Mailbox Monday ~ January 12

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday started with Marcia of To Be Continued and now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.  

I've been a fan of Laurell K. Hamilton for years. Although I hate to admit that I'm not crazy about the direction her Anita Blake series has taken, I still feel compelled to buy them hoping this will be the next great read.

The other 2 books below I acquired this week were part of Amazon's Kindle First. Prime members can download two of the selected early release Kindle First books free and non-Prime members can download two for $1.99 each through January 31, 2015. Learn more here.

And the last 2 books are from Cate Russell-Cole that she graciously gifted to me as a thank you for helping her share her tweets and blog posts. We're both part of Triberr which is fantastic for authors wanting to help other authors spread the word about their blogs to readers.

Jason by Laurell K. Hamilton

"Enjoying pain with your pleasure is something you either get, or you don't. If you get it, then you don't really need it explained, because you know how good it feels, and if you don't get it then no amount of talking is going to convince you it makes sense."

But sometimes you have to explain the unexplainable, especially if the love of your life needs to understand, or she'll leave you. Jason Schuyler is one of Anita Blake's best friends and favorite werewolves, with benefits. J.J. is his lady love, an old flame from childhood who dances at one of the top ballet companies in New York. She's accomplished, beautiful, and she's crazy about him, too. Neither of them wants to be monogamous, so what could go wrong?

J.J. is enthusiastically bisexual, with an emphasis on the female side of things. She plans to keep sleeping with women, because Jason can't meet that need, just like she can't meet Jason's need for rough sex and bondage. J.J. doesn't understand why Jason isn’t content to go elsewhere for a need she can’t fulfil, so Jason asks Anita to help him explain.

Anita is having her own relationship growing pains with her only female lover ever, Jade. Jason suggests that J.J. might be able to help Anita with her girl problem, while she helps him with his kinky explanations. With some encouragement from a few other lovers in Anita's life she reluctantly agrees, and J. J. makes plans to fly into town for an experience that none of them will ever forget.

Paperback, 255 pages

Published December 2nd 2014 by Jove

Find on Goodreads


Flirting With Felicity by Gerri Russell

Felicity Wright never expected to inherit the hotel where she works as head chef. But now, she’ll do anything to keep the Bancroft Hotel operating—even if that means mixing it up with the late owner’s handsome nephew, Blake Bancroft. He’s here to challenge her unexpected inheritance of the Bancroft Hotel, and there’s no way either of them are walking away without a fight.

When his uncle wills away his family’s oldest property, Blake Bancroft cooks up a plan to get it back. To check out his competition, he’ll need to check in. Too bad his first encounter with Felicity proves to be anything but smooth. As their battle over ownership begins, things begin to heat up between them—and not just in the kitchen. Their attraction may be a recipe for disaster. Yet with the right ingredients, it could turn into a recipe for love…

In her debut contemporary romance, award-winning historical romance author Gerri Russell whips up a sweet, passionate, and unforgettably delectable story.

Kindle Edition, 236 pages

Expected publication: February 1st 2015 by Montlake Romance 

Find on Goodreads

Amazon Kindle 

Miramont's Ghost by Elizabeth Hall

 Miramont Castle, built in 1897 and mysteriously abandoned three years later, is home to many secrets. Only one person knows the truth: Adrienne Beauvier, granddaughter of the Comte de Challembelles and cousin to the man who built the castle.

Clairvoyant from the time she could talk, Adrienne’s visions show her the secrets of those around her. When her visions begin to reveal dark mysteries of her own aristocratic French family, Adrienne is confronted by her formidable Aunt Marie, who is determined to keep the young woman silent at any cost. Marie wrenches Adrienne from her home in France and takes her to America, to Miramont Castle, where she keeps the girl isolated and imprisoned. Surrounded by eerie premonitions, Adrienne is locked in a life-or-death struggle to learn the truth and escape her torment.

Reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, this hauntingly atmospheric tale is inspired by historical research into the real-life Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication: February 1st 2015 by Lake Union Publishing 

Find on Goodreads

Amazon Kindle 



Unleashing Your Creative Spirit by Cate Russell-Cole

This e-book will help you turn your dreams into reality! It explores the process and practical aspects of creativity; and has been written for artists, writers, musicians, dancers, gardeners, cooks, craft lovers: anyone trying to tap into their creative potential. It looks at the mental processing behind creativity; philosophies that drive how we think about and assess our creative worth; creative character traits; historical role models; an extensive bibliography and web link list and more. The content is practical, not just analytical. It will give you ideas on how to move forward in your creative life.

Print Length: 68 pages 
Publisher: Cate Russell-Cole: Artios Communications; Abridged Version edition (April 30, 2012)
Amazon Kindle




Phoenix Rising: Conquering the Stresses of the Writer's Life by Cate Russell-Cole

Phoenix Rising: Conquering the Stresses of the Writer's Life, is a quick-read writer's companion which addresses the challenges and frustrations of writers in the digital age. It has been written for all genres of writers and all forms of publication. If your creative energy is low, your word count flagging or the downsides of being a writer are taking away your joy, this book will give you new strength and hope with which to spread your wings and find new freedom.


Print Length: 40 pages
Publisher: Cate Russell-Cole: Artios Communications (December 6, 2013)

Amazon Kindle