MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!

It's only a 1 more sleep away as the kids would say. I can't wait to go into the lounge room tomorrow and open my presents with my family. It's one of those magical times of the year (and we don't have too many more of them left). Unfortunately it seems as that as the years go by, Christmas becomes more and more commercial. Kids whinging about what they got - and why would you buy them a computer, and an ipod and whatever else they want? Seems to me that the fun is being sucked out it! Parents competing with their family members as to who got/gave the best and most expensive pressies, where you went... sort of like keeping up with the Joneses but with a festive twist.

Anyhow, I've just finished work (until I am called back on Thursday) and I plan to enjoy my first holiday in 2½ years! I've just finished reading a really sweet paranormal romance called "When I Fall in Love" by Lynn Kurland. It wasn't until I had finished it that I realised that it is about the 12th or so book in the series, but it is a delightful read all the same. You don't have to have read all the previous books (although that does help with some of the characters relationships, but you can muddle through without it) and there is no sex! I know, astonishing isn't it...

This book is follows Jennifer and her wish that she could meet a nice man. Enter three family ghosts and a time portal and Jennifer is whisked off to Medieval England circa 1229 where she is rescued by the wonderfully chivalrous man, Nicholas de Piaget.

Nicholas is being hounded by his grandmother to pick a bride (and she is kindly supplying the candidates!) and while he has escaped from his predicament at the moment, he knows he must find a bride. Nicholas is handsome, courteous and wealthy, the adopted son of a powerful lord, but there is a catch - for ladies might take the him to bed, but not one would kneel before a priest beside him. Now Nicholas is being tempted by this vibrant and sweet woman from the future - and Jennifer is falling for a man from the past.

This is one of the nicest books that I have read in awhile. It is very sentimental, and although the heroine is not a physical powerhouse, her obvious love for her chivalrous knight, and his reciprication of those feelings make for a very lovely book indeed.

Happy Holidays

Once Bitten...

Hello out there, I've just spent the last few hours working, but now that I have a break in my schedule, I thought that I'd add a review.

I only came across Jennifer Rardin's book 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy' last night while I was late night shopping at the local shopping centre. It looked like my kind of book. Well I don't know how much of my favourable impression was due to sleep deprivation - or the Tim Tam induced coma - but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

from Little Brown Book Group...

"Vayl is the CIA's top assassin. A master of black ops, he has never failed. He's also a 291-year-old vampire. Assigned to protect Vayl, if such a formidable creature can be said to require protection, is Jasmine Parks - 'Jaz' to her friends.
But Jaz has got problems - and not just the run-of-the-mill ones you'd expect from someone whose job consists of putting her life on the line for an undead assassin. She hasn’t had sex in god knows how long, so Vayl's almost overpowering vampire charisma is making it increasingly difficult for her to keep their relationship . . . professional. Her personal life is a long line of missed birthdays and Christmases, and lies and excuses to her family. And then there's that other thing: the blackouts.
See, there's times that Jaz can't account for and things that happen in those times that Vayl - not to mention the CIA - may not appreciate. And if they find out, Jasmine knows it won't just be her contract that's terminated . . ."

This promises to be the start of a good series. Think a cross between Feehan and LKH. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good vampire book with a twist.

Cheers

PS - check out the christmassy sites elfyourself.com & scroogeyourself.com for some giggles.

New Books

Hi there,

I've been reading up a storm recently. It seems that not a day goes by when I don't have my nose buried in some book or other. My newest additions to my bookshelves include Susan Sizemore's Primal Heat & Primal Desires. I've read Primal Heat and while it was a good read, an interesting story, it wasn't the most engrossing book. I haven't figured out yet whether it needs something else, or whether something needs to be taken out... hmmm.

I will be finishing the newest Sunny story, "Lucinda Darkly" this week (it's overdue and I have to finish it pronto). I absolutely adore her Monere series, and hope that Lucinda will be a window into Halycon's world - although I'd love the Demon Prince to get his own story in the future (hint, hint).

My local bookstore is currently holding my latest orders for ransom. Evil people... they know I can't get by without one new book a week. I'm awaiting my gorgeous Vishous' story in Lover Unbound, and also Karen Moning's Bloodfever. They are even keeping my Swimming without a Net! Just wait til payday...

Anyhow, I haven't really read a new book to review. One of these days I'll actually go through all my older series, and sit down and finally get my mind in gear and write some reviews.

Keep on reading,

Cheers

I Have It

Okay, it's time to rejoice. I now have a copy of LKH's A Lick of Frost in my hot little hands.
I devoured it over a period of 3 hours - yes that's quick, but I just couldn't put it down.

A bookshop assistant told me that alot of the previous books hints and sugguestions would make sense in this book, and boy did they.

Merry Gentry is still coming to terms with her guards presence in her life, and her hearts decision between Frost and Doyle. We finally see the Princess confront Taranis and also have a few words with Andais. No Cel though for all those people wanting a confrontation between Merry and the crazy Prince. Hopefully he and Andais will feature more in the next book.

I enjoyed Merry's growing powers and the way she seems to be uniting faery. (Don't quote me on it, but I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up being the Queen of Everything!) There are a few shocks along the way. Taranis' actions were a huge shock - and NO I'm not telling you what happens - and what happens when Jonty and the Red Caps comes to visit is quite unexpected.

I'd recommend A Lick of Frost to everyone who enjoys a good Paranormal/Supernatural tale. It may get a little graphic (sex scenes) but then, you expect that from LKH. The story just seems to be getting better as it goes on. I for one hope that it doesn't follow Anita Blake's demise into just a pornographic novel, where the storyline fits around the sex.

I'd give it 4½ out of 5.

This week I'm reading Lover Unbound, Dark Celebration, On The Prowl, Touch of Darkness, Bloodfever and Darkfever, Magic Bites. Stay tuned for more reviews.

In Memorium

Today I lost one of my oldest friends.

Rainbow was a Scaly-Breasted Lorikeet who has been with me nearly 26 years. As far back as I can remember, he has been there.

He was a cheeky little rascal. We had raised him from a featherless chick who was knocked out of his nest during some redevelopment work, and my uncle brought him to us. No one else ever thought that he'd survive, let alone thrive. He spent the first couple of months being carried around by my mother in her shirt (folded up and pinned with a safety pin).

After being hand raised, he didn't think that he was a bird, he thought he was a person and jabbered on and on, often talking too fast for anyone to understand him - or screeching over the top of you just so that he could get in the last word!

We had Rainbow for nearly 26 years, and he outlived 3 mates, our 3 dogs, 1 cat and numerous chooks.

It's hard to believe that he's gone. I thought that he'd be with me forever.

Bye, Bye Baby.

It's Finally Here

Hi there,

I can't wait until I finally get my hands on the newest LKH book, A Lick of Frost, later this week. I've only heard good things about this from the girls at QBD and they assure me that some of the events in the last book make sense in this one.

Things have been rather hectic for me these last couple of weeks. Work is getting more demanding thanks to the Christmas season, but that just means more overtime!
So that being said, I haven't had the chance to browse the bookshops lately, and in desperation have resorted to digging through some of my boxed up books. WOW... did I find some treasures or what! I came across my old copy of The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt. I'd forgotten how much I loved that series, and especially that book. Now I'm going to delve deeper into the boxes and see what other gems I can discover. (I know, I really do need to get another huge bookshelf, but I have no room for it!)

Anyhow, I'd better go. I'm at work (again) and the courier will be here shortly with some more work.

Cheers

PS... Heres a picture of one of the books that I've put on my wishlist (Mum, hint, hint for my b'day next year!)

Crappy week or what?

Hi there,

It's only Wednesday and already I'm ready for the weekend. You see I have this neighbour, he's a senior, but a crusty old guy who keeps to himself. The only problem is that he has his paytv, or stereo, up so loud that the bass just thunders right through your head. Now annoying as that is, it wouldn't be so bad if it was during the day. But no! I have to have a neighbour that can have that going till 3 or 4am!!! Now I'm on the other side of the house - if it's loud for me, then my poor mother doesn't sleep at all.

Some kind soul called the police on him the other night (god bless them), but by the time they arrived - 2.30am - he'd already turned it off. So what did they do you ask (heh, heh...) they saw that his lights were on and they jumped over the padlocked front gate and banged on the door. Since that night, he's had it on louder than ever BUT it hasn't gone on passed midnight yet. Fingers crossed for us.

I've managed to read a few extra books so far this week (thanks to the insomniac neighbour) and I mostly enjoyed 'Deep in the Heart' by Sharon Sala. Not a paranormal I know, but a sentimental read. Every now and then I have to take a walk on the normal side. It just makes going back the weird and wonderful that much better. I've also gone back to some of my series, and rediscovered the joys of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. Dark Lover, is still my favourite. If you enjoy books by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christime Feehan, or feel like an LKH lite, then JR Ward's vampire series is for you!

I hope to get 'A Lick of Frost' this month. I asked Bookworld about it, and while I could get the hardcover at Rosemary's Romance in Brisbane ($43.95) Bookworld was going to charge me $62!! I couldn't believe it! Stuff that for a joke. I'm now just going to wait for the paperback and in the meantime, reserve it at the library.... $62 grrrrrr

On a much more somber note, we got a phone call from my aunt late last night. It wasn't with good news either. She told us that my old holiday friend, a girl that I used to play with each holidays that I spent at my aunts house, passed away recently. I couldn't believe it - I still can't believe it. She was a lovely person, fun, bubbly and had a real dry sense of humor.

See you next time.

PS - Can anyone let me know if the latest LKH "A Lick of Frost" is good? I've enjoyed the rest of the series, but I don't want it to go off course like the Anita Blake books.

You'll Laugh till you...

Hi there everyone,

I've just had the busiest couple of weeks at work. Not only do I have to work on 3 newspapers per week, but now I'm doing 2 of them... by myself!

I've just finished re-reading what I think is one of the funniest books that I've ever read. If you haven't already checked it out, then I insist that you must - you simply must read it. Its the 1st book in a MaryJanice Davidson series and its called (drumroll please...) 'The Royal Treatment'.

I was first clued onto this particular book by my librarian friend (thanks Jo if your reading this) and I was a little hesitant about reading it, but I'm so glad that I did.

It's an alternate take on what would happen if America never bought Alaska from Russia, and thanks to a war of independence, Alaska now has its own royal family.

King Alexander II is a riot, Crown Prince David is kinda yummy, and his out-of-a-job-cause-I-racked-my-boss-for-coping-a-feel fiance is a scream. I know it isn't a supernatural/paranormal book, but it is well worth the effort.

If you like this book, then you'll love some of MaryJanice Davidson's other supernatural/paranormal books. I particularly loved her werewolf book 'Derik's Bane' and the delighfully tactless ½ mermaid (sorry, seafolk) Fred's (don't call me Fredrika - or Rika) series 'Sleeping with the Fishes' and the 2nd book 'Swimming without a Net' is due out this month.

Anyway, it's back to the bookshelf for me. I'm in the middle of reading "Magic Bites" by Ilona Andrews, Jeanne C. Stein's "The Becoming" and re-reading PC Cast's "Divine by Mistake".

Happy reading!

Thoughts from Work

I don't know what I want to write about, just that I want to write... I've been having a general urge at the moment to put pen to paper (or rather fingers to keyboard) and start writing again. I've been so inspired by the authors that I am currently devouring that I just want my own little shapeshifter to nuture and coax to life. I think that I'll head on down to my library tomorrow and check out some of their creative writing books for some reference points and start this weekend. I've nearly filled up a notebook full of ideas. I mean the ideas are no problem. I seem to have a constant stream of ideas. Even the littlest thing can bring a whole character or storyline to life, but its the whole writing it down so it appears like I imagine it thats proving difficult at the moment.

I've nearly made up my mind about the Mac v's PC issue that has been raging through my mind. Unfortunately before I do, I need to find someone in my area with a Mac! Would you believe that out of everyone I know, friends, relatives, co-workers, that no one has a Mac!!! I mean I'd at least like to take one for a test drive before committing myself.

Has anyone else out there had the same problem? How did you decide to switch from PC to Mac?

On a totally different subject, our local council has been forced to merge with 2 others here in south east Queensland. Now instead of being a shire of about 130,000 we will go to a shire of nearly 270,000. What a crock of $#*! Our esteemed former Premier (a certain Mr Beatty) decided - without public input - that we need to cut the amount of shires down from 150 something (I think) down to somewhere in the 90's. Now I live in a little town and we don't even get much attention from our own council. What chance do we stand of getting anything out of a new council?

Quick... must change subject again before I have a total meltdown... It just peeves me right off just thinking about it!

Well, my next load of ads has just come in, so I suppose that I'd better return to work. Let me know of any good paranormal/shapeshifter books out there.

Cheers

PS - Supernatural returned to our screens last night (Channel 10, 8.30pm) and I loved it. Although I'm not sure about some of the new characters, I just love the brothers (and who wouldn't love Sam & Dean!) Must watch S2 DVD again so I can catch up on the story... can't wait till next Monday night

Not Again!

Hi there! If it's not one thing, it's another at the moment. I've just about given up on my old computer (6yo, but has had upgrades). It has a nasty habit at the moment of just dying on me. I'm extremely tempted to get a new one... maybe a Mac?... and then have a ceremonial tossing of the computer down the stairs. A little bit violent perhaps, but when I think about all the files that I've lost... grrrr

I've been reading quite abit lately - the only option open when your trying to entertain yourself at night while also trying to save a bit of cash - and have just been able to get my hands on the 3rd Carrie Vaughn book, Kitty takes a Holiday.

Now I have to admit that I haven't been able to find her 1st book, so I'll state right up front that the relationship between her and Cormac and Ben is still a little bit of a mystery to me (one of these days I'll find it at the book shop). I did like the story and the characters. You really feel for Kitty and her 'friends'.

Now its put me in a 'gotta read more shapeshifters' kick, so I've been raiding my large bookcase and replacing the other books that I've had in a smaller bookcase in my bedroom.

Note to self - I've got to get either a bigger bookcase, or a bigger bedroom to put all these ruddy books!

I've gone through my list of usual suspects, LKH, Yasmine Galenorn, Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Christine Warren, Nalini Singh, MaryJanice Davidson, Christine Feehan, Carrie Vaughn, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lora Leigh, Tanya Huff, Keri Arthur and even Alice Borchardt. I desperately need some new shapeshifting authors.... can anyone out there HELP!

Just a quickie

Hi, I'm actually at work at the moment so I can't stay and chat. I've recently raided my local library and placed a huge amount of reservations. I hope they don't all come in at once.
Things have been a little bit boring lately. I'm hoping to organise a book shop run with one of our local librarians for our 'Out There' bookclub. We'll be heading into Brisbane to Rosemary's Romance, a bookshop that specialises in romance and all the genres that go along with it... fantasy/romance, paranormal/romance, historical romance, regency romance, etc.
Have recently re-read PC Cast's Divine by Mistake. Such great characters don't come along all that often, but Clanfintan and Rhea (Shannon Parker in goddess-incarnate disguise) are wonderful. Who knew that centaurs could be that cuddly!
Anyhow, I've gotta got. Looks like the first delivery has arrived.

Finally!

Even though this is my first post on my site, I gotta keep it short. We're in the middle of a thunderstorm - at 10.30am! - and I don't want the computer to turn up it's toes in the middle of my rant.

Anyway, I've been raiding the local bookshops and library for any new books. Oh boy, I've found some of the best series recently. I used to avidly devour LKH's Anita Blake series, but like alot of you out there I've found the series has just degenerated into a printed porn session. I miss the zombie raising, Sigmund hugging and Edward teasing. So for all you 'I loved LKH until...' fans, I've found some good replacement heroines. For the moment I'll only put 2 here, otherwise I'll be here for hours!

Try Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson books. This is another shapeshifter based series with vampires and fae, but so far it's been more about the characters than bedroom sessions. The third book is due out in Jan 08 and I can't wait to get my copy.
1. Moon Called 2. Blood Bound • (s/s) in On the Prowl 3. Iron Kissed (out Jan 08)
There is also the wonderfully witty Kitty Norville. A smart mouthed radio announcer who also happens to be a werewolf. Carrie Vaughn has done a fantastic job bringing this fiesty wolf to life. There are 4 books in the series.
1. Kitty and the Midnight Hour 2. Kitty goes to Washington 3. Kitty takes a Holiday 4. Kitty and the Silver Bullet (out Jan 08)

I have a ton more books to recommend, so stick around and I'll post more as soon as I can read them all!