*This title will be released on June 7, 2011*

Title: Nightfall Author: Ellen Connor  Series: Dark Age Dawning #1 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal Romance Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Berkley Trade (June 7, 2011) ISBN-10: 0425241696 ISBN-13: 978-0425241691 Sexual Content: A few graphic sex scenes. Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

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Description

First in a stunning new post-apocalyptic paranormal romance trilogy.

Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought in her wildest nightmares that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her-one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna's father. Skilled and steadfast, he's ready for the prophesied Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and mutant dogs attack-vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.

When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion-a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.

Review

NIGHTFALL is the first in a new Paranormal Romance trilogy from Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty (who combined Ellen Ripley from Alien and Sarah Connor from The Terminator to create their pen name Ellen Connor).  Co-writers can be hit or miss for me.  Ilona and Gordon Andrews, and also Clay and Susan Griffith combine the strengths of both writers to produce books that are better than one writer could pen by themselves. But others tend to be a clash of ideas that produce uneven stories.  NIGHTFALL lands right in the middle of that spectrum.

The story grabbed me right away.  The world is slowly changing, succumbing to a devastating ‘Change’ that  defies explanation.  The death of technology begins crawling across our country.  People push further and further west to escape it.  Rumors and speculations run rampant.  Desperate new governments emerge, but the world as we know it still ends.  Mason, one of the few who knows what’s coming, literally kidnaps Jenna and flees with her.  He plans to hole up with her in a remote cabin while the first wave of devastation hits.  

After that killer setup, the plot didn’t develop quite the way I expected for a paranormal romance.  Just when things are about to explode between Jenna and Mason, a group of new characters got dumped into the mix.  I resented them for their intrusion, specifically the sulky teen, Tru, and it took me a long time to adjust to everyone.   If you’ve watched the first season of The Walking Dead, NIGHTFALL is very reminiscent the the last few episodes of the season.  A ragtag group of survivors end up in a bunker with a doctor and try and survive the end of the world. 

Overall, NIGHTFALL was a fun fast read, combining thrilling danger and steamy romance in a magical post-apocalyptic world.  Some of the supporting characters grate at times and I do wish the sudden introduction of magic into our world had been explained more, but the two leads were perfectly matched and their love story was  exciting from start to finish.  I’m already looking forward to the next two Dark Age Dawning books which will both be released later this year and feature characters introduced in NIGHTFALL.  MIDNIGHT in September, and then concluding with DAYBREAK in December. 

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
N/A	Genre Go Round Reviews theJeepDiva

I received the next task to complete in The Nine Paths to Chloe King game.  If you missed the first task post and explanation of how to play the game, you can read about it here along with how to claim a limited edition Circle charm.

Path #2:

Starts with an email from a Mai that included this picture along with three questions to answer:

What is the ancient Egyptian name for this statue?
I love Egyptology, so I recognized this as cat goddess Bastet.

What very warm and bright star did ancient Egyptians originally connect to this statue?
A quick Wikipedia search revealed Bastet as a solar deity, so the second answer is Sun.

What city in Egypt contained a "cult" that was dedicated to the Goddess connected to this statue?
More searching on Wikipedia disclosed the city as Bubastis.

 

We are then supposed to combine all three words and search Youtube and we get a video titled:

Bastet, great Goddess of Bubastis, shines the Sun upon the Nine Paths to The Uniter!

You have arrived at the end of the Second Path, Circle! We were confident you would find your way! Please play the Mai Video above. It will reveal several truths you need to know about The Uniter and Mai. You are encouraged to share this Video and its contents with your followers. The time has come for the world to know our story. It is vital that the Mai obtain a list of our allies before we point the way to upcoming Paths. Please leave us a short message below and declare your commitment to find The Uniter. Good work, Circle!

 

Can’t wait for the next path.  Stay tuned!

Giveaway provided by Alayna Williams via Bewitching Book Tours

One winner will receive both DARK ORACLE & ROGUE ORACLE by Alayna williams

 

DARK ORACLE (Delphic Oracle #1) is available now from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Read an excerpt here.

DARK ORACLE is a scientific, paranormal read that takes readers on a wild chase. A subtle romance lends to the entertainment this read offers. Tara is a strong female who has many stories till waiting to be told. An interesting new series that is not quite like anything else! (4 stars)  -RT Book Reviews

Dark Oracle is a lot of fun. -Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine, December 2010

Can an oracle change the future she sees?

Tara Sheridan swore off criminal profiling years ago. By combining Tarot card divination with her own intuition, she narrowly escaped the grasp of a serial killer who left her scarred for life. She put down her cards and withdrew from work and society. Now, Sophia, a member of an ancient secret society connected to the mythic Delphic Oracle, asks Tara to find a missing scientist who has unlocked the destructive secrets of dark energy. Tara resists— she fears reawakening her long-buried talents and blames Sophia’s Daughters of Delphi for the death of her mother. But, grudgingly, she agrees to search for the missing scientist, Lowell Magnusson.

Tara travels to Las Alamos National Laboratory, the location of Magnusson’s disappearance. She meets the serious, impatient, and highly attractive Agent Harry Li— and re-encounters her old partner, Richard Corvus. Corvus is now chief of the Special Projects Division, a position Tera might have held, had she not dropped out of investigative work. Corvus considers Tara mentally imbalanced and not to be trusted— but it may be Corvus who is untrustworthy.

Tara’s investigation and Tarot cards tell her Magnusson’s daughter, Cassie, may hold the key to her father’s plans, and that they both are in grave danger. Meanwhile, Corvus and the Daughters of Delphi have their own plans...and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

 

ROGUE ORACLE (Delphic Oracle #2) is available now from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Read an excerpt HERE

Alayna Williams writes with power and poetry, combining old mythos with complete ass-kickery. You don’t want to miss this series.   -National bestselling author Ann Aguirre

The more you know about the future, the more there may be to fear.

Tara Sheridan is the best criminal profiler around - and the most unconventional. Trained as a forensic psychologist, Tara also specializes in Tarot card reading. But she doesn't need her divination skills to realize that the new assignment from her friend and sometime lover, Agent Harry Li, is a dangerous proposition in every way.

Former Cold War operatives, all linked to a top-secret operation tracking the disposal of nuclear weapons in Russia, are disappearing. There are no bodies, and no clues to their whereabouts. Harry suspects a conspiracy to sell arms to the highest bidder. The cards - and Tara's increasingly ominous dreams - suggest something darker. Even as Tara sorts through her feelings for Harry and her fractured relationships with the mysterious order known as Delphi's Daughters, a killer is growing more ruthless by the day. And a nightmare that began decades ago in Chernobyl will reach a terrifying endgame that not even Tara could have foreseen…

Alayna Williams has an MA in sociology-criminology (research interests: fear of crime and victimology) and a BA in criminology. She has worked in and around criminal justice since 1997. Although she does read Tarot cards, she's never used them in criminal profiling or to locate lost scientists. She recently took up astronomy, but for the most part her primary role in studying constellations and dark matter is to follow her amateur astronomer-husband around central Ohio toting the telescope tripod and various lenses. Like the Pythia in Dark Oracle, she's been known to belly dance. Unlike the Pythia she'd never consider herself a professional Writing as Laura Bickle, she's the author of EMBERS & SPARKS. Writing as Alayna Williams, she's the author of DARK ORACLE & ROGUE ORACLE. More info on her urban fantasy and general nerdiness is HERE

 

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open Internationally

2. Leave a comment that includes a way to contact you if you win

3. The winner will be announced on June 7th

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

Thank you all for entering this giveaway for a copy of Abithica by Susan Goldsmith and to Susan for providing it.

The winner (chosen by Random.org) is…

Melanie L.

I would love to read this. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you soon.  Please respond with your address within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

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Didn’t win?  Buy your own copy of Abithica by Susan Goldsmith

  

Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield 

Description: The end of the world was just the beginning. Civilization has fallen, leaving California an unforgiving, decimated place. But Cass Dollar beat terrible odds to get her missing daughter back—she and Ruthie will be happy. Yet with the first winter, Cass is reminded that happiness is fleeting in Aftertime. Ruthie retreats into silence. Flesh-eating Beaters still dominate the landscape. And Smoke, Cass’s lover and strength, departs on a quest for vengeance, one that may end him even if he returns. More…   No Author Available.

Series: Aftertime #2 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Luna Books Release Date: July 19, 2011 Source: Tor.com Urban Fantasy’s Facebook
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This one is a little bit too much like the first one, if I didn’t look at them side by side I would have though they just changed the color.  A good over all theme for the series, though.	I love how stark this cover is.  It really suites the tone of the series.  The green is a nice switch too.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     No Hero by Jonathan Wood 

Description: "What would Kurt Russell do?" Oxford police detective Arthur Wallace asks himself that question a lot. Because Arthur is no hero. He's a good cop, but prefers that action and heroics remain on the screen, safely performed by professionals. But then, secretive government agency MI12 comes calling, hoping to recruit Arthur in their struggle against the tentacled horrors from another dimension known as the Progeny. But Arthur is NO HERO!   Can an everyman stand against sanity-ripping cosmic horrors?   Of all the little odds and ends involved in getting No Hero from typo-riddled manuscript I banged out on the train to finished book, receiving images on the various states of the cover is still my favorite. It somehow makes everything seem more real. – Jonathan Wood

Series: N/A Artist: Erik Gist Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Night Shade Books Release Date: July 19, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover reminds me of Gini Koch’s Kitty Katt series cover art, in the best possible way.  I love how this cover so obviously introduces characters and parts of the story, very well done.	I had the same thought about Koch’s series. And I totally agree about how nicely each character is introduced.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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     Lightbringer by D.D. McEntire 

Description: For ages twelve and up, Lightbringer is a YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance set in a world a breath away from our own. Similar in tone to Tithe by Holly Black and Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz, Lightbringer tiptoes down the line between love and horror with the tale of a young girl discovering love with a long-dead ghost.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: Sam Weber Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Pyr Release Date: December 13, 2011 Source: Tor.com Urban Fantasy’s Facebook
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover is a mix of good and bad for me.  It’s over all a bit too washed out for my liking (which may just be the digital image), but I love the skeletal chandelier in the background.  It seems odd to see a girl so young with tattoos all over her chest, but perhaps that’s plot appropriate.  On the whole, I give it a thumbs up.	The skeleton chandelier is about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on a YA cover.  I just keep staring at it…

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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      Brightest Kind of Darkness by P. T. Michelle 

(Click to enlarge) No pre-order available.

Description: Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore. After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate. More… I’m excited to share the cover for my YA Brightest Kind of Darkness. What do you think? – P. T. Michelle

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: ?? Release Date: July 2011 Source: Odd Shots
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I thought I was over girls in ball gowns, but the color in this one really caught my eye.  After a closer look, I could swear you see a hint of a bare foot behind the title… *swoon*, love it!	This reminds me of Fall in Pennsylvania.  Really beautiful.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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   Sperpent’s Kiss by Thea Harrison 

Description: In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, a Queen on the brink of sanity has no one to rely on except the Wyr warrior whose conviction is every bit as strong as his passion… In order to save his friend's life, Wyr sentinel Rune Ainissesthai made a bargain with Vampyre Queen Carling—without knowing what she would ask from him in return. But when Rune attempts to make good on his debt, he finds a woman on the edge. Recently, Carling's Power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee in fear. Despite the danger, Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help her find a cure for the serpent's kiss—the vampyric disease that's killing her. More…   I’m delighted to post the gorgeous cover for SERPENT’S KISS! – Thea Harrison

Series: Elder Races #3 Artist: Kim Killion Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Berkley Release Date: October 4, 2011 Source: Author’s Facebook Photos
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I loved DRAGON BOUND so much, I’d be picking up SERPENT’S KISS no matter what the cover (and in the case of STORM’S HEART, the cover really did need a boost).  I think the arrangement and man on this one is wonderful, however.  I love his fitted t-shirt (not too muscular, not too naked).  Just super hot.	Soooo much better than the two previous covers.  This one has nice warm colors and  I love the griffin graphic.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski 

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Description: "You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies." Twelve-year-old Jenny has spent the last two years as an adventurer helping magical kingdoms around the universe. But it's a thankless job, leaving her no time for school or friends. She'd almost rather take a math test than rescue yet another magical creature! When Jenny is sent on yet another mission, she has a tough choice to make: quit and have her normal life back, or fulfill her promise and go into a battle she doesn't think she can win.   Yay! I'm so glad my book finally has a face! – Anna Staniszewski

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky Release Date: November 1, 2011 Source: The Elevensies
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The cover is too cutesy for my taste, but the blurb sounds interesting.  I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for this one.	Yep. Cuteness vomited all over this cover.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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      Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart 

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Description: I wanted to turn but I was held captive by the song on the wind. I’m coming, I told the voices. Please, wait for me. When her sister becomes betrothed to a prince in a northern nation, Zeraphina’s only consolations are that her loyal animal companions are by her side – and that her burning hunger to travel north is finally being sated. Already her black hair and pale eyes mark her out as different, but now Zeraphina must be even more careful to keep her secret safe. Craving blood is not considered normal behaviour for anyone, let alone a princess.  More…   I'm so happy with the cover and can't wait to meet it in person. – Rhiannon Hart

Series: Lharmell #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Random House Australia Release Date: September 1, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Wow, what a study in contrasts.  The skirt so red it’s black, the gorgeous highlighting over her collarbones… I’m not sure if it all quite matches the amber title and the hawk, but they certainly create a striking effect.  I’m a fan.	The colors are so rich.  It looks like an oil painting.  Beautiful.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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     Vacation with a Vampire… and Other Immortals by Maggie Shayne & Maureen Child 

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Description: Let's face it—vacation is great! We could all use a warm summer night on a beach, the sand still hot from the sun, with the moon rising on the horizon. If it could be paired with a handsome, sexy man—an immortal man—wouldn't that be the icing on the cake? Nothing says holiday quite like a walk in paradise with a gorgeous vampire...or spending a twilight eve with a charismatic Highlander. And the best part? While you may get a sexy bite or two, it's guaranteed that you won't get a sunburn! Don't be afraid to dip your toes into these two seductive and enthralling stories from Maggie Shayne and Maureen Child. Come on in and leave your cares behind....   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Harlequin Nocturne #115 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Harlequin Release Date: June 21, 2011 Source: LovLivLife Reviews
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Cute guy, pretty beach, forgettable cover.	Too generic.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Soul Bound by Mari Mancusi 

(Click to enlarge) Pre-order Not Yet Available

Description: Sunny McDonald and her vampire boyfriend Magnus are on the run—accused of treason and wanted alive…or undead. And her own twin sister is the slayer sent to track them down. Rayne would do anything to save her sister Sunny from the Vampire Consortium dictator who wants her dead. Instead, she’s been commissioned by Slayer Inc. to bring her twin back for justice…which Rayne knows means certain death. She also knows that if she and her boyfriend Jareth go against orders, they’re not only signing their own death warrants, but those of every vampire in the Blood Coven. More…   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Blood Coven #7 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Berkley Release Date: March 2012 Source: LovLivLife Reviews
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
For a simple cover, this one manages to be very eerie.  The crackled overlay on her shoulder, combined with her expression, give the impression of creeping decay.	I like the cracked effect too.  It looks like she’s breaking apart.  Very intriguing.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Devoted by Hilary Duff 

Description: Description: Since Sage was kidnapped, Clea has no way of knowing if he is alive or dead. And even though she has only just discovered they were soulmates, she feels like a part of her is lost forever. What’s worse, she can’t even turn to her best friend Ben—because every time she looks at him, all she sees is his betrayal. But waiting for something to happen is not an option, so Clea is ready for action. Suffering through dreams of seeing Sage with another woman, she makes an uneasy alliance with Sage’s enemies and sets out to be reunited with Sage . . . in this life or the next.   No Author Comments Available.

Series: Elixir #2 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Simon & Schuster Release Date: October 11, 2011 Source: Life After Twilight
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
A very different feel from ELIXIR, I prefer this cover immensely.  The movement of the model’s hair and the detail of the necklace are lovely (and I’m hoping for Abigail’s sake that the necklace actually shows up in the book!).	Ha, ha Is it wrong that I like the covers to make sense with the story? This necklace is beautiful, where can I get an orchid pendant like this?

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos 

(Click to enlarge) Pre-order not yet available.

Description: All was perfect in Julia’s life until Nicholas had his vampire blood-lust activated by his mother Alora, her immortal enemy, turning him evil and bent on revenge. Heartbroken and out of choices, Phil and Julia ran away in the middle of the night, with Scarlett on foot, to Orange County to warn and plead Nicholas’ Godfather for help. Once arriving at Harry’s though, the local coven accosted them and they narrowly escaped. After they returned home, there was a huge showdown between Phil, Nicholas, Scarlett, Alora, Katie and Julia. Alora almost got what she wanted—Julia’s vampire warding talisman—but Preston, Nicholas’ father, and Harry came to the rescue. They escorted Nicholas and Alora back to Beverly Hills, pledging to return Nicholas free from his blood-lust.   More…   “Drum roll..... tada! Squee!!!” – Brenda Pandos

Series: Talisman #3 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing Release Date: November 16th 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I would have liked this cover more if they let the lovely “Onyx” graphic have all the focus, rather than included a faded necklace in the background.  I think they were just fighting about what color to make that same damn necklace for “onyx”, and gave up and faded it.  Give it up, series continuity be damned!	I haven’t read this series yet, but the author said that the faded necklace had a significant connection to the story.  I appreciate knowing that.  The cover is just okay for me otherwise.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     Southern Gods by John Horner Jacobs 

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Description: Recent World War II veteran Bull Ingram is working as muscle when a Memphis DJ hires him to find Ramblin' John Hastur. The mysterious blues man's dark, driving music - broadcast at ever-shifting frequencies by a phantom radio station - is said to make living men insane and dead men rise.  More…   “Behold, the absolutely stunning (and preliminary - they asked me to say that) cover art for Southern Gods.  I cannot be happier about it. The folks at Night Shade have really outdone themselves with this one. My thanks to them all.” – John Hornor Jacobs

Series: N/A Artist: Rodrigo Luff Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Night Shade Books Release Date: August 16, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Definitely working the horror angle, very creepy.	So cool. The chill, southern vibe is so strong. Perfect for the story.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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