Double Book Review: Ash and Quill (The Great Library, Book 3) by Rachel Caine

Ash and Quill (The Great Library, Book 3)

by Rachel Caine
July 11, 2017

Penguin Group (USA) LLC

Pages: 365
Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny....

Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.

Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library....

Denise B

Getting 5 sheep

Jess and his group have fled London right into the hands of the Burners in Philadelphia. The group hopes to use their knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule over knowledge.

Even though The Great Library series is nothing like the Morganville Vampire series I have found that I really enjoy the books. A whole new look on how the world could be that is very imaginative. Well written with developed story lines and characters, Ash and Quill find Jess and his friends in dire straits at every turn with only hope and faith keeping them going.

Pamela Kinney Review

4 sheep

Though I never read the first two (which I plan to rectify) I got into the book without any problems of needing to read the last two. Though I admit to not being sure if this is the earth in the future or a steampunk past, or an alternate Earth. But it didn’t deter me reading the story and enjoying it. The world building is super. The setting and imagery and descriptions are captivating and lovely. The plot goes slow, but soon we get to the action parts, in Philadelphia and later. The ending may be a shocker for readers of this series, and it shows there will be a next book.  The characters draw me in. The only one I couldn’t get into, was Glain. I love that they all love books and why they are against the Library’s Archivist, and not what the Library was meant for. 

Love steampunk? Love books? Romance (yes, there is that in this-several)? Adventure?  Dystopian? Then I think you will enjoy this book. It’s The Librarians meet any post-apocalyptic/dystopian.

JeanieG Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

DeniseB Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

JeanieG Review: Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)

About the Author:

Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.

After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.

She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.

Book Review: Paper and Fire (The Great Library, Book 2) by Rachel Caine

Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)

by Rachel Caine
July 5th 2016 by NAL

Hardcover, 368 pages
In Ink and Bone, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now, she continues the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history…

With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.
But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control.

Imagine a world where it is illegal to own a real book. You are allowed tablets, but can only access what the government aka the Great Library says you can access. In this world, the Library controls the knowledge and with this power they control everything.

Jess now serves in the army of the Library even though his family are book smugglers. He’s lost his best friend Thomas and the girl he loves Morgan is locked away in the Iron Tower where the Library controls those that make the tablets function.

Jess and his group of friends have decided to fight the Library and fight for those they call friends. Even though the fight may ultimately bring death to all the fight and sacrifice is worth it.

An original story that is different from Caine’s previous Morganville series. A good read with in depth characters in a world that is totally different than our reality.


JeanieG Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)
DeniseB Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)
JeanieG Review: Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)


Getting 4 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:

Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.

After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.

She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sheep sharing the book love

We haven't done a giveaway in a while so...thanks to Penguin Random House for providing these books!

One winner will get all three books plus some funny sheep sh** and swag and of course a moon pie and some Kool-Aid.
This has to be US only because of shipping costs.
I will have something everyone can enter next week!

Sheep book love giveaway

Book Review: Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2) by Rachel Caine

Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)

by Rachel Caine
July 5th 2016 by NAL

Hardcover, 368 pages
In Ink and Bone, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now, she continues the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history…

With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.
But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control.

So, after reading the 1st book in this series, I was a little disappointed in the pace of the first part of this story. All my favorite characters were here and trying to save one of their own from the manipulative leaders of the Library but I was anxious to get to a more "let's get 'er done" script! Now, don't get me wrong I still enjoyed the continuing saga but fighting the same automatas, burner's and the malicious Archiver was becoming a little monotonous.

I think the original storyline drew me in because I thought it was novel. Protecting and securing written word for...well...forever, gave me goosebumps. As a book lover I would love to have worked in that environment. But as with most things, someone becomes greedy for power and spoils the altruistic endeavor. Times, they are a changing in this story and the cast of characters are undertaking the challenge.

The second half of the read was well worth the wait! A couple twists and revelations kept me eager for more. I love this "band of brothers" storyline and the development of the characters' attributes and backgrounds. Their loyalty to each other and their mission are tested to the max but they must persevere or die trying!

Reading between the lines (or maybe being a conspiracy theorist at heart) gives you pause to wonder if all our written history and/or discoveries have been shared with the general public!

Pick up the first book "Ink and Bone" (5 stars from me!) and continue the journey with this read. I don't think you will be disappointed!

JeanieG Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

DeniseB Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

Getting 4.5 "translation" sheep.

Jeanie G

About the Author:

Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.

After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.

She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.

Second Look Book Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

by Rachel Caine
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
July 7th 2015 by NAL
Pages: 360
Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…amazon buy link

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Read All About It!! WOW, loved this book. Set in the year 2025 but reads like it was set in the times of the great philosophers and authors. The power of books (to include knowledge) leads the plot to a scary scenario of hoarding all the original works and personal diaries for the good of mankind. Rrriigghhtt!

To work for the Library was an esteemed and altruistic goal. To supposedly protect every written word so that the public could have access as requested or needed seemed to be a lofty calling. But as most of us know, "hoarding" is not always a good thing and not every law or rule is for everyone's benefit. So Jess finds out.

In this period, even owning a real book is illegal. The library has become a country into itself and if you pass the examinations and are offered a position in the organization you must give up all your loyalties to your own country.

This "hoarding", for lack of a better word, creates criminals of many countries' citizens. There are "runners" who are essentially black market thieves that steal and sell original works of prose. There are "burners" who are dissidents that will destroy literary works just to prove a point to the Library authorities, and there are Ink lickers who are so obsessed with original works and the feel of actual paper and ink they will consume the books or try to hide them for themselves. (OK, little over the top for me but does work in this alternative world!)

This book is quite unique in it's story and setting. You feel like you are living in ancient times but the plot is easily felt as a futuristic science fiction setting. I loved the main theme of a "government" like organization that wants to control all knowledge and the naive new recruits discovering that all is not as they imagined in their new "calling". It includes a little something from most of my favorite books. There is danger, violence, friendship, twists and a smattering of romance included along with the intriguing plot. The paranormal aspect comes in the hierarchy of the Library's Obscurists and their use of alchemy so if you are thinking were's, witches and vamps this is not that kind of read. But it is fabulously penned and well worth the journey. I am sure some might say it is a little incongruous but look past some of the confusion of the setting and open your mind to something that might (someday!) resemble a little of our own society. (You just have to read between the lines!).

DeniseB's review of Ink and Bone
I rarely give 5 stars but ......
I award 5 "freakin fabulous" sheep!



Jeanie G

About the Author:

Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.

After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.

She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.

Book Review: Midnight Bites: Stories of the Morganville Vampiress by Rachel Caine

Midnight Bites: Stories of the Morganville Vampires
by Rachel Caine
March 1, 2016
Publisher: NAL

Pages: 512

WELCOME TO MORGANVILLE.
YOU’LL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE.
By day, Morganville, Texas, is just a typical college town. By night, the vampires emerge and take control....

In a town where it’s not safe to be out after dark, student Claire Danvers and her friends have had their fair share of thrills. But Morganville still has a few secrets left to tell.

Now, in this collection, you can venture down the town’s strange streets, revisit all the tales you’ve come to love, and experience six new stories featuring your favorite Morganville residents—both human and vampire...

amazon

Rachel Caine has been writing about Morganville vampires for a very long time and it is one of my favorite series. In this collection you get some behind the scenes looks into some of the characters with a get-to-know-you feel. I have to say that this left me wanting more individualized stories about some of the other characters. I would love a book on Amelie, Oliver and more on Myrnin as a young boy and beyond just to name a few.

If you are a Morganville fan this collection is a must read! I have to say that many of the stories were released with other authors or on the web that I was unaware of so I am so very happy that they were published in this collection. It brings clarity to some characters, both main characters and supporting that was definitely appreciated. Anger Management is the story of Shane going to therapy with Dr. Goldman. I think that I liked this one the most because we rarely get to see inside of Shane or see his sensitive side and this story brought a new depth to Shane that was missing so far.

Once again my final comments really are, please keep writing about Morganville, Rachel! I would love to see branch outs of each character and have stories written from their point of view. A book about Myrnin and Lady Grey would be an ideal place to start.

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:

Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.

After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.

She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.

Book Review: DARK SECRETS, A Paranormal Noir Anthology + giveaway

DARK SECRETS, A Paranormal Noir Anthology
Participating Authors: Rachel Caine, Cynthia Eden, Megan Hart, Suzanne Johnson, Jeffe Kennedy, and Mina Khan
ISBN: 978-1-942840-05-3
Six award-winning authors bring you this spellbinding collection of stories about dark desires, mysterious worlds, and danger that lurks in the shadows of the night. Where nothing is black and white; where things might not be as they seem; where magic and mayhem rule.
MARION, MISSING by Rachel Caine
Valentine is a detective with two major problems: he's been offered a kidnapping case that will probably get him killed, and his partner won't let him turn it down. He owes her that much … since his partner's a ghost, and he blames himself for her death. A dark, haunting noir mystery of love, hate and loss.
FEMME FATALE by Cynthia Eden
PI Mick Swayne has seen it all—his clients have included liars, thieves, and even killers. He thinks he can handle anything and anyone. Then she walks into his office. Savannah Moreau is beautiful, seductive, and…a vampire? The gorgeous vamp hires Mick to help her track down a killer who is hunting in Chicago, but as Mick slips deeper into Savannah’s paranormal world, he wonders if he can really trust his new client…
DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Megan Hart
When the devil starts the music, you'd better get ready to dance.

Kathleen Murphy has sold her soul to the devil. Fame, fortune, success...everything she's ever dreamed of is hers, and all she has to do is the devil's bidding. When love comes knocking, the last thing in the world she wants to do is involve Jake in her twisted world, but the devil's started up the jukebox and Kathleen has no choice but to learn the steps
THE CONSORT by Suzanne Johnson
Faulkner Hearne, the captain of the ruthless Fae Hunters, finds his duty at odds with his heart when he’s ordered to capture the consort of Faerie’s cruel Prince of Summer when she flees across the veil into modern New Orleans. Can Faulk turn Liandra over to a certain death at the hands of the prince, or will he risk a war with Faerie in order to save her?
An all-new novella set in the Sentinels of New Orleans multiverse.
HEART’S BLOOD by Jeffe Kennedy, a Twelve Kingdoms novella
A dark fairytale retelling of a princess robbed of rank, husband and even her name.

Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix.

With broken vows, anguish and dark secrets between them, Cavan and Nix struggle to find the magic to restore what’s gone terribly wrong... if it ever can be.
THE DJINN IN THE MIRROR by Mina Khan, a Djinn World novella
A paranormal Cinderella story with a young witch as the heroine and a wicked, sexy djinn instead of a fairy godmother.

Dahlia, the step-daughter of a power hungry wizard, promises to free a djinn trapped in a mirror if he rescues her from impending death. But Ashmael the djinn has his own agenda: to trick & seduce his way to freedom. The only problem is he ends up falling for Dahlia. Can he win his freedom and save the girl?

Goodreads-Kobo-amazon-ARe-Google Play

This is a solid anthology of quality stories. All the authors were new to me except Caine and Khan so it was a great chance to sample some authors I've been meaning to try.

All the stories are considered urban fantasy and there are varying degrees of romance depending on the story. They all have a dark edge to them, some darker than others, but they all have happy ever afters.

Marion, Missing is a noir mystery set during the segregation period, and. P.I. Valentine is a white man and his P.I. partner is Tilde, a black woman. Caine does a great job of touching on the racial tensions of the times and expressing Valentine's deep guilt and eventual forgiveness of himself.

Femme Fatale isn't as complex, and not as dark as the others. It is pretty straightforward with some dark humor.

Dance With the Devil delivered the darkest emotional punch. The plot kept you guessing and your heart will break right along with Kathleen. I was worried there was no way this one could turn out happy, but Megan Hart pulled it off.

The Consort had the most humor and romance. I love fae stories and have always wanted to read Suzanne Johnson's series. It is the world building that attracts me (and sexy fae men, duh!) and this story delivered.

Heart's Blood had a horror element to it. I loved the contrast of the innocence of Nix and Prince Cavan pitted against the evil of Princes Natilde. Well told with a heavy fairy-tale feel.

The Djinn in the Mirror has me wanting to find a magical mirror with my own djinn! Great mixing of an urban setting and djinn mythology. Ashmael is toe-curling sexy and Dahlia is an underdog heroine you can root for and be very jealous of...

At $.99 you would be a fool not to grab this one. Whether you love urban fantasy or PNR, you will find something to love in each story.

4 1/2 "Dark and dangerous" Sheep

SharonS

GIVEAWAY

$120 Amazon GC & Gothic Lace Choker & Earring Set

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b9cd9a9331/?

All the author bios and links are past the break...

Book Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

by Rachel Caine

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
July 7th 2015 by NAL

Pages: 360
Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

amazon buy link

The Library controls everything. The world thinks it is what is best for society but as Jess Brightwell and other students train and test to enter into service for the Library they start to find that things aren’t always as they seem.

This was a brilliant story that was well thought out and original. I was expecting a similar sound and writing style to Caine’s other works but this was different and really made me think as I read. The story kept me guessing all the way to the end and could be used to relate to discrimination throughout time. I will definitely be watching for book 2 to come out.

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:

Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.

After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.

She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.

Book Review: Kicking It Anthology (book tour) + exclusive giveaway

Welcome to the Kicking It book tour. Each stop highlights a different author in the anthology along with reviews/interviews/excerpts and exclusive giveaways. I Smell Sheep is reviewing Kicking It along with a giveaway.

KICKING IT
Edited by Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price

ISBN: 9780451419002
Price: $16.00
Paperback
December 3, 2013
Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

Review

The flock knows I am a big urban fantasy fan. I love a heroine that kicks butt, takes names and scores the hot hero, eventually. This is urban fantasy and ain't nothing easy for the heroine. I was excited to check out this anthology because I have only read a few of the authors and this was a chance to test drive some others. All the stories center around the author's ass kicking heroine and boots. The stories ranged from 3.5 Sheep to 4.5 Sheep, and the ratings have more to do with my personal preference for certain writing styles and UF tropes. But all the stories are unique and creative. This is a great collection for urban fantasy lovers and those who are curious what all this UF talk is about.

The first story is Rachel Caine's "Forked Tongues" and probably my favorite in the collection. I haven't read any of Rachel's books so I don't know if this story about witches Holly and Andrew is from one of her series. She created a complete world building experience in very few pages and a unique heroine and hero pairing. This story is all that and the bag of chips.

Faith Hunter's "The Devil's Left Boot" is from her Jane Yellowrock series and another of my favorites. The story is about sister witches who are still recovering from the necessary death of their sister at the hands of Jane. Faith combines drama and humor as the sisters hunt down a vamp with a shoe fetish. Jane does make an appearance.

Urban fantasy is know for the heroine's snarky sense of humor, and all these stories deliver. This was one of my favorite lines from Lucienne Driver's "The Parlor"

"There were few things to do in that tiny concrete room but braid my wild hair as tightly as I could to keep it from getting in my way, panic, and kiss my ass good-bye. Only my ass and I didn't have that kind of relationship."

4 "ass kicking" Sheep

RACHEL CAINE is the author of a number of kick-ass novels, including the Weather Warden, Outcast Season, Revivalist and Morganville Vampires series.

Find Rachel online on:
Blog Website Pinterest goodreads
twitter facebook

Rachel’s next release:
TERMINATED, the final Revivalist book, just came out in August; DAYLIGHTERS (Morganville Vampires) is out in November; PRINCE OF SHADOWS, a YA stand-alone, is out in February 2014. Plus, of course, KICKING IT!

While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one…
 


Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.
 


It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.

Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end.…

Find all the tour stops here

http://www.ltpromos.com/2013/10/01/faith-hunter-and-kalayna-prices-kicking-it-anthology-is-on-tour/

EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY

It’s a Lucienne Diver basket, with the following items:

-Two small plastic tombstones filled with bone shaped candies.
-Two temporary tattoos: Have you been vamped?
-Cross-stakes necklace.
-Gummy Candy Body Parts
-Glow in dark the rubber bat
-Notebook with Bitten on the front and a matching rubber bracelet
-Signed copy of Vamped by Lucienne Diver

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sheep Interview: Rachel Caine + giveaway

Urban Fantasy author Rachel Caine decided to take the I Smell Sheep interview challenge! We tried to ask her questions she has never been asked before. You will find out what she likes to crank on the iPod and what accessory she likes to wear while writing. And she will tell you a little about the newest release in her Revivalist series, Terminated.

Sharon: Since you have over 30 novels published you've probably been asked all sorts of questions during interviews, many being the same old, same old. So it is our mission to ask you questions you have never been asked before! Ready?
Katie: Oh dear, this could get crazy fast Rachel. Here’s a glass of Kool-Aid to take the edge off.
Rachel: I'm ready. Um … go ahead and throw some Red Bull into that Kool-Aid. It's early here!

Sharon: Do you write with shoes on or off?

Rachel: I'm currently sitting in the lobby of the Beverly Hilton, surrounded by (NO LIE) movie stars, so they frown on the whole shoes-off thing. But if I was at home, wrapped in my Writing Blankey (yes, I have one) then SHOES OFF. (My writing blankey has a foot pocket. Oh yes. I know you're green with envy right now.)

Sharon: I asked Rachel to fill in the blanks for these sentences. Her answers are in red.

“If MAKING CHEESECAKE was an Olympic event, I would win the Gold Medal!”

“If HOUSECLEANING was an Olympic event, I wouldn’t even qualify.”

Katie: If you were a pizza, what toppings would you have?

Rachel: I would be Supreme, baby. Loads of EVERYTHING. (I would have said Meat Lovers, but that sounds suspiciously, um, never mind.) (But seriously, I love the Meat Lovers pizza.) (With cilantro, is that so wrong?)

Sharon: If cilantro on meat is wrong, I don't want to be right!

Sharon: Do you hoard collect anything?

Rachel: I am a mild collector of things mostly jewelry. Not super expensive stuff, but fun things. My husband, however, is the HOARDER TRUE COLLECTOR … he has a ton of collectible books, pulp magazines and comics. We share a love of paintings and illustration art, so we both collect that, though. 

Sharon: If you could unread or un-see something just so you can experience it again, what would it be?

Rachel: I'd dearly love to see LORD OF THE RINGS again for the first time. And as far as reading, I suppose the Morgaine books by CJ Cherryh, which I adore.

Katie: This is a little known fact I’m about to share. Heads up, it’s weird. I clean my house every week and fantasize about; Tom Hardy showing up because he got lost in my area and needs my help. You can laugh now…

[Waits for laughing to end] 

So anyway, is there someone you fantasize about meeting while you clean and what would you do if you met them? 

Rachel: This presupposes that I clean. Or that I think while I clean. Either one. But there are daydreamy times where I often think that if James Spader got lost in my neighborhood, I would take him for coffee and we'd discuss the awesomeness of Daniel in Stargate. Because why not. JAMES SPADER.
Sharon: I call dibs on Kurt!

Sharon: If you could own any piece of art in the world what would it be and where would you put it?

Rachel: Hands down, it would be Girl With A Pearl Earring, by Vermeer. Such an incredibly beautiful, haunting piece of work. But I'd have to put it in an impenetrable fortress, because I would be so crazy at the thought something might happen to it, so … maybe I'd better just be happy with my copy. The stress of owning it would kill me.
Sharon: If Katie and I were to turn on your car stereo what would we hear before the cops came to take us away?
Katie: Hey now! We stopped doing that months ago. 

Rachel: Right now? (checks iPod) Fall Out Boy's "Beat It" with John Mayer! CRANK IT BABY. CRANK IT LOUD AND DANCE LIKE FOOLS.
Sharon: You head the lady! Crank it loud!!!!

Fall Out Boy - Beat It (Ft. John Mayer)

Powered by mp3skull.com 

Rapid Fire

Sharon: Lenny or Squiggy?

Rachel: Squiggy!

Katie: Tom Hardy in Warrior or Tom Hardy as Bane?
Rachel: Warrior!

Sharon: Audio or visual?

Rachel: Yes.

Katie: Frosted mini wheat or Chocolate Krave? 

Rachel: Krave all the way.

Sharon: Bang your elbow or bang your toe?

Rachel: Can I bang a drum instead?

Katie: Unicorn ride or Dragon ride?

Rachel: DRAGON DRAGON DRAGON

Sharon: Coke or Pepsi? (we ask this of everyone so it doesn’t count in the never asked before challenge)

Rachel: Dr. Pepper
Sharon: wait a minute... Dr. Pepper is a Pepsi product! Winning!

Katie: Best night ever or Best dream ever?

Rachel: Best night ever: Dinner at the Chimay restaurant in Belgium. Yeah. It was shmancy.

Sharon: Ball game or board game?

Rachel: Board game. Unless the ball game is Rollerball.

Sharon: Since we didn't ask you about the newest release Terminated book #3 in your Revivalist series, now is the time to tell our readers anything you want them to know. 

*psst… they are highly suggestible right now for reasons we can’t divulge. Just don’t eat the mint moonpies* 

Rachel: *Stares at the half-eaten moonpie in her hand* Oh. Um … right. If you haven't heard of the Revivalist series yet, it's a good time to dive in from the beginning with Working Stiff and Two Week's Notice … because Terminated is coming out! If you hate zombie books, don't worry: it isn't a zombie story. It's a story about a woman funeral director who discovers her bosses are using classified nano tech to revive the dead for profit … tech that can keep you "alive" for as long as you pay to have the shots, but once you stop taking the drug, you go right back to being dead. 

Throw in Bad Big Pharma, shadowy government agencies, eccentric millionaire boyfriends who may or may not be Batman, and a cabal determined to rake in billions from the Death Business, and you've got the Revivalist series. It's more SF than fantasy, but it's 90% action/adventure/spy thriller, so dive on in! I promise, it's fun.

Also, I kill my characters more than ever. BUT THEY CAN TAKE IT because y'know, already dead! Sort of.

THANK YOU for this great interview! Loved it!

Terminated (Revivalist #3)
by Rachel Caine
In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine’s latest Revivalist novel, Bryn Davis’s problems quickly turn from dead to worse…

Already addicted to the pharmaceutical drug that keeps her body from decomposing, Bryn has to stop a secretive group of rich and powerful investors from eliminating the existing Returné addicts altogether. To ensure their plan to launch a new, military-grade strain of nanotech, the investors’ undead assassin—who just happens to be the ex-wife of Bryn’s lover Patrick—is on the hunt for anyone that stands in their way.

And while Bryn’s allies aren’t about to go down without a fight, the secret she’s been keeping threatens to put those closest to her in even more danger. Poised to become a monster that her own side—and her own lover—will have to trap and kill, Bryn needs to find the cure to have any hope of preserving the lives of her friends, and her own dwindling humanity…

About the Author:website-FB-twitter

Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 internationally bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including the immensely popular Morganville Vampires series, the Weather Warden series, and the Outcast Season series.

In 2011, Rachel published the first novel of her new trilogy, The Revivalist Series, with the release ofWORKING STIFF in August, followed by TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE in August, 2012.

She has been honored with a Paranormal Pearl Award and an RT Booklovers Award, and was recently awarded a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times. Her first young adult novel, Glass Houses, was chosen for the Texas Tayshas List in 2009.

She was born at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, attended Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Texas Tech University. She’s worked in many jobs, including accounting, graphic designer, insurance investigation, corporate communications, and web design, to name just a few. She became a full time writer in 2010.

Rachel is married to award-winning fantasy artist R. Cat Conrad, and has two iguanas as pets: Popeye and Darwin.

***GIVEAWAY***

One print copy of Terminated by Rachel Caine (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway