The Placebo Effect Blog Tour With David Rotenberg

January 30, 2012 in Author Interviews

WLP: What is your favorite part of the writing process

DR: I’m a compulsive re-writer. It can be either very enjoyable or horrid. There are times that like a jazz musician who has pulled the chords too far apart, I lose the music. That’s the worst. Sometimes there are too many fingers in the fondue, that’s not so much fun either. The initial rush to paper in interesting-often foolish-but sometimes the best. I wait a long time before I remove anything, the oddest bit of info that’s in a scene for no particular reason all of a sudden becomes the plot turn that you need. When book two in The Junction Chronicles comes out, A Murder of Crows, note the section in the duct work when he couldn’t get the screw back in. I had no idea when I wrote that, that it would become an important plot point.

WLP: Would you want Decker’s “gift” of truth?

DR: Yes and no. In my work with staring actors I use some of what Decker is able to do. I’m extremely good at telling a person’s age, background, where they were education, how many siblings they have etc. I can also detect prevarication in a second. But as for knowing profoundly when something I true or not-nah, don’t have that-and don’t think I’d want that. Having run some pretty big institutions, a theatre and a theatre department, I think it’s important to slide on the little lies to allow things to move forward-but, you must never slide on the big lies.

That business about semblant order is something that I’m particularly good at.

WLP: If not, what gift would you want to have?

I remember sitting on a bus in New York City when I lived there and looking at all the different folks there, and wondering, what could possibly appeal to so many different kinds of people? I still wonder that, and would love to have the gift that answers that question.

David Rotenberg can be found on his Website

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Pixie gives The Placebo Effect:

A definite must read of 2012! Action packed & extremely intriguing. 

New Banner & New Theme!

January 29, 2012 in Books & Reviews

Holy hell. We have a new banner! A one of a kind type thing too! Our amazing friend Trish aka Pickyme the cover queen.

Having a mild freak out because Trish does some of the most amazing covers ever and I feel all sorts of special!

Thanks Trish, we LOVE it!

Of course I had to match the banner so I am trying out a new theme, tell me what you think

*Update* There are new buttons on the sidebar to match the new theme. So if you have the old one, the should not be affected.

February 2012 New Releases

January 29, 2012 in New Releases 2012

Here’s the February 2012 release list (UF/PNR/Fantasy/YA)! If I am missing anything, let me know! I’ve also linked it straight to Amazon, just to try it out.

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Spaz Reviews: The Last Slayer by Nadia Lee

January 28, 2012 in Reviews

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • List Price: $5.99
  • File Size: 612 KB
  • Publisher: Carina Press (December 26, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005Z1CG3S
  • Nadia Lee’s Website
Buy The Last Slayer at:

Ashera del Cid is a talented demon hunter, but when she kills a demigod’s pet dragon, the hunter becomes the hunted. Her only potential ally is Ramiel, a sexy-as-hell demon. Now the two must work together to battle dragons and demigods…and the chemistry crackling between them.Ramiel has his own reasons for offering Ashera his protection. He knows her true identity and the real reason the demigods want her dead. What he can’t predict is how she’ll react when she discovers he knew who she was all along…

Ashera is shocked to discover that she is the only daughter of the last slayer. To claim her destiny, she and Ramiel must join forces to face down danger and outwit their enemies. Only then will she be able to truly accept her legacy…

The Last Slayer is the first book in Nadia Lee’s The Heartstone Trilogy. Ashera del Cid is a hunter, and is the best you can find in the universe when it comes to hunting demons and incubi. After she is forced to defend herself from a dragon in a case keeping some executives safe from Dragon Lords, she sets in motion a series of events that reveal her to be “The Last Slayer”. The prophecy tells of her existence marking the downfall of the Dragon Lords and they of course want her dead. Enter Ramiel… the mysterious male who has made a habit of invading her dreams.

The best aspect of this book is the origin stories and lore. I love dragons so much and the world building is spectacularly vivid. Going back in to Ashera’s past and learning about her birth parents was very interesting.  Ms. Lee developed a great hierarchy of demon classes and it was well done without being overly complicated.

It is made very clear in the beginning the heroine is not attractive in appearance. Her lack of beauty has strengthened her will to be better in what she does than anyone else. Ashera was a great protagonist. She is tough, and doesn’t take shit from anyone. I enjoyed this aspect of the story a lot. The hero Ramiel is very compelling. His appearance and demeanor make him hot and I kept looking forward to him entering the scenes :)

I did have some issues with the pacing. It felt really slow initially, then it sped up and then it slowed again. Also there was an element to the story that squiked me out and I couldn’t overcome it. Demon hunters must refuel on something called “Sex” that acted as an energy drink for them. When it would be mentioned, or smelled (cinnamon flavored?) and tasted, it just really was bizarre, and disconnected me from the story. This disconnect knocked my rating down a bit, but overall, I feel it is a good start to a new Urban Fantasy series that definitely has potential. The Last Slayer all in all was a fun and entertaining read and I am looking forward to what happens next!

ARC Review: So Damn Lucky – Deborah Coonts

January 27, 2012 in Reviews

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • List Price: $24.99
  • Publisher: Forge Books;  (February 28, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0765330067
  • ISBN-13: 978-0765330062
  • Deborah Coonts Website

Preorder So Damn Lucky at:

Lucky O’Toole—Head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, premier mega-resort on the Vegas Strip—thinks it’s just another night in Las Vegas.

But then a magician pulls a disappearing act, right under Lucky’s nose. Is it a stunt? Or something worse?

While Lucky chases leads, someone is trying to put her off the scent. As if this wasn’t enough to ruin her day, Lucky’s relationship with The Big Boss is coming to a head—past hurts can no longer be denied. Of course, she is already on shaky emotional ground: Teddie, her live-in, has been touring with a young and lovely pop star. Paxton Dane, former coworker and would-be suitor, is still circling, hoping to find a chink in the armor of Lucky’s resolve.

And then, there’s this French chef, who is proving to be too hot to handle….

Lucky is the head of customer relations at a hotel in Vegas, Babylon. It’s almost Halloween when a magician’s trick goes wrong; no one is sure if it’s a stunt or if it’s something more sinister. Lucky is all over the place trying to figure out what happens, all the while her personal life is imploding around her.

Teddie, her boyfriend, has been touring the world as a musician. With a hot pop star. Dane, is still circling round Lucky and then there is Chef Hot TastyCakes, the new French chef. What is Lucky to do? Keep fighting!

So Damn Lucky is the first full length Lucky O’Toole book I’ve read, though it is the third in the series. Lucky enough (HA) being new to the series you won’t get lost, it stands alone though there are a few back stories you’ll miss and want to go back to read. Trust me, I’m starting book one soon enough!

I love this series already; it’s witty, snarky and has some interesting back stories. Lucky is one kick ass heroine and does more for the hotel then I think even The Big Boss does. Lucky is a “fixer” she’s gotta fix everything, but sometimes the fixer needs help to be fixed.

Never mind there are THREE love interests in this book and you will have no idea who to root for, they are all awesome.  Dane is the perfect gentleman, Jean-Charles is the sexy European and Teddie is the good guy turned rock star. It was hard I tell you, hard to chose!

Lucky also owns or is owned by a parrot named Newton, who I am in love with:

“Where you been, bitch?”

Who wouldn’t want a parrot that greeted you that way everyday?

“As you can tell, Newton had a very sketchy upbringing. I’m trying to teach him better manners, but parrots are like old dogs and elephants.”

I loved the action and suspense in So Damn Lucky, it was a one day read. I couldn’t put it down; I ate with my e-reader. I really tried to slow down but I couldn’t help myself, I had to keep reading! Be prepared to forget how to function and do anything but read when you get your hands on this book.

Now hurry, you have time to read books one, two and the novella before So Damn Lucky is released. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.