Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Franny's Favorite August Releases

August is another BIG month as far as book releases go. Squee!!! I am uber excited! My personal FAVORITES are highlighted in BLUE:

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6)
Release Date: August 7
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the ...more

The Iron Wyrm Affair (Bannon & Clare, #1)
Release Date: August 7
Emma Bannon, Prime sorceress in the service of the Empire, has a mission: to protect Archibald Clare, a failed, unregistered mentath. His skills of deduction are legendary, and her own sorcery is not ...more

Widow’s Web (Elemental Assassin, #7)
Release Date: August 21
I used to murder people for money, but these days it’s more of a survival technique. Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunnin...more

The Heroes of Olympus: The Demigod Diaries
Release Date: August 14
What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindl...more

Foretold: 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction
Release Date: August 28
Have you ever been tempted to look into the future? To challenge predictions? To question fate?It's human nature to wonder about life's twists and turns. But is the future already written—or do you ha...more

Kitty Steals the Show (Kitty Norville, #10)
Release Date: August 1
Kitty has been tapped as the keynote speaker for the First International Conference on Paranatural Studies, taking place in London. The conference brings together scientists, activists, protestors, an...more

Endgame (Sirantha Jax, #6)
Release Date: August 28
REGRET NOTHING. Sirantha Jax has the J-gene, which permits her to “jump” faster-than-light ships through grimspace. She loves nothing more than that rush, but the star roads have to wait… Her final ...more

Third Blood (Haven, #3)
Release Date: August 1
Going home after five years is difficult. It's harder still if you've changed species in the interim. Kita Nekai, once the smallest shifter in Firth but now the newest vampire in the city of Haven, h...more

Seawitch (Greywalker, #7)
Release Date: August 7
A quarter century ago, the Seawitch cruised away from her dock and disappeared with everyone on board. Now, the boat has mysteriously returned to her old berth in Seattle and the insurance company has...more

Two Weeks' Notice (Revivalist, #2)
Release Date: August 7
After dying and being revived with the experimental drug Returne, Bryn Davis is theoretically free to live her unlife—with regular doses to keep her going. But Bryn knows that the government has every...more

Stranger in the Moonlight (Edilean, #7)
Release Date: August 28
An enchanting new contemporary romance set in Edilean, about two childhood friends who are reunited after years apart, only to discover that the spark they felt even as kids still remains... When Kim...more

Blade Song
Release Date: August 1
Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake. So why is she so nervous?...more

Immortally Yours (Monster M*A*S*H, #1)
Release Date: August 28
IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE GODS…  No one patches up the incoming wounded like Dr. Petra Robichaud. Recruited by the gods for her uncanny medical skills, she’s the best M*A*S*H surgeon in the army. Along ...more

Precinct 13
Release Date: August 7
Recent college grad Alex Conner is thrilled to have landed a job as the Hughes County coroner/medical examiner in Pierre, South Dakota. But when her first day on the job ends with a missing corpse, Al...more

Blame It On Texas (Hotter In Texas #2)
Release Date: August 28
Zoe Adams has always been content with her quiet nights at home, watching TV alone-until her life turns into a real-life episode of Unsolved Mystery Hunters. The story of a kidnapped girl triggers une...more

Sweet Talk
Release Date: August 7
In the new contemporary romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, a detective and a lawyer are falling in love— and making a federal case out of it.When FBI agent Grayson Kincai...more

Blood Bath & Beyond
Release Date: August 7
Sarah Dearly is adjusting to life as a fledgling vampire, satisfying her cravings at vampire-friendly blood banks. But when her fiancĂ© Thierry takes a job with the Ring—the secret council in charge of...more

Close Enough to Touch
Release Date: August 28
Can a city girl make it in the wild, wild West? For makeup artist Grace Barrett, Hollywood is less the land of golden opportunity and more the land of difficult divas, cheating boyfriends and unemploy...more

Dying For You
Release Date: August 7
Collected in this anthology of death-defying passion are four of MaryJanice Davidson’s wildest novellas of paranormal romance, featuring an amorous ghost, a witch and witch-hunter, a love-struck psych...more

Biting Oz (Biting Love, #5)
Release Date: August 14
Real vampires do musicals. Biting Love, Book 5 Gunter Marie “Junior” Stieg is stuck selling sausage for her folks in small-town Meiers Corners. Until one day she’s offered a way out—the chance to pl...more

Feels Like Home (Sons of Chance, #9)
Release Date: August 1
City slicker Rafe Locke is no cowboy. When he arrives at the Last Chance Ranch for his brother’s wedding, Rafe refuses to buy into the whole cowboy “thing.” That is, until he sees engineer Meg Seymour...more

Retro Hunk Hump Day


I've seen many bloggers posting weekly Mancandy and hunky photos.  The running theme being HOTT men of today.  It made me think of the men who were drooled over in the past.  Hence the birth of Retro Hunk Hump Day.  I have chosen Maxwell Caulfied, best known for his role in Grease 2 as the first installment to this weekly post.  *swoon*

Craved - Book 1 in the Gwen Sparks series is FREE all day today!

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Craved! Stephanie Nelson has put together a huge giveaway in celebration. Second, in celebration Stephanie Nelson has made Craved Free all day today! And third, Stephanie Nelson'll be on Blog Talk Radio Today for an interview!
 

Craved - Book 1 in the Gwen Sparks Series

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WITCH FOUND DRAINED

Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart. 


                                          Available Now!

                                              Amazon
                                         Barnes & Noble
 

Deceived - Book 2 in the Gwen Sparks Series

Picture The vampire drug, brew, nearly ruined Gwen Sparks’ life. Just when things started to get back to normal between her and Aiden, she is summoned by the North American Witches Council to their central city of Moon. A war is imminent between vampires and witches, and Gwen’s experiences with brew are being used to fuel the fire. She is about to discover just how powerful she is with the help of the ruggedly handsome Angel of Death and just how far some people will go to get what they want. Gwen is going to learn exactly what it means to be Deceived.

                                           Available now!!

                                                Amazon
                                            Barnes & Noble
 
 
 
 

Coveted - Book 3 in the Gwen Sparks Series

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Coveted will be releasing Fall 2012. To stay updated on its progress, follow me on FACEBOOK.
 
 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Review: Keeping Secret


Keeping Secret
Keeping Secret by Sierra Dean

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Samhain
Author’s Website: http://www.sierradean.com/
My Source for This Book: Amazon
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 4, Secret McQueen
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Official Blurb:

Something old, something blue, something deadly…what else is new?

Secret McQueen, Book 4

It’s a nice day for a white wedding. At least that’s what Secret McQueen is hoping for, with her poofy-princess-dress marriage to a werewolf king looming closer and closer by the day. But as ever, nothing can be that easy for a vampire/werewolf hybrid for whom someone still harbors a death wish.


Summoned to the south by her werewolf uncle, who makes no bones about the fact her mate bond with Lucas doesn’t pass muster, Secret learns her furry heritage looks more like a tangled vine than a family tree. Getting her royal uncle’s blessing hinges on finding one of the missing twigs. Even with vampire sentry Holden Chancery at her side, she manages to land up to her neck in a swamp of trouble.

As an assassin’s scope zeroes in, family dramas boil up and a fast-collapsing love square threatens to bury her alive, making it to the church on time could be the least of Secret’s problems.

Warning: Contains a grumpy bride who shouldn’t be wearing wedding white, a motley crew of bridesmaids, a dangerous scenic drive in the woods and a smoking-hot trio of suitors who might be too scorching to touch.

What I think:

KEEPING SECRET is the BEST installment in this series so far. I'm still suffering from a book hangover. I stayed up until 1:46 a.m. reading KEEPING SECRET. I was so pumped after I finished, that I started another book and had to force myself to go to bed around 3:30 a.m. The book lingered on in my sleep and I dreamed an alternate ending for one particular character. I still was not happy with the alternate ending I created. I'm mad at a few characters, and heartbroken for others. Waiting for the next installment is going to be excruciating.

If you have read my reviews on Books 1, 2, and 3, you will notice that there were a few things I was unhappy about, but something about the story continued to lure me into reading more. I'm delighted I continued on because the lukewarm feel from the first book, developed into piping hot by this most recent installment. The Secret McQueen books are relatively inexpensive. If you enjoy Urban Fantasy with a twist of romance, you will not regret your investment.

Secret McQueen Series – Published with Samhain Publishing


Friday, July 20, 2012

Meg Cabot Book Signing Barnes & Noble Carmel, IN

On June 18th, I received the wonderful news in my gmail inbox that Meg Cabot would be signing in Indiana. Not only would she be in Indiana on July 19th, but she would be in CARMEL, Indiana. A mere 45 minutes away from home! In my excitement, I began calling everybody to share the news.  I received responses like, "Who is Meg Cabot?" 

You know, Meg Cabot? Best known for her Princess Diaries series? Allie Finkle? Heather Wells? Anyone? Anyone?

Lizzy, my sister and book signing buddy, was on-board for the short jaunt.  Especially since our last book signing adventure lead to an overnight trip to Chicago and the one before that resulted in a mid-week ramble to yon Cincinnati, Ohio.  Carmel was doable.

Our plan? I would pick Lizzy up at 6:00 p.m. to begin our journey. Some may not know that I have bred readers. My 10-year-old son, Athen discovered our intentions and begged me to go along. It went something like this:

Mom, please, please, please can I go along?

Athen, you have no clue who she is.

Just tell me about her, please?

She doesn't even write books for boys.

I don't care, I've never been to a signing. I want to go to a signing. How will I know what to expect, If I can't go with you now?

(Lots more whining ensued.)

Finally... Okay, you can go. (several threats were issued revolving around appropriate behavior.)

The deal was struck.  Athen and I waited out front of Lizzy's house for her arrival.  She was 10 minutes late.  Anyone who knows Lizzy, shouldn't be surprised. I drove with the single minded intent to arrive without incident and on time.  Upon arrival  --- after many laps around the parking lot searching for a parking space --- we stormed in, with a bevy of excitement, asking where to go. 

Once we were banded and books were purchased, we stood and listened to the witty and toothsome, Meg Cabot.  Athen listened, pink cheeked and beaming.  There was standing room only.  Spectators continued to trickle amidst the crowd of enthusiasts. 

We waited for our turn to meet Meg Cabot patiently.  Our photo was taken, our books signed (including our autograph books --- thank you, Meg Cabot), then Athen had his turn.  He presented his newly purchased Autograph book, explaining that this was his FIRST book signing, with a "Can you please use the silver marker?"

As we were leaving, my enthusiastic son discovered that one of the gentlemen near Meg was responsible for booking book signings.  Athen promptly stepped behind Meg and asked the gentleman if he could book Rick Riordan to sign. Aghast with Athen's audacity, Meg asked, "Would you not do that behind me?"  Athen was oblivious to her rancor (albeit put-on --- I hope), and continued to ensure his request was heard. Rick who? Rick Riordan. R-i-o-r-d-a-n.  This faux pas gave us a giggle,or three all the way home.

From Wikipedia:

Meg Cabot (born Meggin Patricia Cabot on February 1, 1967 in Bloomington, Indiana, United States) is an American author of romantic and paranormal fiction for teens and adults and used to write under several pen names, but now writes exclusively under her real name, Meg Cabot. She has written and published over fifty books, and is best known for The Princess Diaries, later made by Walt Disney Pictures into two feature films of the same name.

Her books are as follows (my personal favorites are the Insatiable series and the Heather Wells Mysteries series):

Princess Diaries
Project Princess: Volume IV and a half (2003)
The Princess Present: Volume VI and a half (2004)
Sweet Sixteen Princess: Volume VII and a half (2006)
1. The Princess Diaries: Volume I (2000)
2. Princess in the Spotlight: Volume II (2001)
     aka Take Two
3. Princess in Love: Volume III (2001)
     aka Third Time Lucky
4. Princess in Waiting: Volume IV (2002)
     aka Mia Goes Fourth
5. Princess in Pink: Volume V (2003)
     aka Give Me Five
6. Princess in Training: Volume VI (2004)
     aka Sixsational
7. Party Princess: Volume VII (2006)
     aka Seventh Heaven
8. Princess On the Brink: Volume VIII (2007)
     aka After Eight
9. Princess Mia (2008)
     aka To the Nines
10. Forever Princess (2009)
     aka Ten Out of Ten

Mediator
1. Shadowland (2000) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
     aka Love You to Death
2. Ninth Key (2001) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
     aka High Stakes
3. Reunion (2001) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
     aka Mean Spirits
4. Darkest Hour (2001) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
     aka Young Blood
5. Haunted (2003)
     aka Grave Doubts
6. Twilight (2005)
     aka Heaven Sent

 
1-800-Where-R-You
1. When Lightning Strikes (2001) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
2. Code Name Cassandra (2001) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
3. Safe House (2002) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
4. Sanctuary (2002) (writing as Jenny Carroll)
5. Missing You (2007)

Boy
1. The Boy Next Door (2002)
     aka The Guy Next Door
2. Boy Meets Girl (2004)
3. Every Boy's Got One (2004)

All-American Girl
1. All-American Girl (2002)
2. Ready Or Not (2005)

Heather Wells Mysteries
1. Size 12 Is Not Fat (2006)
2. Size 14 Is Not Fat Either (2006)
3. Big Boned (2007)
     aka Size Doesn't Matter
4. Size 12 and Ready to Rock (2012)

Queen of Babble
1. Queen of Babble (2006)
2. In the Big City (2007)
3. Queen of Babble Gets Hitched (2008)

Avalon High: Coronation
1. The Merlin Prophecy (2007)
2. Homecoming (2007)
3. Hunter's Moon (2009)

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls
1. Moving Day (2008)
2. The New Girl (2008)
3. Best Friends And Drama Queens (2009)
4. Stage Fright (2009)
5. Glitter Girls And The Great Fake Out (2010)
     aka Glitter Girls
6. Blast From the Past (2010)

Airhead
1. Airhead (2008)
2. Being Nikki (2009)
3. Runaway (2010)

Insatiable
1. Insatiable (2010)
2. Overbite (2011)

Abandon trilogy
1. Abandon (2011)
2. Underworld (2012)
3. Awaken (2014)