Blog Tour Book Review: Midnight Marked by Chloe Neill

A vampire’s grudges don’t stay dead long…
 
Merit is one of Chicago’s most skilled vampire warriors; these days, she doesn’t scare easily. But she and Master vampire Ethan have made a new and powerful enemy, and he won’t give up until he owns the Windy City.

With his last plan thwarted, he’s more determined than ever to watch Cadogan burn. Ethan has put the House’s vampires on high alert, but their enemy will stop at nothing, including pitting vampire against vampire…

In this deadly game of cat-and-mouse, the stakes are life or death—and winning might mean sacrificing everything…

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million | Kobo | Indiebound

WOOT WOOT! I love me some #Methan adventures. This book is no different. We start of with our heroes heading to a baseball game at Wrigley Field. This is quite a treat for Merit, who hasn't been to a baseball game since she was turned. And it also happens to be her birthday. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes Merit's way. Merit's vampire senses pick up some bad juju and darn it all, [SPOILER ALERT] she happens upon a dead shifter and a rogue vamp surrounded by alchemic symbols. A chase ensues and a mystery unfolds. And who is in the center of it all? Adrien Reed, obnoxious entrepreneur and major a**hole. The feud between Cadogan House and Adrien Reed hits a boiling point and no one is safe. We see all of the beloved side characters. Mallory and Catcher and the uber sassy duo of Luc and Lindsey. They are by far by favorites side duos. The Merit family makes an appearance and while Merit's dad is still a d*ck, her brother Robert takes the cake in this book. As tensions heat up, it's hard to know who to trust. Throughout the book we hear about a mysterious prophecy that weighs heavy on Merit and Ethan's relationship. It serves as an ongoing plot device to create strain and tension between the dynamic duo. We're definitely going to explore more of the prophecy in the next book. My absolute favorite scene in the book is near the end. Let's just say, tears will be shed. After reading about Merit's love for Chicago. I can't wait for BEA, which will be hosted in Chicago this year. I definitely have a list of places to visit, courtesy of Chloe. :D

4.5 STARS!

Midnight Marked Grand Prize Giveaway!!!!

Runs February 11 through March 4➜➜  Chloe’s Giveaway

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• Engraved Cadogan House medal pendant – NOTE – The medal isn’t 100% finalized. I’m having some supplier issues, and will update as soon as I get further information. 
• Lou Malnati’s Tastes of Chicago package, featuring hot dogs, pizza, and cheesecake
• $25 Amazon gift card
• Tote bag containing Chicagoland Vampires and Devil’s Isle Swag

In addition to the grand prize giveaway......

I (Lisa) will be giving away a prize packet that will include...

• Cadogan House mini-pennant
• Cadogan House tote bag
• Swag, including bookmarks, a pen, and a Cadogan House keychain
• USA residents only & winner has 48 hours to claim prize

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Midnight Marked Blog Tour Schedule

Week One

Monday, February 22 – Booklovers for Life | Snoopy Doo’s Book Reviews
Tuesday, February 23 – Fallen for Books | The Book Whisperers
Wednesday, February 24 – Bad Bird Reads | Wild Wordy Women
Thursday, February 25 – StarCrossed Book Blog | Rantings of a Reading Addict
Friday, February 26 – BiblioJunkies | Love Laughter Foreverafter

Week Two

Monday, February 29 – Rabid Reads | Francesca’s World
Tuesday, March 1 (Release Day) – Goldilox and the Three Weres | Saucy Wenches |Literary Escapism | Vampire Book Club | YA Reads
Wednesday, March 2 – Me!
Thursday, March 3 – Urban Fantasy Investigations | Fangirls Read It First
Friday, March 4 – Paranormal Haven | My Paranormal Kink

About the Author

Photo by Dana Damewood

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Devil’s Isle, Chicagoland Vampires, and Dark Elite series. She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest.  When not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

Chloe is represented by Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. Chloe is a member of the Romance Writers of America

tsu  |  Facebook  |  instagram  |  tumblr  |  Amazon  |  pinterest

ARC Review/Blog Tour Post: Wild Things by Chloe Neill

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago's Cadogan House, it's been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan's vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead...or both.

But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit's closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who--or what--could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out.

I'm super excited to be a part of Chloe's blog tour for Wild Things!!! The tension is certainly high in this continuation of Merit and Ethan's story. At last we left off, The Cadogan House is still reeling from the consequences of their actions against the GP, but in Wild Things everything goes batshit crazy. Sups are going missing and this sparks a whole lot of tension, fear, anger and suspicion among the supernatural community. While this is going on Mayor Kowalcyzk is hell-bent on repairing her damaged credibility after the events of Biting Bad and she's using harsh tactics and brute force to make sure she stays on office. We see more Mallory and Catcher in this book than that previous book. Mallory and Merit's friendship is still a little awkward, but there were several moments of camaraderie. It was nice to see some of the progress the duo have been making towards repairing their relationship.

I  have always loved the Chicagoland Vampires series and this book is no exception. There were some new and old additions to the cast, a sexy shifter who "cleans," a face from the past comes back to Chicago and the GP makes a play that no one could have expected. Like all of her previous works, there's snark, sarcasm, humor, love, and bad-assery from Cadogan House's own Sentinel. I especially loved the banter between Ethan and his Sentinel. I loved the plot of this book and there was a surprising turn of events, certainly one I didn't see coming. Loved, loved, loved this book like the rest of the books in the series. Congrats Chloe!

4.5 stars!!!!

Quickie Q&A

1) Will you write more novella-type stories for any of the other characters in the Chicagoland universe?

I'm not sure. There are plenty more novellas to write, but it depends on sales and the publisher's interest. And where the series goes in the next three books.

2) Your cover for book ten (Blood Games) looks awesome! Who designs them?

Thanks! It's my favorite so far. Tony Mauro is the artist for all the Chicagoland Vampires covers. He is really fantastic.

3) Do you model any of your characters' personalities after people you know?

Nope. Each character is their own distinct "person," with a particular voice, viewpoint, and history. Those are the things that make their personalities.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | iBooks | IndieBound | Penguin

About the Author

Photo by Dana Damewood

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite series.

She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

Chloe is represented by Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. Chloe is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

Giveaway

So my tour spot there is a packet for Chicagoland goodies for grabs so get your entries in at the widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chloe also has her own MAJOR Wild Things Grand prize giveaway on her site from January 27th to February 7th. Listed below are the prizes to be won.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• A $50 Amazon gift card!
• A complete set of Chicagoland Vampires Audiobook CDs (graciously provided by Tantor Audio)
• An autographed Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
• Two Cadogan House Novitiate Luggage Tags
• A Cadogan House lanyard and BITING BAD All Access Pass
• Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, buttons, and swag!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER------>>>> CLICK ME!!!!!

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 3 – The Consummate Reader | Me, Myself & Books
Tuesday, February 4 (Release Day) - Vampire Book Club | The Saucy Wenches | Toot’s Book Reviews | Fangtastic Books
Wednesday, February 5 – Book Nympho | Blogging by Liza
Thursday, February 6 – A Great Read | Urban Fantasy Investigations
Friday, February 7 – Where the Night Kind Roam | Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy

Release Day Euphoria/Book Review: Biting Bad by Chloe Neill

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

Yay!!!!! it's official! Biting Bad is out in print and ebook. If you haven't already pre-ordered your copy yet, click the links below to do so. I also want to congratulate the winners of my Biting Bad givaway, Deanna S. and Jacqueline E. Congrats ladies! So, since the events of House Rules (book 7), things have been quiet. At a time like that, you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop and you know that our girl Merit will be there to defend her House. 

~*~*~*~WARNING! SPOILERS ABOUND! DO NOT HIGHLIGHT UNLESS YOU WANT TO KNOW DETAILS. spoilers are in white~*~*~*~~*

Biting Bad starts off with a spar session between Merit and her oh-so-yummy Master/lover, Ethan Sullivan. Of course the members of Cadogan House had to watch the sparring session to see who beats who. In the crowd are Catcher Bell, Merit's friend and mentor, and Jonah of House Grey, who also happens to be Merit's Red Guard partner. Since being rescued by Cadogan House, the head of the GP has remained quiet and everyone is on red alert to see what they might possibly dish out as punishment for breaking away from the GP.

Merit goes off and meets up with Mallory, who has been working with Gabriel Keene, pack master of the North American Central Pack to control her magic. I am happy that Mallory and Merit have started taking steps to rebuild the relationship that they had before Mallory went all psycho-power crazy with dark magic. Things are going well when the trouble starts. Rioters are throwing Molotov cocktails at a BLOOD4YOU factory, set it ablaze, while chanting 'Clean Chicago'. The rioters began expanding and picking on people who they perceived as vampire lovers; with the suspicious intent to beat the crap out of you despite your answer. That's the scary thing with rioters. During a riot, rioters feel that they could get away with anything. To add even GREATER insult to injury, the rioters beat on Merit's car, smashing windows and making dents on the frame. Oh! Poor baby!

Gathering her wits and getting the hell out the range of danger, Merit and Mallory head back to Little Red, where Gabriel gave Merit a loaner car to drive home, since her Volvo was so beat up. There's a particular reason why he let her borrow the specific Mercedes-Benz car and it has to do with Ethan and a dead gangster, but I won't elaborate any further. ;) One shoe has dropped, but not to worry! There are other plotlines that are explored. Namely the GP and their political fight for dominance against Cadogan House. I honestly thought there would be some leniency toward Cadogan House since they did form a rescue mission to get Darius West and Lakshmi Rao back from the assassin, hired by none other than McKetrick, the hatemonger with a serious vendetta against vampires. 

Later on in the book, we finally learn where McKetrick's deep-seated hatred for vamps comes from and as tragic as it was, I have no pity for this man. Moving on, we also get the meet the Merit family, with their assorted spouses. Merit and Ethan go to dinner at the Merit house and by house I mean fancy digs. The dinner scene brings a different perspective of the Merit family. From previous books, the Merits came off as elitist and were not accepting of anything that disrupted their way of life and reputation in society. They still came off as elitist, but not so much. Mr. Merit Sr. still has the need to distance himself from his poor upbringing by putting on a show of a fancy dinner; even though it's just a family dinner.

Merit, along with her friends investigate the perpetrator of the firebombings at the factory as well as the other vampire friendly places that were attacked. There's more to the story than meets the eye and Merit is just the girl to piece it together. Friendships are rebuilt, lives are lost and the fight for their livelihood is at hand! I give this book a rating of...... 5 stars!

There's action, romance, humor, and plenty of emotions to go around. Biting Bad is a wonderful addition to the series and Chloe Neill does it again! I absolutely can't wait to read the next book, Wild Things. Visit Chloe's website and sign up to her newsletter to get news about what she's been up to and to learn more about this awesome author!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

~*~*~About the Author~*~*~

photo by Dana Damewood

Chloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires series and was born and raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Neill now makes her home in the Midwest with her husband, Jeremy Dixon, a photographer and IT guru, and their two dogs, Baxter and Scout.

Neill studied art in college and she had big plans to move to New York to become an artist until she took her first political science class--she was hooked! Chloe Neill went on to earn two more degrees, both a BA and an MA, in Political Science and has a full-time office job with long hours but somehow manages to find the time to write wonderful novels.

Chloe Neill began writing novels in 2004 after reading every Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and Romance series she could find. After sending a query letter directly to Penguin, Editor Jessica Wade read it, breathlessly requested a full manuscript, and a dew short weeks later was able to make Chloe a deal. This book was to become Some Girls Bite, the first book in Chloe Neill's New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series.

While writing the Chicagoland Vampires series, Chloe Neill also wrote a series for Young adult readers about a boarding school for teens with paranormal abilities in Chicago called the Dark Elite series. When not working or writing, Chloe Neill enjoys graphic design, web design, baking, travel, visiting Chicago, playing with her dogs and learning how to use her Nikon camera. 

To learn more about Chloe and the stories she weaves, visit her website.

Blog Tour Stop Post: Biting Bad by Chloe Neill

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

Chloe says:

Hi, everyone, and welcome to the BITING BAD Blog Tour! From July 29, 2013 to August 9, 2013 (click here for full schedule), I’m visiting blogs to give Merit an opportunity to rate the men of the Chicagoland Vampires series–are they “Book Boyfriend” material? Let’s see what she has to say.

Morgan Greer, Master

Hair/eye color: Dark Brown/Navy Blue

Species: Vampire

House affiliation: Navarre

First appearance in book (book/page): SGB, pg. 147

Thoughts: He was flush with potential until a twist of fate put him at the helm of Navarre House. Now . . . I’m not sure. He’s got an old House, and a young soul. But perhaps there’s time for him yet.

Verdict: C- / Book boyfriend material for those with high drama tolerance.

*NOTE from Lisa* Check out my ARC review/Giveaway of Biting Bad by clicking here. Below is a picture to peak your interest ;)

~*~About the Author~*~

photo by Dana Damewood

Chloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires series and was born and raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Neill now makes her home in the Midwest with her husband, Jeremy Dixon, a photographer and IT guru, and their two dogs, Baxter and Scout.

Neill studied art in college and she had big plans to move to New York to become an artist until she took her first political science class--she was hooked! Chloe Neill went on to earn two more degrees, both a BA and an MA, in Political Science and has a full-time office job with long hours but somehow manages to find the time to write wonderful novels.

Chloe Neill began writing novels in 2004 after reading every Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and Romance series she could find. After sending a query letter directly to Penguin, Editor Jessica Wade read it, breathlessly requested a full manuscript, and a dew short weeks later was able to make Chloe a deal. This book was to become Some Girls Bite, the first book in Chloe Neill's New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series.

While writing the Chicagoland Vampires series, Chloe Neill also wrote a series for Young adult readers about a boarding school for teens with paranormal abilities in Chicago called the Dark Elite series. When not working or writing, Chloe Neill enjoys graphic design, web design, baking, travel, visiting Chicago, playing with her dogs and learning how to use her Nikon camera. 


To learn more about Chloe and the stories she weaves, visit her website.

ARC Review & Giveaway: Biting Bad by Chloe Neil

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.
Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.
Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

First, I want to thank the lovely staff at Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group who sent me this ARC. Chloe Neill has done it again with the next installment of her Chicagoland Vampires series. I have been a fan of Neil since Comic Con 2012. I was passing by a publisher's booth and one of the booth babes handed me a copy of Some Girls Bite, the first book in the series. After recovering from my day in geek central, I started reading the book and didn't put it down until I was done with the whole thing. By the time I was done, I was in love with the Merit's world and could not wait to get my hands on the next book, then the next book, then the next book, and so on. Like many of you, I am waiting on pins and needles for the next installment and according to Neil's website, next book after Biting Bad is called Wild Things. :D

After finishing this book, I sat in speechless silence. For 5 MINUTES! I read through the book like there was no tomorrow. Now, that I think about it, that's exactly what it felt like. Merit and Sullivan are still in their cutesy (lusty) phase of their relationship and things were actually ok....UNTIL! A BLOOD4YOU factory is set on fire by a bunch of rioters who hate vampires. Things were already tense with Cadogan House breaking away from the GP, but the GP makes a move that no one saw coming. Mischief is afoot in the streets of Chicago and Merit is just the girl to get things done! Things get personal when the rioters start to attack friends and allies of the Cadogan House. All of the characters you know and love are given enough face time. I especially loved the banter between Merit and Ethan when they are alone. :D 

There are plenty of one lined zingers and playful banter scattered in every chapter to give you a good laugh. Chloe Neill certainly knows what she's writing about. Biting Bad is definitely worth reading and a great addition to the series. I give this book a five star rating!

Click the links below to pre-order a copy! The book is set to be released on August 6th. If you want to take your chances with Lady Luck, I am giving away a paperback copy of Biting Bad, along with a Chicagoland bag and a pack of various swag! Keep scrolling down to the widget to submit your entries.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~*~About the Author~*~

photo by Dana Damewood

Chloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires series and was born and raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Neill now makes her home in the Midwest with her husband, Jeremy Dixon, a photographer and IT guru, and their two dogs, Baxter and Scout.

Neill studied art in college and she had big plans to move to New York to become an artist until she took her first political science class--she was hooked! Chloe Neill went on to earn two more degrees, both a BA and an MA, in Political Science and has a full-time office job with long hours but somehow manages to find the time to write wonderful novels.

Chloe Neill began writing novels in 2004 after reading every Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and Romance series she could find. After sending a query letter directly to Penguin, Editor Jessica Wade read it, breathlessly requested a full manuscript, and a dew short weeks later was able to make Chloe a deal. This book was to become Some Girls Bite, the first book in Chloe Neill's New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series.

While writing the Chicagoland Vampires series, Chloe Neill also wrote a series for Young adult readers about a boarding school for teens with paranormal abilities in Chicago called the Dark Elite series. When not working or writing, Chloe Neill enjoys graphic design, web design, baking, travel, visiting Chicago, playing with her dogs and learning how to use her Nikon camera. 

To learn more about Chloe and the stories she weaves, visit her website.