Monday, December 31, 2012

Blog Tour {Excerpt & Contest}—Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail



Hi, everyone! As part of the special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Cephrael's Hand eBook edition is just 99 cents this week, and by purchasing this amazing book—which truly is amazing if my foaming-at-the-mouth review is any indication—you can enter to win awesome prizes by sharing some LUV.

♥ Autographed copies of Cephrael’s Hand, the award-winning Epic Fantasy debut of Melissa McPhail (5 prizes)
♥ $50 — Rafflecopter (2 prizes)
♥ $50 — Google+ sharing contest
♥ $50 — Facebook sharing contest
♥ $100 in the special author contest
♥ Kindle Fire in the special author contest

The LUV'NV could also win $100 in best/most creative entry and $50 in the Random blogger award, which would go to an awesome V Giveaway!

Blog Tour {Review}—Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail



by Melissa McPhail
Book #1 of A Pattern of Shadow & Light
** ForeWord Reviews 2010 Book of the Year Finalist **
** Winner of Best Fiction, The Written Arts Awards **
** Winner of Best Science Fiction/Fantasy, The Written Arts Awards **

Book Depository Amazon B & N Goodreads

“All things are composed of patterns …” And within the pattern of the realm of Alorin, three strands must cross:

In Alorin … three hundred years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor’s brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D’Lacourte’s mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he’ll have to find him.

In the kingdom of Dannym … the young Prince Ean val Lorian faces a tenuous future as the last living heir to the coveted Eagle Throne. When his blood-brother is slain during a failed assassination, Ean embarks on a desperate hunt for the man responsible. Yet his advisors have their own agendas, and his quest for vengeance leads him ever deeper into a sinuous plot masterminded by a mysterious and powerful man, the one they call First Lord.

In the Nadori desert … tormented by the missing pieces of his life, a soldier named Trell heads off to uncover the truth of his shadowed past. But when disaster places him in the debt of Wildlings sworn to the First Lord, Trell begins to suspect a deadlier, darker secret motivating them.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

V Wicked Tease – 12/27


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non-canon!
Chapter 17 of "The End, The Beginning" by starpower31 **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 6 of "Merry Christmas, Stranger" by starpower31 **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 57 of "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo **Emmett & OC**

— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.



Thursday, December 20, 2012

V Wicked Tease – 12/20


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non-canon!
Chapter 8 of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by chocaholic123 **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 16 of "The Beginning, The End" by starpower31 **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 3 of "Merry Christmas, Stranger" by starpower31 **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 5 of "Simply Fate" by Vampgirl79 **Alice & Bella**

— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Vouched Books! The Night's Masque series by Anne Lyle



When Tudor explorers returned from the New World, they brought back a name out of half-forgotten Viking legend: skraylings. Red-sailed ships followed in the explorers’ wake, bringing Native American goods – and a skrayling ambassador – to London. But what do these seemingly magical beings really want in Elizabeth I’s capital?

Mal Catlyn, a down-at-heel swordsman, is seconded to the ambassador’s bodyguard, but assassination attempts are the least of his problems. What he learns about the skraylings and their unholy powers could cost England her new ally – and Mal Catlyn his soul.

Available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository
Find Anne Lyle on: Her Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Angry Robot
Genre and Content Rating: Historical Fantasy, 18+


A wonderful combination of fantasy, mystery, and revised history, The Alchemist of Souls was a surprising and highly enjoyable read. Though the setting is Tudor England, Queen Elizabeth is a widow with two sons; instead of the Church and Continent relations, trade between England and the New World are of dire import—and not with Native Americans in the traditional sense but with skraylings (or skræling), the mysterious, northernmost America people from Norse legends; and, of course, theater is the highlight of the season, shared between the social classes, but serving as a backdrop for political schemes, in which the players are the pawns, playwrights like Christopher Marlowe were the spies, and the theater location and name aren't as important as the theater attendees.

Mal Catlyn, a mercenary with questionable family and religious ties, is only on the lookout for his next paycheck so he can provide for his insane twin brother. When he's recruited as a bodyguard for the skrayling ambassador judging the next set of plays, Mal must get over his understandable aversion to the little-known foreigners to avoid surmounting debts ... and the noose, for he must also spy on the skraylings for any hints of the "demonic." His growing respect for Ambassador Kiiren skews his mission as well as values he never knew he had, and he learns about a connection with the skraylings that no man—English or not—would like.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

New Stories from V Featured Authors

Check out the new Twilight fics from V featured authors that you might have missed.

"Looper" by Mrstrentreznor

Tyler & Bella, AU-Twilight, M, One Shot
Summary: What if Bella's future self came back to warn her off?


"Set Fire to the Rain" by kerigocrazy

Paul & Seth, Slash, Romance, Angst, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: After a decade spent tied to an imprint who wants anything but what she's been given, Paul has hit an emotional rock bottom. Can Seth change the course of his future? Is it even possible to get past the imprint? My entry for the "C'mon Baby Light My Fire" O/S Contest on JBNP.


"Quiet" by idealskeptic

Esme, Tragedy, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: There's a big scene in Breaking Dawn: Part 2 that's just a vision. But what if it wasn't? What if it actually happened? What would Esme hear, see, think, and do? ... obvious movie spoilers, so you've been warned.


"Crazy Perfect" by TwilightMommyof4girls

Bella, Drama, Romance, MA/NC-17, Completed
Summary: This story was written more than a year ago but was lost in a computer crash before being posted. It was just recovered so I decided to share it in my effort to get everything updated and completed. There are three chapters and an epilogue.


"Long Ride Home" by Mrstrentreznor

Claire & Quil, Romance, K, One Shot
Summary: How does grown up Claire cope with being told that Quil is her soul mate? Drabble fic. less than 500 words.


"The Beautiful Girls" by Kyilliki

Sulpicia and Athenodora, Family, T, One Shot
Summary: The end of Breaking Dawn, from the perspective of the Volturi wives. An AU where Didyme lives, written for a request.


"Long, Tall Sally" by LJ Summers

Angela & Garrett, Romance, AU-Eclipse, T, Complete
Summary: Nomad Garrett Sawyer happens upon traces of his old friend Carlisle Cullen. Wary, he eventually follows the entire Cullen Coven to none other than a high school graduation ceremony and his existence is profoundly re-directed. An Eclipse AU, written for The Edge Girls.


"Definitions" by meliz875

Wolf Pack, MA/NC-17, WIP
Summary: "When a defining moment comes along, you define the moment, or the moment defines you." Glimpses into the lives of the Twilight wolf pack. A place to keep my drabble fics, prompts and other misc. writing. Rated M to be safe. Will likely span multiple characters/genres


"Time Heals All Wounds" by Speklez

Demetri & Bella, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, MA/NC-17, WIP
Summary: Tragedy introduced them, common ground brought them closer and heartbreaking circumstances will tie them together. A/U A/H OOC and all that fun stuff. Normal disclaimers apply.


"Bonfires and Burns" by Mrstrentreznor

Bella, AU-New Moon, K, One Shot
Summary: An unnamed wolf tells his child a story to distract him when he is hurt. Second prize JBNP Fall Festivities 2012 anon one shot competition.


"Up to My Neck" by Kyilliki

Kate & Garrett, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: Kate, Garrett, and a romance at the margins.


Thursday, December 13, 2012

V Wicked Tease – 12/13


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non-canon!
Chapter 23 of "Corporate Affairs" by chocaholic123 **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 10 of "Spinal Cord" by Midnight Ariel **Jasper & Alice**

— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.
Chapter 44 of "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo **Emmett & OC**


Vouched Book! "Falling Kingdoms" by Morgan Rhodes

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

"Falling Kingdoms will gut you emotionally. It will make you ache, cry, and beg for the sequel as you turn the last page. I absolutely loved it." — Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Queen

"This triple-layered tale of bloodshed, heartbreak, and tangled court intrigue kept me turning pages very late into the night." — Lesley Livingston, award-winning author of Wondrous Strange

Find it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | The Book Depository
Find Morgan Rhodes on: Her Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin Group)
Genre & Content Rating: YA Fantasy, 16+



This is the first book I've picked up from PenguinTeen's Breathless Reads Collection. While I wasn't breathless, Falling Kingdoms has vivid battle scenes and a couple heart-tugging moments.

Kingdoms do fall. The young are left to grow up fast and pick up the pieces while their hopes and dreams are crushed. Death, secrets, and betrayals are abundant—throat-slicing being the choice death-blow, though don't expect cloak-and-dagger assassins (and plot twists) like the book cover leads one to expect because there are none, sadly.

I think that was my main issue with the book—there was no stealth, no mystery. I knew what was going to happen; the twists and "secrets" were obvious. I anticipated the characters' reactions and the outcome—and it wasn't in a good way. It made the buildup a bit slow for me. I also thought there was more "telling" than "showing" in the beginning. With the exception of one character (Magnus), I didn't see what the characters saw in another character. Though I knew their personalities in a general sense, I didn't feel Cleo, Jonas, or Lucia in my gut.

But once I got to the climax (about three-quarters in), I couldn't put the book down, and the character growth was fantastic. Every character made some kind of leap, some kind of change, that is rare in YA.

Falling Kingdoms was good, not great, but I'll definitely check out the rest of the series, hoping for a similar pace to the last quarter of the book. A solid three-and-half stars bumped up to four because of the ending.



LUV'NV Rating:
Amazon.com Rating as 12/13/2012: 4.3 out of 5 stars

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Guest Review by Read 'n Love 2Gether — "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo

"Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo
Emmett & OC, Angst, Romance, MA/NC-17
Summary: I am a monster—born to protect, yet living only to kill. My humanity is gone, all until one harmless glance changes everything. Just one glance has bound two sworn enemies together. But is it fate or a joke? Can one who has lost herself be found again by another? Or is this another dark, dirty, trick of my own mind? A forbidden passion, heat, and intense anger—this is no fairytale.
Content Warnings: Alcohol abuse and graphic violence


The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo's "Monster" is a gripping tale of action, angst, romance, and fluff that teaches a common lesson: sometimes the biggest obstacle in our lives is ourselves.

My first encounter with "Monster" was late in the night when I caught the attention of it, and I started the first chapter in a half-awake stage. I was interested, and something kept me reading. Before I knew it, I was on chapter 20. I was awake by then, as the fantastic attention to detail kept me reading. I saw that the first four chapters of the second part were an exposition and thought I would stop. But, just my luck: I got to the 25th chapter and the happenings had me hooked. Hours passed as I read all the way through to the 50th, and I was awed by this fic.

This isn't your common fic, and I believe that because of that, this undiscovered gem has yet to be discovered. "Monster" is the tale of a Quileute woman by the name of Jordan Uley. She has struggled through her childhood filled with hardships, which eventually build into a stunning fury that's bottled up into her until she explodes and ends up losing herself to the 'monster' within herself.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

V Wicked Tease – 12/06


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non-canon!
Chapter 22 of "Corporate Affairs" by chocaholic123 **Edward & Bella**

— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.
Chapter 52 of "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo **Emmett & OC**


Thursday, November 22, 2012

V Wicked Tease – 11/22


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non-canon!
Chapter 51 of "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo **Emmett & OC**


— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

V Giveaway! The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz


We're hosting our first giveaway!
Win Kindle copies of The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz!

With Thanksgiving and Black Friday around the corner, as well as the third installment of The Original Sinners series releasing today, we thought there was no better time to hold our first giveaway.

Never heard of The Original Sinners? Read the individual book summaries and RaindropSoup's reviews by clicking on the respective bookcovers above. Have you been meaning to read the series? Here's your chance to win all three books! And if you've been hesitant to buy and read the series, now you can have them with spending a penny.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Vouched Books! "The Original Sinners" Books 0.5 – 3 by Tiffany Reisz


(Click on the bookcover for the review)

Find Tiffany Reisz on: Her Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Courtesy of NetGalley, I received an ARC of The Prince, the much anticipated third installment of The Original Sinner series due to release tomorrow. As usual, I'm late to the bandwagon. I hadn't heard of the series until recently, and that was only a few days before I received the ARC. I had to catch up—read three books and two novellas in a less than a week.

It was the greatest week of little sleep and the best reads I can remember having in the longest time. That's saying a lot coming from me since I'm not a BDSM reader/fanatic. Find out why I floved this series and why you might want to give it try if you haven't already.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Bmitw Pursued by Mmsimpy09

The Pursuit of Bmitw, author of Gods and Wolves
Author Name: Bmitw
Stories: Gods and Wolves
Where to find Bmitw: TWCS | FFN | JBNP | Tricky Raven

Mmsimpy09: So, let us start with something simple! Is there a story behind your pen name?
Bmitw: The penname bmitw was chosen when, after about six months of lurking on Fan Fiction sites, I decided to join FanFiction.net. I chose it as it is the initials of a nickname my children gave me a few years ago. It stands for Best Mummy In The World. They're adults now and still call me that!

Mmsimpy09: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Bmitw: Well, I'm Australian, divorced and have two sons. My teacher father taught me to read and write when I was three and I've always loved to read - if I was ever separated from my parents in a store they always found me in the book section. I read voraciously but didn't pursue it as a career because I didn't want to become a teacher myself, and didn't really have the confidence to try to be a writer. I like to escape when I'm reading, so prefer fantasy or historical stories over modern ones.

Mmsimpy09: How did you find your way to Fan Fiction?
Bmitw: It was a roundabout route to be sure. One of my sons was scouted to a college soccer team in the USA, and he ended up in WA and on the Olympic Peninsula. I saw a DVD of Twilight in the supermarket and knew that it was set there, so bought it to watch. After that I was completely drawn into that world, read the books in days and then wanted more. I was on the Lexicon and saw references to the stories Wide Awake and the Submissive/Dominant/Training series by tarasueme, which I read. Then I realized that there were thousands of other stories and that I didn't have to read Bella/Edward and so I don't! The first non-canon stories I read were actually Volturi fics.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

V Wicked Tease – 11/15


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non-canon!
Chapter 50 of "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo **Emmett & OC**
Chapter 12 of "The Other Way" by Honeybeemeadows **Edward & Bella**

— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.
Chapter 63 of "Coupling" by Honeybeemeadows **A/B, J/A, E/B**


New Stories from V Featured Authors

Check out the new Twilight fics from V featured authors that you might have missed.

"This Is The Darkest Timeline" by Kyilliki

Marcus, Angst, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: Four times Marcus found out about Didyme's death, and the one time he didn't. AU


"Hell's Hounds" by SparklingFae

Sam & Bella, Romance, Angst, AH, MA/NC-17, WIP
Summary: She had lost everything, He had lost his best friend..together they would find comfort and begin healing one another. AU A/H Beta'd by NCChris and pre-read by Iamtwilightobsessed-MP Warning, first few chapters involve drug use and addiction recovery.


"The Tree House" by moirae

Edward & Jasper, Angst, Romance, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: Winner of Readers Choice in the Slash/Backslash 4.0 Contest. Edward and Jasper have always known there was something more than friendship between them. But knowing your soul mate isn't a guarantee you'll keep them. "Of all the secret knowledge I possess of Jasper Whitlock, the greatest is how thoroughly skilled he is at breaking my heart."


"Wide Open Road" by Mrstrentreznor

Jacob & Bella, Romance, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: BD, AU - What if the wolves made one last attempt to change her mind before the wedding? The Cullens can't see them if Jake is with her. Could his return a day early make a difference?


"Things My Mama Taught Me" by idealskeptic

Leah, Family, T, WIP
Summary: My take on the Twilight 25: Round 7 prompts. Leah Clearwater has learned a lot of lessons in her short life, some easier than others. She's the focus of these twenty-five unrelated one-shots based on lessons your mama taught you. She'll never encounter the same person twice in her journey of life lessons. Canon characters, in all things.


"40 weeks" by kerigocrazy

Quil & Bella, Romance, Humor, MA/NC-17, WIP
Summary: Bella Swan was forever self-sacrificing...until she wasn't. In a fit of rebellion after Edward leaves her in the woods, she sets out to lose her V-Card. Quil Ateara is the lucky sucker standing in her way. A single night of awkward, virgin pleasure turns into 40 weeks of bodily fluids, stretch marks, and overprotective wolves with no clue what to do with a pregnant leech lover.


"The Siren's Call" by SparklingFae

Sam & Bella, Romance, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: He didn't mean to watch but she quickly caught his attention and he wanted more...


Summary: This is where all the outtakes from "Somewhere I Belong" will be. I expect there to be four of them.


"Arrested by You" by SparklingFae

Sam & Bella, Romance, Angst, MA/NC-17, WIP
Summary: She had left when the pain became to much for her. Tragedy would bring her home...would this heal her heart?


"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by kerigocrazy

Embry & Bella, Horror, Tragedy, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: Bella Swan returns to Forks after twenty years gone, looking to put down roots, but this sleepy little place has more secrets than most. When a strange man with paper thin skin purchases old Cullen's Lot a real life horror story begins. Twilight/Salem's Lot mash-up. Tied for Winner of the Cult Classic Award in Tricky Raven's "A Haunting in Forks Contest."


"Blue Jeans and a White Shirt" by Mrstrentreznor

Jacob & Bella, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: Bad boy Jake fascinates good girl Bella. Can she influence him or he will he win out? AH NM AU


"Lost in Translation" by moirae

Maggie & Riley, Romance, Humor, MA/NC-17, One Shot
Summary: Riley and Maggie are from opposite ends of the earth but find themselves traveling together through beautiful Prague for a single week. Will the draw of temptation overcome the obstacles of distance?
Read the V Review


"Indian Summer" by SparklingFae

Sam & Bella, Romance, Angst, MA/NC-17, Complete
Summary: She wanted to thank him. She just wasn't sure how.


"Who Let the Wolves Out" by kerigocrazy

Humor, Romance, MA/NC-17, WIP
Summary: Ever wondered how the pack really feels about Sam's performance as Alpha? Want to know what happens when the boys light up and discuss vampire sex? How about when Charlie and Billy embark on a clandestine mission to spy on the kids? You've come to the right place. A series of humorous pack-centered O/S's for The Twilight Twenty-Five challenge, Round 7.