Don’t miss your chance to win.  Just view the contest here and answer the question.  Terry will be picking a winner later today :)

 

Book Blurb: In this third in the series, wildlife photographer Tessa Anderson must prove her brother innocent of murder charges. But when she discovers a gorgeous naked man barely alive on her beach, she's got a new world of troubles to deal with, not least of which is how he affects her with just a look, a touch, or a whispered word. Hunter Greymore is a lupus garou, a grey werewolf. Hoping to keep a low profile at Tessa's cabin on the coast, he's drawn into her life—and into her bed. His animal instincts war with his human half, but in the end, the only thing he can do about this fascinating, adorable woman is to leave her forever —unless she becomes one of them.

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Book Blurb: Now Briggs begins an extraordinary new series set in Mercy Thompson’s world—but with rules of its own. INTRODUCING THE ALPHA AND OMEGA NOVELS...
Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.

 

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Review: While this is officially the first book in the Alpha and Omega series, There was an earlier short story that appeared in the anthology On the Prowl called Alpha and Omega that occurs chronologically before Cry Wolf that introduces the main characters and details the circumstances surrounding Anna’s becoming a werewolf.  Briggs does, however, do a good job of bringing new readers up to speed on her character’s back story, so even if you didn’t read the short story first (like me, though it is on my TBR pile) you won’t feel completely lost.

That being said, I wasn’t super excited to read this book for a three reasons: one, I kept wishing that Patricia had written another Mercy Thompson book instead and I half begrudged the time she spend writing Cry Wolf as opposed to more Mercy; two, the werewolf society in Montana had been among my least favorite aspects of the much loved Mercy Thompson books; and third, this book was being considered more of a paranormal romance than an urban fantasy.  And while I like paranormal romances, there is no way of knowing before hand just how much of the book will be devoted to paranormal elements and how much will be romantic elements. 

So that was my mindset when I started Cry Wolf.  What was my mindset when I finished?  I still don't think Patricia Briggs can write a bad book.  I've read and loved all the Mercy Thompson books, and an early straight fantasy called The Hob's Bargain, and now Cry Wolf. Not a bad one in the bunch.  The character of Anna, I think, is going to be hit or miss for a lot of people.  Some might find her too weak and timid to be likable. I was worried myself for awhile as I watched her cower and defer to everyone around her (remember I hadn’t yet read the short story that explained Anna’s history).  But the more I read, the more I saw that Anna possessed a quiet strength that allowed her to survive with the other werewolves and even benefit those around her.

Speaking of those around her, I have always thought Patricia’s world building to one of her best strengths as an author, and even though Anna’s world will be familiar to any of her Mercy fans, there is enough new this time to necessitate paying her that compliment again. The invention of Omega wolf is the best example.  I found the idea of a female counterpart to an Alpha wolf to be fascinating both in concept and execution.  The two compliment beautifully in Patricia Briggs oh so talented hands. And while this book does devote a substantial amount of attention to romance, it is not at the neglect of the paranormal elements.  So while Mercy still occupies the chief position in my heart, it turns out I have more than enough room for Anna.

Sexual Content: Nothing graphic. A brief sex scene is vaguely described.

Ann Aguirre revealed the new cover for the 2nd book in the Corine Solomon series over on Boarders SciFi.  She expresses her concern for the slight deviation from typical urban fantasy covers.  Read the article and chime in.  I personally prefer the standard UF art (my current favorite is the cover for the upcoming Inked anthology). See below for giveaway details.

Unveiling the Art

Today you’re in for a special treat. About a month ago, I got my new cover for Hell Fire, but I saved it so I can unveil it here. This is the cover art for book two in my Corine Solomon series. I like the moodiness of it; they’ve stopped the car at twilight, near a spooky woods (I know the exact scene this represents–it’s near the start of the book), and Corine is understandably creeped out. Once you read it, you will so go, OMG, this is from the cover!

But if you compare it to other urban fantasy titles, you’ll find this is quite different. They went for a more realistic style; they also avoided using tatts or leather, which is cover art shorthand for urban fantasy these days. I’m a little concerned by that choice. While I appreciate they want to create a distinctive brand for me, I’m not sure how new readers are going to find me. People who know of me and know what I write will buy my books regardless. It’s the random browsers I want to reach. And they’re looking for women with tramp stamps, tattoos and leather pants. Never mind that doesn’t really represent the series–it doesn’t in other cases too. But maybe this makes me stand out from the crowd? I’m hoping that’s the case.

I really love Karen Chance’s covers. Patricia Briggs has gorgeous ones too. I think the message of my covers is: this is a different kind of urban fantasy. And that’s certainly true. I have no werewolves, vampires or fairies. I do have shades, wraiths, warlocks, sorcerers, witches, genetically gifted humans, demons, fallen angels, and nephilim. And I have characters, like Chance, whose background cannot be explained by any of the above. (Yes, I totally know what his deal is. But you’ll have to keep reading the series to find out.)

So would you guess this was urban fantasy, based on the art? Would it make you pick it up? Comment on the new cover, art trends in urban fantasy, and/or what you’d like to see for my Shady Lady cover (I have my own ideas since I know what happens in the book). And I’ll pre-order Hell Fire for one lucky random commenter.

*Note the giveaway applies to comments on Boards Scifi blog NOT on my site.*

Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, Book 1) by Karen Chance

 

Book Blurb: Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits-talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead.  The ghosts of the dead aren't usually dangerous; they just like to talk...a lot. The undead are another matter. Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires.  But when the bloodsucking Mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she's forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection. The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire-and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay...

 

Mini Review: Anyone who knows a thing or two about Greek mythology would instantly be intrigued about the heroine of this series because Cassandra Palmer is a seer.  Urban Fantasy Land asked Karen Chance about the mythological inspiration for her character:

UFL: As far as my Greek mythology knowledge goes Cassandra is one of the most talented seer back in her time. As the myth goes she was cursed by the gods to make the greatest premonitions and yet no one to believe her. Is there some parallel between this Cassandra and your Cassandra?

KC:Quite a bit, in fact. Cassie came by her position in a roundabout sort of way, and as the series begins, few in the supernatural community are willing to accept her or pay much attention to anything she has to say. Also, the original Cassandra wasn’t cursed by the gods so much as cursed by a god, the lover she’d spurned. He’d given her her ability and expected to control her, although that didn’t turn out quite like he’d planned. Something similar happens to Cassie, who also tends to be rather independent minded. (click here to read the entire interview)

I’m a huge Greek mythology buff, so right out of the gate, I was psyched for this book (plus I still think the cover is beautiful).  And in terms of the character of Cassandra, I wasn’t disappointed.  Cassie is brave and resourceful, if a bit foolish and occasionally whiny, and I mostly understood her motives.  But the problem for me was that I wish that the author has shown a bit--okay a lot--more restraint in the plotting of this book.  As it is, there is so much going on in this book(ghosts, time-travel,  paranormal senates, magical tattoos, body possession, vampire mafia, mages, witches, talking shrunken heads, Greek mythology etc.)  that is hard to take in.  In this first book alone, there is more than enough plot for an entire series.  Not that the story or the supernatural world that Cassandra lives in isn't interesting, quite the opposite.  But as a reader, I didn't get to enjoy it very much because I was constantly being crammed with plot, plot, and more plot (except for the abrupt and extremely graphic--and long-- sex scene that seemed very out of place given the tone of the rest of the book).

I would have liked to become more slowly immersed into the world rather then getting thrown in and never being allowed to come up for air.  I would have read the rest of the series if the former had been true rather then the latter, assuming that the over the top graphic sex scene hadn't been included.  Maybe Cassandra would have fared better too. Oh well.

Sexual Content: Two sex scenes (one of which is extremely extremely long and graphic).