VBT: Review, Giveaway & Interview with Marianne Morea author of Twice Cursed

Book Description:

Psychic investigator, Lily Saburi is no stranger to the supernatural. Tough as nails, she’s a hunter in her own right, a once self-proclaimed vigilante that has joined forces with the man she once sought to kill, and now can’t live without. Sexy, Sean Leighton, Alpha of the Brethren of Weres. Their passion surpassed every obstacle set in front of them, yet in the wake of a mysterious virus threatening everyone they love, they are embroiled in an unforgiving scheme of political double dealing, hidden agendas and assassination, with Lily and Sean as primary targets. To stay together, they are forced apart.

But treachery follows hard on Lily’s heels when she returns home to find New York City bathed in a series of bloodbaths. Baffled, the police have no leads, so they call in their last line of defense to work the case. Lily.

Thrown together with homicide detective, Ryan Martinez, dangerous sparks fly as the two uncover the undead truth behind the killings. Long hidden secrets are revealed, as are truths too unbelievable to accept when Lily is kidnapped and Sean and Ryan have to work together to find her.

Revenge and the struggle for power all play a part in this urban fantasy suspense, taking you from the rocky coast of Maine to the heart of New York City, the NYPD and the vampire underground, where Weres and Vampires are forced to work together to solve the mystery of what’s tearing their veiled world apart from the inside out.

About the author:

Marianne Morea is a New Yorker, born and bred, and for the most part her stories and characters embody the grit and complexity of the city. An avid traveler, she uses her experiences from around the world in all her books. There isn’t a place her characters live or travel that she haven’t been herself, and through her words, tries to transport my readers. Like most authors, her love affair with the written word started as a child with the books she read. Even today, she loves to read almost as much as she loves to write. Marianne’s favorite stories are the ones that transport her, that bring her to places and introduces her to characters that leave readers breathless…the ones that spark the fire of her imagination, allowing her to dream in the world of ‘what if?’ She’s always been a scribbler, and from the time she could write her name, Marianne has been making up stories. So it was no surprise to family and friends when she earned degrees in both Journalism and Fine Art, but after working in the trenches of Madison Avenue as a Graphic Artist, she decided to do what she loves most fulltime. Write.

Her dark paranormal romance, Blood Legacy, is the first book in her Legacy Series, and takes you from New York City to the Costa del la Luz in Spain, to foggy London and the romance of Rome. The story also takes you back in time 300 years to a place rife with conflict and brutality, bringing an historical edge to my vampires, their lives, a love that spanned the centuries and the search for absolution and redemption that carries death in its wake. Hunter’s Blood and Twice Cursed are books one and two in Marianne Morea’s contemporary shifter series, Cursed by Blood. The story is set on the east coast of the U.S., taking you from the rocky coast of Maine to the heart of New York City, the NYPD and the vampire underground. Revenge and the struggle for power all play a part in this urban fantasy suspense, where Weres and Vampires are forced to work together to solve the mystery of what’s tearing their veiled world apart from the inside out.

In the meantime Marianne is also a founding member as well as a former President of The Paranormal Romance Guild, a not-for-profit organization for readers and authors of the genre. She’s now a PRG Board Member and Co-Chair of the PRG Event/Marketing Team. She is still writing, and when not sitting ‘bichok’ (but in a chair hands on keyboard), she’s spending time with her husband and three kids, traveling to exciting, romantic places …for inspiration, of course! Who says dreams can’t come true?

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Series Facebook Page

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I asked Marianne some questions and this is what she shared with me:

Out of all the books you've written, if you could live in one of them which would it be and why?

**Smiles**…“I suppose the answer would be my Cursed by Blood Saga, although Blood Legacy and the Legacy Series isn’t too far behind. They are both set in New York City, the five boroughs of New York and their suburbs…it’s where I live and work…where I grew up…so, except for the paranormal elements I created, it already is my world. Of course, my own imagination is much to blame, leaving me to wonder what’s lurking in the dark corners at every turn, like when I walk through Grand Central at night, or when I pass the New York Public Library and Bryant Park and the shadows seem to beckon me.…**Shrugs**…I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to envisioning creatures that will either rock my romantic world or kill me without blinking an eye. If you’re imaginations are as fertile as mine, you’ll know what I mean when I say I’m often deliciously scared and sometimes my own fancy gets the better of me.

In what scenario do you do your best work?

I do my best work when I’m under pressure. I need quiet, so working while my kids are in school is fabulous. And now that I’m indy, I’m managing both my writing and marketing schedules, so I’ve got all the pressure I can handle!

What are you working on and when can we expect it to be out?

I have a busy production schedule set for 2013/14. I have six WIPs, or works in progress, that I have planned for release, the next one being an Upper YA novel entitled, Hollow’s End. I’m hoping for it to be release in the Spring. I’ll also be working on book three in the Cursed by Blood Saga and book two in the Legacy Series. I’m aiming for fall 2013 for both of those. Yay! I can't wait.

Which books have been on your tbr shelf the longest?

**Laughing**… I don’t have many books that linger on my TBR list because I read so much! I just finished Phillipa Gregory’s The Kingmaker’s Daughter, and CJ Ellison’s Vampire Vacation. I have always been the kind of person who devours books. My husband bought me one of the first Kindles available simply because every time we travelled, I would take at least five books with me. It’s funny, I had the pleasure of meeting Sherrilyn Kenyon this October at Anne Rice's UndeadCon, and she and I spoke about reading while writing such. She said that her advice to authors is that they should read, read, and read some more. I’ve always believed that, so to hear her say it made me feel like I was doing something right.

Paper or plastic?

**Hangs head in shame**… Plastic. I know, I know...It’s bad for the environment, but it comes in handy with two dogs, a cat, a lizard and three kids! I’ve now started doing half-n-half, so help with the guilt. BUT…I did stop using plastic ziplock sandwich bags and instead went back to what my grandmother used…wax paper baggies. They work great, and a little bit of scotch tape and you’re set. lol! I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. I usually use plastic too.

What food can't you live without?

Oh boy, now that’s a question! I guess you could call me a carbaholic. I love pasta and bread, baked goods, etc. If it’s bad for you, I love it, but it hasn’t been great for my pants size, so I’ve joined weight watchers (for like the thousandth time.) Anyone care to be my online diet buddy? I may be able to manage my writing and my marketing, but come 3:00 pm when my kids get off the school bus, I’m in the kitchen snacking right along with them. Bad, I know…

Inside or outside?

Depends on the weather, really. I’m not a fan of either extreme…hot or cold. I love the weather in San Diego, CA. Every time I’ve been there it’s easy to see why people love it. The weather is perfect…

Ice cream in a cone or dish?

Carbaholic, remember? So, definitely cone! (and almost any flavor will do. I’m easy…)

What is your favorite sport?

Ice Hockey, definitely! My family are big NY Ranger fans, and my husband, my son and my youngest daughter all play. My husband has been playing since he was a teenager, and now he coaches our kids. We love it both separately and as a family.

What is your favorite or least favorite veggie and Fruit?

I can’t stand Brussel Sprouts, sorry. They look like little mutant heads and taste like cabbage…not one of my favorites, either. I like most fruit, though, and I’d have to say my favorite are ripe strawberries.

What is your favorite animal?

It’s a toss-up between Dachshunds and Tuxedo cats. My family has both, and believe me, there’s no extra charge for the entertainment! They are just funny as can be…

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Mean-spirited sarcasm. I’ve written my main characters with strong personalities, and some of their interaction can be snarky, but I NEVER have them use their humor at someone else’s expense. That’s what I am referring to when I say mean-spirited. There’s witty banter, and then there’s using humor to get a laugh while showing no regard for someone else’s feelings. I don’t care how clever you think it makes you, that kind of sarcastic humor only showcases a lack of feeling and a selfish, immature nature. Mean is mean, even hidden behind laughter.

Thank you Marianne, for taking the time to answer my questions. :-)

Title: TWICE CURSED

Series: CURSED BY BLOOD SAGA BOOK TWO

Author: MARIANNE MOREA

Genre: URBAN FANTASY

Publisher:COVENTRY PRESS LTD.

ISBN: 0988439603

ASIN: B009RYG86U

Number of pages: 310

Word Count: 111,000

Purchase links: Amazon or Smashwords
Add it to your shelf on Goodreads.

Add Hunter's Blood (book one) to Goodreads or buy it for 99 cents on Amazon.


My Thoughts:

Sadly I haven't read Hunter's Blood (book one) yet. :-(  I was able to understand Twice Cursed without reading it but if I had to do it over again, I'd have read the books in order for sure!

This series has werewolves, **insert  my happy dance here** vampires, :-)  and a human with psychic abilities. Lily, the human psychic,  and Sean, the Alpha, are in love despite everything they went through in the first book. Life should be good but there are people with hidden agendas that are not happy with Sean and Lily is in their way.

After temporarily separating in the hopes of quieting the rebel rousers, Lily is asked to help the NYPD with a complex case. The problems keep stacking up and Lily is forced to ask Sean for help.

The plot had supes, intrigue, romance, action, snark, hot steammmmy scenes, and a take no prisoners kick a** human psychic. What more could we ask for?  

I Loved it. Yes it had my favorite supernatural creature. And while that was a plus, that's not why I couldn't put it down. The storyline had so many twists and turns it truly kept me guessing. That doesn't usually happen. Toward the end, it really got me with a couple things I didn't see coming.

There was an underlying sadness to some parts, because of something that happened in the first book. It wasn't depressing though.

The characters were great. I'm looking forward to finding out more about all of them, especially Remy.

If you like your paranormal books with a good mixture of action, romance, and intrigue. This book is right up your alley. I highly recommend it! 

I can't wait for book three! :-) 

I received a copy of this book from Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion. I honestly thought it was fantastic. I was completely engaged in the story from start to finish.

Please ask Marianne a question, leave a comment for her or answer one of the questions that I asked her.


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