They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

My thoughts:

This book kept my attention right from the start. I happen to be fascinated by biblical stories, and the signaling of the end of the world tends to fascinate me for some morbid reason. In the hands of a skilled author such as Larissa Ione, it's quite a wild and intense ride.

Ares is your typical warrior: fearless, strong, and removed emotionally from others. His unusual response to Cara, a mere human woman who holds the key to salvation, baffles and frustrates him. His goal is to keep the world from ending, and he doesn't have time, nor the desire, to care for another. Cara has always felt separated from others, even her own family. She's not used to trusting another, but she must trust Ares to keep her safe, even if he is a huge, irritating jerk.

I enjoyed their dynamic, the fact that they confound each other. Their awakening feelings amidst such chaos is rewarding to watch, and gives them both something to fight for. I liked how Larissa added an edge of danger to Cara's and Ares' desire for each other. There was a strong and believable element of violence that enhanced their attraction, and was - whew! - undeniably hot. And it worked. I felt their desperation and need, and it was a palpable, breathing thing.

Cara's ability and unique affinity for animals added an intriguing element to the storyline. I love animals, so this was fun to see how it was worked into the story.

I found the creative history of the Four Horseman fascinating and ripe with possibilities for the future stories. Larissa left us with so many nuggets of "what if" that I cannot wait to discover just what they might be. I also loved that we got to re-visit with beloved characters from the Demonica series. I get attached to characters, so seeing the again was a treat.

I don't wish to give anything away here, and I cannot do a better job of expressing the awesomeness of this book as some of the other bloggers have so eloquently done, but suffice it to say, you will be on the edge of your seat reading this book. Even when you know what's going to happen, you can't help but hold your breath and curse Larissa for tying you in wonderful, emotional knots. Dread and hope war with each other, and you're utterly engaged in this story. I'm really excited to read the next thrilling installment of this brand-new series.

Labels: contest, Larissa Ione

Labels: contest, Jill Shalvis

Well today is my final celebration, and I hope you've all enjoyed it :) It's been a lot of fun sharing with y'all, (and prolonging my birthday of course LOL).

Today I am offering a $25 giftcard to the bookstore or other merchant of choice. Could be Amazon, Best Buy, Bath & Body Works, whatever. It's your call. You just have to answer my question:

What SmartPhone application or website

can you just not live without?

Contest ends at noon CST on Thursday, October 21st. Good luck!

Labels: birthday, contest

Today I'm giving back. Instead of a prize to an individual, I'm going to donate $20 to your favorite charity. Please leave a comment, letting me know which charity is near and dear to your heart (ahem, and not your book fund charity either. Must be for children or animals or breast cancer or MS or...) and a randomly selected winner will get a $20 contribution made to their charity of choice.

Contest ends noon CST on Wednesday, October 20th. Good luck!

Labels: birthday, contest

Labels: birthday, contest

To kick it off, I'm going to offer up my absolute favorite series I read this year: Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane.

I'm going to make it super easy since it's my birthday. Just post a comment about your current favorite SONG. Please include the artist as well as the name of the song.

Contest will end at noon CST on Sunday, October 17th.

Now go forth & enter! Stay tuned for other prizes throughout the week :)

Labels: birthday, contest

So for the next 2 weeks, ending at noon CST on Saturday, October 2nd, I'm going to have a contest to win a copy of this book. Or, if you've already read it and would like to read another book on the banned book list, I will buy a copy and send it to you. (You can go here for a list banned and challenged books). Contest is open to everyone. Just leave a comment.

For more ways you can help, you can visit Laurie's blog and just follow the links.

And please stop by CJ Wine's blog and read one courageous author's own account as she SPEAKS OUT against banning books. If this doesn't move you, I don't know what will.

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read
September 25−October 2, 2010

SUPPORT BOOKS!!!!

Labels: banned books, contest, SPEAKing out

FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…

. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…

Recently I won a signed copy of Julie's book on Facebook, but since I am lucky enough to already have one, I decided to offer this one up in a contest.

Simple rules: just respond to the contest question no later than noon CST on Friday, September 24th. Open to everyone. Must answer the question in order to qualify.

Question: Since one of the characters in Julie's book is an attorney, my question is:

What is your favorite law show and/or character?

Now you are free to go forth and enter :)

Good luck!

Labels: contest, Julie James

Meet three men without boundaries, hell-bent on satisfying their deepest desires-and those of the women who drive them wild.

Labels: contest

I have a confession to make: I have a new part-time job. A fun, interesting one too. Curious to know what it is? Well, you are currently visiting the blog of Erin McCarthy's assistant!

Now it's not all a bed of roses. I have to read her books and come up with interesting posts and have contests to give away said books. Yeah, real tough life. All kidding aside, I freakin' ADORE Erin and have known her for years, and I'm honored and flattered to have been offered this opportunity to spread the word about one of my favorite authors ever. It truly is something I love doing, and damn, what a fun gig!

I'd actually been planning this particular post awhile, since way before she asked me about the position, because I do love her books and want to share them with everyone. So now that Hot Finish, the 3rd book in Erin's Fast Track series was recently released, I thought it would be a fun thing to have a contest for all 3 of them.

My contest is open to everyone, including international readers. As long as you can receive mail, you can enter the contest :)

1. The Fast Track series is about racing. Are you a fan of racing? If not, what is your favorite sport to watch on t.v.?


2. Racing has a lot of fans and followers. Would you want to date a racing celebrity? Why or why not?


3. Be honest, when you're behind the wheel, are you a hot-footed Jeff Gordon or a "follow the speed limit or you'll crash" driver?

Contest rules: You MUST answer ALL the questions to qualify for an entry into the contest. Contest will end on Friday, August 20th at 7pm CST. Winner must respond within one week of being announced as such (as I tend to post a bit late!)

GOOD LUCK!!!

Labels: contest, Erin McCarthy

Movies. Just one of my favorite things :) And there's nothing more fun that discussing favorite movies, unless it's books! Or, okay, the hotties ;) But today is all about the movies.

Some cool friends of mine - Beth, Julie, and Lea - all thought it would be cool to have a blog-hopping contest between our 4 blogs where we talk about our favorite movies. But to make it even more fun, all 4 of us are going to have a contest at our own blogs encouraging y'all to talk about some of your favorite movies. (Shout-out to Lea for making this awesome banner!)

My list consists of films I could watch over and over and never get tired of them. At first I thought it would be difficult to come up with such a list, but after some consideration, I realized that I already knew which movies belonged on this list.

1. East of Eden (1955)- I remember seeing this movie on PBS a long time ago, and one of the scenes that immediately caught my attention was the one with James Dean & Julie Harris up on the top of the ferris wheel. I knew then and there I just had to watch the whole thing, and when I finally did, I loved it even more. What really speaks to me in this film is that Cal (Dean) is the son that no one expects much from, the goof-off, the one who's always getting into trouble and coming up with schemes. But in the end, Cal is the son that you can count on, the one who sticks it out when things bet bad. And while the movie is only a small portion of the book, it was a very significant piece of this piece of literature. It never fails to get me to react, and I fall in love with Cal all over again...

2. BBC Pride & Prejudice (1995) - I shamefully admit it, I had not read Pride & Prejudice - at least not the entire book - until I watched this particular movie. And it immediately grabbed me. Not only was Colin Firth the epitome of the quintessential Mr. Darcy, but Jennifer Ehle had the bold and unwavering intelligence and humor to go head to head with him time and again (I believe the two were involved during the filming of this mini-series). This rendition of the beloved romance is by far my favorite, though others have turned my eye as well, but because we get a more drawn out telling of the story here, it is at the top of my list. Not to mention the scene where a dripping Mr. Darcy encounters a rather embarrassed yet intrigued Miss Bennett at Pemberly. It's a much more sensual telling of the story, and one I could watch over and over...

3.French Kiss (1995) - This came out during a time when Meg Ryan was still America's sweetheart (I still adore her) and this is her in a role that probably doesn't immediately come to mind when they think of their favorite Meg Ryan film, but it always tops mine. I think because in the beginning we see the neurotic character she plays (who is terrified of flying) evolve into a woman who learns to not take everything so seriously, and that maybe the things you thought were so important end up changing once you really get to know someone. One of my favorite scenes is where Meg is drinking from a glass of wine and Kevin Kline asks her to describe the wine. But there are so many moments I could quote because this movie is endearing and sweet yet also earthy. The kiss at the end in the vineyard - whoa, mama! Verra sexy ;)

4.Emma (1996)- Just a fun film! Emma is SUCH a brat, but she means well. She just needs to be taken down a peg or two by Mr. Knightley, the older, sophisticated gentleman who reluctantly indulges Emma's schemes for the most part, until her behavior becomes spiteful and a bit mean. But eventually the flighty, sometimes whimsical Emma puts away her daydreams and starts to realize it's time to grow up, and that the match she's really been wishing for - the one for herself - has been there all the time, just waiting for her to open her eyes and discover it. Though Jeremy Northam isn't my idea of the romantic leading man, he sure stole my heart in this film, and made me wish for a few moments that I was Emma, accepting his marriage proposal.

5.Clueless (1995) - The modern day version of Emma, Clueless is set in 20th century California, with lots of blonde, tan girls and surfer dudes. Despite the amateurish telling, it's incredibly infectious, and Alicia Silverstone is gorgeous and manipulative in this film, however it's all for good. Despite being a spoiled brat with daddy's credit card, Cher is immediately likable even when you try to hate her. (Still had my girl crush on her from the video "Cryin'). She suffered through her own heartbreak when her plans start to backfire on her, but Cher is not one to sit back and wallow for long, and in the end, she gets the guy (who is much cuter than Mr. Knightley!) The characters were funny, silly, and it's a movie I always stop to watch because it's a bit mindless, and the soundtrack rocks.

6. The Black Swan (1942) - The first time I had seen this, I was immediately infatuated with Tyrone Power as the swaggering pirate Jamie who cannot get the fiery redhead out of his mind. This swashbuckling film is my top pick from the genre, because it's fun and sexy and exciting. Not only is Jamie the kind of pirate I'd surrender my bootie to (ahem), but Maureen O'Hara is stunningly vibrant and kicks ass as a sassy and ornery lady of worth who determinedly fights her attraction to a man she thinks is an outlaw, only to discover that he's not so bad after all. Nope, our Jamie boy is quite irresistible ;)

7. Gilda (1946) - To me, current plastic surgery and Botox treatments nonwithstanding, I find Rita Hayworth to be the most incredibly beautiful woman, and I so harbor a mad girl crush on her. You just don't see women like that today, and it's a sad thing. This film showcased Rita as a woman who lived life on the edge. She hooked up with rich, powerful men who didn't make her happy, all the while pining for her former boyfriend Johnny (played by Glenn Ford) who didn't hae the dough, but they loved each other madly. As luck would have it, Gilda and Johnny cross paths again, and it's not without it's drama, especially considering Gilda is a married woman, and Johnny hates Gilda with a deep passion, yet is forced to keep an eye on her as she parties the nights away. Intense, dark, full of lust and murder, I can never pass this one by .

8. Anne of Green Gables/Anne of Avonlea (1985/1987) - I pulled an all-nighter watching these movies when I was babysitting with a friend. We pulled out the VHS and immediately fell in love with Anne and Gilbert. I wanted Megan Follows to be my best friend! I wanted to marry Gilbert! Recently I bought the collector's edition, which contains the 3rd movie, but I don't include it here because it doesn't capture the magic, or spirit, of Anne like these 2 movies do. Anne was one of those fearless people who always seemed to do the wrong thing, for the right reason, but eventually she won everyone over with her determination to be different and follow her own path. She had to live a little to realize that what she really needed was what she's always known. No other version of this film could do the series justice.

9. The Wedding Singer (1998) - I am not going to embarrass myself and tell you how many times I went to the theatre to see this movie, but it was more than once. I completely fell for Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart, and Drew Barrymore is adorable as Julia, the engaged girl he ends up meeting when his band plays at a wedding and she's with the caterers. Right from the start their chemistry is palpable, and it's so easy to see these two as a couple. Set in the 80's (my time), the music brought me back to simpler times, and though there were a few (eww!) moments, overall I fell for this film, and the scene on the plane when Robbie sings to Julia is so sweet.

10.My Man Godfrey (1936) - What can I say, this movie was pure magic. Carole Lombard is luminous as an airhead socialite who falls in love with Godfrey, a homeless man she brings home to be the butler. But Godfrey keeps his distance, not willing to upset his stable position within the household to get involved with Irene, though we find out that Godfrey is not exactly who he says he is. This film is magical, and funny, but also telling of times during the Great Depression, how easy it was to make one bad investment and the significant impact this time had on a nation. Still does, considering current times. Though this film has been recreated in color, I was always partial to the original black and white version. I think it highlights the happy, carefree moments and blends them with the darker, more desperate times much more effectively. Mostly, this is a lovely film, charming and lighthearted, romantic and funny, with overtones of a difficult time in the country's economy. Still a favorite.

Honorable mentions:

~ Lili (1953) (with Leslie Caron & Mel Ferrer)

~ Sabrina (1954)(with Audrey Hepburn & Humphrey Bogart)

~ Spaceballs (1987)

• Beth Kery


• Julie James


• Lea

Good luck!

Labels: contest, movies

I am a huge, huge, HUGE fan of this series, and I hope you all are too. Now that we visited for a spell with Chloe, I thought I'd have a little contest to win a copy of the 3rd book in her fantastic Chicagoland Vampire series. Yes, I do believe it's important to read these in order so you have the back history, so don't say I didn't warn you LOL. First is Some Girls Bite, then Friday Night Bites, now this pretty gem. Believe me, they are worth it.

This time my contest will be short and sweet :) Obviously, you probably noticed that Chloe's series is set in Chicago, which just happens to be about 45 minutes from where I live. Awesomeness. So my question to you is this:

If you could have a sexy vampire series set in any city, where would it

be, and why?

Contest will end at noon on Sunday, July 4th (!) at noon CST. Must answer the complete question to qualify. I will try to order the book on release day --- remember, we want Chloe to get that tattoo ;)

So please, go forth and enter!

Labels: contest

So, absolutely anyone is eligible to enter the contest, provided they can received mail as I will be sending actual books out. There will be 5 questions, and participants must answer ALL questions or they will not be entered in the drawing. Contest ends noon CST on Sunday, June 20th. Sooo, are you ready?

1. If the world was being destroyed and only one area (city, country, state) on the planet survived, and you along with it, where would you want it to be?


2. What item is at the top of your Bucket List (things to do before you die)?


3. What survival items would you always keep in your purse?


4. Would you rather forego: technology, a closetful of clothes, or books?


5. Which hottie(s) would survive the destruction along with you? (You know I had to ask that! *g*)

So, now go forth and enter! GOOD LUCK!

Labels: contest

(gorgeous blog button created by Sagi!)

• if a sexy vampire offered to take you away from a life of bills, dirty dishes, and not enough time to read, and all you had to do is let him bite you and turn you into a vampire, would you do it?


• Which vampire would you want as your sire?
  
  

Can't wait to see those answers *g*

Labels: contest

Today I'm VERY excited to be giving away a copy of a truly amazing love story (please see previous post for my review). And if you have not read this wonderful book yet, or if want to step outside your own comfort zone and read this m/m romance, I think you are in for a real treat.

Rules: contest is open to anyone who can receive mail. Contest will end Friday, April 9th at 7pm CST. Please DO NOT leave your email address in your response as the winner is responsible for contacting me within 7 days of announcement or another winner will be announced. All who participate must answer the contest question to be eligible. See, that's not so bad *g*

Question: "Faith & Fidelity" is one of the most romantic stories I've read in a long, long time. In the last few months, what would you say is the most romantic book you've read, and why?

**GOOD LUCK!**

Labels: contest

Genny loved her husband Max, but he lacked the sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. Ruggedly handsome, Sean had a heart-stopping smile that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became. Then her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night...

In RELEASE, Genny has a hot threesome with her husband and Sean. If you could have a sexy threesome with any two people - could be from the movies, or a book, etc - who would those two lucky people be?

The contest will run until 5pm CST on Sunday, March 21st. Everyone is welcome to enter, but must answer the question to qualify. I ask that you please DO NOT include your email address in your response. Appreciate it :)

Good luck!

Can't wait to see your answers ;)

Labels: Beth Kery, contest

*****

I am so there!!!

Labels: booksignings, contest

Labels: contest, Jill Shalvis

A lot of readers are seriously into YA books these days, and after ages I finally picked this one up. As usual, I'm late to the party, but that's okay. Better late than never right?

Labels: contest