Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I am sorry I have not made it to everyones blog to wish them a happy new year personally today. With being here at work then preparing for tonight I am a little stretched for time.

So I wanted to wish you all a wonderful, safe, and happy New Year!

You all have really helped make this year better than it was. I have made many great new friends and loads of wonderful reading ideas. We have had some great discussions on books and many other things. So thank you all for a great 2009 and here's to 2010! May it be just as good and even better for all of you! I am looking forward to many more great discussions to come.

Enjoy yourselves but please be safe! Thank you for helping me hit 57 followers this year as well.

Teaser Tuesday (14)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event.

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading.

(I am rotating from Teaser Tuesday and Where are you? on Tuesdays. This week is the teaser.)

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 "teaser" sentences from anywhere on the page.

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests.

List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This week:

The man dropped his arm. Ashe fell to the floor with an unceremonious thud, rolling once to land on her side.

Scorched

By Sharon Ashwood

Blog Design Contest!

Parajunkee is having one of her AWESOME Design Contests!!!

You get the Header, a Button, AND Background.

If you have not seen any of the blog designs she has created you are really missing out. They are amazing! Here is a link to her design blog to check them out Parajunkee Design.

Click Here to get to Parajunkees Blog to enter! Contest ends Jan 9, 2010. I also have a link on my sidebar if you would like to use that to jump over.

Monday Beginnings (18)

Before I start on my Monday Beginnings with my book update, I wanted to mention that just before Christmas here...

I hit and PASSED 50 followers! I want to take a moment and thank everyone for the follow. You are all wonderful and kind people. I am glad to see that so many of us have so much in common. I do plan on doing some sort of celebration here once we get into 2010 and life starts to calm back to normal.

THANK YOU ALL!!!

It is a wonderful feeling others are curious to read what I may have to say.


I do hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! It seems from what I have seen so far on the blogs I have been able to get to that you all had a great holiday. AWESOME! We did very well here. The big man in the red suit treated us all great and we are happy for another year. lol.

Okay, now into Monday Beginnings...

How are you faring in reading your books or are you starting a new book for the week? The beginning of the week usually seems to be a great time to start anew. I have found at times Monday sets the pace of the way of the week, although sometimes I wish it didn't. Have you been able to get much reading time in or are you going to be rushed this week to just catch up with life and reading in the short 24 hour days we have?

With all the holiday reads going around I have still come up with books to add to my tbr list. I have come up with 7 more books this week, and one of the seven my son would be able to read as well. I have to say thank you all for these great suggestions! These all sound like wonderful books and you are all helping to keep me out of trouble and keep these awesome authors in work doing what we love best.

I have not finished any books this past week. Actually, with the holiday this past week I have been a little short on reading time. With doing all my elfin duties to help the big man. Santa*whispering* I am still working on the same books I was last week, Scorched by Sharon Ashwood. I am enjoying this book. I am currently on page 269 out of 366. I know not much left to go, but it seems everything keeps getting in the way of me and my books this week.

As for today, well... I have not got any reading in yet. We visited with very good friends of ours tonight to do the Christmas exchange and spend a little time together. So, that being said I will probably not get much blog reading done here tonight to just try to get a little bit of reading time in.

So, I am really wondering is, is this a good week for reading for you?

Book Contest!

Natalie at Mindful_Musing is having a contest to give away a book for 400 followers! Congrats Natalie for getting to 400!

Click her name above to jump over there to see what wonderful books you get to choose from if you win.

The contest will end January 20, 2010! Check it out!

Book Contest!

Stop by and Check it out!

Tina at Tinas_Book_Reviews is having a contest for hitting 150 followers.

It is a $20 shopping spree at The Book Depository!!!

The winner to be picked 01/25/2010.

Favorite Fictional Character (14)

Favorite Fictional Character

Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

This week I am still in the seasonal mood. Now, I know there may be a few of this character out there - but I am going to go ahead and use this character anyway. I want to share why I love this character so much... And the character we have is... Santa Claus!

Now, Ryan at http://wordsmithonia.blogspot.com/2009/12/favorite-fictional-character-santa.html had used the same show and Santa as I am going to do.

I have a link here for his site so you can read his wonderful version of the show and why he loves this Santa. (Please stop by to visit.)

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.

This version of Santa Claus makes him a real live person to me. I have always been one of those people that loves magic and wonder, but there has to be logic and truth behind it to make it work for me. Here in this version of Santa Claus he is just that, the really man behind it all. Here it shows how he grew up with making toys, wanted to share with all the others, met his wife, and how he came to one night a year.

I like how this tale makes Santa the real breathing person that is then given the gift of immortality for all his good will. It also makes me believe there really are wonderful, giving people who want nothing in return other than to see you happy.

That is what the season is all about, to see each other happy and safe.

I do want to say, what ever holiday this time of year you celebrate - please enjoy yourself with your friends and family (whether picked and/or born to) because we don't know how long we have them, for the moving with jobs or otherwise.

To everyone a happy and merry holiday! I hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year as well!

It's Tuesday...Where are you? (7)

This is hosted by

An_Adventure_In_Reading

I'm with Mac looking for Holly, the powerful witch that some how quieted the soul hungery demon in Mac with a powerful spell that killed the demon woman who turned him, around Fairview University where Holly is going to college. Mac's hunger still nags at him but he can't eat souls anymore, he seems to want to be human again like he was before he met that beautiful demon. A little over a year ago he had lost his whole life as a cop when he met her. Oh, there Holly is, she is not going to be to thrilled to see Mac - remembering the last time they met Mac tried to eat her soul (that was a year ago) and her vampire choosen boyfriend locked Mac in the Castle just last night.

Scorched

By Sharon Ashwood

Monday's Beginnings (17)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

How are you fareing in reading your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding books to my reading list. This week I have picked up three books. So, thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

I have finished one book this past week, Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. I loved it, you should scroll down and read my review. I have now started a new book for this week, Scorched by Sharon Ashwood. Now, with all the shopping and wrapping and prepping for the holiday coming my reading time has been reduced even more than normal. Along with this being a short week I don't think I will be able to get this book done. :( But I am going to give it the good old college try! This read, also, is for a discussion over at Barnes and Nobles, so I will be taking my notes with my stickies. LOL.

As for today, I did not get any reading done, yet. So this being said I am most definitely going to set at least an hour aside this evening before bed to get more reading in.

So, I am really wondering if this is going to be a good week for reading - or not.

Now... this leaves us with one question left...

How does it look for your reading progress to fare this week?

Book Giveaway! Across the Face of the World

I just found this giveaway by way of a friends blog. This book looks beautiful! (As you all know I love my waterfalls.)

This book sounds like a great fantasy adventure to go on.

Stop by http://aloneinholyland.blogspot.com/ to enter for this contest. BUT hurry because it is only going on until December 25, 2009!

If you would like to look into the book a little more here is the link to the authors site. I hope you enjoy your visit and best of luck to you all! http://www.russellkirkpatrick.com/index.cfm

Award: Honest Scrap

I am a little slow at getting my awards out here. This award has been graciously passed on to me by two great blogs; One_Persons_Journey_Through_Books and Parajunkee.

Here are the details: The Honest Scrap works like this. I will list 10 true things about myself and then tag 7 more blogs to go through the process.

I am sorry I have delayed in passing this award on. As you can tell I like to procrastinate. So my first true thing of myself starts here:

1. I do have a bad habit of procrastinating. It's not that I don't want to do something I just, at times, can't get the motivation to get to doing it. There always seems to be something else closer to the top of the list (which has been left to go for a later date as well.)

2. I was never a big book reader growing up. I have just started really seriously reading about two years ago now.

3. I keep a writing journal by my bed and one in my purse. You never know when a thought is going to strick you so I like to know there is a journal near by. When I get ideas for a new or a started story I ponder it for a while and write it down, trying to think how to work it in to the stories. (No, I have not yet finished a story. I am hoping to be better settled in a years time to be able to put more time and effort into my thoughts. Do I plan on getting published? NO. I like to create the stories for fun. Even if no one else will ever read them.)

4. I am not very patient. When I want something - I want it now. Many times I will try to save the money and as soon as I have the amount away I go to get it.

5. I try to plan things ahead of time. I am one of those that has to have a schedule I follow just about everyday. I don't have to have exact times but the idea of what I do is there. Little things can change, but I get irritated whe it is a drastic change or I am totally and completely disturbed from normal things. I have to work on this one, it is my biggest problem.

6. I am soooooo not a morning person. I need to have at least 7 hours of sleep or don't come near me or look at me. lol. I take a few hours to wake up. I may be up and moving but I am not awake yet.

7. Some friends have told me they thought I was mean or something when they first met me because I wouldn't talk much. But once I got to know them, I have not been able to shut up. lol. I love to talk, and about just about anything too. That is part of the reason I love to comment so much.

8. I read extremely slow. I may even reread sections several times to make sure I understand everything. My mind seems to pick a story apart and piece it back together and speculate on it afterward as to where the story is going. I wish I could read faster, but enjoy thinking and pondering on what ill happen and why in any book. So at each time I put the book down I constantly think on it.

9. I am a sticky note person! My books have little color coordinated post-its along with the lined ones sticking out the side. I tag spots I think I may want to come back to in order to reread or to back up what happens. I also tag spots where I have questions, I always like to know my questions are answered in a story or if not in this book maybe in the next one of the series.

10. Lately... and I am ashamed to admit this one. I have had a problem with the swearing. Those aweful little words have been easily flowing out of my mouth lately. I have got to reel it in a little bit. I think I have made myself over stressed with trying to get everything done and appease everyone for the holidays. But, that will be part of my New Year resolutions.

Okay, Now I need to pass this on to other nominees... (I know there is not seven here, but I didn't want to pass on to everyone and leave no one left to pass to. lol) If you have already received this award congrats and sorry for doubling you up.

They are:

Vision_Quest_Failed
Brizmuz_BlogsBooks
Ever_Expanding_Library
SFF_Chat
Terra_On_the_Bookshelf
Wordsmithonia

Book Review: Tempest Rising

Tempest Rising


By: Nicole Peeler

Publisher: Orbit

Publish Date: November 2009

Format: Paperback, 4 1/8"x 6 3/4", 344pages

Genre: Fantasy/Horror

Series: First in Jane True's adventures. The second one is due out July 2010 - Tracking the Tempest.

Recommendation: Yes, definitely if you like humor with your love and fantasy suspense of murder.

First Sentence:
I eyeballed the freezer, trying to decide what to cook for dinner that night. Such a decision was no mean feat, since a visiting stranger might assume that Martha Stewart not only lived with us but was preparing for the apocalypse.

Book Synopsis:
Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society.

During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing water ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures that are terrifying, beautiful, and deadly - all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever-rub the genie's lamp.

My Review and Summary:
This is another book which I enjoyed so much I was not able to put it down. I wanted so badly to stay up all night and finish reading it, thats how much I loved the humor and the characters.

We meet Jane, who lives with her slightly ailing father to help take care of him in a small home town of Rockabill. The appearance and disappearance of Janes mother has the towns people a little wary of her. Then there is that dark past, or deed of eight years ago, that has the small town whispering and starring at her all the time. A small town that seems to never forget, let alone forgive. This has caused Jane to take to staying to the shadows and not catching anyones eye to prevent an uncomfortable situation with a few of her biggest fans.

In meeting Jane you learn quickly she is a swimmer. But, not any ordinary swimmer. She is such an exceptionally strong swimmer she swims in the outskirts of one of America's deadliest whirlpools, in winter with freezing cold water, naked. But, during this particular swim she spies a body spinning around in the Old Sow, the name of the large whirlpool.

This book introduces you to many great mythical characters with great potential abilities that could easily complement Jane. You have your share of supernatural creatures here; kelpie, selkie, vampires, nahuals, and many, many others.

We are introduced to an Investigator, Ryu, who is investigating more than the dead body of Jakes and is more than what Jane realizes. Janes relationship with Ryu is a unique one with love. I have loved these two together with the tension and understanding they share, along with making me smile and chuckle at the humor shared.

There is a lot of great humor in the book. I found myself smiling and chuckling at Jane and her little comments or thoughts. One of my favorite humor lines from Jane is, after being chased through the woods for a short while by some animal which she does not know what or why it is chasing her. "I wasn't running now so much as stumbling quickly, panting like a geriatric lion." There are a few references in the same scene that made me chuckle but this one almost got me in trouble for reading while at work. I could rather understand what Jane was feeling and felt it myself. Also, with the whirlpool being named Old Sow the town has adopted many pig reference names. Reading Ryus responce to these names and thinking on them myself as I read I got a little chuckle everytime.

Ryu seems to be a huge influence on Jane with helping to bring her out of her shell, and letting Jane be who Jane is. Jane has a lot thrown at her at once in this new crazy world with different rules, and she handles all the news very well... by running. No she doesn't run away in the book, but when the battles start she does what many of us think of and that is run. However, even in her running she fights for what she believes. Through all the craziness Jane grows greatly as a character, both physically and mentally. Jane is now ready to grow to her full potential, or at least start moving down that path for book 2 in the series.

There is alot of room for the growth on these secondary characters in future books to accent Jane and even additional storylines. There is a lot of growth for Jane to do as well. I have fallen for the books and will be faithfully waiting for the next book, Tracking the Tempest to come out. A great, enjoyable read.

Contest for Better Part of Darkness!

Okay if you all have been following my blog I have been wanting 2 books lately. And this is one of them!

I am rather excited. There is a tour going on for this book and the sites on the tour are going to be giving a book away! So I will probably enter them all to win it!

Right now Parajunkee is up. Click here name link and check out this awesome looking and sounding book!

But, please wish me luck!

Contest For Fallen

Fallen by Lauren Kate

You all have probably seen this book around the blogs. Well, here is a great surprise...Book_Chick_City is giving away, in a contest, a signed copy of Fallen!

Click the link to stop by and check it out...

Good Luck to you!

Balderdash (16)

Word Verification Balderdash
is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

This is very easy to do.

If you comment on blogs you can do this too.

Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.

You then play Balderdash with them.

In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.

Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.

Here are mine for this week:

flearip - this is that annoying tiny hole in you sweater or even panty-hose that seems to always catch your own eye, even if no one else sees it, and as you was the sweater the pin hole seems to grow until one day you are not able to wear it anymore because even if no one could see it before - it is obvious now.

pardi - the slang term used in college at ages of 18 - 21 (or when you are under age) for party.

shewari - this is the female warrior of the medieval times. The women that no one wants to meet in the back of a dark alley. She may not have the visible muscles of the muscular men but she will definitely tear your limbs apart with her bare hands. And don't, I repeat DON'T give her a weapon. If she has a weapon ~ sword, knife, even a table leg - she will take you down in a heart beat. There were not many of these women around being they did not get the chance to have children of their own, as they where always busy fighting and protecting, and many of the injuries they suffered affected their reproduction. They knew there place in the world and held it proudly, till they became nonexistant. It is thought that we do still have decendants of these women in the world today, but they are very difficult to distinguish from others these days.

catswre - this is the sense cats have that detects your feelings. This is a vibe they get from you with out you even moving which indicates when you extra attention or if it is play time or even just to stay on their side of the room.

Favorite Fictional Character (14)

Favorite Fictional Character

Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

My characters this week, still in the mode of the season, are both - yes I said both - are featured in one of my favorite Christmas cartoons ~ The Year Without a Santa Claus.

As you may know how the story goes, Santa Claus gets sick and fears he will have to cancel Christmas for all the good little boys and girls. With Santa on vacation to relax, two elves have to go find people that still love Christmas to help as Santa feels people are lossing the feeling. Well, the elves run into some trouble and the reindeer is captured, thinking its a dog. But, all in all Mrs. Claus has to come to help and the mayor agrees to let the reindeer go if it will snow in this town. Now see... the catch is this down is in the south ~ where it DOES NOT snow.

So, this brings us to my two favorite characters this week... Snow Miser and Heat Miser. I love these two guys. Besides the song they sing I think they are great poler opposites. They love each other yet don't. What family love! lol.

I love how both want a little piece of what the other has... Is it always greener on the other side of the rainbow? To these brothers maybe only to one of them. They have divided the world in half and don't want to relinquish any piece they have for even one day. Mrs. Claus then has to do as many people end up doing... Yep, going to talk to Mother Nature to straighten the boys out.

So with great pleasure I introduce The Miser Brothers:

Teaser Tuesdays (13)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event.
Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading.

(I am rotating from Teaser Tuesday and Where are you? on Tuesdays. This week is the teaser.)

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading(anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 "teaser" sentences from anywhere on the page.
Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests.

List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This Week:

"You have been removed from this case and I have been given the authority to replace you." The goblin rummaged in the outer pocket of her briefcase. "Orin asked me to inform you that this is through no fault of your own. When a member of our firm is killed in action, our contract of service stipulates that we become responsible for the deceased agent's investigation." The creature's yolk-yellow eyes flicked toward me for a split second, and I shuddered.

Tempest Rising

By Nicole Peeler

Monday's Beginnings (17)

This is the beginning of a new week!



So, I am wondering:



How are you fareing in reading your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?



I am still adding books to my reading list. This week I have only picked up two books. Two is not that many, but that is okay, as my tbr stack here has grown with my addiction of purchasing books and with Christmas coming I don't want to purchase anymore - but my list of tbr is TOOOO big. I am never going to get through it! So, I keep reminding my husband that I would love to get books for Christmas. I will see what I will get. Even gift cards would work if he is afraid of getting the wrong books. So thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).



With the holiday season and all the running for shopping and even browsing to get ideas for gifts has taken a lot of my reading time away from me. I am currently reading a new book I just started last night, Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. This read also is for a discussion over at Barnes and Nobles, so I will be taking my notes with my stickies. LOL. I did get done with a book this past week, well actually yesterday - The Sad Tale of the Brothers Brossbart by Jesse Bullington. You can check out my review here.



As for today, I did get some reading done, not much but I did. I was trying to sneak a page here and there at work. Tempest Rising has caught my attention for a few reasons, and I am loving it so far. So this being said I am most definitely going to set at least an hour aside this evening before bed to get more reading in.

So, I am hoping this is going to be a great week for reading. I am hoping to get done with this book in about a week since I am liking it this much now... I may not be able to put it down.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... How does it look for your reading progress to fare this week?

Book Review

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart

By: Jesse Bullington

Publisher: Orbit

Publish Date: November 2009

Format: Paperback, 5 1/2" x 8 1/4", 425pages

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

Series: Stand-alone novel

Recommendation: Nah, probably not from me.

First Sentence:
To claim that the Brothers Grossbart were cruel and selfish brigands is to slander even the nastiest highwayman, and to say they were murderous swine is an insult to even the filthiest boar.

Book Synopsis:
We ain't thieves and we ain't killers, we's just good men been done wrong.

The Year is 1364. Hungry creatures stalk the dark woods of medieval Europe, and both sea and sky teem with unspeakable horrors. There is no foulness, however, no witch nor demon, to rival the grave-robbing twins Hegel and Manfried Grossbart. This is their tale, sad but true.

My Review and Summary:
I have to start off with saying I do love the cover of this book. I thought it was cool being two pictures in one here.

The writing was a little hard for me to get ahold of at the beginning of the book, but not long into the book I adjusted well. There are different point of views given in the book, but they are not separated out in the reading. In reading along I would come to a paragraph which in the first sentence changed views quickly, but the nice thing was in that first sentence of change it specified whos view you where changing to.

With each of the characters I came across in the book there was a short story written into the book on them. A few of them told their story as a whole chapter of their own. I enjoyed these short stories. I felt more interested in the short stories at times than the story of the Grossbart brothers. The story of the Grossbart brothers dragged for me many times in the book. But the brothers had very unique views in the book.

The Grossbart brothers had very distinctive views on Religion, Mercy, and life in general. The brothers seem to be the victims of their narrow view of Religion. Their view of Religion and life seemed to have a personal twist to it. If someone did not see things in the same light as the brothers they figured that person to be a heretic of the religious belief of the Virgin Mary and killed them. Through the book no one seemed to be able to stand the brothers for long, everyone either wanted to kill them or just be away from them.

One thing I did like through the book was when a character left the brothers presence and went about their way you got a short blip on what happened to that person after they left. This gave a closing to me as a reader to all the characters in the story.

If you do read this book be ready for some gruesome scenes and to come across twin brothers that could be the two men you love to hate.

I Just Won!

Okay, I am really excited right now!



I just saw that I won Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding over at SciFiGuy.ca. This is really cool!!! Hurray!!!



I had this book along with Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay on my Dear Santa list. I am soooo excited that I won one of these amazing looking and sounding books. I still have Better Part of

Darkness on my Dear Santa list. So I plan on getting to these books here in January.

I hope you all check out these books!!!

Balderdash (15)

Word Verification Balderdash

is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

This is very easy to do.

If you comment on blogs you can do this too.

Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.
You then play Balderdash with them.

In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.

Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.

Here are mine for this week:

squele - the sound a childs wet tennis shoes make on the polished marble floors at the stores and then they insist on making more of the sound intentionally for their amusement.

umfor - the stunded, speechless response made by children when the parents catch them and ask them what they where doing, when they know they should NOT be doing something or are doing something not asked to do.

eptisms - the plurel form of a scientific field of study that is done in that building none of us are to know exists, we don't know exactly what the field of study specializes in but we know that it exists and may have something to do with nature or genes.

insingst - this is singing in the shower when you think no one is home or can hear you, then when you come out of the bathroom there is your family with that grin on their face telling you they heard you - and you feel embarressed for your untuned and short of melody singing.

Favorite Fictional Character (13)

Favorite Fictional Character
Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

My Favorite Fictional Character this week is based off my absolute favorite Christmas movie ever... White Christmas. I know many of you have probably heard of it and may have even seen it millions of times. I just can't seem to get enough of this movie each year.

The picture to the top right may be one of the most recognizable pictures from the movie. This is from the end scene of the movie with the famous song White Christmas. These are the four main actors/actresses on the sides.

I do have to say I love both Bob Wallace (played Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (played by Danny Kaye), the two characters complement each other very well through the movie with their slightly similiar yet completely different personalities. But of the two characters I have to say Phil Davis is my favorite. Thou both characters have a great sense of humor and are serious Phil seems to have more humor to him. He tries just about the whole way through the movie to pair Bob up with any woman to get him married and have nine children. Yes nine children! And the reason for nine is so Bob can spend just 5 minutes with each child it would give Phil 45 minutes to relax, and maybe get a massage. I loved the whole scene where Phil goes into this whole speech! See, they are producers and very successful singers with a show and always on the go to perform.

Another great scene by this duo is just after they meet the Haines Sisters. They let the girls go and Phil comes up with a great idea that Bob goes along with... Yep, you guessed it by the picture! They pretend to be the girls on stage lipsinging to a record. They really do look as they enjoy doing this little show as they are laughing as they do it.

But, a big part of this show is not just the fun and humor to it. The show does start with this duo as soldiers in the military. This is a rememberance to us who are not in the military that these men are out there away from home trying to get through the holidays as well. I just want to thank all soldiers everywhere in the world. You all fight for your country and don't get thanked enough.

After doing this post I am ready to watch White Christmas yet again. I wonder when it will be on again...

My First Challenge! Speculative Fiction

I have decided to try my first Challenge!

This Challenge is hosted by Book_Chick_City

The Challenge runs January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

There are 4 levels:

Inquisitive - read 3 Speculative Fiction novels.

Enthusiastic - read 6 Speculative Fiction novels.

Addicted - read 12 Speculative Fiction novels.

Obsessed - Read 24 Speculative Fiction novels.

I think I am going to fall in the category of Addicted. (maybe by the end of the year I will hit Obsessed too... we shall see.)

If you would like to sign up click the link above and sign up over at Book Chick City.

If you are curious as to what falls in this category here is a list from Book Chick City:

Genres:

-Science Fiction

sub-genres: hard/soft SF, cyberpunk, time travel, alternative history, space opera

-Fantasy Fiction

sub-genres: dark fantasy, urban fantasy, magic realism, quest, mythical fantasy, steampunk

-Horror Fiction

sub-genres: paranormal, gothis literature, splatterpunk

-Supernatural Fiction

-Superhero Fiction

-Utopian and Dystopian Fiction

-Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

I used the site: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/directory.cgi to verify if my reads fall in the Speculative Fiction category... And well... I think I am going to fall in the Obsessed class as everything in my tbr pile seems to fall here. I should be set for the year with reads.

My picks thus far for next year:

1. Before They Are Hung - By Joe Abercrombie

2. Last Arguement of Kings - By Joe Abercrombie

3. Nyphron Rising - By Michael Sullivan

4. Darker Angels - By M.L.N. Hanover

5. Demond Bound - By Caitlin Kittredge

6. Fire - By Kristin Cashore

7. Graceling - By Kristin Cashore

8. Hunger Games book #3 - By Suzanne Collins

9.

10.

11.

12.

(this list is not etched in stone but is most likely, along with starting the 10 book series by Steven Ericson.)

I am really getting excited now!!!

It's Tuesday...Where are you? (6)

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An_Adventure_In_Reading

The Grossbart brothers and I have been staying in the estate of Captain Alexius Barousse. We have brought him back his Siren and have been staying here unknown to us as captures. We have enjoyed our relaxing stay in the large house with the garden and lots of food and drink. Now things are starting to move. The priest that traveled here with us returned with bad news of how he has not been able to leave the town and they are coming to arrest us with him. Now, they are here. Captain Barousse has stalled the men they have brought, by convincing Cardinal Bunuel he will turn us over to him in the house and the Captains men will escort us out. But Rodrigo, the Captains right man, has just informed us we are to take the Cardinal prisoner. I thought we were to be taking a boat away this morning to Gyptland, where the Grossbart brothers are heading.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart

By: Jesse Bullingon

Monday's Beginnings (16)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

How are you fareing in reading your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding books to my reading list. This week I have only picked up two books. Two is not that many, but that is okay. I am again behind in reading blogs and I am really limiting my picks this last week, as my tbr stack here has grown with my addiction of purchasing books and with Christmas coming I don't want to purchas anymore - but my list of tbr is TOOOO big. I am never going to get through it! So, I keep reminding my husband that I would love to get books for Christmas. I will see what I will get. Even gift cards would work if he is afraid of getting the wrong books. So thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

With the holiday season and all the running for shopping and even browsing to get ideas for gifts has taken a lot of my reading time away from me. I am still in the same book I started last week, The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington. This read is for a discussion over at Barnes and Nobles, so I will be taking my notes with my stickies. LOL. I had thought I would be able to get back on my routine again... well, I think I was mistaken. Now I am trying to get done shopping and purchasing those lovely gifts that I don't even know what to get, then find time to wrap them all. My husband has also decided to redo some of our kitchen at the same time. AAARRGGHHH! Yeap, holidays and just a little redo in kitchen. Crazy man! Thank goodness we don't have anyone here for Christmas.

As for today, I didn't get any reading done yet. I am going to set an hour aside this evening before bed to get more reading in. I feel the need to get through the current book I am on so I can move on to the next on my list.

So, I am hoping this is not how the week is going to go... always fighting to get the reading in.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... How does it look for your reading progress to fare this week?

Balderdash (14)

Word Verification Balderdash
is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

This is very easy to do.

If you comment on blogs you can do this too.

Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.

You then play Balderdash with them.

In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.

Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.

Here are mine for this week:

Vitenspa - an elegant spa retreat, which is reasonably priced, that uses all natural minerals and vitamins in the spa treatment.

deditch - when your friends track you down in the mall to hang our with you for the remainder of the time there, after they ditched you when you all first got there.

aphympi - the sudden frightening thought that you forgot to do something and then remember you needed to do it yesterday.

comploi - to think over a ploy to use people to help others or get what one needs.

spinguse - the need to use that newly purchased or gifted item as soon as you get home with it.

pyred - the process of burning any and all burnable items to get rid of them.

Book Giveaway!!

Enter to the contest over at SciFiGuy.ca to win on of these... Contest ends December 8th at Midnight!

SciFiGuy.ca Has a great interview of Kelly Meding and Kelly Gay. On their new books.

Both of these books look and sound fabulous! I need to get my hands on these. Oh Santa dear...

Favorite Fictional Character (13)

Favorite Fictional Character

Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

Well, with the weather turning to a chill and the frost is starting to nip at our noses, I figured I would pick a Fictional Character this week which I have loved since a little child. Soon we here in the North Eastern United States will be seeing, for about three months, our favorite friend... Suzy Snowflake.

I saw the short video of Suzy Snowflake on Thanksgiving and just smiled. The tune is so catchy to me and I know just about every word. I always waited as patiently as I could by the window waiting for Suzy to come tapping so we could go out side to play. And hoping that we would have a snow day. Suzy Snowflake always ment bundling up to go play in the snow and have snowball battles.

I think she is one of the only holiday figure who does not have her own show for this time of year. I have never been able to figure that out. Jack Frost even got his own show... Hmmm makes you wonder huh?

So, I have decided to share my favorite video of Suzy Snowflake with you. Please keep in mind this is an old video that I got off of YouTube so it is a little fuzzy. But this is the video my mom grew up with as did I. So with out further ado here is Suzy....

Teaser Tuesdays (12)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event.

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading.

(I am rotating from Teaser Tuesday and Where are you? on Tuesdays. This week is the teaser.)

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading
(anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 "teaser" sentences from anywhere on the page.

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!
(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests.

List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This Week:

A twig snapped in the blackness, and Nicolette was crying and banging on the door with both hands. The old woman let her in, slipped the board back into place, and brought the girl to her meager firepit.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart

By Jesse Bullington

Monday's Beginnings (15)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

How are you fareing in reading your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. This week I have picked up three books. I know three is not that many and of these three I found two because of the series I have started. I keep reminding my husband that I would love to get books for Christmas. I will see what I will get. Even gift cards would work if he is afraid of getting the wrong books. So thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

With the holiday and all the running we do to see everyone I didn't get much reading done this week. I did however manage to get one book read and a review up, Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu. Last night I started into just a few pages of my next read, The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington. This read is for a discussion over at Barnes and Nobles, so I will be taking my notes with my stickies. lol. Now with the holiday past I have to get a routine again. And try to find time to do my shopping along with wrapping. I think the next month is going to be a little crazy...

As for today, I did get a little reading done at lunch hour and dinner time. I am going to set an hour aside this evening before bed to get more reading in as well. So, I am hoping this will be a good beginning to the week.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... How does it look for your reading progress to fare this week?

Book Review: Darkness Calls

Darkness Calls

By: Marjorie M. Liu

Publisher: Ace Books

Publish Date: July 2009

Format: Paperback (4"x 6 3/4"), pgs 303

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal

Series: 2nd bookof Hunter Kiss Series (If you would like to read the 1st books review click here.)

Recommendation: Yes! If you read the first book you have to read this one!

First Sentence:

Zombies had a bad habit of shooting me in the head.

Book Synopsis:

They are the obsidian shadows of my flesh-tattos with minds, hearts, and dreams. By day, they protect me. But when night calls to them, they leave my body, dissolving into their true form-as demons...

Nomad born and bred, demon hunter Maxine Kiss has always relied upon herself to fight the darkness that surrounds her, the predators-human, zombie, and otherwise-who threaten the earth. But one man has penetrated her lonely life: Grant, the last of his kind. With the ability to manipulate energy, he can control any living creature... including demons. And now his life is in danger.

Haunted by the past, determined to change the future, Maxine soon understands that to save Grant, she has only one choice-to lose control and release her own powers of darkness...

My Review and Summary:

Once again the synopsis the book gives is very well done. It hits on all the major topics in the book.

As I noted above, if you have read the first book you need to read this one.

The beginning of the book gives a lot of review with the new happenings to catch you up with the time from reading book one and the release of book two. There is a lot here to get you back up to speed in that break time frame, however for me it was a little slow since I had just finished the first book with all the happenings fresh in my mind. But, when the book picks up on its own path and goes... It goes!

You do get your share of action with Maxine along with the love her and Grant share. But most of all you start to get the story behind Jack and a few other key characters (you have to read to see who and what it is - it is worth it!). The history with Jack and many of the characters, including Maxines' heritage, is amazing and really opens the world up to so much more possibilities. I love the style Marjorie has used to tell the stories through-out the book. You start to see that through the labyrinth their is a large world and lots of great mystery behind the different creatures you are introduced to. You even get to see the connection between all the creatures that is intreging. Then there is an interesting take on where humans came from in accordance to the ancient beings.

I have loved the world and mystery in the Labyrinth. I would love to learn more of the Labyrinth and the magics it holds. After reading this book with the great character building we are still waiting for the veil to fail, and there are a few other troubles that could come Maxines way for the next few books to come.

I am going to be on the watch for book three to be coming out. I have found that Marjorie has a story of Maxine in an anthology of four authors called Wild Things. And there is a new anthology of 4 authors to be out in January 2010 that includes another story of Maxine called Inked. I will be looking into these two books after the new year.

It's Tuesday...Where are you? (5)

This is hosted by

An_Adventure_In_Reading

This week I am only reading one book and in one world.

Maxine and I just dropped Grant off at the airport. He is heading to Shanghi to help an old friend. Maxine and I have a bad feeling, we just know it is a trap. I am not sure what supernatural creature is going to be waiting but there will be something; zombies, avatar, some sort of demon. The boys on Maxines skin are sleeping now but they have been very agitated this morning. With the visit of a stranger and Mary's premonition of Grant dieing, oh yeah and Maxine getting shot in the head. *shiver* Just not a good morning. Maxine has a way figured out that she will be able to get to Grant over in Shanghi without all the paperwork of visas and such.

Darkness Calls

By Marjorie M. Liu

The Turkey Chase Is On...

Turkey day on the run...

We will be chasing the turkey all day and more... I don't know about most of you, but I get to make three stops on Thanksgiving and another stop on Saturday. I get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desert. And then I get dinner and desert two days later, from my large loving family.

So, with all this running we are doing I will definitely have my book in my purse. This book will help pass the time in traveling between places and any blah moments (you know these after everyone has eaten turkey and are getting sleepy) at each house. I will have my current book on hand just for these moments. I will be carrying Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu. Now, just in case I get done with this book I will be carrying, as well, The Sad Tale of Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington. I just hope I don't get caught. *giggle* My families seem to get a little upset at times when we are to be doing family time and I have my nose in another book.

Just curious, will you have your book on hand? Are you doing dinner at you home so... will you be reading in the kitchen with the turkey cooking? What book will you be sneaking in your purse or back pocket?

I hope you have a WONDERFUL TURKEY DAY!!!! Enjoy yourself with your friends and families.

Monday's Beginnings (14)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

Where you are in your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. This week I have picked up five books. Well, I do have to say I have told my husband that much of my Christmas list this year consists of books, which you all have contributed to. So thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

I am a little surprised with myself in I have finished two books this past week. They are up and reviewed here as well, but they were Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson and The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu. Bauchelain and Korbal Broach was more detailed for me with the characters and the world so it took me a little longer. The Iron Hunt was a very straight forward paranormal read and I just couldn't put it down. Tonight I am starting the next book to The Iron Hunt ~ Darkness Calls. With this week being Thanksgiving I may not get done with it with all our running to see our parents and grandparents all weekend along with Black Friday and a class reunion coming up.

I think I am starting to fall back into my pattern in the evenings again. I have tried to get back into my exercising on the Wii Fit for at least an hour 3 times a week, blogging, reading, and commenting on a book club forum.

As for today, I tried to get an hour of reading done this evening already and will try for another hour later. I do hope in our travels I can read while on our way, and yes I will have my book tucked in my purse so if I start to go through withdrawal I can pull it out. The only thing is the families get a little upset at times, so I will try my hardest not to read but the book may win out.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... Where are you?

Book Review

The Iron Hunt

By: Marjorie M. Liu

Publisher: Ace Books

Publish Date: July 2008

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal

Series: 1st book of Hunter Kiss series

Recommendation: YES!!!

First Sentence:

When I was eight, my mother lost me to zombies in a one-card draw.

Book Synopsis:

Silver smoke winds around my torso, peeling away from my ribs and back, stealing the dark mist covering my hands and lower extremities... tattoos dissolving into demon flesh, coalescing into small dark bodies. My boys. The only friends I have in this world. Demons.

I am a demon hunter. I am a demon. I am Hunter Kiss.

By day, her tattoos are her armor. By night, they unwind from her body to take on forms of their own - demons of the flesh, turned into flesh. This is the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has ever known. It's the only way to live, and the very way she'll die. For one day her demons will abandon her for her daughter to assure their own survival 0 leaving Maxine helpless against her enemies.

But such is the way of Earth's last protector - the only one standing between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veil. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment - and one man - changes everything...

My Review and Summary:

I am not going to say to much on what happens in the book. I think the book synopsis does a very good job of that. So, I am going to try and stick to my thoughts on this review.

This book is a great beginning to a unique series idea. This book introduces you to all the characters and given what you need to love them, along with the fast pacing to keep you going. The book is VERY well written to make me love and hate the characters with Maxine as we go through the story. I loved how there are many different demons and creatures. By the end of the book, I felt I knew the characters well, but had many curiosities of them. My curiosities were not from a lack in the story, but more of my thinking on the characters afterward. Where they are from and what they could truely be capable of.

There are things here that Marjorie lays out for you to foresee in the story, but there are so many unpredictable happenings, and appearances as well. You get pieces of the plot to puzzle together as the story goes and it keeps you wanting more. I didn't want to put the book down. Another great book where I tried to make stopping points but just could NOT find one, I had to keep reading to find out what happens and what creature am I going to meet next.

I do have to mention the '80s references ~ on the radio and tv reruns. The references are in no way over done. I enjoyed the subtlety of them, since I too am an '80s lover.

One of my favorite characters in the book were the tattoos. I loved the WHOLE idea with/of them. The way they live, protecting Maxine both day and night in different ways. The way they help guide Maxine even when they are sleeping. This is an amazing creation that I look forward to reading more of.

The only thing with this story was I felt, in the first fifty pages or so, I had missed some information. Maybe I missed a story that preceded this book or maybe this is information that is left open to be discussed in future books. Either way it did not hinder the book in any way and keeps a little mystery in the book and future installments for me.

In the end, I loved this books' plot and the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone loving paranormal books.

Book Review

Bauchelain and Korbal Broach

By: Steven Erikson

Publisher: Tor

Publish Date: September 2009

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Series: Volume 1, of Short Novels of the Malazan Empire

Recommendation: Yes, if you like to read in a huge world and may want to jot down little pieces to remember.

Book Synopsis:

Set in the awe-inspiring world of the Malazan Empire. Here are three tales of the enigmatic and eccentric necromancers Bauchelain and Korbal Broach collected in one volume.

BLOOD FOLLOWS

In the port city of Lamentable Moll, a diabolical killer stalks the streets and panic grips the citizens like a fever. As Emancipor Reese's legendary ill luck would have it, his previous employer is the unknown killer's latest victim. But two strangers have come to town, and they have posted in Fishmonger's Round a note, reeking of death-warded magic, requesting the services of a manservant.

THE LEES OF LAUGHTER'S END

After their blissful souourn in Lamentable Moll, the sorcerors Bauchelain and Korbal Broach-along with their manservant, Emancipor Reese-set out on the open seas aboard the sturdy ship Suncurl. Alas, there's more baggage in the hold than meets the beady eyes of the crew, and unseemly terrors awaken. For Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, and Emancipor Reese, it is just one more night on the high seas, on a journey without end.

THE HEALTHY DEAD

The city of Quaint's zeal for goodness can be catastrophic, and no one knows this better than Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, two stalwart champions of all things bad. The homicidal necromancers-and their substance-addled manservant, Emancipor Reese-find themselves ensnared in a scheme to bring goodness into utter ruination. Sometimes you must bring down civilization...in the name of civilization.

First sentences:

1.) The bells pealed across the Lamentable City of Moll, clamouring along the crooked, narrow alleys, buffeting the dawn-risers hurriedly laying out their wares in the market rounds.

2.) West of Theft, the Tithe Strait opens out into the Wastes. A vast stretch of ocean through which naught but the adventurour and the foolhardy dared brave the treacherous, dubious sea-lanes as far as the red road of Laughter's End, and from there, onward to the islands of the Seguleh and the southern coast of Genabackis, where the lands of Lamatath offered surdid refuge for pirates, wastrels, the rare trader and the ubiquitous pilgram ships of the Fallen God.

3.) Those who die healthily are stuffed and displayed in glass-cased shrines as examples of good living. Imid Factallo, foreman of the work crew relaying the cobbles round back of the Wall, was struck unconscious by a collapsing wagon, and so became a saint.

My Review and Summary:

These stories are on the dark side and are very detailed in the world. I have really been enjoying the books with which I feel I should use sticky notes to help me remember who's who and who did what.

The first story started out with me being confused for a little while. But, once I got through it I understood what was going on. In this first story you realize just how massive a world Erikson has created. These stories are based in the same world as Erikson's epic series, of the Malazan Empire.

There seems to be a lot of mysterious magic and different creatures/beings in this colossal world. You do get introduced to a new set of characters in each story, but you are always following the trio of men; Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, and Emancipor (the manservant). This trio of men seem to not be the "bad" guy in so many words, yet... they are. They are definitely not the heros either, but they may have a touch of it in them. I like how he follows from different character point of views, then I found myself wondering what was going to happen when they crossed paths. I had many questions and thoughts of not knowing where this trio of men was going in the world and what trouble they would uncover and create.

In the second and third stories you start to see more of the Gods and old ways of the cities. There is so much happening quickly in these short stories that you have to keep going. The third story even touches on a topic that was very interesting to me, healthiness. Can it be done too much? I really enjoyed the topic and the extreme views of the characters.

I enjoy a story that is on the dark side and has a large amount of details to follow. I have not read the Malazan Empire yet, but this is my goal for 2010 - read the 10 books series.