Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Interview & Giveaway: Falling Angels Saga by E Van Lowe

UFI welcomes E Van Lowe Author of The Falling Angels Saga. 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 love this question. There are so many things readers don’t know about me.  I love sports, playing and watching.  Sports play as big a role in my life as writing.  I also love to help people especially young writers.  But the big thing people don’t know is I am a joker.  I love having fun with people.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

This is a carry-over from my last answer.  Sports.  I try to play tennis 3-4 times a week.  I try to workout in some form almost every day.  I also enjoy hanging out with friends,  movies and TV.

What is your Favorite part of writing?

Finishing!  LOL!  Seriously, there is no charge in life bigger than writing the words ‘the end.’  Finishing means there’s a chance an audience might find it.  You can’t beat that.

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

No.  I did when I was starting out as a writer, but not anymore.   Everyday has a workload.  Interviews, guest blog posts, edits, movie and TV meetings.   Days when all I have to do is write are the best days.  And while I don’t have a routine, when I am in writing mode the goal is always to turn out 3-5 pages a day.

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

I love this question, too.  Laurell K. Hamilton is the person who inspired me to write this genre.  Reading Laurell K. and then Kim Harrison I knew this was the genre I wanted to make my home.  I also enjoy J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, and I am currently reading Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Prince, which means I’m also hooked on Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices.

How would you explain The Falling Angels Saga to someone who has never heard of it before??

Angels and Nephilim and demons, oh my!  Seriously, it’s the story of an ordinary girl who unbeknownst to her has been promised to the devil.  Everything that transpires in the series is an offshoot of that promise. A handsome Guardian Angel intervenes.  The angel and Megan fall in love, amidst many complications.  While the series is exciting and romantic, it also has a funny side, which is something you don’t normally find in my genre.

What can you tell me about the world that The Falling Angels Saga is set in?

Because Megan Barnett is an ordinary girl, the series is set in the ordinary world of Glendale Arizona.  Wait, Megan isn’t so ordinary.  She’s a smart girl, an AP student who is also a mathlete and gets off on useless trivia.  Megan is not a member of the school’s in crowd.  She’s a geek.  But when handsome bad boy, Guy Matson, comes into her life, everything changes.

What book in the series was your favorite to write?

I just finished writing Heaven Sent, which I think is the best book in the series, but I’d have to say Boyfriend From Hell, because without that book there’d be no Falling Angels Saga.

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

My favorite character is Aunt Jaz.  I styled her off of the Oracle in The Matrix, but once I got a fix on her, she took on a life of her own.  We see a new side of Aunt Jaz in Heaven Sent, when a man comes into her life.  The hardest character to write is Harrison because he’s Australian and I want to get the accent and colloquialisms right.  Don’t get me wrong, I love writing Harrison, but I have to do extra research to make sure he comes off convincing.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

Right now I’m taking a break from writing books and working on a few outside projects.  In January I will either start work on the final Falling Angels book or the second in the Hollyweird series.

Thank you so much for having me.  I really enjoyed this interview.  
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E. Van Lowe is an author, television writer, screen-writer, playwright and producer who has worked on such TV shows as "The Cosby Show," "Even Stevens," and "Homeboys In Outer Space." He has been nominated for both an Emmy and an Academy Award. His first YA Paranormal novel, "Never Slow Dance With A Zombie," was a selection of The Scholastic Book Club, and a nominee for an American Library Association Award.  His Best Selling novels, “Boyfriend From Hell” and “Earth Angel,” are the first two books in the Falling Angels Saga.  “The Zombie Always Knocks Twice” is the first book in his Hollyweird series.

E lives in Beverly Hills California with his spouse, a werewolf, several zombies and a fairy godmother who grants him wishes from time-to-time.

Find E Van Lowe and her books
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Boyfriend from Hell
Falling Angels Saga #1 


 

Fifteen year-old Megan Barnett and her single mom, Suze, have a special relationship—they are friends, close friends, who do almost everything together.

“But come on, guys, she’s my mother… Can I really tell her that while we’re snuggled up on the sofa watching Spider Man Three, I’m secretly undressing James Franco with my eyes? Of course not…”

The special bond takes a turn for the worse when Suze decides to start dating again. She hasn’t had a man in her life since Megan’s father left ten years ago.

Enter two mysterious young men, Megan’s new classmate, sinfully attractive bad boy, Guy Matson, and the dangerously handsome art dealer, Armando. Before long Megan and Suze both wind up in steamy relationships.

But neither of the handsome pair is quite what he seems. In fact, one of them is Satan, with his sights set on a new bride. Megan has precious little time to figure out how to stop him. If she doesn’t, either Megan or Suze are quite literally going to HELL.

 Earth Angel
Falling Angels Saga #2


 

Just because Megan Barnett recently defeated Satan, has a fantastic new best friend, and has won the love of deliciously
handsome, Guy Matson, doesn’t mean her troubles are over. Far from it. For Megan doesn’t realize it, but in her possession is a powerful weapon, a weapon sought after by both angels and demons and everything in between. They will do ANYTHING to get it.




Heaven Sent
Falling Angels Saga #3

As summer break for Glendale Union high begins, heartsick Megan awaits Guy's return while struggling to control her emerging abilities. Love is in the air, but can the new loves in Megan, Maudrina, Suze and Aunt' Jaz's life be trusted? Nothing is what it seems. Meanwhile, the Satanists are set to hatch their most diabolical scheme ever, and if it comes to pass, Satan may finally win out.

Megan has precious little time to unravel the cryptic message hidden in the riddle she received at the end of Earth Angel. If she doesn’t, the life of someone most dear to her will be lost forever, and Megan may yet find herself living in HELL.
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Monday, December 10, 2012

Review: Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas

Luminosity
Author:Stephanie Thomas
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Entanged Teen
The Raven Chronicles Book #1
ISBN:   1620611279
ISBN13: 9781620611272
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Publisher

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.

Bea is a neat character. She is defiant while still following rules, easy to connect with and not afraid to go after what she wants. She doesn't blindly follow what she is told and had no problem thinking for herself. As a Seer she can see things others can't and she is one of the most powerful Seers so her visions are taken seriously. The whole concept behind LUMINOSITY was intriguing and the author did a good job with her descriptions and world building.There isn't really a romance going on but there is love triangle. Beatrice loves her best friend Gabe but she finds herself pining for the enemy Echo as well. I cant honestly say who's "team" I am as we don't really know enough about Echo yet to say what he would bring into a relationship with Bea. 

 I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the storyline.  A lot of the mystery ended up being pretty obvious and easy to guess before situations or information came out.There was a good bit of action situations and plenty of danger you wouldn't imagine young people being involved in. The ending didn't seem very strong but it ends on a cliffhanger so there is plenty left to see. We really don't know much about the Dreamcatcher's yet so I cant imagine what will happen once Bea arrives in their home so I will most likely grab book 2 when it comes out just because I'm interested in finding out.

I gave it 3/5 stars

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Week in Review: 12/2-12/8


Books Ive Bought/received

*Blessed by a Demon's Mark by ES Moore-eARC- Netgalley

* Kitty Rocks the House by Carrie Vaughn-ARC- Publisher

* The Shape Stealer by Lee Carroll-ARC- Publisher


Books I Read

Coveted by Stephanie Nelson
Blessed by A Demons Mark bu E.S. Moore

Reviews Posted

Moonshifted by Cassie Alexander
Guardians of Stone by Anita Clenney
Underneath by Jes Young

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

* UFI took part in the Cover Reveal tour for Fiery Edge of Steel by Jill Archer on Wednesday. There is a great giveaway posted as well. 

* Thursday Mary Abshire stopped by with a guest post and giveaway for her book titled The Quest. 

*  Friday brought Jes Young by with a guest post and giveaway for the second book of her series Underneath.

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

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Review: Underneath by Jes Young

Underneath
Author:Jes Young
Release Date: December 1, 2012
Publisher: Self Published
Princess of Twilight and Dawn Book #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

Six months ago, when her long-hidden heritage came to light, Tab Bennett reluctantly let go of her past and embraced her future as an Elvish princess on the cusp of her gifts and the edge of her destiny. She never wanted a fairy tale life, but as the daughter of the Dark King and the Light Queen, that’s exactly what she got.

Raised in exile away from the kingdom of the Inbetween, Tab has never even met the parents who ruined her life. Her mother is dead, but Tab’s father, Daniel, is alive and well, the mad ruler of the kingdom of the Underneath. He’s made it clear he wants to meet her and now that she knows all the sadness and heartache in her life can be traced directly to the Dark king’s door, Tab wants to meet him too. After all, it's because of him that the first twenty-five years of her life were a lie. It’s his fault she gave her heart to Robbin when she should have been saving it for Alex, the prince who is destined to be her Homecoming. But, most importantly, King Daniel is the one responsible for her mother’s suicide and her sisters’ murders.

Now Tab wants justice – but she’ll settle for revenge and Finnegan Blackthorn, an Elvish warrior with secrets of his own, is going to help her get it. Together, they’ll embark on the dangerous journey to her father’s stronghold in the kingdom Underneath. Once she's there, far away from the Light in which she was raised, Tab will be forced to confront the seductive nature of Darkness and her own potential to truly become her father’s daughter

UNDERNEATH ended up being quite a bit darker than TAB BENNET AND THE INBETWEEN, Tab has come along way in her new role and goes through just as much if not more then she did in book 1. The beginning of UNDERNEATH started out so positive. Tab was happy in her relationship, she had all her family behind her and the ending kinda left her allies and her future up in the air. Because Tab was so set on destroying her father King Daniel she ended up losing more than I felt she gained in the end but I can see where the author might be taking her so I'm hoping my broken heart will heal quickly. We meet a wide array of new characters and creatures and we learn more about the other half of Tab. Alright on to the romance aspects. I wasn't really loving the way Tab was acting with Finnegan throughout the book, but that is probably because I really like Alex. Alex grew on me quickly and I really enjoyed seeing him and Tab together. I was pretty over Robbin in book one so I was not surprised with anything regarding him.

I didn't love the ending, it bummed me out. Cliffhangers will always do that to you though. I'm sad after reading UNDERNEATH but also excited to see what Jes has in store for Tab and the rest of The Princess of Twilight and Dawn cast.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Winner: Cold Days by Jim Butcher

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Underneath by Jes Young

UFI welcomes Jes Young Author of The Princess of Twilight and Dawn Series. Thanks for Joining us!!



Unlike your average urban fantasy heroine, I will most likely never be the sole obsession of a powerful Fae prince. If I was going to learn to fly by jumping off a bridge into the arms of my adoring vampire husband, I’d probably be wearing something boring like jeans and a pair of Chuck Taylors, instead of thigh high boots and a leather coat. We don’t have much in common, but it’s the differences between my life and theirs that make these women so fun to read about. When I read, I want the adventure and danger and inappropriate footwear that have no place in my real life.

When I started writing the Princess of Twilight and Dawn series, I discovered that if reading about urban fantasy heroines is fun, writing about them is even better. Every day, when I sit down at my desk, I get to play with magic and danger and power. I get to go on an adventure with a brave Elvish princess and a swoon-worthy prince. And I get to make them kiss whenever I want. (Greetings from my inner control freak.) The best part though has been writing Tab’s transformation from someone who hides from the monsters into someone who stands up to them. Making that chance, in a way that seemed believable, was a challenge in the best possible sense. I tried to make her a mix of the things I love about my favorite kick-ass heroines and the things I love about my friends. She’s brave and funny and loyal and smart and, after a while, she learns to wield a sword, throw a knife, and rock a pair of stilettos. 

My Top 5 Urban Fantasy Heroines:

5. Sookie Stackhouse from the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris: A sentimental favorite. Sookie makes the list because these were the first urban fantasy books I ever read. “Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve dealt out? There’s no profit in it, no point to it, and you need sleep.” 

4. Rachel Morgan from the Hollows series by Kim Harrison: She’s sort of adorably bumbling, isn’t she? I love that about her. “Most of the upper management of I.S. were undead. I always thought it was because the job was easier if you didn't have a soul.” 

3. Cat Crawfield from the Night Huntress series by Jeannine Frost: Cat has a certain snarky charm that I can’t resist, but it’s because of how nicely its balanced by vulnerability that I love her. “Oh, Dracula as well, Annette? I guess if Frankenstein and the Wolf Man were real, they'd already have double-teamed you.” At 

2. Mercy Thompson from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs: Aside from the whole turning into a coyote thing, Mercy seems like a regular person to me. She’s tough but not invincible. “His arms closed around me, pressing flesh painfully hard against bone. Love hurts like that sometimes.”

1. MacKayla Lane from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning:  In a lot of ways, Mac was the inspiration for my character Tab. She’s in over her head, she’s soft, and she’s not tough enough to survive—until events change her and suddenly she is. “Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best, and then there are those remarkably rare, addictive ones who just bring out the most. Of everything. They make you feel so alive that you'd follow them straight into hell, just to keep getting your fix.”

So that’s my top five. I’d love it if you’d stop by the comments on your way out to tell me yours, say hello, or ask me a question. Thanks for reading!
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After graduating from Emerson College with a BFA in creative writing, Jes Young was a copywriter at Random House (Ballantine Books and Crown Publishing Group) for nearly ten years. Currently she is the development manager of a small non-profit and the mother of two children under the age of ten. Her writing is done primarily between the hours of 11 p.m and 3 a.m.



Find Jes and her books
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Underneath
Princess of Twilight and Dawn #2

 Six months ago, when her long-hidden heritage came to light, Tab Bennett reluctantly let go of her past and embraced her future as an Elvish princess on the cusp of her gifts and the edge of her destiny. She never wanted a fairy tale life, but as the daughter of the Dark King and the Light Queen, that’s exactly what she got.

Raised in exile away from the kingdom of the Inbetween, Tab has never even met the parents who ruined her life. Her mother is dead, but Tab’s father, Daniel, is alive and well, the mad ruler of the kingdom of the Underneath. He’s made it clear he wants to meet her and now that she knows all the sadness and heartache in her life can be traced directly to the Dark king’s door, Tab wants to meet him too. After all, it's because of him that the first twenty-five years of her life were a lie. It’s his fault she gave her heart to Robbin when she should have been saving it for Alex, the prince who is destined to be her Homecoming. But, most importantly, King Daniel is the one responsible for her mother’s suicide and her sisters’ murders.

Now Tab wants justice – but she’ll settle for revenge and Finnegan Blackthorn, an Elvish warrior with secrets of his own, is going to help her get it. Together, they’ll embark on the dangerous journey to her father’s stronghold in the kingdom Underneath. Once she's there, far away from the Light in which she was raised, Tab will be forced to confront the seductive nature of Darkness and her own potential to truly become her father’s daughter
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