Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by
The idea for this book was great but didn't wow me.
This was a "choose your own story" retelling of Sleeping Beauty. With a current trend in YA being the twist on classic fairy tales, this falls short of the mark. Instead of retelling in a unique way, the bad guys are vampires. The story is predictable with the choices being the best part.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
From hot spies to hometown romance
Angel's Falls by Emily March aka Geralyn Dawson
If you have read Geralyn Dawson's books about 3 brother spies, this is a different pace. The trilogy that starts off with high speed action continues in this small town romance.
This series is a more classic contemporary type of romance. A small town in Colorado is where people go to heal or escape from a high pressure life. When Jack comes into town it is clear that he has a complicated past that he is running from.
This is the start to a new series under a new name. Sweet and hometown romantic feel.
If you have read Geralyn Dawson's books about 3 brother spies, this is a different pace. The trilogy that starts off with high speed action continues in this small town romance.
This series is a more classic contemporary type of romance. A small town in Colorado is where people go to heal or escape from a high pressure life. When Jack comes into town it is clear that he has a complicated past that he is running from.
This is the start to a new series under a new name. Sweet and hometown romantic feel.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
We're not quite family
Oh my goodness!!!! Just finished a fantastic new read! So many exclamation points are needed to express my delight after reading "Timeless" byfirst time author Alexandra Monir! I know what you're thinking & you're wrong. Ash handed me the book & I started half-heartedly reading it @ 6pm friday, read it seriously by 10, & was dreaming about what would come next.
Like all good Disney films, "Timeless" starts with our leading lady becoming an orphan. (go ahead, prove me wrong. No princess has both parents."Sleeping Beauty" doesn't count since she was hidden away from both of them) Instead of getting to go live with one of her best friends, however, Michele Windsor is sent to live with her grandparents in NYC. The very people her mother ran away from when they disapproved of her choice of husband.....a man Michele never knew. What she finds there is not just the opposite of everything she had ever known, but an intensly lonely feeling. And a mystery.
While exploring her rooms, Michele comes across a locked drawer. Odd in and of itself, but downri th t wierd when the mysterious key in her mother's belongings reacts to it. Unlocking the drawer finds Michele & the reader transported into history. History of the city, history of the Windsor family, history of romances......and is that Michele's father we just ran into? Michele seems to only be visible to whichever Windsor girl occupies her rooms with each trip. Her new found family pride & intrigue keeps the pages flying by.
Did Michele's dad break the time travel code? Does Michele's trips cause a feud with the Walker family next door....a hundred or so years ago? What do all the Windsot women that lived in those rooms share that makes this fantastical journey possible? Most importantly, when do we get a second book?!?!
Go, run, get "Timeless" & go on an adventure unlike any other!
Like all good Disney films, "Timeless" starts with our leading lady becoming an orphan. (go ahead, prove me wrong. No princess has both parents."Sleeping Beauty" doesn't count since she was hidden away from both of them) Instead of getting to go live with one of her best friends, however, Michele Windsor is sent to live with her grandparents in NYC. The very people her mother ran away from when they disapproved of her choice of husband.....a man Michele never knew. What she finds there is not just the opposite of everything she had ever known, but an intensly lonely feeling. And a mystery.
While exploring her rooms, Michele comes across a locked drawer. Odd in and of itself, but downri th t wierd when the mysterious key in her mother's belongings reacts to it. Unlocking the drawer finds Michele & the reader transported into history. History of the city, history of the Windsor family, history of romances......and is that Michele's father we just ran into? Michele seems to only be visible to whichever Windsor girl occupies her rooms with each trip. Her new found family pride & intrigue keeps the pages flying by.
Did Michele's dad break the time travel code? Does Michele's trips cause a feud with the Walker family next door....a hundred or so years ago? What do all the Windsot women that lived in those rooms share that makes this fantastical journey possible? Most importantly, when do we get a second book?!?!
Go, run, get "Timeless" & go on an adventure unlike any other!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tink's a Disney Whore!
A witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixie get into a powdered blue Buick…
No, it’s not the beginnings to a horrible joke, but the start of Pale Demon, book nine of the fantastic Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
Book Blurb From Borders.com:
Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches’ conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic ever-after . . . forever after.
But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country? Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.
For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight—freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.
Complete fan girl squeals and happy dances all around. From the moment I finished Black Magic Sanction last February, I’ve wanted to read this book. Each Hollows addition is better than the last and Pale Demon is once again my favorite so far. Why? Because of a certain cookie-sniffing shoe maker.
Tink’s a Disney Whore! Yes, I mean Trent Kalamack. Ever since we first met him in Dead Witch Walking, I’ve loved the chemistry in every scene with him and Rachel. They’ve out right hated each other, have both tried to kill the other and yet can work together when the situation calls for it, to both their dismays. So when Kim announced that Pale Demon was going to lock the two of them in a car for 2300 miles, my first thought was “this is gonna be good.” Understatement. What I loved was that we don’t see the polished professional Trent personifies as he pursues political office (say that three times fast), runs illegal Brimstone smuggling operations and tries to find the cure to the curse demons have placed on the elven race. We see Trent disheveled, embarrassed, making mistakes and otherwise being…human.
And Rachel notices too.
Rachel herself faces trial after trial as the Coven tries to stop her from getting to the conference to clear her name (the Coven can’t be trusted), as assassins hunt Trent for reasons he won’t disclose (typical), as Al tries to convince her to shun reality, embrace her inner demoness and join him in the ever-after (the most likely outcome of the conference), and never mind about the day-walking demon that has just placed her at the top of his want list (all in a day’s work). There’s always something or someone gunning for Rachel, trying to kill her, subvert her, manipulate her…and she survives. She takes what is thrown at her, reacting by the seat of her pants and often making bad decisions, but she survives and rises to protect those around her, even when they don’t want her protection (*cough* Trent *cough*). Rachel will always put others above herself and that’s what I love about her. When the cards are on the table and she knows she’s beat, she’ll sacrifice herself to make sure everyone else survives. We need more heroines like her.
And I want more Trent. When’s book 10 come out?
Pale Demon releases on Tuesday, February 22nd from HarperCollins. ARC provided by NetGalley.
Kelly Metz enjoys reading, writing, photography, her family and annoying her baby brother, who, while younger, is now over a foot taller than her and can punch much harder than when he was little. She spends her free time engaging in various torture activities, demon summonings, zombie raisings and spell casting. And writing when she gets bored with those. You can find her online at www.kellymetz.com or follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/bwlrgrl300
No, it’s not the beginnings to a horrible joke, but the start of Pale Demon, book nine of the fantastic Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches’ conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic ever-after . . . forever after.
But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country? Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.
For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight—freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.
Complete fan girl squeals and happy dances all around. From the moment I finished Black Magic Sanction last February, I’ve wanted to read this book. Each Hollows addition is better than the last and Pale Demon is once again my favorite so far. Why? Because of a certain cookie-sniffing shoe maker.
Tink’s a Disney Whore! Yes, I mean Trent Kalamack. Ever since we first met him in Dead Witch Walking, I’ve loved the chemistry in every scene with him and Rachel. They’ve out right hated each other, have both tried to kill the other and yet can work together when the situation calls for it, to both their dismays. So when Kim announced that Pale Demon was going to lock the two of them in a car for 2300 miles, my first thought was “this is gonna be good.” Understatement. What I loved was that we don’t see the polished professional Trent personifies as he pursues political office (say that three times fast), runs illegal Brimstone smuggling operations and tries to find the cure to the curse demons have placed on the elven race. We see Trent disheveled, embarrassed, making mistakes and otherwise being…human.
And Rachel notices too.
Rachel herself faces trial after trial as the Coven tries to stop her from getting to the conference to clear her name (the Coven can’t be trusted), as assassins hunt Trent for reasons he won’t disclose (typical), as Al tries to convince her to shun reality, embrace her inner demoness and join him in the ever-after (the most likely outcome of the conference), and never mind about the day-walking demon that has just placed her at the top of his want list (all in a day’s work). There’s always something or someone gunning for Rachel, trying to kill her, subvert her, manipulate her…and she survives. She takes what is thrown at her, reacting by the seat of her pants and often making bad decisions, but she survives and rises to protect those around her, even when they don’t want her protection (*cough* Trent *cough*). Rachel will always put others above herself and that’s what I love about her. When the cards are on the table and she knows she’s beat, she’ll sacrifice herself to make sure everyone else survives. We need more heroines like her.
And I want more Trent. When’s book 10 come out?
Pale Demon releases on Tuesday, February 22nd from HarperCollins. ARC provided by NetGalley.
Kelly Metz enjoys reading, writing, photography, her family and annoying her baby brother, who, while younger, is now over a foot taller than her and can punch much harder than when he was little. She spends her free time engaging in various torture activities, demon summonings, zombie raisings and spell casting. And writing when she gets bored with those. You can find her online at www.kellymetz.com or follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/bwlrgrl300
Friday, February 4, 2011
great things are coming from Maria Snyder
Wow oh wow oh wow!!!! We found NetGalley and based on our blog and our profile, we have been lucky enough to get to read some amazing gallies instead of waiting and hoping for arcs. First one finished: Outside In by Maria Snyder.We've been fans of Maria's for awhile now and have been lucky to have her come to the stores we work at to sign, do meet-and-greets, and have book release parties. We know we're not the normal fans and maybe the gushing praise will turn some off. Well, I don't care.
Trella's back and not sure where she fits in her newly free world. The pressure makes her start to crack. While the Committee seems to work slower than our current Congress, Trella is craving to get back to exploring the Inside. The empty space discovered at the end of Inside Out is far more expansive than they could have imagined. She also finds yet another secret area; this one contains what appears to be vehicles of some sort and weird symbols that may be the answers they've been arguing about in Committee meetings.
While the entirety of Inside waits for those they put in charge to actually do something, Trella's trying to come to terms with the fact that Dr. Lamont, the traitor in Trella's mind, just might be her mother.Saboteurs, Outsiders, and heartache seem to follow Trella and her band of merry men wherever they go. In the end, it's really about finding her place in her society and doing what's best for all......once she figures out what that might be. There's plenty of action, conspiracy, and yes a bit of love to make this a great read for teens & adults alike as well as keep either boys or girls glued to the pages. Ms Snyder once again manages to find a new spin on teen angst, the journey of self-discovery, and her magical ability to fully engross a reader in the world she's created.
While reading the advanced galley has been exciting, it has shown me that I will not be an e-book convert. Sure, a handheld device might be better than reading on my computer I have reaffirmed that I would rather have a paper copy of a book any day. I'll keep reading however I can so we can share new titles and authors with all of you.
Outside In comes out March 1, 2011. You can check out an excerpt and see where Maria Snyder is appearing on her website: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/. ARC provided by NetGalley
Monday, January 31, 2011
Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
The author of P.S. I Love You is back with a new novel. well, it's fantastic! at least, the first 3 chapters are. We won an arc in a twitter contest and somehow I lost it.
Here's the story as far as I got:
Tamara's a typical teenager. Self-Obsessed, would rather spend time with her friends than her parents, doesn't usually think past her next set of plans. None of these things is necessarily bad until her whole world changes. First, she loses her dad and then her whole sense of self. After the post-dad finances are figured out, it's apparent that Tamara and her mom can't continue living the life they have been.
No more vacations, no more extravagant shopping, no more big house. No, they go to live with her aunt and uncle (whom she barely remembers) in their "little" cottage next to Kilsaney Castle. Left to her own as her mother grieves and her aunt & uncle go about their lives, Tamara is struggling to find her place in her new world while desperately desiring to be back in her old one.
Sadly, that's as far as i got before my apartment ate the book. I know from reading the blurb on the back that a rolling library introduces her to a book that will change everything for Tamara, but I have no idea how or why. The Book of Tomorrow is set in Ahern's Ireland and makes me want to travel. And since I never got to finish the book, I'm going to have to see if my local bookstore has it.
You should too and together we can see how/why/if Tamara is able to cope with the changes thrown at her. And also how one book can make her life seem complete. (isn't that true of our favorite books anyways?)
Recovering with pages,
Kat :)
Hardcover, 320 pages, 21.99 @ borders.com
Here's the story as far as I got:
Tamara's a typical teenager. Self-Obsessed, would rather spend time with her friends than her parents, doesn't usually think past her next set of plans. None of these things is necessarily bad until her whole world changes. First, she loses her dad and then her whole sense of self. After the post-dad finances are figured out, it's apparent that Tamara and her mom can't continue living the life they have been.
No more vacations, no more extravagant shopping, no more big house. No, they go to live with her aunt and uncle (whom she barely remembers) in their "little" cottage next to Kilsaney Castle. Left to her own as her mother grieves and her aunt & uncle go about their lives, Tamara is struggling to find her place in her new world while desperately desiring to be back in her old one.
Sadly, that's as far as i got before my apartment ate the book. I know from reading the blurb on the back that a rolling library introduces her to a book that will change everything for Tamara, but I have no idea how or why. The Book of Tomorrow is set in Ahern's Ireland and makes me want to travel. And since I never got to finish the book, I'm going to have to see if my local bookstore has it.
You should too and together we can see how/why/if Tamara is able to cope with the changes thrown at her. And also how one book can make her life seem complete. (isn't that true of our favorite books anyways?)
Recovering with pages,
Kat :)
Hardcover, 320 pages, 21.99 @ borders.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Jane True is Truly Wonderful
Tempest Legacy by Nicole Peeler
This third book in the Jane True story is delightful. It continues the story of Jane in her exploration of who she is and this powerful, beautiful, and scary supernatural world she is now a part of. Jane once again gets caught up in a series of murder investigations with Ryu's team. Fighting Ryu's wish that she moves to Boston with him, Jane is finding the dynamic of her romantic feelings to be changing. Not sure who to trust Jane is beginning to stand on her own two feet.
These books have it all; murder and mystery, humor that's laugh out loud, a paranormal world that is fascinating, romance that is both hot and touchingly sweet, and are an overall must read. If you enjoy Sookie Stackhouse, you will love Jane True.
This third book in the Jane True story is delightful. It continues the story of Jane in her exploration of who she is and this powerful, beautiful, and scary supernatural world she is now a part of. Jane once again gets caught up in a series of murder investigations with Ryu's team. Fighting Ryu's wish that she moves to Boston with him, Jane is finding the dynamic of her romantic feelings to be changing. Not sure who to trust Jane is beginning to stand on her own two feet.
These books have it all; murder and mystery, humor that's laugh out loud, a paranormal world that is fascinating, romance that is both hot and touchingly sweet, and are an overall must read. If you enjoy Sookie Stackhouse, you will love Jane True.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Richard Castle you're my hero
One of the best tv to book transitions that I have ever seen. If you love the ABC show Castle, you will love the books referenced in the show and written by Richard Castle.
Jamison Rook is a self-assured journalist writing a piece on Detective Nikki Heat. Heat is a kick ass crime fighter with a hidden romantic side. As they become more involved in the murder case, so do they also become more involved with each other.
Witty and fun, these books show the under lying feelings of the characters on the show. It is easy to believe that the books written by Richard Castle are about real people that we get to see every week. The humorous side to solving murders is always visible in the tales of Nikki Heat.
Jamison Rook is a self-assured journalist writing a piece on Detective Nikki Heat. Heat is a kick ass crime fighter with a hidden romantic side. As they become more involved in the murder case, so do they also become more involved with each other.
Witty and fun, these books show the under lying feelings of the characters on the show. It is easy to believe that the books written by Richard Castle are about real people that we get to see every week. The humorous side to solving murders is always visible in the tales of Nikki Heat.
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