The Saucy Wenches Book Club

 "First Hunger," he announced. But the words meant nothing. I looked down at his long fingers on my arm, and felt the warm rush of fire again. I curled my toes against it, reveled in the heat of it. This meant something. The feeling, the need, the thirst. I looked up at Ethan, dragging my gaze past the triangle of skin that showed through the top, unfastened button of his shirt, then the column of his neck, the strong line of his jaw, and the sensuous curves of his lips. I wanted blood, and I wanted it from him. "Ethan," I whispered in a voice so husky I barely recognized it. Ethan's lips parted, and I saw the flash of silver in his eyes. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by smoky green. I edged closer to his body, wet my lips, and then, without a single thought as to the consequences or what the act admitted, pressed them to his throat. He smelled so good - clean, soapy, everything male and masculine. He tasted so good - of power an...

Like millions of fans all over the world, the Harry Potter series is one of my favorite of all time. I've read it several times, I own multiple copies of most of the books, I can hold hours-long conversations about the series and the characters that populate it, and I am endlessly awed by the rich world that J.K. Rowling built. While the four most central characters are three males and a female, this wider Wizarding World is overflowing with awe-inspiring women. These are complex and complicated women who are not only strong but are also competent, caring, brilliant, vulnerable, funny, loyal, and fierce. They are the heart and soul of the Harry Potter world, which would not be as epic as it is without them. Come with me through the jump and I'll tell you about the absolutely fantastic women who make the Harry Potter world the can't-miss series of a generation.

"Where would I find Luc?" "Please?" "Please what?" Ethan rolled his eyes. "That was your cue to show some respect to your employer." "And you're suggesting that's you?" In response, he lifted a single brow higher. "The thing is," I pointed out, "Since I've got the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the House, I've got some authority over you, too." Ethan uncrossed his arms and put his hands on his hips. The posture was vaguely threatening, his tone only slightly less so. "Only if I was to act in a way that threatens the House. And I won't." "But that's my determination to make, isn't it?" He just stared at me. "Are you always this obstreperous?" "I'm not obstreperous. Stubborn, arguably. And don't start in that I was causing trouble. I was only asking a question." "You start causing trouble the minute you awake...

“Stop. That was a mistake. It shouldn’t have happened." "No?" "No." "I could offer you more.” "What?” "Power. Access. Rewards. You’d need be available only to me.” "Are you asking me to be your mistress?” "Yes.” "Oh, my God.” "Is that a yes?”  "No, Ethan, Jesus. Definitely not.”  “You’re crude.” "I’m crude?” "You just offered to make me your whore.” "To be the Consort of a Master vampire is an honor, Initiate, not an insult.” "It’s an insult to me. I’m not going to be your—anyone’s—sexual outlet. When that . . . happens for me, when I meet him, I want partnership. Love. You don’t trust me enough for the former, and I’m not even sure you’re capable of the latter.”  “Do you understand what I’m offering you?" "Do you understand that it’s not 1815?" "It’s not unusual for Masters to have Consorts." "Yes, and your current Consort’s in my kitchen right now. If you need . . ....

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Vampire politics: chess with more fangs. ~ Chloe Neill, Dark Debt

This is it, Saucy Readers. Today is the release of the final Chicagoland Vampire novel. It's a bittersweet day in Wenchland, because the book is awesome, the gang's conclusion perfect, but...it's the conclusion. There will be no more shenanigans, no more ops, no more Methan goodness. It's been a wild ride filled with ups and downs and, most importantly, some of our favorite characters in the Urban Fantasy Universe. We are going to miss this series a lot, but fortunately we still have Devils Isle from Chloe Neill as well as the Super Secret ChiVamps Spin-Off Series. So, we're ready to bid a fond adieu to our favorite sups as we turn to the next page. But first! Enter our last Chicagoland Vampires Blog Tour giveaway. a Rafflecopter giveaway The fun doesn’t stop here.  Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Blade Bound Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs April 17 through April 28 on  Chloe’s web site . What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize? ...

"He accused me of being 'Dumbledore's man through and through.' " "How very rude of him." "I told him I was." Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. Behind Harry, Fawkes the phoenix let out a low, soft, musical cry. To Harry's intense embarrassment he suddenly realized that Dumbledore's bright blue eyes looked rather watery, and stared hastily at his own knees. When Dumbledore spoke, however, his voice was quite steady. "I am very touched, Harry." Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~~J.K. Rowling

The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  by  J.R.R. Tolkien

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“The cow-shaped cookies have a beef flavoring, the turkey-shaped cookies have a poultry flavoring, and..." Jane held up one of the cookies. "Human-flavored?" Meg stifled a sigh. That would be the first thing on her feedback list: don't make people-shaped cookies. The Wolves were way too interested and all of them leaped to a logical, if disturbing, expectation about the taste.”

Voldemort himself created his worst enemy, just as tyrants everywhere do! Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure the be one who rises against them and strikes back! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~~J.K. Rowling

Hello Saucy Readers! We are edging ever closer to the release of the very last Chicagoland Vampires book, Blade Bound . I'm here today to continue my questions series. Today, I'll be focusing on the first two CLV world books, High Stakes  from the anthology Kicking It , featuring Lindsey and Luc, and Howling for You , featuring Jeff and Fallon. These are shorties, so I combined them. Keep reading after the break to see what questions I had about these!

"You've always been your own knight, riding to your rescue. I'm just the man who came along and saw how brightly your armor shone."  Courtney Milan's Unclaimed

“He opened his arms and she moved into the space they made in the world, and laying her head against his chest she permitted herself the almost unimaginable luxury of grief.”  The Lions of Al-Rassan,Guy Garvil Kay

“It was the problem with creating a web of lies and deceit. It spiraled out of control until it took on a life of its own, and she was helpless to correct it. In too deep. She’d been trapped by her own solution.”  Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

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The people in the chaos cannot learn. They cannot understand what they are doing to the sea and the sky and the plants and the animals. They cannot understand that they are killing them, and that they will end by killing themselves. And there are so many of them, and each one of them is doing part of the killing, whether they know it or not. And when you tell them to stop, they don’t hear you. ― Margaret Atwood, MaddAddam

"Potter has no chance whatsoever of becoming an Auror!" Professor McGonagall got to her feet too, and in her case this was a much more impressive move. She towered over Professor Umbridge. "Potter," she said in ringing tones, "I will assist you to become and Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you nightly I will make sure you achieve the required results!" Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~~J.K. Rowling  

I recently watched Victoria on Masterpiece Theater and enjoyed it so much that I want to share it with you. It’s another impeccably well written, acted, costumed, and staged British period drama aimed at the same audiences that enjoy Downton Abbey , Pride and Prejudice , and The Queen . Victoria follows the young Victoria from the time she becomes Queen of England through the birth of her first child. Jenna Coleman is absolutely enchanting as Victoria, and there are strong supporting roles for Tom Hughes as Albert, Rufus Sewell as Lord Melbourne, and Outlander ’s Nell Hudson as Victoria’s servant. I’ve generally thought of Queen Victoria as a dour old prude, in part because she spent half her life mourning the death of her soulmate and in part because an era associated with repressive social standards bears her name. Yet this show portrays her as exuberant, independent, playful, outspoken, and quite determined once she sets her mind to something (i.e., genteelly kickass). S...

I've become hooked on the HBO limited television series Big Little Lies . It's based on Liane Moriarty's 2014 novel of the same name. After watching the first episode in February, I was intrigued in this murder mystery and downloaded the audio book. I'm about halfway through the book, but have decided to put it on hold until I've watched all the episodes. Big Little Lies is also a Wench favorite and made the cut as one of the  Top 10 Reads 2016 .

...we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~~J.K. Rowling

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them, In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

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“There's never been a true war that wasn't fought between two sets of people who were certain they were in the right. The really dangerous people believe they are doing whatever they are doing solely and only because it is without question the right thing to do. And that is what makes them dangerous.”

Mrs. Weasley set the potion down on the bedside cabinet, bent down, and put her arms around Harry. He had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother. The full weight of everything he had seen that night seemed to fall in upon him as Mrs. Weasley held him to her. His mother's face, his father's voice, the sight of Cedric, dead on the ground all started spinning in his head until he could hardly bear it, until he was screwing up his face against the howl of misery fighting to get out of him. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~~J.K. Rowling

This urban fantasy series caught my eye a couple of weeks after my delightful visit to New Orleans with some of the lovely Wenches. I decided to give it a try and I’m more than happy I did. Sentinels of New Orleans is a delicious brew of mystery, magic, action, and captivating characters, preternatural and mundane — and behind it all stands the city of New Orleans, with its unique ambiance, colors, music, and food. NOLA is really a character in its own right, which reminds me of Chicago’s role in the wonderful Chicagoland Vampires series. Currently, there are five books and a novella in this series, and I don’t know how many more are planned. Come with me for a special visit to this enchanting city and its paranormal tales. I’ll try not to be too spoilery, I promise...