Review: Dark Witch (or Three Sisters Island v2.0)

Dark Witch

Book One of the Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy

Nora Roberts

Published: October, 2013

Piatkus, Trade Paperback, 342p.

ISBN: 978-0-7499-5859-6

Three cousins inherit a gift that will tranform their lives...

Iona Sheehan has just taken the biggest gamble of her life.  Leaving her job, her home and her family in Baltimore, she has come to Ireland in search of adventure - and answers.

Iona has always felt a powerful connection to the home of her ancestors.  So when her beloved grandmother confesses an extraordinary family secret, she can't resist visiting County Mayo to discover the truth for herself.  Arriving at the beautiful and atmospheric Castle Ashford, Iona is excited to meet her cousins, Connor and Branna O'Dwyer, for the first time.  And when she lands a job at the local riding school she finds herself drawn against her will to its owner - the hot-tempered but charismatic Boyle McGrath.  Perhaps in County Mayo she has found her true home at last.

What Iona doesn't realise is that her cousins have been expecting her for a long time.  Connor, Branna and Iona have all inherited a powerful but dangerous gift from an ancestor known as the Dark Witch.  And they are about to discover that some old legends can return to haunt the present...

My library emailed me to let me know that Dark Witch was waiting for me and I was so happy - good reading material has been scarce around here lately - so the next time I went into town I made sure to pick it up.  It sat for a day, staring at me from the arm of the couch, until I finally gave in last night and headed off to bed early (had a big thunderstorm - perfect for witchy reading).

Book Review || Archangel's Legion

Archangel's Legion
Guild Hunters, Book 6
Nalini Singh

Published: October, 2013

Jove, mass market paperback, 374p.
ISBN: 978-0-425-25124-9

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicous, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly from disease.

Guild Hunter Elena Deveraux and the archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, eaving New York a ruin and Raphael's Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, and even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York. . . and on Raphael.  Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same. . . 

What can I say?  I LOVED IT!  The Guild Hunter series just keeps getting better and better and even though previous books done from the POV of two of Raphael's Seven have been very interesting, it's at its best when told through the eyes of Raphael and Elena.

After the events of the previous book, the Cascade is in full effect and the Cadre of Ten are exhibiting new abilities, as well as personality quirks, that seem to heighten the core of who they are as individuals.  Raphael is still much weaker than the other archangels, and his new powers seem to have stalled with the abiltiy to heal, while other members of the Cadre are developing - and hiding - much deadlier and destructive abilities.

Lijuan is back, and is as bat shit crazy as ever.  She is a great foil for Raphael, but she's not the only one out for blood.  Elena is torn with more troubles on the family front, with a secret coming to light that shakes her long held feelings of love/hate for her father.  And Michaela has her sights firmly set on Raphael.

I could go on giving hints for quite a while, but will stop there before I totally spoil the plot for anyone who hasn't managed to get their hands on it yet.  I will say that this book has raised the stakes in the battle of the archangels, and with the revelations of the last couple of chapters, I can't believe I have to wait a whole year before finding out what happens next!  

Don't touch this book if you haven't read books 1-5, it just won't have the same impact, and please don't attempt to read it if you don't have a few hours to spare as putting it down is nearly impossible.  Archangel's Legion is a fast paced book that grabs you by the scruff and takes you on a ride you'll wish didn't end.  Elena and Raphael just get better and better.

Easy Come, Easy Go

Hi all!

It's been a tough few weeks with everything coming to a head early last week when I had to hand in my resignation due to medical reasons.  Only I could get and loose a job in 3 months.  But, now that leaves me stuck at home, recuperating and taking it easy until my doctors give me the okay.  I'd rather be earning a wage, but that's not in the cards for the next 12-24 months!  So, I guess that means that I'll now be able to give more time to my ever increasing TBR pile, and updating my blog.

I'll start by telling you how much I loved Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh.  The series as a whole is great, but I do adore the stories that revolve around Raphael and Elena.  In AL, there were a few surprises I didn't see coming - read upcoming review for more - and now I can't wait for the next, as yet untitled, book due out late 2014.

In the meantime, I'm waiting for my audiobook reservations to come into the library.  I finally managed to track down copies of A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness.  They are massive at 20 discs each, but it's a lot cheaper than having to buy every audiobook that tickles my fancy.   I also managed to find out the title of the third and final book in the All Souls Trilogy - plus the release date.  The Book of Life is due out on stands 15 July, 2014 - yippeeeee!

So until I see you again, happy reading!

Yeah! It's here!

After the crappy day I've had, I was amazed when a knock at my front door revealed a postman bearing gifts ;-P.  For in his hands was my much awaited for copy of Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh.

The cover is fabulous, and as much as I want to devour it right now, I'll be good, and wait till after my appointment so I won't have to put it down for any reason.

This series has turned out to be one of my all-time favourites.  There is just something about the relationship of Elena and Raphael's that to totally sucks me in.

Quick update

I have been so behind lately it isn't funny.  The newest book on my reading pile was 'Dark Currents' by Jacqueline Carey.  It's the first book in a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Health issues - as well as a continually absent Wi-Fi signal - have meant that between that and the few hours of casual work I do a week, that I'm often too sore, frustrated, or just too darn tired to put up my thoughts on some of the fabulous books I've read lately.  So, my apologies - I'll try to get my butt in gear this month ;-D

I'm still waiting on my postie to deliver 'Archangel's Legion'.  I love this series and have been eagerly awaiting the next Elena/Raphael story.

Quilting for Xmas

I don't know about anyone else, but I made the mistake of telling my mother that I'd started quilting.  Now I have to make her a lap rug for Christmas - and she'd already picked out the material!

After much debate, I finally got myself psyched up enough on Sunday to I get out the charm pack - Moda Printemps - but then I had to  figure out exactly how I was going to do with it.  Complicated was out.  My sewing machine should have an L plate for all the experience I've had!  After much YouTube surfing I finally settled on the Disappearing 9 Patch (wonderful tutorial by the Missouri Star Quilt Co.).  I was confident that I could manage it.

So, to cut a long story short, after a couple of hours - and a few unpicked rows - I had a cute central piece for mum's quilt.  Now I just have to add some white around it and decide on a binding, not to mention the backing.  I might just squeak this in in time for Christmas ;-D

PS - I have to do a bed footer for my aunt too!

Murphy's Law

You have all experienced it, and even mocked it.  But this weekend has just been one annoying incident after another!  

My boss left for a week long cruise of the South Pacific - lucky duck! - and I'm running things solo for the next week (but I've only been there for 9 weeks... as a casual!).  Okay, so yesterday (Day 1) I end up with a few curly situations where things happened that we hadn't discussed, and I hadn't thought to ask.  It all worked out - however my deodorant nearly failed me in the meantime.

Ouchie!

Then, last night while I was putting some laundry back in the wardrobe my stripy ninja cat decided to play under the hanging clothes.  Nothing sinister about that?  Yeah, right.  As I was sliding the door shut she made a desperate leap out and over a large glass coffee table top that I'd had propped up on it's side.  She bumped it and it came crashing down... onto my ankle!  It felt like a bomb had gone off in my ankle and the vein that runs down the front of the ankle started to swell like a balloon.  Unfortunately I couldn't just limp off to fix it.  I had to go lug out the vacuum cleaner, and then clean up the broken glass so the furry people didn't cut their feet!  Once that was done - painfully mind you - it was off to the bathroom to get some cold water and a compression sock.  Funnily, I didn't see said cat until I was tucked up in bed - and even then she managed to walk on my ankle as she clambered over the quilt.

Today I took it easy.  I made a comfy nest in the lounge room and watched Season One of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (fabulous!) and read Celebrity in Death.  Thankfully tomorrow is a public holiday here so I can take it easy again.  Finger's crossed I will be fit for duty on Tuesday, otherwise I will up the creek without a paddle...

Where has the year gone?

I can't believe that September is nearly over already!  It seems like just last week since I started my casual job at my local quilting/giftware shop.  I swear, the older I get the quicker the years seem to fly by.  I can remember being a child and thinking that the day would never end.  School dragged on for an eternity, the school holidays dragged on forever, and your birthday - or Christmas - just never arrived soon enough.  Now?  I just wish the days would slow down so I can fit more into them!

There was a verse that I remember hearing during my high school years that has recently entrenched itself in my brain...

"the rocking horse days of my childhood are slipping and sliding away..."

I can't remember exactly where I got it from - probably the library? - but, I find this quite apt as I add another year to my tally.

Review: Anita Blake is back in Affliction

Affliction

Anita Blake, Book 22

Laurell K. Hamilton

Released: 02 June, 2013

Berkley, Hardcover, 576 p.

ISBN: 978-0425255704

Some zombies are raised. Others must be put down. Just ask Anita Blake.

Before now, she would have considered them merely off-putting, never dangerous. Before now, she had never heard of any of them causing human beings to perish in agony. But that’s all changed.

Micah’s estranged father lies dying, rotting away inside from some strange ailment that has his doctors whispering about “zombie disease.”

Anita makes her living off of zombies—but these aren’t the kind she knows so well. These creatures hunt in daylight, and are as fast and strong as vampires. If they bite you, you become just like them. And round and round it goes…

Where will it stop?

Even Anita Blake doesn’t know.

After the sheer frustration - and a whole heap of disappointment - I felt reading the last couple of Anita Blake books, I swore that I would wait for the library to get a copy before committing myself to buying it.  I was sick of all the slutty bed-hopping Anita, and I missed the Anita of old who spent her nights 'animating' zombies at the local cemeteries and solving RPIT cases.  So, I cautiously reserved my copy of Affliction, and spent the the last two days staring at it - not sure I wanted to go down the trashy rabbit hole again.  Last night I thought 'bugger that!' and grabbed the book as I headed to bed.  I finished it just before midnight, and even though I was so tired I couldn't see straight, I was glad that I hadn't given up on Anita Blake just yet.

Merry Gentry #9 Announced!

OMG!  I just found out the official details for the next Merry Gentry book.  I have been waiting for 4 years to hear word on just when I could expect the next offering.

A Shiver of Light

June/July 2014

Ooooh, can't wait!!!

New job and no time to spare

Hi all!

Just a quick few lines.  I've been so busy , and completely tired, after starting a new job.  I was so used to studying (sitting for hours), that now I'm on my feet for those same hours it's painful.  Thank God for the large tub I use as a footbath.  I don't know what I'd do without it at the end of the day ;-D

So, being free time poor these days I've been catching up on the J.D. Robb series (got Calculated in Death the other day) and waiting for the last 2 books I pre-ordered.  I did manage to read the latest Kate Daniels book, Magic Rises.  This was much darker than previous books, and had me tearing up in places.  Curran gets in serious trouble with Kate.  Love it!  Will review it ASAP.

Anyhow, that's all I've got time for this morning.  Have to start getting ready for work.  Happy reading!

Review: The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test
A Goddess Test Novel, Book 1
Aimee Carter

Published: May 2011
Harlequin TEEN, paperback, 
ISBN: 978-0-373-21026-8
eISBN: 978-1-459-20169-9

File size: 364 KB

From the back cover...

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess. 

I'll keep this short and sweet, but what can I say.  This is one YA book that I could have done without reading.  I'm not saying that it was a terrible book, but the story of Persephone and Hades has been done oh so many times that this version just didn't grab me.  I much preferred the P.C Cast 'Goddess Summoning' series version.   What do you know, I think I've finally outgrown YA books ;-P

So, unless you're a massive YA fan, or absolutely a slave to mythology in fiction, then I'd skip this particular series.

And the postie delivers

Just a quick post today.  First time I've touched the laptop in nearly 2 weeks - I'm so bored - but my postie made my day by delivering the last of the books that I ordered.  Twice this week he's actually knocked on my door with the parcels!  Great service this week apparently...

So, tonight I will be diving into Fated by Benedict Jacka, followed by This Case is Gonna Kill Me by Phillipa Bornikova.  There is something about starting a journey with an author whose style you are unfamiliar with that is quite exciting.  However, I do have one reservation.  I hope that Fated isn't too much like the Dresden books.  That would be such a let down.

In the mean time, I'll finish watching MirrorMask - so delightfully twisted ;-D - and snuggle up with a hot water bottle (it's a miserable grey old day) and a hot cup of tea.

Happy reading this week!

Just arrived

It's finally here!  I am looking forward to listening to Cast in Shadow.  Will be firing up the laptop and adding it to my iPod asap ;-D

June in Review

I hope your June was better than mine.  My right wrist has been aching for about 4 weeks now, so after one particularly painful episode, I made an appointment with the doctor.  It turns out that I have tendinitis in said wrist/forearm and to keep it strapped up and immobile for God knows how long.   As you could guess, this has severely limited my daily life, and has made typing on the laptop painful.  Therefore, I'll keep this short.

The last meeting of the book club went well.  Turns out we loved Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger - yeah! - however, The Goddess Test didn't get quite the same reaction (reviews to be posted later).  Then came the hard task of trying to select next month's reading material.  Turns out that there was one item on everyone's list...

So in the end, the reading list for July is:

Fated - Benedict Jacka

Tempest Rising - Nicole Peeler, and

The Reluctant Reaper - Gina X. Grant

In the mean time, I have to figure out how to keep myself sane now that the laptop is out of bounds, and holding onto a book for hours is painful.  This dilemma has given me the kick in the butt to delve into my stash of material kept hidden in the linen cupboard.  Now, surrounded by piles of beautiful fabric, I find myself mentally sorting through it all, designing quilts to make for family and friends.  I don't think I'm up for the sewing yet - I'm right handed! - but that hasn't stopped me from buying more material lately, so I think this winter I might ditch the knitting and crochet (too hard on the wrist), and think about some sewing instead...?

Happy reading!