New ARC Review: Undertow by Moira Rogers

From Amazon.com...

Being needed isn't half as desirable as being wanted.

Building Sanctuary, Book 2

Victor left behind a life of crime to focus on a new vision-helping his alpha build an island sanctuary for werewolves. Harsh experiences prepared him for the hardships involved, except when it comes to dealing with the young female refugees of the brutal Boston pack-especially Simone, who rouses his inner wolf like no other. A woman he must resist, or risk becoming just the latest man to make demands on her.

Born to wealth and privilege, Simone lost everything when she fell for the seductive whispers of the textile heir who turned her. Once adrift, she is now fired with a sense of purpose-the chance to broker peace between werewolves and European wizards. Yet, even as Europe beckons, her instincts-the same ones that led to trouble before-keep drawing her back to Victor.

During a sailing trip to the mainland for supplies, Victor finds it impossible to hold himself aloof from the warm and engaging Simone. And when a winter storm traps them together during a full moon, she breaks through his walls so easily and completely, the question is no longer how he'll stay away, but how he'll let her go.

If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to be stranded on an island in a blizzard...then wondered how in the world you would keep yourself warm, this would be the survival guide for you (wink wink). But, we'll get to that later...

First off, let me sing the praises that is my new toy. My Kindle. You are such a pleasure to read from that I will be going straight back to more Moira Rogers treasure once this review is done.

And now, on with the review!

If there is one world to dip your toes into, its the world of Moira Rogers. These lovely women (and their sneakily and alternatively sassy and saucy minds) have created not only a world but people that build and add to every single enjoyable page. Simone is one of my favorite characters, if only because she seems vulnerable yet strong as she puts others in front of her self. She holds a massive weight of guilt upon her shoulders for the things that have happened in the past but doesn't allow it to taint how she looks at the pack she now belongs to. However, this also makes her interpret how others react to her differently than before. (Ahem...Victor.) And Victor...it seems that the strength and dominant instinct that runs so deeply in some wolves is also what can make them act like absolute moronic men. And I mean this in a way that includes but is not limited to gruffness being the brilliant action of the day instead of say, oh, communicating that they actually have feelings for you and want to protect you. Which, in turn makes the female in question get those familiar hurt emotions that then in turn, walk away.

Miscommunication happens, and the easiest thing to do isn't always what you really want to do. Until, there is no where to walk (or run) away to. Because being stranded on an island during a blizzard in an abandoned tiny cottage and then having to, uh, do things to keep yourselves warm creates the perfect "storm" for some intense...communicating. Those instincts that Victor is so afraid of turning him into just another person who will use Simone unfairly can longer be denied...But what will happen when they have to return to the world and the wizard waiting for them? Will she choose love, or her work for peace between the werwolves and wizards?

I adore Moira Rogers' work and felt very lucky to get this ARC (hangs head in shame at how long it took me to get to it) and am so glad to finally finish and spread the word about this series. (Oddly enough, I have not read the first in the series and really felt like this didn't hinder my feelings at all...Victor and Simone had me so entranced I would have read this no matter what.)

Note: Undertow provided by author for review....

Avalon Revisited....Steampunk Continued.

From Amazon.com:

Arthur has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery. Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur's shriveled heart. Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders. Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance.

As many of you know, I just finished a guest post on Steampunk over at Not Really Southern Vamp Chick's Birthday Bash Countdown (I just love typing that because it sounds like a party in and of itself!!) in which I made mention of a few steampunk titles, one of which is the above pictured Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey.

My first kindle edition...and to be honest, I was a tad worried. Not so much about the content, but about me.

You see, change, in its early conceptions, freaks me out. How was I going to read a book that's...not actually a book in my hot little hands? Where would the satisfaction of keeping track of my progress via my sometimes tacky yet lovingly placed bookmarks? Ack!

But there it was....Avalon Revisited, only on Kindle. But, I don't have a Kindle. And I lamented this fact on my twitter. Enter the lovely artist who did the cover art, Catherine Somerlot (she tweeted me, told me about the app for my itouch) and the rest , as they say, is history.

I won't linger too much on the whole steampunk genre (but, if you haven't clicked on the link above, you really should. If for no other reason than to join the celebration) which, I have to say is as varied and colorful as your imagination will let it be.

And Avalon Revisited is no exception. A combination of steampunk and paranormal romance which keeps its identity all through without having to remind you why at every twist and turn.

I tend to speed read, and sometimes that's a good thing, others, not so much. For the first time in a while, however, I took my time, allowing myself to fully enjoy the nuances and pacing O.M. Grey afforded. Cleverly intertwining history, Arthur, we learn, is a Tudor. Yep, you read it right. Given the recent popularity of this time in history, it was refreshing to have this angle. I loved it. Not only did it give him the identity that completely matched his personality traits, it added to his heartbreak.

To which we then meet Avalon...a spinster of sorts, who Arthur falls in love with, practically at first intriguing sight. On a dirigible. If there is one scene that really gives you the feel of the whole nature of steampunk, in my eyes, this is the one. Descriptive and layered, the main characters blend to give the reader a true sense of this world. Avalon is no shrinking violet, and is so intoxicated with the technology and the world around her she barely notices our...vampire.

Ahh, but its not just dirigibles and gears here, ladies and gentlemen. There's a killer afoot. A vampire...who, in fact, is not our narrator...but seems to follow in his footsteps. Is the killer perhaps a little more than your run of the mill vamp? Perhaps. And his victims are rising from the dead, just like their creator.

Which leads Arthur to team up with the lovely (who, in fact reminds him at first of Catherine..yep, that one) Avalon and her partner in um...vampire hunting, Victor. Who have no idea they are actually working with said creature they are supposed to be...hunting.

No spoilers here, though...but I will say there was a sprinkling of steampunk technology and subtle steaminess and at times, not so subtle ;).

If you've never dipped your toes in the genre, you won't be disappointed. And if you have, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Even on my Kindle app. Change can be a good thing.

(Side note, Avalon Revisited is available in Kindle and the good old fashion kind as well over on Amazon...)

A Little Midnight Musing

Isn't it funny when you discover something new...from someone you've never met, and it changes everything?

Recently, I RT to an author and the artist my love of the cover of a new book, only to discover the only current media it was available in was in the "e" realm. With all the twittering and news articles surrounding ereaders as well as my own reluctance to really delve deeper into this new fangled form, I pretty much dismissed be able to get said book to check out until it was released in paperback.

(Said book, by the way, is Avalon Revisited. In case you're wondering...steampunk is incredibly intriguing to me as a whole, from the general technology and history, to the costuming influence in bellydance.)

The artist sent me back a message telling me how she didn't have a kindle, but downloaded the app to ther ipod touch. LIGHT BULB...So I logged on and got myself a lil ol' kindle app.

Backing up just a tad...Initially, I felt kind of...odd about the whole concept of an ereader. I love how a book feels in my hands, the smell (I know, kinda musty), having my favorite titles displayed proudly like trophies saying, yep, I read 'em. All of them. Really. So the thought of just one more device (WITH NO COVERS? GASP!!) launching me further into the digital realm made me feel overwhelmed. Really...which device? Could I keep track? But I love the library...and the used bookstore...and wandering through Borders for hours!! Will the pages turn fast enough (I read fast...my husband doesn't always believe I'm reading. Like I would just flip pages to amuse him. Seriously?)? ACK!

But...as with my new foray into short stories with Melissa Marr, I jumped in with her estory Stopping Time. Which also meant I didn't need another copy of Fragile Eternity, since said story was included with the new soft back edition.

*Pools of light shining down from the heavens*

Guess what? Yep, loved it. Well, let me clarify...

I finished part one of Stopping Time, and am part way through the second. UGH! I love Niall and Irial...and Leslie. Be able to visit with them once again...and before Radiant Shadows? Fab. Whet the appetite...

Just a bit about Stopping Time...

If you've read Ink Exchange (and if not, please do...I recommend the entire series very highly), you would understand why these characters have a little more of their story to tell...It's still heartbreaking and a darkly beautiful love story. Normally, I tend to skim through when there is too much explanation, but I never seem able to do so in the Wicked Lovely series. This is no exception. **Minor spoilers if you haven't read Ink Exchange**

Irial, the former Dark Court King, has sworn fealty to Niall, the Dark Courts new regent, and both have promised Leslie, the girl they both love dearly and utterly, to essentially alone and allow her to be...human. But, in the way that fae often do, they keep to their promised words while still protecting her. And Irial, with whom I just fell in love with, is more concerned with keeping Leslie safe and his need for Niall to be happy (a word I use lightly, because, really, no one in this situation can be) than his own well being. The relationship between these three characters is gut wrenching...and feels so real. Because sometimes love isn't enough. And a happy ending isn't guaranteed. My only issue...I wanted more.

So where do I stand? Other than searching the kindle store obsessively and now alternating between my droid and ipod touch? I like it. Alot. But, I'll still get my favorites, for now, in the good old bookstore... For now.