Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Author Interview & Giveaway: H.P. Mallory

H.P. Mallory
I'd like to welcome H.P. Mallory to Magic Faerie's Paranormal Review, I have an interview for you and a giveaway too! I recently read and really enjoyed Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, you can read my review here and I'm looking forward to reading To Kill a Warlock too.


You'll find the interview first, then a bit about Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill a Warlock and at the end of the post details of how you can win a ebook copy of one of H.P. Mallory's books!   There's a copy of each to giveaway!


I'd like to thank H.P.Mallory for stopping by today and offering the wonderful giveaway!!


INTERVIEW
Magic Faerie:Can you tell us all about yourself please?
H.P.Mallory: I'm 33 years old, married and have a 17 month old son. I lived abroad in the UK for two years, in England and Scotland and started writing while overseas. I love anything that goes bump in the night and Halloween is my favorite holiday! 


Magic Faerie: You have the first book in two series just out, can you tell us a little about Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill A Warlock?
H.P.Mallory: Fire Burn is the first book in a series revolving around a woman who finds out she’s a witch and that she can bring the dead back to life. It’s basically all about her coming into her own as a witch. Warlock is a whodunit about a fairy in law enforcement.


Magic Faerie: Do you base your characters on yourself or people you know?
H.P.Mallory: Well, I think there is always a little of me in all my characters since I wrote them. It’s something writers can’t help. But, other than that, no I don’t base my characters on anyone I know.


Magic Faerie: Did you find either if the books easier or more enjoyable to write for any reason?
H.P.Mallory: Warlock was easier to write and not just because it is shorter. Being my second book, I feel like I had really gotten into the groove of writing which made it easier and I think the story is less complicated.


Magic Faerie: Do you have a favourite character from either book?
H.P.Mallory:  I really like Jolie and of all the men, probably Rand.


Magic Faerie: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is largely set in England, why did you choose to set it there?
H.P.Mallory: I was living in England at the time I wrote the book and used many of the places I visited in the book. England is such a magical place that it just went hand in hand with the book, I think.


Magic Faerie: I really enjoyed Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, can you tell us when the second book will be out?
H.P.Mallory: Thank you! The next book in Jolie’s series, Toil and Trouble, will be released Jan 1.


Magic Faerie: Can you tell us anything about projects you are working on at the moment?
H.P.Mallory: I’m just working to finish Toil and Trouble by Jan 1. I’m also working on a graphic novel of Warlock but that is in its infancy.


Magic Faerie: How many books will there be in the Jolie Wilkins series?  And in the Dulcie O’Neil series?
H.P.Mallory: For Jolie, probably 3-5. For Dulcie, unlimited—probably until the story just needs to end.


Magic Faerie: I love your fun covers, what made you decide to use such designs?
H.P.Mallory: I wanted covers that reflected the humor in both books and hopefully they do that.


Magic Faerie: Have you always written?  If not, what made you start?
H.P.Mallory: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. When I lived in the UK, I had lots of free time and finally put the passion to paper.


Magic Faerie: What is the  most challenging thing about being a writer?
H.P.Mallory: Getting negative reviews—that is the worst part. The best part, of course, is when people love your books as much as you do!


Magic Faerie: Where do you find your inspiration for your stories?
H.P.Mallory: I don’t really know. I think about my stories constantly and plan out what will happen chapter by chapter. I might get inspired by a song or something I read or hear on the news, etc. I guess inspiration can hit in many different ways.


Magic Faerie: Describe what makes a good story to you?
H.P.Mallory: Something that you just can’t put down no matter what you’re doing or need to be doing.


Magic Faerie: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
H.P.Mallory: Well, I don’t have much free time. I have a 17 month old son who takes up all my free time. In fact, I wake up every morning at 5 am to get my writing in!


Magic Faerie: Are you an avid reader?  What are your favourite books/authors?
H.P.Mallory: Yes, I used to read about a book a week when I was pregnant but now time is much more scarce. However, in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, I love the Sookie Stackhouse series and the early Anita Blake series
.
Magic Faerie: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
H.P.Mallory:  I’d just like to thank everyone who takes a chance on my books. I really hope you’ll enjoy them!


You can find out more about H.P. Mallory at:
Website: Urban Fantasy Novels
Blog: HP Mallory Urban Fantasy Author
Twitter: H.P. Mallory
Facebook: H.P. Mallory


H.P. MALLORY'S BOOKS
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
Buy a copy: eBook @ Smashwords $2.99 or Kindle $3.43
Read my review

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.



To Kill a Warlock
Buy a copy: eBook @ Smachwords $2.99 or Kindle $3.43

The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.

Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a 
law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. 

When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.

Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie’s got her hands full.

As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals. 



GIVEAWAY
H.P. Mallory is offering two books for the giveaway. One copy each of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill a Warlock. There will be two winners. The first winner drawn (using Random.org) can choose which and the second winner will receive the other. Open until 31st October 2010.


H.P. Mallory's question - What paranormal creature do you find yourself most drawn to?


How to enter:
1. You must be a follower as this is a follower contest.
2. Post an answer to H.P. Mallory's question in the comments.
3. Open internationally.
4. Winner drawn on 31st October 2010.
5. Leave an email address for me to contact you if you win.
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Waiting on Wednesday #7 ~ "Right-Hand Magic" by Nancy A. Collins



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

It's Wednesday again!  The book I'm waiting for this week is Right-Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins the first book in a new series I spoted on Goodreads!




Series: Golgotham, #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Roc
Release date: 7 Decemner 2010




Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can't resist a good rental deal-even if it's in the city's strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets.

Her new landlord is a sorcerer name Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe's fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick... 




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Tuesday, 5 October 2010

Teaser Tuesday #7



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week is from The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter.  It's another of those books I keep seeing a lot of good stuff about so I have high hopes!


"Maddox closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating. trying to make himself believe.  Ashlyn is just a woman.  She means nothing but temporary satisfaction.  The shadows and pain he'd glimpsed in her eyes meant nothing.  They would not soften him, mush less bewitch him"

p. 108.

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Sunday, 3 October 2010

In My Mailbox #7


In My Mailbox is a bookish meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren and inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.


I was very happy to hear I'd won a book from Evelyn @ Paromantasy this week.  Thank you :)   It's an ebook from an author I have not read before so am looking forward to reading, and reviewing, The Ghost Hunter.  Hope you all had a good weekend and got some great books in your mailbox!


TitleThe Ghost Hunter
Author: Lori Brighton

Ashley Hunter is intent on uncovering the truth about her father's disappearance. But Ashley realizes she's in for more than she bargained. Not only has she inherited a decrepit pub, she's also inherited ghosts and demons. Then Cristian arrives, a mysterious man who insists he only needs a room to rent. She believes him, until one by one her ghosts start disappearing... 

As a fallen angel destined for a life of servitude, Cristian Lucius is relegated to protecting earth from unwanted spirits. But he can’t accomplish this daunting task alone. He requires assistance from the very woman who frustrates him as much as she intrigues him. Cristian is determined to ignore his intense attraction for Ashley, and focus on his mission. If they don’t work together, they won’t have a chance in hell of defeating the demon threatening their lives. The problem is getting Ashley to trust him. No easy task, for Cristian is the very man responsible for her father’s disappearance. 

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Saturday, 2 October 2010

Review: "Guilty Pleasures" by Laurell K. Hamilton

Title: Guilty Pleasures
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
ISBN 10: 0425197549
ISBN13: 9780425197547


About the book (from Laurell's website)
"My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me "The Executioner". What I call them isn't repeatable.

Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I've seen their victims. I carry the scars...

But now a serial killer is murdering vampires and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer... "

"In a world where vampires, zombies and werewolves have been declared legal citizens of the United States, Anita Blake is an "animator" - a profession that involves raising the dead for mourning relatives. But Anita is also known as a fearsome hunter of criminal vampires, and she's often employed to investigate cases that are far too much for conventional police. But as Anita gains the attention of the vampire masters of her hometown of St Louis, she also risks revealing an intriguing secret about herself - the source of her unusual strength and power."


Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1
Published: First Published 1993
Publisher: Berkley Trade
WebsiteLaurell K. Hamilton
Excert: You can download the first two chapters

My Review

Anita Blake is an Animator and vampire executioner in a world where the supernatural creatures “came out of the coffin” a couple of years ago and the whole community is still adjusting to everything.  The world is very much our own with a bit of a twist.  Vampires and other supernaturals seem to keep separate from ordinary people in Anita’s’ world, except for the very popular vampire bars!  


Anita is known as “The executioner” to the vampires which gives a very good insight into the sort of kick ass and strong minded individual she is.   Anita seems to be someone who will not give up and believes in what she is doing.  When 
Anita’s “friend” Edward turns up we get a good contrast, here is someone who will go further than she is prepared to go, he has no boundaries.  I have the feeling we will see Edward again in later books.


Jean Claude is an interesting character, sexy and powerful he seems very much how a vampire in a story “should” be!!  I look forward to more Jean Claude!  


Guilty Pleasures is a great first book in the series, full of action, sexy vampires, some were rats, great characters and the promise of great things to come!  There are plenty of plot twists to keep you interested until the last page.  If you’re looking for a well paced action urban fantasy give it a go. 


I enjoyed Guilty Pleasures and will continue with the series.   I did not realise when I started to read the book it was first published in 1993!  Good to see it stay so popular.  I’ve read very mixed reviews of the later books in the series but I’ll see when I get there!


( Just one thing, please don’t tell me what happens in the later books or to make sure I stop at number x.  I know they sort of change track later on but I avoid reviews like the plague as I want to make up my own mind!) 



How do you like the cover of my edition?  


This is an old copy, 2000 the original published date in the UK I think??  The covers are quite different now!




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Friday, 1 October 2010

Follow Friday #8 & Book Blogger Hop #7



Hi everyone! It's Friday again so I'm taking part in Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop!! HAPPY FRIDAY :)
 I have not been online much this week due to internet connection problems :(
 Think I've got things back to usual now :)

Follow on Friday is hosted my Rachel at Parajunkee.com

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  • Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
  • Follow our Featured Bloggers - Books With Bite
  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  • If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
  • If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog.

Book Blogger Hop

I am taking part in in the Book Blogger Hop again this week hosted by Crazy-for-books to explore all the great book blogs out there!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 300 links every week!!

This week's question is from Book Couture

"How do you spread the word about your blog?
(e.g. Social Networking sites, Book Blog Directories, comments on other blogs...)"



I don't get the time to do as much to promote my book blog as I would like.  I take part in some of the book blooger tag alongs, like these ones, and try to visit sveral of my favourite blogs and leave comments.  I have also joined BookBlogs but have not used it to it's full potential yet.  Really I want to do a lot more, go and comment more to build up relationships with bloggers who share my reading taste, maybe promote on Facebook and Twitter.


Look out for my 150 follower contest soon!!! 


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18 & Over Book Blogger Tag Along Friday #4

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Calling all 18 and over book bloggers, are you looking for more bloggers like yourself? Well please join in so we can tag along with each other. This is for a specific group and your blog needs to primarily have book reviews and post adult book content. In other words, if you read books like erotic and adult romance and have adult pic., then you can play tag along. Sorry YA readers, but if you read both (I know some of you do) you can tag along also. Just make sure you have both YA and adult romance on your blog.
I wanted to do this not only for myself, but for others out there that are looking for more adult book blogs.
It doesn't matter what you read if its paranormal, suspense, historical, contemporary or mystery, along with erotic with any genre. As long as it is adult then your in.

To join in the fun drop by Bitten By Paranormal Romance for more details and to see who else is taking part!

Welcome to my blog!  I read mainly 18+ paranormal romance and urban fantasy.  I on occasion delve into YA and erotica too.  

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