... sweet vernal zephyr

A simple girl, skin caressed by a ...
night breaks
her eyes reflect
dark urban fantasy
& paranormal romance

Welcome to spring breezes and dancing fireflies

Please, enjoy my blogging and forgive my unabashed pleasure in the overuse of descriptors.
For a more intimate encounter, come along and meet me at the bottom of the page.




Fang-tastic Books
Roxanne describes herself as a story strumpet and tome loving tart, as well author and vampire aficionado. Her site is chocked full of author interviews and book reviews! Pretty much every day there is something new to see - worth following IMHO. Side Note: I usually don't like digitally rendered portraits, but hers is smokin'!

She celebrates the end of the work week with Free Book Friday and I won! Along with my fresh new copy of The Highwayman, which I reviewed here, I got a sweet assortment of shiny promotional cards & bookmarks. That so strokes my graphic design/crow side!





*
* The Highwayman by Michele Hauf
*

Thanks again!

OCD, Vampires, and Rants, oh my!


Anna, Sarah & Shannon describe themselves as, "Three amazing chicks with more books and opinions than we know what to do with!"

Their blog is dark and edgy with awesome amounts of snarkiness. I dare you to take a peek and laugh inappropriately, double dog dare.

They have a unique sense of humor that attracts me. I can't really resist supernatural bunny trails & random tangents!

To celebrate LGBT Pride Month in June they gave away an assortment of books relating to the topic. A sultry comment relating to my favorite fictional LGBT couple and I won!



*
* I Do an anthology in support of marriage equality
*
*
* Hero by Perry Moore
*
* Carnival by Elizabeth Bear
*
Thanks again!

Do you enjoy author interviews?

Do pictures of the author enhance your reading experience?
Do you sense any sarcasm in my tone?

In the beginning I would make the blanket statement,
"I don't care what the author thinks. I just want to be inside their world!"
Then I did a little research. After reading a couple interviews (on some awesome blogs! See the side bar) I determined the following:
• I enjoy author interviews & pictures if I have not read any of their books.
• I do not appreciate author interviews or pictures if I have already read & enjoyed their books.

Why?
Once I have been part of the author's fantasy world, I have recreated the landscape in my head. This includes a vague shadow of the author's personality & appearance. At this point any images or conversation with the author simply chaff against the fantasy world that I have become a part of. And actually causes me to enjoy the books less.

Strange how my mind works, huh? What do you think?
______________________________________

Enough thinking, Let's win some free books!

Cecile over at All I Want And More is celebrating her 101th blog post with a bevy of beautiful books and an interview with Kimber Chin! You have until midnight August 5th to join in the celebration.

Graeme Flory over at Graeme's Fantasy Book Review is giving away signed copies of Jasper Kent's Twleve from Transworld Books. Not quite and interview, but a signature will do! You have until, well... Here is a direct quote, "I'm on holiday for the next week and a bit so that's how long you've got to enter..." I'm going to estimate it as August 4th to be safe.

Every once in a while I will do a *Randomness* post. Usually my thoughts, and to reward anyone willing to climb inside my head - I add contest links that have some sort of vague relationship to whatever I was ranting about.


Since I have 4 followers* now, I thought I would make it a little bit easier to find these contests.
* Right after posting this I noticed that I have 5 followers now!!!

You can find them listed on the sidebar - in ascending date order! >>---------->

The Highwayman

by Michele Hauf

Max Fitzroy, the legendary Highwayman, had slain scores of demons with a razorlike whip and a burning need for revenge. Now, to rid himself of the demon inside him—who'd cursed him with immortality and stolen all sensual pleasures—Max needed a witch's familiar, the one creature he'd made a career of killing.


But the Highwayman wasn't prepared for the familiar named Aby. The sleek and sexy conduit to the demon world saw past his swirling shadow as easily as he scaled the walls she'd erected to protect herself. Max needed Aby to grant him his freedom, and then he needed to slay her. But how could he destroy the only creature he'd desired in centuries?


Overview: This is a nice light read with a veil of sexual heat. Won't cause you to blush in public (except maybe the dream walking) but will cause you to jump your significant other ASAP! The heroine is slighty ditzy but learning about her inner strength. The hero/enemy is in constant angst and sexy at the same time! Enjoy this read while you're nude sunbathing with a mojito.

Cover Art*: First glance brought thoughts of firemen, or fire demons, or cowboys. We lose the suggestion of a magic aura applied to the whip because of the overwhelming red palate. I question the overuse of haloing & tribal embellishments. The graphic elements compete against each other (3 logos + the title & author). The balance is good considering. The model is clothed true to character and I really appreciate that. So many covers can be misleading, suggesting plot twists that never arise!

Paranormality: Demons, Familiars, Werewolves, Witches, Vampires & Ghosts. Sigils, wards & spells.

Sexuality: MMF, MF & Self-stimulation. The best kissing scenes I have ever read! Nice sex scenes, not erotic or kinky or anywhere near vulgar. Mostly respectful.

The Review*: Some paranormal knowledge was assumed which left me kinda in the dark for a while. The history of familiars along with the relationship between Severo & Aby were not fleshed out enough for me to understand some of the tension. Abrupt changes of heart within the main characters were too dramatic & unbelievable. The frequent jaunts down memory lane (backflashes) are superbly done! Nice integration of enticing details. There are a few unresolved plot lines that suggest at least a sequel.

* I'm a graphic artist. We are trained to be vicious bloodsucking weapons of truth, hence the "rough" critiques/reviews. It's not that I don't like this novel. Simply, everything can be better. And examining what could be polished allows me to learn and better MY skills.


I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!



My Tease:

"He hadn't known what the woman had been that night he and Rainier had made love with her. But since learning her truth, he'd stalked familiars as if they carried the plague and he was the cleansing fire."
~ pg.81 The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I moved out of my parent's house 8 years ago, and had to leave my ungainly collection of books behind as well.


This week they have finally made it home!

4 boxes full of books; bodice rippers, historical fiction, fantasy, scifi, drama, & children's books. I'm pretty sure my husband is going to have a cow when he realizes those xerox boxes in the back room are books and we now have an urgent need for bookshelves.

It is going to be a real treat to go through those boxes and see what kind of treasures are to be found!

Speaking of treasures, how about some treasure hunts?!

The Dark Artist Guild is running a treasure hunt until August 7th. If you like dark spooky art this is pure thrill! The prizes are a variety of horror-esque artwork.

12 to Midnight are running a treasure hunt until September 1st to promote the new book Buried Tales of Pinebox: 12 Tales of Modern Horror. The prize is a cd compliation of pdf horror novels along with 3 signed "dead tree" books too!

Happy Hunting Pirates! Arrrggg*

*Do you relate to the Pirate vs. Ninja rivalry? Do you want to? Follow this path, curious grasshopper, and all will be revealed...


Are they just comic books in disguise? The answer is purely personal. I never read comic books as a child. As an adult (and graphic artist) I am intrigued.


Now I hear whispers about graphic novels everywhere...

I recently picked up a GQ ( 'cause Robert Pattinson was looking hot on the cover) and found this GQ Article about graphic novels you should make a point to read!


I am going to jump into this new-to-me genre with a few select titles that have caught my attention: *Link heavy, have fun exploring!*



Dark-Hunter: This is done in manga style (read back to front, right to left) and is based on one of my favorite authors Sherrilyn Kenyon! *Click the pic to visit the Dark Hunter website.



Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Marvel has picked up this series to convert to comic form from Laurell K. Hamilton. It appears that they are converting the book series into comic series BUT I got a little confused with the addition of First Death. It doesn't appear to be based on any of the books and is paired with a kind of handbook to the characters. *Click the pic to head over to Marvel comics.



Dusk: Check out the artist interview over at Literary Escapism. I know I am hooked and will enter the contest as well as add it to my TBR list. *Click the pic to buy this at Amazon.



Maus: This graphic novel addresses more serious issues, like Nazi occupation, with the use of cats and mice. *Click the pic to see the book description at Random House.



I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part! Still working my way through the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novels...



My Tease:

"I was shoulder-deep in water so hot it made my skin pink. I was so hot I was almost ill, because I was still fully dressed, including all my guns."
~ pg.560 Narcissus In Chains: An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


According to the Real Simple article HERE, I am:


~ Open to the world around me and like to socialize with others
Alcohol helps that.


~ Well adjusted & adaptable
No comment.


~ Restricting myself
Aren't we all, just to be civilized & polite?


~ Skeptical & unswayed by emotional arguments
Except my own.


~ Versatile
That's one way to put it... In fact, my husband would put it that way and then give me a naughty little smile...


~ Intellectually probing & like to study new things
Probing, now that has just got my brain in the gutter!



Pleasure by Eric Jerome Dickey

I was drawn to this book by the cover art and genre, erotic fiction. I have never read Eric Jerome Dickey, and the blurb caught my interest.

Born in Trinidad and living in Atlanta after a relationship gone bad, Nia Simone Bijou is an ambitious writer who has it all. Except for the one thing that’ll give her the control she craves—and the power she deserves: absolute, uninhibited sexual satisfaction. Now, in the sweltering days and nights of summer, the heat is on. Nia’s fantasies will become a reality—with man after man after man. She will shatter the limits of erotic love. She will open herself up to experiences she never dared before. And as her fantasies begin to spin out of control, she’ll discover the unexpected price of the extreme.


NOTES on my current reading state of mind:
- Half way through the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series. Fast paced, suspense, action, drama, blood, violence, perversion & sex.
- Stalled 3/4 of the way through two books, a spy romance & an egyptian vampire romance. Predictable.


With that grain of salt I reveal to you that Pleasure is not living up to my expectations, yet. I am about a third of the way through and I am skimming over to the good parts.

The initial first chapter is a great hook. I find myself wondering about the sex of the narrator but in no doubt that they are extremely sexual.

Not to give away too much...

The mother thread bores me,
the ex-boyfriend thread brings in good drama & suspense,
the twins are the key erotic element that I am searching for with my page flipping.

The twins thread is so hot that I become frustrated reading the content in-between—longing for that next erotic fix. This is an echo of the narrator's internal turbulence and a testament to the author's skill.

Perhaps the writing is a bit too similar to what goes on inside my brain when I am thinking WAY TOO MUCH. I like it, but I don't have the patients (currently) to read it. I think that I could really enjoy this book in the future, with a dictionary at my side*, but right now it is neither fast enough nor bloody enough for me.

* The dictionary comment is not a dig at the author, simply a note that my vocabulary was challenged during this reading. I enjoy a challenge, but it also has made me very self conscious about my current writing skills. I find myself double checking the correct usage of effect and affect... la sigh



Let's start with a little bit of background.

Last month the US Government shut down analog television broadcasts and encouraged a switch to digital receivers. Unfortunately, reception in our pooh-dunk town is very close to nil. Therefore, we have been forced into DVD entertainment during dinner. Not a big deal, but a change for us.

Luckily, we have friends.

Imagine that!

They graciously lent us True Blood: Season 1! Now, I am an avid vampire fan. I adore Moonlight (OMG hunkiness!) & Twilight & Highlander.

In the past hubby would simply indulge me with an aloof smile as I gush about the latest and hottest vampire on the scene. BUT his favorite radio personality raves about the True Blood series...

On to the foreground.

So here we are, 2 episodes/dinners in, and I dare to suggest that we eat outside and enjoy the summer breeze. He gives me a glare and demands,
"No, we HAVE to watch True Blood."
I turn astonished eyes to his face and realize - he is suckered in, hooked, a fanboy!

With a smile I load the DVD and enjoy the sound of his self-depreciating laugh. Welcome to my world handsome! Revel in the rush of paranormal sex & violence.

Giving Ground?

What am I talking about? Contests, giveaways, free stuff. I figure, if I am going to blog, and you are going to read, then I should reward you. I only have two followers, a.k.a. zephyr riders, right now... but the numbers will grow as I become consistent in my posting. UNTIL THEN:
Let me reward you, my two fellow Zephyr Riders (and any others that may wander my way).
Want to win a True Blood Necklace?*
Visit Laughing Vixen HERE, Deadline July 31st

Got Skills, Video Skills?*
Vampire.com wants you to flaunt them for their benefit HERE, Deadline August 15th

Fun with Puns?*
Baen Books will reward you for your worst HERE, Deadline August 31st

The Cold Kiss of Death by Suzanne McLeod
Released today!!!! Go win yourself a book!!!! Just post a comment HERE, Deadline July 23rd

Stolen Heat by Elisabeth Naughton
Book 2 in the Stolen Trilogy, Release July 28th!!!! Earn prizes & help with promotion HERE




stolen heat
enter contest
share image
buy book
elisabeth naughton





*Some requirements, um, required.

Donna Grant's Blog


Donna is a Texan with cajun flavoring and over twenty books published (award winning too)! Her blog is clean, dark and sparkly all at the same time. Stop on over and bask in her paranormal aura.

Her legion is growing, and I am a part of it!

With the launch of her new blog she gave away an assortment of books to drool over. My lucky stars shown bright on my birthday weekend and I won the whole lot!

* The Book of Scandal by Julia London
* Jewel of Atlantis by Gena Showalter
* Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione
* Always a Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch
* The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
* Pandora's Box by Natale Stenzel
* Castle of the Wolf by Sandra Schwab
* Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor
* Dark Harvest by Lynda Hilburn
* Unlaced an Anthology

Thanks again Donna!



I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!




My Tease:


"I thrust it into him like an invisible hand, shoved it into that pale body and felt an answering spark deep inside him. I felt my power flare and recognize a piece of itself."
~ pg.374 Blue Moon: An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Only posting the book contests I have won seems a little bit, um, snide?

*snirk* How about catty?
So here is a chance for you to enter in some contests against me - may the luckiest reader win!

Virginie says...
Virginie over at Virginie says... is feeling the summer heat and giving* away a copy of Literary Lust by Stella Hyde. This book sounds like a fun read, cultured AND steamy. We've got until July 20th to enter.

Erotic Book Junkies
The Queen of Second Chances over at Erotic Book Junkies is enticing us to win* a copy of Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione. This read is hot and sexy AND has demons, gotta count me in for that! July 31st is the deadline for everyone, even Internationals.


*Some requirements, um, required. Yeah.

Wendy's Minding Spot


Wendy is a small town girl with big dreams over in Warsaw, Indiana with a cute blog! Her Eeyore quotes give a nice feel to her site.

She has frequent contests displayed easily on the side bar with deadlines too, very convenient.

I was lucky enough to recently win My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel! If you want to tempt yourself you can read Chapter 1 HERE and Wendy's review HERE.




Thanks again Wendy!

Amberkatze's Book Blog


Amberkatze is a book-a-holic over in Vienna, Wien, Austria with a sweet blog! The black background and tight clean graphics make it a pleasure to peruse.

She has frequent guest bloggers, author interviews including promotional giveaways, and monthly book contests too.

I was lucky enough to recently win Mona Lisa Darkening by Sunny! You can read the interview HERE.




Thanks again Amberkatze!





I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!



My Tease:
"I never liked the way vamps felt when they went hard and otherworldly. They didn't feel like flesh then, almost plastic like a dolphin, but harder, as if there was no muscle underneath, nothing but solidness like a tree."
~ pg.165 Burnt Offerngs: An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Remnants of Power: A Skindancer Novel by Lawrence V. Stryker.


The cover art is here! A hot new dark urban fantasy series. I don't have a book jacket blurb yet, but judging from the cover *don't strike me down* I would suppose the following possible critical points ;)

* Some sort of storm of power in the background
* Erotic: Lighting goes from his hand to his...
* A male lead character - maybe a dancer?
* Is that a tattoo on his chest? I want to see more!
* Erotic, violent & romantic themes?
* Magic?

So is it vampires? Or shifters (skindancer)? Or something else altogether magical? Demons come to mind too...

Perhaps a woman finds/ buys/ mysteriously receives a charm/ necklace/ ring/ item of jewelry. While out for a much needed night on the town/ reprieve from the deadbeat boyfriend/ night off of work one of the male exotic dancers/ bartenders/ patrons/ librarians has undue interest in her previous mentioned jewlery. It appears to call to them/ mark her as their queen/ bind them to her/ mark her as the enemy....

And on and on and on and on.

I already partially composed the exotic dancer and charm necklace scene in my head. Please don't mind the stream-of-consciousness lilt.

I couldn't seem to move my gaze away from his eyes. They were the strangest shade of green blue, almost like they couldn't make up their mind. Neither could I. Bedroom eyes. Oh yeah... and with the way he's moving on that pole I can think of a whole lotta things I would do in a bedroom with him, while staring into those eyes. "What the!" Is he staring at me too? There is no possible way. This is his job. I'm nothing special to him. Just a possible candidate for a soft grope and another twenty bucks in his ass crack. But I would get to touch that tight... "Whoa!" He's staring at my chest! No, my necklace. My new necklace. This is the first night I've ever worn it. At least in public, unprotected, outside of my shirt.

Upcoming Releases - Click the pic!

Welcome, to the bottom of the page. Come a little closer.

"I'm a simple girl." she states with an innocent smile as her husband snorts and smirks in the background.

*snirk*

You catch a sharp edge to her sideways glance in his direction, yet the innocent smile remains in place and the warm croon of her voice betrays her humor as her eyes return to you.

"We live in a little cottage in the woods." She pauses, for dramatic effect perhaps. "Some say our woods are are haunted..." The subtle deepening of her voice as her words trail off invites you to wonder. Lil' green men, fairies, werewolves, your mind wanders as the solitude of the woods seeps into your consciousness.

*snap*

Minty gum scents the air as a sparkle brightens her slate blue eyes and you return your focus to your hosts.

"We have beautiful snow flocked winters,"
As her narration continues the tall, dark, and handsome man at her side slouches his stance and rolls his eyes as a groan only half escapes his lips. "And warm colorful summers!" she exclaims.

With a grin she
leans over to lay a comfortable hand on his arm. Your eyes catch hers and she entices you, "Close your eyes..." Her lids flutter lower and her gaze turns softly mischievous under darkened lashes while suggestively caressing the arm of her lover.

Watching her fingers slide and flirt along his dark tanned skin, you find your lids drifting shut. She whispers, "Do you feel the magic, the earth and her song? Are you here with me, in my fantasy world?"

*snirk*

The obnoxious noise jolts you alert. The husband again. He doesn't seem to speak much. Dragon and fire flies dance to claim your attention as twilight descends. A glance back towards the couple reveals huge grins spread across both their faces. Sparkling eyes complement their smiles.

You smile too.

She recognizes acceptance in your smile and with a small wave of her hand she speaks in lighthearted friendly tones, "My blogging is a call in the wild to find other like minds to share with. Is that you? Do you have the magic inside too?!"

*snirk*

Randi's Ravin'

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