The marvelous Jaye Wells, author of the Sabina Kane urban fantasy series (which you should be buying NOW if you haven’t already!), has declared October to be International Urban Fantasy Month. Obviously, this is something I can get behind in force!
Jaye has put together an amazing prize bundle to celebrate, but we sort of figured “the more the merrier!” so I’m here to join the party. So in honour of IUFM, I’m willing to cash in at Samhain Publishing’s store and set a winner up with their best Urban Fantasy titles. Here’s what I’m putting up to win:
E-Books:
Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean
The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters by Sierra Dean
A Bloody Good Secret by Sierra Dean
Secret Santa by Sierra Dean
Coyote’s Creed by Vaughn R. Demont
Legacy by Denise Tompkins
Blaze of Glory by Sheryl Nantus
Bad Bloody by Lucienne Diver
Ghost Soldiers by Keith Melton
Zero Dog War by Keith Melton
Blood and Destiny by Kaye Chambers
Print Books:
Since this whole thing was Jaye’s idea, I will also send a copy of her first Sabina Kane novel Red-Headed Stepchild to the lucky winner. The choice of print or ebook is up to you.
Now, how do you win? Just leave a comment telling me why YOU love Urban Fantasy! Winner will be chosen November 1st.
I love urban fantasy because of the awesome heroes and heroines, great worlds, and kick butt action.
I love Urban Fantasy for the story lines, non-stop action and amazing characters. Hot leading male characters are usually a very appreciated bonus
Ahhh yes. Who doesn’t love reading about sexy dudes?
Urban fantasy is a genre that explores extraordinary worlds filled with unique creatures. There is action, mystery, conflict and love -expect the unexpected and the genre delivers. The characters grow throughout the story, face down fears but thrive not in spite of their circumstances but from enduring them.
I love urban fantasy because who doesn’t weant to imagine themselves hanging out with vampires, weres, witches and zombies?
Why I love Urban Fantasy? One reason: It constantly challenges my imagination. With TV you dont really have to think, just watch. With reading you visualize everything that’s going on and i guess i love to visualize all these otherworldly creatures and fantastic battles. I absolutely love thinking about creatures and weapons and talents that simply don’t exist.
http://eclecticsummer.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/international-urban-fantasy-month/
I love the fast thrilling ride that Urban Fantasy takes me on. It pulls me into the world of dark and dreary and doesn’t let me go. I love the possiblilites that opens up with this genre and I love the plot’s and story lines. I have a busy and sometimes hectic life and when I escape into the pages of a book I want something that’s as far a way as my real life as I can get, and that’s what Urban Fantasy gives me. I also love a good kick a** heroine. It’s inspiring, and makes me want to go forth and be a stronger person
I love UF for the mystery/action and characters. I love how modern day blends with past and future kind of like a Heath Blizzrd from DQ. Mythology or sci-fi…its great!
Why do I love UF? Kick ass woman leads, diverse characters from the common “monsters” to mythology inspired, locations that are a character in their own right and the simple fact that they’re fun to read.
Long Live UF! Thanks for the contest- Jen
yay for UF! I love the melding of a magical world and my reality. It makes believing in magic and paranormal creatures more realistic.
Plus most of the female leads kick butt.
Jennifer K Jovus
kjovus at gmail dot com
Great giveaway.
I love the kickass heroines and heroes.And their feisty sidekicks.I like to escape and get lost into their world even if its just for a little while.
I like Urban Fantasy because of the kick ass chicks. Plus, the urban setting makes me feel like it could actually happen and I sometimes forget that shapeshifters and vampires (and other paranormal creatures) don’t actually exist.
I love UF novels for what feels like a million reasons! I love how you can just get sucked into the books, i love how anything and everything is possible. I love how there is always a kick butt heroine, but one that you are able to grow with. I love the magic and the mystery and of course the romance when sparked
. I love how there is a mix of genres. and soo much more.
ps- I also love that there is a chance i can get some more books soon
pss- and the fact that while my husband is deployed they help me escape missing him even for a little while
I love Urban Fantasy becasue it features kick ass women who are not only strong but sexy. They also have awesome characters, kewl creatures, magic, sexy men and everything else you could want in one book!
I love Urban Fantasy because it’s talking and describing about a world that is similar or totally different from ours. Maybe the setting is still the same, but with the addition of vampires or succubus, it makes the story all the more interesting. Like a parallel world (well, it could actually be one too), its story still relates to our own (at least for me it does). Urban Fantasy novels are the one place where I can jump into the paranormal and ignore reality. Love it, and I have to admit, can’t live without it.
Aspiring-author,
Jessica
What I love most about you is that you blend my two favorite genres fantasy and paranormal. Then you go and put in some romance to go with it. You add some kickass woman and some very alpha males. You give me a little of everything magic, vampires, shifters, and let me see into worlds like mine only different. Thank you for coming into my life.
thanks for the giveaway if i only had a ereader but paper books are cool im still in the runnings lol. grrrrreat giveaway. charvahon@yahoo.com
I love Urban Fantasy because it takes my imagination to new places. There is constant action, humour, romance, a bit of everything! I get totally lost in the worlds created by Urban Fantasy Authors. Thanks so much for the giveaway contest!!
-Dawn aka dawnmomoffour
thedoyle6@rogers.com
I love Urban Fantasy because it catches your attention and just doesn’t let go! Once I start reading an Urban Fantasy book I can’t put it down! Witches, weres, vampires, succubi, what else more can you ask for in a book!
Urban fantasy is just so awesome sometimes, it’s got like a perfect mix of action, romance/relationships and the supernatural. And usually you get some pretty bad ass heroines. Thanks!
I’ve been reading and loving UF since before it was called that! I adore a well-written book that has magic and mystery and monsters all wrapped up in a modern-day setting. Give me elves in fast cars, talking cats, transformed dragons, and matchmaking ghosts. Real life with a twist, that’s the ticket!
I like Urban Fantasy because of the blend of the modern and mystical. Nothing like a character who is as at home with a spell or sword as they are with a Sig.
I love urban fantasy because its my escape from reality …. i would rather read a good book than watch tv…….
I love urban fantasy because I love reading a series of books that allows you to watch characters change and grow as ‘life happens’. The supernatural element – whether the action is meant to take place in our current ‘world’ or a parallel/future/past universe created by the author is the icing.
UF Rocks in its own right everywhere. I read so that i can imagine the world and put myself in it. I cant imagine a world that doesn’t have fantasy, i mean after all we read as an escape from reality.
Wow, this is so cool of you guys to do this. I’m just starting to get into this genre, but I’m already in love with Atticus and Oberon from Kevin Hearne’s books. These IUFM posts are filling up my ‘what’ll I read next’ list pretty quick!
I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about Kevin Hearne’s series. I’m really looking forward to reading those.
I love Urban Fantasy because of the women don´t need to be saved; they don’t need knight in shining armor to save the day, they´re strong and also the hot men, especially them, they´re bad!.
I love urban fantasy because it’s the ultimate escape. A great fiction novel is fun, but urban fantasy takes you on a journey where people can be any creature you can imagine, where those creatures, while they are not humans, have problems just like everyone else. Anything can, and often does, happen. Urban fantasy and paranormal romance, in my eyes, trump ordinary fiction every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
My favorite UF books contain characters that are a little like the average person, but put into extraordinary circumstances. For example, Jane True of the Jane True series was just an ordinary girl from a small town. However, when she finds out a little about her mom, things around her change drastically. It’s fun to read about a character and how they react to the most amazing things around them!
I love UF because of the feisty heroines who always fall for the bad boys. They’re also constantly getting into trouble, and they usually have a trusty sidekick! My fave has to be the Rachel Morgan series! LOVE TRENT!!
Tasnim x
What I love about Urban Fantasy?
I love the endless possibilities for the world building and the characters.I like how everything seems like it is one way but it is actually the complete opposite generally. I love the kickass heroines who stand on their own and take no shit.I love how it blends mystery/suspense with a touch of supernatural. I love how intriguing UF is to read and I recommend the UF Genre to any.
Who could possible go past kiss-ass girls who never take no for an answer and insist on doing everything their own way. That’s the thing that makes urban fantasy so great… nothing is out of the question.
It’s so hard for me to explain why I love uf so much, but I rarely read anything else. I guess it’s the super original worlds and the variety of supernatural races, each with their own ‘rules’ and ‘realities.’
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love urban fantasy because it gives me a place to escape to during stressed times. I am able to forget everything even if it’s a short period of time.
Hey everyone!
Why do I love UF? For every single reason you guys have mentioned and more. I love the series books, the one where the characters grow over the course of books, where changes are unexpected and often shocking, where heroines set the tone and Alpha males do their best to dominate the page. I love the whole genre, both reading and writing. I LOVE the worlds, the small twists on everyday life that make you look twice at the guy with the amber eyes at the grocer’s, or try not to stare at the little pixie at the butcher’s, because what if…
Now as a writer? My favorite part of UF has to the you guys. Readers in this genre are fierce and I love it!
I’m an author on the list so I’m not in the contest. I just wanted to give a shout out and wish you guys luck!
Denise Tompkins
I’ve always been a huge paranormal romance fan, and can appreciate a fabulous urban fantasy story. Love the darker storylines, the strong heroines, the uber-alpha males, that bite of snarky humor, and the world building. Disappearing into the world of a well written UF story can be totally addictive.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
i love urban fantasy because it sometimes has the romantic elements but usually focuses more on the story and development of characters then sex ( i said usually.. lol).. i love the fact that theyre fiction, mysteries, romance.. all rolled into one book made up of supernatural love!!
I love UF because, let’s face it, the paranormal is not real. I can read all that action, all the thriller kind of stuff without having to be afraid of any of those things actually happening to me. Although I certainly wouldn’t mind if hot alpha shifters turned out to be real….
I love urban fantasy for its kick-butt heroes, magic, creativity, and mystery. Urban fantasy extends my imagination like no other genre. It’s extremely addicting! lol
I love UF because of the awesome worlds that I get drawn into and the intricate world and character building. I truly get lost in someone else and their problems become mine and the survival of the characters is my responsibility! I step into this new and exciting world (that have been created by some of the finest talent known to man, uhm, I mean woman) And I want to be in this world, this is my life inside of my life and this is how I can keep my sanity!
I love Urban famntasy because its not just about romance. It has butt kicking heroine/hero and Urban fantasy keeps you guessing and wanting for more which Romance novels seem to lack because it all about Romance and Urban fantasy is so much more. its action/horror/thriller/romance all in one novel.
WOW! awesome splashed in fabulousness! Thanks so much for your generosity
I’d have to say that I love UF b/c it is literally a new world. I love all the new concepts dealing with magic and powers and change. Being able to suspend disbelief and just accept that things are completely different. Having characters that are strong, phsyically and/or magically, and being able to make a difference. Having conflict that can be resolved and a HEA (well mostly). I love losing myself in these books and I am an avid read of all things UF. It doesn’t necessarily have to have a romance, as long as it has an engaging plot and characters I can fall in love with. I love series and strong, kick *ss female characters. I tend toward the wry, sarcastic protagonists (male or female) and I love a strong, supporting cast. I could go on and on but that’s the main points.
You all ROCK! Thanks again!
efender1 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I think my favorite thing about this contest is how almost every response starts with “I love UF.” That makes what I do worthwhile.
I have posted the following on my own blog, http://www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
My Ode to Urban Fantasy
Thank you Jaye Wells, to declaring October as International Urban Fantasy Month. She is giving away the awesome price pack of 25 signed Urban Fantasy novels (including her own books of course) divided of 5 lucky winners. All you have to do, is tell why you love Urban Fantasy. So go over to her site, http://jayewells.com/, and enter the contest as well.
Other others are participating as well, like Siera Dean (http://www.sierradean.com/), whose novella I have just reviewed (scroll down).
So here is my ode to Urban Fantasy.
I love to read Urban Fantasy novels and especially series for a lot of reasons. I am in awe of the world those authors create, especially if you can believe it is real, and those paranormal creatures could be living right next door to you. The diversity some authors create is incredible, and I love them all. Although I have a weakness for witches and wizards, I love reading about vampires, were-wolves and other shapeshifters, the different kind of fae, but also elves, faeries, nymphs, ghosts, demons, gods and goddesses and demi-gods, angels, gargoyles, and other scary creatures of the night.
What great imagination those authors have, and how grateful I am to them, for taking the time to write it all down, so other people can enjoy their stories.
I love kick ass heroines, those who really take over the pages, and don’t really need a man by their side, but if they do have, they are equals and not depending on them to save their asses. No genre is better for that than urban fantasy. And paranormal romance of course, the line between the two genres is often very thin.
I love to dream about, what if it could be real, what if I could be a part of this world? Have a shifter, a real alpha male, for myself? Of course, I am way to independent to ever tolerate such a mach alpha male in my life for real, but still. They care so much, are so protective of their mate/heartmate/Soulmate. Dreaming is nice.
And I especially love series, so you can follow your favourite heroine and hero on their next adventure, and learn more about their personal lives, and the trials in it. The secondary characters are much needed to give extra life and laughter to the story, and their roles are often very important for the storyline.
Some of my favourite Urban Fantasy authors, in no specific order:
Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Anne Bishop, Jenna MacLain, Karen Chance, Moira Rogers, and of course Yasmine Galenorn.
They all have wonderful worldbuilding and strong heroines.
Thank you all ladies, for giving me so many hours of reading pleasure, letting me travel to your worlds and enjoy myself.
Love Urban Fantasy month! What a great declaration!
UF is my favorite genre to read, it is the perfect escape from everyday life. If you think you have it bad and everything is falling apart, pick up an UF novel and see some kick ass heroine or alpha male hero deal with whatever messed up world they have…magic ripping the world apart, evil mages with world domination in their sights, demons evil roar and witches cackle. UF will always be better then mindlessly watching tv or a movie because nothing can compete with the worlds that are painted in my head from all of these wonderfully talented UF authors, I hope they never stop writing!
Thankyou for being in on such a fun giveaway, it is so generous and so appreciated!
Lexi
Kickass Heroines, Sexy Heroes and worlds that are both magical and full of mysteries.
The great cover art on most of them doesn’t hurt either
I love Urban Fantasy because of the action, hot men, and sometimes I need a vaca from my life! lol This is an awesome contest!
bluesun1218@dishmail.net
I love UF because of the smart, funny, tough-as-nails female leads, and the male leads that just let them be that way. I discovered Urban Fiction a long time ago, with such authors as Emma Bull and Charles DeLint. I’m happy to say that the genre has not suffered in the following years….rather, it has grown and stretched and is still realizing it’s full potential!! New authors, both female and male, are bringing new stories and old “mythologies” together in ever-changing ways, and I for one, love it!
The one thing that stands out the most in almost all Urban Fiction is the tolerance.
The tolerance for sexual preferences (female/female…male/male…human/furry/fanged/what-have-you!!), abilities, appearance, etc. I believe that reading books that are very matter-of-fact about embracing yourself and accepting others around you for what they are will go a long way in helping those who consider themselves different-in whatever way-to love and accept themselves.
Everyday there are new authors and new stories and new lives and loves to get caught up in………..bring it on!!
I love Urban Fantasy for many reasons. I love the kick-ass characters, the amazing story lines with it’s twist and turns, mystery, intrigue, hot action and some romance. I like how with each book you read in a series, you get drawn into their realm as the world building gets more intense and that you can follow the characters on their journeys and watch them grow with each book. I like how sometimes it’s not always a happy ending, characters die, bad shit happens. I love the fantasy world set in current times with otherworldly beings – some you love, some you hate, the alpha males and strong kick ass heroines. These worlds and chartacters become like old friends that you don’t mind visiting time and time again.
I usually pick up a series and read them all through, sometimes in a week or two. These are books that I get so immersed in that I’m reading into the wee hours of the morning on a work day, because I just cannot-put-the-book-down!
Some of my favorite authors are Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Jim Butcher, Amy Lane, Kevin Hearne, Jeannine Frost.
I started out with full on fantasy (which I still read) like how urban fantasy often brings the modern world into the story and marry’s it with the fantasy elements. Pure escapism
I just wrote a post on why I love urban fantasy on my blog!
“There’s a ridiculously long list of reasons why I love urban fantasy.
Growing up I’d always played around with the the possibility that there was something else out there. Surely, I told myself, one cannot just go to school, finish school, get a job, work for the rest of your life, and then one day, when you least expect it, you kick the bucket. And that’s pretty much it. It just seems too dull to me.”
Read the entire post on my blog here: http://tinyurl.com/6c9ur3o
UF is great. No where else do you get the heroines and heroes that you find in these stories. Plus they allow for such a perfect break from RL even if you only have time to read one chapter at a time. You get to experience a world that is often very similar to ours but at the same time has things we can only imagine existing.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I love Urban Fantasy because it provides me with an escape from the troubles of real life. Also, when reading Urban Fantasy books, I’m inspired by how the strong female leads can overcome hardships to gain success. The many twists in the plots and the action-packed scenes manage to keep me glued to the pages, reading until past midnight.
I LOVE UF AND I CAN’T GET ENOUGH!!!
I love UF because it makes me feel like anything is possible! Like all of it could be real and I just haven’t stumbled into it, the magic of possibilities is addictive!
I absolutly Love UF books because they have the best of everything you could want in a book!! I cant get enough of them, and the characters are touch but so lovable! the adult ones and the youth ones are just great, and I think they bring us back to the child in us, wanting to believe in the mythical, magical and the fantasy, plus thow in the Kick ass heroins and Hot guys! what more could you want? except to be a part of it yourself!! Love em, thanks all you great authors out there and keep em coming! It also inspires me to try and write my own, if i could just stop reading long enough to do so! LOL
sheri from creston!
I love UF for the tight leather pants. No, okay, I do, but I also love it for the really strong heroines, the men who love them, the fast pace, the touch of fantasy and the urban setting (of course).
Thanks for the giveaway! Hurray for IUF month.
I love UF because of the strong female protagonists and the amazing worldbuilding. I’m always blown away by how creative the authors are. It’s a great escape to new and exciting worlds!
I love Urban Fantasy! Its mainly all that I read!! Kick-ass hereoins/heroes, hot guys fantastic story lines, and a plot that gets thicker by the page. You cannot beat UF!! My favorite authors and more that I have not read (that I am dying to read)!
Being a college student, its hard to get to a book store, but the minute I do! I hit the UF section of the book store all the time!! and then quickly run to the library to order/check them out to read!!
What’s NOT to love about UF?? Great characters, great stories and great new worlds to visit!
The reason why I love Urban Fantasy is because the romance of this era is so good not to mention that the fantasy creatures are updated from how they were years ago in the past. Also how can you not love Urban Fantasy with those hot Vampires or the Werewolves that are beyond sexy.
Admittedly, I haven’t read a lot of UF. However, from what I have read, what’s not to like? All the fantastical elements with an updated feel? It’s WIN!
Kick-ass heroes and heroines? Paranormal creatures and things that go bump in the night? Cool weapons and worlds? Awesome series that just get better with each new book? Just a few of the reasons why I love UF!
Kick ass heroines and out of this world sexy heroes….. whats not to like
Dear Urban Fantasy,
I fell in love with you the moment i started reading Richelle Mead’s Succubus series(i LOVE seth!!)..i guess it’s called love at first LINE(from that moment i am inseparable from you!!)..right?? and then i came across Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series while searching for you(did i mention how amazing curran is??).Now,you get the idea how i came to love you and these amazing worlds and charecters you present me with!!
What I love about you is the blend of genres: mystery/suspense often mixed with folklore or mythology,amazing world-building in settings that seem familiar on the surface but are actually very different, and intriguing characters.
I love how the hero/heroine can be this super kickass person and be vunerable at the same time.I love watching the characters facing everything that’s thrown in their way and even though it left scars, they grew stronger because of it.I love how i get attached to you so much that,it makes cheer for the characters, how it makes me hurt for them,how in spite of every hardship there’s always hope.
You gave me vampires,werelions, zombies, witches,werewolves,Angels,Demos,Fey….and what not? Yes, I love you, for all these paranormals and so much more. I love you for being yourself, and I love you because of the person you made me.
Love,
sweety
P.S:Thanks for the International Urban Fantasy Month and the awesome giveaways!!
Let me start this review by saying that I certainly read a lot. Between my reading for work and reading for pleasure, I probably average at least 150 books a year. And since I’ve been doing this for a while, I’ve read a good few books by now. I do not find it surprising that nowadays I often feel I’ve read a variation of what I am currently reading before. Granted, all authors are at least somewhat influenced by the work of others, but all too often the similarities are too great to overlook. So it has been quite a while since I’ve read a book and thought, “Wow, this was truly different and truly refreshing…”
Joss Whedon’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer TV show has a great deal to answer for. That sentence could be taken either way, really, but I’m getting at the rise in Urban Fantasy in literature that has become apparent since the show ended. Granted there are plenty of other Urban Fantasy shows that have had an effect on the general populace as well as genre fans (Charmed, Heroes, et al), but the tales of stake-toting cheerleader really grabbed people’s attention, and created the hunger for more of the same. Of course, there’s the ‘Season Eight’ Buffy comics and the ‘Season Six’ Angel comics, but many fans have been looking elsewhere for their fix, and have found it in the realms of the Fantasy section in bookstores the world over. Judging by the demand for merchandise and spinoff books from favourite TV shows, the audience is still out there in force.