In honor of it being Banned Book Week September 27-October 4, I am going to take some time this week to read some that numerous groups are trying to have banned. I don't hold with banning books. For one, I like to think I am capable enough to judge for myself what I can and can't handle. Also, it is obvious not everyone is going to agree what is good and what is bad as it is all subjective. I can't stand people who judge a book without even READING the book. That gets me more than anything else.
Take the time to take a look. You might be surprised at some "classics" that people find objectable. Hell, there reasons half the time don't make no sense as they admit they have never even READ the book itself.
Go read a book. Even better, read a book that certain groups are trying to have banned. Random House doesn't have ALL the books that are various are trying to have banned, but here is a select few:
My husband was flabbergasted to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach on the list for YA. I wasn't surprised to see The Da Vince Code for adults because there is always some people who think people can't handle things dealing with religion even with it is labled FICTION on the spine. Then there is the Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison or How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell or Are You There God? It's Me Margaret and Tiger's Eye by Judy Blume and Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. Fairnheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Author spotlight Jim Butcher's Codex Alera Series fantasy polticial intrigue and action
Current mood: cantankerous
Category: Writing and Poetry
One of my favorite authors, Jim Butcher, has a new chapter up of his fantasy series on his website. He will be debuting a new chapter each week till release day. Argh! I can't wait!
Jim Butcher is mainly known for his Dresden File urban fantasy series (as well as the TV series based on the same series). He also has a fantasy series that is made of awesome as well which is what this post is about. Go check it out.
The first of six Princeps' Fury sample chapters will be available online at Jim's official site. The first one, the prologue has already been posted at the above link. They will be posting new chapters, one every Tuesday, through September and October (running from the Prologue to Chapter Five).
"Princeps' Fury," fifth book in the Codex Alera series, arrives November 25thin both hardcover and audio format.
Codex Alera is a fantasy book series by Jim Butcher (known for his Dresden Files urban fantasy series). The six books in the series chronicle the life of a young man named Tavi in the empire of Alera. Every Aleran of every nation and caste, except for Tavi, has some degree of command over elemental forces or spirits called furies. The story takes place after the rise of a fictional empire similar to Rome where the First Lord must stave off in-fighting amongst the nobility of a now decadent empire, and wield the throne through sheer force of strength and will.
"For one thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the Furies--elementals of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Metal. But now, the unity of the Alerians hangs in precarious balance. The First Lord of Alera has fallen in his efforts to protect his people from the vicious attacks of their enemies. Now, the fate of the Alerians lies in the hands of Tavi, a young man who must use all of his courage and resourcefulness to save his people--and himself."
Unlike his Dresden Files which is urban fantasy about a wizard private investigator set in contemporary Chicago, his Codex Alera series is more "traditional sword and sorcery" fantasy and NOT first person narrative. The Codex Alera series has lots of political intrigue, betrayl, deceit, action, suspense and miltitary & magic battles.
WAnt a chance to win all three Casa Dracula books by Marta Acosta
Current mood: blessed
Category: Writing and Poetry
She's got a contest in anticipation of the release of The Bride of Casa Dracula.
If you'd like a chance to win all three books -- Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, Midnight Brunch, and The Bride of Casa Dracula -- there's an interview with her and a contest at Bitten by Books.
Just sharing contests where you can win some free books. Hell, I won an ipod as well as a book from Rachel Caine (whose Weather Warden books and Morganville books I adore). Let me know if you are one of the lucky ones to win so I can whine, okay? ;)
link to Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton (Merry Gentry series)
Current mood: blank
Category: Writing and Poetry
For those who don't know and are fans of Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry Fae series, she has the first chapter of Swallowing Darkness up at her official site. Personally, I enjoy the Merry series mores than Anita Blake.
Now I am off to finish disc 2 of Dark Shadows: The Revival. Ben Cross as Barnabas Collins (the vampire) is just made of awesome.
Author Spotlight: Nalini Singh futuristic sci-fi paranormal romance who is made of awesome
Current mood: blissful
Category: Writing and Poetry
I have two author spotlights typed up, but decided to delay them as I just got a book that was just released by one of my favorite paranormal romance authors, Nalini Singh.
Have you not been introduced to her Psy/Changeling series? Then you are seriously missing out. They are a unique blend of futuristic sci-fi with paranormal werewolves. If you are tired of your typical vampire or were-creature romance, I would highly recommend giving this series a try as her Psy are something different in the genre and really stand out. www.nalinisingh.com
"Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind—and none of the heart…"
That would be the Psy. Think like vulcans from star trek except human with powers of the mind that make them dangerous. Very intelligent, but cold as ice.
The Psy Council has made "Silence". This is the conditioning of young Psy from birth to feel nothing. Not rage, not jealousy, not envy, not happiness and certainly not love. The aim is just cold intelligence while developing their powers and ambitions. The Psy are known to be icily controlled, " inhumanly practical and impossible to push to violence". (There was actually a reason they decided to enact Silence. You'll have to either read the chapter excerpt prologue on her official site or read the books. Why? Because I am mean that way.)
"They are the leaders of government and business, eclipsing both humans and changelings, races which allow their animal natures to rule them. With mental capabilities running from telepathy to foresight, telekinesis to psychometry, the Psy consider themselves a step up the evolutionary ladder.
In keeping with their nature, they base all their decisions on logic and efficiency. According to the PsyNet, their mistake rate is close to nil.
The Psy are perfect in their Silence."
Of course, you know nothing is ever perfect. The world building in this series is awesome. Yes, the story is a romance, but there is an overall story arc dealing with the evolution of the world and the effect of the Psy's program on themselves and on their "co-races", the humans and the Changelings. Also, what do the Psys really think? What is their goals and agendas? Are they as perfect as they preach? Or is there something more going on?
The Changelings are similiar to were-wolves, except without the horror behind the legend. They are their own packs. There are more than wolves of course. It is all balanced by nature. They have their own agenda and not even the Psy can predict the effect they will have on the world.
And you KNOW the humans won't be left out. Oh no. They are going to get mixed up in it too.
Like I said, it is a really unique series and the writing is excellent. I HIGHLY recommend starting with the first book, Slave To Sensation. Each book builds upon events that happened in previous books. (yes! we have consquences!) You have some really good romance between whichever hero and heroine, but they don't dominate the book to the point where you are overcome by sappy. Quite the opposite. And the female leads are just as strong (in their own individual ways) as the heroes. They are smart. They are willing to fight for what they believe in. And no, they are not the typical urban fantasy/paranormal fantasy female kick-ass stereotype either. That is why I like this series so much. Each character is different and has their own strengths and weaknesses.
In case you wonder, these are on my keeper shelves and if I could, I would have them in hardcover and buy them full price in hardcover as I enjoy them that much. I adore them. Some I like better than others of course. The first two are my favorite though Carressed by Ice has my favorite "hero". OM!
Here are the stories in following order:
Slave To Sensation:
In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation"— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….
Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…"
Visions of Heat:
"Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.
Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn..."
Caressed by Ice:
As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets (spoiler)…
(spoiler for book 2 so dont read the back of the book for the name or the description on her official site or excerpt) (Female lead) was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives… "
Mine to Possess:
"Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.
Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life--the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows...
Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past...or lose everything that ever mattered."
Hostage to Pleasure:
The setup of Dorian's book contains MAJOR spoilers for Mine to Possess. So, what I've done is put the link to the backcover blurb on Nalini's official site. Her recommendation and mine is NOT to read the blurb or excerpt for Hostage to Pleasure if you have NOT read Mine To Possess." CLICK THIS LINK ONLY IF YOU ARE READY TO BE "SPOILED" FOR HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE AS IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THAT SECTION WITH SPOILERS. You were warned. http://www.nalinisingh.com/hostage.html
She also has a short story "prequel" to the events of Slave to Sensation dealing with one of the supporting couples' romance.
An Enchanted Season anthology with Maggie Shayne, Jean Johnson and Erin McCarthy along with Nalini Singh's short story below. I freely admit I have so far only read her story and she is why I bought it. The story is stand-alone and can be read anytime in the series though I would recommend reading the first book at least first.
"Beat of Temptation" "Young Tamsyn has always held a special place in her heart for her powerful fellow pack-member Nate. But as a dominant male leopard in the pack, the more experienced Nate doesn't want to trap Tamsyn into the fierce demands of the mating bond—a bond driven by the animal within—when she's hardly had the chance to grow into a woman. But Tamsyn knows what she wants for Christmas, and she's going to get it… "
These are keepers of mine. As in you'll have to pry them out of my dead, cold hands first before I would even loan them out as I don't think I would get 'em back. Just sayin'. Ha!
She has also written some Silhouette Desire stories. Six to be exact. I have only read Bound by Marriage which was an okay read, but not what I had come to expect from her (which admittedly was earlier in her career). I am curious enough to want to try the others though. AND she has a new series she is writing. The first is called, Angels' Blood, the first book in the Guild Hunter series, is about a vampire hunter who bags, tags and returns escapee vampires to their masters...the angels. It looks promising.
Author Spotlight: Lilith Saintcrow paranormal romance/urban fantasy writer
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Writing and Poetry
A few years ago, I was looking for information one a YA author who didn't have an official website ( I hate it when that happens). I came across a fan site which was very good. While there, I noticed that the website owner mentioned a book called Working For The Devil which had a cool cover (see below).
It sounded interesting and the owner HIGHLY recommended it so I made a note to look for it at the bookstore (like I need more series to get hooked on). I found it at the local bookstore and quickly devoured it. Only got bogged down a little with that one sicboard scene which I wish she had cut out, but the rest I really enjoyed so I got the next one. Especially as the ending of the first was just so awesome. Needed more immediately. Loved the second book. The next book wasn't due to be released for a long while (at the time as they are all out now). So I put it on my list of books to buy when I had the funds and the time. Still working on getting those last three books dammit. Grrr..
I should mention that due to the success of her first two books, they reprinted them with new covers to match up with the sequels. Personally, I like the colored versions better. The others are all black and white. Very boring, but what do I know? Dammit.
It is an urban fantasy set in the future. The story is set in the future so you get a taste of the futuristic, but except for certain moments like Dante using a "sicboard" (a skateboard that glides on air), it is almost easy to forget that it is not set in contemporary times.
The story is about Dante Valentine, a bounty hounter who just happens to be a Necromancer. A necromancer-for-hire which is an interesting concept and her spiritual beliefs are one of the more interesting parts of the story before we even get to the other good stuff.
Unfortunately for her, the devil has decided he needs her for a job. She is too look for a rogue demon (is there any other type?) And to help her out (and keep a watch on things for the devil's best interest of course), she is to be accompanied by the demon, Japhrimel. Faced with death if she doesn't accept, she begins the job. The ending was my favorite part of this book. It really hooked me there. I won't go into more as it would spoil the ending of the first book if you haven't read it.
There are five books in this series. They go in the order of Working For The Devil, Dead Man Rising, Devil's Right Hand, Saint City Sinners, To Hell And Back. I have read the first two and REALLY enjoyed them. I still need to read the latter three in the series. Unfortunately, the book budget has been a bit tighter lately so I have to wait a little longer before I give them a whirl.
She has began a new urban fantasy, the Jill Kismet series.
"Not everyone can take on the things that go bump in the night.Not everyone tries.But Jill Kismet is not just anyone.She's a Hunter, trained by the best - and in over her head. Welcome to the night shift... "
Night Shift is the first book.
"Jill Kismet is a Hunter, which means her life largely consists of tracking and slaying hellbreeds. To make her job easier, she has struck an unholy bargain with hellbreed Perry: he lends her his supernatural powers; she sits for emotionally trying s&m encounters with him once a month. When something supernatural massacres five city police officers, she senses that the killer is a rogue Were, which means that other Weres have to be called in to hunt him-but somehow he's capable of screening his tracks. More complications lead to an explosive climax."
Hunter's Prayer is due out in September.
"Another night on the Nightside...An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy. There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead--again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will. Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer..."
She has also written The Watcher series, The Society series, The Keeper series (the latter under the pseudonym Anna Beguine). All are available on amazon and other book stores online. They are her earlier work set before Dante's series. except for The Keeper series. You can check out her website at for more details and excepts: http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/the-books/
Not one of my better intro of an author, but it gets the job done. I need sleep to be semi-coherant. Enjoy the free read at her site!
New author contest to try where you can win art and a book!
Current mood: blissful
Category: Writing and Poetry
Chris Howard has released information on a new contest that will allow you to win not only his new book, but also art! I have the book so I am posting this for fellow booklovers. Especially fans of water/ocean-based fantasy fiction. Go! Enjoy!
Here is info. on SEABORN by Chris Howard before I get to the contest information. "Corina Lairsey has just clawed her way free from one controlling relationship when she finds herself in another-only this guy, Aleximor, has really gotten under her skin. Literally. A 400-year-old sorcerer who gathers the drowned dead off the ocean's floor for the King of the Seaborn, he's inside her head and is wearing her body like a wetsuit. Corina desperately schemes to regain control of her self, fighting against time as Aleximore trades pieces of her life away in exchange for power over the path between the worlds of the living and the dead . . . Kassandra is the King of the Seaborn's granddaughter. She comes from the sea, but has spent her whole life in exile on the surface, struggling to control frightening powers she barely understands. She declares war on her murderous grandfather and manipulates her family, friends, oceanic royalty, and the US Navy to aid her- but Aleximore intends to use Kass to carry out his revenge against the entire Seaborn royal line."
The following is from Chris's bulletin he sent out.
"My second Seaborn contest is on!
Simply put, I want more people to land on my blog, http://the0phrastus. typepad. com. I'd like more people to find out about Seaborn and anything I'm up to, but as a first step, I'd be happy to get more people on the blog.
One contest rule and some details:
1. Get as many people as you can to go to http://the0phrastus. typepad. com and comment on this post. You can be an individual, a blog, an entire web community. Think big, join forces.
Author spotlight: Cailtin Kiernan dark fantasy, sci-fi, fantasy author
Current mood: awake
Category: Writing and Poetry
*I screwed up the format of this a tad so please scroll all the way down to get to the book blurb of Daughter of Hounds as I am too tired to fix it tonight. Please accept apologies from my poor brain for this.*
She writes dark fantasy, science-fiction and "erotica". I discovered her through the Sandman comic spin-off series, The Dreaming which she wrote the majority of under Neil Gaiman's direction. Her issues were some of my favorites. So I started looking for more of her work. Figured someone that talented surely had done a novel or two. She has done a lot for Subterranean Press and short stories for anthologies. Some are of those are hard-to-find or out-of-print and go for big bucks on ebay at times. If you like H.P. Lovecraft, you should enjoy her work. I usually recommend her to fans of Gaiman's darker work as well.
Her debut work is called Silk which I still need to read as my copy got damaged just as I was going to read it (figures). We are talking damaged to where you can't read it (or open it). Much gnashing of teeth over that one. A brand new book that I never got to read that was messed up. So not fair.
The current series I am trying is her "Deacon series" which started with Threshold which I just read a few weeks ago. Definitely dark urban fantasy/dark fantasy/horror. I am currently working on Low Red Moon in preparation for Daughter of the Hounds (missing Murder of Angels so you can insert "Argh!" here).
I like it. Her writing style takes some getting used to and the first few chapters started off slow for me in Threshold, but it pays to stick with it. Low Red Moon had some surprises that I wasn't expecting including on who lives and who dies. I think Daughter of Hounds from what I have read so far is turning into my favorite. I am reading a library copy of the trade as the mass paperback is due for release September 2.
I am trying desperately to get hold of a copy of her Alabaster which details the story of Dancy who is introduced in Threshold and has interior illustrations as well as a cover by Ted Naifeh (of Gloomcookie fame) that was published as a limited edition through Subterranean Press. It looks so awesome just from the cover and description. I wantz and needzzzz it. Yes, my precious...
Her novels in publication (though I highly recommend checking out her other work through Subterranean Press http://www.subterraneanpress.com/ as they are releasing her first science fiction collection there called A is for Aliens):
Currently
reading
:
Daughter of Hounds
By
Caitlin R. Kiernan
Release date: 2008-09-02
Featured author: Marie Brennan (and plans for future blogs)
Current mood: productive
Category: Writing and Poetry
Starting this week, I am going to be using this blog to promote some of the new books and authors I have discovered or love. I used to do that here before, but fell out of practice. Shame on me. I got quite a slew of new ones that I am trying or have tried so be warned as the bookaholic has returned to posting again.
Let's start off with Marie Brennan who is the author of the fantasy "Doppleganger" duology and the new "The Onyx Court" Series. http://www.swantower.com/
The "Doppleganger" series is a duology (so far no more books are planned as yet by the author for this series). They were originally called: DOPPLEGANGER and WARRIOR AND WITCH. It is fantasy "sword and sorcery" fantasy with some interesting elements of magic and the repurcussions of it's use. I just read DOPPLEGANGER (WARRIOR) a few days ago and really enjoyed it.
They were just re-released with new covers and new titles. The first book, DOPPLEGANGER is now called WARRIOR and the sequel, WARRIOR AND WITCH is now just called WITCH. I actually prefer the new titles and covers better as it fits the series better and more reflective of what is going on.
Warrior (or Doppleganger) book blurb:
When a witch is born, a doppelganger is created. For the witch to master her powers, the twin must be killed. But what happens when the doppelganger survives?
"Mirage, a bounty hunter, lives by her wits and lethal fighting skills. She always gets her mark. But her new mission will take her into the shadowy world of witches, where her strength may be no match against magic.
Miryo is a witch who has just failed her initiation test. She now knows that there is someone in the world who looks like her, who is her: Mirage. To control her powers and become a full witch, Miryo has only one choice: to hunt the hunter and destroy her."
Marie Brennan just came out with a new release in June called MIDNIGHT NEVER COME. I actually just got this book in the mail (woohoo!) so I am giving you what I know of it so far.
is one of The Onxy Court books. The Onyx Court is a hidden faerie kingdom existing beneath London itself. These are urban fantasy novels set during different time periods.
"England flourishes under the hand of its Virgin Queen: Elizabeth, Gloriana, last and most powerful of the Tudor monarchs.
But a great light casts a great shadow.
In hidden catacombs beneath London, a second Queen holds court: Invidiana, ruler of faerie England, and a dark mirror to the glory above. In the thirty years since Elizabeth ascended her throne, fae and mortal politics have become inextricably entwined, in secret alliances and ruthless betrayals whose existence is suspected only by a few.
Two courtiers, both struggling for royal favor, are about to uncover the secrets that lie behind these two thrones. When the faerie lady Lune is sent to monitor and manipulate Elizabeth's spymaster, Walsingham, her path crosses that of Michael Deven, a mortal gentleman and agent of Walsingham's. His discovery of the "hidden player" in English politics will test Lune's loyalty and Deven's courage alike. Will she betray her Queen for the sake of a world that is not hers? And can he survive in the alien and Machiavellian world of the fae? For only together will they be able to find the source of Invidiana's power -- find it, and break it . . . ."
http://gloriana.midnightnevercome.com/index.php for the official site for MIDNIGHT NEVER COME. I HIGHLY recommend MIDNIGHT NEVER COME for those who prefer their fae more dangerous and a bit of historical history set with magic. Full of political intrigue and danger.
Future blog posts will have more details hopefully. I just enjoyed DOPPLEGANGER and MIDNIGHT NEVER COME so far that I had to share the joy. You know you want to try it. Future authors that may be spotlighted (as I am currently reading them) is TO SERVE AND TO SUBMIT by Susan Wright (fantasy book got on the recommendation for fans of Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel Series), House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kirsten Cast (YA vampire academy series, how can I resist?), Christine Feehan's Drake sisters (finished Turbulent Sea not long ago) and Lynn Viehl's Darkyn novels. Both the latter are paranormal romances.
Hope to do these blogs a bit better. Had to cobble this one together as our electricity went out briefly and I lost half of it. *sigh*
contemplative
cantankerous
breezy
blessed
blank
blissful
awake
productive
