Review: Ever After by Kim Harrison

Ever After
Author:Kim Harrison
Release Date: January 22, 2013
Publisher: Harper Voyager
The Hollows Book #11
ISBN:   0061957917
ISBN13:  9780061957918
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.

While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...

I find it harder and harder as a series continues to write a review. So much has happened and so much rides on little things its hard to not reveal a spoiler so I will keep it short and to my thoughts on a few things. 

When Lucy and Ceri are kidnapped Rachel is once again at the top of the rescue mission. I cant believe how far Rachel has come since DEAD WITCH WALKING. She is a completely different person and witch. Al has grown on me for a few books now and I absolutely love him after EVER AFTER we truly have seen him in a whole new light where we can understand him a little better. Quen really surprised me in EVER AFTER, I can not say more about this or if its good or bad. I despised the moment that Ellasbeth came back into the picture, She treated Rachel like crap but I'm positive its because she sees her as competition (she should *insert evil laugh*) Rachel and Trent have come so far in there relationship but loved the last chapter of EVER AFTER. It gives me lots of hope and I think most will be happy with things.

EVER AFTER is a another great addition to the series. There is plenty of action and messed up situations worthy of a Rachel Morgan novel. I truly love the world that Harrison has built and the characters keep me interested. If you are new to The Hollows series it is an Urban Fantasy must read but you would be crazy to jump into it at book 11, Go grab book one DEAD WITCH WALKING and get caught up!! There are two more books left until the end and I cant wait to get my hands on book 12.

I gave it 5/5 stars 

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines

Forsaken By The Others
Author:Jess Haines
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Zebra
H&W Investigations Book #5

The Others--vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night--don't just live in nightmares anymore. They've joined with he mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem...

Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head...and neck. Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town--namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who'd like to turn her into a chew toy.

On Royce's suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten--literally--in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them--and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge...

Find Jess and her books

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New Releases: 1/20-1/26

Tue Jan 22

The Archived (The Archived, #1) by Victoria Schwab
Blood of Sorceress (The Portal, #3) by Maggie Shayne
Boundless (Unearthly, #3) by Cynthia Hand
Ever After (The Hollows, #11) by Kim Harrison
Everbound (Everneath, #2) by Brodi Ashton
Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Ravage (Deviants, #3) by Jeff Sampson
The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S. Belcher

Happy Reading!!

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Shattered Circle by Linda Robertson

UFI welcomes Linda Robertson Author of The Persephone Alcmedi Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

The Trouble With Wærewolf Dens

I used to live about an hour south of Cleveland and an old friend and I (he was born and raised in Cleveland and could very well be a tour guide there—he knows everything about it, I swear) were talking about my stories. I asked him about a good place for my wærewolves to live.

Ok, ok. In truth I told him I was going to have them housed in a revamped space above a yoga studio. He laughed and laughed. I know nothing about yoga (figured I’d learn about it via the research for the book), but there is apparently some pose that is incorporated into yoga with a dog-type name. Yes, he had a good, long laugh.

Then he told me about the Cleveland Cold Storage building. CCS was built long ago and serviced local businesses that required items be kept refrigerated. Of course as refrigeration advanced and groceries got their own freezers and coolers and meat lockers, CCS was needed less and less. It had become, more or less, a giant billboard.

Situated right along the section of highway where I-90 and I-71 are joined together for several miles, thousands of motorists headed into downtown went by CCS every day and again every evening. Since it was a large, tall structure with no windows it could easily have signage painted on it. 

Did you catch that no windows part? THAT made it perfect for the wærewolves. My lycanthropes responsibly kennel themselves during full moons, so a huge building with no glass that might be easily broken and allow escape would appeal to them. Also, since wærewolves in my story world are not exactly trusted and liked by all, the fact that this building was on the edge of town and not right downtown only increased the logic behind it.

I was delighted by this find and happily included it in the storyline. The old pipes that would have run the coolant had an important part in ARCANE CIRCLE. The less used upper floors, the elevator and elevator shaft were key pieces in WICKED CIRCLE.

Then the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) decided they wanted to tear my building down. For real.

In real life, ODOT announced big plans for a new I-90 project that would require the destruction of the CCS building. The actual owners fought this, as those billboards brought in 5-digit figures each month and they didn’t want to give that up. Then there seemed to be a scandal about unpaid taxes or something of that nature. I didn’t follow it too closely, but skimmed it enough to get a sense that some of the dealings had a definite ‘shady’ taint to them.

In the series I have used many actual places in Cleveland. It was important to me to blend the actual with the fantasy as much as possible,  that makes it seem more real, more alive. So knowing that I was going to lose this building, I decided to write that in to the story. It’s a tidbit subplot that takes on new weight in SHATTERED CIRCLE. 

The character Johnny, who is having to face his destiny and ascend to become the king of wærewolves even though he truly wants nothing of the rank and responsibility, must meet with a strange wærewolf who has experience negotiating such situations, and they meet with ODOT together in a dark tunnel under a bridge (another actual place).

It’s a very tense scene, but it allows me to bring this other character in who plays quite a hefty part beyond this key moment. It allows me to show Johnny giving in to the demands of his position, how he is accepting his fate, his power, and how using it affects his pack and the regular humans around him. It’s a great little scene that came about all because of real-life political road management. 

Ain’t that sweet?

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Linda Robertson is the mother of four wonderful boys, owns three electric guitars, and is followed around by a big dog named after Bela Lugosi. Once upon a time she was a lead guitarist in a heavy metal cover band and has worked as a graphic artist. She still composes and creates art, when time permits. Linda currently writes and rocks in northeast Ohio.

Find Linda and her books

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Shattered Circle
Persephone Alcmedi #6

Simon and Schuster   Amazon 

  BN   BooksaMillion    IndieBound

 

After her werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, tried to kill her, Persephone Alcmedi finds herself in the comforting arms of powerful vampire Menessos. She’s trying to sort out her feelings for the two men, but not even Seph is above the confusion of tangled emotions. All Johnny wants to do is mend their relationship and reveal the life-altering news he’s recently received, but his new responsibilities as the werewolf king take up most of his time.

Does this mean Menessos can finally make his move?

Meanwhile, unknown to Seph, her beloved foster daughter, Beverley, has been playing with a magical artifact and making dubious friends on the other side. When Beverley disappears, Seph must seek help from a supernatural being so potent that even Menessos fears him...and such aid always comes with a very steep price. 

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Week in Review: 1/13-1/19

Books Ive Bought/received

* Devil May Care by Patricia Eimer- eARC- Publisher

* Focus by Alyssa Rose Ivy- ARC- Author


Books I Read

Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson
The Cat's Meow by Stacey Kennedy
Focus by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Taken by Erin Bowman

Reviews Posted

Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway
Blood-Kissed Sky by J.A. London
The Cat's Meow by Stacey Kennedy

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

* Monday a Guest post and Giveaway by Author Tara Maya was posted for her WING book tour

* Thursday author of The Vampire Queen Series Rebecca Maizel was here to promote STOLEN NIGHTS. A Giveaway for STOLEN NIGHTS was posted on Friday.

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

Giveaway: Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

Vampire Queen #2

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Character Interview: Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

UFI welcomes Rebecca Maizel Author of The Vampire Queen Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

Character Interview Lenah

What did you want to be when you were little?


 I was born in the 15th century long before the advent of choice for women. When I was a child my hopes were to live, marry, have children. That's all there was. That and the church.
I lived a hundred lives as a vampire, and none of them were what I wanted. I've always wanted to go back, live, complete the cycle of my life. I've being quote morbid and sad, but it's true!

What was your favorite part of being a vampire?

Seeing the passage of time, watching music change, and technology. Even when I took my hibernation in the 1900s, the world had changed dramatically from 1417. I loved the clothes, though. Corsets, flowing dresses, and gorgeous jewelry! I do miss that.

How do you think your life would have turned out if you had never went out to find your moms earring?

I would have died in the 15th century. But I never would have met Tony or Justin. I wouldn't have met my soul mate, Rhode. It's a funny thing, isn't it? If we could go back and change our fate? Would we? I'm the person I am now because of that choice. If it hadn't happened, would I be better off? I guess that's the thing about life, you really can't go back and change it. Or maybe you can...

While you were a vampire if you could have changed one act what would it have been?

*SPOILER ALERT FOR INFINITE DAYS**

I would not have allowed the coven to kill Tony. I would have done whatever was in my power to stop that. Hopefully one day I can make amends for this.

Who do you consider your best friend?

Tony. He taught me true friendship. He taught me what it meant to really love a person with the wish for nothing in return. Unconditional love but without the romance. He's a special person 

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Rebecca Maizel received her B.S. from Boston University and has masters degrees from RIC and VCFA. She teaches literature in her home state of RI. She talks to her Bichon Frise George like he’s a real person.

 

Find Rebecca and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Stolen Nights
Author:Rebecca Maizel
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Vampire Queen Book #2
ISBN:   0312649924
ISBN13: 9780312649920
Genre: Young Adult

Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human—and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss.

With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead...