New Release's December 6-12

Tuesday December 7th

Stranger: The Blades of the Rose #4 by Zoe Archer
Last Sacrifice: Vampire Academy #6 by Richelle Mead
Right Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins
Biting the Bride by Clare Willis
Goddess of Legend: Goddess Summoning #7 by P.C Cast
Demon Underground: Allay #2 by S.L. Wright
Real Vampires Have More to Love: Glory St.Claire #6 by Gerry Bartlett

As usual feel free to let me know if im missing any and I will add them to the list :)

Review: Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha

Blood Prophecy

Author: Stefan Petrucha

Release Date: October 26, 2010

Publisher: Grand Central

ISBN: #  9780446555999

Genre: Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher for honest review 

Man and monster are in his blood. . .

His name is Jeremiah Fall. A soldier of fortune, he has been fighting his own war for 150 years--ever since the beast in him was born.

Desperate to restore his lost humanity, Fall crosses the sands of Egypt, discovers a lost city off the coast of France, and finally arrives at the birthplace of all mankind. Shunning daylight and feeding only when he must, he battles the monster who transformed him forever. He can share his deepest secret with no one . . . not even the beautiful woman he starts to love, the only human who grasps the mysteries of an ebony stone as old as creation itself.

Across the world, across time, Fall seeks the stone's secret. But has he found a cure for himself or unleashed a final curse on all mankind?

Blood Prophecy has a historical angle, a tad bit of romance all wrapped up with Paranormal elements. Jeremiah Fall is an early American settler who is attacked by a beast that he uncovered while plowing his fields. His Father dies only to come back and attack him and his mother. They both die and Jeremiah ends up coming back to "life" as a vampire. He has to learn how to keep the beast under control and resist his evil cravings. While he travels to find out what he is and if there is a cure he comes across the Rosetta stone. The stone is an evil thing that will end up destroying the world if Jeremiah doesn't figure out how to stop it. This is not a modern vampire novel and I found that some parts dragged a bit while we were getting information on history. There is some nice twists that I didn't expect. All in all it was a decent story especially if you like paranormal books with a strong historical angle. I personally am not huge into that so I had a hard time getting threw some of it but enjoyed a majority of the story.


I gave it 3/5 stars

Review: Almost Human The First Trilogy 3-in-1 Edition by Melanie Nowak

Almost Human The First Trilogy 3-in1 Edition

Author: Melanie Nowak 

Release Date: July 3 2008

Publisher: WoodWitchDame Publications

First Trilogy 3-in-1

ISBN: # 9780982410264

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Won from Bookaholics Book Club
ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy ~ 3-in-1 Edition
In this paranormal fantasy, chapters alternate between a vampire and a young woman, as they join an ensemble cast to navigate difficulties of addiction and desire; perils of zombies and vampires; and struggles with abuse, morality and... college.

~ Volume 1: Fatal Infatuation ~
Felicity views going away to college as an opportunity to mature into a confident young woman, but her new beginning turns out to be more of an adventure than she bargains for when she finds that her school is plagued by vampires!
Cain is an elder vampire who displays quiet confidence even as he struggles to overcome sins of his past. Surprisingly, he found that in losing his life he gained his faith and a purpose.
His mission: find the hostile vampires that inhabit this small college town, and educate them to live in peace with humans. Their leader, Sindy, is a wicked temptress who has set her sights on Felicity's new friend Ben. She will be difficult to control, but after meeting Felicity, Cain's most difficult task lies in controlling himself.

~ Volume 2: Lost Reflections ~
Felicity has helped her friends to escape the venomous vixen Sindy, but cannot divine the motives of Cain, the vampire who captured first her gratitude, and then her heart.
She finds the historical account of Cain’s past enthralling and frightening. Now she must determine whether the addictive venom in Cain’s kiss is clouding her judgment, and if his thirst for her blood is a driving force too strong for their love to conquer.
It’s difficult to contemplate such questions while under the attack of a vengeful vampire and his zombie slaves. Felicity’s heart has already been lost to Cain; will she lose her life as well?

~ Volume 3: Evolving Ecstasy ~

The relationship between Cain and Felicity has crested to a peak that leaves them unsure whether to step back from each other for safety, or jump into a future united in death. Felicity is unlike any human Cain has known before. She treats him as an equal; a man worthy of friendship, respect and even… love. She embodies qualities of gentleness and loving trust that he has never found among his own kind. This makes her far more desirable to him than any creature of darkness could ever be.
The venom of Cain’s bite could protect Felicity from hostile vampires, but it would give him a measure of psychic control over her as well. Would Felicity only accept becoming a vampire, due to his addictive venom, coupled with the foolishness of a young girl in love?
Perhaps there is a brighter future for her in the human world. Is Cain’s desire for Felicity’s love worth the loss of her life?

I'm going to start with what I didn't like about the First Trilogy so I can get that over with. I found that in chunks of the book the story seemed to drag a bit and some things were over explained with information I felt I didn't need. Also the size of the book is intimidating to say the least.  I would probably go and buy the first trilogy in the 3 separate books instead of all in 1 if your intimidated by a huge looking book. 

Ok now that that is over I can start with what I liked. The characters were great. Felicity goes away to school to find out that vampires exist and ends up falling in love with Cain. Cain is a super old vampire that travels to teach the young vamps how to live a life without killing people etc, etc. Ben is Felicity's very first friend at school that hates vampires with a passion, Alyson is Ben's best friend since childhood and has a crazy streak in her. I cant really go into relationships much because that would totally spoil the book for you. 

I would defiantly compare Almost Human to Twilight, but a little steamier. Melanie was great with explaining things in the chemistry department. All in all, the heart of the story was enjoyable to read, you end up caring about the characters and what happens to them and I liked the ending of the trilogy. It was a good start for a new author and I will most likely continue the series to see what happens in Born to Blood.


I gave it 3/5

Week in Review 11/28-12/4

Books Ive Bought/received
*Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha - From Publisher for review

*Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh - From publisher for review. 

*Jeweled by Anya Bast -signed and personalized- From Author for review

*HighBorn by Yvonne Navarro- Win from Dark Faerie Tales, Angela also sent me a bunch of bookmarks and postcards :)

*Geist by Philippa Ballantine-Signed- I have NO clue where this is from, I assume that it
was a contest win but I never got an email and there isn't a return address or note with it, happy all the same though lol.
 
*Vampires Not Invited by Cheyenne McCray- Ordered from Borders with $5 bonus bucks they sent me for free as a gift and a 33% off coupon :)


Books I read
Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler
Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha
Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell Review Posted
Vicious Grace by M.L.N. Hanover
Vampires Not Invited by Cheyenne McCray

Other reviews posted
Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines
Double Cross by Carolyn Crane 
My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent
Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
* My very first Guest Blog by Jess Haines went up on Dec 1st Check it out HERE

* UFI has reached over 100 followers how awesome is that?!?!

* Be sure to check out and enter the $35 CSN Giveaway It Ends 12/11

* Like what you read? Leave me a comment on it.

* If you haven't already make sure to sign up for my feedburner.I have a contest up and another coming up that will earn you an extra entry if you are an email subscriber.

Free E-book

*UPDATE- This is gone* 

*UPDATE 3/7- Check the Comments =)*

I have a code for a free ebook copy of Caraliza by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick that I won and will not use. The first to comment with email address will get it. I will forward you the information right away. If your not comfortable posting email then you may email me at UrbanFantasyInvestigations@gmail.com

Review: Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Bitter Night

Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Release Date: October 27, 2010

Publisher: Pocket

Horngate Witches Book #1

ISBN: #  9781416598145

Genre: Urban Fantasy

SOMETIMES YOU CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES. AND SOMETIMES, THEY CHOOSE YOU...

Once, Max dreamed of a career, a home, a loving family. Now all she wants is freedom...and revenge. A witch named Giselle transformed Max into a warrior with extraordinary strength, speed, and endurance. Bound by spellcraft, Max has no choice but to fight as Giselle's personal magic weapon -- a Shadowblade -- and she's lethally good at it. But her skills are about to be put to the test as they never have before....
The ancient Guardians of the earth are preparing to unleash widespread destruction on the mortal world, and they want the witches to help them. If the witches refuse, their covens will be destroyed, including Horngate, the place Max has grudgingly come to think of as home. Max thinks she can find a way to help Horngate stand against the Guardians, but doing so will mean forging dangerous alliances -- including one with a rival witch's Shadowblade, who is as drawn to Max as she is to him -- and standing with the witch she despises. Max will have to choose between the old life she still dreams of and the warrior she has become, and take her place on the side of right -- if she survives long enough to figure out which side that is....

Max is what they call a Shadowblade, she protects her witch with her life. She didn't choose to be a Shadowblade, her best friend and room mate in collage Giselle turned her one night after they went out for drinks. Max has resented and hated Giselle ever since but is bound by Giselle's magic and can not harm nor leave Giselle. Max happens to be the prime shadowblade and is unique as she treats everyone under her super well and all the shadowblades are extremely loyal to her even though Max tries to keep her distance as she still doesn't want to be a shadowblade and is still trying to find a way to get revenge on Giselle. Horngate, their home is under attack and Max seems to be the only one who can save it so she has to start working through some of her issues. I really enjoyed Bitter night. I found the world that Diana built to be strong and unique. There is a bit of romance with a lot of tension between Max and another witches Shadowblade Prime Alexander as they try to work together. Book 2 Crimson Wind comes out December 28, 2010 and I already have it pre-ordered.

I gave it 4.5/5

Giveaway: $35 CSN Gift Card CLOSED

CSN Stores has contacted me and offered me the opportunity of offering up a giveaway or review of there products from any one of there 200+ stores. Because It was the unselfish (Oh but I wanted a new toy trust me) and giving thing to do I went ahead and chose to offer up a giveaway to my wonderful followers. Trust me when I tell you that you will have the hardest time trying to decide what to buy as they have everything you could possibly want. Are you looking for leather messenger bags to carry your new books in? Well your in luck because they have a great selection.

PRIZE

The winner will receive a $35 one-time use gift code to any of CSN’s 200+ stores that can be used to order anything you could possibly want.

RULES

1) You MUST Be a Follower!!! 

2) It is only open to US/Canadian residents because that is where CSN ships to.

3) You can earn extra entries by
    +1 spreading the word (tweet, blog, facebook, whatever)
    +1 subscribing via email with feedburner (left sidebar)
4) Fill out the FORM below

Giveaway ends 12/11/2010 at 11:59pm EST

Winner has 48 hours to reply to my email (so I know that its valid before I send the Code) or I will pick another.

Winner chosen randomly with the help of random.org