Review: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

ICED

Book 6 in the Fever World series

Author:  Karen Marie Moning

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release date:  10/30/12

Author's website:   Link

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

When 1st learning that the next 3 books in this series was going to have Dani as the main character, I was worried.  While I liked her in the previous books I just didn't think she would be that entertaining.  I'm happy to say that the author did a great job with her character and I found Dani to absolutely entertaining and adorable.  She's got a lot to deal with in ICED and she manages to handle everything like the superhero that she knows that she is.  For the most part of the book, she partners with Ryodan to figure out what is icing parts of the city.  It's a pretty scary thing since no one can seem to figure out what's causing it as well as predict when it will happen.  There's no warning at all so Ryodan enlists Dani's help and there are lots of scenes featuring some great banter between the two of them.  There are also some great emotional moments as well as the characters try their best to live in this new world since the walls came down between the human and Faery worlds. 

Dani's character is very complex as she is only 14 years old but I feel that she's very mature for her age. She has witnessed and dealt with so many things that the average teen wouldn't until they are much older.  Death and destruction is all around her and her role in this new world is an important one.  She is so unique and special and no one can do what she does.  That puts a lot of responsibility on her shoulders and Dani does a great job at handling it.  She wants to be important and feel wanted.  She knows she can kick ass and loves it.  Her ego is hilarious and refreshing and is needed to deal with all that is going on. But she's still a teen and shows her vulnerable side from time to time. I found this to be very realistic as Dani can't be so hard core all the time.  We also learn more about her childhood and how it has shaped her character.  There's so much more to learn about her will hopefully be revealed in the future books.  Ryodan on the other hand knows that there's more to Dani than meets the eye.  This is a great time for me to segue into discussing Ryodan's character since he and Dani make great partners in the book.   Ryodan is mysterious and oh so sexy!  We've gotten to know him as Barrons right hand man and finally get to see him as the boss.  He's also fiercely protective of Dani and sees so much potential in her.  There are lots of moments where these 2 want to strangle one another which was to be expected and like I mentioned above, the banter between them is awesome!  I'm looking forward to see what these 2 will have to face next and the progression of their working and personal relationship.  Another character that ends up being partnered with Dani is Christian MacKeltar.  If you've read the previous book in the series, Shadowfever, they you know that something happens to Christian in it.  In ICED he's constantly changing throughout the book and he's not the man that he once was.  He keeps an eye on Dani and wants to protect her which soon has him bumping heads with Ryodan. This threesome dynamic is interesting and while they all don't get along all the time, they all have a common goal of saving Dublin and must work together to do so. 

I'm giving ICED a rating of:

If you're as much of a fan of the series as I am you're going to enjoy this book.  Karen Marie Moning does a great job of balancing the funny with the serious in ICED.  There are also some scenes that had a horror feel to it that had me cringing while reading, but I loved it.  This world has turned into a very scary one and I think it's important for her to keep that feel to it.  You just don't know what's going to happen next and I'm sure there are many things that exist that we haven't seen yet.  I would have to say the thing I liked most about ICED was the getting to know more about the characters.  The ones that I already know and the new ones that are introduced.  They are all very entertaining and is what makes this series my absolute favorite.  I'm liking the direction that the series is taking and am so glad that this wonderful world will carry on.  I for one cannot wait to see what's going to happen next!

Guest Post & Giveaway - HelenKay Dimon

Thank you for having me here today to talk about my recent release, LEAN ON ME.  Specifically, I thought I'd talk about the cover.

I'm one of those readers who picks up a book or gives it a second look online because of the cover. Some folks say covers don't impact them at all. I am NOT one of those people.  Back before the digital boom I'd often go to physical bookstores and roam the aisles and stalk those tables at B&N. Many books ended up coming home with me because the cover snagged my attention and I stopped and turned the book over to read more about it.

Clearly that's harder with digital books, but it's still possible.  And bad covers still have the power to turn me off.  I'm hoping that doesn't make me shallow, but there are covers that make me less likely to want to find out more. Basically, covers play a huge role in my impulse buys.  If I'm about to pick up an auto-buy author's book, the cover doesn’t matter.  If it's an author I've heard about or met or something like that, the cover plays a bigger role.

I'm going to tell you a little (not-so-secret) secret: authors like some of their covers better than others.  I know I do.  When it comes to the cover for LEAN ON ME, I love it.  The book is light and sexy and the cover hits the tone just right.  It's not erotic and not sweet, and I think you get that from the cover hero's hand on his lady's butt (really love that). The characters look close to what I envisioned in my head.  And the pink shirt.  What is it about the shirt?  It pops.

And, I'm a little biased, but I think the book inside is pretty good, too :)

Lean On Me

Book 2 in the Halloway series

Publisher:  Carina Press

Release date: 10/22/12

Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world’s highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she’s back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren’t exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now.

Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he’s surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she’s staying. Though he’s sworn to stop cleaning up other people’s messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay—his place. Bedsharing optional, but definitely welcome.

Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck.

I have one digital copy of Lean On Me to give away to a lucky commenter!  Please leave your email with comment.  Giveaway ends 11/7/12 at 12 PM EST.  Good luck!   

Find HelenKay on the web:

Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Katie Porter Kindle Giveaway!

Have you read a book by the debut co-writing team of Katie Porter? Have you told others what you think? Now's your chance! With Kindles!

We'd love to get the word out by giving others access to the most important opinions of all: those of readers! It's so simple. Just post a review of DOUBLE DOWN on Amazon.

Love it, hate it, think it's worth a solid three stars...? Want to write a few lines or a treatise? We can't wait to hear what you think. Here are the prizes.

When DOUBLE DOWN reaches 25 reviews, we'll give away a $50 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly selected reviewer.

When DOUBLE DOWN reaches 50 reviews, we'll give away a $119 Kindle Paperwhite.
When DOUBLE DOWN reaches 100 reviews, and for every 100 reviews after that, we'll give away a $199 Kindle Fire HD.

You only need to enter once. One person. One voice. But your chances are never exhausted--unless you win, of course. For example, if you're reviewer number 12, you'll be eligible for the 25, 50, and 100+ review prizes. By encouraging other Katie Porter fans to participate, you up the prize stakes.

Fine print: No purchase necessary--coz hey, libraries and friends loan copies all the time. We'll ship anywhere these American version Kindle devices are functional, or replace the prize with an Amazon gift card equivalent. Those who already own Kindles may choose a Amazon gift card equivalent. Your opinion will not affect your odds, as all drawings will be conducted via Random.org. Contest ends December 27, 2012. Void where prohibited.

Thank you for your enthusiasm, and best of luck in your amazing race to a Kindle!

Feature Post: Romantic Tales Bedtime Stories Episode 2

Author’s: Ty Langston, Tigris Eden and Riley Ross bring you a little of everything in their first installment.

From your everyday Contemporary Romance, The Getaway. To your hot and heavy rockers turned werewolves, Paranormal Romance, Crave, and your Sci-Fi/Paranormal with Erotic overtones, The Genesis Project.

Each episode will entice its readers, draw them in with a quick bedtime story before they dream, keeping them pleasantly satisfied while peaking their interests for next month’s installment. All for .99 cents at Amazon.  Three Episodes in all.  Starting September 1, 2012

During the interim there will be previews of the next month’s Episode on their blog:

Romantic Tales Bedtime Stories

Out today!

Bedtime Stories Season 1 #2

Cover art by: Steph Fodor

Edited by: Alicia Pates

Author Ty Langston's: CRAVE

Preview of Episode 2


Exhausted and burnt out due to a mix of long hours and a steady diet of working hardened news stories, left Harper at a loss when she met the magnetic and mysterious lead singer of Crave, Cass St. Marie.

She was drawn to him, yet frightened. What was he? Who was he? Did he have anything to do with Darien’s disappearance?

Desperate for the truth, the more she talked with him, the more attracted she became. Did he really have the answers she sought or was he a distraction of something more sinister.

 
Author Tigris Eden's: The Genesis Project

Preview of Episode 2

Xander Treegold sees something in Genesis that he can’t explain. Is it her oddity that captures him or her innocence? Xander’s never taken no for an answer when it comes to getting what he wants and at every opportunity that is given to him Xander seems to fail miserably. That is until he pulls Genesis into a dark alcove in the Great Hall where others are preparing for their journey back to New Earth for Luna.


Will Genesis succumb to his attentions or will she once again deny him the only thing he’s ever truly wanted…. Her.

Politics and other’s seem to get in the way of his every intentions and as Luna approaches so does the private tasting he’s invited Genesis to. Will she indulge like the rest of them, or will she stand in the back, watching, wanting, and needing to be tasted as much as the next female.

Gen is happy to finally be back home with her father Vaggo, and as short as this homecoming is, she is determined not to let the outside influence of Xander Treegold convince her of his intentions. With Adam constantly showing up at her door step, attempting to sway her away from his soon to be brother –in-law she finds that Professor Aylet is correct in her assumptions. There are two males that make her question her every feeling.

Adam’s sultry scent and Xander’s fire.

 
Author Riley Ross': The Getaway

Preview of Episode 2


Mike and Juliet deal with the repercussions of his mother and Brooke’s actions. Juliet and Elaine come to an uneasy truce to appease Mike.

A surprising secret involving Brooke and a member of Mike’s family threatens to ruin a relationship. Will a surprising proposal shatter their unholy alliance or bring them closer together?

To find out more about these great ladies, be sure to visit their website/blogs.

Author Bios:

Riley Ross

To date I haven't published anything yet but I love to write wrestling fan fiction, romance and light erotica. I will be married for fifteen years this month to my best friend and Prince Charming all rolled into one. I am mommy to two Siberian Huskies.

You can find Riley Here:

Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Ty Langston

As a child, multi-published author Ty Langston loved to read about dragons and knights so much that one day, her grandmother told her to "just write about them."

So she did.

From that day forward, she never left home without her pen, a notebook, and some kind of music playing in the background. Her love of reading expanded from fantasy into science fiction, and eventually into paranormal romance and erotica.

She enjoys different works from George Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, and Jackie Collins. But some of Ty's favorite writers are from the world of TV and film: namely, Tudors creator Michael Hirst, and the late John Hughes.

Ty has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism along with a degree in Business Administration.

She is single and enjoys spending time with friends and family

You can find Ty Here:

Facebook | Twitter | Website

Tigris Eden

Author of Shadow Unit Series, 1st Book Enslaved In Shadows... I love all things books! Music and much more! I write PNR, Contemporary, SCI-FI, Erotic, and HORROR..... Yes I love the gore!  Currently working on Burned In Shadows... Due out sometime in January 2013.

There isn't much to say about me truly... I am not that interesting... But I promise to make you laugh at least once!

You can find Tigris Here:

Facebook | Twitter | Website

The Witch's Dream Book Tour - Victoria Danann

From New York to Ireland to Edinburgh to Siena to the Texas Hill Country to Napa Valley, a secret society, a witch, a demon, a psychic, a berserker, an ex-vampire, modern day knights, heroes, werewolves, elves and fae come together where emotions intersect. The story maps a trail from rages to hunts to epiphanies, but, in the end, proves that true love can find you in the strangest places, when you're least expecting it, even when you're far, far from home.

He was left behind when Elora Laiken made her choice. Now he’s had it with love, but a transplanted witch who happens to be the world’s best tracker hopes she can change his mind.

The Witch’s Dream begins with B Team on temporary assignment to Black Swan headquarters in Edinburgh where they are supposed to fill in for stretched-thin resources and assist with a werewolf issue. They’ve been given permission to stop in Ireland for a few days and celebrate a handfasting at the palace in Derry.

When they reach Edinburgh, the afterglow of an elftale wedding quickly turns all business. A missing person report turns into a demon abduction. A simple werewolf sanction becomes a diplomatic issue requiring the one thing Elora is no longer willing to give - finesse.

Buy Links:

The Witch’s Dream Book Two:  Amazon

My Familiar Stranger Book One: Smashwords|Amazon

Where to find Victoria:   WEBSITE:BLOG:FACEBOOK:TWITTER

Authors Bio:

Though works of fiction are a departure for me, I have had this series simmering on the back burner of my mind for a few years. In addition to authoring and illustrating Seasons of the Witch (for the past thirteen years) I play Classic Rock music and manage one of Houston's premier R&B bands.

This series includes some of my education in the paranormal and fictionalized anecdotes from my journals during the years when I was a practicing "metaphysician", but, of course, most of the material is fantasy. All of the books will feature strong female leads with strong male support.

Guest Post: Author Sydney Landon

Dear Reader:

There is one thing that I have noticed when I talk with fans of the Danvers series on Facebook or Twitter.  They are usually curious about my life outside of writing.  So, welcome to a day in the life of Sydney Landon!  Maybe you imagine that I sit at a desk working for a company like Danvers all day surrounded by hot men and beautiful women?  Well…I would really like to say that I do, but like most of us, reality is a bit different.

I am married to the love of my life and a fellow computer geek.  He is a very talented software engineer who approaches most everything in life with a good sense of humor which is a must in our busy life. I am mom to two beautiful children.  My son is five and just started kindergarten this year and my daughter is seven and started first grade so although life is truly fun in my household, it isn’t like a day at Danvers International.

My husband and I usually have a quiet breakfast together after I drop the children at school each day.  This is our time to connect before another busy day.  After breakfast, I head to the local gym where I take a water Zumba class.  Now, I’m not saying it’s always pretty, but wow, what fun it is.  Doing Zumba in the pool can make even someone like me with two left feet look like a rock star!  After Zumba, I come back home and get to the business part of being a writer which is handling correspondence, editing my books or taking care of paperwork.  I then move on to the pleasurable part which is reading and returning fan mail.  After a quick lunch, I like to write in the afternoons.  I strive for around two thousand words per day.  This may not seem like much, but I find it draining if I am writing an emotional scene.

At the end of the day, I pick up the kids and everyone sits around the dinner table trying to get a word in.  We are far from the Walton family, but it works.  The humor with which my husband and I handle life is probably one of the biggest things that carry over into my books.    My readers love the funny remarks that the characters make.  If I had to name the one thing about myself that I loved, it would always be my gift to make others laugh.  I can find humor in anything and that is why you will always find a laugh along with love in every Danvers book.

Claire Walters has worked for Jason Danvers as his assistant at Danvers International for three years, and he has never thought of her as a woman until the day she jumps out of a cake at his friend's bachelor party.

Claire is forced to work a second job at a party planning company to support her ailing mother. She is horrified when Jason not only finds out, but has a front-row seat to the action. With Danvers in the process of merging with another company, Claire is forced to travel with Jason as well as work weekends. Suddenly all the fantasies she has entertained for years about her boss seem to be coming true. Her outspoken best friend Suzy thinks that just getting laid will solve everything. The problem is, Claire sees much more in Jason than just sex.

Jason is determined to know how the beautiful, sexy woman in the cake could also be his Plain Jane assistant who tries her best to blend into the background from 8-5 every day. Now not only does Jason see her as a woman, he fully intends to give her the fairy-tale ending that she deserves!


Suzy Denton seems to have it all together. She loves her job as an event's planner for Danvers International, and she loves her high school sweetheart and fiance Jeff. Fast forward a month and it's all gone to hell in a hand-basket. She finds out Jeff's dentist has been doing more than drilling his teeth, and Danvers is in the process of merging with Mericom creating the largest communications company in the US and also bringing Gray Merimon, the CEO of Mericom into her life.

Gray pursues her from almost their first meeting. Even though he looks like sex on a stick, Suzy is afraid of being hurt again, and she thinks Gray is just another stuffed shirt looking for a relationship. When he calls her bluff, Suzy agrees to one night of sex, hoping that he will be terrible in bed and she can finally get him out of her system.

When circumstances throw them together for more than one night, can Gray convince Suzy that two complete opposites can be a perfect fit?

More info on the Danvers series:

The Danvers series follows the romantic lives of the high-powered businessmen who work at Danvers International.  In WEEKENDS REQUIRED, Claire Walters is desperately trying to balance her full-time job as assistant to CEO Jason Danvers with the part-time job at a party planning company to raise money for her mother’s medical bills.  When Jason shows up at one of her parties, he’s shocked to find his mousy assistant jumping out of his friend’s bachelor cake.  And he’s stunned at what a beautiful, sexy woman she is.  Suddenly Jason decides that it’s time to mix business and pleasure.

In NOT PLANNING ON YOU, free-spirited Danvers Event Planner Suzy Denton does not want to get involved with very sexy businessman Grayson Merimon.  But their undeniable attraction has been building for months, and when circumstances throw the two together, Gray is determined to prove to Suzy that he is exactly the right man for her.

NAL/Signet will release the never-before-published third book in the Danvers series, FALL FOR ME, as an eBook in December.  The first three books in the Danvers series will be published as mass market paperbacks back-to-back in January, February and March of 2013.

Find Sydney Landon on the web:

Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

Review: Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane

Hunk for the Holidays 

Author:  Katie Lane

Publisher:  Forever

Release date:   9/25/12

Author's website:   Link

Always putting business before pleasure, Cassie McPherson works hard for her family's construction business. That might explain why she doesn't have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn't quite explain why she's crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or - crazier still - why she's dying to unwrap him like a present . . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone, including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn't stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he's not an escort. He's her family's fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

Mistaken identity comes into play in this story as Cassie McPherson makes the mistake of thinking that the very handsome man standing in her office is the escort that she's hired for her family's Christmas party.  But he's actually James Sutton, a business rival to her family's construction business that has been getting all of the great accounts.  He's very attracted to Cassie when he first sees her and decides to play along as her escort for the evening.  While spending time with her, he gets to know her better and sees how hard she works for the company.  She doesn't really spend a lot of time doing the things that she enjoys and James decides that he wants to do what he can to show her a good time.  Cassie enjoys his company and wants to take things a little further.  By the time she finds out the truth of who James really is, she's falling hard for him and her family likes him as well.  He now has to find a way to make things right after everything begins to go downhill.

I liked the premise of this book and for the most part enjoyed how the storyline played out.  I thought Cassie's family was very entertaining and supportive to Cassie when she needed them.  I also thought that James' intentions were good ones and that he was a good guy.  Sometimes things can get kind of shady when it comes to business and I'm glad that the McPherson family realized that James wasn't out to do anything bad to them. The main problem that I had with this book is that it just wasn't that exciting to me.  I found that some of the storyline moved slow at times and I quickly became bored while reading.  The characters are what made this story enjoyable and that is what stood out the most for me. 

I'm giving Hunk for the Holidays a rating of:

Olivia Cunning Sinners on Tour Giveaway!

To gear up for the release of Double Time, I have a great giveaway today!

Sinners on Tour Book 1

Five stunning guys, one hot woman, and a feverish romance...

For him, life is all music and no play...

When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius...

She's the one to call the tune...

When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on...

Then the two lovers' wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory... and sin...

Sinners on Tour Book 2

An ultimatum can break your heart....

Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica...

If you’re not willing to break all the rules...

It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...

Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...

2 winners will receive both books!  

You must answer this question to enter:  What was your favorite concert that you attended?

Giveaway is open to US/Canada only.  Please leave a comment with email if you're entering the giveaway.  Giveaway ends 10/30/12 at 12 PM EST.  Good luck!

Releasing on November 1st.  Book 3 in the Sinners on Tour series!

Olivia Cunning delivers the perfect blend of steamy sex, heartwarming romance, and a wicked sense of humor in this menage story featuring the hottest guy in the Sinners band.

Trey Mills, the notoriously sexy Sinners rhythm guitarist, gives up his bisexual lifestyle and is swept into a hot, heady romance with Reagan Elliot, a female rock star sensation. But when Trey encounters Reagan's sexy bisexual roommate, Ethan Conner, he can no longer deny who he is or what he wants. Reagan heartily agrees to a solution that opens up a hot new world of sexual experience--and love--with the two men she wants the most.

Giveaway Winner of ICED!

The winner of  ICED is:

 

Kwana!

Congrats! You can expect an email from me shortly!

Guest Post: Author Shelly Holt

How much of a writer's personality really ends up in their characters?  I ponder this question as I casually peruse my manuscript of my recently published debut novel Tasting Fire. 

Tasting Fire is many things. It's the story of a shape shifting race called the Pari and how discovery of their existence and that of other shape-shifters in the world changes how humanity looks at itself and its environment.  It's also a love story between Kai Tenzin, the Tibetan leader of the Pari, a man whose ancestor's DNA was merged with that of an Asian Snow Leopard and Dr. Rae Hales the beautiful American scientist he hires to try to hide the tell-tale DNA from modern science. 

As I look back over this world I created and its inhabitants, I can't help but wonder how much of their creator shows in their personalities.  My romantic hero, Kai Tenzin is brave as all alpha males are, but definitely has his own issues.  Kai as the self appointed leader of the Pari people takes on responsibility for over seven thousand people.  He does this with no assistance from any government, even his own billionaire father refuses to help the cause. 

As the oldest of four children, I can easily see that my own sense of family responsibility has helped to form Kai's character.  As my parent's health declined, I assumed the responsibility of caregiver and left my job to move to rural Nevada to care for my parents.  Kai has similarly given up his own path and dedicated himself to protecting the Pari people.  Kai also has somewhat of a temper when he gets frustrated.  O.K... I'll admit to that as well.  The last part of myself that I see in Kai is a reluctance to give up control.  In Kai this translates to his inability to sleep on an airplane.  Kai can't sleep on a plane because I can't sleep on a plane.

Dr. Rae Hales also was imprinted with a great deal of her creator.  In the beginning of the book she experiences profound grief while watching a middle age woman take care of her elderly mother.  It reminds her that her mother died at a very young age leaving Rae alone in the world.  This helps define Rae as a character and give her an emotional center.   She understands how she will never have the privilege and it is a privilege to care for her mother in her final years.  The grief Rae expresses is mine. My mother died in 2010 at the age of 69.  Rae lost her mother much earlier than I did, but the emotions have been fully expressed in that chapter. 

Nawang Wangdo is Kai's father and a very important secondary character in the story.  He represents my spiritual development.  He begins to realize that money and power are truly illusionary and the only thing you can take with you after your time on earth is done is the love you feel for others.  His long deceased mother tells him in a dream that her son must embrace his own inner light and all else is baggage and must be left behind.  As I have grown older, I too have begun to realize possessions while some of them are required to sustain human life, shelter, food, medicine.  Luxury items stay here when your time on earth is done and like baggage must be left behind.  All you take with you is that inner light that hopefully if you have lived your life with love and compassion, shines bright with infinite luminescence.

My thanks to Hanging with Bells for inviting me to visit on the blog today and share my experience of writing Tasting Fire with you.

Excerpt

 Rae took an admiring look at the vista below as she dropped her heavy pack on the ground.  The mountains in the distance looked purple and the desert brush spread out below them like a master oil painting.  It was awe inspiring to human eyes.  Rae wondered what would it look like to a snow leopard.  She suddenly realized many a biologist would sell their very soul for the opportunity she had at that moment.  Rae turned to Kai who had been sitting on the ground with his pack and fishing around for lunch and asked him  “what is it like when you're in your Shan form out in country like this?”   Kai rewarded Rae with the most brilliant smile she had yet seen to grace the handsome shape-shifter's face.  He seemed truly delighted to discuss the subject with her.  Kai stood up to answer Rae's question.  He addressed the human scientist.  “It's like nothing you can imagine Rae.  Every sense is in tune with the planet.  See that tree over there” he pointed a few yards away at an ancient gnarled pinyon.  “Yes”  Rae replied.  Kai walked up behind Rae and put his hands on her shoulders and directed her to look even closer at the tree.  He whispered intimately in her ear as if they were in a church or another sacred space “when you look at that tree with your limited human vision, the average person can certainly appreciate its form and color.   A biologist like yourself would ask what type of tree is it and how old it is.   A philosopher might ask who may have sat underneath it in the past or who might sit underneath it in the future.  All of you might even wonder when will it die.  That's the limit of your human perception.  When you're in Shan form every single leaf will bid you a glorious greeting as you walk up to the tree for the first time.  Every drop of sap tells you the history of the tree's life like an intimate biography written in the utterly sensual language of scent.  The tree itself will tell you if it's healthy or sick.  You can smell if the water that nourishes it is bitter or sweet.  If you deeply pay attention you can smell every animal that has ever been there.”  Kai looked to Rae like he was experiencing a spiritual moment and Rae suddenly realized he was.  The enthralled shape-shifter continued to explain to Rae the nuances of the animal world  “when you are ready to move on to another place you reach up with your powerful claws and dig deep into the bark to mark the tree with your scent.  It's added harmoniously to the scent of hundreds of other animals.  You do this not just to mark your hunting territory, but to tell every animal after you have left this world that you lived and breathed here at one time in the great mystery that is life.  That is your only immortality in the animal world.  There are no monuments to mark a man's ego, or family albums for a mother to remember her children by, but neither is there hate, nor fear of the future or regret of the past.  You are fully alive in each and every moment.  It's a wonderfully free existence.  I wish I could truly share it with you... words, words pale in comparison.”   Kai looked so happy at that moment.  Rae was so moved by what he had just shared with her that all she could do was reach out and touch his wrist. “Thank you!” she whispered.  Kai nodded at her in acknowledgment, but he was too emotional to even speak.

BIO:

My name is Shelly Holt and I live in the middle of the harsh and unforgiving Mojave desert. I write my stories looking out of a window that shows sweeping desert views. Outside is a barren and severe landscape, yet inside my head lives a world filled with exotic shape-shifters come to life, pulled from the pages of myth and legend, ready to entice and seduce any reader brave enough to take them on.

Shape-shifters have always walked the earth. Shrouded in myth and folklore, hiding in the shadows, watching and waiting. Advances in modern science are now about to reveal them to the world. Kai Tenzin is the self appointed leader of the Pari people. He and his kind evolved from the most reclusive predators on earth. They live and hunt in the most fearsome and rugged terrain known to man, the Himalayas. Kai leaves his small village where the mountains touch the heavens, determined to do anything to protect his people. When he is forced to enlist the aid of the beautiful American scientist Dr. Rae Hales, the last thing he expects to find is a woman who will ensnare his heart and endanger them all. Their action-packed adventure will take them around the world to discover the truth behind the legends and reveal the future of humanity.

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