The Giveaway is still going. I have updated the post, with a link to Amanda Downum’s webpage, so that you can read the excerpts. Also, I have added that it is open internationally. So, go and comment 🙂
Month: June 2011
Review: The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Particulars: The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross, Ace, Available as e-book and in Print.
The Review:
Blurb:
Bob Howard is a computer-hacker desk jockey, who has more than enough trouble keeping up with the endless paperwork he has to do on a daily basis. He should never be called on to do anything remotely heroic. But for some reason, he is.
My impressions:
I rarely read Science Fiction, but I have been eyeing Charles Stross books for awhile. So, when he attended Eurocon I decided to buy one of his books. Do I regret it? No. This is an interesting melding between Science Fiction and Fantasy. The story was fast paced, with a lot of twists and turns. I loved the dry wit in it. But, despite this it felt slow at times. Why? There is a lot of information crammed into it. There is a lot of history, acronyms, not to mention the Laundry’s internal structure. Yes, the information is necessary for the story, but I felt that it slowed it down. Still, it didn’t stop me from picking it up and keep reading. Will I read the next book? Probably. I like the idea of the Laundry, and besides, Charles Stross is a nice guy.
Midsummer Giveaway: The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
One of the authors that attended Eurocon last weekend was Amanda Downum, and she was kind enough to sign a copy of her debut novel, the Drowning City. So, to celebrate that it is midsummer tomorrow, I am giving it away. Just leave a comment with your name, and e-mail address so that I can contact you, The Giveaway is open internationally, and it ends June 30th.
Working in a city teeming with pirates and smugglers, spy and necromancer Isyllt Iskaldur knows that people barter away their values every day. When she first agrees to infiltrate a motley group of would-be revolutionaries, she feels no conflict of interest, but as situations worsen and her friendships deepen, she begins to have second and third thoughts.
You can read an excerpt here.
Review: Silky by Lazette Gifford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy at: Smashwords
The particulars: Silky by Lazette Gifford, Fantasy, Smashwords, available as e-book and print.
The review:
The blurb:
Captured as a child and sold into heartless slavery, life has robbed Silky of his magical abilities and left him with no expectations of a better life — until his own act of bravery delivers him into the hands of a powerful Lord of the Land.
His troubles are far from over since Lord Reed is out of favor with the King and danger threatens at any mischance. Working with Lord Reed starts him along a path that will lead to power, danger and heartbreak — and a future the young slave boy could never have imagined.
My impression:
I bought this when the author ran a Memorial weekend sale, dropping the price to 0.99. A bargain, honestly, considering that the book is 500 pages. The plot felt a bit slow at the beginning, but that could be because this is an YAish fantasy. The world felt solid, with a couple of interesting twists. One of the things I liked most, was the fact that there was a parliament, remiscent of how it was in the 20th century Europe. In fact, a couple of times it felt like I was reading a Regency novel- with magic, and no romance.
Ellora’s cave titles discounted to 1.19 at Kindle
If you have been thinking about picking up an Ellora’s Cave e-book, but been discourage by the price, now you have your chance. A whopping 400 Ellora’s Cave e-books are discounted down to 1.19. I have no idea how long it lasts, so get them while you can. You can browse the e-books here.
Free e-books from Carina Press
This week, Carina Press, Harlequin’s digital first arm, is having a campaign this week. They issue a coupon, valid for one day, $0 at checkout. The good thing is that the e-books are DRM free .
Mon 6/20
The Debutante’s Dilemma by Elyse Mady
Coupon code: DEBUTANTEFREE
Tues 6/21
Demon’s Fall by Karalynn Lee
Coupon code: DEMONFREE
Wed 6/22
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Coupon code: TWISTEDFREE
Thurs 6/23
Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
Coupon code: GALAXYFREE
Fri 6/24
Friendly Fire by Megan Hart
Coupon Code:FRIENDLYFREE
Affiliates and other things
I know, I know. I haven’t posted a review the last couple of weeks. I have been busy the last couple of weeks. Still, I have a couple of reviews planned, that will go up later this week. And, for next week… Well. Let’s just say that you’ll like it :). ( Hint: I attended Eurocon this weekend. All I am saying.)
One of the things I did during the blogging hiatus was creating an Astore. Why? I have been thinking about ways to expand the blog, without it being too much work. Plus I know that a lot of people use Amazon. For those that don’t like Amazon, I signed up to be an Affiliate at Bookdepository too.
A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder
A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy at: Amazon, BN, Booksonboard, Kobo, ARe
The Particulars: A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder, available as ebook and in print, Erotic Romance, Samhain
The Review:
The blurb:
Is it love – or just a little harmless sex?
Max has always been Anna’s knight in shining armor. But Max has always seen her as a charming, and very sexy, little sister…
Until Max’s cold fiancé dumps him, Anna unloads another of her many conquests and she invites him over for margaritas and Mexican food. Too much tequila, too much flirting, and too many years of fighting the attraction — Max loses control and has mind blowing sex with Anna on her couch. And in her shower. And in her bed.
Anna can’t believe she has finally slipped beneath Max’s steely self-control. He is every woman’s dark, wet fantasy come true. But what happens when the Max pushes Anna for more than just A Little Harmless Sex?
My impression:
Melissa Schroeder has been on my “authors to check out”- list for a while. So when Samhain offered A little Harmless sex, the first book in the Harmless series, as a freebie in May, I jumped on the chance. And I am glad I did. This book is a big heap of sizzle. The tensions starts on page one, and refuse to let you go. This book was one of the better erotic romances I have read. Yes, there is a lot of sex but they were interspersed with other scenes. Scenes were Anna and Max went on with their lives ( or at least tried). What really made this story work for me were the characters. I loved the banter between Anna and Max. It was clear that they cared for each other. There was a nice mix between internal and external conflict. In truth, the biggest hurdles came from their own doubts. And I loved that.
I will definitely buy the next book in this series!
Review: The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair
The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy at: Amazon, BN,Bookdepository, Kobo
The Kitchen Witch:
The Particulars: The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair, contemporary romance, e-book, Berkley.
The Review:
The Blurb:
When a single-dad TV executive hires Melody Seabright–a flaky rich girl and rumored witch–as his babysitter, she magically lands her own cooking show…and makes sparks fly.
My impressions:
Oh my. I had forgotten how much I loved this book. This is Annette Blair at her best a funny, fast paced Contemporary romance with a touch of paranormal. This book is good, but it isn’t without flaws. The plot isn’t anything new. And normally, I would have felt meh about it. This book is saved by Melody. Melody is what made this book so good. She is a hoot. She is strong enough to know what she want, and go for it. I am more torn about Logan. A part of me felt admiration over the fact that he raises Shane on his own. But some of his other actions annoyed me a lot.
( This is one time I wish that Goodreads offered the opportunity to give half stars)