"Blood and Silver" is the second novel in the Deacon Chalk Bounty Hunter Occult Series
and can be read as a stand alone novel.
How's the sex scenes?
Not much sex here, I'm afraid. But the story doesn't need it.
How's the story lines?
Amazing, well-written, dark and disturbing. This is not a romance.
Would you read it again?
Absolutely.
Back of the Book
He hasn't met a monster yet that could give him a scare. With ice in his veins, silver hollow-points in his chambers, and an innate ability to rise from the dead, what's to fear? The answer may be something he doesn't want to face...
Deacon Chalk normally has no trouble telling innocent victims from real monsters. So protecting an abused pregnant were-dog is a no-brainer. . .until a vicious lycanthrope leader and his brotherhood target Deacon, other shape-shifters, and any humans in their way. Suddenly, Deacon is outnumbered, outgunned, and unsure who--or what--to trust. The only edge he has left is a weapon hungry for his soul and his most savage impulses. And using it will exact a price even this hell-raising hunter fears to pay. . .
Review
I was lucky enough to receive this novel from author Beverley Kendall's site The Season for Romance. This is hilarious because Blood and Silver is not a romance, though there are a few romantic couples and moments.
Blood and Silver is an amazing novel and anyone who enjoys fantasy should read it.
Comment Below to Win an ARC of "Until There Was You"
Watch Jessica's interview on ABC
Jessica's answering reader questions in the comment section below
Thank
you so much, Jessica, for taking the time for this interview. You’re a busy lady and I feel lucky to have
you here today. Your novels are
wonderful romantic tributes to the men and women who fight for our country and
I appreciate that romance is at the center of your stories.
Until
There Was You is your second novel and will release on October 8th as the
second book in your Coming Home series.
You’re
also a career army officer and are married to a career NCO. Lots of army in your family.
Q: Until There Was You has laugh out loud
situations with soldiers and chlamydia.
(Really, readers. They’re
hilarious and completely non-offensive.)
Has this ever really happened?
A: Um, to me specifically? No. But I will say
that in the efforts of keeping my formation, ahem, clean, I do keep boxes of
condoms in the hallway for anyone to take. Why not, right? Have to promote
being a responsible adult and part of that means taking care of *cough*
yourself. And if you read any of the books from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,
you’ll realize that bored soldiers are soldiers who are getting into trouble.
The STD story was inspired by reality and let’s just leave it at that. :)
Q: Until There Was You’s hero, Captain Evan
Loehr, is thankful his troops haven’t spent “…a night in jail every single
weekend.” Does this mean they’ve spent a
night in jail on some weekends?
A: Yeah. Half the time spent as a commander
is dealing with soldier issues, either personal issues, finance issues, troopers
getting in trouble downtown. It’s all based on reality and that makes great
fodder for stories.
Q: Both novels discuss the army’s policy
that enlisted soldiers and officers cannot become romantically involved. Do you plan on writing a forbidden romance
tale for this series? If so, how
realistic do you plan to keep the army’s reaction to such a romance?
A: So much of what people get in trouble
for in the army depends on commander’s discretion. Contrary to popular belief
that soldiers are just automaton mindlessly following their superiors’ orders,
army leaders have a lot of discretion. And yes, in that sense, the next story
I’m working on after the 3rd book in this series is going to have an officer
and an enlisted man. They’re not a superior subordinate relationship though. I don’t
think I would ever write one of those because they’re an anathema to me.
Q: I can’t go into many details before Until
There Was You is released, but your stories deal with heavy emotional
issues. In Because of You (book #1) one
war-wounded soldier battles with suicide in vivid detail and two soldiers are
served divorce papers while deployed.
How much of this is written for tension and how much because these
things really happen?
A: I write the books the way I do because
half of it is a coping mechanism for me, personally. I’ve been in the army for
17 years now and I’ve seen how the war has changed not only our force at a
macro level but also at a personal level. We’ve got a lot of challenges and
writing about them for me is a way to share some of the weight of what our
soldiers carry with folks who might not know otherwise. It’s also a way for me
to - symbolically at least - give soldiers a happily ever after.
Q: Your characters are conflicted
between what they want and what the army tells them to do. Is there any tension at work because you
write about soldiers breaking the rules and officers making mistakes that cost
lives?
A: I don’t generally bring my writing to
work with me. One because it would break some of the rules I’m bound to follow
but two, I’m a company commander and I don’t have time for anything other than
work during the duty day. In that vein, no. The people who do know I write have
been tremendously supportive of it.
Q: Your Coming Home series is about
soldiers who’ve come home from the Iraq war and are learning to adjust. Why this war and why soldiers who’ve returned
home?
A: Because there are far too many books out
there that give a returning veteran PTSD and then one night of magic sex and
everything is okay. Coming home for me personally was the biggest challenge of
my life, far more difficult than leaving for war ever was. I wanted to capture
that and try to show some of the challenges beyond the stereotype of shell
shocked GI. Of course, I deal with stress and strain of combat but it’s so
often more than what we read about. It’s the daily adjustment of coming home
that can really break someone.
Q: I’m sure you’ve gotten this question a
lot. The first novel has two very strong
secondary characters whose marriage is on the rocks for some very heartfelt
reasons. Why is your third book about
them and not Until There Was You?
A: I really struggled with getting Laura
& Trent’s book right. Because I was having such a hard time, my editor
wisely suggested that I move on to the 3rd book in the series to get some
distance from the characters and it was a smart move. Now that I’m working on
BACK TO YOU - Laura & Trent’s story - it’s so much smoother this time
around.
A:
No, no and yes. :) I actually tried
to have a wet dream and the awkwardness that followed. Sort of like that scene
from There’s Something About Mary. Yeah, it didn’t make the final cut, lol!
Q: We’ve read the blurb. Any sneak peeks for Until There Was You?
A:
Of course!
Evan had no idea what the hell he was thinking, but this
woman had struck a chord inside him, awakened a hunger that refused to be
ignored. Kissing her was a mistake, a sensuous, gorgeous mistake.
He gave over to the temptation he’d fought earlier and
lifted his hands to her neck, sliding his palms over her skin to thread them
into her hair. It was warm silk against the back of his hands, a raw, simple
pleasure.
Her mouth opened beneath his, her tongue sliding against
his, signaling a salient desire that penetrated his defenses and made him no
longer care that she was in his brigade. There were no rules against them doing
any of this—whatever this was—but he didn’t date at work. As he lost himself in
her taste and touch, he seriously reconsidered that personal rule. He captured
her quiet gasp against his mouth and felt the locks turning on the chains that
held his restraint.
It was a long moment before Claire eased back, nibbling
on his bottom lip before she broke the tentative connection between them.
“What was that?” he asked, his voice rough and unfamiliar
to his own ears.
She smiled. “A mistake.” She swiped her thumb over his
bottom lip. “But one I enjoyed.”
She eased back until he was forced to release her. Regret
settled in his belly that this would go no further. “I’ll see you around,
Evan.”
He watched her go, the slight sway of her hips more
alluring because she did not try to affect any sensuality. She simply walked,
cloaked in confidence and sexual appeal.
He let her go. Because Evan Loehr knew all about
mistakes, and he wasn’t about to make one with Claire Montoya.
Now
to get personal. Verrrrry personal.
Q: I’ve taken to Twitter and acquired
a picture of your bathroom. Two
things: that color is very, very blue
and how many cosmetics do you own??
Jessica packing for RWA 2012
A: To answer the first question: the blue
was inspired by a bathroom I saw in a Pottery Barn catalogue. I’m a Maine girl
by heart and I love coastal decor. And to answer the second question: I have no
idea. But I do know that a girl cannot have enough lip gloss. It’s an
addiction. Someday I’ll join a twelve step program.
Q: Why did Oprah call you? To tell you she’s adding your series to her
book club list, right?
A:
A couple of years ago, Oprah did a
show about women in the military and her producers wanted to get the name of a
friend of mine who had a custody battle related to her military service. I
didn’t give up the name because it wasn’t my place and well, that’s the end of
the story. It was exciting for the half a day I was waiting for the call back.
Any
closing remarks you’d like to leave us with?
I’m
really excited about Until There Was You. It was a hard book for me to write
and I’m thrilled that people are enjoying it.
To celebrate the long awaited release of my second book, I’m having a super giveaway the UNTIL THERE WAS YOU PREORDER SWEEPSTAKES all throughout September until Oct 7th!
If you preorder Until There Was You, you get entered into a chance to win a Kindle Fire or a Nook Color. I’m also giving away a digital eARC of Until There Was You to someone today!
Jessica, thank you again for being here. I appreciate it very much. As a token of my appreciation - I put washable markers in the hand of my four-month-old and let him squiggle them around. His first ever picture was drawn for you:
Despite my efforts he's yet to learn the alphabet. Alas, the words are written by me.
Jessica Scott is
a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats, three dogs and two
escape-artists hamsters, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things
stuffed and fluffy.
She has commanded two companies, served in Germany, Korea,
Fort Hood and Iraq, and been lucky not to get fired. She is a terrible cook and
an even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned
weapon. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still
loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.
"Until There Was You" is the second book in the Coming Home series
and can be read as a stand-alone novel
How's the sex scenes?
Not scathing, but very hot and intense with interesting positions.
How are the story lines?
THIS is where Jessica brings the heavy. Her story lines are phenomenal and filled with so much reality surely someone has mistaken her books for partial tell-alls.
Would you read it again?
YES. I read an unfinished ARC - meaning I've pre-ordered me a finished copy.
Back of the Book
He plays by the rules, she's not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .
A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain
Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for
an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the
deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that
moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through
two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked
to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battleworn Evan is in for the fight of his life.
Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked
hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid
officer who puts the rules before everything else—including his
people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon
discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye.
He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark
secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and
Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.
Review
Until There Was You is a contemporary military romance set in 2008 Colorado Springs, Colorado.
It's focuses solely on the romance between hero Evan and heroine Claire and there is no suspense.
They are in Colorado training troops who are not ready for deployment. Evan demands the training schedule be followed. Claire almost encourages mutiny because she doesn't want to send her friend unprepared to war. This is their tension - this is not their story.
Evan and Claire are emotionally wounded characters and sex does not fix them. They do not need the other to make them readable.
I do not fully understand secondary character Lieutenant Engle's purpose. Is she ditzy, but tries hard? Smart, but somehow utterly useless? Do we like her, do we hate her? Why are people upset about Claire's treatment of her? The Lieutenant didn't pass her inspections.
I settled on ditzy, but tries hard despite being a cry baby. I'm not sure if that's right. I blame this on my having read an ARC and not the finished book. (And despite my dislike, her wishy-washy likeability is very lifelike.)
Secondary character Reza Iaconelli is solid and adds greatly to the plot. His humor, immaturity and problems are perfectly written. Amy's small character is excellent, too.
Having read several deleted scenes, I really wish Loveswept would up their word count on this one. Jessica's writing amazing stories and the deleted scenes would contribute more substance. (Like the home-coming scene - even a small section of it. Most definitely the Evan-rats-Claire-out scene - minus some butt chewing and add more Evan/Claire dynamic.)
Published by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House. Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC received from author in exchange for an honest review.
In this four page article, entrepreneur Todd Rutherford began the online business www.GettingBookReviews.com and soon earned $28,000 a month. (This site has since shut down or changed its domain.)
His business plan? He will write one book review for $99, 20 online reviews for $499 and 50 for $999.
Authors paid for it.
The article goes on to discuss how Rutherford then placed an ad on Craig's List offering to pay reviewers $15 per review. (I think per review, maybe $15 per several reviews of one product. The article leaves this unclear.)
The reviewers were told if they cannot give a 5-star review they would still be paid half their fee. I quote, "As you might guess, this hardly ever happened."
So I took this to Facebook and received the following responses:
"Just one more reason people will stop listening to actual reviewers." "What does that say about the author? If you have to pay someone to give you good reviews maybe you need to redo the book?"
Both very valid points, and points I agree with. But let's set that aside for the moment and look at this from a publicity and money-making standpoint.
It may discredit blogs (mine included) everywhere. It may prove the author is morally inept.
But does it matter? More importantly, does this strategy work??
The article leads me to believe it might. It also quotes author Ronald Hughes, author of Infinite Exposure, who says he's spent approximately $20,000 on review sites and has yet to make the crossover from author - to recognized author.
Mr. Hughes, I am no publicist and I do not work in marketing, but perhaps a more attractive book cover and website font would boost your sales? As a reader, I avoid works with covers that look like this. - Sallie
If reviewers can make a living writing honest reviews for authors who then use these reviews to make a living themselves - does it really discredit review blogs? For 10 minutes I admit I didn't think it should, unless the authors and readers were vastly narrow minded. I said as much on author Beverley Kendall's Facebook thread,
"I know I may get nailed to the wall on this. But if you're paid for an honest review I don't see the harm in it. Disclose you were paid, disclose the amount, disclose if you were paid for an honest review or for a certain star review."
Because in theory this makes complete sense. Authors count on free work from bloggers and reviewers to boost their book sales. If the blogger/reviewer can find a way to make an honest profit who am I to begrudge them?
Then I received the most articulate response from Mary,
"How can you ever know if it is honest if the person is being paid. They may say it is an honest review, but in their mind they would be thinking if I give a bad review will that author hire me again. I don't think it can be an honest one and I don't want to try and figure out which ones are honest and which are not. I just don't agree with it and I think most authors won't either."
...well reason with me in a practical manner, why don't you?? I don't know about most authors, but do believe that most valid authors won't agree with it.
There are many, many comments surrounding The New York Times's article, but Mary from Facebook says it well:
Once there's money involved rarely can people be completely honest - good intentions are not.
But now this begs the question - in a world where there are so many books, how does one get enough reviews to make an impact?
So what do you all think? Is it harmful for reviewers to be paid for honest reviews? If it's harmful, who is it harmful to? And does it matter if the blogging industry is discredited - since the majority of us run our sites and provide our services for absolutely free?
Disclaimer:
Ravishing Romances does not and has not received
compensation for reviews.
Sometimes novels are received from the author, Netgalley or publishers
in exchange for an honest review.
Ravishing Romances does not charge for site advertising,
"The Devil's Match" is novella #4 in this novella series and can be read as a stand-alone novel.
How are the sex scenes?
A twist for Georgian romance.
The East's Harem has an influence in this novella as the heroine learns there are many benefits to a...erm, massage.
How are the story lines?
Wonderful, if a bit rushed. There's a strict word count
and sometimes the scenes would read better with more transition.
Would you read it again?
Probably not. This story was anticipated for so long I'm sure I got all the details the first time.
Setting
The Devil's Match is a Georgian historical romance based mostly in Woodcote Park, Epson, Surrey, England. It prologues in 1778 with a scene from The Devil You Know (novella #3), then jumps to 1783, just days after The Virgin Huntress (novella #2) ends.
Remember, novella #3 is a prequel to the entire series.
The Epilogue starts in 1794, and to tell you the location would be a spoiler.
Back of the Book
When burned once … Arriving in London as her goddaughter’s chaperone, Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley wants to avoid her erstwhile lover at all costs. Once nearly consumed by passion, four years has reduced the former inferno to bitterness and ashes.
By an old flame… A world-weary master of seduction, Ludovic ”The Devil” DeVere is bored with his chosen life of debauchery. When Diana’s charge disappears, she is forced to seek help from the devil’s lair, and their mutual desire reignites with undeniable ferocity.
Fire is best fought with fire… While DeVere is hell-bent to have her back in his bed, Diana is equally determined to bring him to his knees…by acquiring some sensual secrets of her own.
Review
The Virgin Huntress's couple, Captain Hugh and Lady Vesta, are being wedded and everyone's attending Woodcote Park for the big celebration. Diana is making plans to leave Hugh's estate since her place as Vesta's caretaker is no longer needed. The Devil is determined to have Diana back in his bed after five (or four?) years.
A wager forces our love birds to confront their still-burning attraction and the novella takes a turn for the exotic, erotic and unpredictable. (Sorry - more detail would spoil the story.)
Diana is still graceful and poised (traits that went unnoticed until the last novella), yet The Devil refuses to take her disinterest to heart. He's pushy and arrogant, and is supposedly doing what Diana really "wants" by helping her succumb to temptation.
Butour Devil has a juicy, juicy secret and it's revealed quickly - hidden during a conversation between him and Diana. It tempts me to reread the series and confirm if he's telling truth. Given his preference for receiving oral sex, I think he might be.
Vesta is still the immature child she was during The Virgin Huntress, but given this novella takes place just days after her story - sudden wisdom would ring false. Hugh balances her character and she's much more likeable in her small supporting role instead of as the heroine.
Vane's strength lies in creating lifelike, complex characters who are not always heroes or villians. Vesta is irritatingly spoiled, yet finds understanding for Phoebe. DeVere shows random acts of kindness, but is still The Devil at heart. Like real people.
Remember to stay tuned for the Epilogue, because it's not the blissful cherry on top of the story you'd imagine.
There are two errors. This novella Prologues a scene from The Devil You Know (which is set in 1779). However the Prologue in this novella says the year is 1778.
Then depending upon which year that scene is set in, it's either been four or five years since Diana and DeVere slept together. Pg. 7 of this novella talks about Diana's appeal to DeVere four years ago.
Anyone care about this but me? I didn't think so.
Comment About It
Who's your favorite "finally together" couple? Please share!
Originally, there were only 4 novellas to this series, but author Victoria Vane is now writing at least another two novellas, probably more. Contact her for details!
It’s entirely true, I’m a huge tease, and I believe it’s in my job description. :)
So I’ve brought three teases with me today. Hold on to your seats:
1. My cover art photography, if you aren’t familiar with it, is known as #StudioSmexy™ (yes I did just trademark it). I shoot cover art among other things, like my entire 6 part serial novel, The Rake And The Recluse : REDUX.
Recently I took #StudioSmexy on the road, from California to Florida. It was INSANE fun. So here’s your first tease:
This is Derek. He is the STAR of my illustrated romance and one of my best friends, we travel and shoot and get crazy and have an all-around good time together. It’s pretty insane.
2.I recently found a new guy, his name is Karl. You might have heard of him if you know Sallie. Maybe. So I shot Karl right before I left for this massive trip, and I haven’t finished editing the images. But this one, this one is done:
3. This is a VERY RAW, never released, scene from my next novel which is lovingly nicknamed #Twitchy. Twitchy is the daughter, and sole child of a duke, so she is charged with finding a place for herself, and her mother, should her father die. He isn’t well, and the pressure is on her to marry and secure their future as the entailments will pass to a distant cousin not interested in extended family encroaching on HIS lands.
Amelia has what is most likely Asperger’s with a side of OCD. Which makes anything in public terrifying and stressful for her. Her mother doesn’t understand her daughter’s differences and only wants her to stop acting out so she can catch a husband and secure their place...
She sighed as he washed her breasts slowly, the gaining circles arousing her as the chill rose her nipples to tight buds.
“We need to make our way back to the Manor.” she whispered.
“Ah yes,” he said, his breath drawing gooseflesh across her belly as he knelt before her and continued his ministrations.
She giggled as he reached her feet, tickling the bottoms before letting them rest on the sheet below her.
He stood and turned toward the teapot. “I imagine this will be overpowerful if we do not drink it soon.”
Her eyes fluttered. “Oh?”
“Yes, the tea.” He turned her toward the little table and set her in the chair, pulling another blanket around her since the sheet was now on the floor.
He served her some fruit and cheese, fixed her the perfect cup of tea, if a bit stout, then sat across from her in his own blanket.
“We will get you back to Pemberley, then I am off to Castleberry Keep to finish preparations. Are you nearly packed for your journey? I would very much like for you to be settled in your new home before the wedding.”
“My new home.” She felt the smile break across her face and knew the truth of it then. All the words, all the thoughts, all the preparations were nothing without knowing in her heart and her soul that this man was her world, and she would be his. “Thank you.”
“For?” he asked between bites of an orange, the juice pouring over his fingers as he demolished the poor fruit over a plate.
“For being so very patient.”
“Well I have proven nothing if not my patience. Beyond that what is there but my undying affection and my will to please. I am your servant.”
As he spoke the tangy, bright scent of the orange washed over her and she breathed deeply, wanting to always remember this moment by that scent. “I suppose peeling an orange was beyond your servantly lessons?”
He held his hands up, dripping with massacred citrus and smiled. “A bit, I suppose. But I love them terribly.”
“Oranges?”
“Yes, oranges, they are delicious.”
“Well, let me see.” She stood and moved to him, leaning over and licking straight up his chin to his mouth, then sucking his lip between hers. He groaned.
“Oh dear me, you have made a bit of a mess.” She kneeled before him and took his hand, sucking the first finger in her mouth, then moving to the next.
“Amelia.” he grumbled.
“Goodness, you should sit still, after all I never once complained when you so very thoughtfully washed me.” she said before moving to the next finger.
“Amelia— we must return.”
She took up the bits of orange and squeezed what was left over his chest, the juice running down to be caught by his navel. She leaned in and sucked the juice from him then ran her tongue up the center of his body to his neck, where she paused, sucking at the little hollow below his throat. He swallowed, her tongue playing across his neck as he attempted to speak again.
“As you please.” she said, rising and moving across the room to the basin where she dropped the blanket and rinsed her hands.
He simply watched.
His mouth was extraordinarily dry considering he had only moments ago finished an orange. A rather large one at that.
He was across the room in two strides, spinning her to face him and capturing her mouth, the tangled flavors of oranges and strawberries between them.
“Anders.” she breathed.
“Yes Amelia?”
“I find I quite like oranges as well.”
These are my three teases. What do you think? Do you neeed more? You can find me on Twitter,Facebook, and mywebsite. You can follow StudioSmexy updates on twitter with the hashtag #StudioSmexy or onFacebook or thewebsite.
Book reviews are everywhere, but they are - frankly - more about the reviewer receiving free books than offering detailed and informative book facts. Reading Romances has asked book bloggers to tell them exactly what they look for in a book review. So here's that list:
When and where the heck is it?
Historicals aren't all set in 1309 and not all contemporaries are based in Chicago.
Some readers want to read books from certain time periods and locations - so give them that information.
There is a difference between Regency, Georgian and Edwardian era - learn it.
You say it's too short/too long, does this publisher have a word count?
Yes, publishers and their imprints have word count requirements and reviewers would do well to mention it.
Who's the publisher and imprint?
As a reader, if I love everything from imprint Brazen from publisher Entangled - I'm going to read more of that.
Define "refreshing read."
Refreshing why? Or better yet, remove that word from your reviews all together.
If the Book Blurb is lacking, please create a summary of your own
It's more work, but if the publisher doesn't do it for you please do it yourself.
How's the sex?
We read romance and sex happens in almost every one. Please explain if their is adultery, menage, strictly missionary scenes, against the wall sex, public sex, penis going where it doesn't fit sex and all things sex.
Readers have different thresholds and we'd do well to advise them.
How's the story lines?
Sometimes the sex is dull and the story is great and vice versa. Sometimes there's only one plot, or so many plots you can't keep track.
Would you read it again and why?
If the reader values your opinion this may be all they need to know.
Is this a series and where can the others be found for purchase?
Not every author has an excellent website. Link to Amazon and/or Goodreads if you must.
Can this fourth book in the series be read as a stand-alone?
If you've read the entire series and don't mention it can be, many assume it can't.
Exactly what did you like/not like without spoilers.
This is hard, but can be done. If you dislike a book because you read the hero sleeping with six women and then was introduced to the heroine, say you weren't fond of witnessing his active sex life even if it is pre-heroine.
RESPECT
Authors spend months and sometimes years working on their novel.
At most, reviewers spend hours.
Be respectful. You hate it? Give exact reasons why. They're interested.
You love it? Give reasons why. They need praise just as much as you do.
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