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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
Sunday Snippets
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Monday, December 13, 2010
Falling Behind
BEHIND.
I hate feeling like this. I don't like it when I can't maintain my carefully planned schedules. I hate when clutter infiltrates my life. I feel overwhelmed when I have so much on my to do list that I need a separate list just to keep track of what isn't yet on my to do list.
It's not even that I'm overly busy, but sometimes life just gets in the way of best intentions.
I have worked hard in the past 11 months to create a blog of which I am really proud. I have enjoyed the ups and downs, the growing pains and the successes. I've read countless new books, discovered several new authors, and found numerous new bloggers and tweeps, many of which I am happy to call friend.
Lately, I have fallen behind in my reading and blogging. I can blame work - I've had to put in an extra day each week for the past month (my only day I have off to myself). I can blame family - I'm a wife and a mom of two young monsters, and we have a busy schedule. I can blame the holidays - Thanksgiving, time off from school, Christmas, parties, shopping, cards, etc.
But the bottom line is that although all of those factors contribute to the craziness in my life, I realize that sometimes I just need a "time out." Even though I enjoy reading, I found lately that I prefer to be visiting with friends and socializing rather than reading, and I only have so many hours in the day. However, my wonderful little blog is being a bit neglected. For that, I am a sad.
I apologize to my wonderful readers that come to me for reviews, opinions, interviews and book talk. I hope that after the holidays are over I will be back up to speed and putting out 2 or so reviews per week. I know you all have big hearts and hopefully will stick with me as I try to figure out a happy medium in my life.
Thanks and Happy Reading!
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Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday Snippets #38
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine
The Founder sighed and sat back in her chair, and it seemed to Claire as if she became a different person. One who was irritated and unhappy and sad. Hannah and Richard sat down, too. After a moment, Amelie continued. “Claire, this is a very unfortunate situation. You know that don’t you?”
Claire nodded, thinking, It’s really damn unfortunate for me. But she didn’t say it.
“Having just harshly sentenced Kyle, I can now afford to show leniency toward you. There are mitigating factors -- you were definitely acting in defense of your own life, and all of the witness statements support it. The vampire you staked was known to be extraordinarily violent, and we have been considering for some time what to do to restrain her appetites; you have removed this problem for me, and although I can’t be seen to celebrate this, I must acknowledge that you did me a service in this matter. Again.”
Amelie’s long white fingers tapped the table in a little dry clicking rhythm, and her eyes went half-closed as she stared at Claire. Finally, she looked to Richard Morrell. “What say you?”
“She acted in self-defense. Its unusual, but there are plenty of precedents -- I did it myself once, and you found that what I did was justified. I don’t support any kind of punishment for her.”
Amelie looked at him for several long beats after he’d finished, and neither of them blinked. She turned her attention to Hannah. “And you?”
“Not guilty,” Hannah said. “You changed the rules in Morganville. You gave humans rights to defend themselves, even if it cost vampire lives. Claire was within the law to do what she did, and she saved her own life and the lives of at least some of the people in that room.”
Amelie closed her eyes for a moment, and said, “I’d have preferred you to use nonlethal methods in your heroic defense, but I cannot deny that there is right on your side. On mine, there is only tradition, but tradition is a very powerful force to vampires. It will be quite difficult to convince them that you shouldn’t join young Kyle in the cage. Oliver already cast his vote. I will be obliged to overrule him.”
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Black Wings Giveaway - Winner
I would like to thank everyone that stopped by That’s What I’m Talking About and entered my contest to win a copy of the new Urban Fantasy, Black Wings, by Christina Henry.
Every person that commented on the blog post was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
Linda Henderson
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Linda, I’m sending you an email, please message me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so I can send you the book! You have until Tuesday December 14, 2010 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you!
Review: Right-Hand Magic
Right Hand Magic
Author: Nancy A. Collins
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Roc
A Novel of Golgotham Book #1
ISBN: #978-0451463661
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (304 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From Goodreads:
Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can't resist a good rental deal-even if it's in the city's strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets.
Her new landlord is a sorcerer name Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe's fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick...
GUEST REVIEW by Bells from Hanging with Bells:
After being told that the neighbors in her apartment building are complaining about her making too much noise as she is working, Tate has to find a new place to live. She is a sculpture artist living in New York and has just broken up with her boyfriend. She is ready for a change and decides to move to Golgotham. Golgotham is a city within New York that is inhabited by all kinds of non-humans. Tate's new landlord is an alien by the name of Hexe. He is a Kymerian and is a pretty interesting character. He has purple hair, cat eyed pupils, and 6 fingers on each hand. Tate eventually realizes that Hexe is someone she can trust and values any advice and help he can give her. Hexe and his family have very interesting history which is slowly revealed throughout the book. He practices Right Hand magic, which is good magic. And as you can guess, Left Hand magic is dark. Tate has much to learn about this new world and Hexe becomes her tour guide.
It was interesting to learn about all the different members of many supernatural races throughout the book. There is a lot of history between them and humans and most of it is not good. Tate faces lots of challenges being human and living in their world. We also get to see the flip side of that when Hexe and another friend Lukas come into the human world.
I'm giving Right Hand Magic *3* Bells!
Although Right Hand Magic wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be, I'm interested enough to read the next book when it is released. I also think there is more to Tate than meets the eye. I'm curious to see if I'm right. The author has given little clues here and there that make me think that Tate has more in common with her new supernatural friends than she thinks she does!
Thanks Bells!! Be sure to stop by her blog, Hanging with Bells, and visit!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Review & Giveaway: Black Wings
Black Wings
Author: Christina Henry Release Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Madeline Black Series Book #1
ISBN: #978-0441019632
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (304 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From GoodReads:
As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.
Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.
Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.
Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...
What I’m talking about:
Black Wings is an exciting new Urban Fantasy with a new twist on some familiar mythology. The story centers on a “who’s who” list of demons and angels - but adds several new faces to create a wonderful new world full of mystery, action and adventure. Set in modern day Chicago, the story focuses on the life of Agent Madeline Black (Maddy). Agents are humans with wings who born into their job helping souls of the departed cross through to the otherside. But it’s not a romantic job - full of paperwork and schedules. Even Agents of Death have to deal with bureaucracy.
Maddy lives on her own, with only the companionship of a gargole named Beezle. Her mom was killed when Maddy was a teen and her dad was never part of the picture. She lives a solitary life and doesn’t do anything to shake it up. So when a mysterious new tenant moves into her building and her best friend is killed by some unknown monster, Maddy’s life changes dramatically and drastically. She finds out that she is part of a much larger world that she never dared dream existed.
This story is full of action right from the get go, but it’s not inflated or overdone. Maddy is thrown into a world of powerful demons with intricate rules and she finds herself in many difficult situations. Luckily she has Gabriel on her side. Their relationship is sweet and sexy all at once. They have a star-crossed romance and can never be together, yet Gabriel stays by her side and together they face the threats against Maddy.
Maddy is a superb heroine who recognizes her own faults, but stays true to herself. She may be emotionally immature and not quiet prepared to deal with the changes in her life, but she takes it all in stride and continually moves forward. I love that she always wants to fight, but recognizes the time when politicking is necessary.
The story did leave me with some unanswered questions, but had a satisfying conclusion. I also felt that there were a few unnecessary holes or gaps in the mythology, but like all great UF series - I’ll probably have to wait a few books to get all of the answers. I look forward to the next installment of the story, and unfortunately, we have a long wait (Autumn 2011).
My Rating:
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
GIVEAWAY: I will be giving away one (1) copy of Black Wings by Christina Henry starting today. All you need to do is leave a comment at the end of this post to enter. Contest is open to United States residents/mailing addresses only. Contest runs until December 9, 2010 at 9:00 PM EST. Winner will be selected using random.org and announced on my blog on December 9, 2010.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday Snippets #37
Black Wings by Christina Henry
“Mrs. Luccardi, you’re dead,” I said. “You can’t take care of your cats anymore. Someone else will have to do that now.”
I fought the urge to cover my nose as I said this. Mrs. Luccardi was recently deceased and therefore immune to the reek of cat piss that permeated her doily-covered living room, but I was very much alive and getting tired of breathing through my mouth.
Aside from my burning need to breathe air unscented by eau de cat urine, I had two other pressing reasons for getting Mrs. Luccardi out of there. First, I had a potential tenant coming to look at the empty apartment in my building in twenty minutes, and I didn’t want to piss off a possible source of income by showing up late. Second, some of Mrs. Luccardi’s precious darlings were contemplating her cooling body with “buffet” in their eyes. I did not want Mrs. Luccardi to see her babies gnawing through her flowered housedress to flesh and bone. That kind of thing tends to traumatize the newly dead and prevents and Agent from an efficient escort to the Door.
If the soul doesn’t enter the Door, then it becomes a ghost. Agents don’t like ghosts. They’re untidy. The presence of a ghost means you can’t close your list, and if you can’t close your list, you have to file extra paperwork to explain why you can’t, and I absolutely hate doing any paperwork at all, period. So I really wanted Mrs. Luccardi to leave her carnivorous little fuzzballs and come with me, pronto.
GIVEAWAY: I will be giving away one (1) copy of Black Wings by Christina Henry starting tomorrow, along with my review of the book. Contest is open to United States residents/mailing addresses only. Contest starts Monday December 6, 2010 and runs until December 9, 2010 at 9:00 PM EST. Winner will be selected using random.org and announced on my blog on December 9, 2010. Be sure to check back on Monday and enter the contest!
Friday, December 3, 2010
She Wolf Giveaway - Winner
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About to help me celebrate the paperback release of She Wolf by Teresa D’Amario. And a big thanks to Teresa for stopping by to say hello to everyone!
Every person that commented on the blog post was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
Marq
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Marq, I’m sending you a message, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so I can send you the book! You have until Wednesday December 8, 2010 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you!
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