Tori's Review: The Audition by Rachel Hartman

Released: June 19, 2012
Paperback: 19 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: N/A 
Source: Scribd
Genre: YA - Fantasy
Series: Seraphina 
Read: Scribd 



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My Rating: 

My Opinion:
This was such a cute little piece! It contained everything I fell in love with while reading SERAPHINA, and it was such an unexpected teaser that it made me want to reread SERAPHINA as soon as possible.

For those who loved the first book in this series, you will love THE AUDITION. Seraphina and Orma's interactions held more meaning to me after learning about the two in the novel. I found it humorous, to boot.

For those who were not too crazy about SERAPHINA, I am unsure if this short story will appeal to you, either. I've found that people either love Hartman's writing style, or they don't. It can't hurt to give THE AUDITION a shot, since it's free, though.

For those of you who have not yet read this series, I would suggest you save it to savor once you have finished SERAPHINA. I think that THE AUDITION gives readers a good taste of Hartman's writing style, but, unless you are familiar with the characters to begin with, I do not think many will appreciate them.

Either way, THE AUDITION is free, and I suggest you take the time to read this piece. I'm so happy I spent ten minutes to!


Series Order:
0.5. The Audition
1. Seraphina (Tori's Review)
2. Dracomachia (2013 release)


Seraphina Prequel WEB

Tori's Review: Crave the Night Anthology

Released: October 5, 2011
E-book: 372 pages
Price: $3.99
Publisher: Swell Cat Press
Source: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: N/A
Buy: Amazon

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This collection of never-before-published novellas features paranormal pairings romance readers will pine for. Vampires, demons, werewolves, faeries and even a mermaid will satisfy the darkest of cravings.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Hidden by Sharon Ashwood -- 3/5
Lila and Rafe are a cute couple, but they don't hold a candle to Sharon's characters in her full length novels. This was not my favorite Ashwood piece of writing, which I am sad to say, since I've loved every book I've read in her series thus far. If this anthology is your first foray into her writing, I highly suggest you give her a second chance if you found HIDDEN to be anything less than amazing.

Having not read any of her books in a while, I felt like I was reentering the universe as a brand new reader. I recognized Darrak's name, but aside from him, I couldn't connect what I read in HIDDEN to anything in the PNR series. So, feeling like I was reading about a brand new world, I was left wanting more romance and worldbuilding. Lila and Rafe have an almost instant attraction, but Lila is the "bad" guy--albeit, a pitiful one. I was disappointed in the romance because it felt slightly rushed, but I understand how difficult it can be to flesh out characters, the romance, and a world in such a short word count.

Final verdict: a good piece, but nothing mindblowing like Sharon's PNR series is.


One Soul To Share by Lori Devoti -- 4/5
OSTS kept me interested the entire time while reading. The world was unique, and I found that, while I may have been weirded out about a mermaid having sex with a vampire (even if she had a human form, I just kept thinking about the tail and fin), I was able to ignore this knee jerk reaction and focus on the characters instead once the story picked up.

My only complaint: I was disappointed when it ended as abruptly as it did, and found myself wishing that Lori had a larger word count to include a final showdown with the Hag. As it currently is...well, I'm disappointed, and a bit agitated. The ending felt anticlimactic at best..

The romance between Nolan and Sarina was convincing, and I found the conflict to flow naturally--two qualities I notice most novellas lack in general. OSTS did not blow me away, but Lori's execution was impressive and I am interested in checking out other titles under her name. Novellas do not usually have that effect on me, so I think that is pretty spectacular.


Cruel Enchantment by Michele Hauf -- 3.5/5
I think this story had the most engaging intro out of the three so far. The big thing in CE was the idea of an Intended, but thankfully, there was no love at first sight. The romance felt a bit rushed, and I wasn't fully convinced that Bree and Rev fell in love as quickly as they did. Part of that was because Rev was an addict, and I felt that he spent a lot of time battling his addiction, and less focused on loving Bree.

This story didn't blow me away, but it was entertaining, albeit, a bit cliche.


Enemy Embrace by Patti O'Shea -- DNF
For whatever reason, I couldn't get into this one. I'm still not entirely sure why.

Overall this is a good anthology. I may not generally be the hugest fan of novellas, but I found at least one new author to check out. My primary reason for checking out CRAVE THE NIGHT was to read Sharon Ashwood's piece. It was not my absolute favorite, it did help make the wait for her next book release to become a bit more bearable.

I would say to definitely check CTN out if you're into anthologies. If, however, you're not a fan and prefer full-length books, you may be better off passing up this title if you're familiar with these authors already. And if you aren't? Well, it can't hurt to check it out, anyway.


Series Order:
1. Crave the Night

Author Interview with Claire Ashgrove

I suppose author interview isn't entirely accurate, my friends. Today, instead of having Claire answer a few questions about herself, we will be visited by Farran de Clare, our hunky hero from Claire Ashgrove's most recent release, IMMORTAL SURRENDER (Curse of the Templars #2).

So without further ado, Farran here is going to grace us with his delicious six pack wonderful personality.

Hi Farran! How old are you, exactly?
I am over nine hundred years old.

Is that so? And what, exactly, do you do? 
I serve the archangel Mikhail, under the steady sword of Merrick du Loire, in the Holy Order of the Knights Templar.

What is your favorite saying? 
(Farren chuckles.) At present, I find myself oft beginning my sentences with damsel.  As in, Damsel, mind your tongue.  'Tis hard not to when I'm bound to one so willful.

Who is your worst enemy, and what did he/she do? 
My worst enemy is the dark lord, Azazel.  I am sworn to fight against his vile creations, to protect the mortal realm you know.  He covets the highest throne, and 'tis mine and my brothers' duty to stop his ascent.

What is one thing you wouldn't be caught dead doing? 
Once I would have said watching television, but I find myself in greater luxury of late, and cannot claim such now.  'Twould have to be dancing at one of these so-called clubs Noelle has spoken of. 
 

Any love interests? 
(A wicked smirk drifts across his mouth.)  Aye.  
  

Well... are you going to tell us who? 
'Twould be the lady de Clare, Dr. Noelle Keane.  Though 'twas not an easy journey to reach this contentment of my heart. I wanted naught to do with her.  She, however, possesses a... way... about her, shall we say, that made it impossible to do anything but adore her.  
 

When did you know you were falling for her? 
(He laughs again.)  When the urge to feel her lips on mine became as fierce as the urge to throttle her.  (Farran pauses for a moment, then his expression sobers.)  In truth, 'twas a moment we shared in the belly of the temple, when I glimpsed the woman she was, not the seraph forced upon me.  
  

What is one favorite childhood memory? 
Saints' toes -- a millenia has passed since I have been asked about childhood.  I do not oft think about those I have left behind.  Though I recall a special fondness for riding through the de Clare lands as a young boy beside my sire, grateful for the time he shared with me.  He was truly a lord to be admired, and I deeply respected him.  
  

When this war is over, if the Templar are the victors, where would you like to go to get away? 
I have seen much sand in my life.  Fought in the dispicable dunes against Saladin.  But I have never set foot on tropical sands.  I should take Noelle to an island, I do believe.  One that is not marked with a gate to Azazel's realm.  (His grin returns, devilish as ever.)  And there, I shall focus on naught but my duty to Noelle.


Award-Winning Author Claire Ashgrove has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed romances, Claire’s paranormal romance series, The Curse of the Templars debuted with Tor in January 2012. For those who prefer the more erotic side of romance, she also writes for Berkley Heat as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire.

To learn more about Claire, visit her on the web at www.claireashgrove.com, or www.toristclaire.com. You can also connect with her via Facebook, and Twitter. 


Giveaway

What you can win:

• One digital copy of any of Claire's backlist books, excepting those in the Templar series
  
• Commenters’ names will be added into the tour-end drawing of a 25.00 Amazon gift card.

What you need to do:

• Leave a comment on this interview; be sure to include your email address in the comments section, otherwise you will not be entered to win either prize.
  
• Follow the tour – the more you comment on participating blogs, the better your chances of winning. Complete tour dates can be found at Claire's website, here.