Sunday, August 25, 2013

Week in Review: 8/18-8/24


Books Ive Bought/received

*Tempt The Stars by Karen Chance- eARC- Netgalley

Books I Read

Fracture by C.J. Daugherty
Darkness Unmasked by Keri Arthur
Tempt the Stars by Karen Chance

Reviews Posted

Terminated by Rachel Caine
Quick Fix by Linda Grimes


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

* Monday- Guest Post and Giveaway for Cloaked in Fur by T.F. Walsh

*  Tuesday- Guest Post and Giveaway for Before Midnight by Jennifer Blackstream

* Friday- Promo and Giveaway for Wanted: One Ghost by Loni Lynne

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

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Winner: Chloe Neill Chicagoland Vampire Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

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.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Promo & Giveaway: Wanted: One Ghost by Loni Lynne

UFI welcomes Loni Lynne Author of Wanted: One Ghost. Thanks for Joining us!!


Wanted: One Ghost
Amazon  BarnesAndNoble
 Stuck in ghostly limbo for 238 years, James Addison can't move on to an afterlife. After being falsely accused of treason and executed, fate's cursed him to remain an earth-bound specter until he meets a historian sent to research his past. Distrustful of fate, Dr. April Branford wants to be taken seriously, but her unique ability to divine history by touching objects seriously compromises her credibility. Her latest assignment? James Addison, a legendary colonial ladies' man with a shadowy past. Without much to go on, she doesn't hold out much hope to discover the man behind the legend until the day she accidentally touches him and brings him back to life. With the help of family and ghosts from James's past, they unravel the truth. But after falling in love and with time running out, it's hard for April to believe in fate and a future where forever is now.
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Born in Michigan, Loni grew up all over the mid-west. From Michigan to Texas and everywhere in between before joining the Navy and meeting her Army husband. Together they were stationed in Hawaii for four years before returning to settle close to family in Maryland. Raising two beautiful daughters, Loni went from being a domestic goddess to a writer and finally a published author when her husband gifted her with a laptop,portable hard drive and a membership to Romance Writers of America for her birthday. He then challenged her to, ‘finish a book by her next birthday,’ and she did it! A few years later she was blessed with one of those novels, Wanted: One Ghost, as her debut novel.

Find Loni and her books
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Tour Wide - US Only
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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Review: Terminated by Rachel Caine

Terminated
Author:Rachel Caine
Release Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Roc
Revivalist Book #3
ISBN:   0451465156
ISBN13: 9780451465153
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine’s latest Revivalist novel, Bryn Davis’s problems quickly turn from dead to worse…

Already addicted to the pharmaceutical drug that keeps her body from decomposing, Bryn has to stop a secretive group of rich and powerful investors from eliminating the existing ReturnĂ© addicts altogether. To ensure their plan to launch a new, military-grade strain of nanotech, the investors’ undead assassin—who just happens to be the ex-wife of Bryn’s lover Patrick—is on the hunt for anyone that stands in their way.

And while Bryn’s allies aren’t about to go down without a fight, the secret she’s been keeping threatens to put those closest to her in even more danger. Poised to become a monster that her own side—and her own lover—will have to trap and kill, Bryn needs to find the cure to have any hope of preserving the lives of her friends, and her own dwindling humanity…

The end of TWO WEEKS NOTICE left Bryn and Riley dosed with improved version of  ReturnĂ©. The new version is like a ticking bomb that is just waiting to go off. Bryn and her allies are running from assassin's and trying to stay alive while trying to find a way to kill Jane once and for all. 

This is another character driven series in my opinion. Each one brings something new and not one of them is unaffected by events at any turn. Bryn's background has helped her to stay strong and get through things no average person would be able to handle. Patrick surprises me with his protectiveness at every turn. Bryn and Patrick work well together but have a lot to work through. Joe is just awesome. He does not have to be there yet he is right by Bryn and Patrick's side at every turn. He has his own struggles to work through in TERMINATED and I was super proud of the way he handled himself. Riley is a big mystery most of the time. I never knew where she stood at any given moment and that made me nervous. Manny and Pansy I think shocked me the most in TERMINATED. Especially Pansy. I don't want to get too much into it but Pansy goes above and beyond and I was surprised at how much she cared about what happened to people.

The ending was very satisfying. Bryn was extremely brave in her decisions and her willingness to do what most would not. I felt like everything was wrapped up nicely and everyone that should have been there at the end was there. Great end to a great series. What will Rachel bring us next?

I gave it 4/5 stars

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Review: Quick Fix by Linda Grimes

Quick Fix
Author:Linda Grimes
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Publisher: Tor
In A Fix Book #2
ISBN:  0765331810
ISBN13:9780765331816
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher


The second installment of the original urban fantasy series starring human chameleon Ciel Halligan

Ciel Halligan, an aura adaptor with a chameleon-like ability to step into the lives of her clients and fix their problems for them — as them — is working a job at the National Zoo with her boyfriend, Billy, and his ten-year-old sister, Molly. It's supposed to be a quick fix, giving her time to decide if it's wise to pursue the romantic relationship her charming scoundrel of a best friend wants, or if she should give Mark, the CIA spook she's crushed on since hormones first rattled her pubescent brain, a chance to step up to the plate.

Molly has already begun to show signs of being an adaptor herself. She's young for it, but she's always been precocious, so it's not impossible. What is impossible is her taking on the form of the baby orangutan she touches — adaptors can only project human auras. Until now, apparently. Worse, Molly is stuck in ape form. She can't change herself back.

Escaping from the zoo with their new baby orang, Ciel and Billy head for NYC and the only person they know can help: Ciel's brother James, a non-adaptor scientist who's determined to crack the aura adaptor genetic code. But when Billy winds up in jail, accused of attempted murder, Ciel begins to suspect Molly's unusual adapting ability is more than just a fluke. Who's been experimenting on Molly, and what do they hope to gain? And will Ciel survive to find out?

The characters in this series are Fun, Fun, Fun. I could not imagine the greatness of being able to transform myself into different people but Linda does a great job of describing it to us. Ciel and Billy are at the zoo with Molly, Billy's sister when she comes into her adapter 'powers' and turns into an orangutan. As they are escaping a worker thinks they are stealing an animal from the zoo and they have to make a fast get away. Until they can find James and get him to change Molly back they have to not only fool their families so they think everything with Molly is alright but they also keep their eye on an orangutan Molly and figure out who is murdering people and framing Billy. 

The characters really do make this series. There are a ton of plot twists involved and following the characters is nothing but entertaining. There are some great scenes where we meet more of the family and get to see how they interact with each other in their own element. There are a lot to have to get straight but it was pretty interesting to see them in action. 

 Lets talk romance. I know you are waiting for that. After IN A FIX I was really rooting for Billy and Ciel and they do not disappoint in QUICK FIX. We get some great sexual tension, some yummy sexy scenes as well as some jealous encounters. What more could you ask for. Family reaction is awesome too, especially the scene at the end with their Moms.

If you are looking for a bit of a change this series is the one for you. Its light and unique with a great pace and plenty of action to keep you on your toes. 

I gave it 4/5 stars

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Before Midnight by Jennifer Blackstream

UFI welcomes Jennifer Blackstream Author of Before Midnight. Thanks for Joining us!!



Fantasy Face-Off: Vampire Vs. Werewolf



All right, ladies and gentleman, tonight is no ordinary match. In one corner, we have the Master of the Night, the Fanged Fury, the vampire! And in the other corner, we have the Hound from Hell, the Furred Ferocity, the werewolf! Let’s meet our fighters…



The Vampire



Origin: Everywhere

Powers: Retractable fangs, enhanced healing, super strength, super speed, hypnotism, some shapechanging ability

Weaknesses: Sunlight, holy objects

Brief Overview: Vampires are undead creatures who drink blood to survive. They are nocturnal. Due to their need to get up close and personal with their victims, combined with the vulnerability of sleeping through the day, these creatures have evolved to find it’s in their best interest to entice their food closer and then wipe their victims’ memories to prevent them from raising an alarm. Consequently, the longest surviving vampires tend to be smooth talkers and quite attractive (at least as far as you know, given their hypnotic abilities, who’s to say?).



The Werewolf



Origin: Everywhere (though the animal form tends to vary depending on the dominant predator of the area)

Powers: Wolf form, enhanced healing, super strength, super speed, enhanced agility, heightened senses.

Weaknesses: Silver, wolfsbane

Brief Overview: Werewolves are humans who turn into wolves, or human-wolf hybrids, on the night of the full moon (possibly at other times as well, but definitely on the full moon). Due to their animal nature, they tend to roam in packs, which gives them added protection. Their animal nature makes them a bit gruff, but it also makes them loyal and very protective, which creates strong bonds with those who get close to them.



All right, well, I don’t have to tell you that one of the most important considerations in any fight is location. A shark is a fearsome predator until you drop him in the desert, then all of a sudden he’s easy pickings. So, we must ask ourselves, where would a vampire and a werewolf be most likely to meet?



Well, vampires aren’t just going to wander into town and invite themselves in to tea, now are they? After all, when hypnotism relies on eye contact, one has to concentrate on one person at a time, and that’s significantly easier if you lure your prey to you instead of vice versa. Thus, they are not likely to meet, or fight, in town. I can’t think of a reason for a vampire to ask a werewolf for drinks, so the werewolf probably isn’t in the vampire’s lair either. The most likely scenario is for the vampire to encounter the werewolf outside while traveling from one place to another. Advantage: Werewolf.



Now, for the sake of a fair fight, we’re going to assume this particular werewolf was traveling alone. Perhaps he wandered off for a good think, or he’s going to meet a non-wolf lover he doesn’t want his pack to know about. In any case, he doesn’t have his pack to fight with him and he encounters the vampire alone. Since he’s used to fighting as a pack, that will require an adjustment on his part. Advantage: Vampire.



Both werewolves and vampires are territorial, so it’s not hard to imagine they wouldn’t be happy to see one another. Werewolves being more in tune with their animal nature, and vampires being more used to charming their food, we can assume the werewolf would attack first.



All right, you know the fighters, you know the situation. Who wins? And how?
 
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Jennifer Blackstream is a psychology enthusiast with both a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology. Her fascination with the human mind is most appeased through the study of mythology and folklore as well as all of Terry Pratchett’s novels.



Jennifer enjoys listening to Alice Cooper, trying new recipes (to which she will add garlic whether it calls for it or not), watching television with her family, and playing with her woefully intelligent four year old son. 



Jennifer spends most of her time drinking coffee from her X-Men mug and desperately trying to get all her ideas written down before her toddler can find that all magical button on her laptop to make all her work vanish.

Find Jennifer and her books
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Before Midnight



Loupe always dreamed of getting married. She yearned for a caring husband who would take her away from her servant-like existence at home with her stepmother and two stepsisters, a man who would love her forever. Those dreams ended the day she was bitten by a werewolf. Now she’s a mindless beast on the night of the full moon—a condition that forever prevents her from sharing a marriage bed. Not even the attentions of a handsome and endearingly strong prince can convince her that the life she wants is still possible.

Etienne is a prince in need of a werewolf. A werewolf himself from birth, Etienne and his family have protected their kingdom with tooth and claw—literally—for thousands of years. Unfortunately, the spell of a well-meaning witch is slowly turning him human. Only the bite of a cursed werewolf, one who was not born with the beast inside, can save him from becoming human. He has no time for anything that will not lead him to a cure for the cure. Not even the beautiful maiden whose gentle nature soothes his soul can take his mind from his goal.

Love cares little for the best laid plans or the impossible. A grand ball. The stroke of twelve. A magic “slipper.” All kinds of things can happen when you don’t leave the ball…Before Midnight.
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 International
a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Releases: 8/18-8/24


Mon Aug 19
 
 
Tue Aug 20

Dark Halo by Shannon Dittemore
Doon (Doon #1) by Carey Corp
Flicker & Burn (Cold Fury, #2) by T.M. Goeglein
Omens
by Kelley Armstrong
Slayers by C.J. Hill
Quick Fix (In a Fix, #2) by Linda Grimes

Happy Reading!!