Covet Feature Author: Abby Niles
As many of you may know, I'm a Publicist for Entangled Publishing, and I'm a huge paranormal fan. So, I'm so excited that we have launched our new Paranormal Romance line, Covet!! Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about our launch titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow us on Twitter, and LIKE our Facebook page.
Over the next several weeks I'll be featuring our authors from this fabulous new line as they each tell us about their top 5 favorite paranormal characters. Today's guest is Abby Niles. Please join me in welcoming Abby and celebrating her new release!
I’m really drawn to the paranormal genre. I always have been. It doesn’t matter if it’s magic, vampires or shifters, if I see that a TV show, movie or book has a paranormal edge, you’ve caught my attention and I’m willing to give it a try. Not everything works for me, but there are some characters that I fall in love with and not always in the I-want-to-have-your-baby way. I fall in love with the complexity of the character. My list of favorite paranormal characters is actually way more than just five. I can list five vampires alone that are my favorite, so I decided to pick and choose. I’ll start with my favorite, favorite.
Damon Salvatore
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*Drool* The yummy older brother from The Vampire Diaries, which is also my favorite show on TV right now. Damon came into the show just bad. That first season I was iffy on him. You had Stefan, the wholesome younger brother who thought rationally, was sweet and thoughtful. Damon was the opposite. He acted before thinking, was cocky as all get-out, and really didn’t care what anyone thought about him, because he didn’t like anyone. In the second season his character grew. Yes, he was still cocky and reacted before thinking and he still did some very horrible things, but you started to realize that even though he was like that, Damon was loyal, would do anything to protect the people he cared the most about, and he became a whole lotta hot for me!
Klaus
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He’s also from The Vampire Diaries, and unlike Damon, Klaus isn’t bad, he’s downright evil. He lacks remorse and emotions, has a superiority complex that makes him constantly show everyone around him that he is the original vampire and he’ll do what he wants. He kills without care. Staked his sister and brothers and kept them in a box for centuries. (You can’t kill an original with a regular stake, but you can put them out of commission for as long as the stake stays buried in them). He makes Damon seem like a playful puppy in comparison. Yet, I’m still drawn to him. He has these moments, especially with Caroline, where you can see just how lonely he is. Anyone watch the pilot for “The Orginals.” It’s a spin-off from The Vampire Diaries that will start this fall. I loved it! My favorite scene was him standing with that bartender as they watched a painter, and the bartender was saying how she believed the painter was expressing his loneliness and how much he wanted to be part of a family. The sheen of tears in Klaus’ eyes? Oh. My. God. Right there, that moment, was exactly why I’m fascinated with Klaus.
Rumplestiltskin
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Are you seeing a pattern yet? When I first started watching Once Upon A Time, I was all about Charming. He was the good guy, fought against the evil queen and fought to win Snow White. I loved that. But the thing is, once he got the girl, there really wasn’t anything left to tell, and he’s faded into the background this season. Why? Really because when it comes down to it, he’s a one-dimensional character. All good and no bad. Who stepped up to the plate for me? Mr. Gold. i.e. Rumplestiltskin. I’ve been watching the series from day one, and I’ve finally had to admit, when it comes to the paranormal, I like the characters who come across unredeemable, who do things that are horrible in their paranormal world. BUT just when you think they’ve gone too far, you see a flash of good in them. Those moments makes them so complex and deep. Regina (i.e. the evil queen) is another example of that.
Jericho Barrons
The entire time I read Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series I was trying to figure out what the heck Jericho Barrons was. I kept guessing, and then something would happen that made me go, uh no, he can’t be that. The mystery and danger that surrounded him was positively enthralling. I loved trying to figure it out, and when it was finally revealed? Wow.
Grimm Roderick
The man who was terrified of the blood-lusting Berserker who lived inside him. I loved Grimm from Karen Marie Moning’s To Tame a Highland Warrior. He was a man completely besotted with the heroine, had known her for years, but refused to show his feeling for her because he was certain the berserker would one day hurt her. I loved Grimm’s struggle. Seeing how much he loved Jillian, how much he wanted to be with her. Then berserkergang would seize him, and that love switched to terror at the violent creature that emerged and what it was capable of. One of my favorite books. Who are some of your favorite paranormal characters?
Katie, thanks so much for having me on A Book Obsession today!!
Abby
Thanks Abby! Love the choices. Le sigh on Damon Salvatore. I loved him from the very first time he walked on TVD. Stefan who?? Also Barrens, he's every woman's naughty pleasure. To spend a whole day with him? *fans self*
Author Info:
In her late twenties, after having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. Next thing she knew, she was actually submitting to publishing houses. And was immediately rejected. That didn’t stop her though. She found herself some kickass critique partners, honed her craft, and continued submitting.
And eventually sold a short story, then a novella, then a novel, and now a series.
Today, she juggles work, home life, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?
In her downtime, which isn’t often, you can find her playing ‘Just Dance’ with her kids or trying to catch up on her never-ending to-be-read list. She also loves Zumba, and refuses to admit she looks more like Animal doing his Muppet flail than a sensual Latin dancer.
Find Abby online:
Book Info:
Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse?
After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life?
Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?
Kirsten Reviews: The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint
The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint, Illustrated by Charles Vess
The magic is all around you, if only you open your eyes....
Lillian Kindred spends her days exploring the Tanglewood Forest, a magical, rolling wilderness that she imagines to be full of fairies. The trouble is, Lillian has never seen a wisp of magic in her hills--until the day the cats of the forest save her life by transforming her into a kitten. Now Lillian must set out on a perilous adventure that will lead her through untamed lands of fabled creatures--from Old Mother Possum to the fearsome Bear People--to find a way to make things right.
In this whimsical, original folktale written and illustrated throughout in vibrant full color by two celebrated masters of modern fantasy, a young girl's journey becomes an enchanting coming-of-age story about magic, friendship, and the courage to shape one's own destiny.
While The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is intended for a younger audience, anyone who likes fairy tales and folklore, or animals will find something they enjoy in this story. The book, written by by Charles de Lint and illustrated by Charles Vess is a wonderful blending of story and illustrations, and is a pleasure to read and peruse.
The appeal of fairytales is both in the fantastic elements, as well as the way that they can tell one story, and teach a lesson at the same time.
The protagonist of the book is a young girl named Lillian, who begins her adventure in the woods behind her aunt’s farm after following a deer into the woods. Along the way, Lillian meets a number of interesting creatures, and also finds out what happens when a person makes choices, how the results affect others, and the need to correct mistakes and right wrongs.
Lillian doesn’t just go on a journey as a young girl; after being bitten by a snake and rescued by the stray cats that she has been feeding, she also takes on a cat form, and even has animal companions that help her. One of these is a fox that is mischievous, but a good guide. Along the way, Lillian needs the help of Old Mother Possum, and learns that asking for something and getting what you want are two different things, and everything has a cost.
The pairing of Vess’ art and de Lint’s writing are a wonderful combination, and while the story is interesting, it’s the illustrations that truly complete it. The other thing that really makes the story stand out, and feel like it’s not completely unfamiliar, but has that edge of ‘just outside of reality’ that all fairytales and folklore have is the setting. Woods have always been great settings for stories, and this one gives Lillian a world to explore, and one that she can continue to learn about, even if she’s not having adventures with the animals. In its own way, the woods and other places that Lillian explores are their own characters, just as important to the plot as anything else.
(Received a copy from the publisher)
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Let's Talk With Smash & Kt (28)
Welcome to the Let’s Talk weekly discussion meme!
Originally hosted by Melissa from i swim for oceans, Smash & Kt took her original inspiration, and made it their own, expanding it to more than just books. Let’s get personal (but respectfully so) and learn more about one another! Each week, a different question will be posted along with a place to link up your posts and visit other people’s responses.This meme is definitely meant to bring out conversation and meet new people. So, Let's Talk!
We'd love to hear any ideas you have for questions. Submit them Here.
This week's question:
Do you take advantage of Freebies? or Do you think Freebies are a good selling tool for authors and publishers? (Thanks, Shirley/Creative Deeds)
If by freebies, you mean Swag and other stuff? Then yep sure, I love cool STUFF just as much as the next gal. I have a spot on my bookshelf that's getting ridiculously full from all the swag, etc.
If you mean freebie promotions on ebooks, then HELL yeah! I love getting free books. I mean who doesn't, especially since you aren't out any money if the book is just terrible for you. You can just move on to the next without wasting anything other than a bit of time. But honestly and time spent reading, even on a bad book isn't time wasted to me.
And yes I do thing they are a good selling tool for authors who have more than one book out. If they offer the first book in the series for free, then tons of people will download it that might not of otherwise. Many will fall in love with the story and wind up purchasing the rest. It also works for stand alones, because if you enjoyed the book, then you'll want to check out the rest of the author's books.
How about you? Do you stalk Amazon for the free book promotions or does the weeding through to find the gems make you leery?
Early Review: A Witch's Handbook to Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
Half-Moon Hollow #3
Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson's book shop.
Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn't need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?
Nola Leary would like nothing more than to stay in Ireland working at her family's clinic, but after giving her promise to her grandmother on her deathbed, she finds herself travelling to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky. She needs to find four artifacts that were given to her grandfather who she's never met before her family loses their magic. Problem is that her grandfather has passed away and no one knows where the artifacts are now. Even worse, her sexy neighbor is serving as a terrible distraction. She's got a someone back home so she doesn't need the complication of his constant lack of shirt and washboard abs. Avoiding him may not be easy but if she's to have any hope at saving her family's magic she'll have to. Thank goodness this witch has more than a few things up her sleeve.
I really love Nola's character. Her entire world had been turned upside down and she's been set upon this seemingly impossible task that brings up personal issues for her, and yet she stays determined to do what it takes to save her family's magic, no matter the personal cost. She's also hit with countless roadblocks along the way, but she stays strong throughout, only further endearing her to me. Speaking of roadblocks, one of them is in the form of her oh so sexy and distracting neighbor, Jed. I really loved watching the pull and play as she was determined not to fall for him, because A, she has someone back home (even though their relationship is rocky at best) and B, she's determined to find the artificial and get back home as soon as she can. There just isn't time for monkey business. Or so she thought. It doesn't take long for his charms to start wearing her down, and I have to say I was glad for it. The dynamic between them was really steamy, which I loved, but it was also really sweet, making it rather refreshing honestly. I love a good sexy story just as much as the next gal, but sometimes it is nice to see the sweeter side mixed in as well, and these two really fit the bill.
As much as I loved the previous spin off book it was a bit sad for me to part from Jane and company, so I was really happy to see them play a much larger role this time around. They are such a crazy, kooky, and rather rowdy bunch, but they are fiercely loyal to each other. Since they quickly accepted Nola into their fold, this allowed this dynamic come right back into play. Trust me, if you want to have half a chance at surviving Half-Moon Hollow you'll need to get on this group's good side pronto. Of course being accepted into that family also means you will be mercilessly tormented and teased at every available moment, but hey that's what family is for right? I especially loved Andrea's consequence at losing a bet. Priceless. There are so many more hilarious moments that I could share, but I'll let you experience them for yourselves.
In true Molly Harper style, A WITCH'S HANDBOOK OF KISSES AND CURSES had more laugh out loud moments than not. I cannot count the number of times I received funny looks from my family as I would burst out laughing while reading this book, but it was completely worth it. If you are looking for a fun, light hearted paranormal read, then A WITCH'S HANDBOOK OF KISSES AND CURSES is perfect for you.
(Received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss)
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Previous Books:
- Driving Mr. Dead
- The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires
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