A Novel of the Sazi

The thrilling stand-alone conclusion to the paranormal fantasy Luna Lake series, packed with action and romance

Cathy Clamp's landmark, USA Today bestselling Sazi series concludes with Denied, a thrilling paranormal love story.

Anica Petrovic was once human. Now she's Sazi, a bear-shifter and a hero for destroying a European kidnapping ring that was turning human children into shifters. Anica has embraced her Sazi self; and is settling into Luna Lake with her father and brother, happy to live in a shifter community where all are welcome. Love is in the air between Anica and a mysterious newcomer, Tristin, and between Anica's brother and Scott, an owl-shifter who worries about his family's reaction when they scent his attraction to another man.

A series of violent murders rocks the town. The killings appear to have been done by a bear. Anica's super-sensitive nose tells her Tristin, also a bear-shifter, is innocent of the murders...but that he's hiding something dangerous.

The conclusion to the “Sazi of Luna Lake” trilogy is a thrilling and energetic read that keeps readers on the edge.

Anica and Tristin are two strong, vibrant characters that easily draw the readers in and hold them hostage throughout their story. The relationship between these two is full of suspense, emotional turmoil and undeniable sizzling chemistry and two characters that aren’t sure about this mating be in anyway something that they want. Tristin is a mysterious and sexy shifter that sparks the readers’ imagination as much as he sends sparks flying in every direction while Anica is new bear shifter that is curious and readers can’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm and sparkling energy.

The smooth flowing plot is fast paced and full of thrills, suspense and magic that keeps readers hanging on to every last world in anticipation of what will happen next while surprising twists keep them guessing whether the good guys will come out on top. The author makes the story come alive with well written words that paints vivid imagery and makes it easy for the reader to picture each and every scene.

The world of the Sazi is creative, well developed and full of fascinating and unique shifters that makes each book an adventurous and romantic read that has readers wanting more. Having read the Tales of the Sazi series is not necessary in order to enjoy the Sazi of Luna Lake trilogy but reading will enhance your enjoyment as some of the events that take place are the result of previous events and readers get to know the previous characters that do make appearances in this series. I for one hope that there are future books in the Sazi world like maybe the children of the Sazi…

Denied

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36855198-denied

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/books/denied-by-cathy-clamp

is the 3rd and final book in The Sazi of Luna Lake Trilogy

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/series/160118-luna-lake

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078XK4DY1?ref=series_rw_dp_labf

which includes
1 Forbidden
2 Illicit
3 Denied

& follows the Tales of the Sazi series by Cathy Clamp & C.T. Adams

Author - http://www.cathyclamp.com/tales-of-the-sazi/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/series/42801-a-tale-of-the-sazi

Denied is available in Trade Paperback at:

MacMillan / Tor - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765377241

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0765377241?tag=macmillan-20

B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/denied-cathy-clamp/1127032879?ean=9780765377241

BaM - http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780765377241

IndieBound - http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765377241

Powells - http://www.powells.com/partner/33241/biblio/9780765377241

& in ebook at:

MacMillan / Tor - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765377241

Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X2NRLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270488014&tag=macmillan-20

Nook - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/denied-cathy-clamp/1127032879?ean=9781466854628

eBooks - http://www.ebooks.com/aff.asp?AID=42567&term=9781466854628

GPlay - http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9781466854628

iBooks - http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781466854628?&ct=macdotcom

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/denied-6

Hi, I’m USA TODAY and Nielsen Bookscan bestselling author Cathy Clamp. I write urban fantasy/paranormal romance for Tor Books, including the Tales of the Sazi (shapeshifter urban fantasy romance) series, The Thrall (vampire) trilogy, the Blood Singer (urban fantasy, as Cat Adams) series—through book 6, and the new Novels of the Sazi series, beginning in August, 2015.

I’ve won a bunch of awards for my books over the years. My favorite was the Career Achievement Award for Paranormal Romance in May, 2008 from RT Bookreviews Magazine. I also shared the win for several co-authored books with C.T. Adams of the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the RT Bookreviews Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Reviewers International Award of Excellence, the Texas Gold Romance Award, the Write Touch Readers Award, and several others. It’s gratifying and humbling to win awards for books that you put your heart into, and I hope you enjoy them as much as other readers have!

I’ve also written several stand-alone novels, not in series, including my very first novel, The Road To Riches, an historical fiction about a railroad race in Colorado’s Silver Boom period, and Magic’s Design, the first urban fantasy published as Cat Adams.

I also write short stories, which is a whole different kind of writing.. I like writing in a lot of different genres, and it’s in short stories where I let my wings spread. I have published short stories in horror, science fiction, mystery, literary, Young Adult, romance, thriller, fantasy and western.

I’m represented by Merrilee Heifetz of Writers House, who is the best agent a writer could ask for! If you are interested in rights purchases, you can reach her at:

Merrilee Heifetz
Writers Hous
21 W. 26 St.
New York, NY 10010
(212) 685-2400
(212)685-1781 (fax)

I live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, which actually looks like mountain range that runs across the center of Texas. In geologic terms, a “mountain” is generally considered to be a minimum of 2,000 feet elevation. Anything below that is a “hill”. So, Texas has hills, instead of mountains. (But you’d barely notice the difference!)

Website - http://www.cathyclamp.com/

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cathy-clamp

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/cathyclamp

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009216026845

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cathy-l-clamp/8b/806/15

AbsoluteWrite - http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums

CoffeetimeRomance&More - http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/

Interesting concept. Sue wants to die, so she hires Tony, an assassin to off her. Told in first person, Tony's POV, also different. What came next was also interesting.
At first I wondered why Sue was a well known face, didn't have to wait long, it's found out in chapter 2. I was a little disappointed in both Sue and Tony. Neither are that sympathetic or likeable. Sue was such a pushover and doormat. Instead of contemplating suicide, there were so many other ways to get away from her dreadful family! Tony is unapologetic for what he does for a living.
What worked for me is the support each gave the other and acceptance for who they were, without changing. I liked that Sue went into therapy. For 2 characters that I didn't like at first, I liked them both by the end and was entertained by their journey.
The "Sazi" are brought up in the last part of the book, could have used more info about them. Good start to a new series. (That's been out for awhile now, but new to me).

Continuing my look at the Plus Sized Heroine in Romance, let us take a look into the world of shifters, vampires, aliens, and other magical beings. 

The prototype heroine in this sub genre is kick ass and therefore very toned. Also, nanos or immortality of some kind tend to correct all body issues and keep everyone in the tip top shape. 

So, other than a sub sub genre of BBW Erotic Paranormal Romance in which many of the books are not so good or simply decent, the more rounded heroine isn't so common. The big and tall heroine is though and that is awesome sauce but another post. 

Here are my recommendations for great love stories with Big and Beautiful Women in the lead for Paranormal, Science Fiction, Urban Fiction, and Fantasy Romance. 

In Science Fiction Romance, a sub genre I wish would blow up like New Adult so I would have more to read. 

The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith digs into the world of fat hatred with a heroine who is pushy and not accommodating and then her weight is used as weapon to attack her.  The weight issues in this book are painful as the writer really highlights the societal issues around body types.  It is a grand read all around and this is just one of the threads. 

Clearly, I need more good SFR BBW recs!  I think there are some Cyborg/Alien ones but they are more 3 stars to me and I try to rec 4 stars and higher unless it is just the bomb in terms of the theme. 

 In Paranormal Romance,

1. A Love Worth Biting For  by Roxy Mews 

2. Stone and Earth  by Cindy Spencer Pape 

3. Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh 

4. Heart Secret by Robin Owens

5. The Marriage Spell: A Novel by Mary Jo Putney 

6. Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon 

7. Big Bad Wolf (The Others) by Christine Warren 

In Fantasy,

Wonderland: King of Clubs by Cheyenne McCray  This is good erotic romance with a Alice in Wonderland like world. 

Kickass Women Warriors Reign in Paranormal and Romance Suspense. I enjoy reading about a women who can protect herself.

I like weapons too. I fenced for years so I have a particular love of edged weapons through archery also appeals.

Great woman archers can be found in The Battle Lord's Lady, The Scottish Selkie, and The Bride.

Here is a fencer! The Courtesan by Julia Justiss.

Some swords women: The Sword Dancer, 

Guardian of Honor,  Magic Bites, and Dagger-Star.

Ah, knives: The Lion's Lady, Blade Dancer and Big Bad Beast.

Fine ladies of the gun: Creed, Gunmetal Magic, Never a Gentleman  and  Sexy/Dangerous. 

Female brawlers, boxers, and martial artists enjoy the advantage of surprise: martial arts in The China Bride and .Captive Star Fisticuffs: Kinked, Bear Meets Girl and Battered Not Broken.

Then, there are the magic as a weapon divas: Kiss of a Demon King and Soul Kissed (Shadow Kissed).

My very favorite though is the Dagmar "The Beast" in What a Dragon Should Know, she uses her brain and sometimes her war dog. 

Here is a great list of well known Deadly Women of Romance that if you haven't read you should.

1. Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress) Jeaniene Frost:  Cat, Vampire Hunter

2. Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1) by Patricia Brigg: The ever scrappy Mercy

3. Magic Burns (Kate Daniels) by Iiona Andrews. Kate takes a licking and keeps on ticking

4. Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter) by Nalini  Singh. Elena takes on an Arch Angel.

5. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta  Chase. Ms Jessica Trent and her gun.

6. Dragon Bound (A Novel of the Elder Races) by Thea Harrison. Pia--Spry. You can't catch her.

7. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb. The one and only Eve Dallas

8. Harvard's Education by Suzanee Brockmann. P.J!

10. I could go all day listing every Shelly Laurenston/GA Aiken's heroine. 

Here is a great list of lesser known Deadly Women of Romance that if you haven't read you should.

1. The Challenge (Rystani Warrior 1): Volume 1 by Susan Kearney Secret Service agent Tessa Camen 

2. Heart of a Traitor (Heart and Soul) by  Angela Verdenius. I highly recommend the entire Science Fiction Romance series. Disgraced ex-sniper Oriel 

3. The Warrior Prince (Dragon Lords) by Michelle Pillow. Another great Pia.

4. Moon's Fury (Tales of the Sazi) by Adams, C. T. and Clamp, Cathy. Cara Salinas, Alpha Wolf.

5. Heart Journey by Robin Owens. Helena, a renowned cartographer and explorer

6. Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter. Vampire hunter

7. To Catch a Bride (Berkley Sensation) by Anne Gracie.  Ayisha, so full of secrets. 

8. Sam's Creed (Hell's Eight) by Sarah McCarty. Isabella, the gunslinger.

9.The Protector by Madeline Hunter Anna de Leon, Commander

10. A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer. The princess has a brace of pistols. 

Do you have recommendations? Please let me know! I would love more contemporary deadly women especially. 

If you would like to vote for the best of the best, go to the Goodreads List: Deadly Women: Best Romance Heroines Who Can Defend Themselves.

If you would love to see some amazing images of deadly women from history today, and film check out my Pinterest Board: Kickass Heroines of Romance. 

An onna-bugeisha, one of the female warriors of the upper social classes in feudal Japan. Would she make a great heroine in a Romance Novel? 

While we only make up only 1 to 2 percent of the world populations, were recently threatened with extinction, and South Park made us a very funny slur, we thrive in the pages of Romanceland. 

Jamie of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon fame being the most famous red headed gentleman and maybe Grace, The Unidentified Redhead  by Alice Clayton being the most notable leading lady. 

Redheads have plenty of stereotypes to contend with like all hair colors but I think what I like about Gingers in Romance (besides the self representation is the way, when done right, being redheaded builds the the character physically. We are easier to blush, tend to have freckles, for better or worse think a great deal about our hair as do other people, come in so many shades, and well then there is the more intimate of ginger touches.  

We will only show you if we really like you. 

I love the scene in Outlander where Claire gazes on Jamie while he is nude in the sun getting to see all those private bits of redheadedness.  This is my plea for please, please more ginger heroes in Romance. :) 

There is also a stunning scene in Eileen Dryer's Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes series)  of discovery between the hero and the heroine. Wowza. 

I recently waxed poetic about Mary Ann River's Live (The Burnside Series): The Burnside Series and all the details of the heroine's gingerness through the hero's loving, lustblown (I stole this word from Charlotte Stein and I am keeping it) eyes. 

If you would like to see a great video on the Redheads, check this one out! 

All The Science Reasons Redheads Do That Redhead Thing They Do

And now for the lists! In particular order of favorites but my top ten none the less, skipping those already mentioned, 

 Ginger Woman: Redheaded Heroine in Romance

1. The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3) by  Lisa Kleypas

2. Timeless Moon (Tales of the Sazi, Book 6) by Adams and Clamp 

3. Frisco's Kid by Suzanne Brockmann

4. Wild Oats and Runabout by Pamela Morsi

5. Heart Choice (Celta) by Robin Owens 

6. The Chocolate Touch (Amour et Chocolat) by Laura Florand

7. Troll-y Yours, a fantasy romance (The Centaurs) by Sheri Fredricks

8. Entwined by Emma Jensen

10. Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss

Have a favorite? Vote for yours at the  Goodreads list: Ginger Women: Redheaded Heroine in Romance and please rec in reply. 

Now the fellows!

Redheaded Romance Heroes

1. BEAST by Pepper Pace

2. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

3. A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr

4. Angels' Flight (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh 

6. The Taming by Jude Deveraux 

7. To Seduce A Sinner  by Elizabeth Hoyt 

8. Lover At Last: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

9. Melting Iron (Cyborg Seduction, Book Three) by Laurann Dohner 

10. Laugh (The Burnside Series): A Loveswept Contemporary Romance by Mary Ann Rivers 

Have a favorite? Vote for yours at the  Goodreads list: Redheaded Romance Heroes and please rec in reply. 

And some eye candy!