• Baby, it’s cold outside …

    4 Comments

    The calendar says April, but it feels like February here today. And it’s supposed to snow tonight. Snow! Wherever you are, I’m hoping your city is warmer than my neck of the woods right now. Brrr! :hulk:

  • 933 and counting …

    Finished Wicked Deeds on A Winter’s Night by Kresley Cole. This is the third book in her popular Immortals After Dark paranormal romance series.

    In this one, Bowen MacRieve, a Lykae (think werewolf), has been mourning the loss of his mate for more than a hundred years. So he’s surprised when he’s attracted to Mariketa the Awaited, a powerful witch. And Bowen is even more shocked when his Lykae Instinct starts to tell him that Mari is his mate (you only get one in a lifetime). Too bad Mari hates Bowen since he trapped her in a tomb with some nasty creatures who made her drink blood, among other things. But Bowen is determined to win Mari over, especially since some sort of mysterious danger is threatening his witch …

    I enjoyed the other Immortals books that I’ve read, and this one was no exception. I really like the fairy-tale feel Cole has given her world of witches, Valkyries, vampires, and more. She puts a different spin on the usual creatures you find in paranormal romance.

    I also really liked Mari’s character in this one. It was refreshing to see one of the immortals struggle with the great power they’ve been given. The fact that everyone is waiting for Mari to do something important also adds to Mari’s confusion and pressure about her destiny. And Mari’s issues with the people she loves always leaving her behind made for a nice conflict between her and Bowen (who’s determined to have her no matter what).

    As for Bowen, I found him at turns charming and aggravating. I realize that he’s an alpha male who’s hundreds of years old. But Bowen’s plans to make Mari just give up her magic because he didn’t like it really annoyed me. I was happy when he realized that Mari’s magic is just as important to her as his Lykae heritage/instinct is to him.

    The only quibble I have with the book is the mate/soulmate plot hook. Cole handles it well and makes it fairly unique, but overall, I’m just not a fan of it. I always think it’s more interesting when a couple chooses to be together — and aren’t necessarily bound together by some magical/mystical/hormonal/pheremonal bond. But that’s just me.

    Overall, if you’re looking for some paranormal romance with some serious sizzle, try this one. Thumbs up.

    Up next: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

    Books in my TBR pile: About 20.

  • ·

    Pick-me-up …

    So I had my monthly critique group meeting last night. It’s always fun just to hang out with the other gals in the group and talk about life, writing, books, or whatever. And since we meet at a Barnes & Noble, it also gives me a chance to browse through the books and lust after the yummy-looking (if overpriced) desserts in the cafe. 😀

    Despite my TBR pile at home, I usually give myself permission to buy one book before my critique group. Last night, I picked up Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I’ve been trying to read some more young adult titles since that’s what I’m writing these days, and I don’t think there’s a hotter YA author out there right now than Mead. I’m looking forward to reading it.

    And frankly, I needed the little pick-me-up of buying a shiny new book. Mainly because there were more layoffs at my newspaper this week — and I expect there will be more to come before the year is over with. Sigh. (Unless, of course, there is some kind of miraculous economic turnaround. Not holding my breath on that one.)

    But wandering through the B&N aisles last night and looking at all the shiny covers made me feel a little better. I really do believe that books can pick you up when you’re down, whether it’s re-reading a favorite title or just buying a new release you’ve been looking forward to for a while. Even with money as tight as it is, books (especially the $8 paperbacks) are still pretty affordable — and even more so if you hit the used bookstores or your local library.

    So I plan on escaping into some young-adult worlds this weekend by reading Vampire Academy (or The Hunger Games) and working on my own book, Quiver. Because I know the story I’ve created in Quiver is going to have a happy ending — no matter how uncertain the real world is right now.

    Happy endings — I suppose those are the real pick-me-ups of books, aren’t they? So here’s hoping y’all have time to settle down for a good read this weekend.

  • Not too bad …

    2 Comments

    So I’ve been reading through my first draft of Quiver, my young-adult fantasy. And I am pleasantly surprised that it doesn’t suck out loud. I think I’ve actually got some good stuff in there, which always surprises me.

    We’ll see what my critique group says when they get done reading it — and what my agent thinks of it. Anyway, now it’s time for me to sit down and start on the second draft.

    That’s my weekend plan, along with possibly seeing a movie with Wheezley. Has anyone seen Monsters vs. Aliens? Is that one any good?

    If only it was May 1, Wolverine would be out, and we could go see that. I know it was leaked online earlier this week, but I haven’t heard if it was good/bad. Anyone know? Share in the comments. :ww:

  • ·

    Fool me never …

    3 Comments

    So today is April Fools’ Day. I have to say that I’ve never gotten the point of this so-called holiday. (Really, it’s not a holiday if I have to go to work, now is it?)

    But then again, I’m not much for practical jokes anyway. For the most part, I think they are pointless and not funny. Yeah, I’m a grump when it comes to jokes. 👿

    But if you do like that sort of thing, head on over to Dear Author and Smart Bitches for some pretty funny book stuff.

    Other random links of the day:

    Jim C. Hines has a very thoughtful post up about rape.

    HelenKay Dimon and some other authors are holding a contest with some pretty awesome prizes.

    I spotted this over at The Good, the Bad, and the Unread about author Jo Goodman penning a western and decided to share. Just because I love me some westerns.

    And Smooth-Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas is finally out. Huzzah! I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while now.

    Anyway, that’s all for today folks. Have a great day! :ww: