Wanderlust Winner

The lucky winner of their very own autographed copy of Wanderlust is...


Drum roll please....

Carol!

Congrats. E-mail me your snail mail at 2aymless at gmail dot com and I'll get into the mail.

First Day of Work

Had a successful first day of work! Didn't get to meet too many people since I spent most of it with the other six new hires. Had a quick little chat with the boss-type-person who promptly told me that I would be taking over some projects from a fellow co-worker "who sits here" (points at empty cube). So I'll be working closely with Mr/Ms Invisible for the next couple of days. I hope my communication skills are up to it. *g*

My cube-neighbors are funny (especially the one on the right-side) so I think working there will be fun. *crosses fingers* I wasn't able to connect with the one person I know so maybe I'll run into her later this week.

Still have one used copy of Lord of the Fading Lands and Lady of Light and Shadow to give away (just e-mail me your snail mail). And there is still time to enter to win a signed copy of Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre (details here).

Reminder!

Just reminding all you folks out there that you have until end of day Monday (14th of Sept) to enter to win an autographed copy of Wanderlust! See details here.

Finally all unpacked and all the books put away into there appropriate spots. Due to some creative rearranging I have discovered lots of additional space for yet more books without having to go buy another book case (although I have tentatively scoped out a wall for the additional book case).

Boxes unpacked: 80-ish (I packed 65 and what the movers packed - they really really love packing paper, I made 12 13-gallon bags (49 liter) of the stuff.
Time Unpacking: approximately 24 hour (not counting eating and sleeping breaks)
Trips to the store for "things": 8
Trips to the grocery store: 3

During unpacking I discovered that I have four copies of Lord of the Fading Lands and three copies Lady of Light and Shadow. Why do I have so many?! And where were they before I unpacked them! *sigh* Anyway... I'm going to giveaway two copies of Lord of the Fading Lands and one copy of Lady of Light and Shadow. They are well loved (abused, depending on how you think of them). Its first come first serve. E-mail me your address and I'll ship them out on my next trip to the Post Office (sometime next week).

Give-Away at DIK

I'm over at the Island giving away a some free books (I'm making you work for them because I'm evil that way) and hanging out with the ever so fabulous

NALINI SINGH!

Come drop by and have drink and chat up Nalini! ^_^

Joss Ware ARC giveaway

A new author hit my radar just now and luck would have it she is giving away ARCs for her new book!

Josh Ware has a new series coming out in January 2010 as a part of the 3 book deal with AVON.


Here's the blurb:

A man with no future...
When Dr. Elliott Drake wakes from a mysterious fifty-year sleep, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are now desolate, and civilization is controlled by deadly immortals. Stranger still is Elliott's extraordinary new "gift" – he has the power to heal, but it comes with fatal consequences.

A woman with a past
Jade barely escaped the immortals and is now hell-bent on revenge. She trusts no one... until Elliott. His piercing gaze and tempting touch shatter her defenses, but the handsome doctor seems to have dangerous secrets of his own. Is it safe to trust him with her heart?

If they are to survive in this dark new world, Jade and Elliott must work together to fight the forces that takes them beyond danger.

Beyond desire.
Beyond the night.

Doesn't it sound fantastic. Drop by her blog to enter! Good Luck!

Magic Bites Winner(s)

Since we had so few enter to win I've decided to give Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) to both people who want a copy! That would be...

ORANNIA

CHERRY

Congrats guys and I know you will enjoy it! One is brand new and one is like new (used but only has penciled in discount price first page, otherwise looks new, if you have a strong preference let me know otherwise I'll do a coin toss to see who gets what!)

Please e-mail me with where to send your books at:

totally2aymless at yahoo dot com

'Cause Everyone's Doing it!

For new posts... scroll down. I'm leaving this on top until the contest is closed!

So I crawled out from under my rock from in my dark cave for a peek at the world (still not quite sure about coming out of my cave yet!). When I was wandering around to my favorite sites, I got this wonderful idea from Orannia. And since Kate Daniels book 3 just came out and I am so in love with the series and Ilona Andrews, I doing an....

MAGIC BITES GIVEAWAY!!!

From the Author site: Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for magic...

One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds.

In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy...

In this first book we get introduced to Kate and her mysterious past and bloodline as well as meet Derek, Kate's teenage werewolf sidekick-to-be, and the ever so yummy Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta. So I'll happily get someone else just as addicted as I am. And as a teaser so that you'll have run out and get the rest of the series.... In Magic Strikes, book 3, there is much sizzle between our beloved Kate and his Furry Majesty (as Kate likes to call him, among many other things)!

I'll send it wherever those wonderful people in brown (UPS) will deliver, so contest is open to everyone! Leave a comment and tell me about a book/series I should take a look at.

Contest will close at the end of the month (30 April) and I'll announce a winner on MAY DAY!

Riding on Instinct contest

Jaci Burton is running a contest over at her blog for the release of her latest book:

Riding on Instinct!



Check it out!

Books!

Look at what the nice UPS man brought me today!


One guess as to what I'll be doing today! *g*

He also kindly brought me MY very own copy of:

Elena Deveraux from the Hunters Guild is over at the Book Smugglers. Make sure you drop by and say hi for a chance to win a copy of Angels' Blood from Elena's pal, Nalini Singh (contest runs until the 7th of March)!

Much book happiness today.

Meljean Brook's Demon Bound

In honor of the release of Demon Bound and the national election on Tuesday Nov 4th, Meljean's running a contest and prize voting. Check it out!

Hostage to Pleasure Contest!

Nalini Singh is holding a contest to celebrate the upcoming (September 2nd!) release of Hostage to Pleasure the 5th full-length entry in the Psy/Changeling world.

What's up for grabs? US$75 gift certificate to the winner, chosen at random.


Goto Nalini Singh for the details.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Which fictional hero (from books, TV, movie...) would you most like to hold hostage?H,,,, Hari (Marjoire M. Liu) Rand R'Ash from (Celta series by Bobin Owens,

Which fictional hero would you most like to be held hostage by? So many choices... Rainier Vel'En Daris aka Rain Tairen Soul (CL Wilson Tairen Souls book) or Deamon Sadi (Anne Bishop's Black Jewels books) or Colin Ames-Beaumont (Demon Moon by Meljean Brook)

Which fictional world would you most like to be held hostage in? The Pys-Changling world. Because is a cleaner, greener version were where I already live. (Nalini Singh's world)

Pimpage and Reviews

Greetings all quasi-sane personages. Once again I have survived the misery called the menstrual migraine (ugh). At least I am lucky enough to still be able to read while curled up in my little ball of misery. But enough about me.

The nice folks over at the Book Binge are wonderful summertime contest, the giveaway is a beautiful hand bag, some books and other treats. All entries into the contest must be e-mailed by June 30th. See the folks at the Book Binge for details.

In addition the wonderful folks at the Book Smugglers are having a long weekend with Loretta Chase. They will be interviewing Loretta Chase tomorrow and giving away three copies of Ms. Chase's latest release Your Scandalous Ways.

Now on with the reviews:

Title: The Song

Author: Jean Johnson

Published: February 2008

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Book 4 of The Sons of Destiny

From the Author Site: Evanor, fourth-born of the Sons of Destiny, lost his voice—and with it, his powers—in the violent battle that freed his family from their greatest enemy. Thankfully, with the safe return of his twin, Evanor now knows precisely who can bring his songs back to life.

She is the enchanting widow Mariel, a Healer brought to Nightfall to help the brothers in their hour of need. For Mariel and her young son, that means leaving their beloved homeland for the unfamiliar island of Nightfall and its still-forbidden shores…and with it, risking the passion she stirs in her intriguing patient’s heart.

But a new danger looms when the Council of Katan learn there might be women on the Isle…

Review: Book 4 and still enjoying the series.

Evanor, who is the Lord Chamberlain of Nightfall, lost his voice and his magic since he is a Song Mage. Without his voice to direct his magic, he is without magical power. Since Katan still considers them exiles, no healer of sufficient power is willing to come to Nightfall Isle to restore his voice.

Enter widowed Mariel, a healer of sufficient power from Natallia and best friend to Serina, the wife of Evanor's twin Dominor, and her son Mikor. She must reacquaint herself with her skills in order to regenerate Evanor's vocal cords, with the help of the citizen-chickens. The addition of the nine year old child to the island required some adjustment for the others.

Evanor and Mariel are immediately drawn towards each other, but the courtship is awkward since Evanor can barely speak. And both tend to be reserved with very little wild swings of passion. The love story is much quieter in this book than in the previous three.

The continuing subplot takes a bigger role in this installment. The Council and King of Katan are beginning to question the unusual purchases being made by the brothers, items that seem to imply that there might be women on the island, and also the news that the brothers are charging for resources that were once free has enraged some on the Council. Again the bit of humor made the book fun to read especially the continuing joke of the "citizen-chickens" and one can't help but giggle at the title of "Councilor of Conflict Resolution".

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: Yes

Rating: 3.5 of 5


Title: The Cat

Author: Jean Johnson

Published: June 2008

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Book 5 of The Sons of Destiny

From the Author Site: Amara of the Shifterai has good reason to be wary of mages, when mages were responsible for chasing her and her sister out of their homeland. Being on the run for so long hasn’t put her in a trusting mood, yet there is something about Trevan of Nightfall—mage or not—that Amara finds difficult to resist. But can he be trusted with her most fiercely guarded secret?

Courting such a pretty yet prickly outlander won’t be easy, but Trevan is determined to try. She may be fierce, proud, and from a different culture, but he is the Cat, and none but the most fascinating and challenging of women could satisfy him. Of course, it would help if she stood still long enough for him to court her properly…

Review: I have to say that this has been my least favorite in the series so far.

Trevan, the romeo of the brothers, is frustrated with the lack of female companionship and longs for a woman to call his own, whether she be an illusion or real. When he finds signs of a new woman on the island, he immediately sets out the catch her as his destined mate.

Amara, a power natural shifter of the Shifterai, is wary of mages due to the unusual power her twin has inside her. She was a princess and the next Queen to be of the Shifterai but due to the fates she was forced to leave her people to protect them and her twin. She is "prideful, prickly and paranoid" and a general pain in the ass for the first half of the book. She has a bit of the superiority complex, is constantly butting head with Kelly, who is now Queen of Nightfall, and is completely distrusting even though she made everyone swear by truth stone that they had no interest in acquiring any additional power than what they already had.

There was some humor in the story but not nearly as much as the previous books. The love story is weak, since Amara spends most of her time running away and avoiding the issue while Trevan tracks her down because he believes that she is his destined mate. There was no real chemistry between them, no real passion until the nearly end of the book. The subplot continues smoothly. What I found most interesting is the budding relationship between Rydan, the night-loving, antisocial brother, and Amara's twin sister, Arora. Their story will be told in The Storm.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: Yes

Rating: 3 of 5