Epic Fail

Only read 8 of the 20 Books

Two books short from finishing

Boo! :(

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Authors After Dark Summer Camp!

The Authors After Dark event has you, the reader in mind, from the authors right down to the price. In these hard economic times, you don’t have to break the bank to attend an amazing event!

Authors After Dark is a for readers by authors event, focused on the reader author relationship. No other convention lets you get this much quality time with authors in such a unique setting. Readers and authors alike are encouraged to let their hair down and get to know each other and talk about the one thing that really brings us all together: Books!

Also, we are the only romance convention that has a GLBT track and a participating GLBT publisher. Fans of the GLBT genre that attend can look forward to M/M panels, a roundtable discussion and a F/F panel as well as a slew of print books, and goodies from GLBT authors and the publishers, including MLR Press, Dreamspinner Press, and Torquere Press.

This year’s event will slightly different from past years, as we will be forgoing the normal vendor room and workshops, to make room for author field trips and exploring one of the greatest cities in this country! Panels, parties and the book signing are all still there, but with a Cajun flair…

August 8-12, 2012 Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans!

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Happy Birthday to Me

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Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Lothaire
(Immortal Afters Dark Series, Book #12)
by Kresley Cole

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Elizabeth (aka Ellie) has had an interesting life. She's grown up deep within the Appalachian Mountains in a back-woods type of family while becoming possessed by a blood loving goddess who has been committing horrendous murders while within her teenaged body. Then upon meeting an evil vampire, ends up on execution row in prison for five years without any family contact. So ... "interesting life" is really a nice way of putting it. On the other hand, Lothaire (aka LEO of Lothaire: Enemy of Old) is torn in his loyal commitment to this Bride, the cursed vampire deity Saroya, and in his intense attraction to Ellie, a lowly insignificant human. Since both female obsessions share the same body, duties & emotions get very confusing for Lothaire and his endgame. With detailed plans set in motion many many many years in advance for Lothaire to gain a kingdom and win back his royalty status, this new relationship really begins to throw everything out of place -- as if fate is truly giving him the finger! Is it even possible for intimacy and understanding to grow when both share such dark pasts and, more importantly, what are they both willing to give up in order to get it?

I've been a long time fan of Immortals After Dark and can honestly say there have been many up and down books for me in the overall series, but Lothaire really brought the story line back into being a delicious read! I am a lover of stories that focus on the character relationship development without burdening the reader with too many frustrating side-plots or trying to incorporate insane amounts of additional characters within too many detailed settings (i.e. to build a longer series). Thus, this book really went back to the basics and revolved around the growing connection between the two lead protagonists. Lots of focus on the various outcomes and turmoil of ending up together as well as being tragically separated - LOVED IT! The tension caused by both the sexual side and suspenseful side of the tale really drew me in and the humor throughout made it even more enjoyable. Expect lots of egotistical comments from Lothaire and silly stubborn actions from Ellie, but overall buckle up for a juicy sensual ride (with lots of past characters popping in throughout)!!!!!

Likes: {{SPOILER}} I appreciated that Ellie was a human at the beginning of the story and loved comparing that to Holly in the beginning of Dark Desires After Dusk (one of my favorite books). The humanization of the female lead characters really makes the story somewhat more relatable and realistic . . . excluding the full-body possession and vampire interactions and ability to trace to different destinations, etc. etc. etc. . . . so maybe NOT "realistic", but at least a lot more comparable than being some witch, demon, or valkyrie.

Dislikes: {{SPOILER}} What really happened to Mariketa's hand!?!? Also, not really a fan of Thaddesu. The whole Friday-Night-Lights small town Texas boy doesn't really work on me since I'm really small town Texas girl and need something more exciting/different in male lead. Thus, Thaddesu is too boring for me . . . Blah!

Rating:

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NOLA Booksigning

Kresley Cole

Garden District Book Shop

Kresley Cole continues her Immortals After Dark series. From the humblest of beginnings a millennia ago, Lothaire the Enemy of Old rose to power, becoming the most feared and evil vampire in the immortal world. Driven by his past, he will not rest until he captures the vampire Horde's crown for himself. The discovery of his Bride, the female meant only for him, threatens to derail his plot.

Kresley Cole discusses and signs her book, Lothaire.

Paul Marron, the LOTHAIRE cover model, will be accompanying Kresley to all events.

Specially created LOTHAIRE champagne flutes (plastic) will be given to the first 100 customers to attend each event and champagne will be offered.

I apologize that my photos are not the best. I found out about this book-signing last minute and didn't have my proper camera available for the event.

Great ending to a great night - during the Q&A session, I answered the last question: What is the name of the local Lore bar that many of the characters visit? ( THE SAND BAR ) and won one of the e-reader KC was gifting out during her tour. Woo-hoo!

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Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver

Sins of the Heart
(Otherkin Series, Book 1)
by Eve Silver

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Half human, half god, Dagan Krayl is the Underworld's most powerful soul reaper. When one of his brothers is murdered, Dagan must use every ounce of his power to hunt down those responsible for his brutal death. But he must move swiftly—and carefully—if he's to have any chance of resurrecting his brother.

Yet that resurrection could wreak havoc on the mortal world. As an Otherkin, Roxy Tam has sworn to protect the human race, and it's her mission to stop Dagan. But when she sees him face-to-face, she realizes that she has seen him once before--a meeting that changed her life forever.

Neither Dagan nor Roxy expect to join forces for the sake of mankind. Or to have their loyalties tested as they struggle against the potent desire that threatens to consume them both ...

Save me from that god who steals souls,
Who laps up corruption, who lives on what is putrid,
Who is in charge of darkness, who lives in gloom,
Of whom those who are among the languid ones are afraid.
Who is he? He is Seth.
He is Sutekh.
—The Egyptian Book of the Dead, Chapter 17

Saved from a cruel captivity and a likely bloody death, Roxy is confronted with an unlikely savior that will in return curse her life for years to come. Dagan foolishly spends one night saving a human and for the next eleven years remains haunted by her memory. When the Soul Reaper of Sutekh and the Daughter of Aset finally meet again, sparks fly and not only because the two should be mortal enemies. Together they build a very Gothic Romeo & Juliet story where both fight to stay together even though doom is destined for them when the truth of their relationship is revealed.

This book was as much entertaining as it was confusing due to all the names/characters, references to religion/mythology, and side plots being interwoven within the main tale. ( Luckily I listened to this on audio-book, otherwise I know I would have been stumbling over the pronunciation of some of the characters names as well. ) All in all, there is almost too much going on for me to actually lose myself in the overall story without being baffled, but the relationship between Dagan and Roxy was very enjoyable ( HOT! ) and that, in itself, really kept the excitement of the tale going for me. Expect lots of kick-ass action, sensual romance, and suspenseful intrigue throughout Sins of the Heart, but be warned that the story can easily become overwhelming.

Likes: Roxy's shockingly realistic dreams were intense & passionate -- very enjoyable!

Dislikes: I feel like I need to brush up on my Egyptian and Greek mythology to truly appreciate this series -- almost like doing homework before enjoying the story to the fullest!

Rating:

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I'm Back!

I've been away . . . lots of holiday travel, new kitten in the family, busy at work, etc. I'm getting back into the normal bump 'n grind and will resume posting reviews soon. Cheers!

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