Review: 22 Nights - Linda Winstead Jones

22 Nights by Linda Winstead Jones

Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 336
Published:2208

The emperor has his eyes on the lovely Belavalari as his future empress. Little does he know that Bela has spent the last five years intent on one purpose - revenge.

And when the dashing general Merin is sent to collect Bela, he's horrified to learn that she's already married - to him.

First I just want to take up this whole paranormal romance genre, well ok, this is fantasy, with romance. I would just rather have it called fantasy romance then. Because to call it paranormal gives it the wrong feeling, in most fantasy I haev read there is magic, sometimes hidden and sometimes not. Nothing parano0rmal about that. When it takes place in this world then yes do call it this. But here I always gets confused, is it set in our world or not. Here it is not. Therefore my little fantasy speech.

Second, this blurb is misleading and it made me not care for the second storyline. I wished she had not made it like that. There is Bela and Merin. And suddenly there is a woman called Leyla who is having sex with this guy Savvyn. Why I thought, and read past that to get back to Bela. But Leyla kept coming back and then I understood that this book is actually 2 books in one in a way. They are about the same thing though so that is what they have in common.

I wished that could have been mentioned so that I would have cared more for Leyla. As for the cover that is Bela and Merin.

But ok, the story is that the emperor wants a bride, and he sends out sentinels to get him 6 brides so he can choose. Bela, is one of them. But when general Merin arrives he gets a surprise. He sure remember the woman who jumped him and then left. But he did not know they were married. A divorce is in other so he can bring the bride to his emperor.

The second story is about Leyla, a widow who has been called forth as a bride too. A bit older, and with a younger lover who she now must leave. She sets out but it's a dangerous journey to the capital.

Bela is a bit spoiled now and again. She wants to be a warrior and she dresses and act likes a man. The she suddenly goes soft, and I don't know about that whole thing. But I still liked her. Merin too. As for the whole lovestory, well yes I knew they would be together but I don't know if I cared.

Leyla and Savvyn was different. I did not care for them at first, though I wish I had. But their lovestory was more intense, and I longed for these too. They had more obstacles to get trough and that made them real.

There was also much focus on something that I guess will happen in another series. I then hope she writes that one cos else it will be strange.

But it was a good little story. I just wish tI would have known about the two storyline plot. I did get caught by surprise about the whole sex thing with two strangers that did not seem to have anything to do with Bela and Merin. Oh and yes it was a lot of sex too. But it fitted the mood and what happened trough the book.

It is a book that I am sure lovers of romance in a little fantasy world can like. Cos there is plenty of that. Some hardships, and danger too. This is book 2 in the trilogy Emperor brides, but you can read any of them in any order really. Well perhaps not book 3, but we all know who people will fall for in the beginning with these books anyway.

Cover thoughts: Love it, those colors, yes perfect. But it looks a bit strange to the side.

Why I read it: My book

I don't know if to give it 2,5 or 3. That whole storyline caught me so unaware really and therefore my hesitation. But now you are warned.

Review: Released - Kimber Chin + Birthday Wishes :D

Released by Kimber Chin

Pages: 33
Published: October 2009
Genre: Contemporary romance/suspense

Fifteen years ago, Alvar went to prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Finally released, he comes face to face with the real murderer - the only woman he has ever loved.

This was a sweet little story. Alvar comes out from prison, and he wants to move on and forget the past. But there is the question about Edenia. The woman he loved, the woman he went to jail for.

I really like the opening sentence:

The world's sexiest murderer stood in front of him, her fists clenched, brown eyes blazing. If Alvar cared at all about his life, he'd be scared.

It's an intense read. I liked the lovestory that unfolded. It was sweet, and then there was the question of murder. The danger got closer and I can't say more since it's such a short read and I would just spoil it all.

What more can I say that it was a nice short story. I never know with Kimber Chin's books, the one I read before this, I liked the most. Now I like this style again. I guess they just are getting better and better.

And now for some Birthday Wishes:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY and CECILE!!!!!!

You both are great bloggers and friends. I am glad that I have met you both. I hope you both will have a wonderful birthday, but lots of presents, loved ones and cake.

Guest post and Giveaway with Lori Brighton #CLOSED#

I want to introduce you to Lori Brighton, the author of Wild Heart, which is coming out now in November 2009. Thank you  Lori so much for this lovely guest post. 

Check the details in the end of the post for the giveaway. I will draw winners next Wednesday and email Lori the winners. So remember to leave details if they are not in your profile.

*Since Blodeuedd is located in Finland, I thought it would be interesting if I discussed overseas sales and how they happen, along with comparing examples of book covers from around the world. But I quickly realized I didn’t know a thing about overseas sales. Nope, nothing at all. I asked on my author loop. Sadly, no one else seemed to understand overseas sales either. In fact many people don’t even realize they’ve sold to another country until their book pops up or a reader mentions it. So I ditched that idea, but realized there was no reason I couldn’t still talk about book covers. 

For an author, when we receive our book cover it is one of the most important moments in our career. We get to see our hero and heroine as the reader will. I still remember the moment my editor, very excited, sent me as an email attachment the cover of my book. Honestly, I was so nervous I had to wait a good five minutes before I opened it. Finally, heart pounding, I clicked on that file. The picture burst before me…beautiful, sensual…and totally, utterly wrong. 

As are many women, I’m a dark-haired hero kind of girl. Yet, when I wrote Wild Heart, I knew Leo, my hero, had blond hair. Think Brad Pitt in the movie Legends of the Fall. So imagine my horror when I opened my book cover file and found Leo, my dear, wonderful alpha Leo, had dark hair! It gets worse. Ella, my heroine, who was supposed to have brown hair, had blonde! It was too late to change the cover. I could either leave it as it was, or I could rush through my manuscript and change the coloring in the pages. I didn’t feel right not having the picture match the descriptions and so I combed through my book and gave Leo dark hair and Ella blonde. 

Somewhat depressed, I went to my author loop to discuss my options. Guess what they said? It happens all the time. And there have been worse. Take the infamous Christina Dodd book cover of a woman with three arms. Yes, three arms. Can you find them? Ms. Dodd didn’t even realize her heroine had three arms until a reader pointed it out. But instead of being horrified, she was thrilled that her infamous cover helped her sales. 

With all these mistakes, does this mean authors have no say in their covers? Not debut authors. That’s between the editors (who will often fill out forms describing characters) and the art department. But for the most part it depends on the publisher and how established the author is. I’m sure there are many NY Times Bestselling authors who do get to fill out that infamous form describing their characters. But in the end, it will still be up to the editor and art department because they know what sells. 

If you think authors are left in the dark about many decisions, you’re right. Overseas sales are even worse since most authors don’t even realize when their book is sold in another country. It’s safe to say most authors don’t have any input in the covers overseas. Still, its fun to compare countries. Many authors will post their original covers as well as overseas covers, if you’re interested. They’re usually quite different as you can see from the examples I’ve brought with. I’m sure a person could do a study on how book covers differ country to country and what that says about each culture.


Once the artists come up with some sketch ideas for the cover, they call in the models. Yes, that man you’ve been drooling over on the cover of the book you’re reading is real. And yes, it’s probably the same male model used on that other book by another author you just read. As great as those romance covers are, they do tend to have a similar feel. My personal favorite is that all too familiar hero grasping the heroine from behind. See my cover. The truth of the matter is that to save money, publishers often reuse book covers. They might change coloring, or scenery here and there, but if you look closely, you’ll see many similarities on your favorite covers. 

If you’re interested in reading more about the book cover process, I found this wonderful article by author Stephanie Bond:

As Stephanie explains the art department knows what they’re doing. We might think those covers are redundant, we might not understand why they use a certain color, but they understand. They know what shades sell (green, for instance, is supposed to be a bad color), they know what hair color sells, what scenery sells. And those suggestive covers that define romance novels… well, I assume they wouldn’t do them if they didn’t make a lot of money. 

The good news is that lately I’ve noticed publishers are really stepping up when it comes to producing amazing book covers. Kensington, which is a smaller publisher, has produced some top notch books lately. 

*So, do book covers matter to you? Are you embarrassed by overly seductive covers? Does the hair coloring of the hero and heroine have to match the color inside the book? Leave a comment! Three people will win a signed copy of my debut book Wild Heart!

Ends: November4th

WANTON…

Leo Roberts is next in line for an earldom and the power and fortune that come with it, but he is uncultured, unrefined—and completely untamed…until governess Ella Finch arrives upon the scene. Can so young and inexperienced a woman tutor him in the manners and mores of his class? Leo’s mysterious past has rendered him an outsider, too wild for polite society. But he finds her innocence most intriguing…

WILLING…

What manner of man he may be, Ella does not know. Yet he fascinates her and she must know more. Capturing Leo’s reckless heart is about to free her in ways she never dreamed of…and his sensual touch releases the deepest yearnings of her body and soul …

Review: The Name of The Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of The Wind

Book 1, The Kingkiller Chronicles

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 662
Published: 2007

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during the day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.

So begins the tale of Kvothe - from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe as a notorious magician, an accomplished thief, a masterful musician, and an infamous assassin. But THE NAME OF THE WIND is so much more - for the story it tells reveals the truth behind Kvothe's legend . (GoodReads)

I might be the only one since everyone keep raving about this book, but honestly I was bored, and I do not give books the chance I gave this one. I kind of felt obligated cos I told the library to buy it. So I read all 662 pages, and was not too happy about it.

I am only giving it 3 stars because yes he he can write he and told a nice story. A great author who actually can write. If it wasn't for that fact I would grade it lower.

Now what was wrong? 662 pages! But I have read longer books that I loved. I think it was the setting. It is just not my kind of fantasy. I want the epic, the big wars, the quest. This book was more about the man, and I could have cared less. I have read another book like this and with that one I could not bring myself to finish book 2. With this book, well perhaps I can force myself just I am gonna force myself with that other book.

The story did not start good for me, Kvothe's childhood, and it did nothing for me. It did get a bit better when he began university and started learning things and some magic. But something was lacking for me, and I would just read Harry Potter. Truth to be told, I have trouble remembering how it ended.

I also think Kvothe was somewhat of a Mary Sue. He is like the smartest person around and learn things in a day that takes years for others. He is a natural at everything, and I am sure in the next book when he learns how to fight he will learn it in an hour. People hate him with a passion or like him.

But I do admit that Rothfuss has a way with words, he can write better than many authors out there. Others will surely love the story and find it intriguing. But it was not the fantasy for me, I go for other things.

But do not listen to me, take a look for yourself. There are different sorts of fantasy and I just go for the high, and epic fantasy.

Now for a new thing as I adore covers

What I think of the cover: Another version had a real ugly one, and this one, well too dark and brooding. Looks like some kind of murder mystery book from the Middle Ages where a monk solves crime.

Why I read it: Library book

3/5 Cos of excellent writing, even if not to my liking(if I had liked it then wow)