Sunday, December 1, 2013

Week in Review: 11/24-11/30


Books Ive Bought/received

*Taken by Felicia Starr- eCopy- Author

* Black Arts by Faith Hunter- eARC- Publisher via Netgalley

Books I Read

Black Arts by Faith Hunter
Taken by Felica Starr
Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells
Reviews Posted

Realm Walker by Kathleen Collins
Pawn by Aimee Carter
Black Heart by Christina Henry

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

* Monday- Covet Release Day Blast and Giveaway

* Tuesday- Interview with Lisa Casian author of Bloodrose

* Friday- Promo and Giveaway for Born in Chains by Caris Roane

*** I hope everyone had a wonderful Hanukkah and Thanksgiving Holiday! ***

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* 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.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Review: Realm Walker by Kathleen Collins

Realm Walker
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
Realm Walker Book #1
ISBN:  1299865488
ISBN13: 9781299865488
Genre:Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

An estranged mate, a mangled body and a powerful demon who calls her by name…

As a Realm Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying dead. That’s only the first of her secrets.

Most people don’t know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don’t know the horrors she endured at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don’t know her true parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal interest in her…

Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can’t reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.
As a realm walker, Juliana is able to see the magical signatures of every other creature but demons. When a demon starts going after her and everyone she cares about she has to work double to try and catch them before she looses everything.

Although I enjoyed REALM WALKER there were a few issues that jump out. The story was slow on the start. I did not connect with the characters or the storyline right away. There was a lot of background and build up throughout the story and when the story actually peaked it felt like there wasn't much left to the book. I sometimes felt like I was missing something. Having said that at least all the background is out-of-the-way for book 2!

Now for the good stuff. There was a ton of action. When things got interesting they stayed interesting. I enjoyed learning about Juliana and her background with Thomas. Juliana's job is interesting and I liked seeing her in action. There really isn't a romance, there is Juliana avoiding and Thomas pursuing but they don't actually meet in the middle until the end (which is part of the build up and end thing I talked about). BUT What we did get of these two and the part of the story that dealt with Michael was entertaining to follow.

REALM WALKER ended with me happy I read it. It has a lot of promise and I want to know what happens now for Thomas and Juliana.

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Promo & Giveaway: Born in Chains by Caris Roane


Born in Chains 
Men in Chains #1
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble
In the epic battle of vampire against vampire, one warrior's fate is bound to a mortal woman who controls him, commands him, and craves him like no other…

Chained For Life

Two years ago, the rogue vampires invaded Lily Haven's home and kidnapped her son. Now, if she hopes to see her child again, she must do the unthinkable—bind herself, body and soul, to a vampire warrior. She must choose one of the rogue army's prisoners of war and force him to do her bidding. But when she sees the warrior, Adrien, naked, beaten, and straining against his chains, it is she who is held captive…

Hungry For More

Adrien has been waiting for her. A beautiful woman who appears to him in visions. Who soothes his tortured body, feeds his erotic cravings—and quenches his thirst for blood. But Lily is more than he ever hoped for. She is the master of his destiny, and he is her willing slave. Even when she asks him to find the ultimate weapon for his enemies, he must obey her. Even if the task destroys them both, he will fight for her love, forever…
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Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds.


Find Caris and her books
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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Turkey Day!


Happy Thanksgiving! This year sure is flying by. I hope your day is filled with family, friends and yummy food. 

Are you going shopping tonight? What stores are you hitting?

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Hanukkah


To all those that celebrate Hanukkah Sameach! 

May the warmth and glow of each candle you light make your heart and home happy, your Hanukkah bright.

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Pawn
Author:Aimee Carter
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
ISBN:  0765328089
ISBN13: 9780765328083
Genre: Young Adult / Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Netgalley

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.


When Kitty takes the test she has studied her whole life for she ends up with a III due to not being able to finish. (III is bad) She of course is devastated and forced to re-evaluate her life. She decided to take the path of a prostitute friend and sell her innocence to the highest bidder in hopes of a better life. In a shocking turn of events the highest bidder offers her the chance to become a VII, the highest rank that is possible, too bad he didn't tell her what price she would pay for that rank.

There were a few spots where the storyline dragged a little, a few spots where I thought further explanation was needed and a character I won't name that really annoyed me and I had to work not to skip a part they were in. Besides that I really enjoyed PAWN. I couldn't imagine waking up in a brand new body but that is what Kitty does. She has been Masked into Lila Hart the Prime Minister's niece. She has to become Lila and stop a rebellion or those she loves will be murdered. Kitty ends up being pretty resilient. She has a lot of crap thrown at her and she always finds a way to bounce back. She has people in every corner trying to use her for their own agenda yet she finds a way to stay in the game. There isn't a love triangle but there is a bit of romance. There is Benjy, the boy who Kitty grew up with and loves. Then there is Knox, Lila's fiancé who is now Kitty's. Benjy is always in danger if she doesn't do what someone wants and Knox is a friend one min. and secretive the next. I am not sure what will happen in future books so it MIGHT turn into a love triangle but it isn't yet.

I enjoyed the first book in this new dystopian series. The cast type system reminds me of a few other dystopian books but the whole masking process is nice and unique. I look forward to reading more.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

New Releases: 11/25-12/30


Sorry this is late. Been working to get ahead of the holiday and completely forgot.

Mon Nov 25

 The Pulse (The Pulse Trilogy #1) by Shoshanna Evers

Tue Nov 26