Upcoming Books for 2014

I'm looking forward to buying these upcoming titles.  The covers themselves are just so enticing I'd probably buy them anyway - even if I wasn't already collecting the series ;-D

May 27, 2014

June 24, 2014

Review - Death Magic

I'd been waiting eagerly for this installment since finishing Blood Challenge last January.  I finally got my hands on it yesterday at my local bookshop - yeah me :-D

I rushed home and once I settled down to read it I have to admit that I was disappointed.  I loved Blood Challenge. The addition of Benedict and Arjenie's storyline, from their POV was fantastic. I enjoyed reading their narrative more than Lily and Rule's!  In Death Magic I just found it predictable.  Not the storyline so much, but the way those characters react.  Rules all intense and protective and Lily is stubborn, determined, logical and a little bit anal about things.  And while Reuben and his secret was a great twist, there was no more than a few paragraphs regarding the new baby, Ryder - and most of that was about her future sexual education! 

There was no Benedict, Arjenie, or Cynna, why not?  Hopefully the Ms Wilks will either incorporate more narratives in the next book, or give Benedict and Arjenie their own spinoff.

So after my above complaints, this wasn't the worst book out there.  There was much storywise that could have been improved of and the ending bugged me as the confrontation had been building since early on in the book, but it was over relatively quickly.  The bad guys seem to have more lives than a cat, and never seem to get busted by the cops.  Is Lily the only honest competent law enforcement agent out there?  Sam the Dragon and Lily's grandmother are no-shows (I'd love to read that story!) plus much of the time Lily and Rule were apart.  I know there is a reason for Rule's wolf to still be in the back of the storyline, but it's about time we found out why.

Death Magic does advance the storyline, but if you're not a big fan of the series who has to own every book, then I'd recommend borrowing it from a friend or your local library.

Bookshelf space issues

It's been a little while since I've posted anything about the books I've read.  Well, in recent weeks I've read a few more reference books (19th Century clothing) and they were extremely helpful.  Darn sight cheaper from the UK than in Australia though!  Ignore that snipe - outrageous book prices in Australia is a pet peeve of mine. 

As for my usual genres?  I bought a few of the Lora Leigh "Elite Ops" series.  They are great, and I'm ever so grateful that there are only 6 of them.  I already have enough trouble trying to find spots for all the Dark-Hunter, Anita Blake, Stephanie Plum, Breeds, Dark (Feehan) and other series on my shelves.  Seriously, there are some series that I think I'll be following when I'm 60!

The latest books to go on my wishlist are:

Lawe's Justice - Lora Leigh
Smokin' Seventeen - Evanovich
Wicked Appetite - Evanovich
No Mercy - Kenyon
Retribution - Kenyon
One Silent Night - Kenyon
The Guardian - Kenyon
Cast in Ruin - Michelle Sargara


I've already made a list for late Dec/Jan to take advantage of pre-sale prices. 
They include:

Death Magic - Eileen Wilks
Fair Game - Patricia Briggs
Spirit Bound - Christine Feehan
Angel's Flight - Nalini Singh

plus later in the year I simply MUST order the new Kate Daniels book.

It seems that everytime I make out a list of books, and get them, the author's decide to torture us all by announcing the next book in the series - that doesn't come out till next year!  It's a never ending cycle I tell you.

Hopefully this year Santa will be feeling generous, but I think I should really ask him for a huge new bookshelf before I buy anymore books.  Santa? ... are you listening? 

As it is, I've already filled up all the bookshelves I brought with me in the move - as well as the large one my mother and Aunt bought me as a 'house warming' gift.  I tell you, its insane.  I still have over 5 big boxes of books at my mum's house that still have to make the trip over here... and that doesn't even include the boxed up books from my childhood.  If I don't have over 5000 books, then I just can't count properly! 

I did do a little searching online for some interesting bookshelves and found some fabulous (and weird) ones.  Hmmm, maybe something like this perhaps :)

I could really enjoy filling all these shelves.  They just might hold all my books!


Update: my Salt Dough ornaments are nearly ready for painting. They have completely dried, and I've given them an undercoat to prepare them for the paints. Pics will be posted after the messy job I promise.