Versatile Book Blogger Award

  

Great news, we've been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award! Thank You Lexi,  Lexie Reads! 

Cover Reveal

Sins of the Fallen

 book #3 in the Academy of the Fallen series 

by Daniele Lanzarotta

 

Sins of the Fallen will be released on December 11!

If you haven't read this series yet, your missing out. Plus, a bonus - I'm in it. Oh yes, I have a character in the book, and shes quite the badass.  ;)  READ IT! 

Here is the synopsis, if you haven't read the first 2, then there will be spoilers, so be aware! 

Hunter
I knew how much Kayla had changed over the past few weeks, but it was nothing compared to what I had seen in her from the moment we stepped into this place.The Kayla from before she learned about this world, was gone.  She was already attached to some of their kind and I could see that she felt as if it was her responsibility to protect them all, the haunted and the fallen.  She was starting to put them before her in every decision she made.  It started sometime before we left the Academy that her father is in charge of.  After her incubus half-brother and his allies attacked the Academy, we managed to leave and take shelter here.  Only, everything about this place is completely different.  Many of the beings that live here, have earned back the privilege of being full-blooded angels.  Well, some say that is a privilege; others see it as a curse.  Either way, the place itself had already started to become my very own curse.  From the moment Kayla stepped foot in this place, I could see her change complete faster and faster.  This Academy was giving her the confidence to be who she was meant to be, and deep down, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would no longer be needed in her life.  It may sound selfish, but as Kayla started her journey to save those who were left behind, I was fighting for her.  I was fighting to be worthy of a Nephilim.

And the Winner is...

The contest is over, and with 266 entries, the winners are:

Cassie Hoffman

Tea Jones

Congratulations ladies!

Last chance to enter!

There's only one day left to enter the giveaway! 2 people will each win e-book copies of Blood & Light, and a Witches Tale! 


If you haven't read any of Rue's books yet, it's a must! I especially recommend the Blood & Light Series, it's REALLY good! 

Check out one of her great series:
(click on the cover for more information)

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The Blood and Light Vampire Series Review

The Blood & Light Series

Reviewed by Kim

I've read the first four books in the Blood & Light Vampire Series, and I have to say... I am absolutely hooked! 

If you love vampires and all things paranormal, you should definitely read this series, it is one of the more creative takes on Vampires that I've read and I adore the storyline and characters. 

The first books starts off a little slow, but then you get to this certain spot and turning that next page creates electricity and the story just explodes. After that, the more I read it became harder and harder to put down, and out of no where I found myself at the end with a major cliff hanger! What happened, who's that, where are they? Oh yes, you will be asking yourself many questions throughout the course of this series, but isn't that what makes for an awesome read? Never knowing what will happen next.

There are so many plot twists and turns that you never see coming,  it will keep you reading into the early morning hours.

I don't want to give anything away for the potential new readers, but I will say that with each book in the series you are pulled farther into this amazing world that Rue has created, and you will not want to leave. She always leaves you craving more with each book!

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Erin's review of One Bite by Rue Volley

One Bite

Reviewed by Erin

 One Bite... a very intense, fast paced story. Lots of impact in very few pages. What can I say, the "love" scenes were very graphic and consuming but the relationships between the characters were dynamic. Although this was a short story, the author was able to develop the beginnings of a fantastic relationship between Kaylen and Sebastian along with an intriguing plot. I really enjoyed the story line and the characters, just wished it was a little longer. That means I need to read book 2.

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Interview & Giveaway with Rue Volley

1. What inspired you to write your first book?
The death of my Father and my 40th birthday fast approaching.

2. If you could meet any one person - who would it be?
Johnny Depp...oh my, pure hellfire.

3. Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
All of my characters are based on real people who have been or are in my life. Not necessarily their looks, but definitely their personalities. I mix a lot of truth into my paranormal, anything from situations I have been in, to conversations I have had or past events in my life. Anyone close to me often mentions it to me when reading my books as they will see things mentioned that they themselves witnessed or took part in. Most of which is of a humorous nature as I find life is much better with sarcasm and a twist to it so that is how I write every single book.

4. Do the characters ever take over and change the course you had originally planned?
My characters are in charge from the moment they escape my head and hit the paper. I am just a messenger.

5. Where does the creative magic happen?
I write mostly on my couch, in the corner with music playing. I put my IPOD on shuffle and just let it play in the background as I write. Sometimes I drink wine, sometimes vodka and sometimes just mango green tea, which is delish btw. I very rarely have the TV on while writing, not that it would influence me but it is annoying. Lol

6. Your in the process of moving - has that inspired any new ideas - or has it just stressed you out?
Well it actually seemed like a vacation believe it or not. I work at home but for 14 hours a day at writing, doing promotion, editing photos, making book covers and what not. My husband surprised me with this move as he put in for a transfer with his company (he works in the gaming industry) and when it came through he told me. I have wanted to move closer to my family for years and he made it happen so I am forever grateful. My Mom passed away in March from breast cancer and my sisters, brother and step Dad live here so I am in heaven now. AND my Mom's grave is 10 minutes away and a daughter needs to be able to go and talk to her Mom whenever needed.

7. Do you need silence to write, or is there music playing in the background?
LOTS of music. Being a musician myself (I have played violin and guitar for 20 years) I have a deep love for all kinds of music and listen to it more than I watch TV.

8. Do you still enjoy writing, or has it become a ‘job’?
I actually love it. I call it being "haunted". The characters have to tell their stories and being a medium I sometimes wonder if some of the stories I write are simply people who have passed on and need to say something. At least some of them, I am always the main character in my stories and pieces of me filter throughout the rest of the people/mixed with people I know but then there are characters that come out of nowhere and I scratch my head and wonder.

9. What is your reaction to bad book reviews?
Well. Here is my thing about that. I think authors who rip other authors are just damn rude, and you better have one hell of a book with absolutely NO glitches in it. Then, I think people who get books for free and don't like them look silly for posting a review. They did not even support the artist to begin with. Now everyone is welcome to an opinion but doing nasty reviews hurts the author when a simple email or pm would do and not an announcement to the world. I do not do nasty reviews, do I love everything I read? no, but do I feel like I am "saving" the world by posting something nasty...absolutely not. In fact I think it makes some people look foolish and spiteful as if they are jealous. I will also say this, if you receive a bad review, don't respond unless it is a personal attack on you. Why should you give that person anything else to talk about? They obviously do not give two shits if you have success or not, so give them nothing and ignore it. I just think that sometimes people overstep their boundaries and it is unfortunate.

10. How did you come up with your character names?
Most of my characters names came from life. In my vampire series, obviously "Rue" is me, 'Sarah' was a girl who I used to be friends with, Joshua and Sam are actually named after my brother and sister I did not know that I had until my biological father died. "William" was my Dad, he lived on "Hideaway DR" like they do in the book. I always felt like my Mother was such a graceful spirit so I named Rue's Mom in the book "Grace". Now in a witches tale, the names are just my favorite names. But I do always add side, small characters with names of my friends in them. Like the nurses in Blood & Light at the asylum, I even used my real name in one of the books. Yes "Rue" is my pen name,but everyone calls me that anyway, so it matters not. In my erotics, many times I dream of the names and characters before they happen.

11. Your ideas are vastly different than other vampire books out right now - How did you come up with them?
I practice in energy. The transference, the grounding of, the expulsion. I have practiced for a few years now and that is what I talk about in the vampire series. They feed on energy, which is all around us and each vampire has a color that swirls on their skin and on the blades they battle with when they are excited/in danger or sexually excited. They can also cast spells, seeing that I am wiccan I wanted to add that aspect although I do not get into detail on the spell casting. They speak in Latin when they do it anyway. Then they are also able to portal through mirrors from one place to the next and you have time jumps also with "memory" which is a "purgatory" of sorts for immortals. The portaling has always intrigued me and I am a huge sci fi fan, the memory thing is my own battle, one I have faced many times and really tells it's own story as you can find yourself trapped in regret, which is what memory is to me. In this you can fade and forget who you are and what life you are living, missing out on any joy and those around you and then you have the BIG lesson of my series, which is acceptance of things as they are. The series is 2800 pages long, 6 novels and epic. I would hope people continue to take the journey with me as I have all 6 books done now.

12. What is your favorite book / series?
Oh man! Well, honestly I really enjoy Cassandra Clare and her Mortal Instruments series, her simplistic style is what I enjoy most and is how I write too. The story is fun and full of paranormal which is my favorite. Anything by Anne Rice of course and most of my author friends who are just beyond talented. I am truly blessed with being amongst such creative people.

13. Best & Worst thing about being an author?
Best thing... the fans, worst...editing.

14. Which of your book series do you connect with the most?
Blood is Light was my therapy. a witches tale was my heart and my erotics show off my sailors mouth, so to be honest, all of them.

15. Does it get easier after the first one?
Yes. I cannot tell you how fast I write now, it would seem unreal to most but it is true. I can sit down and write 30 pages in a day, within a 6 hour span which used to take me much longer. I think the trick to it is to STOP over thinking everything. Just write, be yourself and be honest. Edits come later but as I grow as an author, edits are becoming less and less. I don't spend time doubting the validity of where I am going, I have to believe there is a reason we took that alley, got in that car or hopped that train. Sometimes I am just a reader in my stories and thrilled to see what happens and when you have those moments it is heaven and you know in your heart you are doing exactly what you should be doing in life.

16. How do you get past writers block?
I am going to shock you, I have never had it...knock on wood. I have had days where I did not feel like writing and I never write when I feel that way, so perhaps that is writers block but I NEVER force myself to do anything in life. I either want to or don't. So advice being...don't sit down and stare at a computer screen if you felt like watching a movie. The deadline is in your head anyway. Unless it is due the next day and then you just screwed the pooch. Lol

17. Does the time of day make a difference when you’re writing?
I write early mostly, I start before the sun comes up and try to find a good stopping point for lunch. Very seldom do I write in the evening or at night. I do not feel as sharp then. I just want to relax in the evening and watch a movie. Let my brain zone out.

18. Your also a model and photographer - what do you do in your spare time?
I make jewelry. I love to hike...boat, spend the day window shopping. I also love sitting in a huge library and smelling the books.

19. Do you ever consider your readers feedback & opinions when writing the next book?
Not to be rude, but not really. I mean I know what they want for the most part. I know which characters they love most because they are the same ones I love. But like I said before, I seriously am the messenger for the most part and have no idea where it is going until we get there. lol
 

20. Tell me something I don’t know?
I can see spirits, have everyday since I was 5.

21. Rain or shine?
Rain

22. Are vampires real?
Come see me and find out.

23. Favorite drink?
White Russian

24. Inside or outside?
Outside

25. You seem to have a magical world inside your head, can I come for a visit?
anytime, I would love to have you :)



~ Check out Rue's website for more information about her books! 

~ Want to buy them all? Head over to Vamptasy Publishing. Or if you prefer ebooks, get them at Amazon!

~ And make sure you visit her facebook, or Twitter page to say thank you!

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Review and Giveaway with Rue Volley

 
One Bite Review

by Nadja

I was a little shocked by One Bite. Being new to the "erotica" world I thought it had a good story, but couldn't quite get passed certain sex scenes, especially in the beginning.. that was..wow! Also it felt like she bounced around without finishing a thought. Though I must say I did think the scene in the fetish club was quite hot! With that being said I do like the story and I am a little curious as to what happens to Sebastian, Kaylen and Elizabeth. So I will be reading book 2  :)

Two Bites Review

by Nadja

I'm glad I decided to continue with the second book. Gotta say, Two Bites was pretty good! Sebastian and kaylen crack me up! They're a good pair. I was skeptical after reading One Bite, but i am pleasantly surprised on how good it turned out. I'm curious to see what happens to good ole Johnny!

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Two more items done!

I put the finishing touches on two more items!  

A purse, which is already sold, and an E-Reader case. 

First up, the E-Reader: 

I made it out of a leather like journal style copy of Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist. With an elastic band to hold it closed, this makes a perfect carrying case for most e-readers.

 

And, the purse, which I made for my friend and fellow blogger - Jane Eyre. 

 

 ~ Kim  

New Purses

Here are my latest creations! 

 If your interested in any of them, just click on a picture
and it will take you to my etsy shop.   :) 

 
Pink journal turned wallet / clutch:

H.P. Lovecraft's Complete Fiction: 

Slightly damaged near the spine.

 

Dracula E-Reader case:
Pictured with a kindle fire, fits most e-readers. 

I rescued this book from a school library, it was 'discarded'. 

  

~ Kim 

  Review of Breathless

by Kim Duncan

The description is what initially pulled me in. I mean, what vampire lover or paranormal fiction fan wouldn't want to read about a new one fanged vampire?! It's unheard of. 

Once I got into the book, I realized early on that I wasn't going to put the book down until I was finished! You can't help but fall in love with the characters and their story.
Leesa is a sheltered young girl being thrown into the paranormal world and embracing every moment of it. Rave is the (literally) hot vampire hunter, and Stefan is the wildcard vampire. Throughout the book you never really know if he's going to turn out good or bad!

What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it's different from a lot of the vampire stories out right now.

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Interview & Giveaway with Author Scott Prussing

Author Interview & Giveaway (US only)

Scott Prussing - author of the Blue Fire Saga

1. What inspired you to write your first book?
   I remember this distinctly. Shortly after college, I read an article in the local newspaper about a fourteen-year-old boy who was writing a Lord of the Rings type novel. LOTR is my all-time favorite book, and I thought “I could do that.” So I started writing—in ball point pen on a legal pad. I ended up with an eight hundred page Lord of the Rings rip-off. The plot actually had some good stuff in it, but the writing was horrible. It’s what got me started, though. That manuscript no longer exists, thank goodness.


2. What is the biggest challenge you faced during the publishing process?
   Dealing with rejection. I tried to go the traditional route of finding an agent and then a publisher, but that is EXTREMELY difficult to do nowadays. So I decided to self-publish. The biggest challenge in going that route is getting the word out. There are an awful lot of books out there competing for attention.


3. Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
   I really don’t know how to answer that. They just come to me. The ones I like, I keep.


4. Do the characters ever take over and change the course you had originally planned?
   Well, I never write with too much of a plan. For the most part, I prefer to let my characters take me where they want to go, within certain guidelines, of course. Every now and then, though, a new character pops up that just “demands” a bigger role. That happened twice in Fearless, book four of my Blue Fire Saga. I had to go back and rework several parts of the beginning to allow for the new characters’ roles.


5. Where does the creative magic happen? (where do you do most of your writing)
   I do all of my writing on my computer at my desk in my bedroom. A lot of my “creative magic” comes to me in three places, though. I seem to get some really good ideas while lying in bed in the morning, while walking or riding my bike at the beach, or in the shower, for some reason.


6. Do you strictly write on your computer, or do you jot notes down on napkins?
   Strictly on my computer. As I mentioned in the question above, I get some great ideas in some strange places, like in the shower. When I do, I have to keep repeating the idea over and over in my head so I don’t lose them before I get a chance to start writing. Every now and then, I’ll jot a note down on a pad next to my computer, if I’m not quite ready to write whatever genius idea I came up with.  :)
   
   
7. Do you need silence to write, or is there music playing in the background?
   I’m versatile. I like to have music playing, but sometimes I forget to turn it on and I write for an hour or two in silence.


8. Do you still enjoy writing, or has it become a ‘job’?
   For the most part, I enjoy it, especially when the story feels like it is flowing out of me. It only feels like “work” when I get stuck on something. Usually a walk or a shower will unstick me.


9. What is your reaction to bad book reviews? Bad reviews?
   Do they exist? I wouldn’t know.  Seriously, it depends on how they are written. I try to learn from them if they express what seems to be a valid point. Sometimes, though, a negative review seems totally at odds with what everyone else is saying, so there is not much to learn from it. You can’t write a book that EVERYONE will like, but sometimes I wonder why some people feel the need to tear down a book for what seems to be no good reason, other than that it wasn’t the kind of book or writing that they enjoy.


10. How did you come up with your character names?
    Most of them I just invent, especially for the first book in my series. In subsequent books, I often reward some of my more devoted fans by naming characters after them.


11. If you weren’t a writer, what would you do? I used to lead support groups for wellness (weight loss, smoking cessation, stress management, fitness). It was sometimes fun, often rewarding, and I was good at it, so I suppose I’d do that again.


12. What is your favorite book / series?
    Lord of the Rings is unquestionably my favorite.


13. Best & Worst thing about being an author?
    Best thing without a doubt are the fans. I love interacting with my fans, and I have some of the best, most devoted fans on the planet (I just need more of them!) The worst is the constant need to promote, knowing that no matter how much time you spend promoting, it is an uphill battle.


14. How many books will there be in the series?
    I’m not sure. At least five, since I am working on the fifth right now. I can easily see another book or two after that.


15. Does it get easier after the first one?
    Yes and no. Yes, because I’m so familiar with the main characters that I know what they will say and how they will act in most situations. No, because I need to keep coming up with fresh new situations to use along with the ongoing, underlying storylines.


16. Do you listen to your readers? Do you ever consider their opinions when writing the next book?
    I love interacting with my readers, and yes, I listen to them frequently, and often ask their advice/opinion on a work in progress via my Facebook pages. One of the underlying themes that carries through books 2-4 was actually suggested by a reader. Two other fans suggested vampire roles for themselves that have grown into important characters.


17. Do you get writers block? How do you get past it?
    I don’t get stuck very frequently. Usually a walk or bike ride at the beach or a nice long shower will produce an idea to get me past any block.


18. Does the time of day make a difference when you’re writing?
    Not really, although I don’t write at night too often. Mostly, I write in the morning and/or afternoon.


19. When it comes to your series, do you find yourself on the side of the vampire or the Volkaane?
    I try to stay reasonably neutral. Despite the natural enmity between the two races, I’ve managed to create a couple of situations where they had to work together. If you forced me to choose, I’d have to say volkaanes, since I invented them.


20. Tell me something I don’t know?
    I have never had a cell phone.


21. Cats or dogs?
    Dogs, but cats are okay, too.


22. Are vampires real?
    They are every bit as real as volkaanes.


23. Favorite food?
    Cheesecake.


24. Inside or outside?
    Outside. I live in San Diego for a reason.   :)


25. How do you feel about being one of the few men to write paranormal romance?
    I love it. I get to ask my fans for advice/suggestions when it comes to some of the more “girlie” stuff concerning clothes, makeup, etc. Also, I love it when I totally surprise a reader with my ability to write believable female characters like Leesa and Cali. The one downside is that I know there are a lot of readers who won’t even take a look at my books because I am a guy. 

    

• You can buy copies of The Blue Fire Saga on his website: http://www.scottprussing.com.
• Or if you want it right now and prefer an e-book, you can find them here:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.   
• You can contact Scott on his Twitter or Facebook pages. 

Also, Scott is having a FREEdom Sale! Buy 3, get the 4th FREE. Visit his website for details.

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