In My Mailbox (June 19, 2011)

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.

The UPS Guy was busy this week at my house. I got a bunch of new books.

Oscar Wilde and a Game Called Murder by Gyles Brandreth was purchased because I read an interesting review of the series somewhere this past week. I was intrigued about the historical mystery. I am eager to read it.

Naamah's Blessing by Jacqueline Carey is the latest in this epic fantasy series. I have been following along and need to know what happens next.

William and Kate by Christopher Anderson - I'll admit it! I got up early to watch their wedding. I am fascinated by British Royalty and had to have this one. I have already read it. It was full of interesting details about their relationship. 

I also added a few books to my Kindle this week.

Sasha by Joel Shepherd was free for my Kindle this week. It is an epic fantasy.

Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bryght by Cathryn Cade is a futuristic shifter novel that takes place in space. Sounds like fun! It was also free.

I also bought some books and stories for my Kindle.

When Tony Met Adam is by Suzanne Brockmann which was all I needed to hear in order to buy it. It is a short story which is part of her long-running Troubleshooters series and features a male/male romance.

Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey is a romance that sounded good to me. This is another one that I read about on someone's blog.

Claimed by Evangeline Anderson is another futuristic romance. I like the concept for this one and thought it sounded interesting. 

Bound by Blood by Cynthia Eden is a novella with vampires and werewolves. I didn't need to hear more since I already like the way Cynthia Eden writes.

That is what arrived in my mailbox this week. What did you get?

Review: Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Hit List
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Publication: Berkley Hardcover (June 7, 2011)


Description: A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect "monsters" are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, U.S. Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.


My Thoughts: This was back to old-school Anita. She and Edward are tracking down monsters in the Pacific Northwest. Of course, they can't say who the monsters are for fear of endangering anyone who learns of the existence of the Harlequin. Nor can they mention that these Harlequin are being controlled by the Mother of All Darkness who is still trying to take over Anita's body.


Edward calls in reinforcements including Olaf the psychpath serial killer who loves to torture and murder girls who are physical matches for Anita. He wants to date Anita. Anita is having no problem at all with refusing except that if she refuses that might encourage Olaf to add her to his list of victims again. Anita is certain that one day it will come down to her or Olaf. She just hopes it isn't today.


Anita also gets involved with a den of red tigers when she needs to feed the ardeur and one of her tigers to call lives there. She meets another tiger who is not pure-blooded and is treated badly by the group. He has four tigers inside including the elusive gold tiger. 


There is a lot of politics among the Marshall corps as their supervisor takes an immediate and intense dislike to Anita. They also have problems when another of the Marshall's is attacked in infected with shapeshifting. Anita gets to work on her person to person skills as she convinces her to keep living, that is life is changed but not destroyed.


This was a very quick read filled with action, adventure, and danger. It was well-done urban fantasy and recommended for followers of this series. The only unfortunate part of the book for me was that we didn't get to see Jean-Claude or Richard in this one. 


Favorite Quote:

Could it get any worse? Wait, don't answer that, I know the answer. The answer is always yes. It can always get worse. Right now the Harlequin hadn't captured me, Mommie Darkest hadn't possessed me, and Olaf and I were still alive and hadn't f***ed each other; when I looked at it that way, it wasn't a half bad day.

I bought the hard cover from Amazon as soon as it was available. You can get it at Amazon too.

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

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.

This week I chose my latest guilty pleasure read to feature here. Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton is the 20th in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. I am always eager to catch up with Anita's latest adventure. I even stuck around during the "man, there's a lot of gratuitous sex" phase of the series. I have heard that this one has moved away from that story arc. But, since I have just picked up the book, I will have to wait and see.

Beginning:

The main piece of the body lay on the ground, on its back in the middle of a smooth grassy field.

Friday 56:

"Take care of Edward for me and the kids."

I am really hoping that Edward does have a role to play in this one. He is one of the most intriguing characters in the whole series for me.

Review: The Twisted Thread by Charlotte Bacon

The Twisted Thread
Author: Charlotte Bacon
Publication: Voice; Original edition (June 14, 2011)


Description: When beautiful but aloof Claire Harkness is found dead in her dorm room one spring morning, prestigious Armitage Academy is shaken to its core. Everyone connected to school, and to Claire, finds their lives upended, from the local police detective who has a personal history with the academy, to the various faculty and staff whose lives are immersed in the daily rituals associated with it. Everyone wants to know how Claire died, at whose hands, and more importantly, where the baby that she recently gave birth to is--a baby that almost no one, except her small innermost circle, knew she was carrying.


At the center of the investigation is Madeline Christopher, an intern in the English department who is forced to examine the nature of the relationship between the school's students and the adults meant to guide them. As the case unravels, the dark intricacies of adolescent privilege at a powerful institution are exposed, and both teachers and students emerge as suspects as the novel rushes to its thrilling conclusion.


With The Twisted Thread, Charlotte Bacon has crafted a gripping and suspenseful story in the tradition of Donna Tartt's The Secret History, one that pulls back the curtain on the lives of the young and privileged.


My Thoughts: I very much enjoyed this complex, moody mystery. Luckily, I am not the sort of reader who plays detective along with the book's main character and tries to solve the crime. This one was filled with a large cast of characters who all had their own agendas. And everyone had secrets! At one point I was sure that everyone was guilty.


I thought that the characters were well-developed and intriguing. I especially liked Madeline who was at this exclusive school mainly because her sister had an in and she had no better prospects. It was fascinating to watch her learn more about the school and discover that she had a real gift for teaching. I also liked Matt who was an Armitage boy who chose to become a cop. He had been a homicide detective in Philadelphia until he burned out and is now back home working for the local police department.

Then there are the teachers at the school who are variously quirky and suspicious. From the science teacher who seems particularly lifeless to the French teacher who is clinging to her French heritage. Fred, the art teacher and an Armitage graduate, deals with his own issues as he learns some uncomfortable things about his grandfather who was one the Headmaster of the school. He is also Madeline's best friend at the school.

Then there are the students. We see Claire only through the eyes of those who know her. She is bright, beautiful, and aloof. She was also capable of surprising kindness. We learn about a secret society and the girls who will do anything to keep the secrets.

The language and writing was lush and descriptive. I found myself chuckling sometimes at the apt turns of phrase. The view into the world of wealth, privilege and entitlement was fascinating. Madeline's viewpoint as a  sort-of outsider provided clarity.

I recommend this mystery to readers who want a glimpse into the world of exclusive private schools and those who inhabit them. It was a fascinating and compelling read.


Favorite Quote:

Parents, phones, sobbing, usually all three at once, and all of it threaded through with visits from the police -- tall ones, short ones, thin ones, fat. Ones in plainclothes, ones in hats. When her mind started to warp horror into Dr. Seuss, Madeline knew she needed a break. Bit it wasn't forthcoming.

I got this ARC through the Amazon Vine program. You can get it in paperback at Amazon too. 

WoW: Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives us a chance to spotlight books that we are eagerly anticipating and to see what others are waiting for too.

I am eagerly awaiting Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn. I have been entertained by this series ever since I read Kitty and the Midnight Hour in 2005. This is the ninth episode.


Here is the description:

Kitty Norville is back and in more trouble than ever.  Her recent run-in with werewolves traumatized by the horrors of war has made her start wondering how long the US government might have been covertly using werewolves in combat. Have any famous names in our own history might have actually been supernatural?  She's got suspicions about William Tecumseh Sherman.  Then an interview with the right vampire puts her on the trail of Wyatt Earp, vampire hunter.

But her investigations lead her to a clue about enigmatic vampire Roman and the mysterious Long Game played by vampires through the millennia.  That, plus a call for help from a powerful vampire ally in San Francisco, suddenly puts Kitty and her friends on the supernatural chessboard, pieces in dangerously active play.  And Kitty Norville is never content to be a pawn. . . .

Teaser Tuesday: The Twisted Thread by Charlotte Bacon

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!

My teaser this week comes from my most recent Amazon Vine arrival. I chose The Twisted Thread by Charlotte Bacon because it was about a murder at a boarding school. I wasn't really expecting a moody contemporary but this is what it is looking like becoming.

Here is the product description:

When beautiful but aloof Claire Harkness is found dead in her dorm room one spring morning, prestigious Armitage Academy is shaken to its core. Everyone connected to school, and to Claire, finds their lives upended, from the local police detective who has a personal history with the academy, to the various faculty and staff whose lives are immersed in the daily rituals associated with it. Everyone wants to know how Claire died, at whose hands, and more importantly, where the baby that she recently gave birth to is--a baby that almost no one, except her small innermost circle, knew she was carrying.

At the center of the investigation is Madeline Christopher, an intern in the English department who is forced to examine the nature of the relationship between the school's students and the adults meant to guide them. As the case unravels, the dark intricacies of adolescent privilege at a powerful institution are exposed, and both teachers and students emerge as suspects as the novel rushes to its thrilling conclusion.

With The Twisted Thread, Charlotte Bacon has crafted a gripping and suspenseful story in the tradition of Donna Tartt's The Secret History, one that pulls back the curtain on the lives of the young and privileged.

The Teaser:

As he struggled to fit the gun into the holster, Matt realized he hadn't really believed this tranquil period would last as long as it had or be as satisfying as it was. Nothing continued unchanged. Not a place on earth was exempt. But what he also hadn't expected, as he slammed the door shut and ran to his car, was that he'd mind the jolt so much, and that it would in fact frighten him.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (June 13, 2011)

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.


I'm all settled here at my summer home in Duluth and looking forward to getting a lot of reading done. The weather has been lovely but a little bit cool which makes it perfect for reading.


Last week I read:

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong -- This is the first of her young adult Darkest Powers series. It introduces a girl who doesn't know she is a necromancer, a boy who is a sorcerer, and a boy who is a werewolf as the main characters. They are all sent to a group home because they have "mental problems." After some other kids at the home disappear and Chloe visits with a few ghosts, the kids decided to escape to look for the boys' father. Check my review here.

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong -- This is the second book in the Darkest Powers series and concerns the kids' journey to find the boys' father with lots of danger and adventure along the way. Check my review here.

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong -- This one concludes the Darkest Powers trilogy. The kids have lots more adventures and deal with some unexpected betrayals before they finally manage to find the boys' father. My review will be posted today on Ms. Martin Teaches Media.

After Midnight by Lynn Viehl -- This is Viehl's young adult debut novel. It is a paranormal concerning vampires and vampire hunters and features star-crossed lovers. The characters were well drawn and the story was entertaining. My review will be posted on June 18.

Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh -- This latest in the Psy-Changeling series features the long-anticipated romance between Sienna and Hawke. The war between the Psy is also heating up and involving the various shifter clans near San Francisco. Check out my review here.

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews -- This is the latest in the Kate Daniels series. Kate and Curran are mated and Kate has set up her own detective agency. She gets a case to track down a missing inventor who has created a doomsday machine. It eats magic and kills anyone with even a touch of magic. Check out my review here. 

The Twisted Thread by Charlotte Bacon -- I got this moody, complex mystery from Amazon Vine. I enjoyed the story with its depth of character development and lush descriptions. My review will be posted on June 16.

The Devil in Disguise by Stefanie Sloane -- This is an historical romance that I also got from Amazon Vine. While it didn't break any new ground, it was an entertaining and romantic read. My review is here. 

I am currently reading:

The Emperor of Nihon-ja by John Flanagan -- This is the 10th in the Ranger's Apprentice series and sees our characters taking off to the land of Nihon-ja to rescue Horace who had gotten himself involved in a rebellion. 

Next week:

I'll be choosing something from these. These are the baskets I brought home for the summer.

But don't despair for me. I won't run out of reading material. Amazon knows where I live. I think I have already gotten three packages in the 6 days I've been here.

What does your week look like?