Wicked Lil Pixie Reviews

Katie Reus Guest Blog & Giveaway

February 1, 2012 in Guest Blogger

Thanks so much to Natasha for letting me blog here today!

I love pretty much everything about the paranormal, especially in romance. Shifters, vampires, witches, ghosts—any type of ‘monster’ is cool with me. Furry creatures will always have a special place in my heart though. I adore animals and I’m a big dog person. This translates to wolves, who are such beautiful creatures. Considering my love of romance, the paranormal and furry creatures, it was only a matter of time before I combined all three.

In Alpha Instinct, my upcoming release from Signet Eclipse, lupine shifters and other paranormal beings came out to the world a couple decades ago. Even though they’ve come out to humans, they don’t fully play by the human’s rules. They’re definitely more in touch with their animal side than most and that’s never going to change. When I started writing this series in addition to researching legends and myths about wolves (which is another post for another day) I also researched pack life, their mating habits and pretty much anything I could find on them. They’re fascinating animals and some fun facts I found are:

1. Not all wolves in a pack actually mate, often times it’s just the alphas, but when they do mate, it’s usually for life.

2. Wolves howl to communicate with their pack, to send out warnings against rivals, lone wolves howl to attract mates, and sometimes they howl just because they can.

3. There can be up to 36 wolves in a pack. This greater number is more common in packs found in Canada or Alaska.

4. In North America there are two types of wolf species: the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) and the Red Wolf (Canis rufus), and there are also many sub-species.

5. A wolf might spend up to a third of its time on the move.

6. Wolves died out in Britain in the 1700s.

7. A wolf can hear up to six miles away (if the conditions are right) in the forest.

8. A wolf’s sense of smell is phenomenal. It is 100 times better than humans.

I didn’t get to use all of my research in Alpha Instinct, but I’m a research junkie and love having useless knowledge rolling around in my head.

What is your favorite thing about paranormal romance? Or what is your favorite animal? Even though I love wolves I’ll go with Siberian Huskies. I had one for about eight years and just lost her last New Year’s Eve. She was the sweetest dog and a year later it’s still weird living without her. Answer either question or leave a comment about today’s blog and be entered to win a print copy of Alpha Instinct (US & Canada eligible only). Will run for ONE WEEK.

Alpha Instinct official blurb:

Fear has a scent. So does desire…

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.

The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.

But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…

A little about me: I’ve been reading romance since a young age—ever since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL/Signet Eclipse. To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.

Thanks again to Natasha for having me here today!

Tags: Alpha Instinct, Katie Reus
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AAD Author Spotlight: Rosalie Lario

February 1, 2012 in Author Interviews, Contests

I am so excited to have discovered this next Authors After Dark 2012 Featured author, Rosalie Lario! She is new to me, and kindly agreed to let us interview her for this Spotlight. I can’t wait to check out one of her books! But before I get too carried away, let’s begin our interview…

What is the first book you remember reading and loving as a child?

Bunnicula, the series about a vampire bunny who sucked the juice out of carrots. Clearly I was destined for a love of the paranormal. *grin*

What is your first memory of realizing you were passionate about writing?

I’ve always been a passionate reader, ever since the days of the aforementioned Bunnicula obsession. But even though I fantasized about what it would be like to write, I never thought I could do it. It wasn’t until my son was born in 2008 that I decided to try. I realized I was hooked from pretty much the moment I sat down and typed out my first words.

When you need to find inspiration in music, what do you turn to?

It completely varies based on the tone of the scene I’m writing. Some of my go-to faves are: anything by Muse for sweeping scenes, Disturbed’s Down with the Sickness for fight scenes, I Put a Spell on You (I’ve been into the Marilyn Manson version lately) for romantic scenes, and Billy Idol’s Eyes Without a Face for introspective scenes.

Do you have a guilty pleasure on TV, and if so, what is it?

Oh yeah, I love my CW shows! My two favorite are Supernatural (I’m a Dean girl all the way) and The Vampire Diaries (love Damon)!

What is the first thing you plan on doing upon arriving to NOLA for AAD?

Exploring! Ghost and cemetery tours, here I come. I can’t get enough of that stuff.

Here are the books available in Rosalie Lario’s Demons of Infernum series:

Four sexy half-demon brothers battle personal demons while hunting down real ones in contemporary New York City. The last thing each of them needs is to fall in love…

BLOOD OF THE DEMON, Book One, Demons of Infernum Series

Entangled Publishing

Keegan lives to exact revenge on the evil demon who sired and abused him. When his father devises a plan to bring upon the apocalypse, he and his three half-brothers, inter-dimensional bounty-hunters for the Elden Council, are charged with capturing and delivering their father for punishment.

Art gallery owner Brynn Meyers has no idea that her abilities to read memories embedded in objects and drain people of their life force means she has demon ancestry. Unfortunately for Brynn, she’s also the key to raising an ancient zombie army, which puts her on every demon’s Most Wanted List.

And no one wants her more than Mammon.

Keegan must protect Brynn from his father by any means necessary, but he’ll have to learn to harness the other half of his genetics—the far deadlier, uncontrollable side—when he starts to fall for the one woman standing between him and the vengeance he so desperately seeks. The one woman he’ll never be able to resist.

MARK OF THE SYLPH, Book Two

Entangled Publishing

Half-demon Taeg is desperate to free his pregnant sister-in-law, who is spellbound to an indestructible book that will create an army of the undead. He is convinced that an ancient sword can destroy the book and the spell forever, but this relic has been hidden for a millennia by a powerful glamour. The clock begins to run out on his search when an old rival goes after the book and Taeg’s family in his quest for revenge.

Librarian Maya Flores has a secret: she’s immune to magic and is well aware of the supernatural beings prowling the streets of New York City. Haunted by a brutal demon attack that took her family, she is on a one-woman mission to destroy the evil demons who did it—and any others who get in her way.

Maya is Taeg’s best hope for uncovering the sword. Unfortunately, she wants nothing more than to kill him. As he fights for her trust and to save his family, she is forced to face the truth that not all demons are evil. And the worst part? She might be falling in love with one, too.

TOUCH OF THE ANGEL, Book Three

Entangled Publishing

After months of no work, interdimensional bounty hunter Ronin Meyers jumps at the chance to locate an incubus who’s using succubi as murder weapons. Faced with the possibility of being forced to return to hellish Infernum if he fails, Ronin and his brothers will stop at nothing to take out the incubus and anyone else involved—even the beautiful succubus who stole his heart, then nearly his life, during the most mind-blowing hour of his existence.

Night after night, Amara and her fellow succubi are forced to extract special abilities from the strongest Otherworlders for their psychotic master’s growing collection. When the gorgeous angel-demon hybrid she believed to be dead captures her, Amara is both stunned and elated. But the happily ever after she’s dreamed of will have to wait. Together, they must bring down the madman hellbent on destroying them…and become each other’s salvation in the process.

HEART OF THE INCUBUS, Novella 3.5

Available January 2012 from Entangled Publishing

Biochemist Cresso Taylor lives the sort of lifestyle most men would envy—he has wealth, natural incubus charm, and more women than he can handle. But it’s not enough anymore. Not after meeting Genevieve Russell, the sexy scientist who works with him at Elcorp Laboratory. And she wants absolutely nothing to do with him.

After her fiancé broke her heart, Genevieve has had enough of womanizers. She’s determined to steer clear of sexy-as-sin Dr. Taylor, despite the fact that his incubus allure makes her want to rip his clothes off. But when a secret admirer’s affection turns to the macabre with threatening notes and grisly gifts, Cresso appoints himself her protector. As she and Cresso hunt her stalker, she discovers there’s a lot more to the sensual incubus than she ever imagined.

Formally trained as a corporate and real estate lawyer, I practiced law for 5 years before finally admitting to myself that negotiating contracts wasn’t nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. As an avid reader of romances and supernatural stories, I knew I wanted to write urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Tales of vampires, demons, and other supernatural beings ensued.

I’m currently working on the Demons of Infernum series, a series of paranormal romance novels featuring four sexy half-demon brothers and their reluctant heroines.

When not writing, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son in our home state of Florida, as well as searching out things that go bump in the night. I still haven’t found any, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

If I ever do find evidence of the supernatural, it remains to be seen whether I’ll jump around in excitement, or run screaming in terror (but I’m betting on the latter)!

To connect with Rosalie, she can be found on her website & blog, and on Twitter.

Rosalie has generously offered up an ecopy of her latest Paranormal Romance series release, Heart of the Incubus. To enter, simply leave a comment telling us … When it comes to your preferred hero… Demon, or Angel?

Tags: Authors After Dark 2012, Contests, Rosalie Lario
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Where I Blame Smexy Books & Amy For Crimes Against My Credit Card!

January 31, 2012 in Books & Reviews

I am not to be trusted with a credit card. All things bad happen when I have my credit card, like mass book purchases. But this months blame lays soley at the feet of Mandi and Tori from SmexyBooks and Amy from Fiction Vixen.

Last months blame lies all in the hands of Sophia of Fiction Vixen. She’s just as bad for my wallet. Don’t even get me started on Pam and her emails “Nat, you HAVE to read this.” Bad sidekick.

See, I’m on a bit of a return to contemporary kick, but I’ve been so focused on PNR and UF I’m outta the cool reads loop. So I asked them for recommendations and all hell broke loose.

My credit card jumped out of my wallet, onto my desk and bought itself books. Lots of books. Okay, shut up, I know my credit card number by heart (hey it’s my debit card as well, shush). But still, it did very bad things. I also blame Jane of Dear Author for daring to post a coupon code, one of which I may or may not have taken advantage of. *hangs head in shame*

My damn credit card. It’s fallen in love with Victoria Dahl and Jill Shalvis.

All I asked for was for some funny contemps and all hell broke loose in casa Pixie. So please, whatever you do…DONT TELL ME WHAT I HAVE TO READ! I don’t think I can handle it…..

*whispers* What contemps made you pee yourself or snort all while wanting a cold shower?

Tags: Book Buying Binge, Jill Shalvis, Victoria Dahl
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Darynda Jones Release Day Giveaway!

January 31, 2012 in Contests

We have ONE Audiobook copy of Third Grave Dead Ahead (released today) for one lucky US/Canada Winner! So beg, plead, tell us why YOU deserve to win this copy!

Contest ends a week today!

*A week today I have a minterview (mini interview) with Darynda about the differences in the ARC & Published Version. I will announce the winner then!*

Tags: Darynda Jones, Third Grave Dead Ahead
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