Welcome to our site!

The focus of the Bitten by Books website is to provide book reviews for all types of paranormal fiction, urban fantasy and horror. Our reviewers share an avid love of all things paranormal and of course of books! You may see an occasional fantasy or Sci-fi review as well, as sometimes authors overlap genres or the genres incorporate one another. Bitten by Books prides itself on offering our readers honest book reviews, author interviews, interesting guest blog spots and fun contests. Whether you love paperback books or e-books, make http://bittenbybooks.com your only stop for all things in the paranormal fiction genre. If you are a reader, author or publisher of paranormal fiction be sure to join our awesome community The Blood Bank and connect with like minded people.

Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, please presume that any book reviewed on this site was sent for FREE by the author, publisher or third party to Bitten by Books a Mood Ring Media company as a review copy. We do not accept payment for reviews or product endorsements.

 

 

Our Staff:

The Bitten by Books founder Rachel Smith is an avid reader and has been since the early 70′s. She enjoys primarily paranormal fiction, but can occasionally be caught reading non-fiction, chic lit or books on esoteric subjects. When not reviewing books you can find her blogging about her favorite products at http://www.weirdstuffinmydesk.com or creating jewelry at her other business A Charming Time. Rachel has worked as a spiritual counselor and teacher for many years. When not reading or hanging out online this Pacific Northwest native enjoys spending time with her husband and son, playing with her gaggle of doxons and listening to music.

 

Sarai is a self declared read-aholic and has been trying to break the habit for many years with no avail. Photographer, sister, daughter, slave to a menagerie, history enthusiast, going green groupie, DIY freak, baseball fan, list making fiend, mind reader extraordinaire, tree climbing fogy, sarcastic to a fault, mystery solver, music fanatic, reluctant writer, baking diva, theater devotee, etc. etc. in other words I have far too many interests and no real drive to focus on just one.

 

Kate Jasmine is a Southern Belle of the very worst sort. She gossips about her sister. She will borrow your clothes and look better in them. Her mama despairs of all the money spent on charm school. Nonetheless, Kate loves to LIVE life with capital letters. When she isn’t out bungee jumping from the Eiffel tower, you can find her curled up on a chaise lounge on the lanai reading a good book. Bad books will be flung to the woods where the raccoons and possums can have them. About her photo: Kate, being a shy retiring type, wishes she looked like Margaret Mitchell.

 

Virginia Hendricks is the review coordinator for beautifulreads.com and bittenbybooks.com. She has way too many books in her TBR pile. She found the world of paranormal during a brief hiatus from “bodice ripping” romance novels. Her entrance into the world of paranormal began with great authors such as Laurell K Hamilton, Charlaine Harris and Keri Arthur. She has met many great authors and friends in her foray into the world of paranormal and urban fantasy novels. She lives in PA, roots for the sixburgh Steelers, the Penguins and the Pirates. She has two cats, and a wonderful understanding and loving husband. She also quilts, cross stitches, plays bells and plays pinball and wonders how she has time to work for a living.

 

My name is Leah. I am 45 years old and am disabled. My wife and I have been together for 15 years and have been married for 8. Yes you read that correctly, my wife, we are a lesbian couple. We love to travel and see new places and meet new people. Over the years we have made many friends online from all over the world. We exchange care packages. Usually things that we can’t get here and that our friends can’t get in their countries. We don’t send them on holidays, we do it spur of the moment and it’s a lot of fun that way. You never know when you are going to get a package in the mail. I love to cook and read. I got my love of books from my Mom. With the money that I got for Christmas in 2011 I bought a kindle. Since January of 2012 I have bought and read 567 books from amazon. I am a paranormal junkie. LOL. Vampires, witches, fae, alien and especially shifters. Any and all kinds of shifter books. I am also a Trueblood and Supernatural fan. We have a family pet, his name is Buddy. He is an 8 year old beagle who still thinks he is a puppy.

 

For Lori, being an avid reader was inevitable as the daughter of two English Lit majors. It also didn’t hurt that her Grandmother was a children’s librarian so there were always plenty of books in the house. She is happy to say that her oldest daughter shares that love and her youngest is starting to as well. When she is not reading, she can be found performing in and choreographing musicals for local theater groups. She works full-time for the Federal government and juggles that, being a wife and mother, the theater and still finds time to read on a daily basis. She is never without a book in her purse and her husband loves to tell people about the time she pulled out a book and read at an NHL game.

 

Stacy has been an active reader for years, introduced into the romance genre at an early age she still trades newly read books with her Mom and Grandma. When straight romance began to feel a bit “cookie cutter” to her, she branched out into mystery, suspense and erotica. Then the wonderful day arrived when a friend introduced her to the paranormal. Still new into the genre, she has a particular fondness for vampires and faeries. When she’s not engrossed in a book, she enjoys spending time with her wonderful group of girlfriends and family, taking her dog on walks and trying her hand at gardening.

 

Megan is a book addict that doesn’t want to be cured. She started reading books at a young age and never looked back. She sometimes even stayed home from school sick just so she could finish a book. Sorry mom! She loves to read mostly paranormals but will read anything that is put in front of her. She has a To Be Read pile that is bigger than she is. She has her own blog http://katiebugdomesticdiva.blogspot.com/ where you can read about her family or anything else that might pop in her head. Her biggest dream is to become a published author one day.

 

Ricki MC-Dunn has loved reading her whole life. She would rather read than watch TV (which really drives her parents and boyfriend nuts). Her favorite genres are fantasy, mystery, horror, manga, and young adult. When she is not reading, she can be found working full time as the Artistic Director for the Chesterfield Community Theatre. She is also a freelance editor and was formally the Executive Managing Editor for Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi for the now defunct Chippewa/Lady Aibell Publishing.

 

 

My name is Mary, and I’m a serious book junkie, with a large personal collection of reading material. I’m fascinated by ghosts, the paranormal, and true crime stories. I love discovering the possibilities in the next world and am curious about the reasons people do what they do in this one. I’ve been reading since the age of 3, and always have a book or two or three going.

I’m an elementary school substitute teacher, and I always have a book or two in my “bag of tricks”. My new favorite is “Frog in a Bog”. My husband and daughter do not share my passion for books, and secretly think I’ve gone over the top with my collecting and reading habits, but I firmly believe there are worse habits I could have!

 

Kersyn is an avid reader who dreams of one day having books listed on Bitten by Books. Until that time she keeps up her constant diet of books; read, devoured, savored, and digested. She lives in a zoo with many pets, both four and two legged who keep her pretty busy chasing them all, but in between times of running she has her trusty book at her side. If a book is not in her hands then it is either a cross-stitch or craft project.

Jennifer Black has been obsessed with vampires for as long as she can remember. Although her reading was peppered with the occasional Dracula or Anne Rice novel, her first foray into paranormal romance came as the result of a free book giveaway at a sci-fi/fantasy convention. This new interest caused a problem, as Jennifer is addicted to books. Twelve-step programs fail utterly when faced with her massive collection — which is constantly growing. When not reading, she likes to dance, and someday hopes to figure out how to read while doing ballet.

 

 

Justice strongly believes two books a week keeps you healthy and happy. (Three or more prevents any depression and long lines at the checkout). Reading is her first love, she started her health regimen at the tender age of 5 when the County Bookmobile did its weekly run through her neighbor hood. Now being a mom she fits in her workout in between mommy duties, wife duties and work duties. Reading is a work out if done right, it even cancels out the chocolate donuts you ate with your kids this morning!

 

Danielle is a stone-cold addict. Of books, that is. She loves to read. Her book collection is in the thousands. Several years ago, she read Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon and became a die-hard paranormal fan. The same thing happened with urban fantasy/occult detective stories when she read Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. Danielle grew up on fairy tales and mythology, so reading excellent urban fantasy which draws from the ancient myths and legends is a joy for her. Her heart goes pitter patter when she hears of an urban fantasy based on some obscure folk legend that most people never heard of. In her real life, she works in the veterinary field, and aspires to one day be a published author. She’s not married and doesn’t have kids, unless you count four spoiled cats. She lives in Texas.

 

Guest reviewer Jackie sneaks in reading whenever she can between working, attempting to clean the house, and playing with the cutest fat kid there ever was. Always ready to share her opinion with others, Jackie’s been reviewing books since she found Run, Spot, Run to be a clichéd portrayal of dogs everywhere. She can be found reading urban fantasy, paranormal romance, or anything regarding Ancient Egypt with at least one of her three cats stalking her lap. Her TBR pile has started to over-take the house, flowing from the office and looming behind any unsuspecting person not watching her back.

 

A former librarian, Carol now spends her non-BBB time as a freelance editor and panel moderator at conventions such as Dragon*Con, AnachroCon, Fandom Fest and Olde City, New Blood. Carol has two wonderful sons with awesome wives, and the three most amazing grandsons to ever grace the planet. When not reading, reviewing, watching genre television shows which she writes about in the BBB Screen Bites column, or discussing books with her book groups, Carol may be found listening to symphonic metal or playing with the aforementioned remarkable grandsons.

A deep and abiding love for words—written, spoken, or sung—drives Lacy in everything she does—work, creativity, and spare time. I love reading, writing, listening to music, and watching movies and TV. My love affair with books began as a young child and shows no signs of stopping. A number of my earliest and fondest memories are of going to the library and checking out books with my sister and my mom. As children my sister and I spent a lot of time at the library, and as we’ve grown older we’ve amassed so many books that we don’t need to go to the library quite as much but it’s still such a treat to be in that place that stores so much knowledge, adventures, and new experiences. In my spare time you can catch me either at the bookstore, reading, writing, or watching movies at the theater, or watching movies and TV shows at home. Watching movies and TV is a close second for my favorite way to chill out. Although I love to read and can be found reading just about any type of fiction, my first and current love is for romances. So, if you find me reading a book that’s not romance, chances are it has a love story either at its core or somewhere in the novel. I’m fascinated by the relationships and connections forged between people and I think that’s why I love romance so much in books, movies, and TV.

 

Michelle has always loved books. An early reader, she started at two, she can always be found with a book. Influenced by the arts at an early age as well, Michelle performs and directs regularly within the musical theater community.

By day, Michelle is a research scientist, a sometimes mundane but rewarding profession. Otherwise, she can be found reading, singing, sometimes randomly, training her dog and cat, or enjoying the company of her wonderful boyfriend, family, and friends.

 

Storm is an oldish Puyallup Indian, reveling in both the seen and unseen. She works for a library, where her love of scare-me-silly and romance-on-the-dark-side books is appreciated and nurtured. Living in the Pacific Northwest, she loves the gloomy days when she curls up on a couch with a book and the breath-taking blue days when she sits somewhere on the waterfront, sipping a glass of wine and watching the world go by. Storm is a traditional Native American Hokema, Indian activist, human rights activist, newspaper columnist, and grandmother. Although she has semi-retired from her calling to try and save the world, she remains fully engaged in playing with her grandchildren, herding her 2 cats, being herded by her 2 dogs and, of course, looking for a little romance of her own.

 

Hannah (Hamilton)- A super busy entrepreneur, health care professional, mother & wife. I am always on the go – but do I LOVE to read!!! I will read anything I can get my hands on!!!! I read in the car, at the lake, taking a bubble bath…you name it!!! You can find me busy working with families, in my studio creating art, sitting by the lake with my book, taking in my tulips, or whipping up new fragrances! I am also in the process of writing my first book.

 

Kristin is loving wife and doggie mom with a serious book addiction. When she is not in the kitchen whipping up a tasty confection (or cocktail) she can usually be found on the couch with her nose in a book. And she really did not hear what her husband just said to her, never mind that she responded… he should know better, she was reading. Her favorite books to read feature vampires, fae, & Gods of any pantheon (oh my!) but she has been known to pick up some pretty heavy philosophical tomes, funny memoirs, and scientific gobblygook. She also has a soft spot in her heart for good high fantasy. She fell in love with Anne Rice at far to young of an age and still has not found her way to NOLA! Kristin also spends time as a foster mom for a herding breed dog rescue in Illinois, indulging her husbands’ “silly” hobby of import/vintage video gaming, and spending as much time as she can with various members of her ridiculously large family. Somehow she manages to work full time in insurance sales but would much rather be having a kitchen dance party.

 

My name is Lynne, and I am blessed to have my husband whom I have been with over half my life. Two beautiful girls, 22 and 15, and my favorite boy, Spencer, my Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. I LOVE to read. Everyone knows I walk around the house, (even outside) with a book in my hand. My very favorite types of books are: Werewolves, Vampires, anything paranormal urban fantasy is fantastic too. I have too many favorite authors to list!

 

Marie’s first memory of reading is at 3 years of age and involved a Pizza Inn placemat. Her family was amused by her pronunciation of Oh-clay-loma. Luckily, her speech and subject matter picked up speed after that. Now Marie can’t wait until Matrix-like technology is real and she can absorb a book by plugging it into her brain/hard drive. She will always love the smell and feel of words on paper, but let’s face it – there just aren’t enough hours in a human lifetime to take in all the great stories out there.

Marie pushes paper during the day but on weekends you can find her hiding backstage, doing tech jobs for live theaters. Her favorite place to read is in her giant claw-foot bathtub, with bubbles, a fruit & cheese plate, and an icy martini. Ok, she hasn’t actually got any of that. She makes due with Mr. Bubble, a box of cheese crackers, and a Diet Coke.

Marie loves book nooks, dogs, scary movies, and teasing those with coulrophobia. She lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her weapon of mass destruction, a rescue dog otherwise known as Piglet.

 

Jodie Pierce is thirty-seven years old and lives with her hubby, John in Cleveland, Ohio along with four beautiful step-children. She has had a fascination with vampires since they were introduced to her as a child and has had a long history with them. It wasn’t until she started reading the Anne Rice vampire books that she was truly inspired. She was an exchange student in Brasil in high school so you can find some of her experiences from there in her stories. Many of her stories have historical or researched facts as she also enjoys research and learning about new places. She has published five short novels(Eternal Press), a short story in “Midnight Thirst 2″, an anthology (Melange Books), has two self-published books and has several short stories that she still works on. She’s always busy with the next great vampire story as her mind is non-stop and even plagues her dreams.

 

My name is Joani and I’m 42 years old. I have a job that lets me listen to audiobooks all day long. On my breaks I turn off the iPod and get out my kindle or paperback, then turn the MP3 player back on when I have to go back to work. I can’t believe I get paid for that!! I started reading a lot in high school, just regular stuff and found I really liked science fiction. But after a while I got lost in all that tech and found the fabulous world of fantasy and paranormal. I don’t think I could ever give it up now. I am blessed to have 4 of the best dogs on the planet. Well, actually they’re not dogs, they’re pugs which make them so much more than dogs. I also have a border collie and 8 cats. All of my animals are rescues and they are all older dogs. I’ve been with my husband for 25 years and we have 1 son. Thankfully they both love to read too. I’ve tried my hand at writing but with so many good books to read I’ve put that on the backburner. I plan to spend my retirement reading. I’m so looking forward to that!