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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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Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday Snippets #57
Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Harper Voyager Publishing
April 26, 2011
For a few moments, only the low rumbling of the Ministry’s generators filled the space. Wellington read the Daily Mail headline several times and tried to remember to breathe. He felt the confession on the tip of his tongue, but he was too far invested into this forgotten case now. He would probably meet the same fate as Agent Braun, even if he withheld nothing from the Director about what he and Eliza had really been up to in their brief time together.As if in answer to Wellington’s prayer, Eliza asked, “Could it be the House of Usher, sir?”
“Well, Agent Braun, the black carriage with--”
Doctor Sound turned the newspaper back around and, after a moment, began reading. “--‘wheels of nefarious construction smiting down innocents as would the scythe of the Reaper’ does sound very House of Usher, but then I have to stop and consider the other particulars in this story.
“Note, if you will: ‘Eyewitnesses report that Mistress Death was locked in mortal combat with a hansom that kept chase, its drivers a man and a woman lacking modesty most proper.’ Now, here is a detail I find most curious: ‘The heroic hansom did carry a lone passenger, the man’s purpose unclear as all he seemed to be doing was screaming as would a banshee of the rolling moors of West Yorkshire.’ What do you make of that, Books?”
Wellington felt his tongue swell. He found himself totally paralyzed by the cool, steely gaze of the Director. His mouth went to open, his throat dry as if he had been walking through an Egyptian expanse.
“As I read about such outrageous behaviour from the subjects of Her Majesty,” Doctor Sound said, folding the newspaper and placing it where the seventh vase should have been, “I thank God in heaven that I am the director of a clandestine organisation where our specialty is our subtlety.”
He slowly turned to Eliza, his eyes narrowing on her. “Isn’t that correct, Agent Braun?”
Eliza nodded. “Most of the time, sir.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “Most of the time.” Sound’s eyes went back and forth between them both, and Wellington could feel a tightness in his chest.
“Well then, I shan’t keep you. I just thought I would pay my Archives a visit, and I am quite glad I did so.” He took in the shelves, the massive difference engine and its vast network of pulleys, and finally their shared desk, and he nodded approvingly. “I should do this more often. So please, if I ever do pop down ther when the mood strikes me, just go about your business. Pretend as if I am not here.” He lifted a figure up to his mustache and tugged at it a bit. “You can do that, can’t you?”
With a final look at the tow of them, Doctor Sound headed for the stairwell. “Agent Braun, Agent Books, good afternoon.”
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Saturday, May 7, 2011
Contest Winner - Hard Bitten
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for the guest review of Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill. I especially want to thank my friend Wendy for writing the review and NAL/Penguin Publishing for generously donated a copy (one winner) of Hard Bitten to giveaway.Every person that commented on the review was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
Amy
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I’m sending the winner a message; please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so NAL/Penguin can send you the book! You have until Thursday May 12, 2011 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Review: Awaken The Highland Warrior
Awaken The Highland Warrior
Author: Anita Clenney
Author: Anita Clenney Release Date: May 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Highland Warrior Series # 1
ISBN: #978-1402251238
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
He's had centuries to dream of her...
Mis-adventurous historian Bree Kirkland discovers a one hundred fifty year old warrior buried in a crypt behind her house. But Faelan, the warrior, isn’t dead. When this chauvinistic Scottish Warrior awakes, he has no choice but accept the help of this modern-day woman who’s rescued him, but she’s more fearsome than the demon trying to kill him. If he’s not careful, she’ll uncover every secret his clan has bled and died to protect.
What B is talking about:
Bree Kirkland is a born adventurer specializing in collecting Civil War artifacts who has just inherited her family estate. The house currently has an archaeological dig going on in the yard, and borders a cemetery and crypt, but the history and unsolved mysteries it holds make it perfect for Bree. When she uncovers a 177-year-old Highland warrior in the crypt, she does what any strong-willed woman would do: she takes him in and feeds him, of course. That he’s been frozen in time for 150 of those years, and is gorgeous (and in a kilt!) is just a bonus.
Faelan Connor was single-handedly trying to defeat the demon he was assigned to lock away in a “time vault” when he was betrayed, ambushed, and locked in the vault himself. Now he’s resuming his quest with a woman he can’t resist, but doesn’t fully trust. He’s got quite a learning curve to contend with, along with the grief of losing his family so suddenly, and Bree’s self-sufficiency completely baffles him. Faelan, for all he's going through, is an entertaining hero. He second-guesses himself throughout the novel, especially where Bree is concerned, and some of his realizations while he's coming to terms with the modern world are just funny.
I think with any sort of anachronistic tale, there are certain factors that remain constant, regardless of the author or purpose. More specifically, the familiar “fish-out-of-water” theme, complete with “where am I?” bewilderment, necessary adjustments to a new environment, as well as how the hero comes to terms with the inherent loss of his or her present to the past. What distinguishes one of these novels from another, at least in part, comes down to what the author does with these constants. In Awaken the Highland Warrior, Clenney has done a good job of keeping her story afloat amid the necessary formula.
Bree is an interesting character. She’s willful and capable, and is not only able to stand up to Faelan and his notions of a woman’s place, but rescues him more than once; a fact which embarrasses Faelan as much as he respects her for it. He is shocked by Bree’s modern sensibilities, yet he can’t resist indulging in the sexual aspects of that awareness fairly often. Right before he curses himself over the situation. Faelan’s take on short skirts and facial piercings made for a solid laugh. No wonder Faelan is confused.
The main conflict got off to a slow start, but did become more interesting as the story progressed. The bigger battle, however, was definitely overshadowed by the conflict perpetually brewing between Bree and Faelan. In this case, that makes for good storytelling. Watching the two lovers fight their way to a happy ending was my favorite part of the novel. Although the main villain is a little cartoonish, and there are a few obvious conveniences, there's still plenty of intrigue to keep the pages turning. Clenney has a good sense of humor, as well, and comes through with some really good one-liners. Even Faelan’s chauvinistic predisposition is more entertaining than offensive. All in all, Awaken the Highland Warrior was a rewarding story, and I’m very much looking forward to the next novel in the series.
B’s Rating:
Liked it a lot – recommend (B+)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Review: The Legend of Michael
The Legend of Michael
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Author: Lisa Renee JonesRelease Date: May 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Zodius Series Book # 1
ISBN: # 978-1402251566
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (382 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON…
One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.
HE IS HER ENEMY…AND HER DESTINY…
Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.
But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same…
What Gikany is talking about:
Cassandra Powell is a psychologist brought into Area 51 to evaluate the soldiers created in the Project Zodius GTECH Super Soldier Program. These soldiers have been created through the injection of alien DNA. The more mundane changes seen in the GTECH soldiers are increased strength and speed and immunity to human diseases. “Wind-walking”, the ability to travel quickly and invisibly using the wind, is one of the unexpected abilities seen in the GTECHs. Cassandra’s job is to evaluate the GTECHs to determine why some of them have begun to exhibit strange behavioral changes, especially increased aggression, along with their new gifts. One mutation in particular, X2, has been linked to increased aggression and unprovoked violence in animals. When Cassandra learns that Michael Taylor, the GTECH soldier she loves, is X2 positive, she decides not to tell him.
When General Powell, Cassandra’s father and the man responsible for creating the GTECHs, decides to cage all of the GTECH soldiers who test positive for the X2 mutation, the GTECH soldiers rebel. The rebels quickly split into two factions: the Zodius and the Renegades. The Zodius are the more radical of the two factions and are working toward world domination. The Renegades seek to protect humans from the Zodius but no longer trust them after General Powell’s betrayal. Michael, stung by Cassandra’s duplicity, joins the radical Zodius faction.
This has been a difficult review for me to write. I enjoyed The Legend of Michael. This novel is divided into two parts (aptly called part 1 and part 2). The problem is the second part of this book is by far better than the first part. The first part of the book is an attempt to meld the world-building essential to a science fiction story with the development of the romance between Cassandra and Michael. Neither of these two tasks is done well. The story begins with a hasty romance -- Cassandra and Michael meet, and boom, they’re madly in love with each other. No time is taken to explore the main characters or to show their developing relationship. It would have been nice to learn more about the development GTECHs from the alien DNA.
Fortunately, the book picks up in part 2 after the rebellion. I quite enjoyed the way Ms. Jones developed the two disparate societies of the rebel GTECH soldiers. This was nicely balanced by the struggles of the Renegades to balance themselves between maintaining their autonomy from the U.S. government while still seeking to protect ordinary humans from the Zodius. The development of the characters improves in the second part of the novel as well, but is never great. I was never entirely certain why Michael was supposed to be so tortured by his past. He repeatedly tells Cassandra that he is unworthy of her, but you never see enough of his past, or any disreputable actions in the present, to support his belief. Cassandra and Michael develop a real relationship in the second half of the book as they contend with the consequences of the rebellion and the developing GTECH societies.
From my glance at the preview of the next book in the Zodius Series, it appears that this series will continue by following the romantic entanglements of a member of the rebel GTECH soldiers. The next book follows a GTECH who joined the Renegades, but who is to say Ms. Jones may not choose to focus on the Zodius soldiers in future novels. I enjoyed The Legend of Michael and look forward to reading other books in the Zodius Series.
G’s Rating:
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Review: Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
Authors: Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Publisher: Harper Voyager Publishing
Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #1
ISBN: #978-0062049766
Genre: Steampunk
Format(s): paperback (416 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the NETGALLEY for the purposes of an honest review.From the author’s website:
These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s top-secret organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest…and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray.
For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun—he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices—must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot…or see England fall to the Phoenix!
What I’m talking about:
Agent Eliza Braun is one of those secret agents that always gives 100 percent, lives for the thrill, and always uses a bit more dynamite than necessary. After completing a mission to save the Ministry’s Archivist, dashing Wellington Books, she is sent to work with Agent Books in the Archives. There she discovers countless abandoned and unsolved cases, including one that lead to the downfall of her previous partner. Soon Ms. Braun has dragged the prim-and-proper Agent Books into the middle of a far-reaching, diabolical plot against Her Majesty.
Phoenix Rising is a well-written amazing adventure. The plot unfolds at just the right pace, leaving me at the edge of my seat throughout much of the tale. The story is smart and the characters witty. The steampunk world created in this tale is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes or the movie The Prestige. (For those still unfamiliar with “steampunk,” the authors have a wonderful post you can read HERE.)
Agents Eliza Braun and Wellington Books are the perfect duo. With her field experience, fighting capabilities and feisty attitude and his vast knowledge, keen interest in mechanisms and upper-crust breeding, they complement each other. They may not run like a well-oiled Mark I Mechamen (read the book!), but they always seem to make it out alive, taking the bad guys down as they exit. I throughly enjoyed watching the pair get over their fears and learn to trust each other to the point that they become true partners.
As for the rest of the cast and crew... we learn of two sets of “bad guys” that have ideas of bringing down the Queen: the House of Usher, the group responsible for kidnapping Agent Books, and the Phoenix Society, the primary focus of this story. The Phoenix Society is run by those types of bad guys you love to hate, including the “evil genius” to run the show. Toss in a beautiful assassin-for-hire and a somewhat bumbling traitor and you have the ideal mix of fiendish adversaries.
Ms. Ballantine and Mr. Morris have captured my imagination, heart and mind with their wickedly delightful tale. Phoenix Rising kicked off what I hope to be a long-lived series of adventures for Ms. Braun and Mr. Books. Although they may have closed the unsolved case they uncovered in the Archives, there are mysteries remaining and bigger bad guys waiting in the wings. I look forward to the next story from the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.
My Rating:
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Review & Giveaway: Hard Bitten
Dear Readers: Please help me welcome my friend Wendy, a big fan of the Chicagoland Vampire series. She brings you today’s review of...
Hard BittenAuthor: Chloe Neill
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: NAL Publishing
Chicagoland Vampire Series Book 4
ISBN: #978-0451233325
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (368 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.
Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem to ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands....
What Wendy is talking about:
I love it when I know there's a new Chloe Neill novel coming out. She writes excellent urban fantasy with plenty of action, humor and just enough romance to draw me in. Hard Bitten is the fourth novel in her Chicagoland Vampires series and I was ready for number five before I hit the last chapter!
As Sentinel of Cadogan House, Merit is a newly-made but completely bad-ass vampire who was very recently a “nerdy graduate student.” Neill has a real talent for writing very regular people into her supernatural world. Merit loves shoes and baseball, and like most girls (the girls that I know, at least) she over-indulges in chocolate when she's feeling sorry for herself. And she has a fair amount of things to be bummed about this time around. Her boss, Ethan, has changed his mind (again!) about their relationship and he's trying to win her back (after dumping her in the last novel right after they sex), but she's pretty sure she can't trust him. The head of the Greenwich Presidium, Darius, political head of the vampires, is in town and threatening to send someone to take over Cadogan House. The mayor is threatening to have Ethan arrested and there's a new vampire drug-ring in town that may have caused the deaths of three young women. Oh, and since the “weres” were outed, anti-supe sentiment is running rampant in Chicago with protestors outside the house and armed militia trying to run the vamps out of town.
Through all of this, I loved seeing “Independent” Merit. She finally seems to know how to handle herself without always having a boy tagging along on her adventures. Merit follows the leads, trusts her instincts and ta-da! the mystery is solved. Honestly, the mystery/drug ring and who is behind it is the least interesting part of the book. I read Neill for the snarky humor and the inter-personal drama.
For me, one of the keys to a series that has romance but isn't a “romance series” is how the author keeps the attraction and the sex coming, but makes it believable that everyone isn't living happily ever after. If everyone's happy and settled why do you need to read the next book? I think Neill handled her “Moonlighting” moment wonderfully. Somehow Ethan and Mercy had mind-blowing sex in the last book but they're still dancing around their relationship and their oh-so-tingly sexual attraction. According to Ethan: “You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won't be far behind you.” Like I said... tingly.
Without sharing any spoilers I have to tell you that the ending is shocking and a lot heavier that I'm used to in this series. In the short space of one page Merit is betrayed and left broken-hearted by her father and Ethan. The implications of this betrayal and the horrifying aftermath will reverberate in the Chicagoland world for a really long time. I hated seeing Merit almost broken but of course it left me itching for the next installment. I can't wait to sit down with Merit and next Chicagoland novel!
Wendy’s Rating:
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
GIVEAWAY: NAL/Penguin Publishing has generously donated a copy (one winner) of Hard Bitten to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to NAL/Penguin for sponsoring the giveaway of Chloe Neill’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment and your email at the end of today’s review. Only one entry per person. Winner is restricted to US mailing addresses, only. Contest open from May 2, 2011 until Friday May 6, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. One (1) winner will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday Snippets #56
Today’s snippet is a SNEAK PEEK
from Bite Club by Rachel Caine
NAL Hardcover
May 3, 2011
It was on Thursday when things started crashing down. To start with, Shane was late, really late. When he finally got home, he came bearing food – barbecue again, but with all the veggies and everything. Which made him popular, of course.But as she set the table, Claire watched him wandering around the living room. He was pacing, and Shane usually didn’t pace – he was more inclined to drape himself over the couch and look like he was asleep, even when he wasn’t. Tonight, though, he was moving like he was pumped up and distracted, and when she touched him on the shoulder, he spun around so fast, she took a step back. It was easy to forget how big Shane was and how strong, until she saw him in action. He was usually so gentle with her.
“What?” he snapped, and then some of the shadows left his expression. “Oh. Sorry, Claire. Didn’t mean that.”
“Yeah, I know. What’s up with you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Restless, I guess. Been like this all day. I think after dinner I’ll hit the gym, burn off some energy.” That was not like Shane. He was usually all about lazing around on the couch, maybe putting some energy into a video game. He wasn’t the nervous type.
“Okay,” she said doubtfully. “Maybe play a game first? I’ve hardly seen you at all. We could spend some time together.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the one who runs off to High Wizard Crazy Pants every time he snaps his fingers. Don’t blame me if you never see me. I’ve got a life, too. It sucks, but I’ve got one.” Shane’s words were blunt, and his tone – it was almost mean. Claire felt it like a slap, and it shocked her – why, she didn’t know. He’d been angry enough over the Myrnin incident, but she’d thought… Well, she’d thought he’d gotten over it, that it was safe to talk to him again.
Clearly he hadn’t moved past it. She decided not to say anything at all, which was probably wrong, but she didn’t trust her voice. She didn’t want him to hear how much he’d hurt her.
After another second of silence, he looked away. “Sorry. Game sounds good. I’m just in a mood, I guess. Maybe a little unnatural creature killing is just what I need.” Not zombies. Unnatural creatures. That might be nothing, but Claire’s instincts told her it was a very bad sign.
Michael was putting out the food. Claire knew he was listening, but he didn’t say anything, just shot her a glance. From that, she got that he was worried, too. Something was off. Definitely off.
“Hey, bro, you’d better play me first,” Michael said. “Been a week since I got to beat your punk ass. Time for you to step up.”
Shane bared his teeth. It wasn’t a smile. “You want to play? Let’s play. We’ll see who gets bloody this time.” That was Shane, but it wasn’t. All the subtext was wrong – the body language, the tone, everything but the words.
Michael knew it, too. He locked eyes with Shane, frowned, and said, “Maybe you’d better lay off the caffeine.”
“Maybe you’d better mind your own damn business.” He said something under his breath. It sounded like bloodsucker.
“Hey,” Claire said, and put her hand on his arm. “We’re all friends here.”
He flinched and shook her off. “Are we?” Shane asked. “You sure about that?”
“Hey!” Eve had come in, and now she thumped plates down on the table. She looked furious. Michael, on the other hand, was silent, watching Shane with a wariness that made Claire’s skin prickle. “Hey, Van Helsing Junior, back off. How many times do we have to play this? What crawled up your ass again? Michael is one of use; you know that.”
“He’s one of them,” Shane said. “Like my dad. Like Oliver and Amelie and all those others. He used to be one of us. Now he just looks like us. You’d better stop drinking the suicide juice, Eve, before you wake up without a pulse, just like him.”
“What are you talking about? What the hell happened? Michael? Did you say anything?” Eve looked to him, but Michael shook his head.
“Oh, come on. Stop pretending,” Shane said, and took a step toward Michael. Michael tensed up. “I can feel it, man. I can feel you watching me. Watching Claire. Hell, Eve, too. We’re all just walking snacks to you now. You think I don’t know that?”
“Seriously,” Michael said. “You need to check yourself. Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. I wouldn’t hurt you or Claire or Eve. Never.”
“Never?” Shane laughed, high and tense. His eyes had a feverish kind of glitter. He crossed to Eve, and she shrank back, but too late. He grabbed her arm, and she dropped a handful of knives and forks with a clatter to the table.
She was wearing a black velvet choker with a skull and crossbones printed on it. He reached up and ripped it off her neck.
And on her throat were healing bite marks. Eve clapped a hand over them, eyes wide, but it was too late. They’d all seen it.
“You want to tell me that again?” Shane said. He was almost whispering now, face close to Eve’s, but it wasn’t kind. It was cruel. “You want to lie to me again about how you’d never hurt her, Mikey?”
Eve gave a little sound of distress and tried to pull free. His hand closed around her arm even tighter, holding her there.
“Shane, stop it. You’re going to break my arm…”
Maybe he would have let go – Claire didn’t know – but Shane didn’t get the chance.
Michael totally snapped, and sent Shane flying.
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