Happy Labor Day y'all! Well, if you live in the U.S. Enjoy the day! Put your feet up & read a few books, or go spend some time outside before winter descends upon us (especially up here!).
I will be reading The Iron Daughter. And maybe Discord's Apple as well. They need to get back to the library, and I can't bear sending them "home" without cracking them open first! What are you reading?
Saturday Spotlight: Cold Magic by Kate Elliott...
Today's spotlight is a book I first saw on Literary Escapism's facebook page. I love the cover, and am definitely planning on checking it out.
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
It is the dawn of a new age... The Industrial Revolution has begun, factories are springing up across the country, and new technologies are transforming in the cities. But the old ways do not die easy.
Cat and Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Giveaway (& review re-post): Testimony by Anita Shreve!
Anita Shreve's Testimony is now out in mass market paperback, so here's a re-post of my review from 2009, along with a giveaway for y'all!
Title: Testimony
Author: Anita Shreve
ISBN-13: 9780316080514
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts: (this is a re-post of my original review from Feb. 2009)
Avery Academy is a private school in northern Vermont, where a scandal involving four students takes place. The events leading up to, and the resulting consequences of the scandal are narrated in Testimony by those involved, as well as their roommates, parents, teachers, and the principal of the school. All of these different points of view were confusing in the beginning, except for the principal's story, as we started with him.
Anita Shreve weaves a compelling tale of the teenagers caught up in the scandal - Silas, the local boy with a bright future; Rob, stopping by on his way to early admission at Brown; J. Dot, promising basketball player; and Sienna, as she now calls herself, after.
Silas' voice is tragic. A well-respected student, he finds love in a fellow student. When he finds out that betrayal is a bitter drought to swallow, he sets himself - and the other boys - down the path to a chain of events that ends up with him as a permanent victim.
Sienna's story is a little confusing. Yes, she was fourteen at the time, but she doesn't seem to realize that her actions have brought about the firestorm that engulfs the boys and their families.
Testimony was a quick read, with each narration a puzzle piece that you need to fit to fully get the big picture. However, in this case the puzzle does have extra pieces laying around. I think that some of the other teacher narratives could've been left out - they didn't really add much to the picture. And Rob's final narrative is a nice tie-up-all-the-loose-ends that explains things more clearly, if you didn't quite get it from reading the rest of the book.
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have 5 copies of Testimony for you! US and Canada residents only, no PO Boxes. To enter, comment and let me know why you want the book. That's it. +1 for tweeting (comment and share the link). Do it before 6:00pm CST September 16th!
Author: Anita Shreve
ISBN-13: 9780316080514
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts: (this is a re-post of my original review from Feb. 2009)
Avery Academy is a private school in northern Vermont, where a scandal involving four students takes place. The events leading up to, and the resulting consequences of the scandal are narrated in Testimony by those involved, as well as their roommates, parents, teachers, and the principal of the school. All of these different points of view were confusing in the beginning, except for the principal's story, as we started with him.
Anita Shreve weaves a compelling tale of the teenagers caught up in the scandal - Silas, the local boy with a bright future; Rob, stopping by on his way to early admission at Brown; J. Dot, promising basketball player; and Sienna, as she now calls herself, after.
Silas' voice is tragic. A well-respected student, he finds love in a fellow student. When he finds out that betrayal is a bitter drought to swallow, he sets himself - and the other boys - down the path to a chain of events that ends up with him as a permanent victim.
Sienna's story is a little confusing. Yes, she was fourteen at the time, but she doesn't seem to realize that her actions have brought about the firestorm that engulfs the boys and their families.
Testimony was a quick read, with each narration a puzzle piece that you need to fit to fully get the big picture. However, in this case the puzzle does have extra pieces laying around. I think that some of the other teacher narratives could've been left out - they didn't really add much to the picture. And Rob's final narrative is a nice tie-up-all-the-loose-ends that explains things more clearly, if you didn't quite get it from reading the rest of the book.
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have 5 copies of Testimony for you! US and Canada residents only, no PO Boxes. To enter, comment and let me know why you want the book. That's it. +1 for tweeting (comment and share the link). Do it before 6:00pm CST September 16th!
Winners: Sizzling Summer Nights giveaway!!
Alright. It's high time I announced the three lucky ducks who will be getting a nice package of romance novels from Hachette Book Group!
Randomizer was put to work, and spit out three numbers: 64, 38, and 41.
Which corresponds to...
Emails are out in cyberspace--please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Sunday!
Congratulations, you lucky lucky duckies, and thank you so much for swinging by!
Randomizer was put to work, and spit out three numbers: 64, 38, and 41.
Which corresponds to...
Cindy!!
throuthehaze!!
Beth!!
Emails are out in cyberspace--please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Sunday!
Congratulations, you lucky lucky duckies, and thank you so much for swinging by!
Tour: 104. The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay...
Whee! Today's tour is for book #2 in Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series, The Darkest Edge of Dawn!
Title: The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Charlie Madigan #2)
Author: Kelly Gay
ISBN-13: 9781439110041
Paperback: 371 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of The Darkest Edge of Dawn was provided by the publisher for this blog tour. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
About the author:
Kelly Gay is a bookworm who's had lots of jobs, from construction to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, selling men's underwear (a talent!), and managing horse farms. She is currently working on a new YA series as Kelly Keaton. Find her online at her website, www.kellygay.com and blog, Kelly Gay.
drey's thoughts:
I really liked Kelly Gay's The Better Part of Darkness when I read it last year, so when Pocket Books offered up The Darkest Edge of Dawn for review, I jumped in line ('cuz there's definitely a line!). And I wasn't disappointed.
Charlie's still fighting the good fight, alongside her partner Hank. Her lovely daughter Emma doesn't feature as much here as she did in the first book, but enough to find out some hard truths, and give Charlie something else to worry about. As if Charlie needs yet another worry, on top of the headache that is the war between Charbydon and Elysia for--what else?--humanity's soul. In this installment, there's a serial killer on the loose. And not just any serial killer, but one who's hunting down the Adonai. If they can't figure this out, what chance does Charlie have?
Kelly Gay's writing is crisp, and her world is interesting. I want to find out more about Charbydon and Elysia, and I definitely want more of Charlie and Hank! Fans of urban fantasy who lean more towards angels and demons (with a bit of the alien touch) should pick up the series. Especially if you like kick-ass heroines!
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100+, Pub
Giveaway!
I'm sending my copy of The Darkest Edge of Dawn to a new home. US residents only, please. To enter, please comment and share what urban fantasy book you're looking forward to reading, and why. Please make sure you leave an email address for me to contact you if you win. Enter before 6:00pm CST September 15th!
Author: Kelly Gay
ISBN-13: 9781439110041
Paperback: 371 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of The Darkest Edge of Dawn was provided by the publisher for this blog tour. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Kelly Gay is a bookworm who's had lots of jobs, from construction to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, selling men's underwear (a talent!), and managing horse farms. She is currently working on a new YA series as Kelly Keaton. Find her online at her website, www.kellygay.com and blog, Kelly Gay.
drey's thoughts:
I really liked Kelly Gay's The Better Part of Darkness when I read it last year, so when Pocket Books offered up The Darkest Edge of Dawn for review, I jumped in line ('cuz there's definitely a line!). And I wasn't disappointed.
Charlie's still fighting the good fight, alongside her partner Hank. Her lovely daughter Emma doesn't feature as much here as she did in the first book, but enough to find out some hard truths, and give Charlie something else to worry about. As if Charlie needs yet another worry, on top of the headache that is the war between Charbydon and Elysia for--what else?--humanity's soul. In this installment, there's a serial killer on the loose. And not just any serial killer, but one who's hunting down the Adonai. If they can't figure this out, what chance does Charlie have?
Kelly Gay's writing is crisp, and her world is interesting. I want to find out more about Charbydon and Elysia, and I definitely want more of Charlie and Hank! Fans of urban fantasy who lean more towards angels and demons (with a bit of the alien touch) should pick up the series. Especially if you like kick-ass heroines!
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100+, Pub
Giveaway!
I'm sending my copy of The Darkest Edge of Dawn to a new home. US residents only, please. To enter, please comment and share what urban fantasy book you're looking forward to reading, and why. Please make sure you leave an email address for me to contact you if you win. Enter before 6:00pm CST September 15th!
September's FEATURED AUTHOR: C.E. Murphy!!
It so cannot be September already. Really, nuh uh. No way. Then again, September means that one of my favorite authors will be visiting, so I guess I'll throw away the to-do list and just enjoy having the company of C.E. Murphy!
About C.E Murphy:
C. E. Murphy is the author of the epic fantasy series The Inheritors' Cycle (comprising the novels The Queen's Bastard and The Pretender's Crown), as well as two urban fantasy series, The Walker Papers and The Negotiator Trilogy, and a 5-issue comic series. She has also written action/romance titles under the pseudonym Cate Dermody. She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives in her ancestral homeland of Ireland, which is a magical land where it rains a lot but winter never actually arrives.
The Interview:
drey: Hello Catie (can I call you Catie? Or do you prefer to keep it C.E.?)! Thank you for taking the time to swing by drey’s library in September. I’m so excited you’re here!!! So, let’s get this show on the road!
C.E.: Catie is perfectly fine. It's what I use in real life, after all. :)
drey: *grin* Ok. Cliff-Notes on C.E. Murphy--tell us about yourself in 10 sentences or less.
C.E.: Aw, heck fire, I can do better than that. Let's try ten words! "Mom, writer, born & raised in Alaska, lives in Ireland."
(Hey, I did it!)
drey: *laughs* You sure did!
Can you share your first sale experience with us?
C.E.: *laughs* Yeah. I like this story. :)
So, okay. I had sent the proposal for Urban Shaman to a couple publishing houses. Luna, my current house, responded with a request for the full manuscript in a very short time. Some weeks later, the other house I'd submitted to also requested a full manuscript, so I called Luna and asked if a multiple submission was okay. Then the other house said they didn't take multiple submissions from unagented/unpublished writers, so I forgot about it.
Three weeks later, my soon-to-be editor from Luna called on a Friday evening. I honestly thought she was calling to talk to me about multiple submissions. So she says to me, "What's new and exciting?" and I said, "Oh, not much, I just made chocolate chip cookies, that's about as exciting as it gets around here right now, how're you?" And she was fine, calling from her cell phone because the office phones were down and the repairman had been there and said he couldn't do anything until Monday at least, and I allowed as how repairmen were always saying things like that, and she apologized for not getting back to me sooner, but she'd been at a convention and then on vacation and then out sick, and since *I* wasn't worried about the multiple submission thing anymore (it turned out the other publishing house didn't take them from unpublished/unagented authors), I said it was okay and I hoped she was feeling better.
(drey: phew!)
Then she said, "Well, I hope you won't be multiple-submitting this book, because I have some good news --I hope it's good news! -- for you: we'd like to make you an offer for Urban Shaman and the next two books in the series...."
And my brain went BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Total flatline. I was utterly shocked. Somewhere around SIX MONTHS LATER, it occured to me that they don't call you to discuss something like multiple submissions, but jeez, in that moment, I honestly had no idea she was going to make an offer. It was great. :) :) :)
drey: That was awesome! *grin*
Who and/or what inspires your writing? How do you get from idea to pages?
C.E.: Aheh. One gets from idea to page with practice and by applying butt to chair even when you don't wanna. Possibly especially when you don't wanna. And through judicious research and things like that, but mostly, practice and sitting down to write.
(drey: sass)
My husband inspires a lot of my writing, because he's an idea machine. The opening scene of Urban Shaman, first of the Walker Papers, was his idea, though I don't think he expected it to end up as an "...and nine books later" sort of thing. :)
(drey: thank you, Mr. C.E. Murphy! *grin*)
Beyond that, well, you know. Everything. There's a type of crow here in Ireland, for example, which inspired a trilogy I haven't yet written...
drey: Hmm... Now I'm wondering about the crow... And an unwritten trilogy? *gasp* Y'mean, more books?? :)
What do you indulge in when not writing?
C.E.: Lately, I'm indulging, if that's the word, in being a new mom. And really, for most of the past five years I haven't indulged in much else other than writing. Some photography, which is a great love of mine, but not enough of it...
drey: Yes, you can indulge in being a new mom. As much as it's possible. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your little lovely sleeps more than my little monkey did. *grin*
Do you have a favorite accompaniment to chocolate?
C.E.: ...more chocolate? Ooh. This amazing honey mead a friend introduced me to. It's so sweet and rich you can actually eat slivers (and I do mean slivers) of pure 100% chocolate with it. ZOMG. Lovely stuff! But not for gobbling. :)
drey: I so have to not work on this post, reading these answers, when I have a hankering for something sweet... Now where the heck am I going to find such yumminess? *whine*
Screen versions of your books: Which of your books would you like to see on screen? Who would be in it?
C.E.: General agreement is that the Negotiator Trilogy (aka "The Old Races") would make the most awesome screen story. I'd love to see Kerry Washington and Alexander Skarsgård star in that as Margrit and Alban.
drey: *grin* True Blood fan?
Smackdown: Your two favorite characters face off in the ring. Who are they, which one wins, and why?
C.E.: Oh, well, see, I don't tell people who my favorite characters are. Instead I will give you a smackdown of my main characters:
Belinda Primrose (The Queen's Bastard, The Pretender's Crown) v. Joanne Walker (Urban Shaman et all): Belinda. Because Belinda is a murderous, ruthless, heartless assassin, and Joanne's not.
Belinda v. Margrit Knight (Heart of Stone et all): see above.
Belinda v. "Chance" ("Take A Chance", 5-issue comic series): Actually, that'd be a pretty good fight. Probably Belinda in the end, because of the murderous ruthless heartless assassin part, but Chance studies aikido and kung fu, so it'd be a good fight. :)
Belinda v. Alisha MacAleer (The Cardinal Rule
et all, written under the byline Cate Dermody): Again, a good fight, since Alisha's a spy. In the end, actually, you might have to give that one to Alisha, if for no other reason than she carries a gun and Belinda's from an alternate Elizabethan England.
But basically: don't screw with Belinda. :)
drey: No kidding! *looks around for Belinda hiding in the drapery before remembering she's not in Elizabethan England*
Electronic readers are becoming more affordable and available. There's been quite a bit of discussion about their impact on paper books, the environment, people's reading & buying habits... What's your take?
C.E.: As an aforementioned new mom, I'm really wishing I had an e-reader so I could read with one hand while holding the baby in the other arm. I honestly don't know much about their environmental impact, but as far as reading habits are concerned, I'm a fan of anything that makes it easier for people to carry my books around.
drey: Awwww! An e-reader really ought to be in a new mom's survival kit... I hope you get one soon! And I'm a fan of carrying your books around. *grin*
On the publishing side--what do you think publishers and authors ought to do about the digital revolution? Jump in wholeheartedly, and blaze the path for others to follow? Watch from the sidelines till there's some consensus on what the new business model is going to be for the digital age? Cross their fingers that this is all just a fad & will blow over soon? Name one thing you think publishers should improve in regards to eBooks.
C.E.: That's a lot of questions. O.O
(drey: sorry!)
Personally, given my druthers, I would offer all my novels as free e-books. That'd be my vote for what publishers could do to improve the e-situation: offer a free electronic copy of the book to everybody who buys a hard copy.
(drey: I heart you! LOVE this!)
There's no chance this is a flash in the pan, not anymore than MP3s are going away. And in that vein, I think Amazon and others who are creating proprietary files for their e-readers should suck up the fact that at the end of the day, the generic .epub extension is going to be the winning file type just like .mp3 is the winning audio file type.
drey: You go tell 'em! I'm just a (dumb) consumer who doesn't know what I really want, so the powers-that-be has to make all the decisions. Bleh. But enough about me! Tell us about Truthseeker, your latest offering, out this month.
C.E.: Truthseeker is a fairy tale about Lara Jansen, a human woman who always knows when she's being lied to, and Dafydd ap Caerwyn, the Faerie prince who turns her life upside-down. I think it's a rather charming book, which isn't a word I usually use to describe my novels, so I hope that means it's new and different and will be a fun read. (First chapter is available here...)
drey: Well, my copy should be arriving in "1-3 days"... I anticipate gushing soon-ish. :)
What are you looking forward to next?
C.E.: Well, I'm taking the rest of 2010 off, but in the spring I'll be writing the seventh Walker Papers novel, and hopefully writing more of the Inheritors' Cycle books, to finish up that story.
drey: In other words, you have lots to keep you busy, and I for one will be antsily waiting for more Joanna and Belinda! Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your visit here this month.
C.E.: Thanks for having me!
Everyone, check out Catie's website at cemurphy.net, blog at mizkit.com, and read on for a copy of Truthseeker! And if you'd like to, check out my previous interview with C.E. Murphy (yes, I heart Catie).
Giveaway!!
Catie has graciously offered up a copy of Truthseeker for y'all, and this one's open INTERNATIONALLY! To enter, comment and say something to Catie--ask a question, say "hi", etc.)... Make sure you have an email address I can reach you at if you win. GFC followers get +1 entry--comment separately. Ditto for twitter followers--let me know your twitter id. Tweet for yet another entry--comment with your tweet link. And if that's not enough entries for you, comment and let us know if you've read C.E.'s books before--which one, who's your favorite character, and why--for +1 per book & character (separate comments, please!). Phew!
You have until 6:00pm CST September 28th.
Don't want to wait all month? Purchase your very own copy at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
About C.E Murphy:
C. E. Murphy is the author of the epic fantasy series The Inheritors' Cycle (comprising the novels The Queen's Bastard and The Pretender's Crown), as well as two urban fantasy series, The Walker Papers and The Negotiator Trilogy, and a 5-issue comic series. She has also written action/romance titles under the pseudonym Cate Dermody. She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives in her ancestral homeland of Ireland, which is a magical land where it rains a lot but winter never actually arrives.
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover(s) or the link(s) provided may result in monetary compensation.
The Interview:
drey: Hello Catie (can I call you Catie? Or do you prefer to keep it C.E.?)! Thank you for taking the time to swing by drey’s library in September. I’m so excited you’re here!!! So, let’s get this show on the road!
C.E.: Catie is perfectly fine. It's what I use in real life, after all. :)
drey: *grin* Ok. Cliff-Notes on C.E. Murphy--tell us about yourself in 10 sentences or less.
C.E.: Aw, heck fire, I can do better than that. Let's try ten words! "Mom, writer, born & raised in Alaska, lives in Ireland."
(Hey, I did it!)
drey: *laughs* You sure did!
Can you share your first sale experience with us?
C.E.: *laughs* Yeah. I like this story. :)
So, okay. I had sent the proposal for Urban Shaman to a couple publishing houses. Luna, my current house, responded with a request for the full manuscript in a very short time. Some weeks later, the other house I'd submitted to also requested a full manuscript, so I called Luna and asked if a multiple submission was okay. Then the other house said they didn't take multiple submissions from unagented/unpublished writers, so I forgot about it.
Three weeks later, my soon-to-be editor from Luna called on a Friday evening. I honestly thought she was calling to talk to me about multiple submissions. So she says to me, "What's new and exciting?" and I said, "Oh, not much, I just made chocolate chip cookies, that's about as exciting as it gets around here right now, how're you?" And she was fine, calling from her cell phone because the office phones were down and the repairman had been there and said he couldn't do anything until Monday at least, and I allowed as how repairmen were always saying things like that, and she apologized for not getting back to me sooner, but she'd been at a convention and then on vacation and then out sick, and since *I* wasn't worried about the multiple submission thing anymore (it turned out the other publishing house didn't take them from unpublished/unagented authors), I said it was okay and I hoped she was feeling better.
(drey: phew!)
Then she said, "Well, I hope you won't be multiple-submitting this book, because I have some good news --I hope it's good news! -- for you: we'd like to make you an offer for Urban Shaman and the next two books in the series...."
And my brain went BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Total flatline. I was utterly shocked. Somewhere around SIX MONTHS LATER, it occured to me that they don't call you to discuss something like multiple submissions, but jeez, in that moment, I honestly had no idea she was going to make an offer. It was great. :) :) :)
drey: That was awesome! *grin*
Who and/or what inspires your writing? How do you get from idea to pages?
C.E.: Aheh. One gets from idea to page with practice and by applying butt to chair even when you don't wanna. Possibly especially when you don't wanna. And through judicious research and things like that, but mostly, practice and sitting down to write.
(drey: sass)
My husband inspires a lot of my writing, because he's an idea machine. The opening scene of Urban Shaman, first of the Walker Papers, was his idea, though I don't think he expected it to end up as an "...and nine books later" sort of thing. :)
(drey: thank you, Mr. C.E. Murphy! *grin*)
Beyond that, well, you know. Everything. There's a type of crow here in Ireland, for example, which inspired a trilogy I haven't yet written...
drey: Hmm... Now I'm wondering about the crow... And an unwritten trilogy? *gasp* Y'mean, more books?? :)
What do you indulge in when not writing? C.E.: Lately, I'm indulging, if that's the word, in being a new mom. And really, for most of the past five years I haven't indulged in much else other than writing. Some photography, which is a great love of mine, but not enough of it...
drey: Yes, you can indulge in being a new mom. As much as it's possible. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your little lovely sleeps more than my little monkey did. *grin*
Do you have a favorite accompaniment to chocolate?
C.E.: ...more chocolate? Ooh. This amazing honey mead a friend introduced me to. It's so sweet and rich you can actually eat slivers (and I do mean slivers) of pure 100% chocolate with it. ZOMG. Lovely stuff! But not for gobbling. :)
drey: I so have to not work on this post, reading these answers, when I have a hankering for something sweet... Now where the heck am I going to find such yumminess? *whine*
Screen versions of your books: Which of your books would you like to see on screen? Who would be in it?
C.E.: General agreement is that the Negotiator Trilogy (aka "The Old Races") would make the most awesome screen story. I'd love to see Kerry Washington and Alexander Skarsgård star in that as Margrit and Alban.
drey: *grin* True Blood fan?
Smackdown: Your two favorite characters face off in the ring. Who are they, which one wins, and why?
C.E.: Oh, well, see, I don't tell people who my favorite characters are. Instead I will give you a smackdown of my main characters:
Belinda Primrose (The Queen's Bastard, The Pretender's Crown) v. Joanne Walker (Urban Shaman et all): Belinda. Because Belinda is a murderous, ruthless, heartless assassin, and Joanne's not.
Belinda v. Margrit Knight (Heart of Stone et all): see above.
Belinda v. "Chance" ("Take A Chance", 5-issue comic series): Actually, that'd be a pretty good fight. Probably Belinda in the end, because of the murderous ruthless heartless assassin part, but Chance studies aikido and kung fu, so it'd be a good fight. :)
Belinda v. Alisha MacAleer (The Cardinal Rule
et all, written under the byline Cate Dermody): Again, a good fight, since Alisha's a spy. In the end, actually, you might have to give that one to Alisha, if for no other reason than she carries a gun and Belinda's from an alternate Elizabethan England.But basically: don't screw with Belinda. :)
drey: No kidding! *looks around for Belinda hiding in the drapery before remembering she's not in Elizabethan England*
Electronic readers are becoming more affordable and available. There's been quite a bit of discussion about their impact on paper books, the environment, people's reading & buying habits... What's your take?
C.E.: As an aforementioned new mom, I'm really wishing I had an e-reader so I could read with one hand while holding the baby in the other arm. I honestly don't know much about their environmental impact, but as far as reading habits are concerned, I'm a fan of anything that makes it easier for people to carry my books around.
drey: Awwww! An e-reader really ought to be in a new mom's survival kit... I hope you get one soon! And I'm a fan of carrying your books around. *grin*
On the publishing side--what do you think publishers and authors ought to do about the digital revolution? Jump in wholeheartedly, and blaze the path for others to follow? Watch from the sidelines till there's some consensus on what the new business model is going to be for the digital age? Cross their fingers that this is all just a fad & will blow over soon? Name one thing you think publishers should improve in regards to eBooks.
C.E.: That's a lot of questions. O.O
(drey: sorry!)
Personally, given my druthers, I would offer all my novels as free e-books. That'd be my vote for what publishers could do to improve the e-situation: offer a free electronic copy of the book to everybody who buys a hard copy.
(drey: I heart you! LOVE this!)
There's no chance this is a flash in the pan, not anymore than MP3s are going away. And in that vein, I think Amazon and others who are creating proprietary files for their e-readers should suck up the fact that at the end of the day, the generic .epub extension is going to be the winning file type just like .mp3 is the winning audio file type.
drey: You go tell 'em! I'm just a (dumb) consumer who doesn't know what I really want, so the powers-that-be has to make all the decisions. Bleh. But enough about me! Tell us about Truthseeker, your latest offering, out this month.
C.E.: Truthseeker is a fairy tale about Lara Jansen, a human woman who always knows when she's being lied to, and Dafydd ap Caerwyn, the Faerie prince who turns her life upside-down. I think it's a rather charming book, which isn't a word I usually use to describe my novels, so I hope that means it's new and different and will be a fun read. (First chapter is available here...)
drey: Well, my copy should be arriving in "1-3 days"... I anticipate gushing soon-ish. :)
What are you looking forward to next?
C.E.: Well, I'm taking the rest of 2010 off, but in the spring I'll be writing the seventh Walker Papers novel, and hopefully writing more of the Inheritors' Cycle books, to finish up that story.
drey: In other words, you have lots to keep you busy, and I for one will be antsily waiting for more Joanna and Belinda! Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your visit here this month.
C.E.: Thanks for having me!
Everyone, check out Catie's website at cemurphy.net, blog at mizkit.com, and read on for a copy of Truthseeker! And if you'd like to, check out my previous interview with C.E. Murphy (yes, I heart Catie).
Giveaway!!
Catie has graciously offered up a copy of Truthseeker for y'all, and this one's open INTERNATIONALLY! To enter, comment and say something to Catie--ask a question, say "hi", etc.)... Make sure you have an email address I can reach you at if you win. GFC followers get +1 entry--comment separately. Ditto for twitter followers--let me know your twitter id. Tweet for yet another entry--comment with your tweet link. And if that's not enough entries for you, comment and let us know if you've read C.E.'s books before--which one, who's your favorite character, and why--for +1 per book & character (separate comments, please!). Phew!
You have until 6:00pm CST September 28th.
Don't want to wait all month? Purchase your very own copy at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
TLC Book Tours: 103. The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz...
Today's TLC Book Tour stop is for The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz...
FTC Disclosure: My copy of The Miracles of Prato was provided by TLC Book Tours for this blog tour. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
About the authors:
Laurie Albanese is the author of the novel Lynelle by the Sea and the memoir Blue Suburbia, which was named a Book Sense Best Book of the Year and was an Entertainment Weekly Editor’s Choice selection.
Laura Morowitz is a professor of art history and coauthor of Consuming the Past: The Medieval Revival in Fin-de-Siècle France. They both live in New Jersey with their families.
Title: The Miracles of Prato
Author: Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz
ISBN-13: 9780061558351
Paperback: 362 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
drey's thoughts:
I will confess right up front that the cover here probably wouldn't have prompted me to pick up the book. And that would've been my loss, because then I would've missed out on this lovely book.
The Miracles of Prato opens with a birthing that is followed quickly by the baby's removal from his mother's side. From that heart-wrenching scene, we go back to the beginning of the story of two unlikely lovers--a Carmelite monk and a novitiate.
It is 1456. Fra Filippo Lippi is a Carmelite monk known for his art as much as for his impetuousness. In the midst of several unfinished commissions, he is struck by the beauty of a newly-arrive novitiate at the Convent Santa Margherita, and starts painting her as the Madonna in his works.
Lucrezia Buti's life is turned upside-down when her father dies, and she ends up at the convent with her sister Spinetta. Trying to reconcile her prior privileged life with the stark austerity of the convent is difficult for Lucrezia, and she's heartened when she learns of a painter living nearby.
In a world where women's fates balance precariously on the whims of man, The Miracles of Prato unveils a story of love amidst greed and covetousness, a story where one man's love is hopefully strong enough to save one woman's future. Set in the restrictive world of the Renaissance church, this one's for fans of historical fiction and those curious about the artists--and the artwork--of the time.
For a collection of paintings by Fra Filippo Lippi, visit artilim.com.
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100+
FTC Disclosure: My copy of The Miracles of Prato was provided by TLC Book Tours for this blog tour. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
About the authors:Laurie Albanese is the author of the novel Lynelle by the Sea and the memoir Blue Suburbia, which was named a Book Sense Best Book of the Year and was an Entertainment Weekly Editor’s Choice selection.
Laura Morowitz is a professor of art history and coauthor of Consuming the Past: The Medieval Revival in Fin-de-Siècle France. They both live in New Jersey with their families.
Title: The Miracles of Prato
Author: Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz
ISBN-13: 9780061558351
Paperback: 362 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
I will confess right up front that the cover here probably wouldn't have prompted me to pick up the book. And that would've been my loss, because then I would've missed out on this lovely book.
The Miracles of Prato opens with a birthing that is followed quickly by the baby's removal from his mother's side. From that heart-wrenching scene, we go back to the beginning of the story of two unlikely lovers--a Carmelite monk and a novitiate.
It is 1456. Fra Filippo Lippi is a Carmelite monk known for his art as much as for his impetuousness. In the midst of several unfinished commissions, he is struck by the beauty of a newly-arrive novitiate at the Convent Santa Margherita, and starts painting her as the Madonna in his works.
Lucrezia Buti's life is turned upside-down when her father dies, and she ends up at the convent with her sister Spinetta. Trying to reconcile her prior privileged life with the stark austerity of the convent is difficult for Lucrezia, and she's heartened when she learns of a painter living nearby.
In a world where women's fates balance precariously on the whims of man, The Miracles of Prato unveils a story of love amidst greed and covetousness, a story where one man's love is hopefully strong enough to save one woman's future. Set in the restrictive world of the Renaissance church, this one's for fans of historical fiction and those curious about the artists--and the artwork--of the time.
For a collection of paintings by Fra Filippo Lippi, visit artilim.com.
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100+
102. Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow...
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
ISBN-13: 9781599986425
eBook
Publisher: Samhain, 2008
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of Steelflower was bought on sale. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
I picked up Steelflower for my nook because it was on sale, and I'm enjoying Lilith Saintcrow's Jill Kismet series.
Anyway. Steelflower tells the story of Kaia Steelflower, who was shunned at five, ran away at sixteen, and has built up quite the reputation for herself. Then one day she picks the pocket of a red-haired barbarian, and life as she knows it starts going downhill from there. Of course, "downhill" is all a matter of perspective...
Eventually finding herself saddled with the barbarian, a prince who happens to be her twinned soul, an eight-year-old thief, and a minstrel, among others, she travels to find an old acquaintance who just happens to be readying for civil war, and wants her by his side. But is everything on the up and up?
I like Kaia's companions, I like their banter, and I really like how she deals with changing realities. Even if it is pretty predictable--main character has issues, main character gathers followers, main character and followers go on an adventure and find some bad guys--let's just say I want more, shall we? Unfortunately, the next book isn't out yet. :-(
drey's rating: 3/5 Good
Challenges: 100+
Saturday Spotlight: Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy...
Today I'm spotlighting C.E. Murphy's new book, Truthseeker, out on August 31st (wheeeeee!). Of course, you know that C.E. Murphy is my Featured Author for September, right? Right? :)
I love the worlds that C.E. Murphy creates, whether it's our world, as she did for the Walker Papers and Negotiator series, or set in a bygone time, as in the Inheritors' Cycle. So of course I'm picking this one up to see what she does here.
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
CROSS TWO EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS, TRUTH IS THE DEADLIEST MAGIC
Gifted with an uncanny intuition, Lara Jansen nonetheless thinks there is nothing particularly special about her. All that changes when a handsome but mysterious man enters her quiet Boston tailor shop and reveals himself to be a prince of Faerie. What’s more, Dafydd ap Caerwyn claims that Lara is a truthseeker, a person with the rare talent of being able to tell truth from falsehood. Dafydd begs Lara to help solve his brother’s murder, of which Dafydd himself is the only suspect.
Acting against her practical nature, Lara agrees to step through a window into another world. Caught between bitterly opposed Seelie forces and Dafydd’s secrets, which are as perilous as he is irresistible, Lara finds that her abilities are increasing in unexpected and uncontrollable ways. With the fate of two worlds at stake and a malevolent entity wielding the darkest of magic, Lara and Dafydd will risk everything on a love that may be their salvation—or the most treacherous illusion of all.
I love the worlds that C.E. Murphy creates, whether it's our world, as she did for the Walker Papers and Negotiator series, or set in a bygone time, as in the Inheritors' Cycle. So of course I'm picking this one up to see what she does here.
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
101. Changes by Jim Butcher...
Author: Jim Butcher
ISBN-13: 9780451463173
Hardcover: 438 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of Changes stopped by for quite a while, on loan from my local library. I finally read it, and returned it at the eleventh hour. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
Well. You know how sometimes you pick up a book based on the title, and then you read it and find out that the title didn't quite fit the book? I know I have, and it's soooooo disappointing when that happens. Thought I'd mention it, because the twelfth book in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, is definitely aptly named!
Harry's past comes back to haunt him, and he finds a major surprise behind door #1. Behind door #2 is the Red Court going on the offensive. Door #3 opens to reveal fissures in the White Council. Unluckily for Harry, all three doors spill open at the same time. And Harry is running around trying to figure things out while trying to stay alive and stop the Red Court. You know, par for the course.
I'm really glad to see that this isn't one of those series that starts to wilt and wither once you get to book 7 or 8... As it is, I'm now totally looking forward to #13, and I'm off to stalk Mr. Butcher!
drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent
Challenges: 100+, Pub, Support Your Local Library
WINNERS!!
Oh yikes!! I have winners to announce...
First up is for Christopher Reich's Rules of Betrayal. I never heard back from enyl, so Randomizer picked a new winner--Sandy Jay!!
Next up is for Jane Porter's She's Gone Country! The three winners are...
Last (but definitely not least) is the winner of Stephen Parrish's 5-book stash: Ruthie!!
Ruthie's knock-knock joke happens to be the comment Randomizer picked, too. Here it is:
Congratulations, everyone! Enjoy your new books, and thank you so very much for stopping by!!
First up is for Christopher Reich's Rules of Betrayal. I never heard back from enyl, so Randomizer picked a new winner--Sandy Jay!!
Next up is for Jane Porter's She's Gone Country! The three winners are...
Misusedinnocence!!
twifanheather!!
Mom2anutball!!
Ruthie's knock-knock joke happens to be the comment Randomizer picked, too. Here it is:
knock knock
who's there
Sadie
Sadie who?
Sadie Pledge of Allegiance!
Congratulations, everyone! Enjoy your new books, and thank you so very much for stopping by!!
100. The Blonde Samurai by Jina Bacarr...
Author: Jina Bacarr
ISBN-13: 9780373605408
e-ARC: 347 pages
Publisher: Spice, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of The Blonde Samurai was provided by the publisher for this review. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
I picked The Blonde Samurai to review based on the cover--what lovely colors it has! Alas, that was the best part of the book, for me. The story is one of a woman's journey to Japan, where she meets up with the man--the samurai from the title--who will be her lover. I pick up books set in Asia to read more about the culture and its nuances on everything that we take for granted here in the west, and what I did manage to get through, didn't explore any of that at all.
The Blonde Samurai is told from the point of view of the main character, Katie O'Roarke, who becomes Lady Carlton before running away from her husband. Lady Carlton has written her memoir, and in the book addresses the reader as if she was actually having a conversation with them. She details her meeting with Lord Carlton, the inevitable marriage, and her discovery of his sexual proclivities. In 52 pages (all that I managed to read), only the prologue mentions the samurai, Shintaro.
There is a lot mentioned about sex in these 52 pages, which I guess I wouldn't have objected to except that it was all there to provide a background to the affair. I also found the conversational tone annoying, because it felt stilted (which I suppose is a byproduct of reading a "memoir" set in 19th century England).
I only made it through about 1/6 of the book, and I'm not planning to finish it. If you've read this, and liked it, please let me know via email or in the comments.
drey's rating: Meh (did not finish)
Challenges: 100+, Pub
August's FEATURED AUTHOR: Respect for Books...
August's Featured Author Stephen Parrish writes about bookish misbehavior in today's guest post... Check out what he has to say!
Respect for books
I'll call him Marvin, the kid in my high school literature class who Mr. Stoekl caught defacing a book. Marvin was a loner, a pimply-faced introvert who probably suffered from attention deficit. During lectures he often scribbled in his textbooks, which were on loan from the school.
Teachers are obviously trained in stealth tactics, because misbehaving students never see them coming. Marvin was unaware Mr. Stoekl was onto him until a shadow crossed his desk. By which time it was pointless to slam the book shut, tuck the pen away, and conceal all evidence that he'd written "STOEKL BITES" in the margin of his poetry anthology.
"Son," Mr. Stoekl said, occupying the empty desk next to Marvin, "please don't do that."
"I didn't mean anything by it, Mr. Stoekl. I didn't mean any offense."
"Offend me all you want. Just don't offend the book."
Mr. Stoekl was unlike any of our other teachers. He grew up in eastern Europe, immigrated to the States in his early twenties, and went to work in a factory. A son he put through college became a high school teacher and spoke so fondly of his career that Mr. Stoekl got hooked. At 65 he retired from the factory and enrolled in a teacher certification program.
At 70 he graduated and was hired by my high school. At 75, one year after catching Marvin writing "STOEKL BITES" in his poetry anthology, he retired again. Our town honored him as Man of the Year.
"You think it's just a stack of pages glued together," Mr. Stoekl said to Marvin. "Abstract ink smudges. Something that used to be tree."
"Sir, I---"
"Most of those writers are dead. What they wrote has survived them. What you wrote on their distinguished pages won't survive the school year."
If a book contains history, Mr. Stoekl argued, then the book itself is a part of history. All books are time capsules. When you open the front cover you open a door to another world, a world accessible through a kind of looking glass made of hardboard and cloth. The author's voice resonates in the reader's head with the same words that resonated in his own as he wrote them. He speaks to the reader from the past. What he witnessed, experienced, learned, and discovered lives forever.
Mr. Stoekl went back to his desk at the front of the class, and Marvin sat staring at the book still open in his hands. After a few minutes he drew two neat lines through "STOEKL BITES" and put the book away.
Mr. Stoekl didn't live long after retiring from my high school. But the lessons he taught will one way or another live forever. As for Marvin, he and I lost touch shortly after this incident, although I hear he lives in Germany, has since authored a novel about maps and gemstones, and never, ever defaced a book again.
Thank you for stopping by this month, Stephen! I've enjoyed having you around, and I hope you've enjoyed your visit!
Respect for books
I'll call him Marvin, the kid in my high school literature class who Mr. Stoekl caught defacing a book. Marvin was a loner, a pimply-faced introvert who probably suffered from attention deficit. During lectures he often scribbled in his textbooks, which were on loan from the school.
Teachers are obviously trained in stealth tactics, because misbehaving students never see them coming. Marvin was unaware Mr. Stoekl was onto him until a shadow crossed his desk. By which time it was pointless to slam the book shut, tuck the pen away, and conceal all evidence that he'd written "STOEKL BITES" in the margin of his poetry anthology.
"Son," Mr. Stoekl said, occupying the empty desk next to Marvin, "please don't do that."
"I didn't mean anything by it, Mr. Stoekl. I didn't mean any offense."
"Offend me all you want. Just don't offend the book."
Mr. Stoekl was unlike any of our other teachers. He grew up in eastern Europe, immigrated to the States in his early twenties, and went to work in a factory. A son he put through college became a high school teacher and spoke so fondly of his career that Mr. Stoekl got hooked. At 65 he retired from the factory and enrolled in a teacher certification program.
At 70 he graduated and was hired by my high school. At 75, one year after catching Marvin writing "STOEKL BITES" in his poetry anthology, he retired again. Our town honored him as Man of the Year.
"You think it's just a stack of pages glued together," Mr. Stoekl said to Marvin. "Abstract ink smudges. Something that used to be tree."
"Sir, I---"
"Most of those writers are dead. What they wrote has survived them. What you wrote on their distinguished pages won't survive the school year."
If a book contains history, Mr. Stoekl argued, then the book itself is a part of history. All books are time capsules. When you open the front cover you open a door to another world, a world accessible through a kind of looking glass made of hardboard and cloth. The author's voice resonates in the reader's head with the same words that resonated in his own as he wrote them. He speaks to the reader from the past. What he witnessed, experienced, learned, and discovered lives forever.
Mr. Stoekl went back to his desk at the front of the class, and Marvin sat staring at the book still open in his hands. After a few minutes he drew two neat lines through "STOEKL BITES" and put the book away.
Mr. Stoekl didn't live long after retiring from my high school. But the lessons he taught will one way or another live forever. As for Marvin, he and I lost touch shortly after this incident, although I hear he lives in Germany, has since authored a novel about maps and gemstones, and never, ever defaced a book again.
Thank you for stopping by this month, Stephen! I've enjoyed having you around, and I hope you've enjoyed your visit!
99. Heart of Darkness by Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne, & Susan Krinard...
Author: Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne, Susan Krinard
ISBN-13: 9780373774319
e-ARC: 328 pages
Publisher: Harlequin, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of Heart of Darkness was provided by the publisher for this review. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
I have a confession to make. I signed up for NetGalley late last year, requested some books, and then promptly forgot about it. I finally got around to checking it out again this year, which is when I realized (oops) that I had books to review! The first on that list is Heart of Darkness, a collection of short stories from Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne, and Susan Krinard.
Gena Showalter's The Darkest Angel is hot. An angel decides to kidnap the harpy who's his greatest temptation. Of course, being male, he hasn't quite figure out what he's going to do with that harpy once he has her. This one's irreverent and sensuous, and a lot of fun to read.
Maggie Shayne's Love You to Death twines lost love, death, and redemption in a romantic tale that will have you rooting for the boy and girl. Along with an ending that will have you holding your breath until all's said and done.
Susan Krinard's The Lady of the Nile weaves reincarnation with Egyptian gods, sacrifice, and second chances (albeit ages later).
For those who love their romances spiced liberally with the paranormal, Heart of Darkness provides satisfaction in quick bites.
drey's rating: 3/5 Good
Challenges: 100+
98. Apocalypse Happens by Lori Handeland...
Author: Lori Handeland
ISBN-13: 9780312366025
Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of Apocalypse Happens stopped by from my local library. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
Well, well, well. In book #3 of Lori Handeland's Phoenix Chronicles series, we find out about Liz's mom, and let me tell you, she's a nutjob! Liz is still fighting (ok, sometimes indulging) her attraction to her two men--ex-boyfriend Jimmy and shaman Sawyer--neither of whom she's certain of, or trusts. Must be from all the bad ju-ju floating around!
Liz is still kick-ass, and tougher than she's ever been. Of course, she's also darker than she's ever been. Due to decisions made in Doomsday Can Wait, she can no longer hear her former mentor Ruthie. Instead, she's got new voices in her head, and a bespelled collar to keep her newfound darkness contained. To add to her headaches, now Jimmy's stand-offish, Sawyer doesn't quite put out the I'm-on-your-side vibes, and a seer seeking refuge is murdered at her doorstep.
Between figuring out what to do about the bad guys, worrying about the boys and her group of seers and DKs (demon killers), and trying to find the traitor in their midst, Liz sure has her hands full in this third book. I'm off to get number four.
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100, Support Your Local Library
Winners: Rules of Betrayal!
My giveaway for Christopher Reich's Rules of Betrayal is over, and the two winners (according to Randomizer) are...
Congratulations, y'all! Emails have been sent, reply before the end of day Wednesday or I'll have to pick new winners (and you know I hate to pick new winners!)...
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Want the book? Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
enyl!!
wheels209!!
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Want the book? Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Saturday Spotlight: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins...
Today's spotlight is on Suzanne Collins' third installment in The Hunger Games trilogy, which will be released on the 24th. If you haven't read the books--The Hunger Games and Catching Fire--go pick them up!
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
97. Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland...
Author: Lori Handeland
ISBN-13: 9780312947163
Paperback: 337 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of Doomsday Can Wait was a library book that waited patiently to be read. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
I'm really enjoying Lori Handeland's Phoenix Chronicles series so far. I didn't review the first book, Any Given Doomsday because I read it a while ago and it had to get back to the library (because I was this this close to late!). But I liked it enough that I got the next few in the series, and practically devoured this one.
One reason I like this series: the heroine--Elizabeth Phoenix--lives in Milwaukee. Gotta root for the local kick-ass gal! She's an ex-cop who's bartending for her former partner's widow. And, she's also the head honcho for the forces of good in the race to stop the Apocalypse and defeat the evil minions of Satan. (All of a sudden I have the theme song from Transformers floating through my head...)
Now, being head honcho has its benefits, but also drawbacks--especially the all-the-bad-guys-want-to-kill-her kind. I won't tell you what happens because you really should read it for yourself. But Doomsday Can Wait packs in non-stop action, romantic tension, and quite a few surprises. I'd read the rest of the series even if Liz didn't live in Milwaukee!
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100+, Support Your Local Library
96. Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn...
Author: Carrie Vaughn
ISBN-13: 9780061798948
Hardcover: 309 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
FTC Disclosure: My copy of Voices of Dragons swung by for a visit from my local library. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
drey's thoughts:
I love Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Norville series. So when she wrote a new book, I had to eventually get my hands on it.
Voices of Dragons takes place in a world much like ours. Much, except for the fact that WW2 was between humans and dragons, and the current-day world has borders and a very uneasy peace between humans and dragons. When Kay Wyatt falls into the river on the dragon side of the border, she is unexpectedly rescued by one. Then she finds out that he speaks English, that he reads, and that he would like to be friends. And so she starts sneaking off to visit her new friend--not telling anybody.
However, on one of their excursions together, they're seen by a human pilot. All of a sudden the military's sending planes into the dragon side of the border. And stalking Kay. And next thing you know, it's war.
Carrie Vaughn's characters in Voices of Dragons are not complex--about the only drama here is whether Kay's ready to date her best friend Jon. However, the world is interesting, and I do want to know more, so I will definitely be picking up any sequels.
drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good
Challenges: 100+, Pub, Support Your Local Library
August's FEATURED AUTHOR: Stephen's favorite books...
Stephen Parrish, August's Featured Author, stops by today to share some of his favorite books.
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
It All Began With Dr. Suess...Thanks for sharing, Stephen! And yes, y'all should check out his five-book giveaway!
And he's still a favorite. One of the benefits of becoming a parent is getting to read him again. I love the stories, the lyrical writing ("On the fifteenth of May, in the Jungle of Nool, In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool..."), and of course all the fuzzy-headed creatures.
My favorite YA book was Rascalby Sterling North. I cried each time I read it, but since boys weren't supposed to cry, I must have had a cold. I read it again a couple of years ago, for the first time since my early teens, and darn if I didn't come down with something.
My grade school participated in a reading program with Scholastic Books. Every couple of months students could select books from a Scholastic catalog, and our English teacher would place the order for us (do schools still do such things?). My stack was always biggest, in fact sometimes as big as all others combined. And you know what? I don't remember disliking any of those books. Too bad we get grumpy as we age.
Leon Uris, more than any other author, made me want to be an author. Mila 18is a great novel. Hemingway was also a big influence. When he was good, no one was better. (When he was bad, no one was worse.) Early Vonnegut (Player Piano
, Cat's Cradle
). Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes; many people don't know it started out as a short story that was so well received (won a Hugo) that he expanded it into a novel. All Creatures Great and Small
, by James Herriot. The Fountainhead
, by Ayn Rand.
If I had to choose an all-time favorite book it would be The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter. I didn't just suffer from a cold when I finished it, I was ambulatory.
Oh! And I have friends who write as beautifully as any of the quacks listed above! Check out my five-book giveaway!
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.
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