*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
THE BOOK
Book Synopsis
Setting: Twin Cities, MN
Dear Reader,
What do you get when you take one immortal Viking warrior no one can remember five minutes after he leaves their presence, an Apollite heiress on the run for her life, and one seriously pissed off demigod? Basically, you get my life.
It started out simple enough. I went to save a woman one night in a club. The next thing I knew, the doorway to hell had opened and out stepped Daimons the likes of which I’d never seen before. Led by the son of Apollo, they are out to end the curse that has banished them all to darkness. The only problem with that is they have to kill Cassandra Peters to do it and if she dies, so dies the sun, the earth and all who dwell here. Life’s just a bowl full of cherries, ain’t it?
Brought together by fate, it’s now my job to protect a daughter of the very race I have been hunting for centuries. Neither of us dares to trust the other. But she is the only one who remembers me…
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
This is the second series that Sherrie has written with Dianna Love the first was B.A.D (which I hope we eventually get to see more of)
The Book
Synopsis
Setting: Atlanta
Supernatural warriors bound by an extraordinary code of honor face an ultimate test of loyalty in the exciting new paranormal thriller from New York Times bestselling authors Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love.
An outcast among Beladors, Evalle Kincaid has walked the line between human and beast her whole life. Her origins unknown, she’s on a quest to learn more about her past . . . and her future.
When a demon claims a young woman in a terrifying attack and there’s no one else to blame, Evalle comes under suspicion. Now she’s on a deadly quest for her own survival and forced to work with a man who has the power to unravel her world. Through the sordid underground of an alternate Atlanta where nothing is as it seems to the front lines of the city, where her former allies have joined forces to hunt her, Evalle must prove her innocence or pay the ultimate price.
But saving herself is the least of her problems if she doesn’t stop the coming apocalypse. The clock is ticking and Atlanta is about to catch fire.
Recently I discovered this absolutely beautiful man..While searching for individuals that would appeal and would actually fit the descriptions of the wonderful Malory family.. I saw a few pictures of William and fell headlong into lust. This was truly amazing since I have a very decided taste for Tall Dark and Handsome.. And William reminded me of the boys on the beach that I grew up with.. well he is way prettier but that same look.. But along with his looks he has an amazing body and tempting bit of a darkside.. At least that is how I see it..
So I do the video but almost all the pictures were from Spanish Speaking sites.. he hadn't made the crossover complete yet. Then along comes Dancing with the stars and WHAMMO the man is everywhere.. why? Because he is gorgeous, charming and oh so SEXY..
Since I already dedicated TWO ManCandy Monday's to Mr Levy I thought I would do a little research on him..
William Levy's life has always been marked by a strong determination. Levy was born in Cuba and very early on knew he would go after his dreams and hopes, even if it meant leaving his beloved country and risking his life. By age 15, Levy was living in Miami, Florida, where he attended high school and learned to speak English. The future would later prove to him that following his intuition and pursuing his goal of becoming an actor one day was worth every effort.
Levy's incursion in acting was a supporting role on Telemundo's Los Teens, a series about Hispanic teenagers growing up in the United States. Prior to Los Teens, Levy had appeared in two reality shows, also for Telemundo, and a music video. His modeling career also took off at this point and he was signed to one of the most prestigious national modeling agencies. Over the next two years, Levy traveled outside the country on several occasions to participate in runway shows and photo shoots. He lso appeared in numerous ad campaigns. But acting was his true passion and he was not willing to give it up. The next step towards achieving this dream was to move out to Los Angeles and start taking acting lessons, which he did while still booking modeling jobs and going to auditions.
In 2005, Levy landed a supporting role in Olvidarte Jamas, a Spanish-language soap opera production headed by Venevision. He was then asked to come back for their next two projects: Mi Vida Eres Tu and Acorralada, respectively. His big break came in 2007 when Levy was personally chosen by famed elevisa producer Carla Estrada to play the role of Vasco Darien in Pasion, an epic novella production set in Mexico's colonial period. Levy gained instant recognition and his acting career skyrocketed as a consequence of the novella's popularity. After Pasion, he traveled to Ecuador and participated in the movie Retazos de Vida. Shortly after, Levy returned to Mexico for his first leading role in Cuidado con el Angel, a soap opera production that consolidated him as one of Mexico's most sought-after leading actors. In 2009 he was cast as the lead in Sortilegio and received excellent reviews on this project, obtaining several awards for his work. In November 2009, the actor lent his voice to the animated movie Planet 51 in its Spanish version. The movie won Premios Goya, an award for best animated Spanish-language film of 2009. From November 2009 to February 2010, Levy toured several Mexican cities with the play Un Amante a la Medida, which later toured in the United States in June 2010. In October 2010 he was cast as the lead in Triunfo del Amor that aired thru July 2011. He also participated as a lead in the third season of the popular Mexican series, Mujeres Asesinas.
Levy enjoys playing all kinds of sports, but he considers himself an avid baseball fan. He currently resides between Mexico City and Miami, FL.
And then there was this rather informative article on Yahoo News
Dancing With' William Levy, the Latin Brad Pitt
Yahoo! TVBy Ruth Mercado for Yahoo! en Español | Yahoo! TV
William Levy has been getting hearts racing since his debut on Latin soap operas, but it was his debut this week on "Dancing With the Stars" that has him poised to become quite popular with U.S. viewers, too. Along with his partner Cheryl Burke, Levy scored an impressive 24 out of 30, cha-cha’ing his way into second place. However, “Team Fuego” didn’t just win over the judges with the dance that originated in his own country of Cuba; the audience could be heard screaming and applauding even before the performance started.
A wildly-loved romantic actor wildly loved by his Spanish-speaking fans, Levy has become better known as Jennifer Lopez's lover in her 2011 music video "I'm Into You." With the face of a Greek god and a body that doesn't stop, the "Brad Pitt of Mexico" is looking forward to competing for the mirror-ball trophy.
Of his participation in "DWTS," Levy told People en Español, "I'm not a professional dancer, but... when I put my mind into doing something, I give it 100%, especially in a competition where I'll be dancing to raise funds that will help Latin American children."
Here are five reasons why you should check him out as he competes for the mirror-ball trophy this spring:
(1) A "Novela" hunk: His first leading role in "Cuidado Con El Angel," an evening series aired by Univision, had some of the highest ratings on Spanish-language television in 2008, but it was his sexy scenes in 2009's "Sortilegio" that left the audience breathless and asking for more.
(2) J. Lo's man candy: William was chosen by Jennifer Lopez to play the love interest in her "I'm Into You" video, and it was rumored that there was more going on between them than acting. He has denied all the rumors: "I was very grateful for the invitation to work with her in the video. It was a beautiful experience. [Plus], who's going to say no to her? She's super beautiful, an amazing woman, down to earth and so nice. I felt bad [that the media] said all those things. I went to work, she went to work, we did our job."
Watch Jennifer Lopez and William Levy get steamy in her music video:
*grins wickedly* I suggest you watch it without sound.. of course if they didn't show so much of JLO
(3) The good: He's a family man with a Jewish background; he's single with two kids by ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Gutierrez. "My children are my life," Levy told People en Español last year. "I am super happy. Having those two children is the most beautiful thing I've ever had in my life. They are amazing."
(4) The bad: He was accused of sexually abusing a female minor in Los Angeles. He denied the allegations and counter-sued for $10 million, alleging extortion and defamation. The case was later dropped.
(5) And the gorgeous: He had a career as an underwear model for N2N Bodywear before becoming an actor. Most recently, he was chosen in 2011 as one of People en Español’s "Sexiest Men Alive" and appeared on the cover of that issue.
Now watch out all.. it gets a little naughty...
What I like best about William is he looks good in ANYTHING...
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
The BOOK
Book Synopsis
Setting: Fairbanks, Alaska
Zarek’s Point of View:
Dark-Hunter : A soulless guardian who stands between mankind and those who would see mankind destroyed. Yeah, right. The only part of that Code of Honor I got was eternity and solitude.
Insanity : A condition many say I suffer from after being alone for so long. But I don’t suffer from my insanity-I enjoy every minute of it.
Trust : I can’t trust anyone…not even myself. The only thing I trust in is my ability to do the wrong thing in any situation and to put a hurt on anyone who gets in my way.
Truth : I endured a lifetime as a Roman slave, and 900 years as an exiled Dark-Hunter. Now I’m tired of enduring. I want the truth about what happened the night I was exiled-I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Astrid (Greek, meaning star): An exceptional woman who can see straight to the truth. Brave and strong, she is a point of light in the darkness. She touches me and I tremble. She smiles and my cold heart shatters.
Zarek : They say even the most damned man can be forgiven. I never believed that until the night Astrid opened her door to me and made this feral beast want to be human again. Made me want to love and be loved. But how can an ex-slave whose soul is owned by a Greek goddess ever dream of touching, let alone holding, a fiery star?
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
Just to keep it interesting.. This was the very first Sherrilyn Kenyon book I ever read and as is my wont.. I fell in love with the writer and had to read everything she wrote which lead me directly to Fantasy Lover (which was actually released a month earlier in February 2002) then the Dark Hunters.. Note she was Kinley MacGregor again.. This was a most excellent Series and plenty of fun!
the Book
Original Publication Date: March 05, 2002
Setting: Medieval ScotlandAfter losing her eldest brother to the feud with the MacDouglas Clan, Maggie ingen Blar comes up with a daring plot to get the men to forgo their hostilities–until the feud ends, no woman in either clan will bed or feed her man.
When the devilish rogue, Braden takes up the challenge to end the women’s boycott, he bites off more than he can chew, for Maggie was raised among men and knows his charming smiles and debonair ways. It’ll take more than just his good looks and well rehearsed lines to win the day and save the highland lass from the enemies who wish to see her hang.
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
the Book
Original Publication Date: September 14, 2010
Setting: Modern New Orleans
“Night Embrace” spins the story of Talon, an ancient Celtic warrior who killed the son of the god Camulus.
Camulus cursed Talon, decreeing death for everyone he loved. Now a Dark-Hunter in modern-day New Orleans, Talon meets Sunshine, who is key to ending his curse once and for all. Not to mention helping him to save New Orleans from an ancient god bent on total destruction…
To honor this momentous event, Talk Supe and Under the Covers are hosting a BDB-themed blog hop to celebrate with other BDB fanatics!
How does it work?
Post ANY Black Dagger Brotherhood related piece on your blog on ANY date between March 27-April 3. To reiterate, you DON'T need to host a giveaway on March 27 to participate. You can post anything BDB-related for this hop.
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy will be offering a 10.00 GC from Amazon.. requirements.. leave a comment, follow our page.. via email, facebook, twitter, linky or the soon to be defunct GFC
These BDB-related posts could be:
a review of the latest book, LOVER REBORN
a review of any previous BDB novel
your own fantasy cast
a giveaway
a post about your favorite Brother, Shellan or BDB book
Make sure you post blog hop button (above) at the top of your post.
To sign up:
1. Add your information to the Linky List at the end of this post.
2. Grab the hop badge code (above) and add it the side panel of your blog.
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
This is one of the last series that Sherrie wrote as Kinley MaGregor.. Her third book in the series (Please Sherrie finish it and get it released soon) was actually written By Sherrilyn Kenyon AS Kinley MacGregor
The Lords of Avalon Series
the Book
Original Publication Date: March 28, 2005
Setting: Camelot, Joyous Garde
In the darkest forest… A scared, forsaken child has become the most powerful –and feared– man in the world. Ruthless and unrestrained, Kerrigan has long ceased to be human and has become something else entirely.
In the heart of London… An unassuming peasant, Seren dreams of becoming her own woman. All she wants is to leave behind her drudgery and penury. But she never expects that running from her fate will put her in the path of her destiny. Their worlds are forever changed… Kerrigan’s goal is simple: Barter or kill Seren to claim Arthur’s sacred Round Table. But simple it’s not, for she is the one person who holds no fear of him, a woman...
Crystal, Lily and I plan to continue the ManCandy Monday Blog Hop. Our Man Candy post with link will be posted Sunday night (but our links will be ready on Tuesday, just check out the side bars to find them) so you have from Tuesday until 11:59pm the following Monday to link up.
;
I have been on this Cowboy kick lately.. Probably inspired by my youngest daughter who is off to the University of Wyoming next year.. Where she will be getting a degree in Astro Physics but studying Cowboys!!
LOVE Those Tats.. and Abs.. oh yeah love the Abs..
Coming up.. Cowboy Camo!
What can I say? He was a beautiful man... Shoot for 80 something he is STILL a good looking man..
My daughter saw a picture of him and said, you know.. he was very good looking when he was younger.. HECK YEAH
And one more just for fun
Did you really think I wouldn't have water somewhere in my post?
-Check out the other sites participating. Make sure you leave a comment about the delectable men featured.
-Remember to take time and check out the blogsites while you are visiting, you might see something you like.. ok, something else you like.. comment if you can, we bloggers love your comments
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
THE BOOK
Setting: Modern New Orleans
See how it all began… Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking the evil that preys on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power?
That is my existence, and it is dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minute of it.
Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: an accountant. She’s smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal.
My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Now I find myself wanting to believe that love and loyalty do exist.
Even more disturbing, I find myself wondering if there’s any way a woman can love a man whose battle scars run deep, and whose heart was damaged by a betrayal so savage that he’s not sure it will ever beat again.
I was looking for something interesting to write and and found this wonderful and amazing post on Heroines with Hobbies. Not only was it well informed it perked my interest..
ALL ABOUT ROMANCE wrote this fantastic piece which got the ball rolling.. Here is a bit of her post.. please hop on over and read the entire thing
Lately it seems as if most of the contemporary romance heroines I encounter lead very narrowly focused lives. If they work, that’s pretty much it. And if they have a passion for something like glass-blowing, knitting, photography, or cooking, it’s their full-time job, not a hobby in addition to another job. I don’t need a heroine’s hobbies to take up a lot of space in the book. I just like learning more about a heroine than that she’s madly in love with the hero and works 24-7. I like that she points this out.. and yes she is absolutely correct A job is not a Hobby and anyone who focuses on just one thing is very one dimensional
One heroine with hobbies who instantly comes to mind is Brianna from Nora Roberts’ Born in Ice. Brianna runs a B & B. She’s a wonderful cook, but that doesn’t count as a hobby as it’s part of her job as inn keeper. But in addition to taking wonderful care of the inn and her guests, Brianna also has a number of hobbies. During the novel she knits a sweater for Grayson, the man she falls in love with. Brianna also loves to garden. Her hobbies are woven perfectly into the book and add a great deal to her character. Grayson also appreciates them. At one point he says to Brianna, “Yes, I like your cooking.” He didn’t smile back. “And your weaving, your knitting, your flowers. The way you make the air smell, the way you tuck the corners of the sheets in when you make the bed.” Is that swoonworthy or what? Gray has always been a favorite of mine, now I remember why
Autumn Adams, the heroine of Susan Donovan’s Knock Me Off My Feet is completely different from Brianna both in her personality and her hobbies. Autumn is an advice columnist for a Chicago newspaper. But she also has a number of hobbies, all centered on sports. She plays soccer in one of the Chicago Parks Department’s recreational leagues for women. Within minutes of meeting the hero, Autumn has him drive her to a soccer game while she changes in the back seat of the car from work attire into soccer clothes. OGL who among us hasn't had to change in the backseat with a male we know.. to have to do it with one we barely know.. that could be a great moment..The scene is funny, tells us a lot about both Autumn and Stacey (the hero), but also lets us know about one of Autumn’s hobbies. Later, we learn that she’s also a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city’s two Major League Baseball teams, and likes to sail in the family boat on Lake Michigan.
Anna Spinelli, the heroine of Nora Roberts’ Sea Swept is a full-time social worker. She also loves to cook. She’s particularly proud of her red sauce, and instead of going out to dinner with Cam – the hero of the novel – on a first date, surprises him with linguini and red sauce. We see her love of cooking continue in subsequent books in the series but she also develops a passion for gardening. gotta love Anna she knew how to live life AND keep those men in hand..
Gardening isn’t a hobby for Dru, the heroine of Nora Roberts’ Chesapeake Blue; she’s the owner of a floral shop. But we learn in several brief mentions that she takes yoga classes. We never see her in class, don’t read about her struggling to do the Tree Pose, It just adds to who she is, and also gives Seth – the hero – something to fantasize about. At one point Seth asks her to have dinner with him. Dru responds, “All right, but we’ll have to eat after eight. I have a yoga class tomorrow.” Nothing major, but it adds to Dru as a character. Oh I remember that.. it was great.. just add a comment here, ALL of Nora's women are interesting. I almost always come away from her books wanting the career the heroine has from anthropologist to deep sea diver to dog trainer to fire chaser.. and all of these women are fleshed out with interesting lives beyond their career.
A number of Jayne Ann Krentz’s heroines are readers. When Hatch, the hero of Sweet Fortune looks around the apartment of our heroine (Jessie) he sees a wall of books. “The titles ranged from works on magic and myth to self-help volumes on how to find a creative, fulfilling career. There were none of the trendy books one often saw in a woman’s apartment about how to find and keep a man, Hatch noticed. The collection of fiction covered nearly every genre from romance and suspense to horror and science fiction.” In these few sentences we learn that Jessie likes to read a bit of everything. We don’t have to watch her read, or even see her go into a bookstore (which might be fun). Jayne's women often make turn their hobbies into their careers but yes many of them read and are connoisseur of good tea
Then I of course had to move on.. I wondered was there a list out there? Of Hobbies.. not jobs
I found this
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Berkley Sensation)--the H collects Ming bowls. Not vases, which he considers a vastly different field. Just bowls.
Wonderful by Jill Barnett. Clio strives to make the perfect beer. (and is just downright funny)
Mr Impossible by Loretta Chase. The heroine is very intense about her study of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Ian Thornton from Almost Heaven (by Judith McNaught) is good at drawing practically anything- his dog, his family, ship designs, etc. He's also a speed reader and naturally gifted in math and anything that involves calculations. His wife, Elizabeth has a green thumb and is good at making gardens beautiful.
The hero in The Serpent Prince (Elizabeth Hoyt) has a greenhouse.
The hero in Simple Jess (Pamela Morsi) plays pipe.
The hero in Lady Be Good: A Novel by SEP has passion for history.
The heroine in Rebel With a Cause (Harlequin Presents Extra: Maverick Millionaires) by Natalie Anderson makes trinkets/jewellery.
All They Need (Harlequin Superromance)
The hero and heroine share a love of gardening and landscape design, and fall in love while he's helping her with the grounds of her new business.
Wild Man Creek (Virgin River, Book 12) - Robyn Carr
The city heroine is a passionate gardener and decides to try and make a living selling her organic produce. The former Army hero has been dabbling in art for years but has never had the confidence to take his paintings to a professional to see if he can make money from it.
Heroine in Bedded By Arrangement is painting pictures.
Heroine in Pleasured by the Secret Millionaire (Harlequin Presents) has passion for music. She plays drums.
Hero in Rebel With a Cause (Harlequin Presents Extra: Maverick Millionaires) is painting graffities and jogging, and heroine is making jewellery (like mentioned earlier post).
Hero in 'Tis the Season: Snowbound with the Billionaire\Twins for Christmas\The
Millionaire's Mistletoe Mistress (Harlequin Anthology) has played ice hockey.
Hero and heroine in Between the Italian's Sheets. Natalie Anderson (Romance) has passion for opera.
In Nora Robert's Birthright the heroine who is an anthropologist plays the cello
And of course Good Reads has a list!!
A Duke of Her Own (Desperate Duchesses, #6)
by Eloisa James
Mr. Impossible (Carsington Brothers, #2)
by Loretta Chase
Love in the Afternoon (The Hathaways, #5)
by Lisa Kleypas
Guilty Pleasures (Guilty Series, #1)
by Laura Lee Guhrke
Flowers from the Storm
by Laura Kinsale
The Devilish Montague (Rebellious Sons Series #2)
by Patricia Rice
The Serpent Prince (Princes Trilogy, #3)
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Saving Lord Verwood
by Elena Greene
To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons, #5)
by Julia Quinn
Lady Elizabeth's Comet
by Sheila Simonson
Lord Carew's Bride (Signet Regency Romance) (Dark Angel, #2)
by Mary Balogh
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume (Two Dukes of Wyndham #2)
by Julia Quinn
Not Quite a Husband
by Sherry Thomas
Wildest Hearts
by Jayne Ann Krentz
A Lady Awakened
by Cecilia Grant
Ravished
by Amanda Quick
The Wicked Wyckerly (Rebellious Sons, #1)
by Patricia Rice
A Most Unconventional Match (Wellingfords, #3)
by Julia Justiss
Beast
by Judith Ivory
Tinker
by Wen Spencer
The Leopard Prince (Princes Trilogy, #2)
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Marrying Stone (Marrying Stone, #1)
by Pamela Morsi
Garters
by Pamela Morsi
Like No Other Lover (Pennyroyal Green, #2)
by Julie Anne Long
Desire
by Amanda Quick
To Beguile a Beast (Legend of the Four Soldiers, #3)
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Deception
by Amanda Quick
The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland, #2)
by Kristen Ashley
The Accidental Wedding (Devil Riders, #4)
by Anne Gracie
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, #1)
by Jennifer Ashley
Wonderful
by Jill Barnett
Almost Heaven (Sequels #3)
by Judith McNaught
Simple Jess (Marrying Stone, #2) by Pamela Morsi
What I learned.. people pay a lot of attention to the details.. I need to write these things down as I go.. otherwise they slip into my subconscious and I don't realize their value.. GoodReads readers have a tendency to like Julia Quinn (as this is the second list I used from there where JQ had one or more posts) Nora Roberts is undervalued even in the Romance world.. *shrugs*
So I suggest you keep a notepad near you when you read.. if you see something that gets your attention, write it down.. So you can participate in these conversations.. LOL... I know I plan on it.
And finally, do you have any books that you enjoy BECAUSE of the hobby of the Hero and Heroine?
Sherrie has written so very many great books and they are all wrapped up in a series or two.. I decided that maybe you would like to see the reading order for each series.. that might make it easier for you to follow the discussions and to figure out when your favorite book might be posted..
DARK HUNTER SERIES
0. In the Beginning.....Ash's mini story... Novella, not even that big more like a chapter
1. Fantasy Lover....... Julian's Story (prologue Dark Hunter)
2. Night Pleasures...... Kyrian's Story
3. Night Embrace........Talon's Story
3.1 A Dark Hunter Christmas ... Gallagher's Story... Novella
3.5 Phantom Lover... V'Aidan's Story Novella (Dream Hunter)
3.5 DragonSwan..........Sebastion's Story Novella (In Other Worlds) (Were-Hunter) Found in In Other Worlds
4. Dance with the Devil.. Zarek's Story
5. Kiss of the Night......Wulf's Story
6. Night Play...............Vane's Story (Were Hunter)
6.5 Winterborn..............Dante's Story Novella (Were-Hunter) ** A must read of the Novellas..
7. Sieze the Night.........Valerius' Story
8. Sins of the Night...... Alexion's Story
9. Unleash the Night......Wren's Story (Were-Hunter)
10. Dark Side of the Moon. Rayven's Story
11. Dream Hunter.......... Arik's Story (Dream Hunter)
11.5 Fear the Darkness....Nick's sorta story... eStory
12. Upon a Midnight Clear...Aidan's Story (Dream Hunter)
13. Devil May Cry.............Sin's Story
14. Dream Chaser.............Xypher's Story (Dream Hunter)
14.5 A Hard Days Night......Rafael's Story Novella
15. Archeron...................Archeron's Story
15.5 Second Chances..... Styxx and Ash Novella, not even that big more like a chapter
16. One Silent Night.........Stryker's Story
16.5 Shadow of the Moon...Fury's Story Novella (Were-Hunter) ** A must read of the Novellas..
17. Dream Warrior.......... Jerricho's Story (Dream Hunter)
18. Bad Moon Rising... Fang's Story (Were-Hunter) (HellChaser)
19. No Mercy............. Dev's Story (Were-Hunter)
20. Retribution............ Jess' Story.... (HellChaser)
21. The Guardian... Seth's Story (Dream Hunter) (HellChaser)
22. Time UnTime... Ren's Story (HellChaser)
23 Styxx (Dark Hunter) *Release Date September 3, 2013
Chronicles of Nick YA Series
Infinity
Invincable
Infamous
Inferno
The MacAllisters
Claiming the Highlander
Born in Sin (Brotherhood of the Sword, Book 2)
Taming the Scotsman
The Warrior (Brotherhood of the Sword Book 5)
Brotherhood of the Sword
Master of Desire (The Macalisters, Book 0)
A Dark Champion
Simon's Story a Novella found in Where's My Hero
Return of The Warrior **
Lords of Avalon
Sword of Darknes
Knight of Darkness
Darkness Within ** Release Date pending and pending and ....
B.A.D Agency
Born To Be BAD
BAD Attitude
Phantom In The Night
Whispered Lies
Silent Truth
Belador
Blood Trinity
Alterant
The Curse
Rise of the Gryphon **Release Date July 30, 2013
AND FINALLY
The League
Born Of Night
Born of Fire
Born of Ice
Born Of Shadows
Born Of Silence
Born of Fury
Fire & Ice A Novella found in In Other Worlds
* Any Novella mentioned is in a book of a different name.. I will endeavor to get all the book names and Novella Names connected as soon as possible
I was doing research for Tea and Book on Steampunk and I realized that there is just so very much out there and I didn't know any of it. I know you are all shocked!! But as any good sleuth will tell you.. If you don't have the information research it!! I found oodles of interesting articles on it and I think over time I am going to do a series on Steampunk.. Between both blogs I should be able to write about it without flooding either blog.
While I found an excellent discussion on just WHAT Steampunk is and posted it on Tea and Book.. For Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy, I want to focus on how to write a good Steampunk Romance Novel. To that end I found the following article on The Fancy Reader
Here is what I think a good steampunk romance needs:
good world-building (it doesn’t have to be so detailed or drastically different, but it does need consistency, realism, interesting and perhaps logic, but there are some aspects that one shouldn’t interfere with, such as the class system in a British-set story. Remember, steampunk is essentially a type of historical science fiction.)
the age of technology (some authors seemed to think mentions of goggles, science, personal machines (like sex toys) and airships were enough. No. That’s just cosmetic. It has to be part of the society’s fabric, so things like sex toys shouldn’t be treated as inventions. Inventions are a contemporary concept. Innovative modifications of existing anachronistic machines can work, though.)
good characterization (surprisingly lacking in some I read as authors spent so much time focusing on the technological aspect and the shagging.)
political activism (this is the key element, usually in form of people fighting for their rights or to break from the control in politics or social reform but grassroots, hence ‘punk’ in steampunk; the best real-life example of social movements that could be used in a steampunk novel would be the 1838-1859 Chartist movement (note: one of its leaders, William Cuffay, was a British-born black man, usually working as a tailor and after he was sent to Australia and then Tasmania, he was a social activist until his death) and the 1888 Matchgirls Strike. Anyhow, the main core is people versus control. Hell, you can even use the French Revolution in a steampunk romance. Imagine this: the nobility uses an army of steam-fuelled automata to control people until people have enough and say, “Fuck that!” and turn it round. I admit I don’t like the French Revolution, but some people do, so why not? Or you could have old Australia with its colony of convicts. It’s difficult, bearing native Australians – or indeed, the US with native Americans – in mind, but that’s the beauty of steampunk: see social construction below)
good romance (of course! Otherwise it’d be just a steampunk novel)
no magic (it defeats the whole point of steampunk)
no paranormal (no vampire, no werewolf, no demon, nothing of its kind; if they exist, then it’s best that they were the results of a scientist’s work, ranging from genetic engineering to a man-made virus; think Frankenstein or The Island of Dr Moreau, and in a small number – that means they shouldn’t be accepted as part of the norm or to be a mass. They can be seen either as someone could fight to save or free, or to destroy as they are part of Big Brother’s effort to control the world. Political activism, remember? Because otherwise, it’d defeat the whole point of steampunk.)
social mores (good manners, traditional naming system, class system and etiquette still matter, for instance)
different perspective of social construction, e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Remember: if you can change the history of a country, then you can change its laws and attitudes. Surprisingly, a very high percentage of authors failed to take advantage of this very best thing about steampunk. Most seem to show that the best they could do is associate women with traditionally male-dominant professions (professor, pilot, engineer, scientist, pirate, etc.) while keeping all major characters white and straight. If you set a story in Britain, consider the possibility of taking advantage of Britain’s neglected/ignored history: black, Indian and East Asians Britons; many were certainly born and raised in Britain before 1880s.
Queen Victoria had a godson, who was Indian, growing up in her home and becoming one of her trusted political advisers. Look it up if you don’t believe me. What if there were more like him and that it’s part of the norm? And why not?
A steampunk romance author doesn’t have to change it all for her story, but I just think it’s a shame if she doesn’t change any for her story. Example: all genders – male, female, either way – are equal, but non-whites aren’t, or all races are equal, but must be heterosexual so there would be homophobia.
In some countries with its natives, you could make it so that they would be in control of their lands without interfering with large parts of the actual history, e.g. what if the government didn’t take their lands and left them to theirs while focusing on those with no roots. It’s an empowering revision of some kind. It’s best to do it when you know how it works, but stay well away from it if you’re not sure. Basically, play it around with history in mind.
That doesn’t mean you have to think, with a US-set steampunk romance: “Oh, black and white peoples back then couldn’t marry, so I can’t try that.” We’re still in What if? land, remember? What if the history was alternative yet a parallel? Such as ancestors of African Americans chose to travel to the US as settlers with all social mores left intact? What would the US be like if there were a such thing? I suspect it’d still be the same as some parts of the US’s real-life history – the struggles were on economic issues, between the rich and the poor, regardless of race.
We already have glimpses of African Americans, American Indians/natives, Asian Americans and more trying to combat some issues in history and politics, but their contributions were cut short, ignored or neglected in real life, so in a story, we can take those real-life efforts farther in a story by making them part of the norm. Authors of historical fiction can’t do this, but authors of historical SF or fantasy can, and so can authors of steampunk. Take advantage of this, authors!
The origins don’t have to be detailed or told in a story, but it can be accepted as the norm in this universe as part of world-building. We don’t think about the origins of what we are, don’t we? Why not for those characters?
In short, a Steampunk romance can have same fashions, same social mores, same history and same time-line of technology, science and literature, but different social constructions as a result of history revisions.
the heart of Steampunk: people. Yes, there is technology, society, social issues and politics, but it’s always about people, eg. their fight for rights or rebellion against something huge, like a government, a corporation, or Big Brother. You know that part where they say “They’re controlling our lives”? That’s it. A mass would try to break free from that control.
Anyroad, Steampunk Romance is still evolving as a sub-genre. Some directions I appreciate and some directions I don’t. Particularly, the paranormal aspect. I bit my lip when I recently saw a line-up of 14 new Steampunk romances and 10 of them feature vampires, fairies and demons. What a way to miss the point, authors. What you’re writing are gaslight romances, not steampunk romances.
There is a massive focus on inventor as hero or heroine, which conjures mixed feelings in me. Half of mine thinks it’s fun and the other half of me thinks, “You guys are acting as if technology is a new thing when it should be the norm” or “Please don’t make technology the core of the story.” I mean, do we think about guns when we read a war story? Guns are very much part of characters’ lives, but they don’t revolve their lives – and for author, the story – around them.
All that said, I do enjoy reading steampunk romances and gaslight romances.
Have to admit that I honestly didn’t think, when I wrote about this type of romance on my old blog and elsewhere, that it’d ever become a sub-genre. (I couldn’t find that post, but I obviously wrote some more because Tara Marie gave a heads up at her blog here: Maili/McVane is back (oops) about a post I wrote in 2006.)
I think Steampunk Romance would remain a niche and will probably continue as a small sub-genre, like vampire romances were during 1980s and 1990s, until a couple of decades later.
Yes that is the post in it's entirety I found it absolutely fascinating.. I wonder if I was Steampunk in another life?
This post could more accurately be named By the Numbers.. or even who writes Romance but to me it answers the question who reads Romance..
I think all the broo ha ha with 50 Shades of Gray the most prevalent fact being.. is it a Romance.. and of course the answer is no. The one and only rule of a Romance is it must have a Happy Ending..
Any way.. back on topic.. Who does read Romance?
Romance is an important and vibrate genre. It has come a long way since the days of Barbara Cartland, who, according to her website, wrote 723 titles and sold one billion books, making her the most prolific and bestselling author or the 20th century. After Cartland came the amazing Kathleen Woodiwiss who was no where near as prolific but her ground breaking stories and characters lead the way for today's writers.
Romance is now a much more diverse genre than one might think, with many subjects topics, including PNR, Vampires, Shape Shifters, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, Erotic, African-American Romance and even Christian Romance..
Romance Facts:
*Who is reading romance?
64.6 Million Americans read at least one romance novel in the last year and 78% of readers are female. The are well educated: more than 80% have a college degree, with 15% having post-graduate degrees.
*Where do they live?
29% of readers live in the South, 27% live in the West, 26% live in the Midwest and 12% live in the East.
Nora Roberts is one of the bestselling authors of all times she can write a book in 45 days (I can't even write a letter in 45days). Other bestselling writers include Debbie Macomber, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Fern Michaels, Christine Feehan, Lisa Kleypas, and Stephanie Laurens.
With New Authors Like Caris Roane, Elisabeth Naughton, Jessa Slade, Dianne Duvall and Lily Graison showing up every day.( I found this information on a post labeled Interesting Facts About Romance then added my own thoughts to it)
While many insist on referring to Romance as female porn, one has to wonder what would happen if men started paying attention to this genre and it's excellent writing, character development, world building and research. Consider this.. if they movie industry paid attention we could once again have some quality movies out there, instead of yet another movie remade from a 70's or 80's TV show. There time has passed..
Since every book written by a woman and has a HEA is considered Romance what would happen if we looped the popular male writer's books into the same category.. Last I checked every Terry Brooks, Sword of Shannara has a love story and a HEA if not in every book then in every story arc.
Action books? If put side by side, no cover and no way of telling who wrote it.... who would sell better, find more readers. Julie Garwood's Contemporary series or Dan Brown? How about a good Military book? Wonder if Christine Feehan would win that one with her Ghostwalker Series? Sci-Fi? What about Sherrilyn Kenyon's League Series.. Take the "Romance" out of the label and wow.. Oh here's one.. let's compare prolific writers.. Nora Roberts against Robert Pattinson Patterson (thanks Carmen for pointing out I used Pattinson and 2 for putting him in my head).. Wonder who would sell best? If we compared quality over gender... Most books have a HEA.. think about it.. we ALL like things tied up nice and pretty..yes even men.. Except when men write a book we get mystery or action or sci-fi.. even Fantasy but when women write the same thing.. it's romance..
And face it, we women have huge expectations.. we expect our writers to excel. As women once again they must write circles around men and still get sneered at because it's "Romance". To me.. the numbers say it all. Too bad so many people swear they never read it..
We sometimes think we see the light at the end of the tunnel but have you ever noticed that it's the YA genre that allows female authors the respect they deserve? I wonder why YA books are interesting enough to attract adult male population and yet when adult women write in a similar genre they are reduced to "Romance"?
What's worse.. not only men sneer at Romance.. On this very blog I have seen condescending posts by people who make declarations like.. As in all "romances" (meaning stories where the main characters run the story.. no PNR, or Urban Fantasy or Mystery just Romance) we know there is going to be a HEA.. well shoot Woodrow.. last I checked.. Most books had a Happy Ever After.. whether written by Male or Female..
Yes I know, this book just came out.. there really is no rhyme or reason as to how I post these books.. Just know that gradually they will ALL be posted!!!
*********Note to readers...This post is for discussion purposes.. therefore many of the comments may have spoilers during the discussions. If you do not want to know them then I would suggest you not read the comments..**********
Here's the Synopsis
the Book
Original Publication Date: March 13, 2012
The world has fallen in love with Nick Gautier and the Dark-Hunters. Now Nick’s saga continues in the next eagerly anticipated volume…
Go to school. Get good grades. Stay out of trouble. That’s the mandate for most kids. But Nick Gautier isn’t the average teenager. He’s a boy with a destiny not even he fully understands. And his first mandate is to stay alive while everyone, even his own father, tries to kill him.
He’s learned to annihilate zombies and raise the dead, divination and clairvoyance, so why is learning to drive such a difficulty? But that isn’t the primary skill he has to master. Survival is.
And in order to survive, his next lesson makes all the others pale in comparison. He is on the brink of becoming either the greatest hero mankind has ever known.
Or...
It's Thursday, that means Talking about and today we get a brief insight into Oded Fehr's life. As many of you know, I think Oded Fehr is one of the absolute sexiest men alive. He is just oozes sex appeal and totally and completely catches my attention. A while back when a bunch of us were trying to pick who would make the best Dark Hunters.. I picked Oded to play Sin.. why? Because Oded is just sinfully delightful..
seventh season.
Oded Fehr (Hebrew: עודד פהר; born November 23, 1970) is an Israeli film and television actor now based in the United States. He is known for his appearance as Ardeth Bay in the 1999 remake of The Mummy and its sequel The Mummy Returns, as well as Carlos Olivera in Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Retribution, Faris al-Farik in Sleeper Cell, the demon Zankou in the TV series Charmed and Eli Cohn on the TV series V. Most recently, he portrayed Eyal Lavin, a Mossad agent, on the TV series Covert Affairs. Contents
Fehr's screen appearances include the 2001-02 NBC series UC: Undercover, the 2002-03 CBS series Presidio Med, and the 2004 movie release Resident Evil: Apocalypse (he reprised the role in the sequel, Resident Evil: Extinction). He also provided the voice of Doctor Fate in Justice League Unlimited. He also played Antoine Laconte, a male prostitute in Rob Schneider's comedy Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) and made a cameo appearance as Antoine Laconte in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005). He also acted in the American hit supernatural series Charmed, where he played the evil demon Zankou, the chief villain in that series'
Director Stephen Sommers was one of the people who helped in giving Oded his big break in the film The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.
Between 2005-2006 Fehr played Farik on the Showtime series Sleeper Cell.
In 2010, Fehr guested in the fourth episode of USA's Covert Affairs as an Israeli Mossad operative. He has also appeared in the second episode of the second season titled "Good Advices", and appears to be a recurring character.
Fehr will return to the 5th installment of the Resident Evil series.
>Fehr was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, of Jewish heritage. His mother is a day care supervisor and his father is a German-born physicist. He has an older brother (Hmmmm wonder if he's available?), a sister, and a younger half-sister. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England after taking a very brief drama class in Frankfurt, Germany. He served in the Israeli army from 1989 to 1992 and used to work for security for El Al (Israel's airline) in Germany.
Fehr is married to Rhonda Tollefson, whom he met at a Los Angeles opera. They married on December 22, 2000. The couple have two children: son Atticus (born January 4, 2003) and daughter Finley (born February 26, 2006). Fehr speaks Hebrew, English and some German.(Oh sure pretty AND smart)
Theatrical releases
Kiss of Fire (1998) The Mummy (1999) Ardeth Bay Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) Antoine Laconte Texas Rangers (2000) Anton Marsale Bread and Roses (2000) Himself - Party Guest The Mummy Returns (2001) Ardeth Bay Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) Carlos Olivera Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005) Prince Sadir Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005) Antoine Laconte Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) Carlos Olivera The Betrayed (2008) Alek Drool (2009) Cheb Fleece For the Love of Money (2011) Levi Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) Carlos Olivera
TV movies
Killer Net (1998) Victor Cleopatra (1999) Egyptian Captain Arabian Nights (TV miniseries) (2000) Robber #2 Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy? DTV (2005) Amahl Ali Akbar Documentaries
Game Over: 'Resident Evil' Reanimated DTV (2004) Himself Game Babes (2004) DTV Himself Corporate Malfeasance (2004) DTV Himself TV series
The Knock (1994–2000) Oded Fehr appeared in 1998 UC: Undercover (2000) Frank Donovan Presidio Med (2002–2003) Dr. Nicholas Kokoris Charmed (2004-2005) as recurring special guest star playing the demon Zankou, the principal villain of the shows seventh.(I didn't know this.. I thought Zankou was gorgeous nice to know my tastes remain the same) Sleeper Cell (2005–2006) Faris al-Farik Burn Notice (2008) Episode: Scatter Point Eleventh Hour (2008) Covert Affairs (2010) Episode: No Quarter Law and Order: Los Angeles (2010) Episode: Hollywood V (2011) Eli Cohn Covert Affairs (2011) Episode: Good Advices Covert Affairs (2011) Episode: A Girl Like You Jane by Design (2012) Episode: The Birkin & The Getaway
Animated series
Justice League "The Terror Beyond" (Parts 1 and 2) (2003) Dr. Fate Justice League Unlimited "The Return" (2004) Dr. Fate "Wake the Dead" (2004) Dr. Fate "The Great Brain Robbery" (2005) Dr. Fate Batman: The Brave and the Bold "Mystery in Space!" (2009) Equinox "When OMAC Attacks!" (2009) Equinox "The Fate of Equinox!" (2009) Equinox "Time Out for Vengeance!" (2011) Equinox Young Justice "Fireworks"(2010) Ra's al Ghul (credited as L-2) "Targets" (2011) Ra's al GhulGuest appearances
American Dad! Episode: "Stan of Arabia" (Part 2) (2005) Kazim Medium (2009) Dr. Thomas Statler
Video games Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest (2005)*info found on WIKIPEDIA
And for your viewing pleasure. I found this on Youtube... uploaded by Flammeythroat.. she took the time to find several clips of Oded and put them together.. ENJOY
You have to admit the man is just FINE... I could stare into his eyes forever.. well I might take some time off to stare at other parts.. but as usual to me the sexiest part is the fact that he appears the devoted husband and doting father. What can I say? I think fidelity is sexy
Hope you enjoy my first attempt at Talking About...
