Interview: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

UFI welcomes Amanda Carlson Author of The Jessica McClain series. Thanks for Joining us!!

Author This or That

Coffee or Tea: Coffee all the way! Tea is too hot-watery for me. I need more flavor.

Angels or Demons: Demons. You have to love the scary they bring to the story.

Coke or Pepsi: Coke for sure. But, I’ve sworn off all soda in the last year. I had to. My diet Coke addiction was taking over. It’s been tough, but it’s going well.

Facebook or Twitter: I love Twitter because I’m a chatter at heart. Twitter breaks up my day nicely and it’s always immediate.

Vampires or Werewolves: Hot, steamy, loyal, werewolves. Is there anything better?

Left or Right: Ooh, that’s a difficult one. I’d say right, because you know, I’m always right. HA! But sometimes when you take that unexpected left turn it’s so much fun.

Pizza or Pasta: Pizza. But really French fries.

YA or Adult: Adult. I’ve read some brilliant YA in the past few years, but I love my read with a KICK, if you know what I mean *wink, wink*

Up or Down: Up. Always up.

Reading or Writing: Writing. For me it’s something intrinsic. I have to do it.

Panel Speaking or Book Signing: Panel speaking! Book signing freaks me out every time. I always feel like I’m going to mess up.

Thanks for hosting me today! Such a pleasure to be here. HOT BLOODED releases next Tuesday, 4/23 and I’m so excited.

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Amanda is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a BA in both Speech and Hearing Science & Child Development. She went on to get an A.A.S in Sign Language Interpreting and worked as an interpreter until her first child was born. She enjoys playing Scrabble to an unhealthy degree, shopping trips to Ikea and has a great weakness for tropical beaches. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three kids.

Find Jessica and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Hot Blooded
Jessica McClain #2

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties..

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Covet Cover Reveal: 5 titles

If there’s one thing we know about paranormal romance at Entangled, it’s that it breaks rules. All kinds of rules. And that’s where the Covet imprint comes in. Covets are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules alike.

Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. With our launch this month, we’re bringing five titles to the forefront of this rule-breaking imprint. Greek gods, witches, demons, shifters, vampires … there’s something for everyone.

To find out more about our launch titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow us on Twitter (@CovetBooks), and LIKE our Facebook page.  We have lots of exciting events coming up, and Round Two of our launch in May!

Take a look at the first Covets, and start making your TBR list.

Gone With the Wolf 
by Kristin Miller

CEO and alpha werewolf Drake Wilder has given up the search for his one true love. When he discovers that she’s a secretary in his company, Drake’s primal instincts kick into overdrive.

What he wouldn’t give to have her fingers rake over his body instead of the keyboard…

Free-spirited bartender Emelia Hudson wants nothing more than to make her Seattle-based bar succeed. But when profits decline, she slips into a dress suit and secures a nine-to-five. After learning that her bar has become property of Wilder Financial, Emelia is determined to get some answers.

Two can play the ruthless business game. If only her attraction to the boss wasn’t so intense…

When Drake’s twin brother senses that Drake has found his match—and now inherits their father’s billion dollar estate—he hatches a plan to take Emelia out. Drake vows to protect her at all costs, but he might have to pay with his own life.

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The Awakening: Aidan
by Abby Niles

Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse?

After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life?

Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?

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The Demon's Song
by Kendra Leigh Castle

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. At least, that's how it seems to Sofia Rivera when her attempt to help a friend ends in a blood-soaked confrontation with creatures that aren't even supposed to exist. With a group of rogue vampires determined not to leave a single witness to their violence hot on her heels, Sofia finds herself saddled with an immortal bodyguard—Phenex, the fallen Angel of Song.
While the vampire king roots out the corruption threatening to take down his underworld kingdom, Sofia will have to deal with a fallen angel whose dark beauty is often at odds with his ornery nature. Slowly, Sofia and Phenex give in to the strange attraction neither can deny. And as the darkness closes in around them, Phenex begins to wonder whether even the wickedest Fallen might find his own happy ending...and his heart.

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Tall, Dark, and Divine 
byJenna Bennett

Being the Greek god of love doesn’t mean you believe--or want--anything to do with that sappy emotion. Sure, Eros runs his matchmaking business, Made in Heaven, but finding his own love has never been part of the equation. When he spots the sweet baker who works across the street, he vows to match her with someone else before she stirs his sullen heart.

Annie Landon has given up on finding Mr. Right. What she needs is Mr. Right Here, Right Now, and this so-called “Greek God” she’s heard is on the rebound sounds like the perfect kind of distraction. But picking up the bitter workaholic is easier said than done…especially when he seems unreasonably determined to match her with someone else.

Can a woman looking for love—and the matchmaking god who wants her to find it with someone who isn’t him—have a shot at a happy ending? May the best god—or mortal—win.

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Deceiving the Witch Next Door 
by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez

Down-on-her-luck witch Storie Bell never thought the biggest threat to her future would be Reid Malone, the very man she’d run from years before. After striking it rich in Texas shale, he’s back in town, and he seems hell-bent on getting in the way of her bookstore’s grand opening. A witch trying to blend in in a small southern town is hard enough, but now he’s seriously testing her strict No Kissing Mortal Men policy. But even witches don’t have a spell for that.

Reid knows there’s much more to Storie than meets the eye. But right now he has only one mission: to infiltrate her shop so he can snatch the elusive secret ingredient to his father’s million-dollar moonshine recipe. Once he does, he can go back to the city and get out of his small hometown, a place in which he has no future.

But as the days go by, he can’t help falling for Storie in every way…and every encounter brings him closer to finding out what happens when you try to deceive a witch.

Early Review: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Hot Blooded

Author:Amanda Carlson

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Publisher: Orbit

Jessica McClain Book #2

ISBN:   0316205214

ISBN13:9780316205214

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Netgalley

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...

The Jessica McClain series quickly climbed to the top of my favorite series list after reading BLOODED and made me fall in love with it even more after FULL BLOODED. If you have not started this series yet I must say you are missing out. Jessica's mate was kidnapped by a psychotic goddess that is in love with him and set on revenge. Jessica will do anything and everything to get him back.

Jessica is really growing into being the only female werewolf and finds out more and more of what she can do at every turn.. Most of the story revolves around her journey to get Rourke back. We don't really get a lot of Rourke time in book 2 which is a shame. I am really hoping Amanda gives us what we want with a lot of Rourke time in book 3 because that man is yummy. They are really hot together and I want more. Naomi a new addition to the story really surprised me and I find myself really liking her. She is set up to be a big part of Jessica's 'pack' in the future and I can not wait to see what else she brings to the table. Both Tyler and Danny are a great support to Jessica. I love the new connections that come into play with them. Selene was really a piece of work but what else could we expect? I won't go more into her and her lair because it would be spoiler-ish but get ready for a crazy ride. 

There is a ton of action in HOT BLOODED, a lot of things change between Jessica and her closest allies (for the best of course), and I absolutely loved each and every aspect of the story. COLD BLOODED is set to release in October 2013 and it can not come soon enough because I need more. 

I gave it 5/5 stars

Review: Influential Magic by Deanna Chase

Influential Magic

Author:Deanne Chase

Release Date: March 6, 2013

Publisher:Bayou Moon Press

Crescent City Fae Book #1

ISBN:   0983797870

ISBN13: 9780983797876

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Bewitching Book Tours

It’s tough being a faery in New Orleans, a city fraught with vampires… especially when their very existence drains your life-force.

Willow Rhoswen, owner of The Fated Cupcake and part-time vampire hunter for the Void is having a rough week. Four years after her twin brother’s mysterious death, Willow’s life is threatened and the director saddles her with a new partner—her ex-boyfriend, David. To her horror, he’s turned vamp, which causes her physical pain whenever she touches him… and any other specimen of the undead.

In order to save Willow’s life, David agrees to turn double agent against the most powerful vampire organization in New Orleans. Or so he says. And she’s convinced they know something about her brother’s death. Unsure where David’s loyalties lie, she turns to Talisen, her childhood crush, to help her solve the mystery.

Caught between two gorgeous men and a director who’ll stop at nothing to control Willow’s gifts, she’ll have to follow her instincts and learn who to trust. Otherwise, she risks losing more than just her life.

Don't let the cover fool you, there are no meek Tinkerbells in INFLUENTIAL MAGIC. The faeries are fierce supernatural creatures who can hold their own with the vampires and other paranormal things. Willow owns a cupcake shop where she sells goodies that she alters with her fae gifts in different ways. You can buy relaxation, influence, things to keep you awake, you get the idea. She also works as a hunter for the void but doesn't really enjoy it and the director happens to be her evil aunt. 

Willow's boyfriend of a year David broke up with her via text message and she has spent the last couple of months wondering why. She never imagined it was because he turned vampire and now she is stuck working closely with him on a new case. Talison was her brothers best friend when he was alive, she is very close to him and although they flirt a lot and she has feelings for him she never took it farther because she has never wanted it to ruin their relationship, oh and he is a player. They really are cute together though and I loved seeing them in action. I wish there would have been some more Talisen and Willow love time. I know it's not a paranormal romance but there is a love triangle and David had some love time so I would have liked more Talison love time. I very much enjoyed her little side kick Link. You will have to read the story to find out about his shape shifting coolness. 

INFLUENTIAL MAGIC is a fun simple read with some nice action and mystery thrown in. The characters make the book and I will be waiting to read book 2.

I gave it 4/5 stars

New Releases: 4/14-4/20

Tues April 16

Breath (Riders of the Apocalypse, #4) by Jackie Morse Kessler
Dead Silence (The Body Finder, #4) by Kimberly Derting

Furious by Jill Wolfson

Taken (Taken, #1)  by Erin Bowman

True (Elixir, #3) by Hilary Duff

Happy Reading!!

Review: Rising Darkness by Thea Harrison

Rising Darkness

Author:Thea Harrison

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Publisher: Berkley

Game of Shadows Book #1

ISBN:   0425248453

ISBN13: 9780425248454

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

In the hospital ER where she works, Mary is used to chaos. But lately, every aspect of her life seems adrift. She’s feeling disconnected from herself. Voices appear in her head. And the vivid, disturbing dreams she’s had all her life are becoming more intense. Then she meets Michael. He’s handsome, enigmatic and knows more than he can say. In his company, she slowly remembers the truth about herself…

Thousands of years ago, there were eight of them. The one called the Deceiver came to destroy the world, and the other seven followed to stop him. Reincarnated over and over, they carry on—and Mary finds herself drawn into the battle once again. And the more she learns, the more she realizes that Michael will go to any lengths to destroy the Deceiver.

Then she remembers who killed her during her last life, nine hundred years ago…Michael.

I will start by saying that I really like the cover, it is the main reason I wanted to read about RISING DARKNESS. Mary thinks she is going crazy when she dreams about creatures and events and hears voices in her head. When her house is burned down and people try to kidnap her she is sent scrambling to find out what is going on by getting to the woman who appeared to her in a vision that says she can help. 

RISING DARKNESS started off a bit fast. The pace is constant and information and events are kind of thrown at you leaving you trying to catch up behind it. It eventually slows down but you will need to stick it out for a bit coming in. Mary has never been able to feel normal or like she fit in anywhere. She tried marriage but her husband ended up being gay and she was relieved because she wasn't interested in having sex or being romantic. Michael has known who he was from a very young age and has searched for Mary ever since. They are soul mates in every way possible and have gone through life after life being together and being ripped apart. Their connection is obviously strong and even before Mary knows who she or Michael is she is highly attracted and drawn to him. They are pretty steamy together and fit together nicely. To be honest I still don't fully understand the creatures they used to be but I'm interested in learning more about them and seeing what happens next. 

 As I said before you might not connect to the story at first but if you stick it out I'm sure you will catch up and enjoy it like I did. There is a lot of information given in RISING DARKNESS and you can tell that there will be a lot more to come. I do hope that the main characters stay Mary and Micheal as there is so much more about them that I think we need to know and no other main character types were introduced. I would hate to have to learn about 2 new people when the next book came out. Fingers Crossed.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

Week in Review: 4/7-4/13

Books Ive Bought/received

* Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones- eARC- Publisher

* Water's Blood by Elaine Calloway- Ecopy- Bewitching Book Tours

Books I Read

A Kiss of Blood by Pamela Palmer
Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones
Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Once by Dana Michelle Burnett
Water's Blood by Elaine Calloway
Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Mist by Susan Krinard

Reviews Posted

The Stone Demon by Karen Mahoney
Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Of Shadow Born by Dianne Sylvan


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

* Tuesday- Guest Post and Giveaway from Dana M. Burnett was posted to promote her book Once.

* Wednesday I posted two giveaways, Under the Gun by Hannah Jayne and The Golden Age of Death by Amber Benson.

*Thursday- A Promo for Slayer's Kiss by Cassi Carver was posted.

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