More King Swag

Yes, I'm back with some more King stuff ;-D

I had a great King inspired week, with bookmail and funko's arriving in the post - God, I love bookmail!

Last week I tried ordering from a new bookshop that sells rare, collectible, hard to find and out of print books.  If you're in Australia and are trying to locate a certain special book, try MARLOWES BOOKS.  They were super helpful, and my order was posted quickly and arrived in a few days.

On the home front I'm not doing a huge amount of reading thanks to the mini heatwave that has hit parts of Australia.  So I won't be adding reviews any time soon - although I do plan to start adding those in the future.  I've got a few 'scripts' written, but I'm just lacking the energy to film them (and my old camera is acting up), so they'll just have to wait.

Oh, and when I filmed this I completely forgot that my Dark Tower funkos had arrived on Monday (durp!), but I'll do a video on my King funkos when I have them all.

Okay, I'm out.  And until I see you next time,

 

New in March

I've been a tad tardy with my book hauling this month - seasons 1-7 of Castle has been taking up way too of my free time lately.  However since I'm expecting the last of my book order to arrive before the end of next week, I thought it would be a good time to revisit what's new in my library.

Okay, as you know I pre-ordered copies of Marked in Flesh and Fire Touched.  Marked in Flesh, by Anne Bishop, arrived and looked fabulous once it was beside the first three books in the series (read it before lunch the following day! Review up soon-ish)  However, Fire Touched, by Patricia Briggs, never arrived {see HERE for more}.  Still miffed over that one so I'll move on.

Not long after that bookish drama I picked up two Miss Marple's at my local newsagents.  Talk about a lucky break as I needed them to add to my A Year of Marple book collection.  Still have a few more titles to pick up, but I think I'll have to resort to Book Depository for them.

And finally, I recently ordered the mass market edition of Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews - I'll now be up to date when the new book in the series is released later this year! - and Perdido Street Station by China Mieville.  This is definitely my 'wildcard' book for the month as I have never read any thing by him, but after watching more than a few BookTube reviews that recommended this book in particular, I thought I'd give it a go.

So, this is what's new to my shelves in March.  I hope you found something new that you might like to check out.  What did you add to your shelves this month?  Let me know below as I'd love to find some new authors ;-D

Until next time,

 

Where's my pre-order?

So, yesterday I posted a little first impression review of Fire Touched that I read on the computer as I waited for the trade paperback to be published.  Well, what a difference 24 hours makes.  When I woke up this morning I had a reply from Book Depository.  It turns out that this trade edition of Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs will not be published until - wait for it - 31 January, 2017!  

Yes, that's right.  A whole ten and a half months from now.

I can't begin to describe how annoying this is, but I have been offered a full refund which is something at least.  So, since I don't want to fork out AUS$30 plus for the hardcover, I may as well wait and get the mass market paperback instead.

The funny thing is that when I was browsing Book Depository earlier this morning, Book Depository still hasn't changed the publication date for Fire Touched!  Grrr!  Has this happened to you?  Let me know in the comments as I'd love to hear that I'm not the only one left high and dry after pre-ordering.

Anyway, I hope you're having a better bookish day than I am.

Until next time,

 

First impression of Fire Touched

While I'm still waiting for my pre-ordered copy of Fire Touched to make it's way to me - which according to Book Depository hasn't even been printed yet! - so in the meantime, I picked up an eBook copy as I just had to know what Mercy was doing now.  So while I won't be doing an full review until I get that bloody book, I thought I'd do a first impression on the eBook.

As per normal there is another serious rumble within the supernatural community, and once again something magical is trying to upset the apple cart and Mercy happens to be dragged into yet another confrontation.  

On the home front, Christy is still hanging around, and things go down in the pack regarding Mercy that were surprising, but were long overdue when you think about it.  Also, the addition of Joel into the pack is slightly touched on, mainly by a certain sooking wolf or two, but instead of Joel being the focus of the book, as suggested by the cover art, that was only a very small part of the plot, and it instead revolves around a boy who is on the run from just about all the Fae.

A huge plus was the surprise return of a certain grumpy Fae smith, as well as one or two other past characters, and once again there are some new and delightfully hateful characters that Mercy has to deal with from the Fae Reservation.  There is just an endless supply of interesting characters you could have when dealing with Fae, and so far Briggs has made them all interesting and slightly twisted or devious, depending on what their roles are ;-D

There is a major shakeup in the werewolf hierarchy as Bran does something I really didn't expect him to ever do.  And of course there is way more that happens that I'm not telling you about as I don't want to spoil anything for you as I found this to be a fast paced and fun read.  

So in all, while I enjoyed this eBook quite a bit, I'll be much happier when I can read the darn book as eBook format does not really work for me (sore eyes due to staring at a bright screen for hours being the least of it).

For now I'm giving Fire Touched 4 out of 5 paws ;-D

I hope you enjoyed this first impression of Fire Touched.  If you have read the book, let me know in the comments what you thought of it, or what you would like to see happen in the future.

Until next time,

 

T5W: Books I'd like to see as a TV series

It's been a while since I've done a Top 5 Wednesday list, but I thought I'd get back into it as there are so many books/series that I think would be amazing to adapt for television.  

With special effects being so realistic these days it means that shows based on fantasy or magic are no longer the second class programs with cheesy effects.  Hopefully at some stage in the future I might get to watch one of these ;-D

As usual, these are in no particular order - enjoy!

I could see a great series being made with the characters from Stephanie Plum series - and I'd rather like forget about that horrible movie - and with so many books in the series there are a whole range of scenarios to pick and choose from for episodes.  However, I'd only watch it if it was done well!

Next we have the In Death series by J.D. Robb.  This is such an amazing world with complex characters that would make for great TV.  Set in the future not to distant future, there are so many technologies that can be done visually.  A great police series with a myriad of cases to choose from (book 41 out later this year!) and so many strong characters, both good and totally evil, to portray that it would make for a must watch series.

Couldn't resist an urban fantasy or two.  The Guild Hunters series would also be a truly amazing series for TV.   Archangels, angels, vampires... what more could you want?!  Like In Death it takes place mainly in NY, however foreign exotic locations would also be a must.  Can't recommend this highly enough for a TV spot.

Moon Called is my nod to the current fascination with all things shapeshifter.  This is an amazing series that mixes mythology and folklore, Gods and vampires, witches and other things that go BUMP in the night, and puts them into a contemporary American city.  Full of murder, mystery, drama and betrayal.  I'd love to see this ;-D

And finally, I couldn't resist a shout-out for this intriguing Australian series.  I only need to give you the series title for you to begin imagining the possibilities ... Kannon Dupree: Timestalker.  Are you imagining episodes full of Roman Gladiators, seductive 1920's noir, Aztec gods, Wild West gunfights yet?  I am ;-D

So, those were my top 5 books that I'd love to see made into TV shows.  What do you think? Would you like to see these?  Let me know in the comment area below whether or not you think these would make a great TV show.

Until next time,

 

Review: Night Broken

Night Broken
Mercy Thompson, Book 8
Patricia Briggs

Published: 11 March, 2014

ACE, Hardcover, 352p.
ISBN: 978-0425256749


As an unexpected phone call herald a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam's ex-wife is in trouble,
on the run from a stalker. Adam isn't the kind of man to turn away a person in need - and Mercy know it.
But with Christy holed up in Adam's house, Mercy can't shake the feeling that something in the situation
isn't right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good
intentions. She wants Adam back and she's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen,
including turning Adam's pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn't about to step down without a fight, but there's a more dangerous threat circling. Christy's
stalker is more than a bad man - in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start pilin up,
Mercy must put her personal troubles adise to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world
apart.

With the introduction (to us), and the return of Adam's ex-wife, Christy, I was very hesitant about what I would find between the covers of Night Broken - and I was right. Up to a point, that is.  Christy just waltzed back into their lives like Little Miss Sunshine and tried to mess up Mercy and Adam's relationship - as well as Mercy's standing with others in the Pack.

Mercy Thompson kicks @$$... again!

OMG!  OMG! OMG! 

That's all I've got to say about the new Mercy Thompson book, Night Broken.  I just finished it, and had to put fingers to keyboard to let you all know how fabulous it is!  Will be posting a review soon - will re-read so I can cement it all in the grey matter ;-D - and now I can't wait for the next Alpha & Omega book to come out so I can find out what happens in a world where werewolves rock!

Frost Burned cover released

Release Date: 7 February 2013

Blurb

Shapeshifter Mercy Thompson's life is calming down, at least enough that she can focus on mundane matters like Black Friday sales. But on her return, Mercy is unable to contact her mate, Alpha Adam Hauptman, or the other members of their pack. All she knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam's disappearance may be related - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe.

I meant to post this cover the other day but life got in the road, so here it is.  Frost Burned is the 8th book in the Mercy Thompson series, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy when it's released. Mercy just keeps getting better and better.

New Arrivals

I know, I haven't written anything for a while now.  Bad bibliophile, no cookie.

I've just been inundated with my latest orders from Amazon that I just don't know where to start.  So I'll just dive right in and use the books closest to me.

Lion Heat by Lora Leigh is a great addition to the Breed series.  This is one of the stories I've been waiting years for.  Finally, it's Jonas Wyatt's turn to deal with the mating heat.  His mate is a little different from all the other mates, and some of the troubles encountered in Mecury's War are finally closed in Lion's Heat.  I can't say too much about it.  If I drop the wrong plot spoiler, well... it could just be the one thing you wanted to find out for yourself.
The characters are well written, and the book itself is fast paced.  There are plenty of storylines to follow, and as I read on Lora Leigh's blog this morning, she still has about 25 characters that she'd like to write books for.  Oh, boy.  That means more shelfspace to find in the future!

One of the other books that I want to put up here today is the fantastic Patricia Briggs book, Silver Borne.  I received it on Wednesday, and by Wednesday afternoon it was all over.  I just can't help myself.  I get a new book, start reading, and a few hours later it's all over!  But this was worth reading through lunch for.  Mercy is back and her relationships with Adam and Samuel are put to the test.  The pack is in turmoil thanks to her inclusion, and Samuel is having a rougher time than anyone knows.  There is a huge dustup at her shop, and Mercy manages once again to get herself caught up in a fae mess.
Silver Borne is a well written, fast paced book that has surprises everywhere.  There is unrequited love, betrayal and jealousy and a certain someone finds their mate.  Fabulous read, and I can't wait for the next installment.

And lastly, the final installment of the Kelley Armstrong series The Darkest Powers.  The Reckoning was a much anticipated book that I was so happy when I got it.  I wanted to know how Chloe and the others finally rid themselves of the Edison Group and the other supernaturals who are forever trying to pick them off.  I was disappointed in this book however.  While the story was fast paced, and the characters were engaging, the ending just ruined it for me.  I was hoping for Jeremy's pack to have a cameo, or one of the other characters like Jaime, who could look out for and possibly guide these supercharged teens.  But alas, I was doomed to disappointment.  They went in, powers blazing and with a few other teasers thrown in regarding a future demonic visit for Chloe, they were captured, the nearly escaped, they got caught and then kicked butt.  Not my ideal ending, but I suppose for most readers, this will be an ending that they expected.