Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Review And Giveaway: Three Days To Dead by Kelly Meding

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Three Days To Dead by Kelly Meding
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Dell (November 24, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0553592863
Genre: Urban Fantasy

They’ll never see her coming. . . .


When Evangeline Stone wakes up naked and bruised on a cold slab at the morgue—in a stranger’s body, with no memory of who she is and how she got there—her troubles are only just beginning. Before that night she and the two other members of her Triad were the city’s star bounty hunters, mercilessly cleansing the city of the murderous creatures living in the shadows, from vampires to shape-shifters to trolls. Then something terrible happened that not only cost all three of them their lives but also convinced the city’s other Hunters that Evy was a traitor—and she can’t even remember what it was.


Now she’s a fugitive, piecing together her memory, trying to deal some serious justice—and discovering that she has only three days to solve her own murder before the reincarnation spell wears off. Because in three days Evy will die again—but this time there’s no second chance. . . .

After reading many Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels, I sometimes wonder how a new author will manage to create a fantasy world with characters that will grab my attention and wow me with something different.  Three Days To Dead had me at page one when Evangeline Stone, a bounty hunter of paranormals, wakes up in a morgue in the body of someone else with no memory of how she died or the circumstances that lead up to her death.  Accused of killing the other members of her Triad--her bounty hunting team-- Evy has been branded a traitor and is being hunted by those she once trusted.  She has three days to solve her own murder, regain her memory and reveal the secrets that could save the world.

Although this Urban Fantasy world offers some fresh and unique elements, I think it’s the characterization that really stands out for me.  Evy is a heroine that grabbed my attention immediately and I was pulling for her throughout the story.  She’s a kick-ass woman who keeps her eye on the target. Although she is a fighter in a violent world, she manages to keep her humanity intact, and she can love those close to her without allowing her relationships to cripple her ability to get the job done. 

Wyatt, Evy’s handler has paid a very dear and permanent price for her temporary resurrection.  He does this not only out of duty in an effort to stop an alliance that could mean the end of the world as we know it, but also because he is love with her.  This may ultimately be his undoing.  There are many things to like about Wyatt, but his character is also quite flawed.  He deals with his own selfishness, and poor choices, but his openness with Evy makes him a very likeable character in spite of his mistakes.

Urban Fantasy is fast becoming my favorite genre and books like this are the reason why.  Kelly Meding has created a complex Urban Fantasy world of  human bounty hunters, paranormal politics, and mythical creatures.  This debut novel is fast paced, suspenseful and full of unexpected twists. 

To help celebrate the publication of Three Days To Dead, Kelly Meding has started a new short story serial on the Suvudu.com blog.  Check it out here.

Visit Kelly Meding at: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Purchase a copy of Three Days To Dead

Add Three Days To Dead to your GoodReads shelf

Book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of review.

**Giveaway**

Thanks to Random House, I have two copies of Three Days To Dead to giveaway.  Since Urban Fantasy is becoming my all time favorite genre, leave a comment telling me what your favorite Urban Fantasy book or series is.  I mean it!  I want to fill up my “to read” list with tons of good Urban Fantasy!  If you don’t have a favorite UF book or series then tell me why you want to read Three Days To Dead.

You can share the love by clicking the little green tweet button below to spread the word about this great book and giveaway!

Contest is open until December 20, winners will be announced the following day, open to all.  Good luck!



71 Comments:

Monica said...

Hmm...not sure what counts as Urban Fantasy...

I think I will go with the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.

Monica
mojo09226(AT)yahoo.com

The Queen B said...

Great review and giveaway hun :)
Don't enter me, lol.

I Heart Book Gossip said...

My FAVORITE Urban Fantasy is S.J. Day's Angel series.

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

SusiSunshine said...

Great review and this book sounds so great!
My favorite UF: I love all the books by Caitlin Kittredge, Mercy Thompson is great too. And don't forget Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series.

KarraMoeller said...

Well, I have two favorite UF series, but judging by what I've seen listed on your Goodreads lists, you've probably already read them.

They are KMM's Fever series, which is just fascinating. Sure, I tend to skip the pages regarding the whole "Sidhe Seer society-like stuff" and seek out every page that has sexy Barrons on it, but that's just how I roll...:oP

I also LOVE Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. I love the fact that the heroine and hero (I guess that's what Curran could be) haven't had sex at all, yet their page-time together is HOT. The chemistry between them is palpable and that's what I love in a series that has kick-ass worlds as well as fantastic plots.

BTW: I totally want to read "Three Days To Dead" based on all the great reviews I've read. It just sounds so different than what's available on the market already, and I'm all for different!

Woo!! :)

INCiDeNT said...

I love the first book in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh, Angel's Blood. It's classed as an Urban Fantasy Romance.

Also, Karen Chance's Midnight's Daughter (UF).

Cari Quinn said...

Great review! I really can't wait to read this one. As for my favorite UF book/series...Halfway to the Grave/Night Huntress, as I've told just about everyone I know. LOL

Star Shadow said...

Great review for an awesome sounding book. So excited about getting my hands on this book its sounding great.

My Favorite series is Chicagoland by Chloe Neill Some Girls bite followed by Friday night bites and more coming next year

Enter me please
Twolilstarz@gmail.com

Happy Holidays

Natalie (Mindful Musings) said...

My favorite Urban Fantasy series would have to be The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I absolutely love the series!

Thanks for the giveaway!

n_monzyk_27@yahoo.com

Scott Romanski said...

So far my favorite series is The Fever series by KMM.

email is lastrideusa AT Yahoo Dot com

nicole said...

Definitely Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series.

yum Curran!

Annarkie said...

My fave UF series are: The Dante Valentine Series and the Jill Kismet series by Lillith SaintCrow.

Patti said...

I think you've read all my favorite UF series. I might suggests Richelle Mead's Succubus series or Carrie Vaughn's Kitty the Werewolf series.

fozmeadows said...

Urban fantasy I've loved recently: Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, and Strange Angels by Lili St Crow. All fantastic reads!

Riva said...

My favorites - "Wicked Game" and "Bad to the Bone" by Jerri Smith-Ready and the Riley Jensen series by Keri Arthur. I must say, "Three Days to Dead" sounds wonderful.

Mandi said...

First, niiiice review girly. I loved Wyatt..I mean, LOVED him.

My fav UF is Mercy Thompson, hands down. Briggs is amazing.

(don't enter me)

Moonsanity said...

Wow, I can't just name one favorite. Since Mercy is already mentioned I'll go with the the Kate Daniels books by Ilona Andrews and Night Huntress books by Jeaniene Frost. I think you might already know about these though:)

Alexia561 said...

Love the vampire DJ series by Jeri Smith-Ready, and Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler is a must read! Jaye Wells, Richelle Mead, Dakota Cassidy, Jackie Kessler, Kelley Armstrong, and Diana Rowland are all great as well!

Kindle Vixen said...

Hmm I am trying to think of what I have read from UF that you haven't. My first thought... Harry Dresden/Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Funny and fun, oddly sexy.

Next, Vicki Pettersson - its dark and gritty and I love it.

RKCharron said...

Hi :)
So many great UF books and series to choose from!
My current fave is the series I am currently reading. The HEX series by Linda Wisdom. Fun, smart, sassy, great characters, great story.
:)
Happy Holidays,
RKCharron

alanajoli said...

UF book that totally blew me away this year: Street Magic by Caitlin Kittridge.

Debut author to watch: Nicole Peeler with Tempest Rising. (I have several others on my TBR pile!)

Series writers I can't get enough of: Nalini Singh (especially the Psy/Changeling series), Ilona Andrews (either of her series!), Mark Henry (oh, the zomedy!), and Anton Strout (because Ben Franklin was totally a necromancer).

jeanette8042 said...

My favorite urban fantasy book is Soulless by Gail Carriger!

Smokinhotbooks said...

FV stop me, I've had two glasses of wine and I'm commenting while intoximicated! Great contest!

Does Karen Marie Moning count as Urban Fantasy...cause if it doesn't I'd still like to nominate her Fae series anyway. Moning makes me geek out like no other. I mean who writes Mac+Barrons on their corporate legal pad notes *looks away*. Or Ann Aguirre's Grimspace as I've contempalted naming my unborn child after Jax.

Fiction Vixen said...

Smokinhotbooks-KMM can be anything she wants, she's THAT good! You make me LOL with the Mac+Barrons thing. You meant FV+Barrons right?

Marissa said...

I agree KMM can be anything she wants to be I like her books. Now I am not an UF fan.... the genre somehow does not appeal to me, although I keep trying out new authors in this genre. I like your review of this one.

cfisher1504 said...

I have several...I love Jim Butcher the Dresden Files...Patricia Brigg's Mercy...
Caitlin Kittredge's Nocturn series and Lilith Saintcrow'sThe Dante Valentine Series.
cfisher1504 at mail dot com

Cherry said...

My favourite urban fantasy:
- Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon
- Magic series by Ilona Andrews
- Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
- Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance
- Dragon series by Allyson James
- Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward
- Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning
I don't know if you would consider this an urban fantasy, but this is very, very good series:
- Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

This is a good place to look for nice urban fantasies: http://cherryville.me/fantasy-romance.htm

Now, don't start asking me my favourite fantasy series because you will have to start charging me rent by the time I'm done.

And, before I forget and just to cover all bases... Please count me in! I'm a follower. Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2009/12/win-three-days-to-dead-at.html

Cherry
www.cherrymischievous.com
mischivusfairy-inbox12 [at] yahoo [dot] com

shadowferret said...

My favorite UF are the adventures of Felix Gomez by Mario Acevedo. Vampires. Mystery. And lots of humor.

heather said...

So many good ones to choose from.

My favorites are Kim Harrison's Hollows series - you won't be able to put it done.

Angie Fox - Demon Slayer series, great mix of action/humor/romance

Nicole Peeler - Tempest Rising - fabulous read from a new author

heatwave96@hotmail.com

jmspettoli said...

Some of my favorite UF series:
Kelley Armstrong Otherworld Series
Kim Harrison The Hollows Series
Karen Chance Cassandra Palmer series and her spin off series Dorina Basarab Series.

jmspettoli

donnas said...

The Hollows series by Kim Harrison is my favorite.


bacchus76 at myself dot com

Roxy said...

My favorites are The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, the Hollows series by Kim Harrison, and the Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs.
I'm also enjoying the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin.

roxane dot elder at gmail dot com

stacy stew said...

Urban Fantasy, I guess the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning.

samnstacyATmeDOTcom

Eva S said...

My favorites are The Fever series by KMM, and Nalini Singh's The Guild Hunter series

eva.silkka at gmail.com

Leontine said...

Many, many author names I lurve are already mentioned and though my author to add to your list is probably PNR I still like to mention her; Anna Windsor with BOUND BY FALME, BOUND BY SHADOW, BOUND BY LIGHT. I love her kick-ass sisterhood, I love the romance in each novel and she can write them hawt (also a plus IMO) The world, creatures and plot are fabulous and I can't wait for next year as she expands her original trilogy with new Dark Crescent Sisterhood novels ;)

lustyreader said...

oh HANDS DOWN nalini singh's Psy/Changeling series. UF/futurisitc/paranormal romance.

before i found this series (aka before my life really began) i would have said the sookie stackhouse book by charlaine harris, but the romance novel lover in me despises the drawn out romance story-line in them and recently has left me very dissatisfied and feeling sorta manipulated.

in short: Three Days To Dead looks hella awesome!

Mireyah Wolfe said...

I love the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, definitely. But I've been drooling over Three Days to Dead since I saw the cover!

Sandra said...

So many to choose from! Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, Devil series by Jenna Black, Hallows by Kim Harrison. I'm sure there are more :)

VampFanGirl said...

I'm not super experienced when it comes to UF but I have read a couple.

Of course I've read Patrica Briggs. I don't know many who haven't and she was actually my introduction to UF. Both her Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series rock. And then recently I fell in love with Chloe Neill and her Chicagoland vampire series.

Count me in for giveaway!

:) VFG

Wendy said...

Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series! One word: CURRAN. Rwaaar.

My Blog 2.0 (Dottie) said...

Some of my old time favorites in UF are Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan Series and LKH's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter. New favorites include The Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger and The League Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Thanks for a great giveaway!

Dottie

throuthehaze said...

The Fever series by Kern Marie Moning is my absolute favorite

Dana said...

Please enter me into the contest. I'm interested in trying Urban Fanatasy. I've read the first two Twilight books, but I don't know if that counts.

Saira said...

My favorite UF is the Fever series and Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh :)

van_pham said...

My favorite Urban Fantasies are:

-Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
- Mercy Thompson Novels by P. Briggs
- Magic series by Ilona Andrews
Dark Swan novel by Richelle Mead

cait045 said...

I really loved Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress Series and Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer Series. Both are really amazing.

Bethie said...

There are so many I liked, lets see. My fav has to be the Immortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Bunny B said...

I haven't read many UF books, but I love The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.

bunnybx at gmail . com

JJ said...

I am in love with the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I work at a library and have gotten coworkers and patrons hooked on it.

Esther said...

I keep hearing about Urban Fantasy but don't think I've read any yet so I loved to give it a go.

eshchory[at]gmail[dot]com

Spav said...

My favourite series are the Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, the World of the Lupi by Eileen Wilks and the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.


spav05@gmail.com

buddyt said...

I enjoyed the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Please include me in the drawing.

Thanks.

Carol

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Blodeuedd said...

Hm I am pretty new to UF too, have not read much, and still don't get the difference between Pf and this..but On the Edge by Ilona Andrews was great, and the Rachel Vincent books

blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

CrystalGB said...

Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson series is my favorite urban fantasy series.

Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

Heidi V said...

I just started to get into Urban Fantasy recently I'm looking for the Felix Castor series by Mike Carey.

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

skyla11377 said...

Richelle Mead Has Two Urban Fantasy Series I Love. She Has The Vampire Academy Series And She Has Her Succubus Series. Both Series Are Awesome In Their Own Way. Other Are Lara Adrian Has Her Midnight Breed Series,J.R. Ward Has Her Black Dagger Brotherhood Series,Rachelle Caine With Her Morganville Vampires Series, Cassandra Clare Has Her Mortal Instruments Series,Stephanie Meyers Has Her Twilight Series,P.C. Cast And Kristin Cast Have Their House Of Night Series,And Melissa de la Cruz Has Her Blue Blood Series.

skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

LiLi said...

My favorite UF series would have to be the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton. It is like the perfect guide when you are just starting the genre. However, my favorite read of this year had to be The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay that I have just recently reviewed. It was amazing and beautifully written, and very recommended.

chicareader@gmail.com

Angiegirl said...

My favorite UF series is definitely Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series. Made of awesome.

Thanks for the giveaway!

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Anything by Jim Butcher should be added to your to be read pile. He is a great UF author.

I want to read Three Days To Dead because it looks like a book that I would like and the characters seem to be very interesting.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

Icejewel said...

UF series ??! Ok..I love Urban fantasy books, but I don't buy UF series.Y?? Well I'll have to buy all of them..and I don't want to be bankrupt ! And where I stay, there are hardly UF's in the library :(

But, I have read a few which I loved..
Hush,hush by hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Everafter Amy Huntley
Evermore by Alyson Noel(not that good, but heard the next one in the series is good)
Karma girl(In my TBR)
And of course the Twilight
series..!

I totally want to read Three Days To Dead !!

Please enter me, icejew at gmail dot com if its International.

I have posted the contest on my sidebar
http://icejewel.blogspot.com/

Thanks for giving a chance to win :)

Emma Michaels said...

Not completely sure what would or would not count but if L.J. Smith counts then essentially anything by her because I have read them all. Or there is the 'Den of Shadows' Quartet which I am currently reading.

Sincerely,
Emma

M. said...

just finished 'better part of darkness' by kelly gay which was excellent, and since these two debut authors are always mentioned together now I'd really like to read 'three days to dead'!

other uf I've enjoyed includes meljean brook, ilona andrews, and devon monk. all have great writing and complex worlds

mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca

Victoria said...

Please enter me. I 'm a big fan of Kelley Armstrong.

Valli said...

Will have to agree about Kelley Armstrong and the The Otherworld Series..
must get my hands on Men of the Otherworld by Armstrong as well.. who wouldn't want to read about hot werewolves!
Also Mercy Thomson series is also great, although its been mentioned several times!

valli.frasercelin at gmail dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I just became more interested in UF and Anna Windsor with BOUND BY FLAME, BOUND BY SHADOW, BOUND BY LIGHT sounds like a great series. I have read many series (Nora Roberts, Fern Michaels etc.) Would love to win..Thanks for great giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Sheere said...

I really love love love The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare and I'm starting Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series and I love them too!

sheere.dry@gmail.com

gene + experiments said...

I'm not sure if you can consider this as Urban Fantasy but I like the series Vampire Academy. The series is still ongoing and the wait is killing me.

geneinthebattle @ gmail.com

Mysteriousrose said...

I really like a lot of UF books, so its hard to choose, but some of my favorites are:
- Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
- The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
- The Morgan Kingsley Series by Jenna Black

forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)dk

Stephanie said...

I love the Kate Daniels series and the Dark Hunters Series. I am also looking forward to Grave Secrets, the next Charlaine Harris book in that series.

Melissa said...

I'd have to say the Frost's Grave series and KMM's Fever series.

books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

Coistycat said...

I have never read any Urban Fantasy but over the last week i have been hearing more and more about it and i am very intrigued. That is why i am so interested in reading Three Days to Dead.

Thanks for running this giveaway.

Good Luck all who enter xx

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I love paranormal romance, urban fantasy, historical romance with a nice bit of erotic romance thrown in for good measure. Although I enjoy my fantasy world of alpha males, and the kick ass females who love them, my inner teenage girl has been known to stalk the book stores and libraries for all the latest YA offerings as well.
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