Spotlight and #Giveaway: Demon Cursed by Karilyn Bentley

Karilyn Bentley will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

GENRE:   urban fantasy

BLURB:

Gin Crawford, the world's newest demon huntress, just wants to enjoy a football game, but finds herself hunting a serial killer minion instead. When his victims turn out to be the local football star’s female fans, she must determine if the player has joined forces with the minion, but her efforts lead her deeper into danger. When her mentor, Aidan Smythe, is attacked, Gin resolves to go to any lengths to save him, even if it exposes her most tightly held secret. Minions and demons, however, aren't the only terrors she faces. Will she realize the greatest danger lies within—before it's too late?

Excerpt:

I shake my head at him before straightening my shoulders. And slapping a hand over my mouth and nose. Yuck. Hours-old death in humid Texas weather makes for a smelly situation. At least I’m not the only one with their hand, or handkerchief, over their mouths.

“What happened?” Smythe meets the gaze of each guard and the hyperventilating janitorial women who clearly found the body.

One of the women points to where the body lies in front of the Dumpster, flat on her back, hands resting in classic death pose on her bloody stabbed chest, a red rose clasped in her fingers. Her open eyes stare into the night, her mouth curled into a grimace of pain and death. Her clothes look like she came from a club: tight, short, and low-cut, with spiky heels. At one time, I would’ve been jealous of her hot-to-trot figure. Now all I notice is the pain and terror stamped on her face and the unfurling anger deep in my core.

Effing murderers. I might be a fancy-assed demon huntress, but I destroy minions, not human killers. Lucky for me, I can tell which type of kill this scene belongs to with little effort.

Closing my eyes, I start to take a deep calming breath, think better of it, and focus on activating my minion sensors. Tapping into the power of the entity lying along my nerves, I open my eyes to a tactical grid display of reds and oranges, a clear indication of a minion’s presence at the scene.

Looks like I’ll get my wish to annihilate the bastard who killed this poor woman.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4RTO97/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demon-cursed-karilyn-bentley/1125540623

TWRP: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4908-demon-cursed.html?search_query=karilyn+bentley&results=17

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/demon-cursed/id1196948081?mt=11

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Karilyn Bentley's love of reading stories and preference of sitting in front of a computer at home instead of in a cube, drove her to pen her own works, blending fantasy and romance mixed with a touch of funny.

Her paranormal romance novella, Werewolves in London, placed in the Got Wolf contest and started her writing career as an author of sexy heroes and lush fantasy worlds.

Karilyn lives in Colorado with her own hunky hero, a crazy dog nicknamed The Kraken, a silly puppy, and a handful of colorful saltwater fish.

Where to find Karilyn:

Website:            www.karilynbentley.com

Newsletter:        http://eepurl.com/ba_0Rf

Facebook:                    https://www.facebook.com/KarilynBentleyAuthor

Twitter:             http://www.twitter.com/karilynbentley1

Pinterest:                      http://www.pinterest.com/karilynbentley

Blog:                http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com

Goodreads:                           http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4051943.Karilyn_Bentley

Amazon Author Page:           https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=karilyn+bentley

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Book Review: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs #urbanfantasy

The Blurb – Night Broken

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

My Review

Mercy is a better person than I’ll ever be. After dealing with Adam’s ex-wife, I would have given Mercy permission to stomp the woman into the ground. But Mercy kept her cool. Even when a seemingly indestructible creature was after her. Such an amazing character.\

The love between Mercy and Adam keeps growing. I absolutely adore their romance. I don’t care for the way Ms. Briggs propels me onto the cusp of a heart attack with all the drama. There isn't a book in the series where I don't ask, Will Mercy make it through this one? With Ms. Briggs killing people off that you wouldn’t expect, you never know.

I give this book five out of five volcano shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Book Review: The Undoing (Call of Crows #2) by Shelly Laurenston

A risk worth taking… 

No one would ever accuse Jace Berisha of having an easy life—considering her husband…you know…killed her. But that was then! Now she fights for mighty Viking gods with the spectacular and vicious Crows.

But things are turning very bad, very quickly because a vengeful, ancient goddess has come into the world with just one thing on her mind—ending it. And the only way they can hope to stop her is if the Crows join forces with their one-time enemies, the Protectors. A Viking Clan created to do nothing but kill every Crow they see.

Thankfully, Protector Ski Eriksen is a peace loving kind of guy. Because the woman he is desperately trying to get close to is the beautiful and not-very-chatty Jace. Battling Nordic clans? Unkillable goddesses? Jace’s mean-spirited dog? None of these things would ever get in the way of a true Viking!

My review

I have an absolutely new favorite series. I haven’t laughed so much while reading a book in a long time. The characters are hilarious and Ms. Laurenston did a magnificent job of keeping the characters consistent in two book. I am still chuckling at some of her lines.

The action was amazing. Jace’s story will forever leave me in a state of amazement. We had one surprise after another. Dealing with not only Jace’s past, but the goddess who wants to destroy the world as well.

Ski and the Protectors were awesome. I can relate better to them than the Crows, but the Crows are still my favorite clan because they are a powerhouse of sisterhood, strength, and hilarity.

I give this book five out of five owl shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Review: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs #Urbanfantasy

The Blurb

By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for.

Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan—and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after.

It'll be her friends'.

My Review

The series is back to amazing. I think I may like having vampires in the stories. They amp up the drama just a bit because they're so unpredictable. I’m not saying that fae, witches, ghosts, humans or werewolves are tame, but at least they have souls. Whereas vampires don’t care about anything. But, Stefan is a different breed of vampire altogether. I find myself rooting for him, but like Mercy always reminding myself that he is what he is.

The story was fast paced and had me staying up late at night to get more reading done. For those romance lovers out there, this book is definitely for you. Adam and Mercy… ahhhhh.

I give this book five out of five cane shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Re-release of Wickedly They Come by Cathrina Constantine #urbanfantasy #paranormal

I'm so happy to share that Wickedly They Come has been re-released by the fabulous Cathrina Constantine under a new publisher. Look at that amazing cover!

I reviewed this book when if first came out and loved it. I can only imagine how much more I'll love it with the tweeks she's made.

Click here to read my review.


A Gripping Dark Fantasy! 

A Destined Prophecy: “The White Warrior will be one with Lucifer and God will weep.” 

Haunting visions and supernatural talents are the norm for the sixteen-year-old warrior, Jordan and her mother Seeley. Together with their formidable angels they find themselves in peril when a wicked sorcerer is determined to fulfill the prophecy to his lord, Lucifer. 

After an ominous vision of spirits inhabiting teenagers in a local school, Jordan enrolls in the social culture of teendom at Elma High to combat soulless demons. She encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil. 

The fight between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and Earth is their battleground.

Snippet:

Something dripped on Seeley's shoulder.Then a wet dribble skimmed her cheek and landed on Jordan's arm. The wetness was bright red. Raising her head and sucking in her breath Seeley gawked at a large pentagram embedded into the rocky dome. The five pointed star mysteriously sparkled in the flickering light, and a planked balcony bordered the elevated fortification.

As she craned her head directed upward, her bloodcurdling scream split the air. Her knees buckled. "Oh my God! Oh my God! What have they done!"

Universal Buy Link: http://smarturl.it/wickedly1


Contact the author

Amazon Author's Page: http://www.amazon.com/Cathrina-Constantine/e/B00EPENYGE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wickedly333

Blog: http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com

Twitter: @cathconstantine

Reviews: Angelborn and Angelfall by L. Penelope #urbanfantasy

The Blurb

Maia 

It's hard to be normal when you see the dead everywhere. So I gave up. I just focus on staying out of their way. But the guy haunting my roommate is different. He’s impossible to ignore, and now other people can see him too.

He says my roommate is the only one who can save him from an eternity of torment. But one night he follows me into my nightmare and rescues me from my demons. Now he’s all I think about. This must be what it's like to fall... for someone who can never be mine.

Caleb 

A lifetime ago, I found my soulmate in the human world. But being angelborn means I don't have a soul. When I lost my one true love, I lost my future and my freedom. Now, I have a second chance — she's been reborn and I must gain her love again or serve out the rest of my eternal sentence alone.

But this time I am a fugitive with powerful angels hunting me, and I'm running out of time. You only get one soulmate, and mine isn't the broken, scarred girl, who sees what no one else can. She's a distraction I can scarcely afford — but I'm unable to stay away from her.

*** A standalone, new adult paranormal romance. 40,000 words. 

 My review

As soon as I finished this book I bought book two of the series, Angelfall. I couldn’t believe how good it was. I love a great paranormal and I definitely got one. The romance between Maia and Caleb was amazing, subtle until it wasn’t anymore. I enjoyed the growth and complexity of Maia and how she learned to deal with her gift and gave so selfishly of herself. Oh the power of love.

Although Maia has a dark personality because of what she’s gone through in life, she brings quite a bit of humor to the story.

I’m so happy I found a new author to love.

I give this book five out of five portal shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from All Romance eBooks.

You can also get it from Amazon.

The Blurb

Their love could break the world.

Lyrix, the first new angel to emerge in a millennium, brings hope for her endangered race. But the weight of duty is heavy. As the newest and strongest, she is expected to become a Seraph, one of the stoic angel kings and queens. She dreads the prospect of losing all her emotions in the transformation, but avoiding her destiny may lead to extinction for her kind.

Wren is half-human and a second-class citizen among angels. A chance meeting with Lyrix leaves them both yearning for a life lived on their own terms. A relationship between an angel and an angelborn is unprecedented, and powerful forces oppose their union. On a journey to the human world, tragedy strikes, and Wren and Lyrix realize their love may destroy both worlds. 

My Review

I believe it’s the uniqueness of L. Penelope's writing that I enjoyed most about this book. It didn’t fall into a linear pattern, and yet everything came out so clear and entertaining. I liked Wren from book one when he helped Caleb. The story between Lyrix and Wren was involving and heart wrenching at times.  A wonderful angelic tale.

I like that the angels in her books are different from what I’ve ever learned. It gives me a completely different perspective about angels and their politics as created by one author.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

I give this book five out of five rainbow shaped chocolate bars.

Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs #UrbanFantasy

I asked Anna at Herding Cats Burning Soup for a book recommendation. I’d originally gotten addicted to the Dragon Kin Series by G.A. Aiken through her, so I figured she’d be able to hook me up again. I can now say that I have a new book pimp. Thanks Anna!

The Blurb

Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water…

I asked Anna at Herding Cats Burning Soup for a book recommendation. I’d originally gotten addicted to the Dragon Kyn Series by G.A. Aiken through her, so I figured she’d be able to hook me up again. I can now say that I have a new book pimp. Thanks Anna!

My Review

Usually when I start the first book of a paranormal series I expect to be bogged down by a lot of detail and history. Ms. Briggs included all of what I needed to understand the Mercy's ‘world’ but in a fast paced and most interesting way.

Mercy Thompson rocks. She keeps to herself, is intelligent, and yet knows how to get things done because she’s confident in who she is. I can’t wait until she gets to really know who she is as a Walker. After one hit I'm now addicted to a new series.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

I give this five out of five VW shaped chocolate bars.

Review: Static by S.K. Anthony #UrbanFantasy

The blurb

Kevin Pierce is a teleporter, a ladies’ man, and a loyal friend. Or so he thought.

As a genetically altered Luminary, he helps the government bring down some of the most dangerous criminals. Not very challenging if you have his special abilities. But when a group of rebel Luminaries attacks his Organization the fight for survival begins.

One shattering event after another tests the depth of his relationships, his sanity, and his powers. Emotionally torn, Kevin must choose carefully where his loyalty lies. In the middle of all the unexpected chaos he gets the biggest shock of his life when he’s faced by a betrayal he never saw coming. Angry, injured, and ready to even the score, Kevin goes Static . . . 

My Review

I’ve waited a long time to read this story. The snark had me laughing throughout. All balanced with action, a bit of romance, intrigue, and of course kick assism (I know it’s not a word, but it suits the book).

It was great to meet up with Annie and Nick (I love him). Kevin brought a cool dimension to the story with his teleportation and new ability. If I talk about the events that unfolded I’d be giving away spoilers and I won’t go there.

I will say that Ms. Anthony has a knack for torturing a reader. Some parts were so sad I couldn’t believe she’d written it in, and yet they made the story flow.

I purchased this book from Amazon (on my birthday which was awesome).

I give this novel four out of five cupcake shaped chocolate bars.

Review: Breaking Fate by Georgia Lyn Hunter

The Blurb

An immortal without a soul is bad enough. But when his only tether to remaining honorable is his addiction to bone-crushing pain, it makes Blaéz a dangerously loose cannon. 

A Guardian sworn to protect mortals from supernatural evil, Blaéz straddles the edge of darkness as his needs grow. When a good deed brings him to the doorstep of a female unlike any other, one whose touch ignites emotions long lost in the hellish pits of Tartarus, he’s determined not to lose her. She belongs to him. But she’s human. Forbidden. And bringing her into his life may just destroy them both.

Darci Callahan has given up on love. But when a lethally handsome stranger suddenly appears late one night, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the captivating man with the pale, empty eyes—a man who awakens in her a desire she never believed possible. Except Blaéz brings more than unexpected passion to her life, he brings danger.

In this treacherous new world of gods and demons, Darci soon discovers a heart-shattering truth and the twisted games the gods play. Caught in the crosshairs, she’s forced to accept that, sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, you have to love them enough to let them go... 

My Review

I have waited a long time to read Blaez’s story and it was well worth it. From book one, Absolute Surrender, I wondered just what had happened to him in Tartarus to make him emotionless while Tyr had the full range of emotions. Whatever happened to him in hell made him a vicious warrior.

I found Darci to be the perfect match for Blaez. The woman feared nothing, not even the hulking stranger when she first met him. Their initial encounter was intense and I was happy to see their heat being sustained throughout the book. It even blazed (get it?) hotter as the relationship intensified.

There are a few twist in the book that added some suspense.  I gasped at one of the surprises when I read it, even though I was hoping it wouldn’t be true.

Ms. Hunter has once again delivered an amazing urban fantasy. Full of action, romance, and quick witted dialogue.

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review (after mildly harassing her for over a year to get the story out).

I give this novel five out of five cage shaped (rather intricate, but you’ll get the reference once you read the book) chocolate bars.

It can be purchased from 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Fate-Fallen-Guardians-2-ebook/dp/B0142WTO7Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443136240&sr=8-1&keywords=breaking+fate

Urban Fantasy Forever! A Top 5 list #Urbanfantasy #Paranormal

I discovered urban fantasy about two years ago, and now I’m addicted. I have changed my reading pattern over the past couple of years. I’ll read a non-paranormal and then alternate it with a paranormal.

What attracts me to this sub-genre?

1. The strong women. I have yet to read an urban fantasy with a weak heroine. Do they all kick ass, um yes. If not with their fist or swords, then with their smart assed mouths. That’s what I’m talking about.

2. The cool skills the characters possess. From shifting, doing magic, reading minds, teleporting, to sword-mastery. It’s all so awesome. Things I’d love to do in real life.

3. The hero’s tend to be alphas. It’s a good thing, too, because the heroines would kick their asses if they weren’t. That’s all I have to say about that.

4. Snarky conversation. Do I need to explain? If I do I’ll refer you to Jami Gray’s Kyn Chronicle series (which I can’t get enough of) and leave it at that.

5. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad urban fantasy cover. Authors know that what kicks ass inside must kick ass outside, too.

I write contemporary romance, but I’m trying my hand at an urban fantasy. It’s slow going because I keep getting interrupted with legitimate procrastination things like editing, and other stories which I’m better at writing because the style is more familiar.

If you’ve never read Urban Fantasy or you’re a great fan, I’d like to introduce you to Jami Gray. She has a book of short stories out (I got hooked from reading one of her short stories.) Out now!

Amazon Buy link:

http://www.amazon.com/Tangled-Shadows-Kronicles-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B0147DW9EA/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1440932823&sr=8-7&keywords=jami+gray

TANGLED IN SHADOWS
In a world of intrigue and shadows, tangling with the monsters can leave its mark…

Step into the world of Jami Gray’s Kyn with this collection of short stories, and discover why readers are disappearing into this exciting, Urban Fantasy series.

Wrapped In Shadows, .5 (previously published in Things That Go Bump For The Holidays)

The magic of the holiday season can be hell…
Elite Kyn, Gavin Durand and Raine McCord, are called in to investigate the aftermath of a Christmas engagement party gone horrifically wrong, only to face an unexpected gift.

Submerged in Shadows, 1.5

Treasures from the deep come in all shapes and sizes…
Forced on an unwanted vacation, Raine soon discovers that boredom is the least of her worries when danger washes ashore, bringing unexpected complications. 

Masked by Shadows, 2.5

Nothing is ever easy…
For Gavin and Raine the job is simple, deliver a package to an interested party in New Orleans. Yet even the easiest job can mask unexpected challenges.

Ensnared by Shadows, 3.5

Deception leaves a tangled web…
Ryuu Kern, Motoki Pack’s Second, is no stranger to sticky situations, but when delectable Division Agent, Iliana Krychek, comes to him for help, it will take more than claws and teeth to untangle a deadly web of deceit.

Prah and Constantine Review: Shadow’s Edge by @JamiGray #paranormal #urban fantasy

Welcome back to another Prah and Constantine review. This is the first time I'm using our little badge for a review. I can't believe how adorable it its. A huge shout out Love Bites and Silk for doing such a brilliant job on the design. 

This month I chose the book after Constantine suggested it for last month.  Head over to Constantine’s blog to see what she thought of Shadow’s Edge. I may have to disown her if we differ on this one. I wish I was kidding.

Blurb

Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…

It takes a monster to hunt one, and for Raine McCord, forged in the maelstrom of magic and science, she’s the one for the job. In a world where the supernatural live in a shadowy existence with the mundane, a series of disappearances and deaths threatens the secrecy of her kind and indicates someone knows the monsters are alive and kicking.  Partnering up with the sexy and tantalizing Gavin Durand proves to be a challenge as dangerous as the prey she hunts.

When the trail points back to the foundation which warped Raine’s magic as a child, her torturous past raises its ugly head.  Gavin and Raine sift through a maze of lies, murder and betrayal to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.

My Review

I LOVED this book. Yes I capped the word. If there's a word beyond awesome, then that's what I'll use to describe it.  

The heroine, Raine rocked from the very beginning. Being a tough kick ass female had to be one of my favorite aspects of the story.  But when Ms. Gray added more than kicks, punches and slashes , the depth and intensity increased phenomenally. Raine’s past carved her into who she is. Oh the emotions Ms. Gray portrayed from Raine. I could feel her pain and anguish and wanted to give her a hug (as if she’d allow it).

Don’t get me started on Gavin. He’s the kind of guy I’d accidentally lick if I got too close (gross but true). Alpha male with super skills who isn’t afraid of a strong woman.

The twists and turns kept me engaged and thinking throughout. The story was so well written it had me shaking my head in wonder. I have absolutely nothing to complain about with this book. Yes it was that good.

I give Shadow’s Edge five out of five knife (huge daggers, not butter knives) shaped chocolate bars and a super high recommendation.  I’m off to read book 2, Shadow’s Soul. And lucky me, I don’t have to wait for book three, Shadow’s Moon because it’s out now.

I won this book during one of Ms. Gray’s blog contests but ended up buying it from Amazon (only because I’m a book slut).

Next month Constantine and I will present the book that won our FB “Win a review by Prah and Constantine” contest.