The Lasaran by Dianne Duvall Blog Tour Stop

We are beyond excited to be celebrate this release from Dianne Duvall with you today by participating in the blog tour! THE LASARAN is the first book in a brand new sci-fi romance series, Aldebarian Alliance.  Keep reading to find out more about the title below. Click here to reserve your copy today!

And don't forget to check out Dianne's top 5 favorite sci-fi movies at the bottom of this post! 

Thanks Dianne!

The Lasaran

Book #1 Aldebarian Alliance

By Dianne Duvall

April 21, 2020

New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi romance series full of action, intrigue, humor, and happily-ever-afters.

Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.

After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.

Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?

Kindle | Kobo | B&N |  iBooks | Audible | Paperpack 

AmazonUK | AmazonAU | AmazonDE | AmazonCA | AmazonFR 

The Immortal Guardians Series:

Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians, #1) 

Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, #2)

Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians, #3) 

In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #3.5) 

Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians, #4) 

Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians, #5) 

Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians, #5.5)

Shadows Strike (Immortal Guardians, #6) 

Blade of Darkness (Immortal Guardians Book 7) 

Awaken the Darkness (Immortal Guardians Book 8)

Death of Darkness (Immortal Guardians Book 9)

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. You can also find Dianne online . . .

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest | Goodreads | Book Bub | Instagram

Tour-Wide Giveaway:

- (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card
- (2) An Aldebarian Alliance, Immortal Guardians, and The Gifted Ones by Dianne Duvall Prize Pack

*Please be aware, that should conditions worsen due to COVID-19, the author reserves the right to substitute an Amazon.com gift card of their choice amount for the prize pack. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. 

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Top 5 Favorite Sci-Fi Movies

Hello! Thanks so much for helping me celebrate the release of THE LASARAN, the first book in my new Aldebarian Alliance series. If you love sci-fi and paranormal romance that features strong men who adore strong women, and boasts lots of action, passion, humor, and happily-ever-afters, then I think you’ll enjoy this series.

Though romance and its many sub-genres has long been my favorite reading pleasure, many of my favorite films fall under the headings of sci-fi and horror. Since the hero of THE LASARAN hails from another planet I thought I would share my Top 5 Favorite Sci-Fi Movies:

1

ALIENS

There is nothing in this movie that I don’t like. I love it from beginning to end and have lost count of the number of times I’ve watched it.

2

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol. 2.

I love movies that combine action with comedy. Throw sci-fi in and give me likable characters and I’ll watch it again and again. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 has it all. And the intro is one of my all-time favorites. There have been many times when I didn’t have time to watch the whole movie and just watched the intro for a fun pick-me-up.

3

THE FIFTH ELEMENT

This is such a fun movie. Leeloo (Milla Jovavitch’s character) reminds me a lot of Ami, a character in my Immortal Guardians series. She can kick a LOT of butt, yet she’s also sweet and vulnerable. Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis’s character) is a lot of fun, too. And everything from the visuals to the music, directing, and casting appeals to the independent filmmaker in me.

4

LIVE DIE REPEAT: EDGE OF TOMORROW

What can I say? I love reluctant heroes (which is why I also love Korben Dallas). And as I mentioned earlier, I really enjoy movies that combine action with comedy. This movie has plenty of both.

5

GALAXY QUEST

I never grow tired of watching this one. It always makes me laugh. I love the characters, the plot… all of it. And since I grew up watching old Star Trek re-runs, seeing these “TV actors” react to being thrust into what amounts to a live version of their show is vastly entertaining.

So what about you? What are some of your favorite sci-fi movies?

REVIEW

A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones

ABOUT THE BOOK

New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones is back with the first novel in the brand-new snarky, sassy, wickedly fun Sunshine Vicram series—A Bad Day for Sunshine!

"Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun." - New York Times Bestselling author Allison Brennan

"A Bad Day For Sunshine is a great day for the rest of us." - Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.

Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, strong cups of coffee—and, now, a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff—thanks to her adorably meddlesome parents who nominated her—and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of this is reminding Sunshine why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that the trouble at her daughter’s new school, plus and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and, well, the forecast looks anything but sunny.

But even clouds have their silver linings. This one's got Levi, Sunshine's sexy, almost-old-flame, and a fiery-hot US Marshal. With temperatures rising everywhere she turns, Del Sol's normally cool-minded sheriff is finding herself knee-deep in drama and danger. Can Sunshine face the call of duty—and find the kidnapper who's terrorizing her beloved hometown—without falling head over high heels in love...or worse?

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REVIEW

I am a tremendous fan of Darynda Jones. Having read her Charlie Davidson series, I was eager to dive into A Bad Day for Sunshine, and she did not disappoint. Sunshine Vicram is the new sheriff in her hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico.  She has a complicated past, a promising future, and a strange and enlightening first case.

Sunshine is a fun lead. She is sassy, intelligent, and hilarious. Her initial days on the job are portrayed with endearing lightheartedness, and drama when appropriate. Conflicts in Del Sol, at times, have an otherworldly edge which the entire cast takes in stride. No disbelief or arguing the logic, the cast accepts it and does what is necessary. A deeper mystery is at play here as well, one that I cannot wait to experience in more novels.

If you have read Charlie Davidson, you will love Sunshine. If you haven't, but like a good crime mystery with humor and heart, you should give A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones a try.

Highland Sword A Royal Highlander Novel by May McGoldrick

ABOUT THE BOOK

Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion—this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best.

From USA Today bestselling author May McGoldrick comes Highland Sword, the third book in the Royal Highlander series.

A VOW FOR VENGEANCE

Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Trained to fight alongside the other rebels determined to break Britain’s hold on Scotland, she swears to avenge her father’s death—until a chance encounter with a barrister as proud and principled as she is presents her with a hard choice…and a bittersweet temptation.

A PLEA FOR PASSION

Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan—and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney. Convincing Morrigan to help him will take time, but Aidan is willing to wait if it means victory over corrupt government forces and freedom for his people…and Morrigan’s hand in marriage. Can two warriors committed to a cause stand down long enough to open their hearts to a love fierce enough to last…forever?

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

REVIEW

I encountered no issues following the events or relationships in Highland Sword despite not reading any prior novels in this series. Against a historical Scottish backdrop, Morrigan and Aiden search for vengeance. Both characters are determined and capable in their quests, whether they are working together toward a goal or individually. Morrigan is a strong-willed, fun heroine, and Aiden is well suited to calm Morrigan's storm. The romance between Morrigan and Aiden was slow to take effect, but I enjoyed the pacing of it. I found their snarky and flirtatious encounters to be endearing. I enjoyed reading Highland Sword and recommend it for lovers of historical romantic fiction.

“Heartless” By Dannika Dark Cover Reveal Blitz

“Heartless” By Dannika Dark

Cover Reveal Blitz

March 27, 2020

Heartless(Crossbreed Series, Bk 9)by Dannika Dark

Blurb:

Despite the spoils of a solid relationship and an idyllic life at Keystone, Raven is itching for the thrill of another big case. Things begin to heat up when a dangerous assignment falls in her lap.

Searching for the mastermind behind an illegal fighting ring is no easy feat, but as the weeks roll by, Raven’s undercover job begins to take an unexpected emotional toll. It’s a deadly mission, and if she’s not careful, she could lose everything.

Release Date: June 2020

Subscribe to Dannika's Newsletter to learn when pre-order links become available! 

Keystone

(Crossbreed Series Book 1)

Available for purchase at

Kindle | Amazon (Paperback) | Audible | iTunes | Nook | B&N | Kobo | Tantor

Ravenheart

(Crossbreed Series, Bk #2)

Available for purchase at

Kindle | Amazon (Paperback) | Audible | iTunes | Nook | B&N | Kobo | Tantor

Deathtrap

(Crossbreed Series, Bk #3)

Available for purchase at

Kindle | Amazon (Paperback) | Audible | iTunes | Nook | B&N | Kobo | Tantor

Gaslight

(Crossbreed Series, Bk #4)

Available for purchase at 

iTunes | Tantor | Audible | Kindle | Amazon Paperback | B&N | Kobo

Blackout

(Crossbreed Series, Bk #5)

Available for purchase at

iTunes | Audible | Amazon Paperback | Kindle | Tantor | Nook | Kobo

Nevermore
(Crossbreed Series, Bk #6)

Available for purchase at

iTunes | Audible | Amazon Paperback | Kindle | Kobo

Moonstruck
(Crossbreed Series, Bk #7)

Available for purchase at 

Audible | Amazon Paperback | iTunes | Kindle | Kobo

Listen to an exclusive audio excerpt at Viviana Enchantress of Books for Audiobook Lovin'! 

Spellbound
(Crossbreed Series, Bk #8)

Available for purchase at

Audible | Kindle | Amazon Paperback | iTunes | Kobo | Nook 

About the Author

Dannika Dark is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Urban Fantasy Romance and Paranormal Romance books. Her books have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide, and she is a 2016 Audie Awards finalist. In addition to writing about supernatural worlds, Dannika is passionate about graphic design and creates all her own covers and series art. When not writing in her cave, she enjoys indie music, reading, Netflix, heaps of chocolate, and unleashing her dark side. 

You can find Dannika at 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page | Bookbub

To receive exclusive content and be the first to know about upcoming releases, please sign up for her newsletter. 

Presented By

The Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo Blog Tour Stop, Excerpt and Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Praise for Alyssa Palombo and THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS

"[A] vivacious tale of power and love set in 1492... Excavating the personal relationships and petty disagreements that fueled Pope Alexander VI’s controversial reign, Palombo’s enticing tale will please fans of Sharon Kay Penman." 

–Publishers Weekly

"Readers looking for an immersive, light, romantic read will enjoy this book."

–Booklist

"Under Palombo’s skillful hand, the entangled world of the Borgias comes vividly to life, exposing the dark facets of class structure and the all-consuming greed that comes with ambition--and love. I was utterly engrossed from page one. A colorful and suspenseful novel, The Borgia Confessions is packed with complex characters and political intrigue, and will leave readers hungry for more." 

–Heather Webb, internationally bestselling author of Last Christmas in Paris and Meet Me in Monaco 

“Palombo has crafted a sweeping and surprisingly sympathetic portrait of Cesare Borgia, one of history’s most notorious "bad boys,” and the world surrounding him. [A] dark Renaissance parable about the intertwining of lust and power. If you’re as fascinated with all things Borgia as I am, you won’t want to miss this one!” 

–Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams and Bad Princess

"Handsome. Intriguing. Dangerous. Seductive. [This] is everything you want in a book--it's a romance, a page-turner, and a ride deep into the sumptuous and tumultuous time of Renaissance Italy." 

–Crystal King, author of The Chef's Secret

"Alyssa Palombo’s deft and delicate prose makes a gorgeous contrast against the visceral and cutthroat world of the Borgias. Dark and decadent, THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS is mesmerizing from start to finish." 

–Meghan Masterson, author of The Wardrobe Mistress

THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS

A Novel

By Alyssa Palombo

The trials of Renaissance Italy play out through the eyes of one of Italy's most powerful men - Cesare Borgia - as well as one of the least powerful - a simple maid. In THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS (St. Martin’s Griffin; on sale February 11, 2020; $16.99), author Alyssa Palombo brings a story of passion, politics, and class, set against the rise and fall of one of Italy's most infamous families--the Borgias.

During the sweltering Roman summer of 1492, Rodrigo Borgia has risen to power as pope. Rodrigo’s eldest son Cesare, forced to follow his father into the church and newly made the Archbishop of Valencia, chafes at his ecclesiastical role and fumes with jealousy and resentment at the way that his foolish brother has been chosen for the military greatness he desired.

Maddalena Moretti comes from the countryside, where she has seen how the whims of powerful men wreak havoc on the lives of ordinary people. But now, employed as a servant in the Vatican Palace, she cannot help but be entranced by Cesare Borgia’s handsome face and manner and finds her faith and conviction crumbling in her want of him.

As war rages and shifting alliances challenge the pope’s authority, Maddalena and Cesare's lives grow inexplicably entwined. Maddalena becomes a keeper of dangerous Borgia secrets, and must decide if she is willing to be a pawn in the power games of the man she loves. And as jealousy and betrayal threaten to tear apart the Borgia family from within, Cesare is forced to reckon with his seemingly limitless ambition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALYSSA PALOMBO is the author of The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, and The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel. She is a recent graduate of Canisius College with degrees in English and creative writing, respectively. A passionate music lover, she is a classically trained musician as well as a big fan of heavy metal. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her friends, traveling, or planning for next Halloween. She lives in Buffalo, New York, where she is always at work on a new novel.

For more information or to set up an interview with Alyssa Palombo, please contact:

Sarah Schoof, St. Martin’s Publishing Group

sarah.schoof@stmartins.com or 646.307.5568

THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS: A Novel

By Alyssa Palombo

Published by St. Martin’s Griffin | On-Sale: February 11, 2020

Trade Paperback | 9781250191205 | $16.99

EBook | 9781250191212 | $9.99

Excerpt

Chapter 3

MADDALENA

Not much changed for those of us in service at the Vatican Palace when the new pope took over. There were still the same tasks to see to, the same rooms to be cleaned, the same floors to be scrubbed, and the same laundry to be washed. The Holy Father was to be obeyed whoever he was, and his earthly house was to be kept clean and running smoothly so he could attend to far more lofty matters. One morning I was returning to the kitchens with an empty tray from one of the cardinals’ rooms—the new Vice-Chancellor, Ascanio Sforza by name—when I passed a man heading for the

Holy Father’s audience chamber. He was rather garishly dressed, in brightly colored hose and tunic with a huge codpiece, and wear- ing a hat with a large feather in it. He winked and leered at me as I passed, and I cast my eyes down. Surely such a man was not fit for an audience with the Holy Father?

I caught up with one of the other maids, Fabrizia, at the end of the hallway. “Fabrizia,” I murmured, my voice low so my words would not echo off the marble floors and walls, “who is that man?” I jerked my chin toward the man’s retreating back.

She snickered. “That’s Juan Borgia. The pope’s son,” she confided. I gasped. All of Rome knew of the existence of Cardinal Borgia’s children—Pope Alexander, I corrected myself. It was no secret that many of the other cardinals had mistresses and bastard children as well. But for a pope to acknowledge such children . . . “He brings his children into the Vatican?” I asked, shocked. “He allows them to be known as such, even now that he has been made pope?”

Fabrizia nodded. “It is unusual, indeed. No referring to them as his nephews or nieces, as popes usually do. And you know he keeps a mistress, yes?”

I gasped again. I had heard the whisperings, but I tried my best to close my ears to such things. Gossip—especially gossip about the Holy Father—was a sin.

Yet my curiosity rose, despite my pangs of guilt. I shall confess this sin after Mass on Sunday, I promised myself. “I . . . he does?” I asked.

Fabrizia’s eyes gleamed, and she drew me into a small alcove. She was well and truly settled in to gossip. “Oh, yes. Honestly, Maddalena, even for a country bumpkin you seem altogether too innocent sometimes—and you a widow, no less. Her name is Giulia Farnese and she is the most beautiful woman in Rome. He keeps her with his cousin, Adriana, and his daughter, Lucrezia. Can you imagine? And La Bella Farnese is married to Adriana’s own son! They were just married when Giulia La Bella caught Cardinal Bor- gia’s eye, and so Donna Adriana banished her son to the country estates to get him out of the way—before the cuckold’s horns were even properly affixed to his head, they say.” She snickered. “If the stories are true, Cardinal Borgia—Pope Alexander—has rewarded Adriana and her family richly, including the poor cuckolded son, which is exactly what she was hoping for.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice further. “He is said to be moving them to the pal- ace of Santa Maria in Portico. He wants La Bella Farnese nearer to him—they say there is a secret passage that connects the Vatican Palace to that one, so he can visit her in secret.”

I crossed myself automatically. “God forgive him,” I said. “He has been led astray by a harlot.” Immediately I regretted my words—he was the Holy Father; he could do no wrong. Who was I to criticize, when I could not understand the ways in which God spoke to His representative on earth? “But that is not for us to say,” I added hastily.

Fabrizia rolled her eyes. “Indeed,” she said. “All I know is men do what they want, whether they wear hose or a cardinal’s robes. Or a pope’s, even. I don’t know that God has much to say about it. But his son, that Juan . . .” She nodded in the direction from which we’d come. “They say Pope Alexander has big plans for him, and for his other son, Cesare. He’ll not let his children fade into the background, not the Borgia pope.”

It was some weeks before I saw the other son, Cesare. It was late evening, and he looked to be heading in the direction of the pope’s private rooms. I curtsied to him as he passed in the darkened hallway in his purple archbishop’s robes. I felt his eyes on me as I curtsied, and when I rose our eyes met briefly. Goodness, but he was handsome, with his head of thick, dark curls under his cap and his dark eyes and the stubble lining his cheeks and chin, which looked like they belonged on a statue in the Vatican gardens. He was much more handsome than his fop of a brother, that was for certain. His eyes turned away, forward once more.

My cheeks burned with shame as I continued on, back to my cot in the bowels of the palace where I shared a room with three other maids. Cesare Borgia was a man of God, an archbishop, no less—it was not meet that I should think him comely or attractive.

I crossed myself, whispering a silent prayer of forgiveness. Back in my room, I bent over the handkerchief I was embroidering, squinting at it in the dim light, and recited a prayer with each few stitches to keep my thoughts from wandering where they did not belong.

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Review 

I tried desperately to get into this book, but it just did not happen.  I found myself concentrating on the injustice and corruption in the church system of the time, which really took away from the characters and a good deal of the plot.  When approaching it I had hoped this would not be the case, but I must give the author a shout out for staying true to the time frame.  I have held my review for this reason, and really I am not able to recommend it either way.  My best advice is to read the synopsis and the excerpt and give it a go if it sounds interesting.