Promo - Deidre Knight blogging at Penguin Group

Deidre Knight is blogging on the Penguin Group blog this week! You can visit her posts: HERE

Learn more about her book, Red Fire: HERE

You can read a letter from Deidre and the hero of Red Fire: HERE


Happy Reading!


Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Dawn Keepers by Jessica Andersen

Dawn Keepers
A Novel of The Final Prophecy
Jessica Andersen
Signet Eclipse
January 6, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-451-22575-7

Book Blurb:
The countdown to the end of days has begun—and Only the Nightkeepers can stop the annihilation of all mankind...

Though a Nightkeeper, Nate Blackhawk refuses to allow others to control his fate. The gods have even tried to influence his love life, sending him visions of Alexis Gray, a sleek blonde who is everything he’s ever wanted in a woman.

The two warriors can’t deny their attraction. But a frightening vision leads Nate to distance himself in spite of the intense passion he feels. Thrown together once more, they must reassemble seven Mayan artifacts that hold the key to preventing the end of the world…

To learn more about the novels of The Final Prophecy, please visit Ms. Andersen’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Blood Sins by Kay Hooper

Blood Sins
Bishop/Special Crimes Unit: Blood Trilogy, Book 2
Kay Hooper
Bantam
December 16, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-553-80485-0

Book Blurb:
Some sins can’t be forgiven…
because some sins no one survives.

New York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper has touched our darkest fears but none so dark as in her latest thriller. Here’s a psychopath who lures his victims with a promise no one can resist…and demands a price no one would knowingly pay.

Young, vulnerable, attractive, Tessa Gray made the perfect victim. Which was why Noah Bishop of the FBI’s Special Crimes Unit recruited her to play the role of grieving widow. As the supposed new owner of property coveted by the Church of the Everlasting Sin, she’d be irresistible bait for the reclusive and charismatic Reverend Samuel. His fortified compound in the mountains near Grace, North Carolina, had been the last known residence of two women murdered in ways that defied scientific explanation.

Though hardly as naive or as vulnerable as she appears, Tessa knows she has a lot to learn about using her unique gift. She also knows that Bishop and the SCU have to be desperate to rely on an untried psychic agent in an undercover operation so dangerous. And desperate they are. For the killer they’re hunting is the most terrifying they’ve ever faced and shakes even the most seasoned agents: a soulless megalomaniacal cult leader who can use their own weapons, talents, and tactics against them.

By entering the cult’s well-guarded compound, Tessa will be exposing herself to the dark magnetism of a psychopath on an apocalyptic crusade of terror that spares no one, not even the youngest victims. And Samuel has protected himself within a fanatically loyal congregation, many of whom occupy surprising positions of power within the community. Even Grace’s chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh—a man Tessa will have to trust with her life—may be unable to protect her. Because no one, not even Tessa herself, can guarantee she’s strong enough to resist—or powerful enough to battle—a killer who’s less than human.

My thoughts:
Tessa Gray has agreed to play the part of a widow in need of direction. It’s the perfect cover for SCU to get her inside the compound that a psychic killer runs. The job is dangerous for anyone on the team, let alone someone like Tessa who’s had little training with her own psychic talents. She does have a special gift, and combined with her other abilities it may just see her through.

Sawyer Cavenaugh is the police chief in Grace, North Caolina. He’s sure that something is going on, and that there are deaths connected to the compound and the man who leads it, Father Samuel. Finding any real proof to do something about it has proved impossible, but once he meets Tessa everything will change.

This is the second book in the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit: Blood Trilogy, and a powerful addition to the series. Ms. Hooper weaves an eerie tale of twisted evil masquerading as a virtuous soul. Blood Sins is an engrossing paranormal suspense that takes readers on a chilling adventure to stop a killer and ultimately save the world. I’d strongly suggest that readers start with the previous book, Blood Dreams, the first in the trilogy. If you’re looking for a good suspense with a strong psychic element then you should really enjoy this series.

To learn more about the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit novels, please visit Ms. Hooper’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Stay the Night by Lynn Viehl

Stay the Night
Darkyn, Book 7
Lynn Viehl
Onyx
January 6, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-451-41266-9

Book Blurb:
Outlaw, immortal vampire, and art thief, Darkyn Lord Robin of Locksley has evaded authorities for the last 700 years. At the moment, he's falling for undercover federal agent Christina Renshaw, who has no time for an affair. She hopes to snag an elusive art thief, but soon has no choice other than to join forces with Robin.

When the chase becomes dangerous, both will have to choose between losing each other and losing everything they value...

My thoughts:
Chris Renshaw is working a case to capture an international art thief that the agency calls the Magician. Against her better judgement the bait is The Maiden’s Book of Hours, a priceless book created by Brother Thomas de Crewes and filled with prayers, fables and portraits of the famous people of his time.

Robin of Locksley is one of the immortal Darkyn and has spent half a millennium trying to retrieve the book he feels is rightfully his. There are others, immortals like him, who have their own claims on the book and they’ll let nothing stop them from claiming their prize.

This is the seventh book in the Darkyn series. Ms. Viel deftly juggles many story threads in Stay the Night, giving readers a good look at new characters as well as the current troubles in the world of the Darkyn. The author does a fabulous job of unfolding the mysteries of her hero, and makes this story a well-defined and engrossing addition to the series.

To learn more about the Darkyn series, please visit Ms. Viehl’s blog: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Book Giveaway and the new Vampire Chats with Marta Acosta

Marta at Vampire Wire has a great new weekly spot on her blog...Vampire Chats!

This week her guest is Meljean Brook. To learn more about the author, and enter to win the book contest for a copy of First Blood (which I can say that I really enjoyed!), visit Vampire Wire: Here




Darque Reviews thoughts on First Blood can be seen: Here

Award Nomination - Kreativ Blogger

Ruth, from Ruthie’s Book Reviews nominated Darque Reviews for this lovely award, as did Amber, from Amberkatzes Blog, and now it’s my turn to share some of my favorite places to visit. Thanks so much Ruth and Amber!


1. Mention the blog that gave it to you.

2. Comment on their blog to let them know you have posted the award.

3. Share 6 values that are important to you.

4. Share 6 things you do not support.

5. Share the love with six other wonderful blogging friends.

6 Values that are important to me:
1. Honesty
2. Family
3. Caring/Compassion
4. Strength to see things through
5. Loyalty
6. Selflessness

6 Things I do not support
1. Liars
2. Thieves
3. Abusers, especially against children and animals
4. Selfishness
5. Cheaters
6. Laziness

6 Blogs I'd like to share with readers:

Best Blog to find new Fantasy authors:
Fantasy Debut

Best Blog for a mix of Reviews & Contests:
The Book Smugglers

Best Blog for Fantasy Reviews:
Fantasy Book Critic

Best Vampire Review Blog:
Vampire Wire

Best Blog for a mix of Romance Reviews (paranormal, suspense, mystery):
What Rachel’s Reading

Best Urban Fantasy Review Blog:
SciFiGuy

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Night of the Loving Dead by Casey Daniels

Night of the Loving Dead
Pepper Martin Mysteries, Book 4
Casey Daniels
Berkley Prime Crime
January 6, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-425-22555-4

Book Blurb:
Introducing sleuth Pepper Martin...

And now, in her fourth hip, quirky mystery, she’s all ours.

Pepper Martin, heiress-turned cemetery-tour-guide, often has her hands full with two hotties and the ghosts who won’t let her rest—or work, or shop—in peace.

Now the specter of a young woman in a lab coat wants Pepper’s help. Before the woman died, she worked with a sexy, mysterious doctor who coincidentally once saved Pepper’s life—and who the woman claims is now in danger. But Pepper doesn’t know that there’s more to the story, including a devious doctor—and an obsessive, crazy love.

My thoughts:
Filing in for her boss to represent Garden View Cemetery at a conference in Chicago, Pepper Martin is not thrilled with Madeline, the sarcastic ghost she’s been pushed into assisting. Giving in to the sympathy that she has for a friend, Pepper agrees to help stop a doctor who’s running a shady operation and in the process prevent a friend from wrongly winding up in jail.

As things heat up and Pepper finds herself in life threatening danger, the pieces begin to form a shocking picture. Pepper’s willingness to help the dead is about to force her into crossing a line she’d never agree to on her own.

This is the fourth book in the Pepper Martin Mysteries, and Pepper’s newest investigation brings her closer to the dead than ever before. Ms. Daniels weaves a well-plotted paranormal mystery that takes a dangerous turn for the heroine and leaves her emotions in turmoil. Night of the Loving Dead shares some answers that fans have had since we first met this entertaining character, and adds several surprising twists along the way. I’ll be looking forward to visiting with Pepper as she unravels her next ghostly mystery.

To learn more about the Pepper Martin Mysteries, please visit the author: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Real Vampires Don't Diet by Gerry Bartlett

Real Vampires Don’t Diet
Glory St. Clair, Book 4
Gerry Bartlett
Berkley
January 6, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-425-22564-6

Book blurb from the author’s site:
First Glory's stood up on New Year's Eve by her long time main squeeze Jeremy Blade. Then a moonlight boat ride on Austin's Lake Travis with newly turned vampire, rock star Israel Caine (Ray) goes horribly wrong. Who knew there was a Siren lurking in the lake just waiting for her chance to lure unsuspecting vampires into a trap? Now Glory and Ray are racing against time to find vampire sacrifices or they're doomed.

With the storm of the century threatening to wash out her new home and an old enemy taking aim at her, things don't look good for Glory.

As for her relationship with Blade? Well, Glory wonders if maybe it's time to cut her longtime lover loose.

Valdez is at her side as usual, along with her friends who won't let Glory go down without a fight. Surely all this action is bound to help our curvy vamp lose a pound or two. You think?

My thoughts:
With Blade called out of town, Glory and Valdez are expecting a quiet New Years Eve, but those plans are quickly changed by a phone call. Ray, singer and recently turned vampire, is in need of help and having committed herself as his mentor Glory has little choice but to respond.

Ray’s place has a great view of the lake, and against her better judgment Glory heads out for a late night ride in his boat. What should have been a harmless decision is about to cause them more trouble than either of them ever anticipated.

This is the fourth installment in the Glory St. Clair series, and Glory finds herself with a dilemma that could end up costing her a life in what may as well be hell. Ms. Bartlett adds a mythical being to the cast of characters that has the heroine scrambling to save her friend’s lives as well as her own. Real Vampires Don’t Diet provides the adventure and surprises fans have come to expect from this fun series, with more turmoil and temptation than ever. Glory has such human issues mixed in with her life as a vampire, that you just can’t help thoroughly liking this character. If you haven’t yet experienced the pleasure to be had from this series, be sure to start at the beginning.

To learn more about Real Vampires Don’t Diet, please visit Ms. Bartlett’s website: Here

You can read an excerpt from Real Vampires Don’t Diet: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews