Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 540

Review of Wicked Circle by Linda Robertson

Wicked Circle by Linda Robertson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow- best book of the series so far.



So much is changing and it's changing fast for Persephone.

Johnny has become the Domn Lup, Menessos is under attack by the vampire council who worry that Persephone is in control of him, and Persephone is the Lustrata and struggling with everything that means while still dealing with her mundane life and family.

Toss in "help" from the Goddess and a magickal stranger she dubs "Creepy" and her life has become more complicated than ever.

Menessos has a dream of Persephone, Johnny and he being a trio of strength, power and love but will his dream come true with the changes that are coming. Will everyone around them let his dream come to fruition if they find out what his goals are?

Wicked Circle was a fast paced read I just couldn't put down. I've loved all the books in this series so far but this one totally rocked. I tore through it in two nights.

I can't believe how quickly things are changing- and they don't even see it.

Johnny is more wolf than ever now that he's the Domn Lup and his power has come back to him after Persephone's mother removed part of the spells on him. The changes he is going through make him treat Persephone differently (that's putting it mildly but I can't give too much away) and that's going to come back and bite him in the ass. Plus he gets some news that no one seen coming- and this will surely change everything for him.

Menessos always has a few tricks up his sleeve so things come out how he wants them to. Does that make him a bad guy? Honestly I haven't decided yet.

That's the hard thing about this series, both guys are very flawed so it's hard to decide which one you want to root for, to pick one that Persephone should be with.

Does the vampire always get the girl? In almost every series I've read where there's a triangle- it is the vampire that wins. I wonder if that's how this will end up.

I have to admit I've never been a Johnny fan. I've always found him too crass but Menessos I've been unsure about but in this book, well that's changed a lot. I'm pretty sure I'm rooting for the vampire now.

We'll just have to see where the next story takes everything.

View all my reviews

Merry Christmas

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A Supernatural Shopping List Guest Blog with Amanda Bonilla

A Supernatural Shopping List
Thanks so much to Fangtastic Books for hosting me today! The holidays are always fun, and it was such a challenge to think up an idea for a decent paranormal/holiday post. But I have to say that my sister, Niki, gets mad props for my post today. I threw an idea at her and she ran with it, flooding my inbox with suggestions. She's pretty dang brilliant! Thanks, sista!
It's that time of year again! Holiday carols are being pumped through every department store loud-speaker, and cashiers are furiously ringing up purchases. But I bet you last minute shoppers are wondering…What do you get for that hard-to-buy-for supernatural creature on your Christmas list? Well, I'm here to help you out!
Whether you call them werewolves, lycans, or wargs, nothing would make your special moon-swayed friend happier than a beautiful medi-alert bracelet. Silver allergies might surprise some paramedics, but when the moon is full, and your were is running wild, fights can break out. If your loved one is knocked unconscious—or worse—in a full-moon brawl, you'll rest better at night knowing that the special furry creature in your life is protected from accidentally coming in contact with the potentially deadly metal.
Demons come in all shapes and sizes. If that underworldly creature on your shopping list happens to have horns, nothing says I love you like a tin of organic horn polish. Bees wax and tee-tree oil will give those devilish horns a sheen that will rev up his engine and curl your toes. There's nothing like seeing the firelight reflect off your demon lover's horns as he kisses you under the mistletoe.
Ghouls get a bad rap. Not only do they have to eat raw meat to survive, but their diet usually has to include the occasional taste of human flesh. Social situations can be a little…awkward…when you constantly have to pick bits and pieces of your last meal from your preternatural teeth. So get your ghoul a year's supply of dental floss! You'll both have more fun at your next holiday gathering and awkward moments will be a thing of the past!
Dating can be tough. Especially in the digital age. And nothing says Happy Holidays! to your succubus and incubus friends like a subscription to E-Harmony and Match.com. When your very survival depends on "hooking up", your friend will be thanking you all 365 days of the year as he or she explores the world of on-line dating and those oh-so-special in person meetings.
Let's face it. Blood stains are hell to get off your teeth and out of your clothes. Nobody knows this better than your vampire buddies. Whether they're drinking from a bag of O positive or taking it straight from the vein, things can get a little messy. Your special vamps would appreciate nothing more than a big box of Listerine Whitening mouthwash and Spray 'n Wash. Thanks to you, your bloodsucking friends will have a happy new year when they kiss those stains goodbye!
Everyone has that friend. You know, the mindless minion who does his master's bidding without thinking for himself. And being the good friend you are, you can help your favorite minion with his New Year's resolutions by purchasing him some great self-help books. Because how's he supposed to help his master, if he can't even help himself?
Your dryad girlfriend might be a little shy. She doesn't get out much, and she'd rather just take a long walk in the forest. She doesn't usually come to holiday parties, preferring instead, to hang out on the porch, breathing in the cold night air. For some dryads, the stress of seeing a slaughtered Christmas tree displayed in someone's living room can just be too much. But you can ease some of that holiday stress by planting a tree in your dryad's name at the local nature reserve. The Audubon society sponsors a lot of local programs, and with your tree donation, your nature-loving girl will get a magazine subscription! She'll think fondly of you every time she goes to the post office.
Well, there you have it! Inexpensive solutions for the last-minute supernatural shopper. What would be on your favorite creature's Christmas list?
Thanks again to Roxanne and Fangtastic Books! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!!



In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.

When Darian's next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she's taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished...

Holiday Gift Giving with Rosalie Lario and a Giveaway

Holiday Gift Giving: Top 5 DVDs for the Paranormal Lover in Your Lifeby Rosalie Lario
Ah, it's almost Christmas...that time of year when lights decorate buildings, people are filled with holiday cheer, and you have to desperately figure out what the f*#% to get everyone on your list.

Needless to say, all the joyousness can become a little overwhelming when you're trying to guess what others would like to receive as gifts. When in doubt, I figure you can't go wrong with getting someone a movie or television series they would enjoy. So just for fun, and with the caveat that I don't do scary (I've learned the hard way that they give me nightmares that last for months L),here's my list of the top 5 DVDs to get for the paranormal lover in your life:
1. Supernatural: Two ghost hunters, a '67 Impala, and a trunk-full of weapons. That's pretty much a recipe for good times. And if the recipient of your gift is a woman, the fact that the ghost hunters are a set of hunky brothers don't hurt none either. Pretty much every season rocks, so why not start them off with Season 1?
2. Smallville: Okay, this is actually a show based on a superhero, but it's still chockfull of paranormal aspects. Who could forget the Wall of Weird? Since the series is now over, you could even get them all 10 seasons in one complete boxed set!
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: This show has been off the air for close to ten years now, but it's still a good one. Buffy is pretty much the forerunner to modern Urban Fantasy. Who doesn't enjoy a kickass female on a mission to save the world? And the Spike-Buffy relationship? Whew! Spring for the complete boxed set with this one.
4. Devil's Advocate: I saw this movie in the theatre without having any clue what it was about, and boy was I surprised! I expected it to be a legal thriller, but it was so much more. It's still one of my favorite paranormal movies to watch, and I think it makes a great gift.
5. Ghostbusters: Another oldie but goodie. I personally loved the sequel even more than the first movie in the series, and have you heard? They're talking about doing a third! I really hope that happens, cause if so, I'm totally there!
For you paranormal lovers out there, what movies or television shows would you recommend to those who enjoy the genre?
If you are looking for paranormal romance to read this holiday season, Touch of the Angel, Book 3 in my Demons of Infernum series, released this past month.
Here's a blurb: [image error]
After months of no work, interdimensional bounty hunter Ronin Meyers jumps at the chance to locate an incubus who's using succubi as murder weapons. Faced with deportation to hellish Infernum if he fails, Ronin will stop at nothing to take out the incubus and anyone else involved. Even the beautiful succubus who stole his heart—and nearly his life—during the most mind-blowing hour of his existence.
Night after night, Amara and her fellow succubi are forced to extract special abilities from the strongest Otherworlders for their psychotic master's growing collection. When the gorgeous angel-demon hybrid she believed to be dead captures her, Amara is both stunned and elated.But the happily ever after Amara's dreamed about will have to wait. Before she and Ronin can find salvation, they must bring down the madman hellbent on destroying everything—and everyone—they love. And Ronin and Amara are at the top of his list…
Visit me at my website to learn more about the series: www.rosalielario.com
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RosalieLario
                Or Facebook: www.facebook.com/RosalieLario
Or you can purchase Touch of the Angel HERE.
If you'd like the chance to win a pdf or epub version 
of Touch of the Angel
Leave a comment on this post
Be sure to include your email address

Winner Wednesday

Lorelie Bell's winner is CYP @ A Bookalicious Story


Quinn's Christmas Wish winner: clenna 


Felicity Heatons' winner is MamaElk
Jesse Kimmel-Freeman's 5 winners are:
CelticAmazon Tore lindalou Tanya1224 and mnjcarter

Holiday Giveaway with Natalie J Damschroder

A Double Dose of Festivity by Guest Blogger Natalie J. Damschroder

This week is one of my absolute favorites of the entire year, and always has been. A lot of people are surprised. When I tell them my birthday is December 23rd, they express immediate sympathy. "That must have sucked growing up!" It really didn't. Partly because so many people went out of their way to make sure I didn't get gypped.

I didn't get to have a lot of parties, true, and part of me resented that my brother (whose birthday is in February) had more than I did, but that was more because I was supposed to resent him than because I wanted parties.

First, on my actual birthday, I had presents and cake and a special dinner. (Though there was my birthday during my senior year of high school, when my stepfather made a cake shaped like an N but everyone was so busy it never got frosted. Or eaten, IIRC.)

Then, on Christmas Eve, we went to my aunt's open house. She held it every year, and it was always a blast. She's my mom's sister, and I think most of the time my mother, brother, and I were the only ones from her side of the family.

We hung with my cousins and some of their cousins and some neighbor kids, and there were family friends and a TON of members of my uncle's huge Italian family. Many of them gave me birthday presents who wouldn't have otherwise, just because we were all there every year and it was the day after my birthday. We had my aunt's fantastic chicken wings and played chase outside (like tag but with a home base) or ran around in the snow if we had some.

Christmas Day was the traditional morning scene, followed by a visit to my father's parents. Usually a couple of weeks before the actual holiday, my mom's father and stepmother came up to visit, and we had all the holiday celebration with them, too. So essentially, Christmas lasted for most of December when I was a kid.

Now that I've grown up and all the hanging out, eating, and opening presents in the weeks and days leading up to Christmas have been replaced by working, cooking, and shopping/wrapping, you might expect that my personal joy is a little lighter. But it's not. I have the same sense of anticipation of great things, even in years when I don't get to see much family. My birthday is always MY day, and I do no chores, get special meals made for me, go to a movie, and spend hours reading.

I want to make a good dent in the few unread books remaining on my Kindle, in preparation for gift cards that will let me fill it back up on Christmas day. Here are the options burning a hole in my "To Read" folder (in alphabetical order):

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Claustrophobic Christmas by Ellie Marvel
Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan
Guarded Hearts by MJ Fredrick
The Hunter by Theresa Meyers
North of Need by Laura Kaye
Razor's Edge by Shannon K. Butcher
The Resurrected by Megan Hart
Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan


Any other late-December/early-January birthdays out there? What's it like for you? Tell me what books you plan to read on your days off this season!

I'll give away one digital copy each of Behind the Scenes and Under the Moon to commenters, so make sure to leave a way to contact you with/in your comment. And happy holidays!

~~~~~~~~
Natalie J. Damschroder's latest releases:

Behind the Scenes
Carina Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Kennedy Smyth's firm provides security for companies and charities in seriously dangerous countries. She doesn't usually take on "frivolous" jobs, but when an old friend asks her to protect his son's movie shoot, she finds it hard to refuse. Also hard to resist is the film's charismatic star, Rogan St. James. The handsome actor piques her interest, while the strange actions of the terrorist threatening the set raise her suspicions.

Even though he's a successful actor, Rogan wants more a real woman to love, the type he doesn't think exists...until he meets Kennedy. She intrigues him with her confidence and passion for her work, and frustrates him with her refusal to let him get close.

But Kennedy finds herself in a vulnerable position when she discovers that the terrorist isn't actually out to derail the film. She's the real target and if he finds out how much Rogan means to her, he could be next...

Under the Moon
Entangled Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Their power gives them strength and makes them targets.

Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father's bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have.

But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by family ties she didn't know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day.

But not as hard as denying their hearts

You can learn more about Natalie and her books at her website, eHarlequin, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook. She blogs with four other obsessed passionate Supernatural fans at Supernatural Sisters, with a number of fantastic romance authors at Everybody Needs a Little Romance, and just to hear herself talk at Indulge Yourself.

Celebrate the Release of Icarus and Join the Twitterview Party

Rhemalda Publishing is hosting a 'Twitterview' with author J. S. Chancellor. This event will rock the Twitter world for more than 10 hours as J. S. shares not only her love for this novel but also her passion for the writing craft. This is definitely a must attend event that you will want to share with everyone.
Anyone will be able to ask questions of J.S. Chancellor on Twitter using the hashtag #Icarus. Be sure to follow @Rhemalda and @Jschancellor on Twitter to be part of this awesome event. You can also submit questions before Monday to @Rhemalda


Icarus by J. S. Chancellor

Book Description:

"Don't get me wrong; immortality does have its perks. Take dieting for example—kind of hard to do when you've only got two choices: fresh blood and slightly less fresh blood. The media makes it all out to be glamorous. Romantic, even. But the books, movies and witty television shows have it wrong. Especially the ones that make a big to-do about not being wrong (you know, the ones that spell vampire Vampyr, like it's original).

And don't think for a second that I was turned in some amazing, soul-binding, body-meshing way either. I don't think my libido is damaged enough to forget that kind of rendezvous. Though, to be honest, I don't recall anything about it. As soon as you're turned, as soon as anyone is turned, the powers that be rush in like witness protection agents and whisk you off, never to see your family or friends again. Your life changes in ways you never imagined that it could.

Like the fact that I was kidnapped last night. Totally didn't see that coming. Not being the Covenant-level assassin that I am (did I mention that already? I didn't get much of a choice in that either—the profession I mean). Oh, and get this … the creeps who grabbed me claim that my mentor/should-have-kept-it-professional boyfriend Trinity is the vampire equivalent to the anti-Christ.

Nice. And to think it's only Tuesday.

But wait, it gets better. See, there is one fact about vampirism that everyone gets correct—our bodies can't biologically process natural light. Past that, all I know is that if I don't partake of my usual dose of Icarus every seven days (provided via injection by the powers that be), I'll lose my existence as I know it. It allows me to bask in the sunlight, keeps us from exploding into flames and I've heard rumors that it's what makes us immortal. You know, little things.

Now, since Head Creep removed the dosing disc from my arm, whether I had anything to do with it or not, I'm guilty of betraying High Coven. This fact not only sucks (pun intended), it means I've been condemned to death.

An assassin … condemned to death. Seems like kind of shitty deal if you ask me.

I don't care that Head Creep is hot enough that he gives Christian Bale a run for his money. He claims that Icarus is part of some massive conspiracy, that vampires are a perverse mutation of beings from another universe, and that Trinity (along with some dark army he's supposedly in charge of) plans to exterminate the human race. Of course, he says this will occur in less than a week. And damn, wouldn't you know he'd kidnap me on day six of my dose?"


J. S. Chancellor
Genre: Fiction | Fantasy | Paranormal | Romance
Paperback: 314 pages
Booksize: 5.5 x 8.5
Language: English

Press Release: Curse of the Phoenix Series Receiving Rave Reviews

Contact: Roxanne Rhoads, Publicist -Entangled Publishing Email: Roxanne@EntangledPublsihing.com
Curse of Phoenix Series Receiving Rave Reviews "Firasek's heroine will seize your heart and enchant your soul."
~ Caridad Piñeiro, NYT and USA TODAY Bestselling author of the Sin Hunters series
"This was a stunningly good winner! I absolutely adored this novella and will be singing its praises for a long time"~reviewer/blogger Nikki Ramblings of a Chaotic Mind
"Rachel knows how to write a wonderful story with romance and hot scenes." ~Babs Book Bistro
Texas author Rachel Firasek has always been drawn to the paranormal. She's an avid horror fan so naturally she turned to paranormal fiction in her writing career.
Fascinated by the possibilities of eternal reincarnation, Rachel sees the correlation between vampires and phoenix (minus the blood drinking). This mythology inspired her to create The Curse of the Phoenix series and with a little help from a bad thunderstorm … the opening scene of The Last Rising was born.
The Curse of the Phoenix Series debuted in September with book one, The Last Rising . Book two, The Last Awakening, was released December 6. Book three, The Last Beginning, is scheduled to be released January 2012.
About the Author:
Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace; she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.Today you'll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80's dance moves.
She's intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com
Title: The Last AwakeningCurse of the Phoenix, #2
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1###
To receive a review copy, arrange an interview, guest blog, or event with the author contactRoxanne RhoadsPublicist, Entangled PublishingRoxanne@entangledpublishing.com
Entangled Publishing is an exclusive, boutique publisher of romantic fiction. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Entangled's goal is to bridge the gap between traditional and indie publishing, giving both readers and authors the best of both worlds. Visit www.entangledpublishing.com for more information.

Press Release Curse of the Phoenix Series Receiving Rave Reviews

Contact: Roxanne Rhoads, Publicist -Entangled Publishing Email: Roxanne@EntangledPublsihing.com
Curse of Phoenix Series Receiving Rave Reviews "Firasek's heroine will seize your heart and enchant your soul."
~ Caridad Piñeiro, NYT and USA TODAY Bestselling author of the Sin Hunters series
"This was a stunningly good winner! I absolutely adored this novella and will be singing its praises for a long time"~reviewer/blogger Nikki Ramblings of a Chaotic Mind
"Rachel knows how to write a wonderful story with romance and hot scenes." ~Babs Book Bistro
Texas author Rachel Firasek has always been drawn to the paranormal. She's an avid horror fan so naturally she turned to paranormal fiction in her writing career.
Fascinated by the possibilities of eternal reincarnation, Rachel sees the correlation between vampires and phoenix (minus the blood drinking). This mythology inspired her to create The Curse of the Phoenix series and with a little help from a bad thunderstorm … the opening scene of The Last Rising was born.
The Curse of the Phoenix Series debuted in September with book one, The Last Rising . Book two, The Last Awakening, was released December 6. Book three, The Last Beginning, is scheduled to be released January 2012.
About the Author:
Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace; she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.Today you'll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80's dance moves.
She's intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com
Title: The Last AwakeningCurse of the Phoenix, #2
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1###
To receive a review copy, arrange an interview, guest blog, or event with the author contactRoxanne RhoadsPublicist, Entangled PublishingRoxanne@entangledpublishing.com
Entangled Publishing is an exclusive, boutique publisher of romantic fiction. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Entangled's goal is to bridge the gap between traditional and indie publishing, giving both readers and authors the best of both worlds. Visit www.entangledpublishing.com for more information.