Waiting On Wednesday, and a bit of Monday's Meme and a bit of ranting and raving - just a little bit

Okay - now go enter for the contest

I love books, I love Kittens.....the combo - doesn't always work. But these type of pictures do!

As always, any LOL Cats pics I post are from the ICanHasCheezeburger site - or LOLCatz (same site) I joined the site, and I've come up with a whopping ONE caption, but I love the imagination that everyone has on that site. They are amazing and always good for a laugh.
I've totally missed the Monday and Tuesday Memes I usually participate in, though I've posted a late What are you reading further down on this post.
I can't believe it's already another week gone by - and time for a Waiting on Wednesday post. Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine (I love the name of her blog)I am actually waiting on quite a few books (I DO have a serious book acquiring addiction) . Here are three books that I'm yearning for, YEARNING! One isn't due until October - and can I just say here that I can not stand it when a book isn't out for months and yet people post things on Amazon as if they were writing a review, only it's not a review, Nope - it's just a lot of review entries that say things like "I can't wait for the book"; "Oh - it BETTER be good", "blahblah yaddayadda". - it's even worse when they actually RATE the books; as if the people actually think it's a good idea to give a writer who has worked very hard on their books a one star "review" that is really a complaint because the publisher isn't going to have it available right away on Kindle OR has over charged for it. Not the writers' fault people, quit bringing their average review rates down JUST so you can bitch about something in public instead of writing a letter to the publishers....WHOA! I didn't expect all that to come out, but since it did, it's a valid complaint. Guess I should go write a letter to someone now.....
Soooooo, AHem....
The following are the books that I'm Waiting on Wednesday-ing Aftermath, book five of Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre, out August 30, 2011
Reckoning, final book of the Strange Angel's series by Lili St.Crow-due out Nov 1, 2011
Fate's Edge book Three of The Edge Series by Ilona Andrews out Nov 29, 2011 (so LOOONNNGG) Oh Yeah! going bookshopping in.....a month or two. LOL NOW
Here is what I would have posted on Monday..... It's Monday, What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey

I have been happily obsessed with SciFi and space travel, futuristic stuff. A friend sent me some books for my birthday, by Lois McMaster Bujold. Now the first cover is an omnibus version which contains the books represented here by their original covers. This series seems like a SciFi/Fantasy type mix. These are older, written before Steampunk became a word for book style and before Mash-ups were a term. But judging by the bit I've read so far and skimming a little bit, this series seems to be a mix up of fantasy and SciFi. The people have achieved space travel, and yet so far, it reads like a good old fashioned high fantasy, with spaceships. I haven't dived too deep into them yet - I expect to do that later today, but so far, that's the impression I get. This is going to be fun. I'm starting with Warrior's Apprentice. Though this is the third or fourth in the series, I don't think I'll be too confused. The bit I've read so far doesn't seem to be very confusing or leave me wondering what I'm missing. Looks like a pretty cool book - and there are three novels in between the covers here. She also sent another by the same author titled Brothers In Arms. I'm looking forward to diving into these novels. I did read one of Bujold's fantasy novels a few years ago, so I know her writing is good. I started Reading Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin. I've had this book for over four years...actually since 2007. I don't know why I waited so long, but I have been known to hold on to books for quite a while. I finally started to read it, I've been enjoying it and then I misplaced it right when I'm just past the halfway point. Figures. Fortunately I have hundreds of other books here to choose from (they do not fit in my bookshelves anymore, it's time to start thinning out some books. I would offer them in a contest, but HARDLY ANYONE ENTERS MY CONTESTS). Luckily for my later self, I have recently bought the second book in the series....See - I have this book buying thing, almost an addiction (hell, it IS an addiction). Remember that I've had this novel for over five years, waiting for me to even start it, I didn't even know until this week if I was going to like it, and I ALREADY BOUGHT THE SEQUEL TO IT, Planning to also start buying third and fourth in the series, one at a time....ALL BECAUSE I LIKE THE TITLE TO THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS (#3). This is NOT completely SANE, folks. Of course, I've never, ever tried to tell anyone that I AM completely sane. I wouldn't lie like that. (innocently smiles-work with me here, innocent smiles aren't easy when you're 51 years old, snicker, snicker) This book is floating around somewhere, waiting for me to read it again....just waiting for me. Either under the couch, in the fridge (did that once), behind a shelf, under the bed or even IN the bed (lot's of things end up in our bed.....I blame it on the grandchildren, but it's really me too! lol) maybe even in a cupboard or toybox.

I read Right Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins. I was both entertained and just the teeniest bit disappointed. It was good, but from all the comments I had been hearing about her previous novels (vampire series with Sonja Blue or Sonya Blue), I expected something fantastical. There is a sequel titled Left Hand Magic (I wonder if the feet will be next, lol) which I'll probably buy, just for the world building - it's pretty cool.

I also finished the third in a series by Elizabeth Moon titled Engaging the Enemy. I enjoyed this one more than the previous two - and am kind of itching to get the next in the series. These were written around 10 years ago, and I'm not even sure how many are in this series. I know Moon also writes fantasy, and has another space/SciFi series out there, which I'm tempted to get also.
I finally actually reviewed some of the books I've been reading. Seems that I've been reading a few books and just forget to actually review them. Imagine that. Me forgetting something.

I finally reviewed...

BloodLands, Christine Cody

The Heart of Valor, Tanya Huff (loved it)

The Better Part of Valor, Tanya Huff

Ghellow Road, T.H.Waters (Intersting story based on true events)

I had my hair dyed, looked at my list of books read - got all excited because it looks like I've read (47!) then became calmer when I realized that I now put in the books that I'm currently reading (so I don't forget) and realized that there are at least five books I need to finish, bring my total down to 42 books. Oh well, that's still better than this time last year. Last year i finished around 55 books total by December 31st. If I continue read at least five books a month i'll bring the total up to 90 books, at least 90. I don't think I'll do that many though. for me, at my current rate of reading and watching t.v., and playing with grandchildren - I'll be lucky if I break 60 books.

But there's nothing like grandchildren.

Nothin.

My job starts back next week. I now have less than one week left of my precious summer vacation......on a positive note, I will get to interact with students again (which can be fun) and I will eventually have a paycheck coming in once more - money is always a positive. Unfortunately with the state of the schools lately, we haven't had raises in over five years. I know I'm lucky to even be working, but working for the same rate of pay for over five years, boils down to losing money after you factor in the cost of living rising every year. Most of the time I try not to think about it - especially when the top administrators make so much money, etc....... I might look this irritated.....I feel like this sometimes LOL - need to reign it in though for the poor little kinders and first graders. Second grade and up is fair game.....Mwhahahahahahahaha....Just kidding, I'm so sweet...coughcough.......they use my fingers to stir coffee with. :)

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Jill of BreakingTheSpine, Waiting onWednesday is a fun meme that has us listing books that we are waiting for. Sometimes patiently, sometimes impatiently, sometimes Both!

Author Christine Cody (aka Chris Marie Green, of Vampire Babylon fame) is coming out very soon with her new steampunk series. The first - Bloodlands - will be released July 26th, and I'm looking forward to reading it. And if I like it, then I'm in luck, as the second and third are going to be released one a month after. It seems to be a mix of steampunk, futuristic and western. There are revolvers. I like revolvers in stories....sometimes.




From the product description at Penguin..."It was called the New Badlands, home to the survivors of a cataclysm that altered the entire nation. Then the vampires arrived, and it was rechristened the Bloodlands. Not because of the vampire, but because of the gun-for-hire who'd decided to slay every monster in the country by any and every means necessary."

Usually, when I do this meme, I look for books that haven't come out yet. I look for books that aren't coming out for a few months at least...sometimes even longer. But I just read an excerpt of a book that's been out since 2008 (at the least), after reading a review of it by TheHappyNappyBookSeller.
A La Carte a YA Novel by Tanita S. Davis

I definitely want to read more after this taste. A La Carte is about a young girl who has a true passion for cooking and making new dishes - vegetarian dishes. She has a dream to become a famous chef, with her own line of cooking accessories. Smart girl. But there is a young man that can possibly get in the way of her dream, distracting her with promises of true love....

The Cover - Bellissima! Guapa! absolutely Beautiful!

Ms Davis's website is full of fun info - go explore

Last, but certainly not least....coming out August 30 (man, I STILL have to wait??!!??) is the latest Sirantha Jax novel by Ann Aguirre. Aftermath. What is there to say? If you've been reading them, then you know why I'm waiting semi-impatiently for this....and if you haven't ....well, then it's indescribable. Go read Grimspace...then the next...If you're not hooked on them after, then you probably aren't going to like any of them....but it seems that most people who've read this series really loves these books.

I can't find an excerpt right now....hopefully it'll be posted later.
This time, Sirantha is on trial by the Conglomeration. Oh Boy.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine.

Full guidelines for this weekly meme are at the host blog - basically you post a bit about a novel you're looking forward to. I usually go on about a book (or three or five) that's coming out months in the future...But THIS TIME!

THIS. Time.

I am excited about an e-novel that is coming out in about two weeks.

That's right.

June 24th J.A. Campbell's first full length novel will be published.

FULL LENGTH

First time in e-print (is that a valid word?)

her Debut full length Young Adult paranormal novel.

whew!

Senior Year Bites

Just check out this partial blurb (taken from the webpage)

"Senior year is supposed to be fun:boys, dances and graduation.

It's significantly harder to enjoy when you're dead.

....I survived the attack, but it took me a few days to figure out what was going on.
....Steph {one of Meg's best friends} decided that we should be cool, like superheroes, and fight crime.....

....Only I'm a vampire, not a hero....."

See? posting and reading part of this blurb makes me want to re-visit Megan's town and her friends. I did get to read this before, bit since then, it's been picked up, re-worked and edited - all that fun authorly stuff. I am waiting for it to be released, so I can read a polished and finished story. The version I read was very impressive already, so I'm really looking forward to reading the...

Final Version.

Senior Year Bites

by J.A. Campbell

Look for it from Decadant Publishing

June 24th, 2011

I'll be buying my copy!

Waiting on Wednesday

I haven't done one of these WOW posts for a little while. In fact, I don't do them every week, because there are so many books I want that I would spend all my time looking them up, copying and pasting the covers, uploading posts...etc. that I wouldn't have time to read the books that I do have...I already spend too much time in the 'net.....(snicker, smirk, wink, wink-no idea why I'm snickering, smirking or winking here, I don't always make sense)

Hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, Waiting On Wednesday is a place to post about books that we're looking forward to reading. I usually post about books that are far into the future (the whole waiting thing), but there is a book out right now that I am stressing about because I couldn't get to the bookstore TODAY to buy...not that I would have been able to read it right immediately anyway. In my formerly over-doing it fashion, I'm not only listing that book, but three others...because there are many,many books that I am waiting to get.

:)

Magic Slays released on Tuesday, May 31st. I've been waiting patiently for this to come out...so patiently, that it just snuck up on me! I remember years ago, when the very first book by these two (Ilona and Gordon Andrews) came out and they were relatively unknown this book pretty much jumped out at me from the bookshelf at the store. Magic Bites - who could resist that title? and when I read the back cover, I had to try it out. Ever since that first book, Ilona Andrew's books have joined the ranks of books that I just automatically buy when they come out, not even bothering to read the blurbs anymore. I don't care what the back covers say anymore, I know it's going to be a good read just because it's the series that I enjoy from the couple that writes hell-a-good books.

Another novelist/book series that I automatically buy is any book in the Disc World series by Terry Pratchett. At this point, any book by Terry Pratchett is one that I'll buy. I like some more than others - that's inevitable with over 30 books under his belt, but they're all good books. Snuff comes out in October of 2011. In hardback...ouch, but I usually do buy Sir Pratchett's books in hardback...can't WAIT! for the paperback versions. (evil publishers....lol) I just want you all to know - it is very difficult to find excerpts of some of the discworld books, and yet others are very available...so click and read-get a taste of Pratchett if you've never read him before. Good writer...Brilliant....Genius.....

Yes! I know this has been out for a while, possibly longer than a year...maybe even almost two years (?!?). But I didn't buy it right away (came out in hardback) and Christopher Moore's novels rarely come out in mass market paperback size (the only mmpb I have of his is Practical DemonKeeping, his debut novel). Nope, this guy's books now go from hardback (in the U.S. at $25 or more) to TRADE paperback...and those are now around $16. Can't get a BREAK! (evil publishers-smaller lol here). So. Soon, I plan to shell out the medium bucks to buy a copy of Bite Me....It's the third in the vampire trilogy - (Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck) and I've read the first two - enjoyed them....need to read the third.

By the way - follow the Christopher Moore link, and you will be able to find excerpts to all his books. Amazing. Good Authorly thing to do.

Jemma 7729 came out in a few years ago, though it was written in 2004ish...I remember reading about it way back in ...well, I can't really remember what year. I was able to read an excerpt though - it must have been before 2008. (damn-it, am I rambling here!? like an elder....jeez) I remember reading it and thinking, "Damn! I have to get a copy of this!" I was so excited about it, futuristic science fiction, rebellious, kickass female character....and then for one reason or another I kept forgetting to actually ORDER it. By the way, it's written by Phoebe Wray and she was working on a sequel (Jay2 - not sure if that's the final title or just the working title). Well, since I once again thought about this book, I once again looked it up on The Book Depository and went ahead and ordered myself a copy...finally. Since I've been suddenly craving Science Fiction reading, I'm hoping to receive it soon.

I've been craving SciFi so much that I'm considering re-reading the Sirantha Jax Series, and taking a re-read of the Nylon Angel series (for the scifi furturistic feel)

So that's it for my Waiting On Wednesday. One of the books is a future wait...one I can go get tomorrow....and the other two are books that I've waited way too long to acquire.

At least I ordered it....finally.

In the meantime, I'll just have to soothe myself with silly cat pictures.

Courtesy of LOLCatz also known as ICAN Haz Cheezeburgers

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is a good time to list books that we're looking forward to in the future. Usually, when I do this, I post about books that are coming out far into the future, like a year or so...this time, I'm listing two novels that are coming out this month.

One is a short story and the other is the U.S. release of a formerly released U.K. novel....

Here is what's going on...in date order

J.A. Campbell (aka Julie) is going to be releasing her second installment of the Into The West series. This installment, Range Feud, will release this oops! Friday - April 8th, 2011. correctionn on the date - this will release on Tuesday, April 12th. Each story will release on the second Tuesday of the Month. :) I'll be sure to download my copy On Tuesday! I'm looking forward to seeing what's up with Tina. In the last short, she had a time warp adventure, ending up going back into time, kidnapped by rustlers - escaping with the help of a cowboy who's been dead for many years... I'm not sure if there is going to be a separate cover for this or not, but this is the cover I have so far...

April 26, 2011 is the United States release date for The Cold Kiss of Death by Suzanne McLeod. This is the second in the Spellcrackers.com series, and a very, very good read. If you read The Sweet Scent of Blood and was a little enamored of Malik, then you'll get a little more of him here. And more Finn....I've already read it, but I'm listing it because I'm happy about the U.S. release, and hope all the United States Urban Fantasy Readers give this novel a try.

Vampires, Witches, Faeries, and Genny Taylor!

If you haven't yet started this series, get a copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood, then look for The Cold Kiss of Death on April 26th. You won't be disappointed....and there's a third (The Bitter Seed Of Magic) available in England right now....

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine I don't always participate in this one, however....

I just read a review of Christina Henry's Black Wings on RomFan Reviews' blog,

then I went over to Christina Henry's author website and read an excerpt- Chapter 1.

It reads well; if the first chapter is an example of the rest of the book, then this is going to be a fun and good book to read

• a woman with wings, wings that turn her invisible to most
• a gargoyle friend/guardian
• a calling escorting souls to THE DOOR
• a mysterious new tenant
• a gay friend (I like gay friends)
• a sequel - Black Night - releasing August 2011, with four more planned
• if the first chapter is any indication - DECENT DIALOGUE - Oh Yeah!
• danger

I just love finding out about new good books!

I'm such a book geek.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

I rarely do Waiting on Wednesday memes, but once in a while, I'm tempted. Tonight, I just read a review on a book that I didn't even realize was out. Sometimes, I go through life with tunnelvision. I know a friend has a book coming out, and I know another long-distance friend had her book, and then another, but I've also been consumed with my health issues and Citiville (a facebook game - PEOPLE! I NEED NEIGHBORS!) , and of course I've been obsessed with my grandchildren. But to make a meadering story short and more to the point! I had read a while ago, that Carrie Vaughn was going into Young Adult territory (along with quite a few of my other favorite authors) but I didn't realize that so much time had passed that this book has not only been written, but titled and printed! geez.

Steel by Carrie Vaughn - a time traveling-Pirate

adventure containing a sword and a kick-ass young woman. Sounds good.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be a good read, after all her werewolf books have all been very fun and intense reads.

excerpt is available (click on cover) at Carrie Vaughn's website.

the cover - it's a good cover - except the cover model is looking a little skinny - very skinny. Please - young women and older women have enough body image issues, put some normal sized people on these covers - at least a healthy weight. It's not normal to be so skinny your jaws jut out.

Carrie Vaughn is also the author of Discord's Apple.

Ms Vaughn has been busy - she's also releasing:

After the Golden Age in April 2011

Kitty's Big Trouble in June 2011

Kitty's Greatest Hits in August 2011 (a gathering of short stories in Kitty's world)

some excerpts are available by clicking on the book covers. when there's no excerpt, then I just link it to whatever I can find (Charlie Brown, pictures of my grandchildren.....lol - just kidding- or am I? you'll just have to click on them to make sure now, won't you?)

WOW aka Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Jill of Breaking The Spine - this is a meme that I hardly ever have the ...well, the ambition to accomplish - although I think about it often. Thinking isn't doing, though it's halfway there. lol

Anyway, in NO Particular Order, these three books are books that I'm looking forward to seeing published, and to reading. Waiting semi-patiently for them.....

Senior Year Bites (J.A. Campbell) will be published as an e-book by Echelon Press

The Bitter Seed of Magic (Suzanne McLeod) will be released in the U.K. in February 2011 - if you're not in the U.K., no worries, there's always The Book Depository

Last, but not least is Children of Scarabeaus (Sara Creasy) coming out in March 2011. Second in a series.

Click on book covers for more information - author's websites.

:) - there is good reading ahead! (:

Waiting on Wednesday....a laptop comes home... :)

okay folks.  I’m not really sure how this will turn out, but I can try.

My son bought me a laptop tonight (or rather Tuesday night).  We went to Walmart and didn’t really find any good deals.  Then we went to Best Buy – nothing I liked for the price I was willing to let him pay (lol), and then ended up a Office Depot.  I think he tricked me though.  The laptop I was looking at was a 4GB with 17.3 screen – a Toshiba.  Of course Office Depot was out of them - (seems to be the case when they have a good sale, they get sent only a few items to sell).  Well, my son goes off and comes up with another ticket with another laptop that had 4GB and 500 GB of some other type of memory (vs 300 in the toshiba).  It has a webcam, dvd burner, media reader – all the standards of a laptop.  It’s very nice.  But I tried to sign on to my blogger to blog but none of the formatting tabs are showing up…but then this screen pops up (seriously, now I don’t remember how I got this thing to pop up) asking me if I want to post through windows live- I take a chance and say yeah, sure..(really I clicked on the yes button) and LO’ behold!  there are some formatting buttons here.  It’s all a little confusing, but maybe I’ll get used to it.

Now to the Waiting on Wednesday part….

 I’m a little confused about these books and how they’re being distributed in the U.S.  Last time I checked for Suzanne McLeod’s novels (because I like to click her name on Amazon and see if they’re available in the U.S. yet)  I usually end up on Amazon U.K. for her second and third novels.  Her first has been released in April in stores over here, but as far as I knew, the others weren’t available yet.  Well tonight I looked up her name again and was sent to the Amazon U.S. page, which has all three of her novels listed.  ALL THREE.  It looks like the second novel (The Cold Kiss of Death) has been available since July of 2010.   Which is weird, because I checked..I’ve been checking (being obsessed with her books…really I wanted to buy one for a friend) and when ever I looked them up before ended up on the U.K. page.  It seems like the third book – The Bitter Seed of Magic will be available in November 2010.  It’s looking (so far, unless it’s a computer glitch) as if you can order it through Amazon – any Amazon page – U.S or U.K.  But if you search Barnes & Noble or Borders, all that shows up is The Sweet Scent of Blood. It’s not something that should bother me, except for …How does her publisher expect to sell books if they aren’t being offered through the other stores?  I’m not sure how that all works.  At any rate, they are all available online at The Book Depository, or Amazon.  In fact, The Book Depository has had them available ever since they were first published.  And I know for sure that the first two books are wonderfully crafted books, and based on that, it’s a good bet that the third book will be just as good, if not better than the first.  So all the above is a long and winding road type of way for me to say…

 

Suzanne McLeod’s third novel in the Spellcracker’s.com series is coming soon!  The Bitter Seed of Magic.  AND….I think she’s working on her fourth… :)

Now another book is also coming out, though not until January of 2011, but I’m looking forward to it.  It’s from another series that I’ve been enjoying – the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.  I just saw the cover tonight on Barnes & Noble website – River Marked.  I think this cover is a trip. This is the only set of covers that I don’t mind when the cover artist is inconsistant with the look of the character from book to book.  The main thing about these books (just the covers, I’m not talking about the content) is that each cover has a different set, even a different AMOUNT of tattoos on the woman.  It’s so inconsistant, but at the same time the work is beautiful.  It’s been stated before, on Patricia Briggs’ website also, but the only tattoo that Mercy really has is a small paw print on her abdomen.  So the sheer amount and diversity of all the tattoo work on the covers is just awesome and wonderful in it’s inconsitancy. 

Note – I just double checked the book on the Hurog website and it’s listed as releasing in spring 2011 – just a couple months later…..Not sure what’s up with that – I think Amazon might be trippin’ a bit.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday Wait- I just love the imagery on this button. This person has waited soooo loooonnnnngggg that they became a skeleton.
oops.

I've seen this meme credited to a couple different blogs, both of which I've temporarily forgotten the name of, so if anyone knows who the original host is, then I'll be glad to post a link.

In the meantime (in no particular order)...

I'm a little disappointed, because I thought this was coming out in November, but NOOOOO! I see that the release date is September 2010. And yet, I haven't seen any e-mails telling me it's out - usually I get tons of e-mails from Borders, or Amazon.com that let me know when anyone is releasing a book - hell if anyone who is a cousin of an author is releasing a book...especially with Amazon.

Anyway, Terry Pratchett's latest is the fourth Tiffany Aching book - Tiffany is the child witch introduced in Wee Free Men. Although there are many, many Discworld books published in the series, each book can be read as a standalone novel. I firmly believe that Terry Pratchett is a genious. A discworld, fantasy, satirist genius.

I Want This Book. I will get it....as soon as I can. :)

I know there's a lot of good books coming out that I want to read very badly...But the one that keeps sticking in my head is....coming out in the U.K. LOL - but I'm willing to order from the Book Depository, so one way or another, I'm looking forward very much to reading this one.

THE BITTER SEED OF MAGIC by Suzanne McLeod. Doesn't Genny Taylor look a bit spooky in this cover? The Tower of London is in the background...and some crows....spooky!

Her first book, The Sweet Scent of Blood, came out in the U.S. in April and I'm happy to see it in the bookstore. Everytime I go to Borders, I look for it - even though I have the UK version already (BOOK NERD, that's me)

Her second book is coming out in the U.S. in 2011 I believe. The Cold Kiss of Death - although it's already available through The Book Depository

This is a entertaining and gritty series - there's a bit of humor, a bit of romance (not romance genre amount, but just the right amount), suspense, magic and great storylines. The characters are Fae - brownies, pixies, nayads (tree people), water horse....as well as vampires, witches and shapeshifters. It's all packed into a great series with never a dull moment.

The Iron Witch (February 2011)

I've been following Karen Mahoney's blog for a long time. First, I believe I stumbled upon it a few times before she even got a book deal....in fact, that might be where I launched off and found Suzanne McLeod's blog (which led me to her excerpts, which led me to buying her books because I couldn't stand to wait for the US publications....)

Then, I read Karen's short story in Eternal Kiss - and it's a good story. Of course, after reading her short story, I've been waiting for a full length novel, and going back and forth between her blog and McLeod's blog (among others, I lurk a LOT) and am very happy that Karen Mahoney's first full length novel is coming out in February of 2011. And it's now an adult novel. Her short story is Young Adult, and Iron Witch started out as YA, but came out as an adult. And it has a pretty cool cover.

Good books coming out in the near future, and a bit down the road - all worth waiting for.

A smorgasbord of posts...All SMASHED into one :)

On a personal level, I finally had a six year old, gnarly-looking, long, wide and curvy scar covered with a tattoo. I am SO relieved to have this done, because during hot weather, whenever I wore tank tops - the scar, completely visible to all, would turn a lovely shade of flourescent lavender. On other days, the scar would be a more calm shade of dull RED. It's hard to find an exact color match in the font colors, but I tried. For you. Because I'm cool like that!

This is my third tattoo since I turned 45. This is my third tattoo in my whole life. It took me awhile to justify spending money on my skin, That I could use buying books, pepsi, clothes...

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is hosted by
Sheila at Book Journey...

Both Teaser Tuesdays and

Waiting on Wednesdays are hosted by

Miz B at Should Be Reading

I finally reviewed Stormwalker by Allyson James (5 *'s out of 6)
By the way, the copy is in excellent condition and up for a giveaway. Read the particulars - one of the easiest contests ever- and comment here to enter. I enjoyed this novel quite a bit.

I also finished reading and reviewed Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane. (6 *'s out of 6). Enjoyed the hell out of this book. It's a keeper, for sure. Thank goodness, the sequel is out yesterday (!) and the third in the series is due August 5th. Three in Three Months! That's a series reader's dream! I like this series a lot better than Stacia Kane's Demon series. (Personal Demons, etc) They were good reads, but this one just kicked-ass!

I also finished reading Kelley Armstrong's Waking the Witch, one of the Women of the Other World series. I haven't reviewed it yet, the review will be up next week - closer to the sell date.

A couple of other reads included Metro Cat, Go Dog, Go and a few other various children's books.

Currently, I've started reading (among other scattered books) the following books, which will also serve for Teaser Tuesday.

Tanya Huff's Summon the Keeper. This is the first of her Keeper series, and is a book that I read long ago (10 or 12 years ago). Over the years, and two or three moves in the meantime, I seem to have misplaced or given away my copy. However, and ANGEL recently sent me some books to read, and this was in the package, bringing back nostalgic memories. I'm very glad to have this novel again. Summon The Keeper will also help me with 3 reading challenges, Flashback Reading Challenge, the Cat Book Reading Challenge, and the 2010 Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge. I can't find an author website, so the link leads to Wikepedia - the font of all information LOL

The teaser needs some set up - Claire is trying to check in to a Guest House, dealing with a cantankerous clerk. {From page 10- more than two sentences}

..."I'd like a room for the night."

His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "That all?"

"What else is there?"

"Breakfast."

Claire had never been challenged to breakfast before. "If it's included, breakfast is fine." Another time, she might have managed a more spirited response. The she remembered. "Do you take pets?"

"I do not! That's a filthy lie! You've been talking to Mrs. Abrams next door in number thirty-

five, haven't you? Bloody cow. Lets her great, hairy baby crap all over the drive."

I bought Nightwalker (Jocelyn Drake)a couple of years ago, started to read it, and became distracted by...B.A.D.D. Info about half-way down the post (that's my excuse, stickin' with it!). Nothing wrong with the book, I just became distracted; I have recently re-discovered it among my TBR shelves (yes, shelves)

From page 96:

"I awoke to find myself locked in a box. For a brief moment a wave of panic surged through my frame and I nearly screamed."

I have to say, that in a moment of severe weakness of mind...or temporary insanity, I actually PAID money for this. WHY?!!??!!!!??? I haven't enjoyed the last four books!!! At least I waited for the paperback, and from 2009 - I really wasn't even going to buy it, but I thought - "well maybe she's going back to writing plots and action - er, adventure, crime solving, danger.....We'll see.

from page 10:

"You don't talk much do you?" (a sheriff to Anita Blake)

"I say what needs saying."

"You're damn quiet for a woman."

Just one of many, many times that a man will say to Anita some form of "you're so ____ for a woman", or "You _____just like a man.". It's just so.....It just sounds so.....It makes it seem like EVERYONE who happens to be male is so suprised that Anita Blake doesn't fit in any stereotypes from 1950 of approved for women behavior. "GOD!!!! it's 2010 now. COME ON!

Sorry, bit of a rant there - over something that's just not going to change with this person's writing. It appears to be stuck.

On to happier, and much better writing skills.

For my Waiting on Wednesday, here are just two of the many, well written books that I will be happy to get.

Coming out in the U.K. November 2010 (there's always The Book Depository for those U.K. releases) is Suzanne McLeod's The Bitter Seed of Magic - third in the Spellcrackers.com series. More adventures of Ginny Taylor - mixed fae and Other (don't want to spoil for those who haven't read the books yet) I can't wait to read it! Suzanne McLeod's female characters are strong, and her vampires are sinister. There is a whole mix if "other" species withing her series. A police/constable is a troll, Genny's boss is a Satyr, Genny has acquaintances who are vampires, witches, brownies....Great series. If you're in the U.S. you should invest in The Sweet Scent of Blood (#1), and keep your eyes out for The Cold Kiss of Death (2). Both books are a wonderful example of urban fantasy writing.

Last, but definitely not least, is Terry Pratchett, also of England. I have every single one of his Discworld novels (even all the YA books). In fact, this book is the fourth in the Tiffany Aching section (YA) of this discworld novels. I Shall Wear Midnight will be coming out September 28, 2010. Mr Pratchett's, or rather Sir Terry Pratchett, imagination is a wonder. I shall Wear Midnight brings together some favorite characters from other Discworld novels, Granny Weatherwax, The Watch, the Nac Mac Feegles and apparently will introduce us to some new characters.

The Nac Mac Feegles are some small wonderfully crazed little fighting blue men. And their mum. One woman can have 100 children. They are about 6 inches tall, and extremely strong. They are afraid of nothing, and believe that dying simply means waking up. The other three books in this set would be Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, and The Wintersmith. Tiffany started out in Wee Free Men as a nine year old girl with the talents of a witch showing up in her actions. These are great books, and I Shall Wear Midnight is another book that I am looking forward to very much.

Ahhh, well - that's quite enough for tonight (this morning-LOL) I just crammed three posts into one, and if you're brave - you'll have read the whole thing.

:)