Caressed by Night (Rulers of Darkness #2) by Amanda J. Greene

Today is the release day for Caressed by Night, Book #2 in the Rulers of Darkness series!! A big Happy Book Birthday to Amanda J. Greene!

Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.

Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom. 

While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.

My Thoughts:

I read book #1 in the series, Caressed by Moonlight, back in May of last year (see my review here) and I was curious to see if the story would continue on with Dorian and Victoria. Amanda did go in another direction with the series. Book #2, Caressed by Night, is about Dimitri and another big difference is that it is also set in modern times where the first book was historical.

Caressed by Night has sexy and powerful vampires, curses, witches, and love...all with a bit of action thrown in the mix. Dimitri, after geniously faking his own death, knows it's now time to reclaim what belongs to him. He appears to a trusted friend and then sets his plan into motion. Will he defeat his nemisis or will he himself be defeated?

Kerstyn meets a beautiful, blue eyed man when he saves her from danger. She has no idea of the bumpy road that Fate has put in front of her. Is she strong enough to survive in this new and dangerous world?

I enjoyed this book as much as the first. I also think it's fun trying to guess who will be the main character in the next installment in the series.

Just a little word of warning, this book contains some spicy scenes. So I'll say the same thing I did with the first book, if you don't like that kind of thing then you may not want to read this but you'll be missing out on a good book.

I received a review copy of this book, but that in no way effected my review.

Where to find Amanda:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

 Book Links:

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles

I’ve Been Tagged!!

Karla at Book Addict blog tagged me so here goes…

Tag Rules:

1. You must post the rules.

2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create ten new questions to ask the people that you have tagged.

3. Tag eleven people and link to them on your post.

4. Let them know you've tagged them!

My answers to Karla’s questions:

1.What is your Favorite book ever?

I’m going to cheat and pick two books. So far they are the only books I have read more than once.

-Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder

-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronté

2.If you had to choose a character of one book to meet in real life, who would it be?

I’m never good at answering questions like this so I'm going to cheat again and say 'pass'

3.If a thief entered your house to steal your library, what book would you try to save and why?

I would try to save as many of my signed books as possible...all the rest can be replaced. If I had to pick ONE book to rescue I would pick signed copy of Poison Study.  It is the original first edition hard back and I could probably find another one but there’s more sentimental value to my copy. It’s signed and dated back in ’05 and it was Maria’s first book signing for her first novel. It was also the first signing I had been to as well.

4.If you were a character in a book what type of character would you be?

Hhmmm, I would like my book character to be a determined, kick butt chick

5.Have you found a book that made you cheer for the bad guy to win? Which book was it and why?

Well, there could be a lot…or none. Cryptic much? I think the male  ‘love interests’ in a lot of books can be, well, asses but sometimes I find myself still wanting them to get the girl. Other than that, I don’t normally root for the bad guy. I guess it depends on how the book is written.  Writers can spin the story however they want. I hope that at least makes a little sense, haha.

6.Who is the worst character you´ve found while reading a book?

Worst as in a bad guy or worst as in worst written? How about I go with a character trait that annoys me? I don’t like when characters are whiney. I understand that, obviously, bad things are going to happen to people in books but I enjoy the read more when there’s minimal whining before they get back up and dust themselves off.

7.Do you choose your books by the cover or the blurb?

Honestly, it’s different with each book. Sometimes I buy it based solely on the cover and/or blurb and sometimes I will pick a book only because a friend said I would like it. And there are the rare occasions where I read the blurb and skim some reviews.

8.Do you have any strange reading habits? if so what are they?

This ties in with my answer for question 7.

Most of the time I will read a book blurb when I buy it but after that I avoid anything to do with the book like the plague. Blurbs and reviews sometimes will give away details and I prefer to know as little as possible about the book so I’m surprised as I read.

9.Hardback, Paperback or ebook?

I like paperback and ebooks…and sometimes if I have a book in both formats I will switch back and forth while reading.

10.Give a list of your top 5 book boyfriends....

I don’t really have book boyfriends. I guess I just prefer to watch everyone fight over boyfriends from the sidelines ;)

Who I am Tagging

I’m not going to specifically tag anyone. Instead I’ll say that if you want to give the questions a whirl, then go for it! I just ask that you add a link to your post in the comments below.

My questions for you

1.      What is the first book you remember reading that really stuck with you?

2.      What is your go to genre? That one genre that can always snap you out off a book slump?

3.      If you’re a blogger, what is your favorite thing about your blog? A certain meme? Your layout?

4.      As a blog reader, what attracts you to a blog?

5.      If you could get a signed/personalized book from any author who would it be?

6.      If you could have any book character as a roommate who would you pick and why?

7.      Do you prefer to cozy up and read or read on the go?

8.      What is your favorite bookmark?

9.      Do you like to set reading goals for yourself?

10.   If so, what goals do you have for 2012?

Zombie Movies & Books

A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, and a gun-toting tough guy trying to find the Last Twinkie and a pair of sisters trying to get to an amusement park join forces to travel across a zombie-filled America.

Everything zombie seems to be popular right now and the movie world is no exception. I have only seen two zombie movies, Zombieland and Zombie Apocalypse. The two movies are very different but also very good. Hubby and I are watching Zombieland for what is probably the fifth time. When I started watching it for the first time, I thought it might end up being one of those movies that you regret spending your time on but it was quite the opposite. This movie never seems to get old and I still laugh out loud at some of the scenes.

Months after a zombie plague has wiped out 90 percent of the American population, a small group of survivors fight their way cross-country to a rumored refuge on the island of Catalina.

Zombie Apocalypse is more action without the comedy and I can't explain why, but I absolutely love that this movie has a zombie tiger!


As for zombie books, well I have only read two...so far.

I have read the first two books in The Forest of Hands and Teeth series by Carrie Ryan.

They are good, but they weren't quite the five star books that I was expecting. See my reviews here and here. I do plan on finishing the trilogy and reading more zombie books, for example

Have you seen any zombie moves? Read any zombie books?

"Love, Served With a Twist" Party WINNERS

It has been a lot of fun partying with you all!

I have picked winners for the three giveaways on my blog.

Just remember, you still have a chance to win if you enter on Wendy's blog! I believe her giveaways are open until February 25th! Her post links are at the top of my side bar and will remain there until the giveaways end.

And on to the winners...

The winner for Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn is...

Robin

 

The winner for Dirtying It Up by Calista Fox is...

bn100

The winner for Stirring It Up by Mary Leo is...

Sonnie

Congrats to all of the winners!

I will be emailing the winners later today to let you know you won. Then I will be passing your email addresses on to Wendy and she will take care of letting the three fabulous authors who won :)



"Love, Served With a Twist" Party - Stirring It Up by Mary Leo

 

The last review & giveaway for our "Love, Served With a Twist" Party week is Stirring It Up by Mary Leo
When sexy world traveler, Max Rosso, walks into With a Twist, the San Diego based martini bar and bistro Rose Cupido owns with her two best friends, she immediately knows she's in trouble. Not only did the mysterious gypsy prophesize that Rose would find true love by Valentine's Day, but the gypsy also warned that this new love must be returned. If it is not returned, all will be lost, including With a Twist.

As Valentine's Day fast approaches, can Max and Rose stir it up enough to find true love, or will his need for freedom get in the way of them having it  all?

My Thoughts:

The third and final installment of the "Love, Served With a Twist" novella series is Stirring It Up. This novella is a little more sugar where the first two were sugar & spice.

Rose is the talented, dedicated, and workaholic chef at With a Twist. She doesn't have time for love. But then Max, Jasmine's cousin, strolls into the restaurant after having been away for ten years. Old feelings come back...and they're not all good ones. Rose knows they will never be together because among other things, Max is a roamer, never in one place for long. Will Rose and Max fall in love and fulfill the gypsy's fortune? You'll have to read it to find out :)

Keep reading for your chance to win an ebook of Stirring It Up!


Book Links:
Barnes & Nobles
Amazon


Author Links:
Website
Facebook


Giveaway:

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment for one (or  more) of the three "Love, Served With a Twist" Authors

Please include your email so I can contact you.

Winner will be randomly selected on Valentine's Day!

Good Luck! And don't forget to check out Wendy's Stop on the party train for a great review and another chance to win! If you haven't entered to win the first two novellas in the series, Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn and Dirtying It Up by Calista Fox, check out the links at the top of my side bar.

Upcoming Read-a-Thon!

Ok, ok, I know I am mega early on this BUT I'm excited for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon in April! April 21st into the 22nd to be exact!

So why am I posting about this months early? One will never know ;) but since it's on my mind, I thought I would list some general RAT (read-a-thon) tips for any first timers out there.

1. Pick books you are 90% sure you will like! There's nothing worse than trying to force the connection to a book during a RAT.

2. If you find yourself forcing said connection then it may be wise to put it down and grab a different book so you don't mess with the flow of the thon.

3. A friend (Wendy at Wall-to-Wall Books) suggested reading Young Adult books, which makes sense because they are sometimes easier/quicker reads.

4. I believe at one point Wendy also said she reads shorter books. I think tho is a good idea too. Finishing more books may keep you motivated to kick RAT butt!

5. Plan out quick prep foods and snacks. You may decide to break up the RAT by cooking meals but if you want to read straight through the 24 hours then having grab and go types of food is always a time saver!

6. Stock up on sugar and caffeine. Unless your body is the energizer bunny you may need something to peel your eyes open and jump start your brain...and what better to do that than candy, coffee, or high sugar soda? I found that brownies and milk is a good snack to pull me through the rough hours.

7. Take breaks. Get up and walk around, dance around the house like a nut, take the dog out, or maybe do some cheerleading for other RAT'ers.

8. Have a friend check in with you and cheer you on...or have them threaten to hold your eyes open with toothpicks (Wendy!!)if you start drifting off.

9. If you are the type tht can't read withy grouch distractions then find a quiet room and throw some caution tape across the door to warn off any brave souls. I try to make sure my hubby is working a full shift during the RAT. Otherwise he tends to say random dribble about every half hour until I start to develop a twitch.

10. Another friend (Kate at Epic Chocolate Fantasy) recommends trying different locations, a coffee shop for example.

11. She also recommends having a lot of music close at hand...which will work nicely since #7 has you dancing around the house like a nut :)

12. And the most important one...HAVE FUN!

If you are a seasoned RAT'er let us know if you have any additional tips.

Hope to see some of you in April   :-P

"Love, Served With a Twist" Party - Dirtying It Up by Calista Fox

We have hit the middle of our "Love, Served With a Twist" Party week!!! Our midweek review & giveaway is for the second book in the novella series Dirtying It Up by Calista Fox

A prophecy whispered in Jasmine Rosso’s ear by a gypsy fortuneteller in San Diego’s Seaport Village leads her to a sizzling night with sexy glass artist Jake Hartnett. But the clock’s running out on the time allotted to fulfill the prophecy, and if Jasmine doesn’t make a true love connection with Jake before midnight on Valentine’s Day, she’ll lose everything she’s worked so hard to achieve this past year...including the trendy martini bar and bistro, With a Twist, that she owns with her two best friends. Worst of all, she’ll lose Jake—the only man she’s ever wanted.

My Thoughts:

This is an interesting series, the three novella's all run parallel to eachother. They overlap a little but for the most they are happening at the same time. So to me it's a series, 'with a twist'.

Dirtying It Up follows Jasmine, part owner of  'With a Twist', as she struggles with a gypsy's fortune along with her friends. She has to find love and have it returned before Valentine's Day. This is where Jake, and his reputation, come in. He recently returned from Italy and just the thought of him gives Jasmine the warm and fuzzies...well it's probably more like hot and bothered. But regardless, she doubts he would ever feel the same about her and even if he did, would she just be another notch on his bedpost?

Dirtying It Up was another good (and hot) Valentine's read. Keep reading for your chance to win an ebook copy.


Book Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles


Author Links:
Website
Blog


Giveaway:

To enter, all you have to do is comment with your email.

Winner will be randomly selected on Valentine's Day!

Good Luck! And don't forget to check out Wendy's Stop on the party train for a great review and another chance to win! If you haven't entered to win the first book in the series, Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn, check out the links at the top of my side bar.

"Love, Served With a Twist" Party - Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn

Today's party is all about  Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn

Daisy  L’Amore is faced with impossible choices. A prophecy given a year ago has Daisy and her two best friends racing the clock to find love before midnight on Valentine’s Day or they will lose everything they’ve worked for, including With a Twist, the martini bar and bistro the three of them own. A crystal heart and a gypsy’s words guide them, but love has a way of making its own rules, and Daisy is afraid to break them.

Romeo Corazón is shaking up Daisy’s world, but will the transformation he brings to her life be the downfall of everything she values? Or will falling in love with the wrong man make everything right?


My Thoughts:

Shaking It Up is a fun and spicy Valentine's Day read about three friends who own a martini bar/bistro. A year ago they were drawn to a gypsy's stand where she foretold their future and warned them that they must find love before the next Valentine's Day or lose everything. That potentially catastrophic date is closing in...and fast!

This particular installment of Love, Served With a Twist is about Daisy, the bartender for 'With a Twist'. She is torn between sexy, bad boy Rome and seemingly nice guy William. Can one of these guys really be her future or will she miss out on love and lose everything her and her friends have?

I really enjoyed reading Shaking It Up and ironically I read this while drinking a glass of wine. It's not quite a martini but it was still fun to curl up with a good book and my friend, Moscato ;-).

Keep reading for your chance to win an ebook of  Shaking It Up!


Book Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles

Author Links:
Website
Blog


Giveaway:

To enter, all you have to do is comment with your thoughts on Valentine's Day...are you pro or con? Is it a special day or is it a Hallmark holiday just there for stores to make more money?

Please include your email so I can contact you if you win.

Winner will be randomly selected on Valentine's Day!


Good Luck! And don't forget to check out Wendy's Stop on the party train for a great review and another chance to win!

"Love, Served With a Twist" Party

You're Invited!

Hosted By

Wendy @ Wall-to-Wall Books

Jen (me) @ well...here ;-)

What

"Love, Served With a Twist" Party

Wendy and I will be reading the three novella's in the Love, Served With a Twist series and posting our reviews on the same days (listed below). We will be linking our posts and will each be hosting giveaways for the featured novella!

Two Blogs x Three Novella's = 6 Chances to win!! Don't miss out!

When

February 6th featured review/giveaway will be Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn

February 8th featured review/giveaway will be Dirtying It Up by Calista Fox

February 10th featured review/giveaway will be Stirring It Up by Mary Leo

Why

Well, why not? Who doesn't like a good party?