Guest post with author Cara Marsi + givaway

When Setting Is a Character

Can setting be a character in a story? You bet. Some places naturally are so exotic, exciting and beautiful that they cry out to star in a movie or book.

I’ve read books, wonderful books, set in faraway places. But the settings served only as a backdrop. I’ve always been a little disappointed that I didn’t learn more about the locale during the stories. I love stories where the setting is the framework, especially when the story is set in a beautiful place I want to visit or one I want to revisit.

When I traveled to Rome, Italy, in 2006, my second trip there, I was again blown away by the city’s beauty, vibrancy and history. All four of my grandparents came from Italy, so the country itself holds meaning for me.

Rome was bustling as always that June, especially with World Cup fever all around. We stayed at a hotel on one of the most popular and crowded streets, Via Corsi. Trevi Fountain was a short walk away. The Pantheon was around the corner. And so was an amazing gelato shop where we bought too many luscious gelatos, the Italian ice cream. Yum. Kiwi Melon was my favorite. My husband and I ate at least two gelatos a day. Good thing we walked all over the city to shed those extra calories.

Italy is magical and begs to be its own character in books and movies. As we walked the ancient cobbled streets of Rome, ate amazing food (saffron gnocchi with fresh-shaved truffles, anyone?) and drank lots of delicious wine, I just knew I had to set a story there. And I knew the richness of Rome could never fade into the background. It had to be a character.

In the fall of 2009, The Wild Rose Press announced a new romantic suspense series, Jewels of the Night. The stories could be set anywhere in the world, but had to involve a stolen blue diamond. The proverbial light bulb went off in my head. I’d write a romantic suspense set in Rome. My novella, Murder, Mi Amore, was released in December 2010.

Imagine if you were a young American woman vacationing in Rome to get over a painful breakup, and your Roman holiday is suddenly disrupted by jewel thieves, murder, and one very hot and mysterious Italian guy who may or may not be involved with the strange goings on around you.

That’s the premise of Murder, Mi Amore. Rome and other parts of Italy are as important to my story as my hero and heroine, Dominic and Lexie. Every scene in Murder, Mi Amore is authentic. Even the meals Lexie ate are the same ones we enjoyed on our trip. The hotel on the Via Corsi where Lexie stays is the one where we stayed. I remember well how I felt as I shouldered my way through the throngs of tourists and natives on Via Corsi. I use these feelings to describe Lexie as she makes her way on this same street after she buys the handbag that launches her wild adventure. When Lexie is dragged through dark and narrow streets by her would-be kidnapper, I pictured the little alleyways dotting Rome.

As I wrote about Lexie and Dominic meeting for the first time at Trevi Fountain, I could hear the chattering of the crowds and the snap of cameras and feel the sun’s heat. I could almost taste the wine Lexie orders. When you see pictures of this iconic fountain, it looks as if it’s in the middle of a very wide street. Nope. It’s set in a corner of a narrow cobblestoned street.

While writing Murder, Mi Amore I was once again in Rome – running my fingers over the walls of the Coliseum, tramping through the Ancient Roman Forum, eating luscious pizza and drinking rich red wine at outdoor cafes while motor scooters darted around us.

A chapter in Murder, Mi Amore is set in the Abruzzo town where my grandparents were raised. Writing that chapter brought me back to the beautiful, mountainous, rural region of my ancestors. On our trip, we traveled the same road to Abruzzo as Lexie and Dominic. However, unlike them, no one was trying to run us off the road into a deep ravine.

Could my story have taken place anywhere else? Yes, but I would have lost a major character – an exciting and exotic character, and one a little bit dangerous.

Thank you, Laurie, for hosting me today. And thank you, Kris, for your wonderful review of Murder, Mi Amore.

Check out the video for Murder, Mi Amore:

Visit me online at:  www.caramarsi.com

And on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/carolynmatkowsky

Cara will be give away one PDF of Murder, Mi Amore to a commenter


Giveaway rules and policy

Anitra Lynn McLeod's character interview with Captian Jace Lawless

My interview with Captain Jace Lawless took place at a local watering hole. In deference to his need for privacy, I won’t say where. Jace is tall with curly black hair and the most incredible green eyes. He’s dressed simply in a button down shirt, loose fitting trousers, and square-toed boots. His hips are crossed by a worn leather double-holster, slung low. He greets me formally with a handshake that’s firm but not crushing. He waits until I’m seated then sits in the chair next to me. As we speak, his gaze is subtly roving over the people in the bar. He doesn’t appear concerned, just aware. We make idle chit chat and then I launch into my questions.

How do you balance your criminal activities with your strong honorable streak?

Talk about jumping in head first. (Jace laughs and tips his head back.) I don’t hurt innocents and although I have stolen things, I’ve never stolen from folks in need.

Have you ever made deals you regret?

Who hasn’t? But I try to avoid things like that. I guess everyone does, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to survive.

I understand IWOG officers killed your family--

I won’t talk about them. If you push, I’ll go.

(Unsure whether he means his family or the IWOG I move on)Your crew--can I ask about them?

I recon so. (Jace crosses his arms over his chest)

You’ve known Garrett the longest?

He’s a good man. Best engineer on the Fringe.


Where did you meet your pilot, Bailey?

I won him in a card game.

Are you serious?

Dead serious. The man didn’t know what he had until Bailey was gone. (Jace leans closer and drops his voice) That boy can make my ship do things that Garrett swears are theoretically impossible. Bailey says he just learned different theories.

You sound very proud of him, almost like a father.(For a brief moment Jace looks pleased but a terrible sadness fills his gaze. When he looks away, I quickly ask another question.) I understand that you have two whores on your ship.

(Jace utters a rueful laugh) I suppose I do.

(I get a feeling there’s a lot more to that rumor but I sense he won’t give details.) So, do you wear boxers or briefs?

I, uh . . . no. I’m not going to answer that. (Jace turns bright red, which makes him three times as handsome as he was before.)

In your line of work I guess there’s not a lot of leisure time. When you do have free time, what do you like to do?

I spend time alone in my bunk.

(His gaze meets mine. When I raise my eyebrows, like I’m asking him to expand on that, he blushes so hard it must hurt.)

I spend time alone contemplating, not, uh--I like to be alone to think.

(I nod but I’m left imaging him in there doing a one-handed exercise.) I hear that two of your men, both fighters, recently quit without any notice. Did that cause problems on your ship?

(Jace frowns as he considers me.) You sure hear a lot. (He takes a sip of his drink. It’s something dark but I don’t think it has any alcohol in it. Jace doesn’t seem the type.) Two turncoats left my employ to work for a feller by the name of Trickster. You best steer clear of him.


Do you steer clear of Trickster?

(Jace utters a longsuffering sigh.) If I could I would but I can’t. Dealing with him is one of those things I do to survive.

Has Trickster crossed you?

I ain’t special. Trickster crosses everyone. (Jace lifts a hand to someone in the doorway.) I have to go now, but it was nice talking to you. (He smiles but happiness doesn’t touch his eyes. I have never seen eyes that look so weary.) Take care, now.


If you’d like to ask Jace a question, post it here in the comments and I’ll do my best to get him to answer. Also, all comments on this blog post will enter you to win an advanced copy of Dark Empress!

AnitraMcLeod

Facebook

Thief

Overlord

Tomorrow's forecast is going to be extreme heat with some moon shining. Yep, you may need a cold shower after you look at and read Overlord Micheal Parker's interview. 

ARC Review Blood Drive by Traci Houston

Title: Blood Drive
Series: Tales of Otherkin
Author: Traci Houston
Authors Website:
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback
Length: Novel

When a group of vampires rises from the dark of the humid Miami summer and murders her partner, officer Cara Evens gathers a group of allies with their own unique abilities to avenge her partner's death and save the city. To succeed she'll have to accept her own changing abilities, ignore her lust for a vampire and hide the one thing her enemies need to kill them all.

Rating:

Sexual:

Dee's Thoughts:

I would like to welcome Houston to my auto buy list! That’s right I liked it so much I want more!!!!

Cara was an amazing character. She has some unique abilities which were once dormant but are now coming back to life. This character is strong, sassy and very intelligent. Did I mention kick arse? I love a heroine who can stand by her man not behind him and that is what she does. LOVED her!

Jonathan …..well…..I am still trying to sort him out. With this being book one in the series all is not revealed, naturally. This character is still quite the mystery and I am deeply intrigued.

The secondary characters, let’s just say I adore them. Beth and Mason were hilarious, but don’t let that fool you. They may know how to pick and make wise cracks, but they are also very lethal. Now, Thomas on the other hand is the somber one of the bunch. He could be termed the glass half empty kind of guy, yet I found I thoroughly enjoyed him as well. Like Jonathan, there is still much to be learned with this character.

This was a strong beginning to the series. With this being book one, Houston spends time introducing us to the world she has created, the background to some characters, and laying the ground work for the future. The storyline was strong and the action was immense, well explained, and easily pictured in my mind. I will say as a romance fan I would have liked a bit more where the relationship between Jonathan and Cara was concerned. However, I do feel Houston intends to draw us more into the characters personal relationship, but this first book just may not have been the right time.

Book two will be a definite for this reader!

Guest author Anitra Lynn McLeod. This whole weekend 15-17th

It's freaking hot outside at least it is where I live, but this weekend its going to get even hotter here on the blog. Why? Because Anitra has brought her hot hunks with her, so you can get to know them better. Oh my, *fan self* you guy's are in for treat. 


Please don't be a bit shy about chatting with Anitra, I find her fun and very user friendly ROFL. So, make sure you came back and comment *clears throat* I mean bug Anitra each day. 

Interesting facts about the Fringe

What makes the Fringe romance novels different?

There are a lot of novels about the struggle between good and evil, but the Fringe explores the fluctuating border between those two absolutes--the gray area where what looks bad might actually be good, and vice versa.

Does everyone have a unique physic ability?

In each novel at least one main character has a special skill. For instance, in Thief, Kraft can read objects with her touch. In Overlord, Michael Parker can read scents. In upcoming books I have even more unique abilities for my characters.

What inspired you to write this series?

I’ve always been a huge sci-fi fan, and I love romances too, so combining them gave me the best of both worlds.

How many books are in the series?

Right now I’ve contracted with Samhain for the first three, but I have many more planned. One of my favorite types of romances to read are the huge, sweeping historicals that span many generations. I would love to do something similar with this series. I have a burning desire to see what these character’s children will be like.

AnitraMcLeod
Facebook
Thief
Overlord

Comment and win! Comment on this blog post and the next two and you could win an advanced copy of Dark Empress!


Forecast for tomorrow. You'll find yourself all hot and bothered with  sexy hot captain Jace Lawless. Oh yeah, he's my favorite. (Laurie)

Review Lord of Shadows by Alix Rickloff

Title: Lord of Shadows (Heirs of Kilronan Trilogy #2)
Author: Alix Rickloff
Source: Received From Publisher
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 368 pgs
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Author Website
Publisher Website

Who is working the demon arts . . .

Was it her murdered father? Her fugitive brother? It has been seven years since Lady Sabrina Douglas cloistered herself with the Sisters of High Danu, but the questions remain. She is Other—a mixture of Fey and mortal—quietly using her powers to heal. That is, until she saves a half-drowned man, his soldier’s body a roadmap of scars, his fathomless eyes filled with heartbreaking loneliness. The inexplicable connection overwhelms her defenses, touching her heart, mind . . . and body.

. . . and to what end?

A man with no memory, Daigh MacLir seeks his past even as unknown threats fill him with monstrous rage and inhuman abilities. But as a desperate game of hunter and hunted is played out from ballrooms to bedrooms, what Daigh discovers is more chilling than anyone could possibly imagine. Defying death was only the first step in the task he has been given, and Sabrina is his last hope. But dare he risk involving her? Daigh has been summoned to find an ancient king, and even the powers of love may not be enough to win the battle against the powers of darkness.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

This second novel in the Heirs of Kilronan Trilogy is a wonderful paranormal romance with a good story line that combines magic, fey/human halflings, the fey, an interesting twist on the zombie theme and the legend of High King Arthur.

It was also a terribly hard book for me to read. Why? First, Rickloff has created a world that has a lot of terminology that is not explained until later in the story — in many cases, not for 30 or 90+ pages later. A quick solution would have been to provide a glossary at the beginning of the story a la Kresley Cole with her Immortals After Dark series and many other authors. Perhaps had I read the first book in the series, I would have known the terms but since this book successfully reads as a stand alone, one would not necessarily know there was a prequel to this book.

Secondly, the author's writing style is a little different in that much of the book is full of descriptive sentence fragments. It makes for a somewhat choppy read. And there is a small scene on page 21 which I feel should have been placed on page 17 before the reader's introduction to the main villain instead of afterwards.

However, the sexual chemistry between the male and female lead characters nearly jumps off the page. Since the virgin has to seduce the male lead into taking the action they both long for, there aren't many actual sex scenes but lots of steamy near misses as he falls back on his conscience. There are a couple of scenes where one of the male villains attempts to sexually assault the male lead and forces kisses on him. There is also a scene where it is so vaguely implied that this same villain actually succeeds in the sexual assault while the male lead is unconscious but I'm not exactly sure if this is what the scene was about or not.

Rickloff does a very good job of making this a historical piece which highlights the slang, mode of dress and transportation as well as the treatment of females in 16th century Ireland without the history overshadowing the story and/or the characters.

So even though it took me about a quarter of the book, approximately 100 pages, to get into the story and I struggled a little with the writing style, I still thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters. I do recommend this to paranormal romance, historical romance and urban fantasy fans who aren't afraid of a reading challenge for the reward of a good story.

Warning Spoiler Alert!!!
It does have a HEA ending.

How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling book tour review + giveaway

Title: How to Seduce a Scoundrel

Author:Vicky Dreiling

Source: received from publisher

Genre: historical romance

Format: Mass paperback

Authors website 

When Lady Julianne Gatewick realizes the rake of her dreams thinks of her as practically his sister, she decides it's time to get even. The charming Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, is every lady's fantasy, but he's determined to evade virgins and their matrimonial traps - especially his best friend's sister.

Hawk reluctantly agrees to be Julianne's guardian for the season, but he's having trouble resisting his gorgeous ward. Worse still, she's taunting him by flirting with every scoundrel in London - and he's sworn to protect her! Certain she's learned her tricks from the authoress of that scandalous publication "The Secrets of Seduction", Hawk sets out to uncover the writer's identity. But he never expects to find the formerly angelic Julianne behind the mask - and between his sheets.

Rating

Sexual

I really hate to say this, but I just didn’t care for this book. It’s not the authors writing style, I just didn’t like the story. I found it boring and dull. There was nothing remotely interesting that really happened in the book, unless you call Julianne getting drunk one night interesting or when Hawk took her to his love nest. Ooh yeah, like that was real fun Blch, not me. I wanted desperately to stop reading, but I got this for review, so I carried on.

I didn’t care for a flip flop of the heroine. First she loved Hawk then he would do something to piss her off, so she hated him and in the next freaking moment she would fall over him again UGH. This went on for the best part of the book. And don’t let me get started on when Hawk finally proposed Grrr. Even though she has loved him since she was a kid she acted more like a kid now than when she was a kid.

Hawk wasn’t bad for a scoundrel at least he kept from women during the time of his supposed to be Julianne guardian. What I didn’t care for was Hawk treating Julianne like a kid just about the whole time, it was just annoying for me.

The loves scenes between them took forever to get to them, they were wham bam thank you maam. The thing was I never really found the sexual tension between these two from the start. I love a good build up, but I never found it.

I know some of you love the tension between a coupling, but I just can’t hack it when it’s just about the whole book and no action (and I don’t mean sex LOL) to keep me distracted.

Even though I didn't like this one you may. The thing is you don't know until you try and hey, it's free so please enter. 

Thanks to the publisher I have three to giveaway. US AND CANADA only so leave a email with your comment if its not on your profile.

1 giveaway per household

Giveaway rules and policy

Review Bite with Height by Lucy Felthouse

Title: Bite with Height
Author: Lucy Felthouse
Source: Won at Paranormal Haven
Genre: Paranormal Romance f/f
Format: eNovella, 22 pgs
Release Date: June 6, 201
Author Website
Publisher Website



When Meg spots a young woman alone in the Pigalle district of Paris at night, she's intrigued. She has to know her story and find out why she looks so sad and alone. After introducing herself, Meg realizes that she and Grace have a lot in common. But when they decide to go and grab a drink together, they discover a mutual love that could bond them forever.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

Very cute, sexy, short vampire story and humorous paranormal romance.

Meg, a vampire, has taken it upon herself to clean out the criminal element in the Pigalle area of Paris.

Grace looks as if she definitely doesn't belong in this part of town. Meg is attracted to how beautiful she is as she sits all alone outside the Starbucks.

After talking together for a while, Grace admits that the boyfriend she moved to Paris with dumped her, telling her she was boring in the sack.

After a walk, Meg shows Grace her fangs. Grace asks her "So you're like a vigilante vampire? Like Blade?!" Priceless! {grin}

Sex in the dome on the top of the Sacré-Coeur building in Paris — can it get any more romantic? A few kisses and some quick F/F oral sex with a vampire bite is all there is time for in this short, 22 page eNovella.

The only thing I didn't like about this story? It was way too short. I think Ms. Felthouse could use this as the basis for a full length novel. As soon as I was finished reading the story, all these questions about the characters came to mind. That's how I know it would make a great novel.

Warning Spoiler Alert!!!!
It has a HEA ending.

Is it Paranormal Romance of Urban Fantasy? Weekend event

So many people ask me is there a difference between the two sub-genre? Yes, there is a big difference. So, I am hosting a weekend event named “Is it paranormal romance or urban fantasy?” I have three wonderful authors that are writing some great post to help us to understand the difference. I hope to help those out there that would like to know the true difference between them.  So, be here August 25^th-28^th.


Author's 
Tina Folsom Aug 25th
Gabrielle Bisset 26th
Stacey Kennedy 27th
Tessa Dawn 28th

ARC review His Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone

 His Darkest Salvation (Jaguar Warriors #3)
Juliana Stone
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Paranormal romance -shifters
Format: Mass paperback
Authors website
Release date July 26, 2011

In a world on the brink of chaos, passion and vengeance collide …

After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man. No longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness—and win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta.

Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille–bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing…

Rating

Sexual

Juliana Stone knows how to get your emotions stirring, and she brings out all the stops in His Darkest Salvation. I love reading an exciting hot ride between two enemies, so this one really hit the spot for me. This book is nothing but pure action packed and the ending will leave you panting for more.

Jaden is your typical strong female lead, but she is also a romance flip flop one minute she hates and Julian then the next she is in his pants. The thing is the author doesn’t drag this out through the whole book because these two has sense about them they talk it out. Jaden is more of a tortured heroine, but of course, she would be having an evil father, so this is where you’ll find your emotions really stir. I really felt sorry for Jaden being caught in the middle of her father and Julian who doesn’t want her.

Julian is a tormented soul now that he’s been stuck in hell, so be prepared for a fight from him when it comes to mixing with the enemy. At times I didn’t like how he treated Jaden, but with his soul slowly going away you can’t expect anything but a fight with him.

I do wish there would have been a different ending between Julian and Jaden. It a HEA, but I wanted more. After you read the epilogue you’ll be wanting the next book NOW!

This is another hit by Juliana Stone, so if you’re a regular reader of this series don’t miss this story. If you haven’t read this series please start from the beginning or you’ll miss out on way too much or you’ll find it hard to keep up.

Tainted Blood (The Dark Element Book One) by Stacey Kennedy

Title:Tainted Blood (The Dark Element Book One) 

Author: Stacey Kennedy
Source:Requested by author
Genre: Paranormal romance/Urban Fantasy
Authors website 

Recommended Reading Order - http://www.staceykennedy.com/reading-ord...

Earth Witch, Sabi, has been gifted with the ability to see premonitions of the darkness that threatens human lives. Safe in the Otherworld, she adjusts to these new visions…which isn’t going so well. Luckily, she’s got the sexy Guardian, Ryker to help her work through these visions. He’s intent to show her how to distance herself from them and help her gain control of life. Not that it’s really helping. The visions are leaving her crippled and unable to help pinpoint the killer’s locations to stop the acts from happening.

If that’s not enough to deal with, she soon begins to see vampires on a killing rampage in San Francisco. Vampires are being born and left to fend for themselves, resulting in innocent lives being taken while they’re in the throes of blood lust. But as Sabi’s visions begin to kick up a notch, personal matters need to be put aside. And as the mystery begins to unravel, Sabi will begin to see that these visions are getting far more dangerous and that humans are not the only ones at risk―she is.

Rating

Sexual

Fantastic story! Tainted blood is not only sizzling, it’s exciting. I love the passion build up between Ryker and Sabi and the action adventure story is very exciting to read. What I liked most was Sabi starts out very timid because of her powers, but she finds her strength and grows in no time. As much as I regret to say I’m not going into the storyline because this is one book you need to try for yourself.

Of course, you can read Stacey’s other books, but there’s no need just jump into this one, so you can experience the true talent of this awesome writer. Once your hooked then you’ll want to go back and try all of  her other books LOL.

This is a very exacting read that no paranormal romance or urban fantasy lover should be without.

Review The Embrace of Life and Death by Liz Strange

Title: The Embrace of Life and Death (A Dark Kiss Tale)
Author: Liz Strange
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, 220 pgs
Release Date: June 3, 2011
Author Website


Kieran is a hundred-and-twenty-year-old immortal, originally hailing from the harsh, famine-stricken life of 1880s Ireland. He has surpassed death and thrived, gaining wealth, power and knowledge. Azrael is the angel of death, but his mission is far from ominous. He is the protector of the grief-stricken and the champion of lost souls. The two are polar opposites in mission and nature, yet are inexplicably drawn to one another. The Supreme One sees all, and when he discovers the truth about the relationship he is enraged. Their commitment to be together must be stronger than his determination to keep them apart.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

What an interesting and inventive storyline! With vampires, high level angels, the Supreme One, aliens, time/reality travel, a skirmish and a strong enduring love, what's not to like in this paranormal romance? Don't let the 3 of 5 on the content rating scale create prejudice in your mind. I did enjoy this story quite a bit. What it takes to move from a 3 to a 4 or a 4 to a 5 can be such small degrees and totally arbitrary and subjective. And this review is not the place for that discussion, just please don't dismiss the book due to the 3 rating.

This is a stand alone story based on Strange's The Dark Kiss Trilogy. Not having read this series, I was glad to find that it really reads as a stand alone.

The first half of the book is told from Kiernan's first person point of view. In the second half we get Azrael's and Daniel's first person point of views in addition to Kiernan's.

Kiernan is your typical vampire; he takes the lives of those he feeds upon, he never wants for entertainment or sex and when he wants to be alone, he simply leaves. He takes the friendship he has with his roommate and best friend, Daniel, for granted. Upon meeting Azrael, Kiernan finds himself intrigued and drawn to him in a most unusual way. Finds himself lusting after Azrael in between visits which are few and far between. Kiernan has never been with a man and this actually turns him on more.

Azrael, the Angel of Death -- a huge and powerful angel, is perplexed by Kiernan. He doesn't understand what it is that makes Kiernan different from other vampires and needs to know. Azrael finds he cannot do his duty; he cannot destroy Kiernan. Being an angel, Azrael does not think in terms of male/female. He stuns Kiernan when he confesses that he has fallen in love with him.

The Supreme One, Azrael's boss, is not a nice, benevolent being. He simply cannot understand how there can be love between an angel and a vampire. He strips Azrael of his wings and powers and sends him to Kiernan in the hopes that he will change his mind. When this doesn't work, the Supreme One takes Kiernan on a Scrooge-like trip into the past to try to convince him he would have been better off not becoming a vampire. He actually leaves him in the "what might have been" reality in the past as a human.

Even though this is a m/m romance with a little bit of m/f interaction, the sexual interludes are what I consider tame. There is very little descriptive action, other than the kissing which is detailed. The rest is mostly glossed over including most of the few oral portions. Instead of the sex, love is the focus of most of the encounters. In fact if it was strictly m/f, I'd rate it a 2 of 4 on the sexual rating scale but because of the m/m, it has to carry a 4. This is not a criticism, only an attempt to assuage or alleviate the "ick" factor some may have with m/m sex. Don't let that be a concern here, read this good, sweet story to see all the obstacles true love can overcome.

Review La Luxure by C.D. Hussey

Title: La Luxure: Discover Your Blood Lust (Human Vampire #1)
Author: C.D. Hussey
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: eBook, 241 pgs
Release Date: April 15, 2011
Author Website


Deep in the heart of the French Quarter, where the Bourbon Street revelry is nothing more than a far off whisper, underground blood-bar La Luxure beckons those with darker tastes through its narrow archway.

When tourist Julia Brown stumbles unwittingly into Luxure, she first thinks it's nothing more than a swanky Goth club. But when a patron is found dead on the street, drained of blood and covered in bites and marks, Julia begins to fear there's something more sinister lurking below the sleek interior.

And at the center of it all is Armand Laroque, who awakens a lust she never knew existed and a temptation impossible to resist.



Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

This is the first in Hussey's Human Vampire series. The setting is New Orleans for a brutal murder, a Goth-like bar and vampire sub-culture in this steamy romance. Hussey's characters are so genuine and authentic it is almost like watching a live performance.

Julia, the female lead, is a witty 29 year old civil engineer and "token vagina" in the male dominated field attending a conference in New Orleans. She likes "her romance novels to be a little edgier, with leather clad, tattooed vampires that had drug problems, or were once sex slaves. The occasional werewolf was nice, or angst-y warlock, especially a tormented, sorcerer werewolf. She'd put away the historical novels years ago in favor of darker, rawer, urban fantasies." (Hmm, sounds like someone you know? {smile}.) Julia thinks she is a "boring, nerdy engineer" and Armand is a "super sexy vampire".

Armand, the male lead, is owner of La Luxure ("Lust" for those who don't know French), a Gothy vampire sub-culture bar, and one of the leaders in the Sang Community in New Orleans. He is inexplicably drawn to Julia the minute she comes in his bar. After he talks with her for a while, he actually finds himself falling for her.

This is a great story with a twist many won't see coming and a hot, hot, hot dream sequence, a shower scene which is well... steamy {grin} and the scene on the couch — ooh, la la!

Paranormal romance and vampire romance genre fans should put this on their wish list.

Warning Spoiler Alert!!!
This does have a HEA ending. While this is a paranormal romance, it is not supernatural. Confused? That's ok, read it and you'll see what I mean.