Title: Demon Angel
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians (book 2)
Publication Info: Berkley Sensation, January 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 < 3

Ms. Brook has crafted one hell of a great narrative in her book Demon Angel. It is a powerful story of love and redemption, heaven and hell, and the complex forces that make up the human condition. I couldn’t put it down, on the edge of my seat until these fabulously unique characters triumphed over evil and found their happily-ever-after. Ms. Brook’s story has the complex world building and epic struggles of truly great sci-fi/fantasy, with all the true love I crave from the romance genre. I cannot say enough good things about her story or her writing.

This book wins the Best Line At-First-Sight, when the hero first sees the heroine: “No beauty was she, but broad-beamed and flat-featured, like an ill-tempered cow,” (p 9).

Another line I like, just to illustrate Ms. Brook’s talent: “the familiar verdant landscape receded under the fog as it smudged groves of trees into vague shadows, erasing distance and detail with unrelenting gray,” (p 3).

As you can see, Ms. Brook’s writing is both humorous and eloquent. The book begins in 1217, and the language patterns reflect the time period. As the centuries progress the hero and heroine’s language does as well.

When the hero, Hugh, and the heroine, Lilith, first meet, Hugh is a virtuous young knight and Lilith is a conniving demon. Their relationship is torturous and complex; they are two halves of a whole, one whose gift is truth, the other whose gift is lies. When Hugh sacrifices himself for another and becomes a Guardian, whose purpose is to protect humans from the manipulations of hell and the danger of nosferatu, he and Lilith begin a centuries-long contest; one to save humankind, the other to damn it.

The centuries are hard on both, and Hugh finally must end it. He choses to Fall, living out the remainder of his life as human, haunted by his actions and his memories of Lilith. But the devil has other plans, and when he sends the nosferatu to kill Hugh’s students, Hugh is brought back into the struggles he left behind. Ultimately they must use their gifts and each other to find redemption.

The passion is hot. The hurdles are many. What would you sacrifice for Love?

A friend recently admitted to me that she couldn’t bring herself to read a romance novel because those be-Fabio-ed covers really turned her off. I’ll admit that some book covers are just flat-out icky, but I think, as a whole, they are getting better. All About Romance has an annual book cover contest. The awards for “worst cover” crack me up. Who ever made the decision to print those? Then there are the covers that are used repeatedly.

The real question is: Does a cover influence your purchase decision?

For me, the answer is yes. I won’t buy a book with a bad cover, unless I’m familiar with the author. In general I like a person on the cover, not a pastoral scene or abstract design. But a cover with only the torso of a half-nekid man is boring. The best covers give clues to the plot.

Can you judge a book by its cover? Maybe. There are definite trends.

Funny, Haha
If the figures on the front are hand-drawn and cartoonish, the book is going to be light-hearted and humorous, even if the figure is a vampire.

Paranormal Covers
If the book has a black/dark cover, it’s most likely a paranormal. How can you tell if a person is not human? Leather and tribal tattoos. It’s the obligatory uniform for ass-kicking.

You can tell she’s a real fighter because she wears high heels. The better to run in, my dear.

Historical/Regency Covers
Nothing says seduced innocent like a woman in a partially fastened ball-gown. Not to mention curly font.

Military Covers
They like the beach, apparently.

Kissable Covers
There are a lot of blogs that snark covers, but what covers make you want to buy a book? These are some of my favorites. Gorgeous da’ling, gorgeous:

Edited to add: I just found out the two covers on the right are actually the same cover model, Nathan Kamp! I have a new cover crush. Mmmmm. And even better – HE’S FROM SEATTLE!!!!

What do you want to see on book covers?

This week a number of authors have written about the pros and cons of writer’s blogs. Should aspiring authors set up a blog? Does it help to get published? Does it hurt? Should published authors blog? The arguments boil down to “Yes, BUT…”, and I thought I’d add my two cents (‘cuz isn’t that what blogging’s all about?).

Holly Jacobs writes in this month’s Romance Writers Report:

Blogging can be very inexpensive in terms of money, but very costly in terms of your time. On the plus side, blogging allows readers to get to know who you are. Creating a connection with your readers, and potential readers, sells books.

Vibeke Courtney posted today on Romancing the Blog that agents and editors will google the names of authors of interesting partials or queries they read. This is good if they like what they find on your blog, and bad if they don’t. Is your blog about what you had for lunch? Not good. Do you trash books they’ve worked on? Not good. Do you write interesting and well-crafted posts on writing? Good.

SB Sarah blogged yesterday that “blogging is writing”, mainly in a response to author Robin Hobb’s humorous post on the evils of blogging for writers (it sucks the life out of you).

Robin Hobb writes (and you should read the whole of her post):

When you sit down to write, try as you might, you will blog instead. Blogging is easier. The gratification is immediate. When you look at the empty screen that demands a disciplined scene between three-dimensional characters, you will say to yourself, “It’s too hard just to start cold. I’ll warm up by blogging. Just a little bit.”

So what do I think of the subject? I agree with Robin: The internet is an evil black hole that sucks time and creativity out of one’s life.

But wait! you say, How can you say that, Ciara, when you have a blog yourself?

Aha! I might have a blog, but I don’t yet have a completed manuscript, do I? At the moment I’m having a pity-party, so I’ve stopped writing on my WIP and have fled to the blog for a good dose of instant gratification.

That said, I also enjoy connecting to other romance lovers on the Internet. I love the romance community. It’s large and it’s supportive and it’s full of warm-fuzzies and smart b*tches. I started the blog about a year after picking up my very first romance novel. (You’ve only been reading romance for two years??? – yes) I started blogging because I didn’t have any romance-reading friends, and I desperately wanted to gush about this fabulous genre. (And my husband is a professional blogger – that’s right, he gets paid to do it.) I didn’t think that anyone, least of all actual authors, would read my blog. I was wrong.

Which brings me to my next point – Be Careful What You Put on the Internet. You should know this. Even if you are not an aspiring author, any job you apply for is going to google you. Don’t ever put drunken sorority photos online. Watch what you write on your myspace or facebook pages. This is just common sense.

I’ve learned since I started blogging that authors actually read what you write about their books, which is awesome and terrifying. I’m terrified I’m going to make a fool of myself (And I’m horribly shy), but I’m thrilled to have had the chance to connect with Real Romance Authors (Goddesses in my book!).

Short story: Establish a web presence, but don’t become a slave to the internet. (Easier said than done.) It will own your soul. And please remember that it is easy to be a Critic, but it is difficult to be an Artist. Don’t knock it till you try it, and don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

Even though the internet feels like an anonymous hole, they’re watching you! (Cue theme from psycho.)

I’ve been neck-deep in vampire romances these past few weeks, and so when I heard this song on the radio, I was enthralled. (It’s an old song but I’d never heard it before.) The video is fun too.

Upcoming books of 2008 that I can’t wait to read, and the links so you can pre-order your own copy from Amazon. Patience is a virtue – too bad I have none!

1. My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne. Hot Damn! The first one was so good, I simply cannot wait for the second. (July 1, 2008)
2. Demon Bound by Meljean Brook. Her world building and characters are SO GOOD. (November 11, 2008)
3. First Blood by Meljean Brook, et al. (August 8, 2008)
4. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward. Book 6 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Phury’s story. (June 2008)
5. Acheron by Sherrylin Kenyon. The looong awaited story of the king of badasses in the Dark Hunter series, book 12. (August 5, 2008)
6. The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance edited by Trisha Telep. (August 11, 2008)
7. Into the Shadow by Christina Dodd. Book 3 in the Darkness Chosen series. (July 1, 2008)
8. One Foot in the Grave by Jeannine Frost. Book 2 in the Night Huntress series. (April 29, 2008)
9. Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister. Book 1 in the new Silver Dragons series, a new offshoot of the Aisling Grey, Guardian series. (May 6, 2008)
10. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn. Book 1 in the Two Dukes of Wyndham series. (May 27, 2008)
11. Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas. Book 2 in the Hathaways series. (September 30, 2008)
12. Duchess by Night by Eloisa James. Book 3 in the Desperate Duchess series. (July 2008)
13. The Travelers Guide to Falling in Love (I can dream, can’t I?)

Get out your popcorn! It’s time for the Oscars of the Romance Industry, folks. I, for one, am quivering in anticipation.

Finalists for the best published romance novel of the year, the RITA, and the best manuscript by an unpublished author, the Golden Heart, were announced today. Winners will be announced at the RWA National Conference in San Francisco on August 2nd. I have only read 4 of the books on the list, but this gives me the opportunity to run out and buy more. (Like I needed an excuse?) I am disappointed that some of the books I LOVED this year did not make the list; I have no idea if their authors submitted them to the contest in the first place.

Full RITA Finalist list

Full Golden Heart Finalist list

The beautiful Pacific Northwest is highly represented – no surprise! It must be something in the sparkling water, or the fresh air, or the friendly inhabitants. Who knows, but I will be rooting for the following books simply because I am highly prejudiced towards Cascadia (I have only read 3 of these):

2008 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists

• Snowbound by Janice Johnson
  (What- no website??)
  Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance – (0-373-71454-8)
  Laura Shin, editor

2008 RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Finalists

• Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter
  Grand Central Publishing, 5 Spot – (0446699233)
  Karen Kosztolnyik, editor

2008 RITA for Paranormal Romance Finalists

• He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe
  (Delightfully yummy – I blogged about it briefly here)
  Grand Central Publishing, Forever – (0446619019)
  Melanie Murray, editor
• Prince of Magic by Linda Winstead Jones
  (But wait – she doesn’t live in Cascadia! No, but she’s Mr. Wonderful’s cousin.)
  Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation – (978-0-425-21448-0)
  Christine Zika/ Wendy McCurdy, editor
• Raintree: Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones
  (But wait – she doesn’t live in Cascadia! No, but she’s Mr. Wonderful’s cousin.)
  Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne – (0-373-61764-X)
  Leslie Wainger, editor
• Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd
  (Dark and rich – I reviewed the 1st book in the series, Scent of Darkness, here)
  Penguin Group USA, NAL – (0451221842)
  Kara Cesare, editor

2008 RITA for Regency Historical Romance Finalists

• The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
  (Miranda is a hoot!)
  HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books – (0061230839)
  Lyssa Keusch, editor

2008 RITA for Romantic Suspense Finalists

• White Heat by Cherry Adair
  (Awesome website, by-the-way, very James Bond)
  Ballantine/Ivy, – (978-0-345-47644-9)
  Charlotte Herscher, editor

2008 Golden Heart for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists

• Borrowed Stilettos by Rebecca Clark
• Under a Harvest Moon by Joleen Wieser

Thanks everyone who commented on Linda Wisdom’s guest post. Danette is the winner of the random drawing for an autographed copy of 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover. Danette – please email Linda your mailing address: linda@lindawisdombooks.com.

We will have another guest post soon – Author Mary Margret Daughtridge. Please let me know if you have any questions you would like to ask her!

Title: Demon Moon
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians
Publication Info: Berkley Sensation, June 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

I have a new favorite author, and her name is Meljean Brook. And she lives in Cascadia, though that has nothing to do with why I love her so much (I swear). Ms. Brook’s characters are Unique, Complex, and thoroughly Delightful. Her mythology and world-building are fabulous – multilayered, intricate, and fascinating. I strongly recommend reading this series in order: Falling for Anthony in the anthology Hot Spell, Demon Angel, Paradise from the anthology Wild Thing, Demon Night, Thicker than Blood from the anthology First Blood (8/08), and Demon Bound (11/08). I especially recommend reading Demon Angel before Demon Moon, as significant events happen between the two main characters in the previous book. However, if you are like me and don’t – read these series faqs. Colin’s quotes crack me up.

Our hero, Colin Ames-Beaumont, is a ridiculously beautiful vampire from Regency London (yay!) who has been cursed for the last 200 years. Sadly, our ridiculously vain hero cannot see his reflection and humans have a tendency to forget him as a beautiful dream. Colin’s references to his early years cutting a swath through the ballrooms of London are terribly amusing. His vanity is terribly amusing. His olfaction is terribly erotic. Oooo lord, I will never again eat a mango without thinking of him. Our heroine, Savitri Murray, is a delightfully brilliant and modern human woman – a non-virgin tech geek with a photographic memory. Her Indian-American background and cultural traditions – the family expectations, arranged marriages, wedding customs, food – added depth to the character and were delightful to learn about.

Brief Overview of the Mythology: In the First Battle, Lucifer and his demons rebelled against heaven and were banished to Hell. The nospheratu (a creature like a super-vampire) waited to see who would win the battle before joining and were thus cursed, welcome in neither Heaven nor Hell. Some of the angels, who fought for Heaven, became Guardians to protect humans from the demons and nospheratu and other things that go bump in the night. Vampires are basically second-class citizens on Earth.

Plot: I can’t really tell you without explaining a bunch of stuff that happened in Demon Angel, thus spoiling it for you. What can I say? Colin is attracted to Savi, but he hurt her in the last book when they hooked up. Savi is attracted to Colin, but he’s not a very nice guy. A demon starts impersonating Colin, manipulating the vampire community in San Francisco to try an assassinate Savi. Wyrmwolves start escaping chaos and come after Savi. Lots of talk about the events of Demon Angel. Lots of fighting. Lots of erotic mango eating.

Things I really like: The characters. Sir Pup is fast becoming my favorite. The way Colin’s speech is full of Regency words. How Ms. Brooks describes taste and smell. It’s brilliant. I almost cried at the end, when Colin and Savi decide to “see what comes next”, in a beautiful mirroring of a story told earlier in the book. (Totally reminded me of the old couple from Titanic.)

Things that could be improved: A few times in the book I stumbled over lines that were too subtle. I’d have to stop and think “wait, wait, what up?” Ms. Brooks just needs to be a bit more explicit in a few places. One of my favorite scenes, with the mango, ended abruptly on one of these confusing exchanges. I read it out loud to my hubby and he didn’t get it either. I mean, I can guess what she’s talking about, but I don’t know for sure. I might just have a dirty mind.

I ran right out to Barnes & Noble to buy the other books in the series, and was seriously annoyed when B&N only had Demon Night in stock. I finished Demon Night today and liked it even better than Demon Moon. Drifter is my heartthrob. Read the first four chapters of Demon Night here.

Recommended for: anyone who likes dark paranormal, fans of J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, and Marjorie M. Liu. I promise you will love Meljean Brook!

Meet the Author on May 16!: Ms. Brook will be part of a huge romance author signing party at Powells in Beaverton, OR. Powells doesn’t have its May calendar up, much to my disappointment, but when I find a list of participating authors I promise I’ll share.

I started off looking for a photo of a Regency kitchen and ended up finding two jolly good quizzes for your Monday Morning entertainment, not to mention this lovely picture of The Romantic Hero paperdoll.

Are you a Vulgarian?

It matters not whether you are a pillar of society or the scum of the earth: everyone likes to speak the language of the gutter. It’s big, and it’s clever. In Regency times, vulgarity was employed and enjoyed by people from all walks of life – just as it is now. Assess your standing as a vulgarian by answering these questions on the vulgar tongue of the early nineteenth century.

Q: She may have been a modest young lady, but on Sunday afternoon she could be seen on the village green spanking her tits. A likely scenario?

My score: 6/15, Oh Dear, you poor cub! You might have to roughen your edges a tad if you’re to make it through a raucous evening without blushing.

Are You a Regency Catch?

In Jane Austen’s World, who would you have been? Our quiz places you in the Regency era at the height of the age of romance. Would you have been a Mr. Darcy or a dissolute rake, a Miss Elizabeth Bennet or a shameless jade? Find out by playing the quiz…

My result: Good day Maria Bertram! You lack a moral centre! Personally, I blame the parents. The love of a good man might just save you, but I fear we’ve come to this turnpike too late. Like Mansfield Park’s frankly wayward Miss Maria Bertram, you may sacrifice your reputation for sex and ultimately be more at home on continental soil.

Sweeeeet.

Ha! (Harry! Harry!) But doesn’t The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance make you think of it? Biting its readers with two, very sexy, fangs? I digress.

Happy Easter! As you contemplate chocolate eggs, fluffy bunnies and people who rise from the dead, here is the brand spanking new cover for The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, filled with 30 (whoot!) stories from our favorite paranormal romance authors. I am oh-so-excited for its release. I dunno if the chick on the cover is a vampire though – where’s her black leather? And why is she wearing sunglasses at night? So she can watch you weave then breath your story lines? Just remember – Don’t switch the blade or masquerade with the guy in shades. She’ll bite you.

The book will be released in the US and UK August 11, 2008 by Running Press. The publisher is on a Mammoth Book trend, having published Mammoth Book anthologies of King Arthur to Tales of the Road to New Historical Whodunnits to Modern Fantasy. There isn’t much info up on Amazon, nor has google come through for me in my search for a complete list of authors. Here are the ones I found: Karen Chance, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Lilith Saintcrow, Keri Arthur, Vicki Pettersson, Alexis Morgan, Rachel Vincent, Jenna Black, Sherri Browning Erwin, and Nancy Holder.

Updated to add: more authors! Savannah Russe, Colleen Gleason, Jenna Maclaine, C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp, Delilah Devlin, Shiloh Walker, Kimberley Raye, Rebecca York, and Susan Sizemore.