Free E-book

*UPDATE- This is gone* 

*UPDATE 3/7- Check the Comments =)*

I have a code for a free ebook copy of Caraliza by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick that I won and will not use. The first to comment with email address will get it. I will forward you the information right away. If your not comfortable posting email then you may email me at UrbanFantasyInvestigations@gmail.com

Review: Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Bitter Night

Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Release Date: October 27, 2010

Publisher: Pocket

Horngate Witches Book #1

ISBN: #  9781416598145

Genre: Urban Fantasy

SOMETIMES YOU CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES. AND SOMETIMES, THEY CHOOSE YOU...

Once, Max dreamed of a career, a home, a loving family. Now all she wants is freedom...and revenge. A witch named Giselle transformed Max into a warrior with extraordinary strength, speed, and endurance. Bound by spellcraft, Max has no choice but to fight as Giselle's personal magic weapon -- a Shadowblade -- and she's lethally good at it. But her skills are about to be put to the test as they never have before....
The ancient Guardians of the earth are preparing to unleash widespread destruction on the mortal world, and they want the witches to help them. If the witches refuse, their covens will be destroyed, including Horngate, the place Max has grudgingly come to think of as home. Max thinks she can find a way to help Horngate stand against the Guardians, but doing so will mean forging dangerous alliances -- including one with a rival witch's Shadowblade, who is as drawn to Max as she is to him -- and standing with the witch she despises. Max will have to choose between the old life she still dreams of and the warrior she has become, and take her place on the side of right -- if she survives long enough to figure out which side that is....

Max is what they call a Shadowblade, she protects her witch with her life. She didn't choose to be a Shadowblade, her best friend and room mate in collage Giselle turned her one night after they went out for drinks. Max has resented and hated Giselle ever since but is bound by Giselle's magic and can not harm nor leave Giselle. Max happens to be the prime shadowblade and is unique as she treats everyone under her super well and all the shadowblades are extremely loyal to her even though Max tries to keep her distance as she still doesn't want to be a shadowblade and is still trying to find a way to get revenge on Giselle. Horngate, their home is under attack and Max seems to be the only one who can save it so she has to start working through some of her issues. I really enjoyed Bitter night. I found the world that Diana built to be strong and unique. There is a bit of romance with a lot of tension between Max and another witches Shadowblade Prime Alexander as they try to work together. Book 2 Crimson Wind comes out December 28, 2010 and I already have it pre-ordered.

I gave it 4.5/5

Giveaway: $35 CSN Gift Card CLOSED

CSN Stores has contacted me and offered me the opportunity of offering up a giveaway or review of there products from any one of there 200+ stores. Because It was the unselfish (Oh but I wanted a new toy trust me) and giving thing to do I went ahead and chose to offer up a giveaway to my wonderful followers. Trust me when I tell you that you will have the hardest time trying to decide what to buy as they have everything you could possibly want. Are you looking for leather messenger bags to carry your new books in? Well your in luck because they have a great selection.

PRIZE

The winner will receive a $35 one-time use gift code to any of CSN’s 200+ stores that can be used to order anything you could possibly want.

RULES

1) You MUST Be a Follower!!! 

2) It is only open to US/Canadian residents because that is where CSN ships to.

3) You can earn extra entries by
    +1 spreading the word (tweet, blog, facebook, whatever)
    +1 subscribing via email with feedburner (left sidebar)
4) Fill out the FORM below

Giveaway ends 12/11/2010 at 11:59pm EST

Winner has 48 hours to reply to my email (so I know that its valid before I send the Code) or I will pick another.

Winner chosen randomly with the help of random.org  

Early Review: Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

Trickster's Girl

Author: Hilari Bell

Release Date: January 3, 2011

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books

ISBN: #  9780547196206

Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Netgalley.com
In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but  human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

I was really excited to read this book but unfortunately I just could not get into it. I enjoyed the futuristic things that Hilari added to explain what the world was like in her version of 2098, and the magical element was neat. I felt the book lacked a proper ending, it just kind of finished. From the title I thought that there was a romance that would blossom between Kelsa and Raven but there was nothing. There was some good action that kept me a little entertained but the majority of the book fell flat for me. I think my almost 10 year old might have liked it so my suggestion would be that if your a younger teen go ahead and grab a copy, If you are an older Young adult or adult I would recommend renting it from your local library before you buy.

I gave it 2/5 Stars.

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop

I am once again participating in Follow Friday Hosted by Parajunkie.com as well as Book Blogger Hop hosted by crazy-for-books.com Thank you everyone for stopping by and Follow me if you like what you see!!

Follow Friday #4

This weeks question comes from

Hafsah @ Icey Books

"What do you do besides reading / reviewing as a hobby??"

Well Im a Wife and Mother of 2, I also work from home watching 2 little ones for a teacher full time. My DH works 11 hours a day 5 days a week so I don't get out often but when I do, I enjoy going to the movies and Moms night outs with some of my other mommy friends.

Book Blogger Hop #4

This week's question comes from : 

"What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

I honestly cant think of one right off the top of my head, but writing bad reviews in general just sucks. I hate to have to do it sometimes.

Early Review: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Steal                                           

Author: Rachel Vincent

Release Date: January 1, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Soul Screamers Book #4

ISBN: # 9780373210275

Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Netgalley.com
YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

I DON’T THINK SO.

In the midst of Kaylee trying to work threw her anger and pain to forgive Nash, Sabine his ex-girlfriend shows up at school. Of course this throws Kaylee into a tailspin because Sabine tells Kaylee flat out that she is after Nash and Kaylee still doesn't forgive him but doesn't want to lose him either. On top of all that stress teachers start dying and the students start acting crazy jealous towards each other breaking into fights and chaos. Kaylee seems to grow a bit of a backbone through out the book which is nice. Nash is still broken and is trying to win Kaylee back and keep Sabine as his friend at the same time. Tod is very protective and supportive to Kaylee the book and it was nice to see their friendship grow. Sabine's character brings a ton of tension and chaos to the book but in the end I think you will all be surprised to find out why and that she isn't as bad as she seems. Avari Is still after Kaylee and I'm sure that wont stop anytime soon but it getting pretty interesting. I cant imagine where Rachel will take the series next but I'm staying on for the ride.


I gave it 4/5 Stars

Guest Blog: Jess Haines

**I am so excited and Honored to introduce my VERY First Guest Blog written by one of my Favorite Authors Jess Haines. Thank you so much for joining me here at Urban Fantasy Investigations Jess**

The H&W Team Talk About Whether They’ve Been Naughty or Nice This Year

By Jess Haines

Hello there!  Jess Haines here.  I’m the author of the urban fantasy novel HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, and its upcoming sequel TAKEN BY THE OTHERS (coming January 4, 2011 from Kensington).  I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to some of the cast—Shiarra Waynest, the lead character, Chaz, her on-and-off werewolf boyfriend, Sara, her business partner, Arnold, a mage who occasionally lends her a hand, and Alec Royce, a vampire Shiarra meets in the course of her adventures.

Shiarra is going to tell you a little bit about whether she and her friends are getting gifts or coal in their stockings this Christmas.  Over to you, Shia!

____________________

Shiarra:  Okay, I’m here, and—WHOA.

Chaz:  Do you like it?

Arnold:  What the hell is that?

Chaz:  It’s a reindeer antler headband.  With some added tinsel.  And bells.  I liked the Christmas lights.  You press a button here and it either blinks or stays solidly lit—

Royce:  Can I leave on the grounds that this is too ridiculous for anyone with an ounce of dignity to endure?

Sara:  No.  If we have to put up with it, so do you.

Shiarra:  Honey, could you maybe put those away for a while?

Chaz:  But… *puppy dog eyes*

Shiarra:  Err…

Sara:  Good god, you guys.

Arnold:  I thought I was overdoing it with the Santa hat.  Yeesh.

Shiarra:  Man, and I thought today’s topic was going to be uncomfortable.

Arnold:  Hey, I like this topic.  Put me on the naughty list!  I want some of that Santa’s coal bubble gum in my stocking this year.

Sara:  You’re so ridiculous, sweetie. 

Arnold:  I know.

Sara:  I was good.  I didn’t throttle my sister or let any of my clients or any of the people I was investigating get away with fraud or infidelity.

Shiarra:  I was sort of good.  Does it count if I broke a law or two because I had no choice?

Arnold:  Beats me.

Royce:  I suppose it may depend upon the circumstances and what you did.  I can speculate, but I’d be curious to hear what laws you believe you have broken.

Shiarra:  Yeeeeeeah—no.

Chaz:  Don’t worry, love, I don’t care what you did.  Anyway, I think I was pretty good this year.  I helped save some lives, tore apart some vampires…

Royce:  That’s not a rousing endorsement in my book.

Shiarra:  But it is in mine.  Keep up the good work, honey!

Chaz:  You got it, babe. 

Royce:  I almost wish it was possible for me to be ill.  Ugh.

Arnold:  You are such a Grinch. 

Shiarra:  No coal bubble gum in your stocking, mister.  You get the real deal.

Sara:  No kidding.  I’d toss in a few stakes and garlic cloves for good measure.

Royce:  Just try it, children.  I might have a few solstice surprises in store for you.

Arnold:  I don’t think anyone is interested in what kind of surprises you’ve got planned.

Royce:  Of course not.  The only times I ever see any of you are when you wish to steal something that belongs to me or when you come crawling to me for assistance.  I’m getting rather tired of this farce.

Shiarra:  You complain too much.  Are you trying to distract us from whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year?

Royce:  What?  Of course not.  I think it’s rather obvious where I fall upon the spectrum of morality.

Shiarra:  I don’t know.  You’re scary and occasionally mean, but sometimes you do nice things.  You donate to charities and you helped me a couple of times when you didn’t have anything to gain, even if it was in a really weird way.  I think you’re nicer than you’d like people to think.

Royce:  I have my reasons for acting as I do.

Arnold:  Such as?

Royce:  Cultivating donors isn’t a task done overnight.  Gaining the trust of a human that fears me—such as Ms. Waynest—is an endeavor that takes time and patience.  The payout is what makes the hunt worthwhile.

Shiarra:   …okay, I could’ve gone my whole life not knowing that. 

Chaz:  Don’t worry, love, I won’t let him touch you.

Royce:  Don’t be too quick to make promises you cannot keep.  You might end up on that naughty list, after all.

Shiarra:  I am all kinds of done with this topic.

Sara:  Naughty list.  The vamp is definitely on the naughty list.

Royce:  As if there was ever any doubt.

____________________

So what about you?  Is Santa going to put you on his naughty or nice list this year?

Thanks again for having me and the gang over, Stacy!

_____________________

To read more about Jess Haines and the H&W Team visit her website at www.jesshaines.com

May 1 2010

January 4 2011