Tuesday, July 19, 2011

SUMMER READING! by Keris Stainton

I am thrilled to introduce my first blog guest: Keris Stainton! Please welcome her and enjoy the fun post about summer reading! Also, check out her information below the post if you want to find her and her exciting work. Thanks Keris!!!
 
 
 
Summer reading

I take my summer reading VERY seriously. Before I go on holiday, I have to compile a perfectly balanced reading list. I need fiction (something light, something perhaps a bit more literary), non-fiction, and some YA, of course. I also need a LOT of books. I generally estimate one book per day, even though I know I'm unlikely to get through that many since I've got two young children (before having kids, I could quite easily read a book a day on holiday), but I take them just in case. You never know when you might be delayed - what about all those people who got trapped by the volcanic ash? Did they have enough to read? I'm not taking any chances... 

I haven't even book this year's summer holiday yet (it's on today's To Do list), but I know which books I'll be taking: 

Truth & Dare, edited by Liz Miles
I don't generally read short stories, but I've heard great things about this one and my lovely friend Luisa Plaja has a story included. Plus shorter fiction is handy for holidays for when you haven't got a lot of time to read, but you do want to read something other than the back of a sun cream bottle... 

Sunnyside by Glen David Gold
I adored Gold's first book Carter Beats the Devil and actually took Sunnyside on holiday last year, but didn't have time to delve in. I'll give it another try this year because it does sound wonderful. 

A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis 
I've been meaning to read this book for the longest time. It sounds wonderful and the sequel is already out, which makes me slightly panic about being behind on my reading. Summer is the perfect time for catching up. 

More Awkward Situations for Men by Danny Wallace
I love Danny Wallace's books. They're always so sweet and joyful and make me laugh out loud. The benefit of taking this one is my husband will read it too. Double duty. (More room for another book for me.) 

A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James
I would never have thought historical romance was my kind of thing, but once I started reading Eloisa James I couldn't stop. Funny, charming, sweet and sexy and completely addictive. I'm hoping to save this for my holiday, but it's possible I won't be able to resist its ample charms for that long...

Good Stuff by Jennifer Grant
A memoir by Cary Grant's daughter, but with a twist - she adored him and he her (he gave up films to spend more time with her). Makes a nice change when someone writes about someone you admire and isn't slagging them off or listing their grievances. I suspect this book will make me yearn for Cary Grant and old Hollywood even more than I already do. 

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
I've heard great things about this teen novel and since I'm almost always hankering for a road trip I'm hoping it will be an excellent summer holiday read. 

~ Keris StaintonOUT NOW! Jessie Hearts NYC 
"A breezy summer rom-com, with oodles of New York glamour." The Bookseller

Twitter @keris
My website http://www.keris-stainton.com/
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Ready for Ten http://www.readyforten.com/users/Keris/posts

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Lords of the Underworld Series (1-3)

Gena Showalter

I am in the midst of reading the Lords of the Underworld series. These books have me hooked and I felt I MUST blog about them. I am currently on book three, Reyes and Danika and have just read book one,  Maddox and Ashlyn and two, Lucien and Anya.
The Darkest Night
by: Gena Showalter
Rating: 5 candles ~ Silk sheets and chocolate sauce
naughty naughty naughty!

Maddox is an instant winner! He is Violence contained who has a conscience. I can't resist a bad boy who can't help himself but to fall in love with the nice girl. When Maddox runs into an intruder at his home he doesn't understand this pull he has to her but he must find out why. He has refused women for decades because of his demon 'Violence' and he isn't going to start accepting one now....by choice. Seems, he can't help himself when it comes to Ashlyn, and 'Violence' likes her too. She isn't afraid of him. She wants to be near him.
The LOTU are each chained with a demon, all having to struggle for control in order to keep peace. Introductions are made of:
Lucien, keeper of Death
Torin, keeper of Disease
Reyes, keeper of pain
Paris, keeper of Promiscuity
Aeron, Keeper of Wrath
Danika, human
Anya, Minor Goddess

Back of book:
His powers -- Inhuman...
His passion -- Beyond immortal . . .
All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapp ed in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments . . . and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love . . .
Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful . . . Don’t miss this incredible new paranormal series from Gena Showalter!

Read an excerpt on genashowalter.com here.



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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Werewolf Descent
by: Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

Rating: 3 candles ~ silk sheets but no chocolate syrup

This book was a fun read because I was always suprised at each twist and turn. WD can either be viewed as a very racy young adult or a tame paranormal romance. Either way the audience will be satisfied. The story was interesting, the characters likeable (especially Vincent, the psychic vampire), and the action was intense. When beginning this book I was really confused as to what was happening. The author jumped right in from the last book with no background whatsoever. I hadn't read the previous book, 'Vampyre Kisses', so I'm still a little fuzzy on a few things, but I feel like I know enough of the characters at the end of the second. Also confusing was the constant change between characters in each chapter. At times I wasn't sure who was "talking" and had to reorient myself. All in all, this was an entertaining book. I imaging I would have enjoyed it more if I had been able to read Vampyre kisses before hand. Not sure if this is what the author was going for. Check out the video and information below.


Book Information:
  • Publisher: Third Broom in the Left Press (June 11, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-13: 9780983449409
Purchase a Kindle copy of Werewolf Descent from Amazon
Purchase a print copy of Werewolf Descent from Barnes & Noble
Purchase a Nook copy of Werewolf Descent from Barnes & Noble
Books in The Last Witch series in the order in which they should be read:
Vampyre Kisses
Werewolf Descent