Aimee Easterling's Blog, page 25

March 1, 2016

Shiftless is now FREE!

ShiftlessWant to try out the novel that has enchanted thousands? Shiftless is now free on all platforms:


Amazon


Apple


Kobo


Barnes & Noble


I hope you’ll give it a read and tell your friends!

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Published on March 01, 2016 05:44

February 28, 2016

February Kindle Unlimited recommendations

Alaskan FireAre you ready for another round of Kindle Unlimited recommendations? These are a followup to my 2015 favorites in fantasy, speculative romance, and contemporary/historical fiction. I’ll start off once again with urban fantasy and paranormal romance that you’re bound to enjoy if you like my books.


Husband Fur Hire by T.S. Joyce made me set aside my ban on were-bears. The author appears to have finally found a proofreader without losing any of the great characters and interesting Alaskan settings that made her previous books shine. And this offering even introduces an overall plot arc that threads through multiple books and makes the series more than just half a dozen standalone romances. No wonder Joyce turned into my go-to weekend comfort reading of choice.


Alaskan Fire by Sara King starts out as formulaic shifter romance, but quickly morphs into urban fantasy wrapped up in an Alaskan homesteading package. The book is very long but the characters kept me interested for all 578 pages. (Yes, I did seem to be on an Alaskan kick this winter. What can I say? The setting makes our cold look more manageable.)


Dead Rising by Debra Dunbar clocks in much lower on the romance scale and higher on the world-building, and I have to admit the result felt draggy in spots. But the series starter has interesting bones and I consider Dunbar an author worth watching.


Pippa of LauramoreMoving a little further afield, we come to Shari L. Tapscott’s Pippa of Lauramore. If you loved Ella Enchanted (the book, not the movie) or other fairy tale retellings, then Pippa will be right up your alley. There’s a solid romance, but told in a young-adult manner that includes more falling in love and less overt sparks. Plus the spunky heroine and fun adventures are bound to be a hit.


Finally, Michelle Diener’s Dark Deeds is a sequel that can be read as a standalone. Just like Dark Horse, this new novel is a tantalizing science fiction romance that hits all of the high points of both genres. I can hardly wait for book three.


How about you? Have you read anything in kindle unlimited lately that’s worth shouting about from a mountaintop? I consume a few books a week and am always looking for recommendations, so I hope you’ll share your favorites in the comments section below.

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Published on February 28, 2016 06:36

February 26, 2016

Are you a were-dragon?

I was playing around at the computer recently, thinking of how much I enjoy taking online personality quizzes. Then it occurred to me — why not write one myself?


The result is below. In case you’re curious, I turned out to be a bear, despite the fact that I really like dragon and wolf shifters the best. What are you?



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Published on February 26, 2016 05:20

February 24, 2016

An author’s inspiration

Alpha AscendantAs an author, I try to keep my mind wide open because I never know what will spark a new story. Will it be a news article about the Wolf Pack — a band of shut-in, homeschooled kids in New York City who didn’t escape their parents’ grasp and see the real world for the first time until they were in their teens? Or perhaps the expression in a woman’s eyes when she bounds out from behind the deli counter at the supermarket and asks if I might be interested in some specialty cheeses? It’s hard to say, so I try to experience it all.


That said, I have to admit that the animals I surround myself with inspire large sections of my books. I like to think of shifters as amalgamations of the best and worst of both beasts and man. So watching the way my dog lives in the moment and my goat seems to exude pure joy helps build characters like Wolfie and Ember, respectively.


I’m also enamored of pop psychology. Scientists will tell you that your experiences as a child result in your adult attachment style — secure, anxious, or avoidant. Folks in the first category have those blissfully simple adult relationships, while people who are anxiously attached tend to cling so hard they push people away. Finally adults who showcase avoidant attachment behavior don’t get the same positive reinforcement the rest of us do from a simple smile, so they steer clear of many normal bonding rituals.


But here’s the kicker — as I learned to my delight when my husband entered my life, those of us who are anxiously or avoidantly attached can grow out of our neuroses if pair bonded with a normal, securely attached mate. Doesn’t that sounds like the setup for a romance novel that would really stick with you?

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Published on February 24, 2016 05:01

February 22, 2016

Paranormal/urban fantasy authors to explore

Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy


When folks join my email list, I ask them to fill out a short survey in which I ask a series of nosy questions. One of those queries is — who’s your favorite author of shifter stories?


I mostly asked this question for selfish reasons: I’m always looking for new authors to try out. When you read about 200 books per year and have a tiny public library that’s literally located inside an average-sized house, exploring new authors is a must. In case you’re in the same boat, here are the authors who’ve been listed more than once in that survey (exempting me and the big three I posted about here):



Kelley Armstrong — I really enjoyed her Bitten series and suspect most of you will as well. In fact, if that list had been the big five instead of the big three, Armstrong would have been on it.
Yasmine Galenorn — Interlibrary loan, here I come!
Shelly Laurenston — The Mane Event hit the spot even though it’s closer to pure paranormal romance than I usually prefer
Milly Taiden — It looks like several of her books are free with kindle unlimited, so I’ll have to give them a try
C.T. Adams — Another interlibrary loan possibility — score!

There were also several of my favorite authors hidden down in the one-recommendation-only zone, including T.S. Joyce and Thea Harrison. Clearly I need more data, so I hope you’ll all keep those survey responses coming!

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Published on February 22, 2016 05:39

February 20, 2016

Interview with a were-jaguar

Jaguar at the PortalAimee: Thanks for dropping by, Ixchel and Finn. I thought it might be fun to test your knowledge of each other in the Newlywed Game!

Ixchel: But we’re…


Finn: Sounds like fun!


Ixchel: …Not married. Okay, whatever.


Aimee: Thanks for being such good sports. You’ll notice you each have a notepad in front of you. I’m going to start with an easy question about Finn. He’ll write down his answer and then Ixchel has to guess what he wrote. Finn, if you could be any animal, what would you be?


[They pause while Finn scribbles on the notepad.]


Ixchel: [rolling her eyes] This is an easy one. A jaguar, of course.


Aimee: Finn? [She accepts the pad of paper out of his hand and takes a look.] Oops! Not quite right. Looks like Finn would be…a dolphin!


Ixchel: But that makes no sense! You are a were-jaguar.


Finn: She said, if I could be any animal, which would I be. And I’d be a dolphin.


Ixchel: [sighing] Okay. Let’s get this over with. I’ve got puppies in the waiting room that need their shots. What’s next?


Aimee: Now we get to test Finn’s knowledge. So I’ll ask Ixchel — what do you consider your greatest weakness?


[Finn scrunches his eyebrows together, obviously thinking hard as Ixchel scribbles for a long time on her pad of paper.]


Aimee: Okay, Finn, you’re up. What’s Ixchel’s greatest failing?


Finn: So, first of all, this is one of those trick questions that men have a right not to answer.


Ixchel: Oh, come on. I’m not going to get mad at you.


Finn: [gazing into her eyes] But, see, it’s not really a trick question. Because Aimee didn’t ask what I think is your greatest failing — which, by the way, is nothing. She asked what you think is your greatest failing. And you’d say…trust.


Aimee: Well, it seemed like Ixchel was writing a novel over there. So let’s see if Finn was right.

[Ixchel grins as she flips the paper over. The edges are covered with doodles, but in the center she’s boldly scrawled “TRUST.”]


Aimee: Finn’s on a roll! Okay, let’s see if Ixchel can catch up as we ask Finn….what would prompt you to tell a lie?


[Now it’s Finn’s turn to look uncomfortable, but he quickly scribbles his answer.]


Aimee: Ixchel?


Ixchel: [reaching over and taking Finn’s hand] You know, we can leave if you want to.


Finn: [taking a deep breath] No, I’m good. It’s your chance to shine.


Ixchel: Okay, in that case, Finn would say — fear.

Teaser image


Aimee: Looks like you know him pretty well after all. Now, for our final question. Ixchel…do you believe in love at first sight?


[Finn perks back up as they wait for Ixchel to decide. She taps the pen against her lips, scrunches up her nose, then shrugs and writes.]


Aimee: [accepting the paper, then smiling knowingly] So, what do you think, Finn?


Finn: [sounding positive of the outcome] She doesn’t, but I do.

[Ixchel’s stiff spine melts a bit as she takes the paper back from the interviewer and flips the pad over. It reads “I didn’t used to…but

I’ve changed my mind.”]

Aimee: Well, it looks like it’s a tie, folks!


Finn: You could say that. Or you could say we both won.


[Finn pulls Ixchel in for a kiss on the lips.]


Aimee: Ooookay. Let’s keep this PG, kids. We’ll try out another round after this commercial break.


Deep-voiced announcer: Want to learn more about Finn and Ixchel’s adventures facing down Mexican gods and falling in love? Check out Aimee Easterling’s Jaguar at the Portal, available for a limited time in the 21-novel bundle Happily Ever Alpha. When once upon a time isn’t enough….

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Published on February 20, 2016 00:31

February 18, 2016

Preview Fen’s world in this free short story

Beyond Secret WorldsThis winter, I teamed up with several other paranormal fantasy and romance authors to put together the free anthology Beyond Secret Worlds. My contribution was a story about Fen, whom readers of the Wolf Rampant Trilogy will remember as the one female yahoo in Wolfie’s pack. She never got a name in her first appearance on screen, but Fen was also the young halfie whom Wolfie protected in Bloodling Wolf.


I’ve been intrigued by this character ever since she entered my mind, tough and fully formed. What was a young female half-werewolf doing on her own when she was barely old enough to drink? And was that apparent toughness just a thin facade that she used to cover up her own inner flaws?


You’ll have to wait for Half Wolf to learn the full story. But, in the meantime, you can prime the pump with Tough As Nails, the first story in that FREE anthology I mentioned earlier. I hope you enjoy it!

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Published on February 18, 2016 05:56

February 15, 2016

Escape to Eden


 




Run now!

When seventeen-year-old Sage wakes up in a hospital with no memories, her only clue are the words written on her hand. With a deadly disease threatening to wipe out mankind, Sage must find out who she is and why most people would kill to get their hands on her–before it’s too late. This fast-paced, futuristic thriller is a spine-tingling read!

 




         



Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she’s not in her writing lair, she’s partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel’s love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was… 



 



                       


I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of this book…and boy am I glad I did! I wasn’t actually in a young-adult mood when I picked it up, but Escape to Eden grabbed me from the first page and wouldn’t let me go. McClellan masterfully crafted an adventure in a dystopian future without a single info-dump (impressive!) while keeping the focus right where it should be — on the characters and the state of humanity. If you enjoyed Uglies or Maximum Ride (or, really, any young -adult dystopian), you’ll definitely want to give this book a try. I can hardly wait for book two!



To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 


 





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Published on February 15, 2016 17:01

February 13, 2016

On the border of urban fantasy and paranormal romance

IMoon Called‘ve been regaling you with the best reads I found within Kindle Unlimited in 2015 for the last few weeks. But what about the really big dogs? Those absolutely amazing books that shaped the genre?


If you’ve been reading novels on the edge of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for long, you’ve probably already stumbled across these awe-inspiring authors. But, if not, here are my top three recommendations that you really have to look up. Like…stop reading this post and put the following books on hold at your local library now.


Patricia Briggs is my #1 favorite. A few of kind Amazon reviewers have likened my Wolf Rampant series to Briggs’ books, and I consider that the highest praise I could ever receive. I recently reread Moon Called, in fact, and fell in love with Mercy Thompson all over again. (Although, I have to admit that as the series progressed I actually ended up liking Briggs’ Alpha & Omega spinoff even better.)


On the EdgeIlona Andrews is a close second. This husband-and-wife writing team crafts such intriguing worlds, with laugh-out-loud funny writing, a badass heroine you can’t get enough of, and even more action than Briggs delivers. Again, though, I like their other series — The Edge — better than their more mainstream Kate Daniels series since The Edge hits my romantic buttons just a little better without sacrificing any of the awesomeness of their more popular novels.


Eileen Wilks’ Lupi series includes many of the same beloved facets as Briggs and Andrews. There’s a great romantic hook, lots of good triumphing over evil, plus a J.D. Robb-like police procedural element that gives at least book one a very different twist. The world-building gets more intense later in the series as well, which is a definite plus for me.


I could go on and on. But I suspect if I recommend fewer authors, you’ll be more likely to give at least one of them a try. In the meantime, who’s your all-time favorite author writing urban fantasy with a strong romantic element? Or which book got you hooked on the genre in the first place?

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Published on February 13, 2016 05:40

February 11, 2016

Which cover hits the spot?

Best-selling urban fantasy covers


I’ve got a tough question for you today. If you’d never heard of any of the authors pictured above (a hard thought-experiment, I know), which of these covers would grab you instantly?


Personally, my favorites are Wind Burn, Grave Visions, and Gifted Thief. Actually, I can tell you that I picked up a copy of Gifted Thief on the basis of the cover alone.


I hope you’ll comment and share your favorites! And, for bonus points, who’s your favorite author in this genre?

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Published on February 11, 2016 05:51