Hello Bite Club! I am Angie Nickell, and I am excited to join your
group! I have been reading horror, sci-fi, and fantasy since I was in
middle school, and I watch a lot of nerdy-fun television shows and
films. So, I can't wait to share some of the things that I
love with you.
Let me tell you a bit about myself. I'm originally
from the Midwest, but I am currently living in Arizona. I am a mother
(to a teenager) and a military wife, and I have a degree in paralegal
studies. I have a ton of hobbies, including: painting, photography,
writing science fiction and horror short stories, creating steampunk
weapons and jewelery, cosplaying, and doing zombie make-up for local
zombie-walks. Whenever I have time and money, I go to any type of comic,
anime, writer, or steampunk convention that I can.
When I'm not
"nerding-out" I spend most of my time with my family and pets. I have a
Pom-a-poo (Pomeranian-Poodle) named Mr. Tankertons, who is ridiculously
adorable, and has been featured on The Fluffington Post. I also have a
cat, named Twitch, who is equally adorable, but thinks posing for photos
is for suckers. I am part of a Relay For Life team, so I devote many
volunteer hours to that. Additionally, I write a blog of my own- Logical Waffles- just discussing any topics that interest me.
I
am pretty open-minded, and I have a sense of humor. I enjoy books and
film that excite me, scare me, make me think, make me laugh, or maybe
even change the way I view the world. My goal is to bring some of those
things to you, in the hopes that you will enjoy them as much as I do. I
look forward to meeting you here at Bite Club!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
interesting bits, upcoming books, and highly anticipated movies, comics and games
I've been collecting little bits here and there, off the web, from my FB feed, and from my comic store, all so I could share them with you!
*Colleen Gleason has a new Gardella spin-off coming out this week on June 18th called, Roaring Midnight, I CANNOT wait to get my greedy little paws on it! I've got one word for you...Sebastian!!!! I loved the Regency Draculia series, her Joss Ware post-apocalypse books are out of this world (I am reading Night Resurrected right now), and I am dying to try The Shop of Shades and Secrets (Romantic suspense) plus, Sanctuary of Roses (medieval) looks awesome. I am officially making this summer "Read Colleen" so I have a chance to catch up on all her stuff.
From NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason, the long-awaited spin-off of the international bestselling Gardella Vampire Chronicles.
Amid the glitzy age of Jazz, when gangsters and bootleggers control the cities, there lies another, more insidious threat ... the undead.
Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving.
Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight.
As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy.
Slipping into speakeasies and sampling bootlegged whiskeys, dodging gangster gunfire and trying to keep her nosy landlady from finding the stakes in her flat, Macey Gardella must navigate through a world of stunning violence, passionate romance, and dark betrayal.
Website:
http://www.colleengleason.com/home.html
*Also, on June 18th is the much anticipated release of Neil Gaiman's Ocean at the End of the Lane, which I hear is a closely personal story that he wrote for his wife, the amazing musician, Amanda Palmer. Since I have never read a Gaiman book that I didn't like, and because he is an author that I will shell out the bucks for a hardcover copy, I went ahead and pre-ordered mine a few months ago, but if you didn't do that then I suggest you beat feet over to the bookstore, or favorite online retailer, and pick up your copy while they're hot!
Website:
http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Ocean+at+the+End+of+the+Lane/ed/371/
*Arkham Origins releases on October 25, 2013 and if you pre-order now you get to play Deathstroke! Yes, I am a total Batman nerdgirl:)
*Man of Steel is out! Nothing else is necessary, except to say, "Go order your movie tickets!" I'm actually going to splurge and go to an actual theater for this, much like we do for any superhero movie.
*In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am crazy for superheroes and I don't just love games and movies. Comics are a great way to immerse yourself in some of the most exceptional worldbuilding out there, and in my case, I like taking my kids over to the local comic shop, for us it's Heroes and Villains, so we can each pick out a title or two. My daughter goes straight for the Dr. Who and My Little Pony section, while my son chooses Star Wars or the Blue Beetle. Both Flyboy and I into the classic Superman and Batman. We just picked up Batman: Year Zero and Superman Unchained...awesome!
Here's an interesting article from The NY Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/pioneering-gimmick-superman-unchained-1-article-1.1370604
And here's a review for Batman from Newsarama.com:
http://www.newsarama.com/18062-best-shots-advanced-review-batman-21-zero-year-part-1.html
*Now it's back to books because there is just so many good books out there right now and if I can't read them all then I think others should have the chance to try. First up, is a mention for a series that have a soft spot for: The Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill, the first of which happens to be the first book I ever reviewed (Some Girls Bite). I am behind by a couple books but that doesn't stop me from wanting. Biting Bad is out on August 6th and after reading this sneak peak I fully intend to catch up on the series before Biting Bad hits store shelves! You can read the first chapter here.
Something More Than Friends- a clandestine hookup in the front seat of a car is anything but casual as two friends simmer with emotion while hiding their secret affair from the rest of the world.
Sun Worship- The heat brings out primal urges in Gina, urges she can't control as the hot summer sun beats down upon her bare skin. The things she does to appease her needs...while her neighbor, Joe, secretly watches.
Lawn Service- Serena's lonely life combined with the relentless summer heat has her aching for something sinful. Her wishes are granted when Rob, a sexy lawn service technician, shows up to get her yard in shape for her annual 4th of July party.
A Hot and Sticky Summer Night- a young couple plagued by boredom on a hot summer night drive around looking for something fun to do. They end up making love in the woods... and it's anything but boring.
Not Another One Night Stand- Rebecca has been watching Damon at the nightclub for weeks. One night she finally works up the courage to approach him...and he goes home with her. But will it simply be a one night stand? Or could it be so much more?
That's all for now! I'd love to hear your thoughts on any, or all, of this stuff! What are you looking forward to this week?
*Colleen Gleason has a new Gardella spin-off coming out this week on June 18th called, Roaring Midnight, I CANNOT wait to get my greedy little paws on it! I've got one word for you...Sebastian!!!! I loved the Regency Draculia series, her Joss Ware post-apocalypse books are out of this world (I am reading Night Resurrected right now), and I am dying to try The Shop of Shades and Secrets (Romantic suspense) plus, Sanctuary of Roses (medieval) looks awesome. I am officially making this summer "Read Colleen" so I have a chance to catch up on all her stuff.
From NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason, the long-awaited spin-off of the international bestselling Gardella Vampire Chronicles.
Amid the glitzy age of Jazz, when gangsters and bootleggers control the cities, there lies another, more insidious threat ... the undead.
Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving.
Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight.
As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy.
Slipping into speakeasies and sampling bootlegged whiskeys, dodging gangster gunfire and trying to keep her nosy landlady from finding the stakes in her flat, Macey Gardella must navigate through a world of stunning violence, passionate romance, and dark betrayal.
Website:
http://www.colleengleason.com/home.html
*Also, on June 18th is the much anticipated release of Neil Gaiman's Ocean at the End of the Lane, which I hear is a closely personal story that he wrote for his wife, the amazing musician, Amanda Palmer. Since I have never read a Gaiman book that I didn't like, and because he is an author that I will shell out the bucks for a hardcover copy, I went ahead and pre-ordered mine a few months ago, but if you didn't do that then I suggest you beat feet over to the bookstore, or favorite online retailer, and pick up your copy while they're hot!
Website:
http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Ocean+at+the+End+of+the+Lane/ed/371/
*Arkham Origins releases on October 25, 2013 and if you pre-order now you get to play Deathstroke! Yes, I am a total Batman nerdgirl:)
*Man of Steel is out! Nothing else is necessary, except to say, "Go order your movie tickets!" I'm actually going to splurge and go to an actual theater for this, much like we do for any superhero movie.
*In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am crazy for superheroes and I don't just love games and movies. Comics are a great way to immerse yourself in some of the most exceptional worldbuilding out there, and in my case, I like taking my kids over to the local comic shop, for us it's Heroes and Villains, so we can each pick out a title or two. My daughter goes straight for the Dr. Who and My Little Pony section, while my son chooses Star Wars or the Blue Beetle. Both Flyboy and I into the classic Superman and Batman. We just picked up Batman: Year Zero and Superman Unchained...awesome!
Here's an interesting article from The NY Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/pioneering-gimmick-superman-unchained-1-article-1.1370604
And here's a review for Batman from Newsarama.com:
http://www.newsarama.com/18062-best-shots-advanced-review-batman-21-zero-year-part-1.html
*Now it's back to books because there is just so many good books out there right now and if I can't read them all then I think others should have the chance to try. First up, is a mention for a series that have a soft spot for: The Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill, the first of which happens to be the first book I ever reviewed (Some Girls Bite). I am behind by a couple books but that doesn't stop me from wanting. Biting Bad is out on August 6th and after reading this sneak peak I fully intend to catch up on the series before Biting Bad hits store shelves! You can read the first chapter here.
*Next up is perhaps the naughtiest book cover I have ever seen and if the cover is any indication of the contents then count me in! See for yourself! Roxanne Rhoads, from Fang-tastic Books and Bewitching Book Tours, has a new book available now titled A Hot and Sinful Summer.
Five sinfully seductive tales of scorching summer trysts grace the pages of this short story collection.
Something More Than Friends- a clandestine hookup in the front seat of a car is anything but casual as two friends simmer with emotion while hiding their secret affair from the rest of the world.
Sun Worship- The heat brings out primal urges in Gina, urges she can't control as the hot summer sun beats down upon her bare skin. The things she does to appease her needs...while her neighbor, Joe, secretly watches.
Lawn Service- Serena's lonely life combined with the relentless summer heat has her aching for something sinful. Her wishes are granted when Rob, a sexy lawn service technician, shows up to get her yard in shape for her annual 4th of July party.
A Hot and Sticky Summer Night- a young couple plagued by boredom on a hot summer night drive around looking for something fun to do. They end up making love in the woods... and it's anything but boring.
Not Another One Night Stand- Rebecca has been watching Damon at the nightclub for weeks. One night she finally works up the courage to approach him...and he goes home with her. But will it simply be a one night stand? Or could it be so much more?
That's all for now! I'd love to hear your thoughts on any, or all, of this stuff! What are you looking forward to this week?
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Spooktacular Sunday Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she's the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.
But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses.
Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king's army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she's not alone. She's armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can't stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?
Jenny's review:
Kyra is a trained potions master, who has an extremely high knowledge of all things poison. She is on the run because she tried to kill her best friend and princess Ariana. Kyra knows that she tried to do the right thing because she had a vision in which she saw that Ariana would destroy the kingdom. As she is on the run she meets Fred. Fred is an annoying young man that she must rely on but she tries to ditch him at every turn. As the palace guards and her former potion master friends get closer to finding her she must find a way to tell people that what they know is not true.
This was one of the BEST books I have read in a long time. I was instantly engaged and really did not want to put it down. I loved that the character Kyra knew what she had to do, and was willing to sacrifice whatever to save the kingdom she loved. I thought that the relationship between Kyra and Fred was fun and classic. When I got to the end of the book I wanted more from this wonderful author. Then, I read the back author bio and found out that not only was this her only book, but unfortunately the author passed away before this book even was published. Defiantly this book is a must read. http://www.bridgetzinn.com/index.php
I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-142313993-5
This review was originally published at Jenny's blog:
http://ateacherreads.blogspot.com/2013/05/poison.html
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Midnight Enchantment
Nancy Gideon helped to create the subgenre of vampire romance as we know it, beginning with MIDNIGHT KISS (1994). Her sensual love stories set in varied historical periods and locations feature classic supernatural vampires torn between their dark destiny and their love for the human heroines. Although some recurring characters appear in her “Midnight” novels, each can be read on its own.
After the first few “Midnight” books, the series moved from a mass market paperback publisher to a small press (Imajinn). MIDNIGHT ENCHANTMENT (1999) is one of the Imajinn trade paperback novels. Gerard Pasquale, an ancient vampire in 19th-century New Orleans, finds his privacy invaded by a greedy young lawyer. Percy Cristobel blackmails the wealthy Gerard into marrying Percy’s stepsister, Laure. Raped by an abusive former suitor and burdened by the scandal of her family's voodoo heritage, Laure welcomes the chance for refuge in marriage to a man she visualizes as a reclusive invalid. Gerard's virility and his enigmatic nature come as a shock. At first the vampire assumes that Laure shares her stepbrother's mercenary goals, but of course she thaws his cold heart, and the newlyweds soon fall in love. Their relationship is complicated by the discovery that Laure carries her rapist's child, while Percy and one of Laure's own relatives, a power-mad voodoo priestess, conspire to murder the couple.
The unusual variation on the "marriage of convenience" plot grabbed my attention from the beginning. I also enjoyed the concept of a vampire as foster father to a human baby. Although typical of vampire romance heroes from the early 1990s in his self-isolating bitterness and anguish, Gerard is a strong character who, at least, doesn't spend much time feeling sorry for himself. Laure, with her loving compassion and innate magical talent, proves a worthy match for him. Their story evokes echoes of Beauty and the Beast.
Margaret L. Carter
Carter's CryptThursday, June 13, 2013
Blog Tour: Don't Bite the Bridesmaid
I'm a bit late in getting this one up and ready to go, which seems to be the story of my life these days, but I'm stoked about this one because I actually had the chance to read it already and I loved it! My review should be part of the Romantic Times Book Reviews Magazine (RT) September issue and I will link back to it once I get the a-okay. Don't Bite the Bridesmaid has a little something for everyone: a slightly dysfunctional family that sings karaoke together, an ex-boyfriend that is deceitful and phony, an extremely sexy neighbor that happens to be a vampire, all wrapped in a light paranormal romance.
Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
Book Description:
Alice Shepard needs one thing: a date for her sister's wedding. And not just any date. A hunk who will make her fiancé rue the day he left her for her best friend. Her drop-dead gorgeous neighbor fits the bill—even if he is a bit quirky and never comes out during the day—and Alice has downed just enough appletinis to ask him. But she makes it quite clear that there will be no funny business.
Spending a week on a cruise ship full of humans while sleeping close to his sexy next-door neighbor sounds like a helluva bad idea to vampire Noah Thorpe. But his friends need time to get him out of a shotgun wedding—a vampire bonding that will tie his fate to a female vampire he's never met. And Alice's offer comes at just the right time.
What could possibly go wrong?
Short Excerpt:
“That sounded like it hurt,” he said, kneeling in front of her and taking her foot into his hand.
“It’s fine. I’m just a klutz.”
Her toe throbbed slightly, calling her a liar with every beat of her pulse. He grinned at her red toe. “You didn’t seem like a klutz on the volleyball court today. I think you were trying to hide your blush. No doubt, terribly perverse thoughts about me were flying through your head.”
She gaped at him.
“Your toe is fine,” he announced, but he didn’t release her foot. He looked up and met her eyes, and the intensity of his gaze swept over her. Desire hit her like a bag of bricks, a swift blow that robbed her of her breath and made her whole body ache.
“I was thinking no such things,” she said, wishing her breathlessness didn’t give her away.
“Liar.”
“We aren’t right for each other. And what happened last night isn’t happening again.” It wasn’t. It couldn’t. There was no way she’d be able to stop things again like she did the night before. Not if he kept looking at her like that. And he was a vampire, just like Olivia. And she’d run off after swearing to love her brother forever. What would stop Noah from doing the same?
Vampires weren’t normal people. She had to remember that.
“You’re right. We aren’t right for each other.”
Anger flashed through her, fanning her desire in a most annoying way. The greatest defense is a
good offense. “We’re not. In fact, I can’t think of anyone less suitable for me.”
“Oh?” He quirked an eyebrow at her and she ignored it. How could he look so scrumptious and be so annoying at the same time?
“No. Besides, I’m not looking to be tied down.”
A feral grin blossomed on his face. “Don’t worry, Miss Shepard, if I tied you down I’d be sure to untie you in the morning.
About the Author: CPA-turned-romance-author Tiffany Allee used to battle spreadsheets in Corporate America, and now concentrates on her characters’ battles to find love. Raised in small-town Colorado, Tiffany currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver. She is happily married to a secret romantic who tolerates her crazy mutterings.
She writes about ass-kicking heroines and the strong heroes who love them. Her work includes the suspense-driven From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series which revolves around a group of paranormal cops solving crimes and finding love, and Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid, a lighthearted paranormal romance (Entangled Publishing).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortiffanyallee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiffanyAllee
Website: http://tiffanyallee.com/
Blog: http://tiffanyallee.com/blog/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
Alice Shepard needs one thing: a date for her sister's wedding. And not just any date. A hunk who will make her fiancé rue the day he left her for her best friend. Her drop-dead gorgeous neighbor fits the bill—even if he is a bit quirky and never comes out during the day—and Alice has downed just enough appletinis to ask him. But she makes it quite clear that there will be no funny business.
Spending a week on a cruise ship full of humans while sleeping close to his sexy next-door neighbor sounds like a helluva bad idea to vampire Noah Thorpe. But his friends need time to get him out of a shotgun wedding—a vampire bonding that will tie his fate to a female vampire he's never met. And Alice's offer comes at just the right time.
What could possibly go wrong?
Short Excerpt:
“That sounded like it hurt,” he said, kneeling in front of her and taking her foot into his hand.
“It’s fine. I’m just a klutz.”
Her toe throbbed slightly, calling her a liar with every beat of her pulse. He grinned at her red toe. “You didn’t seem like a klutz on the volleyball court today. I think you were trying to hide your blush. No doubt, terribly perverse thoughts about me were flying through your head.”
She gaped at him.
“Your toe is fine,” he announced, but he didn’t release her foot. He looked up and met her eyes, and the intensity of his gaze swept over her. Desire hit her like a bag of bricks, a swift blow that robbed her of her breath and made her whole body ache.
“I was thinking no such things,” she said, wishing her breathlessness didn’t give her away.
“Liar.”
“We aren’t right for each other. And what happened last night isn’t happening again.” It wasn’t. It couldn’t. There was no way she’d be able to stop things again like she did the night before. Not if he kept looking at her like that. And he was a vampire, just like Olivia. And she’d run off after swearing to love her brother forever. What would stop Noah from doing the same?
Vampires weren’t normal people. She had to remember that.
“You’re right. We aren’t right for each other.”
Anger flashed through her, fanning her desire in a most annoying way. The greatest defense is a
good offense. “We’re not. In fact, I can’t think of anyone less suitable for me.”
“Oh?” He quirked an eyebrow at her and she ignored it. How could he look so scrumptious and be so annoying at the same time?
“No. Besides, I’m not looking to be tied down.”
A feral grin blossomed on his face. “Don’t worry, Miss Shepard, if I tied you down I’d be sure to untie you in the morning.
About the Author: CPA-turned-romance-author Tiffany Allee used to battle spreadsheets in Corporate America, and now concentrates on her characters’ battles to find love. Raised in small-town Colorado, Tiffany currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver. She is happily married to a secret romantic who tolerates her crazy mutterings.
She writes about ass-kicking heroines and the strong heroes who love them. Her work includes the suspense-driven From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series which revolves around a group of paranormal cops solving crimes and finding love, and Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid, a lighthearted paranormal romance (Entangled Publishing).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortiffanyallee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiffanyAllee
Website: http://tiffanyallee.com/
Blog: http://tiffanyallee.com/blog/
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