Guest Blog + Giveaway: Hunt of the Gods by Amy Braun ( @amybraunauthor, @XpressoTours)

UFI welcomes Author Amy Braun. Thanks for Joining us!!

Into the Past with Amy Braun
What books would your past self recommend at ages 5, 11, 16 and 20?

For my five year old self, I would recommend any book with dragons in it. Dragons are fascinating creatures and different in every culture. They are also exciting and bring a lot of adventure and imagination to the mind. I don’t have a particular one to point at, so I would just dive into whichever one I could get my hands on. Or ask my parents to buy for me.

At eleven, I would read the “Percy Jackson” novels. I actually haven’t read those before and I wish I had when I was younger. Mythology has always been a deep love of mine and I always love learning more about gods and goddesses of other cultures, especially the Greeks. I’m also always interested in what could potentially happen if modern society fell back into the hands of ancient pagan deities. There are so many options, as the gods would be thinking of how best to increase their own power rather than the well-being of their followers. That said, eleven-year-old me wouldn’t be interested in ramifications or politics. She would just be waiting for the next big monster battle.

At age sixteen, I would do basically what I do now: fill my soul with young adult fantasy novels. In recent years, it’s become a deep love of mine. Young adult books are complex and mature and filled with character growth of all sorts. I can’t get enough of them and their themes of first love, teachings, struggle, and challenges of youth. I wouldn’t be able to pick just one, but “Six of Crows,” “Throne of Glass,” “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” and “An Ember In The Ashes,” would be among my top picks. All of  those books have incredible and complex character relationships that add to the impact of their themes, and they would be excellent works of study to help build my career.

In my twenties, I would still be reading young adult novels, but I would also venture into epic and traditional fantasy. I would of course read Tolkien, but also Michael J. Sullivan, Mark Lawrence, and Jay Kristoff. At this point, I would be wanting to understand and read more about rich, detailed worlds and how they can be constructed. For as much as I love characters, I have to say that world building and lore are massive draws for me as a reader. There are always new things added to each book-world that I never expect when I read as a fan or as a creator, and watching masters create such places is never short of astounding.

No matter what age, I think it would lead to the same thing: My desire to be a full-time, professional fantasy author. There is literally nothing else I can picture myself doing. It’s the perfect fit for my personality and lifestyle. Reading is one of the highlights of my day, and while I do enjoy books as a fan, I also enjoy taking the time to see what other authors do and learn from them. I don’t think anyone should ever stop learning, and if my job literally pertains to me finding out how one author creates a dragon and another introduces ancient gods into the world… well, I can’t think of a better career for me at any age.

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Amy is a Canadian urban fantasy and horror author. Her work revolves around monsters, magic, mythology, and mayhem. She started writing in her early teens, and never stopped. She loves building unique worlds filled with fun characters and intense action.

When she isn’t writing, she’s reading, watching movies, taking photos, gaming, struggling with chocoholism and ice cream addiction, and diving headfirst into danger in Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.

Find Amy and her books

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Hunt of the Gods
(Areios Brothers #2)

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes  Noble / Kobo

Two months have passed since Derek Areios—war-scion and heir of Ares—and the band of rogue scions he’s aligned with recovered both the Thunderbolt of Zeus and the Heart of the Devourer and returned them to the Gods. During the battle, Derek discovered he could control not only the element of fire, as all war scions can, but also the dark element “aether,” making him the only scion alive to wield two types of elemental magic.

Commanded by Zeus to retrieve the Trinity Weapons and the Shards of Cronus, Derek and the rogue scions are thwarted in their goal by a gang of water scions with a grudge against one of the rogues—Thea, heir of Poseidon. Both groups travel to an uninhabited island to recover one of the Shards––the Eye that belonged to Cronus, King of the Titans. But what they encounter will lead them down a path of brutal betrayals, hard truths, painful memories, and desperate actions.

With angry and impatient gods breathing down his neck, a curse that allows Ares to control him, a prophecy he’s desperate to avoid, a magic spear corrupting his thoughts, and two forms of elemental magic, Derek has a lot of baggage—and a lot of power. Will the price of using that power to satisfy the Gods be too much for him to pay?

Mythological monsters, explosive magic, and devastating truths take center stage in the second novel of the action-packed AREIOS BROTHERS series from Amy Braun.

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Week in Review: 5/26-6/1

Books Received for Review

Nothing this week!!

Books I've Read

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau

Reviews Posted

Dead City by Debbie Cassidy (@amoscassidy)
A Pack of Vows and Tears by Olivia Wildenstein (@OWildWrites)


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

* Monday- Guest Blog + Giveaway: Extinction Of All Children by L.J. Epps (@ljeppsauthor ,@RoxanneRhoads)

* Friday- Guest Blog + Giveaway: Warlock from Wales by Shereen Vedam (@ShereenVedam, @RoxanneRhoads )

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

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

Guest Blog + Giveaway: Warlock from Wales by Shereen Vedam (@ShereenVedam, @RoxanneRhoads )

UFI welcomes Author Shereen Vedam. Thanks for Joining us!!

A Druid’s perception of Urban Fantasy Investigations

Thank you for having me over. My name is Shereen Vedam and as soon as I saw the title of this blog site, Urban Fantasy Investigations, I loved the concept.

Humans have been wondering and writing about inexplicable, mysterious events, bizarre coincidences and strange occurrences since we first began walking on this earth. I suspect that’s why the Grimm Brothers have been scouring for fairy tales, why Shakespeare was fascinated by fairies and Toland wrote about druids.

In Warlock from Wales, there is a druid named Mandru who has retreated from the world because of heartbreak and disillusionment about humans. One day he picks up a book written by a human named Toland. Of all things, this human had the audacity to write about druids. What could he possibly know or guess about the subject? Mandru suspects everything in the book is likely to be far-fetched imaginative dribble. Then he begins to read the book.

Sometimes, a few of us muggles become curious enough to take a peek behind the curtain, to check outside the circle of our normal everyday experiences, and perhaps even write about it. I hope you enjoy the two excerpts below from Warlock from Wales, as Mandru starts to read Toland’s book.

Excerpt from Warlock from Wales
Copyright 2019 Shereen Vedam

“We have company.” Llyr, the protector of Mandru’s Marsh, broadcast the news to Mandru.

Ensconced in his favorite chair in his underground home, Mandru groaned at the unwelcome report. He’d barely opened the front cover of Toland’s History of the Druids. Since news first arrived of the volume’s publication, he had anticipated delving into and ruthlessly dissecting this presumptuous author’s work. Now, he had a copy in his hands and visitors interrupted?

“Who dares enter my marsh?” His thunderous voice echoed around the empty hall. Even to his ears that sounded autocratic. He didn’t care. He valued his privacy – hence he lived underground. Why the sign above ground clearly stated, “ENTER AT YOUR PERIL.” Illiterates. 

“A rude Welsh warlock, master,” Llyr replied in his sedate tone, apparently unperturbed by his master’s temper.

Llyr, a gift from a water god, was notoriously difficult to ruffle. The living barrier’s temper was as serene as a lake at sunset, his emotions rarely disturbing his surface calm.

“Will make a perfect guardian for your territory,” the water god had assured Mandru six hundred years ago.

Perfectly annoying. Llyr never let anything get under his skin. Mandru scratched his right shoulder, as the thought made him itch.

“The warlock is joined by a pretty English lady, five other humans, horses, a dog and a cat,” Llyr continued.

“Cat?” Mandru’s interest overrode his irritation. “What type of cat?”

“The warlock’s familiar. A black cat.”

His interest died as quickly as it surfaced. “The defense mechanisms will take care of them. Save the cat if you like.”

Llyr may be a water god’s offspring, but while under his father’s compulsion, he could be counted on to be loyal, capable and efficient. Best servant Mandru had ever had.

He couldn’t imagine what placid Llyr could have possibly done to so enrage his father that he had imprisoned his son in the services of a druid to teach him obedience. Whatever the deed, Mandru had another three hundred years in which to enjoy Llyr’s services. Thank heavens for rebellious teenagers.

* * *

Mandru skipped over the boring abstract of Toland’s life and delved into his first letter to Lord Viscount Molesworth. Toland spoke more truth about druid modes of communication than Mandau had expected him to have uncovered.

Llyr’s next report was both unwelcome and untimely. “I like her, master.”

“What?” Mandru pulled himself out of Toland decrying how druid theology and philosophy was mainly passed along by traditional poems from master to disciple instead of in written accounts. How else could druids ensure their secrets remained hidden? By sharing it with every fool who could read? Not that rampant literacy was a great problem in this region.

“Master,” Llyr repeated, “I like her. I do not wish to kill her. She is intelligent and imaginative. Traits normally absent among humans.”

“They’re still alive?” he asked, surprised.

“The chilling fog has arrived and the demolition water comes. I want to save her.”

“What you want is irrelevant. You will follow orders.”

The barrier remained silent. Good. He hated servants who argued. Especially a servant who was also a powerful immortal. Arguments were a sign of disobedience. He couldn’t afford to encourage that or he risked breaking the magical compulsion that held Llyr captive.

He ran his finger along the page looking for where he’d left off.

“She befriended the cat,” Llyr said. “She reminds me of Rowena.”

His finger stilled as the blood drained from his heart and constricted his chest. “Unfair!”

“I like her. Permit me to save her. As you could not save your daughter.”

Slowly, Mandru unclenched his aching jaw. Memories buried deep in his soul flooded back. Just as Llyr had planned, the fight left him.

“Rowena liked cats, too.” With those words Mandru gave his tacit agreement to save the intruders to his disloyal, unrepentant and inefficient servant.

How could he have forgotten what the Romans did to his child? How could he have almost done the same? “Thank you for the reminder.”

“I live to serve, master.”

Mandru absently tapped the book lying ignored on his lap. Perhaps it was time he wrote his account of ancient events. Some secrets should be revealed to remind people not to repeat atrocities.

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Once upon a time, USA Today bestselling author Shereen Vedam read fantasy and romance novels to entertain herself. Now she writes heartwarming tales braided with threads of magic and love and mystery elements woven in for good measure.

Shereen's a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily-ever-after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.

Find Shereen and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Warlock from Wales
The Cauldron Effect #2
Amazon

You say witch like it's a bad thing....

A historian in search of truth. A warlock charged to stop her.

When Hugh is yanked from his apprenticeship and summarily assigned to guard a human female, he is justly incensed.

But when a water demon snatches her from under his nose, he sets off on a desperate race to save her, and prove he is a warlock to be reckoned with.

Excerpt:

The Honorable Mary Bryght, eighteen-year-old daughter of the late Viscount Holywell, faltered and came to a startled halt. She’d been traveling through the woods to her friend's home to deliver some astonishingly grand news about her brother. A sound drew her gaze toward a strand of willows that drank from a small pond. There, a stranger in a dark cape watched her, tapping a riding crop against his Hessians. At the malevolence emanating from him, the hairs on Mary’s arms stood to attention.
In the space of one glance, her mood shifted from cheerful to fearful. She swallowed, tasting dread, and swiftly gauged how fast she must run to reach Rose’s cottage before this stranger’s long strides reached her. She took one deep breath in readiness to sprint, when the man appeared at her side, his large hand grasping her upper arm so hard it pinched.
She cried out. He dropped his riding crop and covered her mouth with his hand, swamping her senses with a pungent aroma of horse sweat and leather.
Fifteen feet! That’s how far away he’d been. Yet, he had closed the distance between them as if it had only been two feet. Heart pounding in terror, she kicked his shin, bit hard onto a gloved finger and with her free hand, punched his throat as her father had taught her.
He grunted and loosened his grip.
Mary tore away and ran. Within a half dozen steps her body froze. There was no other way to describe the bizarre experience. She could not shift one foot, one hand, one finger. She was a statue in mid-motion.

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Review: A Pack of Vows and Tears by Olivia Wildenstein (@OWildWrites)

A Pack of Vows and Tears

Author: Olivia Wildstein

Release Date: May 28, 2019

Publisher: Twig Publishing

Boulder Wolves Book #2

ISBN13: 9781948463171

Genre: YA Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Author

In the seductive follow-up to A PACK OF BLOOD AND LIES, Ness Clark’s heart and legitimacy are again put to the test.

She thought the fight was over but it was only just beginning.

Ness Clark's place amongst the Boulders and at Liam’s side is compromised. First, when her cousin claims Ness helped him elude his death sentence. And then, when August Watt, Ness’s childhood friend, comes home to Boulder.

Although August’s plan was to pledge himself and return to active duty, he finds himself incapable of leaving. This becomes problematic for Liam and Ness, because a mating link has clicked into place between Ness and the ex-marine. If not consumed, the link will fade, but that’ll take months. How long and hard can two people fight a physical attraction that renders their bodies unreceptive to anyone’s but their mates?

Ness is tired of fighting, tired of having to prove herself worthy of her pack’s trust and of her Alpha’s affection. But when an enemy pack arrives and threatens the Boulders, she has two choices: step aside and let the wolves who have pushed her away fend for themselves, or step up and help them fight the newcomers.

Ness has never stepped aside…not for anyone.

Why would she start now?

I have been looking forward to finding out what would happen next for Ness since the ending of A PACK OF BLOOD AND LIES.

I really enjoy the characters of this series. Ness is now a full and true member of her pack. Her growth as a character is developing at a nice pace. Ness' uncle really grew on me in book two. With his wife out of the picture he is like a whole new man—although a sad one at most times.

There is a bit of a love triangle happening in A PACK OF VOWS AND TEARS. Liam has his issues, I like him one moment and despise him the next.I have always liked August. He fits into Ness' life well and I liked the fact that Ness didn't just jump into her feelings for him.

I hated the ending, it felt dirty and I can't believe Ness put herself in that position. Two steps forward and five steps back.  I honestly have no clue what the repercussions of her decision will be, nor do I know how things will play out. Thankfully I still like the story enough to want to find out.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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

Review: Dead City by Debbie Cassidy (@amoscassidy)

Dead City

Author: Debbie Cassidy

Release Date: May 28, 2019

Publisher: Self-Published

Chronicles of Deadworld Book #2

ASIN:  B07PN6T7D8

Genre: RH Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Author

How many times can you cheat death? I’m not sure but I have a feeling I’m about to be tested.

First there were thirteen and now there’s only one. But the responsibilities don’t lessen. Bring the Harvest in, they say, take the soul orb to Haven, they order.

One of me, and too many places to be. Like hell am I putting my ass on the line without back up.  Because Genesis is out there, and it’s not done playing, and if I die, the Hive dies.

But a team can’t shield me forever.

Some paths must be walked alone, and when I’m forced to play soul courier it will have to be a journey that’s taken solo.

The Dead Zone awaits, and Death is calling.

A Post-Apocalyptic Urban fantasy world with a slow burn Whychoose Romance.

DEAD CITY moves at a fast pace with lots of danger involved at every turn. Debbie continues to do a good job of cramming a lot of things and events into a small number of pages without making you feel like things are being hurried along.

DEAD City was just as character driven as DEADWORLD and it was neat getting some more time with characters from other series in the same world. Some I like more than others, but it's still neat getting to know their future selves. One of the issues I had with DEADWORLD was that there wasn't a lot of focus on Echo's siblings. DEAD CITY definitely does a better job at addressing what is happening with them.

The harem has definitely been started in DEAD CITY. There is a bit more romance involved in DEAD CITY as well as a little more time involved with building the relationships between the harem members. Still a long way to go, but it's moving along.

I look forward to seeing what Debbie has planned for Echo, her men and the world.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

New Releases: 5/26-6/1

Tue. May 28th

 Five Unicorn Flush (Space Unicorn #2) by T.J. Berry
 The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
 The Red-Stained Wings (Lotus Kingdoms #2) by Elizabeth Bear
 Southlands (Lee Harden Series (The Remaining Universe) Book 2) by DJ Molles
 Sword of Honor (Queen of Skye and Shadow Book 1) by Thea Atkinson 
 The Stiehl Assassin (The Fall of Shannara #3) by Terry Brooks
 Time's Demon  (The Islevale Cycle #2) by D.B. Jackson
 The Wise and the Wicked by Rebecca Podos
 These Witches Don't Burn (These Witches Don't Burn #1) by Isabel Sterling

Happy Reading!!

Guest Blog + Giveaway: Extinction Of All Children by L.J. Epps (@ljeppsauthor ,@RoxanneRhoads)

UFI welcomes Author L.J. Epps. Thanks for Joining us!!

IF MY BOOK WAS A MOVIE WHO WOULD PLAY THE MAIN CHARACTERS

Hello my name is L.J. Epps and I am the author of Extinction Of All Children.  Urban Fantasy Investigations thanks so much for having me on the blog today!  I thought it would be fun to talk about who would play Emma and some of the other characters if my novel became a movie.  My dream movie cast would be as follows:

Emma Whisperer:         Yara Shahidi

Jim Whisperer:              Tony Goldwyn 

Joan Whisperer:             Kerry Washington

Theodore Whisperer:     John-Alan Slachta

Taylor Whisperer:         Chloë Grace Moretz

Eric:                               Cody Christian

President Esther:           Naomi Watts

Henry:                           Don Cheadle

Samuel:                         Elijah Kelley

Rich:                             Jamie Dornan

Baby Abigail:              ?

As you can probably tell I loved the show Scandal.  I would tune in every Thursday night with my choice of luscious dessert.  Chocolate cake, strawberry cheesecake, vanilla or chocolate ice cream.  I could also have chips or popcorn with butter of course. Lol As you can probably tell I have a problem with sweets. But that’s a different topic for a different time.

Now back to the characters I mentioned above. Some of the characters playing roles are from the television program Scandal. Maybe it’s because I watched the show so much that when I had a dream about the novel these are the actors and actresses that came to mind to play certain characters.  These are also the actors and actresses that were in my thoughts while writing each scene. I’m not sure who would play baby Abigail so I left that one blank and up to your own imagination.

I do realize that some of the actors and actresses I have selected may not fit the particular age or hair color of the character I have written.  But these are just some fun ideas I like to play around with. These ideas helped me write the novel because I pictured each section as a scene in a movie. Who would you like to see play the characters in my novel?  I’d love to hear some of your ideas! 

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L.J. Epps is a lover of all things related to books: fiction and nonfiction novels, as well as biographies and autobiographies. She has also been known to sit and read comic books from cover to cover, several times over.

Over the last few years, L.J. has written several manuscripts; her mission is to publish all of them. She enjoys writing fiction in several genres, including contemporary romance and women’s fiction, as well as young adult dystopian, science fiction and fantasy. She loves to write because it immerses her into another world that is not her own.

Find L.J. Epps and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Extinction of All Children
 Extinction of All Children #1
Amazon BN

The futuristic world of Craigluy has been divided into three territories and three economic classes. A large wall separates the territories, so the poor cannot mingle with the rich.

Since President Esther, the ruler over all of Craigluy, believes the poor do not have adequate means to take care of children, they are no longer allowed to procreate. Pregnant mothers are imprisoned until their babies are born, then the infants are taken away.

Emma Whisperer is the last child to survive. She is the last child born in lower-class Territory L before the law was instituted in the year 2080. She is the last eighteen-year-old.

Emma struggles to understand why she was spared while others weren’t. She doesn’t like the laws and believes they should be repealed. Her family doesn’t agree with her; they discourage her rebellious streak. Yet, she helps them to cover up their own family rebellion. She helps them to hide a big secret, a secret that could be both disastrous and deadly for members of their family.

As she meets new people along the way, Emma learns who she can and cannot trust. And, in the end, she makes a gut-wrenching decision that may be disastrous for everyone.

She finds herself in danger for doing what she feels is right.

Excerpt #2:

My brain checks back in on the conversation. My mother is still going on about her day.

“I was able to pick up some fruit from the market. The apples and pears were fresh. We can have them for dessert on Sunday, along with the whipped cream Emma picked up.” She puts on a fake smile. “They don’t always have it, since it is only for special occasions. Thanks for going back to the store to get it. I forgot it when I was there earlier. I hope you didn’t have a hard time finding it.”

“It is fine, Mother,” I say, softly.

Sundays are special in Territory L. It is the day families are supposed to stay in and enjoy each other’s company. The day we get to eat chicken or fish, instead of beans and soup. It is the day we play old board games and read old books. Pears and apples are what my mother considers dessert. Maybe this Sunday will be even more special because we’re going to have whipped cream on our fruit. We never had it before. I guess whipped cream will make it look more desirable. So, while Territory U has pie and cake, we’ll have fruit with whipped cream topping.

“Is there any more milk?” Theodore asks.

“I had your sister pick some up on her way back.”

“Yes, T,” I say, chiming in. I always call him T, for short. “There is a fresh carton in the fridge. Try not to drink it all. It has to last for at least the next week.”

I watch as he narrows his eyes in my direction, then he stands with his glass in hand and goes to the kitchen. He is such a child, sometimes I can’t even tell he is nineteen.

“So, how was your day, Emma?” My father turns to me. He just put a spoonful of beans in his mouth. He clears his throat and continues. “I mean, before you ran that errand.”

Every time someone talks about the errand, I cringe. It is as if a knife has been put through my stomach because we have such a hard time even saying what the errand is. And the whole thing leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I try to forget about the errand, for now, and dwell on his question—how my day was.

“If you’re asking me if I found a job yet, I haven’t.” I take a sip of water. “There is not much to do around here.”

“There is, if you want to be cashier at the market or a salesperson at the clothing store.”

“Those aren’t real jobs. Sorry,” I add, glancing over at him.

He has always said it didn’t matter what the job is because any job, even if it isn’t glamorous, should be respected. Judging by the slant in his eyebrows that makes the lines in his forehead crease, he didn’t take kindly to what I just said.

“What I meant to say,” I continue, “is I want to go to college and be a doctor like you, Dad, or a teacher like Mom was. It is not fair—”

“We can’t keep having this discussion every night,” Mother cuts in, her voice curt. “I know it is disappointing that there are no colleges and no continued education for you. And I also know you don’t want any of the jobs the territory has to offer—”

“But that is the way it is, and you have to deal with it,” says Father, cutting her off.

“I’m not hungry anymore.” I push my plate aside.

I know it is foolish because around here you don’t always know where your next meal is coming from, but I can’t stomach the same conversation along with the same dry food every night.

“May I be excused?” I lower my head.

“Yes, Emma. You may.” My mother’s tone is soft. “And Em, things will get better,” she says with sad eyes.

She always says that. I think, more for herself than for me. But things never get better. They always stay the same, or get worse.

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