Friday, October 31, 2014

Interview: To Have Or To Haunt by Ishabelle Torry

UFI welcomes Author Ishabelle Torry. Thanks for Joining us!!

This or That

Angels or Demons: You cannot have one without the other!

Vampires or Shifters: Shifters, definitely shifters.

Left or Right: Right.

Up or Down: *grins* both

Pizza or Pasta: Pizza. Mexican style with sour cream!

Coffee or Tea: Coffee in morning, tea in the evening.

Coke or Pepsi: Diet Sunkist…er or Coke works in a pinch.

YA or Adult: Adult

Knives or Guns: Knives.

Reading or Writing: It depends on the day!

Facebook or Twitter: I'm a Facebook-aholic.
__________________________________

At the age of fourteen, Ishabelle Torry stole her first romance novel, Warrior's Lady by Madeline Baker, from her mother's glass "no-no" cabinet. It was then Ishabelle fell in love with the idea of new worlds, love conquers all, and the ability to forget the real world as she took on the lives of characters that were just as real as the people she interacted with every day. It wasn't long before her fixation with romance novels landed her in the high school office to collect the books confiscated during the previous week. Ishabelle swore one day she'd write the kind of book that would keep readers so enthralled, they'd too risk confiscation to keep turning the pages!

Find Ishabelle and her books
Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook
__________________________________

To Have Or To Haunt
Buy Link
Melanie Fyre is a passionate teacher determined to raise funds for the town's school. What better way to do it than by expanding the local businesses? All she needs is land. Untouched for years thanks to a local superstition, the Crowe property is perfect. If Melanie can debunk the myth, she can get the use of those 600 beautiful acres. She just has to prove to the town that Leah's ghost is not haunting the mansion, even on Samhain night.


Burned to death and proclaimed a witch, Leah Crowe's soul has been cursed to an eternity of loneliness, all because she dared to love a woman. When the saucy Melanie arrives at her home to throw a costume party that mocks Leah's very existence, the bitter ghost resolves to renew the town's fear of her name. Will Leah's ghost ruin all of Melanie's plans?
__________________________________

Excerpt: 

That voice… Melanie's head snapped left, then right. "Leah?" On either side stood groups of people, but no one she didn't recognize immediately—even through the plethora of costumes. She turned in a circle, searching for the face the voice belonged to. "You know it's not nice to stalk people."

"I was thinking much the same in regards to someone inviting themselves into my home."

Melanie jumped. It sounded as if Leah were speaking directly into her ear. "Your home? As in Leah Crowe's home?" She laughed so hard she snorted. "So that's what you were doing in the room upstairs…haunting me?"

Once again, Leah's voice sounded near. "No. I had only intended to ask that you leave and take your party elsewhere. I will haunt you if you fail to comply."

Melanie crossed her arms and chuckled. Someone was definitely pranking her.

Circled by a group of men paying homage to her costume, Ally randomly waved from across the room, raising a glass of beer. Melanie smirked. So busted! This scenario had her best friend's name written all over it. She nodded, licking her lips. "Bring it on, ghost chick. This party needs some entertainment anyway."
__________________________________


Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Angel Bait by Tricia Skinner

Today is the big day! The prequel installment in Tricia Skinner's ANGEL ASSASSINS series is being re-released into the wild, and will be available on Kindle at the discounted price of $0.99 for a limited time (exclusive to Amazon for 90 days). Please note that if you own the old ebook, you can upgrade for free! 

And now, without further ado, feast your eyes on ANGEL BAIT: 

Angel-Bait-800 Cover reveal and Promotional

He's not that kind of angel.
 
Jarrid is a 'Bound One' half angel, half human, trained from childhood to enforce Heaven?s laws on earth. An assassin with no remorse. And no choice. When he discovers an ancient ritual called Ascension, which might give him a shot at freedom, he can?t resist his lifelong dream. He only needs to find one last Renegade angel and take him down?using a certain woman to flush the angel out of hiding.

She's not what he's expecting.
 
News reporter Ionie Gifford has no clue an outlaw angel wants her dead, much less why, but she does know one thing: the enigmatic Jarrid, with his penetrating silver eyes and his worship-worthy body, is her ticket to the city's supernatural underworld, where she might finally be able to locate her mother's killer. For that kind of information, she's willing to risk everything...

They can't be together -- but can't keep apart...
 
Blindsided by Ionie's beauty and tenacity, Jarrid finds the millennia-old glacier around his heart melting. But when he's faced with a choice, will he sacrifice Ionie for freedom from his brutal servitude?or agree to be bound for eternity, to protect the life of the woman he's falling in love with? 

From novelist Tricia Skinner comes a story that will have fans of action-packed love stories applauding. Seamlessly combining elements of paranormal romance and gritty urban fantasy, the Angel Assassins series is a heart-pounding spin on angel mythology.
 
Angel Assassins Series
Angel BaitAngel Kin
Angel Lover
Fall 2014

Author Bio

Tricia SkinnerI'm Tricia Skinner and I write Romantic Urban Fantasy. I'm a former journalist who discovered my inspiration to write fiction as an escape from 'real life.' My reading tastes are all over the place, but I?m mainly drawn to fantasy (and its subgenres), paranormal, sci-fi, and history. 

When I'm not writing, I'm a newbie 'green' practitioner, strength training fan, and a technology geek. I'm a mother and a wife. My family includes two Great Danes. I'm also a gamer. I enjoy interacting with my fellow geeks and helping other writers. I'm represented by Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary. *Photo by Kauwuane Burton.
 
TriciaSkinner.com | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon | Google+ | Pinterest | Blog

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Hosts
Angel's Guilty PleasuresRomancing The Dark Side
Coffee and CharactersDelighted Reader
Shooting Stars ReviewsDark Thoughts Blog
Book Lovin' MamasGothicMoms Reviews
RhiReadingDiaries of 2 Thick Chick
The Bookaholic CatMad Hatter Reads
I Smell SheepCorazones Literarios
Just Talking BooksRamblings From A Chaotic Mind
Sapphyria's Book ReviewsLiteraria
My BookMineLore Lush Books
Girl with PenWritten Love Reviews
Read What I LikeBooks Make Me Happy
Urban Fantasy InvestigationsBookworm Brandee
My Favorite Things

Brought to you by:
Rabid PR

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Promo & Giveaway: Highland Moon Rising by Sarah Mäkelä

Highland Moon Rising
Cry Wolf #4
Amazon BN / iBooks
 A kitten in a werewolves’ lair…

A Highland reunion...
After months of trying to rescue her werewolf half-brother Colin who was abducted by evil research scientists, wereleopard Caitlyn has come home to Scotland to console her sibling. But her problems are far from over...

Red in tooth and claw...
Still heady and wanton from the power of last night’s full moon, Caitlyn is in mortal danger. Werewolves have little respect for other shifters, and she’s trapped and caged at the Scottish Pack's HQ and at the mercy of Alistair—the vicious wolf who fathered Colin and abused her mother, and who’s capable of murder…

The sweet smell of arousal...
Her scent can save her, or kill her. Dougal, the Pack’s new Alpha, hungers to strip her naked and satiate his fiery lunar lust. But he also senses this beautiful feline with clover-green eyes that shine through the bars of her prison with burning desire is nearing the end of her strength. Will he deny his dominance, and the moon’s lingering power, to be the protector she needs?
Excerpt: 

Hinges squeaked on a door that hadn’t seen use in several months. Months I’d spent struggling to rescue my younger brother. My attempts had been in vain. Not only had the scientists who’d captured him discovered my existence and fervently chased me, but no matter what I’d tried, their research facility had been nearly impenetrable for a lone wereleopard. The tall fences and heavy-duty searchlights would have been challenge enough, but the plentiful armed guards that crisscrossed the compound had made it impossible to proceed.

Fortunately, the werewolf Pack he’d transferred to had broken him—and the other shifters—free with their numbers and brute strength. However, I could only wonder how Colin had fared after all he’d been through. From the brief phone call we’d shared yesterday, I barely recognized him. He didn’t sound at all like the easygoing guy I’d known. He was weary and solemn.

But that was understandable. Whatever had been done had changed him and his beast.

With each minute, hour, day, I neared the brink of complete exhaustion. Sooner than later, I needed to rest up. The scientists had stayed so close on my tail for so long that I remained vigilant at all times. It was so hard to let my guard down.

While I was in Scotland to support Colin, I craved the comfort of home and the ability to run in my feline form without having to keep constant watch over my shoulder. Och, to feel the lush grass and dried leaves beneath my padded feet and to smell the forest air mixing and lingering with the soft undertones of early morning rain. My beast stretched lazily inside my chest, eager to unsheathe her claws and return to nature. But there was no luxury for that yet.

Colin would be arriving back any day now, and I wanted to clean the place up before his return. His absence had made the house a dusty mess. However, this provided me with a temporary place to stay, since I’d given up my flat and the majority of my belongings shortly after he’d gone missing.

Now that he was safe, I looked forward to rebuilding my life and getting back into a comfortable routine.

Tossing my duffel bag on the floor, I took a deep breath, trying to push aside the stress weighing on me. My brother’s scent still lingered in the air after all this time. However, I wasn’t alone. Another musky smell—of a wild beast—urged me deeper into the apartment, calling to me from just out of reach.

As far as I knew, Colin wasn’t expecting company.

A loose floorboard groaned behind me. I spun around, slinging my fist at the intruder as instinct took over. But the hulking man looming over me easily dodged my punch and landed a hard kick to my outer thigh. I stumbled into the living room’s leather armchair but jerked back to my feet, quickly regaining my balance. My cat-like reflexes suffered from being so bone-weary, but I needed to persevere.

Sucking in a deep breath, I scented my attacker’s lupine odor and my blood chilled. Shite.

Werewolves weren’t exactly fans of other shifters, especially felines. The dog and cat politics between us were as hairy as our domestic counterparts’ at times.

“What are you doing here, kitty?” The man snarled the words, sounding every bit the
hungry wolf. Dark brown hair swept across his forehead, and he brushed it back with the swipe of his meaty hand. He stalked closer, invading my personal space. I didn’t dare to move away and show weakness.

Questions raced through my head. Who was he? Should I answer him? Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Keep the secret safe.

He slid his blue-eyed gaze down my body, pointedly lingering on my curves. His momentary distraction was exactly what I needed to attack.

I leapt into the air, slamming both feet against his chest to knock him down in a fierce hit. My plan nearly succeeded—even if his massive chest was as solid as a brick wall—but he grabbed my ankle at the last minute, dragging me down with him. I twisted, struggling to land on my feet. Unlike my feline counterpart, I wasn’t that agile. Not with a werewolf holding onto me.

Air burst from my lungs as I smacked the floor with bone-rattling force. I gasped, struggling for each breath after the hard blow. A gentle gust of wind made the open front door creak a little. My gaze rose to the lush green outdoors. If I could just make it there, then I could outrun this wolf. Leopards were quicker, so I’d be safe from him.

Shame forced its way inside my chest. My life had become one giant race. Constantly running from one problem to another. That wasn’t me. The fact this wolf had even managed to gain an advantage over me showed just how desperately I needed to rest. If I were at the top of my game, he would be running from me.
__________________________________

NYT & USA Today bestselling author Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she’s written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy...even a sweet contemporary romance!

A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night-light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies (and Ghost Adventures), and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.

Find Sarah and her books
__________________________________
Tour Wide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Protecting His Witch by Zoe Forward

Protecting His Witch
Author: Zoe Forward
Release Date: October 27, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Covet
ISBN:   1633751007
ISBN13: 9781633751002
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Author and Publisher
The last thing he wanted was to fall for a witch...

Veterinarian Kat Ramsey hasn't a clue that she's a witch. Sure, she can read minds, and there's the whole "dimension-hopping" issue that she can't quite control, but Kat is determined to keep things normal. That is, until she accidentally hops into the Otherworld, and runs smack into Matthew Ryan―the seriously hot one-night stand from years ago who shoved her out of his dorm. Naked.

And there's the tiny matter of the curse she gave him.


May you never find satisfaction with another woman. Billionaire and former druid Matthew Ryan hasn't forgotten the curse, or the witch who gave it to him. Kat's unexpected return means the curse will finally be broken. Unfortunately, his libido has other ideas―like how to get her back into his bed one last time. But far more worrying is his suspicion that Kat is the seventh Pleiades witch. Because while he's turned his back on his druidic ways, he's still bound to protect the woman who made his life hell...

Kat and Matt shared a wonderful night together that was ruined when his girlfriend showed up. He told her to leave, she cursed him without knowing she was cursing him and went back to her world to forgot about him and move on with her life, only she didn't forget about him and he hasn't forgotten about her either.

I was a bit confused at the beginning but once I got a feel for what Kat and the world were all about it was a lot easier to understand what was going on. Kat doesn't know why she jumps to another world or how to control it, PROTECTING HIS WITCH let us learn all the answers right along with her which was nice. There is a lot of sexual tension, banter and  fighting feelings between Kat and Matt. Kat was really hurt by the aftermath of their encounter and doesn't want to put her heart out there for him to hurt her again, but she can't help but want him at the same time. Matt turned his back on the druid life and being with Kat would drag him right back into it, but protecting Kat and wanting her is dragging him back in anyways. There is a little more behind both their feelings for each other and their wants to not jump into their feelings, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything for you. I will say that these two are meant for each other and it shows when they allow it.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters. We get to know more about a select few than others but they all end up being pretty involved in the overall story. There is still a lot to learn about the world and each characters place in it. PROTECTING HIS WITCH makes me want to see what else Zoe has to offer. I know that when book 2 of the Keeper of the Veil series comes out I'll be reading it.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Review: Soulfire by Juliette Cross

Soulfire
Release Date: October 20, 2014
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Nightwing Book #1
ISBN:  1616505613
ISBN13: 9781616505615
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Author
In a world divided by prejudice and hatred, only love can bridge the chasm.

Tensions are rising in the Gladium Province. The boundary between humans and Morgons has begun to blur. While the human aristocracy strives to maintain distance between their daughters and the dragon-hybrid race, fate has other plans.

As the daughter of the corporate king, Jessen Cade is duty-bound to honor her arranged marriage to a man she detests. Feeling trapped by family duty and a loveless future, she longs for more, straying to the Morgon side of the city.

Lucius Nightwing is the eldest son of the powerful Morgon clan, and the greatest enemy of Jessen’s father. When a bar-room brawl thrusts Jessen into his arms, his dragon roars to the surface, craving to sate his carnal hunger in the brown-eyed beauty. The beast in Lucius recognizes her as his own, even if the man refuses to admit the truth.

SOULFIRE is a short book, but it was easy to fall into. Jessen's father is dead set on her marrying who he wants her to, but Aron has never been and will never be what she wants. Her father uses her love for her sister to keep her in line, but when she meets Lucius she starts to see what a relationship could be like and starts pushing back. 

You can't help but immediately like Jessen. She is the daughter of one of the most powerful humans yet manages to be down to earth. Its easy to feel the emotions she's feeling and to see why she resents being her fathers pawn. Lucius is a Morgon and is happy taking care of his family and keeping to himself. He hasn't yet found his heartmate but the pull he feels for Jessen lets him know he's found her.  Both Lucius and Jessen have an instant attraction, humans and Morgans however live separate lives and they have to fight for each other and their feelings. I really didn't want SOULFIRE to end. It was clear that the next book would be focused on two other characters and I didn't feel like we got enough of Lucius and Jessen. Why couldn't this be longer? Wahhhh... (ok I will stop whining now)

Cross did a great job of opening up this new world to her readers and bringing the supporting characters to the front so we could learn a little about them as we were falling in love with the couple. As much as I enjoyed SOULFIRE I hope that book 2, Windburn, will be a little longer so that we can get more in depth with the couple and the new world that is forming around them with humans and Morgons finding their partners in each other.

I gave it 4/5 Stars

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

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Soulfire by Juliette Cross

UFI welcomes Juliette Cross Author of Soulfire. Thanks for Joining us!!


Why Urban Fantasy Turns Me On 

Late at night, when I’ve put all work away and the kids to bed, I often lose myself in my favorite indulgence—urban fantasy novels. To me, they’re like dark chocolate, red wine, and a bubble bath all rolled into one.

So, what turns me on about this genre? Besides the inevitable tall, dark, and deadly leading man, that is. I could say “escapism” or “entertainment,” but those are truths that hold for all books. Even nonfiction carries us away from our own reality into another one. Let us dig a layer deeper, shall we?

I decided to look up the definition of “urban fantasy.” According to the wisdom of Wikipedia, it is “set in contemporary times and contains supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods…the prerequisite is that they must be primarily set in a city.” Okay, but it’s more than that. In my humble opinion, urban fantasy is true modern Gothic. In addition to the supernatural, there is an inevitable element of darkness and romance in the landscape, writing style, characters, and plot. This is also true of classic Gothic literature. My favorite novel ever is Jane Eyre, which happens to be classic Gothic lit, with its windswept moors, moonlit nights, and mysterious, brooding hero—Mr. Rochester. *Swoony sigh.* It’s no wonder that I’m inevitably drawn to urban fantasy.

Another similarity between classic Gothic and urban fantasy is the strong heroine and snarky banter between the love interests in the story. Aha! Now, we’re getting somewhere. So, here’s why I love it so much. The setting of this genre provides an exciting backdrop to feed my need for the dark and gritty.

The characters arouse that playful side as well as the intensity of new romance. Since the leading men in this genre tend to be alphas to the core . . . well, need I say more? They turn me into a puddle of goo in the best kind of way. (Aka, Barrons from KMM’s Fever series and Raphael from Singh’s Guildhunter series. Heart, be still!)

And the strong heroines, who tend to be flawed but badass, are surrounded by evil though they fight for what is good and just. These are the places I most long to escape to. Why? Because there is much darkness in real life. We need a sense of humor to survive as well as a reminder that love (romantic and otherwise) can defeat the evils of the world.

Thank you so much, Urban Fantasy Investigations, for having me today. It’s been a pleasure!
__________________________________

Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories.

She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school.

Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes.

Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.

Find Juliette and her books
__________________________________

Soulfire
Nightwing #1
Kensington
Amazon Barnes & Noble

In a world divided by prejudice and hatred, only love can bridge the chasm.

Tensions are rising in the Gladium Province. The boundary between humans and Morgons has begun to blur. While the human aristocracy strives to maintain distance between their daughters and the dragon-hybrid race, fate has other plans.

As the daughter of the corporate king, Jessen Cade is duty-bound to honor her arranged marriage to a man she detests. Feeling trapped by family duty and a loveless future, she longs for more, straying to the Morgon side of the city.

Lucius Nightwing is the eldest son of the powerful Morgon clan, and the greatest enemy of Jessen’s father. When a bar-room brawl thrusts Jessen into his arms, his dragon roars to the surface, craving to sate his carnal hunger in the brown-eyed beauty. The beast in Lucius recognizes her as his own, even if the man refuses to admit the truth.


Excerpt- Prologue
 
Thousands of years ago, Radomis, the dragon king of the North, took flight on the last full moon of winter. Beating great, black wings, he soared away from his mountainous kingdom, lured by some unknown force to the sultry lands in the west where humans dwelled. Dragons and humans had always lived apart.

On this same night, Princess Morga honored the fertility rite of bathing under the full moon the night before her wedding. As she stepped from the natural steaming pool, rivulets of water glistened over milk-pale skin, ebony hair slicked over her breasts and down her back. The dragon king saw her. Instant desire ensnared his beastly heart. He descended.

Shifting into human form, a man of might and beauty, he murdered her guards and handmaidens. Horrified, Morga could do nothing when the dragon king took her in his arms, hard lust in cold eyes. The moment his tongue licked into her mouth, she felt the burning of soulfire—the dragon elixir meant for his one and only mate. Golden heat melted through blood and bone, filling her with euphoric pleasure, bonding her to him forever.

Radomis took her on the ground among bloody bodies and moon-shadows, intent to sate his hunger. One night would never be enough. Shifting into dragon form, he carried her in his claws back to his kingdom. She would be his queen, trapped in a gilded cage of opulence as the object of his endless desire.

From their union, a child was born—an abomination. A human body with dragon wings and dragon strength. The boy, Larkos, was outcast among dragonkind, including his father. Only Morga showed him any love.

When Larkos reached manhood, he wielded his rage with an avenging sword, tracking and killing all of dragonkind. Even in beast form, his father could not match him, finally falling to the forgotten son’s sword. What Larkos did not know was that soulfire bonded his loving mother to the beast in such a way that when his dragon-heart stopped beating, so did hers.

This is the tale I’d been told when my body began changing from child to woman, a warning for young girls to beware of Morgon men.

“Never stray from your own kind, Jessen,” my mother would say, “or you could end up like Princess Morga, a slave and outcast to be abhorred.”

The problem was, I’d never been a very obedient daughter. Never the one to do exactly as I was told. And fairy tales have no meaning when the stars align and Fortune spins her wheel, weaving her own story for your heart.
__________________________________
Tour Wide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Releases: 10/26-11/1


Mon. Oct. 27th


Tue. Oct. 28th

 Atlantia by Ally Condie
 Black Dog (Hellhound Chronicles #1) by Caitlin Kittredge
 Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews 
 Catalyst (Insignia #3) by S.J. Kincaid 
 Talon (Talon #1) by Julie Kagawa

Happy Reading!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Interview & Giveaway: Whisper the Dead by Alyxandra Harvey

 UFI welcomes author Alyxandra Harvey. 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 am learning to drive our tractor. This may or may not end well. And I’ve discovered it takes remarkable upper arm strength to steer an ATV and I am very wobbly on a vespa. 

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?
 
I love going for long walks with my dogs and doing very practical things like embroidering the Tardis. And making ginger candy. 

What is your Favorite part of writing? 
 
I love that I can travel anywhere, from back in time to worlds that don't exist! The best moments are when I get lost in a story and I look up and hours have passed and I had no idea. It’s a special kind of time travel. 

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?
 
I try not to get too precious about my writing routines-- it can be a double-edged sword. I’d hate to trip myself up just because I can’t find my favourite pen or incense. That said, a cup of vanilla tea and a quiet room is habitual. If it’s a grey rainy day, so much the better! 

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?
 
I love the books of Laini Taylor, Maggie Stiefvater and Leigh Bardugo.
I am evangelical about Laini Tailor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone. 

How would you pitch The Lovegrove Legacy to someone who has not heard of it before?
 
Pride and Prejudice meets Charmed! 

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that The Lovegrove Legacy is set in? 
 
The Lovegrove Legacy is set in an alternate Regency world, where magical families rule behind the elegant façade of London Mayfair. There’s a goblin market, spells gone awry, a girl with antlers, and boys in cravats. 

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
 
Whoever I am writing about currently tends to be my favourite, but writing Gretchen in Whisper the Dead was definitely great fun—she is all snark and defiance. So far the characters have all been very forthcoming…there’s not one that stands out as difficult thought certain scenes were certainly harder than others (spoiler alert!) 

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?
 
My next book is a paranormal YA with Entangled Publishing. Details soon on my website: www.alyxandraharvey.com
__________________________________

Alyxandra Harvey lives in a stone Victorian house in Ontario, Canada with a few resident ghosts who are allowed to stay as long as they keep company manners. She loves medieval dresses, used to be able to recite all of The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, and has been accused, more than once, of being born in the wrong century. She believes this to be mostly true except for the fact that she really likes running water, women’s rights, and ice cream.

Find Alyxandra and her books
__________________________________

Whisper the Dead
The Lovegrove Legacy #2
Amazon
Cousins Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope are all dealing with what it means to be a Lovegrove. For Gretchen, it means she often feels like her head is going to explode. As a Whisperer, Gretchen constantly hears the whispers of other witches' spells. And while this does help her to know when one of her own spells is going wrong, the incessant buzzing and pain the whispers cause makes it difficult to use her gift.

But when something evil begins to menace Mayfair, Gretchen must find a way to master her power. Along with her cousins, a madcap named Moira, and the icy yet irresistible Tobias Lawless, Gretchen faces deadly threats and unimaginable loss in the hopes of preventing the terrible Greymalkin Sisters from rising again.

The second book in The Lovegrove Legacy trilogy, Whisper the Dead will leave readers spellbound.

__________________________________


Excerpt: 

The contrast between fighting off the Rovers and pasting a polite smile on her face for the single sons of earls was too stark. Residual magic burned through her. She was surprised the air around her didn’t crackle. Her mother shouldn’t begrudge her a stolen moment in the library, not if the alternative involved magic shooting off the ends of her hair. Hardly subtle.

Not to mention hardly marriageable material.

On second thought….

Better not. She’d already pushed her luck by going off with Godric.

Egyptian onion farming it was then. She walked along the book shelves, reading titles and glancing into the glass-fronted cabinets that held Lord Worthing’s collection of painted globes. It was dull and dusty and soothing. Her witch knot stopped aching.

Until someone grabbed her arm, yanking it behind her back and spinning her around. Her check pressed to the cold glass of a curio cabinet. Pain shot up to her elbow when she tried to move. “Who are you?” a man’s asked, his voice quiet and cold in her ear.

“Who am I?” she barked back. “Who the hell are you?” He evaded the kick she aimed at his most sensitive parts. Her skirts wrapped around her knees, hobbling and infuriating her. He turned her roughly around.

Tobias Lawless.

She wasn’t sure which of the two of them was more surprised.

Someone so chilly and perfect and wearing such a flawless cravat shouldn’t be mauling ladies in dark libraries. He also shouldn’t have several short iron daggers tucked inside his cutaway coat. It probably said something unsavory about her character that the sight of those daggers made her like him a bit more. But only a little bit.

“Let me go,” she yanked savagely down, breaking his hold. He didn’t move back, and his body continued to block her against the cabinets. The glass rattled.

“What are you doing?” he stepped closer still. She had to tilt her chin up.

“I am currently being accosted,” she snapped, driving the heel of her shoe into the top of his foot. He fell back a step, growling in his throat. Growling. He really didn’t seem the type.

She made a proper fist, not like the ones girls made when they hadn’t practiced before. She’d already punched a Rover tonight. She was very comfortable punching Tobias, Lord Killingsworth. Eager, in fact.

“What is wrong with you?” she asked finally. “Are you drunk?”

“Certainly not.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I’m the one being mauled and yet you take offense?”

“I can smell it on you,” he answered which was no answer at all. “There’s no use prevaricating.”

“I don’t usually bother lying about perfume,” she replied, now more bewildered than concerned.

“Not perfume,” he ground out, as if she was the frustrating one. “Dark magic.”

Her eyes narrowed to angry slits. “I beg your pardon.”

“As you should.”

She aimed for his head. It was big and fat and so perfectly groomed, how could she miss? He caught her wrist and squeezed. Hard. He shouldn’t have been fast enough.

An iron-nail pendant in the shape of a wheel slipped out from under his collar. Gretchen stared at it, then transferred her glare to his haughty, unkindly beautiful face. “I knew it.” She gave him a smile better suited to one of the animals in the zoological gardens. “You’re a bloody Keeper.”
__________________________________
 Tour Wide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Early Review: Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews

Burn For Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Hidden Legacy Book #1
ISBN:  0062289241
ISBN13: 9780062289247
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher
Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

Another great book for the writing team of Ilona Andrews! I'm not a huge fan of the cover for BURN FOR ME, but I AM a huge fan of Ilona Andrews so there was no doubt in my mind that I had to read it.

As the head of her families PI firm it's up to Nevada to keep her family safe and their bank account in the black. Unfortunately the company that owns the loan on her family business has a job for her and if she says no her family will lose everything. Nevada lives in a world where if you don't have strong magic, you don't really matter. She was taught from an early age to hide the magic, but she might have to reveal herself to get through this hurtle. The Baylor family is really close. It's really hard not to fall in love with each and every one of them and Nevada is no exception. She has a great head on her shoulder and works really hard to make sure her family's safe and has what they need.

I really loved Mad Rogan. He was nothing like he was made out to be in the beginning of the book but he was still a force to be reckoned with and Nevada and him together made a perfect team. Although Nevada is attracted to him she really wants nothing to do with him. Their relationship is pretty love hate for a while but when they finally get on the same page they have crazy chemistry. Come to think of it, their relationship is a lot like Curran and Kate's relationship in the beginning. I enjoyed every moment of it.

If you are fan of Ilona Andrews writing already you are going to fall in love with BURN FOR ME. The world, the characters, and the story all work together to rock out a great story. Not sure when book 2 will be out, but it already has a spot on my bookshelf.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Week in Review: 10/19-10/25


Books I've Bought/received

- Braving Fate by Linsey Hall- eCopy- NetGalley

- Anomaly by Tonya Kuper- eCopy- NetGalley

Books I've Read

Dangerous Destiny by Suzanne Brockmann
Night Sky by Suzanne Brockmann
Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Cursed Bloodline by Cecy Robson
Hungry Like the Wold by Paige Tyler
Black Spring by Christina Henry

Reviews Posted

Quick Thought Reviews
- The Aftermath  by Jen Alexander
- Saving the Hero by Sabrina Sumsion
- Firebug by Lish McBride
- Gray Bishop by Kelly Meade
- Dying for a Living by Kory M. Shrum
Seventh Grave and No Body by Darynda Jones

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

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

* Monday- Interview & Giveaway for Tainted Blood by Karen Greco

* Wednesday- Guest Blog & Giveaway for The Asylum Tales by Jocelynn Drake

* Thursday- Interview for Enough by Matthew J. Metzger

* Friday- Promo & Giveaway for Her Avenging Angel by Felicity Heaton

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

* 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.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Quick Thought Reviews

Sometimes I read a book where I just don't have a lot to say about it. Hence the name quick thought reviews. These will be short and sweet.
________________________________

The Aftermath
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Aftermath Book #1
ISBN:   0373211325
ISBN13: 9780373211326
Genre: Dystopian
Review Copy Source: NetGalley
Sometimes, I dream that I'm someone else.

A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger

or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.

In her world, those sorts of things don't exist.

Since the spring of 2036, when the world changed forever, Claudia and a small clan of survivors have roamed the streets of a very altered Nashville: polluted and desolate, except for the ever-present threat of cannibal Hoarders. Together they must undergo punishing tests of endurance and psychological challenge sometimes with devastating consequences all just to live another day.

With food and water in dwindling supply, and with danger lurking around every corner, no one can be trusted. And as her world starts to make less and less sense, Claudia begins to realize something terrifying: she is just a pawn in some sort of game, and all of her actions are being controlled from afar by a mysterious gamer. So when she meets a maddening and fascinating outsider named Declan, who claims to be a game moderator, she must decide whether to join him in exchange for protection and access to the border.

If they play the game right, they are each other's best hope for survival and a life beyond the only world Claudia's ever known: the terrifying live-action game known as The Aftermath.

The world in THE AFTERMATH is pretty insane. The characters are real and have NO clue that they have someone in their mind playing them like puppets while they starve, run for their lives and kill the bad guys. Even worse is that these players are doing it for fun. Claudia remembers nothing of her life before but starts to have flashbacks and starts having lucid moments while she is being 'played'. The more she learns of The Aftermath, the more she wants to escape it and bring her team members with her.

I found this book to be very fast paced. The characters were interesting and the world building was well done. I enjoyed the slow information reveal, but wanted more from the romance that was introduced. The ending kinda blew my mind and left me with way more questions than I have answers to, so I will be continuing the series with book 2.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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


Saving the Hero
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Publisher: Sanguine Publishing
Saving the Hero Book #1
ISBN:    1500569690
ISBN13 9781500569693
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author
Two and a half weeks. That’s all the time he has left.

When loner vampire hunter Kassy is interrupted by nosy veteran, Mike, he ends up bitten, and infected with the vampire parasite. The warrior becomes her prey as she fights to find him before powerful vamps. A couple kidnappings later, she’s hiding in a cabin with him chained to the floor, and an eight-year-old girl in her care.

Death? Inevitable. When the parasite takes control, he’ll do or say anything to get non-infected blood—including seducing her. But, as they spend time together, she finds her resolve weakening. A kiss won’t fix him, but it might mend a deep hole in her heart.

Kassy is too practical to believe in miracles, but if he survives eighteen days without ingesting human blood, there is a chance he could be the hero she's been looking for.

Odds are, he’s a dead man.

I didn't LOVE SAVING THE HERO, but I didn't hate it either. The book started off at a nice pace, but then slowed down. A lot of the book takes place with just 3 characters holed up in a cabin waiting for 2 of the characters to turn into vampires, which in this series is a REALLY bad thing. There is a lot of secrets surrounding Kassy and she isn't used to being around people so things are a bit awkward at times. Mike, the 'hero', doesn't believe anything that Kassy says about vampires or him turning into one so he is a bit hard to handle (of course I would be too if I found myself kidnapped and chained).

There are a few nice action scenes thrown into SAVING THE HERO and the reveals that happen are pretty shocking. However, I didn't really find myself invested in the characters enough to want to continue the series.

I gave it 3/5 stars

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

Firebug
Author: Lish McBride
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Firebug Book #1
ASIN:   B00HTJ76VG
Genre: YA
Review Copy Source: Publisher
Ava can start fires with her mind . . . but is it a blessing or a curse?

Ava is a firebug—she can start fires with her mind. Which would all be well and good if she weren't caught in a deadly contract with the Coterie, a magical mafia. She's one of their main hit men . . . and she doesn't like it one bit. Not least because her mother's death was ordered by Venus—who is now her boss.

When Venus asks Ava to kill a family friend, Ava rebels. She knows very well that you can't say no to the Coterie and expect to get away with it, though, so she and her friends hit the road, trying desperately to think of a way out of the mess they find themselves in. Preferably keeping the murder to a minimum.

FIREBUG was one of those books that I wasn't really excited about reading but really enjoyed once I finally started. Ava was a character after my own heart. Snarky, down to earth, and extremely loyal to the people she loves. The secondary characters were just as great as Ava, but  I was a little disappointed in the missed romance part of FIREBUG.

This was the first book I've read from Lish McBride, but I have seen mention that it's part of the same world her Necromancer series is set in? Either way I had no problem getting into FIREBUG and I'm really excited to continue Ava's story with book 2.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Gray Bishop
Author: Kelly Meade
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Publisher: InterMix
ASIN:  B00I8RB1WS
Cornerstone Run Book #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Some people need something to fight for…

With the attacks on their homes escalating and human half-breeds seeking sanctuary among them, the loup garou are reaching their breaking point. Two, in particular.

After failing to stop his little brother’s kidnapping years ago, Bishop McQueen angrily broods on his shame, though no one else blames him.

Jillian Reynolds is still dealing with a tragic accident that took everything she ever wanted from life. And her attraction to Bishop is only making things more difficult.

When word reaches them that Jillian's hometown is under attack, the Alpha takes Bishop, Jillian, and a group of enforcers to assist in the battle. And it is in this chaos that both Bishop and Jillian will have to face their pasts—and the true feelings they have for each other—if they are going to survive…
I always enjoy when series with revolving main characters keep the past main characters as a decent part of the book. GRAY BISHOP follows Bishop and Jillian as they fall in love, but Brynn and Rook are very much still a big part of the story. I really enjoy the family dynamic that comes with the McQueen family and was really heartbroken towards the end of book 2. The run and the McQueen's have been through so much, but GRAY BISHOP definitely feels like the biggest blow was thrown into the mix.

Jillian and Bishop's love story wasn't as easy as Brynn and Rooks, but felt just as real and I enjoyed following it. With all the other events happening I don't feel that their story got the attention it deserved. This series is a trilogy so WHITE KNIGHT should bring us full circle and hopefully give the run and the McQueen's some piece and happiness, but I know it won't be smooth sailing.

I gave it 4/5 stars 

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

Dying for a Living
Author: Kory M. Shrum
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Timberlane Press
ISBN:   099121580X
ISBN13: 9780991215805
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author
 

On the morning before her 67th death, it is business as usual for Jesse Sullivan: meet with the mortician, counsel soon-to-be-dead clients, and have coffee while reading the latest regeneration theory. Jesse dies for a living, literally. As a Necronite, she is one of the population’s rare 2% who can serve as a death replacement agent, dying so others don’t have to. Although each death is different, the result is the same: a life is saved, and Jesse resurrects days later with sore muscles, new scars, and another hole in her memory.

But when Jesse is murdered and becomes the sole suspect in a federal investigation, more than her freedom and sanity are at stake. She must catch the killer herself—or die trying.

I can't even begin to imagine what it would really be like to live in a world where you can hire people to die for you. Jesse makes a living by dying in other people's place because she's a Necronite and comes back to life. The whole Necronite condition was both interesting and creepy. The author did a great job of explaining it and making it real for the reader.

I had a hard time connecting to a few of the characters in DYING FOR A LIVING. I didn't care for Lane in the least and the love triangle just annoyed me, but thankfully I did really like Jesse so it was easy to look past that. There is a lot going on in the book and lots of strings left at the end so I'm interested in reading more.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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