Friday, February 28, 2014

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy

UFI welcomes Lauren M. Roy Author of Night Owls. Thanks for Joining us!!

Five Shiny Things About Night Owls

It’s set in a bookstore. One fun thing about writing urban fantasy is, you can take “write what you know” and give it a big ol’ twist. I worked in a bookstore through high school and college, so that experience definitely informed Val and Chaz as characters. And let me slip in little bits of bookseller humor while I was at it. *grin*

It has an ensemble cast. I’m a big fan of TV shows with lots of characters, all of whom bring interesting personalities and complications to the story. Think Firefly, Leverage, Game of Thrones, Community. I love watching how different combinations of people will tackle a problem. Parker and Hardison will approach a job differently than Hardison and Elliot would. Having Night Owls told from Val’s, Elly’s, and Chaz’ points of view let me not only bring together their different voices, but also opened up scenes and subplots that might not have worked as well with just one narrator.

The Creeps. Val calls them Jackals. Elly calls them Creeps. Both call them big trouble. Creeps are like the werewolves’ depraved cousins, preying on the weak. Their kind is dying out, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to go quietly. In fact, Elly has something they think might solve their population problems. And they don’t intend to ask for it nicely.

The Brotherhood. Vampires don’t get to hog all the cool toys. A society of human warlocks fights alongside the bloodsuckers against the Creeps. Most people aren’t aware that they share the world with these supernatural denizens, and the Brotherhood is perfectly content with that arrangement. They’ve charged themselves with eradicating the Creeps, whether by spell or by blade.

The supporting cast! Cavale’s been in my head as a character for a long time. I’m glad he found a home at last in Night Owls. He’s a freelance monster-hunting warlock who lives in the creepy house on the hill. Chaz can’t stand him, but I like him a lot. We also have Sunny and Lia, a succubus couple living a happy suburban life in Edgewood. Oh, and they like re-enacting scenes from classic Hollywood films – with the bonus of being able to look exactly like the actresses they’re imitating.

Happy reading! 
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Lauren M. Roy has flexed her literary fantasy muscles over the past several years contributing to various role playing games, including Green Ronin's Dragon Age Set 3 sourcebook, Pelgrane Press' Mythos Expeditions anthology (part of the Trail of Cthulhu line), and Green Ronin's Song of Ice and Fire. NIGHT OWLS is her first novel.


Find Lauren and her books
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Night Owls
Night Owls #1
 Night Owls book store is the one spot on campus open late enough to help out even the most practiced slacker. The employees’ penchant for fighting the evil creatures of the night is just a perk…

Valerie McTeague’s business model is simple: provide the students of Edgewood College with a late-night study haven and stay as far away from the underworld conflicts of her vampire brethren as possible. She’s lived that life, and the price she paid was far too high to ever want to return.

Elly Garrett hasn’t known any life except that of fighting the supernatural werewolf-like beings known as Creeps or Jackals. But she always had her mentor and foster father by her side—until he gave his life protecting a book that the Creeps desperately want to get their hands on.

When the book gets stashed at Night Owls for safe keeping, those Val holds nearest and dearest are put in mortal peril. Now Val and Elly will have to team up, along with a mismatched crew of humans, vampires, and lesbian succubi, to stop the Jackals from getting their claws on the book and unleashing unnamed horrors…
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 Us Only
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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Winner: Fates by Lanie Bross

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: Bittersweet Darkness by Nina Croft

Bittersweet Darkness
Author:Nina Croft
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Edge
The Order Book #3
ISBN:   1622661133
ISBN13: 9781622661138
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source:NetGalley
There are no monsters, only good guys and bad guys. That’s the creed by which Detective Inspector Faith Connolly has always lived.

When Faith discovers that she has a time bomb counting down in her head, she has one goal; to solve the murder case she’s working on—a young girl who was found drained of blood—and in doing so gain closure for a long ago murder never solved. Her investigation brings her in contact with Ash Delacourt. Ash is all black leather, big guns and sexy bad attitude—definitely not one of the good guys.

As payment for a debt, Asmodai AKA Ash Delacourt, finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords. He’s the demon representative on the newly formed Committee for the Integration of Mankind and well…everything else. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable detective—maybe have a little fun.

There are no monsters. But as Faith’s investigation deepens, her beliefs are eroded and for the first time, she is falling in love—with one of the bad guys. But how can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?

At this point I don't think there could be anything written by Nina Croft that I would not like. She just has a way with stories and I am so glad I found her books.

Faith is a bit different from the other female leads in this series. She is 100% human and believes nothing of the supernatural world. Little does she know that she is more connected with the world than she ever knew and her life is about to change forever. I honestly had my doubts about Asmodai and his ability to fall in love with another woman and treat her right. WOW did he show me. He is seriously night and day from the Ash we met in the beginning of the series. I am so excited that I got to witness his transformation.

The attraction between the two is pretty instant. Ash is pretty aggressive in his advances on Faith and Faith is pretty hesitant to get involved with him for many reasons, the biggest being that she is dying. Poor Faith really doesn't know what she is getting involved in for most of the book and I did enjoy her reactions as things were revealed.

As you know by now, the stories of each book are linked to the others. I really love how involved the other characters are involved in each installment. The relationships between characters continue to grow as the series evolves and the team is really coming together nicely. You CAN read the books as standalone books but I would not recommend it.

There were a lot of great moment in BITTERSWEET DARKNESS, lots of action and suspense as well emotions. The pace is just as brisk as the first two books and I have no doubt books to come will be the same. I have a few guesses on who will be one part of the next love interest but I honestly don't know if I am right and I cant wait until its revealed.

I gave it 5/5 stars

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

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Interview & Giveaway: Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu

UFI welcomes Author Marjorie M. Liu. 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?
 
I seem outgoing because of the interviews I do and the conventions I attend, but the truth is that I’m really, really, shy. It takes an effort to put myself out there. I’d rather hide with my books and computer.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?
 
While it’s important for me to have a writing routine, I’ve learned the hard way that it’s easy to make that routine my entire life. Like I said at the beginning, my first instinct is always to hide out. So I deliberately step away from the computer, and my downtime is all about reaching out, engaging – hanging with my friends, cooking, taking dancing lessons, reading, teaching, going for day trips with my guy and just exploring.

What is your Favorite part of writing? 
 
The pleasures of writing are many, but they come in waves. For example, I love that first blush of inspiration, when I’m hot on an idea and just can’t wait to transform it into something bigger. Or when I’ve been stuck in one particular section and have a major breakthrough – that’s a great feeling. So is being caught up in the moment with my characters when I’m deep in their conversation, heartbreak, triumph. It’s like living another life.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?
 
I get up and start working. If I’m traveling, like now, I roll out of bed, take a shower, then walk a few blocks to the local Starbucks and write there until lunch. I take a break, do some wandering, and then try to get an hour or two in before or after dinner.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?
 
Too many to count! Lynn Viehl has a new release that I’m excited about: The Clockwork Wolf. I love all her books, though. Eve Silver is another amazing writer of both YA and Paranormals, and I’m totally addicted to Patricia Briggs and her Alpha and Omega series.

How would you pitch The Hunter Kiss Series to someone who has not heard of it before?
 
For ten thousand years a single bloodline of women has passed down, from mother to daughter, an amazing gift and curse: their bodies are covered in living tattoos – demons that make them immortal by day, and that peel off their bodies at night to become their own personal army. Now in this modern day, the last of these women – Maxine Kiss -- slowly begins to learn the truth of what she is, and what those demons are. All of which conflicts with everything she’s ever believed about herself, her mother, and her place in the world.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Hunter Kiss Series is set in? 
 
The Hunter Kiss series is set in our world, but it’s the history of humanity and who we come from as a species that becomes part of the series mythology. Humans did not originate on this planet, just as the demons in the series aren’t really demons in the classical sense – they’re creatures from other worlds, worlds that are connected through quantum roads that crisscross both time and space. Maxine and her bloodline were part of an experiment, and the beings that created her – and humanity – are coming back. In other words, the series is about gods and monsters -- but with a twist.

Has the series come along as you thought it would have? 
 
Not exactly. I had a vision for what I wanted the books to be, but that morphed into something richer and more complex than I originally imagined. “More complex” doesn’t mean “easy to write”, however. Piecing together what I understand this world to be, and who Maxine and the boys are becoming, has been a balancing act.

Do you have a favorite scene in Labyrinth Of Stars?
 
Several, but one that sticks out is when Maxine visits the camp of some demons that had been starved nearly to death – and she sees a child giving its elder some food. It’s a small moment, but important because of her deep conflict about allowing these demons to live. They’re incredibly dangerous to humans – she should exterminate them, simply to eradicate the threat they pose – but she can’t bring herself to do it because she knows that the demons aren’t so different from the humans they wish to hunt: they love, they protect their families, they have a culture and code of honor. She was raised to believe that killing demons was the right thing to do, but now she knows it’s not that simple -- and she doesn’t want to be a murderer.

Which character in the series was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
 
Maxine and the boys have always been my favorite characters to write. There are so many layers of heartbreak, history, and longing in them – for innocence lost, for people lost, for all the things they wish they could be, but can’t. Grant, on the other hand, has become harder to write as the series has continued. He’s turning into a bit of an enigma to me – I’m still trying to understand what he’s becoming.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?
 
More comic book work, and a novel that I’m currently revising: about an elderly dominatrix and her granddaughter, who work together to solve a murder. I also wrote the story for an upcoming animated film that’s coming out soon from Marvel. It’s called Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher.
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I was born in Philadelphia, spent my formative years in Seattle, and then attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for my undergraduate studies, majoring in East Asian Languages and Cultures, with a minor in Biomedical Ethics. I went to law school at the University of Wisconsin. For more than 16 years I studied and traveled throughout Asia, working briefly at the US Embassy in Beijing, China — and in 2004 I gave up practicing law to become a full-time writer. I divide my time between the American Midwest, Boston, and Beijing, China.

Find Marjorie and her books
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Labyrinth of Stars
Hunter Kiss #5
 Tattoos with hearts, minds, and dreams. Created to be the armor that protects my body, these obsidian shadows come alive at night—demons made flesh.

After the Aetar nearly kill Maxine’s unborn child, and a betrayal within her own ranks leaves Maxine’s husband, Grant, poisoned and dying, Maxine is forced to attack a race of beings that possesses almost unlimited power. Doing so will require she make a deal with the devil—the devil that lives inside her—risking both her sanity and her soul as she slowly transforms into something more than human.

But even that might not be enough to save Grant, because the very thing that Maxine is becoming is destined to destroy the world.
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 US Only
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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead by Patricia Eimer

UFI welcomes Patricia Eimer Author of The Speak of the Devil Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

Book 1 LUCK OF THE DEVIL and book 3 BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD are 99 cents for a limited time on all eBook platforms!

WHAT I’M READING – BY FAITH BETTINCOURT 
 
When I’m looking for a book I want something that makes me laugh. And when I say laugh, I mean really, really, tears coming out of my eyes, you can’t drink anything or it might shoot out your nose laughing. I’m a pediatric nurse on an ICU unit. Not to mention this new gig as the Angel of Death. My life? Really not a bowl full of chuckles if you get my drift. A bowl full of crazy? Possibly. But I blame most of that on my family. Anyway. Here’s what I’ve read lately that I’d totally recommend:

Cursed By Cupid by Wendy Sparrow: 
 
I know what it’s like to be cursed as eternally second dateless. Unfortunately my problems came from having an insane family—not a crappy chain letter. Then again who sends a chain letter anyway? If you ask me (and you have which is why I’m writing this blog) Tilly should have got herself a demon to go hunting her little penpal of crap. Me? I’m just thankful that my man Matt is used to crazy. But if you need a laugh Tilly’s the girl to see. Just watch out for flying swords.

(Amazon Link)

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple: 
 
The funniest book I’ve read this year. I’m in love with Bernadette in all her crazy and I’m seriously considering a trip to Antarctica of my own. Give her a read and get lost in what happens when you’ve got absolutely everything and it starts to drive you insane.

(Amazon Link)

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes: 
 
This is such a beautiful novel that I can’t help but recommend it. I know what living with the King of the World is like and let me tell you Satan on a crabby day has nothing on Will Traynor. But if anyone deserves a chance at HEA it’s Louisa Clark and you should definitely pick this up to see if she gets it.

(Amazon Link)

Such Sweet Sorrow By Jenny Trout: 
 
I’ve got to admit, I’m not much of a Romeo and Juliet fan. Seriously suicide over a guy? But this retelling by Jenny Trout should have the subtitle “Romeo and Hamlet’s Most Excellent Adventure in the Underworld.” I laughed so hard I spit tea. And Malachi? He’s currently trying to domesticate his own crows so he can have Mumbles and Crumbles fanboys. If you want to finally see Juliet put on some big girl panties and kick it with the boys—Jenny Trout’s got the book for you.

(Amazon Link)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: 
 
I know I said above that I like books that make you laugh and being in pediatric intensive care I should hate this book but OMG, if I weren’t immortal I’d want an Augustus Waters all my own. This is a beautiful story about what happens when everything around you falls apart. And PS the bit about “not wanting to see a world without Augustus Waters in it”? Malachi was totally sobbing like a girl. Even if he did claim it was just demonic allergies.

(Amazon Link)
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Patricia Eimer is a small-town girl fated to be a storyteller. After a stint of "thinking practically," she earned degrees in Business and Economics, but her passion has always been a good book. She lives in Pittsburgh with her two kids and a husband who learned the art of frozen pizza to give her more time to write. When she’s not writing she can be found fencing or arguing with her dogs about plot points. Most days the beagle wins, but the dalmatian is a close second. She’s a distant third.


Find Patricia and her books
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Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
Speak of the Devil # 3
Goodreads Amazon Barnes and Noble
Not Even Death Keeps a Good Demoness Down

There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She’s been patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and her best-friend-turned-sister-in-law is soon giving birth to the Anti-Christ Part Deux. Oh, and Faith is saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit one soul at a time. Life is good.

Until Faith accidentally runs over the Angel of Death and is forced to take his place. Now she’s taking lives instead of saving them. Which is kind of a problem when you’re a nurse. As if that weren’t bad enough, she is suddenly thrust into the worst scenario of them all--Matt’s ex Brenda is back, and she’s brought the Apocalypse with her.

Faith’s not about to give up the world...or her man. But when the chips are down, what’s a demoness supposed to do? Besides take matters into her own hands, of course.
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Tour Schedule

Week One:
2/24/2014- book's blog- Excerpt
2/24/2014- The Reading Obsession- Spotlight
2/25/2014- Urban Fantasy Investigations- Guest Post
2/25/2014- BookHounds- Interview
2/26/2014- Happy tails and tales- Review or Spotlight
2/26/2014- In The Pages of a Good Book- Excerpt
2/27/2014- Manga Maniac Café- Interview
2/27/2014- Margay Leah Justice- Review or Spotlight
2/28/2014- Fade Into Fantasy- Guest Post
2/28/2014- Toot's Book Reviews- Interview

Week Two:
3/3/2014- Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!- Interview
3/3/2014- Books and Things- Excerpt
3/4/2014- Romantic Reads and Such- Guest Post
3/4/2014- Let's Talk About Books- Review
3/5/2014- The Jeep Diva- Guest Post
3/5/2014- Cassandra Lost in Books- Excerpt
3/6/2014- Sapphyria's Book Reviews- Guest Post
3/6/2014- Read-Love-Blog- Excerpt
3/7/2014- Miriam Smith- Review or Spotlight
3/7/2014- Fantasy Book Addict- Guest Post

February Covet 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 February releases:


Hot Rock by Annie Seaton

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!




Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can't she stop thinking about him?

Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done.

Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?




Pan's Conquest by Aubrie Dionne

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Syrinx pulled a fast one on Pan to escape his raging lust. The God of Chastity wasn't about to break her vows and succumb to his temptations. Transported to the twenty-first century, she runs a florist shop—fulfilling her fake, mortal life. Until the breathtaking Parker Thomas hires her to decorate his grand estate for a gala. Five hundred roses? Easy enough. Except Parker makes her feel things she can't ignore...

As the God of Fertility, Pan is used to maidens flocking in droves to his pastures. So when Syrinx denies him, he's determined to win the one that got away. He poses as a mortal to get close to her, but he doesn't count on falling hard for his conquest—hard enough to make a life and stay.

But Syrinx is falling in love with a man that doesn't exist. Can Pan hide his identity forever, or will the truth tear them apart?


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New Releases: 2/23-3/1


Mon Feb 24

 Pan's Conquest by Aubrie Dionne

Tue Feb 25

 Burn Bright (Dark Star #2) by Bethany Frenette 
 Fire & Flood (Fire & Flood #1) by Victoria Scott 
 Night Owls (Night Owls #1) by Lauren M. Roy
 Tremor (Pulse #2) by Patrick Carman
 White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Happy Reading!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Guest Blog & Giveaway: The Werewolves of the West Series by Carol Van Atta

UFI welcomes Carol Van Atta Author of The Werewolves of the West Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

When Fantasy Becomes Reality.
What if your wildest fantasy walked into your world …fangs or fur, and oozing sex appeal like warm honey on a hot buttery bun? Would you be ready?

That question is answered at some point and in some degree by every paranormal romance/fantasy heroine. There comes a point when her eyes are opened wide and a world beyond the ordinary is revealed.

Imagine opening your kitchen blinds some morning and instead of your neighbor’s messy backyard you see a giant beanstalk, or mushrooms the size of skyscrapers, or, better yet, a hot, hunky, man-beast eager to sink his teeth into your neck and his…quick, cold shower please! Keeping it PG here!

Well, that’s what happens to Melanie Larson, BFF, of Chloe Carpenter, animal minder extraordinaire, who has been incarcerated for multiple murders she didn’t commit. Melanie’s mind-blinds are not simply opened, but blown right off when supernatural secrets are exposed.

Melanie’s not a complete stranger to the supernatural. She’s found success and made a ton of money writing about bump-in-the night creatures in her paranormal romance books. She’s put her writing on hold and has rushed to Plum Beach to offer Chloe moral support. She finds things are far worse than she anticipated. Not only is her friend facing an uncertain future behind bars, but Melanie soon discovers that monsters aren’t just found between the pages of her books, but are lurking in the quant Oceanside town. Before she has time to unpack her suitcase, she’s welcomed into a wild world of werewolves, vampires, witches, angels and demons, faeries and demons, and a the havoc that unfolds because of their meddling in human affairs.

With no time to process her paranormal predicament, Melanie is thrust into an adventure that has the potential to destroy not only her own life, but everyone and everything she holds dear, including the world they live in. But in the midst of the unexpected madness, her man-hating beliefs are shattered when she’s faced with several supernatural suitors vying for her affection.

Who will she choose? A young werewolf with a crooked grin, his handsome ‘pops,’ a powerful fae prince, or will she lock lips with a mysterious vampire who keeps showing up in the most startling places, like outside her motel’s bathroom window.

Let’s join Melanie as she ponders her predicament after a long day of mind shattering revelations:

Until today, besides the characters and creatures in my books, I’d only once given any genuine thought to the existence of nonhuman species, and the details were foggy now. What I could recall was a trip to Vegas as a teenager. I’d sworn to my parents that I’d spotted a werewolf lurking in an alley. We’d argued the remainder of our vacation until I’d relented and accepted their theory. I’d likely observed an actor in costume taking a break from some Vegas show. Considering it was Halloween weekend, I could see how their reasoning made sense.

Knowing what I knew now, I wasn’t so sure what I had or hadn’t seen. When I mentioned it to Zane, he confirmed a substantial werewolf population in Nevada.

“So, now what?” My thoughts had grown swimmy and I was ready to collapse from exhaustion.

With a touch of heroic effort, Michael rushed to my side. “You’re beat. Let’s get you back to your room. We’ll post a guard to keep an eye on you while you’re here. Chloe’s best friend is a friend of the Pacific Pack.”

I nodded, grateful for his offer. I glanced up and noticed his eyes. They’d changed and now glimmered golden in the moonlight. Thinking my own eyes were playing tricks, I looked away, but not before seeing his adorable half smile. Michael was indeed a cutie. I didn’t have to be wide awake to know that.

A few minutes later I was in my room, in my pajamas and making certain everything was locked up one last time. I peeked out the front window and noticed another handsome stranger. He gave the hand signal, agreed upon by Zane, to ensure I knew who was in charge of my surveillance. I returned the gesture and dropped the blinds.

Tomorrow morning I would meet with Zane and the M’s for a trip to the Plum Beach Wildlife Park where Chloe and Zane had met and were employed. Michael and Mack performed security duties for Luke Snider, the park’s owner. Chloe had told me about Luke, and I was looking forward to hearing his take on the seaside scandal involving his key employees. It was important I remember that he wasn’t privy to the supernatural elements in Plum Beach, or anywhere for that matter. Finding out from me wasn’t an option. My lips were sealed.

I half stumbled to the tiny bathroom and plastered on enough night cream to combat the future wrinkles all my worrying was sure to cause. Pushing aside the curtain, I could see the parking lot of a market behind the motel.

Something moved, more like zipped toward me in a blur of silvery light.

My feet were frozen to the floor, leaving me to face a man unlike any I’d ever seen. He stood outside my window, just inches from the glass, which looked very thin and breakable all of a sudden. His lip cured up on one side revealing a gleaming white fang.

Still glued to the same spot, I watched him raise a long-fingered hand to his mouth. He kissed his palm, his eyes never leaving mine, and then blew me the most erotic kiss of my life. It tingled all the way to my toes.

Before my bizarre reaction could register, he vanished in another blur, leaving me trembling.

My feet came unglued and I backed away, fighting the urge, with every step, to open the window and call for my fanged admirer … or was fanged stalker more accurate?

Collapsing on the bed, I touched my neck. I couldn’t understand how one blown kiss could leave such a trail of heat behind.

I’m not sure what I’d do in Melanie’s position, but at the moment, I’m leaning towards open the darn window and let that sexy stalker in, fangs and all. So, my question to you is: What would you do if a paranormal prince charming showed up outside your window, door, or car (you get the point)? Would you let him in or close the curtain/door and dial 911? My other question is more general. How do you think you’d handle finding out the world as you know it isn’t what you’d always believed? Would you go with the flow or get your head examined?

Share your answers in this awesome blog’s comment section. I’d love to hear from you. And if you’d like to know what happens to Melanie, Chloe, and the rest of the Pacific Pack, pick up a copy of She Kissed a Vampire, book two in my Werewolves of the West series.

And check out the picture below. I found one I think represents the vampire, Alcuin. You will have to read the book and see if you agree. After you finish reading, find a photo of how you envision Alcuin, and then share it on my Facebook page to be entered in another cool drawing.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Werewolves-of-the-West-Book-Series-Author-Carol-Van-Atta/153030771437034?ref=hl

Happy reading!

Alcuin
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Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included, and lots of bunnies were involved), and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper (about David Bowie's Diamond Dogs LP). Yes, she's an ex-80's chick.

Devouring books from numerous genres, Carol developed a deep thirst/hunger for more reading material, and could almost always be found with her nose in a book.

She has contributed to several popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books, and lives in the rainy wetland of Oregon with a terrifying teen (another in college) and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. (Though you can check out her latest spiritual suspense novel, Soul Defenders). It is rumored that this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered too suspicious red marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge to howl at the moon.

Find Carol and her books
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She Kissed A Vampire
Werewolves of the West #2
Best selling author Melanie Larson’s relationship with her friend, Chloe Carpenter, is bleak. Falsely accused of murder, Chloe’s future rests in the hands of her mate, Zane Marshall, and the Pacific Pack’s purebred werewolves. In an effort to help, Melanie joins forces with the pack and soon discovers the monsters she writes about in her paranormal novels really do go bump in the night.

As Chloe struggles with legal troubles, an unwanted blood bond with a master vampire, and a reunion with her mate, Melanie untangles the attention of multiple supernatural suitors determined to claim her as their own. Strangely attracted to a brazen vampire, she must decide if the blurred line between passion and pain is worth crossing.

Werewolves, vampires, and fae royalty race to unearth an ancient artifact with the power to extend their existence. Can Chloe and Melanie restore their friendship in time to stop magical mayhem from ruining everything they have worked so hard to redeem?

I Kissed A Dog
Werewolves of the West #1
Chloe Carpenter isn't like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.

In her otherwise wacky life, she's finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he'd roar right back out.

Problem: He's her new coworker and he's saved her life twice - in the past twenty-four hours.

Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do - figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.

With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected.

Remarkably, she's the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence.

Problem: She despises him.

Together, they're forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract.

Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she'll do anything to keep him from Chloe.
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 US Only

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February Edge Release Blast


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 February releases!!



Mustang Sassy by Daire St. Denis

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!


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Jordan Michaels wants his car fixed, now, and he wants Sass’s auto body shop to do it. But the handsome blond has a secret−he’s really Jordan Carlyle of Carlyle’s Classics, Sass Hogan’s biggest competitor, and he’s determined to prove himself to his family. As Sass and Jordan get to know each other, the depth of the attraction has them falling in love. But a relationship based on lies will only leave them primed for the worst wreck of their lives.



Death Defying by Nina Croft
Blood Hunter #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on First 3 Books in Series!

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After five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. Until he realizes he’s physically changing—into what, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, but his own people will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming out. He turns to Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador. Sparks fly as they work together to make it out alive, but can Callum really trust the one woman hell bent on using him? Defying death has never been more dangerous…or more sexy.




Bittersweet Darkness by Nina Croft
The Order #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on All 3 Books in Series!


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As payment for a debt, Ash Delacourt finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords as the demon representative. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable Detective Connolly—maybe have a little fun. But Faith has a secret, and falling in love with Ash—one of the bad guys, albeit a stunningly gorgeous one, isn't part of her future. How can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?



Before the Devil Knows You're Dead by Patricia Eimer
Speak of the Devil #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on All 3 Books in Series!


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There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She's patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit, one soul at a time. But when she's forced to take over as the Angel of Death, and then Matt’s ex comes back, bringing the Apocalypse with her, Faith’s not about to give up the world...or her man. When the chips are down, what’s a girl to do but take matters in her own hands, consequences be damned?




Sunday, February 23, 2014

Week in Review: 2/16-2/22


Books I've Bought/received

* None this week.

Books I've Read

Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins
Hexed by Michelle Krys
The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams
Blindsided by Natalie Whipple
Break Out by Nina Croft
Deadly Pursuit by Nina Croft

Reviews Posted

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer
Reflected by Rhiannon Held
Taken by Felicia Starr

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

* Wednesday- Guest blog for A Taste for Killing by H.K. Sterling

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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.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Early Review: The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison

The Undead Pool
Author: Kim Harrison
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: Voyager
The Hollows Book #12
ISBN:  0061957933
ISBN13: 9780061957932
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Edelweiss
Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.

Rachel has gotten herself into many pickles since the beginning of this series but the pickle she gets into in THE UNDEAD POOL is right up there at the top of the list.  The vampires have lost their minds. Seriously. Rachel kicks butt as usual but we have some heart pounding situations and a huge run in with the Goddess that will leave you with your mouth hanging open

Even though Ivy and Jenks are still very much in this book they are continuing to begin their life on their own that has been coming for the past few books. Its sad but it is going in a way that truly makes sense and I know that no matter what the three of them will always be there for each other. I absolutely love Trent's little girls. I love their personalities, I love the way they interact with Trent and I love the way that Rachel has made it into their lives and the way they act towards her. Kim should do a spin off with them when they are older. I just know those two are going to be hand fulls of entertainment. Ellasbeth continues to be the bitch we all know and hate. There were plenty of interesting moments that she was involved in and although she sucks they were entertaining so I can't hate her that much and hey, she gets what she deserves. Another great thing about THE UNDEAD POOL is that we get to understand Newt a whole lot more. I understand why she is like she is and I kinda like her more for it.

If you have already read EVER AFTER you have an idea of the relationship turn between Rachel and Trent. If you have not read EVER AFTER I suggest you go directly to the store, buy it and devour it as fast as you can because you wont want to miss THE UNDEAD POOL! I can't even begin to describe the amount of sexual tension that is involved in THE UNDEAD POOL. It seriously is out of this world and I refuse to tell you anything more because you must suffer like I did!

The ending leaves us off in a way that we have NO CLUE as to what could possibly happen in the last book of The Hollows Series. Sure we have a few things in play but they could go ANY WAY and I didn't pick up on any clues to help me come to any conclusions which makes me want the last book even worse than I would normally want it. The Hollows Series is seriously a slam dunk and I am so glad to have been on this journey with Rachel and her gang of friends. Bring on book 13 before I explode!

I gave it 5/5 stars

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

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Review: Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer

Wakeworld
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: ACE
The Between Book #2
ISBN:   0425261247
ISBN13: 9780425261248
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source:Author
Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together. But her attempts to build a life with the man she loves seem doomed by the dragon inside her yearning to break free. Vivian is a dreamshifter, the last line of defense between reality and the dreamworld, and the only one of her kind.

Weston Jennings also believes he is the only one of his kind. He fears his powers as a dreamshifter, and resists learning to control them. After suffering a tragic loss, Weston heads deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest to embrace a safe life of solitude. But when a terrible mistake leads to an innocent’s death, his guilt drives him to his former home, where he encounters what he never thought he would find: another shifter.

Now Vivian and Weston must work together to defeat a new threat to the dreamworld.

WAKEWORLD is the second book in the Between series. I was kind of surprised to see it as I felt that BETWEEN ended pretty nicely and that it could have passed as a standalone. I did find BETWEEN to have an interesting world so I thought I would go ahead and give it a try.

I liked that Vivian came across as a stronger character in WAKEWORLD. She just seemed to carry herself better and believes in herself more. The relationship between Vivian and Zee seemed forced and awkward to me. There was never a point that I felt like they were meant for each other. Jared being in the book was weird. If anything Vivian should have just kicked his ass and called it a day. Im not sure how she could be in his presence and not break down somehow. The villain in book 2 just ended up annoying me and the whole her and Zee 'moment' really freaked me out.

I really like the idea of the world that is built but I just couldn't seem to get excited while reading WAKEWORLD. The storyline didn't hold my attention and because of that I had a hard time getting through it.

I gave it 2/5 stars

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