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Larissa's Blog
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Is at Writeminded!
I'm getting ready to head out on a month-long vacation tomorrow, so won't be posting that much, but when I get a chance (or some good news,) I'll be sure to post.
I did get a couple of fantastic reviews the other day — a TOP PICK from Night Owl Romance reviews, and a perfect 3/3 from Book Loons, so yay! And I saw Pleasure Unbound at my local military exchange yesterday, so that was WAY cool. When I was in the Air Force, I used to go through the book sections at the exhanges and dream of seeing my books on their shelves…so it was a special thrill to see them there!
Okay, off to exercise on the elliptical (and watch the very last episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer) before getting going on the rest of my shopping and packing.
Have a great day, everyone!
Posted in At Other Blogs, Reviews | 5 Comments »
Monday, June 23rd, 2008
I just read the funniest review of Pleasure Unbound at Miladyinsanity's blog. The "awful genre cliche" orgasm part just cracked me up:
"Right from the first word, you’re dropped into the heat of the action. Always a good way to start a book.
But it’s also a book that’s filled with “Awwwwww….” moments, as I call them. You’ll be on edge, waiting for something to blow up or get killed…and then you get enveloped by what feels like a big, soft hug.
Pleasure Unbound also happens to have the only “heroine has never had an orgasm until she met hero” plotline that’s believable. Larissa’s taken one of the most awful genre clichés and made it work. Honestly, it’s worth it to buy this book just to find out how she does it (I shall delete all spoilers related to this bit in the comments), if not for the fact that is has excellent worldbuilding, lots of hot sex and is just generally fun to read.
Pleasure Unbound rates 4.5 out of 5."
Casee at The Book Binge also gave Pleasure Unbound a fabulous review:
"Let me tell you that Eidolon and Tayla are smoking hot. The fact that they fight the attraction almost to the end just makes it that much better. There is a shocking betrayal that I saw coming, though it was no less shocking. There's a slew of secondary characters that make the Demonica world even more interesting. Paranormal readers will love the world that the author is created here. I highly recommend it.
A small warning to readers: this is a graphic book, not for the faint of heart.
4.5 out of 5."
"Not for the faint of heart!" Woot! :) Yes, leave it to me to be excited about that… *g*
Also, I'm over at HelenKay Dimon's today – I just love her, so when she asked if I wanted to guest/interview at her blog, I jumped at the chance. And she's giving away a copy of Hot Nights, Dark Desires to a commenter, so head over and say hi!!!!
Oh, and I forgot to say that over the weekend I learned that Pleasure Unbound has been spotted at Wal-Mart! WAL-MART!!!! (I'm a little excited…)
Posted in At Other Blogs, Demons, Reviews | 6 Comments »
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
I've been asked to post a glossary and a list of demons who populate my Demonica world on my website, so I will do that soon! There are a TON of demons in my world, and a lot of rules that go with them, so I'll get that done. Pleasure Unbound releases NEXT TUESDAY (woot!) so I'll see if I can get that stuff up this weekend.
Also, I got a SUPER review for Pleasure Unbound from Jennifer at Wild On Books! She says:
"This is the first time I have read a Larissa Ione novel, and let me just say I am absolutely blown away by PLEASURE UNBOUND: DEMONICA, BOOK 1! With a blend of sarcastic humor, dark plots, sensual love story and a multitude of paranormal creatures both good and evil, Ms. Ione delivers everything that a fan of erotic paranormal romances could want.
From the very first chapter, it became obvious to me that the author must also be a fan of the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ TV series, because PLEASURE UNBOUND is infused with the same vibe and wit that made that show wildly popular. Even so, this is no copycat story. While it may be a paranormal tale with a similar energy, the DEMONICA world is very much its own story. I predict that ‘Buffy’ fans will find this new book series highly addictive!"
Click here for the full review!
Okay, off to write for the day. I'm almost done with Demonica book 3. If I can get Wraith's book off my plate by mid-week next week, I'll be in super-good shape to really dive in hard to finish the fourth Croft book.
Yay! :)
Posted in Demons, Reviews | 8 Comments »
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
The new Romantic Times magazine just came out, and I'm so excited — Pleasure Unbound got 4 stars, but even better is the actual review. For some reason, the words, "hard-edged" just make me wiggle with happiness. *g*
"There is nothing easy about Ione's sizzling new world in this first Demonica novel, where no one is innocent and everyone is fighting their natures. The author's hard-edged style infuses the story with darkness while taking it to sizzling heights."
There's also a feature on the site in the online content, so if you're a member, you can read it here.
Okay, I'm off to take a nap. I just got home from having some major dental work done, so I'm feeling like crap. This is the third round of massive work I've had done in a month, but the good news is that I'm done for a while. I still need two crowns, but those can wait. I'm sick of the dentist. Which reminds me that I really need to feature a dentist in one of my books, because I'm convinced they're demons… 
Posted in Reviews | 9 Comments »
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
I know, it's not Thursday. And actually, it's not my Thursday Thirteen post I'm going to point you to. *g*
Last Thursday…no, it was the Thursday before that (I'm SO running late,) Ann at Fractured Fiction posted 13 Awesome Things About Pleasure Unbound. Yay! (And don't worry, Ann, I didn't get a swelled head! :) )
She also listed 13 things about Joely Sue Burkhart's The Fire Within, which has a FABULOUS cover, and I can't wait to read! So check 'em out!
Larissa, who is going back into the revisions cave to work on the second Demonica book (whose release date has been moved up to February — woo hoo!)
Posted in Demons, Reviews, Writing | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
Until Unleashing The Storm releases!
I'm SO excited for this book. Stephanie and I truly loved writing it. You know how sometimes authors say that a book "wrote itself?" Well, this one did. We felt every single word of it, and we felt so connected with the world and characters, both the ones we'd already introduced — Annika, Creed, and Dev — and the ones we hadn't explored yet — Ender, Kira, and Oz.
We've gotten some great early reviews already, but the one we just received from Romance Junkies just made my day. My week. My month.
"UNLEASHING THE STORM is a powerful and deeply erotic tale from the fertile mind of Sydney Croft. It's full of danger and intrigue that move the story forward at high speed while still managing to build a love story that is emotional and real. Tom and Kira are a couple that deserve to find love and yet are hesitant to embrace it fully. Both of them have been hurt in the past and are reluctant to label what they feel for one another.
Ms. Croft has managed to outdo herself with this second installment of her ACRO series. She blends the supernatural seamlessly with the romance in this novel making UNLEASHING THE STORM a perfect example of a paranormal romance. Kira is strong and at times fearless when facing adversity and yet vulnerable enough to make her all the more endearing.
Tom Knight is Alpha to the max, sexy and single-minded, he does whatever it takes to keep Kira safe and satisfied. The sexual heat he generates with Kira is scorching in its intensity and so well written, it makes you wish you could have a Tom of your very own. His devotion to Kira and his love for her are so apparent you can't help but fall in love right along with them.
UNLEASHING THE STORM is a spectacular addition to the ACRO series and I can't wait to see what Ms. Croft has in store for us next. Run, don't walk and get your copy, you won’t be disappointed."
SQUEE!!!!!
Okay, off to pick up a friend from the train station. She's been in Germany for 8 years and has just moved to Washington DC, so she's coming down to stay for a week. I'm looking forward to doing lots of catching up.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Posted in Reviews, Sydney Croft | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
Sydney Croft's site has been updated — new agent profiles added, and a contest page has also been put up! You can sign up to win not only an autographed copy of Riding The Storm, but an ARC of Hot Nights, Dark Desires, an anthology containing erotic novellas from Sydney, Eden Bradley, and Stephanie Tyler. It's a Late May release, but you could win a copy at the end of March by entering the contest!
 Also, got a great advance review of Unleashing The Storm from The Book Binge! Casee said:
"Kira Donovan has long since accepted the overwhelming urge to mate that comes once a year. Having decided that being pro-active is best, Kira makes sure she has men available to see to her needs. Working on an isolated farm in Idaho (seriously),[note: the reviewer, Casee, lives in Idaho and has a habit of picking up books set there!] Kira has found a measure of peace in taking care of animals that no one wants but her. As an animal psychic, Kira is able to bond with animals in ways that few other people can. When Tom Knight shows up at her doorstep looking for work, Kira can’t afford to let him leave. Not only does she need the help, but the more men around means the easier things will be for Kira.
Tom “Ender” Knight has a very simple mission. Bring Kira onboard with ACRO within 48 hours or kill her. Ender knows that the reason he was brought in was because he is just about the only agent that would kill an innocent woman if necessary. Soon after arriving, Ender learns that he’s not the only one after Kira. What he does know is that he has to get into Kira’s confidence, and fast. When her “heat” begins, Ender is more than happy to see to her needs…for the first 24 hours. It’s not until he finds himself having feelings for Kira that he wonders what he has gotten himself into.
Soon Ender and Kira are on the run from Itor, the other agency that wants Kira. The difference between ACRO and Itor is that ACRO will teach her to help where Itor will force her to hurt. Even with his growing feelings for Kira, Ender still knows that he would have to kill Kira before letting her fall into Itor’s greedy hands.
This was the second installment in the ACRO series by Sydney Croft. I really enjoyed the first book, Riding the Storm. I think the world that Croft has built with this series is an interesting one. As paranormal readers know, there is so much out there to choose from, if you come in as a new author you really have to stand out. Croft definitely does that. Though I was a little turned off with how Kira needed sex from someone, no matter who it was, it wasn’t long before I found myself really sympathizing with her. She is a character that has been beaten down so many times, but she keeps getting back up. She protects animals even though her ability to communicate with them has basically ruined her life. She’s a strong character who looks at her gift as exactly that. A gift. After finally finding one man that can satisfy her during her heat, Kira doesn’t want to let him go.
Croft also has some intriguing secondary stories going on. There’s Devlin O’Malley, the man that runs ACRO. A big bomb was dropped on him in this book. There’s also Annika and Creed, the hot couple from Book 1.
I really think this series is going places. I highly recommend paranormal lovers give it a try."
Woot!
Posted in Contests, Reviews, Sydney Croft | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
A little while ago, when Riding The Storm first released, Alison Kent very generously gave away a couple of copies to readers who would agree to review it. The first one is in!
Ann at Fractured Fiction says: "I thoroughly enjoyed this book (sorry, I don’t squeal, and I don’t do fangirl). I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who reads paranormal fiction (not just romances), and will at some point read it again."
She says more, but the squealing fangirl thing cracked me up. You can read the rest of the review at her blog.
We also got a great write-up at Coffee Time Romance! The reviewer, Cherokee, says, "This page-turner grabs and holds, not letting go until the end. T-Remy and Haley sizzle with a passion that will be remembered long after the book is done. I absolutely adored this couple."
The rest of the review is here.
In other news…well, not really news…things have been CRAZY around here. I haven't had time to blog-hop or read my email or even cook. My diet has, of late, consisted of cereal. Lots of cereal. And coffee. Gallons of coffee. Hoping for some breathing room around mid-October.
Oh! And if you were one of my winners from the Writeminded contests, be patient with me! I'm hoping to get most packages out on Friday!
Posted in Reviews, This-n-That | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
Yesterday, Riding The Storm released, and I mentioned that so did Jaci Burton's Hunting The Demon. What I didn't say is that I got to read an ARC of Hunting The Demon, which is the second book in her demon series (Surviving Demon Island was the first.)
I. Loved. It.
First off, I fell in love with the cover. I mean, look! It's BLUE! And there are people running. At night. How perfect is that???
Then I read the book and fell in love with what was between the cover pages. The book starts off in the hero's point-of-view, which is ALWAYS a grabber for me. And Nic? Hot. Just. Hot.
The heroine, Shay, was the perfect heroine for him — strong, sexy, vulnerable where it counts.
And the action? Non-stop. Like Surviving Demon Island, the book is a rush of action, adventure, and steamy encounters. What I especially loved were the scary moments — Jaci, buddy, you really know how to create some goosebumps!
Today I'm heading out to buy a nice, shiny copy right off the shelf (and to take pictures of Hunting The Demon snuggling up to Riding The Storm on the shelf.)
If you haven't read Jaci Burton yet, you're in for a treat with HTD. Make sure you stop by Writeminded on the 8th, because Jaci will be guest blogging there, and Steph and I will be giving away copies of Hunting The Demon and it's predecessor, Surviving Demon Island.
And stop by today because Cheyenne McCray is guest-blogging to celebrate her new release, as well. I've been a fan of hers for years, so was delighted to have her.
Hope y'all have big book budgets for September, because there are a LOT of great new releases this coming month, including Maya Banks' New York debut, For Her Pleasure.
Yay!!!!
And Jaci, once again, thanks for writing such awesome books, and thanks for being a friend. You've been a life-saver more times than I can count! 
Posted in Reviews | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007
September reviews are up on the Romantic Times website, and I was thrilled to learn that Steph and I got a FOUR STAR rating for our very first single title, Riding The Storm!!!! Woo hoo!!!!
Here's the full review:
"In this action-packed, inventive tale, each character's strengths and weaknesses are more fantastic than the next. The various plots and characters ebb and flow together seamlessly, but the unfinished state of the secondary plotline is disappointing. However, Croft redefines sizzle and spark with weather-driven passion, an electrifying first time and a solitary male homosexual encounter."
Now, as I've been telling people, I'm taking the "disappointing" thing as a compliment, because that means the reviewer wanted MORE of that plotline. Which works, because since Riding The Storm is the first in a trilogy, the plotline continues (though the book does stand alone with a full, complete romantic plot between the hero and heroine.)
So anyway, I'm THRILLED with the review. Gotta love words like, "inventive," "fantastic," and "redefines sizzle and spark." Most excellent! 
And I just had to share…
This is what happens when your "friends" have way too much time on their hands — they send you an email that says, oh, did you and Steph know you were captured on the dance floor at the Harlequin party?
Nice. :roll:
Posted in Reviews, Sydney Croft, This-n-That | 12 Comments »
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