Review: Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab

Who Do, Voodoo?
Author:Rochelle Staab
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN:  0425244598
ISBN13: 9780425244593
Genre: Mystery (with Supernatural elements)
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Clinical psychologist Liz Cooper doesn't believe in ghosts. But when her best friend finds a tarot card tacked to her front door-and is then accused of murder-Liz will have to find a way to embrace the occult if she wants to outwit the real killer...

WHO DO, VOODOO? Reminded me a bit of Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden series. I really enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden series so WHO DO, VOODOO? had no issues keeping my attention. Liz's best friend is being threatened by a unknown person through the use of Tarot Cards. On top of that the best friend is accused of murder. Liz with the help of a family friend (who becomes more then a friend) Nick set to work on finding out who is responsible for putting this all in motion. 

I love a good mystery. I like being able to sort out the clues along with the characters and see into the their heads as they make their guesses while I make mine. I also love books with a touch (who am I kidding a LOT) of supernatural, paranormal, fantasy, etc. I was not sure if the book would be something that would match my reading preferences but WHO DO, VOODOO? had a great blend of supernatural elements and mystery to keep me reading. Liz is a Psychologist so it was fun getting into her head and seeing how she came to the conclusions she came to. Nick was frustrating at times but fit well into his role. They both felt real and well matched. There was some great romantic tension between them. Liz was not a believer in voodoo so I think it made the story a little more interesting. She rejected a lot of things and tried to find logical explanations for them. Liz mom happens to be eccentric and into card reading and all that so it was fun watching their differences play out. The story had a great pace to it and the killer actually ended up being someone I never even considered yet when it was revealed it made total sense. WHO DO, VOODOO? is the first book in a new series from Rochelle Staab and I think this is one any mystery lover will enjoy.


I gave it 4/5 stars

Giveaway: Black Sons Daughter Series by M.L.N Hanover

Killing Rites

The Black Sun's Daughter #4
Nov 29, 2011

JaynÉ Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse JaynÉ before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.

Ex’s history and a new enemy combine to leave JaynÉ alone and on the run. Her friends, thinking that the rider with her has taken the reins, try to hunt her down, unaware of the danger they’re putting her in. JaynÉ must defeat the weight of the past and the murderous intent of another rider, and her only allies are a rogue vampire she once helped free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.

In celebration of the release of Book 4 in the Black Son's Daughter Series Killing Rites, Simon and Schuster is offering up the whole set to one lucky winner

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Guest Post & Review: Sable Grace

UFI welcomes Sable Grace Author of The Dark Breed Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

10 things most people don't know about you

Since Sable Grace is two people, we split this up into five for each of us.

HEATHER

1: I don’t like chocolate. (Gasp! Horror!)

2: I don’t cry unless I’m completely alone, slightly inebriated, or severely devastated.

3: I play World of Warcraft. I know, not typical for a romance writer, but there it is.

4: I’m terrified of frogs. Not snakes, not spiders, FROGS. Paralyzing fear.

5: I can eat three pounds of crab legs all by myself and not even feel remorseful when I’m done.

LAURA

1: I don’t like comedies, however, I love watching stand up.

2: I’m addicted to bananas. (Add peanut butter and a pancake and I’m in heaven!)

3: Give me a video game and I’ll be happy for hours. Give me Angry Birds and I’m complaining in two seconds about boredom.

4: I would feel right at home in the Bat Cave. Open a blind and it’s fighting time.

5: I love watching movies, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t watch an entire movie without doing something else at the same time.

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friends who came together by fluke to discover their voices fit together quite nicely during an experiment of "I'll write the first sentence, you write the next." It was meant to be nothing more than a warm up exercise for each of them to get started on their own projects, but soon, the story became far more interesting than what they were supposed to be working on and Sable Grace was born.

Both Heather and Laura reside in Florida, are happily married, and are, well, complete opposites. (Think the Odd Couple on crack here.) Still, there's enough common ground for them to weave their words together in the voice of Sable Grace.

Heather also writes medieval romances under her real name, which you can find at
www.heatherwaters.net, and Laura is a Golden Heart finalist for her highly sensual manuscript, Mr. Right
Now.

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Find Sable Grace and their books

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Before The Fall
Author:Sable Grace
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Dark Breed Book #1.5
ISBN:   0062117580
ISBN13: 9780062117588
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Zach was once the Order of Ancients' most feared warrior, beating back the hounds of hell to protect the unsuspecting human race. But since he left the Order ten years ago, he'd been living as a mortal...until now. The gates of the underworld are breaking open, and Zach is needed once again in the fight. But before he can answer his summons, there's one person he refuses to leave behind. Shanna may think Zach has screw loose, spouting all this "hounds of hell" nonsense, but he has to get her to safety. The journey to the Order's headquarters is a dangerous one, and even a warrior like Zach might not be strong enough to keep the darkness at bay.

BEFORE THE FALL was a neat short story about Zach and Shanna (they are not in ASCENSION) fighting there way to safety at the Orders Headquarters before the fall. They had a relationship that ended about 6 months before the events in BEFORE THE FALL but still loved each other. Zach is a retired warrior that served under the god Ares and Shanna is a police officer. Zach attempted to tell Shanna about what he was and the things that were in their world but she called him crazy and left him. When Zach was called back to duty he immediately went to her to take her with to safety. I enjoyed the story, I really liked book 1 ASCENSION so it was neat to see some other character views and experiences. This was a short quick read to get me ready for the release of BEDEVILED and I really liked Zach and Shanna and hope to see more of their story in future books as I would love to know how things are working out with their situation in the world after the fall. You can definitely read BEFORE THE FALL before or after reading ASCENSION so pick it up whenever.


I gave it 4/5 stars

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Winner: Vampire Ascending by Lorelei Bell

Thank you to everyone that entered!!

PRIZE: Paperback Copy of Vampire Ascending

The winner chosen by Rafflecopter is…

Review: Destined by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Destined
Author:P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: St. Martins Press
House of Night Book #9
ISBN:  0312650256
ISBN13: 9780312650254
Genre: Young Adult

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet -- which would be a whole lot easier if the High Council saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together -- if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more -- or possibly less -- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him . . .

Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series

I really enjoyed the earlier books but I'm finding it harder and harder to want to read any more books in the House of Night series. I don't know if its because I'm a little older then when I started reading them or if I expect the characters to be a little more grown up/mature because of what they have been through and dealt with but I'm starting to despise the language and slang used in the books. "Bullpoopie" I mean really? Uggh I cringe when some of the characters open their mouths. I understand this is a Young adult series but this is book 9 most readers have been reading them for 4 years we have grown up a bit this is not how we talk. Speaking of book 9 and 4 years, How much more of the whole Neferet is evil doing evil things are we going to have to deal with? I think the storyline died a long time ago and its time to move on to a new evil person. Health back, but as someone else? How much more of him and Zoey will we have to go through? I thought we moved on from him in the last book when Stark brought her back. Its going to be as bad as Neferet, dragging the characters out past a reasonable point just isn't working for me. I'm sorry I just don't think I can stand to read another book with the same storyline so unless PC and Kristin finally put some of this overdrawn storyline to rest I'm done with House of Night.


I gave it 2/5 stars

New Releases Nov 6-12

Tues Nov 8

Prized (Birthmarked, #2) by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Ripper (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, #4) by L.J. Smith

Let me know if you see a mistake or want something added. Happy Reading =)

Interview & Giveaway: P.A. Lupton

UFI welcomes P.A. Lupton Author of Bound by Blood. 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?

Well, I think from my Bio’s readers know I’m Canadian, married, and I have two boys. I also make no secret that I love to read, and that Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels are the genre’s I prefer. What a lot of readers don’t know is that I also have a weakness for cowboys. I am a huge Lorelei James fan and I read all of her books. So if I’m not reading about vampires or werewolves—it’s cowboys.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

Spending time with my family is definitely top of that list. When I have time to myself to relax though, I always grab a book. I read all the time, and if I’m not reading I’m usually talking about reading on Goodreads (my second addiction).

What is your Favorite part of writing?

At first I was nervous about sharing my novel with readers, but I really enjoy it when someone tells me how much they loved the book. I know how much enjoyment I derive from reading, so the fact that I’ve brought that to someone else is definitely the best part about writing.

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

I’ve debated on whether I want to answer this honestly or not—it’s a little embarrassing. My mother knows how much I enjoy writing. She took a trip to Disney awhile back and brought me back a Figment doll and a purple Figment mug, which she thought was apropos since he represents imagination. Now I have to have both with me when I’m writing. I get my tea ready and the stuffed animal sits next to my computer. It’s weird but I don’t write without them.

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

I like how you worded this question. I can tell you’re a fellow book addict when you don’t ask “what is your favorite book/author”. How can anyone choose only one? I LOVE Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series and J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I am also a huge fan of Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series, and Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland Vampires (although I was pretty angry with her after reading
Hard Bitten, but I’ve since forgiven her).

How would you pitch Bound by Blood to someone who has not heard of it before?

The particulars of the plot are in the description of the book, but what I will say about Bound by Blood is this: I love witches and I love vampires, but most of the novels I’ve read are about either one or the other. My idea for Bound by Blood came from my theory as to the origins of both witches and vampires, which is completely different than popular myth. I also wanted to create less separation of the two, writing a story that intermingles both.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Bound by Blood is set in?

Bound by Blood is set in our reality. The world is unaware that vampires and witches exist, and the heroine Brianna has no idea she’s a witch. Brianna works as an FBI agent and it’s during her investigation into a string of serial murders that she discovers the world is not what she thought.

Do you have a favorite scene in Bound by Blood?

One of my favorite scenes in Bound by Blood occurs after an incident that embarrasses Brianna. Nathan disregards Brianna’s discomfiture, telling her that when she is old enough she will move past becoming so easily embarrassed. Brianna decides to teach Nathan a lesson about belittling her feelings. She uses her gift (she can project emotions and feelings onto others) to give Nathan an orgasm at the dinner table while they have guests:

Morrison looked away and disguised his laugh with a cough. Aidan quickly finished his food and made an excuse to leave. After a few minutes, Nathan finally quieted down and looked up, his face scalded with embarrassment. Morrison excused himself hastily and left us alone. I leaned back in my chair with my arms crossed over my chest and a self-satisfied grin covering my face.

“You know they are aware of what just happened.” he muttered with chagrin.

“Well it’s a good thing you’ve matured beyond the infantile emotion of embarrassment then isn’t it.” I said with smug satisfaction.

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

Brianna is really the only character I write about. Because the story is narrated in the first person POV the other characters are all seen through her eyes. I always like reading stories in this narrative because I feel more drawn into the story and connected to the heroine.

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

Right now I am finishing up the sequel to Bound by Blood and I am hoping to have it released sometime around Christmas.

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Ever since I can remember I’ve had an addiction to books, and from the moment I picked up my first Anne Rice novel, I was hooked on the paranormal. The compelling lure of the paranormal world is irresistible. It is a world where anything and everything is possible, and the boundaries of humanity need not apply. A world in which life spans are measured by centuries and millennia, rather than decades, and a woman can possess inhuman strengths and kick major ass, yet still retain her innate femininity.

Why Vampires? They are the ultimate bad boys.

Women love a dangerous man, and what could be more dangerous than a vampire. Vampires embody everything we crave about the stereotypical bad boy. They exude confidence and sensuality. They are exciting, mysterious, and the epitome of masculine perfection—strong, youthful, and indescribably gorgeous. What’s not to love?

My first novel, Bound by Blood, combines my two favorite paranormal legends: witches and vampires—with a little romance thrown into the mix. I hope you enjoy it.

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Find Penny-Ann and her books

Website / Twitter

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Bound by Blood
The Garner Witch #1
July 1, 2011

FBI agent and psychic, Brianna Reece, descends from an ancient and powerful bloodline of witches, only she doesn’t know it. But now that legacy has come back to bite her—literally. In the shadows of night in Denver Colorado, a serial killer is hunting women, and FBI agent Brianna Reece is hunting the killer. Unlike any case she’s worked before, Brianna can’t ignore the prickling at the back of her neck when she glimpses the resemblance she shares with the victims. The investigation begins to touch even closer to home when it is revealed that all of the victims were also psychic. Complicating matters further, Brianna is captivated by the FBI’s prime suspect Nathan Donovan. Though she senses he is hiding something from her, the attraction she feels for him is compelling, and unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Through a chance twist of fate, Nathan learns of Brianna’s ancestry and is forced to divulge secrets to Brianna that will change her life forever. When she learns that the killer is an evil vampire, and he’s now set his sights on her, Nathan alone holds the key to awakening her dormant powers. Now he must race to teach her how to control her emergent gifts before she becomes the next victim.

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