I sometimes have a hard time objectively evaluating cover reveals for beloved series (how can you untangle the adrenaline of a new book coming out from the cover itself?).  This week I didn’t give many thumbs down, but my affection for the Sookie Stackhouse series as a whole couldn’t overcome the unfortunate scene depicted on book #12.  To balance that disappointment, however,there was a rare “bare chest with floating animal” cover that actually got a thumbs up. Enjoy!

**Visit Tynga’s Reviews today for her PSF Guest blog & Giveaway with Alyson Noel author of DARK FLAME**

My guest today is author Robin D. Owens, creator of the paranormal Heart series set in the world Celta which she is here to tell us all about. Robin has also generously offered to giveaway an entire set of Heart books (8 titles!) including an ARC for the upcoming HEART JOURNEY which releases on August 3, 2010. Details below.

Robin D. Owens has been writing longer than she cares to recall. Her book, HeartMate, was the first futuristic-fantasy romantic adventure published by Jove in it's Magical Love line. It won the RITA for Best Paranormal Romance and finalled in Best First Book. She credits the telepathic cat with attitude in selling that book. Her Luna Books series includes shape-shifting fairies and average American women Summoned into another world to fight monstrous evil. She has been the librarian, contest co-chair, and President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

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by
Robin D. Owens

I’m Robin D. Owens and I write futuristic/fantasy romance for Berkley (the "Heart" series), and fantasy with romantic subplot for Luna.

I’ve been asked to write about Celta, the setting of my Heart series. Celta was colonized by people with psi power on Earth, though they have long lost contact with the mother planet...and the psi has pretty much morphed into magic, which I call Flair.

The other main component of the series is that I have telepathic animal companions, starting with Zanth who strolled into the story on page 5 of HeartMate. He’s a cat with attitude (redundant) and sold the first book. People still like him the best. Trickster, companion, mentor, he played many roles and continues to have cameo appearances.

Other Fam companions who’ve taken the stage are more cats, a puppy, a noble hound, foxes and the very occasional mole. Again, I use the characters for comic relief, as sidekicks, and a wise comment or two.

As I’ve been writing Celta, I’ve learned more about it, and reveal a little more to readers. The oldest and noblest families (descended from those who funded the trip), have sentient houses – and I’ve been showing the development of these.

Since this is my planet, and my rules, there are some things I don’t allow, like baldness. Most consequences of crime are banishments. Celta is hard on the descendants of the colonists. Life is extended (well, it would have to be if a cat lived to be about 50, right?) But on Celta the birthrate is low, occasional waves of sickness happen, and families have been known to die out.

Thus the next part of the Heart series, fated mates. If you have a HeartMate, you might connect to him/her in the three dream quests that free your magic. Families who have welcomed HeartMates have a better birthrate – more children – happier and more stable families. Writing fated mates is a challenge, keeping the conflicts fresh between each couple.

So that’s Celta...drop in some time to read the excerpts of my work.

May you enjoy all the worlds you visit today,
Robin

Thanks so much for stopping by Robin.  Come back anytime!

Visit Robin online:

• Website
• Blog
• Twitter

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Want to read more from Robin D. Owens?

Heart
1. Heart Mate
2. Heart Thief
3. Heart Duel
4. Heart Choice
5. Heart Quest
6. Heart Dance
7. Heart Fate
8. Heart Change
9. Heart Journey

Summoning
1. Guardian of Honor
2. Sorceress of Faith
3. Protector of the Flight
4. Keepers of the Flame
5. Echoes In The Dark

Anthologies
What Dreams May Come

 

Giveaway

Giveaway courtesy of Robin D. Owens 

A complete set of the Heart series (8 books) and an ARC of HEART JOURNEY by Robin D. Owens

Book Description

New in the award-winning series of futuristic romance, fantasy, and sensual adventure.  

Helena, a renowned cartographer, is exploring Celta when she finds out she has a HeartMate. Yearning for a partner, she is drawn to meet him.

Actor Raz Cherry is dedicated to his career. Uninterested in long-term commitments, he ignores an oracle that foretells of his HeartMate.
Though passion ignites, their lifestyles clash. Only when mysterious thefts threaten their families can they overcome the obstacles on their journey to love.

Click HERE  read an excerpt of HEART JOURNEY

GIVEAWAY GUIDLINES

1. Open to US only
2. Fill out the form below
3. Entries for all Paranormal Summer Fest giveaways must be received by Midnight MST on July 4th.  All the giveaways winners will be announced on July 6th.

I would greatly appreciate if you shared this giveaway on your blog or favorite social networks.  And please say hi to Robin. Thanks!

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Interested in Guest Blogging on All Things Urban Fantasy?  CONTACT ME