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Showing posts with label Ilona Andrews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ilona Andrews. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Romance authors give you a Valentine! + giveaway

On Feb 9 Barnes & Nobel of Cary, NC hosted a signing with 5 awesome romance writers!


There was standing room only. They all told funny stories and gave information about up coming projects... unfortunately I didn't write anything down...The Andrews talked about doing a series about Hugh, much like they do the Innkeeper series. It will be much darker and sexier than their other books. So they need to figure out how to keep younger readers from getting a hold of it <G>. Also there was mention of a Kate Daniels novella before the next full novel (the end of the series) releases. Don't hold me to any of this in case I misheard something :)

I also got to meet up with blogger Anna Cade (Herding Cats & Burning Soup) beforehand. Once at the event I got to meet a local author we have reviewed on the site before, Karissa Laurel (reviews of her books)

The day before I got attacked by a dermatologist so I hid my f*ed up face :)
 
I picked up some swag and a signed book from Ilona Andrews. There is also a dozen roses from them...well, sort of...that they all signed for you!

One winner will get the Valentine's Romance Swag
(will add some other fab swag)
Card and backside

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Book Review: One Fell Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles #3) by Ilona Andrews

One Fell Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles #3)
by Ilona Andrews
ebook, 257 pages
December 20th 2016
Dina DeMille may run the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, but she caters to a very particular kind of guest… the kind that no one on Earth is supposed to know about. Guests like a former intergalactic tyrant with an impressive bounty on her head, the Lord Marshal of a powerful vampire clan, and a displaced-and-superhot werewolf; so don’t stand too close, or you may be collateral damage. But what passes for Dina’s normal life is about to be thrown into chaos. First, she must rescue her long-distant older sister, Maud, who’s been exiled with her family to a planet that functions as the most lawless penal colony since Botany Bay. Then she agrees to help a guest whose last chance at saving his civilization could bring death and disaster to all Dina holds dear. Now Gertrude Hunt is under siege by a clan of assassins. To keep her guests safe and to find her missing parents, Dina will risk everything, even if she has to pay the ultimate price. Though Sean may have something to say about thatI! From the New York Times #1 bestselling author, Ilona Andrews, comes a new tale from the Innkeeper Chronicles.

I know what you're thinking..."All Sharon does when she reviews a book by Ilona Andrews is fangirl about how much she loves their books." So I'm going to approach this review differently. No fangirling, just telling it like it is.

Katie strolls into review.
*cough* Bullsheep *cough*
Katie strolls out of review.

Ilona Andrews uses the same urban fantasy framework in all their series: the Kate Daniel's series, The Edge series, the Innkeeper Chronicles or the Hidden Legacy series.
1- Independent, strong female protag that doesn't depend on anyone because she's been doing things by herself this long she doesn't need anyone, thank you very much! But they are very lonely.
2- Top of the food chain, OMGsexy alpha male, also lonely, who doesn't want or need anyone messing with their plans and sacrifices their happiness for the good of everyone else.
3- secondary characters that could probably carry their own book/spin-off.
4- 1-3 dropped into a unique, fascinating and well developed world.

Even though the formula is the same the series are not. They are completely different. Not many authors can pull off this many series and have each one be just as awesome as the other. I stand in awe of their imagination and skill.

Katie strolls into review.
I told you so...
Katie strolls out of review.

Okay, done telling it like it is. Let's talk about One Fell Sweep book three in the Innkeeper Chronicles. This book is about family and how far a person will go to help and protect them. This book is full of surprises and I don't want to ruin that, so I can't talk about the plot points too much. The inn is under attack again, danger comes from unexpected places and so does help. I was really happy with the turn of events for Arland, that sexy vampire warrior. Dina and Sean come to an understanding, and their banter is fabulous. We learn more about the Inns and how they are made. And of course, there is a new threat on the horizon that I can't wait to read about in the next book.

The Innkeeper Chronicles is different from the Andrews' other series because it is self-published. The cool part, beside the kick ass story, is they got to pick their cover artist and commission some artwork to go along with the story. There are two pieces included in One Fell Sweep. The artwork is beautiful! There is a website devoted to the series where you can check out some of the artwork and read the first few chapters of each book:
Here is Arland...RAWR!

There are vampires, shifters and aliens...pretty much the trifecta of urban fantasy. Basically, One Fell Sweep is another ball knocked out of the park for Ilona Andrews.

Some of my favorite quotes:

And he'd lost none of his flair for the dramatic. "Are you going to war, Lord Marshal?" Please don't be going to war.
"No, I was attending a formal dinner." He grimaced. "They make us wear armor to these things so we don't stab ourselves out of sheer boredom. How might I be of service?"

As soon as we were out the doors, I turned to Sean. "Will you take this seriously? The future of an entire species is at stake."
"Yes, we're going to save them with a fart gun."
"Don't!"
Fart.
Ugh.


5 "tastes like chicken" Sheep










SharonS

About the authors:
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.

They have co-authored several NYT and USAT bestselling series. They are currently working on urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, the paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and thjeir independently published series, Innkeeper Chronicles. 

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Recap: NolaStoryCon 2016 + giveaway

NolaStoryCon was a new reader convention put together by authors (and friends)—Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr, Ilona Andrews, Kelley Armstrong and Jennifer L. Armentrout in New Orleans, Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, 2016. It was a three day event with lot of chances to mingle with over 30 authors, including special guest author Charlaine Harris signings, diner party and excursions in the city. Katie and I bought tickets for the Saturday events.
Special guest author
Charlaine Harris

Katie and I meet once a year at a convention and this year we picked NolaStoryCon. We only attended the Saturday events, but you could have bought tickets for Friday and Sunday too.

We sat through three panels where authors talked and answered audience questions. Lot of laughs were had.
 

Saturday afternoon was the big signing. Ticket holders got in first and we managed to talk with each author, get stuff signed and fangirl when required. The signing was then opened up to the public and from what I understand there were a lot of them. 1400 was the figure I heard, but I'm not sure.
 
 
 
Saturday night was the dinner and games. After filling up on cake there was a costume contest and then some fun games were played like Truth or Dare for some authors. At the end of the night they did a drawing for all the table center pieces which were decorated shoes! Katie and I both won a shoe (pictured below). We got one signed by Jeaniene Frost and the other by Kresley Cole.

The other days we spent touring New Orleans...yes, we went to Bourbon Street at night with some other bloggers *cough* Jackie "Literary Escapism *cough*. I had my first Hurricane...those things are deceptively potent. We also did a night tour of the famous female killers of New Orleans. 
Lunch at Pat O'Brien's. The Sheep meets Literary Escapism
 
So many pretty houses. Even the one used in American Horror Story as well as Anne Rice's house.
 
Our hotel was awesome. We stayed at the Prytania Park Hotel in the Garden district. We were just a trolley ride away from all the action. Plus there was Voodoo BBQ across the street.
Some of the sites
 
Went into my first casino (it was Baaarts first time as well) We lost money, duh!
Beads hung in most of the trees along St. Charles St.
 
Time to go home...

GIVEAWAY
We are giving away the shoe center pieces we won along with swag (some signed).
US only
Disclaimer: These shoes have been through some stuff...mainly my suitcase on a plane. Then they will be shipped to you via USPS. So, when they get to you I hope they will be in good condition...but you might need some glue.

PRIZE PACK #1 - Jeaniene Frost show

PRIZE PACK #2- Kresley Cole shoe

NolaStoryCon giveaway