Provoked by Rebecca Zanetti (Dark Protectors #5)

 

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Kensington

My Copy: NetGalley

A TIME FOR WAR…
A casualty of the war between the demons and the vampires, Jase Kayrs has been missing for six long years. His older brothers want answers—but they’re going to have to get them from an unlikely source. For when Kane Kayrs tracks down Amber Freebird, what he finds is a blonde, vegan pacifist who has no intention of using her skills in his war…

A TIME FOR LOVE…

Amber enjoys her life of chaotic freedom and has no intention of falling in line just because a sexy-as-sin vampire insists on order. Unfortunately, he discovers she may be the only hope they have of finding his brother, and there’s no way he’s going to let her go—even if it means mating her to gain her cooperation. The two are as different as can be, yet when the dominant Kane and the untamed Amber finally unite to rescue Jase, they just may find that opposites really do attract…

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I have been a fan of Rebecca’s work for quite some time. I actually received an ARC of book one, Fated, way back when and from that moment on I’ve been hooked. As with any series there is going to be ups and downs, as was the case with the last book that I just couldn’t get into. Going into this one I was leery because I had problems with book four and it really upset me. Nothing sucks more then not connecting with a character in a series you adore. So going into this one I wanted so much to get back to my original feelings on the series. I’m happy to report that I totally did!

Kane is the brainy brother of the Kayrs family and mostly prefers to stay on the sidelines and work in his labs. His wicked smarts, diligence and brutal fighting ability make him a fierce competitor but his guilt weighs heavily on shoulders. He’s a typical alpha male. He takes everything to heart and thinks everyone is his responsibility. The capture of their brother Jase weighs on them all but Kane the worst. At least in his eyes. His sole mission is to get him back at all costs. Now he has a lead on his whereabouts and the only thing standing in his way is one lone female who has no idea of the power she wields.

Amber is everything Kane is not. She’s free and untamed and completely untapped in the power department. She balks at the very notion of anything paranormal, especially faced with the reality that she isn’t completely normal herself. Watching her come to terms with her unusual demon hunting ability was awesome. I loved how her reactions to everything were what I would consider normal. None of that “I’m a demon hunter? Ok, let’s go kick some butt…” stuff. She had reservations that any normal person would have when put in such a weird position. Especially her because she was a complete pacifist and animal lover. Pairing her with a scientist was a classic case of opposites attract. I loved how Kane was both the brains and the brawn even if he was a bit stunted in the feelings department. Alphas generally are anyway.

I enjoyed all the other Kayrs brothers in Provoked and thought Zanetti did an excellent job solidifying their brotherhood. I’m really starting to get impatient for Janie’s story though I know that will be the last book. The precocious child has grown into a lovely young woman as the books have progressed. Her part in the ending of the war is still yet to be determined but as she’s grown so have the two young men who will ultimately fight for her in the final good vs. evil battle royale. Of course I think we have at least one more book before that happens because poor Jase needs a happy ending (snort) too. After being a prisoner of war for years and having his mental capacity tested continually, his fractured spirit needs some healing.

At the end of book four I was sad because I didn’t connect. At the end of Provoked I was still sad but only because it ended and I wasn’t ready for that yet. Rebecca Zanetti will engage and delight readers again and again with her emotionally connected characters and all encompassing story arcs!

I give Provoked by Rebecca Zanetti 4 stars! 

Consumed by Rebecca Zanetti ( Dark Protectors #4 )

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Kensington – ebook only

My Copy: Sent

Sometimes You Mate For Life

Katie Smith is the best of her class, part of an elite hunting force trained to eliminate werewolves from the hills of Western Virginia. She’s good at it because she has the kind of focus and drive that won’t back down no matter how steep the odds. Call it southern sass. Whatever it is, there’s no denying her willingness to risk everything for the only man she’s ever cared about–a man on the verge of losing his very humanity. . .

Sometimes You Mate To Stay Alive

For the past ten years Jordan Pride has dedicated his life to protecting his people from a deadly shifter virus. But in a rare moment of distraction, Jordan’s guard drops just long enough for his fate to take an irreversible twist. Unless the woman he loves surrenders everything to him, again and again, under a full moon rising. . .

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Welcome back to the exciting world that Rebecca Zanetti weaves for her readers! Always action packed and filled with alpha males that make a woman pant with need. Consumed has been a book that has been a long time coming in this series. It features Katie, an infected shifter who can no longer shift and Jordan her childhood savior turned love interest. These two have been dancing around each other for years, never able to fully connect but each wanting to.

Since finding her as a cub Jordan has felt a pull to Katie he can’t understand. As she grew into a woman he became acutely aware that they were meant to be together but his fierce determination to keep her safe over ruled his desires to have her as a mate. Now that he has been infected by the Kurjan disease that is slowly turning him into a werewolf he feels any relationship they may have had is doomed.

While both Katie and Jordan feel the connection they share only Katie is willing to initiate it. I wanted Jordan to be more forward with her then he apparently wanted to be. With only Katie going after him it felt a bit one sided, at least in the beginning of the book. Since this has been a slow burning romance from the beginning of the series, and since so much time has passed between books (10 yrs from book 3 to 4) I think I wanted something a bit more explosive that what was written. It felt a bit anti-climactic. Had Zanetti not set them up so high in the previous books I think I would have felt this was fine…but that bar….it was oh so high.

I did enjoy the addition of Katie’s two friends, Baye and Lance and what they brought to the story. I have always enjoyed the pack camaraderie and the feeling each member shares with each other. It’s like a family unit without actually being related. In fact that whats I enjoy most about the vampires too. Even though most of the vampires in this series are actually brothers, in other books that may not be the case.  I also loved the emotions involved with Katie rediscovering her lioness. It felt powerful and I rejoiced with her in her discovery. I also liked how her feelings for Jordan were integral in her finding the power within herself again. That the power to shift was in her mating to the one man she had always needed and turned to.  It felt like a circle finally completing a full rotation. And in the end she was left staring at the one man she had started staring at in the beginning. Her own salvation was within Jordan. I just wished I had gotten the same feelings from Jordan.

The passage of time, while justifiable to the story line, can make things a bit hard to follow. The little girl Janie (the key to the end of the war) is becoming a woman and with that knowledge comes a terrible price she’s not sure she is willing to pay. Her innocence has been replaced with a resolution that no matter what the future holds, her place is secure. She, along with one dark and one light warrior, will bring an end to the war. How and at what cost can’t be foreseen. I am hoping against hope that when Janie finally gets her book that I don’t feel like I did about Katie and Jordan. It’s going to be a lot to live up to. Kalin (the Kurjan warrior) is so evil and yet there is still this spark of humanity that seems to emerge when Janie is near. Though Kalin tells himself he is doing it for her role in the coming ending of the war, I have to wonder if he truly cares for her in some way. Maybe even a way he can’t fully understand. Zane seems the likely hero as he has protected Janie from Kalin in her dreams for so long though he is reluctant to come forth in her waking life. I am so looking forward to when they meet in real life…it will be epic.

Things have changed everywhere since book 3, the world is different, the Kurjans are stronger and the end is nearing. The characters from past books all make appearances and the foreshadowing for future books is enough to drawl the reader back.  While I wasn’t completely on board with Katie and Jordan’s relationship the book is a definite read for the incredible world building alone! Zanetti can weave a world and entice readers like no other! Lovers of the Dark Protector series will undoubtedly share my opinion

This book is only available (at least for now) in ebook. Which seems weird that a publishing house would do that in the middle of the series. The first 3 full books are available in both ebook and print. There is one novella that is ebook as well. I’m not sure what further books in the series will be available in yet.

I give Consumed by Rebecca Zanetti 3.75 stars! 

Hunted by Rebecca Zanetti (Dark Protectors #3)

Available: April 24th 2012 Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Kensington

My Copy: Sent

Moira Dunne is a witch – the quantum physics kind. Time and space are her playthings. Which might explain why her one-night stand from a hundred years ago has turned up to “claim” her – and request her family’s assistance with the war he’s brewing. But the more she learns about Connlan Kayrs, the more she comes to think this is normal behaviour for him…When Conn and Moira tumbled on the moonlit grass, Conn hadn’t meant to mark her as his mate for all time. She was only twenty! But it wasn’t easy to wait for her. It was even harder to forget her. So when he finally returns for his wicked-hot witch, he’s ready to let the sparks fly. Even if he burns up in flames…

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100 years ago Moira was accidentally marked by the vampire warrior Conlan in a burst of passion so bright it nearly made her weep. After Con disappeared Moira found it easy to convince herself that he never wanted her and wouldn’t be coming back for a mate he never intended on having. The war between vampires and Kurjans is heating up and suddenly Con is back in Moira’s life. He claims for good but Moira is the seventh sister to the seventh sister and is a powerful witch now. She doesn’t need a possessive overbearing mate screwing with her life.

Leaving Moira so many years ago was the hardest thing Con has ever done. Except maybe staying gone all those years. He knew she needed time to learn and hone her powers but Con desperately wanting to go back. Now that the war is upon him and his brothers, a mate disease is running rampant and the witches are being threatened, Con can finally go claim what is rightfully his. Not a moment to soon either because someone has their sights set on Moira and no one close to her is exactly what they seem.

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*Le sigh* I. Love. This. Series. So. Much! Rebecca Zanetti is a friggin genius and if I lived in her state I’d be her new bestie. Ok…wait…that sounds stalkerish. Let’s start over. I love this series and it just keeps getting better and better! I think Zanetti is hitting her stride and I for one hope she can keep up the steam.

Conlan and Moira have been brewing a long time. There has been hints of Con’s past within the last books and when I heard Hunted would be his book I was ecstatic! Zanetti didn’t let me down either. I fell in love with Con and Moira on page one. Moira with her feisty and “I can handle everything” attitude and Con always wanting to protect his very capable mate. ALPHA – you know me people…love them. Love them like whoa!

The connection I felt between Con and Moira was rivaled only by the connection I felt to the entire book. I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. Moira felt the weight of the world being the seventh sister in her coven. Her power level was off the charts and I thought that since she mated (even accidentally) with a vampire, it was a cool twist that they ended up sharing some of their powers with each other. It was a unique twist and I do love twists. Con was about as masculine as he could be, which I expected, but I enjoyed the heat level between him and Moira. Even at the beginning when Moira was fighting her attraction you could just tell she still had feelings for him after all those years. Con’s guilt at leaving her for 100 years was necessary but his insistence that he didn’t want to, that it was hard on him, was so sweet.

The science behind the usage of witch powers is both unique and well thought out. I liked the explanations of the application of physics in doing magic and even though I don’t understand a lot of it (I’m a DUH science type person. As in duhhhhhhhhhhh what?) I thought Zanetti’s explanations were so completely different then the standard “shes’s a witch, she does magic” that it really makes this series stand out from other paranormal romance series.

I enjoyed the continuation of the big picture story ARC with the war between, well most everyone, and the Kurjans. The brief looks in on the Kalin and his grisly outlook was very entertaining. To be so young (teenager) and so filled with such hate, it made me shudder. I wonder though, Kalin has brief glimpses of humanity, and what will that mean for the future. Though the feelings never stay, I wonder if being around Janie, the sweet seer child, might be rubbing off on him in some way. Since Janie, Kalin and Janie’s friend Kane are supposedly supposed to be the key players in the coming war, I wonder what the outcome will be. I truly believe Kalin isn’t all bad but has only been molded that way and still can see right and wrong in some degree.

Hunted is an exciting continuation of a story I love! When I finish each book I feel sad and anxious for the next one to come out and that is a mark of an excellent series for this reader. Zanetti weaves an enchanting story with Hunted that is sure to please paranormal romance lovers everywhere!

I give Hunted by Rebecca Zanetti 5 stars! 

Rebecca Zanetti Guest Post and GIVEAWAY

Hi all! It’s wonderful to be back here at Ramblings…I LOVE this site! Yes, I’m a regular. In fact, my very first review (EVER) was posted here by Nikki. It was a review for Fated. I feel like I can let my hair down a little bit here and be myself.

Someone asked me the other day about what the heck was up with Alpha males. I mean, women are smart, independent, able to leap large buildings in a single bound…so do we really like Alpha males?

Ummm….YES. We really like Alpha males. Here are ten reasons why:

1) They protect us from the bad guys. Sure, our heroines leap into danger with a knife in one hand and a gun in the other. Me in real life? Uh, no. I’m standing behind the guy with the gun, clutching his shirt, and peeking around his tight, hot, six-pack of an abdomen. There’s something sexy about a guy who’d die for you. Really.

2) They want us. Yeah, when six and a half feet of muscle packed male flares his nostrils and gives us the ‘come here’ gesture with one finger…that’s hot. I don’t care how many PhD’s a gal has, when a tough guy wants you…it’s knee weakening.

3) They can bench press us. I like a smart guy as much as the next girl. But I like a tough, strong guy, too. They need to be strong to get the car off us if we’re in a wreck. Hey, it could happen.

4) They’re possessive and loyal. An Alpha male is loyal to his love…to the point of being too possessive. But a true Alpha who knows who he is and who he loves…will never stray. There’s no other gal for him. Now that kind of security rocks!

5) Alpha males are intelligent. Yeah, I know I just said they’re tough. But your favorite heroes? They’re smart. Smart enough to thwart the bad guy rights before they kick ass. Intelligence is sexy.

6) They’re emotionally strong. They have to be. Our heroines are smart, brilliant, and determined. The hero has to be just as smart and emotionally strong to be a match for the heroine. The Alpha is the entire package, baby.

7) They take charge. I know, as modern women, we’re not supposed to like a guy to take charge. But, if we’re in the middle of an ambush and the bad guys want me, I’d like a guy with knowledge and experience to get us the heck out of there. Me throwing my tennis shoe at the bad guy probably wouldn’t save me. The hero with his muscles and great brain…would. J

8) They’re confident. I don’t care who you are, sometimes it’s nice to kick back and not have to worry about the day, whether you’re being attacked by werewolves or just planning a picnic. The confident guy will figure it out while we read a nice romance novel.

9) They’re comfortable in their own skin. Really, how awesome would this be? They’re 100% comfortable and confident. As a woman in today’s society, it’s often tough to feel like that since most of us are not a size 0. I’m not even close. But our Alpha? Yeah, he is comfortable.

10) They’re gods in bed. Yeah, I went there. The Alpha can go forever, for several times, day or night. He’s hot, possessive, and dominant. And…he’s completely devoted to making it the best night of your life, because he wants to keep you forever. SIGH.

Well, I’d like to thank Nikki for having me over today, and I’d also like to thank Kelly Mueller for setting up this awesome blog tour for Hunted. I’d like to give away a physical copy of either Fated or Claimed to a commenter here today. What do you like about an Alpha male?

Contest open until 11:59pm EST  4/26/12 with winner announced the next day. International entries OK

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BIO: Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about vampires and science. She is a member of RWA and several of its chapters and has won awards for her works throughout the industry.

Her favorite movie is “Life with Father” and her favorite book is “Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenters.” She has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho. Please visit Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccazanetti.com/

Please drop by my facebook page and like: http://www.facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.Author.FanPage

HUNTED BLURB:

Ready or Not

Moira Dunne is a witch–the quantum physics kind. Time and space are her playthings. Which might explain why her one-night stand from a hundred years ago has turned up to “claim” her–and request her family’s assistance with the war he’s brewing. But the more she learns about Connlan Kayrs, the more she comes to think this is normal behavior for him…

There’s Nowhere to Hide

When Conn and Moira tumbled on the moonlit grass, Conn hadn’t meant to mark her for his mate for all time. She was only twenty! But it wasn’t easy to wait for her. It was even harder to forget her. So when he finally returns for his wicked-hot witch, he’s ready to let the sparks fly. Even if he burns up in flames…

BUY: Amazon/ B&N

Tempted by Rebecca Zanetti (Dark Protectors #2.5)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Kensington

My Copy: Bought

CONSTANT DANGER

On the run from a mental institution and her vindictive half-brother, it’s safe to say that Sarah Pringle’s happy life as a schoolteacher is on hold. Too bad that as far as self-defense goes, “run and hide” is the best she’s got. And with the monsters that started her escape hot on her heels, that’s not going to cut it for long…

INSTANT LUST

That is, unless Sarah has a bigger, badder, hotter monster on her side. Max Petrovsky is right at the top of the list of alpha male ass-kickers. And he knows exactly what Sarah’s up against. Good thing, because the minute he sees her something primal kicks in, turning everyday attraction into red-hot desire. As long as they’re cooperating, why not mix some pleasure with business? Of course, Max should probably tell Sarah he’s a vampire himself…

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Bodyguard and warrior, Max always gets his man. In this case he’s not after a man though, he’s after a scared woman on the run. Sarah knows what she saw and what she saw was a vampire attack. Labeled as crazy and shut away she escapes only to run into the one thing everyone tells her isn’t real…..a vampire. Except Max doesn’t want to kill her, he claims to want to help her if she’ll help him. He and his band of vampire brothers need access to a lab only Sarah can get them into. Does Sarah dare help Max, a being she should be afraid of? And if she should be so afraid, why does her body ignite every time he even looks her way? Max knows they are destined to be together but can he keep her alive long enough to permanently seal their bond?

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The Dark Protectors series now has a novella to add along side the full length novels I have come to love and count among my favorite series of all time! Generally a novella is meant to tide over voracious readers while they wait for the full length novels to come out. Sometimes with a year between books authors will rely on the novella to hold the interest of readers and bring them back to the series with each new release. Book 2 of the Dark Protectors series, Claimed came out in Oct of 2011. Tempted was just released March 27th and book 3, Hunted, comes out on the 24th of this month. So the novella seems to be a bit late to tide people over but you won’t find this reader complaining. I will take peeks into this series anytime Rebecca wants to share them with me.

This novella showcases Max, Janie’s warrior bodyguard and his transition from deadly assassin to protective but lovable babysitter.  A loner for years Max isn’t sure he can be the protector Dage wants him to be and connect with the little girl. Though Janie seems instantly at ease with him, Max doesn’t assimilate as quickly but eventually become a best friend to the little seer. After several months he is sent on a mission to find a woman who may have the answers the vampires seek, access to a lab that created a protein to help in the battle against the diseases attacking their mates. Problem is, Sarah has been labeled as crazy because she witnessed a Kurjan attack and she’s on the run from them, her half brother who wants complete control over the pharmaceutical company they run and the hospital she escaped from.

From the moment they meet Max and Sarah feel the undeniable connection between them. That alpha instinct I’ve come to love in this series comes roaring full force into Max and he just knows she is his. Though she has no idea that Vampires/Kurjans are real or different, she adjusts quickly upon finding out the truth and embraces Max with everything she has. Coincidentally she’s also is a teacher and just what Max needs to help with Janie and all the other shifter children and soon to be vampire kids.

Her access to the pharmaceutical company and her half brothers duplicity with the Kurjans becomes the problem at the forefront. Sarah, though she is constantly passing out from shock which got annoying, takes everything in stride. She holds together fairly well, aside from the passing out of course and I did generally like her character. I found myself chuckling at her feeble attempts at fighting. I really hope that Max teaches that woman to land some effective blows because while she tried her best to be a viable opponent, she is really weak in that area. Very…human. I also laughed at Max’s attempt to NOT mate her because he was concerned for her safety with the mate disease seemingly run rampant. I kept thinking, uh, since when can they stop it? I mean Conn mated by accident according to the other brothers (something that will be delved into in book 3, Hunted). So certainly, if a mating could be stopped then Conn wouldn’t have mated his witch. Max seems insistent though and because he was thinking only of her safety I have to love him for it. Even if it was inevitable.

A solid novella giving us a peek into one of the most amazing series I’ve ever read! I’m so glad that Zanetti seems to be able to write the full length novels and then switch easily into novella mode.

I give Tempted by Rebecca Zanetti 4 stars! 

Claimed by Rebecca Zanetti (Dark Protectors #2)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Brava

My Copy: Sent

A Daring Rescue

Emma Paulsen is a geneticist driven by science. But she’s also a psychic, so when a dark, good-hearted vampire frees her from the clutches of the evil Kurjans, she realizes he must be the man who’s been haunting her dreams. But with a virus threatening vampires’ mates, Emma may discover a whole new meaning of “lovesick”. . .

A Deadly Decision

As King of the Realm, Dage Kayrs has learned to practice diplomacy. Still, it’s taken three hundred years to find his mate, so he’ll stop at nothing to protect her—even if it means turning his back on his own kind. . .

Dage, as king of the Realm, has the incredibly important job of keeping his race and other paranormals safe from the Kurjans. Those intent of kidnapping human with special abilities, so they can breed with them. One such woman is Emma, a brilliant scientist who may hold the key to unraveling a devastating illness affecting other mates and breeding women.

Faced with startling revelations that she is Dages impending Queen and the even more startling, she wants him…Emma can’t decide what to do. Does she go with her heart and become a breeding mate, even if Dage does set her body on fire by merely glancing at her? Does she go with her mind and focus on solving the genetic mystery surrounding everyone she loves? Or can she do both without losing herself in the process?

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I don’t know about anyone else, but I waited for this book with bated breath! When it showed up everything else in my TBR pile suddenly disappeared and this one became my sole focus. I was not let down! I loved Claimed nearly as much as I loved the first book, Fated. Rebecca Zanetti seems to be able to catch my attention and hold me enraptured throughout the process. Never a dull moment. Always sexy.

Dage was scary hot. He often referred to Emma as “mate’ which I found incredibly sexy. There is just something about a big, scary hulk of a man calling his woman “mate” in such a sexy domineering way. Yes, it’s over the top, yes its extremely dominate but I love it. I think it works because of the females. They may waver at the beginning, try to run from the emotional connection they are fighting within, but in the end they give themselves over to what I can only describe as magical.

I enjoyed Emma a lot. I loved her protective streak and thought her willingness to try to shield Cara was endearing. Her ability as a geneticist was a perfect addition and of course worked well with the story line of a blood disease and DNA issues. Having said all that she got on my nerves with her wavering on becoming a mate to Dage. She had to have known the day was coming since she’d been seeing this man in her dreams for years. Yet when they finally come together she tells him constantly she is leaving. I knew she’d never leave her sister there with Talen and so I thought her posturing was a bit over the top…she was going to stay.

Claimed furthers the secondary story lines with all the other Kayrs brothers (and some others) and it only sealed my excitement for the next one! I can’t wait to learn more about the individual brothers and the cat sifters. The Kurjans are a formidable foe and their methods are scary. I shudder to think of when their young prodigy grows up what will happen to Cara’s (and Emmas niece) extremely powerful daughter Janie. I love her innocent, yet wise beyond her years, additions to the book. She provides much needed information when the brothers don’t know where else to go. I look forward to watching her progression through out the series since the brothers are so protective of her.

Emma and Dage burn through each and every page! His push and her pull creating an incredible friction that lights the page on fire! Rebecca Zanetti combines excellent story telling and incredible world building to give readers a sexy thrill ride wrought with action they won’t forget!

I give Claimed by Rebecca Zanetti 5 stars!

Winners of the Rebecca Zanetti contest!

 

Time to post some winners!

Congratulations to:

Chris Bails

Barb P

They both win signed copies of:

And the winner of the signed ARC of Claimed goes to:

Martha!

*winners picked by random.org Watch your emails b/c you will be getting one shortly which you have 48 hrs to reply to with your address*

THANKS EVERYONE!!

Rebecca Zanetti Guest Post and GIVEAWAY

Today I have a very special guest and an incredibly generous giveaway to tell everyone about. Last year I had the chance to grab an early copy of a book by a brand new author titled, Fated. Fated was the first book in a series from Rebecca Zanetti. I FELL IN LOVE! I think Fated is the only book I’ve ever given 5 stars out of 4 to. Rebecca is here today (SQUEAL) so I will let her take it away. I will be over here in the corner quietly freaking out that she’s here. Don’t mind me….

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Nikki was kind enough to let me guest blog today as a precursor to the Claimed blog tour that begins in the middle of September.  Thanks, Nikki!
So…I saw a bear this weekend.  We were camping, and he strolled into the river just a few yards from me.  Big, brown and walking upright.  It occurred to me…life is weird.  You never really know what’s going to happen—which is how I write.
Nikki asked me to talk about writing a series.  She asked specifically if I plot the entire series out or if I have to go back and add/tweak earlier scenes as I go along.  I’m a tweaker.  So many times I have to go back and add to a story that’s a work in progress.  And so often I’m stuck with the world in an earlier book that I’ve created that could just be little bit different to make the newest book perfect.  But that’s just another challenge in writing, isn’t it?
Some authors plot the entire series arc out before they write the first sentence.  That is great for them.  Other authors have no clue what’s even on the second page when they start the first.  Sounds exciting.
Some of us have a glimmer of what might happen…maybe.  For example, I know how the Dark Protector’s Series ends…why one of my characters (Janie) is the key to the entire war.  But I didn’t figure that out until the middle of writing book two, which is Claimed.  Sometimes things just fall into place.  (I also don’t know at this point if the final book will be book seven or book nine.  We’ll see).
I find it helpful to keep some mystery in earlier books.  If you’re creating an entirely new world, you don’t have to do it all in book one.  Leave some freedom for yourself in writing the later books.  In Claimed, there’s an entirely new species of bad guys introduced.  Also, in writing a series, keep in mind that everything that happened in earlier books is backstory in the current book.  You don’t need it all.  In fact, if you find yourself explaining…stop.  The reader only needs to know what’s relevant for the book in their hands.
For me, writing is like camping.  I truly don’t know what’s on the other side of the river.  It could be my cousin Jill with a brand new lemonade dispenser that somehow has the perfect blend of lemon to vodka.
Or it could be a bear.

PreOrder: Amazon/B&N

A Daring Rescue

Emma Paulsen is a geneticist driven by science. But she’s also a psychic, so when a dark, good-hearted vampire frees her from the clutches of the evil Kurjans, she realizes he must be the man who’s been haunting her dreams. But with a virus threatening vampires’ mates, Emma may discover a whole new meaning of “lovesick”. . .

A Deadly Decision

As King of the Realm, Dage Kayrs has learned to practice diplomacy. Still, it’s taken three hundred years to find his mate, so he’ll stop at nothing to protect her—even if it means turning his back on his own kind. . .

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Claimed will be released on November 1st and is available for preorder now.  So…I’d love to give away two signed copies of Fated (Book 1) and one signed ARC of Claimed (Book 2) to commenters today.  Comment about anything.  Do you like reading a series?  Have you ever seen a bear up close?  Is writing like camping or is it more like golf?  Or just say hi.

*OPEN INTERNATIONALLY AND UNTIL 11:59EST 9-16-11*

Marry Me

Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But “whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem. . .

Or Else

Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice. . .

BUY: Amazon/B&N

Spring Carnival Blog Hop WINNER

Ok…that’s a mouth full huh? But seriously, I want to thank everyone that entered the contest. I’ve never wanted to be rich more then I do now. If I was I would buy every one of you a prize! I hope each of you sticks around and continues to drop by. I can’t wait till I hear of another blog hop to be involved in. Until then, lots of books to read, and not much time to read them!

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So, on to the good stuff…the WINNER!!!

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Comment #36: DENISE!

“Wow this is great. I found your site through another blog and have signed up for your email blog. I love finding folks with like interests in books and a bit of a sense of humor. Thank you for participating in the Spring Blog Carnival giveaway, what a treat to find new folks and possibly win books – could it get any better! I look forward to receiving your blog and thank you for your efforts.”

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Denise is getting a copy of one of my favorite books, Fated by Rebecca Zanetti…AND…she gets to pick out her own book as well from thebookdepository.com!

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The book she picked is…

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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*Winner picked by random.org*

Spring Blog Hop Giveaway!

Hello everyone!!! I am a part of the MASSIVE Spring Blog Hop hosted in part by Pure Imagination. Over 200 blogs including mine have got together and are offering up some excellent giveaways and contests! This is the biggest blog hop I’ve ever been a part of and so I am extremely excited to do it! My giveaway is two parts and is open to anywhere thebookdepository.com will deliver!

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PART ONE:

A copy of one of my favorite books with an extremely alpha male: FATED by Rebecca Zanetti…I absolutely LOVED this book. I gushed about it in my review of it HERE. This is book one of her new series!

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Cara Paulsen does not give up easily.  A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter.  But “Whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous stranger with an attitude problem…

Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and her daughter.  He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire.  Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice…

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PART TWO:

The second part of my giveaway is simple, you can pick one additional book from thebookdepository.com up to $12. Any book at all. So you get one of my favorite books and one that you’ve been dying to gobble up yourself!

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THE RULES TO ENTER:

This is the rules part of my game. To enter you need to be at least 18 yrs old. You also need to follow me somehow. Here are the places you can choose from: email subscription, network blogs list, google reader, OR my facebook fan page. All links are at the right hand side of my blog page. I don’t have google friend connect. Sorry. Blame wordpress.com for not allowing java. You must then leave me a comment telling me how you follow and a email address for me to get in touch with you.

*If you want a extra entry you can follow me on Twitter…this ONLY counts for an extra entry. *

To get back to the participating blog list simply click on the banner at the top of this post