I have to share these covers with you! As I've been a long standing fan of Michael J. Sullivan's books. As you can find out more details to his journey as an author with this series in my second interview with Michael, HERE. But he is now an author with Orbit Books. (Congrats and well deserved once again.) And Orbit has taken his 6 book series to make a trilogy. So with out further ado here are the three book covers Orbit has created....
I'm excited to see these and I think I just might have to get them in this format as well, just to have. ;)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Teaser Tuesday (77)
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
He leaned his head back against the tree and watched the stars, tiny eyelets that let white slivers slip from the heavens hidden behind the velvet mantle of the sky. It was a lovely night. The kind one could imagine themselves remembering decades into the future when they were old and grey and the beauty of simplicity was all there was left to enjoy.
Thief
By Sarah-Jane Lehoux
99pg
Labels:
Lehoux,
Sarah-Jane Lehoux,
Sevy,
Teaser Tuesday,
Thief
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday's Beginnings (92)
Well, it's Monday!
How are you faring at the beginnin gof this week? Are you starting a new book or finishing one up?
I just have to start off with it's Monday, and I'm already behind! I have lost track of time this weekend as it was a holiday here, Memorial Day. Visiting and parties with friend and family. But, all the new followers don't fret as I will be stopping by whether you are having the Splash into Summer giveaway or not. :) I have to stop by and say hello to you all! And check out your blogs if you have one.
So... Last week. Wow! I feel like I had a big week last week. And Loved it! So what all happened? Well lets see if I can outline it for you with links. Hope you stop by and check all of it out as I know blogger was giving many people fits last week.
Currently Reading:
Thief by Sarah-Jane Lehoux
Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (will be starting tomorrow)
Last Week:
Books I Finished:
Bloodlines by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas
Immortalis Hunters & Prey by Katie Salidas
Reviews Posted this Past Week: (click title to jump over to read review)
Bloodlines by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas
Podcasts Reviewed:
Tales from the Archives - One by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
Tales from the Archives - Two by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
(and more to come in the future!)
INTERVIEW! I had an interview posted this week with an author whom I loved the book:
Skyla Dawn Cameron - Please stop by and say hello!
I also have two Giveaways going! Please jump over to enter!
Splash into Summer - ending May 31, 2011
Finders Keepers - ending today May 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm EST
Wow! That was one big week for me! I was so amazed and thrilled with it all. It doesn't happen to often for me, but it all worked out great last week.
I DID write a Flash Fiction Friday at the last minute of Friday, so I do hope you enjoy it. If you would like to stop over and read it, please click here.
As for my WANT list... I added 6 books. I know, I know. It's not many, but what can I do? Sorry if I've let you down.
Books Received:
Won:
I won this handsome beauty from Blodeuedd at her wonderful blog Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. Do please stop by her blog and say hello. :) And tell her Melissa sent you. ;)
Goodreads Synopsis:
HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON…
One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.
HE IS HER ENEMY…AND HER DESTINY…
Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.
But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same…
Purchased:
Yes I know. I'm on a book buying hiatus. But when Borders sends out thouse 50% off coupons... Do you think I'm crazy to pass on that? Well. I didn't. That shows how addicted I am. But I also ordered a book with this coupon, but it didn't come yet. So that will show up next week. :)
Goodreads Synopsis:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
So, I have a great week planned in books. I'm looking to finish Thief and start Iron Daughter. And maybe sneak another book in here too. :)
How are you looking so far this week? Does it look like a good reading week for you?
Here's to wishing you all the best in words and pages.
How are you faring at the beginnin gof this week? Are you starting a new book or finishing one up?
I just have to start off with it's Monday, and I'm already behind! I have lost track of time this weekend as it was a holiday here, Memorial Day. Visiting and parties with friend and family. But, all the new followers don't fret as I will be stopping by whether you are having the Splash into Summer giveaway or not. :) I have to stop by and say hello to you all! And check out your blogs if you have one.
So... Last week. Wow! I feel like I had a big week last week. And Loved it! So what all happened? Well lets see if I can outline it for you with links. Hope you stop by and check all of it out as I know blogger was giving many people fits last week.
Currently Reading:
Thief by Sarah-Jane Lehoux
Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (will be starting tomorrow)
Last Week:
Books I Finished:
Bloodlines by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas
Immortalis Hunters & Prey by Katie Salidas
Reviews Posted this Past Week: (click title to jump over to read review)
Bloodlines by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas
Podcasts Reviewed:
Tales from the Archives - One by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
Tales from the Archives - Two by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
(and more to come in the future!)
INTERVIEW! I had an interview posted this week with an author whom I loved the book:
Skyla Dawn Cameron - Please stop by and say hello!
I also have two Giveaways going! Please jump over to enter!
Splash into Summer - ending May 31, 2011
Finders Keepers - ending today May 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm EST
Wow! That was one big week for me! I was so amazed and thrilled with it all. It doesn't happen to often for me, but it all worked out great last week.
I DID write a Flash Fiction Friday at the last minute of Friday, so I do hope you enjoy it. If you would like to stop over and read it, please click here.
As for my WANT list... I added 6 books. I know, I know. It's not many, but what can I do? Sorry if I've let you down.
Books Received:
Won:
I won this handsome beauty from Blodeuedd at her wonderful blog Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. Do please stop by her blog and say hello. :) And tell her Melissa sent you. ;)
Goodreads Synopsis:
HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON…
One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.
HE IS HER ENEMY…AND HER DESTINY…
Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.
But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same…
Purchased:
Yes I know. I'm on a book buying hiatus. But when Borders sends out thouse 50% off coupons... Do you think I'm crazy to pass on that? Well. I didn't. That shows how addicted I am. But I also ordered a book with this coupon, but it didn't come yet. So that will show up next week. :)
Goodreads Synopsis:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
So, I have a great week planned in books. I'm looking to finish Thief and start Iron Daughter. And maybe sneak another book in here too. :)
How are you looking so far this week? Does it look like a good reading week for you?
Here's to wishing you all the best in words and pages.
Labels:
Monday's Beginnings
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Review: Tales of the Archives - Two
Tales from the Archives - Two
By: Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Written & Narrated by: O.M. Grey
Format: Podcast, 26.55 minutes
Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: 2nd in Tales of the Archives podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series
Recommendation: Yes. Nice way to meet new characters in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising.
Synopsis:
Dust on the Davenport...
Agent Simon R. Boswell, still considered the green agent of the Ministry, takes on his own a supposed haunting in Islington. Hauntings tend to be nothing too serious for agents specializing in the unexplained; but for Simon, this case supplies surprises of all kinds, around every corner…
My Thoughts and Summary:
Agent Books and Agent Braun pick us a case of with a new character, Simon Boswell. Simon was employed at the London office of the Ministry when Eliza first arrived but shortly after this case he left for fresh scenery.
The next case to come to light at the Ministry is another haunting. Since no other agent wants the case, or is too busy, Simon is pushed to attending to another haunting case heading off without his partner. The victim, Mrs. Honeywood, a gorgeous widowed lady, has also lost her two children around the same time as her archaeologist husband. Has been hearing strange sounds and voices at night.
This story has a few different voices to it for different characters, making it easy to differentiate the characters. The main narrator has a different sound as you know it's not a character talking.
We meet Simon, who seems to be a proper gentleman. We learn quickly of this character in this short 26 minute podcast. Agent Campbell makes a brief appearance here as well. Once again there is a glimpse into the equipment the Ministry has on hand for the agents in accordance with their cases.
This is a ghost haunting story, in a steampunk-ish world.
By: Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Written & Narrated by: O.M. Grey
Format: Podcast, 26.55 minutes
Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: 2nd in Tales of the Archives podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series
Recommendation: Yes. Nice way to meet new characters in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising.
Synopsis:
Dust on the Davenport...
Agent Simon R. Boswell, still considered the green agent of the Ministry, takes on his own a supposed haunting in Islington. Hauntings tend to be nothing too serious for agents specializing in the unexplained; but for Simon, this case supplies surprises of all kinds, around every corner…
My Thoughts and Summary:
Agent Books and Agent Braun pick us a case of with a new character, Simon Boswell. Simon was employed at the London office of the Ministry when Eliza first arrived but shortly after this case he left for fresh scenery.
The next case to come to light at the Ministry is another haunting. Since no other agent wants the case, or is too busy, Simon is pushed to attending to another haunting case heading off without his partner. The victim, Mrs. Honeywood, a gorgeous widowed lady, has also lost her two children around the same time as her archaeologist husband. Has been hearing strange sounds and voices at night.
This story has a few different voices to it for different characters, making it easy to differentiate the characters. The main narrator has a different sound as you know it's not a character talking.
We meet Simon, who seems to be a proper gentleman. We learn quickly of this character in this short 26 minute podcast. Agent Campbell makes a brief appearance here as well. Once again there is a glimpse into the equipment the Ministry has on hand for the agents in accordance with their cases.
This is a ghost haunting story, in a steampunk-ish world.
Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit HERE.
There are short stories always added to the listing. So keep checking back!
I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Flash Fiction Friday (7)
Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.
I have to thank Blodeuedd at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell for introducing me to this fun meme. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with every week, but I'll give it a try from time to time.
The Image this week:
The Fathers Daughter
By Melissa
I stood behind my father, my King, watching as the muscles in his neck bulged with rage. He sat in his mighty bronze thrown chair ramped with anger screaming at the villager weeping at his feet. I knew what this poor mans verdict would be. The same as all the others and I couldn't stand to watch another one. A brutal death. He would be beat, cut, and when he could no longer scream or cry from the pain, his head would fall from his shoulders by my fathers mighty blade . His head would be put on display on the kingdom walls as a reminder to the villages, not to cross the king.
I had worked for the last five years diligently to gain my strength in the crowds of people in the kingdom. I even promised myself and my lands to my father's enemies son. I had to have this murderous behavior stopped. Even my little sister was starting to follow in our fathers footsteps, now that our mother was gone. Gone by way of our fathers hand. He trusted no one and I didn't know how I had had the ability to form an army of my own in the short five years with out being found out.
I thought to myself, I don't know how I came through to be kinder of heart, or at least I think I am.
All the guards I drew into my faction where mostly here, but once action started the rest would come to the calling. I looked to my childhood friend, Cross. He saw my anguish and gave a short node. He knew the time had come. We would act now before this poor man was murdered for a minuscule act. They were waiting for me to give the cue.
I watched and waited for my father to wear from his rage and energy. When he slowed, I taped the outside of my right thigh twice and put my hand on my stomach sliding it around to the back. My men knew this meant they should come and circle around with protection as I did what needed to be done.
As I brought my hand down from the back of my bodice I pulled the jeweled silver dagger my father gave me on my tenth birthday. The one I was to wear for protection against our enemy and doers of harm. I stepped forward to my fathers back, now that he was standing in front of the man laying in a crimson pool on the floor. He never saw me coming, but heard my leather soled shoes tapping the marble floor and turned to me. As he turned my hand came up, hard and sturdy as he taught me. The dagger meet his chest, his eyes wide with shock.
"How?" He whispered. A small smile worked at the corners of his lips. "I've raised you well." was all he said as I let him hit the already bloodied floor.
My men stood around me waiting for the attack that never came. I looked around at the shocked and frightened faces of the crowd and wondered; which is worse, that I could do this to my own blood or that I pulled it off... just like he would.
I will keep telling my self, it is the end result that matters. And things will be different, better, now.
Interview with Author Skyla Dawn Cameron!
I have a wonderful author guest here today! Skyla Dawn Cameron! Some of you may recognize her name as I recently read and reviewed her book Bloodlines. And yes I thoroughly enjoyed it! You really do need to go get this one. Oh, did you miss my review? Well, you can go there to read it by CLICKING HERE.
Hello Skyla! Thank you so much for agreeing to the interview.
M: Okay, so I'm a fan of Nathan's. You caught me at first with Jamie as I enjoyed his banter with Zara. Fun. But Nate is my man. I have to ask, you may want to pass on this question, but I just have to ask. I'm worried for our lovely Nathan.
SDC: Mmm, as he’s a character of mine, yes, you should be worried, LOL. I’m especially mean to characters I love, and I adore him.
M: Will we see Nate again?
SDC: I have a real fascination with characters who are absent from the narrative but play a huge role and influence the story regardless (Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is my favourite example of this). The repercussions from the end of Bloodlines will be felt heavily, revisited again in later books. He will be seen again...in some capacity.
M: You've mentioned you recently got to reconnect with the main star of the book, Zara Lain, as you revamped the book some. How was it chatting with Zara again?
SDC: You know that friend you knew so well but haven’t seen in a lot of years, and you worry that when you meet for coffee again, it’ll be weird and awkward? And then the two of you sit down together and it’s like nothing has changed? That’s writing Zara.
M: Every time I thought the characters came to a low point, you dug their hole deeper. Did you take great pleasure in creating this? Is this what makes you an Evil Writer?
SDC: My favourite game to play while writing is, “What is the worst that can happen?” And then I go with whatever I come up with because once the terrible possibilities are in my head, I can’t let them go.
The reader can tell if you pull your punches; the reader can tell if you hold anything back. A book will read as fake if you don’t stay true and go as dark as it needs to be. I also feel that defeating the bad guy/happy-ish endings, etc, just don’t feel right unless they’ve been earned. When the reader really, truly believes I might kill the lot of them and wonders, “Oh my god, how the hell are they going to get out of this one?” I feel I’ve done my job.
M: Vampirism has a different spin on it in your Demons of Oblivion series. I liked this. It gave me something new to look into and think on in the way of Vampires. They have a stasis type period and it's more of a demonic parasite. Can you share on this creation?
SDC: The parasite thing came up because I was wondering what made a human into a vampire? What changed their biology? For me, any parts of the vampire myths I kept had to come from some sort of logic; I just don’t do well with “well, it’s magic.” The demonic parasite and its attributes—the sunlight allergy (which I sympathize with, as I also get very sick from the sun), staking through the heart, etc—came from that.
The stasis vampires go through for a period of roughly ten years purely came from plot necessity. I needed there to be a reason for a long period of time between when Ana (Zara as a human) was killed and awoke as a vampire to justify...um...what she does when she awakens. That is to say, her first meal had to have some significance, which required me to find a way for time to pass.
M: The Ending... I loved it! You challenged the character and my trust in the character. What kind of response do you think will come from it?
SDC: Thank you so much!
Usually I hear about threats to throw the book across the room or beat me to death—or if it’s someone I talk to in person, they get this sort of gleeful, excited smile when they recount their reaction. All these responses please me immensely. Above all, I want to entertain, and I’m honoured to hear from readers who felt I delivered.
M: There is magic ever present in this world as well. Will we get more of the magic side in future books?
SDC: Yes. Not so much in the second, but the third has a quarter demon narrator, who obviously has powers. The fourth and fifth books, definitely.
M: Speaking of future books, the next two books will be of another characters point of view and our friend Zara will make visits in the books. Then Zara will be the main point of view in fourth book. How did you come to doing different point of views?
SDC: It was so long ago, I honestly don’t remember how I decided. I do know that I never wanted to write the same book twice—I always want to try something new and push my limits—so...I came up with a demon hunting nun who doesn’t swear for the sequel. What can I say—I like a challenge. I also like the idea of characters all existing in the same world with their lives intersecting (incidentally, there’s a character Zara briefly speaks to in Bloodlines named Toby—he’s in my short story “Whiskey Sour” in Bad-Ass Faeries 2: Just Plain Bad).
Technically speaking, Zara will be back a little sooner rather than later as a narrator, as I’m going to write a Zara-centric short story to include with the Mundania-exclusive ebooks and paperbacks in the second book, Hunter. Much like Thrall at the end of Bloodlines expanded the scope of things and revealed some bits of information that Zara didn’t know, the short with Hunter will change the perspective on the events in that book as well.
I remember the brief conversation with Toby. I'll have to look into reading this book as well, for his short story.
M: Okay, a couple of fun questions for you... One question I ask in my interviews, if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
M: Okay, a couple of fun questions for you... One question I ask in my interviews, if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
SDC: I always wanted to go to Japan, though I’d have to brush up on my language skills because the only phrases are remember are from some J-pop songs. I also really want to go to Haiti as I have an interest in Afro-Caribbean religions, cultures, and practices.
M: Favorite Season?
SDC: Autumn. That point where, for about a month (in Ontario) when it’s cool but not cold during the day and the nights have a warm breeze. Also, my birthday is in September and I like presents.
M: Favorite Color?
SDC: A cold, crisp royal blue.
M: Favorite childhood fictional creature?
SDC: I remember being partial to zombies. I used to make my Barbie princess defeat legions of zombies. But back then, I believed in damn near everything—I wanted to be a cryptozoologist and look for lake monsters and stuff.
M: And now as an adult, favorite fictional creature?
SDC: I do like werewolves—always have. The wolf is part of my animal totem and I tend to prefer weres.
M: Favorite Word? (any word at all)
SDC: Can I say “fuck”? LOL. It really is a great word—so versatile. It can be a verb, a noun, an adjective; it can be combined to make lots of other fun words (like my favourite, “fucktard”). It’s a fantastic word.
M: Thank you Skyla for doing this great interview! I do wish you all the best in Words and Pages.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read an Excerpt from Bloodlines, HERE.
Would you like to make the rounds here on the wonderful world in Internet to look in on Skyla? Well, she has many sites.
You can purchase Bloodlines on many sites, in print or ebook formats.
BUT, please keep in mind if you order an ebook you will need to know this. The short story Thrall is only available on ebooks purchased from Mundania Press's site. You can find Mundania Press HERE.
AND if you purchase through Mundania Press you can use this Code to get a 10% discount: BLOODLINES10
Amazon Paperback ~ Amazon Kindle
Amazon.co.uk Paperback ~ Kindle UK
Kindle Germany
Book Depository
B&N
Chapters.ca
IndieBound
Powells
Mobipocket
Amazon Paperback ~ Amazon Kindle
Amazon.co.uk Paperback ~ Kindle UK
Kindle Germany
Book Depository
B&N
Chapters.ca
IndieBound
Powells
Mobipocket
Looking Forward To...(53)
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...
Darkness Descending
Vampire Armageddon #1
By: Devyn Quinn
Due Out: August 2, 2011
I read the first book of another trilogy by Devyn Quinn and really enjoyed what she created in the book with mermaids. And I enjoyed her writing. So, while looking around her site I saw she had this new book to be released in August. It sounded like one I would enjoy.
Goodreads Synopsis:
The first seal has been broken, signaling the end of days. Fallen angels in the form of vampires are infecting humans one by one, creating an army fit for Armageddon. Of the few who survive the infection, one stands alone above all others…
For one year, Jesse Burke has been suppressing the beast within, driven by vengeance to destroy the vampiric fallen angels terrorizing New Orleans. But a war of biblical proportions is too much for one girl to handle, and she must turn to slayer Maddox deValois for training, though it threatens her fiercely-guarded independence. But the sinister demon Queen Amonate is doing everything in her power to lure Jesse to her side to fulfill her destiny as the mother of the devil’s child.
Before this war is over, everyone will learn that hell hath no fury like a woman possessed…
For one year, Jesse Burke has been suppressing the beast within, driven by vengeance to destroy the vampiric fallen angels terrorizing New Orleans. But a war of biblical proportions is too much for one girl to handle, and she must turn to slayer Maddox deValois for training, though it threatens her fiercely-guarded independence. But the sinister demon Queen Amonate is doing everything in her power to lure Jesse to her side to fulfill her destiny as the mother of the devil’s child.
Before this war is over, everyone will learn that hell hath no fury like a woman possessed…
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Book Review: Immortalis Carpe Noctem
Immortalis
Carpe Noctem
By: Katie Salidas
Publisher: Rising Sign Books
Publish Date: March 2010
Format: Paperback, 323pgs, 5"x8"
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Series: 1st Book in Immortalis series
Recommendation: If you enjoy vampire HEA reads. This could be a light beach read for you this summer.
Book Synopsis:
Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift - and curse - of immortality. She awakenes as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, and independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning", did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.
Only by accepting her new found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.
First Sentence:
I hated waiting!
My Thoughts and Synopsis:
After a bad day at work where Alyssa lost her job, she waits at her regular coffee shop for her best friend Fallon who ends up canceling on her. Doing the one thing she knows she shouldn't, she walks home; alone, across campus, at night. Being a petite pretty young woman, trouble finds her. Two men attack Alyssa, beating her within inches of death. Her savior shows up, a handsome stranger ~ Lysander. Lysander can tell she is to far beyond saving with her injuries, so he does the one thing he can to save her... makes her a vampire. Alyssa, unknowingly, has a new life to live; leaving her old one behind. Alyssa now has to find a way to cope with losing everything she had, no matter how small it was, it was hers and her dearest friends.
I have to say the author did a great job of creating Alyssa as a character set in her ways and morals along with struggling in herself with the changes to a vampire. Alyssa has her morels and mind set of the world and now it's all changed. Her biggest challenge, accepting she needs to drink human blood for her own survival. Then she will be hunted by the Acta Sanctorum for now being a vampire. Alyssa started off as a weak character for me and I wasn't as pulled into the book until about eighty-five pages in. Alyssa had started to get to me a little as she didn't want to be treated like a child, but she had her childish reactions. Lysander was the one who pulled me in some, by his caring nature and the mystery of him. By the end of the book Alyssa lost her whiny-ness to me and started to become a stronger character. But I still enjoyed Lysander the most. I found myself being pulled into the potential love interest between Alyssa and Lysander and the draw between them.
At about eighty-seven pages into the book we have an appearance of another Vampire, Edmond, who comes across as a long time enemy of Lysander's. Edmond comes baring a message from the ancient Kallisto regarding Lysander a lone vampire turning someone with out permission from her and the clan. This is where the characters all started to change and a few additional ones added as well. And the story began to pick up for me. The secondary characters helped balance out the book for me, and bring the main characters around.
At the beginning of the book I was a little nervous, but the pages kept turning easily and quickly for me. And this ended up being a nice light HEA read for me. In the end I did enjoy the book and the characters. I will be reading the next book in the series as well, which I look forward to ~ Immortalis: Hunters & Prey.
I received a copy of the book from the Author for an honest thoughts.
This book qualifies for the Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.
Carpe Noctem
By: Katie Salidas
Publisher: Rising Sign Books
Publish Date: March 2010
Format: Paperback, 323pgs, 5"x8"
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Series: 1st Book in Immortalis series
Recommendation: If you enjoy vampire HEA reads. This could be a light beach read for you this summer.
Book Synopsis:
Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift - and curse - of immortality. She awakenes as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, and independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning", did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.
Only by accepting her new found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.
First Sentence:
I hated waiting!
My Thoughts and Synopsis:
After a bad day at work where Alyssa lost her job, she waits at her regular coffee shop for her best friend Fallon who ends up canceling on her. Doing the one thing she knows she shouldn't, she walks home; alone, across campus, at night. Being a petite pretty young woman, trouble finds her. Two men attack Alyssa, beating her within inches of death. Her savior shows up, a handsome stranger ~ Lysander. Lysander can tell she is to far beyond saving with her injuries, so he does the one thing he can to save her... makes her a vampire. Alyssa, unknowingly, has a new life to live; leaving her old one behind. Alyssa now has to find a way to cope with losing everything she had, no matter how small it was, it was hers and her dearest friends.
I have to say the author did a great job of creating Alyssa as a character set in her ways and morals along with struggling in herself with the changes to a vampire. Alyssa has her morels and mind set of the world and now it's all changed. Her biggest challenge, accepting she needs to drink human blood for her own survival. Then she will be hunted by the Acta Sanctorum for now being a vampire. Alyssa started off as a weak character for me and I wasn't as pulled into the book until about eighty-five pages in. Alyssa had started to get to me a little as she didn't want to be treated like a child, but she had her childish reactions. Lysander was the one who pulled me in some, by his caring nature and the mystery of him. By the end of the book Alyssa lost her whiny-ness to me and started to become a stronger character. But I still enjoyed Lysander the most. I found myself being pulled into the potential love interest between Alyssa and Lysander and the draw between them.
At about eighty-seven pages into the book we have an appearance of another Vampire, Edmond, who comes across as a long time enemy of Lysander's. Edmond comes baring a message from the ancient Kallisto regarding Lysander a lone vampire turning someone with out permission from her and the clan. This is where the characters all started to change and a few additional ones added as well. And the story began to pick up for me. The secondary characters helped balance out the book for me, and bring the main characters around.
At the beginning of the book I was a little nervous, but the pages kept turning easily and quickly for me. And this ended up being a nice light HEA read for me. In the end I did enjoy the book and the characters. I will be reading the next book in the series as well, which I look forward to ~ Immortalis: Hunters & Prey.
I received a copy of the book from the Author for an honest thoughts.
This book qualifies for the Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.
Labels:
Book Review,
Carpe Noctem,
Immortalis,
Katie Salidas,
Salidas
Throwback Thursday (17)
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? Lets go by Published Date on the books...
This Week:
This is one I've heard wonderful things on and sounds like a read right up my alley. So I had to go get it... and now it's been staring at me from the shelf. I really want to get to this series, along with a few others, but can't seem to get it squeezed in.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Harper Blaine was your average small-time P.I. until a two-bit perp's savage assault left her dead for two minutes. When she comes to in the hospital, she sees things that can only be described as weird-shapes emerging from a foggy grey mist, snarling teeth, creatures roaring.
But Harper's not crazy. Her "death" has made her a Greywalker- able to move between the human world and the mysterious cross-over zone where things that go bump in the night exist. And her new gift is about to drag her into that strange new realm-whether she likes it or not.
Labels:
Greywalker,
Kat Richardson,
Richardson,
Throwback Thursday
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Review: Tales from the Archives - One
Tales from the Archives - One
By: Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Format: Podcast, 32:57 minutes
Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: 1st in Tales of the Archives podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series
Recommendation: Oh Yes! Especially if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising. These are nice additions to get to know the characters and you fix of the steampunk world.
Synopsis:
The Evil that befell Sampson…
It is revealed just how Miss Braun ended up being exiled from her native country, New Zealand, and working for the Ministry in its London Offices. It’s a tale of nefarious doings, stalwart ladies, and the sound of clockwork.
My Thoughts and Summary:
Eliza is summoned to visit with Mrs. Kate Shepard, her ideal and hopefully to be her mother-in-law, who has need of Eliza's expertise with questionable happenings; women of the suffrage changing their minds and sides. A Mr. Fish seems to be visiting these women as Eliza finds, with a persuasive bracelet ~ the Circlet of Dalila, and item from the Archives gone missing while on loan. Kate and her suffrage's petition to Parliament could be in danger...
When the story started we got to hear both Agent Books and Agent Braun in the Archives going through the cases. I loved the sound here as it was like we were really in the echo-y large basement. The characters had the sounds I had thought they would, along with the feel behind their chatter in which they carry on when talking or tormenting each other.
The podcast was extremely easy to understand as the speakers spoke clear and precise to understand each word clearly. The speed of reading was perfectly paced with the climax of the story along with the way different characters would have sounded in what they where saying. The feelings came through wonderfully in the tone and insinuations.
I like the steampunk items used. The descriptions given are detailed so you can easily visualize them, yet quickly described.
The story is quick. You get the details and right to the action, as I'm starting to expect when Eliza is around. In the height of action in the short story the music along with tone and speed of Philippa's voice had my heart picking up pace with the characters and wanting to speed up the story to hear what was happening, wanting to get through the scene quickly so I could know.
This story gives us a little more view into Agent Eliza Braun. We meet the love of Eliza's life, Douglas Shepard. And learn a little of Eliza and her ideas of what she wants to see herself as. This podcast answered one of my curiosities I had on Eliza after reading A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences: Phoenix Rising.
Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit HERE.
There are short stories always added to the listing. So keep checking back!
I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.
By: Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Format: Podcast, 32:57 minutes
Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: 1st in Tales of the Archives podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series
Recommendation: Oh Yes! Especially if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising. These are nice additions to get to know the characters and you fix of the steampunk world.
Synopsis:
The Evil that befell Sampson…
It is revealed just how Miss Braun ended up being exiled from her native country, New Zealand, and working for the Ministry in its London Offices. It’s a tale of nefarious doings, stalwart ladies, and the sound of clockwork.
My Thoughts and Summary:
Eliza is summoned to visit with Mrs. Kate Shepard, her ideal and hopefully to be her mother-in-law, who has need of Eliza's expertise with questionable happenings; women of the suffrage changing their minds and sides. A Mr. Fish seems to be visiting these women as Eliza finds, with a persuasive bracelet ~ the Circlet of Dalila, and item from the Archives gone missing while on loan. Kate and her suffrage's petition to Parliament could be in danger...
When the story started we got to hear both Agent Books and Agent Braun in the Archives going through the cases. I loved the sound here as it was like we were really in the echo-y large basement. The characters had the sounds I had thought they would, along with the feel behind their chatter in which they carry on when talking or tormenting each other.
The podcast was extremely easy to understand as the speakers spoke clear and precise to understand each word clearly. The speed of reading was perfectly paced with the climax of the story along with the way different characters would have sounded in what they where saying. The feelings came through wonderfully in the tone and insinuations.
I like the steampunk items used. The descriptions given are detailed so you can easily visualize them, yet quickly described.
The story is quick. You get the details and right to the action, as I'm starting to expect when Eliza is around. In the height of action in the short story the music along with tone and speed of Philippa's voice had my heart picking up pace with the characters and wanting to speed up the story to hear what was happening, wanting to get through the scene quickly so I could know.
This story gives us a little more view into Agent Eliza Braun. We meet the love of Eliza's life, Douglas Shepard. And learn a little of Eliza and her ideas of what she wants to see herself as. This podcast answered one of my curiosities I had on Eliza after reading A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences: Phoenix Rising.
Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit HERE.
There are short stories always added to the listing. So keep checking back!
I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.
Who? What? Where? (20)
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.
Alyssa and I are leaving Lysander's home, my maker and savior, with Jessie a young vampire of the Peregrinus group staying with us to go feed. Jessie is the only one willing to go out with the news, and she claims to have a place to die for, for us to go. But I'm kind of curious about Jessie as she doesn't have my trust just yet. I think she might get me, or even us, in some serious trouble.
Immortalis
Carpe Noctem
By Katie Salidas
Alyssa and I are leaving Lysander's home, my maker and savior, with Jessie a young vampire of the Peregrinus group staying with us to go feed. Jessie is the only one willing to go out with the news, and she claims to have a place to die for, for us to go. But I'm kind of curious about Jessie as she doesn't have my trust just yet. I think she might get me, or even us, in some serious trouble.
Immortalis
Carpe Noctem
By Katie Salidas
Labels:
Carpe Noctem,
Immortalis,
Katie Salidas,
Salidas,
Who? What? Where?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Splash into Summer! Hop & Giveaway!
***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***
Welcome to
the Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop!
You are currently at stop 222.
This Giveaway will run from May 25th through May 31st.
Winner will be announced June 1st!
So, What do we have here on this hop, you ask...
Well, I purchased and read this book. And found I really enjoyed it! Yes, it's a fantasy read, but it went quick for me as I felt drawn into the world that passed by quickly as I was flipping the pages. Then I had the opportunity to meet this author in person at a convention, twice actually. I, of course, had him sign my copy of the book. But then at the second meeting I bought a second copy of the book and had him sign it. Just for one lucky winner! So I figured I would give it away here as his second book will be coming out in June, so this is a wonderful way to start the series. :)
Shadow's Son
By Jon Sprunk
In the holy city of Othir, treachery and corruption lurk at the end of every street, just the place for a freelance assassin with no loyalties and few scruples.
Caim makes his living on the edge of a blade, but when a routine job goes south, he is thrust into the middle of an insidious plot. Pitted against crooked lawmen, rival killers, and sorcery from the Other Side, his only allies are Josephine, the socialite daughter of his last victim, and Kit, a guardian spirit no one else can see. But in this fight for his life, Caim only trusts his knives and his instincts, but they won't be enough when his quest for justice leads him from Othir's hazardous back alleys to its shining corridors of power. To unmask a conspiracy at the heart of the empire, he must claim his birthright as the Shadow's Son . . .
What do you need to do to enter?
~~ US or Canada entries only please.
~~ +1 - Leave a comment saying hello. This is a hop and I'm hoping to make new friends, so I can find you back.
~~ +2 - Follow by way of Google Friend Connect
~~ +2 - Share this with everyone, any way you can; Tweet it, Facebook it, Blog it. You MUST leave a link so I can verify.
~~ Required is a way to contact you if you win = email address, or you can email me if you don't want to leave it in the comments. (you can get my email through my profile)
If you are following through the hop list, here it is so you can hop to the next stop. Have a great time!
Labels:
Book Giveaway,
Giveaway,
Giveaway Hop,
Splash into Summer
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