Monday's Beginnings (83)

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

Well, it's Monday.  What can I say?  I didn't have a very productive reading weekend.  I actually did a lot of running around this weekend.  I did a walk for parks in our local area to raise money for the park to keep up and create new sections.  It was so much fun!  I took my two German Shepard's and had a wonderful time with them.  And I think they enjoyed themselves as well.  So many other dogs and people.  It was great.  I even learned more of the dogs and there personalities as we walked, being it's the first long walk we have done let alone with so many people.  The really surprised me and did wonderfully.  Then Sunday was just a bunch of running around.  But I think this is needed from time to time, more other things needing to get done.

I did get two reviews up last week.  Reviews I got up last week: (click book title for link to review)
   City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
   Zan-Gah:  A Prehistoric Adventure by Allan Richard Shickman

What do I have in the works this week?  Well, I'm working on the second book in the Zan-Gah series.  And hoping to have the review up for it this week.  I'll be finishing up Grimspace by Ann Aguirre for the chat on Thursday, and looking forward to reviewing that book.  Then I plan on starting into City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (I'm hooked .  I REALLY needing some answers to my BIG questions and I've really loved reading these so far).

I do hope all of you who have already read Grimspace by Ann Aguirre will join in with us on our chat starting Thursday.  You can jump in at any time as it's here on the blog and always available to discuss anything you have in mind.  :)

And as for my WANT list... I've added 7 books.  Yes, yes, I know it's not a lot of books.  But, I have to say I found so many new books in entering for a few giveaways and I actually won them! :) I'm so excited to be getting all these amazing sounding new books.  So there are a few here today in my received books that where on the want list last week that showed up so quickly.  But the list is growing so quickly!

Received Last Week:

For Review:
As many of you know, I absolutely LOVED reading Chasing the Bard by Philippa Ballantine.  Well, I missed it some how when I got that book, but this book is the next book set in the distant future after Chasing the Bard.  And I CAN'T WAIT to get into this one!

Goodreads Synopsis:
The Fey are gone...and with it, magic. At least, that is how things seem with the demise of the Dark Goddess and The Bard.


"Lord what fools these mortals be."


Penheram is a quaint, sleepy English village where people escape the 21st century. Hiding from the world of laptop computers, the Internet, and wireless communications, is Ella. Once a celebrated writer, now barren of ideas and drive, she resigns to a life of a deadline-free solitude. Everything changes with the arrival of a shape shifting thief. Suddenly everyone from the local librarian to the lady of the manor begin to change, revealing true natures and dangerous secrets.


Something in this sleepy English village is awakening...and some of these things were better left alone.

This book sounds like a fun fantasy read!
Goodreads Synopsis:
It is The Era of Prohibition, where crime runs rampant in the streets and a city divided into territories serves as the ultimate prize. Somewhere in this Underworld of Chicago, an enchanted weapon holds the key to ending The Gangland Wars. In the wake of The St. Valentine s Day Massacre, only one is man enough to stand up against Al Capone...a four-foot-one dwarf named Billibub Baddings.

Goodreads Synopsis:
No sickness, No injuries, No pain, No limits.


If you had the power to heal, what would you do?


For fifteen-year-old Ada discovering that she can heal feels more like a curse than a gift. When she learns of the mystery surrounding her mother's disappearance, and sees the indifference of so-called friends, she sets out for Paris to find her.


The power to heal protects her, but also has her hunted by a man who sees her as nothing more than his fountain of youth. Ada realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping.


Ada hasn't grown up in a house with a white picket fence. Instead she was cast off and absorbed into the foster care system, quickly putting up a shield of hostility. Always knowledgeable of the sicknesses of those around her and never getting hurt just seemed like facts of life. Finally on her last strike of trouble, an estranged aunt comes to the rescue, giving Ada the knowledge of how to use her healing power. Now Ada, who up to this point has shunned the world, all of the sudden has the power to heal it.


This book delves into the psychology and growth of a teenage girl coming to grips with the knowledge that there are some good people out there; some people worth healing.


Along with action and adventure, Ada, Legend of a Healer also brings to light numerous philosophical issues. Like many middle and high school girls, Ada is introduced to society's harsh realities at a young age, so she's built a wall of anger to strengthen her self reliance, to survive. Despite the pressure and demands, Ada refuses to sacrifice her self-worth, and in this she discovers that a strong will overcomes all obstacles.


I was asked, "why the questions at the back of the book?"


My answer: Because Girls Like to Think.
 
Won:
I won this one from an author in the book, Dina James.  She was doing a great giveaway on her blog, here.  I'm really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this one.  And yes, she sent two sets of vampire teeth, and a rechargeable Starbucks card already charged with $5. :) Mmmmm, now I get yummy drinks with my fabulous reading.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The biggest names in paranormal romance have created a fascinating array of 30 short stories of hot blood and inhuman passions that will leave you thirsting for more. Authors include Sherri Erwin, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Jenna Black, Jenna Maclaine, Raven Hart, Delilah Devlin, Keri Arthur, Kimberly Raye, Alexis Morgan, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams, Cathy Clamp, Susan Sizemore, Dina James, Colleen Gleason, Barbara Emrys, Savannah Russe, Shiloh Walker, Vicki Pettersson, Rebecca York, Rachel Vincent, Amanda Ashley, Karen Chance, and Nancy Holder. These ain’t your mother’s vampires!

Thanks to Jaidis @ Juniper Grove during the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop, I won these two books signed from the author.  They are both new to me but sound like great reads.

Goodreads Synopsis:
The Kingdom of Sieunes is rife with taverns, dirty streets, and clay pipe smoking citizens all toiling to feed their families and keep themselves in something little better than rags. With a foiled revolution just ten years prior still burning in the hearts of many, the royals enlist the aid of assassins to keep things in order. The townsfolk entertain themselves by dreaming of better times to come and regaling in stories of the undead said to walk the graveyards at night... and of Cameo the killer with corpse-like eyes...


Scarred and jaded Cameo is one of the most effective assassins in the employ of the Association, moving from one mission to the next as long as the alcohol keeps flowing. Her acceptance of the murder-for-hire lifestyle is thrown into doubt when she meets a local highwayman with a penchant for fine clothes and women, and then she begins to think about breaking with the company but no one ever breaks with the Association under good terms.

Goodreads Synopsis:
The land of Shandow is a place of arctic cold. It was the scene of the bloody revolution, and is the location of the item Cameo's master wants so badly.


In the dark of winter a vampire lies in wait...


...Opal is unable to run from his past... and Cameo must make a choice that will cost her the last shred of humanity she has left.


Book Two in the Cameo series
 
Purchased:
Yep, with all these amazing books I still purchased books.

This one I purchased as I loved it when I reviewed it through NetGalley and want my son to read it.  And if it's on my shelf its easier for me to show to others and talk them into getting. :)

Goodreads Synopsis:
Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.


Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

This one is for my Blog Book Chat.  I really enjoyed Amanda Feral in the first book so I have to read the second book!

Goodreads Synopsis:
Celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is back from the dead, and hungrier than ever for a good time. With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy gay sidekick Gil, this stone cold fox is dressed to kill, on the prowl, and ready to take a big juicy bite out of Seattle's supernatural nightlife. But what's a zombie chick to do when her 'Mommie Dearest' gets sick? If you're Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch - or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it. Amanda's not thrilled about the idea of crossing three states just to be criticized. But Wendy, who's always looking for fresh meat, is up for the adventure. And Gil, who just launched his 'luxury' resurrection business, needs to disappear because a pissed-off client is out for his blood. First, they pack their stiletto pumps and plasma into a skeevy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winnebago. Then, with a little help from a Korean-ghost hood ornament, a masochist named Fishhook, and a slew of 'moderately accurate' psychics, they hit the highway - their way. Of course, they'll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop (who could pass for an underwear model) and an unsightly horde of supermarket shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning.

And it looks like another week where I hope to get a lot done.  I hope it all works out for me as the weekend wasn't big on the reading end. 

How are you faring this week?  Does it look like a good reading week for you?

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