Today Interview & Contest with Annette McCleave on SciFiGuy.ca
Excerpt:“I promise not to take more than five minutes of his time.” Drusus smiled again, deeper and longer this time, diving through the protective layers of her conscious mind. Devout believers could not be possessed, but they could be influenced. All it took was a firm, gentle touch.
The nun’s shoulders eased and she beckoned him farther inside. “Can’t see the harm in that. Come, I’ll show you to his room.”
He followed her up the stairs, flinching as he narrowly avoided bumping his shoulder on a large wooden crucifix on the wall. The scent of lemons was harsh now, burning his nostrils, clawing at his skin, but he pushed on. Everything worth having demanded a high price. And he was close to his prize; he could sense the faint undercurrent of the relic’s power.
The old nun smiled shyly at him as she waved him into the sparsely furnished bedroom at the end of the hall. Feeling magnanimous, he returned her smile.
Then he faced the priest.
Like the other Protectors he’d encountered over the years, this one recognized him immediately, despite the intricate human veneer he’d adopted for the occasion. Something in the eyes, perhaps. No matter, it simplified his task. He shut the door.
“Let’s get to the point, shall we? The Linen, if you will.”
“You’re too late,” the priest responded. “It’s gone.”
The words snatched the breath from his lungs, their meaning instantly clear: Although there’d been nothing but confusion in his eyes last night, at some point MacGregor had experienced an epiphany. He’d stolen the Linen. Again. “When did he come?”
The rosary in the priest’s hands slid from one bead to the next as he prayed, silently weaving a powerful shield. “Just after lunch.”
Click on the picture above to be linked to SciFiGuy.ca. Also check out Annette's website for her blog tour dates.
Contest: The Calling by David Mack
Contest: The Calling by David Mack - Ends August 31, 2009
BLURB:
HEAR THE CALLING.
No one would guess by looking at Tom Nash that he's extraordinary, and that's just fine with him. A tall, broad-shouldered jack-of-all-trades from Sawyer, Pennsylvania, Tom has a knack for fixing things. He also hides a secret talent: he hears people's prayers. Stranger still, he answers them. Maybe it's because he's a handyman, but Tom feels compelled to fix people's problems. Which is all well and good — until the soul-shattering plea of a terrified girl sends him on the darkest journey of his life…
SEEK THE TRUTH.
Heeding the call and leaving his home for New York City, Tom discovers a secret world beyond the range of mortal perception — a world of angels and demons and those who serve them. With the guidance of a knowing stranger named Erin, Tom learns that he himself is one of The Called, born with a divine purpose and a daunting task: to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell, an army of fallen angels known as the Scorned. Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help — because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity…
SEEK THE TRUTH.
Heeding the call and leaving his home for New York City, Tom discovers a secret world beyond the range of mortal perception — a world of angels and demons and those who serve them. With the guidance of a knowing stranger named Erin, Tom learns that he himself is one of The Called, born with a divine purpose and a daunting task: to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell, an army of fallen angels known as the Scorned. Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help — because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity…
My Review: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This story was funny, a little suspenseful, sad and romantic. The devotion between Henry and Claire is constant and enduring. I liked that they were flawed characters. We see two people struggling to maintain some kind of normalcy. They have disagreements & misunderstandings but remain committed to one another. It’s just amazing how the author intricately sequenced everything. Plainly put, the book is just beautifully written.
SPOILERS: I held back on giving it five stars. It seemed to be missing a few things & had a few holes. As I read this book, I found myself having to skim back to previous pages. The jumping around was confusing at times. I’d read a little and have to skim back so I could remember what year, what ages are they and so forth. But this didn’t bother me too much. It was worth overlooking. I would have liked however, to have see more of the secondary character developments. More of Gomez's and Charisse's flawed marriage would have been helpful. Then when Henry went through the whole frost bit episode he didn’t time travel. I kept thinking “oh no, don’t let him time travel now.” And he didn’t but then that left me wondering, how was that possible? Pretty much through out the whole book he time travels. There was nothing mentioned about why he didn’t time travel while he was down and out of it. I also didn’t like the scene towards the end with Gomez & Claire. After this scene nothing is said between Claire & Gomez. How could Claire do that to her best friend Charisse? Then from 2008 the story jumps to the end. It’s 2054 and Claire is 82. It would have been nice to read just a little about Claire’s & Alba’s life in between those years. And I would have liked to known if Dr. Kendrick finally found a cure for chrono displacement disorder and if Alba chose to use the cure or not. At the end I'm left with a bittersweet ending. I’m happy on one hand that Claire finally gets to see Henry but sad she had to wait so long.
All in all, I did enjoy this book. The love story was amazing and it was worth the time to read. 4 out 5 stars.
My Review: High Country Bride (The McKaslin Clan) by Jillian Hart
This book was a historically sweet story of two widows finding love. It’s a great time period and interesting plot. Not what I’m accustom to reading. The romance is very subtle and very, very mild. There are no major twists or excitement/action. Aiden is a widowed farmer afraid to love again. Joanna is a widowed farmer’s wife who has fallen on some bad times. Aiden takes Joanna and her two children in. Joanna slowly falls in love and we are left waiting for Aiden to realize he can have a happy ending with Joanna. All in all, it was a fast read and heartfelt story line. 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Guest Author & Giveaway: Robyn DeHart featuring Seduce Me
Don't miss out on the great contest @ seductivemusings.blogspot.com. Ends August 22nd!
Book 1 in The Legend Hunters series
The Legend Hunters ...The Men of Solomon's meet in secret, their very existence only a rumor among the best of Victorian society. They are treasure hunters, men of wealth and title, seekers of myths and legends. And no legend is as alluring as the tale of Pandora's Box...
Fielding Grey is a treasure seeker with a taste for danger and experienced women. His latest mission: wrest Pandora's fabled box from a notorious criminal mastermind. Not in the job description: save an innocent damsel in distress.
A bookish miss, Esme Worthington has favored dusty tomes over society balls, and thrilling tales over flirtations. But when two scoundrels break into her home, she is thrust into a real-life adventure. Pursued and suddenly possessing the forbidden box, Esme can't resist peeking inside. Under the spell of Pandora's seductive curse, she's soon offering herself to Fielding – body and soul. With her reluctant rescuer determined to resist her charms, can the two outwit an enemy who will stop at nothing to seize their precious prize?
Book 1 in The Legend Hunters seriesThe Legend Hunters ...The Men of Solomon's meet in secret, their very existence only a rumor among the best of Victorian society. They are treasure hunters, men of wealth and title, seekers of myths and legends. And no legend is as alluring as the tale of Pandora's Box...
Fielding Grey is a treasure seeker with a taste for danger and experienced women. His latest mission: wrest Pandora's fabled box from a notorious criminal mastermind. Not in the job description: save an innocent damsel in distress.
A bookish miss, Esme Worthington has favored dusty tomes over society balls, and thrilling tales over flirtations. But when two scoundrels break into her home, she is thrust into a real-life adventure. Pursued and suddenly possessing the forbidden box, Esme can't resist peeking inside. Under the spell of Pandora's seductive curse, she's soon offering herself to Fielding – body and soul. With her reluctant rescuer determined to resist her charms, can the two outwit an enemy who will stop at nothing to seize their precious prize?
Guest Author & Giveaway: Rita Herron featuring Dark Hunger @ Seductive Musings. Ends August 22nd!
SEDUCTIVE MUSINGS CONTEST: RITA HERRON
HE'S EVERYTHING SHE FEARS...
Reporter Annabelle Armstrong will go to any lengths to deliver a story, even track down Quinton Valtrez, a man she believes is a coldhearted assassin. Yet the truth about the darkly sensual Quinton is even more shocking...and the overwhelming desire he ignites is one she vows to resist.
SHE'S EVERYTHING HE CRAVES
Quinton has fought his demonic powers since he was a child. Now using his gifts for the good of national security, he can't let himself be distracted by the beautiful, determined Annabelle. But his need for her is sudden, fierce--and could soon cost Annabelle her life. For a wicked enemy is out for vengeance, a demon who wants to draw Quinton into a life of pure evil and is willing to use Annabelle as bait. To save her, Quinton must achieve the near impossible: tame the sinister force that is both his inheritance and his curse before it claims him forever.
Reporter Annabelle Armstrong will go to any lengths to deliver a story, even track down Quinton Valtrez, a man she believes is a coldhearted assassin. Yet the truth about the darkly sensual Quinton is even more shocking...and the overwhelming desire he ignites is one she vows to resist.
SHE'S EVERYTHING HE CRAVES
Quinton has fought his demonic powers since he was a child. Now using his gifts for the good of national security, he can't let himself be distracted by the beautiful, determined Annabelle. But his need for her is sudden, fierce--and could soon cost Annabelle her life. For a wicked enemy is out for vengeance, a demon who wants to draw Quinton into a life of pure evil and is willing to use Annabelle as bait. To save her, Quinton must achieve the near impossible: tame the sinister force that is both his inheritance and his curse before it claims him forever.
My Review: Careful What You Wish For by Lucy Finn
This warm whimsical romantic fantasy stars an intelligent lawyer with commitment issues and a kind hearted genie. At first Ravine was very skeptical about a genie she finds in a bottle. Through out the book Ravine struggles with her feelings for him as well as his feelings for her. These insecurities sometimes caused her to take her fustrations out on Gene. However, as the story unfolds with suspence, humor, sadness and mild romance, Ravine comes into her own and you are charmed and pleased with her character development. As for Gene, well what can I say but he's perfect. He's the kind of guy any women would like to settle down with.
Ms. Finn makes the tale fun and enables her readers to wish we all had our own personal genie.
My rating: 4 stars
My Review: Skykeepers (Final Prophecy, Book 3) by Jessica Andersen
By far the best book yet. Sasha & Michael have become my favorite Nightkeepers couple thus far. Book 3 picks up where book 2 ended. So expect a very action packed & highly suspenseful adventure. There are a lot of surprises and the hot sizzling attraction between Sasha & Michael will have you over the edge. The book is very fast paced and kept me captivated from start to finish. I give it 5 stars.
