This is the closest I’ll ever come to road tripping in the US. The link to the video is here. ( Couldn’t get it to embed.)
Month: June 2012
Friday Bargains: Sourcebook deals
(I am lazy, so I am just copying this from a post at Mobileread.)
During our June Summer Sale ( starts tomorrow), the following books will have their regular priced lowered to $0.99, which means that members can get these great ebooks for $0.59.
Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones
Love Drunk Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear
Making Waves by Tawna Fenske
Utterly Charming by Kristine Grayson
Merely Magic by Patricia Rice ( Recommended!)
One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
The Return of Black Douglas by Elaine Coffman
It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare
Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend by Linda Wisdom
My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
Taste Me by Tamara Hogan
The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen
The following books have been reduced to $1.99, or $1.19 for our members.
Tyler by C.H. Admirand
Wicked by Any Other Name by Linda Wisdom
Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge: Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Angry Robot, available as print and e-book.
The source: purchased at Robot Trading Company
The Grade: D
The blurb:
Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, she’s forced to take on her least favourite kind of job – missing persons.
Being hired by reclusive music producer Odi Huron to find a teenybop pop star should be her ticket out of Zoo City, the festering slum where the criminal underclass and their animal companions live in the shadow of hell’s undertow.
Instead, it catapults Zinzi deeper into the maw of a city twisted by crime and magic, where she’ll be forced to confront the dark secrets of former lives – including her own.
The Review:
I have been curious about this book for a long time, so when Angry Robot had an 50% off sale, I decided to take the chance.
It was refreshing to read an Urban Fantasy that was set outside the US. The hustle and bustle of Joburg flowed through the page, and there were times I could hear her talking with the street vendors or her boyfriend. What I liked were the contrasts between the rundown apartment were Zinzi lived, and the luxious house her client lived in.
I liked the concept of the animalled, and how you got an spirit animal if you committed a serious crime. It felt right that some people disliked them, and other loved them.
I liked the characters, from Zinzi with her bad habits, to the spoiled pop stars she had to deal with. There was mix of desperation and hope in this book that gave me goosebumps.
That said, I had lot of problems with the plot. I found the plot to be confusing, and I couldn’t follow her motivations. One reason for that feeling might be the excerpts from articles that was scattered through the book. They annoyed me, and jarred me out from the book.
Review: Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling
The Particulars: Fantasy, Bantam Spectra, available in print and in ebook
The Source: The bookshelf
The Grade: C
The Blurb:
When young Alec of Kerry is taken prisoner for a crime he didn’t commit, he is certain that his life is at an end. But one thing he never expected was his cellmate. Spy, rogue, thief, and noble, Seregil of Rhiminee is many things–none of them predictable. And when he offers to take on Alec as his apprentice, things may never be the same for either of them. Soon Alec is traveling roads he never knew existed, toward a war he never suspected was brewing. Before long he and Seregil are embroiled in a sinister plot that runs deeper than either can imagine, and that may cost them far more than their lives if they fail. But fortune is as unpredictable as Alec’s new mentor, and this time there just might be…Luck in the Shadows.
The Review:
I read this the first time years ago. Not 1996 when it was released, but probably around 2000. Which is a loong time ago.
So, I was sorting through the bookcase, and found book 2 and 3 in the series. I had a vague memory of seeing book 1 at my mum’s so, I decided to read it again. The world felt realistic. From the dungeon were Alec and Seregil met, to the city of Skala, and everything in between. What I especially liked was that life in Kerry wasn’t the same as life in Skala. One thing that intrigued me was the way the history of the world was woven into the story, and how it affected it.
The characters was interesting. I loved following Alec’s change from a blushing innocent, to a not so innocent man. I liked how his and Seregil’s relationship matured from teacher pupil, to friendship. ( With hints of it becoming more in the next books)
The plot was intriguing, and I liked how the complications gradually rose, from the escape until the end. The author kept me guessing what would happen next. Sometimes I guessed right, but most of the time I was surprised.
So for what I didn’t like. I had a lot of trouble getting into the book. One reason might be the fact that I am not used to reading paperbooks any more, but I think the main reason was that the first part of the book felt… disconnected to from their adventures in Skala. This is despite the fact that I know it sets up the story arc.
Giveaway: Old Races: Origins by CE Murphy
Before the Negotiator, there were the long-held covenants of the Old Races: Do not mate with humans. Never tell them of our existence. And never kill one of our own. For time immemorial, these laws were adhered to……except when they were not. Delve into the secret history of the Old Races and discover the truth behind Saint George and the dragons, the origins of the mysterious selkie race, and the djinn betrayals that shape the world of the Negotiator Trilogy.
Last Year, I had the fortune to be a part of CE Murphy’s Old races Short Story Project. And now she have published the result of the project as an e-book. If you like intriguing fantasy, this one is a must read. For this giveaway, I am giving away 3 copies of C.E Murphy’s short story collection Old Races: Orgins. To win, just leave a comment with your e-mail.
Review: Tall Dark and Texan by Anne Marie Novark
The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Smashwords, available as e-book.
The Source: Smashwords
The Grade: B
The Blurb:
Former bad boy Mitch Defalco roars into Stone Creek, Texas, on the back of a Harley with his newly discovered daughter riding behind him. Single mom Sarah Cooper cannot believe he’s moved in next door. She had a secret crush on him years ago when he dated her older sister back in high school.
As Mitch tackles the responsibilities of fatherhood, Sarah admires the way he’s turned his life around. She asks him to help her with a personal problem: Her fear of men. Mitch knows he’s bad news for sexy Sarah, but how can he refuse her dangerous request, when she’s determined to move forward with or without his help?
The review:
This another book that languished unread for a long time. I am glad that I finally read it, though.
I fell in love with the setting. Everyone knows everyone, but I also liked that the book took up the backside to that. Namely, that everyone judges Mitch for his wild past ( except his family). I liked the interaction between the characters. The love that you could sense between Mitch and his family. The awkwardness between Mitch and his daughter. The experation Sarah feels towards her mother.
I loved how Mitch and Sarah’s relationship gradually changed from neighbors to lovers. It felt realistic, and I liked that it was sweet. As a counter to that, there was Lindsay and her struggle to adjust to the fact that she had a dad, and that he actually treated her well. I loved this. Loved seeing her becoming more secure in herself.
So for the fact that I didn’t like. I never felt that their HEA was threatened. Yes, their relationships had it’s ups and downs but I never felt that they were on the verge of breaking up.
Urban Fantasy reading challenge: Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn
The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Berkley, available in print and as e-book
The Source: The bookshelf
The Grade: B
The Blurb:
We’re the D’Artigo sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy—and sexy—operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she’s stressed. Menolly’s a vampire who’s still trying to get the hang of being undead. And me? I’m Camille—a wicked-good witch. Except my magic’s as unpredictable as the weather, as my enemies are about to find out the hard way… At the Wayfarer Inn, a portal to Otherworld and the local hangout for humans and beasties alike, a fellow operative, Jocko, has been murdered. Every clue points to Shadow Wing, the soul-munching, badass leader of the Subterranean Realms. He’s made it clear that he aims to raze humankind to the ground, turning both Earth and Otherworld into his private playground. Our assignment: Keep Shadow Wing and his minions from creeping into Earth via the Wayfarer. The demons figure they’re in like Flynn. After all, with only my bumbling sisters and me standing in the way, how can they miss? But we’ve got a secret for them: Faulty wiring or not, nobody kicks ass like the D’Artigo girls…
The Review:
One of my reading challenges this year is to re-read the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn, originally the plan was to re-read it before Shadow Rising was out in February, but obviously that didn’t happen.
That said, I am glad that I made that vow, since I enjoyed this book a lot.
The world was rich, and intriguing. I loved the twists on the myths and standard tropes that was revealed, and in some cases hinted at.
I also liked the impact the Sidhe had on humans, that some loves them and some hates them. Which makes totally sense.But more than the world, I loved meeting the characters. I loved Camille. Her struggle with her feelings to the Svartan Trillian, who showed up without warning. Her love to her sisters. Her courage, and determination to do what is right.
The plot was fast paced, yet it felt as if it wasn’t too fast. It was easy to understand the characters reactions and actions. I loved how Camille’s Magic affected the plot. Not that it made it easier, if anything it made it harder.
So what I didn’t like with this book. It took a long time before it sucked me in, before it hooked me. In fact, it wasn’t until page 150 or so that I felt the urge to just keep on reading. Before that I put it down and picked it up several time.
Interstingly I have had different reactions each time I have read this book. The first time, I felt it was good, but not great , the second I loved it. This time it was a mix of the previous times.
Curiosity Friday: Comic Sins
I found this webpage at Smartbitches, and it is hilarious. Just what you need for Friday ( Click the cover to get to the webpage).
Review: Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard:
The Particulars: Historical Fantasy, Angry Robot, available as e-book and in print.
The Source: Purchased at Robot Trading
The Grade: C+
The Blurb:
IT IS THE YEAR ONE-KNIFE IN TENOCHTITLAN – THE CAPITAL OF THE AZTECS. The end of the world is kept at bay only by the magic of human sacrifice. A Priestess disappears from an empty roomdrenched in blood.
Acatl, High Priest of the Dead must find her, or break the boundaries between the worlds of th living and the dead. But how do you find someone, living or dead, in a worldwhere blood sacrifices are an everyday occurrence and the very gods stalk the streets?
Acatl, High Priest of the Dead must find her, or break the boundaries between the worlds of th living and the dead. But how do you find someone, living or dead, in a worldwhere blood sacrifices are an everyday occurrence and the very gods stalk the streets?
The Review:
I purchased this one when Angry Robot had its 50% off sale, mainly since the fact that it was set in Mexico during the Aztec Empire intrigued me.
I am glad that I purchased it. The setting felt vividly alive. From the heat, to the temples in the Sacred District. The existence of Calemacs ( probably spells it wrong) intrigued me, since I had no idea they existed. It was interesting to find out more about the temples.
The plot was well paced. It was interesting to follow Acatl search for clues, and how he hit dead ends sometimes. I also liked the fact that the plot was propelled forward by things he found out, and realised their importance. In some novels it feels like they discover things purely by look. Not here, here they discovered everything through determination.
The characters were an intriguing mix. From Acatl, who struggled with his past and his position as High priest, to his brother, the proud Jaguar Knight. Then there is Huei, his brother’s wife.
What I liked with this book was how the characters and the plot affected each other, in both good and bad ways.
So what I didn’t like. It took over 50 pages before the book hooked me . In fact, I read 50 pages, and put it down. It could easily have turned into a DNF for me. That said, I am glad I decided to pick it up again.
Friday Bargains: All about Samhain
Samhain is a experimenting with coupon codes this month. Until June 30th they offer 30% off on select new releases and pre-orders. ( Coupon Code: BEACHREADS
When it comes to love between a medusa and a Vampyre, it’s every man, woman, and snake for themselves.
A Novella of the Elder Races
As a coroner, medusa Seremela Telemar has always felt more comfortable chatting over a dead body than over drinks. But when her wild niece, Vetta, runs off to Devil’s Gate, a lawless town that has sprung up overnight in a modern-day gold rush, she knows she has to extricate her before the rebellious girl gets into real trouble. Though she’s confident in her head snakes’ ability to defend her against attackers, Seremela is still a bit nervous about braving this modern-day Wild West by herself.
Vampyre Duncan Turner is not about to let his new co-worker go into that chaos alone. His Vampyric power and lawyer smarts make him the perfect ally, and the fact that he already had his eye on Seremela for more…personal reasons, doesn’t hurt matters. Any romantic thoughts pull up short, however, when they arrive at Devil’s Gate and learn Vetta is set to hang by morning.
In order to save Vetta and themselves, Seremela and Duncan are going to have to fight fire with force and magic with fangs. And pray they make it out of Devil’s Gate alive.
All it needs to live again is fresh blood!
Myles Carver is dead. But his estate, Watermere, lives on, waiting for a new Carver to move in. Myles’s wife, Annabel, is dead too, but she is also waiting, lying in her grave in the woods. For nearly half a century she was responsible for a nightmarish reign of terror, and she’s not prepared to stop now. She is hungry to live again…and her unsuspecting nephew, Paul, will be the key.
Julia Merrow has a secret almost as dark as Watermere’s. But when she and Paul fall in love they think their problems might be over. How can they know what Fate—and Annabel—have in store for them? Who could imagine that what was once a moldering corpse in a forest grave is growing stronger every day, eager to take her rightful place amongst the horrors of Watermere?
When love drifts into his life, danger isn’t far behind.
Sam Mayne’s life is as dull as the dishwater in his small-town Montana diner, and that’s just how he wants it. Quiet, uneventful, safe from his shadowy past. The breezy young drifter who answers his help-wanted ad makes him uneasy in ways he dare not examine too closely. Except he can’t help but be pulled in by Jay Colby’s spunky attitude, endless stories, and undeniable sex appeal.
Fresh off yet another romantic disaster, Jay doesn’t understand his attraction to the taciturn line cook, but there’s no fighting the chemistry that lands them in bed together. Where Sam’s subtly dominant streak takes command, and Jay delights in discovering the pleasures of his submissive side.
Safe in the assumption their relationship is temporary, neither lover holds back when the heat is on. Until Sam’s deadly past catches up with them with a vengeance, forcing him to drop the life he’s built, pick up his lover, and run. As danger cuts closer to the bone, Sam and Jay are forced to face the truth. About themselves, about the depth of their love—and the newly forged bonds that are about to be tested to the limit.
Into the best-laid plans a little chaos must fall…
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 5
Jared’s not sure how his quiet morning coffee near the harbour ended with him on a cruise ship impersonating one of his pack mates. Well, it might have something to do with a woman, but who can blame him? The female of the species was made to love, and he’s more than willing to share his considerable skills in that area. Especially since he figures the chances of meeting his own one-and-only are slim.
Keri Smith is positive the last-minute recruit sneaking aboard the Arctic Wolf Cruise Lines tour is her mate. Ix-nay on confirming that, though, at least for the next ten days. She’s promised her best friend to be overall troubleshooter for the shifter-only cruise. Getting tangled up in mating lust would reduce her skills to nil. Avoidance of the sexy wolf for the duration of the cruise, followed by jumping his bones, seems the logical solution.
But when libidos are on the line, “logic” and “wolves” don’t go together. Throw in suspicions of wrongdoing, and these two virtual strangers will need a lot more than luck to find their way through to forever.
Knights in shining armor are all well and good, but real men are even better.
It’s time for Annie Milano to start living again. Having been widowed longer than she was married, she’s ready to take the plunge and re-enter the dating scene. While she appreciates the support and protection her late husband’s best friend, Sal Giordano, has given her the last few years, Annie knows she can’t expect him to be there forever.
Sal was devastated when his best friend and partner was killed in the line of duty. Wracked with guilt over his less than brotherly feelings for his best friend’s wife, Sal is determined to prove his loyalty to them both by being her devoted friend. But when he learns Annie is ready to date again, all Sal can think of is claiming her for himself.
But before Sal can make his move, both he and Annie will have to put their pasts behind them, and realize that they were meant to be more than just friends.
This is a Retro Romance Reprint and was originally published in November 1988 by Silhouette Romance.
An innocent lady’s education could be a gentleman’s wicked seduction.
Mistress Matchmaker, Book 1
Lysandra Keates is running out of options. Her father is dead, her mother is ill, and her efforts to find respectable employment have ended in failure. With her small savings bleeding away, she swallows her pride—and her terror—and turns to Vivien Manning, an infamous courtesan, to match her with a wealthy protector.
For years, Viscount Andrew Callis has lived a monastic existence at his country estate, hardening his body against the snobbish, lazy young man he once was, hardening his heart against grief over the deaths of his wife and infant son. When Vivien asks him to spend one month training a young woman in the ways of a mistress, his mind resists…but his body responds with an ache he thought long dead.
As Andrew begins his gentle tutelage, he finds himself falling under the spell of Lysandra’s innocent charms. And as they give in to the powerful hunger, the last thing Andrew ever expected, or wanted, forms between them. An emotional connection that could carry them well past the training period—if only Andrew can open his heart to the possibility of love.
The current Samhain FREEBIE is Betting Hearts by Dee Tenorio. Available at Amazon, BN, and Sony. ( I think)
He’s never lost a bet in his life but she’s playing for keeps!
Cassandra Bishop’s boyfriend is back. Only problem is…she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Or his new fiancée. What the confirmed tomboy would like is to wring his neck. She might have done it, too, if he hadn’t filled her in on the embarrassing truth that he’d left her at the altar because she wasn’t woman enough to satisfy him. Her pride nearly settled for punching him in the nose…until she thought of something better—proving him wrong.
High on Burke Hallifax’s list of cataclysmic nightmares is having to look at his best friend as a real female. But when her ex-fiancé makes his wedding a personal vendetta against Cass, Burke has no choice but to bet everything on her ability to out hot-girl the competition. Unfortunately, the entire town is betting as well—on whether Burke and Cass can pull off the makeover of the century…without losing their hearts in the process.