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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sassy Book Lovers: Review - Angel arias by Marianne De Pierres W/ HUG...

Sassy Book Lovers: Review - Angel arias by Marianne De Pierres W/ HUG...: Title: Angel arias Author: Marianne De Pierres Release date: 3rd October 2011 Published by: Random House Blurb: Retra - now called Na...

The winners will be chosen in just a few hours, so hurry to enter this fabulous giveaway!

Happy Reading!
*Kristina*

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Interview with author Lisa Kessler

Hello book lovers! Please help me welcome the lovely and talented Lisa Kessler to my blog. I am a member of Lisa's street team and am thrilled to have her on the blog today! Lisa is the author of the book Night Walker!


You might remember the review post I did about it on the blog. (You can find it here: http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/2011/09/night-walker-by-lisa-kessler-review.html)

If you have not already picked up a copy of the book for yourself, you should go get one! Now!

And now... The interview!
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First off, can you tell everyone a little more about yourself, Lisa?

I’m a wife and Mom. I also sing professionally around San Diego.
I absolutely loved your book Night Walker! Where did you get the idea for the book? Why did you decide to make Calisto a vampire-but way different from any vampire we've ever seen?


I wanted to write a vampire novel, but I wanted a new race from the Americas instead of Transylvania. I started researching ancient civilizations on this side of the globe and decided the Mayans had so many mysteries to share, I couldn’t resist giving them a paranormal twist!

How long did it take you to write Night Walker?


The first draft was done in less than 6 months. It went through a couple more rewrites over the years though! LOL

You've told me that book 2 is about someone else we meet in the first book. Why did you decide to change characters instead of focusing on Calisto and Kate?


It was a choice between Paranormal Romance or Urban Fantasy, and I love the passion of paranormal romance, so while Calisto and Kate play an important part in Night Demon, I have a new couple stepping into the spotlight and finding love when they least expect it.
Which is your favorite couple/character and which book was easier to write?

Oh I can’t pick! That would be like having a favorite child! LOL

Do you have a favorite line or scene from either book?


My favorite scene in Night Walker is the moment Calisto my all-powerful Night Walker is forced to drive Kate’s car… That scene humanized him for me and I fell in love with him from that moment on.

Are any of your characters a lot like you, or based on people you know?


Not really, but characteristics of people I know and of myself are probably sprinkled in some characters. Kate sings in Night Walker and music was a big part of the book. And in Night Demon, Gretchen describes music as background noise which is a characteristic of my mother for sure! LOL I don’t think any characters are purposefully like anyone I know, but I do notice aspects of friends and relatives creeping in at times.
For someone that has not already picked up Night Walker, can you tell them a little bit about it?

I think the tagline really captures the heart of the book. He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her… It’s a very dark paranormal romance with lots of danger and passion.
Do you listen to music while you write? Do you have playlists for your books?


I do! The playlists are really important to me. It helps me stay in the right mood for the book I’m working on. It also helps me find that same emotional place moths later when I go back to edit.

What are you currently working on?


Right now I’m working on edits for Night Demon, and editing a short story anthology.
When is the release for book 2 and can you tell us anything about it?

It will release in the Spring, and you’re going to meet lots of ancient Night Walkers. Night Demon’s hero is Lukas who you meet briefly during a flashback in Night Walker.

The cover for Night Walker was pretty spectacular! ;) Have you seen what the cover for book 2 will look like? Will it be as sexy?

Hehe. I haven’t seen the cover for Night Demon yet, but I have heard from my publisher that "There will be abs…" Woot! LOL

How many books will there be in the Night series?


3 novels and one novella that’s a standalone prequel to Night Walker.

What age did you start writing? What inspired you to start?


My elementary school published my first book, The Wonders of Unicorn Creek, when I was in 6th grade. I’ve always loved to tell stories.
Do you have a certain time/place that you write? Do you need anything to help you write? (like a soda or candles?)

I’m a Night Owl so I’m more creative when it’s dark outside. My playlist helps me stay inspired, and I chew gum like a cow while I’m working! LOL You should see the gum wrappers toward the end of a book! Yikes!

What do you do when you're not writing?


I cheer at my son’s water polo games (Go Eagles! Woot!) and I sing. I also still love to read whenever I get the chance… I’m currently reading Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series right now and really enjoying it!

Do you read all the reviews about your books?


I do… I can’t help it! Even if the review isn’t glowing, I do appreciate someone took the time to read my book. It means a lot to me, and as a reader I also get that a book isn’t going to appeal to everyone.

Tell us about your journey to get published?


It was long and bumpy! LOL Night Walker mixed historical with contemporary paranormal and made it a tough sell for me. I posted a blog about it if you’re interested… http://lisakessler.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/never-give-up/

Do you read? Who is your favorite author?


Oh I have so many favorites! My current have-to-read-the-book-the-second-it-comes-out author is Kelley Armstrong. I love her Women of the Otherworld series and her Darkest Powers YA series. She’s got some amazing pacing and characterizations that always leave me coming back for more.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors like myself?


If you’ve never finished a novel. If you keep wallowing int eh middle and then shifting to a new idea, try writing short stories. When you get a better feel for writing Beginning-Middle-End you’ll find the story arc for a novel comes much easier. A novel is like a marathon. Would you run a marathon without ever training with shorter distances? Yikes! LOL ---So don’t beat yourself up about not finishing, or realizing your book is over 100,000 words long with no ending in sight. Take a step back and "practice". Writing is a craft. There’s no magic recipe. You have to keep practicing…

Where can fans find you?


I’m all over the place online and I promise I’m approachable so don’t be afraid to say hi! http://lisakessler.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter

Night Walker - Available now! http://is.gd/QETE1E
Across the Veil - Available now! http://amzn.to/e98xZo

http://facebook.com/NightSeries


Anything else you like to tell everyone?

Thanks so much to Kristina for all your help spreading the word about Night Walker! The challenge as a debut author is building a readership and I couldn’t do it without all your help!

Thanks so much for allowing me to interview you, Lisa! :)


Happy Reading!
*Kristina*

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Guest post with Gracen Miller

  Attention all Book Lovers! Please help me welcome author Gracen Miller to Kristina's Books & More!


Fairy Casanova
By Gracen Miller

Suspend reality and believe in Casanovas, they can come in all shapes and sizes. And can be fairies too! A sexy winged, Fairy Casanova, who is instantly enticed with his first glimpse of you…

"Hello," she said when their eyes met.
Her sultry voice tempted him, much as a Siren lured a man to his demise against the rocky coast of her island. His mortal Siren offered him a shy wave.

Jace isn’t afraid to face the challenge of a fidgety woman that fascinates him, but is captivated by her icy demeanor…

"Want a drink?" She held up a goblet, half-full of amber liquor.
Her edginess socked his acute fairy senses like a blow to the gut.
Interesting. Why was she here then?
"No, thanks." He moved toward her, intrigued by the competing vibes the woman evoked…reserved and salacious.
Maybe other men found the arctic chill of her gaze daunting. He found it intriguing, even challenging. Women would be envious and intimidated by her high-level eroticism.

He has one chance to make his fantasy come true—one night with a mortal woman—and he’ll make damn sure her desires are fulfilled, too…

"I'm Jace."
She swallowed and cleared her throat, but her voice came out low and raspy. "Sadie."
He dipped his finger into the crystal glass she held poised below her chin. A fat droplet of liquor clung to his forefinger, and he spread it across her pouty bottom lip. Her eyes widened, and her breathing noticeably accelerated. As if prompted, her tongue swiped away the moisture, and his cock twitched in reaction.

Who wouldn’t want a Fairy Casanova dedicated to all their worldly pleasures? My short erotic romance e-book, Fairy Casanova—part of Decadent Publishing’s 1NightStand series—will take you on a wild sensual ride that’ll have you panting right along with Jace and Sadie.

Thanks for joining me today and thanks to Kristina for having me with her!

Huggles,
Gracen Miller

Where you can stalk me—not really!—but I would love to meet and interact with you:



Fairy Casanova Blurb:

Las Vegas lawyer, Sadie Sinclair, has hit rock bottom. Bankrupt, with her reputation ruined, and her fiancé is yachting Aruba with a hot babe. Desperate for a break from reality, she contacts 1NightStand and is shocked to discover she's been paired with a sexy fairy. 
Jace is about to become King of the fairies. One minor glitch, he's obsessed with humans. Before becoming King, he wants one night with a human before he's forever forbidden from crossing into the human realm.  After a stellar night of sex, Jace is surprised to discover Sadie isn't just a human, but his mate.  Complicating everything with the revelation, he's willing to forfeit his kingdom for her, but Sadie must decide if he's worth the biggest gamble yet.

Fairy Casanova Excerpt:

Knocking once to warn her of his arrival, he used the key card to let himself into the room. The door clicked shut behind him as he scanned the room for his evening’s companion.

“Hello,” she said when their eyes met.

Her sultry voice tempted him, much as a Siren lured a man to his demise against the rocky coast of her island. His mortal Siren offered him a shy wave.

“Want a drink?” She held up a goblet, half-full of amber liquor.

Her edginess socked his acute fairy senses like a blow to the gut.

Interesting. Why was she here then?

“No, thanks.” He moved toward her, intrigued by the competing vibes the woman evoked…reserved and salacious.

Maybe other men found the arctic chill of her gaze daunting. He found it intriguing, even challenging. Women would be envious and intimidated by her high-level eroticism.

Stunning, and nothing like the fairies he would command. Long, shiny, black hair framed her oval face. He couldn't wait to get his fingers in the wavy locks. Gunmetal-silver eyes warily watched him. Rimmed in a thin stripe of black eyeliner and splashed with a smidge of dark-gray shadow, the contrast brought out the stellar shade of her irises. High cheekbones, a slightly upturned nose, and wide lips, naturally dark red, or she'd been biting them in anxiety. Unlike the diminutive fairy-women, she was tall—not more than an inch or two shorter than his five-ten height. Most female fairies barely reached his chest, which made her a charming oddity. And she owned killer curves—again, unlike most beanpole-thin fairies—and those curves were framed in an evocative, skintight, black cocktail dress.

Jace stopped in front of her and stared at her mouth. He knew many places he wanted those lips, but mostly he wanted them rounded on an orgasmic scream.

“I'm Jace.”

She swallowed and cleared her throat, but her voice came out low and raspy. “Sadie.”

He dipped his finger into the crystal glass she held poised below her chin. A fat droplet of liquor clung to his forefinger, and he spread it across her pouty bottom lip. Her eyes widened, and her breathing noticeably accelerated. As if prompted, her tongue swiped away the moisture, and his cock twitched in reaction.

“You're perfect. Stunning.”

She laughed, a charming sound, as a blush crept across her cheeks. For the first time since beginning his adventure, he considered the horrible ramifications of falling hard for a human. Impossible! There wouldn't be enough time to grow attached to a one-night stand. Neither would his parents nor soon-to-be subjects approve.


BUY LINKS: 



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Thank you so much for being on my blog today, Gracen!! I hope others read and love Fairy Casanova like I did! 

I also encourage blog followers to pick up Gracen's other two stories Elfin Blood and Pandora's Box!


Happy Reading!
*Kristina*

Monday, October 10, 2011

Ednah Walters Loving My Fans Giveaways

For every week in October Ednah Walters is having a 'Loving My Fans Giveaway". Each giveaway will feature prizes such as Signed copies of Mine Until Dawn (The second book in the Fitzgerald family) Mugs, and other swag.


Along with the giveaways, she also gives you an excerpt from the book!

The giveaways run from Monday-Saturday. The winners are announced Sunday, and a new giveaway starts on Monday!

Don't miss out on all the fun! Head over to her blog now and join in!
http://enwalters.blogspot.com/2011/10/loving-my-fans-giveaway-week-2.html?spref=fb

Happy Reading!
*Kristina*

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Jamais Vu by Monique O'Connor James Review



Synopsis:
After an "accidental" shooting and a near death experience Darby Lambert must tame her demons, quell the dreams that haunt her, and reconcile her life. Darby wakes up every morning from a night of dreams about the demons that chased her in death, yet she was sent back by a figure in light, that spoke of an unfulfilled purpose she must complete.

Join her in efforts to find herself amist drugs, lies, and family secrets.
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My Review:
When Monique (I call her Mo) asked me if I wanted Jamais Vu before everyone else, so that I could review it and post my thoughts about it on its release day, I was beyond excited! Never before have I had the privilige of doing something as amazing as that. I am truely honored that she thought of me.

The first sentence in JV is, "There is nothing easy about dying; not the act itself, and certainly not the coming back." Never before has a first sentence sucked me in so completely. I knew that Jamais Vu was Monique's favorite, passing up her other paranormal novel The Keepers, which I loved so much! JV is even better! I love Monique's writing style. She was already one of my favorite authors after I read her first book, and now even more so!

Jamais Vu is part paranormal, part thriller. In it, Darby questions what is real and what is reality.  The things she sees are terribly frightening, and yet are described so perfectly that I actually had chills running along my spine. Monique has also crafted scenes that had me in tears, or extremely angry. (I really don't like her sister or Evan!) I also felt other things like how annoying it was for Darby when her sister would bother her, or the equally annoying sound of her therapists pen tapping against something. It's an emotional roller coaster that you will want to experience again and again.

Darby is 24 years old, has a stuck up, awful boyfriend, along with a bitchy sister, and parents that don't show her as much love and attention as she deserves. She drives a nice car and judges people based on how much money they have. But all of that changes when Darby accidentally shoots herself with her father's gun. Darby changes completely and becomes someone new.

Darby begins having these dreams of people she knows. Dreams about them being hurt and killed. Demons haunt her dreams, too. But one dream in particular, of a boy she has not yet crossed paths with, really stands out to her.

I loved all of the characters. Darby, is such a fun character. She's incredibly strong and yet so vulnerable at the same time. All she wants to do is help the people in her dreams escape their horrible fates. But I LOVE Kasey the most. He's the rocker that sings in a band, rides a motorcycle, and is still incredibly sweet. He's tortured, and has a drug problem. But despite my absolute hatred for drugs and what they do to people, I still fell incredibly hard for him. (Why isn't he real!?!?!) And not only are Darby and Kasey great by themselves,but their chemistry is simply amazing. The two of them just click.

Once again Monique creates a setting that is almost like a character itself! Joel's plantation house especially!

I love that the book has twists and turns that aren't fully revealed until close to the end. The mystery factor had me staying up until the early hours of the morning, frantically reading until I would pass out from exhaustion.  And oh my gosh, the cover! I had a serious case of cover love way before I even knew what the story would be about!

The ending is spectacular. I would have never guessed it would end that way. I am so excited to read the sequel Deja Vu, which will be the next book out from Mo! I love this book and highly recommend to anyone that likes paranormal mixed with a little bit of mystery and romance.

In short, JV has everything you could possibly hope for in a book: great plot, lovely setting, wonderful characters, entertaining and believeable dialog, haunting descriptions, action, romance, and a beautiful cover. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

Monique is not only a great writer, but also a great person! Even though I only know her through
 facebook, it's as if I've known her for a long time and I truely treasure my friendship with her. I encourage you to add her on facebook or to like her fan page!

Jamais Vu-a disorder of memory characterized by the illusion that the familiar is being encountered for the first time.
5/5

Happy Reading!
*Kristina*

Pandora's Box by Gracen Miller review and cover reveal for book 2!!



Synopsis:
Where does the road to Hell begin?

What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight, killing the family cat before gutting the family dog? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn't believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a demonic world she didn't know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.

With good intentions?

Madison had it all…or thought she did. A husband she adored and a son that brought joy to her life. Then one morning her husband kissed her goodbye, headed off to work and disappeared. Life turned upside down, Madison grows desperate and despondent to help her bloodthirsty son after numerous attempts have failed. Only one man dares to challenge the supernatural forces manipulating them.

Or by demonic design?

Phoenix Birmingham breaches her life in a whirlwind of sarcasm and sexual appeal. A hero for the masses—and for her jaded heart—but few will ever know the sacrifices he has made or the sacrifices to come. Discovering her entire life has been influenced by multifaceted paranormal beings, Madison is determined to defeat the apocalyptic blueprint fate has decreed. Even with Phoenix's aid, can destiny be denied? Or will demonic design prevail and they pay the crucial price with their souls
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My Review:
I've been waiting for this book to come out for several months. While I waited, I enjoyed Gracen's Life Lessons, which are a free prequel to Pandora's Box and can be read on her blog: http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/?z... It is not necessary to read the Life Lessons before you read PB, but I personally think that you will like the characters and understand the situations they are in more.

This book, along with the Life Lessons, is Gracen's masterpiece. Seriously, she hit it out of the park with PB! There is not one thing that I didn't like about it. I love Gracen's writing style and how much thought and details she put into this book. I raced through Pandora's Box. When I had to put it aside, thoughts about the book and its characters were raging through my skull. The story is put together flawlessly, the characters are well developed, and Pandora's Box is just an all around phenominal read!

I've loved Madison ever since I started reading the Life Lessons, and my love for her has only grown since finished reading Pandora's Box. Madison has grown so much. She's sassy, and a great mother, doing everything in her power to protect her son. She'd gladly give her life to protect him. She's also a badass, which is one of the reasons why I love her. I love a strong heroine, and that's exactly what you get with Mads. Nix is charming, dreamy, and also a badass. I love the chemistry the two of them have. They make one dynamic duo. Micah, who I grew to love in the Life Lessons, I came to hate in Pandora's Box. However, he is one wicked and awesome bad guy. Amos is freaking scary at the begining of the book, but he is also very sweet and protective of his mother.

The book has a great pace, spanning several years. The ending is not exactly a cliff hanger, but promises a sequel that will be just as good if not better than the first! I can't wait to read it!

Pandora's Box is the perfect mixture of horror and action. It'll have you flipping the pages like mad and clinging to your seat, trying to find out what comes next, and dying for the next book when you finish.

I urge you not only to pick up one of Gracen's stories, but also encourage you to find her on facebook, twitter, or visit her blog. Along with being a great author, Gracen is also very sweet and likes to talk to her fans.

5/5

And now the cover for book 2!!!!


Isn't it lovely???


Happy Reading!
*Kristina*