* 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

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Covers to Covet

Biting Bad
by Chloe Neill
(Chicagoland Vampires # 8)
Welcome back to Chicago: Famous for sports, pizza, and vampires. At the tender age of twenty-eight, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire.  Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, seen her Master fall and rise, and saved her best friend from self destruction. But this might be her toughest fight yet...
Available August 6, 2013

And the Winners Are...


Lauren Dane Giveaway
Cait045

Felicity Heaton SWAG Giveaway
Kassandra Appel
Dian Setyarini
Maria Durst
Beckey White
Fiery Na
Lori Meehan
Linda Larsson
Susan House
Karin McCune
Infinitieh
Winners were chosen through Rafflecopter. Emails have been sent. You will have 72 hours to claim your prize (by just responding to the email you get from us).

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Author Override: Carolyn Crane

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Hidden in the backgrounds of book covers…

When I was first discussing the cover for Mr. Real with my cover artist, Earthly Charms I had found this really cool wall paper pattern I wanted to use for the background. Colorful and grungy and just cool looking. I showed it to her, and she was almost horrified. I couldn’t have that be the background! It had nothing to do with the book.


Those words really stuck with me We had this whole back and forth about how backgrounds needed to be meaningful, and say something about the story. I kind of got into it, and we eventually found the house, pictured below, to use. Because it’s the key place in the story, and full of mystery, and almost another character.


What’s funny is that, back when the artist was doing Mind Games, I was asked by Spectra for ideas on the background. I suggested a turnpike that looks like a rollercoaster (the Tangle!). I even sent them some twisty rollercoaster pictures and they did a really nice job with it. I didn’t think much of it at the time; I thought maybe they just didn’t have any good backgrounds laying around the office or something.

Since then, I’ve been really getting into backgrounds of book covers, especially paranormal and urban fantasy ones. The different things the artist and/or writer choose to portray.

Sometimes I look at the backgrounds more than the people in the foreground.


I love the backgrounds on this series! This is a beautiful Victorian London look, and there’s all that fire, because, of course, Miranda has power over fire. It’s also moody in feel, for a fabulously moody book. These backgrounds are significant and powerful.


I love the way the Tiki theme comes alive here in this background, because of course, the main character owns a Tiki bar. And in general, there’s much magic in the air here. I couldn’t remember why the stairs were there, so I tweeted Jenn and asked her. She said: “the stairs heading down to Tambuku Tiki Lounge, like, symbolically? Underground/demon-friendly haven/underworld. Hidden.” I love that. Backgrounds are where it’s at!


This is a fabulous background, set in a future New York gone wrong. I love the way the street is torn up. You know when that street is torn up, there’s trouble!


Laura Bickle’s fabulously frightening YA about an Amish girl who fights vampires. This background captures the forebodingness as it becomes clear all is not well with the world. I’m a sucker for animals in backgrounds, too, and here are the crows. They were kind of the first to sound the alarm. Also, I personally feel the brightest part of the cover being by Katie’s heart is no coincidence. Since it went so well asking Jenn about the underground thing, I asked Laura about the cap she holds. Laura’s own take: “I think that it's kind of symbolic of her faith. Hanging on and it slipping away.” Hmmm!! Laura also supplied this link to the full art. Even cooler!

http://blot.com/post/20865515379/the-hallowed-ones


I so love this background. This is a high adventure romance, book #2 in the Iron Seas series. It’s a unique background, because you have the hero, Archimedes Fox, looking out through the whole metal/rivet & gears thing. The airship in the background is key, though, because they ride around on lots of airships and drop into dangerous places. The balcony behind him is presumably an airship balcony, suggesting something unseen below. I think the storm clouds are also purposeful.


This background captures the plot of this book so neatly – the heroine, Jennifer, accidentally opens a kind of gate and finds herself sucked into an ultra-enchanted fae realm where she herself has dangerous powers. I also love how sparkly the area around her is. The sparkles center on the heroine. In my mind, that’s no accident. I asked Jeffe if she saw anything else special. “I also love how his hand from the back is kind of translucently moving through her,” Jeffe says.

Okay, now I wish I’d asked all these authors for extra commentary. This is so interesting. Do all authors think about backgrounds so much? Anyway, I’m so focused on paranormal backgrounds these days. It’s kind of fun!!
 
 
The woman of his dreams…with the secret agent of his nightmares

Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn’t take life too seriously. What’s the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up lots of awesome outfits and accessories. And then, on one drunken, horny night, she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy . . . who looks exactly like Paul Reinhardt, the hot martial arts teacher who kicked her out of class a few years ago.

Fighter Paul Reinhardt has good reason to hate Sir Kendall, the character he brought to life to land a part in a TV ad; he’d do anything to forget him. A cross country road trip seems just the thing . . . until Paul finds himself inexplicably drawn to Minnesota and is shocked to discover Sir Kendall – in the flesh – with the girl he’d once loved from afar. He barges into Alix and Sir Kendall’s love nest, determined to stop the madness – somehow.

But is super spy Sir Kendall transforming into something more dangerous anyone can imagine? And what will Sir Kendall do when Paul and Alix finally give into their mad lust for each other?

 
About the Author:


Carolyn Crane is the author of the Disillusionists trilogy and assorted novellas. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two cats, and works a day job as a freelance writer. During rare moments when she’s not at her computer, she can be found reading in bed, running, or helping animals. 



So, what book background do you love?
Leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Mr. Real!
 

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Review: The Ties That Bind by Jaci Burton

The Ties That Bind 
by Jaci Burton

I love stories about second chance at love.  This was a different take on it.  I didn't read this as part of the original anthology, although I had that on my TBR for a while. 

This story was different because Lisa and Rick were high school sweethearts and then Rick got Lisa pregnant when she was 16 and things changed.  They got married but quickly things didn't work out so they got divorced.  However, they raised their daughter together and were always in each others lives.  Now their daughter is 18 and going to college.  And she's making her mom, Lisa, kick start her new life with going away on a tropical vacation.  Except that was all a setup so Rick and Lisa can get back together.

The premise is really sweet and just makes you happy that their love was able to persevere.  I also thought the whole coming together idea was great, compliments to the daughter.  The only thing I didn't like or understand was how much she fought them getting back together.  I just didn't get the why, I thought that was unnecessary conflict when there could've been something else.

I really did enjoy the story though and I think the author did an amazing job at conveying these characters back story and feelings in such a short time.  And oh... did I mention it was frecking hot?!?!
Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Redemption by Fire by Andrew Grey

Redemption by Fire
by Andrew Grey
(By Fire # 1)

This was totally an impulse buy.  I saw a review for the last book in this series on a blog that I love and follow and being the stickler I am for reading in order, I rushed and bought book one.  Loved that it was a short story because I was feeling some m/m withdrawals in between all my "required" review reading so this hit the spot.

However, writing a short story I think has to be hard and as a reader it's difficult to connect on all levels with the story.  I think that's what lessened my enjoyment of this story.  This is the first I read by this author and it was very well written and I did enjoy what was presented.  However, I felt that something was missing.

In a nutshell, Dirk is a firefighter who almost dies in a fire while rescuing a baby.  He's always been an asshole and really none of his co-workers like him.  While he's recovering at the hospital, the new "kid" at the station is the only one that goes to visit him.  And the first thing he does is he throws in his face that he thinks he's gay and because he has to live in the closet, that's why he's such an ass.

Of course, Dirk is and he feels an immediate attraction to Lee.  And while Dirk is recovering things heat up between them.  And then Dirk has to deal with the repercussions of going back to work and whether or not he will come out to his friends and family in order to keep Lee, who is happily out.

I think there was a lot of growth for the characters that happened "off the pages" and that's what I didn't like because I felt that people just changed who they were so quickly and with no real reason as to why.  But time had passed so I'm sure things and feelings prompted those changes.  That's just something you lose when reading a short story and I think this one was affected by that.

However, that being said, I did enjoy Dirk and Lee together, as well as Dirk's turnaround with this co-workers and friends.  I'm not sure if the next story will still be about the same couple since the issue of coming out to his father wasn't really addressed at the end of this book.  But I will definitely continue reading the series either way.  Quick, hot and entertaining read!
Purchase Links: Amazon

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Phil Gigante Giveaway
Malinda Mullens

Signed Copy of ICED by KMM Giveaway
Debbie (TalkSupe)
 
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Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Interview and Giveaway with Stephanie Tyler


Guess what today is?  RELEASE DAY!  And we have with us the talented Stephanie Tyler who is celebrating the release of DIRE WANTS, the second book in the Eternal Wolf Clan series.  Did you miss out on the prequel and book one?  You have some catching up to do!

Hi Stephanie, welcome back to UTC. We are very excited to share with our readers about DIRE WANTS!

YAY! Thanks for having me back! I can’t believe it’s release day already – time is flying :)

Hot shifters...hot bikers. *sigh* How did you come up with the concept of the ETERNAL WOLF CLAN series?

Alphas with Harleys – what could be better? Seriously, I’m a huge Sons of Anarchy fan and I’ve always written some outlaw kinds of characters in my suspenses. And I thought, what better way for wolves who don’t want people getting too close to them – this would certainly keep the questions at bay. Except…who doesn’t love a bad boy? That’s the flaw in their plan.

In the series, there are shifters and there are dire wolves. What is the big difference between these two?

The shifters – for me – aren’t immortal. Also, the Dires and their Brother Wolves are both in control, and for shifters (Weres included) that’s not the case.

For someone who hasn't read the series yet (and that is crazy!) how would you describe it?

The Dire series is about biker Dire wolves who are immortal and have lived for centuries helping humans and repenting for their ancestor’s mistakes – and all without mates…until now.

You are bringing in a witch to the mix in DIRE WANTS. What is your favorite thing about Kate, the heroine?

She’s very strong – she’s scared and lonely but she’s going to put up a hell of a fight. She’s such a perfect match for Stray.

Do you have a favorite scene in DIRE WANTS that you can share with us?

This is one of my favorites, between Stray and Kate, right after she discovers he’s a wolf:
The brand was responding to Stray’s voice voice. Making her squirm. After what she’d just been through, what she’d learned about her rescue from the accident, that would be the last reaction she thought she’d have.

“I won’t hurt you. Let me protect you, Kate.”

It was what she’d wanted to hear from him—and yet she couldn’t let herself believe his intentions.

Instead, she inched closer to the door, surprised he was letting her.

When he spoke, his voice sent chills down her spine.

“If you run, I’ll chase you. That’s my instinct. I’ll chase you, and I will catch you.”

“And then what?” She managed to keep the tremble from her voice when she asked.

“You really want to find out, then run.”

God, she didn’t know if that would be stupid—or the best thing she could possibly do. But she ran anyway, down the closest stairway and then down another, into a series of mazelike hallways.

She felt, rather than heard, Stray behind her. His heat, the soft growl of a predator on the chase reverberating through her. But still, she ran in the dark until her side cramped and her legs ached, lungs burned. She slowed, waiting for his hand on her, but it never came. She stopped, turned again, and there he was in front of her, his eyes those of the wolf but the rest of him still pure human male.

She backed up and he didn’t follow, not until she turned to run again.

Finally, she pushed through an unlocked door into some sort of gym/training room. And there was no way out but the way she’d come in.

She’d really backed herself into a corner this time; Stray was already pissed at her, although the danger wasn’t at her throat the way it had been with Shimmin and his men.

This time Stray didn’t stop coming for her. He strode forward until only a few feet separated them. She swallowed hard, tried to ignore the way her body called out for him to touch her, and took a few steps to make her way back toward the door.

Stray gave a soft laugh. “Really, little witch? You want to bring out my prey instincts? Because you know what they say about wild animals: They can fool you because they might seem domesticated, but they can never be tamed.”

God, she believed it. Right now, she didn’t want him tamed at all. Walked toward him instead of away, reached her hands up to twine in his thick hair and pull her face to his. And she kissed him, reversing the roles. Because for once, she wanted to be the goddamned predator. The one who shook Stray to the core, because she was sure he’d managed to do that to every woman in his life.

But she would be different. Wanted to be, needed to be, although she wasn’t sure why that desire burned so brightly hot inside of her.

She just knew it was there, and there was no stopping it.

His lips were soft, but his kiss was hard—demanding. She gave as good as she got even as she braced herself for the pain—hers and Stray’s.

None came for either.

She’d tried to have sex just once and had nearly ended up killing the guy. It had been horrifying . . . as though something in her body had at once rejected and repelled the man.

That didn’t happen, and instead her body flared for Stray. He kissed her deeper and she was helpless against him. His hands went under her shirt, touched her lower back, and the brand tingled with pleasure instead of burning.

She should be pushing him away. Pushing and slapping, not feeling her entire body ache for him. Her nipples hardened; her body came alive. He tasted like a blend of the richest, most delicious spices. And she never wanted him to stop.

He knew it, too, the bastard, took full advantage of her sudden, inexplicable wantonness to press his body into hers, to grind his hardness to her belly. When he finally pulled back, he took in her quick breaths with a too-obvious satisfaction.

She pressed the back of his hand to her lips. They tingled—everything tingled—and if he didn’t back away, she might not be able to resist reaching out and grabbing him and kissing him.

Ridiculous. Had she hit her head and not realized it?

“Is this . . . only because of your prey instincts?” she whispered, not wanting him to say yes. Because then anyone could trigger this inside of him . . . None of it would be special.

He stared at her, his eyes so mesmerizing she couldn’t look away. “Yes.”
DIRE DESIRES is coming out in July of next year *sobs*. Any clues you can give us as to what this book will bring? Who the hero/heroine are?

I’ve been holding off on telling, but for you, I will :) Dire Desires hero is Jinx! And hey, don’t worry, I’ll keep you busy – I have a romantic suspense novella in March 2013 and book 1 in a new RS series in April :)
Surrender
by Stephanie Tyler
(A Section 8 Novel # 1)
DESPERATE, FEARLESS, AND HUNTED  
For former Navy SEAL Dare O’Rourke, Section 8 was legendary. The son of one of its missing members, he grew up in the shadow of its secrets. All he knew was that it was a cabal of operatives discharged from branches of the military and reassigned to extremely dangerous, off- the-books international missions. And that their handler was as shrouded in mystery as the missions themselves.

NOTHING CAN STOP THEM. NOTHING CAN BREAK THEM.
Now the handler of Section 8 has given orders to kill any remaining members, along with their families. Dare must save his long-lost half sister, Avery, whom he was never meant to meet. Determined to fight for their lives and find their missing father, Dare and Avery bring together for one last mission those who are in danger because of their relationship to Section 8—to avenge their families and to survive.
Available April  2, 2013

When writing a series how do you choose which couple to write next?

They choose. Seriously. I had no idea Stray would be book 2 or Jinx book 3. I had plans and the characters had other ideas.

Lets do some quickfire favorites:

Fave season Fall, hands down.
Fave color Blue
Fave music Classic rock
Fave book Gone with the Wind
Fave place to visit Tanzania

Which paranormal creature is your favorite and why? 

Wolves!!!! Because they’re warm and strong and just…primal. In Twilight, I think the wolf got gypped. Although I don’t love Bella so maybe not…

Thanks so much for taking the time and sharing with us today!

PLEASE NOTE that there are some technical difficulties with the ebook release of DIRE WANTS and it's currently not available but the issue is being worked on and all links should be working soon.


The supernatural world is rising up against the human one. The weretrappers want control, and only the immortal Dire wolves stand in the way of total destruction. Stray, a Dire, and his long-lost brother, Killian, emerge as the leaders of their pack. To keep themselves and the humans safe, the Dires need a witch as powerful as Seb, who betrayed the Dires to work for the weretrappers.

They find what they are looking for in Kate, a human who survived a horrible car accident that left her back scarred with a handprint no one else can see. Stray senses Kate's abilities as a witch and recruits her to help the Dires—all the while knowing she is so powerful they will need to kill her once she helps defeat the weretrappers.

Stray doesn't expect the powerful connection that he feels with Kate, or his irresistible need to protect her. They cannot hide their feelings or each other, and what once was taboo now seems inevitable…




Ms. Tyler is graciously giving away 2 ebook copies of DIRE WANTS, winners choice of B&N or Kindle. 

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