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Tuesday, June 21, 2011:
Fan letter to author Nalini Singh
 Dear Ms. Singh, I know you are a very popular author these days, with not just one but two amazing series available to your readers, and you probably get tons of letters and emails very similar to mine, but I would have to say they are well-deserved accolades. These days, with constant changes in technology and our attention spans getting shorter and shorter, it's more difficult to capture the imagination and even harder to hold onto it. In fact, as I told you myself when I met you at the Lori Foster get-together, I didn't even like "Slave To Sensation" the first time I read it, but something compelled me to go back and give it another try. And that is why I'm writing this fan letter to you today; because despite my initial lack of engagement, somehow I felt I was really missing out on something, and now I'm devouring each book like it was the most decadent and sinful candy ever created. And I love it! Lately life has been relentlessly kicking my ass, so to have this amazing outlet to escape to and fall in love with is such a welcome relief. I feel like when I enter the Psy/Changeling world, I am free of all the demands and criticisms and yes even the loneliness I've been experiencing lately. I let myself imagine being enveloped in the sensual embrace of a sexy Changeling eager for skin privileges. I pretend I have the intelligence and boldness and strength to go up against even the coldest Psy. Nalini, you created this absorbing, wondrous world, and I thank you very much for that. I've experienced hours of reading pleasure by delving into your world and letting it wash over me. It awakens my joy of reading again, something I'd lost for a little while, and it makes me very happy to have found my way back to books. The pressures of adulthood and responsiblity can be heavy burdens, but losing my desire to read is perhaps one of my deepest regrets. Yet with your books, I've found it again, and it grounds me. Makes me feel like I have a safe haven to turn to on those occasions when life overwhelms me. That is very rewarding. I know after meeting you, you mentioned there is a definite ending to the series, and that saddens me, although I understand the "why" behind it. Everything eventually comes to a conclusion, and while I don't want to think about it, when it eventually does happen, I will be glad for the chance to read this series and have experienced all the joy and sadness and love you infused into it. I comprehend the need for closure, so I will be happy that I got to go through it with all the other readers who loved this series so much. One of the worst things that could ever happen is to have a series "jump the shark", because that takes away from the enjoyment that was originally felt in reading it. Now I cannot end this letter without saying what an extreme pleasure it was to meet you and spend a few moments talking books with you. You are a lovely, gracious, intelligent woman and so easy to chat with. I felt completely at ease in your presence, even while in the back of my mind I'm thinking "OMG this is Nalini Singh! Squee!!!" Despite never getting a break and constantly having readers approach you, you were patient and sweet and wonderful. It was definitely one of this reader's highlights. And thank you ever so much for sharing your colorful and vivid imagination. If someone ever asked which paranormal series they absolutely must read, without hesitation I would mention the Psy/Changeling books. It includes all the elements of a truly memorable journey that all readers should be able to experience at some point. What I love about it is that there is not one element I skip over. I enjoy every aspect of the series, from the chilling Psys to the hot and sensual Changelings; from the bravest heroine to the most evil villain. None of it bores me, and I savor every word. That, my dear, is a reader's delight. Muchos gracias :) Fondly, Stacy ~ Labels: fan letter, Nalini Singh
posted by Stacy~ at 6/21/2011 09:55:00 AM
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Tuesday, December 08, 2009:
Spotlight: S - Nalini Singh
 Picture by Ashwini Singh
Isn't Nalini Singh just adorable? I think so. And who would think she writes not just one but two incredible paranormal series that have readers panting for more.
I'm slowly swimming in the dark and dangerous waters of the paranormal world, mostly because for the longest time, I wasn't interested in reading about any other creature besides a vampire, and look at how long it took me to find them appealing (as mentioned in my Night Pleasures post). I'd read stories with werewolves before, but they didn't appeal much to me. I figured I was a once-creature kinda girl.
So when everyone started raving about these books involving leopards and panthers and wolves, well I couldn't care less. However after awhile I couldn't ignore the discussion any longer, and I was feeling left out and jealous that there were books out there that several of my reader friends adored that I hadn't read. I finally got my hands on "Slave to Sensation", especially cuz my pal Kati made me most curious about this alpha named Lucas. And wow, I was blown away.
So now I've read several of Nalini's Psy-Changeling books, and loved each and every one of them. Before too long, word spread about another series, this one about Archangels. I figured there's no way she can strike gold twice, right? Well, I would be proven incredibly wrong on that one. "Angel's Blood" is a fantastic read, imaginative and fearsome, and I'm trying to figure out which series I like best. But really, it doesn't even matter. Because Nalini has some sensational writing skills that are apparent in whatever she writes. So I'm going to savor both series, and hope to God that she has it in that limitless scope of a brain to wow us yet again with her magic. Rock on, Nalini.
Do you have a favorite Psy/Changeling hero? And what do you think of Raphael? Labels: Nalini Singh, spotlight
posted by Stacy~ at 12/08/2009 06:50:00 AM
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Thursday, June 25, 2009:
"Angels' Blood" by Nalini Singh - (2009) quickie review
 USA Today bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires…
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…
As I mentioned earlier, I have this new obsession with all things Nalini Singh, and when I was on my Oakland trip, I walked down to Jack London Square to the Barnes and Noble and picked up this one, which I've heard nothing but good things about. Of course that doesn't always prompt me to buy a book, so that meant I had to find out for myself if, after reading "Slave to Sensation", the magic held. Not surprisingly, it did. Elena is not only good at her job as hunter, she's considered the best, which is why she's summoned by archangel Raphael when another archangel goes on a murderous rampage. Being immortal does not protect them from madness, and Uram has crossed a line he can never come back from. Because of Elena's unique abilities, she is the best choice to track such a dangerous being. Failure will surely mean her death. In fact, pretty much any outcome will guarantee she won't come out of this alive. But it's too late to back out; she's already come under Raphael's radar. Dealing with the arrogant and deadly Raphael is liking balancing on a very narrow ledge in the middle of a storm. Elena knows that just the smallest slight could be reason enough for him to kill her; Raphael is not human and cares very little for human life, and he only needs her for as long as it will take to locate Uram. Elena knows this and does her best not to antagonize the archangel, but sometimes she just can't help herself. She's not about to become one of his adoring followers, no matter how incredibly beautiful he is. Raphael has lived too long to have much care or concern for human life, but this mortal hunter intrigues him. Both fearless and afraid, Elena challenges him, occasionally stands up to him, yet also has a strong sense of self-preservation, and she almost never does what he expects her to do. He finds himself strongly drawn to her, but never will he let a human rule him. He is immortal, and she nothing but a blip on a timeline. But oh what a fascinating distraction this blip turns out to be.... Together they try to stop a rogue archangel who is bent on washing the world in blood. But nothing could prepare them for just exactly what will happen when this rogue, inflicted with madness, manages to elude them, going on a killing rampage that could destroy them. And that's when they discover just how unstoppable he turns out to be..... My thoughts: I will admit that with the influx of bad-ass heroines who are tough, stubborn and tend to subscribe to the loner existence, I was wonderfully surprised by Elena. Yes, she's all of those things, but yet she's not closed off from people, and her existence as a hunter is just a part of who she is, not a reason to push people away. She has friends, even a best friend, and she has a home that she considers her haven, a place to go and just "be". Elena also has family issues, but she doesn't let them cripple her to the point of being unable to function emotionally. She's made her own kind of family with other hunters, yet still looks out for her sister Beth. Elena is rather well-adjusted, all things considered, and I rather liked that about her. She accepted herself as a born hunter, and did what was required as naturally as breathing. It was not just her calling, but who she was at her core. I found Raphael to be a really different kind of a hero, because you never know if or when he might just decide to turn on Elena and eliminate her at his own discretion. He's immortal, so having lived for as long as he has, his ability to care is not high on his priority list. He's seen too much over the centuries, and for the most part, this has de-sensitized him to the pain and suffering of others, especially humans. As far as he's concerned, there must be order within the Cadre of Ten, the society of ruling archangels, and his most pressing concern is stopping one of their own from destroying the world. He will do what it takes, and use whoever it takes, to stop it from happening. At first, Elena is nothing more than a means to an end for him, albeit a rather tempting package, and once her usefulness has passed, she most likely will die by his own hand. So this doesn't stop him from wanting to play with his hunter, especially since his lovers tend to be warrior women, and Elena is a warrior to her soul. And these two together are rather amazing. I think because Elena was a more compassionate fighter, she was the perfect foil for someone like Raphael. He was able to see how she cared for others, how an innocent who suffered got to her, and it made him a little more human, even to the point of wanting to protect her. Their chemistry is sizzling and seductive, and inevitably they were going to end up in bed together. When it finally does happen, it's intense and spectacular, and let's just say angel dust never sounded so magically delicious. What a treat. But this story wasn't just about them, it was about an interesting and complex world of angels, vampires and humans, and how they all lived and the rules that bound them together. We discover how vampires are Made, and how the archangels rule. The bits and pieces of insight the reader is given leaves me clamoring for more. And the story is rich with secondary characters who intrigued me almost as much as Elena and Raphael, and I am insatiably curious about their lives and their fate. I'm really looking forward to discovering even more about them in follow-up books to this series, which is so completely different but no less fascinating than Nalini's Psy-Changeling books. So my feeling is that if you're in the mood for something a little different in your paranormal, with a touch of the familiar, you probably want to give "Angels' Blood" a try. I know I'm extremely glad I did. This is good stuff. Rating: ****1/2 out of *****
Labels: Nalini Singh
posted by Stacy~ at 6/25/2009 07:46:00 AM
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007:
Something else to look forward to in '08...
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley (February 5, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0425220168
ISBN-13: 978-0425220160 Nalini Singh pulls away another dark layer of sheer desire, revealing passions unknown, in her latest novel about the world of the Psy. A ghost returns from a leopard changeling’s past, making him question everything—even his base animal instincts…
Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.
Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life--the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows...
Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past...or lose everything that ever mattered.
Click here for an excerpt
Have you read Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series? If not, what are you waiting for??? Labels: 2008, Nalini Singh, series
posted by Stacy~ at 11/28/2007 05:48:00 AM
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Monday, September 03, 2007:
"Slave to Sensation" by Nalini Singh
Paperback: 345 pages
Publisher: Berkley (September 5, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0425212866
ISBN-13: 978-0425212868 Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind—and none of the heart…
In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….
Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…
I am rather quite late to the Psy-Changeling party, but better late than never, as the saying goes. I started this and immediately was drawn into the fascinating world Nalini had created, so much so that I was even dreaming about it that very first night. That being said, it did take me a week to read the book, as I tried to pay attention to the complex Psy world, and the more unpredictable changeling world. It is the year 2079, and Silence - the act of conditioning the Psy population to feel no emotion whatsoever - is considered a huge success to their race. They live for success, every decision based on creating the most effective and healthy and lucrative existence possible. Family is only the means by which to continue on the line. Loyalty belongs to the Council, who controls all, and sees all in the mind net that sustains their race.
Psy and the the changelings live separately, but continue to do business together, albeit warily. It is during such a business transaction that Psy Sascha Duncan meets Lucas Hunter, a DarkRiver leopard, and is immediately drawn to the magnetic man, despite her fear of feeling anything at all. But Sascha has a job to do, and that's what she is going to do, despite the disturbing distraction Lucas happens to be. See, Sascha knows she is a flawed Psy, that it is only a matter of time before she is found out by the Council. Her own mother is a powerful member and wouldn't hesitate to get rid of any weakness. Sascha fears rehabilitation worse than death, and will fight to remain intact as long as she possibly can.
Meanwhile, Lucas is puzzled by his awareness of the beautiful Psy. How can he - part man, part leopard - be fascinated by a woman who feels nothing, when to him, touch and Pack mean everything? Yet he can't deny that he is drawn to her, and the more he gets to know her, the more he sees that she is unlike any Psy he's ever known. But like Sascha, Lucas also has a job to do: avenge the death of a pack member who was brutally murdered by an unstable member of the Psy race. Lucas believes that by sticking close to Sascha, he will learn secrets of their closely guarded world, and catch the scent of a killer. He owes his pack that much, and cannot rest until vengeance is theirs.
As I mentioned, I was immediately pulled into this world, though I admit the whole idea of "conditioning" to feel no emotion felt...icky...to me, like some bizarre brain-washing experiment. But the more I read, the more I wanted to know about everything. Sascha may have been good at acting cold and emotionless, but it's pretty obvious that she has feelings, and she's afraid of what that means. Lucas is like a heady balm to her soul, but she fears the connection they have with each other. I liked how brave she was, even though she was terrified, and I admired how she faced up to her fear and was more than willing to do the right thing, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.
And Lucas was a hero to die for. He was strong, wild, undeniably alpha, loyal to his Pack and those he loved. Once he recognized Sascha as his mate, there was no one and nothing that would keep him from her; she was his, just as he was hers. His scars were many, deep, but he carried them with honor, and vowed to protect those he called his own. I loved how he teased Sascha, how she wasn't afraid of him, how he delighted in her responses to him. Changelings are a sensual race, and that in itself made it easy to connect with him and with the various members of his pack - they loved to touch with affection, to play, to tussle. Sascha was a bit flustered by this, but soon came to crave the simple touches of friendship the pack shared with each other. I will say that I really liked all of the affectionate touching between Sascha and Lucas that took the place of what could have turned into an on-going sex marathon; it made their connection so much stronger, much more intimate, and when they finally do make love, it's much sexier and made more sense to their story.
So yes, I loved this book (yeah, yeah, yeah MK, LOL) and I already have #2 and #3 (yes!) waiting to be read. I commend Nalini Singh for creating such an engaging premise and for her fascinating, ever-changing worlds where much can happen - you just never know what that might be. I like that though the year is 2079, it's not so different from today's world. There are so many directions this series can go, and I look forward to reading every single one of them. So if you love paranormals and haven't read this series yet, buy the book! Labels: Nalini Singh, paranormals, reviews
posted by Stacy~ at 9/03/2007 06:29:00 AM
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