Friday, January 3, 2014

Edge of Darkness by J.T. Geissinger

This is the first book I've picked up by J.T. Geissinger and I can promise you it wont be the last. I absolutely loved the paranormal world J.T. created. Instead of just regular old cat shifters you have Ikati and as with any species you have good apples and bad apples.  I loved the fact that I was able to pick up this book and follow right along with the series, even without having read the previous books. Authors who can pull that off are few and far between.

We have September Jones, who goes by Ember. She runs a little book shop that specializes in rare/unique/collectors books. Her father passed along the shop to her, which is also partially owned by a horrendous stepmother (who has two daughters) and yes those three definitely reminded me of Cinderella, except Ember luckily owns half the bookstore too, as well as living on her own so she's not dependent on this evil stepmother (whom I felt bad for near the end, but can't say more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone).
We also have a lot of side characters in the story, and I loved each and every one of them....good or bad...it had a variety of different people, which sprinkles the book with authenticity and makes it more believable. My favorite side characters are Asher (her gay best friend who lives across the hall), her landlord Dante, whom she helps teach English too and Dante's granddaughter Clare-whom is sick and I think teaches all the characters in the book about how precious time really is in life, whether its 5 minutes or a month that you have left to live.

Ember is a great character. Her emotions, thoughts just felt real to me. Don't get me wrong, she's not a perfect character (but then again who is?) but her emotional scares, her average looks, her quick mind against the hero Christian all made her a better character in my opinion. She's got secrets in the past, and we don't find out those secrets till much later in the book but it all came together beautifully. Honestly there is definitely some mystery, along with suspense in this series because you're sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what's going to happen...you expect one thing but it never turns out the way you expect it.

Then we have Christian, who's not all he seems to be... He's rich, exceedingly gorgeous, and after an extremely rare book which Ember does have. For some reason though Christian gets under her skin....his good looks, leaving women swooning all over her shop, and just this dangerous vibe about him that Ember does not understand at all. He's not good for her, in fact he should be steering way clear of her according to the laws of his people, the Ikati. He is in Spain for one reason, one mission only...but he can't help himself, his shifter side and his man side want/need Ember and after trying to stay away, he stops fighting the attraction and brings Ember into his dark and very dangerous world.

Both characters are great for each other. Ember is emotionally broken, she won't open up to anyone (not even her gay best friend Asher, so you know that's some major baggage). Christian doesn't expect to get out of Spain alive, so he has no business falling for anyone, much less a human woman. But Fate has a funny way of stepping in and slowly using her hammer to crack away at our defenses when we least expect it. And if she knocks hard enough, eventually that bubble of protection we place around ourselves is going to crack, and then shatter.

I love books that can keep and hold my attention. Good editing, great story telling will keep me turning a books pages well into the night (when I should be sleeping!) and that's how I can always tell a great author from just an OK or Good author. Miss J.T. definitely falls into the great author if the clock on my computer is anything to go by.

If you like shifter books, some action/suspense/mystery and like different legends for shifters (instead of the usual) you should give this book a try. Though I'd recommend starting with book one (which I'll also be doing) because I want to know more about this world and Ikati's.



This book was given to me in turn for an honest review. It did not affect my opinions or ratings, which are strictly my own.


Rated by

3, 2, 1 New Years Facebook Event Winners!


WINNERS NEED TO FILL OUT THIS FORM BY JAN. 12TH BY 12AM EST IN ORDER TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZE! 

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Day 1 WINNERS 

Krystal Shannan Winners

1. Makeup Mirror: Samantha Woods
2. $5 Amazon OR B&N GC:Lisa George
3. $5 Amazon OR B&N GC:Robin Rodriguez



Allyson Lindt Winners


1. $5 Amazon Card: Alyssa Williams
2. $5 Amazon Card: Denise Kirkland
3. $5 Amazon Card: Carmen Pescod
4. $5 Amazon Card: Jan Terry


Natalie-Nicole Bates Winners

1. $5 Amazon Card: Thelma Lewis
2. Swag Pack: April Alvey
3. $5 Amazon Card: Skye Kiloh
4. Ebook of See Me: Katrina Bunn


A.E. Via Winners


1. ecopy of Blue Moon + coffe mug + notepad + pen: Kyla R. Whitley
2. ecopy of Blue Moon + coffee mug + notepad + pen: Jessica Lynn Leonard
3. ecopy of You Can See Me: Patricia Crews
4. ecopy of You Can See Me: Myra Laird




C.E. Black Winners

1. $5 Amazon Card: Melanie Tikalsky
2. ecopy of Shifted Temptations: Tammy Payne
3. ecopy of Embraced: Michelle Turner



Alexandra Anthony winners

1. ecopy of Tempted, signed bookmarks + guitar pick: Alyssa Williams
2. Vampire Destiny + Dark Hart Magnet, signed postcards + bookmarks: Kathleen O'Donnell
3. $5 Amazon Card: Anne-Marie Ledford



DAY 2 WINNERS 



Sabrina Garie winners

1: An ecopy of Thirteen Nights: Viki-King Pazdur
2: An ecopy of Next Move: Amy Smith Bostelman
3: An ecopy of Fires of Justice: Patricia Crews




Mya Winners


1. $10 Amazon Gift Card: Pua H Pereira
2. $10 Amazon Gift Card: Heather Hunnam KinkyGrey
3. Gift Basket filled with hot and cold goodies! + Fire and Ice Bracelet: Tiffany Espinoza



Kathleen Ball Winners



1. ebook of Autumn's Hope: April Alvey
2. ebook of Autumn's Hope: Pam Eveland
3. ebook of Autumn's Hope: Cecilia Black
4. ebook of Autumn's Hope: Samantha Woods





Katya Armock Winners



1. $5 Amazon GC: Mary McCoy
2. $5 Amazon GC: Jessica Lynn Leonard
3. $5 Amazon GC: Brooke Bumgardner
4. $5 Amazon GC: Kathleen O'Donnell




Lacey Silks Winners




1. 3 winners of Lacey's short story collections in ebook format (Mistresses, Reality in Each Fantasy 1 & 2) 

1. Debbie Saraceni 2. Karey Smith 3. Misty Arnold

2. ebook of Dazzled by Silver: Karen Hrdlicka
3. ebook of Layers Deep: Aimee Cathleen Judy
4. ebook ARC of Layers Peeled: Kelsey Dobbins




Morticia Knight Winners



1. E-book copy of Hollywood Bound: Lori N Tim Green 
2. E-book copy of Razzle Dazzle: Skye Kiloh
3. E-book Copy of Tarnished Glitter: Ann Archambault Waters
4. Glitz & Glamour fun pack (think sparkly), e-book copy of Hollywood Bound (Gin & Jazz 1), signed swag: Robin Rodriguez





Day 3 Winners 




Sofia Grey Winners

1. ecopy of A Wolf At The Door: Karey Smith
2. ecopy of A Handful of Wolf: Sarah Brackett
3. A set of Romance Trading Cards for A Handful of Wolf: Michelle Turner



Ally Thomas Winners

1. $5 Amazon gift card: Patricia Crews
2. $5 Amazon gift card: Barbara Burdette
3. $5 Amazon gift card: Heather Hunnam KinkyGrey


Samantha Holt Winners

1. Ecopy of To Steal a Highlander's Heart: Ann Leeson
2. Blue ribbon charm bookmark: Misty Arnold
3. ARC of Not Another Soldier: Jan Terry


Jenna Galicki Winners

1. Keychain and signed bookmark: Bette Platt 
2. Calculator and signed bookmark: Denise Kirkland
3. 2014 magnetic calendar, 2-sided keychain & signed bookmark: Bambi Lovessmily Fogleman
4. tape measure and signed bookmark: Yohanna Baez



Anne Lange Winners

1. International Book Thong & Key Chain: Debbie Saraceni
2. ecopy of Worth the Risk: Samantha Woods


R.E. Butler Winners

1. $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (US ONLY): Cody Smith-Candelaria
2. Wolf Pen and Handmade Ribbon Bookmark (US Only): Tammy Turner
3. eBook of Mate of Her Heart (or any from backlist) (US & INTL): Ann Archambault Waters 
4. eBook of Mate of Her Heart (or any from backlist) (US & INTL): Chris Lewis




Day 4 Winners 


Lorrie Farrelly

1. Ebook TERMS OF SURRENDER: Kelly Smith
2. Ebook TERMS OF SURRENDER: Leslie Mesmer


J.J. DiBenedetto

1. An audiobook edition (or ebook if preferred) of DREAM STUDENT: Jan Murphree
2. An audiobook edition (or ebook if preferred) of DREAM DOCTOR: Neena Christianson Martin
3. An audiobook edition (or ebook if preferred) of DREAM CHILD: Cassandra Hicks


Catherine Wolffe

1. signed paperback of 'Comanche Haven'. International winners will get a $5 Amazon GC instead: Aimee Cathleen Judy
2. An ebook copy of COMANCHE HAVEN: Adrienne Allam Samson

Marta Szemik

1.  2 x Two Halves ebooks: Jessica Lynn Leonard and Chris Lewis
2.  $5 Amazon gift card and Two Equals ebook: Jan Niblock
3. $5 Amazon gift card + Marked: A Two Halves Novella ebook: Thelma Lewis
4. An ebook box set of the Two Halves Series (2 novels and two novellas): Brooke Bumgardner

Emma Shade

1. Signed Finding Obscurity Bookmark: Samantha Woods
2. $5 Amazon or B&N gift card: Bette Platt

Gwen Knight

1. ecopy of Her Alpha Protector: Amy Smith Bostelman
2. $10 Amazon GC: Cecilia Black




Day 5 Winners 



C.C. Williams

1. $5 Amazon gift card: Cassandra Hicks
2. C.C. Williams' swag pack: Grandville Guys key chain, CCW bookmarks, magnets, and a surprise item. (US only, unless the winner would like to pay shipping.): Denise Kirkland
3. Ecopy of "Busting the Greenhorn.": Samantha Woods
4. Ecopy of "Those Grandville Guys.": Amy Smith Bostelman




Samantha Jacobey


1. 2 copies of Ebook - A New Life: Life of Recovery: Lisa Vaughan Bullert & Sarah Brackett
2. 2 copies Ebook - Life of Doubt: Book Two of A New Life: Mandy Miller & Jan Niblock
3. Signed paperback of Life of Recovery (International): Robin Rodriguez
4. Signed paperback of Life of Doubt (International): Rachel Hill



Kathryn Loch

1. choice of ebooks Demon Laird or Mist Warrior gifted through Amazon: Bambi Lovessmily Fogleman
2. ebook of Demon Laird or Mist Warrior AND will receive sequel to Demon Laird release in early 2014, gifted through Amazon: Tiffany Espinoza
3. ebook Sworn to Protect or Sworn to Love. Gifted through Amazon: Katrina Bunn
4. choice of ebook Sworn to Protect, or Sworn to Love, or A Time to Live AND will receive a copy of Finding Faith, slated for release in early 2014. Gifted through Amazon: Michelle Turner


Holly Barbo


1. The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Founders & Divergent: Debbie Saraceni
2. The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Founders & Divergent: Karey Smith
3. The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Founders & Divergent:Sara Scare Bear Lucero
4. The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Founders & Divergent: Skye Kiloh



Cari Quinn


1. An ebook of the winner's choice from Cari Quinn's backlist: Chris Lewis
2. A signed print book of Cari Quinn's plus a $10.00 iTunes gift card and fun book swag for a US winner: Heather Hunnam KinkyGrey
3. An ebook of the winner's choice from Cari Quinn's backlist: Karen Hrdlicka
4. A signed print book of Cari Quinn's plus a $10.00 iTunes gift card and fun book swag for a US winner: Elaine Swinney




Angela Scott

1. US ONLY Author Signed Copy of WANTED: Dead or Undead, Book One in The Zombie West Series and a Signed Bookmark: Ann Archambault Waters
2. US ONLY TWO things that are in the burlap bag of goodies that Trace leaves for Red: Neena Christianson Martin
3. US ONLY A bag of chocolate zombie candies: Cody Smith-Candelaria
4. US ONLY Adult Large, Orange ZOMBIE HUNTER T-shirt: Michelle Turner





Day 6 Winners




C.J. Pinard

1. Signed paperback of "Patriotic Duty”(When Riley Met Cara #1) US ONLY: Thelma Lewis
2. An ecopy of "Tour of Duty" - international: Neena Christianson Martin
3. An ecopy of "Tour of Duty" - international: Bette Platt
4. Signed paperback of Tour of Duty (When Riley Met Cara #2) - US ONLY: Mary McCoy





Eva LeNoir

1. International: E-book copy of Bloodweight: Kelsey Dobbins
2. US and International: Signed postcards from Eva LeNoir: Cassandra Hicks
3. International: E-book copy of Stone Cold: Heather Hunnam KinkyGrey
4. US and International: Signed postcards from Eva LeNoir: Debbie Saraceni







Terri Osburn

1. The winner's dessert will be written into book 4 as the heroine's favorite and the winner will have her/his name included in the acknowledgements: Katrina Bunn
2. $10 Amazon gift card: Patricia Crews
3. an Anchor Island prize pack of an Anchor tote bag, an Anchor Island series mug, and signed print copies of both MEANT TO BE and UP TO THE CHALLENGE. US and Canada only: Teresa McDonald Henson 





Lena Hart


1. $5 Amazon gift card: Alisha Frias
2. eBook copy of BECAUSE THIS IS FOREVER: Cody Smith-Candelaria
3. Exclusive author swag (US only): Aimee Cathleen Judy






Carmen Caine

1. International - Ebook of the Bedeviled Heart: Iliana Gkioni
2. International - Ebook of "The Daring Heart": Cecilia Black
3. International - Ebook of "The Bedeviled Heart": Denise Kirkland
4. International ebook - The Daring Heart: Samantha Woods





Claudy Conn

1. $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card: Lois Losh
2. $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card: Misty Arnold



Day 7 Winners 


Victoria Pinder 

1. $5 Amazon Gift Card: Cecilia Black
2. PDF MakeUp May Change Your Life: Myra Laird
3. Signed Copy of Mything You (US/CANADA only): Debbie Saraceni
4. Small printed version of Artwork picture (US/CANADA only):Elaine Swinney




J.C. Valentine 

1. signed paperback of Surrender to Love (US only International Winners will get a $10 Amazon instead): Karen Hrdlicka
2. International: All 3 bookmarks in the Night Calls Series: Stracey Charran
3. International: Knockout (Wayward Fighters, 1) keychain: Kelsey Dobbins
4. International: Surrender to Love pen: Robin Rodriguez


Valerie Twombly 

1. $5 Amazon gift card: Pua H Pereira
2. e-copy of Eternal Flame: Donna Reynolds
3. e-copy of Eternal Flame: Brooke Bumgardner


Kelli McCracken 

1. eBook Copy of What the Heart Wants: Barb A. Metheney-Kiser
2. A set of signed bookmarks (International): Thelma Lewis
3. 3 songs of your choice from Amazon (US): Renee Chung


Inge-Lise Goss 

1. $10 Amazon GC: Heather Hunnam KinkyGrey
2. ebook of The Tegen Cave: Samantha Woods



Taryn Plendl 

1. Kindle Copy of In My Arms: Dawn Froggy Saenz
2. Kindle copy of Lies of Omission: Amy Smith Bostelman
3. choice of one of the Philadelphia Series books, A Part of Me, Out of My Element or Learning to Live Again. Kindle format: Karey Smith
4. Your choice of book by Taryn Plendl: Viki King-Pazdur



Day 8 Winners 



Ciara Knight 

1. Signed Cover Flat of Pendulum, book II of The Neumarian Chronicles.
International: Amy Smith Bostelman2. e-copy of Escapement, book I of The Neumarian Chronicles: Jessica Lynn Leonard
3. International Swag Pack: Sarah Brackett
4. A signed print copy of Escapement, book I of The Neumarian Chronicles.
International: Mary McCoy



Belle Whittington 

1. Autographed FIREFLY postcard: Thelma Lewis
2. Autographed CICADA postcard: Nicole Wantland Counts
3. Autographed bookmark: Leslie Mesmer
4. Autographed bookmark: Patricia Crews



Normandie Alleman 


1. $10 Amazon GC: Katrina Bunn
2. E-book of The Professor's Plaything: Stracey Charran
3. $10 Amazon GC: Skye Kiloh
4. Copy of the ebook - "Whip It Up" Anthology (ePub or PDF): Debbie Saraceni




Angela Rae Harris 

1. ebook of Stolen Time: Karey Smith
2. Winner's choice of a button, keychain or magnet from my Zazzle store.(http://www.zazzle.com/AngelaRaeHarris?rf=238388581617626235) US only:  Aimee Cathleen Judy




WINNERS NEED TO FILL OUT THIS FORM BY JAN. 12TH BY 12AM EST IN ORDER TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZE! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dkpPPSvYcSeGTZl9yCk4dA99LufptRr4dBkda3Jzt6M/viewform



I also want to thank the amazing readers and authors that attended this event. As most of you know I normally do parties for individual authors and its normally a 4-6 hour event, focused on just that author ;)

This was actually my "first" Multi-Author Bash and it wouldn't have been such a raging success without all the author and reader participation!


The best part about my job is getting to connect readers to "new to them" authors and vice versa for the authors. Believe me, as readers we are invaluable to those authors.


I appreciate your enthusiasm of the event and sharing it with your friends, more than I could ever tell you online.


Just know that you all make my day, every single day!

The reader comments about how much fun they are having? Make me smile!

When an author emails me and tells me I came highly recommended to them? Makes my day!



So thank you authors and readers for making this such a fun event! Join the next party down below, we've already got over 20 authors signed up already! ;)


This event was such a success that we have had almost 3k in hits on this blog just this month! How amazing is that?!


THANK YOU! :)