Lovely Books and Things - 9.9.17

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with:
Stacking the Shelves (details)
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

~*~
More movie watching this week as the reading is in the slump mode, hmmmm.

~*~
Bought:

The Jane Austen Project
by Kathleen A. Flynn
-SciFi, Historical, Jane Austen-related
Amazon | Goodreads
SIMPLY irresistible.

Home Fire
by Kamila Shamsie
-Literary, Audio
Amazon | Goodreads
WORKING on the Man Booker 2017 long list.


For Review:

Zenka
by Alison Brodie
-Thriller, Romance
courtesy of author -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
I like Alison's writing style, so this should be a fun one.


OTHER things (kinda book-related):

Book Blogger Hop
features a book related question
Sponsored by The Coffee Addicted Writer (details)

This week's prompt: Have you ever bought a book because you liked its cover art?
(submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
YES, but rarely now. When I started blogging and visiting fellow bloggers years ago, I had many cover love moments which prompted some purchases. However, as the years passed I found those books end up in the tbr pile for quite awhile. So, I am being more mindful when it comes to the draw of the covers.

One book that I bought for the cover which has been sitting in the tbr pile since 2012...

Alien Tango
by Gini Koch
- romance, sciFi
Amazon | Goodreads
I have the first three books in a series that is reaching book 20 soon. Soooo behind.


AND watched: in theatre

Mrs.B., a North Korean Woman (2016)
Madame B., histoire d'une Nord-Coréenne (original title)
Director/Writer: Jero Yun
-Documentary, China, Korea | imdb | my rating: 5
Portrait of Mrs. B., a tough charismatic North Korean woman who smuggles between North Korea, China and South Korea. With the money she gets, she plans to reunite with her two North Korean sons after years of separation.

A peek into one side of human trafficking as well as a tale of the "grass is always greener".

Bakuman (2015)
Director: Hitoshi Ohne
Writers/manga: Tsugumi Ôba, Takeshi Obata
Starring: Takeru Satoh, Ryûnosuke Kamiki
-Comedy, Japan | imdb | my rating: 5
Moritaka Mashiro, a junior high student, forgets his notebook in class. His classmate Akito Takagi, notes Mashiro's drawings in it and asks him to become a manga artist to his stories. Mashiro declines. Takagi incites Mashiro to meet with Miho Azuki, Mashiro's crush, and tells her the two plan to become mangakas (manga artists). In response, Azuki reveals her plans to be a seiyuu (voice actress). Mashiro proposes to her that they should both marry when Azuki becomes a voice actress for the anime adaptation of their manga. The two then start creating their manga, under the pen name Muto Ashirogi, in hopes of getting serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump.

For Fall Film challenge: about hope.

Loved the scoop on manga artists. Great scenes with manga art. Friendship, Struggle, Triumph.


AND watched: on DVD

The Innocents (2016)
Les innocentes (original title)
Director: Anne Fontaine
Writer (scenario: Sabrina B. Karine, Alice Vial
Writer (adaptation): Anne Fontaine, Pascal Bonitzer
Based on an original concept created by: Philippe Maynial
Starring: Lou de Laâge, Agata Buzek, Agata Kulesza
-Drama, History, Poland, France | imdb | my rating: 5
In 1945 Poland, a young French Red Cross doctor who is sent to assist the survivors of the German camps discovers several nuns in advanced states of pregnancy during a visit to a nearby convent.

For Fall Film challenge: about temperance.

BASED on actual events. Struggles of temperance and faith with some ugly realities interplay here.

The Human Stain (2003)
Director: Robert Benton
Screenplay: Nicholas Meyer
Based on book by: Philip Roth
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris
-Drama, Romance, Thriller | imdb | my rating: 4
When a disgraced former college dean has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark, twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking fact about his own life that he has kept secret for fifty years.

For Fall Film challenge: starring anthony hopkins

INTERESTING with different perspective on racism. Fun dancing scene with Gary Sinise.

Patriots Day (2016)
Director/screenplay: Peter Berg
Screenplay: Matt Cook, Joshua Zetumer
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon
-Crime, Drama, History | imdb | my rating: 4
The story of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the aftermath, which includes the city-wide manhunt to find the terrorists responsible.

For Fall Film challenge: starring kevin bacon

SOME history on the event with a focus on how the investigation of finding the bombers. Great to see the team work.

~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

:-)

Keep Calm: Zombie Lovecraft and Poe

zombie edition
Brainy zombies appear in this one...

The Night Beat
From the Necropolis Enforcement Files
by Gini Koch

Visit Gini:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Shelfari
Twitter

Published: 2012
Genre: Paranormal
ebook
Rating: coming soon

Amazon | Amazon Paperback | Smashwords | Barnes and Nobles
The majority of Prosaic City’s residents don’t know that their town exists on top of another place -- Necropolis, City of the Undead. For the most part, the two planes of existence manage to remain separate. And when they don’t, Necropolis Enforcement has beings in place to ensure the general human population remains blithely clueless.

Victoria Wolfe is more than just a policewoman. She’s an undercover werewolf assigned by Necropolis Enforcement to work Prosaic City Police’s Night Beat. Victoria’s comfortable working the shift where all the weird comes out to play, especially since her partner is also her perfect man. Or would be, if Victoria could ever work up the nerve to tell him she isn’t like other girls.

It’s hard enough being a werewolf in disguise, but when a creature from the Depths of Hell shows up in an alley preferred by junkies, bums, and hookers, it’s going to take more than just Victoria’s special gun and werewolf skills to subdue the ancient Sumerian demon. Especially when the demon is merely the start of what appears to be a major takeover attempt by the Prince of Darkness.

Soon all of Necropolis Enforcement’s Undead Brigade is involved in the fight to stop the Prince’s Major Minions from taking over Prosaic City and the rest of the human plane. But it’s Victoria who has to face the Adversary and figure out what intricate plan Lucifer has up his wings before everyone she cares about is destroyed.

In other words, it’s just another day on the Night Beat.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): paranormal extravaganza
Name a paranormal creature and it's most likely in this book.

I'm currently reading this and will post a bit more of my take when done. But I wanted to post this to remind you of the giveaway offer...

--~ eBook Giveaway courtesy of author ~--
signup to win this book
--> hurry, offer ends tomorrow!
~*~
* review copy courtesy of author

* image source for Keep Calm and Carry On

=== Keep Calm and Carry On: Zombie Edition schedule ===

The Night Beat with Gini Koch

Thanks for stopping by on the Necropolis Enforcement Blog Tour of 2012! If you haven’t read the first chapter of The Night Beat, hit Deathless Prose over at my website and check it out. Then, hit each stop along the way to get more of the story.

Missed a stop? Check the website for the Tour Page and get caught up.

And don’t forget to get entered to win a copy of The Night Beat at EVERY blog tour stop along the way! Plus, follow the Tour ‘til the end and get entered for a mega-prize! So, grab your badge -- it’s time to join Necropolis Enforcement!

~*~

The majority of Prosaic City’s residents don’t know that their town exists on top of another place -- Necropolis, City of the Undead. For the most part, the two planes of existence manage to remain separate. And when they don’t, Necropolis Enforcement has beings in place to ensure the general human population remains blithely clueless.

Victoria Wolfe is more than just a policewoman. She’s an undercover werewolf assigned by Necropolis Enforcement to work Prosaic City Police’s Night Beat. Victoria’s comfortable working the shift where all the weird comes out to play, especially since her partner is also her perfect man. Or would be, if Victoria could ever work up the nerve to tell him she isn’t like other girls.

It’s hard enough being a werewolf in disguise, but when a creature from the Depths of Hell shows up in an alley preferred by junkies, bums, and hookers, it’s going to take more than just Victoria’s special gun and werewolf skills to subdue the ancient Sumerian demon. Especially when the demon is merely the start of what appears to be a major takeover attempt by the Prince of Darkness.

Soon all of Necropolis Enforcement’s Undead Brigade is involved in the fight to stop the Prince’s Major Minions from taking over Prosaic City and the rest of the human plane. But it’s Victoria who has to face the Adversary and figure out what intricate plan Lucifer has up his wings before everyone she cares about is destroyed.

In other words, it’s just another day on the Night Beat.

Amazon | Amazon Paperback | Smashwords | Barnes and Nobles
~*~Excerpt:
Jack cleared his throat. “I’ve known you were a werewolf for a while.”

“Come again?” I swiveled my head so fast I cracked my neck. Which was a good thing, so I didn’t complain.

Jack grinned. “I’m on the Night Beat, Vic. The Chief considers me one of his best detectives, and you’re his favorite. I didn’t get partnered with you by random chance. I got partnered with you because the Chief knows we need to work with Necropolis Enforcement to survive.”

“You knew? How long? And, wait a minute. The Chief knows? Who else knows?” I was supposed to be undercover inside Prosaic City P.D. Not to spy on them, but to protect them. Kind of hard to be undercover if everyone knows your secret identity.

“Yes, the Chief knows. A select few others know. I think Darlene’s figured it out, but if so, she’s very discreet. Probably because she likes you. Everyone likes you, Vic. You’re a great officer and a nice person. I’ve known since I took you on as a partner. A little bitchy around the full moon, but a lot of people are. The Chief wanted to be sure your partner was able to protect you, and you can’t protect someone if you don’t know what her strengths and weaknesses are.” Jack sounded like he was trying to be soothing and reassuring. I didn’t want to let it work.

But it did. I thanked the Gods and Monsters again for there being no full moon tonight. And decided to let that bitchy comment pass for now. “Well, okay. I guess. But you never said anything.” And we’d been partnered for well over a year.

He shrugged. “I knew you were scared to tell me. Besides, it didn’t matter.”

“This is so touching.” Maurice made a gagging noise. “When we get back to Headquarters, I think I’m going to barf up blood, I’m so nauseated by the love in the alleyway.”

I was glad I was still fur-covered because that way Jack couldn’t see me blush. He just grinned again, though.

I was going to say something when my ears picked up a noise. A high-pitched, urgent noise. “The ambulances are almost here. I think we have ten coming, maybe a dozen.” I figured Jack was right and Darlene had a good idea of what was going on, because that was a lot of emergency vehicles for four police officers.

Amanda came over. “They’ll be here shortly. We need to go back to human forms or we need to disappear.”

~*~

Author Bio:
Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series for Musa Publishing. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series for Night Shade Books. She also writes under a variety of other pen names (including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch), listens to rock music 24/7, and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). She speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business. She can be reached through her website at www.ginikoch.com.

--~ eBook Giveaway courtesy of author ~--
WIN a copy of this ebook!

Open to all.

Offer ends: October 5, 2012

TO DO:

READ the excerpt above.

IF you were part of the Necropolis Enforcement’s Undead Brigade, what paranormal creature would you like to have as a partner?

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

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

Contest has ended - winner is here

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

In My Mailbox - 4.15.12

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via mailbox, library, store, etc.

~*~
Bought:

The Expats
by Chris Pavone
- mystery

Alien Tango
by Gini Koch
- romance, sciFi

France on the brain...

Madame Tussaud
A Novel of the French Revolution
by Michelle Moran
- historical

13, rue Thérèse
by Elena Mauli Shapiro
-historical

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins
- YA

Free from Kindle: beware some free offers are limited

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
by Sarah J. Maas
-YA, pirates, argggg

For Review:
Ignite
by Kaitlyn Davis
-vampires, YA
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Nicole!

Simmer
by Kaitlyn Davis
-vampires, YA
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Nicole!

For Review and giveaway:

Wanted: Dead or Undead
(The Zombie West Series, #1)
by Angela Scott
courtesy of author
Thanks Angela!
signup for giveaway here

~*~
* get a heads up on free or discounted ebooks from Books on the Knob

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways to you

* image from Leafcutter Designs - world's smallest postal service and you can get a letter kit at Chronicle Books

In My Mailbox - 4.08.12

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via mailbox, library, store, etc.

Bought:
Alien Diplomacy
Alien Novels
by Gini Koch
-Paranormal Romance, SciFi

Sacre Bleu:
A Comedy d'Art
by Christopher Moore
-Art, Comedy, Paris
-obtained from author reading
yes! saw him in the flesh
he spoke of his ear hairs and all ;-D

~*~
Continuation of Paris mode...

From the library:

Walks Through Napoleon & Josephine's Paris
by Diana Reid Haig
-historical

The Paris Wife
by Paula McLain
- historical
- audio version

!!! - ! - ! - ! A L E R T ! - ! - ! - !!!
G U E S T
P O S T S
W A N T E D
F O R
J U N E
I am looking for guest posts with a Paris theme to post in June from bloggers and authors.

Those interested can include book giveaways not related to Paris - but the post itself needs to refer to Paris in some way.

Feel free to contact me for more details vvb32 at yahoo.com

For Review:
Death Sentence
Last City on Earth: Book 1
by Rhiannon Paille
-Dystopia, YA
courtesy of author
Thanks Rhiannon!

~*~
* get a heads up on free or discounted ebooks from Books on the Knob

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways to you

* image from Leafcutter Designs - world's smallest postal service and you can get a letter kit at Chronicle Books

Worth Your Weight in a 'Gator Battle Award

Worth Your Weight in a ‘Gator Battle!
Thanks to Sullivan McPig of Pearls Cast Before a McPig

Congratulations, you’ve won the honor of being Worth Your Weight in a ‘Gator Battle!

The award was created in honor of (at least according to them) the real stars from “Alien Tango”. No, not Katherine “Kitty” Katt or Jeff Martini. Alliflash and Gigantagator, Alligators Extraordinaire!

The “Worth Your Weight in a ‘Gator Battle Award” is only given to the wily, the brave, and the cheeky, so get down with your bad self, you’re deemed worthy to run with the A-C’s!

Now you get to spread the awesome by nominating other bloggers who would also be worth their weight in a ‘gator battle. Battling ‘gators is not for sissies or wimps -- only the strong survive -- so choose wisely!

Your mission details:

1. Slap the graphic on your blog post.

2. Give link props to the person who gave you the award (don’t rile a ‘gator fighter -- it’s dangerous).

3. Spread the awesome and nominate five (5) other bloggers who you think will be worth their weight in a ‘gator battle.

4. Let the recipients know they’ve won this honor on their blogs.

5. Last but not least, shoot Gini Koch an email at gini@ginikoch.com and let her know you’re worthy of running with the A-C’s (put “Worth My Weight” in the subject line!) by sharing that you’ve been nominated and telling her which other bloggers you nominated, and she’ll enter you into the “Worth Your Weight” Contest. Keep reading to find out more details and what the loot is below.

Of course, you can choose to ignore your awesomeness, but then you’ll never have a chance to nab your own A-C or win the loot. And you know you want both.

Contest runs from Wednesday, February 1, 2011 through Monday, February 28, 2011.

Contest prize and details here.

Passing this on to:
Audra of Unabridged Chick
Blodeuedd of Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Freda of Freda's Voice
Kelly of I Work For Books *g*
MAD of Mary Ann DeBorde Writes (and Reads!)