GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ I Smell Sheep: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Sheep Comic Review: Repossessed #2

Repossessed #2 (of 4)
By: JM Ringuet
Price:$2.99

Diamond ID:DEC120583
Series:Repossessed
Image Comics

In this explosive new issue the repo crew heads to Death Valley and Miami, closing in on the possessed Sarah. But some traps are laid in their path and powerful Demons ambush them. Is there more to Sarah than they know? Who wants her and who's protecting her?

Picking up from the cliffhanger that was issue number one, the trio of demon hunters manage to talk their way out of a standout with an small army of gun-toting thugs. After the tatted-up muscle of the team, Clay, sees his cousin in the ringleader, things quiet down enough for them to learn the woman they're after, Sarah Gold, is long gone. 

It also looks like Sarah Gold, or more precisely the demon that has possessed her, is orchestrating the whole effort to thwart Clay, Martha, and Joe. And since they survived the strip club ambush, the stakes are raised as they follow their next lead to a metal concert in Death Valley. And things only go bonkers once they chase her all the way to Miami. 

As far as the action goes, especially the demon battles, it's all pretty cool stuff. Each member of the team has their specialties in dealing with the various levels of hellspawn, from incantations and little potions, all the way to good ol' fashioned fire power. The chase, while feeling a bit like boss battles in a video-games, is fun to read too, but the motivations of team get a little muddled in this one--especially towards the end of the issue.

I'm still looking forward to reading the third issue, but the last page of this one really left me confused about the attitude of certain team members.


check out Gef's review of issue #1



3 1/2 Sheep
Guest Reviewer: Gef Fox



A Four Chapter Graphic Novel in the Making - follow creator JM Ringuet on tumblr where he chronicles the making of Repossessed.

Book Review: Night Thief by Lisa Kessler

Night Thief  (Night Series novella) by Lisa Kessler
*Nominated for Best Novella of 2012 by Grave Tells Book Reviews

After the fall of the Mayan civilization, Kane, an immortal Night Walker, has taken refuge in France for over 800 years. The modern world holds little interest for him until the night he meets the Golden Thief and is robbed of much more than his pocket watch.

Marguerite Rousseau is living a double life. By day she is the assistant to an eccentric French artist, Antoine Berjon, and by night she dons elegant evening gowns to woo French dignitaries before lifting their wallets.

Sparks ignite when Kane captures the thief, but Marguerite harbors a dark secret that could ruin them both.

This historical romance caught my attention from the beginning. A woman is using her beauty to beguile men while she pick-pockets them of their riches. Le Voleur D’or is wanted by the French Police for her crimes. When Kane spotted the beautiful woman stealing from a man he is stunned and follows her, but loses her quickly in the crowd. 

Marguerites attention is drawn to a tall handsome man and she cannot take her eyes off him. Taking care of business, she hurries to return home before her master realizes what she is doing.

Kane is intrigued and searches for weeks for the elusive night thief. When he fails he decides the best way find her would be at some of the parties where there will be rich men. And there she was. Taking his favorite watch, he flashes it for her to see while they are dancing. After realizing his watch was taken, Kane follows and confronts her. But Marguerite denies that she is the villain the police are looking for. Claiming she has found the items.

The couple is drawn together from the beginning. Lisa has done an excellent job setting the scene and having it play out. Kane is an Immortal, a Night Walker who is living in France. Originally from a Mayan civilization, his coloring made him stand out. In France he fits, in looks only. He can’t stand the dress and goes against tradition quite a bit and wears his shirts open instead of all buttoned up and stuffy. He enjoys the freedom of showing his chest and abs. Marguerite is a strong woman trying to escape her vampire master. Stealing from the rich to get enough money to buy safe passage for her and her cousin to leave the country.

The one thing that stuck in my mind was how Marguerite’s Master was able to smell that she had been with another man. He beats her and takes her blood. As a Night Walker, Kane was not able to sense the vampire until the woman he loves reluctantly tells him of her situation. As a Night Walker he has the same weaknesses as a Vampire in having to sleep during the day and drink blood to survive. I thought this was a slight flaw in the story line, but other than that, I loved how Kane was protective and respectful of Marguerite. He has mad fighting skills yet he can still be weakened which gives him a needed vulnerability even as an immortal. The love scenes between Kane and Marguerite were sweet, sensual and romantic. For a novella, the author did a good job with the story line with enough action and romance to keep my attention.


4 Sheep


Review By: Author MaryLynn Bast 

About the Author:
website-fb-twitter-blog
Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

She loves hearing from readers - LdyDisney@aol.com


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Character Confession: Petra Robichaud (Immortally Embraced) + giveaway

Does PNR author Angie Fox mistreat Petra, the heroine from her Monster M*A*S*H series? Petra thinks so... 
warning: this post contains Oreos!

Character confessions, Petra, Immortally Embraced

Angie Fox vs Dr. Petra Robichaud from Immortally Embraced 

Hi! Angie Fox here and I write a series about a group of paranormal M*A*S*H doctors in the middle of a great war. Petra is a surgeon in the unit, and one of my main characters. I’m absolutely certain she loves me and wishes to shower me with rose petals, thanks to the hunky special ops soldier that I paired her with. He is sex on a stick. You are most welcome, Petra for all that I have given you. 


Petra: You made him break up with me. 


Angie: Well, yes, but he only did it to keep you out of danger. Investigators were on his tail. If they were to find out that you have a forbidden power, you could be killed. Or worse, the gods could come up with some kind of mythical punishment, like making you walk on eggshells until the end of time or setting you on fire upside down while spiders nest under your toenails. 

Petra: Where do you come up with this stuff? 

Angie: Don’t ask.

Petra: And while we’re at it, how come I’m on the front lines, saving lives and you’re sitting on your couch, eating Oreos? 


Angie: The creamy filling helps me think of cool stuff to do to you. I’d share, but you can’t get cookies like this where you are. 

Petra: No. I get to eat stale power bars and Fruit Stripe gum.

 
Angie: And blueberries! I gave you blueberries once!

Petra: That was during a sex scene and I was hardly paying attention to fruit at the time.

 
Angie: Which brings us back to why you should love me. Have you seen the body on your man? And we’ve all seen what he can do with it. 

Petra: What ever happened to privacy?


Angie: But your life is so interesting. In this new book you face off against a crazy evil new enemy, you’re confronted with your past, and you’re up to her ears in baby mamma drama from a pregnant Medusa.

Petra: You know what? I like Medusa. She’s just a single mom, trying to do the best for her baby. Besides, I’ve never been afraid of snakes. Now if only she could learn to control her temper…


Angie: I’m sending you to her baby shower. 

Petra: What the f&*? NO!


Angie: Your roommate Rodger is going to help me.

Petra: Fricking werewolves. I thought they were supposed to be loyal. What did you do? Bribe him with baby sea monsters?


Angie: Star Trek gear.

Petra: You don’t stop. It never stops…


Angie: Your butt is mine. Next book. Unless you want to start showing me some appreciation.

Petra: Good luck with that.


Angie: No worries. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Angie Fox, Immortally Embraced, cover, paranormal romance
Immortally Embraced (Monster M*A*S*H #2)
Angie Fox 

IN THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES… 
Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be… 

IT’S EVERY GOD FOR HIMSELF. 
Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war… 

check out Sharon's review of 

Angie Fox, author, picture
About the Author:
website-fb-twitter-blog

Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night.

She claims that researching her stories can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it).

Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author. Angie enjoys making up fun quizzes and thinks you should take one right now.
What's Your Biker Witch Name?


GIVEAWAY

Oreos, book, Angie Fox
 Angie is giving away a paper copy of Immortally Embraced AND a package of Oreos!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Book Review: (ARC) Immortally Embraced by Angie Fox


Immortally Embraced (Monster M*A*S*H #2)
Angie Fox 

IN THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES…
Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be… 

IT’S EVERY GOD FOR HIMSELF.
Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war… 
Read the first chapter


Immortally Embraced is the second book in Angie Fox’s M.A.S.H. trilogy. Here is the order of the books: 

Immortally Yours (Aug 2012) 

Immortally Embraced (Feb 27, 2013) 
Immortally Ever After (Aug 27, 2013) 




Book #1
I read and reviewed book #1 Immortally Yours (here) and loved it.  Angie Fox is known for her light, humorous, and smexy romance series Accidental Demon Slayer. For her M.A.S.H. trilogy she decided to take a walk on the dark side. She has crafted a wonderfully original world where unbeknownst to humans, the old gods and the new gods (of all religions) are fighting it out in limbo and the fate of Earth depends on the outcome. The gods/goddesses have pulled certain humans some with supernatural talents into limbo to help with the wounded in army like M.A.S.H. camps. Fox manages to bring her trademark humor to this story, but she doesn’t let you forget the horrors of war and what it does to people emotionally and physically.

I can’t really talk about the romance because there is a love triangle of a sorts going on. Reading the books out of order will kind of spoil this aspect of the story but not the rest. I will say that after reading the first chapter of Immortally Embraced I wanted to cry and pull Ms. Fox’s hair out. Just kidding, I don’t want to really pull her hair out… much…
book #3

The series story arc about the war in limbo and the prophesies has really captured my attention and I can’t wait to find out what is going to happen in the last book or what new and crazy characters Angie will introduce us to . In Immortally Embraced we meet a berserker named Oghul who you don’t want to upset and a couple of very jealous and petty goddesses. 



This is classified as a PNR and the romance is very much the PNR formula of “I can’t give into my feelings, yes I can, no I can’t…” which normally doesn't do a lot for me, but the backdrop for the romance is clever and there is enough world building to keep this urban fantasy lover happy. Another plus for the romance is the heroine Petra isn't like normal PNR heroines. She is more of a hero archetype. It is the hero in this book that has stayed chaste for 10 years because of his love for Petra and not the other way around… hence the love triangle I was talking about. 



Here is an example of Fox’s humor: 



Yow. Was it getting hot up here? I was starting to sweat. A jeep was bad enough, but if he thought I was going to ride over the Great Divide on dragon back… 

He dropped his pants. 

“Do you mind?” I asked, glancing behind us as he shucked his boots. Yes, I’d seen it all before, but not for ten years. And besides, I was still angry with him. And I kind of hated him and here he was stripping and Jesus on a pogo stick I’d forgotten how good he looked naked. 

Also check out Angie's website for Paranormal News Network. PNN is the only news channel you will get in Limbo.

4 “compartmentalize this!” Sheep




Sharon Stogner (edit by Kalpar)

About the Author:
website-fb-twitter-blog
Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night.

She claims that researching her stories can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it).

Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author. Angie enjoys making up fun quizzes and thinks you should take one right now.



Coming May 1, 2013

Author Website Review: Dani Harper

Today is our first author website review! This is a new feature created by Bitten By Paranormal Romance. Look out, the Blog Squad could visit you next...

"Dani Harper", paranormal romance, author, werewolves

Did the site come up when the author’s name was searched in Google? 
Yes, her author website was first http://www.daniharper.com/ 

Is the site easy to navigate? 

yes 

Does the author offer bio information? 
Yes 

Is there a way to contact the author? 
Yes, there are 7 different ways to contact or interact

Does the author offer a newsletter? 
Yes, and link is on Home page

Is there extra helpful material? 
Yes, links and advice for writers

Does the author have a blog and can you access it easily from the site? 
yes 

Is the site up to date with current released books? 
Yes

Book cover and blurb by each book? 
Yes

Buy link for each released book? 
Yes, six different options

Does the author have their series in order and is it easy to understand? 
Yes

Is there a printable book list? 
No, but not needed yet

Does the author offer any book excerpts or free chapters? yes

Does the author have upcoming events, signings, and releases? 
Yes

Is the website and blog updated? 
yes


Overall review of the author’s website: 
The site is straight forward. The home page has clear links to all important information. All follow links are on the home page. 

Things I like and or disliked about the site: 
The site is uncluttered. There wasn’t anything to dislike.

Any other remarks: 
love Dani Harper’s website banner.

Rating for the author's site: A+


Feature sponsored by Romance Book Bloggers group

author, website, reviews, blog, squad


Monday, February 25, 2013

STONE COLD REVENGE Tour Jess Macallan guest post

Author Jess Macallan is talking about those villains we love to hate (by hate I mean jump their bones) in TV and books. The heroine's father Jedren in her Set in Stone series is a mult-faceted villain. Which villains on TV does Jess love to hate? Let's see...





Thanks so much for having me at I Smell Sheep today! I’m celebrating the release of the second book in my Set in Stone series, STONE COLD REVENGE, and I’m thrilled to share it with readers.

I've always been a reader first, writer second. I love diving into a great series and falling completely in love with the characters, world building, and plot twists. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but there are a few shows I can’t do without because they've been just as amazing as my favorite book series. Grimm and Supernatural are two of my favorites. The characters are awesome (and gorgeous), and I love how they bring each episode to life.

These particular shows have larger-than-life characters, and don’t shy away from making their villains complex. I love a good villain, especially if they’re multi-faceted. I’ll always love a sexy hero (Dean Winchester or Nick Grimm anyone?), but I think it’s much more difficult to write and portray a great villain.

I’m frequently asked how I created my villain, Jedren (Elle’s evil father), and if he’s modeled after my own father. He’s definitely not, but I have other relatives I've toyed with writing into my books. *evil grin* However, I haven’t based any of my fictional bad guys on people in my life. I think most of us would be able to categorize most of the people we know as good or bad. But what about the people who don’t fall into those categories? I’m talking about the ones who are equal parts confusing, compelling, and contradictory. The best villains aren't all bad, which is why demons are hot in the paranormal romance section.:)

Take the captain on Grimm as an example. Some of his actions have been easy to appreciate or condemn, but his motives have remained murky. It makes him an enigma. A very appealing one. And what about Crowley on Supernatural? He’s been helpful, horrible, and straddled the fence. He’s self-serving for sure, but in past seasons the writers have left him opportunities to do the right thing, even if it was for the wrong reasons.

Great villains can be easy to hate, but difficult to ignore. Lord Voldemort is the perfect example of this. He was the enemy from day one, and so well written he practically leapt off the page and into writing immortality.

It would be easier to write a villain who only wanted more power, wealth, or the girl. It would also be more boring. Giving them a side that makes them a little more relatable—even the slightest bit—is a challenge I enjoy as a writer and reader. It makes them more human, and makes the ending much more interesting. *grins* I’m anxiously waiting for the new season of Grimm to find out just what the captain is up to. As for Jedren…readers will have to wait for book 3 to find out what he’s really been up to.

I can’t say I have a favorite villain, because there are too many great ones to choose from, but I’d love to know who you love to hate in your favorite book or TV series.

Thanks again for having me on I Smell Sheep today! This is always one of my favorite groups of readers. I love to chat online, and hope you’ll connect with me on | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | JessMacallan 


Stone Cold Revenge Set in Stone, Book 2 
By Jess Macallan 
~Entangled Publishing~ 
Entangled EDGE 
January 2013 

Forced by her maniacal father, the king of the shadow elves, to live in his house and train to become his heir, newly minted princess of the paranormal Elleodora Fredricks doesn’t think things could get much more complicated. On the outs with her gargoyle love interest, Jax, and confused about her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, MacLean the phoenix, Elle knows her fate decrees that her powers will manifest themselves in full on her twenty-eighth birthday, which is quickly approaching…

With help from two long-lost family members, some long-forgotten memories, and even her long-gone mother, Elle discovers there’s more to being part shadow elf than she ever knew. But will she be able to harness her unique abilities in time to take revenge on her enemies? For Elle, it’s all in a day’s work…

Amazon B&N | Kobo | Books On Board 

About the Author :
Jess Macallan lives in the Inland Northwest with her husband and three children. She thrives on creative chaos. Curiosity drives her to try new things as often as possible. When not writing or chasing trouble, she teaches yoga, reads, knits, runs a mini farm, watches Mixed Martial Arts, and gardens. The only things she takes seriously are chocolate, tea, and world domination. But mostly chocolate. 
And don’t forget about the book that started it all… 


Stone Cold Seduction (Set in Stone, Book One)
 
Author: Jess Macallan
 
Genre: Urban Fantasy
 
Length: 254 pages
 
Release Date: January 2013 (re-release) 
ISBN: 978-1-62266-870-0
 
Imprint: Entangled Edge 

When a regular night of Robin Hoodery results in the manifestation of some, um, unusual paranormal abilities, perfume-maker Elleodora Fredricks realizes the normal world she lives in isn’t quite… normal. And neither is she, thanks to her father, king of the shadow elves. Not only is he evil incarnate and the reason Elle moonlights as a burglar-someone has to take care of all his victims-he’s stolen her memories.

And only reading her fate can fix that.

Good thing she’s got a trio of hotties willing to help her find said fate, but only if she gives them something in return. Saving her oracle BFF’s fiancee, falling in love with the gargoyle, and making up for breaking the phoenix’s heart ought to be a piece of cake for the princess of the shadow elves.

If only the king didn’t want his daughter dead… 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Caris Roane's THE DARKENING + giveaway

Caris, Roane, Book, Monster, tour


Hi, everyone! I want to thank I Smell Sheep for having me here today! I’m an Arizona author, having lived in the Sonoran desert for over twenty years. Here’s a desert-living fun-fact: scorpion mothers carry their babies on their backs.  I know! And I’ve seen it since I’ve had scorpions in my house…yes, one big aaaaargh! (And you should hear me scream!) 
scorpion, US, desert
Image courtesy of Nuttapong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I’ve been a writer for a long time now having published Regency romance with Kensington for 19 years and now I’m writing paranormal romance. Currently, I’m published with St. Martin’s Press and I Indie publish novellas for my Guardians of Ascension series as well as for other series that have hooked my imagination and forced me to write the words down, lol! 

My latest paranormal offering, THE DARKENING, is part of my Guardians of Ascension world and takes place one month after events in GATES OF RAPTURE, a St. Martin’s Press release of December, 2012. Guardians of Ascension is an epic world of multiple dimensions in which the ascending process between dimensions involves hot romance and an array of emerging powers. Second Earth sees the transformation of the ordinary human into a vampire, who eventually mount wings! Yep, you heard it straight -- vampires with wings. I know, it’s kind of off-the-rails, but it’s all in the writing! 

The following is the opening to THE DARKENING: 

paranormal romance, vampires, novella

Chapter One 
Near dawn, Samuel Daman dragged air into his lungs, each breath like fire as he surveyed the Superstition battlefield. He’d been fighting death vampires for hours, like the rest of the Militia Warriors. 

Sweat trickled from beneath his weapons harness and down his back. Blood seeped in a few places as well since one or two swords had caught skin.

He was a fucking mess.

But the death vampires kept coming, floating through the dimension on arctic air, fresh and ready to fight, dozens of them hour after hour.

He’d never seen so many pretty-boys at a Borderland before, which meant of course that the chaos left over from Darian Greaves’s defeat in recent weeks, had turned up the heat. Maybe it was a good thing to have the Commander out of the way, but his generals had hauled the remnants of his army into pre-planned hiding places before Thorne, in charge of the Allied Ascender Forces, had been able to run them to ground.

Chaos now ruled Second Earth.

The fucking war was still game on.

At the very least, the current engagement required another eight squads of Militia Warriors. Thirty-two trained men. But what the situation really needed was another Warrior of the Blood who could handle up to eight pretty-boys at a time. Eight, while a squad of four Militia Warriors struggled to slay just one.

He extended his vampire vision and in the distance saw that Warrior Santiago battled – holy shit – thirteen death vamps, way beyond capacity even for a powerful What-Bee. Santiago fought with his back to the immense monolith of the Superstition Mountains, a Latin God in the moonlight, his sword moving like a silver streak of lightning.

Samuel whipped his warrior phone from the slim pocket of his leather fighting kilt and thumbed over the surface. He kept his sword at the ready and turned in a slow circle keeping his eye sharp for more trouble.

“Central Command, Jeannie here. How can I help, Warrior Samuel?” He served as back-up to Section Leader Nathaniel. He didn’t like the job, but right now what anyone liked didn’t matter.

He explained the situation, that he needed another eight reserve squads called in and another Warrior of the Blood to the Superstitions on the double.

“Done.” He almost smiled as he thumbed his phone. The women at Central could handle anything. And no argument.

He took one last look at the field. The Militia squads were holding their own so he knew where he needed to go.

One problem remained: if he didn’t release his dark power on the battlefield right now, something he never did because of the unpredictable qualities of his power, how the hell was he supposed to support Santiago? In his current state, if even three death vamps turned on him, he’d be dead.

* * * * * * * * * 

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from THE DARKENING. To learn more about Warrior Samuel go to:

Purchase from: 

* * * * * * * * *


Caris, Roane, author
About the Author:
Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads 
 Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds. 


Giveaway for a reader on our blog stop
*eBook of The Darkening
1. be a follower
2. Answer this question in the comments:
You find a scorpion in your house... what do you do!

Grand Prize Giveaway: 
One lucky winner will receive: 
· A $10 e-Card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble 
· a signed copy of ASCENSION 
· an e-copy of THE DARKENING 
· Caris Roane sticky notes, note cards, notepad, versatile calendar, RTC cards!!!