Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Review: The Offering by Kimberly Dering

The Offering
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
The Pledge Book #3
ISBN:   1442445629
ISBN13: 9781442445628
Genre: YA/Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Edelweiss
True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.
Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

This series has beautiful covers! THE OFFERING is the third and last installment of The Pledge series. We have watched Charlie go from a resident of the vendor sector to Queen. We have watched her fall in love. We have watched her struggle and try to find her way with Sabara hitching a ride in her body. We have witnessed the loyalty of her family, friends and allies as well as their struggles alongside their Queen. THE OFFERING brings everything to a close and gave me an ending that left me satisfied and excited about the future of Ludania.

There's no doubt that Charlie has been through a lot. Watching her grow and evolve into the Queen she is in THE OFFERING was equally hard and joyous. The care that she has for Ludania and the Ludanian people is first in her mind and the willingness to do anything to free them shows a lot about the person she has become. The only book in the series that we get a lot of Charlie/Max time was THE PLEDGE but you can see how much they have grown as a couple and the love they share along the way. I would have liked to see more of them together in THE OFFERING but there were bigger issues to deal with. There has been a rift in some of Charlies relationships and it was nice to see those play out. The supporting characters of the series were as much of a part of my enjoyment from the beginning as the story itself. 

There were a few parts in the series that I could have done without, a few parts in THE OFFERING that were a bit slow but overall I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to seeing what Kimberly Derting will do next!

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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New Releases: 1/5-1/11


Tue Jan 7th

 Darkest Fear (Birthright #1) by Cate Tiernan 
 Dark Wolf (Dark #25) by Christine Feehan
 Erased (Altered #2) by Jennifer Rush
 The Pretenders (The Cemetery Girl Trilogy #1) by Charlaine Harris, Christopher Golden
 Promise Bound (Lies Beneath #3) by Anne Greenwood Brown
 Salt (Salt #1) by Danielle Ellison

Happy Reading!!
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Monday, January 6, 2014

Interview & Giveaway: Black Arts by Faith Hunter

UFI welcomes Faith Hunter Author of the Jane Yellowrock series. Thanks for Joining us!!

Boots appear in Jane Yellowrock's  world often. Tell us about the boots.

Boots! I love boots! I have 10 pairs of Lucchese boots, ankle boots, and mules that Jane wears in the books! (And 5 non-Lucchese pairs of boots, but who’s counting?) I don’t, however, have combat boots like Jane wears on hunts. At five-feet two, plump, and a bit older than Jane, I think I’d look stupid in them!

What do you do to treat yourself?
 
Dark Chocolate. A steamy Himalayan salt bath. (Yes, I bought coarsely-ground, pink salt from the Himalayan mountains and I take very hot baths in it. The salt soothes my aching muscles when I overdo on a whitewater river.)  I also love sushi. Dark beer. A massage is always good, as is a pedicure. And I cuddle on the couch and watch TV with the Hubby and the dogs.

What do you do for fun when you aren't writing?  
 
I make jewelry, which I give away a lot as winnings on blog giveaways, and at signings. Jewelry making is mostly for when I need to put aside the writing for a short time and set my mind free to wander, like when I am stuck on a plot point and a solution won’t come.

For longer breaks, I whitewater kayak. My hubby and I are addicts! We own 14 boats for every kind of water, from whitewater, to black water rivers, to ocean water. A few years ago, we went out on the Edisto Sound during dolphin mating season. The dolphins would come cruise by the kayak and look us over. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

You are a bestselling author. Yet you keep a day job? That sounds crazy! Why?  
 
Health insurance. That’s it, really. That is the only reason.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be? 
 
I work in the laboratory of a small rural hospital, for the benefits, and I’ll be there until I retire. If I hadn’t made it as a writer, I’d likely gone back to school to be a nurse, or maybe into law school. Or maybe I’d have made jewelry for a living. But frankly, nothing is as satisfying as writing. Except chocolate… 
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FAITH HUNTER writes bestselling dark urban fantasy: Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock—Skinwalker, Blood Cross, Mercy Blade, Raven Cursed, Death’s Rival & Blood Trade. Rogue Mage, a post-apocalyptic, alternate reality series, features Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage—BloodRing, Seraphs, Host, and Rogue Mage RPG and World Book.


Find Faith and her books
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Black Arts 
Jane Yellowrock #7
 Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker who always takes care of her own—no matter the cost...

When Evan Trueblood blows into town looking for his wife, Molly, he’s convinced that she came to see her best friend, Jane. But it seems like the witch made it to New Orleans and then disappeared without a trace.

Jane is ready to do whatever it takes to find her friend. Her desperate search leads her deep into a web of black magic and betrayal and into the dark history between vampires and witches. But the closer she draws to Molly, the closer she draws to a new enemy—one who is stranger and more powerful than any she has ever faced.
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 US Only

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Sunday, January 5, 2014

Cover Reveal: Dazed by Kim Karr

Dazed 
Connections #2
Release date: April 1st, 2014
Jagger Kennedy never went looking for fame, he just fell into it. After scoring a major modeling contract, his clean-cut good looks and charm catapulted his career. But when his actress girlfriend breaks his heart, he moves to L.A. to try his hand at acting. He’s not looking for love—he just needs to make a change.
 
Aerie Daniels is a woman in control … until she meets Jagger. Her surprising connection with him leaves her dazed and it’s unlike anything she’s ever felt. But just when she lets her walls fall, she makes a startling discovery about Jagger that breaks her fragile heart into a million pieces.
To keep from losing the woman who’s changing his world, Jagger is willing to give up anything—including his career. But even that might not be enough to regain Aerie’s shattered trust…

 ✿ AMAZON preorder - http://amzn.to/1hwLS9g 
✿ B&N preorder - http://bit.ly/1cOoxeO 
✿ iTUNES preorder - http://bit.ly/1a4JC3T


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I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I've always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

I wear a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of the family. However, I always find time to read. One of my favorite family outings use to be taking my kids to the bookstore or the library. Today, my oldest child is in college and my twins are juniors so they no longer go with me on these outings. And although I don't need to go to the actual store anymore because I have the greatest device ever invented—a Kindle, I still do. There's nothing like a paperback. So now my four year old and I make dates out of going to the bookstore--it's time I love and cherish.

I like to believe in soulmates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. I love to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Find Kim and her books
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Week in Review: 12/29-1/4


Books Ive Bought/received

* Heart of Stone by Christine Warren- eARC- Netgalley

* Repossessed by Shawntelle Madison

Books I Read

Deadshifted by Cassie Alexander
Jinx by Jennifer Estep
Hot Mama by Jennifer Estep
Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep

Reviews Posted

Ashes by Sarah Gilman
The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin
Deadshifted by Cassie Alexander

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

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

* Monday- Covet Release Day Blast and Giveaway, Guest Blog and Giveaway for Chaos Bound by Rebekah Turner. 

 * Friday- Promo and Giveaway for Shine by Dannika Dark

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

* 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.
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Saturday, January 4, 2014

Review: Deadshifted by Cassie Alexander

Deadshifted
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Publisher: St. Martins Paperback
Edie Spence Book #4
ISBN:  1250037948
ISBN13: 9781250037947
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source:Publisher
Edie Spence just wanted a vacation. A nice, relaxing, stress free, non-adventure away from the craziness that's dominated her life since becoming a nurse for paranormal creatures. But from the start, her trip on the Maraschino, a cruise ship bound for Hawaii, has been anything but stress free, especially when Edie's boyfriend Asher recognizes someone he used to know. Someone from his not-so-nice past. With their lives in the balance, will Edie and Asher be able to save their growing family or will this adventure be their end?

I am starting this review kind of conflicted. There are parts of DEADSHIFTED that I really enjoyed, there were parts of the book that were ok and there were parts of the book (like the ending) that I was left wondering 'what the hell, did that seriously just happen after all of that?'. Sigh...

Book 4 ends up being pretty grim for the most part. There are a lot of dark times and death involved. I enjoyed meeting some of the new characters that are present for most of the book and hope to see them again in future books. Edie as always is headstrong and caring. There is a pretty big medical crisis going on and although she's worried about herself she worries a lot more about others. I didn't always agree with how she handled things and I cringed many times when she put others before herself considering what she was going through. Asher has started to grow on me. He still isn't my favorite person but considering what Edie has dated in the past he is a step up and he seems to treat her well.

The setting was interesting. The whole book takes place on a cruise ship. It does NOT go well. There is some pretty big news revealed in the beginning and it makes the story that much more stressful to witness. Fair warning, the author describes things in great detain and again there is a LOT of death. She really did a good job making you feel you were right there.

When the last chapter ended I was left rather disappointed that things took the turn they did. I don't want to ruin the ending so I will just say I really hope the vibe I am getting is wrong and the next book things wont be as bad as I am picturing. =/

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Friday, January 3, 2014

Promo & Giveaway: Shine by Dannika Dark



Shine
(Mageri Series, Bk #5)
By Dannika Dark

 Blurb: 
Love is infinite.
Hate is absolute.

 In the short span of a year, Silver has gone from becoming a Mage to discovering the truth about her unique genetics. Logan Cross went from her mortal enemy to her immortal lover, but a threat is fast approaching like an inevitable storm. Attacks are underway against the Mageri and one man is behind it—an elusive foe who is an unstoppable force. Nero is not Silver’s only concern as someone close to her is arrested for treason. In the midst of chaos, Silver discovers she cannot protect everyone from the wrath of fate, including her own Ghuardian.

 Justus finally opens his heart, but an unexpected turn of events could darken his soul forever. Secrets are revealed that will leave you reeling from one twist after the next. Would you sacrifice everything for love?

 Destiny has set sail and once she alters her course, no one’s life will ever be the same in this explosive conclusion to the Mageri Series.



Available for purchase at 
         


 EXCERPT

A deep vibration rose from his chest. Logan backed me up and the next thing I knew, I was lying on the hood of Justus’s sleek Porsche. What was once a vast collection of exquisite cars was now a collection of three, aside from the Ducati, which he rarely drove.

Logan’s ravenous tongue found a sensitive spot on my neck that made me crave his skin against mine. I slipped my hands beneath his shirt, scratching at his strong back. I loved the way his body felt. The taut muscles along his abs, the baby-fine hair on his arms and legs, the masculine cut of his jaw, and especially right now, the thick press between my legs. The hood of the car dented from our weight and Logan’s heated breath stirred a voice within me that wanted to say “to hell with it” and have sex right on top of my Ghuardian’s one-hundred-thousand-dollar Porsche.

“Wait, Logan. We’re going to mess up his car.”

When his tongue entered my mouth, the complaint was forgotten.

Until the garage door lifted up.



About the Author


This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.

It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.

Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.

I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.

But it's what I love to do.

Danni

You can stalk, I mean find Dannika here: 

            




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