Wednesday, October 31, 2012

"SOMETHING WICKED COMES" HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY HOP/ REVIEW: Blood Rights, by Kristen Painter







Welcome to my second
(and last) post for the
"Something Wicked Comes"
Halloween GiveawayHop,
hosted by
Rainy Day Ramblings
&
Babbling About Books!! 
 
 
This is a month-long Halloween event!  Every day during the month of October, each participating blog has been featuring a favorite paranormal/urban fantasy book (or books), along with a giveaway!  You can check out the post schedule at either of the two hosting blogs shown above.

For this second post, I have decided to feature a great urban fantasy novel, dealing with vampires, that I've recently read.  It's the first in the acclaimed House of Comarré series.  You will find my review and giveaway Rafflecopter below! 

Although this is the next-to-the last day of the event (there will be a wrap up/guest post with Darynda Jones on 11/1, at Rainy Day Ramblings), today's giveaways will actually end in November.



 


(House of Comarré #1)
Mass Market Paperback, 392 pages
Orbit
(Little, Brown Book Group Ltd.)
November, 2011
Gothic Urban Fantasy

 
 
My Review

 

For several years now, vampires have been dominating the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres.  This particular series has a steady following, and I count myself among its newest fans!  It's a rather unique series, too; the concept behind it is very intriguing, and the writing is nothing short of excellent.  I admire Painter for coming up with yet another variation on the vampire mythos, one that certainly held this reader's interest all the way to the end.

The vampires in this novel belong to specific classes.  There are the 'noble vampires', who are descended from fallen angels, and the 'fringe vampires', who are descended from none other than Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ.  Now this is certainly a new take on vampires!  Just how these two classes -- who never mix, of course --came to descend from fallen angels, on the one hand, and Judas, on the other, is not pointed out in this book.  I assume more details will be forthcoming in the sequels, since this is the very first volume in the series.   Learning just this much, though, was enough to pull me into the story.  But there's more...

Monday, October 29, 2012

INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Guest Post #8/Giveaway - Dr. Andrew Cort, author of The Door Is Open



Welcome to the eighth
weekly guest post
at A Night's Dream of Books, 
on the tour for The Door Is Open,
sponsored by
Innovative Online Book Tours!!





Dr. Andrew Cort





Andrew Cort
Paperback, 186 pages
CreateSpace
May 19, 2012
Genre: Religion, Mythology, Spirituality



This is the eighth of several weekly guest posts by Dr. Cort, who is an authority on religion and spirituality, as well as mythology, politics, history, science, education, and healing.  He has written several books on these topics.  His most recent one, The Door Is Open, deals with the fascinating topic of the steps to spiritual awakening, as presented in world scriptures and mythologies.  Please join me in welcoming Dr. Cort to A NIGHT'S DREAM OF BOOKS!

I hope you will find Dr. Cort's eighth post to be as fascinating as I did!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

"SOMETHING WICKED COMES" GIVEAWAY HOP: FIRST WINNER!!

 
 
And the winner is...
 
Heidi @
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!
 
You have won this
fabulous collection of
paranormal tales!!
 
 
 
 
Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
St. Martin's Paperbacks
November 2, 2004
Paranormal Romance,
Urban Fantasy
 
 
 
 
You have already been notified
by email, so please
be sure to send a reply
as soon as possible!
You have 48 hours.
If I haven't heard from you
by then,
another winner will be chosen.
 
 
I'd like to thank everyone
who participated in my first
"Something Wicked Comes"
giveaway!
Do stay tuned,
because I have another
SWC giveaway
coming your way on
Halloween!!

 
 

 

Shelf Candy Saturday #41: Parting the Veil, by Nene Thomas

 
 
Welcome to
Shelf Candy Saturday!!


This weekly meme/blog hop, hosted here,
features beautiful book covers!
It was originally hosted by
Stephanie @
Five Alarm Book Reviews,
a blog I really miss...



If you'd like to participate, just grab my button (or create your own), write your own post, and link up in the Linky widget at the bottom of this post. Just be sure to click on "Read more" so that the entire post will open up.
 
As a bonus, you can include information on the artist, designer, and/or photographer in your post, but it's not required. You can simply feature a cover and explain why you love it!
 

Here's my choice for this week!

 
 
 
The Art of Nene Thomas
Hardcover, 128 pages
Chimera Publishing
July 1, 2005
Art Monograph, Fantasy Illustration 
 
 
Why do I love this cover?
 
Anything that has to do with fantasy is endlessly fascinating to me!  I love fairies, dragons, unicorns, wizards, magical kingdoms...  And, of course, I love horses, as well!
 
While this is not a fictional work, it does have something to do with the fantasy realm, obviously.  The entire book is totally dedicated to fantasy illustration, and each work of art is totally beautiful!  (Yes, I own this treasure.) 
 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Book Blogger Hop #13 (10/26 - 11/1): Favorite Book Blogs & Communities

 
 
Welcome to
the Book Blogger Hop!


This is where bloggers and readers
connect every week!

This wonderful blog hop is
hosted by
Jennifer @ Crazy for Books!

For several weeks,
a different blog will be hosting
the hop for Jennifer each week,
until she returns from hiatus.

This week, the host is
Julie @
 

 
 
What To Do:
 
1. Post on your blog answering this question:

What are three of your favorite
book blogs and/or communities?
Why do you like them?

2. Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list at this week's blog,
with your blog's name, genre you review,
and a direct link to your post.

3. Visit other blogs on the list.
This blog hop isn't about the number of
people you can visit,
but the quality of each visit.
Find new blogs to read by clicking
through the links on the list!


My Answer:
 
I think that choosing only three book blogs is pretty hard for me... I wouldn't want to leave any of my faves out!  As for book communities, that's easier.
 
 
Book Blogs:
 
I have more than three favorite blogs!  One of them is A Myriad of Books, created by the awesome Kat!  She reviews several genres, with a concentration on fantastic and paranormal fiction.  She also reviews horror fiction, which I don't like, but I simply skip those reviews.  She always has fascinating things to say about the books she reads, and delivers her insights in a beautiful prose style!  She also has other interesting features on the blog, like several book memes, and hosts giveaways from time to time.  Last but not least, I love her blog design!
 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday #54: Shadows In The Silence, by Courtney Allison Moulton





This is a weekly book meme, hosted by
which features future releases that
we book bloggers
are eagerly anticipating!


Here's my pick for this week!




(Angelfire #3)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Katherine Tegen Books
Expected Publication:
January 29, 2013 
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,
Young Adult


From the Goodreads Synopsis

The demonic have resorted to their cruelest weapons to put Will in mortal danger, and Ellie makes an unlikely alliance to save him and to stop Lilith and Sammael, who seek to drown the world in blood and tear a hole into Heaven.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

SPOOKTACULAR GIVEAWAY HOP/REVIEW: Forsaken, by Jana Oliver




Welcome to this stop
on the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop,
hosted by the wonderful blogs
and
Three cheers and thanks to both
for hosting this fantabulous hop!!

 
 
The Rafflecopter for each giveaway will actually
start accepting entries on Oct. 23rd,
per request by Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer,
and will close on Nov. 1st. 
More than 400 blogs are participating!!
For the complete rules,
just click on the hop button above.

There are great prizes involved,
so be sure to check out
as many of the giveaways as you can!!


I will be giving away
TWO PAPERBACK COPIES
of Forsaken, the first book in
The Demon Trappers series,
UK edition!
(This is a USA only giveaway.)
 
 




(The Demon Trappers #1)
Trade Paperback, 423 pages
Macmillan Children's Books
February 7, 2011
YA Urban Fantasy


Here's my review!



This is the UK edition of The Demon Trapper's Daughter.  I bought this one because I loved the cover at first sight. 

This is a gritty, fast-paced story, and yet, it does contain some depth, since several of the characters do quite a bit of soul-searching along the way. 

At first, I thought I would finish the book quickly.  However, I got stalled by a completely unexpected event pretty early in the story -- one that came very close to home, and I could not continue.  Of course, I won't spoil things for other readers by divulging any details of said event.  I will merely say that it was one that had a strong emotional impact on me. 

Monday, October 22, 2012

INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Guest Post #7/Giveaway - Andrew Cort, author of The Door Is Open



Welcome to the seventh
weekly guest post
at A Night's Dream of Books, 
on the tour for The Door Is Open,
sponsored by
Innovative Online Book Tours!!





Dr. Andrew Cort





Andrew Cort
Paperback, 186 pages
CreateSpace
May 19, 2012
Genre: Religion, Mythology, Spirituality



This is the seventh of several weekly guest posts by Dr. Cort, who is an authority on religion and spirituality, as well as mythology, politics, history, science, education, and healing.  He has written several books on these topics.  His most recent one, The Door Is Open, deals with the fascinating topic of the steps to spiritual awakening, as presented in world scriptures and mythologies.  Please join me in welcoming Dr. Cort to A NIGHT'S DREAM OF BOOKS!

I hope you will find Dr. Cort's seventh post to be as thought-provoking as I did!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Shelf Candy Saturdsy #40: Lords of the Night, by Janice Bennett, Sara Blayne, and Monique Ellis




Welcome to
Shelf Candy Saturday!!


This weekly meme/blog hop, hosted here,
features beautiful book covers!

It was originally hosted by
Stephanie @
Five Alarm Book Reviews,
a blog I really miss...





If you'd like to participate, just grab my button (or create your own), write your own post, and link up in the Linky widget at the bottom of this post. Just be sure to click on "Read more" so that the entire post will open up.

As a bonus, you can include information on the artist, designer, and/or photographer in your post, but it's not required. You can simply feature a cover and explain why you love it!





Here's my choice for this week!



Trade Paperback, 276 pages
Kensington
September 1, 2001
Genres: Paranormal Romance,
Urban Fantasy


Why do I love this cover?


I think it's more than obvious, right?  The model on the cover is, quite simply, a gorgeous man!   Furthermore, not only are his features very pleasing to the female eye, but his facial expression is, as well.  That penetrating gaze, which promises danger as well as excitement... 

Friday, October 19, 2012

INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Book Review/Giveaway - Forbidden Fire, by Kimberly Kinrade

 
 
 
Welcome to this stop
on the 
FORBIDDEN FIRE
blog tour,
sponsored by
Innovative Online Book
Tours!!
 
 
 
 
 
(Forbidden Trilogy #2)
Paperback, 270 pages
Evolved Publishing
March 27, 2012
Genres:
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,
Young Adult
 
 
From the Goodreads Synopsis
 
 
Sam and Drake may have escaped, but they aren’t free—not with a powerful Seeker after them. As Sam struggles with the ethics of her new powers and embraces a blossoming physical relationship with Drake, Lucy and Luke face challenges of their own.

With forces coalescing inside and outside the Rent-A-Kid dorms, it’s only a matter of time before the fire they started forces each of them to make choices they can’t undo. But will it be enough to save them?
 
 
 
My Review
 
(Note: The author graciously provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
 
 
This second novel continues the exciting story of Sam, Drake, Lucy, and Luke, four teens with paranormal powers, as they strive to escape from the clutches of the sinister organization known as "Rent-A-Kid". 
 
As in the first novel, Kinrade immediately plunges the reader into the action!  In this second novel, she also gives us more background on her characters, which of course allows us to empathize with them even more. 
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday #53: Bitter Blood, by Rachel Caine




This is a weekly book meme, hosted by
which features future releases that
we book bloggers
are eagerly anticipating!


Here's my pick for this week!






(The Morganville Vampires #13)
Hardcover, 352 pages
NAL
Expected Publication:
November 6, 2012
Genres: Paranormal Romance,
Urban Fantasy, Young Adult


From the Goodreads Synopsis

Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires.



Monday, October 15, 2012

INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Guest Post #6/Giveaway - Andrew Cort, author of The Door Is Open



Welcome to the sixth
weekly guest post
at A Night's Dream of Books, 
on the tour for The Door Is Open,
sponsored by
Innovative Online Book Tours!!





Dr. Andrew Cort





Andrew Cort
Paperback, 186 pages
CreateSpace
May 19, 2012
Genre: Religion, Mythology, Spirituality



This is the sixth of several weekly guest posts by Dr. Cort, who is an authority on religion and spirituality, as well as mythology, politics, history, science, education, and healing.  He has written several books on these topics.  His most recent one, The Door Is Open, deals with the fascinating topic of the steps to spiritual awakening, as presented in world scriptures and mythologies.  Please join me in welcoming Dr. Cort to A NIGHT'S DREAM OF BOOKS!

I hope you will find Dr. Cort's sixth post to be as fascinating as I did!

"SOMETHING WICKED COMES" HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY HOP: Stroke of Midnight Anthology, by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks, and Lori Handeland







Welcome to my first post for the
"Something Wicked Comes"
Halloween Tour/GiveawayHop,
hosted by
Rainy Day Ramblings
&
Babbling About Books!! 
 
 
This is a month-long Halloween event!  Every day during the month of October, each participating blog will be featuring a favorite paranormal/urban fantasy book, along with a giveaway!  You can check out the post schedule at either of the two hosting blogs shown above.

I have decided to feature a great supernatural anthology I've recently read.  You will find my review and giveaway Rafflecopter below!



 
 

Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
St. Martin's Paperbacks
November 2, 2004
Paranormal Romance,
Urban Fantasy

 
 
My Review

 
This is a wonderful collection of paranormal romance stories by some of the most popular authors in the genre.  Each story presents a different supernatural species – vampires, were-panthers, one werewolf, and a skinwalker (this creature is a human who can turn into a specific animal by wearing the animal’s skin and using magic to complete the transformation).
The first story, “Winter Born”, by Kenyon, has a very unique setting – a science fiction convention in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).  The plot develops amid a motley crew of aliens and other strange creatures from films and books, which lends a humorous backdrop to the story.  The main characters, Pandora and Dante, are natural enemies, although both are were-panthers.  They can’t help but become lovers, however, and then find out they’re irrevocably mated.