I got the early review from Romantic Times (June issue) for SINFUL MAGIC. Here’s a snippet:

SINFUL MAGIC
Jennifer Lyon
4 1/2 stars  HOT

Fans will be delighted to find only a month’s gap between installments
of the newest Wing Slayer/Magic novels. The power of undying love
truly shines through here, adding plenty of emotion to an otherwise
dark and action-packed adventure. Another Lyon triumph!

I am HUGELY relieved! I was more worried about this book than NIGHT MAGIC.  Isn’t it amazing how we can love something so much, like writing, and yet it’s so hard to do? I was so exhausted by the time I’d finished with Key’s book, I simply had no perspective.

Here’s a snippet of another review on NIGHT MAGIC from Joyfully Reviewed This is the second to last paragraph and it made me tear up because the reviewer really “got” Phoenix and Ailish.

Phoenix and Ailish simple sizzle in Night Magic.   These two set the world on fire with the passion that erupts between them.  Night Magic’s pages are filled with strong emotions and gripping suspense.  Jennifer Lyon has created characters filled with such depth it’s impossible not to identify with them.  Phoenix is this strong indestructible slayer out to save the world yet he’s filled with guilt and it eats at him affecting everything he does.  The glimpses into his mind are intense and powerful.  The feelings within Phoenix are set to a boil and they all bubble over when Ailish enters his life.  His gut reaction may be ‘hell no’ when he meets her but it’s impossible to deny the connection between them.  Ailish is also a strong character.  It amazes me when I think about the fortitude within Ailish.  She knows her situation is her fault and it’s her responsibility to fix it.  Ailish lost her sight in this evil battle and is willing to give her life to keep evil from gaining her power.  Phoenix turns Ailish’s world upside down.  He makes her feel things like never before and she just doesn’t know how to handle it.  She has had one goal for so long she doesn’t know how to do anything but fight.

So while we’re talking about reviews, do you all even read them? What are you looking for in a review? I’ll answer first–I only read reviews when I’m unsure about a book,  or AFTER I’ve read the book and I want to see if others agree with my opinion.

It’s release day for a couple of my friends. First up:

ETERNAL KISS by Laura Wright. Click on her name to go to her website and see her book trailer. It’s all kinds of awesome!

Laura and I have been friends and critique partners for years. We met at our local RWA chapter, both of us had recently sold, but our books weren’t out yet.  I am so incredibly proud of her.  Laura was a really good writer when I met her, but she’s worked her butt off and grown  into a fabulous writer!

Eternal Kiss is the second book in her Mark of the Vampire series.  The quick blurb:

Raised by the Breed, Nicholas Roman wants to stop the Eternal Order of Vampires from controlling his life, and using other males from his bloodline-including possibly his son-for their vicious reign. Only a beautiful vampire stranger can help him. But what are her true motives?

Also out today is:

MISSING by Debra Webb, one of my Murder She Writes gal-pals!

Deb is one of the most amazing women you will ever meet!

The blurb on MISSING is

“I need your help. Please.“

And with those words, tough-guy Jonathan Foley melted. It had been years since he’d seen the only woman to climb his wall of solitude…months since he’d joined an elite team of operatives called the Equalizers and hidden away his secrets. But now Melissa Shepherd needed him—and there was no denying her.

Melissa’s niece was missing and she knew only Jonathan could see past the lies in her small Alabama hometown and find Polly. Searching alongside the man she’d loved and lost would prove difficult…and downright dangerous. But she’d have to—because for the little girl, time was running out….

Okay that’s what I have for you guys today! Anyone have a new book they want to tell us about?

Guess who surprised me with a visit and made me Oh So Happy?????

It’s Bailey Dog! I have missed him! He brought one of my sons with him to visit too. Sure, I missed my kid, but Bailey is so much fun. In fact we played so much that by nine at night he looked like this:

He could barely keep his eyes open but he refused to go to bed until I did.

And you know what? That night I actually SLEPT! That dog has some kind of magic since I’ve been in a monster battle with insomnia lately.

Otherwise, my weekend was pretty good.  Still in synopsis hell. I don’t want to talk about it. I just want a fairy to show up and write the darn thing for me.  But that’s not happening so…dang it, I have to do it myself.

I want to give a big shout out to Biker Witch today on her first day as an UNEMPLOYEED SLACKER! Yay Biker Witch! You’ve earned it, enjoy!

Alrighty, witches, how was your weekend?