5 Loveys ARC Review: Crossroads {Anna Strong #7} by Jeanne C. Stein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“After the death of Anna's old vampire mentor causes ripples in the mortal world, Anna needs to lie low. But when Max-an FBI agent and Anna's former flame-comes to her with reports that bodies are showing up on the Mexican border drained of blood, Anna has no choice but to get involved, both with the case and with the man who broke her heart.”

From Goodreads.

• Publisher: Ace 
• Release Date: August 30th, 2011   
• My Copy: eCopy received from the Author.
• Pages: 304 
• Series: Anna Strong Series 
• Genre: Urban Fantasy 
• Author's Website
• Buy the Book:

Crossroads (Anna Strong)

 

*Contain MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

The Anna Strong series is still one of my favorite series ever! It was one of the first series I read when my UF and PNR obsession started and I will stop whatever I am doing whenever I get a chance to read the newest installment and this was not an exception.

After Chosen and Retribution, I was really looking forward to see where Jeanne was taking Anna and co. I have to say that I was not disappointed! Anna has a new man in her life and though I had other hopes for her when it comes to love, I really liked Stephen, though I wished he had had more stage time.

On the other hand, I was extremely happy that we get to see a LOT of Anna and Frey interaction and not only that, but we get to learn so much about his past and life. I love Frey and I just hope we get more of him the next novels as well.

It wouldn’t be an Anna Strong novel without adversities, action and people trying to kill her left and right, and I can guarantee all fans that we get all that and more! I loved the native American angle we get in Crossroads, something I can’t always say about this theme in novels.

All in all, Crossroads is another amazing installment in this incredible series. Jeanne has done it again and delivered a novel full of heart, character development and action, perfect for any Urban Fantasy lover out there.

 

 

Previously in The Anna Strong Series:

 

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BHSV–Jeanne C. Stein Interview & 7 Signed Book Set + Swag Giveaway!

Before I start the interview, I’s like to congratulate Jeanne, because HEXED, with an Anna Strong novella, debuted at #32 on the New York Times Bestseller list!

Super congrats Jeanne and all the author on the Anthology!

Thanks for stopping by at my blog again Jeanne, it's a pleasure to have you!

*Thanks for inviting me, Larissa. It’s hard to believe this is the seventh in the series, isn’t it?

- Absolutely! How many book are you planning to write for the Anna Strong series?

*I’ve just finished the eighth book and am contracted for a ninth. I think with that ninth book, the Anna saga will draw to a close.

- Have you always had a plan for where you wanted to take these characters?

*Not specifically, but I do have a clear idea of how the ninth book will go and who the main characters will be and how it’s going to end.

- Is Anna ever going to get a Happily Ever After, or whatever is possible and closest to it?

*Yes. She’s going to finally find her soul mate. Course, I’m not telling who it will be. You get a big hint in Crosssroads, though.

- I love where you are taking Anna as a character and I really appreciate her evolution as a person/vamp and the development of her relationship with the people around her. In the last book, I felt some hint that there might be some changes in her relationship with a certain shifter, am I mistaken?

*No. And that relationship gets stronger even though she has a different love interest right now. Someone she met in the novella Blood Debt from the anthology HEXED (released June 7th) But she and Daniel Frey have a special relationship and something happens in Crossroads that makes it more difficult and complicated but better at the same time.

- Any plans to write a different series parallel to the Anna Strong one? Maybe something is a different genre?

*I’m not sure right now. My editor and I are discussing different ideas but I’m waiting for that bell to go off or the light to go on that signals the right one! But I’ll keep writing. In the meantime, I have Anna to keep me busy.

- Can you give us some hints of what we can expect from the next Anna Strong Novel, Crossroads?

* Anna goes on a journey both personal and for her friend, Daniel Frey, and the truths they discover change both of their lives. Crossroads takes place on the Navajo Reservation in Monument Valley. I took a trip there several years ago and fell in love with the area. There are Navajo characters in the book and one thing I didn’t think of while writing it was that when the book is read for audio, the Navajo language would be difficult to deal with. My narrator Dina Pearlman contacted me for help and I had to refer her to the websites I used for translation. So, if there are any Navajo speakers out there, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with her!

For more information about Jeanne C. Stein and her books, check out her website at

www.jeannestein.com

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Top 5 Sundays #32 – Books for an UF Newbie!

Hey Everyone!!! Sunday is here and it’s time for another Top 5! YAY!

This week’s results:

Books for an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer! - 12 (50%)

UF or PNR Pet Peeves! - 12 (50%)

Ugh! A tie? Really? LOL

Ok, so I’ll do the UF Newbie one and put the Pet Peeves theme in the hat again! =D

 

The theme for today is:

Books for an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer!

 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Books for an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer!

Hmmm this was a fun one to think about =)

I went with books that the heroines are totally relatable, but kick-ass and awesome at the same time. Books that I believe would be a good first foray into the Urban Fantasy genre:

*in no particular order

Halfway to The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Great Heroine, awesome Hero, a lot of action and kick-ass romance!

 

Kitty and The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

One of my fave heroines. This is a great werewolf story and not too intricate for a first timer =)

 

The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson

Different kind of UF. No Vamps or Weres, but it had a Comic Book element that will definitely be appealing!

 

The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein

Great straight on Vampire tale. Very likable and relatable heroine and awesome world building!

 

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

With True Blood’s popularity, this is a great choice for an UF Newbie! =)

 

 

Attention! – Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

 

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Books for an Urban Fantasy 1st Timer!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

 

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Author Interview & SIGNED Book + Swag Giveaway w/ Jeanne C. Stein

 

 

This Giveaway is over!

Thanks so much for participating!

 

Hey everyone! Yeah, I know it’s not Tuesday, but I have an awesome treat for you guys! Jeanne C. Stein, the author of one of my favorite Vampire series ever is here answering my q’s and she’s also giving away some cool prizes, including a SIGNED copy of the newest book in the Anna Strong series, Chosen!

You can check out my review of the book HERE!

Giveaway deets are at the bottom of the post, Enjoy!

 

When did you first start writing?

I’ve been writing for a long time. I began writing seriously about fifteen years ago. My husband and I moved to Denver from San Diego and I had some time on my hands. I attended a local conference, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Colorado Gold, and connected with a half-dozen people who became the nucleus of my first real critique group. Through them and with them, I learned the craft of writing. We’re still together, all still writing, still good friends and still serious about our craft.

Have you always enjoyed Fantasy?

I’ve always enjoyed the vampire genre.

Why writing Urban Fantasy?

I was inspired by Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel stories.  All those spooky supernatural beings operating right here in our world. Creepier things are so much creepier when set against the backdrop of everyday life. It’s our world with a twist.

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

Buffy and Angel. Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris. The Underworld movies. The first novel, though, was Ira Levin’s Rosemary’a Baby. Urban Fantasy before the term was coined.

What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm?

Vampires.

I have to say that I love Frey and I think he and Anna would be amazing together, can we expect that relationship to change anytime soon?

Funny you should mention that. The next book in the series, Crossroads, Anna and Frey take a road trip that changes both their lives…and that’s
all I’m going to say about that!!

Favorites:

Favorite Paranormal themed Movie? Let the Right One In

Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show? Currently, True Blood.

Favorite Paranormal themed Book? Couldn’t possibly choose one.

Favorite Author?  Ditto.

Favorite one of your Books? The one I’m working on now!

Who is your favorite of your own characters?

Anna, because she’s strong and loyal and risks everything for what’s right.

Which was the hardest to write?

Probably the first book, The Becoming, because of the violence of Anna’s turning.

What would you be if not a writer?

I can’t imagine. I’ve done a lot of things, but by far, writing is the best job I’ve ever had. It’s also the hardest. I hope to continue until they pry my cold, dead fingers off the keyboard!

If you Could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?

A vampire, of course.

Quickies:  (loved these, btw)

Coffee or Tea?  Coffee
Up or Down? Up
Virtual or Real? Real
Right or Left? Right
Day or Night? Day
Here or There? Here
Sooner or Later? Sooner
Light or Dark? Light AND Dark
Fast or Slow? Fast
Vampires or Shifters? Vampires
Angels or Demons? Demons
Reading or Writing? Writing

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

The beginning because it’s the start of an adventure—for both myself and Anna.

What is your least favorite part?

The middle.

The Anna Strong Series in your own words?

The story of a modern vampire’s quest for her place in the mortal world.

Any plans for more Books in the series?

I’ve finished the seventh and contracted for the eighth, so yes.

What is coming up next for you?

DragonCon, the launch of Chosen, signings, beginning the eighth Anna adventure.

What are you working on right now?

This summer I finished a novella, Cloud City, to be included in an anthology called Hexed out next year. I’m also working on a non-fiction piece for Whedonistas, a collection of articles written by women fans of Joss Whedon. Next, I’ll get to work on Anna.

Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Write everyday. Enjoy the process and write the book of your heart. Most importantly, never give up.

Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Anna wouldn’t be without you. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am.  Thank you so much for being here. It’s my pleasure. Anna and I thank you.

 

Find Jeanne Stein Online:

Website | Blog

Buy Laura’s Books:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble| Borders | Books On Boards

 

 

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Early Review: Chosen {Anna Strong, #6} by Jeanne C. Stein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It's been almost a year since bounty hunter Anna Strong became a vampire, but as she's about to discover, her greatest powers have yet to be unleashed...
Though Anna has become accustomed to the fact that she’s now a vampire, she still enjoys the illusion of being human. So when she suddenly notices that her primitive urges are getting harder to control, she’s worried. Then, she’s attacked, narrowly escaping with her life. The only person with enough motive to want her dead is her old foe—Warren Williams. But another more dangerous enemy lies in wait.
What Anna doesn’t know is that she’s far too valuable to kill. For she’s been chosen to shape the destiny of the vampire race—and all of mankind…”

 

From Goodreads.

• Publisher: Ace

• Release Date: August 31st, 2010

• My Copy: eARC given to me by the author.

• Pages: 304

• Series: Anna Strong

• Genre: Urban Fantasy

• Author's Website

• Pre-Order This Book: Amazon | Borders | Barnes & Noble

Chosen (Anna Strong Chronicles, Book 6)

*Contain spoilers if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

This is one of my favorite series ever! It was one of the first series I read when my UF and PNR obsession started and I definitely anxiously wait for each new book, every year. Jeanne was awesome in giving me an ARC and I simply devoured it, from beginning to end.

Chosen starts off not long after the events of Retribution and we find Anna in a quite peaceful moment in her life. Working with David, dating Lance and living a mostly human life has been good to her, well, let’s not forget the blood drinking. Of course, this simple period in time is nothing more than the calm before the storm and what a storm it is!

A vampire attacks Anna in her own garage early on in the novel and from then on it’s non-stop action from beginning to the very end. The previous book, Retribution, left so many questions unanswered and even though I really enjoyed it, I was expecting more from it. This time though, we get a LOT of answers and the story moves forward quite nicely with some unexpected developments and a lot of twists that will definitely change everything from now on.

I LOVED this book! It was an amazing addition to a one of my favorite series and it left me wanting so much more! Anna finally reaches the 1st anniversary of her Becoming (Vampire) and with it we finally find out what it means to be the Chosen one. If Anna Strong thought her life has been hard since she became Vampire, in Chosen her life gets turned inside out, upside down more than a few times.

I really enjoyed seeing Anna grow in this novel. She goes through so much! Pain, disappointment, betrayals and even finding out things about herself that she never knew; and even though I wanted to smack some sense into her sometimes, I feel like she has become an amazing person and how much she has evolved from book one is definitely jaw-dropping.

The Anna Strong series is a must read to any Urban Fantasy fan and Chosen is a wonderful addition to this awesome series! If you haven’t read this series yet, you really should get a move on and get ready for the release of Chosen, you won’t regret it!

 

 

  Smut meter says:

 

Previously in The Anna Strong Series:

  Next in The Anna Strong Series:

“Crossroads” – Coming Out in 2011

 

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