5 Star Review for:

The Vengeance of the Vampire Bride

by Rhiannon Frater

 

From Goodreads: In THE TALE OF THE VAMPIRE BRIDE, Lady Glynis suffered great horrors at the hands of her evil vampire master, Count Vlad Dracula, and vowed she would one day escape him.

In THE VENGEANCE OF THE VAMPIRE BRIDE, Glynis learns to embrace the title of Countess Dracula as she sets into motion her plans to seek revenge on those who betrayed Glynis and her family to Dracula and to reunite with the man she loves.

Despite her ambitions, it soon becomes quite apparent that her life continues to be overshadowed by the ominous presence of Vlad Dracula.

Set in the 1820s against the lush gothic backdrop of Buda, Hungary, the tale of one vampire bride’s quest for love, revenge, and the right to determine her own way in life is a sweeping saga that will enthrall any reader who loves the beautiful, deadly vampires of old.

Lori's Review: 5 Stars

To quote Lady Glynis: "It was beautiful and terrible, wondrous and horrific, healing and painful."
This book is a much lighter read than the first book. Many things make it so. Glynis is her own person and living on her own. Vlad has been incapacitated throughout most of the book. Although he is Dracula...he is never completely gone! Glynis is happy, but her happiness is not complete. She cannot be with the one that she loves the most.
I LOVE Glynis. She is by far the best female lead that Rhiannon has ever written. She is Jenni (ATWD) and Maria (BASTION) and so much more. She is strong, independent, kick ass, and a lady. Despite her vampire exsitence she maintains her virtue (well mostly). She grows so much in this book. Without a man behind her she finds her own footing and despite everyone handling her with kid gloves manages to fuck up her life and fix her own fuck ups.
Astir s/he is amazing. I literally could not figure this fallen angel out. S/he plays games for seemingly no reason other than her own amusement. It's quite frustrating.
Two new characters are introduced in this book. They add so much depth to Glynis's story. Laura, the daughter of slimy Stephen and Percy. Both are taken with Glynis and she is taken with them. At times I wondered if Percy had shady reasons for befriending Glynis. He seemed to be hiding something throughout the book. I was not surprised by Laura's revelation but was pleased with it. Rhiannon is someone that embraces all types of people in her life and her work. She shows her characters and fans compassion. I will not say more than that. I don't want to spoil the fun. The first book was a dark and beautiful ride that I loved. This ride was pure joy. It kept me guessing. I absorbed this book today. Every chance I got I was reading.

The writing was epic. I have come to expect nothing less than this from Rhiannon though. She really knows how to tell a great story. There is still a lot up and the air and am waiting patiently for the next installment!

It is yet another cannot put down book by Rhiannon Frater. I highly recommend this series.



COVER REVEAL!!!

Options

by Abbi Glines

A new trilogy!

Expected Release Feb: 5th

Two paths.

Two completely different roads.

Each one standing before me.

Each one holding a different destiny.

In life you're just supposed to choose one path. 

In life you're not given the chance at choosing one specific future.

Until now.

Until me.

Why am I different? I don't know. But I'm going to see those roads and walk down each one. When it's over I'll know which one to choose because I'll know my - options.

Guys, I am so exctied to be part of this cover reveal. I love love love Abbi Glines' books! I cannot wait to read this book. Look at this beautiful cover designed by Stephanie Mooney from Mooney Designs. 

Add this book to you to-read list on goodreads HERE!

Go stalk Abbi Glines!

Versatile Blogger Award

Hi guys, I am so happy to announce that Kami, and I were nominated for this award by Sarah at http://threecatsandagirl.blogspot.ca/. We have been nominated for the Liebster Award three times too but I didn't feel comfortable accepting that nomination because we were still finding our bearings in the blogging world. Do I feel established now? Not really, but we have some really amazing and loyal friends and readers. We have so much more to do and love this crazy blogging ride we are on. Are we versatile? I know we can be. I took down our picture pages because I do not own the rights to those pictures and it is not fair to use them on the blog. We talk about life and books on this blog. We share our love of books, and shout out to our favorite authors. We feature both indie and traditonal published books. So yes, I think we are well on our way to be truly versatile. Someday we may even do movie reviews...Scary.

So here's the deal with the award. We need to nominate 5 other small bloggers. I'm not sure what this entails. Maybe less than 100 followers (although compared to the big fish book bloggers that is still small).

I nominate:

Emily Goodwin: Author, animal lover, blogger, wife and amazing person. http://emily-goodwin.blogspot.com/

Brina Courtney: She is all things books.Author. Lots of giveaways. A street team and she even makes covers! http://www.brinacourtney.com/

Alexia Purdy: Another author/blogger. Jeesh. She does way more than promote her own books on her blog. She is super supportive of all indie authors on her blog. She features them all the time. http://alexiapurdy.blogspot.com/

Ren and Robyn at a little bit of R & R. Why? Because these ladies are super cool. Ren is really supportive of us too! http://www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com/

Lastly this brand new baby blog made by my friend Heaven. It literally was just started up last night. But I know Hevean and she is passionate about books and authors. http://indieauthorsbooksandmore.blogspot.com/

Ok 7 Random Facts about Lori (that's me!)

1. Confessions on a Dance Floor is my favorite Madonna album of all time!

2. I secretly want to be a chef and marry Bobby Flay.

3. I am afraid of stairs, ice and basketballs.

4. I have a degree in anthropolgy and a certificate in Native American studies. I super heart the Ogalala Lakota. They dislike anthropologists. Which makes me heart them even more.

5. I hate the move the Notebook. Seriously, I hate it.

6. I like the last Harry Potter books way more than the first 3.

7. I have been to see the band Hello Dave 3 times. I did not enjoy any of the shows I saw.

Thank you again, for nominating us Sarah!

Ohh I like these vampires!

The Tale of the Vampire Bride

by: Rhiannon Frater

From Goodreads: All Lady Glynis Wright ever wanted was the freedom to live her life as she pleased. Unfortunately, her aristocratic parents want her to marry well and settle into a life of luxury.

When her family becomes guests to one of the most fearsome and powerful vampires of all time, Glynis finds her fate is far more terrible than an arranged marriage. Trapped in the power of her new master, she fights for freedom, revenge against her creator, and the chance to be with the one she truly loves.

Bloody, horrific, romantic and rich in gothic atmosphere, The Tale of the Vampire Bride is sure to thrill fans of the terrible, yet romantic vampires of literary past.

Lori's Review: 5 Stars...come on be real. 50000000000000 Stars is more like it!

This book has everything I want and more in vampire books. I don't mind new age vampire novels with their lovey feely vampires that sparkle and have sweet dogs. I don't absolutely love them either. I may like the romance of the the story but for the most part I find vampires like that kinda meh. I have never had a problem finding anything Rhiannon does as meh. Ever. If I am going to lose myself in a vampire book I WANT my vampires to be horrifying. I want them bloody. I want them slightly mad with blood lust and power. I want them to sexual predators....wait that came out wrong. I want them to be sexy, and dark, and beautiful but most of all I want them deadly and covered in blood. Vampires shouldn't be your prom date. They should be haunting you and conspiring to slaughter your school mates at prom. (Hello shout out to Buffy the Vampire Slayer the movie, and TV show). They should be stealing virgins and scarficing them, unleashing the swamp monster, and wolf man all whilst looking for the amulet to free the forces of hell. Frankenstein should be your friend. (shout out the Monster Squad). You get my point. I grew up in the day and age where vampires were MONSTERS! Thank you Rhiannon Frater for giving me those monsters.

Now to talk about this particular book...LOL that's what you thought I was doing? Well I was. But not specifically.
To me this book has two parts to it. The first part is the betrayal, the changing, and the aftermath. The second part is the discovery of self, love and power. These are my distinctions not Rhiannon's.
The first part of this book is dark. Very dark. The mood matches Vlad's castle, Glynis matches Vlad's castle. It is gothic horror at it's best. Vlad is an evil dickhead. He is gross and disgusting and I hate him as much as Glynis does. The light at the end of the tunnel? Well, Glynis's relationship with the sister brides. I love the relationship she has with them. They very much save her from being destroyed by Vlad. They also remind Glynis of what she doesn't want to become. Seeing their devotion to Vlad allows her to keep her soul. It disgusts her so much that she is able to maintain her independence.
The second part of the book is much lighter. Not in tone but in setting.  Even though Glynis clearly cannot go into the sun light I picture their time in Buda as being sunny. Glynis is much happier out the castle's gloom. She has freedom. The light at the end of the tunnel? Well, I won't tell you. But it is yummy.
The last 30% of this book. Oh wow, was everything thrown up in the air. I loved the way the pieces landed. It was wonderful. I never grew to love Vlad and neither did Glynis (thank goodness) but I did enjoy his monsterhood. It was refreshing. Glynis spent as much time covered in blood in the book as she did in gowns. Swoon. I love that!! Thank you Miss Frater for the monsters!

Check out the new cover for these books HERE!

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey

Goodreads blurb: A shrewd, laugh–out–loud parody of E. L. James' bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey series:

Young, arrogant, tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?


5 Stars ~ Kami's Review

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. It has been on my Kindle for quite some time, I wish I had read it sooner!

Freaking hilarious!!
The author did such a good job making fun of Fifty Shades!
Everything from the over explaining of unimportant things that are blatantly obvious to anyone with a brain, to the nervous habit of biting her lip (or in this books case picking her nose).
I want to quote this book so bad, but since I cannot, just take my word for it that you will laugh your ass off.
I think the price is a little steep, but I guess it depends on how much you are willing to pay for a book that will crack you up.

My First but Not Last Tiffany King Book

Wishing For Someday Soon

by: Tiffany King

From Goodreads: Seventeen year old Katelyn Richards is a stronger person than anyone will ever know, and that is just the way she wants it. Behind her normal facade lies the reality of a broken home life. Thanks to her abusive mother, a string of deadbeat stepfathers, and an unsympathetic system, Katelyn has learned that the only one she can count on is herself. Her life’s mission has become to shield her nine year old brother, Kevin, and to give him the future that they both wish for. A life with no more abuse, no worries about where their next meal will come from, and no more wondering if they will have a roof over their heads.
When her mother moves them again, this time to a small town in Montana, Katelyn’s resolve is shaken when she meets Max, a cute boy from her new school, who gets a glimpse into her real world. Max slowly manages to break through Katelyn’s wall of distrust, stirring up feelings she never saw coming. Now with her world more complicated than she ever intended, Katelyn struggles with the decision to follow her heart into the arms of the first boy she has ever loved. A decision that could risk the promise she made to protect Kevin, and to give them the ‘someday soon’ that is so close within their grasp.



Lori's Review: 5 Huge Stars

*Warning this is not a traditional review. I talk quite a bit about myself and my younger years. Not for pity, but because this is what this book made me feel, and think about.

Ramen Noodles the staple of college students everywhere. After the age of 17 I refused to eat them. I haven't eaten them since. My college friends were baffled by my extreme dislike of ramen noodles. Tiffany King gets it though.
"I made sure to scoop up a dozen packages of Top O' Ramen soup for Kevin and me. At twenty cents a package, it was a cheap staple item for us. We didn't always have a means to cook them so we would crunch the package up, pour the seasoning mix into the bag of broken pieces and shake it up."
Yep, sometimes the water would get shut off. We would have to scoop water out of our swimming pool for two weeks to flush the toilet. Cruchy ramen and pb&j sanwhiches sure did taste mighty fine in those days.
Imagine going to high school having had to wash up in the sink because you couldn't shower in your shower due to roots collapsing the sewer line. Who has thousands of dollars to fix that? We sure didn't. I'm sure Katelyn's family wouldn't either.
Imagine losing your home at the age of 17 and bouncing from couch to couch for 6 months. I've lived that. That year I "moved" five times.
Oh yeah, being without things like a landline phone and electricty...yep that happened at least once or twice a year. I get it. I was "there" in this book. Being called names because your mom is so strung out to care about your feelings. Missing a final in high school because she couldn't get her life straightened out enough to wake up and take you to school. Being petrified to drive because your mom was constantly passing out at the wheel from exhaustion. Yep. Katelyn gets my life. And I get hers.

My parents were never physcially abusive. My mom wasn't even that much of verbal abuser. She wasn't around enough to do much damage. Those days are long behind my mom. Thankfully. I could not ask for a better grandma for my daughter. Or a better patner in life. Yes, my mom lives with me. I love her dearly. I am an adult. The past is the past. Does it still hurt to think about it? Yes. But she got better. Katelyn's mother, however, just kept digging her hole and continued to be a selfish mother. That's what mothers like this are. They are selfish. I know the love of a child. I know the joys and pains of being a mother. I would never abandon my child for my own needs. I know what it's like to feel unloved by your parents. It sucks. Big time. Now to the actual book review...kinda.

That was....intense. I mean it really intense. This is one of those books that tugs at your heart strings. It more than tugs at them. It rips your heart out and plays with it for a while then returns it with such beauty that makes you cry and laugh and sigh. It was above all else real. It was beautiful, raw novel that had me biting my nails. It had me crying and hoping and cringing. I could feel the build up of the final straw. I felt it. I knew it was coming. It still shocked me. I still bawled. I still cried happy tears. If only I could hand out this ending to every child that needs it. If only children didn't need to wait for their "someday soon". That would be fantastic.
The writing was flawless. Tiffany King puts the readers in Katelyn's life. We, the reader, are there with her. In her times of joy, and her times of pain. Katelyn, Kevin and Max all have real depth. They are real people. Lucinda is a real asshole too. I mean it. God, I wanted to smack that woman. Well, I wanted to do more than smack her but my private thoughts about her are best kept private. Let's just say that I would take a Countess Bathory approach of how I would treat child abusers (minus the rape/bathing in blood-which, is a myth, btw). I almost feel guilty about gushing about this book. It's just so raw, and gritty and emotional. I feel like I am glorifying Lucinda. I'm not I am praising the Katelyn's of the world. For surviving. For keeping their heads up. For protecting their loved ones and for moving on. Not everyone gets a happy and healed mommy like I did. Not everyone get's a someday soon. It breaks my heart. Never keep silent. No one, and I mean that, No one has the right to use physical or verbal hits against your person. To state institutions: Wake up. Keep families together. Hold your foster families to higher standards and, for heavens sake, stop cutting your employees. If this country was truly dedicated to providing equality and freedom for all then we would not cut our social services. People out there really need them. Not everyone on welfare is scamming the government like Lucinda. In my eyes there were absolutely NO FLAWS in this book. Absolutely none. It is a great book. I am so glad that Ms. King wrote it. I am so glad I took the time to dig through my kindle "pile" to read it.
Overall, Bravo to Ms. King for writing a novel that not only entertains but makes us think. That makes us all wish for someday soon.

Rhiannon Frater's YA zombie novel:

The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters

by Rhainnon Frater

From Goodreads: Josh Rondell is twelve years old and known as the "living dead boy" due to his rampant love of all things zombie. As the head of the Zombie Hunters Club, he's obsessed with preparing for the zombocalypse.
Though no one around him really believes that zombies will one day rise to devour the living, Josh is convinced it just might happen.
When zombies do shamble into his schoolyard, Josh finds himself the leader of the dwindling band of zombie hunters, and he is charged with protecting them all. Josh's baby brother, his closest friends, and the love of his young life try to survive as the undead take over their town.
Trapped in his treehouse and surrounded by the dead, will Josh be able to save them all?

Lori's Review: 5 Stars

Did you really think I would give this book anything under 5 stars? But honestly, it is not because that I LOVE Rhainnon Frater. I mean I do love her. She's great. But I wouldn't gush about her if she didn't have the writing chops to back it up.

I should warn everyone that while this is still a horror book it is intended for younger readers. I'm not even talking YA. Let's put it this way...I bought this book in paperback for my 8 year old nephew (he loves zombies. I encourage this, of course). I read it before giving it to him because I wanted to be sure that it wasn't to overly sexual. Which was silly because Rhiannon Frater can write horror with and without sex. There was one mention of breasts that will make my nephew uncomfortable for about 3 seconds. Whoopie Doo. Overall this is a great book to get for a young zombie lover. It's real. People do die and there is blood shed. But it's not graphic and way more tame than the zombie movies that I let him watch.
As an adult I still found this book entertaining. I was still sitting on the edge of the seat cheering for the Living Dead Boy (Josh) and the Zombie Hunters(his crew). I was heartbroken when they had to make those tough life and death decisions that characters make in zombie books. I was glad everytime they outsmarted the zombies and I was upset when they were lied to, betrayed and ignored. Overall this book had the character depth and captivating storyline that her adult zombie novels without graphic violence and "sickening and twisted" love scenes. Whatever that means. LOL. It's a great book for zombie lovers of all ages.

This is Rhiannon Frater's lost book. It has high ratings on Goodreads and Amazon but has only been rated 37 times and reviewed 11 times. It deserves to be read. It really is a great read. So I highly recommend this to all zombie fans.

See I really did buy it for my nephew. Please ignore my Beiber hair. I'm growing it out and it is always in my face. Grr.

GAMELAND by S.W. Tanpepper

From Goodreads:
A group of tech-savvy teenagers breaks into Long Island's Gameland, a formerly militarized wasteland that was, for years, abandoned to the Infected Undead before being reclaimed by a government-sponsored company interested in merging virtual reality and survival gaming into a single seamless entertainment package. But while breaking into The Game turns out to be a lot easier than they could ever have imagined, breaking out is one hell of a killer.

Episode 1 Free For Kindle July 27th and 28th!!

Lori's Review: 5 Stars

First of all let's get started by talking about the format of this book. You'll notice in the title that it is sectioned into episodes 1-8. Currently only episodes 1-3 are available. Which are the 3 that I will be reviewing here.
This book is played out like a tv show. Each episodes ends on a cliff hanger much like the tv show the Walking Dead or Lost. The next episode has a little backstory of the previous one and then picks up where the story arc left off. It makes for a fast paced, interesting read. Without annoying commericials to boot. I'll take it!
The writing was great. You are drawn in and invested in the character Jessie from almost the get go. She's a normal teenager, angsty, insecure, strong willed, loves video games, and has a knack for breaking the rules. Yes, there are typos. Enough to notice but not littering every single page. Once again...I really don't give a crap about typos. (Also, the author invites readers to point these out to him so he can fix them...so all you crazy typos peeps there you go. Make a note of them and send it to him. Sorry Mr. Tanpepper...I just don't do that unless I am beta reading a book. I'm lazy.)
The rest of the characters are quirky and rag tag. They are a futuristic computer hacking scooby doo gang...minus the dog...plus a couple dozen zombies. Real zombies, not a bunch of white dudes in masks.
Because of the tv show layout of this book, the zombies aren't the starring cast. The rag tag computer hacking, video game playing, and tresspassing teenagers are. The zombies aren't even the main enemy. They are more or less a tool used by the enemy. This story takes place 15 years after a major zombie outbreak. Zombies are a tool that the government and media use. For warfare, to clean stuff and as tv stars a la survior type show called Survivalist. They are controlled through brain implants. Which everyone has...they are only activated once dead. Yes, there are some uncontrolled zombies. They roam the deadlands of Long Island. Barricaded in by well stuff. I can't give everything away.  So you hardcore zombie fans have been warned. Although, I say go ahead and pick it up. It's very enjoyable even though not every page has blood spatter on it. I'm a gore head too and I simply loved this book (story?)
Each episode is self contained with a cliff hanger and an overeaching story arc like I said before. But there are new problems brought up and solved within them. They are very detailed and you feel like you really are watching a tv show. Because of the length and information load I was only able to read on episode per day. Which is perfect. It's like getting to see your favorite TV show everyday. Or once a month until Dec. Which is when this will be done. :(
There is plenty else to keep readers entertained. Romance (YA-M style), mystery (someone within the group has betrayed them but we just don't know who yet...I have my suspicions) and action. If you enjoy a good action filled book/tv show then you should definately pick this up. The zombies are just an added bonus. Honestly, I would have loved it even without them.
At the end the author tells you several ways to update your ebook at the beginning of each month when he puts out a new episode. I will be downloading the next one for sure. I want to see how we get to the end (which he tells you in the beginning).

Indie Author Crush-Tamara Rose Blodgett

An Interview With Tamara Rose Blodgett

and introducing our new feature Indie Author Crush

By now you have realized that this blog is all about Indie books. We love them. They are what "feeds our readers." It's also no secret that I have some serious author crushes. So I want to share these awesome authors with all of you guys too. Hopefully, I can get some short interviews or even guest posts from Indie authors. Anyway that is my plan for now. I will put it up every Thursday from now on. If I miss a week or two forgive me.
Lori
PS I'm sure somewhere out there in blogdom there is some other blog that has something similar to this. I don't know of any off the top of my head but I mean no offense if this is close to the meme that you do...

I've been crushin' on this ladywriterfriend since Kami first introduced me to her work this past winter. She writes brillant YA with a paranormal twist.
To Tamara: Thank you so much for answering my questions and enduring my stalking! LOL. Without further ado I give you my interview with Tamara Rose Blodgett!

I'd like to thank Lori Parker for taking the time to spotlight me here today.


LP: I am actually interested how you came into the world of self-publishing?I know that you started with Death Whispers over a year ago and have beenchurning out super awesome novels since then. I would love to hear about yourjourney to this point.


TRB: I began DEATH WHISPERS in February of 2010. My boys were complaining that there wasn't a lot of teen fiction where the guys spoke and acted realistically. I'd always wanted to write and was drawn to it my whole life. I'd begun a novel in 2007 (BLOOD SINGERS) and put it away when I finished it; too intimidated by all the processes to press forward. My #2 boy bugged me about SINGERS until I got serious with Whispers and the idea for the Death Series was begun and I ran with it. When the rough draft was complete, I went through the same route a ton of other authors go through: the query merry-go-round. I wasted about 3-4 precious months messing around with it and got back a little feedback from a few agents that helped my direction with the Death Series. One agent was pretty excited about Whispers and asked for a partial ( that's about 50 pages). He liked what he saw but said he'd want revisions and then he'd see the whole tamale. Anyway, I was literally, manuscript in hand, when my husband saw an article about Amanda Hocking (indie princess/guru/icon) and he said, "I think you should go indie." He looked into it and proclaimed (insert sign of the cross here) it a Sound Idea. So, without further ado I hit "publish" for Whispers and the rest is history. I had a vague idea about where the series was going and just kept writing. I didn't have a grand plan but was diligent about my schedule and gradually, THE PEARL SAVAGE was completed. Then DEATH SPEAKS (book #2) came to be and I really started rockin' and rollin'. It's almost as if a snowball started on top of the mountain and the books are chunks of snow. Now I've got this ginormous snowball careening down the mountain with no end in sight. I love it that way. The journey to this point is me getting the hang of my schedule, writing consistently and not getting overwhelmed and discouraged by all the things I had to learn along the way. What really took me by pleasant surprise was how much I've connected with my readers. They're smart, savvy, funny and supportive. It feels like I've got friends out there that I keep discovering. It was/is a wonderful addition to my life as an author.

LP: Tell the truth are you totally pumped to write juicy adult love scenes in your new Adult Fantasy Book The Reflective?


TRB: I cannot tell a lie *winks* (Heck yeah!)


That's funny in a big irony sort of way. I was just thinking about how it's been a little challenging to constrain my books to young adult/teen. I am sure that some readers have felt the tension that hovers at that line of teen and truly adult material in my work (think THE SAVAGE BLOOD and that scene between Matthew and Clara with the nightgown). Especially as I've matured both Death and Savage. BLOOD SINGERS was always a young adult mature and book #2  will be what is now being coined as "new adult." This gray area is not easily defined but I will be very careful about my identifiers so readers can make an informed choice about their download.


And oh my... yes. There will be real, adult "meat" to THE REFLECTIVE, not gratuitous, but necessary for the tale. These are inter-dimensional mercenaries that police exploitation in different worlds. They must be many things and deal with many mature and complicated issues. They don't have time and realistically, the Reflective would not slow down or sugar-coat anything for anyone. There will be mature scenes. Some will be love, others will be violent. Be prepared. It's my hope that my readers can and wish to transition into this more mature fare.


LP: What influences you to write? Do you write listening to music? Do you use visual cues to help remember things? Like photos of your favorite places or places that remind you of your worlds?


TRB: My experiences have influenced my writing. I'm a little silly and see the humor in the every day. When I was little I would guffaw about stuff and my mom would smirk and say, "You're easily amused, darling." I was. I still am. It's sort of a problem. That crooked mouth problem Caleb Hart has in Death? Yeah... he comes by that naturally. I'm not sure about Savage or Blood. That is its own thing. People that know me on a personal level and that have read my books say they "hear" me in those works. Of course, I don't!


I have blaring music going all the time and have only a small portion of my playlist on my blog right now. I cannot write in silence. It really messes with me. I've written entire chapters in Starbucks with coffee grinding, chairs tearing around, peeps chatting, and elevator music (that's the only kill-joy, that). Disharmonia is battle scene ready, I'm just sayin'! Boy #2 has come up with 90% of my music because he knows what I love. He FBs the link to me and there is another great song to add to the background.


The whole story is a visual cue. Picture this, it's almost like cheating: I see the characters in living color with Beats sound. You with me so far? Then, I quickly write down all that they're saying and doing before it moves to the next "frame." That's it. There's my writing in a nutshell. Then, the next writing session, I read what I wrote before, then press "play" in the movie inside my head. This is where the Voices in my Head tab on my blog came from. The film's always running guys.


There is no place that reminds me of my worlds. I researched the midwest for Savage. And became barely expert on pearls for book #1. I used a scrambled up version of one of the houses I grew up in for Whispers. You write what you know. That's where my age really helps out. I've lived just long enough, had just enough life experience, that I've drawn a lot from that to help with the "worlds." It's all from my perspective though! A lot of my readers are keenly aware that I daydream a lot (my poor kids sure are!). That's just how THE REFLECTIVE came about, a daydreaming session run amuck.



LP: All of your books contain supernatural elements (which we love). Have you ever considered writing a straight forward contemporary romance?


TRB: I am considering that (I have been for months). However, it seems that all my stuff always goes to the supernatural bent. I do have a title and story in mind about a true love carved out of tragedy. It's so brutal and so raw, I don't know if my readers would be prepared for it. It may be a title for a pen name. Sometimes, when an author crosses genres, it can be a real complication. An author that I think ROCKS, Jamie McGuire, bridged this beautifully with her works. It can be done.


LP: What’s up next for you? You are always surprising us withnew books and ideas!


TRB: Thanks, Lori! I'm wrapping up Death in December with Unrequited.  Savage has two more stories for sure where we flesh out Calia and Evie's stories. Blood is three for sure with BLOOD CHOSEN releasing in 2013. That will be Really Something there, Chosen, oh man!


My new spin-off series (new adult, mature YA) will feature our boy Clyde (you guys can swoon, I am). He will be the lead in this one and I think he has the chops to be All That is Man (or zombie). The title is: For The Love of Death. I already have a cover in mind and am stoked to let him talk, his sarcasm and wit reign supreme and his muscles will flex with his alpha-ness.


(PS I am totally squeeing about this! -Lori)

Currently both DEATH WHISPERS and THE PEARL SAVAGE are free everywhere. I'm excited about it, download your copy today and thanks for listening.


Lori: Thanks again for spotlighting me. To my readers: thank you for making my writing a less lonely pursuit. I love ya.



Contact info:
BLOG: http://tamararoseblodgett.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter/#!/TRoseBlodgett
Facebook: facebook.com/tamararose.blodgett
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/tamararoseblodgett
goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/tamara_rose_blodgett
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/tamararose


Author Bio:


HERE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT ME: To my readers: thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my stories! Tamara Rose Blodgett, is a "thinking-out-of-the box" paranormal enthusiast who believes there's a 95% chance zombies do not exist; but loves to write as if they do. She's also partial to the Alpha male in her work in its many guises. She enjoys living in Alaska and has worked as a journalist.

Kindle Users you can find these books and Tamara HERE!

Nook Users can find these books HERE!

Most other e-readers can find her books  HERE!

A Dark Faerie Tale #2

Ever Fire

by Alexia Purdy

 

From Goodreads:

The Serenity of the Land of Faerie is threatened as the Unseelie Queen Aveta rages war against the three remaining Seelie Realms of Faerie. As Shade's powers grow, she finds she is running out of time to keep the war from spilling into the human world. Winter is growing in strength as the evil Queen's horrifying legions scar the land in their frigid wake. No one is safe. Shade becomes enemy number one for the Unseelie legions. Questioning her true role of power, Shade discovers the cost of winning may come at a much higher price than she ever imagined.

Lori's Review: 4.5 Stars (I took half a star off for my favorite character being absent for most of the book. Subjective much? Yes.)

I loved Shade in this book. She really really grew as a character. She is finally getting some gumption. I can't wait to see where Alexia takes her next. She is absoloutely the star of this one. My favorite fae boyfriend was absent through most of the book which allowed Shade to take front stage. She is learning her powers and becoming less frazzled. This book has no "slow parts". The characters and storyline are already established so Alexia just jumps right in where Ever Shade left off. The list of baddies is growing and not everything seems to be black and white for a few of them. We still haven't met the big baddie Aveta face to face but Shade has. Judging by Shades exerpince we are going to LOVE seeing Shade take her on once she comes into her powers. Even though my favorite boy fae wasn't in this book, the second best steps up to the plate. We get to see more of him and I am not all that impressed. Once I choose a character I am loyal to that one.
Overall this book was well written, a thrill ride and, well, just amazing! I cannot wait for Ever Winter.



A Dark Faerie Tale #1

Ever Shade

by Alexia Purdy

From Goodreads: A dark twist on Faeries.

For Shade, a chance meeting with a powerful Teleen faery warrior who wields electrical currents and blue fires along his skin has her joining him on a treacherous mission for the good Seelie Faerie Court across the land of Faerie. Magic and malice abound and nothing is what it really seems to be.

The evil Unseelie Queen and her treacherous allies are round every corner as Shade makes her way across the breathtaking landscapes of the world of Faerie, which exists alongside the mundane human world. Shade discovers her own uncharted magic and meets some of the most powerful warriors in Faerie while battling evil dryads, conniving Teleen guards and challenges on her life with every step in a world where nothing can be taken for granted.

Lori's Review: 5 Stars

I had a breakthrough last night while devouring the last 80% of this book. I finally understand Alexia's writing style. Some reviewers (including myself) have stated that the first part of her books are a bit slow. I said that about Reign of Blood (which haunts me. I cannot stop thinking about it) and others have said it about this book. I don't necessarily think that this is what is actually going on. Yes, they are slow moving. But little do you know that Alexia is weaving her magic word spell. When I picked this book up Sunday night I couldn't focus on it. I put it down after only reading for a half an hour or so. I thought that it hadn't captured my imagination yet. Boy, was I wrong. I couldn't STOP thinking about this book. I didn't even realize I was hooked. Life/the blog/my job got in the way of me reading Sunday night and it was driving me batty.
Alexia is so sublte when introducing her story and characters. She doesn't open with fireworks and flashes. She weaves a truely addictive story.
This fae world is unlike any other one I have encountered. I don't read a lot of Faery stories. As a matter of fact, up until now I thought Julie Kagawa pretty much was the be all and end all of the fae and dreamy fairy boys. I WAS WRONG. This book is so much more. Ms. Purdy's world is darker than most supernatural books I have read. Shade is not playing on her home court and it shows. If that girl hadn't had some major help she would never have made it out of there.
The male fae (with an exception) oh, be still my beating heart. Dreamy!
I'll be honest I was not impressed with Shade throughout most of the book. I don't think we are meant to be. Maybe city girls can sympathize with her being throw into the wilderness but I found her whining....well annoying. My opinion of her competely changes by the end of the book.
Off to read Ever Fire!

Coming out July 25th-July 31st

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It's the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it's not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, it is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Taking on the Dead is due out July, 25th. I literally cannot way to get my greedy fingers on it! Go check out the first three chapters on author Annie Walls website. She's on the side bar -->. Click Taking on the Dead sneak peek!

Maybe driving home after a few (or more) shots of tequila had been a bad idea, but hell, he did it all the time. The cops had to have been freaking bored to have pulled him over. He wasn’t even swerving! That’s Cage York’s story and he’s sticking to it.

Unfortunately, his baseball coach isn’t buying it. Cage has a free ride to the local junior college for baseball -- or he did, until he’d gotten a DUI. Now, Cage has to decide: does he drop out and give up his dream of getting noticed by a college in the SEC, and possibly making it into the Major Leagues -- or does he give in to his coach’s demands and spend his summer bailing hay?

Eva Brooks planned out her life step by step when she was eight years old. Not once over the years had she lost sight of her goals. Josh Beasley, her next door neighbor, had been the center of those goals. He’d been her first boyfriend at seven, her first kiss at ten, her first date at fifteen, and her first tragedy at eighteen. The moment she’d received the phone call from Josh’s mother saying he’d been killed along with four other soldiers just north of Baghdad, Eva’s carefully planned life imploded in the worst way possible.

Cage isn’t real happy with his closet-sized bedroom in the back of a foul smelling barn, or his daily interactions with cows, but he knows that if he doesn’t make his coach happy then he can kiss his scholarship goodbye. Only a sick and twisted man would decide his punishment was to be working on a farm all summer. No hot babes in bikinis waiting to meet a Southern boy to make her vacation complete. Just him and the damned cows.

Oh -- and an uptight, snarky brunette with the biggest blue eyes he’s every seen. But she doesn’t count, because as hard as he’s tried to charm her out of her panties - he’s pretty sure she’d rather see him hung from the rafters than let him get a taste of her pretty little lips.

While it Lasts is due out July, 31. Abby Glines is my go-to author when I need a break from all the madness of my horror books. I love her hot southern boys and sweet girls. She writes charming contemp romance! Check out the first two books in her Sea Breeze series. Breathe and Because of Low.

Penny for your thoughts!

In all of this GoodReads drama I have seen a lot of comments regarding HOW bloggers and reveiwers SHOULD review books! What? I don't tell people how to eat/like the pizzas I make at my job!
I want to know everyone's thoughts on this. Do you think there is a proper way to write reviews? Does anyone have a right to tell consumers of books how they should review them?

Zombie Attack! Rise of the Horde by Devan Sagliani

From Goodreads:
When 16 year old Xander's older brother Moto left him at Vandenberg Airforce Base he only had one request - don't leave no matter what. But there was no way he could have known that one day zombies would gather into groups big enough to knock down walls and take out entire buildings full of people. That was before the rise of the horde!

Now Xander is on the run, fleeing south to Port Hueneme to locate his brother with nothing but his martial arts training and the katana blade left to him. Along the way he'll have to fight for his life against other survivors, neo-Nazi's, outlaw bikers, gang bangers, cannibals, cult members, and a seemingly endless sea of flesh hungry zombies.

But Xander is far from alone. Traveling with him are Benji, a 12 year old comic book geek, and Felicity Jane, a childhood celebrity with wild mood swings. Will they make it together in one piece to the safe zone or will they become the next meal for a hungry horde of wild zombies?

Zombie Attack! Rise of the Horde is filled with pulse pounding undead action from the very first chapter up until the bitter sweet end. From rock stars and celebrities to false prophets and miracle workers, this book has it all! The story takes off like a bullet and doesn't slow down until the last sentence. You won't be able to put it down!

Lori's Review: 4 Stars

Whoa! This book is a super exciting fast paced trip! I enjoyed it greatly. From page one you know what we are getting into. The author instantly tells the reader "Hey listen, this is a zombie book and this is the kind of zombies we have in these pages." What kind of zombies are they? Uhh the awesome kind duh. We all know that the teeny bopper zombie love intrest novel no longer hold any interest for me. I want my zombies scary as hell! The zombies in this book can be scary as hell. To be honest though the people that Xander, Felicity and Benji meet are scarier. Their flight is filled with nefarious peeps. It really is one of those action packed rides that you can't put down. Xander and gang flee creeps and zombies.
The writing itself was great. It held my attention and for a debut novel there were surprisingly very few typos. I can't comment on grammer because, well, umm my grammer is shitty. But I think it was good too. There were no parts that tripped me up because of clunky sentence structure.
Benji and Xander are great. They have banter. They have depth. With all three main characters at times it is hard to gauge their real age. Which the author tells us. Sometimes both Benji and Xander seem a lot younger than their real ages. Felicity Jane seems a lot older. Poor girl has seen her share of hardships though.
If you're looking for lots of gruesome zombie slaying, well, there are moments in this book that do have zom slaughter in them. It's not the central theme. It's more or less the overeaching arc of the story line. It didn't make the story any less enjoyable for me.
So why only 4 stars? Well I just wanted more. I didn't connect deeply with Xander and there we a few huh? parts. Don't think that means that the story is confusing and clustered. It's not. It's just that this is part of a series. Devan can't give away all of the goods in this book! So will I be buying the next book? Hell yes I will. Without a doubt!

**Personal note. Devan seems like a totally super awesome guy. He wrote the first draft listening to G'NR's Appetite for Destruction!!! The second pass through included some Metallica! Random Lori factoid: My first concert at the age of 13 was Metallica. Yep. My parents are cool. My second concert was Ja Rule (LOL).

The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater

5 Stars ~Kami's Review

Goodreads blurb ~ A walled city surrounded by lush land, protected by high mountain summits, and fortified by a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, The Bastion remained humanity’s last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. On one fateful day, the valley gate failed and the Inferi Scourge overran and destroyed the human settlements outside the walls, trapping the remaining survivors inside the city. Now, decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city of dwindling resources…and dwindling hope.

Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her entire life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness.

Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate, reclaiming the lost lands and energizing the populace with renewed hope for the future. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.


Oh man I am in awe right now. It took me a while to get to this one, even though it has been on my Kindle since it came out, but I am so glad I finally got it read!

Vanguard Maria Martinez is a soldier of The Bastion, once known as the New Eden, it is the last stronghold against the Inferi Scourge (zombies). Once a thriving community it is now slowly dying since the gate to the Valley, where all their produce and livestock came from, was opened letting in the Inferi Scourge.

After a failed attempt the prior year to close the gate, the SWD (Science Warfare Division) has come up with a plan to kill off the estimated 4 million Scrags in the Valley. They attempt to inject an altered strain of Inferi Scourge, knows as Inferi Boon, into some Constabulary soldiers. This will result in them being able to walk among the Scrags as one of their own, but still have their minds intact. They are told that there is a cure and they will be brought back to life after they finish their mission.

Vanguard Maria Martinez is the first one to volunteer for this special ops assignment. She was not told exactly what has happened to her until after they have killed her and brought her back. With the successful changing of Maria, the SWD enlist 39 other volunteers who are then infected with the Inferi Boon virus. They are all promised a parcel of land in the valley and a furnished house of their own with extra amenities based on how many Scrags they kill. The more they kill, the bigger and better their house will be. After weeks of training they are finally set loose in the Valley.

All communication with the soldiers and other citizens of The Bastion have been terminated. They have no way to contact anyone outside the SWD. Maria and the love of her life Dwayne installed a secret app onto their wristbands before Maria left on her mission so that she can contact him while gone. Without this act of rebellion, this story would not have turned out the same.

The soldiers soon learn that everything is not as it seems. Secrets and lies follow them and Maria is soon learns she can trust no one but Dwayne. Months of killing the Scrags pass, while the depth of deception goes deeper and deeper. With Dwayne working on the outside to uncover the real story, and Maria fighting to stay alive, things are soon coming to a head.

Going into the last chapter of this book I was seriously terrified. With Ms. Frater's penchant for killing off her MC's I was sure I knew how the story was going to end. Ah but I am not going to tell you, you will have to read it for yourself.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, the plot, everything. I even loved the bad guys since Rhiannon makes them so easy to hate. You all know I am a sucker for a bad ass female lead, and Maria was not a disappointment. Great book, one I am very likely to read again.

The Hungry 2

The Hungry 2: The Wrath of God

by Stephen W. Booth and Harry Shannon

From Goodreads:

“Nevada: America’s number one tourist destination—if you’re dead!”

After surviving the first days of the zombie apocalypse, Sheriff Penny Miller and her friends relax in what’s left of Las Vegas. The Army asks Miller and her party to return to Crystal Place, the Top Secret base that was birthplace of the zombies. Even though the mission is to recover data that may lead to a cure for the virus—and Miller herself—she’s pretty sure it’s a bad idea. The Army assures her that a crack team of mercenaries will be there to protect them every step of the way.

When Miller sees weird religious graffiti scrawled in blood on the concrete walls of the deserted base, she’s sure their chances of survival have just dropped to damn near zero. Again.

Sometimes it sucks being right!

Lori's Review: 5 Stars

I have the worlds biggest girl crush on Sherrif Penny Miller. I am serious. She is sooo much fun to read. This review will be short and sweet. Why? Because there was nothing I didn't like about this book. Once again Booth and Shannon knocked it out of the park. This book has gore, humor, horror, intrigue, and action. Lots and lots of action. I mean it. Once again we get on the ride in the first chapter and we are still riding it when it ends. This book doesn't have a cliffhanger ending. It's just uncomplete. Penny hasn't gotten her happily ever after. If there is ever a woman that deserves it is Penny. That Cowgirl has worked damned hard for it. I hope that Mr. Booth and Shannon continue write the heck out Penny and these characters. I want to grow old with her. Sigh. I am in love.

Follow Sheriff Penny Miller @The_Hungry

Follow Harry Shannon @HarryShannon



Currently Reading

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More Drama: I don't want to do this....I really dont!

Introducing the Stop the GR Bullies Campaign

this is not a good thing

I spent all day thinking about this site that I stumbled upon last night. I mean literally, I spent the whole fuggin day thinking about it. Compound this dilema with a timely post by the ever awesome Bookish Brunette about the issues that the blogger community is going through (thank goodness I am a newbie and have thusly avoided said drama) and my fuggin head is going to explode. I realize that is a whole different bag of chips...but come on you have to be blind to not see this is all a whole interconnected web of drama. I mean it.

I know I am keeping you guys hanging....wait a minute. I am deciding if I should feed into the drama fest that Stop the GR Bullies website is...

Let me pose this question. Do you want the link to the site? Would you like to make an informed opinion on this shit storm or just take my word that this is beyond...low?

What this site does is just spread more hate. They claim to be combating the Goodreads bullies through...wait for it....bullying. Shut the front door!
What it really does is call out some super snarky ladies who have waged war on other reviewers (mainly those defending a bad behaving author or rude people) and authors who over step their professional boundaries. Really, all they are doing is allowing these people to claim to be vicitims. Which now that this web page exists they are...victims. They are victims of your grossness...I mean eww.  I can't speak to any of the people they are calling out. I do not run in their Goodreads circle. I have my own super supremo awesomsauce book circle on Goodreads (cooommmeee jjjjoooiiiinn mmmeee). Seriously, friend me. But for the love of Goodness and Light and Sugar and Spice and Delish Mexican food answer the fuggin question. You have no idea how mad I get when people blow right by that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway I do know of Wendy Darling through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. The site seems to take issue with her and others not giving out their real info on Goodreads.They claim they are hiding behind nicknames so they can be free to be bullies. Hello, not all people are comfortable with having their lives out there for everyone. I refuse to wear my name tag at work. Why? Because I don't want random people knowing my name (it didn't work they still say hi Lori in Wal Mart). So what did these random NOT AUTHORS (lol..rrriiigghhtt) do. Well they dug up the 411 on these peeps. They haven't actually gotten to Wendy and I really hope they get shut down before they do. If I recall correctly they are trying to figure out who Wendy is....and if you don't know who the frugg Wendy Darling is and why this is not her real name then you are way too young to be on this site. Go play Roblox guys...or I'm telling your mom you're on Aunt Lori's blog!

Ok before you think I am all ohh poor Goodreads bullies....STOP. I am not saying that reviewers do not participate in gross behavior. It is a 2 way street. Someone comes onto someone elses post and says something that doesn't agree with the review....BOOM there are 13 different people up on the board...holding hoops and throwing down!!!! *snap snap snap*. It is a very intimidating place to find yourself (I imagine). But out right bullying...I'm not sure. It's just not these ladies either. Happens all the time. The women profiled on this site just happen to be very popular Goodreaders.

This is the most recent Goodreads drama that happenend. It started off with a very thoughtful and intelligent REVIEW. Then it turned into THIS. Gross...right?

This is how this usually happens....
Review..."I  didn't like this etc etc etc and how the author can consider this ok is just beyond me etc etc etc etc...." It can range from pretty innocent to down right rude. I've seen all kinds.
First few comments on the review:
"Oh you are so right" (which, damn right they better say you are right...their your friggin goodreads homies).
INCOMING opposing side (other reviewer and sometimes *cringe* author)..."You guys are being rude etc".....
3
2
1
BOOM- Shit just hit the fan. The original reviewer is on their goodreads/twitter/facebook calling in the troops (if they aren't already there)
They just start going off...gah you are so wrong...and dumb and wrong and wrong. And we aren't going to tell you that you are wrong nicely...cause we gots snark yo!
Now if you are an unfortunate lonesome reviewer you have two choices...fight a losing battle, or just leave. Or you can call in forces...but for some reason I never see this happen....why oh why are you not getting your friend in this...oh because you are trying to take the high ground. *Bravo Bravo*- I mean it. So few are taking the high ground anymore.

Do you feel singled out. Yes. But you must understand you are commenting on someone else's review. If you go in there on a high horse you will get a bad reaction. If you go in and make thoughtful and excellent points about the book and you still get attacked then that is on them. Not You.

Now if it's one of those authors (they are on these peoples lists for a very real reason) they are on their goodreads/twitter/facebook calling in their troops. True story guys. I have seen it happen. Once again I get it...you feel you are being personally attacked. But so does the other side and they paid money to read your book. So keep that in mind. I have no sympathy at all if you start calling people douches and morons. None.

Needless to say the rest of us have gotten our popcorn and are letting you entertain us for the evening. Dear REFRESH button...you are my pal!


So while it is momentarily amsuing for the masses in the end it does no one good. DEAR GOODREADS ANTI BULLYING WHATEVERS-- you are not helping the situation. You are making it worse. You are being gross. You do not turn YOUR "bullies" into the bullied. It doesn't work that way. That's like giving a crack head an 8 ball.  All you are doing is enabling them and empowering them.

*Fail-safe if the SGRB people take offense with me* Hello. My name is Lori Parker. My goodreads link is in the above rant. Feel free to check me out there. I am 28. I live in Pella, Ia. I have a 2 year old daughter. I do at home daycare, and I work at a pizza place. I often eat at the Windmill Cafe and Georges Pizza. (they really post this crap about the people they are "investigating"). The last time I got drunk was at a friends wedding in Sept of 2011. I went to college at the University of Iowa. I have a BA in anthropology and I drank lots of alcohol. We weren't ranked the 4 party school by mistake. Need anymore useless but pervy invasion of privacy info about me. Please just don't ask.

Now do you see why I say be respectful when you are commenting and giving an opposing view on someone else's review on Goodreads? Now do you get it? I don't want you to get the verbal beat down. I'm not saying  don't voice your opnion but... just beware. OK?
Well peeps. I'm out. It's DORA time...gotta read...something.
PS enter the giveaway below!

Oh and this:

:D

xoxo Lori

Hold the phone? Que? Oh, my Fifty Shades reviews were, harsh, snarky and rude? I know. I won't change them. I very rarely change my gut reaction to a book. I feel very strongly that these books are calling abuse BDSM and telling women this is sexy. If you wish to get into a debate about this with me...well....I just....wouldn't. I won't engage. I won't argue about abuse. It is what it is!

Also read Rhiannon Fraters awesomesauce, much more eloquent post about this situation HERE!

Bless that woman she is smart, talented and super amazing to her friends. All hail the mighty Rhiannon. I mean it. She manages to walk to fine line between professional and friendly with her readers.

Interview with Ashley Roberston!!!

Book blurb with Good Reads Add:
Guardian angel Selene was close to becoming an archangel—until she fell in love a vampire. Now her dark lover has been kidnapped and the only way to save him is by abandoning her human charge. But her choice to save him doesn’t come without a price. Selene must push her dwindling angel abilities to where she risks becoming fallen, praying she can save the ones she loves before her fate is sealed.
Add to your Good Reads shelf: HERE

Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida and loves reading and writing about everything urban fantasy and paranormal romance. When she isn't writing you'll find her spending time with family and friends, training in her home gym, traveling and exploring new places, drinking fine red wines, and making gourmet coffees with her Nespresso machine.

Hi guys! I am so excited to give you the chance to meet the awesome Ashley Robertson. She is the author of two awesome books that both Kami and I have read and reviewed here. She is also going to give away 2 copies of her newest book UnGuarded. A big THANK YOU to her!!!

See my review of UnGuarded Here and Kami's Review Here!! So with out further ado here is my (Lori's) interview with Ashley!



LP:When did you know that you wanted to write? Is it something you have always known you wanted to do?

AR:Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always loved to write, especially about everything going on in my so-calledlife. It began with songs and poems that eventually—as I got older—turned into short stories and plays. I loved my high school English classes, and my teachers always gave me accolades (and good grades) on my essays, and not long after that, those essays began evolving into things with a more fictional twist. And once my college English professors expressed the same satisfaction with my work as my high school teachers did, I knew this might be a career to pursue. But God obviously had other plans for me in the form of a real-estate job. So fast-forward fifteen years from then (and me working 24/7 as a realtor)to when I was finally given an amazing opportunity by my husband: to abandon a career that consumed all of my time and focus on one that was more flexible and would allow me more time with my family. I have one poetry book published and two urban fantasy/paranormal romance thrillers—both of them falling into a YA or Mature YA sub-genre.

LP:Why did you decide to go the self-publishing route with your novels? (we <3 Indie authors!)

AP:At first, I wasn’t too happy with it. **sighs** I mean, who would enjoy being rejected by countless literary agencies? Even though lately it seems that most of the literary agents are targeting successful indie books anyway (take, for example, The Hunger Games and the 50 Shades trilogy). But another thing I’ve learned is that alot of literary agencies are sick of vampires, and anything to do with them is an automatic “no,” so with the few personalized rejections I received—yes, mos trejections are generic, impersonal “no thank you’s”—responding with “I like your writing style, do you have something else you can submit to me?” that actually motivated me to self-publish. I knew I couldn’t just put my book to the side and abandon it; there had to be others out there just like me that still loved the mysterious, sexy, and sometimes malevolent undead. So I moved forward to publish Crimson Groves,learning everything I could about the indie industry along the way. By the time I had UnGuarded ready to publish,the whole process was a LOT easier. Thankfully I’ve formed a system to the madness of self-pubbing, and so far, it seems to be working. I have a wonderfu leditor (Stephen Delaney with Close Reader Editing Services) and an amazing graphic designer that does my book covers (Claudia with PhatpuppyArt). Yes,these are additional expenses to your book, but they are essential for your success as an author. Recently, I discovered Jessica Gibson, who is also known as the Release Party Diva. My first big book release party with her for UnGuarded is scheduled for Friday, July 20, 2012 from 12-8 Eastern Time (US). So far she’s been amazing to work with, and has lots of awesome ideas and unbelievable organizational skills. I encourage anyone on Facebook to participate at the party as little or as much as they’d like. There are lots of cool prizes and free books up for grabs.

LP:What inspires you to write? When you write do you use an outline? Or do you free form write?

AP:I’m a freestyler for sure—I actually wrote an article for another blog about thiscalled “Freestylin’.” I’ve never done an outline, and whenever a synopsis is asked of me, I totally cringe. Basically, I just write what’s in my head.Currently, I’m working on the sequel to Crimson Groves and trying my best to tell the story exactly how Abby wants me to.

LP:***Spoiler alert*** When writing UnGuarded, did you ever think Selene was going to fall? Wasthere ever a point when you thought this is it...she’s really done it now?Because I was on my toes the whole time thinking she had finally reached andcrossed the line?

AR: This is a great question and one I have not been asked before, and I’ll try my best to answer it without giving too much away.The original plot for UnGuarded did haveSelene becoming a fallen angel, but as I moved through her story and tried to put myself in her shoes, I actually found a soft spot for her and grew to admire her character.

LP: Selene can seem like she’s a selfish person but in the end she’s just following her heart. Was it her preference to her human form that led her to have these human emotions and make these, sometimes, bad decisions?

AR: Selene is a guardian angel who can take human form at will, which is how she befriends her human charge and ends up falling in love with Cole, a vampire. But her human side takes a toll on her, giving her emotions she’d never have felt if she’d just stayed invisible to the physical world around her. But instead of wallowing in regret for her mistakes, all Selene wants to do is remedy the situation and make things right again. Only every time she tries to fix something, it seems to create more problems for her. And thus the reason why her outcome changed—slightly, but my fans will have to read the book to find out how…and trust me, it’s worth it. (grins)

LP: Most of her fellow angels seemed shocked or disgusted byher behaviour. Is that a direct result from them preferring their angel forms when guarding their charges?

AR: Mostly they were disgusted with her relationship with a vampire, and that gossip spread all over Europa—the world where angels live—like a virus outbreak.

LP:What’s next for you? Have you ever considered writing a zombie novel (LOL)?

AR: Next for me is the sequel to Crimson Groves—Book #2 in the Crimson Series due out in the winter of 2013, Crimson Flames (formally titled Crimson Rain)—which will pick up right where we left Abby and her quest to learn more about the sorceress powers that were awakened inside her when she was turned into a vampire—making her a whole new hybrid species. There’s a group of rogue vamps banding together and forming a Resistance against the vampire governing body,The Head Council, and Abby’s newly discovered powers are the key to the Council’s victory. Now the Resistance will do anything possible to remove the hybrid threat, and with no other options, Abby is forced to rely on the aid of the Council, yet can she trust the very vampires that hunt for her human lover?And even worse, can she fight the unwelcome attraction that’s growing between her and one of those ancient vampire rulers?

After that, I plan to start an adult novella series about a succubus and hope to have two books completed by the end of 2013.

With regards to zombies (ahem), I can definitely see them in some of my future books. (smiles)

WOW!!! That blurb of Crimson Flames sounds all sorts of awesomesauce!!! I cannot wait!!! Succubus stories are few and far between so that should be amazing too!!
Thank you again Ashley for taking the time with us.

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