New Cover Alert - Spellcrossed by Barbara Ashford

Now that a cover has been released for Barbara Ashford's Spellcrossed, I wanted to be sure to highlight it. After discussing the subject with Nat and Tori we agreed that the cover of Spellcast didn't entice readers to pick it up. Spellcast was one of my top 5 Picks of 2011, as well as Nat's, and it made lot of other book blog lists. So why so little hype? I have yet to meet someone who hasn't gushed over this book. The only logical conclusion is the unassuming cover and description, neither of which really give you any idea what all the book is about. As much as I get annoyed with hot nekkid dudes on the covers of Romance books, the nekkid hot cover dudes... sell the books. With Spellcast, all you're given is a barn... And it's so much more than a barn with a sign, people!!! There is fantasy, drama, romance, all the good stuff. Don't just take my word for it, here are some links to my fellow book bloggers' reviews of Spellcast:


Wicked Lil Pixie *5 Stars
The Bookaholic Cat *5 Paws
My Bookish Ways *5 Stars
Parajunkee *4.5 Skulls
Smexybooks *B+
A Buckeye Girl Reads
Spinecracker *5 Stars


So without further ado, here is the cover of Barbara Ashford's follow up novel, Spellcrossed:

I know it looks a little Holiday-ish with the holly and the red, but holly plays an important role in the story and mythology. I am quite pleased with the cover, as we get a view of what we can only assume is one of the characters from Spellcast who shall remain nameless, to avoid spoilers. I know I speak for all of us fans of Spellcast when I saw OH MY GOD IS IT JUNE YET?? And oh yeah, Spellcrossed has a release date of June 5th. More information is available at Barbara Ashford's website.


UPDATE on 3/6: Barbara stopped by to tell us more about this cover!


"Thanks for the post, Pamela! I've been so engrossed in page proofs that I didn't even know the final cover had been revealed. This one is very close to the concept I sent my editor. (I even included a dreadful line drawing to show what I wanted - thank you, Miss Control Issues.) The "holly" is actually white roses and leaves climbing up the red stage curtain - you can see that better on the actual cover - and references The Secret Garden, one of the musicals they're doing. And the "forest" references Into the Woods, another of the shows. Thanks for sharing with everyone - and for your great comments about Spellcast. Three months till Spellcrossed's release day! YAY!"

Spaz Reviews: Something About Witches - Joey W. Hill

My new review of Something About Witches by Joey W. Hill is up at WLP! 

This is my first Joey W. Hill book and I am very enthusiastic over picking up more! Something About Witches is the first book in her new Arcane Shot series and I thought it would be a perfect time for me to start in with her and a new series. I was right, because I definitely am a fan of her writing.

Derek Stormwind is this fantastically sexy sorcerer who has lived a long life, taking every chance to learn from his mistakes, and live within the codes of the earth and the arcane. The past between he and Ruby is just too painful for him to move on from and they must reconcile if harmony between Lord and Lady is kept balanced. But more than that, Derek realizes he has been misled and what he thought he knew, he didn't know at all. He becomes fiercely intent on saving Ruby from the Darkness and from herself, at whatever cost. Discovering the layers of affection and respect and love he has for Ruby is truly so intriguing, and makes him the epitome of the charmingly alpha hero you long to find in stories. Continue Reading...

My Top 5 PNR/UF Picks for March

March is a huge month for new releases. Some of the ones I was anticipating have been pushed back to later in the year, but I'm almost grateful because I didn't know how I was going to be able to read everything I wanted to!

Oracle's Moon (Elder Races #5)
Thea Harrison

3/6

As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra's husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister's two young children - neither of which she is prepared for. 

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid - driven by his genuine caring for the children - has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace's impudence toward the Elder Races. 

But when an attempt is made on Grace's life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her - and offer her more than a mortal man... Read my ARC review at WLP.

Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10)
JR Ward

3/27

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Now back in the Brotherhood - and unrecognisable as the vampire leader he once was - Tohrment is physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair. When he begins to see his beloved in his dreams - trapped in a cold, isolating netherworld - Tohr turns to a self-serving fallen angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. When he's told he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed . . . 

Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King's throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past, and a very hot, passion-filled future . . . but can his heart let go and set all of them free?

Sacrificial Magic (Downside Ghosts #4)
Stacia Kane

3/27

When Chess Putnam is ordered by an infamous crime boss—who also happens to be her drug dealer—to use her powers as a witch to solve a grisly murder involving dark magic, she knows she must rise to the challenge. Adding to the intensity: Chess’s boyfriend, Terrible, doesn’t trust her, and Lex, the son of a rival crime lord, is trying to reignite the sparks between him and Chess.

Plus there’s the little matter of Chess’s real job as a ghost hunter for the Church of Real Truth, investigating reports of a haunting at a school in the heart of Downside. Someone seems to be taking a crash course in summoning the dead—and if Chess doesn’t watch her back, she may soon be joining their ranks.

As Chess is drawn into a shadowy world of twisted secrets and dark violence, it soon becomes clear that she’s not going to emerge from its depths without making the ultimate sacrifice.

Shadow's Fall (Shadow World #3)

Dianne Sylvan

3/27

For three years, Miranda Grey-Solomon has kept her role as Vampire Queen of the South separate from her Grammy-winning music career. But now, her dual lives are starting to collide, threatening everything Miranda and David, her Prime, have worked for.

The entire Signet Council has descended upon Austin for its ten-year summit, bringing with it Prime James Hart of the Northeast, a sworn enemy come to take his revenge on those who defied him. But Miranda and David receive an unexpected offer of help from David's sire, an ancient and powerful vampire with knowledge that may be their salvation-or their doom.

The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen #2)
Amanda Stevens 

3/27

Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town...

My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here.

Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth. Read our ARC  review at WLP.

So what are your top picks for March?! 

Nalini Singh Reveals Cover For ARCHANGEL'S STORM

Per Nalini Singh's Facebook page, this fifth Guild Hunter novel will be Jason's book.

About this Tony Mauro designed cover, she states 

"My heart stopped when I saw this cover, it's so beautiful. I love it to pieces!!!! The hair, the wings, the background, the sword, it has everything I wanted! I'm not sure if you can see the facial tattoo on this size image (click the cover for a larger image), but trust me, it's there!  

Archangel's Storm is out in September!!

Read more here.

Spaz ARC Reviews: Oracle's Moon - Thea Harrison

My latest ARC review of Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison is up at WLP! 

Ever finish a book and worry over writing a review on it because you are just plain scared you won't be able to do it justice? That you won't be able to express just how awesome it is to you? That is me, with Thea Harrison's Oracle's Moon. When I finished I put this one down and proclaimed to the world on Twitter that for me, Thea Harrison is one of the best new authors to happen to Paranormal Romance in 2011. And boy is she going to live up to that title in 2012 when everyone gets to read this one.

We already have met both the hero Khalil and the heroine Grace. I love when a story starts out with the characters already having a base to a relationship started, even if it's one of great antagonism. Continue reading...

Spaz ARC Reviews: Black Howl - Christina Henry

My latest review is up of Black Howl by Christina Henry at WLP!
Gabriel used to be Madeline's bodyguard, at the behest of her father, but after having won him in a magical contest she was not supposed to survive, he is now her thrall. The laws of Lucifer's kingdom are that once you're a thrall, you're always a thrall and now that Madeline owns him... well, that's a little bit of a f*cked up foundation to build a relationship on. She doesn't want to own him, but she also doesn't want him at the hands of another being that might abuse him, so as painful as it is, she mostly leaves him alone. Samiel, Gabriel's half-brother is now living with them, as well. Quite an odd household. Madeline receives notice from Lucifer that Samiel is to be brought in for a trial for injuring Maddie during events in the previous book, and the Gregori's Hound of the Hunt shows up to take him in. In addition, Wade is missing and ghosts have been popping up all over town that have not been foreseen by the Agency prophets. Continue Reading...

Spaz ARC Reviews: If You Know Her - Shiloh Walker

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages

List Price: $7.99

Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 28, 2012)

Genre: Romance Suspense


Shiloh Walker's website


Purchase If You Know Her at:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Book Depository

A SHADOW IN THE WINDOW. 
Nia Hollister doesn’t scare easily. Come hell or high water, she intends to find her cousin’s killer. She returns to Ash, Kentucky, for answers. What she doesn’t expect is to ache with desire every time she sees Law Reilly. If any man can help her escape the nightmares for a while, it’s him. But can she allow herself to take comfort in those strong arms when a murderer still roams free? 
Unknown to Nia, as she quietly slips into Law Reilly’s home, is that she’s being watched—by someone who is waiting for an opportunity to strike. 
Timing is everything, though he can’t wait forever. If she’s not frightened, she soon will be. Nia has made a vow to find her cousin’s killer. She should be careful what she wishes for.

Basically, if you love suspense and romance, you need to read this trilogy. Don't put it off any longer, don't wait. I picked up the first book, If You Hear Her on a whim, and devoured it. I was so entranced that I begged Shiloh Walker herself for ARCs of the next two books in the trilogy so I could find out what happened next. I was obsessed! Thankfully, she took pity on me and sent them my way. This is a great trilogy that has an overall crime mystery that is solved over the duration of the three books, and you get three HEAs out of it with characters you grow to know and love. And when I say you grow to know and love them, I promise that you do.


The plot was a little slower moving in the beginning of If You Know Her compared to the first two books, but the sexual tension and graphic scenes between Law and Nia were the smoking hottest! Rawr! Law has been obsessed with Nia since he first met her and she pulled a gun on him. Yup, you read that right. And Nia, despite herself, can't stop thinking about Law either. Their interactions just keep jacking up the tension higher and higher until *I* was ready to combust. 


The killer knows folks are on to him and is beginning to panic, and we get a lot more storyline from his perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed the revealing of the killer, and how he is brought down. I was on the edge of my seat reading it all play out. I have to admit I had the killer figured out from the start of this third book. It all clicked. I had my suspicions but boom, I knew. Despite one major detail we were given in the first book that I knew could be accounted for in other ways *ahem*. I loved the twists and turns and how everything is revealed, and the end! OMG! It really does come down to all 6 of our favorite characters battling it out with the bad guy and the women play such kickass strong roles, I just felt proud for them. The last 50 pages made me bite all my fingernails off.


Don't miss this trilogy!! Start with If You Hear Her, then If You See Her (previously reviewed by moi, here), and then finally If You Know Her completes the romance suspense trilogy.


Grade: A. This is definitely a book and a trilogy to spaz over!

Spaz Reviews: Third Grave Dead Ahead - Darynda Jones

I'm reviewing Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones with some of my favorite quotes from the book, over at WLP!
There really can't be much more that can be said about this third Charley Davidson book, or the series itself. If you are already reading these books, you already undoubtedly love them. If you aren't reading theses books yet, I can only imagine it is just because you have tripped and bumped your head. I kid! But really, what the heck are you waiting for? I have decided to compile some of my favorite non-spoiler parts of Third Grave Dead Ahead to convince new readers, they need to read these books and for existing fans to enjoy and giggle.

With lines like "I'm leaving the whole shebang in your hands, Mr. Wong!", I was immediately enamored with Charley, once again. Continue Reading...

Shiloh Walker Curves & Qs Blog Tour

Welcome to the Shiloh Walker Curves & Qs Blog Tour, sponsored by Hips & Curves! I am so excited participate and help promote If You See Her and If You Know Her, the 2nd and 3rd books in The Ash Trilogy series. Each of us on this blog tour got to ask her one question about the series, see mine below along with her answer.

To see my review of If You See Her, the second book in The Ash Trilogy, go here.

Q:  What inspired you to create a blind heroine, and what were some of the challenges that you faced. Was it easier in some aspects to have a heroine that could not see what was in front of her?

Well, the entire story came from Lena...and from the very time she came into my head, her blindness was a part of her.  And it never defined her for me.  I didn't see her as a blind heroine...she was a woman who is blind, not just just a blind woman, if that makes sense.  Her inability to see is just one aspect of her.

Since that was who she was from day one, it never really affected how I was writing her story.  I guess the hardest part was writing her in a way that would still bring her world to life for the readers, without just relying on her other senses.  Lena still had memories of when she could see and that was one way that played out, I think.

Excerpt from If You Hear Her, the first book in The Ash Trilogy:

Lena was dreaming.

She knew it and she had to admit, it was one damn fine dream.
In the dream, she could see. She had vivid memories from back before she’d gone completely blind and sometimes, those dreams taunted her.
This dream wasn’t so bad, though.
She was outside and the sun shone down on her, brilliant burst of light and warmth raining down on her. Tipping her face to it, she stared into the sun until her eyes watered and burned.
“You shouldn’t stare at the sun.”
The voice was low, rough…sexy. And familiar.
Ezra. Damn him.
Couldn’t he leave her in peace, even in her dreams?
Lena was a sucker for a sexy voice and he had such a fine one. Hands came up from behind, rested on her waist and then slid around her, pulling her back against a hard, strong body.
“I don’t want to dream about you,” she said, but she didn’t pull away from him. No, she rested her head against his chest and continued to stare at the golden-white burn of the sun.
“I told you that you shouldn’t look at the sun,” he murmured, stroking one hand up and cupping her breast. Something hot and liquid flared to life inside her.
“It doesn’t matter if I look at it or not. Not now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m just dreaming. Those pesky UV rays can’t hurt me here.” As much as she hated to look away from the sun, she did, turning in his embrace to study his face. She wanted to see him, too. See what her subconscious image she had cooked up to go with that sexy voice.
And damn, her subconscious had delivered just fine.
Although sometimes she suspected her sighted memories weren’t as clear as they could have been, she wasn’t going to complain. He looked just fine to her.
Right now, she could see…
Right now, she could touch.
And more…she could be touched.

Curves & Qs Giveaway

Enter the Curves & Qs giveaway for a chance to win $50 Gift Certificate provided by Hips and Curves, or a book provided by Shiloh Walker.

The blog hop will take place at the following blogs:

2/6   Book Vixen

2/8   Fiction Vixen

2/10 Tori's Misadventures 

2/13 Life as a Spaz

2/15 Under the Covers  

To enter, just visit each blog on the scheduled date, leave a comment AND fill out the form below.  You can enter up to one time per blog for up to five entries for the grand prize.

One winner will be chosen for a daily prize (a signed book from Shiloh) at each blog.

All comments and form entries when be tallied up and one winner be chosen to win the main prize, an e-gift certificate to online retailer Hips and Curves. 

The prize is valued at $50 (US) and winner is responsible for any and all costs over the dollar amount of the GC.  Contest is open internationally, void where prohibited by law.  Odds of winning depend of number of entries.  The contest will remain open until 2/22. Winner(s) to be posted the week of 2/28 at Shiloh's blog, and will also be notified via email, however they must reply back within 14 days to claim prize.

For a further list of rules, please check out the disclaimer at shilohwalker.com.

Please note the e-gift certificate was donated by Hips and Curves with no strings attached.  

Spaz Reviews: Firelight - Kristen Callihan

My review of Firelight by Kristen Callihan is up at WLP!

The raves from trusted book bloggers surrounding Firelight, the first in a new series called Darkest London by Kristen Callihan, is what led me to purchase and read it. I did not read the blurb, I had just heard something along the lines of "It's a take on Beauty and the Beast." Well, sign me up then! And I'm glad that I listened to the raves.

From the get-go I enjoyed the narration and dialog. Lord Archer first runs across the young Miranda and immediately is drawn to her fire and moxy. I myself was drawn in immediately to their flirtatious banter. And let me not forget to mention how enthralled I was with the beautiful gothic setting, the vivid descriptive settings and dark and romantic atmosphere. I was sucked in and didn't want to get out of this world. Continue Reading...