Review: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Clean Sweep

Author:Ilona Andrews

Release Date: December 2, 2013

Publisher: Self-Published

Innkeeper Chronicles Book #1

ISBN13:  9781625173430

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source:Author

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

I've wanted to read CLEAN SWEEP since it was introduced as a free serial on Ilona Andrew's Website, but didn't want to sit at my computer screen to read it. When I saw the authors were offering up review copies to bloggers I jumped at the chance to read it from the comfort of my e-reader.

CLEAN SWEEP introduces a fun and well-built new world with a great cast of characters. The paranormal elements were fresh and interesting with a nice balance of the real world thrown in. I had no issue picturing the characters, especially Dina. She ends up being nothing like the typical innkeeper because she gets involved where others would not. We dive right into a bit of her past and why she's an innkeeper. I look forward to learning more in future books. There is a bit of a love triangle involved. Sean is an ex-military werewolf that knows nothing about the history of his people and happens to be Dina's neighbor. Then there is Arland the vampire soldier that's introduced during the conflict of the story. He ends up as a resident of the Inn for the duration. The two men clash at every turn and fight for Dina's affection when they can. The romance is very light but it's nicely played out with plenty of drama and frustration.

I wasn't crazy about the ending but it didn't take away much from the story. It would have just been nice to have a happy type ending after all the drama that the love triangle caused. I guess I will just have to read book 2 when it's available to find out what happens next. Any fan of the writing duo known as Ilona Andrews will fall right into The Innkeeper series and hang on for the ride.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

New Releases: 12/22-12/28

Mon Dec 23rd

 Ashes to Ashes (Ashes #1) by Melissa C. Walker

Tues Dec 24th

 The Spider (Elemental Assassin #10) by Jennifer Estep

Thur Dec 26th

 Control (Control #1) by Lydia Kang

Happy Reading!

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Snow White and the Vampire by Marina Myles

UFI welcomes Marina Myles Author of The Cursed Princes Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

Fellow creatures of the night. If you love the holidays as much as I do then this post is right up your alley!

~ TOP TEN ONLINE HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR VAMPIRE LOVERS ~

That’s right! Online shopping means you won’t have to go out in the daylight. And if you overnight your purchase, you’ll have it time for Christmas. Sigh of relief!
 
After surfing the internet while enjoying a glass of Vampire wine (yes, they have that) here are my favorite presents:

~ Vampire Lover’s Pajamas ~ Come alive at night in these cozy PJs…
http://www.cafepress.com/+vampire-lover+gifts

~ Vampire Wine~ “Bloody good!”
http://www.vampirevineyards.com/

~ Key Chain ~

Clue the world in on your vampire obsession with…
http://www.zazzle.com/vampire+lover+gifts

~Baseball Cap~
What could be better for a bad hair day!

http://www.zazzle.com/vampire+lover+gifts

~ Bumper Sticker~

Entertain the car behind you with this heartfelt message! http://www.zazzle.com/vampire+lover+gifts?pg=3


~ Pet Shirt ~

Get your dog in on the act!

http://www.cafepress.com/+vampire-lover+gifts?page=2

~ Clock ~

I’m not a big fan of Twilight, but I thought this item was so cute…

http://www.cafepress.com/+vampire-lover+gifts?page=7

~ Vampire Perfume ~ Explore your senses!

http://www.fragrancerebel.com/vampire

~ The Entire Series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer ~

Love the T.V. show? You can wear your cozy PJ’s, drink your Vampire wine, and wear your Vampire perfume while you watch every season!

http://www.amazon.com/Buffy-Vampire-Slayer-Collectors-discs/dp/B000AQ68RI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1229648774&sr=1-1

~ Bram’s Stoker’s Dracula Novel ~

How about the latest annotated version of the story that started it all!

http://www.amazon.com/New-Annotated-Dracula-Bram-Stoker/dp/0393064506
Hope you enjoyed this holiday gift extravaganza! And I hope you (or your vampire lover) are easier to shop for than your mother-in-law! Lol!

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Although Marina Myles lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she would reside in a historic manor house in foggy England if she had her way. Her love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale and eventually led to degrees in English Literature and Communications. Now, with her loyal Maltese close by, she relishes the hours she gets to escape into worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs.

She’s busy being a wife and a mother, but she is never too busy to hear from her amazing readers.

Find Marina and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Snow White and the Vampire  
The Cursed Princes #2
Amazon BN iTunes eKensington Blio

Fog And Fascination

Alba Spencer thought her past in Romania and the dark magic that haunted it was behind her forever. She is one of the first female barristers now, safe in London. But London has its dark side, too. A man called the Ripper stalks the midnight streets. There are rumors that her hated stepmother has found her again, suggestions that the nightmares of her childhood are returning. And with them appears the cursed Gypsy boy she once loved, grown into a man more seductive and more terrifying than she ever could have dreamed…

Dimitri Grigorescu has become a surgeon, a gentleman—and a vampire. The lusts that drive his body are scarcely under control, and even he does not truly know what he is capable of. To fight evil and confusion, Alba must rely only on her wits—and a desire that overwhelms her doubts…

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 Tour Wide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Week in Review: 12/15-12/21

Books Ive Bought/received

*Temptation by Fire Tiffany Allee- eARC- Netgalley

* Three Kristen Simmons- eARC- Netgalley

Books I Read

Falling Light by Thea Harrison
The Collection by Shannon Stoker
Dark Cravings by Madeline Pryce
The Eve by Kerry Taylor

Reviews Posted

 Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

* Monday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for Taken by Felicity Starr

* Tuesday- Promo and Giveaway for Reaver by Larissa Ione

* Wednesday- Interview and Giveaway for Kissed by a Dark Prince by Felicity Heaton

* Thursday- Guest blog for Christmas Eve Surprise by Ivy Bateman

* Friday- Promo and Giveaway for Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

* 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.

Review: Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin

Becoming Alpha

Author:Aileen Erin

Release Date: December 17, 2013

Publisher: Ink Monster

Alpha Girl Book #1

ISBN13: 9780989405010

Genre: Young Adult

Review Copy Source: Netgalley

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn’t easy for a girl with visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.

Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into one of “them” and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent.

When vampires attack St. Alibe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.

I'm honestly not surprised that I ended up loving BECOMING ALPHA. The cover does a great job of catching your interest and the blurb draws you in even further. Once you start reading you cant help but wonder what could possibly be better than the situation the characters are in only to be proven wrong when the next chapter starts. I could not put BECOMING ALPHA down and when it was over I scrambled to find out when book 2 was going to be released. 

Tessa is already part of what I would consider the paranormal world before she's even introduced to St. Alibe's Academy. She has had the gift of touch from as far back as she can remember. When she becomes a werewolf her uniqueness takes on a whole new meaning. Before Tessa and Dastien even meet they have a connection. When their eyes connect for the first time you can tell that they will be a couple to reckon with. They don't disappoint. Dastien being the one to doom Tessa to her new fate doesn't help her want to jump into a relationship or put her trust in him but it definitely brings them closer together in the end. Watching them struggle through their feelings and the needs that come along with them being werewolves brought a good amount of suspense to the story. Watching them fall for each other in new ways gave you the romance you might be seeking and watching them fight for each other and their friends helps you connect with everyone that much more. I can't think of one thing I didn't like or enjoy about reading BECOMING ALPHA.

I'm excited to see what will happen next between Tessa and Dastien. The cover for AVOIDING ALPHA isn't as exciting but I wont hold it against them. BECOMING ALPHA was a great start to this new series.

I gave it 5/5 stars

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

Promo & Giveaway: Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush

Excerpt

Cyntag slowly waved his hand in front of her face, his eyes staring straight into hers between his long fingers. “Crescents can identify one another by our eyes. Some are icy glitter, some swirling mist, and others burning embers.”

Her heart hitched. Hadn’t she seen a glow in his eyes?

He lowered his hand. “Moncrief cast an illusion spell to hide the magick in your eyes. You looked like a Mundane, a regular human. Now that he’s gone, the spell is wearing off. Soon it will be obvious to every Crescent who sees you.”

She walked over to a gilt-framed mirror on the side wall and stared at herself. No glow. He was full of it. “I don’t see anything like what you described.”

“Because you cannot see.” He came up behind her. “You have not been Awakened. Crescents are initiated in a ceremony at thirteen, when their powers begin to appear. It’s similar to those of many native tribes to celebrate a coming of age. But much more comes with being an Awakened Crescent.”

Thirteen. She remembered a gnawing hunger deep in her belly and vivid dreams filled with colors and longing and…dragons.

Cyntag brushed her bangs from her forehead, his thumb grazing the skin near her burn. “The orb did this?” She nodded, and anger shimmered over his face.
 “Unacceptable.”

“I thought so.”

He’d said it as though the attack on her was a personal affront to him. Like he owns you.

“Right now you’re like a baby chick fallen prematurely from the nest, without feathers developed enough to fly from danger or any way to fight enemies. Unable to even see them. You might get a glimpse now and then, but that won’t be enough.”

“You’re saying I have powers?” Could her disbelief be more clear? “Can I make one of those orb-lightning-bolt things?”

Another twitch of a smile. “Sorry, no. However, you are much more magnificent than mere magick.”

“I’m magnificent. Yeah.” She couldn’t help but glance down at herself. “Fine, how do I get…what’d you call it? Awakened?” Let’s play along.
 
“Considering the circumstances, only I can awaken your powers.”

Did his arrogance know no bounds? Dumb question, Ruby. “What do I have to give you for that?”

“You assume there’s a price?”

“There’s always a price.” She could see that he had one too.

He stepped closer, again breaching boundaries. She wouldn’t move away. If only she didn’t have to look up at him. Even being five-foot-eight, he was way taller. His heat reached out, beckoning her. She stiffened her stance. The dragon tattoo eyed her, but no, she did not see it move.

He waited until she drew her gaze back to his face. “The price is that once you see, you can never go back to being blind. Once you know, you can never forget. Once you experience your true nature, you can never ignore it.”

“Ignore what?”

He released a breath. “We’d better start with the small stuff.”
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Dragon Awakened
The Hidden #1
Amazon / BN / IndieBound / Bookish

They are the Hidden.
Not quite human. Far from normal.
And never, ever safe…

Playing With Fire

Ruby Salazaar wants answers…and revenge. Her uncle has just been murdered before her eyes and the name he utters with his final breath—Cyntag—leads Ruby into a world beyond her wildest imaginings. She soon learns that the dark, sexy Cyntag Valeron knows more about her than she does herself.

Burned By Love

Ruby changed Cyn's life before she even knew who he was. Now she charges into his life, a beautiful woman full of fire and questions. Cyn knew this day would come, yet he couldn't foresee the danger—and desires—Ruby would bring with her. He can teach her how to harness her newly awakened powers. But there is one force neither of them can control…

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Things that go bump in the night have always fascinated Jaime Rush. Sometimes those things are human; other times, not so much. Now she has twisted them all together in the Hidden, a trilogy about humans with the essence of gods who walk the knife's edge between the glamour of Miami and a place filled with dark magick and dangerous beauty.

Jaime is the author of the Offspring series and also writes under the name Tina Wainscott. She is the bestselling author of eighteen romance novels. She lives in Southwest Florida with her husband, daughter, and cat.

Find Jaime and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Tour Wide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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?