Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Guest Blog: The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst

UFI welcomes Sarah Beth Durst Author of The Lost. Thanks for Joining us!!


One of the best things about living in the town of Lost is that you can always find books.
Lost is the desert town at the heart of my new book, THE LOST. It's a town full of only lost things and lost people. Feral dogs roam the alleys. Keys, wallets, and umbrellas clog the gutters. Suitcases litter the parking lots. It's easy to find half-eaten sandwiches but much harder to find fresh food. You have to scavenge and barter for anything you need. 

But finding books is easy. People are always losing library books, or leaving paperbacks on trains and planes. You might be stuck with nothing but soggy potato chips for breakfast, but you can always have a library full of amazing books. 

So I thought this made for a good excuse to talk about what books I'd look for to fill my shelves in Lost: 

Favorites that I've read ten thousand times but still must own:
THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley
BEAUTY by Robin McKinley
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
THE BELGARIAD by David Eddings
JACK THE GIANT-KILLER by Charles de Lint
ALANNA by Tamora Pierce
DEEP WIZARDY by Diane Duane
A FISTFUL OF SKY by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by J.K. Rowling
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE by Diana Wynne Jones
DEALING WITH DRAGONS by Patricia C. Wrede
DRAGONSINGER by Anne McCaffrey
ARROWS OF THE QUEEN by Mercedes Lackey
DREAMS UNDERFOOT by Charles de Lint 

Recent reads that I'd like to reread:
MAGIC RISES by Ilona Andrews
HALF-OFF RAGNAROK by Seanan McGuire
A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS by Marie Brennan
THE SHAMBLING GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY by Mur Lafferty
CHRISTMAS ON 4TH STREET by Susan Mallery
THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski
STAR WARS: JEDY ACADEMY by Jeffrey Brown
SEVEN WILD SISTERS by Charles de Lint
HERO by Alethea Kontis 

What books would you look for, if you were in Lost?
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Sarah was born in Northboro, Massachusetts, a small town that later became the setting for her debut novel. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer. (Before that, she wanted to be Wonder Woman, except with real flying ability instead of an invisible jet. She also would have accepted a career as a unicorn princess.) And she began writing fantasy stories. She attended Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her two children, and her ill-mannered cat.

Find Sarah and her books
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 The Lost
Award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst has been praised for her captivating novels that merge the darkly imagined with very real themes of self-discovery and destiny. In The Lost, we'll discover just what it means to lose one's way.

It was only meant to be a brief detour. But then Lauren finds herself trapped in a town called Lost on the edge of a desert, filled with things abandoned, broken and thrown away. And when she tries to escape, impassible dust storms and something unexplainable lead her back to Lost again and again. The residents she meets there tell her she's going to have to figure out just what she's missing and what she's running from before she can leave. So now Lauren's on a new search for a purpose and a destiny. And maybe, just maybe, she'll be found.

Against the backdrop of this desolate and mystical town, Sarah Beth Durst writes an arresting, fantastical novel of one woman's impossible journey and her quest to find her fate.

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New Releases: 5/25-5/31


Tue May 27th

 Blur (Blur Trilogy #1) by Steven James
 The Dark World (Dark World #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz
 Divided (Dualed #2) by Elsie Chapman
 The Given (Celestial Blues #3) by Vicki Pettersson

Happy Reading!
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Monday, May 26, 2014

May Select Release Blast


Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Select's May releases:
A Hornet Novel

Available in Print and eCopy!

Find out more!

Giveaway 		A Sanctify Novel

Available in Print and eCopy!

Find out more!

Giveaway
Never show fear to a demon.

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Find out more!

Giveaway 		Save the Dragons

 Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Find out more!

Giveaway
A week together could be
just the cure she needs...

 Only 99 Cents!

Find out more!

Giveaway 		It's never the
same old song...

 Only 99 Cents!

Find out more!

Giveaway


Fall in love,
save some immortal souls,
break a curse...
No problem.

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Find out more!

Giveaway


Plus don't miss these two special events!

http://www.entangledinromance.com/2014/05/21/spreecast-with-tonya-burrows-katee-robert/

https://www.facebook.com/events/299681326861531/

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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Week in Review: 5/18-5/24


Books I've Bought/received

* Witchlight b y Sonya Clark- eARC- NetGalley

 * Scorched by Erica Hayes- eARC- NetGalley

 * Cover Him With Darkness by Janine Ashbless-eARC- Edelweiss

 * Crimson Sins by Madeline Pryce-eCopy- Publisher

 * Cold Hard Secret by Sierra Dean - eARC- Author

Books I've Read

Cold Hard Secret by Sierra Dean
Crimson Sins by Madeline Pryce
Darkness Falls by Erin Kellison
Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson
Penumbra by Keri Arthur
Generation 18 by Keri Arthur

Reviews Posted

Against the Dawn by Amanda Bonilla
Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones
Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin

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

* Monday- Spotlight & Giveaway for Kiss of Wrath by Sandra Hill

* Tuesday- Promo and Giveaway for Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neal

* Wednesday- Interview for Steel Your Soul by Decadent Kane

* Thursday- Giveaway for Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones

* Friday- Interview for Eat Dessert First by Brantwijn Serrah

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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.
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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Review: Against the Dawn by Amanda Bonilla

Against the Dawn
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: NYLA
ISBN:  1625174772
ISBN13: 9781625174772
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author

Six months can feel like just a couple of weeks when you’ve been away in another realm. Literally.

Now that Darian is back in Seattle, she’s ready to face the life—and the man—she left behind. But it’s not going to be easy when a ghost from her past shows up looking to wreak havoc on Seattle’s supernatural crime scene.

Darian isn’t as careless as she used to be, though. She and Tyler, her sexy Jinn protector, have come a long way in the trust department. And it’s a good thing too—because when Ty contracts her to assassinate a wickedly powerful supernatural who goes by the name of Mithras, it will take all her faith in Ty, and herself, to get the job done.

While Darian does whatever it takes to get to her mark, Xander, the Shaede King is busy making plans of his own. With Darian’s attention divided between Lorik’s secrets and her mission she might not be able to stop Xander from doing anything in his power to separate Darian from her sworn protector and in the process, destroy his own kingdom…

It's been a month full of books with humongous cliff hanger endings. I am sad to report AGAINST THE DAWN is on that list. CRAVE THE DARKNESS left Darian pretty destroyed emotionally and escaping to O Anel. AGAINST THE DAWN starts off with her facing her life again.

No body expects Darian to be unaffected when she gets back and she really isn't. Thankfully she has a lot of people there to help her when she needs it. On top of that, someone from her past shows up and is set on a path Darian doesn't want to go along with but has to to get what she wants. Little does she know his reason for jumping back into her life are far worse than she could have imagined.

The love triangle that shouldn't be, continues in book 4. Darian has made it clear that she has picked Ty but Xander refuses to listen. Although his rule is in question he refuses to leave unless Darian goes with him and that isn't going to happen. Xander is convinced that he needs to get Tyler out of Darian's life and he uses past events to try and accomplish that. Unfortunately it leaves Darian unprotected at the worst possible time. Drama, drama, sweet drama. You cant help but get sucked into it all.

AGAINST THE DAWN was emotional, drama filled and suspenseful. The action was plentiful and if you were hoping to finally get a glimpse into the Jinn you're in luck. Just when things start to smooth out another obstacle jumps up to halt its progress. I have a feeling book 5 just might be more emotionally draining on the characters than CRAVE THE DARKNESS was. Bring it on!

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Friday, May 23, 2014

Interview: Eat Dessert First by Brantwijn Serrah

UFI welcomes Brantwijn Serrah Author of Eat Dessert First. Thanks for Joining us!!

This or That

Angels or Demons – Demons. They are so much more interesting...

Vampires or Shifters – I like shifters when they're done well, but I still gotta choose vampires. Classic.

Left or Right – Left. In honor of my oldest brother, all of my main characters are left-handed.

Up or Down – Ha. This one really depends. I think "up" is more positive, but there's lots to be said about "going down".

Pizza or Pasta – Pasta, especially any cheesy pasta.

Coffee or Tea – Tea, no sugar.

Coke or Pepsi – I don't really like colas, so I prefer Cherry 7Up or Cream Soda.

YA or Adult – Adult.

Knives or Guns – Knives. My partner is the gun guy.

Reading or Writing –I like both but I'll spend my free time writing.

Facebook or Twitter – Facebook has more versatility for me.
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In 2010, Brantwijn Serrah embarked on a personal challenge: to write 365 Sexy Days, a blog of erotic fiction, poetry, and review. The blog later became Foreplay and Fangs, Brantwijn's current erotic domain. As part of the Sexy Days project, Brantwijn made it a goal to explore a variety of different lifestyles, interests, and turn-ons. When it came time to look at food used in seduction, Eat Dessert First came about. It has grown to become one of her favorite short stories.

When she isn't visiting the worlds of immortals, demons, dragons and goblins, Brantwijn fills her time with artistic endeavors: sketching, painting, customizing My Little Ponies, and sewing plushies for friends. She can't handle coffee unless there's enough cream and sugar to make it a milkshake, but try and sweeten her tea and she will never forgive you. She moonlights as a futon for four lazy cats, loves tabletop role-play games, and can spend hours watching Futurama, Claymore, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer while she writes or draws.

Brantwijn has published two full-length erotic novels with Breathless Press: Lotus Petals and Goblin Fires. In addition to these, Brantwijn has had several stories published in anthologies by Breathless Press, including the 2013 Crimson Anthology and 2014 Ravaged Anthology. She's also had a short story published in the Cleiss Press Big Book of Orgasm and the anthology Coming Together Through The Storm. She hopes to have several more tales to tell as time goes on. She has author pages on Goodreads and Amazon, and loves to see reader comments on her work. Her short stories occasionally pop up at Foreplay and Fangs, her blog at http://brantwijn.blogspot.com.

Find Brantwijn and her books
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Eat Dessert First



Andres makes a living in delectable desserts. When his own sweet temptation catches him by surprise in his kitchen, Andres will sample something truly delicious... 

Like any good dessert chef, Andres takes the extra time to perfect his recipes. That's why he's in the kitchen early tonight, getting familiar with a unique menu item. He didn't expect the beautiful sous-chef, Pietro, to show up... or that Pietro would be interested in a special sweet treat.
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Excerpt:

I lifted the bubbling saucepan up and over to ladle the crème brûlée into each dish with slow, patient care, letting the rich mixture cascade down in rippling slow spirals as I moved the pan in little circles. 

"There," I said when the last ramekin was filled. "And now you can lick the spoon." 

I pronounced this with open brightness and offered him the spoon I'd stirred with, dripping with white chocolate and vanilla cream. Before he could take it, though, I snatched it back, holding it up in front of my own lips and sticking out my tongue to run it coyly over the back of the spoon. 

"Mmm," I said. "Good." 

He took the spoon from me, his smile reflecting the same naughty suggestion as mine. He licked the spoon as I had, dragging his tongue across it almost lewdly, dark eyes sparkling. Then he grinned, put the utensil down on the gleaming brushed chrome of the pastry counter, and—devilish boy—snuck his fingers into one of the ramekins, trailing them through the cooling, creamy sugar until he found one of the raspberries and plucked it up from the dish. It dripped more white chocolate cream on his hand and the front of his crisp shirt as he popped it into his luscious mouth.
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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Review & Giveaway: Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones

Sixth Grave on the Edge
Author: Darynda Jones
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: St. Martins Press
ISBN:  1250045630
ISBN13: 9781250045638
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source:Publisher via NetGalley

Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it's time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn't come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.

Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she's used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.

Dun Dun Duuuuun. THEIR BACK! Every Charley Davidson book has left me with a book hangover and SIXTH GRAVE ON THE EDGE is no different. I couldn't pick up a book for a good 24 hours (which by now you know is very weird for me) and even now, over a month after I read book 6, I'm still thinking about it and waiting to get my hands on book 7.

I just love Charley's mouth! OK that sounded dirty, I shall rephrase. I love the way she thinks and her way with words. She is beyond hilarious and I wish I had a friend like her. The humor in this series is off the chart and it is always done so darn well. I love learning more about Charley, Reyes and the other characters as the series goes along. I am never left un-surprised (is that even a word?) about the bombs that are dropped. And I must say (even though you will have NO clue until you read the book). The missing wall moment was HILARIOUS. Ahh that Reyes. He is something else.

That ending *eyes bugging out of my head* WHY must you drop that news and end it? I will go crazy until I get my hands on SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY. I only have a few slight issues with SIXTH GRAVE, 1: There were some pretty big questions and plot happenings raised that we never got answers to and 2: the massive cliffhanger ending.

Haven't started the series yet? I feel bad for you, you are SO missing out.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

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NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Find Darynda and her books
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