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- I've moved...
- Review: Dangerous Proposition by Jessica Lauryn
- Pardon the Interruption!
- Review: Making It Last by Ruthie Knox
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Winners
- Review: The Midnight Breed Series Companion by Lar...
- Author Guest Post & Giveaway: Sidney Bristol
- Review: A Spy to Die For by Kris DeLake
- Review: Return of the Fae by Lynn Cahoon
- Review: A Cursed Embrace by Cecy Robson
- Review: A Marine Affair by Heather Long
- Review: Tempting a Devil by Samantha Kane
- Review: The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk
- Saturday Conversations 07/13/2013 - UF Celebration...
- Author Guest Post: Tracy Cooper-Posey
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Cassie Al...
- Review: Enthralled Anthology
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Amanda Ca...
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Kristen P...
- Review: Kiss Across Chains by Tracy Cooper-Posey
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Ilona And...
- Review: Fangs for Nothing by Erin McCarthy & Kathy...
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Suzanne J...
- Saturday Conversations 07/06/2013 - Overheard at R...
- Review: Dire Desires by Stephanie Tyler
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Darynda J...
- Happy Fourth!
- Book Spotlight: The Missing by Shiloh Walker
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-ML Brennan
- Review: Spartan Frost by Jennifer Estep
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Jennifer ...
- Review: After Dark by Gena Showalter & Kait Ballenger
- Author Guest Post: Kait Ballenger
- Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration
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original images by marin & papaija2008 at FreeDigitalPhotos.com
banner designed by Jennifer from Books Make Me Happy
Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration-Ilona Andrews
July 31 Murder by the Book – Houston, TX @ 6:30pm
August 1 Book People – Austin, TX @ 7pm
August 3 Mysterious Galaxy – San Diego, CA @ 2pm
- One (1) copy of the upcoming title, Magic Rises and one (1) copy of the first title in the Kate Daniels series, Magic Bites.
- A set of Kate books to include: Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, and Magic Bleeds plus Gunmetal Magic
- Two (2) additional copies (two winners) of Gunmetal Magic
UF Summer Reading Celebration Giveaways:
7/8: Suzanne Johnson, signed copy of winner's choice Sentinels of New Orleans book + swag
7/5: Darynda Jones, signed copy of winner's choice Charley Davidson book
7/3: ML Brennan, signed copy of Generation V
Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration
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| original images by marin & papaija2008 at FreeDigitalPhotos.com banner designed by Jennifer from Books Make Me Happy |
July 2: Guest blogger, Liza from Blogging by Liza is going to share her love for the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep. In addition Ms. Estep is donating a signed copy of Deadly Sting for the giveaway. Details HERE.
July 11: Once again, I’m up and I’ll be talking about the action-packed Jessica McClain series by Amanda Carlson. Ms. Carlson is donating a signed copy of Hot Blooded for the giveaway. Details HERE.NOTE: All winners will be announced on July 20, 2013!
Year in Review - 2012
7) It seems that every year there is at least one big book in a long-running series, one that everyone can’t wait to read (can anyone say Qhuay 2013?!). In 2012, there were two such books for me. First was the climatic conclusion to the (first story arc of) Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian, and a book for the long-tormented hero, Chase. We finally got to read his book, Darker After Midnight, and it did NOT disappoint! Not only did the book chronicle Chase’s journey of redemption and love, it also ended with an amazing twist that will completely reboot the series when it returns in February 2013. 2012 also was the year that Paris finally finds love in The Lords of the Underworld! Gena Showalter’s keeper of Promiscuity, Paris, has been pining for Sienna since the beginning of the series, and in The Darkest Seduction, Paris finally finds peace.
5) URBAN FANTASY! When I look back at 2012, I realize that I have been reading a lot more urban fantasy titles and really enjoying them (even a bit more than PNR!). My favorites are ones that have a strong heroine, who may be flawed but believes in herself and those around her, coupled with some romance. Long-time favorites like Kate Daniels (and her partner Andrea, who was the main character in one of my favorite books, Gunmetal Magic), Janet Begay (Stormwalker series), Victory Vaughn (Deadtown series) and Madeline Black (Black Wings series), were joined this year by new-to-me characters like Gin Blanco (Elemental Assassins), Kit Colbana (Colbana Files), Drusilla Jaco (Sentinels of New Orleans), and Justine Jones (The Disillusionists).
Review: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
About the book:
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What I’m talking about:
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Kate smirked.
“What?”
“Your horse looks pink.”
“So?”
“If you paste some stars on her butt, you’ll be riding My Little Pony.”
“Bugger off.” I patted the mare’s neck. “Don’t listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way.”
“Strawberry shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you.”
I looked at her from under half-lowered eyelids. “I can shoot you right here, on this road, and nobody will ever find your body.”
My Rating:
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What Makes a Good Gateway Book?
A twitter discussion about both Fifty Shades and Twilight with @CarolynCrane and @KatiD prompted the question of what makes a good gateway (or introductory) book? You need something that is well-written and easy to follow. A gateway/introductory book should epitomize the genre without being too hard core. You don’t want to scare away a potential fan before they get used to the genre!
For Urban Fantasy, my go-to series is the Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews. It’s just amazing! And after railroading through the Disillusionists Series by Carolyn Crane earlier this year, I’ve added that to my “gateway” books list.
Sunday Snippet #95
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Ilona Andrews (please note it is an unedited advance reader copy – a gift from Ilona to her fans)
25 December 2011
Jim sighed and headed toward us at a brisk pace.
Tall, with the skin the color of rich coffee, and dressed all in black, Jim looked like he was carved from a block of solid muscle. Logic said that at some point he must’ve been a baby and then a child, but looking at him one was almost convinced that some deity touched the ground with its scepter and proclaimed, “There shall be a badass,” and Jim sprung into existence, fully formed, complete with clothes, and ready for action. He was the alpha of Clan Cat, pack’s Chief of Security, and Curran’s best friend.
He braked near us.
“Have you vetted the Wolves of the Isle yet?” Curran asked.
“No.”
“Who are the Wolves of the Isle?” I asked.
“It’s a small pack from Florida Keys,” Curran said. “Eight people. They’re petitioning to join us and for some odd reason our Security Chief is dragging his feet on the background checks.”
Jim waved the stack of paper in his hand. “The Security Chief has two thefts, four murders, and an abandonment of post to deal with.”
“Murders?” I asked.
Jim nodded.
“I gave my word to the wolves,” Curran said.
“I’m not opposed to admitting them.” Jim spread his arms. “All I’m saying is let me make sure people we have are safe before we add any more to them. By the way, Kate, did you review the Guild documents I sent you?”
Deflecting the attention, are we? I gave him my tough stare. It bounced off Jim like hail from the pavement. “Somewhat. I was busy.”
“See?” Jim pointed to me. “Your mate is doing the same thing I’m doing. Prioritizing.”
I would get him for this. Oh, yes.
Curran looked at Jim. “Do you need my help with the background checks?”
A muscle in Jim’s face jerked. “No, I’ve got it.”
Ha! He didn’t want Curran in his hair either. “Don’t worry, he’s coming with me to investigate things.”
“In the city?” Jim asked.
“Yes.”
“That’s a great idea. You both should go. To the city.”
Curran and I looked at each other.
“He’s trying to get rid of us,” I said.
“You think he’s planning a coup?” Curran wondered.
“I hope so.” I turned to Jim. “Is there any chance you’d overthrow the tyrannical Beast Lord and his psychotic Consort?”
“Yeah, I want a vacation,” Curran said.
Jim leaned toward us and said in a lowered voice, “You couldn’t pay me enough. This is your mess, you deal with it. I have enough on my plate.”
He walked away.
“Too bad,” Curran said.
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