Monday's Beginnings (79)

How are you faring at the beginning of this week?  Are you starting a new book or finishing one up?

Well, it's a rainy yucky Monday here.  Just not that great of a day.  Just plain yucky Monday.  I just need to keep reminding myself that the sun and colors will be with us very soon, just to hold on a little longer and not let the rain get to me.

I got through Triune by Willow Polson last week and the review will be coming up at the end of this week.  I started City of Bones by Cassandra Clare last week, and hoping to finish it up this week before Friday for my chat with two wonderful blogger friends. :)  And I'm enjoying it.  And I will be starting The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay for the Blog Book Chat starting on Thursday.  I do have a few other review books in the wings here to read when I get settled down this week.  I have to look at the order of arrivals in order to pick one.  But I'm hoping for a big week this week.

I felt I got a lot of reading done yesterday and made a HUGE dent in City of Bones yesterday.  I'm looking forward to finishing this book up here soon.

As for my WANT list... well, I'm slacking again as it seems.  I've only added 3 books this past week.  I've been trying to calm down as I know I have many review books that should be coming here very soon and not getting to buy many books.  But I guess a girl can always dream...

Books Received Last Week:
Purchased:
This is one series I've been wanting to get into.  I've heard AMAZING things about it.  And I love reading Ann Aguirre's Corine Solomon series, so this is a given.

Goodreads synopsis:
As the carrier of a rare gene, Sirantha Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace-a talent which makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. Then a crash landing kills everyone on board, leaving Jax in a jail cell with no memory of the crash. But her fun's not over. A group of rogue fighters frees her...for a price: her help in overthrowing the established order.


My shelves are starting to scream from all the weight they are holding, so I'm trying to cool myself on the purchasing (although I will pay for it later when I go on a spree).  But for now I'm TRYING to play it cool. ;D

Oh, I almost forgot... If you would like to stop by and read the 250 word writing I entered over at Deadline Dames you can jump over HERE.  You can't miss me, I'm right in the comments as Melissa My World...in words and pages.  Hope you enjoy. :)

So, how are you faring this week?  Does it look like a good reading week for you?

I'm hoping it turns out to be a wonderful week for all of us.

Here's to wishing you all the best in words and pages.

Book Review: The Lost Gate

The Lost Gate

By:  Orson Scott Card

Publisher:  Tor

Publish Date:  January 2011

Format:  ARC review copy

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  1st book in Mithermage Series

Recommendation:  Yes, If you are looking for a Magical YA fantasy from a boy's view.  Wonderful Magic loss and growth story here.

Book Synopsis:
Dan North knows from early childhood that his family is different - and that the differences are secrets that can never be told.  This contemporary Urban Fantasy introduces the North family, a clan of mages in exile in our world, and their enemies who will do anything to keep them locked here.

First Sentence:
Danny North grew up surrounded by fairies, ghosts, talking animals, living stones, walking trees, and gods who called up wind and brought down rain, made fire from air and drew iron out of the depth of the earth as easily as ordinary people might draw up water from a well.

My Review and Summary:
Danny North is a young mage of 11 years of age, yet he is considered a drekka because he has shown no signs of using or having magic.  Danny is a mage in a commune of the North mage clan where all are related and have been imprisoned here on our Earth for the last thirteen and a half centuries as the gates to Westil where locked and closed by Loki.  And it's a given by all the warring families if any have a Gatemage they are to put them to death (with the thanks to Loki's trickster ways and closing the gates), yet secretly all the families hope for one to open the Great Gate back to their home land.  Danny, unknowingly for years has been creating gates, and gets found out by the Greek girl.  Danny is now on the run for his life, and needs to learn what he can from a world that knows nothing of making gates.

I fear this was one of those books where the hype raised my expectations a little to high.  As I enjoyed reading the book, it wasn't as out there as I had thought it would be.  Orson has created a society where the people are from another world and full of magic, yet the magic is failing them and they are not as strong as they where when they where considered gods years ago.  They are in need of the Great Gate to strengthen them once again, and to return to their home land.  Yet they are exiled here on Earth.

This book is the journey of Danny North to learning about drekka's, or normal people with no magic.  Yet, Danny finds his way to other orphans of magic and to a wonderful home of people who take care of him and teach him what they can.  What we have here is a young boy turning into a young man, learning what he can of what he can do magically, what are the good and bad things to do with his powers.

Then we have another character we follow through the story.  This character has lived within a tree for years, maybe centuries.  Finally he births from the tree as a young boy, with no true memories of the past.  He shows up in a town where he is taken in by a kitchen lead cook who realizes he has great powers.  This is the character I actually enjoyed following the most.  The mystery behind Wad, and the magical abilities he has, and the double life he lives in this wondrous home of the Kind and Queen.

I think I would like to read the next book in this series when it comes out as to the curiosity it left in me.  I'm curious as to why this families where exiled here in our world, what Wad will do now with what has happened to him, and what Danny will learn next and how to handle all the screaming inside him now.  Will the families come after Danny or will he be safe in the future?  I am curious.

This book is a Young Adult read, and I think young boys will enjoy this read.  I would say the book seems to be geared for young adults from about thirteen and older.


I read this book for review as I won the book.

This book qualifies for the YA Reading Challenge, and Speculative Fiction Challenge.

Looking Forward To...(41)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Badlands

By:  Seleste DeLaney

Due Out:  February 28, 2011

I read a review of this book over at Wonderbunny's blog, Cookies, Books, and Bikes.  And I really enjoyed what she had to say.  So, I went looking a little more and I think I might have to have this one as well.  And I have to say I LOVE this cover!

Goodreads Synopsis:

After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union. 

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally. 

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction. She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his ship and crew above his own desires. Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands— if death doesn't find them first...

Throwback Thursday (4)

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves?

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start?  Back to the WANT list this week...

This book I first saw at a fellow bloggers site.  It also sounds like a wonderful fantasy read.  The old fashion style.

Daggerspell
By:  Katharine Kerr

Goodreads Synopsis:
Even as a young girl,  Jill was a favorite of the magical, mysterious  Wildfolk, who appeared to her from their invisible  realm. Little did she know her extraordinary  friends represented but a glimpse of a forgotten past  and a fateful future. Four hundred years-and many  lifetimes-ago, one selfish young lord caused the  death of two innocent lovers. Then and there he  vowed never to rest until he'd rightened that  wrong-and laid the foundation for the lives of Jill  and all those whom she would hold dear: her  father, the mercenary soldier Cullyn; the exiled  berserker Rhodry Maelwaedd; and the ancient and  powerful herbman Nevyn, all bound in a struggle against  darkness. . . and a quest to fulfill the  destinies determined centuries ago. Here in this newly  revised edition comes the incredible novel that  began one of the best-loved fantasy seers in recent  years—a tale of bold adventure and timeless  love, perilous battle and pure magic. For  long-standing fans of Deverry and those who have yet to  experience this exciting series,  Daggerspell is a rare and special treat.

Who? What? Where? (7)

Who are you with?  Where are you at?  What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now. 

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

I'm moving this post from Thursdays to Wednesdays as I have another idea for Thursdays.

I'm with two of the Mason Brothers; Barrett and Mike, driving through Los Gatos California on the way back to San Jose.  We are looking for a nice bungalow for the three brothers to live in as they are stronger together.

Triune

By Willow Polson

Big News for Author Michael Sullivan!

Big news for author Michael Sullivan!

So, if you've been here for a while you know I've enjoyed Michael Sullivan's fantasy series call Riyria Revelations.  It's been a great journey through these 5 of 6 books thus far.  And I'm excited to get into book 6.

However... And this is in all a great thing for Michael and the series, the series is now being published by Orbit Books!
 Hooray Michael!!!
Many, many congrats for all the hard work he has done with the series, and to Robin his wondrous wife who has helped the whole way.

So, what does this mean for the series?  Well, Orbit Books is going to publish the books in a trilogy with each book having two sections to it starting with the first book released next November and one book each month.  Robin did leave a comment that Orbit will be putting out a Pecepliquis only version as well for those of us needing only the last book only ~ it might only be as an ebook, we will have to wait and see what Orbit has in store for us.  I'm sure it is amazing though as they are an amazing publishing company.

Please, take a hop over to Michael's blog and check out what he has to say.  CLICK HERE.

And if you keep checking back, I will be interviewing Michael.  I'm getting ready to send the questions to him later this week.  So it will be coming in the future. :) Keep an eye peeled.

Interview With Urban Fantasy Author Mark Henry!

I'm thrill to have an interview with an amazing author with a wonderful sense of humor.  Will you all help me welcome, Mark Henry!


M:  Hi Mark!  Thank you for joining me here on the blog today. 

M:  Okay, for anyone who may not know who you are (and I can’t see that being true, they should all know who you are, hint, hint), can you tell us just a little of Amanda Feral and this great series of the dead.

MH:  I find that the vast majority of urban fantasy readers have no clue about the series, really. I hear it a lot. It wasn’t pushed by the publisher beyond the first book and most of the marketing happened here on the internet, guest blogs and such. You guys are really invaluable to promotion. But back to the series. I’ll nutshell it for those who don’t know. Amanda and her friends are some snarky ass bitches, and they eat people, and they don’t care. The books are mostly about friendship and what happens to burnouts who only survive through cocktails and mockery. Sound dark? Yeah, it is. But there’s lots to root for, as Amanda goes from an absolutely wretched human being to a halfway decent zombie.


M:  I'd like to thank you from all bloggers for making us feel important with these little blogs. :)

M:  I have to mention the unique point of view writing style you used to tell Amanda’s story in Happy Hour of the Damned.  I really enjoyed this.  It felt from time to time as she was sitting right beside me telling me the story.  Did the story just come out this way?  Amanda just took over the pen and started writing?

MH:  I’ve mentioned before, just recently, how sometimes writing can be a fugue state. Not in the sense that I sit down at the computer and hand myself over to another personality, but rather I merely lose track of time. It’s like method acting, particularly when you write a book in the first person. You take on the role of the character and just go. I definitely wanted the book to read as a very personal experience. The footnotes were these dirty whispers you’d hear, as though Amanda were right there. It had to be like that, because everything is made fun of in such a dark and twisted way, the reader needs a confidante to deal with the shame they feel at laughing. It’s manipulative, in that sense.

M:  What got you into writing Urban Fantasy?

MH:  Like so many who started writing this kind of stuff when it was just beginning its surge into the market, I had no clue what Urban Fantasy even was. I just knew I was writing about creatures that typically showed up in horror, but in a sometimes sympathetic way. I really liked the idea of populating a world with supernatural creatures and really leaving the human characters paper thin. They’re a foil for my satire about poverty and social issues and nothing more.

M:  I will admit, I’m not a zombie kinda person.  I see them as brain eating, skin decaying, mindless blobs.  But I have to say you really took something with a bad rap and made it human and fun.  So how did you come to doing this with of all creatures, zombies?

MH:  I’ve always loved zombies, since I was in the single digits. 9, I think. Night of the Living Dead was my first exposure and their was just so much more to the walking dead than the other monsters I’d been exposed to up until that point. They’re this horrifying mirror of us and to dismiss them as just these gross things that eat people is to really take a simplified look. Of all the fictional creatures, zombies are the most likely to be ripe with metaphor and satire. So, when I was deciding to leave the field of social services and take up writing, zombies were a great fit to take some jabs at the systems I was leaving behind. If you look at Amanda’s victims and her internal dialogue about them, you’ll get a pretty clear picture of what was going on in my state in terms of poverty and how the poor are dealt with…and still are, probably worse.

M:  You mentioned not so long ago that Book 2, Road Trip of the Living Dead, is coming out in Mass Market Paperback in February?

MH:  Yep. It’s out right now. And the cover looks way better in this format, glossy and attractive as the lip gloss they use on corpses right before the funeral.

M:  And I believe there was news of Amanda going Graphic.  And no, not the kind of graphic your dirty little minds are thinking.  Graphic Novel that is.  Can you give a little information on it?  When will it be out?

MH:  Oh no. I do very much intend to test the limits of the medium in the Road Trip of the Living Dead comic books and graphic novel. So plan on seeing gore, vulgarity and as much kinky sex as they’ll let me get away with. The Dabel Brothers are looking at a Summer 2012 release, last time I checked.

M:  I think the sounds so cool! I'm definitely going to have to remember to get this. :)

M:  There where a lot of great lines in Happy Hour of the Damned from many of the characters.  Do you have a favorite one?  That one that might have stuck with you and you just enjoyed writing it in.

MH:  At this point, I barely remember specifics about the book. You have to remember, I wrote it five years ago!

M:  Will we hear more from our pale friend Amanda Feral?

MH:  Definitely. In fact, I’ve taken on her persona as my pseudonym for my erotica. The first book, Stocking Full of Coal, is out now from Ellora’s Cave, a super dark and really fun tale of a bruise fetishist. As for more Amanda, Wendy and Gil. They’ll likely show up in some short stories and novellas. Fans can keep a lookout on my website for news about the ghoulie gang.

M:  If you had a chance to ‘hang out’ with any of the characters from the book, which one would you pick first?

MH:  Please. I do hang out with them. The way Amanda and her friends talk is nearly identical to my chosen social group. Muahhaha!

M:  Mark, are there any questions out there that you always wanted to be asked and just never got asked?  Would you like to answer it today?

MH:  Nope.

M:  And one question I like to ask on my interviews… If you could travel any where in the world, where would you like to visit?

MH:  I really need to get to India. Like tomorrow!

M:  Thank you for the great interview Mark!  I really appreciate you taking the time to chat with me.


If you would like to visit Mark and learn more of his Amanda Feral series, and what's going on you can visit with Mark in many places:
   Mark Henry's Site which has the link to his blog, but you can go directly to Mark's Blog, HERE.
   Mark is also on Twitter as @mark_henry, HERE.
   And Mark is on Facebook as well!  HERE.
   Mark is also part of a group of authors at The League of Reluctant Adults, HERE is their site.

Teaser Tuesday (63)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

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

This Week:

In the process of sweeping the dust out of the corners and emptying the refrigerator of the food that had obviously been there since the previous occupant died, Brian had gone out to the dumpster and found, in the dying light of the evening, a number of interesting things.

Triune

By Willow Polson

pg 185

Monday's Beginnings (78)

How are you faring at the beginning of this week?  Are you starting a new book or finishing one up?

Hhhh, it's another Monday... Well, the day hasn't been to much of anything for me today.  I do have a sore and stiff back, and I don't know what I've done.  It just kept getting worse over the weekend.  I did go to work today and I'm off tomorrow as I took off for our two puppies got spayed today.  So, I'm going to stay home and take care of them, and my back too.

I did get two books done last week:
   The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells.  And if you click the title there, you can jump over to the review.  As this review has been the MOST popular one I have ever done!  I can't believe the numbers of people looking at this one.  :) It's great!
   The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card.  And this review will be up at the end of the week.  I'm done with the review and it is scheduled to go on it's own.

I also have an interview that will be posted this week.  Who whom you ask... Well, it is the wonderful author Mark Henry.  So make sure you check back for that. :)

I've started a new book this weekend and today.  I started Triune by Willow Polson over the weekend and plan on working on it this week.  And I started today City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.  I'm reading City of Bones with Melissa of He Followed me home... and Jackie of My Ever Expanding Library.  :) All three of us have been wanting to read this book, so we set a date to dig in.  We will be chatting of it on Twitter on Fridays in three sections. :) I can't wait as I've heard amazing things of the series.

The Next Blog Book Chat was posted with the schedule.  The next book is The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay.  If you would like to read the schedule (which our first chat will be March 3) CLICK HERE.  I hope some of you will join in with us.

As for my WANT list... well, it looks like I've only added 5 books.  So what is wrong with me!?!  I don't know what I did wrong.  I must have added wrong. ;D  I will definitely try better next week to make this list bigger.

Books Received Last Week:
Won:
Well, as so many of you know I have been loving this series.  So when Melissa at Mel's Random Reviews had this giveaway, I just had to enter.  I can NOT wait to dig into this book.

Goodreads Synopsis:
The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. She has to save her sister from her mysterious captors. And in order to do that, she has to broker a deal between the mages and the vampires before all hell breaks loose.


But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won’t be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about, she’s got to save herself from the ghosts of her past. Because the past is haunting her. Literally.
 
I had won the first two books of this series, and this one before it was printed, over at Ryan's, Wordsmithonia.  It sounds like a lovely YA sci fi read and I really need to get into it.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Daniel's father has gotten himself killed and left another mess for Daniel to clean up. To save his world from destruction, he must fight off his father's killers while discovering a way to save his world. Time is running out, and Daniel must choose to either walk in his father's footsteps or to reinvent himself into the one to save his world.



So, it seems I have some big plans this week for reading and writing (Deadline Dames is doing the picture writing that's due this week) for this week.

So, how are you faring this week?  Does it look like a good reading week for you?

I'm hoping it turns out to be a wonderful week for all of us.

Here's to wishing you all the best in words and pages.

Book Review: The Mage in Black

The Mage in Black

By:  Jaye Wells

Publisher:  Orbit

Publish Date:  April 2010

Format:  Paperback, 326pgs pocketbook size

Genre:  Fantasy, Horror, Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Sabina Kane Series; 1st ~ Red-Headed Stepchild

Recommendation: YES, Yes, Yes!  Did you read and enjoy book one?  Well, its a given to read book two and see Sabina on a new level.

Book Synopsis:
Things to do:
1) Survive Magic 101
2) Bond with long-lost sister
3) Stay alive

Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family.  After all, her own grandmother, leader of the vampire race, wants her dead.  So when she arrives in New York to meet her mage relatives, the reunion puts the fun in dysfunctional.  Not only is mage culture completely bizarre, but everyone seems to think she's some kind of "Chose" who'll unite the dark races.  Sabina doesn't care who chose her, she's not into destiny.

But the mages aren't Sabina's only problem.  In New York's Black Light District, she has run-ins with fighting demons, hostile werewolves and an opportunistic old flame.  Shabina thought she'd take a bite out of the Big Apple, but it looks like it wants to bite back.

First Sentence:
The Kum-N-Go's roadside-chic interior was bathed in a sickly fluorescent glow.

My Review and Summary:
***This summary contains SPOILERS for Book 1***

Sabina travels with Adam to New York, to be with her twin sister and the mages as she has severed her ties with the Dominae.  Sabina is attacked on the trip by Vampire assassins, with the thanks to her Grandma.  But through out the book Sabina finds she's under attacked by many different races.  Something is a little off here, everyone seems to want Sabina gone...except her sister, Maisie.  But Maisie is having her own troubles, not having visions and the mage council is debating about going to war with the Vampires, but they need the support of the faery.  Sabina finds she makes some new friends here, and finds an old friend as well.  The prophecy of the twins starts to be explained from Maisie and others, but will Sabina and Maisie believe it or not?  Sabina is starting to learn more of her Mage magic as well.  Will she learn it and accept it?

Sabina quickly realizes the rules are different here in New York as opposed to LA where the Dominae ruled.
   ~ No fresh catch feeding, with out a tax price.
   ~ There are Werewolves here.
   ~ The Shade and his Laws.
   ~ Hekate Council and their Rules
   ~ And having a sister!

Sabina came to New York to get back at her Grandmother.  But along the way here Sabina starts to grow and things change.  Sabina goes through some rough times emotionally and physically but she finds she does have a heart and can care for people, mages at that.

Jaye Wells has once again done a wonderful book full of action, love (on a few levels), and suspense.  The story starts off right where The Red-Headed Stepchild ended and is running fast forward with action, and never stopping.  If we aren't in a wonderful action packed fight scene we are learning more of the prophecy and powers that the mages have, which is still full of action.

We have many of the same cast of main characters we love here.  Sabina's wonderful sidekick, Giguhl, is back in full force in this book.  He really gets to show off his muscles here.  And there is even a nice little surprise for him.  And we meet many new characters that add to the mix of fun and action.

The only part I was a little bummed with, and in NO way did it take from the book - it was just me, was that my hunk Adam wasn't as present as I wanted him to be. ;D  But he does have a lovely scene with Sabina.  So, now he's back and with those wonderful eyes, for Sabina.

I can't wait to dig into Green-Eyed Demon!

I purchased this book of my own accord for reading fun.

This book qualifies for the Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

Book Blog Chat (9)...

We have our March Book Chat book picked!  It is the second book in the Charlie Madigan Series.  We hope to have many of you join us in this action packed adventure.  We read the first book with The Spinecracker and enjoyed it so much there that we had to add the second one into our list of books to chat here.

So, the summary and the schedule for reading the book....

The Darkest Edge of Dawn
By  Kelly Gay
It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night. . . .

Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun—one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai. For Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day’s work . . . but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

Stop 1 ~ March 3, 2011 - end of Chapter 8, pg 133

Stop 2 ~ March 10, 2011 - end of Chapter 15, pg 262

Stop 3 ~ March 17, 2011 - end of book

Looking Forward To...(40)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences

(Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #1)

By:  Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris

Due Out:  May 1, 2011

I read a book by Philippa Ballantine, Geist, and very much enjoyed it.  So in searching through the books I saw she was writing this one with Tee Morris.  And thought it sounded amazing!  And just look at that cover!  Who could pass this one up?  I love the mystery sound in England, with a twist and loads of action.  I can't wait for this one.

Goodreads Synopsis:

These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the river Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences- the Crown’s clandestine organisation whose baliwick is the strange and unsettling- will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest..and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books along with her into the perilous fray. 

For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun- he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices- must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot… or see England fall to the Phoenix.

Throwback Thursday (3)

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves?

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start?  I think I'm going to look at the WANT list today...

This book I found on at a fellow bloggers.  But I'm sorry as I can't remember who's today.  It sounds like a fun fantasy read.

Howl's Moving Castle

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter.

After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the Witch. The castle, however, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls.

The Hatter sisters--Sophie, Lettie, and Martha--and all the other girls were warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning.

In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle?

Diana Wynne Jones's entrancing fantasy is filled with surprises at every turn, but when the final stormy duel between the Witch and the Wizard is finished, all the pieces fall magically into place.

Book Blog Chat (8)...Final Stop!

Well, we are done!  With the book.  This is the third and final stop.

The gloves are off.

Come chat with us.  What did you enjoy? What didn't you enjoy?  If there was anything to not enjoy... ;D

The chat is being hosted by Robyn at The Bookoholic Zone this week, so jump over there to chat with us.

CLICK HERE

Who? What? Where? (6)

Who are you with?  Where are you at?  What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now. 

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

I'm moving this post from Thursdays to Wednesdays as I have another idea for Thursdays.

I'm with Danny and Stone, at Stone's place, of residence, in Washington DC.  We are learning a little more about Stone and Veevee.  But our main purpose it to see if Stone can help Danny get a birth certificate on record, as he has a few things he wants to do and needs to have.

The Lost Gate
By:  Orson Scott Card

Teaser Tuesday (62)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

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

This Week:

I've not started this book yet, but it is next on my stack and I'm hoping to start by the end of the week.

A man. A man in some kind of military clothing, bloody and scarred.  But still alive somehow, his shallow breathing just visible, glass shards and pieces of metal penetrating and impaling his body.  One massive wing twitched and Brian jumped back in alarm.

Triune
By Willow Polson
page 17

Monday's Beginnings (77)

How are you faring at the beginning of this week?  Are you starting a new book or finishing one up?

Well, it's Monday again.  The day wasn't going to bad, but for some reason I feel a little down at the moment.  I was all into getting back to working out on the WII again and of course, just my bad luck, the stupid WII board wont work.  I changed the batteries, and tried linking it up again.  But it wont even turn on.  I liked working out before as it was a way for me to work out my frustrations, instead of yelling.  So, I'll have to have the husband look at it, soon.  And I feel as I didn't get much reading done today.  So, I will be reading here tonight.  Maybe not be on here so long tonight so I can slip into that paper world waiting for me.

But, on to the book stuff... I did get the review for Cybermage up over the weekend.  If you would like to stop by there to check it out, click here ~ Cybermage by Alma Alexander.

It seems I haven't gotten as far as I wanted with reading last week.  I'm still working on The Lost Gate By Orson Scott Card.  And this week I'll be finishing up The Mage In Black by Jaye Wells for the discussion chat here on Thursday.  I hope you come and join us as we are going to be done with the book and no holds bar, all open to chat!

As for my WANT list...13 books have been added!  Oh, you all are going to fill my retirement days with books!  And I thought I was going to travel when I got old. ;D Thank you all!  And the authors should be amazed too, as they are all amazing!

Books Received Last Week:

For Review:

I just finished the first book and really enjoyed the journey, so the author was gracious enough to let me review book two as well. :) I can't wait until I can get back into this fantasy world he has created.

Goodreads Synopsis:
The desperate race to save a world continues! Washed up on a desolate shore on the far side of the world along with the Chandara, Boxx, Shann must try to uncover the truth about the fate of her companions, while searching for a vital artifact hidden by an ancient civilization.

So, how are you faring this week?  Does it look like a good reading week for you?

I'm hoping my week turns around in the books here soon.

Here's to wishing you all the best in words and pages.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop ~ WINNER!

I want to thank I Am A Read Not a Writer for hosting this amazing Hop!  And I want to thank everyone who has stopped by.  And all the wonderful new followers!

I was completely awestruck with the number of people who entered the giveaway, that visited the blog, and are now followers!  Amazing!!!

So, I tried to visit everyone who commented here.  I think I have a few that I still need to get to.  Please bare with me and keep commenting.  If you comment I will make sure to get to your blog and visit, and maybe find you to follow you as well. :)  So, I am grateful for all the visitors!  And hope you all stick around for a while, enjoying what you find here.

There was a total of 111 entries.  And with the help of Random.org the winning number was 21.  I alloted the block of numbers in the order of entries for the amount of entries you had.

And now to announce the winner of Siren's Call by Devyn Quinn...

#21...

Robin K

of Intense Whisper

**Email has been sent to the winner, you have 48 hours to respond with your mailing information, from Monday 14th at 1:10pm EST.