Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Review: Predator & Prey by James D. Horton

Predator & Prey
Release Date: July 23, 2014
Publisher: KDP
ASIN:  B00M26F8IY
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher
Lily works the night shift at a radio station, taking calls from forlorn and damaged souls who can't sleep. She knows their pain and they find solace in her comforting words. The city is ruthless; nameless creatures roam the streets and prey on the lost and innocent.

As she leaves work one night at the crest of dawn, Lily comes face-to-face with depravity. She is a survivor at heart, but she is unfairly outnumbered and surrenders to her fate. From the shadows an ally emerges, the mysterious and alluring, Wolf. After coming to Lily's aid, he takes her to shelter.

The immediate danger has passed, but the incident is far from over. Wolf tells Lily she is not prey, and sets off into the night with her by his side to set a wrong right. What she sees when entering the dark heart of the city will change her existence forever. Has Wolf taken on a force too big? Will Lily survive the night?

PREDATOR & PREY started off pretty strong and then kinda lost me towards the end. Note that there are only 31 pages so things move at a VERY fast pace. I think that was my problem. I just didn't buy the relationship between Lily and Wolf. Lily comes off as a pretty strong, independant young woman in the beginning and then she kinda falls off her horse and acts like she's OK with a man owning her? Maybe I read a little too much into the situation towards the end? There just wasn't enough explanation or getting to know each other for me to enjoy the story more than I did.

I'm being kinda generous in my rating of this book because I DO think that there is promise between the couple, but there really needs to be some more character/relationship building to pull off me reading past the next chapter of the story.

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.

New Releases: 9/28-10/4


Mon. Sept 29

 Storm (Salt #2) by Danielle Ellison
 Twisted (Eternal Guardians #7) by Elisabeth Naughton

Tue. Sept. 30

 The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey
 Dead Zone (Blackout #2) by Robison Wells 
 Invisible (The Twixt #2) by Dawn Metcalf 
 Sacrifice (Elemental #5) by Brigid Kemmerer
 Winterspell (Winterspell #1) by Claire Legrand

Happy Reading!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Early Review: Chained by Night by Larissa Ione

Chained by Night
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN:   1476700206
ISBN13 9781476700205
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher
THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation.To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

CHAINED BY NIGHT is the second book in the MoonBound Clan Vampire series by Larissa Ione. It follows the romance between the MoonBound leader Hunter and the daughter of a rival clan's leader, Ailyn. We met them both in BOUND BY NIGHT, so we know a little bit about them and why they're thrown together in book 2 before jumping in, so if you have not already read book 1, I would do so.

Ailyn has been treated like trash and told she was weak and useless for as long as she remembers. She has been 'sold' by her father to a horrible leader that has multiple mates and a taste for very young girls. She has big dreams of escaping the life that awaits her but before that can happen she must accompany her twin sister Rasha who is to be mated to Hunter.  I won't rehash the whole situation that brought along the need for Hunter to mate with Rasha, but he in no way wants this match. He's willing to take one for the team (meaning the good of his clan). 

The attraction between Ailyn and Hunter is apparent from the time they meet. They both know nothing can happen between them but circumstances make it very hard to stay away from each other. I enjoyed watching them fall in love and overcome pretty dire situations.

There are a lot of surprises in CHAINED BY NIGHT. There seems to be a lot of misconceptions involving just about everyone in the book. You will learn something new about both the main characters and quite a few supporting ones by the end.

In case you're wondering, we do get to see Nicole and Riker in CHAINED BY NIGHT. Not a lot of time has passed since BOUND BY NIGHT, so Nicole is still newly pregnant and working on a way to make it safer to deliver their baby.  I have a feeling I know who will be the next couple in book 3 but I won't reveal who. I wouldn't want to give anything away before you read book 2. I am very interested to see now their relationship would come together though, so I am excited to see if my feelings are right.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Week in Review: 9/21-9/27


Books I've Bought/received

- Cipher by Aileen Erin- eARC- NetGalley

- Armageddon by Christina Bauer- eARC- NetGalley

Books I've Read

Dying by the Hour by Kory M. Shrum
Burning Desire by Donna Grant
Chained by Night by Larissa Ione
Cipher by Aileen Erin

Reviews Posted

Fading Light by Angela Dennis
The Crystal Slipper by Selena Fulton
All Bets Are On by Cynthia Cooke

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Tuesday- Interview & Giveaway for The Necromancer’s Betrayal by Mimi Sebastian, Cover Reveal & Giveaway for Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens

* Wednesday- Interview for Chained By Night by Larissa Ione

* Thursday- Interview for Take A Chance On Me by Mia Epsilon

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* Did you know you can follow UFI on these other sites?

You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.
 
 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Review: Fading Light by Angela Dennis

Fading Light
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Shadow Born Book #2
ISBN:   1619224569
ISBN13: 9781619224568
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Author via Publisher

Her hundred-year penance lifted, Shadow Bearer Brenna Baudouin returns to the Earthly plane with her partner, Gray Warlow, to keep the peace between humans and supernatural creatures and to prevent another apocalyptic war from happening.

The attraction between them is nearing a critical point, but their checkered history has left Brenna unable to trust either her heart or her instincts.

It s chaotic business as usual until humans begin turning to statues of dust. There is no explanation, no sign of magical foul play or a biological toxin. The humans are convinced it s the work of a deviant supernatural faction, twisting the knife in the already tense relationship between their species. Brenna and Gray agree the deaths have a former comrade-turned-rogue stamped all over them.

In a race against time, they enlist the help of both friend and foe to save the human race and stop the impending civil war. Along the way, they are forced to come to terms with their past and decide, once and for all, whether they will come together or fall apart.

Warning: Contains a heroine who knows her weapons but not her own heart, an outbreak of supernatural proportions, copious bloodletting, and a race to save an endangered species humans. All tied up in a tight bow of sexual tension.

It was very easy for me to get into this series. Both book one and two covered the present, but I felt SHADOWS OF FATE covered Brenna and Gray's past and FADING LIGHT really focused on moving them towards their future.

FADING LIGHT really brings out the action. There are several huge fights and lots of loss involved. You can't help but love Brenna and Gray together and FADING LIGHT definitely brings them closer than they were. Brenna has a lot of trust issues that she has to overcome and Gray does a good job of being patient with her. There are still things that they need to work out between the two of them but I think they are off to a great start.

You'll have no problem wanting more after book 2. I'm not sure how many books are planned for this series, but I am positive the story is far from over.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Review: The Crystal Slipper by Selena Fulton

The Crystal Slipper
Release Date: September 22, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Covet
ISBN:  1633750973
ISBN13: 9781633750975
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: NetGalley
A paranormal category romance from Entangled's Covet imprint...

 Sometimes you just have to believe...

A single crystal slipper. It was probably the weirdest gift librarian Celinda Branham ever received during a Christmas gift exchange. Who would even wear these in the real world? Not Celinda, wearer of sensible shoes and fairy tale naysayer. That said, she certainly has the requisite wicked stepmother, irritating stepsister, and empty bank account. Of course, if she actually believed in all that fantastical junk, she could wait for her Prince Charming... Only Prince Charming doesn't exist. But Preston Chandler believes in fairy tales. Oh, does he ever. All he did was spurn the advances of a certain witch, and now his sister is under a sleeping spell. And the only way to break it? Find the other glass slipper and give someone "Love's First Kiss." But when Preston finally tracks down Celinda, he's dismayed to discover that the shy librarian who owns the other shoe has no interest in anything remotely resembling magic—including love. Now he must find a way into his Cinderella's cynical heart, or lose his sister... and his only chance for true love.


I never seem to be disappointed when reading an Entangled title. I am sure you have noticed I review quite a bit of their paranormal and fantasy titles and that I like a majority of them. THE CRYSTAL SLIPPER is another enjoyable read.

Preston's sister is under a curse and to wake her up he has to find a pair of glass slippers and solve a riddle. He has one shoe but he's running out of time when his search takes him to Celinda's doorstep for the other. He doesn't know how Celinda fits into the riddle, but it quickly becomes apparent that she has a big role to play. Preston is not your typical Prince Charming. He IS charming, but is also extremely self-absorbed. He has a lot of work to do to get to the end of THE CRYSTAL SLIPPER.

I was instantly able to connect with Celinda. She starts off being shy and weak, but slowly comes into herself and is able to stick up for herself and assert herself when needed. She comes off as dowdy, and she is, but she can flip a switch pretty easily when or if she wants to. When Preston walks into her library she is instantly attracted to him, but the way he treats her instantly turns her off to him. There is a lot of push and pull to their relationship from both sides but the attraction is always there as their story is told.

I really wanted more out of the ending. I wanted to see where they ended up after the story was said and done,but we just kinda get an end. I just wanted to see more of their story as a couple and I feel like their story was left unfinished, which is disappointing. Still a great read and an interesting spin on the Cinderella storyline.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Interview: Take A Chance On Me by Mia Epsilon

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

Growing up, our family had a giant St. Bernard dog named Hero. He appointed himself my special protector and followed me around everywhere I went. he even slept under my window at night, as if he were saying, "Climb in here and deal with me first". I decided then and there all my Heroes would also be protectors.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

When I get a bit, I love to watch old black and white movies from the Hollywood Glam period. Or read. I absolutely adore reading.

What is your Favorite part of writing?

Hearing my characters' voices and their stories told in their way. It's always satisfying to me, as a writer to have a close relationship with those I'm writing about. Or else how can I properly tell their stories?

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

When I'm straight up writing the first draft or revising, I need some sort of 'white noise': the radio, a soundtrack, even the tv. When I edit, it needs to be almost silent or I can't concentrate and often get distracted.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

Decadent Kane and her elves have me in stitches most of the time and her pirate Captain Joren has me in knots any time I see him. Torie James' New Camelot series is incredible and I love the way she created a new world based on a very old myth. JD Robb's In Death books are my favorite futuristic series.

How would you pitch ('Weddings by C & C') to someone who has not heard of it before?

Christine Howell and her two children are the primary focus. Christine marries her soul mate Charlie and together they open a destination wedding planning business in Hawaii called 'Weddings by C & C'. Each book in the series follows one of their wedding couples and their sometimes rocky roads to the altar.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that ('Weddings by C & C') is set in?

Many of the books will have Hawaii as a wedding setting yet take place in the couples' home locations. For Christine's daughter Anna, that's mid North Carolina, USA, as it is for Christine's son Adam. For Charlie sister Ally, it's entirely in Hawaii. For Ally's friend Kirsten, there's several locations, from Hawaii to Wyoming to England.

Do you have a favorite scene in ('Take a Chance on Me')?

My favorite, one of them, is when Christine is bent on the floor trying to remove some floor nails and Charlie walks in on her singing very loudly to the radio.

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?

My favorite is probably Christine, because there's so much of me in her, and her in me. We're the same age, at the same point in our lives, with grown children and our own lives about to start once again.

The hardest is the villain, because it's difficult for me to comprehend the motives of deliberately setting out to frame and hurt other people.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

I have books 3, 'That Night' and book 4, 'When You Believe' in the Weddings by C & C series releasing later this year from Breathless Press. I hope to have books 5, 6 and 7 released next year. We'll see how the characters cooperate.

This or That
Character
CHARLIE JERGENS
Angels or Demons: Angels, since my Christine is one ☺
Vampires or Shifters : Neither, *laughs*
Left or Right: I'm a lefty
Up or Down: How about both, in an intimate situation?
Pizza or Pasta : Hmmm, tough decision. Pasta with marinara sauce
Coffee or Tea: Coffee any day or night of the week. I leave the tea for the Brits.
Coke or Pepsi : Pepsi
YA or Adult : Definitely Adult
Knives or Guns: Neither, though I wouldn't hesitate to protect Mine with a gun.
Reading or Writing: Reading
Facebook or Twitter: Face book. Twitter doesn't give near enough space.

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Mia Epsilon lives with her enduring soul mate hubby in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, USA. She's an avid reader of almost anything but particularly romance, with too many favorite authors to name. Mia is a never-miss-an-episode viewer of Doctor Who and Sherlock, eagerly waits each new season, and tends to binge watch both on Netflix with a couple of pots of tea and a plate of blueberry scones. She also happily suffers a coffee and chocolate addiction which causes her to visit her favorite chocolate store, The Chocolate Fetish often.

She can most often be found at her computer, spinning new tales, or in a quiet padded nook with her e reader happily engrossed in a new story. Look for more books and favorite characters in the Weddings by C & C line including, That Night featuring more of Anna & Robin, and If You Want Me, Adam and Emily's story

Find Mia and her books
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Take A Chance On Me
Weddings by C & C #2
Buy Link
Friends and lovers rarely mix well with coworkers and embezzlement cases, just ask Christine and Charlie.

After a near fatal accident leads to one incredible night of amazing sex, Christine and Charlie take the leap from friends to lovers.

Christine has battled many demons in the last few years. Charlie has always been her confident and support. When Charlie refuses to answer emails or texts after an embezzling scheme arises at work, Christine must come to terms with not only losing a fabulous lover and her best friend but her job as well.

Charlie carries his own scars when it comes to women. Yet there's something about Christine which brings out his protective side and makes him hope for love he's wanted for years.

Christine and Charlie must work together to catch the thief before they can secure a love of a lifetime. Can they catch the embezzler before they lose not only their jobs and each other, but their lives as well?
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Excerpt: 

"I wish I could go with you. I could show you such delights."

She hesitated, unsure as always if Charlie meant an innuendo or just conversation. He was a world class flirt, a charmer like none she'd ever encountered, and Christine never felt quite steady around him. For six years he'd seen her as a coworker, then a buddy, then as a good, close friend but not as anything more. Damn it all. "Oh, I bet. You're a world class traveler and adventurer after all. When did you last visit Australia?"

"Eight years ago. You will love it." Charlie leaned back in his chair, the window behind him showing the rolling waves of the ocean. "There's nothing like the Sydney quay and the Nations Row houses in Canberra. I'd love to see your face when you see them."

She sighed. So much for a romantic vacation with him. He meant friendly conversation. It was all for the best really. They'd both seen how rumors regarding coworkers being more than coworkers affected the professional atmosphere. "This has been a dream of mine, especially with Maddy begging me for ages to visit."

"I understand." Of course he did. She'd mentioned the trip several times. Charlie even helped her make the flight arrangements to finally visit her best friend. "No one deserves it more. The last three years have been horrible for you."

"I do need this vacation." So why did it feel so empty to be going alone?

"Don't forget to have fun." He winked. "I could give you some ideas on fun."

Geez, he had to be aware how his wink affected women. Every female in ten miles went all fluttery in the knees. Did he have to use it on her? "Stop flirting with me. You don't need practice. It comes as natural to you as breathing."

"Who says I'm flirting? Your plane flies right over Honolulu. Stop by and see me in person. We could have dinner, see the sunset, and play on the beach. I'll drool over you in a bikini while you feast your gaze on me in a Speedo."

She laughed even as the idea almost took root. Charlie in a Speedo, wet, glistening in the sun with nothing but a few scraps of tiny material between them. Oh heck no. "Like I'm ever going to put a bikini on in front of you? You've had chances to stop here on the east coast and see me. Yet you didn't."

He lost the smile and the teasing light in his face faded. "I did when you needed me most."

She swallowed, wishing she could take back the thoughtless words. "I remember. So much I've forgotten or blocked, but I recall your face and voice. You held me and made me feel safe. Why haven't you visited since?"

"Because I'm obviously a fool." Charlie tapped his long fingers together against his chin.
She felt her gaze widen. He couldn't be serious. But damn, he seemed so intense, leaning forward, navy gaze all but drilling into her. She swallowed again. Maddy always told her to be bold. She could push a bit, flirt back then lick her rejection wounds during the fifteen hour flight to the other side of the world. "I always have your favorite brand of scotch on hand."

"Do you?"

She shrugged, crossed her legs, and tried to appear nonchalant. Maddy would be proud. "Your favorite scotch, favorite foods, nice cleans sheets on the bed, and a jogging trail all waiting for you here."

One finger stroked his full bottom lip then slid down his chin. She'd love to trace the same path with her mouth. "You believe you're so well acquainted with my wants and desires?"
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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Interview: Chained By Night by Larissa Ione

UFI welcomes author Larissa Ione! Thanks for joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview? 

First, hello, and thank you for having me! And wow, good question! I guess something that might surprise readers is that although I spent much of my pre-author life as a meteorologist and EMT, I actually majored in Criminal Justice in college. After years of that, I ended up not even going into that field. It’s why I’ve told my son that if he doesn’t want to go to college right away after high school, I’m fine with that. I wasted a lot of time and money because I was invested in a career field I didn’t even go into. I don’t regret it – I do believe that my choices, even my poor choices, led me to where I am now. But it was a hard road I’d encourage my son not to go down! 

What do you enjoy doing on your down time? 

I love video games, so I play a lot of those. Usually I play fantasy RPGs on the computer, but I’m currently obsessed with Star Trek Trexels on my iPad. I also enjoy boating, reading, and watching movies. 

What is your favorite part of writing? 

I enjoy the brainstorming. I don’t like plotting, but I love daydreaming about the characters and figuring them out. I also like typing The End! 

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write? 

Nope. There are places where I prefer to write – the living room, the bedroom…anyplace I can put my feet up and have my computer on my lap. I hate writing at a desk even though I have my own office. 

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres? 

My very favorite Urban Fantasy books belong to the Riley Jensen series by Keri Arthur. I love those! I’m so sad the series ended. I’m also a big fan of Lara Adrian, Gena Showalter, Laura Wright, and Alexandra Ivy, just to name a few. I’ll pretty much read anything paranormal! 

How would you pitch the MoonBound Clan Vampire series to someone who has not heard of it before? 

Imagine a world in which vampires are out of the closet, but thanks to humans and their superior numbers, anti-vampire weapons, and vampire in-fighting, vampires are hunted and enslaved. But the situation isn’t all dire – free vampires are starting to organize, and it may only be a matter of time before they are at the top of the food chain once and for all… 

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that the MoonBound Clan Vampire series is set in

Sure! It’s a very contemporary world, set slightly in the future. Most of the free vampires live in clans that are steeped in Native American lore (because in this world, vampires originated with Native American tribes.) Vampires can be born that way or turned from humans, but turning is rare, thanks to a vaccine against the vampirism virus. 

Do you have a favorite scene in Chained by Night

I have several, but I’ll narrow it down to a scene where the hero, Hunter, gets into it with another purebred (born) vampire named Myne. Those two have an antagonistic relationship, and it comes to a head in this book. I loved writing it! 

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 

Of all of my books, I’d say Wraith from the Demonica series has been my favorite to write, but the above-mentioned Myne is going to be another who really grabs me. Both are very easy to write, and their personalities just sing to me. The hardest? That would be Reaver, also from the Demonica series. He was easy as a secondary character, and still is. But writing his book was hell. I’ve discovered that angel heroes and heroines are REALLY hard to write, I think because you have to be careful to strike a balance between good and not TOO good. 

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you? 

Well, this December, I have two releases! Revenant, the last book in the Demonica series, and Three The Hard Way, which is an m/m/m novella under my Sydney Croft pen name that I share with Stephanie Tyler. After that, we’re back to the Demonica world in May with Hades. The upcoming releases should be a fun ride!
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Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Find Larissa and her books
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Chained by Night
Moonbound Clan Vampires #2

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation.To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?
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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Interview & Giveaway: The Necromancer’s Betrayal by Mimi Sebastian

UFI welcomes Mimi Sebastian Author of the Necromancer Series. Thanks for Joining us!!


What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview? 

I’m a foodie, love trying out different types of cuisine. I had the pleasure of tasting fried termites when I was in the Peace Corps!

What do you enjoy doing on your down time? 

 Sleeping! LOL. Spending time with my family and friends, reading, getting exercise.

What is your Favorite part of writing?  

The stories and the characters. I also love doing the research, plotting out story and character arcs. The best part is when story ideas come to you and when characters reveal things about themselves, as you write, which have an impact on the storyline.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write? 

Because of my hectic life, family and day job, it’s impossible for me to maintain any kind of writing routine. I do like to listen to music while I write and will edit what I wrote the previous day or few days before to warm myself up.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

 Kelley Armstrong, Stacia Kane, and Jim Butcher. One of my fellow ImaJinn authors, D.B. Reynolds, has a wonderful vampires series, Vampires in America. I would also include Joss Whedon even though he doesn’t write books per se. Buffy is a seminal tv show that has influenced me as an author and I don’t think I’m the only one.

How would you pitch The Necromancer Books to someone who has not heard of it before?

I enjoy exploring the grey moral areas of my characters. They all have to make horrible choices based their allegiances to their own supernatural race and past events. And my heroine, Ruby, is a necromancer. She raises and controls the dead. It’s not a glamorous power, like casting spells or giving chase in stilettos. It’s rather gruesome, in fact, and I was very into exploring how she dealt with such a power. Does it twist her? Yes! It’s how she transcends the darkness that’s interesting…or will she?

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that The Necromancer Books is set in?  

The human world contains demons, vampires, witches, werewolves…the usual supernatural suspects living amongst humans without their knowledge. The demons came over from another realm, not really hell, and began effecting the human realm, gaining power over other supernatural races which the vampires resented since they were the former bad boys on the block. What I have fun exploring was how demons influenced human culture from ancient times to the present. Based on their contact with humans through the ages, they shaped human culture and religion. Necromancers played a large part in how demons initially made contact with humans, which led to disastrous consequences and which is part of what Ruby is dealing with in the books. Ruby also travels to the demon realm. Those scenes were fun to write, but also challenging in how to make that world unique and interesting without copying every other fantasy realm already imagined. I drew upon ancient cultures like the Sumerians to imagine my architecture (in the mythology, the demons actually influenced Sumerian architecture) and added some descriptions influenced by both H.P. Lovecraft and Clive Barker.

Do you have a favorite scene in The Necromancer’s Betrayal

 I’m a horror afficionado, and there was a creepy scene in particular between Ruby and a voodoo priest in a Colambarium. I enjoy writing scary scenes, playing up the creepiness, finding the language to create the tension and fear, the grossness without the gore. A couple of things stand out for me in that scene: Ruby and the voodoo priest talking about how their power over the dead differ and how Ruby escapes. She’s not like a werewolf, with physical strength, and has to be creative in how she uses her power.

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 

To me the protagonists are always the hardest because you are the closest to them and maybe know them too well. Especially in a book series, it’s always challenging to show their growth over the books. I want Ruby to learn something about herself and her power in each book and over the course of the series.

I love my main villain. (My books have lots of characters and political struggles so there are various characters trying to mess things up for Ruby, but there is one principle villain trying to influence her to use her power in bad ways.) I don’t want to say too much. His identity is revealed in the second book, Necromancer’s Betrayal, and it’s actually not terribly hard to figure out. It wasn’t my intent to make it hard to learn who is behind the madness. For me, the more intriguing part was the relationship between him and Ruby. He’s not an individual who comes across as a homicidal maniac and is very rational. In fact, Ruby sometimes has a hard time remembering the terrible things he’s done. In one scene in the third book, he reminds her of what he’s capable of and it shocks Ruby as well as reminds her that he is evil.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you? 

 I’m also writing and self-publishing a pirate historical romance series, called the Sea Rover’s Passion. I’m working on the second book right now. I have an idea for a romantic suspense series set in different exotic locales, based on places I’ve traveled to and lived, like Brazil and West Africa.
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Mimi Sebastian raised herself on books and the strange and unusual, and an unhealthy dose of comics and movies. When a career as a punk guitarist failed to materialize, she completed her degree in urban planning, spent two years in the Ivory Coast with the Peace Corps, and another three years in Brazil. By day, she debates the merits of transport oriented development, by night she writes about necromancers and pirates. She’s convinced she could live off coffee, ice cream, and comic books, but is sure only one of those is good for her health.

She's a member of Romance Writers of America and the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA. A transplant from the beaches of Florida, Mimi now wanders the desert in Phoenix, AZ, and attempts to balance writing with a day career, fantastic family, and household diva: her Amazon parrot.

Find Mimi and her books
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The Necromancer's Betrayal
 Necromancer #2
Amazon
Her powers have been hobbled. Her enemies are growing stronger.

Old loves challenge her. And her worst betrayer may be herself.

Necromancer Ruby Montagne is battling for her life in the realm of demons. Unfairly branded for the death of a fellow necromancer, she's got to prove her innocence without the full use of her magic. And the real culprit is still on the loose.

While someone is stalking her friends among the witches, Ruby searches for answers inside the dark intrigues of both the demon and necromancer worlds. Ruby must confront this new, sinister threat while reconciling her feelings for her former lover, a demon warrior. Only it's difficult . . . because a sexy vampire is making it clear that he'd like to be more than just friends.

The competition for Ruby's trust heats up as the enemy pushes her toward a dark side that could threaten the entire realm. Yet what can Ruby do when she's not even sure what she is? With the fabric separating the realms at stake, she must decide whom to trust. But will the ultimate betrayal be her own?
Excerpt: Ewan and Ruby Dance

A hand I knew all too well rested on my shoulder. “Come dance with me.” 

My first impulse was to huff, having watched him with Portia, but I smoothed my feathers and smothered the small fire that had been smoldering all night. If Ewan wasn’t going to bug me about Lysander, then I wasn’t going to disturb this quiet, soothing, if not a bit dangerous peace. It probably helped that I was just buzzed enough to agree, and maybe that had been his devious plan. I let him lead me to the floor and envelop me in his arms for the slow dance. His hesitation joined mine for a brief moment when our bodies connected, melting every nerve ending. 

I can’t do this to myself.
 
I moved away from him, but, sensing my skittishness, he tightened his grip, pulling me against his chest. My breath caught and my body buzzed with longing and want. We danced for a few moments to let the popping world around us settle. I understood why it was so much easier to attack each other, find an irritation to mine, an axe to throw, because all of that was easier than enduring this crippling longing, feeling this gaping hole carved in my chest. 

When my heart finally stopped tripping over itself, I carefully settled my cheek on the soft silk of his shirt. He pressed his lips to my ear, and his breath, tinged with whiskey and his spicy demon scent, overwhelmed me and everything, everyone around us melted in a blur. He pressed his thumb against my side, grazing until he found the round swell of my breast. I felt his smile against my cheek when I suppressed a moan. My rebellious arms somehow found their way around his neck. 

“You’re insufferable,” I said. 

“Charming.” His breath puffed against my earlobe, causing my nipples to harden. 

“Smug.” 

“Confident.” He continued to rub and caught my nipple with one devious flick, eliciting a sharp gasp.

“Arrogant.” 

“Gracious.” 

“Oh, hell.” 

“That, too.” He tightened his arms even more. “Do you know how much I want to throw you over my shoulder, take you to my place, and make love to you? I don’t think you’ll ever understand how much I want you.” His words, whispered into my ear, soft and husky, about undid me. 

“This conversation is not a good idea.” But my body screamed, throbbed to hear the rest of what he wanted to do. 

“Why? Don’t want Lysander to see me kiss you?” He glided his lips across my jawbone, leaving my skin zinging everywhere he touched. “He kissed you.” His words, tinged with a note of regret, sent a violent shiver through me. 

“No. Stop. What if Malthus sees?” I pushed away from him. He loosened his embrace, giving me an extra inch of space, without removing his arms from my waist. 

“Maybe I don’t give a damn.” 

“I had an interesting talk with Portia.” My words had the intended effect, throwing a bucket of freezing cold water over the conversation. I hated to extinguish the passion I so craved, but our talk had veered into the same morass that led to nowhere but despair. 

“That was mean,” he said, his eyes clouding with frustration. 

“What? Talking with her or bringing it up?” 

“What did you talk about?” 

I smirked. “Sharing.” 

He quirked an eyebrow. “Maybe I don’t want to know.” 

“Do you trust her?” 

“It’s wise not to trust anyone for the time being, but I’d be surprised if she was involved.” 

“You might try talking to her the next time you’re together.” 

“I haven’t been with anyone since you and I made love.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Guess I can’t say the same for you.” 

Ah, back to the pain. It almost felt better. At least we’d enjoyed most of the evening before igniting the white flag. I should have shot back at him with some retort, admonished him for judging me, but I was too buzzed and confused with guilt and readily accepted my role as dartboard for the night. 

“So tell me, are you and Lysander serious? Do you care for him?” he asked. 

“Yes, of course.” 

His arms stiffened. 

“He’s a friend,” I added. 

His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. 

“I’m not dating him. I’m not dating you either. Yes, we—” Frustration stifled my words. “What do you want me to do? Wait nine years? I don’t think our relationship can stand nine years of hurting each other.” 

His arms tightened, tightened, tightened and suffocated my thoughts. “He’s using the blood exchange to manipulate you.” 

“He’s not manipulating me. You know better than that.” 

“Lysander is a very old vampire, and I can assure you, he didn’t spend those hundreds of years in a monastery. He knows exactly what he’s doing.” 

“Just like you know exactly what you’re doing with Portia?” 

“That’s different.” 

He let me pull out of his embrace. “Sure it is,” I said, before turning away from him. The bar came into view and, needing a destination, I sprinted off before he could prevent my escape. I chanced a glance back and saw Portia had claimed him for the next dance. He whirled her onto the dance floor, but not before locking eyes with me for one last, hard stare.
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