Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #19 - Mistress of the Wind by Michelle Diener


"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. This week I am waiting on Mistress of the Wind by Michelle Diener. I love fairy tales and retellings. This book is a retelling of the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I am not as familiar with this fairy tale, but that just makes it more interesting to me. And the cover is gorgeous. 

From Goodreads: 
"Bjorn needs to find a very special woman . . . 

The fate of his people, and his own life, depends on it. But when he does find her, she is nothing like he imagined, and may just harbor more secrets than he does himself.

Astrid has never taken well to commands. No matter who issues them . . . 

She's clashed her whole life with her father, and now her lover, the mysterious man who comes to her bedroom in darkness and disappears to guard his mountain by day as a bear, is finding it out the hard way. And when he's taken by his enemies, no one is prepared for Astrid's response. 

It is never wise to anger the mistress of the wind . . . "

Mistress of the Wind is due to be released December 23, 2013 from Season publishing. 
What book are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Teaser Tuesday - A Grimm Legacy by Janna Jennings


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 
Rules:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my Teaser comes from A Grimm Legacy by Janna Jennings

"Survival had taken a priority, but now unease bubbled in his stomach, threatening to explode into full alarm.
   Pointed ears. He was in more trouble than he originally thought."

11% through Kindle version

What's your Teaser this Tuesday?

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Review: Hijack in Abstract by Larissa Reinhart

Who else but Cherry Tucker could find herself in the middle of a hijacking ring, a problem with a meth ring, and a painting scandal more or less all at the same time? And then there is Luke. Are they really done after all this time together?

Cherry is thrilled when the police call her to help out for a change instead of yell at her to keep her nose out of their business. They want her to make a composite drawing of a truck hijacking suspect. It's a pleasant challenge. But of course, Cherry just can't leave it at that.

Then Shawna has been showing pictures around town of Cherry's latest paintings that were sold. They happened to be in the Greek style with a nude model (her ex-husband). Shawna considers this immoral and feels that the majority of the town will agree with her. Just what does Shawna want from all this?

And there is the mystery of just who did buy those paintings. He wants to commission a portrait now too. Why is he so competitive with the Bear?

So much mystery, but all well done. You won't feel like you are drowning in subplots. It all follows logically, Cherry's kind of logic. It's a wonderfully adventurous book with a touch of romance and humor. I found it thoroughly enjoyable. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received a copy of this book for my unbiased opinion.

Hijack in Abstract by Larissa Reinhart was released by Henery Press November 5, 2013.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Cover Reveal: Circle of Influence by Annette Dashofy

Circle of Influence by Annette Dashofy is the first book in the Zoe Chambers Mystery series set to debut March 2014. 

From the Publisher, Henery Press
Zoe Chambers, paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township, has been privy to a number of local secrets over the years, some of them her own. But secrets become explosive when a dead body is found in the Township Board President’s abandoned car. As a January blizzard rages, Zoe and Police Chief Pete Adams launch a desperate search for the killer, even if it means uncovering secrets that could not only destroy Zoe and Pete, but also those closest to them.

Visit us on the Henery Press website to find out more. And as always, feel free to reach out if you have questions or comments – to the Hen House or Annette.  We’d love to hear from you. 

This title seems a little heavier than some of the other mysteries put out by Henery Press, but still sounds intriguing. I look forward to it's release. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Teaser Tuesday - Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales edited by Paula Guran

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 
Should Be Reading. 
Rules:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

From: Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales edited by Paula Guran
Kindle version 12% through 
From "The Spinning Wheel's Tale" by Jane Yolen

"The story begins with spinning, spinning the wheel, spinning the curse, spinning the lies that lie at the heart of a mouth, a castle, a hedge. 
     And of course, it all begins with a witch."



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #18 - Broken Sigil by William Meikle

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. This week I am waiting on Broken Sigil by Willliam Meikle. This is a novella length piece, coming in at about 55 pages long. It's a paranormal piece and once again sounds like one of my favorite types, a ghost story. In this case, perhaps it's more accurately a haunted  house story.


From Netgalley:
There are houses like this all over the world. Most people only know of them from whispered stories over campfires; tall tales told to scare the unwary. But some...those who suffer...know better. They are drawn to these places to ease their pain.
If you have the will, the fortitude, you can peer into another life, where the dead are not gone.
 Broken Sigil is due out January 14, 2014 as part of Darkfuse's novella series. 
What book are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday (tardy): Hijack in Abstract by Larissa Reinhart

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 
Should Be Reading. 
Rules:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

From: Hijack in Abstract by Larissa Reinhart

Kindle version 10% through
Cherry talking to Luke about who might have bought her paintings.
"He's an art collector and appreciator of talent such as mine."
"...I'd think he'd just find you a pain in the ass."

What's your teaser this week?

Friday, November 8, 2013

Review: Rude Bitches Make Me Tired by Celia Rivenbark

"If you really believe you have all the answers,which I do, why not share with the class?" says Celia Rivenbark in Rude Bitches Make Me Tired: Slightly Profane and Entirely Logical Answers to Modern Etiquette Dilemmas. She freely admits that this is not your Momma's etiquette book, although there is still a need for that sort of thing.

No, this etiquette book covers things such as playdates, how to really split the bill at the restaurant, how to give and receive compliments, and how to behave when arrested. As for the latter, "it's important to show you were 'raised right.'"

Yes, there is profanity in the book, but none of it is used solely for shock value. It rather is a natural outgrowth of the material being discussed. Long as you know up front that it's coming, you have no reason to complain about it.

The answers to the questions posed really are for the most part logical and common sense. Of course not all of us are gifted with common sense. But it's the expression of the answers that really sets the book apart. It is full of humor even when describing people at their worst. This  book would make a good gift for someone whose behavior you were subtly trying to correct. Or a great gift for someone whose funny bone you wanted to tickle.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of her other work.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #17 - A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. This week I am waiting on A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey. It is the first book in a new series, The Lovegrove Legacy. I really enjoy stories about witches. I have ever since I went to Salem, MA. when I was small. When I grew up, I realized that most if not all of those accused of witchcraft in the Salem trials were not witches at all, simply odd or a victim of politics. A Breath of Frost promises witches of the more fictional type with dangers of the more paranormal kinds.

Here is what Goodreads has to say about it:
"In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins. 
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld. 
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. 
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies. 
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?"

A Breath of Frost is due out January 7, 2014 from Walker Children's. The author has book trailers on her website at  http://alyxandraharvey.com/lovegrove/

What Book are You Waiting on this Wednesday?

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Teaser Tuesday - Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 
Should Be Reading. 
Rules:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
From: Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things that Happened by Allie Brosh

From p, 77 about getting their Helper dog
"The shelter worker said, 'This one hates everything and she doesn't know anything, and I hope you aren't planning on taking her outside ever because she is more like a bear than a dog, really, and unfortunately she can climb a seven-foot-tall fence like the fucking Spider man.'
"And we were like, 'Sure, why not,'"

What's your teaser?

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Review: Three to Get Lei'd by Jill Marie Landis

Aloha! This book has a perfect blend of mystery, romance, humor, and an introduction to the culture of the North Shore of Kauai. If a book could be described as ono, then this one would be. It is a delicious cozy mystery.

The book starts with a reality crew having invaded the Tiki Goddess bar. Em Johnson is at wit's end. Then, one of the crew is killed in the kitchen with Chef Kimo's best sashimi knife and the fun begins. Enter Roland Sharpe, fire dancing detective, who begs the Hula Maidens to stay out of the investigations this time. But, there is fat chance of that since Kimo is married to one of them.

Two more murders, one pinned on Kiki, Kimo's wife. The Hula Maidens stick together, which means that between Em's amateur sleuthing and the Hula Maidens' activities, they are driving Roland round the bend.

Can the Hula Maidens solve the mysteries before Kiki and Kimo end up in jail or there is a 4th murder?

Three to Get Lei'd (A Tiki Goddess Mystery #3) by Jill Marie Landis was released  by Bell Bridge Books May 24, 2013. You can read more about the Tiki Goddess Mysteries at The Tiki Goddess.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.