Reading Update

Well, hello there!

It has been a hot minute since I posted something here (or on BookTube), so after filming 2 other scrapped reading updates over the last couple of weeks, I finally sat down in front of the computer and just got to it.

I'd like to be able to say that my reading over the last couple of weeks has been amazing, and intellectually uplifting and that is why I've taken so long to post something... but the truth is that everyday life has been getting in the way of my bookish wants.  Had to call the plumber in last month - on a Sunday no less! - because the hose under the kitchen sink ruptured and I had water EVERYWHERE!  A complete nightmare.

Then the car had to go in for a service, and of course it needed stuff done (well, she's 17 years old so it's only to be expected).  I've had the battery replaced as well as the plugs and leads so we're good for the moment, but it is still stressful to have all this happen within about three weeks.  Never mind the damage it's doing to my bank account ;-D

Meanwhile for the most part, my reading has dropped of significantly and I've been watching more TV.  Free to air programing is abysmal, so I have been falling back on TV series like The Murdoch Mysteries and Threshold, with a little bit of Mapp & Lucia thrown in for good measure.  I'm almost through season 7 of TMM and I do love the releationship between Det. Murdoch and Dr. Ogden.  They are so perfectly suited.  Anyway, after I get this post up I'll be heading back to finish up a few more episodes so I can continue on to season 8.

I did manage to read the ILL copy of Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King that I ordered late in February.  I ordered it early because I thought that there may be some issues trying to get a copy for loan.  However, after a few problems locating a copy, it arrived early so I had to read it out of publication order, but that's okay because I've been putting off reading Cujo any way I can.  I so don't want to read about an animal in distress.  I am, however, currently rereading the Goddess with a Blade series by Lauren Dane and enjoying the hell out of it.  Ah, urban fantasy.  My comfort genre.

So that's it.  I haven't been terribly active online, or anything like that.  In fact, this is the first time my computer has even been on in over a month (and boy, did Norton not like that!) and I haven't missed it in the slightest.  Having said that, I am eagerly awaiting books in the mail as I may have gone a bit overboard over the weekend and ordered 13 books.... oops!  I'll haul them to BookTube, and post a link here, when I get them, so I have a week or so before I have to think about filming anything else.

Okay, I'm off.  Washing waits for no man. 

I hope you have had a great reading month, and until I see you next time,

 

January Wrap-Up

Hey there!

This is just a quick-ish wrap-up of what I read in January.  I found a few new authors, and series, that I am excited to continue reading, as well as some old favourite series that are still dropping new titles.

The weather has been nuts here in QLD.  It was nearly 40°c on Tuesday, and yet yesterday it didn't read 17°c, and it was pouring all day.  I even had to dig out some winter woollies early and put a thicker bedspread on the bed so I didn't freeze!  Weird, but it's given me some more reading time so I'm very happy to be rained in.

If you've read any of the books I talk about, let me know in the comments what you thought of them.  I'd love to chat with you.

And until I see you next time,

 

Book Binge

I feel so guilty.  I went on a HUGE book binge over the weekend and ordered way too many books.  But no buyers remorse allowed - I need books!  As I tell my friends and family, I don't drink or smoke, so this is my vice.

"So what have I ordered this time round?" I hear you ask.  Well, just remember I did go a tad overboard, and I bought . . . drumroll please . . .

• Fairy Bad Day - Amanda Ashby
• Discord's Apple - Carrie Vaughn
• The Dark Elite - Chloe Neill
• Precinct 13 - Tate Hallaway
• Archangel's Storm - Nalini Singh
• The Lost Night - Jayne Castle
• Sins of the Angel - Linda Poiteven
• Chaos Burning - Lauren Dane
• A Werewolf in Manhattan - Vicki Lewis Thompson
• Werewolf in the North Woods - 
• The Accidental Werewolf - Dakota Cassidy

Hmmm, I'm sensing a theme with the last few books.

Anyhow, that's what's winging it's way to me as we speak.  I can't wait to dive in.

Hope you've found something great to read too.

New books

Hi all!  I spent a few days visiting family back on the coast - had a wonderful time - and managed to come home with yet more books!  Between the visit and a quick raid on the bookstores in town I now have to find more space on the bookshelves.

• Shadow Kin - M.J. Scott
• Celebrity in Death ... yes, it finally rocked up!
• Two weeks notice - Rachel Caine
• Red - Jordan Summers
• Heart of Darkness - Lauren Dane
• Hell and Earth - Elizabeth Bear (An Elizabethan Duology)
• Fated - Alyson Noel
• Soulbound - Heather Brewer
• The Sword and the Pen - Elysa Hendricks
• A Warrior's Desire - Pamela Palmer (Nocturne)

Having read some of them already, I can tell you that Fated (The Soul Seekers Bk 1) is fabulous!  Can't wait for Echo in November.  

In my opinion, Two Weeks Notice (A Revivalist Novel Bk 2) is better than Working Stiff - and the last chapters are a real twist.  Bryn is heading up sh!t creek and can't find her paddle at the moment.  I want the third book and I have no idea when it's out yet.

Red (Dead World Book 1) took a little getting into.  Set in a post-war Earth in the 22nd century, Gina Santiago - kick arse soldier - finds a border town holds the answers to questions she never new to ask.  This is a werewolf story, with 'others' being declared a myth, but those in the know are hunting them down.  Great book, set up the next book in the trilogy very well.

Lauren Dane's Heart of Darkness is borderline for me.  I loved the idea, and Dominic was all but bubbling over with bad-a$$-ness (and boy is he yummy!), but I think the instant bonding/soul mates/etc. has just about been done to death.  Eyes meeting over a crowded room, connection snaps in, 'oh, I think I might love you' two days later.  Give it a rest please!  Maybe I'm being a little harsh about it... maybe not.  Okay, so I found that tedious, but Meriel is a great strong female who kicks butt and doesn't take any crap.  The fact that within pages the author can have her showing a vulnerable side makes up for a lot of the not-so-great bits.  It's a purely witchy romance, with a bit of murder and mystery thrown in for spice.

The one disappointing read so far was Shadow Kin by M.J. Scott.  I'd been eyeing this off on Book Depository for a while now, and happened to see it at my local bookstore so I grabbed it.  While the storyline is interesting, there is just something about a guilt-laden hero that just gets annoying after a while.  Maybe the next book will be better?

I've heard interesting things about Soulbound (Legacy of Tril Bk 1), so it's waiting for me to get to.  The premise sounds good - girl wanting to train as a fighter, not as the healer she should be.  There are two guys who pull her in different directions, and with deceit and betrayal, plus a budding romance, it should be good.

The other 

Well, that's it for now.  Hope you also found something interesting to read this week.