Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

***Spoilers about the series***

December 2010, Penguin Group

594 pgs., E-book

Library Copy

Sixth in the Vampire Academy Series

YA paranormal Romance

From Goodreads:

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.
She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

Opinion:

I’m trying my best to write this without spoilers, but be warned deciphering may be easy.

I freaking love the last book in this series, but there were some issues. The first issue is info dumps. Places were instead of working it into the story Rose just simply states that it has happened before. I expect more out of the writing of this great author. This is a small issue that doesn’t really take away from the overall book.

The journey to the end was hilarious, intense, and emotional. The characters were easy to fall in love with, so readers, at least this reader, was emotionally engaged.

I love the hillbillies!!!

I was content with the way the book ended, especially for Rose’s love life. I wanted to see more after this though. Such as the hunting trip and a trip to his parents.

Lissa is where she should be as long as she stays modest. I wouldn’t like for her to actually permit her fears to come true in regard to Christian. She’s changed a lot since the beginning, but I simply don’t trust a character that can so easily allow someone else to control them. Even if that is for protection sake.

I know Bloodlines will follow Sydney, but a better wrapping up of that storyline would have been appreciated. Btw, I think Sydney is a better friend than Lissa ever will be.

I hope in this new series we at least see Rose, although I don’t doubt we shall.

If you haven’t read this series, seriously go get it now. Also, I can’t wait to start in on Sydney’s story.

Rating: 4.5/5

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IMM and On my Wishlist

I got a ton of fabulous books this week! Btw…click on the image to go to the books goodread page.

I’ve been ill this past week so I didn’t get Saturday’s Sexiest Character up, so at the end of this post look for what I’ve read this past week.

For Review from Netgalley:

Bought:

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Read this week:

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Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

July 2010, Avon

384 pgs., E-book

Library Copy

Second in Night Huntress World Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness . . . And now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.


Opinion:

When I began this book I honestly did not believe I would enjoy it as much as I did the rest of what she’s written. What I found was the best book in the both series.

Menechares always seemed so cold, old, and unwilling to confirm to today’s society. What I found was a book that had more depth than anything else I’ve read of hers to date. Menechares is powerful enough to kill hundreds with mere thoughts, but strong enough to hold his power in check most of the time.

Kira, I’m more in love with than Cat. She is relatable, but strong enough to survive in a world that is so different than our own. Her heart is what is going to heal Menechares of years of grief and torment.

There is enough action to keep this book from being boring, but balanced enough to lend to great characters.

Again I recommend this book and anything she’s written.

Rating:5+/5

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First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

February 2010, Avon
384 pgs.,  E-book

Library

First in the Night Huntress World Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a breathtaking new journey to the dark side of desire.

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows—her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield—and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness—and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human—even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together . . .

Because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost.

Opinion:

I usually do not read series that are off-shoots of a main series and honestly, I hadn’t paid much attention to Spade, but I simply could not wait for the release of book five. I had to get more of this world, so I borrowed it from my library.

I didn’t put it down from the moment I started it. Spade has emotional strength I haven’t seen in any of the other characters. Denise is brave and after losing her husband she is unselfish in the most primal of ways. She’d endure amazing amounts of pain in order to protect her family.

This isn’t as humorous as the Night Huntress series, but it is more heartfelt. The author mentions she’s afraid of children in her bio, so hopefully she’ll follow up this book with understanding that the need for children doesn’t vanish overnight. And we will see Denise struggling with that in the upcoming Night Huntress book.

Rating:5/5

P.S. Btw, this was the first e-book I’d ever read. I thought I’d hate e-books, but I’ve come to love them. So much easier to read a backlight e-book in bed when trying not to wake the hubby.

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Follow Friday

This week's question: Share your current fav television show! Tell us a bit about it...

Answer: I've become a Hulu addict. I'm currently watching shows that everyone loved while they were airing, but I was too busy to watch. Like Lost and Heroes. So my favorite show right now is Heroes. 

But my second favorite is Spartacus: Blood and Sand. It's awesomely tantalizingly great.

This week's question: "Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?"


Answer: Yes, all the time, but then I come up with ways it can fit in. I'm glad it's general enough so I can incorporate other books in at times.

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Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

July 2009, Avon

400 pgs., Paperback
Personal Copy
Fourth in Night Huntress Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

Her deadly dreams leave her in grave danger...

Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.

Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.

Opinion:

This is the saddest in the entire series so far. It tore my heart apart and healed it again.

As always the bond between Cat and Bones is undeniable. Cat is strong and doesn’t let Bones rule. Bones is strong and protective and oh so sexy.

I’ve got to say my favorite character is not one you’d expect, Vlad. I’m secretly in love. He’s on Cat’s side and doesn’t care for Bones. Most of the people helping Cat seem to only be there as a loyalty to Bones, but not Vlad. Vlad truly cares for Cat and since Cat quit the Special Forces she needs that connection.

The dream hacking kinda got on my nerves, but the rest of it is superb.

 I can’t wait for the next one to be released.

Rating:4.5/5

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At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost

December 2008, Avon

342 pgs., Paperback

Personal Copy

Third in Night Huntress Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

Some things won't stay buried . . . at grave's end

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

Opinion:

The third in the series is a heart-stopping, tearful, ride. When Cat’s father finds her Bones is put in a position where he must chose Cat’s emotional safety over her immediate feelings which leads into yet another fight.

This couple fights for their relationship through circumstances that would test the most devoted marriage.

Mencheres and Bones team up to fight a war that will take the members of the team past all of their limits.

This is my favorite book within my current favorite series, so I would say it’s a definite must read. From page one you’ll be on a twisty-turvey ride that is the best I’ve read lately.


Rating:5/5

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One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

April 2008, Avon

384 pgs., Paperback

Personal Copy

Second in Night Huntress Series

Adult Fiction

From Goodreads:

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again

Opinion:

If you’ve read my review over the first in the series, Halfway to the Grave,you’ll know I adore this series. This book starts off without a major component of how great this series is. Cat has set up her life with the help of the government and is in charge of a special agent force specializing in killing vampires that have transgressed against humans. Her soldiers are great backup but they have reservations about the undead, but those are removed when agents are lost and Cat needs their help.

I love this book almost as much as the first. A definite must read.

Rating:5/5

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Kick-off Week

This week is the kick-off week for This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost which releases tomorrow. The entire series to date will be reviewed this week as well as the Night Huntress World series.

Info about This Side of Grave:

From Goodreads:

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

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Re-run review of Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

November 2007, Avon

358 pgs., Paperback

Personal Copy

First in Night Huntress Series

From Goodreads:

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father--the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her new found status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

Opinion:
This is my favorite series to date. Cat is fearless, incredibly witty, and holds her own against a Master vampire. She is a fully vetted character and is the girl next door with a twist. She stands up for those that are weaker than her and is loyal to those she loves even when they don’t deserve it. She is my favorite kick-ass female in paranormal fiction. The choices she makes are unselfish even when they are completely the wrong decision to make. Bones is one of the most powerful vampires in the world and yet he mostly treats Cat as an equal.When we meet her she is killing the undead without prejudice until she meets Bones when she finds that she is wrong about her preconceived notions about vampires as a side effect of her indoctrination from her mother.

Rating:5/5


 

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IMM and On My Wishlist

I’m not sure vlogs and me get along, but here it is!

Books Mentioned:

From the Library:

Karen Marie Moning- Darkfever
Karen Marie Moning- To Tame A Highland Warrior
Nanlini Singh- Angels Blood
Beth Revis-Across the Universe
Jenna Black- Glimmerglass

The Siren's Cry by Jennifer Anne Kogler

From Goodreads:

Fern is not like other girls. She’s extremely sensitive to sunlight, has strange and vivid visions, and has the ability to teleport—anywhere, anytime. Fern is an Otherworldly, a special kind of vampire that has assimilated to the human world. What’s more, Fern has just discovered that she's one of the Unusual Eleven, a special group of Otherworldlies prophesied to change the fate of Otherworldlies and humans alike. On a school trip to Washington, DC, her most vivid vision yet reveals another Unusual in danger, and Fern realizes what’s at stake: The Unusuals are being hunted, and it’s up to her to save them.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

From Goodreads:

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

 Ladybird, Ladybird by Abra Ebner

From Goodreads:
Samantha was born on a full moon to a mother already dead. Revived by doctors and given to her unloving father, Samantha was raised a cursed child, her only friend the ghost of her mother who speaks to her through keys. From the inside out, Sam burned with life, a fire so vivid it kept her peers at a distance, all except one. Leith, a quiet farmboy with a broken heart and demons of his own, enjoys the seclusion his classmates grant him, but the seclusion is all too familiar to Sam.


Don’t forget to link up your IMM or On My Wishlist!

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Saturday’s Sexiest Character

First of all my followers got to read my review of Delirium early, so yay you! I actually screwed up and published it instead of setting a date.





Saturday's sexiest character is a weekly feature where I list what I've read that week and which male character captured my attention the most. 
This week I've read:

This Week's Sexiest Character:
Lysander, of course, he's like Bill and Eric mixed together to create this mysterious bad-ass vamp! 

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Follow Friday

This week's question: 

If you are a fan of Science Fiction what is your favorite book? If you haven't read Science Fiction before...any inkling to? Anything catch your eye?

Answer:

I don't think I've ever read any Science Fiction other than that I've beta read, but that I've beta read was freaking awesome.

Do you read science fiction?

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Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas

March 2010, Rising Sun Books

346, E-book

Received from author for an honest review

First in the Immortalis Carpe Noctem

Adult

From Goodreads:

Explore the emotional upheaval that is the transformation from human to vampire.

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: An unyielding thirst for blood as well as the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.

As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning", did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.

Only by accepting her new-found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

Opinion:

Once I got into this book, I enjoyed the plotline especially the tales the Lysander tells Alyssa about the ancient times of being with the coven. As a history fanatic this was fascinating. I'd truly love to see his book.

Alyssa is not immediately likeable as I found her a bit weak and selfish, but she grew into her own as the story progressed. Her goodness shines through even when she does a horrendous act.

Lysander is very intriguing and could not resist his charms. He is strong silent and protective. He needs Alyssa and it’s apparent from the beginning.

The conflict between his old coven is touching in it’s sadness. Lysander has so much history with them.

The only writerly issue I really had was words that were two syllables were often separated by a hyphenate when they shouldn’t have been. I’m not sure if this is just an issue in the copy I got or if it made it’s way into production that way.

Rating:3.5/5

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Waiting on Wednesday

Button from Bewitched Bookworms

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme by Breaking the Spine that allows us wonderful bloggers a chance to spotlight upcoming books that we are dying to read.

This week I’m waiting on:

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Releases: 3/1/11

From Goodreads:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Why I’m waiting:

Romance, check. Family love, check. Awesome sounding MC (main character), check. Paranormal goodies, check. So all it has all the elements to be the perfect book.

I’m receiving this one soon as part of the ARC tour by Good Golly Miss Holly. I am so super excited to be part of it!

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Author Interview: Katie Salidas

Today, I have Katie Salidas author of many books including Immortalis Carpe Noctem, which will be reviewed later this week. 

Website| Goodreads| Buy

Rie: Can you tell me in 20 words or less what your book is about?

Katie: Becoming a vampire is easy. Living with the condition, that’s the hard part.

Rie: What is it about vampires that intrigue you?

Kate: The power, the immortality, the freedom. If fantasy (urban or other) has taught us anything, it’s that vampires have it all.

Seriously though, vampires in fiction have such a chameleon-like quality about them. They can be anything from gruesome gothic creatures, to tortured undying souls, to that hunky bad boy who only comes out at night. They span the gaps of all genres and have been reinvented over and over again to suit the story’s needs. Besides the blood, the one biggest tie that links them all is the immortality.

That by itself is a huge draw. Imagine being able to watch history unfold, to be able to witness all of the important events in time. For me, that’s one excellent perk.

In my Immortalis series Lysander, a vampire of over 2k years, records everything he witnesses. It’s his passion. He chronicles history and has amassed a libraries worth of knowledge. The Peregrinus clan, a small band of traveling vampires, use their eternity to travel the world and see all of its beauty.

To be able to do that would be worth the price of losing the sun, I think.

Rie: Has being raised in Las Vegas helped you have an eye for the fantastical?

Katie: I hate to shatter the mystique of my home town, but living in Las Vegas is no different than living anywhere else. Ok, you can get your grocery shopping done at 2am and there are slot machines everywhere, but really, day-to-day life here is pretty normal.

The city does have one very interesting quirk that I think helps get the imagination working. It is always reinventing itself. Vegas today is not the same place as it was when I moved here as a teen. Every few years it changes in theme from Adult playground, to family friendly, to high class entertainment, to, well… sex appeal.

Watching the change over the years is interesting. Seeing them reinvent themselves make you think of ways you can reinvent things too. Say vampires for example. Today vampires aren’t the killers they once were. Modern Urban fantasy has likeable “good guy” vamps that use blood banks or just take sips. Hell, some even sparkle. For me, I wanted to take a slightly different stance. I wanted to go a little retro, back to the older style of vampires, and modernize them. They have to kill, they have to hide from the sun, they have to wear makeup to pass for human, and they do not want mortals knowing about them. But they aren’t the gothic creatures of old that are forced to sleep in coffins and return to the soil of their homeland.

Rie: What is easiest for you to write about? The world in which is your reality, Las Vegas, or the one that is so far removed, vampire society?

Katie: In my novels the vampires live right here in my quiet neighborhood. I find that using the current world and fitting vampires into it is fun and challenging. It is easy in some respects because of the nature of this city. I joke that because of the 24 hour lifestyle here in Vegas, that a vampire could easily hide in plain sight. No neighbor will ever question why you don’t come out until nightfall because so many people here have night jobs and sleep the day away. Also, with the transient nature of this city, it’s easy to find prey. On the flip side, having vampires here in modern society means playing by the rules of society. They have to be careful not to let their secret slip. That is one of the plot points of Hunters & Prey. Revealing yourself to just one person can have dangerous repercussions.

Rie: What is your current WIP (Work in Progress)? Can you tell us a little about it?

Katie: I tend to work on multiple projects at a time. Right now I am finalizing my next novella, Karma &Melodies (a different take on vampires from my Immortalis series), I’m running book 3 in my Immortalis series, Pandora’s Box, through critiquing groups, and I am starting to brainstorm on a sequel to one of my Paranormal Romance novella’s, House of Immortal Pleasures.

Here is a summary for Karma & Melodies (Expected to release on Kindle in March)

Kendra used to spend her days organizing events for Cafe Enigma while daydreaming about Marcus, the sexy lead singer of Normal Paradox. But all those dreams of becoming Mrs. Rock Star died along with her mortality, the moment Hector entered her life and turned her into a vampire.

Ten torturous years later, Kendra finally escapes Hector and runs straight into Marcus. (Well, actually, his car hit her, but that's besides the point.) The accident leaves Marcus concussed and a few pints too low, forcing Kendra to share her blood to save him.

Sharing her blood doesn't just heal Marcus's wounds, it bonds him to Kendra in a magical "can't live without you" sort of way. Now he's professing his undying love to her and Kendra's not sure if he's for real or just experiencing side effects of their new blood bond. Either way, the two of them can't be separated, without it causing suicidal levels of depression, and the band needs to hit the road for the rest of their cross-country tour.

She's content to travel with the band and explore her new-found relationship until whispered threats from her master, Hector, start invading her dreams. He's tracking her down and she can feel it. She knows the horrors he's capable of and if he finds out about Marcus, Hector will do everything in his power to destroy him.

If she stays, Marcus is doomed to Hector's wrath. If she goes, the repercussions of their bond might kill Marcus. Both options will break Kendra's heart. If they're truly meant for each other, they'll have to find another way... if there is one.

Rie: Do you have a favorite place to sit and write? Where is your favorite place to read?

Katie: I have the most comfy loveseat in the whole world (ok I’m exaggerating a little). I take my laptop and camp out there with the window open to do my writing. My kitties (I have 3) love to sit with me while I do this. They are my audience as I sometimes run dialogue out loud. Thank goodness they can’t talk back. LoL. For reading, anywhere comfy. Most of my reading time is sitting in my car while waiting for my daughter to get out of classes.

Rie: As a reader, do you read in the same genre as you write? What is your current paranormal obsession?

Katie: Yep, I am vampire obsessed. I prefer to read Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Erotica. I recently read an excellent vampire erotica anthology called The Sweetest Kiss… Yummy!

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