Review of Pandora's Box by Katie Salidas

Katie is offering a free e-copy to one lucky commenter!  To enter leave a comment after the review post, telling her what is that draws you to vampire stories.  Enter before 8AM EDT 7/13/11, and I will draw the winner and post the name on 7/13/11 at 7PM EDT.  Please be sure to leave an email where I may contact you. Also, if you comment at all the posts on Katie's tour, you have a chance to win a signed copy of Pandora's Box.  Go to Katie's website for details on how to enter.  You'll find the link posted below the review.

 Katie Salidas’ Immortalis series continues with the third installment, Pandora’s Box.  Drawing on Greek Mythology for the origin for her vampires, Salidas presents an interesting spin on the Pandora myth.  Heroine Alyssa and mortal friend, Fallon, discover a strange box left at the Las Vegas home of the Peregrinus Clan of vampires.  The box is opened, and an ancient evil is loosed upon the world.  When this malevolent force fells one of their own, the clan sets off in pursuit of knowledge that will help them to both avenge the murder and return the entity, Aniketos, back to his prison in the box.  The quest takes them to Boston, where they must seek the aid of the alpha of a local pack of werewolves.  While vampires and werewolves may not be mortal enemies there is still considerable conflict between the two camps that complicates the clan’s mission.

With each successive book, Salidas takes us deeper into the fascinating mythos of her vampires.  It was a pleasant surprise to find werewolves and vampires cooperating to some extent, instead of the clichéd view of them being portrayed as enemies.  The departure from the Vegas backdrop of the first two novels was also unexpected, and Salidas peppers the book with some neat references to Boston landmarks and customs. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of the partying Boston vampires.  As always,

Salidas’ narrative moves at a sprightly pace and offers a mix of humor, drama and romance.  However, Salidas isn’t afraid to tap into a vein of horror and gore to remind us that vampires and werewolves are potentially dangerous creatures.  Her heroine, Alyssa, continues to mature and grow as a character and finds herself up against the most difficult challenge she’s encountered thus far. The story’s heartrending conclusion leaves us with a cliffhanger that will have readers anxiously awaiting book four.   

You can find out more about Katie Salidas and her books at these links:
 Facebook Fan Page
Katie's Website
Twitter
Book Trailers

Purchase Pandora's Box: 
Barnes and Noble

My Fearful Symmetry Drawing Deadline Extended

Due to the print copies being available a little later than we hoped, I'm extending the deadline to enter to win an author-signed copy of My Fearful Symmetry until June 5th, 11:59 PM EDT.  To enter, you must comment on any post at this blog from June 1st-July 5th.  You get one entry for each time you comment.  Good luck!

Enter to Win a Copy of My Fearful Symmetry

Comment on any post in June (including this one) to be entered to win an autographed copy of My Fearful Symmetry!  You get one entry for each post you comment on.  The winner will be chosen in a random drawing at 11:59 PM on 6/30/11.

Good Luck!

My Fearful Symmetry

Aleron by Kane

   Today I'm turning the spotlight on

Aleron by Kane

Aleron must cope with a timeless existence, seeing those he loves suffer the fate of mortality, while he remains cursed with eternal life. What if your immortal origin as well as others of your kind were hidden from you by the one you loved most; the one who gave you into a life of darkness and a lust for the sweetest nectar? These dilemmas and more face Aleron, but he must first learn to live, to survive, and most of all, to feed. Seduced by the alluring vampire Mynea, Aleron learns what it truly means to be immortal as he adapts to his new life and new insatiable lust. She is teaching him to give her what her maker never has. She desires a new king and a new coven. Hearts, minds, and vampire souls intertwine as long kept secrets crawl out from the grave, refusing to remain buried beneath earth and lies. A blood kiss between them reveals a darker and even deadlier soul that has learned of Aleron's blasphemous existence. Vlad is the beginning, the father of them all. Mynea must not let her young prince learn of her ancient king. Can a vampire truly love and trust another of his kind when their very lives depend on skillful deceit? Walking a thin line between life and death Aleron is certain of one thing, if love is, then blood is.

Excerpt:

Aleron arose from his slumber and she was gone. Aleron was alone—his heart empty for his maker had deserted him. The only reminder was an ancient book he can’t decipher and Minea’s ever faithful human servant, Eliza.

Minea watched him closely, she knew he would be the one, her new King—Aleron. She made him in secrecy and for decades she has nurtured him in the ways of the Vampire. He must be strong for she knew the time would come for her to leave him. Her beloved Aleron.

Vlad’s temper was growing. How dare Minea disappear for decades? He is the beginning, the father of them all, no Vampire dare to defy him. Those who have tried no longer bear the mark of immortality.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Aleron/Kane/e/2940012302502/?itm=1&USRI=aleron

Kane's website

Comment on this post and any other of my posts during the month of June to enter to win a copy of My Fearful Symmetry, Book Three of the Immortyl Revolution!

My Blog Tour and Contest to Win My Fearful Symmetry

My blog tour starts on Tuesday at Written in Blood.  I will be giving away an Immortyl Revolution mousepad there.  To enter my book giveaway, please leave a comment at any post on my blog during the month of June!  If you haven't yet become a follower here, please do!

Cedric Speaks-Week Three

 Cedric speaks

The girl just smiled, unaware of the danger to her.  Raj wrapped his arm around her waist and steered her toward the staircase, chatting her up, all charming and debonair.  His little game annoyed me.  The girl’s bum swung like a fleshy pendulum, mesmerizing.  Hunger and desire spilled over into my veins, filling and hardening.  This disturbing combination of lusts propelled me to follow her and Raj into the bedroom. 

Welcome to week three.  Being a vampire isn't all fun, as Cedric begins to discover.  What is the price for eternal life and youth?  As he comes to grapple with this question, he learns some disturbing truths about himself. 

I like my vampires to have limitations.  If it's all about being sexy and cool, where is the conflict?  A vampire survives on some form of energy, be it blood or some metaphysical kind.  In Cedric's world, even those who manage to live on donated blood, struggle with the addiction to the kill.  The link between the Immortyls' bloodlust and sexual arousal also can't be ignored. 

As a mortal, Cedric learned to trade on his desirability.  Now he learns his beauty can be a dangerous gift. 

Love and dark kisses,

Denise

 Please leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a Cara Mia t-shirt.  A winner will be chosen on May 31st.  Good Luck! Each time you comment on a post in this feature you will recieve one additional entry.

Millenicon Panelist

I'll be at Millenicon in Cincinnati this weekend.http://millennicon.org/  I'm doing a reading on Friday night at 9:00, and I'll be doing some panels on Saturday and Sunday.  I'll be stopping by the Loconeal Publishing table to sign books as well.

Author appearance at Context 23 in Columbus, Ohio

Please join me this Friday evening through Sunday at the Doubletree in Columbus, Ohio for Context 23, a speculative fiction convention.  I will be reading on Friday at 10PM from Twilight of the Gods, my second novel in the Immortyl Revolution series, appearing as a panelist on Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance panels and doing a book signing on Saturday.  It's a great event and I hope to see you there!

Last day to enter to win a copy of Cara Mia!

Today is the last day to enter!  You can read my latest interview at this link and leave a comment to enter: http://paulazone.blogdrive.com/.  I'll be drawing tonight and posting the winner in the morning!  Please check back.

I'm featured at Susan Whitfield's Blog

Susan Whitfield, fellow Dreamspell author has me on her blog.  Please stop by for a visit!http://www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com/