Sunday, May 31, 2015

It's a Giveaway

Fire Hunt Cover Reveal



I love my new cover and to celebrate the reveal I'm hosting a Cover Reveal Giveaway. Two lucky winners will be chosen by the end of the day on Monday, June 1st 2015. The prize? A $5 Amazon gift card each. All you have to do is follow the link over to the Facebook Hunter or Hunted page and share the cover reveal image.

It looks like this.


At 9pm EST I'll throw all the names of those who shared into a random pick webtool and we'll have our two winners.

Peace, Love and Happy Sharing!


Don't forget to catch up on the Saving Grace Sage with Witch Hunt and Fox Hunt.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E89LE9Uhttp://www.amazon.com/Fox-Hunt-J-R-White-ebook/dp/B00NAJ9R3E/ref=la_B00L048SZO_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411645598&sr=1-1


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Review: Rematch (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series (1.5)) by Rachael Slate

In April I stumbled across Trancing The Tiger by Rachael Slate. I love the concept of the story line and the characters along with their romance was nice too. This month Rematch, book 1.5 of the Chinese Zodiac Romance Series, came out and I grabbed it up. Here's a bit about the book and my take on it.

25371358Rematch by Rachael Slate

Thirteen Zodiac animals entered the Great Race. Only twelve became Chosen…

After failing the test to join the Lotus League, Wen Pierce will do anything to prove herself worthy. Even if it means being demoted to a maid in the house of one of the Eight Immortals—Li Tieguai. But this seductive yet surly immortal wants only one thing—her surrender to his rigid control. On his remote, magical island she’ll fade into the background of his tortured existence. Unless she can convince him she can steal anything…including the one thing he believes he’s lost forever.

A spirit outcast and denied…

Tricked by the Monkey King, Li Tieguai lives in shame and surrounds himself with other outcasts, like the spirit animal Cat. But when the vibrant and sultry Wen is assigned to his household and offers to thieve for him, she just might steal more than he planned.

On the edge of redemption, lies temptation…

Li isn’t the only one who can’t resist Wen. The spirit Cat offers Li the solution he’s longed for, but to atone for his past, he’ll have to endure a future…without Wen.



 The Review


At first I was put off a little by Wen. She seemed a little over the top sexy and sultry, but as her story developed and I learned more about her I warmed up to her. Li was almost an instant mystery that I wanted to figure out. The unfolding of his secrets had me turning pages to find out more. 

The myths woven in the story line were well done. As I said before, I love the concept of Chinese culture inside a paranormal romance, and from what I do remember of the Chinese folklore the author has done a wonderful job giving readers just the amount of information they need and tickling their interest to learn more.

This story didn't grab me as fast and hard as the first novel in the series, but it did grab me. Before I knew it I was scrolling past the last page and really wanting more. All in all I'll keep waiting for the next story set to come out this summer.


Peace and Love!


http://annettesbookspot.blogspot.com/2014/12/signup-2015-ebook-reading-challenge.html

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Trail Angels and Trail Magic (Inspiring Saving Grace)

My wonderful daughter.
With the soon to be released Fire Hunt coming along I started looking back on some of the inspiration for the Saving Grace Saga. There were a number of influences that molded the stories and listing them all would be hard, but there are a few things that sparked more interest than others. Today I'd like to talk about the Trail Angels and their roll in the stories and their roll in real life.

The Trail Angels were introduced in Fox Hunt when Mike found a cardboard box of clothing in the back of a closet in his rental house. Dilly explains that he had rented the house from a Trail Angel and that clothing and other basic living supplies were stored away in these safe house stops for witches and werewolves on the run or hiding out. They are explored in more depth in Fire Hunt and that was a journey I really enjoyed.

Through the first two stories, the Trail Angels were a background force that protected people. In Fire Hunt the reader gets to see a little more of the inner workings of this group. From road maps hiding in the decor of a bedroom to well thought out backup plans, this group works hard to provide a safe route for those on the run from Federal Witch Hunters.

Inspired by the Underground Railroad and a group of people dedicated to helping hikers, the Trail Angels turned into a group that inspired hope for me. Then there are the real Trail Angels. There are real people who are called Trail Angels and they are some of the most kind hearted people a hiker could run across on long trails.

The Trail Angels do nice things for folks on the longer trails in America. These trails can run for thousands of miles and can take up to a year or more to hike. I was planning a trip up the Appalachian Trail before I got the exciting news that I was pregnant. That was seven years ago and while the trip has been delayed I hope to hit the trail in ten to fifteen years once my daughter is old enough to either join me or move on to college. I found out about the Trail Angels through all that planning. These people show up with water, food and other basic supplies that hikers may be running low on. Some even open up their homes so that hikers can rest off the trail for a short while.

They aren't just on the East Coast. Trail Angels show up on the long trails all over the country and provide, if nothing else, a friendly face for hikers. The inspiration from these modern day do gooders was vital to the creation of the Trail Angels in the Saving Grace Saga.

If you're waiting for the last installment of the Saving Grace Act rest assured it will be here soon. Once I receive the cover art I'll be sharing it on the Facebook page (Hunter or Hunted) and then later on the blog.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Review: The Witch Who Cried Wolf by Sarah Makela

So this is the first book review to make it to the Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge and it also counts towards my eBook Reading Challenge. Twofer! Besides that awesomeness I've got some good things to say about the book, but first a glance at the blurb.

The Witch Who Cried Wolf by Sarah Makela

22313181Be careful what you wish for...

A potion gone wrong: Mia Brooks is a reluctant witch, with powers that she tries to hold in check. But when her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she's being pursued by werewolves--that she didn't even realize existed...

Hidden emotions: Ethan Parker, Mia's brother's best friend, is home from deployment for the holidays. Mia's not only hiding from werewolves, she's trying to keep her feelings for Ethan secret; it would be a disaster if he knew she's been nursing a long-time crush...

The power of love: Things take a terrifying turn when Mia and Ethan are attacked by a werewolf. Ethan is amazed when Mia reveals her paranormal prowess as she tries to shield them from danger. But can she really protect them from the darkness that lurks? And how can he tell her that, for ages, he's been denying what he really wants? Mia...



The Review

This was the first time I've read a New Adult novel. I've read them before but that was before it spun off into it's own genre. I was a little worried this new independent genre thing might flavor my opinion, but I'm happy to say the book kept on track and stuck more to plot than just the New Adult coming of age flavor. 

As a leading female role Mia was pretty nice. She is coming into her own as a witch and I was able to connect with her. As a witch coming into her power and learning, Mia stays to herself a good bit and the author uses that. Mia needs to be outed at least to some degree and along comes Ethan, her childhood crush, and opens that door right up for her.

Ethan is the best friend of Mia's brother and honestly it feels like he developed that older brother connection with Mia also. He has romantic feelings for Mia but doesn't want to mess with his friend's baby sister. He comes home for the holidays and is instantly thrown into Mia's witchy life when a werewolf attacks.

Beyond the romance between the two I did enjoy the plot. Mia's witch mentor and friend, Jessa, pushes Mia into making a healing salve for a tall dark and sexy man who comes into her magic shop. Mia makes the salve, not realizing it's going to spin off into the adventure that exposes her life to Ethan. I really wanted to know more about the tall dark and sexy stranger than started the whole mess, more to the point I wanted to know about the mysterious alpha that appears and drags him away. As this is a series of novellas and not a stand alone that's a good thing.

All in all it's a nice short read and I'm planning on reading more. For werewolf and witch fans alike I think this is at least worth a read to see if it catches your interest.


 



 

Monday, May 4, 2015

Full Moon New Releases (May 2015)




I'm here to share a few of the new paranormal romance releases for May 2015! Enjoy!



22310860 From the author of Grim Shadows and Bitter Spirits comes the new Roaring Twenties novel in the series hailed as “Boardwalk Empire meets Ghost Hunters, but so much better” (Molly Harper, national bestselling author of the Jane Jameson series).

Feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson is home from college and yearning for the one thing that’s always been off limits: Bo Yeung, her notorious bootlegging brother’s second-in-command. Unfortunately her dream of an easy reunion proves difficult after a violent storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons’ docks. What’s worse, the boat disappeared a year ago, and the survivors are acting strangely…

Bo has worked with the Magnusson family for years, doing whatever is needed, including keeping his boss’s younger sister out of trouble—and his hands to himself. Of course, that isn’t so easy after Astrid has a haunting vision about the yacht’s disappearance, plunging them into an underground world of old money and dark magic. Danger will drive them closer together, but surviving their own forbidden feelings could be the bigger risk.
Coming May 5th from the Penguin Group.



17927298
 In Stacey Kennedy’s steamy paranormal romance novel, a rookie guardian sworn to combat the undead risks life and love in a world of violence, witchcraft, and seduction.

Trained as an Elite Guardian and witch, Nexi Jones has lost her family and she’s hell-bent on making sure she doesn’t lose anyone else. At least she has Kyden, her smoldering hot partner who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi thinks she’s done mourning, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Drawn into their dangerous games, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.

Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the black witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock lurking in the shadows. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.
To be releases May 19th from Random House. 

 
24857039Ten years ago, Moira shared one hot night with the bear-shifter of her dreams, but when she took him up on his offer to join him at the Lone Pine Pride, reality landed with a thud. She quickly realized that he was only looking for a momentary distraction, not a happily ever after.

She’s been trying to get over him ever since, but no other shifter has measured up to the big bad bear.

When Hugo met Moira in a Yukon bar, he poured out his unrequited love for his alpha’s mate as he pounded down drinks. While Hugo remembers telling Moira he was emotionally unavailable, apparently she only heard his need for sexual healing.

He’s always felt guilty for unintentionally leading her on. But now that the woman he thought he wanted is finally available, he’s beginning to wonder if the one he really needs is the woman with whom he shared one incendiary night—then let slip through his fingers.

Warning: This book contains a stubborn old bear, mixed messages, mixed-up emotions, and lots of mixed drinks. Before reading, remember that the best cure for a hangover is NOT “hair of the bear”.

 Coming May 19th from Samhain Publishing.




22890630
In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two souls who have long buried their passions are about to be consumed…

Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…

Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?
Coming May 5th.

That's it for this month. Hope everyone finds a great book or two to read.
Peace and Love!

Saturday, May 2, 2015

My Sexy Saturday: Sexy Me Down

It's time for another My Sexy Saturday snippet. I'm sure everybody knows how this works, but just in case here's the low down. A sexy theme is chosen and authors pull 7 words, 7 sentences or 7 paragraphs from a story they've written for the you, the lovely readers, to enjoy.

The theme this week is Sexy Me Down and is a play off the poker term "Double Down." I've taken a bit from my paranormal romance novel Fox Hunt. In this scene Dilly has just woken up from a dream and finds herself in the arms of Mike.


Fox Hunt snippet:

Moving her gaze up to his face, Dilly noticed how inviting his slightly parted lips looked. Moistening her own, Dilly was about to lean forward to see if his lips still tasted like honey, when he said, “Dilly, are you okay?”

Just as his words had woken her, they now felt like a bucket of ice water. Uncurling her fingers and leaning as far away from him as she could manage on the small couch they shared, Dilly felt heat spreading across her cheeks. “Fine,” she said, trying to ignore the slight stammer in her voice. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”

She heard him chuckle. “Well, I was sleeping.” Dilly’s eyes snapped open at his slightly cocky tone. Seeing the catlike grin on his face, Dilly quickly went from embarrassed to enraged. She threw a few kicks at his legs and shoved at his side. Just as a curse escaped past her lips, Mike grabbed hold of her wrists with a wicked laugh. “Hey, we just slept. What’s gotten into you?”

Feeling his gentle hands lock around her wrists, Dilly froze. She stared at his happy, curious face before saying, “Nothing. I just had a bad dream. Now get off.”

Suddenly Mike crushed her against his hard chest. Her nose was only inches from his and she felt his breath tickling her lips. All the laughter had left his voice, replaced with a heart-melting husky tone when he said, “A dream, huh?”

Caught speechless, Dilly gave a careful nod. A small twitch at the corner of his mouth foreshadowed the knowing smile she had been hoping to avoid. “Was it about me, Delilah?” His whispered words drifted like silk and for a second she wondered why her name sounded so tantalizing coming from his mouth.

She felt as if her words were trapped somewhere deep in her throat. The man under her was breathtaking and everything a woman could want in her mate, but he was not meant for her. He was a man who could protect her, could make her feel like the queen of the ball. He was the man her sister deserved. Struggling with herself, Dilly tried to find her voice. She had to find a way to place some distance between them. “Mike, I want…”



That's it for this week. Make sure to visit the other great blogs on the hop.

Fox Hunt buy links

Amazon
Nook Store
All Romance Ebooks