*This title will be released on September 7, 2010*

Book Description

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

 Review

Book 1 in The Firelight Series

Sophie Jordan’s FIRELIGHT is about to do for dragons what Stephenie Meyer did for vampires. Dragons don’t get a lot of love in the paranormal YA genre (Carrie Vaughn’s recent Voices of Dragons is a rare exception) and I’m only just beginning to understand what a shame that is. 

Jacinda is a draki, an evolved dragon who has the ability to Demanifest and appear human.  Amongst her cult-like Pride, she is the only known fire draki, prized and guarded for a future she doesn’t want but cannot escape. When she steals a moment of freedom and comes face to face with a draki hunter, her mother seizes the opportunity to flee with Jacinda and her twin sister in order give them a chance at a new life.  In the human world. In high school.

Torn between a life amongst the controlling draki and one where her mother is forcing her to abandon that part of her forever, Jacinda begins to shut down.  The metaphor of her draki self forced to remain hidden underneath her human skin coupled with the discomfort and alienation she feels from most of her peers is one that every teenager can relate to.  And when her draki begins to whither inside her, it made perfect sense to me that Jacinda would be drawn to the one guy who brought that hidden part of her to life: Will, the hunter who saved her life.

The relationship between Jacinda and Will in FIRELIGHT reminded me a lot of the early relationship between Buffy and Angel except in the reverse where he is the hunter and she is the enemy.  They are drawn to each other despite knowing that their families are mortal enemies.  Their forbidden meetings, stolen kisses, and very real fear of discovery was a delicious drug that hooked me from the first chapter.

The FIRELIGHT mythology, while not as explored as I would have liked (I’m very curious to learn more about the nefarious enkros), was vivid and creative.  The draki are broken in up by various talents from the common Verda draki (plants/herbs) to the rare Shader (mist)draki.  I’m hoping that more will be divulged about the Pride in subsequent books.

The only bad thing about FIRELIGHT is the ending.  The cliffhanger is a killer!  I know that Sophie is planning more books in this series (see the video below) but so far info is scarce.  For my sanity and yours, I hope we get a sequel very, very soon.

Sexual Content: Kissing.

My Rating (out of 5):
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from FIRELIGHT

Previous books in the series:

1. N/A

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061935085
• ISBN-13: 978-0061935084
• Cover Art: N/A 

*Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of HarperTEEN

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• Review of Firelight by Sophie Jordan (themindfulmusingsbookblog.blogspot.com)

*Covers may not be final*

Everdark (Dark Ink Chronicles #2) by Elle Jasper

Publication Date/Publisher: 2011 by NAL/Signet-Eclipse.

Cover Artist: Oceana Gotlieb

Cover Source: Dark Faerie Tales

Author Comments:	My Thoughts:
WHOA! EVERDARK'S preliminary cover!!! Saa-WEET!!!! I totally love it!!!! I've requested a few changes (her eyes are green, and tattoo head o' dragon needs to be on opposite shoulder) but otherwise PERFECT!! Damn fine artists at NAL!!! - Elle	I’m in love with these covers.  The wash of color, the tattoos, the semi gothic background, everything!  Can’t wait to get my hands on this.

Previous Book in the Series:

Book Description:

About the series: Riley Poe leads the series as a gritty, unconventional tattoo artist-turned-undead-slayer after her younger brother is lured into a gang led by a pair of vicious Romanian vampires. In books 1,2,and 3, Riley, a dead-sexy guardian vampire named Eli Dupre, his undead family and Riley's surrogate grandparents-who are not only Gullah root doctors but hoodoo conjurers as well--stalk the underside of Savannah, Charleston, and a trip to the Old World as they track the deadly Arcos vampires to Romania. The story unfolds through Riley's eyes in first person where you learn of Riley's torrid past, her desires, and her fears as she falls hard for Eli, becomes Victorian Arcos' obsession, and struggles not to become the very thing she fights: a vampire.

Crossed (Void City #3) by J. F. Lewis

Publication Date/Publisher: January 25th 2011 by Pocket

Cover Artist: Gene Mollica

Cover Source: the league of reluctant adults

Author Comments:

My Thoughts:

This is not the final cover. Quotes and such may change, but I think the artwork side of things is going to remain the same. Gene did a great job of capturing Greta's look. I asked if he could be sure and make Greta look like she might actually kill something (given that she's hands down the character most likely to to go on a killing spree) and since I'm not allowed to have Eric (the male protagonist) on the cover, it was cool that they let my evil flesh-eating Mustang be on the cover again. He even worked in the bowling alley and Greta's pet skull! – J.F.

I kind of hate that the cover shows a woman when the main character is a guy (come on Pocket, Harry Dresden is allowed on his covers).  Still,it looks wicked cool. The skull in her hand is the perfect touch.

Previous Book in the Series:

Book Description:
Eric’s plan was simple: Marry Tabitha, his newest undead girlfriend, then kill his sire while honeymooning in Paris. But Eric’s already lousy memory is even further compromised by the machinations of his new bride’s little sister, Rachel, and he forgets about his honeymoon completely (not to mention the last twenty years). Unfortunately, Tabitha goes up against the True Immortal rulers of Europe so she can scour France for her missing husband, and Eric goes exactly the kind of berserk everyone has always feared he would…

Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians #1) by Dianne Duvall

Publication Date/Publisher: February 1st 2011 by Zebra

Cover Artist: N/A

Cover Source: Wicked Scribes

Author Comments:	My Thoughts:
N/A	I have such a hard time distinguishing one shirtless guy cover from the next…I could do without the Superman pose.

Previous Book in the Series:

N/A

Book Description:

In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts…where passion can last forever, if you’re willing to pay the price…
Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…
In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect…

On September 7, 2010 Sherrilyn Kenyon is releasing her 19th Dark-Hunter book, NO MERCY.  Don’t worry if you haven’t read all the previous books in the series.  Sherrilyn says, “As with all my series, they have recurring characters and do refer to events in past books, but each one is written with new readers in mind. So if you pick up in the middle of the series or skip around, you won't miss anything.” That means that everyone can enter the giveaway today, courtesy of Get Red PR.  All you have to do is tell me what’s your sanctuary?

Many a Kenyon fan has said that that they have found sanctuary in her books throughout the years. Her fans also know about The Sanctuary, the fictional New Orleans bar in the Dark-Hunter world. Avid readers will often say that books provide a great retreat…that the release of a new book from a favorite author can make one’s day…that there’s nothing better than suspending disbelief and allowing oneself to sink into a storyline or a fantasy world. We want to know what’s your sanctuary?

Dark-Hunter series

We are Darkness. We are Shadow.
We are the Rulers of the Night.
We, alone, stand between mankind and those who would see mankind destroyed. We are the Guardians.
The Soulless Keepers.
Our souls were cast out so that we would not forewarn the Daimons we pursue. By the time they see us coming, it's too late.
The Daimons and Apollites know us. They fear us. We are death to all those who prey upon the humans.
Neither Human, nor Apollite, we exist beyond the realm of the Living, beyond the realm of the Dead.
We are the Dark-Hunters.
And we are eternal.

1. #1 Night Pleasures (Kyrian & Amanda)
1. Fantasy Lover (Julian & Grace)
2. #2 Night Embrace (Talon & Sunshine)
3. #3 Dance With The Devil (Zarek & Astrid)
4. #4 Kiss of the Night (Wulf & Cassandra)
5. #5 Night Play (Vane & Bride)
6. #6 Seize the Night (Valerius & Tabitha)
7. #7 Sins of the Night (Alexion & Danger)
8. #8 Unleash the Night (Wren & Maggie)
9. #9 Dark Side of the Moon (Ravyn & Susan)
10. #10 The Dream-Hunter (Arik & Geary)
10. #11 Fear The Darkness (Nick)
11. #12 Upon the Midnight Clear (Aidan & Leta)
12. #13 Devil May Cry (Sin & Kat)
13. #14 Dream Chaser (Xypher & Simone)
14. #15 Acheron (Ash & Tory)
15. #16 One Silent Night (Stryker & Zephyra)
16. #17 Dream Warrior (Jericho & Delphine)
17. #18 Bad Moon Rising Collector's Edition (Fang & Aimee)
17. #18 Bad Moon Rising (Fang & Aimee)
18. #19 No Mercy (Dev & Sam)

Giveaway

Giveaway courtesy of Get Red PR

One copy of NO MERCY by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he’s seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.

The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from NO MERCY

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US only
2. Leave a comment that includes:
   1. What is your sanctuary?
   2. A way to contact you if you win
3. Entries must be received by Midnight MST on September 15th.

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Interested in offering a giveaway on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME

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• Review: Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon (allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com)

Trailer Alert!  Have you heard much about this book?  The cover is so lovely and I’m on a big angel kick right now.  What about you?  Are you interested in HALO?

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.

Is love a great enough power against evil?

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312656262
• ISBN-13: 978-0312656263

*This title will be released on September 7, 2010*

Book Description

"The Phoenix Project" by Jacquelyn Frank. Held captive, Amara is subjected to bizarre experiments that test the limits of her sanity. But nothing prepares her for being locked away - naked - with a sexy ex-cop...after they've been pumped full of drugs that increase their sexual appetites to animalistic intensity...

"Crystal Dreams" by Kate Douglas - When Lemurian Guard Darius chases a demon spirit to Earth, he faces a lethal battle between good and evil. His ally is Mari, a breathtakingly beautiful human who unknowingly holds the key to victory. But before the war is over, Darius' desire for his mortal companion threatens to erupt - and could cost Mari her life...

"Spark of Temptation" by Jess Haines - Blackmailed into taking a treacherous case, P.I. Sara Halloway is thrust into a demon war. Sara seeks guidance from a charismatic mage, but their hunger for one another soon becomes a deadly distraction...and the danger surrounding them only makes their urges more powerful...

"My Soul to Take" by Clare Willis - New Orleans native Dr. Maggie Dillon thought she left her past behind her - until she's enraptured by a handsome patient who has been possessed by a malevolent spirit. To find a cure, Colby revisits her magical roots - and unleashes a primal lust too vital to ignore...

 Review

I had never read anything by any of the authors in this anthology apart from Jess Haines, and apart from Jess’s story, I’m not likely to seek them out after reading their efforts in NOCTURNAL.  All in all, this is a very disjointed collection containing a hardcore erotic story, two paranormal romances, and an urban fantasy.

The Phoenix Project by Jacquelyn Frank was by far the most sexually explicit thing I have ever read. The story is 130 pages long and I would say that at least 120 of those pages were sex scenes.  The story itself, what little there was, was actually pretty interesting.  In a dystopian world, people are abducted from their homes, imprisoned, and used a lab rats until they die.  Amara and Nick are genetically altered and thrown into a room together naked.  They quickly discover an almost painfully animalistic need to mate, along with a few erotic alterations to their bodies. Lots, and lots, and lots of shockingly detailed graphic sex follows.  Hardcore erotica is really not the kind of thing I enjoy reading, so I’m feeling somewhat at a loss as to how to rate this one… ?/5 bats

By comparison, Crystal Dreams by Kate Douglas (100 pages), about inter-dimensional demons and the immortal warriors devoted to destroying them, was tame, although it also contains several long graphic sex scenes. When demons target a magic shop owner, the warrior vows to protect her and falls in lust, sorry love, along the way.  The world building was intriguing, but mostly wasting in this tale.  Worse, neither character was particularly strong. Darius was tired as the stoic warrior who succumbs to a pretty face, and Mari wasn’t half as sparkling as the crystals she sold…2/5 bats

Spark of Temptation by Jess Haines (102 pages) was the reason I wanted to read this anthology and it didn't disappoint. Focusing on two supporting characters from Jess's excellent urban fantasy debut Hunted By The Others, this story picks up at the end of the previous book while Shiarra is still recovering in the hospital and shows us how her investigating partner Sara and the mage Arnold got together.  This is a solid urban fantasy in a complex world of recently revealed Others (non-humans), with likable characters, paranormal peril, and one super sexy vampire.  Unlike the other three stories in NOCTURNAL, this one is subtly sexy without any actual sex…4/5 bats

The last story, My Soul to Take by Clare Willis (starts on 333) involves a doctor in a psychiatric ward and her possible possessed suicidal patient.  It can be difficult to establish a credible romance in short stories, but I almost feel like this story didn’t even try.  Within seconds of meeting each other the characters are making out declaring their love only pages later. There is also a side plot where the doctor tries to reconnect with her sister after years of estrangement following the suicide of their mother, but again it fell flat…2/5 bats

Sexual Content: From obscenely graphic erotica in one story, only references to sex in another, and everything in between.

My Rating (out of 5):
Okay – Somewhat disappointing with significant flaws.  Library/swap/borrow if you want.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from NOCTURNAL

Product Details

Paperback: 532 pages

Publisher: Zebra (September 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1420109871

ISBN-13: 978-1420109870

Cover Art: N/A 

*Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Jess Haines

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Disagree with my review?  Contact me with your review for this or any other book I’ve reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review.