End of Year Week ~ Favorites Books 2014

I'm not sure if it is because I am getting pickier in what I read but the majority of my read books for 2014 are marked as 4 stars on Goodreads. Since they do not have half stars some of these fall into the 3 1/2 category. These are some of my favorites that I read, whether they were released this year or in a previous year.

Snow Like Ashes (Goodreads / review)
by Sara Raasch
released: October 14, 2014
rating: 4.5

Fortune's Pawn (Goodreads)
by Rachel Bach
released: November 5, 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Stolen Songbird (Goodreads / review)
by Danielle L Jensen
released: April 1, 2014
rating: 5

Written in Red and Murder of Crows (Goodreads)
by Anne Bishop
released: March 5 2013
rating: 5 and 4

Chicagoland Vampires, read books 1-8 (Goodreads / review)
by Chloe Neill
rating: all 4 or better

Warrior (Goodreads / review)
by Marie Brennan
released: August 1, 2008
rating: 4

New Releases ~ week of 12/29/2104

After We Fell by Anna Todd (#3 After)

Broken Bonds by Karen Harper (#3 Cold Creek)
Deviation by Heather Hildenbrand (#2 Clone Chronicles)
Die Again by Tess Gerritsen (#11 Rizzoli and Isles)
Dogwood Hill by Sherryl Woods (#12 Chesapeake Shores)
Fairy Tail 45 by Hiro Mashima (#45 Fairy Tail)
Home Is the Place by Ann M Martin (#4 Family Tree)
Ignite by Sara B Larson (#2 Defy)
Jaden by Tijan (#3 Jaded)
Last Wishes by Victoria Schwab (#3 Everyday Angel)
Lights, Love & Lip Gloss by Ni-Ni Simone, Amir Abrams (#3 Hollywood High)
Low Midnight by Carrie Vaughn (#13 Kitty Norville)

Make Me Lose Control by Christie Ridgway (#2 Cabin Fever)
Merrick's Maiden by S E Smith (#5 Cosmos' Gateway)
Mouryou Kiden: Legend of the Nymph, Vol. 2 by Tamayo Akiyama (#2 Mouryou Kiden: Legend of the Nymph)
No Fortunate Son by Brad Taylor (#7 Pike Logan)
Paw and Order by Diane Kelly (#2 Paw Enforcement)
Pop of the Bumpy Mummy by Troy Cummings (#6 Notebook of Doom)
Rain on the Dead by Jack Higgins (#21 Sean Dillon)
The Bridge by Robert B. Parker (#7 Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch Westerns)
Say Yes to the Marquess  by Tessa Dare  (#2 Castles Ever After)
Slade by Teresa Gabelman (#6 The Protectors)
The Assassination Option by W. E. B. Griffin (#2 A Clandestine Operations)
The Duke of Dark Desires by Miranda Neville (#4 Wild Quartet)
The Red Hand by Toby Venables (#2 Guy of Gisburne)
Wedding Cake by Josi S Kilpack (#12 Culinary Mystery)

End of Year Week ~ Looking Forward 2015

I'm starting my end of year posts by looking forward. These are some of the books I'm most looking forward to in the coming year. I'm sure there are many obvious ones that I'm missing.

A Court of Thorns and Roses (Goodreads)
by Sarah J Maas
published by Bloomsbury Children's
expected release: May 5, 2015

The Heir (Goodreads)
by Kiera Cass
published by Harper Teen
expected release: May 5, 2015

Red Queen (Goodreads)
by Victoria Aveyard
published by Orion
expected release: February 10, 2015

Ensnared (Goodreads)
by A.G. Howard
published by Amulet Books
expected release: January 6, 2015

Shadow Study (Goodreads)
by Maria V Snyder
published by Mira
expected release: February 24, 2015

The Orphan Queen (Goodreads)
by Jodi Meadows
published by Katherine Tegen Books
expected release: March 10, 2015

Vision in Silver (Goodreads)
by Anne Bishop
published by Roc
expected release: March 3, 2015

Instinct (Goodreads)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
published by St Martin's Griffin
expected release: March 31, 2015

Prudence (Goodreads)
by Gail Carriger
published by Orbit
expected release: March 17, 2015

An Ember in the Ashes (Goodreads)
by Sabaa Tahir
published by Razorbill
expected release: April 28, 2015

Merry Christmas Randomness

Wishing everyone a Safe and Merry Christmas this Holiday week!

some Christmas wishes from Tom Hiddleston and Rodney Crowell.
As well as some over the top Christmas lights sequenced to the owners favorite Star Wars songs.

Review ~ Locke & Key Volume 1

Locke & Key Volume 1, Welcome to Lovecraft

by Joe Hill
illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez
published by IDW Publishing
genre: graphic novel, Adult, Horror

Summary (Goodreads): Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. Home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all...

My Thoughts: This series of graphic novels have shown up on several lists of must reads. I also have wanted to check this author out and this was a good way to get a feel for his writing style without committing to a full novel.
That said, I really enjoyed this. It was dark right from the start and didn't let up. Plenty of blood and gore (used correctly) along with an interesting story that kept my attention throughout.
Gabriel Rodriguez was able to bring the feelings of both the story and characters out in his drawings. There was not a time when I felt that the graphics were out of place with the story being told.
Overall, this will be a series that I definitely plan on finishing. While there was a resolution to this GN, there are even more questions that I have to find out the answers to.

Rating: 5

New Releases ~ week of 12/22/2014

I Am Number Four: The Fugitive by Pittacus Lore (#10 I Am Number Four: The Lost Files)

Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan (#4 Saga Collections)
Sunsinger by Robyn Bachar (#3 Cy'ren Rising Books)
This Shattered World by Meagan Spooner, Amie Kaufman (#2 Starbound)
Transcendent by Lesley Livingston (#3 Starling)
Unbeautiful by Jessica Sorensen (#7 The Coincidence)

Some Thursday Randomness

Fan Art

Do we Take a Tea?
by Fernl (DeviantArt)

Nightmare Before Christmas
by Vivzmind (DevianArt)

This has very little to do with Doctor Who but it is still really cool. I would not have the patience to set all this up.

This is just amazing to me. Sonya Belousova listens to snippets (for the first time) from classic Nintendo theme songs and creates her own arrangements for them.
Sonya Belousova take a break from shooting their next video to fulfill a special request from one of their Indiegogo supporters and play some classic Nintendo Theme Songs. 

New Release ~ week of 12/15/2014

A Nip of Murder by Carol Miller (#2 Murder and Moonshine)

A Secret to Die For by Sierra Dean (#8 Secret McQueen)
Angel Fire by Gerri Hill (#4 Hunter)
Before Her Billionaires by Julia Kent
Emma's Not-So-Sweet Dilemma by Coco Simon (#23 Cupcake Diaries)
Forever My Baby by Jacquelin Thomas (#1 Dugrandpres Of Charleston)
Jonas by K. F. Breene (#7 Darkness)
Kill 'Em with Cayenne by Gail Oust (#2 Piper Prescott Mysteries)
Matter of Time by V. M. Black (#4 Cora's Bond)
Midnight Rider by Joanna Wayne (#4 Big D Dads: The Daltons)
Revenant by Larissa Ione (#11 Demonica #6 Lords of Deliverance)
Ripped by Katy Evans (#5 Real, Raw & Ripped)
Saving Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia (#3 Poughkeepsie)
SEALed at Midnight by Cat Johnson (#2.5 Hot SEALs)
Seaside Sunsets by Melissa Foster (#3 Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers)
What Matters Most Erin Nicholas (#2 Billionaire Bargains)

Book Review ~ Autumn Bones

Autumn Bones (Agent of Hel #2)

by Jacqueline Carey
published by ROC
genre: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, 

Summary (Goodreads):  Fathered by an incubus, raised by a mortal mother, and liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, Daisy Johanssen pulled the community together after a summer tragedy befell the resort town she calls home. Things are back to normal—as normal as it gets for a town famous for its supernatural tourism, and presided over by the reclusive Norse goddess Hel.

Not only has Daisy now gained respect as Hel’s enforcer, she’s dating Sinclair Palmer, a nice, seemingly normal human guy. Not too shabby for the daughter of a demon. Unfortunately, Sinclair has a secret. And it’s a big one.

He’s descended from Obeah sorcerers and they want him back. If he doesn’t return to Jamaica to take up his rightful role in the family, they’ll unleash spirit magic that could have dire consequences for the town. It’s Daisy’s job to stop it, and she’s going to need a lot of help. But time is running out, the dead are growing restless, and one mistake could cost Daisy everything…..

My Thoughts: This book starts shortly after when book 1 ends. Daisy has a new boyfriend and it isn't one of the two guys you would expect. This was probably the only thing I did not like about this book. It felt forced. For me, the author established the type of person Daisy was in the first book to the point where she would have helped Sinclair/ the town without forcing a relationship in there that doesn't make sense.
I like that Daisy is a kick ass enforcer for her Goddess but still insecure in everyday life things. The author does a good job on the small town life even after high school. I just wish Daisy would put stand up for herself more with everyday people the way she does with the supernatural.
We do finally get somewhere with Daisy and Cody. As much as I hate love triangles, I have to say that I would fall under team Stefan. Something about Cody's inabilities to admit what he wants and just go there without the guilt trips annoys me.
This book has a little of everything, from a rutting satyr that causes a mass orgy at a local club to ghosts to a zombie of sort. The mix of personalities that make up Daisy's friend works in a way that shouldn't. I like that her mom and best friend are the only humans and sometimes make the most sense. There is also a new addition to the team in the form of a gamer geek that helps Daisy set up a database and gets a little more than he bargained for in return.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read even with the new relationship. Daisy has her own sort of scooby gang going and it seems to grow as the series does. I'm most interested in what happens next. Whether it's as Hel's enforcer or just everyday life in this small Michigan town.

Rating: 4

Some Thursday Randomness

Movies

Lots of Disney movies seem to be in the process of being made into live action. One that is coming out in 2015 is Cinderella. Came across this photo of the stepmother and stepsisters (Cate Blanchett, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera). Must say that I like the look of them. A different kind of creepy in their prim and proper outfits.

I'm also looking forward to the new Pixar movie Inside Out

Fan Art

Christmas Eve
by selinmarsou (deviantArt)

Legends of Pixar
by Adam Limbert (deviantArt)

New Releases ~ week of 12/8/2014

**Crazy holiday time. Not getting much done on blog but lots IRL. Links go to Goodreads

Alaskan Adventure by Crystal Jordan (#4 Destination: Desire)

Caress of Darkness by Julie Kenner (#12 1001 Dark Nights #1 Phoenix Brotherhood)
Deadly Fallout by Katie Reus (#11 Red Stone Security)
Free Me by Laurelin Paige (#1 Found Duet)
Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes (#3 Falling Kingdoms)
Hard Limit by Meredith Wild (#4 Hacker)
Hunting Season by Annie Bellet (#4 Twenty-Sided Sorceress)
Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols (#1 Duplexity)
Search for the Shadow Key by Wayne Thomas Batson (#2 Dreamtreaders)
Tempting Boundaries by Carrie Ann Ryan (#2 Montgomery Ink)
The Iris Fan by Laura Joh Rowland (#18 Sano Ichiro)
The Lady by K V Johansen (#2 Marakand)
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter (#3 Chapel Springs)
Zip, Zero, Zilch by Tammy Falkner (#7 Reed Brothers)
Zodiac by Romina Russell (#1 Zodiac)

Some Thursday Randomness

I step on these things daily but continue to buy them. This video has been going around this week from the people at Lego. Time lapse of a giant Lego Christmas tree that was built in Australia. Wish it was around here.


Found this cute but could never happen here (this was in Germany). I'm happy when I see more than 1 cashier working when I'm going up to check out.


Some turtle art. I love turtles and have a wide assortment of dust collectors around my house.

Flight of Turtles
by Malta (deviantArt)

Turtles World
by Grosnez (deviantArt)

New Releases ~ week of 12/01/2014

A Haunting of the Bones by Julia Keller (#4.5 Bell Elkins)

Aground On St. Thomas by Rebecca M Hale (#3 Mystery in the Islands)
Andromeda's War by William C Dietz (#3 Prequel Legion of the Damned)
Aphrodite the Fair by Joan Holub (#15 Goddess Girls)
Beneath the Stone Forest by Jordan Quinn (#6 Kingdom of Wrenly)
Boots and Wishes by Myla Jackson (#8 Ugly Stick Saloon)
Bryant & May and the Bleeding Heart by Christopher Fowler (#11 Bryant and May)
Checkmate by Steven James (#8 Patrick Bowers Files)
Christmas in the Billionaire's Bed by Janice Maynard (#2 Kavanaghs of Silver Glen)
City of Eternal Night by Kristen Painter (#2 Crescent City)
Collision by Mercedes Lackey (#4 Secret World Chronicles)

Darkness Falls by Keri Arthur (#7 Dark Angels)
Death With All The Trimmings by Lucy Burdette (#5 Key West Food Critic Mystery)
Down and Dirty by Liliana Hart (#4 J.J. Graves Mysteries)
Foresworn by Rinda Elliott (#3 Sisters of Fate)
Full Force and Effect by Mark Greaney (#14 Jack Ryan )
Full Throttle by Julie Ann Walker (#7 Black Knights Inc.)
Geared for the Grave by Duffy Brown (#1 Cycle Path Mystery)
Her Unforgettable Royal Lover by Merline Lovelace (#3 Duchess Diaries)
If You've Got It, Haunt It by Rose Pressey (#1 Haunted Vintage Mystery)
Inspector Specter by E J Copperman (#6 Haunted Guest House Mystery)

It's a Wonderful Fireman by Jennifer Bernard (#6.5 The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel)
Jason by Laurell K. Hamilton (#22.7 Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter)
Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell (#5 Haunted Home Renovation)
Love Me Tender by Susan Fox (#4 Caribou Crossing)
Mai Tai'd Up by Alice Clayton (#4 Cocktail)
Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis (#12.5 Lucky Harbor)
Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan (#3 Amish Quilt Shop Mystery)
No True Way by Mercedes Lackey (#9 Valdemar)
Once Upon a Grind by Cleo Coyle (#14 Coffeehouse Mysteries)
Ravencliffe by Carol Goodman (#2 Blythewood)
Rocked by the Billionaire by Mandy Baxter (#3 Billionaire's Club: Texas)

Schooled by Lorelei James (#2.5 Mastered)
Scorched Eggs by Laura Childs (#6 Cackleberry Club Mystery)
Scorpion Mountain by John Flanagan (#5 Brotherband Chronicles)
Seduction by Molly Cochran (#3 Legacy)
Sinfully Ever After by Jayne Fresina (#2 Book Club Belles Society)
Suspicion at Seven by Ann Purser (#14 Lois Meade)
Sustenance by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (#27 Saint-Germain)
The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark by Orest Stelmach (#3 Nadia Tesla)
The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice by Waverly Curtis (#4 Barking Detective Mysteries)
The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis (#2 Paws and Claws Mysteries)
The Highland Dragon's Lady by Isabel Cooper (#2 Highland Dragon)

The King's Deryni by Katherine Kurtz (#3 The Childe Morgan Trilogy)
The Missing Heir by Barbara Dunlop (#49 Billionaires and Babies)
The Queen by Kiera Cass (#3.5 The Selection)
Universal Alien by Gini Koch (#10 Katherine "Kitty" Katt)
Vacant by Alex Hughes (#4 Mindspace Investigation)
Vicious by Sara Shepard (#16 Pretty Little Liars)
Wickedly Wonderful by Deborah Blake (#3 A Baba Yaga Novel)
Wolf's Fall by J D Tyler (#6 Alpha Pack)
You Were Mine by Abbi Glines (#9 Rosemary Beach)

Turkey Day Randomness

It's Thanksgiving here in the states. Time to remember all the things you are thankful for and eat way too much food. I'll be cooking all day and getting ready for family coming in the following weekend.

Ocellated Turkey

Trivia
The first football game broadcast on Thanksgiving was at University of Detroit Stadium in 1934. Featured the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. The two teams are playing against each other today as well.

© Cartoon by Rick McKee

New Releases ~ week of 11/24/2014

Abracadaver by Laura Resnick (#7 Esther Diamond)

Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline (#13 Rosato and Associates)
Black Widow by Jennifer Estep (#12 Elemental Assassin)
Broken Open by Lauren Dane (#2 Hurley Boys)
Captive by Aimée Carter (#2 The Blackcoat Rebellion)
Cold As Ice by Sarah Mlynowski (#6 Whatever After)
Curves 'em Right by Milly Taiden (#4 Paranormal Dating Agency)
Damnation by Jean Johnson (#5 Theirs Not To Reason Why)
Dead But Not Forgotten by Charlaine Harris (#14 Sookie Stackhouse)
Deadly Obsession by Maggie Shayne (#4 Brown and De Luca)
Death Comes to London by Catherine Lloyd (#2 Kurland St. Mary Mysteries)
Endsinger by Jay Kristoff (#3 Lotus War Trilogy)

Exquisite Danger by Ann Mayburn (#2 Iron Horse MC)
Farewell to Ceder Key by Terri Dulong (#6 Cedar Keys)
Ghosts of Christmas Past by Corrina Lawson (#3.5 The Phoenix Institute)
Hard to Come By by Laura Kaye (#3 Hard Ink)
Jinn and Juice by Nicole Peeler (#1 Jinn and Juice)
Last Chance Family by Hope Ramsay (#9 Last Chance)
Lying In Wait by Ann Rule (#17 Ann Rule's Crime Files)
Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews (#7.5 Kate Daniels)
Mine to Take by Jackie Ashenden (#1 Nine Circles)
Never Judge A Lady By Her Cover by Sarah MacLean (#4 Rules of Scoundrels)
Saving the Sun Dragon by Tracey West (#2 Dragon Masters)
Secrets at Midnight by Nalini Singh (#13.5 Psy-Changelings)

Shadow Watchers by K. F. Breene (#6 Darkness)
Sister Eve, Private Eye by Lynne Hinton (#1 Divine Private Detective Agency Mystery)
Symbiont by Mira Grant (#2 Parasitology)
The Burning Girl by Lisa Unger (#2 The Whispers Series)
The King by Tiffany Reisz (#6 The Original Sinners)
The Shape of My Heart by Ann Aguirre (#3 2B Trilogy)
The Tears of the Rose by Jeffe Kennedy (#2 Twelve Kingdoms)
Twice Tempted by Eileen Dreyer (#5 Drake's Rakes)
Unchained by Caris Roane (#3 Men in Chains)
Unwrapping Tess by Krystal Shannan (#5 Vegas Mates)
Vampire in Paradise by Sandra Hill (#5 Deadly Angels)
Wicked Ways by Lisa Jackson (#4 Colony)