Bookish Rants and Raves: Musing on Series and Longevity

Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter

Series. Love em or hate em, they take a single book and turn in into a network of interconnected stories and characters. For my part, I absolutely prefer series reading. Since I’m prone to getting very attached to characters, unwilling to let them go after one book, the ability to follow their growth and development is absolutely wonderful. And that’s not even to speak of the ability to observe detailed and complex world building, epic story arcs, and narrative style that constantly evolves.

But is there a limit to that? Is it possible to have too much world building, too many character development, or–gasp-a de-evolution in narrative style? Is ennui an eventuality that any given series will be up against at some point? One might imagine that there’s a whole constellation of factors that could influence how to answer those questions. So don’t expect answers …

Review: Demon’s Bride by Zoe Archer

Format read: ebook provided by the author
Series: The Hellraisers #2
Genre: Historical Paranormal romance
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Number of pages: 370 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Formats available: ebook, paperbarck
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Book Depository

Book Blurb:
Hell to Pay

Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.

But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal—one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start.

Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny. A whirlwind courtship …

Guestpost by Author Zoë Archer + giveaway

It’s always with pleasure that we welcome Zoë Archer on Book Lovers Inc!  Demon’s Bride, the second book in Zoë’s Hellraisers series came out earlier  this week.  This book is a mix of genres and the result is explosive! You can read my review later today.  Let’s give a warm welcome to Zoë! And don’t forget, you can enter to win a copy of Demon’s Bride!

One of the reasons why I love writing paranormal historical romance is that I get to do research. That might seem like a funny reason to enjoy something, but, in my case, it’s true. I love digging up interesting facts or learning unusual things about the past, then combining them with the paranormal.

When I researched DEMON’S BRIDE, the second book in my Hellraisers series, I knew that the hero of the book would be a man who actually worked for his …

Romance and Me: For the Love of a Gladiator

Hey Everyone!

Being the Latin Lover, as ‘Nomen est Omen’ (the name obliges), you might have guessed that I’m a fan of Latin: both the language and the rich historical culture.

So it came as quite a shock when I realized that despite my love for historical romances and interest in Ancient Rome, somehow until very recently I have neither read nor researched HRs set in Ancient Rome. I wasn’t even aware there was such a category (I know, unbelievable!) so I had no idea what I was missing out on.

But then in February I stumbled upon Georgie Lee’s Mask of the Gladiator which I LOVED! Not only was it a terrific story, but it opened a whole new horizon and made me aware of a new subgenre of historical romance. Since then I keep seeing other HRs set in Ancient Rome emerge: My …

Review: On One Condition by Diane Alberts

Format Read: ebook from author
Genre: contemporary romance
Number of Pages: 112
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Formats Available: ebook
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Publisher’s Website, Amazon , Barnes & Noble, Author’s Website

Book Blurb:

Kindergarten teacher Johanna hates Valentine’s Day. She hates romance, hates commercialism, and definitely hates her school’s annual charity date auction. She never expects her pre-auction night of drinking to land a sexy Brit in her bed. Or for that Brit to show up at the auction, bid thousands just to talk to her again, and get down on one knee in front of everyone and ask her to marry him.

Viscount Damon Haymes has never met anyone like Johanna. She’s neurotic, fascinating, and fun. She also doesn’t care about his title and doesn’t want his money, which makes Johanna perfect to fulfill a surprise clause in his father’s will: marry within three months and remain married …

Guest Post by Author Alexia Reed + Giveaway

Today we are really happy to welcome at Book Lovers Inc the author Alexia Reed! Alexia’s debut novel Hunting the Shadows is scheduled to be published by Carina Press on May 7th and Alexia is here today to discuss with us character crushes. Interesting topic right?

Hunting the Shadows is a new paranormal romance title that promises to be exciting and really interesting. So, let’s welcome Alexia 🙂 And don’t forget to check the end of the post for your chance to win her book.

You never forget your first character crush. There’s something about them that makes them stand out from all the other characters and makes you wish the book and world was real so that you could crawl into it. I remember my first character crush—teen/adult Ramses from the Amelia Peabody series. I first started the series in highschool while I discovered my love of archaeology and anthropology. It …