Blog Tour: Raven's Kiss by Toni Lo Tempio

Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the 

Raven's Kiss blog tour!

I absolutely loved this story! Check out my review HERE!

Please Welcome ~ Toni LoTempio!

All About….TONI LOTEMPIO

Hello!  I’m Toni LoTempio, author of Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense/YA Fantasy!  I’ve been writing ever since I was old enough to read, when I didn’t like the endings of the stories my mother read me I simply rewrote them J  Even though I write mainly in the paranormal genre, I have also written straight horror, as well as contemporary romance/suspense.

In 1995, I joined the staff of SUSABELLA PASSENGERS AND FRIENDS, a pulp magazine for collectors of antique children’s literature (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc.)  Currently I’ve written over 300 articles for that magazine, and I was the first recipient of their Margaret Sutton Award for Distinguished Writing in 1998.  I joined the staff of NIGHT OWL REVIEWS IN January 2011 as the suspense reviewer/columnist.  My column, DARK STREETS, which features articles on suspense authors and their novels, is featured on a monthly basis. I love to spotlight new talent, so if you’re a suspense author, please contact me!

In 2007, Whiskey Creek Press published BOUND BY BLOOD, a tale of possession, and EBONY, which deals with zombies and the dark side of man. EBONY was #2 on the Fictionwise bestseller list for e-books for the month of July 2007, beating out Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story. (and no one was more shocked than I, LOL) In 2010, after countless attempts to land another agent, I took the advice of a fellow author HP Mallory, and self published NO REST FOR THE WICCA, which has been on Amazon’s list of top one hundred in Occult since March 2011.  My short story, THE SACRIFICE, appears in the e-published anthology KISS ME KILL ME, and I also have a YA fantasy, MY SUPERHERO SISTER on B&N and Amazon.  A complete listing of my books appears at the end of this bio.

Currently single, I work full time and live in Clifton, NJ, with  my muses:  Rocco, Maxx, Gata and Trixie.  (Rocco is also known as Rocco the SciFi Blogging Cat and has appeared on the SciFi Saturday Night website and radio show, and also on the Kids Need To Read website where he holds the distinction of being the first (and possibly only!) blogging cat to support this charity!)

I love hearing from fans, so please feel free to friend me on FACEBOOK, and visit my website, www.tonilotempio.webs.com  Rocco and I post daily M-F on his blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

 

Toni LoTempio Books:

Bound by Blood – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, Feb. 2007 (paranormal suspense)

Ebony – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, July 2007 (paranormal suspense)

Witch’s Pawn – Echelon Press, trade paperback & e-book, December 2008 (horror)

Nom de Plume – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, November 2008 (contemporary romance)

It’s in the Cards – Whiskey Creek Press, e-book, February 2010 – (paranormal romance)

Out of the Ashes – Whiskey Creek Press, e-book, May 2010 – Fantasy

No Rest for the Wicca – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, September 2010 – paranormal suspense

My Superhero Sister – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, Trade Paperback - January 2011 – YA Fantasy

Kiss Me, Kill Me – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book anthology –February 2011 – Short Story, “The Sacrifice”Raven’s Kiss – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, & Trade Paperback April, 2011 – Paranormal Romance

My Love Affair with Vampires

By Toni LoTempio, author of RAVEN’S KISS 

AND NO REST FOR THE WICCA

Today I’d like to talk to you all about one of my favorite subjects: Vampires!

I've had a love affair with vampires ever since I saw the original DRACULA with Bela Lugosi when I was a kid.  There was just something about those ebony eyes, sparkling, commanding, as they peered over the rim of his black satin cape, that took my breath away.  In my later years, I was introduced to the world of Stephen King through SALEM'S LOT, which still today remains my very favorite King book.  King took us through the world of vampires with eerie ease, and while the Rob Lowe telemovie was a bit truer to his tome, I have to confess I'll always be partial to the David Soul two parter (who could ever forget Bonnie Bedelia in that coffin, trying to seduce her ex-lover into getting - gasp - THE BITE!

When I was a teenager I was obsessed with a certain gothic soap opera - yes, that's right.  I was - and still am - a confirmed DARK SHADOWS addict.  I've even gone to the conventions!  I was such a freak I even managed to wangle myself an invite down to the studio where I met my biggest star crush of all time - Jonathan Frid.  I was, of course, tongue tied (what do you expect, I was 15) and I think the thing that amazed me most was the fact his real voice was NOTHING LIKE BARNABAS'S! (can't wait to see what Johnny Depp does with this role!)  Ben Cross was good in the 1991 nighttime remake, but oddly - it just wasn't the same, although now I watch the old DVD's and think "they actually got paid for this? Cripes, I can see them looking at the teleprompter!"

But you know what?  I didn't care!

Vampires in paranormal romance today are steamy and sexy, and there really are no hard and fast rules.  Like Angel, some can walk in daylight (just not direct sunlight) some prefer the nightlife, some are just damn bloodthirsty while others fight on the side of humanity.  I have a few vampire heroes in my books - in SOAPSUDS, SEX AND SILVER BULLETS (yet unpublished) Logan Slade is a detective.  In NO REST FOR THE WICCA (indie, published through Amazon, details at the end of this blog)  Cole St. John is a special forces agent for the PFSU - Paranormal Forces Special Unit.  What do these two men have in common, besides hotness, you ask?

They're a breed of vamp known as INHERITOR.

Now, I'd like to take credit for the breed, but I actually came across the information on the Internet.   to wit:

Inheritor vampires TYPE ONE: These vampires are much like the Genetic vampires, except they are born. Like Sanguinarians, the vampire trait will lay dormant inside them until around the age of 13 - 26, when they awaken. When they body reaches the late stages of puberty, it releases a chemical which awakens the vampire and begins many physical changes in the body. As a result of this, most Inheritors look around 19 - 20 years old their whole life. Most of the time the parents of the vampire will be human and vampire, or both vampires. There must be one vampire parent. Inheritor vampires live to around the age of 350-400 years old.

Inheritor vampire TYPE 2: Sanguinarians are the "mortal version" of the Inheritor vampires. They still require and crave blood, are sensitive to sunlight, and have many of the traits the Inheritor and Classical vampires have. However . However, Sanguinarians do not live much longer then the average human being.

Of course, to make it my own, I've taken some liberties - my Inheritor vamps are more human than humans, and age to a VERY HOT mid-30's, but you get the idea.  There are more types of vampires out there than just the typical Dracula/Barnabas sleep in the coffin during the day rise at night to suck a maiden's blood type.  As a matter of fact, that type (referred to now as a "classical") is getting pretty passé.  After all, didn’t' Angel show us just how a vampire can survive among humans, and how hot one can be?

The mystique of "the bite" never changes. Considered the ultimate sexual experience, in old lore people thought after 3 bites the victim turned into a vampire.  Other mythology had the victim rising as a vamp after the vampire drained them of their blood.  Another way to "turn" someone was to bite them, then have them drink their blood.

In summation, there are no hard and fast rules concerning vamps anymore - or any other type of creature for that matter!  and isn't that great for us writers!  We can create whole new worlds of vampiric hotness for you, the reader! (and for us, too!)

In my b0ok, NO REST FOR THE WICCA, half-Wiccan witch Morgan Hawkes is recruited by the PSFU to help solve a string of murders with a voodoo slant (yes, her other half is voodoo, if you haven't guessed).  Cole St. John's a hot, hottie Inheritor Vampire, and I’m not being prejudiced (read some of the reviews on my site if you want).  so if you're interested in another type of hot vamp, I hope you'll give NO REST a whirl!

My latest, Raven’s Kiss, doesn’t have a vamp in it – not a one!  Raven’s a Shapeshifter, and Finn is a Mento – Mind Reader – and the two of them can travel through time, both ours and parallel.  Although I wouldn’t rule out them meeting up with a hunky Inheritor Vamp in a sequel, one day….

Happy reading!

my website: www.tonilotempio.webs.com

my blog: http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

to find out more about types of vampires:

 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_there_many_types_of_vampires#ixzz166aONWLg

Thanks for stopping by!

The next stop ~ June 17 – Nyx Book Reviews http://nyxbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Review: A Warrior's Witch by Stacey Kennedy

A Warrior's Witch by Stacey Kennedy

*I received this book (digital copy) in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.

Amazon Product Description:

Murder has brought Talon, Master of Guardians, as well as Zia, his witch and Master of Witches, to Chicago. The manner of death appears to be a suicide, but Talon is far from ready to close the case. To avenge the Guardian linked to his past, he agrees to take on the assignment, and find her killer.

As they dive deeper into the investigation, they find themselves entering a world where BDSM is the norm. A lifestyle that Zia is uncomfortable with and, rattled by this new development, she is more than ready to return to the Otherworld. But their investigation quickly takes an unexpected twist when they discover that they’re not only hunting a killer but also someone who is controlling supernaturals in Chicago.

Their mission not only brings danger, but also forces Talon to deal with decades old guilt that corrodes his soul. Every event that unfolds only deepens his fight and pushes him to face an ultimate choice—what is more important—his duty to the Otherworld or the witch he holds closest to his heart?


My thoughts:
What does it take to make a person truly realize what is most important?  
In this fast-paced, edge of your seat romance/adventure/thriller we are taken on a journey with Talon and Zia and in the end we are allowed to learn the answer.
Stacey Kennedy has created a host of fabulous characters.  They are well planned and carefully constructed.  The story flows so well that it seemed to run like a movie through my head while I read.  I found myself drawn into the story and the characters.   If only every couple believed in each other so much and knew each other so well...
This is a wonderfully told, well written story of love, honor, duty, and morals.  It is the story of the struggle to balance those four ideals and the sacrifices made to do so. 

Review: Raven's Kiss by Toni lo Tempio

Raven's Kiss by Toni Lo Tempio

*I received this book (digital copy) at no charge in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.

Amazon Product Description:

Raven Grace was a college senior with ambitions of a career in law enforcement when she met the demon Aega, whose bite turned her from mortal to Shapeshifter. Now a member of the Recovery Organization, Raven keeps the peace between humans and errant Hellhounds, trolls, wizards and the like while trying to track down Aega and bring him to justice. After a particularly dicey encounter one night with a Hellhound, she goes to the aid of a girl who’s been attacked and near death—and is amazed to find Aega’s bite mark on the girl’s arm. Determined to get to the bottom of this, she revisits the victim’s apartment and there discovers her closet is a portal to a parallel universe, where people she knows lead vastly different lives. She also gets a glimpse of the Recovery Captain there—a six foot, redheaded Scotsman named Finn McPhee, whose sexy accent and even sexier bod sets her senses aflame. Seeking answers, Finn takes Raven to the magickal underworld, where an ancient fae informs them the demon’s quest is rooted in Scottish mythology and magick. As they delve deeper into legend, the truth comes to light—Aega is only a pawn, subservient to another, darker demon…a being who knows the truth about Raven’s heritage, and who orchestrated her return to this parallel universe for the ultimate showdown. Now, Finn and Raven find their passion for one another must take a backseat to Raven’s battle with a dark force who won’t be satisfied until he’s claimed her soul for his very own…

My Thoughts:

I LOVED this story!  This story grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until I had closed the cover after finishing the whole book!  I was captivated by both the story and the characters.  

This is a story like nothing I have read - the author gives us parallel time coupled with modern day living and then adds in paranormals, ancient prophecies, mythology, and romance!  What more could a reader want?  

The entire book is excellent.  

The characters are wonderfully planned and carefully created - - in both times.  The author has given each person, with the exception of a few, a completely alternate life.  I was thrilled with the differences and similarities between each of the characters in each of the times.  

Raven is great!  Bitten by a demon and turned into a Shapeshifter, she is the unlikeliest of heroines.  Sassy and tough on the outside, but unsure and troubled on the inside.

Finn, well what can a girl say about Finn...he is apparently every woman's dream. Sexy, dedicated, family oriented, loyal, attractive, and wealthy, all rolled up into a man with an accent to make you drool.  

The secondary characters are as well-developed as the main characters and each one lends to the story as a whole.  My favorite supporting characters is Gwencha, without her something would be lost.  

In short - wonderfully written, creatively told...a must read for those who enjoy a great story that fits into a variety of areas.  Highly recommended!  

Be sure to head over to Amazon where you can get this FANTASTIC READ for a mere $0.99.

Review: No One to Trust by Julie Moffett

No One To Trust by Julie Moffett

***NetGalley boo
Publication Date: June 13, 2011

Amazon Product Description:
SWFG: Single, White, Female, Geek.

That's me, Lexi Carmichael, a reformed hacker who was gainfully employed by the National Security Agency. But a series of extraordinary events led me to leave government life behind for a fresh start with a brand-new company and an incredibly sexy boss, Finn Shaughnessy. It may not be kosher to have the hots for your boss, but he seems to have the hots for me, too. If only things didn't get so complicated...

Darren Greening, a genius researcher from Flow Technologies (our first client!) is missing, and his bosses think I'm involved. And they aren't the only ones—the man who nearly snapped my neck in the parking garage thinks so, too.

Now I'm caught in the middle of a complex and dangerous case. I'll have to use all my geek skills and a little help from my friends to solve the mystery of Darren's disappearance before Neck-Snapping-Man makes a return visit...

My thoughts:
This was a good story.  The idea of nanotechnology and energy replacement is fantastic.  I was thrilled that the good guy was a geeky techno freak girl.  That her boss is a sexy, attractive, millionaire Irishman is a huge bonus.  
Julie Moffett creates an intriguing story filled with realistic characters and sets it in today's world with today's issues.  I can't wait to read more stories about Lexi!

Looking for ADULT bloggers to help with a blog tour!

I am planning to host my very first blog tour - very informal - but must be 18 or over.  

The author is Leanore Elliott.  Click HERE to go to her website.  She has written a number of erotic paranormal romances.  She is willing to offer each participating blogger a free ecopy of the book they wish to review.  She is interested in guest posting, interviews, reviews, and giveaways.  I am hoping to have 13 (obviously from the banner) blogs, I will be the first stop, each blog will be able to offer a giveaway.  The hosting bloggers as well as the giveaway winners can be international as all the books will be eformat.  You can check out my reivews HERE!

If you are interested in being a part of this event, please fill out the form!  Thanks so much.  

Review: The Naked Truth by Lilly Cain

The Naked Truth by Lilly Cain

***33,000 word eARC from NetGalley
Publication date: 6/13/11

Amazon Product Description:
Captain Susan Branscombe was the victim of brutal torture at the hands of terrorists. Though rescued, she's now facing an equally brutal accusation: treason.

The only way she can prove her innocence is to allow Asler Kiis, a Confederacy Examiner, to delve into the depths of her mind. Asler is Inarri, the alien race that made contact with Earth just months before. His duty is to find the truth, but when he explores Susan's mind he can't resist drawing her into a more intimate experience.

Susan takes comfort in Asler's heated sensuality. Their erotic sensory exploration chases away the darkness and her body aches for more. But as their desire reaches new limits Susan finds it difficult to suppress the memories she is desperate to forget.

Is the passion they share enough to let Susan push aside her fear and trust Asler, not only with her mind and body but with her ever-opening heart?

My Thoughts:
Creatively clever story!  The characters are incredible.  Asler Kiis, although an alien, is the man we all wish we had, of course we wish this deep down inside and don't tell.  He is everything a person can be in all ways: physically attractive, mentally gifted, emotionally stable, and psychologically secure.  Susan Branscombe is the tough, rugged, patriotic, independent, dedicated woman we all try our best to be as often as we can.  That she is damaged both physically and mentally from being tortured is what brings her into contact with Kiis, and then opens her up to the opportunity to learn more about both herself and him (also the possibility of a relationship beyond just sex).  The physical characteristics of the Inarri are described in such detail that I found myself seeing vivid pictures as I read the story.  
The setting is mainly on space crafts of one kind or another and the technology on-board is the stuff of a gifted imagination.  During the mind joining sessions between Susan and Kiis, we are shown glimpses into the world of the Inarri which is described so well that it is easy for the reader to keep the movie-like picture of the story going. We are also given small bits about where Susan is from, but only in a broad spectrum kind of way.
The storyline is one of a science fiction action adventure meets hot alien romance!  The styles of the aliens compared with the human military are what I imagine they would truly be if there were aliens.  It was easy for me to invest myself in the plot.  
*The story was well done all the way around.  This was a one sitting read for me - I couldn't put it down!  I loved the ending and can hardly wait for more books in this series!