Random Book

Okay, so I work at a Library, and occasionally I see a book and it catches my eye.  Tonight I was putting away children's books and this one caught my attention, so I picked it up and read it.

That Book Woman by Heather Henson.

This was a very sweet book written from the perspective of a young boy who watches his sister read all the time.  He doesn't understand why she wants to read so much, and doesn't like it when a stranger with books comes and his father offers to trade berries that the young boy worked to pick, for the books.  I love how this story plays out and sincerely wish for this for many people.

I often have people ask me why I read so much, and most don't understand what I get out of it.  I have even been poked at because I read so much.  I personally don't care; I am not offended when people shake their heads at me.  If only they knew the joy that came from reading they would understand.  I love getting lost in a fictional world, and 'making new friends' with the characters.  I know that is an odd way to describe reading, but I truly get caught up in the lives of the characters.

Now, I know that Vampires are not real. I am not delusional, but I do enjoy reading about them and fantasizing about what it would be like to live in a world of vampires, or werewolves, or fearies, or magic, etc.  Don't get me wrong I don't actively hope for these things, I just enjoy pretending.

Most children play pretend all day long or have imaginary friends; I think that my reading (excessively) is my way of playing pretend, that’s all.  Anyway long story short, read the above book, truly it is a wonderful homage to all the people who love reading!


Tell me of any random books that you have read, and why you think they are special...
Tell me why you love reading...

Daydreams of a better time...

The weather today is fantastic!  Even in mid January, when we usually have frigid temperatures, windand snow leading to blizzards, today is wonderful!  It is sunny which warms the skin rather than tease you by making you think it will be warm then you freeze when you step outside.

The current temp is 48 degrees with a promised high of 52.  There is barely a breeze which keeps it from feeling like 20 degrees with a windchill.  Did I mention it is sunny?  I am sitting here at work surrounded by books, yes I'm in a Library, and I was thinking about sitting at the lake with a book in hand.  This last summer my sister and friend came to visit and we made a day of it at the lake.  It obviously was warmer than 48 degrees, more like 98, but what got me thiniking was I can't wait for my summer read books.

I know, I know you can read any type of book any time of the year, but I vividly remember reading while sitting in a lawn chair next to the water, it makes reading the books about fun in the sun much more enjoyable. Then after spalshing around with friends and soaking up the sun I recall heading home for more relaxing reading and just couldn't wait to do it all again the next day...which we then did!

What books do you enjoy reading most?  Does the time of year or weather affect your choices?  Let me know your favorites, and I'll check them out!

Here are some of my favorite light summer reads:

Heartstrings and Diamond Rings by Jane Graves

Chicago Stars Series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

The Specialists series by Shannon Greenland

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hush Hush, Cressendo, Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

Books to be released in April 2012

April 2012...Yay for new books

This is the third book in the FBI series by Julie James.

From Julie James' website...

HE’S PLAYING GAMES

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she’s stunned. More troubling to the beautiful Assistant U.S. Attorney is that she’s still wildly attracted to him.

BUT SHE’S MAKING THE RULES

Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn’t thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case—but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can’t say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won’t give up on something he wants—and what he wants is the one woman he’s never forgotten. . .

The date for release is April 3, 2012.

http://juliejames.com

This is the sixth book of the Others Series by Christine Warren.

From Christine's Website:

Most girls would throw a fit if their parents tried to set up an arranged marriage for them. It's so outrageously old-fashioned—even for a Tiguri family, members of a fierce race of shapeshifting weretigers. But Saskia isn't getting her claws out just yet. She'll go through with this marriage to help unite two powerful families—and because her husband-to-be Nicolas Preda is the sexiest, hunkiest, and onlyman she's ever wanted…

Of course, marrying an alpha male like Nic comes with its share of danger. As leader of his Streak and head of a global corporation, Nic and his new fiancée must take their places in the jungles of Manhattan—and the local Others seem to have a strict “no pets” policy. In fact, the Council seems to think the Tiguri are at the root of all their problems, including an attempt on the life of its leader. If Nic hopes to protect his name and his mate, it's hunt or be hunted—and he can't do it alone. But if anyone can bring out the beast in him, it's the sexy, savage tigress he's sworn to love…

Set to be released April 24, 2012

http://christinewarren.net

This is all I have for April as of now, if I come across any others, I'll let you know!

Darker After Midnight

Today is the much awaited release of Lara Adrian's 7th Midnight Breed Book; Darker after Midnight.

From Lara's website :http://www.laraadrian.com
The climactic novel in Lara Adrian’s New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series--and her hardcover debut--Darker After Midnight invites readers to enter a thrillingly sensual world where danger meets desire.
In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order--a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike--to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.
At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach--until he finds himself drawn to a beautiful young woman who may be something much more than she seems . . .

Get your copy now!   Let me know what you think about Chase's story!

Blackdagger Brotherhood and The Fallen Angels by JR Ward

** There may be slight spoilers in this post, so if you haven't read be aware! **

BDB is my all time favorite vampire series!  I have read many and loved many vampire characters and worlds, but by far this is my true love!  I would like to dedicate a post just for the Brothers and of Course theirs mates, friends, and everything about JR Ward's BDB World!  Let me know who your favorite Brother is, or favorite characters.  Also if you haven't read The Fallen Angels books, do so, she has said that she may combine BDB and the Angels later on.

I found this online and thought it was close!  These guys are HOTT!!

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York,
there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their
slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers
like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their
race.

The first in the series.  This is Wrath and Beth's book.  We also meet Fritz in this book and seriously I would love to have a Doggen like him.  I was sad when at the begining we just barely meet Darius then all of a sudden, well you know.  (We'll talk about him a bit later)  I was happy though that we get to meet Beth, his daughter and thought it was great that she and Wrath are meant to be.  They make the perfect King and Queen!

This is the second in the series.  This is Rhage and Mary's book.  This book had me laughing and crying and seriously wanting to become part of their world.  I was impressed by the love between the Brothers' when it came to Rhage's 'beast'.  I really like Mary and the entire story is a can't put it down, or I'll seriously die type of read.

Third book in series.  This is Zsadist Bella's book.  I love Zsadist, he is truely the most complex and haunted Brother.  Although both Phury and Vishous give him a run for the title. I was in awe of the amount of emotion between Phury, Bella, Zsadist and all the Brothers.  We also get to see more of Rehvenge whom I think is Bad A**!!  I love the ending especially, I was like crying and clapping and laughing for Z when he finally writes for Bella. Awwww!

Fourth book in series.  This is Butch and Marissa's Book.  I Loved Butch when we first met him in Dark Lover.  He is the perfect addition to the Brotherhood.  I was impressed as Ward spun the story into something I never would have seen coming.  I really like the side story of V and Butch, then adding Marissa, is great.  At first I didn't really like Marissa, but she grew on me and I have read this book more than all the others.

Fifth book in series.  This is Vishous and Jane's book.  I was super excited to see V's book come after Butch's because I was scared that V was going to be left alone...well alone as you can get with a band of Brothers around you.  At the beginning I was super freaked that he was going to be killed off and I would have had to boycott reading any more books, but no fear I was not to be disappointed.  There are so many things happening in this book and the events set the stage for future books.  I am happy to have gotten to know more about V and even more about Butch, the love between them is epic and I loved every second of this book.

Sixth Book in series.  This is Phury and Cormia's book.  This one was a bit slower going for me, but I loved reading about what happened to Phury and the mental issues he was going through.  I thought this was a very hott book because Phury is usually so reserved that seeing him out of that is WOW.  Cormia was great to add in because she is so innocent and perfect in the world that is completely being turned upside down.

Read this next, there are some short stories and more in depth to each Brother.

Seventh book in series.  This is Rehvenge and Elhena's book.  We get to learn about Sympaths and Xhex and WOW there is a lot in this book.  I was on the edge of my seat through this book biting my nails and generally just freaking out!  The events that lead up to figuring out who Rev is and what he and Xhex have done to link to Elhena is mind boggling!  We also get a closer look at both Moors 'shadow brothers' (Trez and iAm) that are Rev's bodyguards/friends.  (They come up in the Fallen Angels series)  I hope that in an upcoming book she explains more of what they are.

Eight book in series. John Matthew and Xhex's book.  This was one huge crazy adventure from start to finish!  I think if I'm not mistaken is one of her longest books too.  The best part of this book is that we finally learn that John Mathew really is Darius reicarnated, and we learn who Xhex really is and meet another Brother (Murhder)  This story is pretty complicated because it includes basically every single character...John is brother/Dad to Beth...mates Xhex who was named by Darius, and raised by Tor, Xhex is taken by Lash which involves Blay, Quinn, and John.  We then meet Xhex's Mom, who technically knows all the Brothers, Business partners/friends/fellow sympath to Rev, friends with Trez and iAm, John looks at Tor like a father figure who then brings in Lassiter (for what we don't know yet) when he re-joins the brothers.  Really there are so many connections I can't even get them all.

Ninth book in series.  Manny and Payne's book.  Another meet more people book, we actually have met Manny and Payne before, but we really get to know them in this book.  I like how once we figure out who Payne is we learn more about V and the Scribe Virgin!  Ward also introduces us to The Band of Bastards.  This is where the Fallen Angels and BDB actually do intertwine a bit more than any of the other books.  This is actually my least favorite of them all I felt like it was just a bit rushed, but otherwise I'm still a HUGE fan of the BDB!!

Tenth book in Series, Tohrment's book set to be released on March 27, 2012

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. This is the first battle between a savior who doesn't believe and a demon with nothing to lose!

Pictures listed in order...the fourth book, Rapture, is set to come out in September 2012.

These books are about a game being played between heaven and hell or God and the Devil.  Jim is the player who is supposed to make the best choice (for good) to be able to save the entire world.  He is helped along by two fallen angels, Adrian and Eddie, (which has a tragic turn in Envy) while fighting against Devina i.e. evil incarnate.

For more in depth information check out JR Wards' website!

JR Ward's Website

Let me know your thoughts about these books!!! :)

Jeaniene Frost Night Huntress Books

First Book in Series

I have a few friends that have been reading these books with me.  So I figured I would spotlight them on here.
I was in the library one day and came across the first book, I read it and couldn't put it down.  Soon after I went to find the third book (after reading the second of course) and the library didn't have it, I decided I absolutely loved the series so I went online and bought all that were out.  I then scoured Frost's website and Amazon to find all the novellas and any other little bit of Cat and Bones and the Night huntress world I could find.  I have since then loaned the entire series out to five different friends have gotten them hooked.  The chemistry and interaction between all the characters (not just Cat and Bones) is amazing, and I sincerely love this series!


Of course we all love Cat and Bones, and are impatiently awaiting Vlad's book...but even with out Sexy Vlad's book there are quite a few to read.  Most of the time, there is confusion as to what exact order to read them.  On Jeaniene's Website she listed them in this order...

One Foot in the Grave...Second book

Reading order of Night Huntress series, Night Huntress World novels,  anthologies* set in the Night Huntress universe and Night Prince:

RECKONING (Ebook prequel novella set in Bones’s point of view before he meets Cat*)

HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE

ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER (ebook novella*)

AT GRAVE’S END

DEVIL TO PAY (ebook novella*)

DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE

MAGIC GRAVES (ebook anthology featuring a Cat and Bones story*)

FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON

ETERNAL KISS OF DARKNESS

THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE

ONE GRAVE AT A TIME

THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (contains a long Cat and Bones novella, “Home for the Holidays”)
ONCE BURNED

Eternal Kiss of Darkness...Mencheres' Book

Hopefully now this clears up the reading order and you can enjoy with out worry...

Lastly there are also some great deleted scenes on her website, check them out!

http://jeanienefrost.com

Books being released in March 2012

This is the third in Jaci Burton's Play by Play series.Due to come out Mar. 6, 2012
If you want to score, you have to get in the game…

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty...

http://jaciburton.com/books

On March 23, The Hunger Games movie will be in Theaters.I know this isn't technically a book, but the movie is based on the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I enjoyed reading the Hunger games trilogy, and I am super excited for the movie.
http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com  Check out this link to see the trailer, it is awesome!

Yay!!! Tohrment's book!!!

Long awaited 10th Blackdagger Brotherhood book.
Due to be released Mar 27, 2012

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  Now back in the Brotherhood – and unrecognisable as the vampire leader he once was – Tohrment is physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair. When he begins to see his beloved in his dreams – trapped in a cold, isolating netherworld – Tohr turns to a self-serving fallen angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost.

When he’s told he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed…Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past, and a very hot, passion-filled future… but can his heart let go and set all of them free?

http://www.jrward.com/

Third novel in the Rising Star Chef series by Louisa Edwards.  
Set to be released on Mar 27, 2012.

SHE’S THE ONE HE LEFT BEHIND

Henry Beck thought he’d already faced the toughest kitchen challenge of his life. After all, what could top sweating it out as a Navy cook on a submarine? But when he learns his competition for the title of Rising Star Chef is the sweet hippie girl he married...and left...ten years ago, the heat is on.

HE’S THE ONE SHE CAN’T FORGET

Now Beck and Skye Gladwell are going head to head in the finals...and sparking up old flames every time they touch. But Skye wants more than a win over the man who abandoned her when she needed him most—she wants a divorce! Then her sexy almost-ex makes a deliciously dangerous proposition. He’ll give in to her demands, but if his team wins the RSC, he has a demand of his own...one last taste of the only woman he ever loved.
http://www.louisaedwards.com

Books coming out in February 2012

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is no party girl, but she’s managing to have a reasonably good time at the celebrity-packed bash celebrating The Icove Agenda, a film based on one of her famous cases. It’s a little spooky seeing the actress playing her, who looks almost like her long-lost twin. Not as unsettling, though, as seeing the actress who plays Peabody—drowned in the lap pool on the roof of the director’s luxury building. Talented but rude, and widely disliked, K. T. Harris had made an embarrassing scene during dinner. Now she’s at the center of a crime scene—and Eve is more than ready to get out of her high heels and strap on her holster, to step into the role she was born to play: cop.


This book by JD Robb is coming out Feb 21, 2012.


http://jdrobb.com/

The 6th Elemental Assassin book by Jennifer Estep comes out Feb 28, 2012.


Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.


http://www.jenniferestep.com/

Books to be released in January 2012

This book is a Novella in the Soul Screamers Series and was released on Jan. 1, 2012.  This is from Sophie's POV.  Sophie finally learns about her family, but will she be able to deal?

Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin's strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she's put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then, Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream—and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep...forever.

Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family...?

http://www.rachelvincent.com/

Darker After Midnight is the 10th book in the Midnight Breed Series.  It will be released on Jan. 24, 2012  This is Chase's long awaited book.  At the end of Deeper than Midnight, Chase give's himself up to be arrested in order to save the rest of the Order...what does he have up his sleeve?

In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach. But when his eyes meet those of Tavia Fairchild, a beautiful witness who identifies him at the scene of a mission gone terribly wrong, Chase finds himself drawn to the woman—and convinced she is something much more than she seems.

Pulled into a vortex of intrigue and danger she can neither resist nor understand, Tavia is uncertain whom to trust. And while everything sane and logical warns her against getting close to Chase, she cannot deny that the handsome, deeply haunted male stirs something primal and ravenous within her. But even as she surrenders to her cravings, nothing can prepare her for the shattering truth of who—and what—she truly is.

As the Order’s enemy mobilizes for the battle of the ages, Dragos and his Minions unleashing a hell on Earth like nothing ever seen before, Chase and Tavia are thrust into the heart of the violence. With time running out and the streets running red with the blood of innocent lives, both Breed and human, together Chase and Tavia must find a way to defeat Dragos once and for all—or die trying.

http://www.laraadrian.com/

Lenobia's Vow is the second book in the House of Night Novella's.  This book will be released on Jan. 31, 2012.  After reading Dragon's Oath I am excited to hear more about Lenobia's life before she came to Tulsa' House of Night.

A great journey…

A new love….

A dark secret revealed.

Evreux, France, 1788: Before she is Zoey’s favorite professor and the House of Night’s powerful horse mistress… Lenobia is just a normal 16-year-old girl – with enough problems to last a lifetime. As the illegitimate daughter of a powerful baron, she has never quite belonged, and instead has to watch her spoiled half-sister, Cecile, get anything she wants. As if that’s not enough, her remarkable beauty draws unwanted attention wherever she goes. For once, she would like to just fit in.

But when fate intervenes, Lenobia suddenly finds herself surrounded by other girls, on a ship bound for New Orleans, where they will be married off to the city’s richest Frenchmen. And they’re not alone…. An evil bishop who is skilled in Dark magic makes the same journey. His appetite for lovely young women makes him dangerous – most of all to Lenobia, who caught his eye back in France. So she remains hidden, making secret visits to the ship’s stables, where a handsome young man and his beautiful Percheron horses soon capture her attention.

Will they make it to land before the bishop discovers her true identity and a powerful evil breaks loose? And will Lenobia follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? Find out more about one of your favorite professors in the next heart-thumping House of Night Novella.

  http://www.houseofnightseries.com/

This is book 5.5 in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep.  It is an E-Novella, so you'll have to get it digitally.  It will be released Jan 31, 2012.

Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, might have finally killed her nemesis, Mab Monroe, but that doesn’t mean that it’s smooth sailing. Gin goes to Mab’s funeral to say her goodbyes and runs into some of Ashland’s most notorious underworld power players, including Jonah McAllister and Phillip Kincaid. McAllister wants her dead, and Kincaid has his own murky motives when it comes to the Spider, and Gin once again finds herself fighting for her life. Only this time, she might wind up in the cemetery right next to Mab….

http://www.jenniferestep.com

This is the third book in the Charley Davidson books, it is humorous witty and action packed! 

This book by Darynda Jones is coming on Jan 31, 2012.

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the parthuman, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hellbent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?

http://www.darynda.com