Lauren Dawes's Blog, page 30

Review: Close Liaisons by Anna Zaires

A dark and edgy romance that will appeal to fans of erotic and turbulent relationships . . .

In the near future, the Krinar rule the Earth. An advanced race from another galaxy, they are still a mystery to us - and we are completely at their mercy.

Shy and innocent, Mia Stalis is a college student in New York City who has led a very normal life. Like most people, she's never had any interactions with the invaders - until one fateful day in the park changes everything. Having caught Korum's eye, she must now contend with a powerful, dangerously seductive Krinar who wants to possess her and will stop at nothing to make her his own.

How far would you go to regain your freedom? How much would you sacrifice to help your people? What choice will you make when you begin to fall for your enemy?
I didn’t really know what to expect when I read Close Liaisons by Anna Zaires. All I knew was I wanted to read it. Close Liaisons is set in a time in the not too distant future where Earth as we know has changed irrevocably. An alien race from Krinar has come to Earth to coexist with humans. Little is known about this alien species, although a number of rumours whisper about vampirism. Despite the ‘invasion’ as some humans called it, the ‘Ks’ actually bring with them advanced technology and a desire to improve the health of the planet for humans by restricting the number of farms producing meat. Now a predominately vegetarian society, humans are reaping the benefits from a healthier diet.
I really enjoyed the world Zaires created for this future Earth. Although many things remained the same for Mia—a psychology student at NYU—her life is turned upside down when she meets the compelling yet predatory Korum. Identified by his muscular body, golden skin and amber eyes, Mia finds herself unable to escape his notice. Korum is intrigued by the human girl, making it his business to make her his own.
This domineering, pompous, egotistical male takes over Mia’s life to the point where it almost becomes abusive. He controls when she can leave his apartment, when she can see her friends and even what kind of clothes she can wear. Korum’s mercurial treatment of Mia left me hating him and loving him, but I was glad to see Mia not just rolling over and taking it. She did try to fight for her freedom, but Korum’s will and desire was simply too strong.
Their physical relationship is a turbulent one. Korum strip Mia of her innocence in perhaps the most realistic loss-of-virginity scenes. There were no tears of wonderment and joy as she was taken by this male. Pain, hatred, the desire to escape—this is what Mia felt. Zaires took the act and made it a reality, not a fluffed up version other books make it out to be. 
There was one thing that could not be ignored. The sex between Mia and Korum was hot. Zaire’s had me turning the pages, the words consuming me. Everybody loves to get lost in the passion between two characters you both love and hate for different reasons. My only small comment would be the use of vocabulary when describing the male and female body. Sometimes it was too clinical which was slightly off putting. However in saying that, I was glad certain words were not included that are sometimes used to describe female anatomy. 
Loved it and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

About the author: Anna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in New York City, Anna is happily married to the man of her dreams and closely collaborates with him in the writing of the Krinar Chronicles.
You can learn more about the Krinar Chronicles and get news on upcoming releases at:
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The Book Trailer for Dark Deceit

Hello fellow Junkies,
This is the book trailer for my newest book, Dark Deceit. Enjoy!

'Fat Chance' by Brandi Kennedy Book Tour Blog Stop

  "Fat Chance" book trailer



Fat Chance Book one of the Kingsley Series: 
Meet Cassaundra Keaton, an adult orphan raised in the foster system. She's overweight and struggling to survive in a world that makes her feel like she can never fit in. Follow her journey as she learns to trust and love herself, and watch her grow as she finds love. But will an issue from her past rise up to ruin her new life?




 Character Interview:
I meet Drew in the lounge of a luxurious hotel, the beautiful Cassaundra Keaton on his arm. He’s dressed in a pair of grey slacks and a pale blue button-down shirt. Cass is wearing a wrap-around style dress in a deep emerald green. He sits down, never letting go of Cass’s hand even for a moment. He smiles a lazy smile at her and she flushes before patting him gently on the back of the hand and turning her attention to a magazine she’s brought with her.

L: It’s so great to finally meet you two. Thank you for allowing me to interview you, Drew.

He turns that lazy smile to me now, and I can feel the blush creeping up my cheeks. Drew’s dark hair has flashes of grey at his temples. His green eyes dance with love for Cass as he looks at her and places his hand on her knee.

D: It’s a pleasure. Really.

L: Okay. Let’s get started then. I’d like to ask you about how you met Cass. When you first saw her, what was the thing that struck you most about her?

Drew beams at Cass again. Although her eyes are fixed on the magazine in her hands, she smiles a knowing smile.

D: You know, some men say, smile, some men say eyes, but for me it was that look she carried herself with. Like she felt attacked before you could even speak to her, that sense of distress. Maybe it was the whole being-in-therapy thing. Maybe it plays on my being a cop, I don't know. But I just wanted to step in and hold her hand, tell her that whatever it was, it would be okay. And she was cute as anything, couldn't even make eye contact with me for a while.


L: When did you realize you wanted to get to know her?

D: You know, that's a hard one. She was always cute when I'd see her in Mac's office. Sweet, you know, and shy, kind of. But watching her try to reach under the fender of the car when she had the flat? I just had to reach out to her.
L: Was swooping in and rescuing her from the dreaded flat tyre part of the plan, or simple a happy coincidence?

D: Well, I definitely didn't plan it, so it was total coincidence that she happened to be stuck there. But me helping her? Nah, I could have left her there to call her pickup service or something. But there she was, and just so frustrated, I had to say something. I guess that's the cop in me too, can't leave someone in a spot without helping. And look at her! What man can walk away from my girl when she's in trouble? Not me.

L: What is it like dating a woman who was clearly beautiful and intelligent, yet she doesn’t see her own self-worth even when you tell her repeatedly how amazing she is?

D: It was frustrating at times, to tell her I thought she was perfect, lovely, sexy, you know, and have her smile a little and shake her head. It was like, she thought I was lying or flattering, you know, but I meant it all, every word, the whole time. I'm fascinated by her. Her eyes, her smile, her kisses, the way her hair falls. And I won't mention her body, because if I do, she gets all embarrassed, but, well, hmm. Let's say I like the whole package.

L: I realize family is important to you. What was it like growing up in your family?

D: Well, you know, it's a big family, so it was busy. Mom and Dad are still married, so they were a great example to my siblings and I as kids, and we're all still very close. We get together a lot, we all talk often, and my sisters and Cass have gotten to be pals, which is really nice. Cass fits right in with the bunch, especially Cameron, so it's just been great to watch her be so easily accepted, and to watch her try to get used to that.

L: When Cass pushed you away, what went through your mind? Were you angry? Upset? Confused?

D: I was all of that, in turns, I guess. I was angry for a while, like I was being punished for what someone else had said to her, what someone else had made her feel. I get it, and I tried really hard to be understanding, but it was definitely a rough time for me. I'd been waiting all my life for her, and having her slip through my fingers like that wasn't easy.

L: Giving up on Cass was never an option for you, but what if she gave up on your relationship completely? What if she had never come to see you in the hospital? Would you have continued fighting for her, for your love? 
D: No, giving up wasn't an option. I'm one of those people who sees what they want in an instant, sort of. And I saw her. I needed her; I needed our texts and our phone calls. I'd look at my phone all day and wish for texts from her like some dumb sap, but I couldn't help myself. I'd have fought for her, was fighting for her. You know, the flowers and the notes and all that. Here's the thing, she backed away from me out of a belief that she didn't deserve to be held and to be loved. And I wasn't going to let her believe that I thought the same things.

Drew takes Cass’s hand into his and intertwines their fingers. Her engagement ring sparkles like a sea of diamonds under the lighting in the lounge. He’s looking at her with such longing that even my heart starts to ache a little. Bringing her hand to his mouth, he plants a quick kiss and turns his attention back to me.

L: You and Cass and now engaged. Did you ever think you could be this happy, and what are your immediate plans for the future with your beautiful bride?

D: Hmm, immediate plans. I'm planning to marry her, sweep her off to some unforeseen exotic location, and kiss her silly for a while. And if she's lucky, I'll pull out some other tricks, too, you know, wink, wink. Because I'm a Kingsley, I aim to please, and I want my woman coming back for more. After that, maybe someday we have little Cassie's running around my house, tromping through my parent's yard. All I know is I can't wait to see what happens next.

L: Thanks so much for taking time out to talk to me.




About the author: Brandi Kennedy is a romance novelist whose work centers on the contemporary set, sometimes with a playful twist of this or that as she toys with bits and pieces of other genres. She is the author of To Love A Selkie, which is a tragic romance with a twist of the fantasy element. She is also the author of the Kingsley Series, which is entirely contemporary and focuses on the romantic happenings of the fictional Kingsley family.
A woman of varied interests, Brandi loves photography, music of all kinds, knitting, crochet, and of course, mothering her two young daughters. Currently, she finds her home in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee, among the mountains and the members of her extended family.

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Teaser #4

Let's have a little fun!Below is the fourth and final teaser for my upcoming project. I'd love to see people getting involved with the countdown to its release in July.

So, what do you have to do? 
Either go to my Facebook page and/or tweet the following message:

@officialldawes I want to get frisked by #Korvain


That's all you'll have to do!

If I can get 15 people to either post onto my Facebook author page or tweet this simple message, I'll have a little giveaway with a swag pack containing:

* A "Keep Calm and Call Rhett" keychain
* An "Honour Pack Survival" silicone bracelet
* A Half Blood trilogy magnet
* A signed Half Blood trilogy bookmark   
   

Teaser #3

Teaser #2

Teaser #1

Fat Chance by Brandi Kennedy Blog Hop Tour - Coming Soon!

Hello fellow Junkies,I'm lucky enough to be helping out a good friend of mine, Brandi Kennedy, who is doing a blog tour with her book Fat Chance. I've read it. It's amazing. I can't tell you anything more about it until April 1st though. You can find the schedule at The O'Raven Chronicles soon.
Tour brought to you by TTC & B2B Blog tours. Go show them a little click love...

Sources for indi authors to get promotional materials made up

Hello fellow Junkies,

This is kind of part two in my attempt to help indie authors with self-promotion. In a previous post I talked about using social media (i.e. Facebook) to help promote yourself by running event pages. This time I'm going to focus on sources to get your promo stuff made up.

I have a lot of problems with this since I am in Australia and a lot of the really good companies are

Review of 'Reviving Bloom' by Michelle Turner

Hello fellow Junkies,



I don't normally leave reviews of books I've read, but I thought I'd mix it up a little bit. Michelle Turner generously gave me a copy of her book Reviving Bloom in exchange for an honest review, and these are my thoughts:





Synopsis:

 Bloom was abandoned by her mother at birth, but thanks to her dad she never once
felt unloved. When he is killed in a car wreck,