THE 13TH FLOOR!

The 13^th Floor

 Complete Collection

 Christine Rains

My Review:

Christine Rains has created an unusual collection of short stories about paranormal beings living on the 13^th Floor on an apartment building that is only accessible to them. The City of Carmine is under attack by evil and their lives become intertwined as they deal with issues unique to each and yet part of the whole. 

Stefanie is a werewolf, an alpha who is being hunted by the pack she should be leading. Then there is Marc, a demon who has retired from doing the Master's bidding, and Meira, a Harpy under the thumb of Zeus who falls in love with a human, a true hero that Zeus wants in his army. And that is just three of the unique characters that fill these stories of love and sacrifice in Christine Rains, The 13^th Floor: The Complete Collection.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent learning about the residents of the 13^th Floor. Her stories are about a group of paranormal beings in need of anonymity but extremely secure in the human world. My favorite resident was Marc the retired demon who saw himself as the landlord and protector, but I loved all the characters and their individual journeys. Each character has different obstacles to overcome in a quest for redemption and love that most never saw coming.

I happily recommend this collection to all readers of romance and the paranormal, and to all readers looking for something new – a genre they have not tried before. This is a great place to start. It's a wonderful escape, with a beautifully constructed world and well-developed characters, written with skill and with just the right amount of romance. 

I truly enjoyed Christine's 13^th Floor and since there is the added bonus called The Shadow, can we take that as an indication that more great stories are on the way with new characters and new story lines for the unusual residents of the 13^th Floor? This reader hopes so!

***** ***** *****

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse

Hosted by the Armchair Squid

 The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you've finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same.  In this way, we'll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers.  Please join us HERE!

THE GHOSTS OF AQUINNAH!

I am happy to be part of the cover reveal for Julie Flanders next release The Ghosts of Aquinnah! 

Look for it December 5, 2013

Blurb:

A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.

Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as
waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon
to a pinprick. 

By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.

Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her
deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her
mind.

She shakes her head. 

For weeks this eerie woman
dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she
stared into my soul.

Why? ...

Who is she? ...

Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah
drives to the coast and boards a ferry. 

What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman
suspended in time?

Hannah finds out. 

But, it’s not at all what she expects ...

Hannah unravels a century old murder.

Author Bio:

Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati,
Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer
vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not
writing, Julie can be found reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and
watching too much television. She is an animal lover and shares her home with
her dog and cat.

Find Julie at:

Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads

The Ghosts of Aquinnah will be released by Ink Smith Publishing on December 5, 2013

THAT CAN BE ARRANGED by MINA LOBO

Today I am happy to host the indomitable Mina Lobo, aka Goth Mom (Lite) on her book tour for THAT FATAL KISS! An awesomely hot love story between Hades and Persephone, however before they got all hot and bothered they were arranged and Mina explains all that here, today!

Zeus huffed loudly through his nose but did not respond in kind. Instead, he seemed to ponder the matter before asking quietly, “What if she does not want you?”

 Hades’ lips twisted. “Since when did a female’s wishes ever matter? You know the customs. If you as her father give her to me, then she is lawfully mine.”

 “But why do you not court her properly, ask her if she would be your queen?”

“Court her? The way you courted your bride? Did you prostrate yourself before Hera, begging her to have you? No—You wanted her, Father Cronus was in no position to challenge you, and so you took her.”

 “I had Mother Rhea’s consent.”

 “And I would have yours. What is your point?”

The above excerpt comes from the opening chapter of my fantasy romance, That Fatal Kiss, set in a mythical Greece. In it, Hades (King of the Dead) asks Zeus (King of the Gods) for his daughter Persephone's hand in marriage. Only, Hades doesn't so much ask as he threatens ruin and destruction if he doesn't get what he wants, but that's neither here nor there. In the ancient Greek world, marriages were brokered by the bride's father (or nearest male relative) and either the fella who wanted her or his family. So, you know—buzzkill for the bride, who didn't have much of a say in anything, really.

It didn't surprise the ancient Greeks that Hades should try to work this out with Zeus, without consulting Persephone. But framing the tale with my 21st century sensibilities, the book repeatedly touches on the fact that, as an immortal goddess, Persephone merited a lot more respect than she initially received in this...er...transaction.

On the other hand, arranged marriages do still take place in this era (and can be successful and happy ones). Plus, many of us have to deal with the expectations of family, regarding our marital choices. Growing up a first-generation American daughter of Portuguese immigrants, folks in my extended family often urged me to settle down with a nice Portuguese boy. (Going totally against the tide, my parents only urged my sis and me to go to college, so yay, Mom and Dad!)

What about you? Have you ever felt any parental pressure to marry within a particular group, be it ethnic or socio-economic or anything? If so, how did you handle it? If you're a parent, have you ever tried to steer your offspring toward a particular person? Tell us in the comments!

*     *     *

About the Book

In That Fatal Kiss, life-giving Persephone seeks a mate but the goddess' mother frustrates her plans. Then Hades, King of the Underworld, spirits Persephone away to rule with him below, as his bride. Yet, even as she awaits rescue, Persephone aches to be consumed by the fire in the dark lord's immortal soul. 

Now Available ~ Amazon ~ B & N & ~ Smashwords ~

About the Author

Mina Lobo writes dark and whimsical romances, dodges the slings and arrows of her outrageous college-aged son, and feels compelled to do things in threes. She digs comedic horror, alternative rock, and Belgian chocolates. (See?)

Visit Mina's Web site, Some Dark Romantic, from September 24 - 29, for your chance to win an e-book copy of That Fatal Kiss!

** ********************* **

FYI -  Continuing the tour for my book Murder, Madness & Love I'm over at Christine Rain's Blog. She had some very interesting questions for me!

DYSUS DREAMER

I am thrilled to be part of J. A. Garland's  release of her paranormal romance DYSUS DREAMER!

Synopsis: 

Demon warrior, Slade Aesus, is determined to destroy the werewolves controlling his cousin. But a beautiful elf, consumed by her own vengeance, finds the wolves first. Botching her assassination attempt, Annwyn has the most powerful Packs in the world biting at her heels.  Both fiercely independent, can the two join forces long enough to fulfill their missions and stay alive?

Amazon | GoodReads

Excerpt from Dysus Dreamer by J.A. Garland:

A solid assassination operation takes one part opportunity, two parts discipline, and three parts disposition. Having two out of three this chilly Seattle evening, Slade considered himself in abundance of good fortune.

Parked in front of a solitary office building, in the zone clearly marked “No Parking,” Slade cleared his mind of distractions consisting of the little here and there that could creep in and throw him off, just a hair, but enough to jeopardize his mission. Satisfied, he slid out of the rental car and re-tucked a stylish black golf shirt monogrammed with “Constantine Vineyards” into a pair of crisp, steel gray slacks. In this particular scenario, image was crucial.

Tonight, the element discipline presented itself by his waiting for the precise moment to strike. He made a living analyzing people and their habits, so he knew his targets relaxed around the holidays and were less likely to see the danger lurking behind his smiling façade. The current festivity du jour was Christmas, and coupled with his gift, destined Slade a popular man. I'm counting on it.

He moved around to the trunk, where he heaved free a slatted, wooden case. It smelled of musky oak. The peaceful scent hinted at candlelit dinners shared with a long time lover. His jaw clenched. Not in my past and not in my future.

Slade lugged his precious cargo toward the sprawling metal office building. Immense, the structure stabbed farther into the heavens than any other in the area, yet fell short. Just like my target. Outwardly, Joe Larsen appeared a dedicated family man, a real pillar of the community whose flourishing internet and telecommunications business, ProCom, employed hundreds. In reality, the werewolf belonged to the Dirty Dozen, a group of the twelve most ruthless wolf Packs roaming the earth.

How ironic. I was once your target. A year ago, the Dozen kidnapped his cousin Amber, a half-demon, half-human. Able to keep a shifter from shifting, Amber's ability proved irresistible, since more times than not, the Dozen's meetings devolved into an unproductive, fur-flying brawl. We saved Amber, but left behind some unfinished business. Starting with Larsen, the wolves would learn a lesson...a demon’s memory rivals the most scorned woman, and paybacks were indeed a bitch.

***************

About the Author:

Writing under the pen name, J.A. Garland, Jennifer is a full time firefighter in the state of California, an addicted trail runner, a connoisseur of all things cheese puff, and a urban fantasy author. When she isn't slogging through the obstacles at a mud run, you can find her hunched over her computer unleashing demons, vampires, and werewolves upon the world.

Giveaway Details:

There is an international tour wide giveaway. Up for grabs is a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

Dysus Dreamer by J.A. Garland:

• September 12th – Ladies @ One More Chapter (Book Review)
• September 12th – Tiffany & Ryan @ Book-Marks the Spot
• September 12th – Dafeenah @ Indie Designz
• September 12th – Flora @ From the Bootheel Cotton Patch
• September 12th – Rania @ Urania’s Distractions (Book Review)
• September 12th – Dalene @ Dalene’s Book Reviews
• September 12th – Jaidis @ Juniper Grove
• September 12th – Marcy @ Marcy Rachel Designs
• September 12th – Beppe @ Rose & Beps Blog
• September 12th – Amber G. @ Lady Amber’s Reviews
• September 12th – Autumn @ Fallen Over Book Reviews
• September 12th – Yolanda @ Defending the Pen
• September 12th – Carrie @ Indy Book Fairy
• September 13th – Sophie @ Book Suburbia
• September 13th – CCAM @ Mythical Books
• September 13th – Bianca @ Bianca2b
• September 13th – Vicky @ Deal Sharing Aunt
• September 13th – Jessica @ Jess’s Book Blog (Book Review)
• September 13th – Corey @ Corey’s Book Reviews (Book Review)
• September 13th – Laurie @ Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews
• September 13th – Brenda @ Daily Mayo (Book Review)
• September 13th – Sabrina @ Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace (Book Review)
• September 13th – Jocelyn @ Jocelyn Adams (Book Review)
• September 13th – Bridgette @ BookwormBridgette’s World
• September 13th – Aja @ Aja Hannah Blog