Hello Readers!

First thing is first, the Bag O’ Swag winner from the last chat is Raelena P.! Raelena, please email me at racoo.smith at gmail.com (no spaces) with your name and address so we can send your goody bag out. Welcome to our Daily Book Chat.

Today we are discussing Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire.

Please remember to identify spoilers, especially if they refer to events later in the series.

1.) This book has received a lot of attention and praise for its atmosphere. Is that characteristic one of your favorite aspects of the series, or would you choose something else?

2.) How do you like October as a main character?

3.) Who are you favorite secondary characters?

Books in the October Daye series in the order they should be read:
Rosemary and Rue
A Local Habitation

Note: If you are going to post major spoiler, be sure to post this first in your comment. Do this

****SPOILER*****
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Just copy and paste that, then your commentary.

That way others can avoid them if they want. This is called Spoiler vision.

Contest: One lucky winner will win a bag of author swag, open to readers worldwide. NOTE: You need to come back to the next book chat to find out if you have won or not! All you need to do to enter is.

1. Answer the book discussion questions above, comment and chat here today. You must leave at least one comment, answer or question on the book title we are discussing. Even if you haven’t read it. You could ask what makes the characters so compelling to others, or have them convince you to buy the book. LOL Just because you haven’t read it doesn’t mean you can’t chat with us.

2. Attend the Interview, Chat and Contest With Author Candice Gilmer today at 12 central.

3. RSVP For: 2/10 Release Party, Contest and Chat with Author Moira Rogers here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19245

4. Enter the FREE BOOK giveaway here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19514

5. Invite a bunch of your friends to come and chat with us today! Here’s the direct link so they won’t get lost.

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19543

Also be SURE to check out our amazing line up of other author events this month here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=4

Support our site by using these links to shop for books, videos, music, games and more:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=searchbbb-20&camp=211041&creative=374001&linkCode=qs1&adid=0JYP806CJHBHKZZ1FPFS&

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/?afsrc=1&lkid=J14331750&pubid=K158391Daily Book Chat and Contest -

RSVP For: 2/10 Release Party, Contest and Chat with Author Moira Rogers. Event starts at 12:00 pm Central and runs all day and into the night. Contest runs until 11:59 pm Central on 2/16/10.

Description: Join us with author Moira Rogers for a release party, chat and contest at http://bittenbybooks.com/. She will also be talking about her newest release Crossroads.

She is also giving away several AMAZING prizes to contest entrants!

Sony Digital Reader Pocket Edition - Silver (PRS300SC), Open to US/CAN readers and International readers only to a US address, authors not responsible for replacement of item after shipment.

10 people will win a digital download from the author’s available backlist (excluding Crossroads):
http://www.moirarogers.com/all-digital Open to readers worldwide

RSVP below and get 25 entries to the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don’t show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, you won’t be entered into the contest.

Check out her website here and get your questions ready for her event.
http://www.moirarogers.com/

Be SURE to give your friends this link: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19245 so they can RSVP too!

A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 12:30 pm Central. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and chat.

PLEASE KEEP SPOILERS TO A MINIMUM. Not all of the readers today have read Michelle’s books.

Interview:

Hi Michelle!

Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!

I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Michelle’s latest release Temptation Eve.

BBB: What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of writing?

ML: I love my job. It’s like being Lara Croft. I get to discover new worlds, kick werewolf butt, rescue damsels in distress and be an all-around bad ass. It’s the best job in the world.

But even great jobs have drawbacks, right? I think the hardest part about writing is when I can’t do it. Writer’s Block bites – and not in the pleasurable, Interview with a Vampire way. Nothing frustrates me more than knowing what I want to write and being unable to translate that onto paper.

BBB: If you could have one of your books made into a movie, who would your dream cast be?

ML: Temptation Eve, my latest paranormal romance from Cobblestone Press, would rock as a movie. Think Sin City meets Sex in the City: Gritty. Erotic. Fast-paced – and with killer fashion.

If I could change places with any of my characters for a day, I swap with Eve, the icy hot lawyer from Temptation Eve. The book includes a scene where Eve and playboy incubus Alonso D’Agostino are locked in a closet. I won’t spoil it for you, but the situation involves a red silk tie, heightened senses and kinetic vibrations. Use your imagination. ;D

Dream casting for Temptation Eve: Naomie Harris as “Eve” and Rodrigo Santoro as “Alonso.” I really enjoyed Naomie Harris’ portrayal of the diabolical yet heartbroken Greek goddess Calypso from Pirates of the Caribbean. I know that actress could easily portray Eve with a balance of icy reserve, earthy sensuality and vulnerability.

Rodrigo Santoro is gorgeous. Just gorgeous. But he’s also really intense when in character. You can tell that he isn’t tame and I like that.

BBB: What are your top 3 favorite paranormal books and movies?

ML: Ooh! This is hard. I’m a BIG vampire and shape shifter fan.

MOVIES: Hands down, Top Choice is Interview with the Vampire. This movie proves evil can be VERY sexy. The scenes between Armand (played by Antonio Banderas) and Louis (played by Brad Pitt) scintillate — emphasis on the “sin.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Underworld come in close behind.

BOOKS: Undead & Unwed by Maryjanice Davidson; Dead Until After Dark by Charlaine Harris; and Sunshine by Robin McKinley.

BBB: What character(s) in any of your books is most like you?

ML: There is a bit of me in ALL my characters. I’m very career-oriented like Eve and my career choices have strengthened me (even if they were painful at the time); Alonso is a thrill seeker, something I indulge in occasionally (even if it’s mostly through my stories. Yay for vicarious living!).

From my romance Starstruck: Hunter: Like Miranda Snow, the celestial star who crashes to earth and falls for the man hunting her, I’m willing to fight for myself but I don’t mind when the man in my life jumps in to do it for me. Noah Benson, the jaded ex-hunter seeking redemption, shares my belief in taking responsibility for my mistakes — even when that proves difficult.

BBB: What is the most ridiculous thing that you have thought about doing to any of your characters but never did?

ML: All of my male leads are anti-heroes. (I have a weak spot for bad boys. Can you blame me?) I’ve been tempted to go really dark with my heroes’ pasts. To make them do or have done something really despicable — but empathize him enough that the dark edge works and readers still love him. I’ve toed the line but haven’t crossed to the dark side completely. Yet.

BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?

ML: Charts. LOTS and LOTS of charts. I also use spreadsheets to organize details like world populations, flora and fauna, character powers, etc. I research for every story and rely on these tools to keep my information accurate and consistent. This comes in handy when I write series.

BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle 2 or Sony Digital Book Reader to the environment?

ML: I don’t have an e-reader. I know. I’m a dinosaur. I read tons of e-books on my PC. Green is good, for the environment and also for budget-conscious readers. In general, digital books cost less than print and many readers find that attractive. Plus, readers often take a chance on new authors when the book prices are easy on the budget.

Electronic readers fit the needs of frequent travelers or those who lack the physical space to store a growing library.

BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?

ML: They don’t affect my bottom line. I think they are fantastic. I would love to own one – except for it to accommodate my vision it would need to be the size of a dinner plate. That would defeat its purpose. ;D

BBB: Temptation Eve focuses on a woman who does a great job of balancing both her career and an incubus. It’s refreshing to see a strong, career-driven woman in a book like this, but how does a character like this stretch the romance “norm” of less job-bound heroines?

ML: Eve’s career is very much a part of who she is. The sacrifices she made to reach partner at her paranormal law firm molded her into the woman at the outset of Temptation Eve: Iron willed, very much in control and seemingly aloof. That outer shell helps her succeed in the courtroom and protects her from some predatory coworkers. It also puts the kibosh on romance.

Until she meets Alonso.

Since Eve’s career is part of what defines her, it almost becomes like a separate character. At times, it poses an obstacle to her love life while other times, such as in future Nocturnal Cravings books, it helps her get revenge on some baddies.

BBB: Can you give us a more in depth look at Temptation Eve and the storyline that drives it? Please tell us what we can expect from you next.

ML: Sure! Temptation Eve is the first in my paranormal Nocturnal Cravings series. It’s about Eve Templin, an icy hot lawyer with a yen for submission and the playboy incubus who dominates her body – and wins her heart. It’s available now from Cobblestone Press. Here is a blurb:

Sometimes passion has a price…

Eve Templin has the reputation of an ice queen in the courtroom, but in the bedroom she craves the thrill of sexual submission. Past betrayals left her wary of emotional involvement with a Dominant, but she can’t ignore the connection she feels with one in particular, incubus Alonso D’Agostino.

Alonso is everything Eve craves in a Dominant: Intelligent. Exotic. And insatiable. He is also one of her law firm’s biggest clients and a notorious playboy. When he offers her more than a fling, will she risk her career for love or walk away for good?

Excerpt LINK: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/excerpt/temptationeve.htm

Future Projects: Nocturnal Cravings Book 2 involves a legal maverick whose unearthly talent for winding men around her finger lands her in danger. This is a really fun tale with nefarious plots, dangerous liaisons and lots of paranormal hotties.

Celestial Lovers Book 2, the sequel to my futuristic romance Starstruck: Hunter, a story about a celestial star who crashes to earth and falls in love with the man hunting her. Book 1 is available from Liquid Silver Books.

I also have a lot of FREE READS available, including:

Nights of Temptation (A Nocturnal Cravings Tale) is a prequel to Temptation Eve. It lets readers experience the passion that started Eve and Alonso’s relationship. Readers can download this in TWO versions from my freebies page, www.michellelaurenbooks.com/freebies.

A Taste of Temptation (A Nocturnal Cravings Tale) is a 6,000 word SEQUEL to Temptation Eve and includes a SNEAK PEEK at Book 2. Because it contains spoilers, this is a **Bonus Read** that comes with purchase of Temptation Eve. To receive, readers just need to email their purchase receipt to interactive AT michellelaurenbooks dot com.

BBB: Which of your characters presents the biggest challenge to write about? Which one comes most easily?

ML: This is a hard question. I had trouble writing Eve’s character because I needed to balance her icy exterior and strong need for control in other aspects of her life with her desire to submit in the bedroom. Those seemingly-opposite desires needed to make sense with the storyline and feel realistic to readers.

Which character came easiest? Noah Benson, hands down. I had tons of fun writing him. He got to kick butt, ride a motorcycle, rescue the damsel in distress, beat up a bad guy and get into a knife fight with a werewolf. Fun times.

BBB: Are demons – or in our specific case, incubi – the new black? What do you think the romance world will turn to for originality as the paranormal genre continues to grow?

ML: Demons ARE the new black. That doesn’t mean the original favorites (were-shifters and vampires) will disappear. Classics never go out of style. Readers just want fresh perspectives on this genre. Writers have to stretch their creative wings a bit.

I love using fantastical creatures outside of the norm. Even when I use known creatures, such as incubi, I put my own spin on them. For example: According to myth, incubi have one basic power: to invade a woman’s sexual dreams. Alonso can do that. (This power appears in a free read on my site, Nights of Temptation). He also has new powers: A touch that can induce ecstasy and kinetic vibrations that manifest during passion.

I strive to always give readers something new. Even when I use the same type of creature, I give them different variations of powers in ways. The way their powers manifest reveals their personalities. Nocturnal Cravings Book 2 features Alonso’s female counterpart; her powers manifest differently and they add tension and some comic relief to her story.

BBB: “Temptation Eve” is a fairly short book, though a good one! What are some unique challenges that come out of writing “quickie” length fiction? Advantages?

ML: Since I’ve written full-length (80K) novels, I appreciate the specific challenges of writing quickie fiction. In quickie-length stories, every word has to matter. Plot moves fast but it can’t seem rushed. Most importantly, the story must be COMPLETE. Not an interlude. Showing character development in 8,000 – 10,000 words is difficult but possible. Readers will definitely see a change in the personality and relationship of Eve and Alonso by the end of Temptation Eve.

At first, I struggled with quickie-length stories. Everything I write tends to want to become – not just a full length novel – but also a series! So it’s difficult to restrain myself. Quickie stories do have some advantages, though. When done well, a shorter story packs a heck of an emotional punch! The format made me go right for the jugular in certain scenes, where normally I would ease into the drama. The result upped the tension and the heat in the story.

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Learn more about Michelle Lauren below:
To read reviews of this author’s work go here.
To visit the author’s website go here.

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CONTEST: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW CONTEST EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO BELOW. There are also revisions to the rules for this contest, please read them all carefully. Also, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries.

Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do just ONE or ALL of these things, and each thing you do will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. REMEMBER you have Until 2/9/10 at 11:59 pm Central to do the different things that YOU choose to do. It is NOT mandatory you make a purchase to enter the contest. There are plenty of free ways to get entries as well.

CONTEST: She will be giving away

Prize 1: $30.00 Amazon Gift Card
Prize 2: $20.00 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
She is also donating 10% off all of her publisher book sale proceeds to Haitian Relief organization Doctors Without Borders.

Open to readers worldwide as long as you can accept gift cards from the US sites of Amazon and B&N.

1. Purchase copies of Michelle’s books from her publishers
Click these two links. Remember you are also helping doctors without borders with your purchase!

Temptation Eve

Starstruck: Hunter

Good for 300 entries per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Not valid on past purchases.

OR you can use the Barnes & Noble link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. You can also use the Amazon link HERE to shop as well. Good for 100 entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. Not valid on past purchases.

2. Leave question for her below good for 10 entries. (max 2 questions for entries)

3. Be friends with Michelle by joining her here:

Newsletter:  http://ymlp.com/signup.php?id=geubwbbgmgb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Michelle-Lauren/100000100075879
Myspace: http://myspace.com/michellelaurenbooks
Yahoo groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellelaurenbooks
Group Blog: http://www.thenaughtygirlsnextdoor.blogspot.com

Good for 25 entries per place you friend or follow. Be sure to send your confirmation emails to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

4. Join us at our daily book chat here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19510 RSVP for Tuesday’s event here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19244 enter the free book contest here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19514 good for 25 entries for each one you do.

5. Spread the word about this event! Use this direct link to the event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19521 on twitter, at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group, Goodreads, Shelfari (any group where it is appropriate). You MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread so we can verify your entries. Good for 50 entries per place you post the event link.

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

The contest ends on 2/9/10 at 11:59 pm Central and the winners will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.

2. You have FIVE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.

3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.

4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted. The prizes are shipped directly from the author unless otherwise noted.

5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.

6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.

7. Contest is void where prohibited.

8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry

We are very excited to offer up FOUR brand new Advanced Reader Copies (ARC’s) of author Kat Falls’ upcoming April release of Dark Life compliments of our friends at Simon & Schuster UK!

These are not just ordinary copies, they are rare UK versions, not only do you get to read them before everybody else, you get a totally different copy than anybody else in the US.

About the book:

Set in an apocalyptic future where rising oceans have swallowed up entire regions and people live packed like sardines on the dry land left, DARK LIFE is the harrowing tale of underwater pioneers who have carved out a life for themselves in the harsh deep-sea environment, farming the seafloor in exchange for the land deed.

The story follows Ty, who has lived his whole life on his family’s homestead and has dreams of claiming his own stake when he turns eighteen. But when outlaws’ attacks on government supply ships and settlements…

… threaten to destroy the underwater territory, Ty finds himself in a fight to stop the outlaws and save the only home he has ever known.

Joined by a girl from the Topside who has come subsea to look for her prospector brother, Ty ventures into the frontier’s rough underworld and begins to discover some dark secrets to Dark Life.

As Ty gets closer to the truth, he discovers that the outlaws may not be the bloodthirsty criminals the government has portrayed them as. And that the government abandoning the territory might be the best thing for everyone, especially for someone like Ty, someone with a Dark Gift.

About the author:
Kat Falls grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and now teaches at NU, where she is continually inspired by her students’ creativity. She started writing Dark Life as a writing exercise. Knowing that her 12-year-old son loved reading about the ocean, Wild West pioneers and, of course, the X-Men, she combined his interests and created the premise for a story that kept her up nights plotting and world-building.
Kat lives in Evanston, Illinois with her husband, theatre director Robert Falls, their three lively children, two cats, two guinea pigs and a snake named Poncho.

CONTEST:

1. Get this widget for the book which can be found here http://seed.sproutbuilder.com/WwAlL7dKH62UmefF there’s an embed code and put it up on your blogs and websites through the release date! Come back and post the places where you put the widget.

2. Sign up for the Bitten by Books Newsletter on the top right hand side of the site just above the Bitten by Video player.

3. Leave a comment below telling us why you would like to win and if you have read these books yet.

Contest ends on 2/10/10 at 11:59 pm Central. Please allow a minimum of THIRTY days for your prize to arrive from the publisher. Open to readers worldwide, shipping from the UK.

RSVP For: 2/9 - Interview, Chat and Contest With Author Candice Gilmer. Event starts at 12:00 pm Central and runs all day and into the night. Contest runs until 11:59 pm Central on 2/10/10.

Description: Join us with author Candice Gilmer for an Interview, Chat and Contest  at http://bittenbybooks.com/. She will also be talking about her latest release Broken Shine.

CONTEST: She will be giving away:

Prize 1: A $20.00 Electronic Gift Certificate to the Lyrical Press book store
Prize 2: A $10.00 Electronic Gift Certificate to the Lyrical Press book store
Prize 3: A $5.00 Electronic Gift Certificate to the Lyrical Press book store
Open to readers worldwide!

RSVP below and get 25 entries to the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don’t show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, you won’t be entered into the contest.

Check out her website here and get your questions ready for her event.
http://candicegilmer.com/

Be SURE to give your friends this link: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=19244 so they can RSVP too!

Hey everybody!

Time to mark your calendars for another amazing month of events at Bitten by Books!

Events are subject to change at anytime, so keep checking back for new additions or date changes at the link below. Share this post by inviting all of your friends.

http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=4
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February’s line up of author’s and guests include:

2/1 - Release Party, Chat and Contest with Jeaniene Frost
2/2 - Release Party, Chat and Contest with Chris Marie Green
2/3 - Guest Vlog, Chat and Contest with Mark Henry
2/8 - Interview, Chat and Contest with Michelle Lauren
2/9 - Interview, Chat and Contest with Candice Gilmer
2/10 - Release Party, Chat and Contest with Moira Rogers
2/11 - Guest Blog, Chat and Fundraiser for Haiti with Mystery Author X
2/15 - Chat and Contest with Katie MacAlister
2/16 - Guest Blog, Chat and Contest with Kim Harrison
2/17 - Interview, Chat and Contest with Kerrilyn Sparks
2/18 - Release Party, Chat and Contest with Jennifer Estep
2/22 - Release Party, Chat and Contest with Naomi Clark
2/23 - Release Party, Chat and Contest with Mark Henry
2/24 - TBA - Author Gerry Bartlett
2/25 - Guest Blog, Chat and Contest with Anton Strout
2/26 - Crescent Moon Press Authors Event

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Amanda has hit a low time in her life, cash flow is low, as in getting her car repo’d low and almost to the point that she might have to go to her mom, the vampire strip club owner, for help. When the very popular reality television personality and crooner, Johnny Birch, comes to her with an offer for her to participate in his next reality show, her boss gives her the incentive to accept his offer. The wood nymph was known for more than his show, Tapping Birch’s Syrup, and meeting him at her mother’s strip club after he had acquainted himself with one of the strippers just drove home the reality of the rumors about him. Despite her misgivings about the man, she needed the cash and agreed to be one of the celebrity judges for Supernatural TV’s latest reality game show, America’s Minions. Amanda would, of course, be their Simon.

Amanda’s life as a zombie was never a smooth sailing, but to make matters worse, before heading into the mansion that was to house both the contestants, the judges and the actual set the contests would be played out on, Amanda and her boyfriend Scott have a big fight and he breaks up with her. What was with her luck? Now no car, no boyfriend, no money and her BFF had somehow wiggled her way onto the set and hopefully onto Johnny himself, eeeeewh.

Now, stuck in the mansion with too many off the wall creatures to mention, (OK, to mention a few: a largess mature voodoo priestess, a crossdressing werewolf, a hairy yeti stripper…I did say only a few) there wasn’t much to do but dwell on dealing with the break up of her relationship with the sexy werewolf (OK, it’s not like he won’t take her back someday….. right?), and facing the possibility that not only would she loose everything she still owned if the television show didn’t pan out but she might also have to face going home to live with the parental figure Ethel (again eeeeeewh).

Amanda and Wendy have to come up with a few ideas fast when Johnny is found dead - possibly murdered - and they take it upon themselves to use said murder as part of their own show and see if they can flush out the killer on film, assuring them of a ratings winner, cash flow and the renewed celebrity status she was due. With a houseful of possible suspects that seemingly had a taste of Johnny themselves, suspects were plentiful, but when the players in the game begin to drop out because they had dropped dead themselves, the list gets narrower but the tension and suspense expand tremendously.

When Ethel’s brothel becomes another casualty to the mystery, the stakes get higher, and after a visit to the precious reapers and their recuperative day spa, the group focuses on flushing out the true killer and finding the truth behind the mysterious relationships Johnny Birch found himself entangled in before his death. In true murder mystery fashion, the culprit is revealed and Amanda and her friends capture it all on film, ready for the next really big reality show phenomenon or possibly becoming a reality television shocker when they become targets of the killer or killers themselves.

Battle Of The Network Zombies left me holding my side in pain…physical pain from laughing so hard that I think I tore something important. The book should come with warnings to wear a fat belt to hold in parts that might rupture from said laughing and that readers should have full control of their bladder at all times.

This, unfortunately, was my first taste of Mark Henry’s written humor;it will NOT be my last. I had been warned before that to read a Mark Henry book you would be committing yourself to a lifetime addiction to the brilliant, snarky, raw and sometimes blue humor, but I scoffed at that warning. I am now fully prepared to commit myself (no, not that way) to the addiction again and again. Mark’s footnotes throughout the book are more than an added bonus…they provide the reader with a true incite into the mind that brought us the amazing Amanda Feral. Do NOT miss this book, I repeat: Do NOT miss out on putting Battle Of The Network Zombies on your bookshelf forever as the written word within will no doubt stay with you forever anyway.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Original edition (February 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758225261
• ISBN-13: 978-0758225269

To purchase a print copy of Battle of the Network Zombies from Amazon click here.

To purchase a print copy of Battle of the Network Zombies from Barnes & Noble click here.

Books in the series in the order they should be read:
Happy Hour of the Damned
Road Trip of the Living Dead

Battle Of The Network Zombies

First thing is first, the Bag O’ Swag winner from the last chat is Susan L.! Susan, please email me at racoo.smith at gmail.com (no spaces) with your name and address so we can send your goody bag out. Welcome to our Daily Book Chat.

Today we are discussing a general topic.

Please remember to identify spoilers, especially if they refer to events later in the series.

1.) Do you prefer to read about angels or demons as characters in paranormal fiction, and why?

2.) Do you have a favorite demon character? Angel?

3.) Do you have a favorite series about either angels or demons, or both?

Note: If you are going to post major spoiler, be sure to post this first in your comment. Do this

****SPOILER*****
S

P

O

I

L

E

R

Just copy and paste that, then your commentary.

That way others can avoid them if they want. This is called Spoiler vision.

Contest: One lucky winner will win a bag of author swag, open to readers worldwide. NOTE: You need to come back to the next book chat to find out if you have won or not! All you need to do to enter is.

1. Answer the book discussion questions above, comment and chat here today. You must leave at least one comment, answer or question on the book title we are discussing. Even if you haven’t read it. You could ask what makes the characters so compelling to others, or have them convince you to buy the book. LOL Just because you haven’t read it doesn’t mean you can’t chat with us.

2. Attend the Interview, Chat and Contest With Author Michelle Lauren today at 12 central.

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The Jennifer Ridge Transcripts
4 Tombstones
Jennifer Ridge is in Pinebox, Texas to do an article for a tourism magazine when she uncovers that Pinebox has an unusually high incidence of disappearances and unsolved deaths. Jennifer also learns of the Piney Devil - could there be a connection?

The Hanging Tree - Filamena Young
4.5 Tombstones
Louis Ranier is beginning his new career as an attorney in Pinebox. Ranier learns the legal system has a unique brand of justice, and when hell comes calling, he has a decision to make.

The One That Got Away - Preston P. DuBose
4 Tombstones
Two best friends take a fishing trip in search of the “big one”. When they discover someone floating in the river, the trip take an unexpected turn.

Pie - Monica Valentinelli
4 Tombstones
Skinwalkers are walking among the residents of Pinebox, preferring to operate in the shadows. But when a serial killer begins using their modus operandi, the skinwalkers decide to remedy the situation.

The Evil Within - Derek Gunn
4 Tombstones
A young sheriffs deputy knows something is draining Pinebox residents of their life force. When he refuses to look the other way, the investigation proves deadly.

Stigmatized Property - Jess Hartley
4 Tombstones
A recently widowed woman tries to make a sale to an attractive stranger. This stranger has an affinity for “stigmatized property” or haunted houses.

The Witch Of Linda Lane - Ed Wetterman
5 Tombstones
After their friend is killed, two young boys devise a plan to stop the witch who takes pleasure in the destruction of young lives.

Blood Born - Charles Rice
4.5 Tombstones
Jack’s cancer is in remission, but now Jack has something much worse - something blood born.

Guitar Zero - Shane Lacy Hensley
5 Tombstones
Calvin is giving a reprogrammed version of Guitar Hero a shot. A word of warning for those about to rock: don’t.

Mother - Trey Gorden
4 Tombstones
Twenty years after Art’s mother died, her car is found at a crime scene. Things are about to become very interesting for Art.

Lovable Creatures - Jason L. Blair
4 Tombstones
Luellen has a hot date, the first in six months, but a stray cat on a deserted road has other plans for Luellen.

Off Radio - David Wellington
5 Tombstones
A girl’s body is found in one jurisdiction, her head in another. Deputy Clark’s investigative skills could lead to a killer no one would suspect.

Last Exit To Pinebox - JD Wiker
5 Tombstones
Mark and Emma are traveling to Louisiana for Christmas. They make an ill fated exit into Pinebox where a choice made at a local diner could have eternal consequences.

I grew up reading horror and nothing floats my boat like a well written horror anthology. Buried Tales of Pinebox, Texas is pure, creepy fun with each story building on the lore of the town. This collection of short horror will make you rethink the monster under your bed and look at your closet in another way.

Pinebox appears to be a town like any other at first glance. Upon further inspection, there is evil and madness bubbling beneath the surface. If you are driving and see an exit to Pinebox, it would be better to keep driving.

Like all anthologies there seem to be a few stories that stay with you. One of these was “The Witch of Linda Lane”. I think most people can look back to their childhood and remember some little old lady that you just knew had to be a witch. In this story, all your childhood fears come back to life as you witness brave children trying to put an end to the witch’s reign of terror.

“Off Radio” is the story of murder. When the killer is revealed, we are stunned to realize we can feel sympathy for such a horrible creature.

“Last Exit To Pinebox” is the story of a couple who find themselves in a Pinebox diner and quickly realize something is terribly wrong, making us ponder if their actions were predestined or just an unlucky choice.

The stories are well written, and there are a nice collection of news clippings included that give us a glimpse into the town’s take on events.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: 12 to Midnight Inc. (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981963722
• ISBN-13: 978-0981963723

To purchase a print copy of Buried Tales of Pinebox, Texas from Amazon click here.

To purchase a print copy of Buried Tales of Pinebox, Texas from Barnes & Noble click here.

Renee Martin, an antique dealer from Louisiana, felt strangely at home the minute she arrived in Venice. Though she told herself she was only there to purchase interesting items for her shop, she knew, deep in her heart, that her recurring dreams of an earlier time was what truly drew her to Italy. She glanced around in the first shop, saw nothing of interest, and was preparing to leave when the clerk’s voice stopped her, offering to show her their collection of antique jewelry. Renee’s excitement grew as when she saw the topaz medallion and she knew she had to own that piece herself. The price the clerk quoted seemed far too low, and to Renee’s delight, she had the pendant, along with several smaller pieces. While walking back to her hotel, clutching the bag with the topaz necklace, Renee was suddenly overcome with dizziness and overwhelmed after hearing the voice from her dreams. Leaning on the railing, she became aware of a man standing next to her, asking if she was all right.

Patrick Jordan didn’t always ask strange women to lunch the minute they met, but this woman seemed familiar, though he knew he had never met her. Something about Venice continued to draw him in, and his art gallery was a perfect excuse to return again and again. Patrick was surprised at Renee’s knowledge of the city, and Renee didn’t want to admit that the streets were familiar to her because of years of dreams. After Renee returned to her hotel, Patrick called upon a friend who owned an antique store, hoping to find paintings to ship back to Houston for the gallery. When Donato showed him the portrait of the woman, Patrick was stunned to see a strong resemblance to Renee, if she had been dressed in Renaissance style, and wearing a large topaz pendant.

Renee’s purchase of the pendant unknowingly puts her in the middle of international intrigue. Having a modern-day mystery to solve while also determining the potential message in her dreams makes Renee’s character interesting and exciting. I liked that Patrick made himself vulnerable to help and protect Renee, even though Angela, who held the mortgage on his gallery, disapproved. The sheer age of the buildings was fascinating; being a Californian, ancient is about 150 years old. That a home from the Renaissance period was still standing, although in disrepair, and that Renee and Patrick could actually tour that home, was just amazing to me. I enjoyed this book very much, the storyline flowed smoothly, and there was plenty of action and interest. The characters were well-developed, and the descriptions were clear and made the settings easy to imagine. Sit down with a cappuccino and enjoy!

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (April 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601543808
• ISBN-13: 978-1601543806

To purchase a print copy of Renaissance Woman from Amazon click here.

To purchase a print copy of Renaissance Woman from Barnes & Noble click here here
To purchase an eBook copy of Renaissance Woman from Barnes & Noble click here.

To purchase an eBook copy of Renaissance Woman from ARe click here.