Saturday, November 30, 2013

Review: Realm Walker by Kathleen Collins

Realm Walker
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
Realm Walker Book #1
ISBN:  1299865488
ISBN13: 9781299865488
Genre:Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

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

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

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

Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can’t reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.
As a realm walker, Juliana is able to see the magical signatures of every other creature but demons. When a demon starts going after her and everyone she cares about she has to work double to try and catch them before she looses everything.

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

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

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

I gave it 3/5 stars

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

Friday, November 29, 2013

Promo & Giveaway: Born in Chains by Caris Roane


Born in Chains 
Men in Chains #1
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble
In the epic battle of vampire against vampire, one warrior's fate is bound to a mortal woman who controls him, commands him, and craves him like no other…

Chained For Life

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

Hungry For More

Adrien has been waiting for her. A beautiful woman who appears to him in visions. Who soothes his tortured body, feeds his erotic cravings—and quenches his thirst for blood. But Lily is more than he ever hoped for. She is the master of his destiny, and he is her willing slave. Even when she asks him to find the ultimate weapon for his enemies, he must obey her. Even if the task destroys them both, he will fight for her love, forever…
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Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds.


Find Caris and her books
__________________________________

__________________________________
Tour Wide 
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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Turkey Day!


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

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

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Hanukkah


To all those that celebrate Hanukkah Sameach! 

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

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Pawn
Author:Aimee Carter
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
ISBN:  0765328089
ISBN13: 9780765328083
Genre: Young Adult / Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Netgalley

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

New Releases: 11/25-12/30


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

Mon Nov 25

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

Tue Nov 26

Interview: Bloodrose by Lisa Casian

UFI welcomes Lisa Casian Author of Bloodrose. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?
If I could be a couch potato I would. As a kid I watched every supernatural, fantasy show there was. I’m a total dreamer.

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

This Or That
 
Angels or Demons - Demons
Vampires or Shifters -Vampires
Left or Right -Right
Up or Down -Up
Pizza or Pasta - Pizza
Coffee or Tea -Coffee
Coke or Pepsi -Pepsi
YA or Adult –Both/YA
Knives or Guns -Knives
Reading or Writing -Ah!! Reading
Facebook or Twitter - Twitter
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Lisa is a Romance Author currently with Breathless Press. She live in the midwest with her family. She love hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. Her debut adult romance book, BLOODROSE, will be released November 29, 2013.


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

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


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


As a pawn in an Immortal’s scheme, Isabeau must make the ultimate decision—love or safety?
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Monday, November 25, 2013

Covet Release Day Blast and Giveaway


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 November releases which is very exciting because in celebration of these three great new books, they are on sale for just $0.99 for the first week of release only. So they are perfect to download and read over the long holiday weekend between all the hussle and bussle for a nice little break.

Also, make sure to hop on twitter tonight, 11/25 at 8PM to join in the #CovetBash. The authors of these fabulous books will be joining in the fun, and there will be lot's of chances to win prizes, including a grand prize giveaway of Covet's entire backlist to one lucky winner! Details here.


Parts & Wreck by Mark Henry

Wade Crowson, a brutish and brooding playboy and veteran vivisectionist for the Parts Department, runs into more than he bargained for in new partner, Lucid Montgomery, a quirky beauty with a bizarre secret and a string of psychiatric diagnoses she tries hard to keep hidden. Loving Luce will stamp a demonic target on her back and thrust Wade into a frenzied whirlwind of hilarious misunderstandings and, quite possibly, a stripping gig for emptynesters. Can they withstand the savagery of an exorcism (with or without the split pea soup) and come out alive and …in love?



Operation Saving Daniel by Nina Croft

At eighteen, Melissa seduced her best friend Julia's brother only to run away shortly after. While Daniel was her fairytale prince, Lissa didn’t believe in happy ever afters.

Ten years and a near death experience later, Lissa is ready for a husband and family. But a cry for help from Julia puts that dream on hold. Daniel is acting weird and he’s about to marry his long term girlfriend—AKA The Evil One. Someone needs to save him.

Daniel has never stopped loving Lissa. Ten years ago when he gave her a little freedom, he always intended that one day they would be together. Right up until the moment he was bitten by a werewolf. Now, Daniel has to hide what he is. He won’t risk anyone else, especially the woman he loves.

But Lissa is back. Their attraction is stronger than ever and Lissa is nothing if not tenacious.




The Awakening: Britton by Abby Niles
The Awakening #3

"I would lick that man up one side and down the other."

Half-shifter and lead SPAC agent, Val Calhoun, has listened to women gush over the Don Juan of the precinct for the last four years. Yeah, Detective Britton Townsend is hot and has stunning blue eyes, but that foul mouth he saves only for her? What a waste of good looks. And no way does Val want that mouth anywhere near hers.

When the shifter community is threatened, Val is assigned to the case…and fails. So the High Council turns to the rogue shifter they'd sentenced to twenty years as a human--that same obnoxiously sexy Detective Townsend. And sends the two arch-enemies deep into the North Carolina Mountains-—together, and alone.

Being stuck in a tiny honeymoon cabin with Miss Castration and only one bed is definitely not Britton's idea of a good time. But the High Council doesn’t take no for an answer. After his shifter abilities are restored, Brit is once again susceptible to the dreaded, irreversible bonding instinct, the Drall. Thankfully, all he’s ever felt for Val is intense loathing, no reason to worry. Right? All he has to do is solve this case pronto, and he can go back to his footloose Casanova ways. That is, if they don’t kill each other first. Or worse...fall in love.



Missed the first book in the Awakening series? While these books stand alone, it can be fun to go back and see how the other couple got together. And in celebration of book #3's release, book one, The Awakening: Aidan is on sale for just $0.99 as well, so grab it while you can!


The Awakening: Aidan by Abby Niles
The Awakening #1

Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse? After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life? Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?



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Review: Black Heart by Christina Henry

Black Heart
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Ace
Black Wings Book #6
ISBN:   0425256596
ISBN13: 9780425256596
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher




As a former Agent of Death, Madeline Black is no stranger to witnessing violent ends. But being the one to cause them is an entirely different story…

Despite her having saved Chicago from a vampire invasion, the Agency wants to get Maddy off their payroll—permanently. With the deadly Retrievers hot on her trail, she has no choice but to trust Nathaniel to port her to safety. But even the exotic and dangerous world that she winds up in is not as peaceful as she would have hoped. Caught in a turf war between a group of fae and a disturbingly familiar foe, Maddy soon discovers that the twisted plots of her grandfather, Lucifer, and his brothers extend even into this unknown realm.

Now, with enemies gathering on all sides, Maddy’s fate is looking darker than ever. And to protect her unborn son from her adversaries, she may have to tap into a power she hoped never to access…

BLACK HEART was not my favorite Black Wings Series installment. I still love the characters, the story line still keeps me reading but there just felt like something was missing in BLACK HEART. Maybe it was the absence of Maddy's allies? The absence of Beezle's comic relief?  The way that a big majority took place on an unknown planet with Maddy pretty much by herself? I don't know. It was just missing something and by the time I felt like I was finally getting into everything again the book was over. 

Is it just me or does this pregnancy feel like it is going WAY too slow? I guess we get a little bump in BLACK HEART but with all the stuff that has happened you would think more time has passed. How many books is she going to be pregnant for? I must say I really liked the introduction of Daharan, Lucifer's oldest brother and Maddy's Uncle. I loved how he protected her and was by her side when she needed him unlike others that will not be named. I also liked that no matter how scared other people were of him that Maddy wasn't and he didn't try to scare her. I just know I will continue liking him in future books. I still don't know how I feel about Nathaniel. I start liking him and then I'm reminded what he was like in the beginning or how Maddy is pregnant with Gabriel's baby. I just can't wrap my head around him or their relationship yet. Maybe in book 7.

A huge battle is brewing and with Maddy still pretty much in hiding and dodging trouble at every turn I am not sure how long it will take for us to get there. I'm not sure Maddy can continue going at the pace she has been, I mean really she is pregnant how is she still fighting like she is? Many questions, need answers,  how can I not read more!

I gave it 3.5/5 stars


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

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Week in Review: 11/17-11/23


Books Ive Bought/received

* Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells- eARC- Publisher via Netgalley

* Falling Light by Thea Harrison- eARC- Publisher via Netgalley

Books I Read

Chaos Bound by Rebekah Turner
Angelbound by Christina Bauer
Mine to Tarnish by Janeal Falor
Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson
Hellhound by Nancy Holzner

Reviews Posted

Trancehack by Sonya Clark
Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft
Seven Years by Dannika Dark

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

* Monday- Promo for The Medusa's Gargoyle by Sally Max

* Saturday- Release Day Blitz and Interview for Deadly to Promise by Mia Hoddell

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* 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, November 23, 2013

Release Day Blitz & Interview: Deadly to Promise by Mia Hoddell



This Or That Interview


Angels or Demons – Demons all the way. Bad characters are so much more fun to read about and create. They also usually have the best lines!

Vampires or Shifters – Shifters (prefer cats to werewolves though) as I’m getting tired of all the vampire fiction around now.

Left or Right – Whichever direction takes me to the nearest bookshop, library or beach.

Up or Down – Down. I’m scared of heights so like to keep my feet on the ground. However, if I’m on a plane and traveling somewhere hot, I will make an exception and choose up.

Pizza or Pasta – Can’t I choose both? Coming from an Italian family means they are both a frequent occurrence as meals.

Coffee or Tea – I don’t drink either. I prefer hot chocolate.

Coke or Pepsi – Coke all the way.

YA or Adult – YA, although I’m slowly getting into NA romances

Knives or Guns – Depends what they are being used for. I’d rather guns in a book as knives get too much gory description attached to them which makes me cringe. At least a gun is quick.

Reading or Writing - I don’t think you can write without reading so both! Reading is what I do when I can’t write anymore.

Facebook or Twitter – Twitter, there are less words to think of when posting something


Deadly to Promise (Elemental Killers #2)
by Mia Hoddell

Genre: YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy

Blurb:

A broken promise is all it takes.


Becoming an E.K isn’t a choice for Serena – it’s a necessity to survive. To destroy the Elementals she has to leave her old life behind. She has to train and follow a strict regime. But with time against her, she has only a few weeks to master the skills Kai spent his whole life perfecting.

The knowledge passed down from her ancestors is crucial to the Elementals demise and the success of their mission. However, the path they must follow is lined with riddles, each more confusing than the next. It doesn’t matter how close to succeeding they get, it’s never enough. The Elementals are one step ahead at every revelation and that can only mean one thing – the E.Ks have a traitor among them.

For one week only, both Deadly to Love and Deadly to Promise are 99c / 77p!
Buy Now: Amazon | Amazon.co.uk

Excerpt

“Have you ever been swimming here?” I asked moving my head to watch his reaction as I brought my feet up out of the water and folded them beside me.
“Yeah, most summers when I came here. We all used to use it as a way to cool off or just have some fun in between training.”
“How about skinny dipping?” I asked my grin growing due to the thoughts running through my head.
“Why? You want to try it?” he challenged.
“Only if you go first,” I laughed but stopped instantly when he removed his shirt and tossed it behind us. My eyes widened in surprise and I started to regret my words. “You’re not being serious are you?” I stuttered as he pulled off his shoes, throwing them over to where his shirt was crumpled.
“You can’t chicken out now Rea. It was your idea,” he said smiling as he removed each sock, teasing me as they ended up with the rest of his discarded garments.
I just stared at him, my lips moving but not making a sound as I tried to find an excuse.
He laughed at me. “Relax Rea, I’m just teasing you. Well unless you’ve changed your mind. In that case I’m being deadly serious.” He had a cheeky grin on his face as he spoke and I pushed him hard, toppling him into the water below.
There was a lot of splashing but Kai surfaced finally, taking a deep breath as he flicked the hair out of his eyes. I was clutching my stomach in fits of laughter as I bent over. The shock on his face was priceless.
“Oh you are so dead Rea, so, so dead,” he said, his voice ragged as the cold water and shock affected his half naked body. I just continued to laugh as he floated in front of me, his head bobbing up and down in a comical way.


Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1)
by Mia Hoddell


Genre: YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy
ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA
ISBN: 978-1-291-41025-9

Blurb

The world is dangerous – but love will kill you.
Little did Serena Jackson know that one simple, flirty remark to an anonymous guy online would lead to her world being changed forever.

She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.

His real name is Kai. He is beautiful. And immediately Serena feels herself blindly falling for him even though she senses a lie. She knows he is hiding something and it terrifies her.

What she doesn’t realise is that her entire life has been built on secrets and lies. The people she loved left her in the dark for a reason.

She trusted them. She trusts Kai. But as he pulls her straight into the heart of the danger the lies and deadly secrets are revealed. They overwhelm her, and the person she once was no longer exists as she is thrown into a ruthless world of elemental forces. The price of truth is her life—and now the world wants her dead.
Buy Now: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Lulu


Praise:

“I couldn't put it down. So I finished it last night and all I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different.” Brianna (Book Blogger)

“I loved how the author took a different approach to writing a love story in modern times with the paranormal element present. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and refreshing. Marvelous!” Kathy H (Amazon Reviewer)

“In the end I had fallen in love with this story…completely untraditional it was a very original idea, not to mention modern. This story had such a good plot and the story structure was sound.” Kacii – The Kooky Bookworm (Book Blogger)

About the Author

Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and loves anything paranormal. Mia always had a love of writing but never reading. She was more interested in sports and hated sitting still - despite getting three poems published before the age of sixteen. Finally though, she found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of reading which is now one of her favourite hobbies.

Mia began with poems before moving on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series 'The Wanderer Trilogy' and from there other ideas have emerged. With a total of nine books planned at this moment, she is busy working on her second series 'Elemental Killers' before moving onto the next idea on her ever growing list.
Links: 



Goodreads Book Giveaway

Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell

Deadly to Love

by Mia Hoddell

Giveaway ends December 06, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win



Friday, November 22, 2013

MetaWars Megawinner

Thank you to everyone who entered!!
The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....
Congrats!! I have emailed winner who has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or I will pick another.

Review: Trancehack by Sonya Clark

Trancehack
Author:Sonya Clark
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
Magic Born Book #1
ISBN:  1426896565
ISBN13: 9781426896569
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author






It’s 2065. Those born with magic abilities live in government-run zones, without rights or freedoms. Fear of magic created this segregated world and fear keeps it intact.

A high-profile murder brings Detective Nathan Perez to Magic Born Zone 13. He’s had little experience with the Magic Born and isn’t sure what to expect during his first encounter with a witch, but he never thought he’d be so drawn to her.

Trancehacker Calla Vesper uses magic to break into computers and aid the Magic Born underground. She has no interest in helping a cop, even if he is smoking-hot, but money’s tight and Nate offers a tidy amount for help navigating the Zone. Calla’s determined to keep it all business, but sparks start flying before the investigation even gets started.

When Calla’s trancehacking and Nathan’s investigation uncover a conspiracy, Calla becomes a target. Nate can protect her by keeping her role a secret—but then who will protect Nate?

I started out not too sure how I felt about the characters or the world that TRANCEHACK took place in only to end the book hoping that book 2 was close on the horizon. 

In the world that Sonya Clark has created the Magic Born are second class citizens and treated like dirt. They are forced to live in government-run zones with no rights or freedoms. They test babies and if they are found to be Magic Born their parents abandon them or they are taken away to be raised in these zones. TRANCEHACK follows the POVs of two characters. Calla Vesper is Magic Born and was given up as a baby. She makes money by selling her crafted jewelry and using her magic to break into computers. When she encounters Nathan she sees him as just another police officer that doesn't belong in her world and is just there to cause trouble. She wants nothing to do with him or his investigation. Detective Nathan Perez is investigating the death of a well-respected doctor. His investigation brings him to the zone and he admits not knowing anything about the magic born or what they can do. It's also clear from the start that he is different from the other normals with his treatment towards the magic born. When he sees Calla he stops at nothing to get her to help him in his investigation and refuses to stop pursuing her even though they're from different worlds. 

Although the relationship between Calla and Nathan is a big part of the book I felt the world itself was just SO fascinating and drove the story. Sonya did a great job with explaining details without drawing everything out. The world holds so much potential and I couldn't get enough of it. I have so many questions! Will Nathan and Calla continue to lead us through future books? Will the Magic Born stage and uprising? Will the family developments that came to light continue to develop? I will have to find out by reading Magic Born #2. 

I gave it 4/5 stars



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

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Review: Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft

Bittersweet Magic
Author:Nina Croft
Release Date: November 11, 2013
Publisher: Entangled: Edge
The Order Book #1
ISBN:  1622661052
ISBN13: 9781622661053
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Roz has been indebted to the demon Asmodai for five hundred years, and her freedom is just around the corner. All she has to do is complete one last task for him—obtain a key that had been hidden in a church centuries ago.

Piers, the Head of the Order and an ancient vampire, is intrigued by the woman who comes to him for help. She’s beautiful and seemingly kind, but she’s hiding something. And he’ll find out who she is and what she really wants once he uses his power to get inside her head. But Piers has no idea that Roz is immune to his mind-control...or that he is simply a pawn in her dangerous mission for freedom.


After liking BITTERSWEET BLOOD so much I was a little worried I wouldn't like BITTERSWEET MAGIC but  I worried for nothing. Roz has been in service to Asmodai for five hundred years, ever since she watched her mother burn and begged for help. She has no idea what she is but she keeps a low profile while she completes her tasks to finally gain her freedom. Her final task does not go as planned and she ends up in the company of those that Asmodai has warned her would kill her if they every knew what she was.

Roz is quite the character. She has a great head on her shoulders, she is kick ass and she can hold her own against Piers. Roz had me cracking up many times with her whole nun persona. She has no problem convincing people to see what she wants them to see and I found it highly entertaining. We originally meet Piers in BITTERSWEET BLOOD and he definitely is not that likeable. That all changes in BITTERSWEET MAGIC. He turns out to be a loyal guy that fights for what he cares about. We watch him change right before our eyes as he falls for Roz. They really fit each other well. I have one complaint, there wasn't a lot of world building going on. The story revolved mostly around the characters and I would have liked to see more of the world they live in. I wont spoil who Roz ends up being but know that it is super cool and I loved when Asmodai realized he could have been in deep shit if she would have unleashed herself before she did.

Book 3 should be extremely interesting as we follow Asmodai and his lady match. I am not sure what the final showdown will be all about but I do know that the order is stacking up to have quite a team of supernatural powerhouses to kick butt for their side.

I gave it 4/5 stars


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