Watchers, I’m sorry for disappearing for a week. Technology issues caused me some problems. I am also behind on a few shows (the ones not discussed), but will be caught up for next week’s column.

Grimm, Friday 9:00 EST, NBC

First off, let me say that is sure seems as though Portland is full of vessen, doesn’t it?

In the last two episodes we have discovered that Grimms are valuable to the seven houses of Royals, which hasn’t really been explained yet, and have seen Nick really moving into his role, such as training physically and writing his own notes in the books in the trailer.

Nick, Monroe, and Rosalee had a run-in with the Verrat, the enforcers for the status quo. Does anyone else still find all of this kind of murky, or is it just me? They are giving us bits and pieces of information, which is fine, but I keep wondering if I am missing something or it just hasn’t been revealed yet. I also wonder how much we will find out in the last three episodes, and how much will roll over to next season. Your thoughts?

The dinner scene between Nick, Monroe and Juliet was hilarious.

An observation: does anyone else think that it’s funny when Nick always gets that same look when he discovers that someone is a vessen? That’s how the various individuals figure out he’s a Grimm, and I just find it a bit odd that he doesn’t try to hide the reaction.

What were your favorite scenes from the last two episodes?

All of you Rosalee fans will be glad to learn that the actress will be a regular next season.

Once Upon a Time, Sunday 8:00 EST, ABC

More pieces of the mysteries are falling into place as the season winds down, and the last two episodes have helped with that situation.

We now know who August really is, and I thought that whole episode was really good. We saw Emma flee in fear because she doesn’t want the responsibility for the town, which seems to indicate that she does, indeed, believe some of what she was told by August, and by Henry. What do you think?

My favorite line from the last episode, from Mary Margaret to Regina: “Your life must be filled with such incredible loneliness if your only joy comes from destroying everyone else’s happiness.” This observation is spot-on, of course, and leaves Regina visibly shaken.

Speaking of Regina, how awkward was it when she tried to kiss David? Yikes!

During the last two episodes, what do you hope we will learn? Which character do you hope to see more of?

Supernatural, Friday 9:00 EST, The CW

Watchers, how great has it been to have Bobby back, even as a ghost? It does seem a bit odd, though, that as badly as both Dean and Sam wanted to make contact with him that when he does actually show up they are kind of lukewarm to the idea.

In the episode with the house full of ghosts we get this classic Bobby line: “I can kill werewolves, fix a Pinto, and bake cornbread – I’ll be damned if I can’t get Zen.”

The next episode featured the delightful Felicia Day, whose character I hope we see again someday. I enjoyed all of the genre-culture references made.

I am not a fan of the Leviathans, but I must say that the actor who plays Dick Roman is really good, and that character is a wonderful villain.

Do you think Bobby is a vengeful ghost, or will be?

There are only three more episodes left this season. Do you have any predictions for what will happen?

**The big news – Fringe returns for a 13-episode final season!

Next week we will discuss the above shows plus Fringe, Eureka, and Lost Girl. Happy viewing!

Thank you to Bitten By Books for having me here to celebrate the release of my novella, Shadow Play! It’s the second in the series, but it stands alone as well. Stick around, comment, and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate.

When I was a little kid, I was afraid of the dark. (Okay, I’m still afraid of the dark.) Anyway, I’ve got this memory from when I was four years old. I know I was four because I shared my room with my big sister—we’ll get to her in a sec. I used to lie in bed, staring in terror at the shadows. I swear I could see people in the dark and they were talking to each other. I was petrified that they would notice me and… get me. I’d breathe shallowly, barely blinking, until I was too exhausted to stay awake. Well, one night, I got up my courage to tiptoe over to my sister’s bed to tell her I was scared. She would not wake. I poked her, shook her, wiggled the glasses that were still on her face… and then I bit her finger. She yelled, lights came on. I don’t know if I got in trouble, but I do know that I continued to watch shadows for the rest of my life. I am an expert. I should be awarded an honorary phD for my intense research and nightly fieldwork.

I got stuck on the idea that shadow could walk around by itself. I wondered what a person’s shadow would be like, what would motivate it, what would it be capable of? Fast forward a few decades and you have Eleanor Russo, whose shadow—you guessed it—can walk around independently of her flesh and blood body. Her boyfriend, Dr. Cam Kalamos, is crazy about them both, but things get a little dicey when the team is called upon to investigate the disappearance of a child. Excerpts and cool stuff are over at my website: www.erinkellison.com AND I’ll be back here in July to celebrate the release of my next book, Fire Kissed.

My questions for you today are:
Have you ever been afraid of the dark? If so, what’s scary about it to you? Which scares you more: the explainable things in the dark, or the supernatural?

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Learn more about Erin Kellison here:

Read reviews of the author’s work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
http://twitter.com/ekellison
http://www.facebook.com/erin.kellison

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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers WORLDWIDE!

PRIZE: A $100.00 Electronic Amazon Gift card

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs SIX DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 5/6/12.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions,  please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 point per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Erin by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=53020 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the link below

Purchase a Kindle copy of Shadow Play from Amazon by clicking here. (ONLY $1.99!)

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. Go attend Jenn Bennett’s event and contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=53009 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

Demons Are People, Too

I have a soft spot for demons. I know, I know—sounds creepy. But I swear, I’m a perfectly nice person. I ooh and ahh at fluffy puppies. I cry during It’s A Wonderful Life. It’s just that, you know, I’m also rather attracted to dark stuff. Like Walt Whitman, I contradict myself: I contain multitudes.

In the world I’ve created for the Arcadia Bell series, some of my most moral, upstanding characters are demons. Some of my worst villains are humans. And just like real, non-fantasy-book life, you can’t pass judgements on an entire group of people. You have to get to know them as individuals.

These books, you see, are about a woman with unusual magical gifts living in a world filled with demons. And not just any old demons, but Earthbounds. To the average non-demon person—that would be YOU, lovely reader—Earthbounds look like humans, live like humans, and act like humans. They don’t have horns and tails. They aren’t devouring small kittens. They are simply descendants of human-demon hybrids.

Once upon a time, humans with magical talent—people like my heroine, Cady—knew a unique spell that shifted humanity’s path on earth. This unusual, morally suspect spell involved calling down Big Bad Scaly Demons from another plane called the Æthyr. In and of itself, this isn’t a big deal: any mage worth his or her salt has summoned a demon or two in an attempt to procure a little esoteric knowledge . . . or just to find out where their crotchety uncle hid the family fortune.

Thing is, Æthyric-summoned demons can’t live on earth for any length of time. To stick around, they need to inhabit human bodies. Enter the morally suspect spell, which allowed a mage to both remove human souls from human bodies, and also stuff the empty flesh with summoned demon souls.

Sounds like a lot of trouble, to be sure. But you’ve got to realize a few things. First, most of these mages were kind of bananas; craziness and magic are like peanut butter and chocolate. And second, most mages—like Cady—are able to control demons. So this new human-demon hybrid was the medieval version of a Robot Butler: whatever the mage wanted, the Earthbound demon did. Like most diabolical plans, this one went frequently went wrong, with Earthbounds outsmarting their makers. (The most infamous incident resulted in the disappearance of the Roanoke Colony settlement in the late 16th century, and the ritual thereafter being referred to in hushed tones as “The Roanoke Spell.”) Centuries later, they are still outsmarting humans.

Except Cady. Because she’s not your run-of-the-mill mage. She was born with the ability to see a supernatural marker on Earthbounds, so she knows which of her neighbors are human and which are demon. And where she lives, in coastal Northern California, there are a LOT of demons. Demons like her best friend, Kar Yee, who, with Cady, runs a tiki bar that caters to Earthbounds. And Lon Butler, a strong and silent, rakishly pirate-mustached Earthbound, for whom she finds herself falling. Hard. Because I suppose, like me, Cady has a soft spot for demons, too.

Would it freak you out if you discovered some of your coworkers and friends were demons in disguise?

A lot of my Earthbound demons have a unique special paranormal ability, something called a “knack.” There are Earthbounds who are telekinetic (can move objects with the mind) and empathic (can “hear” people’s emotions), and there are some who can even alter temperatures or persuade people to do things with their voice. If you could have a knack, what would it be?

My series is urban fantasy, but it has a strong romantic subplot and attracts readers from both sides of the paranormal romance/urban fantasy fence. Are there other series you like to read that blur the lines between UF and PNR?

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Learn more about Jenn Bennett below:
Read reviews of this authors work here.
website and blog: www.jennbennett.net
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jenn_benn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennbennettauthor
Read excerpts of my books here: http://www.jennbennett.net/books

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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers in the US

PRIZE: 5 copies of Summoning the Night

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs SIX DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 5/6/12.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions,  please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 point per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Jenn by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=53009 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below

Purchase a print copy of Summoning the Night from Amazon by clicking here.

Purchase a Kindle copy of Summoning the Night from Amazon by clicking here.

Books in the Arcadia Bell series in the order they should be read
Kindling the Moon
Summoning the Night

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. Go attend Erin Kellison’s event and contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=53020 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

A dark, spooky house. A brooding, seductive man with secrets. An innocent woman trying to make sense of it all.

Who doesn’t love a Gothic story? From Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolfo, to Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, tales of a young woman caught up in a web of darkness, intrigue and desire have been holding readers captive for centuries. Think of all the romance covers from the 1960s and ’70s showing a woman clad only in a long white nightgown, holding a candle aloft as she nervously wanders outside a looming castle. (Personally, I always worried about the women catching colds more than I worried about them falling afoul of a vengeful ghost.)

There’s something about the thought of a woman on her own facing peril that draws us in. We’re terrified of what might befall her, but we’re also drawn in by the mysterious, brooding hero who may or may not be the heroine’s greatest danger. Sometimes, the heroines don’t make the smartest choices (don’t go into the attic alone!), but often, they wind up triumphing. It’s a kind of metaphor for our own lives: we wander around in the darkness, trying to make sense of the strange noises and veiled threats, but we hope, in the end, to reach our happily ever after.

Though Jane Eyre is one of my favorite novels, I’d never written a Gothic romance before. Usually, my stories involve action and adventure, not feelings of creeping fear and skulking about shadowy corridors. My new Hellraisers novel, Demon’s Bride, definitely has elements of the classic Gothic tales.

Anne Hartfield, an impoverished baron’s daughter, marries a virtual stranger. All she really knows of Leo Bailey is that he’s a self-made man who has built a vast fortune on the Exchange. Leo is also one of the infamous Hellraisers—a group of notorious rakes famed for their wild exploits. The marriage is advantageous to Anne because of Leo’s wealth, and Leo wants an aristocratic wife. Though she’s nervous about her new life as Leo’s wife, she gamely tries to forge ahead. It surprises Anne and Leo both that they begin to form an unexpected connection after their marriage.

But, as she’s left alone in Leo’s house while he’s off doing business during the day, a growing sense of dread comes over Anne. His house is elegant but oddly sinister. The company her husband keeps is decidedly unsavory. And Leo possesses secrets, secrets that become more and more dangerous the closer Anne and Leo get. The truth is far more fantastical and treacherous than Anne could ever have believed.

Of course, I can’t tell you more without treading in spoiler territory! I can tell you that it was incredibly fun to try my hand at the venerable Gothic tradition, and put my own spin on it.

So, tell me, what are some of your favorite Gothic stories (or movies)? What is it about Gothic stories do you enjoy? Leave a comment here. One commenter will win a $25 Amazon gift certificate, plus a copy of Demon’s Bride. Two runners up will receive copies of Demon’s Bride.

Demon’s Bride
The Hellraisers, Book 2

“Hell to Pay

Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.

But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal – one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start.

Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny. A whirlwind courtship sweeps Anne and Leo into a smoldering marriage before either can believe their luck. But happiness built on Leo’s dark powers can’t last. Soon, Anne will have to save her husband…or lose her heart.”

Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there’s nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master’s degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together. Her steampunk romance, SKIES OF FIRE, is now available from Avon Impulse, and Nico’s steampunk Western, NIGHT OF FIRE, will be available in July. Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles.

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Learn more about Zoe Archer below
To visit the author’s website go here.
Read reviews of her work here.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zoe.archer1
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Zoe_Archer
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/zoearcher

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CONTEST INFO:

Open to readers WORLDWIDE!

PRIZES: A $25 Amazon gift certificate, plus a copy of Demon’s Bride. Two runners up will receive copies of Demon’s Bride.

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs THREE DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 4/29/11.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions,  please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 point per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Zoe by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52972 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below

Purchase a print copy of Demon’s Bride from Amazon by clicking here.

Purchase a Kindle copy of Demon’s Bride from Amazon by clicking here.

Books in the Hell Raisers series in the order they should be read
Devil’s Kiss
Demon’s Bride

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. Go RSVP for Erin Kellison’s event and contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52966 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

Thank you so much for hosting me here today, Rachel! I’m thrilled to be back on Bitten by Books, and as this is the last stop on my blog tour for Sins of the Son, I thought it would be fun to share an exclusive excerpt with your readers. I personally love this scene with Alex (she’s meeting her Vancouver counterpart for the first time) because I think it gives so much insight into her. See if you think so, too!

Alex paused, coffee cup halfway to her mouth, as a man slid into the restaurant booth opposite her. Showing none of her surprise at the intrusion, she ran a cop’s gaze over him. Early forties; closely shorn dark hair salted with gray; an of-the-rack suit sitting across his shoulders in a way that hinted at regular exercise. She raised an eyebrow at the sunglasses hiding his eyes.

“Vancouver PD, I presume?” She took the sip of coffee he had interrupted, and then set the cup on the table beside the remains of her breakfast.

Her uninvited companion’s lips curved upward. But only slightly. “You sound like you were expecting me.”

“Not really. But I’m not surprised Riley sicced you on me.”

The man hadn’t removed his sunglasses yet, and Alex steeled herself against a surge of annoyance at the intimidation tactic.

“How did you know where to look for me?” Pretending idleness, she flipped the page of the newspaper she’d been scanning.

“You needed breakfast. On a cop’s salary, you wouldn’t be going anywhere fancy. This is the closest place to your hotel.”

Not bad.

“Hugh Henderson,” he added. “Detective, Sex Crimes. Aren’t you going to ask why I’m here?”

“I’m guessing Riley hopes you can get more information out of me than she did.” Alex signed and rested her chin in one hand. “And that you ran Seth’s name and came up dry.”

The sunglasses reflected her own gaze back to her. After a long moment, Henderson slipped them off and tucked them into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. Light glinted off the plain gold band he wore on his left ring finger. Hazel eyes regarded her coolly.

“You knew we wouldn’t get anything.”

Alex nodded.

“So that’s not really his name, then.”

Alex moved her hand up to rub a temple. How to phrase this so she didn’t dig her current hole any deeper? And so Henderson didn’t accompany her back to the airport and put her on the next flight home?

“It’s the name I know him by,” she hedged.

Henderson’s gaze narrowed and several seconds passed. “Twenty-eight years,” he said finally.

“Pardon?”

“That’s how long I’ve been a cop. Twenty-eight years.” He paused as a waitress approached with a coffeepot and refilled Alex’s cup, waving her off when she reached for his. When they were alone again, he looked up with a knock-off-the-bullshit expression. “I know evasiveness when I see it, Detective, and I don’t give a rat’s ass if you’re here unofficially or not. I don’t appreciate having a colleague try to snow me.”

Adjusting her estimate of his age a few years upward, Alex looked out the window at the pedestrians on the sidewalk. A child in a yellow raincoat gave her a shy smile and wave as he trotted past the restaurant at his mother’s side. She watched the bright spot of color until parent and offspring disappeared from sight. A hard lump settled in her throat.

If she couldn’t help Seth after all, if he couldn’t stop the coming war, what would happen to humanity? What would happen to Nina, already so fragile, and to all the yellow-raincoated children of the world?

She swallowed the lump.

“Thirteen years,” she said, returning her gaze to Henderson. “That’s how long I’ve been a cop. And I don’t snow colleagues.”

And now here are some questions for you. Feel free to answer one, two, or all – and to ask a question of your own if you have one!

1. When you read this scene, what do you think it tells you about Alex? How do you see her?
2. The Grigori Legacy series is not by any means a religious book, but it is very heavily based on Christian angel mythology. Does this aspect appeal to you or not? Or are you neutral on the idea?
3. Have you ever been swayed to buy a book based on an excerpt you’ve read online?

♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ ♥ ♥ஐ

Learn more about Linda Poitevin below

Blog http://lindapoitevin.wordpress.com/
Website http://www.lindapoitevin.com
Twitter @lindapoitevin
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LindaPoitevin
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3340475.Linda_Poitevin?origin=

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CONTEST INFO:

Open to readers WORLDWIDE!

PRIZE: One winner’s choice of a  $25.00 Gift Card from either Amazon, B&N, or Chapters/Indigo. PLUS everybody will be entered into the grand prize drawing for a necklace & earring set inspired by Sins of the Son and designed by Cemetery Cat as seen here.

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs THREE DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 4/29/11.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions,  please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 points per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Linda by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52868 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below
Purchase a print copy of Sins of the Son from Amazon by clicking here.
Purchase a Kindle copy of Sins of the Son from Amazon by clicking here.

Books in the Grigori Legacy in the order they should be read:
Sins of the Angels
Sins of the Son

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. Go RSVP for Zoe Archer’s event and contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52816 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

JET: Hello and welcome to another JET-Fueled Q&A session here on Bitten By Books.  I have Manhattan’s lovely assistant district attorney Carolyn Hastings on tap.  Welcome and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us today.

Carolyn: Thank you for having me Ms. Taylor.

JET: Can you tell us what types of cases you specialize in?

Carolyn: I work in the Special Victims Bureau and my focus is in the child abuse arena, although I’ve had crossover to both sexual abuse and human trafficking in the past.

JET: What made you choose this focus as opposed to some of the other divisions within the D.A. office?

Carolyn: I know firsthand what it’s like to be abused as a child and I want to protect other children from having to live through the same anguish.

JET: Well, the city of New York is lucky to have you fighting for them.  Now, on a different note, I understand you’ve got a touch of ESP. Can you let us know how this impacts your job?

Carolyn: Well, that isn’t common knowledge, but off the record, I’ve got the ability to read people, which comes in handy when cross examining defense witnesses.  Although some folks I just can’t get a bead on and those are the ones I’ve learned to watch out for.  A quiet mind usually means trouble.

JET: Can you tune in and tune out like a radio station?

Carolyn: Unfortunately, I can’t turn it on an off and I haven’t been able to find any rhyme or reason as to why it starts and stops.  The only thing I’m certain of, is that it’s heightened  when I start having visions, like I am lately.

It’s like some cosmic intervention and when that happens, when everything lines up just so, I seem to have more control over focusing it.   Imagine being in a busy restaurant where everyone is talking to each other.  That’s the normal state of my head during the heightened times, and I’ve learned to ignore the din for the most part, but this affliction isn’t infallible and as I said, sometimes I can’t get a read at all.

JET: I understand the FBI is involved in the Scarlet Psychopath case now.  Have you met the Special Agent assigned to the case?

Carolyn: From your tone, I can tell you’ve had the pleasure of speaking with S.A. Steve Williams.

JET: Yes. I just didn’t know if you had an opinion on the man.Carolyn: Beyond the eye-candy element, he seems to be a sharp cookie.

JET: And?

Carolyn: And I understand he has a unique sense for ferreting out serial killers.  This city needs that right now.

JET: He does along with a plethora of other talents.  On that note, I’d like to thank you for sitting down with me.  Before we wrap this up, is there anything you want to relay to the folks out there?

Carolyn: Young women, take heed – make sure you institute a buddy system when you go out in the city.  Being alone after dark in New York City or any other city is not smart.   Be smart and keep safe.

JET: Thank you Carolyn.

Folks, both Carolyn and I will be around all day, so if you have any questions, shoot.  Remember to let us know who the question is directed toward.  In the meantime, here’s a little about Crystal Illusions:

“Assistant D.A. Carolyn Hastings has an uncanny knack for putting away criminals. With one of the best prosecution records in recent history, her future as Manhattan’s next District Attorney looks certain. But her sixth sense for winning cases threatens to work against her when she starts seeing a string of murders through the eyes of the killer.
With suspects piling up as fast as bodies, and the motives of those closest to her questionable, Carolyn doesn’t know who to trust. When the FBI assigns Special Agent Steve Williams to the case, Carolyn discloses her deepest fear – that the man she loves may be the one responsible for the city’s latest crime spree.
The only thing Steve knows for sure is Carolyn has an inexplicable psychic connection with the killer, and all the victims have one thing in common…a striking resemblance to Carolyn Hastings.

And he knows it’s only a matter of time before this psychopath knocks on her door.”

“Taylor has a strong thriller where every single character has reasonable doubt flashing like a neon sign hanging over them, and right from the beginning you are trying to guess who the killer really is. Gripping, rich and magnificent – crime whodunnits don’t get any better than this!” Author Poppet / Gemma Rice – Author of Quislings, Blindsided, Djinn and Dusan

Questions for Readers:
1. Answer this question:  If you could do anything (job wise), what would it be?

2. Bucket lists of things to do are always fun to create.  Tell me your top bucket list items of things you want to do before the inevitable.

3. Is there anything you’re interested in knowing about either Carolyn Hastings or Crystal Illusions?

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨

Learn more about J.E. Taylor below:
To read reviews of this author’s work go here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JETaylor75
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JETaylor/190872939774

Myspace  http://www.myspace.com/jetaylor75
Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3153969.J_E_Taylor

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨

CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide!

Prize: $50.00 Amazon Gift Card

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs TWO DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 4/22/11.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions, please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 points per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT JET by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52681 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below

Purchase a print copy of Crystal Illusions from Amazon by clicking here.

Purchase a Kindle copy of Crystal Illusions from Amazon by clicking here.

Books in the Steve Williams thriller series in the order they should be read:
Dark Reckoning
Vengeance
Hunting Season
Georgia Reign
Crystal Illusions

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. Go VOTE for Virginia our Review coordinator for the Rockin’ Review Coordinator of the year for 2012 here: http://www.seriouslyreviewed.blogspot.com/ +30 points

Read and leave a meaningful comment on this week’s Screen Bite’s column here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52579 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

The Witch Hunt series is very special to me. I first came up with the basic concept in October of 2005 while visiting Salem. So, the book’s timeline actually began six and a half years ago. It doesn’t even seem like that long. It was a concept I played around with while I was working on other projects. It was something I kept coming back to over the years because the story just wouldn’t let go of me.

Then one day I was rereading my notes for it and I started writing a scene that would ultimately be part of the first chapter. I had finally found the right voice and the tone that I wanted for the piece. The funny part was I had originally imagined it as a little more light-hearted than what it turned out. I spent the next month writing the first quarter of the book before sharing it with my agent. He made a few suggestions, I tinkered with it some more and then the brilliant Danielle Perez bought the story. It took me a solid three months to finish up the first draft.

The more I worked on this book the more I loved it. I was able to bring in elements of faith, a conflict between good and evil, and some hard choices that the character had to live through and with. I wanted the things that Samantha was experiencing to be truly frightening and devastating. At the same time I wanted the magic that the characters used to feel believable, like it was part of the natural world that the rest of us just couldn’t tap into.

For book two the action is moving to San Francisco. I grew up in the Bay Area so I’m being able to weave in a lot of landmarks I know and love. Samantha’s journey is far from over. What began as an idea in 2005 while I was staying at The Hawthorne has now become a series that I’m truly proud of and excited to bring to the world.

☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉ ☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉ ☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉ ☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉

Learn More About Debbie Viguie Below

http://www.facebook.com/authordebbieviguie?ref=s
@DebbieViguie | https://twitter.com/#!/DebbieViguie
http://debbieviguie.com/
Blog – http://debbieviguie.com/?cat=1

☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉ ☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉ ☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉ ☸ ૐ ☮ ♥ ☼ ♉

CONTEST INFO: Open to readers in the US!

PRIZE: One winner will win ALL of the following books.

A KISS BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE by Thomas Sniegoski
UNSHAPELY THINGS by Mark Del Franco
GEIST by Philippa Ballantine
BLOODLANDS by Christine Cody
MAGIC BITES by Ilona Andrews
DEATH’S DAUGHTER by Amber Benson
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TORC by Simon R. Green
RIGHT HAND MAGIC by Nancy Collins
DEAD TO ME by Anton Strout
UPRISING by SEAN MCCABE

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs TWO DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 4/19/11.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions, please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 points per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Debbie out by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52663 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below

Buy a print copy of The Thirteenth Sacrifice from Amazon by clicking here.

Buy a Kindle copy of The Thirteenth Sacrifice from Amazon by clicking here.

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. RSVP for the J.E. Taylor Character Interview and $50.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52622 + 1 point

Go VOTE for Virginia our Review coordinator for the Rockin’ Review Coordinator of the year for 2012 here: http://www.seriouslyreviewed.blogspot.com/ +30 points

Read and enter the Off the Fang contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52445 + 1 point

Read and leave a meaningful comment on this week’s Screen Bite’s column here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52579 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

Fringe, Friday 9:00 EST, Fox

Wow – these last two episodes have certainly kept us on our toes, haven’t they, Watchers?

Most importantly, we learned that the bridge between the two universes has helped to stabilize the alt-verse, and seems to have been doing some good for the other side, as well. This is, of course, great news, but also makes me wonder about where things are headed.

The saddest event from the last two shows was the death of alt-Linc. I really liked his character, too. I am beginning to wonder if Agent Lee will stay in the alt-verse, as he obviously feels as though he doesn’t really have a place in “our” world. What do you think?

I knew that Jones must have had something on alt-Broyles in order for him to be such a traitor. His true character was demonstrated when he turned himself in, however. On a side note, how cool was it to see him break into a big smile with his son? I don’t think we ever get to see either version of that character smile.

My favorite lines from these episodes: “Humor me. So to speak” (Agent Lee to alt-Astrid)

“You couldn’t bring over a casserole, but a severed hand is okay?” (Agent Lee to Walter)

The comment about domesticated badgers was also amusing.

I read somewhere recently that they have filmed two finales – one will air if the show gets renewed, and the other will be what we see if it gets cancelled.

What are some of your favorite moments from these two episodes?

Being Human finale, SyFy

The cliffhanger ending for the season certainly demonstrates that the show received an early pick-up and the writers/producers knew they could do that to viewers and not leave things up in the air forever.

Did anyone else think that Suren was going to stake her mother? I really was hoping for that, and was kind of surprised at what did happen. Poor Aidan.

Now we have to wait to find out who will dig up Aidan, whether Nora or Ray got shot, and how the guys (or someone else) will rescue Sally. What do you think?

One way this show differs from its BBC counterpart, I think, is that in the other, there seems to be one “big bad” or threat for the season, but in the SyFy version, we seem to have for each of the roomies. If you watch both, do you agree?

Lost Girl, Monday 10:00 EST, SyFy

The season one finale left us hanging, but since season two begins airing on Monday, 4/16, without any time in between, we won’t have to wait too long to find out what happened. Note to our Canadian Watchers – no spoilers, please.

It wasn’t really clear what Trick did to get Bo’s mother to change what she was doing. We saw her get carried off at the end, but was she alive or dead? What about Trick? He didn’t look so great, either.

And Dyson – how awful if the witch’s spell worked. That certainly bothers me way more than whether or not Bo’s mother survived.

Grimm, Friday 9:00 EST, NBC

When we first saw SGT Wu eating his couch stuffing, I thought perhaps he was some sort of vessen, but when he continued to eat crazy stuff in the next episode, I figured he must have been suffering some after-effects of the spell. It was kind of funny, though.

Speaking of Adalind, did anyone else almost feel sorry for her when her own mother and Captain Renard shunned her? I am guessing we will see her again.

Juliette told Nick she wouldn’t marry him now because he is too closed off. We know why he has been acting that way, of course. Do you think he will let her in on his big secret?

It’s nice to see Monroe happy, isn’t it? I hope Rosalee will be around for a while.

Since the show has been picked up for next year (thank goodness), I do wonder how much we will learn about the captain and his big plan by the end of the season. What do you think?

Watchers, Eureka returns Monday, 4/16, at 9:00, in the slot vacated by Being Human. Other return dates: Once Upon a Time, 4/22, Supernatural, 4/20, The Secret Circle, 4/19, The Vampire Diaries, 4/19.

Happy viewing!

Fasten Your Seatbelts

I’ve been writing the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for a couple of years now. When it all started (Touched by an Alien), Kitty discovered that the Roswell rumors were true, but with a twist — the aliens were here to help us, and as a side benefit, they were all gorgeous. As the series continued, Kitty got further into Centaurion Division and discovered that there was a lot of bad out there, both internal (Alien Tango) and very external (Alien in the Family). She also got engaged, and then married. Then the ultimate life change a person can go through happened (Alien Proliferation).

Through four books, Kitty’s handled everything that’s been tossed at her — scary fuglies from outer space, crazed politicians, megalomaniacs, disapproving in-laws, interstellar invasions, interspecies pregnancy, labor and delivery, and bad hair days — with aplomb and her special brand of cool.

Those around her have handled their share as well. And the team’s always managed to keep it together and save the day.

But now, with Alien Diplomacy, things are changing even more.

“Being newlyweds and new parents is challenging enough. But nothing’s ever easy for Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini, particularly not when they have to switch from being super-being exterminators and Commanders in Centaurion Division to mastering the political landscape as the new heads of American Centaurion’s Diplomatic Corps.

Kitty’s brand of diplomacy and lobbying isn’t quite as smooth as Jeff’s–Washington parties, lobbyists of all stripes, and politicians from all states and countries present challenges a well-stocked iPod and quirky sense of humor aren’t always up to handling. But when a shadowy assassination plot and a new set of anti-alien conspirators are identified, Kitty’s the diplomat for the job–in between “Mommy and Me,” “Diplomacy for Beginners,” and the dreaded “Washington Wife” classes.

As explosions, assassination attempts, and murders pile up, the question shifts from “who’s the target” to “will we all survive to see next week”?

Armed with only their wits, and dressed to kill, it’s up to Kitty and the Diplomatic Corps to stop the bad guys from unleashing mayhem on all the world’s leaders. But will Kitty trust the right people, at the right times, or will going her own way prove deadly–not just to her, but to her daughter, Jamie?”

The changes brought about at the end of Alien Diplomacy aren’t just something being discussed anymore — they’re real. And with them comes the realization for Kitty and Company that they’re no longer the best of the best at what they do. Each and every one of them is an absolute beginner, trying to learn new jobs, handle different responsibilities, adapt to new environments. All with an assassination threat looming over them.

Will Kitty, Jeff, and the new Diplomatic Corps catch on to the intricacies of Washington, D.C. and the natural nature of politics before it’s too late? Will Alpha and Airborne function as smoothly now that new people are running the show? Will the questions surrounding Paraguay, Paris, and the clandestine supersoldier projects ever be answered? And, most importantly, will Kitty ever find a dress that’s beautiful, tasteful, appropriate for formal affairs, and adaptable for running, falling, and kicking evil bad guy butt?

All these questions, and more, are answered in Alien Diplomacy. So, hang on and fasten those seatbelts — ‘cause it’s gonna be a fun, fast, and very bumpy ride!

Bio

Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series for Musa Publishing. She also writes under a variety of pen names (including G.J. Koch, Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch), listens to rock music 24/7, and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). She speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business. She can be reached through her website at www.ginikoch.com.

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Gini Koch’s Reviews at Bitten by Books

Newsletter – sign up for the free Hook Me Up! subscribers email; send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with “Hook Me Up!” in the subject line; get all the new first, access to exclusive contests, and more.
Blog – http://ginikoch.blogspot.com/
Website – http://www.ginikoch.com
Twitter – @GiniKoch
Facebook – facebook.com/Gini.Koch
Facebook Fan Page – Hairspray and Rock ‘n Roll: Kicking Evil Alien Butt since 2010 GINI KOCH (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hairspray-and-Rock-n-Roll-Kicking-Evil-Alien-Butt-since-2010-GINI-KOCH/247377348018

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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers in the US and one International winner see details below!

PRIZES: 1 lucky winner in the US will win ALL of the following books
CONTROL POINT by Myke Cole
FATED by Benedict Jacka
SINS OF THE ANGELS by Linda Poitevin
THE DOOMSDAY VAULT by Steven Harper
BLACK WINGS by Christina Henry
GAVE WITCH by Kalayna Price
SHADOW KIN by MJ Scott
NIGHTLIFE by Rob Thurman
ACQUAINTED WITH THE NIGHT by Piper Maitland
A SOLDIER’S DUTY by Jean Johnson

Plus one International AND one US reader will win an autographed and personalized copy of their choice of ONE of the first four books in the Alien Collective series.

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs TWO DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 4/17/11.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions, please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 points per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Gini out by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52585 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below

Purchase a print copy of Alien Diplomacy from Amazon  by clicking here.

Purchase a Kindle copy of Alien Diplomacy from Amazon by clicking here.

Books in the Alien Collective series in the order they should be read:
Touched by an Alien
Alien Tango
Alien in the Family
Alien Proliferation
Alien Diplomacy

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5.Go VOTE for Virginia our Review coordinator for the Rockin’ Review Coordinator of the year for 2012 here: http://www.seriouslyreviewed.blogspot.com/ +30 points

Read and enter the Off the Fang contest here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52445 + 1 point

Read and leave a meaningful comment on this week’s Screen Bite’s column here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52579 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.

The Vampire Book That Rose From The Dead

If someone would’ve told me back in 2005 when I started writing The Vampire Shrink that I’d still be talking about it 7 years later, I’d have laughed. Back then, it never occurred to me that I’d sell it to begin with – much less this many times! I only wrote the book for fun after meeting with a psychotherapy client who wanted to join a non-human group.

Since Kismet Knight, the psychologist heroine in the story is an idealized version of me (except thinner, prettier, younger and having lots more fun), she was easy to write. But the main vampire character, Devereux, refused to cooperate. I wanted him to have long dark hair. No way, he said, and demanded to be blond. And he dug his heels in about being a stubborn European guy, stuck in the past.

Well, great! Bossy ancient vamp, it is! I guess he showed me who’s in charge.

Rounding out the main cast is Alan Stevens, the quirky FBI profiler. He has a cocky attitude, a fixation with the undead and an attraction to a certain female psychologist. Not to mention a secret from his past.

I adore a good love triangle!

The book is now on its third incarnation – or maybe fourth, if we count the German version. No, wait – the fifth! Because there was a British version this past September. Anyway, the expanded/rewritten USA version was released April 3, 2012 and we all – Kismet, Devereux, Alan and yours truly – couldn’t be happier!

And, in my real-life psychotherapy practice, I’m still waiting for the vampire of my dreams to show up in my waiting room. If you discover one, send him by, won’t you? I’m sure I’ll find just the right therapy for him!

The next book in the series is Blood Therapy, due to be released Fall, 2012.

Questions for the Readers:
If you were a vampire, what issue would you be too embarrassed to visit a counselor to discuss?
Can you imagine being sexually intimate with a non-human creature?
If your favorite vampire offered to take you anywhere in the world for a wild night, where would you go and what would you do?

****************************************************

Learn more about Lynda Hilburn below:

Read Reviews of her work here.

To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
http://www.facebook.com/lyndahilburnauthor
http://www.twitter.com/lyndahilburn
***********************************************

CONTEST INFO: Open to readers in the US and Canada !

PRIZES: A t-shirt, a mug and 3 copies of The Vampire Shrink 5 winners!

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs TWO DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 4/11/11. Open to readers WORLDWIDE.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask some questions and answer the author questions, please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 points per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Lynda by spreading the word about her book!

Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52397 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Buy a NEW copy of the author’s book by using the links below

Buy a print copy of The Vampire Shrink from Amazon by clicking here.

Buy a Kindle copy of The Vampire Shrink from Amazon by clicking here.

Books in the Kismet Knight Vampire Psychologist series in the order they should be read:
The Vampire Shrink
Dark Harvest
Blood Therapy

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. NOTE FREE KINDLE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT as a purchase.

5. Attend Alma Katsu’s Guest Blog and Contest here today: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52383 + 1 point

Read and leave a meaningful comment on this week’s Screen Bite’s column here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=52209 + 1 point

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry