Blogiversary Day 5: Giveaway - SIGNED copy of Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

About a month ago, I had the great fortune to send my kids off to Houston for a weekend with my parents. The first night they were gone, Sherrilyn Kenyon was in New Orleans for a book signing, so I was able to go! She was so, so sweet, and I love that she loves New Orleans! I am a big Dark Hunter/Were Hunter fan, and although I confess I haven't read this book YET, I am planning to do so soon. While I was at the book signing I picked up an extra copy of Infinity and had her sign it for my Blogiversary celebration!

From the author's site:
At 14, Nick Gautier is an average kid who runs with the wrong crowd. But on the night he decides to go straight and refuses to mug an innocent tourist, his crew turns on him and just as he thinks his life is over... a new one begins.

Kyrian of Thrace isn't just a vampire slayer, he's a Dark-Hunter and he introduces Nick to a world that he never imagined.

With new enemies who make his old ones look like wimps, Nick must either measure up or get sized for a body bag. It's kill or be killed and this kid who was born on the wrong side finds a strength inside him that he never knew existed.

Now if he can only find someone to help battle the demons that don't reside inside him.

**Note to Dark-Hunter fans
The Chronicles of Nick *is* Nick’s real and true past. There is a huge surprise (several actually) in the book that I don’t want to spoil, but when you read the book, everything you think is an inconsistency will make perfect sense to you. More than that, you will understand exactly why Nick is the way he is and why he continues to hate Acheron the way he does. But you have to be patient. All will be clear on May 25, 2010.

Nick’s series will run until it intersects with Night Pleasures and then Nick will have his own novel in the Dark-Hunter world.

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Want to win a SIGNED copy of Infinity?

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Meeting Sherrilyn Kenyon (ummm, actually twice!)

So, Friday my parents took my two youngest chidren with them to Houston for a 4-day weekend and left hubs and I with only the teenager to deal with. First on my list of kid-free things to do this weekend: Attend the Sherrilyn Kenyon book signing at the Barnes and Noble across town! As depicted by Ms. Kenyon in the picture below, the event had highs and lows (don't worry, it was mostly highs!):

The signing started at 6pm, and I got there right at 6, so all the chairs (they had maybe 40 or so chairs?) were taken. The set up was in a side "wing" of the store, but it was very cramped and anyone not in a chair had to line up between the rows of bookshelves. Of course, once she started talking, I said "screw it" and got out of line so I could see/hear her. She's a great storyteller (I guess that's a given since she's a writer, LOL) but I couldn't hear much due to the SexAndTheCity wannabees next to me who would not Shut The F Up. Problem was, it was so cramped there was really no where else I could move.

Ms. Kenyon actively encouraged questions, and there were a lot of questions about future HEAs for various characters but I couldn't really hear the answers. I did ask why she chose New Orleans as the setting for her Dark Hunter books. Her answer: It's just such a great city - full of life and mystery and that certain "feel" you don't get anywhere else. She said she loves this city. (Did I mention I (heart) her?)

She also said as far as YA content, Nick's series would age as Nick ages and eventually lead up to and intersect with the Dark Hunter books. Again, she said some other stuff about this series as well as her other series but I couldn't hear her answers.

She brought along one of her writing partners, Diana Love. This lady was a bundle of energy - she was energetic and very supportive of Sherrilyn. It was very obvious they have a lot of fun together. She spent the whole time cracking jokes and throwing T-shirts. I've never seen so many t-shirts at an author event, and she was funny and got everyone involved, which made the time pass quickly (I didn't get out of there until 9pm). See the t-shirt Sherrilyn is wearing below? Yup, I won one! Ms. Love was super nice about making sure the winners got shirts that fit, which was pretty awesome.

So, here's what happened: I finally got through the line - it would've been fine if not for the incredibly annoying (and rude) ladies in front of me in line (yes, the SexAndTheCity wannabees). OMG - I thought about giving myself death by papercut but was afraid Ms. Kenyon wouldn't sign a bloody book. (Really, ladies, no one gives a shit how many pages a day you can read. It's not a contest.) Anyway, by the time I got up to Ms. Kenyon, I was so nervous. She was very sweet and signed my books and we chatted a minute but damned if I remember any of it. I got to my car and realized I had been holding a book and forgot to get it signed, AND I forgot to get a picture! So, I went back in and got back in line (there were only about 15 people left) and saw her again. She was so sweet and gave each person her full attention and got up for pictures and hugged everyone; very down-to-earth.

(My camera was acting up so I'm trying to smile while simultaneously figure out whether or not a picture was actually being taken)

Keep your eyes open around here in the next week or two - my 1 year blogiversary is coming up and it's possible that I have a signed copy of Infinity to give away!

Bad Moon Rising by Sherilyn Kenyon

Full disclosure, I loved Fang before this book ever came out. He seemed like the fun younger brother who was always good for a laugh, but you knew if it ever came down to it, he'd have your back. This book proved me right.

This book did go back and cover a lot of history, but I think it kind of had to since it had been so long and so many books came out between his brother Vane's book and this one. Vane and Fang are wolf were-hunters, and had been betrayed by their father, their sister had died, and had barely escaped from an attack. They ended up at Sanctuary, a were-bear owned bar that offered sanctuary to all, no matter what kind of were-hunter. Fang was unconscious and no one could help. Apparently, he was stuck in a kind of "in-between" somewhere between life and death, and was trying desperately to survive and escape. The only person he was able to communicate with besides his brother, who thought he was dreaming, was Aimee -the only daughter in the were-bear clan.

Aimee's parents are trying to find her a bear mate and she's not happy about it, but she knows she must pick a bear mate to carry on her mother's line. It's important for political reasons as well. The problem is that she finds herself attracted to Fury. And they are so different in so many ways she knows it will never work; that it's not even possible. Also, she's got powers beyone a normal were-bear but she knows she must keep them secret or risk death.

Fang is attracted to Aimee in a powerful way, and he doesn't understand why. While he is in the in-between he makes a barter for Aimee's safety, but doesn't want her to know. Now that he's back, he must work for Thorn, kind of like the demon police. He botches his first job and ends up with demon powers; powers that threaten to take over his soul. As if that wasn't enough, he's got all kinds of family issues going on.

Aimee's got secrets, Fang's got secrets, they're trying to find a way to be togther, and someone is setting up Fang for multiple murders.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked visiting the other characters again and Fang and Aimee's efforts to be together despite all the obstacles was touching. They way they each tried to protect the other was sweet. Thumbs up for the drama, suspense, action and romance.

Book Binge

I learned something new this week. I did not know how many genres of Romance there are. I knew about Erotica, Larissa Lyons kindly informed me there is Erotic Romance, or "Romantica", I stumbled across Highland Romance, Medival, Regency, Historical, Paranormal, Contemporary, Western, I saw one about a Pirate but I don't know what that would be called - Swashbuckler Romance? I've also run across some m/m and menage.

I've been so involved reading all these Highlander Romances that I'm very behind writing about them! I tore through Julie Garwood's Highland stories - I read one of her Regency (?) romances, Lion's Lady, but didn't care for it too much. I also read one of her contemporaries, Shadow Dance, which was pretty good, although I think there were several books in the series before it. I've also just discovered Kinley MacGregor (Sherrilyn Kenyon). I've read books two and three of her Highlander books and love them! Not a big surprise as I do love me some Dark Hunters!

I also tried to read The Virgin's Secret by Victoria Alexander but couldn't finish it. I've finally given up and will try again later. I'm surprised, because I LOVED What A Lady Wants. I'm going to do a post about it - I spent a good portion of the book laughing out loud.

I'm also looking for recommendations for a good Book Swap. I've found one or two online but don't know if it's more of a hassle than it's worth, or if they're reputable. All I know is I'm gonna have to get another job to keep myself in books!