Review: Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

Dirty Magic

Author:Jaye Wells

Release Date: January 21, 2014

Publisher: Orbit

The Prospero's Wars Book #1

ISBN:  0316228435

ISBN13: 9780316228435

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Publisher

The first in an all-new urban fantasy series by USA Today bestseller Jaye Wells.

The last thing patrol cop Kate Prospero expected to find on her nightly rounds was a werewolf covered in the blood of his latest victim. But then, she also didn't expect that shooting him would land her in the crosshairs of a Magic Enforcement Agency task force, who wants to know why she killed their lead snitch.

The more Prospero learns about the dangerous new potion the MEA is investigating, the more she's convinced that earning a spot on their task force is the career break she's been wanting. But getting the assignment proves much easier than solving the case. Especially once the investigation reveals their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier—on the same day she swore she'd never use dirty magic again.

Kate Prospero's about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should be never say never.

Kate's currently a patrol cop fighting crime and taking care of her brother. After going head to head with a werewolf she gets the chance to join the Magic Enforcement Agency task force. Her past gives her a leg up in the investigation but also puts her on a path she doesn't want to go down.


You find out right away how much of a kick-ass character Kate is going to be. She likes being one of the good guys and she's good at it. She also happens to be the guardian to her teenage brother and their relationship gets pretty rocky as the book progresses. Kate's past makes her a bit more strict than her brother likes and the conflict leads to danger. Kate has to make some hard choices and although they pan out, the price she has to pay will continue to be an issue in books to come. I'm still not sure how I feel about John Volos. Him and Kate had a pretty intense relationship and when she gave up her old life he was given up as well. I can't tell what his angle is. He seems to care a lot about Kate still and Kate still has a pull towards him but I just don't know how it will continue to play out after the events in DIRTY MAGIC.

There are a lot of secrets revealed throughout the story and the twists that are thrown at us kept my heart in the game. The whole world pulled me in. From the characters, to the city, to the different covens (aka gangs) and their beefs. Jaye really didn't leave any details out. I'm excited to learn more about Kate, her past and the world that she lives in with book 2 CURSED MOON.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Promo:Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong

UFI welcomes Franny Armstrong Author of Jinn and Toxic. Thanks for Joining us!!

Excerpt:

"You look pretty good for a dead woman, Dennison. Did you set us up?" 

Jinn held her silence, unable to tell them she wasn't Julie. She had to keep her presence a secret even from this team. A quick glance behind her proved he was mind speaking when someone came up and tied her hands behind her back. The wrenching pain brought out an unwelcome groan, and she cursed under her breath. 

"Until you tell me what I want to know, you'll be my prisoner." 

"Captain, she helped us all. She's one of us. Could we--" 

"Silence, Jennings. I'm not taking suggestions right now. Something isn't right here and I want answers. What are you up to Dennison?" 

"No comment." 

"Captain, we have company coming. Can we leave this battle for later?" Blackstone asked. 

"Move out. If we get separated, meet at the designated coordinates in two days. You have your orders." 

Two at a time the team members disappeared into the underbrush and left the captain and Jinn alone. He dragged her off through the forest in a different direction, his grip tight on her arm. 

For hours she tried to keep up but her legs buckled from exhaustion and blood loss. The captain squatted beside her. Sweat rolled off them both as thunder roared overhead, lighting flashing to fill the area with brightness. The wind picked up, rain slapping against their faces. All of the animals and insects disappeared to weather the storm, leaving Jinn and Tab alone. 

Her whole body was on fire with agony, but she remained silent and uncomplaining.

"Sit up, and that's an order." 

"You're a bloody fool." 

"And you're out of line." 

His hand slapped down on her good shoulder and forced her to sitting position. His other hand gentled over her injury. A strange tingling in her wounded shoulder made her gasp. Furious, she could do nothing but wait until he lowered his guard then escape into the night. 

"You're under watch. Don't try and leave. You won't like the consequences." 

"You are a jerk, Captain." 

"A court-martial is a nasty process, Max. Get comfortable. It won't be long until sunrise." 

He walked off into the dark leaving her fuming. Damned alpha male with a command complex. Won't listen to a word anyone else says! 

 

His chuckle came from the distance.

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Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Franny Armstrong has written creatively since she was a child. Her mother always told her to write down her feelings and she did. When she was ten, she started writing and acting out plays in her garage for the neighborhood kids.

When she became ill in her forties, she used her author skills to create stories that took her away. Living in the country with her husband and mother, three dogs, and two cats, she loves the silence when working on her books, when she can get it. With three full grown children and four grandchildren, she has a full life.

Previously, Franny had ten published paranormal romance books, but took them off the market when the contracts ran out to fine-tune her career as an author. She hopes to find new homes for them.
Writing is her life now. Her main goal is to be a #1 Best Selling author and tour with booksignings.

Find Franny and her books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Jinn and Toxic

An elite team of soldiers are trapped in the Mexican rainforest. Jinn's twin sister is dying, while Tab searches for his kidnapped sister. Using their psychic abilities, they must work together or die trying. 

A team that doesn't exist... 

Toxic Tango Troop is an elite team of soldiers who are betrayed by one of their own. Their goal is to prevent shipments of illegal drugs to North America. The team struggles to find the teammates, missing after they scatter to evade capture. The government won't acknowledge the team, so they're on their own. 

She is a military secret... 

Jinn Dennison takes the place of her identical twin sister, Julie, a soldier on the team. They think she's dead. Jinn shows up to save her sister Julie, whom she knows is alive. She races against time to find her before it's too late. Using her psychic abilities, she connects with Julie who she hasn't seen since they were ten years old, but someone is blocking their silent communications. 

He believes she's a traitor... 

Tab 'Toxic' McIntosh has a special gift that is top secret. He captures Jinn then uses her as bait to stop the Iceman, a notorious drug runner, and unearth the traitor. Tab's sister, Tara, was kidnapped from a resort, and he wants her back at all costs. Things get complicated when Jinn and Tab fall in love.
Can Jinn and Toxic battle against all odds to win the day, or will they die trying? Time is of the essence in this fast paced adventure where anything can happen.

Winner: Black Arts by Faith Hunter

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

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New Releases: 1/19-1/25

Tue Jan 21st

 Dirty Magic (The Prospero's War #1) by Jaye Wells 

 Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton

 The Rule of Three by Eric Walters 

Thur Jan 23rd

  Fragile Spirits (Souls #2) by Mary Lindsey

Happy Reading!

Guest Blog & Giveaway: The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean Series by KD Pryor

UFI welcomes KD Pryor Author of The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean Series . Thanks for Joining us!!

Personality Traits of a Strong Female Protagonist

I enjoy books with strong female protagonists because I think females have a different take on strength that is very interesting to observe and to capture in words. That is why I chose to write The Portal’s Choice and The Inn of the Kindred Spirits with a fifteen year old female protagonist, Tallis Challinor. As an author, I am interested in how Tallis will manifest these qualities in different situations as she matures and faces new conflict in her life. Below is my list of what I think are the predominant traits that strong female characters possess.

1. Quiet Self-confidence. All strong females have abundant self-confidence but they don’t have a need to shout about it. These strong women operate more effectively than others because they stand in their own power and don’t doubt that they can accomplish their goals. Others follow their lead instinctively.

2. The ability to re-examine their position. The strength of these female characters comes, in part, from their willingness to listen to and learn from others. Being willing to listen does not mean that these females abandon their values and beliefs when something seemingly better is presented, it simply indicates a flexibility of character, an openness to new ideas, and an interest in the contributions of others.

3. A continuing attitude of self-examination and exploration. Strong people recognize the need to explore and process the events in their lives. Strong female characters look back on past successes and failures to learn and grow. They apply these learning lessons in their lives.

4. Vulnerability. Strong women characters are vulnerable. Their interactions are profound, allowing them to empathize with others. These characters open themselves to the joy and sadness of life. And they ask for help when a situation or emotion is overwhelming, knowing they cannot always do it all.

5. They aren’t perfect. These characters make mistakes and are willing to admit as much, learn from what has happened, and move forward without judgment.

6. Inner courage. Strong women are deeply courageous, willing to face their fears head-on and stand up for their beliefs, regardless of what others might think or say.

7. An ability to love. Strong female characters are able to open themselves to love, both of self and of others. These women recognize that to approach all of life with an attitude of love is stronger than to operate from a place of judgment and bad-will.

Strong female protagonists in books are like strong women in real life. The beauty of their strength is that it is soft, quiet, steady, and open. These women continually evolve and grow. They make us feel better and more courageous as a result of our involvement with them. I have worked to instill these traits in my female protagonist in The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean series, Tallis Challinor, knowing that as her character develops these inherent qualities will become even more apparent.

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KD Pryor started life in Missouri, where she read lots of books, even sneaking them into baseball games to the irritation of her father. Kelley graduated with a degree in International and Comparative Studies from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After college and marriage to a great guy, she decided to pursue a law degree at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Her oldest son was born soon after law school, followed three years later by her daughter and a move to Kentucky. One more son, a move to Ohio and four years later, her family jumped on the opportunity to move to India. They lived in Bangalore, now Bengaluru, for four wonderfully chaotic years, traveling all over Asia, Australia and Europe.

Now, settled in New Hampshire with her family and herd of cats (only three), she can often be found in her office, working on the next installment of “The Gatekeepers of Em’pyrean” series, reading one of a dozen books she has started, and dreaming of her future travel destinations.

“The Portal’s Choice”, book one in “The Gatekeeper’s of Em’pyrean” series featuring Tallis Challinor, was released on May 6, 2013.

“The Inn of the Kindred Spirits”, a novella featuring protagonist Tallis Challinor, was released in November 18, 2013.

“The Forgotten Gate”, book two in “The Gatekeeper of Em’pyrean” series, is scheduled for release in 2014.

Find KD Pryor and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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The Portals Choice
The Gatekeepers of Em'pyrean #1
Amazon Print Amazon Kindle BN Nook

Portals. Doorways. Gateways. All ways to get in or out of someplace, right? 

Nothing weird, spooky or otherworldly about them. Or, at least that’s what Tallis Challinor always thought. Tallis is a practical young woman, a writer, a lover of words and a natural storyteller. But she’s not sure what to do when real-life sucks her into a story far stranger than anything she’s ever imagined. 

Tallis discovers that portals are passageways between the human and spirit worlds. She finds out that bent-on-evil ghosts can escape from the spirit realm through those gateways whether they are supposed to or not. And when they do, Tallis finds herself the chosen human, picked by the portal in her basement in New Hampshire, to seek out and return the wayward spirits. 

All Tallis wants to do is recover from the loss of her parents and settle into her new home. She’d like a boyfriend, someone like the cute guy, Aiden, down the street. She’d like some girlfriends to talk to and maybe even go shopping with. And she’d like the ghosts, the portal, and the responsibility that has been thrust upon her to disappear. 

But when the ghosts threaten her new hometown, her friends, and the family she holds so dear, Tallis discovers the inner courage to meet the portal’s challenge and save those most precious to her. Along the way, Tallis learns that she is more than she’s ever imagined herself to be and that she deserves more than she’s ever dreamed possible.

The Inn of the Kindred Spirits 
The Gatekeepers of Em'pyrean #2
Amazon print Amazon Kindle BN Nook

Brittany, France. Near the coast. A picturesque inn. Spectacular scenery. Tasty French treats. Time off from school. 

Tallis Challinor imagines this as the perfect vacation scenario, so when her grandfather suggests that she accompany him to the country of her ancestors, she is more than happy to tag along. What Tallis doesn’t bargain on is another ghostly encounter, especially not so soon after she’s sealed up a bunch of unruly ghosts on their side of the portal between the human and spirit realms. But, when she feels the energy radiating from the megalithic standing stones dotting the countryside around Carnac, France, an energy that feels frighteningly like the power exuding from the portal in her basement back home, she has a feeling she might be in trouble. And she is right. 

When her grandfather goes missing, Tallis leaps into action. She calls the only ghostbuster she knows in France and, with help on the way, she gears up to battle another set of spirits bent on causing destruction. Along the way, Tallis is forced to examine her life, her relationships, and her tightly-held beliefs about who she is and where she comes from. She also has to juggle two impossible males, both attractive but annoying, both seemingly set on driving her nuts or breaking her heart.

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 Tour Wide

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Week in Review: 1/12-1/18

Books Ive Bought/received

* Up From The Grave by Jeaniene Frost- Publisher

* Stone Cold by Devon Monk- ARC- Publisher

* Wakeworld by Kerry Schaefer- Publisher

* Only the Good Die Young by Chris Marie Green - Publisher

* Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett- eARC- Netgalley

* Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu- ARC- Publisher

*  Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott- eARC- Netgalley

* The Hunt by Stacey Kade- eARC- Netgalley

Books I Read

Heart of Stone by Christine Warren
Haunt Me by Heather Long
Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep
Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch

Reviews Posted

Quick Thought Reviews
-Dragon Awakened by Jaimie Rush
-Temptation by Fire by Tiffany Allee
-The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams
Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson
Dark Cravings by Madeline Pryce

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

* Monday- Guest Blog & Giveaway for Sunroper by Natalie J. Damschroder

* Tuesday- Promo and Giveaway for Dark Cravings by Madeline Pryce. 

* Wednesday- Interview for How to Run With A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

* Friday- Guest blog for Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

* Did you know you can follow UFI on these other sites?

BlogLovin

Networked Blogs

Facebook

You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.

Twitter

Goodreads

Librarything

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

Quick Thought reviews

Sometimes I read a book where I just don't have a lot to say about it. Hence the name quick thought reviews. These will be short and sweet.
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Dragon Awakened

Author:Jaime Rush

Release Date: December 17, 2013

Publisher: Forever

The Hidden Book #1

ISBN:  1455523224

ISBN13: 9781455523221

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source:NetGalley

 They are the Hidden.
Not quite human. Far from normal.
And never, ever safe…

Playing With Fire

Ruby Salazaar wants answers…and revenge. Her uncle has just been murdered before her eyes and the name he utters with his final breath—Cyntag—leads Ruby into a world beyond her wildest imaginings. She soon learns that the dark, sexy Cyntag Valeron knows more about her than she does herself.

Burned By Love

Ruby changed Cyn's life before she even knew who he was. Now she charges into his life, a beautiful woman full of fire and questions. Cyn knew this day would come, yet he couldn't foresee the danger—and desires—Ruby would bring with her. He can teach her how to harness her newly awakened powers. But there is one force neither of them can control…

I did read one of the prequel books to the series and really enjoyed the world that Jaime introduced. DRAGON AWAKENED continues to build on that world. I really like all the different dragon types as well as the other paranormal creatures that are introduced. I hate to admit it buy Ruby really annoyed me many times in the beginning of the book. She is skeptical about things that Cyn tells her which is completely understandable but she does super reckless things that puts not only her but other innocents in danger. She does get more likable as the book goes on but I kept waiting for her to do something stupid again. There is a lot of sexual tension involved and the romance gets pretty hot at times after some conflict. I will most likely be picking up book 2 when it comes out.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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

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Temptation By Fire

Author:Tiffany Allee

Release Date: December 30, 2013

Publisher: Entangled: Ignite

ASIN:  B00H6ETDTC

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Review Copy Source:NetGalley

 Visions of death haunt her . . .

Ava Keller sees the future. When she suffers a horrifying vision of a man's violent death, she knows from experience nothing she does will stop it from becoming a reality. But when she meets a strong, broken man, he makes her want to believe in second chances.

Vengeance consumes him . . .

Tortured by his past, Karson has worked tirelessly to wreak vengeance on the demons who murdered his family. But when Ava inadvertently disrupts his intricate plan for revenge, his focus shifts to an all-consuming need to keep her alive and in his arms.

Love could save their souls . . .

Thrown together by fate, Ava and Karson explore their new feelings and discover hope for the future. But they must battle the demons threatening humanity to find a destiny worthy of their love.

I. Was. So......Bored. After reading TEMPTED BY FIRE (which I really wanted to enjoy) that thought was about all I came away with. There is an interesting cast of characters involved and situations that make your heart pound. I just couldn't seem to get invested in the book and that was when my mind kept wandering.

The good news is that it seems like I am in the minority so if you have been eying this book take a look at all the great reviews on the web.

I gave it 2.5/5 stars

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

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The Sharpest Blade

Author:Sandy Williams

Release Date: December 31, 2013

Publisher: Ace

Shadow Reader Book #3

ISBN:  0765328089

ISBN13: 9780765328083

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source:NetGalley

 Torn between two worlds.
Torn between two lives.

McKenzie Lewis’s ability to read the shadows has put her—and …those she loves—in harm’s way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?

After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular—albeit boring—job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.

With the fae she loves and the fae she’s tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart—or save it.

How did I NOT know that THE SHARPEST BLADE was the last book of the series until AFTER I read it and was excited to find out what was next? What a bummer that was for me.

So looking back some of my thoughts changed for the better. Overall I really enjoyed the last installment, the love triangle is put to rest once and for all, the bad guys get what they deserve, we get to meet some neat new characters, and the action is just as fierce as the previous installments were. If you have not given this series a try now is the perfect time so you don't have to wait for a long period of time to find out the answers to all your burning questions.  

I gave it 4/5 stars

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