TV Show Review: Elves (Netflix)

TV Show Review: Elves (Netflix)

AKA Nisser
November 28, 2021
Creator: Stefan Jaworski
Series Directed by Roni Ezra
Stars: Sonja Sofie Engberg Steen, Milo Campanale, Vivelill Søgaard Holm, Lila Nobel, Peder Thomas Pedersen, Ann Eleonora Jørgensen, Rasmus Hammerich, Lukas Løkken.
Genre: Folklore horror, dark fantasy, Danish, Scandinavian TV show, Young Adult TV show

Production Company: Netflix
Running Time: Season 1, six episodes
Official Website: Watch Elves | Netflix Official Site
A Christmas vacation turns into a nightmare for a teenager and her family when they discover an ancient menace that stalks their island getaway.

A mother and father decided that for Christmas this year they would take their kids on a family vacation by renting a house on an island. The problem is, this island has an electrified metal fence around some forest with a locked gate that keeps something deadly inside. This was done by the inhabitants of the island who only opened it occasionally put a cow inside as a sacrifice.

It was obvious to me that this was folklore horror. There is a sacrifice and a family that usually goes their own way for Christmas decides to come to the island instead. I still couldn’t understand why the islanders had put a stop to this, or even make sure no outsider comes to their island. But it was a plot hole to me. 

Anyway, the episodes went fast—only six, and there was a lot of potential to really make this scary, but it wasn’t. No explanation for the elves or why the islanders keep sacrificing cattle to keep the peace of the land. I think it could have been better with more episodes and a backstory to explain all of this. This should be on Santa’s naughty list for not delivering a good present for binge-watchers.

If you want to watch folklore horror, try Midsomner, The Wicker Man (the 1973 one!), The Witch, The Ritual (which I saw on Netflix before and it is set in a Swedish forest), and much more. For Christmas horror, try Krampus, Gremlins, Black Christmas (1974), and Rare Exports, a Christmas Story. Plus there are more out there.

I gave Elves 2 ½ sheep.

Reviewed by Pamela K. Kinney

Cover grabby-hands syndrome: PRN author C. N. Crawford

Sometimes you run across a cover or series of covers that make you stop, bow down to the awesome, and maybe drool and develop grabby-hands.

Today, I give you books from

 The Hades Castle Trilogy

Night Elves Trilogy

Court of the Sea Fae Trilogy

The Memento Mori Witch Trilogy
by paranormal romance author C. N. Crawford.

kk

I love this cover style for fantasy novels. It's all magiky and nothing say fantasy like the fonts used. And I have a weakness for white haired <insert sexy paranormal of choice>. So, basically I find the cover models hot... 

They have earned my Grabby-hands stamp of approval

About the Author:

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C.N. Crawford is not one person but two. We write our novels collaboratively, passing our laptops back and forth to edit each other's words.

Christine is from Lexington, Massachusetts and has has a lifelong interest in New England folklore--with a particular fondness for creepy old cemeteries and execution histories. Nick spent his childhood reading fantasy and science fiction during Vermont's long winters, which have rendered him impervious to the cold.

In addition to writing fiction, we love to hear from our readers and can be reached at cn@cncrawford.com or https://www.facebook.com/groups/cncrawford/

And, for early and discounted access to new novels, free stories, and more, join the email list at: http://www.cncrawford.com

Release Day: Cursed By Furies: A Tale of Vikings, Elves, and Gods(The Cursed Elves Book One) by Diedra Drake

Cursed By Furies: A Tale of Vikings, Elves, and Gods(The Cursed Elves Book One)
by Diedra Drake

September 03, 2019 
Genre: Mythic Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Apache Creek Publishing
ISBN: 9781088922415
ASIN: B07WD29D3P
Number of pages: 402
Word Count: 107,500
Cover Artist: Apache Creek Publishing
What if the myths were all real?

1000 years ago the Elves nearly destroyed their species through war. As punishment, their ancestors cursed them and trapped them on the Earthly plane.

Priscilla Forester is a 500-year-old Cursed Elf, with abilities far different from most. She knows there is some secret about her origins, but has given up thinking she will ever discover the truth.

However, Fate was only waiting for the right moment to reveal its secrets. As Priscilla and her lovers battle against warring Elf Houses, her true nature begins to emerge, and it is more than anyone had bargained for.

Amazon

EXCERPT
Mitchell parked in the lot, careful to stay out of the immediate line of sight while Raymond filled up his tank.

He replaced the pump nozzle before entering the store to get his chips and pay for the gas. Another car pulled up, and the driver also went inside. A few more minutes passed, and Mitchell started to grow concerned.

Raymond didn’t normally dawdle, and there weren’t so many cars around that there should be a big line. Maybe the clerk was having problems with his register or…

A shot rang out. Then another.

Mitchell’s heart sank and fear surged through him as he nearly tore the door off getting out of the car. He was inside the store in a blink and took stock of the situation in seconds. Raymond lay on the floor bleeding from his side, the red pool growing quickly. The clerk's body hung slumped over the register counter, blood pouring out from his chest.

The shooter’s eyes darted back and forth between the two victims, his breathing chaotic as he rubbed his fingers through his hair and pressed his palms to his temples. His eyes wide as he stared at the bodies and the blood. He didn't immediately realize anyone else was standing there. When he finally noticed Mitchell, it was but a moment before the shooter’s neck was broken and he collapsed next to where his gun had fallen.

Mitchell dashed to the automotive aisle and returned with a pack of terry cloth rags and duct tape. He ripped open Raymond’s shirt, tore one of the cotton rags out of the bundle, and started mercilessly packing the wound. Raymond screamed in agony for a few seconds, then his body became limp as he lost consciousness.

“Sorry Ray, it’s better this way," Mitchell mumbled as an apology.

He put his fingers underneath the bleeding side of Raymond’s body and felt around looking for an exit wound. Sure enough, the bullet had gone entirely through. With one hand Mitchell shifted Raymond onto his side, then shoved another piece of rag into the exit wound. When he rolled him back over, he noticed the fabric on the front was completely saturated and blood was pouring out of the injury again.

“Dammit. Something’s bleeding inside." He took a shaky breath. “Shit!”

He wiped off as much blood as he could to dry the skin, folded a piece of cloth like a bandage, and duct taped it over the opening in his flesh. He repeated the process on the back.

Mitchell looked around and realized he needed to lock down the scene. He stood and flipped the sign on the front entrance to 'Closed,' then hit the nearby light switches so the interior went dark.

He returned to Raymond, lifted him effortlessly, and carefully carried him outside to where he’d left his vehicle in the parking lot. He managed to open the passenger door and put him in the seat, then reclined it back to keep his body at an angle. As he was about to close him in, he noted the seat belt. With a last-minute idea, Mitchell ripped it from the wall of the car and started sliding it under Raymond.

Raymond regained consciousness for a moment, took one look at Mitchell, and began yelling in terror while pulling away.

Mitchell sighed as he realized his fangs had been out because of all the blood and stress. Another mistake. His superiors were going to kill him. He tightened the belt over the wound like a tourniquet, and the sudden pain made Raymond pass out again. 

About the Author:
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Diedra Drake is a life-long student of mythology and history, with a particular interest in the ways that different cultures tell the same stories using name variations. She is competent in classical Latin, and enjoys reading the classics – particularly Homer, Plutarch, and Shakespeare. For relaxation, Diedra loves to crack open a new historical romance novel or binge a new series on streaming. After a couple of decades being a business owner in the technology industry, she decided to explore her other interests through the creation of a mythic fantasy romance world. She lives in Central Texas with her family, which includes a small cat colony and a couple of dogs, and tries to ensure she gets a daily serving of ice cream for continual inspiration.
 

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5 ebook copies

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Young Adult Author C. E. Clayton shares her favorite video games + giveaway

Favorite Video Games

While I do play a lot of video games, they tend to all be in the same genre—Role Play. I don’t dislike other genres, but I’m pretty sensitive to motion sickness so anything in First Person can be hit or miss for me. But, even with that, here are my favorite video games! Starting with my favorite of all time.

1. Dragon Age Origins:
I’ve replayed this probably around 10+ times, I love it that much! It also sparked some of the inspiration for my elves in my series, especially for the ones you meet in the 3rd and 4th books!

2. Mass Effect 3:
I love all the games in the series, and honestly the 2nd one would be my favorite if not for the “Citadel” DLC for the last game. The problems with the ending aside, I love my FemShep and Garrus together, and all the crew getting drunk together is pretty awesome, too.

3. Baldur’s Gate II:
This was probably my first foray into D&D style RPG’s, and probably PC gaming as a whole. Loved all the side quests, and the main quest—which also gave me some inspiration for the overarching plot of my series, which becomes most evident in the 6th book.

4. Gears of War:
The original trilogy is one of my favorite cover shooters. I’m not great with twitchy shooters, so cover shooters are my friends! But I also love the dark story, and there’s just something really satisfying about chain sawing through bad guys lol!

5. Borderlands:
The first Borderlands is my favorite, though I do like Claptrap’s progression more in the later games, and the DLC with Tiny Tina is hilarious and gut-wrenching, but the first just feels the best to me as a whole. I love playing as the Siren! Plus, Borderlands’ weapon types help give me inspiration for my WIP cyberpunk novel.

6. The Witcher 3:
Admittedly I haven’t played the first two, but I love the lore and storytelling in this game, especially how even the small side quests feel robust and well thought out. Plus the monsters are awesome!

7. Dragon Age Inquisition:
Of course if I love the original Dragon Age, I love this one too. I’ve played it a bunch with all kinds of different characters. I love games where a big part of it is talking to your companions lol!

8. Divinity Original Sin:
I love this game mainly because it was one of those that I got to play with my husband. The game was really well done, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of my positive feelings for this fantasy, dungeon crawler come from goofing around with my husband during the course of playing.

9. Army of 2:
The series kind of fell apart, but this was another of those 3rd person cover shooters I really enjoyed, especially since I could play split screen with my husband and feel like I was helping out a lot more then I probably was. Plus, going all aggro made me feel like a badass, which is always fun.

10. Mario Kart Double Dash:
This is an older game now, but it’s still my go to when I have friends over and we all want to be silly and play something together that isn’t a card or board game. I am a master with using shells, even the green ones!

The Duality of Nature (The Monster of Selkirk, #1)

by C.E. Clayton
April 18, 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Monsters come in many forms, and not everyone knows a monster when they see one. After three hundred years of monstrous, feral elves plaguing the island nation of Selkirk, everyone believes they know what a monster is. Humans have learned to live with their savage neighbors, enacting a Clearing every four years to push the elves back from their borders. The system has worked for centuries, until after one such purge, a babe was found in the forest.

As Tallis grows, she discovers she isn’t like everyone else. There is something a little different that makes people leery in her presence, and she only ever makes a handful of friends.

But when the elves gather their forces and emerge from the forests literally hissing Tallis’s name like a battle mantra, making friends is the least of her troubles. Tallis and her companions find themselves on an unwilling journey to not only clear her name, but to stop the elves from ravaging her homeland.

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The Heart of the Forest (The Monster of Selkirk, #2)
by C.E. Clayton
October 17, 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Tallis is learning how to deal with loss and violence as she and her friends traverse the forests of Selkirk trying to find the reason behind the elven uprising. Not to mention why they keep hissing her name. But the further into the forests they go, Tallis is finding that the elves’ depravity can still surprise her, and thoroughly test the bonds of friendship, family, and love.

Tallis’s journey eventually leads to answers they’re not prepared for. Now Tallis begins to wonder just who she really is, and if she’s the evil that will end up destroying Selkirk. But she cannot stop to process these revelations, as an unforeseen betrayal lands those she loves at the feet of the very monster responsible for all the hurt, and heartbreak.

Coming face to face with her foe, Tallis discovers all too late she has no idea how to deal with this level of pain, and death. One way or another, the monster’s path ends here, and all Tallis can hope to do is bring those she loves safely out of the heart of the forest.

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About the Author:

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C. E. Clayton was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area, where she attended the University of Southern California (Fight On!) for both her Bachelors and Masters, and then worked in the advertising industry for several years on accounts ranging from fast food, to cars, and video games (her personal favorite). After going the traditional career route and becoming restless, she went back to her first love–writing–and hasn’t stopped. She is now the author of “The Monster of Selkirk” series and her horror short stories have appeared in anthologies across the country. When she’s not writing you can find her treating her fur-babies like humans, constantly drinking tea, and trying to convince her husband to go to more concerts. And reading. She does read quite a bit. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, social media presence, and newsletter, can be found on her website: https://www.ceclayton.com/

Giveaway:

Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)

Signed copy of the second book in the series, "The Heart of the Forest” + two exclusive character art prints

Signed copy of the second book in the series, "The Heart of the Forest” 

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WIP it Real Good: A peek at Andi O’Connor's next UF series + giveaway

This excerpt is from The Door which is the first book in my upcoming Balance Of Time series. I’m stepping away from my more traditional Epic Fantasy style from The Dragonath Chronicles and The Vaelinel Trilogy. Balance Of Time is an Urban Fantasy series that involves time travel and the gods of Famine, Pestilence, Hope, and Peace.

Sperantia frowned. If the door couldn’t be opened, then what was its purpose?

After thousands of years of fretting over the importance of this place, and the role she played, Sperantia finally understood. She had summoned the door and provided the lock, but the Balance had never intended for her to be granted access to whatever waited beyond the barrier.

Gaius was meant to receive that honor. And he would provide the key.

In The Door, turmoil begins to brew among the gods. Balance between them is needed for the world to function, but feeling shafted and hungry for more power Pestilence and Famine begin to ignore the Balance, and life among the mortals takes a drastic turn. Sperantia, the Goddess of Hope, tries to fix their damage, but she quickly discovers that hope isn’t enough.

Somewhat reluctantly, she enlists the aid of Gaius, the young God of Peace who doesn’t yet know he’s a god. Despite Gaius’s naivety, he’s the key to unlocking the door that Sperantia uncovered and the answer to the world’s problems. But first, he must decide which door to take. The left leads to the past. The right leads to the future. He can either go back and prevent Famine and Pestilence from unleashing their wrath, or he can travel to the future and convince them to find peace.

But once he chooses a door and walks through, he cannot come back.

What’s unique about this series, is that after The Door, readers will be able to choose the path Gaius takes. There will be 2 different lines: one will follow Gaius if he chooses to go to the past, and the other will follow Gaius if he chooses to go to the future. So, there will be two separate book two’s in the series, and two separate book three’s. And of course, if the reader wants to see how Gaius resolves the conflict in each instance, they can certainly do so!

A Prophecy Fulfilled (The Vaelinel Trilogy #3)
by Andi O’Connor
December 9, 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
227 pages
Regrouping after their escape from the Light Elves, Irewen and her companions fear the worst after black smoke plumes on the horizon. Allowing compassion to rule over reason, they ignore Finnwyn’s warning and return to Lilendvelle, hoping to help some of the survivors stranded in the city’s wake. Instead, they run into a trap.

Completely surrounded by an endless army of Drulaack, they fight for their lives, but their efforts aren’t enough. Irewen is captured and dragged into the heart of the Corrupter’s lair.

Having his prize, the others in the company are granted their freedom, but at a great cost: the one named in the prophecy who is meant to unite the elf forces and stand against the Corrupter is lost to the world – trapped beneath the Corrupter’s talons.

With the aid of his mother’s spirit, Brendell must now find a way to gather an alliance strong enough to march against the Corrupter and his army, but his time is running out. Each day that passes brings Irewen closer to death.

And the world closer to destruction.

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Andi O'Connor is the award-winning author of The Dragonath Chronicles, The Vaelinel Trilogy, and The Legacy of Ilvania. The Speaker is the 2018 Independent Press Award Winner for Fantasy and a Finalist in the 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards. Andi's novel, Awakening, is a 2018 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for Fantasy. Her critically acclaimed novel, Silevethiel, is the 2015 Best Indie Book Award winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy and the 2015 New Apple Official Selection for Young Adult. Silevethiel was also named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013.

You can frequently find Andi as an exhibitor and guest panelist at Comic Cons throughout the country including the Rhode Island Comic Con, Awesome Con, Philcon, Conclave, and Chessiecon. For more information, visit Andi's website at www.andioconnor.net

Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
Signed copies of the entire trilogy (Silevethiel, The Speaker, and A Prophecy Fulfilled)

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Alpha Male Diner: Dark Elf Prince by Felicity Heaton (Kissed by a Dark Prince book tour) + giveaway

Welcome back to the alpha male diner! One of our most popular cooks, Felicity Heaton, is back. We do love her vampire meals, but today she has cooked up a new dish! Prince Loren a Dark Elf Prince from her new Eternal Mates Romance Series. Grab a napkin...no, grab two, and grab a bite!

Prince Loren (Dark Elf) 

recipe by Felicity Heaton

Kissed by a Dark Prince (Eternal Mates Romance Series Book 1)

Ingredients:

1 pair striking purple eyes
1 mouth made for sin
1 cup psychic powers
1 pair razor-sharp fangs
1 pair pointed ears
1 head of wild black-blue hair
200 pounds of toned, honed, muscles stretched tight over an impressive 6’6” frame
A dash of darkness
One set of colourful elvish markings
One incredible suit of skin-tight black armour
One tablespoon each of honour, determination, heart and courage
8 pints of red-hot blood

Makes: One hot dark elf prince

Method:
Begin by mixing honour, determination, heart and courage together with red-hot blood, stirring gently to incorporate. Mix in the dash of darkness and the psychic powers. Set aside.

Combine delicious body with wild black hair, sinful mouth, razor-sharp fangs, and striking purple eyes. Eyes may appear blue at first. If this is the case, he’s playing at being human. Add ears. If eyes are blue, expect them to appear normal and very mortal. If eyes are purple, they will be pointed. Warning: If they grow pointier and flare back against his head, give him space. He is probably gearing up to kill you.

When he is calm, sprinkle liberally with elvish markings. These may shimmer in beautiful colours at first and then disappear. This is normal. Expect markings only to appear when he’s touched by his mate, agitated, or extremely annoyed.

Take his personality mix and pour it down his throat. Wait for it to take. This may be evident by him suddenly becoming more restrained and looking less like he might kill you. Subject will also gain a more regal bearing.

Place black and silver bands containing his armour around his wrists. Step back and watch in awe as he mentally commands his scale-like armour to emerge from the bands, covering his entire body like a second-skin and turning his fingers into serrated claws.

Enjoy!

Taste Test

Loren stopped, turned towards the wall and banged his head against it. The humans passing by gave him a wide berth and he couldn’t blame them. He was acting like a madman. 

Driven wild by a female.

He pressed his palms against the wall, despair eating away at him, twisting his insides into tight painful knots. What was he going to do? He had been in Olivia’s presence for barely more than a human hour and he was already close to falling over the edge and doing something terrible that he could never take back. The longer he spent in her company, the worse this hunger was going to become, and if he wasn’t careful, it would end up controlling him. What if he hurt her? What if he killed Bleu?

He would never forgive himself.

Loren banged his head against the wall again, grinding his teeth and grimacing as it all became too much for him. The images of Bleu and Olivia still played out in his mind, pushing him ever closer to the edge, until he had to dig the claws of his armour into the plaster of the wall to keep himself anchored there, stopping him from bursting into the room behind him.

The doors swished open.

Loren forced himself away from the wall, a second apology to Bleu balancing on his lips.

It was Olivia.

Their bond spoke to him, telling him what he could already see in her expression and her soulful brown eyes that always showed him everything she was feeling. She was tense and wary, afraid of him now. He lowered his head, unable to look at her. He had frightened his female, shaking her trust in him.

“Loren?” she said in a low, gentle voice that curled around his numb heart, thawing the ice that had encased it. 

He was afraid too. He had never felt so afraid. He didn’t want to look into her eyes and see her fear of him, or her disgust, and he didn’t want to hear how he had scared her by allowing her to experience such dark terrible emotions through him.

“Loren?” Her tone held a firmer note and he obeyed, unable to ignore a command from his ki’ara. 

Loren looked down into her eyes. They filled with pity, softening more with each second that he dared to look into them.

“I’m done now,” she said, casual despite the nerves he could sense in her. “I did my best not to touch him. That was what it was all about, wasn’t it?”

Loren shut down the fury that curled through him on hearing that she had indeed touched Bleu while he had been out here pacing like a caged animal, refusing to let it own him. He was master of his body, not this wretched bond.

He hated to admit it but Olivia needed to know what he had dragged her into so she would know the cause of his outburst and could perhaps help stop it from happening again.

“I could not bear the sight of you touching him,” Loren said, the tight gravelly sound of his voice shocking him. He had never sounded so dark and possessive before. He had never felt it either. 

He wanted to possess Olivia. Body and soul. He wanted to claim the heart that was rightfully his.

His to own. His to cherish. His to protect.

His to love.

She belonged to him.

His fangs itched and the points of his ears began to extend. Loren fought the change but it was hard to suppress it and stop it from happening when he was thinking about Olivia, and also thinking about her touching Bleu. It was a one-two punch that knocked his senses reeling and had him back on the verge of losing control. A male doctor coming towards him eyed him, not a challenge but Loren felt it as one, and he wanted to rise to it and beat the male into submission. 

The male’s eyes narrowed. He had noticed Loren’s eyes changing. Loren cursed beneath his breath and looked away, fighting to master his emotions. His gaze caught on Olivia’s and he stared down at her, feeling lost and bewildered, tired of the constant battle against his emotions and the effects of their incomplete bond. He wanted a moment to breathe. 

He needed a minute to rest, sixty seconds away from this world, alone with Olivia.

Olivia moved closer, raised her hand and touched his cheek, staring deep into his eyes. Bliss. Loren leaned into her touch, finding his balance in it, mentally stepping away from the edge and towards her. His ki’ara.

“It’s fascinating when your eyes do that... and your ears. Why does it happen?” She brushed her palm across his cheek and a hot shiver went through him when she feathered her fingertips up his ear to the tip. He barely stifled a groan. He wanted her to stroke them. Lick them. His eyes began to change again.

“It is a response to my emotions. Certain ones trigger a change and it is difficult to stop it from happening.” Difficult was the understatement of his extremely long life. Impossible. Especially when she was gently caressing his ear, brushing the pointed tip, her eyes filled with the fascination she had mentioned.

“Emotions,” she whispered and then her brow crinkled and her brown eyes shifted back to his. “Such as anger?”

He nodded.

“And?”

Loren frowned. “And what?”

“What other emotion?” She tilted her head to one side, her fingers continuing their exploration of his ear, driving him mad with the emotion she was asking about. “You said emotions. Plural. What other emotions trigger this change?”

Loren stared at her, his gaze drawn to her rosy lips and his mind instantly leaping to recall his vivid erotic dreams of her. He wanted to sample her mouth and know her taste as he had in those fantasies. He wanted to explore every inch of her soft skin and show her what it was like to be loved by him. He wanted to slake his thirst for her.

His fangs grew long again and his ears extended, and he knew from the surprise in her eyes that his had changed and from the arousal darkening her irises that she had figured out the other emotion that would always make him lose control.

Loren claimed her waist with both hands, careful not to hurt her with his claws, and pulled her closer to him. 

She wanted to know what other emotion fuelled this change in him and he would spell it out for her.

“Desire.”

4.5 Sheep book review of Kissed by a Dark Prince

Kissed by a Dark Prince (Eternal Mates Romance Series Book 1) 

Felicity Heaton
Olivia thinks it’s her lucky night when a dangerously handsome unconscious fae ends up on her inspection table. He’s her chance to redeem herself with her employer, the demon-hunting organisation, Archangel. But when the tall, dark and deadly immortal warrior awakes, she gets much more than she bargained for…

Attacked by his enemy in the elf kingdom, the last thing Prince Loren expects when he comes around is a beautiful angel watching over him and medical technology of the mortal realm. Hazy from his injuries, all he can focus on is the pulse ticking in her throat and the sweet allure of her blood.

One single bite reveals she is his eternal mate, triggering a bond between them that will leave him weakened until it is completed… or broken, and pulling Olivia into the crossfire of his ancient feud.

To protect his people and his mate from the machinations of a madman, Loren must risk everything by working with Olivia at Archangel to find a way to break the bond blossoming between them.

But will Loren be strong enough to place duty before desire and give up the one thing he has waited millennia for and craves above all others—his eternal mate? And will Olivia be able to resist the incredible heat that burns between them and the temptation of her dark prince’s kiss?

Books in the Eternal Mates romance series:
Kissed by a Dark Prince (Eternal Mates Romance Series Book 1)
Claimed by a Demon King – coming February 2014

Kissed by a Dark Prince is available from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iBooks stores and other retailers. Also available in paperback. Find the links to your preferred retailer and a downloadable 6 chapter excerpt at: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/kbadp

 

About the Author:

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Felicity Heaton is a USA Today and international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

GIVEAWAY

Be sure to follow this fantastic tour to learn more about the passionate heroes and sassy heroines in the Eternal Mates romance series! You can also find yourself in with a chance to WIN a $50 or $25 Amazon Gift Certificate if you follow the tour. More details, including how to enter and a full list of stops, are available at the Kissed by a Dark Prince 
Virtual Book Tour page: 
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/kissedbyadarkprince-book-tour.php 

Not Really a Book Review of The Undead Pool (but sort of)

The Undead Pool (The Hollows #12)
by Kim Harrison

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of The Undead Pool from the publisher with the condition that I help build excitement and give NO spoilers. I shudder to think what will happen to me if I divulge any secrects! *looks around for Al* I also cleared this post with Harrison.

Since there is only one more book left in the series it is time for Harrison to start peeling off those secondary characters and sending them on their way. Some might seem a little abrupt, but with so many characters and very little time left there was no way around that, but the major characters story lines are still open and could take a left (or right) turn at any moment!

Even after 12 books Harrison is still opening our eyes to new things in Rachel Morgan’s world. The Undead Pool  dives into that mysterious “wild magic” along with Elf history and the mythology of their goddess, their role in the war against demons, and their plans for the future of the elf race. We even learn about Newt and what happened to her. Al isn’t in this one as much; this is Rachel and Trent’s adventure. The question is what Al’s reaction will be to Rachel becoming friends with the enemy. His scars run deep, but we will have to wait for book #13 to learn about that. Bis is in this one and he just makes me all warm and fuzzy. He is one of my favorite characters now.

Notice I haven’t said anything about Rachel and Trent’s relationship? That one is a big no-no to talk about. Sorry. I won’t even tell my mom. 

*still checking over shoulder for Al*

What I will do is once a week post a quote or two from the book, but I can’t tell you who said it!

Quotes from The Undead Pool: 

“Oh, for little green apples” 

“There are no monsters under your bed, Rachel, or in your closet.” 

I can't wait for The Dead Pool to hit the shelves so we can talk about all that stuff I can't say! 

*looks over shoulder one more time*

Be sure to visit Kim's website (http://www.kimharrison.net/ )to read early chapter releases as they happen. Go to Kim's blog (http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/) and hang out at Kim's Drama Box. You can ask her questions and she does check and answer back! There are also giveaways to enter so join in the excitement.

Book Review: Ever After (The Hollows #11) by Kim Harrison

Ever After (The Hollows #11) by Kim Harrison 

The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse. 

While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan

If you haven’t read this series here is the link to book one, Dead Witch Walking. Ever After is a kick ass story all on its own, but this is an urban fantasy series and the journey of these characters is what makes it emotionally satisfying. While I won’t give any spoilers away for Ever After (and boy, are there some biggies!) there are some character relationship issues that would spoil the beginning of this series for you.

Waiting for the lucky folks getting to start the Hollows journey to go away

Where to even start!? This is book #11 (out of #13) and Kim Harrison is still bringing the Boom! The story is moving along with a focused direction and we are still learning new things about The Hollows world. This book focuses on the demons and the Ever After. Where did it come from, why does it look the way it does, and most importantly why do demons behave the way they do? It is actually a little heartbreaking. Since we are dealing in the Ever After we get to see a lot of Al. I have no idea what Al’s HEA is going to be but it has sort of begun in this book and you won’t look at him or any of the demons, the same again. 

For all the Trent and Rachel shippers out there I am cautiously optimistic. Their relationship has come to a turning point (don’t you love how vague I am!?) for the better. There is a permanent trust between the pair now, and they have one hell of fight coming up, along with a ton of diapers, in the next two books that they plan on facing together.

There isn't a lot of Ivy in this book and I find I don’t really miss her, but Rachel made a promise to help Ivy get her soul back. After seeing what happens to aging vampires, Rachel is more determined than ever to help Ivy and all vampires so I suspect we will find out how and if this can be done in the next two books. Jenks is starting to be more open minded and understand there is more to life than just the “Pixie” way. Harrison hasn't given us too many clues as to where is HEA is heading in this book. Bis also comes of age in Ever After; I LOVE that little gargoyle! The gargoyles play a big part in helping Rachel try to save the Ever After.

Most of you have heard there are some sad parts. Storylines have to be tied up and when you are dealing with a demon like KuSox people are going to die. I was floored by one of them.

The book as a whole is fabulous. The series arc is moving at a good pace and the book arc was an action packed page turner. I have been following this series for a long time and I am completely invested in them. When the last book comes… I don’t even know what I will do. I think Dr. Seuss said it best…

“Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened” – Dr. Seuss 

Yeah, I'll cry anyway...


I will be attending Kim Harrison's book signing Feb 2 in Raleigh, NC. There will be a post about the signing and a give away of some sort!

10 "I just did that!" sheep

Sharon Stogner (edit by Kalpar)

Comic Review: Poison Elves: Presumed Dead by Drew Hayes

Darick Robertson cover

Poison Elves: by Drew Hayes 
Release: March 20, 2013
32 pages, black/white

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Five years after the death of its creator Drew Hayes, APE Entertainment is reviving the much-loved indie fantasy series Poison Elves, promising that the new book will stay as true to Hayes' vision as possible.

Big shout out to author James R. Tuck for posting about the relaunch of the 1990’s cult classic comic Poison Elves. I hadn't heard of this comic before last week, but one look at the cover and some of the interior artwork and I knew this was something I had to see. It is an action/adventure, D&D-style, old school story for mature audiences and features elves . And yeah, I got a thing for Fae and the guy on the front is kind of hot, even with the big ass ears.

Ape Entertainment was kind enough to send me an ASHCAN copy (Sharon learned a new word folks) It is a promotional comic in the independent/self-publishing market. The official Poison Elves comic will be released on March 20, and will have an extra 4 page story plus some other goodies included.

Little background on Poison Elves (if you are a longtime fan then you can skip this part)

Drew Hayes self-published his comic I, Lusiphur in 1991, which was about the exploits of an Elf named Lusipher. Hayes changed the title to Poison Elves, and around the mid-90s he signed with Sirius Entertainment. He stayed with Sirius until 2004 with issue #79. The comic gained a loyal cult audience that followed the series until Hayes untimely death in 2007, and many fans thought that was the end of their beloved comic.

Enter… Ape Entertainment and owner David Hedgecock. He didn't want to reboot the series, but rather continue it with the same intentions and style of Hayes. They scoured Hayes's notes and used that material to pick up the series where it left off at #79 hoping to honor Hayes and please longtime fans. The new comic will debut in March, with covers by Darick Robertson, Terry Moore, and art by Osvaldo Montpeller (interior artist).

Terry Moore cover

Osvaldo Montpeller cover

What I thought
As someone new to the Poison Elves series, I found Presumed Dead an entertaining read. I like fantasy, action, and horror (this means lots of killing and blood) and Poison Elves delivers. The protagonist Lusiphur (Luse) is a great character along with his sidekicks Bob, a human, and a small fairy named Petunia. There is a serious story line about Luse’s guilt for leaving his friend Jace behind to be captured at The Fell while he left to save Wisp, and his determination to rescue Jace, but fate has other plans for him. The comic is also mixed with a lot of humor, mostly in the form of Luse’s smart-ass attitude. Not to mention he has an imp living in his head that seems to give him advice at inconvenient times and a sentient sword that seems to have more power over him than he wants to admit.

I found the story a little hard to follow at first. The artwork is in black and white, staying true to its original form, but sometimes the characters looked too much alike and since I had no previous knowledge of the characters I got confused and had to go back and forth comparing names and drawings often. The story timeline was also hard to follow because the events switched between three different time frames. Jace narrates some of the story and the rest is flash backs to the events that happened to Luse while visiting the High Council right after Jace's capture. I don’t think any of this will be a problem for long time fans.


Starting this series at this point will take a little effort on your part. You will have to track down some character information, but well worth it if you enjoy this type of comic.

4 "pointy eared" Sheep

Sharon Stogner (edit by Kalpar)

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About Ape Entertainment Founded in 2003, Ape Entertainment is the brainchild of lifelong comic book devotees David Hedgecock and Brent E. Erwin. Ape Entertainment is the comic book home to innovative new titles such as LITTLE GREEN MEN, SCOUTS, and HERO WITHIN. Ape is also the North American publisher for licensed properties THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, KUNG FU PANDA, RICHIE RICH, CASPER, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, POCKET GOD, and CUT THE ROPE. Visit Ape Entertainment online at ApeComics.com.