Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Review: City of Broken Magic by Mirah Bolender (@torbooks)

City of Broken Magic
Release Date: November 20, 2018
Publisher: Tor Books
ISBN:  1250169275
ISBN13: 9781250169273
Genre: Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley

Five hundred years ago, magi created a weapon they couldn’t control. An infestation that ate magic—and anything else it came into contact with. Enemies and allies were equally filling.

Only an elite team of non-magical humans, known as sweepers, can defuse and dispose of infestations before they spread. Most die before they finish training.

Laura, a new team member, has stayed alive longer than most. Now, she’s the last—and only—sweeper standing between the city and a massive infestation.

CITY OF BROKEN MAGIC was.....confusing.

I was pretty excited about CITY OF BROKEN MAGIC when I read the blurb, but I just couldn't get into the story. I hate to say it, but I skimmed a lot of the book after the first half. The world was actually pretty neat, I just couldn't stay in the zone and got bored while reading.

I actually really liked the characters. Clae was brusque, but interesting. I hated how things ended with him. Laura was strongly built and I liked her right off the bat. The side characters were also easy to like.

I'm not really sure where CITY OF BROKEN MAGIC went wrong. There was a lot of information given and I think I just got lost in all of it. I also didn't feel like the plot was strong enough to carry everything through to the end.

I won't read more from this series, but I didn't totally hate what I read. 

I gave it 2.5/5 stars

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

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Review: The Queen's Wing by Jessica Thorne (@JessThorneBooks, @bookouture)

The Queen's Wing
Release Date: November 21, 2018
Publisher: Bookouture
ASIN: B07GRVMVHN
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley

‘I was born to fly,’ I told my brothers. But it isn’t true. I was born to be a pawn in the great game of royal houses, married to someone – anyone – my family deems suitable. If I’m lucky, he’ll be my own age and bearable. If I’m very lucky, he’ll be someone who understands my need to fight, and to fly...

Bel, born to nobility, would do anything to spend her days alongside her brothers – soaring through the heavens in her beloved flyer. She’s faster than any of them, but she knows her days in the skies are numbered.

When a surprise attack on the palace lands Bel’s father on the throne, her life is forever changed. In order to secure her father’s empire, Bel must travel to a distant land to marry the recently widowed young ruler, Conleith.

But Bel’s new home is less than welcoming: compared to the refined ladies at court, Bel seems like a wild woman, and assassination attempts, treason and mystery threaten her at every turn. With a growing attraction to Con, her life is further complicated by the attentive leader of her bodyguards – a warrior called Shae whom she has loved since childhood…

A heart-stoppingly magical new novel that will keep you turning the pages. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Bella Forrest and Sarah J. Maas.

THE QUEEN'S WING had me wanting more pretty quickly upon starting to read it.

I enjoyed Bel from the get-go. She has a strong personality. Her determination and strength really drew me to her. She was willing to do what was expected of her, but she was still determined to be her in the end.

The romance wasn't out of this world. There is a bit of a love triangle that puts a damper on some things. Bel and Shae have known each other forever and I'm sure could have had a great romance if they were allowed too, but I felt like I could have done without their feelings for each other getting in the way. I felt like Bel and Con had a great connection when they allowed themselves to actually enjoy and understand each other. I wish they could have come together a lot sooner than they did.

The world was super interesting and I enjoyed the action involved in THE QUEEN'S WING. I enjoyed THE QUEEN'S WING and I already have book two, THE STONE'S HEART on my wishlist—even though it looks like we have some different main characters.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Week in Review: 11/18-11/24



Books Received for Review

Nothing This Week!!!

Books I've Read

Death Knell by Hailey Edwards
Captive of Darkness by Debbie Cassidy
Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins

Reviews Posted

Unbreakable Bond by Jess Bryant (@Jess_Bry)
Pirate's Passion by Lisa Kessler (@LdyDisney, @entangledpub)

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

* Thursday- Happy Thanksgiving....

* Friday- Guest Blog: Mostly Innocent by J.M. Jinks (@AuthorJMJinks, @champagnebooks, @RoxanneRhoads)

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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.

Friday, November 23, 2018

Guest Blog: Mostly Innocent by J.M. Jinks (@AuthorJMJinks, @champagnebooks, @RoxanneRhoads)

UFI welcomes Author J.M. Jinks. Thanks for Joining us!!

Dear readers,

I am J.M. Jinks, the author of Mostly Innocent, A Powers That Be Novel #1. Mostly Innocent is an urban fantasy novel. What makes an urban fantasy unique versus a high fantasy, is that it is set in the real world. Mostly Innocent is set in Palm Springs, California. Being a  Southern California native, my love and adoration for  all things California definitely shines in the book. Growing up, I loved to visit Palm Springs! But as an adult I love it even more.

Palm Springs has a unique vibrancy that makes it such an eccentric, quirky city. Known for its drag bars, mid-century modern architecture, swimming pools, art galleries, and golf courses—it’s such a fun place. My husband and I love to make the drive out and have brunch there.

Layla loves Palm Springs because, being a succubus, she likes the heat. She blames her love all things hot on the demon inside of her—who came straight from the flaming depths of hell. Palm Springs is where Layla lives, but expect to visit a lot of the South Western US in the book. Layla goes to Coachella Valley, San Diego, and even Las Vegas.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Layla and follow her along the various cities in the book.

Image Courtesy of CNN Money 

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J.M. Jinks was born and raised in Southern California. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and two cats in her hometown. J.M. has a Bachelor’s in French and a Master’s of Education. She is a teacher by day and a writer by night. J.M. and her husband welcomed a baby boy in May 2018.

J.M. has always had a love of reading that progressed into writing. Mostly Innocent is her first completed manuscript.


Find J.M. Jinks and her books
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Mostly Innocent
A Powers That Be #1
Amazon
Meet Layla James, your typical smart and snarky chick—except for the whole succubus thing. After nearly a millennium on Earth, Layla’s settled down in a boring life in Palm Springs, until a smoking-hot hunter comes to arrest her for murder. But Layla knows the rules—she'd never kill someone and incite the wrath of The Powers That Be.

Elijah Daines is a hunter, maintaining the balance of good and evil in the mortal realm, his power stronger than any hunter she’s ever encountered. Plus, he’s a seriously sexy distraction. Too bad he’s accused her of a crime she didn't commit.

As the killer continues a murder spree that not only frames Layla but threatens to expose the existence of supernatural creatures to humans, Layla and Elijah team up to investigate. Hopefully, they can fight off their escalating attraction for each other long enough to exonerate her and stop the murder madness.

Excerpt:

He approached the counter. I, or maybe my succubus, decided on a whim I would not be intimidated by his power. I wasn’t sure where my sudden courage came from. He had to have felt my succubus signature. We weren’t a violent race when we controlled our urges. I’m Queen of Control over here. I’m sure he knows I won’t, hurt him. Right?
But why was he here? Something must have been wrong.
As I walked toward him, I got a better look. His dark hair was in slight disarray and his bright blue eyes scoured my face. He towered over me in every sense of the word.
He and Jolene should go back-to-back so I can get an accurate measure of his height.
I shook away my thoughts of him—it was obvious he came here on a mission. Greek god or not, he was still a hunter, and I—I was a product of evil, aka something he hunts.
“Succubus,” he growled. The one little word was filled with eons of unabashed hatred. The word vibrated through me. All hopes of him wanting a new bathroom paint color vanished. No, this visit wasn’t going to be pleasant, not at all.
Perhaps I could seduce him. Hell, he could do me right on the floor of aisle nine next to the light fixtures, if it kept him from killing me. I bit my lip. But…hunters weren’t typically susceptible to succubi charms. A failed attempt of Aprhodisia could earn more problems.
I released a breath. Some buried deep natural instinct rolled through me again. With that feeling, I decided to stand my ground. I looked him in the eyes, stood up straighter, and replied, “Hunter?”




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Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving....


Gobble Gobble US Readers!!

Tell me.... 

What book have you been thankful to read in 2018?

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Review: Pirate's Passion by Lisa Kessler (@LdyDisney, @entangledpub)

Pirate's Passion
Release Date: November 12, 2018
Publisher: Entangled Amara
ASIN:  B07FSKJ7G6
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Samuel Keegan used to man the wheel of the Sea Dog over 200 years ago, but these days he’s the front man of a southern rock band. Rum and women are plentiful, but his world is changing rapidly now that his crew is back together searching for the Holy Grail to break their curse. But the quest leads him to a historian with raven hair and a wicked smile. She holds all the answers, but she could also spell death for them all.

Dr. Charlotte Sinclair works for the Maritime Museum in Savannah, an expert on ancient pirate wrecks. When a government agent requests her help in a top-secret investigation, she discovers not only is the Holy Grail real, but the lead singer of her favorite band is actually the immortal pilot of the Sea Dog crew.

The search for the Grail opens some dark secrets better left hidden, and Charlotte's life might depend on one Pirate's Passion...

I enjoyed PIRATES' PASSION, but I don't have a whole lot to say about it.

The characters were enjoyable. We met all but Charlotte in book 1 and got to know them a little better throughout PIRATES' PASSION. The romance was good. Keegan and Char had good chemistry. They had things they had to overcome, but worked well as a couple.

I think the best parts of the book were when all the pirates were involved in the storyline. I enjoyed their bond and the way they work together. I  plan to read more from this series in the future.

I gave it 3/5 stars

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