Kate & Curran Release Day

Kate Daniels Novels
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Ace

Series Order:
1. Magic Bites (2007)
2. Magic Burns (2008)
3. Magic Strikes (2009)
4. Magic Mourns(novella in Must Love Hellhounds)
5. Magic Bleeds. (2010)

Summary: Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.

I'm sitting at my desk thumbing through the Kate Daniels Novels I have on my shelf. I've read them twice now, and today is the release of the fourth novel Magic Bleeds. When I picked up the first book in the series, Magic Bites, I didn't know anything about the author, the characters or the world. I was new to the Urban Fantasy genre and thought the book sounded interesting. Four books later and I'm a die hard fan of Ilona and Gordon, the couple who writes the Kate Daniels books. They inspire me as a writer and entertain me as a reader with the dark world of magic they've created.

To be truthful I knew I was going to love Kate Daniels after the first page of Magic Bites when she raises her eyebrow and bets a bottle of Boone's Farm Hard Lemonade that another bulletin was about to be announced on the radio, then she sarcastically cussed. I smiled and knew I'd love her. Later, the authors introduce Curran, the Beast Lord:

A single enormous paw moved into the moonlight, disturbing the dust on the filthy floor. Wicked claws shot forth and withdrew. A massive shoulder followed, its gray fur marked by faint smoky stripes.

Wow, as if that wasn't enough, The Beast Lord turns into an alpha male that makes the reader hold their breath. Don't get me wrong though, this is not a romance. Curran and Kate don't fall into each others arms, but the battle of wills between them is so gripping and intense that I couldn't put the book down when they were together.

I ordered the second book in the series, Magic Burns, as soon as I finished reading the first book. I read the third book, Magic Strikes, when it was released. This was all before I began blogging about books, and I'd never been to the authors' blog or website. Getting to know them has been so interesting as I read about the progress on the next book. Today is the release day of Magic Bleeds:

If you enjoy fast paced urban fantasy with a bit of sarcasm, kick ass heroines, action, and some romance thrown in, then you need to read the Kate Daniels books. They keep getting better with each one, and there are a total of seven contracted currently. Don't wait, pick up the series this week and catch up on the action. You won't be sorry.

~Moonsanity

Amazon Queen Blog Tour and Contest

Amazon Queen
Amazon, Book 2
Author: Lori Devoti
Mass Market Paperback: 375 pages
Publisher: Pocket
Available at Indie Bound, Powell's Books, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Summary: Amazon queen Zery Kostovska has never questioned tribe traditions. After all, these rules have kept the tribe strong for millennia and enabled them to live undetected, even in modern-day America. Zery is tough, fair, commanding–the perfect Amazon leader. At least, she was. A new high priestess with a penchant for secrecy and technology is threatening Zery’s rule. Plus, with the discovery of the Amazon sons, males with the same skills as their female counterparts, even Zery can’t deny that the tribe must change. But how?

I was sent a copy of Amazon Queen by the publisher, and hadn't read the first book, Amazon Ink. Both books revolve around the legend of the Amazon tribe, who worshipped Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, forests, and hills. I love the concept, and what the author has done with it. Zery is an interesting main character because she starts out a rigid keeper of Amazon traditions and laws, never questioning her leaders, until it involves the kidnapping of a child. Zery is the focus of the story, but the other characters really make this story a winner. Her interaction with the Amazon sons, women who have left the tribe, her warrior sisters, and the evil priestess make for a fast paced, action filled read.

Amazon Queen has some unexpected twists and turns, plus a bit of sexual tension that adds to the plot. If you enjoy Seressia Glass, Kat Richardson or Patricia Briggs you will enjoy Lori Devoti.

THE CONTEST
The publisher has once again graciously allowed me to give away one copy of Amazon Queen. The contest will end on Sunday, June 6th. Please answer the following question for me:

Do you enjoy when when authors use legends and myths as a basis for their book? Do you enjoy historical fantasy or romance more than an urban setting?

Please leave your email if it's not part of your profile. I will pick a winner randomly on June 7th and post the winner on the blog.

~Moonsanity