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The Sin Eater's Prince

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Hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year and enjoying some fab reads!

The Sin Eater's Prince was released just a short time ago by Ravenous Romance and the great reviews are pouring in. Here's some snippets from readers and top review sites:

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Five Stars from Siidney Octavian, Male/Male Romance Group, Goodreads. Astonishing! Diablo brings one to light in this love story between a Sin Eater and a gorgeous vampire. A truly unique mix and I commend Keta Diablo for her creativity with this one.

Jason, Goodreads - A Great book!

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The Fleam, Emily Veinglory, The Sin Eater's Prince by Keta Diablo is a story combined with strong high fantasy world building.

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Five Things I Love About The Sin Eater’s Prince by Keta Diablo

January 11, 2010, PAGAN SPIRITS BLOG 

Sin eater: One gifted with magic, able to absorb the sins of a dying person so that person’s soul is free to go unencumbered to heaven. In Keta Diablo’s (http://ketadiablo.gather.com/) paranormal erotic romance The Sin Eater’s Prince, the sin eater is Owen Rhys, a pariah in his small village in Wales. Since his father died, Owen’s only friend is Carys, the physician’s assistant. Owen harbors a secret longing for Carys’s employer, the unbelievable beautiful healer Andras Maddock. Andras has his own magical secret: he’s a long tooth, a vampire. Their undeniable attraction puts Owen in grave danger.

There is much to love in this lush novel from Ravenous Romance; here are my five favorites.

1. The hypnotic cover. From under a gray hood, the vampire stares at us. His eyes are icy blue, his hair and long eyelashes black, his gaze both beautiful and terrifying. This is Dagan, a nasty--but gorgeous--vamp who threatens to put a serious damper on Owen and Andras’s relationship. The cover perfectly captures what Owen feels: attraction and revulsion at once toward this terrible being.

2. The Welsh language and lore. The native, Celtic language of Wales is notoriously difficult (and un-phonetic) for English speakers. They spell Wales “Cymru,” for crying out loud! Keta Diablo’s story is laced with strange Welsh folklore, history, and myth, as well as those lovely Celtic words. Lest the reader be unable to keep up, though, there is a glossary of Welsh terms, fromAnnwyn to Uffern.

3. The vampire’s prayer. Dagan offers an eerily beautiful but chilling prayer to his Dark Lord, the devil. For readers who like their vamps scary and dangerous, the vampire’s prayer delivers just the right touch of evil. An excerpt:

“Whatever flows through your body, flows through mine. I am in your likeness, he who feeds on the warm, red elixir of life. I am the dreaded vampire, a blessed composition of your energy, lust and desire. My day is the mortal’s night, my sustenance their blood. When earth has witnessed its last day, I shall rise again and serve you for all eternity. “

4. The kisses. In this very sensual novel, Owen and Andras crave one another’s touch. No parts of their heavenly bodies go unexplored as they make love desperately, ecstatically. Each encounter begins when Andras looks into Owen’s beautiful green eyes…and then they kiss. Keta Diable is skilled in the art of taut sexual tension, turning up the heat until it boils over with every steamy kiss in passages like this:

“Owen’s touch on his arm, the taste of his lips melding with his, sent a jolt of unbearable pleasure rushing through him. The sin eater’s fingers wound their way into the hair at the back of his neck and Owen drew him deeper into the kiss. Andras parted his lips with his tongue, evoking a breathless moan and a defenseless surrender of his body against Owen’s. “

5. Carys. Even a boy-meets-boy romance can use a female character to root for; in The Sin Eater’s Prince, that woman is Carys. Loyal, determined, and clear-headed (despite her tendency to believe in Welsh superstitions), she is a true friend to both Owen and Andras. Carys is less damsel in distress and more Celtic warrior woman.

Lovers of paranormal erotic fiction will find The Sin Eater’s Prince irresistible for these, and many other, reasons. It contains a well-crafted world of British Isles magic, wonder, and romance.

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Visit Keta here on the Net: Keta's Haunt: Keta's Haunt, http://www.ketadiablo.com

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http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com

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THE SIN EATER'S PRINCE Review From Book Junkie Blog: FOUR STARS!

Keta Diablo's latest release The Sin Eater's Prince is a truly mesmerizing story and for this reader it was something a little new.

This is Owen's story and he is a Sin Eater as his father before him; cursed and held into a life he didn’t choose. The towns folk look upon his as a plague as they know the sight of him carries death. Thing is, Owen is just a man in his mid twenties who has his own desires, and his number one desire is Dr. Andras Maddock, a vampire who he can not help but be attracted to. More than that, Andras pulls every carnal craving out of him. Andras feels the same for Owen and when they touch they are not sin eater and vampire but two people who share an intense attraction toward one another.

Immediately I adored both Andras and Owen. Both men felt as though they were stuck with duty for the oaths they’ve taken. Owen having taken the oath to his father to become a sin eater and carry their legacy. Andras's oath to Owen's father for saving him in the forest all those years ago when left for dead. An oath to never take the blood of a human and to watch and care for Owen upon his death.

Dagan is after Andras who holds a very important and deadly item in which he covets with his very life. Dagan is after the Prince of Wales’s sword which Andras posses. Once they capture the sword, their power will increase beyond imagination. This is the same sword that Andras killed his creator, Traherne with. The sword would hold the power to grant the vampires to walk in the daylight.

Danger is all around them in this amazingly brilliant mystical tale. Not without humor and I’m not sure if Keta created the character Carys for that purpose, but I found so much humor in her personality. She’s an orphan who was taken in by Andras upon the death of her parents and she is a superstitions little thing. Her beauty is unchallenged and I delighted every time her presences came to the page. The banter, although harmless and light, between Owen teasing her and telling her of all the creatures he has spied and her gullibility put a smile on my face and lighten the dark story. She is a believer all things mystical and I just found her dialog appealing.

What began as a lustful longing blossomed into something quite beautiful as the relationship and love between Owen and Andras grew through every page. Owen asking Andras to turn him so he could help fight and protect him against Dagan and his followers was heartwarming. What I liked most about this story was that the underlying love story and it was just that, love.

Thank goodness Keta added a glossary at the end, I would have been a little lost if not! I wish more authors would do that!

Blessings, Keta

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Another awesome review has come in for Land of Falling Stars from a wonderful blog run by Book Junkie. As the year closes and the New Year rolls in, I want to take the time to say thanks to all the great people at Ravenous Romance . . . and thank you for releasing Land of Falling Stars as one of your firsts!

Here's to looking forward to many more fabulous releases from RAVENOUS ROMANCE!

Book Junkies' Review (partial)

LAND OF FALLING STARS

REVIEW From BOOK JUNKIE! -

5 out of 5! Keta Diablo has done it again!

To say I loved this book is an understatement, so let me tell you a little about what I thought without (I hope), not giving away too many spoilers. Through an emotional scene at the beginning of the story which without reservation captured my heart and squeezed it, we learn of Jesse's fate at the hands of his best friend Gavin. LOFS Makes for one phenomenal read that will keep your heart pumping and the pages turning, not just from the delightfully sinful sex, oh no, the drama and suspense will carry you through till the end!

First and foremost I wanted to thank JennJ & Heather D who recommended Land of Falling Stars to me when I reviewed Keta Diablo's Decadent Deceptions!

Then second a great many thanks to Keta for writing such a damn good book!

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READERS FAVORITE REVIEWS

http://readersfavorite.com/cat-71.htm?review=2537

“We have reviewed thousands of books & review only the *best* for you.”

Land Of Falling Stars – FOUR STARS
Keta Diablo, Romance - Historical

BUY LAND OF FALLING STARS IN PRINT AMAZON: http://tinyurl.com/ye7e9cr

BUY LAND OF FALLING STARS IN E-FORMAT: tinyurl.com/bvoqbt

REVIEW

Near Fredericksburg, Virginia. May, 1864

I love historical books that take place during the Civil War Era, this book did not disappoint me. This book contains steamy scenes and graphic language. The characters make this book.

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Keta Diablo, Land of Falling Stars

Buy From: RAVENOUS ROMANCE

Score:  4.75

* 4.5 – 5 = Reviewer Top Pick, One of the best I have ever read Lifetime keeper!

Reviewer Name: JennJ –  SAPPHIRE BLOG,

“Keta Diablo has penned a beautiful and haunting love story full of passion, deception, danger and the epic War Between the States that will leave you breathless and longing for more! I loved this story from beginning to end! It’s a true page turner that you will hate to see end. Keta really has a knack for getting you beneath her characters skins. This is one of those rare books that you don’t want to miss out on! And I’m sure you will agree with me after you read it, that Keta Diablo is a name that we will be seeing a lot more of in the coming years to which I say bravo!”

Land of the Falling Stars is the newest novel from up and coming author Keta Diablo. It is set during the turbulent times of the Civil War. Sophia Whitfield has lost nearly everything to this horrible war her parents, her brother and her entire way of life up till now. She has managed to keep Arbor Rose above water but just barely no thanks to the raiding of Yankees that have left she and her remaining servants with very little to survive on themselves. So when she sees another dreaded Yankee meandering down the road toward her home she has had enough! She grabs her father’s rifle and shoots the approaching soldier. But when she draws near she is horrified to see that she has shot none other than Gavin Langdale (one of her closest friends since childhood friend, who left to fighting started). Desperate to save his life she takes care of him night and day with the help of Old Nap and Brister (her faithful helpers who wanted to stay with her even after the emancipation) praying that he will survive.

When Gavin awakens he sees the angel that has haunted his thoughts and dreams hovering over him. Sophia Whitfield and Jesse Grantham and he had been the very best of friends growing up together on the banks of the Rappahannock. Though Gavin always harbored feelings for Sophia he never allowed them to show or did anything about them because she was promised to marry Jesse from birth. But now looking up at her all of those feelings seem to overwhelm him. Sophia is ecstatic that he has returned and will recover from the gunshot. But he wonders if she would feel the same if she knew of the horrible secret that he is harboring indeed the very reason that he has come back to Arbor Rose.

On a battlefield filled with chaos and smoke and the sounds of death all around him he fired at an approaching Rebel soldier only to find when he drew near to him that he had shot and killed Jesse Grantham, his best friend and Sophia’s intended.  He is devastated by what he has done and he has come back to tell Sophia the truth. But when she is so glad to see him he finds that he doesn’t want to ruin this time with her just yet. So he sets about helping her with much needed repairs around Arbor Rose and finds that the feelings he harbors for Sophia are stronger than ever. And when she starts to display feelings for him as well can he come clean with her about what he’s done and ruin what has been his secret dream from the time he was 13, ( to have her love)?

Will their passion be enough to see them through the trials that they are about to face or will the truth and circumstances tear them apart? Or will a band of cutthroats kill them both before they ever have the chance to find out? And there is much, much more to this story but you are going to have to buy this one to find out more!

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Tags: civil war | diablo | historical | erotica

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http://thefleam.blogspot.com/2009/08/boys-of-bite-gay-vampire-anthology.html

SCORE: 4/5

BOYS OF THE BITE: A GAY VAMPIRE ANTHOLOGY Cecilia Tan (ed)

This is an anthology by new e-publisher Ravenous Romance. I accepted a review copy based largely on the strength of Tan's reputation as an editor. As is often the case with anthologies, Boys of the Bite includes stories of mixed tone and quality.

Wanting Having Needing by R R Angell has excellent contemporary world building and a believable protagonist, but the plot--such as it is--depends on a twist that is broadcast well in advance.

To Be Beloved by Pepper Espinoza is a Dracula-esque historical story with a very appealing first-person protagonist. This story updates the Victorian approach by more strongly evoking the the morbid pleasures writers of that time could only elude to--as the victim sinking all to willingly into the the fatal embrace fo a vampire.This story is exquisitely well written but without the moralist ending that would once have resolved the tale it feels rather unfinished.

Lost in Translation by Tammy Jo Eckhart is well written but essentially just a story of a modern surfer becoming the slave of a vampire scholar, which is not the sort of story I enjoy.

The Love of a Faithful Servant by Teresa Noelle Roberts is again wonderfully written but basically a 'being made into a vamp' story. At this point I am beginning to wonder why so many authors write a wonderful vignette and so few produce a fully plotted (beginning-middle-end) short story.

The Cold Color of the Heart by Eric Del Carlo and Amber Jane Dodd is a emo first love story with a well-imagined vampiric twist.

The Sin Eater's Prince by Keta Diablo is another first time story combined with strong high fantasy world building.

The Conservative Dark by Connor McKay is yet another first time story with the standard OMG-what-if-I-hurt-my-mortal-lover plot.

The Last Brother by Ken Panadero describes a high fantasy order of vampire monks, but is also yet another falling in love story. I support this is a romance publisher, but in the absence of other plots the stories are starting to feel monotonous. Each is in a different world, a different culture, a different kind of vampire, a different kind of man, and a different writing style, and yet.... it is not just that each story is a vampire and a human, but the human is a nervous virgin etc. Perhaps I am too demanding having been raised on classic collections of sci fi short stories which each made a different kind of conceptual point rather than the same basic point ('love redeems') in different ways.

The Devil's Half Acre by Ryan Field introduces a world weary vampire moving into a town, segues to a pick up and sex scene and then ends. Of all those stories it has some of the best erotic content but is the furthest from really being a fully realised story.

VAMMP: Conquerring Dissension by Bryl R Tyne was a story I found very hard to follow and make sense of. The editing also seemed a little off; there were many awkwardly constructed sentences. For example: "Alan sensed the scrutiny tossed at his still-booted feet and warmth flushed his face." And only in this story did the intricate world building seem really rather supernumerary to the plot of (surprise surprise) lust and longing finally requited (the ol' destined life mates thang).

Based on her previous anthologies I know Tan knows good writing when she sees it. However I think the last story ends this collection on a low note. The world building the writing style of each writer is excellent and idiosyncratic, but the old vampire and M/M tropes become repetitious by the end. It might be best read in snatches rather than in one sitting. A reader who has read these two genres less exhaustively might not feel the same ennui.

Overall I would rate Boys of the Bite well worth the price of entry, and a nice sampler of gay erotic romance stories that put a twist in the old tropes but never escapes or subverts them. I would certainly be interested in reading longer works by most of the authors included in this collection.

Tags: vampires | GLBT | erotica | man love | paranormal

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What could be more fitting for romance than to talk about osculating? For those who aren’t sure what the word means, let me give it to you in layman’s terms:

~ Osculate ~

Encarta Dictionary: to kiss somebody

Your dictionary.com: to touch closely

RhymeZone: to touch with the lips or press your lips against someone's mouth or other body part.

I don’t know about you, but I like RhymeZone’s definition.

Some little known facts about kissing:

*          A kiss triggers a cascade of neural messages and chemicals that transmit tactile sensations, sexual excitement, feelings of closeness, and even euphoria.

*          Kissing may have evolved from a primate mother’s practice of chewing food for her young before feeding them mouth-to-mouth.

*          Some scientists theorize that kissing is crucial to the evolutionary process of mate selection.

*          Lips may have evolved first for food and later applied themselves to speech. (Hmm, who would’ve thought?)

*          Scientists believe kissing can become addictive

*          Five cranial nerves that affect cerebral function are at work when you kiss, shuttling messages from our lips, tongue, cheeks and nose

*          Kissing unleashes a cocktail of chemicals that govern human stress, motivation, social bonding and sexual stimulation.

*          Kissing boosts pulse and blood pressure; pupils dilate, breathing deepens and rational thought retreats.

Did you ever think kissing could be powerful enough to do all that? More recent studies show that 59% of men and 66 % of women admit there were times when they were attracted to someone until they kissed them. “Bad” kisses did not factor into the equation, but rather those participating in the study indicated they just didn’t “feel right” about the kiss. In fact, the relationships ended abruptly after the lip-lock. Boy, talk about the kiss of death.  

Kissing, it turns out, unleashes chemicals that ease stress hormones in both sexes and encourages bonding between people. Both men and women had a decline in cortisol (a chemical associated with stress) after 15 minutes of kissing.

Men tend to think of kissing as a prelude to copulation (you could have knocked me over with a feather) and also prefer “sloppy” kisses. In other words, they get off on exchanging saliva to transmit testosterone, thereby increasing the sex drive in both partners.  Sneaky little devils.

Overall, the science of kissing – philematology – is still vastly under researched, but scientists are making great strides in this regard. And all along we thought we were just making contact with our mouths.

Happy kissing!

Keta Diablo writes for RAVENOUS ROMANCE. You can find her on the web at ketadiablo.blogspot.com, or visit her at Keta’s Keep  http://www.ketaskeep.blogspot.com.

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Whipped Cream Erotic Reviews awarded Land of Falling Stars 4.5 cherries! And I couldn't be more thrilled.

Here's a snippet of the review with a link to the full review. Thank you Whipped Cream. I'm humbly honored.

Reviewd by Hibiscus, link for full review: http://tinyurl.com/cylwyf

Shootings, rapes, burnings and blood all combine to make Land of Falling Stars not your mother’s Gone With the Wind. The story, set during the Civil War, has Rebels, Yankees and plantations burning down, but that's about all it has in common with my rose-colored glasses view of the time period.

I loved the character of Gavin Langdale. He went to war and fought for what he believed in, even though it was against what his friends were fighting for at the time. I loved that he was honest, loyal and a true hero. He was a hero for Sophia from the time he saved her from downing when she was a child. He was a friend to Jesse, held him on the battlefield and even delivered a letter to Sophia for him. Gavin was honest to a fault and did not sugarcoat his words to save Sophia’s sensibilities. I was amazed at the depth of his love for Sophia and that it held true even after the hard times she gave him.

There are quite a few minor characters; some were a delight to read about and others sent chills down my spine. Mule Cooper and Billy were very mean, evil men and I loved to have their characters as the definitive bad guys. Also, Vandlo and his tribe helped break the stereotype of Gypsies. I enjoyed reading about their life and loved the assistance they gave to Gavin and Sophia. One of my favorite characters was Ricochet. As you read the book, I’m sure you’ll agree with me.

I thoroughly enjoyed Land of the Falling Stars and hope to read more of the people of Arbor Rose and Fredericksburg.

4.5 CHERRIES!

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The Girls On Books Blog Award Land of Falling Stars Four Martinis!

The Land of Falling Stars
Monday February 16th 2009, 1:30 am
Historical, Romance, Smokin' Hot, ebook

REVIEW:

Not typically a reader of Historical Romance due to the ‘bodice-ripping’ stigma that hangs over the genre, I am a bit shocked to find myself drawn more and more to them since starting this venture. Keta Diablo has woven a tale set during Civil War times that is truly engaging.

At the beginning of this story I really did enjoy the characters. Gavin is a truly tormented soul, who longs to have the love he feels for Sophia returned, but struggles with his own demons. There are times in the book where you get the feeling that even he questions the events that brought him to Sophia’s door and his part in them and the burden of guilt is evident. Sophia started off as a strong character for me. Struggling to hold onto the last vestiges of her childhood, she does her best to defend it and wait for her betrothed to return so she can marry. Her resolve begins to shred from the moment Gavin arrives at the plantation. As the story progresses though, there are times I want to slap her for being wishy-washy. Gavin’s intentions and love for Sophia were evident from the start, making it hard for me to believe that Sophia held doubts (even with Gavin’s actions).

Yeah, I can’t say more than that without giving away the story or dumping spoilers, so I will finish off with this- Even with the temptation of slapping Sophia silly at times, I still enjoyed the book. My dislike of Sophia at times is a mark of good character development, because Ms Diablo was able to invoke enough emotion for me to get upset with Sophia.

So here’s toasting the Land of Falling Stars with four martinis! Sláinte!

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See what You Gotta Read Reviews had to say about Land of Falling Stars.

After receiving a "NEED TO READ" review, I'm breathless too.

Gavin Langdale walks a very long way after her leaves the war to bring devastating news to his friend, Sophia. The news will likely knock her into a dark abyss that she may never emerge from. He battles with the decision long after he makes contact with Sophia because he also battles with the emotions that have plagued him his whole life. He wants Sophia to love him the way she loves Jesse. He wants Sophia to be his not Jesse's. Gavin has a secret that could force Sophia to hate him for the rest of her life.

The author pens a story that is unlike any other. The characters are introduced as childhood friends who become adults with very complicated life experiences to deal with. The story takes place right after the Civil War when tensions run high on both sides. Emotions are tenuous at best and even more so when old relationships become new relationships. I was torn during the reunion scenes and breathless during the chase scenes. I loved all the substories and the minor characters that were such an integral part of the author's vision. Land of Falling Stars makes you believe in the possibility of retribution and the hope of finding your brass ring in the last place you look.

Thank you Gotta Read Reviews, Keta Diablo, www.ketadiablo.com

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