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Oct
24 2011 | ||
I thought over this week I’d do some contesty fun (but as I’m finishing a revision and a final draft of a story I figured it’d be off the cuff instead of super organized). SO – today’s prize is my very last ARC of HEART OF DARKNESS!
BOUND BY MAGICK: HEART OF DARKNESS by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2011, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Publishing Group
Releasing in mass market paper and multiple digital formats November 1!
BY the time she’d made ready to leave for the day, the sun was down. She’d had plans to duck out early but of course that hadn’t worked out. As it was, she still had the opportunity to stop at the little boutique just down the street from her apartment building. She wanted something new for that night. Wanted to find an outfit suitable for club wear.
Her phone was ringing when she came out from her bathroom and she ran to grab it. It had been Gage’s mother, Shelley, calling from his house where he was currently suffering the throes of food poisoning. She’d assured Meriel
that Gage would be fine by morning, but there was no way he’d be accompanying her that evening.
Meriel had almost felt sorry for him as he’d attempted to order her to wait until the following night and she’d refused, promising to be safe and check in the following day before telling him to get well and hanging up.
She’d made the choice to go and, she thought as she put in her earrings, that was that. It hadn’t simply been a matter of their font being stolen from. It had been bigger. No spiky-heeled sandals that night. She needed to be able
to move easily and quickly. So she opted for her cowboy boots. Thankfully they went well with the outfit she’d picked up.
The skirt was a little shorter than she usually went for, but it wasn’t so short she’d be in danger of showing any of her bits. And the shirt was snug and a little stretchy; the sequins accenting it here and there would catch the light. Feminine. Sexy. And it all emphasized her best parts and hid her worst.
In the garage she looked at what she’d picked up two days before. Nell’s car. Nell’s beautiful, cherry- red classic 1967 Camaro. All shiny and powerful.
Her own car was nice enough and all, but this, well, this was part of the whole night. Unexpected like the short skirt and this mission she went on. Silly, but it was thrilling all the same.
She traveled across the lake toward Seattle, feeling as if there was a reason she felt nearly driven to do it. Though Meriel was as rational and logical as they came, she still believed in following her gut. Her gut was where her magick lived and it wanted her at that club tonight.
There were no reasons to expect a violent response from Bright. He’d been peaceable since he’d arrived in Owen territory, though still a thief. He had to quit that, of course. And the opportunity to do something so unexpected— to
act on behalf of her clan with this witch to make him stop—well, that excited her.
It could wait, of course, for the next night, or the next week for that matter. Restlessness had settled into her bones over the last year. Before that she’d been pretty much singleminded with her studies and her job.
Ambition came to her naturally. Her foremothers had created Clan Owen from nothing and built it into one of the most powerful organizations in the world. Meriel accepted that the blood of these women ran in her veins for a reason
and that she was supposed to use every gift she’d been given to protect and serve her people.
From infancy there had been one path and she greeted that with joy and a sense of duty. But things were changing.
The older and more experienced she got, the more the witches in Clan Owen expected her to lead and many had begun to look to her first, before Edwina, and that had created a rift. Most though weren’t sure she could be as brutal and ruthless as Edwina. So she’d have to show them. But in her own way.
For the first time in her life it was hard to wait for what was next. She wanted to go out and greet it. Wanted to make things happen. Wanted to see what this heady sense of expectancy was all about.
So if you’d like to win that ARC just answer this question in the comments to be entered. I’ll choose a winner tomorrow, October 25 at noon pacific time. What kinds of paranormal worlds do you like most? Those that are completely different from our own where the paranormals dominate the story? Worlds where the paranormal elements are tucked into a contemporary setting (others live in a modern society but aren’t revealed to the humans)? Humans/paranormals all together in the same world? Any other variation I’m not thinking about?
October 24th, 2011 at 7:02 am · Link
I’ve always liked the parallel worlds aspect with a few paranormal creatures coming through portals to our contemporary world, like in Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series, or where paranormal creatures are living amongst us and we’re none the wiser.
October 24th, 2011 at 7:08 am · Link
I like when the paranormals live in secret among us, like you can look at John Doe walking down the street. He’s incredibly hot and sexy. His secret is he is a great big ol alpha werewolf. Fantastic!! I also like when there is another plane of existence, like a shadow world or whatnot. I’ve read a few different books with that recently, and its been done well. Like doubling your playing field 🙂
October 24th, 2011 at 7:09 am · Link
Hi
I am excited to read this book.
I like and read them all, but I enjoy reading about our contemporary world, so I like it when humans/paranormals are all together in the same world.
Thanks for the chance.
Pam
October 24th, 2011 at 7:15 am · Link
i like ones where the world is similar to our own.. not quite the same.. and most of the time, humans are clueless as to what is going on.. then again, depends on the author.. nalini singh does a great one that combines 2 types of paranormals and humans are aware..
i would love the chance to win, thanks so much!
October 24th, 2011 at 7:23 am · Link
I like reading paranormal were they are among the humans but a secret……..and also where they are open about what they are in the modern world……..
October 24th, 2011 at 7:25 am · Link
I tend to like most paranormal worlds. I like it when shifters/vamps rule the roost and when they are forced to live in secret. I think each situation brings a different dramatic element to a story. I’m a glutton for the paranormal so I like almost all of it! 🙂
October 24th, 2011 at 7:28 am · Link
I tend to like book where the paranormal element lives in the same world with normals but aren’t outed to society at large. obviously some know about the paranormals but not all.
but if it’s a good story that piques my interest I’ll pick it up and read it.
October 24th, 2011 at 7:41 am · Link
I read them all. It helps to keep it interesting. It’s all in how the author tells the story. I prefer when they live in our world in secret. Thanks for the giveaway!
October 24th, 2011 at 8:29 am · Link
I like the ones where they live in secret only revealing themselves to a very few (modern day or future setting). Love your books, can’t for Heart of Darkness.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:31 am · Link
I don’t really have a preference as long as the world is well written. Can’t wait to read Heart of Darkness!!
October 24th, 2011 at 8:34 am · Link
I like the paranormal and human interacting in the modern world.
I really enjoyed the Cascadia series. This book sounds awesome.
Can’t wait to read it.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:52 am · Link
I like paranormal world within a contemporary world where humans and paranormals beings interact. However I don’t mind if a series or stories build on that, as in later on more paranormals begin to dominate. As the world is revealed it can be completely different.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:53 am · Link
I like them all but I think I like where paranorms are tucked nicely into our society and we really have no idea they’re there 🙂 the most.
Thank you for the giveaway.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:58 am · Link
I would love to win a copy! I really looking forward to reading this!!
I like it when the paranormal aspects are put into our contemporary everyday world.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:15 am · Link
I like them in our world either hidden or out. Either way is fine with me. But in scifi I’d rather go to their worlds and see them lol.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:24 am · Link
I really like all types of paranormal books no matter what setting. If I had to chose, I would pick the one where the paranormal has it’s own world separate from ours. Those seem to be the most creative.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:54 am · Link
I like para-worlds that are based in real myth. Think gods and goddesses, etc. Though I do love the “hidden para” too, like Lora Leigh’s breeds. That whole coming out background works for me.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:55 am · Link
I like the worlds where the paranormal elements are tucked into a contemporary setting since those are more fascinating on how it would fit into today’s settings.
October 24th, 2011 at 10:20 am · Link
I like all of the above but how about a time travel – don’t think I’ve read one like that!
October 24th, 2011 at 10:47 am · Link
I like when they are living and functioning in our world. There are some types that I like when we don’t know, and others’ where we do know. I guess, it depends on the story.
October 24th, 2011 at 10:48 am · Link
I like paranormal worlds that are set in a similar time frame as ours and the people are living amongst us but we don’t know it. I don’t mind it if they are of another time frame or world but I don’t like it when there are too many weird words, descriptions, or “beings”, it makes it hard to follow.followings
October 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am · Link
I’m a big fan of contemporary and futuristic settings with the paranormal societies out and exposed. 😀
October 24th, 2011 at 11:09 am · Link
I like humans and paranormals all living together in a contemporary world, knowing each other exists.
October 24th, 2011 at 11:24 am · Link
I love to read paranormals that are part of our everyday society. Maybe the person behind you at the grocery store is actually a werewolf–which is why they have ten pork roasts! I enjoy almost all paranormal settings.
October 24th, 2011 at 11:40 am · Link
Really it depends on my mood at the time. Sometimes I like completely new worlds. And other times I like them mixed together in a world that could be ours. Almost as if there is a parallel world out there to ours but paranormal beings do exist there.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
October 24th, 2011 at 12:12 pm · Link
Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I have read a lot of paranormal books in all kinds of setting. Though, I think that I love those where the paranormals are “out” the best. Heehee. It creates a lot of tension (like in Magic Slays – Ilona Andrews) and it’s interesting to see how these individuals with a whole lot of strength and power have to navigate in the world and use their own system of checks and balances.
October 24th, 2011 at 12:13 pm · Link
I mostly like to read about the paranormal in a contemporary setting but stories set in completely different worlds can be quite interesting.
October 24th, 2011 at 12:49 pm · Link
I like the worlds that are kept separate. I enjoy the Guardians series where the guardians travel between the 2 worlds through portals. The other world people are in the “real” worls but noone knows them. This sounds like it will be a great great book.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:04 pm · Link
I really like when it’s paranormal in a contemporary setting. Like the Black Dagger Brotherhood or Dark Hunter series. They are somewhat in separate worlds (paranormal and human) but they collide at times.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:22 pm · Link
I like the human/paranormal together in the same world though I’ve read pretty well every kind there is and enjoyed those too! 🙂
October 24th, 2011 at 2:44 pm · Link
I prefer the paranormal merged with the everyday 🙂
October 24th, 2011 at 3:17 pm · Link
I like the paranormals set in the modern day kinda parallel to our world.
October 24th, 2011 at 3:23 pm · Link
My favorite is paranormals among us. I love thinking in the stories is my neighbor a paranormal??
Mindy 🙂
Birdsooong@aol.com
October 24th, 2011 at 4:04 pm · Link
I enjoy when they are living in our world not that I wouldn’t read a completely made up world. I am always open to all possiblities.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:15 pm · Link
I like reading books where the paranormal is imbedded into our normal world – makes it interesting because I can pretend it could really happen 🙂 haha
October 24th, 2011 at 4:55 pm · Link
I can’t wait for this book!!!! I read them all. 😉
October 24th, 2011 at 5:22 pm · Link
*sneaking quietly in to the back of the room*
I don’t much care about what kind as long as its construction is internally consistent. Mind you, some authors manage to introduce some bending of the rules later down the road in a series, but as long as the bending is itself consistent with the rules the author herself has set out, I’m okay with it.
*sneaking out again*
October 24th, 2011 at 6:12 pm · Link
Lauren – please exclude me from the selection because I’m lucky enough to be reading ‘Heart of Darkness’ right now!!!!!! I got it thru Goodreads and am Loving it!!! I haven’t read a lot of paranormals, but this one has made a complete convert – at least of your books. I’ll be looking forward to the rest of the series, so keep them coming. Thank you for writing such a fun & engrossing story. 😀
October 24th, 2011 at 6:45 pm · Link
Great giveaway.
I like a lot of different setting.But I guess my favorites are Paranormals live among us.
October 24th, 2011 at 7:41 pm · Link
I read all different kinds of paranormals. I think I prefer the “real world” stories where the paranormal is woven in. My favorite are probably where paranomal exists and the “normals” don’t realize it. Thanks for the giveaway! I can’t wait to read Heart of Darkness. I just finished Never Enough. That name is so true!
October 24th, 2011 at 8:04 pm · Link
Paranormals tucked into contemps.
October 25th, 2011 at 1:00 am · Link
I read both but I think a world that is parallel to current times is entered just a bit faster than a completely made up world where the world building requires the reader to become familiar with all the differences to get up to speed.
October 25th, 2011 at 1:05 am · Link
I love the books where the paranormal elements are tucked into a contemporary setting. I also love when the secret is out and they have to decide what to do!!
October 25th, 2011 at 7:01 am · Link
I prefer worlds where the paranormal elements are tucked into a contemporary setting (others live in a modern society but aren’t revealed to the humans)
October 25th, 2011 at 7:45 am · Link
As a huge fan of paranormals, I like them all. What I enjoy most is when humans and paranormals coexist in the same world.
October 25th, 2011 at 10:56 am · Link
I am pretty easy to please when it comes to paranormal romance stories, but if I had to pick one favorite storyline, it would be humans and paranormal’s altogether in the same world, aware of each other.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
October 25th, 2011 at 12:53 pm · Link
I’ve always been a huge fan of when they live along side humanity, I have always enjoyed the complexities these kind of tales can bring
October 25th, 2011 at 1:49 pm · Link
Any/or/all of the above work just fine for me! I just like me a good paranormal romance! 🙂
October 25th, 2011 at 3:37 pm · Link
I’m not a real big fan of paranormal … but I do read them anyway 🙂 So I would say a normal contemporary, non-futuristic, setting where a few supernatural beings live amongst themselves, unknown by humans 🙂 and in my perfect paranormal world there would be NO bad paranormal persons 🙂