Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WoW: Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week I am waiting for the new Kelley Armstrong book Waking the Witch. It is hard to believe that this one is number 11 in the Women of the Otherworld series. 


Product Description: At twenty-one, Savannah Levine-orphaned daughter of a notorious dark witch and an equally notorious cutthroat sorcerer-considers herself a full-fledged member of the otherworld. The once rebellious teen has grown into a six-foot-tall, motorcycle-riding jaw-dropper, with an impressive knowledge of and ability to perform spells. The only problem is, she's having a hard time convincing her adoptive parents, Paige and Lucas, to take her seriously as an adult. She's working as the research assistant at the detective agency they founded, and when they take off on a romantic vacation alone, leaving her in charge, Savannah finds herself itching for a case to call her own. (She's also itching for Adam, her longtime friend and colleague, to see her as more than just a little girl, but that's another matter.) 

Suddenly, Savannah gets the chance she's been waiting for: Recruited by another supernatural detective, she travels to Columbus, Washington, a small, dying town. Two troubled young women have been found in an abandoned warehouse, murdered. Now a third woman's dead, and on closer inspection small details point to darker forces at play. Savannah feels certain she can handle the case, but with signs of supernatural activity appearing at every turn, things quickly become more serious- and far more dangerous-than she realizes. 

We have had glimpses of Savannah in other stories. It will be nice to read a book that focuses on her. What are you waiting for?

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Teaser Tuesday: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

 
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!

Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything will be closest to hand for a while. I am trying to read a chapter a day of this nonfiction book. 

America, Buffon wrote in his vast and much-esteemed Histoire Naturelle, was a land where the water was stagnant, the soil unproductive, and the animals without size or vigor, their constitutions weakened by the "noxious vapors" that rose from its rotting swamps and sunless forests. In such an environment even the native Indians lacked virility. "They have no beard or body hair," Buffon sagely confided, "and no ardor for the female." Their reproductive organs were "small and feeble." 
I am enjoying learning about how scientific ideas came about and how they changed over time. 

Review: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Insatiable


Author: Meg Cabot
Publication: William Morrow; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)

Description: Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.


But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.

Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)

But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .

If she even has one.

My Thoughts: This was an interesting take on the vampire myth. Meena was an interesting character. She was a driven, single-minded New Yorker with an unusual talent. She can see when someone is going to die. That led to problems when she was younger and, most of the time, people just think she is weird when she tells them to get their cholesterol checked or avoid a certain vacation destination.

But Meena's main focus is writing for the soap opera Insatiable. She doesn't like that the higher ups are forcing her to write a vampire story line to catch up in the rating to another soap. She meets at guy on a walk who she sees as the perfect character to be a vampire hunter and reroute the story line away from vampires. Unknown to her, he is a vampire coming to investigate the deaths of some young girls in what look like vampire attacks. Lucien has forbidden vampires under his control from killing but his brother is planning a revolution. He wants to be the Prince of All Darkness instead of his brother.

The story is filled with twists and turns, battles between the Draculs and the Palatine Guard, and lots of action. The characters are interesting and well-written. I did have some problems with Meena having some TSTL moments though. If you were being attacked by hostile vampires, would you be focusing on your relationship with Lucien and not mentioning that you were in danger?

Lucien loves Meena and wants to keep her with him forever. Meena loves him but doesn't want to become a vampire. Alaric Wolf, the Palatine Guard who wants to kill all vampires, also comes to love Meena. It was interesting to see which life Meena chose.

This was a fun, chick lit sort of vampire story that I recommend to all YA and adult readers who are fond of vampires or Meg Carter's breezy style of writing.


Favorite Quote:


"Even though these guys admit over and over to wanting to kill us," Meena went on, "the idea that they're nobly restraining themselves from doing so is supposed to be attractive? Excuse me, but how is knowing a guy wants to kill you hot?"
Challenges: Paranormal Reading Challenge, RYOB Reading Challenge

Sunday, June 27, 2010

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? June 28, 2010


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.

Last week I read:
The links go to my reviews.
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs


Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
13 to Life by Shannon Delany
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Mission of Honor by David Weber
Nauti Deceptions by Lora Leigh

I am currently reading:
The links go to Amazon.


A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson - This one will take me a while since I am only reading one chapter a day.

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey - The second book in the Drake Chronicles following Hearts at Stake which was the first book I reviewed on this blog.

Next Week: I have no plans. I'll just browse through my crates of books and see what looks good. Last week I read more YA than adult. I might try to balance that out this week. I need to go sort my crates into adult and YA.

Have a great week!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

In My Mailbox (June 27, 2010)


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 cool books everyone gets. You will discover lots of wonderful blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.


My resolution not to add more books than I can read was trashed this week. I have no willpower!

I added these books by a couple of authors that I have been reading for a long time.
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich is, as the title says, book 16 in the Stephanie Plum series. These are light, fun mysteries with a bit of romance.
Mission of Honor by David Weber is the 12th in the Honor Harrington series and the 16th in the Honor Harrington Universe. 
These were added because they were recommended on either a Teaser Tuesday post or another blog I read.
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson and The Tightrope Walker were recommended on Teaser Tuesday posts. I recently read my first James Patterson YA and thought I would give his adult books a try. I am a big fan of Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series and thought I would try one of her non-series books to see if I like the writing style or just the characters.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson was recommended by one of my favorite authors - Lois McMaster Bujold. I am reading a chapter a day in this one because there is so much to think about. 
Those were the only print books I added but I also added lots to my Kindle.
I had seen some interviews and giveaways with Katie Salidas. I am not luck so I decided to buy her books for my Kindle. I got Immortalis Carpe Noctem and House of Immortal Pleasures. I like paranormals and chose these after reading the interviews and reviews.
I also saw a blog post about Sea of Suspicion by Toni Anderson and decided to try this mystery.
The rest of these books were free for my Kindle this week.
The Last Drop by L. Ron Hubbard was chosen because I know he has written some science fiction but I haven't read any. He is rather more famous for his involvement with Scientology.
Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins -- Here is the product description:
Something sinuous in the water brushed against Paige's knee. She jerked her leg away. What was that? She rose to a sitting position, groped around with her left hand. Fine wisps wound themselves around her fingers. Hair? She yanked backward, but the tendrils clung. Something solid bumped her wrist. Paige gasped. With one frantic motion she shook her arm free, grabbed the side of the hot tub, and heaved herself out. Paige Williams slips into her hot tub in the blackness of night-and finds herself face to face with death. Alone, terrified, fleeing a dark past, Paige must make an unthinkable choice. In Violet Dawn, hurtling events and richly drawn characters collide in a breathless story of murder, the need to belong, and faith's first glimmer. One woman's secrets unleash an entire town's pursuit, and the truth proves as elusive as the killer in their midst.

Even Now by Karen Kingsbury because "With hallmark tenderness and power, Karen Kingsbury weaves a tapestry of lives, losses, love, and faith-and the miracle of resurrection."
I also downloaded some shorter work by some other newer science fiction authors that I have heard of but have never read. These were made available by Tor.com and were all finalists for various science fiction awards.
Overtime by Charles Stoss - This novelette is a finalist for the 2010 Hugo Award
First Flight by Mary Robinette Kowal - This is a finalist for the 2010 Locus Award
A Memory of Wind by Rachel Swirsky - This is a finalist for the 2010 Nebula Award
I am very thankful that my Kindle doesn't get heavier with each new book I load onto it. I think of my Kindle as my rainy day reads. I think I need a decade of rainy days to catch up.
That was my week. What new books did you choose this week?

Review: Nauti Deceptions by Lora Leigh


Nauti Deceptions
Author: Lora Leigh
Publication: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (February 2, 2010)

Description: Caitlyn "Rogue" Walker left her life in Boston to become a teacher in a small Kentucky town. But her dream was shattered when she was framed in a sex scandal. Refusing to be run out of town, Caitlyn shed the identity she had and became Rogue. Sheriff Zeke Mayes knows there's more to her than meets the eye, though what meets the eye is pretty smoking. He's prepared for a long struggle getting Rogue to drop her defenses-and give in to desire. But soon Zeke will become embroiled in a deadly game that sweeps Rogue up in its wake. And when everything seems to be a matter of life and death, there is no reason to hold back... 

My Thoughts: This book is definitely for those over 18. While there is a plot about tracking down a domestic terrorist group, the main focus is on the relationship between Zeke and Rogue. The relationship is sexual and goes well beyond traditional sexual activities. It was a hot romance between two strong characters. 

I liked that Rogue was determined not to let anyone drive her out of the town that she has chosen to live it. I liked that she was determined to go her own way no matter what anyone else thought. I liked that Zeke was very protective of Rogue. I didn't like that he felt that he had to protect her from him. 

Zeke's father, mother and wife were killed by the domestic terrorist group and he was forced to back off his investigation in order to protect his young son. He had learned that anyone he seemed to care for would be a target for the terrorists. Therefore, he tried to keep Rogue at a distance. He used excuses like their age difference and experience difference. 

Rogue wasn't going to put up with being on the outside of his life. I liked their relationship as she fought for the man she wanted.

Recommended for those over 18 who like a hot romance.

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge

Paranormal Reading Challenge

I know it is late in the year to be beginning a new challenge but I find that I have been competing in this one all along. I read so many paranormals and have only been using them for the RYOB Challenge. I was just thinking that I wished there was a challenge for paranormals and a couple of days later I found Storywings' blog. Luckily, I can go back to the first of the year to include books in this challenge. The Angel Level will be a piece of cake.


Here are the rules:
1. The Paranormal Reading Challenge is for anyone who loves reading ANYTHING paranormal!!!
  - Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Ghosts, Angels etc...so the scope is pretty big!!!
  - The books can be any sub genre under Paranormal - romance, YA, mystery, etc.
 2. The book has to be a book. No free short stories, or writing sites.


3. If you are a blogger please post a link back to this challenge on your page to let others join in the fun.     -Non-bloggers - it's ok, you can join to and you can keep track of your progress by yourself, and post a comment on the wrap-up page, or you can send comments to this page to keep track of your progress.
4. Cross-overs from other challenges are accepted. As are re-reads. Books that were started in 2009 don't count.
5. Challenge starts from 1st January 2010 and ends on 31st December 2010
6. Levels:

  1. Human - 5 books
  2. Witch - 10 books
  3. Oracle - 20 books
  4. Were - 30 books
  5. Vampire - 40 books
  6. Angel - 50 books

7. To officially enter sign up with Mr. Linky below and link to the post on your blog about this contest.
Here is a link to the spreadsheet where I keep track of all my challenges. 

January - 18 books
February - 14 books
March - 12 books
April - 10 books
May - 12 books
June - 
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -






Review: Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich


Sizzling Sixteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publication: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (June 22, 2010)

Description: Trenton, New Jersey, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has inherited a “lucky” bottle from her Uncle Pip. Problem is, Uncle Pip didn’t specify if the bottle brought good luck or bad luck. . . .

BAD LUCK:
Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, has run up a gambling debt of $786,000 with mobster Bobby Sunflower and is being held until the cash can be produced. Nobody else will pay to get Vinnie back, leaving it up to Stephanie, office manager Connie, and file clerk Lula to raise the money if they want to save their jobs.


GOOD LUCK:
Being in the business of tracking down people, Stephanie, Lula, and Connie have an advantage in finding Vinnie. If they can rescue him, it will buy them some time to raise the cash.


BAD LUCK:
Finding a safe place to hide Vinnie turns out to be harder than raising $786,000. Vinnie’s messing up Mooner’s vibe, running up pay-per-view porn charges in Ranger’s apartment, and making Stephanie question genetics.


GOOD LUCK:
Between a bonds office yard sale that has the entire Burg turning out, Mooner’s Hobbit-Con charity event, and Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle, they just might raise enough money to save the business, and Vinnie, from ruin.


BAD LUCK:
Saving Vincent Plum Bail Bonds means Stephanie can keep being a bounty hunter. In Trenton, this involves hunting down a man wanted for polygamy, a turnpike toilet paper bandit, and a drug dealer with a pet alligator named Mr. Jingles.


GOOD LUCK:
The job of bounty hunter comes with perks in the guise of Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, and the dark and dangerous security expert, Ranger. With any luck at all, Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle will have Stephanie getting lucky---the only question is . . . with whom?


Sizzling Sixteen . . . so hot, the pages might spontaneously combust!

My Thoughts: This was a typical wacky story from Evanovich. Stephanie, Lula and Connie have to raise a bunch of money to get Vinnie back from the guys he owes that bunch of money too and who have kidnapped him or he will be killed. Now, none of them really want Vinnie back since he is a sleazy, low-life but without him they have no jobs. And besides, Vinnie is some sort of relative of Stephanie's and Grandma Mazur would be upset if something happened to him.

The gang has to track down Vinnie and come up with more than a million dollars. Meanwhile, Stephanie is trying to track down other bond jumpers so that she can make her rent. Some of the bond jumpers include a guy who was arrested for stealing toilet paper from rest stops on the New Jersey turnpike, a guy who keeps a 6-foot alligator as a pet and guard alligator, and a guy who is 6' 6" who works at the stockyard (leading to letting a herd of cattle loose on the streets of Trenton). Stephanie gets assists from Ranger and Morelli and can't decide which guy she wants.

As usual, destruction and mayhem follow Stephanie and Lula no matter where they go. I think she only wrecks one of the black cars that Ranger lends her in this one but there are also fires, stink bomb releases, and shootings. 

This is an entertaining series but be sure to check you sense of reality at the door and have fun going along for the ride.

Favorite Quotes:

This one is from Lula who is clearly my kind of girl.
"I'm on a new diet where I only have one of anything. Like I can have one pea. And I can have one piece of asparagus. And I can have one loaf of bread."
Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge

Friday, June 25, 2010

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson


I was reading a post on MySpace by Lois McMaster Bujold the other day where she was talking about some of the books she has been reading. Now, I am a huge fan of anything Lois writes and, if she recommends a book, I am at least going to give it a try. One of the books she talked about was A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. 



Oddly enough, I am charged with teaching my fifth grade students something about famous scientists as part of their media classes, and so this geography major and history minor librarian needs to know something about the history of science. This book sounded like it would kill two birds with one stone. I would add to my knowledge of the history of science and I would see one of the books that one of my favorite author's was reading. 

I read almost no nonfiction by choice because I usually find the writing sort of boring. Bill Bryson is a very engaging writer and I love his style. So I decided to read a chapter a day of this book. I am going to share just one thought-provoking quote from each chapter and do this post every once in a while so that anyone interested can get a brief taste of the book. 

Introduction

There seemed to be a mystifying universal conspiracy among textbook authors to make certain the material they dealt with never strayed to near the realm of the mildly interesting and was always at at least a long-distance phone call from the frankly interesting.
How to Build a Universe

Incidentally, disturbance from cosmic background radiation is something we have all experienced. Tune your television to any channel it doesn't receive, and about 1 percent of the dancing static you see is accounted for by this ancient remnant of the Big Bang. The next time you complain that there is nothing on, remember that you can always watch the birth of the universe.
Welcome to the Solar System

Of course, it is possible that alien beings travel billions of miles to amuse themselves planting crop circles in Wiltshire or frightening the daylights out of some poor guy in a pickup truck on a lonely road in Arizona (they must have teenagers, after all), but it does seem unlikely.
That is it for today. I hope you found some to amuse you or to ponder here. Stay tuned for our next installment.....

Lois McMaster Bujold on MySpace
Lois's website
Bill Bryson's website

Friday Memes: Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich


Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings
Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners. 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 Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
  • Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
  • Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

My book this week is Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich.

This is the 16th Stephanie Plum book.

First Sentence:
My Uncle Pip died and left me his lucky bottle. I suppose I'm fortunate, bacause he left my Grandma Mazur his false teeth.  
Page 56, sentence 5:
I'd send Ranger home early the night before, deciding I wasn't ready to get that lucky. A night with Ranger was tempting, but the cost would be high.
This is another book in a series that I have been reading since the beginning. Stephanie Plum, Ranger, Morelli, Lula and the other quirky characters and the Jersey setting are fun to visit every once in a while.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Review: Mission of Honor


Mission of Honor
Author: David Weber
Publication: Baen; Har/Cdr edition (June 22, 2010)

Description: The Star Kingdom of Manticore and the Republic of Haven have been enemies for Honor Harrington's entire life, and she has paid a price for the victories she's achieved in that conflict. And now the unstoppable juggernaut of the mighty Solarian League is on a collision course with Manticore. The millions who have already died may have been only a foretaste of the billions of casualties just over the horizon, and Honor sees it coming.

She's prepared to do anything, risk anything, to stop it, and she has a plan that may finally bring an end to the Havenite Wars and give even the Solarian League pause. But there are things not even Honor knows about. There are forces in play, hidden enemies in motion, all converging on the Star Kingdom of Manticore to crush the very life out of it, and Honor's worst nightmares fall short of the oncoming reality.


But Manticore's enemies may not have thought of everything after all. Because if everything Honor Harrington loves is going down to destruction, it won't be going alone.


My Thoughts: This is the 12th book in the Honor Harrington series. Even though I don't read as much science fiction as I used to, I still need to keep up with old friends. Any new Harrington book immediately moves to the top of my TBR stack. These books are filled with heroic and venal people, complex politics, space battles and amazing weapons. They remind me a lot of Tom Clancy's books in their complexity.

Honor Harrington is the star. Throughout the series of books she has grown from a new ensign to an admiral. She is the best of the best. Her nickname is The Salamander. The book is filled with characters that we have gotten to know in the other books in this series. 

The basic story here is that the Mesan Alignment is just about ready to come out of the dark and be recognized as a Star Empire of their own. They just have to continue to foment the distrust and warfare between Manticore and the Republic of Haven and destroy the Solarian League's military. However, Honor is sent to broker a peace with Haven, Manticore provides the Solarian League with military losses, the Mesans make a sneak attack on Manticore and destroy a lot of their military infrastructure, and Cachat and Zilwicki show up with a defector from Mesa who sheds light on the Mesan's plans. Our heroes have their work cut out for them but we have hope that good will triumph over evil. 

If you aren't a follower of the series I would think that this one will be almost completely incomprehensible. If you do follow the series, you will cheer for the heroes and be saddened by their losses and have hopes for the future. Excellent, intricate space opera.

The book comes with a CD that contains all of David Weber's work in multiple formats. Many if not all of his books are available from the Baen Free Library. On Basilisk Station is the first book in the Honor Harrington series. Check out the Baen Free Library. There are a large number of books available if you would like to add some science fiction to your reading diet.

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

WoW: The Search and Discord's Apple


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I took a look today at what I have on pre-order from Amazon and chose to spotlight these two adult books. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and is writing in her strongest genre - romantic suspense. I love Carrie Vaughn's Kitty books and liked her first YA. This new standalone sounds excellent too.



Discord's Apple
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Publication: Tor Books (July 6, 2010)

Description: When Evie Walker goes home to spend time with her dying father, she discovers that his creaky old house in Hope’s Fort, Colorado, is not the only legacy she stands to inherit. Hidden behind the old basement door is a secret and magical storeroom, a place where wondrous treasures from myth and legend are kept safe until they are needed again. The magic of the storeroom prevents access to any who are not intended to use the items. But just because it has never been done does not mean it cannot be done.

And there are certainly those who will give anything to find a way in.

Evie must guard the storeroom against ancient and malicious forces, protecting the past and the future even as the present unravels around them. Old heroes and notorious villains alike will rise to fight on her side or to undermine her most desperate gambits. At stake is the fate of the world, and the prevention of nothing less than the apocalypse. In the same month, along with this all-new hardcover, Tor will publish a new novel in Carrie Vaughn’s popular, 
New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series featuring werewolf talk radio host, Kitty Norville. Kitty Goes to War will be the eighth book in this successful mass market series.

The Search
Author: Nora Roberts
Publication: Putnam Adult (July 6, 2010)

Description: To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...

Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.

On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.

To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones.

As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...

Both books are coming out July 8 and I can't wait. What are you waiting for?


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

My Book Addiction

Weekly Geeks is encouraging us to confess about our book addictions and I have a few minutes now to show you how it is for me. 

My name is Kathy and I am a bookaholic.

Here is what was asked:

So this week, I am curious about those gigantic TBR piles which readers tend to accumulate. Please share with us your habits, tendencies or obsessions when it comes to hoarding behavior.
  • Post a photo (or two or three) of your books to-be-read
  • Share your buying or book accumulating habits - how bad of a problem do YOU have?!?!?
  • Do you keep all the books you've read, or do you give them away or sell them?
  • Can you walk past a bookstore and not go in? If you go in, do you impulsively purchase?
Don't let these questions restrict you...tell us all about your hoarding issues, if only to make the rest of us feel better!

Here is what I brought home with me to try to read this summer. (I didn't bring home all my TBR books. I have 775 books tagged TBR in my LibraryThing account.) The crates aren't as neatly arranged as they were because I have been digging around in them looking for books. 

You can just barely glimpse the grocery bags on the right of the picture. I currently have two - one for YA/MG books that I plan to donate to my HS Media Center and one for adult books that I plan to keep.


Here are the ones that have arrived since I got home on June 8. I have been trying very hard not to buy more books than I can read this summer so that I can actually reduce the number in my TBR mountain.The pile on the left contains YA/MG books. The pile in the middle contains adult books. The lone book on the right is an omnibus edition of 3 books I have already read. I love the stories and would really like to read them again this summer. In my defense, I would like to state that I won 3 of the books in these piles.

I did pre-order a number of summer releases that will be arriving throughout the summer. I'm expecting three of them tomorrow. I also bought three more books today as a result of reading the Teaser Tuesday posts.

As noted earlier in this post, I give most of the YA/MG books I purchase to my HS Media Center. I usually try to read them first but sometimes will just decide that the piles are getting too high and donate the ones that are not my highest priority. I want people who want to read them to have a chance before the book becomes a golden oldie. 

I have no problem walking past a bookstore, If I do go in, I usually just make lists of the books that interest me. I buy 99% of the books I read at Amazon.That darn one-click button is just too easy. I am also an Amazon Prime customer. I pay an annual fee for free 2-day shipping. This leads to lots of impulse buys because I don't have to pay shipping or wait until I have $25 worth before placing an order. I love it but it has caused my TBR stack to multiply.

Let me repeat -- I'm Kathy and I am a bookaholic.


Monday, June 21, 2010

150 Follower Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of my 150 Follower Contest. There were two winners chosen because I had more than 200 followers when the contest closed. Remember that the winner could choose whatever book they wanted (as long as the cost was less than $20).

The first number drawn at Random.org was 43 and the winner was

Amanda West

She chose Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

The second number chosen was 11 and the winner was

The Book Vixen

She chose Pride by Rachel Vincent..

I have emailed the winners to confirm their mailing addresses and book choices. I will order their books from Amazon or The Book Depository as soon as I get their replies.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

It"s Monday, What Are You Reading? June 21, 2010


It's Monday, What are you reading is a meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books


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.


Last Week I read and Reviewed:
  • Cry Sanctuary by Moira Rogers
  • Sanctuary Lost by Moira Rogers
  • Sanctuary's Price by Moira Rogers
  • Sanctuary Unbound by Moira Rogers
  • Short Stories from Red Rock Pass by Moira Rogers
These were all ebooks on my Kindle. The joint review is here.

I decided to take part in a week-long readathon hosted by Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century. I thought I would alternate between adult books and YA/MG books for some balance in my reading.

I finished these adult books:


And these YA/MG books:
  • Don't Know Where, Don't Know When by Annette Laing (sent to me by author; highly recommended) - Review scheduled for June 21.
  • Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • A Matter of Magic by Patricia C. Wrede (book contains Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward; these are re-reads; I love the author's humor and style)
  • Heist Society by Ally Carter
  • The Magic Thief: Found by Sarah Prineas
I am currently reading Sea by Heidi R. Kling. This is a 2010 YA Debut Author book. It is contemporary YA.

Next: ?? I think I am just going to choose what I'm in the mood for. I liked alternating YA/MG and adult books.