Mozart's Blood Review Preview

My 81 year-old mom is visiting me, I have to do yard work using correct body mechanics, and then we are off to a wedding on a beach for the child of one of my cousins. I am not particularly close to my family and am merely her driver in this so I will try to be subdued until my mother has sated her need to be amongst her people. They are very nice but we haven't hung out since we were kids. It will be nice to see my cousins after so many years.

I am in the middle of, or the first third, of Mozart's Blood, which has a very unusual, atypical, premise. I don't know where it will all mesh, but the unique premise is enough for me to keep reading it.

The author, Louise Marley is a former pianist and opera singer indulging her dramatic side through writing. And she has written a lot; with nine books in print, on the first page of her site.

In this book there is a vampire opera singer and her werewolf assistant. She was turned during Mozart's life time. Somehow he was born a werewolf during the Renaissance. I don't want to spoil it though. Like I said, I am waiting for it to come together. And, it is a very different kind of werewolf/vampire story. I don't think anyone has ever come up with it before, so it is worth my time simply for that reason.

While my mother is visiting I have given here my Sookie Stackhouse books to read. I don't know if she is trying to try me, but she keeps saying, "This can't be real, vampires aren't real." I say, "Mom, it is fantasy, speculative -- pretend..." Argh!

I hope to have the book finished by tomorrow.  Then I can give you the real scoop -- until then I can only give you the above review preview!!

Book Blogger Hop and Follow My Book Blog Friday

FRIDAY is Book Blogger Meme Day!

Memes are a listing of other sites of similar interest to give us all a chance to work with each other. I follow two and I have made some great friends this way. Sometimes it is called a "follow," sometimes a "party." Whatever we call them I enjoy them and they have been a great boon to my blog!














The Book Bloggers' Hop from Crazy-For_Books asks a weekly question for its participants to answer. This week: Who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?


Ooh, how to choose. I am going to say new to the published novelist world and choose two: Kersten Hamilton and Amanda Hocking both of whom I RAVE about because they are two of the most talented writers I have read in a while. I have reviewed them both.

Parajunkee's Follow My Book Blog Friday  features a blog.  This week 
http://theauthoress-amelia.blogspot.com/  Check it out.  There are a lot of youths blogging about books in really sophisticated ways. Makes me feel like the world isn't as screwed up as we think! 




ON MONDAY, I have had a feature I call Pay_it_Forward to thank people for the help they have given me:  I feature resource blogs and I feature new blogs with prospects. If you would like to be featured and maybe pick up a couple of followers please email me at  steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
as soon as possible. IN the end I usually end up choosing the blog myself which I hope is a pleasant surprise!

MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent Contest WInners

My Soul to Keep

Rachel Vincent

Harlequin Teen www.HarlequinTEEN.com publication date 06/01/2010
E-ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley.com with no expectation. Reviewer has option to read and or review.

Read July 26 to 28
Appearing Friday, July 30 in http://fangswandsandfairydust.com
steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com

Marketing Copy

Kaylee and Nash discover that one of his football teammates is addicted to Demon's Breath, a dangerous Netherworld substance that shouldn't even be available in the human world. To save their friends from insanity--and possibly death--they must figure out how the Demon's Breath got into their world and somehow dispose of it, as well as cutting off the supply--without socially alienating themselves. And in the course of their investigation, Kaylee discovers a deeper plot by a powerful Netherworld demon to open a path between the worlds and pull humans into the Netherworld so that he can steal their souls and imprison their bodies. Along the way, she also discovers someone close to her has been hiding a deadly addiction as well...


I was fascinated by the species Kaylee and Nash represent (also his mom, her dad and uncle) are Bean-Sidhe. You may have heard of the Banshee, as in the "The cry of the," the howlers in Irish tradition who announce the departure of a soul from its earthly existence. In the book, I didn’t quite understand the varying functions of the male and female Bean-Sidhe, but it is a symbiotic, and while the female calls to the soul, the male apparently guides it towards recycling.

It is only with a female Bean-Sidhe or with a reaper that a male can cross over to the underworld. One of the characters Nash’s brother, Tod, is a reaper. Kaylee is a Bean-Sidhe. When a toxic drug from the underworld starts to appear at their high school, Kaylee is adamant at figuring out how it is getting out of the underworld and into their friends. That is the crux of the story.

Anyone who loves an addict will understand that to an addict betraying their loved ones is not as important as getting their fix. It doesn’t make being betrayed any less awful. It can still be hard to walk away from the person.

Kaylee grew up without knowing her heritage, and I felt about the same not having read the two earlier books. Some series give enough back story that each book can stand on its own, some really need the other books in the series. This is the latter type of series. I would have understood and gotten more out of My Soul to Keep had I read the other two volumes and the prequel in Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series.

The character who develops the most is Kaylee herself. She learns a lot about trust and maturity and sadly, about betrayal. She is a nice teen, middle class economically (her economic status is mentioned a lot), smart enough, not unpopular but not the “it” girl. The supporting characters are developed in direct proportion to their importance in the story, but their development may have occurred in the previous books.

There is some sexual tension and talk, not crude; there are parties with alcohol and other drugs, and minor violence. I think it is a story edging out of YA toward adult.

It was an enjoyable read but I was not glued to it. I may go back and read the earlier books, but they aren’t at the top of the TBR list.

Kaylee, Nash, her dad and friend Emma, and his mom and dead brother are likeable characters. You really want to see Nash and Kaylee work out as a couple. Maybe they will.

DAUGHTERS OF PERSEPHONE by 

JULIA RACHEL BARRETT CONTEST



Yesterday, Julia R. Barrett was kind enough to guest blog and provide three copies of Captured and one of Daughters of Persephone.

FIRST PRIZE                                                                                     

A signed copy of Daughters of Persephone
A mermaid bookmark (see photo above) and a copy of Captured (another fun book by Julia)
Julia will be mailing Daughters of Persephone and I will mail the bookmark and Captured.

THIS WAS WON BY: T. of http://finalcutediting.viviti.com

SECOND PRIZE 

Two second prize winners will each receive a copy of Captured and each have been sent an email.


Diva's Bookcase and Loretta C. were each winners of a copy of Captured




If you see now the folly of your ways in not entering yesterday's contest and want Julia's wonderful stories scroll up to the Amazon link and buy it here!

Guest Blogger - Julia Rachel Barrett

Today, my friend Julia Rachel Barrett will guest blog here on Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust. She has six books and stories in print just this year which is pretty impressive!  She has Daughters of Persephone and  another book coming out in August. 
After the posts see our groovy contest!


Why I love science fiction and kick ass women.

Whew…deep breath. I’ve just been on an editing rampage and I have another set to work on so bear with me during my period of extreme distraction.

Okay, here we go…I learned when I was just a kid that I could travel anywhere in my head. Could I journey to another planet, another dimension? Sure, no problem. What about time travel, is it possible? Heck yeah, in my head. Shifters…do they exist? What about vampires? Nice vampires, mean vampires? Yup, they all exist in my head. Witches, warlocks, fairies – or faeries – elves, trolls, giants, dragons, especially dragons right now since one of the stories I’m working on involves a dragon. As my characters in Daughters of Persephone would say, “for sure and for certain.”

The best thing about science fiction and fantasy is the reader’s suspension of disbelief as she immerses herself in a strange new world – to quote the original Star Trek series – “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.  It’s five year mission: To explore strange new worlds; To seek out new life, and new civilizations; To boldly go where no man has gone before.” If I’m writing the script, a woman is already there!

This is why, as an author, I feel a great responsibility to my readers and to myself. I’m careful to craft a world that, while foreign, is still believable and abides by its own consistent set of internal rules, a world that just might exist, somewhere, sometime. I want my readers to become part of the story – I want you to taste the wind as it blows across the snow fields in the high mountains of Calen, feel the stomach churning excitement when the wild sapphire blue rivers of Attun-Ra come into view below your flying craft.

If you read my books, you’ll notice my heroines are kick ass. They are more likely to rescue the hero than they are to need his help. They’re smart, savvy, mouthy, courageous – because I do believe, as do my characters, that the antidote to fear is courage. While I hope for a happily ever after, I want you to know that if something should happen to my hero, my heroine would be all right – as a matter of fact, I want my hero to know that too.

My newest release, Daughters of Persephone, is a four-book science fiction series. It follows a single line of genetically enhanced females, all descended from the only surviving Earth Empress, Ya. They are warrior women and Seers. Their blood can heal, it can kill, and it can bind one man to them for all eternity. In books one and two, Exile and Return, you’ll meet the Thousand Year Empress, Aja, and her two sisters, the Lady Ennat and Tem, the Red Demon. In books three and four, Reborn and The Red Demon – coming on September 8 - you’ll meet the new Empress, Issa, Aja’s direct descendant, while Tem, the trickster who flits through time, gets her own well-deserved story.

I invite you to stop by my website anytime: http://juliarachelbarrett.net or email me at Julia@JuliaRachelBarrett.net Come see what mischief my ladies are getting into!



Daughters of Persephone, Book One, Exile

Aja Bokinan, of noble blood, is the Thousand Year Empress who has grown to adulthood in exile. Throughout the Empire, women are banned from public life, have no legal rights, and they have become little better than property.
In an attempt to kill off the royal line and end all resistance, Aja is kidnapped by a General who intends to inject her with a lethal virus, hoping she will infect her family and Women of the Blood everywhere.
Kyr Aram, is a smuggler and secret Resistance fighter. He must find a way to protect Aja from both the General and a traitor on his own ship who wishes to see her dead. With the Thousand Year Empress, he gets more than he bargained for.
Blurb – Daughters of Persephone, Book Two, Return
The Lady Ennat, has been sent by her mother to Resistance Commander, Karna Aram. She is a Blood decoy, her role is to protect her sister Aja, the Thousand Year Empress, and draw the bulk of the Coalition forces away from the Resistance fighters. Knowing she may not live to see tomorrow, she gives into her growing feelings for Commander Aram.
Karna Aram wanted the woman from the moment she set foot on his supply depot, but nobody touches a Princess of the Blood. He resists his bone deep desire until Ennat challenges him to pick up a sword and spar with her. All bets are off. Karna has a different kind of sword play in mind.
When the Ennat and her sister, Aja, are reunited, they know the Coalition is coming after them. They must risk all to save their followers, and the men they love.
At the same time, his brother Commander Karna Aram, spirits the Royal Family out of coalition hands. When Aja’s mother, Empress Veshae Bokinan, retreats into the past, all eyes turn to Aja and her sisters. As the Thousand Year Empress, she has the power to lead the outnumbered resistance forces, but she does not wish to take the throne. Aja has plans of her own.

Bio:

Julia Rachel Barrett writes fiction, nonfiction and poetry.  Her books can be found with Siren, Resplendence Publishing and Cobblestone Press.  She and her family make their home in Northern California.  

HERE IS THE CONTEST!!!!!

• To enter you must be a resident of the USA or Canada and over eighteen.  

•  You must be a follower of this blog to enter.
  
  
• Contest ends at Midnight E.S.T. Thursday, July 29, 2010

• Enter by commenting on this post. One entry per person and email address.

• To get an extra entry subscribe to Julia's site http://juliarachelbarrett.net but enter here in a second comment.
• Please leave the name you follow with, and if there is an extra entry the name you subscribe to Julia's blog with.  Your Email Address and blog (if you have one).

• I will send an email to the winners Friday - Winners will have until MIDNIGHT E.S.T, SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2010 to email back.  If I do not hear from you by then, I will pull another winner.

THE PRIZES

 FIRST PRIZE
A signed copy of Daughters of Persephone
A mermaid bookmark (see photo above) and a  copy of Captured (another fun book by Julia)
Julia will be mailing Daughters of Persephone and I will mail the bookmark and Captured. 

 SECOND PRIZE (Two) Two second prize winners will each receive a copy of Captured

Many, Many Thanks Julia - Great Job!

Alternate Endings: What Would You Do?

I don't really understand why someone would want to write fan fiction.  I found this glossary and one reason came to view and that was an alternate ending. http://www.storynook.net/Glossary.html

There are lots of books where I wish I could change the ending: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince,  Undead and Unfinished volume are two that come to mind. 

For what books would you like to rewrite the ending??  If you would like to say why and/or how?

I don't mean that you should rewrite the whole thing but, a summary: for example for the Harry Potter above I might say, I liked Dumbeledore and I would change so he had not really died and Snape wasn't the bad seed but just had hemorrhoids and that's why he was such an ass.


Tomorrow July 29, Julia Rachel Barrett is guest posting with Why I love science fiction and kick ass women.  And, for first prize we will be giving away a signed copy of her new book Daughters of Persephone(mailed from Julia) and a Mermaid bookmark and a copy of Captured, a previous publication.  Te contest will be from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM by comment.  You must be a fan of THIS blog and will get an extra entry for subscribing to Julia!  Do one entry for the regular and and for the extra entry put in a second comment of Julia's post. 

Just provide your  name for display and the your email address and your website.  State which entry it is (follow fangs or the extra to follow Julia). I will email winners at the email address provided by contestant. You will have until Midnight EST, Saturday, July 3, 2010 to respond to my email and then there will be a new name drawn.

FIRST PRIZE Package above, Two second prize winners will each receive a copy of Captured! 

Julia, thank you for your generosity!  
Mwah

You Don't Always Get what You Want But, You Might Get What You Need

Majix: Notes from a Serious Teen Witch 
By Douglas Rees,  
(http://otterlimits.org/doug/)
Harlequin Teen (http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=21776)
Publication date: July 1, 2010
E-ARC provided by Harlequin Teen with the option of blogger to review
Appearing in www.fangswandsandfairydust.com on July 27, 2010
Reviewed by Stephanie

Marketing Copy:

Kestrel (don't call her Susan) Murphy is angry. Forced to leave her posh San Francisco Bay Area home by her father's illness, she's living in Jurupa (sounds like vomiting), Southern California. It's too hot. The people are stupid. And you have to chew the air to get the oxygen out of it. On the plus side, Kestrel is a witch. Well, a witch-in-training. And she's going acquire the magic she needs to get her life back to normal. At first, she barely notices the people around her-Aunt Ariel, who's taken her in and is herself a well-known white witch; Jose Iturrigaray, the quiet, talented young artist; Blake Cump, troublemaker extraordinaire; Laura Greenwood, who wants to be Kestrel's friend. But life has its own magic, and gradually Kestrel finds that much of one's success as a witch lies in being open to it.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book. I usually read adult or Older YA and this probably at the youngest of the Young Adult range. At the beginning of the tale, told by the accomplished author Doug Rees, Susan, comes off as everyone’s worst teen nightmare attitudinally; she is not promiscuous, or addicted, but she is spoiled, bratty and self-centered. Her parents are also self-involved. Kestrel also believes she is a witch, mostly, I surmise because her friend was and at 14 we all want to imitate our peers. Studying the craft and Wicca isn’t a bad path to follow, but her parents are not happy about it. Her dad has a heart attack and other than some poor life style choices the believe stress will be a bock to his recovery. The doctor recommends they off load Kestrel to lessen household stress. So, Kestrel is sent off to her Aunt Ariel, not only a witch but a pretty well-known writer on the craft..

At first Kestrel reacts with the usual teenage “whatever-i-ness” but as her Aunt goes out on a limb for her with an idiotic school-administration and gently helps her see the universe differently, Kestrel begins to transform into a “serious witch.” She and two friends, with great families, stop expecting the universe to give them stuff and begin to earn how to flow with the universe. Like the song goes, “You don’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.”

Rees may lay the teen voice on a bit heavily. The book is first-person/journal entries, so I doubt the written voice would be as teen as the spoken voice. Sometimes it can get in the way. As Kestrel matures, the voice does ease up a bit. She starts to sound sincere. I think a teen would see it as a bogus device and perhaps scoff at it.

Ariel, is a great Aunt, I want one of her! She helps Kestrel get through this time in a town and school foreign to her. I like the relationship the two develop. Ariel’s character is not created outside her interaction with Kestrel. Kestrel’s friends are great but they are fleshed out more as a family.

This is not so much a story about magic or the craft as it is a coming of age story. One kiss between teens; a budding relationship between her aunt and her friend Jose’s brother don’t require caution for a parent. Persons who believe all witchcraft is Satanism should stay clear as their beliefs may be challenged. Other wise, it is great for younger teens (esp. girls) and their folks. Older teens may find it unsophisticated with obvious morals. Parents would enjoy it and wish that every child had an aunt like Ariel.

TRUE BLOOD How Can You Have Your Pudding When You Don't Eat your Meat! (SPOILERS) & Monday Paying It Forward

DOING BAD THINGS TO ME

Every week, I think True Blood is going to give me some meat, you know: a filet mignon with mashies, and a nice veg on the side, but every week I don't even get past the salad.  Eric and Sookie, Bill and Sookie, Alcide and Sookie, Bill and Lorena, Jason and Crystal, and so help me, Tara and the sort of squished Franklin (not the mace Tara, the broad ax!). The closest we have been to anything good is Alcide wearing his shirt only slightly more than Jacob does.  Really, after season two did Alan Ball get death threats from some right-wing group about sex on TV.

There's apparently a rift between the King and his consort, Eric is working on his thousand year-old sworn vengeance on a lot of levels - including widening and encouraging that rift, even as he ingratiates himself with both. I wonder if  his plan is to get Talbot to kill the King.  And, Talbot doesn't seem like a really bad or violent vampire; he doesn't see humans as sentient, but he isn't really cruel.  Lorena may be working on a tan, Sookie, may need a transfusion

True Blood is dancing around being interesting and succeeding in being a gore fest. Gore doesn't take talent.  Could it be they are trying to attract a younger and more and more male audience with gore? This season, vampires are drinking and draining humans instead sucking down their True Bloods (perhaps they discovered it was just expensive orange soda!).

The closest we have had to the tender love we saw in Season One, a big part of the show's popularity, was the teenager humping his girlfriend in the vintage 67 or 68 Mustang rag-top. No wait, we had Tara and Franklin's first encounter when she seemed to have a seizure and Lorena and Bill's twisted encounter. But, I don't think that could compare to the original frisson we all felt when Bill and Sookie first got together (minus the corny bathtub scene) and even the dream Sookie had about Eric after getting sucking all the blood from his wounds while he was "dying" after the exposion.

Eric dreams of Sookie, but the bones of his father have a song of their own and the lyrics are, " Kill the King of Missippi" (come to think of it that is the refrain as well). Maybe the act he is putting on is partly to protect her.  If the King thought he cared about Sookie he could use her as leverage. Would Eric be willing to sacrifice Sookie and /or Pam for his vengeance? It could also be that Eric is trying to convince himself that she means nothing to him. I like the cashmere. He is quite the chameleon. And, his make up is better.

Where Did We Get Tonight?

The King's probing has even Sookie coming to learn she's not just a little gifted, she's downright not human

Tara, for once in her life -- even if it turns out an epic fail, has taken action and not just been a doormat taking whatever dirty feet scrape themselves off on her.

Bill enjoyed or did not enjoy his earlier life with the queen of darkness and fetish, and next week's preview, I don't think he has met his true death. In fact, it may be that after Lorena savages Sookie he nearly finishes the job, which is why, in the sneak preview for the second half of the season,  she is having a chat in the space between life and the hereafter with someone I suspect is her cousin Claudette .

Poor Lafayette; Jesus has seen too much of what drugs can do to people in his job as an orderly. I wish he did have  a real relationship with someone.  But man, that pretty car has been taking some major abuse!

Sookie uses the "F" word once again - Gran is a-spinning in her grave. Trust me I am not F-shy but it is just so not "Book-Sookie." Suddenly, Arlene seems more the innocent than Sookie who just seems sort of helpless and unable to assess the situation as she did with Rene in Season One. She is in a house full of vampires, more or less, powerless. I am not seeing her as resourceful.

Lorena will never get those stains out of the nice blouse she had on.



Paying it Forward

Each week I like to return some of the kindness and generosity I have received since starting out in blogging by featuring a couple of other blogs. This week I would like to recommend the following  blogs:

Julia Barrett's World: I reviewed Julia's book Captured last week and she is guest posting here on Thursday.  Her new book, Daughter's of Persephone just released.  You'll hear more from Julia this Thursday when she guest posts!  She is donating some books for a give-away!

That Bookish Girl's blog is just starting to cook.  She gives succinct reviews that are personal
rather than academic.

That Bookish Girl was created in 2010. It features primarily Young Adult Books, Urban Fantasy Books, Paranormal Romance Books. I write my reviews for the average reader - I try and keep them concise and relevant.

About the Author  

I am a 20 year-old Elementary Education Major (English/Social Studies) who happens to adore books. I will read practically anything, but I particularly enjoy Urban Fantasy, Paranormal and Young Adult books. I am a born and bred Michigander (or Michiganian, whichever you prefer) and reside in the Lower Peninsula (yes, I am a "troll").

 Check out her her great contest for a signed Kelly Armstrong hardcover!

The Kindle Vixen has no idea I am featuring her blog today - probably b/c I only found it last night right before I hit the hay - well the hay hit me really as I fell asleep typing.

Well-written, personal reviews, great tips and information on Kindle and other e-readers, including a great e-reader comparison chart: http://www.kindlevixen.com/archives/911.





Ramblings of a Book Bitch  This is only one of a couple of blogs my twittering pal, Ms. Sparklybearsy keeps.  She is also part of the Gutter Girls and has her own little "durty minded fantasies" site too.  But, her reviews and commentary are smart and well-though out, and sometimes hillarious.  She is very fond of quotes and gives great bits from whatever she is reviewing.  I always think that this is one young woman who is not afraid of stuff!



WOULD YOU like your blog featured here next Monday?   I don't have thousands of followers but I do what I can. It's free and can't be a bad thing.



RANDOM TREAT - Look what I found while eating my Rice Chex this morning (quote blown up for easier reading below:

TRUE BLOOD SECOND HALF OF SEASON PREVIEW

This video may be what messed up my template before, but I had to try again because it is so good!

Alan Ball introduced this at Comic Con .  Some of it comes from tonight's preview but there is more!

Season 3: Comic-Con Second Half Preview

SNAFU

If you are a blogger, it is a good idea to download your template.  Code can sometimes go awry as mine did for the last little while and it was only b/c I had a template saved from June that I was able to restore my page (for some reason I went to a one column side-bar blog! ).  If your blog is okay by you right now in blogger go to design, edit html and at the top it says down load template - do that! 

Oy!

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs I can't wait to read them all!

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)
Patricia Briggs 
Published by Ace (January 31, 2006 ) sold by Penguin Publishing
Purchased
Kindle Edition
Read July 23& 24


Author's comments:

Moon Called is the beginning of the story of Mercedes Thompson a coyote shapeshifter who is also a pretty decent mechanic. Mercy's world looks a lot like ours except that the Otherworld is beginning to be forced out of hiding by our modern technologies. Mercy shares her back fence with the local Alpha werewolf and works evenings on the vampire Stefan's VW bus. She's safe and content -- which doesn't make a very interesting story, does it? So, of course, matters begin to change on the first page. In this book Mercy faces trolls and gremlins, old boyfriends and older vampires.

              http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/moonCalled.shtml

Pat Briggs creates a world subtly different from our own and not so overwhelmingly so that it took quite some time for me to realize the subtle differences. Most of the world is  like ours with fast food burgers and fried chicken; then a young woman buys 30 cheeseburgers and you realize that some how Mercy Thompson's Washington state is  not our Washington State.

I previously read Silver Borne, the most recent in the series, and was enthralled from page one.  I have been reading a lot of YA and debut novels, but I am at heart a series hound and so  I have slowly been drawn back towards this Patricia Briggs series.  And, she has several series: some seem set in that PNR historical.  But, this is the one most attractive to me.  There are fae, vampires, werewolves, and Mercy herself, a skin walker.  I love the diversity in physical qualities that Ms. Briggs describes and their influence on the action and plot. For example, Mercy instantly shifts to coyote, as she says, "complete magic," but werewolves bodies have to completely change and rebuild in a painful process. Werewolves are stronger, in human or wolf form, but Mercy is faster.  These differences would not have an impact except that his book is filled with action and those differences influence tactic and outcome.

Briggs has really researched and thought through the creation of this somewhat different world quite completely.  From the range of werewolf mythology she has carefully chosen her qualities for these creatures. In the two books, I have so read, I have been unable to catch any discrepancy in the qualities of the species, nor have I met anything ridiculous that would bug the heck out of me. Nor, have I found any incredibly stupid sentences as I have in many books (ex. "...The scrolls were forgotten and long lost;" how can you lose something forgotten?).  Briggs is a practiced writer, there is a great balance between internal dialogue, dialogue, description and action.  It isn't over worked or awkward -- the most common tell of the new writer.

Another good quality is that there are few strange names to things.  The first is the Marrok who is the leader of the packs (sorry -- had to).  The word was explained and can be pronounced in one's mind, and the other was seethe used to describe an organizational structure for Vampires. The ability to balance the various ways to tell a story along with creating a subtly different place, makes  reading the book enjoyable.  I like a book that flows.

The character development is great.  Not knowing this was going to be a widely popular run (it was originally contracted for two books) Ms. Briggs had the foresight to develop some characters with a set-up  for the future.  Mercy, her Alpha-were neighbor, Adam and his daughter Jesse are drawn very nicely.  Mercy has some real issues she is working on, she doesn't really fit in, she is a fiercely protective and kind person, but she is also a no-nonsense woman.  She is an honest auto-mechanic!

As Alpha, Adam has to be the strongest in his pack -- even when he isn't. due to injuries. His decisions are not driven by his needs but his packs. His daughter, 15 year-old Jesse is fun and carefree at the beginning of the book, but her experiences give her some gravity towards the end.  A relationship triangle is also obviously forming between Sam, Mercy's former boyfriend from the wolf pack that took in a poor little coyote, the Alpha, Adam and Mercy.  Supporting characters are sufficiently drawn so we can believe in them.


Action is pretty much non-stop.  Some how the pace mimics the way of the the were and coyote. Its always moving, but not always at breakneck speed, sometimes stories do move with action other than fights. A lot of character drawing and backstory occurs while driving, some action is the magic of using power to heal and to strengthen. 

I would recommend this first book to everyone, from older teens to women and men my age. I can't speak to the suitability of the rest of the series; there is violence, but not much in the way of sensuality in this one.  It's an enjoyable, engrossing read.

Have you read this series - what did you like or dislike?

Julia Rachel Barrett and her Novels Monday Pay-It-Forward Do You Want to Play?

Captured by  Julia Rachel Barrett

Read Early July

Publisher Siren

Book provided by author for use in contest and for review.



This coming Thursday my pal Julia Rachel Barret will be guest posting and giving away a signed copy of her newest book Daughters of Persephone.  To add to the fun we will also be giving away three copies of a novella, Captured. 

Mari wakes naked, on the cold metal floor of a cargo cage. She has been captured by an alien trapper, Ekkatt, a man of Attun-Ra. Her destination is the meat market. Her only hope of survival is to connect with Ekkatt. She never expects to fall in love with him.

Julia's work is very real to the reader, it seems like an internal dialogue you might be having for yourself.  Her main characters in Captured are individuals with distinct personalities who grow through experience and adapt to the changes in their life. She provides some poignant, character-defining history too.  I especially enjoyed how Mari puzzled things out and was able to adopt behaviors that kept her alive.


Julia says she dreamed the story, in which case she has kickass dreams because Captured has one of the most inventive plots I have read in years.  In fact she may have added to the seven story adage with an eighth.  I read Captured in an evening and enjoyed the very hot love scenes, as well as the danger.  Sometimes, I wonder if it is hard to write about sex but Julia sure doesn't shy away from it. I also thought writers who write these erotic scenes must be, well I don't know, but it usually turns out they are lovely, educated, women who are as normal as you or I (uh-oh).



So, come by Thursday for a shot at one of four books.
Find out more about Julia Rachel Barrett at http://juliarachelbarrett.net/ .

Paying-it Forward: I don't much keep to a schedule of features but, on Monday I like to show my gratitude for the help I have received by featuring blogs I find helpful, or new, or exciting. Would you like your blog featured? Please send me an email at steph(at)fangswandsandfairydust(dot)com.

Let's Go to the Hop!

Weekends are made for networking if you are a book blogger. Jen's Crazy-for-Books was my first and so it is always a special event. Check it out:





This weeks question is what are you reading? I am reading Patricia Briggs Moon Called. I feel like I have read it before so it will be interesting to see if I did. Reading as much as I am it's hard to remember and I am not good about putting stuff on Shelfari or Good Reads. Heck I am not good at putting stuff on shelves even!

I also participate in the Friday Feature and Follow at ParaJunkee's View




I was the first featured blog and still revere PJV for her thoughtfulness. Her blog is great -- over a thousand follow her blog! Reviews, news, contests -- she is the book blog queen -- or maybe she is co-regent with Jen at Crazy for Books. Thanks ladies!

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter
Julie Kagawa

Harlequin Teen (http://www.eharlequin.com)

E-Galley provided by Harlequin through NetGalley.com
Read July 21 & 22, 2010




Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Five months after she leaves he home and family to fulfill a bargain she struck to get the Prince Ash’s help to save her brother in The Iron King, Meghan Chase finds herself alone and ignored by everyone at the winter court except for a Phouka. She can’t leave and she seems the pawn of every major player there. When war threatens due to the loss of an ancient and powerful artifact, she and Ash have to go after it.

There is nothing like the kind of struggle this young woman faces to make you grow up fast, and we get to see Meghan improve her ability to make decisions. Her honesty earns respect from non-tradition fey; but the majority of fey are just too self-absorbed. And, the morality of fey is such that culture shock would be a mild term for how we would feel if plunked down in the midst of the Nevernever. Add royalty to the mix and the Summer King and Winter King, thousands of years old and immortal seem less mature than Prince Ash and Meghan. The story and the action allow Kagawa to fully develop the major players' characters.

There is a lot of action in this book. Meghan, Ash and Robin Goodfellow rarely get any sleep and I don’t recall them eating much of anything. But, Meghan has learned how to keep her head, how to make a decision under pressure and how to get her companions to do what she decides. She saves as often as she is saved. She has also learned to accept help, but not to strike a bargain with the fey to get it. The book is pretty bloody, enough that if it were a film graphically portraying the written events I would not see it.

There is more in the way of sensuality in the book as well. I know kids are sophisticated but this book is resting on the Young Adult precipice just about ready to fall into Adult. I don’t mean it’s erotica – no, no, no, but I would say parents think of the maturity level of your teen and whether some heavy duty kissing on a bed which might progress elsewhere is something they are ready for. It is at the very least PG-13.

There is an active Twilight-esque love triangle pretty in the book between the Prince, Meghan and her former guard, Robin Goodfellow. Meghan struggles to overcome an estrangement from the Prince in Robin’s willing arms, surprised and ashamed to find she also feels something for him.

One of my favorite characters in the book is a Caith Sith, or Cat Fey, named Grimalkin. Like cats Grimalkin is obsessed with cleaning his paws, and only shows up when needed - usually. Meghan learns this about him; he is loyal as needed. He also talks and his voice seems probably similar to Garfield and Chesire-like can disappear at will.

I like, and I think most adults will, Meghan’s loyalty to her friends and family, her willingness to do what the task requires, even when it is way out of her comfort zone. I don’t like her continued feelings for a boy who denies their relationship to protect her, because their natural enemies, because when they are broken up he sees her kissing Robin. She continues to pursue him until he sees the light and changes him! Each time they separate, he shows up again just as she is getting on her feet.

As I said, there is a lot of action here, some a bit same-old, same-old and some new and different. There is a subtle addition of Sci-fi into this fantasy book. Another great book to borrow from your son or daughter; it will give you something to talk about. But Kagawa is never heavy-handed in the morals at all; they come about naturally. This is good for older, more experienced teens and adults like me who enjoy epic, but modern adventures.

To learn more about Julie Kagawa go to http://www.juliekagawa.com.

Have you read either of these?  What did you think?

Kristen Stewart's retro sunglasses in 'Eclipse'

Yes, I want the sunglasses Kristen Stewart was wearing in Eclipse in the scene with her mom.
On Facebook today there was a link to this article. There are three similar pairs available. I want the $11 pair!
Style Hunter: Kristen Stewart's retro sunglasses in 'Eclipse'

FAVORITE MYTHICAL SPECIES

Lions, Vampires and Weres -  Oh my!


I am reading The Iron Daughter and I think there are more different creatures in this book than any I have ever read: They even have Phoukas, the creature who was Jimmy Stewart's invisible friend in the 1950 movie Harvey, probably one of the best movies ever made.

In The Iron Daughter the first Phouka can change shapes at will.  Apparently, in Harvey he took the form of a giant bunny.


What are your favorite mythical species and what is it about them that makes them your favorites?  Or, what are your least favorites? It can be a species as portrayed in one book/film or series.


I would love to know!

I really like faeries - not the bad faeries though.   They have an interesting morality so different from our own.  So they can be totally sybaritic and yet cannot lie.


I do like pixies or piksies, and all the sylph-like creatures. They are very sensual and in good shape. Depending on the book, I like Vamps, gargoyles (leathery in The Hollows and dragons.)

AND THE WINNER IS: MAD BLOGGER'S TEA PARTY CSN GIVEAWAY!

First, allow me to thank you all for entering.  It is exciting to have had the opportunity to work with CSN and celebrate reaching 200 followers. I hope you all continue following and commenting. When I chat with you all it is the best part of the day!

Without further ado: 

THE WINNER IS brandileigh2003.

I have already sent out an email so she has 48 hours to get in touch with me to receive her $70 Gift Card Code from CSN Stores.  That is until 4:10 EST Friday July 23.


You are all GREAT! Stay tuned for more contest, news, reviews and commentary!

Wickedly Wednesday: Last Hours to Enter The Mad Blogger's ContestThe Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker

You have until 3 PM EST to enter. 
Winner announced no later than Thursday, July 22.
Click on the Mad Hatter Button.



The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker
Leanna Renee Hieber
Read, July 18-20
Kindle Ed. Purchased

Description:

With radiant, snow white skin and hair, Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Accompanying the ghosts with which she alone could converse, new and terrifying omens loomed. A war was coming, a desperate ploy of a spectral host. Victorian London would be overrun.  Yet, Percy kept faith. Within the mighty bastion of Athens Academy, alongside The Guard whose magic shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams or nightmares—may come.  

(http://www.leannareneehieber.com/books/)

I am not certain how I feel about this book, the sequel to The Strangely Beautiful Life of Miss Percy Parker.  At times reading the past couple of days I was, in turns, bored, confused and irate, interested. I had a hard time getting through it, really. I am not entirely sure how to classify it.  Obviously it is fantasy, romantic urban fantasy bordering on steampunk?  There are no weird inventions, although the very building in which much of the story occurs is sort of a machinated, supernatural way-station. But it is more about magic than pseudo-science or steampunk there.

I was never certain during the story how it would turn out at the end.  Usually I find stories predictable, which can be comforting or boring, or both even.  Ms. Hieber doesn't seem to have a problem surprising me. But I think the novel drags some at the start and at times in the middle. We are often subjected to demonstrations of character development in the supporting characters. I was a bit troubled by a hint of domestic violence or at least dominance. But, he feels really sorry after &8722; don't they all?

I feel the story relies too much on Persephone's strange appearance. It is mentioned at least once per page. And still I find it hard to imagine what she would look like.  It is understood from the start that Persephone will have to journey into the underworld where her sort-of-ex resides. Ms. Hieber's writing her way through this place &8722; through the book, really, fuzzily Dantean, or perhaps reminded me of Calvino's Invisible Cities, of which, having read it some 28 years ago,  I may have a somewhat fuzzy memory.

In the end, well that you will need to find out on your own, but on this end I would recommend this allegorical work to readers who enjoy the more fantastic and nebulous forms of fantasy;  using a five star system I would give this 3 1/2.


Now reading The Iron Daughter by Kagawa, sequel to The Iron King, officially out on July 27.

MAD BLOGGER'S TEA PARTY CSN GIVEAWAY!

DoN'T ForgeT to EnTeR the  CoNTesT B4 WednEsDay at   

3PM EST
Click Mad Hatter Button, above

TRUE BLOOD, EXCITING CLIP SPOILER ALERT ERIC looks HOT again!

If you missed Sunday's episode I don't know if you should watch this. It is assuredly revelatory in a spoiling manner!

Happiness is Eric looking hot again. I think they may have gotten a new makeup artist. Even when it isn't 900 AD he (and Bill and even the creepy King) don't look too pasty for words.

I am excited because I seem to have gotten the meaning of the Eric in Sweden 900 AD scene right on target!

Ep. 29: Inside the Episode

Also, a "member of my medical team's sister" was an extra in a movie, in scenes with Robert Pattinson. Her specially solicited report was that he is not as cute in person. But, it isn't the actor we are obsessed with it is the actor as the character, right?

You may notice me posting every other day versus every day for the next few weeks. My somewhat older Mom is coming to visit and I have to be on my toes! She doesn't get "blogging" or my volunteer work, and thinks I am up in my office playing video games.

Monday Pay It Forward & True Blood SPOILERS?

Enter before Wednesday at 3 PM EST to win a $70 Gift Code from CSN Stores!
On Mondays I like to "Pay Forward" the generosity of bloggers who have helped me start out by featuring a couple of blogs to encourage my friends and followers to look at different blogs! Some are starting out, and some are just cool blogs I like and some are great resources!

This week there are two great resource blogs I want to tell you about:



The first, Parajunkee's View, is not only a great blog to read about the genres of Urban Fantasy, PNR, fantasy or Science Fiction, but it is a great source of information about blogging and the host of the Follow Friday.  PJV also has great contests and other info for challenges, and news.   


The second resource blog is also a great place for reviews, news and contests is Bites.  With its absolutely stunning design, Bites gives us an idea of how a blog could look. This past weekend there was a great post on blog design.


Coffee Table Press links two of our favorite things, books and coffee!  The design makes you think you can actually smell the roasted coffee being ground and brewed! Aimee says:

>

I'm a big fan of reading and writing. I have been writing my own little reviews on shelfari and decided to try my own blog. I love all kinds of books, mystery, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, young adult, erotica, historical romances and just any romance book. 

Great contest the 23rd to 25th for a copy of The Body Finder or Twice Bitten.




I was trolling through the Crazy for Books Book Blogger's Hop  and Friday Follow when I came across Read It or See It which is unique in my blogging experience for discussing the both certain books and their movies.  It is a constant question in life, isn't it, whether the book is better than the movie or vice versa? This blog could help! The design right now is clean and spare as they are just starting out in the blogosphere.



So, readers, I encourage you to look at these other blogs, after you spend lots of time on mine!And, Pay It Forward!  If you would like to have your blog considered for this feature please email me at steph(at)fangswandsandfairydust(dot)com.




True Blood SPOILERS




TrueBlood was just slightly more focused this week, and  I enjoyed a bit more.  Bill is playing a game I just don't get. I hope the King of Mississippi gets staked and Lorena too. The King is probably going to propose to the Queen of LA, stake her, then be King of both through ascension. He is a creep!

Eric is up to something. We have set up Eric's reason for whatever he does this season.  Do you think he has connected the King to the man who killed his family and the Nazi werewolves? I think Talbot is a bit disenchanted as consort. Franklin is totally nuts and for once Tara is acting smart. The last scene was pretty good.
What did you think? The Viking crown was lovely, no?

Thanks to Savannah at Blogs With Bite for this:

Vampire PscychologyInception video

  



PLEASE ENTER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!






 


The Vampire Shrink
Book 1, Kismet Knight, Ph.D., Vampire Psychologist Series

Lynda Hilburn
Amazon Kindle Edition Purchase
Read July 17, 2010

Synopsis (http://www.lyndahilburnauthor.com/books.html): 

Denver Psychologist Kismet Knight, Ph.D., doesn’t believe in the paranormal. She especially doesn’t believe in vampires. So what happens when she finds herself neck-deep in the vampire underworld?

Kismet is smart, witty and attractive. She’s respected in her field, successful and prosperous. She’s followed all the rules – done everything right. So, what’s the problem? Her life is empty. There’s no passion. No vitality. No excitement.


That is, until a new client introduces Kismet to the vampire underworld, and a drop-dead gorgeous, 800-year-old vampire named Devereux. Kismet isn’t buying the vampire story, but can’t explain why she has such odd reactions and feelings whenever Devereux is near. Kismet is soon forced to open her mind to other possibilities when she is visited in her office by two angry bloodsuckers, who would like nothing better than to challenge Devereux by hurting Kismet.


As Kismet gets pulled deeper and deeper into the vampire subculture, she struggles to hold onto her professional ideas about what is and isn’t “real.” The more she finds herself attracted to the charismatic, handsome Devereux, the more out of control her life becomes.


When one of her clients shows up in her office almost completely drained of blood, Kismet finds herself immersed in an ongoing murder investigation. Kismet is questioned by irreverent, handsome FBI profiler Alan Stevens, who warns her that vampires are very real. And one is a murderer. A murder who is after her.


In the midst of all this, Kismet realizes she has feelings for both the vampire and the profiler, but even though she cares for each of the men, facing the reality that vampires exist – along with all the other supernatural insanity she discovers – is enough of a challenge. For now.

Two Words: Bloody Fluff

It is so easy to ascribe an unwarranted or improbable affection to the hypnotic abilities of an old (therefore strong) vampire or just their natural aura. In The first Vampire Psychologist novel one certainly expects the strong-willed Kismet Knight, Ph.D. not to give in to the gorgeous, white blonde, well-endowed (large feet I guess), powerful, ancient mage/vampire. Okay, well maybe she gives in a little. She is repeatedly attacked, sees people “pop” in and out of rooms, sees blood drinking, and still refuses to believe in the supernatural. Then, emotionally, overwhelmed she is forced to give in to belief and Devereux. The resulting sex is white-hot. The villainy comes in the form of an evil vampire who plans to dominate or destroy both Devereux and Kismet.

This novel was predictable from start to finish. Of course, Kismet is tall and lithe, the genetic legacy of her father, but is well-endowed on top as a DNA gift from mom. Her hair is long and curly. One knows that there is going to be a relationship between the woman and the vampire, but the relationship that develops with an FBI profiler does offer a tiny unpredictable element.

The idea of a Vampire psychologist is originally intended by Kismet as a way to counsel people who want to be vampires or who believe they are. A scientist, Kismet is not going to give in easily to believing in the supernatural. And she holds out longer than any empiricist would be expected to. She capitulates in other ways prior to believing.

Occasionally, the author seems to spin n circles a bit; and lose the plot. The characters are not developed past caricature. The erotic scenes are well done. The predictability makes this a good beach or travel read - who wants to think that hard at the beach or with all the distractions of travel?  Definitely not for teens. I would say it is okay; don’t expect any life altering messages, but enjoyable.



Entertainment:  With Eclipse released and Breaking Dawn so far in the future (part 1, Nov. 18, 2011), It seems as if my "news" section has gone 'pfft," but I  saw the following article

Inception, the psy-thriller, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page and a few other names,  released on Friday and Movie Phone - Inside Movies gives us "The Biggest WTF?! Movies Ever" Check out the article! The movie seems to be getting good reviews and the trailers certainly point to something visually arresting.

CONTEST