Review: Witchlight by Sonya Clark

Witchlight

Author:Sonya Clark

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Publisher: Carina Press

Magic Born Book #2

ASIN:   B00I15VKAU

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

In 2066, the Magic Born are segregated in urban reservations. The laws do not protect them, or their allies.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Marsden is a powerful player in New Corinth politics, but a closely guarded secret could destroy her life—she's a hidden Magic Born. Her family has gone to great lengths to erase all her magic-related records, until a trancehacking outlaw discovers the last remaining one…

Vadim Bazarov smuggles Magic Borns through the underground railroad and threatens to reveal Elizabeth's secret unless she helps him access blank ID cards. Elizabeth wants to hate him for having a stranglehold on her life, but can't help being attracted to someone so sure of who and what he is.

Vadim initially sees her as a political ice queen, but is intrigued by her suppressed magical abilities. He trains Elizabeth to use her magic, and before long finds himself falling for her. But their newfound love may be shortlived; an anti-magic ordinance forces one of them to make a choice that will change both their lives for good.

Vadim played a pretty big roll in TRANCEHACK and we got to know him a bit more than other secondary characters so I was glad to see he was being featured in WITCHLIGHT. He comes off as a pretty big bad boy and even though he is one, we get to witness his softer sides throughout WITCHLIGHT. Elizabeth (Lizzy) is new to us but we quickly get a feel of her personality and struggles as a Councilwoman and Magic Born in hiding. She has a lot of struggles in book 2 of the Magic Born series. She has to put her trust in someone that knows her secrets, learn to control her out of control magic and make some tough choices along the way.

The relationship between the two starts off pretty hot, takes a turn to luke warm when Vadim blackmails Lizzy and gets right back in the hot zone as they work together and get to know each other. By the end of the book they are of course in love and both of their lives are changed forever (Lizzy has the biggest change though).

They make a few appearances but I wish we would have seen more of Nathan and Calla together in WITCHLIGHT. I always like to have previous characters more involved in each book where different couples are featured. I really didn't get a feel for who might be featured next but I have a few characters I would like to see featured. Either way I hope that Clark gives us a nice glimpse into how Nathan, Calla, Vadim and Elizabeth are doing as their story is told.

I also would love to see more world building. We have a feel for the world the characters live in but it feels like we should know so much more by now. Even with my small complaints the Magic Born series has lots of promise on its side and I will continue it into book 3.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

New Releases: 7/20-7/26

Tue July 22

 Dissonance (Dissonance #1) by Erica O'Rourke

 Extraction (Extraction #1) by Stephanie Diaz

 The Fire Wish (The Jinni Wars #1) by Amber Lough

 Poison Promise (Elemental Assassin #11) by Jennifer Estep

 The Stolen by Bishop O'Connell

 Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #3) by Susan Dennard

 Veiled Target (Veilers #1) by Robin Bielman

Happy Reading

Review: Dark Secrets by Madeline Pryce

Dark Secrets

Author:Madeline Pryce

Release Date: July 11, 2014

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Dark Book #2

ISBN:   141999137X

ISBN13: 9781419991370

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source: Publisher

The worst moment of Micah’s life was when Ella nearly died in his arms. Her miraculous recovery should have been the start of their future. Unfortunately, a new demonic heritage, the Shadow Agency’s corruption and Julian, the vampire who turned Ella, are testing their relationship. Despite hotter-than-ever sex and a variety of new places and positions to explore, Micah begins to wonder if a relationship based on lust can survive for more than a few scorching-hot months.

Ella has forgiven, but not forgotten, the fact that Micah once plunged a dagger through her heart. Everything with Micah is passion, excitement and an uncontrollable desire to explore his body in a variety of very satisfying ways. But as buried secrets, ongoing lies and murderous deceptions pile up, Ella is reminded that she and Micah’s relationship was based on a curse. In order to forge a future together, Ella and Micah will have to face down their personal demons—and prove that love and trust are more than just words.

I fell in love with Pryce's world and characters in DARK CRAVINGS when it was originally published a few years ago under a different name. I was so happy when I saw that Madeline brought it back and continued the series and I was even happier when I found out that the series would continue with Micah and Ella's story.

The blurb does a really good job of giving the reader an idea of what goes on in DARK SECRETS. Ella and Micah's relationship has hit a bit of a bump in the road and they aren't sure where things stand at some points in the book. On top of that they have to deal with Ella being the Vampire Queen and also staying ahead of Micah's Dad's antics in trying to get Ella in more trouble before her upcoming trial.

Quite a bit happens but I got really mad at one point when something significant happened to Ella. I was about to throw the book at the wall but figured Madeline couldn't possibly let this happen for long and kept on reading. Thankfully things worked themselves out quickly and by the end of DARK SECRETS I felt like things were as it should be with not only Ella and Micah's relationship but with the track they were on going into book 3. 

Everything that I have read so far from Madeline Pryce has been really enjoyable and I look forward to not only continuing the Dark Series but also seeing what she comes up with next.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Series Reading Order

Dark Cravings (#1 Ella/Micah – 85k)

Dark Innocence (#1.5 Hannah – 45k)

Dark Secrets (#2 Ella/Micah – 85k)

Dark Vengeance (#2.5 Castro – 45k) – release date coming soon!

Dark Promises (#3 Ella/Micah) – Spring 2015

About Madeline Pryce
Madeline Pryce wrote her first novel when she was ten, penned with neon-pink ink in a loose-leaf binder. Captivated by romantic literature, yet intrigued by the paranormal, she continues to develop her own voice, writing the kinds of stories that inspired her as a teen.

Find Madeline and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Week in Review: 7/13-7/19

Books I've Bought/received

- Soulfire by Juliette Cross- eARC- Author

- Dangerous Calling by A.J. Larrieu - eARC- NetGalley

- Summer Moon by Jan DeLima- ARC- Publisher

Books I've Read

Stone Cold Lover by Christine Warren
Death's Awakening by Sarra Cannon
Tempting Fate by April White
The Winter People by Rebekah L. Purdy
Soulfire by Juliette Cross

Reviews Posted

Fire Rising by Donna Grant
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Black Rook by Kelly Meade

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

* Wednesday- Guest Blog & Giveaway for Death Warmed Over by T. Michelle Nelson

* Friday- Interview for Tethered by Pippa Jay

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Interview: Tethered by Pippa Jay

UFI welcomes Pippa Jay Author of Tethered. 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 keep chickens, I had a huge crush on Luke Skywalker, and my current favorite vice is Lucozade Cherry.
 
What do you enjoy doing on your down time? 

I do freestyle street dance to keep fit, I like to sew and often make cosplay outfits, I draw a little, read, listen to music, watch a lot of SF films and series, and mock up book covers. Weekends are family time, and we spend a lot of it at the beach, weather permitting.
 
What is your Favorite part of writing? 

World building. Nothing I like more than creating new worlds and settings, and throwing my characters into it.
 
Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write? 

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

Elle Hill's Hunted series, stories by Chantal Halpin, and The Neon Court by Kate Griffin.
How would you pitch Tethered to someone who has not heard of it before? Think Orphan Black but set in the future—cloned assassins, ferocious feline warriors, and a sexy but scarred hero who has the heroine tied up in knots trying to figure him out.
 
Can you tell us a little bit about the world that is set in? 

It's the far future, and humanity has moved beyond Earth and diversified, as well as meeting other alien races. Tyree's people have human ancestry, but years of genetic alteration and cloning have given them abilities true humans don't have, and a scary reputation as assassins who cannot be evaded. Humans are at a pivotal point, negotiating a peace treaty with a ferocious feline race who don't much like anyone else, and someone seems determined to sabotage it and send the populated worlds into a war they are unlikely to win. Space travel, psychic powers and alien races abound, but you won't have to be afraid of long, scientific explanations for it all. Promise!
 
Do you have a favorite scene in Tethered? 

One of my favorites is when Tyree challenges Zander to a sparring match. It's a bit of an unfair fight as Tyree has advantages over a human male, but he surprises her and I think they both enjoyed it far more than they let on.
 
Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 

I adored writing about Tyree, because she was very different to other characters I'd done. She's strong, confident, easily provoked, and yet in a way very naive and vulnerable, because she's not used to living around humans and she finds them generally confusing. Zander was harder because I didn't want to give too much away and yet convey some of the things that were going on in his head. It was tough to get the balance so that we are as confused about him as Tyree, and yet we can probably pick up some of the things about him that Tyree was completely blind to.
 
What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you? 

Releasing this year, I have a YA supernatural novella (Restless In Peaceville), a paranormal short set around Halloween releasing in October (title is a secret, shhh!), and a superhero story (When Dark Falls) set in an alternative 1920s that has yet to be given a release date. I'm also working on a bad angel story for the Christmas holiday season, a kind of futuristic urban fantasy (think angels appearing in Bladerunner, lol).

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A stay-at-home mum of three who spent twelve years working as an Analytical Chemist in a Metals and Minerals laboratory, Pippa Jay bases her stories on a lifetime addiction to science-fiction books and films. Somewhere along the line a touch of romance crept into her work and refused to leave. In between torturing her plethora of characters, she spends the odd free moments trying to learn guitar, indulging in freestyle street dance and drinking high-caffeine coffee. Although happily settled in historical Colchester in the UK with her husband of 20 years, she continues to roam the rest of the Universe in her head.

Pippa Jay is a dedicated member of the SFR Brigade, a community of science fiction romance authors and publishing professionals committed to writing and promoting the very best in the genre.

Find Pippa and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Tethered
Buy Link

She can kill with a kiss. But can assassin Tyree also heal one man's grief, and bring peace to a galaxy threatened by war? 

For Tyree of the Su, being an assassin isn't simply something she was trained for. It's the sole reason for her existence. A genetically enhanced clone—one of many in Refuge—she's about to learn her secluded lifestyle, and that of all her kind, is under threat by a race capable of neutralizing their special talents to leave them defenseless. 

For Zander D'joren, being a diplomat has not only cost him his appearance, but also the love of his life. Scarred, grieving, he must nonetheless continue in his role as co-delegate to the fearsome Tier-vane or risk a conflict that could only end one way. 

Now both of them need to keep each other alive and maintain a perilous deception long enough to renegotiate the treaty with the Tier-vane, or throw their people into a war that could wipe out Terrans and Inc-Su alike. But there's more at stake than humanity, whether true or modified. Can the love growing between them save them both? Or merely hasten their destruction?

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Review: Fire Rising by Donna Grant

Fire Rising

Author:Donna Grant

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Publisher: St. Martins

Dark Kings Book #2

ISBN:  1250041376

ISBN13: 9781250041371

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

Tristan, the newest Dragon King, is having a tough time fitting in. Despite his ability to transform into a proud, strong dragon at will, no one knows where he came from or how he became a Dragon King, including himself. When trouble arises in the form of the mob, Tristan is going to have to put aside his questions and band with the other Dragon Kings to protect Dreagan. As if things weren’t complicated enough, he is about to find something worth fighting for more important than the Dragon Kings…

Sammie Miller, pub owner in Oban, has been scorned by her business partner—and former lover. Used as a front for money laundering with the mob, Sammie is in great danger once she realizes what has happened. Barely escaping, she plans to rest at Dreagan for only a day before going back on the run. When Tristan swears to protect her, Sammie thinks his efforts will be in vain—the mob is too powerful, and it will take more than the average man’s devotion to keep her safe. But the closer she gets to Tristan, and the more he learns his secrets, Sammie can’t deny that having a Dragon King who worships you, body and soul, isn’t such a bad thing…

Pub owner Sammie Miller finds herself running for her life when her business partner steals money from the mob and comes after them. Her partner never made it out of the bar before it was blown up. After some time on the run and nowhere else to go she finds herself visiting her sister Jane for some much needed rest. To try to keep Jane safe she keeps her troubles to herself and vows to get away from Dreagan as soon as she can. Tristan still can't remember his life as Duncan. He fits into his new life as a Dragon King and really doesn't want to remember his supposed past. As soon as he lays eyes on Sammie he is immediately protective of her and shortly after that he starts having flashes of his past life as Duncan. With all the emotions running through him all he wants to do is keep Sammie safe but she doesn't make it easy.

I have to admit that Sammie and Tristan were not my favorite couple so far but they still fit together nicely, their story was still fantastic and I like how they tie the Dragon Kings together with the Dark Warriors. It's nice to see most of the crew together in FIRE RISING. I could not imagine being in Tristan's position and I really felt like he handled everything as best he could. I am glad that he has a better understanding of who he is but the end and that he has Sammie by his side as he worked everything out.

On the romance side of things FIRE RISING was still hot hot hot. There is a normal amount of fighting feelings at times on both sides but both Sammie and Tristan know that they are falling fast for each other and sparks fly from pretty much the beginning.

I really like how the series is a continuous story conflict with their own plot lines drawn in. I have found that each story in the series is full of action and danger. I really love all the dragons and look forward to watching them each find their match as the series continues.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Death Warmed Over by T. Michelle Nelson

UFI welcomes T. Michelle Nelson Author of The Lily Drake Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

What is the Fascination with Vampires?
 
Last year I spoke at a conference about the fascination so many of us have with vampires and the evolution of the vampire in literature.  Vampires are incredibly easy to glamorize and romanticize.

Of course, there's that sense of danger.  No woman wants to be bored, and vampires don't have mortal vulnerabilities.  However, in my opinion, the vampire is the paranormal creature of choice for one reason alone.  Eternal youth.

As I get older, this concept becomes more and more attractive.  I went out last week to one of my favorite restaurants, which is owned by a friend, and my waiter appeared to be around 17.  I asked the owner how old my server was, and to my dismay he was actually a year older than the fake age I use.  I apparently have forgotten completely what 22 actually looks like.

Throwing vanity to the side, there's really much more to this concept.  With eternal youth, comes healthy immortality.  I had no reason to even consider this until last summer.  I had a health scare, not to mention was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which is now completely gone.  Stress does crazy things to an aging body!

What I would give to be eternally 25 years old, healthy and have that twenty-something metabolism.  Yet another huge reason I'd love to be vampire - I could eat without the guilt.  I love food.  Tasty food.  You know, with fat, carbs and calories.  Unfortunately I rarely enjoy that type of food because my almost forty year old body renders fat faster than a sauté pan full of bacon on high heat.

I'd make a great vampire.  I'd appreciate so much - the halting of the cruel aging process, good health, and immortality.  But should vampires turn out to be real and are actually reading this... give me a couple weeks before you turn me.  I've got five pounds of winter weight I'd like to get rid of before I'm stuck with it throughout eternity.

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T. Michelle Nelson became enamored with vampires at an early age when she watched George Hamilton in “Love at First Bite.” As she got older, her tastes leaned more toward the dark and morose, but her love of all things vampire never wavered.  Little has changed over the years, except now T.  makes up her own macabre stories of the undead… mixed with a splash of romance, tough heroines and tons of dark humor.

T. Michelle Nelson is a native of Benton, Kentucky and a graduate of Murray State University.  Currently she resides in a small town in Ohio, which is also the setting of her Lily Drake series.  The first two books in the series, Life and Death of Lily Drake and 'Til Death Do Us Part, are currently available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon or any of your other favorite online bookstores. A short story prequel The First Time is also available. Death Warmed Over, the third and final book of the series will release in late June.

When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her spending time with her son, singing out of key, watching B-Horror movies or discussing world problems with her little dog, Toadie

Find T. Michelle Nelson and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Death Warmed Over
Lily Drake #3

 In the conclusion of the Lily Drake series, Lily must choose not only what is best for herself and her son, but for her people. Her sword will be stained with blood through her efforts to preserve the lives of the people she loves, but she won’t be able to save them all.

When a devastating loss crushes her will to live, can Lily go on and be the leader she has to be? What is she willing to sacrifice to save others?

Death comes to everyone...even the Queen’s house...

What doesn't kill you will make you wish it did..

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