Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Review: Heart of Stone by Lisa Edmonds (@Edmonds411, @CityOwlPress)

Heart of Stone
Release Date: June 18, 2019
Publisher: City Owl Press
Alice Worth Book #4
ASIN:  B07RTLLZ7H
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

Alice Isn't Running Anymore.

Five years ago, mage private investigator Alice Worth escaped her grandfather Moses Murphy’s organized crime syndicate. Now, her grandfather’s war with local boss Darius Bell has drawn her out of hiding and put her in the crosshairs of not one but two merciless crime lords. Her decision to intervene in their war has endangered everyone Alice cares about and threatens to destroy the life she’s built for herself, including her relationship with alpha werewolf Sean Maclin.

Meanwhile, Alice’s new case is the most dangerous of her career. Hired to find a missing child with a rare magical ability, she and her ghost sidekick Malcolm quickly become targets for the boy’s ruthless kidnappers. To stay alive and free from both Bell and Moses, she must rely not only on her growing powers but also her alliances with Sean’s pack and the Vampire Court.

When Alice’s conflicts with pack members turn violent and the Court betrays her, the truth becomes clear: freeing the kidnapped boy and finding her place in the pack will cost Alice her secrets, her safety, and—if she isn’t careful—her life.

Alice has been hiding from the beginning of the series and by the end of HEART OF STONE she is done hiding. 

The Alice Worth series quickly became a must buy series for me and HEART OF STONE didn't disappoint. Book 4 is a bit of a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. There is quite a bit of things happening, but the flow and pace of the story was well done. There was also a ton of suspense involved and I probably ignored my kids away too much while reading HEART OF STONE.

Poor Alice and Sean can't seem to catch a break when it comes to their relationship. Just when things are going great, someone else throws a wrench into their lives. I caught on pretty quickly to what was happening, but it was still heart wrenching watching their pain.  I continue to love Sean and their relationship and it continues to grow with every installment of the series.

I love the secondary cast of characters in this series. Malcolm continues to be a favorite of mine and we are introduced to another character in HEART OF STONE that I hope continues to have a presence in the story line.

I probably shouldn't have read chapter one for the next book at the end of HEART OF STONE because now I'm DYING to know what the heck is going on. Save yourself the frustration and wait until it's closer to release to read chapter one of book 5.

I gave it 5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2019

New Releases: 6/16-6/22


Tue. June 18th

Happy Reading!!

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Monday, June 17, 2019

Review: How to Wake an Undead City by Hailey Edwards (@HaileyEdwards)

How to Wake an Undead City
Release Date: May 28, 2019
Publisher: Black Dog Books LLC
The Beginner's Guide to 
Necromancy Book #6
ASIN:   B07PR5BVR5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

Savannah has fallen to the vampires, and it’s up to Grier to take out their leader, Gaspard Lacroix, and restore peace. Lacroix might be more powerful and immune to her magic, but she’s got a plan. Too bad it’s got holes big enough for a new threat to waltz through while the city is on her knees.

Now Grier must risk her very soul if she hopes to slay her enemies and prevent her world from going up in flames. But salvation comes at a steep price, and she’s not the only one who will pay. The cost just might break her, and the man who owns her heart.

I am so sad to be writing this review, because it means I have read the last book of a much enjoyed series.

I have loved Grier since the opening chapter of HOW TO SAVE AN UNDEAD LIFE. There is just something about her that pulls you in and makes you root for her no matter what situation she finds herself in.

HOW TO WAKE AN UNDEAD CITY is the final showdown for Grier and her allies. They must save their city from her grandfather and his people. We get answers to questions that we have had since day one, and we see a glimpse of the future for not only Grier and Linus but some of our other favorite characters as well.

There have been quite a few secondary characters that I have loved and hated and hated to love throughout the series. I couldn't imagine Grier without any of them and it was great seeing them all come together in UNDEAD CITY.

The Beginner's Guide series was awesome. I loved every minute of reading it. I will miss Grier and Linus being the main characters because I think they still have so much story left to explore, but I'm excited to see what Hailey Edwards does with the spin-off.

I gave it 5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Sunday, June 16, 2019

Week in Review: 6/9-6/15



Books Received for Review

The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire

Books I've Read

A Fierce Princes by S.E. Rose
Shadow Touched by Harper Wylde
Untamed Delights by Suzanne Wright
The Culling Trials 3 by K.F. Breene, Shannon Mayer

Reviews Posted

Nothing this week....

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 * New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Monday- Guest Blog + Giveaway: Lunar Court by Aileen Erin (@aileen_erin, @InkyTheMonster, @XpressoTours)

* Wednesday- Interview: Stars Descend by Kara Jaynes (@KaraJaynes, @UQ4authors)

* Thursday- Promo + Giveaway: The Monster of Selkirk by C.E. Clayton (@XpressoTours, @devildogpress)

* Friday- Character Interview: My Solace by Alanea Alder (@AlaneaAlder, @RoxanneRhoads)

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* Did you know you can follow UFI on these other sites?


You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.
 

 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

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Friday, June 14, 2019

Character Interview: My Solace by Alanea Alder (@AlaneaAlder, @RoxanneRhoads)

UFI welcomes Author Alanea Alder. Thanks for Joining us!!

Who does he/she admire the most in history?

Izzy:  Night Witches
Oron:  Sophie Scholl

What, if anything would he/she change about their life?

Izzy:  My parent’s death
Oron:  My family

What bad habit annoys this person the most?

 Izzy:  Smacking your lips while eating
Oron:  Talking on the cell phone when placing an order

What is their biggest regret?

Izzy:  Spent more time with my parents
Oron:  That I wasn’t able to save more of House Alina

Do you have any fears or phobias?

Izzy:  Bridges
Oron:  Dark, enclosed spaces

What is their most treasured possession?

Izzy:  The last family picture taken with my parents
Oron:  A decree that Darian made up for me when he was a boy declaring me the best big brother in the whole world

What would he/she do if they couldn't sleep and had to find something to do to entertain themselves?

Izzy:  Play puzzle games on my iPad
Oron:  Draw

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USA Today Best Selling Author, Alanea loves reading almost as much as she loves writing. She began writing at a very young age, some of her first scribblings are treasured in a keepsake box and written in green marker. She started when she was still in grade school and continued on through college.

She believes that love truly conquers all and that everyone no matter what, deserves a chance at that love and a place they can call home. She absolutely loves to hear from her readers so don’t hesitate to reach out to her. As always, her promise to her readers remains, “If you keep reading, I’ll keep writing!”

Find Alanea and her books
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My Solace 
Bewitched and Bewildered #11
Amazon Amazon UK Amazon AU Amazon CA
For thousands of years Oron Vi’Eirson has lived each day trying to keep the pain and devastation caused by his family from hurting his precious baby brother. But despite his best efforts his past has come back to haunt him, placing not only Darian and Amelia in harm’s way, but also his newly found mate.

Isabelle Campbell, or as she likes to be called, Izzy, is a mess. She knows this. It’s never intentional, but somehow her curiosity always seems to run away from her. When her latest gaffe lands her homeless and fired from her favorite barista job she is left little choice but to accept the kindness of some of her favorite customers, little did she know that by doing so, she would find herself starting the biggest adventure of her life!

With kindred spirit Meryn at her side, Izzy takes on the entire fae city to protect the heart of the kindest man she has ever met. If the golden fae think they can get away with hurting her mate, they are sorely mistaken. After all, her new friend likes to electrocute people.

When facing your greatest fear means facing your family, is there any escape? Can Izzy help Oron stand against all odds?
Excerpt:

Law wiped at his eyes from silent laughter. “She does this to me every damn time,” he complained, barely able to breathe. Two of the other warriors around the room had buried their face in their hands to hide their own laughter.
Pierce looked over at Aiden. “Seriously though, what did she learn about butts in Noctem Falls?”
Law inhaled as he leaned back slightly and fell off his chair. To see a man that size laughing on the floor was all it took to set everyone off.
“Serenity, I don’t think he’s breathing,” Micah commented watching Law wrap his arms around his mid-section as he gasped.
“If he can laugh, he can breathe,” she said, shaking her head at Meryn’s shenanigans.
“See, I told you Izzy, this is a nice place.” A warrior commented, coming up behind them from the direction of the front door.
“I don’t know, it’s mostly men and they look kinda drunk to me. Maybe this is like a bar or sex dungeon. Like a drunken, gay, sex dungeon,” a piping female replied.
“Oh gods above, I can’t breathe!” Law called from the floor. Oron shook his head at the man’s plight.
Micah’s eyes bugged out. “A drunken, gay, sex dungeon?”
Meryn nodded. “They’re all a bunch a mannequins.”
“They like the rough stuff huh?” the sweet voice asked.
“No! What?” Aiden looked from one female to the other then paused. “How did you know she meant masochist?”
“We were talking about sex dungeons, I kinda extrapolated that the misused random word that began with the letter ‘m’ was a term that more accurately fit the conversation. It wasn’t that hard actually.”
“She meant masochist?” Micah asked.
Serenity stood over Law now looking concerned. “Okay, my earlier assessment may have been off, I don’t think he’s getting any oxygen.” She placed her hands on his chest and eased his laughter.
Law gasped for air. “Gods Meryn, you can’t keep doing this to me!” he managed to croak out.
“So, not a sex dungeon?”
Chuckling Oron turned in his chair and suddenly he couldn’t breathe for reasons of his own, the petite auburn haired beauty that had understood nutty Meryn perfectly was his mate!

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Thursday, June 13, 2019

Promo + Giveaway: The Monster of Selkirk by C.E. Clayton (@XpressoTours, @devildogpress)

 

The Duality of Nature
C.E. Clayton
(The Monster of Selkirk, #1)
Monsters come in many forms, and not everyone knows a monster when they see one. After three hundred years of monstrous, feral elves plaguing the island nation of Selkirk, everyone believes they know what a monster is. Humans have learned to live with their savage neighbors, enacting a Clearing every four years to push the elves back from their borders. The system has worked for centuries, until after one such purge, a babe was found in the forest.
As Tallis grows, she discovers she isn’t like everyone else. There is something a little different that makes people leery in her presence, and she only ever makes a handful of friends.
But when the elves gather their forces and emerge from the forests literally hissing Tallis’s name like a battle mantra, making friends is the least of her troubles. Tallis and her companions find themselves on an unwilling journey to not only clear her name, but to stop the elves from ravaging her homeland.

--

The Heart of the Forest
C.E. Clayton
(The Monster of Selkirk, #2)
Tallis is learning how to deal with loss and violence as she and her friends traverse the forests of Selkirk trying to find the reason behind the elven uprising. Not to mention why they keep hissing her name. But the further into the forests they go, Tallis is finding that the elves’ depravity can still surprise her, and thoroughly test the bonds of friendship, family, and love.
Tallis’s journey eventually leads to answers they’re not prepared for. Now Tallis begins to wonder just who she really is, and if she’s the evil that will end up destroying Selkirk. But she cannot stop to process these revelations, as an unforeseen betrayal lands those she loves at the feet of the very monster responsible for all the hurt, and heartbreak.
Coming face to face with her foe, Tallis discovers all too late she has no idea how to deal with this level of pain, and death. One way or another, the monster’s path ends here, and all Tallis can hope to do is bring those she loves safely out of the heart of the forest.

Excerpt #5:

(book 2)
Tallis dropped her head and stared down at her muddy boots. With all her heart, she did not want to help the elves. She did not want to save them. But she knew it was what her mother would have wanted. It was what Donovan would have encouraged, despite the fact he had been on more than one Clearing during his time as a knight. And with the way Tomas was watching her now, she knew he would disapprove if she allowed the elves to now wither and die.
She could almost hear them telling her it was wrong to condemn a whole race for one mistake. She could hear her cousin tell her if there was a demon responsible, that it changed everything he believed about the elves. The memory was not an old one, he had said as much when they had first reached Lake Mithrim, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Tallis knew her family would ask her to try and forgive the elves. That it was the right thing to do.
She sighed and shut her eyes, forcing the tears, caused by her memories and shame for wanting to let all the elves die, roll down her cheeks. After another moment, she whispered, “Very well, tell me where this demon’s gate is.”
The yew tree did not speak; instead, it implanted a type of map into Tallis’s mind. She was being shown the path to take that would lead her back into the Guldar Forest and just across the murky green water of the Osse River. There, in the center of a circle much like the one the yew tree was in, was the tree that was the demon’s gate.


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C. E. Clayton was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area, where she attended the University of Southern California (Fight On!) for both her Bachelors and Masters, and then worked in the advertising industry for several years on accounts ranging from fast food, to cars, and video games (her personal favorite). After going the traditional career route and becoming restless, she went back to her first love–writing–and hasn’t stopped. She is now the author of “The Monster of Selkirk” series and her horror short stories have appeared in anthologies across the country. When she’s not writing you can find her treating her fur-babies like humans, constantly drinking tea, and trying to convince her husband to go to more concerts. And reading. She does read quite a bit. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, social media presence, and newsletter, can be found on her website: https://www.ceclayton.com/

Find C.E. Clayton and her books
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Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Interview: Stars Descend by Kara Jaynes (@KaraJaynes, @UQ4authors)


UFI welcomes Author Kara Jaynes. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

I’m a video gamer, and chocolate is a real weakness of mine. I also used to dislike cats, but I adopted one about a year ago, and he’s amazing. Spoiled, but amazing.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

Reading, playing video games, and writing. I should probably treat writing more like a job, but it’s so enjoyable, I often feel guilty about it!

What is your favorite part of writing?

All of it. But I particularly enjoy outlining. That’s when everything is fresh and new, and I’m discovering the characters and their stories.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

Nope. I can write anytime and anywhere. It’s always nice to be settled at my writer’s desk, with a lit candle and chocolate, though. Hot chocolate is my favorite.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

I’m currently reading If Wishes were Curses by Janeen Ippolito, and I’m really enjoying it. Kitsunes, otter shifters and genie magic? Yes, please.

How would you pitch Stars Descend to someone who has not heard of it before?

Oh, boy. I am so, so bad at pitching. I should probably hire someone to write something for me to memorize. Writing is the easy part. Talking about my books? Nooooooo.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Stars Descend is set in?

Stars Descend is set in a fictional future Seattle. I grew up in the area, so it made sense to place my dystopian world there. Though I kept the gum wall. The gum wall is real.

Do you have a favorite scene in Stars Descend?

I love the banter between Stella and Eldaren. He’s so clueless when it comes to women. I suppose one could argue that *most* men are clueless when it comes to women, but Eldaren seems to have a particular knack for it.

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
Eldaren was the funnest to write about. He’s so serious and anxious about everything, but compassionate at the same time. Gawynn was probably the most difficult. He has the personality of a cardboard box, and it’s surprisingly hard to describe someone who’s like that.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

I’m hard at work with the sequels to Stars Descend, and have some fairy tale retellings I’m hoping to finish and release within the next several months. I always have a book or three I’m writing.


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Stars Descend 
A Game of Stars and Shadows #1
Amazon (Available on KU!)
The Elves have come down from the sky in their ships, their countenances full of light and their bodies, power. But they rule over us humans with iron fists, and without mercy.

Vampires stalk the streets, lurking in shadows and the cover of darkness. Their lust for blood is never sated, and the nights are filled with the screams of their victims.

I’m just a street rat, a trash picker. I didn’t expect him to choose me. The Prince of Elves could have anyone, so why me?

Even as my heart sings at the elf’s close proximity, I still love the boy who left me, disappearing into the city’s corrupt underworld. I don’t even know if he’s still alive.

Stars reign. Rebellion brews. And with my already uncertain future disintegrating into chaos, I don’t know who to turn to, or who to trust.

Stars Descend is book 1 of a series, and is not a standalone novel.
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Kara Jaynes is a fantasy and children's book author. She loves rainy days, long walks, and fairy tales. She's been writing since she was very young, and has more stories in her head than she could possibly write.


Find Kara and her books
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Party Time!

 Calling all book readers! Join author Kara Jaynesas we chat about her urban fantasy novel STARS DESCEND on June 12th from 8 PM to 10 PM EST (5 PM PST and 6 PM MDT). Grab your favorite drink and snack and be prepared for a fun time of chatting with Kara, games, and giveaways. Special guests Janeen Ippolito and Sarah Ashwood will also be sharing their books and joining in the fun.
 

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, June 3rd
Tuesday, June 4th
Wednesday, June 5th
Thursday, June 6th
Friday, June 7th
Saturday, June 8th
Sunday, June 9th
Monday, June 10th
Tuesday, June 11th
Wednesday, June 12th
Thursday, June 13th
Friday, June 14th
Saturday, June 15th
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