JoAnne Six Sentences

"One sign of Roxanne Rouge, just one little sign, and he would sniff her out. He was sharp like that. And the whole point of leaving town was to leave her hot-blooded mistake of a husband behind… forever. Sure, forever is a big word for a vampire to use. But it wouldn’t be impossible. All she had to do was avoid all hot spots for gambling, drinking and dancing for an eternity, and she would stand half a chance." Snippet from Fever, What A lovely Way To Burn -- currently in edits.

Here's a fun character video I made, to bring some inspiration- Meet Roxanne Rouge, the Vegas Showgirl in detox! The video kinda chronicles her 'avon' make-over n detox.

I've posted up another six, along with a contest to win All Romance eBucks and an ecopy of my book! See www.joannekenrick.com for more six fun from me!

And, please check out Six Sunday for more Six Sentence celebrations, contests and snippets! I'm sure you'll bump into more of the Para Posse there, too :)

Happy Birthday, Six Sunday!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When A Mullo Loves A Woman by JoAnne Kenrick

"This is a deceptively complex story about the power of true love, featuring a scandalously wonderful leading man who will stop at nothing to save his soul mate. Throw in a few devious villains and a secret family legacy, and you have a winning and surprising paranormal romance." Bridget, The Romance Reviews.

Take a chance on this new author and pick up this book. I was thoroughly entertained by this offering and am sure that you will be, too." Hockeyvamp, Bitten By Books.

Mullo is a gypsy legend of the undead/vampire - read all about it here and here)

Read More

Nicole Hadaway Six Sentences

This bit is from my WIP (which I'm pushing to hand to my publisher by the end of February), and the whole scene is one I just love -- hope you do too!

So frustrated that another sleepless night was now in the works, Tara threw up the sash. Jesus that’s one big crow! She hesitated a moment before she flung her arms out the window, waving them threateningly at the bird. Hope he doesn’t poke my eyes out, Tara thought as she leaned further out, increasing her efforts against the stubborn bird.

She never expected the bird to grab her arms.

Only it wasn’t a bird, now, it was a woman.

(Picture taken from this blog here).

Read More

Nicole Hicks 6 Sentence Sunday Catting Around

Check out Six Sunday for more Six Sentence celebrations, contests and snippets! I'm sure you'll bump into more of the Para Posse there, too :)

Sometimes life gives you what you want—and sometimes, it has a cruel streak a mile wide. When I made my drunken plea to the gods to be able to “cat around” like the men in my life had, I sure as shit didn’t expect them to answer the way they did. Who knew they would be so twisted as to give me exactly what I asked for? Mhmmm, that’s right, you got it. I can now purr with the best of them, have a beautiful tawny coat complete with four feet, claws, and ginormous teeth once a month. Oh yeah, and once every four months I don’t care about who’s mounting me, as long as I get mine and they disappear back in the woodwork. 

On another note, and one that is dear to my heart, I have a raffle going on my personal author blog to raise money to get four kids whose home was set on fire (yes arson) Kindles. This is an attempt not only to bring fantasy back into their lives but a little security as well. Feel free to drop by or repost and spread the word! The raffle goes until March 14th! And the link is RAFFLE.

Read More

Seleste deLaney Six Sentences

This is a snippet from my steampunk romance novella, Badlands, which releases tomorrow from Carina Press. I hope you enjoy it!

“All right, ma’am, find your footing and climb back down.”

A slow smile curved onto her face. “Thank you.” As she pretended to look for a handhold, Ever let her foot slip from the rock. She screamed and threw her body to the left, twisting as she fell. Her left hand snagged on the hold as her right pulled the pistol from its holster and fired.

Check out Six Sunday for more Six Sentence celebrations, contests and snippets! I'm sure you'll bump into more of the Para Posse there, too :)

Read More

Kids Books Are Scary.

I just finished reading The Forest Of Hands And Teeth, a YA book, by Carrie Ryan, and darn it's a creepy read. It's funny, that me, the chick obsessed with all things paranormal, should be scared of zombies. But I am. And I dealed with it so I could read this book, which is unlike me and my zombie avoidance. Yeah, they freak me out. I don't mind the comedic type movies that feature the brain eating, sloppy walking, slurred speaking zombies. Take Shaun of the Dead -- classic! Loved it. Zombieland, well that was just annoying -- no ending, see. I have to have a conclusion. I mean, it didn't even have a HEA for now going on with it. But it didn't scare me because of the fun approach to the subject.

To put my fear into perspective, when Resident Evil first came out, I had no idea what it was about. Yeah, which rock was I hiding under? The Mummy rock. Anyway, I sat and watched, completely unaware of what was to come. Minutes later, I'm cringing, hiding behind a cushion. Half an hour later, and I had to walk out. Later that night, and for the rest of the month, those zombies haunted my dreams. Yes. I get that it's dumb. They don't exactly walk fast, do they? LOL And they're not real. Try telling that to my sub-conciouness.

So, back to Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I knew it was about zombies. I was warned. But Jennzah told I HAD to read it by. I'd already read, and absolutely LOVED Mark Henry's Amanda Ferral series, which is zombie snark comedy at it's best. So, I figured I could handle a YA zombie story. I mean, it's for kids for goodness sakes. haha

I hadn't seen the trailer. Good job, or I wouldn't have read it. Reading about creepy zombies just doesn't trigger the same 'eek zombies' button in my brain. Because, trust me, the zombies, or Unconsecrated as Carrie calls them in her book, are shudder worthy. Especially the one dressed in red, who moves fast -- yeah a zombie that moves fast. Now that's scary!

A lot of people have mentioned how dark and depressing this book is, I didn't think so. I thought it was a fast paced, The Village-esk like, and darn right clever. And there were times a tear or two trickled down my cheeks, not just for the living but also for the walking dead. I loved it so much, that I brought the paperback for my 13 year old son to read, too. And he informs me he's enjoying it! I love that. When he's finished, we'll both read the second one, The Dead Tossed Waves, together. It seems strange that I'm enjoyed the same book as my son, in a good way. I hope we find another YA series that we both love as much as each other, because it rocks being able to talk to my 'mostly quiet these days' teenage son! So, thanks Carrie Ryan :) WOOT Maybe we'll try The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff next. That looks creepy, and the premise kinda reminds me of a Ghost Whisperer season, when the residents of the town buried under Grandview came out to play. Have you read any YA books that scared you, or at least got you on the edge of your seat for a second or two? Share your suggestions in the comments box! Also, if you have any zombie book suggestions, or horror books in general! Let's talk BOO! books :) But first, here's the details from The Forest of Hands and Teeth books for those who haven't heard of this series yet...

The Forest of Hands and Teeth, book one

by Carrie Ryan.

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to

know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.

When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

The Dead-Tossed Waves, Forest of Hands and Teeth Book Two

by Carrie Ryan

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living.

She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse.

But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry.

And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in orde

r to save herself and the one she loves.

(OUT MARCH 2011) The Dark and Hollow Places, Forest of Hands and Teeth Book Three

by Carrie Ryan

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde

as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recr

uiters.

Annah's world stopped that day and she's been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn't feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.
Except, Catcher has his own secrets—dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah's longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah—can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

Happy reading...with a cushion, and the lights on!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When A Mullo Loves A Woman by JoAnne Kenrick

"This is a deceptively complex story about the power of true love, featuring a scandalously wonderful leading man who will stop at nothing to save his soul mate. Throw in a few devious villains and a secret family legacy, and you have a winning and surprising paranormal romance." Bridget, The Romance Reviews.

Take a chance on this new author and pick up this book. I was thoroughly entertained by this offering and am sure that you will be, too." Hockeyvamp, Bitten By Books.

Read More

New look for The Para Posse

We are authors and writers who scour under beds and in basements, sometimes even at night, to bring you the best in paranormal news and gossip....

So, what do we think of the new design? I went for a 'Munsters' kinda feel.

Read More

Movie Review -- The Black Death

Well, apparently, this movie has yet to be released here in the US (although I think it's out over in Britain?), but thanks to my cable system, I got the chance to see it before it was in theaters.

Meh.

The trailer looked really good. Set in Europe during 1348, when the Bubonic Plague is rampant, Sean Bean (need I say more? HAWT!) leads a group of God's soldiers out to a remote village that hasn't been touched by the pestilence. Rumor has it that the village has turned to pagan ways (gasp!) and use a necromancer to stave off the Black Death. So Ulric (Bean) and his band of scary soldiers are taking up swords and the Iron Maiden to go teach these God-less people a lesson (which presumably is that if the Black Death doesn't get you, the Christians will).

The story, however, doesn't center on Ulric, but on his young religious guide, Osmund, a monk who volunteered to lead the soldiers to the village. Osmund is facing an internal struggle -- he's sworn himself to God, but he's in love with a woman. And she's sworn to wait for him for an entire week at a spot which just happens to be on the way to this mysterious village.

It's a interesting journey; along the way, they meet a witch being persecuted for allegedly poisoning the town well with the plague. You learn how hardened and tough the soldiers are, and the contrast between being "men of God" who will cut down, rather brutally, any enemies who cross them.

Eventually, they find this remote, beautiful village, and are greeted by a man called Hob. He asks them their purpose, and when the soldiers lie and say that they just need a night of respite, Hob smiles at them and tells them they are welcome.

Osmund, who has sustained an injury along the way, is looked at by the town's healer, the beautiful Langvia. She befriends Osmund, and he is sympathetic to her, especially after she shows him the body of his beloved Averill, who was found not far from the village.

And here's where the story fell apart, IMHO. Osmund's character switches sympathies at a moment when I thought he would make a clear alliance. There's a great necromancing scene -- and I could have used a few more of these. The film is only about an hour and 40 minutes, and I feel like the time at the village was rushed -- I wanted to see more weirdness, more magic, more mysteriousness. Perhaps a soldier or dies unexpectedly , to be seen again?

In the very end, we see how Osmund's character was forever changed by the events that happened in the village. This ending was unsatisfactory to me -- again, I felt like more mystery should have happened at the village to make the climax greater, and the change to Osmund's character more believable, less harsh.

All in all, though, it's worth a watch if you've got an hour and forty minutes to spare and want to see the brutality during the time of the Black Death, drool over Sean Bean, and see a slight bit of mystery that could have been way more.

Read More

When You Really Love a Book. REALLY Love.

As writers, most of us love books—after all, we were readers first—but most of us keep our book-specific love hidden. Openly we love all books, right?

Well, sure, but when I finally bit the bullet and decided to get my first tattoo, I was looking for a rose. Not just any rose. I knew what it looked like in my head, but as I can’t draw worth a damn I was stuck searching for it. And searching. Oddly enough, I found it in a bookstore. When I saw the cover for Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey, I froze. It was perfect. I snatched the book off the shelf, set to buy it and take it to a tattoo shop. Then I panicked. I was about to put something on my body—permanently—likely recognizable to any fan of the book. And I’d never read it.

Fortunately, before I let ink hit my skin, I took the time to read the series and love it. Phedre was beautiful and smart and sexy and tough. Why wouldn’t I want that association? Still, I second-guessed myself for a while. In the end though, I went with it and got my first literary tattoo. A representation (for me) of the passion and power of love and sex.

Not long after, I started debating a second tattoo for my other shoulder blade. I wanted something to balance the rose, but I still wanted it to be “me”. Ever since I first saw her as a child, I always had an obsession with Tinkerbell. I consider the love story between her and Peter Pan to be one of the more tragic ones in literature. She’s in love with a boy who she knows she can never have, yet she stays by his side as his constant companion. Rather than railing against what she can’t have, she’s content with what she’s got (the Wendy thing is a whole other story).

Most of the Tinkerbell tattoos out there though didn’t really go with my rose. While I trusted my artist, I wasn’t sure me going in and saying “I want a Tink to match my rose” would work. So I searched and hunted. I found things that were close but not right. Too hard. Too soft. Too non-Tink. Then I finally found one. It needed some tweaking because of wonky angles and the wings being too gentle, but when I finished my tracing and sketching, I liked what I had (my artist liked it enough all he did were clean up my lines).

So those are my literary tattoos so far: two aspects of love from two very different sources. Mine are fairly small since I know I’ll want more over time, but I want to leave you with some pictures of my friend and critique partner, Katee. Her tattoo is a fabulous (and we won’t talk about how jealous I am of her size) homage to Alice in Wonderland.

Read More