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In Hamlet, Marcellus, referring to the royal ghost, says: “It faded on the crowing of the cock. Some say that ever gainst that season comes wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated, this bird of dawning singeth all night long, and then, they say, no spirit dare walk abroad, The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, so hallowed and so gracious is that time.”

The post Witches, werewolves, and Christmas appeared first on OUPblog.

This December, Paige Tyler releases the third in her action-packed SWAT series, IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES. To celebrate the release of IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES, Paige Tyler stopped by to tell us about one of her favorite fun loving heroes in pop culture and to share an excerpt showcasing her own hero’s fun loving side!

Paige Tyler: Everyone loves reading about alpha males, right? But of course, you can’t have a single dimensional character that’s just hardcore alpha all the time. It comes off as flat or just plain irritating. Most of the time you want to let your alpha have a lighter side, just to keep things interesting. One of my favorite fun loving heroes from popular culture is Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard!

This one will take you back a few years (can I just say I’m still annoyed they took this show off the air?) with Joe Flanigan playing Air Force pilot and all around I-don’t-follow-the-rule hero on the Scify television series—and another favorite—Stargate Atlantis. Like a lot of alphas, John has a checkered past and broke some rules doing the right thing, so it got him put on somebody’s bad side. Of course, when things go wrong and everyone needs help, John is the guy they turn to. He’s quick to risk his life for a friend—or even someone he barely knows—cracking completely inappropriate jokes the whole time and making women everywhere swoon.

Title: In the Company of Wolves

Series: SWAT, #3

Author: Paige Tyler

Pubdate: December 1^st, 2015

ISBN: 9781492608530

He opened his mouth to order her to drop the MP5 she had aimed at him, but nothing would come out. It was like she’d robbed him of the ability to speak. Shooting her wasn’t an option, though. And the idea of arresting her didn’t make him feel any better.

There’s a new gang of criminals in town who are organized and ruthless in the extreme. When Eric Becker, along with the rest of the Dallas SWAT team, ends up in the middle of a shootout, he immediately senses werewolves-a lot of them. Turns out, the new bad guys are a pack of wolf shifters.

In a spray of gunfire, Becker comes face-to-face with the most gorgeous woman he’s ever seen. Becker does the logical thing. He hides her and leaves the scene with the rest of his team.

Jayna Winston has no idea why that SWAT guy helped her, but she’s glad he did. Ever since she and her pack mates got mixed up with those Eastern European mobsters, everything had pretty much fallen apart.

So what’s a street-savvy thief like Jayna going to do with a hot alpha-male wolf who’s a police officer?

SWAT (Special Wolf Alpha Team) Series

Hungry Like the Wolf

Wolf Trouble

In the Company of Wolves

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1N9s7aS

Apple: http://apple.co/1jDW2eF

BAM: http://bit.ly/1Wgsjd3

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1L25iPs

Chapters: http://bit.ly/1jPkNEZ

An Excerpt

One of the Albanians shouted something from the front of the store in his own language, following it up with an order to the omegas to stop wasting time and get the damn safe open. Becker ground his teeth. He should have simply kidnapped Jayna and her entire pack. Then he could have just walked into the loft and shot every one of these idiots—twice.

“Watch them,” he told Jayna, motioning to the security guard and two women. Turning, he left the break room and jogged down the hallway toward the back of the building.

“Get them back on the safe!” the Albanian driver shouted at him from the front room.

Oh yeah, sure. Stop two morons from raping a woman and get them back on task. What the hell was he—a daycare worker for omega werewolves?

Shit. If this was how criminals behaved, it was no wonder he and his SWAT teammates took so many of them down. They were too stupid to live. Then again, maybe this was how Gage felt some days. The SWAT pack could occasionally be a little stupid too. Becker’s current predicament was a shining example of that.

The omega standing guard in the hallway outside the manager’s office glared at him. “We got this. Go back and babysit the old folks.”

What a complete ass, Becker thought as he walked up and punched the guy in the face. The werewolf flew backward and bounced off the wall, bleeding like crazy from a broken nose as he fell to the floor in a dazed heap. He was still moving around though, reminding Becker that it was as hard to knock out an omega as it was to knock out an alpha. He’d have to remember that.

Becker strode into the office to find the store manager on the floor beside her desk, the other omega—the one who liked to play with his platinum medallion—leaning over her menacingly. He’d torn her blouse and was telling her all the horrible things he planned to do to her if she didn’t open the safe. The idiot was so intent on threatening her that he didn’t realize Becker was there until he yanked the guy to his feet and spun him around, then smashed the back of his head into the nearest hard object he could find—the safe panel. Becker pounded his head into the safe a few times before letting him fall to the floor. The asshole was definitely out cold.

Becker turned and looked at the shop manager. She cringed away from him, terror in her eyes as she tried to hold the tatters of her blouse together. He really wished he could pull up his ski mask. Seeing him like this definitely wasn’t helping.

Do you have an alarm button in this room?” he asked in his softest, least intimidating voice.

The woman stared at him for a moment like he was insane, then motioned under the desk with a shaking hand.

“Would you mind pushing it for me?” he asked.

Now she looked really confused. But she slowly reached under the desk and poked around until a loud alarm started ringing.

“Thanks.” Becker bent down to take the platinum medallion out of the omega’s vest and slip it into his pocket. “By the way, that diamond merchant you bought from in New York sold you out to a really bad guy. You probably don’t want to buy from him anymore.” Turning, he jogged out of the room and down the hallway to the front of the store. “Time to leave. Moron hit the alarm.”

Jayna was heading his way in a flash, the two Albanians right behind her.

“What about the safe?” the driver asked.

Becker shook his head. “It’s a no-go. Our guy smashed the keypad.”

The Albanians muttered something in their native language and shook their heads, as if they’d seen this coming. They stepped over the omega who was still rolling around in a daze on the floor in the hallway and raced out the back door. In the distance, sirens echoed in the air. About damn time. Becker motioned Jayna out.

“What about him?” she asked, jerking her head at the werewolf still trying to get to his knees.

Becker nudged the omega with his boot, pushing him back down. The guy looked like he really didn’t want to bother getting up this time.

“What about him?” Becker said, holding the door open for her.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you rather be a werewolf, a zombie or a vampire? Enter to win an autographed copy of Monsterland, by Michael Phillip Cash; plus a living dead themed travel mug and a $50 Amazon gift card! Giveaway begins November 14, 2015, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends December 16, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

You've received a free VIP ticket to join us as we go on the Monsterland tour with award-winning author Michael Phillip Cash.

In this novel written for fans of the dystopian-horror genre, Cash delivers a gripping story with a Jurassic Park vibe.

May Contain Spoilers

Review:

My Mercy Thompson obsession continues.   Blood Bound picks up shortly after the events in Moon Called.  Mercy receives a late night call from Stefan, asking for her help.  Since she indebted herself to him while searching for Adam’s kidnapped daughter, she doesn’t really have much choice than to accompany him on an errand.  One of the things I love about Mercy is that her word is her bond, and she won’t go back on a promise or a debt unless dire circumstances force her to.

Stefan is on a mission from his Mistress; he’s to confront a vampire that’s just arrived in town to discover why he hasn’t informed Marsillia that he’s in her territory.  Stefan wants Mercy to go with him because she is immune to most vampire powers.  The encounter quickly devolves, and Mercy, in her coyote form, is helpless to assist Stefan when he is overpowered or the human the vampire has kidnapped.  A narrow escape that leaves Mercy injured and with nightmares and many questions follows.  Sam is furious with Stefan for putting her in that position, and that’s when Stefan reveals that the vampire is a demon-ridden sorcerer.  There is an evil demon sharing his body, and if they don’t kill him soon, there will be many, many lives lost.  Stefan is a very powerful vampire, and he was quickly under the other vampire’s control, so Stefan is going to need help to subdue him.

The sorcerer is a powerful foe, and Mercy is warned to back off and let the vampires and werewolves handle him.  Unfortunately, the team sent after him gets their butts handed to them.  When Sam, Adam, and Stefan disappear, Mercy knows that she has to do something, on the off chance that they are still alive. This is another thing I like about Mercy – she knows that she’s hopelessly outmatched, but she still is driven to do the “right” thing.  She won’t be able to live with herself if she could have saved her friends, but didn’t act because she was too frightened.  Instead, she gathers up her courage and a few magical gifts from friends and heads off on a demon-possessed vampire hunt.

One difference in Blood Bound is that Mercy is forced to work with the vampires.  While they don’t like her kind, they realize that her powers may prove useful in tracking down the rogue vamp.  Mercy’s clear confusion when dealing with them gave her an added challenge.  While she could read the werewolves well and understood their pack structure, the vampires and their politics are a complete mystery to her.  Can she trust them? Will they use her and turn on her? The werewolves can be hard to like given their brutal behavior, but the vampires are so much worse because they are so alien and it’s so hard to understand their motivations.  Their blatant disregard for human life is alarming, but I guess that makes sense because they’re dead! 

I’m finding the series very entertaining, and I’m looking forward to the next book. 

Grade:  B+ / A-

Review copy borrow from my local library

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

Dacia, and her cousin LouLou, are traveling to Romania to meet their mothers' family for the first time.  While Lou visits Paris and shops the fashion houses there, Dacia travels by ship with her Aunt Kate.  Dacia, ever the rebel, is in disgrace since she had an escapade with a certain nobleman in England.

Dacia catches sight of her prim aunt passionately kissing a stranger when the train they have boarded is stopped by snow in the mountains.

Meanwhile, Lou is stalked by That Awful Man, a stranger who accosts her on the ship asking if she is The Wing or the Claw.  Another time, he announces that she is the Smoke and an houri, which upsets her terribly.

In Romania, Dacia meets Prince Mihai, charming to the nth degree.  Then she meets her maternal grandmother, the dread Lady Ioana.  "Dread" does not come close to describing this woman.

Dacia and Lou are trapped by their genetic make-up in a destiny that neither wants nor can control.

But things are worse.  Their family believes that these two girls are the answer to a prophecy.  And the family is at odds about what the prophecy means.

And the English Lord, That Awful Man and Prince Mihai are, none of them, what they seem to be.

Ahh, a proper paranormal romance, set in the home of paranormal activity, the mountains of Eastern Europe!   Terror, entrapment, kidnapping, poison, armed guards, swoon worthy men, Victorian fashions and manners... It's all in here.   Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George.

May Contain Spoilers

Review:

I am not big on audio books, and prior to Hunting Ground, I could count the number I’ve listened to on one hand.  I had a long solo drive to a horse show, though, and thought that listening to a book would keep me alert and less stressed during the drive.  I picked this book because I loved Cry Wolf, but I haven’t had time to read any further in the Alpha and Omega series.  At first I was a little hesitant as I pulled out of the driveway and started my journey, but MY.GOODNESS!  I didn’t want the drive to end, I was that engaged in the story!

The narrator, Holter Graham, was incredible.  The different voices he used for different characters were spot on, and now I can’t imagine that they would sound otherwise.  He varied the cadence of the words depending on the pacing of the particular scene, and wow, I was so caught up in the story that I can’t imagine reading it instead of listening to it now.  The story translated well to audio; it’s fast-paced, exciting, and there’s a lot of action that is read with a staccato of sounds.  It was like listening to a long, intricate song, with changes in reading tempo and crescendos of action.  I loved the narration, and I’m so glad I picked it for my first foray into Scribd’s audiobook library.

The story, for me, is all about Charles and Anna, and their blossoming relationship.  They are sent to a meeting in Bran’s place, to discuss the Marrok’s plan to let the world know about the existence of werewolves with some of the foreign alphas.  Charles fears that something bad will happen to Bran, so he and his father had been fighting about Bran’s attendance.  Shy, quiet Anna forces the two to see reason, and soon, she and her new mate are headed to Seattle, Washington to meet with some of the biggest, baddest  werewolf leaders in the world.  As the snarling males circle each other, looking for weaknesses, Charles was right to be concerned.  There is a lot of animosity between the wolves, especially for Bran, and not all of the alphas are on board with coming out to the general public.  A gruesome murder doesn’t help, and Charles finds himself framed for a crime he didn’t commit.  Only Anna’s clear thinking and bravery helps root out the true villains.

The characters are what make this such a good series.  Anna is still suffering from her mistreatment with her previous pack, and Charles, his father’s enforcer, is feared by the other wolves.  Because he might be required to kill any one of them at any time, he also seeks to keeps himself emotionally distant.  Only with Anna does his wolf feel at peace. Anna is learning that being Omega doesn’t mean being a pushover.  She does not have to be submissive, she does not have to yield, and she has a strength she didn’t think herself capable of.  Anna’s mere presence in a pack brings it peace and a sense of calm.  While Charles’ job is to control the pack and protect the weaker members, Anna’s is to make everyone in the pack happy.

This was such a successful endeavor that I started listening to Moon Called, also by Patricia Briggs.  So far, it is also an engrossing listen; too bad I don’t have any long trips in the near future!

Grade:  B+

Review copy listened to on Scribd

About the book:

The first Alpha and Omega novel, Cry Wolf, unlocked the doors to a unique urban landscape in “a great…new werewolf series” (Darque Reviews). In Hunting Ground, #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs invites readers to follow her even deeper into that seductive realm of the unknown…

Anna Latham didn’t know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son—and enforcer—of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn’t know how dangerous it could be, either…

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran’s controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan—and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all—or risk losing everything…

Angela Addams is celebrating the release of Spell Weaver, the latest in the Order of the Wolf series. I’ve read the first two books and enjoyed them quite a bit.  Now’s your chance to learn about the series, as well as enter for a chance to win a copy of Wolves’ Bane.

Welcome to The Order of the Wolf series: where a battle rages and you must choose which side you’re on. Like the fated Huntresses, each book demands that you pick a side, werewolf or Hunter and determine the fate of man and beast. Lines are blurred and depending on what book you’re in, you just never know who a Huntress will choose.

5 things you should know about The Order of the Wolf series by Angela Addams

5. Pass the knife.

The heroines in my series are all Huntresses, the only living being on Earth who can mortally wound a werewolf. An injury from a Huntress, even a scratch, sends a deadly poison into the bloodstream of a beast. Unless they are dispatched quickly by a well-placed stab to the muscle encased heart or decapitation, a wound from a Huntress leads to a long drawn out and agonizing death. The hero of Spell Weaver, Dyami, is suffering in exactly this way when we meet up with him again at the start of his story.

4. That guy has a nice wolf tattoo.

You know who has the special wolf tattoos? Hunters. Hunters, the men chosen to fight along side the Huntresses, have only that purpose in mind when they search for their destined mate. Their goal is to bond with the Huntress, thereby igniting the woman’s dormant powers and make her the ultimate warrior against the beasts. The only problem is that for every Huntress there are two possible mates, a Hunter and a werewolf, and she must choose which one to give her heart to. Unbeknownst to Spell Weaver’s heroine, Summer, her boyfriend of a few months is a Hunter in disguise and he’s not too happy to find a werewolf in her tattoo shop.

3. What a pretty dog.

The boys in Riot aren’t the typical werewolves in appearance. They’re too young and without proper mentoring, they have no idea that they have the ability to transform into something other than a large wolf. Unlike the beasts encountered in Wolves’ Bane, Dyami and the rest of the band haven’t been tainted by the surge of power that comes with transforming into the monstrous shape of the beast. Although they are all powerful entities in their own right, what they don’t know about their legacy handicaps them in a huge way. Wait and see what happens in Mayhem due out in August.

2. It’s all fun and games until some gets her powers.

Each Huntress has innate magical powers which are shared by her Hunter. The powers can be ignited by her werewolf’s bite or by bonding with her Hunter. A Huntress’s powers can vary in intensity, sometimes even coming out from childhood on. So far in the series, we have a spell caster (Darcy), a healer (Aubrey) and a magic etcher (Morgan). It shouldn’t be hard to figure out what Summer’s magical abilities will be…hint, hint (Spell Weaver).

1. Eat me.

A Huntress claimed by a Hunter is instantly bonded to the Order of the Wolf and through that bond gains valuable knowledge about the inner workings of the Order. She is not only gifted by amplified strength but each time she and her Hunter touch, she gains more information about the legacy of her ancestors the Amazons, as well as all insight into her Hunter’s training with weapons, battle techniques and the time he’s spent honing their special powers. She becomes the perfect werewolf-killing machine and is definitely on the wrong side as far as the wolves are concerned. Losing a Huntress to the Order instantly transforms her into the enemy and a foe to the beasts must be neutralized.

I’ve shared a little excerpt with you so you can see both sides of the battle.

Copyright © 2015 Angela Addams

All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

Another wash of dizziness rolled through him and he stumbled back, letting out a hiss of pain as his newly inked flesh rubbed against the wall. His wolf growled, snapping his attention to focus. “Danger. There is danger.” Dy needed to get out of there. He wasn’t sure what the hell was up, but he felt a kind of rage building, like he was going to lose his shit at any moment. His wolf so agitated that he was lunging at the surface of control.

Time to go.

He pulled out a wad of cash and peeled off ten bills. Too much for sure, but he wanted to give Summer something that would make her smile. He dropped the money on the table, and snatched up his shirt. He was pulling it on as he exited the room and almost barreled over Summer in his haste.

“Hey, where are you going? I need to bandage you up.” Her hands were on his chest, and his instinctively came around her waist so he didn’t knock her over.

She felt so good up against him like that. Too good. His wolf growled again.

“Yeah, I gotta go.” He pushed himself back, the loss of her warmth like a gap opening in his heart. “I left some money for ya on the table. Thanks for doing this for me.”

Summer frowned. “You okay? You don’t look so hot right now. Maybe you should sit down.”

He shook his head and pushed past her, images of her kissing her boyfriend flashing in his mind. His brain was fuzzy, his wolf demanding attention.

Not now. Not now.

She trailed behind him as he thundered down the hall. Panic seized his gut, his wolf punching through.

“Dy, don’t go.”

He barely heard her as he entered the front reception area of the shop. Her guy was still there, seated on one of the couches. He glanced up from the magazine he was reading, an eyebrow cocked, smile turning into a frown as he glanced from Dy to his own arm where the tattooed image of a wolf seemed to be almost pulsing, his skin undulating.?As their eyes locked, Dy’s wolf roared.?“Hunter.” Dy’s fangs pushed through his gums. His claws burst at his fingertips. His wolf fighting for control over his body, the poison keeping his transformation from taking hold.

“What the fuck are you doing here, beast?” The man stood, reaching behind him and retrieving a blade—one he immediately threw.

Bio

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios.

She is an avid tattoo collector, a total book hoarder and loves anything covered in chocolate…except for bugs.

She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, creaky house, with her husband and children.

Website: www.angelaaddams.com

Twitter: @angelaaddams

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/angelaaddams/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.Angela.Addams

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4801196.Angela_Addams

Samhain

https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5390/spell-weaver

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Spell-Weaver-Order-Wolf-Angela-Addams-ebook/dp/B00PDJV2C8

Kobo

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/spell-weaver

BN

http://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/spell-weaver-angela-addams/1120724215?ean=9781619224476

iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/spell-weaver/id939148403?mt=11

Coloring outside the lines can sting like hell…

The Order of the Wolf, Book 4

Shot by a Huntress, his wolf trapped within him, Dyami Storm is battling a poison that is eating him alive. His only hope is finding his mate, but without his wolf to guide him, he doesn’t know where to look.

The second the sexy bad boy stumbles into her tattoo shop, smelling of booze and oozing attitude, Summer Sinclair knows he’s trouble. She should turn him away, but a strange magnetic pull compels her to help him out with a little ink.

When Summer’s boyfriend walks through the door, Dyami senses he’s in the presence of a Hunter, and the Hunter recognizes him as a wolf. With hackles raised, a weapon coming at him, Dyami’s only choice snaps into place. Bite Summer, marking her as his—and unleashing her powers as a Spell Weaver.

On the run from Hunters and losing his fight against the poison, Dyami is in a race against time to convince Summer her power could change the course of the war…and that his fate is in her hands.

Warning: Sexually explicit. Tattooed, rock star drummer with a tender heart seeking his one true mate. Tough little tattoo artist with a special talent for spells. Lots of hot and heavy, wet and sweaty.

Spell Weaver Tour Info

Tour Schedule:

April 7^th: Paranormal Haven

Thoughts of a Scot

April 8^th: Manga Maniac Cafe

April 9^th: Rabid Reads

April 10^th: Carol Kittie Reviews

Musings and Ramblings

Aprl 12^th: Musings of An Independent Artist

April 13^th: I Smell Sheep

April 14^th: Bea’s Book Nook

Giveaway Info:

Angie is giving away a signed copy of Wolves’ Bane, limited edition Order of the Wolf keychain and a signed Cursed bookmark! Giveaway is only open to Canadian and U.S. addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SINNER is the fourth book in the SHIVER series by Maggie Stiefvater. Fans of the series are treated to a beyond-the-ending look into what happens to two of their favorite characters after the original series ended.

May Contain Spoilers

Review:

I enjoyed Cursed and have been waiting impatiently for the next book in the  Fallen Siren series.  When I saw Captured, a prequel, up on Amazon, I didn’t hesitate to click the “Buy” button.  And why would I?  This suspenseful read is FREE.  If you enjoyed Cursed, too, or just want to get to know the characters before diving into the series, you have nothing to lose to snatching is up!  Plus it will tide you over until the October release of Reckoning.

Captured chronicles the first case Emma and Zack team up on.  On loan from the San Diego office when Zack’s partner is unable to help with a case, Emma is in Charleston to help Zack with two mission objectives.  First, locate Cooper Anderson, a four year boy who has been kidnapped, and two, capture the kidnapper before he or she strikes again. The federal agents are racing against time; two other little boys have already been murdered, and all signs point to the same perpetrator in their latest case.

Zack is a werewolf, and Emma is a Siren.  She’s been cursed for failing to keep Hades from kidnapping Persephone.  Tasked with redeeming herself in the eyes of Demeter, she works tirelessly to save innocent lives from harm.  She has a couple of rules that she won’t allow herself to break, the most important being:  never fall in love.  All of her lovers have met with unpleasant fates at the hands of the vengeful goddess, so Emma tries to save herself a lot of grief by not getting involved with anyone.  This proves a challenging task because the sparks fly between Zack and Emma as soon as they meet.

While the mystery isn’t too challenging, the blossoming romance between Emma and Zack kept me turning the pages.  They really click as a team, their work styles complimenting and strengthening each other in their race against time to find the missing boy.  Emma’s quest is doubly urgent, because she never knows if this is the the case that will bring her redemption for her failure centuries ago.  Every life held in the balance may bring about her freedom from Demeter’s vengeful rage.  Zack is a complication she doesn’t need, but can’t resist, regardless of how many times she’s been burned in the past.

Likeable characters make this a worthwhile read.  Captured reminded me how much I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! 

Grade:  B

Review copy purchased from Amazon FREE

From Amazon:

Join FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.

She’s a Siren. He’s a Werewolf.

Their mission is redemption.

Emma Monroe is a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now she works for the FBI and is on temporary assignment in Charleston. Solving this next missing persons case could be the key to ending her ancient curse—unless the temptation that’s her new partner gets in the way.

Zack Armstrong is a Werewolf. Tall, dark, and dangerous, he currently works for one of the bureau’s elite Child Abduction Rapid Deployment teams. In many respects the man is every bit as mysterious as his secret and perilous past. But there are two things he’s certain about, that he’s going to get his man and his woman.

When Zack finds himself suddenly shy a partner and a third child goes missing in Charleston, Emma goes from consultant to CARD team member in the space of a few hours. The abductions of the first two boys ended in murder, an outcome that neither Zack nor Emma can abide. As they race against time to track down the kidnapper and rescue the latest victim, they find themselves fighting something just as treacherous—a growing attraction that can’t be ignored or denied.

The post Novella Review: Captured by S J Harper appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

May Contain Spoilers

Review:

I was in the mood for a quick read, so when I saw Cursed, it’s like it was calling my name.  All it took for me to start reading this were the following words: “Vengeance Dealer” and “Werewolf.”  Yeah, I was all over that!  I loved this short read – the pacing is blistering, the romance hot, and I loved the wolves.

I’m not going to lie, though.  It took a long time to like Darcy.  At first, she impressed me with her boldness and confidence.  Then I started thinking about what she was doing and I thought, “Damn, girl!  That is so not right!”  A Vengeance Dealer, Darcy’s clients engage her services to curse the men who have hurt them.  On the surface, that’s just great.  Girl power and all that.  But under closer examination, she’s not much better than the men she’s trying to teach a lesson to.  In fact, she’s worse.  She collects bodily fluids (semen, no less), casts a spell on it, and curses the guy to lust for her for the rest of his life.  She then promptly vanishes without a trace, reveling in the satisfaction of a job well done.  Ugh!

Not to worry, though, because Karma has a particularly nasty joke to play on Darcy.  After having the best sex of her life, she curses her latest victim.  Only to discover that he’s a werewolf.  Ho boy!!  Things can’t get any worse!  Or can they?  Werewolves have a gift for hunting, and they never forget a scent.  Darcy’s on the run for her life, with a very pissed off supernatural creature on her trail.  Her pathetic skills at witchery are no match for Raven and the rest of his pack, and Darcy is about to learn the error of her ways.

I am all about the pack.  I want to get to know each and every one of them.  I think Mayhem is my favorite, but that’s probably because he’s in charge.  Raven is a younger pack member, still coming into his powers, which can be tenuous when he’s emotionally charged.  The guys are members of a popular rock band, and while the idea is really cool, I wonder at the practicality.  How are they going to be guests on daytime talk shows or shoot music videos at the beach when they are confined to their wolf forms during the day?

Anyhoo, Cursed is the perfect read for a lazy afternoon.  It really is a fun read.  The hero is hot, the heroine is redeemed, and then she totally kicks ass.  Where is Book 2?  (It’s not out until October – boo!)

Grade:  B+

Review copy provided by publisher

From Amazon:

Her biggest mistake comes with fangs…and a nose for tracking her down.

The Order of the Wolf, Book 1

Wherever there’s a lying, cheating scumbag who’s broken a woman’s heart, Vengeance Dealer Darcy Wells is there. So what if she isn’t the most skilled witch around? She’s only using one spell, which leaves the hapless male suffering tormenting lust for one woman. Her.

The beautiful part? This curse comes equipped with a blinding agent, allowing her a clean getaway. Unrequited lust, coming right up! As far as Darcy is concerned, it’s justice served. Her next target: Raven Glock, rock band bassist and drop-dead-gorgeous sex god.

When Raven lays eyes on the luscious Darcy, he gives her what he promises all the starry-eyed groupies who toss their panties at him—one unforgettable night in his bed. Sex with Darcy is so epic that he forgets his cardinal rule: to get her out before morning.

At the crack of sunrise, Darcy serves Raven a face full of cursed ash. But something goes horribly wrong…and she finds herself magically tethered to one pissed-off werewolf.

Worse, breaking the spell could cost her everything…maybe even her life.

Warning: Sexually explicit language, tattoos, piercings, and giant…um…feet. Wet panties are a given. Author assumes no responsibility for spontaneous ravishment of significant others, pool boys, or local pizza delivery personnel.

The post Novella Review: Cursed (The Order of the Wolf) by Angela Addams appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Please give M A Grant, author of Blood Moon, a warm welcome to the virtual offices this morning!

It’s a pleasure to be here at Manga Maniac Café sharing the Top 5 Places a Werewolf Would Never Take His Date.

I should preface this list by stating that I didn’t come up with it. Connor Sinclair, the broody and sarcastic hero of Blood Moon did. He made me promise to share it exactly as he emailed it. That’s kind of our deal when I talk about him or his brothers. With deepest apologies, here it is…

You know, when you emailed all of us to see who wanted to help with this post, I thought you were insane. Flynn’s a happily married loser who doesn’t know jack about wooing a woman and I’m pretty sure Owen thinks a date is just the day on the calendar. Clearly, you need an expert and I’m your man.

So, all you sweet things, congratulations on dating a werewolf. Having a relationship with one of us isn’t easy, but if you’re going to work that hard, you’d better believe that we should be working just as hard at keeping the relationship alive. If your man decides to take you to one of these places on a “date,” kick his furry ass to the proverbial woods and don’t look back.

1. The mall – Do you know why we don’t like it when you’re drowning yourself in perfume? It’s because our sense of smell rocks and if we’re with you it’s probably because we want to eat you (yeah, up to you to decide in what way). A mixture of overwhelming scents irritate us and give us headaches, which is never good for the end of date entertainment. Really, what else does a mall offer? There are perfume stores, Orange Julius eateries, and teenage boys who seem to believe that Axe body spray commercials are real. If your wolf wants to impress you, he’ll take you to a private boutique and avoid the commercial rush of your local galleria.

2. Petting zoo – Cute furry animals who trust you utterly and want to cuddle as you scratch their little heads. You may find it as adorable as your local animal shelter’s adoption event, but we walk in and see nothing but a walking buffet. An odiferous, obese, unable-to-run-away-and-escape buffet. The only time a petting zoo is safe for us to visit is if there’s a camel or llama present. Those freaking things figure out what we are within seconds and tend to herd the smaller animals to safety. So…animals safe from our predatory instincts, but you don’t get to pet them. Not really worth the five dollars and ice cream cone of rabbit food, huh?

3. Camping anywhere – Bugs. Rocks. Sticks poking you in the back. No showers. And idiots who smell like patchouli and like to hug trees. This makes the top of my list, although my biologist brother would probably argue that camping is a perfect getaway trip. With that in mind, I’ll just add my coup de grace: mosquitos biting you in sensitive places. Enough said.

4. Disneyland – Children, screaming children everywhere. The scent of hot grease and peppy music and people invading your bubble every second. I don’t care how much I love Indiana Jones and the Pirates of the Caribbean rides, that much sensory overload is impossible to handle. If your man disagrees, you’re welcome to trust him. Just know that the creepy wolf shadow you see out of the corner of your eye on the Haunted Mansion ride isn’t a special effect. And I hope you’ve got some Pupperonis in your purse so you can coax him back into your Doom Buggy before he eats the annoying kid in front of you.

5. Vegan restaurant – Why are you dating a werewolf?!? I’m higher than an apex predator. I’m a finely tuned hunting machine who craves meat. There is no way on God’s green earth to hunt tofu. What would you do? Splat some down on the kitchen counter and poke it? “Oh, look, it’s jiggling away…Better catch it before it’s too late!” No. Just…no. If you’re vegan, don’t date a werewolf. If he says he’s going to go vegan just for you, he’s a liar and you’re kissing his bacony mouth every night before bed. Save yourself the heartache and move on.

Well, there you go. A surefire list of the 5 places any self-respecting werewolf would never take his date.

If you want more of Connor’s…um…dating advice (term used in the loosest context possible), check out his rocky road to love in Blood Moon, released August 1^st from Escape Publishing.

The sequel to the critically acclaimed Red Moon, about a playboy werewolf, his shy roommate, the ties that bind and a battle for true love.

Blood Moon (The Sinclair Pack Book 2)

Dana Patterson never regretted the simplicity of her life in Alaska until she moved in with playboy Connor Sinclair. On the surface, Connor is the darkly seductive owner of Vegas’s hottest new casino. But in private, she gets to see a vulnerable side that no one else knows about — and the combination makes him a temptation she isn’t willing to resist any longer.

After Connor openly sides with his brother Flynn in the battle against their unstable lycanthrope father, protecting family and friends becomes a necessity. Having Dana move in with him was the chivalrous decision; sharing his bed with her was not. Dana may think Connor’s everything she’s ever wanted, but his scars run deep, and he can’t bear the thought of hurting her.

But war changes everything — and exposes dark secrets. As Rupert’s true plans come to light, Connor must decide whether he is truly the monster his father created, or the man Dana knows is hidden within the beast.

Red Moon (The Sinclair Pack Book 1)

Dark, moving and original, a story of family, survival, and getting on with life…

Flynn Sinclair understands pack loyalty — for years as his Alpha father’s enforcer, he has done things in the name of duty that he can’t ever forget. But the vast expanse of Alaska offers him a peace he’s never known. Alone, removed from pack life, he can focus on his research and try to forget his life before.

But duty has a way of inviting itself in, and Flynn finds himself doing two reckless things in one week: leaving the safety of Alaska to save his brother Connor’s life, and unwittingly falling in love with Evie Thompson, a woman who doesn’t deserve to be drawn into his terrifying world.

Connor carries news of their father’s descent into madness, and it looks like neither geography nor Flynn’s attempts at disengagement will put off a confrontation. Flynn had finally begun to believe that he might deserve something good in his life — something like Evie — but to move forward in the light, he must first reconcile with the dark.

The post Guest post: M A Grant, Author of Blood Moon appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Please give a warm welcome to Kat Kruger!  Kat’s here to answer a few questions, and then you can enter for a chance to win her Magdeburg Trilogy (digital). 

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Hi, Kat!  Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Kat Kruger] Geek-girl, online-junkie, pizza-enthusiast, nature-lover, walking-paradox. (I hyphenated to cheat the word count.)

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about The Night is Found?

[Kat Kruger] It’s the third book in The Magdeburg Trilogy about 17-year-old Connor Lewis who gets a scholarship to study in Paris and winds up in the middle of a werewolf war. In this final book, he’s had to take on a leadership role to help stop two separate groups who threaten the existence of all werewolves. He returns home to NYC to seek out help from the New World packs who are rumored to have united. Meanwhile, the girl he’s crushing on gets mixed up with the enemy overseas.

[Manga Maniac Cafe]  Can you share your favorite scene?

[Kat Kruger] This is a tough one because there was so much “closure” in this book and a lot of spoilers if I talk about any of it. The epilogue for sure is my fave. I’ve had that scene in my head since well before I started writing this book but, again, I feel like I can’t talk about it.

There’s a Madison chapter called Absolution where she ‘s running from the enemy with Josh. She’s been a divisive character for some readers who fall either in the love or love-to-hate camps. What unfolds in the chapter is a resolution of their post break-up angst. I won’t lie. I cried a lot writing this scene.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What gave you the most trouble with the series?

[Kat Kruger] This book. For real. As I mentioned already, there’s a lot of closure that had to happen in this final book so I felt a lot of pressure (mostly self-imposed) to do right by all of the characters and readers. I had a couple of false starts writing the first draft and cut at least 5,000 words from the beginning before I got a really clear picture of where to begin. The rest was about finding the right way to end things between everyone. There also had to be a ramping up of stakes and action happening at the same time. It was an exhausting book to write, more so than the other two put together, but with the help of a great editor and trusted beta readers I’m really happy with the outcome.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What’s one thing you won’t leave home without?

[Kat Kruger] My iPhone. It has everything. My calendar, my music, my notes, my games, and a means of communicating with people.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name three things on your desk right now.

[Kat Kruger] The paperback edition of Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock. A sketchbook. My iPhone.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be?

[Kat Kruger] Zooey Deschanel. She would be my quirky spirit animal if there was such a thing. I like how she’s one of the women behind HelloGiggles and that she’s a positive role-model for girls. I’d like to know what makes her tick and what it’s like to be her for a day. During my day as her, I’d also try to sneak in a lunch date with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] You have been granted the use of one superpower for one week.  Which power would you choose, and what would you do with it?

[Kat Kruger] I guess there are two ways I could answer. One is the altruistic route where I’d ask for telekenisis and make the evildoers of the world see the error of their ways and put an end to the terrible things that people in power can do. Seems like a tall order for one week though.

The other option for me would be to just take teleportation and visit destinations around the world that are out of my travel range (price- or other-wise). That would reduce my carbon footprint though so it’s not entirely selfish…

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are some books that you enjoyed recently?

[Kat Kruger] I’ve actually had “reader’s block” for a while now. Between all the deadlines for the series and working freelance writing gigs during the day it’s been a struggle to get back into reading, which is a first for me. Usually I’m a voracious reader. That said, I recently picked up The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova. It’s the first in a trilogy about a merdude. Loved it and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I also lifted a self-imposed werewolf book embargo now that I’m done writing my own series so I just started Kathleen Peacock’s Hemlock trilogy and am really enjoying it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube.

“A superb series from start to finish that, like the best musical mashups, takes something old (werewolf mythology) and makes something completely fresh out of its source material.” — Charles de Lint, award-winning author of The Newford series

When they tried to kill a prince, they made a king

In the aftermath of his pack leader’s assassination Connor Lewis is ready to take control. Rodolfus de Aquila’s plan before he died was to unite the European werewolf packs against their common enemies: the Hounds of God who make the laws and enforce them ruthlessly with questionable motives, and the Luparii, an intergovernmental group of werewolf hunters now bent on the extermination of his kind. The uneasy alliance between these two factions has fallen apart, and now a battle wages leaving the pack werewolves scrambling to escape bio-chemical warfare on one side, and total domination on the other.

After hearing rumors of a union between the American packs Connor returns with Amara to his home city of New York to learn how to bring the Old World packs together. Werewolf society in the New World has taken a very different course from that of Europe, but when Connor meets the American leaders he begins to question if their ways are, in fact, the path forward.

A world away from Madison, Arden, and all those that he is trying to protect, Connor must discover the secret to uniting and leading the packs under one final charge, or else risk extinction for their entire species in the epic conclusion to The Magdeburg Trilogy.

“When they tried to kill a prince, they made a king.”

The Night Is Found, the final book in Kat Kruger’s popular Magdeburg Trilogy, is now available for pre-order. 

Enter to win a digital copy of the entire Magdeburg Trilogy! The Night Has Teeth, The Night Has Claws, and The Night is Found!  Thanks to Fierce Ink Press for making this giveaway possible!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Interview with Kat Kruger, Author of The Night is Found and Giveaway! appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

BOOK BLAST: WARRIOR

Official Release Date: 7/13/14
This is the third book in the Order of the Spirit Realm Series.  If you haven’t read them, start with BAIT.  It is free at most online ebook vendors such as Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Smashwords, etc.

This book begins two years after HUNTER ended.  Bay-Lee is fighting a Devil Tree while her mentor and boyfriend, Nick Gallos, watches from the sidelines.  Things are tense between them.  She wants to amp up their relationship, but Nick has put on the brakes.  He’s got one foot out the door, and she doesn’t know what to do about it.

WARRIOR brings about closure and change, some good and some bad.  Together, Nick and Bay-Lee will take on the werewolf pack that killed her mother, face their twisted pasts, and face a friend turned enemy.

Quotes from WARRIOR:

Bay-Lee: You never told me I wasn’t supposed to kill it.  You told me I couldn’t kill it.
Nick: I should have known you’d take that as a challenge.

Keisha: Oh, don’t play Miss Innocent with me, girl.  It was your idea for me to trade places with Nick’s banshee, but you’ve been wearing a pouty face ever since.
Bay-Lee: I don’t have a pouty face.
Keisha:  Sure you don’t.

Bay-Lee (after knocking Keisha down):  You hit on my boyfriend, so I thought I should hit on you.

Little girl:  There’s a monster in my closet.

He added, “Reapers aren’t supposed to care.They don’t have compassion or love inside of them.”
“But you’re still human.”
“Because of you!”  It sounded like an accusation instead of gratitude.  “I haven’t lost my humanity because I still have you.  His facial muscles tightened.  “I can’t keep living like this.”
Nick threw the talisman down and stormed off, heading for the castle.
She scooped the talisman off the ground.  It was precious, even if it was malfunctioning.  Without it Nick wouldn’t be able to stay with her.  She ran until she caught up with him.  Slipping it into his hand, she begged him to keep using it.  “At least until we find something else.  Please.”
The purple half-circles beneath his eyes attested to his lack of sleep and made her want to cry.  She cringed when he slipped the thing around his neck.  Asking him to live like this was horrible, but she couldn’t let him go, not yet.

Warrior at Amazon
Warrior at B&N
Warrior at Smashwords

The post Book Blast: Warrior by Kasi Blake appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Wolves at the Gate (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume 3) Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard, Georges Jeanty and Jo Chen.

Buffy left TV after Season 7, but Season 8 (and 9, and soon, 10) exist in comic form.


Weird vamps that can shift into fog and werewolves attack the slayers and steal the scythe. The Scooby gang quickly figure either Dracula’s behind it or someone’s stolen his powers.

I like this one because it takes the slayers to Japan and it involves lots of werewolves Also, DRACULA. I love Dracula and Xander together--they are hilarious. A very unlikely Bromance. That works really well. Plus, some interesting developments on Buffy’s love life and Dawn puts her giantness to good use.

It doesn’t really advance the overall plot arc, but it’s a really fun diversion. (Seriously, the banter between Xander and Dracula alone makes it more than worth it.)

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Please give a warm welcome to Kristin Miller  this morning!  She has a fab-o guest post to share, so grab a snack and enjoy.  For a limited time, you can snag a copy of Gone with the Wolf for only .99! 

Hi, Kristin!  The helm is your, so please make yourself at home.

I’m so happy to be at Manga Maniac Café today, sharing with you a little bit about Gone with the Wolf!

In the Seattle-set paranormal novel, Drake Wilder is a CEO Alpha werewolf who enjoys being in control. He has given up the search for his Luminary (his one-true love), and is completely, obsessively, focused on work. Enter carefree bar owner Emelia Hudson, who demands to know why Wilder Financial has come up with the deed to her bar. Something’s not right, and she is determined to figure out what it is.

Only from the second Drake and Emelia meet, he knows she is his fated mate. Naturally, she’s shocked to learn the truth at first, but as they fall in love, she realizes there’s more to Drake than a wolf in business clothing.

The transition from enemies to lovers wasn’t easy. Luckily, I got the chance to talk with Emelia about her journey to happy-ever-after. She let me in on a few secrets of the werewolf lifestyle, and has agreed to let me share them with you. (Isn’t she a sweetheart?)

Tips from Emelia Hudson on how to date a werewolf:

1. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. He’s a werewolf, not a monster. He’s just like every other man you’ve dated…only he can shift into a wolf. Be yourself, and judge him for who he is, not what you think he is.

2. Don’t suggest going out on a night when there’s a full moon. Born werewolves turn when they’re angry (but can control the shift), while “turned wolves” shift at every full moon. If you’re dating a werewolf and you go out on a full moon night, chances are he can control his primal urges. But would you really want your date distracted by the pull of the moon, rather than focused on you? Take it from me: you wouldn’t.

3. Don’t wear a red hood and cape, thinking it’s cute to be play the part of Little Red Riding Hood. Believe me, wolves from the Seattle Wolf Pack get the joke a lot, and it’s growing stale.

4. Let your date be a gentleman. Let him pull out your chair and pick up the check. Werewolves want to protect and care for their women. By all means, buck the system and fight to do things for yourself. But when it comes down to it, males in the Seattle Wolf Pack want to do things for you. They want to treat their women like the Queens they are. If you find one willing to treat you that way, by God, let him.

5. Never, ever, steal food from his plate. He won’t bite you, but um, he might nip at your hand as you’re pulling it back. Seattle Wolf Pack men love their steak.

Thanks again to Manga Maniac Café for letting me and Emelia visit!

About the book:

CEO and alpha werewolf Drake Wilder has given up the search for his one true love. When he discovers that she’s a secretary in his company, Drake’s primal instincts kick into overdrive.

What he wouldn’t give to have her fingers rake over his body instead of the keyboard…

Free-spirited bartender Emelia Hudson wants nothing more than to make her Seattle-based bar succeed. But when profits decline, she slips into a dress suit and secures a nine-to-five. After learning that her bar has become property of Wilder Financial, Emelia is determined to get some answers.

Two can play the ruthless business game. If only her attraction to the boss wasn’t so intense… 

When Drake’s twin brother senses that Drake has found his match—and now inherits their father’s billion dollar estate—he hatches a plan to take Emelia out. Drake vows to protect her at all costs, but he might have to pay with his own life.

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in northern California, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures. After graduating from Humboldt State University, Kristin taught high school and middle school English, married her college sweetheart, and had two beautiful munchkins. In 2008, she took time off from teaching to raise her children, and started writing while they napped.

She is the author of dark and gritty paranormal romances for Avon, light and snarky paranormal romances for Entangled, and is venturing into the sassy world of contemporary romance. Most of books include take-charge alpha males and independent women; all of them contain love that moves mountains.

Find more information about Kristin and upcoming titles on her website: kristinmiller.net
Like her on Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorKristinMiller
Follow her on Twitter: twitter.com/KM_Miller

The post Guest Post – Emelia Hudson’s Tips for Dating a Werewolf appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Wolf’s Strength

Caedmon Wolves, #5

Tension grows between old rivals.

Cold-blooded murder sparks a feud between rivals that could lead to the deadliest civil war in Pack history. Alpha Devin Caedmon and his council are forced to risk all that is precious to protect their bloodline. Tristan Arnou, Caedmon’s rival, isn’t the only force trying to tear down the unity holding them together. The source of the threats must be eliminated before their entire race is destroyed.

Forbidden love burns like a wildfire.

There is one woman who Blake DeLuca loves more than anything else. Naomi Valentine. Despite the escalating battle and power struggles between their respective packs, the erotic fire between these two lovers has yet to be extinguished. Naomi’s heart belongs to Blake, but her allegiance lies with Arnou. She’s left with two choices: Assume her duty or accept Blake’s eternal bond?

In Wolf’s Strength, secrets are exposed and memories that should have been buried have resurfaced. The game of deception is a deadly one. There can be no peace until the bloodshed ends.

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wolfs-Strength-Caedmon-Wolves-Ambrielle-ebook/dp/B00IWB1ECM/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wolfs-strength-ambrielle-kirk/1118887926

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-wolf039sstrength-1436549-178.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Multi-published author Ambrielle Kirk writes erotic, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. Ambrielle lives in Atlanta, GA where she works in the accounting and finance industry. She holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting. Since graduation she’s worked in the public and private accounting sectors. She is the wife of a loving husband, and the mother of a beautiful girl. She works and writes full-time.  A bestselling author in several sub-genres at ARe and Amazon, she has also earned a 2012 Swirl Award in the paranormal category. She’s a PAN member of RWA, FF&P special interest chapter of RWA, and co-founder and treasurer of Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural special interest chapter of RWA. Ambrielle Kirk is also an admin at the blog, IRMC Books.

Connect with Ambrielle:

Webpage http://ambriellekirk.com

Blog http://ambriellekirk.com/blog.html

Facebook Personal Page https://www.facebook.com/ambrielle.kirk.9

Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmbrielleKirk

Twitter https://twitter.com/AmbrielleKirk

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ambriellekirk

Excerpt

“Stop the car. Someone’s in trouble.”

Blake DeLuca sat straight up in the passenger side seat with each one his senses heightened in alarm. The sharp scream of the woman echoed in his head just like it had done across the evening atmosphere just moments early.

The scream was a cry for help and it sounded like someone was in despair.

“You heard it too?” Dawson asked, as he swerved into an empty lot and brought the Maserati to a screeching halt.

Blake’s body lurched forward from the blunt maneuver, but he didn’t waste a moment’s notice. He was out of the car in three seconds flat, rushing toward the sounds of scuffling in the alley. His wolf was just below the surface of his skin urging him toward the incident. Plus, they were in unmarked territory where there was sure to be human eyes everywhere even at this odd hour of the evening. Dusk had just fallen, but that didn’t mean every human was all cozy in their homes.

Dawson was right behind him, his running footsteps crunching the gravel and broken sidewalk with determination.

With their keen sense of smell, it didn’t take them long to find the scene of the crime. Blake stopped short of revealing their arrival too soon, keeping his body positioned behind the shadow of a long dumpster. The woman screamed again, but louder this time.

There were three of them. The intricate pattern inked on the left shoulder designated them as belonging to the Other clan.

They had a Caedmon female backed into a darkened alleyway. A man lay dead on the pavement next to them. The deep gaping slit on his neck and the pool of blood draining from his throat evidenced that a cut to the jugular was a cause of death, if not the main one. What little clothing the female wore were tattered and torn about her body. The dead male didn’t look that presentable either. Anyone could tell they’d put up a fight and as a result a man had paid with his life.

“We just wanted to have some fun with you, that’s all,” one of the men from the Other clan taunted. He and the others moved closer and closer to the frightened woman. “Your friend there shouldn’t have stuck his snout where it doesn’t belong.”

One of the men kicked the dead body and grinned. “He’s dead. Now we can play some more.”

Blake emerged from the shadows with rage and curiosity running through his system.

“Help!” The woman cried out as she finally noticed he and Dawson folding in behind the Other clan.

The biggest one swung around and his gaze focused on the new threat. His irises were a murky dark gray which was very unusual for someone of the Other clan. Their eyes usually sparked a bright silver, especially when they were provoked and up to no good. But this man’s powers were literally seething from his pores, kind of like a Caedmon’s would do, but in far less vivid colors. Although Others were the human branch of Caedmon kind, they couldn’t shift and their abilities and powers were reduced. Only through the wolf genes were the powers and Caedmon spirit more potent.

“Look what else we got,” the biggest one said through clenched teeth. “More mutts. I wonder if they’re even worth earning a dull blade. The last one fell quickly–like a limp rodent.” He held up his knife, demonstrating the sharpness by pressing a pointer finger to the tip.

Dawson growled next to him. ‘Let me do this one in.’

The statement came to Blake through projection. After claiming the lost relics and on the night of the delegation, this gift, along with others, was afforded to all six members of the Council. Thought projection was something that was only shared among mates and close siblings, so to have something this rare in common with his fellow Council members who were like brothers to him was a precious gift.

‘But there’s three of them.’ Blake projected back. ‘The one with the most kills wins.’

‘Game on.’

Blake pointed to the dead Caedmon on the ground. “Why is this man dead?”

“For the same reason you will be lying dead next to him,” one replied, taking a step forward to show his seriousness. “Not being able to mind his own business.”

“Westcott was trying to help me!” The woman blurted out, then shrank back into the building when the biggest one, presumably the leader, turned on her.

“Shut up, tramp!” he hissed at her and rushed her with the knife. “You were asking for it. I’ll save you for last…after I get through with these scumbags.”

Blake acted quickly, his wolf on the surface egging him on. He reached the offending male with lightning speed, grabbing him tight around the wrist. His determination was made clear as he snapped the offender’s carpal bone in two. “Now that’s no way to talk to a lady.”

He hollered in pain and dropped the knife.

There was some scuffling behind them and Blake figured that Dawson had got into it with the other two. Dawson had just reached the age when a young male wolf was most aggressive. So Blake was almost certain that he would have lured them into a fight one way or the other.

His own opponent caught him off guard, throwing a punch with his other fist. It missed Blake’s jaw by only a centimeter.

Blake shoved the big brute hard into the stone wall.

When the body hit, spittle and sweat flew away from his neck and face. He stumbled away from the building, shaking off what was likely the result of being disoriented from the hit. The brute appeared to give up but then he sprang back up with a second knife, slinging it in the air at him.

The blade caught Blake in the upper forearm. He bit his bottom lip and snatched the thing out. Blood pulsed from the wound down his arms through to his hand. He dug his fingers into his palms while the blood rage gathered in his fists.

Blake’s eyes glazed over and he began seeing everything in a vivid red, but things were clearer, nonetheless. His body shuddered as he fought down his wolf, angry and ready to emerge. There was no subduing this animal any longer. The wolf was his other half, they completed each other, and they both hungered for revenge.

Blake’s canines ripped violently from his gums.

He heard a squeak and discovered that the woman was still standing there, unmoving and shocked from what she was seeing. He caught her gaze and held it.

“Run. Never come back in unmarked territory again,” he said to her.

She wasted no time gathering up her ripped skirt and running out of the alley.

“I’ll carve you,” his opponent screamed. “I’ll slice your throat just like your dead Doctor there.” His fingers shook as he pointed.

“Will that be before or after I stuff your mouth with your own guts?”

The next thing the coward pulled out from behind his back was a pistol.

Blake ducked out of the pathway of the first bullet. Within seconds his bones snapped and molded. His skin grew hot and stretched until he became the wolf. But it wasn’t he who earned the first kill. Dawson had already ripped into the throat of one.

An enemy’s treachery fueled the wolf’s rage. The need for revenge of a murdered brethren harkened. As a Council member, he had pledged long ago to protect his people by any and all means necessary. Above all else, he wasn’t ready to die tonight–not by any man’s hand and not by a gun.

The third and fourth bullet came too close to his head and he sprang into action. He leapt into the air, hurling himself at the offender.

His claws dug into a meaty chest as he drove the man’s body into the ground on his back. The wolf offered very little mercy when it came to cold blooded murderers.

Blood rushed into Blake’s mouth as he tore into the man’s stomach, pulling out a mass of guts and tossing them in heaps on the ground. This murderer’s screams were too loud. The only mercy the wolf afforded that evening was putting him out of his misery by ripping into his throat to end it all.

After the kill, Blake’s wolf spun around ready for more, but Dawson’s wolf had just taken down the last man.

They shifted back into their human forms almost at the same time, heaving in and out with deep raged breaths trying to recover. Dawson stumbled to the opposite side of the wall, clutching his side.

Blake rushed over to him. “Were you hit?”

He held up his palm. “Dude, I’m fine. The bullet isn’t deep. I got this.”

Dawson was brother to the Alpha, son to a male descending from the original line of Caedmon ancestors. Despite his youth, Dawson was probably ten times more powerful than Blake was. In a matter of seconds, Dawson had expelled the bullet on his own and succeeded in stopping the blood leakage.

Blake pried a pistol from one of the dead man’s cold fingers. He held it up to the light from the moon. “Just as I thought. This gun is hot. The serial number has been stripped. Bullets are probably untraceable too.” He dumped the remaining bullets from the clip into his palm.

Dawson picked up a shell from the ground and pocketed it. “They popped off too many rounds during the scuffle. Chances that someone nearby heard are high. Let’s get out of here.”

They bent together to pick up the dead Caedmon from the pavement. When they reached the car again, they popped the trunk and slid him inside.

“I’ll drive this time.” Blake gestured to his wounded side. “You need time to mend.” He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and hit the speed dial key then the number 9. His call was answered promptly.

“M-9.”

“Max, we need another clean up,” Blake replied, as he slid into the driver’s side seat.

Max blurted out an expletive on the other end. “This shit is getting serious, ain’t it?”

“Roger that.”

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

GRAND PRIZE: $25 egiftcard to Amazon, B&N, or ARe

RUNNERS-UP: 2 runners up get to select an eBook title from Ambrielle’s backlist

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LONE WOLF

Author: Sherilee Gray

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  Escape Publishing!

Publication Date: March 1, 2014

He let her father chase him off once, but this time nothing is getting in his way.

Fletcher Stone was forced out of the pack life, and now he makes his living as a hired thug, living day-to-day without honour or commitments. Shame over his choices and his lifestyle keep him from returning to the pack to claim Delaney — the woman who holds his heart. But when a rival pack hires him to kidnap her, Fletcher takes his chance. Now he must convince her that he never wanted to leave…and reveal a betrayal that will break her heart.

Delaney Jones has spent the last five years convinced the man she loves is dead. Nothing else would keep him from her. So when Fletcher shows up, whole, healthy, and very much alive, she’s devastated — and pissed off. He broke her heart once and he’s never going to get close enough to do it again. 

AVAILABLE MARCH 1, 2014:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IAFNJVE/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lone-wolfs-captive-sherilee-gray/1118598765?ean=9780857991430&isbn=9780857991430&itm=1&usri=9780857991430

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/lone-wolf-s-captive-novella

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/lone-wolfs-captive-novella/id816039093?mt=11

Author Bio & Contact Links:

Sherilee Gray’s always had a big (some may say warped) imagination and as a kid scared herself conjuring up tales full of terrifying creatures. All grown up, she still has the big imagination and monsters in her stories… only now they’re chasing their happily ever after. Based in beautiful New Zealand with her extremely supportive husband and their two children, she spends her time writing, hoarding books, and eating copious amounts of chocolate.

Contact links:

Website: http://www.sherileegray.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherileeGray

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sherilee_Gray

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7762587.Sherilee_Gray

Tour Giveaway Details:

GRAND PRIZE: $30 Amazon GC

RUNNERS UP: 2x runners up. $10 GC each

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This Fun Friday The Society of YA Storyteller authors are all interviewing fellow authors! I’m the lucky one who hosts KC Blake today. Interested in stories that will keep you up long into the night? Just read one of KC’s books and you’ll see why you’ll want to read them all. When you get to the end of the interview and want to read more, there’s links to all the author interviews. Stop by each of the blogs and read about one of your favorite or future favorite authors. Click here to check out the The YA Society of Storytellers website and check out the game zone, online book club, trailers and giveaways too.

Any works in process that you are passionate about?  I am working on Warrior right now.  It is the third in the Order of the Spirit Realm Series, and I’m having a blast because I know these characters so well.  It will be hard when I finish and have to say goodbye.

Werewolf or Vampire? Vampire or Zombie? Aliens or Mole People?  Werewolf (pasty white boys don’t do it for me).  Vampire (easier to kill).  Aliens (the other is too weird).

Which of your characters is most like you?  Bay-Lee Van Helsing from Bait.  I don’t give up no matter what (I’m just stubborn that way), and I keep going no matter what life throws at me.  I’m also driven (to write, not to kill werewolves).

Which of your characters is least like you?  Lily from Witch Hunt. The girl never knows when to shut her mouth. She is constantly talking about stupid things and doesn’t notice when her friends want to slap her.

Which of your characters would you like to be friends with?  Kristen from Crushed because she is a witch with crazy powers, but she isn’t irresponsible so I don’t have to worry about her turning me into anything weird.  She would use her magic to help me out.

Which of your characters do you like writing about most?  Nick Gallos from Bait because he was an undercover rock star slash vampire slayer.  He’s angry and bitter, until he falls for Bay-Lee.  Definitely my favorite.

Tell us about your favorite Christmas tradition.  On Christmas Eve we drink hot cocoa and open up one present.  We also watch a Christmas movie.  Then on Christmas morning we eat breakfast before opening presents.  The rest of the day is spent visiting family, maybe watching another Christmas movie, and playing in the snow if we are lucky enough to have some.

Paperback or eBook?  Depends.  I love my Kindle, but I want my books in print if they are keepers.

Future plans?  After I finish up the Order of the Spirit Realm series, I am going to finish my vampire series.  Then I would like to move on to a series about other worlds and dragons.

Check out the other YA Storyteller interviews:

K.C. Blake
Bryna Butler
Heather Hildenbrand
Patti Larsen
Quinn Loftis
Liz Long
Melissa Pearl
L.M. Preston
Stacey Rourke
Christy Sloat
Heather Sutherlin
Suzy Turner

Goodreads / Amazon/ Jenny Brigalow's Website 

An original paranormal YA about an unconventional girl, an unconventional boy, their extraordinary transformations, and the secrets of the Scottish Highlands.

When skater girl Morven Smith turns sixteen, she develops boobs, acute appendicitis...and a pair of pointy teeth. While she is stunned by her metamorphosis into vampire, her best mate, the enigmatic Zest, is not. For the young werewolf, Morven’s transformation is an answer to his lonely prayers. 

But they are unable to celebrate their mutual paranormalcy for long — there are too many dangers, too much suspicion, and too many questions. It’s only in Scotland that Morven can learn the truth about her past. But she discovers more than she bargained for when she meets her birth family — an ancient feud between vampires and werewolves. They may both be Children of the Mist, but only one species can survive.

the longing.
Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.

the loss.
Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being human.

the linger.
For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is a constant struggle between two forces -- wolf and human -- with love bearing its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?

Please welcome Jace McCannon, the dangerous and sexy hero from Kait Ballenger’s Twilight Hunter.  He stopped by the virtual offices for a chat, and brought along a copy of Twilight Hunter for one of you to win!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Jace McCannon] Werewolf hunter. Stubborn. Bullheaded. Loyal.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share a typical day in the life of Jace McCannon?

[Jace McCannon] My days usually consist of sleeping. It’s my nights that see all the action. A typical night for me is spent hunting down any werewolves who are attacking humans. If there happens to be no targets for me to hunt, I usually spend my evening doing shitloads of boring paperwork for Headquarters so my division leader doesn’t chew my ass out.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words come to mind when you think of Frankie?

[Jace McCannon] Smart. Beautiful. Strong.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you find most exasperating about her?

[Jace McCannon] That she’s equally as stubborn as I am when she wants to be.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could change one thing you’ve done in your life, what would it be?

[Jace McCannon] I try not to have regrets.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What’s one thing you won’t leave home without?

[Jace McCannon] My Mateba handgun. I never go anywhere without it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t protecting humanity from sadistic murderers?

[Jace McCannon] I usually kick back and relax with a drink, occasionally I hang out with my fellow hunters. I try to stay busy though. I live for my job.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share your dreams for the future in five words or less.

[Jace McCannon] Frankie and continue hunting

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

About the book:

About the author:

Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, bellydancer, graduate student, and soon-to-be-professor. She is the multi-published, award-winning author of the Execution Underground paranormal romance series. With a B.A in English from Stetson University, Kait is currently earning an M.F.A in Writing. Kait believes anything is possible with hard work and dedication. One day, she hopes to be a bestseller and to see her novels on the big screen. Look for the next two books in her page-turning Execution Underground series: Twilight Hunter, book one (August 2013) and Immortal Hunter, book two (January 2014), and don’t forget to check out Shadow Hunter, a prequel novella to the series featured in the After Dark anthology along NYT Bestseller Gena Showalter—now available in trade paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. For more information, please visit www.kaitballenger.com or follow her on Twitter @kait_ballenger.

Website: www.kaitballenger.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kait_ballenger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitlynschulzromanceauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5989661.Kait_Ballenger

Purchase links

Amazon link

Twilight Hunter on Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twilight-hunter-kait-ballenger/1114504377?ean=9780373777389

Giveaway!

Fill out the widget to enter for a chance to win Twilight Hunter! US addresses only, please

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Title: Twilight Hunter Author: Kait Ballenger

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I was trying to put my finger on why I don’t didn’t really care for Twilight Hunter, and I think I finally figured it out.  Kait Ballanger’s Execution Underground world is grim, bleak, and brutal, and it’s not one that I would want to visit.   There is nothing cutesy about the series or the characters, and there are times when the darkness caught me off guard.  This installment focuses on Jace, a half-werewolf whose abusive childhood shaped him into a cold, hard killer.  Jace hunts werewolves for a living, and every rogue werewolf has him hoping that it’s his father he’s hunting down.  He will never forgive his father for beating his mother, and worse, for walking out on them so many years before.

When a serial killer begins preying on young women, torturing, raping, and ripping them to shreds, Jace is certain that a werewolf is committing the horrible crimes.  He’s determined to stop the killer before he murders again, but he can’t catch a break in the case.  Finding Frankie at one of the murder scenes, he’s positive she has something to do with the deaths.  She’s an abomination, isn’t she? She has to be responsible for the killings, or know who the killer is.  What Jace doesn’t know is that Frankie is the leader of the local pack, and she’s on the trail of the killer, too, in part to avoid the full moon and her expected joining with her childhood friend Alejandro.  Now, she’s Jace’s captive, and if he doesn’t back off, they are going to be doing the bronto  bop when her estrus is at it’s height.

Mating rituals is a  component of werewolf stories that I don’t like.  It kind of takes all of the guessing out of the game if whenever that full moon looms overhead the protagonists are so compelled by their wolf that they will jump the first available prospect they see.  In this context, it gave Jace something else to beat himself up over, because he was too weak to keep himself from sleeping with a werewolf.  It also gave him another excuse to hold Frankie in contempt, because she would obviously sleep with anybody.  Sigh.

One thing that I do like about werewolves stories is the action, and there is a ton of it here.  The fighting scenes are a blast to read, and Frankie is a kick-ass heroine.  She doesn’t back down from anything or anyone,  especially when she’s defending her position in her own pack.  Not all of the members are happy that she’s their leader, and it’s a constant struggle to maintain her place.  Her parents were murdered a few years ago, and she took their place in the pack.  The altercations within the pack are no-holds barred exchanges, and only Frankie’s fighting skills and determination have kept her in charge, and still breathing.

Both Jace’s and Frankie’s pasts collide during their attempts to capture and kill the murderer.  The killer is one sick puppy, and his demise couldn’t come soon enough.  He made me uncomfortable, with his remorseless drive to inflict pain and death.  At first I was afraid that there wouldn’t be an explanation for his behavior, other than that he was a psycho (which he was, in spades), but there was rational behind his nutcase behavior.

Twilight Hunter will appeal to fans who enjoy grittier tales with a high steam factor and lots of intense action.

Review copy provided by author

Cover Shot! is a regular feature here at the Café. I love discovering new covers, and when I find them, I like to share. More than anything else, I am consumed with the mystery that each new discovery represents. There is an allure to a beautiful cover. Will the story contained under the pages live up to promise of the gorgeous cover art?

What a cool cover!  Seven Kinds of Hell by Dana Cameron even has a cool name!  I love the thought of an archeologist heroine, too.  This will be in stores next week.

Hits stores March 12th.