Mythical Monday (45)

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Paranormal Romance author 
Kait Ballenger

Talking of Pixies.

For anyone who has read even the back cover blurb of Immortal Hunter, it’s easy to see that the supernatural focus of the book is demons. They are at the center of the novel, seeing as David Aronowitz, the hero of Immortal Hunter, is a demon hunter for the Execution Underground, an international covert organization of hunters who fight to protect humanity from the supernatural creatures who lurk behind every dark corner. Despite that demons are the focus of the novel, I wanted to take a moment today to highlight the other supernatural creature this novel features: the faerie.


Faerie:

1. a tiny mischievous, imaginary being
2. an imaginary supernatural being, usually represented in diminutive human form and characterized as clever, playful, and having magical powers
3. a variant of fairy

Allsún O’Hare, the heroine of the novel, is half-Fae, specifically pixie. So what makes a faerie a faerie in the world of the Execution Underground? Well, you’re about to find out. Below is a Mythical Mondays entry for pixies similar to what would be in the beginner’s guide for Execution Underground trainees—of course, I can’t show you the real entry, since Execution Underground training is highly confidential. ;-) As potential hunters of the supernatural, trainees must be able to recall and understand something similar to the following information:

Pixie

(See also Fae/faerie/fairy/earth angel)

Note: The term Fae is an over-arching term for an entire kingdom of supernatural creature with multiple sub-species existing within the kingdom. For example, a pixie, a sprite, a water spirit, a brownie, and a goblin are all examples of Fae, but exist within different sub-species. Fae are benign creatures and have no interest in hurting humans; therefore, they are not hunted by the Execution Underground.

Appearance: Pixies are characterized by their small stature (smaller than the average human), physical attractiveness to the human eye, and bright eye color.

Abilities: Pixies are capable of producing a powerful, sparkling faerie dust, which causes humans to be easily suggestible to their will. They are a type of nature sprite and draw strength and magical power from the earth. They are capable in fully exorcising demons, their natural enemy.

Behaviors: Pixies are notably mischievous and are often known for dealing in half-truths and pranks. They are easily angered, but not outwardly aggressive.

Weaknesses: Iron

Habitat: The Isle of Apples – a second dimension, capable only of being accessed by the Fae, in which its entry lays near the west coast of the Republic of Ireland.

Natural Enemy: Demons


So there you have it. The Fae as portrayed in the Execution Underground series! I hope you’ve enjoyed this little teaser and that you decide to check out Immortal Hunter!

All Best,
Kait Ballenger


Author Bio:
Kait Ballenger is a full-time romance author, wife, a former professional bellydancer, and soon-to-be-professor. She is the multi-published author of the Execution Underground paranormal romance series about an international network of supernatural hunters who fight to protect humanity alongside the powerful women they seduce.

With a B.A in English from Stetson University, Kait is a recent graduate of Spalding University’s M.F.A in Writing for Children and Young Adults program, where she studied dual-genre in screenwriting.

When Kait’s not preoccupied with paranormal creepy-crawlies, she can be found spending time with her family or with her nose buried in a book. She lives in Florida with her husband, their doggie-daughter Sookie (yes, like the heroine in Charlainne Harris’ books), and two mischievous cats Elliot and Olivia (yes, like the Law and Order characters), near the love and care of her supportive family. Kait believes anything is possible with hard work and dedication. One day, she will be a bestseller and have people name their pets after her characters too.

Author Links:
Kait Ballenger's site
Twitter:  @kait_ballenger
Facebook page

Purchase Books: (click image to go purchase at Amazon)


Also find at Barnes & Nobles:
After Dark
Twilight Hunter
Immortal Hunter

Also on Book Depository:
After Dark
Vampire Killer (Kait's story is the same as what's in After Dark, this is a UK Anthology with 2 different authors)
Twilight Hunter
Immortal Hunter

Book Review: Immortal Hunter

Immortal Hunter

By:  Kait Ballenger

Publish Date:  April 1, 2014

Publisher:  HQN Books (Harlequin)

Format:  eARC, 268pg

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Series:  2nd book in Execution Underground series; 0.5 Novella ~ Shadow Hunter (in After Dark), 1st Book ~ Twilight Hunter

Recommendation:  Yes, you'll follow David and Allsun now. See what happens to them. A romance in a paranormal world.

Synopsis:
Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity...but at what price?

As an exorcist, David Aronowitz grew up the target of demonic assassins. Now he’s a member of the Execution Underground and hellspawn everywhere fear his name. But when a demon slips into the seductive body of the only woman he’s ever loved,

David must confront the heartbreak of their past to save her. The piece of her heart Allsún O’Hare gave to David so long ago left her trapped between two worlds: the Fae and the human. And when David comes to her rescue, fate reunites her with her greatest temptation—and her biggest mistake.

Now, as they’re swept together into a wicked game with the demon who controls her, David must decide if saving Allsún’s life is worth sacrificing his own—and the future of humanity itself.

First Sentence:
David Aronowitz unsheathed his dagger and steadied the weapon.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

**I read this book for an honest review.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Rochester's demons are never as quiet as they have been since the child's murder two weeks ago. Now they are stirring again, possessing and killing young children. David knows they are up to something. David is on the hunt for the demon that possessed the doctor caring for his ex-fiance who's laying in a coma for nearly a month now, after the events of Twilight Hunter. Demon's being the chatty bunch, David fears the demon after Allsun already told others of her. Meaning her secret is out. Allsun wakes and her fae instincts kick into overdrive. She is compelled to save someone from the demon attacking, so no other will have to suffer as she did. The past of trying to protect the other haunts David and Allsun.

This second book in the Execution Underground series focuses on David and Allsun. We meet both of them in Twilight Hunter. We do see the other hunters around David as well. Jace and Frankie from Twilight Hunter along with those in their group. We do get to see how Jace and Frankie are doing being that Jace and David are such good friends, and Allsun and Frankie too.

David's an exorcist professional and demon's hate it. David feels the pain in his damaged leg is justified for what Allsun lived through, and for failing her. We know much of David and his reasons, or thinking, as to what happened between him and Allsun. David will do anything to keep Allsun save. Anything. Allsun carries her reasons for leaving close to her, secrets she keeps tight from all.

Allsun is the last fae creature outside the Isle of Apples. Fae are demon's only true natural enemy. Allsun has her own internal demons to fight. Especially with David so close. Demons on her trail leave her with one thought, return to the fae home. But Allsun needs the half of her light she gave away, and there's only one way to get it back. Allsun doesn't think she can do it, not with the feelings she still has.

This was a quick read for me. A pleasure read. The story is a romance of rekindling love set in a paranormal world, which brings dangers and draws lives together. A light romance read to curl up with. The demon attacks are rough, but draw on things within David and Allsun to bring out something they need to discuss. But it's great seeing them work together, both with the power that makes them special and super in the field of demon exorcism.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Immortal Hunter

Today I'm sharing with you the blurb and cover for the next Execution Underground book. I've read and shared my thoughts on the first novella, Shadow Hunter found in After Dark, along with thoughts on the first full length novel, Twilight Hunter. Each is a romance in the works. Sexy dangerous men and and hot romance.

Immortal Hunter

Execution Underground #2

By:  Kait Ballenger

Due Out:  April 1, 2014

Description:

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity...but at what price?

As an exorcist, David Aronowitz grew up the target of demonic assassins. Now he's a member of the Execution Underground and hellspawn everywhere fear his name. But when a demon slips into the seductive body of the only woman he's ever loved, David must confront the heartbreak of their past to save her.

The piece of her heart Allsún O'Hare gave to David so long ago left her trapped between two worlds: the Fae and the human. And when David comes to her rescue, fate reunites her with her greatest temptation--and her biggest mistake.

Now, as they're swept together into a wicked game with the demon who controls her, David must decide if saving Allsún's life is worth sacrificing his own--and the future of humanity itself.

Soooo? Sounds dangerous and heart-breaking and heart-filling. Can't wait to see what David decides and all they go through. David was a character that caught my attention in the first book. I had felt for him and his loss as I read. I didn't know much about what happened, but sounds like I'll learn that here. :)

Giveaway Time!!

Kait has a giveaway running.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALSO! Kait has a special treat for TODAY ONLY.

Special GIVEAWAY offer! Leave a comment today (the date this blurb was posted) with your email address in order to receive a free chapter sample of IMMORTAL HUNTER before the release date on April 1st!

You can currently Pre-order Immortal Hunter at:
Amazon

Barnes & Noble

And Find on Goodreads.


Author Bio:
Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, professional bellydancer, and graduate student. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, their doggie-daughter Sookie (like Charlainne Harris' character), and two kittens, Elliot and Olivia (like the SVU characters). Kait believes anything is possible, and one day, she hopes people name their pets after her characters, too.

Links:
Website:  Kait Ballenger
Facebook:  Kait Ballenger
Twitter:  @kait_ballenger