Bwahaha

I so love Entertainment Weekly right now.


~Lily

Review - Eat Slay Love by Jesse Petersen

Eat Slay Love is the third installment of Jesse Petersen's Living with the Dead series. The lovely Helena and I have previously reviewed Married with Zombies and Flip this Zombie (click the links for the previous reviews). We both enjoyed the first two stories in the series, and the third only increases my love affair with the world Petersen has created, zombie infested as it may be. I tore through the entire story in two sittings and like a zombie after brains, I. Want. More.


Blurb:

Sarah and David have survived the zombie apocalypse. They stood side by side and fought the undead, mad scientists, and even bionic monsters until the unthinkable happened. A zombie bite. But not even that could stop them. Now, with a possible cure in hand, they're headed east, looking for a safe zone behind the rumored "Wall." They're feeling pretty optimistic.

That is until Dave stops sleeping and starts lifting huge objects.

Eat. Slay. Love.

Because they haven't got a prayer.

First off, because I don't think we've mentioned it before, I adore the covers for this series. I love the pink silhouette of Sarah and David embracing...with their weapons still firmly in hand. It's sweet in a very post-zombie-apocalypse type way and rather simply conveys what the books are about; a couple sticking together even when that means hacking apart the undead.

***As always, spoilers ahead***

Eat Slay Love is my favorite of the Living with the Dead series. Although I adored the first two books, the tone seems to have changed in this latest installment. It's a bit darker, the implications are a bit heavier, and the scope seems to have gotten larger. What was once a story of two people against the zombie hoard is now two people partnering with others to save the world. I am 100% onboard to see what (and who) Sarah and David take on next.

Unlike Married and Flip, the objective isn't just get out of Seattle alive or get away from a mad scientist and his bionic creations (and, lest we forget, zombie guinea pigs). Sarah and David aren't just trolling around the badlands taking the odd zombie extermination job. David has had a close brush with death -- or undeath -- and that's changed them both. Their focus has moved from strictly internal (them as a couple) to external (them as a couple and what remains of the world). David and Sarah are in possession of a zombie cure and need to get it to the Midwest Wall (if the Midwest wall exists) and into the hands of those who can use it for good. Not an easy task considering distance, zombies, crazed cults, and a government who's more interested in covering up the apocalypse than trying to do anything about it.

Sarah and David are joined in their journey east by a stalkerazzi reporter who's not ready to put down her camera and a drug-addled rock star with amazing moments of clarity. And then there's the little matter of David's new abilities. Abilities that make him seem a little like a zombie himself...

This is a great, highly entertaining story. There are places that had me laughing out loud (garnering concerned looks from my husband), and places where the on-page tension got so high I was tempted to flip to the end of the chapter just to see what happens (I didn't). Told from Sarah's point of view, the story is likewise filtered through Sarah's sarcastic, no holds barred personality. This allows readers to see Sarah's fondness for pop culture references and her yearning for pre-apocalypse food. It also shows readers how very much she loves her husband, and just what she's willing to do to keep them alive and safe(ish) in a world that's far beyond her control. Petersen balances comedy and action perfectly, keeping me engaged and reading straight through to the end.

While I don't think it's necessary to read the first two books in the series to enjoy this one, I highly recommend doing so. Not only are they great stories in their own right, they set the scene for the events that play out in Eat Slay Love. I recommend adding these to the top of your TBR pile today.

Eat Slay Love will be available for purchase June 28, 2011.
A big thank you to Jesse Petersen for an advanced review copy of Eat Slay Love.
To read the first chapter of Eat Slay Love FREE, click here.

Rating: 5/5

~Lily

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Females

Last week, I posted about which actors I would choose to play the lead male roles in a Black Dagger Brotherhood movie (or TV series - that's right, I'm looking at you HBO). Now for the female side of the Brotherhood:

Mila Kunis as Beth

Emily Rossum as Mary

Cobie Smulders as Bella - because Z needs someone as tough as he is

Scarlet Johansson as Marissa

Kristen Bell as Doc Jane

Laura Vandervoot as Cormia

Dianna Agron as Ehlena

Charlize Theron as Xhex

Jon Huertas as Dr Manny Manello - If Payne's a Brother, Manny has to be counted here. Somehow, I don't think he'd mind being included with all the women

Those are my picks for the Shellans (and Manny). How do they weigh up against the version of the Shellans you picture as you read? What did I hit head on, and what did I miss by a mile?

~Lily

The Black Dagger Brotherhood

I'm baaaaaaaaaack! Maybe not for long, but long enough to stop by and post. And fair warning, this post is going to be both lengthy and pack with beautiful men.

I went to see Thor last night and I swear, all I could think when watching Chris Hemsworth stomp, yell, and charm his way around the screen was "Holy f*ck! That's totally Rhage!"

I kinda expected the Beast to jump out and eat some Lessers Shield Agents

Which got me thinking. Helena and I have spent a LOT of time discussing who we think should play the Brothers should God and JR ever grace us with a Brotherhood movie (or, and I scarcely hope to dream, an HBO series). We don't always agree on the choices (although we both agree E.T. would make a GREAT Scribe Virgin), but in the light of the latest rash of superhero movies and all the beautiful, buff men they pack into them (God bless you, Marvel!), some of my choices have changed. So, here it is, my list of the guys I believe should play the Brothers:

Gerard Butler as Wrath - I always have the hardest time visualizing Wrath, then I saw a pic of Gerard with long hair. It all fell into place for me after that.

Chris Hemsworth as Rhage - the only thing missing is the Tootsie Pop

Wentworth Miller as Zsadist - My favorite

Ryan Reynolds as Butch

Alex O'Loughlin as Vishous - another fine man who's already played a vampire once, VERY effectively

Channing Tatum as Phury - And if Channing was playing Phury, I may actually like Phury...somewhat

Mark Salling as Rehvenge - Even if he didn't have a mohawk, he'd still be prefect for this role

Tom Welling as John Matthew

Kate Beckinsale as Payne - she's totally a Brother, no denying it

Do you agree with my choices? Who do you think should play the Brothers? Perhaps next week, I'll give you my picks for the Shellans, or the boys who haven't had their own books yet.

~Lily

Author Interview - Carolyn Rosewood

Earlier in the week, we were pleased to announce the release of The Last Soul, the anticipated debut of author Carolyn Rosewood. After a busy week of blog hopping, promoting, and celebrating, Carolyn has been gracious enough to stop by for our first ever Vamps R Us Author interview!

Kinda feels like it should have its own theme music, huh?

No matter how many times I see it, that's one HAWT cover

Welcome to the blog, Carolyn! It’s no secret we love our paranormal critters. Tell us what critters, creatures, or paranormal beings we will encounter in The Last Soul, and are they friend or foe?

The heroine of The Last Soul, Faina, is a demon who can take human form. We also meet Mastema, the demon for whom she works, and the one who's tricking her. Her best friend, Jahi, is also a demon and takes an active role in exposing Mastema to Apollyon, the king of demons.

Oooh, demons, power struggles, and trickery. Sounds fascinating. What inspired you to throw your pen (keyboard, creative brainpower) into the paranormal genre?

I've always been drawn to paranormal stories. I have a fascination with all things dark, creepy, spiritual and unseen.

Have you ever had a real-life paranormal experience?

Let's just say I've seen some weird stuff in my lifetime. I'll tell you about one of the earliest experiences. When I was around seven years old, we were at my grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. I have over a dozen cousins, and most of us were in the basement, where we decided to hold a seance to summon JFK. He had been assassinated the year before. Some of the older cousins had done this before, so we followed their lead. Thanksgiving in Ohio was usually cold and windy but that night, although cold, wasn't stormy. In the middle of our seance one of the locked basement windows flew open in a gust of wind and the candles went out. You never heard a group of kids and teens scream louder or saw them run up the basement stairs more quickly.

Child, teen, or adult, when locked windows blow open, I'm going to lead the terrified charge in the opposite direction. In the worlds you’ve created, what supernatural abilities would you wield?

I'd love to be able to travel through time, with full knowledge, of course, of what I've done so far. And I want to be able to make myself invisible. Imagine the fun you could have with that power!

Way too much fun. Are you the steadfast heroic type, the reluctant anti-hero, or the formidable villain?

I'm a steadfast hero. I'll defend to the death what I believe is right. And if someone messes with a friend, look out.

Is that a weapon you're wielding? *Maintains a respectful distance* Back to the writing, what character did you have the most fun creating?

Faina. Hands down. The entire story is completely outside my comfort zone, but I never had more fun writing one. I just let loose and made her sexy and daring.

Hollywood’s on the phone. Not only is The Last Soul going to be a summer blockbuster, you get to choose the leads. Who do you pick to play the main characters?

Jennifer Ellison as Faina and Johnny Depp, of course, as Jace!

*Pulls eyes away from Johnny Depp* Do you foresee yourself revisiting the world of The Last Soul in any future stories?

Yes! My current project is another paranormal romance novella called Hunted. This time it's Jahi's story.

What’s up next for you?

After Hunted I plan to finish my full-length paranormal/fantasy romance called Crossing the Dark Moon. It takes place in an alternate universe.

Nice! I'll be on the lookout for that. One final question. The zombies have invaded, do you flee or fight? Remember, we’re always looking to supplement our own zombie escape plans.

We fight of course! :)

I admire a woman with a zombie plan.

Thank you, Carolyn, for agreeing to be our first ever interviewee and doing such an awesome job of starting us off right!

To read an excerpt of The Lost Soul, click here. To purchase The Last Soul, click here. And if you need any more incentive, here's the warning that accompanies this title:

Be Warned: light bondage, sex toys.

My dear, you had us at "bondage."

~Lily

Blog Hop 4

Friday is nearly upon us, so it's time once again for Follow My Book Blog Friday blog hop, hosted by Parajunkee.

Q. What is on your current playlist right now?

My top five, in no particular order:
1. Kayne West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. Panic! at the Disco's Vices & Virtues
3. Sick Puppies' Tri-Polar
4. Foo Fighters' Wasting Light
5. Cee-Lo Green's The Lady Killer

What are you listening to?

Later today (Friday morning) on the blog, we have an interview with debut author Carolyn Rosewood, talking about her new paranormal novella, The Last Soul. This is too good to be missed!

~Lily

Release Day - Carolyn Rosewood's The Last Soul

Happy release day to debut author Carolyn Rosewood!! Carolyn's first novella, The Last Soul, released today from Evernight Publishing.


Blurb:

Faina has been dead for one hundred and fifty years, but she’s about to become human again. All she has to do is seduce Jace Blackmon, the most honest financier ever to grace the city of angels, into signing away his soul.

Jace Blackmon has fallen in love with his fantasy woman. But when he realizes she was tricked by a demon to bring about his ruin, including the revelation of a long-buried secret to the media, he must choose between his heart or life without her.

The Last Soul is the first in what we're sure will be a long and prosperous career for Carolyn. To purchase this title, click here.

And more exciting news? Carolyn will be on the blog this Friday in our first ever Vamps R Us author interview. Stop by to join in the fun!

~Lily

Review - Foreplay by Jill Myles

Short review today for Jill Myles short story Foreplay, a prequel to her popular Succubus Diaries series.

Blurb:

How did Jackie Brighton get turned into a succubus? She can’t remember – all she knows is that she woke up in a Dumpster. This short story tells the tale of that night, and sheds a little light on her masters’ motivations...

I have not yet read any of the Succubus Diaries series, so Foreplay is my first foray into that world. That said, I was pleased with this short story. In a few pages, Myles was able to establish a sympathetic heroine with firm GMC and begin building the rules of the world I assume stretch into the Succubus Diaries novels. While Foreplay didn't blow me away, it was a quick, satisfying read. Were I an established fan of the series, I imagine it would have shed light on questions the stories have not yet addressed. Even so, as a reader unacquainted with the series I did not feel like I was missing any information that hampered my reading enjoyment. I imagine Foreplay did exactly what it set out to do; it whet my appetite and gave me just enough information about Jackie Brighton and her mysterious "master" to make me want more. Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, the first in the series, has been on my TBR pile for a while. It has just achieve a higher ranking.

Rating: 3/5

~Lily

Review - Dead Girl's Blog by Donna Burgess

Dead Girl's Blog: Two Short Tales of Zombie Horror by Donna Burgess is a collection of 2 short stories, both dealing with zombies (which should be evident from the title, but you never know).

Warning: There be spoilers ahead!

Dead Girl's Blog by Donna Burgess

Blurb:

Meet Audrey Scott. She has it all. She’s the most popular girl at Lincoln High and dates Tommy Barker, the cutest boy in the senior class. She has a credit card with no limit, is head cheerleader and was probably going to be homecoming queen again this year—until she was bitten by a Deader. Worst part of it? He ruined her best jeans. But that’s just the tip of the putrid iceberg.

This story is exactly what it sounds like. It's a collection of blog entries from a self-involved, image conscious brat with no sense of responsibility who get bitten by a zombie. The blog is her account of her last few days as a human before the virus takes over.

I didn't enjoy this short story. While it was an interesting idea, chronicling the virus as it takes hold, there was no character growth. Audrey was a spoiled brat when bitten, and she was a spoiled brat when she turned. There was no inner realization, no sense of the brevity of life or what it means to be human, no character development at all unless you count the physical change from living to undead. Audrey was angry that her popularity declined as she started rotting, and remarked that the rejection she felt must be how she made "losers" feel when taunting them, but there was no sense of regret on her part. No understanding that, just like her, those she taunted deserved better treatment. There was no sense that she regretted her actions or grew as a person. Overall, while an interesting idea and format (I enjoyed the use of blog entries to convey the narrative), it felt rather pointless to me.

Burgess's writing and concept were solid. This story simply wasn't my cup of tea. Perhaps fans of straight YA horror would enjoy it more.

Rating: 2.5/5


Under a Blanket of Blue by Donna Burgess

Description:

Sam Clark is a loser. He spends his days immaturely passing the time and pissing off his wife, until the undead rise. When he happens upon his wife eating their toddler, it's time to hit the road. Journeying to his family home away from the coast, he runs into his first love. But are they really safe?

I enjoyed this short story far more than Dead Girl's Blog. Sam is self aware. He knows his limitations and weaknesses, and he accepts them. He knows he is not the kind of guy who can make it on his own in a zombie apocalypse, so he does what he has to. The story has an open ending, allowing the reader to decide what final action Sam has taken.

Rating: 3.5/5

This short story collection (is it a collection with only 2 stories?) is available on Nook and Kindle for only $.99 cents. Buy it for Under a Blanket of Blue. I would like to read more from this author.

~Lily

Review - Anathema by Megg Jensen

First off, congrats to Helena who just completed the 24-hour Readathon!! Way to hang in there! We're very proud of you! Now on to the review.

Unlike the lovely and dedicated Helena, I only participated in the Readathon for a few hours. During that time, I read Anathema by Megg Jensen.

Is this a gorgeous cover or what?

*As always, spoilers ahoy!

Blurb:

Magic. Lies. Manipulation

Reychel is a slave girl sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape. The night before her dreaded fifteenth birthday, her best friend disappears, leaving her to face her branding ceremony - when her master’s sigil is burned on the back of her bald scalp – alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for her help.

Can Reychel learn to believe in herself in time?

The first in the Cloud Prophet series, Anathema is the story of lowly slave Raychel who learns she is so much more. In the world Jensen has built, there are two classes of people. One class, the Malborn, are members of the nobility who own the land and everything on it. The other class, the Serenians, are the indigenous people and slaves to the Malborn. Among these people there are the "gifted," individuals with magical powers. Reychel is gifted with prophecy, allowing her to read the future in the clouds. Because of her gift, she is called upon to help lead the Serenians to freedom.

This story is structured around some fantastic ideas: the struggle of an enslaved people to be free, the betrayal of those closest, the hero's journey, etc. It's a shame these interesting elements are not better executed. Anathema is a young adult novel, but that's no excuse for it to skimp on the emotional buildup or dynamic storytelling. Events happen quickly, too quickly, without adequate tension to make the actions and reactions believable or important to readers. I wanted to care so much more about the characters than I did, but Reychel (the most well developed) was often cardboard. She developed deep relationships with everyone she met, but it was never explained why. Big misunderstandings abound. Other characters can instantly see truths Reychel has missed her entire life, but the reader is expected to believe Reychel is the strong, capable leader who will save her people. Reychel didn't seem strong or capable to me. She didn't even seem all that smart. I tripped over the dialogue a number of times. It contains a good degree of social niceties that don't move the plot forward or tell us anything about the characters - they just talk for the hell of it, I guess. That's expected in real life, but not necessary in novels.

Jensen's ideas are wonderful. She has a strong creative sense that bleeds through the novel. Unfortunately, Anathema falls short on the basics. Timing, plot execution, believable tension, dialogue, and realistic characters are all issues impacting my overall enjoyment of the novel. I still give it a 3 based on the quality of the driving ideas, but the mechanics fell flat.

Overall, I did enjoy Anathema, it just didn't grab me in the way I think it could have. I purchased it for a mere $.99 on Nook, and while in retrospect I wouldn't pay more than that for it, it was worth the purchase price and time commitment. Anathema is a short, fast read that may appeal to younger teens and tweens who like stories with light paranormal elements (don't let the length scare you, it's not really 620 pages, that's just an error in the Nook formatting). There is nothing I would consider inappropriate for tweens and younger teens, and they may enjoy the characters and tone. Older teens and adults, however, won't find much substance. I doubt I'll read the sequel.

Rating: 3/5

~Lily

End of Hour 18 Update

So tired...duct tapes eyes lol.  In other news, my slow, easily distracted butt finally finished a book!  Congrats to me! *dances and prances*

Current book: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione

Time spent reading since last update: 33 min
Total time: 6 hours 13 min
Pages read since last update: 22 pages
Total pages read: 281

Mini challenges completed this hour: Classic + Paranormal Smash (by the lovely Lily Ghates)
Total mini challenges completed: 15
Books completed: 1 (YAY!)

Random joy:

~Helena

Book Sequence Mini Challenge

The book sequence challenge was posted by Midnight Book Girl.

Here's how it works:
Grab a few books and try to make a sentence out of just the titles. Take a picture and upload to your blog, twitter or facebook.

This was so much fun, I made 3 sentences. Enjoy :)

Soulless zombies of the gene pool covet stray whispers in the dark.

American Gods need Virgin slave, barbarian king, across a wine-dark sea.


AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:

I, Vampire, crave untamed jailbait zombie.

This was too much fun! What sentences have you created for the mini challenge? Let us know in the comments!

~Lily

New reader joining the fun

Hey all! I'm popping in to give Helena a hand, since she's been manning the blog by herself ALL DAY. What a champ!

First up on my reading list: Anathema by Megg Jensen.

I'm lamenting the late start, but life has a nasty and unwanted habit of getting in my way. And now, let the games begin!

Random joy:

Image by Jared Hindman, because he's awesome

~Lily

Dark Lover by JR Ward

Lily already posted a review of Dark Lover two years ago.  This novel was actually the inspiration for this blog and the flame that ignited my personal love of all things vampiric.

When I signed up to participate in the BDB Book Club I immediately thought about all the wonderful hours I have spent in Caldwell...and the countless hours I have spent scouring bookstores and talking vamp with my friends.  I have literally recommended this series to countless people; and I have yet to have one person resist the plunge and not fall in love.  The BDB is nothing short of spectacular.

Every re-read just solidifies my enjoyment.  I still crack smiles every time the brothers smart off to each other.  The sadistic/black humor makes the novels for me.   It is just a special recipe that I have yet to definitively find in another series.


Thank you so much for basically birthing this blog, Warden!

~Helena

The One April Fools Joke I Like

I hate April Fools jokes.

Hate. Them.

But occasionally, I can appreciate a funny or creative joke when it isn't mean spirited.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books is one of my favorite review sites for romance reviews and a healthy dose of fandom sarcasm. Every year they do something for April Fools. This year's joke was funny, but nothing beats what they did in 2008 for BDB fans.

In 2008, Smart Bitches pretended they were acquired in a hostile takeover by Dear Author. The best part of this joke? A review of a J.R. Ward novel titled Lover Saved. Doesn't sound familiar? That's because it's the untold love affair of Butch and Vishous...

"The book starts with Marissa and Jane perishing in a tragic assassination plot stemming from the Omega; the Omega figures that killing the women will completely incapacitate two of the best warriors in the Brotherhood. And he's right. The deaths rock the Brotherhood's foundation to the core. But what the Omega doesn't plan on is the fact that Vishous and Butch, united by their grief, set out to avenge the deaths of their loved ones with a single-minded fury (and with Phury). And what the Omega definitely didn't plan on was how Vishous and Butch, finally free to pursue their own love, find comfort in each other, and eventually each other's arms."

Oh, I know it's not real, but if only it could be! To read the full faux-review, click here. It's at the bottom of the page.


~Lily

Lover Unleashed - A First Look

Here it is, ladies and gents. The first page of JR Wards, Lover Unleashed.

I'm so ready for Tuesday.

~Lily

Blog Awards

Lily and I decided to hand out our first ever blog awards!  We included blogs we tend to visit on a regular basis as well as those we just discovered.  Congrats to all the winners!

Winners in no particular order are:

A Year of Slow Cooking (absolutely love these recipes, especially the oreo cheesecake!)
Hyperbole and a Half (each entry leaves me laughing so hard I'm left gasping for air)
My Guilty Pleasures (any blog that quotes JR Ward is an instant win for us)
Bewitched Bookworms (gorgeous layout and informative reviews)
Smutketeers (super cute layout and fun read)
The Unread Reader (great reviews)
Dark Faerie Tales (full of reviews and paranormal literature news, fantastic ARC program)
Parajunkee's View (love this layout; enjoy the Paranormal Spring Break currently in progress)
The Zed Word (we all need a little zombie in our lives)
Neurotic Teenage Vampire (simply hilarious)



There are no strings attached for this award.  Enjoy!  Feel free to copy and post this award on your page if you wish.  Thanks for all your blogging effort!

~Helena and Lily

Yay an Award!

We were given the honor of receiving an award today! :)  It is great to see our lil humble blog getting recognition!  Thanks so much to Vampire Review for the shout out.  Be sure to stop by and check them out here.  Always excited to connect with another fanger ;p  We will work on passing our own awards on later this week.

~Helena and Lily

Even Zombies Need A Financial Plan

Though where you would buy brains, I have no idea.

~Lily

Recommendsday Review - Preparations by Mark Mills

Today's recommendsday review is Mark Mill's short story Preparations.

Blurb:
Ronald T. Turner is prepared for anything. And the zombies are prepared for him.

***Spoiler Alert***

Ronald Turner is one of those guys who has a zombie plan. Ok, so his zombie plan actually borders on obsessive-compulsive control freak zombie expert...and that's coming from a self-professed zombie enthusiast. Unfortunately, knowledge doesn't translate into ability for Robert. And while the short, short length of this short story is populated with references to Ronald's all-encompassing zombie knowledge, it doesn't sustain him. It gives him only enough time to act in one slightly humorous way.

This short story is amusing. I don't know that it's worth the $.99 price tag attached to it at Barnes and Noble (it's only 9 pages, not all of those are text, and not a whole lot is accomplished save the punch line), having already bought it I'm not sorry I read it.

Rating: 3/5

~Lily