The Romance Reviews Grand Opening

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS GRAND OPENING

You’re invited!

From March 1 – 31, 2011

at http://www.theromancereviews.com/go.php

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS' GRAND OPENING!

Play the games. Explore new books.

Chat with authors. Vote for Best Books of 2010.

Rack up your points!

CAN YOU UNLOCK THE PUZZLE?

Tip: Visit everyday to increase your chances to win awesome prizes!

Over 200 prizes waiting for you!

PRIZES

Weekly Prizes

$10 Gift Cards – 32 winners!

(8 winners each week)

Over 150 Book Giveaways in total

(paperback, hardback, ebook)

Major Prizes

Grand Prize: $100 Gift Card

2nd Prize: $70 Gift Card

3rd Prize: $50 Gift Card

For Authors

(based on results of book votes)

Grand Prize: $200 TRR Advertising Package

2nd Prize: $100 TRR Advertising Package

3rd Prize: $50 TRR Advertising Package

 
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1. Post about TRR's Grand Opening and link to http://www.theromancereviews.com/go.php (You may post a portion or the entirety of this post on your blog.)
 
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THE ROMANCE REVIEWS GRAND OPENING

 

Main Sponsor

Dorchester Publishing

Participating authors

Kat Martin                   Beth Kery                    Susan Lyons
Madison Blake             Ashley March               Karen Rose Smith
LK Rigel                     Gini Rifkin                     Sandra Edwards
Grace Elliot                 Suzanne Barrett             Jessica Chambers
Maeve Greyson           Sable Hunter                 Josie Arlington
Tanya Stowe               Laura Tolomei               Kristen Painter
Renee Rearden            Elaine Cantrell               Susanna Ives
Amy Corwin                Keta Diablo                   Suzette Stone
Suzanne Tyrpak           TL Schaefer                  Monique Martin
Kari Gregg                  Susan Meier                  Laura Moore
Susan Roebuck            Kathy Carmichael          Brita Addams
KT Grant                    Winslow Eliot                 Ingela F. Hyatt
Jan Scarbrough            Victoria Blisse               Sharon Buchbinder
PG Forte                     Bronwyn Storm             Patricia Preston
Alice Gaines                Cate Rowan                  Ann Tracy Marr
Joan Beth Erickson      Tara Lain                      Terri Reid
L.J. McDonald            Lucinda Brant                Eden Baylee
Hayley B. James         Jason W. Chan               Pat Amsden
Linda Morris                DH Starr                       Kaylea Cross
Lee Benoit                   Kayelle Allen                 Eliza Gayle
Beth Trissel                 Viviane Brentanos          Morgan Rice
Ashley Ladd                Jennifer Labelle              LaVerne Clark
Sibel Hodge                 Darcia Helle                  Rita Hestand
Mahalia Levey             LK Below                     Gale Stanley
Sarah J. Bradley          Joanne Troppello            Rhonda L. Print
Pamela Jackson           Jenny Schwartz              Mary Manners
Eve Silver                    Jennifer Crusie               T.C. Archer
Jocelyn Modo               Sloan Parker                  Kerri Williams
Elaine Hopper               Stacey Espino                Linda Mooney
Victoria Howard           Heather Matthews         Marcia James
Cherie De Sues            Savannah Chase             Simone Eden
Lauren Fraser              Annie Nicholas               JoAnne Kenrick
E.D. Walker                Rachel Haimowitz           HP Mallory
Suzanne Rock              Andrea Speed                 Elle Amery
Nichelle Gregory          Eden Bradley                  Shermaine Williams
Berengaria Brown        Tina Donahue                 Taryn Kincaid
Red Haircrow              Virginia Cavanaugh         Hailey Edwards
Elle Druskin                  Rachel Brimble               Frances Pauli
Nancy J Cohen             Tarah Scott                    Em Petrova
Heather Wardell            Cara Marsi                    CJ Archer
Mary Eason                  Skhye Moncrief              Jana Richards
Jill James                      Alison Chambers             LoRee Peery
Gail Pallotta                  Alison Henderson            Nicki Greenwood
Alianne Donnelly           Tiffany Ashley                Michael Davis
Gem Sivad                    Stacy Juba                      Tory Richards

Love Immortal by Felicity Heaton

4 Stars


We've all struggled with feeling out of place at some point in our lives. Now imagine being saved from a werewolf by a gorgeous man—who then explains you're a reincarnated goddess he has protected for three millennia. Oh, and your destiny is to kill the first and most powerful werewolf, before he destroys Olympus.

Oh, yeah. We're talking big story here.

I love the way Ms. Heaton weaves classical mythology with urban myth, to create a preternatural world, hidden within an everyday existence. This combination makes the heroine's life anything but ordinary. Lauren must face the outlandish claims, accept the proof her savior Julian provides, and ready herself for a battle that will end in certain death for some of its warriors.

The nearly 700-page novel certainly provided the canvas to show Lauren's journey toward discovering her inner strength, finding true love, and fulfilling her destiny. Julian's character is *swooning*a fantastic combination of emotional vulnerability, physical perfection, and deadly skilled protector.

Any woman in her right mind would recognize Julian's amazing qualities, the feelings he stirs and act on them, right? Well, Lauren does…eventually. The sensual tension between our main characters scorches the page. Unfortunately, they don't work out their insecurities and satisfy their (and the reader's) need to consummate their bond until around 600 pages into the story.

Lauren's character is a strong, caring woman that inspires others in her world to fight for what is right. The reader roots for her to succeed on this journey, but is left with an almost perpetual feeling of waiting—for the moment she and Julian resolve their issues, for the ultimate battle to finally occur.

And therein lies the only issue I have with LOVE IMMORTAL. The story took too long to happen. Some information was repeated initially, but for the most part the extra details dragged the story out. Don't get me wrong, this is a good read. For me, I think in this instance less would have been more—making it a great book.

Having said that, anyone that loves sweeping paranormals will enjoy the book. And after becoming acquainted with Ms. Heaton's voice and storytelling skills, I'm sure I will enjoy her other works as well.

This review originally written for The Romance Reviews.

Direct Book Review Page: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1218

Intimate Weapons by Kathleen Scott

4 Stars

When pushing for scientific progress, how far is too far? Kathleen Scott has created a fantastic love story that poses that very question. And Jovita Rees answers it. In her world, conquering space and ruling the universe is fueled by political might. Jovita's being abducted, injected with nanite technology, and experimented on proves, for some, too far isn't far enough.

I loved Intimate Weapons! It just thrills me when I pick up a book I wouldn't normally read and then can't put it down. Let me explain why.

Jovita Rees flees for her life. She evades her torturers by stowing away on the Guidestar—a Vanden vessel used by Ambassador Mallic Telonis. Knowing of his reputation for indulging in pleasure, Jovita proposes sex for safe passage…except he refuses her proposition. (Crazy interesting, right?)

Mallic instead offers Jovita political asylum. When he initiates the paperwork to secure her safety, he discovers Jovita Rees is listed as dead. Jovita insists she was abducted, experimented on, and has no memory of her life except her name. Unsure what to make of the situation, Mallic knows something is not right and places her under Vanden protection.

Upon arrival at the Vanden Royal Palace, Jovita is examined by medical staff. An unusual technology is found in Jovita's bloodstream. As the doctors work to discover the design and purpose of such technology, Jovita struggles to control the changes the experimental technology causes within her body. To make matters worse, every time she feels threatened, she sees things that can't be real. Even her dreams become irrational and frightening, causing her to doubt her sanity.

Mallic watches her struggle against her haunting fears. Her strength and determination to remain in control garner his admiration. Her luscious curves and exotic beauty drive him to distraction. Once he discovers Jovita's connection to the Celedon Royal Family, he vows to keep his distance.

The Royal family is informed of Jovita's existence. Once Prince Rohan arrives, they discover not only was she the beloved psychic for the Celedon Royal Family, she and the prince shared a very close relationship. Mallic realizes he doesn't care. Jovita belongs with him, and he uses every skill in his sexual repertoire to convince her.

Despite piecing together Jovita's past, the most important information relating to Jovita's abduction is unknown: Who kidnapped her and why. And now that she has resurfaced, and her memories are returning, whoever arranged for her "death" might try again. Mallic, Prince Rohan, and Jovita race to find Jovita's abductor before he finds her.

Whew…there's a lot going on in this book, and I love every detailed page of it! Ms. Scott blends the science fiction element with the erotic romance perfectly. The relationship between Jovita and Mallic progresses at a natural pace. Each frustrating, sensual, page-scorching encounter between our hero and heroine builds to a satisfying climax—and still leaves the reader begging for more.

Readers that enjoy plot driven as well as character driven stories will love this futuristic romance. And even though Jovita and Mallic's story could end here, there's still a question or two Ms. Scott could answer in a sequel. Here's hoping she decides those questions are worth answering. I know I'll be looking for them!


This review originally written for The Romance Reviews

Direct Book Review Page: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1322

Blogging

Okay. Well, I totally suck at blogging on a consistent basis.

*cue loud sigh*

So, I've decided to add reviews of books I've read to this blog. That will accomplish several things. First, I'll have at least a weekly contribution to my blog! I'm reading anyway, so why not post the reviews I do here that I always put on Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads? Second, hopefully the book, review, or just subject matter will spark material for a blog article.

It's worth a shot anyway!  ;-)

Reviews

Though Moonlight Bleu came out in September of 2010, reviews are still rolling in. This morning I received a fantastic writeup by Kate aka YzhaBella's Bookshelf. I cannot explain in words how much the phrase, "I LOVED your book!" means to me...but I'll try.

I think the closest description I can give is that of a rock star, performing on stage, and seeing the crowd that's gathered for the performance. What frickin' high!!!

To read the review, please click the link below:

#c6038365424171437129

Balance

My grandson visits us every other weekend. I look forward to spending my days playing with his trucks, doing puzzles, or chasing him around the back yard. When he goes home with his mom and dad, I lock myself in my office and work like crazy to make up for the time away from my keyboard.

With so many things to get done Saturday, I didn't get any writing done at all. Then the kids got sick, and I had my grandson overnight. He woke up Sunday morning feverish and clingy. I sat in my chair, the little guy on my lap, all day. We watched movies because that's all he felt like doing.

Of course, I had planned to write while he took a nap. Never happened. Those peepers stayed open no matter what I tried. Another day with no work accomplished.

While the idea of not meeting the goal of blogging and writing 365 days this year upset me greatly, feeling the little guy's arms curled around mine made me rethink my stance. Structured deadlines are meant to help achieve set goals. That's all well and good when life isn't factored into the equation.

But life outside my office exists, and my family will always be my first priority. That means finding a balance. Accepting there will be days I can't write. And on the days my keyboard is out of reach, I'll just play in my head. Ideas can be shelved until it's my time to get creative.

Insomnia

Just when I thought I had my sleep pattern under control,*WHAM* I'm back to four hours a night.

Trust me when I say that is not enough sleep to function on for a sustained period of time. Don't get me wrong, the occasional sleepless night is great for writing an out-of-the-box scene. Being tired helps silence my inner critic. That voice in the back of my head that tells me I'm writing garbage, the characters aren't three dimensional, or the plot line just stinks.

Lack of sleep also shuts down my filter. It usually stays hinged to the front of my brain, saving me from saying inappropriate things at the most inopportune moments. Not having a working filter can certainly help me develop a character's personality...unfortunately, it can push also a character too far into the obnoxious zone. That means rewrites.

A week of insomnia is just brutal. Nothing kills writing mojo faster than being overtired. For now, it seems I've planted my flag in the "I got some sleep" camp. Glad the weekend's here, though. If I don't break this cycle soon, I'll be locked up in the "no sleep = insanity" ward.