Monday, April 28, 2014

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Nightmare Ink by Marcella Burnard

UFI welcomes Marcella Burnard Author of Nightmare Ink. Thanks for Joining us!!

Character Guest: Isa

Welcome. I’m Isa Romanchzyk. You’re here for Live Ink, right? Come on downstairs. The containment studio is down there. Easier to ground the kind of magic we’ll have to handle in order to do your Tattoo. Have a seat on the recliner there. We have a few formalities to get out of the way first.

You’ve come to me for a Living Tattoo. Acts of Magic laws require that I record everything that goes on in this studio for your protection as well as for my own. Personal ethics require that I make sure you can support Live Ink and that you know what you’re getting yourself into.

You’ve heard that Living Tattoos make you better, that they augment abilities you already have or mitigate a tendency you wish you didn’t. You’ll also have heard that people with Live Ink live longer. A lot longer. They don’t get sick. And if they’re injured, they heal almost instantly. It’s all true.

I’ve had a client with a too hot temper get a Living Tattoo that cooled his anger issues. The first people who got Live Ink fifty-sixty years ago are still alive and show hardly any signs of aging. But it’s important you understand that Live Ink does not make you immortal. You can die. So can your Tattoo. It’s happened.

Yes. I know that the Live Ink Association says that Live Ink is nothing more than a magical construct – that they aren’t really alive. Let’s just say I’ve had some experiences that make me think that assessment is inaccurate. Possibly dangerous.

Regardless.

The media plays up Live Ink as some kind of miracle. It’s hip and fashionable to have a Living Tattoo. It’s made all the more attractive because only a portion of the population can support them. Here’s where the other shoe drops, because there are tradeoffs to having Live Ink.

Live Ink feeds from you, from your blood and your magic. They are entities with minds and wills of their own, in my experience. They anchor in the fabric of your soul and if you don’t have the will and the control of your arcane power to balance the Tattoo, you’ll both die a messy painful death. What does that mean? No recreational drugs ever again. No alcohol to excess. No pain medications that alter your grip on your will. Not ever again.

Here’re the stakes: if you muddy your will, the balance between you and the Tattoo will shift. The anchors forged between you will slip free. Your Live Ink will unravel, which sounds benign. It isn’t. When Live Ink comes undone, it rips free from you, taking your blood and your magic with it as it goes.

If you opt for a Live Tattoo, being Inked will be the easiest part of the process. After my job is done, your work integrating the Tattoo begins. It’s one of the reasons I suggest you be damned sure this is what you want. You’re thinking of sewing a second soul to your skin and into the fabric of who and what you are.

Is that what you want?

Okay then. No one can say you haven’t been warned. Now to find out if you have the magic to support Live Ink. Take my hand and come on over to the etheric with me. Time to find out whether you’ve got what it takes to survive Live Ink.
__________________________________

Marcella Burnard graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a degree in acting. She writes science fiction romance for Berkley Sensation.

Her first book, Enemy Within won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award for Best Futuristic of 2010. The second book in the series, Enemy Games, released on May 3, 2011.

An erotica novella, Enemy Mine, set in the same world as the novels was released as an e-special edition by Berkley was released in April 2012. Emissary, a sword and sorcery short story released in the two volume Thunder on the Battlefield Anthology in the second half of 2013.

Find Marcella and her books
__________________________________

Nightmare Ink
Living Ink #1
 From “smoking-hot talent”* Marcella Burnard comes a dangerous and captivating new novel that will get under your skin.

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...
__________________________________

__________________________________
Tour Wide


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Covet April Release Blast


Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join the Book Club.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Covet's April releases:



Don't Blackmail the Vampire by Tiffany Allee

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!


Charles Kane has found the perfect way to trap the man threatening his brother's wife: befriend him, get invited along on the skiing trip, and then search for incriminating evidence. How much better that audacious but adorable Rachel has her own vendetta against the bastard, and is just as eager to nail him to the wall. As far as Charles is concerned, there's nothing wrong with a little blackmail between two consenting adults. Especially when it's time for Rachel to pay up.




Stop Dragon My Heart Around by Susannah Scott

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!


Leo denies his lust for Tee, Vegas’s favorite casino host, because she doesn’t bear his dragon mark and without that true soulmate, he will lose his dragon form. But when Tee's identity is challenged, Leo’s protective instincts kick in. Can he give up his dragon form for the woman he loves—even if it means shortening his life? Or has Tee had enough of having her heart dragged around?



Trusting An Angel

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Isadora secretly longs for her boss Zerach’s attention, but her scarred body and his playboy ways keep her from acting on her feelings. When Zerach helps her fend off an unwanted advance, she sees him in a new light and can't help but wonder if he shares her feelings. When a demon starts stalking Isadora, Zerach, an archangel with a mission to protect humans from demons, will stop at nothing to protect her. Now he risks not only losing the woman he loves, but also losing his wings.

Giveaway!

Find Out More!

Edge April Release Day Blast #2


Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from their popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Edge's April 28th releases!!



Night Child by Lisa Kessler
Night #4

Special $0.99 Introductory Price For One Week ONLY!


Find Out More!

Issa is one of the original Night Walkers, a proud protector of the mortal world. Now, when the key to the survival of the entire Night Walker race rests on protecting an unborn child, Issa is the only immortal strong enough to defend Muriah and the prophecy. But Muriah’s headstrong spirit and soulful eyes awaken feelings in him that are best left buried. When the Egyptian God of Chaos sstrikes, Muriah and Issa must find the lost scrolls to trap him. But as the battle between love and chaos ensues, sacrifices must be made…


Call of the Siren by Rosalie Lario
Demons of the Infernum #4 

Special $0.99 Introductory Pricing!

Find Out More!


Siren-demon hybrid bounty hunter Dagan Meyers swore he'd never settle down. Tying himself to one woman is so not his bag. Until he meets the gorgeous angel Lina, and can’t think of being with anybody BUT her. The last thing Lina wants is to develop feelings for the smooth-talking man she knows will eventually leave her. But as they battle a growing darkness—a powerful dark fae who’s harnessed untold power—Dagan and Lina find that love may be their greatest weapon against the evil that threatens to destroy them all.



Angel Kin by Tricia Skinner
Angel Assassins #1

Special $0.99 Introductory Pricing!


Find Out More!

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when Katie fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. His twin, who he thought was dead, is very much alive…and sending him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.” Now, with Katie’s life in his hands, Cain must fight to keep them both alive. But Abel has just one goal: destroy his brother, starting with the woman he’s falling in love with.



Just A Kiss by Ally Broadfield

Novella Only $0.99!


Charlotte Lightwood has one season to find a husband or she'll be forced to marry her guardian's loathsome cousin. With no title or dowry, she doesn't have much hope of making a good match. Sebastian Wilkinson, the Earl of Marley, has been the most eligible bachelor on the marriage mart for more years than he cares to count and is very aware of his duty to marry a woman who will add to the wealth and stature of his title. Sebastian makes Charlotte an offer she can't refuse: he will pretend to court her to help her attract more suitors in exchange for her advice about which ladies he should pursue. As they work together, their mutual attraction grows. When they realize they just might be perfect for one another, they must decide whether to bow to the dictates of society or follow their hearts.



The Demon Lord by Paula Altenburg
Demon Outlaws #2.5

Novella Only $0.99!

Find Out More!

The Demon Lord has conquered the mortal world and sampled its pleasures. Now all he needs is to conquer the goddess who is meant to complete him. The goddess Allia, however, has other plans. She is sent by her immortal sisters to win the heart of the Demon Lord and make him her slave but soon discovers that the Demon Lord’s heart is not easily given, and that in order to win it, she must sacrifice her own.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Week in Review: 4/20-4/26


Books I've Bought/received

* Darkest Flame by Donna Grant- eARC- NetGalley

* Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin- eARC- NetGalley

* Fireborn by Keri Arthur- eARC- Publisher via NetGalley

* A Vampire's Soul by Carla Susan Smith- eARC- Publisher

* Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones- eARC- Publisher via NetGalley

* Guarded by Mary Behre- ARC- Publisher

Books I've Read

Fireborn by Keri Arthur
Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin
Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones
A Vampire's Soul by Carla Susan Smith
Darkest Flame by Donna Grant
Stop Dragon My Heart Around by Susannah Scott

Reviews Posted

Shattered Secrets by Krystal Wade
Death's Daughter by Kathleen Collins
The Hunt by Stacey Kade
Dark Innocence by Madeline Pryce
Before the Storm by Claire Ashgrove

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

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

* Monday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for Lost Library by Kate Baray. Edge April Release Day Blast

* Wednesday- Promo and Giveaway the Noon Onyx Series by Jill Archer

* Thursday- Guest Blog and Giveaway for Before the Storm by Claire Ashgrove

* Friday- UFI took part in the Dark and Deadly Blog Barrage , Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Love Me to Death by Marissa Clarke

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

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

You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.
 
 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

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.
________________________________  

Shattered Secrets
Author: Krystal Wade
Release Date: March 3, 2014
Publisher: Curiosity Quills
Book of Red Book #1
ISBN:  1620074842
ISBN13: 9781620074848
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source:NetGalley

After being kidnapped, hogtied, and stuffed in the trunk of a car, seventeen-year-old Abigail Nichols' boy problems seem unimportant.
She couldn't be more wrong.

The boy who saves her holds her heart.

But Derick Crawford also holds secrets.

Magical beings who guide human emotions are fighting an invisible war dating back to the dawn of time, and Abigail's one of them. The more she learns of her heritage, the less she wants to know. Armed with a very old, very massive book to teach them about their history, Abigail and Derick run away to a place where they think they can be safe and happy, only to have their troubles secretly hitch a ride.

Her history book is in a sharing mood, and it tells her to keep a secret of her own.

But has she put her trust in the wrong place?

And will the world survive if she has?

SHATTERED SECRETS started off pretty strong, lost me in the middle and found me again towards the end. There was a unique storyline with some parallels to her previous Darkness Falls Series. 

I really found myself wanting to learn more about the type of people the characters were but their struggles seemed to drag out longer than I felt necessary. When I finally got to the point where we were getting answers it ended. I might read book 2, I might not. It isn't at the top of my list though.

I gave it 3/5 stars

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

________________________________ 

 Death's Daughter
Release Date: March 31, 2014
Publisher: Carina Press
Realm Walker Book #2
ISBN13: 9781426898112
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source:NetGalley
Juliana Norris, Realm Walker with the Agency, is an Altered. A fact that she runs up against every time she's forced to work with human police officers, and their species-ist commissioner, on cases they can't solve themselves. Which happens more than they would like to admit.

Her gift—the quality that makes her the best Realm Walker in the business, without boast—is the ability to read magical signatures. Whether the gift came from her father, the dark fae god of death, or the mage mother she can't remember, is anyone's guess. And when Altered children start going missing with only wild magical signatures as clues, her heritage is the last thing on her mind.

She can't afford such distractions, and she definitely can't afford to worry about the fact that her mate, master vampire Thomas Kendrick, hasn't spoken to her since she saved him from a demon—maybe it's because she had to stab him to do so. Because whoever is kidnapping these children must be very powerful to wield wild magic. Very powerful, and very dangerous indeed.

There are plenty of situations in book 2 that had my heart pounding. I even shed a few tears. I got most of everything I was hoping for in DEATH'S DAUGHTER.  I nice pace, great writing, action, danger, suspense, and romance. I didn't figure out the mystery until the end and was pretty shocked that I didn't pick up on it sooner. That is a win in my book!

Watching Julianna come farther out of her shell was very entertaining and I can't wait to see more of Juliana and Thomas in book 3.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

________________________________ 

The Hunt
Author:Stacey Kade
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion
ISBN:  1423153294
ISBN13: 9781423153290
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source:NetGalley

Ariane Tucker has finally escaped GTX, the research facility that created her. While on the run, Zane Bradshaw is the only person she can trust. He knows who-and what-she is and still wants to be part of her life.

But accepting Zane's help means putting him in danger.

Dr. Jacobs, head of GTX, is not the only one hunting for Ariane. Two rival corporations have their sights set on taking down their competition. Permanently. To protect Zane and herself, Ariane needs allies. She needs the other hybrids. The hybrids who are way more alien and a lot less human. Can Ariane win them over before they turn on her? Or will she be forced to choose sides, to decide who lives and who dies?

Most of THE HUNT was spent with Ariane and Zane staying on the run, visiting with Zane's Mom and plotting to turn some other hybrids into allies while also trying to rescue them. Nothing they set out to do goes as planned and by the end of the book you just want to shake the heck out of them and tell them they ruined everything with their constant bad decisions. 

I found the pace a bit slower than THE RULES and although I enjoyed it, I didn't find it as interesting either. If you read THE RULES you will still want to read THE HUNT and the cliff hanger at the end will make you want book 3.

I gave it 3/5 stars

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

Friday, April 25, 2014

Dark and Deadly Blog Barrage

Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance Boxed Set is now available worldwide for a special introductory price of only $0.99! 

This ebook boxed set of eight hot paranormal romances by eight New York Times and USA Today best-selling romance authors features powerful alpha male bad boys who will satisfy your darkest, most deadliest desires. 

Here’s more about this fantastic eight book boxed set, including an excerpt from one of the stories.
Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance is available from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iBooks stores and other retailers. Find the links to your preferred retailer at: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/dark-and-deadly/
__________________________________

Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance
By Jennifer Ashley, Alyssa Day, Felicity Heaton, Erin Kellison, Laurie London, Erin Quinn, Bonnie Vanak and Caris Roane
Eight hot paranormal romances by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Alpha-male bad boys will fulfill your darkest, most deadliest desires in these stories about shifters, werewolves, vampires, magic, special powers and other realms. But only if you dare…

BODYGUARD by Jennifer Ashley
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed attacker by a Kodiak bear who shifts into a tight-bodied, naked human male. Ronan takes Elizabeth to Shiftertown, becoming her 24/7 bodyguard. The mateless Ronan has adopted a houseful of orphaned Shifters--having grown up in foster care, Elizabeth is touched by his protectiveness. Ronan only wants to keep Elizabeth safe, but the sassy woman is triggering his long-buried need to mate.

ALEJANDRO’S SORCERESS by Alyssa Day
He’s a warrior, hardened by years of protecting his town from vampire attack. She’s a garden witch who sees the world in shades of sunshine and delight. Opposites don’t only attract, they go supernova in this sizzling tale of magic and mayhem.

BEWITCH by Felicity Heaton
A vampire with a bloodstained past and a soul tainted with darkness, Payne is perfect in his self-control, never surrendering to his darkest desires. Now a beautiful witch in the shadowy fae underworld reawakens long denied hungers and tempts him with pleasure. When one incredible night of fulfilling their fantasies leads to more than just keeping a promise and saving a friend, will they be able to overcome the barriers that stand between them and forever?

DARKNESS FALLS by Erin Kellison
Agent Malcolm Rook is hunting for people with the rarest of talents—the ability to master dreams. He finds the undeniably gifted Jordan Lane, but she’s wary of mysterious Rook and resists his pursuit as long as she can. Yet the dreamwaters they enter are too exhilarating to resist, and attraction soon ignites electric passions. Delving too deep stirs a nightmare, one they must defeat, or be forever lost to darkness. 

ROGUE’S PASSION by Laurie London
Blaming himself for the death of a friend, Iron Guild warrior Asher Kane vows to bring those responsible to justice. After he’s hurt on a mission and nursed back to health by a beautiful yet mysterious woman, this dangerously sexy bad-boy finds himself falling for Olivia…even as he struggles to stay away. But stalking them on the streets of New Seattle is a cruel and vengeful evil—one that threatens to destroy them both…

THE FORBIDDEN LIFE OF ALEX MOORE by Erin Quinn
Alex’s mission: Kill the hellhounds that have invaded earth and return to his home in the Beyond. But from the start, things go horribly wrong. The hounds are cunning and a human female witnesses their attack—she intervenes and saves Alex’s life. Now he must keep the alluring Lilly alive while fighting his desire for her. When passion flares, Alex risks all to protect her and defend the forbidden life he craves.

THE MATING HEAT by Bonnie Vanak
Werewolf Kara Mitchell fled with her brother Aiden to Montana after their alpha father punished her for kissing sexy omega werewolf Ryder Carrington. Left scarred by her father’s cruelty, Kara believes no one can love her. After killing his alpha to save the pack, Ryder now rules, but needs a mate. His blood runs hot for Kara. Ryder will do anything to claim her, even risk an all-out pack war that could cost them everything…

TRAPPED by Caris Roane
Mastyr Vampire Zephyr, a one-man fighting force, struggles to save the life of a woman who despises his warrior ways. She’s been a thorn in his side, but he has one goal: to keep her safe. For Alesia, however, she just wishes he’d leave her alone since she can never approve of his profession. She broke up with him months ago and wants to start a new life. The trouble is, he’s still the one man who can curl her toes.
__________________________________

EXCERPT FROM BODYGUARD BY JENNIFER ASHLEY
 
The bear climbed to his feet, swung his great head around, and fixed red-raged eyes on Elizabeth. 

He was the biggest living creature Elizabeth had ever seen. On all fours, the bear stood about six feet tall at the shoulder, which put his head well above Elizabeth’s. His breath huffed between immense and sharp teeth, his growls rumbling from his throat like thunder. His gaze still locked on hers, he took a step toward her on one massive paw. 

Elizabeth brought her hand up, aimed the can of pepper spray at his face, and gave him a full dose. 

The bear blinked, drew back, blinked again, sat down on his hind legs, and rocked his head all the way back. Then he sneezed

The noise exploded into the room like a sonic boom, vibrating papers on the desk and rattling the Victorian prints on the walls in their prim and proper frames. 

The bear rose on his hind legs again and kept rising, ten feet—twelve—fifteen, his bulk hunching to fit under the low ceiling. At the same time, his immense body started to shrink. The bear’s face contorted, muzzle shortening, as did, thank God, his teeth. 

In about thirty seconds the bear was gone, and a man stood in its place. The man was just as massive as the bear—at least seven feet tall, with chocolate brown hair buzzed short, eyes as dark as the bear’s, an almost square face with a once-broken nose, and a chin and jaw dark with five o’clock shadow. 

His arm bore a bloody gash where the bullet had whipped by it, but his body was muscle on top of muscle on top of muscle, not an ounce of fat that Elizabeth could see. And Elizabeth saw it all, because the man was stark naked. Except for the Collar, which had shrunk to fit his human neck, the bear-man wore not a stitch. 

He wiped his streaming eyes. “Shit, woman,” he said in a voice that brought down a trickle of ceiling tile dust to whiten his hair. “That itches.” 

Grab the boxed set for just $0.99 to read this story and seven others…
__________________________________

Please note that this is NOT the boxed set that's being featured by this barrage, but an earlier release, and that this giveaway is international.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Dark Innocence by Madeline Pryce

Dark Innocence
Release Date: January 31, 2014
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Dark Book #2
ISBN:  1419990888
ISBN13: 9781419990885
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source:Publisher
Hannah Grey will do anything to escape the tortured memories haunting her. Every breath brings back the pain, the fear and the unbearable knowledge that she’ll never be the once-perfect girl everyone thought her to be. When the self-destructive fog of drugs, alcohol and meaningless sex starts to clear, Dante, a lion shifter sexier than sin itself, emerges through the darkness ready to rescue her for the second time in so many weeks.

In the safety of Dante’s embrace, Hannah allows herself to become the woman she’s always wanted to be—smart, sexy, capable and empowered. His every touch electrifies. His hot, hungry kisses set her senses ablaze. As Dante masters her body, Hannah finally finds the strength to master her fears.

Perfection shatters as a mysterious vampire escalates from anonymous phone calls to violent encounters. When Hannah’s enemies unite, placing both her and Dante in mortal peril, it’s going to take all of her newfound strength to face the coming darkness and save the man she loves.
*Contains spoilers from DARK CRAVINGS*

After her torture at the hands of the old vampire queen, Hannah would do anything to escape the memories of what happened to her. This leads her on a path to drugs, alcohol and sex. No matter what she throws at herself the handsome Dante is always there to pick her up. When she is targeted by a deranged Vampire hell bent on turning her into his new queen Dante is once a gain there to keep her safe.

We were introduced to both Hannah and Dante in book 1 of the Dark series. We know what Hannah went through and we watched a bit of the bond form between the two after the events that occurred. When I saw that book 2 would be about these two I was a little bummed because I really wanted more Ella and Micah, but after reading DARK INNOCENCE I was left glad I was able to watch their story together begin.

The romance between the two was fast and furious. The scenes were steamy and full of feeling. We got to watch Hannah come out of her shell of despair and we learned about who Dante really is. Although the book was focused on them we still got a few scenes with Ella and Micah.

Another fast paced, easy flowing story with plenty of romance and danger from Madeline Pryce. It was really nice getting to know Hannah and Dante and I look forward to seeing them in the next book, even if they aren't the main characters.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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