The Horn of Plenty - By Angel Leigh McCoy

The Horn of Plenty
By Angel Leigh McCoy

Paranormal romance has evolved (as have its readers) over the decades. When I was a girl, growing up in Midwestern cornfields, I had my view of romance sculpted by the gothic romance novels I devoured like candy. I’d pick up any book that had a woman standing against a stormy background of castle, full moon, and ominous shadows.

I’ve heard the older genre called gothic romance, gothic horror, and Gothick. The central elements of the stories were spookiness, mystery, and romance—a volatile combination. These novels are the ancestors of what we today call supernatural or paranormal romance. They invariably feature a brave and intelligent young woman endangered by a murderer or supernatural being such as a ghost.


I am grateful for the many hours of pleasure I took from them, and the inspiration they gave me to be a strong, willful woman who loves with all her heart.


I want to share three of my favorite twentieth-century novelists with you, so you too can go back and read some of the classics that broke the trail for writers like Charlaine Harris, Sherilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, and many others.

• Eleanor Hibbert published her first novel in 1941 under the name Eleanor Buford. Over the years, she used many pseudonyms you might recognize: Victoria Holt, Anne Percival, Jean Plaidy, Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, and Ellalice Tate. She published her last novel in 1995. Over the course of her writing career, she sold more than 100 million copies.
  
  
• Mary Stewart wrote her first novel in 1955 and continued to write for the next forty-two years. I have read most of her books, and they rank among my personal favorites.
  
  
• Barbara Mertz, also known as Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels, published her first novel in 1966. She is still writing today, at the age of 82. Barbara wrote the hugely popular Amelia Peabody series, which to this day, has 18 volumes. Her other famous serial characters include Vicky Bliss and Jacqueline Kirby.

Next time you’re waiting for your favorite author to put out his/her next book, pull an old gem from the cornucopia provided by these novelists. Reading them is like going home for Thanksgiving; it’s an experience full of nostaligia, secrets, drama, and love.

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Angel Leigh McCoy, writer, editor, game designer
http://www.angelleigh.com


Wily speculative fiction downloads in audio and text formats, for grown-ups: http://www.wilywriters.com

SINS OF THE FLESH BY CARIDAD PINEIRO REVIEW

Caterina Shaw’s days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment – a risk she willingly takes. But now Caterina barely recognizes herself. She has new, terrifying powers, an exotic, arresting body — and she’s been accused of a savage murder, sending her on the run.

Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he’s hunting down is far from the vicious killer he’s been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she’s a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be. The heat that builds between them is irresistible, but surrendering to it could kill them both . . . for a dangerous group is plotting its next move using Caterina as its deadly pawn.

Description taken from http://www.caridadpineiro.com/

DONI'S RATING SCALE OF 1-5

SINS OF THE FLESH - 4 OUT OF 5

Reviewed by Doni R. Miller

When I started reading the prologue, I thought "Uh-oh." The main character is sick, in the same manner as an acquaintance of mine. I was worried that I might have trouble with the story. I am happy to say that I did not.

The author's use of modern and real science mixed liberally with fictional mad science and non-stop action kept it interesting. I read the book in about six hours. I could not put it down. The story made me think. The bad guys, Edwards and Morales, made me wonder whether or not people would actually kill with millions of dollars at stake. It made me wonder if genetic manipulation is a good idea, or a very dangerous science.

The characters are yummy. Caterina had a heck of a lot to deal with: illness, pain, doctors, mad scientists, murder accusations, psycho killers, drugs and a macho hero. Yet she is strong. She is a fighter. You can't help but fall in love with her. I admire her strength. Mick, at first, I wasn't sure of . But he grew on me. And even though, at first, he didn't come across as a nice guy, he had morals. He wanted more explanation as to what the real story was. He became a hero. I fell in love with the characters as Mick took care of Cat, helped her remember, gave her her music, and started to trust that she didn't do what she was accused of. You could see Mick and Cat together. One other positive character that deserves mention is Liliana, Mick's sister. I liked how she stood up for herself, and defends herself against her abuser. I wanted to know more about her.

The story flowed beautifully from prologue to the end. The author's passion was evident in her writing. What I did not like has to more to do with reviewing an ARC (advance reading copy) and a label of uncorrected page proofs. You have to sometimes add words or reread sentences to understand a passage. Don't get me wrong, it does not happen a lot. And it is an honor to receive an ARC from an author. I can't wait for the second book in this series.

Find out more about Caridad Pineiro and her other books at http://www.caridadpineiro.com

Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark Series

So here it is the nitty gritty - down and dirty - how I feel about the Immortals After Dark Series.
WRITE FASTER!  Umm... Not that I am obsessive or nothing.  I mean I only buy the books the minute they come out.  So now to the series.
As with all series it has its ups and its downs.  Ones I reread till my copy is dead.  And heck I lost my first copy of A Hunger Like No Other and bought ANOTHER!  If you knew what a cheapo I am you would understand.  One or two on the other hand I have not cracked open after the first reading.  Intensity is the word I would use to describe the writing, and based on personal preference some appeal more then others, but they all moved me at one moment or another.  

In A Hunger Like No Other Lachlain MacRieve our sexy werewolf hero is willing to break his own leg and crawl out of imprisonment at the scent of his mate.  Emmaline Troy, part Valkyrie part Vampire is quite the match, her insecurities and the intensity of the relationship building between the two grips my heart.  Vampires are not a much liked race in the world of the Lore - all things out of the ordinary - but he worries about her so much that he feeds her his blood while she is asleep to try and make her stronger, though it slows his own healing.  Heart ache.  You would think I asked my boyfriend for the moon when he can't reach the remote from where he is and has to get up to get it for me.

I am a sucker for destined mates.  And great big soul burning love.  All of which the books in the series have to varying degrees.  Certain heros just call to us, or in some of the books it has been the heroine.  In the very best of her books both called to me equally.  Now the stories tend to keep it all in the family, well on the Valkyrie side they are not exactly siblings but if you live in the same house you are family.  So we got a set of four Wroth Brothers all vamps, two Demon Brothers, all the Valkyrie in Val Hall, and the men of the Lykae Clan - Werewolves - The next book Pleasure a Dark Prince - due out in February - read forever - is my love from Hunger's younger brother.  Yippy skippy - a love a cuddly wolf story!

So which did not light my fire and which did?  Well I already told you one that warms my heart, so now the ones that did it for me less, which are the stories with the Vampire Wroth Brothers.  I liked No Rest for the Wicked, cause I liked our heroine Kaderin the Cold Hearted.  Dark Needs at Nights Edge?  Oh I liked this Wroth brother, tortured and burdened, is it getting hot in here?  Now his ghostly love I could take or leave.    Kiss of a Demon King - adore them both!  Oh the intensity between the two, the tension Kresley Cole builds gets me in the guts, which is the highest praise I can give an author.  


Authors walk this tight rope - and it is hard, I know it is hard - between getting books out fast and making them the best they can possibly be.  A few of the books in the series may have fallen prey to this.  I have moments in Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night where I say - I love it, it is one of the best out there, but I feel a bit rushed in the story.  That is why A Hunger Like No Other and Kiss of a Demon King stand out.  The pressure builds and builds and develops throughout the story until I feel like I will explode from everything the characters are going through.


In short, they are all great, and though I wait with baited breath and need to concentrate to suppress my excitement about the next book in the series, take your time Ms. Cole.  I can always read the others again and again while I wait. 
Find out all about Kresley Coles Books on her site. - http://kresleycole.com/

Interview with Annette McCleave

I would like to welcome the dark and dangerous paranormal author Annette McCleave to the Backseat.
 Annette:  Hi all!
 TK:  So tell us a little about what lured you to the Dark Side?
AM:  I love dark paranormal stories, have since I was a kid. There's nothing like a vampire or a tortured mage--or in my case a tortured Soul Gatherer--to get my heart beating faster.
 TK:  Soul Gatherer sounds scary...
AM:  Nah....the Soul Gatherers are the good guys. They beat back the demon thieves to save the souls of the dead from going down when they should be going up.
TK:  Oh, now I am curious, how do you mix the sexy in in with the scary?  These are dark worlds you create in your books.  Not the romance of daisies in the field.
AM:  Competent, intelligent warriors are always sexy--even when they're dealing with the devil and death and stolen souls.
And a bit of dark turmoil just makes them more mysterious and alluring.
TK:  So do you go for the "Bad Boy", or just write about him?
AM:   I like to write and read my tall angsty Alpha warriors, but in real life I like them with a little Beta in them.  But I have to say that if Lachlan MacGregor, my Scottish hero from Drawn into Darkness, came knocking at the door, I wouldn't turn him away.
 TK:  I won't tattle on you.  My boy knows if Dean from Supernatural comes to the door he is toast.
 AM:  Ahhhh...Dean. 'Nuff said.
 TK:  So give us a clue, a hint , be a tease...What is coming next?
Cause we all want more.
AM:  The hero of my second Soul Gatherer book, Bound by Darkness, is a suave guy with a taste for everything expensive. He may seem a like a mild-mannered guy, but he's hiding some dark secrets of his own.  Check him out in May 2010. I feel like I'm cheating on Lachlan for saying this, but yummmm.
TK:  Well, it is tough to move on from a Scot, but we shall try as we wait with baited breath.
 AM:  If you like Scots...stay tuned.
TK:  Ouh! Goody, goody.
You are a tease!
Find out more about Annette at her site - http://www.annettemccleave.com/
Also you can see her in Romance in the Backseat's paranormal free read Short Stories  White Wedding Nightmares - with Angie Fox - and the fabulous new Stars are Empty
 Annette McCleave:  Happy Halloween!

NIGHTMARE BEFORE HALLOWEEN - NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO READ!

Well Ms MaryJanice Davidson Would like to solve that problem for you!
So she will take care of your reading woes by sharing the joy and humor of her books!  SIgned no less!

SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES

• Series: Fred the Mermaid Series, #1
• ISBN-13: 9780515142228
  
• ISBN: 0515142220

Synopsis

Fred is not your ordinary mermaid. She's not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue.

While volunteering at the New England Aquarium, Fred learns that there are weird levels of toxins in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her merperson ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.  - Synopsis from barnesandnoble.com

SWIMMING WITHOUT A NET

• Series: Fred the Mermaid Series, #2
• ISBN-13: 9780515143812
  
• ISBN: 0515143812

Synopsis

As Fred the Mermaid tries to fit in with her own kind, she finds herself hooked on both Artur, the High Prince of the undersea realm, and Thomas, a hunky marine biologist. She's also caught between two factions of merfolk: those happy with swimming under the radar-and those who want to bring their existence to the surface. - Synopsis from Barnesandnoble.com

• FISH OUT OF WATER
• Series: Mermaid Series, #3
• ISBN-13: 9780515145496
  
• ISBN: 0515145491

Synopsis

Fred the Mermaid has taken the bait and chosen to date Artur, Prince of the Black Sea, over human marine biologist Thomas. And just in time. The existence of the Undersea Folk is no longer a secret, and someone needs to keep them from floundering in the media spotlight. Fred has all the right skills for that job, but has a hard time when her real father surfaces and tries to overthrow Artur's regime. -  From Barnes and Noble.com

Thanks everyone!
Terry Kate

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A Tale of Tail - by Inez Kelly

With animal shifters, specifically cat shifters, you cannot ignore the tail. True there are more aesthetically appealing things to write about. Cat eyes are mesmerizing in shape and color, the slanted mysterious glow, the unblinking stare. The purr lends itself to all sorts of romantic and sexual connotations. The hiss of a feline leaves no room for confusion- Hiss = fury. Glossy coats, the sensual gait, the sleek muscles all are feline images that add well to the sexual verve of a cat shifter.

Then you have the tail, an appendage that humans don’t have. So how can you enliven it with human characteristics? One way is to translate tail = ass which does work in some instances. But not all. Any time spent watching a feline, whether house cat or big cat, and you will discover the tail is much more than an extension of the rump. It is a warning system. The minute flickering of the tail tip, the quiver of a stiff tail, the puffed fur when agitated are all clues into the cat’s mindset.

Long leisurely swipes of a tail when a cat is stretched into the sun are kind of like a human, relaxing, idly fingering a blanket or other object. It is a sign of contentment. When preparing to pounce, the cat’s tail will sway, jerking in readiness to balance those powerful haunches to give the most lift, the most grace. Tail held high when passing another cat is a way of saying ‘hey, how are you, I am not threat, smell my butt, no aggressiveness here’. A tail curled tight to the body means ‘I don’t feel comfortable here and you better be wary’.

It would be a mistake for writers to just stick a tail on a cat shifter without thought. What is the tail doing at that minute, what is the cat’s mood, how is it communicating with us in that silent language? Those are things one must ask to adequately convey the emotion of the nonverbal animal. The tail talks. You just have to listen to hear what it is saying.

In my fantasy romance MYLA BY MOONLIGHT, Myla is a jaguar shifter. Her jag’s tail is a warning. At one point specifically, the prince realizes her tail is twitching, waiting to balance a leap. When combined with her flattened ears and snarling growl…Myla is a miffed kitty about to attack. He calls her down. He read the signs. Another time, when she is in human form, she mimics her jag by presenting and shaking her tail at him, a sexual ‘hey big boy, wanna play?’ Of course he does. Most romance heroes, and most human men are not going to pass up a prime opportunity to get a little tail.

Tails, like tales, carry meaning. So what’s your tail saying?

MYLA BY MOONLIGHT is available now from Samhain Publishing.  INEZ KELLEY writes romantic fantasy and romantic comedy. Visit Inez Kelley at http://inezkelley.com/

DRM
I do and its fun to do.
What do you like to read Madonna?
M. L.
Well, I have three granddaughters so I do read a lot of YA, just so we can talk ..  read Steve Berry, Rick Riordan (both his YA and adult)  Fun things, I don't like sad stories, I don't read a lot of blood and gore I've read Harry Potter, Twilight, things like that.
DRM
Don't really like horror?
M. L.
Not really into horror...  My books may get a little darker as they go on, but nothing to pull the bed covers over your head...Just make ya want to smack Esmeralda around.
DRM
Don't like Esmeralda  Thomas has possibilities.
M. L.
Thomas has a LOT of possibilities. 
Yes he does I can't wait to see what happens Emeralda isn't happy though Where did she come from?
M. L.
She is your typical bully, You will enjoy it. I have two beta readers - I made one cry and the other had to go cook!
DRM
I'm jealous!
DRM
You mix and match myth and legend where did the Native American information come from?
M. L.
My father was a very big arrowhead collector. I loved the old westerns, I really liked Dances with Wolves so I just added him - Gram Greene.
DRM
I had a hard time in the beginning of your book it seemed a bit slow...I kept thinking where is the young Bree’s story?  is there a reason you kept it under wraps and showed it in pieces? 
M. L.
I tried to give you the information up front so Bree could continue the story.  All the books will start like that...bring the reader up to speed  That way I don't have to do a lot of that in the story.  Because the first book had a lot of the past, the next books are very current
DRM
Bree is very relatable.
M. L.
I wanted her to be that way and I'm glad it came across.
DRM
She is real and has lived life do you think that readers enjoy that versus the heroine that has never had an issue in her life?
M. L.
I think so, it's easier to put yourself in her shoes then it is to someone who has never had any problems - we all have problems
DRM
In my review I describe your writing like that of an artist.  It's like a painting to me with all the bright colorful strokes yet the shadow of what is going to happen down the road .  do you see your self in that way or just a woman who has a story to tell.
M. L.
I see myself as a story teller. I enjoy it. I am working hard to perfect it.
DRM
Do you write full time?
M. L.
No, unfortunately I work full time, I write at night, a couple of hours on the weekend. I can write it pretty fast cause I'm always thinking about it - when it's done i walk away then come back and begin my edits, changes, deletes.
DRM
That must be hard to edit your own work?
M. L.
I read and re-read then I had it off to Mikki (My editor) she does more edits, makes suggestions and hands it back.  Then I edit and rewrite email her the changes and then one finally read through.
DRM
That is a question I often wonder about given the mistakes I have read in many published works.
M. L.
I found a few in mine too. So many words.  Oh oh....House is on!
DRM
Thank you for your time Madonna.
M. L.
I look forward to your review and hearing from you once in a while.
DRM
Me too.  Thank you.


Read Doni's Review of Chrysalis The Awakening - Here

Round 2 - Paranormal Author Fight Club

All New Installments by the Fighters just went up.     Your votes decide who moves on.  The Grand Prize is a full manuscript read and critique by New York Times Bestseller  Angie Fox.   You can be a winner too.  Leave a comment with your email and enter to win two books from Simon and Schuster.   I look forward to seeing you there.   Romance in the Backseat - Paranormal Fight Club - HERE

Interview with Kerry L. Marzock

I would like to welcome Paranormal author Kerry L. Marzock to Nightmare in the Backseat.  Kerry, will your books give us nightmares?

KM:  Maybe some small ones, but then that’s what a horror writer hopes to do.  I think the Raven series is a very good mix of horror, action, strange romance, some levity, and of course, we need a little bit of blood and gore mixed in there as well.
TK:  Oh yes, our lives in this modern world certainly does lack blood and gore.  Well unless you are a doctor or something.

KM:  For sure, but what's a good horror novel without any?  I think horror and science fiction have always given readers a chance to get lost into something other than their normal daily lives.  At least it has been for me since I was a young child.
 TK:  If the blood was wet and real would it still be as fascinating for you?

KM:  Ha, not sure there, I probably would get a little squeamish, but one part of what I write about, shape shifting, has always enthralled me, so that would definitely be fascinating, not sure if the blood which probably would come as a result of that when on the hunt.
 TK:  It seems like readers today want to escape to a simpler, more animal level of experiential existence as part of the appeal of were - characters.  Is there any of that in it for you?

KM:  I definitely think so.  Life is hard enough on an everyday basis and sometimes (as mere humans) we feel a little inadequate possibly to handle situations that require more hostility I guess.  But changing into an animal, or for that matter, any other type of creature, gives a person a chance to escape and be somebody, or something else, at least for a little while.  I prefer the wolf as my beast, but it seems that creatures which prey on others are the were-beasts of choice such as bears, large cats, etc.  Who wants to be a rabbit, a squirrel, or a llama?
TK:  I would be a gentle giant and be a panda - or my boyfriend's nickname for me is bunny - it might be fun to hop around every once in a while.

 KM:  Hey, panda's are really cute, but you know they have their mean, cantankerous side so your boyfriend better watch out *smile*.  Plus, I hope you like bamboo and watch out for those animals of prey.
TK:  Or Panda Express if "Corporate America" can be believed.  So, you are choosing wolf as your alter ego?
KM:  Oh, absolutely, they are incredible animals and I’ve always had this love affair with wolves.
TK: Lions are pretty bad ass too.

KM:  I love big cats as well, probably more like a jaguar or panther than the lion.  Panthers are incredibly beautiful creatures and move with such grace, speed and stealth.  There was a great older movie, "Cat People", from 1942 that was really good and the revised version in the 1980’s was pretty good also.  The music to that movie was awesome, very eerie and haunting.   (Read Kerry's Review of the Movie Here)
TK:  So tell me about your books, mythology and how you came up with it?

KM:  Okay..."Raven's Way" starts out in Philadelphia where both books, including the 3rd one, take place primarily.  The two main characters are Johnny Raven, part of a race of shape shifters which has lived among humanity for longer than anyone could imagine...he is on a mission of revenge searching for the monster that slew his mate and unborn child...this brings him to Philly where he meets up with a Philadelphia police detective, Kathleen Morello.  That is where the strange romance takes place and where her life is altered forever.  The book takes them on this dizzying search for the killer, but other characters are brought into the book as well which ends up in a major battle on the fields of Valley Forge Park.  Philadelphia has many very cool locations for a horror story.  The second book "Raven’s Rage" takes up where the first leaves off with the same characters that survived the first book and introduces more incredibly interesting characters, including more of vampire influence.  I also go into much more historical background of my race of shape shifters and how they came about. In addition, I tuck in some history of Philadelphia.
TK:  So what made you decide to let the bloodletters come to the party table?

KM:  Equal opportunity monsters *smile*, but I thought it added to the intrigue and drama, opened up more characters for me to explore and build upon.  I also didn't want the main characters to become stale, plus the vamp influence gives me more storyline avenues to explore, not only separate, but combined...and I also have always been interested in vampires as well as being a horror junkie, so it broadened my creative abilities.  The final battle in "Rage" will hopefully be really enjoyed because it takes place in an incredibly interesting and eerie locale here in Philly. 

TK:  Oh please do broaden your horizons to dead dudes.

KM:  Yeah, absolutely, and there are always others to bring in if I so desire.  In fact, the first chapter of the third Raven novel starts out with vampire hunters.  Being a voracious reader as well, I really enjoy the series aspect of writing and being drawn towards writers who continue their sagas and characters.  I think it gives the reader a chance to really desire more and then look forward to the next release.
TK:  Yes, even deader dudes, like Zombies.
KM: Zombies are cool, but I'm not sure if I'll go there, at least not yet, though there is always the possibility of a separate book down the line.  I've also always been intrigued by aliens so that is a possibility as well when I decide to stop the Raven series at some point, or develop something different.  I am also working at this time of my first fantasy novel and hope to have it done by spring of 2010.
TK:  Oh come on - a war uniting the Weres and Vamps to fight off Alien invasion would be cool!

KM:  There you go, giving me some more ideas...were's meet ET (and not the cute little bugger either that says “I’ll be right here.”)  Alien movies have always been some of the coolest to watch.
TK:  Has Hollywood ever come close to showing what your wolves look like?
KM:  I think so.  My books actually have the normal, stereotypical werewolf that changes under the full moon, much as in "The Howling" which is a movie that I loved.  My race of shape shifters I think lean more towards those in the movies like the recent "Blood and Chocolate" and the older film "Wolfen", with Albert Finney that I thought was great.  My race of shape shifters are named weregunes and can turn into wolves at any time.  I loved how the movie "Blood and Chocolate" changed the humans into wolves, and the ending in "Wolfen" was fantastic.
TK:  You seem to be quite the movie buff.

KM:  If it's about werewolves and shape shifters then I'm in the front row.  I've also read extensively in that part of the horror genre and have a large collection of werewolf novels.  I've really considered all the incredible authors that I've read over these many years as my own instructors/tutors/professors *smile*.  And when I write, I try to really visualize everything in my mind so that it's almost a movie playing on the screen, and of course, nothing would thrill me more than to see the Raven series on the silver screen...so move over Twilight.
TK:  When the day comes I will be there opening night to write my review.

KM:  You'll have a seat right beside me with plenty of popcorn.
TK:  Thanks so much for taking the time to give us the behind the scenes of the Raven Series world.

KM:  Thank you for having me Terry and I hope that anybody who reads the Raven books will have as much enjoyment as I have had in writing them and will continue to have for hopefully a long time.

TK:  Thank you Kerry!  You can find her books at http://www.soulasylumpoetry.com,   www.amazon.com,   www.barnesandnoble.com.  You can also check out her web site at:  http://mysticwolfpa.tripod.com//index.html , and her blog at:  http://www.kmarzock714.wordpress.com

Romance in the Backseat's Paranormal Blog Get's Started Today

I love Paranormal Novels - You love Paranormal Novels so lets meet some of the authors that write it and enjoy discussing it here.  Written interviews, book reviews, and videos, what fun.  I hope to see you here.  It is October so lets have some Scary Fun!
Terry Kate