Welcome to our blog!
Amy and Jennifer ARE Seduced by Books. We’re both in our 30’s, moms, close friends, work together, and share many of the same interests including our love of reading. Amy grew up in Maryland and has been obsessed with Vampires for as long as she can remember. Jenn grew up in Florida and loves the furry, the fey, and the fangs, in that order. Currently we are both in Orlando, FL. When we can be pulled away from books, Amy loves to bake and Jenn loves to take pictures and scrap.
We decided to create a place where we could direct friends, and acquaintances for, book suggestions/recommendations (Jenn’s been known to talk to strangers on the train while traveling in NYC). Once we started out with a simple page, we evolved from there. Now we are sharing our book reviews, fun comments, recipes, and giveaways. We try to give reviews on new releases, pre-releases, and oldies but goodies that we read, or are reading. We’re going to be adding author interviews for established and up and coming authors soon.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Forsaken by the Others Blog Tour - Visit from Jess Haines

Welcome Jess Haines - and I could not think of any one better to help us talk about the Sexy Vampires we all love....she has one of my favs in her series. Not only do we get some insight in her inspiration but she has a great giveaway for us.

Sexy Vampires Who Provided Inspiration for the H&W Investigations Series

By Jess Haines


Hello there! Jess Haines here. I’m the author of the H&W Investigations series—urban fantasy novels about Shiarra Waynest, a human private investigator in an alternate, present-day New York. Somehow she keeps getting pulled into supernatural troubles way above her pay grade…

Since Jennifer is all about the sexy stuff here, I thought you might like to hear about some of the smokin’ hot vampires that have inspired me over the years.

5) Deacon Frost (from Blade)

Frost is such a delightful asshole. He has no qualms standing up to vampires more powerful than himself, a vision for how to drag himself up the ranks, and the guts to follow through with the plan to get what he wants no matter the obstacles. All while doing it with style and attitude.

It’s really too bad he’s so evil.

On the bright side, he did help provide a plotbunny that resulted in the formation of more than one of my own bad guys. It’s a good thing when your villains are well-rounded and know what they want, and stick to their guns to get it.

4) Blade (from Blade)

Man, that guy can pull of a trench coat but good. Dark, mysterious, broody—he’s everything a vampire should be.

Too bad he’s not quite a vamp.

Blade was more of an inspiration because he was a vampire hunter, rather than because of his nature. If you know me, you may have heard me mention this before, but I originally came up with the idea for the heroine of the H&W Investigations novels, Shiarra Waynest, when I saw a trailer for the first Blade movie in theaters ages ago.


3) Selene (from Underworld)

Strangely enough, Selene served as an inspiration for the opposite of how I wanted Shiarra’s adventures to start out. Selene is a strong, capable, and kickass vampire. Shia has her own strengths, but as a human, she can’t go toe-to-toe with a vamp or werewolf and expect to survive. What it made me think of was backstory. How did Selene reach the point of being so competent as an enforcer?

That was what I chose to explore for Shiarra. Not starting her in the boots of the ass-kicking heroine, but taking the opportunity to use the series to grow her into them.



2) David (from The Lost Boys)

A classic vampire movie, The Lost Boys set the tone for what I was shooting for in my books. At times frightening, others hilarious, I wanted a mix of camp and horror that wasn’t afraid to feature the absurd while also exploring the serious sides of dealing with supernaturals. On that count, David is playful and seductive, but undeniably dangerous. Just like I wanted the main vampire of my series, Alec Royce, to be.

1) Spike (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Where, oh where, would I be without a mention of Spike? Proving that even an immortal can feel emotions deeper than most mortals, that even a vampire can grow and learn to be more than a monster, that a killer can love with burning passion, Spike embodies so many of the things a vampire could and should be. All while pulling off hilarious one-liners and looking damned fine in leather, if I may say so.


Oh, and for the hell of it, even though I wouldn’t exactly call him inspiration for any of my characters, enjoy some Eric Northman!




So, who are some of your favorite sexy vamps?

For the next stop on the blog tour, be sure to visit the official FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS blog tour calendar !

You can also visit me on the web:
www.JessHaines.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JessHainesAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Jess_Haines

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines

Thanks again for having me, Jennifer!


Jess, you are always welcome here! You are killing me for the next book - and thank you for this great giveaway below.
We've got the details on Forsaken by the Others - out this July 2nd.
Forsaken by the Others Book Description:

The Others–vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night–don’t just live in nightmares anymore. They’ve joined with the mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem…

Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head…and neck. Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town–namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who’d like to turn her into a chew toy.

On Royce’s suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten–literally–in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them–and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge…


Hurry up and buy soon - you won't regret it

Buy Links:
Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon Canada
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Books-A-Million
Powells
Indiebound

Enter the US giveaway here -

a Rafflecopter giveaway


International followers are not forgotten - enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Visit our other blog friends on the tour here - Forsaken by the Others blog tour





Thursday, June 13, 2013

Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines - Review

The Others–vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night–don’t just live in nightmares anymore. They’ve joined with the mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem…

Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head…and neck.
Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town–namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who’d like to turn her into a chew toy.
On Royce’s suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten–literally–in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them–and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge…(courtesy of jess haines)


I have to say I was waiting for this book like it was the air I needed to survive, thankfully we were able to get an early copy.  After the way Stalking ended  I was in this excitement mode and couldn't wait to see where it was going in the series.  If you've read the other books in this series....you know exactly what I'm talking about.  I waited and waited for that moment or moments....  (no spoilers)

So Forsaken (book 5) picks up right where we left off.  I was so nervous in the first chapter... One thing that Haines has down right is that she has the reader wrapped up in the characters as if they are right in front of you.  Every moment of the book I feel like I'm right with Shia - a fly on the wall, or right in her mind.  It makes me so invested in the book and the world she has created.

Forsaken was exactly that - from the moment I opened it up, I could not put it down.  Haines keeps the action going as we try to figure out exactly what is going on in LA.  Shia's character is growing in this series and this book was definitely a pivotal move for Shia.

Haines continues to keep your on your tip toes through the whole book - literally up to the very last page as you are hanging on my nails waiting now for the next book.

Loved it!!!!! 5 Slices easy.  Visit tomorrow as we have the pleasure of having Jess Haines herself as a guest on our blog promoting Forsaken by the Others which will be released July 2nd.  Enter her giveaway while she's here tomorrow.  If you haven't read the others in this series (pun intended) get out there and get them read before the 2nd.  You will never be disappointed with anything by Haines.





Buy Links:

Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon Canada
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Books-A-Million
Powells
Indiebound

Visit the other stops on the blog tour here