Next week, her next book in her steampunk series comes out - HEART OF STEEL. I got a chance to read this book early and was blown away by how fun and adventuresome it was, and how utterly likable Yasmeen and Archimedes were. I could read an entire series based on those two! Here's the blurb:

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.

Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.

When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…

Their relationship is so sexy and fun. Archimedes reminds me a little of Han Solo in his lighthearted, playful nature. And Yasmeen? Well...she kind of reminded me of Han Solo too, in that rogueish mercenary captain sort of way. So this book was like watching Han Solo make out with Han Solo, which was pretty much as awesome as it sounds. Oh, and with airships.

Interested? How can you not be after my stunning analogy?

Want to win a free copy?  I'm giving away TWO paper (or Kindle! Your choice!) copies of Heart of Steel to two winners. This is open to anyone that Book Depository ships to, so if you're international, no problem. Here's what you have to do:

Meljean's next book after HEART OF STEEL is titled MOLTEN. The next is RIVETED. What awesome steampunk title would you give the book after that?

Just comment with your title suggestion by 11:59pm CST on 10/31/2011! Meljean reserves the right to totally borrow any incredibly awesome titles for future potential title-dom of course! I'll pick one winner of the title I like the best, and one random, so your odds are good even if your title is not.

The fine print: Comment by 11:59:59 PM CST on 10/31/2011 for your chance to win. Two winners will be selected and their names posted on this blog within the next day or two. Winner must provide me with their mailing address via email or contact form. You may enter as many times as you like for the title portion - I will weed out multiples for the random winner. So if you enter 5 times, you will have 5 title chances to win, and 1 random chance to win. The contest is open to international readers. No purchase necessary to enter. A review of the book is always deeply appreciated. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Void where prohibited.

]]> http://jillmyles.com/2010/12/03/kresley-cole-reading-challenge/feed/ 2 http://jillmyles.com/2010/09/26/everyone-on-the-internet-is-angry-so-we-all-need-a-time-out/ http://jillmyles.com/2010/09/26/everyone-on-the-internet-is-angry-so-we-all-need-a-time-out/#comments Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:58:06 +0000 Jill Myles http://jillmyles.com/?p=1134 Read more →]]> Seriously guys! Is it something in the water? I have seen far, far too many rants pop up on the internet this week. Stuff is not ideal, of course - it never is, but it's rarely so bad that it requires the frothing anger I have seen as of late. And no, this is not directed to anyone specific as much as it is a general sort of feeling. There's anger everywhere - and a lot of it seems to be stemming from the news.

So everyone has homework this week. I would like for you all to go and read something fun and escapist. Take a few minutes out of your day and enjoy what the world has to offer. I am currently reading:

It's adorable and clever and just the thing if you like your YA clean and charming. Or perhaps you should read:

I have read this one and it is totally fabulous. Ilona Andrews has really outdone herself - Cerise is strong and awesome, and William is great as the reluctant hero who is alternately vexed and perplexed by his feelings for the heroine. Awesome world, great ending, and a nice thick chunk of a read for your $7. Or maybe you want something a little lighter?

Michelle Rowen's next book in her DEMON IN ME series is bound to be super fun and full of the awesome wit that characterizes all of her books. And dig this hot cover. Yum. Or perhaps you are in the mood for something that you have never experienced before?

Steampunk romance. This book is flat out amazing. You must go buy it now. The world is built in the most intricate and fascinating ways, but that doesn't hold a candle to the steamy romance between Rhys and Mina, the main characters. Hot hot hot, lots of airships, and lots of women in bustles being badasses. It totally made my year.

Now, some of these aren't out this week (though I hear online retailers are shipping early...shhh!) but if you can't get a hold of them, read something else. Relax. Appreciate the world around you. And let's go back to angry next week.

So check it out and win some stuff, yo. Right now there's about 300 entries, which means your odds of winning a book are currently 1 in 3.

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2010/09/01/berkley-fall-giveaway/

But when something does make it on my Goodreads, it's usually because I enjoyed it and want to talk about it! And I've had a really good spate of reading lately. I'm not sure if it was because I was in a reading mood, but whatever it is, I am thoroughly enjoying my time with books lately. And since it was a long weekend, and my husband was sick, I read. A lot. And it was so NICE. I read:

Meljean Brook -- DEMON BLOOD. Ok, confession time. When you are an author, sometimes you get early copies of coveted reads because people want you to blurb them, or because you shamelessly beg in email or you have connections. I got an early copy of DEMON BLOOD and I've already read it. Twice. Probably going to read it a third time this week. It is so good. SO GOOD. Meljean does an amazing job with making her stories emotional and sexy and still keeping the overarching plot tense and action-packed. This also just came out today, so you should buy your own copy so we can squee over it together. I'm just saying.

Lisa Kleypas - LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON. Loved this! I went in not expecting much, because I put down MARRIED BY MORNING after about 3 chapters. I loved this one so much that I went back and finished MARRIED BY MORNING afterward.

Victoria Dahl - CRAZY FOR LOVE. Okay, so Dahl is on my auto buy because she writes such fun, breezy contemporaries. This one did not disappoint.

I have a few books in my queue that I need to finish (including THE PASSAGE) but...I'm a goober and I started re-reading Meljean Brook's books again. Ah, comfort reads. How I love thee.

It's one of the best books I've read this year. You should go comment!

The downside of the nook?  No more early releases. It's true - I confess. I'm one of those horrible people that starts scouring the shelves of the local bookstore a week or two in advance of an eagerly-anticipated book, all in the hopes that some employee might slip a copy or two onto the shelves early. I scan the grocery store, hoping that the distributor has ignored the lay-down dates and stuck the newest books out in advance! Release date? Shmelease date! Gimme my books now!

This, of course, does not work on the nook. It's release day or nothing for them, and they don't release the files early. This makes me a VERY SAD READER. I mean, as an author, I should rejoice in the hard release date for e-files because it makes it that much easier for someone to hit the lists, right? And I want my friends to do well.

But the reader in me? Wants your book NOW.  F&ck waiting! I think there should be a program where we can pay a dollar or two extra and get your book a week or two in advance. I'd pay it. A dollar buys me a candy bar...or my Meljean Brook fix a week earlier. I know which way I'd rather spend it.

So has anyone else felt this impatience with e-files on the nook or Kindle, or am I the only one feeling the pain of being forced to open Christmas presents on Christmas Day?

(secret confession: I haven't done jack, either. I had lofty plans of spring cleaning and errand running but I've mostly sat in my jammies, playing video games and reading.)

So yeah, not a lot of bloggy goodness heading your way. Mea culpa. In the meantime, I *did* guest blog over at the fabulous Michelle Rowen's blog. She's hosting 30 Days of Demons in celebration of her upcoming release, THE DEMON IN ME. I had an early opportunity to read it, and it was hilariously fun, and the plot had a totally unique, kicky little twist.

Did I mention I'm giving away a free signed copy of GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI if you comment? Go comment!

(Sidenote: My succubi aren't *really* demons but I do have demons in my books, so I totally count. Right? Right.)

No? Because I did and it was pretty darn awesome, let me tell you. If you're a SF/UF reader, you might have heard of Ann Aguirre, but if you read only romance (like I seem to do lately) this might have slipped past your notice. I read it a few months ago (thanks Ann!) and it was really awesome. Very fast paced, with a hard-edged, tough heroine and a sexy, roguish hero. She's a con man and he's an assassin, and no one gets watered down throughout the story, which was pretty awesome, IMO. Seriously - if you like a different kind of story, and if you like romantic suspense type books with just a dash of paranormal, check this out. I really do think you'll like it.

Speaking of awesome, have you seen Ilona Andrews's post today? No? Go read it. She says some wonderful, brilliant things that hit very close to home for me. If you've read my journal for any length of time, you know that I'm a little sensitive/easily irritated when people romance bash, and they romance bash all the time. It's saddest when it comes from other authors, because for the most part? Romance writers might be terribly critical of other romance writers, but as a whole no one really denigrates other genres simply for existing. Not the case with other genres and romance. Anyhoo, I love Ilona for posting this, and I'm happy she spoke up and said what I was thinking (though in a less cuss-filled, more polite sort of way).

Oh, and it's my day at Odd Shots and I've added a quiz -- are you Psy? Are you Changeling? And did you buy the newest Nalini Singh release? Hop to it!

I. Loved. This. Book. Words cannot describe how much I freaking loved this book. I started to read it and couldn't put it down. After I finished it, everything else made me fussy because it was Not This Book. She ruined me for a good two weeks on other reads.

The hero and heroine were perfect. Perfect. If you liked Loretta Chase's MR. IMPOSSIBLE, you simply must read this book. Jane at Dear Author gave it an A. The Book Smugglers gave it an 8 out of 10. It's brilliant and clever and tender and I think Duran is going to be the next Loretta Chase.

You seriously want to read this book, guys.