Monday, July 2, 2012

Monday's Beginnings (149) Vlog Style (31)

On vacay and still a Monday. *sigh*

Current Read:
Not sure yet, trying to get reviews done so beta reading for a friend before I dive in another review book.

Finished Last Week:
The Relic by Colleen Helme
Discount Miracles by Brand Gamblin

Reviews to Come:
Exhumed by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Blue-Blooded Vamp by Jaye Wells
Light in a Dark World by Dina James
Discount Miracles by Brand Gamblin
The Relic by Colleen Helme

Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City by Meljean Brook
Tethered by Meljean Brook
Enchanted by S.A. Archer
You Will Thank Me Later by Jonathan Carter
9 Crimes by Skyla Dawn Cameron

Book Reviews Posted:
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Movie Reviews Posted:
Oops, sorry. I thought I posted one, and didn't.

Podcast Reviews Posted:
Tales from the Archives Vol 2 #4 - The Emperor's Fist

Books and Covers Shared:
Sorry, I must have been slacking last week as well!

Special Posts:
And I'm all out of sorts, for sure!  Nothing on the Special side either.

I did do a Flash Fiction Friday last week.  I don't think it's my best as I whipped it together at the last minute.  I kinda struggled with that picture for some reason.  I think the brain is freezing up on me and going on strike. ;)

My WANT List...Now do remember I've added 3 books to the TBR pile that were not on the WANT list yet.  I have so many books skipping this step any more!  And 3 books have been added to the WANT list.

Received Last Week:
For Review:
(I'll share a secret with you...I've been wanting this series, so I was THRILLED when I heard from the author.)
The Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson
Goodreads Synopsis:
For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover-the dragonslayer-disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning. Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child. Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?

The Iron Maiden by Resa Nelson
Goodreads Synopsis:
Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it's her duty. She'd rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?

Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer's sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.

In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn't a decision she can make just once. Instead, it's a decision she must make every day.

The Stone of Darkness by Resa Nelson
Goodreads Synopsis:
In Book 3 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid accepts her duty and follows the winter route--until she's bitten by a dragon. Everyone knows dragon bites are poisonous and deadly, so she reluctantly accepts her impending death. In a twist of fate, she survives. Desperate for an explanation, Astrid believes she has somehow been protected by the black stone she keeps with her at all times, a stone that emerged from the sole of her foot a year ago. Determined to find out what the stone is and what kind of powers it possesses, Astrid begins a journey that leads her to alchemists and an army of men under the rule of the powerful warrior, Mandulane, the acting lord of the Krystr army. Mandulane's mission is to spread the word of the new god Krystr, which preaches the evil intent of women and the danger they pose to all men, who are entitled to dominate the world. Rumors about this new god and army have spread, but Astrid is the first Northlander to encounter them. Soon, she stumbles upon a secret of a far-reaching and mind-numbing plot that will impact the entire world. Astrid must find a way to spread the news of this threat and protect her people and everyone else at risk. She's convinced the answer lies inside the Stone of Darkness, and she must find a way to understand the stone and the powers she's convinced it must hold before it's too late.

Free on Nook:
Shadow Play by Erin Kellison
Goodreads Synopsis:
Shadow

The world is growing dark with it as mysteries from antiquity and legend creep into our time, bringing a new world of danger, beauty and...

Magic

Dr. Cam Kalamos has dedicated his life to studying its strange properties, but nothing is more intriguing than a woman whose soul is split in half, one part under her control, one part bent on...

Seduction

How can he resist the lure of a lover with no inhibitions and an insatiable desire to possess him? Both Ellie and her shadow want Cam, but there is an innocent child to be rescued from the forest and the strange fae creatures of...

Twilight

Love, loyalty, betrayal—which will rule? As Ellie sends her other self into the darkness, there is only one certainty: Trusting in shadows is a dangerous game.

Gift from friend:
Skyla is to kind of a friend to me. :) She sent me sticky notes to keep me going on my OCD of note taking and pens along with mole skin note books for writing, along with my book plates for her books I've loved so much.  THANK YOU!!

Downloaded:
Tales from the Archives Vol 2 #5 - The Wrong Camera written and read by Catherine Ford



So, looks like a weak week in posting for me last week, and probably another one this week.  But I promise to be back with a vengeance next week!

How does your week look for you?  Hope last week was wonderful as well.

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

16 comments:

  1. loving the cover of The Iron Maiden. I look forward to your review of it.

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    1. Petty Witter, thank you! I do like the looks and sounds of The Iron Maiden and the books in that series. :) Can't wait to read them. :) Thank you

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  2. Resa Nelson's The Dragon's Egg is out in November, IIRC. I can shoot you the cover and blurb if you want to premiere it AFTER your vacay. ;-)

    Have a good week!

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    1. Oh yes Skyla! You should send me the cover for The Dragon's Egg! :D I'll definitely share it. Thank you!

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  3. And I did not do a flash! bad me :(

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    1. Oh naughty Blodeuedd. But it is the crazy time of year that things get in the way.

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  4. If you didn't get Shadow Touch, do get that one. Shadow Play is the continuation of that novella. I'll have a review coming up this week if that doesn't make sense. :)

    Btw, vacay? What is that?? ;)

    Skyla rocks... oh and it looks like I'll have to whip B for last week. ;D

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    1. Melissa (books&things) - Oh I'll have to get Shadow Touch now too!

      lol. And vacay? Yeah, I still did lots of work and cleaning...so no vacay really.

      And yes Skyla is awesome! I started making notes over the week off for next Nano story.

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  5. I love the shadow series so far!

    Beth ^_^
    http://sweetbooksnstuff.blogspot.com/

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    1. Beth D. - I've heard very good things about Shadow Series. I need to get time to get to it. :) Thank you!

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  6. I've read an Erin Kellison short story and I like her author's voice. Quite compelling! I think you have a nice reading week to look forward there! :)

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    1. Cherry, Great to hear you enjoy Erin Kellison's voice! I look forward to getting to her books here one day. :) Thank you!

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  7. Gosh, I hope you have fun during your vacay! Hopefully, hubs will let you have some **time off** for actually enjoying it!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you StephanieD. I did take a little time to read last week, and play, but not as much as I would have liked. :)

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  8. Hope you have a great time!

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