Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: Surprisingly Supernatural by S.J. Drum

UFI welcomes S.J. Drum Author of Surprisingly Supernatural. Thanks for Joining us!!


In celebration of my newest release, Surprisingly Supernatural, I’d like to introduce you to the story’s villain, Xin. 


Xin is one evil bastard. He’s the leader of the dark Zentry Elf Clan and demands terrible acts carried out by his elves, all in a bid to become more powerful. Xin has a whip fetish…and not the sexy kind. He enjoys dressing like “a Hot Topic mascot”, as Elaina (the heroine of the story) would say. 

Elaina sees Xin as a clichéd evil turd and wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, he’s the father of one of the story’s two heroes, Zane. Despite Xin’s poor choice in clothing and turd-like behavior, he does wield powerful magic and is a very legitimate threat to Elaina and the men she loves.
 

Xin
Height: 6' 3"
Build: Fighting Fit
Eyes: Dark Brown
Hair: Black, shaggy
Hobby: Anything that'll make him more powerful
Occupation: Zentry Clan Leader
Favorite Song: "Figured You Out" by Nickelback
 
Xin’s story is in: SURPRISINGLY SUPERNATURAL by S.J. Drum
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As SJ Drum, I am a writer of Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance Novels. Under the pen name Clara LaVeaux, I write Contemporary Women's Fiction with strong romantic elements.

I have a terribly expensive and utterly useless BA in Studio Arts with a minor in Psychology.

I currently live near Yellow Springs, Ohio with my husband and two small children. When I'm not changing diapers or writing, I enjoy scuba diving and have been known to make an elephant do a headstand.
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Find Sara and her books
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Surprisingly Supernatural
 

  When Elaina moves to Yellow Springs after the death of her parents, she discovers her mother’s life was steeped in secrets and there’s something very strange about the town and its residents. There’s a pixy clan taking up residence in her inherited home, a gorgeous but strange elf bent on making her his, and a handsome, troubled man who seems to be able to read her mind. Thrust into a supernatural war, Elaina’s forced to choose sides between the two men who’ve begun to mean everything to her.
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 US ONLY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Releases: 8/19-8/25


Mon Aug 20

Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens
The Guardian of Bastet by Jacqueline M. Battisti
 
Tues Aug 21
 
Heaven (Halo, #3) by Alexandra Adornetto
The Raft by S.A. Bodeen
The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies, #3) by Pittacus Lore
Savage Redemption by Alexis Morgan
Shifter's Destiny by Anna Leonard
Widow's Web (Elemental Assassin, #7) by Jennifer Estep
 
Happy Reading!!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: The Vampire Hunter's Daugher by Jennifer Malone Wright

UFI welcomes Jennifer Malone Wright Author of The Vampire Hunter's Daughter. Thanks for Joining us!!

Top Ten Songs on my Vampire Hunter’s Daughter Playlist

So, a lot of people seem really interested to know what kind of songs are on my playlist for The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter. So, I’m going to give you the top ten songs. There are several playlists that I have for the book, because I use different music for different scenes, but I’ll give you the ones that I like to listen to the most.

1. Arms by Christina Perri
This song is from her album Lovestrong and it’s one of my favorite ones because I use it a lot to write scenes with Chloe and Drew. If you have read the book and listen to the lyrics, you will see why this is their song.

2. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Rolling in the Deep is from Adele’s album, 21. I use this song for a lot of different scenes, mostly beginning fight preparations. I love the drum beats in this music, it gets the adrenaline going.

3. Bury me with my guns on by Bobaflex
This is from their album Chemical Valley. I like to use this for fight scenes because I can totally envision Chloe running around with her guns and fighting vampires.

4.  9 Crimes by Damien Rice from the True Blood Soundtrack
I like to use this song when I’m writing sad scenes or anything really emotional. The original version of this song by Damien Rice is different, but still good.

5. In this River by Black Label Society
I love this song. I got to see it live once! Anyway, again, I use this song for sad or emotional scenes.

6. Master of Puppets by Metallica
From the album Master of Puppets.
Ok, so, I’m a huge Metallica fan. I listen to a lot of Metallica when I’m writing anyway, but here is one that I love to use for fight scenes.

7. Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven
I normally listen to a lot of classical music or music without lyrics when I write. But, Moonlight Sonata was used a lot while I was writing The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter, for all different kinds of scenes.

8. Crystal by Stevie Nicks
From the Practical Magic soundtrack
I love, love, love this song. It’s one I listen to just to relax me and get me in the mood for writing. It gets the flow going.

9. I will follow you into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
From the album, Plans.
This song is great for emotional scenes. I use this song for lots of different places in The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter.

10. Broken by Lindsey Haun
From the Broken Bridges Album
This is a great song. I play this song whenever Chloe is feeling defeated and needs strength to go on.
 
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Jennifer Malone Wright resides in the beautiful mountains of northern Idaho with her husband and five children. Between the craziness of taking care of her children, whose ages range from fourteen all the way down to six months, and being a homemaker, Jennifer has little time left for herself. The time she does have left, usually leading far into the night, is spent working on freelance work or her beloved fiction.

When she grew up, Jennifer always had her nose in a book. She has been writing stories and poems since grade school. This love of the written word and her strong interest in the paranormal is what has led to her first novel “The Birth of Jaiden.”
In addition to being a mother and homemaker, Jennifer is also a very proud military wife. Moving around the country for the last ten years has made her a bit of a nomad and she finds it difficult to be in one place for too long.

Jennifer is also the author of The Birth of Jaiden, a paranormal novel filled with action, suspense, and even a love story.
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Find Jennifer and her books
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The Vampire Hunter's Daughter: The Complete Collection 
 This special edition of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter contains parts I-VI, the complete collection. Fourteen-year-old Chloe witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire. Before the vampire can kidnap her, there is an unexpected rescue by a group of vampire hunters. Overwhelmed by the feeling of safety, Chloe passes out and they whisk her away to their small community.

When Chloe wakes, she comes face to face with the only other living relative, besides her mother, whom she has ever met: her grandfather. Chloe’s mother kept her hidden from the family; now, Chloe tries to unveil the family secrets. Through her grandfather, she learns her mother was a vampire hunter. In fact, her entire family is descended from the powerful bloodlines of vampire hunters. Chloe agrees to join the family she has never known for one reason only: Chloe vows to kill the vampire responsible for her mother’s murder.

With vengeance in her soul, Chloe is even more determined to follow through on her vow when she discovers the true identity of her enemy and how he is connected to her.

Experience the world of vampires hunter’s, vampires and mythology with Chloe in this exciting series.
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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Week in Review: 8/12-8/18


Books Ive Bought/received

* Surprisingly Supernatural by S.J. Drum- eARC- Author

Books I Read

Love on the Run by Katherine Kerr
Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Reviews Posted

Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
Sin's Dark Caress by Tracey O'Hara
Shade's of Blood by L.M. Pruitt

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

* Monday Author L.M. Pruitt stopped in for a guest post to promote all of her books.

* Wednesday Imogen Rose visited with a guest post and giveaway to promote her newest release Integration.

* Thursday a giveaway for A Wolf at the Door by K.A. Stewart went up.

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*If you see something on my books Ive read list that you are dying to know about let me know I'm back logged on reviews and can move it up on the list if I know people are wanting one.

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

Winner: Seawitch by Kat Richardson

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Hardcover Copy of Seawitch
The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....
Congrats!! I have emailed winner who has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or I will pick another.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Review: Shades of Blood by L.M. Pruitt

Shades of Blood
Author: L.M.Pruitt
Release Date: July 6, 2012
Publisher: Tor Teen
Jude Magdalyn Book #3
ISBN:  9781938601
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Bewitching Book Tours

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Felipe, one of New Orleans's most infamous--and crazy--vampires is back in town. And to say he's unhappy is an understatement.

Duprees and Williams have to track down Felipe, fast, before he claims any more victims. If that means making a deal with the Devil--otherwise known as St. Germaine--and using an untrained dhampir, so be it.

If that wasn't enough, I've also got rebellious teenagers, feuding couples, and a suddenly full social calendar.

The more things change...

This is a fun series. Each installment adds a new element to the series and SHADES OF BLOOD adds more then one.

Jude is getting more pregnant with the twins and I cant wait for them to finally come. I love that each book reveals a little more about the "bumps" although now they are known by name. The twists that come concerning them in SHADES OF BLOOD is a doozy. I don't think I really expected what was revealed, but I was not overly shocked when I found out. There is a brief relationship problem between Jude and Theo but it is quickly settled. Jude isn't as hostile towards Williams, They seem to have come to a bit of a truce. Elizabeth and Rion, I cant even begin to tell you the stuff that goes on between them. Frustrating describes it to a T.  Comte St. Germaine is back and I have to say I really like him. The only issue I have had with the series comes from book 1 SHADES OF GREY. Jude's very best friend is murdered and she seems to grieve for only 2 seconds and then it was hardly ever mentioned again. SHADES OF BLOOD revisits that time and sorta gives a little more feeling towards the situation. Still not totally happy with it but it made it a bit better.

The ending. He's back? Why? ugg what a way to spring it on us and then end. Can't wait to read book 4. 

I gave it 4/5 stars 



Friday, August 17, 2012

Review: Sin's Dark Caress by Tracey O'Hara

Sin's Dark Caress
Author: Tracey O'Hara
Release Date: July 1, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Dark Brethren Book #3
ISBN:   0061783153
ISBN13: 9780061783159
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Edelweiss


An ancient darkness has risen from the ashes…and terror has been loosed upon an unsuspecting world.

Forensic witch Bianca Sin has never seen anything like it: homeless teenage girls torn to pieces by dark magic in the cold shadows of the city. More terrifying still is the symbol written in blood on an alley wall—the unmistakable seal of the Dark Brethren.

Teaming up with NYPD homicide detective Lancelot McManus and an elite task force headed by the shapeshifter Oberon DuPrie, Bianca knows her worse fears have finally come to pass. A new war of annihilation is looming that will plunge the worlds of vampire, shapeshifter, and human into chaos—and two adversarial tribes locked in uneasy truce will need to take up arms together to save the children. Trust will be essential for Sin and McManus, as the hunt forces them to confront their deepest terrors.

For the ultimate evil is no longer approaching.

It’s here.

Book 1 of the Dark Brethren NIGHT'S COLD KISS remains my favorite of the series. It did a fabulous job of drawing me into the story so that I wanted to read more of what would come in the series. Book 3 SIN'S DARK CARESS was a good addition to the series. It follows Bianca Sin and Lancelot McManus as they investigate a string of mysterious crimes.

The other two books were heavy on the relationship front but SIN'S DARK CARESS is more about the story and mystery then relationship. There is some romance but nothing like the previous 2 books in the series. I really liked both characters. Bianca is a witch who never came into her powers so she is pretty much the dunce to the other witches. She finally comes into her powers when she bonds with a dragon of all things and happens to be extremely powerful. McManus is an addict. He is addicted to alcohol but also a drug called Neon Tears. You can see the attraction to each other but they take forever to act on it. The case they are on was extremely close to Bianca. It involves others with powers and even people that she knows personally. The whole case is pretty gruesome but fantastically so. It grabs your attention and makes your heart go a little faster then normal trying to see what will happen and who that something will happen to. The only thing I missed is a bigger role of the characters from the previous books.

O'Hara has an easy to get into writing style with great descriptions of her world and characters. I would recommend starting from book 1 or even DANTE RISING which is a prequel to NIGHT'S COLD KISS. I will continue to follow the series and hope we get some more of my favorite characters from previous books.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars