I had planned to have a review of Sandra Hill's A KISS OF PRIDE for you today but I spent the weekend battling a fever which is still nagging me so I'll give you the review tomorrow, April 24, which is its release day as well as Juliana Stone's awesome WICKED ROAD TO HELL and others.
In the meantime, I've got prizes to give away!
The winner of the copy of WRONG SIDE OF HELL and one signed coverflat of WICKED ROAD TO HELL is:
THE_BOOK_QUEEN
Congratulations TBQ! : )
The winners of signed coverflats of WICKED ROAD TO HELL are:
LILIAN
ANGEL
SHEREE
Enjoy!! All winners have been notified by email.
Part of entering any giveaway on this blog is being able to follow the instructions. Just leaving a comment is not enough to be entered for a chance to win a prize, you must leave a valid email address or I can't qualify you. Since there were only four commenters who satisfied the requirements to be entered, I have one signed coverflat leftover - I guess it's mine! : )
Thank you to everyone who did visit, comment and I hope you will all read both of these fabulous books by Juliana Stone! They are both so awesome that I can only call them MUST READS!!
Juliana, thank you again for a wonderful interview, for your awesome gifts and congrats on the release of WICKED ROAD TO HELL tomorrow!! I think your books are fabulous and so are you!!
On Monday, I reviewed the fabulous upcoming new release WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone. If you've never read anything by this author, you should even if you start with her new series the League of Guardians. She is definitely one of the up and coming greatest voices in Romance today. If you'd like to check out my review of this fabulous new Paranormal Romance, just click HERE and then come on back. We'll wait for you!
Juliana Stone is the author of the Jaguar Warrior Series from Avon Romance which is how I was first introduced to her exceptional imagination and ever growing talent. Her new series, the League of Guardians, delves deeper into the world of Angels and Demons. I happen to know that many of you are fans of Angels and Demons because my most popular post to date is the one I did back in October on them. So hold on to your knickers, my friends, and get ready to meet one of the most talented writers to take you to Hell and back without leaving your chair.
First, let me give you the blurb for WICKED ROAD TO HELL so you can get an idea of what we'll be discussing, not that Juliana's going to give away too much because she's a terrible tease but that's what we love about her.
Blurb for WICKED ROAD TO HELL:
With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty…
Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker…more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.
As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan’s traveled before…the wicked road to hell.
* * * * *
Now that I've set the stage for this author of wickedly intriguing paranormal romance, please join me in welcoming Juliana Stone!
Amy: Welcome Juliana, it's a real pleasure to have you here with us today. Perhaps you can tell us little bit about yourself for the benefit of those who don't know you yet.
Juliana: Hello Amy! Glad to be here!Well, for anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m a Mother of 2, Wife to 1 [LOL] and I have the most precious golden retriever on the planet as well as the cutest cat ever. I live in Canada, love 80’s rock and my girlfriends are like family.
Amy: Sounds like a happy life and our worlds would be a very different place without our girlfriends to keep us sane. I once asked you what inspired you to write paranormal and you told me that it was after reading DARK PRINCE by Christine Feehan. What was it about that particular story that sparked your creative juices which then took you in the direction of the sexy, wonderful Jaguar Warriors?
Juliana: Good question! First off, before I’d read any Feehan, back in my high school days I was a huge Anne Rice fan. Those books aren’t romances really, but they opened my eyes to an entirely new depiction of the vampire.Christine expanded and brought romance and angst and longing and alpha males and I ate it up! I love the darkness in the characters, I loved the soulmates, and I loved a world where there was no limit except what was in your mind.
Amy: Wow, well that definitely gives us a deep insight into where your characters come from and totally makes sense. WICKED ROAD TO HELL is Declan O'Hara's story. We first met Declan in the Jaguar Warrior Series along with Ana Delacrux and of course, "just call me Bill" Askelon! [That makes me laugh every time I read that.] Had you planned to extend the story into the League of Guardian series from the beginning or did it just evolve?
Juliana: It evolved.I knew that the Jaguar Warriors would only be 3 books. The story arc that started with the first one ended with the last, HIS DARKEST SALVATION.But there was still so much to tell and as I started pondering Declan’s book, the idea for the League grew.I wanted to stay in the same world and feature many supernatural beings and I wanted to be able to have overlap, bringing in characters from the Jag books.
Amy: I'm sure all the fans of the Jaquar Warriors are very happy to hear that. Will there only be three in the League of Guardian series as in the Jaguar Warrior Series or will you take it further?
Juliana: As long as the readers love them, I’ll keep writing them.There is another novella scheduled for the fall, a continuation of Logan and Kira’s story (WRONG SIDE OF HELL) and then the next full length is KING OF THE DAMNED, which releases in December.
Amy: So glad to hear that we are going to meet up with Logan and Kira again. So many times, once a couple's story has reached it's HEA, they fade to the back. What made you decide to revisit them?
Juliana: There were a lot of questions hanging at the end of Logan and Kira’s book, so I’ve decided that the novellas I write will be a continuation of their story.
Amy: Sounds awesome. I know I had a lot of questions at the end of WRONG SIDE OF HELL. [Awesome novella, if you haven't read it yet - do so!!] I love that we meet Nico again in WICKED ROAD TO HELL even though he now sports a blue mohawk and a nose ring. Will he ever get his HEA and will it be in the League of Guardian series or will you ever revisit the Jaguar Warriors series?
Juliana: As of now I’ve no plans to revisit the Jaguar Warriors, Nico is up to his butt in the League of Guardians and I hope to write his story one day!If so, it will certainly be within this series.
Teaser of Cover for KING OF THE DAMNED
Amy: Great! I know there's a lot of your fans waiting for Nico to get his purr on, so to speak!
You are certainly blessed with some of the hottest covers. I recently spotted the new cover for KING OF THE DAMNED (Book Two in the League of Guardians series) on your website. I know you don't choose them but do you have a favorite?
Juliana: Ah, yes, as of now this new cover is my favourite.It’s beautiful and Azaiel looks so incredibly hot and sad.I just want to hug him.It’s gorgeous!
Amy: Can't wait to see the finished cover! You've been teasing us for some time now on Facebook and Twitter with wonderful lines from your new contemporary romance series, THE BAD BOYS OF CRYSTAL LAKE. I know this is quite a diversion for you as even your first novels were scifi/time travel. What inspired you to go in this direction when you've been so prolific in the paranormal?
Juliana: It’s weird but I just decided last year to try my hand at something new.I used to read a lot of contemporary romances but hadn’t lately and the idea of writing a book about a musician appealed to me.Music is an important part of my life and I was determined to do it.So, the idea was born and I just went for it!Luckily I found my voice for contemporary as well and can’t wait for you all to read about my bad boys!
Amy: I know I'm very excited about meeting these bad boys! Perhaps you can tell us a little bit about this new contemporary series without giving away any spoilers.
Juliana: The series revolves around a trio of boyhood friends.In the first book, my main character, Cain Black is an up and coming singer/guitarist who is on the cusp of hitting it huge.He returns to Crystal Lake for the funeral of one of his best friends, a soldier killed in Afghanistan.He’s not been home in years and decides to stick around, an easy decision especially after he meets an interesting woman and her young son.This first book is a love story straight up and I had a blast writing it!Little tidbit, all of the books have working titles based on my favourite Bon Jovi songs, NEVER SAY GOODBYE, ALWAYS and LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME.
Amy: Sounds wonderful and a lot of fun. Great songs for inspiration, too. Friends, judging from the teasers she's been putting out, these don't sound like your typical contemporaries - I have a feeling I'll definitely be enjoying these. Since writing is only one of your passions, it seems only natural for you to integrate your love of music into your stories. A series featuring rockers sounds like fun!
Juliana: Tho the series isn’t all about rockers, my first book does delve into that world and trust me, Cain is hot!
Amy: Yummy! Sounds like we are in for some good reads about bad boys! Last question. If you could be ANY character in ANY book, which character would it be and why?
Juliana: Wow that’s a hard one.At the moment I’d have to say Rowan James, my heroine from KING OF THE DAMNED. She’s a witch, a strong witch and she embodies everything I love in a good heroine.She’s strong but vulnerable and I love that.Plus, she’s got awesome hair!
Amy: Awesome hair! [LOL!] That's great! Friends, I've read an excerpt from KING OF THE DAMNED and Rowan is ready to kick some ass - our kind of gal! If you'd like to learn more about Juliana and her fabulous books, please visit her website. She's got excerpts!!
Amy: Friends, Juliana has been kind enough to provide me with five (5) signed coverflats of WICKED ROAD TO HELL, so I'm offering you five separate chances to win! One of the lucky commenters will also win a copy of Juliana's novella, WRONG SIDE OF HELL, along with that signed coverflat so be sure to enter. That's a lot of prizes, my dears! FIVE CHANCES TO WIN, so be sure to comment and include your email address so I can contact you if you're chosen! This Giveaway is open to EVERYONE and runs until 11:59 PM Sunday, April 22, 2012!
Amy: I am going to ask Juliana to pose the question to you that you must answer in a comment for a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes. Juliana, your question please.
Juliana: What is your favourite book ever?The top one in your keeper shelf?
Amy: Great question, Juliana! Thank you so very much for sharing your busy schedule with us and it's been an absolute thrill to have you here today. I hope you've enjoyed your visit as much as I've enjoyed having you here. Remember everyone, WICKED ROAD TO HELL goes on sale Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in both print and ebook format from Avon. You're going to love it!
If you'd like to read my review of WRONG SIDE OF HELL, please click HERE or go to Juliana's website to read an excerpt but remember to come back and enter for a chance to win a prize.
Happy Reading and Good Luck Everyone!! GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
When I opened this month's goodie box from Avon, I got so excited I literally danced around. Inside, along with other delights, was a print copy of Juliana Stone's upcoming release, WICKED ROAD TO HELL, Book One of the League of Guardian series. WICKED ROAD TO HELL hits the bookshelves and ereaders on April 24, 2012 but I am very glad to give you a little insight into this incredible world created by the wickedly incredible imagination of Juliana Stone.
Blurb for WICKED ROAD TO HELL:
With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty…
Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker…more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.
As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan’s traveled before…the wicked road to hell.
* * * **
For those of you who have read Juliana's Jaguar Warrior Series, you're already familiar with Declan O'Hara and Ana DeLacrux but those who haven't let me introduce you to them.
Declan O'Hara is a sorcerer who has seen his share of trouble. He runs in the company of Angels (Seraphim), Demons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters (Jaguar Warriors) and other assorted otherworld creatures. Having spent too long in the depths of Hell, he's back and partnered with Nico, a Jaguar shifter (we met him in the Jaguar Warrior Series also). Declan and Nico have been given a mission by Askelon (a Seraph who insists everyone just call him Bill) to hunt down a person of interest but they've been told nothing more. Their search leads Declan to New Orleans, a city saturated with more magic than any one place deserves. Declan knows retrieving his prey may not be easy since he has learned there's a protector involved - a vampire. After recruiting the help of Ransome, an Alpha Werewolf, Declan zeroes in on the location of this stranger. The last thing he expects is to discover the vampire guarding his prey is a past associate who he had seen killed by his own father two years earlier. The vampire is the one person who could twist his heart in a million directions and leave him panting for more, Ana DeLacrux.
Ana DeLacrux died when Cormac O'Hara plunged a stake into her heart two years ago but Bill had other plans for her and so rescued her from the icy fingers of death. Now pledged to serve Bill, she's been placed in charge of a young teen named Kaden who wears a mark signifying him as one of the Mark of Seven. Her charge is incorrigible and powerful but a sweet kid who has never known a real family. Ana has come to care about him like the son she believes she'll never have since she's in love with a man she can never claim, Declan O'Hara. She's a vampire, he isn't. She's of a royal line, he's not a vampire. She can only mate with a vampire and Declan is not a vampire - yet!
Once Declan discovers what Kaden is, he decides to add his protection to Ana's and enlists Nico, Ransome and his pack of werewolves to join the cause. It's after they discover that the Demon Lord, Samael, has already taken two of the other Mark of Seven into the underworld that another Seraph, Cale, joins the cause. When Samael fails to make an aggressive move at taking Kaden, Declan with Cale's assistance meets with Samael and the Demon Lord makes Declan an offer he CANNOT afford to refuse.
Declan has no choice but to return to the last place he ever wants to see again - Hell. His old nemesis, Lilith, has stolen the two teens from Samael and is determined to gather the remaining Marks, including Kaden. Samael has agreed to give the teens over to the care of the League of Guardians which Declan has just learned exists. He discovers that Cale, Samael, and Bill are members of this group of natural enemies whose sole purpose is to keep the balance between Heaven and Hell. He's told that if the members of the Mark of Seven turn out to be good, so be it, but if they turn out to be dangerous to the world as they know it, the League will see them destroyed. Their greatest fear until that time is that either the Seraphim or the Demon Lords will obtain control of them at which time the fate of the Human world will certainly be at risk.
So Declan returns to Hell only to discover that Ana has followed. Now he's responsible for trying to get the two teens, himself and Ana back out of Hell in one piece. Samael gives him a special magick to mask his signature as a Human in Hell but Ana is unprotected even with her vampire strengths. The only solution is for her to feed on him and absorb some of that magick only she gets carried away because of her insatiable desire for him. With Declan on the verge of death she has no other choice, so against her better judgement for she knows the consequences of turning a Human, Ana turns the only man she's ever truly loved.
Declan has what he wants - Ana - but fears when she learns of his despicable past in Hell that she will not want him, vampire bond or no vampire bond. Ana is terrified that when Declan's turning is discovered by the Vampire Council that the Queen of the Vampires will have him destroyed. What will these lovers face in Hell? Will they succeed in rescuing the teens and manage to escape their dangerous journey into Hell? Even if they succeed and survive the depths of Hell, what does the future hold for them since they have broken the very rules that destroyed Ana's relationship with her own twin brother? Sorry, I'm not telling. I've probably given you more than I should but you're going to have to discover those answers on your own by reading WICKED ROAD TO HELL.
Even if you're not a fan of paranormal, Juliana Stone's writing has developed into an incredible force of which I feel everyone should experience. She's truly come into her own with this series and I expect great things to come. She writes with such depth and imagination that it's like watching an artist paint a portrait with an extensive pallet of colors and then have the portrait come to life. WICKED ROAD TO HELL is a journey into a world where the action is dark, gritty, and never-ending. The taste of the underworld that we were given a glimpse of in WRONG SIDE OF HELL is incredibly expanded and enlarged in such a way that you nearly smell the sulfur emanating from the pages.
I was worried that as a reader it would be absolutely necessary to have read at least some of the Jaguar Warrior series to grasp the complexity of the storyline in WICKED ROAD TO HELL but was happily surprised to find that it works excellently as a stand-alone novel. If you're a lover of all things paranormal or are new to it and wish to give it a try. If you love a dark, gritty, action-packed story, you're going to love this adventure into Hell. WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone is an incredibly well-written, expansively character driven, steamy paranormal romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I highly recommend the wicked, sexually charged, and intense WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone to anyone who loves an action-packed, can't put down once you pick it up, kind of read. I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series which I'm happy to say you get a taste of at the end of the book.
Happy Reading Everyone and please, come back on Wednesday when you'll get to meet the lady herself, Juliana Stone, plus have 5 chances to win in an awesome giveaway!!
WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone, published by Avon, release date - April 24, 2012 in both ebook and print format. Definitely a MUST READ!
The winners of signed coverflats of WICKED ROAD TO HELL are: 
