5 Loveys ARC Review: Crossroads {Anna Strong #7} by Jeanne C. Stein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“After the death of Anna's old vampire mentor causes ripples in the mortal world, Anna needs to lie low. But when Max-an FBI agent and Anna's former flame-comes to her with reports that bodies are showing up on the Mexican border drained of blood, Anna has no choice but to get involved, both with the case and with the man who broke her heart.”

From Goodreads.

• Publisher: Ace 
• Release Date: August 30th, 2011   
• My Copy: eCopy received from the Author.
• Pages: 304 
• Series: Anna Strong Series 
• Genre: Urban Fantasy 
• Author's Website
• Buy the Book:

Crossroads (Anna Strong)

 

*Contain MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

The Anna Strong series is still one of my favorite series ever! It was one of the first series I read when my UF and PNR obsession started and I will stop whatever I am doing whenever I get a chance to read the newest installment and this was not an exception.

After Chosen and Retribution, I was really looking forward to see where Jeanne was taking Anna and co. I have to say that I was not disappointed! Anna has a new man in her life and though I had other hopes for her when it comes to love, I really liked Stephen, though I wished he had had more stage time.

On the other hand, I was extremely happy that we get to see a LOT of Anna and Frey interaction and not only that, but we get to learn so much about his past and life. I love Frey and I just hope we get more of him the next novels as well.

It wouldn’t be an Anna Strong novel without adversities, action and people trying to kill her left and right, and I can guarantee all fans that we get all that and more! I loved the native American angle we get in Crossroads, something I can’t always say about this theme in novels.

All in all, Crossroads is another amazing installment in this incredible series. Jeanne has done it again and delivered a novel full of heart, character development and action, perfect for any Urban Fantasy lover out there.

 

 

Previously in The Anna Strong Series:

 

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#BHSV – WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT! {25 Winners}

 

 

Hey Everyone! They’re here! The Winners of the Bookish Have Summer Vacation Event, that me and the girls from Paranormal Haven Hosted, are here! All 25 of them! YAY!

If you entered the giveaways at Paranormal Haven, you need to check out there winner announcement, to see if you’ve won.

PARANORMAL HAVEN

Before we get to the good part, I wanna take a minute to thank my fellow bloggers, Athenna and Stephanie from Paranormal Haven for hosting the event with me and of course, ALL the awesome authors that contributed to make this event so awesome!

Alice Clayton
Carolyn Crane
Dakota Banks
Eileen Wilks
Gini Koch
Jeaniene Frost
Jeanne C. Stein
Jess Haynes
Jocelynn Drake
Kelly Gay
Lara Adrian
Larissa Ione
Vicki Pettersson
Laura Bickle / Alayna Willams
Linda Robertson
Michele Barsdley
Michelle Rowen
Nancy Holzner
Seanan McGuire

 

THANK YOU!

 

Remember…

 

 

ALL winners and have 72hrs to contact me at:

larissa@larissaslife.com

*please state in the email your prize choice if it’s the case.

 

 

Now to the winners:

 

Giveaway	Winner	email {1st part}
1of3 "Redhead" eBook Sets by Alice Clayton	Anne Reeths	areeths
1of3 "Redhead" eBook Sets by Alice Clayton	blodeuedd	blodeuedd1
1of3 "Redhead" eBook Sets by Alice Clayton	Melliane	delhia_1
Signed "Mind Games"	Pam S /pams00	pams00
Signed Copy of "Sacrifice" + 25$ Amazon Gift Card	jc	yumihamano
"Blood Challenge" by Eileen Wilks	SweetShenanigans	girl23rocks
A SIGNED "Alien" Book by Gini Koch	Meredith Miller	meredithfl
Signed "This Side of The Grave" or "One Foot In The Grave"	Brittany Gale	quixoticdreamer
Full set of the Anna Strong series by Jeanne C Stein	JenM	jen
H&W 3Book set {Signed} by Jess Haines	Christy M	practimom
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Wait For Dusk" by Jocelynn Drake	Dovile	spamscape
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Wait For Dusk" by Jocelynn Drake	Midnite	lady.midnite
SIGNED Copy of “Darkness Becomes Her” + NEW Copy of “Natural Born Charmer” from Kelly Gay/Kelly Keaton	Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale	mybookishfairytale
Signed Taken by Midnight/Bk1 Audiobook/Bkmarks	Nanni Clover	nanniclover
SIGNED Larissa Ione Book (winner's choice)	Naty Gry	natygry
Signed Neon Graveyard + Poker Chip	Naty Gry	natygry
Signed "Embers" & "Dark Oracle" by Laura Bickle / Alayna Willams	Mish@	misadevilgirl
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Arcane Circle" or "Fatal Circle" {US}	Ash	ashley.mckinsey
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Arcane Circle" or "Fatal Circle" {US}	Anne	acm05
SIGNED Copy of "Arcane Circle" or "Fatal Circle" {Intl}	Nanni Clover	nanniclover
25$ Amazon Gift Card from Michele Bardsley	Bethany C.	b.cardone
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of “Bloodlust" by Michelle Rowen	erin	efender1
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of “Bloodlust" by Michelle Rowen	Cathy M	caity_mack
Pair of Sea Glass Earrings from Nancy Holzner	Leni	lenikaye
SIGNED "Late Eclipses" by Seanan McGuire	Rachel Leigh	TheOneRing111

 

 

 

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BHSV–Jeanne C. Stein Interview & 7 Signed Book Set + Swag Giveaway!

Before I start the interview, I’s like to congratulate Jeanne, because HEXED, with an Anna Strong novella, debuted at #32 on the New York Times Bestseller list!

Super congrats Jeanne and all the author on the Anthology!

Thanks for stopping by at my blog again Jeanne, it's a pleasure to have you!

*Thanks for inviting me, Larissa. It’s hard to believe this is the seventh in the series, isn’t it?

- Absolutely! How many book are you planning to write for the Anna Strong series?

*I’ve just finished the eighth book and am contracted for a ninth. I think with that ninth book, the Anna saga will draw to a close.

- Have you always had a plan for where you wanted to take these characters?

*Not specifically, but I do have a clear idea of how the ninth book will go and who the main characters will be and how it’s going to end.

- Is Anna ever going to get a Happily Ever After, or whatever is possible and closest to it?

*Yes. She’s going to finally find her soul mate. Course, I’m not telling who it will be. You get a big hint in Crosssroads, though.

- I love where you are taking Anna as a character and I really appreciate her evolution as a person/vamp and the development of her relationship with the people around her. In the last book, I felt some hint that there might be some changes in her relationship with a certain shifter, am I mistaken?

*No. And that relationship gets stronger even though she has a different love interest right now. Someone she met in the novella Blood Debt from the anthology HEXED (released June 7th) But she and Daniel Frey have a special relationship and something happens in Crossroads that makes it more difficult and complicated but better at the same time.

- Any plans to write a different series parallel to the Anna Strong one? Maybe something is a different genre?

*I’m not sure right now. My editor and I are discussing different ideas but I’m waiting for that bell to go off or the light to go on that signals the right one! But I’ll keep writing. In the meantime, I have Anna to keep me busy.

- Can you give us some hints of what we can expect from the next Anna Strong Novel, Crossroads?

* Anna goes on a journey both personal and for her friend, Daniel Frey, and the truths they discover change both of their lives. Crossroads takes place on the Navajo Reservation in Monument Valley. I took a trip there several years ago and fell in love with the area. There are Navajo characters in the book and one thing I didn’t think of while writing it was that when the book is read for audio, the Navajo language would be difficult to deal with. My narrator Dina Pearlman contacted me for help and I had to refer her to the websites I used for translation. So, if there are any Navajo speakers out there, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with her!

For more information about Jeanne C. Stein and her books, check out her website at

www.jeannestein.com

Win a 7 SIGNED Book Set of the Anna Strong Series by Jeanne C. Stein {Books 1-6 + Hexed} & Swag!

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Top 5 Sundays #32 – Books for an UF Newbie!

Hey Everyone!!! Sunday is here and it’s time for another Top 5! YAY!

This week’s results:

Books for an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer! - 12 (50%)

UF or PNR Pet Peeves! - 12 (50%)

Ugh! A tie? Really? LOL

Ok, so I’ll do the UF Newbie one and put the Pet Peeves theme in the hat again! =D

 

The theme for today is:

Books for an Urban Fantasy 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 an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer!

Hmmm this was a fun one to think about =)

I went with books that the heroines are totally relatable, but kick-ass and awesome at the same time. Books that I believe would be a good first foray into the Urban Fantasy genre:

*in no particular order

Halfway to The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Great Heroine, awesome Hero, a lot of action and kick-ass romance!

 

Kitty and The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

One of my fave heroines. This is a great werewolf story and not too intricate for a first timer =)

 

The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson

Different kind of UF. No Vamps or Weres, but it had a Comic Book element that will definitely be appealing!

 

The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein

Great straight on Vampire tale. Very likable and relatable heroine and awesome world building!

 

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

With True Blood’s popularity, this is a great choice for an UF Newbie! =)

 

 

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 an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer!

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

Hope you guys have fun with it!

 

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Giveaway Winners! {Catch Up, Part I – 5 Giveaways} – Sam Hilliard, Terry Spear, Jaime Rush, Laura Bickle & Jeanne C. Stein!

 

 

Ok Guys, I’m not going to delay this any longer LOL So sorry for taking so long to drawing the winners, but I’m catching them all up tonight! YAY! =D

 

Winner of a Signed Copy of “The Last Track” by Sam Hilliard:

sRy

 

Winner of a Signed Copy of “Seduced by The Wolf” by Terry Spear:

Leni

 

Winners of a Copy of “Touching Darkness” by Jaime Rush:

debbie

Barbara E.

jellybelly82158

 

Winner of a Signed Copy of “Sparks” by Laura Bickle:

latishajean

 

Winner of a Signed Copy of “Chosen” by Jeanne C. Stein:

PamK

 

Congratulations everyone!

I’ll be emailing you all shortly, if you see this post before I do, please email me at:

larissa@larissaslife.com

 

You have 48hrs to respond!

 

Thanks!

 

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Author Interview & SIGNED Book + Swag Giveaway w/ Jeanne C. Stein

 

 

This Giveaway is over!

Thanks so much for participating!

 

Hey everyone! Yeah, I know it’s not Tuesday, but I have an awesome treat for you guys! Jeanne C. Stein, the author of one of my favorite Vampire series ever is here answering my q’s and she’s also giving away some cool prizes, including a SIGNED copy of the newest book in the Anna Strong series, Chosen!

You can check out my review of the book HERE!

Giveaway deets are at the bottom of the post, Enjoy!

 

When did you first start writing?

I’ve been writing for a long time. I began writing seriously about fifteen years ago. My husband and I moved to Denver from San Diego and I had some time on my hands. I attended a local conference, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Colorado Gold, and connected with a half-dozen people who became the nucleus of my first real critique group. Through them and with them, I learned the craft of writing. We’re still together, all still writing, still good friends and still serious about our craft.

Have you always enjoyed Fantasy?

I’ve always enjoyed the vampire genre.

Why writing Urban Fantasy?

I was inspired by Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel stories.  All those spooky supernatural beings operating right here in our world. Creepier things are so much creepier when set against the backdrop of everyday life. It’s our world with a twist.

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

Buffy and Angel. Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris. The Underworld movies. The first novel, though, was Ira Levin’s Rosemary’a Baby. Urban Fantasy before the term was coined.

What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm?

Vampires.

I have to say that I love Frey and I think he and Anna would be amazing together, can we expect that relationship to change anytime soon?

Funny you should mention that. The next book in the series, Crossroads, Anna and Frey take a road trip that changes both their lives…and that’s
all I’m going to say about that!!

Favorites:

Favorite Paranormal themed Movie? Let the Right One In

Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show? Currently, True Blood.

Favorite Paranormal themed Book? Couldn’t possibly choose one.

Favorite Author?  Ditto.

Favorite one of your Books? The one I’m working on now!

Who is your favorite of your own characters?

Anna, because she’s strong and loyal and risks everything for what’s right.

Which was the hardest to write?

Probably the first book, The Becoming, because of the violence of Anna’s turning.

What would you be if not a writer?

I can’t imagine. I’ve done a lot of things, but by far, writing is the best job I’ve ever had. It’s also the hardest. I hope to continue until they pry my cold, dead fingers off the keyboard!

If you Could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?

A vampire, of course.

Quickies:  (loved these, btw)

Coffee or Tea?  Coffee
Up or Down? Up
Virtual or Real? Real
Right or Left? Right
Day or Night? Day
Here or There? Here
Sooner or Later? Sooner
Light or Dark? Light AND Dark
Fast or Slow? Fast
Vampires or Shifters? Vampires
Angels or Demons? Demons
Reading or Writing? Writing

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

The beginning because it’s the start of an adventure—for both myself and Anna.

What is your least favorite part?

The middle.

The Anna Strong Series in your own words?

The story of a modern vampire’s quest for her place in the mortal world.

Any plans for more Books in the series?

I’ve finished the seventh and contracted for the eighth, so yes.

What is coming up next for you?

DragonCon, the launch of Chosen, signings, beginning the eighth Anna adventure.

What are you working on right now?

This summer I finished a novella, Cloud City, to be included in an anthology called Hexed out next year. I’m also working on a non-fiction piece for Whedonistas, a collection of articles written by women fans of Joss Whedon. Next, I’ll get to work on Anna.

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

Write everyday. Enjoy the process and write the book of your heart. Most importantly, never give up.

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

Anna wouldn’t be without you. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am.  Thank you so much for being here. It’s my pleasure. Anna and I thank you.

 

Find Jeanne Stein Online:

Website | Blog

Buy Laura’s Books:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble| Borders | Books On Boards

 

 

Win a SIGNED Copy of “Chosen” by Jeanne C. Stein

Anna Strong Series Cover Magnets & Swag!

Book #6 in The Anna Strong Series!

To Enter:

- Leave a comment about anything on this post.
- Leave an EMAIL for contact! (if you don’t feel comfortable leaving it here, email me at larissa@larissaslife.com)

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