Thursday, February 28, 2013

Book Review: Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Necessity's Child
Authors: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Publication: Baen (February 5, 2013)

Description: Stirring SF adventure from master storytellers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller—#16 in the award-winning Liaden Universe® saga. Space ships, action, adventure—all tied together with a strong dollop of romance and clan intrigue – make this a compelling series for a wide range of readers, from romance to military SF lovers.

The kompani sees none as an enemy, and yet few as friend. The kompani exists in many places, living quietly in the shadows, thriving off the bounty that others have no wit to secure, nor skill to defend. Their private history is unwritten; their recall rooted in dance and dream.

The humans of Clan Korval is in many ways the opposite of the kompani.  The interstellar trading clan is wealthy in enemies, fortunate in friends. Korval protects itself with vigor, and teaches even its youngest children the art of war.

And when representatives of Clan Korval arrive on the planet Surebleak where the kompani has lived secret and aloof, it seems to the kompani that they are borne by the very winds of change.

Change can be a boon for in change lies opportunity. But the arrival of Clan Korval, establishing itself upon Surebleak with its friends, its enemies, and, most of all, its plans may bring catastrophe, changing the culture and the kompani, forever.

In this time of change, the lives of three people intersect -- Kezzi, apprentice to the kompani's grandmother; Syl Vor, Clan Korval's youngest warrior; and Rys, a man without a world, or a past.

Necessity's Child is a standalone adventure in the popular and exciting Liaden Universe®

My Thoughts: This story takes place on Surebleak shortly after Clan Korval has arrived. It is told from three points of view. The narrator most known to readers of the Liaden series of books is Syl Vor yos'Galan Clan Korval. Syl Vor is a child who is somewhere between eight and ten. Syl Vor has recently come to Korval from the place where he, his cousins, and his great-aunt and uncle were hidden while Plan B was in effect. He lived under the constant threat of danger. Now that the immediate threat has passed, his older cousins have gone off to their aprenticeships and Syl Vor is at loose ends. He wants to be of use.

The second point of view is that of Kezzi who is a daughter of the Bedel who have been hidden on Surebleak for a number of years. They have taken space under some old, abandoned warehouses and come out only to steal stuff they need from the unsuspecting gadjes in the City Above. Kezzi is the youngest of the Bedel and apprentice to the tribe's wisewoman—Silain the luthia

The third point of view is that of Rys Lin pen'Chela. We first meet Rys when he is found beaten almost to death outside one of the entrances to the Bedel's hidden home. He is taken in and cared for by the wisewoman and befriended by the Bedel. He has been so damaged both physically and mentally that he doesn't remember his past or how he came to be where he now is. We watch him heal and come to feel that the Bedel could be a replacement for the clan he lost. But his past, once remembered isn't ready to let him go.

These three characters come together when Syl Vor begins to attend school with other Surebleak natives. Kezzi is found on the street and brought to the school too. Syl Vor is determined to befriend her and make her his sister. Kezzi just wants to get back to her own people and leave all this school stuff far behind her. 

It is the thinking of the adult leaders of Surebleak that they way to make life better for all citizens and to change the social culture is for all the kids to go to school at a consolidated school. They can learn that kids from one Boss's turf aren't different than kids from another. However some adults—notably the remains of the Department of the Interior—do not want Korval's plans for social engineering to succeed. Street patrols have managed to stop most of the sabotage around the new school and capture most of the Department's agents but there is no guarantee that the school will be safe.

There fears are justified because the leader of those agents from the Department of the Interior has one more plan in mind and intends to use Agent of Change Rys Lin pen'Chela to carry it out—no matter how he might feel about massacring a bunch of children including his young sister Kezzi and her friend Syl Vor.

The story was exciting and we did get some cameos by characters we learned to know in earlier books in the series including Daav yos'Phelium, Val Con yos'Phelium, Miri, Nova, Anthora and Ren Zel. I really enjoyed getting to know at least one member of the next generation of Clan Korval and am eager for more adventures. 

Favorite Quote:
"Ah. And the danger?"

Syl Vor blinked. "I have been accustomed, when we were at the Rock, to think that we might at any time be in terrible danger. If I join in this solving..." Horrifying, his eyes filled with tears, and his voice wobbled. He cleared his throat.

"If I join this solving," he said, as firmly as he could, "it will be only myself that I must guard."
I bought this one as I have all books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

WoW: Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

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 though. Be warned!

March 26 should be a good day. My copy of Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston will finally arrive. I love her quirky, funny paranormal romances. Here is the description:
Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he's been hired to do so, but because it's the right thing to do. And if that means travelling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he's ever had...well, who said his job didn't have perks? Toni doesn't know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there's something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting...and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for...

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Necessity's Child


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!

This week I took the time out of my reviewing schedule to read a new book by some favorite authors. Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This is the latest book in their Liaden Universe books. Here is the description:
Stirring SF adventure from master storytellers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller—#16 in the award-winning Liaden Universe® saga. Space ships, action, adventure—all tied together with a strong dollop of romance and clan intrigue – make this a compelling series for a wide range of readers, from romance to military SF lovers.

The kompani sees none as an enemy, and yet few as friend. The kompani exists in many places, living quietly in the shadows, thriving off the bounty that others have no wit to secure, nor skill to defend. Their private history is unwritten; their recall rooted in dance and dream.

The humans of Clan Korval is in many ways the opposite of the kompani.  The interstellar trading clan is wealthy in enemies, fortunate in friends. Korval protects itself with vigor, and teaches even its youngest children the art of war.

And when representatives of Clan Korval arrive on the planet Surebleak where the kompani has lived secret and aloof, it seems to the kompani that they are borne by the very winds of change.

Change can be a boon for in change lies opportunity. But the arrival of Clan Korval, establishing itself upon Surebleak with its friends, its enemies, and, most of all, its plans may bring catastrophe, changing the culture and the kompani, forever.

In this time of change, the lives of three people intersect -- Kezzi, apprentice to the kompani's grandmother; Syl Vor, Clan Korval's youngest warrior; and Rys, a man without a world, or a past.

Necessity's Child is a standalone adventure in the popular and exciting Liaden Universe®
Teaser:
"I am Syl Vor yos'Galan," he said, courteous and proper, as Terran custom did not consider clan affiliation to be part of one's name.

The man looked up, brown eyes bright. "Silver, is it?" he said interestedly. "Now there's a pairing you don't get every day. I'm Golden myself. Mike Golden."

Syl Vor blinked, the Terran words for a moment swirling out of sense—and then he blinked again, rehearing what the man had said, seeing the hint of smile at the edge of the big mouth.

"Was that a joke?" he asked sternly.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Feb. 25, 2013)


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.

This week was a busy one with Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday evening and the Hubbs Children't Literature Conference on Saturday. I did get a chance to meet Jacqueline Woodson and David LaRochelle. They were both engaging speakers. And I got some books signed.

Here is what I read.
House Rules by Chloe Neill was from my TBR mountain. It is the latest in the Chicagoland Vampires series and was a great story. My review will be posted on March 7.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman was a young adult debut. It is a dystopic science fiction story. I liked it but it was a hard book to read because of the intense emotions of the main character. I kept having to put it down to take a break to regain my emotional balance. My review is here.

Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is a Liaden Universe book. I loved the story and seeing some of the characters from a different point of view. I really wanted to read it again after finishing it because I enjoyed the characters so much. My review will be posted on Feb. 28.
I am currently reading three young adult review books for a variety of reasons. 

I began The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd last week and then set it down to read Necessity's Child and House Rules

I began The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen last evening when I was out to dinner because I had my Kindle with me. 

I started Unremembered by Jessica Brody last night just before bedtime because I looked at my review calendar and notice it was slotted in before The Runaway King. I do plan to finish all of them this week.
The next two adult books on my review stack are Seven Kinds of Hell by Dana Cameron and Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman. The first book is urban fantasy and the second is a mystery. 

This week should be a better reading week because my calendar is empty except for a Technology meeting after school on Wednesday and a quick doctor's visit after school on Thursday.

What are you planning to read this week?

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (Feb. 23, 2013)

Tynga of Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.
This week I added three books to my Kindle.

I took advantage of a Kindle Daily Deal to get Blade Song by J. C. Daniels. Here is the description:
Kit Colbana--half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades--has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters--especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.Or maybe it's all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she's gotten in over her head. Or maybe it's because if she fails--she's dead.If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she'll even live long to collect her fee...
I got Six Years by Harlan Coben for review. It will be released on March 19. I have never read anything by Coben though I have a couple on my TBR mountain. I thought this description sounded good:
In Six Years, a masterpiece of modern suspense, Harlan Coben explores the depth and passion of lost love…and the secrets and lies at its heart.

 Six years have passed since Jake Sanders watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

 But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for…but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for almost two decades, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out. 

 As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found, or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart, who lied to him, soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on a carefully constructed fiction.

 Harlan Coben once again delivers a shocking page-turner that deftly explores the power of past love, and the secrets and lies that such love can hide.
I also got Bare It All by Lori Foster for review. This book will be released on April 30. I like Lori Foster's books and read the first book in this series. Here is the description for this one:
A cop's craving to know more about the woman next door could prove fatal in the steamy new novel from  New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster 

As the person responsible for taking down a brutal human trafficker, Alice Appleton fears retaliation at every turn. No one knows about her past, which is exactly how she prefers it...until the sexy cop next door comes knocking. 

Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice's secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire-and into the line of fire....
What did you get this week?

Book Review: Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz

Dream Eyes
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publication: Putnam Adult; First Edition first Printing edition (January 8, 2013)

Description: The death of her friend and mentor, Evelyn Ballinger, brings psychic counselor Gwen Frazier back to the small town of Wilby, Oregon, and brings back memories she would rather forget. Two years earlier, a killer stalked the members of one of Ballinger's research studies including Gwen. And though she survived while two others didn't, Gwen knows that Ballinger's death is related.

Sent by a friend to help Gwen, psychic investigator Judson Coppersmith arrives in Wilby barely in control of his own talent and his own life, haunted by urgent dreams. His attraction to Gwen is primal, but there are secrets he must keep to protect himself from surrendering to her completely, even as their investigation draws them into dreamscapes, into decades of deception, and into the paranormal fires of a desire too strong to resist. . . .


My Thoughts: DREAM EYES was an another entertaining paranormal romantic suspense novel by Jayne Ann Krentz. This book stars a number of the same characters as COPPER BEACH but this time Gwen and Judson are the focus. 

The story begins when Gwen arrives in Wilby, Oregon and discovers that her mentor Evelyn Ballinger has been killed by some sort of psychic weapon. Gwen knows this because she sees ghosts and Evelyn's is there to give her some hints. Gwen is also a psychic who can lucid dream and who can help others who are plagued with nightmares. Judson would be a perfect candidate because of the nightmares that have haunted him since a case went wrong. However, Judson doesn't want to become a patient of Gwen's. He wants to be her lover. 

Gwen calls in Judson because he and his brother have a psychic detective agency - sort of. They had been consulting for one of the super-secret US intelligence agencies until things went very wrong resulting in the head of the agency's death and Judson's near death. One of Judson's main psychic talents is as a hunter. He is very good at gathering evidence and putting together bits of information. 

Gwen and Judson quickly find out that the case isn't nearly as simple as they could wish. There are mysterious psychic weapons, dead serial killers and their still distraught girlfriends, contract killers, and a variety of others. The plot was complex and it reminded me a little of one of those old detective stories where everyone is guilty. 

I liked the relationship between Gwen and Judson. They each have strengths that make them a good fit for each other. I liked the family relationships in the book too. The Coppersmith family has an interesting dynamic and a strong love. Gwen, Abby, and Nick have formed a family too. They have been together loving and supporting each other since they were all sent to the same private school for psychics. They are a family by choice not birth. 

Fans of romantic suspense who like quite a bit of paranormal activity will enjoy this romance. 

Favorite Quote:
Gwen turned her back on the ghost in the mirror and focused on the crisp voice of the 911 operator.

"What is the nature of your emergency?" the woman asked.

"I just found the body of an old friend," Gwen said. "Dr. Evelyn Ballinger."

"Ballinger? The crazy old lady who lives out on Miller Road?"

"I'm sure your professionalism would be an inspiration to 911 operators everywhere," Gwen said.
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here

Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday Memes: Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I grabbed a book from my stack of recent arrivals. I chose Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz. I have been a fan of her books for a long time and am always eager to read the newest. Here is the description of this January 8 paranormal romantic suspense release:
The death of her friend and mentor, Evelyn Ballinger, brings psychic counselor Gwen Frazier back to the small town of Wilby, Oregon, and brings back memories she would rather forget. Two years earlier, a killer stalked the members of one of Ballinger's research studies including Gwen. And though she survived while two others didn't, Gwen knows that Ballinger's death is related.

Sent by a friend to help Gwen, psychic investigator Judson Coppersmith arrives in Wilby barely in control of his own talent and his own life, haunted by urgent dreams. His attraction to Gwen is primal, but there are secrets he must keep to protect himself from surrendering to her completely, even as their investigation draws them into dreamscapes, into decades of deception, and into the paranormal fires of a desire too strong to resist. . . .
Beginning:
The dead diver was wedged like a bone in the stone throat of the underwater cave they called the Monster.
Friday 56:
Judson's eyes heated. So did his ring. "He told you that?"

"Shortly before he went over the falls. Yes."

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Book Review: Released: The Shapeshifters' Library by Amber Polo

Released: The Shapeshifters' Library
Author: Amber Polo
Publication: Blue Merle Publishing (September 6, 2012)

Description: Something is very wrong in Shipsfeather... Welcome to the strange and wonderful world of Shipsfeather, Ohio, where an ancient race of dog-shifters has been charged with cataloging the knowledge of the world, and with protecting civilization’s libraries from the machinations of evil, book burning werewolves. For years a curse has imprisoned the dog-shifters in the basement of the Shipsfeather library—where they have made the best of things with a gym, a spa, a Starbarks, and, of course, their wildly successful internet company, Zoogle—but now, thanks to librarian Liberty Cutter and her zany staff, they may actually have a chance to break free again. If only they can convince her to believe in magic…

My Thoughts: I often found myself chuckling at all of the library in-jokes that filled the story of dog shapeshifter librarians and book-burning werewolves. Liberty is the Head Librarian at the Shipsfeather Public Library. She loves her job but has to deal with a book-hating former head librarian and a mayor who denies all of her requests for funding. The frustrations of her job have made her consider submitting her resignation. But when her beautiful old Carnegie library burns down, she gets the chance to move the public library to the abandoned Shipsfeather Academy building. 

She finds more than she ever imagined in that building. It hides an ancient group of dog shifting librarians who have been cursed by the werewolves who have taken over the town. Liberty makes friends with an Old English Sheepdog who starts to visit her in her new library. She later learns that, in his human form, he is the Headmaster of the Shipsfeather Academy. They fall in love but it takes teamwork between the human librarians and the shapeshifting librarians to solve the mystery that keeps them confined within the Academy's subterranean floors.

The characters were over-the-top but very entertaining. The former librarian who is the book-burning head of the local werewolf pack is incredibly evil. She has gathered a small horde of human groupies to carry out her evil plans since the curse that keeps the dog shifters inside the academy keeps the werewolves out. One of the funnier scenes has one of the groupies getting stuck in the book drop when she is trying to steal all the dog books from the new library.

I enjoyed this light urban fantasy novel and think that it will appeal to both library lovers and dog lovers. 

Favorite Quote:
"Children love fantasy and really need fairy tales."

"Adults do, too. Fantastical stories provide more than escape. The allow us to explore good versus evil and what it means to be human. Like myth, fantasy teaches tolerance for those no exactly like us." Liberty hesitated. "I read a lot of fantasy and want to believe hidden worlds with magical creatures exist." With a sigh, she continued, "In fact, the older I get the more I find myself wishing I could be a child who still believes in magic."
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

WoW: Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

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 though. Be warned!

I have already ordered my copy of Twice Tempted: A Night Prince Novel by Jeaniene Frost. Now all I have to do is wait patiently until March 26. Here is the very tempting description:
Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Released by Amber Polo

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 Released: The Shapeshifters' Library (Volume 1) by Amber Polo. This was pitched to me by the author. I couldn't resist the idea of shapeshifting librarians and book-burning werewolves. Here is the description:
Something is very wrong in Shipsfeather... Welcome to the strange and wonderful world of Shipsfeather, Ohio, where an ancient race of dog-shifters has been charged with cataloging the knowledge of the world, and with protecting civilization’s libraries from the machinations of evil, book burning werewolves. For years a curse has imprisoned the dog-shifters in the basement of the Shipsfeather library—where they have made the best of things with a gym, a spa, a Starbarks, and, of course, their wildly successful internet company, Zoogle—but now, thanks to librarian Liberty Cutter and her zany staff, they may actually have a chance to break free again. If only they can convince her to believe in magic…
Teaser:
He moved to the fiction section, hopeful Griswald's new system couldn't possibly affect the order of Canine Fiction. Most of these stories were written by human authors on drug-induced highs or teenagers creating imaginary worlds to exorcise their sexual cravings. The gratuitous sex bordering on bestiality was pretty silly. Did they really think shapeshifters did it that way? Inventive, but stupid.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Feb. 18, 2013)

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.


This past week I read five books. Here they are:
I read Also Known As by Robin Benway. I got this review book from NetGalley and really enjoyed it. It had a number of laugh-out-loud scenes that had me laughing so hard I had to wipe away the tears before I could read more. My review will be posted on February 21.

I read Mind Games by Kiersten White and really liked that review book too. It was a complex psychological thriller. I fell in love with the characters. My review is here.
I read Released: The Shapeshifters' Library by Amber Polo and enjoyed it. I loved all the librarian in-jokes. The characters were outrageous and the plot demanded complete suspension of belief. I got this book from the author for review. My review will be posted on February 21.

Stone Cold Revenge by Jess Macallan was also a review book. This story was the long-awaited sequel to Stone Cold Seduction. It is also the middle book in a trilogy but it did more than placehold for the final book. I liked the way the main character grew through the course of the story. You can see my review here.
Finally this week, I said to heck with my review stack and grabbed Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz from my TBR mountain. Krentz always provides an engaging story. This one was no exception. Anyone in the mood for a paranormal romance can be happy with this one. My review will be posted on February 23.
It is somewhat unusual for me but I am currently reading two books. Both of them are young adult review books. I started The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd and am on page 61 but then I stopped to read Dream Eyes. I also started Dualed by Elsie Chapman on my Kindle and am at 6%. Both books are by debut authors. 

Next week looks like it is going to be a busy one. We have parent-teacher conferences Monday and Tuesday nights making my working day 7:30 AM until 7 PM those days. Monday and Tuesday are also my TV nights with The Biggest Loser on Monday and SMASH on Tuesday. There is NO reading time in that schedule. We do have Friday off to make up for working extra on Monday and Tuesday. Maybe there will be time for reading that day. 

Also on Saturday, a friend and I are traveling to the Hubbs Children's Literature Conference at St. Thomas where we will hear Jacqueline Woodson and David LaRochelle speak. I am eager to get my Woodson books signed. I love Each Kindness. I have met David LaRochelle before but hope to get my copy of It's a Tiger signed.

Here are the books I hope to fit in sometime this week after I finish the two I'm reading now:
I have had Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller as an eARC on my Kindle since October 23 and the finished hardcover on the stack since Feb. 6. I want to read this book badly but it keeps getting set aside for review books.

I have Unremembered by Jessica Brody in line as the next YA review book I should read. It will be released on March 5. The ARC has been sitting on the pile since October 4.

What are your plans for the week?

Stacking the Shelves (Feb. 17, 2013)

Tynga of Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

I had a very small week. Only two books were added to my stack.
Stone Maidens by Lloyd Devereux Richards was a Kindle Daily Deal in the Mystery category. Here is the description:
As the chief forensic anthropologist for the FBI’s Chicago field office, Christine Prusik has worked her fair share of bizarre cases. Yet this one trumps them all: a serial killer is strangling young women and dumping their bodies in the steep, forested ravines of southern Indiana. With each victim, the killer leaves a calling card: a stone figurine carved like the spirit stones found among the primitive tribes of Papua New Guinea—the same tribes from whom Prusik narrowly escaped a decade earlier while doing field research. The similarity is eerie and, frankly, terrifying; Prusik still carries the scars from the tribesmen’s attack. But is the connection real? Or have the dark details of Prusik’s nightmares finally wormed their way into her waking life? Displaying the expertise of a veteran writer, debut novelist Lloyd Devereux Richards skillfully builds layers of psychological suspense and terror into a compulsively readable whodunit.
I got Seven Kinds of Hell: A Fangborn Novel by Dana Cameron for review from Amazon. It is a from their 47North line which focuses on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. This is an eARC that was sent directly to my Kindle. I was invited to take part in a new Whispernet program which will send eARCs for review to my Kindle for both 47North and Montlake Romance.

Here is the blurb for Seven Kinds of Hell:
Archaeologist Zoe Miller has been running from a haunting secret her whole life. But when her cousin is abducted by a vicious Russian kidnapper, Zoe is left with only one option: to reveal herself.

Unknown to even her closest friends, Zoe is not entirely human. She’s a werewolf and a daughter of the “Fangborn,” a secretive race of werewolves, vampires, and oracles embroiled in an ancient war against evil.

To rescue her cousin, Zoe will be forced to renew family ties and pit her own supernatural abilities against the dark and nefarious foe. The hunt brings Zoe to the edge of her limits, and with the fate of humanity and the Fangborn in the balance, life will be decided by an artifact of world-ending power.
Don't they both sound good? What did you get?

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Book Review: Stone Cold Revenge by Jess Macallan

Stone Cold Revenge
Author: Jess Macallan
Publication: Entangled Edge (January 20, 2013)

Description: Forced by her maniacal father, the king of the shadow elves, to live in his house and train to become his heir, newly minted princess of the paranormal Elleodora Fredricks doesn’t think things could get much more complicated. On the outs with her gargoyle love interest, Jax, and confused about her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, MacLean the phoenix, Elle knows her fate decrees that her powers will manifest themselves in full on her twenty-eighth birthday, which is quickly approaching…

With help from two long-lost family members, some long-forgotten memories, and even her long-gone mother, Elle discovers there’s more to being part shadow elf than she ever knew. But will she be able to harness her unique abilities in time to take revenge on her enemies? For Elle, it’s all in a day’s work…


My Thoughts: STONE COLD REVENGE is a good middle book in a trilogy. When the story begins, Elle is just moving into the guest house at her father's estate as per their agreement. He wants to made her his heir and use her as a tool for whatever his purpose might be. Elle moves in because she is determined to kill him and his bullying torturer of an aide Luke. At the beginning I was worried because Elle had the will but not the skill needed to kill her father.

As the story goes on Elle begins to develop the skills that will let her defeat her father. As she nears her 28th birthday, talents are starting to surface. Elle also gathers allies other than her best friend and oracle Terryl and her two mates MacLean who is a phoenix and Jax who is a gargoyle. Elle's decision between the two of them is made early as she commits to Jax who is her current love rather than MacLean who was her childhood hero and love. Elle discovers that she has an uncle Elion and a fairy godmother Luna who will help her as much as they can. Being gods, their help is considerable but so are the limits placed on them to assist her.

Elle also learns more about her mother when she is given her diary. She learns more about how her father became the evil being who made her childhood one of terror and torture. Elle gains new powers but keeps the same snarky attitude that I came to love in the first book of this trilogy. I loved her banter with her very unconventional fairy godmother. 

I loved watching Elle mature through this story. I liked that she realized the costs of the gifts she was given. I look forward to the third book in this series because I really want to know how she will manage to defeat her father and claim her own power. 

Favorite Quote:
"You hate my father? Yeah, join the club. We should make T-shirts. But you'll have to wait for your membership number because there are so many people in front of you."
I was approached by Entangled Publishing to review this title and be part of the blog tour. I bought a copy for my Kindle. You can buy your copy here too.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Jess Macallan's Guest Post


Thanks so much for having me at Inside of a Dog today! I’m celebrating the release of the second book in my Set in Stone series, STONE COLD REVENGE, and I’m thrilled to share it with readers.


Sharing books is something I take seriously. I've discovered some of my favorite authors through the recommendations of friends. I also share books with my grandma and aunt, many of which get passed around to my grandma’s bridge friends. (For the record, my grandma obtained the 50 Shades of Gray trilogy from someone else—it was a little different than the historicals and romantic suspense I usually send her way *winks*). I suppose you could say I’m the family librarian.


The book sharing I enjoy most is at my children’s elementary school library. I've been volunteering there a few days a week for the past two years. I love reading to the kids and helping them find a new series or author they loved. I remember how magical books were as a child, and in this era of video games and the mind-blowing special effects in movies, books have stiff competition for kids’ attention and time. Thankfully, there’s an endless supply of talented YA/MG authors to keep them entertained. I've even had a few teachers sneak in after classes are done to get a list of new authors to try on their weekends.


I can’t recall what turned me on to reading at a young age, but it’s a lifelong habit I hope to foster in my kids. The fact that they can’t escape the stacks of books and overflowing shelves in our house also helps. Now I just need to convince my husband there’s more than one good reason for my book obsession.


My reading tastes have changed and expanded as I've gotten older, and there are few genres I don’t read. Thanks to my writer/reader friends, I have enough book recommendations to last for years. There’s something amazing about bonding with people over books. Stories hold characters and worlds and ideas we can all relate to. I even use books to support, inspire, and cheer friends up when needed.

What books have you shared with the people in your life recently? I've gifted The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho, and suggested Maria Snyder’s Study and Glass series to a few friends. Helping someone find a story that gives them that much needed escape between the pages is priceless. I hope you’ll read and share Stone Cold Revenge with your friends.


Thanks again for having me on the blog today! I love to chat with readers, and hope you’ll connect with me on | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | JessMacallan |


About Jess Macallan

Jess lives in the Inland Northwest with her husband and three children. She thrives on creative chaos. Curiosity drives her to try new things as often as possible. When not writing or chasing trouble, she teaches yoga, writing classes, reads, experiments with new recipes, and gardens. The only things she takes seriously are chocolate, tea and world domination. But mostly chocolate.


I want to thank Jess for taking the time to stop by and share with my readers. You can see my review of Stone Cold Revenge tomorrow. You can check here for my review of Stone Cold Seduction.

Friday Memes: Stone Cold Revenge by Jess Macallan


Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Today I am spotlighting Stone Cold Revenge by Jess Macallan. I got this ebook from Entangled Publishing for review. I am also going to be on Jess's blog tour. Watch for a guest post and my review. This is the sequel to Stone Cold Seduction which I received and read in July 2011. Here is the description for this urban fantasy sequel:
Forced by her maniacal father, the king of the shadow elves, to live in his house and train to become his heir, newly minted princess of the paranormal Elleodora Fredricks doesn’t think things could get much more complicated. On the outs with her gargoyle love interest, Jax, and confused about her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, MacLean the phoenix, Elle knows her fate decrees that her powers will manifest themselves in full on her twenty-eighth birthday, which is quickly approaching…

With help from two long-lost family members, some long-forgotten memories, and even her long-gone mother, Elle discovers there’s more to being part shadow elf than she ever knew. But will she be able to harness her unique abilities in time to take revenge on her enemies? For Elle, it’s all in a day’s work…
Beginning:
Two weeks ago, the worst day of my life began with a double mocha.

Two weeks ago, I knew nothing.
Friday 56:
MacLean always made me feel safe. He'd been the only bright spot from living under my father's rule.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Book Review: Lycan Unleashed by Tiffany Allee

Lycan Unleashed
Author: Tiffany Allee
Publication: Entangled Publishing (Ever After) (January 13, 2013)

Description: Detective Astrid Holmes is a sensitive, a human capable of feeling the energy of otherworlders. When she is dispatched to the horrific murder scene of a local vampire, she expects it to be just another day on the job. But when evidence is stolen on her watch, she is removed—not only from the investigation, but from her job as a member of the Chicago police department’s paranormal unit.

Astrid’s only hope of reinstatement lies with her ex co-worker and almost-lover, Lycan Mason Sanderson. But convincing the OWEA agent to let her assist with the investigation isn’t nearly as difficult as staying alive when the murderer realizes that Astrid may hold the key to unlocking his identity. 

Fighting to take down a killer could have deadly consequences for Astrid and Mason, but working together puts their already fragile relationship in jeopardy.


My Thoughts: Tiffany Allee has created an interesting world and populated it with an intriguing variety of supernaturals. Police Detective Astrid Holmes is a human sensitive. She can sense energy and know what sort of otherworlder it is. If they are strong enough, she can even identify individuals. She doesn't get out in the field much because that is her only talent and a 4' 11" mostly human detective doesn't stand up well against most otherworlders who are stronger than she is. She is called to a case in a floating casino owned by the Magister—the most powerful vampire—of Chicago. There she finds a relatively young vampire has been murdered and staked to the wall in a high stakes poker room. Astrid discovers a magical coin under a table. She wants to touch it to see if she can learn who it might belong to. However, the OWEA is taking the case away from the Chicago police.

Agent Mason Sanderson has been given the case. He is a Lycan who used to be with the Chicago police but transferred to the Other Worlder Enforcement Agency. Before he left the department, he and Astrid shared a pretty hot kiss. Now that they are working together, the attraction is beginning again. Mason and Astrid have to sort through vampire rivalries, vampire assassins and vampire politics before they manage to solve the case.

They also have to sort through their own relationship and family difficulties. I really liked both Mason and Astrid and was rooting for them to solve the crime and find a way to live happily ever after. Now, I want to read the other two books in the Other Worlder Enforcement Agency series. Luckily, Succubus Lost and Banshee Charmer are waiting for me on my Kindle. 

Favorite Quote:
It took every bit of my considerable self-control not to roll my eyes at him. Think like a sailor if you must, my dear, but you will speak like a lady if you want to be treated like one, My mother might have been right, but Mason sure tempted my control.
I was approached by Entangled Publishing to review this title. I bought the ebook at Amazon. Here is where you can buy your copy.