Promo: Raven's Kill by Ella Grey

Excerpt:

Her moans had echoed all over the mansion. Raven had even heard them from his place on the roof; he'd shifted long enough to enter from the skylight before taking his human form again and headed to investigate. No lights highlighted the dark corridors but it wasn't a problem. The dog remained silent in the kitchen, a terrible guard. The moans made him rock hard, she was the only one in the house which left one very interesting possibility.

It didn't take long to find her room, the door slightly ajar and he pushed it open a little more. Cassandra writhed on the bed, one hand between her legs and the other on her chest. He watched her come undone and knew he could do it better. He wanted her to fall apart with his tongue lapping at her juices, sucking and teasing her until she called out his name. He quite liked the fantasy and missed her eyes opening, resting on him. Her scream ripped through the air.

Well, what did you expect? That she'd pull you into her arms and you could finally find out what her lips taste like?
 
Raven darted from his place in the doorway and pressed his hand across her mouth. "I won't hurt you." The words left him in a rush but she fought against him. "Cassandra, I don't intend to hurt you. Listen to me. Please listen to me." She slowly stopped fighting but her eyes were wide, her breathing fast. "I'm going to remove my hand. Don't scream or I'll be forced have to put my hand over your mouth again."

For the first time in his life, he didn't know what he was doing. The smell of her desire, mixed with the vanilla perfume that seemed embedded into her skin, filled the air and it was distracting as hell. "Trust me?"

It was asking a lot and he knew it but she finally nodded. The impression of her lips against his hand felt like a burn, as if the brief touch left a scar against his skin.

"Please don't hurt me."

Her words made him angry but not at her, he didn't want her to be scared of him. "I already said I won't."

Cassandra moved away from him, turning to face him. She nibbled at her bottom lip, her fingers twisted together. "What do you want?"

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Ella Grey always knew that she'd become a writer. Well, it was either that or a brain surgeon but her heart wasn't in it. She's constantly had voices in her head, which could have ended up being strapped in a strait jacket and being locked in a padded cell. Thankfully she picked up a pen and put it to paper.
She currently lives in the UK with her son, partner and cat. She rarely sleeps and can often be found with a cup of coffee close to one hand, with her other hand on the keyboard.

Find Ella and her books

Website / Facebook

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Raven's Curse
Buy Link

Raven is a shifter with the ability to see the darkness in a person's soul. He has never strayed off his path or let a target live before, until he meets Cassandra for the first time. She's an innocent, so why does someone want her dead? 

As soon as she laid eyes on the mysterious man, she wants him with an intensity that scares her. When he appears in her room one night with an impossible story, she doesn't have a choice, believe him or die when someone else takes the job he's refused. 

It's a fight against time and an attraction that scares them both, no-one knows what the future holds. Even a fledgling seer.

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Guest Blog: Wicked Satyr Night by Rebekah Lewis

UFI welcomes Rebekah Lewis Author of Wicked Satyr. Thanks for Joining us!!

If Hermes (and the other characters) from the Cursed Satyroi series had a Twitter account, a typical day's worth of tweets would look something like…

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic You won't believe what just happened in Olympus. No really, you won't believe it. Guess.

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes I shudder to think.

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic Seriously, guess.

BacchusLikeItsHaut: @AwesomeHermes @PeterPANic Zeus electrocuted himself in the bathroom again.

AwesomeHermes: @BacchusLikeItsHaut Who in Hades are you? Definitely not the real @DionBach judging by that name.

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes So…what happened in Olympus? Don't leave me hanging.

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic We had a great feast and in the midst of the celebration there was this disembodied shriek that shook the mountain…

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes Please tell me *somebody* didn't attempt to sneak harpies back into Olympus.

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic NO! THAT WAS ONE TIME!

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic It turns out that Aphrodite and Hera have been having a spat lately. Well, Aphrodite made her move. We were eating roasted peacock.

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes Daaaaaaaamn. Hera's prized peacocks? Is Aphrodite still alive?

BacchusLikeItsHot: @AwesomeHermes Clear up that nasty Herpes virus with this fantastic product … Expand

AwesomeHermes: @BacchusLikeItsHot I swear to the gods I will end you if you don't quit.

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic She is alive since Zeus forbade Hera from touching her, but she is NOT happy. I would hate to be Aphie right now.

BacchusLikeItsHot: @AwesomeHermes There is but one God, and you are but a blasphemer.

AwesomeHermes: @BacchusLikeItsHot …

AwesomeHermes: @BacchusLikeItsHot Dude. WTF

AwesomeHermes: @BacchusLikeItsHot Who is this!

AwesomeHermes: Spammer-trolls be troll-spammin' 

THEPegasus1: @AwesomeHermes Don't reply to them.

AwesomeHermes: @THEPegasus1 You know I can't help it. Impulse control—I have none!

THEPegasus1: @AwesomeHermes Oh well then.

AwesomeHermes: @THEPegasus1 How are you even tweeting. You're a horse. You don't have opposable thumbs OR fingers for that matter.

THEPegasus1: @AwesomeHermes FU, jackass.

DionBach: @AwesomeHermes @BacchusLikeItsHot Who dares to impersonate me?

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes I have to ask, how was the peacock?

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic It wasn't bad, actually.

AwesomeHermes: @DionBach Can't you retrieve his IP or something with all your fancy-man resources in that company of yours?

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes That's what she said.

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPanic What…oh. LMAO you are totally my son. *cyberhighfive*

Kat_Silverton: @PeterPANic @AwesomeHermes Awwww. Father/Son bonding.

PeterPANic: @Kat_Silverton @AwesomeHermes Don't get used to it.

DionBach: @AwesomeHermes I sent you a direct message.

AwesomeHermes: @DionBach Got it. Thanks.

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes Traitor. Working with @DionBach does not endear you to me.

AwesomeHermes: @PeterPANic Grow a pair, son. Common cause here. BRB. Gonna go bitchslap @BacchusLikeItsHaut

BacchusLikeItsHaut: @AwesomeHermes @DionBach You posers don't scare me. Whatcha gonna do? Come thr

AwesomeHermes: @DionBach @PeterPANic @THEPegasus1 Bitchslap accomplished.

PeterPANic: @AwesomeHermes Good job.

DionBach: @AwesomeHermes Who was it?

THEPegasus1: @AwesomeHermes Congratulations. Do you want a cookie?

AwesomeHermes: @DionBach it was @Calixthesexy and @OrgasmicOrestes playing games. Must be a slow day for them. They won't do it again.

DionBach: @AwesomeHermes @Calixthesexy @OrgasmicOrestes See that it doesn't. What, one curse not enough for you?

AwesomeHermes: @THEPegasus1 I do want a cookie. I would ask you to bake some, but YOU DON'T HAVE HANDS. Srsly how are you typing?

THEPegasus1: @AwesomeHermes Don't be a hater

OrgasmicOrestes: @AwesomeHermes @DionBach @Calixthesexy Dudes. Joke. Ha ha. Chill.

CalixtheSexy: @AwesomeHermes not cool, man. You marked my good side.

MELANCTON: Make money at home following these easy rules! …Expand

AwesomeHermes: I think I bruised my hand slapping the Hades out of @Calixthesexy and @OrgasmicOrestes Calling it a night.

AwesomeHermes: @MELANCTON Dude! You got hacked! Reset password.

Okay, Hermes would be a monster on social media. Good thing he's not on it for real! Hermes is a secondary character in Wicked Satyr Nights, now available in PRINT from Breathless Press. Happy Reading!

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Rebekah Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.  She is an award-winning cover artist for  digital publishers, and enjoys every minute of it when not immersed into a world of satyrs and Greek gods. Always feeling the need to be productive, she can be found creating something whether with words or images, or with arts and crafts. She resides in Savannah, GA with her cat, Bagheera.

Find Rebekah and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Wicked Satyr Night
Cursed Satyroi #1
Buy Link

Some creatures want to be found. 

When Dr. Katerina Silverton travels into the Pine Barrens to make a documentary on the Jersey Devil, she doesn't believe she will uncover any supernatural evidence. In fact, she only takes the job because it promises funding for future projects. So it is quite a shock to Kat when she finds herself face-to-face with the legendary beast she was sent into the forest to capture on film. 

In ancient Greece, the god Pan made a terrible mistake which resulted in the creation of the Satyroi: a race of immortal satyrs. Centuries later, he lives secluded in the Pine Barrens, frightening mortals by taking the guise of an abhorrent local monster. When a beautiful woman shows up in his forest looking for proof of his existence, Pan can't resist revealing himself to her. 

Outside forces may be manipulating them both, pushing them together for nefarious reasons. Kat must decide if she could learn to love a satyr or if his appearance is more than she can handle. Can she resist Pan's wicked nature, or will she give into the temptations beyond her wildest fantasies?

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Excerpt:

Kat groaned as the sunlight caressed her eyelids. Mornings sucked. She opened her eyes and the events from the previous night clicked back into her memory. Peter was sitting on top of the chest of drawers, and his hands were resting against the wood edge of the piece of furniture visible between his open, denim-clad thighs. He arched a brow and smirked as he watched her become aware of him. 

"It wasn't a nightmare, was it?" Her fear wasn't with her anymore. Instead, she felt the pull of sadness gripping her heartstrings. What would to happen to her? Cindy and Rick must be freaking out.

 

"I'm 'fraid not, vixen. I owe you explanations, and now that you slept off your denial and panic, you might be able to handle it." He snorted. "You know the word 'panic' is derived from the god Pan's enjoyment of hiding in bushes and startling trespassers as they wandered through the Arcadian forests?" 

Ugh, Greek gods again? She didn't know why he found his comment so amusing, so she didn't comment on that part of his statement. "Vixen?" 

Peter let out a great sigh, probably because she wasn't biting at his baited hook. "Your hair and your spirit. Reminds me of a fox because of the color and your cunningness..." He scrunched his nose up. "Is cunningness a word? Anyway, you're also a female, ergo, vixen." He pushed himself off the chest of drawers, the muscles in his arms flexing as he did so, and onto the floor. He landed lightly on his bare feet—the toed variety, not the hoofed ones. He was dressed the same as the night before. He'd lost the shirt, though, and sported just the jeans. If he was attempting to turn her on with those scrumptious abs and the thick, corded muscle that led into the waistband of his jeans, she was deeply ashamed it was kind of working. 

As strange as the whole situation was, her body still reacted to his. Not as strongly as it had the first time, but the arousal was there, beneath the surface. Too afraid to notice it the night before, it had reared its head once more. She worried about her reaction to him as it couldn't be natural, yet it felt like it was. 

Peter held a hand out to her, and she warily accepted it. He pulled her to her feet and led her into the hall. Kat half expected human hands holding elaborate candelabras to extend from the walls, moving as they passed, like in the movie version of The Phantom of the Opera. Except Peter would turn around, half demon-faced, and proclaim he was the devil of New Jersey rather than the Opera Ghost.

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Interview & Giveaway: Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer

UFI welcomes Kerry Schafer Author of The Between Series. 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?
 
Let's see – I'm fond of yoga and long walks out doors, both things that I'm trying to schedule into a crazy busy life right now. When I was in high school I played the tuba and I own an antique baby grand piano. My favorite color is definitely blue and I love to swim and hate to water ski.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?
 
Reading. I'm terribly short on down time these days, but when I have some I've usually got my nose buried in a book.

What is your Favorite part of writing? 
 
My very favorite part of writing is when surprises happen: characters who do unexpected things, new characters who show up unplanned, objects that appear in pockets or on shelves that turn out to be important to the story. That and the aha! moment when I figure out the answer to a complicated plot problem. This usually happens in the shower, and then I have to run out dripping to write things down before I forget.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?
 
Must? No. But I infinitely prefer to have my cup of coffee at hand.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?
 
My current favorite authors in the genre are Anne Bishop and Alex Bledsoe. Anne's new series starting with Written in Red is brilliant, and I've recently gotten started on Alex's Eddie LaCrosse novels which are great fun. I'm also in love with his new Tufa novels, which begin with the Hum and the Shiver

How would you pitch The Between Series to someone who has not heard of it before?
 
There is a place between dreaming and waking called the Between, where dreams and reality intertwine. Vivian Maylor is a dreamshifter, her job to guard the doorways of reality to keep the dream elements in their place. She's also a dragon shifter and struggles to keep her internal dragon under control. Her warrior protector and lover, Zee, was born to be a dragon slayer, which complicates their relationship. Together (and sometimes apart) they battle creatures of the Between and the Dreamworlds to protect the waking world while they seek to find a way to be together.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that The Between Series is set in? 
 
There are three worlds in this series. Wakeworld is the place we think of as reality. Dreamworld is the space regular humans enter when they dream, but to Vivian, just as solid as Wakeworld. And the Between, where all of the worlds mix and mingle. Here we find dragons and giants and other creatures, capable of sneaking through doors into Wakeworld when things go wrong. As they do, of course, because that's the fun part.

Do you have a favorite scene in Wakeworld?
 
I think my favorite scene is the one at the very end, so I can't tell you about it! It was a very elusive ending that came to me at the last minute. I was on deadline, and had locked myself away in a motel for the weekend to try to get the words written. I fell asleep at night still not quite sure how to end the book, but when I woke up in the morning there it was, waiting for me.

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
 
It's always fun writing Zee. He's a warrior with the soul of a poet. He loves deeply, and on one level is always a little appalled by his capacity for violence. This makes him complex and interesting. The most difficult for me in this book was Aidan, the Black Dragon Queen.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?
 
I'm working on Book Three of the Between now, so if you're enjoying this series there will be another book for you. The Dream Wars novellas, available now in ebook format, involve a different world in which anybody can request designer dreams from a being called the Dream Merchant – at a price. And I'm in the revision stages of a book called Dead Before Dying, in which an aging paranormal investigator gets caught up in a string of killings in a senior citizen's home.

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Kerry Schafer was born and raised in Canada*, moved back and forth across the border several times, and finally settled on a compromise. She now lives in Washington state, but within an hour’s drive of her home and native land. Her childhood book collection traveled with her through all of those moves, and although she now owns a Kindle she continues to acquire books and bookshelves. During her lifetime, Kerry has worked as a lumber piler, an OB nurse, a secretary, and a substitute teacher, among other things. No matter where she lives or what she is doing, she finds a way to create writing time. Currently she balances writing and family with her work as a mental health counselor.

*And yes, she does sometimes say ‘eh?’ but never, ever ‘aboot.’

Find Kerry and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Wakeworld
The Between #2

 Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together. But her attempts to build a life with the man she loves seem doomed by the dragon inside her yearning to break free. Vivian is a dreamshifter, the last line of defense between reality and the dreamworld, and the only one of her kind.

Weston Jennings also believes he is the only one of his kind. He fears his powers as a dreamshifter, and resists learning to control them. After suffering a tragic loss, Weston heads deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest to embrace a safe life of solitude. But when a terrible mistake leads to an innocent’s death, his guilt drives him to his former home, where he encounters what he never thought he would find: another shifter.

Now Vivian and Weston must work together to defeat a new threat to the dreamworld.

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 US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Release: 1/26-2/1

Tue Jan 28

 Breach Zone (Shadow Ops #3) by Myke Cole

 Burn For Me (Phoenix Fire #1) by Cynthia Eden

 Crimson Veil (Otherworld #15) by Yasmine Galenorn

 Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe) by Rosamund Hodge

 Disenchanted & Co. (Disenchanted & Co. #1) by Lynn Viehl

 Her Dark Curiosity (The Madman's Daughter #2) by Megan Shepherd 

 Infinite (Newsoul #3) by Jodi Meadows

 Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi

 Magic Possessed (The Hidden #2) by Jaime Rush

 Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy #1) by Pierce Brown

 Secret (Elemental #4) by Brigid Kemmerer 

 That Touch of Magic (Nodaway Falls #2) by Lucy March

 The Unbound (The Archived #2) by Victoria Schwab 

 Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

 Up From the Grave (Night Huntress #7) by Jeaniene Frost

 Wakeworld (The Between #2) by Kerry Schafer

 Wicked After Midnight (Blud #3) by Delilah S. Dawson

 Wulfe Untamed (Feral Warriors #8) by Pamela Palmer

 

Happy Reading!

Review: Up From The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Up From The Grave

Author:Jeaniene Frost

Release Date: January 28, 2014

Publisher: Avon

Night Huntress Book #7

ISBN:  0062076116

ISBN13: 9780062076113

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source: Publisher

There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.

The last installment of The Night Huntress Series closes the series with a bang. There is plenty of love between Cat and Bones, snarky and loyal friends, as well as action and drama to keep you content.  Most of our favorite allies are by Cat's side as she goes on the hunt to find out what happened to her missing friends.

Cat and Bones are just as adorable as they always are. I was pretty disappointed with Cat's Uncle. The secrets he has kept from her just kept piling up and the secrets finally revealed left her and her loved ones reeling. Ian is just as snarky and overconfident as he has always been but he has really grown on me and I enjoyed his time in the book. He really is a loyal friend and he has grown a lot since we first met him. I really enjoy Denise. I have not read many of the Night Huntress Universe books but I did read her book and she continues to amaze me. I can not imagine going through what she willingly goes through for those she loves. I had an idea of who Katie was as soon as she was introduced. I really enjoyed watching the emotions of the situation play out and how everyone seemed to roll with the punches that seemed to keep coming.

I fell in love with both Cat and Bones in book 1 and I have looked forward to every installment since. I love their relationship, the world they live in, the characters on their own, the situations they deal with together and apart. I just love everything about this series and I am so sad to see their chapter end.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Covet Release Day Blast and Giveaway

Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website</ a>, follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join the Book Club</ a>.

Also, make sure to hop on over the Entangled in Romance blog to join in the fun as Covet challenges readers to share their worst date stories. The worse, the better, hold no punches!</ span>

Today I'm happy to be featuring Covet's January releases:

Love at Stake by Victoria Davies

Abbey is the lone human working for Fated Match, a company that pairs members of the supernatural community with their eternal mates.

To snag a young vampire socialite as their next client, Abbey journeys to the home of Lucian Redgrave, the oldest vampire on the East Coast. But he's not willing to allow his vampire daughter to use the agency... unless Abbey can first find his perfect match in a month.

As Abbey coaches Lucian through his dates, she can’t deny the chemistry between them. But humans are toys for vampires, and risking her heart isn't a part of the plan.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

Haunt Me by Heather Long

Recently divorced author MacKenzie Dillon has lost her writing mojo. When she inherits her great aunt’s haunted house in Virginia, she is determined to make a new start. The creepy old house provides inspiration but at what cost?

Successful architect and paranormal skeptic Justin Kent returns to Penny Hollow to fulfill his father’s dying wish of revitalizing their small town. To do that, he needs the allegedly haunted estate at Summerfield. Mac, the new owner, may be gorgeous and spunky, but she refuses to sell.

These two have a dangerous history that spans the ages, but will they discover the truth in time to save their lives?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Week in Review: 1/19-1/25

Books Ive Bought/received

*None this week.

Books I Read

Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett
Love at Stake by Victoria Davies
Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs
Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer

Reviews Posted

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells
Fragile Spirit by Mary Lindsay

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

* Monday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean Series by KD Pryor

* Wednesday- Promo for Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong

* Friday- Guest Blog for Loved by Heaven, Fouled by Hell by Konstantine Paradias

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

BlogLovin

Networked Blogs

Facebook

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

Twitter

Goodreads

Librarything

Google+

 
 

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

Review: Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsay

Fragile Spirits

Author: Mary Lindsey

Release Date: January 23, 2014

Publisher: Philomel

Souls Book #2

ISBN:   0399161864

ISBN13: 9780399161865

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Review Copy Source: Publisher

Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

In a stunning story about the beauty of fate and the power of secrets, Mary Lindsey returns to the world of Shattered Souls with a breathtaking thrill-ride of a novel.

I was pretty bummed when I saw that FRAGILE SPIRITS was not going to continue to follow Lenzi and Alden but from pretty early on you see that they are still a big part of the book and that the new main characters are pretty interesting all on their own.

Only a month has passed since the ending of SHATTERED SOULS. FRAGILE SPIRITS follows the story of rule follower Protector Paul and fly by the seat of her pants, no one tells her what to do Speaker Vivianne. One of my favorite parts of getting to know Vivienne was her attitude and how different yet similar she is to the other characters.  Both her and Paul have a hidden past and are so much more than they appear on the surface. Getting to know them was not hard to endure. I enjoyed their interaction, connection and the development of their relationship.

This series has some great secondary characters. We of course get a nice dose of Lenzi and Alden but we also see a lot of Race. Race is such a hoot. I think he needs his own book next *cough, cough*. FRAGILE SPIRITS was very much character driven. The storyline was of course interesting but the characters were its driving force.

I thought book 1 was a standalone so getting a book 2 was a great surprise. The author did end the story arc but also started some things I feel need to be in a new book so I will sit and wait patiently to see if we will get a book 3. If you enjoyed SHATTERED SOULS you will not want to miss FRAGILE SPIRITS.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Guest Blog: Loved By Heaven, Fouled by Hell by Konstantine Paradias

UFI welcomes Konstantine Paradias Author of Loved By Heaven, Fouled By Hell. Thanks for Joining us!!

Loved By Heaven, Fouled By Hell Tweets

 

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Konstantine Paradias is a jeweler by profession and a writer by choice. He discovered SF at 13, when HG Wells scared the bejeezus out of him with visions of slug-like Martians and has since devoted his spare time to writing.

Find Konstantine and his books

Website / Goodreads 

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 Loved By Heaven, Fouled By Hell
Buy Link

 Loved by Heaven, Fouled by Hell is the story of a woman who finds herself at the top of the world, having to choose between Moloch or the manger.

When Lucretia Mandrake was tasked by her sorcerous father to bind the creatures of Hell and Heaven sent to his deathbed, she thought she had claimed for herself immortal slaves, to satisfy her every whim.

She could not know that each of the creatures had their own plans for her. To love and foul her, to save her and destroy her. She thinks herself safe and content, but it won’t be long before her world comes apart at the seams, torn by supernatural forces.

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Excerpt

She turned to him and saw his face healed somehow, his flesh rejuvenated by this act, his lips slick with her juices. He looked different now; his eyes bore a confidence she had never seen before. She gasped when he grabbed her by the hand, pulling her up. Her knees were weak, and she stumbled, spilling the last standing stack of books as the angel put his hand on the back of her neck, raised her leg, and beat his wings. 

Once they beat, and the tug of gravity let go. Twice, and they were already hovering in the air. She held on to him, her legs wrapped around his waist as he flew her around the great library. She let out a long, passionate shout when the angel began to move inside her in long, slow strokes, and she felt the entirety of his length. 

Hael flew her across the great library, holding her against him, then buried himself inside her to the hilt, holding her close. He turned in the air and beat his wings, steadying himself, placing her with her back to the loft's railing. Gasping with both pleasure and relief, she spread her hands and held on to the railing as the angel moved inside her, this time in faster, harder strokes, many feet from the ground. The glare of the midday sun as it shone through the library's balcony matched the warmth that radiated outward from inside her. 

It was then that the angel forced himself inside her, and she leaned back against the railing, letting out a howl of pleasure, her neck craned back, looking at her father's great portrait inverted, the old man unimportant and detached from her for the first time since her birth. Her sex convulsed then, and she let herself go. Suddenly, she was filled with light, and she held on to him for dear life. She shuddered as she rode the angel's member constantly, perfectly synching her motions with his, shaking her head as he let go inside her, and this time it felt good. This time she felt whole and complete, and she climaxed again and gasped for air, milking the creature dry. 

He picked her up in his arms as she wheezed, stepping up on the railing gracefully and beating his wings so he could lay her on the floor. Lucretia almost collapsed the minute he let go, but he grabbed her again, helping her steady herself. 

"That was...promising." 

"It was. But there is a creature of Hell here with you who you have tortured. It won't..."

Review: Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

Dirty Magic

Author:Jaye Wells

Release Date: January 21, 2014

Publisher: Orbit

The Prospero's Wars Book #1

ISBN:  0316228435

ISBN13: 9780316228435

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Publisher

The first in an all-new urban fantasy series by USA Today bestseller Jaye Wells.

The last thing patrol cop Kate Prospero expected to find on her nightly rounds was a werewolf covered in the blood of his latest victim. But then, she also didn't expect that shooting him would land her in the crosshairs of a Magic Enforcement Agency task force, who wants to know why she killed their lead snitch.

The more Prospero learns about the dangerous new potion the MEA is investigating, the more she's convinced that earning a spot on their task force is the career break she's been wanting. But getting the assignment proves much easier than solving the case. Especially once the investigation reveals their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier—on the same day she swore she'd never use dirty magic again.

Kate Prospero's about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should be never say never.

Kate's currently a patrol cop fighting crime and taking care of her brother. After going head to head with a werewolf she gets the chance to join the Magic Enforcement Agency task force. Her past gives her a leg up in the investigation but also puts her on a path she doesn't want to go down.


You find out right away how much of a kick-ass character Kate is going to be. She likes being one of the good guys and she's good at it. She also happens to be the guardian to her teenage brother and their relationship gets pretty rocky as the book progresses. Kate's past makes her a bit more strict than her brother likes and the conflict leads to danger. Kate has to make some hard choices and although they pan out, the price she has to pay will continue to be an issue in books to come. I'm still not sure how I feel about John Volos. Him and Kate had a pretty intense relationship and when she gave up her old life he was given up as well. I can't tell what his angle is. He seems to care a lot about Kate still and Kate still has a pull towards him but I just don't know how it will continue to play out after the events in DIRTY MAGIC.

There are a lot of secrets revealed throughout the story and the twists that are thrown at us kept my heart in the game. The whole world pulled me in. From the characters, to the city, to the different covens (aka gangs) and their beefs. Jaye really didn't leave any details out. I'm excited to learn more about Kate, her past and the world that she lives in with book 2 CURSED MOON.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Promo:Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong

UFI welcomes Franny Armstrong Author of Jinn and Toxic. Thanks for Joining us!!

Excerpt:

"You look pretty good for a dead woman, Dennison. Did you set us up?" 

Jinn held her silence, unable to tell them she wasn't Julie. She had to keep her presence a secret even from this team. A quick glance behind her proved he was mind speaking when someone came up and tied her hands behind her back. The wrenching pain brought out an unwelcome groan, and she cursed under her breath. 

"Until you tell me what I want to know, you'll be my prisoner." 

"Captain, she helped us all. She's one of us. Could we--" 

"Silence, Jennings. I'm not taking suggestions right now. Something isn't right here and I want answers. What are you up to Dennison?" 

"No comment." 

"Captain, we have company coming. Can we leave this battle for later?" Blackstone asked. 

"Move out. If we get separated, meet at the designated coordinates in two days. You have your orders." 

Two at a time the team members disappeared into the underbrush and left the captain and Jinn alone. He dragged her off through the forest in a different direction, his grip tight on her arm. 

For hours she tried to keep up but her legs buckled from exhaustion and blood loss. The captain squatted beside her. Sweat rolled off them both as thunder roared overhead, lighting flashing to fill the area with brightness. The wind picked up, rain slapping against their faces. All of the animals and insects disappeared to weather the storm, leaving Jinn and Tab alone. 

Her whole body was on fire with agony, but she remained silent and uncomplaining.

"Sit up, and that's an order." 

"You're a bloody fool." 

"And you're out of line." 

His hand slapped down on her good shoulder and forced her to sitting position. His other hand gentled over her injury. A strange tingling in her wounded shoulder made her gasp. Furious, she could do nothing but wait until he lowered his guard then escape into the night. 

"You're under watch. Don't try and leave. You won't like the consequences." 

"You are a jerk, Captain." 

"A court-martial is a nasty process, Max. Get comfortable. It won't be long until sunrise." 

He walked off into the dark leaving her fuming. Damned alpha male with a command complex. Won't listen to a word anyone else says! 

 

His chuckle came from the distance.

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Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Franny Armstrong has written creatively since she was a child. Her mother always told her to write down her feelings and she did. When she was ten, she started writing and acting out plays in her garage for the neighborhood kids.

When she became ill in her forties, she used her author skills to create stories that took her away. Living in the country with her husband and mother, three dogs, and two cats, she loves the silence when working on her books, when she can get it. With three full grown children and four grandchildren, she has a full life.

Previously, Franny had ten published paranormal romance books, but took them off the market when the contracts ran out to fine-tune her career as an author. She hopes to find new homes for them.
Writing is her life now. Her main goal is to be a #1 Best Selling author and tour with booksignings.

Find Franny and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Jinn and Toxic

An elite team of soldiers are trapped in the Mexican rainforest. Jinn's twin sister is dying, while Tab searches for his kidnapped sister. Using their psychic abilities, they must work together or die trying. 

A team that doesn't exist... 

Toxic Tango Troop is an elite team of soldiers who are betrayed by one of their own. Their goal is to prevent shipments of illegal drugs to North America. The team struggles to find the teammates, missing after they scatter to evade capture. The government won't acknowledge the team, so they're on their own. 

She is a military secret... 

Jinn Dennison takes the place of her identical twin sister, Julie, a soldier on the team. They think she's dead. Jinn shows up to save her sister Julie, whom she knows is alive. She races against time to find her before it's too late. Using her psychic abilities, she connects with Julie who she hasn't seen since they were ten years old, but someone is blocking their silent communications. 

He believes she's a traitor... 

Tab 'Toxic' McIntosh has a special gift that is top secret. He captures Jinn then uses her as bait to stop the Iceman, a notorious drug runner, and unearth the traitor. Tab's sister, Tara, was kidnapped from a resort, and he wants her back at all costs. Things get complicated when Jinn and Tab fall in love.
Can Jinn and Toxic battle against all odds to win the day, or will they die trying? Time is of the essence in this fast paced adventure where anything can happen.

Winner: Black Arts by Faith Hunter

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New Releases: 1/19-1/25

Tue Jan 21st

 Dirty Magic (The Prospero's War #1) by Jaye Wells 

 Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton

 The Rule of Three by Eric Walters 

Thur Jan 23rd

  Fragile Spirits (Souls #2) by Mary Lindsey

Happy Reading!

Guest Blog & Giveaway: The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean Series by KD Pryor

UFI welcomes KD Pryor Author of The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean Series . Thanks for Joining us!!

Personality Traits of a Strong Female Protagonist

I enjoy books with strong female protagonists because I think females have a different take on strength that is very interesting to observe and to capture in words. That is why I chose to write The Portal’s Choice and The Inn of the Kindred Spirits with a fifteen year old female protagonist, Tallis Challinor. As an author, I am interested in how Tallis will manifest these qualities in different situations as she matures and faces new conflict in her life. Below is my list of what I think are the predominant traits that strong female characters possess.

1. Quiet Self-confidence. All strong females have abundant self-confidence but they don’t have a need to shout about it. These strong women operate more effectively than others because they stand in their own power and don’t doubt that they can accomplish their goals. Others follow their lead instinctively.

2. The ability to re-examine their position. The strength of these female characters comes, in part, from their willingness to listen to and learn from others. Being willing to listen does not mean that these females abandon their values and beliefs when something seemingly better is presented, it simply indicates a flexibility of character, an openness to new ideas, and an interest in the contributions of others.

3. A continuing attitude of self-examination and exploration. Strong people recognize the need to explore and process the events in their lives. Strong female characters look back on past successes and failures to learn and grow. They apply these learning lessons in their lives.

4. Vulnerability. Strong women characters are vulnerable. Their interactions are profound, allowing them to empathize with others. These characters open themselves to the joy and sadness of life. And they ask for help when a situation or emotion is overwhelming, knowing they cannot always do it all.

5. They aren’t perfect. These characters make mistakes and are willing to admit as much, learn from what has happened, and move forward without judgment.

6. Inner courage. Strong women are deeply courageous, willing to face their fears head-on and stand up for their beliefs, regardless of what others might think or say.

7. An ability to love. Strong female characters are able to open themselves to love, both of self and of others. These women recognize that to approach all of life with an attitude of love is stronger than to operate from a place of judgment and bad-will.

Strong female protagonists in books are like strong women in real life. The beauty of their strength is that it is soft, quiet, steady, and open. These women continually evolve and grow. They make us feel better and more courageous as a result of our involvement with them. I have worked to instill these traits in my female protagonist in The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean series, Tallis Challinor, knowing that as her character develops these inherent qualities will become even more apparent.

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KD Pryor started life in Missouri, where she read lots of books, even sneaking them into baseball games to the irritation of her father. Kelley graduated with a degree in International and Comparative Studies from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After college and marriage to a great guy, she decided to pursue a law degree at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Her oldest son was born soon after law school, followed three years later by her daughter and a move to Kentucky. One more son, a move to Ohio and four years later, her family jumped on the opportunity to move to India. They lived in Bangalore, now Bengaluru, for four wonderfully chaotic years, traveling all over Asia, Australia and Europe.

Now, settled in New Hampshire with her family and herd of cats (only three), she can often be found in her office, working on the next installment of “The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean” series, reading one of a dozen books she has started, and dreaming of her future travel destinations.

“The Portal’s Choice”, book one in “The Gatekeeper’s of Em’pyrean” series featuring Tallis Challinor, was released on May 6, 2013.

“The Inn of the Kindred Spirits”, a novella featuring protagonist Tallis Challinor, was released in November 18, 2013.

“The Forgotten Gate”, book two in “The Gatekeeper of Em’pyrean” series, is scheduled for release in 2014.

Find KD Pryor and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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The Portals Choice
The Gatekeepers of Em'pyrean #1
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Portals. Doorways. Gateways. All ways to get in or out of someplace, right? 

Nothing weird, spooky or otherworldly about them. Or, at least that’s what Tallis Challinor always thought. Tallis is a practical young woman, a writer, a lover of words and a natural storyteller. But she’s not sure what to do when real-life sucks her into a story far stranger than anything she’s ever imagined. 

Tallis discovers that portals are passageways between the human and spirit worlds. She finds out that bent-on-evil ghosts can escape from the spirit realm through those gateways whether they are supposed to or not. And when they do, Tallis finds herself the chosen human, picked by the portal in her basement in New Hampshire, to seek out and return the wayward spirits. 

All Tallis wants to do is recover from the loss of her parents and settle into her new home. She’d like a boyfriend, someone like the cute guy, Aiden, down the street. She’d like some girlfriends to talk to and maybe even go shopping with. And she’d like the ghosts, the portal, and the responsibility that has been thrust upon her to disappear. 

But when the ghosts threaten her new hometown, her friends, and the family she holds so dear, Tallis discovers the inner courage to meet the portal’s challenge and save those most precious to her. Along the way, Tallis learns that she is more than she’s ever imagined herself to be and that she deserves more than she’s ever dreamed possible.

The Inn of the Kindred Spirits 
The Gatekeepers of Em'pyrean #2
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Brittany, France. Near the coast. A picturesque inn. Spectacular scenery. Tasty French treats. Time off from school. 

Tallis Challinor imagines this as the perfect vacation scenario, so when her grandfather suggests that she accompany him to the country of her ancestors, she is more than happy to tag along. What Tallis doesn’t bargain on is another ghostly encounter, especially not so soon after she’s sealed up a bunch of unruly ghosts on their side of the portal between the human and spirit realms. But, when she feels the energy radiating from the megalithic standing stones dotting the countryside around Carnac, France, an energy that feels frighteningly like the power exuding from the portal in her basement back home, she has a feeling she might be in trouble. And she is right. 

When her grandfather goes missing, Tallis leaps into action. She calls the only ghostbuster she knows in France and, with help on the way, she gears up to battle another set of spirits bent on causing destruction. Along the way, Tallis is forced to examine her life, her relationships, and her tightly-held beliefs about who she is and where she comes from. She also has to juggle two impossible males, both attractive but annoying, both seemingly set on driving her nuts or breaking her heart.

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