Review: Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

Werewolves Be Damned

Author:Stacey Kennedy

Release Date: April 15, 2013

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Magic & Mayhem Book #1

ISBN:  1622661044

ISBN13: 9781622661046

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Netgalley

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

This story was previously published elsewhere under the title The Willow in 2010, and has been revised and expanded for Entangled Publishing.

When Nexi and her parents are attacked by some wolves in their home some mysterious strangers come to save her. She quickly finds out that not only were her parents not her real parents but she isn't even human.

Nexi starts off kinda unlikable (at least to me). She is reckless, angry and an all around pain in the butt. It is understandable but I have no patience for stupid and she pulls some stupid moves in the search for revenge. Once she is allowed to join the investigation and trains to be a guardian things quickly change and I end up liking her a lot more. Kyden was fantastic. He is patient yet distant yet protective yet... he has many roles in WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED. I enjoyed Nexi and Kyden's connection to each other as well as the progression of their relationship. The plot moves nicely and there is plenty of action, especially at the end of the book. The introduction of characters is done at a nice pace. I enjoyed both the fun and sad parts of the book and I look forward to the next step in Nexi and Kyden's journey.

So far every book that I have read from author Stacey Kennedy has been a slam dunk. I am definitely going to start taking a look at her back list. I do have one complaint. This is actually an earlier series that was written by Kennedy and is being revised and expanded. I really really want to read the next one now.=)

I gave it 4/5 stars

Promo & Giveaway: Don't Bite the Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee

UFI welcomes Tiffany Allee Author of Don't Bite the Bridesmaid. Thanks for Joining us!!

Short Excerpt:

“That sounded like it hurt,” he said, kneeling in front of her and taking her foot into his hand.

“It’s fine. I’m just a klutz.” Her toe throbbed slightly, calling her a liar with every beat of her pulse.

He grinned at her red toe. “You didn’t seem like a klutz on the volleyball court today. I think you were trying to hide your blush. No doubt, terribly perverse thoughts about me were flying through your head.”

She gaped at him.

“Your toe is fine,” he announced, but he didn’t release her foot. He looked up and met her eyes, and the intensity of his gaze swept over her. Desire hit her like a bag of bricks, a swift blow that robbed her of her breath and made her whole body ache.

“I was thinking no such things,” she said, wishing her breathlessness didn’t give her away.

“Liar.”

“We aren’t right for each other. And what happened last night isn’t happening again.” It wasn’t. It couldn’t. There was no way she’d be able to stop things again like she did the night before. Not if he kept looking at her like that. And he was a vampire, just like Olivia. And she’d run off after swearing to love her brother forever. What would stop Noah from doing the same? Vampires weren’t normal people. She had to remember that.

“You’re right. We aren’t right for each other.”

Anger flashed through her, fanning her desire in a most annoying way. The greatest defense is a good offense. “We’re not. In fact, I can’t think of anyone less suitable for me.”

“Oh?” He quirked an eyebrow at her and she ignored it. How could he look so scrumptious and be so annoying at the same time?

“No. Besides, I’m not looking to be tied down.”

A feral grin blossomed on his face. “Don’t worry, Miss Shepard, if I tied you down I’d be sure to untie you in the morning.

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CPA-turned-romance-author Tiffany Allee used to battle spreadsheets in Corporate America, and now concentrates on her characters’ battles to find love. Raised in small-town Colorado, Tiffany currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver. She is happily married to a secret romantic who tolerates her crazy mutterings.

She writes about ass-kicking heroines and the strong heroes who love them. Her work includes the suspense-driven From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series which revolves around a group of paranormal cops solving crimes and finding love, and Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid, a lighthearted paranormal romance (Entangled Publishing).

Find Tiffany and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Don't Bite the Bridesmaid
Son's of Kane #1

Amazon   BN   Itunes  Kobo

 

Alice Shepard needs one thing: a date for her sister's wedding. And not just any date. A hunk who will make her fiancé rue the day he left her for her best friend. Her drop-dead gorgeous neighbor fits the bill—even if he is a bit quirky and never comes out during the day—and Alice has downed just enough appletinis to ask him. But she makes it quite clear that there will be no funny business. 

Spending a week on a cruise ship full of humans while sleeping close to his sexy next-door neighbor sounds like a helluva bad idea to vampire Noah Thorpe. But his friends need time to get him out of a shotgun wedding—a vampire bonding that will tie his fate to a female vampire he's never met. And Alice's offer comes at just the right time. 

What could possibly go wrong?

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Review: The Registry by Shannon Stoker

The Registry

Author:Shannon Stoker

Release Date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

The Registry Book #1

ISBN:   0062271733

ISBN13: 9780062271730

Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Edelweiss

The Registry saved the country from collapse. But stability has come at a price. In this patriotic new America, girls are raised to be brides, sold at auction to the highest bidder. Boys are raised to be soldiers, trained by the state to fight to their death.

Nearly eighteen, beautiful Mia Morrissey excitedly awaits the beginning of her auction year. But a warning from her married older sister raises dangerous thoughts. Now, instead of going up on the block, Mia is going to escape to Mexico—and the promise of freedom.

All Mia wants is to control her own destiny—a brave and daring choice that will transform her into an enemy of the state, pursued by powerful government agents, ruthless bounty hunters, and a cunning man determined to own her . . . a man who will stop at nothing to get her back.

Mia had no reservations about taking her place on the registry and marrying the highest bidder. Then her sister showed up one night to tell her what the registry is really about. When the time comes she does everything possible to make the guy that wants her give up and when that doesn't work she runs away.

THE REGISTRY is set in a world where girls are coveted. If you have a boy they are usually sent away because they will not bring their parents riches. Girls are raised for the registry and the better looking they are the higher the price a man will pay for them. It is just the way it is and no girl knows any different. Mia grew up waiting for the day when she could be put on the registry for her husband to find her. Andrew's dream has been to join the military, rise in the ranks and finally bid on a wife when the time came. He grew up in a home with other boys and has traveled working for varies people. It is almost time for him to report for duty so he takes off for some last-minute traveling when a couple of 'boys' drive by and he catches a ride. He finds out right away that the boys are not boys and he is in a lot of trouble if he is caught with them.

This book is crazy, in a good way. Could you imagine being auctioned off like a piece of meat and looking forward to it? Crazy, but that is what America has turned into in Shannon Stoker's world. Mia wants nothing to do with it and although she starts off as a bit bratty and self involved she quickly turns into someone I enjoyed following. The supporting characters could be a bit annoying at times but they all had their revealing qualities. Andrew really turned out to be an excellent person that I wanted to see with Mia. There was many ups and downs with their escape and there were a lot of ups and downs with feelings but it all came together for a great read.

The villains are villainous. The love interests are sexy. The love triangle? I didn't like that so much and could have done without it. Book 2 should be interesting.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

New Releases: 6/9-6/15

Tue June 11th

Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn

Born Of Illusion by Teri Brown,

Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

Ghost Time by Courtney Eldridge

Linked by Imogen Howson

Rush (The Game, #1) by Eve Silver

Happy Reading!

Review: Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Transparent

Author:Natalie Whipple

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN:   0062120166

ISBN13: 9780062120168

Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn’t giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl.

While I might think it would be neat to be invisible every once in a while I can not imagine ONLY being invisible and never seeing my self or have someone else see me. Fiona's father has put her talent to use for him and has her steal things and do his other dirty work. Her mom who is 'addicted' to her father takes Fiona and runs giving Fiona a chance at a somewhat normal life. TRANSPARENT and its elements ended up being unlike any other book I have read. 

This might read a little jumpy and I apologize in advance, I did not want to give away any spoilers. It is made clear that this is not the first time that Fiona and her Mom have been on the run. It has never worked out before and Fiona has no doubt that her father will show up at anytime or that her mom will end up taking her back. Fiona is really standoffish with a group of people who are trying to be her friends. She has no doubt that they think she is spoiled, or there to cause trouble. Once she lets them in things start to get even more interesting. All of the characters in TRANSPARENT where great. Bea and her family were just so much fun to be around. Fiona's brother Miles was extremely easy to like, was protective of his sister and was willing to do just about anything to help her out. Seth surprised me the most. I would have never guessed his ability and I just loved who he turned out to be by the end of the book.

TRANSPARENT was enjoyable and unique. I hope we get to see more from this world but I have not seen anything that mentions this being part of a series. It works as a standalone but I do want more.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Week in Review: 6/2-6/8

Books Ive Bought/received

* Don't Bite the Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee- Ecopy-Publisher

* Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes- Publisher

* The Night Beat by Gini Koch- ecopy- Author

Books I Read

Fiery Edge of Steel by Jill Archer
Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes

Reviews Posted

Shapeshifted by Cassie Alexander
Pods by Michelle K. Pickett
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

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

* Thursday I posted a giveaway for the Noon Onyx series by Jill Archer.

*Friday was a promotional post for Vampire Elite; Prophecy by Irina Argo

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

Promotional Post: Vampire Elite; Prophecy by Irina Argo

Vampire Elite; Prophecy
Vampire Elite Volume 1

How can you make a choice between saving your people and destroying the one you love?

A millennia-long war between two immortal races is about to come to an end. Long ago, the Vampire Elite began capturing members of another race of immortal beings, the Amiti, forcing them to become their blood suppliers—bloodstock—and locking them in underground cells, where they are treated like livestock. Now, the few remaining free Amiti are making a final attempt to strike back. The Queen of the Amiti has been proclaimed a traitor and executed. Her death makes possible the rise of a new Queen, her young daughter Arianna, who becomes the last hope of her dying race.

Arianna totally embraces her mission and is ready to fight for her people to the last drop of her blood but encounters an unexpected challenge—the vampire King Tor. The Amiti Queen and the King of the vampires are drawn into a trap of love where each has to make the ultimate choice: to kill their loved one or risk the extermination of their people.

Vampire Elite is an epic story of a bitter conflict between two peoples, and the effect of that conflict on everyone living in its grip. The characters are driven to love and betrayal, vengeance and sacrifice in a world without easy black-and-white answers.

Based on an ancient Egyptian legend, packed with action and intrigue, Vampire Elite will pull you into the entrancing world of immortals and open new portals into their hidden universe.

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 Irina Argo is a combined pen name for two authors, Irina  and Jo-An .


Irina

Irina’s world is dark. She works as a clinical psychologist in a Juvenile Correctional Facility dealing with the extremes of human behavior on a regular basis and takes are of her paralyzed husband who suffered a stroke several years ago. To bring light into her life she writes. Writing has always been her passion. She is originally from Russia where she was employed as a TV journalist.

Jo-An

Jo-An is a Leo, a lioness who has emerged to follow her dream, to someday write a book of her own. She owned a costume shop for 15 years and was able to satisfy and excel in her creative nature. She is an overachiever and believes that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and ignore the nay-sayers.  Her philosophy is based on Shakespeare “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.” She currently resides in California with her 5 cats and 1 husband.

Website / Facebook

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