Indie Girl book signing Charleston SC

I'm attending the Indie Girl con in Charleston SC this Friday and Saturday.  I've had the opportunity too meet a lot of "new to me" authors.  This con features mostly young adult and new adult genre authors.

It was exciting to talk to these folks and get their take on writing, publishing, and marketing to the new demographics. I asked if they thought having a fabulous cover was as important in an ebook market as it was in a paper book market.  The general thought was it is as if not more important as a way to reach readers. As one author said "you have only so many seconds to get their attention, you want to get the reader to stop at least long enough to read the summary to hook them into buying the book. A great cover may just do that for you."

Pictures coming soon.

Note: I had intended to attend both days but between a banging head cold and the fact that my daughters house got hit by a tornado (she's okay, the house not so much) I had to bail. I had fun and learned a lot. Thanks to all the terrific folks that patiently answered my questions and let me take their picture.

A Beta's Haven (Redwood Pack #6.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

Being the Beta of the Redwood Pack isn't an easy task, but Jasper has never complained. He's spent his entire adult life dropping everything so he can take care of others. Now he's a father, a husband…and tired. His mate, Willow, knows Jasper won't let others know that he might need a break, even for a weekend, so that's where she comes in.

Once Jasper lets go and allows his mate to call the shots, this Beta might just be in for the ride of a lifetime. 

Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 6 and 7 to give you a taste of Jasper and Willow. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.

My review:

One of the things I like best about this series (besides the super hot Jamenson men) is that we get to go back and reconnect with earlier couples in novellas set between each full length book.  Jasper and Willow are one of my favorite couples.  They are suffering from overwork and underplay.  Jasper especially as he has yet to learn he cannot do it all.  Willow is determined to teach him to delegate and if the reward is time for some smoking hot nookie who is the loser?.  This is a fun look back but also speaks close to home for me.  Looking forward to Logan & Cailin.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Concealed in Death (In Death #38) by J.D. Robb

Blurb:

In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.

The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.

Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.

My Review:

I love this series.   It is one of my top auto-buys and 38 books later it is still going strong.  Eve seems to be getting better, more comfortable in her own skin.  A lot of that has to do with her support system and her competence on the job.  Eve will always stand for the dead but when the dead are children it makes it that much tougher.  I devoured this book and await the next action packed entry into this incredible series.

Forbidden Bond by Jessica Lee

Blurb:

Some bonds run soul deep.

Eion Mandrake, wolf shifter and rising alpha, has a secret. The years he spent at school in Little Crow Pass, Wyoming wasn’t just for a typical high school education. He’d been sent to learn all he could about life as a human. What he wasn’t counting on was his best friend’s younger sister, Olivia Wilson. Saving the little daredevil from drowning bonded him to her forever. But pack law dictates no shifter and human are allowed to mate, leaving Eion no choice. He had to leave Little Crow.

Twelve years later, Eion’s returned, and all he wants is to get in and get out of town as quickly as possible. Yet, the moment he runs into Olivia he realizes the flame he’s carried for the human stills burns hot and out of control.

But Olivia is all grown up now and has a new man in her life—one she can count on to stick around. She’s doing her best to move forward and forget her childhood crush. However, Olivia needs Eion’s help. Problem is, lowering the wall around his heart to become Olivia’s hero once more could destroy both their worlds.

My review:

I’ll admit I almost didn’t finish this book but boy am I glad I did.  I kept wanting Eion to man up and claim what was his.  I wanted Olivia to dump Taylor.  The chemistry between Eion & Olivia was there from the start and I was impatient to get to it.  When they finally did it was worth the wait.  This sexy shifter book will force you to keep turning pages until the very end and then you will sit there and say damn what a ride.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Black and Blue (Otherworld Assassin #2) by Gena Showalter

Blurb:

He is every woman’s fantasy…

Corbin Blue is a man of many talents. One of the most powerful otherworlders ever born, he is wealthy, a professional football star, and a legend in the bedroom. But only a select few know he is also a black ops agent…and there is no better killer. When he and his crew are attacked and separated, he’s forced to turn to his boss’s daughter for help—a woman with even more secrets than Blue.

She becomes his only obsession…

Evangaline Black has always been wary, guarded. No man has ever breeched her walls. Until Blue. He has never been denied something he wants, and now, he’s decided he wants her. As he sweeps her into his double life of seduction, intrigue, and danger, he helps her see beyond the darkness of her own past. But as an enemy closes in, Blue will have to let Evie go to keep her safe—even though he'd rather die than live without her…

My review:

This is a spin-off from the Alien Huntress novels, featuring the black ops section of AIR. 
Takes place in the same world as the Alien Huntress series.

If you haven’t read the first book Last Kiss Goodnight you really ought to before you read this.  This is a wonderfully snarky fun sexy adventure and I really enjoyed it.  Blue and Evie are perfect for each other and watching them realize it is so much fun.  I love these series and hope Ms. Showalter keeps them coming.

Bear Naked (Halle Shifters #3) by Dana Marie Bell

Blurb:

To win a frightened heart, you have to bare your own.

Any woman would be eager to be Ryan Williams’s mate. Any woman but Glory Walsh. The sexy bear shifter is beautiful, strong and persistent, she’ll give him that. But Glory’s past taught her one simple truth: people leave. She can’t get past the fact he left her once before. Okay, so he had a good reason, and he did come back. Try convincing her emotions.

When Glory finally agrees to a date, Ryan feels like shouting hallelujah. He only left his mate to hunt down the man who’d shot her, but convincing the stubborn woman she has a permanent place at his side is tougher than he thought.

Their date takes a turn for the bizarre when Glory thanks Ryan for the series of romantic gifts—gifts Ryan never sent. It seems her past is coming back to bite her, and before it has a chance to sink its teeth in and tear her out of his life, Ryan will have to bare it all, right down to his soul, to protect the woman he loves. Even from herself.

Warning: This title contains explicit sex, graphic language, a blue-haired heroine, and a hero who isn’t afraid to get all kinds of naked.

My review:

There were moments in this book that I laughed so hard I cried.  Fans of Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series are sure to love these books.  We met Glory and Ryan in the first two books and for a while I thought Ryan deserved the run around that Glory was giving him.  He was cocky and could stand to be put down a peg or two but it lasted too long and I figured Glory for a contrary bitch.  The author pulled it out just in time and helped us understand why Glory was acting the way she was.  After that it was just one damn thing after another.  I need a nap.  

Halle Shifters, Book 2

Cynful (Halle Shifters #2) by Dana Marie Bell

Blurb:

To save the woman he loves, he must push his gifts to the brink. 



Julian DuCharme, a rare Spirit Bear with legendary healing powers, is finally free from the threat of death, finally free to claim his mate—but she’s not having it. While his Bear screams it’s time to mate, the love of his life wants to date.

Holding his Bear in check while convincing her he’s not out to control her won’t be easy. She’s stubborn and a closeted geek—in other words, perfect for him.

Cynthia “Cyn” Reyes, owner of Living Art Tattoos, thinks Julian is the hottest thing on two legs. That doesn’t mean she’s going to roll over for his masculine charm. She watched her mother flounder when her father passed away, and she’s determined to never lose herself to someone else. Not even a man who would jump the moon for her, if she asked that of him.

When the women of Living Art are targeted by a killer, Julian doesn’t think twice about pouring out his last drop of power 
to keep Cyn safe. But it’s Cyn who’ll give up everything—her independence, even her humanity—to keep a terrifying vision 
from coming true.

One of his death.


Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, graphic language, a tattooed heroine and the Bear who loves her. Maybe he’ll finally convince her to tattoo him with “Property of Cyn”.

My Review:

I loved the first book in this series so much I immediately purchased the next two.  We met Cyn & Julian in the first book and knew that when they finally got together it would be something special.  It was indeed.  Cyn is a strong woman who needs someone who understands that and isn’t intimidated by it.  Julian is not physically the strongest bear in town but he has gifts that make him stronger than most realize.  He and Cyn complement each other in ways I hadn’t counted on.  And beside the romance and mystery there is great sex and laughter.