Last week I read a book and stumbled upon a description which instantly made me think; Did I not read that is someone else's book already? I was so stupified because I thought there was only one character with that kind of hair!

Here is the quote:

Her breath caught in her throat. Never in her life had she seen a more handsome man.
Never.
At first glance his hair was dark brown, but in reality it was made up of all colors; ash, auburn, black, brown, mahogony, even some blond. She'd never seen hair like that on anyone. Long and wavy, it was pulled back into a sexy ponytail.

Everyone who has read J.R. Ward immediately thinks Phury, right? Well, I wasn't reading Lover Enshrined or any other BDB book. So I wonder, does any of you know who this character is with the same kind of hair as Phury?

I just had to google images of Phury...see if anything like that kind of hair actually excitst...without coming from a bottle. Alas...no such color but I found men with heads of hear 0.0 They so make me green with envy:

 Okay...perhaps not a wild mane of hair but *drool* he's so good to look at ;)

 Now this is a mane...dear lawd, he would make Shakira look green with envy at that!

Love this guys face...even with all that hair...he's still all man to me!!

Can't wait to hear who you think the quote guy is ;)

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425240134
ISBN-13: 978-0425240137
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book #3 in Guild Hunter series
Main Characters: Raphael and Elena
Buy at: Book Depository Store

Cover Summary:
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…


Archangel's Consort gives us a third chapter to devour in the romance story of Archangel Raphael and Guild Hunter Elena. With that I cannot guarantee a spoiler free review and only advice readers to start at the beginning with Angels’ Blood and work your way to this release which I can tell you will be quite the ride!

From the beginning there was an undeniable attraction simmering between Raphael and Elena and this had not diminished in any way in Archangels Consort. Next to their deepening relationship they both have to deal with family issues as well. From the get-go I fell hard for the synergy between Raphael and Elena. Their dialogues are full of wit and barbs, their personalities clashing at times in dominance and the sensual vibe is like a live wire between them. Over the course of the evolving storyline I witnessed their trials and tribulations, their strength, vulnerabilities and flaws, but at the foundation a love grew that encompassed them wholly.

In Archangels Consort, Nalini Singh demonstrates how utterly good she is at bringing characters to life and exploring their personalities. Raphael is a male character who isn’t quite the anti hero nor “just” one who can be branded an Alpha, he transcends these character type’s with his attitude that is born from his ancient age and view on life. He is without a doubt “other”. He is an Archangel who makes me shiver with all of his personality traits and each reader should experience his personality first hand to understand what makes Raphael, Raphael.

To be the love interest of such an Archangel takes quite a woman but Elena holds her ground in her own unique way. She knows how to get through to Raphael when he goes all Archangel attitude and makes him more accessible to the softer side of emotions. Even though Elena has a strong backbone, even when she goes all warrior woman, she also is a sensuous woman and has her vulnerabilities. It is the sensual and emotional interplay between them as a couple that shows this the most. This story definitely created room for the romance part, for conflicts and the fiery passion that often set the pages ablaze. When two angels choose to dance the skies it is a sight to behold!

The one thing that was subdued was the mystery. Practically up front did I know what was going on and it lessened the thrill of the suspense. It made certain events less dangerous and I missed the one-two punch Nalini Singh can deliver when romance and suspense work as one and I can’t read fast enough to know what’s happening. Of course I did get a few small surprises in the end, creating possibilities for future installments but in this story it was the interpersonal relationships that did it for me.

Next to murders, some dangers, romance and challenges there was also Raphael’s Seven. Each of these Seven is a compelling and intriguing character but like many avid readers of this series I have my favorites. My heart skips a beat with the uber powerful vampire Dmitri, I have a wicked grin on my face whenever Illium aka Bluebell, enters the stage, my curiosity is piqued with Aodhan, but it is Jason who yanks all of my chains. In this installment Nalini Singh tantalizes me with small snippets of mystery revolving his, and many other characters, from the Seven. I can’t wait for her to start writing up their stories!!

Nalini Singh’s is one of the powerhouse authors who rule in the Urban-Fantasy genre. Her imaginative writing never fails to invite me into her dynamic world. I get to go on adventures with her characters, enjoy the temperamental dialogues and feel every single shred of emotions sizzling between them! Archangel’s Consort was a wonderful return again to the Guild Hunter world!

Quote Elena:
Now, she was one of those angels, perched high atop a balcony that had no railing, nothing to prevent a fall. Except of course, she would no longer fall. Her wings were stronger now. She was stronger.

Flaring out those wings, she took a deep breath of the air home. A fusion of scents – spice and smoke, human and vampire, earthy and sophisticated – hit her with the wild fever of a welcoming rainstorm. Her chest, tight for so long, relaxed, and she stretched her wings out to their greatest width. It was time to explore this familiar place become foreign, this home that was suddenly new again.

Diving down from the balcony, she swept across Manhattan on air currents kissed by the cool bite of spring. The right green season that thawed the snows that had kept the city in thrall this winter , and now held court, summer not even a peach-colored blush on the horizon. This was the time of rebirth, of blooming things and baby birds, bright and young and fragile even in the frenetic rush of a city that never slept.

Home, I’m home.

Quote Illium/Elena:
“I know I’m your favorite.” He brushed his wings over hers when she didn’t reply. “I swear to god,” she muttered, fighting a laugh, “If you’ve dusted me with blue , I’ll tie your balls in a knot and hang you up by them on the nearest sharpest object I see.” The last time he glittered blue angel-dust over her wings, Raphael had – eventually – seen the humor in the situation. She couldn’t guarantee Illium’s health if it happened a second time. Illium dipped low, stroking back up with movements that looked lazy but took considerable muscle strength. “Be nice to me or I won’t give you your present.”

“Idiot.” But he was her favorite of the Seven. How could he not be when he saw her human heart not as a curse, but as a gift. When he would lay down his life for the archangel’s who was Elena’s? When he laughed with the same easy joy as the children from the Refuge?

I remember one fo the first Happy Abs Day posts of Pearl was that of a hilarious man in shower doing an abs wave for us all. I told her right there and then I felt challenged since I never would've thought to go to youtube for some ab fun. I haven't found a hilarious youtube vid but not so long ago I was watching whatever movie with hubby and I saw a Davidoff commercial for the first time...one that really had my panties in a twist. One with Aitor Mateo in the leading role;




Then I remembered William Lawson's and the fantastic Highlander commercial...I haz found one that made me laugh so hard. it has got a belgium male model in the lead and haven't found a name yet (since I remembered thirty minutes ago I was up for a HAD post *palmface*)




I really like both man since commercial time mostly seems to revolve around model pretty women. Both commercials are a treat for the ladies IMO :)

Have a great friday!

DAUGHTERS OF PERSEPHONE I & II
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing
Available: July 13, 2010
Erotic Fantasy Romance
Purchase at: Resplendence Publishing

Cover Summary:
Aja Bokinan, of noble blood, is the Thousand Year Empress who has grown to adulthood in exile. Throughout the Empire, women are banned from public life, have no legal rights, and have become little better than property.

In an attempt to kill off the royal line and end all resistance, Aja is kidnapped by a General who intends to inject her with a lethal virus, hoping she will infect her family and Women of the Blood everywhere.

Kyr Aram, is a smuggler and secret resistance fighter. He must find a way to protect Aja from both the General and a traitor on his own ship who wishes to see her dead. With the Thousand Year Empress, he gets more than he bargained for.

My Review: EXILE is an introduction to a hierarchy where women inherit the powers. Over the course of time unrest begins to play havoc among the men and some will fight the female leadership till the bitter end, splitting the races up in the Coalition and the Resistance. The Empress and her three daughters have escaped their exile and this is where I meet one of those daughter; Aja and a ship’s captain; Kyr, who is trying to avoid an encounter with the Coalition.

Julia Rachel Barrett plunges the reader in an escape and from there on out it is a constant evading of traitors and enemies. If there is one thing that grabbed my attention it is the compelling set-up of a pre-dominant female hierarchy and the scheming for the freedom of the Empress and her daughters. Throughout the story much information of the race’s history and current situation is conveyed via Aja herself. This provided a natural and accessible way for me to understand what happened in the past, how it affected the here and now, and what dangers their inherent powers present.

This is but the first story in an overarching storyline but in EXILE the thrill of the chase; will they, or won’t they make it to safety created some dire circumstances. The fact that Kyr and Aja needed to get to safety also spiced up the romance, which alternated between endearing and fiery but also had a few bumps in the road. The back story and world building took away pages from the romance which made the chemistry between Aja and Kyr work but the depth of emotion poured out of them by the end wasn’t something I could surrender completely to. If the romance would’ve been given a bit more room or pages it would’ve become all the more credible regarding the trust issues and the sharing of powers.

Aja was the stronger character in EXILE, just as her race intended her to be. She is a Seer, born and bred of the Blood. She knows her duties but it is fueled by an inner compassionate force and she took me in to her culture, which I enjoyed to the fullest. Now Kyr is a born and bred hero, a leader, strong, capable and fierce if need be and his charisma alluring. Aja was flanked by Kyr, who became her consort in every way and together they were a likable couple.

Julia Rachel Barrett’s imagination concocted an intriguing world, a new culture and customs that isn’t intricate but holds everything to make it come alive on the pages. I’m always up for a good battle where I can cheer for my team, live the tension, feel the passion ignite between two people and receive a romantic high at the end, and while I gotten some elements in a better dosage then others this author has just started in this novella series.

With EXILE I received a story that contains an intriguing start to the Daughters Of Persephone series!

I'm a lurker around the net and the first thing that usually gets my attention are the slick looking covers with *shallow me* the man candy on it. Still I have discovered a third series published by Casablanca Soursebooks that has not only captured my attention with a hawt cover, but also the blurb grabs my attention. So first up is the Soulfire series by Stephanie Rowe:

Stephanie Rowe - Kiss At Your Own Risk
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140224195X
ISBN-13: 978-1402241956
Book #1 in Soulfire series
pre-order @ Book Depository

Cover Summary:
HE NEEDED A KILLER WOMAN…

Blaine Underhill was one lucky man. Having recently escaped a century and a half of imprisonment at the hands of an evil witch, he's determined to save his still-enslaved friend. But in order to do so, he'll need the help of one of the world's most lethal women.
SHE WAS DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, LITERALLY…
Trinity Harpswell is sick and tired of being a Black Widow. Having managed to go three years without accidentally killing anyone she loves, she's one short week away from freeing herself from this killer curse forever. When Blaine tracks her down and convinces her to help him, little does Trinity know that the next seven days are going to be murder!

Stephanie Rowe - Touch If You Dare
Soulfire Series, Book #2
Available July 2011

To save their respective siblings, Jarvis Swain and Reina Knight will have to team up to trick Death himself.

Who better than a bad-ass warrior on a mission? Jarvis Swain is the ruthless, confident aggressor Reina knows she needs at her back--someone even she can't screw up. This unlikely darkside duo with impressive deadly superpowers of their own may just prove that two wrongs together can be more than right...

Annette Blair - Vampire dragon
Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425240525
ISBN-13: 978-0425240526
Book #3 in A Works Like Magick series
pre-order at: Book Depository

I'm not finding any blurb yet but can you blame me for wanting to post the cover? Ever since Pearl mentioned this series it has been on my radar...I think I know what I'm going to ask Santa for: Naked Dragon and Bedeviled Angel :) I know Blair has a sense for the humor, combine it with dragons and I just have to find out if she can tickle my humorous side (which authors rarely do) I can cry easier then I can laugh *rolls eyes at self*

Though Jacquelyn Frank has not been on my radar for a long time the man candy on the cover of Seduce Me In Dreams captured my attention, is it me or is he the cover candy of late?

Jacquelyn Frank - Seduce Me In Dreams
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345517679
ISBN-13: 978-0345517678

Again I can't seem to find a blurb but it seems this is a new series sinds the cover doesn't appear on any of her current series pages of; The Gatherers, The Nightdwellers or The Nightwalkers. With a sub title of; A Three World novel I guess Frank has started another series. Or perhaps a spinn-off? However it turns out, she has turned up on my radar and I'be got another title to watch for 2011. If anyone else has info...just drop a comment, inquisitve minds want to know!!

The only thing that really shocks me right now is that my wishlist for November and December are really scarce of releases I truly want o.0 Anyone has some good releases in those months they truly need to have? please share, my book addiction is in shock of the prospect'that I haven't got anything pre-ordered *eek*

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (November 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425236838
ISBN-13: 978-0425236833
Purchase at: Book Depository

Cover Summary:
She offered him one week of pleasure. No more and no less...

Some sacrifices are more difficult than others. Left destitute after her father's death, Rose Marlowe has debts to settle and a younger brother to support. But she also possesses an unmatched beauty-one that could command quite a price...

Now, every month, Rose secretly travels from her country home to spend one week at a decadent London brothel, where she's become a sought-after prize. Elegant and accomplished in the art of pleasure, she spends her nights fulfilling the fantasies of the gentlemen of the ton while denying the wish buried deep in her heart.

Then one night a wealthy merchant gentleman walks through her door. Handsome, kind and compassionate, with a lonely soul that matches her own, James Archer is not her usual client. Falling in love with a client, never mind a married one, is unthinkable. Yet Rose can't help but lose herself in his arms as one night becomes seven-and seven nights lead to a chance at forever...

My Review: James is stuck in an arranged marriage, void of love, compassion or even amiability. His hard working attitude hides a very lonely man and the only thing that makes this marriage worthwhile is his wife’s promise to introduce his sister to the bon ton of London during the season. Still, after three long years of being honorable it turns a man starved for a bit of affection and kindness. James promises himself one night with a woman who does not loathe the sight of him and that choice brings him knocking on the door of Rose. Two lonely people meet and feel a magnetic pull neither of them expected.

With SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER, Evangeline Collins delivers a heartwarming historical romance of a man trapped in a loveless marriage and unexpectedly finds a connection to another woman. Even though arranged marriages are very common in the time period of the story and even affairs for both women and men are conventional it is James who made the difference. For all intends and purposes he wanted to abide by his vow but his wife is a self absorbed nightmare of a woman. James might be emotion starved but that doesn’t mean he isn’t struggling with his actions of obtaining some kindness. I found it very easy to sympathize with James, he is a good man, works hard, cares for his family and treats people with respect. To opposite such a man to a dragon of a woman who is haughty, selfish and cold is perhaps an easy way to gain my support for James but it evoked the response nonetheless. Amelia as his wife is one of the reasons I could understand and accept James’ infidelity. A person can only take so much when deprived of even the barest hint of affection and the time period also gave leeway to such a story angle.

James is a character who was all around likable but Rose is right there with him. She’s taken care of her younger brother from the moment her father died and in those days there were very few options open to Rose. She chooses to become a high-priced courtesan for seven nights each month and so the opportunity rises for James and Rose to meet. Rose is everything Amelia is not, she loves the country, she’s kind, compassionate, is even willful at times and makes understandable choices. From the moment James is introduced to Rose there is plenty of tension between then. I would almost call it a refined eroticism, the passion is sizzling hot and frequent but the poignant way it is written curbs the act of sex play and adds the emotional depth to it. It is not only the erotic tension but also their emotional needs that resonate with each other and form a fragile bond of feelings and trust.

The challenges that lay ahead of them mainly revolved around their developing romance that could go no further due to James’ marriage. The problems give appropriate resistance delivering some inner struggles and emotion wrought scenes yet it weren’t insurmountable odds to overcome as the solution proved that. James and Rose need to make decisions and for them to come to certain conclusions was interesting to witness. The romance was moving and the sincerity of the characters made me care all the more about the outcome of it all.

Evangeline Collins manages to write a wonderful historical romance with just a handful of characters where the focus lies on the love, sensuality and interaction. If there is one secondary character, next to Amelia and Rebecca, who intrigued me to no end then it was the male prostitute, Timothy. With only a few scenes and some insightful comments coming from Timothy he becomes a colorful character who triggers my curiosity. His situation, as a male BDSM prostitute, begs for the unraveling of his back story though I wonder if this author would go there.

SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER is a nice blend of a heart rendering romance, sensuality, sincere characters and easy flowing writing skills.  

Quote James struggling with Rose’s profession:
“I…” A furrow tightened his brow, his voice dropping to a grave rumble. “It’s hard sometimes knowing I won’t ever be your first anything. But I won’t let it come between us anymore. You have my word.”

Quote:
How she wished he could have been her first everything. The first man who touched her, kissed her, made love to her. Her first and only. But none of that mattered. None had even come close to leaving a mark on her heart. “You’re the first man I have ever wanted to be with,” she confessed. The tight line of his mouth softened. The gravity left his eyes, the green depths warming with an emotion she should not date give name to. “Thank you,” he whispered, almost awed, as though she presented him with the rarest of treasures.

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (November 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425237796
ISBN-13: 978-0425237793
Book #12 in Psy/Changeling series
Purchase at: Book Depository

Cover Summary:
In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it’s up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn’t easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn’t counted on Drew’s will.

Now, two of SnowDancer’s most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home…

My Review - Note: Since this is book twelve you really need to be invested in the Psy/Changeling series to understand the underlying currents with the characters and to see the complete picture. I’m not saying you can't read PLAY OF PASSION as a standalone but as always with a series the reading experience can be so much more rewarding if you’ve read the previous novels.

PLAY OF PASSION is an intense romance alive with fierce possessiveness, wolf pride and mischievous play. This Psy/Changeling story is all about the romance and has a minor but nonetheless important part for the continuance of the overall plot arc. The pace of the story took a notch down with lots of time to meet new and old members of the SnowRiver pack. It gave me a sense of the interconnected relationships, the structure and rules, and it allowed me to feel the bond they share. The banter going back and forth only emphasized on how deeply connected each member of the pack is, from the youngest to the Alpha leader Hawke. It didn’t take long for me to be absorbed by the SnowRiver pack dynamic and the courtship unfolding.

Drew and Indigo have a great combustive energy together. The dominance issues cause for both internal as external struggles that Indigo and Drew have to deal with. Though it isn’t easy on either of them I loved the fact how the SnowRiver pack participates in the courtship of Drew and indigo. Nobody ever said it was easy to become the mate of a SnowRiver lieutenant but Drew is up to the challenge and has plenty of determination to see it happen. Even though Indigo’s wolf has doubts whether the four year younger Drew with an obscure rank can handle all of her. It is their clash of dominance, their erotic synergy, their playful dalliance that created situations which got me from smiling, to laughing and fanning myself a time or two too.

Drew is the Hunter of the pack but where he truly stands in the hierarchy remains a mystery. It is a very steep problems for Indigo to deal with but Drew has some tricks up his sleeve that will get any woman weak in the knees. Some stunts he pulls to prove himself worthy are unadulterated romance yet other stunts backfire, giving him a lesson in what it means to court a dominant she-wolf. Still, Drew is more than cheeky mischief and a charmer, his love runs soul deep and he is giving his all and then some to mate with the woman who claimed him long ago. To see him romance Indigo made him another cherished character within the Psy/Changeling cast.

Indigo, as a SnowRiver luitenant, doesn’t have many males higher up the food chain. To feel an attraction for a younger male with an unknown rank screams trouble for her. Still, she is a woman who is strong, can handle just about anything you throw at her but there is also compassion, combined with the fiery love and loyalty that burns in her heart. She has a few lessons to learn and she becomes a worthy heroine in her successions and her failures.

The interaction between Indigo and Drew is rife with everything they feel. There is playful banter, all-out wolf-to-wolf collisions of dominance and sexy bed-play. The beautiful setting of the woods gave room for their wolf to stretch and let Indigo and Drew connect on that level too. The vibrance of how they experience life, love, sadness, their animal side which is such an integral part of their being, it made their personalities leap of the pages. Their distinctive personalities spiced up the attraction, it fueled the sensuality between them but also the need for a deeper love to finally take those first careful steps to a bond as mates.

As the warmth and the familiarity of the characters and pack enveloped me there were also threats clouding the horizon giving a suspenseful edge to the story. The plot may have a supportive role in this Psy/Changeling episode but it imbues the romance with a mystery to unravel that threatens the pack. There are no big revelations in this story but the small twists and turns are intriguing, it deepens the awareness something cataclysmic is going to happen only from where, who or what is still very much in the grey. Of course I have suspicions like anyone else up to par with this series. Clues are given but Nalini Singh really keeps the reader guessing and ultimately gave a surprise in the ending.

PLAY OF PASSION is a fantastic return to the SnowRiver pack where you’ll meet changelings who are fierce, loyal and lethal yet also love with an unrelenting force that will make anyone take risks to be on the receiving end of that love. Nalini Singh is a constant in her delivery of a ‘sweep-off-your-feet’ shape shifter romance which will engage the reader from first till last word! Be prepared to succumb to Drew and Indigo’s story!

October 14…. A day for most which will go by with no real meaning other than being a regular day in the year but for us at Realms it holds a bit more than that. Why? I hear you ask…. I’ll tell. Once my sister had an idea, her and me with a passion for reading books had of course our chats and fun discussing the books, but as my sister got into the book-anatics-thing on the internet an idea came to fruition, why not start a website with forum, discussing the one thing we love most. She discussed it with me and had one problem, she was not really into the technical side of making a website, tadada it was like the universe combined our ‘powers’ as I was a bit home in website-building, at that point I had worked on the administration of a web-design company for two years doing odd bits and pieces on websites and getting to know the technical inns and outs. Of course we both got excited and henceforth Realms On Our Bookshelves came to be a daily term in our phone-conversations. Through this we came to know many great people of whom Marissa and Pearl became dear friends of us.  

Early this year, the totality of building the website we had going grew a bit over our head. Our lives changed and as so many great authors got to our attention the website building was no longer a one girl job. The internet-community changed as well, instead of website/forum, blogging became the HOT thing and after discussing this over with Marissa and Pearl (whom beside our friends were steadfast reviewers of ROOB) we decided to change format and make it the four-ROOB-girl thing we have going today.

Throughout the past four years of knowing each other on the digi-world and outside that in real life we came to know us four as:

Leontine is wickedly fun, loyal, a bit of a scatterbrain and somewhat of a drama queen
Marissa, caring, chaotic, historical lover of the first order, smart but with her bridget jones moments (which is hilarious for us) and we came to know her as a musical encyclopedia
Natascha tends to be a bit of a wallflower, tell-it-like-it-is attitude but with a very big heart, creative, funny and has a passion for writing
Pearl is a busy-bee, talkative: always open for a chat about everything, sweet and caring

To add some spice to the post here are some great anecdotes from our time together:

Leontine – Staphorst meets the ROOB posse
Marissa- Triple A’s sexy alpha male to the rescue

Is it four years already?? Time flies when you have fun…

Ok today we talk about some of the funny things that happened to the ROOB gals over the years, there are really too many Bridget Jones moments to pen them all down here. We all know each other through the Internet, but I can remember the very first time I met Leontine in the flesh. I was picking her up for a bookfair in Rotterdam, she opened her door and the very first thing she said to me was: “Hi, you look so different than I thought you would.” “Well hello to you too Leontine!” After that we chatted about everything and nothing like we have known each other for years and that has never changed. The whole Staphorst affair and the word “sophistication” still make me smile when I think back of the memorable coffee-stop we made in that little town, but I picked another story to tell. So here it goes and you are forewarned, I am not a good storyteller.


What else to say, except that I hope that ROOB will be around for many more years and that I cherish my friendship (on the Internet and IRL) with Leontine, Pearl & Natascha. #raising my glass# To many more laughs, book & girl talk and embarrassing moments! Love you gals!

XOXO
Marissa

Once upon a time we: Pearl, Marissa and I were going to Natascha for an overall meeting and to celebrate her 30th birthday. Because Natascha lives about a 3 hour drive away from the rest Marissa was all over the music selection for the road trip. Truly, she has an inner DJ for information about songs, bands and trivia information about them. She was in to the songs that were so wrong they actually sounded right, some of her playlist:


Right Said Fred – I’m too sexy
Boney M – Rivers of Babylon
Matthias Reim – Verdamt ich lieb dich
Marianne Rosenberg – Ich bin wie Du
Opus – Life is Life
Roberto Jacketti & the scooters – I save the day
Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers – Islands in the stream
Sabrina – Boys, boys, boys

As much was from the 70’s and 80’s the nostalgia was coursing through our veins, the clothes, teen-age years, the make-up, nothing was left unspoken as three very, but then really very “off key” voices were singing along. Or I could say, two voices were singing along and I was mumbling and extremely happy when I could sing along with the chorus of each song….my mind actually went blank with a few songs *eek*.

The car was eating away the miles and the music was jamming and it was halfway that we decided to take a break and go for coffee. Now what I’m about to tell next is told with all due respect for each and every religion! In the Netherlands we have our Sin Cities, really….love ‘em, hate ‘em, but you can’t go around them. To balance it we have a few villages in our country that have their own way of exercising their believes and are very…very…truly very strict in upholding the rules as stated within those beliefs. It is in such a town called “Staphorst” that we stopped for coffee, at first we didn’t even realize it but then we thought Staphorst bells started to go off big time. Full of giggles we entered an establishment where we were confronted with a crowd of grandpa’s and grandma’s. We sat down at a table and ordered our food and drinks. Up to then everything was under control and we were showing our best behavior! But this came crashing down so fast as we started to talk about books and books and…well erotic romance. I should’ve taken an example to Marissa and Pearl and censure my language but what can I say, I was excited, the passion for the topic evident in my voice and I had a few things to say. I think I can safely say that the three of us won’t be visiting that town any day soon because the people lunching and drinking their coffee definitely gave me the evil eye a few times while Marissa said: Sophistication Leo, where’s the sophistication??” Uhm, well... probably lost it along the way I guess LOL. If it got lost along the way then it evaporated as we got to the topic of anal behavior…this is in the context of compulsory behavior! That we all have got that one straight *wink* Pearl has got this about reading orders, she has to read books in order of release date and it doesn’t matter whether it is part of a series, trilogies or novels. Now I have got this myself and probably Marissa and Natascha, and a whole lot of readers with us about series. Reading the series and trilogies in chronically correct order so you can experience the full impact of the overall story. Pearl just takes it a step further and it is a unique quirk to her nature *we still love you Pearl!*. From this we got to Lora Leigh and her Breed series….do I need to say more. Breeds, Staphorst, and three women who just discovered these awesome erotica novels. Add my attitude to the mix and as I’ve said, Staphorst was more than relieved to see me go LOL

Of course we arrived at Ashleagh’s house full of smiles and giggles and had a blast!

After four years of sharing the love with each other for books and sharing an incredible friendship I can’t believe how much we changed since our tentative first steps in reading English books. Our yellow road brought us to Blogger, Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook. ROOB the website changed along with it. It allowed us to read and review fantastic authors but most of all those get-together’s as friends will be cherished the most. I toast to Natascha, Marissa and Pearl; girls, may we have many more anecdotes to tell once we reach our senior citizen years and our friendship still goes strong. To all those who we’ve come to know online, we love to share the passion for the romance genre and you’ve all made it a blast! Thank you!!!

Of course we had many more moments together but let’s not bring out the most spicy details just yet… But do not be too disappointed… we have a great contest for you in store:


Giveaway: To share in our love for the romance we would like to give one commenter a choice in book up to € 6.50 (six and a half euro's) and to where Book Depository Store ships! Winner will be announced on October 18th.

Enjoy our anniversary week ;-) We have Lora Leigh with a one on one interview with Leontine and Donna Grant over who gives her 411 on her MacLeod highlanders & still ongoing giveaways!

Warm wishes and happy readings,

Leontine, Marissa, Natascha & (from the sick-bay) Pearl

I’m waiting in the hall as we are all so psyched to have an awesome author with us today. Pearl was the first of the ROOB Posse to read a Breed novel and infected us with her enthusiasm. Read all her Breed reviews here We even shocked a small town village with Breed talk in a restaurant, but that a story for a different time. I take a final peek in the “naughty chick parlor” if all is set when the door bell rings, I open with a big grin on my face; Hello Lora Leigh, welcome in the ROOB mansion.

I take a deep breath, let the fan girl anxiety exit my body and guide Lora Leigh to the parlor, asking her if she want anything to drink or eat.

LL: Hello Leontine, thank you so much for the invitation and for allowing me to visit with you and yours for a while. And I would love a shot of Crown Royal and a Bud light if you have both on hand. 

I hope you’re comfy enough to get this interview kickin’:)

LL: (Settles back in an exquisitely comfortable parlor chair and smiles back) I’m perfectly comfortable, ask away.

ROOB Q 1: These are exciting times for you. First of all, last month was your annual RAW fundraiser. Where did you get the idea to hold a convention where authors bundle their forces to raise money for two causes: abused children and wildlife preserve? And perhaps you can share a funny or heartwarming anecdote with us?

LL: Yes, these are very exciting times, and I hope the readers are still sharing in the excitement. RAW, the Readers Appreciation Weekend has been an amazing venture for me. The idea came about after several years of traveling to other author events. I noticed I hadn’t heard of an event that was completely reader specific. In other words, one that focused entirely on the reader and the appreciation we as authors have for those readers. I wanted an event where I could socialize in a more relaxed atmosphere without stressing over appointments, workshops, etc.

From there, the Readers Appreciation Weekend was born. An event that caters to the readers, that gives us as authors the chance to show our readers how important they are to us, in a controlled number that gives us the chance and the time to focus on each one. To listen to their love of the books, discuss the plots and characters, and just have a damn good time.

The parties were something I had to research, because I’d never thrown or attended a party in my life.

That first year, I decided to have a slumber party on Friday night. I’d always wanted to go to or have a slumber party, but never had. I was always really shy when I was younger and didn’t have a lot of friends, so I hadn’t attended a slumber party myself. So this was my chance to not just attend one, but to host one as well.

That first weekend, on Saturday we had the 80’s dance night, the idea of a costume party came later. We dressed as though it were 1983 all over again, listened to our favorite music hits during a pig roast picnic and later danced to those favored tunes.

The raffle baskets from authors, I’m not certain when that came in. I believe the raffle baskets came in that first year as well as the idea of contributing in some way to a school or children.

ROOB Q 2: Second, October is the month of another BREED release titled; STYX’S STORM. Can you tell us what it’s like to write such an extensive, long-running series? What are the pros and cons and who are the characters most near and dear to you?

LL: Pros? Hmm, you always get to revisit favorite characters, locations and even in some cases, favorite villains. It’s comforting I think, like visiting with friends and sharing a good cup of coffee. It’s building a world, characters and relationships and sharing that world that once, only you saw. Now, I get to live in it with my readers as well, and that’s the most exciting thing I believe I’ve ever known.

The Cons? *sigh* You forget eye color sometimes, height, age, etc. The little details get mixed up and sometimes you mistake one friend for another. Or rather character. 

ROOB Q 3: In extension of the previous question. What are the essential ingredients to keep the Breed overall story arc going and to keep it intriguing without making it overwhelming?

LL: The love of the series, the characters and the world you’re building. If I didn’t love it, if I didn’t crave being a part of that world, then it would have definitely become overwhelming long ago. Not that certain books aren’t overwhelming on their own, because they are. Some of the books have had me screaming because the characters aren’t talking to me, or I can’t seem to get into their heads as I need to.

There’s a lot of components that go into series such as this, and sometimes, I forget things. Well, often I would forget things until I begin making cards for each series I’m doing. Now, I’ve found I have over 1200 characters in all the series, and that doesn’t count the characters I’ve killed off. LOL

ROOB Q 4: Do you do any research for your Breed novels?

LL: I’ve had to do tons of research, especially on genetic mutations and testing. I’ve had to do considerable research on certain types of military and guerrilla training as well as hours upon hours of research on test tube conception and all the risks and steps involved in it, just so I would kinda sorta understand as much as I could.

I’m not a science person, but when this series came to mind, I couldn’t put it aside. I had to write it.

ROOB Q 5: We book-addicts are curios as can be and the cover summary of STYX’S STORM is torturing short. Can you tell us a bit more about Storme Montague, Wolf Breed Styx and their story?

LL: Unfortunately, the story completely changed between the blurb being written and the book being written. I’m several months behind on deadlines, and trying desperately to catch up due to the past two years and the changes that have taken place in my life.

A divorce, a move. Learning to live as my own boss and to raise a teenage son who’s going through all that teenage angst that marks those years between fifteen and eighteen. I’ve become a grandmother, and I’m finally learning what being happy and being independent really means. I’m learning who I am, and as fun as it can be at times, it can also be painful, exhausting, and mind numbing.

And now back to your question. LOL Storme is having to learn lessons that mirror mine in some ways. She’s run for years from the breeds, hating them, wishing them all to disappear and even sometimes working in small ways with the purist societies that have risen up against them.

But what she’s never done is reveal the information her father gave her for safekeeping. Information that in the breeds hands could potentially save them. But in their enemies hands, it could destroy them.

Jonas has known she’s had this all along, and wanted her to have the opportunity to grow up, to realize on her own that the breeds that killed her family were everyone’s enemy, but the breed society would never be her enemy.

He can’t give her anymore time though. With the injection his daughter Amber was given, and the fear that one day it could endanger her life, Jonas sends Styx to capture her. The serum Amber was injected with was based on the work done by Storme’s father and brother. Jonas has to have that research, and Styx has to have the woman that’s haunted his fantasies for so many years.

Styx takes her back to Haven to convince her to give him that research as well to give her a chance to learn that the breeds aren’t the monsters she believes they are.

I like to think in Styx’s book that you see the depth of what the breeds and the mating heat can be. As in previous books, the mating heat is reacting differently, as it often will, on Styx and Storme versus other mates. It’s less violent in its intensity and less painful. But in slowing the heat down, two characters who had a lot of emotional growing to do, were given that chance. And I hope the reader sees that growth and perhaps in ways can identify with it.

Storme is learning who she is, and learning how wrong she was while Styx is realizing the pleasure, but most importantly the comfort from knowing that finally, he belongs.

ROOB Q 6: What surprised you most in writing STYX’S STORM and what did you do when you hit a rough patch?

LL: This was one of those books that can leave an author crying more nights than not. Styx fought me, Storme fought me and they fought each other. It was a book that I wondered if I would ever finish simply because the characters would become so difficult at times.

I think those rough patches surprised me the most, but running a close second to it, was seeing the changes in Haven, the Wolf Breed community. The sense of family that’s establishing, and how the wolf and coyote breeds are finally merging. I didn’t expect it this soon, and the advance has altered the future arcs in several small ways.

ROOB Q 7: Eroticism according to Lora Leigh is...?

love. More to the point, the sensual, physical expression of love. To me, it’s not erotic, its not even sensual if the love isn’t there. That is the ingredient that erotic can’t exist without for me. The love amplifies the pleasure and the eroticism that exists when two people, make love.

ROOB Q 8: I think this question may be one of the most frequent asked question asked but the children of the Breeds, will they ever receive a story of their own? Is that super secret Breed info not to be disclosed or can you speak up about certain details?

LL: I do have the breed children planned into upcoming arcs in the breeds.

Cassie, David, Amber, Sherra’s son, Tanner and Schemes children. I have stories in my head, but details rarely remain consistent when there’s more than a few months when the book is to be written, so I prefer not to give them. But the stories are planned, so hopefully the readers will continue to enjoy the books enough to ensure that the continued success of that world.

ROOB Q 9: What did you do to celebrate typing ‘The End’ for STYX’S STORM

LL: I began plotting my next book. LOL That’s how I celebrate the ending of most books. I go right into the next now, especially now with the deadlines on many of them having already passed.

Thank you so much for being here and answer all our questions!

For autographed books http://www.dreamsbynight.com/

my website http://www.loraleigh.com/

Readers Appreciation Weekend http://www.readerappreciationweekend.com/

Thanks Leontine for this opportunity to talk to you and your readers. I hope everyone enjoys Styx’s Storm, and the Breeds, and that you keep coming back to read more.


Giveaway: Three Lora Leigh sleep shirts (fits up to 2xl) :) Leave a comment and the winner will be announced on October 18th.

I always enjoy the venture in to new book/series venues and when I first heard about The Sinner Tour series all my warning signs started to buzz and ring. Here is what it's ALL about...

Olivia Cunning’s first series:

Sinners on Tour
Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Follow the sexual and romantic exploits of the rock band Sinners as they find love on the road.


Go to the official Sinner band site -here-




Sinners on Tour:
Backstage Pass (Book 1)

Available now!
Excerpt
Purchase

Human Sexuality Professor, Myrna Evans, wants nothing but a weekend of hot, no-strings-attached sex with Sinners' sensual lead guitarist, but Brian Sinclair is looking for something more permanent than a one-night stand. Unable to compose music for months, when Brian makes love to uninhibited Myrna, he hears exquisite guitar riffs and finger-burning solos. In Myrna, he's found his muse.



Sinners on Tour:
Rock Hard (Book 2)

Release Date: April 1, 2011

Sinner’s lead singer, Sed, had his heart shredded when Jessica left him to pursue her dreams,so when she dances her way back into his life, he's not sure he's ready for her brand of pain, or pleasure, again. When she convinces Sed to engage in a benefits with benefits relationship, things seem to be going his way, until one of his fans catches their explicit public display of affection on film and posts it all over the internet. Will Jessica ever trust Sed again? And has Sed become the man of Jessica’s dreams or is he just posing to get what he wants?

 
Sinners on Tour:
Hot Ticket (Book 3)

The seemingly sweet, shy bassist, Jace Seymour, has a BDSM fetish and his current dominatrix, Aggie, isn't shy about branding him as hers. But can she truly force him to submit, or will Jace turn the tables on her by bringing all their darkest sexual fantasies to life?

 
 
 
 
Sinners on Tour:
Snared (Book 4)

Sinners’ fun-loving drummer has always been voyeuristic. Has Eric finally met his match in an exhibitionist and will he truly be satisfied with just watching?

 
 
 
 
 
 
Sinners on Tour:
Double Time (Book 5)

After falling head over heels in love with the perfect woman for him, Sinners’ rhythm guitarist, Trey Mills, vows to give up his bisexual ways forever. When an obsessed fan kidnaps her, Trey must work with her best friend and roommate, a private investigator, to have her safely returned. Falling for his girlfriend’s roommate, a guy, was never on Trey's agenda. Will he have to choose between them, or can he have the best of both worlds?

 
Olivia Cunning
website - twitter - facebook
 
After reading this I want to find my ultra tight 80's jeans, my leather, knee-high boots and rock the night away! I've got a friday night date with BACKSTAGE PASS coming up *woohoo*. This tour is going to last until 2012..I've already got books on my radar for 2012...it baffling o_0