Angel Unprepared by Tamela Buhrke

Synopsis: 

Someone is killing fae and it’s up to the newly assigned and completely untrained Watcher Andi Andreas to find the killer. But when a vampire kidnaps Andi’s best friend Macy, a Voodoo priestess warns Andi that her friend’s very soul is in jeopardy. Frightened for her friend’s future, Andi prepares for pursuit.

Unfortunately, the leader of the Watchers, Andi’s Great-Aunt Eleni, commands that she forego her friend and forage for the murderer in the Fairy realm. With no choice but to follow orders, Andi is knighted by the Fairy Queen and bound to a magical sword. Forced to trust the queen’s prophetess, a sexy succubus who hankers for a taste of her, Andi soon finds herself bouncing between realms and through time, chasing a killer. 

As the case unfolds Andi uncovers a plot to set set free the unseelie host, an act that would surely mean the destruction of both the Fairy and Earth realms. Can Andi catch the murderer, stop the unseelie from being unleashed, and still save her friend's soul?

Review: 

This is the second book to The Watcher series, and I really enjoyed the first book in the series (it was really good). So I was really looking forward to the second book. I love Andi as a character, and I love the series in general so I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to her next. 

My only real complaint with the book was the beginning, I felt it could have been recapped better. When the book starts it is really about Andi and her friends, and I felt a little bit confused about what was going on, like maybe I should have read the first book to make sure that I could remember what the issues that Andi was having with her friend Macy. B

But after the beginning starting off a tiny bit slow and me needed a bit of a recap the book was really good. The thing I liked the most about Andi and this book was that Andi is still really out of her element being a herald agent since she didn't know she was one until later in life. I think the fact that she is so unprepared makes the story so much more exciting and fun for the reader. 

The thing I think that was the most impressive about the book is the time/realm  travel element. I don't want to give to much away about the book, so I'm just going to say there is time travel/traveling between realms. And this kind of thing could can be really hard to write in a book. The danger with this kind of theme is that the reader can get confused if it is not written really well. And while there were moments of confusion with the travel elements, they were only because Andi herself was a little confused. Beyond that the writing was really good so I understood exactly what was going on. 

I like that all the characters from the first book made reappearances, as well as some new people. I liked that the relationship with her friends was expanded on and a big element within this book. I like that Andi is starting to not only get to understand her new role in life, but also expand into meeting family members. Oh and I LOVE that Andi finally has a romance that might actually be going somewhere (hurry up and write book 3, I wanna know what happens with the romance!). 

Overall, this book is really fun. I was a bit worried that the travel between realms would mean you wouldn't get to learn about the other characters in the book, but I was so wrong. This is a great sequel to the first book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy (oh and if you haven't read the first book you should).

Angel Unraveled by Tamela Buhrke

Synopsis:

Psychic Andi Andreas is sick of seeing ghosts and reading futures. So when a sexy reporter named Tucker Calhoun falls, battered and bloodied, into her arms, Andi jumps at the chance to use her talents for more than just tarot cards. She and Tucker investigate a gang selling a new kind of drug. But her thrill turns to panic when they discover this drug temporarily turns users into vampires. 

Worse, a sassy she-demon is threatening to unleash the drug as a virus—contaminating the world and converting the human race into monsters. As Andi struggles to stop the demon, she unlocks a secret from her past and awakens new abilities. But will Andi's new powers be enough to save the world

Review: 

I read this book over the course of about two days, and I really wish I hadn't needed sleep or I would have read the book in one day. This book definitely follows one of the "formulas" if you will of urban fantasy books. It takes an unlikely hero who is suddenly pushed into a role where they are required to basically save the world. The difference between this book and all the other books with this general theme, is it's a fun ride from beginning to end. Sure the events in Andi's life are extreme, and the consequences of not getting everything right results would be dire, Andi's inner monologue makes the entire book (even the heavy action parts) fun to read. 

Andi is kind of the perfect "hero" if you will, especially for readers who really want a fun and exciting read. She is really funny to read, her inner voice is hilarious, and she is entering into what can only be described as a circus of supernatural people and creatures in a manner that is so hilarious it makes the ride into the supernatural all the more fun. I actually really like books where the main character knows nothing about the supernatural world, it makes the world building so much more easy for the reader. Not only does it make it easier but you really identify with the character, in this case Andi, on a whole different level. It's like you have more of an understanding of her feelings. 

Andi has a lot of people surrounding her at all times so really there is never a dull moment in the book. Even when she is just hanging out with her two normal best friends, there is never a dull moment. Macy kind of drove me up the wall, Andi's description of her and the way she acts made me want to grab her shoulders and shake her. That being said it's clear Andi thinks of her as her best friend so you can't hate Macy. Joy I think is a fun character, as Andi's other best friend is more emotional but for lack of a better term, way more normal than Macy. 

The supernatural characters are great. Tucker is easy to love, and you really want Andi and him to get together already. I have so much more to say about Tucker but I can't ruin the book for you. Estaban is your typical master vampire, thinks he is the most amazing creature, and really has no grasp of how to really treat human with respect, and Andi has no problem putting him in his place when she needs to. 

Overall, the book is just fun. There were many times I actually laughed out loud. There were times when I thought things couldn't get any nuttier, and then a new character would show up or some new information revealed, and you just couldn't help but want to read faster. I think this is great book for anyone who likes supernatural things, or even people who like only paranormal romance would like this book too! I recommend you pick up a copy! 

*****GIVEAWAY*****

CLICK HERE to win a copy of Angel Unraveled! 

Tamela Buhrke Interview

Today we have another author visiting us today here on Urban Fantasy Reviews. Tamela Buhrke is the author of the book Angel Unraveled which is going to be reviewed later on today (so stay tuned)! 

UFR: My favorite question to ask is if you had to choose, what would the theme song for your book be?

TB: "Everyday Superhero," by Smash Mouth.  It is about superhero who is unsure inside but keeps his game face on for the world.  I especially like the line: Try to save the world, but never really sure.  

          Andi, my heroine, is thrust into a position where she has to save the world.  She's not happy about it and really doubts her own abilities.  So I think the song would make a nice theme to get her pumped.

UFR: Since we are all readers here (this is a book review site after all), if Andi was in a book club what book would she be reading?

TB: Right now she'd be reading Time of My Life by Celia Ahern.   The story is about Lucy Silchester who gets an invitation to meet with Life.  Lucy is forced to examine how lost she is in her own life.  I think Andi can relate to Lucy.  She can also relate to getting a supernatural wake up call.

UFR: Is there a character in the book who shares a bit of your personality?

TB: I'm a blending of Andi and her friend Joy.  I've always a been a geek.  Like Andi, I was always tripping over myself, getting dirty and falling apart—just as the cute guy showed up.   Like Joy, I'm a non-traditionalist who grew up in a very conservative, traditional household.  Joy's quest to find herself and break from those traditions mirror my own.  I even considered becoming an acupuncturist.  By the way, we'll be seeing Joy lose a bit more control and get pretty experimental in book two.

UFR: One of the most interesting things about books with a paranormal flare is the different types of beings/races an author can chose to put in their book. Your book brings a bit of a twist to vampires, how did you decide this was the direction you wanted to go?

TB: Well, I wanted to go back to a more traditional vampire.  Vampires are dangerous creatures and I wanted bring that back.  But I also wanted to give each vampire a distinct personality.   Too many vampire stories have the brooding, sexy thing... and that's about as deep as they go.  To me, a vampire started out as a person, so they are going to have a variety of personalities and eccentricities.   

          That's why one of my vampires can never keep up with fashion.  In real life, many people lose track of the fashions as they age.  Calhoun feels his time is better spent on other things.   When you've lived over a hundred years, it's easy to lose decades.  So we find him wearing a lot of polyester.  However, Esteban, the Master vampire of Arizona is the opposite.  He's very fashion conscious from his days of being in the Spanish royal court.  He's also a bit of a metrosexual who enjoys hair product and body sprays.  In fact, he sells his own line of body products.  

          I also thought that, just like there are mixed races in life, there would be mixed races in preternatural creatures.  So I have mixed breeds and half-vampires.  Most of these creatures are misfits.  In fact, Esteban specializes in gathering misfit preternaturals into his territory for protection.

UFR: What was the hardest scene for you to write and why? 

*****Spoiler alert!*****

TB: The hardest scene was one that hit me by surprise.  

          Andi has a ghost who has been hanging out in her apartment.  His name is Johnny and he was formerly Andi's upstairs tenant, before his untimely and suspicious death.  Truth be told, she really didn't like him when he was alive.  He was kind of a dork.  He dressed up in corny costumes (a habit he kept as a ghost) and played role playing games.  Andi just didn't get him.  But as a ghost he'd helped her through a bad period in her life, so their friendship had blossomed.  

        With that in mind, I had planned for him to stay with her.  

         So imagine my surprise when I found myself typing a scene where Johnny decides to cross over.  He'd finished the task that he'd stayed to do and now it was time for him to go.  I was shocked!  I cried as I typed.  I didn't want him to go, even as I knew it was the right thing for him.  I mourned with Andi.  

        I'd heard other authors say that their character's had minds of their own.  I'd experienced some of that myself.  But I'd never had a character go against my wishes and write themselves out of the story!  It was crazy!

UFR: Andi is a psychic in your book, have you ever been to a psychic? And if not what would you ask a psychic if you did go to see one?

TB: Actually, I have a bit of psychic in me.  I've known things before they happened.  They were never anything that I could have changed.  It always left me questioning the point.  Why know in advance if there's nothing that can be done?  I think that's why I gave Andi such negative views of her own gifts.

          But what would I ask a psychic?  Hmmm.... I'd probably ask the same questions that Andi gets so bored of hearing.  I'd ask questions about relationships and income.  Maybe, I'd ask if my next series (a paranormal thriller) will get a movie contract?  That sounds like something fun to know!   

          I believe most people want reassurance from psychics.  We want to know that our lives, and the lives of those we love, will be happy.

UFR: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

TB: I'm going to quote self-help expert Barbara Sher, because I completely agree with her:  Isolation is the dream killer.  

        It is very easy for authors to squirrel away in their own little worlds.  But to advance as a writer in today's world, you need others.  Network with other writers.  Create a community of writers to share your techniques, your fears and your dreams.  They will help you improve and grow, keep you going when you want to quit and cheer you on as you succeed.

UFR: Since we are all readers here, who are some of your favorite authors?

TB: That's so hard!  I could write such a long list.  Right now I'm really enjoying Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews as authors of urban fantasy.  They have very authentic characters with strong plots and a bit of romance and humor—my favorite combination!

          Some of my favorite authors outside of urban fantasy:

          Anne Bishop writes hauntingly beautiful fantasy books.  They are dark and complex, yet filled with so much hope.

          James Rollins is my favorite for action thrillers, because he often includes a dollop of paranormal.

          Elizabeth Peters will forever be my favorite mystery novelist.  Her Peabody character is the quintessential victorian damsel who can get herself in (and out of) any kind of distress.

          Gah!  There are so many!

UFR: This is the first book in the series, is there any hints you would like to give our audience for the sequel?

TB: I'm so excited that book two, Angel Unprepared, will be coming out in mid February.  We'll see Andi and Esteban getting closer, in unexpected ways.  She meets the leader of her people—a formidable woman who also happens to be Andi's great aunt.  Through her aunt, Andi discovers that someone from earth is murdering fae on one of the fairy worlds.  Andi is appointed to find out who.  Unfortunately for her, the murderer has a time traveling amulet.  So Andi must chase the culprit between worlds and through time.

          We'll learn a lot more about Andi's growing skills.  She'll also learn more about her own past and how unknown forces have influenced the course of her life.

UFR: Finally is there anything you would like potential or current readers of yours to know?

TB: February will be a big month.  Angel Unraveled is coming out as a print book in the beginning of the month.  I've just approved the cover art.  

          Angel Unprepared will be available as an ebook mid month.  Plus, there will be a free ebook of short stories about Esteban's adventures (outside of Andi's life) coming out at the end of February.  So stay tuned for that!

          I believe we'll also be giving away a free book of Angel Unraveled here on UF Reviews!

Thanks again for joining us here on Urban Fantasy Reviews, Tamela. It's been a great experience getting to know you and the characters a little better. And we will be doing a GIVEAWAY later on today when the review comes out so stay tuned for the review in just a couple of short hours!