Throwback Thursday #25 - Curiosity Thrilled The Cat

This is a great feature that Melissa at My World...in words and pictures has been doing for a while and I wanted to jump on board! There are plenty of books out there I desperately want...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on my shelves?

Curiosity Thrilled The Cat - Sofie Kelly

When librarian Kathleen Paulson moved to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, she had no idea that two strays would nuzzle their way into her life. Owen is a tabby with a catnip addiction and Hercules is a stocky tuxedo cat who shares Kathleen's fondness for Barry Manilow. But beyond all the fur and purrs, there's something more to these felines. When murder interrupts Mayville's Music Festival, Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect. More stunning is her realization that Owen and Hercules are magical-and she's relying on their skills to solve a purr-fect murder.

 

I bought this a few month because I was attracted to the cover, I liked the sound of magical cats and I hadn't read any cosy mysteries for a while. Months later and I still haven't read any cosy mysteries and this book has been sitting languishing on my shelves. I plan to read it soon, but are there any other cosy cat mysteries I should be adding to my wishing list? :) 

Birthday + 600 Followers Giveaway!

Okay, last month two momentus events occurred - first it was my birthday! Celebrations lasted over a few days between dinner with my parents, a boat trip on the Thames with my fabulous friends and drinks in the shadow of Windsor castle. Even having to actually work on my birthday was fun with the people at work so good to me with cake, card, flowers and laughs!

This has put me in a good mood!

Then I look at my blog and realise that I have 600+ followers - wow! You guys are fabulous - especially those of you who comment regularly. I may not be the best at replying - and I blame real life and family illness (which I won't go in to as it's a little, well, a lot, depressing), but I do read every single one and appreciate the time, effort and thought that's gone into them - thank you!

So, as a thank you I'm giving two followers the chance to win any book of their choice! So you can cross something off your wishlist that you've always wanted.

Rules: (without which there will be chaos!)

- Fill in the form below

- You have to be a follower for this giveaway as it is a follower reward giveaway!

- Book will be ordered from Book Depository so is international as long as they deliver to your country!

- Closes at Midnight 28th October 2011

- If you win, you'll have 72 hours to reply my email, otherwise I'll pick another winner

<<GIVEAWAY ENDED>>

Good Luck everyone!

A Midwinter Fantasy Review

A Midwinter Fantasy

-       Leanna Renee Hieber, L.J. Mc Donald, Helen Scott Taylor

Publisher: Dorchester Publishing

E-Arc with thanks to netgalley and Dorchester

You have ventured through the wardrobe and down the rabbit hole. You've beheld the Fading Lands and glimpsed the ivory spires of Minas Tirith. A star now rises over three other kingdoms, and over three heroic couples, all deep in winter's thrall.

 This book is an anthology with three different novellas all set around the time of Christmas or a mid-winter festival. As the stories are so different I’m going to review each one separately.

Visit Leanna Renee Hieber's Strangely Beautiful Victorian London, haunted though these soot-stained urban alleys may be, a lonely headmistress and a gallant vicar shall here reap the season's blessings.

This was my favourite story of the collection. It felt like reading a beautiful epilogue to the Strangely Beautiful series – a series I haven’t read but will definitely be looking into. Loosely based on A Christmas Carol, the headmistress and vicar who have given everything to help the world are finally rewarded. It was beautifully written with great characters and personalities shining through despite only a few pages to explore the world. I love the Victorian period and I am really intrigued to learn more about this world. 8 out of 10

Travel to Meridian and Sylph Valley, where immensely powerful creatures called battle sylphs vie for dominance here, while fulfilling every wish of their queens. But what woman shall rule the mighty Mace?

This is set in fantasy world where fae creatures called Sylph’s bond with human women to love and obey them. When Lily’s latest orphan runs away from home, she sends Mace to fetch him back and he ends up in the same town he passed through nineteen years ago and an old lover. The idea of Battle Sylphs is interesting and I’m not sure this story explores the idea completely, but this is mostly an exploration of family and rekindled love affair. However as I didn’t quite get the world I was a little underwhelmed. 7 out of 10.

 
Discover Helen Scott Taylor's land of The Magic Knot, in the frosty North, in the ice palace of Valhalla, Sonja's life depends upon unraveling the mystery of the Crystal Crib--and upon winning the love of Odin's son.
 

Sonja goes to Iceland in order to win some business for her Aunt’s travel company but ends up meeting the father she never knew and discovering the truth of her past – helped of course by the masculine, tall son of Odin. This was my least favourite story as I don’t to like the insta-love (always unrealistic!). So many ideas are squeezed into such a small number pages I felt nothing was explored in details but just briefly touched upon. This disappointed me as I love mythology stories and the norse gods are usually fascinating. Disappointing. 5 out of 10.

Overall there is a real mix of stories here from a Victorian ghost story, to fantasy action to paranormal romance with gods. Personally I think it’s worth it for the Strangely Beautiful tale alone

Recommended for fans of mammoth books of romance. 7 out of 10

Guest Review: Black Swan Rising

Today I have Sarah stopping by to review her second book from Transworld's Book Group - and a book I reviewed last month. If you're curious about my review check it out here and then compare against Sarah's thoughts! :-)

Black Swan Rising - Lee Carroll
Publisher: Bantam Books

When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can’t believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening. . .

So, my second Transworld review, and a book much more in keeping with mine and Mel's usual genre - Urban Fantasy.  Eagle-eyed viewers may remember that Mel has herself reviewed this book already (in early September) so this is kind of a long-distance dual review!  To remind you, Black Swan Rising stars Garet (I never worked out how you were supposed to pronounce her name - GAR-et, GA-ret, Gar-REET etc), a New York jeweller who discovers the supernatural side to the world she lives in, and her very significant part in it.

Like Mel, I loved the beginning of this book - the supernatural side to Manhattan is only slowly and tantalisingly revealed with a genuine sense of other-world-ness.  The creatures you meet may appear human, but human they are not, and whilst they may be on Garet's side, that does not mean they do not have their own agenda, or are not capable of frightening her (and us!).

Having only very recently been to New York I loved the set-pieces throughout the novel, and the historical tie-ins are both very clever and very engaging (what's not to love about a supposedly senial man saying he's been visited by a long-dead famous painter, only for that painter's particular blend of colours to end up on the man's hospital bed sheets?!). However, I am very much in agreement with Mel about the love-interest, Will Hughes.  How Garet had can trust him so implicity, so quickly, I do not know.  And when she almost loses her humanity to him no mention is ever made of it again, let alone repurcusions for Will who really should have known better!

That aside there is plenty of scope for further novels (especially if they feature Lol, my favourite character by a country mile), and like Mel I will definitely pick up the sequel at some point, 7 out of 10.

The Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Award!

I've been nominated as a Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Blog from the lovely Bloedeudd at Book Girl at Mur-y-Castell!

The award was created to honor those whose blogs who exemplify the qualities Katherine “Kitty” Katt has -- those who always stay cutting edge, who always find the fun, the funny, and the cool, and who are always one step ahead of the competition. While I'm not sure that's me, I love that Bloedeudd thought of me - makes me feel all warm inside! Plus while I don't do awards normally, I can't resist a giveaway and there is a great one attached to this - so forgive me! :)

Now I get to spread the awesome by nominating other bloggers who are also harder, better, faster and stronger than the average blog bear. There are so many out there - and without copying any of ther other fab girls Bloedeudd chose here are some that sprang to mind!

Lesley at My Keeper Shelf
Jules from The Great, The Good and The Bad
Donna and Jess from Book Passion for Life
Sally at Lost in Stories
Missie at The Unread Reader

There are so many others out there as well...I think you're all great!

Your mission details:

1. Slap the graphic on your blog.
2. Give link props to the person who gave you the award (keep the hard, best, fast and strong on your side!).
3. Spread the awesome and nominate five (5) other bloggers who you think exemplify what it means to be cool, fun and cutting edge.
4. Let the recipients know they’ve won this honor on their blogs.
5. Last but not least, shoot Gini Koch an email at gini@ginikoch.com and let her know you’re the best of the best of the best, sir! (put “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” in the subject line!) by sharing that you’ve been nominated and telling her which other bloggers you nominated, and she’ll enter you into the “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” Contest. Find out more details and what the loot is at http://www.ginikoch.com/winstuff.htm.

Of course, you can choose to ignore your awesomeness, but then you’ll never have a chance to nab your own A-C or win the loot. And you know you want both.

Contest runs from Wednesday, September 28, 2011 through Friday, October 21, 2011

Good luck! :)

My Book Haul/ In My Mailbox

The Story Siren hosts a weekly meme where bloggers can share what goodies they've purchased/received this week. If you get a chance head over to The Story Siren and check out what everyone is up to!

So this week was my birthday (more about which on Wednesday!) and my lovely friends got me a whole assortment of goodies including a total of £45 in Amazon gift vouchers. I haven't spent them yet but expect my kindle to be bombarded with lots of yummy new books over the next week - as long as I can narrow my choices down to must get now!

Black Dust Mambo - Adrian Phoenix

Publisher: Pocket Books

Kallie Riviere, a fiery Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a talent for trouble, finds herself smack-dab in the middle of one of those times her mentor warned her about when she visits New Orleans to attend the Hecatean Alliance's annual carnival: her hard-bodied conjurer hookup ends up dead in her blood-drenched bed. And he was killed by something that Kallie would never dream of touching -- the darkest of dark juju, soul-eating juju -- a black dust hex that may have been meant to kill her. Now Kallie has to use every bit of hoodoo knowledge and bayou-bred mojo she possesses to clear her own name and find the killer -- even as that dark sorcerer hunts Kallie and her friends. But Kallie's search for the truth soon leads her in a direction she never anticipated -- back home to Bayou Cypres Noir, and to Gabrielle LaRue, Kallie's aunt, protector, and hoodoo mentor . . . who is looking more and more like she just might be the one who wants Kallie dead.

This was a birthday present from a couple of my friends who know to check my Amazon wishlist for books I want! I do like my UF fantasy and I haven't read any Adrian Phoenix books yet...but I will now!

The Good Faires Of New York - Martin Miller

Publisher: US - Soft Skull Press

When a pair of fugitive Scottish thistle fairies end up transplanted to Manhattan by mistake, both the Big Apple and the Little People have a lot of adjusting to do. Heather and Morag just want to start the first radical fairy punk rock band, but first they’ll have make a match between two highly unlikely sweethearts, start a street brawl between rival gangs of Italian, Chinese, and African fairies, help the ghost of a dead rocker track down his lost guitar, reclaim a rare triple-bloomed Welsh poppy from a bag lady with delusions of grandeur, disrupt a local community performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and somehow manage to stay sober enough to save all of New York from an invasion of evil Cornish fairies. If they can stop feuding with each other, that is.

This is another birthday present from sometime guest reviewer, Sarah. She was recently over in New York and got my this book (which looks fab!) plus gorgeous goodies from Strand Books - have a look: -

A notebook and tote bag from Strand books in New York - I so want to go myself!

Brightest Kind of Darkness - P.T. Michelle
Publisher:

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore. After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate. Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

I couldn't resist buying this after I read Donna from Book Passion for Life's glowing review - it sounds fantastic. Plus Amazon has it for 86p for the kindle - worth an investment! :-)

Open Minds - Susan Kaye Quinn

When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.
Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

I read Susan's Life, Liberty & Pursuit while on holiday earlier this year and enjoyed it. So when Susan asked to have a look at her new YA series which will be released in November, how could I resist? :)

Crippen - John Boyne

Publisher: UK - Black Swan

July 1910: A gruesome discovery has been made at 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden.
Chief Inspector Walter Dew of Scotland Yard did not expect the house to be empty. Nor did he expect to find a body in the cellar. Buried under the flagstones are the remains of Cora Crippen, former music-hall singer and wife of Dr. Hawley Crippen. No one would have thought the quiet, unassuming Dr. Crippen capable of murder, yet the doctor and his mistress have disappeared from London, and now a full-scale hunt for them has begun. Across the Channel in Antwerp, the S.S. Montrose has just set off on its two-week voyage to North America. Slipping in among the first-class passengers is a Mr. John Robinson, accompanied by his teenage son, Edmund. The pair may be hoping for a quiet, private voyage, but in the close confines of a luxury ocean liner, anonymity is rare. And with others aboard looking for romance, or violence, or escape from their past in Europe, it will take more than just luck for the Robinsons to survive the voyage unnoticed.

This is the final book for my Transworld Book group challenge which I've been enjoying over the last couple of months. This time it's historical crime/thriller so I've had a real mix of genres - which has been great! :-)

So what have you picked up this week?

On My Wishlist #57

This is a meme from Book Chick City. There are so many books out there that I want to read that this is the only way I can keep track! There's something about dystopia that I find fascinating...

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: Harper Collins

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

This just sounds so good - I love the idea of a girl not being able to touch anyone without killing them. Similar to Rogue in X-Men (I watched the film again last night - love it!) 

Article 5 - Kristen Simmons

Publisher: Tor

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police — instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior — instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested don’t usually come back. 17-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different. In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

This sounds so cool. I can't help wondering the wrong books are...

Saints Astray - Jacqueline Carey

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Fellow orphans, amateur vigilantes, and members of the Santitos, Loup Garron-the fugitive daughter of a genetically engineered "wolf man"-and Pilar Ecchevarria grew up in the military zone of Outpost 12, formerly known as Santa Olivia. But now they're free, and they want to help the rest of the Santitos escape. During a series of escapades, they discover that Miguel, Loup's former sparring partner and reprobate surrogate brother, has escaped from Outpost 12 and is testifying on behalf of its forgotten citizens-at least until he disappears from protective custody. Honor drives Loup to rescue Miguel, even though entering the U.S could mean losing her liberty. Pilar vows to help her. It will take a daring and absurd caper to extricate Miguel from the mess he's created but Loup is prepared to risk everything... and this time she has help.

I read Santa Olivia a couple of years ago and loved it. I've been waiting ages for a sequel and in January I'll be able to get my hands on it!

So what are you wishing for this week? :)