New this week

Mmmm, I'm sooo happy.  I just got some new books yesterday and I've already devoured them all, staying up until nearly 4am reading.  I just couldn't seem to put them down!  I'm paying for it now thought.  My eyes feel like they're full of sand, but it was worth it :-D

• Always the Vampire - Nancy Haddock
• Deadly Descendant - Jenna Black
• Touch of Frost - Jennifer Estep
• Stygian's Honor - Lora Leigh
• Nightshifted - Cassie Alexander
• A Taste of the Nightlife - Sarah Zettel

Of all the books the only one that didn't really hit the spot was Nightshifted.  I'll give it a few days and try again - perhaps I was too tired? - and I'll post reviews as soon as I get a good nights sleep.  But in the meantime, I'm off to Book Depository to order some more books.  Wish me luck.

Gladiatrix

Gladiatrix

Kannon Dupree: Timestalker Bk 1

Rhonda Roberts

HarperVoyager, 2009 (582 p.)
ISBN: 978-0-7322-8855-6

Browse Inside Gladiatrix by Rhonda Roberts

Back cover

When time travel was invented everyone thought it would solve their problems. 

But for 22 year old Kannon Jarratt it's about to turn her life upside down ...

Left for dead in the Blue Mountains when she was just a baby, Kannon has now 

discovered that an American Time Marshal, Victoria Dupree, could be her real 

mother. But Victoria has gone missing in ancient Rome while investigating 

the Hierophant, the mysterious leader of the Isis cult.

Kannon desperately wants to find Victoria but the US National Time Administration 

is standing in her way...

Finally!  An Australian author that kicks arse.  Rhonda Roberts introduces us to Kannon, star of the  Kannon Dupree: Timestalker series.  A feisty new heroine for a new millennium.

Set in a contemporary alternate reality, 22 year old Kannon’s life is about to be turned on its head.  Left for dead in the Blue Mountains as a baby, Kannon survived and is all grown up now.  After the death of her surrogate mother, she begins to look into her own origins and she uncovers the truth of her identity.    Travelling to America, she believes that American Time Marshall, Victoria Dupree, could be her real mother.  Victoria lost her baby girl about the same time that Kannon appeared in Australia, but Victoria has gone missing. Desperate to find Victoria, the only thing that stands in her way is the US National Time Administration . . . and two thousand years.

I devoured this book, and though I have only found a few Aussie authors that write the kind of paranormal/urban fantasy books I like, this does not strictly fall under that category.  A time travelling Aussie was definitely a draw card for me, but it was the cover was what drew my eye. And after reading the blurb I just could not resist temptation.

Kannon is a smart, tough and as much of a kick arse heroine as you could wish for.  It takes balls to travel back in time with no help or background information and yet she does just for the chance to find her mother.  Now, there is a lot of action packed into this detective story, and a dash of espionage thrown in for good measure.  But the icing on the cake is the burgeoning romance between Kannon and an ex-gladiator, Alexander, whose Roman mistress bought him to serve as Kannon’s bodyguard.

Be warned, it can get a little gruesome at times - hello, Gladiators! - but there is no overt or graphic sex in this book thank goodness.

Now, if this ticks all your boxes be aware that so far there two other books published by the author in this series - Hoodwink and Coyote (out 1 Sept 2012) - and you need to read them in order or you'll get totally lost.  If you’re in Australia then Gladiatrix, Hoodwink and Coyote, are available at Collins, Fishpond, QBD, and other bookstores.  I haven’t found paperback copies available on any overseas databases yet like Amazon or Book Depository, though you can buy it as an eBook through Kindle.

If you love Kylie Chan or Keri Arthur then you’ll enjoy this book.  Not for bus or train consumption as you’ll get too into it and not want to stop – and who knows where you’ll end up :P

Revisit Mackenzie's Mountain

Mackenzie's Mountain
Linda Howard

First Published (AU) 1989
Reissued (AU) in The Mackenzies 1999

Back cover

Wolf Mackenzie: The loner had a way with horses and a deep mistrust

for outsiders.  Until one woman dared to venture onto Mackenzie's 

mountain, determined to tame the rugged half-breed.

Linda Howard’s tale of a prim and proper schoolteacher who falls in love with the town’s pariah - a half-breed Indian called Wolf Mackenzie.  He is a loner who works with horses and lives with his son, Joe, on their mountain ranch.  When Joe quits school, Mary (the new schoolteacher), turns up at his house to try and get Joe back into school.  But instead she has to be rescued from her broken down car by his father, Wolf.  The instant these two meet sparks fly.

Mary Elizabeth Potter, Mary, is as sweet as they come.  Raised by her late Aunt Edith, she is fascinated by this big, complex man.  Released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he holds a grudge against the people Ruth, Wyoming.  When a few local women are attacked and raped, it doesn’t take long for the people of Ruth to point their finger at him.  Incensed by their bigotry, Mary steamrolls ahead, tutoring Joe, and trying to open people’s eyes to truth about the Mackenzie men.  It doesn’t look too good for Mary’s plans until she herself is attacked and is able to identify the assailant as a white man.  This puts a bee in the bonnets of the residents of Ruth, who now have to look within their own to find a rapist.

Mackenzie’s Mountain is a rare combination of romance and action.  Wolf’s initial reaction to Mary and her acceptance of it will nearly have you in tears.  Joe, as a teenager, is far more mature than his years but you can see the type of man he will become (and read about it in Mackenzie’s Mission) and the drive and determination that he has to get him there.  Wolf is wonderful as the standoffish cowboy who desperately tries to keep Mary safe and free from speculation regarding her attraction to him.  Mary is a kitten who thinks herself a tiger.  I loved them.  I wouldn’t have Ms. Howard change a thing about this book.

Although this was first published in 1989 as a single story Mills & Boon book, my copy includes both Mackenzie’s Mountain and Mackenzie’s Mission (Joe’s story) so I wasn’t aware of its origins.  That doesn’t matter.  I would still be unashamed to sit on the bus with this book be it with a sappy M&B cover, or the tartan monstrosity that I've got (pic above).  It is one of the best romance books that I’ve read in a long time.  Once I finished this volume I immediately searched for the other title in the series.

This book is a fantastic start to what is a wonderful series.  In future books you follow the stories of Joe (Mackenzie’s Mission), Zane (Mackenzie’s Pleasure), Maris (Mackenzie’s Magic) and even Chance has his own story (A Game of Chance).

There are audio books for this series available (Audible.com and CD), however paperback copies of the books are hard to come across.  I stumbled upon mine at a local second hand bookshop – and managed to find the other three there as well over a 2 year period.  Amazon and Book Depository may have a few left on occasion, but you have to get in quick or they'll be gone ASAP.

If you are addicted to romance books, or are a fan of Linda Howard's other titles, then I recommend that you try this book.  Great for the bus or train, or even a lunch hour escape.

A Kaylin Neya desktop pretty

Hi again!  Can't wait till Cast in Peril is released next month.  I've been re-reading the series and just made a desktop for Kaylin Neya.

1900x1200 750kb

Hope you like it.  Leave a comment to let me know. Cheers.

Scent of Danger a Delight!

Available @AMAZON

Scent of Danger

Andrea Kane

Orig. Pub. Feb 2003

Re-issue Dec 2006

Back cover

When Dylan Newport, a high-powered attorney for the company that manufactures C'est Moi -- the revolutionary fragrance that makes women irresistible to men -- finds his boss, Carson Brooks, shot and nearly dead, he sets out to fulfill what may be the billionaire CEO's last wish: to find out whether a business deal he made twenty-eight years ago to start his company also resulted in his fathering a child.

Dylan's search leads him to Sabrina Radcliffe, a brilliant management consultant who is shocked to learn her father's identity. Yet when she meets Carson face-to-face, there's an instant connection. His appointing her interim CEO is the opportunity of a lifetime, until she becomes the target of his enemies. As suspects -- and victims -- begin to pile up, Sabrina turns to Dylan and finds that their own perfect chemistry is kindling into soul-deep desire. But first they must confront an elusive adversary intent on destroying everything -- and everyone -- they cherish.

This is the first book I had ever read by Andrea Kane, and it left me wanting more.  It’s rare these days when an author can finish a book and still leave you wanting more.  I used to feel that way about LKH, but now when the library gets a new Andrea Kane I’m there baby!

Scent of Danger is a romantic suspense novel that delves into the cut throat world of business.  In a nutshell, it revolves around Dylan Newport, a high-powered attorney, who finds his boss, Carson Brooks, shot and almost dead, and he sets out on what might be his bosses last wish: to find his biological child.  His search leads him to Sabrina Radcliffe, a beautiful and brilliant management consultant who is shocked to learn her father’s identity.  Yet when Dylan takes her back for a face-to-face with Carson, there is an instant connection between father and daughter.  When Carson appoints her interim CEO she becomes the target of his enemies.  As suspects – and victims – pile up, Sabrina turns to Dylan and finds that their own chemistry is perfect, kindling into soul-deep desire.  But first they must confront an elusive adversary intent on destroying everything.

This book took almost no time to get through.  Andrea Kane dragged me under her spell and I was lost in the world of Dylan and Sabrina.  It isn’t as gritty or edgy as Twisted, but still it is a great ride as you try to uncover the identity of the killer.  Now, although this book isn’t a demanding read, you do have to pay attention to the who’s and what’s so that you can follow the underlying subtext.

I loved Dylan and Sabrina’s relationship.  Even more was the interaction between Carson and Sabrina’s mother.  Having been an AI (artificial insemination) baby, Sabrina’s parents have never met.  It was nice to see them as supportive of each other, and Sabrina.  I’m not sure it would work like this in real life, but that’s why we have books isn’t it :-D

If you liked Kay Hooper’s Noah Bishop series, or Sharon Sala’s many books then this will be right up your alley.  Try not to read it before going to sleep – it’s not conducive to a good night’s sleep – as you’ll have to stay up to finish it.

Remember the tissues when you read Tallchief

Tallchief
Dinah McCall

Mass Market paperback 1997
HarperTorch US cover

Back cover

A Dream... or a Nightmare?

Ever since the night Morgan Tallchief lost the only woman he would ever love, he

has struggled to seal away the past.  But now Kathleen Ryder is back in his life - 

still pursued by the deadly secrets that forced her to flee before.  And even though

Morgan swears to protect her, he is helpless against his own rekindled passion.

Kathleen has never forgotten the achingly sweet hunger that bound them together

years ago.  Now, still on the run, all she dares ask is that Morgan keep her safe - 

never expecting that he has the power to breathe life-giving fire to an ember that has

grown cold.

Cover I have

Written by Sharon Sala under her pseudonym Dinah McCall, this is the heart-wrenching story of Morgan Tallchief, and how a ghost from his past comes back into his life.

At eighteen, Morgan was on top of the world.  With only two weeks until he graduated, an athletic scholarship in the works, and his beautiful and shy girlfriend, Kathleen Ryder by his side.  All that ends in an instant the night her house explodes... with her in it.  Grief stricken and numbed by his loss, Morgan turns his back on school and running, joining the navy - leaving his heart behind in the grave of his love.

Now, 16 years later Morgan is out of the navy and working as a successful artist when out of the blue he finds his lost love Kathleen standing on his doorstep.  Not only is Kathleen alive {shock...horror!}, but she has also brought a piece of their past with her... their daughter Trisha.  

Hidden by the FBI in Witness Protection (with her parents) since she was 14, Kathleen is now a single parent with a killer on her trail.  Her father's testimony was only part of the reason their family hid.  Unbeknownst to her, he held a little something back from the FBI - and now the bad guys want it.  With no other options, she packs up her daughter, and seeks out the one man who can help her.  But the reunion of the long lost lovers doesn't quite go as Kathleen expected, and while both of them get some good verbal hits before they call a truce for the moment Morgan is wary of her return.  Just what will it take to convince Morgan that she didn’t want to leave him all those years ago?

This book is a real tearjerker at times.  I enjoy most of Sharon Sala’s books, but this is truly one of her best.  Morgan is a man who never got over the death of his love, and Kathleen is a strong woman who has never forgotten her high school sweetheart.  The author brings them together in a wonderful way, making readers root for the success of their reunion. The addition of Trisha, their daughter, and the closure that this brings to Morgan is lovely.  I wished for a longer book, but the world is well developed, and their back-story well fleshed out.  You care about these characters, but the only criticism that I do have is that the ‘bad guy’ responsible for her flight back to Morgan doesn’t seem right.  He is the son of the man her father testified against, and his desperation to get back a piece of evidence is strange (although if someone the account details to millions stashed overseas I suppose you’d want it too J).  His demise is wonderfully appropriate, and as a reader, you just can’t wait for it.

This is a standalone book with no others being written about the Tallchief family, but that doesn’t matter because I didn’t really want to know about any of the others.  

Death of a Domestic Diva

Death of a Domestic Diva

A Toadfern Mystery Bk 1

Sharon Short

Back Cover

Need something troublesome and unsightly eliminated permanently?
Call Josie Toadfern!

There is no stain on Earth that laundromat owner Josie Toadfern can't conquer, and she's offered to share her expertise on world famous domestic doyenne Tyra Grimes's TV show. No one is more shocked than Josie herself when the Great Grimes shows up in Paradise, Ohio, to tape a segment in Josie's teeny-weeny hometown. But rapidly spreading rumors of the insufferable icon's immoral -- and quite possibly illegal -- carryings-on have sparked Josie's curiosity, and her uninvited sorting through Grimes's dirty laundry is exposing all manner of dastardly doings -- from mischief all the way to murder. And the irrepressible Toadfern soon realizes it will take more than lemon juice to make this lethal stain come out in the wash.

Although the title enticed me to purchase this book, it really didn’t live up to my expectations.  Sharon Short has tried to cram a lot of interactions with too many people in this first instalment of her Toadfern Mystery series, and the result is a book that seems to be incapable of following a linear storyline.  We jump from person to person, listening to them whine, bitch, insult and yell at our heroine, Josie Toadfern.  Unfortunately, her insatiable curiosity turns her into a doormat, incapable of telling people where to stuff it when they just mow all over her feelings (or take over her apartment).  She is not the most confident person, and I get the feeling that there should have been a more backstory in there as some of the cruel comments stem from years ago, especially from the Police Chief, John Worthy.  Her boyfriend, Owen, seems to be sweet enough, but he too just ignores her at times, or just avoids her.

Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind while reading it, but if I try another of these books, and that’s a big if, it’ll be from the library.  This book will appeal to you if you enjoy Roberta Isleib, Kathryn Lilley or Laura Childs cosy mysteries, but I think that you’ll have the same reservations I have about buying this series.

Delusion in Death

Coming soon to a bookstore near you September 11, 2012

Delusion in Death
'In Death' Book 35
J.D. Robb

Inside flap

What would cause someone to want so many people, surely many of them strangers, to slaughter each other?'

The scene that greets Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her team one terrible evening in New York is more shocking than any of them have ever witnessed. The usually comfortable downtown bar is strewn with bodies - office workers who have been sliced, bludgeoned or hacked to death with the nearest weapon available. It appears they all turned on each other in a desperate blinding rage.

As Eve and her husband Roarke - who owned the bar among his many properties - investigate the big-business workers of the city, they link the attacks back to the Urban Wars and the chemical warfare used all those years ago. With another slaughter imminent, Eve must turn to unexpected sources in order to stop a killer who is getting revenge by creating mass carnage...

Oh God, I want it now!  This sounds soooo good.  Eve Dallas is getting better by the book.

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.

In the mail this week

I can't believe it's nearly the middle of August already.  I have been eagerly awaiting the new release from Ilona Andrews, and yesterday Gunmetal Magic arrived in the mail.  I started it as soon as I got back from the Post Office - it was great!  The bonus novella Magic Gifts was awesome.  I loved the ending, very much poetic justice :-)

The other book that arrived with Gunmetal Magic was Book 2 of the Spellcrackers.com series, The Cold Kiss of Death, by Suzanne McLeod.  I haven't started it yet, but it's on my to do list today.  However I'm still waiting for Celebrity in Death to arrive... perhaps the mail fairies are reading it first?

And finally, I managed to find Seraphina by Rachel Hartman at my local Big W.  I snapped it up, and it is sitting on my bedside table looking very tempting indeed with that gorgeous cover.

So that's what I received in the mail this week.  Hope you found something good to read as well.

Hounded

Hounded
The Iron Druid Chronicles Book 1
Kevin Hearne

Back cover...

Atticus O'Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona running an occult bookshop and shapeshifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound.  His neighbours and customers think this handsome, tattooed Irishman is about twenty-one years old when, actually, it's twenty-one centuries.  Atticus draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants the sword, and he's been after Atticus for centuries.  Now the determined deity has trackef him down and Atticus will need all his powers -  plus a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of lawyers, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good, old fashioned Irishluck - to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

Its a few days since I finished reading Hounded.  I wanted to give myself time to soak it in.  Now, as I start to write my review I'm reminded of how much I loved this book.  I just want to get my hands on the next book, but unfortunately my local library doesn't hold any of them.  So it's off to my family's place to raid the library over there.

As I have said in earlier blogs, I usually don't enjoy books written by men.  Don't ask me why, I don't really know?  But Atticus was so much fun.  He's a hip old Druid who has managed to make a living doing what comes naturally.  His lawyers are supernaturals (werewolf and vampire respectively), he's being harassed by a local coven, some faerie dudes tried to kill him, a Celtic God wants his sword, and his best bud is a throwback Irish Wolfhound who has a thing for poodles.  What more could a girl ask for?... I had a ball!

Hearne's world building is a joy.  I lost myself completely in the pages.  Our hero has to deal with all manner of difficulties, and he does it with grace and style.  And while the popping in and out of Celtic/Norse and other Gods and Goddess' could have been a stumbling block, it just seemed totally natural - like every guy has a hot Norse Goddess popping in for a bit of nookie.  It was so well written that I didn't even balk, I just took that as an everyday occurrence and kept on reading.  

For those of you concerned with graphic sexual content, rest easy.  While there is a bit of horizontal mambo, it's not graphic {nothing like LKH} so I feel confident in recommending it to all.  There is a little bit of violence at the end, and some characters don't make it in one piece - literally - but there is no real gore or horror to it.

After finishing the book, I tracked down and listened to the audio book sample online - SO GOOD! - and have placed it in my wishlist to order at a later date.  There is just something about Atticus that will keep me coming back for more.

A Wild Light

A Wild Light
Hunter Kiss #3
Marjorie M. Liu

Back cover:

Maxine finds herself covered in blood and crouched beside Jack's dead body,

with no memory of what happened.  Grief-stricken, Maxine isn't sure what to

believe - or who to blame.  Then an Avatar bounty hunter comes through the

veil into our world, investigating a death of his own.  Completely ruthless and

subservient to those who bred him, his mission is to find Jack - dead or alive.

Racing to stop the hunter, Maxine must also deal with the blood on her hands.

But the answers she uncovers will be devastating, and the earth's salvation

won't wait.

I haven't read a Hunter Kiss book in quite a while, so when I found this in a bargain bin at my mum's local bookshop, I snapped it up - and I'm glad I did.

It didn't take me long at all to fall back into the world of Maxine Kiss, although I'd recommend reading the previous books so you don't get stuck trying to remember what's what.  Maxine is wonderful, as always, and Grant just keeps getting more intriguing.  Grandfather Jack/Old Wolf, is in a bit of a pickle this time, and we finally find out why Byron was created by him.  My favourite characters are still the Boys, as Max calls her demonic looking protectors, and they always make me smile.  Our mysterious hair waving, hat wearing guy is back.  Oturu helps Maxine remember things, some of them I think she'd rather forget.

There are some new characters, some revelations regarding the Prison, and as you guessed it - you end up with more questions than answers so therefore you have to read the next book :-)  The world building is wonderful and you really get sucked into the world and lose yourself for the few hours it takes to read this book.  At 336 pages, Liu has packed a lot of story into this book.  The revelation of her tattoo/protectors identity, as well as that of her ancestors, is very interesting.  I can't wait to read the next book, Mortal Bone, to find out what happens.

On the plus side, unlike a lot of Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance books, there is no real swearing and no graphic sex scenes - which is quite refreshing actually - and while there is a little bit of violence, it isn't nearly as graphic as other books.  So if you're squeamish, then this book is a good book for you.

If you are a fan of Liu, or the Hunter Kiss books, then this is a must. A Wild Light sets up the next book extremely well.  This is the ideal size to just slip into your handbag/schoolbag - any kind of bag - so you can take advantage of every quiet moment to fall back into Kiss' world.  Great for any short travelling like a bus or train as well.  Just remember to get off at your stop!

Spending a cold night with a good book and a cuppa

Last night was so cold here in SE QLD.  For the 11th night in a row, I had to shiver through subzero temperatures - the lowest at -4°c (or about 25°f) - and it seems there's no end in sight.  At these temperatures I should be able to enjoy having some snow falling, but nooooo we don't get snow here.  So, when I heard the weatherman make his prediction that was it.  I was calling it a night and heading off to bed.  There was no way in hell I was sitting in a chilly room (that I can never seem to heat up) trying to watch the Olympics (the only thing watchable on TV, but that's another story).  Grabbing a book at random, I made a steaming hot mug of tea and scampered off to bed.  

It was so cold that my cat wanted to get under the blankets too!  That's when you know it's really cold.  Today it's fine and sunny but the wind is howling.  As I write this I'm curled up on the sofa, cat in lap, bundled up in winter woollies.  I'm even contemplating getting a throw rug to wrap around me.  I foresee another freezing night ahead of me... I wish I had a fireplace.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Wicked As They Come
A Blud Novel #1
Delilah S. Dawson

Back cover:

When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no 

idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a 

surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling 

circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, 

but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate 

with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return 

home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful 

ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the 

evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor 

and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous 

destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?

I bought this book via an online recommendation and all I can say is WOW!  This is such an original book - and that's saying something these days.  As a new reader to the world of Steampunk, I fell in love with the world, and the characters.  

As a 20 something nurse, Letitia 'Tish' Everett - our heroine - has already had a hard road to hoe.  She's just come out of an abusive relationship, her parents are out of the picture, and her beloved Grandmother is dying of cancer.  Her world seems to be falling apart.  So, when Tish sees a locket at the estate sale of a former patient, she falls in lust with the gorgeous image within.  Little does she know that the blood she spills on the locket while trying to clean it, activates a spell a century in the making.  That night she is transported to the world of Sang, and the deliciously bite-able Criminy Stain (who finds her naked near an alter in the woods).

At first Letitia, as Criminy calls her, is certain that this is just a very vivid dream.  But when a cute little bunny turns into a blood-sucking furball, she starts to think that there just might be something wrong.  Now she finds herself at the mercy of Criminy Stain.  How will she get back?  Can she get back?

This book felt a little like Alice in Wonderland to me, so when Tish falls down the rabbit hole into Sang. . . OMG.  Having only read one Steampunk series previously, A Parasol Protectorate, I was expecting to find the same world-building as in Gail Carriger's books.  Well, I was half right.  Whereas the Protectorate books deal with a truly paranormal savvy techno-Victorian world, Dawson's world is truly in another realm altogether.  I loved the parallels drawn by Dawson, like the fact that some city names are the same, which makes the world seem somehow familiar and therefore easier to fall into.  The invention of blud-animals was fabulous.  I loved the bludbunnies, and if I had to catch a bludmare in a field I think I'd pass.

There are a few little plot twists that I didn't expect, but that just makes it more interesting.  Just who do you trust?

I loved the cover.  It was part of what made up my mind when I was deciding whether to purchase it or not. The dark colour scheme reflects the nature of the book, but while there are some dark scenes, there isn't anything truly violent.  There is no graphic sexual content for which I am grateful as I am getting quite sick of that as a story device, and whatever bad language there is, it's not very graphic.

If you want to read a book that found an voice of it's own, then grab this anyway you can.

I'm looking forward to the next book, Wicked As She Wants, available April 2013.

200th blog and I'm Dying for Daylight

Woo hoo!  200 blog entries.  Okay, it sounds like a lot, but looking back it just means that I haven't put fingers to keyboard as much as I should have.  Sorry.  There are times when real life just seems to get in the road, but I love being able to just put up my thoughts when I can.  Thankfully I'm on my last 2 units, and then I'm done with studying... well, maybe.

As I mentioned on Twitter yesterday, I stumbled across a Charlaine Harris computer game at my local EB store.  I was just browsing and couldn't believe my eyes when I happened to see her name splashed across the top of the DVD case.  Amazed, I snapped it up for $9, and headed home to play.  I do love a good strategy/hidden object game.  Anyhow, I got stuck into it was having fun.  I got through Days 1 - 3 and started Day 4 (Inked) when I decided that was 5 hrs enough for the day.  

What I didn't realize until a few minutes ago was that there was only 4 episodes on this disc.... WTF!  Yes, that's right.  Only half the game is on there.  Who ever heard of breaking up a game and not mentioning it on the case?  So now I have to wait impatiently for the next part to be released.  And yes I will wait, damn it , because the graphics and story is great.  This game had me hooked before the first 10 minutes were up.  I only have 1 criticism.  That the jumping from map point to map point can get annoying, especially when you have to do it about 4 times just for one clue.

However, I did love the little blood slurping bat that popped up when the game was loading new sections.  He was oh so cute.  The graphics in this game were just amazing.  Like graphic novels come to life.  The music was lovely, if repetitive after a while, and the dialogue was pretty good.  I liked Dahlia.  She had personality, and attitude, plus a serious desire to shop at Tiffany's during daylight hours.  The 'world' shown in this game is amazing.  Gritty streets, manky looking vampires and a seriously creepy child Vamp. I just wish you got to see more of the world than just one or two side games.  I also would have loved it if they could have incorporated a bit more of the Sookieverse in it, like posters for Fangtasia, or other well known locations from the books.  But that could just be me?

So, if you do happen to come across a copy of this game give it a go.  It's not terribly difficult and is a great way to spend a few hours since there are only 4 parts.  Anyway, I'm nearly finished Day 4, so I'd better get back to it and make Polly talk.