Saturday, June 2, 2012

Review: All Spell Breaks Loose by Lisa Shearin

All Spell Breaks Loose
Author: Lisa Shearin
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Ace
Raine Benares Book #6
ISBN:   1937007715
ISBN13: 9781937007713
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher


My name is Raine Benares—and it sucks to be me. The Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that has given me unlimited power, has been stolen by a goblin prince, and with it went my magic. The Saghred is in the goblin capital of Regor, in the hands of Sarad Nukpana, who’s on the verge of becoming the most powerful mage ever...just as soon as I’m dead.

Because Sarad can’t use the stone while I’m alive. Incentive enough to plan a little trip to Regor with a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and outright enemies. All we need to do is destroy the Saghred, kill Sarad, and put a renegade prince on the throne. Did I mention I’ll be doing this without magic?

Raine's long journey to defeat the Saghred is finally coming to a head. With some of her most loyal friends and allies beside her and without her magic she sets out to destroy the Saghred once and for all for her freedom and to protect those she loves.


It was a bit weird to have Raine with out her magic but in the end she proves that she can still kick butt. I have always enjoyed the world building of this series and after being on the Isle of Mid so long it was nice to have a new place to get to explore and learn about. The Goblins are an interesting race in Shearin's series and it was great to see how they do things and see them in action. ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE moves at a fast pace, the characters are always on the move and their is plenty of action and heart pounding moments. My favorite characters came out alive and on top so their isn't much to complain about.

All in all I was happy with the way things ended for the series. All the loose strings were tied up nicely and Raine is on a path to live a nice happily ever after.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Friday, June 1, 2012

Interview and Giveaway: Jennifer Estep

UFI welcomes Author Jennifer Estep. Thanks for Joining us!!

This or That
Angels or Demons

JE: Demons

Vampires or Shifters

JE: Shifters

Left or Right

JE: Right

Up or Down

JE: Up

Pizza or Pasta

JE: Pizza

Coffee or Tea

JE: Tea

Coke or Pepsi

JE: Pepsi

YA or Adult

JE: Both. I like writing and reading in both genres.

Facebook or Twitter

JE: Twitter

Reading or Writing


JE: Both, although I’d love to be able to just dig into my TBR pile and read for a month.

Book Signing or Panel Speaking

JE: Both. I always enjoy meeting and talking to readers and other authors.
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New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series, the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series, and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.



Find Jennifer and her books
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Dark Frost
Mythos Academy #3
May 29, 2012
I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me?

It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.
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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Interview & Giveaway: Lisa Shearin

UFI welcomes Lisa Shearin Author of The Raine Benares series. Thanks for Joining us!!

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

I don’t have much downtime, but when I do, I love to read. Any spare moment I have, I grab a book. Right now I’m really into paranormal thrillers.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I absolutely love it when I’m “in the zone” and the characters, setting, and scene all come together and come to life. When that happens, I feel like I’m not the one in control, the characters are, and I’m just sitting in a corner writing down what they say and do as fast as I can. That’s when the magic happens.

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

I start each chapter writing longhand in a journal with one of my vintage fountain pens. And my official “writing chair” is a huge a 120-year-old mahogany rocking chair. My thoughts flow better from brain to pen to paper (while sitting in that chair). I think writing longhand gives me a more direct path to my inner storyteller. Once I’ve written a first draft, then I key it in to my computer and start expanding from there.

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

 I loves me some Harry Dresden. In my opinion, Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are danged near flawless. I also adore Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series. Dark, snarky, and mmm, mmm good. I also really have enjoyed Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child’s Agent Pendergast series. At the moment I’m reading NOCTURNAL by Scott Siegler, MONSTER HUNTER ALPHA by Larry Correia, and LEGEND by David Golemon. I generally have more than one book going at any given time and bounce back and forth between them depending on what I’m in the mood to read.

How would you pitch the Raine Benares series to someone who has not heard of it before?

 Raine Benares is a seeker, which is basically a detective who uses magic to find missing people and stolen objects. At the beginning of the series (MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND) she inadvertently gets herself psychically bonded to the Saghred— a stone that gives the one bonded to it unlimited power, with a side order of insanity. Not crazy like an eccentric aunt, but take-over-the-world-and-kill-millions kind of crazy.

The entire series (all six books) takes place in an approximate three-month timeframe. That’s a lot of action in very little time, but thanks to the Saghred (and the evil megalomaniacs who want the stone for their own), Raine is in a lot of trouble with very little ways out of it.

Thanks to friends and allies (both old and new), and ill-timed romantic entanglements (it ain’t easy to fight for your life and have a relationship at the same time), Raine manages to stay one step ahead of the power-hungry elves and goblin aristocrats who want the stone and its power for their own. Unfortunately Raine can’t just give it to them. Once bonded to the Saghred, you’re bonded for life. Only death can break that bond. Yours. Understandably, Raine has a problem with that last part.

ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the finale of the Saghred storyline. In it, Raine and a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy (don’t ask), travel to the goblin capital of Regor in order to destroy the Saghred and kill the goblin archmage who has found a way to use the stone’s power to enslave the world. While there, Raine & Company must also renegade goblin prince on the throne. Piece of cake. Not.

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

 I based the island city of Mermeia on Venice. It’s just so cool and gorgeous and mysterious. Hmmm, that sounds a lot like Tam, too, doesn’t it? ; ) I wanted to start the series with a location that readers could anchor themselves in, to make the book more easily visualized, and the action more real.

Do you have a favorite scene in All Spell Breaks Loose? 

Oh jeez, there are so many little gems in there; I can’t just pick one. Besides, I wouldn’t want to ruin the fun for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. ; )

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 


The most fun was my main villain, Sarad Nukpana. He’s just so gloriously, gleefully evil. How could you not have fun with that? His scenes with Raine virtually wrote themselves. I have to say that two of the most difficult to write were Mychael and Tam. What can I say? The way of a man’s mind is a mysterious thing.

All Spell Breaks Loose is the last book of the series. What book out of the six was your very favorite to write about? Hmm, that’s like trying to pick a favorite child; you love them all, but for different reasons. If I had to pick one, I would have to say BEWITCHED & BETRAYED, because a lot of relationship issues were resolved in that book.

What other projects can we look forward to reading from you?

 I’ve just completed a proposal package for an urban fantasy/supernatural thriller/comedy series. You all know how I love to mix & match genres. I have the series premise written, as well as the synopses for the first three books, and I just finished the final sample chapter today (for a total of six). I promise that as soon as I get a contract for it, I’ll tell you more—in fact, you probably won’t be able to shut me up. I’m so excited about this project—it’s just pure fun.
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Contrary to popular belief, most authors do have day jobs just like everyone else. I’m happily ensconced at an advertising agency as an editor and quality control manager. In my previous corporate life, I’ve been a magazine editor, advertising copywriter, and writer of corporate marketing materials of every description.

I’m the author of the national bestselling fantasy adventure series featuring Raine Benares, a finder of things lost and people missing. But what Raine finds best is trouble and lots of it. The series began with Magic Lost Trouble Found, and continued with Armed & Magical, The Trouble With Demons, Bewitched & Betrayed, Con & Conjure and All Spell Breaks Loose, which will hit bookstore shelves in 2012.

I’m a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and I live in North Carolina with my always patient and ever-encouraging husband, two spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds and a Jack Russell terrier who rules us all.
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Find Lisa and her books
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All Spell Breaks Loose
Raine Benares #6
May 29, 2012
My name is Raine Benares—and it sucks to be me. The Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that has given me unlimited power, has been stolen by a goblin prince, and with it went my magic. The Saghred is in the goblin capital of Regor, in the hands of Sarad Nukpana, who’s on the verge of becoming the most powerful mage ever...just as soon as I’m dead.

Because Sarad can’t use the stone while I’m alive. Incentive enough to plan a little trip to Regor with a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and outright enemies. All we need to do is destroy the Saghred, kill Sarad, and put a renegade prince on the throne. Did I mention I’ll be doing this without magic?
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Early Review: Arise by Tara Hudson

Arise
Author: Tara Hudson
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Hereafter Book #2
ISBN:  0007437285
ISBN13: 9780007437283
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Teen Book Scene

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.

ARISE Continues with Amelia stuck between life and death and in love with Joshua. They take a trip to New Orleans to visit Joshua's relatives and Amelia ends up meeting someone that changes her from a ghost who can touch Joshua to a half alive girl that can touch everything but Joshua.

I didn't enjoy ARISE as much as HEREAFTER, I just couldn't get into the story. For half of the book Amelia actually isn't even with Joshua. She leaves him for his own protection while she runs from the darkness that is still chasing her so there isn't much romance. We meet Gabrielle and although she starts out as someone you might not like she ended up being pretty cool and I would like to see more of her in future books. The setting was ok. I love New Orleans so having characters running around it especially with ghosts is understandable. Most of Joshua's young relatives annoyed me and as soon as Amelia and Joshua got into their car to drive home at the end of the book I was relieved to not have to deal with them anymore.

Now that Amelia is visual to everyone but not able to touch Joshua I assume the tragic love story will turn more tragic in book 3. Not sure if I will pick up ELERGY when it comes out but the story has been interesting enough so far.

I gave it 3/5 stars 

Winner: Jenn Bennett Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Interview & Giveaway: Jaime Rush

UFI welcomes Jaime Rush Author of The Offspring Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

I thought it would be fun to interview the hero of my new book, DARKNESS BECOMES HER, with Urban Fantasy Investigations' This or That questions. I always do an interview before the book begins, but checking in after the book is done is a different kind of chat.

Jaime: Hi, Lachlan! It's been a while since we talked—

Lachlan: Talked! You put me through hell, you did.

Jaime: Yeah, sorry about that. What can I say, the readers like it.

Lachlan: Nay, I think you like it, evil wench.

Jaime: Heh. Yeah, I do. But you are better off now, you have to admit.

Lachlan: Aye, definitely. Jess and I … [eyes me with suspicion] What do you want?

Jaime: No need to look at me like that. I promise, I'm not throwing you into danger, sending hell doggies after you, testing your loyalties and hard-won honor or making you fall in love with the one woman you can't have.

Lachlan: Oh, well then, bring it on.

Jaime: This will be fun, I promise.

Lachlan: That's what you said when you sat me down before you started writing the book.

Jaime: Well, it was fun … for me, anyway.

Lachlan: Bloody hell, you've got a warped sense of fun. Go on then.

Jaime: These are This and That questions. You just pick one or the other.

Lachlan: Alright, it doesn't sound too awful … [Cracks his knuckles] Bring them on.

Coffee or Tea

Tea, the gourmet kind with the loose leaves. My mum came from Scotland, so tea was the norm for her. My dad picked it up, and so did I. I use my dad's special tea pot, because it reminds me of him.

Pizza or Pasta

Pizza. It's easy to eat, and hell, you don't even need a plate. I just eat it right out of the box. [Jessie nudges him.] Well, I used to, anyway. Before I had to get civilized and all.

Up or Down

When I'm working with my swords, bringing them down is a lot easier, and you can use your strength to, say, cut someone's head off. Like wicked authors. Oh, did I say that?

Coke or Pepsi

When I indulge in the occasional soda, it's an orange one.

Werewolves or Vampires

After dealing with the beasties that look like wolves, I think I'd take my chances on a vampire.

Left or Right


Right. Always.

Angels or Demons

Jessie's an angel, though I thought she was a demon for a while. I'll definitely take the angel side. She's got her moments—ouch!

Facebook or Twitter.

Who has time for computers? [wicked grin] I've got much better things to occupy my time with.

Thanks, Lachlan, for indulging me one last time!

I'm celebrating the release of DARKNESS BECOMES HER with my Kick Butt First Line contest. Shocking, suspenseful…make us want more! Cash prizes! Contest runs until July 1, 2012. For aspiring authors, it's a chance to get your name out there and add a "win" to your bio. For readers, it's a chance to play at being a writer. Even if you're not inclined to write a line, check out the entries—they're a lot of fun! For details, go to www.JaimeRush.com and click on the Contest link.

Win a copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER! Comment or stretch your evil mind … if you could put a person or character through some tortuous situation, what would it be?

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Here's a sneak peek!

“You’re going to just run away? Again.”
Jessie shrugged out of Lachlan's grip. “Running is working for me so far. You make it sound like I’ve got a bevy of choices. I can’t go to the police. They’d only lock me away in the loony bin, and besides, they wouldn’t be able to help me, anyway. Make nice with Russell? Not likely.”
“You can throw him, and he can tear you apart. How long do you think you can stay ahead of the game?”
“As long as I can. What else can I do?”
“Kill him.”
She laughed, especially seeing that he was serious. “I’m capable of fending off an attack, as you know. But that’s a far cry from planning to kill someone, even with a good reason. He's stronger, and hell, I don't even know what I am, much less how to use it to defeat him.”
He was shaking his head. "When Magnus wakes, I'm going to have to tell him there's some new supernatural essence in him. That's going to be bad enough. If I tell him I let you leave, a lamb sent to the slaughterhouse, he'll have my head and rightfully so."
Part of her softened at the thought of not being alone. She had been alone for so long, holding her secrets, her pain. "I saw kids who were given a death sentence because of a disease that ravaged their bodies bit by bit. At least I won't die like that. If it comes, it'll be over quickly."
"How did you come to be in a place where children died?"
"I lived with a couple who fostered special needs kids."
He looked her up and down, searing her with his gaze. "You were ill?"
"Not like that."
He braced one hand against the wall, leaning closer. "When you watched those children dying, did it kill you too that you couldn't do anything to help them?"
His words cut into her. "Yes."
"Those diseases, they were monsters you couldn't defeat."
She shook her head.
"I watched people I love die, too, unable to do anything to save them. So you'll understand why I can't let you walk out there alone."

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Find Jaime and her books
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Darkness Becomes Her
Offspring #6
May 29, 2012


  Lachlan McLeod, a man beyond redemption, has a mission: find the beast who put his brother into a coma. He'll start with Jessie Bellandre, his brother's girlfriend, who's harboring a dark, dangerous secret that could get them all killed. Honor is all Lachlan has, and as they plumb the depths of Darkness, not falling in love with her will be as hard as staying alive.
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Tuesday May 29


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