Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Vampire Next Door by Ashyln Chase

This is another quick, fun read in this series.

The Vampire Next Door 
by Ashlyn Chase

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402236638
• ISBN-13: 978-1402236631

 Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

 Product Description

In this third installment of Chase's lively, sexy, paranormal trilogy, we meet witch Morgaine, who is deathly afraid of the dark, and her vigilante vampire neighbor Sly, who has his reasons for hating sunlight. Sly needs Morgaine's magic to help heal a broken fang, but with further help, and sometimes hindrance, from the wacky apartment dwellers around them, they may become each other's last hope for a normal life...

Review: This is a good book/author if you are in the mood for light fun and sexy romance.

Morgaine is a very capable, experienced good but quirky witch. She tends to be house bound as she is afraid of the dark and she is agoraphobic - afraid to go out. Morgaine is a nurturer, very kind and sweet to the others in the apartment building, even her very annoying Southern cousin, Gwyneth.

Sly is a kind vampire who has been pretty much a recluse since he was turned 26 years earlier. At the time of the attack his beloved wife, Alice, was ready to delivery their child. Although he was able to get to the hospital in time to save the baby, Alice had lost too much blood. Sly lives in a closet space he made in the basement of the building so he can be near his daughter, Merry (Strange Neighbors). Sly isn’t happy about his vampire nature.  He manages to feed on criminals feeling that he is helping society in that fashion while he takes care of his basic needs.

Merry has Sly move into the apartment that she and Roz consider the “matchmaker” apartment since they found their mates there. (The Werewolf Upstairs.)  They think that maybe Sly and Morgaine have some chemistry and sure enough the old friends soon begin to see each other in a new light.

Gwyneth, who is also a witch, came to the city to help Morgaine by doing errands and being there as a friend. Unfortunately Gwyneth tends to chase every man she meets and it doesn’t matter if they are more interested in someone else, like her cousin. It isn’t easy to like Gwyneth’s rather slutty personality but it makes for some fun in the story. Chad, the resident ghost also adds his sneaky and snide presence to the jumbled character mix. I liked Jason and Lily who are two other “strange” (as in not fully human) residents and was rather surprised at how the author dealt with them.

Sly has to face danger when his old maker discovers where he lives and comes after him.  Morgaine has to face her fears when she agrees to travel to NY to help get a possible vampire cure for Sly.  There is action and lots of humor as well as steamy sex.   I moved quickly through the sex scenes and enjoyed the rest of the fun read. As noted with The Werewolf Upstairs, this author is fun but I give a caution for the sexual content which tends to steamy although not vulgar.

 ~~~~~

I received this book from Sourcebooks for review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. 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 September 9, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 10 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway:Midnight Waltz by Jennifer Blake

The title of this book is very fitting.
Midnight Waltz 
by Jennifer Blake

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402238495
• ISBN-13: 978-1402238499

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Product Description
She has no idea what to expect...
In the aristocratic world of the magnificent plantations of nineteenth-century Louisiana, young Amalie knows how to behave as the new mistress at Belle Grove, but her arranged marriage to Julien Declouet is full of surprises.
He's as different as night and day...
Amalie finds her husband perfectly polite, although oddly aloof, by day, but a completely different man when he visits her in her chambers at night, full of white-hot emotions and passion that sweeps her away. As the steamy Louisiana summer swelters onward, and the mystery of her husband's dual personalities intensifies, the once-innocent Amalie finds herself embroiled in one turbulent scandal after another...

Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. I like the writing but don’t care for the basis of the story.

Amalie has been in mourning for six years. Finally she becomes a bride in an arranged marriage to Julien, a handsome and wealthy Louisiana plantation owner. Amalie has been trained to be a proper wife and she is welcomed as a good Mistress for Belle Grove and as a show piece for Julien. Amalie gets along well with her mother-in-law, Sophia, and has a kindly friendship with her flamboyant and indolent husband. Julien has come to her only a few nights in three months and in her innocense Amalie doesn’t understand why he has not consummated their marriage.  Amalie knows that Sophia, whose health is fragile, would love to have a grandchild to secure the inheritance.

Finally one night her husband, although it is too dark to see him, slips into her room and seduces her. Amalie is thrilled to have the passion of the nights even if she is confused by her husband’s aloof attitude during the days.

Amalie has a friendly relationship with most of the slaves and a particularly soft spot for a young lame boy. Isa, who is a remarkably natural artist.  The plantation overseer, a leering bully, makes inappropriate comments to Amalie but Julien will not fire him. Julien leaves the management of the property to his cousin, Robert.  The industrious Robert and Julien are like twins in appearance and they are as close as brothers since Sophia raised Robert.  Robert  lives on a near-by plantation but spends a lot of time visiting to help manage Belle Grove and to supervise the rough overseer.

Slowly secrets are revealed creating misery in the household. There is bitter friction between Julien and Robert and an unbearable tension between Amalie and Robert. It is unclear how relationships will ever be resolved nor how the family will overcome the scandalous rumors.

I liked the characters although neither of the men, Julien nor Robert, seem to be fully portrayed.  Making them mysterious seems to also make them a little flat. I enjoyed the rich descriptions of the flood of the plantation and the terror of the hurricane the characters experience on Isle Derniere.

I have read other historical and contemporary books written by Jennifer Blake and I like her writing. She has a particularly wonderful ability to present the lush steam and charm of Louisiana. However, the moral issues in this story made it less pleasant for me.  Had I realized the nature of the relationships I probably would not have selected this book. Many positive reviews indicate that what bothered me didn’t bother other readers.

 ~~~~~

I received this book from Sourcebooks for review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. 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 September 2, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 3 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

It's Monday! What are you Reading August 22, 2011?

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished three books last week (plus two not listed as they were for contests).  I posted three reviews with Giveaways and two announcements.  As usual, I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway; Saturday Sharing Beyond Books, and Sunday posts.

I did get to visit a dozen or so last week.  These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? August 15, 2011.

•  Sourcebooks Announcement Celebrating Georgette Heyer Birthday with eBook Sale.

• Thank You and Another Chance at Giveaway from author Bryan Cohen. 

• Book Review and Giveaway Venetia by Georgette Heyer. Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 8/26.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Tears of God by Laurie McBain. Historical Romance; my rating 3.5. Ends 8/26.

• Book Review and Giveaway The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer. Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 9/2.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 19, 2011.  Ends 8/25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #10 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 8/26.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement August 21, 2011. 

Finished Reading:

Print/Kindle:

The Quiet Gentleman

by Georgette Heyer

Review and Giveaway linked above.

Print:

Midnight Waltz 

by Jennifer Blake

I have mixed feelings on this.  I will post review and Giveaway this week.

Read for Sourcebooks.

Print:

Get Er Done: The Green Beret Guide to Productivity

by Michael Martel

I am implementing these guidelines!
This is for review and author feature August 26. 
Pump up your book Tour.
Product Description.

There's just too much to do!!!

There is a lot to do. There is a lot to do at home or at work. Sometimes it just feels overwhelming. Don't you wish you could be more productive?

The Special Forces Green Berets are known as masters at getting things done. By normal standards, some of their missions would be deemed impossible. Often times they are expected to operate far behind enemy lines with limited resources. Their training gives them principles and techniques in being extremely effective and doing more with less. By using some of their principles you will be able to:

● Plan and use your time more effectively
● Increase your confidence
● Reduce distractions
● Train for success
● Improve commitment
● and much more

Michael Martel uses his real experiences as a Green Beret to illustrate how you can use these techniques in your life to "get er done." It is a great, interesting read that will make you much more effective in your daily activities.

Audible/Audio ------

Line Edits/Releases: 

I will be Releasing the third Prom Night Anthology Novella:
A Tale of Two Prom Dates by Evie Alexis.  This is a fun read. I have to get the author's blurb and then the book will go "live."

Currently reading:

Print/Kindle:

The Lady of the Storm 

by Kathryne Kennedy

Still working on this. I should be able to give it more time this week.  Reading for Sourcebooks

Product Description

Acclaimed for her world-building, in Kathryne Kennedy's new series love miraculously prevails over strife.

Storm lord's daughter Cecily Sutton's powers over sea and sky have put her life at risk. Giles Beaumont is reluctant to protect her, until he falls under her enchanting spell...

Print/Kindle:

The Vampire Next Door

by Ashlyn Chase

I am ready for a fun read - just started.

Reading for Sourcebooks.

Product Description
In this third installment of Chase's lively, sexy, paranormal trilogy, we meet witch Morgaine, who is deathly afraid of the dark, and her vigilante vampire neighbor Sly, who has his reasons for hating sunlight. Sly needs Morgaine's magic to help heal a broken fang, but with further help, and sometimes hindrance, from the wacky apartment dwellers around them, they may become each other's last hope for a normal life...

Print:

Midnight on Julia Street

by Ciji Ware

I am looking forward to reading this.

Reading for Sourcebooks.

Product Description from author site
This “stand-alone” prequel to A Light on the Veranda is a romantic novel of intrigue and suspense set in modern-day New Orleans with echoes of nineteenth century Louisiana, when Cotton was King.  Corlis McCullough, a take-no-prisoners TV journalist, late of Los Angeles, and her former UCLA nemesis, King Duvallon, an historic preservationist with deep roots in the Crescent City, are an unlikely pair to join forces to save a beautiful Greek Revival building with origins linked mysteriously to those of their own ancestors during the Golden Age in the Big Easy   Both must grapple with the unlikely concept of “genetic memory,” a force that appears to be intruding on their lives and thwarting any chance for ultimate happiness.

Audible/Audio

I haven't started anything yet. But it is likely to be Heartless by Gail Carriger.

Audio:

[The Vision and Beyond, prophecies fulfilled and still to comeby David Wilkerson was put on hold but I read Chapter 3 last week. ]

Instead we are listening to:

The Screwtape Letters: First Ever Full-cast Dramatization of the Diabolical Classic (Radio Theatre) 

C.S. Lewis

We are enjoying listening to this in our young adult class. On part IX.

I am also listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at Esther 4, Isaiah 41 and 2 Corinthians 1.

Line Edits: I am editing the the last of eTreasures' Prom Night summer YA novellas for release.

The authors are working on the final adjustments for Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair and Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf.

 

I didn't intend to fill up the month but I guess I did.
August Review Books:

Sourcebooks (One more for the month.)

Kingdom of Summer by Gillian Bradshaw (If I get time I will read the first in the the series, Hawk of May, before this.)

Read and ready for reviews- reviewing for Authors:
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and 

To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.

Steamrolled by Pauline Baird Jone. Read; review to be posted.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 21, 2011

This is posting late as I had company this weekend and then had some issues to manage.  Ah Life.
So this will be short and sweet.  Here is an acronym our youth pastor shared a few months ago:
FAITH =
Fantastic
Adventures
In
Trusting
Him

I like this quote on Faith:
Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future.
     It's  simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.
    - Joni Erickson Tada

This was our choir song today and I really like the power in it.

A Verse for Today:

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We prayed today that we would allow God to be effective through us.

Sharing Beyond Books #10 August 20, 2011

Welcome to another Saturday night! Thanks for your comments this past week. I hope you all enjoyed discussing collections.  Several of us have thousands of books, myself included - yikes! I had to agree with Jennifer that many of us have such large collections that it's hard to list them all. It is fun to see that there were many different authors being collected, especially Aik's authors I think. I liked the reasons we collect favorites: writing style, solid content, charm, mysteries, special memories, timeless, good writing, and to pass on to children.

The Winner from SBB #9 comments is: #13 winnie.  There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 8 Christmas choices and 4 Summer titles below. So Winnie- please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books or the summer books below and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #10 Questions
I was backing down to two questions but sometimes the questions come in three like last week and again this week. :-)
 

Q1.  Winnie asks this Question:    Have you ever been pleasantly surprised when you read genres that are out of your comfort zone? If you'd like, please share which genre(s)!?

A:  Hmmm - I like to try different genres.  I do not read a lot of horror but I think one subgenre that surprised me is Zombie stories. I didn't really expect to like them but I have read several so far and find them entertaining. Maybe not as much as dystopia and other postapopcolyptic stories but still - I didn't hate them. :-)

Q2.  I had a question that also deals with genres: Do you read two books at the same time or in a row in the same genre?

This happens occasionally in my review line up but I try to avoid it because it can become confusing. For example if I am reading two historical romances or two suspense stories at a time I find that I might confuse the characters or the plots. Also this leads to my tending to compare the books.  Series don't have quite the same problem as they are intended to continue the characters with different plots.

Q3.  My answer to Q2 leads to this question: Do you compare books when you write reviews. If you don't write reviews then do you compare them in your own thoughts?

I make a point to rarely compare books in my reviews as I want to evaluate each book on its own merits.  However as I read there are times that comparisons come to mind. I might like to discuss those in a book discussion or book group...but not for reviews.

~~~~

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form.  At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC.

Your turn to share:
1. Have you been surprised by reading a genre out of your comfort zone?
2. Do you read two books of the same genre at the same time or in a row?
3. Do you compare books in your reviews?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 17 books available plus 4 more in the Summer titles to choose from.

Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
The one I have is hardcover.

One Reckless Summer: A Destiny Novel
This book is brand new, but will be gently read if I get to read it!

 
Under the Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection of All-New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)
My paperback is from 1999 and
has a beach image.

 
The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006
with a different cover.

 The Summerhouse

 Hmmm - this has a bit of magic in the plot.

A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles)
I love Susan Wiggs historicals!

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, August 26 at 10PM central.