Guest Blog: Living Dead Girl by Nessie Strange

UFI welcomes Nessie Strange Author of Living Dead Girl. Thanks for Joining us!!

What makes a good urban fantasy story? This is something I've thought about a lot, both as a reader and a writer. I've tried so many books, and while I've enjoyed much of what I've read over the years, there are a rare few books that just sank their claws into me and didn't let go until long after I'd finished reading. As a reader, finding these gems is part of the excitement when we search for more material. As writers, we hope to find readers who will feel that way about our work.

I don't think there's a magical formula for what will resonate with readers. I'd imagine urban fantasy isn't much different from any other genre. Readers want to become completely immersed in stories. With a good story, we've stepped into an alternate world, where we're experiencing the lives of these characters. Whether we want to be scared, or kept on edge, or have our hearts captured by true love, I think in the end we're all looking for escape. This doesn't necessarily mean we're unhappy, or dissatisfied with real life. Reading is simply the chance to visit a place we've never been, go on an adventure, or witness the rush of a new love.

What initially drew me to the genre was this notion that there's this magical, fantastical other-world right under all of our noses. We might not all see it, but it's intertwined with our daily lives. That makes these stories seem like they could on some level be plausible, because they happen in places, or scenarios we all recognize. Now this doesn't mean I actually believe that I'll meet a vampire or develop supernatural powers, but with a good urban fantasy story, I've met someone who could be my neighbor, co-worker, friend or family member and they've experienced this.

As with any genre, I think characters are crucial. You don't have to love them or even agree with what they do, but you do need to feel that they're living, breathing, thinking human beings. In a good story, the author has achieved this. Real human beings think, feel, react and interact, therefore believable characters must also do this. It's not as simple as telling the reader about a series of events. It's weaving the threads of a story through the life of a character. If I, as a writer, create a living character, then I should be able to put them in any situation—no matter how far-fetched—and a reader will believe.

The only limit is as far as your imagination will go—in urban fantasy anything can happen, and that's something I find exciting about reading and writing the genre. I also find it frustrating when authors don't bring something unique to the table. I think this is where the collective eye-roll comes in at the mention of vampires, for example, because when a certain formula works, suddenly you have many stories using the same formula and it gets boring. As readers, we find ourselves thinking—yep, I've seen this before. That being said, I firmly believe that there is more material out there for vampires, zombies, fae, etc. The key is for writers to challenge themselves, and hopefully discover something that will capture many imaginations.

__________________________________

Nessie is a Massachusetts native and mother of two who has dabbled in everything from abstract painting to freelance sports reporting. She also loves a good story, whether it’s reading or writing one. Active membership in a writer’s critique group has helped erase the memory of two horribly written practice novels. LIVING DEAD GIRL is her first real novel.

Find Nessie and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

__________________________________

Living Dead Girl
Amazon BN Kobo ARe

Jen MacLellan has hit a dead end…

Jen knows tattooed, blue-haired Jack Norris is trouble the minute he opens his front door. And being a mortician in the avante garde East Side of Providence, Jen has seen a lot. Jack has recruited Jen’s teenage brother Drew to play drums for his less-than-respectable punk band, and Jen has no choice but to follow their gigs to keep her little brother out of trouble. But when Drew goes missing, she finds herself in the awkward position of asking for Jack’s help. Shocked that he agrees, Jen decides she may have misjudged him. Worse, she might even like him.

But when Jen is brutally attacked, she awakens in the hospital where a Sid Vicious look-alike greets her with the news: she’s dead, and he’s the reaper assigned to take her away. Yeah, not so much. Refusing to leave, Jen’s spirit watches helplessly as her loved ones suffer, powerless to ease her family’s grief or prevent the police from accusing Jack of her murder. Desperate to help them, Jen convinces the reaper to bring her back. But reanimating corpses isn’t as easy as it looks, and neither is finding a killer before it’s too late…

__________________________________

__________________________________

 

Week in Review: 4/6-4/12

Books I've Bought/received

* Vampire's Thirst by Cynthia Garner- eARC- Netgalley

* Blind Faith by Rebecca Zanetti- eARC- Netgalley

* Bloodwitch by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes- Publisher

Books I've Read

Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton
House of the Rising Sun by Kristen Painter
Blind Faith by Rebecca Zanetti
Frozen Desires by Jessie Donovan
Dark Innocense by Madeline Pryce

Reviews Posted

Nightmare Ink by Marcella Burnard
Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie
Twisted Miracles by A.J. Larrieu

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

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

* Monday- Guest blog and Giveaway for Copper Girl by Jennifer Allis Provost

* Tuesday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for The Dark Souls Series by Anne Hope

* Wednesday- Guest blog for The Uncovering by Jes Young

* Thursday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for Summoned by Rainy Kaye

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

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

BlogLovin

Networked Blogs

Facebook
Pinterest Board

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

Twitter

Goodreads

Librarything

Google+

 

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

Early Review: Nightmare Ink by Marcella Burnard

Nightmare Ink

Author: Marcella Burnard

Release Date: April 15, 2014

Publisher: Intermix

Living Ink Book #1

ASIN:  B00CLFCP14

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Publisher

With her art and magic, Isa Romanchzyk has the power to create or destroy. In her tattoo shop, Nightmare Ink, Isa helps those in need by binding the power embedded in their Live Ink—the magical tattoos that can enhance the life of the wearer, or end it. But binding tattoos has earned Isa the contempt of her fellow artists—including her former lover Daniel.

When a friend comes to the shop with a tattoo on the verge of killing him, Isa can’t turn him away. For the first time in years, she works Live Ink—something she swore she’d never do again. But a broken vow soon becomes the least of her problems.

The real nightmare begins when she’s abducted and inked with a Living Tattoo against her will. Now, saddled with a powerful, amoral entity willing to do anything to win his freedom, Isa must fight to keep her Living Tattoo from consuming her completely...

I was pleasantly surprised by NIGHTMARE INK. I wasn't totally sold on the whole living tattoo concept before i started reading, but it was nothing like I thought it would be when I started turning the pages. Isa is a talented tattoo artist, but she can go a step further and work rare magic with living tattoos. She had an unfortunate event during training and refuses to practice. Her one concession is binding living tattoos that go rogue. Nobody likes the fact that she binds their work and when she goes against threats to help a friend her life is put in danger.

NIGHTMARE INK was pretty emotionally charged. Isa has a lot of regrets and pain in her past. She has made a life for herself but still keeps herself apart in a way. The events that happen during NIGHTMARE INK show her how much support and love she has around her in her friends. The way they all came together to help her in dangerous times and stand by her, helped her heal a little bit. Through healing she was able to tap into what she can and wants to do.

A few parts of the story didn't feel as strong as other parts and the storyline wasn't as smooth as I thought it could have been which is why I am giving the score I am. Overall I really enjoyed the plot and I am interested in continuing the series.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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

Review: Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie

Shift Happens

Author:J.C. McKenzie

Release Date: March 27, 2014

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Carus Book #1

ISBN:  9781628302 

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Author

Andrea McNelly's job as a government agent is not asking questions, but then a routine assignment turns into a botched assassination of a Master Vampire's human servant. Answers become a priority. Her search to discover the truth is riddled with obstacles, the largest being an oversized Werewolf who resembles a Norse god. Andy can't afford the distraction he offers, because if she fails, she faces eternal enslavement.

Wick's job is to monitor Andy, but he prefers more intimate activities, none of them G-Rated. His choices, however, are often not his own. His ability to help Andy is limited by his bond to the Master Vampire.

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high.

The blurb didn't really drag me in but after reading a little more about SHIFT HAPPENS on the web I decided to give it a shot. Andrea's position as a government agent/assassin puts her in a rough spot when an assignment doesn't go as planned and she is captured by a werewolf pack. The master vampire in charge of the werewolves tasks her with finding the truth about who is behind her assignment or else. The truth is not easy to come by and by the end of the story her life has been turned upside down, righted back up and then flopped on its side.

Andrea has not had it easy and we slowly learn about her past and who she really is as SHIFT HAPPENS evolves. I liked her right away, her character was real and easy to relate to. She was a good mix of bad ass and vulnerable. Wick is the alpha of his pack. Unfortunately his pack is controlled by a master vampire so he has no choice but to obey his commands. He knows right away that Andrea is his mate but the complicated situations keeps him from keeping her totally safe and her stubbornness keeps them apart for longer than he would like. I see a major love triangle in the next book. I don't really know how I feel about it at this point as I really like Wick and feel they work well together. The added complication doesn't interest me, but we will see what happens because I can't not read more.

Not only is the world well developed but the characters really brought the story home. Even though the story is told in Andrea's voice each and every secondary character makes an impact. That is not easy to do. The story as a whole had a great flow and kept me interested from start to finish. Book two BEAST COAST is already on my wishlist.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Summoned by Rainy Kaye

UFI welcomes Rainy Kaye Author of Summoned. Thanks for Joining us!!

A Tour of Dimitri’s House in SUMMONED
 
“What is in your main character's refrigerator? Nightstand? Garbage can?”

I’ve seen this set of questions in several places, and I think it’s pretty clever. The answers can say a lot about a person, and so they should also be telling about a fictional character. So let’s take a nosey look around Dimitri’s house and see what it reveals about him.

First stop, the refrigerator. SUMMONED readers can probably answer this one already: water, soda, wine, and not much else. Dim is usually beaten up and exhausted by the time he gets home from fulfilling a wish. And when he lets a wish run too long, he develops a fever. Plus, you know, he lives in the desert. So keeping cold drinks on hand is a priority. As for the wine, well, he has limited time to win temporary affection from women, and wine speeds things along. All that aside, he works for a multimillionaire so he has no need or inclination to cook. He might not be back in time for dinner anyway.

Second stop, the nightstand. Gun, condoms, and, if he’s home, his phone. That’s pretty much his life in a nutshell.

Garbage can. Manila envelopes. On closer inspection, manila envelopes containing information about his targets. This says more than just what he’s up to. It also illustrates he’s a little too comfortable in—and unprepared for—his role as a killer genie.

So there you have it. Of course, on the tour you might have also noticed the benzo syringes in the medicine chest, the computer with bomb-making directions, and the click of the gun being cocked behind you.

__________________________________

 Rainy Kaye is an aspiring overlord. In the mean time, she blogs at RainyoftheDark and writes paranormal novels from her lair somewhere in Phoenix, Arizona.

When not plotting world domination, she enjoys getting lost around the globe, studying music so she can sing along with symphonic metal bands, and becoming distracted by Twitter.

She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Find Rainy and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

__________________________________

Summoned

Twenty-three year old Dimitri has to do what he is told—literally. Controlled by a paranormal bond, he is forced to use his wits to fulfill unlimited deadly wishes made by multimillionaire Karl Walker.

Dimitri has no idea how his family line became trapped in the genie bond. He just knows resisting has never ended well. When he meets Syd—assertive, sexy, intelligent Syd—he becomes determined to make her his own. Except Karl has ensured Dimitri can’t tell anyone about the bond, and Syd isn’t the type to tolerate secrets.

Then Karl starts sending him away on back-to-back wishes. Unable to balance love and lies, Dimitri sets out to uncover Karl’s ultimate plan and put it to an end. But doing so forces him to confront the one wish he never saw coming—the wish that will destroy him.

SUMMONED is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Note: SUMMONED is not a romance. It contains strong language, naughty scenes, mature content, terrible wishes, mystery, discomfort, explosions, and an apple.

__________________________________

__________________________________

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats!! I have emailed winner who has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or I will pick another.

Guest Blog: The Uncovering by Jes Young

UFI welcomes Jess Young Author of The Uncovering. Thanks for Joining us!!

Omens, Superstitions, & Myth

I recently I came across this review of my book, The Uncovering, 

“Loved it… but I don’t get the starlings??”
– Gina* via GoodReads review

 

I completely understand why Gina didn’t get the starlings. To be honest, when I wrote them into the story – long after the first draft was already complete – even I wasn’t exactly sure what they were doing there. At first, they were just set dressing, but then a little research turned up a lot of information about superstitions, omens and folklore about them and I realized their presence in the story could provide more than a creepy / cool visual. 

Here are some of the things I discovered: 

• Starlings are widely considered to be messengers of change and transformation. In The Uncovering, the starlings start following Tab around just as her life is about to undergo tremendous change.
• When a starling shrills, it means a stranger is coming to your door. In the book, the person at the door – more like up against it – is Alex, the Elvish prince who Tab has unknowingly been betrothed to since birth.
• In Celtic legend they are related to Fae magic. The murders of her sisters brings Tab’s hidden Elvish heritage to light at the beginning of the book. 

Afterwards I realized that without knowing I was doing it, I had incorporated some of the most prevalent superstitions about starlings into the story. Coincidence or divine intervention? Starlings are also known to carry messages from the Gods. 

So Gina*, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that who and what the starlings are will be completely explained in The Delving, book two in the Twilight and Dawn series, which should be out sometime over the summer. 

Here are some of the other omens and superstitions I dug up while researching starlings: 

• A bird in the house is means bad luck.
• Although it probably won’t feel that way when it happens, having bird droppings land on your head means good luck.
• If a bird flies through your house, it means important news is coming. If it can’t get out, someone will die. If the bird flies toward you, you should probably think about getting your affairs in order.
• Finding a dead crow on the road is good luck (obviously not for the crow).
• In Wales, it’s considered good luck if two crows cross your path but in New England it’s bad luck to see two crows flying together.
• A lark that won’t look at you, a robin that taps on your window, and a plover’s call are all signs of death.
• Owls, peacock feathers, and a single magpie are all unlucky omens. Ten magpies, however mean a time of perfect bliss.
• If a raven perches on a house in Wales, it will bring prosperity. If you see one circling a home in Scotland, someone who lives there will die.
• The gull forecasts happiness or the death of a loved one (probably not at the same time).
• Sparrows mean bad luck for lovers. 

I’m not especially superstitious although I do throw salt over my left shoulder if I’ve spilled it and avoid walking under ladders. What about you? What superstitions do you believe in? 

Oh, on a side note, if you’ve never seen a murmuration of starlings in flight, click the link for an amazing video of a huge murmuration shot by wild life cameraman and travel journalist Dylan Winter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakKfY5aHmY. 

Many thanks to Stacy for having me over. I really appreciate the chance to talk about my work with you and your readers. If anybody has any comments or questions, let’s hear them! I’ll check in to answer throughout the day.

__________________________________

Jes Young was a copywriter at Random House for eight years before leaving the job she loved to be a full time mom. She holds a BFA in creative writing from Emerson College.

She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance because, in spite of a complete lack of supporting evidence, Jes still believes in fairy tales, happy endings, and true love.


Find Jes and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

__________________________________

The Uncovering
Underneath and Inbetween #1

 Tab Bennett is normal — unusually, excessively normal. Her job as a bank teller is safe and secure, her grandfather finally let her move out of the house (at least to the cottage at the end of the driveway), and her fiance fiercely guards her chastity, whether she wants him to or not.

It's something of a shock, then, when Tab learns that she is the elvish queen of the fabled kingdom of the Inbetween. Also shocking is the appearance of the staggeringly confident and gorgeous elvish warrior who claims to be Tab's true betrothed. Even amidst a steamy love triangle, Tab must tell friend from foe in an unknown world of danger, deceit, magic, and sex.

The first in the Underneath and Inbetween trilogy, The Uncovering sparkles with wit and unadulterated fun.

__________________________________

EXCERPT 

That night I had a dream that Nicholas and I were walking through the deep woods. He had his hands over my eyes so I had to trust him for every step. We moved slowly and close together but he wasn’t keeping me captive and I wasn’t struggling to get away. We were just taking a walk together; there was no reason to be afraid.

“Watch your step,” he whispered.

Without my eyes, my other senses seemed stronger. I could hear the trees swaying in the breeze, whispering secrets to the sky. I could smell the festering of leaves that would soon turn to new earth. I could hear animals growl and snap as they tracked their prey through the undergrowth. I could feel a sheen of moisture, damp and close, clinging to my skin, molding the long gown I wore to the curves of my body. I shivered though I was neither frightened nor cold.

“There’s a branch,” he cautioned. “Duck.” Gently, he tucked my head and I slipped under it. I giggled, enjoying the game.

“Are we almost there?” I asked.

“Nearly. The tree we’re looking for is deep in the deepest woods. It’s a secret tree. But I’ll show it to you.”

“You won’t let me fall?”

let me fall, let me fall

“What is that? Who’s there?” I felt the brush of feathers against my cheek.

“It’s nothing, just the starlings,” Nicholas answered. “Ignore them.”

He guided me deeper into the woods. I could hear the starlings landing on the branches above my head, feel the wind from each flap of their wings, smell the sweetness of berries on their breath.

“Where are you taking me again?”

“I’m taking you to find your sister.”

find your sister, find your sister the starlings called

“Rivers isn’t lost. Rivers is dead.”

“I heard.”

When he took his hands away from my eyes, I could see everything, all the beauty and terror of the forest, all the wonder of ordinary things transformed by moonlight and shadow. I wanted to stop and take it all in but Nicholas was anxious to keep moving. Deeper and deeper and darker and darker, I followed him until we came to the place we’d been searching for.

The tree stood alone in a clearing. It wasn’t especially tall but nothing grew above it, leaving it bare to the sky and stars. It was wide and old and gnarled with symbols cut deep into its bark. Its branches stretched out instead of up, reaching toward us, circling the tree like a spiral staircase.

“This is the tree of stairs,” Nicholas explained. “If you say the right words, it will take you Underneath.”

From above I heard the starlings calling, find your sister, find your sister

“Why would I want to go there?” I asked.

Faint though it was, the sound of tapping woke me out of the dream. I turned toward the window, half expecting to see Nicholas’ pale face on the other side of the glass. Instead it was a starling, his ruby red eye a pinpoint of light in the early morning darkness.

“Go away,” I said.

The bird kept tapping, looking at me, waiting for a response.

“My sister isn’t lost, you creepy thing.” I knocked against the glass and he flew away, rejoining the swirl of starlings flying around in my front yard. Another bird broke free of the formation to take his place. It started tapping, too.

“Go away.” I knocked on the window again but this bird was made of tougher stuff than the other. Every time I knocked, he tapped back. “I don’t know what you want. My sister is dead.”

The flock changed direction mid-flight and flew to the edge of the woods, settling on the trees there. The bird on my windowsill tapped twice more against the glass.

“You are freaking me out, little bird. Please leave me alone.” He tapped again. “What do you want? Do you want to come in?” I asked. He tilted his head in that eerie way that all birds do and blinked at me.

“Do you want me to come out?” I asked.

He tapped twice.

“Yeah, I’ll just bet you do.”

We both stayed by the window, the bird and me, until sunrise. Then he flew away with the other members of his flock. I told George as soon as he got out of bed.
 
“You should have woken me,” he said. “What else did they say?”

“They didn’t say anything.” It seemed ridiculous to me to get worked up over some birds – even if they were tapping on my window and visiting me in dreams, they were just birds. “Well one of them may have indicated that he wanted me to go outside.”

“He said that?”

“He didn’t say anything because he was a bird. But he tapped on the window when I asked if he wanted me to come out.”

“That wasn’t a bird, it was a Harbinger.”

“A Harbinger of what?” I asked. “You better not say doom.”

“Not doom,” George laughed, “change. The starlings means change is coming to you, one part of your life is over and another part is about to begin.”

“Well,” I shrugged, “they’re right about that.”