Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Read Along with PBW

The HaulI'll bet author Larissa Ione has barely had a chance to catch her breath since the release of her second Demonica novel Desire Unchained. The book has been the talk of NetPubLand, and then she hit the USA Today bestseller list (which stomps into the ground any possibility of second book syndrome.) Still, we don't care how breathless she is, do we? No, selfish readers like us are ready for the next installment in the series, and we don't want to wait another six months or a year to read it.

Fortunately, we don't have to. The third Demonica novel, Passion Unleashed, is hitting the shelves right now. This one is Wraith's story, and of all the characters in the series I admit, I have kind of a crush on him (I know, it's because he's blond, he's a bad boy, and he's a vampire -- all the things I love in a hero.) If you happened to read the excerpt of Wraith's story at the end of Desire Unchained, you know he was in another impossibly bad situation, only this time it looked like his brothers weren't going to be able to bail him out of it. As story dilemmas go, that's also one of my favorites.

I haven't had a chance to read the book yet, as I saw the first copies in my area tonight. But I did grab up all of them, so I have an extra five to share. If you'd like to read Passion Unleashed along with me, in comments to this post tell us about the type of hero or story dilemma you really enjoy (or if you don't play favorites, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight on Thursday, April 9, 2009. I'll select five names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

49 comments:

  1. I dont play favorites as long as the story is good.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  2. I like the stories where the man/woman (it doesn't matter to me) has to learn to swallow his/her pride and admit maybe they don't know everything in order to have a HEA.

    It's true, I'm a lover of cheese. : )

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  3. The type of hero I really enjoy is a dominant, quite, muslcles, smart, and always getting in those little sexy lines and advances. It keeps the story going. Love it.
    Please put my name in the magic hat would love to read Passion Unleashed with you,I have heard some good things about this book.

    Rain

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  4. My favorite heros....have a southern drawl (NOT Rhett), are easy going, are confident in who they are, AND of course, can rock a girls socks with just a kiss.

    Would love to give Passion Unlease a try!

    Lyncee

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  5. I don't play favorites. :)

    Tossing my name in the hat

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  6. I'm a sucker for lively, sarcastic characters.

    I love people working in interesting jobs that they are passionate about. I love a story of forbidden love, where the characters are drawn to each other despite their efforts to resist.

    And I cannot resist a fairy tale retelling, especially a "Beauty and the Beast" style story.

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  7. My favorite stories are the ones where the heroes/heroines are way underestimated by their enemies, or misjudged by their enemies, and then they come back and kick the enemy's butts and are generally bad-ass all around.

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  8. Oh how well timed. I'm plowing through Desire Unchained right now. Hmm, favorite heroes...well, I love the impossible relationship. If an author can pull off a situation where it doesn't look like there's any way the hero can be with his girl (without doing something dorky like making her a ghost that can phase in when he touches her), I love those. And I love a hero that isn't threatened by a strong woman.

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  9. I like flawed heroes, most especially the anti-hero who could so easily turn bad and stay that way. Watching them overcome their inner demons is a bit of a thrill ride for me.

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  10. Anonymous9:44 AM

    I love what my friends call the cry baby. The guy who had a tough past he needs to over come. Before he can accept his feelings for our heroine.

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  11. My favorite heroes are the dominant,arrogant men. Those who know exactly what they want & let nothing stop them from getting it.

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  12. Anonymous10:13 AM

    My Favorite hero is the brooding bad ass and I love a heroine who is kick ass but is smart enough to ask/accept help.

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  13. I like strong, young women, fighting to get something unique. I'm also rather fond of books that include a "training" plot - whether it's learning swordplay or cooking, I enjoy the ups & downs of a struggle to master a skill.

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  14. I love the strong but vulnerable hero...Onkar in Bio Rescue, Frost in the Merry series.

    And I would love to read along with you!

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  15. Hmm interesting premise I am sure that will keep my interests.

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  16. I love the hero with a sense of humor. Nothing like that moment when all seems lost and the guy's got a great comeback.

    Raven

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  17. My favorite hero/heroine are the ones that are a wee bit broken, and will make the ultimate sacrifice for the person they love in times of darkness. Such as Buffy choosing to die for Dawn (and, well, the world) in The Gift. Or Boromir trying to redeem himself at the end of Lord of the Rings. I'm reduced to tears every time!

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  18. Bought it about a week or so ago and read it the same night. SO good! You'll definitely enjoy it ;) She's coming out with more, right? RIGHT?

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  19. The more flawed the better, especially if they are sarcastic to boot.

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  20. I haven't had the opportunity to read anything by Larissa yet. Please toss my name in the hat for a chance at this book.

    Cheryl S.

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  21. Keita Haruka1:37 PM

    I like "human" heroes...you know...the sort that's not perfect, that you never know whether they'll do the right thing or turn bad. Seeking redemption is one of my favourite themes...or overcoming inner demons. Heroes like "Skilgannon the Damned" (David Gemmell). I like characters that's not what they seem...like some of my own.

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  22. My favorite are the ones that have humor. The book doesn't have to be a comedy. They are confident and yet can admit when they're wrong.

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  23. I like a tortured hero. I have loved the first two books in Ms. Ione's series.

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  24. I tend to enjoy the darker heroes, can't wait to read this one!

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  25. I like 'em all. Diversity is the spice of life!!

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  26. I love everyman heroes who are caught up in circumstances over their heads. Harlan Coben's work comes to mind...

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  27. My preferences vary with my mood, so I'll just toss my hat in and say I can't wait to read this one.

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  28. I just finished reading the first book in this series and I had to stop myself of running right out to pick up and read the next one... I have to get some writing of my own done and this stuff os so addictive, I was forsaking all else!

    I like my heroes dark, grumpy and broody but aching to open up for the right woman!

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  29. I loved Lilith SaintCrow's 2nd Dante Valentine novel "Dead Man Rising." That whole scene at the end actually made me cry. I love it when the heroes overcome impossible odds to find love. That's also why I'm a huge fan of J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

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  30. I love flawed, witty, sometimes broody heroes. Also big and buff. I know it's cheesy, but I want the guy to physically eclipse the girl. But I want the chick to be smart and sassy, totally able to hold her own. I don't mind when the hero underestimates her, and then she kicks major ass.

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  31. I love you. Not much more I can add to that, but Lynn, you're just...the best.

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  32. Anonymous8:59 PM

    I don't have a favorite look, but I'm a sucker for a well-written shape shifter. Doesn't even really matter what shape they shift in to. I enjoy the possibilities of melding animal and human instincts into a single package.

    ~ Mitch

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  33. I'm quite partial to alpha heroes that have a sensitive side.

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  34. I love heroes like Mal, in Firefly - he knows what he's about an' he ain't about t' quibble.

    Heroines? Why the Buffster of course. Who doesn't love a heroine who kicks butt... hmm, I'm sensing a Joss Whedon moment here...

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  35. I'll read any hero and heroine, any type of story dilemma as long as it is well written and well thought out. Of course if the hero happens to be tall, dark and handsome...then....who am I to say no?

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  36. Anonymous11:03 PM

    Hi,

    I enjoy reading books on a broody and tortured hero.

    Thanks,

    Terri W.

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  37. Larissa wrote: I love you. Not much more I can add to that, but Lynn, you're just...the best.

    Geez, now you're going to make me cry all over my blog. While you're here, lady, let me congratulate you on what I've just heard -- Passion Unleashed has made the USA Today and the New York Times bestseller lists this week.

    I am so proud of you, you know that, and so happy for you. I can't think of anyone who has worked as hard or deserves it as much as you.

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  38. I love the tortured, imperfect heroes that end up in love, despite their own best efforts. :)

    Thanks!

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  39. Is it midnight yet? Nope. Good! I am not to late :)

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  40. I love the tortured sexy bad boy hero who struggled against falling in love with the heroine. I love to watch him fall. :)

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  41. morris_clan6:50 AM

    I think strong manly males are the best because they all have a soft side somehwere usually there heroines. I like sassy heroines who let their men be men while supporting them, even if it means being by their side kicking tail or back at the homefront taking care of others while waiting for him to come back bloody or not.

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  42. The "buttoned up type" (Mr. Darcy) that needs a good woman or maybe a "mad, bad and dangerous to know" type.

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  43. so long as an author consistently raises the personal stakes for the hero/heroine and has past actions affect their future, it works for me.

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  44. Anonymous2:49 PM

    I love the really bad Men! Lucan in your book Dark Need is a great example or Modred in Simon Hawke's Wizard of 4th Street series. There is something about flirting with the dangerous guy who may or may not be as bad as you think he is that is enticing.

    Thanks.

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  45. I like books with sarcastic leads, cynicism also makes it better!

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  46. Geez, now you're going to make me cry all over my blog. While you're here, lady, let me congratulate you on what I've just heard -- Passion Unleashed has made the USA Today and the New York Times bestseller lists this week.

    I am so proud of you, you know that, and so happy for you. I can't think of anyone who has worked as hard or deserves it as much as you.


    Aw, thank you...and now you've made me cry all over your blog. My keyboard is glaring at you.

    I'm so thrilled and terrified and freaked out all at once, and just grateful for all my good fortune. I'm so very lucky to have all I do, including FABULOUS friends.

    Thank you!

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  47. I like shades of gray heroes. People who are not all good or all bad, but a mix. I also like heroes that can accept the strong and sassy heroines for who they are, without having to do a 180 of themselves.

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  48. camille10:27 PM

    I like the brooding, edgy, dark heroes that have a secret only the right heroine can handle.

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  49. My favorite type of hero is an alpha male who isn't afraid to show his softer side, especially to the heroine. Some of my favorite situations are those where the hero is forced to make a choice between two things when neither is a good option. He just has to find his way to make his decision work for him, and the heroine, so they can be together.

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