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Showing posts with label Kate SeRine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kate SeRine. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Excerpt: "Along Came a Spider" by Kate SeRine + Giveaway
Are you counting down to "Along Came a Spider" like I am?
Here is an excerpt from "Along Came a Spider" to make you even more anxious for the book to come out.
(Excerpt provided by Kate SeRine & approved by Kensington to share)
August hurry up and get here already. =)
(Excerpt provided by Kate SeRine & approved by Kensington to share)
August hurry up and get here already. =)
Along Came a Spider
(Transplanted Tales #3)
By: Kate SeRine
Publishing Date: 8/1/13
Publisher: Kensington Books
Prologue
I remember darkness—deep,
impenetrable. Not even a hint of ambient light in the void that had consumed
me. And falling. I was tumbling through space and time in a nauseating spiral
that forced the blood to my feet and sent another sort of blackness rushing
toward me. Clinging desperately to consciousness, I curled into myself,
wrapping my arms around my abdomen in an attempt to stop that sickening rush
that made me want to vomit and sob at the same time.
A scream of terror surged up from the center of
my chest, but I bit it back, forcing myself to remain in control. I had to keep
it together, could not let the fear consume me. That’s what my father had
drilled into my head time and time again.
You
must control your fear, Beatrice, or your fear will control you. Never let your
mind slip into the abyss where chaos reigns. . . .
I’d been there once before and had clawed my way
out of the chasm one agonizingly pitiful inch at a time. And now I was falling
again—but this time the abyss was not of my own making.
One moment I’d been playing on the floor of our
cottage with my niece Mariella, and the next, my body had been snatched away
from all I’d known and loved. I’d heard my family’s cries of surprise, caught
the look of horror and panic in my father’s eyes as his arm shot out to grab my
hand, but his fingertips had just barely brushed mine before I’d been jerked
into the void.
And then I was falling. In darkness.
Suddenly there was light. A blinding
flash that made me wince even though my eyes were already squeezed shut. Then a
sudden impact jolted the breath from my lungs. I had to blink several times
before I realized I was lying on my back in a field, staring up at a sky that
was not familiar, at stars that didn’t shine nearly as brightly as they should
have.
Slowly, I sat up and looked around, seeing
others nearby—just as dazed and disoriented as I was. They were Tales, some of
whom I recognized from my little village. But we were no longer in Make
Believe. That was clear. Gone was the scent of dew-kissed roses and sunshine on
daisies. The air that now filled my lungs was stale, thick, heavy. The wind
that whispered through the trees did not bring with it the laughter of fairies
or the secrets of the pixies flitting about in the night. And the grass beneath
me was no longer the velvety soft bed I’d lain upon as a child, watching the
clouds drift lazily into fluffy white knights on pudgy steeds as they leisurely
made their way to battle. Coarse and savage, these blades poked through my muslin dress, stabbing my skin like a
thousand Lilliputian swords.
“Are you hurt?”
My gaze darted toward the sound of
the voice. The man standing over me was devilishly handsome, his chiseled
features stark and sharp, giving him an air of danger, but his dark amber eyes
were kind as he gazed down at me.
“Are you all right?” he asked,
phrasing the question differently in response to my blank stare.
This time I nodded and took the hand
he extended, letting him pull me to my feet. “I think so.”
“Good,” he said, the corner of his
mouth hitching up in a mischievous grin that completely altered his
countenance. He lifted his hand and wrapped one of my buttercup yellow ringlets
around his index finger. “Hate to see harm come to a girl as pretty as you.”
I felt my cheeks growing warm at the
intensity of his gaze and quickly looked away, not wanting to look too deeply
into those amber eyes for fear of what I might see. “What has happened?” I
asked, glancing around the crowd as confusion and panic began to make them uneasy,
their frightened voices growing louder. “Where are we?”
The man at my side shrugged and
shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “Not in Make Believe, that’s for damned
sure.”
I let my gaze drift over his
shoulder and saw a tall Tale I recognized from the story of Aladdin trying to
take control of the rapidly deteriorating situation, his deep voice booming
over the din of sorrow. “My friends—please! You must remain calm!”
A woman with long black hair and
eyes as blue as robins’ eggs hurried past me, glancing my way and giving me a
terse nod before joining Aladdin as he tried to herd the crowd toward a series
of carriages drawn by black horses. “That was Tess Little,” I breathed.
“Little Red Riding Hood?” my
companion asked, his brows arching with interest.
I nodded. “Yes, but . . . Well, it
can’t be! She disappeared almost a hundred years ago with the others.” My heart
began to pound. “Have we been transplanted, too?”
He shook his head. “No idea, but
I’ll tell you one thing—I’m not letting them haul me in like a criminal just so
I can find out. If I’ve broken out of Make Believe, I’m making the most of it.”
At this, his eyes met and held mine. I felt the
connection beginning and started to look away, but his gaze was so unguarded,
so unapologetic, I let it come. And in that glimpse, I saw a soul so steadfast,
so dauntless and true, that I gasped at the beauty of it.
It was rare that a Tale let me past his
defenses, rarer still that I was so taken with what I saw. But here was an
intensely intelligent and quietly courageous man who could command respect from
his friends and instill fear in the hearts of those who weren’t. He was also
capable of genuine kindness and the deepest and most profound love. But I was
shocked to see that he had absolutely no idea what a remarkable man he could
be.
“Want to come with me?” he asked, grasping my
hand in his and severing the connection between my soul and his.
I blinked at him, hardly daring to believe what
he was saying. But more surprising was that I did want to go with him even though logic and reason warned me that
such a thing was reckless and foolish. I swallowed hard, hating what I was
about to say. “I cannot,” I told him, wishing I had the courage to flout
propriety and take my chances with a man whose name I didn’t even know. “It
wouldn’t be proper.”
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to
the back of my hand. “Well, maybe some other time.” He backed away, grinning a
little sadly as he released my hand, his fingertips touching mine for just a
moment before he gave me a wink and turned away.
“Wait!” I called, hurrying a few steps after him
as he sauntered toward the tree line. “What’s your name?”
He turned and offered me a rakishly
charming grin that held more than a hint of mischief. “Nicky Blue.”
“You there—with the curls!” I
started at the voice behind me and whirled around to see Tess Little striding
toward me, her long black duster flapping around her dark skirt and cherry red
high-button boots. “Time to go.”
I obediently moved toward the
carriages with her. “Is it true?” I asked. “Have we been transplanted?”
“Afraid so,” she replied. “But don’t
worry—we have people with the FMA who will help you settle in.”
“The FMA?”
“Fairytale Management Authority,”
she explained. “I’ll tell you everything on the way to headquarters. By the
way—I’m Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.”
“Beatrice Muffet,” I replied,
attempting a smile. “Everyone pretty much just calls me Beatrice. Or Ms.
Muffet.” I chuckled a little. “Except my niece Mariella—she has trouble pronouncing
my name.” My voice caught in my throat, the words lodging around the lump of
sorrow that had rapidly developed at the thought of never seeing little Mari
again. I coughed, forcing my emotions away, and blinked rapidly to clear the
tears that pricked the corner of my eyes. “She calls me Trish.”
Tess motioned me toward the last
remaining carriage. “Well, welcome to the Here and Now, Trish.”
I placed my foot on the step, but paused and
turned to search for Nicky Blue, hoping that perhaps he had changed his mind
and had decided to come with the rest of us after all. My heart sank when I
didn’t see him. I sighed, a part of me already regretting that I hadn’t gone
with him. But it was too late to change my mind. Nicky Blue had vanished,
having faded deep into the shadows like a spider in the night.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Cover Reveal: "Along Came a Spider" by Kate SeRine
Along Came a Spider
(A Transplanted Tales Novel, #3)
by: Kate SeRine
Expected Release Date: August 2013
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Description:
Along came a spider...
When Trish Muffet is attacked at a grisly crime scene, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Nicky “Little Boy” Blue. But since walking away from everything two years before, Nicky’s been doling out vigilante justice as “The Spider,” taking on the vicious predators of the night in hopes it’ll lead him to his ultimate target – Vlad Dracula. And he needs Trish’s help.
Although Nicky’s renegade style goes against everything Trish stands for, she’ll do what she must to bring Dracula down. With danger stalking her, Trish knows the only person she can count on is the one man who has the power to leave her breathless. There’s no way she’s letting this spider frighten her away…
Website
Kate SeRine (pronounced "serene") faithfully watched weekend monster movie marathons while growing up, each week hoping that maybe this time the creature du jour would get the girl. But every week she was disappointed. So when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed that her characters would always have a happily ever after. And, thus, her love for paranormal romance was born.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project.
Kate SeRine (pronounced "serene") faithfully watched weekend monster movie marathons while growing up, each week hoping that maybe this time the creature du jour would get the girl. But every week she was disappointed. So when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed that her characters would always have a happily ever after. And, thus, her love for paranormal romance was born.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Review: "The Better to See You" by Kate SeRine + Giveaway
The Better to See You
(Transplanted Tales #2)
by: Kate SeRine
Publishing Date: 2/7/13
Publisher: eKensington
Genre: Urban Fantasy / PNR
Source: Netgalley
Description:
Once upon a time, a spell went awry and Make Believe characters were cast into the ordinary world. And the results aren’t always happily ever after…
Everyone thinks fairy godmothers can do no wrong. But if not for a certain spell mis-cast by Lavender Seelie, Cinderella’s former fairy godmother, the Tales would not be stuck in the Here and Now. Fortunately for Lavender, she’s about to get a second chance at a happy ending…
The Refuge, a sanctuary for wayward Tales, seems like the perfect place for Lavender to start a new life—especially when she discovers an unexpected ally in Seth, the brooding werewolf who’s been typecast as a villain ever since his run in with Little Red Riding Hood. But when humans from nearby towns start turning up dead, their bodies mutilated with archaic Tale symbols, Lavender wonders if Seth’s deep sensuality has blinded her to the truth. And that distraction could put innocent lives in danger. Including her own…
My Review:
"The Better to See You" is the second book in the Transplanted Tales series and it definitely left me wanting even more after reading it.
"The Better to See You" picks up where "Red" left off at, but this time it is about Lavender Seelie, aka The Fairy Godmother, and Seth, aka the Big Bad Wolf.
Lavender is in deep water with Cinderella and her husband, the Prince, James...because she ends up burning down their home. Now Lavender is forced to hide somewhere else due to James wanting to hurt her or actually kill her.
Tess who we know from the first book has the perfect place where Lavender can hide. It is called The Refuge and it is where all the distraught Tales go that are upset about being in the ordinary world.
Not such a great idea for Lavender since she is kind of the reason why all the Tales are in the Ordinary world in the first place.
Lavender ends up in the arms of Seth who saves her the night she is trying to find the refuge. What she does not know is the refuge has some serious issues of its own and someone is out to kill either her or Seth.
I fell in love with Seth in "Red" and fell even more in love with him in this book. The best parts of the book is how Kate SeRine tells the story of the characters and how they ended up they way they are.
Lavender definitely was a strong character for me in this book and I had a lot of respect for her. She made some mistakes and was trying to correct them. She was shunned by her mother and the rest of fairies due to what she did to the tales and she did not let her bother her.
Seth kept making me upset because I knew he was hiding something from Lavender. He should of just came out and told Lavender. Did he not realize she would figure it out? Grrrr!!
I loved also how Tess and Nate played a part in this book as well. Loved them in "Red" and I got to find out what is happening with them as well. =)
I was a little confused on some parts of the book, but it did not take me long to pick up what happened. I think it was mostly because I was more in shock at the ending and who the bad guy really was and what they were actually doing.
Oh...and Puck...well you will need to read the book to find out about him, but I definitely wanted to slap him around a bit for Lavender. Darn him...LOL
Kate SeRine takes our favorite fairy tales and gives them a new twist to their tales, which some may be considered good, while others wicked evil. Just be prepared to be shocked on who is actually considered evil.
If you are a fan of the fairy godmother, the wolf from Red Riding Hood and other tales, you'll definitely enjoy this twisted make and believe tales that Kate writes. I know I am addicted to finding out what is happening to these versions of my favorite fairy tales.
I highly recommend this book and the series and look forward to reading the next tale in the "Transplanted Tales" series by Kate SeRine. =)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Name that Transplanted Tale Contest and Giveaway
"Rumpelstiltskin I am called..."
One of my favorite fairytales is the story of Rumpelstiltskin,
and so my Transplanted Tales series wouldn't be complete without ol' R.S.
making an appearance! The problem is, I haven't been able to come up with a
first name for him—which, considering the climax of his fairytale involves the
queen trying to discover his name, seems rather appropriate, eh?
Now, here's where you come in. Using the Rafflecopter widget
below, help me discover the perfect first name for Rumpelstiltskin. The name
can be as fanciful or as prosaic as you'd like. And, to help you avoid
"wasting" a suggestion, I'll give you a list of male characters already
appearing in ALONG CAME A SPIDER. Some of them are familiar, but others are new
characters you haven't yet met. See if you can guess to which Tale they
belong... ;)
Nicky
Seth
Nate
Al(addin)
Aloysius
Gideon
Orvall
Merv
Irwin
Jack
Pete
Vlad
Alex
Ian
J.G.
Eddie
Tim
Ethan
Seth
Nate
Al(addin)
Aloysius
Gideon
Orvall
Merv
Irwin
Jack
Pete
Vlad
Alex
Ian
J.G.
Eddie
Tim
Ethan
From the entries, three names will be randomly selected. From
those three, I will select the winner. The winning name will appear in my
upcoming novel, ALONG CAME A SPIDER, the third book in my Transplanted Tales
series, which is scheduled for release in August 2013.
In addition, the person who suggested the winning name will receive
a prize package that includes the following:
1) A special mention in the acknowledgements of ALONG CAME A
SPIDER
2) an e-book copy of RED, THE BETTER TO SEE YOU, and ALONG CAME
A SPIDER as the books are released (or a prize of comparable value if the
winner already owns/has pre-ordered a copy of the first two books)
3) a Transplanted Tales-themed goody basket
The runners-up will receive a copy of the Transplanted Tales
book of his/her choice and some Transplanted Tales swag! And, who knows? Maybe
I'll add some additional prizes along the way...
I'm really looking forward to involving my readers in the actual
writing of my novel and can't wait
to see what names you can come up with!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Cover Reveal: "The Better to See You" by Kate SeRine (Giveaway)
I'm beyond excited to share with you the cover of "The Better to See You" by Kate SeRine below. =)
This is one book you need to check out when it releases next year in February.
I LOVE this COVER!!!
-FranJessca
THE BETTER TO SEE YOU
(Transplanted Tales #2)
Kate SeRine
Coming February 2013 from eKensington
Once upon a time, a spell went awry and Make Believe characters were cast into the ordinary world.
And the results aren't always happily ever after...
Everyone thinks fairy godmothers can do no wrong. But if not for a certain spell mis-cast by Lavender Seelie, Cinderella's former fairy godmother, the Tales would not be stuck in the Here and Now. Fortunately for Lavender, she's about to get a second chance at a happy ending...
The Refuge, a sanctuary for wayward Tales, seems like the perfect place for Lavender to start a new life--especially when she discovers an unexpected ally in Seth, the brooding werewolf who's been typecast as a villain ever since his run in with Little Red Riding Hood. But when humans nearby towns start turning up dead, their bodies mutilated with archaic Tale symbols, Lavender wonders if Seth's deep sensuality has blinded her to the truth. And that distraction could put innocent lives in danger. Including her own...
Giveaway
Kate SeRine is giving away 3 copies of her first Transplanted Tales Novel, "RED".
Just fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. =)
You can read my review of "Red" HERE.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Review: "Red" by Kate SeRine
Red
(Transplanted Tales #1)
by: Kate SeRine
Publishing Date: 8/2/12
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Netgalley
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Description:
“My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.”
Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…
Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…
Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…
Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…
My Review:
I received a complimentary copy of "Red" from Netgalley thanks to the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book in a couple of days because it had my attention from the beginning. I do not think I've ever read a book that was based on fairy tale characters, but told in a different way.
Tess Little (who we would know as Little Red Riding Hood by the fairytales)...but in "Red", she is not the little red riding hood we all know. She actually goes by the nickname "Red" and she's an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority. See the tales were sent over to the real world and they have to keep the "tales" in check from the humans. When there is a "tale" crime, Red is there to figure out what happened.
Unfortunately, Red finds herself in a world of mess. She ends up having people she once loved, in the mince of the biggest crime ever. Someone is killing off tales and Red is stuck in the middle of it...because one of her ex-lovers may be the prime suspect. She is forced to find out which one did it...in the meant time, she also is trying to keep herself alive because someone is watching her.
She is teamed up with Nate (otherwise known as Death) because he is a Reaper. He is perfect for the case and he does not mind teaming up with Red.
Red has felt an attraction to Nate...but she is still not sure what it could be that attracts him to her. He is a pain in a butt...but he always shows up at the right time when she needs him.
I really LOVED the characters, Red and Nate.
Seriously...can I have Nate? He sounds really dark, dreamy, and sexy. =)
Red was one kick butt character. I liked how she was not your little girl character. She was one chick you just did not want to mess with.
This book brings you the fairy tales from the dark side, basically.
Kate SeRine definitely kept me enthralled whenever a new fairytale character was introduced. You'll read about Snow White, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Juliet, the werewolf (from little red riding hood), the sandman, and so many others...but of course be prepared for not your regular stories because some of these characters have a dark side to them. Oh...and let me not forget the bad guys who are involved in the killings...let's just say I was surprised to find out who it was. =)
I really enjoyed reading "Red" and look forward to the next book. I liked how Kate SeRine kept me clicking my Kindle to turn a page to read. She has a very interesting writing style and a wicked "cool" imagination. (taking my daughter's saying) =)
I definitely recommend this book to urban fantasy and paranormal romance lovers out there. If you want the dark side of the fairy tale world...you definitely will enjoy this book.
Can't wait to see what happens next! =)
I received a complimentary copy of "Red" from Netgalley thanks to the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book in a couple of days because it had my attention from the beginning. I do not think I've ever read a book that was based on fairy tale characters, but told in a different way.
Tess Little (who we would know as Little Red Riding Hood by the fairytales)...but in "Red", she is not the little red riding hood we all know. She actually goes by the nickname "Red" and she's an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority. See the tales were sent over to the real world and they have to keep the "tales" in check from the humans. When there is a "tale" crime, Red is there to figure out what happened.
Unfortunately, Red finds herself in a world of mess. She ends up having people she once loved, in the mince of the biggest crime ever. Someone is killing off tales and Red is stuck in the middle of it...because one of her ex-lovers may be the prime suspect. She is forced to find out which one did it...in the meant time, she also is trying to keep herself alive because someone is watching her.
She is teamed up with Nate (otherwise known as Death) because he is a Reaper. He is perfect for the case and he does not mind teaming up with Red.
Red has felt an attraction to Nate...but she is still not sure what it could be that attracts him to her. He is a pain in a butt...but he always shows up at the right time when she needs him.
I really LOVED the characters, Red and Nate.
Seriously...can I have Nate? He sounds really dark, dreamy, and sexy. =)
Red was one kick butt character. I liked how she was not your little girl character. She was one chick you just did not want to mess with.
This book brings you the fairy tales from the dark side, basically.
Kate SeRine definitely kept me enthralled whenever a new fairytale character was introduced. You'll read about Snow White, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Juliet, the werewolf (from little red riding hood), the sandman, and so many others...but of course be prepared for not your regular stories because some of these characters have a dark side to them. Oh...and let me not forget the bad guys who are involved in the killings...let's just say I was surprised to find out who it was. =)
I really enjoyed reading "Red" and look forward to the next book. I liked how Kate SeRine kept me clicking my Kindle to turn a page to read. She has a very interesting writing style and a wicked "cool" imagination. (taking my daughter's saying) =)
I definitely recommend this book to urban fantasy and paranormal romance lovers out there. If you want the dark side of the fairy tale world...you definitely will enjoy this book.
Can't wait to see what happens next! =)
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