Monday, April 11, 2011

Review: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf
Author:Molly Harper
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Naked Werewold Book #1
ISBN:   1439195862
ISBN13: 9781439195864
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question.

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .
I originally wasn't going to read this as the cover didn't really catch my eye, but It was in my reader and I was out and decided what the heck If I dont like the first chapter I will just pick something else. Well I didn't need to pick something else. I read the whole book pretty quickly and enjoyed it from front to back. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf was a great light, funny read filled with a great little town with a bunch of great characters and werewolf's to boot. Both Mo and Cooper have family issues which brought them to Grundy in the first place and turn out to be a great match, but they are both stubborn and fight the attraction in the beginning which brings a lot of funny yet frustrating moments.  The mystery of the killings had me guessing who it was until the chapter the killer was revealed in. I really enjoyed Molly's writing style and I will definitely be checking out THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF.


I gave it 4/5 stars

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Week in Review 4/3-4/9



Books Ive Bought/received

* Luminous by Dawn Metcalf- ARC- Librarything early review program

* Hexed by Kevin Hearne- Bound proofs- From publisher for review

* Hammered by Kevin Hearne- Bound proofs- From Publisher for review

* Unnatural by Michael Griffo- From Publisher for blog tour 

* Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma- ARC- Goodreads First-Reads win

* Magic on the Hunt by Devon Monk- Bought from Borders

* Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre- Bought from Borders.com


Books I read

Deadworld by J.N. Duncan
Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep
Magic on the Hunt by Devon Monk
Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre
Unnatural by Micheal Griffo
Ascension by Sable Grace

Reviews posted

Hunting Human by Amanda E. Alvarez
Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
Banished by Sophie Littlefield

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* New Releases for the week.

* UFI participated in Moira Roger's Wilders Mate Kindle Contest the winners have been posted. 

* The winner of the e-copy of Glimmer by Vivi Anna has been posted. 

* Larissa from Larissa's Bookish Life was awesome enough to help me get Block quotes so my blog looked cooler. She ROCKS Thanks Larissa =)

* Amanda Alvarez was here on Thursday with an Interview. She is also giving away a gift card to one lucky commenter on her tour.

* Tracey O'Hara joined us with a guest post on Friday.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Review: Banished by Sophie Littlefield

Banished
Author:Sophie Littlefield
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Banished Book #1
ISBN:  0385738528
ISBN13: 9780385738521
Genre: Young Adult

There isn’t much worth living for in Gypsum, Missouri—or Trashtown, as the rich kids call the run-down neighborhood where sixteen-year-old Hailey Tarbell lives. Hailey figures she’ll never belong—not with the popular kids at school, not with the rejects, not even with her cruel, sickly grandmother, who deals drugs out of their basement. Hailey never knew her dead mother, and she has no idea who her father was, but at least she has her four-year-old foster brother, Chub. Once she turns eighteen, Hailey plans to take Chub far from Gypsum and start a new life where no one can find them.

But when a classmate is injured in gym class, Hailey discovers a gift for healing that she never knew she possessed—and that she cannot ignore. Not only can she heal, she can bring the dying back to life. Confused by her powers, Hailey searches for answers but finds only more questions, until a mysterious visitor shows up at Gram’s house, claiming to be Hailey’s aunt Prairie.

There are people who will stop at nothing to keep Hailey in Trashtown, living out a legacy of despair and suffering. But when Prairie saves both Hailey and Chub from armed attackers who invade Gram’s house in the middle of the night, Hailey must decide where to place her trust. Will Prairie’s past, and the long-buried secret that caused her to leave Gypsum years earlier, ruin them all? Because as Hailey will soon find out, their power to heal is just the beginning.

This gripping novel from thriller writer Sophie Littlefield blazes a trail from small-town Missouri to the big city as Hailey battles an evil greater than she ever imagined, while discovering strengths she never knew she had.
I was introduced to Sophie Littlefield by reading her Adult novel AFTERTIME. I absolutely loved it and decided to give her YA a try. The writing was great, I loved the family mythology, and I enjoyed the characters. The narrator Hailey was like-able and had a great head on her shoulders. BUT I had a hard time getting into the story. It seemed to have a hard time getting going and once it did I found myself a bit confused at times about what was going on. The ending was a bit more fast paced and action filled but I thought the ending was a bit abrupt with a big cliffhanger added on. I think the series does have great potential and I will most likely pick up book 2 UNFORSAKEN.

I gave it 3/5 stars

Friday, April 8, 2011

Guest Blog: Tracey O'Hara

UFI welcomes Tracey O'Hara Author of the Dark Brethren Series here to tell us why she chose to write her series from multiple point of view's. Thanks for Joining us Tracey!!

Tracey asked me what I wanted her to talk about and here is what I said.

I would love to know how you decided to use different main characters for each book instead of following 1 main character throughout the series and if it makes it harder to write a series that way.


From the beginning, I had intended that the Dark Brethren series would have different main protagonists. There are some wonderful series centered around a single heroine or hero. Charlaine Harris and Keri Arthur are masters as this kind of story. I have only read the first couple of books of both Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series and Vicki Pettersson’s Zodiac series and I really want to read more.

The fault of my short attention span is entirely mine. But to me the world that the Dark Brethren is set in is too rich and complex just to explore in one point of view.

At one point, about half way through writing Night’s Cold Kiss, I thought maybe I would make the series focus on Antoinette. But by the time I got to the end I was pretty sick of spending time with her. She is impetuous and immature in a lot of ways and sometimes I just wanted to shake her, but that is also part of her charm.

When it came to writing book two, I was concerned people would be disappointed that the book wasn’t focused on Antoinette and Christian. Some were. But most seem to be happy with the new main characters. But while Antoinette featured heavily, the second installment was just not her story. That is not to say Christian and Antoinette’s story is finished, not by a long shot. But for now there are more things to explore in the world the Dark Brethren are trying to take over.

In book two, I wanted to explore the shapeshifters of the world. And to do that I really need to tell it from a shapehifter point of view. In book 3 I am going to take a deeper look into the world of the magic wielders.

So what do you as a reader prefer? The same character/characters as the main protagonists or different ones?


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Author Bio:

I was born in Australia - Launceston, Tasmania to be precise, but actually grew up in North and Far North Queensland. My family is very supportive of my writing. They encourage me to keep writing and pursuing my dream. 

I discovered a passion for writing in March 2004. It started after doing some research into my family history. A story came into my head, screaming to get out, about an Irish girl who works for an English captain as a governess/nanny for his children while their mother is very ill. Set in Australia in the early 1820s. 

But as I started to plot the story, another one emerged, which was much stronger. It involved the sister of the girl in the first story, who gets raped on the voyage out to Australia and falls pregnant. I wrote 120k in about 4 months – the story flowed out like molasses on a hot day. 

This was before I learnt anything about writing, and I followed every bad writing practice known, making every writing mistake. But everyone loved the story – even if it was badly written. So I figured that I am more a story teller than a writer – so now I must learn to write. Now I am writing Dark stories, Dark Urban Fantasy to be precise. 

In August 2004 I joined RWA and started to get involved with the Canberra group meetings. I haven't looked back. I joined RWA America early 2005
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Find Tracey and her books
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Night's Cold Kiss
Dark Brethren #1
Aug 18, 2009

The tension between the Aeternus, an ancient vampiric people, and humanity has been mounting for over a century. But when rogue vampires begin to drain humans in order to achieve an illegal blood-high, all bets are off. After the death of her parents, Antoinette Petrescu devoted her life to becoming one of the top Venators, the elite hunters who destroy the rogue Necrodreniacs. Her kill count is legendary and her skills superb. But now the serial killer who killed her parents has returned. And to stop him Antoinette must join forces not only with the Aeternus, but also their most legendary killer. One that is both dangerously attractive, and involved in buried secrets of her past. More dangerous still, a dark attraction grows between them--one that could doom both races.





Deaths Sweet Embrace
Dark Brethren #2
Jan 25, 2011

After thousands of years of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens to shatter the tenuous peace.

Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a twisted, sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force must be formed to halt the madness—a union of avengers including the vampiric Aeternus, Christian Laroque and Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes…and forbidden lovers.

A centuries-old blood feud has divided their peoples—pitting wolf against snow leopard in a battle to the death—and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside in light of the scourge that is now upon them. For the killer they seek is but the first sign of a blossoming terror rising up from their long-buried pasts: the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.




Thursday, April 7, 2011

Interview and Giveaway: Amanda E. Alvarez

UFI welcomes Amanda E Alvarez Author of Hunting Human. Thanks for Joining us!!


* I see from your bio that you have a liking for cupcakes, what is your favorite kind?

A: I think the better question would be which ones don’t I like! I love cupcakes and what type I choose to indulge in often depends on my mood. I like trying the seasonal flavors (the pumpkin spice with cream cheese frosting with a hot cup of tea in the fall? Delicious!) But generally, if there is an option for dark chocolate I’m sold.

* What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

A: What is down time? I like trying new things a lot. A friend of mine and I are always doing new things. We went zorbing last year (think rolling down a big hill in a giant water filled hamster ball.) We also went surfing. This year we are trying fencing and the flying trapeze! I’ve recently started going to the driving range, that’s a lot of fun. I used to play a lot of tennis and I’d like to get back to that. I also enjoy reading or taking classes at the gym.

* What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

A: I moved around a lot as a kid. As a result I adapt fairly easily to new environments and people. I think that’s probably had a direct impact on the way I look at and experience things and subsequently on the way that I write.

* What is your Favorite part of writing?

A: It’s a tie between finishing the book (the rush of accomplishment is great) and the first blush of excitement when the idea is new and writing comes easily.

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

A: Nothing set in stone. I don’t write very well from home so I often go to local coffee shops and restaurants to get stuff done. I have to have my iPod, writing in silence doesn’t work for me. I also like to have finger foods around.

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

A: I think the first paranormal/fantasy book I ever read was Dean Koontz’s Lightning. I’m not really sure how you’d classify that book, but it’s the first one I remember really opening me up wider genres. Do I need to mention JK Rowling and Harry Potter? I’d love to be able to world build and beautifully as she does. I’ve also read a lot of Iris Johansen, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and several others.

* How would you pitch Hunting Human to someone who has never heard of it before?

A: Ahhhhhh! I’ve never been good at this. Hunting Human is a werewolf romance about Beth Williams, who was hunted down and savaged by a werewolf. It’s an exploration of what would happen if someone who had no reason to believe in the paranormal was thrust violently into that world, with no help, support or answers.

You can read the entirety of the first chapter HERE.

* Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?

A: I liked writing about Chase; he was one of the first characters that really became real to me. I could always count on Lucy to be easy to write and a funny in otherwise dark situations. I’m not sure who presented the most difficulty – Braden’s father, probably. I had a clear vision of what I wanted for him, but so much of it was subtle and understated so I had to work really hard to make his mannerisms and dialogue match that idea.

* What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?


A: I’m planning to continue the Edwards Family Saga with books for each of Braden’s siblings. Right now I’m working through a completely different project, a romantic suspense with paranormal elements.

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Author Bio:

Amanda was born and raised in Texas - and due to an unfortunate three year stint in Michigan - doesn't plan to ever live anywhere where flip-flops and sweatshirts don't constitute winter attire. Often audacious and adventurous, she tends to find herself in a slew of dangerous (and hilarious!) predicaments  (law school and fighting raccoons in dumpsters) and thankfully has many friends ready to lend aid (while they laugh.)

When not lawyering, writing, or thinking about going to the gym Amanda is often caught sampling local cupcake offerings and planning to someday co-open an evil bakery and sell dastardly desserts. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas with one regular-sized cat and one jumbo-sized cat, and can be seen writing in public places frequented by hot guys (strictly for research purposes, of course!) with her friends and fellow writers Cupcake-Killer and Alter-Ego (names omitted to protect the not-so-innocent).
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Hunting Human
March 28,2011


For two years, Beth Williams has run from the past, and the beast that dwells inside her. She is haunted by memories of being kidnapped and the savage attack that killed her best friend. Now Beth finally thinks she's ready to move on...with Braden Edwards, a charming, irresistibly sexy man who tempts Beth to embrace the present.

But the past lurks closer than Beth realizes. Markko Bolvek, one of the werewolves who
kidnapped her, has tracked her to Portland, Oregon, his pursuit fueled by a hunger for vengeance. Only Braden, a werewolf himself, senses the danger shadowing her steps. The Edwards and Bolveks have been enemies for centuries and despite the instant connection he feels with Beth, Braden isn't sure which side of the war she's on.

With suspicion at odds with their attraction, Beth and Braden must learn to trust one another to stop Markko for good. Can Beth accept the wolf within and love a man who embodies everything she fears?

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Find Amanda and her books
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Click the link about to see where Amanda has been and where she will be next on her Hunting Human Tour
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Amanda will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to the tour host with the most comments AND to one randomly drawn commenter out of all the tour spots. You can find her other tour stops by clicking on the tour banner above the giveaway image.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Winner: Vivi Anna Giveaway

Thank you to everyone that entered!!


PRIZE: One PDF Copy of GLIMMER by Vivi Anna


The winner chosen by Random.org is…




Aanchal @ Book Flame






Congrats!! I have emailed winner. Enjoy!!!

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Darkness
Author:Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
Release Date: December 1, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
The Caster Chronicles Book #1
ISBN:  0316042676
ISBN13: 9780316042673
Genre: Young Adult

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
This was a neat unique story. I liked that the story was told through a male POV, I dont think I have read anything from an exclusive male POV before and it was a nice change. Although there was always something happening in the book I did find my self "mind wandering" at points because It wasn't keeping me in the pages. I think somethings kinda just went on and on and got a little bit slow at some points throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters as well as the southern setting. The author did a great job with bringing me into Ethan's world. The mental connection between Ethan and Lena was interesting. You dont really find out why they have the connection though so I'm hoping that it is explained more in book 2 BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS. The ending makes it perfectly clear that Ethan and Lena's struggles are far from over but doesn't leave you hanging with a huge cliffhanger. I think most YA fans will enjoy BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.

I gave it a 3/5 stars