Too Many Books!

Back again after a break. I was in a mad state when I had to finish my assignments for my course. I nearly cried when I saw how much I had to do. So everything else that wasn't essential got put on the backburner. That included reading... OMG!

I've now started some more units, but these aren't as intense as the first ones, so I do have a little bit more leisure time. There are so many good books coming out over the next few weeks. I've already got my name down for book 3 in the Jill Kismet series, Redemption Alley, and book 4 should be available at the end of September (Flesh Circus). I should receive my copy of Hidden Currents soon, plus the latest Nalini Singh book in the Psy-Changeling series. I've also got Lora Leigh's latest book, Bengal's Heart in my cart ready to go at Amazon. Unfortunately, there are so many titles to choose from, and I'm a bit strapped with paying for my education that I have to whittle my selections down the the must haves, and not the 'but I want it's'.

I have finished reading the latest Stephanie Plum books, and enjoyed them both. You have to be in the right mood for Stephanie. I still love Lula, and I hope that Janet Evanovich will put more Ranger/Morelli angst in there. Just who will SP end up with? I loved the latest book in Christine Feehan's "Leopard-People" series, and although Burning Wild took many, many, many years to come out, it was well worth the wait. I loved the fact that it wasn't just Emma & Jake, but that old favourites like Connor and Drake were in there too. I hope that Drake is the next Leopard to find a mate. Hopefully the surgery goes well and he can shift in the future.

Amazingly, after all the hype, I was quite disappointed with this last Anita Blake story, "Skin Trade". I was looking forward to it, and had pre-ordered from Amazon. It arrived all nice and shiny, and I got a hot drink, a few chocolate nibblies and dove into it. But again, like Blood Noir, I was disappointed that there was no Jean-Claude or Micah. Anita spent 99.9% of the story in another state, and there was hardly any interaction with those left behind. I hope she gets this travelling Anita kick out of her system soon. I loved Edward, and his being there was one of the only saving graces. SPOILER ..... I hated that the defeat of the MoAD was over so soon, and that another archrival was dealt with in the manner that he was. He was the MoAD's enemy, yet Anita seemed to vanquish him with less difficulty that it should have taken. I've faithfully followed the series for over 10 years now, and I've skimmed over the blatantly sexual scenes that I don't feel further the storyline, but this book seemed to hit new lows in that arena. When I think back to the prudish Anita that we were first introduced to and see where she's going today... her mother would be rolling over in her grave if she could see her now.... (maybe she is? who knows). I'll give next years novel a go, but after 17 books, I may have to think hard about forking out my money for them and just borrow them from my local library.

Now that winter is upon me, I can indulge in one of my favourite yearly rituals... the annual snuggle-in-the-doona-all-day-and-read weekend. One the coldest winter days, I like to cater to my little whims in this way. It makes for great reading. This time round I chose some of my favourites to keep my (and my cat) company. I started last night with Krentz's Arcane Society books, Running Hot and Sizzle and Burn, and will start White Lies this afternoon. Followed by some of the Anita Blake books, and with a little Lora Leigh, Nalini Singh and Yasmine Galenorn thrown in. Lastly, I'll add my Lily Bard books, and other miscellaneous mysteries that I have.

Keep your eyes out for the new Chicagoland Vampire series, it's really good, and also the Ilona Andrews Kate Daniel's series (short story in the anthology "Must Love Hellhounds"). Too many books to mention here today, but I'll try and get through some more and let you know what's coming out soon.

PS - for those of you in Australia who read this, don't try getting the books on Fishpond.com.au. I have noticed that the prices for items have jumped by $5 dollars, and on some items like Angela Knight's Time Hunter series, the price rose by $10! for a small massmarket paperback!

Better off going through QBD (still $12.95), or amazon.com

Back to the Drawing Board

Hi out there in cyberspace...

Well, the time has come to rethink my course in life. After 3 years of great service, my boss (not the manager I work with) decided that ALL the casual staff must go! So I got 4 days notice and yesterday was my last day. Talk about having the rug pulled out from under your feet. I was so shocked that it didn't really register on the Monday. So now I have to decided in which direction I should go. Fingers crossed that finding a new job isn't going to be too hard (no laughing).

But I'm still receiving my amazon.com parcels, thank GOD I'd already paid for them and they were slowing making their way to me.

I've received and read my Lynn Kurland's. The Mage's Daughter, and Star of the Morning were both great. This series promises to be great. Think of a cross between her time travelling Scots and a lite Katie MacAlister. I'm looking forward to many more in the series.

I've also devoured the newest Christine Warren "Walk on the Wild Side", and although while great, I was a little disappointed that some of the other ususal suspects didn't make it into the storyline. I would have liked knowing what was going on with them, even if it was only a mention.

The latest Shanna Swendson was great, with a big family surprise thrown in. Hopefully this isn't the last of Katiebug and Owen. It's such a sweet series, and the ending left such a hole to fill that surely another book or 2 would be needed... hint, hint...

Then there was the great LKH scramble for Blood Noir. I waited with baited breath for this, only to find out that not only did the book take place over a few days... and some of those are not mentioned, but that it only involves a small cast, and no real JC interaction. I was looking forward to Edward being in this book, only to find out he's not. I don't know where the series is headed, but hopefully - soon - something substantial will come of it. I'll keep reading the series as long as LKH writes them, but I wish that Anita & co. would hurry up and get to the point. We have known the big showdown is looming for the last couple of books. Hurry up already!

So now, it's off to look at the jobs section of the paper (and internet). Wish me luck. Happy reading.

Sorry, pardon me, excuse me

I don't know how many times I can say it, but sorry!

It's been about 4 weeks since my last post... I thought that I'd better avoid using the computer at work, and at home we live in an area that is a broadband black hole! We're only within an hour of Brisbane, but still can't get decent broadband coverage!

I've been getting alot of good books lately, and I even took the step and ordered off amazon.com - yes, you heard it right. So now I'll be getting Blood Noir before alot of other Aussie's (and a hell of a lot cheaper as well).

Some of the new books I've picked up recently are:

• Kate MacInerney - Howling at the Moon (#1 in Tales of an Urban Werewolf series)

• Adrian Phoenix - A Rush of Wings

• Lynn Viehl - all the Darkyn books so far...

• Carole Nelson Douglas - Dancing with Werewolves (#1 in the Delilah Street series)

• Deborah Cooke - Kiss of Fire (#1 in new Dragonfire series)

and a few others.

I'm looking forward to the new Silver Dragons series by Katie MacAlister. They are so charming and witty. Her books are perfect for the train or bus... or even for a lunch break read! Playing with Fire is out on May 6th, and is one of the books that will be winging it's way to me from amazon.com. Her second book in the series already has a release date! For more info go to www.katiemacalister.com

Another good series with a new title is the delightful Shanna Swendson's MSI. The 4th book "Don't Hex with Texas" was out on the 28th April (not that we'll see it yet) and deals with Katie's choice to give up the delicious and dreamy Owen, after being told by Merlin... yes, that Merlin, that it would be best if she left without telling him! Sounds like another winner to me!

Rachel Vincent has another title out in the Faythe Saunder's series, "Rogue" follows the wonderful "Stray" where we are introduced to fiesty Faythe, a werecat, who is being dragged out of college to her family's farm. In the first book, they delt with the stray's that were hunting the few tabbys (female werecats) and this book follows on their search for the remaining stray that escaped them, and his boss who hired them to kidnap the tabby's to begin with.

Rachel's style is similar to Christine Feehan, so if you love the Carpathians, or the Drake Sisters, then you will enjoy this.

Ok, that's it for the moment. I'll try to post again soon.... [bloody dial-up!]