Winners!

Yay! I'm actually picking winners on the day the giveaway ended! Do you know how long it's been since I was this timely?? lol!!

Anyway. Two lucky ducks will be receiving a copy of John Shirley's Bleak History, courtesy of Pocket Books. And according to Randomizer, those two lucky ducks are...

Comment #22, Wrighty of Wrighty's Reads!!

Comment #12, Sara of Urban Fantasy Reader!!

Congratulations, y'all! Emails have been sent (Sara, I don't have one for you), please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Thursday. Thank you for swinging by!

Want the book? Click on the cover to purchase from Amazon.com.

This week's Loot!

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

My 2nd Library Loot! *grin* This time, I have two books by Melissa de la Cruz, and the latest installment in the Stephanie Plum caper:












The books:
Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum #15)
Jealous? (Ashleys #2)
Lipstick Jungle (Ashleys #4)

Somehow I'm missing Birthday Vicious (Ashleys #3)... Hopefully it'll be ready for pickup soon!

Another day, another challenge...

*sigh* Blame this one on J.Kaye, too, will ya? I can't seem to help myself... =P So. I am now participating in J.Kaye's Stephanie Plum challenge.

Details:

1. The goal is to get caught up on the Stephanie Plum series, so create a list of the books you haven't read yet. You have between now and December 31, 2010. Don't include books you've read prior to or started before 7/23/09.


2. This reading challenge is for participants with a blog. If you decide to participate in the 2009/2010 Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to this post on your blog. That way others can find their way here and join in the fun.


3. If you want to have your reading list on your blog's right sidebar, then please include a link to this post.


4. Audio and eBooks count.


5. You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.


6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed. If you don’t have a blog, leave the URL blank.


7. Books to be published after signing up do not have to be listed. This is optional.


8. There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.


9. When you have completed your number of the Stephanie Plum books, link your completed list to the completed page. One will be set up.


10. If you have any questions, feel free to ask below or email J.Kaye at jkayeoldner@yahoo.com. Comments usually get a quicker response.

It shouldn't be too hard, though. I think the only Plum book I haven't read yet is Finger Lickin' Fifteen, and it's already on my bookshelf... *grin* I need an easy one!!

Wanna join me? Go to J.Kaye's Stephanie Plum Challenge page to sign up!

Tour & Giveaway: 142. Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown...

Author Carolyn Brown is touring for her new book, Lucky in Love, and I am thrilled to that she's visiting moi today! Check out what she has to say:

Thank you for having me as your guest today. It’s an honor to be here to discuss Lucky in Love--the first book in the Lucky Series from Sourcebooks. When I was invited to blog at Drey’s Library, I thought about doing something promotional since this is the first in the Lucky Series and my first foray into the more mainstream line after writing more than thirty books for the library market.

But I held an executive meeting with the main characters, Beau and Milli, and they wanted something different since they didn’t get their names on the cover along with mine. That’s been a sore spot with them; they think they worked as hard as I did to tell the story. So we came up with the topic: Where did that come from anyway?

Once the basic story for Lucky in Love invaded my mind (if Beau and Milli weren’t ranchers I’d swear they had some divine intervention in the form of aliens) it had to be told. I know I saw Milli one day at the Ardmore Mall and Beau at the western wear store buying a pair of boots. The characters had taken over my mind and my computer! It was either write the book or never know a moment’s peace. Yes, my imagination does run amok but that’s the life of a romance writer.

After writing a chapter or two I realized I was the tool for writing. Beau and Milli were actually telling me what to write. Each day I’d sit down at the computer and there they were right in the room with me. And they didn’t give a damn about the outline, either. I suppose that’s why there are so many scenes that even yet with the book in its final glory, I still wonder where that scene came from anyway?

Milli took up residence on my shoulder like Tinker Bell, whispering in my ear and not afraid to pitch a fit. She fussed and fumed when I didn’t get her story just right and pretty often at the end of the day, I had to go back and change a few things. Most of the time it was because I’d let her get soft and she surely did not like that. She is a spit fire and only let the fears of her heart have control once. We argued about that part of the story but finally reached a compromise. I could write about her one little weakness if it made her stronger in the end.

Beau stood behind me and read over my shoulder. Try writing about the hunky, sexy cowboy from the book cover when he’s standing right behind you. Now try doing it without getting hot flashes! I could almost hear him chuckling when I described him as a Greek God with his blond hair, blue eyes and all those muscles. He thought he was just a plain old rancher, lucky in everything he touched except for love.

So to those of you who read Lucky in Love please know that the cover says Carolyn Brown is the author, but in reality it was a huge joint effort between me and that sexy Texas cowboy and the love of his life, Milli Torres. And Milli and Beau are probably still laughing over getting particular parts of their story told that I had no intentions of writing.

I’ve wondered if the characters hop right off the page and sit on the reader’s shoulder like they do mine. Does she giggle at parts so ludicrous they have to be real? Does he give you hot flashes when he takes his shirt off?

About the author:
Carolyn Brown is an award-winning author who has published 36 historical and western romance novels for the library market, many of them bestsellers in that market. She was born in Texas and grew up in southern Oklahoma. She and her husband, Charles, a retired English teacher, now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma.

About the book:

When hunky rancher "Lucky Beau" Luckadeau accuses spitfire Milli Torres of stealing his prize bull, she promptly shoots at him, triggering a feud that only gets resolved when they discover they share a steamy hot memory from a night long ago...

It was a night of passion that has always haunted Lucky. The mysterious beauty he seduced at a cousin's wedding disappeared. He's always been lucky at cards, lucky with cattle, and lucky with land, but he's never been lucky in love.

Now Milli Torres has come to southern Oklahoma to help out on her grandfather's ranch. A cut fence and a big, mean Angus bull in the pasture are bad enough, but then she looks up and sees Beau Luckadeau. Great God Almighty, how did he get from Louisiana to Ardmore, Oklahoma, and what in the hell is she going to do if he recognizes her?

drey's thoughts:
I'll be honest and admit that this wasn't one of my first picks when presented with the list from Sourcebooks. Cowboys aren't really my "thing"... But after reading Carolyn Brown's writing, I couldn't wait to pick up the next Lucky book. Good thing that was in my TBR pile already!

Milli is sassy. Just like I like 'em. Surprise, surprise! She also has a secret, one that she can't tell Beau. Who happens to be stubborn. And cranky. Perfect for the repartee that just rolls off the pages in this entertaining read. Carolyn Brown had me going from page 1 to 293 with hardly a break in between. If you're looking for a late summer or early fall, easy romance read, pick this up.

Giveaway!
Like what you see? Here's a chance for two of you to win your very own copy of Lucky in Love, thanks to Sourcebooks!
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US and Canada residents, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share: Cowboys--hot or not? =) I always thought that a hat does wonders for a guy. Even went line-dancing in my younger days, just to drool over the dudes in hats and boots. Shhh! Don't tell anyone!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST September 18th. Good luck!

Tour stops:
9/1: Cindy's Love of Books
9/2: Reading with Monie
9/3: Cindy Reads Romance
9/4: Romance Reader at Heart's Novel Thoughts Blog
9/8: A Journey of Books
9/9: Love Romance Passion
9/10: Pop Syndicate's Book Addict and Yankee Romance Reviewers

Winners!! Lots of 'em!

Ok, I've been a total slacker lately--as regards the blog anyway. I apologize, but as much as I love y'all, I really, really, REALLY want my half-bathroom back. So I've been tiling. And tiling. And there's still more tiling to do. Anyway. There are lots of winners to announce, and replacement winners to pick, so this is going to be a LONG post. On with the show!!

First up: Kristin Harmel's Italian for Beginners... Two copies = two winners, picked by Randomizer out of 101 entries from 44 people:

Comment #49, etirv!!

Comment #2, Pam!!

Next up: Belinda Acosta's Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz... 34 people = 4 winners, picked by Randomizer:

Comment #8, DarcyO!!
Darcy got lucky at another blogger's, so Randomizer picked Comment #17, wade, as a replacement.

Comment #4, traveler!!

Comment #54, Marie!!

Comment #42, Allison!!

Now, it's time for replacement winners for Michelle de Kretser's The Lost Dog. Rebecca (ccqdesigns) already won a copy somewhere else, so that's one. And I never heard back from FOKXXY, so the two replacements as per Randomizer:

Comment #36, Sheri of A Novel Menagerie!!

Comment #9, jeanereads!!

Congratulations, everyone! Phew. Emails have all been sent out, please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Tuesday. Thank you for stopping by drey's library!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for John Shirley's Bleak History if you haven't already--it ends tomorrow!

Want the books? Click on the cover to purchase from Amazon.com.

141. This One is Mine by Maria Semple...

About the book:

Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life—except that she's deeply unhappy. David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again.

Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap. For all their recklessness, Violet and Sally will discover that David and Jeremy have a few surprises of their own. THIS ONE IS MINE is a compassionate and wickedly funny satire about our need for more—-and the often disastrous choices we make in the name of happiness.

drey's thoughts:
Oh, Violet. Violet is having an identity crisis. She was a somebody, now she's a stay-at-home mom and general greaser-of-wheels so that the Violet and David show keeps moving. Caught in the rut of day-to-day living, even being filthy rich doesn't make your day any more fulfilling. Who cares what you're wearing, where you get groceries, who you lunch with? It's the pursuit of happiness that drives, not the pursuit of taking-care-of-the-mundane. And for Violet, it's not enough. And she doesn't know how to make it enough, how to get back to being happy with her life.

Meeting Teddy brings a little of the ooh-I-met-someone-interesting feeling. And Violet has to decide if the thrill is worth risking everything she's built with David.

While this is a story about Violet, it is also a story of Sally, David's sister. She's single, and trying very hard to change that. Setting her sights on Jeremy, she does everything she can to "catch" him. Even when she isn't so sure what to make of his quirky traits. And all while she is trying to hide her health issues from him.

This One is Mine is ultimately a story about what it means to be loved, and more importantly, to love. About what you give up for it. And what you gain when you are absolutely honest--about yourselves. A beautiful story from Maria Semple--thank you for my review copy.

Title: This One is Mine
Author: Maria Semple
ISBN-10: 031603116X
ISBN-13: 9780316031165
Hardcover: 289 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2008

140. How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist...

About the book:

Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother believes that she's living in her favorite Regency romance novel and Ally doesn't have the heart to set her straight. But even worse, Granny Donny is now convinced that she's found the perfect "Duke" to rescue Ally from spinsterhood and she won't rest until this modern-day rogue escorts them both to her country retreat.

Commitment-phobic Sam Carson is attracted to naughty, not nice. But one stolen kiss from Ally and he's hell-bent on stripping away her good girl ways and teaching her the art of being bad. Love isn't in the stars for this rake--he has no interest in being tamed by a woman, no matter how soft her skin or sharp her wit. But as the country beckons, Sam can't resist the charms of Ally or her dotty Granny. Has this playboy met his match?

drey's thoughts:
Diana Holquist's How to Tame a Modern Rogue is one of the funnier romance novels I've read this year. It's sweet without being too sappy. It's entertaining. I liked Ally and Sam, and definitely Granny Donny.

At the beginning of each chapter are little snippets from the fictional book, "The Dulcet Duke"--which Granny Donny read, and is "living" in her mind. Some of the snippets are hilarious, indeed. Like: Good help is impossible to find, and yet, a lady certainly cannot be expected to boil her own water for tea. Heh. I guess since I don't have "help" and I definitely boil my own tea, I'm no lady? =P

In any case, How to Tame a Modern Rogue is a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the streets of NYC to Long Island, where Granny Donny has a beach house. In a horse and carriage, to boot. How eighteen-hundreds. *grin*

Title: How to Tame a Modern Rogue
Author: Diana Holquist
ISBN-10: 044619705X
ISBN-13: 978-0446197052
Paperback: 298 pages
Publisher: Forever, 2009

Winners!

Seems like I'm rushing about like the Mad Hatter, crying "I'm late! I'm late!" everywhere I dash... =( So very sorry, folks!!

Anyway. There were a total of 67 entries for Michelle de Kretser's The Lost Dog, with 34 people participating. Which means 4 winners, whom Randomizer has deigned to bestow on...

FOKXXY!!

traveler!!

ccqdesigns!!

clenna!!

Congratulations, everyone! Emails have been sent, please reply with your mailing info before the end of day Saturday. Thank you for swinging by!

Didn't win? Click on the cover to purchase from Amazon.com.

139. So Into You by Sandra Hill...

About the book: (from the publisher)

Angel Sabato has been in love with best friend Grace O'Brien for 10 years--but he's only just realized it. Too bad she doesn't take him seriously when he tells her about his feelings. Reeling from the rejection, Angel hightails it out of town.

Now Grace is left to wonder if her problems from the past are keeping her from opening herself to love. But she brushes these "useless" musings aside, concentrating instead on the work she's doing as an apprentice to folk healer Tante Lulu and keeping up with the old woman's good deeds.

Such as starting a foundation to help families still homeless after Hurricane Katrina. One family consists of 5 children who lost their parents. The eldest, only seventeen, has been struggling to take care of her siblings and lying like heck to the state agencies in order to keep everyone together. Tante Lulu and Grace take the children under their wings and decide the foundation will build a house for them.

Re-enter Angel, who helps with the construction. Unbeknownst to Grace, Tante Lulu has decided to try her hand at matchmaking again. And Tante Lulu has never failed before!

drey's thoughts:
Sandra Hill's So Into You is a heartwarming romance between someone who doesn't believe she deserves a Happily Ever After and her best friend, who tries to convince her otherwise. With a little help from a kooky little old lady who loves to interfere by playing Cupid.

I really liked the dialog here, it's crisp and funny as heck. Tante Lulu is entertaining, to say the least. And you can't help but root for Angel & Grace. Pick this one up if you're a fan of the romance genre. =)

Title: So Into You
Author: Sandra Hill
ISBN-10: 044653577X
ISBN-13: 9780446535779
Paperback: 318 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2009

Challenges: 100+, Pub

Giveaway: So Into You by Sandra Hill...

What can I say? Hachette Book Group must really like y'all... Today's giveaway is for Sandra Hill's So Into You!

About the book:

THE SINNER

She's been a nun, poker champion, treasure hunter, and folk healer. Redhead Grace O'Brien thinks life is one grand adventure--until her hunky friend Angel Sabato suddenly declares his love for her. That's one risky business she'll never want a part of, not if she's going to keep her past a secret forever.

THE ANGEL

With heartbroken Angel hightailing it out of town, Grace makes herself busy working with Tante Lulu. Together they agree to help a poor teenage girl who's trying to raise her siblings after Katrina by building them a new house. And Tante Lulu knows the perfect man for the Job: Angel!

THE CUPID

Angel's decided he's not taking no for an answer from reluctant Grace. Tante Lulu's convinced they need her Cajun style of matchmaking. And Grace has braced herself for a lightning bolt of trouble, one that could jolt her into heartbreak...or straight into Angel's arms.

Read an excerpt:

Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have up to five copies of So Into You for you...
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US and Canada residents, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share: Have you been to New Orleans, since Katrina? I haven't--the last time I was there was for the 1996 Super Bowl. Go Pack! *grin* I'd love to go back again, though, and I hope that most of those displaced by Katrina have found a home.
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Every 10 people entered gets another copy in the hat, so tell everyone! =)
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST September 8th. Good luck!

138. Fresh Off the Boat by Melissa de la Cruz...

About the book:

Dear Peaches,
America is PERFECT! I love it here. I wish you could come visit--we could go shopping on Market Street and you could meet all my new friends...

Okay, so Vicenza isn't being totally honest with Peaches, her best friend back in Manila. But what fun is it being the new girl at snooty Grosvernor High? Or rooting through the Salvation Army for unholey cashmere sweaters? Or having culture-shocked, embarrassingly clueless parents? Maybe being Claude Caligari's ignored geometry partner is sort of fun, but Vicenza would rather be his girlfriend... or at least his date to the annual fancy-schmancy Soirée d'Hiver.

But Vicenza won't be friendless, fashionless, or "fresh off the boat" for long--it's only a matter of time before she sees what's right before her eyes and her luck begins to change.

drey's thoughts:
Fresh Off the Boat is a mostly funny, pretty heart-tugging, wide-eyed look at the life of an immigrant teenager. I sympathized with her need to "show off" to Peaches, because you cannot tell those at home how homesick you are when you're the one who made it to America! Or shopping at the Salvation Army when you used to wear designer duds. Or having no friends when you used to rule the roost. High school's hard enough without all of this, isn't it??

But Vicenza learns that while life in America's not all it's cracked up to be, she's lucky to have a friend who likes her just the way she is, even if she does think Isobel is a little weird. Sometimes. And the boys you want aren't always the boys you want to be with, because sometimes you're better off just window shopping. Pick up this entertainingly quick read from Melissa de la Cruz if you're a fan of her books, or of the genre (YA). Or if you've been an immigrant at one point in your life. Because seriously, some of the "FOB" stuff here applies regardless of whether you came to America for the first time in high school, or college. *grin*

Title: Fresh Off the Boat
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
ISBN-10: 0060545429
ISBN-13: 978-0060545420
Paperback: 243 pages
Publisher: Harper Trophy, 2006

Challenges: 100+, Support Your Local Library

Debbie's 1-year Blogoversary Celebration!

Y'all, if you've never been over to Debbie's World of Books, go. Now. Debbie is celebrating her 1-year blogoversary with a giveaway that you'll have to check out. Linky.

Tour & Giveaway: 137. To Tempt the Wolf by Terry Spear...

drey's library is today's tour stop for Terry Spear's new paranormal romance, To Tempt the Wolf...

About the book:

She’s Fascinated by Wolves—But They are Obsessed With Her

Tessa Anderson doesn’t know why wolves are attracted to her, and she certainly doesn’t know that werewolves exist. Now she’s being stalked—but is her stalker a wolf or man? And who is the gorgeous stranger whose life she saved, who now swears he’ll protect her?

He’s an Alpha Without a Pack, Facing a Deadly Enemy

Hunter Greymore is a lupus garou, a grey werewolf. His pack has abandoned him after losing their homes in a raging wildfire. When he encounters Tessa, he’s alone and injured, but he quickly realizes the danger to her is much worse than anything threatening him…

In his attempts to shiled her from harm, Hunter discovers that Tessa entices him beyond endurance… it’s only a matter of time before his wild nature can no longer be restrained…

About the author:
A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, award-winning author Terry Spear has an MBA from Monmouth College. An eclectic writer, she dabbles in the paranormal as well as writing historical and true life stories for both teen and adult audiences. Spear lives in Crawford, Texas. Her 2008 Sourcebooks Casablanca release, Heart of the Wolf was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. Destiny of the Wolf and To Tempt the Wolf are in stores now, and more are on the way: The Legend of the White Wolf (February 2010) and Seduction of the Wolf (August 2010). Terry can be found online at her website, terryspear.com.

drey's thoughts:
Oh, Tessa. Her brother's found guilty of murder. The new neighbors are antagonistic. Someone's stalking her and breaking into her home. And she finds a nearly-dead hunk lying on the beach. It's storming out, so she revives him and brings him home to recuperate; then lets him stay because he can't remember who he is. In return, he promises to try to help her find evidence to free her brother.

Little do they know of the danger ahead. A murderer who doesn't want to be found. Strange wolves hanging out in the area. Treasure hunters skulking around. Her new neighbors are missing. And her house is broken into. Again.

To Tempt the Wolf is one part romance, and one part murder-mystery. There's quite a cast of characters to keep track of, every one of them with a part to play in this action-packed read from Terry Spear.

Terry shares some thoughts on expectations:

Expectations

By Terry Spear
Thanks so much Drey for having me today at Drey’s Library!

A co-worker was telling me how she expected the author to do some things in a book that she didn’t do, which my co-worker felt were essential to make a really good story. Which gave me the idea for this article on expectations.

Years ago when I went to the movies with my family, whenever I saw the lion roar in the opening, I figured it was a gladiator movie, or some other kind of epic adventure. I grew to expect this. And when the movie was a contemporary comedy, I was terribly disappointed.

Have you ever ordered a drink, an ice tea and sipped it only to find it’s a soft drink? Or a soft drink of one kind and the waiter brought you something else? Or drank a hot drink and found it ice cold? Or thought the meal you had ordered was mild, but when you took that first bite, it bit back?

Did you ever take a class where everyone said the teacher was unbelievably easy or hard and you found just the opposite? Or the weatherman predicted 90 per cent chance of rain and nary a drop was to be found?

Ever had friends rave about a movie or restaurant and you thought the movie or food was the worst you’d ever tried?

Yep, expectations. Good or bad, we all have them.

Ever think that your friend or family member is going to say one thing but comes out with something completely different? Or that everyone was going to wear black to the party, so you did too in an attempt not to stand out, but everyone wore something different and you really stood out?

Every minute of the day, we expect something. That we will go to work and arrive there safely and on time. That the day will go reasonably well, except if we expect otherwise. That when we go to classes or church, no one will be sitting in “our” seat.

When our expectation isn’t met, what happens then? Sometimes, we’re pleasantly surprised. Sometimes, terribly disappointed. Rattled. Feel out-of-sorts.
So in my werewolf books I try to ensure my readers will get what they expect—sexy romance, adventure, mystery, suspense, and always a dash of subtle humor. Also that the werewolf world will be reasonably realistic.

My co-workers laugh at me about this. How can a werewolf world be in the least bit realistic? In my world, it can be. :)

And of course, everyone probably has expectations of what a werewolf story would be like. No matter how much I talked to my mother about my werewolf romances, she continued to feed me ideas for my werewolf horror stories. :)

“No, Mom,” I’d remind her. “The hero is a hunky, sexy alpha male and loveable in his own way. Not a monster. It is a ROMANCE. Not a horror story.”

So another thing to expect in my books is a Happily Ever After. Guaranteed.
I’m sure all writers strive for twists and turns in their stories that do the unexpected, but with the result that the reader is happily hooked to keep reading. So with that, we attempt to keep the reader guessing. And then the unexpected is truly entertaining.

So if you’ve never read an urban fantasy romance, or a werewolf romance, now is the time to give some a try. You might be pleasantly surprised! And if you do read them, hope you’ll try mine, too. :)

Again, thanks, Drey, for having me.

Terry Spear

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”

Thank you, Terry, for taking the time to put together such a lovely guest post!

Giveaway!!
Sourcebooks is very generous with this giveaway, so pay attention! ONE winner will win a copy of To Tempt the Wolf for you... IN ADDITION, they will also win one copy of Heart of the Wolf, and one copy of Destiny of the Wolf. How's that for a prize pack? Many thanks to Danielle for the generosity.
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US and Canada residents, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share: Werewolves, loup garou, lupus garou, whatever else they're called--Do you prefer 'em REALLY large and scary à la Underworld, or larger-than-a-normal-wolf and furry à la Kitty?
-- For an extra entry, comment and share: What, if any, expectations do you have when it comes to shapeshifter stories? Me--I expect them to be "real"; or as real as you can get when people can change into another form, anyway. =)
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST September 6th. Good luck!

Challenges: 100+, Pub

Tour stops:
8/17: Star-Crossed Romance
8/20: Fresh Fiction
8/25: Night Owl Romance
8/27: Cindy’s Love of Books
8/31: Rhi Reading
9/2: Scribe Vibe
9/3: Yankee Romance Reviewers
9/4: Horror and Fantasy Book Review
9/7: Love Romance Passion
9/8: Fang-tastic Books
9/9: Books and Needlepoint
9/10: A Journey of Books
9/14: Morbid Romantic
9/17: Romance Reader at Heart’s Novel Thoughts Blog

SF/F/H Reviewer Linkup Meme, 2nd Edition

John at Grasping for the Wind has put in a lot of time (like, a LOT!!) to complete the latest update to the SF/F/H Reviewer Linkup Meme. This is a list of many of the best speculative fiction review blogs on the internet. Head on over to get the HTML code or add your own website to the list if it is not already included.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Romanian French Chinese Danish Portuguese German

A

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7 Foot Shelves

The Accidental Bard

A Boy Goes on a Journey

A Dribble Of Ink

Adventures in Reading

A Fantasy Reader

The Agony Column

A Hoyden's Look at Literature

All Booked Up

Alexia's Books and Such...

Andromeda Spaceways

The Antick Musings of G.B.H. Hornswoggler, Gent.

Ask Daphne

ask nicola

Audiobook DJ

aurealisXpress

Australia Specfic In Focus

Author 2 Author

AzureScape

B

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Barbara Martin

Babbling about Books

Bees (and Books) on the Knob

Best SF

Bewildering Stories

Bibliophile Stalker

Bibliosnark

Big Dumb Object

BillWardWriter.com

The Billion Light-Year Bookshelf

Bitten by Books

The Black Library Blog

Blog, Jvstin Style

Blood of the Muse

The Book Bind

Bookgeeks

Bookrastination

Booksies Blog

Bookslut

The Book Smugglers

Bookspotcentral

The Book Swede

Book View Cafe [Authors Group Blog]

Breeni Books

C

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Cheaper Ironies [pro columnist]

Charlotte's Library

Circlet 2.0

Cheryl's Musings

Club Jade

Cranking Plot

Critical Mass

The Crotchety Old Fan

D

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Daily Dose - Fantasy and Romance

Damien G. Walter

Danger Gal

It's Dark in the Dark

Dark Parables

Dark Wolf Fantasy Reviews

Darque Reviews

Dave Brendon's Fantasy and Sci-Fi Weblog

Dead Book Darling

Dear Author

The Deckled Edge

The Doctor is In...

Dragons, Heroes and Wizards

Drey's Library

The Discriminating Fangirl

Dusk Before the Dawn

E

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Enter the Octopus

Errant Dreams Reviews

Eve's Alexandria

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Winners!

Another day, another set of winners! These lucky ducks are getting a copy of Rita Herron's Dark Hunger, a signed bookmark, AND a t-shirt:

RachieG!!

nfmgirl (Heather) from Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World!!

Jane!!

housemouse88!!

Marie!!

Congratulations, everyone! Emails have been sent, please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Tuesday!

Didn't win but want the book? Click on the cover to purchase from Amazon.com.

Winners!

I'm sorry I'm late with this! It's been a busy week... Anyway. 53 people with 114 total entries equal 5 copies of Diana Holquist's book going to new homes. According to Randomizer, those 5 are...

DCMetroreader of Metroreader: Reading One Mile At a Time!!
DCMetroreader has already won a copy somewhere else, so Randomizer picked a replacement:
Dixie of A Few of My Favorite Things!!

Kytaira!!

Crystal of My Reading Room!!

karen k!!

photoquest!!

Congratulations, everyone!! Emails have been sent, please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Tuesday.

If you're interested in the numbers, 34 said "no", 14 said "yes", and 5 said "maybe". As for me, I think it would've been lots of fun, in my singleton days.

Didn't win but want the book? Click on the cover to purchase from Amazon.com.

Loot & more!

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I've never participated in Library Loot before, so consider me a newbie! I thought I'd share what I picked up last week, and this week (yesterday, as a matter of fact) because they're all books by a new-to-me author, Melissa de la Cruz.












Last week's books:
Blue Bloods
Masquerade
Revelations













This week's books:
The Ashleys
Fresh Off the Boat
Angels on Sunset Boulevard

I had to give her other books a try--I love the Blue Bloods series so far!

136. Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz...

About the book:

Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called into question: is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.

When an ancient place of power is threatened in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high, the battle is bloody; and through it all Schuyler is torn between duty and passion, love and freedom.

Romance, glamour, and vampire lore collide in the highly anticipated third book in best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series.

drey's thoughts:
Oh, Schuyler. She's living with the Forces--just about Hell on earth, if that were possible. And if that weren't enough, Mimi's planning her & Jack's bonding ceremony. She's also been elevated to the Conclave, to take her father's spot. Why do the witchy people get rewarded?? Dylan's back, and seems possessed. Bliss still has her blackouts. And Schuyler has been meeting Jack secretly, which cannot possibly end well...

When it seems as though her grandfather has run into trouble in Corcovado, the entire Conclave is called there. Schuyler and Oliver follow, because it's her grandfather! Romance, romantic triangles, nefarious plots, and betrayals abound in Revelations, which just whets your appetite for The Van Alen Legacy--hurry up and get published already!

Title: Revelations
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
ISBN-10: 1423102282
ISBN-13: 9781423102281
Hardcover: 264 pages
Publisher: Hyperion, 2008

Challenges: Support Your Local Library, 100+, Vampire, Series

last call!

Giveaways ending soon--hurry & enter if you haven't yet!

Diana Holquist's How to Tame a Modern Rogue ends 6pm CST TODAY!

Rita Herron's Dark Hunger prize pack (book, signed bookmark, AND t-shirt) ends 6pm CST Saturday! That's only TWO days away!

Michelle de Kretser's The Lost Dog ends 6pm CST MONDAY.

Check out all the other giveaways on my right sidebar...

135. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz...

About the book:

Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help--her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly under way for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman--a true Blue Blood affair.

But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

Rich with glamour, attitude, and vampire lore, this second installment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

drey's thoughts:
So after reading Blue Bloods, I couldn't NOT pick up Masquerade. Especially when it was sitting in my library pile, just looking at me...

In this installment, Schuyler and Oliver head to Venice to look for her long-missing grandfather, Lawrence. Hoping against hope that he has something, anything to help them discover who the Silver Bloods are, and how to stop them from killing any more vamps... In addition, Schuyler finds out that she's actually related to Mimi (horror of horrors!)--her mother and Mimi's father are twins.

On that note--I should mention that I'm not too thrilled with the taboo relationship that is covered here. I know that it's in context of the original cast having roles to play and fulfill, etc., but it's still a little disturbing in my lil' ol' brain...

In any case, Masquerade picks up where Blue Bloods left off, and continues the saga, without giving anything away. There are new characters, and new plot lines for some of the existing characters. If you've never read this, and are a fan of vampire series, then you need to give it a try. I'm off to consolidate my thoughts on Revelations!

Title: Masquerade
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
ISBN-10: 0786838930
ISBN-13: 9780786838936
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Hyperion, 2007

Challenges: Support Your Local Library, 100+, Vampire, Series

Buffy meets Edward...

Saw this on C.E. Murphy's facebook, and lol'd, so I thought I'd share. Kudos to Rebellious Pixels for putting this together!

134. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz...

About the book:

Schuyler thought: aneurysm, heart attack, diabetic seizure. There are so many things that could cause a person's untimely demise. She'd read about them. She knew. She'd lost her father in her infancy, and her mother was stuck in a coma. Life was more fragile than anyone ever realized.

One minute, you could be getting a smoke in the alley on the Lower East Side with your friends, having drinks and dancing on the tables in a popular nightclub. And the next minute, you could be dead.

drey's thoughts:
How could you not pick up a book with the above on the back, especially if you love vampire novels? Apparently I couldn't. Especially when I read the inside blurb:

Within New York City's most elite families, there lurks a secret society of celebrated Americans whose ancestors sailed on the Mayflower. Its members are the powerful and the wealthy--and, in fact, they are not human. They are the Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires.

Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in at Duchesne, her prestigious New York City private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapidated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way.

But when she turns fifteen, Schuyler's life changes dramatically. She discovers a mosaic of blue veins on her arms, and craves raw meat. The death of a popular girl from Duchesne is surrounded by a mystery that haunts her. And strangest of all, Jack Force, the most popular boy in school, is showing a sudden interest in her.
Schuyler wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?

My first impression upon reading Blue Bloods? Whoa. The pilgrims were vampires?? And not only vamps, they're fallen angels? Re-living their lives through time in a cycle of reincarnation? Like I said, whoa.

Melissa de la Cruz has written a YA vamp series (this is the first book) densely packed with action, mystery, and revelations--all while including relatively real characters, even if they are a little stereotypical. There's the bossy girl-in-front-of-the-pack (& yes, she's beautiful--and so is her twin brother). There's the requisite posse, of course. The misfit. The new girl. The geeky best friend. All of them rounding out the high-school cast.

Interspersed with the storyline are diary entries... penned by Catherine Carver, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Catherine Carver, who is now reincarnated as Schuyler's grandmother Cordelia. Who has been trying to warn The Committee about a danger to them, a danger that has existed for as long as they have. All for naught. When Schuyler's friend Dylan disappears, it is up to her and her best friend Oliver to find out what happened. With the help of the new girl, Bliss, they look for clues to the identity of those who've been taking their friends and classmates.

I've read all three available Blue Bloods novels, and I'm hooked. You will be too, if you aren't already. I so really really need to find out what happens!!!!

Check out the Official Blue Bloods website.
And find Melissa at her website, melissa-delacruz.com.

Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
ISBN-10: 0786838922
ISBN-13: 9780786838929
Hardcover: 302 pages
Publisher: Hyperion, 2006

Challenges: Support Your Local Library, 100+, Vampire, 1st in Series

Winners!

109 entries from 41 people = 5 winners. What did they win, you ask? Why, a copy of Robyn DeHart's Seduce Me, of course!

And the winners--according to Randomizer--are...

Chelsea B., who might open Pandora's box...
(Chelsea, I don't have an email from you, please make sure to send me one)

nfmgirl of Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World, who wouldn't open it...

Marie, who isn't sure if she would or not...

etirv, who'd leave it alone...

made4books, who's the only winner to say "Yes!"...

So... I compiled everyone's answer, and out of the 41 people, 2 weren't sure what they'd do, 21 would stay away from it, and 18 curious kits would open Pandora's box... I guess Randomizer didn't come close to the almost 50-50 split, huh? *grin*

Anyway. Congratulations to the winners! Emails have been sent. Please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Friday. Thank you for swinging by drey's library!

Didn't win, but want the book? Click on the cover to purchase from Amazon.com.

Tour: 133. Bleak History by John Shirley...

Today's tour feature is John Shirley's Bleak History...

About the book:

CLASSIFIED: APPARENT SUPERNATURAL

Subject: Gabriel Bleak. Status: Civilian. Paranormal skills: Powerful. Able to manipulate AS energies and communicate with UBEs (e.g. "ghosts" and other entities). Psychological profile: Extremely independent, potentially dangerous. Caution is urged...

As far as Gabriel Bleak is concerned, talking to the dead is just another way of making a living. It gives him the competitive edge to survive as a bounty hunter, or "skip tracer," in the psychic minefield known as New York City. Unfortunately, his gift also makes him a prime target. A top-secret division of Homeland Security has been monitoring the recent emergence of human supernaturals, with Gabriel Bleak being the strongest on record. If they control Gabriel, they'll gain access to the Hidden — the entity-based energy field that connects all life on Earth. But Gabriel's got other ideas. With a growing underground movement called the Shadow Community — and an uneasy alliance of spirits, elementals, and other beings — Gabriel's about to face the greatest demonic uprising since the Dark Ages. But this time, history is not going to repeat itself. This time, the future is Bleak. Gabriel Bleak.

About the author:
John Shirley is the author of numerous books and many, many short stories. His novels include Crawlers, Demons, In Darkness Waiting, and seminal cyberpunk works City Come A-Walkin', and the A Song Called Youth trilogy of Eclipse, Eclipse Penumbra, and Eclipse Corona. His collections include the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild award-winning Black Butterflies and Living Shadows: Stories: New & Pre-owned. He also writes for screen (The Crow) and television. As a musician Shirley has fronted his own bands and written lyrics for Blue Öyster Cult and others. He can be found online on his blog, johnshirley.net.

drey's thoughts:
I was really interested in reading Bleak History because I wondered, what would the government do if it could "study" those with supernatural abilities? Would it be something like the X-Files, with it's conspiracy theories and secret labs? Well... In John Shirley's world, yes. The government agency is the CCA--Homeland Security's Central Containment Authority. *shudder* I wouldn't want anything to do with anything with "containment" in its name! And they're looking to round up or shut down the paranormals. Why? Because they're afraid, of course. After all, you can't have people running loose in the normal population when they can do things, can you?

I liked Gabriel Bleak's character. Maybe it's the t-shirts he wears (although, where's the rock band "stuff" on the cover?). Maybe it's because even though he doesn't trust the government within an inch of his life (heck, I'd keep them at least 10 football fields away if I were him), he still tries to negotiate a compromise with them because that's the better path for him and those like him.

However, some of the other characters were a little overblown, I think. Shoella seems a little "off" to me, to be that interested in Gabriel--almost like John Shirley tried too hard to come up with a character already in the story who would fit the "lover & betrayer" role, instead of needing to add one. And Loraine is almost the stereotypical government-agent-turned-sympathizer who has doubts about her job but does what she's told anyway because they (the CCA) couldn't be that bad, could they?

The action is fast here. The bad guys are everywhere Gabriel turns, and they aren't above using local law enforcement to assist in Gabriel's location and detention. So who can he trust? Guess you'll have to read & find out. *grin* I did like Bleak History, but I'm thinking I'd probably prefer the screen version--lots of explosions to ooh and aah at...

Giveaway!
Thanks to Pocket Books, I have 2 copies of Bleak History for you, but ONLY if you live in the US...
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share: Would you want to have supernatural powers? If so, what? I probably wouldn't. Sure, it could be cool. But I already have enough things to do in a day... *grin*
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST August 31st. Good luck!

Title: Bleak History
Author: John Shirley
ISBN-10: 1416584129
ISBN-13: 978-1416584124
Paperback: 370 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2009

Tour stops:
I Heart Monster
Debbie’s World of Books
Sci-Fi Guy
A Journey of Books
Simply Vamptastic
Starting Fresh
Booksie’s Blog
Readaholic
Falling Off The Shelf
Patricia’s Vampire Notes
My Friend Amy
Reading With Monie
Cheryl’s Book Nook
Morbid Romantic
drey’s library
Temple Library Reviews
Jeanne’s Ramblings
Never Not Reading
My Guilty Pleasures
Fantasy Freak