Welcome Guest Blogger: Wenona Hulsey

Today I'm glad to host the wonderfully talented author, Wenona Hulsey on the blog. Today she is talking about Blood Burden, her urban fantasy series. Enjoy! 
 

First of all, thank you so much for letting me guest post on your page!

I'm Wenona Hulsey, author of the Blood Burden series.  I'm also a mother of two wonderful children and an avid reader like most of you.  I have a weakness for men in kilts and if you combine that with super-human powers I become a swoony mess.

They, whoever "they" are, say write what you know.  Well, I've never met a person who could read minds, move across a room in the blink of an eye, shoot flames from their hands or erase every trace of themselves from your memory, so where does writing leave us dreamers?  With a blank page just begging to be covered with our own world!!

That's how the Blood Burden series began.  I love anything that isn't normal, everyday and complacent.  After all, isn't that why most of us read?--To escape the everyday monotony of our lives by seeing the world through someone else's eyes for just a little while.  That's what it was like writing Blood Awakening.  I became Nicole Keenan, the young woman who was trying to escape the pain in her life only to find that a power has been sleeping in her veins, waiting for the chance to rise and point her toward her destiny.

Okay I know what your first thought is, "Is she a vampire?" Let me jump into this with one word, NO.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good vamp romance with bite but I am a rebel.  There are no vampires or werewolves in my books!! (I'm saying that stomping my bunny slipper clad foot)  But there are lots of swoon worthy, power wielding warriors and bad a$$ fairies in this modern day story.  The Blood Burden series has been affectionately called a genre freak because it fits into paranormal romance, suspense and epic fantasy.  Personally I like the "Genre Freak" label because it means my books are unique in a sea of fantastic authors.

Here's the blurb for Blood Awakening:

Nicole, a small town Alabama girl, and her best friend Kat take a weekend trip to Panama City, Florida. Kat looking to have a good time and Nicole hoping to escape the pain of losing her mother for a little while. Little did Nicole know, the escape would awaken an ancient power that is hidden in her blood.  A power that evil wants for its own and will do whatever it takes to have it.

Then you'll want to jump right into the novel Burden of Blood:

Nicole Keenan is a police officer in a sleepy county tow, content in her denial. She can hide her secret for only so long before an ancient grudge and the power hidden inside her burst to life. Dance with fierce warriors and Gothic fairies as southern tradition collides with Irish folklore. Nicole learns about love, heartbreak and The Burden of Blood.

The final book in the series is coming this summer titled "Blood of Fire".  Look for them all on Amazon!

Beloved, by Patrizia Sarro

I love books about paranormal subjects, and Beloved adds a few extra dimensions to the already fascinating genre. The book's action begins in upstate New York in the ghetto, and moves to Paris.

The main character, Nena, has been studying French. When she gets a scholarship to Paris, she leaves behind her single mother, who is suffering from addiction. The descriptions of the city are gorgeous; I love Paris, and Sarro details the music, the smells, the tastes, and the sights of France.

In Paris, Nena begins to see sightings of Uri, a handsome and mysterious street artist. She recognizes him from her childhood and adolescence, but she always thought he was a figment of her imagination. Now, as she encounters him again and again in the exotic European setting, she is not so sure.

The relationship between Nena and Uri is nicely done. Uri is almost the opposite of characters like Edward from Twilight, but he is just as mysterious and intriguing.

Nena's ethnicity adds a nice touch as well. The fact of her troubled childhood and broken home give the story great layers of gritty reality that set off the fascinating fantasy portions of the book.

I read Beloved slowly, because I didn't want it to end. I fell in love with Sarro's characters and her setting. The end left me craving more. I hope a new book comes out soon!