Top 5 Sundays #45 – Books for a PNR 1st Timer! {A.K.A. The 700th Post}

Hello my dear readers! =) Top 5 Sundays time once again! YAY!

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

 

This week’s results:

UF Book Recs to Guys! = 10 (45%)

Books for a PNR 1st Timer! = 12 (54%)

 

The theme for today is:

Books for a PNR 1st Timer!

 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Books for a PNR 1st Timer!

Seems that for the these last couple weeks it’s all about bookish first times =)

Paranormal Romance {PNR} is all about the HEAs {Happily Ever Afters} and I LOVE IT, so I’ll gladly share my favorite series in the genre.

*in no particular order

This series is amazing, because not only the smex is steamy but the world building is fantastic!

 

I love Dakota Cassidy’s sense of humor and her Accidental Friends series is so full of it that you will be laughing out loud in NO time =)

 

Larissa Ione rocks!

She not only writes some kick-ass paranormal heroes and heroines, but she just has such a way with words and the world she created is awesome!

 

Sexy Demon-Possessed Gods?

Gena Showalter haz them in spades!

 

Shelly Laureston is a PNR comedic genius! Her books are Extremely HOT and Hilarious all at the same time!

Totally recommend them!

 

Special Mentions:

 

 

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

 

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Books for a PNR 1st Timer!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

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Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Lala’s Book Corner: Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy

 

“When mild-mannered Casey Schwartz wakes up in jail, she has no memory of how she got there. But after her sister, Wanda, bails her out, Casey has more to deal with than a foggy memory-like abrupt mood swings and fireballs shooting from her fingertips. But things really head south when a vampire shows up on her doorstep...

Vampire Clayton Gunnersson is seriously hot. And seriously taken-by a demon. In a ritual gone wrong, Clayton tried to get rid of his unwanted bond, but spilled some demonic blood on Casey, getting her possessed in the process. Now, Casey has to share her body and manage to keep her growing attraction to Clayton in check, because falling for her demon's boyfriend just might get Casey killed-from the inside out.”

• Publisher: Berkley trade
• Release Date: February 2nd, 2010
• My Copy: Paperback, privately bought.
• Author's Website
• Buy This Book: 

Accidentally Demonic (An Accidental Series)

*You can check out my review of the first three books in this series HERE!

I absolutely  love Dakota Cassidy’s writing and for me she is an automatic buy whenever she has a new book out. Her Accidental friends series is so hilarious, snarky, fun, romantic and sweet, what is not to love. The new installment in the series is definitely NOT a disappointment.

This time around we get to meet Casey, sister of Wanda, who was the heroine of Accidentally Human. Casey has kept her distance from her sister for a long time and their relationship is far from close. Until one day she finds herself in jail and she can’t even remember why.

Wanda comes to the rescue and tagging along come her two best friends, Nina and Marty. Casey has no idea what’s wrong with her, but when she starts floating in the air and fire starts sparkling from her fingers she realizes something is really wrong with her.

That’s when vampire hottie Clayton shows up to take responsibility for her state and she finds out she has demon blood on her and the substance is mixing with her DNA and  giving her these strange powers and urges.

I loved Casey as leading lady, she was funny and quirky and since she has been out of the original main trio of friends, it was great to see her annoyance with her sister’s friends and their intruding ways. I really enjoyed seeing how much she grows throughout the book and to see her and Clayton attraction become something much deeper and lovely.

Clayton is such an awesome hero. He is an idiot at times and has made a lot of mistakes, but his flaws are what make him such a lovable and relatable character. His and Casey’s chemistry sizzles on the page and it was damn smexi to read.

I had marked a couple really funny quotes from the book, but my dad packed it and sent it to Brazil before I could get them to the computer =(, but i have to say how funny this book is… Dakota got me laughing out loud so many times that my dad came to my room to find out if I was ok LOL

If you are into Paranormal Romance and up for a lot of sexy and laughs, this is definitely the book and series for you!

Smut Level: 4/5! =)

Books in this series, in the order they should be read:

1. Accidental Werewolf
2. Accidental Vampire
3. Accidental Human
4. Accidentally Demonic

Don’t Forget to enter

To Win a SGNED Copy of First Drop of Crimson,

Click HERE!

This Giveaway will run until March 18th!

It’s INTERNATONAL!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Lala's Book Corner Presents: Author Interview & Giveaway w/ Dakota Cassidy

Hey Everyone!





I am so happy to have Dakota here today! I am a huge fan of the Accidental Friends Series (you can check out my review here) and I just can't wait for my copy of the 4th Book, Accidentally Demonic, to arrive =)





Me and Dakota will also be giving away a couple of books! Check out the Giveaway details at the bottom!

**The Giveaway is over! Thanks for all the support! 

Results will be up tomorrow!! =0)))**

Enjoy...

When did you first start writing?

 - I began in late 2003 after reviewing for an online review site. No, I haven't done this all my life and it wasn't my dream until it happened. I know. You're astonished. LOL





What is your favorite part of the writing process?

- Definitely 50K on. I'm all gung ho for the first 20K then things go downhill for me because by that point, I've typically written myself into a corner and I can't get the hell out. Tee hee.

Have you always been interested in Romance?

- I've read romance since I snuck my mother's category HQ's when I was 13 or 14 and they were all still mostly set in England or Scotland. Never once considered writing it or even dreamed about writing it, though :)

What about in the Paranormal?

- That didn't happen for me until I found e-books. It opened a whole new genre to me I didn't know existed, believe it or not. I'd never heard of people like Nina Bangs and Christine Feehan. After finding the genre, it was so on. Like on. LOL

Why writing Paranormal Romance?

- I found when I read some of those paranormals I'd ask some questions like--Why's it so awful to be a vampire? What IF you were a vampire who was allergic to blood? What IF you were a werewolf and while you were out roaming around doing your shifting thing, some dog-catcher caught you and threw you in the pound?  The paranormal had no limitations on my crazy :)

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

- Definitely writers--Nina Bangs for one. She has the craziest take on things and after reading her, it inspired me to consider I wasn't as nuts as I thought. So I began spewing my nutty thoughts out loud instead of just thinking them while I rocked in a dark corner of a room :)

What is your favorite subject in the Paranormal Romance Realm?

- If you mean which type of shifter I prefer, I can't choose. I love them all and they all have the potential to be taken to a whole new level :)

The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Where do you get your inspiration?

- LOL. Trust me when I tell you, I'm nowhere near as hot as it can get, but before I was NY pubbed, I was e-pubbed in erotic romances. I learned a great deal from writing those books :)

Do you find it hard to write them?

- It depends. Sometimes, if my head's been off and deep in a scene prior to writing one, yes, I have difficulty transitioning. However, I just type in INSERT SEX here and go back to it when I'm in a different space :)

Favorites:

Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

- I know you want me to say Twilight... LOL. I haven't seen it. Don't shoot :) I'd have to say, I dunno, but I can tell you, I just saw Jennifer's Body and Jennifer, the demon, was a frickin' riot. Her dialogue was super snarky :)

Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?

- OMG--I lurved, lurved, lurved Moonlight. That they took that off still chaps my ass--that and Eastwick. Sigh :) Oh, and I lubs me some Fringe.

Favorite Paranormal themed book?

- Oh, no. I can't choose because their are so many. I love what I'm reading at the time, be it werewolves or vamps, demons, trolls. I love it ALL. I want to read it all. I want to write it all.

Favorite Author?

- Again, can't choose, but I can name names. Mark Henry (who's technically UF, but a frickin' comedic genius), Jaye Wells-kick ass assasin vamps, Nicole Peeler--selkies, people and she writes like a dream--Michele Bardsley--vampire soccer moms and the like--a total riot. Karen Rose--serial killers! Woot. Love serial killers--well, in books... Nina Bangs--has the mind of a genius when it comes to shaking up the tradition of paranormals. Also, and certainly super high on my list, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. There's nothing like a Koontz/King batch of books.

Favorite Paranormal Romance Author?

- See above. I. Will. Not. Choose. LOL

Favorite one of your own Books?

- OMG--all these decisions. Can't choose. Each one's like a kid--different and unique. But I have to say, I loved writing Nina in Accidentally Dead. She's got no filter. None :) It's freeing to just say whatever you want and slap the label "It's my opinion" on it :)

Who is your favorite of your own characters?

- Again, can't choose. They all have a reason behind my creation and when I'm in the middle of writing them, they're who I love most at the time :) Which makes me fickle, huh?

Which was the hardest to write?

-Wanda in The Accidental Human. 

Why?

- That was a really emotional book due to her predicament. But it was only tough in that, I had to keep a balance of funny and emotional going. THAT was exhausting :) Delaney in Kiss and Hell was tough because the plot had so much going on, and her predecessor, Marcella in My Way to Hell was work, too. Again, because the plots were so twisty. I kept tripping over holes I had to go back and fill in a domino effect kinda way. Work, I say. LOL

What would you be if not a writer?

- Oh, for sure a supermodel--or maybe I'd be touring Vegas with Barry Manilow. Or not. LOL. I was a housewife for 19 years before I was downgraded, and I didn't work. So I had no skillz when I found myself a single parent. I'd just begun writing, and thankfully, I got crazy lucky and it turned into a career--or I'd be in the local homeless shelter as I type :)

Quickies:

Coffee or Tea? 

- Coffee

Up or Down?

- Up if we're talking my bank account--down if we're talking a nap. I could use a nap and I'd like to be lying down when I take it as opposed to vertical against some wall or in my office chair :)

Virtual or Real?

- Ohhhh, that has so many connotations. Real if we're talking sex (snort), virtual if we're talking seeing the gynecologist :)

Right or Left?

- I'm directionally challenged... We'll end up in Boise if you let me drive :)

Vampires or Werewolves?

- Both :) Go on, call me wishy-washy.

Angels or Demons?

- Both--see wishy-washy :)

Reading or Writing?

- Both, but if someone put a gun to my head I'd choose--writing :)

Any plans for more Accidental Friends Series?

- Oh, sure. I have loads of plans. We just have to see if they coincide with what my agent and editor have planned. LOL

What is coming up next for you?

- Another paranormal, then the last in the contemp series. Then the sequel to My Way to Hell releases in July. The Accidental comes out in mass market in August, and FINALLY, the release of Suck it up, Princess in December. I'm whooped. LOL

What are you working on right now?

- Well, right now I'm working on finagling a way to pay for botox. LOLLOL. Actually, I'm on to another accidental. I know, the nutty never ends, eh? LOL

Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

- Write, write, write. Ask questions. Read. Listen. Shut. Up. LOL. Seriously, learn from the people who crit you. Be willing to take criticism because it isn't just about being published. Once you are, the whole world has a chance to take a shot at you. Having a good, constructive critique of your work will prep you for the pain to come, because seriously, not everyone's going to love you. You have to be able to let the harsh words go and focus on your goal--which is to write, write, write. Wow, I just went full circle, huh? LOL

Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

- Bless each and every 12 of you. You bakers dozen seriously rock. LOLLOL. I'm kidding. I've been very fortunate in that the accidentals have opened doors for me in other genres and allowed me to write various characters in another series because people bought them. I can't tell you how grateful and blessed I am to do this for a living, and that's due mostly to the fab fans who buy my books :)

Thank you so much for being here today, Dakota!

and Now to the Giveaway!

There will be two winners in this giveaway!

1st Place - Any Book of your choice (mass market/trade paperback) that is already out or can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com.

2nd Place - A Copy of Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy

This Giveaway is International!

**For the 2nd Place, you need to be located in a country where Book Depository delivers to!

To enter:

Just a leave a comment on this post about Dakota's Interview.

That's all!

ok, ok... You want some extra entries??

+5 - Blog Follower (old/new)

+3 - Twitter Follower (@larissa_sarah)

+3 - Dakota's Twitter Follower (@DakotaCassidy)

This Giveaway will End on February 4th!

Good Luck!













Don't Forget, You can leave YOUR questions for Dakota in the comments (Only today!)!

Thanks for tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Here Comes 2010! What to Expect from Larissa's Life...

The year is almost over... just a little bit more and we start the second decade of this brand new century...

Are you guys excited or apprehensive? I am both, to be quite honest. I love the new year feeling of renewal and new beginnings, but I just thinking of another year starting, I am already tired LOL.

2009 was a bittersweet for me. Academically speaking, it was a dead end. In my personal life, it was pretty weird. I went through some unexpected situations and I believe this was an year of a lot of personal growth for me.

To be quite honest, the best part of the year was towards the end and that is thanks to all of you! As you probably already know this blog is my baby and to be able to share my Book passion (addiction) with you all has been an absolute pleasure =)

Well, to start the new year, you can see that we have some design differences. I made the new header a while ago, but I had been saving it. So, here it is... New Header, new Buttons on the left sidebar that you guys can grab, new post signature and a new year full of cool stuff going on... I am in midst of planning a lot of great stuff for the Blog in this new year. For starters I would like to present to you, what you can expect of January here at Larissa's Life =)

January 2nd

- Author Linda Robertson has been kind enough to give me an interview. So, you can expect that at the end of this week, along with a giveaway!

She is the author of Vicious Circle (my review here) and Hallowed Circle (came out Dec. 29th), Books 1 & 2 of the Persephone Alcmedi Series.

Jan. 10th to Jan. 16th

During that week I will be reviewing the first 3 books of the Demonica Series, There will be an Interview and a Guest Blog by Larissa Ione and a Great Giveaway with Signed Books, including the New Release "Ecstasy Unveiled"!

Jan. 18th to Jan. 20th

We will be celebrating S.A.Price's new release "Entwined by Fate" (my ARC review here) with Author Interview, Characters Interview and a Great Giveaway!

Jan. 22nd

Author Dakota Cassidy will stop by for a great Interview and Giveaway to Celebrate the release of the new book in the Accidental Friends Series "Accidentally Demonic"

You Don't Wanna Miss Any of That!

Phew! That is it for now =) A lot of stuff going on next month, there might be some additions to this list, but nothing is 100% yet. I hope to see you guys around participating, it is going to be awesome!

Thanks for Tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Lala's Book Corner: The Accidental Friends Series by Dakota Cassidy

Hey everyone! I hope all my American Followers and Readers had an Amazing Thanksgiving. I am Thankful for all of you. I ended up going to a small last minute TG dinner at Sagi' s house. It was fun, but I wasn't in much of a socializing mood =/ Though I did have a very productive Friday =)

I am going to be alternating my Reviews with series and books for a while. I need to Catch up with the books I have read, so I can start posting reviews on books coming out.

I am going to start with The Accidental Series by Dakota Cassidy. I find that this series is extremely unappreciated, since I never see no one talking about it around BlogLand. I can't remember how I found this series out, but I am glad I did.

Dakota Cassidy's style of writing is very reminiscent of MaryJanice Davidson's Betsy and Wyndham Wolves series. However, I feel that Dakota has her own voice, and it is definitely an awesome one at that.

The Accidental Friends Series if hilarious. It goes through a group of three friends and the sudden changes that goes through their lives. One becomes a Werewolf, the second a Vampire and the third? Well, I can't tell you the third hehe *evil grin

The friendship between these three Women is so great and their leading men are so hawt. There is a lot of hawtness going on in this series. The sex scenes are so awesome and in perfect balance with the plot.

You can check out a summary of each book HERE.

I found out a few months back, that a new book was coming out in the series. I was like "Hell Yeah, I gotta get that!" So, I pre-ordered it on Amazon. The new one is "Accidentally Demonic" here's the cover and Summary:

"Once a good girl goes bad.

When mild-mannered Casey Schwartz wakes up in jail with no memory of ho

w she got there she realizes two things: something weird is going on and orange is definitely not her color. After her sister bail

s her out, Casey has more to deal with than a foggy memory—like abrupt mood swings and fireballs shooting from her fingertips. But things really go south when a vampire

shows up on her doorstep...
She’s impossible to resist.

Clayton Gunnersson is seriously hot. And seriously taken—by a demon. In a ritual gone wrong, Clayton tried to free himself from

his unwanted bond, but spilled some demonic blood on Casey. So now, Clayton’s spurned mate is inside of Casey—and she’s not happy about it. Neither is Casey, who can’t escape

this bizarre love triangle. It’s hard enough being possessed by a demon. Falling for that demon’s boyfriend could get Casey killed—from the inside

out…"

From The Author's Website.

Dakota also had a few standalone novels. I bought one a little while that is in my TBR list. Here is the cover and Summary as well:

"She's never seen a sexier ghost.

Delaney Markham doesn't just see dea

d people, she hears them too. And FYI-communicating with tortured souls all day can really wreak havoc on your love life. After all, no one wants to date the craz

y chick that talks to herself. Sans boyfriend, Delaney makes the best of her gift by holding séances and earns a pretty penny for them too, that is until one incredibly annoying ghost

just won't go away.

Now, if she could only get her hands on him.

When he materializes wearing nothing, Delaney knows something's up. Besides being sinfully hot-in a college professor sort of way-all signs point to Clyde Atwell being much more

than the ordinary spirit. In fact, he's a newbie demon whose first assignment is to take Delaney back down to hell with him. Yeah, like that's gonna happen on the first date. If Delaney's old nemesis Lucifer thinks sh

e's going down without one hell of a fight, he's got another thing coming…"

From The Author's Website.

I give 4 loveys for this series =)))

and 3.5/5 Smut Level for My Smut Sisters =)

Well, that's it for now =)

**For the upcoming reviews in the next week don't forget to check on the Right Sidebar, right under my profile =)

Thanks for tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo

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