Winner of Claimed by Caridad Pineiro

CONGRATULATIONS  

to WINNER

Giveaway Ended June 22

The Claimed

SandyJune please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the audiobook.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.

Q&A With Caridad Pineiro, Author of The Claimed

Please help me welcome Caridad Piñeiro

author of

The Claimed (Sin Hunters)

Questions for Caridad:
Q1  What is a “Typical” day like for you?

CP:  I am an early riser and during the week I head to work on the train.  I usually write on the train during the commute and that gives me some solid time to write.  When I head home, I try to get in some exercise and lots of time with my family.  I don’t normally write at night because I’m too tired, but if a deadline calls, I will do so.  On the weekends, I sleep in a little later (until 6) and then get up and put in a few hours of writing.  Then it’s off to do household chores or maybe a nice long stroll along the boardwalk.

Q2  Claimed is part of the Sin Hunter Series. I am always curious about series books: did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

CP:  I had a very strong idea about the plots for the first two books.  I knew I was going to introduce the world and the Hunters in the first book and then really build on their powers and the mythology in the second.  Of course, I also knew what the romances would be like in both because for me it’s important to have a strong emotional arc for the characters.  As I was finishing up the second book, I knew which two characters would headline in the third and based on what had happened in the battles, created the storyline for books 3 and 4 – THE SHATTERED and THE HUNTED.

Q3  How do find your characters and personalities?  Is there any special inspiration?

CP:  They say writers are the only people where it’s okay to have someone talking to them in their heads!  My characters come to me very powerfully and scream for me to write their stories.  It’s also usually the female characters and because I want them to really have to work to have the happily-ever-after, I generally try to set up the worst possible guy and/or climax for them.  In THE CLAIMED, it can’t get any worse for Victoria than to fall in love with her mortal enemy and I knew it would be hard work for them to get together.

Q4  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

CP:  I am a Type AA.  I am very driven and determined, but also kind and friendly.  Basically shy which shocks a lot of people.  I’ve only learned to be more extroverted because of my day job and also because of the writing.  I’ve been lucky to meet so many fabulous people with the writing and I would have missed them if I hadn’t gotten over my shyness.

Q5  How do you handle it when some element of what you're writing decides that it just doesn't want to work the way you want it to?

CP:  It’s very frustrating to want something to work when it isn’t going the way you want.  But as Einstein said, lunacy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  So I guess what I’m saying is that if it’s not working, you need to step back and figure out a different way of approaching it, otherwise you will continue to be frustrated.  When that happens to me, I’ll take a long walk or a shower.  Both help me clear my brain and think about what I might be doing wrong in a scene and how to get it to work better.

Questions for Victoria:

Q6  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality? 

Victoria: I’m determined to help my people do better, but I’m also lonely because of the weight of leadership.  I’d love to find a partner that could help me carry that burden.

Q7  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

Victoria:  “I can’t….”  There is nothing that I can’t do because I will work hard at accomplishing what I want for myself and my people.

Q8  Do you have any pet peeves? 

Victoria:  People who pollute the environment or litter.  We all share the world and leave it for our children, so we should respect it and care for it.

Q9  What do you do for fun when you aren’t helping your family, friends or managing your business? 

Victoria:  I love to do all kinds of water sports like kayaking, surfing and swimming.  My natural affinity is for the water, so I love to spend as much time as I can in it.

Q10  What is the one thing your reader’s would be surprised to know about you?

Victoria:  That I wish I was more human.  Having the powers that I have brings great responsibility and that can be tiring if you don’t have someone by your side.

Final Question:

Q11  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

 If I could shapeshift, I’d love to become a ……

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a copy of The Claimed:
1. Answer the author's Question in red at Q11.  This is required for entry.

2. For another entry:  Make a meaningful comment on the interview or review (previous post).

3.  For two extra entries: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.

4.  For one more extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Five total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 22, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 23. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: The Claimed by Caridad Pineiro

This is an exciting story and strong romance.

The Claimed (Sin Hunters)  
by Caridad Piñeiro

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446584606
• ISBN-13: 978-0446584609

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Sin Hunters (Book 2)

THE CLAIMED

Victoria Johnson loves her life. She's her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It's Victoria's duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she's his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don't want peace-and they'll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .

Review:

Victoria is a lovely character. She is strong and caring. She has to balance her personal life with her duties as a business owner but most importantly as a future leader of her Light Hunter clan.  Victoria will soon be coming into Equinox, the biological time during which she must mate or her powers will be weakened and her whole clan will be diminished. On the other hand she needs to be careful who she selects as a mate. Her parents have been forced to acknowledge that the mate promised to her as a child is no longer available. Now she must get them to agree to allow her to make her own choice.

Christopher is an equally wonderful character of strength, fairness and goodness. He is he son of the Anaru, Alexander, the leader of the Shadow Hunter clan. The Shadow Hunter clan has been deceased and weakened with the deadly pox because they have denigrated to feeding off other Hunters or humans. Unlike his father though, Christopher and a small following of their clan have been purifying their bodies by returning to the ancient ways of feeding only from natural elements. While Alexander looks for a powerful Light Hunter as a feeding energy source Christopher thinks perhaps he could become allies with the Light Hunters. He is convinced that they can survive and thrive if they purge the sickness and the bad feeding practices, even if it means he will have to fight his own father.

Victoria and Christopher have a glimpse sighting of each other that sparks interest but they don’t pursue a connection until a second encounter. Then the sparks begin to really ignite even as they realize that they are from enemy clans. The forbidden friendship--or more--is difficult enough but there are jealousies and traitors who will fight the possibility of a merger of Light Hunter with Shadow Hunter. Can they learn to trust each other? Will they survive to protect each other?

Ms. Pineiro has developed a fascinating world of superpowers and internal conflicts. I was immediately engaged by the characters and the plot. There are some likeable secondary characters as well as some really unpleasant wimps, traitors and nasty characters.  There are conflicts, obstacles and plenty of action to give this a good pace for entertaining reading.

I was a little wary of the level of sexual heat from this author.  I am pleased to say that the encounters between Victoria and Christopher are highly sensual and, although pretty detailed, they are loving and in no way lewd. There is one female enemy who is close to a succubus and I found her actions rather offensive but suitable to her character.

If you like your stories hot and intense with lots of conflict, excitement and heavy romance, this author and book fit the bill!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Isn't this what every romantic female looks for? 

Even though her biological clock was ticking, Victoria would not let that alone determine her fate. She wanted a partner for the future. Someone who would share her joys and her sorrows and help to lead her people. But more important, someone she could love. Page 39.

Thank you to Caridad Piñeiro and Pump Up Your Book tours for this book to review. Please see the Author Q&A post for a chance to win this exciting book.

This is set in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey, for my Where are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC challenge list.

Book Review and Giveway: Stronger Than Sin by Caridad Pineiro

Read this book to find out how true love can be stronger than sin.
Stronger than Sin (Sin 2) by Caridad Pineiro

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446543845
• ISBN-13: 978-0446543842

      Genre:  Paranormal Romance
      My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Dr. Liliana Carrera nearly lost her life to Wardwell scientists. She won't let them harm other innocent victims, like her new patient, Jesse Bradford. The former pro athlete had the best hands in the NFL . . . until an injury forced him to undergo Wardwell's experimental gene therapy. Now Jesse's gorgeous body is superhuman-but his strength comes at a price.

With Wardwell threatening his family, Jesse can't tell Liliana all he knows. Yet he can't resist her compassion . . . or her healing, erotic touch. As their passion flares, Jesse's body becomes dangerous and volatile. For evil men are plotting to change the face of humanity-and will destroy whoever stands in their way.

Review:  I really enjoyed these characters and the story.  This was the first book I read by this author and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Dr. Liliana is from a warm Mexican family who understands helping and supporting each other.  She is doing special research to help her sister-in-law to recover from evil gene therapy gone wrong. Now she has a new patient in Jesse Bradford.  At first she expects him to be arrogant and snobbish so she is surprised to discover that he is struggling and lonely. She has come out of an abusive relationship and has a strong aversion to violence.

Jesse has been allowed out of his lab cage on the condition that he help the bad guys. He can’t let the doctor know the truth or the enemy will hurt his sister.  He also has to control the rage and anger his body reacts to as it scares Liliana. He has begun to recognize how far his football fame and his pride have taken him from his humble roots.   He doesn’t want to lie to the beautiful doctor, but he doesn’t have much choice.  The closer they become, the more he wants to reveal the truth, protect Liliana and make her his own.

The FBI agent who has recruited Liliana to help the other injured patients is really the head of the plot to use gene therapy to turn humans into weapons to be sold and used.  He and his two henchmen are keeping Jesse under guard while they get the doctor to work up the inhibitors  they need to help their experimental patients.

The romance and the lovemaking are warm and sexy. There is a consistent plot with good action suspense. The writing flows well and this is a fast read.  I did not feel as though I had to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one but I will definitely look to read more by this author.

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THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR ALLOWING ME REVIEW THE ARC AND TO HOST THIS GIVEAWAY.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR ONE OF FIVE COPIES:

Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

1.  Required to enter:  Visit the Author's website or Five Fun Facts and tell me something you found interesting.

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It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(5 total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Five winners!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
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* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 27, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.