Friday, December 31, 2010

Year End Wrap Up for 2010

The year of 2010 slips by and there are still some reads that need reviewing (list below). I wanted to thank the authors, publicists and publishers for sending these my way for review for past events.

AND, I do look forward to reading them and shall be featuring them in the new year.

Reading list for 2011:

from Alice in Whatsitland:
The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer
Mieradome by Kate Hegarty

from Fairy Tales in Bruges:
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
The Last Stitch by Prue Batten

from Pemberley Ball:
Bargain with the Devil by Enid Wilson
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Simonsen
Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers

from Steampink:
The Alchemy Of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia
The Boneshaker by Kate Milford
Cold Magic by Kate Elliott
Crimson and Steam by Liz Maverick
Heart of Light by Sarah A. Hoyt
New Blood by Gail Dayton

from Steamboyz:
The Choir Boats by Daniel A. Rabuzzi - my review

from Werewolves:
Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel by Ronda Thompson
Leader of the Pack by Karen MacInerney
Little Women And Werewolves by Louisa May Alcott and Porter Grand
Wolfbreed by S.A. Swann

from WWii:
A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
Out of Time by Pauline Baird Jones

~*~

Reading Challenges:
I think I bit off more than I can chew or
My eyes are bigger than my stomach or basically
Got more than what I can handle.

I completed a couple, partially got through others, and the rest went out the window.

c'est la vie

For 2011 I decided to create lists for the challenges selected and actually put them into a blog calendar.

On the catchup agenda:
1. Awards - eeeek, I've got a pile of them to distribute to others.
Thanks again to those who sent them my way!

2. Book Fashion - I gotta work on more of these fun posts. Any special requests out there? Which book would you like to see Book Fashioned by me?

3. Blog backup - I want to start doing this once a month so that I can have a copy of all the good stuff.

~*~

* image source

Zombie Reading Challenge 2011

ZOMBIES!
Satisfy your undying hunger!

Reading Challenge 2011
hosted by Book Soulmates
signup and details
participant links:
jan - feb - mar
host ended this in March

This should be a easy-peasy one for you zombie fans of mine.

PLUS, you're sure to pickup some interesting zombie reads from me during September Zombies to help add to your reading list.

IN FACT, you may even win a couple zombie books from me next month during my Zombie Rot event, Jan 21-23.

DO, let me know if you join so that I can shamble over to you place to check out your reading list and reviews.

Goal:
Read at least 10 Zombie books this year. They don't have to be ALL about Zombies, just have Zombies in them.

My picks:


Every Zombie Eats Somebody Sometime:
A Book of Zombie Love Songs
by Michael P. Spradlin - my review


Allison Hewitt is Trapped
by Madeleine Roux - my review


Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?
by Max Braillier - my review


Half Past Dead
by Zoe Archer and
Bianca D'Arc - my review


It's Okay to be a Zombie: An Unchildren's Book
by Nathaniel Lambert
illustrated by Danny Evarts - my review


Night of the Necromancer:
Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse (Volume 1)
by Jelani Sims and Kyle West - my review


Rot & Ruin
by Jonathan Maberry - my review


Survive
by Todd Sprague - my review


Walking Dead
Volume one: Days Gone By
by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore


The Zombie Handbook:
How to Identify the Living Dead and
Survive the Coming Zombie Apocalypse
by Rob Sacchetto - my review


Zombie Punter
by Zoe E. Whitten - my review


Zombiewood:
The Celebrity Dead Exposed
by Rob Sacchetto - my review

more to be revealed throughout the year

Zan-Gah by Allan Richard Shickman


Winner of Mom's Choice Gold Award for Young Adult Series

Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure
by Allan Richard Shickman

Published: 2007
Genre: Historical, YA
Paperback: 160 pages
Rating: 3

Description from the amazon:
The hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Themes: survival, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, nature's wonders and terrors.

~*~

Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country
by Allan Richard Shickman

Published: 2009
Genre: Historical, YA
Paperback: 160 pages
Rating: 3

Description from the amazon:
The prehistoric saga continues in Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, the sequel to the award winning Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. In this story, Zan's troubled twin brother, Dael, having suffered greatly during his earlier captivity, receives a ruinous new shock when his wife suddenly dies. Disturbed and traumatized, all of his manic energies explode into acts of hostility and bloodshed. His obsession is the destruction of the wasp men, his first captors, who dwell in the Beautiful Country. When he, Zan-Gah, and a band of adventurers trek to their bountiful home, they find that all of the wasp people have died in war or of disease. The Beautiful Country is empty for the taking, and Zan s people, the Ba-Coro, decide to migrate and resettle there. But the Noi, Dael s cruelest enemies and former tormentors, make the same migration from their desert home, and the possibility develops of contention and war over this rich and lovely new land.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): survival
An interesting read in that you learn about a prehistoric world. However, I did not feel any connections with the characters and their predicaments.

Basically, from an educational standpoint a good read but entertainment-wise for me it was meh.

~~*!~~ Book Giveaway ~~!*~~

Wanna give these a try?

Open to all.

Offer ends: January 30, 2011

TO DO:
Tell me the name of a prehistoric animal AND leave your email in comments.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

~*~

* review copies courtesy of publisher

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Queued up: Winter Wishes

Winter Wishes
by Moira Rogers
Vivi Andrews and
Vivian Arend
Just released: December 6, 2010

Because I really enjoyed my latest round of stories read by Vivian Arend and Moira Rogers, I picked up this up for my ebook queue which is filled with shifters, magic, angels and demons.

Description from the amazon:
A Twist on Tradition

A woman has the Christmas Eve from Hell. Two cat shifters play naughty games. And a witch brings out the beast inside the man. The magic of the season takes on a whole new meaning in these three fantastic—and festive—novellas from some of the best voices in paranormal romance.

Anthology includes:
stories are also available separately

Tangled Tinsel by Vivian Arend
Description from publisher's site:
She's the cat's meow, and he's ready to pounce!

Five miles of leather-clad leg is all it takes to lure Kyle Branegan out from his carefully hidden lifestyle as part of the Cougar Corp, a secret branch of the Shifter Enforcer League. He's hoping for a night of fun and frolic, cat-style, no strings attached. With a sultry swing of her hips, Eloise Scott tangles him up in her ball of tricks, and just when he thinks he's about to get lucky, she cuffs him—naked—to her bed.

An undercover cop in the human police force, El's been given a top-secret mission to keep the big cat under her paw until he's needed to testify in court in the New Year. Her decision to take him home for a quiet Christmas in her sleepy hometown turns out to be far more interesting than she expected. Her parents are suddenly rich, her old boyfriend is sniffing around and all six-feet-plus of sexy cougar male is sleeping in her bed.

And that's before they announce their fake engagement...

No Angel by Vivi Andrews
Description from publisher's site:
When Sasha's boyfriend, Jay, is sucked through a fiery vortex to Hell, an angel reveals that Sasha's been chosen as the Champion of Virtue in the battle for his immortal soul. As a perennial offender on Santa's naughty list, Sasha can't believe she's anyone's idea of a girl fighting on the side of the angels. But if she doesn't save Jay, he'll be stuck in Hell forever!

Jay—aka Jevroth—isn't surprised to find himself back in Hell. His visa to visit the mortal plane expired three months ago, but to steal more time with Sasha he's been ignoring his mother's demands that he come home to spend time with his new stepfather: Lucifer.

Sasha has until dawn on the twenty-fifth of December to fight the Legions of Hell and rescue Jay, or be trapped there for eternity herself. But now she must decide if the lying son-of-a-demon is even worth saving...

Freeze Line by Moira Rogers
Description from publisher's site:
She can't survive in his world; he can't stay sane in hers

A twenty-first century ice age dulls the magic that emanates from the earth. Shane Sullivan is a lone wolf above the freeze line. He has no desire to join the packs that range closer to the border, where feral instincts can turn a man into a monster. Not until the winter solstice, when he stumbles across a dying witch who needs his help to get back to her people—and her magic—in the south.

Nadia is a powerful woman in her own world, but she's been drained by her escape from captivity in a northern lab. She knows it's foolhardy to trust a werewolf, but he's her only chance to survive the vast white wilderness. The farther south they travel, the harder it is for Shane to keep the beast within under control, and as their mutual attraction intensifies, Nadia's no longer sure she wants him to.

~*~

* available on net galley

* Queued up - ebooks ready recently downloaded in my ereader

Undertow by Moira Rogers

Undertow
by Moira Rogers

Published: October 2010
Genre: Romance, Werewolves
ebook
Rating: 4

Description from the amazon:
Being needed isn’t half as desirable as being wanted.

Victor left behind a life of crime to focus on a new vision—helping his alpha build an island sanctuary for werewolves. Harsh experiences prepared him for the hardships involved, except when it comes to dealing with the young female refugees of the brutal Boston pack—especially Simone, who rouses his inner wolf like no other. A woman he must resist, or risk becoming just the latest man to make demands on her.

Born to wealth and privilege, Simone lost everything when she fell for the seductive whispers of the textile heir who turned her. Once adrift, now she is fired by a new sense of purpose—the chance to broker peace between werewolves and European wizards. Yet even as Europe beckons, her instincts—the same ones that led to trouble before—keep drawing her back to Victor.

During a sailing trip to the mainland for supplies, Victor finds it impossible to hold himself aloof from the warm, engaging Simone. And when a winter storm traps them together during a full moon, she breaks through his walls so easily and completely, the question is no longer how he’ll stay away, but how he’ll let her go.

Warning: This novella contains werewolves engaged in such improbable (but legal) activities as lobster fishing and sailing during nor’easters. The breaking and entering and instinct-driven sex on every surface in someone else’s summer cottage is a little more criminal

Building Sanctuary series:
A Safe Harbor
Undertow

fyi: kindle version is currently available at $2.80

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): possession
Apart from learning more about werewolves and wizards of this world, I liked the setting of this story which incorporated the sea and sailing.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of authors

~~~howwwl~~~


A Safe Harbor by Moira Rogers

A Safe Harbor
by Moira Rogers

Published: July 2010
Genre: Romance, Werewolves
ebook
Rating: 4

Description from the amazon:
A bootlegger will save her life. A debutante will steal his heart.

Joan Fuller enjoyed a privileged life—until her wealth and connections garnered her the wrong sort of attention. Her rejection of a textile heir’s proposal comes back to bite her when he turns out to be a werewolf on the prowl for a mate.

She may have been turned against her will, but now that she’s part of his pack she sets out to protect all its women. Even if that means joining forces with a witch and a vampire—and leaving the comfort of Boston.

Former bootlegger Seamus Whelan has cleaned up his act, but when his old partner Gavin comes to him for help, he can’t say no—no matter how deadly the threat. Escorting some female wolves to safety should have been easy, except their leader is a prim ex-debutante with enough power to challenge Seamus himself.

Her courage captures his interest, and her first hesitant kiss ensnares his heart. But before they can build a haven for their kind, they must free themselves of the past—and the powerful man who’s out to teach her a lesson she may not survive…

Warning: This novella contains a rakish werewolf bootlegger forced to join forces with a teetotaling ex-debutante as they fight epic battles, engage in criminal activities and eventually give in to inappropriate passion on a kitchen counter.

fyi: kindle version is currently available at $2.80

Building Sanctuary series:
A Safe Harbor
Undertow

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): healing
Along with werewolves and vampires in this story, the element of magic is thrown in which was new for me. This combo mix is what carried my interest throughout this story - you know, wanting to know the who and the what and the why.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of authors

* note: i really loved their team lumberjack vampire vs. team werewolf bootlegger contest earlier this year - i started out as team switzerland and then finally settled on WEREWOLVES - so fun!

~~~howwwl~~~


Watch out: How to Be a Werewolf

How to Be a Werewolf:
The Claws-on Guide for the Modern Lycanthrope
by Serena Valentino
Release date: February 8, 2011

Description from the amazon:
Celebrate your inner beast —and harness that newfound animal magnetism! — with this essential guide to the lycanthropic lifestyle.

Are you subject to savage moods, extreme and unexplained buffness, and cravings for meat on the rare side? Do you long for super speed and reflexes, along with rapid healing and maybe a talent for telepathy? Welcome to the pack — and get ready to howl — as you sink your claws into this guide to everything life as a werewolf has to offer. Among its abundant fur-raising topics:

— A look at good, bad, and ugly transformation styles, including an
answer to the question of what happens to your clothes.

— A quiz to determine if you’re a menace to society, and tips on
taking precautions

— Planning your social schedule around the lunar calendar

— Dating hints, from the risks and rewards of cross-species romance to
avoiding your sweetheart’s family pet

— Killer fashion suggestions, from urban (leather and hardware) to a
cute and foxy kitsune look

— Ideas, decorations, and recipes for a full-moon party

— Tales of real-life werewolves, plus lore and legends from around
the world

— Juicy reading material and gems of the silver screen

~~~howwwl~~~


Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend

Wolf Signs
Book one: Granite Lake Wolves
by Vivian Arend

Published: 2009
Genre: Romance, Werewolves
ebook
Rating: 5

Description from the amazon:
Talk about getting your signals crossed ...

Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.

Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death.

Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf.

Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full.

Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind…

Warning: Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “talking with your hands”. Includes dangerous use of sarcasm and hot nookie in a remote wilderness sauna.

Granite Lake Wolves series:
Wolf Signs
Wolf Flight
Wolf Games
Wolf Tracks

fyi: kindle version currently available at $2.80

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): trigger
Loved the characters. And loved the way the story of this werewolf world unfolds. We learn about werewolf ways through the main character, Robyn, who is also new to it.

The fact that Robyn is deaf also makes for an interesting story telling. Communication and basic instincts are in the forefront.

~*~

* ebook review copy courtesy of author

--/=/=-- Blogosphere Book Giveaway --=\=\=-

read an interview with Vivian and
signup for giveaway

hosted by Ex Libris

~~~howwwl~~~


Winners - Old Skewl Steampunk


Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended December 26, 2010
during the Old Skewl Steampunk event

Thanks to all contestants!


The Brimstone Key by Derek Benz and Jon S. Lewis
Winner: Kelly of I Work for Books
Winner: Vicki of Decked out in Ruffles


Mechanical Rose by Nathalie Gray
Winner: Audra of Unabridged Chick


Scourge by David H. Burton
Winner: Antonia
Winner: Nastassia
Winner: Pinkstuff of Reading After Dark
Winner: Teresa of Regency Romance World
Winner: Throuthehaze of Throuthehaze Reads -would like to pass it to another contestant, as she already has it
Runner-up Winner: Julie of Book Hooked Blog


Stephen Hawking audio tapes
Winner: Debbie


~*~

* to see the original giveaway offer, click on the prize title links

* I will email winners for mailing addresses.
Winners, feel free to contact me with your info if you don't get my email
or if you are just too darn excited and want to let me know -- like NOW ;-D

* contest policy

* if not this time, maybe next time

--> check out the current giveaways and upcoming events on my sidebar

::=== Old Skewl Steampunk schedule ===::


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Want it: Wolf Fever

Wolf Fever
by Terry Spear
Just released: December 1, 2010

Description from the amazon:
She may be his destiny, but she's not his first choice...

Hospital nurse and newly turned red werewolf Carol Woods is being pressured by her pack leader to find a mate, but he's the only guy in the pack who remotely attracts her.

Why is he playing so hard to get?

The fate of the pack rests on his shoulders...

Gray pack leader Ryan McKinley doesn't want anything to do with Carol unless she's willing to embrace her wolf nature-no matter how beautiful she is.

But when a virus infects the local lupus garou pack, Ryan realizes just how wrong he's been not to seize the moment with the woman he's come to love. And now, it may be too late...

Excerpt from guest post at Love Romance Passion:

Top 10 Reasons Why Werewolves Won’t Cheat on Their Mates
by Terry Spear

1. Have you seen what big teeth they have?

2. Even if they did think of cheating, it would be pretty difficult to disguise such a thing—did you know how sensitive their sense of smell is?

3. And if they arrived in disguise as a wolf, they’d leave scent markings behind just from their paw pads. So their wronged mate wouldn’t even need to contact that TV show where they chase cheating boyfriends and girlfriends down to catch them in the act.

4. But these are all reasons why cheating for wolves wouldn’t work out well. In truth, werewolves with a moral code of ethics wouldn’t cheat because staying with a mate for life is instinctual.

5. However, if the wolf has a roaming eye, remember point number 1, their mate has very big teeth.

read the rest here

--/=/=-- Blogosphere Book Giveaway --=\=\=-

signup for giveway at Love Romance Passion

signup for giveway at That's What I'm Talking About with Twimom227


Werewolf Jigsaw Puzzle

Some werewolf holiday fun... Try the puzzle here.
~*~
* if your play, let me know how you like it * image source by richardcetrone43160

Want it: Once In A Full Moon

Once In A Full Moon
by Ellen Schreiber
Just released: December 28, 2010

Description from the amazon:
Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

--/=/=-- Blogosphere Book Giveaway --=\=\=-

signup for giveway
hosted by Wastepaper Prose

AND

A review copy is available at
NetGalley


~~~howwwl~~~

This kicks off my werewolf 2-day event. Stay tuned for some werewolfy posts.

~~~howwwl~~~


Dueling Novella Series Volume 1 by Kim Paffenroth and David Dunwoody

Dueling Novella Series Volume 1:

Orpheus and the Pearl by Kim Paffenroth
and
Nevermoreby David Dunwoody

Published: September 24, 2010
Publisher: Belfire Press
Genre: Ghosts, Horror, Zombies
ebook
Rating: 5

Excerpts available.

Descriptions from the publisher:

Orpheus and the Pearl
by Kim Paffenroth

In 1920 Massachusetts, Dr. Catherine MacGuire is mysteriously called to the home of the famous Dr. Wallston, to assist with some medical emergency that defies even his skill. The life-threatening problems she finds there have less to do with broken bodies than with warped souls, and it will take all her dedication as a healer to fix them.

Creepy passage:
Catherine nodded and watched the room, expecting Mrs. Wallston to emerge from behind the screen and enter the tub. Instead, two small hands slithered from out of the cream-colored liquid and grasped the sides of the tub. At first, they were hard to see, as they were so pale that they were indistinguishable from the stark white of the side of the tub. Even the nails were the same shade, like chalk...

Following the hands, a head of wet blonde curls emerged. Under the curls was a pair of large, dark goggles, like a welder would wear...
- page 23


My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): revived

This story had a Frankenstein-feel to it. Love how it unfolds with beautiful descriptive passages like the one I posted above. Of course, the touch of steampunk flavor with the last line got me.

Nevermore
by David Dunwoody

Malcolm Witt died in his sleep at 11:07 PM. Four minutes later, his body rose and walked from the room. Malcolm watched it happen. And so begins 48 hours of a life-after-death struggle to save his friends, forgive his love, and put himself to rest, body and soul.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): tether

There's an eerie perspective from a ghost point of view. Some zombie mayhem included.

Overall:
I was pleasantly surprised with this set of stories and look forward to the next volume ;-D

--/=/=-- eBook Giveaway courtesy of publisher--=\=\=-

signup for giveaway


~*~

* review copy courtesy of publisher

Winners - Dandies & Delectables


Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended December 26, 2010
during the Dandie & Delectables event

Thanks to all contestants!


Winner:


Blameless by Gail Carriger
Winner: two nun of two nun gang


Oscar Wilde prize pack - a Dandy Bon Bons giveaway
action doll - courtesy of author, Sasha Soren
book surprise & goodies - from vvb
Winner: krysykat


Knitting Book pack
Winner: vampireprincess of Demented Reading


Kosher By Design Teens and 20-Somethings: cooking for the next generation by Susie Fishbein
Winner: Amanda Sue


Twilight DVD - my copy
Winner: Kulsuma of sunshine and stardust


The Wedding Gift by Kathleen McKenna
Winner: Aik of The Bookaholics
Winner: Freda of Freda's Voice
Winner: Midnight Cowgirl of The Fashion Planner
Winner: Susana
Complimentary: MAD
Complimentary: Nina of J'adorehappyendings
~*~

* to see the original giveaway offer, click on the prize title links

* I will email winners for mailing addresses.
Winners, feel free to contact me with your info if you don't get my email
or if you are just too darn excited and want to let me know -- like NOW ;-D

* contest policy

* if not this time, maybe next time

--> check out the current giveaways and upcoming events on my sidebar

~~*!~~ Dandies & Delectables schedule ~~!*~~


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Vampire Darcy Desires by Regina Jeffers

Vampire Darcy Desires
A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation
by Regina Jeffers

Published: 2009
Genre: Romance, Vampires
Paperback: 336 pages
Rating: 4

Description from the amazon:
Vampire Darcy's Desire presents Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as a heart-pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-vampire dhampir, Mr. Darcy vows to live forever alone rather than inflict the horrors of life as a vampire on an innocent wife. But when he comes to Netherfield Park, he meets the captivating Elizabeth Bennet.

As a man, Darcy yearns for Elizabeth, but as a vampire, he is also driven to possess her. Uncontrollably drawn to each other, they are forced to confront a "pride and prejudice" never before imagined--while wrestling with the seductive power of forbidden love. Meanwhile, dark forces are at work all around them. Most ominous is the threat from George Wickham, the purveyor of the curse, a demon who vows to destroy each generation of Darcys.

Written in authentic Austen style and faithful to its Regency-era setting, Vampire Darcy's Desire retells the greatest love story of all time in a hauntingly
imaginative fashion.

Zombie sighting:
Elizabeth wondered how Darcy could sit in a church--could walk about during the day. Every tale she knew of werewolves and vampires and zombies rushed through her head.
- chapter 5, page 72


My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): vixen
This story has a good mix of gothic style, vampire angst and other paranormal elements that involve our favorite P&P characters.

I enjoyed reading some behind-the-scenes moments where Mr Darcy and Elizabeth share some passionate and intimate scenes.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of author

* read Regina's Pemberley Ball post: The Pemberley Ball

* part of Pemberley Ball

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway --=\=\=-

Want my copy?

Open to all.

Offer ends: December 31, 2010

TO DO:
Visit Regina's site and tell me the name of a book on her book list that you would be interested in reading.

AND leave your email (if i don't already have it) in comments

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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In Sickness by L.L. Soares and Laura Cooney

In Sickness
by L.L. Soares and Laura Cooney

Published: 2010
Publisher: Skullvines Press
Genre: Horror, Short Stories
Paperback: 196 pages
Rating: 4

Description from the publisher:
Plumbing the depths of Hell. Together.

Welcome to the dark worlds of Laura Cooney and L. L. Soares, two writers of dark fiction who also happen to be husband and wife. Let them be your guides for an excursion through the uncharted regions of the horrific and the surreal.

Here are just some of the strange sights you’ll see along the way:

• A ghost girl takes her living playmate on an eerie hunt for buried treasure.

• On Halloween night, a college student finds a little black dress that’s more than just a fashion accessory.

• A sasquatch hides in the rhododendrons, waiting for the woman he loves.

• A group of super-smart monkeys are in the mood to peel a meal, but it ain’t bananas they’re craving.

• A husband and wife, bound together in a web of tragic secrets, are haunted by strange, pig-faced children.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): rapport
This is a cool collection of horror that was put together well. Loved how the stories all flowed through to the last story which ends with a bang.

Each story leaves you with a shiver or a squirm and thinking about relationships.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of publisher

* if you haven't already, check out guest post created for October Trix-n-Treatz by by L.L. Soares, CONTACT ROOM - I.VELVET (starring... me!) which features Dr. Willard Raymond from the story, "Mating Room" in the collection - In Sickness

* part of October Trix-n-Treatz

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway --=\=\=-

Want my copy?

Open to all.

Offer ends: December 31, 2010

TO DO:
Visit LL's site, Cinema Knife Fight and tell me the name of a movie that piqued your interest.

AND leave your email (if i don't already have it) in comments
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Creepy Claus


To continue with the Ho hO Horrific Holidays I present to you...

an adaption of Nicolas Was... by Neil Gaiman:

39 Degrees North: Christmas Card 2010 from 39 Degrees North on Vimeo.


Nicholas Was…
Older than sin, and his beard could grow no whiter. He wanted to die.

The dwarfish natives of the Arctic caverns did not speak his language, but conversed in their own, twittering tongue, conducted incomprehensible rituals, when they were not actually working in the factories.

Once very year they forced him, sobbing & protesting, into Endless Night. During the journey he would stand near every child in the world, leave one of the dwarves’ invisible gifts by its bedside. The children slept, frozen into time.

He envied Prometheus and Loki, Sisyphus and Judas. His punishment was harsher.

Ho.

Ho.

Ho.

Listen to Neil read his poem.

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* first spotted this at Fiction State of Mind

Monday, December 27, 2010

Giveaway: Dueling Novella Series Volume 1

Dueling Novella Series Volume 1:
Orpheus and the Pearl by Kim Paffenroth
and Nevermore by David Dunwoody


Descriptions from the publisher:

Orpheus and the Pearl
by Kim Paffenroth

In 1920 Massachusetts, Dr. Catherine MacGuire is mysteriously called to the home of the famous Dr. Wallston, to assist with some medical emergency that defies even his skill. The life-threatening problems she finds there have less to do with broken bodies than with warped souls, and it will take all her dedication as a healer to fix them.

Nevermore
by David Dunwoody

Malcolm Witt died in his sleep at 11:07 PM. Four minutes later, his body rose and walked from the room. Malcolm watched it happen. And so begins 48 hours of a life-after-death struggle to save his friends, forgive his love, and put himself to rest, body and soul.

Excerpts available.

--/=/=-- eBook Giveaway courtesy of publisher--=\=\=-

Open to all.

Offer ends: December 31, 2010

TO DO:
In comments, let me know scary or thriller book on your WANT list

AND leave your email too.
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Contest has ended - winner is here

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Apple Head Dolly by Scott Nicholson

Appalachian Winter Hauntings:
Weird Tales from the Mountains
edited by Michael Knost and Mark Justice


Horror fans... Dont'cha just love that cover?

I haven't had a chance to procure this gem of a book yet, so you'll hear more about this book later.

But I when requested an excerpt, I managed to get a review copy of Scott Nicholson's short story piece instead. Awesome, eh!
Thanks Scott!


Apple Head Dolly
by Scott Nicholson
Genre: Holiday, Horror, Short Story
Rating: 5

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): shiver
The story starts out innocent enough. Kids and christmas. Oh what christmas can do to kids. eeek!

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* image source apple head dolls

Ho HO Horrific Holidays


Calvin and Hobbes officially opens my Ho HO Horrific Holidays 2-day event. Stay tuned for some horror-related things I have to share...













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* comics set was sent via email from friend, RJ

 
Imagination Designs
Images from: Lovelytocu