Damon Salvatore – 2011 Best Television Hero

It should come as no surprise to my regular readers, I adore Damon Salvatore, but I tried to be fair when choosing the best hero for 2011.  Played beautifully by Ian Somerhalder, Damon came in at the head of the pack time and time again. 

Damon's certainly had an uneven path to roam, but his checkered past is not as deadly as viewers may have believed when we met bad boy Salvatore.  His arrival in Mystic Falls in 2009 heralded a number of deaths including Vicki Donovan and Coach Tanner.  While Damon didn't kill Vicki once and for all, he did attack her twice and turned her (because he was bored).  Later he disposed of the body after brother Stefan staked her to keep her from ripping Elena's throat out.

But it turns out, that Damon has a reason to be pissed at his baby brother.  We found out during the first season that Stefan forced Damon to turn.  As time trickled on, we found out that after turning, Stefan was a ripper—an out of control monster when he killed and he liked keeping the bodies around.  Damon couldn't help him, so he left him to Lexi.

Flash forward to 2011, Damon took a lot of knocks including the discovery that love of his life Katherine was a lying, manipulative bitch.  When she came after Elena, Damon and Stefan worked together at the end of 2010 to toss her happy ass into the tomb, imprisoning her as Damon had mourned for over a century.  Now the brothers must struggle with the fact that they are in love with the same woman...again.

Texas Gothic: Rosemary Clement Moore

I've never read a Rosemary Clement-Moore book that I didn't love. A couple of years ago, The Splendor Falls was my favorite novel of the year and Texas Gothic is damn near as good as that book, though I admit to a personal bias for the tale in Splendor Falls, Amy Goodnight and Texas Gothic offer a rich, fascinating tale that I couldn't put down.  My only quibble...I have to wait for another book from this fabulous author.

Texas Gothic

Bargains and Betrayals: Shannon Delany

We're counting down my top ten reads for 2011 and with the year fast on the wane, we've got just two books left to go.  The last two slots were filled by two terrific young adult books.  Today's entry: Bargains and Betrayals is the third novel in the series that kicked off with 13 to Life.  Written by Shannon Delany, the series offers a fresh twist on werewolves, love, angst and the power of true compassion and affection.

Bargains and Betrayals

Never Again: Michele Bardsley

Michele Bardsley steps out of Broken Heart, Oklahoma and  into Nevermore, Texas and I for one hope she comes back to  Nevermore, again and again. I adored Gray and Lucy and the entire town of Nevermore. It begins as this blurry chalk painting, dark and diminishing and grows increasingly
vibrant with every page. The darkness that slides along the underbelly of Nevermore is balanced by the darkness swirling within the town's guardian Gray.

Gray and Lucy are tortured souls desperately in need of each other and in Nevermore, Bardsley shows us just how possible that can be.

Don't miss out on this dark, vibrant and sexy new world which reserved it's top spot on my top ten last January when I was lucky enough to read an ARC.  I can't wait to read her upcoming release Now or Never!

Never Again

Model Marine: Candace Havens

It's hard for me to say no to anything written by Candace Havens, in addition to being an entertaining host, a talented master of ceremonies and a gifted teacher, she's a wonderful writer.  Model Marine is the perfect mixture of sexy hero and rakish escapism set against the fashion industry in New York.  From the first page to the last, I had a silly little grin on my face.

Now I know this is a Harlequin Blaze and you're thinking damn, I missed out on that because they are only released in paperback for about a month, but Harlequin's a part of the digital age folks and you can still pick up Candy's wonderful tale of an honorable Marine and the passionate, personal mission that turns him upside down.

Just take a look at the cover...don't you want to help Captain Hughes out?

Model Marine

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All

May your best moment this year, be your worst moment of the year to come. May your family be warm and safe and may all those loved ones who are far from home be remembered.

Green-Eyed Demon: Jaye Wells

Merry Christmas Eve!  I hope you and yours are having a fabulous time.  I'm still ticking down my top ten reads for 2011 and no list would be complete without the snarkalicious delight that is Jaye Wells.  The third book in her Sabina Kane series (Silver-Tongued Devil comes out next week so don't miss it!), Green-Eyed Demon features the showdown Sabina fans have been waiting for since we first met her royally bitchy grandmother in book one.  As always, Sabina has a colorful cast of supporting characters (of note is Giguhl who just rocks in his own right) and a tender, loving love interest in Adam (yes, I say that with a sigh).

Now, without giving anything away, there was one moment in this book where I damn near threw it across the room yelling "Noooooo!"  But I had faith in the lovely author and held on (by my fingernails in some places) and this book definitely scored a top ten slot.  I've since read it twice and enjoyed it just as much with each subsequent read.

Green-Eyed Demon

Nights in Bliss, Colorado: Sophie Oak

My top ten reads for 2011 have a few confessions in them and this member of the top ten is no exception. I met Sophie Oak in person last year and I'd even spent time brainstorming an earlier release, but what hooked me was one line she tossed out there for one of her characters where he declared, "I want to be defective."  That line meandered through my brain, always producing a chuckle whenever I thought of it, for months before I picked them up and started reading them.

I wasn't sure how a town like Bliss, Colorado would work, but I think I'd rather like to spend some time there, especially if the duck ever makes it on the ballot.  Funny, sexy, sweet and suspenseful, the Bliss books are worth a read (or three).

Three To Ride

Stray: Rachel K. Vincent

Now, I have a confession to make, I know this series didn't come out this year, in fact the sixth and final book came out in 2010, but I hadn't had a chance to read any of these books previously.  So on the recommendations of two very dear friends and the highly amusing recommendation of a third (he recommended high frustration tolerance for it), I picked up all six Rachel K. Vincent novels and dove in to read them.  While all six deserve to be in my top ten for 2011, I'm listing the first one because every series begins somewhere.

Stray

Kiss of Snow: Nalini Singh

Since I already brought up Archangel's Blade, it should be no surprise that Nalini Singh's 10th Psy Changeling novel would also make my top ten reads for 2011 list.  In addition to expanding her ever evolving psy-changeling world, Kiss of Snow is the story of Hawke and Sienna.  Hawke's been a personal favorite since his first appearance way back when in Slave to Sensation, Lucas and Sacha's book.

Kiss of Snow

Happy Release Day Nikki Duncan!

Lori Mullins yearns to shake off her past and live free of shadows and fear. Yet her only shot at obtaining the capital to launch her business rests in a man she met during a lie. A man whose voice alone turned her from jaded escort to giddy schoolgirl. A man who almost died because of her.

Trevor Masters can call off his search for the woman he loves. The woman he dreamt of while comatose. The quest for her heart, however, is only beginning. The trick will be convincing her he doesn’t blame her—and that she deserves to accept herself as the woman who holds his heart.

Business negotiations land Lori in a heavenly hell. Heaven that Trevor is close enough to touch. Hell that she’s planning her first designer wedding. His. And something’s not quite right. The kind, compassionate man she fell for all those months ago, the man who’s engaged to another, seems intent on wooing her…

Get your copy today!

Visit the Tulle and Tulips series website today for more great information on this sexy new series from Nikki Duncan.

Archangel's Blade: Nalini Singh

Nalini Singh's Archangel's Blade has it all:  an intelligent hero, brilliant heroine, raw power and an epic love story. What more do you need? I have to be honest, Dmitri wasn't always my favorite of the Seven in the Elena and Raphael books particularly with how much he would taunt Elena, but Archangel's Blade is a must-read, beyond the return to this glorious and lush realm where Archangels rule, Angels fly and vampires serve in multiple capacities, it was the inherent love story and the revelations told against a thousand year tapestry that just should not be missed by anyone. Dmitri and Honor are definitely in my top-ranked couples of all time and Dmitri, wow.

Archangel's Blade

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is back in the shadows of a deadly, beautiful world where angels rule, vampires serve, and one female hunter must crawl out of the darkness to survive…

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past…but Dmitri’s need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel’s right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality…the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting…and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more…

River Marked: Patricia Briggs

At the head of my top ten books and heroes for 2011 must be Patricia Brigg's delightful River Marked, the latest installment in the Mercedes Thompson urban fantasy series.

River Marked

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now. 

Disney World or Bust! Happy Holidays!

We're off to Disney World for a hard-earned vacation.  Disney World is hands down one of my favorite places on Earth, but I've never gotten to go at Christmas, so this will be a vacation populated by old favorites and new discoveries!  In the meanwhile, check back as I count down my favorite books and characters for 2011.  Be sure to share your favorites too, ten lucky commentators will win a special gift in 2012!

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: Sabina Kane is Coming to Town

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Hello, friends. Jaye Wells here. Since it's the season for giving, I'm excited to take part in Heather's fantastic Daily Dose Giveaway. While it might be obvious to nominate beloved friends and family for these prizes, I'd like to add a few suggestions of people you might not normally nominate to win a copy of SILVER-TONGUED DEVIL.

1. Your worst enemy, especially if she has no sense of humor: The Sabina Kane series has been known to scandalize people who are not equipped with basic humor receptors. Imagine how much fun it will be to see the incensed expression of your enemy as she rails against the shame she felt reading about midget orgies, drag queen shenanigans and copious references to forked demon penises.

2. Your Kids' Sunday School Teacher: For all the same reason listed above, except that in this case you know she's a stone cold closet freak show. Sure, she's great with the kids and can quote Psalms backwards and forwards, but when she's alone she finds nothing more invigorating that reading about vampire dominatrixes and demon roller derby.

She might try to convince you she's scarred for life, but you and I will know you gave her the depraved world she really wants.

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Blissmas

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It's beginning to look a lot like Blissmas (and it really is if you go check out Sophie Oak's blog) but as we wind down our Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway, we're featuring Sophie Oak's delightful Bliss bag (see right).

Bliss, Colorado is home to some of the most colorful characters you will ever met from the alien hunters to the naturists to the rough and tumble cowboys that call this Colorado mountain region their home.

The gift bag includes a print copy of Three to Ride, the first book in the Bliss series and I have to be honest, the laugh out loud moments were as fast and furious as the steamy, sensual scenes between Rachel and her guys.  This is a great gift for Sophie Oak lovers and to introduce someone you love to the great town of Bliss.

About Three to Ride

Rachel Swift is a woman on the run. Max and Rye Harper are just the men to catch her.

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: A Little Harmless Christmas

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Melissa Schroeder is the author of more than 40 short stories, novellas, and novels ranging in heat levels from sensual to erotic and time periods from historical to futuristic. She is a military wife and former brat living in Alabama at the moment with her two human daughters and two dog daughters--along with her husband who is a major in the AF. She spends her free time reading, traveling and dreaming of the day when she lives close to a Wegman's Grocery Store (a fact that blog host Heather is deeply sympathizes with!)

Her latest digital release is Infatuation, A Little Harmless Military Romance and her prize today is her latest print release is A Little Harmless Lie along with some great Harmless swag.

A Little Harmless Lie

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: I Saw Mommy Reading Jaci Burton

ETA: This giveaway is now closed. Winning nomination: Patti

The Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway heats up today with Jaci Burton and her gift of two print books: The Perfect Play and Changing the Game.  If you've never seen these covers, you are in for a treat.  They are gorgeous.  If you've never read these books, you're in for a double-chocolate stuffed size treat: because they are fabulous.

The Perfect Play

Book One of the Play-by-Play Series

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game...

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara's not interested in getting to know football's most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara's life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick's latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

The Perfect Play

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: Tempting Christmas with Dee Tenorio

ETA: This giveaway is now closed. Winning nomination: alyxgrayson

After a brief personal delay, let's get the Daily Dose Holiday giveaway running again with Dee Tenorio.  Combining suspense, passion and shifters in two brilliant tales that someone you love could be curling up with this holiday season.   Tenorio is offering ebook copies of Tempting the Enemy and Deceiving the Protector for your nominations.  Don't miss out, I know these two are definitely going on my TBR pile!

Tempting the Enemy

Tempting the Enemy

Detective Pale Rysen, an Alpha, is determined to secretly rebuild the Wolf packs from the ashes of genocide. When a killer starts picking off young females looking for sanctuary, it's his job to protect them. Forced to work with a hated enemy, he fears his cover will be blown.

Stand By For More Giveaways

Hey folks, some personal emergencies delayed me from posting the new giveaways. So I have two to put up this evening.  Stand by!  And get those nominations ready.

Heather

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: A Few Wicked Turns Under the Mistletoe?

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The Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway is one of my favorite parts of the year.  I love sharing what authors have offered, seeing the readers reactions to what they can nominate and even more, I love reading your stories about who you want to give these gifts to and why you want to give them.  The holiday season is the one time a year that should truly be about giving, not just receiving.  Today's gift comes from New York Times Bestselling Author Shayla Black.

Shayla Black is the author of over 30 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her family, and one very spoiled cat. In her "free" time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Belong to Me

Her most recent release Belong To Me is available in print and eFormats.

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: Twisting Around the Christmas Tree

Twisted Up

ETA: This giveaway is now closed. Winning nomination: Marybelle 

Lissa Matthews joins us today with a gift that's a little bit naughty and a whole lot nice.  The talented, multi-published author is about to kick off a new series from Samhain, but in addition to donating to our Kindle Fire giveaway, she's offering up a sweet gift for someone you love.

First up is a $25 gift card to Starbuck's where you can pick up the hot gingerbread latte, peppermint mocha or other hot caffeinated sweet beverage of your choice from one coffee lover to another.  But that's not all, Lissa will add one book from her backlist or her upcoming release (Twisted Up) to sweeten this gift for someone you love. 

Twisted Up

Releasing December 20, 2011


One rope. Three days. And two hearts on the line.


Justin has had enough. Ella, the woman who healed his broken heart, has been canceling on him for two months straight. Sure, she’s busy with her job, which has her traveling far and wide. But that never stopped her from sharing nights of trivia, long conversations and blazing hot sex—until now. Truth to tell, he misses their easy friendship, the way her sighs fill his ear as he fills her body.

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Firelight

ETA: This giveaway is now closed. Winning nomination: Coranne

In 2010, Sophie Jordan introduced fans to Jacinda and a world of dragons, adventure and romance.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

Firelight

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: Too Hot for Christmas

Some Like it Hot

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The Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway continues with some hot, scrumptious goodness from author Louisa Edwards.   Some Like It Hot is the latest edition in her Rising Star Chef series and let me tell you, these men you want in the kitchen, in the dining room and anywhere else they want to serve.

Edwards combines delicious recipes with hot men in a serving that is sure to keep you warm throughout the chilly nights and leave you hungering for more.  Some Like It Hot released November 29, 2011 and this is your chance to nominate someone you love for this delicious book along with a chocolate dipped strawberry ornament from Sur La Table.



A sizzling blend of food, passion—and searing romance—the Rising Star Chef competition brings together the world’s hottest chefs for an all-star cook-off that’s sure to stir up excitement...and melt some hearts.

HE’S FEELING THE HEAT

Sexy, single, and even sweeter than the treats he bakes, New York pastry chef Danny Lunden is trying to stay focused on food—not females. With the Rising Star Chef competition approaching, he doesn’t have time to get all steamed up over the gorgeous woman he encounters on the plane to Chicago. Even if she is Eva Jansen—the billionaire heiress in charge of the contest...

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: Rockin' Around Razor's Edge

Handmade Glass Bookmark

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As our Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway continues, Shannon K. Butcher joins her husband Jim (see his giveaway posted yesterday) to offer a great gift for someone you love.

Shannon is an enormously talented author in her own right with great romantic suspense and paranormal romance novels on her back list.  Her most recent release, Razor's Edge is being offered today for your gift reading pleasure.    In addition to the great book, signed by the author, Shannon has added the handmade glass bookmark on the right.

Razor's Edge is the second book in The Edge series is Roxanne and Tanner's story.

"BURN EVERYTHING. THEY'RE COMING."

Roxanne "Razor" Haught is used to being in control. An expert in stealth security for corporate espionage cases, Razor is all about setting traps for the bad guys. But suddenly she is the target. A mysterious man is following her. Someone has trashed her house, searching for something. Then there is the cryptic coded message from her army friend: "Burn everything. They're coming."

Tanner O'Connell has no intentions of leaving Razor's side. Despite her objections to having a "babysitter," his orders as the newest member of the Edge are to watch her back. Of course he can't help watching a lot more than that. But with some brainwashed assassins after his partner, Tanner cannot afford to let his desire for Razor interfere with his duty. His special ops skills might be all that stand between saving Razor -- or losing her forever...

Razor's Edge

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: Harry! The Herald Angel Sings!

ETA: This giveaway is now closed. Winning nomination: Jagx101

Can it really be nearly twelve years since the first Harry Dresden novel was released?  Storm Front was such an amazingly fresh and fun take on wizards, urban fantasy and trying to get the job done when you have people waiting for you to fail, literally on every side.  Written by Jim Butcher, Dresden was different.  He was part hero, part goof, part badass and part boy next door (if you lived next door to a dragon), but he was also the son of a magician and he had loved his dad and his life until the moment his father died and he got stuck with his Uncle Justin.

With so many books in the Harry Dresden series, it's hard to remember those first days of loving it before the rich tapestry of characters and world took on a life of their own.  But as a part of our Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway, we're inviting you to take a step back in time to these earlier days with a signed copy of Jim Butcher's second Harry Dresden novel: Fool Moon.

Fool Moon

Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway: What Waltz Is This?

ETA: This giveaway is now closed. Winning nomination: Laurie

The best part of the Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway is the wonderful fun and caring spirit the authors share when they volunteer books, gift cards and other prizes.  Every year I host this giveaway and every year the authors I know find something great to share.  Today's giveaway comes from the truly fantabulous Dakota Cassidy.  I had the pleasure of meeting Dakota a few years ago and she is one fun and funny lady.

She was among the first to volunteer this time around and she's got a great giveaway for you, an ARC of her soon to be released Waltz This Way.  Why is this so awesome? Well it's by Dakota darling, that's one reason, but the second is this book isn't due out until March of 2012, which means your lucky gift nominee will have a chance to read it a full three months ahead of time.  

Waltz This Way