2012 Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Boo, minions!  This is my third year participating in the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  Damn!  The Spooktacular hop was one of the first hops I ever participated in -- which is why its so near and dear to my heart.  With nearly 500 blogs participating, you can bet there will be some amazing giveaways.  Thank the Lords for my Free Sh** Fairy.  Once again, he worked his mojo and sourced one spooktacular giveaway.  How so?  Well, this happens to be one of my favs.  

Pick your Poison!

One (1) lucky winner can choose from the these hot YA novels listed above.  There's an insane amount of buzz going on for each of these YA novels.    Pick your poison between Roth's Insurgent, Cole's Poison Princess and Meyer's Twilight conclusion Breaking Dawn.

To enter…

You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form. (And yes, I do check GCF)

Extra entries…
+1 For Becoming my Fan/Like on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 Subscribing via email to my blog
+1 Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/MinaBurrows
+1 if you Retweet this on Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Oct. 24th - October 31st, midnight. Contest is open to International participants. 

Want to see who else is participating?  Visit I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and check out all the links and hop on by.

Mina B.

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Something Wicked Comes!

Rainy Day Ramblings created this month-long celebration for Halloween! When I first read about it, I decided instantly I needed to participate. This killer spooktoberfest features an insane amount of book bloggers who go GA GA for paranormal books.  Take your spooky pick from witches, ghouls, zombies, vampires, Gods or werewolves, this Halloween giveaway has something for you! Their calling it the ultimate Blog Trick or Treating Event so get your pillow cases ready, minions and let's go treating!

Today is my day to participate in the hop and I'm celebrating one of my favorite authors, Kresley Cole.  From the giddyup, I've adored Cole's addicting style and smoke'n hot Immortals After Dark series.  The adult paranormal series rocks, minions and if you need more to persuade you then check out two of my reviews.

- A Hunger Like No Other - my review
- Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night. - my review

Cole is pretty amazing so when she recently released her first YA series which her website states is a "Supernatural Adventure for Young Adults" called Poison Princess, I nearly knocked over a few teenagers myself to get a copy when it released Oct. 2nd.  And now that copy is up for grabs for this month long Halloween extravaganza.  So what this series about?

The characters on Tarot cards are real.

The Huntress, the Fool, Death, the Lovers . . . and eighteen other Major Arcana all exist. These warriors, femme fatales, magicians, and devils each have uniquely lethal powers.

And they’re coming for me.

To survive, I’ll have to embrace my own terrifying abilities—and team up with dangerously handsome Jack Deveaux, one of the few people I know that also survived the Flash. But if Jack ever beholds what I truly am, will he abandon me to my fate . . . ?

What to read more?  Here's an excerpt.

Sounds pretty wicked huh?  I can't wait to read Poison Princess too.  Well, thanks to this Halloween fest, you get your chance at win a copy of Cole's Poison Princess.  Enter below for your chance and winning one (1) copy of Kresley Cole's new YA novel, Poison Princess.  The contest starts today, October 10th and ends EOD on October 24th.  That's a whopping two weeks so...get on it!  

To enter see below!

You MUST be a GFC follower of my blog & MUST fill the form.

Extra entries
+1 Subscribe via email to my blog
+1 Like me on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 Retweet this Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway starts at Wed, Oct. 10th and runs October 24th midnight. Contest is open to International participants.

Want to see who else is participating? See the list below and visit these awesome book bloggers and check out their killer giveaways!  

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October 1st:
Jenny@Supernatural Snark: Kirsty Eagar: Night Beach
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Wendy Higgins: Sweet Evil

Lila@Babbling About Books
Laurie@ Reader Girls: Thomas Winship: Vaempires: Revolution

October 2nd:
Carly@Fiction Fascination Dianna Hardy: The Witching Pen
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight: Freak by E.K. Henry
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading:The Fallen Boys by Aaron Dries
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Scorch by Gina Damico

October 3rd:
Jess@The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci,
David Catrow (Illustrator)
Roxy@RoxyKade: Born in Flames by Candace Knoebel
Michelle@Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books: Book of Ember by Jessica Sorensen
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Amanda Stevens The Prophet

October 4th:
Cassie@Gathering Leaves Brett Talley: That Which Should Not Be Named
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: Nightwhere by John Everson
Heather@Buried in Books: Ann Aguirre Outpost Audiobook
Janiera@Books and Beauty: Derek the Ghost Scary School
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: J.L. Bryan: Jenny Pox

October 5th:
Ari@Reading After Midnight: Mira Grant
Maghon@Happy Tails and Tales Blog: Cambria Hebert Betwitched
Kristin@ My Parahangover: Foretold Anthology
Aditi@Highly Readioactive: Kalayna Price: Alex Craft Grave Witch
Jess@The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci,
David Catrow (Illustrator)

October 6th:
Veronica@Mostly Reviews Rachel Hartman: Seraphina
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight: Holly Barrington
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jennifer Martin:Don't Break the Glass: Fear Anthology

October 7th:
Lila@Babbling About Books
Catie@Forbidden Passions Reviews Richelle Mead: The Golden Lily
Aditi@Highly Readioactive: Richelle Mead: Bloodlines
Jessica@Jessabella Reads: Maggie Stiefvater:Raven Boys

October 8th:
Jaspirit@The Readers Den Courtney Summers: This is Not a Test
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight: B.C. Johnson
Jenn@JennRenee Reads Kate Locke: God Save the Queen
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings Rhiannon Frater: Pretty When She Dies

October 9th:
Katertot@A Belle's Tales R.L. Stine Goosebumps
Candace@Candace's Book Blog: Marrisa Marr: Carnival of Souls
Jennifer@ Passionate Book Divas: Joe by HD Gordon
Michelle@ Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books: Abbi Glines Existence and Predestined
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Darynda Jones: Death and the Girl Next Door

October 10th
Cambria@CambriaHebert
Nora@Noracast Nora Weston: Twelfth Paladin
Karla@ Book Addict J.T. Geissinger: Edge of Oblivion
Mina@Mina Burrows Blogspot: Kresley Cole: Poison Princess
Corina@Pink Fluffy Heart: The Den of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings:Heather Hildenbrand:Dirty Blood

October 11th
Jennifer@Some Like It Paranormal: Lia Habel Dearly Beloved
Tricia@ Tricia Kristufek: Patricia Briggs
Atmika @I Talk Books!: Blackbrooke: Emma Silver
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Fiona Paul:Venom

October 12th:
Diana@Offbeat Vagabond: Alan Goldsher: My Favorite Fangs
Natausha@Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy
Danielle@Book Whore: Terri Bruce: Hereafter

October 13th:
Nikki@Close Encounters of the Night Kind
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading:Intricate Entanglement by Su Halfwerk
Aditi@Highly Readioactive:Maggie Shayne: Mark of the Witch
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Sean Beaudoin: The Infects

October 14th:
Prangon@The Nerd in Heels: Elizabeth Hunter Building from Ashes
Patricia@Lady with Books: Michelle Sagara: Silence
Jessica@Jessabella Reads: Adreinne Stolz and Ron Bass: Lucid

October 15th:
Andra@Unabridged Andra
Maria@A Night's Dream of Books: Stroke of Midnight Anthology: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Heidi@ Rainy Day Ramblings: Cambria Hebert: Charade

October 16th:
Christy@Love of Books: Jeyn Roberts
Melissa@Writer Grrl Reads: Michelle Hodkin: The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer
Ana@Bookspark:Inger Iversen:Few Are Angels
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Rob DeBorde: Portlandtown

October 17th:
Nikki@Nicsquared The Scent of Shdaows (Sign of The Zodiac #1) by Vicki Pettersson
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Ingrid Paulson: Valkyrie Rising

October 18th:
Jenn@Indie Supporter: Addison Moore
Suzanne@Paranormal Book Fan: Shannon Dermott Cambion Series
Barbara@Basia's Bookshelf: Velveteen by Daniel Marks
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Sanctum by Sarah Fine

October 19th:
Kimmie@Kimmie's Bookshelf: Rachel Hawkins Hex Hall
Rebecca@Kindle Fever
Kimba@The Caffeinated Book Reviewer: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Ana@Bookspark: KC Neal: Alight

October 20th:
Natalie@Mindful Musings: Simon Holt: The Devouring
Jenifer@Under A Gray Sky: H.P. Mallory: Fire Cauldron Burn
Preet@ A Written Rhapsody: The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Leanne@The Reclusive Reader:Sarah Rees Brennan:Unspoken

October 21st:
Jeanette@Walking on Bookshelves: LM Pruitt
Jenn@JennRenee Reads
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: Mind Games by Polly Iyer
Benji@The Non Reluctant Reader: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

October 22nd:
Pooja@On Books! :Rebecca Hamilton
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jess Rothenberg: The Catastrophic History of You and Me
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: J.A. Templeton: Mackinnon Curse
Heather@Buried in Books

October 23rd:
Michelle@Book Briefs: Karina Halle: Dark House
Candace@Novels, Notes and News from your Northwest Neighbors: Kimberly Derting: Body Finder Series
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: J.A. Redmerski: Mayfair Moon Series
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Undead: Kirsty McKay

October 24th
Maja@The Nocturnal Library: Anne Aguirre: Outpost
Jenn@Indie Supporter: Cambria Hebert
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: E.J. Stevens: Spirit Guide Series
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: A & E Kirk: Hex Boys
Kimmie@Kimmie's Bookshelf: Laura Elliot: Shadow Slayer


October 25th:
Nick@Nick's Book Blog: Tara Fullmer: Inbetween
Jenn@Indie Supporter: Lizzy Ford
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Melissa West: Gravity

October 26th:
Maghon@Happy Tails and Tales
Shirley@Shiirleyy's Bookshelf
Kai@Fiction State of Mind: Johnathon Mayberry
Angela@Chaotic Book Corner: Cambria Hebert: Betwitched

October 27th:
Claire@Claire Reads Katie Alender: Bad Girls Don't Die
Jude@ In Between: Gena Showalter: Intertwined
Margaret@JBridger Writing: Annette Curtis Klause: Blood and Chocolate
Aditi@Highly Readioactive:Kendare Blake: Anna Dressed in Blood
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jody Gehrman: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft

October 28th:
Rachel@Unforgettable Books: Katie Alender: Bad Girls Don't Die Triology
Kapri@Book Fanatics: Anna Jarzab: All Unquiet Things

October 29th:
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Rhiannon Frater
Jen@Starry Eyed Revue: Kendare Blake: Girl of Nightmares
Mandee@Vegan YA Nerds
Veronica@Mostly Reviews Christopher Pike
Melissa@Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf: Born Wicked Jessica Spotswood
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: JT Baroni: The Legend of Rachel Petersen

October 30th:
Michele@A Belle's Tales Ann Aguirre Razorland
Elise@EC Writes: Halloween Anthology
Erin@Erin Danzer, YA Author: M. Leighton:Gravity
Katertot@A Belle's Tales R.L. Stine Goosebumps
Laurie@Reader Girls: Kimberly Sabatini: Touching the Surface
Michelle@ Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books: Vlkolak King by Rebekah Armusik
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Derek the Ghost Scary School #2 Monsters on the March


October 31st:
Cambria@Cambria Hebert: Bewitched Novella Release
Krista@Breathe in Books: Libba Bray: The Diviners
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: Brody Sommers
Monique@Monique Morgan:Rise of the Infected Release Day!

A-Z Challenge: "N" is for Nïx the Ever-Knowing

A-Z Challenge again!  "N" is for the Valkyrie, Nïx - the Ever-Knowing, from Kresley Cole's Immortal After Dark series.   Despite her secondary character status, Nix, a.k.a. Nucking Futs Nix is larger than her immortal life in this best-selling paranormal romance series.  Since Book 1, Cole's characters have made an impression and continue to do so with each novel.  It's an art for a writer to weave in secondary characters to the point where the fans demand their story.  Nix is one of those beloved characters.

Nucking Futs Nix

For those that aren't familiar with the Valkyrie, here's a brief description:  
“When a maiden warrior screams for courage as she dies in battle, Wóden and Freya heed her call. The two gods give up lightning to strike her, rescuing her to their hall, and preserving her courage forever in the form of the maiden’s immortal Valkyrie daughter.  Valkyrie take sustenance from the electrical energy of the earth, sharing it in one collective power, and give it back with their emotions in the form of lightning. Possess preternatural strength and speed. Also called Swan Maidens, Shield Maidens. Enemies of the Horde."  

In the series, Nïx the Ever-Knowing is the first born Valkyrie who is a soothsayer.  Her visions have made her semi-deranged, but her humor has made her endearing.  She sees the future more clearly than the present.  Hence her craziness.  Like most of the female characters, her witty dialogue is infectious.  Here's a couple of samples:

"Nix: “Once I faced a female with diamond skin,” Nïx said breathlessly. “I was transfixed—even as she was choking the life out of me.” “Really?” “No, I saw that character on X-Men. I just wanted to commiserate. Alas, I have no weaknesses.”  ―  Kresley Cole, Pleasure of a Dark Prince


“Nix: "Do it, or the pictures go live!" Witch shakes her fist at the sky, crying, "Damn you, Valkyrie! Damn you and your digital ways!” ― Kresley Cole, Kiss of a Demon King

Love that Valkyrie! 

What about you?  Are you familiar with the series?  Do you have any favorite secondary characters that your reading or writing?  How much of an emphasis do put on them?

Mina B.

Book Review: Kresley Cole's No Rest for the Wicked

I just finished Kresely Cole’s No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark, Book 2) in her Immortals After Dark series.  What a great read.! All I can say is after reading the first three books, plus reading her latest, Dreams of a Dark Warrior, I now have even more of an appreciation for the Valkyrie.  One word: hilarious.  If you’ve missed my previous reviews see here for Book 1, A Hunger Like No Other and Book 3, Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night.

No Rest for the Wicked features Kaderin the Cold Hearted and Sebastian Wroth.  Sebastian is a great warrior who was turned into a vampire by his brother, Nikolai.  During his last human breaths, he begged for mercy and instead was damned by his own sibling.  From that moment on he felt such self loathing; he rejected his family and his immortality.  After centuries of seclusion and only drinking blood provided by butchers, he decides to wither away in his castle and unknowingly became a sitting duck for Kaderin the Cold Hearted.  As a lethal Valkyrie and vampire annihilator, Kaderin never hesitated in her millennia years of existence to deal a death blow to any vampire.  But for some reason this time, she pauses, curious about the brooding beast.  And in that split second, their fates are sealed. How?  Kaderin is Sebastian’s Bride.

In the Lore, all beings have their significant others, Lykae’s have their mates, Demons have their lovers and Vampires have their Brides etc...  You get the picture.  But when a Vampire finds his Bride, something cosmic happens; his dead heart starts pumping full of life and ever more so of desire.  Now Sebastian has a purpose.  Kaderin is his only existence.  But how can Kaderin, with her frigid nature, all of a sudden feel something and especially for him?  She knows she’s his and deep down she wants him too, but what’s a Valkyrie to do?  Their species are sworn enemies of the Vampires.  But Sebastian’s not like the Horde Vampires; he’s a kind hearted soul with an overwhelming need to claim his Bride.  Will Bastian’s warm heart thaw Kaderin’s very soul?  I won’t tell you what happens.  But hot damn if it isn’t that flipping good!

Like I mentioned before, I love those Valkyrie chicks.  And I can’t wait for “Nucking Futs” Nix’s story.  No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark, Book 2) has a delicious plot, providing all those feel good moments essential to a paranormal romance.  I loved it and am sure you will too.  For me, it's a 4.

Until next time….looking for something sizzling?  Try Cole's Immortals After Dark series. 

Mina B.

Book Review: Kresley Cole's Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night

Book 3 in Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series is Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night.  Cole is such a phenomenal writer that you’re almost always guaranteed a great book, let alone series.  Her cast of bizarre, likable and complex characters always somehow stick with me.  Each time she introduces a new character, I wonder if or when she’ll write their story.

A case in point is in Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night, Bowen MacRieve  (a Lykae and close friend of Lachlain – the King of the Lykae/werewolves) was introduced to us in the first book, A Hunger Like No Other (my review.)   His sad story began when his life mate, Mariah, died while running from him during their mating ritual.   And once she died, so did Bowen’s reason for existence. 

Fast forward to nearly a century later and now Bowen is on a quest to find Thrane’s key.  Every five hundred years, immortals convene and compete in the Hie; an immortal race equivalent to the human’s “Amazing Race” but far more deadly.  The key holds the chance for Bowen to go back in time and right the wrong that stole Mariah away from him. 

During the competition, Bowen meets Mariketa: The Awaited.  She’s a witch and a damn powerful one too.  Bowen doesn’t trust her because she’s a witch.  And when he starts lusting after her, he believes she’s enthralled him somehow with her sorcery.  He curses her while his body craves her.  His desire is awakened, forcing him to question if she's his new life mate or is she bewitching him?  Mari is attracted to Bowen too, but she’s wary of Lykae.  Her future was foretold that a powerful Lykae would claim her as his life mate and that his overprotective and controlling nature would cause strife in her coven.  And that’s just the beginning, folks.

Neither one of them trusts each other, which doesn’t make for a great start in any relationship.  Between the backstabbing, the deadly spells and the never-ending old flame (Mariah), you wonder if Bowen and Mari are even meant to be.  I won’t tell you what happens only that it’s…oh so goooood!

Cole is an amazing storyteller, weaving intricate plots and sub plots so methodically and effortlessly.  After reading just a few IAD books, I began appreciating not just her writing, but how she artfully or thoughtfully crafts the entire series.  How does she keep it all connected?  Her skill is a mark of a master, no doubt. 

For me, a Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night was a 4.  Reading Cole’s Immortals After Dark is almost like eating Lay’s potato chips – cuz you can’t just have one.   

Mina B.

And the winner of Kresley Cole's Dreams of a Dark Warrior is...

Congratulations to Cindy L. for winning a copy of Kresley Cole’s Dreams of a Dark Warrior.  The winner was selected by the reputable, Random.org.  Winners have at least 72 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.  That almost never happens but I have to say that.

A HUGE “thanks” to everyone who participated. I’m such a die-hard fan of paranormal romance/urban fantasy literature that it’s only natural that Kresley Cole’s on my Free Book roster.  She’s wickedly talented and if you haven’t had a chance to read her novels, please do.  She’s created an enticing mystical world with her Immortals  After Dark series that I promise you will not be disappointed.  On a side note, if you follow the series there is one thing I can’t wait for.  Nix’s story a.k.a. Nucking Futs Nix!  She’s a loop-d-loop Valkyrie that I would love to read more about.  Give me a shout in the comments if you read me!

Next up, tomorrow I’m posting a review of Rachel Caine’s Bite Club. I was blessed with an ARC copy of it and can’t wait to tell all me fans about the killer YA read.  Be sure and check back because I have a whopping surprise that you won’t want to miss.

Thanks again to everyone who participated.

Until next time…

Mina B.

Book Review: Kresley Cole’s Dreams of a Dark Warrior

Kresely Cole’s latest book and 11th in the Immortals After Dark series is Dreams of a Dark Warrior.  Regin the Radient and Aiden the Fierce have quite a past.  Regin, one of the many daughters of the god, Woden, left heaven in search of her sister.  During her quest, Regin met Aiden, a Berserker and a warrior, and their lives were never the same.

Aiden was instantly obsessed with Regin, his godly charge who radiated a mystical glow.  He knew she was meant for him and from that moment, he vowed to protect her.  As a young child and even as a grown woman, Regin considered Aiden a lowly mortal.  As a Valkyrie who was destined to be an immortal, she was intrigued by Aiden but intuitively knew not to fall in love with him.  Even though Aiden was a Berserker - a being with immense power when raged, he was still mortal.  Aiden arrogantly vowed he’d be turned into an immortal, winning ohalla; a gift bestowed by Woden to mortals who fought 200 battles in his name.  That never happened, not in Aiden’s lifetime.  And their eternal curse set not too long after he claimed her for his own.

Several centuries later and during Aiden’s fifth reincarnation, Regin is captured by Declan Chase.  He’s Aiden’s reincarnation – that's for sure – and he’s a screwed up, militant-type guy, whose job is to collect, cage or kill immortals. Chase works as a hunter for the Order, a secret, specialized operation that considers all immortals as monsters. Chase is dark and menacing. He follows his orders no questions asked until he meets Regin and begins breaking all the rules.

What I loved about this book was how screwed up the characters were.  Regin’s mind was warped after repeatedly finding and living briefly with Aiden’s reincarnations. Each one of them different yet somehow still Aiden.  She had mere moments of bliss with all of them and then they died, forcing her to live in perpetual hell without her true mate.  Chase, has such an effed up past, it’s a wonder he doesn’t kill all immortals on site.  These two were a pair.

The story captivated me from the start, which is typical Kresley Cole style.  Aiden and Regin have such history together is makes sense their relationship would be doomed.  Still, Cole manages to bring it home, and beautifully too. I really liked this book…not only for his romantic elements but for its complexity of truly dark and mysterious characters.  Dreams of a Dark Warrior was easily a 4 for me.

Until next time…read anything by Kresley Cole and you won’t be disappointed.

Mina B.

Remember...

My FREE Book Contest for

Kresley Cole's Dreams of a Dark Warrior

ends March 17th eod.  Click here to enter!

Free Book Contest: Kresley Cole's Dreams of a Dark Warrior

I’m a bit behind schedule these days with…everything.  I’m about three posts behind so I need to catch up.  Sorry about that. Life happens, ya know?  Anyway, before another day gets away from me, I promised a FREE Book Contest with Kresley Cole and now I’m here to deliver. 

For those that aren’t familiar, Cole’s bestselling Immortals After Dark series is truly one of the best out there.  She’s an incredible writer with a knack for storytelling.  I’ve read several of her books and I promise they’re unbelievably good. I have two of her previous books that I’ve reviewed: A Hunger Like No Other and Kiss of the Demon King.  Since then I’ve read Dark Needs at Night's Edge and also Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night.  All a very good. 'Nuff said.

And so thanks to my Free Sh** Fairy...today’s FREE Book Contest is for her latest book, Dreams of a Dark Warrior. Yessss!  I have one (1) copy of the book that I’m giving away for FREE.   Yippee!  The contest starts today, March 3rd and runs until March 17th, end of day.

Want to enter?  Yeah, I bet you do.

To enter

You MUST be a follower of my blog AND leave a comment below.

Contestants must submit their name and GC in order to officially entered.

(Note: Must be 18 or older to enter.  This contest is open to US only.)


Extra entries
+3 NEW/OLD Followers on Twitter @MinaBurrows
+1 Retweet this (limited to one RT)
+2 Like me on Facebook/Mina Burrows


Until next time...contest ends March 17th, eod. Enter to win today!

Mina B.

(Note:  The Winner will be notified by email and will have no more than 72 hours to respond before another winner is drawn.  Winners are selected by the reputable Random.org.)

Book Review: Kresley Cole’s Kiss Of A Demon King

My next review is of Kresley Cole's  Kiss of a Demon King , Book 6 in her Immortals After Dark Series. I’ve already reviewed Book 1, A Hunger Like No Other – Click here to read my review. Cole has a remarkable ability to capture sensuality and vulnerability in her characters. I so love that about her novels.

Coming off of Cole’s Book 5, Dark Desires After Dusk, this book is also about DEMONS! Not since Joss Whedon or Larissa Ione have I been so excited about demons. And can I tell you this rage demon has horns….purrrrrr YES! The Demon King, Rydsrtom, has horns and he’s still hawt. Go figure. Only in a Kresley Cole novel would it be conceivable that a horny demon would be hawt. Which reminds me…he’s horny as hell too, especially after he meets his woman, Sabine.

Kiss of a Demon King sucks you right in from the start. The book opens up with Sabine and paints such vivid imagery about the sorceress giving us immediate insight into her domineering presence. I totally loved that about her character. She’s beautiful, tough, cunning and just a formidable as her male counterparts. Sabine is the Queen of Illusions, a magical being so powerful that she’s known to turn other beings brains into soup. As the master of illusion, she’s foretold by the Hag that she’s destined to be the Demon King’s queen.

Here’s the catch though. Rydstrom is all that is good, kind and honorable (and hawt too but we already covered that). He’s playing for Team Good. Sabine is completely opposite; an evil, lying, greedy sorceress who works for his arch nemesis, Omort. With these two so radically different, how can they be destined for a date, let alone an eternal relationship?

What I like best about this book is how each character pushes, teases, torments and seduces each other. Men and women often do that to one another in relationships. And Cole captures that perfectly.

Despite their differences, Rydstrom and Sabine have a cosmic attraction. I can’t tell you how many times I roared when Sabine referred to him. “Demon,...”. And since reading this, I now refer to my husband the very same way.

Kiss of a Demon King is a refreshing, unique tale. And let me tell you, in a sea of paranormal romance books, I so appreciate a tale that’s not only different but great.

On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Kresley Cole's Kiss of a Demon King 3 ¾.

Until next time…read something, anything by Kresley Cole.

Mina B.

A Paranormal Book Review: Kresley Cole's A Hunger Like No Other

Kresley Cole’s  A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1) is next on my review list. An author friend of mine recommended this book to read and so I quickly sought out this paranormal romance. And I am happy that I did. It was a really good read.


Lachlain has been trapped in a dungeon in the catacombs, being held captive by the vampires for the last 15 decades. Wow…that’s a lifetime in the clink. But when you’re an immortal, 150 years is a drop in the bucket, right?

Lachlain is king of the Lykae (werewolves), captured by Demestriu, the king of the vampires.  He escapes when he senses her…his life mate, Emmaline. And then the story begins. She’s a halfling, part Valkyrie and part vampire. Lachlain was delusional from his stint in the vampire prison. To break free, he tore off his leg and scoured all of Paris, searching for his life mate. Once he tackles her, he discovers she’s a vampire and nearly loses his mind again at the cruelty of his fate. His life mate is one of a sworn enemy, the vampires.

The first aspect that I adored about this book was when Lachlain first sees Emma. It’s as if his soul recognizes her. This romantic interlude is so tender and endearing when he embraced her, whispering sweet nothings about finally finding her – after over a thousand years.  Can you imagine?

Afterwards he's was unsure as to whether to trust her or not and is downright cruel to her because of who she is. He underestimates Emma, thinking her more like her vampire kin.

This is an unwanted relationship or more like abduction to Emma. Her kidnapper is dirty, disgusting and deranged at first. After he showers and became more accustomed to his surroundings...he's attractive as hell but mocks her heritage in one breath and then gently holds her in another. Emma and Lachlain relationship is tumultuous from the beginning. Emma’s never been away from her family ever until she embarked on a trip to Paris. She’s so naive to the immortal world, let alone the human world. She’s never been intimate with a man until Lachlain attacks her and forced her into an intimacy she’s unaccustomed to.

It sounds strange, I know but it’s oh so good. You’ll be hooked on this series after this book. It has it all: romance, action, suspense, love and mystical creatures. Werewolves, Vampires and Valkeries, Oh my.

A Hunger Like No Other is nonstop hot, sensuous and above all things…fun. If you love those mystical components that are paramount in a paranormal romance, then you’ll love this book. On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give A Hunger Like No Other a 4.

Until next time, read and submerge yourself in a riveting story.

Mina B.