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Saturday, January 30, 2021

Review - The Segonian (Aldebarian Alliance #2) by Dianne Duvall


REVIEW


Tension in The Segonian's inception leads to an introduction to their broader universe. We spend time getting acquainted with Dagon's crew on their ship, the Ranasura, during their rescue mission in deep space. Races within, and some outside of the Aldebarian Alliance, are introduced as Elaina and Dagon become close. With a grand battle at the end, the primary antagonist finally comes into play. Sci-fi is typically not a genre of choice for me, but as The Segonian unfolded, I found myself more and more enveloped in this world. I am definitely eager for the next installment of the Aldebarian Alliance.


I did not mind the bulk of the action was at the end of their story. Eliana and Dagon are charming enough in their environment that I thoroughly enjoyed their company. Dagon and Eliana couple well. Dagon has honor, calm masculinity, and genuine respect for his comrades. Everyone takes an instant liking to Eliana, which is entirely believable. She is kind, quick-witted, and resilient. 


In essence, this book is well worth the time. I laughed, cried, and experienced the anxiety for Eliana and Dagon to fulfill their mission. On a side note, if you are an audiobook fan, you must consider this medium for The Segonian. The narrator is a remarkable vessel. But no matter print or audio, The Segonian by Dianne Duvall is an excellent sci-fi fantasy romance.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Monday, January 25, 2021

The Segonian by Dianne Duvall Blog Tour Author's Post - The Segonian Playlist


The Segonian Playlist

Hello! Thank you for joining us today in celebrating the release of THE SEGONIAN, the second stand-alone novel in my exciting Aldebarian Alliance series. If you’re new to my work and enjoy sci-fi and paranormal romance novels that feature strong heroes who love strong women and have lots of action, passion, humor, and happily-ever-afters, then I think you’ll enjoy Dagon and Eliana’s story. 


One of the questions readers frequently ask me is what kind of music I listen to when I write. Those of you who have hung out with me in my Street Team, my Dianne Duvall Books Group, or elsewhere on social media already know what I’ve going to say: I rarely listen to music when I’m in writer mode, because I inevitably end up singing along with the songs and lose focus. BUT that doesn’t mean that music and writing never intermingle for me. Certain songs always bring specific characters, books, or scenes to mind. So today I thought I would share with you my playlist for THE SEGONIAN:


E. T. — Katy Perry. 

I couldn’t resist adding this one. Commander Dagon is an alien, after all. And, technically speaking, Eliana is as alien to him as he is to her. ;-)

What’s Up Danger — Blackway & Black Caviar. 

This could be Eliana’s anthem. She does NOT shy away from danger and totally kicks ass. I love her strength. Dagon does, too. And he doesn’t shy away from danger either, diving right into battle alongside Eliana and his men.

Resilient — Katy Perry. 

If Eliana had another theme song, this would be it. In the beginning of this book, she finds herself in an absolutely terrifying situation. (You can read the preview on my website: http://www.dianneduvall.com/TheSegonian.htm ) But boy, does she bounce back!

Scared of the Dark — Lil. Wayne & Ty Dolla $ign. 

Eliana has spent most of her long life hunting psychotic vampires night after night. So she is definitely not afraid of the dark and doesn’t back down when times get tough.

Familia (featuring Bantu)—Nicki Minaj & Anuel AA. 

This one I associate with Eliana and quite a few characters in my Immortal Guardians series. My Immortal Guardians are like one great big family, loving and teasing and utterly loyal. They will do anything for each other. And if someone wrongs one of them, the rest won't hesitate to seek vengeance.

Down with the Sickness — Disturbed. 

I had to add this one, too, since Eliana is an Immortal Guardian. (Don’t worry. You don’t have to read that series to understand this one. This is a stand-alone novel in a new series.) Immortals and vampires in my fictional universe are infected with a very rare virus that behaves more like a symbiotic organism and grants them their amazing strength, speed, regenerative properties, and longevity.

At Last — Etta James. 

This is another song I now associate it with Eliana and Dagon. You’ll know why when you read or listen to THE SEGONIAN. ;-)



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What about you? What songs are currently on your playlist? Are there any that make you think of specific books or characters?

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Release Day Blitz - The Segonian by Dianne Duvall

 

We are out-of-this-world excited to be celebrating this release from Dianne Duvall with our readers today by participating in the blog tour! THE SEGONIAN is the second book in Dianne's sci-fi romance series, Aldebarian Alliance.  Keep reading to find out more about the title below. Click HERE to reserve your copy of The Segonian today!




ABOUT THE BOOK

The Segonian
Book #2 Aldebarian Alliance
By Dianne Duvall
Releasing date: January 19, 2021 
Eliana’s life has never been what one might term ordinary. At least, it hasn’t been for a very long time. As a powerful Immortal Guardian, she spends her nights hunting and slaying psychotic vampires that most of humanity doesn’t even realize exist. Then an opportunity arises that instantly makes her extraordinary existence seem downright boring. The leader of the Immortal Guardians asks her to guard a group of mortals who are embarking upon a voyage across the galaxy to the planet Lasaran. How could she possibly say no?

In no time at all, Eliana is hurtling through space on board a Lasaran battleship and getting to know not one but two alien races. It’s the most exciting adventure of her long life… until the ship is unexpectedly attacked. Amid the chaos and destruction that follow, she valiantly helps everyone she can before an explosion renders her unconscious. When Eliana awakens, she finds herself alone, floating in space, clad only in a spacesuit, with no ship in sight. Alone—that is—except for the warm, deep voice that carries over the comm in her helmet.

Commander Dagon and the crew of the Segonian battleship Ranasura respond to a distress call from their Lasaran allies and join a massive Alliance-wide search-and-rescue mission. He quickly achieves communication with a lone Earthling female and races toward her. Every time they speak, his fascination with her grows and he becomes more desperate to reach her before her oxygen supply runs out. Her strength, bravery, and humor entice him, even more so when she defies all odds and they meet in person.

As he and Eliana embark upon a quest to find her missing friends, a bond swiftly grows between them that deepens with every laugh and smile and tender touch they share. But they are not the only ones searching for Earthling survivors. When Eliana herself becomes the hunted and their enemies begin to close in, can the two of them fight their way to victory, or will their enemies take everything?


AVAILABLE FOR ORDER





The Aldebarian Alliance Series:




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne's books "fast-paced and humorous" (Publishers Weekly), "utterly addictive" (RT Book Reviews), "extraordinary" (Long and Short Reviews), and "wonderfully imaginative" (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews, and/or Night Owl Reviews.  

Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books. 

For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com or sign up for her Newsletter. You can also find Dianne online . . .



Tour-Wide Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of The Segonian Dianne is giving away several Amazon Gift Cards to readers. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter Form linked below. Follow along with the Blog Tour daily for more chances to win. Good luck! 

(1) $50.00 Amazon Gift Card

(2) $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

 

ABOUT THE BOOK


Olivia Dade bursts onto the scene in this delightfully fun romantic comedy set in the world of fanfiction, in which a devoted fan goes on an unexpected date with her celebrity crush, who’s secretly posting fanfiction of his own.

 
Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. The world may know him as Aeneas, star of the biggest show on television, but fanfiction readers call him something else: Book!AeneasWouldNever. Marcus gets out his frustrations with the show through anonymous stories about the internet’s favorite couple, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone discovered his online persona, he’d be finished in Hollywood.

April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s long hidden her fanfic and cosplay hobbies from her “real life”—but not anymore. When she dares to post her latest costume creation on Twitter, her plus-size take goes viral. And when Marcus asks her out to spite her internet critics, truth officially becomes stranger than fanfiction.


On their date, Marcus quickly realizes he wants more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. But when he discovers she’s Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to keep from her.


With love and Marcus’s career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely canceled?


REVIEW


April, in her private life, is engaged in an online community of fans. This group dedicates their time to correct the wrongs done by a television adaption of their favorite series through fanfic. When a new career opportunity presents itself, April sees this as the perfect time to improve herself. April is very passionate about what she loves, the God of the Gates novels especially. With a new job comes a determination to open herself up to her friends and colleagues. April shares her love of God of the Gates by introducing her cosplay tribute to the world, voluptuous body type, and all. 


When April's tribute on social media inspires negative feedback, Marcus Caster-Rupp, a lead in the series God of the Gates inspired, gives April his full support. Pubicly inviting her to dinner for all the fans to see, Marcus quickly recognizes April from the online fanfic community. Marcus then does what he can to convince April he is not just a pretty face.


Spoiler Alert takes April and Marcus down a path to self-worth and love. They learn from each other that they are more than what is on the surface. It is heart-warming, frustrating, and utterly engaging. I adored them both through the good and the bad. Not to mention everything about this story resonates with me. I can easily say this is one of the best modern romances I have read.