Happy Halloween
Halloween night by =Candra on deviantART
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Book Review ~ Antigoddess
Antigoddess (Goddess Wars #1)
by Kendare Blake
published by Tor Teen
genre: YA, Mythology,
Summary (Goodreads):
Old Gods never die…
Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.
Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.
These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.
Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.
Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.
The Goddess War is about to begin.
My Thoughts: This ended up being a really good read after how long it took me to get into it. I enjoyed the sections that focused on the gods right from the start. A really rough Athena and Hermes trying to search for Demeter in the desert should not have been as interesting as it was. I was drawn into their story and the different ways they were dying.
What slowed it down for me were the parts with Cassandra and company at school, parties, etc. Other than when Cassandra was having a vision of someone dying/ almost dying these scenes just bored me. Right from the start I didn't like Aidan and when I found out that he was Apollo it all made sense. For whatever reason, no matter what incarnation it is, I have never cared for Apollo. Other than five minutes right at the end, this was no exception. It wasn't that he was a horrible character it was just something about him I didn't like.
Once Cassandra and her small group knew what was going and who was who the story really picked up. It kept my attention right until the end and I couldn't put the book down. I found the battles between Athena and Apollo and then the good versus the bad the most interesting but at the same time adding knew questions that will keep you reading the series.
Overall, I've read a lot of series/books based on Greek mythology and the author was able to write a book that was very different from any I've read before. Athena and Hermes were my favorite right from the start but by the end I was curious to know more about this incarnation of Cassandra. I am looking forward to reading the next book and seeing where the author goes with her story.
Rating: 4
published by Tor Teen
genre: YA, Mythology,
Summary (Goodreads):
Old Gods never die…
Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.
Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.
These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.
Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.
Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.
The Goddess War is about to begin.
My Thoughts: This ended up being a really good read after how long it took me to get into it. I enjoyed the sections that focused on the gods right from the start. A really rough Athena and Hermes trying to search for Demeter in the desert should not have been as interesting as it was. I was drawn into their story and the different ways they were dying.
What slowed it down for me were the parts with Cassandra and company at school, parties, etc. Other than when Cassandra was having a vision of someone dying/ almost dying these scenes just bored me. Right from the start I didn't like Aidan and when I found out that he was Apollo it all made sense. For whatever reason, no matter what incarnation it is, I have never cared for Apollo. Other than five minutes right at the end, this was no exception. It wasn't that he was a horrible character it was just something about him I didn't like.
Once Cassandra and her small group knew what was going and who was who the story really picked up. It kept my attention right until the end and I couldn't put the book down. I found the battles between Athena and Apollo and then the good versus the bad the most interesting but at the same time adding knew questions that will keep you reading the series.
Overall, I've read a lot of series/books based on Greek mythology and the author was able to write a book that was very different from any I've read before. Athena and Hermes were my favorite right from the start but by the end I was curious to know more about this incarnation of Cassandra. I am looking forward to reading the next book and seeing where the author goes with her story.
Rating: 4
Monday, October 28, 2013
New Releases ~ week of 10/28/2013
Horde by Ann Aguirre (#3 in Razorland )
The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn (#3 in Smythe-Smith Quartet)
Sins of a Wicked Princess by Anna Randol (#3 in Sinners Trio)
Once She Was Tempted by Anne Barton (#2 in Honeycote)
Hellhound by Nancy Holzner (#5 in Deadtown)
Playing Dirty by Jennifer Echols (#2 in Stargazer)
Altered by Gennifer Albin (#2 in Crewel World)
Two Serpents Rise by Max Gladstone (#2 in Three Parts Dead)
After Dead by Charlaine Harris (#13.5 in Sookie Stackhouse )
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (#2 in The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten )
Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire (#4 in Barefoot Bay)
Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh (#6 in Guild Hunter)
Black Heart by Christina Henry (#6 in Black Wings)
Forgiving Lies by Molly McAdams (#1 in Forgiving Lies)
Lost in Babylon by Peter Lerangis (#2 in Seven Wonders)
Blood Curse by Sharon Page (#7 in Blood)
Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren (#3 in Beautiful Bastard)
Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen by Emily Brightwell (#34 in Mrs Jeffries)
Terminal by Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams (#6 in Tunnels)
Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak (#5 in Whiskey Creek)
Parasite by Mira Grant (#1 in Parasitology)
A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway (#2 in Baskerville Affair)
The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale (#1 in Wicked Wallflower)
Attack of the Shadow Smashers by Troy Cummings (#3 in Notebook of Doom)
One Night with the Laird by Nicola Cornick (#2 in Scottish Brides)
Midnight's Promise by Donna Grant (#8 in Dark Warriors)
Devilishly Wicked by Kathy Love (#3 in Devilishly)
Leopards' Gold by Jenny Nimmo (#3 in Chronicles of the Red King)
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts (#1 in Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy)
All That I Desire by Francis Ray (#11 in Grayson Friends)
Kiss of Revenge by Debbie Viguie (#3 in Kiss Trilogy)
Fractured by Sarah Fine (#2 in Guards of the Shadowlands)
In Love With a Wicked Man by Liz Carlyle (#5 in Fraternitas Aureae Crucis)
Molly by Ellen Miles (#31 in Puppy Place)
Cold Snap by Allison Brennan (#7 in Lucy Kincaid)
Pelican Point by Donna Kauffman (#1 in Bachelors of Blueberry Cove)
The Deaths of Tao by Wesley Chu (#2 in Lives of Tao)
Accused by Lisa Scottoline (#14 in Rosato and Associates)
A Catered Christmas Cookie Exchange by Isis Crawford (#9 in Mystery with Recipes)
The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins (#2 in Blue Heron)
The Dark Secret by Tui T Sutherland (#4 in Wings of Fire)
The Way Home by Cindy Gerard (#2 in One-Eyed Jacks)
The Magical Fruit by Jo Nesbo (#6 in Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder)
Waterfell by Amalie Howard (#1 in Aquarathi)
Defender by Mike Shepherd (#11 in Kris Longknife)
Wyoming Bold by Diana Palmer (#3 in Wyoming Men)
Autumn in the Vineyard by Marina Adair (#3 in St. Helena Vineyard)
Help, I'm in Hot Lava! by Geronimo Stilton (#3 in Geronimo Stilton Cavemice)
Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs (#10 in Lakeshore Chronicles)
Relic by Heather Terrell (#1 in Books of Eva)
Never Laugh As a Hearse Goes By by Elizabeth J Duncan (#5 in Penny Brannigan Mystery)
The Tree of Story by Thomas Wharton (#3 in Perilous Realm)
In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin (#3 in Birthright)
The King's Hounds by Martin Jensen (#1 in King's Hounds)
Upon A Winter's Night by Karen Harper (#4 in Amiss Home Valley Trilogy)
When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke (#1 in American Heiress In London)
The Obsidian Pebble by Rhys A Jones (#1 in Artefact)
Heartwood by Freya Robertson (#1 in Heartwood)
Keeping Secrets by Treasure Hernandez (#2 in Obsession)
Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by RaeAnne Thayne (#6 in Hope's Crossing)
A Simple Faith by Rosalind Lauer (#1 in Lancaster Crossroads)
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Book Review ~ The Enchanter Heir
The Enchanter Heir (Heir Chronicles #4)
by Cinda Williams Chima
published by Disney Hyperion
release date: October 1, 2013
genre: YA, Fantasy,
**received e-copy from publisher/netgalley in exchange for honest review.
Summary (Goodreads): They called it the Thorn Hill Massacre—the brutal attack on a once-thriving Weir community. Though Jonah Kinlock lived through it, he did not emerge unscathed: like the other survivors, Jonah possesses unique magical gifts that set him apart from members of the mainline guilds. At seventeen, Jonah has become the deadliest assassin in Nightshade, a global network that hunts the undead. He is being groomed to succeed Gabriel Mandrake, the sorcerer, philanthropist, and ruthless music promoter who established the Thorn Hill Foundation, the public face of Nightshade. More and more, Jonah’s at odds with Gabriel’s tactics and choice of targets. Desperate to help his dying brother Kenzie, Jonah opens doors that Gabriel prefers to keep closed.
Emma Claire Greenwood grew up worlds away, raised by a grandfather who taught her music rather than magic. An unschooled wild child, she runs the streets until the night she finds her grandfather dying, gripping a note warning Emma that she might be in danger. The clue he leaves behind leads Emma into Jonah’s life—and a shared legacy of secrets and lingering questions.
Was Thorn Hill really a peaceful commune? Or was it, as the Wizard Guild claims, a hotbed of underguild terrorists? The Wizards’ suspicions grow when members of the mainline guilds start turning up dead. They blame Madison Moss and the Interguild Council, threatening the fragile peace brokered at Trinity.
Racing against time, Jonah and Emma work to uncover the truth about Thorn Hill, amid growing suspicion that whoever planned the Thorn Hill Massacre might strike again.
My Thoughts: This is one of those instances that I wish this hadn't just been added to the Heir trilogy and had been its own series in the same world. I found myself confused for the first part of the book because I was expecting it to be at least close to the other books. Not the case. While there are some characters that show up, none really have much to do with the story. I found that once I stopped looking at it as a book four and more as a first book, I was able to enjoy the story more.
The characters and their magical abilities is very different than the guilds we are used to from the other stories. This is explained (sort of) by what took place at Thorn Hill. We're told that their wizard stones are different/broken in some way and whatever killed all the adults caused this but that's kind of where it ends.
This was another book that was more story driven for me. There wasn't an individual character that really grabbed me it was more all of them as a whole. Jonah had/has the potential but I found him to be too single minded on most things. There were times that it seemed he was trying to do the right thing but when it came down to it he always went back to one answer for everything. The only thing about Emma was the fact that she is a luthier. We are told that she is this strong street kid and more of a truant but then when it came right down to it she didn't strike me as someone who could take care of herself.
Overall, this was a definite first book in a series. Lots of things were started, wizard deaths, zombie ghosts led by someone named Lilith, magical kids with different abilities than we are used to, but this is all we have. Nothing was really finished. A lot of build up and then an ending that left more questions than answers. All that said, I still enjoyed the book and am looking forward to finding out the answers to the questions.
Rating: 4
published by Disney Hyperion
release date: October 1, 2013
genre: YA, Fantasy,
**received e-copy from publisher/netgalley in exchange for honest review.
Summary (Goodreads): They called it the Thorn Hill Massacre—the brutal attack on a once-thriving Weir community. Though Jonah Kinlock lived through it, he did not emerge unscathed: like the other survivors, Jonah possesses unique magical gifts that set him apart from members of the mainline guilds. At seventeen, Jonah has become the deadliest assassin in Nightshade, a global network that hunts the undead. He is being groomed to succeed Gabriel Mandrake, the sorcerer, philanthropist, and ruthless music promoter who established the Thorn Hill Foundation, the public face of Nightshade. More and more, Jonah’s at odds with Gabriel’s tactics and choice of targets. Desperate to help his dying brother Kenzie, Jonah opens doors that Gabriel prefers to keep closed.
Emma Claire Greenwood grew up worlds away, raised by a grandfather who taught her music rather than magic. An unschooled wild child, she runs the streets until the night she finds her grandfather dying, gripping a note warning Emma that she might be in danger. The clue he leaves behind leads Emma into Jonah’s life—and a shared legacy of secrets and lingering questions.
Was Thorn Hill really a peaceful commune? Or was it, as the Wizard Guild claims, a hotbed of underguild terrorists? The Wizards’ suspicions grow when members of the mainline guilds start turning up dead. They blame Madison Moss and the Interguild Council, threatening the fragile peace brokered at Trinity.
Racing against time, Jonah and Emma work to uncover the truth about Thorn Hill, amid growing suspicion that whoever planned the Thorn Hill Massacre might strike again.
My Thoughts: This is one of those instances that I wish this hadn't just been added to the Heir trilogy and had been its own series in the same world. I found myself confused for the first part of the book because I was expecting it to be at least close to the other books. Not the case. While there are some characters that show up, none really have much to do with the story. I found that once I stopped looking at it as a book four and more as a first book, I was able to enjoy the story more.
The characters and their magical abilities is very different than the guilds we are used to from the other stories. This is explained (sort of) by what took place at Thorn Hill. We're told that their wizard stones are different/broken in some way and whatever killed all the adults caused this but that's kind of where it ends.
This was another book that was more story driven for me. There wasn't an individual character that really grabbed me it was more all of them as a whole. Jonah had/has the potential but I found him to be too single minded on most things. There were times that it seemed he was trying to do the right thing but when it came down to it he always went back to one answer for everything. The only thing about Emma was the fact that she is a luthier. We are told that she is this strong street kid and more of a truant but then when it came right down to it she didn't strike me as someone who could take care of herself.
Overall, this was a definite first book in a series. Lots of things were started, wizard deaths, zombie ghosts led by someone named Lilith, magical kids with different abilities than we are used to, but this is all we have. Nothing was really finished. A lot of build up and then an ending that left more questions than answers. All that said, I still enjoyed the book and am looking forward to finding out the answers to the questions.
Rating: 4
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday ~ Unhinged
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.
Unhinged (Splintered #2)
by A.G. Howard
published by Amulet
expected release date: January 7, 2014
Summary (Goodreads): Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.
That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.
As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.
If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.
**I'm just getting to Splintered but have heard good things and I love this cover.
Unhinged (Splintered #2)
by A.G. Howard
published by Amulet
expected release date: January 7, 2014
Summary (Goodreads): Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.
That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.
As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.
If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.
**I'm just getting to Splintered but have heard good things and I love this cover.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
New Releases ~ week of 10/21/2013
The Litter of the Law by Rita Mae Brown (#22 in Mrs Murphy )
Teardrop by Lauren Kate (#1 in Teardrop)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (#3 in Divergent)
Black and Blue by Gena Showalter (#2 in Otherworld Assassin )
Ask Not by Max Allan Collins (#19 in Nathan Heller)
Driving Her Wild by Meg Maguire (#3 in Wilinski's)
Omega by Jeremy Robinson (#5 in Jack Sigler Thrillers)
Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews (#16 in Meg Langslow)
Trust In You by J Lynn (#1.5 in Wait for You)
Cross and Burn by Val McDermid (#8 in Tony Hill / Carol Jordan)
Critical Mass by Sara Paretsky (#16 in V.I. Warshawski)
Waking Up Dead by Emma Shortt (#1 in End of Days Love)
Seven Years by Dannika Dark (#1 in Seven)
Theirs to Keep by Maya Banks (#1 in Tangled Hearts Trilogy)
Since You've Been Gone by Elle Kennedy (#4 in Welcome to Paradise)
Spy in the Saddle by Dana Marton (#3 in HQ: Texas)
Renegade Guardian by Delores Fossen (#4 in Marshals of Maverick)
A Scandal in the Headlines by Caitlin Crews (#7 in Sicily's Corretti Dynasty)
The Highlander's Dangerous Temptation by Terri Brisbin (#8 in MacLerie)
Peace by Shelley Shepard Gray (#4 in Secrets of Crittenden County)
Primal Temptation by Sydney Somers (#4 in Pendragon Gargoyles)
Christmas at Cardwell Ranch by B J Daniels (#4 in Cardwell Ranch)
Malicious Mischief by Marianne Harden (#1 in Rylie Keyes Mystery)
Up to the Challenge by Terri Osburn (#2 in Anchor Island)
Esrever Doom by Piers Anthony (#37 in Xanth)
Ms. Sue Has No Clue! by Dan Gutman (#9 in My Weirder School)
Outlaw by Mark T Sullivan (#2 in Robin Monarch)
Empire of Bones by N. D. Wilson (#3 in Ashtown Burials)
The Shadowhand Covenant by Brian Farrey (#2 in Vengekeep Prophecies)
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Off Topic ~ What I'm Watching
I'm still in my mini reading slump. I've managed to read some good books but it is still taking me a long time to read them (weeks rather than days).
The new fall tv shows are not helping so I thought I would share some of my thoughts on what I'm watching. I don't often watch when the shows are actually on but try to get them done within the same week they air.
Sundays: Once Upon a Time ~ This series was really hit or miss for me last season. So far it is looking up. I don't really care for the Pan/Henry story but all the side stories surrounding it are keeping me watching. I like the Regina/ Tinker Bell story and it seems to be going for a straight on collision with Mulan/Robin Hood.
Amazing Race ~ I've been watching but not paying enough attention to have a favorite yet. I find the Afghanimals and the girls they call their wives annoying, which means they will last 'til the end.
Mondays: The Voice ~ I've been listening but don't really start paying attention until all the teams are set and they ditch the back (sob) stories.
Bones ~ Thought the end of the Pelant story was anti-climatic but other than that I'm still watching.
Sleepy Hollow ~ This has been entertaining. I don't worry or even pay attention to whether it is historically accurate. It's all about the characters/story for me. Really like the Abbie/ Ichabod pairing and the fact that it's not a romance thing.
Tuesdays (or the day that everything seems to be on and the DVR complains): NCIS/ NCIS LA ~ Didn't think it was possible but I've been more interested in the LA episodes than the regular NCIS.
Part of this is because Ziva was my favorite and I'm still bummed she's gone. The other would be that I've always liked the storyline following Callen's family and this weeks episode is fresh in my head. The one romance that I might actually like is Kensi and Deeks.
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ~ Still not sure on this one. I like Coulson and Agent May but kind of on the fence with the rest. This week's episode was my favorite so far and hinted at some back stories that could keep me watching.
FaceOff ~ I came to the conclusion this week that Tate should win this. No matter what problem anyone else is having he always seems to have the answer and helps them if they need it. Other than that it has played out as expected (for me) the vets seem to be running away with the show. There have been some really great pieces done this season (some really bad as well).
plus hubby records Sons of Anarchy
Wednesday: Criminal Minds ~ This season is starting better than all of last season. The first episode was kind of Ick but the second part made up for it. Final Shot (ep 3) has been one of my favorites in a long time. Everything just seemed to work. From the shootings and possible tie ins with JFK anniversary to learning more about how snipers work it just felt like one of the older episodes.
Thursday: I've been watching Project Runway but that ends this week. This show has gone down a lot in recent seasons. The All Star seasons tend to have better/ more experienced designers but no Tim Gunn. No real favorite, they've had their moments of shining and their duds. I never agree with the judges and don't expect this season to be any different once I see the final episode.
I watched the first episode of Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and was underwhelmed. The characters, costumes, and scenery seemed very bland compared to the main show. I may give it a couple more episodes but don't see it lasting at the moment.
That and watching my Tigers' bats turn to ice in the post season has kept me entertained when my books aren't keeping my attention.
Monday, October 14, 2013
New Releases ~ week of 10/14/2013
*links go to Goodreads
Secret Unleashed by Sierra Dean (#6 in Secret McQueen )
Finding It by Cora Carmack (#3 in Losing It)
Dark City by F Paul Wilson (#2 in Early Years Trilogy)
Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund (#2 in For Darkness Shows the Stars)
Secret Shared by L Marie Adeline (#2 in Secret)
Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken (#2 in Darkest Minds)
The Fall of the Hotel Dumort by Cassandra Clare (#7 in Bane Chronicles)
An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus (#2 in Great Exhibition)
Behind the Shattered Glass by Tasha Alexander (#8 in Emily Ashton)
Crooked Numbers by Tim O'Mara (#2 in Raymond Donne)
Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George (#18 in Inspector Lynley)
Dead Man's Time by Peter James (#9 in Detective Superintendent Roy Grace)
Shadow of the Alchemist by Jeri Westerson (#6 in Crispin Guest Medieval Noir)
Crimes of Memory by L J Sellers (#8 in Detective Wade Jackson Mystery)
Fury of Desire by Coreene Callahan (#4 in Dragonfury)
The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice (#2 in Wolf Gift Chronicles)
Declaration by Rachael Wade (#3 in Preservation)
First Bite by Dani Harper (#1 in Dark Wolf)
Revealed by Kristin Cast, P C Cast (#11 in House of Night)
The Wrong Billionaire's Bed by Jessica Clare (#3 in The Billionaire Boys Club)
The United & the Divided by L. A. Witt (#3 in Tooth and Claw )
The Scribe by Elizabeth Hunter (#1 in Irin Chronicles)
Copperhead by Tina Connolly (#2 in Ironskin )
I'm a Frog! by Mo Willems (#20 in Elephant and Piggie)
Raw by Jo Davis (#1 in Torn Between Two Lovers)
The First Date by Melody Carlson (#1 in Dating Games)
Riptides by Steph Campbell, Liz Reinhardt (#4.5 in Lengths)
Police by Jo Nesbo (#10 in Harry Hole)
Savage Revenge by Shelli Stevens (#3 in Savage )
Make a Scene by Ellis Weiner (#2 in Templeton Twins)
Dream of Danger by Maggie Shayne (#2 in Brown and De Luca )
Code Name 711 by F T Bradley (#2 in Double Vision)
Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding (#3 in Bridget Jones)
Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews (#4 in Southern )
Alexis and the Missing Ingredient by Coco Simon (#16 in Cupcake Diaries)
Fiendish Schemes by K W Jeter (#2 in Infernal Devices)
When Did You See Her Last? by Lemony Snicket (#2 in All the Wrong Questions)
Southern as a Second Language by Lisa Patton (#3 in Dixie)
Eastward in Eden by Terence Faherty (#8 in Owen Keane)
Fingal O'Reilly: Irish Doctor by Patrick Taylor (#9 in Irish Country)
Age of Blood by Weston Ochse (#3 in SEAL Team 666)
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Stacking the Shelves
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.
Not a lot going on around here. Shopping for the little one's birthday and then turning around and trying to figure out what to get for Christmas since he just got all his birthday gifts.
Short list this time around. Have a Great Week and Happy Reading!
Bought
Blood Lite edited by Kevin J Anderson
The Prince of Nothing Trilogy by R. Scott Bakker
-The Darkness that Comes Before
-The Warrior Prophet
-The Thousandfold Thought
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Library
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
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Thursday, October 10, 2013
Book Review ~ The Friday Society
The Friday Society
by Adrienne Kress
published by Dial
genre: Steampunk, YA
Summary (Goodreads): An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all
Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.
It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.
Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.
My Thoughts: My first thought when I finished this was "that was entertaining". It's always good when a book makes me feel this way.
There is a character for almost everyone. I found I liked the three girls together as a group rather than any individual one. They all had their strengths and their weaknesses but when they were a group is when they were their best.
This book was more character than story driven. The mystery/ mysteries were typical and you could see where things were going at times. I found myself caring more about what happened to the girls as a whole rather than the "who done it".
Overall, as stated, I found this to be an entertaining read. I would not hesitate to read another book by this author or about these three characters.
Rating: 4
by Adrienne Kress
published by Dial
genre: Steampunk, YA
Summary (Goodreads): An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all
Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.
It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.
Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.
My Thoughts: My first thought when I finished this was "that was entertaining". It's always good when a book makes me feel this way.
There is a character for almost everyone. I found I liked the three girls together as a group rather than any individual one. They all had their strengths and their weaknesses but when they were a group is when they were their best.
This book was more character than story driven. The mystery/ mysteries were typical and you could see where things were going at times. I found myself caring more about what happened to the girls as a whole rather than the "who done it".
Overall, as stated, I found this to be an entertaining read. I would not hesitate to read another book by this author or about these three characters.
Rating: 4
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.
Hostage (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #14)
by Kay Hooper
published by Berkley
expected release date: November 26, 2103
Summary (Goodreads):Haven operative Luther Brinkman has been sent into the wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee to locate escaped felon Cole Jacoby, a mentally unstable bank robber. Supposedly, Jacoby hid more than ten million dollars from his last heist before he was captured—and rather mysteriously escaped federal custody. And once Brinkman finds Jacoby, the agent is left severely wounded, with no way to convey his location to Haven.
Callie Davis, an agent with the FBI’s Special Crimes Unit, has been in the area for some time, due to the foresight of her boss and unit chief, Noah Bishop. But when she finds the wounded Brinkman, her rescue mission turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
What neither Luther nor Callie know is that their quarry is far more than an escaped bank robber. And that in hunting him, they will find themselves being hunted by him, and will discover him to be the worst monster either of them has ever known.
**I'm behind in this series but I love the mix of crime/mystery novel and the supernatural.
Hostage (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #14)
by Kay Hooper
published by Berkley
expected release date: November 26, 2103
Summary (Goodreads):Haven operative Luther Brinkman has been sent into the wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee to locate escaped felon Cole Jacoby, a mentally unstable bank robber. Supposedly, Jacoby hid more than ten million dollars from his last heist before he was captured—and rather mysteriously escaped federal custody. And once Brinkman finds Jacoby, the agent is left severely wounded, with no way to convey his location to Haven.
Callie Davis, an agent with the FBI’s Special Crimes Unit, has been in the area for some time, due to the foresight of her boss and unit chief, Noah Bishop. But when she finds the wounded Brinkman, her rescue mission turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
What neither Luther nor Callie know is that their quarry is far more than an escaped bank robber. And that in hunting him, they will find themselves being hunted by him, and will discover him to be the worst monster either of them has ever known.
**I'm behind in this series but I love the mix of crime/mystery novel and the supernatural.
Monday, October 7, 2013
New Releases ~ week of 10/7/2013
The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch (#3 in Gentleman Bastard)
Naughty Karma by Vivi Andrews (#7 in Karmic Consultants)
Not Quite Enough by Catherine Bybee (#3 in Not Quite)
White Trash Damaged by Teresa Mummert (#2 in White Trash Trilogy)
Heritage of Darkness by Kathleen Ernst (#4 in Chloe Ellefson Mystery)
Death and the Girl He Loves by Darynda Jones (#3 in Darklight)
Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson (#3 in Jessica McCain)
Resist by Sarah Crossan (#2 in Breathe )
Without a Trace by Julieanne Reeves (#3 in Walking a Thin Blue Line)
Bare Knuckle by Katie Porter (#5 in Vegas Top Guns )
Vicious Circle by Wilbur Smith (#2 in Hector Cross)
Doing Hard Time by Stuart Woods (#27 in Stone Barrington)
Storm Front by John Sandford (#7 in Virgil Flowers)
The Grimm Conclusion by Adam Gidwitz (#3 in Grimm)
Taken by the Wind by Ellen Hart (#21 in Jane Lawless)
Pull Down the Night by Nathan Kotecki (#2 in Suburban Strange)
Night Zone by Steven F Havill (#19 in Undersheriff Bill Gastner)
The Double by George Pelecanos (#2 in Spero Lucas)
The Diamond Deep by Brenda Cooper (#2 in Ruby's Song)
Howl of the Wolf by N J Walters (#4 in Hades' Carnival)
The Devil's in the Details by Kimberly Raye (#1 in Jess Damon)
Chasing Morgan by Jennifer Ryan (#4 in The Hunted)
Two by Leigh Ann Kopans (#2 in One Universe)
Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley (#3 in Brides Of Last Chance Ranch)
Doomed by Chuck Palahniuk (#2 in Damned)
Lost & Found by Robin Caroll, Colleen Coble (#2 in Rock Harbor Search and Rescue )
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Stacking the Shelves ~ Library Sale Edition
The Fall book sale was this past week at our local library. They didn't have as many sci-fi/fantasy as they normally do but plenty of mysteries, which I also love. Plus on Saturdays it is only $5 a bag, we went home with 2 bags.
J.D. Robb ~ Born in Death
James Rollins ~ Map of Bones
Janet Evanovich ~ Plum Lovin'
Lauren Willig ~ The Masque of the Black Tulip
Sam Barone ~ Dawn of Empire
Patrick Lee ~ Ghost Country
David Gibbins ~ Atlantis
Guillermo Del Toro, Chuck Hogan ~ The Fall
Heather Graham ~ Heart of Evil
Susan Vreeland ~ The Forest Lover
Stephen Hunter ~ The 47th Samurai
Charles Brokaw ~ The Atlantis Code
Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child ~The Book of the Dead
Jeffrey Archer ~ Paths of Glory
John Saul ~ Perfect Nightmare
Debbie Webb & Mary Owen ~ Witness
Richelle Mead ~ Last Sacrifice, Blood Promise
Frank Peretti ~ The Oath
Laurell K Hamilton ~ Incubus Dreams, Obsidian Butterfly
Jaye Wells ~ Blue Blooded Vamp
Kerrelyn Sparks ~ All I want for Christmas is a Vampire
J.R. Ward ~ Lover Reborn
Katie MacAlister ~ In the Company of Vampires, Love in the Time of Dragons
Maggie Shayne ~ Prince of Twilight
Lora Leigh ~ Stygian's Honor
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Thursday, October 3, 2013
Book Review ~ SYLO
SYLO (The SLYO Chronicles #1)
by D.J. MacHale
published by Razorbill
genre: YA, Sci-Fi,
Summary (Goodreads): Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?
Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.
It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.
My Thoughts: This is the first time I've read this author and really wasn't sure what to expect. I had seen this book on some other blogs and thought I would give it a try.
Overall, it was an entertaining read. There was enough going on to keep my interest from beginning to end. My favorite characters were probably Tori and then Quinn. They both seemed more sure of themselves then any of the other teens in the story. Tucker has highs and lows throughout the book, which is to be expected considering everything that happens to him. Between the deaths and quarantine and not knowing who he can trust form one problem to the next he reacted as you would expect.
The only thing that brought this down for me was the sense of no resolution. I came away with more questions than answers and I still don't trust half of the group that was together at the end.
I'm curious enough about where the author is taking this story and these teens that I will be checking out the next book when it comes out in 2014.
Rating: 4
by D.J. MacHale
published by Razorbill
genre: YA, Sci-Fi,
Summary (Goodreads): Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?
Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.
It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.
My Thoughts: This is the first time I've read this author and really wasn't sure what to expect. I had seen this book on some other blogs and thought I would give it a try.
Overall, it was an entertaining read. There was enough going on to keep my interest from beginning to end. My favorite characters were probably Tori and then Quinn. They both seemed more sure of themselves then any of the other teens in the story. Tucker has highs and lows throughout the book, which is to be expected considering everything that happens to him. Between the deaths and quarantine and not knowing who he can trust form one problem to the next he reacted as you would expect.
The only thing that brought this down for me was the sense of no resolution. I came away with more questions than answers and I still don't trust half of the group that was together at the end.
I'm curious enough about where the author is taking this story and these teens that I will be checking out the next book when it comes out in 2014.
Rating: 4
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