In My Mailbox (March 7, 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.

I added these adult books to my TBR stack this week.

Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag -- A friend recommended this one to me. I have read many others by Hoag and was in the mood for a thriller.

Black Jack by Lora Leigh -- This author is an automatic buy for me. It looks like it is going to be a sexy, spy thriller.

Born to Be Wild by Christine Warren is also an automatic buy for me. This is about shapeshifters.

Broken by Shiloh Walker -- This book was highly advertised on lots of blogs recently and I really want to read it. It looks like it fits in the romantic suspense genre.

The Egyptian by Mika Waltari is historical fiction that I remember reading and loving years ago. Someone brought it up again on LibraryThing and made me want to read it again. I didn't have my own copy.

Shadowfae by Erica Hayes -- One review says it is "A thrilling and darkly erotic tale of betrayal, passion and redemption." Yum!

Night's Cold Kiss by Tracey O'hara -- LibraryThing tells me I already have a copy of this. If I can find it, this one will become the seed for my next contest. It is a debut novel that is supposed to be sexy and bold.

Master of Fire by Angela Knight -- This was is also an automatic buy. I like Angela Knights work. As usual this is a paranormal romance.

I added books to my Kindle this week too. This first group was contains all free books.

Booth's Sister by Jane Singer is historical fiction.

You Can't Stop Me by Max Allan Collins is a mystery/thriller.

Operation Sheba by Misty Evans is also a thriller. This one is also supposed to be sexy.

Demonfire by Kate Douglas is a sexy paranormal.

Battle of the Network Zombies by Mark Henry is actually third in the series. I don't have books 1 or 2 yet. Zombies, etc. here. This one was also free.

Crux by Moira Rogers is paranormal romantic suspense. I have read good things about this one.

Unclean Spirits by M. L. N. Hanover is a debut urban fantasy that sounded good.

Wicked Proposal by Tierney O'Malley is an erotic romance.

Now that I am looking over what I bought it seems that I was in the mood for sexy thrillers this week. What did you buy (and does it tell us anything about you)?

 

Friday 56: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Happy Friday everybody!!

 

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.

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

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Lindsay's kind of music-obsessed, so she makes a playlist for the ride to Kent's house, even though he lives only a few miles away. We listen to Dr. Dre and Tupac, and then we blast "Baby Got Back" and all sing along.

This was the nearest book to me because I just pulled it out of its package and was adding it to my LibraryThing account. I hope to get to read it soon. I have a couple of books I need to read before it though (Hex Hall and Forget-Her-Nots).

What was closest to you today?

  

Waiting on Wednesday: Broken and Master of Fire

Waiting on Wednesday The UPS guy should be bringing these to me today.  Broken by Shiloh Walker

Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter for a private detective agency in St. Louis when a new neighbor catches his eye. He's drawn to her-but he has his own soul to mend before he can worry about anyone else.

Sarah McElyea is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on the lam. She has a plan for her future. And as much as she finds herself attracted to her gruff, tough neighbor, she can't risk telling him the secrets she's hiding.

But Quinn must get closer to Sarah when she turns out to be the target of his new missing persons case, and both Quinn and Sarah will have to expose their true feelings-as well as their fragile hearts-if their love is to survive.

Master of Fire by Angela Knight

A beautiful, brilliant chemist, Giada Shepherd is an immortal witch charged with saving the life of Logan MacRoy, the mortal son of a vampire. Passionately attracted to Giada, Logan has no idea that sex would turn him into a vampire. And no, as a killer sets deadly traps for them, the truth must come out, as must a weapon they never counted on: love...

Teaser Tuesday: Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

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!

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

Black Magic Sanction

Author: Kim Harrison

Publication: Eos; 1 edition (February 23, 2010)

"Be reasonable, Rachel," Trent said coldly. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't do it with a charm I helped craft that could be traced back to me."

"I think you would!" I exclaimed. "You want me dead!"

"There are at least five people I can think of off the top of my head who want you dead."

I went to a books signing and Q & A session with her last evening. Now I really want to get to the book.

 

February Report

Here is an overview of what I read and what I got in February. This is my first monthly wrap up post.

 I read 15 books this month. Young Adult The Iron King by Julie KawawaThe Dark Divine by Bree DespainHush, Hush by Becca FitzpatrickBoys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonaldThe Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg Middle Grade The Lightning Thief by Rick RiordanThe Viper's Nest by Peter LerangisRapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale Adult Books Flirt by Laurell K, HamiltonBlood Magic by Eileen WilksFirst Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene FrostShift by Rachel VincentOld Man's War by John ScalziThe Ghost Brigades by John ScalziThe Last Colony by John ScalziFantasy in Death by J. D. Robb And I'm currently reading Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck Added This month I added 72 books to my LibraryThing account: 1 borrowed from HS Library24 added to my Kindle18 YA books9 MG books6 books won Right now 61 are still TBR. Progress on Challenges 2010 YA Debut Author The Iron King by Julie Kawawa
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain 
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

2010 YA Reading Challenge The Iron King by Julie Kawawa
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Flashback Reading Challenge The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 2010 E Book Reading Challenge First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost RYOB Reading Challenge The Iron King by Julie Kawawa
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
Flirt by Laurell K, Hamilton
Blood Magic by Eileen Wilks
First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost
Shift by Rachel Vincent
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
The Last Colony by John Scalzi
Fantasy in Death by J. D. Robb 

2010 TBR Reading Challenge

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

Bottoms Up Reading Challenge

Old Man's War by John Scalzi
The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
The Last Colony by John Scalzi

In the Middle Reading Challenge

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riorda
The Viper's Nest by Peter LerangisRapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale  

Overall, I'm buying too many or reading too few. I read three traditional science fiction books this month which reminded me how much I enjoy well-written space opera. Much of my other reading fit into the paranormal genre. Three out of 5 YA books were paranormal. The other two realistic. I read more variety at the MG level though they could all be considered fantasy in the broad sense. I see that I need to read something for my Flashback Challenge. I counted The Lightning Thief because I think I read it previously but I'm not sure.

I'll see how March goes. (Note to self: This post would be much easier to compile if started on the 1st of the month instead of waiting until the end.)

 

In My Mailbox (Feb. 28, 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.


I added a bunch again this week. I blame it partly on the book fair being hosted in my HS Media Center. I swear they were all calling my name but I managed to get away with "only" these:

Finally by Wendy Mass -- I didn't grab this my first time through but I read an excellent review on The O.W.L's Tween Tuesday post and got it the next day. It will fit in for the In the Middle Reading Challenge that Jill is running at The O.W.L. too.

Dead Is So Last Year and Dead Is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez -- I have

heard good things about these too.

The Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne -- I confess I bought this because of the title, blurb and cover. I hope that contents live up to them.

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler isn't my usual style but it also sounded good.

The Season by Sarah MacLean is a book that I read about on someone's blog. When I saw it and read the blurb I decided to add it to the stack too.

Ruined by Paula Morris also got good buzz on a blog I was reading. When I saw it, I decided to give it a try.

The Princess Plot by Kirsten Boie and Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor just looked good. I don't know much about either.

After reading last Sunday's IMM posts for numerous bloggers, I added these title to my Kindle.

Violent Eyes by Debbie Viguie was shown on Rebecca's Book Blog and looked really appealing.

Wolf's Gambit and Wolf's Trap are both by W. D. Gagliani. I saw Wolf's Trap on the Dangerous Pleasures blog and checked it out. I love werewolves! When I saw there was another also available for my Kindle, I bought it too.

Molly Fyde and the Land of Light and Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue were mentioned by Katie at yaReads.com. They sounded so good I had to get them too.

A few of my favorite authors also came out with new books this week too. So I bought:

Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison -- I am following the series and have to know what is next in store for Rachel Morgan. I also am attending a book signing on Monday night and will get to meet Kim Harrison. I am going with a friend and hope we can both manage to keep a little dignity and not be too "squeeing fan girl" (but I'm not making any guarantees).

Fantasy in Death by J. D. Robb is the latest in the Eve Dallas series - I really like those books. This one might just be a "drop everything and read now" book. Big Jack is also a Eve Dallas story by J. D. Robb. It has been part of a collection but now is a book by itself.

Nauti Deceptions by Lori Leigh is next in the nauti series. I have been reading this series. I think I have read them all. This is about a character who has been mentioned in a number of the other books but only as a peripheral character. She finally takes center stage and gets a romance of her own.

That was it for me this week. What showed up in your mailbox (or followed you home from the book store)?

Review: Fantasy in Death by J. D. Robb

Fantasy in Death

Author: J. D. Robb

Publication: Putnam Adult (February 23, 2010)

Product Description: Bart Minnock, founder of the computer-gaming giant U-Play, enters his private playroom, and eagerly can't wait to lose himself in an imaginary world, to play the role of a sword-wielding warrior king, in his company's latest top-secret project, Fantastical.

The next morning, he is found in the same locked room, in a pool of blood, his head separated from his body. It is the most puzzling case Eve Dallas has ever faced, and it is not a game. . . .

NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas is having as much trouble figuring out how Bart Minnock was murdered as who did the murdering. The victim's girlfriend seems sincerely grief-stricken, and his quirky-but-brilliant partners at U-Play appear equally shocked. No one seemed to have a prob­lem with the enthusiastic, high-spirited millionaire. Of course, success can attract jealousy, and gaming, like any business, has its fierce rivalries and dirty tricks-as Eve's husband, Roarke, one of U- Play's competitors, knows well. But Minnock was not naive, and quite capable of fighting back in the real world as well as the virtual one.

Eve and her team are about to enter the next level of police work, in a world where fantasy is the ultimate seduction-and the price of defeat is death. . . .

My Thoughts: I love this series. I have to have each new one as soon as possible after it is published. And I have to read it as soon as possible when it arrives at my house. This 30th episode doesn't disappoint. I love re-entering the world of Eve and Roarke. Besides the locked room mystery aspect of this one, we see an exploration of relationships -- friendship and love. Eve is just figuring out what those mean to her and in her life. In the internal chronology of the series only 2 years have passed since the first book - Naked In Death - even though 15 years have passed here in the real world.

Both Eve and Roarke are fascinating characters with strengths and flaws. I want to know more about them. Heck, I'd like to meet them and have dinner with them and get to know them. They are very real to me.

Robb explores how technology changes over time but how humans remain much the same. This quote reflects that (without being too spoil-ery):

"The human body stays pretty much the same, right? Technology changes and science advances. This one? She started out tough, so that's her advantage. Now it's up to science and technology to pull it out."

"Not just the body, but the spirit. Technology and science don't hold a candle to the human spirit. If hers is strong enough, she may stay not dead yet."

I love catching up with the secondary characters. Peabody is always interesting as Eve's partner and friend. I was afraid that we wouldn't get a chance to see Mavis or Nadine or Trina (a beautician who might be the only human Eve fears) in this episode but Nadine's book release gave us a chance to see them all at the release party.

This video gives us a chance to hear Nora Roberts talk about the series:



Here is the second in a series of videos at Project Paranormal. (You can find them at YouTube.) I need to spend some time listening to all of them to find out more.

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge