Review - Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione

Eternal Rider is the first installment in Larissa Ione's new Lords of Deliverance series.  Immortal Rider, the second novel, is already slated for release in December 2011.

Blurb from back cover:

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

It is no secret that I adore Larissa Ione's Demonica series.  I have a particular fondness for a certain demon named Shade ;p.  Needless to say, I was super excited when I heard she was starting a new venture based on the four horsemen of the apocalypse, Lords of Deliverance.  I snagged it right when pre-orders went up and I was definitely not disappointed.

I LOVED this novel!  The characters are fantastic, she beautifully captured the emotional struggle within each horseman/woman and Cara.  We even get to hang out with some of the characters from the Demonica series that readers already have a bond with.  A special moment occurs for Kynan and Gem; I won't give it away but it made me smile!  Ione does a great job making her characters entertaining by displaying a sharp wit and dark sense of humor.

Lords of Deliverance is set within the same world as the Demonica series.  Much of the same rules apply and many of the same species are involved as well.  Fear not, if you have not read her other series, Ione has set up the Lords as a stand alone so no prior background is necessary.  Honestly though, if you enjoy either series, it is well worth your time to immerse yourself in the other.

Action jumped off each page; I raced through this novel and there was no lag to be found.  Cara is an interesting character and I hope to see more of her, while staving off the apocalypse in future installments to the series.  Limos, the horsewoman known as Famine, is featured in Ione's next novel Immortal Rider.  December can't get here fast enough!

Rating: 5/5

~Helena

Chomping at the Bit: 2011 style

Here are just a handful of upcoming releases for the new year!  I can't wait to get my eyes into these!

Flip This Zombie, the second part of Jesse Petersen's Living with the Dead Series is set to release on January 3rd.  Better get those slaying shoes on!








Larissa Ione is coming out with the first installment in her Lords of Deliverance series: Eternal Rider on March 29th.  I adore her Demonica series so I have high hopes for her future novels!

 
Charlaine Harris is at it again!  Her eleventh book of the Southern Vampire Series, Dead Reckoning, is slated to hit shelves on May 3rd.  I am excited to see what mayhem Sookie will be stuck in next.









Karen Marie Moning will be wrapping up her five part Fever Series on January 18th with Shadowfever.  I am currently reading the fourth novel, Dreamfever.  Spectacular is what immediately comes to mind!










And of course, JR Ward is coming out with another Black Dagger Brotherhood novel: Payne's story, Lover Unleashed, on March 29th.






What novels are you aching to sink your teeth into?

~Helena

Book By Its Cover - As Lie the Dead

Today's book by its cover review, Kelly Meding's As Lie the Dead, released June 27th.

Synopsis:

Evangeline Stone, a rogue bounty hunter, never asked for a world divided between darkness and light . . .

. . . or the power to die and live again in someone else’s borrowed body. After a murder plot meant to take her out leaves an entire race of shapeshifters nearly extinct, Evy is gnawed by guilt. So when one of the few survivors of the slaughter enlists her aid, she feels duty-bound to help—even though protecting a frail, pregnant shifter is the last thing Evy needs, especially with the world going to hell around her.

Amid weres, Halfies, gremlins, vamps—and increasingly outgunned humans—a war for supremacy is brewing. With shifters demanding justice, her superiors desperate to control her, and an assassin on her trail, Evy discovers a horrifying conspiracy. And she may be the only person in the world who can stop it—unless, of course, her own side gets her first.


Lily's Thoughts:

(Lily is on her honeymoon this week!)

Helena's Thoughts:

Ahhh!  It is Indiana Jones!

Well I mean the similarity is just too good to pass up lol.  Love the winged thing in its aggressive pose.  The falling sky effect is quite nice as well.  Are they in a tomb or is that an ancient greece/rome backdrop?  Oh holy crap, another cover just caught me off guard...winged thing is crouched on a CAR.  Here I thought it was a craggy bluff with moonlight or a flare or something glaring off it.  Ok really neat, just won some more points in my book :D.  Glowing knife point is a tad much, but goes with the general atmosphere.  Sounds like an interesting read, had me at gremlin actually :)  I am always up for new supernatural experiences!

Book By Its Cover - Twice Bitten

Today we're judging Twice Bitten: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill.

Synopsis:

Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit, Chicago's newest vampire. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene-and to spy for the vamps while she's at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan's offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission. Unfortunately, someone is gunning for Gabriel, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She'll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals-not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries-old master vampire.

Helena's Thoughts:

Obviously the whole mysterious warrior woman clad in black leather is nothing new.  Beyond the promise of a couple bad ass chick fighting scenes, this depiction really does not sway my novel choices.  Now the backdrop is another story.  The full moon, the cityscape, the dark alley we are peering out of, and the soft green-yellow glow are all appealing.  The shadows also add a sense of dimension.  oOo and the promise of shapeshifters are all definitely promising elements.  Nicely composed even though I could take or leave the cliche model.

Lily's Thoughts:

[Lily is currently wrapped up in wedding plans.  She will return to everything lovely and vampiric shortly :) ]

Book By Its Cover - Rapture Untamed

Pamela Palmer's new release Rapture Untamed is today's book by its cover review.


Synopsis:

They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .

The most combative—and tormented—of all the Ferals, Jag is a predator who hunts alone—until daemons terrorize the human population. To stop them, he partners with Olivia, a flame-haired Therian temptress as strong as she is beautiful. But Olivia is no ordinary immortal. The survivor of a vicious supernatural attack, she possesses a deadly and forbidden skill—one that must remain hidden, especially from the powerful Feral Warriors.

As Jag and Olivia's sensual dance of dominance and seduction gets wilder and hotter, a dark force sets its sights on Olivia, threatening to destroy everything she has vowed to protect. And the only one who can save her soul is the arrogant jaguar shifter she lusts for but dares not love.


Lily's Thoughts:

Whoa, I think that dude has an 8-pack. Tall? Check. Brooding? Check. Dark hair? Check. Apart from that Chachi-esque bandanna around the upper arm, this guy is hot all over. I'd buy it for the guy alone.

Wait, there's more to the cover than the guy? Huh...

Helena's Thoughts:

Mmmmm, feral? you don't say? ;p. Gorgeous half nekkie eye candy - yes please! What is with the cloth on his arm? Awww is he hurt? Well come over here hunk-a-muffin, let me fix you up...lol. Wow, I think I am having a little too much fun staring at this cover, ha. Rapture, um yea, the cover is the exact definition! When I laid eyes on this, of course I drooled, duh...then I noticed the panther. At first glance, I thought its eyes were just street lamps, with the typical urban scene backdrop. Boy was I surprised when I took a second look, crap that thing would have eaten my face if I didn't jump back in time. Love the black and white color palate, gives it a monochromatic gritty feel. Grade A plus plus plus :)

Waiting No Longer Sucks

Season 3 of HBO's hit series True Blood premieres tonight at 9 pm EST!!!!!!!!

If you have yet to check out the mini-episodes and promo posters definitely take a trip here.

Here are two Season 3 promo videos to stoke the fires of anticipation (I can not wait for the WERES!):

And a Season 2 recap for those of you that haven't had the DVDs on repeat since they hit shelves May 25th ;p

~Helena

Almost Out of the Coffin

Season 3 of True Blood is almost upon us.  Seems like June 13th can't get here soon enough.

This teaser clip makes my blood sing!

~Helena

Book By Its Cover - Dead in the Family

We're trying something new here at Vamps R Us, a weekly feature we're calling "Book By Its Cover Tuesdays", where we'll discuss a new paranormal release based solely on it's cover and what, if anything, we know about the series or author. We're interested in your opinion as well, so feel free to chime in.

The first book we'll be judging by its cover is new release Dead in the Family, the 10th installment of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampires series by Charlaine Harris.

Synopsis:

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry...

Lily's Thoughts:

I've read the other books in the Sookie Stackhouse series, so I really have to work to distance myself from what I know of the series to judge fully on the cover alone. I like the series and I'm excited for this latest installment. That said, I love this cover. Since True Blood hit the airwaves, many of the original Sookie covers have been changed to tie the books in more closely with the show. While I'm a big fan of the show, I prefer the original book covers (featured to the right) over the True Blood promo tie-ins and the covers that bare stylized versions of Anna Paquin's face.

I like the cartoon quality of the covers, the depiction of Sookie in all her blond, innocent beauty, and the pale exteriors of the vampires. By using cartoon drawings, I think the original covers emphasize a specific piece of the story, a scene of importance, rather than simply conjuring an image of the actors playing the roles in the series. In so doing, I think these original covers are more likely to stroke the imagination and tempt readers into visualizing the scenes for themselves, rather than just forcing subconscious images of the True Blood cast through the hoops created by the narrative.

As for the Dead in the Family cover, I like the bold use of colors, the blues, greens and reds. I also like the symbolism of the rose, complete with thorns, and how it's separating Sookie and Eric even as they reach for each other. These two are going to have issues in the upcoming book, and this cover depicts that well. Overall, I give the cover a 5 out of 5. Excellent cover for what I'm hoping is an excellent book.

Helena's Thoughts:

Wow, pretty is my first thought lol. As I have already posted earlier, I am way excited for this release and I am along with Lily no stranger to this series by any means. I did realize earlier today that they are all running together though. Not in a bad way, I just can no longer separate individual novels out of the bigger picture anymore. At least Harris does a great job keeping the story flowing haha.

Team Eric is wonderfully represented on the cover. I agree with Lily, I do adore the cartoon covers. I think it lends a level of playfulness and lightheartedness to the content contained within. The rose looks like it will be sparkly! Hopefully the only part of the cover that will be, I prefer my blood suckers non glitterized. I find it interesting that two stems intertwine and culminate in the rose...maybe symbolic of the joining of two characters despite the "fang-ups" so to speak in their individual histories. I do hope so!

Gorgeous, simple, symbolic, perfect representation of the series...the designer of the cover makes another homerun. Can't wait to brave the thorns and delve into this one. 5/5 rating!

Free Preview of "Soul Screamers" Series

Rachel Vincent is known for both her Shifters series and her Soul Screamers series, the second installment of which (My Soul to Save) released just a few weeks ago. If you would like a sneak peak into the background of the Soul Screamers world, Rachel has generously posted a free download of the prequel novella, My Soul to Lose, on her Web site.


~Lily

New Series of Awesome!

Well new series to me anyways :)

I started reading Pleasure Unbound (Demonica Series book 1) by Larissa Ione a couple days ago, since then I have completely neglected my small semblance of a social life filling every open moment with this novel.  I am in love with it!

My quest to find a book that almost makes me as happy as the BDB (fear not JR Ward, my heart still belongs to Rhage) has finally fallen before my eyes.  A complete review will be done when I get back from my weekend conference.  Until then, grab a copy of this book and you will not be disappointed.

~Helena

Rachel Vincent Contest

Rachel Vincent, author of urban fantasy and young adult paranormals such as Stray, Rogue, and the Harlequin Teen release My Soul To Take, has announced a new contest. In preparation for the December 29 release of My Soul to Save, Rachel is offering a signed copy of both My Soul To Take and My Soul To Save to a lucky contest winner.

Entering is as simple as filling out a short form with your name and email address, although there are additional ways to enter. For more information, please check out Rachel's blog. All contest entries must be received no later than 11:59pm (CST) on December 23, 2009.

~Lily

Review - That Old Black Magic By Moira Rogers

Blurb from Moira’s Web site:
“The job was supposed to be easy. Lifting a magic charm from the house of a reclusive wizard in the middle of a swamp is a breeze for Max, a shapeshifter who has made his reputation by putting an end to dark wizards and the evil magic they use. Getting locked into a closet with an infamous thief wasn’t part of the gameplan, but Max has always improvised well...especially when a hot woman is involved. The one thing Max didn’t plan for was the possibility that Polly would beat him at his own game.”

That Old Black Magic is a short story that doesn’t feel like a short story. In many ways, it doesn’t have a clear cut beginning or ending. Instead, it feels like a passage cut from the middle of a much longer story, like a snapshot in time that captures the essence of the main characters and their stories, but comes nowhere near offering the complete picture. That Old Black Magic jumps straight into the action, as though the reader is already familiar with the characters. It then ends, leaving these characters locked in the middle of their sexual battle for dominance. It’s unlike many of the short stories I’ve read, and absolutely brilliant.

My main problem with short stories is that I like to get to know a character. I like plot. I like details. I like fretting over the dilemmas the main characters are facing. That’s the joy of reading for me. Short stories, by the very nature of what they are, do not have the ability to give me exactly what I want. Until, you know, now, apparently. I’m completely in love with this short story. It has the pace and feel of a novel. Instead of a lengthy introduction, the characters are introduced by way of their actions and, as a reader, I felt I really understood them and their motivations. The pace is fast moving, the action never slowing down or fizzling. And, the sex is ridiculously hot! But really. Super hot.

More importantly, though, it’s believable. Both the sex and the characters. Sure, these are two supernatural beings who have an outrageously hot encounter while in the midst of a magical heist. Not exactly a realistic plot, I know. But even in such a short tale, enough of their world is built and described that they are able to move within that world without leaving the reader confused. No matter how paranormal the tale, the battle of the sexes is timeless. No matter how paranormal the characters, strong willed males and females will typically act in certain ways to get what they want, whether it is the upper hand, unrestrained sex, or both. Polly and Max make a perfect pair of rivals. Both are intelligent, cunning, and powerful in their own ways. They aren’t afraid to get their, ahem, hands dirty in work or play. Each has an agenda and, naturally, their personal agendas are at odds. The tension between them is primarily sexual, and they take their battle of wills and wits to the bedroom (or the cramped confines of a closet). There’s nothing more normal than that.

I do have one very large problem with That Old Black Magic. I desperately wish it was longer. Between Polly and Max, I would love to know how the story ends.


If you are interested in reading That Old Black Magic, you can download it for free at Moira Roger's Web site.

Rating: 4.5/5

~Lily

The Shifters Series by Rachel Vincent

I just learned about a shifter series that has apparently been around since 2007. I'm slightly disappointed that I hadn't heard of it before now, because all the comments I've found today have been very positive. Must track down copies and read for myself!

The series (called the Shifters Series and currently comprised of 3 books) is the work of Rachel Vincent. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I like what I'm seeing.

The first 3 books in the series are Stray, Rogue, and Pride.


The 4th book, Prey, will be hitting stores July 1, 2009. So far, the buzz is positive.



I'm looking forward to reading this series. If you already have and care to weigh in with your opinion, please feel free to do so in the comments. Or you can visit Rachel Vincent's blog here.

~Lily