24 May, 2012

Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop


Summer is on it's way, and to celebrate, Read My Mind is taking part in the Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop. There are more than 200 other blogs participating, so prizes abound!

Check out the linky with the other giveaways at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. Thanks to Kathy and Page Turners Blog for hosting.


Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite go-to beach read authors, so I'm offering up winner's choice of one of the following books by her. This is open internationally, wherever The Book Depository ships. (That's where the prize will be coming from.)







Rules:
International
Must be 13+ to enter
One entry per person
Must enter via rafflecopter and leave a comment for entry to count
Ends 11:59pm, 05.31

a Rafflecopter giveaway

22 May, 2012

Spring Blog Carnival Winners

Prize: Winner's Choice of
  • When Blood Calls and When Pleasure Rules by J.K. Beck
  • How To Flirt With A Naked Werewolf and The Art of Seducing A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
  • Mind Games and Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

Winners: See below for rafflecopter winner
My choice winner: JessS



Congrats to the winners! I'll be contacting you soon to redeem your prize.


Didn't win this time? There's always great bookish content, including reviews, author posts, interviews, cover reveals giveaways and contests at Read My Mind!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura Kaye's West Of Want Preview and Prizes Winner

Prize: Bookmark and romance trading cards for NORTH OF NEED and WEST OF WANT.

Winner: Amy2read



Congrats to the winner! I'll pass your email information along to the author, so your prize can be redeemed.





Didn't win this time? Make sure to come back to Read My Mind for more bookish content including reviews, author posts, interviews, cover reveals and of course, giveaways and contests!

18 May, 2012

Dark Minds Book Tour: Dark Mercy by Zoe Winters Excerpt


Welcome to Read My Mind's stop on the Dark Minds Book Tour for DARK MERCY by Zoe Winters!


About the Author:

Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.



Dark Mercy Excerpt
Used with permission. Copyright 2012 Zoe Winters


“A-Angeline. I haven’t seen you here in awhile.” Could he not get that schoolboy stutter out of his voice?

“I was fighting temptation,” she replied coyly.

Hadrian cleared his throat. “And did you succeed?”

“No.”

She glided closer—or floated. The length of her dress made it impossible to tell which. She stopped mere inches in front of him. He should have taken a step back, should have excused himself, but her strange eyes locked with his. They drew him in, hypnotizing him.

If he were another type of man, he would have proclaimed she was a witch putting him under a spell, but it was just as much his responsibility as hers for not moving away. It was his fault for not finding a replacement for midnight Mass. His mind became fuzzy.

What was I just thinking about?

Her eyes pulled him in, making the rest of the room swirl around him in a slow blur. If he’d looked down to find them both floating and spinning in the air, he wouldn’t have been surprised. He was dizzy from the delicious scent emanating from her.

Her voice was a siren’s song when she spoke again. “Forgive me, Father, for I’m about to sin.”

Angeline’s mouth tasted like hot cinnamon candy as her lips descended on his. Her lip gloss left his mouth tingling. She might burn him alive with a single kiss. She chuckled as she continued her exploration of his mouth, as if he’d stated his thought aloud and she found it amusing.

Somewhere deep inside him was the place that was screaming that this must not happen, but it sounded like it was shouting from far away down a long, dark hallway, disappearing into a tinny echo. Quickly overtaking that voice was one penetrating thought that refused to release him.

I want her. I want her. I want her. I want her. The thought happened in rhythm to the beat of his heart.

Her lips left his mouth and made a burning trail over his cheek and up to the lobe of his ear. “Father Hadrian.” It was a breathy pant that held all the promise of a new universe unfolding.

He couldn’t remember what she said after that or even if she said something after that. The pounding of his own blood rushing through his ears—and other blood racing south in response to her nearness—had drowned out his ability to think or hear anything else but the lilting magic of her voice calling his name.

“Father Hadrian… ”

Her tone had gone from that of an angel to a writhing serpent as she rubbed her sinewy body against him. This was wrong. The thinking part of him clawed to get out. Something was all wrong about this, beyond the breaking of a vow. But he couldn’t form a coherent thought.

I want her. I want her. I want her.

“And you shall have me. Forever,” she said.

Had he spoken out loud? He wasn’t sure.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me right now,” he said, as her fingers slid under the Roman collar.

It startled him. His collar. Where were his vestments? There were more layers of clothing, or there had been a few moments ago. He glanced down to find the vestments somehow on the floor of the sanctuary. He started to pull away.

“No, Father. Eyes right here on mine. Stay with me.”

His gaze shifted back to her eyes and his will merged with her again. He didn’t realize his shirt was off until the air from the chilly room hit his bare chest.

“Oh, what a surprise. You must work out. Don’t be shy, Father Hadrian. It’s a crime you never get to be inside a woman with this body.”


Blurb:

1955, Las Vegas, Nevada

Angeline has been on the run from her sire, Linus, for centuries. She’s tired, and she’s lonely. High from mescaline-induced blood, she sees a sign—a church that seems to glow in the distance—and she knows. Her future mate is in that building.

15 May, 2012

THE VAMPIRE SHRINK by Lynda Hilburn Giveaway Winner

Prize:
One signed copy of THE VAMPIRE SHRINK by Lynda Hilburn

Winner:
See rafflecopter below



Congrats to the winner! I'll be passing along your email information to the author, so your prize can be redeemed.


As always, come back to Read My Mind for more great bookish content, including reviews, author posts, interviews, cover reveals and contests!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

11 May, 2012

Lillie Gets Personal: Open Letter to My Readers and Publicists, Publishers and Authors I Work With

I decided to compose this open letter only about an hour ago. I'm typing with mostly my left hand because my right wrist, elbow and shoulder are aching so bad that more than a few keystrokes at a time send a shooting pain through my arm. I checked my email for the first time in 30 hours and saw that one of the tour hosts I work with wanted to know about a post I was supposed to have up today.

I had scheduled this post via Blogger on Tuesday.


Let me go backward a bit and provide a little deeply personal background:

Since spring of 2010, I have struggled with physical, financial and emotional issues. My migraines have become uncontrollable, occurring about 3-4 times a month and each one lasting about 72 hours on average. That can translate to 35%-40% of my life I spend suffering from a migraine. I've had a resurgence of anxiety attacks and hyper vigilance that I haven't had since the 1990s. According to my W-2, I'm basically living at poverty level and I let myself be treated abominably by my employers, because I don't really think I'm worth better. Which goes along with the metaphor that the reins I hold to stop myself from self-harming have been rapidly slipping through my fingers.


The two bright, shining lights that keep me going are my writing and my blog. That's it. Recently, I have become weary of blogging. Not the actual posts. Not the wonderful interaction I have with other bloggers and industry people. No, I've become weary of Blogger and it's bullshit promises and general fuckup-ery.


It took me a long time to consult with my doctor about my emotional problems. In fact, it happened just this past Monday. With the effort I have to put into being in public (I am to the point where I spend less that 20 hours a week outside of my house, outside of my bedroom), I felt rundown by the time I left, and the next day, I had to go have some blood drawn to move forward with a possible treatment.

The rundown feeling persisted, but I could no longer attribute it to the labs or lack of energy. Somehow, a virus had taken hold. By late Tuesday evening, I had an elevated temperature of 100.9 and a sore throat, joint pain and inability to focus or wear my glasses. This is still persistent today, Friday, and my temperature has fluctuated as high as 102.1.

All of my energy has been going toward getting better.

I haven't been on Twitter. I haven't been on Facebook. I haven't been regularly checking my emails or blog or chat. I haven't really even been taking calls.

What I did do, before I felt totally unable to function on Tuesday, was schedule the post that was to go up today for a tour.


Shame on Blogger for not having the scheduling issue fixed for every single blog on its platform. I depend on the scheduling feature to make sure that my posts go up when they are supposed to. I make promises to others that wouldn't be broken, if not for Blogger and Blogger's inability to get its shit together.

I feel compelled to apologize to those I work with, who this scheduling issue has affected. When I can barely stand the backlight of my laptop, my head and one side of my face are throbbing incessantly, and every swallow feels like knives in my throat, it's a shame that Blogger has made it necessary for me to have to post this.

SupaGurl Tours: Kings and Queens by Courtney Vail



Thanks to SupaGurl Tours, Read My Mind has a special promotion for KINGS AND QUEENS, a YA adventure by Courtney Vail.


About The Author:

COURTNEY VAIL writes totally twisted YA and adult suspense. She enjoys braiding mystery, suspense & romance with some kind of weirdness. Her addictions to crazy coffee concoctions, Funny Bones, Ben & Jerry's, and bacon keep her running and writing. She currently lives in New England with a comedian stud and a wild gang of kidlets.


Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Majesty Alistair wants police to look further into her father’s fatal car wreck, hopes the baseball team she manages can reclaim the state crown, aches for Derek…or, no…maybe Alec…maybe. And she mostly wishes to retract the hateful words she said to her dad right before slamming the door in his face, only to never see him again.

All her desires get sidelined, though, when she overhears two fellow students planning a church massacre. She doubts cops will follow up on her tip since they’re sick of her coming around with notions of possible crimes-in-the-works. And it’s not like she cries wolf. Not really. They’d be freaked too, but they’re not the ones suffering from bloody dreams that hint at disaster like some crazy, street guy forecasting the Apocalypse.

So, she does what any habitual winner with zero cred would do…try to I.D. the nutjobs before they act. But, when their agenda turns out to be far bigger than she ever assumed, and even friends start looking suspect, the truth and her actions threaten to haunt her forever, especially since she’s left with blood on her hands, the blood of someone she loves.


Sounds good, right?

Purchase at:
Barnes and Noble | Amazon

07 May, 2012

Spring Blog Carnival: Ferris Wheel



Welcome, welcome. Are you ready to experience the Spring Blog Carnival? See what's in store using the CARNIVAL MAP. Make your way around all of the booths and try your luck!



Step right up to the Ferris Wheel. Round and round you go. This ride is For Adults Only (18+). 2 winners will have a chance at a First In A Series Book Prize from the romance selection below.




Print (US/International. 2 Winners):

  • When Blood Calls and When Pleasure Rules by J.K. Beck
  • How To Flirt With A Naked Werewolf and The Art of Seducing A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
  • Mind Games and Double Cross by Carolyn Crane


Challenge:

Give me the challenge. In 3 sentences or less, re-write the blurb from one of your favorite books that is first in a series (at least 3 books currently published) as a blind item. One winner will be chosen by me from my favorite of the entries. One winner will be randomly chosen via rafflecopter.

Need a helping hand on the Ferris Wheel?

Ex: Mysterious woman spotted with powerful leader and sinfully decadent bachelor. Rumors abound that she has him breathing fire with desire while more dangerous events shimmer on the horizon for both.
(The book would be DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison)


Rules:
  • Must be 18+
  • Enter via rafflecopter and leave comment on this post
  • Ends May 13th, 11:59pm


Thanks to Reading Angel, Candice's Book Blog, and Pure Imagination for hosting the Carnival!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

05 May, 2012

Meeting Destiny *signed* Copy Giveaway Winner

Prize:
One signed copy of MEETING DESTINY by Nancy Straight



Winner:
See rafflecopter below


Congratulations to the winner! I'll pass along your contact information, and the tour organizer will arrange your prize redemption.


Didn't win this time around? Check out the other giveaways/contests I have going on until May 9th, 11:59pm:

THE VAMPIRE SHRINK by Lynda Hilburn *Signed* Copy Giveaway

Laura Kaye's Preview and Prizes Event

Remember, come back to Read My Mind for more great bookish content, including reviews, author posts, interviews, cover reveals, and giveaways!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

04 May, 2012

ARC Review: Dead Reckoning by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Book: DEAD RECKONING
Author: MERCEDES LACKEY and ROSEMARY EDGHILL
Genre: YA FANTASY/WESTERN/STEAMPUNK
Published: June 2012, BLOOMSBURY


Series: none
Source: Around The World ARC Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Jett is a girl disguised as a boy, living as a gambler in the old West as she searches for her long-lost brother. Honoria Gibbons is a smart, self-sufficient young woman who also happens to be a fabulous inventor. Both young women travel the prairie alone – until they are brought together by a zombie invasion! As Jett and Honoria investigate, they soon learn that these zombies aren’t rising from the dead of their own accord... but who would want an undead army? And why?



My Review:
When steampunk is mentioned, most people think of a Victorian setting, but DEAD RECKONING integrates the steam sensibility into a western setting, and does it well. I've only read Mercedes Lackey's high fantasy books, and though I enjoyed every single one that I read, I was really happy to see her branching off into a new genre, especially in the YA category.

DEAD RECKONING tells the tale of a disparate group of young people that find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving the disappearance of a whole town, the possibility of a zombie army, and a creepy cult that has created a religion around a fanatical leader, and the idea that reanimation is holy. Even with the relative ease that this book can be read, there is still a fair amount of meat to it, owing to the writing skills of both Lackey and Rosemary Edghill.

Though some of the background of the main characters, Jett, Honoria and White Fox is revealed as the story unfolds, DEAD RECKONING keeps its focus on the three trying to figure out the truth behind the zombies. Honoria's science blends nicely with Jett's street smarts and White Fox's tracking skills and intellect. They make a good team and I like how each one has their chance at POV, while not narrowing the rest of the plot.

DEAD RECKONING is a good read for someone looking for a book that straddles the line between western, steampunk and paranormal/fantasy. It has a nice adventure plot, mixed with two smart female characters, and an interesting male character. It is the type of book that would appeal to both sexes over 12, and has appropriate language and content for those readers also. The journey swept me along, the plot wrapped up satisfactorily for the pace, and DEAD RECKONING is a stand-alone that stands on its own.

4/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 12.5/15 (3.5 stars)

Highly Recommend, if you liked:

The Girl In The Steel Corset by Kady Cross
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
Wilder's Mate by Moira Rogers


Find Mercedes Lackey at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Find Rosemary Edghill at:
Website | Journal | GoodReads

01 May, 2012

The Last Girl by Kitty Thomas (18+ Review)




Book: THE LAST GIRL
Author: KITTY THOMAS
Genre: DARK LITERARY EROTICA
Published: February 2012


Series: none
Source: Dark Minds Book Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Six years ago strangers broke into Juliette’s house; she was home alone and only thirteen. She kept her eyes closed, praying that if she didn’t see anything, she wouldn’t be killed. No one harmed her. In fact, one of the thieves protected her. Now Juliette’s dreams are haunted by him.

Christian has waited to take her, resisting the urge each night. It always ends badly with human pets. They’re too fragile. The longer he can wait, the better, because the moment he takes her, the clock on her life starts ticking down.

Then she’ll be gone forever.


My Review:
Kitty Thomas' books are those that leave you a little shaken up, a little uncomfortable, and more than likely, with your comfort zone pushed just a little farther away than it was when you first started reading. Anyway, that's how I feel every time I decide to read one of her books. THE LAST GIRL continued this tradition in its own unique, but patently Thomas way.

What I like most about Thomas' work is that, though sexuality and boundaries and fantasy (not the Lord of the Rings kind) is at the core of her writing, I always feel that the psychology of me as a person, and humanity in general, is what really gets stimulated. THE LAST GIRL deals with a struggle by the male character Christian, to in equal parts take out his dark hungers on Juliette, and restrain himself enough so that she stays alive. He is not human, and Thomas writes a character that does not think like a human. She writes a character that does things unimaginable in real life, yet isn't really a villain either.

THE LAST GIRL, as well as most of Thomas' work explores the idea of what some might consider despicable acts, by an amoral man, and yet I find, every single one of her books has a seductive allure. Juliette is an interesting character against Christian. An encounter with a man years earlier, leaves her with an unexplainable and inexplicable yearning for something. Juliette is an intelligent young woman, and I never feel that she is a victim of Christian's.Though she doesn't choose to be with him, and she cannot leave, in my eyes, to call her a victim would demean the basis of the character that Thomas created.

THE LAST GIRL is an adult book for an audience of open-minded people that would agree, exploring fantasies in fiction does not mean condoning the same acts in real life. This book led me on a very dark journey, but one that reminded me of the utter mindfuck I felt after reading Thomas' first novel, COMFORT FOOD. Between psychology and sexuality, THE LAST GIRL straddles a line that I might not walk without the guidance of Thomas.

5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14.5/15 (5 stars)


Find the author at:
Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Newsletter

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

Available formats: Hardcover, NookBook, epub, pdf, Kindle

Tour Participation:

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