May #RAK Wrap-Up Post

I LOVE R.A.K! I love receiving and sending out books. I get super excited to do both!

This month, I was not able to send any books or swags. Someone, however, decided to send me a book.

Stephanie from A Dream Within A Dream said she would send me Fever by Lauren DeStefano. I have not received it yet but I'm super excited! Thank you Stephanie!

UPDATE: I forgot to include this one!

Jen from Jen Ryland / YA Romantics was very sneaky! She sent me Last Rite by Lisa Desrochers (!!!!!) for this month's #RAK and an early birthday present for next month! Dare I say she's my favorite blogger? :D

Next month is my birthday month! I'm excited to do #RAK again! Cross your fingers, you might be the lucky person that will receive a book from me :)

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Books I've Won - May 23, 2012

Another edition of books I've won. This one is short, but for some reason, I was still able to make the video longer :) Hope you enjoy it! Leave me books you've won or hauled this week in the comments!

Liz Reinhardt's Blog: http://www.elizabethreinhardt.blogspot.com/
Liz Reinhardt's Twitter: @lizreinhardt

Vicky Dreiling's Website: http://www.vickydreiling.com/
Vicky Dreiling's Twitter: @vickydreiling

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VBT: Lisa Kessler (Guest Post + Giveaway)

I'm so happy to have Lisa Kessler on the blog again! It's always fun when she visits! Check out who her favorite vampire is in the guest post and then enter the giveaway for some goodies!

THE NIGHT SERIES - Book One by Lisa Kessler

Title: Night Walker
Author: Lisa Kessler
Genre: Paranormal Romance

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/night-walker/

View the book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OTD8VdDCOc

Book Description:

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her…

Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.

She’s haunted by dreams of her own death…

After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she’s drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand.

They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries…

Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again.

Hi everyone – 

Thanks to Arianne for letting me visit her beautiful blog again! :)

She asked me to choose my favorite vampire (Besides my yummy Calisto! LOL) and if I would let him “turn” me…

Such a tough choice!  Let me go through some of my all-time favorite vampires…  

First off, we have Lestat from Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. He was my first vampire love.  So wicked and evil, and yet there was a sexy and possibly tender side to him.  He enjoyed the power and wasn’t afraid to abuse it if it suited him.  He liked being a vampire and I liked him for his badness! LOL

And another favorite is David from The Lost Boys.  Keifer Sutherland made a super yummy vampire bad boy.  Lost Boys is still one of my all-time favorite vampire movies, and I write to the soundtrack often.

I’ve also had a long love affair with Marius from The Vampire Chronicles.  He lured me in with his wisdom and cunning, and his long blond hair and bright blue eyes  teased me too.  After I read “Pandora” he became one of my all-time favorite vampires…  (Great book!  You should read it!)

So if I can’t choose Calisto, who would it be?   This may surprise you, but it’s a new vampire from Jeri Smith-Ready’s WVMP Vampire series.  His name is Shane.  He became a vampire in the 90’s so he’s not an ancient, but he’s a passionate musician who kills me book after book with his complex hotness.  He writes songs that’ll tear your heart out, and he’s strong when he needs to be and tender when it’s least expected.

And if you haven’t read the WVMP Radio Vampire series, start with Wicked Game…  You’ll love Shane.  He’s a totally unexpected vampire crush! :)

Now would I let him turn me?  Since I write vampires myself, I’ve given that question a lot of thought, and the bottom line is probably no.  It would literally kill me to outlive all my family and friends.  If we could all be immortal I’d go for it, but otherwise, I’d rather stay mortal.

So who is your vampire boyfriend?  I’d love to hear!

Lisa

About the Author:

Lisa Kessler is an avid reader and writer of dark fiction. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

Lisa recently signed a 4 book deal with Entangled Publishing to release her Night Series.  The first book, Night Walker, is scheduled to be released August 5^th.

When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Lisa lives in southern California with her incredibly fun husband and two amazing kids.

http://lisaslair.com/

http://lisakessler.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for stopping by Lisa! Can't wait to see you again soon!

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Movie Review: The Tooth Fairy

This movie made me BELIEVE!

There was so much lesson I learned in this movie. How about a list?

• Children fantasies are important to fuel their imagination - I believe this to be true now that I think about it. When I was growing up, I didn't have any fantasies to believe in. No tooth fairy or anything. I believed in Santa Claus for one second and then I saw it all unfold one year and realized Santa was my mom. So, as a result, I have barely an imagination. I hope I can make up for it.
• You can do anything as long as you believe - I think this is very true. Just follow your dreams.
• "What if" is not always bad - I see the bright side now. What ifs help people move forward and risk certain things, and by risking, sometimes, happiness comes out of it. We all just need to be patient.

Okay, I will stop making a list before I get cheesy. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was amazing in this movie. This movie is the reason why I love watching movies that are usually meant for children. I feel like it always teaches the audience something useful. I absolutely enjoyed this movie and would absolutely recommend it! Check out some photos from the movie!

If you would like to buy the movie, click the link below.

Have you seen this movie? Tell me how you like it in the comments!

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Product I Regret Buying: Milani Liquif'eye

I needed a new eyeliner and decided to try something new. I decided to purchase Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eyeliner in Black. I got mine for about $6 at Walmart.

Pros:

• Creamy
• Great for lining the upper lids
• Long-wearing

Cons:

• Almost impossible to sharpen
• If used on the water line, it bleeds later in the day = raccoon look
• Hard to remove at night

I discovered after using this eyeliner that I personally don't like metallic eyeliners for everyday look. They look way too much for a natural everyday look.

So, if you have any suggestions for an affordable eyeliner, hopefully less than $10 and either a pencil or automatic liner, please let me know in the comments. 

No more creamy liners for me unless I figure out how to sharpen them properly, and no, I don't plan on buying a special sharpener any time soon.

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Movie Review: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Not having reliable internet and a whole lot of friends made a boring weekend. Yep, that was my Saturday. So, I asked my roommates to see if they had any movies I could borrow to keep me company until I decide to do something productive in my life - like go to the library and return the DVDs I borrowed. Anyway, this movie was the only movie I had not seen in their pile of 5 movies so I thought it would be the first one I would watch. I was pleasantly surprised!

The four characters were so different from each other, it was a wonder they were all best friends. I enjoyed seeing their individual adventures and heartaches throughout the movie.

Lena - she was the awkward girl who was conservative and afraid to break out of her shell. She was also an artist. She went to Greece to visit her grandparents and there she met a handsome guy names Kostos. He sure was attractive. Something about him was very appealing and their story was so adorable. When they were talking late at night in his boat, I thought they were the cutest couple. And of course they just had to kiss.

Tibby - she was the girl that couldn't care less about the world and just seemed miserable half the time. She was also a filmmaker. Then, she met Bailey. The first time they met, Bailey passed out in the discount store that Tibby was working at. After that, Bailey was practically attached to Tibby's hip. Bailey was the light in Tibby's life. She was always happy and knew what to say to people to make them feel better. I wish I could be like that. Bailey was Tibby's miracle.

Carmen - she was the Puerto Rican girl who went to North Carolina to spend the summer with her father. She was so excited until her father dropped the bomb: He has a new family and they are getting married soon. Carmen was miserable and I felt really bad when they were at the fitting for the bridesmaid dress. She was curvy while her father's new family were slim. Needless to say, things got heated and she ended up going back home.

Bridget - she was the hot girl that hid behind her smiles. She knew what she wanted and she went after it no matter what. I really admired her confidence and the way she approached certain situations even though some of them ended up in rejection. Her mom (if I'm not mistaken) committed suicide and left her alone with her dad. She acted happy and bubbly to escape the grief but it caught up with her anyway.

Overall, this movie was heartwarming and full of awesome moments. If you haven't seen it, I totally recommend it for a girl's night in :)

For those who have seen the movie, what did you think? Tell me in the comments!

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VBT: Soulstone Promo + Giveaway

GIVEAWAYS CLOSED.

Soulstone

Book 4 Immortalis Series

By Katie Salidas

It’s a desperate time for rookie vampire Alyssa, and her sanity is hanging by a slender thread. Her clan is still reeling from the monumental battle with Aniketos; a battle that claimed the body of Lysander, her sire and lover, and trapped his spirit in a mysterious crystal. A Soulstone.

Unfortunately, no amount of magic has been able to release Lysander’s spirit, and the stone is starting to fade. Weeks of effort have proved futile. Her clan, the Peregrinus, have all but given up hope. Only Alyssa still believes her lover can be released. In despair, Alyssa begs the help of the local witch coven, and unwittingly exposes the supernaturals of Boston to unwanted attention from the Acta Sanctorum.

The Saints converge on the city and begin their cleansing crusade to rid the world of all things “Unnatural.” In the middle of an all-out war, but no closer to a solution to the dying stone, Alyssa is left with an unenviable choice: save her mate, or save her clan.

Chapter 1 Down the creaky steps I walked, alone, heading for the basement. Visiting Lysander had become my nightly ritual. I’d wake up in my bed, reach out to the empty sheets, and feel nothing but crushing emptiness. It’s hard to believe that the absence of someone can bear such a heavy weight on one’s soul, but it does. That’s when realization would hit me, and I’d relive that terrible memory of seeing Lysander, my love, my mate, dive into the flames. Only after coming downstairs to the dark, dungeon-like basement, would I feel better. I took a deep breath and stepped down onto the cold concrete floor. To my already tepid skin, the ground felt icy. Winter’s chill had frozen everything, and the basement was no real shelter from the cold. I probably should have worn something more than socks, but in my desperation to see him, I’d ignored basic necessities. I shook off the chill working its way up my spine and continued on. “Good evening sweetie.” I said it as if he could hear me. His spirit could, I guess, but Lysander had no voice with which to respond. Still, it made me feel better to talk to him as if he were alive and in front of me. “It’s snowing outside. Boston is a winter wonderland. Zuri took us shopping for coats and boots.” Lysander had lived the last fifty years in Las Vegas. I had grown up there, before becoming a vampire. So for desert rats such as us, snow was as infrequent as rain, which made them special. Now that we were on the east coast, both were very common but neither had lost their beauty, at least to me they hadn’t. “I wish you could see it, honey. It’s just gorgeous out there. Everything’s covered in white.” No response, as always. Not that I had really expected one. Hoped for, yes. But, at this rate, my hope was beginning to wear thin. Too much time had passed since he’d been trapped inside the crystal that now served as his prison. The fragile hope I held of saving him was almost gone. I grew restless for a resolution. His spirit felt weaker. The warmth of his presence was almost … transparent. Ariana, our resident witch, had not yet come up with a solution. She’d managed an impressive feat, trapping Aniketos back into the Pandora’s Box. But because she’d used her own spells instead of the original ones from the old scrolls, Lysander had been trapped too. His spirit now resided in a large blood-red crystal. She’d said her coven might be able to help; however, weeks later, we still had no resolution. Others in the house had already given up. I could feel it in the way they avoided any talk of Lysander or the crystal. They’d always find a way to change the subject. A few times, I had the sneaking suspicion that they were purposefully avoiding me so as not to have to talk about it. I reached up and pulled the chain, flicking on the overhead light. The basement was small and bare. Brownstones in the Back Bay area of Boston were built tall, not wide, so the basement didn’t take up much square footage. Lysander’s coffin sat in the middle. Just a plain pine box that reminded me of ones from the old westerns I’d watched as a kid. It had been quickly constructed, and wasn’t a showpiece; just a simple, almost flimsy box, only meant to hold Lysander until we could find some way to release his spirit. Seeing it there, sitting all alone in the cold dark room, caused my heart to seize. Each time I set eyes on the coffin, for a brief moment, my world crumbled into dust—like everything important had been destroyed, except the reminder of the act that put him in this coffin. For as long as he’d been lying there, I hoped he was comfortable. Part of me felt guilty, like the others and I should have gotten him something a little nicer to sleep in. That thought too made the permanence of death seem more real. A tear welled up in my eye, and I wiped it away. The pine box is fine. He won’t be in it much longer. I pushed aside the lid and leaned it against the side of the box. Inside, Lysander lay, looking as if he were sleeping off his terrible injuries. Where his body wasn’t scabbed or bruised, the skin appeared ashen in color and almost plastic-looking, as if not really skin at all, but a sort of waxy coating. I shivered at the gruesome sight. He’d been so beautiful before the fire charred him. His once-gorgeous chocolate-colored hair had been singed away in the blaze, leaving only a few patches here and there to remind me of its original color. The tips of his fangs poked down from behind dry, parched lips. I’d tried to give him blood, hoping it might restore him, but it hadn’t had any effect. His body was frozen in the moment his spirit had left it. The fire had almost destroyed him before his spirit had been caught. Ariana had suggested to me that Lysander had already died and his spirit was moving on when she trapped him. She told me that if we freed it from the crystal, he might not return to his body. I wasn’t ready to accept that. I could still feel his presence, though weak, emanating from the large soda bottle-sized crystal. Whether in his body or not, his spirit was still with us. That had to count for something. He was still here with us and alive, for all intents and purposes. And until we knew otherwise, I did not want to hear talk of him “moving on.” I hoped and prayed to every deity out there that when Ariana did find the answer, Lysander could be returned to his body. Even if he remained charred and burned, I’d still love him. I didn’t want to face eternity without him. I’d placed the crystal on his chest and folded his arms across it. There it had rested for the last two weeks while I tried to find answers. I hoped keeping the two together like this would help in some small way. “Alyssa the widow is back to mourn again,” said an overly chipper voice from the top of the stairs. “Shouldn’t you be wearing black?” I craned my head to look up and found Ian standing at the top of the stairs. As usual he was dressed for a night out: raven-black hair slicked back with just a few strands framing his face, skin-tight t-shirt and tight-legged jeans to ensure nothing was left to the imagination, and topped off with a leather coat. I often wondered if he had been a greaser before being turned. He certainly looked the part. “Widow implies death, Ian,” I said with as much snark as I could put into my mournful voice. “Widow also implies… available.” Ian beamed down with his thousand-watt smile. “I’ve had enough of this moping. You’re coming out with me tonight.” He took the stairs at a trot. “No, thanks. I don’t need to hunt tonight.” I looked down at Lysander again. “You have to come back, honey. Look what you’re leaving me with.” “I’m not taking no for an answer.” Ian’s breath blew across my ear. I felt the closeness of his body almost pressing against my back. “And I prefer to be the one on the hunt.” I jumped in response, and my head collided with his. “Ugh. Ian! Stop it. I’m not one of your waitresses or barmaids. Leave me alone.” A spike of pain radiated through my skull. I could only hope I’d done more damage to Ian. The nerve of him, hitting on me in front of Lysander. “No, you’re not. Which makes the hunt all that much more fun for me. Tricky little prey, aren’t you, Alyssa?” If I had injured him, he didn’t show it. In fact, whatever pain I’d caused him, he might have even liked. I groaned in frustration and rubbed the sore spot on the back of my head. “Oh, c’mon. Try me. You just might like it.” He winked. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “I don’t want to try anyone, especially not a sleazy vampire that’ll sleep with anything that breathes.” “Not fair. I didn’t sleep with your human friend, Fallon.” “That’s ’cause she’s with Aiden.” Ian grimaced for a brief second before his smile returned. “She’s off limits.” “And so am I.” “Just come out and have fun.” “Fun for you is getting in the sack.” “Look, you might see me as sleazy. I prefer the term ‘promiscuous’; it has a nicer ring to it. But the bottom line is, at least I’m out there living life, not moping around in some dingy cellar, waiting for a man who’ll never return.” His typically cheerful tone had all but vanished. “I’m trying to help you.” It was the first time I had ever seen Ian serious. Beyond that, he almost looked angry. His blue-gray eyes narrowed on me and his lip curled ever so slightly. “You have to know when to give up.” He inclined his head toward the coffin. “Let a lost cause go.” I stared at him while anger and grief fought each other to be the dominant emotion inside me. My jaw quivered. I mashed my teeth together so it wouldn’t show. “Lost cause? Lysander’s not a lost cause.” My eyes watered. I blinked and turned away. I didn’t want to melt down again. I didn’t want anyone seeing me like this. “Look, I’m sorry I hurt your feelings,” Ian said, softening his tone. He smiled at me, but it didn’t have its usual brilliance. “You don’t know what this feels like. To know that your mate is here, lying as if dead. But I feel him. I know he hasn’t gone yet. Yes, Ian. I can feel his spirit. Right here.” I picked the crystal up, off Lysander’s chest, and held it for Ian to see. “He’s not dead and gone. I know you can’t feel it, but I can. That’s what makes this so difficult.” “I get it. You’ve been so maudlin lately. I’m just trying to lighten things up. Put a smile on that pouty face.” I huffed. There was no getting through to that man. How could I expect him to understand the loss of a mate? He was the pathological playboy of the immortal world. Sex was his answer for all life’s problems. “I’m sorry. Let’s try this again.” Ian’s wide eyes suddenly narrowed on the crystal. “Hey, didn’t that used to be all red?” “What?” I pulled it closer to inspect. When Lysander had been trapped, the crystal had gone from completely transparent to a deep red color, as if it were made from blood itself. To my surprise now, the tip had turned clear. “What does this mean?” I mumbled more to myself than to Ian. “Good news, probably. Maybe the longer you keep that thing on Lysander’s chest, the more his spirit can seep back into his body.” Oh, how I wished he were right! Ever the optimist, Ian had given me a little more hope. Maybe the spell would reverse its self after a short while, and Lysander would heal and return to us. “Ariana is coming by later. You can show her then.” I gave Ian a genuine smile. “There it is. That’s what I’ve been looking for. You look so pretty when you’re not moping. Now, let’s go out and celebrate this good news.” Part of me wanted to. I’d been cooped up for the last two weeks, researching and staying by Lysander’s side. It would be nice to get out and enjoy the city. Ian took a step, closing the gap between us. He was a tall man, six foot or better. He pulled me into a hug and cradled my head to his chest. “It’s not a crime to go out and have fun. You have to live too. Otherwise, what’s immortality good for?” I pulled back and looked down at the crystal in my hands. It seemed to pulse, as if Lysander were trying to tell me something. The warm, tingling sensation of his presence briefly flashed through me. Maybe he was saying the same thing: You shouldn’t forget to live. I held it up and gently kissed the smooth sides. “I’ll be back soon,” I said, and then placed it against his chest. “Atta girl.” Ian’s full blinding smile returned. “Let’s turn that frown upside down, permanently. We’re gonna hit the town and have a little fun.” “I’ll go out with you tonight, on two conditions,” I said as I closed the lid to the coffin. “Name them.” “Quit with the cheesy lines. You need some new material.” “Ouch. I think I might be insulted,” Ian quipped. I shook my head. “Oh, poor baby. It couldn’t hurt that bad. I doubt anything in the world could damage that ego.” “You’re so feisty and full of anger. I know a way to relieve some of that tension.” He waggled his eyebrows. I gave him my best I-don’t-think-so look and drummed my fingers on the top of the coffin. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. Either way, you’re still smiling.” He smirked. “What’s the other condition?” “That you talk Zuri into coming with us.” “Spoil sport.” Ian shot up the stairs, leaving me alone with Lysander’s body. I had to laugh. Ian just didn’t give up. That, in its own funny way, gave me more hope. Maybe he was right and Lysander might actually make a comeback. That was a reason to celebrate, even if it was with Ian. I took one last look at the coffin. “Are you sure I should go out with him?” I mumbled to the box. As expected, there was no response, but I still felt Lysander spirit. I wished, just once, that he would answer. With a sigh, I headed to the stairs, pulling the chain for the light as I walked by. “I’ll see you later honey. Don’t you go waking up without me, okay?”

Chapter 2 As I went upstairs to get ready for my night with Ian, I stumbled upon my clan members seated around a large cherrywood table in the formal dining room. I stepped inside to see if any of them wanted to join me for a night out on the town. I opened my mouth to speak and caught the awkward glances that Nicholas, Crystal, and Drew were giving me. Silence enveloped the room, as if my presence were unwanted. “Did I miss dinner?” I asked, hoping to break the awkwardness of the moment with a little humor, but none of them laughed at my bad joke. Nicholas folded his hands in front of him on the table. He shook his head and clenched his jaw as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. Drew looked down at the dining table, pretending to be intensely studying the grain of the wood, while Crystal sat back in her chair, picking at her long, manicured fingernails. If I wasn’t mistaken, they seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me. This was one of those many times I wished I were an older vampire and had developed the ability to read thoughts. Being a newbie, as I was, I had almost none of the nifty abilities that the more experienced vampires had. I could sense emotions, but that wouldn’t do me much good here. I did, however, have the sneaking suspicion they’d all been talking about me. “Okay then,” I said to break the silence. “Lysander’s crystal is in the coffin if anyone is looking for it. I noticed something different about it today. Possibly a good thing. Fingers crossed. When Ariana gets here we need to have her take a look at it. Maybe the spell is reversing itself. Wouldn’t that be great?” Crystal glanced up for a brief second and smiled awkwardly at me. Drew cleared his throat and it sounded like he said, “Okay,” but didn’t bother to turn and look in my direction. I found it odd that none of them bothered to comment on what I had said about Lysander or the crystal. Come to think of it, they’d been acting funny for the last few evenings; avoiding me, ignoring me, and spending a lot of time in their own little group. Did they know something I didn’t? And if they did, why weren’t they telling me? I wanted to blurt these questions out but knew better. If they were trying to hide something from me, the direct approach wasn’t going to get me any answers. I’d have to keep a close watch on them to find out myself. “Anyway… Ian is dragging me out of the house. We’re going to hit the bar. If anyone else wants to join us, I’d love to have you. Please come.” Crystal shook her head and folded her arms across the table, but maintained her silence. “Drew, Nicholas, either of you guys want to tag along? Don’t make me go out with Ian all by myself.” I figured that would at least get a rise out of one of them. They’d been like overprotective brothers, and Ian was just the kind of guy that brothers kept away from their little sisters. “Actually, that might be best.” Drew said in his usually chipper tone. “You get along well with the Boston crowd. I feel you should go out with them more often. It would do you good.” “I’m sorry… what?” To say I was startled would be an understatement. “Remember we’re talking about Ian here. Mr. Wannabe Casanova. You want me to go out with him tonight?” “You can handle him,” Drew responded. “What I think Drew is trying to say,” Crystal said softly, “is that we want to see you going out and having fun. We’re worried for you. The Boston crowd is younger, and you can relate to them better. Maybe that’s what you need to move on.” “Move on!” I said a bit louder than I wanted to. “Nicholas, back me up here. Have you moved on from Rozaline?” I realized about two seconds too late that I probably shouldn’t have reopened that wound. And I was right. Nicholas’s face tensed. His jaw clenched. His eyes zeroed in on mine, and without needing to hear the sound I knew he was still screaming in pain on the inside. Rozaline, Nicholas’s mate, had died days before Lysander had been charred and trapped in the crystal. We’d all watched her decapitated and drained at the ghostly hands of Aniketos. Her death had been gruesome and very final, and I doubt even the coldest heart out there could have gotten over that pain so quickly. “Sorry, that was wrong of me. I didn’t mean it to come out like that. All I’m trying to say is, she died and he is allowed to mourn. Lysander isn’t dead, and you all seem to want to act like he is. There is nothing for me to move on from.” Crystal stood and walked purposefully toward me. “We just feel like you might be holding false hope. We don’t want you to hurt more if things don’t work out.” “At least I have hope.” I couldn’t hold back the raw emotion in my voice. “At least I want things to be better. What are you all doing? Have you lost your humanity completely? This is no different than if he were in a coma in a hospital. If we were human, I’d be by his side every day, because I love him. That’s what you do when you love someone.” She put her arm around me. “You’re not wrong to care. And we do want things to be better. Even if that means letting go.” I jerked away from her. “Not of your hope,” she added. “Let go of some of the pain. Don’t forget you have to live too. Transfer that energy into something productive, so you’re not constantly dwelling on the uncertainty of his situation.” “And what if I’m not ready to let go of the pain? What if all I have is my pain?” “You know that’s a lie.” She pulled me back into her arms. “You have us. We care… in our own way.” Drew stood and joined us. His massive height dwarfed both Crystal and me. “So go out tonight. Have fun with Ian and Zuri and anyone else you can drag along with you. Get out of this house. That’s all we want.” “Then I want you all to come too.” If I was to be forced into going out and having fun, they should have to go too. It was only fair. “We’ve already hunted,” Drew said with an obviously fake smile. “And I don’t really care much for the dance clubs here.” “There is nothing you can say that will get me to go to another bar,” Nicholas said with a note of finality. I knew better than to push him. We shared a common pain, though not exactly the same, and I wouldn’t blame him at all for locking himself away to mourn. Losing a mate with whom you have shared eternity is not something you can just walk away from. He’d been ready to join her, offering himself as a sacrifice, but that too had been stolen from him when Lysander took his place. “Well, I know Crystal will go with me.” I gave her my best you’re-not-getting-out-of-this look. Crystal liked to go to parties and clubs. She’d been the first to take me out dancing after I’d been turned. “No excuses. If you don’t go, I don’t go.” She sighed and for a brief moment, I almost believed she was angry at me for giving her an ultimatum; but then a smile blossomed from her tight lips. “Oh, all right. I’ll go out tonight.” Drew cleared his throat. “I thought we had our own plans for tonight.” He put his arm around his mate. “Remember, just the two of us?” She stammered for a moment and looked up at her mate with confusion in her eyes. “Oh… yes… I completely forgot. Alyssa, let’s have a girls’ night some other time." I couldn’t put my finger on it, but they were all acting very suspicious. I sighed in disappointment. “Fine. I’ll see you all later. Will someone call me if Ariana gets here before I return?” “If we’re home.” Drew said with a cocky tone that didn’t suit him. Something was definitely up. “Yeah, okay. If you’re around, give me a call,” I said, and then turned and headed toward my room to get ready.

 About KATIE SALIDAS

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman!

Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons.  She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.

 And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

http://www.katiesalidas.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916

LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro

Twitter
http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie

Ends June 8, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway


There is also a tour-wide giveaway if you'd like to win the entire Immortalis series. It ends May 31, 2012.

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Check out below the blurbs for the first 3 books in the Immortalis series.

Pandora’s Box

Immortalis Series, Book 3

Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy

Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance

Adult Content: Some strong language.

Page Count: 238

Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.

Print Publishing Date: July 12^th 2011

Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.

Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?

When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.

Apparently powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?
Werewolves...

Available in print and/or ebook at:

Amazon.com USA

Amazon.co.UK UK

Amazon.co.DE Germany

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Hunters and Prey

Immortalis Series, Book 2

Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy

Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance

Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.

Page Count: 263

Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.

Print Publishing Date: December 10, 2010

Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.


If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she'll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan's support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sactorum's new threat.

Available in print and/or ebook at:

Amazon.com USA

Amazon.co.UK UK

Amazon.co.DE Germany

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Immortalis Carpe Noctem

Immortalis Series, Book 1

Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy

Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance

Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.

Page Count: 323

Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.

Print Publishing Date: March 2, 2010

Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.

As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her “turning”, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.

Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

Available in print and/or ebook at:

Amazon.com USA

Amazon.co.UK UK

Amazon.co.DE Germany

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

I would like to thank Kayla from Reading on the Wild Side for creating the Giveaway Image for me.

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Free Kindle Books (YA Edition)

Check out these free books on Kindle! Just click the cover to buy or read the blurb :) I have most (if not all) of these books in my Kindle App!

          



Are you over 18 and like to read adult books? Check out my first post on Reading on the Wild Side for the book Seven Minutes in Heaven by Lena Matthews!

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New Release Promo: Shadow Bound by Rachel Vincent

Shadow Bound
Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound, Book 2
NOTE: This is not a YA book.

If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…

KORI DANIELS is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else…

The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.

Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own.

Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.
Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they’ll have to choose between love and liberty….

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I Am A Partner at Reading On The Wild Side!

Exactly a week ago on May 16, 2012, I accepted the offer to be a partner to Kayla's adult blog, Reading on the Wild Side. I don't know if you all know this, but besides reading young adult, I also enjoy adult fiction. When I saw the opportunity, I jumped to it and decided, this is my chance to explore both major genres without marring the image of my main blog.

So, without further ado, my first post goes live TOMORROW, MAY 24. Make sure to follow her blog to stay updated! Check out my spot on her About Us page!

Isn't that one of the coolest thing ever?! I love my signature!!

So, in her blog, I would be posting reviews and/or blog tours related to adult fiction. I would even have to rate them! I would get to explore a side of book blogging that I don't really do here on my blog, so I'm really excited about that.

So for all of my older readers, tell me, will you go visit her blog, maybe even follow? :)

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Short Movie: The Devil Was Only Free On Sunday

I was very fortunate to have the chance to film with such an amazing and professional director, Adam Hersko-RonaTas. He's so young yet have so much potential and drive. Check out the movie we made together and look out for him because he's going to make it big one day.

Shout-out to my awesome co-actors Chris Murphy and Manny Cardeiro with a special appearance from Rhiannon Jeglin. You all rock!

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VBT: Deadly Addiction Promo, Review, & Giveaway

I feel privileged to be part of this tour. Check out the blurb and my review :)

Deadly Addiction

Deadly Vices Book Two

By Kristine Cayne

A proud people. A nation divided.

Rémi Whitedeer, police officer turned substance-abuse counselor, dreams of restoring order to his tribe. Violence and crime are rampant throughout the unpoliced Iroquois reserve, and a civil war is brewing between the Guardians, a militant traditionalist group, and other tribal factions. As the mixed-race cousin of the Guardians’ leader, Rémi is caught in a no-man’s land—several groups lay claim to him, but all want him to deny his white blood.

A maverick cop on an anti-drug crusade.

When she infiltrated the Vipers to take down the leader of the outlaw biker gang responsible for her brother’s death, police sergeant Alyssa Morgan got her man. But her superiors think she went too far. Her disregard for protocol and her ends-justify-the-means ethics have branded her an unreliable maverick. To salvage her career, she accepts an assignment to set up a squad of native provincial officers on a reserve.

A radical sovereigntist bent on freeing a nation.

Decades of government oppression threaten the existence of the Iroquois Nation. But one man, Chaz Whitedeer, is determined to save his people no matter what the price, even if it means delving into the shadowy world of organized crime.

When Rémi and Alyssa uncover the Guardians’ drug-fueled scheme to fund their fight for true autonomy—a scheme involving the Vipers—Rémi must choose between loyalty to family and tribe or his growing love for Alyssa.

Can Rémi and Alyssa leave everything behind—even their very identities—for a future together?

Excerpt

Closing her eyes, Alyssa pressed the glass of water to her neck. “I can do the talking if that makes you feel any better.”

Although Rémi heard the words, it would have taken an act of Parliament to get him to respond.

The heat of her skin caused the condensation on the glass to liquefy. Like a tractor-beam, his gaze followed a drop of water as it slid down the long pale column of her neck, followed the curve of her right breast and slipped under the collar of her blue cotton T-shirt into the V of her cleavage. Oh fuck. He wanted to be that drop of water. He wanted to be snuggled between her warm ripe breasts. His cock swelled and lengthened, letting him know that it wanted to be there too.

      He squeezed his eyes shut and willed his hard-on away. This wasn’t the time and certainly not the place for Mr. Happy to make an appearance. But the more he tried not to think about where the drop had gone, the more he did. He’d thought he was a leg man, but he knew the truth now. It had slapped him in the face. He was a breast man. An “Alyssa’s breasts” man, and he fucking wanted to see them, to feel them, to taste them. Right now.

REVIEW

Roller Coaster, Back-and-Forth, Complete Amazing-ness.

There's so much to say about this book. Most apparent is the reverse discrimination against Alyssa Morgan because she was white in an Indian (red) reservation. First of all, who knew that there was a red race? I'm obviously the ignorant that didn't know. Anyway, Remi Whitedeer was a red and as romance protocol, he fell in love with Alyssa.

Alyssa - she was a white cop in an Indian reservation. From the beginning, she was made aware that she was not wanted. She was a strong and determined woman who joined the force to avenge her brother. As we all know, people might get their revenge, but it won't bring back what used to be. Well, at least she found love in Remi despite all the threats made and attempted against her life.

Remi - he was such a righteous, by-the-book kind of guy. He was raised by a heroin-addicted mother who died of an overdose. He became a counselor to help children stay away from drugs and alcohol. He fell in lust with Alyssa the first time he saw her. Even though he knew it wasn't right, he couldn't help himself. What was there to do but surrender? He was very protective and passionate.

Chaz - he was one sick jerk. Every time he encountered Alyssa, he just spat venom. It was a wonder he was a Guardian instead of a Viper. He did have the nickname "The Jackal." Anyway, he had a twisted dream for his people in the reserve. He wanted to "free" them and raise his kids free from white people. And he resorted to achieving that dream by growing illegal crops and dealing with the Vipers, the same white people that he hated so much. All for the sake of his clan.

Nitro - he was the lead assassin for the Vipers. He met Alyssa when she was undercover and he was her ticket into the organization. They had history and despite Alyssa being the supposed enemy, Nitro ended up genuinely caring for her. For someone who was ruthless, heartless, soulless, Nitro was able to feel something towards Alyssa. His deadliness was quite appealing to me.

Those were my favorite characters in the book. This book was such a roller coaster. It goes high and low very quickly. Death threats, drug dealing, blackmails, forbidden love: this book is full of all the good stuff!

Check out quotes I loved!

Chaz despised blonds. Male or female didn't matter. He was an equal-fucking-opportunity hater.

Remi: "I like her. A lot. Too much, maybe."

Grandpa (aka Rakso): "Have you slept with her?"

Remi: "Rakso. Jeez."

Grandpa: "I'm old, Remi. Not dead. I see the way you look at her and the way she looks at you."

Chaz: "I swear, Pete. If you fucked this up for me, I'm going to kill you. And it won't be with a bullet, 'cause that's too fast. I'll cure you like those fucking cannabis plants. Hang you upside down, slit your throat, and leave you there until you're all dried up. I'll crumple your skin, roll you into a gigantic motherfucking join, and smoke you."

Remi: "Alyssa, I swear to you, you will survive this. I will fight to the death to protect you."

Alyssa: "I know you'll try."

Remi: "Do or do not. There is no try."

Her face blank, she stared at him for a few endless seconds. Then she threw her head back and laughed.

Alyssa: "Oh. My. God. You're quoting Yoda? Now?"

Remi: "The last of the truly great philosophers."

Alyssa: "You're such a nerd. And here I thought you were some sort of sex god."

Excerpt He stumbled to a stop in the bathroom doorway, his hands loaded with a box of donuts and a cardboard tray with two cups of coffee. His eyes flicked from Nitro to her, then his gorgeous face darkened. "Who the fuck is this?" Remi threw his purchases to the ground and kicked them out of the way. He dropped his weight, ready to fight. What was the blond bastard doing in Alyssa's room? The snake tattoo on the guy's arm caught his attention. Oh fuck. Alyssa had been right about the hit. "Let her go," he growled. The Viper shrugged and pointed an M1911 in Remi's face. "Who the fuck are you?" the guy ground out. Remi lowered his gaze to Alyssa, hovering behind the half-naked man, with an oh-shit-what-am-I-going-to-do-now look on her face? What exactly had he interrupted? "Alyssa?" She scrambled forward and stepped in front of the gun, her back to him. Why did she keep doing that? Did the woman have a death wish? "Nitro, put the gun away." Remi gripped the doorframe as his mind spun out of control. A Viper was protecting Alyssa? Nitro nudged her out of the way. "Who is he?" Remi reached out to pull her behind him. Nitro lunged forward trying to grab her arm. Alyssa slapped at both their hands and yelled, "Nitro, put the fucking gun down. Remi, get into the bedroom. Both of you stop acting like goddamn cavemen." Nitro tucked the M1911 back into his jeans. "Sorry, babe." Babe? Remi ground his teeth and spun on his heel. He took a seat in one of the chairs by the window and waited, his hands clenching and unclenching on the armrest. Alyssa had a lot of explaining to do. The guy, Nitro, was acting like a protective lover, not a hitman. She perched on the edge of the bed and stared at him, wringing her hands in her lap. The small gesture spoke volumes. Nitro sat beside her. That gesture told him even more. He jerked to his feet. "Have a nice life," he spat out, going for the door. He wanted to hit something. Preferably the blond Adonis's perfect face. "Remi, wait. Let me explain." Small hands wrapped around his waist and held him tightly. His anger drained away at the feel of Alyssa pressed against his back. She loved him. Didn't she? He twisted in her arms and peered down at her. "I really hope this isn't what I think it is." She took his hand and pressed it to her heart. He could feel it pounding against his skin. "It isn't." "Not exactly, anyways," Nitro added. "You, be quiet," she said, glaring at him over her shoulder. Nitro cocked a brow. "Tell me something, Lacy. Is this the guy you dumped me for?" "Oh for fuck's sake." She threw her hands up in the air and headed to the bathroom. When the door shut, Nitro pushed to his feet. His lip pulled up in a snarl as he invaded Remi's personal space. "You may be the one she's chosen, but hurt one hair on her head, and I'll assassinate your ass."

Martha: "You two finally decided to stop sneaking around?"

Remi: "I have to keep her, Martha. No other woman will have me."

Nic: "You'd give up everything for this woman?"

Remi: "It's like I'm addicted to her. Morning, noon, night. She's all I think about. She left me ninety minutes ago, and I'm already going through withdrawal."

Nic: "Wait. What do you mean she left you?"

Remi: "She said she couldn't let me change my life for her. That I'd end up resenting her."

Nic: "Would you?"

Remi: "No way. I'm so far gone, I'd fucking die for her. In fact, I'm already dying without her."

About the Author:

Kristine Cayne is fascinated by the mysteries of human psychology—twisted secrets, deep-seated beliefs, out-of-control desires. Add in high-stakes scenarios and real-world villains, and you have a story worth writing, and reading.

The heroes and heroines of her Deadly Vices series, beginning with Deadly Obsession, are pitted against each other by their radically opposing life experiences. By overcoming their differences and finding common ground, they triumph over their enemies and find true happiness in each other’s arms.

Today she lives in the Pacific Northwest, thriving on the mix of cultures, languages, religions and ideologies. When she’s not writing, she’s people-watching, imagining entire life stories, and inventing all sorts of danger for the unsuspecting heroes and heroines who cross her path.

Website www.kristinecayne.com

Facebook Author Page http://www.facebook.com/KristineCayneAuthor

Twitter: @KristineCayne

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428452.Kristine_Cayne


The Kindle copy of the first book, Deadly Obsession, is only $0.99! Don't you want to get it? What about the book in this review?

Or if you prefer a physical book like me, get the one below :)

UPDATE: I forgot to include the giveaway in this post. U.S. Only.
Prizes: Two book thongs, one handmade Native American necklace.

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