Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Review: Blood Bond by Jeanne C. Stein

Personal Demons
Release Date: September 14, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen
ISBN:  0765328089
ISBN13: 9780765328083
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher

As a vampire, Anna Strong has an immortal life…but now she’s running out of time.

Anna’s relationship with shape-shifter Daniel Frey has given her hope for a future with him and his son—especially when Frey proposes…

But just when Anna starts to think her life couldn’t be better, she must fly to France to be at the side of her dying mother. There she learns that not every vampire accepts her Chosen One status. And one such vamp is about to go rogue—by leading his followers in a fight to usurp humanity…

I was a tad bit surprised to see BLOOD BOND because I thought that HAUNTED was the last book of the series but I am not complaining.

There was not a huge conflict, big fight scene or close call with death in BLOOD BOND. The total feel of the book was about emotion, bonding and finding peace. Although BLOOD BOND had a different feel than the past books I still ended up really enjoying it. We got to see a softer side of Anna as she navigated her mothers sickness and her relationship with Daniel. There was a bit of vampire politics going on but it was not in the forefront of the story.

Now the question is, will BLOOD BOND be the last book for the Anna Strong series? I would not be disappointed if it was not as I enjoy reading about Anna but I feel Anna has reached happiness.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

New Releases: 9/8-9/14


Are you reading this? Do you know someone else that might want to read this? Encourage them to follow UFI and leave a comment!

Tues Sept 10

 Antigoddess (Goddess War #1) by Kendare Blake 
 The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White
 Monsters (Ashes Trilogy #3) by Ilsa J. Bick
 Relativity by Cristin Bishara
 Rogue (Croak #3) by Gina Damico 
 Thin Space by Jody Casella 
 Thornhill (Hemlock #2) by Kathleen Peacock

Thurs Sept 12

 Briar Rose by Jana Oliver 
 
What are you dying to get your hands on this week?

Monday, September 9, 2013

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Deamhan by Isaiyan Morrison

UFI welcomes  Isaiyan Morrison Author of Deamhan. Thanks for Joining us!!



My name is Isaiyan Morrison and I'm the author of Deamhan. I'm currently a student pursuing my Bachelors in Creative Writing and eventually I'd like to teach ESL. I'm also a veteran and an avid gamer.
            Deamhan is the first book in the Deamhan Chronicles. They are different from the normal sanguine (blood) vampires that most people know about today. I love reading stories about the supernatural, but I've always wondered if something new could be introduced into the vampire genre. After researching I learned about psychic vampires and I decided to write about them. I wanted my "vampires" to be different.
            Deamhan feed off the psychic energy of humans. However, like vampires, they don't like sunlight (they don't sparkle) and they can die from being staked (they have a hatred for anything "wood" related.)  Among that, I promised myself that Deamhan would be mean and ruthless. They don't cry about their existence, they kill to survive, and they like it. I wanted survival to be part of the main storyline and an important aspect of their nature.
            Deamhan took about 10 years to research and to write. There are so many different types of vampires in vampire lore and unfortunately, I couldn't pick them all.

            The second book in the Deamhan Chronicles, Sensual Appetite, was accepted by my publisher Rainstorm Press. I'm currently working on the third book in the Deamhan Chronicles and I'm also writing Deamhan Tales, short stories involving characters from the main storyline.
           

Youtube Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvXvINwJpH0
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An avid gamer, writer, and lover of history, Isaiyan Morrison was born and raised in Minnesota. She moved to San Diego, California while in the Navy. After serving four years of active duty, she moved to Los Angeles.

After a few years, she moved back to Minnesota where she started to pursue her dream to be an author. 

Besides writing, she also likes to read, surf the internet, watch movies, and play video games. She likes warm drinks, pico de gallo, and her love for cilantro is legendary. 

At one point she was sponsored to participate in video game tournaments. During that time she traveled to Canada, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Caribbean.

Her novel Deamhan, the first book in the Deamhan series, was accepted for publication by Rainstorm Press for release in mid 2013. She’s currently in talks to have the second book Sensual Appetite published by the same company. 

Other novels the author has completed are The Carriers (Sphere Episode One,) The Bond (Sphere, Episode Two,) and Old Farmer’s Road to name a few.  

She’s currently writing the third Deamhan book titled, Revelation, and Maris. The Brotherhood Files. 

Find Isaiyan and her books
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Deamhan
Deamhan Chronicles #1



Deamhan have survived by remaining hidden in the shadows. Ramanga, Lamia, Metusba, and Lugat have been overshadowed by what humans know as the modern vampire. But what if vampires aren't the real threat?

One woman's search for her mother who disappeared without a trace on the streets of Minneapolis takes her into the precarious world of Deamhan, psychic vampires who rule the underground nightlife in the city's most darkest corners.

She gains the trust of the only other human familiar with the Deamhan lifestyle. With his help she finds not only can the Deamhan not be trusted but it s her own father, president of a ruthless organization of researchers, who has diabolically maintained that distrust.
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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Week in Review: 9/1-9/7


Books Ive Bought/received

* Seven Years by Dannika Dark- eARC- Tour Provider
* Salvage by Alexandra Duncan- eARC- Edelweiss
* Hell's Belle by Karen Greco- eARC- Netgalley

Books I Read

Blood Bond by Jeanne C. Stein
Inhuman by Kat Falls
Burn with Me by R.G. Alexander
Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire
Salvage by Alexandra Duncan

Reviews Posted

Silence of the Wolves by Hannah Pole
Vengeance Borne by Amanda Bonilla

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

* Do you have any reading pet peeves? I want to know about them

* Monday- Guest Blog for The Outside by Laura Bickle

* Wednesday- Interview for Charming by Elliott James

* Thursday- Promo and Giveaway for Chosen by Benedict Jacka

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

Saturday, September 7, 2013

I want to know....


What are your reading pet peeves? 

 Here are a few of mine that have popped up recently.


* Huge cliffhangers with no release date/very long wait for next book. I agreed to read and review a self-published series with 2 books in it so far. I read and really enjoyed book 1 so I jumped into book 2. I enjoyed book 2 but it ended on a huge cliffhanger. No biggie, it happens. So I go and search to see when book 3 might be coming out and not only is there no info yet about book 3 but it looks like the author waited 2 years to release book 2 *face palm* who knows when book 3 will be released. If you are going to have a cliffhanger ending at least let your readers know how long they will have to wait to find out what happens and PLEASE don't make me wait 2 years, its cruel. Total bummer. 

* No recap after years of wait for next book. I received a review copy of book 5 in a series that I really enjoyed. So what is the problem you may be asking.. Well it has been almost 2.5 years since book 4 and I really can not remember all the details on how things ended. It would be great if authors had a page or two with a recap or timeline to refresh readers memories. 

Your turn!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Review: Silence of the Wolves by Hannah Pole

Silence Of the Wolves
Author:Hannah Pole
Release Date: June 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN:  1472017110
ISBN13: 9781472017116
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Netgalley

After a strange encounter in a dark alley, journalist Tamriel’s life is turned upside down. She’s missing days, developing odd new abilities, and being followed by mysterious Leyth.

Dark, dangerous – and too gorgeous for his own good –Leyth’s determined to teach Tamriel about her new life – as a werewolf! And just as intent on keeping their relationship strictly business.

But as their simmering bond grows, Tamriel and Leyth face a bigger challenge; Tam may be their kind’s strongest weapon against the Circle, a deadly group of paranormal creatures gone rogue. That is, if she’s ready to give into her destiny and put up the fight of her life..
There was a lot of action in SILENCE OF THE WOLVES. The pace was nice and fast and there was plenty going on.  I did not fall right into the story. There were parts that seemed a bit far-fetched and then others that annoyed the heck out of me. The characters took me a bit to like but once I got through some of it the enjoyment came easier. 

Tamriel is a journalist always looking for her next story. The night she decided to run to the rescue of a gal in trouble her life changed forever. She always knew she was different but she had no idea her differences would make her give up everything she has come to know. Tamriel was not afraid to get her hands dirty, she ran right into any situation and she could hold her own in a fight. There were plenty of times where I thought she was being difficult but there were other times I thought she took something way to well. Leyth was attracted to Tamriel right away. He goes between pulling her close and pushing her away many times. The chemistry was strong between the two and he was all alpha male towards her but it took a bit for me to warm up to him, especially when he would flip a switch so easily. The ending was probably my favorite part of the book so I would have read it again just for that part.

I enjoyed SILENCE OF THE WOLVES but it was one of those stories that when I finished it didn't really leave much of an impression behind. I might pick up book 2 to see what happens next but It wont be something on my wish list.

 I gave it 3/5 stars


Thursday, September 5, 2013

Promo & Giveaway: Chosen by Benedict Jacka

Chosen (Alex Verus, #4)
by Benedict Jacka
August 27, 2013; Ace

I don’t publicly advertise that I’m a mage, but I don’t exactly hide it either, and one of the odd things I’ve learnt over the years is just how much you can get away with if you’re blatant enough. Hide something behind smoke and mirrors and make people work to find it, and they’ll tear the place down looking for what’s there.

Alex Verus is a diviner who can see probable futures—a talent that’s gotten him out of many a tough scrape. But this time, he may be in over his head. Alex was once apprenticed to a Dark mage, and in his service he did a lot of things he isn’t proud of.

As rumors swirl that his old master is coming back, Alex comes face to face with his misdeeds in the form of a young adept whose only goal is to get revenge. Alex has changed his life for the better, but he’s afraid of what his friends—including his apprentice, Luna—will think of his past. But if they’re going to put themselves at risk, they need to know exactly what kind of man they’re fighting for..
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Jacka was born in England and attended the City of London School. He later attended Cambridge University, where he graduated with a Bachelors in philosophy and met his editor Sophie Hicks from Ed Victor Ltd. His first novels were three children's fantasy novels which weren't published. That honour went to a children's non-fantasy novel, a book called To Be A Ninja (Later: Ninja: The Beginning). Seven years later, in 2012, he published the first book of the Alex Verus series, two more followed the same year.
 

Find Benedict and his books
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