* Jacquelyn Frank: Author Override | UTC Reviews
* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Monday 30 April 2012

UTC Insider: May 2012

Maidens!  Help us celebrate our one year blogoversary!!!!  We have a few special things in store for you this month, here are a few hints:


Author of the Month
Nalini Singh is here!!!!  We couldn't be more excited as Ms. Singh is a favorite author for all of us at UTC!

Author Appearances
Zoe Archer
Carly Phillips
Jessica Clare
Elle Kennedy
Kristen Ashley
Jean Johnson
Anya Bast
Jill Shalvis
Kady Cross
Carolyn Crane
Nalini Singh
and more

More interviews
We are also having a special Hottie of the Week interview this month and it'll be naughty, that's all I will say for now ;)
For the first time we are very excited to be interviewing one of UTC's favorite audiobook narrators, Jim Frangione!

Reading on the Dark Side
We will be featuring the Psy-Changeling series!

Battle of the Covers
USA vs UK Guild Hunter covers will be battling it out!

Blog Hops
Have you signed up for our blog hops yet?
SINFUL SIRENS - MAY 15-20
LOVESTRUCK - JUNE 15-22
HOT JOCKS - JULY 10-17

Giveaways
Aside from the author giveaways and the blog hop that will be running this month, we are running a few Blogoversary giveaways.

We are borrowing the idea from our friends at Guilty Pleasures and we will be running a weekly giveaway.  You will have the chance to win your choice of a book that we review that week.  To enter there will be a form at the end of all the reviews posted, and be sure to leave comments on them!

And we are also running a special mystery basket giveaway which will run all month.  What's in the basket?  You will find out soon!

Help Us Spread the Word
You want to help us celebrate?  Take the button below and post it on your blog!  By doing this you will have an extra entry on ALL giveaways this month.  Plus, we will love you for showing UTC Appreciation!




Amazon Deals!

Dear Maidens,

It's Annie here! Hope you had a great week! If you're like me, you buy a ton of great books weekly so today I'm sharing some of my faves with you all. Some are free while others are only 99 cents. Awesome deal if you ask me.

So let's get started:

I'm a huge fan of Bella Andre's books (especially her Sullivans series). They are always very sexy and fun.
Love Me (Contemporary Romance)  is FREE right now! I snatched this one up myself and hope to read it soon!
If you are a fan of Lara Adrian, then you may know her other pen name Tina St. John. Tina writes medieval romances. I've read one book called Heart of the Hunter (Dragon Chalice) and loved it! Lord of Vengeance is only 99 cents and it is a standalone book. I got this one too and will read it once my schedule allows!

Paranormal romance fans, if you haven't checked out Larissa Ione's Lords of Deliverance series, you really should! Ione has released a compendium for this series that contains great extras and even a new story. At 99 cents also, that's a deal! Check it out!  Apocalypse: The Lords of Deliverance Compendium

I also have something for the historical romance readers. I recently read and enjoyed Courtney Milan's prequel novella to her new series.  I would definitely recommend readers to check this out one also! The Governess Affair (The Brothers Sinister)

Until next time! Happy reading!

Ann

ARC Review: Captivated by Lauren Dane



Captivated
(Phantom Corps #3)
by Lauren Dane

Lauren Dane crafts an emotionally-charged story that brings a broken woman named Hannah Black from the confining net that total isolation by the Imperialist troops have casted over her. Eleven months she was held captive, but when Vincenz Fardelle rescues her from them, readers see the spine of steel hidden beneath the abused woman.

It was easy to like Hannah. Despite being emotionally sensitive, she is a strong woman who does what is necessary to survive and return to her previous state. She undergoes treatment that is uncomfortable for her, but with the help of Vincenz and Julian Marsters, the slow steps they take towards recovery have shown her resilience and a core strength that cannot be denied.

Vincenz and Julian are also great characters that show sympathy and kindness towards Hannah. But they are also very passionate people. It was clearly evident that Vincenz and Julian love each other and Dane does a great job of making that known on the first few pages of this book. Dane then adds Hannah into that mix and it was interesting to see how this protectiveness extended towards her too. I must comment on the sex scenes in this book. Dane incorporates a variety of sex scenes – there are M/M scenes, M/F/M, and M/F scenes. There’s a lot of goodness in it, but I know some are more hesitant about M/M scenes so this is a fair warning. For me, this was a perfect balance. I loved that Dane did scenes with Hannah and the men separately as well as together because it shows how well they are together as a threesome.

Again, the worldbuilding is interesting and engaging, giving the story a natural push as the war approaches and Hannah takes a more active part in the role. I have to say that I was really impressed by this book and hope to read more from Dane because not only was it emotionally gripping, but it was hella hot too!

 *ARC provided by author

 
 
Purchase Links: Amazon

Author of the Month: Nalini Singh

 
When we first started our blog last May I clearly remember that Kiss of Snow was coming out at the end of that month and we kept thinking it would be amazing to be able to interview Nalini Singh on our blog one day.

Well a lot of things have happened since then!  And this month as we celebrate our one year blogoversary we are very happy to have as our Author of the Month, the one and only Nalini Singh.  She will be stopping by later this month for an interview with us. *cue squeeeee*

But that's not all!!!  Last month I was able to meet her at RT and got to hang out with her for a bit as well.  I don't think I have met a sweeter person ever, very energetic and very cute!

Her stories are emotional, riveting, unpredictable, action-packed and always very sensual.  If you haven't read her books yet, you are really missing out!


Psy-Changeling Series
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
3.5 Beat of Temptation
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow

Coming this month, we will be featuring the Psy-Changeling series as our Reading on the Dark Side feature.  We will have our casting, favorite quotes, character profiles and even buttons for the series.  Don't miss it!

Guild Hunter Series
1. Angel's Blood
2. Archangel's Kiss
3. Archangel's Consort
4. Archangel's Blade
4.5 Angels of Darkness
4.75 Angels' Flight

We will be featuring the Guild Hunter series this month in our Battle of the Covers USA vs UK!  Stay tuned for that, they are both good!

Ms. Singh was also part of a fairytale style series last year with Gena Showalter, Jill Monroe and Jessica Andersen.  Her book was the last one in the series:

Lord of the Abyss

April 2012 Monthly Wrap Up


Hi Maidens! Thanks again for another incredible month here at UTC!

Here's a quick recap of events in case you missed anything

Author of the Month: Maya Banks
Even though the Sweet series has come to an end, our love for Maya Banks still thrives!
Romance Rewind: Sweet Series

Author Appearances:
Many thanks to all of these authors who visited UTC this past month! We had a blast with you all!
Lori Foster
Zoe Archer
Julie James
Karin Tabke
Kallypso Masters
Stacia Kane
Diane Escalera
Juliana Stone
Jennifer Ashley
Cathryn Fox
Jillian Stone
Eliza Gayle
Ann Mayburn
Amanda Carlson
Bianca D'Arc
ER Pierce
TJ Michaels
Amanda Scott
Roxanne St. Claire

Blog Hops:
Don't forget! We are hosting a few blog hops that are fast approaching! These giveaway hops are open to all authors and bloggers!
SINFUL SIRENS - MAY 15-20
LOVESTRUCK - JUNE 15-22
HOT JOCKS - JULY 10-17

STAY TUNED FOR MAY BECAUSE WE HAVE A TON OF GREAT SURPRISES FOR YOU!!!

Interview and Giveaway with Amanda Scott


Hi Amanda! Welcome back to Under the Covers! We are glad to have you back!

Since you were here last you released HIGHLAND LOVER, how would you describe HIGHLAND LOVER, the third book in your Scottish Knights trilogy?

A. HIGHLAND LOVER, the third and final book in my Scottish Knights trilogy, follows HIGHLAND MASTER and HIGHLAND HERO. All three stories take place in early fifteenth-century Scotland at a time when the third person in line for the Scottish throne was absolutely determined to rule Scotland. The heir to the throne was a reckless, womanizing profligate, and the second in line was a seven-year-old boy. The three heroes are close friends, all knights, who studied together under the Bishop of St. Andrews and became members of a secret brotherhood that he formed, but they never knew each other’s full names at St. Andrews. They will do whatever they must to support the rightful heir in his battle against the murderous efforts of his wicked uncle to seize Scotland’s throne. Each knight also has a particular skill at which he is either Scotland’s champion or one of the best in Scotland.
A- HIGHLAND LOVER is the story of Captain Sir Jake “Sea Wolf” Maxwell and Lady Alyson MacGillivray, a cousin of Sir Ivor “Hawk” Mackintosh (HIGHLAND HERO) and friend of Fin of the Battles (HIGHLAND MASTER). Lady Alyson, recently married, has seen almost nothing of her husband Niall since their wedding, because he serves the Earl of Orkney. So when Niall agrees to take Alyson with him when he sails with the earl to France, she hopes they will enjoy a romantic journey. She soon discovers, however, that the ship is secretly carrying Jamie Stewart, the young heir to Scotland’s throne, to safety in France and away from his villainous uncle, the Duke of Albany, who currently rules Scotland. Albany wants nothing more than to get his hands on Jamie, so he can continue to rule the country when the aging King dies. When “English pirates” attack the ship in a storm and leave Alyson locked in a chest to drown, Jake Maxwell witnesses the attack and rescues Alyson and a boy. They are miles from home, and although they are off the coast of England, it’s a good distance away and Jake’s ship has vanished in the raging storm.
Can you tell us a bit about The Wolf, Captain Jake Maxwell? What is it about him that you believe will capture readers’ attention?
A- Jake Maxwell was a boy in KING OF STORMS (Warner Books, Aug 2007). His father was ship’s captain to the Duke of Albany until the hero of that tale needed a ship and “borrowed” Albany’s Serpent Royal with Jake and his father aboard. In the meantime, Jake has lived in the western Highlands and at St. Andrews as a student under Bishop Traill, who began the long tradition of education there. Jake won his knighthood and now has his own ship, the erstwhile Serpent Royal, rechristened Sea Wolf, which was the name that Jake assumed at St. Andrews (like Sir Ivor’s “Hawk”). What I love about Jake is that his feistiness as a child has led him far. His boyish Borders accents have mostly vanished but pop up now and again, and his stubborn determination to do the right thing remains. He is, however, a man who values his freedom (especially on the sea) above all else. Lady Alyson, on the other hand, is an heiress, has a clinging family that she dearly loves but from whom she would like some distance, so she wants nothing more than a home of her own with a husband at her side to help her run it. Jake and Alyson are both extremely competent, capable, intelligent people, accustomed to doing things their own way, which proves to be a very good thing at the end of the book when everything they come to believe turns upside down and inside out.
Many considered you to be an accomplished historical author. Can you share some of your favorite historical authors? What is it about their work that resonates with you?
A- I rarely read historical romances, but I do love Sharon K. Penman’s books, and my all-time favorite historical author is still Jan Westcott (Border Lord, The Hepburn) with Dorothy Dunnett (Game of Kings, et al) a close second. In both latter cases, what resonated was the accuracy of their research and the fact that they were telling tales about my own ancestors (although the plain fact is that when I first read their books I had no idea that I had any kinship with their heroes…so, go figure. They were favorites then and still are now.) The history that I read is nearly all for research: clan histories, Scottish history, and primary sources (documents, historical manuscripts, and family histories when I can find them).
Along the same lines, what book(s) have you read recently that you would like to share with our readers?
A- I’m always at a loss when people ask this question, because I rarely read the competition and, for pleasure, prefer to read books far removed from those I write myself. Accordingly, my favorite downtime authors are Lee Child, Kate Wilhelm, Robert Crais, Vince Flynn, Greg Iles, Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, Nelson DeMille, and others of their ilk. In other words, I prefer legal and political thrillers over books that I find myself editing as I go. Escape for me, as for nearly everyone else, is reading something that takes me away from my everyday life.
When you aren't reading or writing, what hobbies keep you busy?
A- I used to say “family history” when asked this question. However, it’s been a very long time since I’ve had time to work on that. I don’t have hobbies, but I enjoy traveling and spending time in the mountains, where I swim, canoe, hike, and spend more time with friends than I do when my office is right upstairs. For some reason, sitting on the porch at the cabin or in a deck chair in the middle of the cabin’s front room with my laptop, feels much more like a vacation than my office does and I stick to my work hours more firmly. At home, the temptation to get “one more thing” or “one more scene” is harder to ignore.
If you could go back in time, what would you do?
A- Find some extraordinarily rich person to adopt me and see that I had access to all the finer things the period had to offer. Otherwise, the cabin life is rustic enough for me, thanks.
What is one thing you require in order to write a book?
A- Solitude enough to research it, outline its plot, write it, and edit it. Writing books is not something easily done in small bits and pieces when the rest of one’s Life allows it. One must be willing to sacrifice other things to gain the space, time, and peace to think, to do the reading necessary to collect new details for each book, and to experiment with plot elements—organizing and reorganizing them—as one outlines the story. Then one has to write the book, revise it if editors request revisions, proofread, deal with copy-editors, production, promotion, travel as required, and so forth, and so forth, and so on.
What does your writing space look like? Neat and tidy? Or cluttered and stacked with papers? Any visual would be nice.
A- As I look around right now, it’s fair t’ middlin’. This morning, piled on one desk, I had Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the Scots Thesaurus, two brainstorming pads of wide-margin ruled paper (one white for current notes, the other yellow for wild or crazy ideas), a folder containing the questions for this blog, a few remnants from finishing ups taxes, promotional material for the next Scottish games I’ll attend to sign books for a vendor, a Highland clans almanac, the notes for the next chapter of the book I’m currently writing (the sequel to Book 1 of my Lairds of the Loch trilogy, THE LAIRD’S CHOICE (Forever, December 2012). I loathe clutter (another reason I like to get away to the cabin), but when I “submerge” to write, I can easily get snowed under. That desk also holds a sometimes-neat row of books under the window it faces, books about character, character names, and setting information, and a few other things to which I refer often. My computer desk sits at a right angle to the one under the window (which is also the famous one my husband bought me when I said I’d like to write). The computer desk holds my computer, a giant monitor, laser printer, and scanner, as well as a few reference books that are specifically Scottish, and a file with costume information. It also has two shelves of references such as thesauruses, usage, phrase and quotation books. Two full walls of my office contain books, one has cabinets under the shelves, the other shelves all the way down. The window wall also has two filing cabinets, one built into the wall, the other not. Where the built-in one is, I also have book shelves for larger books. One is nearly as long as the file cabinet is. Oh, behind the computer desk is a wall to wall bulletin board that I try to keep uncluttered. It has family pictures and funny things, a huge map of Scotland, and a picture of my cat. He, of course, considers the office, like everything else in the house, to be his.
Three copies of HIGHLAND LOVER are up for grabs! US only. 
HIGHLAND DANGER

Ever inquisitive, Lady Alyson MacGillivray embarks on a sea voyage and makes a shocking discovery: The young future king of Scotland is secretly traveling on board. Yet her surprise soon turns to terror when pirates attack the ship, take the boy prince hostage, and leave Lady Alyson to drown.

HIGHLAND WOLF

Known to the world as the The Wolf, Captain Jake Maxwell had been commissioned by the King to follow the prince's secret transport. When he spies Alyson struggling against a violent sea, he moves swiftly to save her. Soon desire sparks between them, bringing them pleasure-powerful and deep. But the young beauty's connection to the prince's abduction puts her in danger. And if their love is to survive, Alyson and Jake must play a game of intrigue with royal-and lethal-consequences.
To enter:
1. Be a follower
2. Fill out the form below

Romance Rewind: Sweet series by Maya Banks

ROMANCE REWIND: THE SWEET SERIESMaya Banks dabbles in many subgenres within romance however, if you haven’t read her SWEET series than you are missing out! These hotter than hell books pushes the erotica romance boundaries and make for an interesting and sizzling summer read that we are sure you would enjoy. For a little tease, we are going to show you our favorite panty-melting quotes from each book to entice you further! But be warned, these aren’t for virgin eyes *winks*


SWEET SURRENDER


"And what is it you want?"
His voice, buttery smooth, glided over her body, removing the awkward vulnerability and leaving vague arousal in its stead.
She licked her lips as he walked around the bed to take her other arm.
"I'm waiting," he said as he secured her other hand.
"Control," she said simply. "A man's dominance."


SWEET PERSUASION
“You'll call me Damon. I see no need for dramatic titles. I, on the other hand will call you beautiful, lover, mine. I'll call you mine."
SWEET SEDUCTION


“I’ve tried doing this your way,” he growled. “I’ve tried being patient, understanding, gentle even. I didn’t want to come across as some knuckles-dragging-the-ground Neanderthal because I was afraid you’d run hard in the other direction. Ha! Well, I’m done with that. This time we’re doing it my way.”


SWEET TEMPTATION
“Don’t go easy, Micah. I don’t need you to. Please. I need you to go hard.”
In answer to her plea, he gripped her ass and used his thumbs to part the cheeks. The motion stretched her even tighter around his cock and they both moaned.
“get ready then, baby. I’m going to ride you hard.”
She closed her eyes and began stroking herself again as he rammed into her. Hard, fast, deep.

SWEET POSSESSION


"I want inside you, Lyric," he whispered. "I love your mouth, but I want you in my arms, your body wrapped around mine while I dive so deep that we lose ourselves in each other."


SWEET ADDICTION
He came to a full stop when he saw her. She shivered at the sudden fire in his eyes. Loved how he reacted, loved that she could incite such a reaction from this tightly controlled man.
“Do you have underwear on?”
She lowered her lashes provocatively and murmured a shy, “Yes.”
She watched him from underneath her ashes, knowing he loved it when she played coy. As much as he revered the strong, confident, woman she was, he was turned on when she decided to play the shy virgin.
“Show me.”

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: SEXY COWBOYS!


Today I'm feeling rowdy so let's start the week off with some sexy cowboys! Are you ladies ready to ride???


Sunday 29 April 2012

ARC Review: The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts


 
The Last Boyfriend
(Inn Boonsboro #2)
by Nora Roberts 

Owen Montgomery likes to keep things in order. He has his plans laid out months in advance and he never, ever deters from them. However, Owen has never paid much attention to the pizza place owner, Avery McTavish until now.

The fun-loving and spirited Avery runs the vastly popular pizza place right across the inn. Though they don’t work far from each other and see one another often, their relationship starts off slow.

Whenever Owen needs a quiet place to make some important calls, he walks over to Avery’s and uses her space for awhile. Soon, Owen finds himself there more often and he can only guess why.The fiery woman with the red hot hair has finally caught his attention and now, he has no intentions of letting go.

Like I said earlier, Roberts develops Avery and Owen’s relationship slowly. Owen is a thorough guy and doesn’t jump into things impulsively. It’s why he is so successful at what he does. And the inn his brothers, Ry and Beckett and his mother have been working on is now showing signs of finishing. By the New Year, the inn with be taking in people and showing them just how great the small town of Boonsboro can really be.
We see some updates from Clare and Beckett, the couple from the first book and learn about develops in their relationship, while Roberts builds up some interesting moments between Hope and Ry, the grumpy brother who likes to snarl and snap at everyone who isn’t his mother. I’m really looking forward to reading his book next. It’s going to be great!

Hope, the new innkeeper has moved into the inn and is now settling herself into her new environment. Unfortunately, the ghost, Lizzy as Beckett likes to call her is still waiting for someone called Billy. Lizzy the ghost has been doing some matchmaking throughout this book and while I didn’t really care for this supernatural element in the first book, I found that I really enjoyed it in this book.

There were so many fun moments in this book that had me smiling as I read. Roberts has always possessed the ability to warm readers hearts with her words and characters and THE LAST BOYFRIEND delivers just as much as her other books. I’m looking forward to see what he has planned for Ry.

*ARC provided by publisher

 
 
Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley


Rock Chick
by Kristen Ashley
Rock Chick #1

 Indy Savage has been in love with Lee Nightingale since she was 5 years old. But, after spending her youth constantly throwing herself at him, he tells her he only sees her as a little sister. Now she has spent the last 10 years avoiding him, which is pretty hard,  her best friend is his his sister and his mother practically raised her. But after Indy mouthed off a little at a gun toiting muscle man and gets shot at a little, only Lee seems to know what to do and not only with the gun toiting muscle man. Lee has wanted Indy forever and now is his perfect time to strike after 10 years of her avoiding him.

Another great read from Kristen Ashley! This was a fun and sexy book full of hilarious characters and I will definately be reading the next in the series.

What stands out about Rock Chick compare to the other books I have read by Ms Ashley is the heroine. Indy was hilarious! I loved her, not that I don't like her other heroines, I do, but normally the hero always outshines them with his studly manliness, but in this case Indy's wacky rock chick ways were the highlight of this book, and Lee Nightingale, although studly and manly, was no where near as interesting as Indy.

This was a quite a long book, the great thing about Kristen Ashley is the value for money! ALL her books are pretty long! But this one seemed to have a faster pace then the others as Indy is frequently thrown into hilarious, absurd and dangerous situations.

This was great fun and I highly recommend this if you are looking for a book with a few laughs, a kooky heroine and a sexy alpha male!


Saturday 28 April 2012

Review: Rock Chick Rescue by Kristen Ashley



Rock Chick Rescue
by Kristen Ashley
Rock Chick #2

Jet McAlister the newest employee of Fortnums is completely oblivious to that fact that the super hot cop Eddie Chavez is interested in her. What would he see in plain boring Jet? But then Jet's dead beat dad comes in to town complete with a massive debt and criminals not afraid to threaten and endanger his daughters life to get it. At that point Eddie has had enough, Jet is his and he has had enough with waiting for her to realize it, so admist kidnappings, knife fights and bar brawls he decides to claim her as his own.

Over all I really enjoyed this book, it was funny, action packed, sexy and sweet. The beginning was fantastic and it immediatly pulled me into the story, I really liked Jet and respected her for all teh hard work she puts in for her family, Eddie was smouldering hot and sexy and I think they make a cute and funny couple, my favourite moment has to be when she gets so tongue tied that she implies to Eddie that she is racist (she isn't!) I was in stitches!

But towards the end I felt the book lost its way a bit, although the bady guy part of the book was resolved nicely, I didn't think Eddie and Jet's relationship was, they didn't seem quite together. And it ended so abruptly with them still in the middle of an argument, which neither of them had really backed down from, it was a little strange.

However, let's focus on something else awesome about these books. Tex; former recluse ex con, coffee savant and resident cat sitter. For me he outshines all the other characters in the book, I love him! I think we all need a Tex in our lives. Also the other Rock Chicks, I love that in this series we have some really strong female characters, who I think actually outshine the sexy alpha males. Rock. On!

Although this book was a little disappointing in the way it ended, I am really enjoying this series and I can't wait for Hank's book!

Hot Bunch "Hotness" Scale

1. Hank- Guy Next Door with an Edge
2. Vance- Knicker Meltingly Sexy
3. Mace- Intense & Broody
4. Eddie- Smouldering Mexican Bad Boy
5. Lee- Dashing & Dangerous