Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wacky Wednesday: ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields Blog Stop

Welcome to my stop on the ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields Blog Tour. I love the Sex Demon Trilogy. I love the Sex Demons. And now the Trilogy is complete! I first fell in love with this series after reading CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON, the first published in the series, Jaye's debut novella, and the beginning of an incredibly enjoyable journey with Zahra and Lennox, Emmerie and Reza, and now Sephina and Axel.

If you're a regular here at Unwrapping Romance, you know how I love series. I love that we meet new characters with each story, then experience their aftermath when we meet them again in the next installment. When a series is done correctly, its as if it's a never-ending story and that's exactly how the Sex Demon Trilogy works. Although the trilogy began with CONFESSIONS, I highly recommend a new reader to the series begin with CLAIMING OF A SEX DEMON which gives us our real start in the series.

***Click on a title with astericks to go to my review of this book.

Blurb for CLAIMING OF A SEX DEMON:

Emmerie Winter has been married only a few months, but depression has made her a fragile stranger in the arms of her husband. When a sex demon with a boyish grin and a sinful body moves into town, Emmerie's world is turned upside down. His intense passion for life sends her depression into hiding, but her feelings for the sinful man could get her in deep trouble.
 
A sex demon needs climax to survive, but thats never been a problem for Reza Aniron. When the glorious specimen of a male arrives in a small village, the women fall at his feet, only a timid blonde angel doesn't seem to take notice. But he can see in her eyes a fire waiting to be released. And he always did love a challenge.

***In CLAIMING OF A SEX DEMON, we meet Emmerie Winter and Lennox Aegros - a newly married couple who seem to be living a happy life together but unknown to Lennox, Em is not totally happy or satisfied in the life she's facing with Lennox. Enter Reza Aniron, a succubus or sex demon, who not only shows Em how different her life can be both in and out of bed but opens her heart to real love. What happens to Lennox, you wonder? Well, that's when you move on to CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON.

Blurb for CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON:

Zahra proves that sex demons do it better as she goes from captive to captivator.

Sex Demon Zahra Aniron is a closet romantic. Too bad she spends her time having hot, kinky sex with paying strangers. But she needs the money to pay off her sister's debt to wizard thugs. There could be worse things than getting paid for pleasure, especially since a sex demon needs climax to survive.

As a blacksmith, Lennox Aegros puts his fury to good use pounding steel into swords. When he arrives at a new town, his real cause for being there isn't to sell weaponry, it's for revenge. When he finds the succubus he's been searching for, her beauty means he can mix business with pleasure. But the joke's on Lennox, because as he succeeds in torturing his victim by repeatedly bringing her to the brink of orgasm and then denying her the release that she so desperately needs, he realizes that Zahra's slow demise means the breaking of a heart he didn't think he had.

***In CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON, Lennox Aegros is looking for revenge. Revenge on any member of Reza Aniron's family whether spouse, lover, or sister. When he discovers a beautiful succubus, or sex demon, named Zahra Aniron in the marketplace, he knows on whom he will exact his revenge. Along with Zahra, we meet her adopted sister, Sephina Antara, and learn about their relationship and how Zahra saved Sephina from an abusive father. She's trying her best to keep the young pink-haired sex demon on the right track and away from drugs. In order to do this, Zahra must prostitute herself, and so, it is how she falls into the clutches of Lennox, a man determined to make her suffer so that Reza will feel the same loss he feels losing Em to a sex demon. Zahra has a strong will to live and also recognizes a kindred soul when she meets him. This one is still my favorite and if you're not already hooked by this unusual trilogy, I believe the romance that blooms out of heartbreak in this story will ensure your addiction by the time they reach their happily-ever-after. Fortunately, we meet Zahra and Lennox again in ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON.

Blurb for ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON:

Sephina is about to trade one addiction for another—his name is Axel.

Moving to a new village was supposed to help Sephina Antara get clean. After all, she’d gotten into a lot of trouble as a sex demon with a drug addiction.  This time her relapse comes with a side of hot dragon man.

Axel Stavros may be a drug dealer, but he’s also the town healer. Half-human, half-dragon, his blood can cure just about anything, but it has some erotic side effects for its user. And the new beauty in town is about to find out...


This is the newest of the series and the final story that brings it all together and in which you will see a definite connection, or introduction possibly, to Jaye Shields' other amazing series, the Immortals In Alameda - if you love the Sex Demon Trilogy, by all means continue on to this series, the first two books of which are already available - SECRETS OF THE FOG and SECRETS OF THE SKY. (you can click on the titles for my reviews of these awesome stories)


***In ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON, we meet Axel Stavros, by far one of the sexiest and most lovable demons ever. Even with blue skin and scales, this half-man/half-dragon is all man and a most fiery lover. He quickly wins over Sephina and before long, it's he that is risking his life to protect her. The steam factor in this story is about more than the sex, although the sex is mighty HOT!

Excerpt from ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields:

Axel reached out and touched the soft flesh of the woman. He'd been given the gift of a hellion with the face of an angel. Her cheek fit perfectly in his palm as he cupped her face. Her eyes flickered in response, shifting from a playful, yellow glow to a deep, primal, amber hue. He drew his finger down her shoulder and observed the heated silk of her skin.
 
"You're hot enough to be a dragon's mate." He spoke gently, afraid to spook her.
 
Her dainty hand swatted him away. "A sexual demon like you doesn't need cheesy pickup lines."
 
He frowned. "Your skin is very warm, woman. What are you?"
 
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
 
Axel appraised her and was happy to note that her climax had helped stop the trembling of her hands. But it would only be a matter of time before the effects of the withdrawal continued. "My name is Axel Stavros, one of the few quetzalem in this realm."
 
He searched her face for a reaction, but found none. Instead, the firecracker ran a hand through her electric pink hair, mussing it up so that she looked like she'd just rolled out of bed. He groaned at the thought.
 
"Quetzalem, huh? Well, that explains the tasty BBQ smokehouse quality of your skin."
 
He frowned. There was no detecting how this woman truly felt about his intentions. "You are familiar with my breed then? Perhaps you know that once a year we go into heat for twelve hours, and during this time we need constant climax to fan the embers of the brimstone lacing our bones. If we do not, our brimstone dries. Never more can we get it back once the cinders turn to ash."
 
"Well, it's a good thing you found the sex demon in town, isn't it?"

                                              *                   *                   *                    *                   *                      *

I hope you will check out this awesome paranormal romance trilogy if you haven't already. To help get everyone started, Beachwalk Press is offering a digital copy of ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields at each of her Blog Tour Stops including this one. You can check out the stops by clicking HERE but be sure to leave an entry here for a chance to win at this stop, too.

Just tell me what you think of this smoldering hero, Alex Stavros - would you be intrigued by a six foot tall, all muscle, blue skinned, half-dragon man with neon blue eyes who needs extensive climax to survive?

I know I could go for it, especially since he can fly me anywhere I want to go.  LOL!

Giveaway Prize:  One Digital Copy of ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields to one lucky commenter.

Giveaway Rules:

***This Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE, international included. (void where prohibited)

***For VALID ENTRY, commenter must leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. Remember the Magic Formula for Entry: 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR VISITING!
 

***This Giveaway will run until 11:30PM EST, Friday, March 1, 2013 at which time one lucky valid entry will be chosen by randomizer to win a digital copy of ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields. The winner will be notified by email, then their name and email address will be sent to the tour organizer to be sent to the publisher. Good Luck and …

Happy Reading Everyone!
 
THE SEX DEMON TRILOGY by Jaye Shields, Beachwalk Press, all three books, CLAIMING OF A SEX DEMON, CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON, and ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON are available now in ebook formats.

                                                    

Monday, February 25, 2013

Unwrapping: Review of ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields

I love the Sex Demon Trilogy. I love the Sex Demons. Now the Trilogy is complete! As a host of the ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON Blog Tour, I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this final novella that not only gives Sephina her happily ever after but easily connects us to the Immortals In Alameda series that I'm also crazy mad about, but more about that another time.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON:

Sephina is about to trade one addiction for another—and his name is Axel.

Sephina Antara has gotten into a lot of trouble as a sex demon with a drug addiction. Moving to a new village was supposed to help her get clean. But when she relapses, it comes with a side of hot dragon man.

Axel Stavros may be a drug dealer, but he's also the town healer. Half-human, half-dragon, his blood can cure just about anything, but it has some erotic side effects for its user, as the new beauty in town is about to find out…

Content Warning: graphic language, hot foreplay, and even hotter sex, including light bondage and some girl-on-girl action. 


                                  *                          *                     *                    *                          *

Sephina Antara is battling her addictions while trying to hide her backslide from her dearest friend and adopted sister, Zahra, and her soon-to-be husband, Lennox. When she goes in search of a drug dealer, she meets Axel Stavros, a man who is more than a man. Axel is also a Quetzelam - a rare dragon demon whose blood can heal but if consumed by a man, vicious, terrifying images of being attacked by the dragon will haunt the man's dreams, whereas, if consumed by a woman, she will have erotic dreams of incredible lovemaking that will keep her forever wishing to be with the dragon more than any other.

Sephina is a succubus or sex demon with pink hair and a great need. She needs regular sexual climax to stay healthy and with her addiction to ground fae wing, she needs a lot. She turns to a brothel under the suggestion of Lennox but needs more. When she discovers Axel, she's intrigued by his blue skin, dark good looks and neon blue eyes. Intrigued, and in need of sexual release once more, even after having been well serviced by the talented Catrina at Nymph's Hideout, a local brothel, she bargains with Axel to relieve his need for a happy ending if he supplies her with some much needed fae wing.

Axel Stavros is revered in the town of Orescia as a healer. Everyone knows that his blood can heal and so he's given lenience in all of his other activities. Once a year, for twelve hours, his species, Quetzelam, goes into heat. It's during this time that he needs a constant supply of climaxes to refuel his brimstone or his fire will go out forever. His problem - female Quetzelam are few and far between and most other women cannot handle his HOT lovemaking.  Through great fortune, the woman he needs most, delivers herself right into his hands but just as quickly disappears. Axel needs and desires the sexy, pink-haired succubus who tried to trade sexual favors for fae wing. Even as he seeks out another succubus in a nearby town to help him with his time in heat, his thoughts and his desires return to the pink-haired sex demon that has grabbed his attention as much as his blood has fired a need for him in Sephina.

Jaye Shields never ceases to amaze me at how much action, storyline, and hot, steamy sex she manages to fit into a novella. In ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON, she does no less. Not only does she continue to create a world that is both unusual yet recognizable, she give us a deeper insight into the world of the Quetzelam and their unusual needs and fears. Axel is sexy, hot (in more ways than one), yet intriguing and very easy to fall in love with just as Sephina does. If you read CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON, then you met the quirky, spunky, and troubled, pink-haired sex demon named Sephina Antara. I had hoped to learn a little more about her than what we already knew. We knew she came from a troubled childhood. We knew she had a father who wasn't worth the air he consumed at any given moment, and we knew that, thanks to Zhara Aniron, Sephina was a saved from an even worse fate but I would like to have learned more about her hopes and dreams beyond her addictions and survival. Axel is a good influence on Sephina and when things go wrong and they are caught by dragon hunters, she shows a strength that I'm not sure she knew she had but I would like to have seen more from her.

Over all, ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields is a delightful addition to the Sex Demon Trilogy and surely fulfills our need to see Sephina get her happily-ever-after with a sexy demon who will keep her happily supplied with as many climaxes as she needs.

I most certainly recommend ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON by Jaye Shields if you read the first two or even just CONFESSIONS OF A SEX DEMON. If you haven't read any of this series, you could easily start with this one, if you'd like a wildly sexual, and creatively imaginative experience with touches of bondage and flights of fancy including soaring through the clouds with a dragon. I do recommend reading them all, but ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON will surely have you addicted to the series and needing more.

Happy Reading Everyone!

ADDICTIONS OF A SEX DEMON, a Sex Demon Trilogy novella by Jaye Shields, Beachwalk Press, available now in ebook formats.

                                                                                         

Saturday, February 23, 2013

And ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis & Cajun Basket of Goodies goes to ...


 
THANK YOU EVERYONE
for taking the time to visit with
with my lovely guest,
Alexandrea Weis.
 
She was a delight to have visit.
Thank you, Alexandrea, for visiting
with me and I hope everyone will
decide to read this fabulous contemporary
romance - it's incredible and a must read
if you love romance.
 
 As promised, one lucky commenter is
going to win a digital copy of
ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis
and
a Cajun Basket of Goodies,
which will be sent to the lucky person
by Alexandrea from New Orleans.
So without further ado,
the winner is: 
 
 
 
 
 
CAREY SABALA
 
 
 
 
 
 Congrats to Carey, she has been notified by email
and she has until the end of the day
Thursday, February 28, 2013 to get back to me or I will be forced to
draw another name at random to present the prize to in her place.
 So please check your SPAM folder so you don't miss the message.
Congratulations, Carey and thank you to everyone who visited and played.

Happy Reading Everyone!
 
Btw - I've got some new advertisers on the blog including
iTunes, and a fabulous cosmetics company called DHC,
which I actually use - they've got the loveliest creams, lotions,
and cosmetics - plus you get free samples with every order.
I hope you'll check 'em out, if you're interested -
you can even get a free single from iTunes & audiobooks
of your favorite romances!
 
Happy Saturday!
 


Friday, February 22, 2013

Unwrapping: Review of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER by Sarah MacLean

Lucky me! One of the last things that Avon Romance sent me when my tenure as an Avon Addict ended, and I merely became an Avon Addict Alum, was a print ARC of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER, a Rule of Scoundrels novel by Sarah MacLean. I do have to say that I have been eagerly awaiting the chance to read it but my schedule only allowed it recently - well, I was not disappointed.

***ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER:

The second in the incredible new Rules of Scoundrels series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean.

Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she's never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London's most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.

Like any good scientist, Pippa's done her research and Cross's reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She wants science without emotion—the experience of ruination without the repercussions of ruination. And who better to provide her with the experience than this legendary man? But when this odd, unexpected female propositions Cross, it's more than tempting . . . and it will take everything he has to resist following his instincts—and giving the lady precisely what she wants.


                                           *                   *                 *                  *                  *                  *

Pippa, Lady Philippa Marbury is in search of answers. With her wedding to the staid Lord Castleton only two weeks away, Pippa needs a research partner who can assist her in learning the ways of the marriage bed. She seeks out her sister's husband's partner, Cross  - as if Bourne would allow it if he knew.  With all that she's heard of his reputation throughout London, Cross appears to be the perfect man to instruct her in the ways of temptation, seduction, and all that follows.

Cross has more on his mind than he can already handle, what with the problem of Knight and his eagerness to do more than ruin Cross, so when Lady Philippa Marbury appears in his office in the middle of the day, he's not only shocked but worried. If Bourne were to find out that his young, innocent sister-in-law, who is on the brink of marriage, was found in his office in the notorious gaming hell, the Angel, Cross would only have to worry about how much longer he might live. As if things weren't bad enough, the lady in question requests that he aid her in her 'ruination'. Yikes!

I love this story. I adore Pippa and even though I didn't particularly care for the way that Cross treated Pippa in the beginning, once he came around to recognizing his own attraction to the intriguing girl who wears spectacles, I became a huge fan. I do believe that ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER just might be Sarah MacLean's best yet!!

ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER by Sarah MacLean is delightful and intelligent from page one straight through to the happily-ever-after. Pippa is innocent yet precocious. She's gentle yet feisty. She's easily overlooked by most but when fired up, she's more than sexy, she's a vixen. Cross annoyed me at first in his treatment of her as if she was a schoolgirl bent on learning things far beyond her understanding but once he came around and understood the fire that simmers beneath her bespectacled, scientific surface, there was no stopping him from showing her just want an excellent rake he could be. 

I love that there was more to this story than just Pippa's desire to learn more about what was expected from her on her wedding night. It was about pasts, futures, and using intelligence to outsmart even the most street wise crook. When Cross pushes Pippa back in the direction of Castleton, she takes matters upon herself to do what she's wanted to do since she first experienced the man who is Cross - she sets about to run a scam, not unlike a cross between the one pulled in Ocean's Eleven and The Sting, to save Cross from himself. Brilliant and wonderfully pulled off. Not saying one more word - you've got to read it to experience it.

I highly recommend ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER by Sarah MacLean if you love a smart, incorrigible, and endearing heroine and a hero who is more than overwhelmed by her. If you love intelligent writing that carries you from scene to scene with an eagerness that culminates in a nearly scandalous happily-ever-after, then you will love this The Second Rule of Scoundrels book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER, a Rules of Scoundrels novel by Sarah MacLean, Avon Romance, available now in print and ebook formats.

                                                                                        

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Unwrapping: HUGE NEWS about the INSIDE OUT TRILOGY by Lisa Renee Jones

I just heard the best news ever from Lisa Renee Jones, author of the INSIDE OUT TRILOGY which you all know I rave over. Well, are you sitting down?

It's been optioned by STARZ NETWORK to be a cable television show!!!

Is that not amazing?!

Lisa was born under a lucky star. First, she published this awesome series herself, then she got picked up by Simon & Schuster to publish the rest and now it's going to be a cable television show.

E.L. James, hope you're green with envy!!

If you'd like to learn more about Lisa Renee Jones' news and her success, please click HERE.

Just had to share the news.

Still have a fabulous interview with Alexandrea Weis and #Giveaway of a Cajun Basket of Goodies and a copy of ACADIAN WALTZ happening so be sure to stop by.  xoxo

#GIVEAWAY

Happy Reading Everyone!

Wacky Wednesday: A Visit With The Talented Alexandrea Weis, author of ACADIAN WALTZ

Alexandrea with her baby,
Rodney the Racoon
On Monday, I reviewed ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis and truly, I did my best to express my enjoyment of this book but still don’t feel I really did it justice. I hope you’ll read my review of ACADIAN WALTZ if you haven’t already – you can click on the title to do so, but please do hurry back, because I’m so excited that the talented author of this fabulous contemporary romance is going to be joining me today. Last week, I was honored to be a guest at GraveTells Reviews and News where I was asked if I had come across any new or lesser-known authors that had truly caught my eye. Well, I do have a long list and certainly couldn’t take up everyone’s time by naming them all but I do have to say that Alexandrea Weis is one that I wanted to include in the list but ran out of time – she was a new author to me last year even though she was not a new author to the publishing world. I’m truly a fan now.

Please join me in welcoming Alexandrea Weis, the author of the fabulous new release, ACADIAN WALTZ, to Unwrapping Romance …

Amy:  Welcome Alexandrea, it's an absolute delight to have you with us today, and thank you for taking the time. Perhaps you'd like to tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don't know you yet.

Alexandrea:  Thanks so much for having me, Amy. I am a nurse from New Orleans who is also a certified/permitted wildlife rehabber with the La. Wildlife and Fisheries, so my house is a zoo. I take in orphaned and injured wildlife, care for them and re-release them back into the wild. I love it. I began writing at the age of eight, but did not finish my first book until I was in my mid-thirties. I have written many books since To My Senses, and Acadian Waltz is my seventh published novel with many more coming in the future.

Amy:  Thank you so much for being such a wonderful caretaker of animals. Being a nurse certainly gives you insight into human emotions that definitely show in your writing. You are an author who has written a variety of things from screenplays to romance, what or who first inspired you to write and what was your first published work?

Alexandrea:  I guess I would have to blame my upbringing for turning me into a writer. I was an only child who always had a very active imagination and grew up in the motion picture business. My father had an independent production company in the French Quarter. For me, such Bohemian influences allowed for my imagination to take flight. In addition, both my parents were very supportive of my storytelling and encouraged me to write. But the individual who prompted me to write my first novel, TO MY SENSES, was the man after whom the character of David was molded. It was for my David that I summoned the fortitude to sit down and write my first book.

Amy:  He must’ve been quite inspiring.  : )
ACADIAN WALTZ is an exceptionally visual story. I felt like I was actually in the swamps, mosquitos buzzing in my ears, and the feel of the humidity settling on my skin. I know you live in Louisiana - outside New Orleans - do you attribute your skill at creating such an intensely realistic setting to mimicking what's around you or do you draw inspiration from elsewhere?

Alexandrea:  Living in Southeast Louisiana, one cannot help but be influenced by your surroundings. The city of New Orleans is culturally rich, the people vividly eccentric, and the setting rife with sights and sounds that excite the imagination. I believe where you are from has a great deal to do with what you become. Being raised in such an eclectic city, and among such wonderful characters, has influenced my writing more than anything. You are always told to write about what you know, I know New Orleans and the surrounding area, and that is why I write about it as I do. It’s just a part of me.

Amy:  New Orleans is one city I have yet to visit but hope to someday. I thank you so much for a peek at the city that a tourist might not actually see. I kept thinking as I read ACADIAN WALTZ, how fabulous this would be on screen. The way the story leads the reader's imagination in many directions, at least mine, and the incredible setting, itself, it would make a great movie. Would you ever consider turning it, or any of your romance works, into a screenplay?

Alexandrea:  Cringe! Having grown-up in the motion picture business, and having written a few screenplays, I am painfully aware of how movies work. In many ways I would love to see my characters up on the big screen, but then again, I would dread it. Another’s interpretation of your work is a sure fire way to find frustration as a writer. Perhaps if I had total control over the screenplay and production, to make sure the movie was true to the book, I might consider it. But then again, I recall all of my experiences on movie sets as a child, and how directors, actors, and even cameramen reinterpreted what was written in the script to cater to their production needs, and I think, hell no. I guess it would depend on who would want to take on such a task, and the way they would try to stay true to the characters in the book. We shall see.

Amy:  I have to admit that I never thought about it that way. I would want complete control over everything if it was my story – ACADIAN WALTZ would not be as good if its emotions were lost. My mind whirled with the underlying mystery in this story, and I kept seeing things going in ways that eventually became clear, was that your intent - misdirection? I know it was in the end but we won't talk about that because that would be a major spoiler.  *wink*

Alexandrea:  I like to keep the reader second-guessing the intentions of the characters. Isn’t that how we see people in real life? You never completely trust a new acquaintance, so why should a character in a book be any different? I think it adds to the mystery and the lure of a story to keep some things hidden until the end.

Amy:  Well, I can tell my dear readers this – the ending will grab you so hard you’ll want to scream – or throw the book. I just started to cry! Where do you see your writing going next? Perhaps more mystery? Have you ever thought of another genre - something otherworldly, for example?

Alexandrea:  My next novel is a bit of a departure from contemporary romance. It is more paranormal but without the werewolves, vampires or other well-written creatures lurking on the shelves of bookstores today. THE SATYR’S CURSE is a romantic suspense novel with a supernatural twist. Voodoo curses, murder, mystery, and passion are the foundations of the plot. Set in New Orleans - where else - it has to do with the mysterious curse surrounding the last female heir of an Old New Orleans family, Jazzmyn Livaudais. She becomes involved with a man, Julian Devereau, who seems too good to be true. Her romantic adventure takes a turn for the worse when Julian turns out to be more than she could have ever imagined. THE SATYR’S CURSE will be released in May of this year.

Amy:  How exciting! Well, I’m going to be looking for that ARC as soon as it’s available for sure. Voodoo, curses, murder, mystery and passion – oh my! LOL!
Authors write a lot, but as we know, in order to write well, a writer must also read. Who are your favorite authors and have they had any influence on your writing?

Alexandrea:  I love reading about ancient history, so any novel, fiction or non-fiction, that deals with characters from ancient times enthralls me. Mary Renault is a favorite - but I also love to read modern suspense novels. Ian Fleming is another author who I love to read and reread. His character presentation for James Bond is very detailed and inspiring.

Amy:  Amazingly good reading and I’m sure it all inspires you – including the amazing history that surrounds New Orleans and the mysterious bayous. My final question and my favorite:  If you could be ANY character in ANY book, not just your own, who would it be and why?

Alexandrea:  I would probably love to be Nicci Beauvoir from my first series. The men she got to play with in TO MY SENSES, RECOVERY, and SACRIFICE were some of my favorites. David Alexander and Dallas August are not only sexy, vulnerable, strong, and smart, they were a lot of fun to write. I have always said heaven to a writer is where you get to finally meet all of the characters you have written. Heaven on earth is where I get to write about them.

Amy:  Looks like I’ve got some catch up reading to do – now you’ve intrigued me to add those three to my TBR list. I agree with you about Heaven on Earth being where we get to write about our characters – the imagination is the best show in town – reading your stories is the second best show in town. Alexandrea, thank you so very much for sharing some of your precious time today. We really do appreciate it since you're such a very busy lady. Congratulations on your new release, and may 2013 bring you much success. I’ll be eagerly awaiting SATYR’S CURSE this Spring!

Alexandrea:  Thank you, Amy, for this opportunity to connect with your readers!

Amy:  If you’d like to learn more about Alexandrea and her fabulous books, please feel free to visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and follow her blog, RANTINGS OF A FRUSTRATED WRITER where you can read excerpts and learn about her wonderful animals.

Alexandrea has graciously decided to offer up a Cajun Basket of Goodies to which I will add a digital copy of ACADIAN WALTZ as a fabulous Giveaway. All you, my dear readers, have to do is tell Alexandrea and me where you think your inspiration for creative endeavors comes from – any creative endeavor will suffice, baking, drawing, sewing, or even writing. I know there are a lot of quiet writers out there – we’ve all been one. So –

WHEN YOU’RE FEELING CREATIVE, WHAT INSPIRES YOU?


GIVEAWAY PRIZE – A Digital Copy of ACADIAN WALTZ & a Cajun Basket of Goodies.

Blurb for ACADIAN WALTZ:
 
At thirty, Nora Kehoe is feeling pressured to settle down. On a blind date, Nora unexpectedly ends up in the emergency room where she meets Dr. John Blessing. She hopes the pragmatic Dr. Blessing can make her life complete. Then, a passionate encounter with a childhood friend changes everything.

The charismatic Jean Marc Gaspard manages the family business, Gaspard Fisheries. But rumors abound that Jean Marc is running more than seafood through the waters around Manchac Louisiana. When a family crisis sends Nora to Manchac, she is thrown headlong into the dangerous world of smugglers and swindlers. And as Jean Marc tries to protect Nora from his past, he realizes he may lose her because of it.

The dark bayou waters run deep with secrets in Louisiana, and every Cajun knows how to dance the fine line between the right and wrong side of the law. But for strangers, learning the steps to staying alive in the swamps can be tricky. Life, and love, will be dependent on how well one can master the … Acadian Waltz.
 
GIVEAWAY RULES:
 
***This Giveaway is OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY (void where prohibited)
 
***For VALID ENTRY, commenter must leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. Remember the Magic Formula for Entry:
 
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
 
 
***This Giveaway will run until 11:30PM EST, Friday, February 22, 2013 at which time one lucky valid entry will be chosen by randomizer to win a digital copy of ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis and a Cajun Basket of Goodies. The winner will be notified by email and will have until end of day Thursday, February 28, 2013 to contact me or I will have no choice but to run the randomizer again using the remaining valid entries to choose a new winner. Good Luck and …
 
Happy Reading Everyone!
 
ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis, World Castle Publishing, available in print and ebook formats.



                                                                     
 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Unwrapping: Review of ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis

I am continually blown away by the talent that can tell a story from first person point of view and keep me spellbound the entire time. Alexandrea Weis has done just this in ACADIAN WALTZ, an extraordinary contemporary romance (true romance this time) that holds us  captivated and in suspense right up to the end.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for ACADIAN WALTZ:

At thirty, Nora Kehoe is feeling pressured to settle down. On a blind date, Nora unexpectedly ends up in the emergency room where she meets Dr. John Blessing. She hopes the pragmatic Dr. Blessing can make her life complete. Then, a passionate encounter with a childhood friend changes everything.

The charismatic Jean Marc Gaspard manages the family business, Gaspard Fisheries. But rumors abound that Jean Marc is running more than seafood through the waters around Manchac Louisiana. When a family crisis sends Nora to Manchac, she is thrown headlong into the dangerous world of smugglers and swindlers. And as Jean Marc tries to protect Nora from his past, he realizes he may lose her because of it.

The dark bayou waters run deep with secrets in Louisiana, and every Cajun knows how to dance the fine line between the right and wrong side of the law. But for strangers, learning the steps to staying alive in the swamps can be tricky. Life, and love, will be dependent on how well one can master the … Acadian Waltz.


                                          *                          *                            *                         *                         *

Nora Kehoe is happy with her life but her mother keeps pressuring her to settle down, to get married, and start a family - as if that's the only way a woman can be content in life. When she least expects to, Nora meets a handsome doctor - just the kind of man her mother would want her to spend the rest of her life with in wedded bliss. Dr. John Blessing seems to be a good man, albeit a bit dull, but Nora feels he's got potential as a husband so when he proposes, she accepts. Her mother is thrilled, but is Nora - really?

Not overly eager to have the wedding her mother always dreamed of, Nora tries to stall. Her career is on track but now John wants her to cut her hours and concentrate on planning the wedding. Always the one to please, Nora is willing to make changes for John's sake because she believes her life is going in the direction that fated her, at least until her Uncle Jack has a health issue and needs her to come out to Manchac to take care of him. It's there she runs into the one man who both enthralls her senses and irritates her to anger, Jean Marc Gaspard. Once a childhood friend, once the friend she dreamed of marrying, once the fellow who taught her to dance ... to dance the Acadian Waltz.

Trouble brews and mysteries abound as Nora feels herself being tugged back to the world along the bayou in Manchac. Her desire to ignore Jean Marc begins to wane as she discovers how caring he is to Uncle Jack and how he wants to help. Nora struggles to figure out how to stretch herself between caring for an old man who needs her but won't admit it, planning a wedding, and keeping herself true to John when all she wants is Jean Marc Gaspard.

Danger rears its ugly head when she witnesses Jean Marc's twin brother, Henri, nearly die from a voodoo scam that causes seizures that leave him paralyzed. Now she's agreed to tend to Henri as a private therapist in the home where the twins grew up. It's here that Nora makes many discoveries, not only about herself, her wants and desires, but truths about Jean Marc, Henri, and her own family's past. All of which put her life in danger and those of everyone around her.

ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis grabbed me right from the start and held me captivated clear through to the almost end when I feared the worst. I loved this story, I loved the characters, I loved the setting. I have to say there was nothing about this book that I didn't love. Nora is a woman on the edge, she's torn between one world and another, between one man and another. I will say that I did not like John Blessing but then I doubt I was supposed to. I silently pleaded with Nora as we journeyed through this story to leave him, give him back his ring, and tell him to hit the road. He was controlling, self-centered, and a selfish lover. He was everything that Jean Marc wasn't. I wanted Nora to be with Jean Marc so badly that I found myself pleading with her to just kiss him already!

Alexandrea writes this story with such intensity that there were times when I thought I felt the stickiness of the bayou humidity, heard the buzz of mosquitoes, and smelled the warm peatiness of the swamps. ACADIAN WALTZ is an adventure into the smuggling world that slinks through the bayou like a snake, it's a dance between two people fated to be together since childhood, and the secrets that have been left to fester which cut through families leaving wounds that never seem to heal.

I highly recommend ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis to anyone who truly loves a romance that sizzles, sparks, grabs a hold on and then drops your heart only to make you swoon in the end. It's like the last lines of this extraordinary tale say about the Acadian waltz - Every Cajun knows that you can only dance the waltz with your true love. Because you can never master the steps, until someone touches your heart. This contemporary romance will stay with you long after you finish reading these lines. This is one that I didn't want to see end. Ever.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Please, come back on Wednesday, when this lovely author will be joining me for an interview and a fabulous Cajun style giveaway!

ACADIAN WALTZ by Alexandrea Weis, World Castle Publishing, available now in print and ebook formats.