Urban Fantasy Investigations

Friday, December 30, 2011

Guest Post & Giveaway: Quinn Loftis

UFI welcomes Quinn Loftis Author of Blood Rites. Thanks for Joining us!!

An Excerpt from Fane Lupei from Blood Rites, Book 2 in the Grey Wolves Series Journal.

August 24, 2010

I killed a man yesterday. A man, but also an animal. I wish I could say that I feel remorse but my wolf would have had me shred him because he dared to touch what is ours. I want to feel something about Lucas Steele's death, but I don't.

Today is the Blood Rites ceremony with Jacquelyn, and I'm more nervous about this than I was about a life and death challenge. My father says that I am blessed to have found my mate so young. Honestly, now that I know Jacquelyn, now that I have felt her, have her scent in my lungs know her, I can't imagine waiting a century or longer for her. She amazes me, captivates me, inspires me and makes me want. My wolf have never felt such peace as he does when we are with her. Her touch alone is like a cool breeze across my skin on the hottest of days. I expressed my fears to my mother about making Jacquelyn happy, about the depth of the love I feel for her when I have only known her for such a short time. But she assured me that as her true mate I alone can complete Jacquelyn's soul. Just as only she can complete mine. I can say that at no other time in my life have I been happier to be a Canis Lupis, to have one perfect match that shines light into the darkest part of me. Have you ever just wanted to scream at the top of your lungs because there was so much emotion filling you that it had nowhere else to go but out? I want nothing more than to have my mate in my arms this moment, but she wants to spend the day with her friends. I am happy she has them, but I'm jealous of my time with her, especially after fearing I could lose her to another. My mother says like all male Canis Lupis I am bound for barbarism. Tonight I will show my Luna just how much of my heart she owns. Tonight I will finally make her mine. God help any who stand in my way.

Important songs from my Blood Rites Play List

1. Alone In This Bed (Framing Hanley)

2.Apologize (One Republic)

3. Be Mine (David Grey)

4. Bound to You (Christina Aguilera Sound track Burlesque)

5. Cry (Jason Walker)- Used this song when Fane is in Jacque's room alone.

6. Cut ( Plumb) -Jacque in the hands of her captive.

7. Haunted (Taylor Swift) Fane finding out about Jacque's father and what his plans are.

8. Down (Jason Walker) Scene between Decebel and Jen where we see a more vulnerable side to Jen

9. E.T. (Katy Perry) The bathroom scene with Jen

10. F**kin Perfect (Pink)

11. Fall for You (Second Hand Serenade) Blood Rites Ceremony

12. I Need You (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) The time while Fane and Jacque are separated.

13. Forever (Fireflight) The car crash, Fane and Decebel's arrival/ Decebel in the ER with Jen.

These are just a few of the songs that helped shape my story. Music is very influential on my moods so I find that if I'm having a difficult time with a particular scene the right song can make all the difference. I always love getting new song suggestions so please feel free to let me know any you recommend!

Sincerely,

Quinn Loftis

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Quinn is a 31 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order. She lives in beautiful North West Arkansas with her husband, son and Nora their Doberman pinscher. She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favorite book(s) is Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound than the sound in the world than that of her little boy's laughter.

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Find Quinn and her books

Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

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Blood Rites
The Grey Wolf Series

With the challenge complete and the corrupt Alpha of Coldspring defeated Fane is now free to complete the mate bond with Jacque and perform the Blood Rites. Although the challenge is done, the affects are far reaching. Once it is known that Vasile, one of the strongest Alphas in the world is in America, specifically Coldspring, TX, there is one Alpha who cannot over look the significance of this. An Alpha who happens to share Jacque's DNA, but is this the one she needs to fear?

With her mom driving and her two best friends, Jen and Sally in tow, Jacque sets off for her happily ever after. She will soon realize a plan has been put in motion that will change her course and possibly tear her from Fane's grasp forever. It will take a wolf pack, her mother's love, her two best friend's unrelenting determination, her own will to survive and the undying love of her mate to bring her home. The question remains, if she fights, if she endures, who will she be, what will be left once she is back in her mates arms?

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Winner: The Bride Wore Black Leather by Simon R. Green

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Hardcover Copy of The Bride Wore Black Leather

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Early Review: Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

Silver-Tongued Devil
Author:Jaye Wells
Release Date: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Orbit
Sabrina Kane Book #4
ISBN: 0316178438
ISBN13: 9780316178433
Genre:Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Netgalley

Life is looking up for Sabina Kane. Now that her scheming grandmother is dead, the threat of war has passed and the rulers of the dark races are about to sign a treaty to ensure ongoing peace. Her relationship with sexy mage Adam Lazarus is strong and all her friends are around her. Even her magic training is progressing further than she ever expected. The only two dark spots in her otherwise settled life are her guilt over her sister Maisie's fragile mental state and Sabina's own sinking sense that she's got unfinished business with Cain, the mysterious cult leader she let get away months earlier. When a string of murders rock the New York dark races community and threatens to stall the peace negotiations, Sabina finds herself helping to find the killer. Her investigation leads her down troubling paths that have her questioning everything - and everyone - she knows. And the closer she gets to the murderer, the more Sabina realises this is one foe she may not able to kill.

A big part of the book addresses Sabina and Maisie's relationship and Maisie's issues now that she has been rescued from their maternal grandmother. Everyone is back in New York dealing with the Peace negotiations when people come up murdered in the dark races community.

I found that SILVER-TONGUED DEVIL was a lot slower then the previous books but still well paced and there was not a lot of action. There is drama between everyone throughout the book, no one is left unaffected in some way. Sabina and Adam are doing fantastic for most of the book until something that happened in a previous book comes out, I will refrain from telling you how that all turns out so not to spoil your suspense. There is some major loss which was beyond shocking and I found myself bawling my eyes out. Because of the loss some other things seem to be happening with Sabina and I cant wait to find out what they mean. Sabina has changed SO much from book 1 and it has been a great journey as she grows. There is some great lead-up to book 5 and we are not left with a ridiculous cliffhanger which is nice. I have really enjoyed Sabina's journey and I'm sad that BLUE-BLOODED VAMP will be the last book of the series but also excited to see how it ends.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Janet Lee Carey

UFI welcomes Janet Lee Carey Author of Dragonswood. Thanks for Joining us!!

One Girl. Bound by Fate. Breaks Free.

1. Did the cover match the image you had in mind for the book?

I had some images in mind and I tossed a few ideas around with my editor, Kathy Dawson. My early images had to do with the action scenes where Tess and her friends escape from the witch hunter disguised as lepers. I pictured Tess bedraggled and muddy, dressed in a dark hooded leper’s robe. Later Kathy and I discussed the kind of medieval gown Tess would wear. By then I realized we weren’t going with the leper’s robe idea. I remember asking, “Will Tess have a knife in her hand?” and Kathy saying, “I think you will be surprised by the direction this cover is going in, Janet.”

And I was surprised. Completely surprised and delighted! I never could have imagined such a stunning cover. That’s why I’m the writer and not the cover designer.

2 What was your first impression?

I thought it was brilliant. I got that tingling feeling down my arms. I raced downstairs and showed it to my family. My 24 year old son who is not easily impressed said, “Wow!”

3 How do you feel about the Dragonswood cover now?

I find myself staring at it a lot. I love the emotion it invokes. The cover doesn’t focus on the troubles Tess faces in the opening of the book; instead the designer chose to encompass the scope of the novel -- Tess’s flight from bondage to freedom. You feel her freedom in the movement of her leap, yet the background of dragon scales and storm clouds over Dragonswood add a touch of foreboding and the promise of mystery.

In a dark time when girls with powers are called witches, Tess escapes the witch hunter and hides with a mysterious huntsman until magical voices draw her deeper into Dragonswood where she learns the secret of her birth. Caught between love and loyalty, Tess chooses the hardest path of all – her own.

Painful, cathartic and cautiously hopeful; a fairy tale for those who have given up on believing in them, but still yearn for happily ever after. --Kirkus starred review

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Photo by Heidi Pettit

Find Janet and her books

Website / Twitter / Blog

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Winner: The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: ECopy of The Last Awakening

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Raven Cursed
Author:Faith Hunter
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Roc
Skinwalker Book #4
ISBN: 0451464338
ISBN13: 9780451464330
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

The vampires of Asheville, North Carolina, want to establish their own clan, but since they owe loyalty to the Master Vampire of New Orleans they must work out the terms with him. To come up with an equitable solution, he sends an envoy with the best bodyguard blood money can buy: Jane Yellowrock.

But when a group of local campers are attacked by something fanged, Jane goes from escort to investigator. Unless she wants to face a very angry master vampire, she will have to work overtime to find the killer. It's a good thing she's worth every penny.

Jane's duties take her home to Asheville, NC in RAVEN CURSED. She is providing security for the vampires during a meeting between Vamps. As soon as she gets there, there are problems with campers being found dead which leads her to one of Molly's sister witches.

Jane has been bad ass from day one. I have always loved how independent she is. Beast always has the best comments and reasoning's to help her along. I still have a ton of questions, I hope the next book finally puts some of those to rest. I was kinda shocked that Jane actually finally revealed what she is to someone. I really liked the "kits" (Molly's Kids) involvement in the book as well as getting to know Molly's Husband. Rick was back in the picture but by the ending I cant tell if he will be staying. Bruiser still wants a chance but I cant picture Jane being with someone that wont put her first. I cant imagine what Jane will decide to do next with her time but I cant picture her taking off and the vampires not being involved somehow. RAVEN CURSED was a great continuation of the Skinwalker series.

I gave it 4/5 stars