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Own The Night by Susan Harris - A Spoiler Free Review

4/26/2024

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It's time for a book review!

​If you haven't grabbed your copy of Own The Night yet it is available in 

EBook - HERE
Paperback - HERE
& Special Edition  Hardcover - HERE
Basic Info 

Standalone or series?
 Book 1 in a new series 

Category
 Paranormal Crime / Mystery 

Official Blurb About The Book 

A new vampire series to sink your teeth into from the creator of the best-selling Ever Chace Chronicles.

Detective Sergeant Maximillian “Max” De Barra has always preferred working the night shift in the homicide unit, more at home in the shadows with his own company than saddled with a partner. His single-minded focus to solve crimes has earned him a reputation so when he is called in to solve a string of murders whose only link is the stamp of a nightclub downtown, Max must use that determination to get passed a veil of secrecy.

Theodora Caden or "Theo" to her Scion, has managed to stay under the radar of humans for most of her immortal life. As the Suzerain, it's her responsibility to keep her vampires safe while also making sure that none of her kin do anything stupid that would draw the attention of the humans. When human attendees of her club end up dead, with vampire bite marks, Theo must do everything in her power to stop the lead detective from discovering that monsters really do come out at night.
​
Bodies keep dropping and Max and Theo find themselves in a cat-and-mouse game with a killer who has only just gotten started. Fighting the spark of attraction might be more dangerous than the killer that they hunt and it might just be the death of them.
Own The Night is Book 1 of 5 in the Murdering Hour Series.


How did I get this book?
I got to read it first!

Why did I choose to read  this book:  Is choose the right word? I mean like I am gonna say no lmao

And Now To The Review!

First Impressions:
 This book sets the tone right at the start with a pretty gruesome crime scene.  

General Review
Coming up with new vampire lore is HARD! Coming up with new vampire lore that I don't pick holes in? Even harder. I mean at this point there are already 3 different vampire lores in progress in Susan's series alone, but yet again she has come up with something new and original, something that really works. With the romance side of things really being put on the back burner - I mean it's really more of a minor sub plot here (although I have a feeling that might change down the line), this is really about the crimes, and the hunt for the killer. Definitely not for the faint of heart - this definitely has some of the most graphically described crime scenes in any of her series and the attention to detail is spectacular. Plus can we just take a moment to admire Theo's wardrobe? I'm gonna need access to that closet!


Final Thoughts
I love this new series. I can't wait for Dwell in Darkness - The Murdering Hour Novels book 2. I am fascinated to learn more about this world .... and for those of you that got the special edition hardcover .... THAT EXTRA STORY!  DID NOT SEE ANY OF THAT COMING!



Rating
No Surprise that this gets a solid 5 stars from me. I can't wait for everyone else to read it so we can CHAT! 


Be sure to let me know in the comments below if you've read it and what you think - MINUS the spoilers of course!
​

Pineapple word for this article is Murder

** Disclosure**
​Any Links To Buy On Amazon Is My Amazon Affiliate Link.
​(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases - Which helps provide for the giveaways!)
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Win It Wednesday - Girl's Night In

4/24/2024

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This week Melanie is feeling like a girl's night in - so has come up with a giveaway that represents that!

Make sure you scroll down for details on how to enter the giveaway and as always  ​be sure to let us know what you think!

Melanie - Founder of Melanie's Muses - You should know who I am lol If not click - All about Melanie!

Those that have been following for a while know that my movie tastes tend to go in extremes. I love things dark and spooky, but on the flip side I love a good Rom Com or Hallmark movie.  Surprisingly, when you consider my passion for KDramas, the movie in this pack was only watched originally because Em wanted to see it. Greg actually can't stand it, but it became one of my favorites despite the fact that when I read the cast members there are a couple that literally want to make me grind my teeth. 

This movie stands out for me because of the culture shift. I am fascinated by many of the customs and cultures of the Asian countries, and this provides an interesting take on how things could be. Obviously, a lot has been added to make the movie accessible to a US market, but still, it provides the opportunity for some changes to the typical narrative.

When I decided that it was going to be a Girl's Night In type theme, I knew I wanted a book to go with the movie, and so you can all thank Em for the Rom Com Title that she provided. (Rom Coms in a book - are NOT my cup of coffee at all). My romances all skew paranormal or historical - no contemporary Rom Coms to be found! 

Check out the trailer for Crazy Rich Asians, click the picture to read more about the book choice on Amazon, and then scroll down to enter the giveaway.

​The Pineapple Code Word For This Article Is RomCom​
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​And Now For The Giveaway
​

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​Melanie's Muses will be giving away a BluRay copy of Crazy Rich Asians, A Facemask, and eye patches from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard, and a paperback copy of It Happened On Summer provided by Em!

For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us:

What is your favorite RomCom? (Movie or Book)
Click Here to Enter The Giveaway
​Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the bag! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!

Winner will be announced during the Live show on May 5th and then posted on the page as well on May 6th if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below!
   Good luck everyone! 

Rules​

Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered.
This is open internationally.  If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can.  Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations.  Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control.  Void Where Prohibited.
Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry.  
Winner Will Be Picked At Random.
One Entry Per Person / Household
Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her.
Winner will be announced during the live on May 5th and posted on the Facebook page on Monday May 6th if they aren't at the live. Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to
​ - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit.
Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. 
We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list!
Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
​

***Disclaimer - Any Links To Buy and/or  Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon on this website are Amazon Affiliate Links
Melanie's Muses is part of the Amazon Associate  program and earns from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!***
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Own The Night - Mug Giveaway!

4/18/2024

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Melanie's Muses is proud to be teaming up with Susan Harris for the
Own The Night - Pre-Order /Purchase Giveaway Opportunity!
​

To celebrate the release of book 1 in her new Murdering Hour series, Susan is going to be giving away one of the new Murdering Hour Mugs available in Susan's new Zazzle Store. 

Choose from Team Theo (Velesan) or Team Max (Cathainite) pictured below.
(Click the pictures to see the mugs in the store)


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Team Theo - Velesan
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Team Max - Cathainite
​You can Pre-order the Ebook HERE

BUT THE PAPERRBACK AND SPECIAL EDITION HARDCOVER are already available. 

Get your Paperback HERE
Get your Special Edition Hardcover Here (and check out the sneak peek video about the HC Below)

To enter just email proof of your purchase AND YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, AND WHICH MUG YOU WOULD PREFER IF YOU WON! to Susan Harris

at 
[email protected]

1 Winner will be chosen via a wheel spin from all qualifying entries on Melanie's Muses show on April 28th 2024.


   Good luck everyone! 

Rules

  • Only entries that follow the directions will be considered.
    Incomplete entries will not be included.
    No communication will be entered in to regarding entries.
  • This is open internationally.  If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can.  Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations.  Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control. 
  • Void Where Prohibited.
  • Prizes are provided by Susan Harris but will be mailed directly from the Zazzle Store
  • Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
  • ​
  • ***Disclaimer - Any Links To Buy and/or  Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon on this website are Amazon Affiliate Links
    Melanie's Muses is part of the Amazon Associate  program and earns from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!***
    ​
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Win It Wednesday - The Eclipse

4/10/2024

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This week Melanie is reflecting on the weekend and events leading up to the Solar Eclipse - and giving a special shout out to some awesome people that celebrated with us.

Make sure you scroll down for details on how to enter the giveaway too, and as always  ​be sure to let us know what you think!

Melanie - Founder of Melanie's Muses - You should know who I am lol If not click - All about Melanie!

The past weekend has been a blur, as thousands of people clocked to Rochester to celebrate the Solar Eclipse, and thanks to an invite from FC3 and RMSC - this weekend spiraled into a crazy amount of cosplay, pictures, and connections. I wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of our favorite moments, and giveaway a few mementoes. 
FC3 - Nothing that happened this weekend would have happened without an invite from FC3 to attend the celebrations with them at the Rochester Museum and Science center.  When I asked during Nerd World News if there was a theme, or costume ideas, Muser Ashley Brilinski suggested the inflatables - and I don't think anyone could have predicted how popular they would be! A special shout out to Tanya for her help with the costume changes between the Sun, and the Sun in her Human Avatar look on Saturday, and to Anne for her help handling the insanity that hit us on Sunday outside the Museum, including answering questions from the press while we we busy taking pictures.  We could not have done this without you!
RMSC- We have done a few events now via FC3 with the Rochester Museum And Science Center's After Dark program, but this weekend we also got to be there during their 3 day long celebration that put together by Dan Schneiderman. The energy was infectious as people old and young alike flocked to Rochester from all over. There were even a few people from England! We had an absolute blast, caused LOTS of Chaos, Melanie acquired a Light Saber, and we have a pair of commemorative eclipse glasses that we are giving away as well as a couple of stickers! Click Here to visit them on Facebook - RMSC
The Rochester Public Market - we met SO many amazing people, and businesses, and we wanted to share a little with you! We would also like to give the City Of Rochester's Mayor's Office a shout out and thank you for sharing our picture! (You can see one of their posts HERE). 

The first business shout out has to go to Laughing Gull Chocolates! They invited us to come and hang out at the market after meeting us on Saturday night - and we have some chocolate covered pretzels to giveaway. Honestly - there would have been more -but Greg ate them all.  I want to give a shout out to their Dark Hot Chocolate which is quite literally the best hot chocolate I think I have ever had. Owned by 3 women, they not only make awesome chocolate but they support great causes too. Allison - if you're reading this - I hope you had chance to sit down. (Ask us on the show what this is all about lol).  Click Here to visit them on Facebook - Laughing Gull Chocolates

We are thrilled to be able to giveaway a little taste of Falanga's gourmet cotton candy. We were lucky enough to snag a couple of bags and one of them is going to be heading to the lucky winner. This is SUPER special as right now they aren't shipping BUT owner Jennifer tells me they are getting ready to launch that feature so remember you heard it here first!  Click Here to visit them on Facebook - Falanga's Gourmet Artisan Cotton Candy

The amazing people from Cheeky Monkey Foods make a lot of amazing food that I can't eat ... BUT GREG CAN and he LOVES it!  After trying some samples Greg picked out a few things that he came home with and made almost like a pizza with them. PLUS they had these super cute "E"Clipse paperclips which you can see one in the giveaway - AND when they found out we planned to give one away they gave us a BUNCH - so look for them in swag packs too.
  Click Here to visit them on Facebook -Cheeky Monkey Foods
Check out some of our favorite pictures from this weekend below and then scroll down to enter the giveaway!

​The Pineapple Code Word For This Article Is Eclipse

​And Now For The Giveaway

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​Melanie's Muses will be giving away A pair of commemorative eclipse glasses and a couple of stickers from RMSC, Some chocolate drizzled pretzels from Laughing Gull Chocolates, A Bag of Roc Berry Blackout cotton candy and business card from Falanga's Gourmet Cotton Candy, and an "E"Clipse paperclip and business card from Cheeky Monkey Foods.

For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us:

Did you see any of our pictures around Social Media? If so where?
Click Here to Enter The Giveaway
​Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the bag! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!

Winner will be announced during the Live show on April 21st and then posted on the page as well on April 22nd if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below!
   Good luck everyone! 

Rules​

Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered.
This is open internationally.  If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can.  Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations.  Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control.  Void Where Prohibited.
Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry.  
Winner Will Be Picked At Random.
One Entry Per Person / Household
Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her.
Winner will be announced during the live on April 21st and posted on the Facebook page on Monday April 22nd  if they aren't at the live. Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to
​ - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit.
Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. 
We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list!
Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
​

***Disclaimer - Any Links To Buy and/or  Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon on this website are Amazon Affiliate Links
Melanie's Muses is part of the Amazon Associate  program and earns from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!***
Comments

Win It Wednesday - A Few Of My Favorite Things!

4/3/2024

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​This week Melanie is feeling a little random and so the giveaway reflects that with some prizes relating to some of her favorite things!

Make sure you scroll down for details on how to enter the giveaway too, and as always  ​be sure to let us know what you think!

Melanie - Founder of Melanie's Muses - You should know who I am lol If not click - All about Melanie!

This week, as I feel kind of meh I realized that when that happens I tend to gravitate towards old favorites. Rereads and more recently Rewatches have become a source of comfort, and that lead to this week's giveaway featuring some of my FAVORITE things - and why they made the cut!

Angel's Gambit by Susan Harris - I am pretty sure that Susan being on the list won't surprise many of you but the reason THIS book made the cut might.  This was the first format I did from start to finish, with new techniques, and really pushing the boundaries of WHAT I could do with book pages.  Add to that Rieka, the ruthless Angel leader that I have a real affinity for, and she remains one of my favorite cosplays, even though I might love some of the other stories more ... this one will ALWAYS have a special place.  (The Visions of Destiny Sticker is a nod to another favorite character cosplay - Jasmine from the Sicarius Security series)



Last Blood by Kristen Painter - I am OK so Ideally this would be Blood Rights and not Last Blood but hey I didn't have an extra one of those in my hoard and so Last Blood it is. The House of Comarré is the series that introduced me to Kristen Painter. Much darker than the fiction that she writes now, this was the series that started me stalking her page as I desperately waited for the next installments to come out. Without this series I am 100% convinced that I wouldn't have the connection that I have now without this series. (The House of the Rising Sun bookmark is an inside joke because my hair was that color for a while and some of the street team thought she looked like me, and the Nocturne Falls sticker is because I would love to live in a town where every day is Halloween). 

The FC3 Comic Book - FC3 sort of got stuck with me because I came as part of a package deal with Susan but they welcomed me with open arms and I am thrilled to be attending events with them and have been named their official Cosplay Consultant! I would never have believed how much being a part of this would open so many new opportunities for me. 

Firefly - One of my all time favorite shows and one I revisit often. Even though it only lasted for one season, with FOX 100% being out to sabotage it from day 1, it hasn't stopped legions of fans from loving it even now.  When I rewatch I am always surprised at how many famous people appear in here - from sci-fi staples such as Mark Sheppard to even a very baby faced Zac Effron, there is probably someone in there everyone would recognize.

Muser Life Is The Best Life - One I couldn't have a post about my favorite things without mentioning The Musers! I am forever amazed and grateful to all the Musers whether you have been with us for a while, or you are new to the experience, as Amanda Horton says "Muser Life Is The Best Life".

The Yellowstone Sticker - Because the Rip/Beth relationship reminds me a lot of me and Greg. Greg is definitely my favorite thing I have ever found on the Internet. Find someone who really loves you for YOU! ALL the parts of you ..... even the dark and crazy bits.

​The Pineapple Code Word For This Article Is Random

​And Now For The Giveaway

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​Melanie's Muses will be giving away paperback copies of the Angel's Gambit ARC by Susan Harris and Last Blood by Kristen Painter, The FC3 2023 Comic Book, Firefly Complete Series DVDs, Signed House of the Rising Sun Bookmark, and some various stickers all from the Melanie's Muses prize hoard.

For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us:

What are some of YOUR favorite things?
Click Here to Enter The Giveaway
​Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the bag! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!

Winner will be announced during the Live show on April 14th and then posted on the page as well on April 15th if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below!
   Good luck everyone! 

Rules​

Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered.
This is open internationally.  If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can.  Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations.  Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control.  Void Where Prohibited.
Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry.  
Winner Will Be Picked At Random.
One Entry Per Person / Household
Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her.
Winner will be announced during the live on April 14th and posted on the Facebook page on Monday April 15th  if they aren't at the live. Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to
​ - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit.
Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. 
We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list!
Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
​

***Disclaimer - Any Links To Buy and/or  Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon on this website are Amazon Affiliate Links
Melanie's Muses is part of the Amazon Associate  program and earns from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!***
Comments

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    Melanie's Random Musings About The Entertainment World - From Books to TV and Anything Else That Comes To Mind! 

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