Release Day Giveaway (INT'L): Iced (Dani O'Malley #1) by Karen M. Moning

Oh my goodness. I am on fangirl overload right now. Just so excited, I need this right now. Right this freaking second!!!

Yup, this says it all. Perfect :)

Since I love the Fever series soooooooooooooo much, I thought I would share that love with the rest of you. So to celebrate, I am giving one lucky winner a hardback copy of Iced by Karen M. Moning. This is an extension of the Fever series. I have seen it called Fever #6, Fever World #1, or Dani O'Malley #1. I choose Dani because this is her time to shine! It is a wonderful celebration and dammit, I know there are people that are just excited about it as I am. Moning is one of my absolute favorite authors. The Fever series has put me through every emotion possible. I just can't wait to see what Moning has in store for us now especially since our leading lady is Dani O'Malley, a fan favorite. Ok, I will stop talking, I could go on all freaking day about this. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck Vagabonds!

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

More info HERE

Synopsis from Goodreads:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning comes the first book in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy, set in the world of her blockbuster Fever series.

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

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*Contest ends November 7th!
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Winner of the I Kissed A Dog Giveaway!!!

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Congratulations to Kate Smythe! You have won a copy of I Kissed A Dog by Carol Van Atta! I have sent you an email, please respond with your name and address so the book can be sent to you ASAP. Thanks to all who participated and an even a bigger thanks to Carol for the opportunity to review her work. You are so awesome hon and I am glad you stumbled on my name. Thank you all. I have another giveaway planned for you guys, so I hope to see you all again very soon. Congratulations again Kate!

Indie Book Review: Sudden Breakaway (1Night Stand Series) by Jessica E. Subject

Author: Jessica E. Subject
Series: 1Night Stand
Format: PDF
Pages: 30
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Release Date: September 7, 2012
Genre: Erotic Romance/Military/Science Fiction

Buy here:

All Romance Ebooks  |  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Decadent Publishing  |  Mark of the Stars (Jessica's Blog)  |  Smashwords 

Synopsis from Goodreads

Dressed in her black designer suit, Paige Brown recruits men and women for the Space Service. After the end of her marriage, and several failed recruiting missions, she yearns to find a way out of her lifelong contract to live a normal life. To find love again.

Jared Barnes’s life had been flipped upside down by two little kids. When his former Commander’s wife shows up to give him a reprieve, he jumps at the chance for a break, and to visit his former squad. But it is not his buddies he meets in the private suite at the hockey game, instead a woman who has been the star of all of his recent fantasies.

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      Sudden Breakaway is a short, super sexy read that left me smiling. Paige is good at her job being a recruiter for the Space Service, but it seems she has lost her spunk. She hasn't gotten anyone to sign on and it could be partially because she doesn't want her job anymore. I love this story of a woman who wants more out of life than her job. She went into it with her husband and well...things didn't work out. So since they can't work together, she is just going through with the job due to the contract. She has no hope for anything else but work. But things change when she tries to recruit Jared. I loved him. He was super sexy. I wish we had more of a story about him raising his sister's kids since she died. We get a glimpse of him and those kids together and it was adorable and funny.

      I love the chemistry that Paige and Jared share even though they have only seen each other twice. Subject gave us a nice taste of BDSM in this book. It was new and I liked it. I loved how the story ended and how Paige's life goes a complete 180. One thing I didn't like was Paige's husband. We meet him near the end and what he does doesn't match his personality. He comes off as a total ass, so why did he do what he did? I wouldn't have seen a guy like him doing something like that. I wish we got some background on that. Or maybe that is a 1NightStand story I missed. Either way, a motive would have been nice.

      Overall, this was a great read. It was 30 pages of pure sensual bliss. Though short, I did have a connection with the characters. I love that they try to better their lives with each other especially Paige. She makes a quite the big sacrifice to be with Jared. They definitely leaped off the pages for me. If you are looking for a fun and sexy little read, this is a winner.

Rating:

*This book belongs to the following challenges*
BCC's 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012
Dead Book Darling's The 2012 Short Story Challenge!

Winner of the Something Wicked Comes Giveaway!

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Big congratulations to April! You have won the Something Wicked Comes Giveaway! You will receive and paperback copy of My Favorite Fangs by Alan Goldsher and a $10 Amazon Gift Card! I have sent you an email, please respond within 3 days with your name and address. Thanks to all who participated. You all have been awesome. And an even bigger thanks to Alan Goldsher for coming on the blog and being a part of this amazing blog hop. Thank you so much guys. Please keep your eyes peeled, I will have more in store for you guys soon. Congratulations again April!

Release Day Review + Giveaway: I Kissed A Dog (Werewolves of the West #1) by Carol Van Atta

Author: Carol Van Atta
Series: Werewolves of the West
Number in Series: 1
Format: ARC PDF/Paperback
Release Date: October 20, 2012
Pages: 446
Publisher: Charles River Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy/Mystery

Buy here:

Amazon|  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  IndieBound 

Synopsis from Goodreads 

Chloe Carpenter isn't like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death. In her otherwise wacky life, she's finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he'd roar right back out. Problem: He's her new coworker and he's saved her life twice - in the past twenty-four hours. Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do - figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach. With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she's the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence. Problem: She despises him. Together, they're forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract. Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she'll do anything to keep him from Chloe.

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      I Kissed A Dog is definitely a Paranormal Romance that tickled my fancy. Werewolves, vampires and whatever you can think of in between, I had a blast with this book. Quite the page-turner for this Urban Fantasy nut.

     The characters in this book were so different and a lot of fun. No dull moments that is for sure. Our main character Chloe has a special ability. She can talk to animals through telepathy which is why she works at the zoo. But she can only do it with animals, so she finds it extra weird that she can hear the thoughts of the new hot vet that comes in to work with her. I really liked Chloe, but she could be a bit confrontational at times. Chloe snaps at Zane sometimes when he does something that seems a bit jerk-worthy. She was quite the feisty one, but it she wasn't annoying and that is what matters. Zane was delicious as hell. Book boyfriend worthy. I do like the mystery of why he was working at the zoo. There is a lot more that meets the eye.

      I also enjoyed Zane's sexy friends as well especially the vampire Alcuin. He made me giddy. I loved the friendship they all have. Not like the usual vampire vs. werewolf Actually, it isn't the usual anything. Atta does a great job putting her own spin on vampire/werewolf mythology which I love. Another thing to love were the villains and Atta gave us plenty to choose from. You have Jazmine, who from the first sentence you can tell would be the mega-b****. And boy, that is not even the half of it. Zane was promised to her as a mate and with Chloe in town, that messes up whatever plans she has up her sleeves. Zane doesn't trust her because she craves power and Zane can give that too her. Not to mention, he feels she may be behind the murders that have been going around town. But he has no proof.

      The story is action packed and very thrilling. There seems to always be a bump in the road and the further you go, that bump gets bigger. I love the supernatural mystery Atta gives us. You think you have things figured out, but there is much more to it than you think. That is especially true given the ending of the book. It is not over, boy it is not over. What a rush.

      This is a wonderful read. The story was suspenseful and full of mystery. I couldn't put this down. Although the only complaint I do have is the cover. It is a beautiful cover, but Chloe should be darker. Her and the wolf actually. I am just saying. Nonetheless, this was a page-turner. I am uber-excited for book 2. I Kissed A Dog has definitely left an impression and I have every intention on getting book 2 the moment it comes out. One of my favorite reads of 2012!

Rating:

*This book belongs to the following challenges*
BCC's 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Speculative Romance Reading Challenge 2012 

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About Carol Van Atta:

Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included) and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper. 

Devouring books from numerous genres, she developed a deep thirst for more reading materials, and could almost always be found with her nose in a book. 

CAROL has contributed to several popular anthologies and devotional books, her first novel, Slaying the Shadows, a spiritual thriller, was selected as one of Christian Women Today’s Top Summer Reads 2005. 

She lives in the rainy wetlands of Oregon with her terrifying teens and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. It’s been rumored this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered two suspicious red marks on her neck.   

As a result of this genre-jumping, she has completed, and is awaiting publication for I Kissed a Dog, Book One in the Werewolves of the West Series.

In summary: Carol is a cross genre author with a wide ranging style for a wide range of readers. 

Follow Carol Van Atta Here:

Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Official Blog  |  Official Website

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Giveaway Time!!!

One lucky winner will get the paperback copy of Carol Van Atta's I Kissed A Dog. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

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*One winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter
*Contest ends October 28th!
*Open US only!
*Book provided by Carol Van Atta

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Just because :)

  

Winner of the Phoenix Blog Tour Giveaway!

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Congratulations to Scott!!! You won a physical copy of Phoenix plus three audiobooks of God's Eye, Resonance, and Vengeance all by A.J. Schudiere. I have sent you an email, please respond within 3 days with your name and address. Thank you so much to all who participated and huge thanks to JKS Communications for throwing this amazing tour. Congrats again Scott!!!

Release Day Review: Night of the Chupacabra (The Chupacabra #1) by Michael Hebler

Author: Michael Hebler
Series: The Chupacabra
Number in Series: 1
Format: ePub
Release Date: October 17, 2012
Pages: 180
Publisher: Night After Night Publications
Genre: Horror/Western/Historical Fiction/Mystery/Thriller

Buy here:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Books-A-Million  |  Google Books  |  Smashwords

Synopsis from Goodreads

Post Civil War. Families move west to begin rich new lives, only some never make it. There is a creature that lurks in the vast open deserts of the west. It can only survive on blood and, although it prefers to prey on the weak and young, it will slaughter anyone or anything, once provoked. It is unnatural, deceptive, and difficult to kill. Word about the existence of this elusive beast has not spread since anyone who has crossed paths with it did not live long enough to tell of their account. Night of the Chupacabra is one man’s journey to reunite with his missing family, while the lethal creature that separated them, the mysterious and ravenous chupacabra, is never far behind. Night of the Chupacabra is not only a gruesome regale of carnage, but a unique combination of science fiction bloodshed with a more poignant tale of lost love set against a Western backdrop. Night of the Chupacabra is an unflinching look at the impossible choices made for family, while knowing the consequences will ultimately lead to a fate worse than death.

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      Night of the Chupacabra is a great Horror-Western that is perfect for October. Night of the Chupacabra follows a man, named Drake, and his family traveling to west for a better life. One night while resting from all their travels with not too far to go, they end up meeting something terrible in the desert. They don't know what it is. All they know is that it looks like a man, it is fast and it wants to eat something...or someone. After tragedy strikes, Drake is on a journey. While he stumbles on a town, he gets more more than he bargained for, both from the townspeople and from the chupacabra he thought he left behind.

      Wow, what a wonderful read this was. The story was very thrilling and well paced. Night of the Chupacabra is much more than a monster story. It is the story of a man who needs closure. Drake has lost so much, but he is on a mission. He is trying to find his lost wife. He doesn't believe she died when the chupacabra came and took out their camp. He travels send him to a secluded town named Dillmore (well valley), and as expected, everyone is frightened of Drake due to the scars on his face. Everyone is suspicious of him because they believe he is trouble. There are a few snags while he is staying at a bar, but things take a turn for the worse when it seems the chupacabra has followed him into town and a mistake was made with the locals.

      I loved our main character Drake. He knows his looks make people rude, scared, and sometimes homicidal. But he doesn't let that faze him. He does what he can for his lost love. He doesn't let the stupidity or expectations of others stop him or make him into the monster they think he is. But my absolute favorite character in this book was the little girl Jessie. She has been taken in to work for the bar by selling matches, but she is such a tough girl. She has seen and heard enough that she has quite the backbone and a lot of street smarts. She is the youngest person in the book but she is smarter than most of the adults. The story is full with quite a bit of villains as well. One in particular named Charles. He seems to have the sheriff wrapped around his finger and wants nothing more than to put those he thinks are doing him wrong in jail or worse, for instance Raul. Raul plays quite the role in this book, but I must say, as helpful as he was, he rings some alarm bells for me. Same thing goes for the sheriff, but he was more upfront about it. Just wait until you hear their stories and how they connect to Drake, the sheriff is definitely something. Goodness, it is hard not to spoil.

      This was an amazing. The story had me at the edge of my seat from page 1. With every chapter, something new is revealed. And even though this book is done, there is still more to uncover. The story is so action packed and heartfelt, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this story. I know of the chupacabra and this is the very first story I have read featuring the mythical creature. I am glad this was my introduction because Hebler really gave us quite the take on the chupacabra. I love the story behind it and the mythology behind the creature. This is a horror story you shouldn't miss. I can't wait for book 2. I am officially a fangirl.

 
Rating:

*This book belongs to the following challenges*
BCC's 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012

Winner of the Primal Book Tour Giveaway!

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Big congratulations to Fiery Na!!! You won an ecopy of Primal by D.A. Serra. I have sent you an email, please respond within 3 days to confirm your email address and Serra can send you the book as quickly as possible. Thanks to all who participated and thank you so much D.A. Serra for having me on board of your tour. Congratulations again Fiery Na. You are hitting quite the jackpot here LOL!

Something Wicked Comes Blog Hop - Interview & Giveaway with Alan Goldsher

Hello my fellow Vagabonds! I am so glad to be apart of the Something Wicked Comes Blog Hop (click the banner below the header for tour dates). Today I have with me here today author Alan Goldsher. His book, My Favorite Fangs: The Story of the Von Trapp Family Vampires, is my feature today. It is the more fun and quirky side of Halloween, but it is no less creepy. Keep reading and see how you can not only win this book, but also a $10 Amazon gift card from me. Enjoy!

Let's get the ball rolling!

OBVB: Welcome to Offbeat Vagabond! To start things off, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

AG: I’m from Chicago, and I like the Bulls and the Bears, eating sushi, listening to jazz, sitting at cafes and reading, playing with cats and dogs, doing yoga, watching quality television and movies, and barbecuing. And I’m a Virgo.

OBVB: When did you realize you wanted to be an author?

AG: I didn’t—I was a musician, and fell into writing. I’d been playing bass professionally for about 15 years when I hit the wall and decided to move on. I landed a copywriting job at a music marketing company—and that’s music marketing, as in “Buy 1, Get 11 free”—which I took to immediately. Eventually, I realized I could do more than write hype, so I tried banging out a novel. And then another, and then another. Turned out that I was a better writer than a bass player, so here we are.

OBVB: What author or authors have inspired you to write?

AG: When I write serious fiction—which, these days, isn’t nearly often enough—I’d go with Nick Hornby and John Irving. They create characters I feel, and plotlines I admire. Non-fiction-wise, these days I mostly ghostwrite other people’s projects, so my job there is to be uninfluenced, to be a blank page who can bring my client’s voice and vision to life. It doesn’t sound sexy, but it’s always a fun challenge.

OBVB: I noticed music plays quite the role in your books, what are your musical influences? Anyone you are listening to right now that you can't get enough of?

AG: First and foremost, I’m a jazz guy. Among my faves: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Chick Corea, Tommy Flanangan, Wayne Shorter…I could go on. Favorite non-jazzers include David Byrne, Bruce Springsteen, Ben Folds, A Tribe Called Quest, and Foo Fighters. And if you’ve read my book Paul Is Undead, you know I’m a total Beatles nerd.

OBVB: I had a lot of fun with My Favorite Fangs, where did the idea of the book come from?

AG: It was generated during a meeting at St. Martin’s Press, the publishing house who released it. My editor—who I’d worked with several years back on a Modest Mouse biography—enjoyed Paul Is Undead, and figured I’d have a good time with it. And he was absolutely right.

OBVB: Who did you have the most fun writing and why?

AG: I had a blast with all the characters, but there were a few scenes that particularly stood out, for instance the bit in the ballroom where Maria and Captain von Trapp have their stomach issues, the party where Gretl and Friedrich are thrown into the lake, and the epic Liesl/Rolfe battle at the gazebo. The vampire book club and NPR interludes were also a hoot.

OBVB: Are there any traditions you follow during Halloween?

AG: Avoiding getting shaving creamed.

OBVB: What is your favorite horror film?

 

AG: Shaun of the Dead. Yeah, it’s not a straight-up horror film, but it has lots and lots of zombies, so deal with it.

OBVB: What freaks you out the most?

AG: Kale. It tastes like a sewer. How people eat it, I have no idea.

OBVB: If you can be any supernatural creature, what would it be and why?

AG: Superwriter, the man who writes seven perfect books in seven enjoyable hours, all of which hit the New York Times bestseller list!

OBVB: Last but not least, are there any projects you have lined up that we should be looking out for?

AG: Most every Thursday at 6:00 ET, I host an online talk show called BOOK IT, the first interactive show about writing, reading, and publishing. Visit http://www.AlanGoldsher.com for details. Writing-wise, I’m wrapping up a book about Miles Davis, and juggling a few cool ghostwriting projects. There’s also some interesting fiction bubbling in the back of my pretty little head…

OBVB: Thank you so much for visiting Offbeat Vagabond. Hope to have you here again.

AG: And thank you! It was a ton of fun.

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Alan Goldsher Bio:

Alan Goldsher has written two works of non-fiction, two ebooks, and nine novels, including the acclaimed mash-up Paul Is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion, which Parade called “Bloody brilliant.” As a ghostwriter, Alan has collaborated on books with numerous celebrities and public figures, including actor/comedian Kevin Pollak (A Few Good Men, The Usual Suspects), film director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and guitarist/vocalist George Benson. He is also the host of BOOK IT, the first interactive talk show about writing, reading, and publishing.

Goldsher’s music journalism has appeared in Bass Player and Guitar Player, and his sportswriting has been seen in ESPN The Magazine, ESPN.com, NBA.com, and ChicagoBulls.com. During his 10-plus years as a professional bassist, Goldsher recorded with Janet Jackson, Cypress Hill, and Naughty by Nature; toured the world with Digable Planets; and performed at the 1994 Grammy Awards.

Alan lives and writes in Chicago.

Follow Alan Goldsher here:

Facebook  |  Official Website  |  Twitter 

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Check out my 3 star review:  

My Favorite Fangs: The Story of the Von Trapp Family Vampires 

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Giveaway Time!!!

 

One lucky commenter will win a copy of My Favorite Fangs by Alan Goldsher and a $10 Amazon Gift Card (courtesy of Swagbucks, so it will be split up aka two $5). All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck and Have a great Halloween!

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*One winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter
*Contest ends October 20th!
*Open US only!
*Book provided by Alan Goldsher

*Gift card provided by Offbeat Vagabond

Something Wicked Comes Blog Hop - Book Review - My Favorite Fangs: The Story of the Von Trapp Family Vampires by Alan Goldsher

Author: Alan Goldsher
Format: ARC Paperback (St. Martin's Griffin)
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Pages: 294
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Horror/Humor/Parody/Paranormal Romance

Buy here:

Amazon|  Barnes & Noble  |  BetterWorldBooks  |  The Book Depository  |  IndieBound

Synopsis from Goodreads

Maria von Trapp is sweet, innocent, and can sing like an angel. Oh, and she’s also a bloodthirsty vampire. When Maria is kicked out of the Abbey where she’s been residing for the past thousand or so years, she lands a job caretaking the family von Trapp, a rowdy clan in need of some serious discipline… or vampirification. After Maria turns the von Trapp children into children of the night and marries the von Trapp patriarch, the family seems destined for eternal (really, really eternal) bliss. But Hitler’s Undeath Squads are on the march, intent on ridding Europe of bloodsuckers. And Maria will have to do everything in her power—supernatural or otherwise —to save her vampire brood. In the open vein of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, Alan Goldsher's My Favorite Fangs is a hilarious horror novel that will have readers screaming, ”Do Re Mi.” Or just plain screaming.

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      My Favorite Fangs is The Sound Of Music with vampires, zombies, John Coltrane's ghost and Nazis. Yup, that should tell you all plenty. This is a crazy and fun read. Given that The Sound of Music is a childhood favorite, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read this.

      Maria is a very interesting lead. She is a vampire and she loves that she is a vampire. She wears tight black catsuits and kills anything in sight. But she is quite the bad seed. She lives in the Abbey of the Dead. It is fill of zombies and one zombie in particular Mother Zombie (aka Mother Superior. Love it!). So Mother Superior kicks Maria out and tells Maria to become a governess for the Von Trapps. Maria, of course, is not happy about looking after children that may actually burn her alive, but Maria has other plans up her sleeve for the Von Trapp children.

      Maria is a very quirky character as I have mentioned. But she is nothing compared to the Von Trapp children. They are spoiled as hell and quite frankly, homicidal. Maria doesn't take this lying down. So in order to control them, she turns them all into vampires. And surprisingly, things start to look up. We then meet Captain Georg von Trapp and his lover, Lady Baroness. The Captain is either too stupid or drunk (most likely both) to notice that something is off with the Baroness. But Maria knows and they both have a feud. The Baroness and Maria were a lot alike. More than I think they would admit. I loved the rivalry that took place between them. They are both witty characters and are very shameless, especially Maria. She has no filter whatsoever.

      Goldsher definitely knows his musicals and he did wonderful job showcasing that. The characters personalities aren't quite like how they are in the movie. Well not at all actually, this is not safe for children or people with a full stomach. It is gross. For example, when we first meet the Captain. Oh boy, I won't be eating oatmeal for a while. Maria is also quite the wild one. Like I said, she has no filter. She has absolutely no respect for life period. She kills at will and is so joyous about it. Definitely not the way I would imagine Julie Andrews, that is for sure.

     Now as much fun as I had with this, there were quite a bit of problems. But what is more interesting about that is that Goldsher actually points out the problems in the book. It reads like a story that is actually talking to you. It is very interesting. But some problems I had is that I didn't necessarily connect with the characters. I would never want to know any of them. They are too much. Another problem I had was the actual romance between Maria and Georg. I don't know, it seemed to have come out of nowhere because there was no chemistry between them. Hell, Georg can't even remember her name. I believe he only got it right once. He is drunk 99% of the time we see him in this book, so that could be the reason for his lack of a personality (and memory). Another issue is that the plot can get a bit confusing which Goldsher points out in the book. It seems to bounce to one thing to the other. We have Maria turning the kids, the money-hungry talent agent that wants to get rich off the kids, the rivalry between Maria and the Baroness fighting over the Captain, Nazis wanting the Captain to join their ranks and more. Like I said, this books is crazy.

      I love the amount of pop culture Goldsher throws in this book. We have the maid in the house that is “mistakenly” called Alice and the butler “mistakenly” called Albert. I love how Goldsher mixes up the decades in this book. For instance, the book is set during World War II, but John Coltrane's ghost makes an appearance. But Coltrane was still alive at that time. But this was a favorite scene for me. I loved when Maria nicknamed him “Chocolate Thunder”. I couldn't stop laughing. There was also a mention of an iPhone when the Baroness wanted to give the Captain's kids away to a Nazi general. I love where the story goes when it came to that general. Boy, what a bloodbath those kids can make.

      Overall, this was a fun parody. It is campy, crazy, shameless, nasty, and gory as hell. A perfect choice for Halloween. Some parts of the book may make you a little uncomfortable, like I said, not for kids although teenage boys would have a blast with this. It is definitely the kind of read you just have to accept it for what it is. This is meant to be a fun and quirky read for us horror fans that love a laugh while still getting blood. I liked this book and I hope you do too.

Rating:

*This book belongs to the following challenges*
BCC's 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2012
BCC's Speculative Romance Challenge 2012
BCC's Zombie Reading Challenge 2012  

Winner of the Pretty When She Kills Giveaway!

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Big congratulations to Fiery Na.! You have won the Pretty When She Kills giveaway by Rhiannon Frater. You will receive Pretty When Dies and Pretty When She Kills in ebook format. I have sent you an email, please respond within 3 days to conform your email address so Frater can send you the book ASAP. Thanks to all who participated. You all have been amazing. And big thanks to Frater for having me be apart of her amazing tour. Thank you again and congrats again Fiery!

Phoenix Blog Tour - Review + Giveaway by A.J. Scudiere

Author: A.J. Scudiere
Format: ARC PDF (Netgalley)
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Pages: 361
Publisher: Griffyn Ink
Genre: Contemporary/Mystery/Thriller

Buy here:

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble  |  The Book Depository  |  BetterWorldBooks

Synopsis from Goodreads

Jason Mondy’s world is unraveling.

His seemingly secure job as a fire fighter is suddenly thrown into chaos. The bright spot in his week is that he rescued two children from a house fire, but he returns home that night to find all his furniture is missing. His girlfriend has left him without warning and his nightmares keep him from sleeping. Even just a simple trip home to find some rest leads his adoptive mother to sit him down and tell him that maybe his troubles aren’t quite as innocuous as they seem. Then his she divulges a secret she’s kept for over twenty-six years . . .

Jason has a brother he doesn’t remember existed.

He doesn’t remember his life before he was adopted at age seven. He only knows that he was rescued from the fire that took his birth mother’s life. But the story is deeper than that, and the foundation on which he built his world is now cracking. The brother he doesn't remember it out there somewhere, left behind.

Armed with only this stunning new piece of information, Jason embarks on a quest to find the truths buried deep in his past. As he searches, one by one the pieces of his life fall like dominoes. And the more he uncovers, the more everything he thought he knew about himself and his past begins to turn to ash.

His truth isn’t true at all . .  

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      I really enjoyed this story. It is a read that stands on its own because the style is unique. A.J. Scudiere has shown me a world that had substance and felt very real. Scudiere knows how to build suspense, without it feeling over dramatic or forced.

      I like our main character Jason. He is dealing with so much. It seems everyone around him has a secret they are keeping from him. The biggest one from his adopted mother; he finds out he had a brother and he may or may nor be dead. His world is upside down and you connect with him. You feel sorry for him because life as he knows it won't be the same. I love how the opening scene effects Jason so much. It opens up a floodgate since he keeps having these nightmares about the house and the boys he saved. He doesn't understand it, but he brain is connecting the puzzles. I love where this goes.

      The story is good. I love the journey that Jason takes and the things he learns. He is a very humbling character. After being named a hero for saving the boys, he doesn't like taking credit for it. Problem is, Jason is not the most social guy, so he doesn't really want the attention. But his chief wants to make him the face of the station, but he won't tell Jason what is going on. And him being the face brings him attention of reporters. One reporter in particular will just complicate Jason's life even more. We also find out that what the firefighters have been told about the fire isn't entirely true. Then we have the story about Jason's lost brother. I love the search he goes on and the people he meets along the way. I don't want to spoil anything, but wow, this was a great mystery.

      As much as I enjoyed this, I did have an issue or two. I know that Jason is a firefighter, but there were quite a bit of scenes that took place at the firehouse that I don't feel were absolutely necessary. I am not saying they were bad or anything, but I would have preferred this whole book be told from Jason's POV. Just some of those firefighter scenes slowed the story down a bit for me.

       This is such a hard review for me because this is different and it is hard not spoil. Overall though, this was a great story. Scudiere definitely has a style all on her own. And yes, I said her. I was surprised that this was written by a woman. I don't mean anything mean by this, but Scudiere really understands the male mind. She gave use a mysterious and suspenseful read that really sucked me in. Like I said, it feels like a real story. This could have been a memoir...well Jason's scenes anyway. Even with a few slow moments, this is a surprising page turner. Jason is a great character that you need to know.

 

Rating:

*This book belongs to the following challenges*

BCC's 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012

BCC's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012

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About A.J. Scudiere

It’s A.J.’s world.  A strange place where patterns jump out and catch the eye, little is missed, and most of it can be recalled with a deep breath; it’s different from the world the rest of us inhabit.  But the rest of us can experience it—when we read.  In this world, the smell of Florida takes three weeks to fully leave the senses and the air in Dallas is so thick that the planes “sink” to the runways rather than actually landing.

For A.J., texture reigns supreme.  Whether it’s air or blood or virus, it can be felt and smelled.  Reality is always a little bit off from the norm and something usually lurks right under the surface. As a storyteller, A.J. loves irony, the unexpected, and a puzzle where all the pieces fit and make sense. Originally a scientist and a teacher, the writer says research is always a key player in the stories. AJ’s motto is “It could happen. It wouldn’t. But it could.”

A.J. has lived in Florida and Los Angeles among a handful of other places.  Recent whims have brought the dark writer to Tennessee, where home is a deceptively normal-looking neighborhood just outside Nashville.  


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a Rafflecopter giveaway

*One winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter
*Contest ends October 16th!
*Open to US!
*Book provided by A.J. Scudiere

Primal Blog Tour - Review + Giveaway: Primal by D.A. Serra

Visit HERE for tour schedule!

Author: D.A. Serra
Format: PDF
Release Date: May 13, 2012
Pages: 260
Publisher: Perry Street Pictures
Genre: Crime/Thriller

Buy here:

Amazon|  Barnes & Noble  |  BetterWorldBooks  

Synopsis from Goodreads

This thriller story, originally purchased by one of America's most popular storytellers, James Cameron, is now a novel!

What if the worst happens and you're not a policemen, or a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart. What if you're a schoolteacher - a mother? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must kill or watch her family die. And then, things gets worse.

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      Brilliant! That is really the only word I have to describe this book. Primal just takes you to a place that is fast paced, aggressive, emotional, and well...primal (couldn't help it). This is a story I will be telling everyone to read because I think it is essential for people to. This may not be based on a real story, but it felt that way. You get an instant connection these characters and the situation that has been forced on to them. One of my favorite reads this year and I can guarantee that it will most likely be one of yours as well.

      I love our characters. It feels so real. I couldn't help but just imagine myself and people I know as these characters. It is hard not to place yourself in this book. Our main character Alison is a school teacher, a wife, and a mother. She is a sweet and loving woman who likes to bury herself in books. To treat her son for his birthday, they go on a fishing trip at an old cabin. Sadly, they were not aware of the prisoner (who is on death row) who escaped with his equally psychotic brothers heading at the same lodge. Alison finds herself outside looking in while her son and husband are trapped inside with the murderers. Alison starts off scared, but something quickly takes over her and she will fight to the death to save her family. And all of this happens in the first half of the book. There is not just one climax and then it is over. There is so much more.

      I love how we dive into her family and how their lives are after what happened as well. Her husband Hank loves her so much and like at the lodge, he feels helpless to help Alison. There is so much disconnect between them. Hank was a great supporting husband and seeing him struggle with himself and with trying to connect with his wife was heartbreaking. I was most proud of their son Jimmy. Being a kid, he is able to look at the situation in a different way. The more he shares it with his friends, the more he feels like he was part of a game and it doesn't scare him. Then we have Ben, the main criminal. He was nothing like his brothers, he knew the right things to say, how to be calm and had great instincts and it made him more terrifying. All the brothers put you on edge, but Ben was just too calculating.

      This book started off as a screenplay which has been purchased by James Cameron himself and for good reason. This book would make a fantastic film. The plot in Primal will have your face buried in it. The suspense and the intensity is almost staggering. You will have a hard time taking your eyes away from it. The story is just incredible because it shows things from both sides. We have Alison trying to save everyone in the cabin and we have the new her adjusting to life after the chaos. Just reading this, you feel all the emotions they are going through and with Alison, it is the toughest. She is lost, full of fear, anxiety, and anger. I won't give too much away, but I couldn't blame her.

      Primal is a book that will be stuck in your head for a very long time. It forces you to ask yourself, “What would you do? How far are you willing to go to save those you love?” This is one hell of a debut. Serra has quite honestly written a classic. She even even takes it all a step further by showing us the aftermath. I mean how do you adjust to life after something like this? Can you ever find balance? Can you ever get back to what is normal? Primal definitely strikes a chord especially if you are a mother. This is an intense, psychological thriller that will leave a mark. It holds no punches and it will leave you breathless. If you are looking for a thriller to add to your bookshelf, look no further. Primal is an absolute must read.

Rating:

+1 




*This book belongs to the following challenges*
BCC's 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012 
BCC's Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012 

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About D.A. Serra

Serra was a screenwriter for twenty years and recognized by the Writer’s Guild for her long term continuous employment. She has written ten TV movies, six feature films, and numerous TV episodes including two years as a staff writer for NBC.  She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego, Wofford College and at writers’ conferences nationwide.  Serra has now turned her attention to novels, and she was honored as a recent recipient of the prestigious Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, and as a semi-finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award given by the Faulkner Society in New Orleans, LA. 

Born and raised on the East Coast, Serra has lived for many years in Southern California with her husband, three children, and several family dogs. 

Her interests include: ballet, music, The Science Network, and Tequila.  She travels extensively including: trekking the Gorillas in the Congo, observing the British Columbian Kermode Bear in situ, whale watching, dog-sledding, and helicopter skiing, among others.

  

Visit D.A. Serra website! 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

*One winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter
*Contest ends October 13th!
*Open Internationally!
*Book provided by D.A. Serra