Book Review: Of Course I Try

Of Course I Try

By:  Seleste deLaney

Published By:  Decadent Publishing, LLC

Publish Date:  August 2010

Format:  eBook, 15pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy Romance

Series:  Prequel # 1 in Blood Kissed series; Short Stories ~ 0.1 ~ Christmas in Chains, 0.2 ~ Devil's Bargain, Short Story 0.3 ~ What Have I Done, 0.4 ~ The Cost of Love

Recommendation:  Yes, to see the haze Jocelyn lives in while remembering how her and Max meet and the strong woman underneath it all.

Synopsis:
Love is a wonderful thing.  Unless you don't get a choice in the matters of your own heart.

Jocelyn has loved Max since the day she met him.  Even when he scares her enough to leave, she can't resist going back.  No matter how many times she tries to break free from him, she ends up in his arms and bed again.

Not this time.  Jocelyn needs to be free, and Max isn't going to stop her from walking away -- no matter how hard he tries.

First Sentence:
When I came to his house tonight, I'd come to say goodbye.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jocelyn visits to say goodbye, but the time turns private and heated between them and the reason she came flies from her mind.  Jocelyn wakes to a love note from Max on the pillow along with a blank in time.

We go with Jocelyn with all intent and purpose of breaking it off with Max, then things turn intimate and forgotten.  Jocelyn remembers how she meet Max and even though he has the bad boy look, Jocelyn finally learns he's more inside and maybe someone for her, her type after all?

Then we jump to a time when Jocelyn has left Max two weeks prior and is on a date, but can only think of Max.  The date sounds like a dud, but another man asks her to dance, and he sounds like a possibility.

Max seems like a drug Jocelyn tries and tries to give up, but find her way back to his loving, warm feeling embrace.  Yet there is always something missing in her memories.  He's always gone when she wakes and she's weak from love making and always a vague memory loss.  Deja vu, we've done it again.  Jocelyn feels the need to leave as not her home even though told she is always welcome

Jocelyn never seems to get to say goodbye, but does get to do something else instead.  Good girl.



**I read this novella for my own enjoyment.
**The thoughts shared in this review are of my personal opinions.

Who? What? Where? (89)

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 )

This Week:

I'm currently floating down a river with two old friends...well they aren't 'old friends' at this point, but they are to me after previous books I've read. 



Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Book Review: Blood Kissed short stories 0.3 & 0.4

What Have I Done

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publisher:  Seleste deLaney on her site

Publish Date:  March 13, 2011

Format:  Blog, I read online

Genre:  Romance, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Series:  0.3 Short Story in Blood Kissed series;  0.1 Short Story ~ Christmas in Chains, 0.2 Short Story ~ Devil's Bargain

Recommendation:  If you are going to read the novella's and novel, yes, this gives you a great view into it.

Synopsis:
In the aftermath of the events in Of Course I Try, Jocelyn was destined to feel something.  This story tells exactly what that emotion was.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jocelyn has just left the house and her feelings of what's happen bubble to the surface.

I read this short story before the novella Of Course I Try.  You learn what she did in the novella, but you want to know what transpired to bring her to that point.

Okay, now.  I'm curious what Jocelyn did to be so distraught.  Did she really do what she said she did?  And Why?

This short was like reading a flash short fiction.  It makes me curious for the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Cost of Love

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publisher:  Seleste deLaney on her site

Publish Date:  March 13, 2011

Format:  Blog, I read online

Genre:  Romance, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Series:  0.4 Short Story in Blood Kissed series; 0.1 Short Story ~ Christmas in Chains, 0.2 Short Story ~ Devil's Bargain

Recommendation:  Yes, but after the novella Of Course I Try so you get to see Max's thoughts.

Synopsis:
Most of my readers know the events of Of Course I Try from Jocelyn's point of view, but if you've ever wondered what went through Max's mind when she walked through his door, this story is for you.  Warning: This contains spoilers for Of Course I Try.

My Thoughts and Summary:
What runs through Max's mind as Jocelyn shows up at his doorway that fateful night.

This one I would definitely read AFTER Of Course I Try, which is what I did do.

We know from reading Jocelyn's side of the story that Max has some sort of Magic.  We learn so here from Max's thoughts as well.  Magic through words and touch, a push.  He's afraid to push to far, for her to forget their time together yet a hint of some other worry with it as well.  He wants her to remember, that he loves her.

We hear his thoughts at the very moment with Jocelyn.




You can find both of these stories and two more (review to come today as well) at Seleste deLaney's site under Free Reads.


**I read these short stories in preparation for the novellas and novel for my own enjoyment.
**This collection of thoughts is of my person opinions as reading.

Book Review: Blood Kissed Short Stories 0.1 & 0.2

Christmas In Chains

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publisher:  Seleste deLaney on her site

Publish Date:  March 13, 2011

Format:  Blog, I read online

Genre:  Romance, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Series:  0.1 Short story in Blood Kissed series

Recommendation:  Oh yes, quite a collection of history to learn of these characters, before or during reading the novellas and novel.

Synopsis:
Becoming a vampire doesn't come with an instruction manual, and learning isn't always an easy path.  Sometimes, it's one you have to deviate from in order to live.  Combine that drive with a Christmas wish, and Max gets exactly what he wants.

My Thoughts and Summary:
In this place Christmas is celebrated with a torture to remind him he's a vampire; of the pain he could inflict and something stronger... the sun.  With the decorations appearing, Max realizes it must be another Christmas arriving.  Max's thirteenth here in chains under his maker.  But there could be a Christmas miracle out there for him...

This free short read can be read before any of the novella's, book, or other short stories without giving anything away in the story.  And could very well introduce you to one of the main characters.

Oh goodness, poor Max.  He's chained, and dare I say abused.  And a vampire.  But on this Christmas, after all these years where Max learns to hate the holiday, he might get a miracle, but at what cost.  I'm curious about this Janiqua and what Max will have to do for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Devil's Bargain

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publisher:  Seleste deLaney on her site

Publish Date:  March 13, 2011

Format:  Blog, I read online

Genre:  Romance, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Series:  0.2 Short story in Blood Kissed series

Recommendation:  Oh yes, quick collection of history to learn of these characters, before or during reading the novellas and novel.

Synopsis:
Every story has a beginning, and the Blood Kissed series started long before Of Course I Try.  To understand Max, you need to know both how and why he turned.

My Thoughts and Summary:
How and why Max is turned into a vampire.

Not much more description can be given without giving away this free short read.  But we see why Max wanted to keep living, the prayer he repeated and was answered.  All for one other.  We see who his maker is and that he has to spend time with him.

I liked the Max I meet here.  He seems like a good guy after this read.  One I could feel for.



You can find both of these stories and two more (review to come today as well) at Seleste deLaney's site under Free Reads.


**I read these short stories in preparation for the novellas and novel for my own enjoyment.
**This collection of thoughts is of my person opinions as reading.

Teaser Tuesday (141)

Teaser Tuesday

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

This Week:

The muscles across max's back bunched, making him look bigger somehow.  When he turned, all pretense of calm had disappeared; Chad stared into the eyes of a man who would kill without mercy or regret.

Kiss of Death
By:  Seleste deLaney
80pg

Tour with Giveaway and Book Review: The Weird Girls

*****Giveaway Closed, Please scroll down to the Review*****

Today is the tour stop for the lovely Cecy Robson with her Novella, The Weird Girls, coming out December 4, 2012 and Novel, Sealed with a Curse (Love this title, reminds me of 'sealed with a kiss' great play with words here), coming out December 31, 2012.  A New Years Baby!

I'm thrilled to be able to share these with you today, and introduce you to a new magical series.

Who is Cecy Robson you ask.  I'm pleased to introduce you to Cecy.
~~ Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is an author with Penguin's SIGNET ECLIPSE. She attributes her passion for story-telling back to the rough New Jersey neighborhood she was raised in. As a child, she was rarely allowed to leave the safety of her house and passed her time fantasizing about flying, fairies, and things that go bump in the night. Her dad unwittingly encouraged Cecy's creativity by kissing her goodnight wearing vampire fangs. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she began writing her Urban Fantasy Romance Series, Weird Girls, in May 2009. THE WEIRD GIRLS: A Novella, debuts December 4, 2012 followed by SEALED WITH A CURSE, December 31, 2012, and A CURSED EMBRACE, July 2, 2013. ~~

You can find Cecy, and chat with her to get to know her and about her books better in the following places:
Website:  http://www.cecyrobson.com/
Twitter:  CecyRobson
Facebook:  Cecy.Robson.Author
Goodreads:  Cecy Robson, Author

We'll start with a little bit about each book:

The Weird Girls
Novella introducing the magically cursed sisters.
Description:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird… 

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth—human and supernatural. When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region. Could this be the true home they’ve longed for? Um, not quite. After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them. Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven. And losing the battle isn’t an option.

Includes a preview of the first full-length novel in the Weird Girls series, Sealed with a Curse—as well as introductions to the Weird World, and a letter from the author.


Sealed with a Curse
First full length Novel with the sisters.
Description:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird…

The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region—until one of them blows up a vampire in self-defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust-fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders: are the vampires of Tahoe cursed with a plague?

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the region safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and oh yeah, not lose her heart to the wrong guy—or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, it’s coming for her and her sisters. This Wird girl has never had it so tough.


They sound good, don't they.  Well, they are full of paranormal and much more.  On to my thoughts of The Weird Girls...

The Weird Girls

By:  Cecy Robson

Published By:  Penguin Group

Publish Date:  December 4, 2012

Format:  ARC, 132pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  0.5 in Weird Girls series

Recommendation:  Oh yes, wonderful start to bring you into a new magic filled world with four sisters stuck in it.

Synopsis:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls - with one tiny exception  they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird...

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth - human and supernatural.  When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region.  Could this be the true home they've longed for?  um, not quite.  After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them.  Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven.  And losing the battle isn't an option.

First Sentence:
Emme placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

Purchase At:

Amazon - Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles - Nook

My Thoughts and Summary:
The four sisters are celebrating finally finding a place to call home since leaving New Jersey two years ago.  Such a place found in Lake Tahoe.  Somehow trouble and men find the girls, yet Celia is feared at a glance as human's realize instinctively there's a predator inside, with fighting and upsetting one witch by breaking her power talisman.  After a phone call Celia makes to her paranormal expert friend, she learns with one witch comes a whole coven, now with their eyes out waiting for them to show in the new home area they thought would be safe.  When the witches come, Celia makes a claim and fights for her sisters against the leader of the coven.  Celia will have three challenges to face for her and her sisters to stay safe in their home.  As long as Celia can win, but at what costs?

We learn what each girl's abilities are, as a result of a backfired curse on their mother.  Boy do we learn about these four ladies!  The history details here with each and their parents, and their abilities.  I wonder how much of this will come to surface again in the first novel.  That the world, knowing or unknowingly senses it, doesn't accept weird and Celia, Taran, Shayna, and Emme are just that.  Weird.  Something that doesn't exist even in the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, and witches.  Great setting of the characters here.

Right off the bat we start with a fight with a witch.  We see weaknesses in each girl, but they can work together to win.  As the story goes we see the strengths as well, and that they avoid the supernatural world as much as they can.  These four sister stick together and stand up for each other, protect and fight for each other.  They are all they have.  We learn how they suffered and fought through school and how people, magical or not, sense they are different and fight or torment them, or at least try too.

This novella sets the stage for these ladies as a whole and individually.  They come out kicking and swinging.

This novella is from Celia's point of view.  Celia is the eldest and is the one that goes through an ordeal with the three challenges to try and save her sisters.  There are quick sarcastic snarky remarks through the read.  It gives a feel of Celia's personality, strong and has a sense of humor that's dry and could be negative but I like this humor.  Celia's not all roses, she does have a tigeress inside after all, and I like that about her.  Being that they stay out of the supernatural world as much as possible, they don't know what to expect or do with the three challenges.  These ladies might be a product of the magical world, but they avoid it or at least try to.

There are hints of things here that I do hope and look forward to learning more about.  Like Celia and her dream man.  Sounds like there is more there than she or I know.  I would like to learn more!  There are things hinted at with each lady that I'd like to see more about.

Veeeery good novella to give you a feel of these weird ladies, where they came from and what they are capable of.  I do look forward to seeing more of this in the novels to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would you like to WIN some lovely Swag of this Sisters series?

Cecy Robson has graciously offered some up for One (1) commentor.

Comment and follow Cecy via Twitter or Facebook and enter in the Rafflecopter to win.

Easy to do as all her links are in the Rafflcopter and above as well.

Good luck!

This giveaway is open Internationally.

Ends 11/7/12, 12:00 midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I received a copy of this novella for an honest review from the publisher.
**This review is a collection of my personal thoughts as reading it.

Monday's Beginnings (166)

It's Monday.  *achuuu*  Yea, the sinuses have been a little crazy with this rain and storm coming our way.

Reading has become a little on the slow side for me.  I've slowed down, and I don't know why.  Not anything to do with the books I'm reading it seems to be the time.  But I don't know what I'm doing that takes up more time.  I honestly think it's the 'getting dark early' thing that's getting to me.  I like to have my sunshine.

I've got lots to do in the next three days to prep for NaNoWriMo as well.  I was to finish my synopsis about what the story is for my Novel information on Nano site... yeah, didn't get to it this weekend.  I'll have to get to it by Thursday though, if only for my mind.

So, after this week, I'll not be around much.  I do hope to do a few Monday posts to let you know what's going on and maybe I'll schedule the Throwback Thursday posts as well.

So, on to the bookish stuff from last week now...

Current Read:
A Beta read.  Another I'm THRRRILLLED to read! ;D

Finished Last Week:
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

Reviews to Come:
House of Grey Vol. 2 by Collin Earl
Endgame by Ann Aguirre
The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson
Of Course I Try by Seleste deLaney
The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney
Curran POV Vol 1 by Gordon Andrews
Curran POV Vol 2 by Gordon Andrews
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney

Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews


Book Reviews Posted:
Fathom by Merrie Destefano
Rise of the Magician by Collin Earl & Chris Snelgrove
A Little Short For An Alien by Frances Pauli

Podcast Reviews Posted:
Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey ~ Chapters 21 - 24 (end)
Overall Thoughts on Story and Podcast

Movie Review Posted:
No movie review, sorry, been running out of time.

Books and Covers Shared:
Agave Kiss by Ann Aguirre

Special Posts:
UF Book Chat Final Stop on Gunmetal Magic

I did not do a Flash Fiction Friday.  It seems I've gotten away from these lately.  From the way things are looking, I won't be doing any for a while now too.

My WANT List...Well, I must really be slacking.  I only added 2 books last week.  But that's okay as I've got 490 books on the Want List!  LOL!

Received Last Week:
Purchased:
I bought this one for the kid, okay and maybe me as I have to work up to reading more zombies, to read for school.

Goodreads Synopsis:
In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

For Review:
I'm excited to have been able to get a NetGalley review copy of this one.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird… 

The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region—until one of them blows up a vampire in self-defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust-fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders: are the vampires of Tahoe cursed with a plague? 

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the region safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and oh yeah, not lose her heart to the wrong guy—or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, it’s coming for her and her sisters. This Wird girl has never had it so tough.

How did you week go last week?  Hope it was a good one.  How does the new week look?  Hopefully a good and fun one with Halloween.

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

Cover Reveal: Agave Kiss

Did you see this new cover earlier this week?  Or was it the end of last week now?  Ga, darn mind is slipping these days.

But anyway, I have enjoyed this series and can't wait to get to this book after the ending of Devil's Punch.

New cover!

Agave Kiss

Corine Solomon #5

By:  Ann Aguirre

Due Out:  March 2013

What do you think?  The quote on here... "A love to die for..."  Now that makes me curious.  Who is to die?  Or almost die to save the love?  I have a thought on all after the ending of Devil's Punch.  I can't mention what it is, that wouldn't be fair if you haven't read it yet. ;P

Book Review: A Little Short For An Alien

A Little Short For An Alien

By:  Frances Pauli

Publisher:  Smashwords

Publish Date:  August 16, 2012

Format:  eBook, 70pgs

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  Stand-alone

Recommendation:  For a few quick fun space reads, yes.

Book Synopsis:
Six inter-galactic short stories from author, Frances Pauli.

From The Fobidden Zone to the Alien-Human relations department, these short, alien-infested romps explore encounters with a diversity of imagined species, scenarios, and space disasters.

Join Dylan Lowwater, lackluster employee at Space Station H22-J231, Jo Lorey, wayward musician despersate to communicate with a threatened race, and Lieutenant Commander Roe, just plain desperate, as they struggle against out-of-this-world obstacles.

In a universe overflowing with tentacles and glow gin, sometimes adventure is easier to find than a date.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook   /   Smashwords

My Thoughts and Summary:
Braided
8pgs
Lieutenant Commander Roe is stuck, really actually stuck, and kind of embarrassed about it.  One of his braids got caught when the automatic door closed.  He does his best to cover the fact, waiting for his help to show.  Meanwhile the Commander Diela, whom Roe finds hot, shows and while talking of lasers flirts with Roe.  But with out taking his promotion, meaning he had to cut his hair to get placed, she won't date him, even though she wants to.  Her standards, dating up the ladder.

Ha ha!  I enjoyed this one.  Great story to start off with.  I think this is one of my favorites in these short stories.

How can braids, space jelly-fish, lasers and promotions all be related.  It's well done here.  Unique space creatures and a quick story.

Escape from Damas Prime
9pgs
Rook is visiting his brother Tool, who just got the approval to breed with his wife.  Rook then mentions he has a meeting with a Progressive Thinker, or as Tool calls him a radical.  Even though it took a progressive thinker to climb out of the slime and take a host, Tool still worries over these thinkers and Rook's involvement.

There is an interesting life span and breeding ways for this race.  They remind me of tools as they talk, machines more than flesh and blood beings.  This is interesting with the race stuck on a planet and one leaving, against council, to see if the rest of the galaxy hates their kind or not.  To prove or disprove the council and move to the next phase of possible uprising.

This one left me wondering about Rook's adventures to come.

Sector Seven
6pgs
Dylan's stuck on the boring midnight shift.  Who will come to be drug tested at this hour?  Then an eight foot tall Ursine comes in.  A huge black and white bear creature.  When she falls to the floor and her belly moves, he realizes what's happening.

This evening at work for Dylan is about to get disrupted, yet he might like the change, or not.  This is a classic story, but still so fun to read when related to aliens.

A Brief Interruption
4pgs
Captain Jules is interrupted from his game by Dot, his ship computer.  The only time she's aloud to interrupt...when the ships attacked.

I enjoy a good banter between a living person and an AI, when done right and this one is.  It almost makes Dot seem to have a personality with Jules banter back.  I really did enjoy this story, and the humor here.

This one as well is one of my favorites here!

Tri-copier 6000OT
9pgs
We are back with Dylan at Alien-Human Relations Department.  Mail has come, but it's for another floor and department.  There's a new scanning machine, Tri-copier 6000OT and Dylan has a new kid working in the building with him.  When the kid leaves to his job Dylan goes through the mail left for medical.  What he finds will set him on a chase.

I laughed at the visual of this poor man when a medical woman finally appeared, the first time.  This was a fun read with Dylan.  This poor man never has a dull moment on his night shift.  With Alien-Human Relations, you just never know...

This man always thinks the night shift will be peaceful and quiet. ha ha!

Alien Embrace
30pgs
Miss Lorey is called here to help, yet she has no scientific background and is a musician.  She doesn't know how or why she can help.  She is needed to try and communicate with a recently found species on the planet that's being mined for its valuable ore.

This alien has a fey feel or draw to it for me.  This species could be in danger with just being found on a planet with an ore that is valuable to others.  The creatures seem to communicate through music, and Miss Lorey is known to be the best, along with a few other traits that work to their cause.  I'm curious and wonder if they and Jo will ever show up again. Here on this planet or somewhere else.

This one was the longest of the stories, and I really liked this creation.  A great ending to a fun space short story set.


I enjoyed all these reads for the fun they are.  This is one I would say if you want to kick back and enjoy fun space reads.  Do pick this one up, then just relax.



***I read this book for my own enjoyment.
***The review is of my personal thoughts as I was reading.

UF Blog Chat (32) Final Stop!

We have come to the end of Gunmetal Magic and finished the novella in the end; Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews.  A novel in Kate's world along with a few days in Kate's crazy life.

I hope those of you who have read this one will join Robyn and I as Robyn hosts the chat this week.

I'm curious as to your thoughts on this book, Andrea, Raphael, and ROMAN!! lol.

So please join us: Final Chat on Gunmetal Magic.

***Warning: There will be SPOILERS at Robyn's blog in the comments, and potentially in the questions.

Throwback Thursday (88)

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'm a sucker for fantasy.  I've not read as much of it lately as I would like, but still it's my soft spot.  This one caught my attention and I was able to win a copy.  Now I'm needing to get to it...and remembering how much I want to read it.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours of new Affinity Seeps, places where the untamed power wells up. By royal decree all those afflicted with Affinity must serve the Abbey or face death. Sent to the Ab­bey, the King’s youngest son, Fyn, trains to become a warrior monk. Elsewhere others are tainted with Affinity and must fight to survive. Political intrigue and magic combine in this explosive first book in an exciting new fantasy trilogy.

I've heard back from a few bloggers that they would like to join in this meme post, so I'm adding a Linky for you to join in.  Grab the picture above, and join in.  All I ask, is if you can acknowledge my blog in the post so others know where to come back to and join as well.  Thank you.

Book Review: Rise of the Magician

Rise of the Magician

By:  Collin Earl & Chris Snelgrove

Publisher:  SilverStone Books

Publish Date:  March 15, 2011

Format:  Paperback 256pgs; 6"x 9"

Genre:  YA Fantasy, Dystopian

Series:  1st in Harmonics series

Recommendation:  For a reader who likes to watch the pieces come together.

Book Synopsis:
Samantha Montgomery of Academy City 676 always dreamed of life outside of school.  Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for...

A rogue weapons manufacturer, a ruthless killer, and a schoolgirl converge as a weapon so advanced it defies the laws of physics is a mere breath away from being unleashed on the world.  Now it's up to Sam and some unexpected allies to keep it out of the wrong hands or risk losing everything, and everyone, they hold dear.

A defense contractor on the rampage, an assassin out for blood, and Sam caught in the middle.

When the reality you know ceases to be, can you live with the reality yet to come?

First Sentence:
"'Gone'?  What do you mean 'gone'?"

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle & Print   /   Smashwords (eformat)

*note, the ebook version of this book is free at both venues.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Two projects, weapons of a sort but not titled as such, stolen from an impenetrable base and a magic bomb is left to remove any remains.  Five years later, Dr. Shu's guard is blindly attacked and someone takes the computer/human interface doctor.  Scott, the man on video security never thought he'd make this call that's out of proto-call as requested for a favor.  A voice tells him what to do.  Two days later Dirk, a relic hunter in a Sacred temple in the burning plains doesn't realize he's being followed by Roman.  Roman learns of Shu's death and try to warn another.  The other is trying to get information from a man that is assassinated.  The news marks the assassinations as being done by a magician.

Then we get to the meat of the story of Dr Thurman being brought aboard an interface lab and projects that are of his original theory work and was 'borrowed.'  Hoping to turn Recover of Project to a Termination of Project, along with those who stole and unleashed it.  Then we find ourselves with Samantha a simple girl from Partical Palace who's not fitting in with the High Track (rich) or Low Track (poor) kids.  She suddenly seems to become popular, or at least noticed by others after she finds a mysterious tin box floating in the lake on her way to class.  Something has changed, she has changed.  Then when the school goes on lock down with a potential threat, every corner could mean death without the help of one friend.

This story is well planned out with all the details and connections.  You see how the people over time that are assassinated are all connected in some way, not knowing that they all are affiliated with each other.  And the mysterious plan used with planted people, someone had been working on this idea for some time - the assassin.  We get a view from the victims and the special investigators of the lost project, and appretences to the crime and have no idea how the tiny pieces they assist with fit into the bigger plan.

We meet our current day characters Sam, Cammie, Richard, Coda, and Adam at school in Academy City 676.  We learn of the "classifications" based on money.  The world is different as it's broken up and reorganized into groups.  We have technology here as well.  There are holograms and computer/human interface.  A future world feel with a dash of dytopian past.  I'm curious how all fits together in the story to come.

This book feels like there is a broad story started here a the beginning.  I was nervous at the beginning with so much back story.  But by the end it's start to narrow in and connect.  We see the ties through out, but still want the narrower vision to who is what and what they are all after.  I'm left more curious about Richard, whom I've come to love, and Sam, who is more than we know and still want to know.  This of all the other kids too!

Shame on Collin and Chris leaving me with such burning questions in the end.  Good thing I have book two.  I'm looking forward to all the pieces coming together in the next books.

I don't know which versions have it, they may all have it, but in the print book I have there is an excerpt from Book 2, and I say go ahead and read it.  It'll answer a few questions for you at the end of this one.  I really like that this chapter was added to ease my mind some.

This is a Young Adult read, but with the depth of the story and connecting the characters and happenings I would say this is for older Young Adults.



**I read this book for an honest review from the author.
**This review is my own thoughts as I went through.

Who? What? Where? (88)

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 )

This Week:

I'm standing with Kate by the stone wall of the Keep, watching.  Watching as Curran fights a challenge by a crazy drunk Viking who has a magical specialty of his own.  But Kate needs him for his knowledge too, so he can't hurt him and needs to win.  Listening to Kate, I think she's enjoying this.

Magic Gifts
By:  Ilona Andrews


Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Overall Review: Avalon Revisited

Avalon Revisited

By:  O.M. Grey

Genre:  Victorian Vampire Steampunk Romance

Format:  Podcast, but you can get in book as well

Book Synopsis:
Arthur has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery.  Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur's shriveled heart.  Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders on the dark streets of London.  Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Print or Ebook   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Print or Ebook

Free Listen:   Author's Blog   /   iTunes

My Thoughts and Summary:
Arthur was to be King, before he was changed.  Now he watches from the shadows loving different woman for a night or so as years pass by.  Three hundred and fifty plus years and he meets the woman on a steam air ship gala that resembles his long lost love.  Inserting himself in her investigation for a vampire on a murdering spree Arthur falls in love with the woman she is.  And the mystery murders...might be something he should focus on as the victims seem to be affiliated with him, and are now turning into vampires though stronger and slightly different from a normal vampire.  Along with solving this mystery and keeping his hearts love safe, Arthur has to try to keep his secret and get the love of his affects to fall for him as well.

The story is a Romance.  There are many intimate moments with Arthur and... a few woman.  He is stuck in a young fit, active and hormone induced male body after all.

Arthur starts as a man looking for blood and a quick romp with woman.  By the end he has evolved, to seem a better man.  Not that he was a bad man at the beginning as I really liked his choice in women.  He never took the innocent virgin take that many think vampires are hungry for.  No, Arthur was always looking for an older, mature woman that is more experienced.

There is a mystery here as well.  But first we meet the key characters then get to the mystery.  So we start off with the "active" Arthur with one thought in mind over the women he meets.  Avalon seems to take to Arthur easier and easier through the book.  He seems to be her type of personality when they get talking, finally.

This is set in a Victorian age with some touches of steampunk as well.  There are some neat steam and gear contraptions found here.  Some created to benefit a vampire as well.  The story has a bit of fighting as well.  With the vampires, there has to be some fighting.  The story has a combo of all things present for readers that want more with their romance.

As for the Podcast:
I like the authors voice as she reads the different characters and accents she makes it sound like the character with accent and attitude they would use.  The infliction used in voice makes all the difference in understanding the innuendos sometimes.  These episodes are done with about a half hour or less sessions which ends up being a chapter or two at a time.  The author doesn't give anything away in speaking the parts and speaks clearly to easily understand her.

I would say whether read or listen, this sounds like a very good Romance with all sorts of extras added in to enjoy.



If you would like to listen, or read, this story you can find it in many places:
   Free Listening:
On O.M. Grey's blog Caught in the Cogs, she has chapter by chapter coming up on her blog weekly as it's a new listen.
iTunes the story is up weekly for free listening.
   Reading:
You can purchase the Print or Nook book at Barnes & Nobles.
You can purchase a Print or Kindle version at Amazon.
Or if you need in a different ebook format, you can find on Smashwords as well.


I'm listening to this story for my own enjoyment.

Thoughts On: Avalon Revisited Ch 21-24 (the end)

Avalon Revisited

By:  O.M. Grey

Genre:  Victorian Vampire Steampunk Romance

Chapter:  21-22

Format:  Podcast, 36:00 minutes

Book Synopsis:
Arthur has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery.  Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur's shriveled heart.  Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders on the dark streets of London.  Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Chapter 21
Arthur is at Lord Wallace's home to check and see where the Lords body is.  Learning he was buried Arthur heads off to the cemetery.  There are grave robbers here!

Lord Wallace awakes while the grave robbers are trying to relieve him of his jewelry and attacks.  Arthur fights Lord Wallace, but Arthur is weak with lack of human blood intake.  Arthur is able to paralyze Lord Wallace, but with the smell of human blood from the man the Lord attacked, Arthur is drawn to it...only to be caught while feeding!  Then knocked out when he runs after her.

Oh, now this is where it all starts to come out about who Arthur is to one special person.  Will this be something they can get past?  Will this be the end?

Chapter 22
Arthur wakes in a stone cell, with his love huddled in a corner as far away from him as she could get.

This is where we start to get our answers to everything.  Everything!  We learn how Avalon came to the cemetery, what happened to Arthur there, WHO did it!

With being in a cell what else is there to do other than talk.  Arthur and Avalon do that.  We learn Arthur's secret of how he was turned, and see the sympathy grow between the couple.  I have to say I love the emotion in the authors voice as she tells the story and what Arthur did for Katherine...the story of his first human kill.  Avalon admits her feelings, and they have a rather intimate moment.

It's interesting what Arthur sees in the laboratory when he looks out the window.  Dr. Lacey is doing his own experiments with the supernatural kinds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter:  23-24

Format:  Podcast, 25:53

My Thoughts and Summary:
Chapter 23
Their moment is interrupted, and we learn why the one person helping do this, is doing it.

We learn about Dr. Fredrick Lacey and what he's got going on.  There is a connection to Arthur, but not in the way you would think.  I liked this.

We have a cog necklace that helps the helper so Arthur's not able to mind control him.  Interesting combination to create it.

Arthur is attacked by zombie, vampire/werewolf creatures.  I liked how we use the wooden door to the cell here.  Avalon even has a helping hand in the battle, even though she's human and has to be careful, she is and helps.  Not as weak of a human woman as some might have thought.

But when you think things will have a happy ending, the beast rears it's ugly head....I can't tell you what it is!

Chapter 24
The ending of the book is as I would like.  We learn what happened and worry for our loves.  Sad feeling to the ending.  We wait to see what will happen and the affects of it...

You will have to listen, I can't give you all the details, now can I? ;D



If you would like to listen, or read, this story you can find it in many places:
   Free Listening:
On O.M. Grey's blog Caught in the Cogs, she has chapter by chapter coming up on her blog weekly as it's a new listen.
iTunes the story is up weekly for free listening.
   Reading:
You can purchase the Print or Nook book at Barnes & Nobles.
You can purchase a Print or Kindle version at Amazon.
Or if you need in a different ebook format, you can find on Smashwords as well.


I'm listening to this story for my own enjoyment.

Teaser Tuesday (140)

Teaser Tuesday

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

This Week:

To the left, Curran thrust his claws through the flesh under his vamp's chin.  The bloody tips of the talons emerged from the back of the bloodsucker's neck.

Magic Gifts
By:  Ilona Andrews

Novella in back of Gunmetal Magic, 340pg

Book Review: Fathom

Fathom

By:  Merrie Destefano

Published By:  Author

Publish Date:  October 1, 2012

Format:  eARC, 317pgs

Genre:  YA fantasy, Sea Fantasy

Series:  1st book

Recommendation:  Yes, a sea legend comes to the land folk while it's still in the making.

Synopsis:
Everything is changing...

Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister.  All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school.  That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party.  For three minutes her life is wonderful - she even kisses Sean in the driveway.  Then somebody spikes her drink at the party and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater.

Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem.  In fact, nothing is as it seems - not the mysterious deaths of her sister and mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend.  And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.

First Sentence:
I never believed in ghosts.

Purchase At:

Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Caleb's people are of the sea, make homes of shipwrecked ships and have legends of humans.  One of the legends is still forming, a girl still working and growing through her own legend his people talk about.  Caleb is curious about this legend and when his friend and his sisters betrothed returns home he says he saw her, and a crew of them decide to go and see her for themselves, even though they have to swim through their predators territory, the Hinquememem.

Kira is a young girl turning sixteen and maturing, maturing in ways she never even knew and well beyond that of a normal teenage girl.  Kira feels she looks more like her murdering mother than ever before, and misses her dead sister.  She loves her swimming that helps calm her days and mind.  But Kira's world is good as she shares her first kiss with Sean but is about to get turned upside down after a party where she has her drink spiked and a few girls play a cruel joke on her by trying to drown her... she thinks what happens is all a hallucination, from the drink...or was it?

We start with Kira remembering the first time she saw a ghost, her mothers ghost and what happened to her mother and sister, yet makes me curious to the whole story with them and the Celtic legends they believe and listen to.  In school there are those who whisper the same rumors at start of each year, about Kira and her mother and wondering if she's like her mother, crazy.  But we are coming to the close of the year and the thoughts are still there.

The descriptions of the oceans touch is poetic!  The details of the scent, look, and feel are amazing and I can almost feel it on my skin.  I almost feel as I'm there.  Then when I realize I'm not, it makes me wish I was standing there at the ocean, on the beach.  Makes me crave the ocean as much as Kira does.

The chapters rotate between Kira, learning of her, her mom, birthday, and friends, and Caleb, learning his world and adventures to see Kira.  The chapters are shorter length in pages and consist of complete scenes. I really like this.  It's easy to have a spot to stop on the run (and for young adults between classes) yet I am in want to keep reading and know, learn, more of Kira's and Caleb's lives and how they will connect.

My only thought is Kira considers Caleb a friend in the end after him helping her once and then in the end again, also keeping her secret.  Kira feels a connection with Caleb with every eye locked gaze, but I didn't feel there was as much happening between them to consider him such a close friend.  I do think Kira is a kind soul and should act the same way she does with him, but to say he's such a close friend...I don't know, I didn't really feel it.  But the Legend created here, Wow!

Wow!  The legend created here.  An amazing Celtic legend that grows to come to pass as we read, in a story that will seize your attention.  Full of selkies and monsters of the sea.

I'm very curious to see where the series goes from here.  There has to be more to come, because I want it. lol.


**I requested this ARC from the author for an honest review.
**This is a review of the book in my thoughts and personal feelings.

Monday's Beginnings (165)

Well, it's Monday.  What else can I say?  Monday says it all.

I'm behind in blog visiting as the kids sports has kept me on the go.  But I think I got to all the comments here last week.  I'll have to get to visiting this week.  And in two weeks I'll not be around much, NaNoWriMo will be starting.  I'm excited and nervous.  Once I get going I'll be alright, but getting started is the hard part for me, finding that groove.

Oh well, not much else to chat about.  Kinda boring for me.

So, on to the bookish stuff from last week now...

Current Read:
Gunmetal Magic & Magic Gift by Ilona Andrews

Finished Last Week:
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney

Reviews to Come:
Harmonics: Rise of the Magician by Collin Earl & Chris Snelgrove
House of Grey Vol. 2 by Collin Earl
Endgame by Ann Aguirre
Fathom by Merrie Destefano
The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson
Of Course I Try by Seleste deLaney
The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney
Curran POV Vol 1 by Gordon Andrews
Curran POV Vol 2 by Gordon Andrews
A Little Short for An Alien by Frances Pauli
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney

Book Reviews Posted:
House of Grey Vol 1 by Collin Earl
The High Priestess by Katee Robert

Podcast Reviews Posted:
Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey ~ Chapters 17 - 20

Movie Review Posted:
No movie review, sorry, been running out of time.

Books and Covers Shared:
Oblivion by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Teeth of Gods by Adrienne Jones

Special Posts:
UF Book Chat Stop 1 on Gunmetal Magic
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (29)

I did not do a Flash Fiction Friday.  It seems I've gotten away from these lately.  From the way things are looking, I won't be doing any for a while now too.

My WANT List...Well, I must really be slacking.  I only added 2 books last week.  But that's okay as I've got 490 books on the Want List!  LOL!

Received Last Week:
Won:
I won this from author Merrie Destefano in her YA ARC giveaway.  I think the kid and I are going to enjoy these.

Goodreads Synopsis:
When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. Desperate to save humanity, a renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, the Galahad and its crew—none over the age of sixteen—is launched.

Two years of training have prepared the crew for the challenges of space travel. But soon after departing Earth, they discover that a saboteur is hiding on the Galahad! Faced with escalating acts of vandalism and terrorized by threatening messages, sixteen-year-old Triana Martell and her council soon realize that the stowaway will do anything to ensure that the Galahad never reaches its destination. The teens must find a way to neutralize their enemy. For if their mission fails, it will mean the end of the human race….

Goodreads Synopsis:
From the author of New York Times bestselling Rock Paper Tiger comes the most electrifying thriller of the Summer. 

Michelle Mason tells herself she’s on vacation. A brief stay in the Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a chance to figure out her next move after the unexpected death of her banker husband, who’s left behind a scandal and a pile of debt. The trip was already paid for, and it beats crashing in her sister’s spare room. When a good-looking man named Daniel approaches her on the beach, the margaritas have kicked in and she decides: why not?

But the date doesn’t go as either of them planned. An assault on Daniel in her hotel room, switched cell phones and an encounter with a “friend” of Daniel’s named Gary gets Michelle enmeshed in a covert operation involving drug runners, goons, and venture capitalists. Michelle already knows she’s caught in a dangerous trap. But she quickly finds that running is not an option. If she’s not careful, she’ll end up buried in the town dump, with the rest of the trash. Now she needs to fight smart if she wants to survive her vacation.

Goodreads Synopsis:
When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.
B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks. 
That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers. 

Goodreads Synopsis:
A feast for the brain, this gory and genuinely hilarious take on zombie culture simultaneously skewers, pays tribute to, and elevates the horror genre.

Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an “Inward Trek.” As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of “infects” shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate “Zombie Rules” almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back.

Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read—whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten—and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.

Free:
This was free for three days this week.  So had to pick this short story up as I do enjoy Michael's work.

Goodreads Synopsis:
HE WANTED TO ESCAPE HIS PROBLEMS. HE WANTED TO SEE THE FUTURE. HE NEVER CONSIDERED WHAT THE FUTURE WANTED.

Confronted with suffering a painful death from cancer, Dan Sturges, a retired Ford’s engineer, foregoes treatments to try an idea of his own. After reading a theoretical article in Scientific American on time displacement, Dan builds a time machine in his garage. With nothing to lose but a few months of pain, Dan pins his hopes on a future where cancer might have been cured, or at least a quicker death by electrocution. How could he have known that what happens after he presses the button is more shocking than the eighteen car batteries he connected himself to?

Greener Grass is a science fiction short story of 5,600 words by Michael J. Sullivan, author of the fantasy series The Riyria Revelations

How did your week go?  Hope it was a good one.  How does the new week look?  Hopefully relaxing for you!

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