-up comedy for businesses, corporations, and non-profit organizations. 

Ann writes laugh-out-loud romance mysteries, with the perfect combination of Southern Sass and Texas Twang.

She lives on a small lake in Northeast Texas with her “current” husband of 45 years, where she’s busy adding to her line of White-Trash beauty and fashion, as well as working on a cookbook and her third novel.


Special update!  If you leave a comment on this post you will automatically get an entry in a contest to receive an Amazon gift card from Ann. If you stop by on her next stops in her tour of our sister blogs and leave more comments, you can get more chances to win that gift card. So tell us what you think! ~The Vixen