Victoria Danann's Blog, page 16

Victoria’s Review of GOD SHAPED HOLE, by Tiffanie DeBartolo

God-Shaped Hole by Tiffanie DeBartolo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book gets five stars, but doesn’t get a recommendation from me. Why? Same reason as Boy in a Band. It should come with a warning label that says: STOP! TRAGEDY INSIDE

I picked up this book because her other book (her ONLY other book), How to Kill a Rock Star, is in my top ten list of all time favorites. I resisted for a long time because of the title. Personally, I think the publisher should be summarily executed for the titles of both her books – if not the covers.

Her heroes are anti-cast for romance because physically they are beautiful in a “tragically poetic” way. Her phrase. Not mine. That alone was a breath of fresh air. Skinny shoulders would not be a typical hero descriptor.

The book grabbed hold and occupied my thoughts to the consternation of other things that needed doing. The author is a master of storytelling and emotional manipulation. Certainly, both are qualities I prize.

I just need my HEA like it’s a binky. I don’t want to read a book and spend the next week in internal angst asking, “Why? Why? Why?”

(But I will read her next book. If she ever writes again.)

View all my reviews

Review Spotlight by Donna z.

From Amazon.com

SONG AND DUFF’S STORY, A WINNER!, by Donna z. on January 11, 2014

This review is from: A Tale of Two Kingdoms (Knights of Black Swan, Book 6) (Kindle Edition)

Yep, still in love with the Order of the Black Swan series! A TALE OF TWO KINGDOMS, sixth in the series, was as engrossing as the previous five stories. Expect the Unexpected should be the theme of this series.

A TALE OF TWO KINGDOMS may be a novella but it is huge in the amount of information it provides the reader. This is a series that must be read in order. This is a series that must be read, period.

Finally we have the story of Aelsong, (Song) and Duff, (future King of the fae). They first meet in THE WITCH’S DREAM, book two of the series. It’s now one year later and Duff has decided enough is enough and the ongoing cold war between the elves and the fae in never going to end. Song is his mate and he can no longer live without her. While Duff is making his plans to be with Song, Glen is off on a secret mission for Elora to find out what started the war between the fae and the elves. Glen takes Rosie with him but a quest for truth on the war turns into more as Glen and Rosie face some truths of their own.

Yes, this is the story of Song and Duff but as always there are many sub-plots involved in the tale. We learn a few important facts about the council that governs the many different dimensions connected to earth. Angel Kellareal is going to play a larger role in this story than in previous ones. Old friends from previous books make their contributions to the storyline and I’m always so happy to see Ms. Danann include them in all the stories. Hate it when I become emotionally invested in the characters of the first few books of a series then, POOF, they disappear never to return in a major way. With this one little novella so many questions answered and so many possibilities for future books are created. LOVE IT!!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone over the age of 18 due to sexual content and the use language.

Thank you for the review Donna z.! We appreciate it! – Sarah

Blog Day on Paranormal Romantics

I blog for Paranormal Romantics one day a month on the 20th. This month I used my microphone to give a plug for the Paranormal Romance Guild.

MY DAY TO BLOG ON PARANORMAL ROMANTICS.

http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-plug-for-paranormal-romance-guild.html

Review Spotlight by Lady M.C.

From Amazon.com

Best book yet! by Lady M.C. on September 19, 2013

This review is from: Gathering Storm: The Smallest Turn of Fate (Knights of the Black Swan, Book 5) (Kindle Edition)

“Gathering Storm” I was speechless for a long time after I finish reading. I laughed so hard (I almost did not make it to the little girl’s room), I cried, I was shocked and sad, all these emotions left me speechless.

The story picks up where Moonlight left off, and if I start telling you about it, I’ll get excited and ruin the story for you!

I first read “My Familiar Stranger” earlier this year and I was hooked, Ms. Danann has this ability to write a story that when you read her books you are not reading, you are actually living the whole adventure! The way it transports you wherever the characters go is unbelievable, I actually think I get a full workout while reading any of the “Black Swan Series” Books.

When the next book comes out I will have confirm that Ms. Danann is in fact out of this world! As I am sure it will be as good if not better than what I have read!

If you have not read any of the “Black Swan Series” you need to go to the beginning follow the links below:

The First 3 books “My Familiar Stranger” “The Witch’s Dream” and “A Summoner’s Tale” are in a collected pack here!

And “Moonlight” you can get here!

Thank you Ms. Danann! Your books definitely deserve more than 5 stars!

 

Thank you for the review Lady M.C.! We appreciate it! – Sarah

Three Winners – 2013 REVIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

REVIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARDS were announced last night. I’m so proud to say that all three nominations won.

2013 WINNER – Best Paranormal Romance Series – BLACK SWAN

2013 WINNER - Best Paranormal

Romance Novel (General) – A

SUMMONER’S TALE

2013 WINNER – Best Paranormal Romance Novel (Vampires & Shifters) - MOONLIGHT

To everyone who voted, and especially those who campaigned by sharing, thank you more than I can say.

 

WHAT A THRILL !!! 

Reviewers’ Choice Award for 2013

NOMINATED FOR THREE 2013 Reviewers’ Choice awards.

A SUMMONER’S TALE – Paranormal Romance (General)

MOONLIGHT – Vampires and Shifters …  

ORDER OF THE BLACK SWAN – Paranormal Romance Series

PUBLIC VOTING OPEN HERE until 1/12/14

One vote per person.

PLEASE VOTE!

Victoria’s Favorite Books Read in 2013

This is not a list of books published in 2013. It’s a list of my favorite books read this past year. You may notice that there are no paranormal or scifi books on the list. That’s not for lack of trying. I did read some. They just didn’t make the cut.

As I’ve said many times, before I began writing fiction I read every paranormal and paranormal romance that was of any consequence. Perhaps it was inevitable that I would become either saturated or bored. I have a low tolerance for repetition. Enough said. So this was a year dominated by

1.   HOW TO KILL A ROCK STAR by Tiffanie DeBartolo

Published in 2005, this was NEW ADULT years before there was a label for it. Eight years out, but new to me. This is my Number One for 2013. If you love angst, neurotic characters, music and a flawless plot, I suggest you hurry to get this book. My ONLY criticism is that the author hasn’t published anything since.

http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Rock-Star-Tiffanie-DeBartolo-ebook/dp/B003H29CJI

 2.     Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Published in 2004, this book had been recommended to me dozens of times by friends over the years and for some reason I ignored them. Then one day one of my street team members (Dee Bowerman) mentioned it in response to a Facebook question about what man (as opposed to boy) occupies your real man fantasies. I picked it up ($1.99 Kindle for an incredible 894 pages!!) and read the entire series nonstop. I have now been responsible for several friends finding a new series to cherish. This is a reread waiting to happen – probably several times.

There are really good reasons why – after nine years – it is still ranked… WOW!!

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

#1     in Books > Romance > Time Travel
#1     in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical
#1     in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Historical

http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Bonus-Content-Diana-Gabaldon-ebook/dp/B000FC2L1O

3.
Boy in a Band by Lisa Loomis

This book got my prize for most gut-wrenching story I ever read. I walked around in a funk for three days afterward. This is (I strongly suspect.) a true story disguised as fiction. Knowing that makes the emotional roller coaster almost unbearable. This book was painful and yet I’m not sorry I read it. I’m including a link to my full review.

MY FULL REVIEW… http://victoriadanann.me/2013/11/24/2609/

BUY ON AMAZON… http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Band-Morgan-Mallory-story-ebook/dp/B007F1VSLW

4. Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley

I have to classify this book as a guilty pleasure. On one level I’m ashamed that I liked it because, as a feminist, I shouldn’t enjoy anything that goes on my “overbearing bad boys” shelf in Goodreads. But underneath the couple’s power struggle there was a charming, sweet and real romance, the kind you rarely get in books, wherein two people are trying to work through the dynamics of melding radically different backgrounds, perspectives, and priorities into a shared life that is exciting and harmonious.

BUY ON AMAZON… http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Man-Dream-Kristen-Ashley-ebook/dp/B00AHFJACM

5. The Thoughtless Trilogy by S.C. Stephens

Riddled with flaws, but still so compelling. This book is categorized as New Adult, but should be paranormal romance because the male lead does not exist in our reality. So long as we give ourselves permission to accept that, just as we do in paranormal, we are freed to relax and enjoy. (Except for all the smacking.)

MY FULL REVIEW… http://victoriadanann.me/2013/04/04/thoughtless-book-one-thoughtless/

BUY ON AMAZON… http://www.amazon.com/Thoughtless-1-S-C-Stephens-ebook/dp/B008Y405NG

THE STORY STOP SIGN AWARDS for 2013

Have you ever been happily enjoying a promising book - you’re buying the plot, you’re relating to the characters, you’ve successfully escaped your real life - only to be slammed back to reality by a glaring (and usually senseless) error? Like all authors, I’m a reader as well and have my personal peeves.

Today I’m posting some of my top picks for worst book mistakes (no titles, no author names). Please believe me, there have been hundreds. This is just a tiny sampling and don’t think they all came from non-edited or self-published books. Oh contraire!

You are welcome to add yours and I will append them to the list. (Again, NO TITLES, NO AUTHORS.)

5. “Open ten a.m. to twelve p.m.” – I think the author meant to say twelve a.m. and not that the establishment was open for only two hours out of twenty four.

4. “Chock it up” – The phrase is “chalk it up“. It’s a reference to writing something noteworthy on a blackboard with CHALK.

3. “Faithful journey“. – Although that is entirely possible, within the context referenced the author meant to say “fateful journey“. If the writer doesn’t know the difference, I know what to say about that, but will refrain from saying it.

2. “Fire in the hold“. Although there may have been fires in ships’ holds from time to time, as there have been fires in barns, theaters and outhouses, the phrase “fire in the hole” originated with cannon fire as a warning to clear away after the fuse was lit.

1. AND THE WINNER IS…  Fred Flinstone. The author, intending this reference to be a running gag, made this mistake a whopping NINE times in this book. Tragically, the author missed the tongue-in-cheek joke behind Flintstone‘s name.

Flint is a hard, sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as a variety of chert. It occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalks and limestones. When struck, flint fractures like glass. Flint is one of the hardest materials, close behind diamond. It takes a razor sharp edge, so is ideal for tools and weapons.

 

CALLING THE LIBRARY POLICE…

In an effort to practice the Golden Rule, I used to contact other authors and let them know if I found an editing issue, but I stopped the practice when I learned it wasn’t accepted as intended – as a good will gesture. As for myself, please! If you ever find an error in one of my books, let me know so that I can upload a corrected version. I would rather be embarrassed and right, then ignorant and wrong. Sincerely, Victoria

Claim Black Swan FREE!

Until Saturday, December 14, at midnight we will gift you the entire Black Swan saga, all 533,000 words.
TWO STEPS to get it for FREE.

1.) Just subscribe to our mail list using the same email you use for your Amazon, B&N, or iTunes accounts.

2.) Then email judy@blackswanjunkies.org from the email you used to subscribe and tell Judy what retailer you prefer.

Annnnnd, if you have another second, please “LIKE” us on Facebook.

That’s it. We will send you many hours of bestselling paranormal fantasy, adventure, and romance. Happy Yule!

As you can imagine, we’ve been flooded with requests. If you don’t get your book immediately, please be patient. Everybody is working on it and you WILL get your book!

Black Swan Collected Tales, Books 1-6 Release

The Order of the Black Swan is a serial saga including My Familiar Stranger, The Witch’s Dream, A Summoner’s Tale, Moonlight, Gathering Storm, and NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Book 6, A Tale of Two Kingdoms.

Once upon a time a girl lost everything familiar. She escaped death by being forced into an experiment that left her in another world where modern day knights, elves, vampires, werewolves, witches, demons and fae became her allies, friends and family. She discovered a place where adventure intersects fairytales, where honor is more than an ideal, and she learned that love can find you in the strangest places, when you’re least expecting it, even when you’re far, far from home. This is the story of Elora Laiken’s strange and wonderful journey. It is also the story of those whose lives she touches along the way.

If you love romance, paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, this series is right for you. 17+

ISBN: 978-1-933320-94-6

533,000 word

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