LiteraturelySpeaking

Giveaway- Black Sun's Daughter Series (books 1-4)

2011-11-09T01:31:00.001-05:00

In a world where magic walks and demons ride, you can't always play by the rules.

Jayné Heller thinks of herself as a realist, until she discovers reality isn't quite what she thought it was. When her uncle Eric is murdered, Jayné travels to Denver to settle his estate, only to learn that it's all hers -- and vaster than she ever imagined. And along with properties across the world and an inexhaustible fortune, Eric left her a legacy of a different kind: his unfinished business with a cabal of wizards known as the Invisible College.

Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination. Jayné finds it difficult to believe magic and demons can even exist, let alone be responsible for the death of her uncle. But Coin sees Eric's heir as a threat to be eliminated by any means -- magical or mundane -- so Jayné had better start believing in something to save her own life.

Aided in her mission by a group of unlikely companions -- Aubrey, Eric's devastatingly attractive assistant; Ex, a former Jesuit with a lethal agenda; Midian, a two-hundred-year-old man who claims to be under a curse from Randolph Coin himself; and Chogyi Jake, a self-styled Buddhist with mystical abilities -- Jayné finds that her new reality is not only unexpected, but often unexplainable. And if she hopes to survive, she'll have to learn the new rules fast -- or break them completely....
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In the battle between good and evil, there's no such thing as a fair fight.

When Jayné Heller's uncle Eric died, she inherited a fortune beyond all her expectations -- and a dangerous mission in a world she never knew existed. Reining in demons and supernatural foes is a formidable task, but thankfully Jayné has vast resources and loyal allies to rely on. She'll need both to tackle a bodyswitching serial killer who's taken up residence in New Orleans, a city rich in voodoo lore and dark magic.

Working alongside Karen Black, a highly confident and enigmatic ex-FBI agent, Jayné races to track down the demon's next intended host. But the closer she gets, the more convinced she becomes that nothing in this beautiful, wounded city is exactly as it seems. When shocking secrets come to light, and jealousy and betrayal turn trusted friends into adversaries, Jayné will soon come face-to-face with an enemy that knows her all too well, and won't rest until it has destroyed everything she loves most....

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When you’re staring evil in the eye, don’t forget to watch your back . . .

For the first time in forever, Jayné Heller’s life is making sense. Even if she routinely risks her life to destroy demonic parasites that prey on mortals, she now has friends, colleagues, a trusted lover, and newfound confidence in the mission she inherited from her wealthy, mysterious uncle. Her next job might just rob her of all of them. At Grace Memorial Hospital in Chicago, something is stirring. Patients are going AWOL and research subjects share the same sinister dreams. Half a century ago, something was buried under Grace in a terrible ritual, and it’s straining to be free. Jayné is primed to take on whatever’s about to be let loose. Yet the greatest danger now may not be the huge, unseen force lurking below, but the evil that has been hiding in plain sight all along—taking her ever closer to losing her body, her mind, and her soul. . . .

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Jayné Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse JaynÉ before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.

Ex’s history and a new enemy combine to leave Jayné alone and on the run. Her friends, thinking that the rider with her has taken the reins, try to hunt her down, unaware of the danger they’re putting her in. Jayné must defeat the weight of the past and the murderous intent of another rider, and her only allies are a rogue vampire she once helped free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.

Thanks to the generous people at Simon and Schuster!

Winners---

2011-10-24T18:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I never heard from my last winner so I am picking a new one. The new winner of Book 2 in The Vineart series by Laura Anne Gilman- Weight of Stone is Kelly Burroughs Crowell. The winner for book 3 in the Vineart series - Shattered Vine is Mippy. The winner for The Iron Elves Trilogy by Chris Evans is Carol (buddyt). You all have one week to email me your information or I will pick new winners. You should receive an email from me today, so look for it. Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Contest - Iron Elves Trilogy by Chris Evans

2011-10-17T03:46:00.000-04:00

Book 1

A DARKNESS FORGED IN FIRE introduces an unforgiving world of musket and cannon…bow and arrow…magic, diplomacy, and oaths—each wielding terrible power in an Empire teetering on the brink of war.

In this world, Konowa Swift Dragon, former commander of the Empire’s elite Iron Elves, is looked upon as anything but ordinary. He’s murdered a Viceroy, been court-martialed, seen his beloved regiment disbanded, and finally been banished in disgrace to the one place he despises the most—the forest.

Now, all he wants is to be left alone with his misery…but for Konowa, nothing is ever that simple. The mysterious and alluring Visyna Tekoy, the highborn daughter of an elfkynan governor, seeks him out in the dangerous wild with a royal decree that he resume his commission as an officer in Her Majesty’s Imperial Army, effective immediately.

For in the east, a falling Red Star heralds the return of a magic long vanished from the earth. Rebellion grows within the Empire as a frantic race to reach the Star unfolds. It is a chance for Konowa to redeem himself—even if the entire affair appears doomed to be a suicide mission…and the soldiers recruited for the task are not at all what he expects. And worse, his key adversary in the perilous race for the Star is the dreaded Shadow Monarch—a legendary elf-witch whose machinations for absolute domination spread deeper than Konowa could ever imagine.

A DARKNESS FORGED IN FIRE will keep many lights on late into the night this summer as readers find themselves hooked to the last page.

Book 2

Musket and cannon, bow and arrow, and magic and diplomacy vie for supremacy once again in the second epic fantasy adventure from acclaimed author Chris Evans. As the human-dominated Calahrian Empire struggles to maintain its hold on power in the face of armed rebellion from within, the Iron Elves’ perilous quest to defeat the power-hungry witch, the Shadow Monarch, takes on greater urgency.

The Iron Elves, shunned by their own people for bearing the mark of the Shadow Monarch, and desperately wanting to forever erase this shame, became legendary for their prowess on the battlefield as the Calahrian Imperial Army’s elite shock troops. But when their commanding officer, Konowa Swift Dragon, murdered the Viceroy of Elfkyna, he was exiled, and these brave elves were banished to a remote desert outpost, doomed and leaderless, their honor in tatters.

Recalled to duty to reform his regiment from the dregs of the Imperial Army, Konowa thwarted the plans of the Shadow Monarch at the Battle of Luuguth Jor—ensuring that the fabled Red Star, a source of great natural energy, did not fall into Her hands. Now Konowa must cross storm-tossed seas to seek out the lost elves and the prophesied return of another Star somewhere in a desert wasteland roiling with mysterious power, infernos of swirling magic, and legends brought back to life in new and terrible ways. And the fate of every living creature will come to depend on a small band of ragged and desperate soldiers, whose very loyalty to the Empire they have sworn to serve is no longer certain. When death is but a temporary condition, a terrifying question arises: who is the true ally—and fearsome enemy—in a growing conflict that threatens all?

THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS will keep a strong hold of readers as they seek to find resolution in this thrilling epic.

Book 3

Amidst a scene of carnage on a desert battlefield blanketed in metallic snow, Major Konowa Swift Dragon sees his future, and it is one drenched in shadow and blood. Never mind that he has won a grand victory for the Calahrian Empire. He came here in search of his lost regiment of elves, while the Imperial Prince came looking for the treasures of a mystical library, and both ventures have failed. But Konowa knows, as do the Iron Elves—both living and dead—that another, far more important battle now looms before them. The campaign in the desert was only the latest obstacle on the twisted, darkening path leading inexorably to the Hyntaland, and the final confrontation with the dreaded Shadow Monarch.

In this third novel of musket and magic in Chris Evans’s Iron Elves saga, Konowa’s ultimate journey is fraught with escalating danger. A vast, black forest finds a new source of dark power, spawning creatures even more monstrous than the blood trees from which they evolve. The maniacally unstable former emissary of the Shadow Monarch hungers for revenge, leading an army of ravenous beasts bent on utterly destroying the Iron Elves. A reluctant hero, Private Alwyn Renwar, struggles to maintain his connection to this world and that of the loyalty of the shades of the dead. And in a maze of underground tunnels, Visyna Tekoy, whom Konowa counts among those he has loved and lost, fights for her life against the very elves he so desperately wants to find.

And so Konowa sets off from this Canyon of Bones, pursuing his freedom from a curse that has cast his life in darkness. For though his long, violent trek may indeed lead him to his destiny, he is ill prepared for the discovery he will make…with the fate of the Iron Elves, and the world, hinging on the courage of one wrathful elf.

ASHES OF A BLACK FROST will engage Iron Elves enthusiasts from beginning to end, as well as entice new readers as part of a series that is “a grand new entry in the field of fantasy masters” (Richard A. Knaak, New York Times bestselling author)—a Fall 2011 adventure not to be missed.

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This contest is for the entire trilogy- Books 1 & 2 in paperback, while book 3 is in hardback.

Comment below WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

Contest #3 The Shattered Vine by Laura Anne Gilman

2011-10-17T03:06:00.000-04:00

An island nation has vanished. Men of honor and magic have died unnatural deaths. Slaves flee in terror. . . . Are the silent gods beginning to speak? Or is another force at work in the Lands Vin?

Jerzy, Vineart apprentice and former slave, was sent by his master to investigate strange happenings—and found himself the target of betrayal. Now he must set out on his own journey, to find the source of the foul taint that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. By Jerzy’s side are Ao, who lives for commerce and the art of the deal; Mahault, stoic and wise, risking death in flight from her homeland; and Kaïnam, once Named-Heir of an island principality, whose father has fallen into a magic-tangled madness that endangers them all.

These four companions will travel far from the earth and the soul of the vine, sailing along coastlines aflame with fear, confronting sea creatures summoned by darkness, and following winds imbued with malice. Their journey will take them to the very limits of the Sin Washer’s reach . . . and into a battle for the soul of the Lands Vin. For two millennia the Sin Washer’s Commandment has kept these lands in order: Those of magic shall hold no power over men and those princes of power shall hold no magic. Now, that law has given way. And a hidden force seeks the havoc of revenge.

Winner of book 2 giveaway MommyOf2Angels28- I have contacted you, please send me your address asap.

Comment below WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS to be entered in the contest.

Read Directions, please!

2011-10-10T20:14:00.002-04:00

People, I am trying not to be annoyed at this. I have posted your comments even though they are on the wrong post and some even after the winner had been chosen for the first contest. In the event that I don't hear from the winner I will choose from all comments ( even ones posted after I picked). This will only happen the one time, because you need to read the directions from NOW on. Those of you commenting on the contest preview, this is not where you should post for the contest. Look for the post that says Contest #2 and enter to win that contest because this is the only contest open right now.

Contest #2 Weight of Stone by Laura Anne Gilman

2011-10-10T06:47:00.000-04:00

An island nation has vanished. Men of honor and magic have died unnatural deaths. Slaves flee in terror. . . . Are the silent gods beginning to speak? Or is another force at work in the Lands Vin?

Laura Anne Gilman’s critically acclaimed, Nebula Award–nominated Flesh and Fire introduced a brilliantly imagined world where the grapevine—cultivated by the Vinearts who know the secrets of wine magic—holds together disparate lands. Now, confusion, violence, and terror are sweeping over the Lands Vin. And four people are at the center of a storm.

Jerzy, Vineart apprentice and former slave, was sent by his master to investigate strange happenings—and found himself the target of betrayal. Now he must set out on his own journey, to find the source of the foul taint that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. By Jerzy’s side are Ao, who lives for commerce and the art of the deal; Mahault, stoic and wise, risking death in flight from her homeland; and Kaïnam, once Named-Heir of an island principality, whose father has fallen into a magic-tangled madness that endangers them all.

These four companions will travel far from the earth and the soul of the vine, sailing along coastlines aflame with fear, confronting sea creatures summoned by darkness, and following winds imbued with malice. Their journey will take them to the very limits of the Sin Washer’s reach . . . and into a battle for the soul of the Lands Vin. For two millennia the Sin Washer’s Commandment has kept these lands in order: Those of magic shall hold no power over men and those princes of power shall hold no magic. Now, that law has given way. And a hidden force seeks the havoc of revenge.

You know the drill-- comment with your email address to be entered to win.

Winner of Book 1- Patti- I have emailed you, please send me your mailing address so I can get it to the publisher.

ETA- Contest #2 is closed, contest #3 will be open for the next week and I will leave the Iron Elves Trilogy contest up as long as people are actively posting on it. If they don't it will close in one week.

Contest #1 Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman

2011-10-03T08:00:00.004-04:00

Once, all power in the Vin Lands was held by the prince-mages, who alone could craft spellwines, and who selfishly used them to their own gain. Now, fourteen centuries after a demigod shattered the Vine, it is the humble Vinearts who know the secret of crafting spells from wines, the source of magic, and they are prohibited from holding power.

But a new darkness is rising in the vineyards, and only one Vineart, Master Malech, senses the coming danger. He has but one weapon to use against it: a young slave named Jerzy, whose origins are unknown, even to him. Yet his uncanny sense of the Vinearts' craft offers a hint of greater magics within—magics that Malech must cultivate in his new apprentice before time runs out. For if Jerzy cannot unlock the secrets of the spellwines, the Vin Lands will surely be destroyed.

Available Now--- Amazon B&N.com Simon&Schuster

Contest: Post in comments below your email address, winner chosen by Random.org.

Eta- There is also another contest now at Anna's Book Blog

ETA- Contest is closed and the winner has been notified. Contest 2 began on 10-10-11

2011-10-02T01:07:00.001-04:00

3 new contests will be coming up starting 10-3-2011. Enter to win by commenting on my blog. Your email will need to be included in your post. Winner will be decided by random.org. Books will be shipped from the publisher.

Author's website

Facebook

Live Journal

ETA- This is not the contest post, just a preview of what is to come. The contest is the first post on my page here

iClue

2011-04-01T15:03:00.000-04:00

Moira Rogers' Kindle Contest

2011-03-15T14:36:00.000-04:00

Want to win a brand new Wi-Fi Kindle 3? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and you can have your chance! For more chances to win, visit the main contest page. Every participating blog you visit gives you another chance to win!

This post is part of Moira Rogers’ Wild Web Adventure Promo. For full rules and disclaimers, or to hold your own kindle contest, visit the contest post. Winners will be chosen during the first week of April.
http://www.moirarogers.com/blog/archives/3473

End of Year Party Winners

2011-02-04T08:41:00.002-05:00

Hey Alexia561 and Demon Hunter send me an email (bbricke AT yahoo DOT com) with your addresses and choice of book either from Amazon or Book Depository ($15 limit). Thanks for bearing with me while I finished up my school stuff and took my boards.

Early Review- Demon Song by Cat Adams

2011-02-04T08:38:00.003-05:00

Being around Celia Graves is hard - heck, BEING Celia Graves is even harder.

Celia is getting used to being a half-vampire siren. As if that wasn’t enough, she has faced off against both a Siren Queen and a demon who wants her dead, and she’s done all of this while dealing with a heart that's been broken twice by the same man.

Just as we think Celia may get a little rest, she learns that an ancient rift between a demon dimension and our own begins to open. With all of the life-and-death struggles that she's going through, she is actually uniquely gifted to handle such a problem.

But she's still going to need help from friends - as well as from people she no longer trusts.

How many ways must I say how awesome this series is before everyone believes me? Suspense, drama, action, and even a little romance thrown in just to spice it up a bit. Very few authors come close to writing stories such as this. I’ve seen few movies that I actually enjoy as much as the BLOOD SINGER series.

Cat Adams is a joy to read each and every time. With these books and this author I know that my interest will be held and my expectations exceeded before even opening the cover. Definite Gold Star reading material!

End of Year Party

2010-12-20T15:01:00.005-05:00

I am sorry that I haven't posted in a bit. I have been trying to finish my school work and I am proud to say that I passed. I can now take my LPN test( as soon as they send me the information on where I will be taking it.) I am hoping to get back into my blogging. I have missed it so much. In the coming days/weeks I will be getting back to my reviews and other blog business. Looking forward to so many awesome books in the new year. There are several that I am looking forward to- Demon Song by Cat Adams, River Marked by Patricia Briggs, The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa, the list goes on and on.

What are you most looking forward to? I am cleaning out the bookshelves and I will let you know what I have to send to a few lucky winners.

Guest Post: Author- C. Fern Cook

2010-11-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

HOW THE WILD SERIES EVOLVED

The Wild series began when I was a patrol deputy in the Colorado Mountains . I worked in a county that was cattle country. As charming as that seems, many of the ranchers killed anything that crossed their property they didn't like.

This did not sit well with me, the great animal lover that I am, I believe all animals have right to live on this planet. As a patrol deputy, I could do nothing about it unless it was an endangered species or poaching involved.

I have always been the storyteller, I imagined a rancher that shared his land with all creatures including the dreaded wolf. This turned into a skin walker or werewolf story. A good story always takes on a life of its own. While I was writing the series, the story developed in ways I had never imagined when I first set out to write the first book.

What would happen if you were attacked by a vicious animal? What if that animal turned out to be human, a changeling? Would you tell the cops about the person you killed in self-defense? Would you hide the body and tell no one? Who would believe your story?

How would this affect the rest of your life? How could you put this behind you and just forget about it? Wouldn't you be on edge? Suspicious of everyone? How could you live a normal life from then on, especially if you became the creature that attacked you?

Wild Evolution is about how Dan chooses to hide the body because he thinks no one would believe his story. He worries that if anyone found out, he would be charged with murder. It is hard to be a mellow when you are obsessed with keeping your secret a secret.

Wild Justice is the continuation, how Dan tries to live a normal life and get married and have family. How he tries to live the American dream of owning his own business.

Wild Legacy continues with Dan 's attempt to raise a family and try to blend in with the rest of the community. This is how the Wild series evolved.

The characters are composite of people I have met through my real life experiences. The first in the series has a great deal of crime scene processing in it. The law enforcement officers are composites of officers I had worked with. The crime scene processing is as real life as possible; this comes from my experience as a crime scene investigator when I worked with Boulder PD.

Just like my books, I have also evolved as a writer doing this series. I have learned a lot from the feedback from readers. I enjoy hearing from readers and hear about what they think. I invite any questions you might have about the series, my writing, or experiences in law enforcement.

c. fern cook, author, WILD EVOLUTION
www.muddymuttsacres.com

Blogmania 2010 Winners!!!

2010-09-19T18:50:00.008-04:00

Its over and everyone had a great time. We got introduced to some great blogs. Fun was had by all(hopefully). All of my winners have been contacted and have 48 hours from the time of this post to email me with their information. The winners and their prizes are as follows:

Winner 1- One of the blank journals and the Autographed Theodosia series book set-
T....( Name withheld per request) Claimed

Winner 2- One blank journal and the books donated by BookreaderTimes-
Alexia561 - Claimed

Winner 3- $20 to The Book Depository-
Stella Ex Libris

Winner 4- Lift by Kelly Corrigan, The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig, Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Stolarz, Mistress By Mistake by Maggie Robinson
Julia( rexreadingrobot...) Claimed

Winner 5- A Highlander Christmas anthology, Lift by Kelly Corrigan( I actually found a second copy of this one so you get it too), James Rollins- Doomsday Key, Crocheted blanket and Handmade ornaments

Dkay( dkay401....)- Claimed

Winner 6- Shade by Jeri Smith Ready and gently read copies of Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks and No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon,Thief of light by Denise Rossetti,How to Uncage a Girl by Fancesca Lia Block

E.J. Stevens - Claimed

For all of the winners that I am mailing items from my home I will try to put a little something extra inside your prize box. Thanks for so many new followers and I hope to keep you interested enough in the future to hang around. Many thanks go to Lynda Coker for starting this awesome event and also to everyone behind the scenes who we may not have heard from but we knew they were there.

Blogmania 2010 is HERE!!!

2010-09-15T00:01:00.009-04:00

Blog 79 of 169
A Queen's Ransom

Well, I guess that all depends on who the queen is. Since it is me, my ransom would be books. In my previous blogmania posts I said I was going to have a chest, as some queens are wont to do, I have changed my mind. I thought I would rather add more books to my contest and an international winner as well. For the international winner I have added a $20 book allowance to The Book Depository because I hate people being left out of anything.
Now to recap the things that were added in previous posts the prizes begin as follows:

*
From Dancing Grey Studios

blank leather journals ( check them out in this post )

R.L. LaFevers- autographed copies of the first 3 books in her Theodosia Series ( pictured here)

BookReaderTimes - a copy of Underground by Kat Richardson, a signed copy of Wicked by Sara Shepard and a copy of Heartless by Sara Shephard

Elizabeth Thelen- ( an awesome friend I "met" online through the MomWriters yahoo group)-
A crocheted blanket and some handmade ornaments.

I have also added the following books myself-

Lift by Kelly Corrigan, The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig, Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Stolarz, Mistress By Mistake by Maggie Robinson, Thief of light by Denise Rossetti, How to Uncage a Girl by Fancesca Lia Block, A Highlander Christmas anthology, Shade by Jeri Smith Ready and gently read copies of Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks and No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon. ( and possibly other books if I pick some up between now and when I mail the prizes)

To enter this contest, simply fill out the form.

Althought comments are greatly appreciated, you must enter through the form.



FYI-
We have been having trouble with the code that has the list of participating blogs, if the html doesn't work or show up you can find an alternate copy of the list here.

Alpha by Rachel Vincent --Trailer

2010-09-08T20:59:00.003-04:00

Rachel Vincent has posted the trailer for Alpha and is giving away a signed copy of Alpha on her blog.

YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FAYTHE…

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc, and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder, and treason. Yeah, we’ve been busy. But now it’s time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother’s death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It’s not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I’m heading for a final showdown that can—that will—change everything forever.

Review of Siren Song By Cat Adams

2010-09-02T08:00:00.004-04:00

Celia Graves survived becoming an Abomination. She continues to work as a bodyguard in the same town where she was attacked. The vampire attack awakened a part of Celia that she knew nothing about - she's part Siren. Summoned to the Sirens’ island for reasons unknown, Celia must fight off many enemies if she wants to find out about her heritage.

I thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series, BLOOD SONG, and book two is no different. Just when you think you have Cat Adams’ world figured out, they throw more surprises at you. It seems Sirens have more than the average power. They’re not only able to seduce men and alienate women, but they also have several surprises up their sleeves.

The author has created a paranormal fantasy world that leaves the reader wanting more. Interesting characters, wonderful world-building, and a mythology that gets more interesting with every character they throw into the mix. Many authors try to pull the reader in from the beginning of the story - Cat Adams succeeds.

Fast-paced, twists and turns, excitement galore, SIREN SONG does not disappoint. With this second book, I am even more sure that this will be one of the best series that I will read this year. You never know what is going to happen, but you definitely know that whatever it is it will be exciting and hard to put down.

5 star Gold Award

Reviewed for TeensReadToo.com- http://www.teensreadtoo.com/SirenSongCA.html

GUEST POST -- Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson

2010-08-30T19:24:00.006-04:00

"Butt Plus Chair"

Oliver Stone has three words of advice for any aspiring writer: butt plus chair. We take that a step further and add one extra word: butt plus comfy chair. What you sit on can't be understated. Sure, we absolutely agree that much of writing is just sitting down to do it. But if you're going to put in 9 to 5 days behind a desk it helps to sit on something plush and preferably ergonomic. Andrew prefers a swivel chair with a high back, arm rests for his elbows, and lots of cushion for his bony rear-end. Adam prefers the larger, lower to the ground leather chair, one he can squirm about in impatiently as Andrew types; cushy and perhaps even sleepable. When so much of your day is sitting -- or standing and pacing -- but mostly sitting, it's nice to know that what you're sitting upon feels good. So our sincere advice to all those writers out there is don't sit on a hard wood or lie in your bed with a laptop. Let's fight scoliosis and carpal tunnel syndrome with good spinal support and wrist cushions. And after you get comfy, make sure you have a clear outline of where your book will be ending, and what kind of journey your main character will be going on, so you're not simply wasting all that chair time. Spoil yourself. Go pick up that writing chair you've always wanted. Remember, it's tax deductible.

If you'd like to learn more about The Familiars, come visit http://www.thefamiliars.com/.
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The Familiars hits bookstores everywhere on September 7th.

The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson

Review- Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

2010-08-30T18:25:00.005-04:00

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1 edition (August 3, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312649916
ISBN-13: 978-0312649913

Author's spaces-
website
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Facebook Fan page

I had the good fortune to receive an arc of this novel. I adored the main character and the transformation that she went through. This was a wonderfully written piece of artwork. The mythology seemed well thought out and I enjoyed the parts about her previous life. I enjoyed this book so much I have added a paperback copy to my shelf to keep. I am not sure though if the story should have been classified as YA.

1 star- story flowed very well
1 star- enjoyable backstory
1 star- well thought out
1 star- great characters
1 star- Overall wonderful read
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5 stars

Review- Arson by Estevan Vega

2010-08-26T14:16:00.003-04:00

Arson Gable is a strange boy with an equally strange life. He lives alone with his grandmother, who has some mental issues that make life difficult. Arson can also create fire. He has a job in an ice cream parlor that’s going nowhere and no friends.

Arson’s life changes the day a new family moves in next door. It’s a couple with a daughter who wears a mask because of an accident that occurred when she was a child. Secrets abound in this story, not only for Arson and the girl, but for their families, as well.

Many readers may see the start of the story as slow, but Estevan Vega took his time and lets you get to know the characters, as well as their motivations. ARSON was an intriguing mystery that will have you looking forward to the next installment. This story was crafted over four years, and it definitely shows.

This is not your ordinary mystery/horror/supernatural novel. You can’t help but love the main characters. I hope we don’t have long to wait for the rest of this wonderful story. Although parts of the tale were dark, adults and teens alike are sure to enjoy it. I would definitely recommend ARSON to my own teen.

Reviewed for-TeensReadToo.com-
http://www.teensreadtoo.com/ArsonVega.html
5Stars- Gold Award

Blogmania Sponsor #3- R.L. LaFevers

2010-08-26T13:16:00.008-04:00

Although I try to make my posts original I have found that when I am looking at a new author I love to read the page where they tell about themselves. I think that it gives an insight to the author that you don't get from just looking at their book reviews.

Taken from the author's website, the About the Author page-

R. L. La Fevers grew up in Los Angeles, California. Even though she lived in the city, she had an unusually wide variety of pets. In addition to dogs, cats, and rabbits, at one time or another her family also had a goat, chickens, chipmunks, a baby anteater, and, for a few short weeks, two baby bear cubs, who were VERY wild and untamed. This has given her a deep appreciation for wild things and their need to live in their own environment.

In addition to all these animals, R. L. La Fevers was also surrounded by a gaggle of brothers who taught her an awful lot about how to get into mischief of all kinds. When she wasn’t taking care of her pets or getting her brothers out of scrapes, she usually had her nose buried in a book.

Now she lives on a small ranch in Southern California with her husband, two teenaged sons (who are also very good at getting into mischief and scrapes of one sort or another), a dog who thinks he’s a person, and a cat who is really a tigress in disguise. Although she no longer has any exotic pets, she does have raccoons who visit her back porch, coyotes who howl near her window, and hawks that soar high overhead.

author's blog- http://rllafevers.blogspot.com/
Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/rllafevers
twitter-http://twitter.com/rllafevers
Shrinking Violet Promotions- co-run with Mary Hershey

Author of The Lowthar’s Blade series,The Theodosia Series and The Nathaial Fludd Series

Nominated to the Texas Library Association’s Bluebonnet List!
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Booksense Summer Pick
Agatha Award Nominee
West Virginia Children’s Book Award Nominees 2008-2009
Michigan Library Association 2007 Mitten Award Honor Title
Winter 2008-2009 Kid’s Indie Next List

R.L. Lafevers was gracious enough to give autographed copies of the first 3 books in her Theodosia Series that will go to some lucky winner in September.

CSN stores- A massive site of AWESOMENESS

2010-07-20T18:26:00.013-04:00

I know several bloggers, including myself have done CSN contests/reviews. I will be having one soon and I wanted to know what your favorite thing from any of CSN's 200+ stores is, your absolute favorite. You could buy a bedroom vanity , a bookshelf ( of which they have an amazing variety), to some really cool beds. CSN stores attracts the booklover in me because of all the great bookshelves they have- see pictures below.

I especially LOVE the bookworm and eternity bookshelves.

While I was looking through the site I also saw several items that I would like to add to my home collection. Beautiful steamer trunks and oriental storage boxes are just a couple of things that caught my eye.

For this impromptu contest, I want you to go to the CSN site and find your favorite thing ,then come back and post the link to that page. I need help deciding if I want to offer a review or a giveaway, so tell me what you'd do and why for another entry. Extra entries for following CSN store on Twitter and on Facebook. For the winner I have either a copy of Infinty by Sherrilyn Kenyon or Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready and possibly other goodies that strike me. Winner will be chosen by random.org

Fill out this FORM for entries as well as commenting on the post( it will make this easier for me to track)

Edited to add- The contest will run at least 2 weeks but may be longer depending on the interest it generates.

Blogmania Sponsor #2 Dancing Grey Studio

2010-06-08T12:45:00.015-04:00

Dancing Grey Studio

Eiko at Dancing Grey Studio sells her handmade journals. She graciously donated journals to my Blogmania giveaway.

Looking at the photos doesn't do these wonderful journals justice. The leather is so soft to the touch.

I think that whoever wins a journal in September will be very happy with this wonderful piece of artwork. I have decided that I am definitely going to be buying some of these for gifts in the near future. Please visit her etsy shop and show her some love. Her journal would be great for anyone in your life.

Below you will find her profile bio that is listed on the site.

Bio
A little bit about Dancing Grey Studio and the maker of these journals.

My name is Eiko. I am a sculptor and a book maker, and I am the sole resident artist of the Dancing Grey Studio, located in the Big Sky Country of Montana. I have been a sculpture installation artist for many years, and I have been a true lover of all books handmade. Each journal is hand crafted by myself at my studio with great attention to details & quality, and they are individually photographed & listed as they become available. These journals possess the same nostalgic charms of the centuries old travel journals. Of all the handmade books, I especially enjoy making journals. Everyone's uses can vary but without a doubt, a journal is a very special object in one's life.

If you have a product that you think would fit into my "Queen's Ransom" theme and you would like to sponsor my blog, email me or leave a comment below.

Review of Blood Song by Cat Adams

2010-06-06T11:26:00.013-04:00

Book 1 in the Blood Singer Series

Blood Song is the work of amazing duo C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp writing as Cat Adams. In this story we meet Celia Graves, a bodyguard to the rich and famous who although she is a regular human knows about ghosts, demons and other types of supernatural beings. While on assignment guarding a prince from a small European country she is left wounded from a vampire attack. This attack leaves her as an Abomination, not really vampire but not plain vanilla human either. Celia must figure out her new limits as well as destroy her maker before he can gain control over her, although this is the least of her worries.

Action, twists and turns abound in this wonderful new series. The story flows like magic and the characters are very exciting. Celia Graves is definitely a character to watch. For readers that are familiar with C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp I think they’ll be surprised at this new take on the old supernatural creature story. For those that are not familiar with them, I believe they’ll go back and find their other stories just to get another taste of such wonderful storytelling. This book is what urban fantasy is all about: fast paced, mysteries galore, a main character that is stubborn beyond belief even in the face of stronger creatures. Reading this book was like going on a roller coaster ride where the lever broke off and they can’t find the off switch. Cat Adams has crafted a story that will have others taking notice and scrambling to craft a story just as good. I think this will be one of the best series we’ll see this year and I would expect nothing less from the dynamic duo called Cat Adams.

This book was given the highest rating available at TeensReadToo.com, the

GOLD STAR AWARD

Book 2 in the Blood Singer Series

coming in September 2010

Excerpt from Blood Song here

Excerpt from Siren Song here

Cat Adams website

Blood Song Available to buy: Amazon , Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Siren Song Available for preorder: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Other reviews for Blood Song: Bitten By Books , Sidhe Vicious ,
Wicked Lil Pixie

FYI: I received this book for review directly from the author for TeensReadToo.com

Vampire Lumberjack or Werewolf Bootlegger-You decide.

2010-05-31T12:09:00.005-04:00

This post is a part of Moira Rogers’ Creature Feature Kindle Throwdown Contest. By leaving a (meaningful) comment, you will be entered to win a Kindle from Amazon.com, or an alternate grand prize of $275 to spend at an online book retailer. For a full list of rules and more ways to win, visit the contest page.

Sorry to all of my vampire loving friends but this time I have to go with the werewolves. I know a vampire lumberjack is pure hotness but seriously would he take me out on the town, woo me or even pay me just a little attention??? Come on, I need a well dressed man who can do all of those things and more. A well dressed Alpha male has my heart any day of the week.

Rewiew of CSN product-CHH Deluxe Victoria Style Chess Set - 2118FS

2010-05-27T14:38:00.023-04:00

I put this picture first because I love the way it turned out.Who knew I could take a decent picture?

First of all, Thanks go to Jess of CSN stores for allowing me to review this product.

This is the picture located on their site.

Features:

•Includes medieval themed chess pieces made from faux soapstone
•Black and multi-colored art squares
•Folds for easy storage
•Handles for easy transport
•Drawers to store chess pieces
•Medieval themed chess pieces made from imitation soapstone
•King height is 2.25"

List Price:$94.21
You Save:$42.22 (45%)
Sale Price:$51.99
Shipping:Free
Total Price:(1 item)$51.99

The pictures below are what it looked like directly out of the small box it was sent in. As you can see the bottom of the chess set( 2nd picture) looks like it is a small piece of plywood ( not very sturdy). The sides of the chess board feel like real wood and was really what I was expecting for the entire chess set to be made of.

This picture is of the handles. The only issue I had with the handles is that the screws that attached them to the chess board weren't completely screwed in.

I like the way the chess board looks laid out like this. With the chessboard sitting on a flat surface we noticed that the 2 halves of the board itself are not flush. One side bows a little when open and doesn't completely touch when you close the board.

I do like the designs that are carved on the sides of the board. 2 corners appear to be phoenixes and the other 2 sides are dragons. They are very nicely done. You can also see what the board itself looks like. The tiles are very nicely carved in an Asian theme. The tiles themselves make it hard to move the pieces over the board. The carving in the white tiles as well as the edges of many of the tiles make it very hard to play without picking each piece up completely from the board.

This picture shows how nicely packaged the drawers were. The pieces were set in styrofoam and then wrapped in celophane before being placed in the drawers. I am not sure if you can see it but the red part in the 2nd picture. When I placed all of the pieces in it at the first piece on the second row it tore.

I do so love the way the board looks all set up this way, although not being a chess player, I am not entirely sure that I set it up correctly.

Close-up pictures of the pieces are below.

The pictures below are some more of the pieces. Looking at the pieces side by side I must say that my husband and I prefer the dark wood pieces. They were heavier and I could see the details better in them. The green pieces were very light and almost had a plastic feel to them. I really wish that all of the pieces had been the dark wood.

I am not totally sure that you can see it clearly in the picture below but a couple of the pieces has something dark smeared on them, almost as if the stain used from the wood pieces had gotten on them. Not sure what it is but I am sure that it takes away from the beauty that could have been with these pieces. I even tried to clean it off, but had no luck. Some of the faux soapstone pieces also appear to be glued together. Now this wouldn't normally bother me but if you're going to glue pieces together that should at least look whole, to the naked eye.

One thing I did notice as I was taking the pieces out of the packaging is the darker pieces appear to have been put into the styrofoam not completely dry. The styrofoam as well as the celophane covering it was stained.

Is it bad to say that with all of the above considered, we both wish that this had been the set we picked to review.?

On the whole I hate to give the product this rating but since I wanted it to be something nice my husband and I could share, I have to be honest to a fault. My ratings are out of 5 stars and here is the breakdown:

+1 star awesome customer service/ shipping is tracked so I know where it is most of the time

+1 star because I love the designs etched into the side as well as the heavy dark wood that half of the pieces were made of.

-1 because the different parts of it were not flush and would make it hard when you were playing

-1 because the soapstone pieces seemed to be glued together in half of the pieces

-1 because the whole board was not made of good wood. If you're going to make a wood chess

board you should use a decent kind of wood for the ENTIRE board. For the cost of this board, I think the quality should have been better.

Overall although from a picture it looks like a nice chess set, in reality it looks like a chess set put together in a hurry.

I am sorry to say that this is the first time that I have been disappointed in what I received from CSN stores. While this won't stop me from purchasing something from them it will make me look more closely at what I am purchasing in the future.

2 of 5 stars

-Breia-

This product was given to me strictly for review by CSN stores. That did not obligate me to give a good review, only an honest one.

Blogmania Countdown-Sept. 15 & 16 - A Queen's Ransom

2010-05-21T21:56:00.007-04:00

As many of you may have heard, there is another awesome Blogmania event going on this year. It will take place on Sept. 15 and 16. I have decided to change my theme so as to not confuse anyone since I found out that there is another blog with the theme Books Are a Treasure.
So to highlight Blogmania 2010 as well as my individual sponsors, I will be doing a post for each of my sponsors.

My first sponsor is Ivy of Book Reader Times.

www.twitter.com/bookreadertimes
http://www.bookreadertimes.proboards.com/

Book Reader Times- Facebook page

Ivy has been a great blogger friend of mine, almost since I started blogging. She helps out many bloggers, without asking anything in return. Her forum offers forum contests, twitter contests, games, reviews, bookswapping and even book club type discussions/activities. I invite you to friend her on twitter, facebook and to join her forum ( you won't regret it).

Edited to add: I took the pic away because I was mistaken about what she's sending, will add it when I get clarification.

If you think your shop/ blog etc. fits with my blog/theme and you'd like to be a sponsor of my blog leave a message or email me at bbricke AT yahoo DOT com.

Breia

Winners from my TBR Mayhem

2010-05-19T19:14:00.002-04:00

I know its been a while since I posted this Q&A / contest, I didn't forget about you guys. I need
Sara of YA Vampire Books, MJMBecky, The Bumbles and Joye to send me an email to bbricke AT yahoo DOT com . I was going to do 2 winners for a book each for $10 but since I really thank you guys for taking the time to share with me, I am now doing a $5 gc to an online bookseller of your choice. I know its not much but its all I can spare right now. I just really wanted you guys to know that your time and thought was greatly appreciated.

Thanks you guys so much.

Breia

CSN Stores

2010-05-13T20:07:00.014-04:00

I was recently contacted by CSN associate Jessica about doing another review for one of their products. CSN stores have lots of products available for purchase. You could buy a bathroom vanity, beds, plates, patio furniture or even luggage. Picking the product was a really hard choice. I really wanted to look for a decorative box. After I looked through the site I was at a loss of what to pick from which store.
I have narrowed down my choices to their Luggage store or their Accent Furniture Direct store. There were several things that intrigued me to the point where I now have a CSN folder under my favorites tab.

So tell me which would you choose. After I receive the item(s) I pick, I will be doing a review here and on the CSN store site. My review will be on at least one of these and maybe something else if I can't choose. There is just so much variety and with over 200 stores there will definitely be something for everyone.

Blogmania 2010

2010-05-10T20:56:00.007-04:00

I am going to be participating in Blogmania 2010, going on September 15 and 16. My theme is: A Queen's Ransom

I am going to order at least 1 of these chests( the one in the middle). I am going to be adding many things to the chest as I go along. I already have a copy of Shade by Jeri Smith Ready that is my very first prize that will be added to the chest.

So what exactly is Blogmania 2010? Taken directly from our host's website-Between The Pages

Who - What - Where - When

1. Would you like to have access to hundreds of prizes?
2. Would you like to discover new and exciting blogs?
3. Would you like to experience the Thrill of the hunt and the Ecstasy of winning?
4. Would you like to do all of this in just TWO DAYS?

If you can click on the links we'll provide, you can get all this and MORE!

SAVE THE DATES: September 15th and 16th.

We just love VISITORS AND FOLLOWERS

Want to join in the fun?
BLOG AND SPONSOR INFORMATION REQUESTS
~BLOGS interested in hosting a Blogmania Giveaway on their blog can request more information at ~ btlblog@lyndacoker.com ~

Blog registration deadline for September's Event is June 30th at 10:00 AM EST
(Submit your blog for registration early because available spots are filling up fast.)

Review- The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

2010-04-14T22:25:00.011-04:00

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong takes up right where The Awakening left off. Derek, Simon, Chloe and Tori are temporarily safe from the Edison group. They are with Andrew, who is a friend of Simon and Derek’s dad. The man they were told to go to if they were ever in any trouble. They are just starting to settle in and Derek is so very close to changing for the first time that just about anything could set him off. After being under so much stress is it any wonder when the teens start to second guess each other?

The relationships between the four teens continue to develop. Chloe finds herself developing feelings for one of the boys. More secrets continue to crop up as they learn about the experiments that the Edison group conducted. Alliances are tested and what they thought they knew no longer seems true. Do they continue to trust others or do they begin to trust in each other to see it through to the end?

This was a very exciting conclusion to the Darkest Powers Trilogy and fans of Kelley Armstrong won’t be disappointed. With a fast paced and elaborate plot I was kept glued to the edge of my seat until the very end. Her characters are not the candy coated teens that many might expect in a young adult book but young people with wants who are willing to fight to get what they need. With amazing action, suspense and wonderful characters I was sorry that this is the end of the series. Kelley Armstrong has strong writing skills that make her a definite auto buy for me.

Breia

I give this A Gold Star (5+ stars)

Edited to add : This book was purchased by me although I did receive a signed ARC from the author that I believe I won in one of her contests ( it was a nice surprise to receive ). This review will be posted through TeensReadToo.Com also.

Review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

2010-04-05T20:17:00.011-04:00

Mercy Thompson #5

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

Plot - Like all of the Mercy Thompson novels the storyline is great. For me it was an edge of your seat kind of story.
Characters - I like most of the characters in this story and felt myself liking some more than I thought I would. For example, I think after reading this story I like Ben a little more than I did before, he's growing on me.
Story - Fast paced story with many different things going on all at once. There is a Fae plotline, A love plotline ( Mercy and Adam) and then there is the Samuel plotline. Now with so much going on you would think that the story would suffer but I honestly think this makes the story better. It was a very interesting book that I would call my favorite in the series so far. Loved seeing a different side of Mercy that we only glimpsed before.

I rate this book-SUPERSTAR

Interview @ Penguin Group here
Patricia's website here
Patricia's store here
Read a chapter of Silver Borne here
Hurog Forum here

Review @ The Book Whisperer here

Review @ Smexy Books here

FTC disclosure: this book was bought by me and I receive no compensation for the above review.

TBR Mayhem

2010-03-30T20:29:00.003-04:00

I have a few questions for my readers as well as a contest.

How do you decide what book you want to read next?

Do you read more than one book at a time or is that just crazy?

Who are your favorite authors that you would reccommend to others?

What do you like to read in a review? Do you like it to be really in depth or straight to the point?

What do you think of short and sweet reviews?

I have no idea what I will be giving away, that will be decided later. Know that it will be a book and probably whatever else I decide to throw in. Make some suggestions of what you'd like to win in this contest. Look for more chances to win in the coming weeks when I will be posting some reviews that I am working on.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

2010-02-14T17:21:00.000-05:00

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

Review of Blood Cross by Faith Hunter

2010-01-24T01:00:00.010-05:00

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Roc (January 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451463072
ISBN-13: 9780451463074

Read an Excerpt Here
Reading order for the series:
Kits
Strange Brew anthology, short story title: Signatures of the Dead
Skinwalker
Blood Cross

Amazon Barnes and Noble Borders BAMM

Signed Copies are available HERE
Faith Hunter website
Faith Hunter Fan Page On Facebook

Back Of Book Blurb

As a vampire hunter and skinwalker, Jane Yellowrock is public enemy number one in the vampire community--even though she's also the key to their survival. Now she's about to learn that working for the enemy can be just as dangerous as hunting them.

The vampire council has hired skinwalker Jane Yellowrock to hunt and kill one of their own who has broken sacred ancient rules-but Jane quickly realizes that in a community that is thousands of years old, loyalties run deep.

With the help of her witch best friend and local vigalantes, Jane finds herself caught between bitter rivalries-- and closer than ever to the secret origin of the entire vampire race. But in a city of old grudges and dark magic, Jane will have to fight to protect both sides even if no one will protect her.

To start let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed the setting for this book. Faith is still in New Orleans ,in the midst of another hurricane, albeit less dangerous than Katrina and Rita. Setting has started being a big thing for me and is a big plus when the author is able to capture the essence of a place in their story.

I enjoyed seeing a softer side of Jane. I think having Molly and the kids staying with her mellowed her as well as Beast . Although this is a softer Jane she shows that you should never judge a book by its cover because when you least expect it said book will knock you upside your head.

Jane has to find out who is breaking vamp law and making new vamps without keeping them locked up for the requisite amount of years. As always this leads to more than she bargained for and she has to find help fast. It was interesting to see how Jane relates to Aggie and her mother. She learns things about herself and I think this will make her stronger in the end. While staying in New Orleans Jane has a difficult road ahead with Leo after the death of who he thought was his son at the hands of Jane.

There was a lot going on in Blood Cross, but I really believe that this helped more than hindered the story. I was not bored for 1 second while reading and I sincerly hope that there will be more stories of Jane Yellowrock to come.

1 Star- great plot
1 star- enjoyable setting
1 star- exciting characters
1 star- unputdownable ( so what, its my blog and I can make up words if I want to) 1 star- nice series that I would read again ____________________________________________
Overall I give Blood Cross 5 Stars

Edited to add: as per FTC guidelines- This book was purchased by me.

End of the Year Extravaganza- Where Everyone's a Winner!

2009-12-17T20:41:00.008-05:00

HC of Jennifer Weiner's Best Friends Forever- Taken by BookPixie

Gently Read copy of Christine Feehan's Burning Wild- taken by Alexia561,

and Safe Harbor
Gently Read copy of Grimspace by Ann Aguirre -taken by Throuthe Haze
The Blue Enchantress by M. L. Tyndall
Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey -taken by Donna
Servant: The Awakening by L.L. Foster
Donation by Ivy @ BookReaderTimes
3 Booklights
1-"Changeling" by: Delia Sherman and

1-"High Stakes" by Erin McCarthy -Taken by Jennifer

Donation By
@thebookjournal
$20 gift card to
http://www.indiependentbooks.com/

Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles from LiLi @ Chica Reader - taken by Deborah

Donated by Amanda Makepeace- Wild Heat by Bella Andre(signed) -Taken By Lili @Chica Reader

1 copy of DVD Getting Personal - starring Hedy Burress and Michael Landes

For my internatonal people- send me your choice of a $10 book from Book Depository or your paypal address and I'll send $10 there. Your choice.

I feel bad that I can't give the exact book you may want for everyone, so on a 1st come 1st served basis, send me your address and top 2 choices to either my email(bbricke AT yahoo DOT com) or twitter.com/bbricke and I will get them out asap.

I want everyone to receive something so if the book you want is gone by the time I get your email, I'll send you an email and we will see what we can work out.

Edited to add: Everyone needs to get in touch with me ASAP, so I can get your prizes taken care of. You have 5 days from the date this is posted to get in touch with me. Any prizes not claimed will be put aside for future contests.

End of Year Celebration Extravaganza!!!!

2009-11-23T21:23:00.009-05:00

With the many Blogger friends that I have made since I started I would like to share the love. You have made the little bit of time I have been at this one of my favorite times this year. The more donations I receive, the more people who will get a prize.

Rules are as follows:
1 comment= 1 entry
Extra entry for being a follower b/c it is easier to get in touch with you, I am going to reward you.
I am not wealthy so if I get international entries I will see about adding something, maybe from The Book Depository.

So start commenting.

Goodies:

Postcards

Several Small Notebooks

Pack of 10 blank cards and envelopes.

Gently Read copy of Christine Feehan's Burning Wild, and Safe Harbor

The Blue Enchantress by M. L. Tyndall

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey

Servant: The Awakening by L.L. Foster

More to be added soon!!!

I am making up swag bags of all the wonderful bookmarks and such that I have received . I am going to try to have them together by genre( for example 1 bag will have romance, UF, mystery etc..)

Donation by Ivy @ BookReaderTimes

1-"Changeling" by: Delia Sherman and 1-"High Stakes" by Erin McCarthy

Donation By

@thebookjournal

$20 gift card to
http://www.indiependentbooks.com/

Donations Are Welcome and Appreciated- You can contact me @

bbricke(at)yahoo(dot)com

Contest Ends December 15 @ 5pm Est

Edited to add: 3 Booklights from @BookReaderTimes and a copy of Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles from LiLi @ Chica Reader

Edited to add: Donated by Amanda Makepeace- Wild Heat by Bella Andre(signed)

I also just realized many of my bookmarks are risque so before I send any out, I need to know if you're over 18 or not).

End Of Year Celebration- Donations Welcome

2009-11-03T17:56:00.009-05:00

I have enjoyed being a part of the blogging community and decided that I want to have an

END OF YEAR CELEBRATION. It will end around mid December, but it is not necessarily a Christmas party. You do not have to be religious to be part of this. It just my way of saying THANKS to this wonderful community that has embraced me with open arms. Although I am not able to mail to foreign countries, with wonderful sites like The Book Depository I can probably work out a little something for non USA winners. I am not making any promises but I want to make this as big a celebration as I can.

Any and all donations that you can make to help with this celebration would be greatly appreciated...
Would love swag as well( can never have enough swag) I am trying to have lots of winners here so lets see where we can take this.

I'll do a post later this week after I decide on the specifics of how winners will be picked. Suggestions are also welcome, so comment away.

Edited to add: Listing of the goodies:

Postcards

Several Small Notebooks

Pack of 10 blank cards and envelopes.

Gently Read copy of Christine Feehan's Burning Wild

The Blue Enchantress by M. L. Tyndall

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey

More to be added soon!!!

Edited to add again: I am making up swag bags of all the wonderful bookmarks and such that I have received . I am going to try to have them together by genre( for example 1 bag will have romance, UF, mystery etc..)

Edited to add (3): Donation by Ivy @ BookReaderTimes

1-"Changeling" by: Delia Sherman and 1-"High Stakes" by Erin McCarthy

All Hallow's Eve Giveaway At Book Chick CIty

2009-10-31T10:46:00.003-04:00

Join Book Chick City in celebrating Halloween and a great giveaway.
There are 3 prize packs to choose from and simple instructions on how to enter.

Guidelines taken directly from Book Chick City blog: Found Here

All you have to do for a chance to win is the following:

1. Follow this blog
2. Follow me on twitter (use link on sidebar)
3. Blog and Twitter about this contest, leave both url links with your comment
4. Tell me which bundle of books you would like to win: 1, 2 or 3.
5. Leave your email address so I can contact you easily

This is open WORLDWIDE and ends at 12pm GMT tomorrow - so you don't have long, enter now! The winner will be announced tomorrow too!

Secret Giveaway - Do you know the word?

In my opening post on the 1st October I mentioned an extra surprise giveaway. This was in the form of a scavenger hunt. All you had to do was keep a look out for letters in some of my posts that were enlarged and highlighted (bold). These letters would eventually make up a Halloween theme word. If you know this word then let me know by leaving a comment. I will then pick a winner.

This is again open WORLDWIDE (aren't I generous!) and will end tomorrow at 12pm GMT. The winner will be announced tomorrow and will get to know their secret prize!

Awesome Contest Announcement!!!!

2009-10-24T20:45:00.004-04:00

There is an awesomely spectacular contest going on over at Princess Bookies Blog . So run on over and enter. There are several ways to enter for a possible 18 entries and 4 ARCS to the winner.
My entry for the contest:

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Voices Of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

I must win these books because I have been tempted and teased for months . I have a sincere need to read these books that cannot be ignored.

Edited to add:
Open to United States ONLY

Go here to enter this awesome contest.

Teens Read Too Official Blog Invitation

2009-10-22T12:20:00.004-04:00

TRT Book Club
The official Book Club of TeensReadToo.com. Featuring author spotlights, interviews, Q&A, giveaways, and much, much more!

It’s finally happening! Coming January 1, 2010, the TRT Book Club will be unveiled in all its glory at http://trtbookclub.blogspot/. com/.

For the first time in our nearly four years of operation, TRT will be hosting guest bloggers on a regular basis! In case you’re not as excited as we seem to be, let me tell you exactly what that means for you.

1) Free press! Get your book(s) out there to the public, all at no cost to you!

2) The opportunity to answer in-depth questions from your fans!

3) A chance to connect with old and new readers!

4) Show off – have fun – take a break!

5) The best part – It’s Totally Free!

Although we’re posting now on the blog, we’re also in the process of advertising to our nearly 400,000 monthly site visitors about this new, exciting project. We want to have a ton of followers before the authors begin visiting!

We’re booking now for 2010. Spots will be reserved on a first-come/first- served basis, so please include two or three dates of your choice. Reminders will be sent out one week prior to your guest date.

Remember, this is all absolutely free! Although it will not be a requirement to give away a prize during your special day, we ask that you think about offering up something (book, bookmarks, book plate, key chain, etc.) to excite readers even more about your visit. We will also do promotions through our monthly newsletter, on the TRT website, and through the blog’s calendar of events.

This is really exciting news for us, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with you! Please contact us today to book your spot for 2010 – we can’t wait to get started!

Jen Wardrip, Owner

http://www.teensreadtoo.com/

admin@teensreadtoo.com

Review of CSN chair and Bookshelf

2009-10-21T22:48:00.009-04:00

Thanks to Jason Zimelman at CSN for giving me the opportunity to review one of their products. I reviewed the Adjustable Steno Task Chair with Durable Seat from their office chair store. I also wanted to review a bookshelf that I won in a blog contest at Marjolein's Book Blog in August. Let me just say that I have 2 reviews for the products but also a side note type of review from my husband who put them both together.

Chair Review:
4 of 5 Stars
I like this chair .
Comfortable
Supports my back
Doesn't take up a lot of space
I like that it swivels

BookShelf Review:
4 of 5 stars
It matches perfectly the other 2 shelves that I have.
The shelves are adjustable.
Fits in the room nicely.

My Husband's review of both products:

Chair review:
Needs more attachments that not only fit together but are attached by screws. The only thing that is screwed together in the chair is the base of the seat which attaches to the chair back.

Bookshelf Review:
Wishes that the pieces located under the shelf itself were wider and flat to give more support to the shelves. Also wishes the back of the shelf was sturdier.

Both the chair and the shelf are very easy to put together. They arrived fast and and didn't take very long when you took the time to set everything out. Directions were easy to read and follow.

If you take both of our stats Hubby- 3 of 5 stars to both and mine- 4 of 5 stars to both, you get 3.5 stars average for both the chair and shelf.

In conclusion :
If money is an option and to many of us it is, the shelf and chair are good picks for the money. I researched both at some local stores here and they are compareable to the other products out there in all ways except price. I must say however that the great customer service ( ie emails to me) makes up for the extra 10-20 dollars spent. I received emails before the order was put in, after it was ordered, when it was shipped and even after I received it. I would rather spend the extra money getting something from CSN and being sure that they care whether I like it or not instead of taking the cheap route and being left holding the bag if it doesn't live up to my expectations. I am very happy with the shelf and chair from CSN.

Thank You CSN and Jason Zimelman for the opportunity to review your products.

P.S. Pay no attention to the mess that is my bookshelf.

Playing Catch Up

2009-10-21T22:37:00.003-04:00

I had 2 contests going on and everyone that won has been notified . They should be receiving their books soon. The first contest was for suggestions of blogs I should visit and some favorites of the people who commented. Everyone who participated in that is receiving a book. The winners were Alexia, Isobael, TJ, and Briana. Thanks for the input you guys, I really appreciated.

My second contest was given to me by Ivy at BookReaderTimes. I really appreciate Ivy giving my readers and I an opportunity like this. The winner of this contest was DrkCherry( Elaine).

I am sincerely greatful for everyone's help in making this a better blog. I look forward to more contests here and as soon as I get caught up there will be more reviews very soon.

MY Disclosure Policy

2009-10-08T07:29:00.000-04:00

This policy is valid from 08 October 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Literaturelyspeaking@yahoo.com.

This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Review of Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl

2009-10-06T08:00:00.004-04:00

With just one touch, Jessa Bellamy can see anyone’s darkest secrets, thanks to whoever tampered with her genes. What she doesn’t know is that a biotech company has discovered her talent and intends to kill her and harvest her priceless DNA...

Gaven Matthias is forced to abduct Jessa himself so he can protect her, but Jessa has a hard time believing the one man whose secrets she can’t read. As a monstrous assassin closes in and forces them to run, Jessa will have to find another way to discover if Matthias is her greatest ally—or her deadliest enemy.

My Thoughts:

• Loads of thrilling action
• a little romance
• Fast paced
• suspenseful storyline
• strong paranormal elements

I hadn't read any of Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series before and after reading this I wish I had. This book had everything I look for in a great book( see above thoughts). Although I haven't read the Darkyn series I didn't feel lost while reading this. Lynn Viehl is a very gifted storyteller who kept me captivated the entire story. I am definitely putting Dreamveil: A novel of the Kyndred on my TBR pile, it should make its way to everyone June 2010.

This book is a definite 5 stars( now pardon me while I go order a dead tree copy of this awesome book.)

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451412788
• ISBN-13: 978-0451412782

For anyne who'd like to know I was given this e-ARC by the author, Lynn Viehl, for the purpose of review.

Fabo October Events Coming Up

2009-10-01T15:44:00.000-04:00

Celebrate the most awesome time of the year by visiting these 2 sites for some awesome October fun.

New Contest

2009-09-30T17:27:00.009-04:00

This new contest is brought to you by a site just bursting wth awesomeness and the always fabulous Ivy.

The contest is open to everyone, you must provide a way for me to contact you. For as many entries as you like I want you to think of some cool questions I can ask authors. I am going to start doing some author interviews so let me know what questions you would want your favorite author to answer for you. I need questions with substance people, not just yes or no answers. Each question is worth 1 point, if at all possible put all questions in one post and number them please. I will use random.org to pick the winner. Now for your choices, you may choose
Covet by JR Ward or On The Edge by Ilona Andrews.

Review of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

2009-09-23T14:30:00.011-04:00

Falling in love was never so

easy . . .
or so deadly.

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

*******************
My Thoughts

To start I will say that this is one of the best books I have read this year. It took me 1 day to read this book because I just couldn't put it down once I started it. The story flowed very well. I don't remember reading a story about fallen angels with this spin on it before. Well written, loveable characters that had me wishing the next book was already out. I give this book A SUPER STAR and I will say that I think Becca Fitzpatrick is definitely someone that we'll be watching in the future.

Review of One Scream Away by Kate Brady

2009-09-22T19:00:00.002-04:00

Seven years ago Beth Denison was attacked by a killer named Chevy Bankes. Since then, she's created a new life for herself and her daughter, one far removed from the night that ended in an awful tragedy. But now Bankes is out of prison, and his chilling phone calls tell Beth he's coming for her.

Ex-FBI agent Neil Sheridan is driven to investigate a chain of murders eerily similar to a disturbing case from his past. When the killer's trail deadends at Beth's doorstep, Neil finds a beautiful woman with a secret she'll do anything to keep. Yet even as Beth surrendrs to Neil's protection- and then hs embrace_ she still refuses to tell him why Bankes hungers to hear her scream, and why she'll soon consider doing the unthinkable: fae Bankes alone.

Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Forever (July 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446541524
ISBN-13: 978-0446541527

Visit Kate's website at http://www.katebrady.net/

Read 5 Fun Facts about this book

I rate this 5 Stars-

-Great flawed, unforgettable characters
- Lots of action
- A love story
- Happy ending
- Reading this story shows the work and effort put into it .
- Everything I look for in a romantic suspense story.
- Exciting from the 1st page to the last.

Review of A Hint Of Wicked

2009-09-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

What happens when a lady desires not one man, but two?

CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE…

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his best friend and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul…until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife.

TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS…

Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love…but life and death.

Author's Website Here
Buy Links- Barnes and Noble , Amazon

My Thoughts:

- I loved this book. It has been so long since I read a historical romance and for the life of me I can't figure out why. If the rest of historical romance has been even half this good, I definitely have got some catching up to do.

- This was a great storyline and I am looking forward to reading the next installment of this story.

- Loveable characters who even though flawed make you feel for them.

- Wonderful descriptions that made me feel like I was there in the story with them, feeling what they feel.

- Overall this was a wonderful read, that I will be reading again.

- Jennifer Haymore is a wonderful addition to my To Be Read/Author To Watch List.

I rate this 5 Stars-

You and Your Reading Habits

2009-09-16T15:41:00.004-04:00

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack? I try not to snack while reading because I would hate to drop something on my book.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? I don’t like the idea of writing in books. I have been really peeved to check out a few books from the library only to find that someone was offended by the language used so they used a marker to obliterate the words.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? I have been known to dog-ear my books, but I am trying to be really mature about it now and use book marks. I have even gone so far as to make some book thongs so I would be more inclined to use them.

Laying the book flat open? No, absolutely not! That is a pet peeve of mine( one I distinctly remember yelling at my husband about a few times in the last week or so)

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? I prefer Fiction, but will read a Non-fiction if it grabs my attention.

Hard copy or audiobooks? Hard copy all the way.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? I can stop at any point but prefer to read til the end of the chapter.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? I do but only if I can’t glean the meaning from the sentence its in.

What are you currently reading? Playing House by Fredrica Wagman and Wait until Twilight by Sang Pak.

What is the last book you bought? The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? With my weird attention span I can’t read just one book at a time. It all depends on the mood I am in.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? Favorite place to read is curled up on the couch with a blanket, a pillow and a few books.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? I like both. I like series because it gives me a chance to get to know more of the characters I read about in the first book. I like stand alones because sometimes you just wanna get in and get out.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? I highly recommend Sherrilyn Kenyon, Rachel Vincent, Lilith Saintcrow and too many others to name.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) This is probably really bad but most of my books are just on the shelf in no particular order. I do try to keep series books together and in order but for the most part hardbacks with hardbacks and paperbacks with paperbacks.

Being Comfortable In your Office

2009-09-14T13:54:00.006-04:00

How did you pick what you wanted in your office? Right now my office consists of 2- 5 shelf - bookshelves and 1- 4 shelf- bookshelf, a small laptop desk ( and by small I mean micro) stuffed into my bedroom because its the only room big enough to hold all of my stuff.

So I was asked by Jason Zimelman at CSN Stores if I'd like to review one of their office chairs.

Some criteria that I think is important when looking for a new office chair are:

1. Comfortable
2. Affordable
3. Small enough to fit in my limited space
4. Is chair adjustable?
5. Is it big enough to hold me?

After looking through the CSN website at all of the different chairs I have decided to go with the
Adjustable Steno Task Chair with Durable Seat .

Features
One touch adjustment instantaneously raises or lowers the seat
5 star nylon base allows smooth movement
Tough, durable plastic protects seat back and bottom from tears
Available colored fabrics include black and grey
Weight capacity: 200 lbs

Specifications
Back size: 15.5" W x 8.5" H
Seat size: 16.5" W x 15.5" D
Seat height: 16" - 21" H
Overall dimensions: 29" - 33.5" H x 22" W x 22" D

Its adjustable, lightweight and will go well with my black bookshelves. It also is in my price range as well as being small enough to fit in my limited space. I definitely think this is the chair for me. I'll let you know after I have received it and used it for a few days if it stands up to my expectations.

Family Movie Reviews

2009-09-06T12:10:00.002-04:00

In 1960s Texas, timid teenager Walter (Haley Joel Osment) is forced to spend the summer with his rich and eccentric great-uncles (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall) on their farm. Over time, he learns about their mysterious and dangerous pasts. Emmanuelle Vaugier plays an Arabian sultan's daughter with whom Duvall's character fell in love years ago. Kyra Sedgwick and Nicky Katt co-star.

WOW! Even after years of watching this movie I still love it. I can't say that about many movies(more on that later) I wanted to get my kids into some really good family movies because they said that we never get any Netflix movies for them.

5 stars

Why?

1. Oustanding cast (everybody fit perfectly)

2. Wonderfully colorful stories that the uncles told.

3. My kids watched it and didn't talk during the movie ( those of you with kids realize how rare this really is)

4. Its a movie that we all would watch again and again.

William Bloom (Billy Crudup) tries to learn more about his dying father, Edward (Albert Finney), by piecing together the facts out of the various fantastic tales and legends of epic proportions he's been told over the years. Edward was a traveling salesman, and his journeys throughout the South are the seed of the tales. Directed by Tim Burton, the movie co-stars Ewan McGregor (as the young Edward), Helena Bonham-Carter and Steve Buscemi.

5 Stars

Why?

1. I loved the weird stories his dad told.

2. Awesome characters

3. Funny

4. Tim Burton ( need I say more)

Fourteen-year-old Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke, in his film debut) and Wolfgang (River Phoenix) are misfit best friends -- and science whizzes -- who dream of space travel and manage to create an interplanetary spacecraft in their homemade laboratory. It isn't long before the two pals are zooming off to another galaxy, where they find that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Joe Dante directs.

4 stars

Why?

1. I gave it 4 stars because for some reason it didn't hold my attention as much as it did when I was younger.

2. The kids liked it a lot.

3. I enjoyed showing my kids a movie where the kids are portrayed as intelligent.

4. Overall, it was an enjoyable movie to watch.

Random Musings from the Mind of a Maniac (2)

2009-08-31T23:22:00.007-04:00

As we get closer to BBAW- September 14- 18. I have been thinking about the different blogs that are out there and thanks to some of my blogger friends on Twitter who got me thinking. I need to acknowledge them more often. I read lots of blogs but I don’t think I actively post on them as much as I should. I, like many other people see cool contests so I do enter those but when I read a post that I feel I may not have anything new to say that adds or enhances to the conversation I don’t say anything. Well, I make my pledge this week to stop that, I think that we all need a little encouragement once in a while so let's encourage each other. For this week's contest, I will be giving out 4 books and a blank journal that I have sitting on my shelves at this minute. I have been catching up on my review reading so I haven’t posted as much as I would like, but I will try to find at least 2 non contest posts a day to comment on.

What do you have to do to be a winner you ask? I want you to introduce me to some of your favorite blogs. New or old, show me what you like and tell me why you like them. You need to post your email address, what site you like and why and tell me what you’d like to see from me in the future.

Won’t you join me and do the same?

Books to be given away-

The Devil’s Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis – (never read, needs loving home)

Naamah’s Kiss by Jacqueline Carey- (I haven’t read this series and I feel bad with this beautiful hardcover sitting on my shelf looking unloved.)

Strange Angel’s by Lili St. Crow- (Loved this book, am looking forward to the next one)

Night World (#3) by L.J. Smith –( bought 2 copies of this without even realizing it , so my overbuying is your good fortune)

And a Hardcover Blank Journal ( its green sorry I don't have a pic of it)

Random Musings From The Mind of a Maniac (1)

2009-08-31T01:19:00.005-04:00

Awakenings

Eyes open,

Sunrise to See.

Breath Deep,

My love lies beside me.

I am alive

And with you I Thrive.

In My Mailbox (4)

2009-08-30T17:46:00.002-04:00

This is my book haul for the last 2 weeks.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren . This meme focuses on books we've bought, checked out from the library, received for review or won in contests.

Bought:

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son -and enforcer -of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles's reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer -or Charles will take the fall.
Wolf Tales VIII by Kate Douglas

In the shadows they transform into beasts possessed of boundless sexual energy, with the strength and stamina to indulge every primal urge. Now, six new Chanku have appeared - bold, brash, and very much in need of their elders' wisdom. It is decided to split the young pack: three will travel to Montana to learn from Anton Cheval, and three to Colorado to be mentored by Ulrich Mason and his mate, Millie...Having weathered a series of vicious attacks, the Montana pack welcomes the distraction of breaking in the novices. But everything changes with the arrival of a mysterious stranger whose connection to Millie will bring the she-wolf, her partner, and their proteges - including Matt, the sensitive alpha Millie has brought to his sexual peak - to Montana. The time has come for Millie to confront her past, even as the young Chanku prepare for a future of power, pride, and pure pleasure.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.

Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler.

Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice.

Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.

Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.

From @janicu Alphas by Lisi Harrison along with a cool Alphas t-shirt which my demon spawn promptly swiped and took into her cave of horrors.

Won in Contests:

From @BookReaderTimes

Sunlight, Moonlight by Amanda Ashley along with a cool booklight.

From Wonders and Marvels

Grimoires: A History of Magic Books by Owen Davies

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley from Bloomsbury c/o Shelf Awareness

From RomanceJunkies

My Sister's Ex by Cydney Rax

The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall

From Elise @ Scorched Sheets
In Deep by Simon Sheppard
Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
Be With Me by Maya Banks

Booklover or Not???

2009-08-26T23:07:00.005-04:00

What made you a booklover? Also, how do you classify someone as a booklover?

Defined:
Booklover- noun- Someone who loves ( and usually collects) books.

I keep having this conversation with my husband, for some unknown reason it really “chaps his hide” so to speak for me to call myself a booklover. His reasoning is if I don’t like all books then I am not technically a booklover. I think if I am open to reading new books in or outside of the genres that I prefer then I am in fact a lover of books, whether I finish the entire book or not.
There are many books that he would like for me to read and though I try I can not make myself finish them. One of the books that I wasn’t able to finish , The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, I can not for the life of me get past the first few chapters. Others that he gives me like The Cleric Quintet by R. A. Salvatore and The Road by Cormac McCarthy, I just sail right through.

So tell me how you feel about this, do I really have to love all books to be a booklover or can I just like what I like while being open to new, exciting reads?

What do you think?

For this post I want you to tell me what book(s) got you hooked on reading? As a child or after you became an adult.

Review: My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

2009-08-22T21:20:00.005-04:00

TORN BETWEEN...

Alexandrine Marit is a witch in mortal danger. An evil mage craves the powerful, mysterious talisman that supplies her magic, and the only person who can keep her safe is a dark and dangerous fiend called Xia. With his fierce animosity toward witches, he's hardly the ideal bodyguard. Yet as days turn into nights, she can't deny the white-hot passion between them.

DESIRE AND TEMPTATION

Xia hates witches. They enslave and mercilessly kill his kind. But he's been ordered to protect Alexandrine, who, to his surprise, has a spirit he admires and a body he longs to possess. With the mage and his henchmen closing in, Alexandrine and her protector must trust the passion that can unite them...or risk losing everything to the enemies who can destroy them both.

Author's Website

Buy

Read Chapter 1 here

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main characters and I think they fit well together. The characters were very well written, the action was intense and the conflict between the main characters could start a forest fire. I certainly hope there are more novels set in this world and since I haven't read My Wicked Enemy I am going to pick it up soon. . It is the second in this series, but I was able to jump right in and there were no hard to understand parts that sometimes happen when you read a book out of sequence. This story was very exciting and on par with some of the best that paranormal has to offer

What I liked about My Forbidden Desire:

1. Lots of intense action

2. Sexual tension and some sex but not so much that it obscures the story

3. Well written characters and plot

4. Intriguing world of blood twins, magehelds, witches, mages and fiends

5. Left me wanting more

I rate My Forbidden Desire 5 stars

SF/F/H Reviewer Linkup Meme, 2nd Edition Compiled by John Ottinger

2009-08-22T16:22:00.006-04:00

This list was compiled by John Ottinger @ Grasping For The Wind

If you would like your blog added to the list go here.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Romanian French Chinese Danish Portuguese German

A

7 Foot Shelves

The Accidental Bard

A Boy Goes on a Journey

A Dribble Of Ink

Adventures in Reading

A Fantasy Reader

The Agony Column

A Hoyden's Look at Literature

All Booked Up

Alexia's Books and Such...

Andromeda Spaceways

The Antick Musings of G.B.H. Hornswoggler, Gent.

Ask Daphne

ask nicola

Audiobook DJ

aurealisXpress

Australia Specfic In Focus

Author 2 Author

AzureScape

B

Barbara Martin

Babbling about Books

Bees (and Books) on the Knob

Best SF

Bewildering Stories

Bibliophile Stalker

Bibliosnark

Big Dumb Object

BillWardWriter.com

The Billion Light-Year Bookshelf

Bitten by Books

The Black Library Blog

Blog, Jvstin Style

Blood of the Muse

The Book Bind

Bookgeeks

Bookrastination

Booksies Blog

Bookslut

The Book Smugglers

Bookspotcentral

The Book Swede

Book View Cafe [Authors Group Blog]

Breeni Books

C

Cheaper Ironies [pro columnist]

Charlotte's Library

Circlet 2.0

Cheryl's Musings

Club Jade

Cranking Plot

Critical Mass

The Crotchety Old Fan

D

Daily Dose - Fantasy and Romance

Damien G. Walter

Danger Gal

It's Dark in the Dark

Dark Wolf Fantasy Reviews

Darque Reviews

Dave Brendon's Fantasy and Sci-Fi Weblog

Dead Book Darling

Dear Author

The Deckled Edge

The Doctor is In...

Dragons, Heroes and Wizards

Drey's Library

The Discriminating Fangirl

Dusk Before the Dawn

E

Enter the Octopus

Errant Dreams Reviews

Eve's Alexandria

F

Falcata Times

Fan News Denmark [in English]

Fantastic Reviews

Fantastic Reviews Blog

Fantasy Book Banner

Fantasy Book Critic

Fantasy Book Reviews and News

Fantasy Cafe

Fantasy Debut

Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings

Fantasy Literature.com

Fantasy Magazine

Fantasy and Sci-fi Lovin' Blog

Feminist SF - The Blog!

Feybound

Fiction is so Overrated

The Fix

The Foghorn Review

Follow that Raven

Forbidden Planet

Frances Writes

Free SF Reader

From a Sci-Fi Standpoint

From the Heart of Europe

Fruitless Recursion

Fundamentally Alien

The Future Fire

G

The Galaxy Express

Galleycat

Game Couch

The Gamer Rat

Garbled Signals

Genre Reviews

Genreville

Got Schephs

Graeme's Fantasy Book Review

Grasping for the Wind

The Green Man Review

Gripping Books

H

Hasenpfeffer

Hero Complex

Highlander's Book Reviews

Horrorscope

The Hub Magazine

Hyperpat's Hyper Day

I

I Hope I Didn't Just Give Away The Ending

Ink and Keys

Ink and Paper

The Internet Review of Science Fiction

io9

J

Jenna's Bookshelf

Jumpdrives and Cantrips

K

Keeping the Door

King of the Nerds

L

Lair of the Undead Rat

Largehearted Boy

Layers of Thought

League of Reluctant Adults

The Lensman's Children

Library Dad

Libri Touches

Literary Escapism

Literaturely Speaking

ludis inventio

Lundblog: Beautiful

M

Mad Hatter's Bookshelf and Book Review

Mari's Midnight Garden

Mark Freedman's Journal

Marooned: Science Fiction Books on Mars

MentatJack

Michele Lee's Book Love

Missions Unknown [Author and Artist Blog Devoted to SF/F/H in San Antonio]

The Mistress of Ancient Revelry

MIT Science Fiction Society

Monster Librarian

More Words, Deeper Hole

Mostly Harmless Books

Multi-Genre Fan

Musings from the Weirdside

My Favourite Books

N

Neth Space

The New Book Review

NextRead

Not Free SF Reader

Nuketown

O

OF Blog of the Fallen

The Old Bat's Belfry

Only The Best SciFi/Fantasy

The Ostentatious Ogre

Outside of a Dog

P

Paranormality

Pat's Fantasy Hotlist

Patricia's Vampire Notes

The Persistence of Vision

Piaw's Blog

pornokitsch

Post-Weird Thoughts

Publisher's Weekly

Q

R

Random Acts of Mediocrity

Ray Gun Revival

Realms of Speculative Fiction

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Review From Here

Reviewer X

Revolution SF

The Road Not Taken

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Robots and Vamps

S

Sandstorm Reviews

Satisfying the Need to Read

Science Fiction and Fantasy Ethics

Science Fiction Times

ScifiChick

Sci-Fi Blog

SciFiGuy

Sci-Fi Fan Letter

The Sci-Fi Gene

Sci-Fi Songs [Musical Reviews]

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Stuff as Dreams are Made on...

The Sudden Curve

The Sword Review

T

Tangent Online

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things mean a lot

Tor.com [also a publisher]

True Science Fiction

U

Ubiquitous Absence

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undeadbydawn

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V

Vast and Cool and Unsympathetic

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W

Walker of Worlds

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X

Y

Young Adult Science Fiction

Z

Romanian

Cititor SF [with English Translation]

French

Elbakin.net

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Romanian French Chinese Danish Portuguese German

Intertwined Sweepstakes

2009-08-21T11:31:00.001-04:00

Time for Some More Movie Reviews

2009-08-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Bradley Cooper stars as Leon Kauffman, an ambitious New York photographer whose reckless search for a serial killer (Vinnie Jones), known as "the Subway Butcher," leads him down a dark and dangerous path. Leslie Bibb, Dan Callahan, Brooke Shields and Tony Curran also star in this spine-tingling thriller from director Ryuhei Kitamura, a chilling tale based on a short story by horror giant Clive Barker.

Very weird movie, but not in the manner you would expect it to be. Its horror but with a very strange horror twist. GORY!!!!!! If you don't like heavy gore DO NOT WATCH this movie. I have to say this is the strangest Clive Barker movie I have ever watched. My husband liked it and honestly I am at a loss to say I LIKED it but I didn't hate it. Sometimes you just need a gory horror movie.

I rate this 3 stars.

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

Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker and Aaron Yoo headline director Marcus Nispel's chilling remake of the classic 1980s slasher-thriller that spawned a legendary horror franchise. Ignoring the warnings of the locals, a group of teenage camp counselors takes on the job of reopening Camp Crystal Lake -- on Friday the 13th no less, and raise the ire of Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears), a masked, homicidal maniac.

Almost on par with the other Friday the 13th movies, but i must say that I enjoyed them more. The one consolation for me was seeing Jared Padalecki for more than the standard Supernatural hour. Without him I don't think I would have finished this movie.

One aspect of the movie made no sense to me---Who in their right mind would have a vacation home ( especially when they are rich enough to have it anywhere they want) in a town known for loads of murders and disappearances.

3 stars

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

Contest Alert

2009-08-17T18:35:00.004-04:00

Lee Verday has this Awesome contest going on at his blog right now!!!!!

Check it out here .

In My Mailbox (3)

2009-08-16T15:53:00.008-04:00

Started by Kristi over at The Story Siren this meme focuses on what we received/bought or borrowed this week. This week I got some really good books. I am going to use them as rewards for myself for gettiing things done because let's face it, sometimes you need an incentive to get things done.

Full Moon (A Dark Guardian novel) by Rachel Hawthrone

Lindsey has always known that Connor was her destined mate, but this summer as her full moon approaches, she finds herself dreaming about darkly handsome and silent Rafe. When the others are captured by their enemies, she and Rafe must work together to save them. As they spend time together, Lindsey will come to realize that some dangers come from within as she is forced to face her true feelings for Connor and Rafe. One is a friend. The other is her true love. But listening to her heart could cost her everything.

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her hybrid-werewolf first love threatens to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. And just as she and her uncle are about to debut Austin’s red hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef.

Can Quincie transform the new hire into a culinary dark lord before opening night? Will Henry Johnson be able to wow the crowd in fake fangs, a cheap cape, and red contact lenses? Or is there more to this earnest fresh face than meets the eye?
As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything?

The Den of Shadows quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

In the Forests of the Night

Three hundred years ago Risika had a family—a brother and a father who loved her. Three hundred years ago she was human. Now she is a vampire, a powerful one. And her past has come back to torment her.

Demon in My View

Jessica isn’t your average high school student—she’s an acclaimed published author of vampire fiction. Now two new students at her high school strongly remind her of her favorite characters. But those characters only live in her imagination—right?

Shattered Mirror

Christopher Raneva and Sarah Vida may look like a normal high school couple, but he’s actually a vampire who’s sworn off human blood and she’s an incredibly powerful, vampire-hunting witch. As if that weren’t enough to prevent their love, his past and her future collide when they get tangled up with Nikolas, one of the most reviled vampires ever.

Midnight Predator

Once a happy teenager, Turquoise Draka is now a vampire hunter. Her current assigment is to assassinate Jeshikah, one of the cruelest vampires in history. But to do that, she’ll have to enter Midnight, a fabled vampire realm, as a human slave. . . .

Won from Dear Author:

Intertwined ( hc)by Gena Showalter

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time-travel.

One can raise the dead.

One can tell the future.

And one can possess another human.

With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now they're causing him all kinds of trouble. Like, he'll blink and suddenly he's a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he'll change the future. Or he'll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she's going to die.

He's so over it. All he wants is peace.

And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, as long as he's near her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He's a loner; she has friends. He doesn't care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it's too late....

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own, and a vampire princess Aden can't resist.

Two romances, both forbidden. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger but not everyone will come out alive....

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

What did you guys get this week????

Review : Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan

2009-08-16T14:33:00.006-04:00

From afar, Sheriff Jackson Deveau has always loved Elle Drake, the youngest telepath of seven sisters. After a long time away she’s finally returning home to the small coastal village of Sea Haven. But someone has been following Elle, someone who doesn’t want her to make it back. And when Elle fails to arrive, her disappearance strikes fear in the hearts of everyone who loves her. Now it’s left to Jackson to uncover the mystery of Elle’s vanishing, and rescue her from an unseen danger. But Sea Haven is no longer safe for anyone, and it’ll take the powers of all the Drake sisters and their men to survive the coming storm.

Release Date: June 30, 2009

Number of Pages: 480 pages

Publisher: Jove

Language: English

ISBN: 0515146471

Read Chapter 1- here

Author's website

My thoughts:

Athough this book has a very graphic tone, it isn't overly so. This was hard to read, but seriously haven't all of the sisters and their significant others been through more hard times than the average person. This story has the same theme a the others. The main characters have to go through serious s%^# to be the person that they need to be to appreciate and make a relationship with their soul mate. I think for Elle to truly make a life with Jackson she had to understand what he had gone through when he was captured as a soldier, not just see it from inside his head but to truly experience a capture such as what he went through. Of all the Drake Sisters novels I will definitely go on record as saying that it begins with very harsh things happening, but at the end the family is ok and whole. I am pretty sure that we will see more from this world though not necessarily a Drake Sister book, but I will be looking out for more from this wonderful author.

Wonderful loveable characters, an engaging storyline, action, love ( family love not the hot sticky kind even though there is that too *g*) , romance .

Overall:

A great ending to a wonderful series!!!!

I rate this book a SuperStar.

I received an award!

2009-08-16T12:51:00.009-04:00

I received the Lemonade Award from SusiSunshine @ The Geeky Bookworm on August 7, 2009 . This means so much to me. I am excited to hear that someone enjoys my blog.

The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules for accepting this award: Put the Lemonade Award logon on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.

I have been doing so many things outside my home that I haven't been posting as much as I want to, but I am working on posting more so bear with me.

My nominees are:

J. Kaye @ J-Kaye Book Blog
Lilibeth Ramos @ Chica Reader
Kristi @ The Story Siren
Lee Verday @ Lee A. Verday's Book/Writing Blog

I know that am supposed to nominate 10 blogs but I honestly haven't been actively following that many blogs right now, so I only nominated the one that I have been looking at regularly.

Update: My First Contest Winners

2009-08-11T10:33:00.007-04:00

To the winners of my first contests for the books A Hint of Wicked and My Forbidden Desire, it appears that Yahell swallowed the first email that I sent to Anna @ Hatchette Books so I resent it this week. Thanks to Lilibeth Ramos @ Chica Reader for letting me know that she hadn't received her book yet. Anna just got back to me and the order was put in so you should receive the books soon. So I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you guys.

In My Mailbox(2)

2009-08-09T22:05:00.002-04:00

Started by Kristi over at The Story Siren this meme focuses on what we received/bought or borrowed this week. This week I got some really good books. I am really excited about them.

From the library:

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

Valiant by Holly Black

The Squad: Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

Night Road by A.M. Jenkins

Bought :

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michell Zink

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets. Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

Bad Moon Rising

( I preordered this one from Premiere Collectables- Signed/numbered and in a leather box)

I plan to give away the second one during BBAW

Fang Kattalakis isn't just a wolf.

He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. And when the woman Fang loves is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever.

The war is on and time is running out...

Auction by Cherie Priest:( she was being an awesome friend and raising money to help a friend in need)

Dreadful Skin

A runaway Irish nun pursues a murderous werewolf across post–Civil War America in this riveting Southern gothic from Priest (Wings to the Kingdom). Divided into three atmospheric, slightly disjointed sections, the story opens aboard a riverboat carrying John Gabert, the werewolf, and Sister Eileen Callaghan, who's pursuing him with a Colt revolver hidden under her skirts. Gabert escapes, but Eileen is infected by the lycanthrope's blood. Nine years later, she picks up the scent, investigating a traveling Pentecostal revivalist show that leaves a trail of chewed corpses in its wake. Eileen struggles to control her own bloody urges, while fighting to protect innocents before she confronts Gabert again, two years later. Though the jumps in time make the plot feel forced, the haunting characters will keep readers turning the pages. When one must become a monster in order to kill a monster, can the hunt still be justified? This book raise tantalizing philosophical questions about good and evil as well as the roles of hunter and prey.

Not Flesh Nor Feathers

A devastating storm swells the Tennessee River to dam-breaking levels on the eve of Eden's planned move into a new riverside apartment complex. With the gushing waters comes a tide of corpses sunk in the river for more than a century, now animated and organized by a malignant force with an inscrutable purpose. When psychic investigator Eden realizes that the zombie army is converging on historic Read House, she draws a connection to the ghost of Caroline Read, who haunts the building trying to resolve a hushed-up 19th-century atrocity. Although talky and too dependent on convenient last-minute information, Priest's tale crackles with action and occult thrills, especially in the scenes of the inundated city reeling under the double assault of Mother Nature and the supernatural. Fans will find this her most assured outing yet.

What did you guys get this week????

Cooler Contest

2009-08-02T16:06:00.001-04:00

In My Mailbox (1)

2009-08-02T10:17:00.017-04:00

In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren is a way to share what new books you get each week. This week I received a LOT of books, some are for review and others were just additions to my personal collection.

Bought Books:

Night's Edge Anthology

Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris
Dancer Layla Rue Le May's childhood prepared her to handle just about anything, including her aloof partner, Sean McClendon, a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. Even so, when she somehow acquires a stalker, Layla Rue is surprised to find that Sean is the only one she can trust….

Her Best Enemy by Maggie Shayne
Kiley Brigham refuses to believe there's a ghost in her house, but when an unseen hand leaves a bloody message on her bathroom mirror, she's forced to turn to local psychic Jack McCain. As the two work to uncover a long-buried secret, Kiley finds that she's haunted not by spirits, but by thoughts of Jack….

Someone Else's Shadow by Barbara Hambly
Maddie Laveau worries about her young roommate, Tessa, when she stays late to practice ballet in the old Glendower Building…and when Tessa goes missing, Maddie enlists mysterious tenant Phil Anderson to help. But is Phil the white knight she needs, or the predator she fears?

Cry Mercy by Toni Andrews

I just want a normal life…even if I'm not entirely sure I'm human.

My name is Mercy Hollings and I'm a successful hypnotherapist in Balboa, California. The problem is, my good fortune is dependent on a dark secret. I can make people do whatever I want using telepathy, a power I call "the press." And that ability has hurt some people I never wanted to hurt, so I try to keep it under wraps.

I also try to keep people at a distance…at least, I used to. Recently a group of fearless characters broke through my self-imposed walls and became my friends: Sukey, my receptionist-turned-P.I.; Tino, a Chicano gang leader; Hilda, a wealthy society widow; Grant, a retired millionaire—and Sam, my sexy-as-hell ex-boyfriend.

But with friends comes drama. Tino has inadvertently led me into the dark world of gang violence, and Sukey has pushed me into searching for my biological parents, the only people who can finally tell me who—or what—I really am.

The Missing Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery by Karen E. Olson

When a woman requests a devotion tattoo from Brett and then vanishes, her disappearance is quickly linked to a series of murders involving tattooing equipment and rival shop Murder Ink. Brett's police detective brother, Tim, requests her expertise, and a murder at an engagingly excessive fictional hotel leads to Brett meeting its mysteriously handsome manager, Simon Chase, providing a solid base for further sleuthing and romance. Readers need not be conversant with street flash or other industry terms to enjoy the setting and follow Brett down a trail of needles and gloves to the dramatic finale.

Unclean Spirits by M.L.N. Hanover

Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination. Jayné finds it difficult to believe magic and demons can even exist, let alone be responsible for the death of her uncle. But Coin sees Eric's heir as a threat to be eliminated by any means -- magical or mundane -- so Jayné had better start believing in something to save her own life.

Aided in her mission by a group of unlikely companions -- Aubrey, Eric's devastatingly attractive assistant; Ex, a former Jesuit with a lethal agenda; Midian, a two-hundred-year-old man who claims to be under a curse from Randolph Coin himself; and Chogyi Jake, a self-styled Buddhist with mystical abilities -- Jayné finds that her new reality is not only unexpected, but often unexplainable. And if she hopes to survive, she'll have to learn the new rules fast -- or break them completely....

Leader of The Pack: Tales of an Urban Werewolf by Karen MacInerney

WILDLY INDEPENDENT, SHE’S NOT ONE FOR PACK MENTALITY.

On the outside, Sophie Garou is living every woman’s dream: she has beauty, brains, and a big-time position in Austin’s most respected accounting firm (not to mention a very sexy, very successful new boyfriend). But there’s one Sophie would rather keep under wraps: she is a werewolf.

Sophie’s life gets a little more hairy when her long-estranged father, Luc, arrives in the Live Music Capital to attend the werewolves’ annual Howl and reconnect with his daughter. But Luc’s plans fall apart after he’s accused of murder and arrested by his archrival, Wolfgang, leader of the Houston pack (and one notoriously dirty dog). Wolfgang drools at the thought of Luc’s impending execution, but Sophie won’t let her father die without a fight. Determined to prove his innocence, she and her friends set out to find the real killer. Along the way, Sophie must deal with taboo attractions, Machiavellian intrigues, sinister agendas, and hair-raising betrayals.

Bengal's Heart by Lora Leigh

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Grimspace by Ann Aguirre-PaperBackSwap

Strange Brew Anthology

Where There's a Witch by Madelyn Alt

Books Won @ Life on The Fringe (One of Yasmine Galenorn's blogs)- Dancing in The Streets contest.

A tote bag containing a copy of every novel in both the Chintz ‘n China Series (the old covers) and the Otherworld Series. That’s 11 books !

For Review:

Alyzon Whitestar By Isobelle Carmody ( for TeensReadToo.com)

Red Gold Bridge by Patrice Sarath ( for Patricias-Vampire Notes)

Wait Until Twilight by Sang Pak ( from the author)

What'd you guys get this week?

One Scream Away Winners

2009-07-31T18:51:00.003-04:00

Sorry it took so long to post the One Scream Away winners, but I wanted to wait until everyone had been notified . Well, I have heard from everyone and have sent their addresses to Anna Balasi at Hatchette Books. You should receive your books soon. The 5 winners were:

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Razlover(at)hotmail(dot)com

bjwaldron AT gmail.com

chey127 at hotmail dot com

lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

I've been Interviewed!!!

2009-07-29T18:27:00.007-04:00

Jo @ Ink and Paper has posted an interview with me. This is my first interview so please show her some love because she does an awesome job on her blog and I am very excited to have been interviewed by her. This is part of Jo's wednesday blogger's interview .

Jo also has another blog called Ink and Paper Specials , where right now she is promoting Sex in Teen Literature Month .

Follow her on Twitter

Review of Coraline ( animated movie)

2009-07-25T18:00:00.006-04:00

In this breathtaking stop-motion animation based on Neil Gaiman's novel, curious young Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) unlocks a door in her family's home and is transported to a universe that strangely resembles her own -- only better. But when her Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) doesn't want Coraline to return to reality, our heroine must summon an amazing amount of courage to go home and save her family.

My thoughts:

I rate this movie 4 Stars-----

Why?:

1. It had animation reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas

2.It kept my 7 year old entertained the entire time.

3. I wish more of the aspects of the book were present in the movie.

4. While the movie was very good, I still prefer his book.

Review: Cold Moon Rising by C.T Adams and Cathy Clamp

2009-07-18T22:52:00.012-04:00

Cold Moon Rising Book 7, Tales of the Sazi

Publisher: Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
Pub. Date: August 04, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780765359643

Back Cover Blurb:

He's Baaaaaack.

Hired killer Tony Giodone is back in action -- this time, believe it or not, working for the 'good guys. Or should that be the 'not quite as bad guys?' He isn't sure. One thing is for certain, serving as a newly minted member of Wolven, the Sazi law enforcement agency, certainly does keep a guy busy. AND he gets to do what he does best. Kill things. Of course, Carmine doesn't plan to let Tony off the hook, particularly when he's attacked and nearly killed by the boys from the east coast.

Paired up with Ahmad al Narmer Tony's in danger up to his baby blues, which wouldn't bother him a bit, if his wife, Sue wasn't bound and determined to be a part of the action.

My Thoughts:

I was so excited to get a new Sazi book and it was so worth the wait. This was such an action packed, engrossing read. There are so many twists, turns and wonderful unexpected moments. I learned things about old characters and met new characters. I have come to depend on the writing team of C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp for exciting and enjoyable reads. I have absolutely no doubt when picking up a book from this pair, I know I will love it. Great characters, action, a little romance and strong paranormal elements work so well together to create a story that will stay on my keeper shelf for many years. I will definitely read this story again and again.

I rate Cold Moon Rising by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp the Super Star!

Read Chapters 1, 2, 3

Check out their Blog here

Buy Now