Ecstatic Evil by Amanda McNeil - Book Announcement

Amanda McNeil is the author of a new paranormal romance novella Ecstatic Evil (Tova Gallagher) in Boston (details below).  The idea is to provide paranormal romance in bite-size pieces for the modern, busy reader.  New entries will come out approximately once every three months at just 99 cents per entry.

Ecstatic Evil

Tova Gallagher isn't just your average tough as nails, intelligent Bostonian. She also just so happens to be half-demon, and halvesies have an important role to play in the supe world. Whether they choose to go with the instincts of their demon or human half is supposed to predict the outcome of the endtimes, and now Tova has a deadline to choose sides. But all of that is hard to care about when she's just met a sexy stranger on the edge of the Charles River.

Available on Kindle

Release - Vampire Novel Review

Release
by Nicole Hadaway
ebook.com, 2010
[Hardcover edition, June 2010]

Nicole Hadaway shows a lot of heart in her novel. The terrible plight of Jews, most especially the children, during the occupation of Poland by Nazis is central to the story. Ben, a medical doctor and a Jew, agonizes over the plight of his people. He works closely with the Resistance find safe haven for the desperate little ones. While doing this dangerous work he comes across three women who, he eventually discovers, belong to a nonhuman plane of existence. Vanessa is a demon, Rosa, a werewolf, and Miranda, their leader, a vampire. While most vampires find little interest in human affairs, even tend to think of them as mainly a food source, Unlike most vampires Miranda has a very strong conscience and a keen desire to help the innocent.  Slowly Ben accepts the fact that these women are not the monsters of myth, and he begins to trust their sincerely. On more than one occasion their supernatural powers gets him and his charges out of tight situations.

The author also weaves into the story the mythology of the Nephilim, children of human women and the angels who fell from grace to mate with them. [see guest blog on this subject]

Hadaway focuses her attention on the immediate peril faced by young children as the Nazi machine sought their capture for deportation to the death camps. All the characters, especially Ben and Vanessa, are well thought out and believable. Release is a touching, spellbinding story.

Demon Possessed by Stacia Kane - Contest

Demon Possessed (Megan Chase, Book 3)
by Stacia Kane
Pocket (February 23, 2010)
[This contest is closed]

Psychologist and psychic Megan Chase has grown remarkably comfortable hanging out with demons. The demon “family” she leads is happy, her solo practice is stabilizing, and she and her steamy demon lover Greyson Dante are closer than ever. But when the couple books a week at a luxury hotel to attend a meeting of demon leaders, some unanticipated problems appear.

An FBI agent with an unhealthy interest in less-than-legitimate demon business shows up; the demon community is urging Megan to undergo the rite that will make her a real demon; and a slightly shady minister is holding one of his wildly popular “weekend exorcisms” just down the road. And, oh yes, someone with scary magical abilities is attempting to kill her.

Then, just when it seems as if things couldn’t possibly get any worse, a secret comes to light that could jeopardize Megan and Greyson’s future—if Megan manages to live that long. With things heating up, it’s becoming difficult to keep a cool head…

Read an excerpt


Book 1 Personal Demons

Book 2 Demon Inside


CONTEST
[This contest is closed]

Thanks to Sarah Reidy of Pocket Books 1 US resident (no P. O. Box, please) will win a copy of Demon Possessed


*Name a fictional or Biblical demon: one chance
   [example: fictional demon - Greyson Dante from Demon Possessed. Don't think of this as a test. No one will be checking for correct answers.]

You may also:

*Link or add to this contest on any of the social network sites, or your own web page. Let me know the url:  One chance for each link.


*Tell me if you are a follower: One chance

*Tell me if you are an email subscriber: One chance.

*If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your
 response.


Contest ends April 9, 2010.

Vintage Soul - Paranormal Book Review (with Vampires)

Vintage Soul
by David Nail Wilson
Gale, December 2009



From the publisher: When a gorgeous, three hundred year old vampire is kidnapped from her lover’s top floor, high-security suite, the city’s underground community is shaken.

The abduction seems impossible, and when things seem impossible, there is only one man in the dark, underground society of San Valencez, California who can be trusted to unravel them. Donovan DeChance is a collector of ancient manuscripts and books, a practicing mage, and a private investigator.

Called in to investigate, he soon finds that there is much more to the case than a simple abduction. There will be no ransom, and if he doesn’t prevent an ancient, forbidden ritual from reaching its culmination, far more than a single vampire’s undead life will be at stake.

Donovan, his fiery, sometimes lover Amethyst, and a troop of supporting characters follow the ghostly trail of the kidnapper through a winding maze of intrigue, always a step behind, through magical battles, murders, and confrontations with a rogue band of young vampires intent on beating Donovan at his own game.

Vintage Soul is a dark, urban, supernatural mystery. Set in a fictional underground society, a city within a city, it opens portals to the unknown darkness that surrounds us. Fast-paced, strewn with clues, investigation, and magic, this is a book sure to slake the appetites of fans of mystery and the supernatural. Welcome to the darkness; welcome to the world of Donovan DeChance. Vintage Soul is Book I of the DeChance Chronicles.



PVN:  I read the back-of-the-book blurb for Vintage Soul and wondered how I could improve upon something that so well summarizes the plot,  and the description of the main character, Donavon DeChance, bibliophile, and  practicing detective with wizardly powers. Unlike so many book blurbs this one does an excellent job. Still I'll press on with my own observations.

Donovan will no doubt be compared to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden, Chicago's only wizard cum private eye. Harry's a nice guy, somewhat clumsy, and never seems to get the girl. Donavon, on the other hand, at 6'3" with an athletic build, is more urbane and confident, and has a gorgeous girlfriend.

He also knows how to handle innumerable spells and charms making him one of the top investigators  of San Valencez, CA's underworld.  It's for this reason that the vampire council chooses him to find find the beautiful vampiress Vanessa before her kidnapper  has a chance to use her in as the sacrifice in an ancient, and dangerous ritual. Dominic does much of the sleuthing on his own but is aided by the lovely Amethyst who knows more about the powers of crystals, stones, and talismans than anyone else. Then there is his familiar a very clever cat named Cleo plus the recent addition of Asmodeus, a shabby but knowledgeable crow (his former human suffered a nasty demise) whom Cleo despises. Mages, demons, and other preternatural creatures prove worthy adversaries as well as friends for Donovan.

This clever urban fantasy is packed with solid writing and filled with crisp details. Wilson is a whiz at painting with words. Below is a description of a ritual gone very wrong when an inept practitioner fails to control the demon he has raised.

    "The circle had become  white pillar stretching from floor to ceiling. It was impossible to see into the interior, and no sound escaped from within, but the air hummed with energy and then, with a shudder, the remnant of the circle blew asunder. Air and sound raced outward,  pounding the windows from the old cathedral outward and sending a shower of broken wood frame glass shards in a long arc, pummeling the street and homes beyond."
    
Vintage Soul is Book One of The DeChance Chronicles.

Read the interview with David



[Dear FTC, I received this book the author. Thank you, David]

Queen Victoria, Demon Slayer - Book Review

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter
by A. E. Moorat
EOS, January 2010

From the publisher: There were many staff at Kensington Palace, fulfilling many roles; a man who was employed to catch rats, another whose job it was to sweep the chimneys. That there was someone expected to hunt demons did not shock the new Queen; that it was to be her was something of a surprise.

London, 1838. Queen Victoria is crowned; she receives the orb, the scepter, and an arsenal of bloodstained weaponry. If Britain is about to become the greatest power of the age, there’s the small matter of the undead to take care of first. Demons stalk the crown, and political ambitions have unleashed ravening hordes of zombies even within the nobility itself.

But rather than dreams of demon hunting, Queen Victoria’s thoughts are occupied by Prince Albert. Can she dedicate her life to saving her country when her heart belongs elsewhere? With lashings of glistening entrails, decapitations, zombies, and foul demons, this masterly new portrait will give a fresh understanding of a remarkable woman, a legendary monarch, and quite possibly the best demon hunter the world has ever seen.

PVN Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter begins at the house of Lord Quimby who watches dejectedly while his manservant chows down on is favorite dog. Turns out one of Lord Quimby 's more grotesque hobbies is the creation of zombies who must be kept locked up lest their unappetizing eating habits appear for all to see. And that's not to mention the danger to the fresh flesh and blood of innocent bystanders.  On the night of Queen Victoria' ascension to the throne, when dark forces are about, Quimby's zombies escape their prison and begin feasting on a gathering of the lord's favorite prostitutes. What a mess, literally! It's left to Perkins, Quimby's manservant, to take charge of the cleanup once all are safely and permanently dead. In the course of events Perkins has himself become a zombie which works out rather well for master and servant. except for the dog eating scene of course.

Meanwhile at the palace Princess Victoria is told of her uncle's death and that she is now the new monarch. The  transition from King William IV to the young Queen Victoria signals to the demon forces that it is time for war. They plan to usurp the throne and take over the British empire. Fortunately Victoria has help at hand in the form of a fighting force led by the unstoppable, Royal Protektor Maggie Brown. These are specially trained warriors with exceptional weaponry to use against a frightening foe. Eventually Victoria herself becomes a member of this elite squad.

There is quite a bit of messy savagery, but amidst the gore lies a tender love story between Victoria and Prince Albert. It is the true affection of these two good and decent people that becomes the best weapon of defense against the demon onslaught.

The plot and the characters are equally entertaining. This is the type of book that keeps a permanent smile on your face - as long as you have a strong stomach. Fortunately, I do.

[Dear FTC, the ARC of this book was sent to me by Library Journal]

Ecstasy Unveiled Blog Tour and Contest

Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica Series)

by Larissa Ione

Forever, January 26, 2010
[this contest has ended]

A Demon Enslaved…
Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master's assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister's life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.

An Angel Tempted…
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She's determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.

Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

Contest 
[this contest has ended]

Thanks to Anna Balasi of Forever Romance two lucky readers will each win a copy Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica Series)


[The above statement is a correction. The copies are not signed as stated earlier. My apologies for any misunderstanding]

This contest is open only to residents of the U.S. or Canada (No P.O. Boxes)


To be eligible do one or more of the following:

*Answer this question: What do you think of the tattoo on Seminus's right arm and shoulder (see cover)? Examples: Should it be brighter? bigger? smaller? on his chest? nowhere at all? Does it have a special meaning? Use your imagination. All answers are correct.
1 point

*Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL.
1 point for each link.

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Contest ends Feb. 19, 2010

Succubus Blues - Book Review

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid, Book 1)
by Richelle Mead
Kensington (March 1, 2007)


From the publisher: "Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.
When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?


But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny.."

PVN: Georgina, a reluctant succubus, is a demon with a conscience.  Like others in the lower demon community she was once mortal, but now lives forever and never ages. Humans, male or female, feel drawn to her succubus charms, a trait which comes in handy as she works her day job as an assistant manager at the Emerald City Book Store and Cafe.

As a rule Georgina loathes vampires (although it turns out two of her best friends, Peter and Cody, are undead),  "Most vampires were arrogant, devoid of social skills, and obsessed with territoriality."  The sleezy Duane was an exceptional example. One night when she's had enough of him. She forms her hand into a claw and manages to scratch his face before his lightening reflex kick in. Her boss, the archdemon Jerome confronts her the next day.

Very bad manner on her part, striking another immortal, she's told. But things get really sticky when Duane turns up truly dead.  Someone has killed an immortal. Something not possible, or so it was thought. Now it's feared all are in peril.

The myriad creatures of earth, heaven and hell make their appearance. Each character, even the minor ones are so well drawn that Mead seems to have achieved the literary equivalent of 3D. The angel Carter, who, like Jerome, has been around from the beginning of time, is a brilliant addition by Mead. Why does an angel hang around with demons? The jaded Georgina doesn't trust him at first, but he has a moral strength she slowly comes to appreciate. And then there is Seth Mortensen, the shy, brilliant author whom she adores. They meet one day when he comes to the bookstore for a signing.

Some seriously bad things happen. We catch glimpses of a Biblical horror involving angels and human women. But Mead knows how to lighten the mood  with humorous scenes and plenty of witty repartee.

I found this book to be in the "I don't want this to end" category. Mead creates such an imaginative, captivating world. I had no desire to leave it.

Succubus Blues was recommended to me by a bookseller at Barnes and Noble. Bless her! After reading it I went out and bought the other three books in the series. A fifth will be published in 2010.
                                

The Succubus Books by Richelle Mead

     

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid, Book 1)

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2)

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3)

Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4)

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, Book 5) 

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Dark Hunger by Rita Herron Contest

Dark Hunger (Demonborn)
by Rita Herron
Forever (August 1, 2009)
Book 2 in the Demonborn series

From the publisher: Reporter Annabelle Armstrong will go to any lengths to deliver a story, even track down Quinton Valtrez, a man she believes is a cold-hearted assassin. Quinton has fought his demonic powers since he was a child. Now using his gifts for the good of national security, he can't let himself be distracted by the beautiful, determined Annabelle. A wicked enemy is out for vengeance, a demon who wants to draw Quinton into a life of pure evil and is willing to use Annabelle as bait. To save her, Quinton must achieve the near impossible: tame the sinister force that is both his inheritance and his curse before it claims him forever.

Read an excerpt.



Insatiable Desire (The Demonborn)
Forever, September 1, 2008) is Book 1 in the Demonborn series.

Also available in e-book.
Read an excerpt.
Check out the Fun Facts.
Go to DemonBorn.com to learn more about the characters, the legend, symbols, and the series.
Visit Rita Herron’s website.


Contest Information:

Hatchette Books is offering a copy of Dark Hunger to 5 lucky commenters.

Please Note: Only U.S. and Canadian residents are eligible. Sorry no P.O. Boxes

For an entry
*Leave a comment

or

*Post a link to your site or a social network. Be sure to let me know the link.

If your email address is not part of you commenter ID please post your email address.

Contest runs until Oct. 5, 2009 11:59 PM Hawaii Time

Best of luck to everyone!

Bleak History by John Shirley - Contest

Thanks to the good folks at Pocket Books two commenters will win a copy of Bleak History
by John Shirley, Pocket (August 18, 2009).

From the publisher:


CLASSIFIED: APPARENT SUPERNATURAL

Subject: Gabriel Bleak. Status: Civilian. Paranormal skills: Powerful. Able to manipulate AS energies and communicate with UBEs (e.g. "ghosts" and other entities). Psychological profile: Extremely independent, potentially dangerous. Caution is urged....

As far as Gabriel Bleak is concerned, talking to the dead is just another way of making a living. It gives him the competitive edge to survive as a bounty hunter, or "skip tracer," in the psychic minefield known as New York City. Unfortunately, his gift also makes him a prime target. A top-secret division of Homeland Security has been monitoring the recent emergence of human supernaturals, with Gabriel Bleak being the strongest on record. If they control Gabriel, they'll gain access to the Hidden -- the entity-based energy field that connects all life on Earth. But Gabriel's got other ideas. With a growing underground movement called the Shadow Community -- and an uneasy alliance of spirits, elementals, and other beings -- Gabriel's about to face the greatest demonic uprising since the Dark Ages. But this time, history is not going to repeat itself. This time, the future is Bleak. Gabriel Bleak.

John Shirley is the author of numerous books and many, many short stories. His novels include Crawlers, Demons, In Darkness Waiting, and seminal cyberpunk works City Come A-Walkin', and the A Song Called Youth trilogy of Eclipse, Eclipse Penumbra, and Eclipse Corona. His collections include the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild award-winning Black Butterflies and Living Shadows: Stories: New & Pre-owned. He also writes for screen (The Crow) and television. As a musician Shirley has fronted his own bands and written lyrics for Blue Öyster Cult and others.

Contest:

To be eligible do one or more of the following:
* Leave a comment
* Link this contest to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Please note: you must have a US or Canadian address.

The contest will run from August 18 until September 8 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.

Demon in Blue Jeans - Review

Demon in Blue Jeans
by Tony V. Sweeney
Wild Rose Press

I recently read this delightful novella by Toni V. Sweeney. On a night out with her girlfriends Kate mockingly makes a wish by asking Satan to send her his baddest bad boy. This was a case of be careful what you wish for. One evening someone knocks at her apartment door. It's a cute guy dressed like Robin Hood. He asks her to sign for the delivery which turns out to be him. Kate, who had spent the evening drinking too much wine and whose love life had been nonexistent, decides to humor the guy.

His name is Zel and he is a 3rd class succubus who is up for evaluation. If he does not get a good evaluation this time there will literally be hell to pay. Kate wants to help this very sweet, rather inept, and definitely naive fellow. Their clumsy romps in the bedroom will bring tears of laughter to the reader. Kate and Zel are very appealing and their story is joyful. This is a funny, feel good story.

The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns - Review

The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns
by Elizabeth Leiknes
Bancroft Press, 2009

[reviewed by Patricia]

It all started very innocently. Lucy's sister Emily was badly hurt in an accident. She became comatose and recovery looked unlikely. So Lucy wrote a pleading letter To Whom It May Concern, placed in a secret mailbox (where she and Emily also placed their Dear Santa letters). To everyone's delight Emily miraculously recovered, and Lucy had a reply to her secret letter. "Dear Lucy, Happy Birthday! I'll be in touch", and that's how it began.

Years later Lucy is in the employ of the Devil. She works as His facilitator on earth. Whenever some evil soul is ready for their last journey, Lucy lures him (or her) to the fiery basement of her house which happens to be an entrance to hell. I picture our heroine as a metaphysical Dexter.

Her job offers several perks. She is gorgeous and ageless. She can easily afford designer clothes, and will always fit into small sizes since large quantities of tempting foods will never cause a weight gain. Still she hates her job! The down side means no contact with her family, no chance of ever having a husband and children, she's not even allowed a regular boyfriend. She wants out, a seeming impossibility until someone tells her about the loophole. That's when things really get difficult.

Lucy's often comic travails are hilariously told by author Elizabeth Leiknes who, dare I say, has a wicked sense of humor. Many times I found myself laughing out loud. Like the time the pressures of the job got so severe that, at her own party, Lucy drinks one too many martinis, desperately seeks the bathroom, pees in the coat closet instead, passes out, and wakes up to see the face of an extraordinarily attractive man. I hope you get the idea. The author writes the scene so much better than I can describe it.

Despite working for Him, Lucy is an endearing character with a lot of love in her heart. You want everything to turn out right for her. This is a short book that can be easily read in a day and is guaranteed to lighten your spirits.

A Flash of Hex - Review

A Flash of Hex
Jes Battis
Ace (May 26, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0-441-01723-2

[reviewed by Melissa Parker]

A Flash of Hex is the second book in a paranormal series by Jes Battis. I did not read the first book, but I want to now. I did not really feel as if I were missing important pieces of information; the second book stood well on its own. Tess is an agent with magical powers. She needs to find a serial-killing demon. Helping her is a rather motley group. There is Derrick, her gay partner and co-custodian of Mia, a 14-year-old girl who will turn into a vampire. There is Lucian, who can bring back the dead, and he and Tess are in a forbidden romance. Miles is another agent who can see invisible forces. Wolfie is a street kid who has control over fire. Patrick is a teenager who will become a lead vampire. With a group like this, what could go wrong? This book has a lot of action in it. There are good fight scenes between varieties of paranormal figures. There is also mystery and romance. A few sex scenes, but nothing too over the top. I hope Battis continues this series. I will continue to read it if he does. I would recommend it to fans of paranormal books.

Reviewed for Patricia's Vampire Notes by Melissa A. Palmer



Night Child (OSI, Book 1)
Ace (May 27, 2008).

Upcoming Event - Ann Aguirre - Interview and Contest

On Wednesday June 24 Patricia's Vampire Notes will welcome Ann Aguirre author of Blue Diablo: A Corine Solomon Novel (Roc, April 2009), book one in a new urban fantasy series.

"In her life, Ann has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in a terracotta adobe house with her husband and two adorable children"

Be sure to stop by for an entertaining interview and a chance to win a copy of Blue Diablo


Read the PVN review

The Trouble with Demons - Review

The Trouble with Demons (Raine Benares, Book 3)
By Lisa Shearin
Ace, April 28, 2009

[Reviewed by Melissa A. Palmer]

Unbeknownst to me, The Trouble with Demons is the third book in a series that I have never read. However, that did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. The author gives enough background so this book stands well on its own.

Raine is an elf and is the keeper of this magic stone, called the Saghred. The Saghred has given Raine magical powers and sort of uses her to be an outlet for its power. This stone is something that a lot of supernatural powerhouses want—both good and bad magical beings are after it and the key to open it.

Early on in the book, a Hellgate opens and demons come swarming through, leaving carnage everywhere. Raine has to figure out how to close the Hellgate. Helping her is Tam, a dark mage, and Michael, a white knight. The three of them form a preternatural bond that is very strong and very illegal, combining dark and light magic in a way that has never been done before. Of course, Raine also has romantic feelings for Tam and Michael so they are a triangle in many ways.

This book had good action in it. There were multiple battles between good and evil forces. There is the romantic element to the book as well—nothing over the top but it adds a layer to make this not just an action book. The author has created good, strong characters—Raine has a temper but a good heart; Michael is good and strong and does the right thing; Tam has a touch of the dark side but Raine is his weak spot and that keeps him from being totally bad. There are also excellent supporting characters in this book, especially Raine’s father, cousin and uncle.

I enjoyed this book and would continue to read more (since the ending seems to be heading into the next book) and would even go back and read the first two in the series to fill in the gaps. I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal literature.


This review was written for Patricia's Vampire Notes by Melissa A. Palmer


Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares, Book 1) Ace (May 29, 2007)


Armed & Magical (Raine Benares, Book 2) Ace (April 29, 2008)

Viola Estrella - Interview and Contest

A warm welcome to Viola Estrella author of Angel Vindicated (Cerridwen Press, May 14, 2009).

Viola is a writer of both fantasy and romance. She lives with her husband and children in Colorado. Close enough to the Rocky Mountains to see them from her backyard - with the aid of binoculars.

Read this interview with Viola. Then read the contest rules for winning a pdf copy of her novel Angel Vindicated.

Note: The contest portion of this post has closed.

PVN: What draws you to the paranormal?

Viola: Good question! There’s something very intriguing about the unknown or the idea of what could be. When writing a paranormal story, I love that there are no set rules. My imagination is the limit, whether I'm creating a single character or an entire world. In the case of my novel, Angel Vindicated , I created a world within our world. Angels and demons live among humans, manipulating and/or protecting us. Just knowing I brought this story to life from scratch makes me giddy. And I look forward to doing it again.

PVN: What is Angels, Inc.?

Viola: Angels, Inc. is an organization in my novel Angel Vindicated. It’s made up of three divisions: Demon Control, Guardian Angels, and Angels of Death. My protagonist, Abby, works as a law enforcement Angel for the Demon Control department of Angels, Inc.

PVN: Describe the relationship of Abby Angel and Simeon.

Viola: Very complicated. LOL! Simeon (half demon/half human) is everything Abby fantasizes about and everything she can’t have. Or at least she doesn’t think she can. She’s extremely attracted to him but isn’t sure she could ever fully trust a demon. Plus, her feelings for her best friend, Judd, make the situation even more confusing. An Angel’s love life is never easy.

PVN: Is this a stand alone novel or will there be others in this universe?

Viola: I sure hope there will be others. That’s my goal anyway. :-)

PVN: What other projects are you working on?

Viola: I’m also working to promote my upcoming release, Bewitching You . This book will be available at the end of October in both print and eBook from the Wild Rose Press. It’s a different animal than Angel Vindicated in the sense that it’s more of a light paranormal romance rather than an urban fantasy. It’s also written in third person with multiple points of view where AV is written in first person with only Abby’s point of view. But I hope both will be received well, of course.

PVN: Do you have any favorite paranormal TV programs or movies?

Viola: Ooh, I love Medium, Heroes, and my new favorite is HBO’s True Blood. Love, love, love that show, mainly because it’s based on one of my favorite paranormal series by Charlaine Harris.

PVN: Tell us about home and family.

Viola: I’ve been blessed with a really supportive, funny, dependable, loyal, handsome husband, and four cute, clever, intelligent sons. And I always try to remind myself of this when I’m running around the house cleaning up after them. LOL!

PVN: Tell us about the MamaWriters.

Viola: Of course! MamaWriters is the brain child of fellow author and friend, Renee Knowles. It’s both a blog and a Yahoo community where mothers who are also writers can support and cheer each other on, and I’m honored to be a part of it. To find out more, visit www.mamawriters.com.

PVN: Viola, thank you so much for this interview and for giving readers a chance to win a copy of your novel.

Read a blurb or excerpt of Angel Vindicated.

Bewitching You - Coming 10/30/2009 from the Wild Rose Press

Contest Rules:
Note: The contest portion of this post has closed

Ask a question or comment on any subject in the interview.

Link to this website and give me the url.

Each of the above will give you one chance toward winning a pdf copy of Angel Vindicated.

Contest ends May 21, 2009 at 11:49 PM PT.

Good luck to everyone and thanks for stopping by!

Upcoming Event - Interview & Contest with Viola Estrella

On Tuesday May 19 meet Viola Estrella author of Angel Vindicated (Cerridwen Press, May 14, 2009). Viola is a writer of both fantasy and romance. Stop by and comment or ask a question. This will give you a chance to win a PDF copy of her latest novel.

About Angel Vindicated: Abby Angel doesn’t always enjoy being a law enforcement Angel for Angels, Inc., but she excels at it. Deporting unruly demons back to Hell is her specialty. Her personal life, on the other hand, could use a little work. The virtuous and pristine genes seem to be missing in this particular Angel, getting Abby in more trouble than she likes to admit. To date, her biggest vice has been Siméon Keller, a half demon/half human, who effortlessly managed to seduce Abby five years ago. She’s avoided him ever since but can’t seem to knock the bad reputation the blunder has branded on her.

Now, the threat of a demon rebellion has Angels, Inc. overwhelmed, and Abby must trust Siméon to help her find the fiends threatening to destroy Earth’s only salvation. Staying out of Siméon’s bed is the least of her worries as she fights for the lives of all Angels and humans everywhere.

Read an excerpt

Blue Diablo - Review

Blue Diablo: A Corine Solomon Novel by Ann Aguirre. Roc, April 7, 2009.

[Reviewed by Patricia]

Corine Solomon has found a quiet secluded neighborhood of Mexico City. She has lived there a year and runs a small pawn shop. This is a good place to hide. No one can find her or so she hopes. But someone did track her down. A person who had been very special in her life until the day she decided for her own safety and sanity she had to leave him.

Chance, the man she ran from, her former partner and lover, finds Corine. He needs her help, he says, because his mother, Min, has disappeared in Laredo, Texas. Only one clue has been left behind, a small Buddha. Chance wants Corrine to use her gift to touch the small statue and tell him what she sees. Corine is a handler, and this psychic gift has given her much pain.

Reluctantly Corine agrees to hold the Buddha. She has a brief glimpse of a white truck before the pain forces her to let go. Corine's gift comes with a price. The objects that tell their story emit heat. Metal is especially bad. She has scars on the palms of her hands to prove it. Her gift came from her mother who died in a fire deliberately set.

Eventually Corine and Chance come to an agreement. She will help him find his mother, and he will help her locate those responsible for her own mother's death.

Corine, who narrates the events of the story, is fragile and tough, and has suffered many hurts throughout her life beginning with witnessing her mother's horrifying death. She is also a keen observer of people and happenings around her. Her wounded spirit often causes her to have unwarranted suspicions, but this antenna has also saved her life on occasion.

Aguirre has created a likable, believable heroine. In fact all of the characters are well realized. At the center of the story is a complex, paranormal mystery. Corrine, Chance, the psychically gifted police detective Jesse, and other "talented" friends must use all of their resources to solve it. I should add that unexpected help comes from a cute, prescient chihuahua named Butch.

Blue Diablo is an excellent beginning to a new urban fantasy series. A series I will definitely follow!

[Reviewed by Patricia]





Book 2 Hell Fire coming late ‘09 from Roc.

Book 3 Shady Lady. No pub. information yet.