Vanquished

Those that have followed me a while know that I love best selling authors Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie. I've featured the first two books of their Crusade trilogy and now I present the final one - VANQUISHED. Stick around because if you comment you have a chance to win your very own copy courtesy of Simon and Schuster. 

This time I've invited my buddy Harold the werewolf to give us his review of the book. *takes allergy pill* 

Me: Harry - may I call you Harry?

Harold: No. I try to avoid that thank you very much.

Me: Sorry. Um, so what did you think of the book? Was it a fitting end to the trilogy?

Harold: My biggest problem with the first two books was that there was too much focus on the priest/vampire and not enough on the obvious hero - Holgar the werewolf. 

Me: Um, sure. Holgar is an awesome character, but so is Antonio. And Jenn. Well, all of them really. But it's the unattainable love between Antonio and Jenn that make the book. 

Harold: Excuse me, but who's giving this review? You or me? 

Me: *bites lip*

Harold: As I was saying, I was happy to see that Holgar had a decent part in this book along with the other characters. 

Me: Thanks for that review, Harold. Please stop chewing on the armchair.

My opinion? I thought it was an epic ending to an epic series. Nancy and Debbie did a great job switching from one interesting character to another and built up to an ending that deserved the mounting tension in the series. They didn't shy away from difficult subject matter either where it was necessary. Awesome!

Okay - now leave me a comment and I will pick a random winner for the book. Deadline is next week, Sunday. I'll announce the winner on Monday. I like to make it as easy as possible, but even though you don't get extra entries, I'd appreciate you spreading the word! 

DAMNED: A Chat With the Vampire Antonio

I am thrilled to present my contribution to the DAMNED book tour - the second in the CRUSADE series from New York Times best selling authors Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie. Hang around because at the end of this post are details about how YOU can win an ARC of DAMNED. My own vampire did a review of the first book, but this time Antonio *coughs hot* himself has come to visit. And talk about conflicted, Antonio is a vampire, but he is also studying to be a priest.

1. Welcome, Antonio. Let's get right to it. Is it difficult being a vampire?
Si.  It is the most difficult thing in the world.  I have to struggle every moment to not forget myself, to not let the demon out.  I have prayed countless times to have this curse lifted from me and one day I believe God will answer and will save me.

2. Is it really a vampire’s nature to be evil?
Absolutely evil, por supuesto.  We are called the Cursed Ones for a reason.  Twice I have fallen prey to the darkness of my nature, and when I was in the grip of the bloodlust, there was no impulse inside me to be good.  None.  I reveled in my inhumanity.  I murdered innocent people, and I relished their torment.

3. *shifts uneasily* What do you think of the romanticized version of vampires in today’s teen literature?
I think they are dangerous because girls like Jenn believe that they can love a monster like me and it will turn out with a happy ending.  At the same time I wish it was like those stories.  I’m grateful that God blessed me with the calling to become a priest.  My vow of chastity creates a boundary between Jenn and me.  

4. If you had one wish, what would it be?To destroy the vampire scurge and free the earth from bondage.  If I could have a second wish, it would be to live as a human man again.  But first, humanity must be free of this horrible curse.  

5. What do you hope people will get out of reading this blog?
I hope that more people will join our cause.  The time has come to fight.  No matter how afraid you are, how isolated, or how insignificant you feel, nothing could be farther from the truth.  It only takes one person to make a stand and change lives forever.  Por favor, join the Crusade.

6. How do you feel about Nancy and Debbie, considering what they are putting you through? Do you have a message for them?
I wish they would let Jenn be free of her feelings for me and the fear she feels for her family.  I would suffer any and all cruelties, humiliations, and punishments at the señoras’ hands if they would only free Jenn to love and fight and be everything Father Juan and I know she can be.


Very selfless of you, Antonio. Thank you for joining us and spreading the word.
And now to the contest! Just leave a comment below in support of Antonio with your email address so I can contact the winner. If you blog or tweet about it leave a link. I'll give you an extra entry for each one up to five! Oh and since the ARC is courtesy of Simon and Schuster, the contest is open internationally! Yay! That's it. Good luck.I'll post the winner next Thursday.

Check out the other stops on the DAMNED book tour here.

CRUSADE Review and Contest

I recently had the incredible opportunity to read the ARC for CRUSADE by New York Times best selling authors Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié, and interviewed Debbie right here on Enchanted Inkpot about the book and what it's like to coauthor with Nancy.

Well, it isn't like me not share the wealth. At the end of this post I will offer you a chance to win the very ARC mentioned above. But in the meantime, I've invited my friend, the vampire Julian, to do a review for us here on Paranormal Point of View. I figured, I could give you my perspective (and if you stick around I will) but why not have a vampire review a vampire book?

So Julian, What did you think?

I found the book a fascinating imagining of what might happen if vampires took control of the world. It was quite thrilling really. I felt for the characters, particularly Antonio. But I do have grave concerns about this book's potential to create fear of an otherwise law-abiding community.

You mean vampires?

Precisely, Lisa. The vampires in this book, on the whole, are rather, well, nasty. Now, I am sure there are some among my kind (I can think of a few off the top of my head) who would not hesitate to make a grab for power if such an opportunity arose. However, I have to believe the great majority of us would fit right in.

So, then, is Twilight a more realistic interpretation of vampire society?

*Glares*

I take that as a "no."

I do not sparkle.

I can see that.

Nor do I compete with werewolves for territory. Or my girlfriend.

I'm sorry if I offended you.

No. It is all right. I suppose someone must speak up. But the thing is, these books are labeled fantasy for a reason. I much prefer CRUSADE to that other book anyway. There is much more action. It still has a very good love story - yes a bit of romance does not threaten my masculinity. And it is nothing like the "typical" vampire books on the shelves today. As long as people do not take it too seriously and start hating vampires, I can recommend it.

I can understand your concern, Julian.

Thank you. You wouldn't want a book about evil writers taking over the world out there, would you?

Hmm. *Gets lost in possibility*

Thank you for inviting me over today, and for allowing me to read this book.

Thank you, Julian. Now, what did I think? I thought it was great! Readers of WICKED will love that there are still witches in this universe, and there is a lot of kick-butt action, which I always enjoy. The characters are diverse and interesting. And as Julian so rightly pointed out, this is NOT your typical vampire story.

So you want to win the ARC? Great! Just be a follower - old or new, I don't care. Then pass the word through a tweet or blog. Then leave me a comment with a way to contact you (email) and - here's the big thing - a reason you still love vampires or why you think vampire books will never truly die, or if neither of those apply, why you want this book. The most creative comment will get an extra entry!

GOOD LUCK!!