Monday, February 20, 2012

Monday's Beginnings (130) Vlog Style (15)

And it's Monday. Again.



Finished:
Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

Current Read:
Lodestone Book 3: The Crucible of Dawn by Mark Whiteway

Reviews to Come:
Lineage by Skyla Dawn Cameron - On Tuesday!
Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

Reviews Posted:
The Fly in Paradise by Frances Pauli

Movie Review:
The Warrior's Way

Podcast Reviews:
You'll know when they become available. :)

Covers Shared:
I think I'm slacking!  I didn't share any.

Special Posts:
Freebie Nook eBooks

Blog Book Chat finished Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells.  So jump over and join the chat if you'd like.

I did do a Flash Fiction Friday.  It is the continuation to see if Liam lived or died.

My WANT List...Okay, I don't think I'm taking advantage of this list any longer.  I've only added 2 but just last week I got 4 books that were not even on it.  Yeah, sounds crazy.  I'm going to have to start adding to it again.

Received:
Purchased:
This book was 50% off at Barnes&Nobles, so since it was one the kid (and I too) wanted, I picked it up!  Hardcover at 50% off. Seriously, did I have to think about it?
Goodreads Synopsis:
Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.


I picked up an Iron Fey Valentine, short story by Julie Kagawa with Megan and Ash.

Then I found this one free on HeroesandHeartbreakers.com.  But I believe it is only for a short time. So go read it!
Home: A Downside Ghosts Story by Stacia Kane

Seriously, so great finds for Valentine's Day this year. :)

My Nook Freebies:
So, last week was a so-so week for me in reading.  But with starting to re-write, read and write, the Nano project I'm going to be slow on the reading front again.
Goodreads Synopsis:
At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, the vampires in training follow one of two tracks: they become either Sisters or Saviors. Of course, everyone wants to be a Savior, swooping into infested high schools in matching red leather jumpsuits and wielding crossbows, putting down swarming vampires with deadly efficiency.

But Lily Fielding is just a Sister—a Third Sister at that, a measly trainee. When Lily and her two Sisters, Alice and Cara, are called out to their latest assignment, she figures it’s just another run-of-the-mill gig: spot the Vamplayer (part vampire, part player), identify the predictably hot, trampy girl he’s set his eyes on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding.

Finding the sleek and sexy Vamplayer, Tristan, and his equally beautiful and popular target, Bianca, is easy. And when Lily meets the adorably geeky Zander, she too falls under a lover’s spell. But this assignment turns out to be trickier than most when the Third Sister must battle the baddest vampire of all.
 
Goodreads Synopsis:
A collection of some of the best original short fiction published on Tor.com in 2011.

This one I got for the heck of it.  Not that I'll be writing romance, but I'm curious what the author has to say on the subject.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Sweep Readers Off Their Feet With a Romance They'll Never Forget

In "On Writing Romance," award-winning romance novelist Leigh Michaels talks you through each stage of the writing and publishing process. From the origins and evolution of the romance novel to establishing a vital story framework to writing that last line to seeking out appropriate publishers, everything you ever wanted to know about writing a romance novel is here.

In addition to a comprehensive breakdown of more than thirty romance subgenres, including such categories as historical, inspirational, Regency, and sweet traditional, you'll discover how to:

Steer clear of clich's and stereotypes by studying the genre
Craft engaging and realistic heroes and heroines readers will adore
Convincingly develop the central couple's blossoming relationship
Add conflict by utilizing essential secondary characters like the "other woman"
Use tension and timing to make your love scenes sizzle with sensuality
Get your characters to happily-ever-after with an ending readers will always remember

Plus, read a sample query letter, cover letter, and synopsis, and learn how to properly prepare you romance novel for submission to agents and editors. "On Writing Romance" has everything you need to leave readers swooning

Won:
This one I entered for at one of the authors blogs, Sean Hayden.  Seeing as I enjoy my anthologys and starting to really enjoy the steampunk stories, I wanted to give this one a try as well.  And I won!  It's a new release.
Goodreads Synopsis:
In an era when steam rules the sea and the skies, the monarchy struggles to maintain control. Across the lands, battles are fought for the sake of peace and love.

Ten Thousand Years by Nick Valentino

Pirate captain Maro and his crew have embarked on their most dangerous mission. To secure the release of his former army platoon wrongly imprisoned in Korea, Maro has snared the Empress of Japan’s private airship in an attempt to kidnap her for ransom. Before they reach her, they must daringly board the Empress’ ship, blast their way through samurai automatons, and escape the powerful and menacing Japanese military airship, the Great Phoenix. Through determination and bloodshed, Maro and his men fight to regain their honor, but the real meaning of sacrifice is miraculously realized by the most unlikely one of them all.

Queen of the Travelers by Sean Hayden

Their people have had many names over the years: tinkers, tynkers, gypsies, an Lucht Siúil, and other less savory names. They are the Travelers. Shannon is happy with her clan. They make their living scrounging the scrap yards of Ireland, foraging to keep their crawlers working. Even among the mechanically inclined, Shannon is extraordinarily blessed, but her abilities may become a curse. The Queen of the Travelers is passing and Shannon is ripped from her clan as a candidate for the throne…if she can survive.

Reclaiming the Throne by Elizabeth Valentino

Sophia has one immediate goal: eliminate a threat to the throne. As a young vampire assassin, she's spent her entire life taking orders and fighting in the name of the Royal Paranormal Supremacy society. But now they've turned on her. As she prowls the icy Serbian mountains, she faces off against another vampire with a mission of his own, but he doesn't play by the government's rules. Together, they must lay their lives and their hearts on the line to do what is right and help the rightful Serbian heir, reclaim the throne. It will take all their skills and mechanical wonders to make it out alive.

The Hidden History of Stones: Or How the Sinking Jenny Was Sunk by Jennifer Williams

Victoria’s England, Victoria’s London. It is a time of great change for the Capital. A time of industry and enterprise, sweat and smoke. But even as this century rushes to catch up with its own progress, a greater change is coming. Deep within the River Thames, something that has been asleep for hundreds of years is stirring. For the crew of the Sinking Jenny it is just another piece of salvage dredged up from the ancient mud, and not even a particularly valuable one at that, but the Stone holds the knowledge of Kings and Queens, the secrets of every man and woman, and the lies that all children keep in their hearts. For Captain Hardy, the mysterious Mr Rymer and their young apprentice Bill, the Stone is the beginning of a nightmare.

How does your week look?

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

8 comments:

  1. Mel! I love seeing you in real life! :D The silver-tongued devil seems awesome!

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  2. OKay, just the name makes Silver-Toungued Devil sounds awesome. Great Vlog. I wonder if I should try a vlog out. Seems fun. :)

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  3. Oooh, Her Majesty's Mysterious Conveyance looks intriguing and different.

    So will you be writing romance, Mel???

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  4. I still think you're super brave for doing this vlog! I will try it one of these days...I think, maybe :p

    Thanks for the mentions, lol. You failed to mention the start of re-reading my masterpiece....but I don't think that counts yet, does it? LOL.

    This week, I'm reading your NaNo, finishing Grave Witch, and hopefully starting Fever by Lauren DeStefano & The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice. Have a great reading week!

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  5. I'm finally feeling unstressed enough to dive back into blogging and blog reading, so I wanted to come by and say hi. Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  6. Oh I love the stacia kane cover! Can't wait to read your review about the Jaye Well book.

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  7. I got the vamplayers freebie too :) Sure no kindle, but I can't say no to freebies now

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  8. And again, sorry everyone for being late at responding. Been running with kid with sports stuff, and things are getting messy at home. lol.

    Lisa @ Read.Breathe.Relax. - Thank you! So glad you stopped by and enjoyed the vlog. :) lol. Glad you like the sounds of the book. :)

    Jennifer L. Bielman - lol. All the titles for Jaye Well's books are pretty cool, but I think this is my fav so far. :) Thank you! Glad you liked the vlog. And they can be very fun to do. Hope you give it a try one day. :)

    StephanieD - Oh, so glad you like the sounds of Her Majesty's Mysterious Conveyance. :) I really liked the sounds as well. :) LOL! Me? Write romance. lol. I don't think I have a romantic bone in my body. ;D Thank you!

    Jackie - LOL! I think I'm crazy for doing the vlogs, but sometimes they are really fun, and this week I got a bit chatty. lol. When you are ready, do try it. :) Oh, I thought I used the plural for the Nano projects but maybe I thought it and didn't say it. Sorry! Oh you have a great list for reading this week! (er, except for that darn Nano project you are reading) ;D Have a great week!

    Ryan - Oh, so glad you are starting to relax some. I hope you get to relax more! Have a good week hon.

    Melliane - lol. I love all of Stacia Kane's covers. All of Chess, and are so neat. I'm hoping to get the review for Jaye's book done this weekend, so hoping to be up next week.

    Blodeuedd - Oh great! Hope you enjoy Vamplayers! :)

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