Thursday, March 31, 2011

March 2011 Review Re-Cap :)


Here we are at the end of March.  I am so ready for Spring to kick into gear.  This rainy, dreary weather is getting old. :)

But rainy weather is great for reading.  And I had a pretty good reading month.

5 Stars

Pale Demon - Kim Harrison
Abandon the Night - Joss Ware
Shotgun Sorceress - Lucy A Snyder
Zombie Britannica - Thomas Emson
This Side of the Grave - Jeaniene Frost
Enclave - Ann Aguirre

4 Stars

Embrace the Night Eternal - Joss Ware
So Close the Hand of Death - J T Ellison
Shadowfever - Karen Marie Moning
Demons Are A Girls Best Friend - Linda Wisdom
Rock Hard - Olivia Cunning

3 Stars

Taste Me - Tamara Hogan
Alice in Zombieland - Lewis Carroll & Nickolas Cook
Rogue Oracle - Alayna Williams
Afterlife - Merrie Destefano
Surrender the Dark - L A Banks

That’s my reading month - how was yours?

Review: Surrender the Dark by L A Banks


Surrender the Dark is the first book in the Surrender the Dark series by L A Banks and a Pocket Books Fiction.

Book Blurb:

Celeste Jackson has fought all her life against a fog of hallucination and substance abuse, but it's not until she meets her protector, Azrael, an angel who has left the safety of the Light, that she learns of the evil forces that have been trying to ruin her, and why.

A fierce battle for control of the mortal realm is brewing, and only Celeste - with the help of the Remnant, her half-human, half-angel brethren - can stand in the way. Together, Celeste and Azrael must gather an army of sensitives to defeat the dark powers that have ruled humanity for centuries, but time is running out.

If Azrael surrenders to his growing desire for Celeste, he risks being trapped among humanity forever. But the longer he stays, the harder she is to resist. To save the world, Celeste must draw on her own dark experiences with addiction to help Azrael overcome the one temptation that could possibly make him an eternal prisoner - his obsession with her.
 

My thoughts:

Celeste Jackson has been abused most of her life.  She has also been able to see dark beings where others see only men or women.  Celeste has now turned to drugs and alcohol to dull both the mental and physical pain she must endure.

Azrael is a being of pure light, an Angel - The Angel of Death to be exact.  He has been charged by The Source Of All That Is to transition to human form and find his charge - A Chosen, A Remnant - one who will help in the final battle between the Light and the Dark.

Celeste is that being.

With Azrael’s help Celeste is able to put aside the drugs, alcohol and other toxins contaminating her body.  No easy feat in itself - but believing him, believing in herself - in her purpose, is an entirely different thing all together.

Surrender the Dark is an okay read - a fresh take on good verses evil, combining both Christian and the Mayan 2012 end times belief.

I give Surrender the Dark 3 out of 5 stars.



  Product Details

    * Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
    * Publisher: Pocket (March 29, 2011)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 1451607784
    * ISBN-13: 978-1451607789

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Review: Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning


Rock Hard is the second book in the Sinners On Tour series by Olivia Cunning and an Erotic Romance from Sourcebooks Casablanca.

Book Blurb:

An ultimatum can break your heart...

Every night lead singer Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy of desire with his voice alone.  But no other man can touch Jessica the way he did...

If you’re not willing to break all the rules...

If shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement with Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms.  But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...

Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters.  Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...

My thoughts:

Jessica Chase is putting herself through law school - counting on scholarships and student funding to pay for the majority of her tuition.  When a failing grade jeopardizes that funding - Jessica must find a well paying summer job - quick.

Sedric Lionheart has only loved one woman, ex-fiancee Jessica Chase.  Mere months after asking her to marry him - Jessica left Sed, vowing to never look back.   Sed decided to drown his sorrow in women.

Lots and lots of women.  The last two years the lead singer of the Sinners has slept with hundreds of women.  But none of them could fill the void left in his heart by Jessica.

Now Sed and Jessica have been unexpectedly thrown together.  Sed sees it as a chance to gain back Jessica’s love.  Jessica see’s it as a chance to get even with Sed for breaking her heart.

Communication between the two is not the best - neither knows how the other feels.  But that does not change that fact that in bed - they are in perfect harmony.

Rock Hard is a really good read.  Aside from Sed and Jessica’s story we get a pretty serious storyline involving Trey.  A lot happened in Rock Hard and I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series.

I give Rock Hard 4 out of 5 stars.



 Product Details

    * Paperback: 448 pages
    * Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 1, 2011)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 9781402245770
    * ISBN-13: 978-1402245770

Cover & Promo: Bloodlands by Christine Cody


Bloodlands is the first book in the Mariah Lyander series by Christine Cody (Chris Marie Green) from ACE.

Book Blurb:

It was called the New Badlands, home to the survivors of a cataclysm that altered the entire nation. Then the vampires arrived, and it was rechristened the Bloodlands. 

Not because of the vampire, but because of the gun-for-hire who'd decided to slay every monster in the country by any and every means necessary. 

Sounds good.  :)
Release Date:  07-26-11

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Review: Demons Are A Girls Best Friend by Linda Wisdom


Demons Are A Girls Best Friend is the first book in an all new series by Linda Wisdom and an Urban Fantasy from SourceBooks.

Book Blurb:

A Bewitching Woman On A Mission...

Feisty witch Maggie enjoys her work as a paranormal law enforcement officer - that is, until she’s assigned to protect a teenager with major attitude and plenty of Mayan enemies.  Maggie’s never going to survive this assignment without the help of a half-fire demon who makes her smolder...

A Hotter-Than-Sin Hero With An Agenda...

Declan is proprietor of an underground club and busy demon portal.  No way he’ll allow his demon race to be blamed for the malicious acts of some crazy evil Mayans.  But he’s already got his hands full when the sexy witch offers him a challenge he can’t refuse...

Amidst the rising flames of their steamy love affair, Maggie and Declan are damned if they do, and even more damned if they don’t...

My thoughts:

Maggie O’Malley is a centuries old witch who is part of the Hellion Guard.  It is her job to police the paranormals living topside and make sure as few humans as possible are harmed in the process.

Declan is half human, half fire-demon and the new owner of Damnation Alley - the local paranormal bar that also houses a demon portal.  He is determined to make the best out of the position he is in - and vows to be better than his fire-demon father.

When Declan’s sister brings a problem to the Hellion’s attention - Declan and Maggie are thrown into an intense situation that could mean the end of the world.  

But no pressure.

I enjoyed Demons Are A Girls Best Friend.  Ms. Wisdom has a wonderful imagination and a wicked sense of humor that comes across in her writing.
Her characters are fun and quirky and a blast to read.

I give Demons Are A Girls Best Friend 4 out of 5 stars and I’m looking forward to the next installment - Undercover Demon, due out in January 2012.

   Product Details

    * Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
    * Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 1, 2011)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 1402254393
    * ISBN-13: 978-1402254390   

Monday, March 28, 2011

M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #33


Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #33:



I like this picture and will be able to continue my story from last week.  I'm so glad - I really want to get all of that story told.  :)


As always, if you'd like to join in - we'd love to have you.  Just leave a comment letting us know where you've posted your Flash.


See you Friday.  :)

ARC Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre


Enclave is the first book in the Razorland series by Ann Aguirre and a YA book from Feiwel and Friends.

Book Blurb:

Welcome to the Apocalypse

Deuce lives in an enclave, deep underground. Her friends are her family; her life revolves around training to become a Huntress, one of the elite cadres who protect the enclave.

Deuce is partnered with a mysterious Hunter named Fade, who is said to have lived in the surface world as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters - or Freaks - which seem to be growing more and more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings.

And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

My thoughts:

A ‘brat’ born into the enclave is not given a name until they’ve lived fifteen years - then their name is given to them - completely by chance - in a naming ceremony. Until that time - the ‘brat’ is trained in one of three areas - Breeder, Builder or Hunter/Huntress.

Deuce has always wanted to be a Huntress.

As a Huntress, Deuce will hunt for food in the lightless tunnels - food that will feed her enclave. She has spent her entire fifteen years learning to hunt and track and fight. Because her enclave is not the only thing in those tunnels.

Freaks are humans with a taste for flesh - be it an animal or a human. The Hunters kill all that they come in contact with - it is a situation of kill or be killed.

But now Deuce and a fellow Hunter, Fade, have been exiled for daring to go against the rules and there is no place for them to go but up - into the above world.

Deuce may have trained for life as a Huntress in the tunnels - but she is not prepared for what she finds outside. The sun, the changing weather, gangs of people that have different beliefs than those she learned in the tunnels - all of this is so overwhelming. If it weren’t for Fade’s help - she might not have survived her first night out of the tunnels.

Enclave is a fantastic read. I am a sucker for a good post apocalyptic tale and Enclave certainly delivers.

Deuce is such a strong individual and she is certain that the rules set forth for her enclave by those in charge are for the best. But when she partners with Fade he makes her think - and what she thinks goes against everything she’s been taught her entire life.

I can’t wait for more in the Razorland series.

I give Enclave 5 out of 5 stars.



Product Details

* Reading level: Young Adult
* Hardcover: 272 pages
* Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (April 12, 2011)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Upcoming Giveaway Hop


I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Bookish Snob are hosting the Fool For Books Giveaway Hop.

This quick Hop will run from 12:01 A.M. April 1, 2011 through midnight April 2, 2011.

I am blog # 132 out of 243 blogs.  :) 

Here is a list of all the participating blogs.







Saturday, March 26, 2011

In My Mailbox: 03-26-11





In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what we bought, borrowed from the library or received in the mail.


Here is my mailbox:


Won:


Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells
From: Chas @ LovLivLife Reviews

Under Wraps (ARC) by Hannah Jayne
Demon Song (ARC) by Cat Adams
Waking Nightmares (ARC) by Christopher Golden
Shady Lady (ARC) by Ann Aguirre
From: Abigail @ All Things Urban Fantasy


For Review:

Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
Skeleton Crew by Cameron Haley (E-Book)
Thanks to Hachette Book Group & NetGalley

Friday, March 25, 2011

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #32

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.


And here is picture prompt #32:
My Story:

The Marking
By Michelle Greathouse

Brinald completed her incantation and blew a powdery substance into Talah’s face - sealing the new markings she’d placed there.  “It is finished.”  Talah did not move, nor make a sound.  She had sat stoic throughout the procedure, having grown accustomed to the pain of the witch’s markings over the last fifteen summers.  


Now at twenty-five summers, Talah was a full Warrior.  She inclined her head in acknowledgment and placed a bag full of herbs on the table - a sign of respect for Brinald.  Though the witch had never physically fought a battle - she was feared.  Talah thought it best to always leave a token of thanks.

Talah left the witch’s cool, dark hut and walked into the hot midday sun, squinting her eyes at the brightness.  She was excited and possibly a little nervous - but she would never let it show - she was known for her level head in battle as well as her stoicism.  Any sign of weakness would give her Sisters pause.  

From her right, Talah caught sight of a Runner headed her way.  She waited to see what the girl had to say.  Stopping a respectful distance from Talah, the girl inclined her head.  “Warrior, the Queen wishes to see you.”  Talah nodded once and changed direction, heading to the Queen.

Two Warriors flanked the door to the Queen’s dwelling and Talah nodded in greeting.  Azar and Dwen had been with the Queen for more summers than Talah lived - each were fiercely protective of the Queen and fearsome in battle - their scar riddled bodies seen as testament to their dedication.  They nodded in return and moved to let Talah inside.

When Talah entered she found the Queen cleaning her long blade and waited for the Queen to speak.  “Talah, thank your for coming.  I see your Marking has been completed.”  The Queen rose and moved closer to Talah, looking at both sides of her face.  “You know, you are the only woman to have received your full Warrior markings at such a young age.  You make me proud.  Talah, daughter - I am proud to be your mother.”  They did not embrace, that would be a sign of weakness, but Talah inclined her head to her mother, accepting her statement.

“Now, what are your plans?”  The Queen moved back to her blade and continued to polish it - though it already shined as bright as the sun.  Talah spoke quickly, “I wish to mate.”  The Queen stopped polishing.  “Are you sure?  You are only twenty-five summers, you have five more summers before you need to breed.”

Talah indicated a stool by the firepit.  “May I sit?”  Her mother nodded her assent and once again put the blade down.

“I am curious and that curiosity is distracting.  I would rather get it over with, move on, so I can concentrate on more important things.”  Talah heaved a huge sigh, thankful to have gotten it off her chest.

“Do you have anyone in mind?”  Margred was curious herself.  She had no idea her daughter entertained such ideas.  Talah had always come across as not interested in breeding - much less mating for the sake of mating.

“I do.  I have watched him for a full summer.  He is strong and shows a surprising intelligence in his battle strategy in the ring.  If you permit, I would like to Hunt number five.”

Magred called to a Runner.  “Have number five prepared for the Hunt.”  The Runner took off to do as bid.  “You will Hunt tonight.”  Talah nodded and rose to leave.  “Thank you.”  The Queen nodded.  “Hunt well, Warrior.”

Talah entered her own dwelling and removed her clothes.  She readied a bath, using the carefully prepared soap that masked her scent without leaving an artificial scent behind.  Finished, she donned her leathers and boots and grabbed her  bow.  She was not Hunting to kill, merely to re-capture, so she would use a specially tipped arrow that only knocked out her prey.

She could hear the growing crowd, and taking one last look around, Talah left her dwelling and made her way to the village center.  There she found her fellow Warriors gathered awaiting the Queen.

The Queen entered, Azar and Dwen holding number five between them.  He had been fed well, groomed and clothed as well as given a solid pair of boots - the Warriors did not Hunt the weak - it would not be much of a challenge.  Only the very fittest of those held were Hunted.  It was an honor - even if they did not see it that way.

“Tonight Talah will Hunt.  She has chosen number five.”  The Queen looked at number five.  “You will be set free and given a head start.”  Here she indicated a small time turner.  “When the sand runs out Talah will follow you.  If you can evade her, you are free.  If she re-captures you, you belong to her, to do with as she wishes, for however long she wishes.”

Number five turned towards Talah and her stomach clenched.  Though his hair had been shorn, it was a dark brown that Talah found appealing.  He looked at her with his piercing blue eyes, not with contempt - which would have been expected - but with calculation.  He was sizing up his opponent.  Talah smiled.

“Let the Hunt begin.”

Number five raced from the village.

The End
Word Count: 897

I so want to finish this story. :)  I completely forgot about this weeks Flash, thank goodness Mama called last night and reminded me.  So I was frantically typing away this morning - the phone rang and I shouted at the phone.  I did not want to be interrupted.  LOL  I hope you enjoyed this one - I think it may be my favorite.          
    

Review: This Side of The Grave by Jeaniene Frost


This Side of the Grave is the fifth book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost and a novel of Fiction from Avon.

Book Blurb:


Danger waits on both sides of the grave. . .


Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance.


With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage.


Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous ''ally''--the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war--to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.


My thoughts:


Cat and Bones are taking a much needed break to rest and recuperate from their latest battle. Cat is also trying to come to grips with her new found abilities. Abilities that not everyone is happy about - Apollyon in particular.


Apollyon is a ghoul and he has decided that Cat - as a half-vampire, has the ability to combine her vampire abilities with those of the ghoul and unite all vampires against the ghouls.


It would be a senseless bloody war that Cat has no interest in whatsoever. But Apollyon has his supporters and he has convinced them that the only way to prevent a war is to kill Cat.


Right. Easier said than done, mate. Especially if Bones has anything to do with it.


On a personal note: Cat’s Mom has been forcibly turned vampire. Her Uncle Don is not in the best of health and her cat may have abandonment issues.


I absolutely love the Night Huntress series - it gets better with each installment. :)


I give This Side of the Grave 5 out of 5 stars.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Help! I am pulling my hair out.

Hubs gifted me with a Sony Pocket E-Reader over the weekend and I have yet to download a single thing.  Grrr!!

I have been to Galley Grab on Simon & Schuster and followed the directions there.  I can download the galley - but then my Reader Library opens and I get an error message:  Failed to load content. (-1166)  WTH?  And yes, I have Adobe Digital Editions downloaded as well.  :)

I have pulled half my hair out and threatened to throw the durn thing in the yard.

If you have a Sony Pocket E-Reader or have any idea what is going on please email me at kweenmg at yahoo dot com and tell me what I am doing wrong.

Thank you very much.  *Never had this trouble with a paperback* 


**UPDATE**  After all that hair pulling I finally un-installed and re-installed both Reader Library and Adobe Digital Editions.  Went back to Galley Grab and downloaded the galley - only to find out that the error code I received the first go round means - Document License Expired - that is why it would not load in the first place.

Not my problem or the Readers - it's the galley.  DOH!  This is exactly why I waited so long to get one of these gizmo's.  I'm getting too old for this stuff.   

Review: Zombie Britannica by Thomas Emson


Zombie Britannica is a novel of Fiction by Thomas Emson from Snowbooks.

Book Blurb:

In 2009, Canadian researchers warned that a zombie plague would wipe out civilization...unless we were ready -

We Weren’t

As temperatures reach unprecedented levels, the dead rise - and eat the living.  There is no warning.  There is no time to prepare.  And with tens of thousands dead or infected, another waking nightmare comes to terrorize the survivors -

The undead’s victims now rise up, a new wave of zombies hungry for human flesh.

As the nation teeters on the edge of extinction, those who survived the onslaught fight for their lives, and for the lives of their loved ones...

Carrie Asher must battle her way across the blood-soaked street of London to save her six-year-old daughter who is locked in the basement of their home.

Vincent Maskell is trapped in a Welsh castle with the girl he loves.  But how can he be her knight in shining armor with a zombie army besieging the medieval fort and the humans inside slowly losing their minds?

Craig Murray and his family are stuck in a traffic jam in Scotland when the zombies attack. But when his younger sister is kidnapped, he is forced to confront a human monster as well as the undead hordes.

The odds are against us.  The zombie throng is growing.  Our numbers are dwindling -

Welcome to Zombie Britannica.

My thoughts:

Zombie Britannica is an amazing read. :)

Mr. Emson has somewhat of a different take on the zombie lore - inasmuch as what causes the dead to rise.

Now I love me some zombies and I was happy as could be reading about the brain munching and leg chomping - but that is not all that Zombie Britannica is about.

This book is more about how the survivors deal with the unexpected attack.  


Where some band together to help - others are out only for themselves.  Still more set themselves up as judge, jury and executioner - of the humans they deem unworthy, as well as the undead running the streets.  Others still, finally see the potential in themselves and rise to the occasion.  

Many can't deal at all - and go mad.

I was riveted by Zombie Britannica and truly hope for a sequel. 

I give Zombie Britannica 5 out of 5 stars. :)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Cover Discovery: One Grave At A Time by Jeaniene Frost

One Grave At A Time is the sixth book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost.

This is a new cover model - the previous cover model is no longer doing book covers.  I think the new model works.  :)

Release Date:  August 30, 2011 

Review: Shotgun Sorceress by Lucy A Snyder


Shotgun Sorceress is the second book in the Jessie Shimmer series by Lucy A. Snyder and a Fantasy from Ballantine Books and Del Rey.

Book Blurb:

Burning Down The House

For Jessie Shimmer, everything changed when she went to hell and back to save her lover, Cooper Marron.  After tangling with supernatural forces and killing an untouchable spirit lord, Jessie finds herself gifted - or perhaps cursed - with dark powers.  And when she and Cooper make love, her pleasure throes light the whole house on fire.  What is a sorceress to do?

Jessie is about to find out.  The circumstances of her birth, the mystery of a father she never knew, and the help of a cuddly ferret turned fearsome monster have made Jessie not just an outlaw from mundane society but an accidental revolutionary in the magic realm.  Encountering portals stitched into thin air and a fiercely sexy soul harvester, Jessie rushes headlong among enemies, horrors, wonders, and lovers into a place of self-discovery - or destruction.

My thoughts:

Jessie Shimmer is a completely unique individual.  She rushes in to save those she loves - heedless of the danger to herself and sometimes without a clear plan of action.  She flies by the seat of her pants - and often ends up flat on her a$$ - but in the end - she gets the job done.

Not much time has passed since she entered her boyfriends hell and pulled him and his younger brothers out safely.  This feat cost her an arm and an eye.  Now Jessie has an enchanted stone replacing her missing eye - and her missing arm - well, it’s been replaced with hell fire.  Kinda makes it hard to cuddle.

Oh and she killed a Virtii - they are like the bosses of the magically inclined.  Now they are pretty ticked at Jessie and want her dead.  

When a group of Virtii chase Jessie and her friends into a portal, the group end up in the middle of a Texas that has been taken over by a nasty Japanese demon.  In order to get herself, her friends and the remaining towns people to safety - Jessie just has to kill the demon.

Not a problem....right?

Shotgun Sorceress is a terrific installment to a series that rocks out loud.  Wildly unpredictable - I love it.

I give Shotgun Sorceress 5 out of 5 stars.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Review: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

Shadowfever is the final installment in the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning from Delacorte Press.

Book Blurb:

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh - a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.

Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world...or destroy it.

My thoughts:

Shadowfever brought Mac’s journey to a close - with the combined efforts of the sidhe-seers, Fae, Seelie, Unseelie, Druids and Barrons.

Truths as well as Lies - were revealed. Secrets were unveiled and torments laid to rest.

Overall, I was satisfied with the ending to the Fever series. Everything was wrapped up nicely. I was surprised by a great many things - some I liked better than others.

One thing was left open - Dani. I wonder if she is going to get her own series. I’d read it. :)

I give Shadowfever 4 out of 5 stars.

Monday, March 21, 2011

M.M.F.F Challlenge: Week #32




Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #32:






I can't believe we have been writing Flash Fiction for almost 32 weeks.  My how the time has flown.  This is so much fun and I look forward to it every week.  :)

This weeks picture is awesome.  I know we will all come up with something great.  :)  Stop back on Friday to see what I can come up with - and as always, we invite you to join us.

Cover Discovery: Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn


Courting Darkness is the 10th book in the Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon series by Yasmine Galenorn.

This installment will be told from Camille's POV and if you look closely at the cover - you can see Smokey in the background.  :)

Release Date:  11-01-11

Winners of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop! :)

You read that right - winners!  I actually have four (4) lovely copies of Pale Demon by Kim Harrison - that means I have 4 winners.  YaY!

Using Random dot org the winners were chosen as follows:  All eligible names were listed on List Randomizer and shuffled several times then the winning numbers were selected using Random Number Generator.


Here we go:


There were 86 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
  1. Michele L
  2. Belinda
  3. Tara W
  4. Lindsay Writes
  5. M
  6. Judy
  7. Amosette
  8. Jennifer
  9. Cathy M
  10. Meredith
  11. Pam S
  12. Babs
  13. Nightly Café
  14. Cheryl F
  15. Kristi
  16. Andrea
  17. brendajean
  18. Crystal GB
  19. latishajean
  20. Hana K
  21. Indigo
  22. Vidisha
  23. Kimscarecrow
  24. Katy
  25. Fireflywishes
  26. Laura H
  27. Lisa R
  28. BLH Mistress
  29. AEKZ2
  30. Liz
  31. Samantha
  32. Bookjumki3
  33. Stacie
  34. Polly
  35. Riva
  36. tetewa
  37. Cynthia Garcia
  38. Juana
  39. Madison
  40. chelle2006
  41. Alicia
  42. Elie
  43. Anitra Lynn McLeod
  44. Mommy2Noah
  45. Jo Anna
  46. Megan
  47. Kaity
  48. Paranormal Opinion
  49. Single Country Gal
  50. BJ
  51. hedgerhousehold
  52. laceyinthesky
  53. Mary (Book Hounds)
  54. debbie
  55. Linda Henderson
  56. Mariee
  57. Cathy
  58. katklaw777
  59. Lora1967
  60. katie-tp
  61. Drey
  62. Sablelexi
  63. Mary Reiss
  64. throuthehaze
  65. Kelsey
  66. Wendy
  67. Aanchal
  68. Stephanie M
  69. Ricki
  70. Estella
  71. Deborah A
  72. Misty
  73. Stephanie
  74. Jennifer
  75. Carrie’s Ramble
  76. Angela J Prieto
  77. Austine
  78. Crystal
  79. Jen the Bibliophile
  80. Book Splot
  81. Samantha Cheng
  82. Kimmie, Nola
  83. Lexie
  84. Jolene Allcock
  85. JHS
  86. Stacy (UFI)

The winning numbers are #8 - Jennifer (Book Noise), #9 - Cathy M, #15 - Kristi (TBF) and #86 - Stacy (UFI)

Thank you all for participating.  The next giveaway hop I will be participating in will be Fool For Books April 1 and 2.  See your there.  :)

Happy Reading!   

 

Sunday, March 20, 2011

In My Mailbox: 03-20-11


In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what we bought, borrowed from the library or received in the mail.



 

Here is my mailbox. 





Won from Chas at LovLivLife Reviews:

A beautiful book cover for any mass market paperback.  :)

Bought:

Treachery in Death by J D Robb
Seduce Me in Dreams by Jacqueline Frank


For Review:
Lydia by Tim Sandlin - Thanks to Sourcebooks

From Paper Back Swap:

Blood Magic by Matthew Cook

And last but certainly not least - my Hubby gifted me with a Sony Pocket E-Reader.  :) 


 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Winner of the Rogue Oracle Giveaway! :)

Good afternoon everyone.  It is time to choose the winner of the Rogue Oracle giveaway.  Just a reminder - the book will be mailed to you directly from the author, Alayna Williams.

Now here is how the winner was chosen using Random dot org.

1.  List all eligible names in List Randomizer and shuffle several times.

2.  Use Random Number Generator to choose the winning number.

Here we go:

There were 11 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
  1. Lisa R
  2. laceyinthesky
  3. Winnie
  4. Dottie
  5. Meredith
  6. Mbreakfield
  7. Emmad
  8. Elisabeth Hirsch
  9. Carina L Tai
  10. Amanda
  11. Mariska
And the winning number is #9 - Carina L Tai.  Congrats!  I have sent your email address to the appropriate person and you should receive an email soon.

Thank you all for participating.  See you next time.

Happy Reading! 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #31

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.


And here is picture prompt #31:
 



Blade Dancer
By Michelle Greathouse

Ten Years Ago

The Enclave burned, hundreds of people lay dead or dying as the soldiers walked through making sure no one was left alive.  They did not see the old man escape with his granddaughter.

The attack was unprovoked.  The Enclave was a peaceful place despite the fact that it was known as the most prominent weapons making Enclave in the territory.  No one made a Blade like the Dancers.  

It was that ability to make a Blade sing - and one man’s jealousy - that caused so much death and destruction.  It could not go unpunished.

Now

Shar adjusted the leather strap around her waist and wrists, making sure her tiny blades were concealed.  No sense in giving away all of her secrets.    

She could hear the growing crowd, smell the unwashed bodies - and she could think of only one thing.  Finally, the day of reckoning was here.

For ten long years she and her grandfather had lived in secret.  Hiding from those who thought the Dancers wiped from existence, along with their ability to forge a blade.

Shar learned all that her grandfather had to teach.  She could forge any blade as well as he - but it was her ability to imbue that blade with power - with purpose, that set her apart.  As a Blade Dancer, Shar had no equal.

She had buried her grandfather just two months ago.  He now rested beneath a willow tree perched on the banks of a slow moving stream.  He was finally at peace.  Now Shar hoped to gain her own.

It had taken the better part of a month to travel to this small village.  She had heard rumors and then fact that the Regent was searching for a new bride.  He was looking at girls as young as eleven summers - for that alone, he needed to die.

In his arrogance, the Regent traveled with only a small brigade of soldiers.  Shar knew she would be able to handle them all.

“Bring forth the applicants.”  The Regent’s voice boomed from his perch atop the temporary dias that had been made just for this occasion.  Shar peeked around the corner from where she’d stationed herself and saw a line of ten girls ranging in age from eleven to maybe fifteen summers, walking toward the Regent.

Using the girls appearance as a distraction, Shar entered the crowd.  She pulled her blades and began to dance.  When it was all said and done, the soldiers lay dead at her feet.  The Regent sat immobile in his chair.

Shar calmly walked to the Regent and introduced herself.

“I am Shar of the Dancers, and this is my retribution.”  The young girls watched as the Regents head bounced upon the wooden floor.

Shar wiped her blades on the Regents gaudy blue cloak.  The crowd was silent, moving out of her way as she walked, head high, out of the village.

The End
Word Count: 492


So what do you think?  A little violent - sure.  But he had it coming, seriously.  

Have a great weekend.