29 July 2011

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Sarah Jane Stratford’s Rome from Mors & a chance to win THE MOONLIGHT BRIGADE**

Of all the wonderful, exciting places we’ve visited during Deadly Destinations, I couldn’t wait to set foot in the lost island of Atlantis, the setting from Alyssa Day's Warriors of Poseidon series.  This isn’t my first trip to Atlantis.  I visited earlier this summer and got hooked.  VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, the seventh book in the series is available now, and, thanks to the wonderful people at Berkley Publishing, three of you who comment on this post will win a copy of the book!  See details below


Tourist guide to Atlantis - Top 5 Dos and Don'ts
by
Alyssa Day

Tourist guide to Atlantis - Top 5 Dos and Don'ts - courtesy of Alyssa Day

Welcome to the lost continent! Of course, we were never lost, just hiding.  Your submarines and satellite imagery made things interesting for a while, but magic always trumps science, especially when wielded by 500 year old high priests with enough power to drown the world.  Here are a few simple rules to get you started.

1.  Don't act like a tourist.  The Seven Isles are full of warriors and, well, they'll mock you.  Brutally.  Example: when Daniel, an 11,000 year old vampire first set foot in Atlantis:

Vampire in AtlantisFor the first time, he took the time to look around at his surroundings and saw the two fallen guards lying unconscious on the ground, but when he looked up to ask her about it, the sight in front of him stunned him to speechlessness for several seconds.

“What?” She snapped.  “I didn’t kill them, if that’s what you’re thinking, although now that you’re a nightwalker, can’t you hear their heartbeats to confirm my claim?”

He pointed, still unable to form words.  At the dome.  The freaking glass dome that surrounded them as far as he could see—and the deep, dark blue currents of the ocean beyond it.  A dark form swam past, and a single giant eye blinked at him

“Is that . . . is that a whale?” He stared, feeling like his eyes would bug out of his head at any minute as it finally hit him.  “Are we . . . are we in Atlantis?

She rolled her eyes, apparently a timeless gesture.  “Where else would we be?  Now move.”

Excerpt from Vampire in Atlantis, by Alyssa Day.

2.  Be prepared for the unexpected.  On the bright side, it's usually Tall, Dark, and Delicious.  Archaeologist Keely handled this gracefully on her first sight of Atlantis (and a very dangerous situation):

Atlantis Unleashed (Warriors of Poseidon, #3)A flicker of light in their peripheral vision was their only warning before the Atlantean portal, situated exactly on the opposite side of the marble entry platform from the dark window, began to shiver and elongate into its usual ovoid sphere.

Threatened on both sides with possible danger, Alexios ran to position himself in front of Tiernan, daggers unsheathed.  Prince Conlan and his warriors drew weapons and Alaric called power, standing in a nimbus of silvery green energy, as Justice drew ever closer on one side of the group, and two people came through the Atlantean portal on the other.

Alexios recognized Liam, one of the most dangerously effective of Poseidon’s warriors, leading yet another human female.  This one had blazing red hair and the most intensely green eyes he’d ever seen on a human, and she was dressed casually, clutching a worn backpack to her chest with, oddly enough, gloved hands.  Liam’s head was turned to her as they crossed the portal.  “Welcome to Atlantis, Dr. McDermott,”  he said.

The woman’s stunning eyes widened and her jaw tightened but, to her credit, she gave no other sign of alarm at the sight of several armed warriors and one half-naked woman.  She simply blinked once, held up a hand and waved, and then glanced up at Liam.  "Well.  I have to admit, McHottie, this is one of my more interesting welcome parties."

-Excerpt from Atlantis Unleashed

3.  Remember that palace balconies can make for some very interesting places to . . . do whatever you want, as infamous cat burglar Lady Fiona found out:

Atlantis Betrayed (Warriors of Poseidon, #6)Christophe did live in a palace.  The view from the balcony was stupendous.

She ran across the room and opened the glass and crystal paned doors.  “Oh, Christophe.  This is absolutely magnificent.”

He followed more slowly, enjoying the view of her lovely round bottom as she bent over the waist-high barrier and looked down.  “The gardens are lovely from here, too.  What a wonderful place to live.  You are so lucky.”

He fitted his body against hers from behind and put his arms around her.  “You live in a mansion, my ninja.  You’re pretty lucky, yourself.”

“We survived a vampire attack,” she reminded him.  “That’s pretty lucky.”

“That’s skill.  Not my first vampire attack, either.”  He kissed his way down the side of her neck, enjoying her shivers, and then he slowly reached around in front of her and unfastened her silk trousers.

“Christophe,” she gasped, capturing his hand.  “What are you doing?  Someone could see.”

“Not unless they can see through walls, and there’s not a single recorded incidence of that in the history of Atlantis.”  He pointed to the walls dividing his balcony from its neighbors and then to the solid barrier that covered her completely from toes to just under her waist.

“Nobody can see me do this, for example,” he whispered in her ear as he slid his hand down her silken belly to . . .[edited for TOO HOT FOR BLOG content!]"

- Excerpt from Atlantis Betrayed

4.  Never, ever expect a vacation fling to end lightly . . . or at all.  Atlantean warriors are very possessive once they've reached the soul-meld with their destined mate.

5.  And, finally, take your camera and lots and lots and lots of film.  Or many, many SD cards for your digital camera.  From the deep blue ocean currents swirling past the dome to the crystal and marble spires and pillars of the palace and temples, to the profusion of exotic and never-before-seen flowers in the palace gardens, Atlantis is a feast for the senses and, once you travel there, you will never, ever want to leave.

Thank you for visiting Atlantis.  Now, walk this way, please.  We're walking, we're walking . . .

-----------------------------------

About Alyssa Day

Alyssa Day

Alyssa Day is the pen name (and dark and tortured alter ego) of RITA award-winning author Alesia Holliday. As Alyssa, she writes the New York Times best-selling Warriors of Poseidon series, and watch for the upcoming League of the Black Swan series.  You can find her at http://www.alyssaday.com or on Face book  or Twitter, where she spends far too much time pretending it's research.

Her Warriors of Poseidon novels are published by Penguin books, under the Berkley imprint.  Atlantis Rising was the first of the series, and was featured on the cover of the March, 2007, issue of Romantic Times BOOKClub magazine.   All of the Warriors of Poseidon novels have rocked the bestseller lists and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday book clubs.  The Warriors novels follow High Prince Conlan of Atlantis and his elite warriors as they protect humanity, save the world, and find amazing human women to fall in love with.  (No mermaids, gills, or fish tails; these warriors are 100% pure alpha male!).

Alyssa’s exciting new project is an urban fantasy series coming soon that combines her love of the paranormal with a hot contemporary setting, and she’s so excited to share it with you.  Deets coming soon!

Visit Alyssa Day online:
Website|Blog|Facebook|Twitter

Want to read more from Alyssa Day?

Atlantis Rising Wild Thing (Includes: Warriors... Atlantis Awakening Shifter (Includes: Warriors of... Atlantis Unleashed Atlantis Unmasked Atlantis Redeemed Atlantis Betrayed Vampire in Atlantis


Giveaway provided by Berkley Sensations

3 copies of VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS by Alyssa Day

Vampire in Atlantis (Warriors of Poseidon, #7) 
Available now from Berkley Sensations

Description:

The most unexpected of all allies to Poseidon’s warriors has proven to be the fiercest—Daniel, a vampire and Night Guild mage. But even the strongest alliance can be destroyed when an 11,000 year-old desire is reborn…

A vampire’s oath, a maiden’s quest…

Daniel, vampire and ally of the Warriors of Poseidon, has fought on the side of humanity—even against his fellow creatures of the night—for more than 11,000 years.  But the crushing weight of futility and the reality of always being starkly, utterly alone has forced him to finally give into despair. He took the first step into the sunlight that would destroy him—and instead walked into Atlantis.

And the blackest of magic that could consume them both…

Eleven thousand years ago, Serai was one of a group who agreed to be placed into magical stasis to ensure the future of the Atlantean race. When a dark sorceress steals the gemstone that protects her sleeping sisters, she awakens to a vastly changed world—and the one man she could never, ever forget. And with an ancient evil tracking their every step, the long-lost lovers must battle both the darkest of magic and the treacheries of their own hearts.

Read an excerpt | Read our review

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Giveaway Guidelines

  1. Open to US/CA addresses only. No P.O. Boxes

  2. Leave a comment for Alyssa & a way to contact you unless it’s listed in your profile

  3. All Deadly Destinations winners will be announced on August 7th

  4. See our Giveaway Policy if you have any questions


    Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

    28 July 2011

    **Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Vicki Pettersson’s Las Vegas & a chance to win THE NEON GRAVEYARD**

    I. Love. This. Series.  Greek Mythology, heaven and hell, smokin’ hot male Sirens, and one of the coolest protagonists in UF.  I’m talking about Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series, which continues on August 30th from Pocket Books with THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES. Charlie, her partner Hank and I have been tight since last January and things have only gotten better since.  So when Charlie’s daughter, Emma, wanted to plan a Deadly Destinations trip to Charbydon (aka hell), I said sign us up.  Have you read this series?  Want to?  One of you will win the entire Charlie Madigan series, and two of you will win THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES!  See details below.


    Emma Madigan’s Guide to Charbydon
    by
    Kelly Gay

    The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan, #1)Hope you all are having a great summer. Glad to be here for the Deadly Destinations event! My third Charlie Madigan novel releases August 30th and I’m really excited to see what readers think about the direction Charlie and company have taken. One thing I can tell you is that Charlie finally travels off-world to Charbydon (aka hell) and, of course, she gets into her fair share of trouble! As my readers know, Charlie’s daughter Emma keeps a journal called Hellhounds Rule, Parents Drool. The following is an excerpt:

    The City of Two Houses

    Ugh. I meant to write this down sooner, but classes are kicking my butt. Anyway, it’s the weekend—FINALLY!—and my chores are done, and the most excellent hellhound to ever walk the face of all three-worlds has been bathed and fed, so I can finally chill and get some writing done.

    Okay, so. I can’t believe my mom was actually in Charbydon!! She never likes to go anywhere on this planet, so her going off-world to another dimension = huge. Travel isn’t her thing, but The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Charlie Madigan, #2)even though that trip was pretty dramatic and led to some not-so-great things, I know she'd go again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone in trouble.

    Rex keeps joking and saying, “Charlie went to hell and hell was never the same again”, which is actually true. She's not allowed to go there anymore.

    Anyway, now that things have settled down, Mom’s told me some really cool things about Charbydon, and since I plan to go there one day, remembering this stuff is important.

    So, back in the ancient history of Charbydon, the jinn used to rule the land and the great underground city of Telmath. But when the nobles came and warred with the jinn (and won), they built the City of Two Houses above Telmath. The cavern that holds both cities is the size of a hollowed out mountain with cliffs and rivers and chasms that seem to have no end. The whole place is hot and muggy, and smells like tar and swamp water.

    The nobles are an oligarchy. They have two kings, one from each royal house—the House of Abaddon and the House of Astarot. The Hour of Dust & Ashes (Charlie Madigan, #3)So that’s why it’s called the City of Two Houses. The city is made up of palaces and temples that rise straight up from the giant cliff they’re built on. And because the nobles inspired a lot of our myths about Sumerian gods, their city looks a lot like the old Sumerian and Babylonian temples with their thick walls, ziggurat temples, and straight avenues. The palaces have balconies and gardens and they overlook Telmath below. Fires burn in giant stone basins and the best part, the part I HAVE to see for myself are the buildings made of black marble. Mom says that some of them are so clear and polished that it almost looks like mirrors or calm black water.

    How cool is that?

    One of these days, I’m going to convince Mom to go back (well, if they’ll let her) and take me, Brim, and Rex. There are a bunch of stray hellhounds that need homes. Someone has to look after them, so that can be my mission. Not so sure Mom would be cool with me bringing a bunch of wild hellhounds back to Atlanta with us, but we shall see. Oh, we shall see...  J

    -----------------------------------

    About Kelly Gay

    I'm just your average bookworm who likes to spend an embarrassing amount of time in make-believe places.

    I've had many jobs from construction (I can drive a backhoe, tar and shingle a roof, and frame out a house) to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, managing horse farms, and selling men's underwear (a talent, I tell you!).

    In the writing world, I'm a 2010 double RITA finalist, a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and a recipient of an NC Arts Council Fellowship grant in Literature.

    Visit Kelly Gay online:
    Website|Blog|Facebook|Twitter

    Want to read more from Kelly Gay?

    The Better Part of Darkness The Darkest Edge of Dawn The Hour of Dust & Ashes


    Giveaway provided by Pocket Books & Kelly Gay

    Two winners will each receive a copy of THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES & One winner will receive the first 3 books in the Charlie Madigan series

    The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan, #1)The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Charlie Madigan, #2)The Hour of Dust & Ashes (Charlie Madigan, #3)

    The Hour of Dust & Ashes (Charlie Madigan, #3)

    Available on August 30, 2011 from Pocket Books

    Description:

    To save her sister, she must stop a silent killer. . . .

    Protecting Atlanta from the off-world criminals of Underground is tough enough, but now Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, learn that the addicts of the offworld drug ash have begun taking their own lives. Ash makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, and something or someone is leading them to their deaths. Charlie is desperate to save her addicted sister, Bryn, from a similar fate. As New Year’s Eve approaches and time runs out, Charlie makes a deadly bargain with an ancient race of beings and embarks on a dangerous journey into hellish Charbydon with Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before it’s too late. Only, for one of them, coming home means facing a fate worse than death. . . .

    Read an excerpt

    Pre-Order from

    buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

    Giveaway Guidelines

    1. Open internationally

    2. Leave a comment for Kelly & a way to contact you unless it’s listed in your profile

    3. All Deadly Destinations winners will be announced on August 7th

    4. See our Giveaway Policy if you have any questions


      Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

      27 July 2011

      Cover Art Coverage: 11 New Titles!



      Hush, Hush: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 by Becca Fitzpatrick
       

      Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

      Description:

      Hush, Hush is the story of Nora Grey, a studious sixteen-year-old girl from Coldwater, Maine. It has been a year since her father's murder and she is not interested in much other than her schoolwork. Then she meets Patch, a bad boy—and fallen angel. Though unwisely attracted to him, Nora finds herself caught in a battle between the fallen and the immortal. Choosing the wrong side could cost Nora her life. Becca Fitzpatrick is delighted to have her book brought to graphic novel form. "Hush, Hush was my first book, and it's so thrilling that it has been embraced by so many readers. I'm delighted to be working with Sea Lion to tell Patch and Nora's story through graphic novel format!" Sea Lion Books shares the delight in working alongside the bestselling author on the adaptation, and feels that Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush series is a fantastic addition to its graphic novel line. Hush, Hush #1 is scheduled to debut in winter 2011. The creative team on the project will be announced at a later date.

      No Author Comment Available.
      • Series: Hush, Hush: The Graphic Novel #1
      • Artist:  Jennyson Rosero
      • Goodreads: Link
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Messing with any cover as beloved as the original HUSH, HUSH is dicey business, but I feel like this cover art does a great job reminding me of the original while still switching to a decidedly graphic style.  I’ve never read these books, however, what do Patch fans think of his new look? I have read them and I like it very much.  Nothing will ever come close to James Porto original, but this is so dark and delicious…I think it’s an excellent look for this medium.
      Previous Covers in This Series
      N/A
           





      Embrace Me at Dawn by Shayla Black
       

      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:
      This is the fifth book in Shayla Black's sizzling paranormal "Doomsday Brethren" series, featuring Lucan and Anka.

      No Author Comment Available.
      • Series: Doomsday Brethren #5
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down
      The teal and pink color palette don’t do it for me.  This cover looks more like Erotica than Paranormal Romance for me, but it’s hard for me to pin point why… The color palette is bugging me too.  And it does have an erotic vibe. 


      Previous Covers in This Series
      Tempt Me with Darkness Seduce Me in Shadow Possess Me at Midnight Entice Me at Twilight
           

      Darkness on Fire by Alexis Morgan
       

      Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

      Description:
      A warrior in need of a battle he can fight . . .
      Penn has struggled for years to overcome a devastating injury to his sword arm.  He’s been forced to sit on the sidelines and watch his friends fight and die while all he can do is watch. Then Devlin offers him a mission: a mysterious woman called to warn them that someone is threatening the stability of the barrier near the Yellowstone caldera, which could destroy both worlds. Penn packs his guns and his sword and heads for Wyoming to assess the situation.
      Jora b’Larths parents brought  her to our world as an infant. She  has spent her entire life living in fear of being discovered by her people’s enemies, the Paladins. But now the stakes are too high to worry about her own safety.
      Penn and Jora join forces to face a common enemy.  To save their worlds, they’ll risk their lives—and their hearts.

      “Everyone, meet Penn Sebastian!” – Alexis Morgan
      • Series: Paladins of Darkness #9
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      I love how mainstream handsome this cover model is, huzaaah for giving this guy a t-shirt and jeans!  The leather duster looks a little over the top (in my head I’m re-dressing him with a regular leather jacket, *happy*), but I guess we needed something to indicate Urban Fantasy…  I’m just thrilled they ditched the shirtless, sleeveless vest.  Huzaaah to that!


      Previous Covers in This Series
      Dark Protector Dark Defender In Darkness Reborn Redeemed in Darkness Darkness Unknown Defeat the Darkness Bound by Darkness The Darkness Beyond (Paladins...
           



        

      Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
       

      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:
      Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.
      Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.
      Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

      “Once again, the amazing people at Hyperion have hit it out of the PARK, if you ask me.” – Rachel Hawkins
      • Series: Hex Hall #3
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
      • Release Date: March 13, 2012
      • Source: Author’s Blog
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      I really enjoy how the images in this series hint at the content.  I particularly love that this one has paranormal elements “in the real world” and it’s her reflection that looks mundane. These covers are always fun.  I didn’t even notice that they had switched which end showed the normal girl for this cover…I really need to start reading this series.


      Previous Covers in This Series
      Hex Hall Demonglass
           
       

      Shadow’s Edge by Maureen Lipinski
       

      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:
      A new series shimmering with danger, romance, and otherworldly magic.
      Sixteen-year-old Leah Spencer didn't mind being a natural-born Shaman to the Créatúir. Until she broke Rule #1 and traveled to the Other Realm, where she quickly lost time. Like, a whole year of time. She missed out on everything—holidays, school, her sixteenth birthday, the boyfriend who ditched her. So Leah swore to leave all things magical behind her and lead the life of a normal high school girl.
      But when a mysterious dark force starts offing the Créatúir, both Light and Dark, Leah must choose between her new life and "getting all CSI" on the Other Realm murder spree. With the help of her three sisters (each with their own magical gift), and three gorgeous guys—who may or may not be part of the evil magic—Leah must vanquish an ancient dark force that is connected to her family in unimaginable ways.

      No Author Comment Available.
      • Series: N/A
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Love this cover model’s face, she looks very striking and individual.  The graphics that sweep across her eye give her expression a little something mysterious, and the background details work well together. Yep, yep, and yep.  I’m a little leery of the ‘getting all CSI’ line from the description, but the cover works.


      Previous Covers in This Series
      N/A
           


        

      Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
       

      Harbinger
      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:
      Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller
      When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn’t expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she’s going crazy. Fast.
      But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she’s come home. She’s even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.
      Faye knows she’s the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can’t trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her—and the rest of the world too.
      Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

      No Author Comment Available.
      • Series: N/A
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      • Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
      • Release Date: February 2, 2012
      • Source: la femme readers
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      *LOVE*  This cover reminds me of a tarot card, all hidden meanings and hints.  Perfectly compliments the title, this image is rife with portents. Tarot card was my first thought too, but I wish there had been more details, more hidden items relating to the story.  Still pretty, though.


      Previous Covers in This Series
      N/A
           


        

      The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
       

      The Vanishing Game
      Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

      Description:
      Jocelyn’s twin brother Jack was the only family she had growing up in a world of foster homes—and now he’s dead, and she has nothing. Then she gets a cryptic letter from “Jason December”—the code name her brother used to use when they were children at Seale House, a terrifying foster home that they believed had dark powers. Only one other person knows about Jason December: Noah, Jocelyn’s childhood crush and their only real friend among the troubled children at Seale House.
      But when Jocelyn returns to Seale House and the city where she last saw Noah, she gets more than she bargained for. Turns out the house’s powers weren’t just a figment of a childish imagination. And someone is following Jocelyn. Is Jack still alive? And if he is, what kind of trouble is he in? The answer is revealed in a shocking twist that turns this story on its head and will send readers straight back to page 1 to read the book in a whole new light.

      No Author Comment Available.
      • Series: N/A
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      • Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
      • Release Date: February 14, 2012
      • Source: la femme readers
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      I don’t think the happy waving guy is necessary to indicate that the house on the bottom is the “nice” one, but I like the light and dark dichotomy in these reflections. You think he’s waving?  It looks to me like he’s reaching for help…but I agree the light/dark houses are an interesting touch.


      Previous Covers in This Series
      N/A
           


        

      Radiant Desire by Inara Scott
       

      Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

      Description:

      The object of every man’s fantasy just lost her wings…

      Kaia Verde is one of the four Faerie Handmaids of Zafira, Queen of the Fey. To redress an ancient wrong done to Zafira by a human king, the Handmaids make sport of mortal men, seducing and humiliating them. When Kaia sets out to seduce Garrett Jameson, but ends up being the one surrendering to pleasure, Zafira is furious. Kaia’s punishment is simple: make Garrett fall in love with her by the summer solstice, then break his heart, or face eternity without her wings—or her soul. To make the task harder, Zafira tells Kaia she cannot use her faerie magic or charm to lure Garrett into her bed.

      …and now she’s losing her heart…

      Kaia thinks her task will be relatively easy—as a faerie, she understands lust, and can love be much different? But once she is living among the humans, Kaia discovers the race she once disparaged is far more complex and beautiful than she imagined. More…


      No Author Comment Available.
      • Series: Handmaid’s Seduction #1
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down
      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up
      I love her butterfly wings, but spent a lot of time staring at the flip of her skirt on the right.  And I’m not crazy about the title font, it looks very cutesy. I like it, but as with the cover last week, I thought it was YA…is it just the wings?  Are there any adult faerie books that look adult?

      Previous Covers in This Series
      N/A
         
      Siege by Rhiannon Frater
       

      (Click to enlarge)

      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:

      As the survivors continue to seek stability in their lives,
      forces both inside and outside the fort walls move
      them toward a final, climactic conflict between
      the living and the dead.  Jenni, Katie and the others
      discover that they are not alone, that there is another
      enclave of survivors whose leaders plan to take over the fort.

      Faced with a series of difficult decisions, each choice they
      make could lead to the deaths of those they love or, if not
      careful, their own demise.

      Meanwhile, an army of the dead is descending on the fort.
      Soon, the living will face their ultimate fear...

      ...a siege by the dead.

      But they will fight to the end to survive...

      As the world dies.

       


      “Isn’t it amazing?  I really love it.  I feel it goes perfectly with the previous two books.” – Rhiannon Frater

      • Series: As the World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy #3
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link

      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

      I love Jenni and Kate in the foreground with so much fire and chaos in the background.  Great staging. I like it too…not gonna read it…but the cover is cool
       
      Previous Covers in This Series

      The First Days: As the World D...Fighting to Survive  (As The World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy, #2)

            
      No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper
       

      (Click to enlarge)

      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:

      England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her target she'll need help learning how to fit into society.

      Simon has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell, and Joan may be his perfect revenge. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants her anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it.

       


      No Author Comment Available.

      • Series: N/A
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link

      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

      At first glance, with that dress and title, I thought this book was all Historical Romance.  Once my eye caught that tattoo however, I started noticing the knot work in the background and the sweep of the hair… very subtle Urban Fantasy hints.  Absolutely love it. This description is nuts…in a good way.  It will be interesting to see how well all these genres blend.  I do think the cover does a good job of teasing us a little with the historical and paranormal elements…just wish the Sci-Fi had been in there too.
       
      Previous Covers in This Series

      N/A

           
      Havoc by Jeff Sampson
       

      (Click to enlarge)

      buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

      Description:

      Emily Webb thought life would return to normal after the death of the man who attacked her and her fellow “Deviants.” Or as normal as it could be, after discovering that she has nighttime superpowers . . . and she’s a werewolf. But when Emily awakes one night to find an otherworldy Shadowman watching her, she knows the danger has only just begun.

      So Emily and her pack-mates set out to find the people who made them what they are, and why. But as they get closer to the truth, they realize they aren’t the only ones in town with special powers: The most popular girls in school might just have a secret of their own–and they might just have it out for Emily.

      With shadowy beings stalking them, a mysterious company doing all it can to keep the truth hidden, and the secrecy of her new identity in jeopardy, life threatens to spiral out of control for Emily. Soon these dangers will come together in one terrifying confrontation that may force her to make the toughest choice of her life . . . so far.

       


      No Author Comment Available.

      • Series: Deviants #2
      • Artist: N/A
      • Goodreads: Link
      • Publisher: Balzer + Bray
      • Release Date: January 24, 2012
      • Source: The Bookologist

      Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

      Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

      I’m not saying I don’t understand how this complements the first in the series.  I’m not saying I didn't appreciate the change in her posture or how she  is poised to run.  But, good heavens, I can’t possibly be the first person to point out that having a virulent green cloud of gas around the waist of a heroine is *never* a good idea, I don’t care how it ties in with the first book’s cover. Julia!  What can I possibly say after that? LOL
       
      Previous Covers in This Series

      Vesper

       
       

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      Started in 2009, All Things Urban Fantasy is the place 'Where Para is Normal'. This your one stop for all things Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal YA, & select Speculative Fiction titles (Dystopian and Steampunk etc.). Want to know more about ATUF? Read the About page.

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