Vixenwriter

So today, Shelley Munro’s Fallen Idol releases from Ellora’s Cave! I got a sneak peek at it and I have to tell you it’s really wonderful. First of all, it’s futuristic. A rarity these days, sadly. And FI is well done and a part of her Sex Idol series.

It’s well done MM romance. Romantic but also realistic in that her male characters are not chicks in man suits! I hate it when I read men who do and say stuff, even gay men, who don’t sound like men at all but like my mom.

Anyway, the secks is steaming hot! The plot is well done, funny, sad, wistful in places even. Go on and grab it!

Dayquil is a nasty substance. Orange, viscous, blech! The only reason I take nyquil is that it knocks me out and gives me sleep of the dead. But dayquil has made me nausated and dizzy. Or eh, maybe the plague that’s infested my system has made me nauseated and dizzy and dayquil does nothing to impede the killing of every cell in my body. Doesn’t help that all three kids are home sick today although thank god they are all watching cartoons and not fighting for the moment.

I’m at the Samhain Cafe on and off this afternoon. Despite feeling slightly “on another plane of existence” ish today, it’s been fun. I’m fixin to give some more stuff away soon. Yahoo is lagging which is par for the course I suppose but only by about 20 minutes, which for them isn’t bad at all.

Both Taking Chase and Thrice United release tomorrow! I’m pretty thrilled when I don’t feel dizzy enough to fall out of my chair. Excerpts are up at my website if you’d like a sneak peek.

Oh and a nice surprise via an unexpected review for Taking Chase!

Maura at The Romance Studio gives Taking Chase 4 1/2 hearts and says in part: I really enjoyed my second trip to Petal. The inhabitants are friendly and quirky and the Chase brothers are definitely worth revisiting. Cassie is an incredibly vivid character and the reader will be able to see her progress both mentally and in her romantic life with Shane. I like the way she refuses to let anyone boss her around and the way she stands up to the very intimidating Shane. Shane has his own issues with trust, but he makes a big effort with Cassie, he becomes a much better person than in the last book. Polly is as colorful as ever and the suspense over whether the ex husband will finally find Cassie will keep the reader at the edge of her seat. I can’t wait for the next one!

Okay so I’m lucky enough to have received an early peek at Shelley Munro’s Stray Cat Strut, her M/M quickie that releases today from Ellora’s Cave. This is told in first person and is more than just sexy, it’s romantic and a little heartbreaking in places.

This story is soooo good! It has a great flavor (as many of Shelley’s books) from the culture and geography of New Zealand and it’s got some great visits from old friends in the Middlemarch Mates series too.

But the heart of the story, the blooming relationship between Saul and Lucas is just wonderful.

As I said above, Shelley tells the story in first person and I think she did such a fabulous job. Oh and one of the things that bugs me sometimes is when men in a romance are like women in a man suit. They say and do things no man I’ve ever met would say or do. But Shelley’s Saul and Lucas are written so well and this romance definitely comes across with so much genuine masculinity and male voice.

Anyway, I loved it! It’s a quickie so it’ll start your day out or make your lunch hour really good and send you home in a really good mood!

Finished Threat of Darkness last night and it’s off to beta this morning! I’d originally meant for this to be a foray into the world of the Fae but I think in the end it’s more a foray into the world of these warriors I’ve written. There are some familiar faces here and there - Aine, the queen of the Fae, Jayce, Con and Em and at the end we see Lee, Alex and Kael so that was fun.

Then I got back to Chased and I’m about 3K in now. I like Marc a lot and he’s fun to write dialog for.

Got two very lovely reviews for Tri Mates in JERR this morning! Both Five stars…

Tallyn gives TM an O and says: Lauren Dane has created an intriguing, suspenseful and erotic romantic tale about two dominating alpha males and their even more domineering mate. Tracy is a sassy, highly independent, intellectual, tattoo and piercing fanatic female who can hold her own. Nick is a clean cut, high maintenance second-in-command, while Gabe is a confident, self-assured, very professional high ranking alpha wolf. Both men are drawn to high maintenance women until they meet the very spirited Tracy. I found Tracy’s edgy and mischievous presence a likeable quality in a heroine and I can see why both men were drawn to her. The physical connection between the three characters is erotically explosive. Nick and Gabe’s need to protect, conquer and seduce just makes me envious of Tracy! The intimacy and love between Tracy, Nick and Gabe will have you prolonging your playtime with your partner. Definitely hot, hot, hot! I enjoyed the complexity of the political aspect of the storyline; it was quite fascinating and easy to follow. I found the interesting secondary and villainous characters to have depth and definitely added to my enjoyment of this story. Cascadia Wolves: Tri Mates can be read independently but I would suggest reading the first installment to better understand the unique and exciting world Ms. Dane has created. I look forward to reading future installments of this captivating series. A definite keeper!

and LT gives TM an H and says: Tri Mates has everything that I love about a book - werewolves, lots of sex, action, and two men to one female. HOT! I just loved this story. Tracy is a young woman not afraid of her sexuality. She has the nice girl appearance with the sex kitten appeal. Nick Lawrence is one sexy man and he was confident enough to know it without being arrogant. The sexual chemistry between Nick and Tracy was just plain hot. The friction between the Alphas from the Pacific clan against Tracy coming in as Nick’s mate and second was believable and fit with the plot. When Gabe volunteers to be Tracy’s anchor, I was a little disappointed because I was expecting a triad always and not just once. Ms. Dane is a master of her craft. The sex was so good between Gabe and Tracy that you felt their guilt and began to feel sorry for Nick. It isn’t until later when Tracy’s grandmother points out the Tri Mate bond that I lost the guilt and the triad became very real. All of the characters played a major part in the story and I couldn’t imagine any of them being left out. I am looking forward to how the series will end and can’t wait to read more about the Cascadia, Pacifica and National packs.

So last night I’m upstairs working on edits and my husband is putting the wee monster to sleep when I hear the alarm on the front door go off and then nothing. I rush down and the door is standing wide open and he’s nowhere in sight. I step outside and he’s not out there. I don’t see wee monster and I call my dude’s name and nothing. It’s really, and I mean like 20 degrees really, cold and I hear a noise as he comes jogging back holding the crushed remains of two of the kids’ pumpkins.

Turns out some little dipshits who need an ass kicking strolled up to our porch and walked away with two pumpkins. But my husband heard them and put a sleeping M down and ran after him. They dropped the pumpkins and ran their little asses off. My husband was worried that he’d left the door open and broke off after three blocks and came home.

Seriously? Who steals a pumpkin from a 2 year old? It’s too late to carve another, even if the pumpkin patch wasn’t picked clean so we’re all sharing our pumpkins but there’s a bit of sadness over it.

Still, we’ve got two darth vaders and a ladybug fairy and a whole bunch of candy so we’ll have a good time anyway. It’s freezing though! I’ll have to bundle the boys up under their costumes because, “moooom! If I wear a coat, no one will see my costume.” Eye roll.

I finished up second round edits on Sword and Crown last night and some last bit comma and clarification stuff on Taking Chase so I’m back to Threat of Darkness tonight, yay!

Speaking of Threat of Darkness, I’ve put up a very sneaky peek of it, Wolf Unbound and Sword and Crown at my messageboard. If you’re not a member, why not?

Another early review of Tri Mates! Holly at Two Lips Reviews gives Tri Mates 4 1/2 lips and says in part: Tri Mates is another wonderful book in the Cascadia Wolves series by Lauren Dane. The intrigue gives these books a whole new dimension. There were so many twists and turns in the plot that I never knew what was coming next. Nick is such a charming playboy that you can’t help but love. Gabe is a much quieter Alpha male, yet he is intriguing in ways Nick is not. Tracy is just a kick butt woman who loves to let her men have control in bed, but only in bed. She is funny, loyal, loving and forgiving. They make a fascinating set and you’re left wanting more of their story. I literally can’t decide if the next in the series should continue their story or move on to the next couple. Of course, I’m waiting impatiently for Cade’s story who is Alpha of Cascadia pack…. Lauren Dane is on my auto buy list and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thanks, Holly!!

Reviews are always a roll of the dice and I admit I’ve been very lucky that I’ve only had a few bad ones, but RT reviews always have me holding my breath. Today I’m doing the review dance of joy because the ever so lovely Anya Bast informs me Enforcer got 4 1/2 stars (that nifty first class delivery which I should get)

Here’s what Gail says:

“The first book in the Cascadia Wolves series starts out with a bang, and the action never lets up. An intricate world of werewolf tradition and pack hierarchy sets the scene for the well-developed characters. The very steamy sexual scenes, including a threesome, are well done and integral to the story.”

Got an early review for Reluctant from Joyfully Reviewed! Talia says in part: Reluctant was naughty to read and I relished every word. I have to say that I simply am head over heels in love with Lauren Dane’s werewolves and I can’t wait for the next book of this series!

And one from Riley’s Reviews for A Touch of Fae! She gives it 4 1/2 books and says in part: The chemistry between Em and Con is explosive and explicit (duh, it’s an Ellora’s Cave book!). No less compelling, though, is their emotional connection—the way they stand with each other against any and all opposition, whether from their own families, the fae court, or the bad guys, is beautiful and seamless. So too is the touching way Em learns to have faith in Con, the one man in the world she can’t read with her skills.
…
this book was just about perfect: great sex, clear emotion, and a coherent plot. Lauren Dane clearly recognizes that erotica can do more than just titillate. I also give her kudos for not lining up her sequel characters like ducks in a carnival game. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m so tired of opening a new book and seeing X number of siblings and realizing that they are all sequel fodder. In the case of the Charvez family, I know there are more books, but it’s not obvious who the leads are, and in my current contrary mood, that suits me just fine.

One final comment: the way Em revived Con? Priceless. *g*

So I’ve been in a very bad mood for most of this week. It’s been one thing after another. Kids sick, having to find an opening for my middle kiddo in a local Montessori, general annoyances with writing, reviews, people, toddlers working my already way gone last nerve. I will not be sad to see the end of this week, I tell you. Yesterday’s Dictionary.com word of the day was appropriate - Tetchy: Peevish; testy; irritable. Yep, that’s me. But I’m seriously hoping this weekend will break the cycle. I have a lot of work to do so I just need to do it and hopefully the mood will turn in a new direction.

Because of said craptastic mood, I read last night instead of working. I finished up Christina Dodd’s Trouble in High Heels and Linda Howard’s Cover of Night.

A brief review of each and also one of Lori Foster’s Jude’s Law to follow.

Cover of Night - As I said earlier, I’m an LH fangirl. I love her books and I love her writing. She makes it look so damned effortless (her and Nora both). That said, I loved the book. I know there have been reviews where people felt there wasn’t enough romance in the book.

The strength of Cover of Night is that you get a strong sense of who Cait is before the romance begins in earnest. I like that she’s a real heroine. She doesn’t wait for the guy to swoop in to save her but she’s a thinking woman. I did get annoyed by the use of the soft R sound with the twins. But I appreciated Cait being written as a real mother with real responsibilities.

The action scenes are all very well done (my only complaint is that several things were repeated too much for instance how bullets would be stopped by a refrigerator). I liked Cal a lot as a hero, I believed his character. I did like how Howard transformed him for the reader at the same time she transformed him for Cait although I did find it a bit abrupt, I still found it believable.

As for the ratio of romance to suspense - it’s not 50/50. It’s probably 70/30 but I thought it was extremely well done and unlike some of my other favorite authors who went the way of just suspense and no romance, I thought Howard did a good job with the balance. I don’t think so much in terms of percentage but how it fits overall and when I shut the book I thought it was a romance.

Trouble In High Heels - Christina Dodd

I’m always suspicious when historical authors move to contemporaries but I love Dodd’s contemps as much as I do her historicals.

Anyway, I was quite entertained by High Heels. As a lawyer, I always cringe to see characters as lawyers in books and I have to say, this one stretched my tolerance in several places. I wasn’t muttering the entire time about pigs flying but um, suffice it to say I personally could not find any of the law firm stuff or stuff with the judge or other attorneys to be believable. At all.

That said - it was still a fun read and I did like it. I love how the opening sets up the character’s struggle and I also appreciated her seeing her mother later on as someone who is strong and worthy. She’s strong and smart and I dug that she understood her beauty as a tool.

Roberto’s character was fabulous. Sexy, funny and romantic. And I loved his nonno (that’s his grampa in case you thought I was being naughty).

The chemistry was really hot and the energy between the H/H was full of sparks. I liked them together.

The baddies were very bad and gave the reader a place to hang her ire.

There are books you just sink into to get rid of your crappy week because they’re fun and fluffy and all about entertainment. Despite some annoying things (which you probably woudln’t even know if you weren’t a lawyer although I’m sure nurses and mechanics have their own peeves, too) - I was very glad that Dodd gave me a few hours of some great reading fun.

Jude’s Law - I love Lori Foster. And I love that Lori Foster gives her heroines so many different lives and makes them three dimensional. I’d have to say that several Foster books would be at the top of my favorite romance novels of all time list.

I ended up liking the book overall. The tension was interesting with the suspense story. The hero with a tragic past is a storyline I like and one Foster excels at (or the heroine like in Bruce and Cyn). I LOVED that the heroine was a big girl who didn’t hate her body but still had some insecurities about it. That was so refreshing in its normalcy. Her weight was not an “issue” in a large sense. But she’s beautiful, that’s something as a reader that I never doubted. It’s a testament to Foster’s skill that she walked that line so well.

Jude? well at first, I really liked Jude. I loved that he was so frustrated by this woman’s ducking his attentions. It was sweet and amusing but once she game to him for help in his study I began to seriously develop a strong dislike for him. I absolutely hated the way he spoke to May, almost as much as I hated how she took it. I understand that they both had issues which made them overreact the way they did to things but to me, I thought it was way too much.

May - as I said above, I love that Foster gave us a heroine who isn’t a size 10 and considered plus size and I loved that her weight wasn’t an issue outside of the normal way women see themselves. She’s a woman who is the default caregiver for people in her life. That’s a reality for many women and I appreciated that Foster gave her a book. I loved when she stood up to her parents for being abusive. I did not love that she went back to letting them abuse her and that Jude went along with it. I did not love the way Jude talked to her when he had other issues and I did not love how May took it. I don’t want to give spoilers but there were two points in the book, in his study and in his guest room where he acted in a totally unforgivable manner and she was too accepting of it.

I LOVED Denny. What a marvelous character! I hope he gets a book, silver tooth and head tattoos included. The parents were bad, got it. The brother was a weakling idiot who also did something utterly unforgivable that I couldn’t get past at all.

Despite the negatives, I still enjoyed Jude’s Law and I’m going to look for Murphy’s Law to catch up on the secondary characters we met in Jude’s Law because I enjoyed May’s best friend and the chemistry between her and Quentin Murphy.

I liked this book. I liked this book at the end a lot more than I did at the beginning.

At the beginning, Kitty is a strong woman but a very weak wolf. I know this aspect made a lot of people nervous and left them feeling disgusted. And it should. It’s not pretty. What happens to her every time she has to deal with her pack is disturbing. She’s always afraid. She has no ability to make her own choices as a wolf. Her pack alpha is an asshole and there are not any redeeming qualities about this pack but for her best friend, the second in command who steps in to save her ass over and over. She says there are redeeming qualities but frankly, waking up naked with people so you don’t forget you’re a werewolf even though those people constantly terrorize you isn’t what I’d call positive.

But that’s nature. Nature sucks. And a group of predators? Yep, the smallest and most vulnerable are always at the biggest risk and sometimes the biggest and strongest misuse that power. Hell, the biggest and strongest humans misuse that power all the time. IMO, the way she wrote it was very realistic and not pleasant but I appreciated the more dark edged view. (even though I write werewolves and don’t make them that dark - then again, mine are in romance, but still)

But I digress - the world here is interesting and unusual and I quite liked how Kitty was written as this very weak wolf who finally gets sick of being afraid and misused all the time. She finds her own strength and she takes a stand and I loved that Vaughn creates a heroine who is three dimensional, flawed, scared and makes big mistakes. And yet, she’s got this inner light that she finally embraces.

The ending isn’t a traditional happy ending. There’s some major tragedy. This is not a romance either. But I really dig the fact that this book takes you with this character who is like soft clay and you watch her grow and learn. She is NOT a Mary Sue, the paranormals are not fluffy bunnies. The book is dark and funny at the same time. I have Kitty Goes To Washington to talk about next, I read it earlier in the week.

(I should add that the book has some violent situations that really struck me personally as sexual assault, but they’re not there for titilation and in my view, they were necessary)