Book Trailer: Unlikely

I've just learned of this new book and series.  Yes, I think I've been under a rock in a heavy cloud for a few months now, BUT! I'm seeing the light.  Promise. ;)

You all know I loved Frances Pauli's The Changeling Race trilogy (loved the story and twist to it!)  Oh, you are new here?  And don't know!  Well, lets start with those:
   A Moth in Darkness
   The Fly in Paradise
   Spiders from Memory
To find these on Amazon, click the image:


Go check out my reviews after you're done here.  Oh I so need to read more of Frances's books...

This is about her new fantasy series with fey.  I soooo want to know more about this series and want it.  I'm liking this cover.  Kinda creepy fey feel.  Goodness am I curious what she has in store for us here!

Unlikely

Kingdoms Gone # 1

By:  Frances Pauli

Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (37)

As every week we have Barnes & Nobles Freebie Friday for you.

Deals:

I've head word about this one.  This one is ONLY for the 12th. 

That's right, ONLY January 12, 2013.

Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson
Amazon - Kindle
Goodreads Synopsis:

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

I'm not sure how long this one will last.  But Orbit has put it on special for $2.99.

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke
Amazon - Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles - Nook
Goodreads Synopsis:
Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist. 

The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012 and Pax Britannia still reigns.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key-the prize in a very dangerous struggle.

Freebies:
This is a new one to me, but it's ONLY FREE for the 10th and 11th, that's right another one limited on free days:  ONLY FREE January 10 & 11, 2013  AND It has 2 books in one place!

The Iron Admiral by Greta van der Rol
Amazon ~ Kindle
Amazon Synopsis:
Together in one huge volume - The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy and The Iron Admiral: Deception.

The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy

On a remote planet a deadly virus is resurrected. If it is released, the Galaxy will be plunged into inter-species war.

Ex-Admiral Chaka Saahren and Systems Engineer Allysha Marten, are thrust together. In a race against time, Allysha must set aside her conflicted emotions and trust a man she barely knows, a man she thinks murdered her father. Saahren must convince the woman he loves to help him solve the political crisis which has brought the Galaxy to the brink.

The Iron Admiral: Deception

An uneasy peace has been restored. Grand Admiral Saahren has regained his commission, but he doesn't have Allysha. Despite his best attempts to keep the woman he loves safe, she is a pawn in a growing power struggle, one where she will need all her skills and cunning to outwit a heinous plot that could result in the loss of billions of human lives.

When Allysha decides to tackle the conspirators on her own, Saahren is faced with an impossible choice.

I've not heard of this one before so it's a try for you and me.  And I'm not sure how long it'll be free.

Blood and Snow volume 1 by RaShelle Workman

Amazon ~ Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

"Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love's blood, become the Vampire, Snow White."


EVERY THOUSAND YEARS THE VAMPIRE QUEEN SELECTS A NEW BODY, ALWAYS THE FAIREST IN THE LAND, AND THIS TIME SHE'S CHOSEN SNOW WHITE. 

Snow White lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her dad, stepmother, and her cat, Gatsby. Her entire life she's been teased for her fairy tale name, and the fact that her seven best friends happen to be guys whose names begin with the same letters as the seven dwarves. 

Everything changes two months before her sixteenth birthday. She's bitten by The Hunter, and transformed into a revenant—not quite human, not quite vampire.

So, a little bit of everything this week for you.  Have you found any amazing finds you'd like to share? Let us know.  And hope you enjoy!

Next Big Thing Blog Hop by Cecy Robson

Cecy is one of the amazing authors I tagged with the hop: Next Big Thing, to share about her current WIP.  Cecy does have a site with information about her books, but not a blog.  So I jumped at the opportunity to have her answer the questions for the hop here.

Here are the questions and answers by Cecy Robson—

What is the working title of your book?

A CURSED BLOODLINE Warning: It’s fast-paced and emotionally gut-wrenching.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It’s a continuation of what happens at the climax of the previous novel, CURSED BY DESTINY.

What genre does your book fall under?

I write Urban Fantasy Romance which is a hybrid of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I’m also working on a High Fantasy Romance Series.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

Celia – Emmy Rossum
Taran – Emmanuelle Chriqui
Shayna – Lily Collins
Emme – Meaghen Jette Martin
Aric – Alex Pettyfer
Misha – Taylor Kitsch

What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?

One backfired curse, four unique sisters.

Will your book be self published or traditionally published?

Traditionally published. I’m currently with Penguin and I’m hoping that will continue. : D

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

About 12 weeks.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre.

That’s hard to say. My series deals with a group of sisters and I haven’t read any books in the Urban Fantasy genre dealing with strong familial bonds.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve been inspired by the greats of Urban Fantasy such as Jim Butcher, Pattricia Briggs, and Ilona Andrews.

What else about your book might interest the reader?

I think the emotional component and the bond between the sisters. As much as the novel carries a great deal of suspense and action, it’s not without heart and humor.

You can follow and chat with Cecy, learning more about her and her books at:

@CecyRobson on Twitter

Cecy Robson on Facebook

Throwback Thursday (98)

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 was thrilled! to be given a copy of this book not so long ago by Meljean Brook for beta reading her short stories.  I really liked the world Meljean created in steam and so much more.  Ooo, I can't wait to read this one and the others too.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Passion runs as hot as a fever dream in these all-new stories by four New York Times bestselling provocateurs of the paranormal...

In Angela Knights's Blood and Roses, a vampire warrior and his seductive captor join forces to stop a traitor from unleashing an army of demonic predators on their kingdom.

New in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series is Whisper of Sin, in which a woman in lethal danger finds an unlikely protector- and lover- in a volatile member of the DarkRiver pack.

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea inShifting Sea, the story of a wounded soldier rescued by a strange and enigmatic young woman.

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series with Here There Be Monsters, as a desperate woman strikes provocative- and terrifying- bargain to gain overseas passage.

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: Fool Moon

Fool Moon

By:  Jim Butcher

Published By:  Roc

Publish Date:  January 2001

Format:  Paperback, 401pgs Mass Market size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Dresden Files series; 1st Book ~ Storm Front

Recommendation:  Sure, if you enjoy magic and werewolves, there is a whole world drawn here!

Synopsis:
Business has been slow.  Okay, business has been dead.  And not even the undead variety.  You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book.  But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work - magical or mundane.

But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.

A brutally mutilated corpse.  Strange-looking paw prints.  A full moon.  Take three guesses - and the first two don't count...

First Sentence:
I never used to keep close track of the phases of the moon.

Purchase At:

Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Kim Delaney approaches Harry in McAnally's Pub asking about symbols.  Harry refuses to tell her about something that could cause her to be killed.  Finally he tells her about most but not of the dangerous inner circle related to demons, demigods or Arch Angels.  After Kim leaves pissed to not get her information and Harry feeling as he did wrong with doing right, Murphy shows up.  There's been a murder and she needs Harry's help, after all this time.  A distorted dead body with pay prints visible in the dust and blood, and a full moon.  This case is out of Murphy's jurisdiction but identical to ones four weeks earlier.  If things go according to last months murders  this is the first night past of four total murders to come.  If things don'e work out with Harry on this case, Murphy might lose her job and Harry landing in jail as Internal Affairs is investigating her after the last case Harry helped with.

After the happenings of Storm Front, Harry's work with the Special Investigations unit at Chicago Police Department has tapered down to nothing, which was a big source of income for him.  So Harry is broke beyond broke.  This is nice to see a wizard that has to fight to make it and not just instantly have money at his disposal.  Murphy stayed away as she was being looked at, thinking in kahuts with the mobster Marcone.  Murphy is also still holding a grudge against Harry for not letting her know what was up with the case in Storm Front.

I like that this one shows Harry needs to trust in others, or just a select few.  He has things they can not know with the council, but they need to know much of his knowledge with the dangers they are crossing, and killing around them that they fight.  Harry gets scared and knows it.  He's not all brass balls all the time, but he pushes on as he has to get the job done as there is no one else around to do it.  Harry does take one heck of a beating in this book, exhausted physically and magically, and keeps going.

I still love Bob, the brilliant skull.  I think he might be my favorite character in these books thus far.  He's got a sense of humor and sticks out to me when I read these.

This book has much more magic from Harry, which I enjoy seeing.  We get into different types of 'werewolves.'  I like this classification system and the differences between them.  Great setting for the world with this.

Harry works with Special Investigations and the FBI in this round.  He also gets himself in trouble with one of the 'werewolf' groups, the mobster drug dealing Marcone is at his door wanting him, and there is another werewolf out on the prowl killing.  The story and mystery flow better for me this time around, along with the world building.  There are more hints of things to think on in the future.  Harry's name to a demon (he has more than just three) and Harry's mothers dark past.  There is an opening to the dark magic here, I'm curious to see more of it.  And I'm again curious as to why the White Council seems to be cautious with Harry, other than with his troubles with his mentor.

All that being said, I still feel I'm falling short of the awesomeness everyone else sees in these books.  Now, I've heard the third book is where it picks up and gets good, so I will continue onto the next book to check it out.  But with all the great elements present, thus far I'm not sold on the series yet.  Maybe I'm one of those few that doesn't connect with this one, but we will wait and see.


*I read this book for my own enjoyment.

Who? What? Where? (97)

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 beta reading...sorry! So I'm not able to share the Who? What? Where?

But if you would like to share, I'm always looking to hear. :)


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: Endgame

Endgame

By:  Ann Aguirre

Published By:  Ace

Publish Date:  August 28, 2012

Format:  Paperback 337pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  6th in Sirantha Jax series, 1st Book ~ Grimspace, 2nd Book ~ Wanderlust, 3rd Book ~ Doubleblind, 4th Book ~ Killbox, 5th Book ~ Aftermath

Recommendation:  Follow Jax on her last mission, to uphold a promise given some time ago.  To fight the last war she hopes to fight, and maybe make her way back to the stars calling to her.

Synopsis:
Regret nothing.

Sirantha Jax has the J-gene, which permits her to "jump" faster-than-light ships through grimspace.  She loves nothing more than that rush, but the star roads have to wait...

Her final mission takes her to La'heng, a planet subjugated during first contact.  Since then, the La'hengrin homeworld has been occupied by foreign conquerors.

All that's about to change.

Now, as part of a grassroots resistance, Jax means to liberate the La'hengrin.  But political intrigue and guerrilla warfare are new to her, and this will be the most dangerous game she's ever played - spies and conspiracies, a war of weapons and hearts, and not everyone is guaranteed to make it out alive...

First Sentence:
This is not a love story.

Purchase At:

Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jax is running into all kinds of snags while trying to uphold her promise to Loras - to free the La'heng from the compliant servitude state induced by a drug inflected by humans.  The "protectors" now don't want to loss their control, or slaves.  Jax has been here six months here trying to get through legally with every Nicuan official possible, while Laras rallies rebels with their cure.  The first mission after acquiring rebels; to red code the planet so Conglomerate won't let any ships come, or leave, stopping the Nicuan from sending support here.  This should give Le'heng time to cure and fight back.  First March and Sasha are expected for a two week visit then head out before the war starts.  Jax had thought she was done with bloodshed after the wars she saw and fought.  Now she's at the top of the list to fight for her friend and his peoples freedom, and not everyone she knows and loves will make it out alive.

I miss the characters who were lost or left and remembered through out the series, but love the characters present and returning, and even new joining us.  Jax's past always seems to be in the forefront as a memory or how it can help with what she's learned by her mistakes.  Always making Jax think.

We get a quick refresher of the La'heng people and their servitude.  I remember back to Loras when Jax learned so much about him and his kind, but it was a while ago and so much has happened since then so very nice to get the quick reminders in the story.

We see Jax and March in the beginning and they seem so good and with Jax's relationship with Vel.  All seems great.  But I wait knowing the other shoe's going to drop.  All the losses in Jax's life are still fresh in Jax's mind.  She doesn't regret, but misses them and the choices she's made over time.  All this has created the Jax we see now, a new and different Jax.

Ann's writing has hurled me to this point, as I had to keep going and still in the last book ann propels me to flip pages feeling a full range of emotions; happy, giddy, sad, worried, scared.

We get the extra little snippets, as in the other books, that give us the views of the outside and enemies.  We see quick letters between key fellow revolutionists, interviews with La'hengian who have taken the cure and what they've seen or lived through, and news casters against or for the rebellion.  All giving a feel of the war the world is fighting.

This story is like coming home to a comfy chair, to read Jax again.



**I read this book for my own enjoyment.