Throwback Thursday (94)

I found this picture of Trinity College Library, and thought it would work for this meme with a little play with lighting and adding the words.

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 actually have this one at my fingertips beside me on my shelf.  Shame on me for waiting for so long to get to it.  Oh, but that's what this post is for....to share the desperate desires to read.

Goodreads Synopsis:

View our feature on Dianne Sylvan's Queen of Shadows

Meet Miranda Grey—music and magic are in her blood.

Overwhelmed by her uncanny ability to manipulate people's emotions through her music, Miranda Grey comes to the attention of vampire lord David Solomon. Believing he can help bring her magic under control, David discovers that Miranda's powers may affect the vampire world too...

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: Sealed with a Curse

Sealed with a Curse

By:  Cecy Robson

Publisher:  Signet Eclipse

Publish Date:  December 31, 2012

Format:  eARC

Genre:  Urban Fantasy Romance

Series:  1st in Weird Girls series, 0.5: Weird Girls

Recommendation:  Oh good grief yes!  Action packed with four magical sisters and their encounters with werewolves and vampires.

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.

First Sentence:
The courthouse doors crashed open as I led my three sisters into the large foyer.

Purchase At:
Amazon - Print & Ebook   /   Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Trying to avoid the supernatural world Celia, who is more use to being alone, and her three sisters end up in Vampire court, charged with murder of one of Misha Aleksandr family members, to prove they were not as guilty yet to learn of a bloodlust spreading through the vampire families.  Now the Supernatural world knows of the sisters and are sneaking around for a peek, and pictures.  However Misha, the lead vampire who tried to have them killed, is now interested in the dominating Celia, but Celia may have her eye on a werewolf.  Misha's having troubles in his family.  Bloodlust.  His vampire family eats well and shouldn't be suffering from this, which means magic is involved.  He fears the upheaval of the vampire world maybe the reason - to kill him and take his power.  Misha asks Celia, having no ties to the supernatural world, for her help to fight his rival and prove his remaining family innocent and should live.  Celia sees the affects of the bloodlust on the human world and makes her choice.  Misha and his families time is limited.  The sisters jump full force into the supernatural world finding themselves in the middle of werewolves fighting for the world and vampires along with bloodlust vampires.

This book starts off strong, the girls are already in trouble - in vampire court.  Quickly we see touches of what each girl's personality is along with a hint to their individual powers even mention of toothpicks with one, to make you curious what she can do with them (serious weapons!).

Action, story, humor, magic, and blooming love all wrapped in one gift here.  So many magical variations so makes for a cool action fight.  Their is explanations of connections between werewolf and vampire weaknesses and the rules to their kinds.  Great set up with action and story blended.  Fun quick comments and using current people, places, happenings, and things to relate.  Makes me happy with all these elements present.

I suggest making this a weekend read as you're not going to want to stop!  I wanted to know if I was right on who was behind the happenings, how much more trouble Celia and her sisters would find, and if Celia got her man.

The blooming love... now, this story has two amazingly hot men and one woman.  BUT, this is not what I would call a love triangle.  Even though both are interested, she has eyes for one.  I loved this.  Now there is budding romance in the background with all the sisters as well, but I would not say this is the focus of the story.  It's an added top notch bonus to this supernatural story.

This is a definite one for a great weekend read.  Cecy has started her series with a kick start, and I CAN NOT WAIT for the next books to come out!


**I received a copy of this book from publisher for an honest review.

Who? What? Where? (94)

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.

his 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 with Harry Dresden running down the road on a rainy night chasing the Nightmare who has a friends pregnant wife.  We don't have much magic in us, but we are going to do something...maybe?

Grave Peril
By:  Jim Butcher 



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!

Tales from the Archives Vol 2 ~ #7

Tales from the Archives Vol. 2 - #7

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Doc Coleman

Format:  Podcast, 56:49 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  7th in Tales of the Archives Vol. 2 podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series

Recommendation:  Nice way to meet new characters and authors in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising.  The archives are full of stories to be told.

Synopsis:
The Cross of Columbia

April, 1883

Agent Bryan Teague travels from the London offices to a remote area of Scotland on the call of Lord Pennyfarthing, a self-proclaimed scientist and specialist in ancient and rare fauna.  Agent Teague arrives to find his skepticism of Pennyfarthing's previous follies on finding a traumatised valet and a dying English lord with an incredible fish story...

My Thoughts and Summary:
The sever storms are hitting Eliza's and Wellington's area, but they make it to the Archives.  And Eliza learns the Archives are well protected from leaks.  All is safe.

Agent Bryan Teague is sent on another excursion after the Lord Pennyfarthing, a thorn in Teague's side.  Teague, being a zoological expert has become the one to follow Pennyfarthing around to find exotic creatures, and Teague is to prove them fake.  Teague is now following Pennyfarthing to rainy Scotland to prove yet another farce - a mysterious creature of the lake.

I loved listening to this tale!!  Not only is it of one that is popular with people, the Loch Ness monster, but the tale has it's own twists to it.  Wonderful creation here.  The sight of the demon creature is wonderful!  Well, horrid, but well described and amazing to see the connections of the tale of this story.  I am, however, curious as to what the demon is.  Not that it deters from the story, as it doesn't, but adds great depth to it.  I'm doing my over thinking, and very interested in the creation.  Interested enough to make a trip to investigate on my own. ;)

Pennyfarthing is missing when Teague arrives, and the boy that was with him on the boat swam to shore the previous night and now down with fever.  Teague comes across a priest that seems to sway Teague's thinking, but learns a deeper truth from him, when Pennyfarthing washes up on shore badly hurt from an attack.

The Ministry requires Teague to debunk the findings, if true then samples are needed, and if dangerous to eliminate the threat.  However, what Teague learns from the Priest and of a Secret Order of a Brotherhood of Columbia, he will have to make a choice or let the demon hidden escape.

If you listen to this story, you will be amazed at Doc Coleman's ability to switch accents while talking in character.  Great accent added indeed.  Easy to hear and understand.  Doc Coleman does wonderful with descriptive words, not over-killing the details but using ones that are strong and create a full easy image while listening.

This is one of my top favorites from the Archives.  It's a story I want to hear, and always enjoy.



Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

You can find these for your Reading pleasure in any eFormat you would like at Smashwords.

NEW!! The Tales from the Archives: Volume 1 can now be found on Kindle as The Ministry's 99-Penny Dreadfuls.  You can find the Archives on Kindle for your Reading.

There are short stories always added to the listing. So keep checking back!

I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.

Teaser Tuesday (142)

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:

"Um, Celia.  Don't you want to see what Aric brought you?"

I shook my head slowly and backed away, my mind stuttering with fear of what might happen and terror that I'd scare Aric away.

Sealed with a Curse
By:  Cecy Robson
211 pg

Stop back tomorrow for my review of this lovely read.

Monday's Beginnings (171)

It's another Monday....*groan*

Well, NaNoWriMo is officially over as of Friday.  I've been able to start focusing on reading and writing up a few things here that are to come.  I even have the characters of the Nano Project still whispering to me, so I've made more notes for future.

Today marks the day that I start blog visiting again!  Yeah!!  I can't tell you all how much I've missed you.  It feels strange to get back out to blogging again.  Such a shift from writing every night.

Current Read:
Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

Finished Last Week:
Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson

Reviews to Come:
House of Grey Vol. 2 by Collin Earl
Endgame by Ann Aguirre
Curran POV Vol 1 by Gordon Andrews
Curran POV Vol 2 by Gordon Andrews
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews
The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White - maybe? Do you want to hear about it?
Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs
Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson

Book Reviews Posted:
Nothing, sorry.  December I've got a list for you.

Podcast Reviews Posted:
I've not started a new one yet. Maybe in December, or January depending on how the holidays go.

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

Books and Covers Shared:
Nothing new shared

Special Posts:
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (33)

An AMAZING giveaway by Amanda Carlson; Signed copy of Full Blooded and swag.

I did not do a Flash Fiction Friday.  I'll try to get back to these here, but with the holidays rolling in I don't know if I'll get many in.

My WANT List...I've added 4 books.

Received Last Week:
Purchased:
I couldn't wait to get these two books any longer, so at the click of a button on my Nook, I had them.  Shhh.  Don't tell my family.  I'm not suppose to be buying anything with Christmas coming.

Queen of Swords by Katee Robert
Goodreads Synopsis:
When the cards tell Ophelia Leoni she's supposed to marry the Prince of Hansarda, the gunrunner grits her teeth and boards the starship that comes for her. It doesn't matter if the ship's commander is the gorgeous stranger she just spent a wild, drunken night with. As a Diviner, she’s painfully aware the cards don't lie. Ever.

Boone O’Keirna knows Ophelia is trouble the second he sees the way she moves. Not about to let the deadly little hellcat marry his sadistic half-brother, Boone pretends to be the Prince’s emissary and kidnaps Ophelia. Too bad they can’t be in the same room without him wanting to throw her out an airlock�or into bed.

Even as they fight each other�and their explosive attraction�Ophelia and Boone sense something is wrong. Too much is going their way. Soon, they realize while the cards may never lie, the truth is sometimes hidden between them...and the future king of Hansarda is not one to take defeat lying down.

Red by Kate SeRine
Goodreads Synopsis:
“My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.”

Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…

Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…

Free:
This was free for a few short days, and I picked it up.

Taming the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson
Goodreads Synopsis:
Attacked by a wolf while hiking in the mountains, Anna Avery's life just got a little hairier. Living in the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming, with a group of werewolves who are more animal than human, Anna must try to hold onto her human side. It's not easy when the alpha continues to persuade her into his bed, while another wolf is chomping at the bit to become her mate. To top it all off, dead bodies are showing up and it just so happens that Anna was the last to see them alive. She'll have to work to prove her innocence and taming the wolf who bites first and asks questions never.

For Review:

Forbidden Love by Robyn Sadler
Smashwords Synopsis:
Charles Johnson and Katrina Grierson are ready to make the next move; marriage. There is just one problem, their families hate each other. To top that off, Katrina is about to discover the truth about her family and herself. A discovery that will change her life forever and might change her relationship with Charles that could destroy their future. 

I Donated and Got:
John had a donation up, I donated and got some of his books for it.  So, I bought they at such a discounted price (well, that's how I see it.)

Asunder by John Mierau
Goodreads Synopsis:
20 years after the American civil war, former slave Marcus Riggs is trapped in a British Harbor after the Invaders came to enslave all mankind. Now the invaders are gone, and new Orders clash as humanity rises from the ashes...but are the aliens gone for good?

Harlan's Wake by John Mierau
Goodreads Synopsis:
In a near-future where alien intelligences steer the bodies of the deceased, Tyler’s life is dedicated to the Silvers...but when word arrives that his alien-hating father is dying he goes AWOL and races home to make peace. Can he make it in time?

Last Man Home by John Mierau
Goodreads Synopsis:
Eight years after the war with the Alotans, Jake, Teddy, Gris and Dru are the only survivors of Tom Callahan's squad. They're gathering in the small town Jake calls home for their annual reunion-but this year a new face wants to join in. One of Jake's alien army buddies will crack when he faces a monster from his past, and it's down to him to save the Alotan going by the name of... Tom Callahan.

Marked Men by John Mierau
Synopsis from Author's site:
A stowaway on a train, running from something horrible, falls into the hands of evil men. Soon, innocent lives will be lost as human monsters will face something ancient, powerful… and hungry.

Mountain Challenge by John Mierau
Synopsis from Author's site:
On a mountaintop, by the light of the full moon, the challenge between wolf… and Dragon… will be decided.

Tools and Means by John Mierau
Synopsis from Author's site:
Meet Tom Brogan. An ordinary guy. With a sister in a coma. Seeing visions of a mass murderer. Becoming one himself…and Tom is our last, best hope against an invasion we don’t even know has begun. Tools and Means. Book one of the ‘Destroyers’ series.

So, hope you all are doing well and had a good week last week.

How did your week go?  How does the new week look for you?  With the holidays racing toward us, I don't know what each week will hold for me now.  We will see.

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

Festive UF Giveaway

Amanda Carlson and the Jessica McClain Street Team are hosting a HUGE giveaway!

There will be 10 Lucky Winners!!

I know, Amanda is feeling rather festive with the holidays near, but you can take advantage of this!  It's an amazing read, one I'm sure you WILL enjoy.

Is this the first time you've heard of the book?  Well, you are welcome to check out my review:  Full Blooded.  And while you are at it you could check out Jessica McClain's novella review: Blooded (it won top 5 novella reads here last year.)

Curious about Amanda?  Well I interviewed her; 1st Interview, 2nd Interview
And had a show down boxing match with Jessica and her opponent, Mitch.  You can learn more about our brave heroin.

The Prize:

Signed Copy of Full Blooded

AND

Limited Edition Pack Swag

(including a coffee mug, bookmark, and stickers)

Thanks to Amanda The giveaway is OPEN INTERNATIONAL!!
She will send them out in time for the holidays.

The Giveaway Runs:  December 1 - 15, 2012

If you already have a copy of Full Blooded, Amanda will send a signed bookplate and you can gift your winning book to someone you love to the Christmas.  She'll even address it with their name if you'd like.

This Rafflecopter is joined with Amanda's, you can enter here or visit Amanda's site to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are several of us hosting the link, so if you can enter anywhere.  Who are the others?  

I'm thrilled to introduce you to the

#JessicaMcClainStreetTeam

Rabid Reads http://www.rabidreads.ca/

Under the Covers http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com

Vampire Book Club http://vampirebookclub.net/

My World…in words and pages http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/

The Bookaholic Cat http://thebookaholiccat.blogspot.com/

The Book Nympho http://thebooknympho.blogspot.com/

My Keeper Shelf http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com

Between Dreams and Reality http://betweendandr.blogspot.com/

Readers Confession http://www.readersconfession.com/

Smitten with Bad Boy Heroes http://smittenwithbadboyheroes.blogspot.com/

Kindle-aholic’s Book Pile http://kabookpile.blogspot.com/

My Bookish Ways http://www.mybookishways.com/

The Qwillery http://qwillery.blogspot.com/

Miss Vain’s Paranormal Fantasy http://missvainsparanormalfantasy.com/

Smash Attack Reads http://www.smashattackreads.com/

Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks http://yummymenandkickasschicks.com/