Awakening by Karice Bolton

So unfortunately I haven't been able to read nearly as much as a like, so for that reason alone I was excited to get back to reading with this book. And what's more is I always like a tale about fallen angels, there are so many different takes on the concept it's so much fun to try and figure out how the author envisions their characters.

The basic plot of this book centers mainly around Ana and Athen. Ana is a white demon (child of a fallen angel) and she has been separated from her family and has no memory of them. This book is primarily her journey of reawakening and regaining the person she was before she lost her memory. This is a rather slow process because she is not just getting memories back but also getting her special abilities back as well. Athen is the love of her life from before and he is essential in not only awakening her but also in protecting her.

Much of this process is frustrating for Ana, mostly because she doesn't always understand what is going on with her. I often time felt her frustration as well as the story progress. Her family, Arie, Cyril, and Athen sometimes do a truly terrible job at giving her information. In their defense they do seem to be withholding information from her out of concern, but it often leads to confusion, fear, and unpreparedness for Ana.

One of the main issues I had with this book was that I felt it moved to quickly. I really enjoyed the concept of losing a family member and then finding them and bringing them back into the fold, but the execution of the concept gave me some pause. The beginning of the book moved at the perfect pace. I felt connected to Ana and what she was feeling. And then somewhere along the middle events started happening at a much quicker rate, and were lacking in the detail compared to the beginning of the book, ultimately I stopped identifying with Ana as much, as well as sometimes feeling like I didn't have enough information to really understand the plot as it was developing.

That being said the general plot is solid. Like I said I liked the idea of the family and the awakening, and as the book progresses you find out there is something larger at work. It was enjoyable to follow along with trying to unravel the greater evil, as well as figure out how the white demons were going to fight against it.

The characters I did enjoy though for the most part. Ana's emotions all make sense and feel very organic to her as a character, and early on in the book it was very easy to identify with her. Arie is a fun loving character, and you can tell in the scenes with her in her element, that if you were around her in real life it would be hard to be anything but happy. Cyril provides a great balance to Arie, as well as being a rather funny guy himself, there were times in the book I needed a good giggle and Cyril was always the one to provide it. Athen is a good character as well, although out of everyone I felt he was the most annoying. All of his actions are done specifically to try and protect the woman he loves, but often I felt like his over protectiveness was stifling and his complete aversion to being intimate with Ana felt out of place and inorganic for the two characters. That being said he is still a solid character and a good guy.

The book definitely leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next to this family (talk about a cliff hanger), and so while there were elements I didn't always like in the book, the good elements way outweighed those so I am going to give it a "Good" rating. I think this book is a good book for urban fantasy readers, and while it is a love story there is little actual romance, so if you are looking for hot and heavy this might not be the book. Overall solid book.

SEE THE GIVEAWAY PAGE FOR A GIVEAWAY OF THIS BOOK!
http://www.ufreviews.com/p/giveaways.html

Farsighted Tour! Guest Post by Emlyn Chand

Announcing the Farsighted Social Media Whirlwind Tour! 

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Farsighted eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 30th, so you don’t miss out.  

How to Win Prizes!

1. Purchase your copy of Farsighted for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!
5. DOUBLE BONUS: If I receive more comments than any other blogger, *I* win $100. 

...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.  

The Featured Events include:

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Farsighted book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs.  

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Farsighted either in paperback or on an eReading device, then post it to Emlyn Chand’s Facebook page or email a copy to author@emlynchand.com. You just way win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the photo with the most interesting setting (so put your holiday travel time to work for you). Another $50 will go the funniest photo, and one more prize of $50 will go the scariest photo—this is a paranormal YA book after all. An autographed copy of Farsighted will go to one randomly selected entrant. For more details about this contest, please visit www.emlynchand.com.  

Remember, it’s all about the books!

 

About Farsighted: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Farsighted is the winner of the 2011 Dragonfly eBook Awards. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
 
About the Author: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.  

Hello 2012. Goodbye World!

A Guest Post by Emlyn Chand

  The New Year is upon us. And if the Mayans were right, so is the apocalypse. Oh, man... Just when Earth was getting good.

Well if I’m going to go by flame, flood, meteoric collision, or zombie uprising, I think it’s best to be prepared. No, not with a flame retardant unitard or a well-equipped cross bow, but with mental resolution—with a calm acceptance of humanity’s plight.

Consider this a combo suicide note/ Dear John letter to the world. I might as well get a few final words in (just in case those Mayans knew what they were talking about). Pfffhew, here goes...  

Dear World,

I wish I didn’t have to write this letter. We’ve been together some twenty-seven years, and that’s a long time. Sure, we’ve had our clashes. You’ve sent a fair share of inclement weather my way. Remember that thunder storm when the tree almost broke through the window of my apartment? I was so scared. That was totally not cool on your part. And tornados? I mean what’s that about. Control your temper!

But I know I’ve hurt you too. I’ve been frivolous with your resources and have sometimes even—gasp—littered. I bought a V6 when I could’ve bought a hybrid. In fact, I think my carbon footprint is a size 12 at least—and that’s a size you have to special order at the shoe store. Yeah, I’m not saying I’m perfect. We all do things we regret, but Earth, you know I love you, right? That’s why it’s so difficult saying what I have to say...

We can’t be together anymore. I’ve heard talk of a major problem. They say you’re going to die a horrific death, and since I count on you for protection, I’m gonna die too. I’d like to say we’ll be together in the next world, but do planets go to Heaven? I can’t say for certain, so I think I should say goodbye instead.

We’ve had a good run, you and I. And I never regret having loved you. How I wish I could save us both, but who am I to interfere with an ancient prophecy?

I’ll miss the way you spill light through my closed blinds in the early morning, gently telling me it’s time to start my day. And I’ll remember fondly the way the ground smells after a restorative rain shower—the way the pitter patter on my skin prickles like teensy weensy fingers giving me a massage, the way the earthworms come out of the ground and dance on the pavement. The songs of birds in the morning are my favorite; they always sound so happy. I wish I understood the lyrics to their upbeat symphony so that I could join in with them. And ice cream? I’ll give you credit for that, because the cows are yours, the vanilla bean is yours, the sugar is yours. The taste is magnificent! To never feel that icy sensation arouse my taste buds again is such a great shame.

I’m tearing up now just thinking about all our good times together. I hope you’ll remember me with the same fondness. No matter what happens, I will ALWAYS love you.

Now it’s time to say goodbye. Go out with a smile,

Monique Domovitch Guest Post

Announcing the Scorpio Rising Social Media Whirlwind Tour!  

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Scorpio Rising eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including 2 Kindle Fires, Amazon gift cards up to $100 in amount, 5 autographed copies of the book, and 5 autographed copies of its recently released sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 23rd, so you don’t miss out.  

To Win the Prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of Scorpio Rising for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

 

...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.   

The Featured Events include:

Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of Scorpio Rising or its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!  
Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. Autographed copies of Scorpio Rising and its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio, are also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a read that's full of love, drama, and betrayal? Scorpio Rising has been reduced to 99 cents! http://ow.ly/7zA2s #whirlwind  
Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Scorpio Rising book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. Autographed copies of Scorpio Rising and its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio, are also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?  
Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook pageScorpio Rising book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. Autographed copies of Scorpio Rising and its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio, are also up for grabs. 
Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a Kindle Fire! Two are up for grabs! Visit Monique’s website to leave a comment on any of her posts and sign-up for her author newsletter. One person will win for each method, so be sure to do both. and share their latest post (you’ll see the

Remember, it’s all about the books!

 
About Scorpio Rising: Set in New York and Paris amid the glamorous and competitive worlds of art and real estate, Scorpio Rising takes the reader from the late 1940s to the 1960s through the tumultuous lives of its heroes. Alex Ivanov is the son of a Russian immigrant and part-time prostitute. He yearns to escape his sordid life and achieve fame and fortune. His dreams of becoming a world-class builder are met with countless obstacles, yet he perseveres in the hope of someday receiving the recognition he craves. Half a world away, Brigitte Dartois is an abused teenager who runs into the arms of a benefactor with an agenda all his own. When she finds out that her boss has an ulterior motive, she flees again, determined to earn her living through her art. This career brings her fame, but also the unwanted attention of her early abuser. Monique Domovitch’s debut novel, Scorpio Rising, is a compelling tale filled with finely etched characters and a superb understanding of the power of ambition. Scorpio Rising promises to resonate with all who once had a dream. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  

About The Sting of The Scorpio: In Scorpio Rising, Monique Domovitch presented a compelling tale filled with colorful characters and the manipulation of power, ambition, and greed. Now she gives us its spellbinding sequel, The Sting of the Scorpio, where Alexander Ivanov returns to New York with his new bride, Brigitte. The real estate industry is ripe with opportunity. Blessed with irresistible charm, ambition, and the single-minded obsession to succeed, Alex plots and manipulates his way to almost mystical success. Everything he touches turns to gold, but it’s never enough. When a hostile takeover bid leaves him struggling to save his beloved company, he suspects those closest to him of plotting his downfall. Brigitte, the beautiful redhead who abandoned her country and her career to become his wife, feels alone. In return, Alex has betrayed her time and again, each indiscretion cutting deeper into her soul. Brigitte’s son, David yearns to be an artist, but Alex’s plans leave no room for such frivolous goals. He grooms a reluctant David to become the heir apparent until a devastating tragedy attracts the attention of another young man. The Sting of the Scorpio is a rich tale of a man at the mercy of his own greed and a woman bound by her need for love. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. 
 
About the Author: Monique Domovitch began writing at the age of fifty-five. Two years later, she has two self-published novels—her Scorpio Series—and a three-book deal with Penguin, for books she has written under the name of Carol Ann Martin. Never seen without her laptop, Monique and her husband travel the world and divide the rest of their time between their homes in British Columbia and California. Monique loves to hear from readers! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.  

Please enjoy this guest post from the author

Deciding to become a writer was a natural extension of falling in love

People often ask me what attracted me to the life of a writer, and I have to say it was a natural extension of falling in love…with books, which I have been for as long as I can remember. 

I remember my mother taking me to the public library when I was as young as four years old. That was when she introduced me to Madeline, the little schoolgirl. As teenager, I discovered Nancy Drew and Cherry Ames, and then Harlequin books. And then I really fell in love for the first time. I was in England where my friends introduced me to a book by Wilbur Smith. I think I hadn't read ten pages of his book--can't remember the title anymore--when I knew this was it. I could spend the rest of my life in bed with this writer's books. 

Over the next few years, Wilbur Smith’s books made me discover Africa, where I met animals I'd never heard of, and villains the likes of which I hope to never meet. I was swept into his stories of love and passion and greed; stories from which I never wanted to walk away. I devoured book after book of his, until, of course, the inevitable happened. I caught up with every last one of his books and was facing a long void until his next book hit the stands. And I, fickle reader that I am, had an affair with a few other authors, and then it happened again. I read Dominic Dunne. And wham. I was in love again. 

With Dominic Dunne’s books, I spent time with the truly rich and the truly manipulative. How can anyone forget books like The Two Mrs. Grenvilles, or An Inconvenient Woman, or A Season in Purgatory? Once I discovered them, I was hooked. Forgive me Dominic, for I betrayed you too when I discovered my next big love, Nelson De Mille. 

De Mille is a master of sharp, snappy talk, and he makes all those words come out of the mouth of a sexy good cop with a bad attitude--John Corey. Now here's the funny part. I don't really know what John Corey looks like, except that he has scars on his chest from some bullet wounds. I also know that John Corey is almost as fickle when it comes to love as I am when it comes to favorite authors. He seems to fall in love with a different woman in almost every one of his adventures. That is, until he met and married Kate. But who knows, so far she's only been around for a couple of novels. For all I know she'll be dropped off, maybe even killed in the next book, and then sexy John will be available again and I can go on dreaming. 

Now here's something you might not know about me. I'm married, and—get this—my husband doesn't mind my little dalliances with all these authors...as long as I don't meet them in person that is. 

And why am I blabbing about all these loves of mine? Because, every time I start a new project, I hope with all my heart, that I infuse my novel with enough passion and ambition and greed that when you, dear reader, read my work, you will fall—perhaps just a little bit—in love with my characters. And I promise to love you right back, even knowing that I will never be able to write fast enough to keep your from someday leaving me for some other writer. 

C’est la vie! 

Monique

Warrior's Rise by LJ DeLeon

I was excited about this book because it involved the Fae. The Fae is a topic I really enjoy reading about because it is so fast, there as so many different way to include them in a book, and so much is able to come right out of the author's imagination. Any time an author is able to put their stamp on something or where the reader gets a good feel for the authors imagination is fun for me as a reader.

As with most of my reviews I want to start off with the things I like about the book. I am seriously impressed with the authors ability to have such an imagination. It is clear from page one that the author has an amazing imagination and really did as much as possible to convey that to the reader. Because DeLeon had such a creative vision it resulted in a complex plot. Complex plots are kind of a double edge sword for me. Either that are complex in a way that is compelling and makes the reader want to flip the next page, or the plot is so ambitious and complex that it can be hard for the reader to follow. I think this book teeters the line. There were certainly moments when I felt confused because things were too complicated, and there were moments where the complex plot had me wanting to read quicker so I could find out what would happen next.

One other aspect I liked about this book was the characters. I found Deva to be an interesting character with a heavy load on her shoulders. Deva is the Caidh Arm, the Goddess' holy weapon, which essentially gives her a lot more powers than she had before as well as make her a target for the dark. She is coming to very powerful powers as an adult, and that has to be a hard adjustment to make. She spends most of this book growing as a character, both as a Fae with powers and as a person. Deva is being guarded by Padraig, which just adds more depth to her character as the relationship develops.

Padraig is also an interesting character, and I like him because he is such a strong character. A lot of the problems I have with characters who are in a protection type role, is they always seem to want to minimize their character, they end up being controlling and never really let the character they are protecting come into their own. I don't think this was a problem for him which is why I enjoyed reading him more, he was part teacher and part protector.

And now for the things I had problems with in the book. There was way to much information all at once. This was evident for me in chapter one. I felt like the author had this great really creative idea in their head and then wanted to tell me, the reader, all about it, as quickly as possible. You were not only introduced to a lot of a characters quickly, but given so much information about them and the situation it was hard to organize the characters in my head. However, the biggest problem I had with this was that I didn't feel like I knew the characters themselves. When you don't know the characters, the reader can't form an emotional bond to them. You miss out on a lot of the details not just with characters but with world building. And those are two huge elements you don't want to feel that you don't know enough about.

I also found in parts there were issues with things were phrased awkwardly or the grammar needed some work that had me having to stop and re-read things, which ultimately led to disrupting my flow when reading the book. I am one of those readers who once my flow has been disrupted it can cause me to lose interest in the book, because it frustrates me.

In the end I am going to have to give this book a "so-so" because while it had some great elements, especially on the creative side, but the execution just wasn't always there so I had hard time really getting into the book. I really wish that there had been less elements within the book, so that the author could have focused more on other elements that would have helped me identify with the book and the characters.

In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long

I read this book as a part of Novel Publicity's week long promotion of this book. It's not in my normal genre that I review, but I wanted to give it a try because let's face it even once in a while you need to read a book that is out of the norm for you. I think there is a lot you can say about this book, if you want really delve deep and analyze each other characters you certainly could. If you wanted to find a character you could identify with, there are a wide range in this book, so I believe everyone could find at least one person to identify with.

To start with I want to say this book, for the vast majority of it, is not a feel good type of book. I think most people want to believe there family is doing well, and when it turns out that it's not the case it's hard on everyone. Leah is a rebellious teenager who's action have a huge impact of every person in her family. When I look back at my own teenage years, I know I was not the best of kids. I know I put my parents through a lot, but never was I to the point that Leah was, and for that I am thankful. And while I can certainly identify with her to a point, because I did rebel as well, I often times found myself thinking she is one of the most selfish girls I have read. She honestly has no care for how anything she does affects anyone else, and even when she has moments of clarity, where she knows she was wrong in her actions, all it takes is for five minutes to pass by before she passed all the blame to someone else and takes off. I can honestly say that when it was told from her point of view, especially towards the end I had a hard time reading her, because I just wanted to send her to one of those bad kid camps and be done with it (not the best impulse but hey I had had enough of her selfishness).

The character I felt the worst for throughout the book was Justine. Justine is Leah's younger sister, and honestly she was left out in the cold over and over again. Their parents thought Justine was a good student, never got into any trouble, and so the focused mainly on Leah. And when Leah started going down the wrong path, Justine didn't understand why everyone was being mean to Leah, she only ever heard Leah's side of the story. Her parents really needed to sit her down and explain everything to her.

The parents in the story, Zoe and Will, go through a terrible time. They are each doing the best they can do, working, pushing Leah to do well, and genuinely just trying to make sure their girls have a good upbringing and set them up for a good future. Unfortunately jobs involve a lot of time, quality time with kids diminish, and things start falling through the cracks. By the time Leah is in trouble neither parent knows how to help her. If I had to pick one think they needed to do as parents was get on the same page. It seemed like the spent more time arguing with each other than coming up with a plan, and when they did have a plan, Will's temper always got in the way of the follow through.

Overall, I felt like this book is well written, and a testament of what can happen to families no matter how much money a family has. There were point in the book I could have done without, I felt like sometimes the author got on a tangent that wasn't needed to progress the story. But besides that I felt like it was a good read, and I think it will make the people who read it really think about their own lives, and perhaps, feel a little bit grateful for my own life after reading this story.

For more information on the tour see below



Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour! As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.  

To Win the Prizes

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

 

...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.  

The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Terri on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this inspiring and friendly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there! Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: In Leah's Wake has taken the publishing world by storm. Get the book for just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7ywpZ #whirlwind Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that? Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a $500 Amazon gift card, simply by leaving a comment on Terri’s most recent blog post. Yup, you read that correctly—$500! How easy is that? An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

Remember, it’s all about the books!

About In Leah’ Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While her parents fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. What happens when love just isn’t enough? Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. About the Author: Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College. She was grateful and thrilled beyond words when her award-winning debut literary novel, In Leah’s Wake, hit the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists in August. She owes a lot of wonderful people – big time! – for any success she’s enjoyed! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.  

Supernova by C.L. Parker

A couple of days ago I reviewed C.L. Parker's book Cataclysm, which is actually the sequel to this book, Supernova. I was a part of the book tour so unfortunately my time ran out and I was unable to put up the review for Supernova up first. But I didn't want to just not review it, so here is the review, a few days late.

I really enjoy Parker's writing, she really does a great job of taking the reader along this journey with the main characters, and really lets the reader get to know the main players of the book. This book is book one in the series, so a lot of time is spent on really getting to know the characters and their respective back stories.

Kerrigan is a girl who it seems like for much of her life has let herself be pulled in whatever direction her father deemed correct, and unfortunately part of that lead to her dating a man named Jackson. You quickly learn this guy is bad news, creepy, and gross. Parker's description of this guys breath alone made me want to cringe. When Kerrigan's grandmother dies though, she finds the strength to stand up for herself and ditch the loser. She and her best gay friend Gabe move into her grandmother's house and essential start a new life.

Which brings us to Dominic, the man who has been living at Kerrigan's grandmother's house for over a year. As you get to know Dominic you find out what a tortured life he really has had. If anyone has ever gotten the short end of the stick for a long period of time, it's Dominic. That's not to say that he isn't a good guy, in fact as the story progresses Dominic turns out to be a great help to Kerrigan.

Most of this story is about Kerrigan finding out that her grandmother was much more than just a sweet old lady. In fact her grandmother had powers, powers from the Light, which she used for good. And even more shocking is that Kerrigan herself also has these same gifts. But now that her grandmother has passed, Kerrigan is left to learning her new gifts from Dominic.

That's not to say that the story is not inciting to read. Dominic has a BIG secret he is keeping from everyone, and there are quite a lot of close calls where he is almost revealed. On top of that Dominic also has a past with a crazy ex girlfriend that comes back around. Kerrigan, who doesn't seemingly have a lot of the problems in this book, is more like a catalyst, and helps the story along the way. And the chemistry between Dominic and Kerrigan is not to be missed, it is definitely interesting to follow these two along the way.

Overall this was a good read, if I had one bone to pick I would say it did lag a couple of times during the book, but it was never a huge lag or anything like that. I would say this is a book paranormal romance readers would like, as well as people who like urban fantasy. And it is a great lead in into the second book which I would also recommend.

Falling Hard by J.K. Coi

Falling Hard was such a good read. It has one of new favorites in the paranormal field, angels. And more than that it has a delightful set of role reversal. In so many books that you read these days, even when the heroine is strong and can kick butt on her own, she is also the one that (to a least a little bit) needs saving. In this book, Gabriel, is really the one who needs to be protected, and he is protected, by a girl, Amelia. I found this switch up of the stereotype to be not just interesting, but also it made the book all the more fun to read.

To give you a little bit of synopsis of the book, Gabriel carried Lucifer's soul within him. Amelia is an angel who is sworn to watch over him and protect him, her goal is to keep Lucifer from wrecking havoc on earth. Of course there is a lot more to the story than that. Gabriel is a real life rock star, groupies, big concerts, and recognized all over the place. You would think someone with that kind of status would have an easy life but not Gabriel. Gabriel kind of breaks your heart the more you learn about his past and how tortured he is. Just when you think you think his tortured past can't get worse it does. For me it endeared him to me, I wanted good things to happen to him so that he could really experience something good, because lets face it if anyone needs something good to happen to them its him.

Amelia as a character is really interesting, she almost strikes me as emotionally childlike. Throughout the story she literally has to learn about how to be human and human feelings, because all she has ever been is an angel who deals with angel things, or watched Gabriel from afar. Even though she is so new at being in the human realm she is a force to be reckoned with, she is a strong warrior.

Combined the two of them are both two complete opposites. Gabriel is just a ball of human emotion, constantly dealing with his anger, rage, guilt, and sorrow over the events of his life. And Amelia is far more logical because most of her existence does not involve the emotions that make Gabriel so rash. By the end of the book I really think the two of them have started to share with each other parts of their personalities, and have both grown from knowing each other.

There is a great deal of romance in this book, as it is a paranormal romance of course. I would like to say that Coi does a good job of writing those scenes, and more over she writes the scenes true to the characters within them. What I mean by this is the sex scenes in the book could not be transplanted into another book or story and they make sense. It's not just a romp in bed, she brings both characters essence into the scene through both action and thought, which I believe makes Coi a great writer, and also helps the reader continue to identify with the characters.

Overall, I am giving this book a good rating. It really is a good paranormal romance, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. I believe anyone who likes paranormal romance would enjoy reading this book, and it is one of the more unique books in this genre I have read. Coi brings a lot of elements into the book, like her use of music throughout, to make it so unique. For that reason alone I would recommend the book.

J.K. Coi Interview

UFR: Today we have J.K. Coi joining us for an interview, and later today I will be posting the review of her book Falling Hard.
JKC: Hi Kate and readers of UFR! Thanks so much for having me as a guest today.

UFR: First and foremost I want to say thank you for joining us today here on Urban Fantasy Reviews. One of my favorite questions to ask is if you had to pick a theme song for this book what would it be?
JKC: Music is so much a part of this book – from Gabriel’s career as lead singer of phantasm, to the angel song that heals – you can feel the vibrations coming off the page. You can hear the bass through your fingers and into your soul as you read. Yes, I channeled my inner rock god to write this book. I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say there is a “theme song,” but I found myself listening to “All You Did Was Save my Life” by Our Lady Peace, “The Catalyst” by Linkin Park, “The Kill” by 30 Seconds to Mars, and “Give a Little More” by Maroon 5.

UFR: Clearly your book is very music driven, with Gabriel being the lead singer in a popular band as well as Amelia reliance on the “angel’s song”. Do you have a strong background in music or did you just think it would be an interesting theme in the book?
JKC: I don’t have a music background, but I do really love music. All kinds of music, but mostly the heavy, dark, thumping kind. ☺


UFR: Amelia shows a love of books early on in the book, if she were in a book club what book would she be reading now?
JKC: Oh, I think Amelia would like any book that really delves deeply into the human experience. Books that explore feelings and really emotional subjects, even if the subjects are painful or difficult. I think she’d like Wuthering Heights ☺

UFR: Gabriel has lived a hard life, and from early on in the book it seem tragedy and heart ache only follow him, was it hard to write someone so tortured?
JKC: It was difficult getting into his head, because his life is so alien to me. I mean, how many people really live like a rockstar? (not me, that’s for sure) – Not to mention all the other things that happened to him. But I also knew that he really had to believe he was beyond saving, or his desires wouldn’t have been such a strong pull to lead him out of the darkness, and his struggle with the devil wouldn’t have had the same dark depth.

UFR: I have always found angels to be such a fascinating topic, and there are so many different views on how angels really are. Did you research about angels to create their world within the book, or was it something you created on your own?
JKC: I did just enough research to know where I didn’t want to go with my angels, if that makes sense. Traditionally, the Archangel Gabriel is known as the Messenger of God, and in John Milton’s Paradise Lost, he was the angel set to guard Paradise. When he found Satan there, Gabriel ordered him to leave. In Falling Hard, my hero carries Lucifer’s soul, and that was such a great burden to bear that I wanted him to have the name Gabriel as a counterpoint to the darkness inside him.
As for Amelia, I once saw this very old movie called Amelia and the Angel. It’s by a photographer named Ken Russell that was made by the BBC in 1958. There really wasn’t anything extra special about it except that the photography was really good, and the name stuck with me. It was about a young girl who has gotten the part of an angel in her school play, but her wings are broken and she needs to find a new pair. She sees a woman, an angel, and follows her into a dark building, upstairs into the attic, and Amelia’s wings are restored.

UFR: Amelia is both strong and fragile at the same time, what are your favorite aspects of her personality?
JKC: When I started writing her, I thought that to show her struggle with emotion, I would have to make her hard…but I soon realized she was not hard at all. Strong, yes. Loyal, yes. But like you said, fragile and uncertain. I liked that about her and that she showed me different parts of herself at different times.

UFR: One of the things I found particularly interesting about your book was that Gabriel was the character needing to be protected and Amelia was the strong protector. The stereotype tends to be the opposite. Was this an intentional role reversal?
JKC: Yes, this was intentional. I wanted to switch up the roles! ☺

UFR: Since it is December, I have been putting a little Christmas flare into my interviews. If you had to pick the perfect gifts for Gabriel and Amelia what would they be?
JKC: If I had to wonder what Gabriel would buy for Amelia…I think it would be a guitar. He’s been looking for the opportunity to teach her to play, and he LOVES to hear her sing ☺
And if Amelia were to buy something for him, she would probably arrange for them to disappear for a few days. Someplace private and quiet where they could just be together.

UFR: Going along with the Christmas theme, what would your dream present be if money were not a factor?
JKC: Me? I wouldn’t want a present, but if the money were there, I would definitely be thinking along the same lines as Amelia and take hubby away for a trip. I’ve always wanted to go somewhere rich in history and architecture, while hubby loves nature—so Egypt or Italy would be nice!

UFR: Finally, is there anything you want potential readers of this book to know? Or any announcements about future books you would like to share?
JKC: I hope that readers will be patient for book 2. I really want to revisit this world, and I hope that my readers do too, but there have been so many other projects on my plate that getting the next book done (and making sure it’s right) has been hard.
Having said that, I do have a few releases out right now (some of those other projects)…
 FAR FROM BROKEN (in the anthology A Clockwork Christmas) is available from Carina Press, and my story CAGED is in the anthology Agony/Ecstasy: Original Stories of Agonizing Pleasure/Exquisite Pain (from Berkley Heat), both of which were just released last week!
Also, I have a hot and sexy “Cops and Mobsters” contemporary out from Ellora’s Cave, called BRAZEN GAMES.

UFR: Once again I want to say thank you for joining us here on UFR. I hope you have a great holiday season ☺
 JKC: I hope you have a wonderful holiday as well, and thank you for having me! I had a blast with your questions, and I just love your site!

J.K. Coi www.jkcoi.com 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jkcoi 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JKCoi
Author Blog: www.jkcoi.blogspot.com

Lokant by Charlotte English

I have made it clear both on twitter and on this site how much I really enjoyed Charlotte English's first book Draykon. I really felt that her first book was a great epic fantasy with some fantastic mystery elements in it, I even believe that people who have never tried out epic fantasy should do so with this book. My biggest concern with sequels is they are so hard to live up to the previous book if you feel in love with the first. I was truly so happy when I found that Lokant was a worthy follow up for Draykon.

The characters from Draykon all make appearances in Lokant, Llandry still taking a primary role, and Eva as well. At the end of Draykon the reader realizes so much more is going on that we previously believed, especially with Llandry becoming a draykon herself. This book does a fantastic job of letting the reader know more about the world while still maintaining a bit of mystery.

Llandry has found herself in a strange new world, and with a strange new man at her side who has proclaimed himself her mate. So much of this book is about Llandry coming into her own. She had a lot of character growth in Draykon, but in that book she was only a human, and now she is so much more than that. Now she has to find a place for herself in this world, while also trying to unravel the mystery of the people behind the scheme to unleash the draykon. It's really fun to follow Llandry in this book, because even though she is so different than before, it is clear that she is more herself in this book.

I also took more of a liking to Eva in this book than I did in the last. It isn't that I didn't like Eva in the previous book, but rather I didn't form a big bond with her emotionally. This was not the case in Lokant, I very much started to form a bond with her. And even more so I came to understand her a little more.

Part of the reason I really enjoy these books is that there is a huge mystery going on within them. The first book introduced draykon through the "stone" istore. And just when you thought the mystery had been solved, it turns out it was only the set up for a larger mystery. The amount of detail and thought that English has put into these book is astounding. For her to continue these books with such intricacy only shows how much forethought she has as a writer, and how much work had to be done to plot the serious out. She is a master at revealing just enough to the reader to want them to know more about what comes next, but never keeping the reader so much in the dark that the reader feels like they are missing out.

I really enjoyed the new group of Lokants, mainly because these group of people seriously open up the possibilities within the world, in ways I could not imagine in the first. I enjoyed getting to know how was really behind the events of the previous books, not just who was behind them, but their motivations, and then trying to figure out what the endgame is.

There is a bit more of a romantic element in this book, but only slightly. I have to say I appreciate that what romance in this book has taken time to build up to and felt very organic when it was introduced. 

If I had to pick one thing I didn't like about the book, or rather something I missed that was in the previous book but was lacking in this book, was the absence of the animals in this book. Sigwide was still in the book, but he was not a consistent companion to Llandry as in the previous book. And less was made of summoning and the various types of animals in the world (although there were a few instances in the book). That being said their absence wasn't hugely felt, the plot was fast moving, and you never felt like you were missing out on something.

Once again, I am going to give English another "great" rating. I think this is a great follow up, and I can tell she worked hard on this book to make sure it was a great follow up. I of course recommend everyone read Draykon first, but once you finish with Draykon you should most definitely pick up a copy of Lokant and get to reading it!

In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long GUEST POST

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour!

   

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.  

To Win the Prizes

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100

...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.  

The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Terri on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this inspiring and friendly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!  
Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: In Leah's Wake has taken the publishing world by storm. Get the book for just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7ywpZ #whirlwind  
Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?  
Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.
Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a $500 Amazon gift card, simply by leaving a comment on Terri’s most recent blog post. Yup, you read that correctly—$500! How easy is that? An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

Remember, it’s all about the books!

 
About In Leah’ Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While her parents fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. What happens when love just isn’t enough? Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. About the Author: Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College. She was grateful and thrilled beyond words when her award-winning debut literary novel, In Leah’s Wake, hit the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists in August. She owes a lot of wonderful people – big time! – for any success she’s enjoyed! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.  

What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

The Importance of Music and how it Inspired In Leah's Wake

  Although I find it too distracting to listen to music while I write, inspiration for my stories often arises from music. While I was writing In Leah’s Wake, songs brought me into the emotional state necessary to write difficult scenes. Songs set a mood, which helped me envision places, and songs helped me to identify and shape the book’s themes.

The novel opens with Zoe and Will listening to the Van Morrison song “Tupelo Honey,” a sweet love song that gives their relationship context by suggesting happier, better days. “Showdown at Big Sky,” which Will puts on the stereo next, foreshadows the problems on the horizon, and “Face in the Crowd” speaks to the profound loneliness Will feels as he waits up for Leah that night, imaging all the unthinkable horrors that might have befallen his daughter.

Later in the book, the song “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” from Evita, gave me a glimpse into Zoe’s fractured emotional state—remorse compelled by abiding love—as she drives home, wondering what to expect next from her rebellious teenage daughter: “I still need your love after all that I've done . . . I love you and I hope you love me . . .” “Stardog Champion” from Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone, suggests power, so appropriate to the post-fight euphoria felt by Todd and Lupo after a showdown with Will.

Often, songs transport me to a place. Listening to Miles Davis one evening brought me, in my mind, to the coffeehouse Zoe visits with the policeman, Jerry Johnson. Music also helps me to clarify themes. One night, on our way home from dinner, my husband, Dave, played the Bruce Springsteen album Greetings From Asbury Park. The song “Growin’ Up” struck a nerve and I insisted on listening to it over and over. I saw Leah, a good kid, just trying to grow up and make her way in the world.

I heard “Champagne Super Nova,” from the Oasis CD What’s the Story? Morning Glory, when I stepped out of the shower one morning. Our house was wired for sound and Dave was playing the new CD he’d just bought. As with “Growin’ Up,” I insisted that he replay the song, and then replay it again. The pivotal scene, where Justine asks Leah for a cigarette and Leah allows her little sister to smoke, blossomed as I listened to the music.

As I wrote, music came to play a defining role in the book, and I would often search for the right music after writing a scene. The Liszt piano solo “Hungarian Rhapsodies” mirrors Zoe’s frenzied mind as she drives home from her motivational workshop, the day after Leah shows up drunk at 3:00 a.m., after a wild party. The same happened with “Paranoid Android,” from Okay Computer by Radiohead, “I’m On Fire,” from the Bruce Springsteen album Born in the USA, “Stardog Champion,” from Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone, “I Loves You Porgy” from Porgy and Bess, and “Misguided Angel,” from The Trinity Session by the Cowboy Junkies.

Without music, In Leah’s Wake would be a very different – and for me, the writer, much less compelling book.

For those of you who, like me, find inspiration in music, here’s the soundtrack. Enjoy!

Soundtrack from In Leah’s Wake

  “Growin’ Up,” Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ, Bruce Springsteen, Sony Records, 1972

“Tupelo Honey,” Tupelo Honey, Van Morrison, Polydor/Pgd, 1971

“Showdown At Big Sky,” Robbie Robertson, Robbie Robertson, Universal Int’l, 1987

“A Face In The Crowd,” Full Moon Fever, Tom Petty , MCA, 1989 “

John Barleycorn,” John Barleycorn Must Die, Traffic, Island Records, 1970

“Not A Pretty Girl,” Not a Pretty Girl, Ani DiFranco, Righteous Babe, 1995 Hungarian Rhapsodies, Franz Liszt, Leslie Howard solo piano, Hyperion, 1999

“Testify,” The Battle of Los Angeles, Rage Against The Machine, Sony Records, 1999

“Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” Evita (Music From The Motion Picture), Madonna, Warner Bros./WEA, 1996

“The Ride of the Valkyries,” Wagner Without Words, Conducted by George Szell, Performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, Sony Records, 1991

“Chase The Blues Away,” Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology, Tim Buckley, Elektra/ WEZ, 1966

“Champagne Supernova,” (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis, Sony, 1995

“The Candy Shop,” The Massacre, Fifty Cent, Aftermath, 2005

“Vital Transformation,” Inner Mounting Flame, The Mahavishnu Orchestra Jazz, Sony 1971

“Strawberry Fields Forever,” Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles, Capitol Records, 1967

“Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5,” Mozart: The Five Violin Concertos by Itzhak Perlman violin, Weiner Philharmoniker and James Levine, Deutsche Grammophon, 1995

“Surrey With The Fringe on Top,” Steamin, Mile Davis, Prestige, 1956

“Come As You Are,” Nevermind, Nirvana, Geffen Records, 1991

“Paranoid Android,” Okay Computer, Radiohead, Capitol Records, 1997

“I’m On Fire,” Born in The USA, Bruce Springsteen, Sony, 1984

“Stardog Champion,” Stardog Champion, Mother Love Bone, Mercury/Universal, 1992

Cataclysm by CL Parker

This book came to me as part of a book tour, which I love. Promoting authors new works is probably one of my favorite things to do. However, this is book 2 of the series, so I wanted to read the first book, Supernova, first. I would recommend the first book, because it's a fantastic read much like this book.

The first think I want to mention about Parker's writing is that it's super easy to read. You sit down with the book in hard, and your eyes just flow over the paper (or screen for my case). Before you even realize it you're sucked into the plot and the characters. It's almost like the writing is effortless, but still smart.

I must also say that I liked reading and experiencing life with these characters. And more over what I enjoyed was that these characters weren't stagnant. When you meet Kerrigan in the first book, she hadn't quite grown into herself yet, her life had mostly been controlled or guided one way or the other. Book one she really grows into herself as a character as well as becoming a Guardian of the Light. In book two she is able to really understand more about herself and abilities, so the reader is really able to follow along with her and her journey. The Kerrigan that Parker created is not just some girl riding the wave of a plot, but rather a character who has depth that just increases as the story goes on.

I'm fairly certain everyone who reads these books is going to be happy when they get to the romance department. And the one thing I appreciate about Parker, much like her character development is also her relationship development. She doesn't just have two characters suddenly like each other and jump into bed, it took time to build up Kerrigan and Dominic as characters and as people heading down a romance road. Although most of the build up is in Supernova, it still read as two people organically reaching the next part of the relationship. There is a lot more romance in this book than the previous, or rather it is more hot action in it compared to the first.

The one bone I have to pick with this book is that I missed Gabe. Gabe was one of my favorite characters in the first book, he reminded me of my best friend in high school. The guy who was unafraid to say anything that came into his head, and was assured of himself, as well as being a good friend to Kerrigan. I wish he had more of a role in this book.

Overall, I am going to say this is a good book, and a fun paranormal romance. This is definitely a read for people who like paranormal romance, and I think that most of us urban fantasy readers would like it as well.

Mind Over Matter by S.J. Clarke

I think this book was exactly what I needed today. It was one part mystery, one part romance, and one part supernatural. The supernatural in this book is not nearly as heavy as it is in a lot of the urban fantasy or paranormal romance that I review, but that isn't to say it isn't there. The supernatural in question is psychic abilities.

The book deal with some pretty heavy subject matter, the main character Rebecca is trying to just exist after her daughter was kidnapped nearly three year prior to the beginning of the book. Rebecca does however get visions, and one day while at the neighborhood diner gets a vision about another missing girl. And then almost as suddenly she gets a vision of an aged version of her daughter, Bree. This vision gives her the push to really pick up the search for her daughter and leads her to Dan, the FBI agent who was the lead on Sabrina's case to begin with.

Part of the reason why I like this book is because I like mysteries, and this book reads like a mystery book with all the added flare the supernatural elements bring to it. I really like the characters, Rebecca is a very strong woman who is willing to do anything to find her daughter, but that doesn't mean that having her daughter being kidnapped hasn't taken its tole on her. From the beginning of the book it is clear Rebecca is doing whatever she can to hold on to the idea that her daughter is alive and pushing herself to continue on with her search.

Dan is a great character too. He is really kind and caring towards Rebecca, and you can tell her has an honest desire to find Sabrina and help Rebecca. I also find it refreshing that he didn't just buy into the "Rebecca having visions" but instead of being just a complete skeptic he listens to her and even goes out with her to help her prove her vision one way or the other.

The book is a really good read, and a great mystery to follow along with. Clarke gives you just enough hints to the culprit as it goes along to let the reader form their own ideas about who did it but still leaves the reader hanging enough to make them want to know and understand the whole plot behind it all. I would say that if you are looking for a good mystery this is definitely a book you want to consider. I also think if you are someone who likes romance or urban fantasy this is also a book you would like. I hope you check it out.

Echoes of Magic by Donna Grant

This was my second book in Donna Grant's Sisters of Magic series, and I think the hardest thing I had to decide about this book was which one I liked more. Although I would like to point out to all potential readers that this book could be read by itself (Grant does a great job at updating the reader on past events without it being overwhelming), although every though you could read it on its own I think you should read the first book for the full effect.

This series has to do with witches and the men that they come across and end up helping. In the last book we went through Serena's journey with Drogan, and were briefly introduced to the main characters in this book, Grayson and Adrianna. This story starts off with Adrianna finding Grayson in the forest near death, and so she helps him to recover, only to realize he is being hunted by the same evil that was hunting Drogan in the previous book. This book documents their journey to find the evil and defeat it while finding themselves pulled to each other even more with every passing day.

The one thing that was strikingly different in this book to the previous was Grayson is motivated by finding out about his past, more specifically about his mother. When he was a child his mother was taken, and he has been bidding his time until he went back to his home and find the answers as to what happened to his mother. I find this to be a nice change, it made the book not just about fighting evil, it keep this book from being repetitive to the previous.

I also think this book had more sexual content in the than the previous, but once again, Grant is very capable at writing the sex scenes, and none of it came off as cheesy. And because it is a historical period book, it was written in a way that was consistent with the time which I appreciate.

Another thing I also appreciated in this book, was that Grant did a great job at keeping the story going. The book kept the reader engaged, as well as introduced a lot of information that kept the plot fresh. She revealed only enough to keep the reader wanting to know more and then held off on more for later. It's because of this that I don't feel like I can talk about the specifics of a lot of the plot, because so much of it leads up to a very spoilerific ending.

Overall, I am going to call this yet another good book by Grant. Her third book is going to be coming out at the end of the month and is going to deal with the character of Cade, and I have to say I am looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy. As with the previous book, I think if you like paranormal romance you will like this book, even if you only like historical romances this would be a good read as well.

Donna Grant Interview

Today I am joined by Donna Grant, and later today I will be posting the review for her book Echoes of Magic. This latest book is a part of her Sisters of Magic series and if you haven’t read the first book yet, Shadow Magic, I suggest you read it!

UFR: Thank you for joining us today. I want to start with why you chose to write historical fantasy. I have read many books in epic fantasy with similar tones or fantasy set in modern times, but this was my first real historical fantasy. What drew you to this?
DG: I’ve always loved history, but fantasy and paranormal have always intrigued me as well. There aren’t many historical paranormal writers, and I loved the mix of the two genres. With historical your tied to certain things your characters can and can’t do. With paranormal you aren’t. So, it’s a great mash up for characters.

UFR: When writing this series did you ever find yourself slipping into modern dialect?
DG: Lol. I laugh at this all the time, especially when reviewers say the dialect is too modern when they read a historical. If authors wrote in the dialect that was spoken at the time no one would read it. Yes, we do try to make it as modern as we can, trying our best not to use certain words that are definitely more our time, but we don’t always get it right. Which is why its called fiction. ;)

UFR: Serena (in Shadow Magic) is a delightful mix of delicate and powerful. If you had to pick one thing about her as a character you love what would it be?
DG: Her strength. She soldiers on no matter what. I think it’s a lesson anyone can learn from her character. Fate gave her an pretty awful life and magic gave her an ability no one wanted, yet she makes the best of everything.


UFR: Serena is a bana-bhuidseach (or witch), and her peoples power lies with the gift of premonition. Is this a gift you wish you had yourself?
DG: Hmmm….I don’t know. In some ways yes, because then I could stop an accident, but in other ways no. Life is supposed to happen the way its supposed to happen. I’d rather not know. :S

UFR: Your books involve sword fighting, which can sometimes be both hard to write and hard for the reader to follow along with. The battles within your series are very well written and super clear and easy to follow along. What kind of research did you do to get these scenes written so eloquently?
DG: Thank you. I do/did lots of research involving watching sword fights in movies as well as reading as much as I could about swords and how the different swords were used. There have been times reading a book I get lost in a fight because I don’t know who is doing what. I try to make it as clear as I can without losing the reader.

UFR: The second book in the series, Echoes of Magic, brings one of the secondary characters from the first book, Grayson, to the forefront. Who did you enjoy writing more, Grayson or Drogan, and why?
DG: Oh, Grayson for sure. Drogan had a dark past, but did his duty. Grayson tried to forget his past until he couldn’t, then he wanted to face it all and damn the consequences.

UFR: Since it’s December, I’m giving all my interviews a Christmas flare. If you had to pick what present your characters would desire the most what would they be?
DG: Hmm…for Grayson I’d say a new sword. For Adrianna I’d say a new gown.

UFR: Now that we know what presents your characters desire, what is your dream present (money being no object).
DG: Being able to travel to my hearts content. ☺

UFR: I normally ask authors what theme song they would pick for their books, but your book is historical, so instead I’ll ask what music do you listen to while writing?
DG: I listen to soundtracks from movies like King Arthur, Immortals, Thor, Troy, etc…

UFR: Finally, Is there anything you want your potential readers to know about the series.
DG: It’s a trilogy, and the third book DANGEROUS MAGIC will release Dec 27. This book features one of my favorite all time heroes – Cade. If you love dark and dangerous heroes, he’s the one for you! ☺

UFR: I want to thank you so much for visiting Urban Fantasy Reviews, I have enjoyed reading your books and getting to know the characters. I’m looking forward to all your future work. :)
DG: Thank you so much! I enjoyed being here. Merry Christmas everyone!