Guest Blog: Christmas Eve Surprise by Ivy Bateman

UFI welcomes Ivy Bateman Author of Christmas Eve Surprise. Thanks for Joining us!!

Hello Everyone!

Today on Urban Fantasy, it's "Ivy Bateman's Teenage Garage Sale!" Let's see what items are up for grabs today.

Oh look, it's a six and half foot long New Kids on the Block poster! This is a very special addition because my cat walked from bottom to the top right after I'd unrolled it, leaving a beautiful and completely obvious line of claw marks. Thank goodness she missed Joey's face! This poster is yours for the cost of knowing the name of this boy band's first album!

The next item appears to be a set of monogrammed sweaters. Ooh how cute! Perfect for those of you whose first name starts with "C" or would just like it to. The cost? Free with the promise that you will wear them in public on purpose just like I did.

Lying right beside these adorable sweaters are slouch socks in variety of colours! Red, pink, green and oops…the pink has some red on it. Must have mixed in the wash! Saucy socks. These socks are yours for free if you also take the acid wash jeans that used to be partnered with them…a lot.

What's that in the box beside that table? Why it's diaries filled with woe! Create your very own alternate past with these masterpieces of teenage angst. Today, these babies are going for the low, low price of taking them all with you.

Oh, this is quite a find! It's a scrapbook already filled with hundreds of pictures of Michael J. Fox. These pictures showcase his career from the TV movie "Poison Ivy" all the way up to his hit movie "Doc Hollywood". They also represent hundreds of dollars in babysitting money and so I really should charge you a fortune, but today they can be yours for the cost of just admitting that MJF has a special place in your heart too.

And finally, we have for sale today, the Broadway hit "The Phantom of the Opera" on cassette featuring the cast from the Canadian Production. The price for you is nothing because unfortunately the tape comes with a flaw. It's loaded with guilt, guilt of being purchased during school hours when I should have been in class. It's very special guilt too because it was the only time in my high school career that I skipped class. It was near the end of my high schooling too! I was so close to being completely squeaky clean, but I just had to do it. I'd had a really bad drama performance and the only cure for my sadness due to a poor performance was skipping class and buying this cassette. As you listen to the melodious tones of…I think Colm Wilkinson…try to block out the guilt that has worked its way into the soul of the tape.

Wow…that's quite a haul and a fun walk down memory lane!

Presently, I'm promoting my latest book, Christmas Eve Surprise from Breathless Press. I'm very excited because it comes out tomorrow!

I'd like to thank Urban Fantasy for having me on today and I wish all of you the very best of the season.

Ivy Bateman

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Find Ivy and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter  

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Christmas Eve Surprise

Christmas is a time for love and thoughtful gifts, but sometimes surprises go a little too far. 

It's Christmas time and Tim and Stella are on the hunt for the perfect gifts for each other. Since last Christmas, their hot love life has cooled substantially. Tim feels he's to blame and Stella thinks it's her fault, but this Christmas both of them have put a lot of thought into how to make the other happy and put the fire back in the bedroom. However, with such unorthodox gifts ready to be revealed, will their Christmas Eve present opening be a pleasant surprise or an unwelcome one?

Interview & Giveaway: Kissed by a Dark Prince by Felicity Heaton

UFI welcomes Author Felicity Heaton. 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’m a paranormal romance author who has been deeply in love with all the things that go bump in the night ever since I was a small child. My favourite stories back then were books featuring vampires, monsters or witches. That passion for the paranormal side of life has never left me and throughout my teen years I daydreamed that vampires lived in my world. Now I get to indulge my love of this genre by writing my own stories, playing in massive worlds populated by vampires, shifters, fae, demons and witches, and making them come to life for my readers, and for myself too. To say that I love my job is an understatement. I’ve written over forty stories focused on my favourite paranormal creatures and every time I write one, ideas for another two come to me. I don’t think I will ever stop writing paranormal romance, or stop enjoying it, not when I’m writing stories that I want to read.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?
 
I love anime and manga, both Japanese in origin, and can happily sit watching a new anime series or reading a new manga, letting the world drift by unnoticed by me. I also have a passion for playing PlayStation games, especially ones such as Assassin’s Creed (I had always wanted to be an assassin), Uncharted, Tomb Raider, and the Final Fantasy games. I like exploring the worlds and the characters, and unravelling mysteries during the adventure. When I’m not holed up in my house, I’m outside at archery practice, honing my novice skills with a recurve bow.

What is your Favorite part of writing? 
 
I absolutely love the planning stages because I’m happiest when I’m spending hours dreaming up the world and getting to know the characters and their story. It’s fun exploring new things, discovering things that surprise you at times, and getting little ideas that I know readers will love. I think it’s well worth spending plenty of time on shaping the world too, creating something that seems real to readers and is filled with detail. I like to make my worlds rich and interesting, and fresh, with new takes on things that give readers something different from what they’ve read in other paranormal romances.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?
 
Not really. I have to have a full outline for the book before I begin. Sometimes those outlines get pretty big. I’ve had outlines for novels that have been over 25,000 words in total, the length of most novellas! When I’m working on other books, I jot down scenes for any other stories that come into my head and put them aside. When the muse is feeling particularly inspired, those notes can really begin to grow. I can flesh out entire chapters or have ideas for whole sections of the book. I think that’s why my outlines can end up very comprehensive. It really helps me write though. I still meander off course sometimes if that’s the direction the story or characters decide to take, but it’s great having a clear outline of events. It means I can write the first draft quickly and have it come out close to how I wanted it.

Once I have the outline completed, I just need my laptop and some music suited to the book and off I go.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?
 
I’m deeply in love with Lara Adrian and Gena Showalter, and also really like books by Sherrilyn Kenyon and sometimes read Lynsay Sands, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and other paranormal romance writers. But to be honest, I can wait for their releases. When Lara or Gena bring out a new book, I have to have it that instant! They’re the only two authors on my auto-buy list.

How would you pitch the Eternal Mates Series to someone who has not heard of it before?
 
That’s a difficult one. I could only say that it’s an incredible, huge world populated with amazing paranormal species, from demons to fae, to beings of myth and legend, to angels and the Devil, and of course vampires and shifters too. And probably the most different take on dark elves you’ve ever come across. If you like the sound of immortal warriors with psychic powers, a touch of darkness, the ability to teleport and skin-tight black armour that they control with their minds, plus sexy fangs, violet eyes and pointed ears… well, this series is probably for you.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that the Eternal Mates Series is set in? 
 
The Eternal Mates series is a spin-off from my Vampire Erotic Theatre series. This series focuses on the broader world outside of the theatre and all the different fae, demon and supernatural species there, as well as a demon hunting organization called Archangel.

Readers will get to adventure in fae towns in our world, or in demon bars, and take trips into Hell where the dark elves live in their paradise-like kingdom and the seven powerful demon kings rule their grim realms, and often war with each other. Demons and elves aren’t the only immortal creatures living in Hell though. There’s the Devil and his loyal demons too, gods and goddesses, dark witches and fallen angels, among others.

Kissed by a Dark Prince is the first book, and it introduces the dark elves, a race that are actually the forefathers of the vampires and who have little love for that species. It’s packed with passion and tension, and some seriously hot action, and I think all of the books in the series will be just as hot and passionate, and dramatic.

Do you have a favorite scene in Kissed By a Dark Prince?
 
I love the scene where Loren pretty much declares war on Olivia’s defences and turns everything on its head in the process, going back on their original plan to undo their accidental bond somehow:

“No.” Loren kept her caged beneath him. Her frown hardened. He stroked her cheek and looked deep into her eyes, his expression resolute and serious. “I have no intention of breaking this bond, Olivia.”

She stiffened beneath him. “You dare.”

He shook his head. “I will not force it upon you... but I will not let you go so easily. I cannot, Olivia. I will fight to make you see that we were meant for each other. We were born to be together. I will fight until I hold your heart in my hands, and I can only hope you will be gentle with the heart you now hold in yours.”

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
 
In this series so far, my favourite character is Vail. He’s Loren’s brother and also an elf prince, and he’s a little bit insane and has the nickname “Mad Elf Prince” because of the things he has done and his behavior. He’s actually the enemy in Kissed by a Dark Prince so I can’t say much without giving spoilers, but it was difficult writing him in that book because I knew his story and it’s a very painful one. His romance will be the third book in the series, and I know I will be emotionally exhausted by the end of it.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?
 
I’m editing the second book in the Eternal Mates series, Claimed by a Demon King, and preparing for its release at the end of February. After I’ve finished editing this book, I’ll be moving on to writing another Her Angel series book and a Vampires Realm series book for release in 2014.

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Felicity Heaton is a USA Today and international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

Find Felicity and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Kissed by a Dark Prince
Eternal Mates #1

 Olivia thinks it’s her lucky night when a dangerously handsome unconscious fae ends up on her inspection table. He’s her chance to redeem herself with her employer, the demon-hunting organisation, Archangel. But when the tall, dark and deadly immortal warrior awakes, she gets much more than she bargained for…

Attacked by his enemy in the elf kingdom, the last thing Prince Loren expects when he comes around is a beautiful angel watching over him and medical technology of the mortal realm. Hazy from his injuries, all he can focus on is the pulse ticking in her throat and the sweet allure of her blood.

One single bite reveals she is his eternal mate, triggering a bond between them that will leave him weakened until it is complete… or broken, and pulling Olivia into the crossfire of his ancient feud.

To protect his people and his mate from the machinations of a madman, Loren must risk everything by working with Olivia at Archangel to find a way to break the bond blossoming between them.

But will Loren be strong enough to place duty before desire and give up the one thing he has waited millennia for and craves above all others—his eternal mate? And will Olivia be able to resist the incredible heat that burns between them and the temptation of her dark prince’s kiss?

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 International

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Promo & Giveaway: Reaver by Larissa Ione

REAVER – Heroes and Heartbreakers excerpt 

“R-Reaver?”

Reaver held Harvester’s frail body tight against his as he navigated the final steps of a winding ledge that dropped them into a world of weird. “It’s me. It’s okay. We’re safe.”

Relatively safe, anyway. Relative meaning that they weren’t dead. Yet. He just hoped the same could be said for Tavin, Matt, and Calder. When he’d left them to sneak into Satan’s realm, they’d been engaged in a battle they’d initiated as a diversion. It had been a risky move, and Reaver could only pray they’d make it to the rendezvous point.

A hunter’s horn sounded in the distance and was answered by another, closer horn signal. Satan’s minions hadn’t gained ground, but they were spreading out. Damn.

He scanned the landscape of thorny plants, hills of blackened earth and trees, and twisted, abandoned structures. Nothing moved.

He looked down at Harvester, and as before when he first saw her hanging over a pit of acid, he felt sick to his stomach. He didn’t like Harvester even though he was grateful for the things she’d done, but she didn’t deserve this; her naked body too thin and mottled with bruises and ligature marks, her once silken black hair tangled and dull, and worst of all, missing her gorgeous green eyes.

Under ideal circumstances, an angel could heal from even the most heinous injuries within hours. But these were far from ideal circumstances, and Harvester’s source of power, her wings, had been severed. Without wings or medical assistance, it could take weeks, even months, for an angel’s body to fully heal.

“I can’t risk healing you more than I did,” he said. “My power isn’t reliable right now, and I could do more harm than good.”

“Reaver,” she croaked, as if he hadn’t spoken. “Why…how…”

“Shh.” He tucked her face into his chest, quieting her. “We’re going to meet up with some friends, and then I’ll answer all your questions.”

Reaver and the assassins had worked out a plan A and a plan B. Plan A had been shot to hell when iron gates had prevented Reaver from getting out of Satan’s realm to the south, where his companions would have been waiting. Now, with demons in pursuit, they were on their way to plan B. Hopefully Tav, Matt, and Calder had realized quickly that Reaver’s escape route had gone bad.

Inhaling the stench of rotten vegetation that permeated this section of Sheoul, he started away from the skeletons of some burned-out buildings and toward a mountain range as expansive as the Rockies. He moved swiftly, outrunning the sounds of pursuit and pausing once to blast a group of imps with a ball of lightning. The sphere struck the leader, and from there sent electrical strikes at each of the surrounding imps, frying them all in a handy eight-for-one.

Harvester slept in his arms, barely stirring when he stopped to listen for anyone following them. By the time they neared the plan B meeting site, Reaver was sure they’d lost the demons—temporarily. Reaver wasn’t naive enough to think they were off the hook. The demons chasing them were only the first wave, the security detail unlucky enough to be guarding the dungeon Harvester was kept in.

Once Satan got wind of this, if he hadn’t already, Reaver and Harvester were going to have legions of minions on their heels.

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Reaver

Lords of Deliverance #5
Amazon / BN / IndieBound / Bookish

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood..

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A former meteorologist and EMT, Air Force veteran Larissa Ione now gets her daily dose of excitement from vampires, werewolves, demons, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She lives in wintery Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat, and her hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Find Larissa and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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 Tour Wide

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New Releases: 12/15-12/21

Tue. Dec. 17th

 Dragon Awakened (The Hidden #1) by Jaime Rush

 Reaver (Lords of Deliverance #5) by Larissa Ione

 Shadowdance (Darkest London #4) by Kristen Callihan

Happy Reading!!

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Taken by Felicia Starr

UFI welcomes Felicia Starr Author of Taken. Thanks for Joining us!!

 Top ten television shows right now 

I don’t watch a lot of television but what I do watch I record with the dvd and catch what I can. There are a few other shows I wish I had time to still watch but I will probably be watching these shows well into the summer.

1. The Arrow
2. The Originals
3. White Collar
4. Parks and Recreation
5. Psych
6. The Vampire Diaries
7. Witches of East End
8. Sleepy Hollow
9. Nova
10. Impractical Jokers

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Author Felicia Starr lives five miles from her favorite Jersey Shore destination with her amazingly supportive family. She loves to spend time creating special memories with her husband and two young boys.

Everyone expected her first publication to be a cookbook, but her love for writing has surpassed her love for cooking.

Felicia graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a post baccalaureate in elementary education. She is a licensed real estate sales person, a certified yoga instructor, and most importantly, a stay-at-home mom.

Find Felicia and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Taken
Breaking the Darkness #1

Opening her eyes to an imposing prison of complete darkness, Kasha is accused of possessing powers and abilities she had no previous knowledge of until the moment she comes face to face with herself while meditating. Haunted by memories strung together by lies and deceit, she soon discovers that maybe her beloved grandmother kept a few secrets she hadn't been aware of. Secrets that could be her salvation… or her undoing.

As she struggles to control her newfound powers, only time will tell if they will be enough to help her decipher who has imprisoned her or what they want from her. She must search for the answers and the freedom she so desperately desires. Could a handsome guy who vows to help her get away prove to be the man of her dreams… or perhaps her worst nightmare?

Not knowing who to trust, she must find a way to escape before she pays the ultimate price and finds herself taken by the darkness.

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 Tour Wide

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Week in Review: 12/8-12/14

Books Ive Bought/received

* Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti- eARC-Netgalley

* Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush- eARC- Netgalley

* Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy- eARC- Netgalley

Books I Read

Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti
Sweet Revenge by Rebecca Zanetti
Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush
Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy

Reviews Posted

Quick Thought Reviews 
- First Bite by Dani Harper
- Mine To Tarnish by Janeal Falor
- Irresistible Magic by Deanna Chase
Chaos Bound by Rebekah Turner
Galilee Rising by Jennifer Harlow
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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Tuesday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for Operation Saving Daniel by Nina Croft. Promo and giveaway for Galilee Rising by Jennifer Harlow.

* Wednesday- Guest Blog for Ribbon of Darkness by Decadent Kane

* Thursday- Guest blog for Immortal Revenge by Mary Abshire

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* Did you know you can follow UFI on these other sites?

BlogLovin

Networked Blogs

Facebook

You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.

Twitter

Goodreads

Librarything

Google+

 
 

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

Quick Thought reviews

Sometimes I read a book where I just don't have a lot to say about it. Hence the name quick thought reviews. These will be short and sweet.

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First Bite

Author:Dani Harper

Release Date: October 15, 2013

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Dark Wolf Book #1

ISBN:  1477807594

ISBN13: 9781477807590

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source: Netgalley

Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn’t want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life.

After witnessing Neva’s leap from a high ledge, Travis Williamson—a Changeling with a dark past—uses his powers to save her life. He feels a connection to the strong-willed woman whose eyes flash that familiar Changeling green. While Neva is hospitalized, Travis risks everything to kidnap her, knowing the approaching full moon will put everyone in jeopardy.

Bickering constantly to hide their growing attraction, Travis and Neva run from the authorities…and from Neva’s sinister sire, Meredith de la Ronde. Meredith delights in creating new shape-shifters and compelling them to do her dark bidding; now Neva must join Meredith’s murderous wolf pack…or die.

Intensely suspenseful with deliciously sexy twists, this paranormal romance—the first in (the title of series)—intertwines sensual passion with an epic, thrilling battle between good and evil.

Neva has no clue what's really happening to her, all she knows is that she is about to change into a monster and that is the last thing she wants. Travis likes to keep to himself and but when he watches Neva jump to her death his wolf pushes him to save her. The romance between the two is OK but it didn't blow me away.

I enjoyed the storyline but the pace was a little off to me and the characters didn't draw me in like I was expecting. I appreciated the little twists and turns the story brought with it. It was a good start to the series but I recommend borrowing before you buy for this one.

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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 Mine to Tarnish

Author:Janeal Falor

Release Date: December 2, 2013

Publisher: Chardonian Press

Mine Book #0.5

ISBN:  149281735X

ISBN13: 9781492817352

Genre: Fantasy

Review Copy Source:Netgalley

Katherine’s place is the same as any woman’s—on the shelf next to the dresses and bolts of cloth. When she’s sold to a warlock, life grows even bleaker. Her new owner is as old and rancid as he is cruel, driving her to do the unthinkable: run.

Nothing prepared her for being on her own. And she’s definitely unprepared for the warlocks hunting her down. But she must stay one step ahead because if caught, the best she can hope for is death.

Although short MINE TO TARNISH had not problem pulling me in and making me feel invested in the characters. The whole world that Janeal introduces us to interested me. The people, the setting, the story of what the woman go through and what some are willing to do to escape their situations. I cant wait to read more.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Irresistible Magic

Author:Deanna Chase

Release Date: November 8, 2013

Publisher: Bayou Moon Press

Crescent City Fae Book #2

ISBN13: 9781940299020

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Netgalley

Finding the perfect dress can be hell... especially when a stranger tries to gun you down in broad daylight.

Void agent and magical baker extraordinaire, Willow Rhoswen has been anticipating her first date with Talisen Kavanagh since she was sixteen. After eight years of waiting, there are only two things that can stand in her way--an assassination attempt and a new game-changing drug.

Talisen's invented a new elixir that creates superhumans, ones that can rival vampire strength, and everyone wants it. Including the vampires. With Willow's life on the line, he makes a deal with the devil, while she's forced to accept the always-strings-attached protection from the most notorious vampire organization in New Orleans.

But when Talisen and his drug go missing, Willow will stop at nothing to find him, even if it means working with her vampire-ex, David. With souped-up humans, dangerous vampires, and more questions than answers, Willow has less than twenty-four hours to find him before everything changes forever.

I was so happy with how INFLUENTIAL MAGIC ended that I am sad that I was so disappointing with how IRRESISTIBLE MAGIC ended. The storyline was still interesting but I felt like the relationship aspect of the story totally brought me down. By the end I was asking myself what the point of Talisen and Willow fighting so hard in book 1 was for. The storyline was missing some of the suspense I enjoyed with book 1 as well. Ugh. What a bummer.

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.