A tiny January wrap up

January was a pretty good reading month.  I have read 40 books so far (with 2 days left in the month), but I'm really happy with what I've read so far.

I managed to finish the Firekeeper Saga - after 12 years of looking for the books! - and I think I've mentioned it in most of the video's I've made recently that I had at least filled in the missing gaps in my collection.  It is a wonderful fantasy series that has no sex, sexual violence, graphic violence, nor does it have any swearing as such.  Truly, if you are hesitant about reading fantasy series because of the violence and graphic sex that usually accompanies a lot of fantasy books, then please try this authors work.  Okay, announcement over.

Apart from that I've reread a few of the Stephanie Laurens books, contemplated picking up The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as The Great Zoo of China, but decided that steamy tropical weather was not conducive to a good reading experience so I'm waiting for autumn to kick in.  Cold Comfort Farm is giving me some problems.  I put it down the other day (I'm 48 pages in) and I just don't feel the urge to pick it back up again.  Flora isn't a character that I am drawn to, but I hope once I get into the story again, that will change.

I don't have any solid plans for next months reading.  I'll choose another classic from my #aclassicamonth list, but that's about all.  I'm not even sure if any of the authors I read have any new releases in February, so I'll play it by ear.

Thank you for tuning in to my little rambling chats.  I hope to see you all next time, and until then,

 

The Dragon of Despair is M.I.A

It doesn't happen very often, thank God, but when it does it can ruin your reading experience.  Yes, that fabulous foible known as lost mail.

Waaay way back on the 24th March I ordered two out of print (OOP) books that I desperately need to continue on with the Firekeeper Saga series by Jane Lindskold.  I own the first two books, ordered books 3 and 4, and bought book 6 brand new (with book 5 on my wishlist).  Everything went as expected, order was confirmed through AbeBooks.com, and I sat back as I waited to get my books.  And arrive it did, well the first book, Wolf Captured, anyway.  Exactly on the due date of 22 April. 

Fast forward nearly another month, and I'm still waiting for the postie to bring this hardcover book to my door!  Finally - having annoyed my trusty post-lady enough - I decided to find out what I could from the UK seller.  Fired off an email, and within 24 hours I had a reply... just not the one I'd hoped for.

Since it has been more than 10 days since they posted the item, and it's soooooo overdue, they can only conclude that the package has been 'lost in transit'.  WTF?!  They refunded my money without any questions - not that I'd even asked for one in my query - I just wish postage was included in refund as that was way more than the book cost!

So that's that.

My only hope is that it turns up one day.  Perhaps it's held up in customs, or has just been misplaced as I haven't been able to find another copy of the book that's in good or better condition and still affordable and I can't read the other 3 books until after I read this one.  Oh, and before you ask, yes I have looked for a copy at both my current library, as well as my old library, and no one has a copy!  I've been trying to inter-library loan (ILL), but it's not a popular book.

The frustrations of ordering online.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, my lovelies, that I may read this book yet ;-D

Until next time,

 

Lindskold does it again!

Hi there.  I've been a tad remiss lately in regards to adding great reads to this blog, but I hope to fix that today.

I found this first book, Thirteen Orphans, at my new local library.  Like Kylie Chan, Jane Lindskold has mixed Eastern mythology with Western contemporary and come up with a winning combination.

Set in America, you follow the story of 19 year old Brenda Morris, who has just discovered her supernatural heritage.  Unlike Chan's series, Lindskold sets her story around the Chinese zodiac.  The descendants of the banished Earthly Branches are being picked off one by one by someone who knows their secrets.

Without getting into the details, Brenda and some other new initiates have to help stop the bad guys (well, a hot girl, her father and her lover) from stealing the power and memories of the other members of the zodiac.

Now, I can't really tell you about the next two books here as it'll give away what happens in this book, but rest assured, the next book, Nine Gates, starts soon after the climax of 13 Orphans.

If you love Kylie Chan, or the Firekeeper series then you'll love these books too.