Book Review and ARC Giveaway: In The Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare

A tasty bite of witches and vampyres.
In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (July 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402245106
• ISBN-13: 978-1402245107

Genre: Paranormal
 My Rating: 4:25 of 5.0

Product Description

Chivalry is far from undead...
Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is one of the few men in the ton who can claim to be a knight in shining armor- because that's precisely what he was before being turned into a vampyre. When he spies a damsel in distress in the midst of a storm in Hyde Park, his natural instinct is to rush to her aid...

But not every woman needs to be rescued...
Weather-controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair isn't caught in a storm-she's the cause of it. She's mortified to have been caught making trouble by the imposing earl, but she doesn't need any man-never has, and is sure she never will...

But when Rhiannon encounters Matthew again, her powers go awry and his supernatural abilities run amok. Between the two of them, the ton is thrown into an uproar. There's never been a more tempestuous scandal...

Review: The storms rage, lightning strikes and fangs drop in this fun read.
Matthew’s knight in shining armor character made this book for me.  You might think that is hard to imagine since he is vampyre but his chivalrous code of honor carried over even after his human death. Matthew thinks to rescue Rhiannon when he first finds her in the middle of a storm.  He is struck by her beauty, her lively spirit and her indomitable strength.  He soon learns that she doesn't just get caught in storms, she makes them.

Rhiannon seems a bit young and not always in control of her powers, but I liked her strong, independent nature. She doesn’t like vampyres so it is a bit surprising when she decides to convince Matthew to escort her around ton to give her the appearance of respectability. She doesn’t expect to fall for him in the process, especially since all her witch sister’s werewolf family seem set on keeping her away from him.

There is the fun camaraderie among the werewolf brothers and plenty of interesting side characters.  Rhiannon’s nasty aunt is sponsoring her sister but shuns Rhiannon. Rhiannon’s childhood friend, Alec, is now a young vampyre learning the rules under Matthew. I particularly liked the feisty Duchess of Hythe who takes Rhiannon under her wing.

Matthew and Rhiannon have a strange effect on each other causing their powers to go a bit haywire. There is plenty of fun conflict and fast paced action in this tale. I do think I may have missed some facts from the first book in the series. Although I knew the witches and werewolves a bit from The Taming of a Wolf, it was never clear to me what happened with Rhiannon’s prior bad experience with a dark vampyre. But that didn’t disturb my enjoyment of the banter and easy fun style of this author. I enjoyed the heart warming and surprising twist of the love that develops between Matthew and Rhiannon. If you like your paranormal romance sensual and fun this is a good series to enjoy.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Tell me: would you rather fall in love with a Vampyre or a werewolf? Or some other super natural being?   This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

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

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

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 5 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on AUGUST 6 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement. 

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #23 Publisher Sourcebooks

SPOTLIGHT: PUBLISHER SOURCEBOOKS

I'm not sure how I got lucky to become a reviewer for Sourcebooks but I am very thankful! I have enjoyed doing reviews for them since December 2009 and I appreciate the fine variety and quality they offer.

I have enjoyed a variety of romance: contemporary, historical, paranormal, suspense.
There have been wonderful romance reads which can be found at the Casa VIP line from classic authors like Georgette Heyer, Elaine Coffman, Jennifer Blake, Laura Kinsale; new authors like Terry Spear, Grace Burrowes, Lydia Dare, Ashlyn Chase; and British Authors like Jill Mansell and Phillipa Ashley.
Check out Sourcebooks British Babe Book Brigade. 


There has also been rich historical fiction from authors like Helen Hollick, Margaret Campbell Barnes and Susanna Kearsley. 

Here’s a link to Sourcebooks' eBook Specials page where you can sign up for a newsletter that let’s you know about eBook deals on a regular basis: http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/browse-our-lists/ebook-specials.html

Beth and Danielle at the Sourcebooks publicity team sent a box of books for my blogoversary giveaway. They even included the ribbons - isn't that so sweet!
Thanks ladies and Sourcebooks for your kindness and wonderful hours of reading!

 Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy)

     Wild Highland Magic

Whispers in the Sand                                         The Werewolf Upstairs
A Crowded Marriage                                                      Cowboy Trouble
For the King's Favor                                                       Highland Heat

There are several books here I wouldn't mind reading myself!

OPEN US AND CANADA ONLY.

ENDS 10 PM Central July 30, 2011.

 If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHdhNDY5djlySDdNSTVYdXgxNENYRUE6MA

A Timely Interview of ----- Me! :-)

I have been interviewed by Joyce DiPastena as part of her "Get to Know the Reviewer" series. Although my answers were done back in June, the posting is timely with my Blogoversary. So if you want to know a little more about me please check out the interview. Thank you Joyce.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel

A sweet heroine and a smoking hot demon make a combustible pair.

My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446563870
• ISBN-13: 978-0446563871

     Genre: Paranormal - Demons, witches
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
TEMPT THE DARKNESS
Strong-willed and independent, Paisley Nichols is used to taking care of herself. But when an insane mage begins tracking her every move and threatening her at every turn, she has no choice but to put her life in the hands of a demon.

RISK THE PASSION
Burned by betrayal, demon assassin Iskander won't get too close to anyone. He spends his days serving his warlord and his nights indulging in carnal pleasures . . . and that's exactly how he likes it. But when a mage wages a wrenching psychic assault on his beautiful tenant Paisley, Iskander must defend her. Under his protection, she will be drawn irresistibly into his life and learn about her own mysterious powers. And not a moment too soon. The mage haunting her isn't acting alone-and he won't rest until he destroys both Paisley and Iskander.

Review: I enjoyed the intensity of this fast paced story.
Paisley is a nice orderly tenant; a beauty, but “vanilla” human girl. She is focused on working hard to build her own bakery business. Her life was rather ordinary and without magic until she caught the eye of the wild, rogue mage, Rasmus Kessler. Now she is attracting nothing but trouble and it looks like she may have some hidden talents.

Iskander has been scarred by the loss of his blood twin, Fen. Fen had been the only woman he’d loved - but that was before she betrayed him to the powerful mage, Rasmus Kessler. To protect himself Iskander had been forced to sever the bond with Fen. Both of them had edged toward insanity but Iskander was helped by his warlord, Nikodemus and his witch.  Iskander has kept himself cut off from any close relationships but indulges his carnal passions with one night encounters.

Iskander protects his properties with magic which warn that his human tenant may be in big trouble. As things (like his tenant’s apartment) start to heat up, Iskander realizes he is going to have to protect Paisley to keep her alive.

Although Iskander is dark and curt, it doesn’t take long to see that he has been hiding behind his pain. He really has a big, tender heart to go along with his big hunky body. Paisley is self determined but clueless when it comes to facing demons and wicked mages. She is glad to have someone as strong and dependable as Iskander to take her in - literally. After her apartment is broken into and then burned she is persuaded to move in with Iskander especially when she finds he has a top notch kitchen ready for her to try out new recipes. Their relationship is a nice mix of sweet and sizzle.

Paisley accidentally discovers that she can hear the screams and free souls that have been stolen at death.  Her power is important to Nikodemus’ team but she is a danger to anyone trying to  increase their magical powers by stealing souls. There is lots of action and conflict as Kessler keeps pushing to get to Paisley and Fen shows up to complicate emotions and issues. I particularly liked how Iskander was able to call upon his friends to help face the dangers. I also liked the easy flow, subtle humor and fast pace of the story. I recommend this book and will be watching for the next book in the series.

xxx

Thank you to Hachette Forever Romance for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting.   This is required for entry.


2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

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

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

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 29, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on JULY 30 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement. 

Blogoversary Grand Giveaway! July 18, 2011

I have decided that July 18 is my true anniversary date since that was my first real post.
SO this is the Blogoversary Grand Day. *BG*

I still have two more Blogoversary spotlights to post this week with lovely book giveaways from Hachette and Sourcebooks - so don't miss those! 
And don't forget Giveaways #12-22 which are still open. Check the right sidebar or the Let's Party Post.

I have eight prizes in this Giveaway: Six book packages for US and Canada followers (six Winners) and two international Winners (see below the yellow divider).
These book packages are from my "bookshelves" or boxes of books.
I tried to cover mixed genres to offer variety.
These packages are giveaways open ONLY to US and Canada entries:

• Must be a follower and state how you follow (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads); you can find links for these on the sidebars.

Pkg #1 Historical Romance 
(review copies)

Pkg #2 Romantic Suspense
(review copies)

Pkg #3 YA
(one review, one ARC)

Pkg #4 Inspirational 
(new books)

Pkg #5 Fantasy
(new books)

 

 Pkg #6 Audiobook Lovers
(review or personal copies)

 Winner's choice one larger Audio book (CD or Cassette) plus one smaller or two smaller Audio Books.

There is a selection available at this post link.

For the US/Canada entries please complete THIS FORM.

Open US/Canada.

Ends July 30, 2011 at 10 PM Central.
NOTE - winners will be announced on Monday August 1 and the post will be include the Winners Form link to claim the prizes.

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

FOR INTERNATIONAL FOLLOWERS I am repeating the Flash Giveaway for TWO WINNERS: Winner's Pick of any book from the 36+/- on the Review and ARC giveaway lists.
These rules apply:

•  Must be a follower and state how you follow (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads); you can find links for these on the sidebars.

• Choice must be a book from the Review and ARC lists. (Why from these lists? My way of an extra thanks to the publishers and authors who made the books available to me to read.)

• Check out the available books, make a choice and leave a comment saying what book you would like!
 

Don't forget to state how you follow - GFC name, Twitter name, etc.Only one follow name is necessary to be eligible.

I will mail my review or ARC copy OR order the chosen book through Book Depository provided the postage or book cost is under $10.00. (If the book at BD or postage is more than $10.00 then the winner will get a GC of $10.00.)

Open INTERNATIONAL ONLY - US and Canada please enter the Pkg giveaways through the FORM above the yellow divider.

Ends July 30, 2011 at 10 PM Central.

NOTE - winners will be announced on Monday August 1 and the post will include the Winners Form link to claim the prizes.