drosdelnoch from The Falcata Times talks about why we love a mystery

Today we have droselnoch from The Falcata Times visiting and giving us his take on why we love to read mysteries. dros reads (Oh man, does he read! I swear the man never sleeps. He reads a couple books day, I think.) and reviews at two blogs that he owns and runs - The Falcata Times, which reviews mysteries & thrillers, fantasy in all incarnations, science fiction and art books plus graphic novels; over at Tatty's Treasure Chest he reviews childrens books and young adult books. I've been acquainted with dros for several years, we met at Kelley Armstrong's discussion board. My first book review for a blog was for dros at The Falcata Times.  When I decided to focus on mysteries this month, I immediately thought of dros as I know he reads a lot of them. I hope you enjoy his post and stop by his blog some time to check it out.

Review of How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release date: February 22nd, 2011

More info: goodreads

Series: #1 in the Naked Werewolf series

Book Blurb:

Northern Exposure

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.
 
For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question.
 
If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

My Thoughts:

I had not read Ms. Harper before, but friends of mine who had, raved about her, so when I had a chance to get this one, I took it. I knew it would  be light and probably humorous. It was. It was also well written, a light romance with some depth and some good writing. I enjoyed it very much.

Mo and Cooper are the cliched couple who are physically attracted to each other but don't like each other so they try to resist. Harper makes their dislike feel real and not forced so it took me a while to realize the cliche she was using. Their relationship develops over time instead of happening instantly or in a brief period of time. Harper allows things to unfold naturally and doesn't rush them.

Mo is from the mainland of the USA, specifically Mississippi. She makes the radical move from the Deep South to Alaska, despite not having a job lined up, because her life needs shaking up and she really, REALLY wants to put distance between herself and her parents. Mo and her fiancee called off their engagement and she doesn't want to stay in her small town. Plus, her parents make her crazy, especially her mother. Her parents are hippies who have never quite transitioned out of being hippies and her mother tries to run her life, even letting herself into Mo's home and throwing out any food that she disapproves of.

So Mo moves to Alaska where the women are scarce and the men are eager to court them. She gets a job, makes friends, and in short order realizes that the wolf she has encountered on several occasions is actually hunky, cranky Cooper, trail guide. She begins to wonder if Cooper may be the wolf responsible for attacking and killing some of the locals. Cooper himself believes that he may be (Harper's werewolves sometimes have trouble recalling their actions while in wolf form). The wolf attacks are devastating to the town and the local US Forestry ranger, Alan Dahling, is working overtime trying to track the wolf responsible.

The story is primarily a romance with paranormal and mystery elements but it's really Mo's blossoming and finding her place in Grundy which really held my interest. Mo is strong and stubborn without being  TSTL, or too stupid to live; she's smart, funny, loyal, and able to admit when she's wrong. Harper is funny and sharp, I tweeted some of my favorite lines as I was reading the book - "Wait a minute, I recognized that scowl. That was Cooper's scowl. That was Cooper's sister." "So, it's like an olfactory chastity belt?" "Werewolves could be such horndogs." were among them.

Overall, this is a funny, easy sweet read that doesn't skimp on story or development.

This paperback was received from the publisher for review.

Review of Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: March 8, 2010

More Info: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

The steps of a charmingly complex dance—Scotland’s famous reel—are at the heart of Hester Browne’s enchanting contemporary novel of two very different sisters whose dreams may come true at a romantic Scottish ball.
 
Evie Nicholson is in love . . . with the past. An antiques appraiser in a London shop, Evie spins fanciful attachments to Victorian picture frames, French champagne glasses, satin evening gloves, and tattered teddy bears—regardless of their monetary value. 

Alice Nicholson is in love . . . with Fraser Graham, a dashing Scotsman whom Evie secretly desires. As crisply neat and stylish as Evie is cheerfully cluttered, Alice is a professional organizer determined to pull her sister out of her comfort zone—and who presents her with an irresistible offer. 

As a favor to friends of Fraser’s family, Evie jumps at the chance to appraise a Scottish castle full of artifacts and heirlooms. What could be more thrilling than roaming the halls of Kettlesheer and uncovering the McAndrews’ family treasures—and dusty secrets? 

But crossing paths with moody heir Robert McAndrew has Evie assessing what she wants the most . . . and at an upcoming candlelight gala, a traditional dance will set her heart reeling. 

My Thoughts:

I don't read a lot of straight up romances; most of the romances I read are romantic suspense or paranormal romance. But, every once in a while I crave a regular romance. This one sounded appealing - sisters (I have two, anybody want one?), dancing (not that I dance. I'm told I dance like a drunken giraffe on crutches), a castle, and a hunky male lead. 


"Swept Off Her Feet" focuses primarily on the younger sister Evie  and her romantic troubles but older sister Alice is also part of the story. In fact, Alice gets Evie the job evaluating antiques at a Scottish castle for a family having financial troubles. That, of course, is where Evie meets Robert, or Robbie as his parents call him. Like Evie, he loves his family but doesn't see eye-to-eye with him about life choices, his or theirs. Evie has a similar problem with her sister and their mother. They are waiting for her to grow up and get a real job and to stop hoarding. Now, from what I read, I'd call her a collector not a hoarder but I've had similar conversations with my own family so I empathize strongly with Evie.

That is one of the strength's of this story. Most of us don't live in castles, certainly aren't some form of royalty like Robbie's parents, but we all have family issues, we all feel strongly about our life choices, and most people just want to be accepted for who they are. Browne neatly works all these themes into the story without clobbering us over the head with them. Evie, Alice, Robbie, and Fraser (Alice's boyfriend and Evie's crush) are all likable and understandable. I found myself rooting for all of them though Alice did get on my nerves at times; Browne must have an older sister, she did such a great job of portraying Alice. (Sorry Kelly & Sarita, if you are reading this. But, it's true! :P)

Over the course of the book, Evie, Alice and Robbie all come to terms with their family issues and their relationships with each other. Learning how to reel goes a long way to building up her self confidence. Both she and her sister are very tall and not particularly graceful so dancing has always been torturous for them. The ball that Robbie's parents hold at their castle is a turning point for both Evie and Alice. But, the book doesn't end there. Evie goes back to the store where she works, trying desperately to save her job. She prefers personal, intimate antiques - diaries, plush animals, love letters, etc. Her boss prefers the bigger ticket items - furniture, oriental rugs, etc. Her job was on the line with this consult for Robbie's family. The ending is a bit pat and predictable, but overall it's a fun, well written romance with both depth and humor.

New Author JA Campbell talks about her short story & there's a giveaway!

Today we have a visit from a debut author, JA Campbell. Her first novel, Arabian Dreams, is due out August 1st of this year and her first short story, Into the West, was released yesterday, March 8th, 2011. It's part of an exciting new series from Echelon Press and marks her debut as a published author.

JA is yet another author from the Online Writers Group at Kelley Armstrong's discussion board. If you want to improve your writing and possibly get published, you really need to go join. They have about a dozen members who have gone on to be published.


 A little bit about JA:  Julie writes fantasy novels. When she’s not out riding her horse, she can usually be found sitting in front of her computer with a cat on her lap and her dog at her side.  You can find out more at her website www.writerjacampbell.com

Review of Wilder's Mate by Moira Rogers

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Release Date: March 8, 2011


More Info: goodreads

Series: #1 in the Bloodhounds series

Book Blurb:  Think a vampire-hunting bloodhound is dangerous?

Try threatening his woman.


Bloodhounds, Book 1
 
Wilder Harding is a bloodhound, created by the Guild to hunt down and kill vampires on America’s frontier. His enhanced abilities come with a high price: on the full moon, he becomes capable of savagery beyond telling, while the new moon brings a sexual hunger that borders on madness. 


Rescuing a weapons inventor from undead kidnappers is just another assignment, though one with an added complication—keeping his hands off the man’s pretty young apprentice, who insists on tagging along.
 
At odds with polite society, Satira’s only constant has been the aging weapons inventor who treats her like a daughter. She isn’t going to trust Wilder with Nathaniel’s life, not when the Guild might decide the old man isn’t worth saving. Besides, if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that brains are more important than brawn.
 

As the search stretches far longer than Wilder planned, he finds himself fighting against time. If Satira is still at his side when the new moon comes, nothing will stop him from claiming her. Worse, she seems all too willing. If their passion unlocks the beast inside, no one will be safe. Not even the man they’re fighting to save.


Warning: This book contains a crude, gun-slinging, vampire-hunting hero who howls at the full moon and a smart, stubborn heroine who invents mad-scientist weapons. Also included: wild frontier adventures, brothels, danger, betrayal and a good dose of wicked loving in an alternate Wild West.

My Thoughts:

Wilder's Mate is a blend of steampunk, urban fantasy, western, mystery, romance, and erotica. The two ladies who write as Moira Rogers have stirred and mixed the ingredients together to make an intriguing story.


Wilder is a Bloodhound, created specifically for the purpose of hunting vampires. He has both a human form and a wolf form but the wolf personality seems to rule. Unlike other bloodhounds, he has an ego strong enough to recognize what others can contribute and not just assume that he can do it all. He knows what he is good at and he knows what other people are good at and he's able and willing to use any and all tools and skills available to him. He is smart, quiet, deadly, and compassionate.

Satira comes to appreciate that quality in Wilder, along with many of his others. She is a human raised by her human mother and a bloodhound who is apprenticed to an inventor, a male inventor. Her world doesn't  appreciate women who have technical skills or think for themselves. Satira needs Wilder's help to retrieve the inventor who has been a surrogate father to her.

The story unfolds slowly, nothing is rushed.  The characters are fleshed out, but not all at once in an info dump. The story may be only a hundred or so pages but nothing is forgotten - characterization, plot, dialogue, smex, everything is there. I liked that our heroine, Satira, was not a blushing virgin. She had sexual experience if not much experience with actual relationships, but she was able to meet Wilder on a more or less even playing field (well, overlooking the differences between humans and bloodhounds). Overall, Satira and Wilder are equals in many respects and that makes for a refreshing change from many other romances.

I was a little unclear on what made this story steampunk as opposed to say a UF novel set in the old West of the USA. I have read very little steampunk so I'm still learning. That aside, I liked the mix of gadgets, paranormal creatures, details of the American old West, and romance. The story has some twists and turns, the characters are likable and engaging and the story was fast-paced but not rushed.

Go read!


This eARC was received from the authors for review.

Review of The Genie of the Portrait by Misty Burke

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Release Date: February 16, 2011



More info: goodreads

Book Blurb: 

Amanda had always been forgiving, until the night of her engagement. It was at that moment, when she found her new fiancé banging the waitress in the bathroom, that she changed. Never again. Men were not going to use her ever again.

So when she found William’s portrait and learned that his whole purpose for existing was to let her use him, an electrifying relationship resulted. This genie offered her three nights of pleasure. And Amanda quickly realized she wanted more.

My Thoughts: 

     This is a fun and sexy to read. I liked the story, though I wish it could have been a little bit longer. Still, Burke made good use of her length constraints; she went straight to the point yet at the same time she was descriptive, including some hot sex. Burke tells a sweet tale in this romantic novella.

     I liked Amanda. She shows strength when she throws out her cheating fiancé, after being his doormat for their entire relationship. I was less impressed with Jason, her ex's, behavior, when he meets up with Amanda and William on the street. I thought the confrontation could have been handled without the violence, but it does underscore his flaws and moral weaknesses. Her revenge on him was well deserved and fun to read, revenge really can be sweet.

     I liked William, he is just what Amanda needed. He behaves like a perfect gentleman, treating Amanda perfectly while also being her perfect lover. He is resigned to his fate, accepting of the consequences of his decision making. Unlike Jason, William is responsible and honorable, but he is not a stick in the mud. Amanda is also resourceful and wastes no time figuring out how to free William and maybe, just maybe, have him in her life forever. As I said earlier, she gets her revenge on Jason and oh, how inventive she was.

The Genie of the Portrait is a fun, sweet, sexy story; don't pass it up.

This review was originally published at Book Lovers Inc.

Interview with Seleste DeLaney

The beautiful Seleste DeLaney is an up and coming author, with several excellent works released in the last year. Bea and I are both lucky enough to have known her for a few years now, and she was kind enough to grant us an interview in honor of her new release, Badlands. We're very excited to have her here! Leave a comment or question for her for a chance to win a copy of the book.

Welcome, Sel, and Happy Release Day!

1) You have written paranormal romance, and, as Julie Particka, the forthcoming urban fantasy YA novel, "Pretty Souls" but "Badlands" is steampunk. Why the change? Didn't it start as a sci-fi story? Do you have a preferred genre to write in?

It did indeed start as sci-fi and was…not good in that genre. As for a preferred genre, I market myself (as Seleste) as a speculative romance author. I’m not fond of boxing myself into a corner by saying things like “I write paranormal” or “I write steampunk”. Instead I prefer to write where the story takes me. As for the YA, I tend to have fewer romantic elements there for the simple reason I have a hard time focusing on a younger love story for an entire book.

2) And on a related note, are there any genres that you are dying to do, or that you don't think you will ever do? Why or why not?

I still want to get that sci-fi out there LOL. I have a few possibilities to get it done as soon as I find the time. I used to say I didn’t think I’d ever write a contemporary (aka non-speculative), but if the right story came along, I would.

3) When you write, do you outline, are you seat of the pants, or somewhere in between? What's your writing day like? You're married and have young kids, how do you juggle it all?

I’m definitely in between. If it’s a short story, I can pants it, but anything longer and about 10,000 words in I lose the ability to pants and have to create plot points at the very least. I look at writing longer pieces like a road trip, with the plot points being the can’t miss sights along the way.

My day’s lately have been crazy as the kids have been home (ice storm knocked out the power/heat at their school). Normally I try to do non-writing work in the mornings (email, etc). Then in the afternoon (when both kids are at school) I work on blogging, plotting or editing. My prime writing time is after everyone else is in bed. And somewhere in there I try to clean, work out, eat and sleep. Needless to say, the cleaning and work outs are the first things to fall by the wayside…which I need to work on remedying.

4) What is the craziest thing you have ever done as a writer? The craziest thing you have ever done at all? Is there anything that you haven't done and want to?

This is a tough question for me in that if I’ve done something, I don’t really think it’s all that crazy LOL. As a writer, I took a piece of (almost) flash fiction and re-wrote it into a short story long enough for publication (Of Course I Try) and it became the jumping off point for my first series. Last year, I wanted to attend RT as an aspiring author and (like a lot of people) got booted to the overflow hotel. Another aspiring author I’d met only once (for a couple hours) invited me to share her room instead. Since then, we’ve gone to Vegas together and will be bunking with each other for RT LA this year as well. I also flew a plane once (debated getting my pilot’s license but decided I’d get too distracted and miss something without a co-pilot LOL). I missed out on swimming with the sharks in Hawaii because my son got hurt and couldn’t go. I’d still like to do that. I’d also like to go skydiving, bungee-jumping, zip-lining. Basically, I want to do all sorts of adventure-type things—I’m a closet adrenaline junkie.

5) Who are some of your influences? Some of your favorite writers?

Kelley Armstrong is the woman whose career I aspire to. I would love to have her success and range. So needless to say she’s one of my favorites. I also love Jacqueline Carey, Richelle Mead, James Rollins, Hannah Moskowitz, Suzanne Collins, …and this list could go on a long time…

6) Do you have a favorite character out of all of your stories? Do you feel like any of them are, or could be, you?

I love all my characters, and every one of them is a little bit like me, but none of them are a lot like me. Jocelyn (from my Blood Kissed series) is a bit like the girl I was in college, and Ever (from Badlands) is in some ways the woman I want to be when I grow up.

My favorite character though is one people haven’t seen yet (eventually but not yet). His name is Remy and he is so deliciously colorful and flamboyant, yet he’s the one in the story whose motives are hardest to pin down. You’re never quite sure if he’s a good guy or a bad guy.

7) You're very active on Twitter, and to a lesser degree, on Facebook. Why? Does that help get your name out there? Do you think that you might set up a MySpace page for Elle, Jax, and Cass from "Pretty Souls"?

I love Twitter. Love, love, love it. It’s a fabulous resource for me as a writer and great for networking. For connecting with fans though, it’s not as effective as I’d like. I have Facebook in part for that, though even there, I think fans are somewhat leery of talking to authors. (People, please talk to me! I like conversations!)

Myspace? Does anyone even use Myspace anymore? I have thought about setting up a Twitter account for the Paranormal Response Team but haven’t had the time yet. If I see that I’m getting interest from fans there, I’ll do it for sure. (Yes, Twitter is kind of the medium I prefer.)

8) I know you like to find pictures to represent your characters, if only for the covers. When you've asked for help from readers, what is the most surprising or memorable suggestion you've gotten?

I so love doing this. Honestly, I don’t always get a say in the covers other than filling out a form and hoping the cover artist gets what I’m saying. But for my own personal use when writing it is a huge help. (I can be a very visual person.) Usually I have a pretty good idea of someone in my mind when I create a character, but every once in a while I come up blank. I know for a character in an unreleased novel, I was describing him to a friend (who likes to help me with these things) as kind of a California surfer boy. She kept sending me pictures of guys with dreadlocks and stuff. Good looking men, but not what I was going for at all. Eventually, after a lot of back and forth, she sent me a picture of Kevin Zegers. I laughed and said, “If I’d told you I wanted an older, blonder Zac Efron, you would have sent this right away, wouldn’t you?” She just said yes and laughed at me.

9) What in the publishing process surprised you the most?

How easy it is for things to get lost in the mix. I enjoy editing and all that, but even though I keep two calendars (one desk calendar and one on my laptop), blog posts and interviews sometimes don’t make it on there. It kills me when I realize I’ve forgotten something or get backed up and turn it in late. With that, the sheer amount of promo there is to do is astounding.

On her blog, Seleste is giving away a copy of Badlands to a random commenter (from here or a few other blogs) who can give an example of a strong woman from their real life. She’ll draw a winner tonight at 11:59 pm est.

Badlands is available now

After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union.

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally.

ARC Review: Pretty Souls by Julie Particka

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Book Blurb: Print - Feb. 14, 2011 digital - soon


More info: goodreads

Book Blurb: Elle hasn’t been afraid of the things that go bump in the night since she became a werewolf. She'd happily give up her inner monster to get her family back though. Hell, she'd give up the beast for nothing. Of course her foster sister doesn't get it. After all, she doesn't battle with her own darker half, but vampire blood can do that to a person. 

Their nightly patrols have become more habit than necessity—until a demon spawncomes to town, ripping souls from strangers, enemies, and friends alike. When it threatens her foster mom, Elle's peaceful life is shattered, but she's not going to give up without a fight. Fighting the beast for control at the same time is more than she can handle though. Armed with more attitude than experience, Elle and her sister have to track down the demon spawn before it collects enough souls to fulfill its birthright and open a doorway to hell. 

For the first time in years, Elle is scared. She's willing to lose herself in the beast if that's what it takes, but saving the world could cost her soul.

My Thoughts:

Pretty Souls is Julie Particka’s debut novel under that name but she has several published works as Seleste de Laney. “Pretty Souls”, her first YA and the first in her Paranormal Response Team series, continues her interest in the paranormal. This book has werewolves, vampires, demons and zombies, oh my!

Pretty Souls tells the story of two foster sisters, Elle and Cass, who are not your average teenage girls: Elle is a werewolf and Cass is a vampire. They met and clicked immediately. In an unlikely series of events, they stay together through several foster families, all the while trying to blend into the human world and not draw attention to themselves. (NOTE: that was my understanding of the story but on IM, Particka says they met at their current foster home. I didn't read it that way, but I can't swear that it's not in the book.) They’ve found foster parents that they like and try to do all the right things so they can remain in a safe, loving home.

Elle and Cass sneak out at nights to patrol the town for supernatural beings but are startled when they encounter peers and other townspeople who have been turned into living zombies. These zombies are not dead nor are they rotting; their body remains unchanged but their souls are gone. The girls start to hunt for the being or beings responsible and quickly encounter more suspects than they know what to do with. Additionally, their school work suffers from their nocturnal activities and as a result they find themselves saddled with tutors. Unsurprisingly, there is more to the eye concerning the tutors than the girls first believe. Cass appears to be head over heels for her tutor, Corbin, a college student, while Elle has feelings for Jax, her tutor and a new kid in town. Elle believes that she is less attractive than her blond, tiny, and perky sister and is convinced that Jax is attracted to Cass; she worries that Cass is interested in Jax and is prepared to step aside despite her own feelings for him.

Things aren’t always what they seem in this novel, there are more secrets than they realized. Their foster parents begin to act suspiciously, and overheard whispered conversations only raise more questions for the girls. The villain they hunt lays down numerous false trails and pretty much everyone around them is a suspect. As they fumble around in their investigation, we see them learn about themselves both as supernatural beings and teenage girls. They make their share of mistakes during their hunt for the zombie maker, whom they eventually realize is trying to find a way into Hell. They feel real and are likable, even when being stupid or unreasonable.

They struggle with their feelings towards each other as sisters and as supernatural beings, with their interactions with teenage boys, and just generally fitting in, something most teens struggle with. Just like normal teenagers, they deal with family issues, school, friends, peers, and emerging romantic and sexual feelings.

The story is told in first person by Elle. She narrates the events and we get a close up look at her struggles to control the beast inside her, cope with the mundane activities and concerns of an American teenager, and her feelings for her foster family including Cass. Their devotion to each other is demonstrated time and again but is never saccharine; just like real-life siblings, they squabble and argue. Particka makes them seem real and her world is believable. The story moves along but never feels rushed and she takes her time in developing her characters. Even the minor characters that are on page briefly are fleshed out; you can imagine that you know them or could know them.

The one real quibble I have is the author's habit of being sparse with details. Actually, I mostly like that as I am not one who needs a great deal of detail about a character's looks, clothes, house, etc. However, there were several times in the story when I was confused, primarily where and when the sisters met (see above) and where the story takes place. I eventually figured out that it was in the Midwestern part of the US but some clarity would have been appreciated. To be fair, I was sick when I read it and had a killer headache so I could have missed some of the informtation.

The story ends after they find the zombie maker but not all of the loose ends are tied up. The ending makes it clear that there is another book to come. I look forward to reading it.

NOTE: The author and the reviewer are friends.

I received this as a PDF ARC from the author for review.