Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Guest Blog and Giveaway: Felicity Heaton

UFI welcomes Felicity Heaton Paranormal Romance Author who is here to talk about her newest release Ascension. Thanks for Joining us!!


I have always loved everything paranormal from a very early age, but normally my writing focuses on vampires, werewolves, and shape-shifters rather than the magical side of things. With my new series, the Shadow and Light Trilogy, I’m tackling witches head on as well as a healthy dose of demon.

Ascension is the first book in the Shadow and Light Trilogy, and centres around Lealandra, a powerful witch on the verge of her ascension, a time when the magic that lives within her will reach the pinnacle of its power and mature. Her odds of surviving are slim to start with since most witches fall prey to the magic during their ascension, but they’re dramatically lessened by the fact that someone is intent on killing her. Lealandra turns to the one man she can trust—her half-demon ex- lover and demon hunter, Taig. Taig is the son of a powerful demon from the underworld, and he has serious issues with his demon lineage and that side of himself, enough that he’s never revealed his demonic appearance to Lealandra and can’t bring himself to believe that she could love a monster like him. When Lealandra appears back in his life after six years apart and asks for his assistance and protection, he wants something in return—her.

I love to world build and the Shadow and Light Trilogy offered me a great chance to flex my imagination. I believe that when you’re dealing with the supernatural and the occult, things that we’ve maybe all dreamed about being able to do in the past, like magic, then it’s important to put as much effort as possible into making it real and bringing it all to life for the readers. Magic comes to life in this series, literally. It’s a symbiotic being that lives within a witch, and each witch bloodline is suitable for a different breed of magic. The blood that runs in Lealandra’s veins is suitable for old magic, the sort that has lived for thousands of years passing from one host to another, gaining strength, knowledge and power the whole time. It’s so strong that it takes more than just her Counter-Balance, a weaker witch who acts like her partner and siphons off and absorbs some of her power to feed their own magic and strengthen it, to give her total control over it and has base desires that demand an intoxicating mixture of three things from Taig—his blood, his body and his power. Taig’s demonic blood is enough to give Lealandra a hell of a rush and bring her magic to its knees, turning it submissive. His power can control hers too because it will bow to a superior force of nature, making Taig the perfect match for her, even if witches and demons are at war with each other and their love is forbidden.

The magic in the Shadow and Light Trilogy has its foundations in the elements, so things like water and earth can boost a witch’s power and feed their magic. They can cast spells that will silence their opponent and stop them from being able to cast one in return, or will bind a witch so it can’t use a physical attack, or cause crippling pain. They can also use their power to teleport or heal, or create destruction on a widespread scale if their magic knows such a dangerous spell. It’s not about witches knowing the right words in this series. It’s about the magic knowing them. Magic is a separate being from the witch, living inside their blood and their body, using them as a vessel but living alongside them too and sharing its power with them. They learn together and can help each other grow stronger. The ascension is the ultimate step in this process, a point at which the witch’s magic reaches the peak of the power it can achieve with them and ascends to a new level. It’s also the most dangerous time for the witch. Not only is there a slim chance of surviving, but their blood is particularly valuable to other witches and creatures at that point, and they can also lose control of their magic before the ascension has even begun and become its marionette. I’ve tried to think of everything with this series and have put thought into describing the magic when it’s used and the relationship it has with its host, as well as all the little things that make up the world in which the series is set.

As the series progresses, I’ll venture further into the magical side of the world as well as bringing out more about the powers that Taig and other demons possess, such as their ability to call a world full of shadows eager for the taste of human flesh and the tang of witch magic on their black tongues into ours. Each book will build on the world of the witches and world of the demons as they come crashing together in the wake of Lealandra and Taig progressing relationship.

So if you’re a reader looking for an action-packed, magical and passionate urban fantasy romance with a difference, then head on over to my website and check out the excerpt of Ascension: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

Ascension is available now in e-book format direct from my site, on Amazon Kindle, and other retailers, and will be available next month in paperback.
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Author Bio: Felicity Heaton is a romance author writing as both Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. She is passionate about penning paranormal tales full of vampires, witches, werewolves, angels and shape-shifters, and has been interested in all things preternatural and fantastical since she was just a child. Her other passion is science-fiction and she likes nothing more than to immerse herself in a whole new universe and the amazing species therein. She used to while away days at school and college dreaming of vampires, werewolves and witches, or being lost in space, and used to while away evenings watching movies about them or reading gothic horror stories, science-fiction and romances.

Having tried her hand at various romance genres, it was only natural for her to turn her focus back to the paranormal, fantasy and science-fiction worlds she enjoys so much. She loves to write seductive, sexy and strong vampires, werewolves, witches, angels and alien species. The worlds she often dreams up for them are vicious, dark and dangerous, reflecting aspects of the heroines and heroes, but her characters also love deeply, laugh, cry and feel every emotion as keenly as anyone does. She makes no excuses for the darkness surrounding them, especially the paranormal creatures, and says that this is their world. She’s just honoured to write down their adventures
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Ascension
Shadow and Light Trilogy
NOW AVAILABLE

A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.

With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig’s blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.

Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he’s not a monster but the man that she loves?
Read the excerpt or find out where to buy: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/
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Find Felicity and her books
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Winner will receive
- One e-Copy of Ascension




 RULES
1)  Leave a question or Comment for Felicity =)
2) Must leave an email address so I can contact you.


Giveaway Ends  5/18/2011 at 10pm EST
Winner will have 48 Hours to reply to my email or I will pick another
Winner chosen randomly with the help of random.org

Winner: Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep


Thank you to everyone that entered!!


PRIZE: One copy of Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep





The winner chosen by Random.org is…





Paranormal Haven
Stephanie G






Congrats!! I have emailed winner who has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or I will pick another.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Series Review: Spirit Guide books 1 and 2 by E.J. Stevens

She Smells the Dead
Author:E.J. Stevens
Release Date: September 9, 2010
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Spirit Guide Book #1
ISBN:   0984247521
ISBN13: 9780984247523
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Author for review

It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like on TV. SHE SMELLS THE DEAD. Yuki is being visited in her dreams and suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. Will Yuki be able to save the spirits and herself?
SHE SMELLS THE DEAD was a unique, easy read filled with a fantastic array of characters. I enjoyed E.J. Stevens to the point no nonsense writing. Yuki was a great lead character. She was unique and had a wonderful view of the world and who she is. The story flowed perfectly from scene to scene. The romance between Calvin and Yuki blossomed at a fantastic pace and felt genuine from the start. The only complaint was that there was a ton of build up to Samhain only for the book to end before the big day, kinda sucked but I guess that is how we stay wanting to read the next book.

I gave it 4/5 stars


Spirit Storm
Author:E.J. Stevens
Release Date: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Spirit Guide Book #2
ISBN:   098424753X
ISBN13: 9780984247530
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Author for review 

Spirits of the Dead are coming...
Yuki is about to face an army of lost souls on Samhain, the night of Halloween, when the spirits of the dead roam free. Yuki will need all the help she can get from her friends, but will Calvin be there for her when she needs him the most?
The SPIRIT STORM picks right up after SHE SMELLS THE DEAD ends. I'm so glad I got both books at the same time so I didn't have to wait to read what happened after all the lead up to the event. There is lots of mystery, suspense and action. Yuki has a lot on her plate, she has to worry about Samhain, help her injured boyfriend, look for clues to who is murdering members of Calvin's pack. Yuki is a strong character with a great group of friends behind her. The relationship between Calvin and Yuki continues to grow stronger. My only complaint was the actual Samhain event. After all the drama of book 1 and the preparation it just wasn't that big of a deal at the end, I can see how all the preparation made it that way but it just kinda left me feeling "That's it?". Having said that the other events in the book definitely made up for that everything is wrapped up nicely and I cant wait to see what Stevens brings us next.

I gave it 4/5 stars

New Releases May 8-14


Sun May 8


Tue May 10

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
Tighter by Adele Griffin

Please contact me if you see something is missing and I will add it. :)

Monday, May 9, 2011

Review: Skeleton Crew by Cameron Haley

Skeleton Crew
Author:Cameron Haley
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Publisher: Luna
Underworld Cycle Book #1
ISBN:   0373803265
ISBN13: 9780373803262
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Goodreads First-Reads Win


Bodies are hitting the pavement in L.A. like they always do, but this time they're getting right back up, death be damned. My mobbed-up outfit of magicians may be the strongest in the city, but even they aren't immune to the living dead.

And I've yet to develop a resistance to Adan Rashan.

If I don't team up with the boss's son, we won't just be at each other's throats over control of the outfit. We'll be craving hearts and brains, as well.

Because as long as this nasty spirit from the Between is stopping souls from finding peace, I'm facing the biggest supernatural crisis to ever hit the City of Angels.

Zombies, it's time you feared me.


I was much happier with the pacing in SKELETON CREW. Things happened quicker and the slow parts were few and far apart. Domino is her kick butt, snarky, smart ass self. She continues to see what her juice can do to protect her and the things she feels need protecting.  Her allies and friends are at her back as they fight to figure out why everyone who dies turns into zombies. Some friends and allies are lost. There is tons of action spaced throughout the book. The romance is very slim so dont expect much in that department if that is what your looking for. The imagination and creativity is just as high in book 2 as it was in MOB RULES. There is plenty of zombie action for all you zombie lovers. The ending event made me sad :( I was really hoping something would come of the situation. Hopefully its not the end of that character and Cameron is just tricking us. Im glad I won a copy of Skeleton Crew or I wouldn't have found this series. I'm going to continue with Domino's story.

I gave it 3/5 stars

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Week in Review 5/1-5/7



Books Ive Bought/received

*Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill- Bought from Borders.com


Books I read

Chosen by Fate by Virna DePaul
Gods & Monsters by Lyn Benedict
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill
Contagion by Graylin Fox

Reviews posted


Mob Rules by Cameron Haley
Enclave by Ann Agguire
Bite Club by Rachel Caine

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

* New Releases for the week.


* Jennifer Estep stopped by on Tuesday and is offering up a copy of Tangled Threads to one lucky person.


* Winners of a copy of Unnatural by Michael Griffo and the Swag pack of Chicagoland Vampires goodies from Chloe Neill have been posted


* Jacqueline Paige stopped by on Thursday.


* Tracy Deebs visited with a guest post on Saturday.








Saturday, May 7, 2011

Interview: Tracy Deebs

UFI welcomes Tracy Deebs Author of Tempest Rising. Thanks for Joining us!!



I see from your bio that you like collecting lipsticks, what is your favorite color to wear?

I love lipsticks, all kinds of lipsticks. My favorite right now is MAC Viva Glam IV. But I also love Spitfire and Heroine, and Bare Escentuals Buxom Lipgloss in Tempest (for obvious reasons ;)

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

I love to shop, read, go dancing, swim, hang out with my writing pals, play with my boys, cook, watch an insane number of movies and spend entirely too much time playing with beauty products.

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

Oooh, something completely new. Hmmmm, how about even though I love swimming and surfing, I’m deathly afraid of sharks … I’m at least half convinced that I died by shark attack in a former life.

What is your Favorite part of writing?

The possibilities, when a book is just getting started and it’s all bright and shiny and pretty … there are so many ways you can take the story, so many things you can do with it, and there haven’t been any frustrating writing days yet. Everything is good.

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


Honestly, not really. I can pretty much write in the middle of a hurricane, which is a good thing as I have three boys who bear a close resemblance to a hurricane when they get together. I do like having my iPod around and a large cup of tea/coffee/Izze/Diet Dr. Pepper right next to me.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Paranormal Genres?

Oh, so many, how do I choose? I love Patricia Briggs’s Mercy series, Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires, Anya Bast’s witches, Kim Derting’s Bodyfinder series, P.C. Cast’s Goddess series and House of Night series (with Kristen Cast), Gena Showalter’s Darkest series. Honestly, the list can go on and on …

How would you pitch Tempest Rising to someone who has never heard of it before?

Tempest Rising is the story of a seventeen-year-old girl who must decide between the life she wants on land and the life she is destined to have in the water .

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

I loved writing Tempest. Her voice came to me as soon as I thought of the idea for the story and I loved every second of telling her story. The character I had the hardest time with was actually her mother. I started out completely unsympathetic to her, but as I learned more about her in the course of the book, it became harder to hate her, though I still feel that Tempest’s anger at her is justified.

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

I’m so glad you asked. Two of my good friends and I wrote a YA contemporary novel called, The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams, where four best friends from small-town Texas kiss and tell their way across the globe in search of life, love and Facebook fame. It’s due out in January 2012. As Tracy Deebs, I’m also writing a trilogy based on Pandora’s Box, where the main character, opens an attachment instead of a box and brings about technological Armageddon. The first book, which is currently unnamed, comes out in Fall 2012.

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Tempest Rising
May 10, 2011

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

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Find Tracy and her books
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Follow the Tempest Rising tour
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