Saturday, October 17, 2015

Promo + Giveaway: The Kasadya Hellhound Series by

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Get the entire series for just 99c!
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Kasadya Hellhound Awakened 3 EBOOK UPLOAD
Kasadya Hellhound Awakened
Series: Kasadya #1
Author: Karen Swart
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: Paperback and E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: MAI-Editing-Services , There for you Editing Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
ISBN: 978-1311699121
Date Published: 21 August 2012
Pages: 342 pages

In a constant battle between good and evil, evil is dominating the battlefield and leading mankind to its destruction. With our Creator's intervention, a creature destined to conquer and destroy is created. He gives mankind hellhounds to fight back and reclaim freedom.
Join seventeen year old Kasadya Levourne as she fights against evil to protect us. With each step, she faces destruction, and yet she has the talent to give it back tenfold. Stubborn and hard-headed she makes her mark in the Fallen world and starts a battle none can escape. Not even her trainer, the very attractive Chax de Luca, was prepared for her presence.
Will evil prevail? Or will Kas and her Fallen friends succeed in protecting us against it? Hold on to your seats, this is going to be one hell of a ride.

Special Note:
The Kasadya Series is read back to back, book 1- 3 ends with a cliff hanger.


Now Free on all platforms!
Book Links-

kasadyafriday
Excerpt - 

Prologue
There was a time when heaven was filled with peace and serenity. God, Jesus Christ, and all the Angels lived in harmony; no evil and no sin existed. Until one fateful day...
With all gathered to hear their Sire speak, God rose and addressed his Angels. Before all, he proclaimed His Son, Jesus Christ, was equal to Him. That Christ’s words should be obeyed as if they were His own. Christ would command the heavens, with the same authority as Him. All the Angels bowed down before Christ and accepted their Sire’s proclamation, all except for one…
An Archangel was furious with this proclamation. He was his Sire’s right hand, the deliverer of justice, the commander of many legions. He had served his Sire for centuries, and never failed him. It should be to him that God bestow power, not a Son whom had never even seen battle.
With his heart filled with hatred and jealousy, he gathered all the angels in secret. He told them that their days of sweet liberty were at an end. That God has now placed Christ as their ruler and that they should now obey his wishes. Many angels were angered at such a false statement, but many also agreed with the Archangel. He had led them for many years; why should they now question his leadership?
The faithful Angels fled to God and told Him what was happening, and together they prepared for war. With the sun rising on a new day, God and his Angels stood ready for battle against the Archangel and his followers. The battle only lasted a day, the Archangel and his followers defeated before the sun set for the night.
Seeing the angels on their knees before Him, He gave them one final chance… “Repent and declare your loyalty, and I will forgive you, my children.” He told his beautiful angels, tears falling with each word. This was His family. This was His love. How could they betray Him? Some of the Angels cried their penance, begging Him to forgive them for their deceit. They claimed that the Archangel deceived them, and they followed him into battle, as they have done for centuries.
God took pity on them, but still believed that their deceit must not go unpunished. He had spoken many times about the importance of punishment, that lessons learned must be earned... “I herewith grant you mercy, but as punishment you will be sentenced to an earthly realm. I will take your beauty as payment for my children lost today. In the place of your beauty, I will give you purpose. In mercy, and because I love you still, I give you life in this realm. Let this be known, that I was merciful this day,” God finished.
He placed them in an earthly realm, and called it Exsilium. In this realm they would carry their deceit, and earn their place with him. He took their beauty and replaced them with elements of his earth. Half would be of animal and element, and would resemble punishment. The other, in a humanoid form, and would resemble mercy. He called them his Fallen.
The Archangel, and those whom did not repent, were not that lucky. God looked into the eyes of His once faithful angels and only saw destruction, hatred, jealousy, and heartache. He knew that His beloved ones had died this day, and that others needed to be protected. But how could you destroy one you loved? He placed the Archangel, and his followers, in another earthly realm, but where Exsilium was above the earth, this one was in the center. With one wave of His hand, their beautiful forms were replaced with forms as ugly as their hatred and deceit. Using His word and blood, He sealed this realm from any other.
As He looked into the many eyes of hatred, He spoke his final word... “This realm will be called Hell, and you will be called demons. You, my once faithful Archangel, you will be called the Devil. Your angel name will be erased from the past, present, and future. You will be forgotten,” He proclaimed and left them to their demise.
Many years have passed since that day. God created mankind and cherished his new children. The male and female were his new hope; in them he would find peace again. But the Devil had grown strong through the years, and somehow managed to enter God’s garden. Here, he found the female God created, using her to strike back. He whispered words of deceit in her ears, and watched as God’s new children stepped into sin. With her first bite, a crack appeared in the seal around Hell, and demons escaped to earth.
From that day onward, the Devil and his demons created chaos amongst God’s new children, leading one after the other into sin. God looked upon this and decided to fight for his loved ones. He went to Exsilium and spoke to the Fallen... “You, my children, have proven your loyalty in the years that have passed, and so I came to offer you another chance at Heaven. If you slay the Devil and his demons to protect mankind, I will give you a place in my Heaven once again. With your last breath on this earth, you will join me and your brethren in Heaven,” He finished. The Fallen agreed and God gave them the power to move in and out of Exsilium to battle the demons. The war between Good and Evil began.
But as mankind spread over the earth, sin became their followers. And with each sin, the demons grew stronger and created more demons to torture mankind. The Fallen were now fighting against millions; they needed assistance to ensure victory. God had watched the battle from Heaven and saw that they were failing because of their numbers. He also saw that the demons grew stronger than the Fallen. He intervened and created a new creature. This creature would have features encompassing the best of both worlds. One half was as strong and loyal as the Fallen, while the other was as hard and enduring as a demon. This was His ultimate weapon. This would be His greatest creation. To ensure that these creatures could not be swayed, He placed Heaven’s soul into them. He called them His hellhounds.
The hellhounds delivered justice swiftly, as strong and just as the Fallen. Yet hard and durable like the demons, they conquered the earthly realm and the demons retreated. Not one hellhound could be swayed. All stayed true to their calling. God, knowing that the Devil and many more demons had retreated, gave His hellhounds life, and offered them a place among the Fallen.
Until this day they still watch over mankind, protecting them from evil. Will we be worth it?

kasadyateusday


Kasadya Hellhound TwistedKasadya WEBSITE USE
Series: Kasadya #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Edited by: There for you Editing Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
Cover by: Melody Simmons
ISBN: 978-1301357192
Pages: 251 Pages
Date Published: 15 February 2013


She fought against all odds and became the warrior she was meant to be … or so she thought. In a world where the rules have changed, can she embrace her destiny and become the hellhound she was meant to be?
Kasadya is back in Exsilium and finds her world a little different. Her half-breed fallen friends join her, and they are ordered to complete their apprentice training in order to obtain the right to be guardians. She must learn that her own fate cannot be denied and that others are set to follow. But most of all, she must learn that to trust is the greatest battle of all.
The tables are turned and Kasadya is put to the test. Will she be able to prevent her own death, or that of a friend? Or will her actions call forth the destruction of Earth and Exsilium?
For a Phoenix to rise, it must first die. —Chax De Luca


Book Links-

kasadyathrisday



Kasadya HB BARNES & NOBLE
Kasadya Hellhound Born
Series: Kasadya #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: MAI-Editing-Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
ISBN: 9781301863594
Pages: 235 pages
Date Published: 15 August 2013

In a world filled with evil, the Fallen prepare for the ultimate battle against the demon world!
Kasadya is ordered to unleash her crazed born transformation to complete her divinity. But there is a chance that her born will be uncontrollable, and she will be destroyed. There is just one person that can save her; her charm, her destined mate. Left without a choice, she must surrender, and place her life in his hands.
In a race against time, the Fallen must stand together and fight the evil threatening to invade earth. If her divinity was in reach, victory would be theirs. That is until she starts having visions of the final battle, and her true destiny is revealed. She just found her love and place in the Fallen world; will she be able, and willing, to sacrifice it all?


Book Links-


kasadyamonday

Excerpt -

“Kasadya, don't do this to me,” Chax spoke, using Corra.
I stopped completely and looked at him. Reaching for my necklace, I held it.
“I am so sorry, Chax. This is the only way; we can’t win any other way. I know; I have seen the end too many times,” I replied.
His face fell even more and he looked around, searching for a way out.
“I want to thank you... for being there for me. For searching for me when I went missing. For enduring all of my crap. I am sorry I messed up so many times. But not this time; this I promise. But most of all, thank you for loving me.” Even my mental voice broke down on the last part.
Chax started to scream and pound at the invisible wall, while others joined him. I looked at Nanini, shocked that she couldn’t get out.
“Take care of Max for me,” I sent to her.
Tears formed and ran down her cheeks, but she nodded.
“Kas, let us help you!” Lotan yelled. My friends, my family were still trying to save me. Tears ran down my own face now.
“I love all of you. Thank you for always being there for me.” Finally my mental voice began to a sob.
I turned away, afraid that the sight of them would stop me.
“Kasadya! Don’t do this to me. I beg you!” Chax yelled at me.
Demons were closing in around me, but my heart was so broken I just let the tears and heartache spill out of me.
“I am so sorry, Chax. Forgive me.” With that, I stormed forward.
I used my g-force punches to clear the masses out of my way. When that stopped working, I started shifting. Demons grabbed at me and some got in a slice or two. But I wasn't stopping.
I saw Ballen trying to flee from me. He thought I was heading for him. Good. I needed him on the other side when I blew it up. Using my wings for momentum, I sent a massive g-force punch into the horde that remained between me and my target. They flew backwards, clearing the way for me to advance. I swiped at a few too close and took their heads. Blood sprayed all over me. Searching for the hole to make sure I was heading in the right direction, I saw the shoulders and arms of something freaking big, already beginning to breach.
I need to move faster!
I lifted up with my wings. They were tired, but I had no other option. Now I had the flying demons to contend with. We fought and sliced and I sent a few down to earth without a head. At last, I was advancing on the hole. Pain shot through my left wing and I tumbled to the ground, hitting hard. At the last moment I made sure that the front of my body hit the ground and not the back. Demons jumped me all at once. Ballen was yelling at them to stop me. I used everything I had left and flung out with my wings and arms. They went flying and just in front of me was the hole with the devil stuck in it. Ballen was standing at the entrance watching me, his face a mask of shock.
With a deep breath, I reached for the pouch and took hold of the balls. Now armed and ready, I just had a few feet to go. I stormed through the demons, not caring if they sliced me open. I wasn't stopping for a fight anymore. I held the balls to my chest, sealing them from any other impact. Then, finally, I was at the entrance of the hole. With the last of my strength, I leaped into the air and went flying straight for it.
There were many things that go through your mind that moment before you die. I remembered my first step into Exsilium. Meeting Lada and Nanini. Meeting Chax and hating my first day. I remembered our fun at the beach, the Hellhouse and the grub spot. Seeing Lada and Lotan kissing for the first time. Meeting Max and Ryan, and then all of the rest. My heart no longer troubled by Kali or Seth or all the others who had betrayed me. I remembered finding Chax and the Fallen again. Seeing my parents again. So many memories bombarded me at that last moment. I remembered my day and night with Chax, and how it felt to be loved.
“I love you,” I sent a final message to him.
He was still screaming my name, begging for me to stop.
I remembered why I was doing this. For them I gave my heart, my life. Ballen's shocked face was in front of me, right in my path. Just when I reached him, I dropped the balls and slammed into him.


kasadyawednesday


Kasadya Hellhound DefinedKasadya Hellhound Defined ORIGINAL 300 dpi
Series: Kasadya, #4
Author: Karen Swart
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: Blue Butterfly Editing
ASIN: B00J698M1A
ISBN: 978-1311495075
Pages: 135 pages
Date Published: 21 March. 2014


For centuries his only reason for existence was to destroy evil. But when he finally found his mate, that all changed for the deadly Chax De Luca. When the hellhound Kasadya captured his heart, he surrended it to her, thinking he’d finally found what he’d been looking for. Little did he know that his mate would sacrifice herself to save them all.
His fury is legend. His wrath, merciless. His love for his mate, undeniable. He’s going to hell to retrieve his heart, and if that means that he must destroy hell itself, then so be it.
Kasadya awakes to a world in peril, her mate forever changed, and a war filled with evil creatures intending to enter Earth’s realm and destroy all that she holds dear. Can she complete her divinity in time to save her loved ones and mankind? Will she have to choose? Or will all be lost in the final battle?
The final battle is here, and with it, secrets are revealed and worlds are changed forever.

Book Links-

taming 3


About the Author -
Karen Swart
I am a complete book addict, and really proud of it. My entire world is made of books. From reading to writing to blogging to helping other authors. A day without my world of books would be impossible. I am a mother of three, two boys and a little princess. Happily married for 10 years with my high school sweetheart. I live in South Africa, just on the rims of the Kalahari Desert in a small town with one shop and friendly faces.



Media Links –

Friday, October 16, 2015

Interview: A Vanishing Glow by Alexis Radcliff

UFI welcomes Author Alexis Radcliff. 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? 

So I say I'm nerdy on all my bios, but it's probably not clear just how deeply my nerdy side runs. I've written and DM'd entire Pathfinder campaigns, participated in 40-man raiding in the early days of World of Warcraft, and if there's a fantasy RPG or book series made in the last three decades, odds are better than 75% I can speak to the major plot points.

All of that has actually come in really handy while writing my own fantasy novels.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time? 

What's down time? I'm kidding, of course, but also kind of not. Being an indie author means being your own startup. I'm either working or thinking about work 12-14 hours a day most days. When I do have down time, I'm usually either reading, playing a game, or just cuddling with my fiance on the couch to watch some Netflix. You've got to make time for the cuddling.

What is your Favorite part of writing? 

Writing is so liberating and empowering. You're inventing all of these people and scenarios, and at least in the case of speculative fiction, you're creating new worlds from the whole cloth of your imagination. I can't think of anything that's quite as satisfying as making something like that.

And then there's also the day that you get to hold the finished product in your hands. That's a pretty great day, too.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write? 

I'm a huge fan of the pomodoro technique. It's 25 minutes of writing as much as you can, then a 5 minute break, then you do it again. After four cycles you take a longer break. I find that it keeps me tremendously focused while still allowing me windows to check my email and talk to fans on Facebook and Twitter. Other than that, I find that writing in complete silence is really helpful. I try to minimize distractions as much as possible.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres? 

The Dresden Files is an obvious choice for me -- I think Jim Butcher has a direct, punchy style that's just great. I try to use some of that in my own books (for certain characters). Lately I've also been enjoying Annie Bellet's Twenty-Sided Sorceress series. If you're any kind of a gamer, they're a lot of fun.

How would you pitch A Vanishing Glow to someone who has not heard of it before? 

My go-to Twitter pitch is that readers should expect the intrigue, politics, and plot reversals of A Game of Thrones, with the fun and action of something like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I also think this series gives more representation to a diverse cast of characters and perspectives than some its peers. Plus there are steampunk cyborgs. What's not to love?

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that A Vanishing Glow is set in? 

The book is set in a low fantasy world where magic has recently been harnessed as an energy source and the resulting technology boom has created something like the industrial revolution here on Earth (only it happens much faster). There's a lot of class struggle happening and also tension around the aforementioned steampunk cyborgs, which are called "constructs" in the book, creating further issues with finding work for the commoners.

There are also some interesting customs around sexuality that I play with in this series. Notably, the culture has deep taboos against sexual encounters outside of wedlock because of the lack of birth control and the risk of children, but activities that don't result in procreation aren't really viewed as "sex" (any more than masturbation would be). This leads to a lot of culturally-approved youthful experimentation with same sex partners, though the expectation is that they'll "grow out of it" and get married (or "joined") by the time they're in their early 20s. The framework creates some interesting character dynamics that have been really fun to explore within the context of the plot.

Do you have a favorite scene in A Vanishing Glow

I'm  really partial to the climax at the end of the book, just because it's so epic and crazy and fun, but I also love some of the early scenes with one of my protagonists, Nilya, and her roommate, Verse. They have this silly, playful banter that was just a blast to write, and I like those scenes because they feel very real to me. Just two friends, hanging out, joking around. I think those interactions are the underpinnings of what makes some of the later stuff punch you so hard emotionally when it all plays out.

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 

Surprisingly, the character that I had the most fun with was a minor character who only gets a few POV chapters: The seasoned reported, Hugh Ketter. He's sarcastic, scrappy, and jaded, which makes him fun to write, but he's also a good person deep down, so you have to like him. He also has some really amusing tics that I get to play off of.

The hardest was actually the main protagonist, Jason Tern. I had to completely rewrite his internal character at one point because he just wasn't coming off as very likable -- he was a little too emo and moody-broody at first. I fixed him now (I hope), but he was a struggle all the way through for me.

What other projects can we look forward to reading from you? 

So of course I'm already planning and working on the next volume in this series, the Mystech Arcanum Volume III. The working title is "A Reaping of Souls," and I have some really cool and intense stuff planned for it that I can't wait to share with everyone.

The other project I'm really excited about I can't talk about too much yet, but I'll tell you that it's a new take on the superhero genre and that the first book will be out sometime in 2016. I'm so excited for this series, because I think it will give voices to characters and stories that we don't often get to hear about from the established comic book literature. If that sounds interesting to you, you should head over to my site and sign up for the newsletter, because subscribers get the first crack at news and samples from  all my series!
__________________________________

Alexis Radcliff is an author, gamer, unashamed geek, and history junkie who spent the better part of a decade working in tech before dedicating herself to her first love, literature.

Alexis lives and works in the Portland area with her adorable (if surly) cat and her equally adorable fiancé. When not writing, she spends her time reading, running, playing way too many videogames, and thinking too much about everything.

Find Alexis and her books
__________________________________

A Vanishing Glow
The Mystech Arcanum Vol. 1+2
A VANISHING GLOW is the exciting opening to THE MYSTECH ARCANUM series, a deep and thrilling blend of steampunk and flintlock fantasy with mature themes.

It is an Age of Revolution, an Age of Industrialism. Constructs, living men who are as much brass and steel as they are flesh, man the factories and wage the wars of a ruling elite who gorge themselves on the fruits of the common man’s labor. Mystech, a brilliant fusion of magic and machine, gives rise to a new class of privileged inventors and merchants even as the country festers with wounds from decades of internal strife.

Only one man holds the promise of a brighter future: Nole Ryon, the crown prince. When his childhood friend Jason Tern answers his call for aid, the two of them set out to fight for the change their country needs in order to survive, even as shadowy foes frustrate their efforts. But soon, Jason and Nole’s idealistic mission of hope becomes a furious manhunt for a political murderer as the nation balances on the precipice of a country-wide civil war. Can they cut through the threads of intrigue to discover their true enemy before everything is lost?

Sweeping from the ancient cities at the heart of the nation to the dusty edges of the war-torn frontier, A Vanishing Glow tells a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and assassins, friends and lovers, who come together in a time of epic struggle. Here a brave officer risks everything to win back his estranged father’s respect; a brilliant young engineer attempts to atone for her sins; a war-weary commander tries to pick up the pieces of the life he lost; and a man touched by the gods struggles to prepare a nation for the coming of an ancient evil which only he can see. In the dying light of a once-prosperous society, amid twisting plots, suffering and betrayal, lost love and shattered dreams, all must fight for what they hold dear. Who will taste the fruits of victory and who will lie bloodied on the ground in the light of a vanishing glow?
__________________________________

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Review: Quanta by Lola Dodge

Quanta
Author: Lola Dodge
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC.
ISBN13: 9780996086479
Genre: YA Sci Fi/Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Publisher


Just because Quanta can see the future doesn’t mean she can change it. She’s spent most of her life imprisoned, feeding her captors information to keep herself alive, but she’s finally reached the endgame and her death creeps closer by the moment.

The son of two senators, Altair Orpheus leads a life of privilege that provides the perfect cover for his side job: working with the rebel Shadow Ravens to undermine the ruling Seligo government. Everything is running like clockwork until he crosses paths with Quanta. As he watches her deftly maneuver through life in a perverse prison, his plastic heart melts. A jailbreak would be suicide, but Tair is willing to sacrifice everything to give her a chance at happiness.

Now Quanta senses a terrifying new future brewing. She and Tair are bound together, but every image of them kissing, snuggling, and acting knee-weakeningly happy is balanced by a much darker possibility. They’ll be picture perfect together, but only until time rips them apart. How can she follow her heart when she’s seen how their love plays out?

I was a little apprehensive to dive into QUANTA when I saw that it would be written by a new author. I had never heard of Lola Dodge, but I had trust in Ink Monster and figured they wouldn't steer me wrong - and they didn't.


Quanta has some wicked powers, but she's being forced to use them for the enemy. She has lived a lot of her life as a prisoner, but she refuses to break and she still considers herself part of the Shadow Ravens and makes sure not to give too much away to her captors. I found her to be a pretty strong woman and was rooting for her from the start. Altair comes from money, but decided to join the Shadow Ravens at an early age and use his status to go undercover. When he gets the chance to join the team working under Dr. Nagi he jumps at the chance. When he meets Quanta he knows right away that he needs to save her.

We know all about when two people are bound after reading book one, CIPHER, so it comes as no surprise that Quanta and Altair had a huge pull towards each other. It takes them a bit to trust each other, but when they work together they make a really good team. Because of where the book takes place, they don't really have any romantic time. They are highly monitored and constantly working on escaping so there isn't really the chance for that. For that reason, I do wish we had some more time at the end of the book for them as an official couple.

I did have a few questions when Quanta ended (that I won't go into as I don't want to give away spoilers), but I am really glad I gave QUANTA a try. It was a great continuation of The Shadow Ravens series and I really enjoyed the new characters and couple. The world building continued and the storyline advanced. No matter who writes book three, I will be reading it.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Cover Reveal: Genesis Boxed Set

Genesis
Pre-order Date: December 15, 2015 
Release Date: January 1, 2016
Goodreads
Genesis [jen-uh-sis]

Definition: an origin, creation, or beginning.

From demons, weres, and vampires, to dragons, shifters, and angels, GENESIS is the ultimate must-have boxed set for any urban fantasy & paranormal romance fan. GENESIS brings you eight new worlds to sink your teeth into. From some of the genre’s brightest talent, each title in this boxed set is the first installment of the authors’ respective series.

Featured in Genesis:
- The Devil You Know by J.M. Gregoire
- Ghost of a Threat by Beth Dolgner
- Entwined By Fate by S.A. Price
- Fallen by Julie Morgan
- Spark by K.C. Stewart
- The Mortal One by Shannon Bell
- Valkyrie’s Vengeance by Melissa Snark
- Juan by Crystal Dawn

Dig in your claws and hang on as these eight authors take you on a wild ride in GENESIS!

COMING JANUARY 1, 2016


Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Review: Boundary Lines by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Lines
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: 47 North
ISBN:  1503947068
ISBN13: 9781503947061
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley
Fitting into the Old World isn’t going very well for Boulder boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther: she may have earned a place in a vampire’s service, but now it seems as if every supernatural creature in town has found a reason to hate her. And when Lex and her partner are assigned to investigate the suspicious disappearance of two vampires during the night of the full moon, they find themselves with more questions than answers.

Was it murder…or mutiny?

The crusade for answers will lead Lex all over the Colorado Old World, from a prison cell for a broken werewolf to a haunted Denver brothel. And when Lex determines the responsible party, the hunt is just beginning: something has been awakened in Boulder, something as old and powerful as it is terrifying. Only the woman with death in her blood can stop what’s coming.

I enjoyed getting to know Lex and the other characters of the Boundary Magic series in book one, BOUNDARY CROSSED, and BOUNDARY LINES made me like the world and the characters even more.

Lex has to figure out what is causing the magic to surge in Boulder with the help of her partner. Along the way we get to know some werewolves, we learn more about the characters and we also get a little bit of romance. On the subject of romance, I do like Lex's growing relationship with the vampire. I hope they can keep up the chemistry in future books.

As far as secondary characters go. I think Maven is an interesting character. She can put the smack down, but I find her to be very likable and Lex and her have a very good working relationship so far. Simon and Lily continue to be a huge help to Lex. They both grew on me right away in book one and I always look forward to seeing what they will bring to a situation. 

One thing that is really bothering me is that Lex still hasn't told Charlie's dad what is going on and what role Charlie plays in the supernatural world. Keeping him in the dark is not only dangerous for Charlie, but can lead to situations that just happened to happen in BOUNDARY LINES. I hope we don't have to read a whole other book with him in the dark and I hope that he takes the news well.

There was a good amount of action in BOUNDARY LINES. There is a pretty big battle towards the end and it was very well put together. I like that Olson ties her Scarlett Bernard series into this one. If you happen to like that series or are looking for something new, give the Boundary Magic series a try.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Review: Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

Ice Like Fire
Author:Sara Raasch
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
ISBN:  0062286951
ISBN13: 9780062286956
Genre: Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Edelweiss
It’s been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring’s king, Angra, disappeared—thanks largely to the help of Cordell.

Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria’s lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity—with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses—the last time the world had access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm’s secrets, Meira plans to use the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and Winter safe—even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?

Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Januari—leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell’s growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter’s security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken kingdom and protect them from new threats?

As the web of power and deception weaves tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom—and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter, but for the world.

I think most readers will either love ICE LIKE FIRE or hate ICE LIKE FIRE after reading SNOW LIKE ASHES. I happen to fall in the middle.

What I liked about ICE LIKE FIRE: I liked how Meira stepped into her leadership role. She has a lot of people to think about as she makes decisions and I felt like she took that seriously. I liked seeing more of the Snow Like Ashes series world. There are a lot of kingdoms and with Meira searching for the keys we get to see what they and the people of those kingdoms are like. We get to meet a few great secondary characters. One of which I am hoping to see more of in book 3.

Some things that didn't totally pull me in to ICE LIKE FIRE: Theron, he annoyed the heck out of me. I definitely wasn't rooting for him and although I was really happy with how things ended up with him and Meira, it was painful to have him along on the trip. Mather. He is of course part of ICE LIKE FIRE and even had his own POV, but he isn't with Meira and I wanted to see them together and working as a team. The pace, it was a bit slow and I wanted more action.

So, although ICE LIKE FIRE wasn't a home run for me, I still enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what Meira and her allies will do in book three.

I gave it 3/5 stars

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

New Releases: 10/11-10/17


Tue. Oct. 13th

 Dark Tide (Waterfire Saga #3) by Jennifer Donnelly 
 The Devil and Winnie Flynn by Micol Ostow 
 Goddess (Calypso #2) by Julie Anne Lindsey

Happy Reading!