New Years Resolutions: Bookish Style 2012

2012 is so close!

I did this last year, and thought I'd do again this year...

Bookish New Years Resolutions

What's on my list?

1.)  Re-write and Edit that monstrosity I wrote in November during Nanowrimo.

2.)  Write more.  I've been doing Flash Fiction Fridays, I want to keep going with these, and I want to do Nanowrimo again.  I got ideas bouncing around so I want to explore them.  I'm thinking about taking the 10 months prior to sketch out ideas to write the next story for Nanowrimo 2012.

3.)  Read more... this is a tough one as I'm a slow reader, but I want to try to bump my reading speed some.  I read 68 books here in 2011.  I want to hit 70 in 2012.

4.)  Visit Barnes & Nobles forums more.  They are the ones who got me started into the Internet world, and I miss my friends there.  I want to get back there and chat with them again.  You can join me, and others, also...any genre you want they have!

5.)  Try to get back to some series I've started and loved, but still have the next book (or two) sitting here.
6.)  I need to pace myself and slow back on review books I'm accepting.  This is a hard one for me, as many of you know I like reading the new authors and books but I got myself behind in 2011, so I'm slowing down this year on review books.  Unless I find someone to review with me, here at My World...that's always a thought. :) I'm keeping with the authors I've already done in the past, as I have to follow through with their amazing series, but going to take it easy on the new books coming in.  For me and the authors too.  I'm trying to come up with a review policy page that will explain this a little better.

I'm a little less on the resolution end, as I do have plans for the new year and these ones are time consuming.

What about you?  Any New Years Resolutions?
Link up your New Years post here and we'll follow up at the end of 2012 again!

Blog Book Chat (22) Schedule

Thanks to many friends I started this series, and Robyn did too.  We both enjoyed the first book, Magic Bites, and discovered we found a new series to chat on.  The next book we will be chatting on for the New Year of 2012 is...

Magic Burns
By:  Ilona Andrews
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

Schedule:
We are going to read this one in 2 stops, half way & the end.
Stop 1 ~ January 12, 2012 ~ End of Chapter 13, page133
Stop 2 ~ January 19, 2012 ~ End of Book

New Years Resolution Closeout for 2011

So we are coming to the close of 2011.  Do you remember that post about a year ago, you know the one with us making Bookish Resolutions?  How did you do with those?

I had 5 resolutions on my list.  Did I meet them all?  Lets see...

 1.  I have an idea for a new meme. I just need to iron out the details some and see if it will fly or dive. Never know until you try it out, right?  I did start a new meme, or 2!  Throwback Thursday and Who? What? Where?  So I did better than I thought! :D
  2.  To try to read more books than this year.  Thus far this year I've read 55 books and hope to get two more in.  So, I would like to try to read faster next year.  I did! As according to Goodreads I read 67 books in 2011.  Now I know I cheated a little with the shorter reads, but hey they are books too!
  3.  Try to do more interviews with authors. I like doing them and getting to know more authors, new and old.  I did start doing my guest posts and author interviews this year.  I've tried to be bolder in asking, and they said yes! :D If I could read a little faster this year, I'd really like to get more authors around.  See the thing is I like to have authors of books I've read and enjoyed to share more with you.  We will see. :)
  4.  Volunteer and/or offer to do giveaways more often. They are so fun to host!  I started to get more into giveaways before November with Nanowrimo, and have one going until the Jan. 1, 2012.  They are always fun to do and share books I've loved!
  5.  I want to write more this year now that things should be settling down, and dedicate one month this year to writing instead of reading.  That way more time can go to writing.  I DID IT! Yes, you see my winner button there on the side bar, so I accomplished this one.  This was the one that had me very worried, but I got through!


I got through better than expected when I made these last year!  I'm thrilled!  I was a little nervous at making this list if I would be able to pull through, and I did!  Yeah!

How about you?  How did you do with the New Years Resolutions in 2011?  I know things jump tracks on you when you aren't looking, so it's okay if that happened.

Share in the comments how you did. Or Link your Resolved Resolutions post here:




And keep an eye out for the next New Years Resolutions post for 2012!

Book Review: Cursed

Cursed

By:  S.A. Archer

Format:  Ebook, 10,000 words

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  October 2011

Series:  1st in Touched series; affiliated with Champion of the Sidhe series and Rise of the Unseelie series.

Book Synopsis:
As a private investigator specializing in paranormal problems, London Eyer thought she could handle working for the Sidhe. They couldn’t be any worse than vampires or werewolves or wizards, could they? Oh, how wrong she was. One ‘Touch’ of Sidhe magic and she was cursed. Her only chance to survive is to serve the creep that cursed her against the vicious Changelings out for his blood.
#
Touched is one of the interlacing story lines, that makes up The Sidhe saga. Each thread can be read alone, but if you read them together in the suggested order, you will get the full experience.
 
First Sentence:
Hanging out with a vampire while she feeds on someone is kinda like being in the room while your best friend makes out.

My Thoughts & Summary:
London is called to a meeting with vampire associate and friend Selena, to meet a new client - Rico.  London's new client is... special and curses her with a touch to working for him, a sidhe.  Now she needs to find some specific information for him while jonsing for his next touch, but who knows what more will be needed or happen in the future.

This short read starts out with a dark sexual, sensual feel to it.  And even has a dark feel through it.  After reading the other two short stories I liked the history supplied through London's contacts and the darkness here.  This story introduces a few other elements to the other short stories, a history and the side of the fey's enemies.  We learn much more of the Wizards and their brief history with the fey.  We see the land is divided by the fey and wizards, Ireland and England.

I'm curious to see how these three storylines touch each other through the future writings.  They each add elements to the other series.  All do have a feel of the beginnings of a book for each character, but do have an arc to the story and a close.  Just a close that lets you want to know more.


I read this at my own leisure and enjoyment.

Short Story to Come!

Nicole Peeler, author of the Jane True series (which I have love and need to get back to reading) has a short story to come out in January 2012!  It's set in Jane True's world.

I saw this in an email from FictFact telling me of books to come.  Then I went and found it on Goodreads as well!  Yes!  It's on my list to get.

According to Goodreads this will be available January 17, 2012!

Goodreads Synopsis:
Capitola, Moo, and Shar are the halfling ladies of Triptych: a company that specializes in cleaning up supernatural messes. Normally Cappie doesn't take human cases, but who can resist a priest, missing Catholic school girls, and a creature that may or may not be the Prince of Darkness? A story set in Nicole Peeler's Jane True series.

Sounds interesting!  I'll be getting this one.  What about you?

Book Release: Ocean's Touch

From what I've seen this book is rather smexy, RATHER smexy.  I don't normally read books this smexy, but it sounds delicious, AND I know I have several followers who do read loads of smexy.  So I thought I'd share it, as I've heard this author knows what she's doing with writing.

Goodness! That man on the cover is lovely.  I love this cover.

Released in Ebook on December 27, 2011
(so if you like the sounds of it, go get it)

Ocean's Touch
By:  Denise Townsend

Goodreads Synopsis:

A lonely widow and a handsome artist have a chance for happiness…with the help of a sexy selkie, that is.

After the death of Meredith’s husband many years before, she allowed his legacy to take over her life. A shell of a woman, she finds little joy in her day-to-day tasks. Drawn to her pain, the empathic selkie Dylan knows she’s ready to live and love again, and he knows that he’s just the man for the job.

As Dylan draws Meredith out of her shell, he realizes that to truly free her, he needs to help her accept her budding love for Alexander, an artist who challenges Meredith on every level: intellectually, emotionally and sexually. To achieve a true happy ending, Dylan must help his chosen humans break down their emotional barriers in order to grab the happiness they so deserve.

Warning: This book features a lonely widow, a hot artist waiting in the wings, and the sexy selkie who brings them together…in every possible way.

Would you like a taste?  You can read an excerpt on Denise Townsend's site.

After reading that excerpt I've very very tempted to go get this one myself. :) (I just might have to try it out.) Hope you enjoy!

Monday's Beginnings (122) Vlog Style (9)

Well, it's Monday.... er Tuesday! Sorry, I'm behind a day with the holiday and a weekend full of running.

Reviews Posted:
Guilty of slacking.  Send me to prison.  Please!  I need time to read, I could use the peace and quite! *begging*

Current Read:
I'm such a slacker!  I'm still reading the same book.  I haven't picked it up at all this past week with my Elfin' duties and cleaning to have family over.  Insane!  I do want to finish this one this week and start a new book. I'm hoping with holidays past things will start to iron out and I can get going with the books here, again.
Bad-Ass Faeries Just Plain Bad - anthology

Finished Last Week:
Ha ha ahahhhaa... Yeah right, with Christmas!?! LOL!

I did do a Flash Fiction Friday, with the holiday in mind.  I wasn't going to do one, but thought of something on the drive home from work Thursday so whipped it up very quickly.

Special Posts:
End of Year Giveaway, 2 Winners, 2 books. Winners pick from a selected few I loved this past year.
Cover Release for new series by Philippa Ballantine.
YA Reading Challenge
A-Z Reading Challenge
Debut Author Reading Challenge, hosted by The Qwillery

My WANT List...I've added 4 books. But hey, that's great for someone who didn't do any blog visiting or book gandering with the holiday. :)

Books Received:

First and Foremost!  I LOVE my husband! :D He got me a Nook Tablet!! I was shocked as I was asking for the Color, lower in price, but by accident got the Tablet. Thank you to that worker for handing him the wrong package. ;)








For Review:

Book Synopsis:
Percepliquis is the final installment of the epic fantasy, The Riyria Revelations. In this saga that began with The Crown Conspiracy, two thieves caught in the wrong place at the right time were launched on a series of ever escalating adventures that have all lead to this moment. Three thousand years have passed and the time for Novron's heir to act has arrived. 


Purchased:
Who can get an Ereader and not get any books?  I went through and found a few free books on Barnes & Nobles site Christmas day...

Goodreads Synopsis:
They've been coming here for thousands of years, using Earth as a sanctuary to escape threats from their own kind. Mankind knows them as angels, and one of them left a child upon her death to be raised as a human.

Raea is now a high school senior, and her life as a human is about to end. The crystal shard she bears is not a pretty pendant; it's a collective of powerful entities who chose her as their Keeper, a protector of one of the four shards that power a machine capable of destroying whole worlds. Those who desire the Starfire's power have sent an agent to find her, but she's too busy evading a nosy reporter ready to exploit her secret and dating a hot new foreign student to notice. Nevermind learning what she really is.

Only one person on Earth can help her, the last person she ever expected. But he's not from Earth. Life as a human would be so much easier.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her. 

As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.

Goodreads Synopsis:
The legend, they say, is whispered within the winds along the magnificent Preda Mountain Range, the words and deeds never to be forgotten of the Time of the Nuxvenom, a time when the Sordarins crushed the impending threat, the dreaded Asmeodai, and once more Scarladin was safe. The mighty Sordarins, rulers of the sky! No, the Sordarins have slept well over the years secure in their knowledge the Great One watches over them, knowing the legends holds a mighty warrior will emerge if threatened again, born with a destiny only to defend their world. But subtle changes have emerged. Little by little fear beings to resurface that their world, their very existence is once again threaten. They look to the skies anxiously awaiting their warrior; questioning perchance if the Great One has forgotten them. I know this how? For I am the one born to defend their world. I, Kela Calledwdele, was born a Euchoun. I am their warrior.

So starts this epic fantasy...Whispers of a Legend saga. Kela Calledwdele was born with a destiny, a Euchoun with only one purpose in life...to protect. Torn between two worlds, Kela soon discovers she is the hope of both. Now she must find the courage to face the destiny fate has dictated to her.


Kela has always known what path in life she would follow. She was born a Euchoun. Half Witheleghean, a passive peaceful race where magic runs freely and the other half, Sordarin, a valiant warrior race of hawkmen who rule the sky, she knows well her parents gave the ultimate sacrifice to give her a chance to live. Yet, in so doing, they have left Kela unprepared to face the dangers that await her. Her instincts are to protect and in this she does, but in so doing it leads her into a world where she knows not whom to trust. In time her power matures and grows stronger when she bonds with a Sordarin warrior, Cono. She learns well why she holds the power. An evil as no other before, Asmeodai, has emerged but all is not what it seems as a dark cloak encompasses her family. Betrayal, distrust, treachery leaves Kela alone. She is torn by her desire for Cono and the purpose, the path, she has been given to follow. And when another emerges within her world, one who seemly wants only to help her along her path, she is pulled further away from her Sordarin.


Shadows of the Past, Book One of the Whispers of a Legend is the first in nine installments of the saga. It is a journey of a young woman’s battle to embrace her destiny. Whispers of a Legend follows Kela along this conflicting path, where as a young woman unsure of her ability and her confidence in facing the challenges before her to where she emerges as a strong leader who learns to lean upon her own strength, to stand not behind, but side by side with her warrior.

Novellas:

Goodreads Synopsis:
Available as FREE download from Ilona Andrews Website for 2 weeks from Christmas Day, this novella takes place at the same time as Andrea’s book, right after MAGIC SLAYS, and the two stories intersect.

A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly. Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don’t go as planned. Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extereme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out.

Read at your own risk.

MAGIC GIFTS will appear as a bonus in the back of GUNMETAL MAGIC, Andrea’s book.
 

Goodreads Synopsis:
This isn't a short story or a novella. This is a collection of scenes written by Gordon Andrews as a companion to our Kate Daniels series of books. These scenes illustrate the point of view of Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta and are provided in gratitude to our readers for all of their support. This collection isn't meant to stand on its own as an independent work of fiction.
 

Goodreads Synopsis:
The second volume of Curran POV takes place after the events of MAGIC BLEEDS and before MAGIC SLAYS.
 
Infuriated by Kate's treatment at the hands of the Pack, the Beast Lord demands an explanation. When words fail, claws and fangs must do the talking.

This is a very short story, 6,000 words.

As always, you do not have to purchase this story. It is available free for the download at our website at the following link: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/books/ebooks/curran-vol-ii-fathers-and-sons/

If you are new to Kate Daniels series, this story probably won't make sense as it is written for the fans of the series to fill in the gaps between the existing books.
 
Then I went shopping with my Christmas money at Barnes&Nobes as well...

Goodreads Synopsis:
When the bond Maxine Kiss shares with the demons tattooed on her skin is deliberately severed, the demon hunter is left vulnerable and unprotected. For the first time in ten thousand years, the demons have a taste of freedom. And as the little demons grow more violent and unpredictable, Maxine starts to fear they will lose their minds without her. Reuniting won't be easy, since a greater temptation waits for these hellions: a chance to return to their lives as Reaper Kings, and unleash hell on Earth.

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

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

Goodreads Synopsis:
All Genny wants is to live the quiet life and to do her job at Spellcrackers.com but there's her tangled personal life to sort out first. She's being haunted by ghosts who want her help. Her witch neighbours want her evicted. Genny's sort-of-Ex - and now her new boss - can't decide whether he wants their relationship to be business or pleasure now he knows all her darkest secrets. And then there's the queue of vampires all wanting her to paint the town red - how long will it be before they stop taking 'no' for an answer and Genny's life becomes even more complicated? But when one of her human friends is murdered by sidhe magic, Genny is determined to find the killer. Her efforts to find the real murderer lead her to some of the most dangerous and seductive fae - but her search is hindered by the vampires, who have their own political agenda. Then when all the evidence points to Genny - she's the only sidhe fae in London - and she's named the main suspect; it's not long before she's on the run - and not just from the police - but from some of London's most powerful supernaturals.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds. 

Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice. 

One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

And as part of the review package I got a wonderful T-Shirt (I love it as it has all the symbols of each original book) and a key chain of the new books by Orbit!

What does your week look like? A fair reading week?  Heres to a great week in words and pages.
Hope you have a wonderful week!  And happy New Year if I don't get to talk to you before then.

Looking Forward To...(81)

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...

Silver-Tongued Devil

Sabina Kane #4

By:  Jaye Wells

Due Out:  January 5, 2012

I've read the first 3 books and just loved Sabina and her sidekick, Giguhl. lol.  Loads of action and fast paced story.  Can't wait for this one!

Goodreads Synopsis:
Life is looking up for Sabina Kane. Now that her scheming grandmother is dead, the threat of war has passed and the rulers of the dark races are about to sign a treaty to ensure ongoing peace. Her relationship with sexy mage Adam Lazarus is strong and all her friends are around her. Even her magic training is progressing further than she ever expected. The only two dark spots in her otherwise settled life are her guilt over her sister Maisie's fragile mental state and Sabina's own sinking sense that she's got unfinished business with Cain, the mysterious cult leader she let get away months earlier. When a string of murders rock the New York dark races community and threatens to stall the peace negotiations, Sabina finds herself helping to find the killer. Her investigation leads her down troubling paths that have her questioning everything - and everyone - she knows. And the closer she gets to the murderer, the more Sabina realises this is one foe she may not able to kill.

Flash Fiction Friday (30)

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:

Okay, so I wasn't going to do this, this week as I'm behind with my Elfing duties.  But as I was driving home I got a thought, and couldn't let it go.  It's all in the spirit of Christmas.  Hope you enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

By:  Melissa

*Jing jing jingle, jing jing jingle*

I sit up in my comfortable reading chair, setting my book down, looking around my living room lit by the fire and my reading lamp. I hear it again. *jing jing jingle* I turn, rising from my chair to look out the window by the front door.

My eyes widen as I shake my head. I always believed in the magic of Christmas and that there was a Saint Nick somewhere in the past, but this… To my amazing sight, there is a sled with eight reindeer.

I pull my sweater tight around my shoulders, slip on my galoshes and head out the door to investigate this visitor parking his sled on my country road. I’m greeted by a man with rosy cheeks and a beard as white as the snow on the ground, in a red suit. He’s not quite as plump as left to believe in stories, someone's slacking in the cookie department, but this could be the man. The Big Toy Man of every child’s dreams.

He looks up to me as he walks toward the porch and I ask, “Santa. Claus?”

The jolly, “Ho ho ho” laugh, that makes me want to giggle like a little girl, is his answer as he carries his bag forward.

I step down from the porch, “Would you like some warm milk? And a cookie? I only have Oreos, will that do?”

Again I’m answered with the jolly, “Ho ho ho.” That brings a content smile to my lips and a childish happy feeling to my tummy. This is the dream of all little children tonight, and I’m living it. “No, Melissa. I just wanted to deliver this to you, on this fine night. Do enjoy.” He smiled to me with a wink and twinkle to his eyes.

“Thank you, Santa.” The box reminded me of the gift I desired this year, “Could this be? Could it be my Nook Color I so want?”

“Ho ho ho. You will have to wait and see, when you open it in the morning.”

I take the green wrapped gift with a beautiful red and white candy cane striped bow from his white gloved hands and reached to give him a hug, when my boot slips on the ice under the snow and I slipped falling.

I jump in my comfortable reading chair. The fire had died to glowing coals, the warmth dwindling as well. I pull my sweater tighter around my waist, reaching down to pick up the book I dropped when I dozed off reading. I walk over to the window and look out onto the neatly covered country road with the lit lamp posts lining the way to town. The lamp posts reflected off the perfect, undisturbed snow, creating a beautiful glow. It was a dream. My childhood wishful thinking was getting the best of me on this magical night.

I sit in my reading chair again, looking to the Christmas tree remembering my childhood Christmas mornings of excitement and anticipation. My eye catches a new box under the tree, a box wrapped in green paper with a candy cane striped bow, just like in my dream.

Throwback Thursday (47)

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:

I won this one, and want to read it.  Even thought of reading it with my son.  But time flashes by before you know it, and the book is still on my shelf.  My boy's still young, and I can read it with him still.

Goodreads Synopsis:

For most kids, a trip to space camp is the trip of a lifetime—for Aadi it was life altering. After receiving a camp immunization needed for travel to Mars, Aadi finds that the immunization is the catalyst of an insidious experiment. He realizes what is happening too late for a change of fate. The full experiment is set in motion when he and his co-pilot, Eirena, crash in a distant galaxy called Shrenas, where they change and realize the full extent of their power. This turn of events forces him to grow up quickly, accept his change, and to decide to save a world, or to do what he was trained to do—dominate it. His power is coveted by the warring leaders of Shrenas, and he is forced to choose sides—a decision that may prove just how much humanity he has left.

2012 Debut Author Challenge

I've signed up for another challenge all! :D I get addicted to these things, really.

I'm one of those who goes looking for new authors and books.  Those diamonds everyone else is missing, so this challenge was right up my alley when The Qwillery told me about it.  Yes, she is hosting the wonderful:

Would you like to join in?  What are you waiting for, jump over to The Qwillery and sign up! (just click the pictures)

Cover Release!

I have read 3 different series by this author, Philippa Ballantine, and enjoyed them all.  After reading Chasing the Bard, I mentioned she is one, in my book, to keep an eye on as she has great writer mojo in her and loads to share with us.  Her next book has a cover!  And will be released this summer coming...

Hunter and Fox

By:  Philippa Ballantine

Due Out:  Late June 2012

Cynthia Sheppard is the artist.  Amazing work on her site.
You can preorder this book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

When the blurb becomes available I'll share it with you as well.

Who? What? Where? (47)

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 still in the same anthology as I was the last few weeks.  So, I'm turning it all over to you.  Share this week where you are, like you always do.  I enjoy hearing where you all are, or maybe you are just working on the holiday hubbub like I am. :)  Let me know!

Me... I'm stuck in the closet under the boxes using wrapping paper and bows as a pillow.  But the tape dispenser is jabbing me in the ribs. lol.

Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas!

Monday's Beginnings (121) Vlog Style (8)

It's Monday, and I'm exhausted...

Reviews Posted:
Aftershock by S.A. Archer

Current Read:
Thanks to the craziness I'm putting myself through with the holidays... I'm still reading Bad-Ass Faeries, Just Plain Bad - an anthology.

Good thing, at least I'm not forgetting the storyline as it's a collection of short fey stories.

Finished Last Week:
Yeah, thank you holiday running, nothing finished last week.

I did write a Flash Fiction Friday.  Hope you enjoy it if you stop.

Special Post:
I decided today and posted, End Of Year Book Giveaway! With 2 Winners!
YA Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge
A-Z Reading Challenge

My WANT List... sorry, I haven't added any. I've been crazy with Christmas stuff.

Books Received:
Nope, none.  Spent all on Christmas shopping.

Did get a short story from Tor in their email though, by Ken Scholes.

So, how does your week coming look?  Good or bad on the reading and book front?

For me, I'm thinking bad on the reading front with Christmas.  We have loads of Wrapping, Cleaning, and Running to do.  I'll probably be absent around here most of the week as I'm way behind my usual.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday, any you celebrate. :)

Wishing you all the best in words and pages!

And the song to leave you with today... just call me a sucker for guitars and long hair. ;) All mixed with Christmas.  I couldn't find a video of the band alone, so don't mind the screaming of the fans.  They give one amazing show from watching this!

End of Year Book Giveaway! to have 2 Winners!

****GIVEAWAY CLOSED****

This year has been one amazing year for me in books.  I think I want to share some with all of you!  I enjoy both Fantasy and Urban Fantasy, so why not share two books (one from each genre) that I thoroughly enjoyed.  Yes, I get stuck on a few series.  But believe me, you will LOVE these ones too. :)

Fantasy book up for grabs...

These are all Fantasy reads I enjoyed this year, or where re-released this year.  The winner of the Fantasy side can pick only 1 of these 8.  *Note:  If you have not yet read the first book (as it may not be on here) you can pick that to start the fabulous series.

Urban Fantasy book up for Grabs...

All these Urban Fantasy books have stuck with me through the year, all for the good.  You get to pick only 1 from these 10 books I loved this past year.  *Note:  If you have not yet read the first book (as it may not be on here) you can pick that to start the fabulous series.

 

Want to enter?  I'm going to make it easy:

~~ I'm sending from Amazon or Book Depository.  If they ship to you, you can enter!  So that includes international, since all my book loving friends are all over the world.

~~ Let's make this one Eazy Pleazy.  With end of year, my brain is a little fried and so much going on.  Just comment saying you want to enter.  BUT do put the word FANTASY or URBAN FANTASY or BOTH so I know what section you are entering for.

(No extra entries this go round, but I do GREATLY appreciate the follow through Google Friend Connect and help spreading the word about the giveaway.)

~~ I'll do this for the Year End... Giveaway Ends January 1, 2012 11:59pm EST

~~ Please leave an Email address I can contact you at, in case you win.

Good Luck!

Here's to another AMAZING Year in 2012!

YA Reading Challenge 2012

First 2012 feels so weird to type.  But on to a new year, and new Reading Challenges.

Jackie of The Novel Nation and I are working together to create a site with a few Reading Challenges to get us reading next year.  (Please work with us as we are just starting out with the ideas.  Hopefully, we will grow with this each year.)

One of the Reading Challenges I'll be joining is:

I joined one last year and somewhere along the year the host kind of stopped.  So I wanted to find another one. There are so many amazing YA Speculative Fiction (or Fantasy) books coming out and I want to read them.

I'm looking forward to hosting this at The Challenged Writers and joining you in the challenge!

So, do you want to join us?  Go to the new site and link up!  Head over and link up with your post, and once the new year starts we will be on a roll.


This year there will be prizes after the end of 2012, if you complete it!

A to Z Reading Challenge 2012

First 2012 feels so weird to type.  But on to a new year, and new Reading Challenges.

Jackie of The Novel Nation and I are working together to create a site with a few Reading Challenges to get us reading next year.  (Please work with us as we are just starting out with the ideas.  Hopefully, we will grow with this each year.)

One of the Reading Challenges I'll be joining is:

So, I was chatting with Jackie one day about my titles of books trying to find old reviews to share and had several letters that are blank.  Jackie had a wonderful idea of an A to Z Reading Challenge to fill these gaps.  One book from each letter of the alphabet.  Hard, but that's what makes it a Challenge.

I'm looking forward to hosting this at The Challenged Writers and joining you in the challenge!

Do you want to join us?  Go over to the new site and join in!  Head over and link up with your post, and once the new year starts we will be on a roll.

There is a chance of winning prizes at the end of the year, if you follow through with the Challenge through the year.

Looking Forward To...(80)

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...

Light and Dark World

Legends of the Destrati

By:  Dina James

Due Out:  January 2012

Oh, this one caught my eye with the beautiful cover, but with the whole story idea here.  I like the vampires are affiliated with the Devil.  And so much more here!

Goodreads Synopsis:
Kyle abhors the word "vampire." He prefers the more accurate term "lost soul," for that is how true vampires are made – through a damning bargain with the Devil. Kyle is unique among what could loosely be called his kind, for he not only wants the return of what was, he feels, stolen, but because he was once the demon lord Kailkiril'ron, servant of Lucifer. Known as The Betrayer, Kyle is a powerful force to be reckoned with by any standard, both feared and shunned by every single vampire clan in existence, including the renegade Destrati. Why he would choose to assist one of their members – the very member sent to bring Kyle to justice – is his own affair. The better question is why anyone, let alone a Destrati, would accept the Betrayer's help. 

The Destrati differ from other vampire clans in that the whole of its members have turned away from the Darkness they once dealt with. Destrati feel that the parasitical cost of their cursed existence is too high, and have sworn to redeem the souls they bargained away for their immortality. They make it a fierce point to keep others from being coerced into trading their souls. This is seen as interference by the other vampire clans, and while most clans are at perpetual war with one another over such differences in philosophy, Clan Destrati members are among the most hated, for they, like Kyle, are seen as betrayers. 

Among Ethereals, Clan Destrati's reputation and exploits are as renowned as the associates it boasts. Within these pages are but a few of their legends.

Flash Fiction Friday (29)

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:

(Another quick one this week, thanks to the holidays.  Sorry, not that great, but it's here.)

By:  Melissa

Aerialisa turned the corner leading them away, still carrying the knife she just used to mutilate her own body.  Running was the only thing she could do now, after cutting off one of her wings.  She knew her sisters and brothers of the flock could feel her pain, just like they knew the love and heartache she felt as well condemning her to death by their laws.  They now are looking for her to investigate the agony she felt.  She had to get them away from him.

She just needed to give him time, enough time to boil her blood and burn the wing to ash.  Only then would they both be free of the powers of the Throne, the ones stopping her from doing as she wished, with him.  It was forbidden for her to be with a warlock.  A warlock.  What was she thinking?  Warlocks are of the blood the angels fought against.

Still breathing heavy from running, instead of her usual flying, which she was going to have to get use to, she heaved a few deep breaths trying to grit past the sharp pain of her mangled wing bone at her back and ran on.  Her legs where starting to burn from the strenuous use, they were not use to.  Yes, she's in shape but she's no runner, she's a flyer, or was a flyer.  She just needed to carry on a little longer, until Ithek completed his spell.

Her blood and wing should seal the spell to free her from their grasps, releasing the binding she had with other Archangels and the more powerful angels.  She will have a great deal to get use to, with only one wing which will have to go as well, but the pain of losing her wings was hard physically and mentally.  Wings were all she had known, until she met Ithek.

Ithek needed to hurry, Aerialisa thought, she couldn't run much further, and she stumbled over her feet as they started to become numb.  She fell, feeling pressure at her back.  When she turned the sun was blinding, but there stepping out of the light, or maybe into the light, the largest gorgeous angel she had ever seen.  The Seraphim.  She had never seen him, but heard of him through others.  He had come for her himself, her father.

Aerialisa knew the stiletto in her hand wouldn't do anything to help her in a fight, and she's to weak from the lose of blood and wing then the spell too.  She had nothing left in her to even beg for her immortal life.  She already lost one wing, as long as Ithek was safe, she would sacrifice her life for him.  She hoped he would stay safe and not come looking for her.

Throwback Thursday (46)

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:

Aaaa, now this one... This one I won in a huge package giveaway by the author, and I was ESTATIC to have won it!  I love reading this authors books and really need to get into this series and one other one I have here. As many of you know Ann Aguirre has another (or two) pen names she uses, this is one of them.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kyra's a con woman and a thief who can steal her target's strongest skill. But when she becomes the target of a hit man, she won't be able to hide from the passion that engulfs them.