Sunday, January 26, 2014

Week in Review: 1/19-1/25


Books Ive Bought/received

*None this week.

Books I Read

Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett
Love at Stake by Victoria Davies
Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs
Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer

Reviews Posted

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells
Fragile Spirit by Mary Lindsay

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

* Monday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean Series by KD Pryor

* Wednesday- Promo for Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong

* Friday- Guest Blog for Loved by Heaven, Fouled by Hell by Konstantine Paradias

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

You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.
 
 
 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Review: Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsay

Fragile Spirits
Release Date: January 23, 2014
Publisher: Philomel
Souls Book #2
ISBN:   0399161864
ISBN13: 9780399161865
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Review Copy Source: Publisher
Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

In a stunning story about the beauty of fate and the power of secrets, Mary Lindsey returns to the world of Shattered Souls with a breathtaking thrill-ride of a novel.

I was pretty bummed when I saw that FRAGILE SPIRITS was not going to continue to follow Lenzi and Alden but from pretty early on you see that they are still a big part of the book and that the new main characters are pretty interesting all on their own.

Only a month has passed since the ending of SHATTERED SOULS. FRAGILE SPIRITS follows the story of rule follower Protector Paul and fly by the seat of her pants, no one tells her what to do Speaker Vivianne. One of my favorite parts of getting to know Vivienne was her attitude and how different yet similar she is to the other characters.  Both her and Paul have a hidden past and are so much more than they appear on the surface. Getting to know them was not hard to endure. I enjoyed their interaction, connection and the development of their relationship.

This series has some great secondary characters. We of course get a nice dose of Lenzi and Alden but we also see a lot of Race. Race is such a hoot. I think he needs his own book next *cough, cough*. FRAGILE SPIRITS was very much character driven. The storyline was of course interesting but the characters were its driving force.

I thought book 1 was a standalone so getting a book 2 was a great surprise. The author did end the story arc but also started some things I feel need to be in a new book so I will sit and wait patiently to see if we will get a book 3. If you enjoyed SHATTERED SOULS you will not want to miss FRAGILE SPIRITS.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Friday, January 24, 2014

Guest Blog: Loved By Heaven, Fouled by Hell by Konstantine Paradias

UFI welcomes Konstantine Paradias Author of Loved By Heaven, Fouled By Hell. Thanks for Joining us!!

Loved By Heaven, Fouled By Hell Tweets



 
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Konstantine Paradias is a jeweler by profession and a writer by choice. He discovered SF at 13, when HG Wells scared the bejeezus out of him with visions of slug-like Martians and has since devoted his spare time to writing.




Find Konstantine and his books
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 Loved By Heaven, Fouled By Hell
Buy Link
 Loved by Heaven, Fouled by Hell is the story of a woman who finds herself at the top of the world, having to choose between Moloch or the manger.

When Lucretia Mandrake was tasked by her sorcerous father to bind the creatures of Hell and Heaven sent to his deathbed, she thought she had claimed for herself immortal slaves, to satisfy her every whim.

She could not know that each of the creatures had their own plans for her. To love and foul her, to save her and destroy her. She thinks herself safe and content, but it won’t be long before her world comes apart at the seams, torn by supernatural forces.
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Excerpt

She turned to him and saw his face healed somehow, his flesh rejuvenated by this act, his lips slick with her juices. He looked different now; his eyes bore a confidence she had never seen before. She gasped when he grabbed her by the hand, pulling her up. Her knees were weak, and she stumbled, spilling the last standing stack of books as the angel put his hand on the back of her neck, raised her leg, and beat his wings. 

Once they beat, and the tug of gravity let go. Twice, and they were already hovering in the air. She held on to him, her legs wrapped around his waist as he flew her around the great library. She let out a long, passionate shout when the angel began to move inside her in long, slow strokes, and she felt the entirety of his length. 

Hael flew her across the great library, holding her against him, then buried himself inside her to the hilt, holding her close. He turned in the air and beat his wings, steadying himself, placing her with her back to the loft's railing. Gasping with both pleasure and relief, she spread her hands and held on to the railing as the angel moved inside her, this time in faster, harder strokes, many feet from the ground. The glare of the midday sun as it shone through the library's balcony matched the warmth that radiated outward from inside her. 

It was then that the angel forced himself inside her, and she leaned back against the railing, letting out a howl of pleasure, her neck craned back, looking at her father's great portrait inverted, the old man unimportant and detached from her for the first time since her birth. Her sex convulsed then, and she let herself go. Suddenly, she was filled with light, and she held on to him for dear life. She shuddered as she rode the angel's member constantly, perfectly synching her motions with his, shaking her head as he let go inside her, and this time it felt good. This time she felt whole and complete, and she climaxed again and gasped for air, milking the creature dry. 

He picked her up in his arms as she wheezed, stepping up on the railing gracefully and beating his wings so he could lay her on the floor. Lucretia almost collapsed the minute he let go, but he grabbed her again, helping her steady herself. 

"That was...promising." 

"It was. But there is a creature of Hell here with you who you have tortured. It won't..."


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Review: Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

Dirty Magic
Author:Jaye Wells
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: Orbit
ISBN:  0316228435
ISBN13: 9780316228435
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher
The first in an all-new urban fantasy series by USA Today bestseller Jaye Wells.

The last thing patrol cop Kate Prospero expected to find on her nightly rounds was a werewolf covered in the blood of his latest victim. But then, she also didn't expect that shooting him would land her in the crosshairs of a Magic Enforcement Agency task force, who wants to know why she killed their lead snitch.

The more Prospero learns about the dangerous new potion the MEA is investigating, the more she's convinced that earning a spot on their task force is the career break she's been wanting. But getting the assignment proves much easier than solving the case. Especially once the investigation reveals their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier—on the same day she swore she'd never use dirty magic again.

Kate Prospero's about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should be never say never.
Kate's currently a patrol cop fighting crime and taking care of her brother. After going head to head with a werewolf she gets the chance to join the Magic Enforcement Agency task force. Her past gives her a leg up in the investigation but also puts her on a path she doesn't want to go down.


You find out right away how much of a kick-ass character Kate is going to be. She likes being one of the good guys and she's good at it. She also happens to be the guardian to her teenage brother and their relationship gets pretty rocky as the book progresses. Kate's past makes her a bit more strict than her brother likes and the conflict leads to danger. Kate has to make some hard choices and although they pan out, the price she has to pay will continue to be an issue in books to come. I'm still not sure how I feel about John Volos. Him and Kate had a pretty intense relationship and when she gave up her old life he was given up as well. I can't tell what his angle is. He seems to care a lot about Kate still and Kate still has a pull towards him but I just don't know how it will continue to play out after the events in DIRTY MAGIC.

There are a lot of secrets revealed throughout the story and the twists that are thrown at us kept my heart in the game. The whole world pulled me in. From the characters, to the city, to the different covens (aka gangs) and their beefs. Jaye really didn't leave any details out. I'm excited to learn more about Kate, her past and the world that she lives in with book 2 CURSED MOON.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Promo:Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong

UFI welcomes Franny Armstrong Author of Jinn and Toxic. Thanks for Joining us!!

Excerpt:

"You look pretty good for a dead woman, Dennison. Did you set us up?" 

Jinn held her silence, unable to tell them she wasn't Julie. She had to keep her presence a secret even from this team. A quick glance behind her proved he was mind speaking when someone came up and tied her hands behind her back. The wrenching pain brought out an unwelcome groan, and she cursed under her breath. 

"Until you tell me what I want to know, you'll be my prisoner." 

"Captain, she helped us all. She's one of us. Could we--" 

"Silence, Jennings. I'm not taking suggestions right now. Something isn't right here and I want answers. What are you up to Dennison?" 

"No comment." 

"Captain, we have company coming. Can we leave this battle for later?" Blackstone asked. 

"Move out. If we get separated, meet at the designated coordinates in two days. You have your orders." 

Two at a time the team members disappeared into the underbrush and left the captain and Jinn alone. He dragged her off through the forest in a different direction, his grip tight on her arm. 

For hours she tried to keep up but her legs buckled from exhaustion and blood loss. The captain squatted beside her. Sweat rolled off them both as thunder roared overhead, lighting flashing to fill the area with brightness. The wind picked up, rain slapping against their faces. All of the animals and insects disappeared to weather the storm, leaving Jinn and Tab alone. 

Her whole body was on fire with agony, but she remained silent and uncomplaining.
"Sit up, and that's an order." 

"You're a bloody fool." 

"And you're out of line." 

His hand slapped down on her good shoulder and forced her to sitting position. His other hand gentled over her injury. A strange tingling in her wounded shoulder made her gasp. Furious, she could do nothing but wait until he lowered his guard then escape into the night. 

"You're under watch. Don't try and leave. You won't like the consequences." 

"You are a jerk, Captain." 

"A court-martial is a nasty process, Max. Get comfortable. It won't be long until sunrise." 

He walked off into the dark leaving her fuming. Damned alpha male with a command complex. Won't listen to a word anyone else says! 
 
His chuckle came from the distance.
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Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Franny Armstrong has written creatively since she was a child. Her mother always told her to write down her feelings and she did. When she was ten, she started writing and acting out plays in her garage for the neighborhood kids.

When she became ill in her forties, she used her author skills to create stories that took her away. Living in the country with her husband and mother, three dogs, and two cats, she loves the silence when working on her books, when she can get it. With three full grown children and four grandchildren, she has a full life.

Previously, Franny had ten published paranormal romance books, but took them off the market when the contracts ran out to fine-tune her career as an author. She hopes to find new homes for them.
Writing is her life now. Her main goal is to be a #1 Best Selling author and tour with booksignings.
Find Franny and her books
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Jinn and Toxic
An elite team of soldiers are trapped in the Mexican rainforest. Jinn's twin sister is dying, while Tab searches for his kidnapped sister. Using their psychic abilities, they must work together or die trying. 

A team that doesn't exist... 

Toxic Tango Troop is an elite team of soldiers who are betrayed by one of their own. Their goal is to prevent shipments of illegal drugs to North America. The team struggles to find the teammates, missing after they scatter to evade capture. The government won't acknowledge the team, so they're on their own. 

She is a military secret... 

Jinn Dennison takes the place of her identical twin sister, Julie, a soldier on the team. They think she's dead. Jinn shows up to save her sister Julie, whom she knows is alive. She races against time to find her before it's too late. Using her psychic abilities, she connects with Julie who she hasn't seen since they were ten years old, but someone is blocking their silent communications. 

He believes she's a traitor... 

Tab 'Toxic' McIntosh has a special gift that is top secret. He captures Jinn then uses her as bait to stop the Iceman, a notorious drug runner, and unearth the traitor. Tab's sister, Tara, was kidnapped from a resort, and he wants her back at all costs. Things get complicated when Jinn and Tab fall in love.
Can Jinn and Toxic battle against all odds to win the day, or will they die trying? Time is of the essence in this fast paced adventure where anything can happen.


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Winner: Black Arts by Faith Hunter

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.

New Releases: 1/19-1/25


Tue Jan 21st

 Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton
 The Rule of Three by Eric Walters 

Thur Jan 23rd

  Fragile Spirits (Souls #2) by Mary Lindsey

Happy Reading!