Hot Cover Monday! Bound (Eternal Guardians #6) by Elisabeth Naughton

Available March 26th 2013

TITUS—To most his gift seems like a blessing, but for him it’s a curse the other Eternal Guardians—those who protect the mortal realm from threats of the Underworld—seek to exploit. One he would gladly trade for the chance to be free…

Obsessed. Her touch is like a drug. From the moment he met her, Titus knew she was different. Even dangerous. Yet though his guardian brethren are convinced Natasa is working for Hades, Titus can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop fantasizing about her. Can’t stop craving the one thing he knows could lead to the downfall of his world.

Possessed. Faced with stopping Natasa or joining in her quest, Titus falls to temptation and is thrust into a world of lust, deception, and deadly treachery designed by the gods. Her touch—only hers—frees him from his bonds, but desire may just condemn him. Because before the end he’ll have to decide which is more important: duty and honor to those he took an oath to defend, or a woman who could very well be the biggest curse to them all


Find out more about Elisabeth Naughton and this series here www.elisabethnaughton.com Including a excerpt for Bound!

Hot Cover Monday! Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh

Available September 4th!

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.


Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

Find out more about this book including a excerpt and the author Nalini Singh here www.nalinisingh.com

Book Sale alert! The Storm that is Sterling (Zodious series) By Lisa Renee Jones is on sale for 99 cents!

He may be invincible to everyone else…


Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so much more…

But she can see that deep down, he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted, but years later the heat between them flares back to life. Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s impossible to resist picking up right where they left off…


Here's your chance to get the 2nd book in the Zodious series for 99 cents. Hurry sale ends April 30th.
Buy from Amazon kindle here www.amazon.com/Storm-Sterling-Zodius
Buy from B&N for Nook here www.barnesandnoble.com/w/storm-that-is-sterling

Find out more about this book and the Zodious series on Lisa Renee Jones website here www.lisareneejones.com

Lisa Renee Jones Blog Tour. Come meet the the guys of the Zodious series. Prizes!

       Meet Author Lisa Renee Jones

                                                                         and

The Men of the Zodius Series

                                        The world will never be the same…





Inspired by The Underground Guardians Series – Read about the Underground Guardians that inspired ZODIUS SERIES HERE


A little about future heroes including Caleb’s story HERE
Area 51 has proven to be more than a place from which alien rumors originate. It is there that the United States government created Super Soldiers under the top secret “Project Zodius,” soldiers they called GTECH enhanced. Alien DNA purported to be immunizations was injected into elite soldiers, and a new race was created—soldiers with unique powers. Human to the normal eye, but not quite so human anymore.

All Super Soldiers are dangerous but some are stronger and more powerful than others. All are fighters with incredible strength and speed along with unique mental powers. Rapid metabolism delivers them an amazing ability to heal from injuries, and a simple bullet is no longer deadly against muscles like steel. They are deadly fighting machines who can travel with the wind.

Along with this new breed of soldier had come a thirst for power. A thirst that Adam Rain intends to sate. This soldier had developed a vision for a “perfect race.” He became the new Hitler, calling his followers, those enhanced soldiers, the “Zodius.” The first step in Adam’s plan to rule humanity had been to take over Area 51. The main obstacle to his plan had been breeding, and he had a team of scientists working to solve the problems: a GTECH can only bear children if mated; and a Zodius only has one true mate (Lifebond). This meant he had to find compatible women for his men, an obstacle he became determined to overcome. This had left him searching for genetic and alternative birthing methods. He had used humans like tokens, promised them power or conversion, or threatened their families. Once he has perfected a way to grow his race, there will be no stopping him.

A group of these Super Soldiers led by his brother, Caleb, has defied Adam’s rule and formed “The Renegades.” These Renegades operate from a hidden facility deep in the Nevada mountains below the surface of the earth, designed to hide the Renegades from Zodius radar. These Renegades will form an uneasy alliance to the United States government, protecting humanity.

But Adam aspires to rule the world, and he believes he can do so with Caleb by his side. Adam is taking every step possible to ensure that Caleb joins him, and that the Renegades become part of the Zodius.

Caleb and his Renegades will do anything to see Adam fall and humanity saved from his wrath.



                                                   Now meet the men of the Zodius Series!

 


 Zodius Series, Book 1, The Legend of Michael

Sourcebooks (May 2011)


ISBN-10: 1402251564


ISBN-13: 9781402251566


HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON…

One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.

HE IS HER ENEMY…AND HER DESTINY…

Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.

But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same…



Read an excerpt HERE

  
Zodius #2: THE STORM THAT IS STERLING — Previously titled: THE RENEGADE CONQUEST


Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 2011)


ISBN-10: 1402251599 ISBN:978-1402251597


He may be invincible to everyone else…

Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so much more…

But she can see that deep down, he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted, but years later the heat between them flares back to life. Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s impossible to resist picking up right where they left off…



Read an excerpt HERE

    
Zodius Series Book 3: The Danger that is Damion


Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 2012)


Available for Pre-order at BN and Amazon


General Powell from book 1 has returned and he’s developed a way to create and control a new generation of female GTECHs. He plans to use these women to bring both, the Renegades and the Zodius soldiers, back under his command. The world will be his. Now, Damion, a Renegade, who readers met in book two, will be pitted against one of those soldiers, a woman destined to be both his Lifebond and his enemy. Damion will become her only hope of salvation and their trust in each other the only chance they have to save the world from a madman.

Read an excerpt HERE


For more information about the Zodius series and to learn fun facts please visit Lisa Renee Jones’ website and her Zodius Series Page HERE



Award winning author, Lisa Renee Jones, has published more than fifteen novels in several different languages, spanning multiple genres of romance – contemporary, romantic suspense, dark paranormal and erotic fiction. In each book the hero is dark, dangerous, and sexy. She debuted for both, Nocturne and Blaze, on the Bookscan bestseller list. You can find Lisa on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog for regular updates. Lisa now has a Fan Page at Facebook.


Lisa enjoys receiving e-mails from her readers! If you would like to receive information about Lisa Renee Jones’ latest books and news about contest giveaways, as well as any other information that might be fun or interesting to you, sign up for Lisa's Newsletter.

If you’d like to have Lisa visit your blog or website or would like to learn about reviewing one of her titles? please contact her assistant, Wendy Keel, at wendykeel@gmail.com 

 Now for the details of the Blog tour. All contests will run the entire length of the tour. Winners will be chosen on 3/21/12 and notified later in the week. A $20 Amazon GC will be awarded to one commenter for the whole tour. The more posts you comment on the more chances you have to win. For today's blog post you can win either a copy of book one The Legend of Michael or Book 2 The Storm that is Sterling. Just leave a comment and be sure to leave your email address so you can be contacted. Then go to Lisa Renee Jones website to see where else you can enter to win. Lisa Renee Jones Blog tour list

Book review: Spirit Bound( Book #2 Sisters of the Heart) by Christine Feehan

Lethal undercover agent Stefan Prakenskii knew a thousand ways to kills a man—and twice as many ways to pleasure a woman. That’s what made him look forward to his new mission: arrive in the coastal town of Sea Haven and insinuate himself in the life of an elusive beauty who had mysterious ties to his past, and a link to a dangerously seductive, and equally elusive master criminal who wanted only one thing: to possess her.



Judith Henderson was an artist on the rise—an ethereal, and haunted woman whose own picture-perfect beauty stirred the souls of two men who have made her their obsession. For years she has been waiting for someone to come and unlock the passion and fire within her—waiting for the right man to surrender it to. But only one man can survive her secrets, and the shadow she has cast over both their lives.

I am what you might consider a pretty big fan of Christine Feehan. I've read every one of her books many more than once. This new series Sisters of the Heart is good but I'm struggling with the love i felt for the Drake sisters series. I'm not quite there in feeling for this new series what i felt for the Drakes. I love that the new series is set in Sea Haven and that the Drakes are somewhat included but not enough for me at this point. Book number two Spirit Bound is was really good once i got about halfway through it finally picked up and i was really getting into it but this time the story was to wordy. To much thinking in their heads and they are in love right away or obsessed but then you spend half the book with them talking about in their heads. When you get to the action, it's really good. I love Lev and Stefan's interactions and the giving of more details into their history. The kaleidoscopes that Judith makes are really cool and interesting especially when Stefan makes one. I liked them together but i wanted more. Slightly disappointed in the ending of the problem with Judith's stalker guy. I kept thinking that's it? Where is Stefan. I don't want to say i didn't like it because i really did enjoy it. It just wasn't up to snuff for what i was expecting. If you are paying attention you get some interesting glances into Blythe. I have some theories i would love to talk to someone about but i hate to throw out thoughts and possibly ruin something for someone. lol Just pay attention to her parts of this book particularly at the very end and her hands and think of the Prakenskii brothers. There that's a hint at least. 3 and 1/2 stars for Spirit Bound. I so wish i could say 5 stars but i just can't. Hoping the next book is better.


Find out more about this book and read the first chapter on Christine Feehan's website by clicking here www.christinefeehan.com

Tiger Eye (Dirk & Steele Series #1) by Marjorie M. Liu

Review by Sarah
Back of the Book Blurb:

The first book in Marjorie M. Liu's extraordinary Dirk & Steele Series!

Long ago they roamed the earth — dragons, tigers . . . shapeshifters — men who wore the forms of beasts. Their world was magic. Now it is gone. But some remain . . .

He looks out of place in Dela Reese's Beijing hotel room— exotic and poignant, some mythic, tragic hero of an epic tale. With his feline yellow eyes, he's like nothing from her world. Yet Dela has danced through the echo of his soul and knows this warrior will obey her every command.

Hari has been used and abused for millennia. But he sees, upon his release from the riddle box, that this new mistress is different. There is a hidden power in Dela's eyes—and with her, he may regain all that was lost to him. Where once he savaged, now he must protect; where before he knew only hatred, now he must embrace love. Dela is the key.

For Dela, he will risk all.
Review: This is Liu's debut novel (2005) and the first book in the Dirk & Steele series (about a secret psychic detective/security type agency). It's a fun, fast read full of romance, action, magic and danger and I zipped right through it. As the novel begins, Dela is in China and buys an ancient puzzle box from a mysterious old woman. She is quickly assaulted by a creepy man who wants the box, but escapes and returns to her hotel room, where she opens it and out comes Hari. Hari is a seven foot tall hunky tiger shifter who was cursed to be imprisoned in the box over two thousand years ago, and is released as a slave to whoever buys and opens the box. Dela is horrified by Hari's story and promises to give him his freedom and try to break the curse. But before they can figure anything out an assassin comes to Dela's hotel room and attacks her. Soon Dela and Hari are being pursued by both an unknown assassin and an evil mage, and they head to the United States, where Dela has an extensive family and friend network of fellow psychics of varying abilities who are able to protect her and figure out who wants her dead.

The characters are really well developed in this book - Dela, Hari and the rest are believable, interesting, multi-dimensional, full of quirks and foibles. The relationship between Dela and Hari develops easily and naturally as they get to know each other, building trust, respect, affection and lots of lust. Liu can write sexy scenes with the best of them, and those scenes combined with a real sense of danger, and genuine humor as Dela brings Hari up to speed on the 21st century (he was last let out of the box 600 years ago), mark Liu as one of the best writers of paranormal romance. I've read several of her books, but this was the first Dirk & Steele book for me, and I am very excited to read the rest. Tiger Eye introduced at least a half dozen characters whose stories I can't wait to read.
5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars

Fore more information check out the author's website at www.marjoriemliu.com.

Book review: The Next Always (book 1 The Inn Boonsboro trilogy) by Nora Roberts

The Next Always - Nora Roberts

Berkley Trade
978-0-425-24321-3
On sale November 1, 2011
America's favorite writer" (The New Yorker) begins an all-new trilogy-inspired by the inn she owns and the town she loves.

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...


This is the first book in a new trilogy by Nora Roberts. I feels similar to her Bride quartet series to me so far. The book itself is packaged beautifully similarly to the Bride Quartet books. The series is about 3 brothers, the Montgomery's. Beckett, Owen and Ryder listed as youngest to oldest. I love love the names she chose for these guys. This book is Beckett's. He is the architect of the family although all 3 have things to bring to the table. Beckett's had a crush on book seller and widower Clare Brewster since she was 15. She's back in Boonsboro now widowed by her military husband with 3 little boys to raise.

A big part of this book is spent on getting the trilogy started and on details. Lots and lots of details about the restoration on the inn. That's expected i guess somewhat in the first book. You have to get all the players in place. There are quite a few. I could do with less construction talk though and hope there isn't as much in book two and three. Bride Quartet books were similar. Problem is when you have to much you tend to start skipping parts and sometimes miss important stuff. I didn't skip anything but i thought about it more than once. There is a bit of paranormal in this book with a ghost of a woman in the inn. It's kind of fun and makes sense with it being a old building. There is also some suspense when Clare finds she has stalker. I enjoyed the book and getting to know all the characters. I wish there had been a little more back story on Beckett and Clare from school but i had the feeling that there wasn't much there since she was high school sweethearts with her now deceased husband. Now that the intro to the series is done I'm hoping for more romance in book 2 that comes out in May of 2012. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Nora Roberts The Next Always.  Read a excerpt and find out more about this book and Nora Roberts other books here. Nora Roberts

Book review: Free Short Story!! The Day of the Dead by Karen Chance

Review by Sarah





Back of the Book Blurb: The Day of the Dead is a short story connected to the New York Times bestselling Cassandra Palmer series of urban fantasy novels. It was first published in the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (2008) and is now being offered as a free ebook. It features Tomas, a character from Touch the Dark (2006), the first Cassandra Palmer novel. Tomas has returned to an ancient village in South America to destroy his former master, a former Conquistador named Alejandro. Before he can locate Alejandro, Tomas runs into Sarah, a mysterious woman searching for her missing brother.



Review: At just 36 pages, this is truly a short story. That being said, it was free (yay!) and pretty darn good. And absolutely perfect to read while my son was in his karate lesson and my daughter was bouncing off the chair next to me, chattering nonstop. Which is why I normally can only read at night:-)

Tomas is over four hundred years old, and has not had the best vampire life. He was born to an Incan mother and a Spanish Conquistador father, turned into a vampire and made to collect human snacks for a real sadistic master vamp named Alejandro. He ends up slave to another master vamp, escapes him, and has returned to the small village in the mountains to try and kill Alejandro (gahhhh, I hear Lady Gaga every time I type his name). It is the Day of the Dead, and there are other strangers in this tiny village, one of whom is Sarah, a mysterious and capable woman searching for her missing journalist brother. Not everyone is fully human, though, and Sarah and Tomas end up joining forces. I won't go into further plot points because, hey, at 36 free pages you can read it yourself.

Tomas is a well-developed character - I really felt like I knew him about halfway through the story. His motivations for killing Alejandro are understandable, and his morality really shines through. Sarah's secret identity is a unique twist in the paranormal genre, and I enjoyed reading about her, although I wanted to know more about her history. Usually short stories are focused on either action or character development, but the author has done a nice job balancing the two. The story moves along nicely with lots of fights, suspense and surprises, and the beginnings of a sexy romance.

Good stuff!

4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars

For more information about the author and her books, check out her website at www.karenchance.com
This is also where you can find this free read.

Book review: Moon Dance by author J.R. Rain

Review by Sarah

If you recall this was a Friday free ebook pick a couple weeks ago. It is still free on Amazon as of 8/22

It was self-published by the author in July 2010.

Moon Dance by J.R. Rain



Back of the Book Blurb:

Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire.

Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country. But as the case unfolds, Samantha discovers Kingsley isn't exactly what he appears to be; after all, there is a reason why he survived five shots to the head.

Review: Does anyone else get that weirdly happy, tingly feeling when you're a few chapters into a book by an author new to you, and you realize "Damn, this is REALLY GOOD!" and he's got MORE!! Well, that's what happened to me yesterday, as I was reading Moon Dance by J.R. Rain. I was enjoying it so much I didn't want to leave the story. It doesn't get much better for us bookworms. Contented sigh here..................ok, on to the review.

Samantha Moon is six years into life as a vampire. Although she has learned to cope, her life has drastically changed. She had to quit her job as a federal agent and start a home-based (with night hours) business as a private investigator. Her husband, who was initially supportive, is increasingly distant and cold, and caring for her kids in the afternoons is a constant struggle for a creature of the night. The stress of juggling these demands, while coping with her vampirism, is taking its toll on Samantha. But she deals with it by working out like a fiend, boxing and running until she's exhausted. Or as close to exhausted as a super strong, super fast vampire can get.

Samantha is a great, realistic character. She's a loving mother trying to raise her kids, run a business and keep her marriage together. Her husband is absent much of the time, and she's pretty sure he's having an affair. But she's not ready to confront him, and is terrified of losing her children and her marriage. She also has the added stress of dealing with her abilities and limitations. Her enhanced strength and reflexes are great, but dragging herself out of bed to be with the kids after school is painful and difficult. Not to mention her existential worries: is she dead? evil? how long will she live? These things made Samantha sympathetic and relatable. Her frustration and anger are understandable.

A couple points here - I really liked how the author dealt with the practical issues of a mom and wife who becomes a vampire. The incident caused her to live a life of secrets, to protect herself and her family. She lives in fear of discovery. Her husband, initially seen as a cold and adulterous jackass, really helped her after her attack, researching diseases to explain her aversion to sunlight and her pale skin. He set up an account at a butcher shop to procure animal blood, and supported her career change. But six years of living with a vampire have taken their toll on the relationship - love and support have turned to fear and loathing. These characters are so multi-dimensional, and as such much more believable.

Enter Kingsley Fulcrum, new client and really sexy man. His case is a challenge to Samantha, as she works with the police detective (another sexy man! she may be undead, but she's not DEAD), to figure out who tried to kill him. And on a personal level, she's rather suspicious about Kingsley's freakish survival. She also receives support and advice from an online friend who accepts her claims to be a vampire.

The new men in Samantha's life help her to put a positive spin on things, and look at her life with a new perspective. She is learning to embrace her changes, and believe in herself, just as her old life is crumbling. Soon she is trying to survive a vampire hunter, and another killer, juggle her feelings of lust for Kingsley with her loyalty to her philandering husband, and take care of her children.

A plot and pace that moves along nicely, a well-done mystery, interesting secondary characters, and at the end the stage is set for the further adventures of Samantha Moon - I loved this book! Barnes and Noble is offering an e-book boxed set of these books for $9.99 and I plan on getting them - stay tuned for future reviews!

5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars

A HUGE thank you to my friend Lisa who recommended this book as her most recent Free Ebook Fridays here on this blog - I owe you one, Lisa!

Check out more of J.R. Rain's books and stuff at his website, www.jrrain.com

Book review: The Twilight of Lake Woebegotten by author Harrison Geillor

Review by Sarah



Harrison Geilor
October 4, 2011

Back of the Book Blurb: A small town... a plucky heroine, a shiny vampire, and a hunky Native American rival with a secret. But all is not as it seems in Lake Woebegotten. Let Harrison Geillor reveal what lies beneath the seemingly placid surface. You''ll laugh. We promise. When Bonnie Grayduck relocates from sunny Santa Cruz, California to the small town of Lake Woebegotten, Minnesota, to live with her estranged father, chief of the local two-man police department, she thinks she''s leaving her troubles behind. But she soon becomes fascinated by another student - the brooding, beautiful Edwin Scullen, whose reclusive family hides a terrible secret. (Psst: they''re actually vampires. But they're the kind who don''t eat people, so it''s okay.) Once Bonnie realizes what her new lover really is, she isn't afraid. Instead, she sees potential. Because while Bonnie seems to her friends and family to be an ordinary, slightly clumsy, easily-distracted girl, she's really manipulative, calculating, power hungry, and not above committing murder to get her way - or even just to amuse herself. This is a love story about monsters... but the vampire isn't the monster.


Review: This is a brilliantly twisted sendup of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Bella Swan has been transformed into Bonnie Grayduck, a smart, self-aware sociopath who has arrived in Lake Woebegotten for her senior year of high school. Bonnie murdered a couple of classmates back in Santa Cruz, California, and while there is no evidence tying her to the deaths, there is plenty of suspicion, so spending a year with her police-chief father is very convenient. And as a sociopath, it's all about self-serving convenience for our Bonnie. Edwin is still the pale, gorgeous, brooding mysterious vampire, but as with Bella, the author has taken the minor personality traits and switched them to become the dominant ones. Edwin is old-fashioned, priggish, has a thing for live teenage girls, and his concern for hurting Bonnie in the throes of passion does not prevent him from enjoying certain "services".

The story unfolds through the viewpoints of two narrative voices: the first-person journals of Bonnie, and the omniscient Narrator, who occasionally interjects to clarify or fill in background. Bonnie's narrative voice is cold and clear like a brook in winter. All of the people in her life, including her parents, are "cattle" or puppets, to be manipulated and used to further Bonnie's goals. And she definitely has goals! First and foremost she must maintain an appropriate persona in order to blend into society, and her favored one is the slightly shy, clumsy pretty girl. Bonnie believes this also gives her the advantage, as others will not expect her to be vicious and strong should she need to kill them. Her main goal, though, is to be turned into a vampire, by Edwin, with whom she has an infatuation. Inasmuch as she is capable, Bonnie believes she has feelings for him, but the main appeal of Edwin is that he is her "ticket to superpowers and immortality and becoming an apex predator".

Bonnie's consistently cold, predatory, self-serving narcissism (yep, I'm aware of that redundancy but I like it) is so refreshing as the events of the Twilight series unfolds. Her calculating nature is always running scenarios of manipulation, all to her advantage. Bonnie learns that she is not the biggest monster in town, and as with herself, he is all too human. Bonnie soon has her capable hands full as she juggles two vampires who want to kill her, maintaining a semi-fake relationship with Edwin in the hopes he will turn her into a vampire, hiding her past, and keeping up appearances as a teenager for her father and classmates.


The humor in this story was unexpected and truly laugh out loud funny. Consistently tongue-in-cheek, dark and devious, and true to the sociopathic, predatory nature of Bonnie Grayduck, The Twilight of Lake Woebegotten was a fiendish delight! 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.