Review: Realm Walker by Kathleen Collins

Realm Walker

Author:Kathleen Collins

Release Date: October 28, 2013

Publisher: Carina Press

Realm Walker Book #1

ISBN:  1299865488

ISBN13: 9781299865488

Genre:Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Author

An estranged mate, a mangled body and a powerful demon who calls her by name…

As a Realm Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying dead. That’s only the first of her secrets.

Most people don’t know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don’t know the horrors she endured at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don’t know her true parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal interest in her…

Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can’t reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.

As a realm walker, Juliana is able to see the magical signatures of every other creature but demons. When a demon starts going after her and everyone she cares about she has to work double to try and catch them before she looses everything.

Although I enjoyed REALM WALKER there were a few issues that jump out. The story was slow on the start. I did not connect with the characters or the storyline right away. There was a lot of background and build up throughout the story and when the story actually peaked it felt like there wasn't much left to the book. I sometimes felt like I was missing something. Having said that at least all the background is out-of-the-way for book 2!

Now for the good stuff. There was a ton of action. When things got interesting they stayed interesting. I enjoyed learning about Juliana and her background with Thomas. Juliana's job is interesting and I liked seeing her in action. There really isn't a romance, there is Juliana avoiding and Thomas pursuing but they don't actually meet in the middle until the end (which is part of the build up and end thing I talked about). BUT What we did get of these two and the part of the story that dealt with Michael was entertaining to follow.

REALM WALKER ended with me happy I read it. It has a lot of promise and I want to know what happens now for Thomas and Juliana.

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Promo & Giveaway: Born in Chains by Caris Roane

Born in Chains 
Men in Chains #1
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble

In the epic battle of vampire against vampire, one warrior's fate is bound to a mortal woman who controls him, commands him, and craves him like no other…

Chained For Life

Two years ago, the rogue vampires invaded Lily Haven's home and kidnapped her son. Now, if she hopes to see her child again, she must do the unthinkable—bind herself, body and soul, to a vampire warrior. She must choose one of the rogue army's prisoners of war and force him to do her bidding. But when she sees the warrior, Adrien, naked, beaten, and straining against his chains, it is she who is held captive…

Hungry For More

Adrien has been waiting for her. A beautiful woman who appears to him in visions. Who soothes his tortured body, feeds his erotic cravings—and quenches his thirst for blood. But Lily is more than he ever hoped for. She is the master of his destiny, and he is her willing slave. Even when she asks him to find the ultimate weapon for his enemies, he must obey her. Even if the task destroys them both, he will fight for her love, forever…

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Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds.

Find Caris and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Tour Wide 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving! This year sure is flying by. I hope your day is filled with family, friends and yummy food. 

Are you going shopping tonight? What stores are you hitting?

Happy Hanukkah

To all those that celebrate Hanukkah Sameach! 

May the warmth and glow of each candle you light make your heart and home happy, your Hanukkah bright.

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Pawn

Author:Aimee Carter

Release Date: November 26, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

The Blackcoat Rebellion Book #1

ISBN:  0765328089

ISBN13: 9780765328083

Genre: Young Adult / Dystopian

Review Copy Source: Netgalley

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

When Kitty takes the test she has studied her whole life for she ends up with a III due to not being able to finish. (III is bad) She of course is devastated and forced to re-evaluate her life. She decided to take the path of a prostitute friend and sell her innocence to the highest bidder in hopes of a better life. In a shocking turn of events the highest bidder offers her the chance to become a VII, the highest rank that is possible, too bad he didn't tell her what price she would pay for that rank.

There were a few spots where the storyline dragged a little, a few spots where I thought further explanation was needed and a character I won't name that really annoyed me and I had to work not to skip a part they were in. Besides that I really enjoyed PAWN. I couldn't imagine waking up in a brand new body but that is what Kitty does. She has been Masked into Lila Hart the Prime Minister's niece. She has to become Lila and stop a rebellion or those she loves will be murdered. Kitty ends up being pretty resilient. She has a lot of crap thrown at her and she always finds a way to bounce back. She has people in every corner trying to use her for their own agenda yet she finds a way to stay in the game. There isn't a love triangle but there is a bit of romance. There is Benjy, the boy who Kitty grew up with and loves. Then there is Knox, Lila's fiancé who is now Kitty's. Benjy is always in danger if she doesn't do what someone wants and Knox is a friend one min. and secretive the next. I am not sure what will happen in future books so it MIGHT turn into a love triangle but it isn't yet.

I enjoyed the first book in this new dystopian series. The cast type system reminds me of a few other dystopian books but the whole masking process is nice and unique. I look forward to reading more.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Releases: 11/25-12/30

Sorry this is late. Been working to get ahead of the holiday and completely forgot.

Mon Nov 25

 The Pulse (The Pulse Trilogy #1) by Shoshanna Evers

Tue Nov 26

 Angel Fever (Angel #3) by L.A. Weatherly
 Black Widow Demon (Demon Outlaws #2) by Paula Altenburg
 Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane #3) by Boone Brux
 City of Lost Dreams (City of Dark Magic #2) by Magnus Flyte
 Crystal Fire (The Hunted #2) by Jordan Dane
 Pushed (Sense Thieves #2) by Corrine Jackson 
 Wake to Darkness (Brown and De Luca #2) by Maggie Shayne
 Warrior Untamed (Warrior #3) by Melissa Mayhue

Happy Reading!

Interview: Bloodrose by Lisa Casian

UFI welcomes Lisa Casian Author of Bloodrose. 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?
If I could be a couch potato I would. As a kid I watched every supernatural, fantasy show there was. I’m a total dreamer.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?
I enjoy watching action flicks, going for walks, and reading.

What is your Favorite part of writing?
Drafting the novel. I love brainstorming the possibility of plot, setting, character arcs…anything and everything is possible at this stage of the novel development. After, everything is work.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?
I still use pen and paper to draft scenes and have that near me at all times while I'm in the process of writing a novel. I also listen to music before I start a scene.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?
I love, love JR Ward Black Dagger brotherhood series and S. Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. I also love Julie Kagawa Blood Eden series. I am still a vampire fan.

How would you pitch Bloodrose to someone who has not heard of it before? 
 I'd like to think it's a mixture of romance, paranormal, fantasy, and action-adventure. It’s about a girl who’s lived her whole life in fear. When she’s kidnapped, taken by sea to Tartarus, escapes sea monsters, and challenges the god of chaos, she finds the courage to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Bloodrose is set in? 
 Bloodrose is set in 1829, France though I use my creative license (love that word) to break from the real world. The characters find themselves traveling by sea to Tartarus where they find themselves facing sea monsters, evil sprites, Eris and other equally disturbing creatures.


Do you have a favorite scene in Bloodrose? 
 I loved writing the action scene when the characters have to survive the sea monster.

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
There’s a few characters I loved. We have the friar, who’s a junkie collector of antiquities; Fareed, who’s Bowen servant and protector; and Colin, Bowen’s competition for Isabeau’s love. I loved all of them. They were quirky and fun to write. The hardest was probably the Shade/Cassian. He’s not bad or good, he kinds of hangs in between the two. I didn’t want the readers to hate or love him. I’m still not sure how I feel about him.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you? 
 I’m currently working on book 2. Yay!

This Or That
 
Angels or Demons - Demons
Vampires or Shifters -Vampires
Left or Right -Right
Up or Down -Up
Pizza or Pasta - Pizza
Coffee or Tea -Coffee
Coke or Pepsi -Pepsi
YA or Adult –Both/YA
Knives or Guns -Knives
Reading or Writing -Ah!! Reading
Facebook or Twitter - Twitter

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Lisa is a Romance Author currently with Breathless Press. She live in the midwest with her family. She love hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. Her debut adult romance book, BLOODROSE, will be released November 29, 2013.

Find Lisa and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Bloodrose

Isabeau's life is haunted by nightmares her brother insists are a lie. Bowen's looking to revenge himself against his father while helping his friend. When they meet, all hell breaks loose against Isabeau. Can Bowen protect her? Is love ever the safe choice?

Newly convinced by a mentor to value human life, Bowen, a Shade Hunter, has withdrawn from aristocratic society in pursuit of the creature that made him into the evil that consumes him—his father. Bowen’s plans are thwarted when he assists a wealthy earl in finding his missing fiancé. He’s drawn to the man’s beautiful sister, Isabeau. Bowen soon realizes that their fates are intertwined and she’s aroused a passion in him he’d never thought possible.

Isabeau Harington has always lived in fear. Surviving an attack that killed her parents, she always believed the monsters would return for her. When she meets Bowen, a mysterious, charismatic stranger who drives away those fears, she learns that the very man she’s falling in love with may be
in league with the monsters hunting her.

As a pawn in an Immortal’s scheme, Isabeau must make the ultimate decision—love or safety?

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