Secret Book Candy

Maybe because my best friend and my husband make fun of me when they ask what I am reading and my response is, "I'm reading a book about yummy time traveling highland warriors" but I don't recommend to just anyone these juicy, sweet, and delicious bits of book candy.  Although I am not surprised at the success of these books I was a little shocked to see an entire section at my used book store dedicated to romantic time travel novels. In honor of this wonderful little sub genre of "chick lit" I am compiling a list of these books with links to the authors web site, so should you find sexy highland warriors traveling through time appealing, you will be all set!  Additionally I can't have any time traveling book list of mine to exclude author extraordinaire Diana Gabaldon even though her story line includes main character Clair traveling back in time to meet her highland warrior (if sexy time traveling Scottish warriors don't come to you; you go to back in time to get your own sexy Scottish warrior right!?!)

*WARNING - I just finished writing this post and felt the need to warn all my paranormal die hard fans out there that if you don't enjoy a good romantic "chick-lit" novel now and again you may not appreciate this post. I also think its a good idea to have a good sense of humor when reading the synopsis or watching the video I posted.  Sometimes the synopsis doesn't do a good job of advocating for the....fantasticyumminess of a novel...in fact sometimes it has the ability to make you laugh at the absurdity of what women will read.  Regardless I do so love many of the books listed below, as they provided me with hours of entertainment and the illusion that one day my own sexy time traveling highland warrior will realize I am the next best thing since Haggis and risk life and limb to travel in time to be with me!

Outlander Series

Series: Outlander Novels
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Web Site: Diana Gabaldon
Book Order
1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone

From The Publisher (Outlander):

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon-when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach-an "outlander"-in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire''s destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

People who love this series, LOVE this series and are some of the most dedicated fanatic fans out there.  Each novel in this series is of epic proportion and is one of the greatest historical romance series out there.  The relationship between the two main characters, Claire and Jamie, is one that touches me deeply. Whenever I am feeling blue, I grab one of her books off the shelf, select a random page, and delve into the adventure and passion filled life of Jamie and Claire and for hours I can sit with a cuppa tea in book heaven.

If you enjoy romantic tales of epic proportions, creative storytelling woven with historical fact, and a passionate love that transcends time, please rush out and purchase or borrow a copy of Outlander asap!


The Highlander Series

Series: The Highlander Series
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Web Site: The Highlander Novels
Book Order
1. Beyond the Highland Mist
2. To Tame a Highland Warrior
3. The Highlander's Touch
4. Kiss of the Highlander
5. The Dark Highlander
6. The Immortal Highlander
7. Spell of the Highlander

From the Publisher (Beyond the Highland Mist):

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . .

An alluring laird...

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart-until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length-but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. . . .

Ok even I am laughing a little at the synopsis I just posted above but seriously this is the best series to snuggle up with on a winters night, read with the book in one hand and a margarita in the other on the beach, or in a bathtub full of bubbles.  Although these novels are more romance then para-anything there are interesting para-elements with faeries, time travel, and magic playing a large role.  Karen Marie Moning's Fever series is very popular with readers of the paranormal genre, but before she began writing about Mac and sex-god faery princes, she had written a hugely successful series that is loved by many die hard romantics.

*Don't quote me on this just yet but I am almost positive that in the latest Fever series novel you get a glimpse into the Highlanders in modern time when Mac seeks their help.....the details are fuzzy but I am pretty sure there meeting of both worlds in the latest Fever book. *

Masters of Time

Series: Masters of Time
Author: Brenda Joyce
Web Site: Masters of Time Series
Book Order
1. Dark Seduction
2. Dark Rival
3. Dark Embrace
4. Dark Victory
5. Dark Lover

From the Publisher (Dark Seduction):

Malcolm of Dunroch is a newly chosen Master, a novice to his extraordinary —and dangerous —powers. But he has already broken his vows—and a young woman''s death is on his hands. Malcolm is determined to fight his darkest desires, denying himself all pleasure …until fate sends him another Innocent, the beautiful bookseller Claire Camden. 

Since her mother's murder, Claire has done everything possible to make a safe, secure life for herself in a city where danger lurks on every street corner, especially in the dark of night. But nothing can prepare her for the powerful and sexual medieval warrior who sweeps her back into his time— a treacherous, frightening world where the hunters and the hunted are one and the same. Claire needs Malcolm to survive, yet she must somehow keep the dangerously seductive Master at arm's length. For Malcolm''s soul is at stake—and fulfilling his desires could prove fatal….
Again I can't help but chuckle a bit (especially when I watched the video below...I mean common the Highlanders hair was enough to make me choke on my tea!) but they story is very well written and Joyce has a way of weaving a romantic tale that makes the dormant butterflies in your stomach do a happy dance....a very happy dance.  If it's sexy time traveling warriors your looking for then Joyce delivers them in spades!  



With a tag line of, "Highland warriors sworn to protect innocence through the ages..." what kind of romantic could resist?

Highlander Series

Series: Highlander Series
Author: Janet Chapman
Web Site: Highlander Novels
Book Order
1. Charming the Highlander
2. Loving the Highlander
3. Wedding the Highlander
4. Tempting the Highlander
5. Only a Highlander
6. Secrets of the Highlander
7. A Highlander Christmas

From the Publisher (Charming the Highlander):

A feisty beauty tempted by a bold highlander''s touch...When a plane crash strands brilliant scientist Grace Sutter on an icy mountaintop in Maine, she finds herself alone in the wilderness with the only other surviving passenger -- Greylen MacKeage, a sexy, medieval warrior who''s been tossed through time to find the woman he''s destined to love. Forced together to survive the harsh, wintry landscape, neither expects the fierce passion that flares between them. But Grace is not used to letting her heart take control, and Greylen will settle for nothing less than her heart''s surrender....

To be honest I don't remember a whole lot about this series other then I read the first three in about three days while on vacation a few summers back.  They are deliciously good romantic book candy and are typical of what you would find from a "harlequin" romantic novel.  If its good old fashioned romance your after this series is sure to please.

We all have our guilty pleasures and romance novels about buff, masculine, somewhat arrogant, delicious, time traveling Scottish warriors do it for me every time.

For other links to lists of books with "Time Travel" as the main the main theme please check below.

Amazon.ca
Barnes and Noble

Happy Reading!

Interrupting

Interrupting book blogging for just a moment just so I can say, "GO CANADA!!!!  Our ladies brought home the Gold medal in Woman's hockey on home turf!!!!!!!!! *dance, twirl, jump, throw hands in air!!!!!*

Also saw this posted on FB ( I hope I am not offending anyone) just before we won and though it was great!! Gotta go, gold ceremony!!!

Our Father, Who art in GM Place, HOCKEY be Thy name, Thy Will be done. GOLD to be WON on ice as well as in the stands, Give us this Day, Our hockey sticks & forgive Us Our penalties, as we forgive those who crosscheck against Us. LEAD US Not into elimination, but deliver us TO VICTORY, in the name of the fans, CANADA & the Holy Puck. AMEN!!█♥█ GO CANADA GO █♥█

Review: Shift by: Rachel Vincent

Title: Shift

Author:  Rachel Vincent

Web Site: Rachel Vincent.com

Publisher: Mira (CAN)

Release Date: March 1, 2010

Pages: 400

ISBN - 10: 0778327604
ISBN - 13: 9780778327608

From the Publisher:

Trouble is in the air…

Being the first female werecat enforcer isn't easy. Scars accumulate, but I'm stronger in so many ways.

As for my personal life? It's complicated. Choices worth making always are. Ever since my brother's death and my father's impeachment, it's all I can do to prevent more blood from spilling. Now our Pride is under attack by a flight of vicious thunderbirds. And making peace with our new enemies may be the only way to get the best of our old foe.

With the body count rising and treachery everywhere, my instincts tell me to look before I leap. But sometimes a leap of faith is the only real option...

Review:

I find reviewing books that are a part of a series difficult because I if you haven’t read the previous book(s) I don’t want to spoil anything for you.  I have seen many bloggers add “spoiler warnings” before their review however as a curious reader I always ignore that message so I am left with the same dilemma.  So bare with my hopefully spoiler free review and forgive me if it is not as in depth as others but this series is a gem of the urban fantasy genre so what I leave out you will hopefully gain when you read the series yourself!

I began reading this series when the first book, Stray was released in June of 2007.  I had read quite a few novels featuring shifters but never a novel focused on were cats.  I was and still am enamored with Rachel Vincent’s magical and descriptive writing style, characters full of depth and genuineness, and ability to leave me screaming, “WHAT!” at the end of every novel.  The fifth and second last book in the Shifter series titled, Shift is the best novel in the series so far; which is saying a lot since the entire series is by far one of the best in the urban fantasy genre.  Now is where this review gets difficult as one of the best parts of this book is the romantic relationship(s).  Without giving anything away this book had me with my face pressed against the pages, drinking tea out of a straw so I didn’t spill on myself (I don’t have good hand eye coordination when my eyes are focus on the pages), closeted in my room for three hours with a do-not-disturb sign on my front door, and my phone on silent.  The relationship dynamics between Faythe, Marc, and ******* (see no spoiler) had me freaking out in books four and five and I am not yet over having to wait to find out more until Alpha, the final installment in this series is out.

There are some truly fan-frickin-tastic authors out there in the Urban Fantasy genre; Laurell K Hamilton, Kelley Armstrong, and Kim Harrison to name a few, but with Shift, Rachel Vincent established herself as one of the top writers in her genre.

My Rating

Contact Information

Name: Lindsey
Email: thebookgurugirl@gmail.com
Occupation: Child and Youth Counselor
Genre of Interest:  Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal Fiction, Historical Romance, Young Adult, Romance

Review Policy

After getting contacted by a few authors to do a review on their novel (thanks so much I am very flattered!)  I thought I would do a quick post to set up a more clear personal review policy.

• I am currently reading, reviewing, and recommending good books from a variety of genres including urban fantasy, paranormal romance, Sci-Fi, fantasy, historical romance, and horror, both adult and young adult.
• I currently accept reviews of published books that fit into one or more of the above genres in an as timely manner as possible.
• If your book does not fit into one of the above genres feel free to email me information about your book but if it is not in my area of interest I may not accept solely because I want you to get the best review possible by someone who enjoys the genre of your book.
• If you have any questions, criticisms, comments, etc about my blog please feel free to contact me at thebookgurugirl@gmail.com
• For more information about me please check out my profile.

I want to express my thanks to all authors who contact me to review their novel.  The hard work, blood, sweat, and tears you put into writing your novel and getting it published takes so much dedication and I appreciate your interest in me reviewing your work.  I hope you understand that if I opt not to review your novel it is because I have eclectic tastes in books and I want you to have your book reviewed by someone who enjoys the genre you cater to.

All the best and many thanks,

Lindsey - The Book Guru

This Week On My Radar

I may love to give solicited and unsolicited (I am a menace at Chapters when I see people browsing my favorite genre sections) advice on what books are good, bad, etc however I just as much love to receive book recommendations.   Now that I am a part of a book blogging community I find new books every day thanks to your wonderful book reviews and recommendations.  I also haunt author web sites looking for authors they read because who better to recommend to me new authors then the authors I already know and love!  I have compiled a list of authors and books that have recently popped up on my radar to share with you.  If you have read any of the books please feel free to comment.

First up is Hex Hall from author Rachel Hawkins.  I was attempting to get to know a little bit about the author but not all the links on her web site or blog were working for me.  Regardless I think shes funny, genuine, and worth checking out!

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books For Children
ISBN - 10:1423121309
ISBN - 13:9781423121305
Author Blog: Reading Writing Rachel
Release Date: March 9th 2010

From the Publisher:  

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It''s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie''s estranged father-an elusive European warlock-only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it''s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Why It Hit My Radar

I am a sucker for books that take place in boarding schools, I am obsessed with all things paranormal, and I like a protagonist that you get to go on a journey of self discovery with.  If a book mixes witches, faeries, shifters, etc all together I love to see what the author will do with that combination.  I am usually apprehensive regarding what liberties authors take with the mythology of vampires, faeries, shifters, etc as I prefer to stick as close to the original mythology as possible while still bringing it into the 21st century (while I LOVE the Twilight series I still can't get over sparkly vampires).  I was also reading Rachel Hawkins blog and was really captivated by her blog writing.  She seems to have a great sense of humour and be a little quirky both qualities which I love in authors.

Next....

While checking out Kari Arthurs web site (author of the Riley Jenson Guardian Series) I checked out her books by friends section.  A few of the authors I was familiar with but I the book jacket cover for author Tracey O'hara caught my attention. 

Title: A Night's Cold Kiss (A Dark Brethren Novel)
Author: Tracey O'hara
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Published: August 17, 2009

ISBN - 0061783137
ISBN - 13:9780061783135

I usually include the publishers synopsis but there is a great book trailer for this series that gives a good visual and audio sneak peak into main character and world that Tracey O'hara has created.



If your not yet convinced to check out the series there is a prequel online to Night's Cold Kiss available from her web site.

Onto Carrie Vaughn

I know there are a lot of very loyal fans of Carrie Vaughn out there as I have seen A LOT of blog posts about her Kitty Norville Series.  To be honest I have passed these books many times and could just not get over the titles of the books and the fact that the main character, a werewolf, is named Kitty.  I know I shouldn't judge a book by the title or the cover but I am going to give them a try.  I originally went to her web site to check out The Kitty Norville Series but what really got me interested is her upcoming young adult series called, Voices of Dragons.

Title: Voices of Dragons
Author:  Carrie Vaughn
Publisher:  Harper Collins Publishers
Published:  March 16, 2010
ISBN - 10:0061798940
ISBN - 13:9780061798948
Author Web Site: http://www.carrievaughn.com




From The Publisher:

On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cell phones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity's deepest fears: dragons.
Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she's breaking the law by rock climbing near the border, but she'd rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, the rules are abruptly shattered, and a secret friendship grows between them.
But suspicion and terror are the legacy of human and dragon inter­actions, and the fragile truce that has maintained peace between the species is unraveling. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?

If your interested check out the first chapter here.  When I started to read the first few paragraphs I was mildly interested but when dialogue between Kay Wyatt and Artegal the dragon begins, I was immediately hooked.  I am really looking forward to checking out Carrie Vaughn's debut young adult novel this March and I am going to head to my favorite used book store to pick up the first novel in The Kitty Norville series and give it a try.

Happy reading everyone!

New Look & More For Monday

Today is a very exciting day in my little piece of online book blogging heaven!  Big shout out to blog designer extraordinaire Parajunkee  who is a very well known book blogger herself.  She gives out a discount to book bloggers, completes the preliminary design and any changes you want in a very timely manner, her designs have depth and personality, and she can do the install for you!  I am very happy with the process and final product, I hope you love it as much as I do!  If you are interested in getting some design work done I highly recommend you check her out.

Onto books!

I was very confused by the release date for Shift by, Rachel Vincent.  Originally Chapters had it listed at February 18th and then it was changed to March 1st however I made a rather large "squeeeee" when I realized my bookstore had three copies available.  Whatever the reason for the confusion I am very excited to be a few chapters in to Shift.  Being that I am still sick I hope to have this book finished in record time.

It was my original intent to have part two to my Canadian author post done on the weekend but being that I am still sick I am playing a bit of catch up so I am a little behind! I still can't wait to do a review of Juliet as it is one of the best books I have read outside of my normal genre in a long time.  Because it was so fantistic I don't want to rush the review but I do promise to get that up soon!

Exciting News!  The cover for the next book in the Shifter series, Alpha has been revealed!  For more information about Rachel, the Shifter Series, and about what she thinks of the new cover click here.

Je suis malade :( I have been sick!

There has been no activity on my blog since Teaser Tuesday as I have been sick.  I thought I was doing great this winter in Canada and not getting sick but alas the "sick" found me.  I am feeling a little better and will be doing the following updates in the next 48 hours.

• Part 2 of my Canadian author blog highlight
• Review of, Juliet (See Teaser Tuesday and Thrifty Thursday post

Also I won a contest over at Paper Cut Reviews for an E Book from Keta Diablo (there is a 18 + restriction).  I chose her erotic romance novel, Land of Falling Stars.  I have not  read much erotic romance in quite some time so this should be interesting!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme that was started by MizB from Should Be Reading

If you would like to participate in Teaser Tuesday, all you have to do is take the book that you are currently reading and open it to any page. Then you choose any two (2) sentences from that page to share with the rest of us!

*Be careful not to include spoilers and make sure to include the book title and author

Title: Juliet
Author: Anne Fortier
Publisher: Harper Collins Canada
Release Date: August 17, 2010
ISBN - 10:1554684994
ISBN - 13:9781554684991



Teaser:

Romeo took her hand and forced it to open against his cheek. "I saw you, dear savage, before you saw me. Yet you heard me, before I heard you.  And such as we might have lived, our love separated by our senses, had not Fortuna, tonight, granted you eyes, and I ears."
        The girl frowned.  "Your poetry is mysterious.  Do you intend me to comprehend you, or are you hoping that I mistake my own dullness for your wisdom?"

From the Publisher:
"This book is a stunner. Elegantly written in exquisite, vibrant and witty prose that rides well with the clever use of quotes from Shakespeare, it interweaves an astonishing historic take on the tale of the star-crossed lovers with a fast-paced, modern thriller. Every sentence is a joy, every character lives, and medieval and modern Siena are brilliantly evoked. The theme is delightfully original - and the kind of thing you wish you had thought up yourself. The author is to be congratulated on a truly fabulous book that will surely be a resounding success! We will never see Romeo and Juliet in quite the same way again..."
-- Alison Weir, author of The Lady Elizabeth

If you check out my Thrifty Thursday post you will read about my lucky find.  I CAN NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN ITS SO FANTASTIC!  It's not always an edge-of-your-seat read but this book has its strings firmly wound around my mind and my book lovers heart.  This story is filled with love, tragedy, hope, mystery, history, and magic of a kind I am not used to reading about.

Happy reading!

Blogging books Canadian style!

I hope its safe to assume that everyone knows the 2010 Olympics started this week and it's in Canada!  Watching the opening ceremonies on Friday night was a once-in-a-life time event.  To be honest I wasn't take excited about the Olympics and was kinda getting sick of all the commercials but when Nikki Yanofski sang our national anthem while the whole world watched I was a very proud Canadian.  Before I move onto the reason behind this post I want to take a moment to recognize Alexandre Bilodeau who won the first gold medal to ever be won in Canada in men's moguls!

Since everyone (well I hope everyone) is  very proud to be Canadian, especially right now, I thought I would highlight four of my favorite Canadian authors over the next two days!  For today I will be highlighting Margaret Atwood (a literary genus) and a genus in her own right Kelley Armstrong.

No list such as this one would be complete without mentioning Margaret Atwood .  Margaret Atwood was born in Ottawa in 1939 and grew up in northern Ontario, Quebec, and Toronto.  She is an award winning poet and writer of children's literature, fiction, and non fiction and is also the author of, The Handmaid's Tale, one of my favorite books of all time.  See below for more information on the book as well as a the publishers book synopsis.


Title: The Handmaid's Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
ISBN - 10:0771008554
ISBN - 13:9780771008559

From the Publisher:
In this multi-award-winning, bestselling novel, Margaret Atwood has created a stunning Orwellian vision of the near future. This is the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate "Handmaids" under the new social order who have only one purpose: to breed. In Gilead, where women are prohibited from holding jobs, reading, and forming friendships, Offred's persistent memories of life in the "time before" and her will to survive are acts of rebellion. Provocative, startling, prophetic, and with Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit, and acute perceptive powers in full force, The Handmaid's Tale is at once a mordant satire and a dire warning.

Its been awhile since I read this book last but what always touched me about this book was how intimate a relationship I was able to develop between myself and the main character, Offred.  The life Offred is forced to live (I say forced because the only choice Offred has is really no choice at all) is unimaginable.  Taking place in the not to distant future, Atwood paints an ugly picture where the United States Government is overthrown and in its place a Christian extremest group establishes itself and women cease to have any rights.  

Next up is author Kelley Armstrong!  She is one of my favorite authors in the urban fantasy/paranormal genre and when I began reading her books I was excited to learn that she is Canadian!  She now has ten books in her Otherworld series (not including Men Of The Otherworld), two book out in her Darkest Powers series and two as well in her Nadia Stafford series. For a full listing of her books please check out Kelley Armstrong's website.

My journey into the magical world created by Kelley Armstrong started with the first book in her Otherworld series, Bitten.  The main character Elena Michaels, is the first and only female werewolf known to exist who was turned by her boyfriend Clay against her will.  Choosing to live estranged from her pack in Toronto, Ontario (who knew just a magical world was only a short drive away from my house!) she only returns to her pack when the pack leader calls her home to help with a recent uprising. When its all over it is Elena's intention to return to her home in Toronto and live a human life.

Title: Bitten
Author:  Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Random House of Canada
ISBN - 10:0307358038
ISBN - 13:9780307358035

From the Publisher:

An erotically charged, addictive thriller from the future queen of suspense.

Living in Toronto for a year, Elena is leading the normal life she has always dreamed of, including a stable job as a journalist and a nice apartment shared with her boyfriend. As the lone female werewolf in existence, only her secret midnight prowls and her occasional inhuman cravings set her apart. Just one year ago, life was very different. Adopted by the Pack when bitten, Elena had spent years struggling with her resentment at having her life stolen away. Torn between two worlds, and overwhelmed by the new passions coursing through her body, her only option for control was to deny her awakening needs and escape.

But now the Pack has called Elena home to help them fight an alliance of renegade werewolves who are bent on exposing and annihilating the Pack. And although Elena is obliged to rejoin her "family," she vows not to be swept up in Pack life again, no matter how natural it might feel. She has made her choice. Trouble is, she's increasingly uncertain if it's the right one.

An erotically charged thriller, Bitten will awaken the voracious appetite of every reader, as the age-old battle between man and beast, between human and inhuman forces, comes to a head in one small town and within one woman's body.



If you haven't had the pleasure of curling up with a Kelley Armstrong book do what you need to do to get one or more of her books ASAP.  

If you are a YA enthusiast I highly recommend, The Summoning, the first novel in her YA Darkest Powers series.  


Title:  The Summoning
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
ISBN - 10:0385665342
ISBN - 13:9780385665346



From the Publisher:
After years of frequent moves following her mother's death, Chloe Saunders's life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she's not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts-everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe's small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home-charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a "thing" for fire-Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn't your usual "problem kid" behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…




If you haven't read a novel by Margaret Atwood or Kelley Armstrong please take some time to check out two great Canadian authors the next time you are in a book store or library.

TWLOHA

This blog is primarily about reading, reviewing, and recommending good book but when I read a new post titled "TWLOHA" on Haley's blog , The Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object.  Being a Youth Counselor supporting resilience in youth is one of the most important aspects of my field.  TWLOHA is an acronym for a nonprofit organization called, To Write Love On Her Arms, which supports and reaches out to depressed, self abusing, and suicidal teenagers.  TWLOHA day is every February 13th at which time people are invited to write something inspirational and creative on their arms and when asked about it they can explain that they did it in support of the organization and for teenagers who need help.  I haven't written anything today on my arm however, a few years ago I tattooed something on my arm that is inspirational, creative, and has a message that is supportive for myself and others.  I went through some of my own things growing up and as a reminder I tattooed, "Have Faith" in elvish writing (J.R.R. Tolken's elvish writing).  It is a reminder to "have faith" that things will get better.

Paranormal T.V

Books are by far better then any movie or T.V show ever made but I am a fan of paranormal T.V shows about creatures that go "bump in the night."  First and foremost I am a Buffy fan however I also watched, The X Files, Kindred The Embraced, Angel, Charmed, and many others (and have I mentioned I am a HUGE Star Trek fan). While I am watching and enjoying, The Vampire Diaries I am always in looking for new and old paranormal shows to feed my obsession, so when I stumbled upon an old show from 2001 called, Vampire High I was curious to check it out. The intro is quite corny, the acting juvenile and has a clearly "B" budget, I was still interested enough to watch the first episode.  I am not sure if I will watch the second episode of this series but you decide for yourself if it appeals to you and your inner vampire junkie.  Check out the trailer below or go to the official web site.



Next up is a new British paranormal show called, Being Human that I am really enjoying and I was very excited to see that it is now in it's second season.  Its about a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost living in an apartment in Bristol England. I have watched the entire first season and while I admit the transformation of human to werewolf is a little budget the show more then makes up for it with its dry humour, excellent casting and creative story lines. Check out the trailer below or the official BBC Being Human web site!

Thrifty Thursday?

Having joined in on, "Teaser Tuesdays," and "Waiting on Wednesday," I wondered what happened on Thursdays until I happened to be at the right place ant the right time today.  I dub this particular Thursday, Thrifty Thursday (I truly hope I am not "dubbing" anything that has been "dubbed" before and if I have PLEASE tell me).  I had an hour and a half to spare between jobs today and decided to walk downtown to peruse the YA section of my local book store, Manticore, in hopes of finding something new.  I couldn't find anything to interest me but on my way out I noticed this book .  When I went up to the counter to purchase the book I was told I could have it for freeeee!  At first I though he was joking (what book store gives out free books?) until he told me that in fact he was not.  Turns out they had been sent a "special advanced reading uncorrected proof" and that if I wanted the book it was all mine.  I have been looking online to see what I can find about this book and the author. It turns out that there seems to be quite a bit of buzz about this book on the internet.   Publishers Weekly posted an article about the novel, Juliet and the Danish born author, Anne Fortier.  Both Harper Collins and Publishers weekly are comparing this book to, The Thirteenth Tale, The Birth Of Venus, and The Historian.  Free books are excellent but even before I knew I was getting this book for free I wanted it.   I'll get to the synopsis of the book in a moment but what really sucked me in was this,

"Full of delicious secrets, sleeping potions, 

medieval wedding rituals, curses, the glorious Italian countryside

and sibling rivalries, Juliet is at heart an epic romance that proves 

love is strong enough to conquer even death."

If your not interested yet I hope you will be after the synopsis.

Book: Juliet

Author: Anne Fortier

Release Date: August 17, 2010

Publisher Canada: Harper Collins $29.99

Publisher US: Ballantine Books $25.00

Page Count: 444

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a precarious journey into the true history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo turned medieval Siena upside down. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in Shakespeare's unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse – "A plague on both your houses!" – is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems the only one who can save her from her fate is Romeo… but where is he?

Most of the books I read and love are of the paranormal genre but I can't resist a good love story full of "Double, double, toil and trouble." 

The author, Anne Fortier grew up in Denmark and immigrated to the U.S in 2002 but now lives in Quebec, Canada!  I hope to have this novel finished soon at which point I'll post a review.  I hope to love this book!

Happy Reading!

Suggestions Please!

I am really hoping you can all help me!  As you can see one of my bookshelves is in terrible disarray.  My problem is I make up my mind to organize it alphabetically and then get half way through and don't like it so I start over by organizing it by genre.  Then I get in trouble because some of my authors can be of multiple genres.  So now an hour later I have accomplished nothing but the realization that I may be a little OCD when it comes to organizing my most prized possessions.  How do all of you organize your books?  Should I do it by author, genre, or go a little wild and organize it by vampire, faery, shifter, etc (and then what do I do if the book has both?!?).  The second part of this is do I separate my adult books from my young adult?  I'll include a few pics of the actual books on my shelf so you get an idea of what I read (if you haven't kinda got a bit of an impression from my blog already!).  Lastly should soft cover be separated by hardcover?  Also feel free to just tell me I am crazy haha I promise I won't take offense. 

"Waiting On Wednesday"

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event started by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Black Magic Sanction
Author: Kim Harrison
Release Date: Feb 23, 2010
ISBN: 0061138037
ISBN-13: 978-0061138034
List Price: $33.99 CDN but 34% off at Chapters

 
Sometimes waiting for a book to be released is pure torture and its no different waiting for the next book in Kim Harrison's, The Hollows Series, Black Magic Sanction.  Thankfully the book release date is Feb 23rd which seems both to far and not that far from now.  For those of you also waiting eagerly for this to come out you will be happy to know she posted an excellent excerpt from the upcoming book on her web site! For those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of reading a book from The Hollows Series please check out her website, go to a book store, go to a used book store, or borrow it from someone who has it!  If you need a little more convincing please check out my post regarding the series here .

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme that was started by MizB from Should Be Reading.

If you would like to participate in Teaser Tuesday, all you have to do is take the book that you are currently reading and open it to any page. Then you choose any two (2) sentences from that page to share with the rest of us!

*Be careful not to include spoilers and make sure to include the book title and author

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

"Okay, let's say you're a peep.  And before you got infected you loved chocolate - the parasite changes your brain chemistry so that you can't even stand to look at a Hershey's Kiss, the way movie vampires are afraid of crucifixes."

"What the hell is all that about?"

"It's an evolutionary strategy, so that peeps hide themselves.  That's why they live underground, to escape signs of humanity, and the sun to.  A lot of them do have cruciphobia-I mean, are afraid of crosses-because they used to be religious."

http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/

It's FIXED!

I need to give a HUGE thanks to Parajunkee who I recently contacted to do some design work.  When I told her about my problem she gave me a simple solution that worked (when trying for hours to change HTML coding didn't work).  The simplest answer is often the right one!  So for the people who have emailed me to let me know that my comments weren’t working (thank you also) you can now post your comments!!

Grrrrr Arrrggg my comments arn't working!

It has been brought to my attention (thank you!) that people are unable to comment on my blog/posts. I have explored the problem with my limited understanding of HTML coding and it appears that the HTML code that enables comments to work was not written into the HTML coding of the free blog layout I downloaded. I apologies to anyone who has tried to comment and was unable to! Please feel free to email me through my full blogger profile. Hopefully I will get this fixed asap with minimal changes to my blog template!


The Book Guru

Keri Arthur Goodness

Keri Arthur, author of the Riley Jensen Guardian series became one of my favorite urban fantasy writers this past year. I get super excited when I discover a new author after she has already released a few books in a series, as it gives me something to read on an ongoing basis. I finished reading her newest book in the Riley Jensen series, Moon Sworn, and I will be posting a review of that this week. The point to this post is that I came across an excerpt from her upcoming series featuring a grown up Risa (the half Aedh daughter of one of Riley’s best friends) and thought I would share it with you. Click here to go to the Deadline Dames blog for a sneak peak or click here to go to Keri Arthur’s web site. She has multiple series two of which I read and love (the Riley Jensen Guardian series and the Myth and Magic Series).

I have included a picture of Moon Sworn and Destiny Kills (the first book in the Myth and Magic Series) just in case your wandering your favorite book store and one of her books happens to catch your eye!  If you love urban fantasy with a little bit...ok maybe a lot of heat this series won't dissapoint!

Review: The Forest Of Hands And Teeth

Book Details

Title: The Forest Of Hands And Teeth
Author: Carrie Ryan
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Published: March 10, 2009
Price: $22.99
ISBN: 0385906315, 9780385906319

From the Publisher:

In Mary''s world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future-between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Carrie Ryan lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can visit Carrie at http://www.carrieryan.com/

My Review:

Before sitting down with a cuppa tea to write a review on, The Forest Of Hands And Teeth, by Carrie Ryan, I had an impulse to check the windows and doors to be sure they were locked up tight against a possible invasion of “Unconsecrated.” I devoured this book in one sitting while spending time at my cottage on a little island in Lake Simcoe, in Ontario Canada, where just outside my door is my own little forest of hands and teeth…minus the hands and teeth (hopefully). From the very first sentence and for every one thereafter, I was completely engrossed in the atmosphere, plot, and characters of the novel. Set generations in the future in a post apocalyptic world overrun with the zombies known as, “The Unconsecrated,” the main character, a young woman named Mary, faces a reality filled with heartache, terror, secrets, and the unknown. Carrie Ryan’s descriptions of a small village surrounded by guarded fences with hundreds of Unconsecrated pushing against them from all sides was made so real and vivid by her descriptive language that I was on the edge of my seat from chapter to chapter. As a character Mary is believable, likeable, and relatable for young adult and adult readers alike. It is truly a coming of age story filled with the disillusionment of the world created for her by, The Sisterhood and The Guardians, the heartache of a tragic love triangle, and the impossibility of making life altering choices in the midst of terror and confusion when the fence protecting her village is breached and Mary must flee the village and face The Forest Of Hands And Teeth. This is one of the most genuine and heartfelt stories I have ever read in the YA genre and I felt as though I was running for my life alongside Mary and feeling the confusion, terror, uncertainty, conflict, love, heartache, tragedy, and simple joys of life right along with her. I would recommend this novel to all young adult and adult readers who love the fiction genre and are looking for something new. I eagerly anticipate the release of the second novel in the trilogy, The Dead Tossed Waves, coming out in March 2010.

My Rating

Peeps by: Scott Westerfeld (Worth reading more then once...so I am!)

After reading my first book by Scott Westerfeld I devoured anything and everything he had ever written with the intensity of a prize winning pie eater. I read Peeps quite some time ago but it was so good I am going to read it again. It’s not your typical YA Vampire book but that’s what I loved so much about it. Rather than vampires with the strength of Hercules and the beauty of Aphrodite these vampires are just your regular everyday mortals who are known as “parasite positives” or simply as the title states “peeps.” Scott Westerfeld said,

“The main thing to remember is that there’s no magic involved. No flying. No transforming into bats or rats either. We’re talking about a disease.”

Another thing I loved about his book is that before every chapter of the book he has a smaller chapter describing interesting, gruesome, icky, yucky, disgusting parasites that do unimaginable things to other life forms.  I am not going to post a more in depth review at this time. I have read a hundred other books since Peeps and want to freshen up my memory so I can rant and rave about it more accurately.  Some guy named Kirkus (Totally dig that name...probably because of the "Kirk" factor) describes this book really well (see below).

“Both medical thriller and science fiction, this fast-paced, captivating modern vampire story is enriched with biology and history. . . Entrancing throughout—but squeamish readers beware.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Click here to check out Scott Westerfeld's website and check back for a review in a few days.  Additionally I'll be posting links and reviews to his other books most notably for me his Uglies series which you can take a look at on his website.

Happy Reading!!

Ohhhh Chapters...your calling to me strongly

Chapters is calling very strongly.  I finished reading Beautiful Creatures a few weeks ago (it was like a book sunday with a fat, red, jucy cherry on top and extra sprinkles) and since then I have not had much to read.  I have a few books on the go but nothing that has me in "book fever."  In anticipation for my next trip to Chapters or Manticore (my local book store) I have compiled a list of books I want to read. 

First up is The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.  I keep walking by this book at the store but keep not buying it as other authors I read have released books more reciently. After snooping around on Carrie Ryans web site I became more and more interested in the plot line of this book because more then anything (ok almost more then anything) I love books who's main characters are young women on the cusp of adulthood.  I am so intrigued by how the events in our lives shape us and sometimes you find an author who captures that on paper.  I think its great to have fictional role models who demonstrate how to be honest with yourself, how to have courage and resilience when challenged by unfortunate life circumstances, and to be true and have respect for yourself.  I am hoping (and I have a feeling it will) this book lives up to that expectation.  Click here to read a indepth excerpt from the novel, it got my attention, I hope it gets yours to.

Coming out in March 2010 is the companion book to The Forest of Hands and Teeth.  Below is a quick excerpt from the book however if you would like to know more about Carrie Ryan and her novels click here.

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness.



But life after the Return is never safe, and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.
One night beyond the Barrier...
One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery...
One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.
Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

I have lots more on my reading list which i'll be happy to add tomorrow.  For now I need to do less typing and more reading so i'll say,

Good Night and Happy Reading!

The Hollows series by: Kim Harrison

As you may have already guessed the vast majority of the books I read would be considered urban fantasy. It is my drug of choice and like any addict I can’t wait to get my hands on the next fix. Kim Harrison’s series, The Hollows, is one of my top five favorite urban fantasy series of all time. Below is a brief teaser that suggests juicer things to come as well as a link to the authors web site.

All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party ... and to feed.


Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining -- and its Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized.
A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead ... or undead.

Click here to go to Kim Harrison's web site.  I HIGHLY recomend that you pick up a copy of Dead Witch Walking the first book in the series.  I promise you won't be dissapointed.

Happy Reading!

Meredith Gentry series by: Laurell K. Hamilton

Quite a few years ago now Laurell K. Hamilton came out with a new urban fantasy series called the Meredith Gentry series.  I am a long time, dedicated reader of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series so I had no hesitation to pick up the first book in her new series, A Kiss Of Shadows. Like the Anita series these books bring the fantastical to life and seamlessly weave it together with our own reality but instead of vampires, shape shifters, and necromancy she brings the world of faeries to life in a whole new way. In this series her writing remains as descriptively delicious as always with tasty characters and highly sexual plot lines that I wouldn’t recommend to anyone’s young teenage daughter. The idea behind this series is that Meredith Gentry, a half human half faery princess is in line for the throne along with her cunning and sadistic cousin, the son of The Queen of Air and Darkness. As the world of faerie and all those of faery decent are becoming infertile the throne will be given to the one to conceive first. With a band of “Merry Men” at her side she does her best to be the one to get their first. See below for a synopsis of the first book!

“My name is Meredith Gentry, but of course it’s not my real name. I dare not even whisper my true name after dark for fear that one hushed word will travel over the night winds to the soft ear of my aunt, the Queen of the Air and Darkness. She wants me dead. I don’t even know why.”


Meredith Gentry, Princess of the high court of Faerie, is posing as a human in Los Angeles, living as a P.I. specializing in supernatural crime. But now the Queen’s assassin has been dispatched to fetch her back–whether she likes it or not. Suddenly Meredith finds herself a pawn in her dreaded aunt’s plans. The job that awaits her: enjoy the constant company of the most beautiful immortal men in the world. The reward: the crown–and the opportunity to continue to live. The penalty for failure: death.

I seriously eat this stuff up. Click here for Laurell's web site which has links to all her books, her blog (which I read every day), and a sneak peak at many of the first chapters of her novels.

WARNING to all parents that there is a very high volume of sexual content in this series that may not be appropriate for your children.  For everyone else enjoy :)

Happy Reading!

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter by: Laurell K. Hamilton

Laurell K. Hamilton's novel, Guilty Pleasures, is what made me fall in love with urban fantasy in the first place. She just released her 17th book in this series, Flirt, and already I am impatient for the next one to come out. Be warned her books are very sexual, graphic, juicy, and delicious but if you love urban fantasy and haven’t yet read a Anita Blake novel then you’re missing out. This is the woman who pioneered the urban fantasy genre and no one does it better than she does. The Anita Blake series is book candy at its tastiest! Below is a synopsis for the first novel in the series, Guilty Pleasures, as well as a link to her web site.

My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me The Executioner. What I call them isn''t repeatable.
Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I''ve seen their victims. I carry the scars...
But now a serial killer is murdering vampires -- and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer...

Click here to go to Laurell's (look at me using her first name like I know her! I wish :) web site.  If you allready lover her books or one day fall in love with them don't forget to check out her blog!

I should add a WARNING to all parents that there is a high volume of sexual content that I wouldn't want my young teenage daughter to read so heads up.

Happy Reading :)

The House of Night series by: P.C & Kristin Cast

The House of Night series by P.C and Kristin Cast is a somewhat new series of books much loved by the same fans that are obsessed with the Twilight series (to be slightly amused and horrified check out MLIT). The books take place at a local vampire high school in a world much like our own but with one major difference. In the world of Zoey Redbird, the main character of this series, vampires are a known but not necessarily accepted part of humanity, and she is one of them. Click here to visit The House Of Night web site.  In the future I intend to re-read this series to post reviews for each book but in the mean time don't be afraid to try it out for youself!

Happy Reading!