BHSV–Missie, The Unread Reader Guest Post + Win A SIGNED “Taken by Midnight”, A “Kiss of Midnight” Audiobook & Bookmarks by Lara Adrian!

Recently, I caught up with all eight books in the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian, and one of the things that fascinated me the most about the series were the Breedmates. But what exactly is a Breedmate?



Well, in Kiss of Midnight (Midnight Breed, Book 1), Lucan, leader of the Order, provides this insight during a steamy scene:

And in the instant before his sharp teeth penetrated her fragile skin, his keen vision lit on a tiny birthmark just behind Gabrielle’s ear.

Nearly undetectable, the diminutive mark of a teardrop falling into the cradle of a crescent moon made Lucan rear back in shock. The symbol, so rare among human females, meant only one thing...

Breedmate.

He withdrew from the bed as though touched by fire, hissing a furious curse into the dark. Hunger for Gabrielle still pounded through him, even as he grappled with the ramifications of what he might have done to them both.

Gabrielle Maxwell was a Breedmate, a human gifted with unique blood and DNA properties that complemented those of his kind. She and the few numbers like her were queens among other human females. To Lucan’s kind, a race comprised solely of males, this woman was a cherished goddess, giver of life, destined to bond in blood and bear the seed of a new vampire generation.

And in his reckless lust to taste her, Lucan had nearly claimed her for his own.

~Kiss of Midnight (Midnight Breed, Book 1)

So Breedmates are special women who have somehow evolved with the Breed race and can carry their sons. They are not vampires, nor can they be turned. They are mortal and their aging slows once they form a Blood Bond with a Breed male and regularly ingests his blood. They also have unique scents and abilities.



So my question today is: Are you a Breedmate?



Well, ask yourself this. What do you smell like?



Breed males seem to really respond to scent. How could they not? They are predators after all. But I have to say, I found the reference to how a Breedmate smelled quite amusing while reading the series. Here's why:  



Breedmate's name | Her scent | Her Blood Bonded:

• Gabrielle | jasmine | Lucan


• Tess | cinnamon and vanilla | Dante


• Elise | heather-and-roses | Tegan


• Dylan | juniper and honey | Rio


• Renata | sandalwood and fresh spring rain | Nikolai


• Claire | vanilla and warm spices | Andreas Reichen


• Alexandra | wind-and-woods | Kade

Well, damn. That seems like every possible concoction imaginable, yet I'm sure there are more to come as the series continues and we meet more Breedmates. Wouldn't the world of Eau de Toilette be in serious jeopardy if all women had natural scents such as these? If only us regular gals didn't have to spend hundreds to smell as tempting.



But Breedmate qualities don't stop at smells. Breedmates also have keen intelligence and flawless health. Many possessed uncanny extrasensory skills or paranormal talents that are amplified once a Breedmate has blood-bonded with a vampire male.  



The talents of the above mentioned Breedmates include:

• being able to see through the veil of vampire mind control and being drawn to Vampire lairs


• ability to heal wounds with touch


• psychic ability to hear corrupt, dark human intentions


• being able to see the spirits of Breedmates who have passed away


• talent for disabling people with mind-blasting


• ability to dreamwalk


• natural instinct for knowing when someone is telling the truth or a lie

Do you possess any of these natural talents or abilities? If so, you may be a Breedmate. But if you are still not sure, check for that very unique birthmark on your body, the teardrop falling into the cradle of a crescent moon. If you are unsure what it looks like, check out this post: DemonLover gets a tattoo!



I've gotta admit, I think the Breedmates are pretty freaking ninja. And the best part is they don't fade into the background once their book is over. Each one is very involved in the series, helping and fighting along side the Order throughout the series! It's awesome!



Yup, I'm as much fascinated by the Breedmates as I am about the Breed males.  I have many unanswered, burning questions about Breedmates and pregnancy and their Blood Bonds. As the series continues, I hope to get my curiosities satisfied.



Unfortunately, I'm not a Breedmate, but I sure do wish I was. I wonder what kind of Breed male I'd attract with my natural odor of: Cheeseburger and Fries. Or if my talent, the ability to sit for long periods of time, would be of any use to the Order. Something tells me, not likely, but a girl can dream. :)



Don't forget, Deeper Than Midnight (Midnight Breed #9) by Lara Adrian comes out on June 28th! It's HUNTER's book! *squee*

---

Win A SIGNED “Taken by Midnight”, A “Kiss of Midnight” Audiobook & Bookmarks by Lara Adrian!

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Answer both or One of the following questions:

1. 
   What would be your Breedmate scent?
   
   


2. 
   What would be your Breedmate ability?
   
   

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#Updated/BHSV–Guest Post by ALPHA Reader + SIGNED “This Side of The Grave” or “Halfway to The Grave” by Jeaniene Frost Giveaway!

I so excited to have here today my best bloggy friend Danielle from ALPHA Reader! I LOVE her reviews and she has yet to stear me wrong LOL

I invited her to talk about the awesome Night Huntress series today, check it out…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t you wanna come with me?

Don’t you wanna feel my bones on your bones?

It's only natural.

‘Bones’ by The Killers -

 

Catherine ‘Cat’ Crawfield is an abomination. She is the product of rape, monstrous in itself, except Cat’s daddy-dearest was more demonic than most . . . he was also a vampire. Cat’s mother and grandparents have tried to steer her on a path of righteousness, and deny her monster-side. But Cat is not content to just suppress her duel-nature; instead she wants revenge on her father . . . one vampire at a time.

For as long as she has been able to wield a stake, Cat has been hunting. In the town of Licking Falls, Ohio, Cat is the premium vampire hunter . . . until the night a vampire gets the better of her.

‘Bones’ is a master vampire, but he also hunts the renegades of his race. Bones is a vampire hunter, and he doesn’t appreciate being almost-staked by an uppity little Halfling. But Bones is more intrigued than infuriated . . . and so decides to take Cat under his wing, showing her the ropes of vamp-hunting. Together, Bones and Cat (newly nicknamed ‘The Red Reaper’) become a formidable slaying team. And what starts as an uneasy alliance quickly boils over into a romance of epic proportions.

Jeaniene Frost’s ‘Night Huntress’ series currently stands at five books, with a sixth set for release in August this year, and at least two more after that. Frost has also spawned two spin-off books with minor characters from the ‘Night Huntress’ world, with plans to write another spin-off serial focusing on one beloved supporting character.

The urban fantasy/paranormal romance genre is a fairly elitist group. Sure, there are plenty of throwaway books you can choose from to fulfil your vampiric/lycanthropic fantasies. But if you are serious about the genre, if you want to be immersed in this fantastically dark and sensual world, then there are a few major book series that are practically required reading. . . and Jeaniene Frost’s ‘Night Huntress’ is right up there in the prerequisites.

If you have read ‘Twilight’, become smitten with ‘Mercy Thompson’ and fallen for the ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ , then it’s only a matter of time before you stumble across ‘Night Huntress’. Paranormal aficionados will gleefully encourage your reading – with sly smiles and whispered murmurings about a certain ‘Chapter 32’ . . .

One of the most attractive things about ‘Night Huntress’ is the love story at the centre of it all – the opposites attracting, sensually epic tour de force that are Cat and Bones. Other paranormal/urban fantasy writers revel in the tease. Fans of Patricia Briggs agonized over every glance and double meaning between Mercy and Adam. Ilona Andrew’s Kate and Curran hold the award for the ultimate ‘will-they-or-won’t-they?’ couple. In books about the supernatural set, unrequited love and unrepentant yearning is the norm. So it was lusciously refreshing when Jeaniene Frost threw pining out the window and got Cat and Bones together early on. ‘Night Huntress’ is less ‘will they or won’t they?’ and more about ‘what happens after happily-ever-after?’ as Cat and Bones embark on a dangerous and tumultuous marriage.

I stared straight into his eyes and didn’t hesitate. “Yes, he is. Maybe you don’t understand. Have you ever owed someone everything? All your strengths, all your victories, every last thing that’s meant anything in your life . . . and it can be traced back to one single person?
That’s what Bones is to me.”

- ‘One Foot in the Grace’ Night Huntress #2

On the one hand, it’s nice to read a stable couple (and it’s doubly nice to read their steamy sex life). But that’s not to say that Cat and Bones are without their problems. Bones was quite the Lothario in his day – and Cat is constantly battling Bones’s torrid sexual past and her feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. Frost has also been known to throw a love-triangle in the works, for good measure, and fan pleasure. But at the end of the day, ‘Night Huntress’ is wholly unique for being a series all about a loved-up duo and their hell-raising adventures. Cat and Bones are like the vampiric Bonnie & Clyde, a veritable Antony and Cleopatra for the fanged set.

The second reason Frost’s ‘Night Huntress’ is so beloved is simply for the characters of her world. As much as Cat and Bones hog the limelight and are the driving force of the series . . . it’s also the cast of supporting characters who have captured fan’s hearts and keep us coming back for more. From Bones’s slutty creation, Annette, to the various men of Cat’s government task-force –‘Night Huntress’ is a world with no shortage of fascinating minor characters to keep the protagonists company. And it’s a testament to Jeaniene Frost that her
minor characters work so well, that a few of them have even been given a spin off.

Oh, Dracula as well, Annette? I guess if Frankenstein and the Wolf Man were real, they’d already have double-teamed you.

‘At Grave’s End’ Night Huntress #3 -

Two of Bones’s vampire buddies, Spade and Mencheres, have taken to the spotlight and become heroes of their respective books, ‘First Drop of Crimson’ and ‘Eternal Kiss of Darkness’. And Frost’s leading-men are ever-increasing, with fans eagerly awaiting her new spin-off instalment series, ‘Night Prince’. This new series will follow a Frost favourite secondary character and literature veteran, Dracula. Yes, *the* Dracula. In ‘Night Huntress’

he is a charming and loyal monster with hints of a dark and lonely past. Fans are thrilled for the ‘Night Prince’ books, and I’m sure our boy Drac will be as handsomely tempting as Bones, Spade and Mencheres before him. Jeaniene Frost’s ‘Night Huntress’ and ‘Night Huntress World’ books are paranormal romance du jour. They are books to gorge yourself on – getting your full of lush sensuality and Amazonian kick-assery. Cat and Bones are a sexy and formidable team, backed by a cast of loyal and fascinating friends who will ensure that ‘Night Huntress’ has pride of place on your keeper shelf. If you are yet to delve into this teasingly dark world, then you’re in for a treat . . . *cough* Chapter 32! *cough*.

Walk on.
Dig up her bones.

I have seen the Demon's face
I have heard of her death place.

‘Dig up her Bones’ by Misfits -

For more awesome posts and reviews, check out Danielle’s blog:

alphareader.blogspot.com

 

Win a SIGNED Copy of “This Side of The Grave” or “Halfway to The Grave” by  Jeaniene Frost!

 

*Jeaniene offered the book option so that the series Newbies would get a chance to get as in love with it as we all are! YAY!
 

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Leave a comment about anything on the post above.

 

Fill Out THIS Form! 

 

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BHSV–Paranormal Haven’s Guest Post + Signed Larissa Ione Book Giveaway!

 

Why we think you should check out Larissa Ione's books

by Athenna & Stephanie {Paranormal Haven}

Stephanie: Hmm, lets start with her characters.  They're fantastic.  You probably need more than that right?  Ok, I love the variety of characters she creates.  Whether you like them with fangs or fur, running a demon hospital or part of an elite, highly secretive branch of the government, Larissa has you covered.

Athenna: Yes she has very addicting characters. You feel like you can't get enough of them. I agree there is a little for every one in these characters and it's easy to find one that you fall head over heels for  (or heels over head, what ever works). Hee Hee.  

Stephanie: Addicting indeed.  My addiction is in the form on one deliciously blond half vampire, half demon who is well versed in sarcasm...

Athenna:  Oh really, since when? You better direct you're dirty thoughts to a different lick-able demon.

Stephanie:  I would but Wraith is like a deep fried Twinkies.  You know it's bad for you but you just can't stay away.  A deep friend Twinkies covered in chocolate sauce and powdered sugar and........wait, what were we suppose to be talking about?

Athenna:  Wow, I think those are fighting words!  And only you would compare his hotness to food. If you take Wraith then I'll take Con! And have Wraith on the side with a little Shade to make my week interesting.

Stephanie:  Why you greedy little bit.... ok, lets move on before things get ugly and I start getting hungry again.

Along side some of our favorite heroes are some equally interesting heroines.  There will be no swooning for them my friends.  From the demon hunting Tayla to Cara, the mortal who can bring a horseman to his knees and make a hell hound seem as cuddly as a retriever, Larissa creates heroines worthy of admiration.  Also a bit frightening.  If Sin is able to make grown demons shake in their boots, no way would I want to get on her bad side.  Plus her name is Sin.  Being a badass automatically comes with the name.

Athenna:  Yes, I can't wait to see what Limos has in store for us in the next installment in the Lords of Deliverance series. I'm sure she will be equally kick ass as Sin if not more. Also I have it on good authority from Larissa her self that there will be even more sexy steamy scenes than the first installment. I can't wait!

Stephanie: Ooooh the sex.  There should be a warning on her books about it.  Warning:  Do not read in front of people if you blush easily.  You will be caught!   Sex in a supply closet, on a train, in a cave, in the snow, hanging from a tree (not making that one up).  Larissa has one delightfully dirty mind and I'm so happy she decided to share it with everyone  :-)

Do you know why I enjoy all the smuttiness?  Because there's an actual story to go along with it.  It doesn't matter hot and sweaty and dirty and.......ok losing focus here.  If a story is just about sex, I'll pass.  There is plenty of sex to satisfy anyone's smutty sweat tooth while having a story with actual depth to go with it.

Athenna: Yes, I whole heartily agree.  I really don't have anything to add you pretty much covered it all.  Sexy, sweaty demons, how can you go wrong?

Stephanie:  You can't, it's a perfect combo.  If you haven't had a chance to pick up one of Larissa's books we both highly recommend her Demonica, Lords of Deliverance and ACRO (writes with Stephanie Tyler under the name Syndey Croft).  One last thing.....DIBS on Wraith!  Now all I need are those deep fried Twinkies and some chocolate sauce.....

  -- Athenna & Stephanie

Win a SIGNED Copy of a Demonica Series Book or “Eternal Rider” + an eBook Copy of “Eternity Embraced”:

+

 

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The Perilous Prophecy Haunted London Blog Tour: Day 6 {by Leanna Renee Hieber} + A Giveaway!

 

About the Haunted London Blog Tour: The Haunted tour has become tradition to celebrate release week of my Strangely Beautiful series of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels. Here I introduce the real, documented London haunts who “ghost-star” in the latest book. Special thanks, as always, to Richard Jones, www.haunted-london.com, for being my foremost ghostly resource! About this prequel novel: The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess features a young Beatrice Smith grappling with her duties as leader of The Guard of spectral police, while a faltering Goddess of beauty and light sacrifices all for a snow-white child of destiny to be born into the gilded Victorian Age. For all involved in the making of delicate Prophecy, the answers to divine questions lie in passionate, imperfect mortal hearts. -- I write Gothic novels, so prepare a capital D for Drama, set your sights on ghosts and myth, prophecies and fraught perils, all manner of intense characters, and come along for the ride!

Guard upon Guard ghost-busting…

Earlier in the tour I alluded to a ghost of my own making, a ghost that has effectively followed the Guard from Cairo and will continue to ‘pop-up’ making omens or grim tidings. This spirit even is the cause for Guard upon Guard ghostbusting, an unprecedented event in the history of the Guard of spectral police, Beatrice’s Guard utterly unable to help Alexi and his new Guard with this irascible spirit. Here’s how it begins to play out:

From The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess:

Beatrice held her breath. A young man, tall and black-haired, striking-featured and dressed in fine but austere clothes, made his entrance.

A wind picked up all around, a strange music in her mind that Beatrice knew well. The newcomer charged forward, blue fire trailing from his outstretched hands. So, they had come. The new Guard. Dear God, they were young, even the leader. Fourteen, fifteen, perhaps? But his spirit was strong, Beatrice could tell. There was something timeless about him. Blue fire poured from his hands, and his fellows stared at him in a mixture of awe and fear.

New. It’s so new and will take some getting used to, she wanted to say, but her breath remained stilled in her throat. She couldn’t even hail the newcomers, so entranced was she by the Leader. Beatrice wondered for a moment if she had ever looked that fearsome, so full of power, so unbelievable. Perhaps the Grand Work would always amaze, no matter who wielded it. She hadn’t ever seen herself charge onto a scene, but she had to admit this was impressive.

“Luminous,” the leader murmured, “I believe we call this a luminous case. A possession with intent to harm.” The five youngsters gathered around, terrified acolytes.

Beatrice opened her mouth to say, Yes, luminous! Help us, you hapless fools, then run for your lives! Damn this work, it’s nothing but a curse! But again, no words escaped her.

She glanced at her fellows, but all they could do was stare, too, at these newcomers, Guard to Guard. Ahmed and Ibrahim stepped back from Verena’s bedside, as if clearing the way. Beatrice tried to get Ibrahim’s attention, to see if he could shout the declamation she herself could not, but he was staring at the tall, spindly brunette at the new Leader’s side who was assessing the situation with a sharp, undaunted gaze. The Thompson girl was Intuition indeed.

A thin blond boy in fine if foppish clothes stepped close and stared with apprehension at each of Beatrice’s assembled company, and at the two baffled nurses. “And I make them forget we’re here…how?” he asked.

“I wasn’t given a guidebook, Lord Withersby. Use your hands,” the leader retorted.

Beatrice smirked despite herself, staring as the young lord waved a hand in front of them. It didn’t really do anything, but seeing as the Cairo Guard were all frozen and strangely unable to participate, that was a moot point. Perhaps it was best, after all, that they were pacified, standing there staring like dullards. Beatrice had received no help when leading the Grand Work for the first time, so why should they?

A dark-blonde woman in a plain dress, blushing, knelt by Verena’s bedside. “I’m so sorry for yer pain,” she murmured in a soft Irish brogue. “My name is Jane, and I’ll try an’ help you like Alexi said.” She rallied herself with a meek smile and held up her hand, which glowed with a slight white luminescence.

Though it was pale, new and untrained, Verena seemed to recognize the light. She likely wanted to welcome this young woman as a sister but was kept a world away. Still, her pained expression eased, as did the tears coursing from her eyes.

The healer, Jane, put her hand on Verena’s forehead, and Verena’s body was racked with a new seizure—the London Guard had hardly come to their first charge as experts. The work was progressing, however, and Alexi urged his power outward, commanding the phoenix fire to contain and extract the offending spirit. Beatrice prayed he could finish the job.

She wanted to assure this young Alexi to stay steady, to tell him that results were not immediate. The impassivity of his face was belied by his eyes, the expression in those coal black pools indicated a riptide joy of newfound power.

She couldn’t possibly know what he was thinking, feeling or expecting, of course. Nor could she really help. No one could tell you about the Grand Work. You had to feel it. You had to own it for yourself. Beatrice was suddenly sure this was why none of them could come forward offering instruction, guidance, encouragement or reprimands; that would only get in the way. Because, as the goddess had said, there were never two Guards. A Guard was always on its own. Something had stilled their tongues to make sure of it.

The Intuition glided forward, a surprising air of elegant, refined grace about her for one so young. The Grand Work had aged them years in a single day, severed their innocence and youth. Beatrice remembered the very same happening to her.

“Lord Withersby,” the Intuition began crisply, “if you and your touch might offer us some clue about the offender, I might be able to wield my newfound library to best effect.”

Lord Withersby glanced down and said, “Indeed, Miss Thompson, indeed.” He took a step closer to Verena, angling past Jane and bending over her to speak softly to the charge. “My, you are beautiful, miss! Whatever brought you to England, this land of dreary grey, when you are a queen of a golden kingdom?”

“Miss Belledoux,” Alexi called, “as you’ve not had time to produce a studio full of fine work, what do your Artistic instincts tell you about how you might be of service?”

A gorgeous brunette had come forward, staring at Withersby but snapping to attention as Alexi addressed her. She thought a moment, smiled and darted out of the clinic. Returning swiftly, having procured a golden icon of a dove from the adjoining chapel, she kissed it softly and rejoined the circle.

Beatrice watched, fascinated. She glanced at Belle, who was furrowing her brow as the Memory touched Verena’s hand and winced in pain.

“Victim’s name? Verena. Attacker violent,” Withersby murmured. “Towers, shouting from towers… It’s so angry, it has followed us, waiting for us…”

It was a muezzin, Beatrice yearned to say. It followed us here, here where everything changed, here where the dead so terribly outnumber you… You should run…

-- (End of Excerpt)

To Enter:

Leave a comment for your chance to win either a download code or a print copy of one Strangely Beautiful book from the series (winner’s preference)!

Follow along the rest of the tour for more ghost stories and chances to win! Tour schedule available via the Haunted London Tour page of my website: http://leannareneehieber.com where you can also find the archives from Haunted Tours past! I also hope you’ll join me for the launch of my new MAGIC MOST FOUL saga of Gothic Victorian Paranormal novels set in 1880s NYC with Sourcebooks Fire. DARKER STILL (Magic Most Foul #1) hits the shelves 11/11!

Happy Haunting!

Leanna Renee Hieber

Twitter: http://twitter.com/leannarenee

FB: http://tinyurl.com/lrhfbfan

Blog: http://leannareneebooks.blogspot.com

 

You get +1 entry if you follow Leanna on Twitter and

+1 if you “like” her on Facebook!

Leave your extra entries listed in the Comments!

 

International!

Ends May 15th!

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Be Still My Book Heart: The Art of Suckduction

Hey everyone! Missie here, from The Unread Reader. Hopefully, y'all are having fun following Larissa and I around while we celebrate the boys in books that melt our hearts! I know I've had a blast so far.



Yesterday, I talked about CraZy LoVe, and mentioned a few "Oh no he didn't" moments in book boyfriend history. Did you check it out? Well, I also asked my readers, what is the craziest thing you have ever done for love? I got some interesting responses to say the least, BUT I failed to make my own crazy confession. So here goes. Are you ready?



This is embarrassing to admit but when I was a Freshman in high school, I had my first crush on an older senior boy; star of the Basketball team no less, who was way out of my league. Feeling it necessary to get his attention, I took measures into my own hands.



One day at the mall, I picked up a book of Magic from Hot Topic, a clothing store, so of course I knew right away the book was the real deal.



Anyhoo, in the book there was a spell to get the boy you liked to fall in love with you. It involved something sweet and finger nail shavings. I know, I know! Disgusting! I'm gonna blame this next bit of insanity on my "goth girl" phase. I really did believe I was a powerful teenage witch.



TMI time, but I tried out the spell on my crush! *dies of shame*



Yes, I made cupcakes, took a nail file, filed my nails over the cupcakes, and then proceeded to walk a cupcake over to *cough* Leroy's *cough* house and watched with gross fascination as he ate it!



Then I waited... And waited.



But true love never came, though I do believe my crush's hair was a bit longer the next day. Which got me thinking... never a good thing obviously.... Where did I go wrong?



Well, I'm happy to report that I've come a long way from those teenage dream days. Since then, I've picked up a few tips from a few of the best book heroines on how to snag your man the right way. I like to call these tips The Art of Suckduction, or moments we suck in the name of love.

• Lizzy Bennet, thank you for teaching me to be prideful.


• Isabella Swan, thank you for teaching me to never take no for an answer.


• Katniss Everdeen, thank you for teaching me to hold out to the bitter end.


• Sookie Stackhouse, thank you for teaching me how to rock fugly clothes from Wal-mart.


• MacKayla Lane, thanks for teaching me that a dirty mouth is not very lady-like, and that it's okay to love the color pink.

Brilliantly played ladies. I now feel like a more confident Suckductress. Maybe it's time to give *cough* Leroy *couch* a call? See what he is up to? What do you think? Of course, the restraining order may be a problem.



What Art of Suckduction tips have you picked up from some of your favorite book heroines on how to snag your dream guy? Please share.



Also, make sure to check out the Be Still My Book Heart giveaways I have going on over at my blog. Don't worry, I'm not giving away cupcakes! ;)

Current Giveaways:

Let's talk about sex (scenes), plus Burning Up Anthology Giveaway!

CraZy LoVe, plus My Zombie Valentine Giveaway!

Top 5 Book Boyfriends, plus Mega Hot Giveaway!

Special thanks to Larissa for allowing me to guest post today and share a bit of my crazy.

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Fairyland Cordially Invites You To A Masquerade Ball

Hello readers! It’s me, Tanya from Among The Muses, again, and just like before, I have a little crowd involvement activity! So I hope you stick around and join in!



Once again, Larissa had another amazing opportunity to have fun with some of the authors. She participated in a masquerade ball at the Authors After Dark conference this past weekend. I'm not going to tell you what she was though, just in case she wants it to be a surprise!




Following my pattern of having some fun with the events at AAD, I'm stealing you away again! Last week I handed you an invitation to a
Dinner Party. Today I’m handing you an
invitation to a ball... a masquerade ball!



With an open invitation to don the disguise of your choice, who do you decide to be? Or maybe it’s what do you decide to be? Do you decide to be a persona that most resembles your own? Or do you dress the part of the character you most wish you could  emulate?



Think back to the most famous ball of them all… why Cinderella’s of course! So, maybe it wasn’t really Hers, to be exact, but she sure did steal the show! With the help of a magical fairy Godmother, some helpful little mice, a horse, dog, and pumpkin, she sure knew how to make an entrance! It was the exit that caused her so much grief. Well, I guess it’s how you look at it. After all, she did end up with her very own prince charming!



With the famous Cinderella HEA that made every little girl wish she lived in Fairyland at one point or another in her life, I think it’s time to recreate the likes of a handsome prince to chase after US, only to steal US away from the harsh world around us -- aka. Real Life.



But, just because we future princess’s want our HEA’s, doesn’t mean it’s fair to leave out the future prince's. After all, I’m sure some of the men out there would like a special Queen or princess to lock them away, as well! :)



With that being said, keeping as close to fairy tale tradition as possible, you have been granted the use of a magical fairy Godmother -- in Urban Fantasy terms: ‘witch’ -- to help you prepare for the Fairyland Masquerade Ball (real creative, huh?)!  What will you wear, or who will you be? Remember, it’s all about disguise. You should be, and remain, a mystery to those around you. It is in your power only, to reveal your true identity if you feel like the time is right.



And just as with all things Cinderella, you have been granted one magical night to dance as a stranger amongst the crowd, while being held closely with the man --or woman-- of your dreams. But who is this masked man? You know only the color and length of his hair, the way in which his arms wrap around yours, and the clothing he has on. Is any of it a reflection of the type of person he really is? Well I personally say… who cares?! This is, after all, YOUR fantasy. Right?  



So, who do you want to be the one to place
the glass slipper -- or for men, a glass Kenneth Cole dress shoe -- on your
foot, and sweep you away to a happy future?

The Paranormal Romance Hero--
The hero who often has the desired split persona of gentle and compassionate lover mixed with a healthy dose of pure alpha. A defender of all that is dear to him, this is not someone you want on your bad side. He often blends in well with the crowd in his contemporary clothing, but may not play nicely with them.

The Urban Fantasy Hero--
Tall, dark, mysterious and often loner with a torture soul, surrounded by yards of black leather and topped with dark sunglasses! Okay, so I’m being completely stereotypical right now, but it sounds good doesn’t it?! :)

The Historical Romance Hero --
He may not always be the saint, but he’ll open the door for you, and will follow the rule, ‘Ladies first’.

The Contemporary Hero --
The typical, everyday man, who works hard for a living and is constantly battling the everyday problems we all may encounter. 

So, who will your prince charming-- or charming princess-- be? Not quite sure, or don't want to share? Then tell me what costume you would wear.

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Attention Wal-mart Customers...Zombies on asile 6

I'm dead meat. I just know it. If (when) the world ever experiences a Zombie Apocalypse, I'd be one of the first to go. It's just my kind of luck. My lot in life if you will.



And surprisingly enough, I'm okay with that. Yeah sure, the dying part would suck, and it would probably hurt like hell to get torn to bits, but once it's over and done with, what would there to worry about? I'm a Zombie, baby!



Now I get that most people probably wouldn't be as okay with just handing themselves over to a zombie as a midnight snack. Survival is instinctive after all. With that in mind, I'd like to know, What is your Zombie survival plan?

What? You haven't created one yet? Why? Oh, I see. Think it never happen, huh? Well, you could be right about that, but you could also be very wrong. And if you are wrong, you better get used to the idea of eating brains for breakfast.

Luckily, I'm here to talk strategy to surviving a zombie invasion. Now is the time to start asking yourself: Where am I gonna go? What am I gonna do? How long can I survive?



Don't get me wrong. My intention today is not to cause wide spread panic. Think of this more as a PSA, because I don't want to have to tell you, "I told you so," as I'm feasting on you.  Yes, turns out that in my after undead life, I'm a pretty caring Zombie.



Anyhoo, earlier today on twitter, Julie Kagawa (author of The Iron King and The Iron Daughter) and I were pretty much in agreement that In Case of Zombies, the best place to go would be Wal-mart. And not just any Wal-mart will do, you have to make sure you end up at a Supercenter Wal-mart. International peeps, please tell me you have some sort of equivalent.  Some huge super store that stocks food, supplies, clothing, books, toiletries, items that can be used as weapons and has public restrooms.

According to Google, there are 810 Wal-marts in the U.S., which may seem like a lot, but the key to survival has to be securing your Wal-mart location from humans and zombies alike. You don't want your location too over-populated with would be free-loaders. I'd say 10 people max per store. I know, I know, sounds kind of harsh, but hey, survival of the fittest and all that. Plus you have got to make your food last for as long as possible. The goal is to starve off the zombies not die of starvation yourself.



Once you pick out which Wal-mart you will flee to, be sure to shop there periodically to inconspicuously make a map of the layout of the store, note the days new stock comes in, and memorize the number and locations of the exits. Better yet, start dating a Wal-mart employee, preferably one that works the grave yard shift. Come on! You have got to know it is called the grave yard shift for a reason, right? And people who work these shifts think of these things all the time. In fact, they are probably the most knowledgeable on survival tips.



After you have planned out which Wal-mart you will take over and have married a Wal-mart employee, you are going to want to do practice runs. Yes, they are going to be kind of tricky to pull off, and you will probably get frowned upon a lot, but think of it as invaluable survivor training.



Practice testing out several driving routes to Wal-mart from your home, then from your work. Time yourself. Make sure you are never more that ten minutes away from any given Wal-mart location. Learn how to hot wire a car in the event that yours is unavailable when the Zombie Apocalypse strikes. Practice driving over speed bumps and dead people at high speeds without flipping the car over. Believe me, it's a lot harder than it seems.



Well, I think that is the best I can do to help you get prepared. Trust me when I say, it is important to create a plan. Everyone is doing it. Even Rachel Vincent! See:

On your way out of here, make sure to check out this great post on How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse in Wal-mart, which shares tips on secluding your area, freezing your food, growing food, looking for weapons, procreating and exercising... all in a Wal-mart! Sounds fun, doesn't it.  

Oh, and please share what you have done to prepare, or what you would do In Case of Zombie. Where would you go? Come on, tell us your secrets, half of us aren't going to make it anyway!

---

Now it's time to announce the winner of The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans
by Carmen Tafolla. Using random.org the winner is: Kelly (yllers)



Thank you to everyone who entered and took the time to make some great reading recommendations! I'm so excited to check out the new-to-me authors suggested.   



And TX sized hugs and big, sloppy kisses to Larissa's for inviting me to guest post on her blog this week. I had so much fun! Quick plug, you can find me goofing around anytime over at my blog, The Unread Reader. Hope to chat with y'all again soon!

 

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16 De Septiembre: Celebrating Mexican Literature, plus Giveaway!

Howdy Everyone! Missie, The Unread Reader, here. *waves* I'm so excited (and nervous) to be a guest blogger on Larissa's Bookish Life today.



Why? Well, today Mexico celebrates their Independence Day! So, for my guest post, I thought it would be cool to check out a few Mexican and Mexican-American authors.



I'll be the first to admit that although I live in South Texas, right along the Mexican border, I know very little about the Mexican literary genre, but I'm learning, or trying to at least.



I do know that right now is an exciting time for writers in this area. Border Studies and South Texas Literature is growing in popularity quite rapidly in the fiction and non-fiction genres, along with Chicano literature, which just started getting published in the last 30 years or so.

Also gaining notice is Chicano/Mexican-American/Mexican literature for young adults. Books like The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, Estrella's Quinceañera by Malin Alegria, Rainbow Boys by Alex Sánchez,  Marisol by Gary Soto, and Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Sáenz have received numerous awards and are often used in schools as recommended readings to teach tolerance and diversity.



Before novels and authors like these, Mexican YA fiction was a hidden treasure. Personally, I'm glad it is getting more and more recognized.



Some other great works in Mexican and Mexican-American literature include:

• Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. Ultima, a curandera, one who cures with herbs and magic, comes
  to Antonio Marez's New Mexico family when he is six years old, and she
  helps him discover himself in the magical secrets of the pagan past.


• So Far from God
  by Ana Castillo. The story of Sofia and her four daughters who deal with such current social issues as AIDS,
  industrial pollution, the volatile political situation in the Middle
  East, poor people's struggle for self - sufficiency, and the current
  interest in alternate spirituality and natural medicine.


• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Set during the
  Revolution, this love story describes familial duty, devotion, and
  traditional recipes from rural, early-20th-century Mexico.


• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. A look at spirituality and about finding one's own integrity, self-love, and peace by way of absolving oneself from responsibility for the woes of others.

And you have to have heard of writers like:

• José Agustín, author of The Tomb, Profile View, and Deserted Cities


• Carlos Fuentes, author of The Death of Artemio Cruz, Terra Nostra, Holy Place, and The Old Gringo


• Octavio Paz Lozano, winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature

All of these authors and poets have make incredible contributions to Mexican and Mexican-American literature by writing about the rich history and culture of Mexican families, religions, traditions and social structures. Have you read any of the books mentioned in this post? If so, please tell me about it!



Are you all still with me? If so, time for a GIVEAWAY! I have a copy of The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans to giveaway to one lucky reader!

The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans
by Carmen Tafolla 





In this wonderfully creative collection of sixteen short stories, Tafolla brings to life the bilingual/bicultural world of the Texas-Mexico border. As in her previous works, Tafolla celebrates the resilient human spirit of her characters amidst the prejudice and hypocrisy, the faith and magic, and the family, and community that are part of this world. The stories are poignant, even tragic, and they are
funny, filled with humor. Tafolla’s energy is felt throughout. As Carmen herself says, “ It’s about those things that are really holy and miraculous, but it’s also about those very common, underappreciated blessings, like a homemade pot of beans.”





Author Bio:
Dr. Carmen Tafolla, a native of San Antonio, is an internationally acclaimed writer, poet, performer, and educational consultant. She has developed a reputation as a folklorist of the Chicano-Mexicano community. Described by Alex Haley as a 'world class writer,' she has published poetry, screenplays, children's books, short stories and articles. Her work has appeared in over 200 anthologies, and she has performed her one-woman show, “My Heart Speaks a Different Language.” In addition to the Rivera Award winning book, The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans, she has also published other recent children’s books, What Can You Do with a Rebozo?, and What Can You Do with a Paleta?. You can read more about this author here. Source: The Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award. 

Entering this giveaway is very simple. Just leave your name and contact e-mail address along with a book recommendation by an author outside of the US. That's right! I want to know about more great authors. Authors I do not share a home country with. And since I am going to be doing the mail out myself, this contest is open to everyone, international peeps included!

 

Many thanks to Larissa for letting me hang out here today. I'll be back on Saturday to jump on Larissa's bed and raid her frig. I will also be announcing the winner of the giveaway! 

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