Dark Return: Review, Interview and Giveaway.

Hi guys! 

I'm very excited today because it's my turn to host one of my favorite writers: Taryn Browning.

Today I'm posting my review, a fun interview and you have the opportunity to win an amazing price at the giveaway! :)

                    

DARK RETURN (Seeker #2) by Taryn Browning.

Synopsis:

Janie Grey is dedicated to hunting the undead, an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors and generations of powerful Seekers before her. Then, there's Kai. He's like no one she's ever met - cocky, fast, skillful, infuriating and gorgeous. Not only has he become a valuable asset in her fight against the growing population of the vampire/demon hybrid known as Daychildren...

She's unwittingly fallen for him. 

Just when Janie thinks she's learned everything there is to know about Kai's mysterious past, there's a newcomer to Baltimore. Someone who will do anything to make sure Janie loses Kai forever. 





Dark Return is the 2nd novel in the Seeker series. Find out what happens before the return in Dark Seeker (Seeker, #1) and Dark Beauty (Seeker, #0.5)

If you want, you can read my review of Dark Seeker (Seeker #1) HERE.

Interview:

1.       When did you realized you wanted to be a writer?

I have always loved reading and English was once of my favorite subjects, but I actually started writing my first novel during a stressful time in my life. Writing became my outlet in a way. I've been writing ever since.

2.       Which is the hardest thing you faced as a writer?

Definitely querying agents. During this time I kept on writing and improving my craft.

3.       What is your favorite place to write?

I usually write at my desk in my office where I can turn on my music and let the words flow without interruption. Although, this is difficult with two very active young boys, lol.

4.       For those who are unfamiliar with the Seeker series, how would you describe it?

The series is about a Seeker (vampire hunter) with the inherited duty of protecting the Baltimore streets from a new vampire-demon hybrid known as Daychildren.  Jaded by love after her father's tragic death, she unwittingly finds love where she least expects it, and with the very hybrid she is trained to hunt.  Together they must deal with the "demons" of his dark past, or risk losing each other forever.

5.       If you could introduce Janie or Kai to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

I would introduce Janie to Rose from the Vampire Academy series. They are both strong kick-butt female characters with stubborn sides. Both heroines grow as the series continues, but they have their share of hardships along the way.

6.       What is your favorite paranormal creature?

I'm a vampire girl.

7.       What's your favorite holiday?

Christmas. I love decorating and Christmas lights. Plus, spending the holiday with family.  

8.       If you could invite any person in the world for a coffee, who would you choose and why?

Oprah. She is an amazing example of a strong, independent woman who has spent her life sharing her knowledge with others. She has taught me so much about spirit, life and myself.

9.       Tell us about a future project.

I am currently working on a young adult sci-fi romance and writing the 2nd book in my Whispering Hills series.

Thank you very much Taryn for this awesome interview!

My Thoughts:

4.5 super stars!

WooooooooooooooooooooooW! I just can't explain how much I liked this book. The first one was good but this one is scary good.

I finished it a minute ago and I'm so excited, I want to jump and dance and bang my head against the wall because I'll have to wait until
who-knows-when for book 3!

As always, Taryn's writing style left me speechless. It's fluent, fast paced, entertaining and fun.

Also the characters are well developed and we have a very interesting addition, that apparently will be also in book 3.

I love the fact that we get to know more about  Kai's past life in a sort of flashbacks. This gave him more realism. He is still beyond sexy and cocky and I love him for that but now he also is easier to relate to.

Kai and Janie's dinamism while they are together is stunning. Kick ass couple!

Tania, what a great character and I love her being a badass vampire leader as well as a fashion lover lol. 

Janie improved a lot, she was way better in this book than the previous one.

 The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because the love story here is not as strong as in the first instalment.


The end was utterly amazing! A super huge cliffhanger! 

When I reached the end I was thinking like: What??? is this already over?!?!??! It was too short!

This book deserves another Stewie!!!

 I want to know what happens next ASAP!
Please Taryn, write fast!

About the author:

Taryn Browning writes novels for young adults. She's also an avid reader and dreamer with a crazy imagination. Her debut urban fantasy is Dark Seeker. The sequel, Dark Return, will be available Nov, 2012. You can also check out the prequel novella, Dark Beauty. Her newest paranormal romance, Whispering Hills, and urban fantasy, Emanare, were also released this year. 

Taryn graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, music, movies, and the beach. Some of her favorite TV shows growing up included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Angel. For as long as she can remember she's loved all things fantastical, paranormal and magical.

Visit her at www.tarynbrowning.com. Follow her on her blog www.yafictionauthor.blogspot.com, on twitter (@TarynBrowning), and facebook (Dark Seeker & Taryn Browning).

GIVEAWAY!

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Review and Guest Post: His Black Wings

His Black Wings by Astrid Yrigollen.

Date Published: November 20th, 2012

PLEASE READ MY REVIEW BEFORE THE BLURB, AS I SAY THERE THE BLURB HAS SPOILERS (IMO!)

MY THOUGHTS:

Wow! OMG! *Swoon* *Sigh* *Woot Woot* *lalalalalala*

All of that together happened while reading this book!!!

I am totally mesmerized! 

This is one of those moments when you are glad you didn't succumb to your preconceptions. Why? When I first got the invitation for touring this book, I didn't even pay attention to it and disregarded it instantly. I don't like anime things and didn't even read the blurb after not liking the cover.(I was judgemental but don't be judgy with me please for disliking the cover lol I like what I like XD)The second time I got the invitation I decided to give it a shot and jumped into it (again without reading the blurb) and the result was utterly unexpected and now I can assure you I am completely pleased!

I am so happy though that I didn't read the blurb... I read it after finishing the book and I think it spoils half of the story.

Besides, I loved getting into the story without knowing what to expect. 

Yes, yes, the title is "His Black Wings" so I knew "he" had black wings but that's all. I didn't know if he was a demon, an angel, a vampire or else. 

(I won't tell don't worry)

It is a post apocalyptic story that mixes futuristic elements with Victorian ones, that has a sweet paranormal romance. It is full of intrigues and secrets.

The story starts with Claren's parent's demise. 

After an unfortunate event, she needs to flee town. With her amazing dog Naza she moves from town to town until she finds a job advertisement that fits her.

She then moves in with her new and enigmatic boss: Fredrick Brighton. He is beyond kind to her but there is something he is not telling...

 After a murder in town they need to move again and that's when the real story begins. 

The characters are amazing. Claren is caring, shy but also brave and smart. Fredrick is so mysterious, I was charmed by him since the start, it's the kind of man you know is hiding a secret behind his money and power but you can't avoid feeling his magnetism.

Etrigan... he is a loner, he seems hard and a little savage but is wonderful how he unravels and present himself to the world and you see him change.

Kurten ...he is a SOB! (sorry!) Psycho! 

We also have Horace, Mrs Witsby and Dekker are so fun and charming supporting characters.

This book gathers romance, a clever and superb plot, incredibly developed characters with a perfectly achieved depth.

The story is original in every angle and the writing style left me marvelled. 

The love story is full of tenderness and I loved how it unfolded, slow but I totally felt what the characters felt. 

If I have to describe this book in one word, it would be: AMAZING!

I love the end too and I am hoping there is a sequel. I want to know more of these characters.

Synopsis: 

Claren Maidstone has been forced to flee her childhood home after the death of her parents and a vicious assault from a sadistic young man who intends to marry her. Claren changes her identity and finds employment as an assistant to the handsome Fredrick Lowood, a generous yet mysterious benefactor. However, she soon finds out his generosity comes at a price. 

Fredrick Lowood knows what the history books do not teach, that the Grand Council built this new world of peace and beauty on hidden blood and greed. He has plotted for years to bring down the family that enslaved his own people. 

Etrigan Lowood rejects the world that forces him to hide. He is powerful, plagued with a terrible dark beauty: WINGS. It is these wings that carry him out only at night to watch the unwanted intruder in his home. A creature of refined instinct yet little social grace, he is strangely captivated by Claren but knows nothing of how her family’s dark past is intertwined with his own. Through their blossoming friendship, Etrigan realizes he still retains his human heart and yearns for Claren’s love.

Kurten Wandsworth is the only son of the Mayor of St.Marhen. Kurten lives his life fueled by cruelty and lust. Whatever he wants he takes and he wants Claren to be his wife even it if kills her. Scarred by Claren he hunts her down mercilessly until he can set a trap which she will never be able to escape from.

GUEST POST by Astrid Yrigollen.

How Do You Keep Your Writing Different

We have all heard the phrase" Write what you know" and "Write what you like to read". I find these two phrases when coupled, can give birth to some very interesting stories. One of the things I find disappointing when reading new fiction is to be  half way through  a story and think to myself,"This is a lot like ...."Then upon finishing the story, I find that it was so similar to another well known book, I am surprised there was not a  plagiarism lawsuit filed.

There is nothing wrong with borrowing a classic idea and putting your own spin on it.In fact those are some of my favorite types of stories to read.However a person wants to make sure that they are not writing a cookie cutter version of a story that has already been written.People are smart and when they read your book they will be able to tell.

When I get a idea for  story I will go over it and even do research to see if there are similar story lines....and sometimes I won't. Like the honey badger, I just won't care. Since writing is a creative outlet, you have to write stories that make you happy.If you wan't to make money though, you may want to approach it from an entirely different angle.Hopefully a profitable and marketable one. Insert tongue in cheek here.

Author Bio

Astrid Yrigollen is a native of the Bay area of California and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Astrid started writing stories for her friends in sixth grade. After working part time at a funeral home during high school, she channeled her love of story writing in to creating video games for PC's which were featured in Shareware magazines.

In the early 1990's she secured a position with International Video game giant, Sega of America but never lost her love for writing in traditional format. After leaving the video game industry, she worked briefly as a vet assistant, aiding in surgery until she found out she passes out at the site of blood!  Maintaining a great love of animals, but preferring work where there was no blood involved, Astrid became a boutique fashion designer for people 'who like to dress like their dolls', successfully placing her designs in boutiques in Europe, the U.S, and Australia.

She founded and now co-chairs with her husband for the California Coast Ball Jointed Doll Convention, an annual event for Japanese Super Dollfie Collectors. Astrid enjoys collecting dolls, Anime, video games, baking and sewing and is currently studying college level Japanese, her third language.

Works

She now enjoys writing Young Adult and Children's books and has succeeded in putting out The Doughnut Tree, The Zombie Playground, A creature compilation , and The Mosswoods to name a few.

FOLLOW THE TOUR!

Virtual Book Tour December 10 - December 31

December 27 - Book Maven - Review/Guest Post

December 28 - Read-a-Holicz - Review

December 28 -On Emily's Bookshelf - Review/Guest Post

December 29 - Proserpine Craving Books - Review

December 29 - 

December 30 - Michelle's Paranormal Book Vault - Review/Guest Post

December 30 - 

December 31 - The Avid Reader - Review/Guest Post

Tour Stop: The Gaze.

THE GAZE by JAVIER A. ROBAYO

Blurb:

As a sophomore in college, Samantha Reddick meets Tony Amaya, a brokenhearted young man, whose written words she keeps as a memento of a weekend long affair. The words, written on the back of a paper placemat, become her only solid ground during a tumultuous decade that nearly destroys her, leaving her searching for answers at the bottom of the bottle. Haunted by guilt and the constant menace from a man she once loved, Samantha searches for Tony and inserts herself into his life through an online friend request to his wife, Gwen. Mutual curiosity opens the door to an unexpected friendship that becomes the catalyst of an inner battle between the better woman Samantha longs to be, and the Samantha who despises her own gaze.

Excerpt:

Tony didn’t look nervous at all. Meanwhile I was awash in uneasiness at the prospect of bringing him into my dorm. 

The story, all I want is the story and to find out what motivates such passionate writing, that’s all. Just the story… 

Liar…

I felt shaky while he walked. In contrast, his breathing was even as though he was so comfortable with the situation. I suddenly wondered if this particular situation was familiar to him. 

We took the stairway to the second floor. Our footfalls echoed loudly, the sound joined only by the faint buzzing of the overhead fluorescent lights.

I unlocked the door with trembling hands that jangled the keys. Somehow, I found the light switch and chased the shadows away, revealing a second hand living room set on cheap flat carpeting. I peeled off my denim jacket and threw it across a chair in the kitchen nook. When I turned, I was surprised to see him leaning against the door, held back by uncertainty. 

I held the paper placemat between us like an amulet to ward off his intensity. “Do you mind if I read it?”

He fixed his eyes on me and nodded before glancing away, his chin coming to rest on his chest.

I started reading. It was far more intense than I could have ever imagined. It was nothing but raw fury and passion, a determined declaration of love. It read of this girl that had become the center of his thoughts, the very core of his being. I could feel my heart breaking as I was overwhelmed with the strange notion that I wanted to be this Gwen of his. I wanted to know what it was to feel such passion, such love. Tears sprung in my eyes and I cried for him, for this fortunate girl… 

For me...

He didn’t ask what was wrong right away. He simply stared just past my shoulder while I made a futile attempt to dispel a sob. I muttered that this was beautiful and he gave me a sad, crooked smile as a tear rolled off the corner of his eye before he turned his face away.

I don’t know what it was about that tear, but it made me go to him like a magnet to steel and place my hands on his face. His skin was burning. There was a little stubble that only made me too aware of his masculinity.

"Kiss me," I whispered into those confused brown eyes of his. "Just kiss me." 

His hands found my wrists and his eyes stayed on mine. Need became a force as tangible as the strong winds that fuel a storm. 

I knew he was thinking I was crazy. I knew he thought of all the reasons why he should stop this crazy bitch in heat and go away. Bloody hell, I was thinking I was crazy.

A tiny voice in my head was screaming all sorts of warnings but just when I felt rejection eating away at me, his eyes fell on my lips and after one breathless moment, he leaned down and kissed me.

Molten lead would have frozen my insides in comparison. I was trembling and when I felt his breath stutter, I opened my lips in invitation. He pulled away and a disappointed moan escaped my throat, allowing reason to slowly take root in my brain. I kept my eyes on his. 

His hand held my face as delicately as a summer breeze. His thumb brushed away the tears I finally tried to blink away. His eyes seemed to glitter as they searched mine and time seemed to stop its endless march in perfect silence. 

Was this wrong? I let out my pent up breath slowly in a sorrowful sigh as electricity crackled between us.

In one swift motion, his hands brought my face up at an angle and he kissed me so hard, I lost what little restraint I had left. 

He loves someone else…

He loves her… 

Stop this!

I felt weightless. His touch was firm yet gentle. The kiss grew needier and heat traveled down into my body, setting my abdomen aflutter. My hands found the flat planes of his chest and then ran down his sides to his hips. On their way back, they pushed his shirt up. His hot skin sent a pang of need that had my heart hammering in my ribcage. 

My tickling fingers forced him to shift and pull away for a breath. I answered his smile with a lustful gaze as I brought his hands to the buttons of my uniform shirt. 

His hands ventured over my abdomen and moved up to grace the underside of my breasts, making my head swim. I shrugged the shirt off and his t-shirt joined it on the floor within seconds. 

We engaged in a stumbling waltz as we somehow made our way to my bedroom. Our clothes kept pooling on the floor, marking our passing like bread crumbs on an unknown trail. I was almost sick with need as the coarse hair of his chest made contact with my skin. When I felt him rigid on my thighs, I pulled hard on his neck, bringing him on top of me as he braced his fall with his arms on either side of me, never breaking from the kiss.

“Wait…” he panted. “I… um… I don’t have anything.”

It took a few seconds before I realized what he meant. Shame colored me a shade of red I thought would make me glow in the semi darkness. “It’s okay, I promise…” I said breathlessly. 

He gave me a dubious look that I hoped to eradicate with more kissing. His lips found my throat, my face, my shoulder, and I curled driving my hips up to meet him. He was being gentle, too gentle, I thought in frustration, when all I wanted was for him to go right through me. I grabbed hold of his hips, and then thoroughly enjoyed the feel of the muscles on his back as I pulled him into me. The sudden fullness forced me to bite my lip to keep me from crying out. It had been so bloody long…

“Kelly…” he whispered almost breaking the spell, but I was too far gone to care. 

A thin wisp of rational thought told me he was probably thinking about someone else. I wondered if he called out Kelly only to remind himself that he wasn’t with the girl behind his writing. It didn’t matter. My body overrode my mind as he moved within me. I held on tighter, needing the closeness, if only physical. 

…I’ll be no more than a transient thought in her mind, a small measure of time, insignificant. No more than a barely familiar set of notes to a song seldom remembered… 

The lines of his writing flashed through my head as my breath grew shallower. 

…No more can I feel the soft warmth of her kiss and its absence becomes me in the form of a living death… 

All I could do was accept this moment and quell my own thirst for that kind of love with what little he offered me. The kind of love he obviously reserved for the girl from his writing. 

His muscles grew taut under my touch while I held my breath as the inevitable rush of heat converged into my center from all corners of my body. I parted the kiss and screamed my ecstasy, burying my face into his chest while he grew impossibly large in me before collapsing, his own conclusion reached. We held onto each other, our breath ragged, both of us feeling each other’s tremors. If this was the one and only time I was to feel this way, then I’d go into the grave smiling to the high heavens.

Author Bio:

Javier A. Robayo is the author of THE GAZE and THE NEXT CHAPTER. He immigrated to the United States in 1988 at the age of 12 from Quito, Ecuador. He began writing as a way of learning English throughout his high school years, and studied at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. He lives in Connecticut, with his wife, and two daughters, where he is currently at work on his next novel.

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