YzhaBella's BookShelf: February 2011

2/26/11

Reviewing The Reviews & Giveaway (Int'l)

Hello Friends! It's Time For a Giveaway!

Up For Grabs! Your choice of a 2011 New Release! ($15 Max) from the Book Depository

It's amazing how time flies! It's been just over a year now since YzhaBella's BookShelf went live, so I thought I'd share a complete listing of my reviews to date!

(Yes! Ok! I admit it! This is also an innocent, yet desperately desperate attempt to drive more traffic and followers to my blog! =) There's nothing wrong with that...right?)

So! Grab a cup 'o Joe, sit back, relax and please peruse my meanderings!

I am especially interested in hearing your thoughts on any of the titles reviewed.

Do you agree?
Disagree?
Is there an observation of which you understood in an entirely different manner?
Do you know of a title which is similar and you think I might enjoy?
Remember! Anything goes! Chat Chat Chat!

Giveaway Guidelines
***You MUST follow Requirement 1-3 to to qualify!*** Extra Entries are appreciated, but not a necessity!

International - Anywhere BookDepository ships
Please be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower
Peruse the listing of reviews, read a review(s) AND leave a meaningful comment on at least one, come back here and tell me which review and please remember to include your email address! Each different review you comment on equals one entry!
Contest Ends March 13, 2011 11:59pm est.

Extra Entries (These entries will not qualify if Requirements 1-3 have not been previously posted)

In a SEPARATE POST FOR EACH (please include the email addy used for the initial qualifying entry)

Share this event on FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace, Blog Post, Blog SideBar, etc. (Post link in a comment)
Pay it forward - Share the link of one of YOUR OWN reviews! One that you are proud of! I'll hop on over and check it out!
Become a follower of YzhaBella's BookShelf on NetworkedBlogs - See button in right sidebar
Become a friend on GoodReads - See button in right sidebar
Become a friend on FaceBook - See button in right sidebar

REMEMBER! March 13, 2011 11:59pm est

For every 50 NEW FOLLOWERS as of today's date,

I will add another book prize ($15 max) to the pile!

AND

For every 75 comments (blog wide) as of today's date,

I will add another book prize ($15 max) to the pile!

Side Note / Disclaimer
I mention *meaningful* when posting comments as this requirement(s) is my effort to encourage discussion and activity on YzhaBella's BookShelf. Most importantly, comments are a great source of feedback for me and I'd like to make sure I am providing you all with the content and entertainment you are looking for!

Thank you all for participating!

Recap of Reviews

A Drop of Red by Chris Marie Green
A Rush of Wings by Adriane Phoenix
Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs (On The Prowl Anthology)
Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua (A Fiery Tales collection)

Beyond The Dark Anthology by Leigh, Knight, Holly & Whiteside
Blood Lust by Zoe Winters
Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha
Blood Vice by Keith Melton
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Bound To Be Mine by Tess Lamont
Break of Dawn by Chris Marie Green
Buying Trouble by Karen Chance (On The Prowl Anthology)

Caught by the Tide by Diane Whiteside (Beyond The Dark Anthology)
Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Dance With the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dark Time: Mortal Path Book 1 by Dakota Banks
Deep In The Woods by Chris Marie Green
Dragon Dance by Angela Knight (Beyond The Dark Anthology)

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Hunted By The Others by Jess Haines

Immortalis: Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas
Immortalis: Hunters & Prey by Katie Salidas
Inhuman by Eileen Wilks (On The Prowl Anthology)
In a Wolfs Embrace by Lora Leigh (Beyond The Dark Anthology)
Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Juliet by Anne Fortier

Lingering Spirit by Marilyn Meredith

Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny (On The Prowl Anthology)
Montana Destiny by R.C. Ryan
Moonlight Bleu by Renee Rearden

Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn
Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Night Rising by Chris Marie Green

On The Prowl Anthology by Briggs, Wilks, Chance & Sunny

Promises to Keep by Jane Green

Queen of All She Surveys by Emma Holly (Beyond The Dark Anthology)

Rough Magic by Caryl Cude Mullin

Sacrifice by Dakota Banks
Seize The Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Shade (ARC) by Jeri Smith-Ready
Street Magic by Caitlin Kittredge
Starlighter by Bryan Davis
Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Tainted: Blood Lily Chronicles by Julie Kenner
Taken By The Others by Jess Haines
The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos
The Mermaid's Pendant by LeAnn Neal Reilly
The Naughty List (Anthology) by Kauffman, Eden, & Fox
The Path of Razors by Chris Marie Green
The Sorcerer's Key by CC Bye
Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding
The Passion by Donna Boyd
Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill

Unclean Spirits by M.L.N. Hanover

V, W, X, Y, Z

When Blood Calls by JK Beck
Whisper of a Witch by Suza Kates

Reviews are written on a volunteer basis and are only the opinions of the individual review author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and/or views of the author, publisher, or public readers in general Copyright © YzhaBella's BookShelf 2010-11

2/25/11

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Well, as I peruse the pages of Goodreads and some of my favorite Book Review Blogs, I find there are plenty of mixed views toward Wither; many glowing and gushing, many harsh and some even bordering on a wee but nasty. While admittedly this is my first Dystopian YA reading experience, I was rather pleased and walked away from this adventure feeling thoroughly entertained.

I believe that many readers will find DeStefano’s debut a well written, imaginative and thought provoking experience complete with entirely believable futuristic scenarios and an endearing cast of characters. Rhine is a courageous character whose morals and beliefs tell her that she must fight for her freedom. Yet, her intelligence tells her that she must endure, she must wait to take action when the time is right. And, amongst all the bravery and wisdom, Rhine must also deal with her heart. She struggles with the ever-present inner battles of caring versus hatred for Linden and her quilt over what the repercussions of her departure might mean to Cecily, the youngest of Rhine’s 2 sister wives.

While there are some rather sensitive topics touched upon within the pages of Wither, such as kidnapping, murder, and forcible confinement, these issues are conveyed in a manner that readers will find rather gentle and quite suited to the premise of the story.

DeStefano shares with us a rather unique view of our future. One that, if man doesn’t stop “messing with nature”, I believe readers will find quite conceivable.

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Wither: The Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book 1
by Lauren DeStefano
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
March 2011
ISBN-10: 1442409053
ISBN-13: 9781442409057

From the Publisher
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Find Lauren on the Web

2/22/11

Happy Release Day! A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

A Touch Mortal
by Leah Clifford
Greenwillow Books
(HaperCollins Imprint)
Feb. 22, 2011
Young Adult - Debut

From the Publisher

Eden didn't expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick-up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long, happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own.

And that's only the beginning of the end.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A Touch Mortal is Leah Clifford's debut
and the first in a planned troligy.

You can find Leah on the Web Here:

2/21/11

Winners Revealed!

Thank you to every one to participated in the

Review & Giveaway of Immoratlis: Hunters & Prey by Katie Salidas!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Katie generously offered up an Interactive CD containing the first two books in the series,

Immortalis: Carpe Noctem and Immortalis: Hunters & Prey!!!

And for our Canadian readers:

1 SIGNED copy of Immortalis: Hunters & Prey!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And the Winners are:

Interactice CD: Flirty Musings

Signed Copy of Hunters & Prey: Aislynn

You both have 72 hours to send your physical mailing address to:

mleger0546{@}rogers{.}com

Congratulations!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Immortalis: Hunters & Prey
By Katie Salidas
Publisher: Rising Sign Books
ISBN-10: 0984419659
ISBN-13: 978-0984419654

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To learn more about Katie Salidas, please visit her on the web!
Author Blog
Publisher - Rising Sign Books
GoodReads
FaceBook
MySpace

2/20/11

Book Talk: The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

***UPDATE: Now that I've completed The Emerald Talisman, let's open up this chat!

Possible Spoilers so readers please beware!***

***Update #2: I've Posted my Review! Please Check it out!
HERE!***

I've just picked up The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos and while I am only a few chapters in, I am already loving where this adventure is taking me!

As a member of the Talisman Series Street Team, I wanted to open up some discussion and see if we can't gather a few of your thoughts on your "Talisman" Reading Experience.

So, please. Crab a Cup 'o Jo and share your thoughts! Please NO SPOILERS! (We'll open up for further discussion at a later date).

Here's a few Q's to kick off the discussion:

Have you read The Emerald Talisman?
If Yes, Did you Like It, Love It, Hate It, or "Meh, s'okay"
If not, but are planning to, what has piqued your interest?
If not and are not planning to, why not?

Of course, these are only meant to "push-start" the conversion, so any Non-Spoilery comments/discussions are very welcome and most definitely greatly appreciated!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(GoodReads)
To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

Visit Brenda on the Web: Blog, FaceBook, GoodReads, Twitter

2/19/11

Interview w/ Renee Rearden - "Moonlight Bleu"

Welcome to YzhaBella’s BookShelf Renee! Thank you for agreeing to participate in the interview!

Can you give us a quick description of Moonlight Bleu?

Moonlight Bleu is a paranormal world where an immortal woman’s search for her genetic origin places her squarely in harm’s way, not one but two men possess amazing psychic abilities that help keep the mortal population safe from other preternatural creatures that don’t play by the rules, and a love triangle that offers soul mates a match—if they’re brave enough to take a chance.

What prompted you to choose “B.L.E.U.” as the spelling in your title? Is there a specific significance that made you want to use this form of the word?

*chuckling*
The title was inspired after a close friend gave me a picture she took of Priest Lake under a full moon. Blue colored the sky and trees, and the bright orb’s reflection floated on the surface of the water. The picture evoked such an emotional response from me, “blue” was too ordinary a word to describe what I’d seen. Plus, “Bleu” looks more interesting and way cool in print!

Did anyone in your own life inspire your character, Saari Mitchell?

No one person inspired Saari Mitchell’s character. I think as a writer, one often gathers pieces of themselves and those closest to them to create the people that inhabit their stories. It’s always easier to write what one knows. Having said that, I guess I’ll admit to infusing a large portion of my own snark and insecurities into Saari’s psyche. =D

How did you get the idea for Moonlight Bleu and the paranormal talents of the main characters?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by anything psychic or paranormal in nature. I read everything I could get my hands on about the phenomenon. Once I started writing the novel, it seemed natural to have characters possess psychic abilities and preternatural origins.

How do you keep track of your world building?

Very carefully…seriously. I have a chart that shows a timeline, and I use sticky notes on a large poster board to keep track of each chapter, the motivation and goal behind each chapter, and how the story falls together with each turning point.

Is Moonlight Bleu your debut? If not, what else have you published?

Moonlight Bleu is my debut novel. I’m currently editing book two in the Tueri Psychic series and have started writing the third. I also have a young adult paranormal novel about half written, and have another series plotted that I’d love to start writing the first book for. (If only I didn’t actually need to sleep!)

What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of writing?

The most challenging aspect of writing for me is actually the editing phase (or rewrite
sometimes). Writing the novel is fun. I love the challenge of building a new world,
creating characters to populate that world, and then finding ways to make those characters interact.

The most rewarding aspect of writing? I bet you thought I’d say seeing my book in print, right? I’ll admit, getting published is pretty awesome—but that’s not the best part for me. Hearing readers say, “I couldn’t put your book down!” gives me a creative high that can’t be matched (except by my husband, but we won’t go there. He’d blush!).

What do you feel are the benefits/drawbacks of the new electronic readers such as Kindle or Kobo? Will they be the “death of print”? Do you feel that electronic copies are fairly priced?

Funny you should ask that question…I just got a Kindle as a Valentine’s Day gift. I have always said, quite staunchly, “I like the feel of a book in my hands, the smell of the printed page, the visual satisfaction of cover art and fonts.”

I do like all of those things, but I also am not coordinated enough to hold a book and exercise, either on a treadmill or recumbent bike, without injuring myself in one way or another (and I have, believe me). So, I finally declared my intention to try a digital reader. I gotta admit, I LOVE my Kindle. It’s easy to use, goes with me everywhere now (is lighter than books I used to carry in my purse), and I can purchase new books instantly.

Of course, my husband is now thinking of a new way to limit my book buying privileges. At bookstores, I’m only allowed to buy the books I can carry. Hahaha, the Kindle holds 3,500 books…and I can carry them all!

I don’t think electronic devices will be the “death of print” as a whole. There are Print On Demand modules that allow the option of purchasing a print book for those readers that prefer print books. However, the “book” market is definitely changing. Just as the movie and music industry experienced the digital revolution, so too are publishers and readers.

As far as prices, wow. I’m new to the digital arena and don’t know enough about it yet to give a firm opinion. There have been arguments for and against lower prices. Both sides of that topic make sense. Hopefully, a medium range will settle into the market: one that allows author and publisher to realize a profit for their work and readers the chance to purchase books at a reasonable price.

Can you please share with us how old you were when you wrote your first story?

I’m sure I wrote short stories as part of some school assignments at some point during my childhood, but I was either 27 or 28 when I started writing my first novel. I stopped writing when life got too hectic, and started writing again about five years ago.

Besides being a writer, what other types of jobs have you held?

I worked in a couple of fast food restaurants and was a waitress during high school.
Once I graduated from college, I ran a Court Reporting program in California for a
couple of years while I was a freelance Court Reporter. I’ve been a licensed Court
Reporter for 21 years, working as an Official Court Reporter (in a courtroom) for the last 15 years.

What are some of your favorite literary works?

Wow, this is a tough question. I’m a total genre junkie. I love Dean Koontz’s Odd       Thomas character/series; John Sanford’s Prey series; Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel       series; Rachel Caine’s weather Warden Series; Rachel Vincent’s Pride and Soul       Screamers series; Laura Anne Gilman’s Retriever series. I adore Gena Showalter,      Jennifer Estep, Shannon K. Butcher, Patricia Briggs, and Carrie Jones.

Who’s your favorite author?

Hahahaha…I don’t have A favorite author. There are so many authors’ voices that resonate for me as you can tell by my answer above. Each of them qualify as my favorite!

Please share with us what can we expect from you next? Will there be a sequel?

There absolutely is a sequel to Moonlight Bleu. Our protagonists, Saari Mitchell, Dhelis Guidry and Vincent Brogan, are committed to finding a way to somehow make their three-sided relationship work. Dhelis’s ex, Josie Stuart, has no intention of letting the threesome bond. She’s joined forces with a vampire in a bid to overthrow the state’s ruling vampire, destroy the Tueri Council, and claim her own form of immortality in the process. If she succeeds, Saari, Dhelis and Brogan’s lives will never be the same.

Do you have any upcoming appearances? If so where can our readers find you?

I am doing a book signing Saturday, February 19th at the Borders in Union Gap, Washington. I may appear on other blogs or sites in the next couple of months. Those sites and appearance dates will be listed on my website at www.reneerearden.com.

Thanks gain for participating! Your time and responses are very much appreciated and we hope to see more of your works in the near future!

Thank you so much for having me!

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Find Renee Rearden on the Web:

Website

FaceBook

GoodReads

Earlier this year, I had the wonderful honour of Reading & Reviewing "Moonlight Bleu"

here at the BookShelf!

Check it out!

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Moonlight Bleu

by Renee Rearden

Crescent Moon Press: August 2010

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 978-0982306567

Cover art by Ash Arceneaux

Saari Mitchell sees a psychologist in order to understand why-500 years later-she's still dreaming of her dead lover. Her shrink isn't helping, the nightmares come every time she closes her eyes, and the lack of sleep is interfering with her job at Sacred Heart Hospital. With her psychic ability to heal the human spirit on the fritz, her auric radar becomes as reliable as her spotty cell phone service.

By day, Dhelis Guidry works as a detective for the New Angeles Police Department investigating the missing or murdered women in the Full-Moon Killer case. In his spare time he hunts rogue vampires as a Tueri executioner.

Brogan Vincent is a Tueri healer. Though he could offer his miraculous talents to the rich and powerful, he has chosen anonymity and peace by only using his psychic abilities among the Tueri.

One look into Saari's tri-colored eyes and both men realize she is Tueri. One touch tells them each she's their soul mate. But can either of them protect her from the Full-Moon Killer?

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2/17/11

Guest Post with Marsha A. Moore

It’s great to be here at YzhaBella’s today!
Thanks for inviting me.

The Wild Pirate Island of Tortuga

From my first visit to the Caribbean, I was hooked. I love the culture, the sway of steel drum bands, the colorful cottages, the turquoise waters, soft sand, sun, delicious seafood, rum beverages…and wild pirate lore.

Two years ago, when I moved to the Tampa area, I was delighted to feel the vibe of the Caribbean seeping into the local atmosphere, and it inspired me to write. The result is my new fantasy erotic romance book, Tears on a Tranquil Lake.

One of my favorite settings in the book takes place on the Haitian island of Tortuga, a wild pirate hangout during the 1600s. While Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean movies paint it as a somewhat mythical place, it did really serve from 1640 to 1684 as a neutral hideout for pirate ships and storage of their booty.

While researching the history of the island, I learned some interesting bits of information. Although the island was known to the native tribes, the Taino, and formed a landing for Christopher Columbus in 1493, it wasn’t used as permanent settlement until Spanish and French pirates claimed it for their own uses. Various European governments then attempted to control the island. The French government built Fort de Rocher, and a Spanish army tried to overthrow that effort. The British entered the mix, and amid such indecision, the pirates easily commanded authority with their natural barbaric style.

By 1640, the pirates using Tortuga as a home port called themselves the Brethren of the Coast. Eventually, the various governments devised ways to deal with or control the pirates’ wild lifestyles so the island could be inhabited by civilized peoples. The French governor even imported 1,650 prostitutes, hoping to lure the lascivious buccaneers into respectable, settled lifestyles with family commitments. Hard to believe! Seems to me like giving candy to lustful pirates wouldn’t have given them reason to want a full meal. After a few years, the French government realized their error and attempted more successful business deals with the pirates, hiring them to serve as naval strike-force backup. Money provided a better hold on the Tortuga pirate community than sex!

Come enjoy some unbridled licentiousness and hedonism in Tears on a Tranquil Lake with the main character, a mermaid named Ciel, as she discovers the pleasures and vices of that magical island.

Blurb:

What a surprise for a young woman, to find herself suddenly transformed into a mermaid.

Ciel’s first thought – track down the merman who changed her and make him reverse his magic.

Unable to find him, survival in her new world becomes paramount. She eagerly accepts help from a dashing pirate captain who takes a fancy to her, lavishing her with finery. When her merman does show up, he competes for her affection. One look into his eyes makes her life more complex -- he is her soul mate.

Which man will she choose – pirate captain or merman? Which life – human or mermaid? Caribbean adventures and dangers chase Ciel as she searches for decisions and the key to her happiness.

Warning: This book contains Haitian vodou, sultry wenches, foul-mouthed scalliwag pirates, overindulgence of fine Caribbean rum, and amorous encounters on deserted beaches.

Links:

Publisher: http://museithotpublishing.com/

ISBN: 978-1-926931-29-6

Purchase Link

Excerpt:

Tears on a Tranquil Lake

excerpt, Chapter Ten

The Black Hawk made port and its crew secured her to a dock. In every direction I looked were pirate ships.

Sam sidled up to me. “Feast yer eyes, lass. There be every type of privateer vessel here today.” He pointed them out, one by one. “Next to us be a square-rigger, massive enough to store plenty of booty . . . over there be a nimble sloop fitted with its dress canvases . . . and there, a two-masted brigantine workhorse . . . and farther back, a fleet of schooners with shallow drafts to make swift course in shoal waters.”

“Amazing! And all fly the skull and crossbones flag,” I said.

“That be the Jolly Roger, the buccaneer mark displayed aside their own war pennants, like ours be a black hawk set on a red field.”

What a sight, seeing dozens of fine sailing vessels docked or anchored in the tropical cove.

With the gangplank finally lowered and secured all hands anxiously waited for the captain to come on deck to dismiss them. Although only a few moments passed, the men grumbled.

Black Sam shot them a long, fierce glare before Raphael appeared.

The captain grinned from ear-to-ear, his booming voice full of excitement, “Aye, ye scallywags, the Hawk sets sail again midday tomorrow. Be here or be left behind. Now get yourselves ashore.”

They all scampered onto the dock like mice, yelling and laughing in anticipation of merriment and adventure.

Raphael proudly extended me his arm. “Ciel, you look lovely. Let me now show you the wonders of Tortuga.”

Along the promenade that followed the shore I struggled to match his gait. I was impeded by my less than agile tail flipper, and glad for his arm.

He sensed my dependence upon him and beamed, in high spirits. Smiling to familiar faces, he tipped his three-cornered black hat, its billowing white plume waving in the breeze. He looked dashing, outfitted in a purple waistcoat and gold brocade jacket. Slim black trousers and knee-high dress boots with shiny silver buckles accentuated his trim physique.

I smiled at him, pleased to be on his arm for reasons more than for physical support.

Everywhere I looked strode the most bizarre beings and unusually dressed people imaginable. At the sides of the promenade, men swallowed blades of any cutlass, dagger, or sword passing buccaneers might volunteer. In amazement I paused to try and discover their secrets, while Raphael pulled me along by the arm with my head turning back over my shoulder, mystified.

Scantily clad women preformed miraculous contortions, happily accepting gifts of doubloons tucked into any edges of their skimpy clothing or body orifices the seafarers wished to leave tips within. Their spines seemed boneless and I wondered if they were truly human.

Many merfolk, both male and female, accompanied pirates, while others sauntered alone or mingled in groups of their own kind. The mermaids all looked so beautiful, wearing lavish golden jewelry and their hair gleamed in the sunlight. I felt rather plain in comparison with only sea baubles for adornments.

The pirate captains and their staff all dressed in an eccentric array of finery. They lent a festive atmosphere, in their bright colors, fancy hats, and tall boots. Garb from around the world proudly boasted, of their travels in the Caribbean, as well as remote destinations of the Far East and Africa.

Amongst the mariners I caught a glimpse of one extremely odd creature strolling past who made me gasp. I could not help but stare. I knew not whether the being was male or female. I could see human legs, covered with pants and shoes, but also the upper body of a seal. I whispered to Black Sam beside me, “What is that sea creature?’

Noticing my bewilderment, he chuckled. “One of the bizarre wonders of the abyss. Pure magic. That be a common sight only on the land of this isle. He's a selkie who's not donned all his sealskin.” He pointed to draw my attention, which was unnecessary, since my eyes were already fixed to the sealman. “See that brown mass danglin' down behind him? That be the rest of it. Left out his legs, likely, so he can walk.”

“I envy him. I wish I could pull my scaly skin back to find some feet to walk upon.”

Raphael was smiling and listening to our conversation. “Don’t forget I can solve that problem for you, Ciel,” he whispered in my ear.

I sensed pressure to make my decision conveyed in his tone, and a wave of panic swept over me, taking my attention from the selkie.

The captain tightened his grasp upon my arm and looked imploringly into my eyes for that answer.

My pulse raced, unable to grant him the choice I knew he expected, yet also unable to leave his world behind for the sea.

2/15/11

Titles to Watch For: Reunion by Jeff Bennington 5/1/11

Release Date: May 1, 2011
Publisher: nexGate Press
ISBN-13: 978-0615443683
Genre: Suspense/Paranormal

David Ray killed eight students and then turned the gun on himself. He thought the shooting and suicide would fix his world. It didn't. The massacre threw Tanner Khan and the other survivors into chaos.

Twenty years later, Tanner and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion to lay the past to rest. Although they suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building. Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray.

Once inside the old school, they discover that a dark entity has joined them. It has come to collect a debt, long overdue, and someone has to pay. Will Tanner and his classmates overcome their fears and put the pieces of their lives back together, or will they be consumed by their worst nightmare?

****This multi-genre thriller has, at times, elements of the supernatural, horror, romance, and certainly suspense, without disregard for the trauma and long term Post Traumatic Stress that many survivors will deal with the rest of their lives.

Check out Jeff on his blog at http://thewritingbomb.blogspot.com

2/11/11

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

WOW!!! What a hair-raising read! Elizabeth Woods will wow the YA world with her debut release of Choker! Even this 30 “something” mom found the hair on the back of my neck rising up with each new chapter.

Choker touches on a very serious issue facing our teens today. Bullying, in its worst form has driven many a child to drastic measures in his/her attempts to deal and to fit it. Your hair is the wrong colour! Your jeans are out of date! You chose the wrong friend!!! Stupid reasons to be teased, yet silly little matters like these are all it takes for children to turn into to vicious, malicious, and vile beasts who have the power to wreak irreparable damage to other innocent souls who want nothing more than to fit in.

In Choker, Elizabeth Woods will take readers on one girl’s journey through the trials and tribulations of high-school and her unfortunate “pleasure” of being a target. Written the in first person, readers are treated to a personal view of Cara’s emotional turmoil, fear, and despair at her predicament. Talented beyond measure, Woods has created a turbulent, yet “gripping” experience that will keep readers guessing right until the very end.

The smooth and seemingly effortless progression of this thrilling story will keep readers devouring page after page, despite the heart-pumping "creep" factor!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me a finished copy of Choker for review!!

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Choker by Elizabeth Woods
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
January 2011
ISBN-10: 144241233X
ISBN-13: 9781442412330
Grades: 9 and up

From the Publisher
Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria. Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.

But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?

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Check out Choker at

elizabethwoodsbooks.com and at http://teen.simonandschuster.com/

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2/7/11

GIVEAWAY!!! Deadline Extended

Oh Dear. My Loverly Peoples!

Can't we get a wee bit more participation on this event!

Purty Please!

I really do not want to disappoint the wonderfully taleneted Ms. Salidas with so few entrants!

C'mon! Tell your friends!

Spead the Word!

I will give you all my undying gratitude!!

Deadline Extended to February 10th!!!!!

Interactive CD containing the first two books in the series,

Immortalis: Carpe Noctem

and

Immortalis: Hunters & Prey!!!

AND! For Canadian Readers, 1 SIGNED copy of Immortalis: Hunters & Prey!

Ends February 7, 2011

Please stop by

THIS POST for the Giveaway and a Review of Hunters & Prey!

2/4/11

GIVEAWAY REMINDER! Immortalis: Hunters & Prey By Katie Salidas

Interactive CD containing the first two books in the series,

Immortalis: Carpe Noctem

and

Immortalis: Hunters & Prey!!!

AND! For Canadian Readers, 1 SIGNED copy of Immortalis: Hunters & Prey!

Ends February 7, 2011

Please stop by

THIS POST for the Giveaway and a Review of Hunters & Prey!

2/2/11

Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall

Darkness Dawns
by Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Kensington (Zebra) February 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 1420118617
ISBN-13: 978-1420118612

In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts. . .where passion can last forever, if you're willing to pay the price. . .

Once, Sarah Bingham's biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she's landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control. . .

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible--when it means forfeiting the world she's always known, and the life he would do anything to protect. . .

Read an Excerpt here

Find Dianne on the Web here