Janiera Eldridge is celebrating the release of her second novel, DARK EXPECTATIONS. It is the sequel to her debut, SOUL SISTERS. Today, I’m hosting her on my blog as part of her blog tour. Take it away, Janiera! (Please see my review below.)
My Top 5 Winters Must Haves!
Winter (including the holiday season) is my favorite time of year. You think a Florida girl would say summer but, not-so-much. The 50’s and 30’s temperatures we get during this time of year isreal relief! However, there are some items I must have to get me through this time of year!
1. The Snuggie: Now I admit, I made fun of this too when it first came on the market. However this is a readers and writers dream. It keeps me warm without having to turn on the heat and my arms stay protected. I love being able to pull this out of the closet whenever it turns cold.
2. Coffee: This one does not need much explanation but coffee is must for the cold weather season. Coffee never gave me much energy but I love how it fills you with warmth as soon as you swallow it. There are really delicious holiday creamers you use to spice up your coffee too and I have to have it while I read and write.
3.Laptop: Well, as a writer simply, this is the bread and butter of my life. It really is a must have item all year around but my best writing happens during the window. We don’t get any snow but it is often grey and rainy during this time of year. It really makes you want to hunker down and let thoughts flow from my brain to the computer. I just wouldn’t feel complete without my laptop.
4. Netflix: What would I do without streaming Netflix on my TV? The cloudy, chilly, winter days makes it hard to want to go out. Some days with suffering from Fibromyalgia I can’t go out so watching shows and movies on Netflix is a real convenience. There is nothing like a good movie to get caught up in on a cold winter day.
5. Books: This is my favorite one and an absolute must have! There is nothing like getting caught up in a good book this time year! I don’t have a particular genre I like to write the most but urban fantasy and mystery are my favorite to read this time of year. Put a good book, coffee and a snuggie together and I never want to leave the house
What are some items you must have during the winter?
Awesome list, Janiera!
Here’s more information if you’d like to check out Janiera’s books:
Title: Dark Expectations (Book 2 in the Soul Sisters Trilogy)
Author: Janiera Eldridge
Release Day: October 31, 2012
Synopsis: With Ani taking her place as queen, there are some enemies lurking she could never imagine! There’s a secret compound in California that wants to know the secrets to making a vampire or werewolf. When they kidnap Ani during a trip back to California they might actually get what they want. Her sister Dana, her lover Diego and other vampires do everything they can to get her back. If they don’t succeed, they face being controlled completely by the human race forever! Dark Expectations is the exciting sequel to Soul Sisters that’s full of adventure, danger and what it means to be queen!
Buy Links:
Amazon (Paperback & Kindle)
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13640540-soul-sisters
Coming soon to other online book retailers in late January!
Title: Soul Sisters (Book 1 in the Soul Sisters Trilogy)
Author: Janiera Eldridge
Release Day: October 18th 2012
Synopsis: Soul Sisters is an urban fantasy novel about African-American twin sisters Ani and Dana who have a rather unique secret: one sister is human while the other is a vampire. While the sisters have lived peacefully with each other for many years one fateful night will change both their lives forever. When a drunken man tries to attack Dana (the human sister) Ani (the vampire sister) protects her sister with all of her ferocious power. However, when the vampire’s leader Donovan finds out about the public display he calls for the sisters to be assassinated for disobedience. Ani and Dana now are in for the fight of their lives to protect each other as well as the lives of their dedicated friends who have joined them on their mission for survival. If Dana and Ani can make it through this time of uncertainty, Ani can take her new place as vampire queen. Soul Sisters is expected to be a trilogy; The book also features a multicultural cast of characters that brings a new edge of chic to the vampire world!
Buy Links:
Amazon (paperback&Kindle)
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13640540-soul-sisters
Coming soon to other online book retailers in late January!
Author Bio: Janiera enjoys feeding her book addiction when she not writing. She is also a book blogger at Beauty and Books where she mixes being a book nerd with keeping things chic. When not reading or writing she is freelance writing in the entertainment industry.When trying to relax she likes a huge yard sale on a Saturday morning, rainy days to read by and nacho cheese is her kryptonite. Soul Sisters is her debut novel.
Connect With the author:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lazenbeauty
FB: http:/facebook.com/janiera.eldridge.1
Blog: http://janieraeldridge.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5319319.Janiera_Eldridge
US Giveaway Only!
<a id=”rc-f2a83a50″ class=”rafl” href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f2a83a50/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src=”//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js”></script>
Intl. Giveaway
<a id=”rc-f2a83a53″ class=”rafl” href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f2a83a53/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src=”//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js”></script>
PS–Sorry these last links are kind of messy–Sometimes WordPress isn’t cooperative, LOL! 😦
My Review of Dark Expectations by Janiera Eldridge
Dark Expectations is the sequel to Soul Sisters. In it, twin sisters (one human, the other a vampire) must adapt to a new way of life. Ani has stepped into her role of Vampire Queen and must deal with the accolades…as well as the dangers and the naysayers. She has to maintain relations with werewolves, prove to other vampires that it can be done, and protect both vampires and werewolves from humans who would destroy them. (No pressure, right?)
What I liked about this sequel is the extended roles of each of the characters. (Character growth is a MUST, IMHO.) I also enjoyed the conflict, particularly between Ani and Deigo (her lover). (Tension is another must for any good story.) Plus, we get to see some cultural diversity.
We also get to see Janiera grow as an author. Her skill set at weaving a tale is growing by leaps and bounds. I believe there needs to be more work done on editing (lots of typos) and formatting, but the story is there.
I’d rate Dark Expectations 3-3.5 out of 5 stars, because I’d like to see a cleaner draft of a published work. Nice job, Janiera! I fully expect to see more growth and great work from you. 😉