Blooded Author: Amanda Carlson Release Date: April 11, 2012 Publisher: Orbit Jessica McClain Book #0.5 ISBN:0316225096 ISBN13: 9780316225090 Genre: Urban Fantasy Review Copy Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Jessica McClain was
born the only female in an all male race. The only problem is-she's no
wolf. Called a curse, a witch and the Daughter of Evil by the
superstitious wolves, Jessica decides to fight for her freedom, at age
nineteen, the only way she can-in the ring.
When she's brutally
attacked right after her fight, is it enough to finally earn her freedom
off Compound, or will she be forced to endure the hatred even longer . .
.
BLOODED is the opening novella for the Jessica McClain series by debut author Amanda Carlson. The novella opens up right away showing how kick ass Jessica McClain is going to be and goes on to show us the dynamics in the pack she was born into and her family. There is a lot of violence towards Jessica because she is female and not a wolf. I was engaged in every and all aspects of the 66 pages in BLOODED and read it in a very short time without setting it down once.
After reading BLOODED and the first chapter teaser at the end for FULL BLOODED I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on FULL BLOODED and its release can not come soon enough.
Revamped Author:Ada Adams Release Date: February 20, 2012 Publisher: Self-Published Angel Creek Book #1 ISBN:1470068982 ISBN13: 9781470068981 Genre: Urban Fantasy Review Copy Source: Bewitching Book Tours
A simple mission turned deadly.
Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the
confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a
mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful
little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have
finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into
something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the
action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger
and intrigue.
When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn
discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye.
And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect
to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and
even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled
recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken
by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with
her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past
begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be
the same.
The cover of REVAMPED made me want to read it before I even read the blurb and the blurb made me want to read it that much more.
Even though the book is a regular length novel it was super fast paced and flowed through so smoothly that I felt like It the pages flew by. Dawn has been sort of sheltered from danger by her vampire president father even though she is one of the best warriors he has. She is itching to show her father that she can help and finally gets the chance when he sends her out to Angel Creek to train its new guardians. I have to admit that all of them were extremely pathetic in the beginning but all slowly grew on me. Not long into their training she is put up against some people looking to take Dawn to an unknown villain that leads Dawn to find out the truth about who she really is and what she is and why the villain wants her in the first place.
I liked Dawn. She was easy to relate to and had a way making me feel like I really knew her while I was reading. There is a bit of a love triangle between Dawn a Human that is more then he seems and a sexy vampire that draws Dawn in and she cant figure out why. In the end Dawn really chooses well in who she will eventually be with. There were some fabulous original twists thrown in that I would never had guessed were coming. The understanding humans have when it comes to vampires was well written and portrayed. REVAMPED really just ended up being a fun easy read and I will definitely read more from Ada Adams.
UFI welcomes Ada Adams Author of ReVamped. Thanks for Joining us!!
What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?
I love chocolate. Okay, you probably already knew, but it’s true. If I could, I would eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have been in both a zombie movie and a werewolf movie. Sadly, not a vampire one yet!
On that note, I adore scary stuff. Halloween, horror movies, haunted houses – you name it. It’s kind of funny, because I’m the biggest scaredy-cat ever. The haunted house guys with chainsaws always find me and chase me, because I’m the one screaming the loudest. I think one of the scariest things that I have ever done in my life was explore an abandoned hospital.
I really, really dislike flying on a plane, but I really, really love to travel!
I am a big film and TV junkie. However, I don’t have a favorite film, TV show, book, or song. My list of favorites is very long and diverse, as I like various genres that cannot be easily compared.
I also love to read, although when I am working on a project, I have to take a reading solstice. Partly because I don’t wish to be influenced by other authors’ works, but mostly because I would spend ALL of my time devouring the books and wouldn’t do any actual writing of my own!
What do you enjoy doing on your down time?
I act, which is yet another great way for me to escape into fun, imaginary worlds. I’m also an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX Magazine. I greatly enjoy travel and photography (only as a hobby, of course). I’d love to explore the world and take pictures of unique, unusual places. As well, I love spending time with my family, friends, and puppies (Oreo and Cara(milk) – I told you I liked chocolate).
What is your Favorite part of writing?
I really enjoy when my own characters surprise as I’m writing. Sometimes, their personalities and emotional states lead the story in a certain direction. However, it’s scary when a villain does something unpredictable. One of the most pivotal points in “ReVamped” came from the horrible actions of villain. I hadn’t originally intended the story to go in that direction, so it was very surprising not only to me, but also to poor Dawn.
Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?
Although I do my best writing work early in the morning or late at night, I don’t always write at a particular time of day. I do prefer to write on the computer in my office, and don’t do much writing while on the road. I often don’t eat when I’m in a big writing frenzy, so I have to ensure that I somehow get fed. However, when I’m stuck on a part of a story, I snack a lot. Even though I love listening to music, I always have to have complete silence when writing. Most my best ideas come at night (at 3:00 a.m.), or while I’m in the shower. Weird, right?
What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Genres?
I honestly have too many to name, and I’d feel too bad about leaving someone out. However, I’m kind of behind on the most recent (2011/2012) releases. I took a reading break from the Fantasy/Paranormal genres while writing “ReVamped”, so I currently have a huge list of book that I must catch up on!
How would you pitch Revamped to someone who has not heard of it before?
“ReVamped” is a YA Paranormal novel, with a little bit of romance, and a lot of action, adventure and humor. It tells a story about a vampire girl, Dawn, who is responsible for revamping a group of misfits (think about everything you know about vampires and then reverse it and you get this gang). Upon Dawn’s arrival to a small town of Angel Creek, she realizes that there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. Throw in a couple of hot guys, an evil villain and a secret from the past, and Dawn soon finds out that she’s in for a lot more than she bargained for!
Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Revamped is set in?
In the spring of 2012, due to a love-of-all-things-vampire mania brought on by the emergence of popular novels, television shows, and films glorifying the vampire race, vampire citizens all across the United States were finally free to walk in the light. Three years have passed since then (“ReVamped” takes place in 2015), and the vampire obsession has only grown stronger. In “ReVamped”, vampire and human citizens coexist peacefully. In fact, humans are so enthralled by vampires, they often view them as celebrities – (Transylvania Shore anyone?). I wanted to keep the world as close to the world we know today, while also answering the question: “What would happen if vampires really existed”?
Do you have a favorite scene in Revamped?
I love all the scenes with the misfits, because the gang is just so funny and, well, kind of pathetic. In the future books, we will get to explore a lot more of their pasts and lives, so I think that the readers will get to know each of them on a more personal level.
The scenes with Dawn and the boys (Sebastian and Ethan) also kind of make me laugh. She’s so confident and so sure of herself in so many things, but when it comes to guys, she’s kind of a mess. She spends a lot of time in “ReVamped” trying to hide her feelings, so on certain occasions (like when she drinks the Blood Vodka and tackles Sebastian), I was quite amused.
One scene that really moves me is the “Crimson Liner” scene (I’m dubbing it that in order to keep form giving any spoilers). I had a hard time writing that, especially because of what happened prior to that. However, I really enjoyed the way it turned out.
Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
Dawn, being the protagonist, was definitely my favorite to write about. At the start of the novel, she seems like a pretty tough, straightforward kind of girl, but once she’s faced with the events in the novel, things quickly unravel for her, showcasing more of her weaknesses. At the same time, she definitely changes and grows. Seeing her come into her own and writing about it, was definitely one of my favorite things in regard to the novel. I also really liked writing about Brooke. I know that many people probably don’t love Brooke’s attitude, but every time I wrote about the misfits, I just had a huge smile on my face!
One of the hardest characters to write about was definitely Sebastian. He was harboring a few pretty heavy secrets (mind you, most of the characters were!) that were in a way stifling his personality. I’m so excited for “ReAwakened”, because a lot is out in the open now, so we will get to explore the dynamic between Dawn and Sebastian on a much deeper level, as well as get to meet some fun new characters!
What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?
I’m currently working on “ReAwakened”, the second book in the “Angel Creek” series. I also have a few other projects plotted out, but my primary goal is to first finish the “Angel Creek” books. I’m the type of reader that gets so antsy waiting for sequels, so I’m doing my best to appease those patiently waiting for “ReAwakened”.
Thank you very much for having me on your blog!
__________________________________
"Many people sing in the shower. I, on the other hand, write scenes in my head and act them out."
At age five, Ada read her first chapter book - Pippi Longstocking. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for the stories and characters found within the pages of literature.
In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master's of Science in Education.
Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years. "ReVamped" is her debut novel.
She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.
Nineteen-year-old
vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her
father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to
revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of
Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true.
What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected,
changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving,
thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.
When
a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers
that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it
all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be
true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even
Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled
recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by
a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with
her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin
to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the
same.
The Impossible Cube Author:Steven Harper Release Date: May 1, 2012 Publisher: ROC Clockwork Empire Book #2 ISBN:
0451464508
ISBN13: 9780451464507 Genre:Steampunk
In an age where
fantastic inventions of steam and brass have elevated Britain and China
into mighty empires, Alice Michaels faces a future of technological
terrors…
Once, Gavin Ennock sailed the skies on airships and
enchanted listeners with his fiddle music. Now, the clockwork plague
consumes his intellect, enabling him to conceive and construct
scientific wonders—while driving him quite mad. Distressed by her
beloved’s unfortunate condition, Alice Michaels sought a cure rumored to
be inside the Doomsday Vault—and brought the wrath of the British
Empire down on them.
Declared enemies of the Crown, Alice and
Gavin have little choice but to flee to China in search of a cure.
Accompanying them is Dr. Clef, a mad genius driven to find the greatest
and most destructive force the world has ever seen: The Impossible Cube.
If Dr. Clef gets his hands on it, the entire universe will face
extinction.
UFI welcomes Camilla Chafer Author of Illicit Magic. Thanks for Joining us!! It was Camilla's Birthday yesterday so make sure to wish her a happy birthday =)
Character interview: Evan Hunter
Today, we’ve got Evan Hunter from Illicit Magic here to talk with us. This is his first ever interview and there’s a few things he’d like to say about witches, magic and Stella Mayweather.
Q: So, Evan. Thanks for joining us today.
Evan: You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure to be here. This is a very dramatic looking blog. I’ve already made some notes of books Stella might enjoy.
Q: You played quite a part in Illicit Magic. How do you feel things went down?
Evan: I expected to do my job as her teacher for a few weeks and that was it. Didn’t turn out that way. I think I’m still shell shocked.
Q: That’s very understandable. Let’s talk about Stella. Was she the kind of witch you expected to have to teach?
Evan: She’s not what I expected at all. Really, I had no idea what I was getting into. It was supposed to be a favor for a friend and I thought, hey, why not? But her magic leaked all over the place when we first met and she couldn’t do a thing with it. Frankly, I’m surprised she survived this far alone. Plus, I… *Evan trails off, looks pensive* Fine, I’ll admit it. I thought Stella was beautiful the moment I saw her and it kind of threw me. I’m ashamed to say I may have appeared as rude when we met.
Q: Did your feelings for Stella make teaching her how to use her magic difficult?
Evan: *Runs a hand through his short black hair* My feelings for her were… distracting. I tried to keep it professional but there’s something about Stella that just got under my skin. She’s so determined. I could see how frustrated she got when she couldn’t use her magic as she pleased at first. As she came out of her shell, I saw the real Stella, someone I care for very much.
Q: Did you find a way to help her realize her magic?
Evan: Well… *hesitates* Yes, but… I’d rather not say how.
Q: But you did find a way to help her?
Evan: You’re just going to dig and dig on this one, aren’t you? You’re like Etoile, always trying to take a peek into someone else’s mind. Next question!
Q: Okay, moving on… Why where you asked to help Stella with her magic? After all you’re not a witch, right?
Evan: I believe that’s exactly the reason my old friend Robert Bartholomew, head of the Witches’
Council, engaged my services. I believe he knew Stella had more problems than those damn witch hunters, the Brotherhood. I think he wanted to make sure someone would protect her, and teach her
how to protect herself, someone without connections to the witch community.
Q: How did Stella take the news that you aren’t a witch like her?
Evan: You may recall that Stella didn’t grow up amongst witches so she doesn’t have the same kind of prejudices that some witches harbor. My friend David, who you met in Illicit Magic, is still wary of me and he’s always known what I am. But your question… I wanted Stella to get to know me first. Then she could make a judgment on what she knew about me and not my race. However, I didn’t get a chance to tell her and I regret that. There are a few things I would have changed about our final days at the safe house and that’s one of them.
Q: What’s next for you and Stella?
Evan: I wish I could say we settle down for a long and quiet future together but it’s going to be a bumpy road before we get there. Whatever happens, you can be sure I’ve got her back.
__________________________________
Hi, I'm Camilla and I'm the author of the Stella Mayweather Series, an urban fantasy/mystery. The series starts with Illicit Magic and a lonely young woman, Stella, who has been caught up in a terrifying witch hunt and is whisked thousands of miles away to what she thinks is safety to learn her craft. The series is a blend of magic, mystery and romance with a splash of humour - and while the girls really do go all out to save themselves, there's always a hunky guy or two on hand to help them out. The series continues with Unruly Magic and Devious Magic, both out now.
I live in London, England, but I try to travel as often as I can – I’ve been all over the US and Europe. In my day job I'm a journalist and editor so I write for magazines, newspapers and websites throughout the world (my favorite assignment was spending a week riding rollercoasters - if you listen carefully you can probably still hear me screaming) but writing fiction has always been my first love.
More than three hundred years after the most terrifying witch hunts the world has ever known, it's happening again.
Young
witch, Stella, has to put her faith in strangers just to stay alive but
she might not be any safer in their midst than from the danger she is
running from.
There is more than one dark secret in her new
family: Étoile’s sister is spoken of in fear and sadness; Marc is
supposed to be a powerful witch but is missing his magic; where does the
owner of their safe house vanish to every day and why does Evan have
the eyes of someone not quite human? There is only one secret that
someone will do anything to keep quiet, but whose secret is it and will
Stella have to pay the price for silence?
