April 2009 - Reading List

Night Huntress- Yasmine Galenorn
3 Stars

Racing the Moon- Michele Hauf
3 Stars

Hunted- P.C. & Kristin Cast
3 Stars

The Viscount Who Loved Me: The 2nd Epilogue- Julia Quinn
4 Stars

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton- Julia Quinn
5 Stars

Romancing Mr. Briderton: The 2nd Epilogue- Julia Quinn
3 Stars

Passion Unleashed- Larissa Ione
4 Stars

Men of the Otherworld- Kelley Armstrong
4 Stars

Brisingr- Christopher Paolini
3 Stars

To Sir Phillip With Love- Julia Quinn
4 Stars

Magic Strikes- Ilona Andrews
4 Stars

Small Favor- Jim Butcher
4 Stars

Bad to the Bone- Jeri Smith-Ready
4 Stars

Night's Rose- Annaliese Evans
4 Stars

Lux In Shadow- R.G. Alexander
4 Stars

Kiss of Darkness- Jennifer St. Giles
4 Stars

When He Was Wicked- Julia Quinn
4 Stars

When He Was Wicked: The 2nd Epilogue- Julia Quinn
3 Stars

Saving the World & Other Extreme Sports- James Patterson
5 Stars

The Vampire's Quest- Vivi Anna
3 Stars

The Final Warning- James Patterson
5 Stars

Max- James Patterson
5 Stars

Pride & Prejudice- Jane Austen
4 Stars

The Nymphos of Rocky Flats- Mario Acevedo
3 Stars

The Lace Reader- Brunonia Barry
4 Stars

It's In His Kiss- Julia Quinn
4 Stars

It's In His Kiss: The 2nd Epilogue- Julia Quinn
4 Stars


This month I read 5 more books than I usually do, I'm impressed my brain is still is all there. But a few of them were novellas and books on cd so they were a breeze to get through. I don't think I get this many in May. :)

In My Mailbox & Book Shopping [4]

In the mail the past few days I've received...
Courting Midnight- Emma Holly
Swallowing Darkness- Laurell K. Hamilton
Dreamstone- P.A. Hendrickson
Dragonborn- Jade Lee

Yesterday....
My mom who totally rocks didn't know I had preordered Lover Avenged from SciFi Book Club brought me home a copy. I can't cancel my order so look for LA as part of my contests in June.

Today I went book shopping and found....
To Beguile a Beast- Elizabeth Hoyt
Burning Wild- Christine Feehan
Bloodline- Maggie Shayne
Eve of Darkness- S.J. Day
The Awakening- Kelley Armstrong
Fragile Eternity- Melissa Marr

[ARC Review] - The Lace Reader

Title: The Lace Reader
Author: Brunonia Barry
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Year: 2009

I received this book for review from Edelman PR & Harper Collins.

Summary: Look into the lace . . . When the eyes begin to fill with tears and the patience is long exhausted, there will appear a glimpse of something not quite seen... In this moment, an image will begin to form . . . in the space between what is real and what is only imagined.

Can you read your future in a piece of lace? All of the Whitney women can. But the last time Towner read, it killed her sister and nearly robbed Towner of her own sanity. Vowing never to read lace again, her resolve is tested when faced with the mysterious, unsolvable disappearance of her beloved Great Aunt Eva, Salem's original Lace Reader. Told from opposing and often unreliable perspectives, the story engages the reader's own beliefs. Should we listen to Towner, who may be losing her mind for the second time? Or should we believe John Rafferty, a no nonsense New York detective, who ran away from the city to a simpler place only to find himself inextricably involved in a psychic tug of war with all three generations of Whitney women? Does either have the whole story? Or does the truth lie somewhere in the swirling pattern of the lace?

Thoughts: Towner Whitney, the main character is wonderfully spunky. She draws the reader in from first page to last. Brunonia Barry has a great writing voice which makes the book a delight to read. I love stories that take place in Salem this one was no different. The author's description of Salem is descriptive and full of Historical tidbits.

Towner's story is so many things, but I don't want to give too much away. But I will say her story is sad, mysterious, touching and captivating.

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.lacereader.com/

May Movie Madness

There are so many good movies coming out in May. I already have plans to see Wolverine. Here are the other ones I hope to see.

MAY

JULY

NOVEMBER

What movies are you looking forward to this summer?

Winner

Winner of the Sign Copy of Kiss of Darkness is

VampFanGirl

Congrats VFG! Send your mailing address here:
annasbookblog@gmail.com

May Book Releases

1st
The Promise- TJ Bennett
What Would Jane Austen Do- Laurie Brown
Edge of Danger- Rhyannon Byrd
Wild Highland Magic- Kendra Leigh Castle
Jaquar Night- Doranna Durgin
Blood From Stone- Laura Anne Gilman
The Border Lord- Sophia James
Captive of the Beast- Lisa Renee Jones
Bloodline- Maggie Shayne
Beautiful Girl- Shiloh Walker

4th
Dead Is So Last Year- Marlene Perez

5th
Enemies & Allies- Kevin J. Anderson
Diamond Star- Catherine Asaro
Black Eagle- Gen Bailey
Over My Dead Body- Michele Bardsley
Burning Alive- Shannon K. Butcher
Bound By Blood- Evie Byrne
Relentless- Lauren Dane
Under Fire- Jo Davis
The Turning Tide- Diana Pharaoh Francis
Bound By Honor- Colette Gale
The Lost Queen- C.W. Gortner
Last Vampire Standing- Nancy Haddock
Dead If I Do- Tate Hallaway
Dead and Gone- Charlaine Harris
Fall of Light- Nina Kiriki Hoffman
My Lady Captor- Hannah Howell
Sea Lord- Virginia Kantra
The Conqueror- Kris Kennedy
Daring Time- Beth Kery
Guardian- Angela Knight
So Still the Night- Kim Lenox
Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang- Katie MacAlister
Hard and Fast- Erin McCarthy
Magic in the Blood- Devon Monk
Ghost Ocean- S.M. Peters
Darkborn- Alison Sinclair
Feral- Joely Skye
Chains- Shiloh Walker

12th
Twilight Guaridan- R.G. Alexander
His Final Seduction- Scarlett Childs
The Legend of the Werestag- Tessa Dare
Whispered Lies- Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

13th
In Sorcery's Hold- Rebecca Airies

14th
Strange Angels- Lili St. Crow

16th
Bad to the Bone- Jeri Smith-Ready

19th
The Saint- Madeline Hunter
The Seducer- Madeline Hunter
Ice Song- Kirsten Imani Kasai
Phantom in the Night- Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love (mmp)
Scythe- MK Mancos
Royal Blood- Ellen Schreiber
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives Vol. 3- Ellen Schreiber
Requiem for Rab- Marie Treanor
Norse Code- Greg Van Eekhout

21st
Torchwood: The House that Jack Built- Guy Adams
Torchwood: Bay of the Dead- Mark Morris
Torchwood: Into the Silence- Sara Pinborough

26th
Ashes of Midnight- Lara Adrian
A Flesh of Hex- Jes Battis
Kushiel's Mercy- Jacqueline Carey (mmp)
When Sparks Fly- Autumn Dawn
Amazon Ink- Lori Devoti
If He's Wicked- Hannah Howell
My Forbidden Desire- Carolyn Jewel
It's Raining Men- Crystal Jordan
Highland Fling- Jane Justine
Sex and the Single Vampire- Katie MacAlister (reissue)
A Touch So Wicked- Connie Mason
Succubus Heat- Richelle Mead
Pleasure Island- Lorie O'Clare
Blood Deep- Sharon Page
Master of Craving- Karin Tabke
Vacations from Hell- Various Authors
Most Wanted- Sasha White
In Bed with a Stranger- Mary Wine

29th
Santa Olivia- Jaqueline Carey



***If I missed any releases, let me know and I'll post them.
***Keep in mind dates are subject to change
***All dates were taken from Amazon, Ellora's Cave & Samhain Publishing

Storage & Teaser to June Contests

I didn't want to but I had to break down and buy a storage container for some of my books. Below are books that I want and plan to read, but don't fit on my TBR Shelf. Now the question is where to put said container. LOL! I'll have to think on it. Hopefully I won't have to buy a second one.

June Teaser.....

Some of you already know this but I'll be celebrating 2 years blogging in June. I have a bunch of fun contests planned for the whole month. Below are all the books (they kinda taken over part of my closet) to be handed out. There will probably be a few more added to the pile by June. Plus I have 2 containers filled of Author Goodies. There will be several winners for each contest, so everyone will get a chance to win something. :)

[ARC Review & Giveaway] - Kiss of Darkness *contest closed*

Title: Kiss of Darkness
Author: Jennifer St. Giles
Series: Shadowmen
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Year: 2009

I received this book for review from the author.

Summary: A vampire bite has Sheriff Sam Sheridan on the fast track to hell and demons are taking over Twilight Tennessee. He's battling not only to save both his soul and his town, but also his love for one woman, Emerald Linton. Emerald has a secret that could destroy both her and Sam. She is an angel, and if she can't save Sam from turning evil, then she'll have to kill him, no matter how much of her heart belongs to him. Sam is determined to take as many demons and vampires down with him as he can and to protect Emerald, but as the seductive dark power in him grows will he condemn Emerald to share his doomed fate, or will they both find a way out of hell.

Thoughts: Kiss of Darkness is the third installment of the Shadowmen series. I have to say its one of my favorites in the series. Emerald and Sam are two characters that were introduced in the first book. Very intriguing characters, their bickering back an forth was great. I'm glad to see they got their own book and their own HEA. I do have to agree with AmyC and what she said in her review of this book. If this series seems interesting to you I suggest starting at the beginning with Touch of a Wolf or you could find yourself a bit lost.

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.jenniferstgiles.com/

Shadowmen:
Touch of a Dark Wolf
The Lure of the Wolf
Kiss of Darkness
Bride of the Wolf

Book Giveaway: Jennifer St. Giles has been nice enough to offer a signed copy of Kiss of Darkness for one lucky winner. To enter just left a comment on this post. I will pick a winner on April 27th.

[Review] - Night's Rose

Title: Night's Rose
Author: Annaliese Evans
Series: Night's Rose
Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy
Year: 2009

Summary: For nearly one hundred years, Rosemarie Edenberg has worked tirelessly to wipe the dreaded ogre tribe from the earth. Now the tribe has gathered in London to work a spell that will destroy the scourge of their kind, the one they call the Briar Rose.

Two magnetic men will unite to aid Rose--her mysterious fey advisor, Ambrose, and the vampire Lord Shenley, an earl of scandalous reputation and even more scandalous appetites. One will save her, one will betray her, and both will challenge her to face the past that haunts her.

Once upon a time, she was ensnared in the mists of enchantment, cursed to sleep one hundred years. But this beauty wasn't awakened with a kiss and has never known happily ever after. But with the help of her handsome allies, Rose may find it yet.

Thoughts: This is a Historical Urban Fantasy... with a faerie tale twist. Sleeping Beauty to be more specific. I've never been a fan of Sleeping Beauty, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would.

This was an enchanting story. With all sorts of species from fantasy: ogre's, fairies, elves, trolls, vampires. Plus Rose has two very sexy companions, Ambrose and Lord Shenley who make the story even more intriguing. The three of them have a very interesting dynamic and I can't wait to see what unfolds for them in the next book.

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.annalieseevans.com/

Night's Rose series:
Night's Rose
The Prince of Frogs (September 1, 2009)

[Series Spotlight] - Study & Glass Series

Study Series

Book Description: About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust, and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear!

Book Description: Yelena is on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago. Although she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways, and her newfound friends and relatives don't think it's for the better. Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magical training. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince, and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians. If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with her new enemies.

Book Description: Yelena's new role as Soulfinder has made the Sitian Council uneasy. Worried that her new powers will corrupt her, the Council debates her fate. Yelena, though is trying to keep Sitia and Ixia from going to war. In the middle of political wrangling, Yelena receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by Ferde, the Soulstealer who murdered eleven girls and has escaped from prison with Cahil Ixia’s help. Cahil believes if he joins with the new Daviian Clan, he will have enough support to regain the Ixian throne. Testing the limit of her skills, Yelena becomes embroiled in the desperate fight to stop Ferde and the Daviian Clan from siphoning enough power to unleash a Fire Warper on the world. That would be worst than war between the northern and southern lands. Especially since, of all the powers Yelena possesses, she couldn't set fire to a candle wick if her life depended on it. And there is more at stake than just her life.

Glass Series
(spin off from the Study Series)

Coming April 28, 2009

Book Description: As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it’s time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan’s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal’s unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she never knew she possessed...powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she’s ever known.

Coming September 1, 2009

Book Description: Like the colorful pieces of sea glass washed up on shore, Opal has weathered rough waters and twisting currents. But instead of finding a tranquil eddy, Opal is caught in a riptide. Her unique glass messengers which allow instant communication over vast distances have become a vital part of Sitian society. Once used solely by the Councilors and magicians, other powerful factions are now vying for control. Control of the messengers equals control of Sitia. Unfortunately that also means control of Opal. If that isn’t enough of a problem, Opal’s determination to prove blood magic is still being used is met with strong resistance. The Council doubts her, her mentor doubts her, and even her family is concerned. When her world is turned upside down, she begins to doubt herself. In the end, Opal must decide who to believe, who to trust, and who has control—otherwise she will shatter into a million pieces and be swept out by the tide



http://www.mariavsnyder.com/

New Author- Tammy Kane

June 30, 2009
http://tammykaneauthor.com/

Book Description:
When the dragon came to claim him, Karl knew his great plan had gone horribly wrong. If he had known the creature was real, he wouldn’t have scoffed at the villagers… and he certainly wouldn’t have been so quick to let them chain him to a rock. Mattaen Initiates trained as warriors, but no man could defeat a dragon.

She had vanquished the beast and named her price: one night with the virgin sacrifice she’d saved. He’d taken a vow of chastity, but Karl still had a man’s needs—and Elera’s sultry curves made him ache to taste his first woman. With one scorching kiss she shattered his defenses… and led him into a world of deception and seduction, where he’d be forced to choose between the brotherhood that had raised him and the woman whose courage set his heart on fire.

[ARC Review] - Bad to the Bone

Title: Bad to the Bone
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Series: WVMP Radio
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Year: 2009 (release date: May 16th)

I received this book for review from the author.

Summary and Blurb: If you’re just joining us, welcome to radio station WVMP, "The Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll." Con-artist-turned-station-owner Ciara Griffin manages an on-air staff of off-the-wall DJs—including her new boyfriend Shane McAllister—who really sink their teeth into the music of their ‘Life Time" (the era in which they became vampires). It’s Ciara’s job to keep the undead rocking, the ratings rolling, and the fan base alive—without missing a beat.

For Halloween, WVMP is throwing a bash sure to raise the dead. They’ve got cool tunes, hot costumes, killer cocktails—what could go wrong? Well, for starters, a religious firebrand ranting against the evils of the occult preempts the station’s midnight broadcast. Then, when Ciara tracks down the illegal transmission, the broadcast tower is guarded by what appears to be…a canine vampire? And behind it all is a group of self-righteous radicals who think vampires suck (and are willing to stake their lives on it).

Now Ciara must protect the station while struggling with her own murky relationship issues, her best friend’s unlikely romance with a fledgling vampire, and the nature of her mysterious anti-holy powers. To make it to New Year’s in one piece, she’ll need to learn a few new tricks.…

Thoughts: In this installment someone starts taking over the WVMP broadcast. The radio station is being targeted by a group that want to destroy the station in more ways than one. Is it a religions group? Someone from Control? A cult? There are suspects a plenty, but if you read the first book you know that Ciara and the vampires won't stand for it.

Wicked Game was on my list of Top 20 Favorite books on 2008 so, I've been looking forward to reading the second one and was overjoyed to find the ARC in my mailbox. Ciara and her obsessive-compulsive vampire DJ's are back for a new adventure and it doesn't disappoint.

This story was action packed, with wit and loads of drama. Excellent writing that had me turning the page to see what would happen next. And just when you think the story has come to an end... the author brings you more action and mayhem. This book was both light and dark, but a very enjoyable read. I thought it was a brilliant ending and can't wait reading more stories set in this world.

Favorite Lines:
"Maybe he got decockinated in a tragic vamp-fucking accident."
~ Lori to Ciara

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.jerismithready.com/

WVMP Radio series:
Wicked Game
Bad to the Bone

Winners

I believe this was my most popular contest to date with over 70 some entries. Thanks to all who entered and to all that pimped the contest. The Book and Chocolate Winners are:

Amy S.

Dottie

To claim your prize email me at annasbookblog@gmail.com Whoever emails me first will get first pick at the prizes.

Upcoming Contests:

April: A signed copy of Jennifer St. Giles' Kiss of Darkness will be up for grabs later this month.

May: I'll be giving away Graphic Novels and Comic Books
June: I'll be celebrating my two years with this blog and will hold several contests during the month. I have some pretty cool prizes planned for this event.

In My Mailbox [3]

Here's what arrived this week....

Night's Rose by: Annaliese Evans
Book Description: For nearly one hundred years, Rosemarie Edenberg has worked tirelessly to wipe the dreaded ogre tribe from the earth. Now the tribe has gathered in London to work a spell that will destroy the scourge of their kind, the one they call the Briar Rose.

Two magnetic men will unite to aid Rose--her mysterious fey advisor, Ambrose, and the vampire Lord Shenley, an earl of scandalous reputation and even more scandalous appetites. One will save her, one will betray her, and both will challenge her to face the past that haunts her.

Once upon a time, she was ensnared in the mists of enchantment, cursed to sleep one hundred years. But this beauty wasn't awakened with a kiss and has never known happily ever after. But with the help of her handsome allies, Rose may find it yet.
http://annalieseevans.com/

Dragonhaven by: Robin McKinley
Book Description: Jake Mendoza lives at the Makepeace Institute of Integrated Dragon Studies in Smokehill National Park. Smokehill is home to about two hundred of the few remaining draco australiensis, which is extinct in the wild. Keeping a preserve for dragons is controversial: detractors say dragons are extremely dangerous and unjustifiably expensive to keep and should be destroyed. Environmentalists and friends say there are no records of them eating humans and they are a unique example of specialist evolution and must be protected. But they are up to eighty feet long and breathe fire.

On his first overnight solo trek, Jake finds a dragon--a dragon dying next to the human she killed. Jake realizes this news could destroy Smokehill-- even though the dead man is clearly a poacher who had attacked the dragon first, that fact will be lost in the outcry against dragons.

But then Jake is struck by something more urgent--he sees that the dragon has just given birth, and one of the babies is still alive. What he decides to do will determine not only their futures, but the future of Smokehill itself.
http://www.robinmckinley.com/

On The Way To The Wedding by: Julia Quinn
Book Description: Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with someone else. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...
http://www.juliaquinn.com/

Sunshine by: Robin McKinley
Book Description: Rae, nicknamed Sunshine by her stepfather, is the baker at her family’s coffeehouse. She’s happy getting up at 4 am to make cinnamon rolls for the breakfast rush, and dealing with people and food all day. But one evening she needed somewhere she could be alone for a little while, and there hadn’t been any trouble out at the lake for years.

She never thought of vampires.
Until they found her.
http://www.robinmckinley.com/

Royal Blood by: Rona Sharon
Book Description: England, 1518. During the annual celebration of the Order of the Garter, Michael Devereaux arrives in King Henry VIII’s court on a mission for his benefactor. The celebration’s endless feasts and sumptuous women delight the charismatic newcomer, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic Princess Renée de Valois of France. But evil, it seems, has followed Michael to the court. Shortly after his arrival, an unknown killer claims several victims, including the queen’s lady-in-waiting, and the powerful Cardinal Wolsey asks Michael to help with the investigation. As he searches for the killer, Michael is haunted by disturbing images of the victims—flashes of violence that lead him to doubt his own sanity. Michael soon realizes that the key to solving the crime is connected to both the pope’s imperial vault in Rome and a mystery from Michael’s own past—revealing a secret that is so damning, it could forever alter the future of mankind.
http://www.ronasharon.com/

Turn Coat by: Jim Butcher
Book Description: Harry Dresden, professional wizard, has done his best to keep his nose clean where the White Council of Wizards is concerned. Even so, his past misdeeds have cast a constant shadow of suspicion over him in the eyes of the Wardens, those wizards responsible for enforcing the Laws of Magic. Now Dresden finds himself faced with a nightmarish dilemma: Morgan, formerly his chief persecutor among the Warden, has been wrongly accused of treason against the White Council - and has come to Harry for help. Dresden faces a daunting task: clear Morgan's name while simultaneously hiding him from the Wardens and the supernatural bounty hunters sent to find him, discovering the identity of the true turncoat and, of course, avoiding accusations of treachery of his own. A single mistake may mean that heads - quite literally - will roll. And one of them could be his own ...
http://www.jim-butcher.com/

The Lace Reader by: Brunonia Barry
Book Descritpion: Every gift has a price . . . Every piece of lace has a secret . . .

My name is Towner Whitney. No, that's not exactly true. My real first name is Sophya. Never believe me. I lie all the time. . . .

Towner Whitney, the self-confessed unreliable narrator of The Lace Reader, hails from a family of Salem women who can read the future in the patterns in lace, and who have guarded a history of secrets going back generations, but the disappearance of two women brings Towner home to Salem and the truth about the death of her twin sister to light.
http://www.lacereader.com/

The Furthur Observations of Lady Whistledown- Anthology
Book Description: Society is abuzz when the Season's most promising debutante is jilted by her intended -- only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue's dashing older brother -- in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn's witty, charming, and heartfelt tale.

When the scandalous actions of his beautiful fiancée are recorded in Lady Whistledown's column, a concerned groom-to-be rushes back to London to win his lady's heart once and forever, in Suzanne Enoch's romantic gem.

Karen Hawkins captivates with an endearing story of a handsome rogue whose lifelong friendship -- and his heart -- are tested when the lovely lady in question sets her cap for someone else.

A dazzling and delightful tale by Mia Ryan has a young woman cast out of her home by an insufferable yet charming marquis -- who intends to take possession not only of the house... but its former occupant as well!
http://www.juliaquinn.com/
http://www.suzanneenoch.com/
http://www.karenhawkins.com/
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/mia-ryan/

Confessions Of A Little Black Gown by: Elizabeth Boyle
Book Description: Thalia Langley spied him in the shadows and in an instant, knew the man before her was no pious saint. He might claim to be the Duke of Hollindrake’s unassuming country cousin, Milo Ryder, but no man that handsome, so arresting could be anything but... well, he simply must be an unrepentant rogue. His cat-like grace and power leaves Tally shivering in her slippers at the notion of all the wicked, forbidden things he might be capable of doing . . . to her, or the secrets he could uncover.

Indeed, Lord Larken is no bumbling vicar, but a master spy there in His Majesty’s service to find—and murder—a notorious pirate freed in a daring prison escape. Devoted to the Crown, Larken’s not about to let an interfering (and not entirely innocent) Mayfair miss disrupt his ruthless plans. He cannot be tempted . . . not even by the little black gown she dons to tantalize him . . . a dress revealing enough to lead even Larken astray.
http://www.elizabethboyle.com/

10 Commandments of the Out-of-Control TBR Pile

I seen this over at Erotic Horizon and it was just too good not to repost. :)


1. Thou shalt not buy discounted books from the bargain bin. This path can only lead to regret.
- But Half Price Bookstore is so hard to resist.

2. Thou shalt not buy the next two books in a series when thou has not yet read book one.
- I'm guilt of this. But I have gotten better over the last year, really I have.

3. Thou shall give away a book if thou has already tried to read it three times on three separate occasions.
-It usually only takes me two tries and then I pass the book on.

4. Thou shall keep a thorough record of all books thou owns so to avoid the dreaded and oft-embarrassing double-up.
-Surprisingly enough I don't have a list of all the books I own. But I do have my TBR list set up in a database program. LOL!

5. Thou shalt covet thy neighbours books. Thou shalt also covet thy best friend's, mother's, daughter's and thy library's books.
-Hell yeah!

6. Thou shalt not attend charity book sales without a plan. A good plan.
-Oh, I always have a plan. It consists of a piece a paper with the name of books I plan to look for.

7. Thou shalt not borrow books from others unless thou desperately wants to read them.
-I rarely borrow books, unless it's from the library.

8. Thou shalt not buy books just because thou likes the covers.
-Oh I'm so very guilty of this one. I highly doubt it'll change.

9. Thou shalt not re-buy already owned books just so the covers and sizes match.
-This one too. Especially if the new book is out in hard cover and the rest of the
series is in paperback. I can't put a hardcover in the middle of a shelf with paperbacks, that's just wrong.

10. THOU SHALL NOT BUY MORE BOOKS THAN THOU CAN READ!
- Not likley to happen.

In My Mailbox [2]

Here's what arrived this week...

Book Description:

No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness-and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favor he can't refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits.

It figures. Everything was going too well to last...

Book Description:

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . . .


Book Description:

In every life there is a turning point.

A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer - the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then…Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love…until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets…

Book Description:

Meet Our Hero... Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth's sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past .. and the key to his future. The problem is -- it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

Meet Our Heroine... All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there's something about her -- something charming and vexing -- that grabs him and won't quite let go ...

Meet Poor Mr. Mozart... Or don't. But rest assured, he's spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual -- and annually discordant -- Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth's every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other ... and that there is nothing as simple -- or as complicated -- as a single, perfect kiss.

ARC

Book Description:

Sam and Emerald have been at each other's throats since the day they met; he finds the medium-slash-sex therapist infuriatingly flaky, and she finds the small-town sheriff stubbornly blind to the magic around them. The one thing these two have in common is their irresistible attraction--and fighting only makes things hotter!

But now Sam's seriously ill, following an attack by the dark forces of Cinatas, and only Emerald can heal him. With the help of their friends and the two Shadowmen, shape-shifters from the spiritual plane, Sam and Emerald must discover a way to cure him before he succumbs to the dark magic swiftly poisoning him. Oh, and if they have time--they need to save the world, too.

ARC

Book Description:
When the heroic werewolf Navarre is trapped in the twilight realm, his Shadowmen comrades are unable to rescue him. Only a passionate woman with a spirit as wild as his own can set him free...

Oil heiress Marissa Vasquez fled the jungles of Belize to avoid becoming a pawn in her vicious uncle's wicked schemes. Though she has found temporary sanctuary in little Twilight, Tennessee, only in her dreams does she taste freedom. At night, her spirit intertwines with a magnificent black wolf, and they run together under the glow of a forest moon. When a wounded stranger is brought to the camp where she is hiding, she glimpses in his eyes the mysterious being who has been the partner of her visions. But before she can explore her strange reaction to this man, they are kidnapped and imprisoned once again.

Navarre is a shapeshifting Shadowman, captured by the evil Vladarian vampire who hopes to control Marissa. Injured and blind, he struggles to regain his warrior's strength as they fight for their freedom -- and their lives. Together, their spirits form a powerful link matched only by the passion they discover in each other's arms. But can a mortal woman attain true love with a man who is half wolf? And will their enemies give them time to find an answers.

Angela Knight's Mageverse

If your wondering about the next book in Angela Knight's Mageverse series, you should stop by her blog to check out the news on the new book. :)

http://angelasknights.blogspot.com/
http://www.angelasknights.com/


Mageverse series:
1. Seductions Gift- anthology Hot Blooded
2. Master of the Night
3. Galahad- anthology Bite
4. Master of the Moon
5. Master of the Wolves
6. Moon Dance- anthology Over the Moon
7. Master of Swords
8. Master of Dragons
9. Master of Fire TBA

Book Obsession? Uh... just little bit. :)

I snagged this meme from Ciaralira. Renee from Renee's Book Addiction has also post this book meme. If haven't already you should check out their blogs. I'm not gonna tag anyone, but feel free to play along. :)

1. What author do you own the most books by?
Sherrilyn Kenyon. 25 books, 6 of them are written as Kinley MacGregor.

2. What book do you own the most copies of?
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. I have the original paperback, the new one with the tv poster on the front. Then the last one is in an omnibus called Dead In Dixie which is sold through the Science Fiction Book Club.

3. What fictional character are secretly in love with?
Clay Danvers from the Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. He's a werewolf and all sorts of yummy.

4. What book have you read more than any other?
It's a toss up between J.R. Ward's Dark Lover & Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark.

5. What was your favorite book when were ten years old?
Sadly I wasn't a big fan of reading when I was that age. But did enjoy books by Christopher Pike & R.L. Stein.

6. What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
A Lion Among Men (book 3 in the Wicked Years) by Gregory Maguire. It wasn't the worst all around. But it wasn't as good as book one. I had a hard time getting through this one.

7. What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas. I love all the books in The Wallflowers series, but this is one of my favorites.

8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Nalini Singh's Slave to Sensation.

9. What is the most difficult book you've ever read?
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. This is a book I had to read for an English elective my Senior year of high school. It was pure torture. I couldn't believe how bad it was. I don't think I even finished it. It still amazes me I passed that class.

10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Uh, neither.

11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?
Shakespeare

12. Austen or Eliot?
Jane Austen... Not that I've read her(I know so very bad of me). But I love the movies based on her books.

13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
The classics. It's not that I don't want to read them, I just haven't gotten around to them.

14. What is your favorite novel?
It's kinda hard just to name one. Ok, well one of my favorites is The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer Bradley

15. Play?
I haven't read many plays, but Romeo and Juliet is the one that stands out.

16. Poem?
I can't think of a specific poem. But I like Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost.

17. Essay?
N/A

18. Short Story?
Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra, featured in the anthology Shifter.

19. Non Fiction
Riding in Cars with Boys by Beverly Donofrio

20. Graphic Novel?
Fray by Joss Whedon

21. Science Fiction?
I don't read much SciFi, and mostly what I read is really closer to Futuristic Romance. But my favorite would be: Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

22. Who is your favorite writer?
Can't really pick just one. Here are a few at the top of my list: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Charlaine Harris, Lisa Kleypas, Patricia Briggs, J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, Julia Quinn, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, Lora Leigh

23. Who is the most over reated writer alive today?
I'm sure there are a few, but I'm not naming names.

24. What are you reading right now?
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews & To Sir Phillip with Love by Julia Quinn

25. Best Memoir?
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
26. Best History?
The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir

27. Best mystery or Noir?
Where Evil Hides by Dean L. Hovey

Contest: Books and Chocolate *Closed*

This month I'm giving away books and chocolate, cause really who doesn't like those two things. I'm posting this a day early, since I'm going to be gone most of tomorrow. To enter just leave a comment. I will pick two winners on April 18th. Open to U.S. & Canada

First Prize: Midnight Cravings (Anthology featuring Nocturne authors: Michele Hauf, Karen Whiddon, Lori Devoti, Anna Leonard, Vivi Anna & Bonnie Vanak) & Caridad Pineiro's Fury Calls. Plus some yummy Godiva chocolate.

Second Prize: Patricia Briggs' Moon Called & The Hob's Bargain. Plus some Devilish Darkness Chocolate

Zombie Chicken Award

Thank You to Lea & Fantasy Dreamer from giving me this award. :)

The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all...

I'm giving this award to some of those new bloggers that I recently discovered:

Lovin' me Romance

SciFiGuy.Ca

TBQ's Personal Book Palace

Book girl of Mur-y-Castell

My Blog 2.0

Dragons, Heroes & Wizards

All I Want and More

Barbara Totally Rocks!

Yes she does! She created this amazing layout for me.

Thank You Barbara!!!

(((Big Hugs)))

Book Shopping

I stopped in at both Barnes and Noble & Borders today. I hadn't planned on going to Borders but then I got my bucks and a coupon. Here's what I got...

Kiss of Darkness- Jennifer St. Giles
The Better to Hold You- Alisa Sheckley
Curse the Dawn- Karen Chance
The Mage- Jean Johnson
Midnight Cravings- Anthology

I also picked up a few goodies for the April contest, which I'll be
posting soon. :)


There were a few I couldn't find so I had to order them...

Night Rose- Annaliese Evans
Royal Blood- Rona Sharon
Dragonhaven- Robin McKinley

In My Mailbox [1]

When Twilight came out on DVD.... with the exception of Wal-Mart each store had some type of extra that came with the DVD. I ended up getting my copy through Barnes and Noble. That one came with a free offer to get a Twilight skin for you pda, mp3 player, or cell phone. I ended up getting one for my iPod Touch. Ok, clueless me thought it would by like the plastic cases they have at the store. But the skin just sticks on the device. Below are pictures of how it turned out. Pretty neat I thought. I might get one of the non twilight variety for my cell.

http://www.skinit.com/








Lisa Kleypas' Sugar Daddy also arrived today. It's a Contemporary Romance. Not my usual, but since I've enjoy all the other Lisa Kleypas books I'm gonna give it a try. :)

Book Blurb: Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas—if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty is a complication he doesn’t need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty is under the spell of a billionaire tycoon—a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family’s past.

Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you’ll root for every step of the way. A love story you’ll never forget




And Brisingr on cd. It has 23 cd's. But It'll go pretty fast. :)

Book Blurb: Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

Dark-Hunters

It seems they have changed the release date of The Dark-Hunters Vol. 1 (manga). I had it down as April 28th. Now it has a release date of May 26, 2009.

For those of you out there who don't get Sherrilyn's newsletter... the new site is up. Here's the link:

http://www.officialsanctuary.com/

March 2009- Reading List

To Seduce A Sinner- Elizabeth Hoyt
4 Stars

Vampire Knight Vol. 6- Matsuri Hino
5 Stars

Magic Burns- Ilona Andrews
3 Stars

White Witch, Black Curse- Kim Harrison
5 Stars

Angels' Blood- Nalini Singh
3 Stars

A Knight's Temptation- Catherine Kean
3 Stars

Desire Unchained- Larissa Ione
5 Stars

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula- Marta Acosta
4 Stars

In Her Soul- Lorie O'Clare
3 Stars

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment- James Patterson
5 Stars

Twilight: The Director's Notebook- Catherine Hardwicke
3 Stars

Nicholas- Elizabeth Amber
4 Stars

Would-Be Witch- Kimberly Frost
4 Stars

Eternal- Cynthia Leitich Smith
3 Stars

As Shadows Fade- Colleen Gleason
4 Stars

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand- Carrie Vaughn
3 Stars

Surrender Dorothy- R.G. Alexander
4 Stars

Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever- James Patterson
5 Stars

Watchmen- Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
4 Stars

Bound By Steel- Kirsten Saell
4 Stars


And so that concludes March. It's really had to believe it's already April. Sadly it maybe be Spring, but it's snowing here in Minnesota. Yuck! Since it's wet and snowy I don't have much planned today. I'll probably get some reading in, but I'm also gonna go through my TBR list. I have a habit of buying books that I'll probably never get around to reading. So, it's Spring cleaning for the book list.

Also I'll be posting contests (mine and other bloggers) on the left side of my blog. If you have a contest and I don't have it posted, let me know and I'll get it up there. :)