Inside of a Dog

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 30, 2012)

2012-01-29T20:30:00.004-06:00

Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis - This was a middle grade novel and the last self-published book I accepted at the end of December. I liked the story and thought middle graders would enjoy the intrepid heroine and the Earth-friendly message. My review is here.

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan was my first audiobook but it certainly won't be my last. I got the audiobook for review from Macmillan Audio. I really liked this science fiction story about the perils of life on generation ships fleeing Earth for New Earth. I loved hearing the story and thought the narration was very well done. My review will be posted on Feb. 2.

Because I don't just read YA, I looked for the next adult book on my review stack and chose Time Out by Jill Shalvis. I got this one from NetGalley. I love both the humor and romance in Shalvis' books. This one had both and was a great story too. My review will be posted on Feb. 4.

I also read the Bump in the Night anthology which contains stories by J. D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan and Mary Kay McComas. It had the story by Robb that I recently listened to. I wanted a copy I could pore over in print. The other stories were OK but won't lead me to the authors' other books. My review will be posted on Feb. 8.

The final book I read last week was Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan M. James. This was a surprise arrival from Wunderkind PR and HarperCollins. I thought it was an excellent paranormal romance and I look forward to sharing it with my students. My review will be posted on Feb. 4.

I am currently reading Fury of Fire by Coreene Callahan. I just got this new paranormal romance from Amazon Vine. It will be published on Feb. 7. I just started it but it seems entertaining and readable.

These are the ones I plan to read next week:

I have two more books from Amazon Vine that need to be read before the end of February. Witchful Thinking by H. P. Mallory and Touchstone by Melanie Rawn. However, they may be put aside for something else from my adult stack since I do have some time before they need to be finished. Here is a photo I took on Jan. 28 showing my newly rearranged recently arrived adult books (I just realized that they are not in alphaberical order but they are all visible now instead with stacks behind stacks. MUST ALPHABETIZE!):

Jan. 27, 2012

Here are a couple from my YA TBR mountain that I would like to read this week: (I spend part of Saturday morning re-alphabetizing and re-stacking the books from the top of my entertainment center and the top of the bookcase into one sort of cohesive group. Good thing we don't have earthquakes here in Minnesota. These stacks are taller than I am.)

I actually chose these two because they were on the tallest stack and I am so OCD that I like the stacks to be more balanced but wasn't going to try to put two or three more books on the bottom of the middle stack.

Dark Passage by Mary Jo Putney
Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Here is what my newly rearranged YA TBR mountain look like:

Jan. 27, 2012 - 99 books that I really, really want to read NOW

That was my reading and re-organizing week. What did you get read? What are you planning for the coming week?

In My Mailbox (Jan. 29. 2012)

2012-01-29T06:54:00.013-06:00

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

I added five new books to my stack this week. Here they are:

I got one free book for my Kindle - Devil's Bride with Bonus Material by Stephanie Laurens. I already have the print version of this one but wanted it for my Kindle and I wanted the bonus materials.

I also bought Bump in the Night which has stories by J. D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Mary Kay McComas. I bought this one for the Eve Dallas story which I had just heard as an audiobook. I read this one this week.

I also got two books from the Amazon Vine program for review. This time I chose Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann and Fury of Fire by Coreene Callahan. The Brockmann book is a departure from his usual romantic suspense being a futuristic with some paranormal elements. I hadn't heard anything about the Callahan book before I chose it but is sounds like an interesting fantasy.

The final book I got this week was Firelight by Kristen Callihan. I pre-ordered it a while ago after reading a bunch of good reviews about it. I liked the idea of combining historical romance and paranormal.

Those were the ones I got. What did you get?

ARC Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

2012-01-28T06:54:00.065-06:00

Spin
Author: Catherine McKenzie
Publication: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (February 7, 2012)

Description: When Kate Sandford lands an interview at her favorite music magazine, The Line, it's the chance of a lifetime. So Kate goes out to celebrate—and shows up still drunk to the interview the next morning. It's no surprise that she doesn't get the job, but her performance has convinced the editors that she'd be perfect for an undercover assignment for their gossip rag. All Kate has to do is follow "It Girl" Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop—and complete the thirty-day program—they'll reconsider her for the position at The Line. Kate takes the assignment, but when real friendships start to develop, she has to decide if what she has to gain is worth the price she'll have to pay.

My Thoughts: I truly enjoyed this contemporary novel about a young woman who thinks she will do anything to get her dream job until things go from theoretical to real. The author pulled me right into Kate's life as she pursues her dreams and confronts her choices in this story.

Kate is an aspiring journalist just about to turn thirty when she gets the chance of a lifetime - an interview with her dream job. But partying the night before means she arrived late and still drunk to the interview. Needless to say, she wasn't offered the job. She spends the next few weeks huddled on her couch, eating her roommate's food and drinking her wine, and watching too much TV. She is compulsively following the exploits of the latest "it" girl - Amber Sheppard - as she self-destructs.

When Kate is called by the magazine where she blew the interview and offered a job, she doesn't hesitate. She doesn't hesitate when she finds out it is the magazine's gossip-monger sister magazine that wants to hire her to go to rehab and get the dirt on Amber. After all, she doesn't really have a drinking problem and doesn't need rehab herself, she thinks.

Kate's slow transformation as she goes through rehab, befriends Amber, and meets Amber's ex-boyfriend Connor and Connor's best friend/manager Henry play out naturally in this story. As she follows the steps of the program, she learns so much about herself and begins to fall in love with Henry. The story is filled with interesting and well-developed characters. Kate begins by nicknaming the other people in rehab - the Child Star, the Judge, the Director. Even Amber starts out as TGND for The Girl Next Door - her most famous role - but they soon develop a closer relationship as they get to know each other. The only character that remains completely one-dimensional is Connor. We really only see him through others' eyes. He is Amber's ex-boyfriend who led her into drugs, cheats on her, and generally treats her badly . He is Henry's childhood friend who Henry enables in his bad behavior.

The story isn't a romance but it might be the beginning of one. It isn't the story of a woman's recovery from alcoholism but it might be the beginning of that journey. It isn't even a story about friendship even though Kate makes new friends and reconciles with some old ones. The story is a journey through which Kate learns about herself and what she will and will not do. It is a story about growth and self-discovery.

I was sucked in and identified with Kate even though we are in totally different places in our lives. I could identify with the aimless, party-girl lifestyle Kate was living. I loved Kate's snarky sense of humor. I loved that she finally listened to her conscience.

I recommend this story both for its style and its message.

Favorite Quote:

I wish I could say the decision was a difficult one, that the thought of going to rehab undercover to dig up dirt on a young woman in the middle of self-destructing gave me pause. I wish I could say I was indignant that Bob thought I'd agree to do it, or that I could convince anyone I needed to be in rehab. But that wouldn't be true, and the first step to recovery is admitting that I have a problem, right?

So, OK, I do.

I want to work at The Line so badly I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get into Bob's good books.

I got this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here.

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

2012-01-27T06:09:00.020-06:00

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56

Rules:

Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

My recent Amazon Vine pick - Spin by Catherine McKenzie - made it to the top of my review stack this week. This is a contemporary novel about a young woman who wants a job as a journalist bad enough to follow the latest star to rehab to get the dirt on her. It is really different than the kind of thing I usually read. There isn't a sparkly paranormal creature anywhere in sight.

Beginning:

This is how I lose my dream job.

I'll have to agree that showing up late and drunk doesn't give the impression she would like to give.

Friday 56:

At the time of the last email (11:24 PM), Greer was clearly drunk.

This sounds like it could be entertaining in a very self-destructive kind of way.

Book Review: A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson

2012-01-26T06:54:00.065-06:00

A Werewolf in Manhattan
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Publication: Signet; Original edition (January 4, 2011)

Description: Emma Gavin writes about werewolves, but that doesn't mean she believes in them-not until a pack of real-life New York weres decide to investigate the striking accuracy of her "fiction".

When Aiden Wallace, son and heir of the pack leader, tries to sniff out Emma's potential informant, he discovers something even more dangerous- an undeniable attraction to her.

My Thoughts: Best-selling author Emma Gavin writes about werewolves and she has so many details correct that Aidan Wallace of the Wallace pack has been put in charge of finding out who her werewolf informer is. Finding out requires that he bug her loft and follow her wherever she goes. Along the way he learns a lot about her and becomes fascinated with her.

Aidan knows, however, that as the heir to the Wallace pack, his future has been determined. He is slated to marry Nadia Henderson, daughter of the alpha of the Henderson pack, and unite the two packs. He was OK with this - but resigned more than eager - until he got to know Emma. Now the future he thought was planned out has become much less desirable. But Emma is human. They can't have a future together, or can they?

When Emma starts getting emails from someone who scares her, Aidan knows he has to step in. Things become even more complicated when they find out that the guy sending the creepy emails is Nadia's nineteen-year-old brother Theo. Now, Aidan has to protect Emma from Theo who really wants the werewolves to come out to the public while keeping the whole idea of werewolves as fact away from Emma. Also he has to find a way to keep his hands off a woman who gets more fascinating each time he meets her. Sharing a suite in Chicago's Palmer Hotel might not really be the best idea if they really intend to keep their hands off each other but he convinces himself that it is good security.

It doesn't help that Aidan has a genetic defect that forces him to shift when he gets aroused without the possibility of satisfaction. And just being around Emma is very arousing for him. It doesn't help that Emma wants him too. She says it is "research" into the lives of the rich and famous but neither one of them really believes it. Emma is into saving the planet and really gets on Aidan's case about his private cars, fancy suites, and really, really fancy watch. They have very different lifestyles which would be enough of a barrier to romance even without the whole werewolf thing. But love can manage obstacles like that despite the differences between them.

This was a wonderfully sweet romance between two strong characters who were willing to fight for each other. I liked that Emma was a strong independent woman who wasn't going to let the rich and powerful Wallace clan push her around. I enjoyed the story so much that I quickly went online and ordered the next book in the Wild About You series - A Werewolf in the North Woods - and look forward to reading Roarke's story.

Favorite Quote: In which our hero is being castigated over the phone by his younger brother about his decision to spend time with our heroine on her book tour.

He doubted she'd be popping out to hear his conversation. Still, he kept his voice down.

Roarke, who had no such restraints, was yelling into his phone. "You're an idiot!"

"Not according to my test scores."

"Which are nullified by your testicles, apparently. I knew you had solid-brass ones, but this is arrogance taken to the max."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Haunted in Death by J. D. Robb

2012-01-25T06:54:00.003-06:00

Haunted in Death
Author: J. D. Robb; read by Susan Ericksen
Publication: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged; Unabridged edition (September 29, 2006)

Description: Number Twelve is an urban legend in 2060 New York City. The hot club in the 1960s, it is now reported to be haunted…and cursed. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called there to investigate the apparent murder of Radcliff Hopkins, its new owner and the grandson of the man who made Number Twelve a cultural icon. Several bullets from a banned gun end his dream of returning the building to its former glory. With everyone around her talking about the supernatural, pragmatic Eve won’t let rumors of ghosts distract her from hard evidence. The case becomes even more bizarre when it appears to be linked to the suspicious disappearance of a rock star eighty-five years ago. As Eve searches for the connection, logic clashes with the unexplainable. She may be forced to face the threat of something more dangerous than a flesh-and-blood killer.

My Thoughts: This was my first audio-book and I chose a good one! Haunted in Death is a novella in J.D. Robb's In Death series. It originally appeared in the Bump in the Night anthology along with stories by Mary Blayney, Mary Kay McComas, and Ruth Langan. Since I somehow missed that anthology the story was new to me.

The plot is relatively simple. A murder is discovered in a building that is assumed to be haunted and/or cursed and Eve needs to figure out what happened. The victim is the grandson of the former owner of the building which was a swinging club in the 1960s. The owner of the club had a girlfriend who disappeared and attained legendary status. She was a 24-year-old rock star. Then the owner locked himself into the luxury apartment above the club until he died. Since then the building has gone through lots of owners who all seemed to have bad luck there.

The victim is a guy with multiple ex-wives who was always looking for the next big score - nothing illegal but none of his grand plans ever came through. He had big plans to restore the club and capitalize on the legend of Bobbie Bray. He was shot with an antique gun which turns out to be the gun used to shoot Bobbie Bray too. When investigating the murder of Radcliff Hopkins, Eve finds the bones of another crime victim in the apartment above the club. Apparently the body had been walled in at death but had been found by Radcliff.

Eve traces Redcliff Hopkins past to see if there are clues. Everything seems to lead back to his grandfather's day and the mysterious disappearance of Bobbie Bray. And, it seems, Bobbie Bray has never left the building. Eve hears voices and music but dismisses it. She is far too rational to ever believe in ghosts. Though Roarke is willing to believe in the possibility of ghosts which puts he and Eve somewhat at odds. Eve does have to come to the realization of why she doesn't want to believe in ghosts which helps us understand her and helps her understand herself.

The thrilling climax also includes a visit from the ghost - though Eve will deny it if anyone should ask.

The audio was well-done. All of the characters were given voices that were distinct enough to tell them apart. I liked the emotion in the reader's voice and the suspense that she created. I liked the pacing of the story and the reading. This was a very pleasant way to spend about three hours.

I bought this audiobook because I didn't have the story in any other format. You can get your copy here.

Teaser Tuesday: A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson

2012-01-24T06:09:00.030-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I just finished a really intense book and went browsing on my TBR mountain to try to find something lighter. I am hoping that A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson will fill the need. I have had it on my stack for a little more than a year now. It's about time it found its way to the top.

Description:

Emma Gavin writes about werewolves, but that doesn't mean she believes in them-not until a pack of real-life New York weres decide to investigate the striking accuracy of her "fiction".

When Aiden Wallace, son and heir of the pack leader, tries to sniff out Emma's potential informant, he discovers something even more dangerous- an undeniable attraction to her.

Teaser:

Aidan settled in to wait and tried to block out the sensory overload created by a pack of humans. Perfume, aftershave, and deodorant assaulted his nostrils, while a cacophony of voices, cell phone chimes, background music, and shuffling feet battered his eardrums.

Who has ever given a thought to the difficulties of having enhanced senses in crowded places? I know that I have not.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 23, 2012)

2012-01-22T20:30:00.053-06:00

I finished Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck this week. It was a review book I received from the author. This was gritty urban fantasy that would have been improved by more character development. My review will be published on Feb. 2 and the book will be published on Feb. 7.

Spin by Catherine McKenzie was one of my Amazon Vine picks this month. I really enjoyed this contemporary, chic-lit story about a wanna-be journalist following a star into rehab in order to write a story about her and then making friends with her and dealing with her own alcohol problems. My review will be posted on Jan. 28 and the book will be published on Feb. 7 too.

Haunted in Death by J. D. Robb is a novella in the In Death series and was my first audiobook. I really liked it and look forward to listening to more audiobooks. My review will be posted on Jan. 25. The audiobook is available now; the print version was in an anthology called Bump in the Night which came out in 2006.

The final book I finished this week was Charmfall by Chloe Neill. This is the third in her young adult Dark Elite series. I liked the combination of lifelike teens dealing with high school drama and magic. My review will be posted on Jan. 26.

I am currently reading Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis. This is a middle grade fantasy with talking dragonflies and not-so-mythical dragons. It also has strong themes about caring for the earth and friendship. I am enjoying it and thinking which middle schoolers I want to recommend it to.

Here is what I have on the stack for next week:

I have become a big fan of Jill Shalvis' contemporary romances. So I was glad to be accepted to read Time Out when I asked for it at NetGalley. This is also a sports romance.

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan is an audio-book that I received for review from Macmillan Audio. This one is young adult science fiction. It sounds really good. I also just ordered the book and plan to do a read-along when it arrives. I am easing my way into audio-books,

Toil and Trouble by H. P. Mallory is the second in the Jolie Wilkins series. I have the third book on my review stack and feel that I need to read book 2 which has been on my Kindle for while before I start it.

When the Sea Is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen is a young adult review book that I received from Feiwel & Friends. This is a young adult debut book and a paranormal fantasy.

I'm feeling pretty good right now because the review books I am reading are all February releases - even the end of February. I may get a chance to actually read a couple from my own TBR mountain this month.

What are your plans for the week?

In My Mailbox (Jan. 22, 2012)

2012-01-22T06:54:00.039-06:00

My print books were very "werewolf-y" this week. I got Werewolf in the North Woods by Vicki Lewis Thompson because I just finished Werewolf in Manhattan and thought it was a fun romance. When I found out there was a sequel (and a third book coming soon!), I just had to add it to my stack.

I also got a print copy of Hidden by Kelley Armstrong. I had ordered it quite a while ago and knew that the print run had sold out. I was worried that I hadn't ordered early enough to get one. After a few delays from Amazon, my copy did arrive this week. It is sort of bittersweet, though, knowing this is the last book in the Women of the Otherworld series.

I also got a couple of books from NetGalley for review:

Time Out by Jill Shalvis is a sports romance. I am a sucker for that genre and couldn't pass this one up. It will be published by Harlequin Blaze on Feb. 21.

I also chose The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens. I read The Restorer a while ago and thought it was very good. I am eager to read this sequel. It will be published on March 27 by Mira.

I also bought the Haunted in Death audiobook by J. D. Robb; read by Susan Erickson. I listened to this one this week and really enjoyed spending time again with Eve and Roarke. Then I went looking for the Bump in the Night anthology so that I could get a print copy of this story too.

Last, I purchased the SEAL of My Dreams anthology for my Kindle when it was on sale. It was $.99 one day last week. I see it is back to $7.99 today. All proceeds from sales of this book are going to Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans’ medical research.

What was in your mailbox this week?

Book Review: Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz

2012-01-21T06:54:00.028-06:00

Copper Beach
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publication: Putnam Adult (January 10, 2012

Description: A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber-"hot rocks." Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.

My Thoughts: Jayne Ann Krentz begins a new contemporary/paranormal/romantic suspense series with Copper Beach. The main characters are Abby Radwell and Sam Coppersmith. Abby works as a dealer in the rare paranormal book market because she has the unique talent of being able to unlock encrypted books. Unfortunately, her family is far more likely to think that she is crazy than to celebrate her talent. In fact, they sent her to a special boarding school in her youth to "cure" her. She made lifelong friends among the other students with paranormal talents and developed a distance from her family. She also became very self-reliant and confident in her skills. She has also become very reluctant to trust anyone outside of her small circle.

When Abby begins to be blackmailed, she is directed to Sam Coppersmith. Sam is the son of the head of Coppersmith Inc which made its fortune in the rare earths business. He also has paranormal skills. He takes one look at Abby and falls in love. Naturally, he is determined to solve her problem and along the way solve his too. His girlfriend was murdered by someone trying to break into his home lab and his family is searching for a lab book that contains experiments on some dangerous crystals that his father and his partners discovered years ago. Sam is a typical Krentz hero. He is attractive, single-minded and very, very competent. He is also dangerous.

This story was a fast-paced thriller as Abby and Sam try to track down the person (or people) who want the encrypted lab book and who are willing to kidnap Abby and kill anyone who gets in their way. The dynamic between the two of them as they slowly find their way to romance was very engaging. I loved Abby's reluctance to trust and her constant effort to keep the relationship between them a business one. I also liked Sam's desire to protect Abby and his need to get her to see their relationship the way he sees it.

This was an excellent romantic suspense title filled with fascinating characters. I was really fond of Abby's dog - Newton - who was, as Sam says, a condo-sized junkyard dog. I recommend this one to JAK's many fans and for fans of the paranormal in their romantic suspense.

Favorite Quote:

"Are you out of your mind, Abby?" Gwen Frazier leaned forward across the restaurant table and lowered her voice. "According to what I found online, Sam Coppersmith was implicated in the murder of his fiancee six months ago. You have no business hiring a man like that. He might be very, very dangerous."

"Relax, I'm employing him, I'm not sleeping with him. Big difference."

"That's supposed to reassure me?"

"Well. It certainly makes me feel better about the whole thing," Abby said.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here too.

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz

2012-01-20T06:54:00.003-06:00

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56

Rules:

Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz arrived in my mailbox today and I started reading it immediately. It didn't even hit the TBR mountain. I am a huge fan of JAK (and all her pseudonyms). This one is contemporary romantic suspense with a heavy hint of the paranormal. It also begins a new series.

Here is the product description:

A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.
Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.
Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber-"hot rocks." Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.

Beginning:

There was nothing like the drama of a deathbed scene to expose the skeletons in a family's closet. You never knew what would fall out when you opened the door, the nurse thought.

Friday 56:

Newton was the condo-sized version of a junkyard dog.

The beginning makes me very curious about what kind of family secrets are going to be exposed.

Book Review: Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown

2012-01-19T06:54:00.003-06:00

Amongst My Enemies
Author: William F. Brown
Publication: Amazon Digital Services

Description: Inside an old German U-Boat rusting on the bottom of the Baltic are millions in gold bars, stolen art, and a secret that could tear NATO apart. The only one who knows the truth is Mike Randall, a battle-scarred American who survived four months in the frozen Hell of northern Germany at the end of the war. When he does speak up, he puts a target on his own forehead, one which the Russians, the West Germans, the U-boat's former owners, the Israeli Mossad, and even his own government quickly take aim at. Some want the gold, some want him dead, and some want proof about a high-ranking spy inside NATO itself. Randall's wants are much simpler. Caught between the Kremlin and a new, deadly, 4th Reich, he wants revenge and to satisfy some old debts with a steel-jacketed bullet.

My Thoughts: This was a very suspenseful, edge-of-your seat thriller about the closing days of World War II and the political chaos the followed it. Mike Randall was a gunner on a B-17 until the plane was shot down over northern Germany with only he and his friend Eddie as survivors. They were sent to do forced labor in Konigsberg. Eddie develops gangrene and begs Mike to find a way to let him kill himself after invoking a promise that Mike go to Eddie's family after the war to let them know what happened. The descriptions of their hardships were so realistic that I felt I was there with them.

Shortly after Eddie's death Mike gets conscripted to load crates and boxes into a German U-boat and manages to stow away in the compartment with the crates. It seems the sub has been chosen by Martin Bormann as one of his treasure ships as he scrambles to get wealth out of Germany to South America. When the Captain finds Mike and realizes what is planned for his boat, he formulates a desperate plan. They aren't going to follow orders. They put Mike in a rubber boat and set him toward the shore of Sweden. But shortly thereafter, British bombers discover and sink the submarine. Mike is rescued by Swedish fishermen and spends three years in Sweden getting over the trauma of the war.

He returns to the United States and goes to visit Eddie's family. He is accepted as a family member by Eddie's father and his sister Leslie who has managed to grow up while Mike was recovering. Mike works there and begins a relationship with Leslie but he is determined to get revenge for the actions at the end of the war. When he sees a newspaper article saying that the U-boat captain who set him free survived the accident and is now a major player in the new NATO, Mike has to go to New York to see him.

That really throws a kink into everyone's plans because it isn't his captain. The Russians have set this guy up as an agent. Mike and Leslie quickly get involved with the new Israeli spies, the Russians, and the exiled Germans who want their loot back.

The story is told from a variety of viewpoints including Mike's, Martin Bormann's, his "strong right arm" and psychopath Heinz Kruger, and Verentsov, the Russian in charge of the change of admirals. Most of them converge off the coast of Sweden in the search for the sunken U-boat filled with treasure.

The story was exciting and engaging and really reminded me of some of the books written by Alistair MacLean that I read years ago. There was also a strong Tom Clancy feel in the machinations of the various spies (but without Clancy's techno-jargon) and character who was an ordinary guy who needs to survive in a arena that is foreign to him. Mike was an interesting character - an ordinary man who goes to extra-ordinary ends to get what he feels is justice.

If you are looking for a Cold War thriller, this one was very engaging.

Favorite Quote:

Dante had it wrong. Hell wasn't a blazing inferno filled with the mournful cries of the damned; it was the frozen plains of Northern Germany, and it could be quiet as a grave.

I was sent a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.

WoW: Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann

2012-01-18T06:54:00.001-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. She has a linky widget at her site each week for your post and to make it easy to find posts by other people.

The purpose of the meme is to spotlight books that we are eagerly anticipating. It is fun to take a look at what others are waiting for.

I have noticed that it has expanded my wishlist and TBR mountain though. Be warned!

I am eagerly waiting for Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann. I have been a fan of her work for years. This story looks like a bit of a departure from her romances or her romantic suspense stories.

Here is the description:

As the New York Times bestselling author of the Troubleshooters series and a “superstar of romantic suspense” (USA Today), Suzanne Brockmann has an acclaimed history of taking readers’ breath away with her novels of hot passion and high adventure. Now she takes her talent for sexy, action-packed storytelling in a thrilling new direction: forward—into a future, both fantastic and frightening, that only the brilliant Brockmann could envision.

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists—including women half his size—can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results—including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich—and reckless—enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is epidemic. But few realize the drug’s true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny’s crucial ingredient.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute’s crack team of operatives, she’s determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she finds that one of the new test subjects is none other than Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Although Shane isn’t a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he’s got talents of his own. But Mac’s got powerful reasons to keep her distance from him—and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.

This book won't be published until March 20 but I have a chance to win an Early Reviewers copy at LibraryThing. Hopefully, I will win one and it will actually arrive (unlike my Oct. 2011 win). I really want to read it.

Teaser Tuesday: Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown

2012-01-17T06:09:00.013-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

A Cold War thriller found its way to the top of my TBR mountain this week. I received Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown as an ebook. This one reminded me a lot of a bunch of the thrillers I read years ago. It was filled with tension and political intrigue all surrounding an ordinary guy who wanted justice and a sunken U-boat filled with stolen Nazi loot.

Teaser:

Bruckner watched at Stolz's prisoners lashed and braced the last of the wooden crates in place in the forward torpedo room. "Kapitan," the intercom speaker above his head crackled. "Sturmbannfuhrer Kruger requests you join him in the control room."

This is recent historical fiction at its grittiest about a very turbulent time in world history.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 16, 2012)

2012-01-15T20:30:00.078-06:00

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Even with attendance at an author signing on Tuesday night, I managed to get quite a bit of reading done. Amanda Hocking was at one of our local Barnes & Noble's signing Switched. I had to get a copy for my Media Center and a copy for me since she was so close. I managed to be first in line (I always get places too early) and was just in front of a couple from Michigan who had come to Rochester for an appointment at the Mayo Clinic and were scoring big points for the fifteen-year-old daughter by getting a signed book for her. Two TV stations were there filming the event which sort of lets you know how few authors make Rochester, MN a stop on their book tours. Of course it helps that Amanda is sort of a local girl - Austin isn't that far away - and has an interesting publishing story.

OK. Excitement's over. Here are the books I read last week:

Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz hit my mailbox and was immediately chosen as my next book. I love her style and characters. This story was no exception. She is beginning a new series with this book. This one is a contemporary paranormal. It looks like the next one will be a historical paranormal based on the teaser in the back of the book. I look forward to reading the rest of them. My review will be posted on Jan. 21.

Daughter of Centaurs by Kate Klimo was a book I received from the Amazon Vine program. I hadn't heard much about it and was really pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this futuristic fantasy. Clearly, centaurs aren't featured enough in young adult books. I was fascinated by the world Klimo created and enjoyed seeing her main character - possibly the last human - interacting with all the other characters. This review will also be posted on Jan. 21. The book will be released on Jan. 24.

The other young adult book I read this week was Torn by Dean Murray. I received this self-published title from the author and found it to be a very intense paranormal with rival werewolf packs and the girl who gets dropped in the middle of it all. My review will be posted on Jan. 23.

A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson was chosen as a chaser to Torn because I was looking for something on my TBR mountain that would be a lighter read. This is a wonderfully sweet romance about a werewolf and the author whose fiction seems to show too much about the secret werewolf society. I loved the interplay between the characters and I loved the happy ending. My review will be posted on Jan. 26.

I just finished A Werewolf in Manhattan and haven't started anything new yet. Here are the books that are on my stack for next week. All of them are books that I have received for review.

Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck is the beginning of a new urban fantasy series. This one has a male main character which is rather unusual for the genre. The author emailed me a pitch for this book which will be published by Kensington on Feb. 7.

Spin by Catherine McKenzie was an Amazon Vine book which will be released on Feb. 7 too. It is really different than the genres I usually read but I was interested because of the description.

When Kate Sandford lands an interview at her favorite music magazine, The Line, it's the chance of a lifetime. So Kate goes out to celebrate—and shows up still drunk to the interview the next morning. It's no surprise that she doesn't get the job, but her performance has convinced the editors that she'd be perfect for an undercover assignment for their gossip rag. All Kate has to do is follow "It Girl" Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop—and complete the thirty-day program—they'll reconsider her for the position at The Line. Kate takes the assignment, but when real friendships start to develop, she has to decide if what she has to gain is worth the price she'll have to pay.

On the YA side of things are two books that were each sent to me by their authors and which have spent a fair amount of time on the TBR mountain waiting for a break in the review schedule. It looks like this might be the week for:

Earth Blend by Lori Pescatore -- I recently read Human Blend and thought it was pretty good. This is in the same universe.
The Fate of the Muse by Derrolyn Anderson -- I read two of her earlier books in the Marina's Tale series and was surprised when she sent me her latest.

This is the last week of the first semester of our school year. I know I will be busy finishing up with the classes I have been seeing since September and getting ready for the new classes coming in. I still hope to have some reading time.

What are your plans for next week? Did you read anything great last week that I need to add to my stack?

In My Mailbox (Jan. 15. 2012)

2012-01-15T06:54:00.031-06:00

I couldn't resist adding Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz to the stack. I love her writing and own almost everything she has ever written. I read this one right away which is really unusual for me. Loved it!

I received A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster for review. I will be a stop on her blog tour in early April. This is a romantic suspense title.

I also got the Legally Hot anthology because it has a story by Lora Leigh. She is definitely one of my "guilty pleasure" authors.

These are new additions to my Kindle.

Hidden by Kelley Armstrong - I have ordered the print book but am not at all sure that I will ever receive it. It is sold out from the publisher. My only hope is that I ordered it early enough to get one of the copies Amazon will receive.

Fairytale by Maggie Shayne was a free book for my Kindle. I grabbed this one on the strength of the author's name.

The Day They Brought the Bears to Belfast by Sharon Lee got added to my stack because Lee (and her husband Steve Miller) rank really high on the list of authors I buy automatically. This one is a novella and is definitely not in their Liaden Universe.

I added two more print books to the stack and they are similar. Both are companions to long running series of paranormal/urban fantasy books. I don't really know how to classify them. They are fiction written as nonfiction, sort of.

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion
The Hollows Insider

That was my haul this week. What did you get?

Book Review: The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss

2012-01-14T06:49:00.002-06:00

The Thorn and the Blossom
Author: Theodora Goss
Publication: Quirk Books (January 17, 2012)

Description: One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever.

When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself . . .

The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning.

My Thoughts: Usually when I am reading a story, the format doesn't matter to me - ebook, paperback, hardcover, PDF, or computer file are all just vehicles for the story and quickly fade into the background. But with this book it mattered. Initially, I didn't know how to hold this book. It kept falling into its accordion folds and ending up in my lap. I almost felt like it needed one of those reading stands that you see in medieval book rooms along with the white, acid-free gloves you wear to not damage the pages. The medieval feel supported the medieval story of lovers separated for a thousand years by a curse. The woodcut illustrations that began and ended each story also helped create a medieval feel.

The stories though contemporary had an almost magical, lyrical feel which isn't surprising because the author is herself a poet. Each story is in three parts. In the first part Brendan and Evelyn meet in the small town of Clews in Cornwall. Brendan is back home from Oxford for the summer working in his father's bookstore. Evelyn is visiting the area where her ancestors came from as she finishes up her semester abroad at Oxford before returning to the United States. These two are both lonely and feel out of place in their surroundings. Brendan doesn't seem to fit in with the local boys he grew up with because of his interest in literature and scholarship and their interests in the sea and fishing. Evelyn has been hiding a secret since her childhood and she is quietly defying her family's expectation that the become a lawyer in favor of her own desire to be a scholar and poet. The first part ends after only a week when Evelyn flees the area after just one kiss from Brendan triggers a hallucination of him turning into a man made of branches and leaves.

They reconnect years later at a small college in Virginia. Brendan is a tenured professor of medieval literature who has written a new translation of the legend of Gowan and Elowan and Evelyn interviews for an associate professor position. She had written a poem based on the legend called Green Thoughts. The romance rekindles but Brendan doesn't mention that he had married and that his wife was injured in a riding accident and is now in a coma in a long-term care facility. Evelyn thinks that she has finally outgrown the mental problems that plagued her childhood and sent her fleeing from Brendan in Clews. When Evelyn finds out about Brendan's wife she has another episode of the hallucinations that she thought were finished. She takes too much of the medication she hasn't used for years. By the time she recovers, Brendan's wife has died and he has left the college with no forwarding address.

The final section comes full circle back to Clews. Brendan has returned to his father's house to re-evaluate his life. He is out fishing with his boyhood friends and is working on a children's book about the story of the Green Knight. Evelyn finds a new psychiatrist who helps her to realize that her hallucinations aren't destructive and that she can live around them. She decides that it is time again to write some poetry based on the legend of Gowan and Elowen. This would be a series of ten poems about the lives Elowen lived some with Gowan and some without as the two doomed lovers waited until the 1000 year curse was through.

I loved the way the story of the modern lovers echoed the story of the medieval ones. I loved the lyrical language of this story. I thought the concept of the book design was intriguing and perfectly suited to the story that Ms. Goss was telling. I recommend this book highly both for its art and for the wonderful language.

Favorite Quote:

"The problem, Evie, is that I seem to care more about literature than about scholarship. Medieval Studies asked me to write about the chivalric code in The Tale of the Green Knight. What do I care about the chivalric code? As far as I'm concerned, the poem is about chopping the heads off giants."

"And eternal love," she said, smiling. "Don't forget the eternal love."

I received this book through the Amazon Vine program for review. You can buy your copy here.

Book Beginning & Friday 56: The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss

2012-01-13T06:09:00.024-06:00

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56

Rules:

Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I just grabbed the next review book on my stack. The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss was received as part of the Amazon Vine program and is from Quirk Books. This is an interesting concept as much as it is a story. The book is accordion-folded and tells one story from each side - Brendan's going one way and Evelyn's going the other.

Here are the two beginning sentences:

Brendan's:

Brendan saw her before she saw him, a girl about his own age, wearing a gray cardigan, faded jeans, and sneakers.

Evelyn's:

By the time Evelyn arrived at the inn, she was tired, dirty, and hungry.

Friday 56 (taken from page 8 of each story because each only had 38 pages):

Brendan's:

"So what happened? Did they win?"

Evelyn's:

He was tall, wearing a faded T-short and jeans, more like a fisherman than someone she would have expected to find working in a bookstore.

Book Review: Lowcountry Punch by Boo Walker

2012-01-12T06:54:00.041-06:00

Lowcountry Punch
Author: Boo Walker
Publication: Amazon Digital Services (Oct. 28, 2011)

Description: After the worst Christmas Eve of his life, DEA Agent T.A. Reddick leaves Miami for the magical city of Charleston, South Carolina, hoping a return to his roots will heal a broken heart and the guilt of killing a friend. The sleepy and sultry town of Charleston is filled with echoes of the Old South: genteel playboys, society debutantes, and quiet cobblestone streets. But as Reddick will soon discover, there's danger lurking under her charming veneer. When a movie star's death shines a national spotlight on Charleston's underground cocaine trade, he must go undercover to find the main supplier and shut him down. As a hurricane bears down on the port city and the DEA gets ready to spring its trap, Reddick must contend with more than he ever could have imagined.

Brash and bold, TA Reddick is a hero you won’t soon forget. Lowcountry Punch is an action-packed novel that will have you on your knees begging for more.

My Thoughts: This was a strong and suspenseful story about DEA agent T. A. Reddick. He is reeling from a Christmas Eve when he shoots and kills a good friend and then comes home to find out that his fiance has left a Dear John letter on the counter. Of course the friend was a dirty cop attempting a drug buy with his brother at the time of his death but that doesn't help T.A.'s guilt. He becomes persona non grata in Miami since the Miami cops don't like cop killers no matter how much cause there might be. He transfers back to Charleston, SC. He spent boyhood summers there. That is where he met the girl who left him on Christmas Eve. In fact, she was the girl next door. T.A. has moved back into the family home and her parents still live next door.

T.A. just starts to settle into his new life and job when he meets a woman. Liz is an artist from Charleston who now lives in New York City. She is back in town for the summer teaching at the University. T.A. falls hard but his romance is complicated by preparing to go under cover to bring down a big cocaine network. He has to break the relationship off when he learns that Liz's ex-boyfriend is the target of the investigation. That doesn't leave T.A. woman-free though. He is being pursued by a woman named Stephanie that he dated just once. She is following him around and threatening to mess up his investigation. She just can't seem to understand that there is nothing between them and nothing she does is going to make T.A. want to be with her. She is a classic stalker.

The story is told in the first person which gives a good view into T.A.'s mind and thoughts. But it does leave the actions of his fleeing fiance and his new girlfriend Liz a little bit more obscure. And tight first person does take some of the suspense out of the scenes where our hero is facing down a gun in the hands of an enraged drug dealer. After all, he lives to tell the story.

This was a fine suspense novel with an intriguing but very human main character. T.A. is a chameleon as all undercover officers have to be. He is quick tempered and impulsive. He is also an excellent musician who plays the banjo and knows a lot about jazz. I recommend the story to those who like edge of the seat thrills and who want to meet T.A.

Favorite Quote:

I will forever compare all women and moments to Liz and the way I saw her that night. The way she moved toward me. The way she moved me. The way she looked right down to the core of my being. The absolute definition of sensuality there before me. The Thievery Corporation's "Un Simple Histoire" played in the background with Lou Lou's French vocals laced over a beat that might have been written for that night.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. You can buy a copy for your Kindle here.

WoW: The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris

2012-01-11T06:09:00.000-06:00

I am waiting for The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris. I know this book isn't new but I couldn't decide if I wanted it when it was first published. Since I am a big fan of the books and also enjoy the True Blood series from HBO (even though I don't see them until they come out on DVD), I finally decided that I had to have a copy of this book.

Here is the product description:

Charlaine Harris has topped the bestseller charts and become a nationwide phenomenon, thanks to the unconventional, and otherworldly, life of Sookie Stackhouse. Now take a closer look at Sookie and her family, friends, enemies, adventures, and-of course-the lovers who set her world on fire...

Visit Bon Temps, the small Louisiana town that Sookie calls home, with a detailed map created by Charlaine herself, and learn the characteristics of the supernaturals who live there: vampires, two- natured, and fae. Examine all the branches of Sookie's family tree. And eavesdrop on the private conversations between rival vampires Eric and Bill.

Also, enjoy the compelling, never-before-published novella "Small- Town Wedding," in which Sookie accompanies her shape-shifting boss, Sam, to his brother's wedding in Texas, where happily-ever-after seems very far away....

Exclusive interviews with True Blood creator Alan Ball and author Charlaine Harris-complied from fan questions-will satisfy your craving for all things Sookie, as will trivia questions, recipes (including Caroline Bellefluer's famous chocolate cake!), and a concordance to the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Does anyone have this book? Did I make the right decision?

Teaser Tuesday: Lowcountry Punch by Boo Walker

2012-01-10T06:09:00.020-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I received Lowcountry Punch by Boo Walker for review from the author the middle of November and it has finally worked its way to the top of the stack. I like mystery/thrillers and thought this story about a DEA agent sounded interesting. Here is the product description:

After the worst Christmas Eve of his life, DEA Agent T.A. Reddick leaves Miami for the magical city of Charleston, South Carolina, hoping a return to his roots will heal a broken heart and the guilt of killing a friend. The sleepy and sultry town of Charleston is filled with echoes of the Old South: genteel playboys, society debutantes, and quiet cobblestone streets. But as Reddick will soon discover, there's danger lurking under her charming veneer. When a movie star's death shines a national spotlight on Charleston's underground cocaine trade, he must go undercover to find the main supplier and shut him down. As a hurricane bears down on the port city and the DEA gets ready to spring its trap, Reddick must contend with more than he ever could have imagined.

Brash and bold, TA Reddick is a hero you won’t soon forget. Lowcountry Punch is an action-packed novel that will have you on your knees begging for more.

Here is my teaser from the 37% mark in the Kindle version:

The first meeting when you are under is like walking out on stage for a performance. Of course, even bands like the Who didn't have to worry about being shot. Well, that's not exactly true. The Beatles had to worry about it. Anyway, it's an exhilarating feeling. All eyes on you. Make a mistake and you can lose your life.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 9, 2012)

2012-01-08T20:30:00.086-06:00

The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss was a very nice love story that was very reminiscent of a medieval love story. In fact the characters, both with doctorates in medieval literature, seem to be living out a thousand year old curse. The physical format of the book enhanced the feel because it was accordion folded and in a lovely slipcase. My review will be published on Jan. 14. The book will come out on Jan. 17. I got my copy through the Amazon Vine program.

Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown is a World War II/Cold War thriller that reminded me a lot of Alistair MacLean and Ken Follett. This book was self-published by the author on Dec. 12 and is a good example of the genre. My review will be posted on Jan. 19.

Here are the middle grade/young adult books I read this week:

The World-Wide Dessert Contest by Dan Elish was an ebook that I received from Alina Adams Media. They have created an enhanced ebook with links to the songs from the musical created by the author from this story. The story itself was very silly with larger than life, quirky characters and situations. My review will be posted on Jan. 14. This book is available now.

Dreamland by Alyson Noel is the third book in the Riley Bloom series and deals with Riley getting used to the after-life. I have many very passionate fans of this series in my middle school. It does deal well with themes that are of concern to them. My review will be posted on Jan. 19. The book is available now. In fact, the fourth book is out in eARC form at NetGalley now.

I am currently reading another of my Amazon Vine picks. I chose Daughter of Centaurs by Kate Klimo because I was interested in this combination of post-apocalyptic novel and paranormal novel. I am just a little way into the story but am enjoying it so far. This book will be available on Jan. 24.

Next week, I have four on my stack - all review books. These two are at the top of the list:

Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck which is a new urban fantasy series. Somewhat unusual for the genre, the main character is male. I was pitched this one by the author. It will be published by Kensington on Feb. 7.

Torn by Dean Murray was also pitched to me by the author. Here is the description of this young adult paranormal:

Shape shifter Alec Graves has spent nearly a decade trying to keep his family from being drawn into open warfare with a larger pack. The new girl at school shouldn't matter, but the more he gets to know her, the more mysterious she becomes. Worse, she seems to know things she shouldn't about his shadowy world.

Is she an unfortunate victim or bait designed to draw him into a fatal misstep? If she's a victim, then he's running out of time to save her. If she's bait, then his attraction to her will pull him into a fight that'll cost him everything.

I do have two more review books still on the stack waiting if I finish these:

Earth Blend by Lori Pescatore follows Human Blend which I recently read and The Fate of the Muse by Derrolyn Anderson which is the third in her Marina's Tales series. Both are self-published.

I am also expecting to receive Copper Beach by Jayne Anne Krentz this week. I won an Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing but never received it. I am a huge fan of JAK and will be reading this one as soon as I finish the book I'm reading when it arrives.

That was my reading week.

Also, this week I made a trip to St. Paul to attend the book debut party for the final book in Andrea Cremer's Nightshade trilogy - Bloodrose - and I am really excited to read that one too. I just don't know when it will fit into the schedule. It is very unlikely given our unusually mild winter but I could really use a couple of snow days for some extended reading time.

Here's hoping for a great reading week for everyone!

In My Mailbox (Jan. 8, 2012)

2012-01-08T06:54:00.042-06:00

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

This week is a double mailbox post since I didn't do one last week. Hopefully, it will be my last huge mailbox. 2012 is my year of the TBR. I really want to try to catch up on the books I already have before adding more to the stack.

That being said, here is what I got:

Flashfire by Deborah Cooke - I am following this series and needed the next book.

Bloodshot by Cherie Priest - I won this one as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer but it never arrived. When I saw one in the Amazon Marketplace, I decided to add it to my stack. After all, I wanted it enough to ask for it before.

Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan is in another series that I follow. I had to have the latest book too!

All the rest of the books I got this week were for my Kindle. Here are the free ones:

Changeling Moon by Dani Harper, Destiny Redeemed by Gabrielle Bisset, True North by Mari Force

In Legend Born by Laura Resnick, Dead Space by Lee Goldberg, and a Christmas present from Ilona Andrews - Magic Gifts.

I bought these for my Kindle:

Toil and Trouble by H. P. Mallory -- I had the first and third book in this series. I needed the second so that I would have the whole story.

Head Rush by Carolyn Crane is one I was missing in a series I read.

The Hedgewitch Queen by Lilith Saintcrow - I like this author's YAs and wanted to try one of her adult books.

Claim the Night by Rachel Lee - I like this author's contemporaries and wanted to see how she did paranormals.

Finally, I read that Sherwood Smith was epublishing a couple of her earlier works through Book View Cafe. Since I am a fan of the author, I decided to add Ruler of Naught and The Phoenix in Flight to my Kindle too this week.

That was my haul over the last couple of weeks. Wow, I just realized that I didn't get any review books in the last couple of weeks. Maybe I'll get a chance to work on the backlog.

What did you get?

Book Review: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H. P. Mallory

2012-01-07T06:54:00.002-06:00

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
Author: H. P. Mallory
Publication: CreateSpace (September 2, 2010)

Description: A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin. Life isn't bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn't have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend. Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she's a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost's demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life! Word of Jolie's incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld's most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

My Thoughts: This book started out well but somewhere along the line either it lost focus or I did. I found myself easily distracted from this story. I kept using various avoidance techniques (check for new email, time to update my blog, anything new in my Google Reader?). And each time I came back to the story seemed like another opportunity for Jolie, the main character, to exhibit a lack of self-confidence or to put herself down in some other way. Of course, it also seemed to me that she had a major case of ADD (attention deficit disorder). I mean, who else would think she needed to start a work-out routine and mention in an internal monologue that she didn't really put on weight even though she wasn't active and could eat whatever she wanted, in the middle of a seduction scene?

Rand, the warlock who gets Jolie into the whole supernatural world, is also a ditherer - handsome, cut, powerful and completely unable to make up his mind about what sort of relationship he wants with Jolie. It was a constant case of "come hither, stay away" between the two of them which certainly didn't help Jolie's confidence (or advance the plot).

Speaking of the plot, it is fairly straightforward. Jolie is a psychic who is living a perfectly ordinary, if boring, life when Rand comes to her, tells her she is a witch, and offers to hire her to help him find out who killed a ghost. She travels with him to Chicago, finds the ghost, and brings him back to life. This very rare witch power drops Jolie right in the middle of supernatural politics. There are rival factions of witches. Rand opposes the evil Bella who really wants Jolie to be on her side. Rand takes Jolie under his wing to protect her from Bella. Also in the mix are vampires, werewolves, fairies, and demons who are choosing sides between Bella and Rand. Jolie's second reanimation is with the leader of the werewolves - Trent - who then becomes her boyfriend (until he dumps her) which puts his group of werewolves in Rand's camp. Many of the characters have hidden agendas and loyalties. This story revolves around gaining allies for the upcoming civil war in the underworld.

I found the ending to be rather abrupt but it certainly leads the way for the next book in the series - Toil and Trouble. While I felt that the book could have been shorter -- especially all the relationship dithering when Rand takes Jolie home with him to England, I did still find it interesting. I liked the world that the author created. And I liked the new Jolie that appears in the last few pages of the book. I will be following along to see how the story develops.

Favorite (Representative) Quote:

My head ached like a bitch. But it wasn't the pain that disturbed me the most; it was the sudden exhaustion that visited like a bolt of lightning. It was a fatigue the level of which I've never experienced before--like I hadn't had a thing to eat for two days and had just run a marathon--that sort of exhaustion. Course, I've never runa a marathon, but if I had, I'm sure I'd feel as tired as I now was.

I won this book back in Oct. 2010 for my Kindle. You can buy your copy here.

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H. P. Mallory

2012-01-06T06:09:00.022-06:00

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56

Rules:

Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I dug deep in the TBR mountain to find this one - Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H. P. Mallory - because I recently got the third book in the series from Amazon Vine for review and realized that I had never read the previous books. I have had this one since Oct. 18, 2010 when I apparently won it.

Here is the description:

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin. Life isn't bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn't have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend. Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she's a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost's demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life! Word of Jolie's incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld's most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

Beginning:

It's not every day you see a ghost.

Friday 56:

I scanned the room, my attention falling on Jack and Christa who were dancing pretty close. Oh no, tell me she wasn't going to go for the newly undead?

I like this beginning very much because she doesn't react like the usual kick-ass urban fantasy heroine. She is scared stiff which seems to me to be a much more realistic reaction.

Book Review: Future Perfect by Suzanne Brockmann

2012-01-05T06:54:00.000-06:00

Future Perfect
Author: Suzanne Brockmann
Publication: Bantam; Reprint edition (November 22, 2011)

Description: Now back in print after many years, a captivating story of sweet seduction and unexpected love from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann

Dressed in Victorian attire, Juliana Anderson gives guests at her cozy New England bed and breakfast a taste of old-fashioned hospitality. Whether she’s cooking up delights in her kitchen or maintaining the rooms in her beautifully decorated inn, Juliana stays busy and content. Until Webster Donovan arrives—tall, rugged, and sexy beyond belief.

The lean, dark-haired author has a bad case of writer’s block and he’s planned a six-week stay to cure it. But this beautiful woman is proving even more distracting to the cause. For prim, polite Juliana has a wild side: She rides a Harley and hides a troubled past. The moment Webster watches her take off her motorcycle helmet and shake loose those long, flame-colored curls, he finds his muse—and loses his heart. But can romance with a woman afraid to trust in love last longer than a moment in time?

My Thoughts: This was a great, winter day romance. It was warm and cozy. Juliana owns and operates a Victorian bed and breakfast; Webster is an author suffering from writer's block. He comes to stay and falls for her. She is hiding a deep secret. She is dyslexic and has never learned to read.

Neither of them is looking for love. Juliana has been hurt before and Web doesn't even believe in love. At first the attraction is physical but soon they come to love each other because of who they both are. But the course of their romance can't run smoothly. First there is Web's bout of the flu and then an ice storm comes just when Juliana's best friend is ready to have her third child. And along the way Juliana is worried about an upcoming visit from a reviewer from a major newspaper (which leads to still another misunderstanding) and Web has to deal with his writer's block.

Juliana is a strong, independent woman who has set the course of her life and doesn't want to change it. Web is the cynical but lonely man with a bad childhood. It was great seeing them finally decide to risk their hearts with each other. The side characters are also interesting and well-rounded. I really enjoyed this romance.

Truth in advertising is that this is a reprint of a 1993 romance. I didn't read it when it was out the first time. I didn't find it very dated. The only thing I really noticed was the use of a CB radio in an emergency situation instead of the cell phone that would be used today. Even though it is an earlier book by the author it has the hallmarks I have come to expect - well-drawn characters with strengths and flaws and a heart-warming romance.

Favorite Quote:

"I don't even like the guy," she said, and the horse shifted its feet, snuffling softly. "But every now and then I get a glimpse of something in his eyes, and it's like I'm sucked into this mad whirlpool of emotions. Every time it happens, it's harder to get back out. It scares me to death."

I bought this one while hanging out in K Mart waiting for a prescription to be filled. You can buy your copy here.

WoW: Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston

2012-01-04T06:07:00.014-06:00

I was cruising Amazon today looking for books that will be coming out soon when I spotted Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston. I didn't even need to read the product description. I love her funny, sexy shifter stories. I can't wait to hear this bear's story.

Here is the product description:

He's big, burly, and way smarter than your average shapeshifting bear. He's also about to get trapped by own his game. . .

Lou Crushek is a reasonable, mellow, easygoing kind of guy. But once someone starts killing the scumbags he works so hard to bust, that really gets under his fur. Especially when that someone is a curvy she-tiger with a skill set that's turning Crush's lone-bear world upside down--and bringing his passion out of hibernation. . .

As a member of an elite feline protection unit, Marcella Malone has no problem body-dropping anyone who hunts her kind. But Crush is proving one major pain in her gorgeous tail. The only reason she's joined forces with him is to track down the wealthy human who's got her entire species in his ruthless sights. It sure isn't because Crush's stubborn and contrary attitude is rubbing Cella in all the right ways. . .

The only bad part is that I have to wait until March 27 to get this one.

Teaser Tuesday: Future Perfect by Suzanne Brockmann

2012-01-03T06:09:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Future Perfect by Suzanne Brockmann has made it to the top of my TBR mountain. This is a reprint of one one her earlier books which I seem to have missed when it was first published.

Here is the description:

Now back in print after many years, a captivating story of sweet seduction and unexpected love from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann

Dressed in Victorian attire, Juliana Anderson gives guests at her cozy New England bed and breakfast a taste of old-fashioned hospitality. Whether she’s cooking up delights in her kitchen or maintaining the rooms in her beautifully decorated inn, Juliana stays busy and content. Until Webster Donovan arrives—tall, rugged, and sexy beyond belief.

The lean, dark-haired author has a bad case of writer’s block and he’s planned a six-week stay to cure it. But this beautiful woman is proving even more distracting to the cause. For prim, polite Juliana has a wild side: She rides a Harley and hides a troubled past. The moment Webster watches her take off her motorcycle helmet and shake loose those long, flame-colored curls, he finds his muse—and loses his heart. But can romance with a woman afraid to trust in love last longer than a moment in time?

Here is my teaser which is a bit longer than two sentences.

He'd kiss her slowly, drinking her in, taking his time. He'd trail his lips across her face, her neck, her jawline, he'd pause at her ear, taking the delicate lobe into his mouth. His breath hot against her, he'd whisper her name--Miss Anderson.

Web laughed out loud, the splendor of his fantasy broken by the sad truth of reality. He really was going to have to find out her first name, he thought, pulling his eyes away from the promise of that big, beautiful bed.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 2, 2012)

2012-01-01T20:30:00.094-06:00

Christmas Break gave me a lot of wonderful reading time. I finished seven books this week and most of them were from my review stack. Here they are:

I received Cinder by Marissa Meyer for review from Macmillan. This is Meyer's young adult debut novel and I thought it was excellent. This is a combination of science fiction and fairy tale re-telling that really worked for me. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy. My review is here. You don't want to miss this one when it comes out on Jan. 3.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey is the second in the series that began with Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. It was a well-written young adult paranormal that was told from a variety of viewpoints. I received this ARC from the Amazon Vine program. My review will be posted on Jan. 5 and the book will be published on Jan. 10.

Next I read a couple of self-published titles that have been sitting on my Kindle for review.

Human Blend by Lori Pescatore is a young adult paranormal. It was an exciting story that blended science fiction and romance. It used non-standard paranormal types. Our heroine - unbeknownst to herself - was the result of combining alien DNA with human. One of the other main characters was an Earthling - child of the Earth. My review will be posted on Jan. 7.

Lowcountry Punch by Boo Walker was an adult thriller about a DNA agent who retreats to his home town after killing a good friend (gone bad) and being dumped by his fiance. He meets a new woman and goes undercover to break up a cocaine network in his home town. This was was an exciting story with an interesting main character who we get to know quite well as the story is told from his point of view and in the first person. My review will be posted on Jan. 12.

These two were not on the review stack but were on my massive TBR mountain.

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory was on my Kindle. I won it in a contest in Oct. 2010. The author published it on CreateSpace. I decided to read it now because it is the first in the Jolie Wilkins series and I just accepted the third in the series for review from the Amazon Vine program. I thought it was all right but could have used some editing in the middle portion of the story to focus the story more. My review will be posted on Jan. 7.

Future Perfect by Suzanne Brockmann is a reissue of a romance she wrote in 1993. It was a pleasant read that had the characteristics of all Brockmann romances - likable characters and a hot romance. My review will be posted on Jan. 5.

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst was a review book that I received just after the book was published in August and just as the new school year started. I set it aside and didn't get to it until now. This one was a lighter young adult paranormal. Young vampire Pearl is staked by a unicorn and develops the ability to be out in daylight (which she loves) and a conscience (which she hates). This one was a good story with just enough "scary" to satisfy younger readers and just enough romance to satisfy older ones. My review will be posted on Jan. 12.

I am not currently reading anything. But here is what is on the top of the stack for next week:

On the adult side, two more review books are waiting for me.

The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss was an Amazon Vine pick. It is a sort of literary curiosity as it is accordion folded allowing (demanding) that it be read from each side. Each side is from the viewpoint of one of the characters in the romance - sort of like "choose your own adventure" but for adults. This one will be published on Jan. 17.

Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown was sent to me by the author. This one is self-published. I did read another of his books - The Undertaker which was a good thriller. I look forward to reading this one too. It came out on Dec. 12.

On the young adult side I have these two.

Dreamland by Alyson Noel is the third book in her Riley Bloom series for middle graders. I won a copy of this and thought I would read it before I donate it to my Media Center.

Last, I hope to finally get to Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. This is the third and final book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. This one came out in July and I even went on a road trip to see Maggie and get it signed but, somehow, it never got to the top of the TBR.

Speaking of road trips, a friend and I are hoping to head to the Twin Cities Friday evening to attend the release party for Bloodrose, Andrea Cremer's third and final book in her Nightshade trilogy. Our trip will certainly depend on the weather but we are hopeful that we will get there.

What are your plans for the first week of 2012?

2011 - End of the Year Round Up

2012-01-01T06:54:00.004-06:00

Today is the end of 2011. Here in my part of Minnesota we are having a virtually snow-less winter so far which is perfectly fine with me. At the time I began writing this (10:30 AM) we have 34 degrees and cloudy skies. This is what is in our evening forecast though:

... Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 9 PM this evening to 6 am CST Sunday...

* light rain will quickly change to snow later this evening... with a period of snow expected between 10 PM and 4 am.

* Snow amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected.

* Winds will increase to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph later tonight. Considerable blowing snow is expected during the overnight hours.

* The combination strong winds... snow and blowing snow will produce periods of very low visibility and near white-out conditions at times. Travel is expected to become dangerous later this evening and overnight.

Doesn't that sound like a fun New Year's Eve? I'm glad that my plans are to stay home and curl up with a good book or two and reflect on the past year.

What I Got This Year

According to LibraryThing I added 664 books to my collection this year. 155 of them were free books for my Kindle. 158 of them were books I received for review. 255 of my new books were young adult books. 394 of my 2011 arrivals are still on my TBR mountain. 59 of the books that arrived this year have already been donated to my High School Media Center. Six others have found a new home on the Teacher's Reading Shelf.

What I Read This Year

I used GoodReads and a Google Spreadsheet to keep track of what I read this year. According to GoodReads, I finished 246 books this year which leaves me 4 books short of my goal of 250 books. My spreadsheet says that I have read 243 books. Unfortunately, they don't agree and I don't feel the urge to find out which book I forgot to add to one list or the other. In either case, that is a pretty impressive number for someone who had eye surgery in January. I didn't get glasses that really corrected my vision until May. Of course the vision thing affected my distance vision much more than my close vision. I had a few months when I couldn't drive; I only had a day or two when I couldn't read.

Here is what my reading year looked like:

The categories aren't mutually exclusive. A book could be a Debut YA, a romance, and an E-Book which is why totaling the columns leads to a much larger number than 243. The columns do correspond to challenges that I signed up for this year. I think I read enough to complete each of the challenges but I was very bad about going back and linking up reviews. I started strong and then tapered off or completely quit updating by mid-year. I am bad at following through with challenges.

Since I have decided to only sign up for a couple of TBR challenges next year, my columns will reflect the genre of the books I am reading. I have set up the spreadsheet and guessed at the genres I would need based on what is on my TBR stack.

I have also decided to lower my GoodReads goal for next year to 144. Twelve books a month should be very doable. I have also decided to limit myself to six review books a month - three on each of my blogs. I hope that will encourage me to really make a dent in my massive TBR stacks.

I would like to say that I intend to purchase fewer books this coming year but I know that is unlikely. I have no willpower when it comes to resisting a book that interests me. I already have 8 books pre-ordered from Amazon that will arrive in the new year.

So, how was your year? Are you making any big changes in your reading plans for next year?

Book Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

2011-12-29T06:54:00.000-06:00

Touch of Power
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publication: Mira; Original edition (December 20, 2011)

Description: Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life….

My Thoughts: Maria V. Snyder has created an extraordinary fantasy world filled with characters we can care about. Avry is on the run. She is a healer in a world that blames healers for the plague that devastated the world killing a huge number of the people and leaving the remaining people in a state of political chaos. When she heals a little girl and is turned in by the girl's father, she is scheduled to be killed by guillotine.

When she is broken out of jail by a group of men that wants her to heal someone, she is at first reluctant to go along. She had reconciled herself to dying and was just tired of the constant running. But her will to live kicks in and she goes with them. Than she finds out who they want her to heal. Ryne is the ruler of one of the realms. She has met him before when he tried to coerce her mentor into healing his sister and who spread the rumor that healers caused the plague when she refused. He is also the one who owned the mine where Avry's father and older brother worked until the mine collapsed killing them. She refuses to heal him.

The leader of the band who freed Avry from jail is determined to bring her to Ryne and is willing to do anything to get her to heal him. He doesn't know that healers don't survive healing someone with the plague. Avry does. Avry and Kerrick begin their relationship badly. She hates him and he doesn't care for her either beyond being a means to an end. They are constantly sparring verbally. But at the same time, Avry does become close to Kerrick's band of rogues. It is the first time she has allowed herself to care for anyone since the plague ruined her life.

Avry gradually becomes aware of the bigger political situation which she didn't care about when her only care was to survive. Now she becomes involved in the whole political mess. Kerrick supports Ryne who is opposed by Tolon. Tolon is using his magic to create an army of the dead and is a really scary sociopath. Kerrick, Ryne, Tolon and a few other characters have all known each other since they were sent to the boarding school where the children of rulers went to learn to rule. They were fierce rivals there and now the rivalry has gone beyond children's games to playing with real lives. Avry decides to heal Ryne even at the cost of her life because he is the best hope for the survival of the world.

The mystical aspect of this story has to do with some people with magical gifts - Avry who can heal by taking the illness or injury into herself, Tolon who can reanimate the dead, and Kerrick who has forest magic and the ability to sense anyone in a forest and to camouflage himself within it. It also has to do with some semi-sentient plants called Death Lilies and Peace Lilies whose role in the world is just beginning to be known.

I recommend this story to fantasy lovers and will be looking forward to Avry's second story - Scent of Magic - which is coming in 2013.

Favorite Quote:

"He said nothing to me," I said. "Why would I be upset?" Aside from the dozen soldiers behind us.

She pursed her full lips, considering. "Because I might steal him back."

I laughed. "Please do. He's been a pain in my ass for the past two months."

I bought this one. You can get yours at Amazon too.

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop Winners

2011-12-28T08:45:00.001-06:00

I was pleased to take part in the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop sponsored by Inspired Kathy from I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jessie from Oasis for YA and The Daily Harrell. I had two prizes to offer.

For my US followers, I had a surprise box of ARCs and other books I had received for review. I had 104 entrants. The winner chosen by Random.org is entrant #10:

Rachel Brooks from Texas

The International winner gets a book of their choice (up to $15 US) from The Book Depository. I had 78 entrants. The winner chosen by Random.org is entrant #64:

Biliana from Bulgaria

The winners have been notified. Thanks to everyone for participating in this hop.

Book Review: Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

2011-12-28T07:08:00.002-06:00

Magic Gifts
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publication: Self-published as a Christmas gift to fans

Description: A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly. Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don’t go as planned. Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extreme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out.

My Thoughts: This was a great short novel about a dinner date that leads to all sorts of mayhem and conflict. Curran wants to take Kate to a Korean restaurant for a date. Also at the restaurant are two drivers of vampires out for a romantic date. When the young man gives the young woman a necklace, it kills her causing the vampires to run amok. Curran and Kate make short work of them but their troubles aren't over.

When the parents of the young woman who was choked by necklace come to the scene, the father reaches for the necklace only to have it snatched from him by his wife and clasped around her seven-year-old son's neck. Ghastek wants the necklace as compensation for the loss of his journeywoman and the vampires. Kate wants to protect the child and get the necklace off him. Kate and Curran win this one and start a search to find a way to remove the necklace and save the child that has them dealing with drunk vikings and an undead monster who loves human flesh.

You would think that would be enough on Kate's agenda but the problem with the lack of leadership in the Mercenary Guild is also looming. The Pack owns 20% and the inability of the Guild to choose a leader has made Kate the one who must break the tie. She has been avoiding the issue but is forced to confront it here.

This was a great story with all the romantic byplay between Kate and Curran that we have come to expect. Kate is her usual snarky and brilliant self. Curran is strong, sexy, supportive and more than willing to manipulate Kate for her own good.

This story provides a nice fix as we wait for Andrea's story - Gunmetal Magic - which is coming in the summer of 2012.

Favorite Quote:

Curran's blond eyebrows came together. "Does there have to be a special occasion for me to take you out to dinner?"

Yes. "No."

I downloaded this one from their website. Act quickly. This one is only available here until two weeks after Dec. 24.

2012 - Year of the TBR

2011-12-28T06:29:00.003-06:00

I was planning to go challenge free this year and concentrate on reading my TBR mountain which has reached the overwhelming height of 1210 books. Subtracting the 189 young adult books in that tally leaves 1023 adult books on the stack.

Here is the view of the top of my entertainment center as of Dec. 22, 2011. These are mainly books that have arrived since the end of August. Older unread books are in baskets and crates in my office and on a variety of TBR bookshelves around my house.

But Rose City Reader alerted me to two challenges that I just can't pass up.

My Reader's Block is hosting the Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012. Check her blog for all the details. Here are the Challenge Levels:

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 40 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 50 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100+ books from your TBR pile/s

Not to overstretch myself, I am just signing up for the Mt. Vancouver level but am hoping to upgrade as the year goes on.

The second challenge I am signing up for is the Off the Shelf 2012 challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour. You can get all the details here

Challenge Levels

Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
Trying – Choose 15 books to read
Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
Hoarder – Choose between 76-135 books to read
Buried – Choose between 136-200 books to read

Again, I am going to start small at the Make a Dint level (Shouldn't that be "dent"?) and hope to upgrade as the year goes on.

That is it for me. No more challenges! What challenges are you planning on joining in 2012?

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop

2011-12-27T23:01:00.001-06:00

It's time for the second annual Mid-winter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Dates for this year's hop are Dec. 21st to 27th. This hop is hosted by Inspired Kathy from I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jessie Harrell from Oasis For YA & The Daily Harrell.

I have two prizes for this hop.

For my US followers, I have a box of ARCs and other books that I have recently received and reviewed. They have been gently read. There are three ARCs and two finished copies in the box. The exact contents are a surprise.

For my followers outside of the US, I am offering one book of their choice (up to $15 US) from the Book Depository. You must live in a country shipped to by the Book Depository to enter this one.

Here are the rules:

1. You must be a follower of this blog (New followers welcome!)

2. You must completely fill out the appropriate form.

3. You must enter before midnight Dec. 27.

Here are the forms:

US residents (box of ARCs)

Non-US Residents (Book from Book Depository)

Good luck, everyone! Check out the other sites participating in this hop here.

Teaser Tuesday: Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

2011-12-27T06:09:00.025-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Ilona Andrews gave their fans a Christmas gift this year. It is Magic Gifts which is a novella that takes place at the same time as Andrea’s book, right after MAGIC SLAYS, and the two stories intersect. It will only be free and available for download for two weeks from Dec. 24.

Teaser:

The jellyfish kept coming. It cleared the door, turned, and I saw Curran carrying it in his hands, as if the three hundred pound mass of flesh was no heavier than a plate of pancakes. It's good to be the Beast Lord.

Three hundred pound jellyfish? Don't you want to know more?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Dec. 26, 2011)

2011-12-25T20:30:00.055-06:00

8 by Michael Mullin was the microscopic one. It was only 7 pages long. It is a novel (very short story?) in verse. It tells the story of a previously unknown 8th dwarf who saved Snow White from three different attacks by the Evil Queen but who got no credit. It was entertaining and very creative. My review is here.

Winterling by Sarah Prineas is a middle grade fantasy in a new series. I really liked the strong female heroine and thought that the story was very adventurous. This is realistic fantasy. Fer travels from her own home in middle America to the land of faerie where she has to defeat the evil Lady who killed her parents. My review will be posted on Jan. 29.

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder is also the first book in a new fantasy series. This one is for adults or young adults. Again we have a strong, sympathetic main character acting in a well-drawn fantasy world where healers are blamed for causing a devastating plague. My review for this one will also be posted on Jan. 29.

Lawe's Justice by Lora Leigh is the most recent in her Breeds series. This one concerns lion Breed Lawe and his destined mate Diane. They are both fighting the mating. Diane wants to continue to be a warrior and Lawe wants to protect her from all danger. This was a good entry in the series. My review is here.

Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews was a free novella that was offered on their website as a Christmas gift to their fans. This is about a dinner date between Curran and Kate that has some very unexpected occurrences. My review will be posted on Jan. 28.

I am currently reading Cinder by Marissa Meyer. This is her debut young adult novel and is a retelling of the Cinderella story with a science fiction twist. I am enjoying it so far.

Next week I plan to alternate young adult books and adult books and review books with books from my TBR mountain. Here are the top candidates:

Future Perfect by Suzanne Brockmann is a reprint of one of her contemporary romances from the 90s. I think I missed it when it came out and look forward to catching up.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey is a young adult review book that I got from the Amazon Vine program. It is the sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side which I enjoyed.

Only Forever by Linda Lael Miller is another one from my mountain. Again this is a reprint of one of her earlier contemporary romances that I seem to have missed the first time it came out.

Human Blend and Earth Blend by Lori Pescatore are young adult review books that I accepted from the author. These are sitting on my Kindle.

Those are my plans for my week off. What do you have planned?

In My Mailbox (Dec. 25, 2011)

2011-12-25T06:09:00.058-06:00

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

Bunches of books arrived at my house this week (and I can't even blame Santa)! There were a number of interesting choices in the Kindle Free store this week that I just couldn't pass up even though I have no idea when I will get a chance to read them.

Here are the free ones (or, they were free when I got them):

Lock Down by Sean Black is the start of a new series described as "high concept, high octane conspiracy thrillers featuring former military bodyguard, Ryan Lock."

Deadlock by Sean Black is the second in that same series.

Cutting Edge by Robert W. Walker is "the shattering new thriller introducing officer Lucas Stonecoat and psychiatrist Meredyth Sanger." I have an unread print copy of this one somewhere but the cost was right and it is more convenient on my Kindle.

The White Angel Murder by Victor Methos sounded like an interesting murder mystery.

Vampire Dreams by Robert W. Walker is this thriller writer's take on vampires. It sounded interesting. I am eager to see how he makes the transition from thriller to paranormal.

Ballistic by Paul Levine is a thriller with this premise: "A Nuclear Missile... A Band of Terrorists... And Only Two People Who Can Prevent Armageddon." Sounds like an exciting story.

Then I got a couple of review books from the Amazon Vine program:

Witchful Thinking by H. P. Mallory will be released on Feb. 28 and features the sassy, self-deprecating witch Jolie Wilkins. I haven't read this series yet but I have been meaning to.

The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss sounds like it might be more of a curiosity than a book. It is a two-sided love story on accordion folded pages that has to be read from each side. I thought it sounded unique.

Of course, I had to buy a few books too. These books indicate the range of my reading tastes.

I bought Courier Run by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller for my Kindle. This is their version of their annual Christmas Chapbook and contains two short stories - Kin Ties and Guaranteed Delivery. I have already read the stories online but wanted to own a copy to keep. These are science fiction stories in the Liaden Universe.

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder is the first book in a new fantasy series. I am reading this one right now and loving it.

Locked On by Tom Clancy is his latest and features Jack Ryan and Jack Ryan Jr. and a bunch of other characters from his long-running series. This is his usual long, complicated thriller.

That was my haul for the week. What did you get?

BTW - Happy Holidays! May your day be filled with love and laughter!

Christmas Present from Ilona Andrews

2011-12-24T18:37:00.001-06:00

You have just two weeks from today to download the free novella entitled Magic Gifts. This novella takes place at the same time as Andrea’s book, right after MAGIC SLAYS, and the two stories intersect.

Here is the product description:

A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly. Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don’t go as planned. Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extereme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out.

Here is the link to the post so that you can download this ebook. The story is already sitting on my Kindle and will be the next thing I read.

Join me, why don't you!

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

2011-12-23T06:09:00.022-06:00

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56

Rules:

Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder arrived this week and didn't even get to the TBR Mountain. I set it on my couch to read next. This is the first book in a new fantasy series. Here is the description:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life….

Beginning:

The little girl wouldn't stop crying. I didn't blame her. She was dying, after all.

Friday 56:

Later that night as I curled up, I let the tears leak from my eyes.

Book Review: Lawe's Justice by Lora Leigh

2011-12-22T06:49:00.001-06:00

Lawe's Justice
Author: Lora Leigh
Publication: Berkley; Original edition (December 6, 2011)

Description: #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to the world of the Breeds where animal instincts can bring a feral pleasure to every man and his willing female mate.

My Thoughts: This was another exciting entrant in Lora Leigh's Breed series. It was sexy and thrilling. I liked the relationship between Diane and Lawe even though I couldn't see at the beginning how they would ever be able to be together. Diane's need to be a warrior was completely opposite Lawe's need to keep his mate safe and protected. There was a lot of emotional pain for both of them as the fought for a way to compromise that would satisfy both of them.

I also liked the way this story fit into the whole of the series. Diane is looking for a way to find out what is going on with her baby niece after she was injected with something by evil scientist Brandenmore in a earlier novel in the series. Diane is trying to track down other people who were experimented on too and seem to have survived. However, these people are very well hidden. Also, someone on Diane's team is a traitor who is trying to keep her from her mission.

The story also deals with Gideon who is a rogue breed who is also on the trail of the same people that Diane wants to find. However, he wants at least one of them dead because they prevented him from dying in an early escape attempt from the labs. After he was recaptured and tortured again, he decided to make his life's goal finding that person and having his revenge. It might be just cynical old me but I can see a romance coming when he finds out that she is his mate. It would make for a very high conflict romance.

It was nice to see some of the characters from earlier books in this series making their own appearances in this one too.

This was a very sexy and exciting story and a "must read" for those following the series. I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next.

Favorite Quote:

"Nothing rules me, Lawe. Not mating heat, not emotion or need. Not even you. I'll accept it willingly, or it will not be a part of my life. And I need to consider what I can and cannot accept." She stalked to the door and opened it slowly as he followed. "Please leave."

"We're not finished."

She took his parting words as a statement of intent.

"We haven't even started," she informed him. "And we won't, until I decide I'm ready."

I bought this one because I am a fan of Leigh's Breed stories. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews

2011-12-21T06:49:00.000-06:00

Fate's Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publicaton: Ace; Original edition (November 29, 2011)

Description: Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades...

Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help...

My Thoughts: This was a great adventure and love story. Audrey is a con artist and uses her magic to open any lock. But she is trying to go straight and live life as a private investigator in the Broken (which is what our ordinary world is called). But, when her father comes to her and asks her for one more job, Audrey is sucked back into a life she hated. Unfortunately, the job is for the wrong people and, all of a sudden both the Hand and the Mirror are after her and neither is too concerned with her health and well-being.

Kaldar Mar is a con artist too. Only he works for the Mirror and is eager to get the missing object back and have his revenge on the Hand who was instrumental in killing two-thirds of his family and forcing them to flee their homes.

When the two meet, fireworks happen. The by-play between them is wonderful. Neither is prepared to trust the other and both are wary. Audrey isn't going to fall in love with another con man. She has been surrounded by them all her life and knows that they can't give up the con. Kaldar is determined to have his revenge no matter who he has to use and what he has to do. For him, only his family matters. Everyone else is just some kind of mark. Until he meets Audrey.

Also along on the adventure to recover the missing item are George and Jack who are the brothers-in-law of the Marshall of the Southern Lands and who are characters we met in previous books. George is fourteen and able to raise the dead. Jack is a twelve and a shifter who turns into a lynx. Audrey is determined to protect them even though they are both very competent and no strangers to danger.

The story was action-packed and the romance was wonderful. I love the characters and dialog in these stories. They are all interesting people with depth. I really recommend reading the whole series because the world is well-drawn and the characters are engaging. While this story stands alone well, you would find a richer reading experience if you begin with On the Edge. I think the series will hook any fantasy reader who likes adventure and romance.

Favorite Quotes:

The man turned.

Oh sweet Jesus.

He had a narrow, strong face, good cheekbones, and a full mouth. If she covered the top half of his face, she'd say he was a very handsome man. But his eyes, they were devil eyes. Light brown like clover honey, smart, and framed in long eyelashes, the man's eyes brimmed with wicked humor. They lit his whole face, changing him from a handsome man to the kind of man any woman with a drop of sense would stay away from. He toned it down almost right away. The only reason she saw it at all was because she had caught him off guard, but it was too late. Nice try. She'd spent her life in the Edge, among con artists, thieves, and swindlers. Don't you worry. I've got your number.

***************

She thrust the stout at him. "Why thank you, sir." Boom, a thousand watt smile. She couldn't possibly be trying to con him--all the cards were already on the table. It must've been force of habit.

He raised his hand, shielding his eyes. "Smile...too...bright."

"You're going to be a pain to work with, aren't you?"

"Oh, I don't know. I might grow on you."

She furrowed her pretty eyebrows. "Like a cancer?"

"Like a favorite vice."

"Don't count on it."

I bought this one because these people are on my "must buy" list. You can buy your copy here too.

Teaser Tuesday: Lawe's Justice by Lora Leigh

2011-12-20T06:09:00.016-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Next up on my reading stack is Lawe's Justice by Lora Leigh. I really like her sexy, shifter romances. These books are formulaic - sexy shifter finds the woman who is his destined mate - but I love to go along for the ride. They are great escape books when you want to get away from the stress of real life.

Teaser:

She accepted everything he was, and there was nothing she wanted to change.

Nothing except his refusal to see who she was.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Dec. 19, 2011)

2011-12-18T20:30:00.068-06:00

Ties to the Blood Moon by Robin P. Waldrop was the one I didn't finish. I got 42% into the story after diligent effort and decided that I just didn't like any of the characters. I also found the plot slow moving and confusing. On the plus side, the setting was interesting and the possible new vampire-werewolf mythology had some potential. This just wasn't a book for me. My review will be posted on December 21.

On the other hand, The Other Guy's Bride by Connie Brockway was a rollicking, good read that reminded me a little bit of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series. It was a historical romance set in Egypt at the turn of the Twentieth Century and featured an accident-prone heroine and the man who finds himself constantly getting her out of trouble. My review is here.

Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews is the third book in their Edge series. This one was an excellent story with interesting characters and an action-filled plot. I loved it and devoured it in just one day. My review will be posted on December 21.

Kaptain Vamp by Joanne Lecuyer was a cute, middle-grade story with nice illustrations about a young vampire who wanted to do good deeds so that he could show that vampires were not scary. It was a pleasant story that would be good for upper elementary kids who want to read about vampires but aren't read for scary books. My review will be posted on December 22.

I am currently reading Lawe's Justice by Lora Leigh which is the latest in her Breeds series. They are formulaic in that each is the story of a Breed finding and claiming his human mate. I like them because I know what is going to happen but I want to go along for the ride and see how it all works out.

I have four books on the stack for next week but won't be at all surprised if a couple of them go home with me for my Christmas Break. Here are the possibilities:

8 by Michael Mullin has been on my list for a couple of weeks. This week I hope to get to it. A friend has a copy too and we are planning on reading it at the same time.

Winterling by Sarah Prineas is an Amazon Vine pick that is also a middle grade fantasy. I enjoyed her Magic Thief series and am curious about this story.

And maybe this week I will finally get a chance to read The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I have been excited about this story since I heard about it last Spring but have had to keep setting it aside to read review books.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer is one of the review books on my stack. This one has been getting some good reviews around the blogosphere. I like the idea of the Cinderella myth being set in a futuristic world with cyborgs. I look forward to reading this one.

We work through Thursday and Friday, weather permitting, will be a travel day for me as I drive to my brother's house for the holiday break. I really should start thinking about what books I want to bring along with me. Oh, and I should do some other packing too.

Be sure and stop back later in the week. I am taking part in the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop which runs from Dec. 21 through Dec. 27. I have a box of ARCs for US entrants and a book of the winner's choice from The Book Depository for my non-US friends. There are 258 blogs on the hop including mine. It is a great chance to build up your TBR stack.

Happy holidays, everyone!

In My Mailbox (Dec. 18, 2011)

2011-12-18T06:09:00.036-06:00

Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown was sent to me because I had reviewed one of his earlier books - The Undertaker. This is an international suspense thriller with a sunken German U-Boat filled with "millions in gold bars, stolen art, and a secret that could tear NATO apart." It sounds good.

Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck is the start of new urban fantasy series with a male main character that will be published by Kensington in February.

Adding still more to my Kindle, I got these:

Obligations of a Cobalt Hue by Amber D. Sistla is a epic fantasy novel that was free this week.

Blood Wager by Connie Suttle was the book I bought this week. I am an Amazon Prime customer and could have borrowed it for free but I chose to pay the $.99 instead. I heard about this one on Ilona Andrews' blog. She was talking about the perils of self-published books that resonated with me but said this one was a gem and not a lump of coal.

I also got a couple more books by Paul Levine in his Lassiter series since they were free this week. I recently read his latest - Lassiter - and liked it enough that I thought I would read his backlist someday. The price was right to add these to my Kindle this week.

Fool Me Twice by Paul Levine (6th in the series)

Mortal Sin by Paul Levine (4th in the series)

That is what I got in my mailbox (actually they were all Kindle books) this week. What did you get?

ARC Review: The Other Guy's Bride by Connie Brockway

2011-12-15T06:49:00.003-06:00

The Other Guy's Bride
Author: Connie Brockway
Publication: Montlake Romance (December 22, 2011)

Description: Determined to prove her worth as a budding archeologist, Ginesse Braxton vows to solve one of the world's greatest mysteries--to find the location of the lost city of Zerzura. Unfortunately, no man dares take the risk of escorting the resolute young scholar across the open desert. But on her way to Egypt, Ginesse engages in a daring deception: She will switch places with Mildred Whimpelhall, who is traveling to meet her fiancé.

Cynical adventurer Jim Owen will do anything to escape the dark secrets of his troubled past. Betrayed by the woman he loved and scorned by proper society, he agrees to carry out a danger-fraught task: escort Mildred Whimpelhall across a lawless desert to her intended. But Jim is about to learn that "Mildred" isn't exactly what she seems...and the dangers they face together are eclipsed by an even greater peril: falling in love, against all reason, with another guy's bride.

My Thoughts: What a wonderful historical romance! I loved the character of Ginesse. She is a trouble magnet, outspoken, and a closet penny novelist. She is also the daughter of two famous archaeologists and has six younger brothers. She is just returning to Egypt after spending some years in an English finishing school and attending university. She believes that she has discovered the location of a long-lost, ancient city and hopes finding it will make her feel worthy of her distinguished family. She knows that her family won't let her go off exploring on her own. So she switches places with a woman who is on her way to marry her fiance who just happens to be in command of a British fort right where Ginesse wants to be.

The Colonel has provided an escort for his fiance in the person of Jim Owens who happens to owe him a favor. The Colonel saved Jim's life and left him indebted to him. While Jim is a shady character, he is determined to pay off his debt and escort the Colonel's fiance to him. However, Jim takes one look at Ginesse and is immediately attracted. The attraction only grows as he rescues her from a variety of perilous situations. Ginesse is also attracted to him or, at least, her perceived version of him. She sees him as a cowboy who is rough around the edges but has a core of honor.

Jim is in Egypt to get lost. He is on the run from a home life that never made him happy or satisfied. He wants to be declared dead so that his beloved, younger, half-brother will inherit. But it turns out that his younger brother has other plans. He doesn't want Jim's inheritance and has been looking for him for two years. Also, he is an archaeologist that Ginesse worked for when she made her discovery. She thinks of him as a stuffy male who is trying to steal her discovery. He thinks he is in love with her.

The story is filled with humor, misunderstandings, the failure of the hero and heroine to communicate, and some really hot romance. I got swept away in the story and finished it with a big smile on my face. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys historical romances.

Favorite Quote:

"You don't ask a man to do something; you tell him," Ginesse said. "Males do not do well with choices. They want direction."

"How ever do you come to know so much about gentlemen at so tender an age?" Miss Whimpelhall asked.

"Having six younger brothers has doubtless afforded me some insight into the workings of the male mind. Though honesty compels me to admit I don't find it a very deep or mysterious realm. What do you want me to do?"

I received this one for review. You can buy your copy here. Amazon Prime members can borrow the Kindle version for free too.