Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman (with giveaway)

Shadow Scale
by Rachel Hartman

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Blog
Facebook

Just released: March 10, 2015
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Dragon, Fantasy, YA
Hardback: 608 pages
Rating: 3.5

Seraphina series:
Seraphina
Shadow Scale

The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.

As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?

My two-bits:

I found most this to be a kind of travel/road trip kind of book with new sights, sounds and dragons.

As Seraphina is put to the task of gathering and uniting dragons, she grows to be a kind of ambassador.

Seraphina finally gets to learn more about the different types of dragons and their ways with her many meetings. Also, instead of huge fiery breathing dragons creating havoc, there are different sorts in this tale - cerebral fighting.

Things to note:

A lot of interactions with differents sorts of dragon folk - moslty in human form.

A lot of politics and magical mind play with a large cast of characters.

A little bit of romance.

Music continues to play a part as in the first book.

--~ Blog Tour Giveaway ~--
WIN a copy of this book!

Open to US and Canada only.

Offer ends: April 7, 2015

TO DO: (2-parts)

1. ADD this book to your Want To Read list on Goodreads.

OR

Tweet about this giveaway.

2. TELL me what you did in comments.

AND, leave your email OR make sure I have a way to contact you (twitter link, clickable profile, etc).

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

Contest has ended - winner is here

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

~*~
* review copy and giveaway courtesy of book tour

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina
by Rachel Hartman

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Blog
Facebook

Published: 2012
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Dragon, Fantasy, YA
Hardback: 512 pages
Rating: 4

Seraphina series:
Seraphina: The Audition -prequel
Seraphina
Shadow Scale

In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

My two-bits:

Interesting take on dragons interacting with humans in the upper crust society during medieval times.

I liked the feature of dragons and music.

Perspective is mostly from the human side and on how the dragons have been assimilating somewhat "undercover". But of course, things start to change towards the end of the book.

~*~
* book 2, Shadow Scale, is currently on tour - check out my review tomorrow

Book Blast: Rise of the Blood by Masters by Kristian Alva (with giveaway)

Rise of the Blood by Masters
Dragon Stone Saga book 5
by Kristian Alva
just released: September 30, 2014
Amazon | Goodreads
This is the continuation of the bestselling young adult fantasy series, the Dragon Stone Saga!

Over 100,000 copies of this series have been sold.

The brave dragon rider, Tallin Arai, continues his fight against the Balborites, a cult of religious fanatics and deadly mageborn assassins that have been wreaking havoc across the continent. In the east, the dwarf kingdom crumbles into chaos. The dwarf clans go deeper into civil war, while an even greater danger rises up to destroy the entire dwarf kingdom, once and for all. In desperation, the dragon riders and the dwarves must turn to the elves for help.

Can they set aside their differences long enough to save their homeland from the Balborite menace? Or will their kingdoms be destroyed?

About the author:

Kristian Alva was born into a family of writers and teachers. She worked as a staff writer and a ghostwriter before publishing her own manuscripts.

She currently lives in the United States with her family.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading all genres, especially epic fantasy.

Website | Facebook | Blog

--~ Book Blast Giveaway ~--
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 10/26/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an iTunes Gift Code or River Street Sweets Gift Card. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


~*~
* book blast sponsored by I Am A Reader Not A Writer

Happy Release: Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Vanish
Author: Sophie Jordan
Just Released: Sept 6, 2011
To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will's memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family's. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride's heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

Check out the Book Tour
for more details and goodies

Mad TEA Party

Virtual Mad TEA Party
hosted by A Fanciful Twist
view more parties here
Alice looks at her timepiece and wonders if she will be late for the Mad TEA Party.

Her invitation did not specify a time or place.

For this special occasion, Alice walks to her mirror to see if her hair needs combing (for her mother is always on about her to comb her hair).

The mirror begins to blur
and swirl
and make whoop whoop whoop-dee-do sounds.

AND then...

V O I L A !
Alice is transported to a hot steamy room with the sounds of tea being poured and tea cups clattering on saucers.

The Mad TEA party is in full swing with...


March Hare making rounds with the teapot.

Doormouse is not at his usual sleeping spot. He trails behind March Hare serving these loud and lively guests...


~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Daniel Coleman
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
Hatter: I thank you for attending tea today.

Alice: I think I shan’t’ve if I’d known dragons would also attend.

Hatter: Never to worry. You’ll find they make delightful teamates.

Alice: I believe what you mean to say is ‘teammates’.

Hatter: On the contrary. There are no teams in tea after all.

Alice: And what kind of tea does a dragon prefer?

Hatter: It matters little as long as it is blackened tea.

Alice: Ahem, I believe what you mean to say is ‘black’ tea.

Hatter: No. I assured you assuredly that what I mean is blackened.

Hatter reaches for a teapot among the dozens on the table and pours a light green tea. He places the cup in front of a purple and green kaleidoscope dragon. With a tiny puff from his nose, the creature singes the tea, which burbles, turns black and emits a distasteful odor.


Alice: And if they can char tea so easily, what’s to say you and I are safe?

Hatter: Because I’ve only invited achromivores.

Alice: Achromivores? I believe what you mean to say is carnivores.

Hatter: I’d sooner invite a mule—churlish creatures, those—than invite a carnivore.

Alice: Then how do you mean, achromivore.

Hatter: It’s simple really. Chromivores only eat colors, and I care so for colors. Ergo, I made it a point to invite only achromivores.

Alice: So they eat only colorless things?

Hatter: Indeed. White or black.

Alice: And what is to stop them from blackening an apple or eggplant in order to make it palatable?

Hatter: Nothing is stopping them. In fact I believe it’s encouraged

Alice: A banana or a blueberry?

Hatter: Certainly. Dragons must eat after all.

Alice: A beef on the hoof or a turtle dove?

Hatter: Yes, either. This certainly is an enjoyable game.

Alice: What about a young lady or a peculiar Hatter?

Hatter: Of cour—Hmmm. I hadn’t given that any thought.

Alice: Judging by the way they are looking at us, I don’t think it’s escaped their consideration.

Hatter: Oh dear!

Alice: I fear we may be well done for?

Hatter: Would you mean ‘well done’ or ‘done for’?

Alice: Yes, both.

Hatter: *gulp*

~end

Guest post created for Mad TEA Party event by Daniel Coleman author of Hatter
© 2011. All rights reserved.


~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Daniel Coleman
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--

Hatter
by Daniel Coleman
signup to win this book

~*~
* image source march hare and doormouse created by `ursulav

* last year's Mad TEA party with fairies

* special thanks to the daughter, svb, for the use of her dragons

* Alice created by Shana of Kreating Insecurities

* and don't be late for this great giveaway...


Jabberwocky
by Daniel Coleman
courtesy of author
get this ebook
for free at smashwords
-offer good until June 30

* come back June 29 to gyre and gimble with Alice!

Winners for February

Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended March 13, 2011
during Dr Viiiii's Love Potions event
and
dragons (and some fantasy) event

Thanks to all contestants!

After Isaactown by Ward Jones
Winner: tearyeyedstars of Sing Me to Sleep

Demon High by Lori Devoti
Winner: Cecilia of the epic rat

False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
Winner: wyldheart of I Smell Sheep

Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster
I got a kick out of reading all of your talent show antics!
Thanks for playing along contestants.
Winner: Michelle of The True Book Addict

~*~
The Lost Valentine by James Michael Pratt
still open: extended deadline to March 20

Richer by Jean Blasiar
still open: extended deadline to March 20

~*~
* 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

Winners for Dragons (and some fantasy)

Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended February 27, 2011
during dragons (and some fantasy) event, feb 17-19, 2011

Thanks to all contestants!

Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze
Winner: Vivien

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Winner: Freda of Freda's Voice

Mystify by Artist Arthur
Winner: Meghan of Books and a Cup of Tea

Starlighter by Bryan Davis
Winner: Carina L. Tai of Dystopian Desserts

~*~
* 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

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight
by Sophie Jordan

Published: 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Dragon, Fantasy, Romance, YA
Hardback: 336 pages
Rating: 5

Description from the amazon:

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

Romantic quote:
He squeezes me so hard air gusts from my lips. "I don't want you hurt. Ever."
- page 273, chapter 27

Series:
Firelight
Vanished - coming September 6, 2011

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

A very YA romance story with a main character who happens to manifest into a dragon. In fact, the parts I liked were the shape shifting parts. The descriptions and feelings related were so vivid and beautiful. The visuals would be spectacular on screen.

Exciting news:
As of January 2011, a movie adaptation of Firelight is in the making.
- per THR

The YA couple in this story, Jacinda and Will, just made it onto my Fave YA couples list.

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway courtesy of author --=\=\=--
signup for giveaway

Leave a comment to earn an extra entry point towards this giveaway.

Watch out: book 2 is coming...

Vanish
Author: Sophie Jordan
Release Date: Sept 6, 2011

~*~
* part of Fantasy Reading challenge

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

The Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Starlighter
by Bryan Davis

Published: 2010
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Action, Dragon, Fantasy, YA
ebook: 400 pages
Rating: 4

Description from the amazon:
Dragons are enslaving humankind and a black egg signals the end of the world.

Jason Masters must journey to another realm and join forces with a slave girl named Koren to rescue the captives and save two worlds from destruction.

What if the Legends Are True?

Jason Masters doubted the myths: people taken through a portal to another realm and enslaved by dragons. But when his brother is taken, he must uncover the truth and find the portal before it's too late.

Once he's through the portal, he meets Koren, a slave in the dragons' realm, who struggles to destroy a black egg prophesied to doom all mankind. Jason and Koren must work together to save their two worlds before the dragons learn that their secrets have been discovered.

In Starlighter, bestselling author Bryan Davis masterfully weaves fantasy and inspiration into a captivating novel for young adults.

Amusing quote:
A dragon can't huggle.
A dragon can't snuggle.
A dragon's scales are hard and cold.
The dragons make us struggle.
- location 680, chapter 4

Zombie sighting:
Would she transform into a mindless zombie who believed love was hatched from bondage, that the Code was useless and impossible to obey, that her sacrifice for friends caused the hearts of ment to fail?
- location 361, chapter 20

Series: Dragons of Starlight
Starlighter
Warrior - just released Jan 2011


My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): litmus finger
The dragons in here are mostly baaaaad. Save for one who you met during the dragons event here.

You are in for some action (swords and photon guns) and adventure (journey to an otherworld) in this engrossing dragon tale (with a cliffhanger ending). But, the story still is good as a stand-alone.

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway courtesy of author --=\=\=--
signup for giveaway

Leave a comment here to earn an extra entry point towards this giveaway.

~*~
* check out the Trading Card of the dragon, Arxad

* part of Fantasy Reading challenge

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Mystify by Artist Arthur

Mystify
by Artist Arthur

Published: January 2011
Publisher: Kimani
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Paperback: 256 pages
Rating: 3

Description from the amazon:
Sasha Carrington has grown up feeling like an outsider, and her parents are too concerned with scaling the Lincoln, Connecticut, social ladder to even notice her. They'd be really horrified to know about the supernatural abilities Sasha and her friends Krystal and Jake possess. But as part of the Mystyx, Sasha has found her place.

Now her parents have suddenly taken an interest in everything she does, and their timing couldn't be worse. Sasha's father wants her to become BFFs with snooty Alyssa Turner, who hates Krystal for stealing her boyfriend. Then there's Antoine Watson, the boy Sasha has liked forever, the boy her parents would never approve of. But with the dark side getting more dangerous by the day, and the Mystyx's own powers growing in unexpected ways, Sasha is facing choices that could affect her friends, her love life—and even her destiny….

Amusing quote:
His shoes are leather, Italian probably. I keep looking at them because, of course, I'm a shoe-aholic.
- page 105, chapter 12

Series:
Manifest - my review
Mystify
Mayhem - coming August 11, 2011

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): supernatural
The story of this group of teens continues to develop in this second book of the series. A bit more, just a bit, is revealed about them and their history.

A bit of romance with conflicts regarding race and class are touched upon as well.

I'm looking forward to book three, Mayhem, which will focus on the third member of the group who interests me the most, Jake.

fyi: you can get a copy of this at NetGalley or win one here...

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway --=\=\=--
signup for this giveaway

~*~
* review copy courtesy of Online Publicist

* part of Fantasy Reading challenge

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Dragons: End Credits

dragons (and some fantasy)
virtual book event
february 17-19, 2011
Dear Readers,

Thank you for joining me for this fantastical event.

If there is a dragon-related book you would like to share with me or on your wish list, please do so in comments. Who knows, it may appear in the next dragons event???

Please note all giveaways end February 27, 2011 unless specified otherwise.

THANKS TO: Authors, Publicists and Publishers for Book Giveaways & Guest posts

Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Shulze

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster

Mystify by Artist Arthur

The Starlighter by Bryan Davis


//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Watch out: Flying Blind

Flying Blind
The Dragon Diaries #1
by Deborah Cooke

Release date: June 2011

Description from author's site:
Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal – well, as normal as a girl with an obsession with drawing dragons can be. The thing is that she’s always been told she’s special and destined for great things. It’s not just because of her good grades, either. Zoë’s the Wyvern, the one female dragon shapeshifter with special powers. But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr and her powers are AWOL. Worse, there’s no reference book to consult and the last Wyvern is dead…

Everything changes when Zoë’s best friend is bullied and Zoë reacts. Before she can blink twice, her inner dragon is loose, she’s suspended from school and headed to a boot camp for the Pyr guys she’s known all her life. But soon she’s doubting her powers—and even some of her friendships.

Zoë quickly realizes that she has to master her powers yesterday - the Pyr are in danger and boot camp is a trap. The Mages want to eliminate all shifters and the Pyr are next in line—unless Zoë and her friends can solve the riddle, work together and save their own kind…

READ the excerpt.

fyi: kindle edition available now
~*~
* on my want list ;-D

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Dragons: Zalino

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Christine E. Schulze
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
Trading Card: Dragons collection

Dragon: Zalino

Race: Zalian

Dynasty: Zale

Eyes: Serene sapphire blue, like the oceans surrounding the Zalian isle

Body: Covered in sapphire and aquamarine scales; long and snake-like, with four short legs; wingless but able to fly

Personality: The dragons of Zale are the most peaceful and playful of the four dynasties. They thrive on adventure but are also keen on studying the arts of wisdom and meditation.

Zalino himself is the emperor of the Zalian Dynasty, which means he lords over both the Zalian dragons and Zalian people. Each dynasty contains both a human and dragon race; these races are meant to work in harmony, the dragons protecting the people, the people providing an annual tribute. Zalino is a gracious, compassionate soul, a father-like figure, who requires only an annual feast with his people who share their finest crops.

Favorite sport: Fishing

Favorite color: Yellow; it reminds him of the Zalian people whom he protects, as they are great lovers of bright colors. One of his dearest friends, Mokuolu, is a young Zalian woman ever clad in bright yellow hues.

Secret desire: A pet kitten; he does so adore them, and not for eating. He's always fancied himself a sleek, black, clever kitten from the dynasty of Varden.

~end

Trading card post created for dragons event by Christine E. Schulze
© 2011. All rights reserved.

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Christine E. Schulze
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
Meet Zalino in...

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway courtesy of author --=\=\=-

signup for giveaway

Leave a comment for Zalino for an extra entry point towards this giveaway.

~*~
* image source of dragon

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Watch out: Eona

Eona
Alison Goodman

Release date: April 2011

Description from the amazon:
Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army.

The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon.

Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans. . . .

READ chapter one.

~*~
* on my want list ;-D

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Queued up: The Princess's Dragon

The Princess's Dragon
by Susan Trombley
Excerpt teaser: Chapter 1
The empty sockets of countless skulls stared down at the lone figure in the center of the tower room. The sullen afternoon sunlight filtered through the stubborn miasma of dust that drifted through the chamber crammed with dried herbs, unguents, and mysterious crumbling scrolls. Much like a wizard's workshop, the poorly lit room harbored a menagerie of the strange and bizarre, though most of the creatures there were already dead.

But this was no wizard's room; quite to the contrary, this laboratory belonged to a princess, one bound and determined to disprove the very existence of such nonsensical ideas as magic and myth. A princess as unconventional as the chamber where she idled away most of her afternoons studying the artifacts of nature and devising logical explanations for everything even remotely mysterious.

“Steady, steady…” The young woman didn’t realize she was whispering to herself under her breath. She carefully fitted the rare and expensive clear glass disk into the twisted frame of a close-viewing apparatus.

READ up to 3 chapters.

fyi: kindle edition is currently available for $1.99

~*~
* Queued up - ebooks ready recently downloaded in my ereader

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Watch out: Voices of Dragons

Voices of Dragons
by Carrie Vaughn

Release date: March 16, 2010

Description from the amazon:
On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cell phones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity's deepest fears: dragons.

Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she's breaking the law by rock climbing near the border, but she'd rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, the rules are abruptly shattered, and a secret friendship grows between them.

But suspicion and terror are the legacy of human and dragon inter­actions, and the fragile truce that has maintained peace between the species is unraveling. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?

In her young-adult debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn presents a distinctly twenty-first-century tale of myths and machines, and an alliance that crosses a seemingly unbridgeable divide.

READ chapter one here.

~*~
* on my want list ;-D

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Dragon in Steampunk

Eye of the Storm
by Lovett

oh yeah!

Take a peek:



//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Dragons: Arxad

Just in...
My very first special collectible virtual trading card. One of many to come to be created and acquired during vvb32 reads events for a year end giveaway ;-D

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Bryan Davis
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
Trading Card: Dragons collection

Character: Arxad

Species: Dragon – Front and rear limbs, two wings, spines down his back

Planet: Starlight

Age: Approximately 500 years old

Length: From tip of snout to end of tail, about 35 feet

Weight: Approximately 6000 pounds

Occupation: High priest of Starlight

Favorite food: Roasted lamb drizzled with honey sauce

As high priest of Starlight, Arxad played an important role as an intercessor between the ruling dragons and their human slaves. If a dragon abused a slave too severely, the human could appeal to Arxad for protection. Past high priests had not taken this position seriously, and the slaves suffered as a result. Arxad, however, sympathized with the slaves and even wondered if they might have souls. Such a belief, of course, would cause conflict with other dragons, so he turned to helping them in secret, but what would happen if the secret got out?

~end

Trading Card post and dragon fan art provided for dragons (and some fantasy) event by Bryan Davis
© 2011. All rights reserved.

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Bryan Davis
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
Meet Arxad in...

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway courtesy of author --=\=\=-

signup for giveaway

Leave a comment for Arxad for an extra entry point towards this giveaway.

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Dragon's Lure anthology

Dragon's Lure
Legends of a New Age Book One
by John Grant
Keith R.A. Decandido
C.E. Murphy
Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Jeffrey Lyman
John Chambers
Jean Marie Ward
Misty Massey
CJ Henderson

Published: 2010
Publisher: Dark Quest
Genre: Fantasy, Short Stories
Paperback: 260 pages
Overall Rating: tba

Description from the amazon:
Here There Be Dragons!

What is the deal with virgins?

Why would a dragon want to swallow the moon?

Is a bed of treasure really to be desired?

At long last a collection that delves in the lore on what lures a dragon. We bring you nineteen tempting tales of draconic wonder--along with the lyrics to two classic and much-beloved songs--certain to broaden your understanding of these legendary creatures that have fascinated mankind throughout time and across cultures.

Trek across a dragon's dream space in C.E. Murphy's Perchance to Dream...Take wing in Misty Massey's Flying Away Home...and the burning question in Vonnie Winslow Crist's Weathermaker...got milk? Everything you wanted to know about dragons, but no one has survived to ask...

With stories by John Grant, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Patrick Thomas, James Chambers, Misty Massey, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Mike Penncavage, C.E. Murphy, Hildy Silverman, Bernie Mojzes, Randy Farran, C.J. Henderson, Claire Stephens McMurray, Robert E. Waters, D.C. Wilson, Jean Marie Ward, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Anna Yardney, Jeffrey Lyman, James Daniel Ross, and David B. Coe, this is a tome you are sure to treasure!

fyi: kindle version currently available for $2.99

Baited Breath
by John Grant
Rating: 5
My two-bits:
Started off this anthology with a fun one!
I enjoyed this humorous take on what to do with an infestation of dragons - cute ones!

watch this spot: i will continue to post reviews for the rest of the short stories on this post

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\

Book Fashion: Firelight

If books were dresses...

(a post where I create fashionable wear with book cover art)

Firelight
by Sophie Jordan

First sentence:
Gazing out at the quiet lake, I know the risk is worth it.

PeekAbook:



Meet this dragon here...

--/=/=-- Book Giveaway courtesy of author --=\=\=--

Prize: autographed book

Open to US only.

Offer ends: February 27, 2011

TO DO:

Visit Sophie's site and tell me the title of another one of her books.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* source for silhouette

//\\//\\ dragons (and some fantasy) schedule //\\//\\