About My Story, My Reading Pace, My Time

Sometimes writing can take a lot out of you. Especially when you're channeling everything you've got into one receptacle, it can damage your creativity in the most sly and subtle of ways. Add in a vigorous working schedule, and suddenly you're reading voraciously one minute and the next you're like, "ah, snap, gurl, ain't you gonna finish that?"

But, sometimes, ain't nobody got time for that.

For reading or drawing or film/tv watching or blogging or photographing or any of the other numerous things which incite your creative instincts and pluck your passions from your inner well.

And for a while now, I've been drafting a little suttin' suttin. A manuscript that has seen so many rewrites, I wonder if the story will ever actually be told the way I want it to.

I attack it like it's my day job. Only thing is, it's not. Bitter Harvest--the working title of the project--is a story I started off telling myself for fun, when I was coming in breathless from my day and wanted to give myself something wondrous to do. I wanted to swap worlds for a little while.

I have a day job. One that eats 90% of my time, and if I start regarding one of my passion projects as hard, sweaty work (which it is, actually, but the trick is to keep the blinders on), while going about an already rigorous time expense that pays my bills, like I have been, then it's no wonder I've felt devastated.

And tired. And unfulfilled.

There is no rush. At the end of the road, do I want to see myself published? Absolutely. But, really, if it happens in another five, ten, fifteen years, will I really be mad? I'm training myself to realize I shouldn't be. Because successful publication and eternal glory, while nice, isn't what I want to define my life right now. I want to tell myself a story.

Then another. And another.

Until I tell them wholly. And well.

In the meantime, there's so much of life I've only sipped, and I'm ready for a hearty drink. I'm not just a collector of experiences; I'm a consumer. Not in the soul-sucking, ever-shopping-for sense. In the no-holds-barred devouring sense. And I want to do all these things, as I write. Because they can only enhance the stories I'm telling.

And when the night quits whispering for me to stay awake, these stories are how I get myself sleeping. The promise and allure and scope of these lives I slip into while daydreaming. Fictitious friends who beckon.

I don't want to shake them until they tell me everything. We're not at that point yet. I'm not facing a dead end, as I'd have myself believe. So, I'm going to get through the books I'm reading, without feeling guilty. Like I'm neglecting something that's always there, breathing softly beside a slew of other thoughts and dreams.

I'm going to focus on other forms of writing I enjoy. Like blog writing. I like to travel blog as well, as I've been exploring bits and pieces of the world these last couple of years, and there's more to be done.

My time has been fruitful. When I'm doing something besides novel writing, it's not a waste of time. It's not a criminal offense against myself and whatever talent I possess. The skills are being honed, as often as I can manage.

I've been dictating to myself a very precise, very harsh rule for success. Defining and caging and branding my worth, my value, based off how complete the Big Dreams are.

I'm okay with admitting writing a novel is only one of them. I'm resuming the buoyant belief that humans can--and maybe even should--have more than one.

I wouldn't want things to get boring. It's so exciting to dream.

Another dream of mine is to see Mine for the Reading being read. Relished. Not merely enjoyed. Savored, like the end of the day with your wine, or your partner, or your pillow, or your favorite tv show. A comfort that's both homey and luxurious, familiar and rare.

I'm going to make you laugh. Like I do with all my friends. I want to tell you stories about the stories I've read, like I do with my friends and family. I want to make you care about them before you've even picked up the book I'm talking about.

I used to do that. I used to be good at it. I think I still am. Give me a chance.

You're going to see more posts over the next few weeks. Some may be single reviews, some may be highlighted books, some may be book inspiration posts or topics for discussion. We're going to have a grand ol' time.

I hope you'll join me for the next post.

Credit: Quotes by Mary Oliver.

A Court of Mist and Fury, Skullduggery Pleasant, & The Last Unicorn | First Impressions | Mine for the Reading

So, I was gearing up for posting today's entry, when I realized that no words were coming to me for King's Rising by C. S. Pacat--the most recent book I've finished.

Hardly a surprise when it's the last book in a fantasy trilogy and my emotions were all stirred up to the point of actual turmoil. If you read my review for the first two books you'll remember that while I was invested, I wasn't, like, SUPER invested. Or so I thought.

Then I put book three down, and decided I was full of shit.

Does it amount to one of my favorite series of all time? No, not quite. But, it's a damn good fantasy trilogy, filled with all the things I love about The Winner's Curse Trilogy and the Throne of Glass series--awfully, bitterly beautiful love story meets heartbreaking parameters that may squash that love meets thrones to be reclaimed. All I can say currently is that C. S. Pacat lived up to the promises she made in the earlier books.

Sadly, anything else I may have to say on the matter might be touched upon during my weekly feature on my Youtube channel. I'm doing Sitdown Saturdays where I touch on some of the cool books I've read, so look out for that if you want to know more on the King's Rising.

Though, I'm hardly promising anything here.

These days, I'm in the middle of a few books.


Now, we all heard me say that I'm a big lover of the Throne of Glass series, right? 'Kay. So following that, I love Sarah J. Maas as a human. But, I'm not so bias where I can't say that the ACOTAR series is riddled with flaws I can't really ignore. The problem for me is, I know what she's trying to do. And I can see how she's trying to do it. But, sadly, in the ten percent chance I've given ACOMAF, book two, those earlier problems I had with book one have been reinforced, and she's still failing at what she's trying to deliver. For me. BUT.

Because I want to believe that anything Sarah writes will get better... I'm determined to power through. I've just gotten to the point where she's ditched the sunshine and tulle dresses and Tamlin's mating rituals and has ended up in the Night Court. And that's all I'll say... but being with Rhysand has me considerably more excited.

One thing she has managed to sell me on so far? That Tamlin might not be Feyre's one true love after all. Something I thought was going to bother me as a result of the ending of ACOTAR was that cemented clarity Feyre has... and the teasing dawn of a love triangle after said realization--especially because it was hammered into our skulls how much Feyre looooves Tamlin.

But, Sarah has made me believe that the person Feyre had to become to save the person she loves, may not be able to withstand being with that person.

I believe Feyre has been broken by her circumstances. We'll just see if the rest of the trouble she gets up to will live up for me. Sad side note: I'm unimpressed by the sex scenes so far. They feel almost awkward.

Now, I've been dying to get my greedy hands on this book, and it is by far the most promising out of all my prospective reads. Less than ten percent of the way through, and I was immediately hooked. The words of Landy's Skullduggery Pleasant have been laced with this kind of quiet humor. I mean, that the narrative seems to almost be laughing at itself without being schticky.

And we haven't even gotten to the fun stuff yet.

My interest for this series was inspired by the dozens and dozens of quotes I found relating to the main characters. So far, I haven't been disappointed. The writing is either very elegant or very funny. OR a nice a blend of both. And I'm digging it.

Between this and Howl's Moving Castle, there really are no two more classic fantasy books I want to complete. The Last Unicorn with it's whimsical, sumptuous prose is not so beautiful that I just want to admire the words. I want to bask in them, live inside them. I want to live with the characters who DO occupy them. Except...

I'm just not in the mood.

It's almost the same kind of deal with a Melina Marchetta book. You have to be in the right mindset to perfectly enjoy the things you love about it, even when you don't quite understand everything yet.

When the time is right, nothing gets to me like a heartbreaking quest. Nearly nothing.

I hope to vibe with this one soon.

Come see what else I'm currently reading!

Chase Me (Paris Nights #2) by Laura Florand | Adult Romance | Companion Series | Mine for the Reading

“I’m tall,” he said. “I can reach things on high shelves. Very convenient in a husband.”
She definitely had to suppress a smile there. “I organize my kitchen. I can reach whatever I want.”
He sighed heavily. “I suppose you don’t need me to open jars for you either.”
Hey, she had a dimple. Damn. He was definitely going to marry her.

I don’t want to say living in France these past eight months has made me into a snob. But, I felt a little cheated by some of the descriptions of Paris. I wanted—no, expected—more descriptive prowess to do justice to what a magnificent city it truly can be. The City of Lights didn’t shine to it’s fullest potential here.

BUT.

That is where most of my disappointment lies. Yeah, did I feel like the story went on a little too long? Sure. Did I think Violette’s English sounded a little too American? Yeah.

BUT.

Violette and Chase are magnetic, addictive. Their chemistry leaps up and demands to be paid rightful attention. The twining of their characters, the charm and wit and shyness and feistiness thrown back and forth between the two kept me smiling—sometimes outright laughing—at their every scene together. Their chemistry is unbeatable, organic. The fact that they are equals in about every way, and neither of them are intimidated by the other’s strong personality just sets the sparks dancing.

“Why H?” she said.
Hunh?
“Jesus H. Christ,” she repeated, with an accenteted precision that was so erotic he nearly whimpered. “Why H?”
He, uh… damn. He had no idea. “I’ll tell you after the birth of our first child.”
She had two dimples. One on each side. And she paired them with a very haughty look up and down his body that made him want to beg. “It will be interesting to see you pregnant.”
He grinned. “So that’s a yes?”

If this is what I can come to expect with Florand’s writing, then I will definitely be checking out her other series. There is just something so simultaneously warm, toasty, and hot, spicy about her writing, something she’s done heart-warmingly, body-sizzlingly well.

I look forward to more zing in the future.

Ebook / 246 pgs / Apr 5th 2016 / Author Published / Goodreads / $4.99

My copy was purchased from Amazon Kindle.

What did I rate Chase Me by Laura Florand?

The Assassin and the Empire by Sarah J. Maas | Fantasy | Throne of Glass Novella | Mine for the Reading

"You want to hear something ridiculous? Whenever I’m scared out of my wits, I tell myself: My name is Sam Cortland… and I will not be afraid. I’ve been doing it for years.”
It was her turn to raise her brows. “And that actually works?”
He laughed onto her fingers. “Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. But it usually makes me feel better to some degree. Or it just makes me laugh at myself a bit.”

This scene was one of the many that broke me. THE ASSASSIN AND THE EMPIRE is just another piece of the story of Celaena Sardothien’s downfall. The story is woven of betrayal and deceit and severed friendships and old wounds and love. Such a sweet, bright light in a tale which eeks out darkness like spilt blood.

This was the final piece. The cog on the wheel of Celeana’s fate which broke her heart yet again and tormented her spirits into numbness.

I knew what was going to happen. I’ve read the series to date, and love every fracturing piece of Celeana that there is to discover. This is the part of her past that just made the events I’ve already read all worth even more. Made me cry. Made me want to hit someone.

Loss is like that. Especially one that has been treated like a vivid scar Celeana wears on her life going forward. I knew about this pain she bore, but I didn’t fully understand it until I read this novella. And now I mourn for the girl she was all over again.

And the man who suffered for loving her, against all the odds.

It puts so much of Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows into focus. I cried for it. And I cried for her promise to overcome the hell she was sentenced to. On crumbling legs and wobbly feet, before the Lord of the North, swearing that she would survive.

“The breeze grew into a wind, and she closed her eyes, letting it sweep away the ashes of that dead world—of that dead girl. And then there was nothing left except something new, something still glowing red from the forging.
Celeana opened her eyes.
She would go into Endovier. Go into Hell. And she would not crumble.”

She would not be afraid. I’ve got tears in my eyes yet again.

EMPIRE OF STORMS could not feel farther away.

e-Book / 94 pgs / July 20th 2012 / Bloomsbury / Goodreads / $1.99

My e-book copy was purchased on Amazon.com.

What did I rate The Assassin and the Empire?

Captive Prince + Prince's Gambit by C. S. Pacat | LGBTQ+ | Fantasy | Mine for the Reading

We walked in the night garden, and you took my arm and gave me counsel, and I did not listen.
And Nikandros of Delpha stared back at him, and in a shocked voice, speaking the words half to himself, said, “It’s not possible.”
“Old friend, you have come to a place where nothing is as any of us thought.”

In a land of serpents and wolves ever-bickering and unable to trounce the other, Laurent of Vere and Damianos of Akielos find themselves entwined by brutality and treachery in the midst of a brewing war and political conquering. Both will surely lead to the destruction of the fragile peace keeping everything just barely intact. Damianos, once a prince, betrayed and made a slave in the kingdom of Vere, is caged in his helplessness and inability to aid the country falling apart under the rule of the man—and the woman—who betrayed him. But that’s not all he has to worry about.

There’s one crucial thing to bear in mind when finding yourself in a kingdom made of honeyed poison: survival. Between the disgusting practices and abuse of the system that governs them, Vere, in all it’s finery and elegant nobility, can drive a man to do things that would leave him irrevocably unhinged—if not dead. The sickening, merciless brutality doled out by the Veretians in their court games and spectacles make the crown prince of their barbarian neighbors regard the country with a whole new level of near-maddening distaste and horror.

Laurent was born in this cold web of deceit, broken children, repellent men and women, and battered slaves. That may have lent to his impenetrable armor against it all—except for the very few chinks Damen discovers in watching him during his forced servitude. That is, when he’s not fighting for dominance—even mere living—against the ice-veined, amoral prince with a deep, personal loathing for Damen and his countrymen.

With all the well-constructed political disputes lacking the accent of magic and a romance inhibited by a stark imbalance of power as within The Winner’s Curse trilogy mixed with the horrifying cruelty and cutting treachery of Game of Thrones, the Captive Prince books are a marked success of a recipe gone right. Though, I’m not quite so attached as to roar about the missing—as yet—third sequel, it’s more than simple curiosity which has reeled me in, kept me glued, and left me reaching for what will happen next.

More than anything, I need to know how this will end. Will Laurent overcome the reality of Damen’s true identity (if he somehow already hasn’t?)? Will Damen be able to ease the suffering of that knowledge? Can a love (undeclared) like this—born within hate and brutality and slavery—succeed? Will thrones be reclaimed, war stopped, cunning outsmarted, viciousness eradicated? Questions that will dog me until book three. The answers may hurt me, and yet I still can’t wait.

Ebook / 240 + 216 pgs / 2012 (AU)/2015 (US) / Berkeley / Goodreads / $6.99

My copy was purchased from Amazon Kindle.

What did I rate Captive Prince?


Sidenote: I used the Japanese released cover because it is GORGEOUS. And makes me hopeful there will be a manga or an anime in the future. :-)

A Diverse Selection: His Road Home by Anna Richland | Interracial Relationships | Mine for the Reading

"Do you have a compelling academic or personal need to attend the University of Washington Seattle at this time?"
Yes. I have a massive crush on a woman with a Ph.D., so I need a degree, a job and a place to live in Seattle. Please admit me. So I can get laid.

This little piece of adorable, sexy fiction was so, so good. I get giddy and want to squeal like I did when I got solo playing rights to Ocarina of Time at ten thinking about all that took place here. The first three-quarters are definitely the strongest part, but I just... can't. My heart got squeezed, my smile took over my face. Because Grace Kim flew to some military hospital the moment she finds out Reynaldo Cruz had his legs blown off in Afghanistan... and had her picture in his pocket. He used it to claim she was his fiance. She has never met him before in her life. He can barely speak because his brain is all scrambled. She's supposed to go back to her old life in a week.

But she doesn't. She stays.

She helps his mom when she comes running to take care of her newly disabled son. She helps make his days a little easier than the days before. And he starts noticing how good she smells, how sweetly she tries, how she stays by his side even though she has no reason to. Ah... just talking about it is making my heart melt.

"Good." Of you to come, of you to help my mother, your hands feel good on my skin, goodbye, but he realized she probably heard good that you're leaving because the corners of her mouth drooped. "Not good. No." His voice rose, but he didn't know how to share his feelings.
There was one way to explain what he meant, a loco way, but he used to be a loco hombre. She barely had time to squeak before his hands gripped her shoulders and he yanked."

Angie, you may not remember me, but I never stopped reading your reviews. Your review for His Road Home stuck with me. You got to me.

e-Book / 109 pgs / Oct 13th 2014 / Carina Press / Goodreads / $2.99

My e-book copy was purchased on Amazon.com.

What did I rate His Road Home?

A Diverse Selection: Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet | LGBTQ+ | Mine for the Reading

"He took Calvin's hand, and like every other time in their lives, Calvin followed Ethan blindly and willingly."

The first time Detective Dexter J. Daley meets the rest of his new team of THIRDs operatives it's after a) having been expressly directed NOT to meet them on his own by his Sargent father and b) getting into a fight with a ginormous bear-shifting agent fondly dubbed thereafter as Yogy over Cheesy Doodles. From that moment on, Destructive Delta was forever changed.

“At home in my drawer I have this huge d—”
Ash clamped a hand over Cael’s mouth, his face crimson. “Dictionary. A huge dictionary. Cael’s teaching me new words, such as… delitescent. Adjective. This entire conversation should have remained delitescent.”
“I’m a little scared right now,” Dex whispered hoarsely, turning to Sloane. “Hold me.”

Catch a Tiger by the Tail follows Calvin and Hobbs story - and while I would believe Dex capable of blinding you by gummy bear beaning, your eyes do not deceive you - those are their names - and this chapter of the team's story has been long-awaited. The solemn, pointed sharpshooter and the mute, sweet de-bomberperson (just made that up) have been longtime best friends and are now navigating the murky waters of transition into lovedom. Yummy and warm, oh, sweet, sweet man-on-man swoon.

This series is known for making people sit up in bed, laughing out loud to the point of near hysterical sobbing. From Dex's gummy bear obsession to the point of defiling his helmet to Ash's rip-roaring grouchiness to Cael's uninvited knowledge of sex toys and Dex's pubescent antics to Letty and Rosa's tagteam bullying to Sloane's head-shaking resignation to Hudson's tea predilection to Calvin and Hobbs' way without words and all the mischief that comes as a result. Crime and suspense, male romance, gut-busting humor, I almost want to warn you away!

Ebook / 216 pgs / Feb 5th 2016 / Dreamspinner Press / Goodreads / $6.99

My copy was purchased from Amazon Kindle.

What did I rate Catch a Tiger by the Tail?

Where are the readers?

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx2iWUjqBJGlkWZLMu5AvTnD-Yz4XLCItTQIzwYSfra5lt5I9UCh5mFA7thKssJdZi41TqIZYLHoCUYbV5a3HgGwEaeVoe0eOoN5_nLBChbtVLrA2g5cj924epnGM336FPejP27pp0Bal/s1600/p.coming_home01.jpg

So I never thought I'd come back to this place.

Skylar Grey knew it, that's why she's telling the world. But Paranormal Indulgence was a place that bore so much, I think the weight ended up falling onto my shoulders and crippling me. This place - I'm gazing around at it, sifting through the archives, through memories, and the dust motes stir and glisten under light that could almost be real which falls on the library I'd built here, brick by brick, book by book - holds so, so many memories. The books I read exposed what I had been going through, all that I was undertaking, and everything I was trying to distract myself from. I cried for the characters in these books; I wept for whole worlds. Souls and places, destroyed or brought beauty. I made friends here. I grieved friends here. I've known loss. And I've known such joy.

That doesn't even cover the online surface of this place. Where I met some of the people behind the screens, who wrote to me, who commented about my thoughts. For three years Paranormal Indulgence gave me refuge, gave me peace, and gave me a chamber to hold all my thoughts, all my feelings.

And I miss that.

I miss being able to share what's inside me when a story effects me so deeply it enters my dreams, shoves aside my thoughts, sits in my mind so vividly it's like the story - and everything in it - has meshed into one person taking considerable space. Waiting for me to ask they leave. Knowing I probably never will.

I talked about some of my all time favorite books here.

http://40.media.tumblr.com/9229d679da62d570b0bcb3dc5c5cbe6b/tumblr_mxr8imkC0Z1qmhdqyo1_500.png

The Sky Is Everywhere... a sisterhood torn by fate and loss, the grief that waits to devour the sister left behind, and the heart-soaring objection of the boy who loves her... I would love to re-review this one

,Jellicoe Road... a tale that exists within Shangri-La, where the words to describe it have been forever lost...

The Fire and Thorn series... where a girl who doesn't fit the part of The Chosen One in body type and skillset dominates her enemies...

Saving Francesca... the very definition of what it means to be brave...

The Throne of Glass series... a set of soul books, great loves of mine, that chronicle the journey of a girl who lost everything, suffered and caused suffering for it, and found reasons to live, reasons to rule again...

The Morganville Vampire series... in which vampires run amok and inspire terror... and four kids grow up much faster than they should to stop them...

The Infernal Devices... also known as the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood books, for no male friendship has surpassed the likes of Jem and Will... As I mentioned in my review: "How do you get over a story of weakness, will, and heart, of fools and their better halves? I'm not quite sure I want to find out."

Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom... how to do it being just the way you are, exactly who you are...

 Anna and the French Kiss/Lola and the Boy Next Door... love found in Paris and San Francisco that live in the grey places, asks the grey questions, and gives bright answers with even brighter futures...

Fire... set to the things you thought you knew about beautiful women and harsh princes and misshapen triangles and out of the ashes comes a new understanding of people and love...

Nowhere But Home... will you find women who ruin you, the men they love, and fate's grip on their reality set to rights...

 Scarlet... like Fire, renders the heart with her complications, and Robin Hood does no better there, but their story is everything...

Tiger Lily... made me wish I appreciated Peter Pan enough to hate him and Wendy, because their story trampled hearts well-prized by the end...

Twenty Boy Summer... for a girl holding grief inside for a future that might have been with the boy everyone loved...

 The Witness... who can't withstand all the nightmarish things that happen in the dark corners of the world and leads a life of seclusion, until she has reason to walk into the light...

The River of Time series... taught me the strength of women, sisterhood, and the men who can hold up against the forces of both combined as well as the power of family...

I had such things to say. And these are just some of the books which hold pieces of my heart. And I miss them. I'm not near them these days.

I live in France and have four months to go before I'm returned to them.

So I've thought to myself: maybe it's time to go back to them in a different way. Maybe it's time to return to the place that held my heart for years.

And, no, I don't mean Middle Earth.

Paranormal Indulgence might strike as a strange name, but I remember why I chose it. I remember sitting at my computer with pre-Google Blogger set-up at hand, trying to name this enormous jar where I would drop all of my feelings... and it was because I read obsessively. I indulged in a book in the wrong moments as often as the acceptable ones...

And that's starting to become true again.

So, I ask you, where are the readers? Where are the people who would come away and dream with me for a while? About people and places only we know to exist... open secrets we  both guard and water until something unfathomable grows...

I want to experience that again. I hope you'll join me.

http://data.whicdn.com/images/47307682/tumblr_mf30v5X26V1qe0my3o1_500_large.jpg

Bye, bye Paranormal Indulgence! Hello, New Blog!

After a nurturing a shoddy four-year-old book blogging habitat here at Paranormal Indulgence, I finally decided it was time to let this shite go.

YES, I WENT THERE TO THAT PLACE.

I can freely admit that though it had a nice ring to it, Paranormal Indulgence didn't leave anybody with permanence vibes. Never mind that I've been blogging here for four years on and off. Really, the name doesn't mean everything I thought it would mean and, more importantly, what I want it to mean now.

Is Mine For the Reading any better? Uh, YES. It comes from a saying that implies world domination. How CAN you beat that, I ask you?

But, Amara, you spent an obscene amount of money on this blog layout.

Well, why the bloody hell do you think I've kept this place on life support this long?

But I finally rationalized that this layout isn't going anywhere. In fact, with a little editing, it can be recycled for my new blog at some point.

Currently the new place is without its finer trimmings, but that will soon be rectified.

Besides it give you lovely folk a chance to prove that our fellowship hasn't failed and that you love me for my content anyway.

SINCE I WATCHED ALL THE MOVIES I'M ALLOWED TO USE THESE, RIGHT?

In fact, here's my first post on nothing.

Don't worry, young hobbits, there will be all sorts of cool stuff coming as soon as I can arrange my thoughts into cohesive blog posts about books and things.

See you on the other slide! Weeeee!

What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries

"Forgive me, madam, it appears that you and I got off on the wrong foot."
"You got off on the wrong foot. I merely watched you shove it into your mouth."

Insert a fist-pump here because that was a Score! for Lisette Bonnaud, bastard of a duke and spitfire all of her own making. I honestly didn't expect to enjoy What the Duke Desires so bleeding much, but it was such an irresistibly charming read that it proved impossible to shake my head in reproof of all the obvious inaccuracies to the time period. Heck, I'm not a historian so for all I know certain phrasing may have been invented around this time. Anyway, once I finished sniffing, I realized how sensational a time I was having reading as Maximillian Cale, Duke of Lyons, and Lisette warily danced around the intoxicating combination of hard-held secrets and blatant sexual attraction.

In truth, we've all seen this story dance a million different ways to the same tune—a rich and powerful man with heart-rending secrets meets the woman who sees herself lacking in some way but breathes fire nonetheless. And when the two characters meet either really great or really terrible things are written to happen. This, in What the Duke Desires, was the case of really great. Jeffries spent a lot of time fine-tuning both Max and Lisette's personalities, down to the littlest flaw to make sure we saw everything by the end, making their slow pull to each other not only powerfully attractive but impressively convincing. Not to mention sweet.

"You're so pretty," he murmured as she struggled with his boots. He ran his hand over her curls, tangling his fingers in them. "Your hair is like... it's like... I dunno. Something black and shiny."
She smothered a smile. Apparently when the duke was jug-bitten, he became somewhat inarticulate. "Like beetles, perhaps?" she joked.
"Right, beetles." He blinked, then scowled. "Not beetles. Don't be daft." He'd filled both hands with her hair and was smoothing it and caressing it. "Something prettier."

Too often in such sexy circumstances are the adorable and cute forgotten in the thick of all the tension. Tender moments in between aside, I loved finding Max in particular so damn adorable, and loved it even more when Lisette noticed also. Made me feel truly attuned to her while admiring him. I don't know if I'm making much sense here, but Jeffries won me with her characterization over everything else is my meaning.

He was watching her now, his gaze hooded. "All the same, no one will ever believe that you and I are brother and sister. We sound too different, look too different." His voice dropped to a rough thrum. "And I can assure you, I will never be able to treat you like a sister."
That got her dander up again. "Because I'm too far beneath you?"
"Because you're too beautiful." When she stiffened, he added ruefully, "I can't pretend I don't notice. And last time I checked, brothers weren't supposed to notice such things about their sisters."

Beyond them, however, was more than enough to keep me entertained, especially when it brought the two tangled together in confusion, awkwardness, and frustrating (for them) situations. It's an adventure of sorts and a mystery that, while not terribly complex, held enough shocking concluding details to bear weight on the characters and, therefore, me. From start to finish, I couldn't bear to be interrupted.

Oh, what a satisfying bout this was. What a Duke Desires contained everything I desire to read—adventure, mystery, well-developed characters, and a downright lovely romance. Gossips, cruel villains and their henchmen, equally overbearing and overprotective brothers, a tinge of political figures and other assorted mentions. What a Duke Desires is delightfully quick to read, causing surprise in how little time it took to finish. A fan of romance blossoming in bizarre situations and fast-paced reading will adore this first book in The Duke's Men series. I can't wait to continue!

Ebook / 417 pgs / June 18th 2013 / Pocket Books / Goodreads / $7.99

My copy was purchased from Barnes & Noble as a NookBook.

What did I rate What a Duke Desires?

Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts

"This is what we are," Brannaugh said, still glowing from the shock of energy. "This is what we have. The nights grow longer now. The dark conquers light. But he will not conquer us."

Oh, would you believe how much this pains me? Writing this out, spelling out my feelings this way, a way that doesn't make Nora Roberts sound like the god of romance and storytelling and romantic storytelling I know her to be. She's fueled my dreams of love and fulfillment since I was a girl of preadolescence and I still firmly believe she is a queen among authors. But even royalty have an off day, I suppose.

To be fair, I knew that beyond the first book, Dark Witch, I was going to have a tough time. There was something so specific and individualized about the way I loved Iona and her story that I knew it wouldn't translate the same throughout the series. And it didn't help that these characters whom I knew would arise from the role of secondary to primary characters failed to win me. It was the love of Iona and the promise of her future with Boyle that drew me away from my doubt and trapped me into really liking the Dark Witch after the rich opening chapters.

Without her intense draw, it's too easy to see how dull I find the rest of the story beginning with Shadow Spell. Because the remaining characters felt like a gloomy day that left me begging for the sunshine that was Iona and because most of the plot is made up of uneventful, boring dinner conversations of supposed strategy instead of actual action, I found myself yawning and flipping quickly through the pages--so quickly, in fact, that the words could only be skimmed. Barely.

In truth, this read felt more like a DNF sitting since I can't recall over a quarter of the book, just a blur of words as I hastened to reach the ending I desperately wanted. Wanted not due to real worry or excitement for the conclusion, but due to eagerness in actually finding one at last. Folks, it's a sad day when I'm begging for a new Nora Roberts book to end so that I can chuck it aside.

I will be checking out the final book, just to see how that final couple stops prolonging the torture of not being together and to convince myself that it was just this installment that bothered and not the whole story idea. And let's face it: I'm always excited for a New Nora no matter what, even when I'm disappointed by the last.

Paperback / 319 pgs / March 25th 2014 / Berkeley Penguin / Goodreads / $17.00

My copy was purchased on Amazon.com.

What did I rate Shadow Spell?

Written In Red by Anne Bishop

"Get this into your head, Meg Corbyn. We don't let humans live in our part of the world because we like you. We let you live here because you can be useful, and you've invented things we like having. If it wasn't for that, you'd all be nothing but meat. Which is something you should remember.

Perhaps this day of exasperating consumerism isn't the most suitable day to talk about my time spent with Written In Red but I've been waiting for days to harp on its magnificence, so you'll just have to pardon me.

I started this tale of gripping world-building and heartwarming characters on March 9th... and I just finished it this past Thursday at 2:13am. So you can imagine how creative my frustration-born snarls were this past month at every bold intruder seeking to thwart my slow yet heady race to the elusive finish line. All kinds of distractions crept into my days so that every time I was forced to put the book down, I'd turn a little more of my frustration onto the read instead of blaming my goshdamn life. To the point where I suddenly began to dread re-immersing myself only to have the story remind me how misguided my misery truly was.

You see, in the abstract and technical sense Written In Red shouldn't have appealed to me in the least. I like whimsy and beauty in my writing, less intimidating page length in my book, and a little more obvious romance among my characters because obviously I'm an easily intimidated fanciful hussy like that. So when I was faced with practical, straightforward writing, a whopping 450+ pages, and a smidgen of romance, I expected to find myself printing a return label at the end of this very long, unattractive tunnel.

Instead I'm gazing at it reverently, utterly content with the story I was met with. A story in which I discovered a winding love for a female protagonist who somehow balances kindness, ignorance, and spine without irritating or disenchanting me, for a slew of secondary characters who steadily grew on me in spite of, or maybe because of, their scope, and a world built upon layer after fascinating layer that I got to explore thoroughly. It isn't everyday you can enjoy all those qualities in such a long book and still come out beautifully moved and wholly entertained.

And it all began with the mention of an H.L.D.N.A sign (Human Law Does Not Apply).

"I talked to the members of the Business Association and we all agree that while the woman in the wanted poster bears a strong resemblance to our Liason, they are not the same person."
Monty opened his mouth to disagree, then realized there was no point. Wolfgard knew perfectly well that Meg Corbyn was the woman on the wanted poster.
"We have, of course, taken precautions. Meg Corbyn is now residing in the Green Complex, where safe access is only possible by prior arrangement. I live there. So does Vladimir Sanguinati and Henry Beargard."
Message understood. No one who tried to reach Meg Corbyn when she was asleep or otherwise vulnerable would survive.
Then his face took on a feral look that was terrible to see on an otherwise human face. "Human law doesn't apply in the Courtyard, Lieutenant. No matter what anyone else thinks, Meg Corbyn is ours now--and we protect our own. You make sure you send that message back to whoever made the poster."

Now the Grandfather of the Sanguinatti wishes for Meg the sweetblood to be treated with care. She had thought of the evergreens instead of summer green when she gifted a scarf to Winter, who wears it happily. She remembers library requests and old movie deliveries and treats for the ponies who deliver the mail. She both irritates and calms Simon Wolfgard, coaxes his nephew away from his fear and trauma, and gives the Coyote, the Crows, and the Hawks entertainment every morning. Eating Tess's meals and indulging Jenni the Crow who likes the shiny things and enjoying Henry the Bear's music. It's all the things she thoughtfully does for the various inhuman creatures that surround her that bridge the connection between the two coexisting species whom had never fully understood one another before and now had a better chance of doing so.

Meg is the gateway to trust and respect on both sides, and maybe even affection. Witnessing this slow progression of change is entrancing and amazingly inspiring. It's happy, even among all the viciousness that does and must play out to maintain order. Normal and queer, brave and shy, innocent and tough, Meg makes me want to jump straight into Murder of Crows even after this tormenting month. Because she's the heart of this story, and everyone the heart touches comes alive on the page.

And if I hadn't already committed to reading Anne Bishop's Black Jewels this would've sealed the deal. But my commitment was made when I bought the omnibus for the trilogy several months ago, so I'll just settle for saying that reading this made me want to start quicker than anticipated.

Massmarket Paperback / 487 pgs / March 5th 2013 / Roc Penguin / Goodreads / $7.99

My copy was purchased from Amazon.com.

What did I rate Written In Red?

Remnants by Lisa T. Bergren

The elder likened the Hour of our Call to a tidal pull, the first birthing pangs of a pregnant mother... but to me it felt like a scream building inside. Excitement and glory, swirling in a ball within my chest. Electrifying. Mobilizing.

Did I really say I was going to post this review three days ago? Has it really been a month already since my last post? I'm clearly just so damn absentminded I should be responsible for little else. That's why I keep rejecting your blog tour invites and review requests, people, and not because it pleases me... much (but there would be no confusion if more read a certain web page). Anyway, I did make an exception to my current policy for one of the few authors I would bend over backward because I wanted to be a part of her latest book's outbreak into blogging society. Have I done a good job with keeping up? I could've done better, I freely admit. But the point is I'm more or less ready to talk about my feelings on the matter.

I'm going to be upfront and say I am pretty darn disappointed with Remnants/Season of Wonder and... just why did I think I wanted to be honest upfront? It's painful to say even that much when I utterly adore Lisa T. Bergren, as a person and an author. I feel guilty, even knowing I don't owe the lovely Lisa an unqualified happy response to what I read. However, whether this wasn't my cup of tea or that I found it strangely lacking, the overwhelming conclusion is that I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I'd hoped.

A promising first few chapters combined with my enthusiasm to have something else of the author of the River of Time novels cross my lap made it ease to delve into this new world filled with new characters in what looked to be an engaging and exciting story. I was intrigued by these warriors of God fighting for the remnants of a world that wasn't my world but felt eerily familiar.

But the foundation of what is built for us doesn't hold strong for very long.

It took me little to no time to realize that while I snickered at the humor that wanted to be there and tried to love the potential of a long-brewing romance between the main characters, I didn't see, didn't feel, and ultimately didn't care. It became difficult to keep my attention firmly pressed to the pages when I was so distant from these people trying to rally together to save the world, a world that provoked a few questions, yes, then promptly lost my interest as did most everything else.

It's an interesting book, for all it's needlessly overwhelming length, but that's all it amounted to in the end. It wasn't gripping or immersive or any of the other fun words I like to use to describe the state a book put me into. And so I may retain a mild curiosity for the next book in the series, but nothing more.

Hardcover / 414 pgs / April 8th 2014 / Blink / Goodreads / $15.99

My copy was sent to me as an ARC for the Remnants blog tour.

What did I rate Season of Wonder?

Remnants Blog Tour: INSPIRATION BEHIND THE LOCALE

In the first book of the new futuristic dystopian series from author Lisa T. Bergren, the chosen remnants must work to redirect humanity’s course.

The year is 2095. Gifted teens known as Remnants have been chosen and trained to act as humanity’s last hope to rectify the horrors that are now part of everyday life.

The Community has trained these teens as warriors and assigned them Knights of the Last Order as protectors. Together, they are a force that will be difficult to bring down.

But the Sons of Sheol, of course, are determined to do just that. As the Remnants begin their mission to course-correct humanity by saving and protecting key individuals, their enemies move to stop them, placing the entire world in peril.

Bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren presents the first book in her new YA futuristic dystopian series—The Remnants Novels—fitting in with the current dystopian trend in the marketplace.

For the monastery that appears in the novel as “Wadi Qelt,” and Keallach’s winter palace, I actually used a monastery in a canyon of the same name in Israel. There, you descend from a hot, dry desert floor, down into a cool, red-and-gold rocky canyon with a river that flows along the bottom. They use aqueducts to funnel water elsewhere. And at the bottom, farther along the canyon, is an amazing monastery that smells of beeswax and with frescoes covered with a layer of soot from centuries of candles burning.

Merchants hang out at the top, wanting to sell you jewelry or a ride on a camel. More hang out at the bottom with burros, offering to let you ride to the top. The walls are riddled with caves and ladders, used by monks in seclusion—something I used in my book, Remnants, too.

While Keallach’s winter palace is far more contemporary—complete with a landscaped pool and building with individual balconies—the inspiration was everything I saw and experienced in that idyllic canyon in Israel.

Be sure to write down this STOP #11 LAUNCH TOUR CLUE: All that

Collect all the clues and fill out Lisa’s Rafflecopter form on her launch tour post at LisaBergren.com at the end of April and you could win either a Kindle Fire HDX ($229) or iPod Touch ($229)!



What’s your favorite desert locale? Share it in the comments!

And look forward to my review in tomorrow's post!

Waiting On Wednesday April Edition: Dorothy Must Die & To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Ah, when was the last time I did a WoW post? I used to love doing these every week, before I complicated matters here and tried to tweak things. Whatever happened to just having fun with this? Well, that's just what I'm going to try to get back to.

I love this meme because it helps me narrow down and sort through my bookish desires. By prioritizing certain releases, I have a nice list of things I want to read next. And if there's one thing I love doing it's gotta be list-making.

Dorothy Must Die was an easy choice, the first book to come to mind when I thought on releases I desperately wanted. At first, it was really all about a title like that. I don't think there's anyone who can resist that title, and let's not forget to mention that cover. Hence all the buzz I'm sure.

Then you've got a supremely unique twist on the classic story, one whose anniversary hits this year, and I'm all anxious excited for what this undoubtedly inventive tale will bring.

Plus, I've already begun the prequel and it's so gooood.

Now try as I might, it has never been the perfect time to start Jenny Han's previous triogy. Every summer I start to reach for it and then lose the urge on the way. I guess it's because the premise never really captured me, and the only reason I want to read it is due to the amount of love there is for the books.

But this time around, well, this is EXACTLY my kind of premise. There's going to be all kinds of character growth and everything, yes, but I just love the idea of a main character finding herself bombarded by old crushes, ones who may have actually felt something back.

It's going to be so emotional and will do all kinds of things to my heart, and I can't WAIT.

*insert world-weary sigh* I hate waiting, don't you?

What I've Been Reading: Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs & Concealed In Death by J.D. Robb

Every time winter hedges into spring, this incredible and inexplicable urge to binge read consumes my every thought, targets my resistance with all the power of a hive of bees swarming an intruder. Nothing I do, unless directly related to soothing this craving, holds any meaning. This leaves me backed in a corner, but I'm only half-reluctant. There's another part of me, the well-buried (or not) masochistic half, that is all but bouncing with glee over the idea of investing myself in a new world, a new set of characters. But not just any novel will do to quench this very specific thirst, no.

I must read a long-spanning series. Nothing else will do.

The unfortunate side effect of this decision is that my lust to begin a new series doesn't exclude the perilously ongoing ones. Which very often leads to a lot of heartache and personal frustration which, funnily enough, I cannot usually afford during Februarytime for one reason or another.

And yet every year, I can anticipate this event the way I do Thanksgiving or Christmas. I must admit, half the fun is rifling and rooting through my TBR for the perfect choice, a selection that embodies equal parts deeply entrenched curiosity and a match to my current mood.

This year's choice felt somewhat random, but I couldn't imagine myself coming to any other conclusion. The Mercy Thompson series had always sort of lurked in the back of my mind, its fans taunting me with their enthusiasm and keen anticipation for each installment. Plus it hits many of my soft spots--supernatural abundance, an urban setting, a little sci-fi fantasy action topped off by a very SHIP-worthy paranormal romance. That an upcoming sequel was due out less than a month than when I wanted to begin was just the perfect sign.

And while I wouldn't say it's one of my absolute favorite series, it's super enjoyable and well-worth the time I spent indulging in such a yummy pageturner.

Essentially the series is about a woman living in a city ripe with catastrophe in the supernatural community to which she, incidentally, is a member. Within each sequel, the chinks in some aspect of that community--whether it be among the vampires, werewolves, or the fey who technically started this whole mess--are mercilessly and oftentimes unexpectedly exploited. This woman, Mercedes Thompson, walker raised by werewolves, grumpy mechanic, has an expansive circle of friends and allies, all of whom reluctantly recruit her against some foe or other as they slowly recognize her strengths among foolishly perceived weaknesses.

And that's ultimately why I enjoy these books so much. She's not so high up on the pecking order of supernatural creatures and so consistently underestimated that it's a sincere pleasure to watch her systematically squash the doubts aimed against her. She's a badass, another of my soft spots, without being inconsistent with it or grossly arrogant. It's that solid belief in herself and her vast capabilities that keeps me chained to the sidelines, cheering for all my fangirly heart is worth.

So, yeah. I'm counting the hours down 'til March 11th, when I'll be reunited with my latest girl-crush and crew.

Speaking of reunions, I recently got my trembling hands on the latest In Death novel. Trembling because I am an addict when it comes to this series--I've hardly made a secret of it. In fact, the In Death series had been last year's binge-fest--all, what was it? Thirty-four or so books at the time? Something like that. I spent every day of February and well into March reading all the available books and hooked since then doesn't even BEGIN to cover all the bases.

It felt so wonderful to be transported back to homey surroundings--futuristic New York and all it's foul glory, Castle Roarke where our cherished primary cast live, NYPSD headquarters, and so much more. And out of all areas the murder mysteries of each plot can fall into, this time was steeped in the sad end of the spectrum.

There is always a kind of thrill, for it can't be called fun when you're dealing with murder crimes so real it hurts, that goes along with unraveling the mystery alongside Eve Dallas, main character, primary investigator, homocide lieutenant. Concealed In Death was no different. It was a painful, thrilling, suspenseful, heartwarming ride that I hope I never have to get off of as we move forward.

Argh. September of 2014 seems like a long time to wonder and wait...

Upcoming: A look into Remnants by Lisa T. Bergren, a wrap-up for what was dubbed Fantasy February and perhaps a TBR if I'm still so inclined, and a comparison of Game of Thrones in TV and in the book. Get some sleep so you can stay tuned.

Review: The Mephisto Mark by Trinity Faegan

Published: September 24th 2013 by Pink Publishing
FYI BTW: E-Book • 333 pages • Series Goodreads Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

Orphaned at six and sent to live with abusive relatives in Bucharest, Mariah learned early in life to box up violent, agonizing memories and put them in permanent mental storage. Now almost nineteen, she has a paying job, a tiny apartment, and a plan to attend university. She loves her independence and is steadily overcoming her past, but when an enigmatic stranger walks into the pub where she works and the trajectory of her life changes yet again, she begins to wonder if she’ll run out of mental shelf space.

(Read more on Goodreads.)

Now you may remember me mentioning The Mephisto Covenant series before. In fact, one of my favorites of 2013 turned out to be The Mephisto Kiss, the sequel to The Mephisto Covenant. Now just a little disclaimer about me—I'm all about giving books a second chance, specifically books in a series where the potential to grow is always there. That's how it was with my first taste of Faegan's world; it definitely could've been much better, but I saw the possibilities it could pull off should Faegan improve on what I deemed to be flaws. So when I read The Mephisto Kiss, I was incredibly glad that I sat down one random evening to give it a chance and was dazzled by how much more depth Faegan created, and the attachments developed for these agonized sons of the dark angel Mephistopheles.

I just love saying his name. Mephistopheles.



The Good, The Bad, and The Non-Spoilery: If you've never read The Mephisto Covenant, it's about the six remaining sons of Mephistopheles (^^) who, due to questionable parentage to say the least, in order to earn passage into Heaven and gain God's favor must find love in a specific kind of a woman—known as Anabo, these women are descended from the first daughter of Adam and Eve and carry with them the purest of souls despite the darkness of the world around them, and so will be unafraid of being among the enigmatic, dangerous, arguably demonic Mephisto brothers. Should they love they will also know a peace that has eluded them for the thousand years they've already lived.

Now what I've loved about this series to this point is that the love lives of the six brothers are both at the center of the books and not all at once. Despite the fact that each of them have been unknowingly waiting for these promised soulmates, they've got other things going on as the hit squad working for both sides to stop the world from ending. But more than that, they're all carrying around a lot of emotional damage and pressure and old resentments that these could almost be very much character-driven stories, which huzzah!

I love that their romances are as equally hard as the lives they already lead. While the attraction is very much instant, the love takes a while to bloom, and when it comes to the point where they can love beyond themselves, it's cleansing for each brother and pretty damn beautiful. This particular installment focuses on Phoenix and the Anabo he definitely doesn't want to meet called Mariah, whom I loved so very much. You see, Phoenix harbors a horde of guilt for a tragic past where selfishness and many mistakes were at play. His tragic flaw is that selfishness so that even his guilt stems from self-pity no matter how much he thinks otherwise, and so it's no wonder it takes he and Mariah so long to work up to where I was dying to lead them my own self. He has so much growing to do at the beginning and because it's real, because it's true it takes a while for him to get there.

These books are about redemption, forgiveness, and self-growth, and therein lay the beauty, the glimpse of which I caught a couple years ago. And at the core of all those things is a driving need to maintain a family, and each of the brothers, the women they bring in, and the ones who watch over them—see: most BAMF butler, housekeeper, and cook ever—are very much a part of and committed to the family they've managed to salvage in spite of all the tragedies that have befallen them.

It's impossible to remain unaffected by these brothers, each their own person with their own quirks and flaws and jokes and badassery. (I'm sorry but BROMANCE makes the top of my must-have-in-reading list.) And while I was extremely sad that Faegan had a setback with her publisher, she's managed to come through and deliver a fairly phenomenal follow-up to the game-changing Mephisto Kiss and so I'm ANYTHING BUT sad now. I'm actually refreshing the goodreads page for The Mephisto Code and waiting for more info to miraculously appear. Yeah, I expect no judgement.

M came close and bent to gently stroke her hair. I watched in stunned disbelief. Not since our mother died had I seen my father express anything close to affection.
Her soul must have recognized who he was because she looked up at him with relief and whispered, "I'm ready to go."
"It's not your time," he murmured.
She leaned her head into his hand and closed her eyes. "He came back."
"No, he's never coming back."
"Promise?"
"I promise." He moved his hand across her face and she instantly went to sleep, her head falling against my shoulder.

*dies* *sobs* THIS SCENE. Mariah is so wounded that she inspires a shred of warmth in even the most damned of souls. *sobs again*

And there are tons of others but this is the least spoilery, I think, and one of the most moving.

I bought my e-book copy off of Amazon for $3.99. Prices may vary over time.

Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

Published: April 2nd 2013 by Entangled Teen
FYI BTW: Paperback • 352 pages • Series Goodreads Rating: ★ ★ ★ 1/2

He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

(Read more on Goodreads.)

Dante Walker is an equal-oppurtunity-insulting douche bag who just so happens to have lucked out in the career-post-death department, working as Lucifer's underling and climbing steadily up to a shiny, highly coveted promotion. As leading Collector among the few who've managed the privilege, this guy swears he got it like that. And in most cases that type of attitude inspires a certain reaction from outside parties.



That kind of cockiness sets itself up for failure, but with his track record completely unmarred by screw ups of any variety, his less-than-humble claims are backed up hardcore. And from the first page all you get is this SASS and BLUNT meanness that learning more about Dante Walker shouldn't make the to-do list but IT DOES. It so does. Because those kinds of prickly layers are just begging to be peeled away until we're left with the resolved mystery, and in spite of his, er, lack of manners there's this troublesome, undeniable truth: Dante Walker is kind of extremely lovable.



Say what you will about that boy, he won me over within two pages. TWO. Not only because his meanness and sarcasm shouldn't technically be funny but is—he's a loving person, whether he admits or try doesn't ever. He's viciously protective of those who matter and he has the capacity to see people for what they're worth, who they are. So while I wouldn't call his center exactly gooey nor very near to the surface, his heart is not only present but MASSIVE. And so it's no wonder that he was my favorite part of reading The Collector by Victoria Scott. Followed swiftly by the charm of Charlie, of course.

ALSO: MAX *dies*.

I loved that this wasn't your typical YA paranormal romance in every way even though it has a lot of typical elements. There's no super spiffy writing inside Dante's ongoing inner monologue pov except in those well-placed moments of clarity and disarming insight that spotlight his growth. In fact, Dante talks like all the boys I ignored back in high school because I thought them incapable of holding an actual conversation with me. But that's what makes him believable and fun, and so many points go to Victoria Scott for embracing teenage tomfoolery and all the accompanying slang. And we've all seen a plotline like this one, a demon who collects souls for Hell and can't afford to have his biggest job yet foiled, and yet Scott has twisted it up enough and added enough of her own flair into it that it was just the right amount of unpredictable. More points! And the romance... Our sexy Dante does not get himself a regulation hottie to take to the sheets midway into the book and instead he gets Charlie, in the throes of the hellish and very familiar nightmare of puberty—crooked teeth, frizzy hair and all!

I do have a couple of complaints, though: the pacing needed to vary a bit more to keep my attention hardwired and, this might just be me, but Dante needs to stop saying things like "sweet girl" every five sentences ASAP please goodness. No, seriously, gritting your teeth is bad for you. But I'm nonetheless remarkably impressed with what I assumed was going to be an over-the-top, way ridiculous book—well, it is but in the best way possible instead of that other one where heavy eye-rolling is involved. Now I have to buy The Liberator, damn it!

Best one-liners - "Seals come from being bad, or as I like to say, exciting."

"Collecting souls is nothing personal. I'm an equal-oppurtunity sealer."

"Something squeals loudly, and I ready myself to kill some sort of rodent. But it's Charlie.

And scenes of course - I spin around and see Max running toward me in a gray Armani shirt. "Dante. Oh, Dante. Seal me! Seal me so hard!" He grabs my hips and pumps his toward mine. "Oh, Dante! You're so hot when you seal souls."

At the end of the walkway is a cat. It struts with arrogance. You'd think it just won the Nobel Prize. But it didn't. Know why? Because it's a freakin' cat. In case you missed the memo, I. Hate. Cats. I loathe them. They're built with creepy little teeth and finger blades. I don't know about you, but I'll pass on THAT freak show.

Charlie studies me for a moment, then reaches for the radio and flips it off.
"This is my favorite."
"Off?" I ask.
Charlie rolls down the window. She lays her head on the open window frame. "I like the sound the world makes."

I bought my copy as an e-book from Amazon.

See ya, 2013! Please do forget to write. 2014...

I'd like to preface this first post of the (almost) new year by saying I don't feel too hot. In fact, tiny rivulets of anxiety-sweat are coursing down my back and pooling in my palms. I feel like Theoden as he wakes from the Shadow that Gandalf has freed him from and he reaches to grasp his sword, probably utterly consumed with fear at not being able to do it. Gandalf says to him, "Your fingers would remember their own strength better if they grasped your sword." And so I'm taking Gandalf's advice even though I'm just as scared and uncertain as Theoden King and grasping for my sword.

I'd also like to point out that I'm a lady, friends, and therefore I've vanquished all the other dirt paths your mind may traverse at a statement like that. I said it boldly, damn you, and with great dignity and pride!

But back to my point—I don't know if I have it in me to write about books anymore. I don't know if I have that same drive and skill that I've honed for the past three or four years to do this—blogging. But, one of my new years resolutions this upcoming year is to give it a try again, despite the three months of emptiness in what's supposed to be my pixelated sanctuary.

I also promised myself, however, that while I would dedicate myself to fairly consistent blogging again, I wouldn't chain myself to a rigorous schedule with no room for surprises, fun, or breaks; it's what burned me out the last time, this summer past.

So what I'm saying is I'll blog when I can, when I want, and fairly frequently, and do my best to read as many books as possible. Because, depressingly, I didn't do too well this year. Between personal failures, familial crises, and fresh starts in unlikely places I wasn't capable of triumph against every self-proclaimed doer's inborn demon—procrastination.

Well, that's all going to change this upcoming year. Hopefully.

So in the midst of our freshly cheered spirits, I give you Jamie's End of the Year Survey. Again. Because all the good fun of last year just wasn't enough. Obviously.


Aren't I a pretty, pretty little image? Nay, Jamie made it but thanks for the misguided flattery.
ALSO: Jamie says, "Anyone who links up by January 10th will be in the running to win a book of their choice that they saw on my list! :) Winner will be chosen off the linky."
1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

After extensive psycho-analysis and soul-searching produced by many a "oms" I've deduced that I'm unable to pick a single favorite and that may remain the case for years to come. AND THAT'S OKAY. Jamie did it too, so hah! It just cannot be done. Books can shake you to your core from many different places in many different ways... Whoa, 2014 is making me a little philosophical. Good heavens, what will be next? Jersey's denizens will develop a soft tone of voice whilst taking public transportation? Perhaps the Mayans DID get it wrong.

In no particular order, this year the grand prize winners are Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales, How to Love by Katie Cotugno, Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer, Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson, The Mephisto Kiss by Trinity Faegan, Daylighters by Rachel Caine, and Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Oh, mother may I... tell you how much I detest these books. And none of them are completely awful, mind you, but they're deceiving. LOOK AT THIS FACE.



Wait, no. THIS FACE.



Does that look like the face of a young woman who enjoys being given a chocolate chip cookie then having it ripped away?! EXACTLY.

I just knew you'd understand.

So the books I've found no forgiveness for are as follows REQUIEM BY LAUREN OLIVER (OH MY SMASHFACE SLAY PEOPLE WHO WRITE THINGS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE), From Ashes by Molly McAdams (Just No), Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel (WHYYYYY?), City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Foster (I was bothered about not spelling her name right but then I thought, oh well because GAH!), Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo (Boo, no taboo relationships reached fruition!), Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara (I remain flummoxed), Night School by C.J. Daugherty (sometimes, like, why do I try?).

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

Funnily enough, I just finished the answer to this question during the wee hours of the morn. And it was worth every bloody painful second of the bookhangover I was forced to endure as a result.

And that is The Collector by Victoria Scott.

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

So I was actually pretty Chatty Cranky this year looks like because as I was going through my goodreads I could point to at least a handful of books that have been named by me and deemed supremely worthy for all who dwell the Earth.


Pow! Compelled by a Vampire Diaries vampire. Feel FREE to listen me now. *snorts* Get it? You can't be free coz you been compelled what!

You should go read This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales, Throne of Glass, In Death by J. D. Robb, Morganville, and Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer like I've been telling everyone else these past few days. There's only been 365 of them!

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

I defo have a few answers for this one. And for different reasons because they each do different things for me.


This gif was supposed to be cute but I just can't get my brain to sort it out as anything but dirty.

So my favorite series that I've discovered this year is the In Death series by J. D. Robb, an amazing blend of sci-fi/futuristic elements, murder mystery, and romance. Then my guilty-ish pleasure discoveries would be the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter and anything by Sarah MacLean. Really, they've all been a long time coming.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

When did Jamie's questions get so easy?

The power of the double Ls: Leila Sales and Liza Palmer.



7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?



Gothics historical? Steampunk? SO NOT what I'm about. These books though? OMZFG!!!@!#@#% 'Nough said.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery.

Ha. Hahaha. No. PSYCHE. Not that I don't love Susie's books but the book of choice for this question is definitely

World After by Susan Ee, man. THIS BOOK *shudders*. I will never look at angels the same way again.

9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Wow, this year it's beyond simple to come up with books. Like, I had no hesitation.

I choose Thankless in Death (because OBVS and Roarke, YUM), Daylighters by Rachel Caine (THE END *sobs*), The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (one of the best series closers in forever), and lastly Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer (one of the hottest novellas of all time)!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

When did Jamie's questions get so haaaard? *cries* You saw that right? No warning, this happened in a span of five seconds.

Okay *inhales*. I've narrowed it down to five. A mere FIVE, people. Why don't I just cut out my heart now?



11. Most memorable character in 2013?

............



Let's see, Dante, Dee and Dum, Iona, the Glass House Gang, Grayson Kennedy, Celaena, Myrnin, and LASTLY Elisa and Hector.

ALSO: Jonah Griggs. ALSO ALSO: Taylor Markham.

As if I'd pick ONE.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay, hands down. Next to Jellicoe Road, that is.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

Of course we've got to get a Rainbow Rowell book up in here for this question. But it's just one of many. Attachments, gosh, how do I explain Attachments? When I think about that book and everything that happens in it, you know what I can safely say I will always carry with me when I bring it to mind? Life, and the importance of living it no matter what, that ordinary doesn't always mean dull and comfort can lead to laziness. Doesn't matter what brings me down, Attachments taught me that I should always keep living. Then there was This Song Will Save Your Life which is such a personal book for me because, excluding all the awesome djing bits, it feels like a personal account of my life. And Leila made me realize two things: I'm not and never was alone and to always hold on to hope. I learned not to depend on second chances and instead do my best to make the first one count from Katie Cotugno's How to Love, and so much more. If no one can completely convince Queenie Wake of who she is without her say so, then I sure as hell won't let anyone tell me who I can or will be, and whether or not to be ashamed about it, ever thanks to Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer. And, lastly, Jellicoe Road left me dazzled and pained once it was through with my heart. How could anyone underestimate the power of a book after they've taken part in these stories?

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

Uh, yeah, still going with Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Do you know what kind of sass I got when that one got out? Though it wasn't nearly as bad as what I got after people figured out I'd never finished Harry Potter. O_O

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?

“He is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen and it's not about his face, but the life force I can see in him. It's the smile and the pure promise of everything he has to offer. Like he's saying, 'Here I am world, are you ready for so much passion and beauty and goodness and love and every other word that should be in the dictionary under the word life?' Except this boy is dead, and the unnaturalness of it makes me want to pull my hair out with Tate and Narnie and Fitz and Jude's grief all combined. It makes me want to yell at the God that I wish I didn't believe in. For hogging him all to himself. I want to say, 'You greedy God. Give him back. I needed him here.” - Jellicoe Road

"Will," Jem said. "For all these years I have tried to give you what you could not give yourself."
"And what is that?"
"Faith," said Jem. "That you were better than you thought you were. Forgiveness, that you need not always punish yourself. I always loved you, Will, whatever you did. And now I need you to do for me what I cannot do myself. For you to be my eyes when I do not have them. For you to be my hands when I cannot use my own. For you to be my heart when mine is done with beating." - Clockwork Princess

"I don't know," I said finally, turning to face her. I curled my knees up alongside my chest. "I get that this is going to change my entire life, Shelby. It's just, like..." I trailed off and shrugged again, determined and afraid. "My life is already changed."

Shelby looked at me like only a real friend can, like what I'd said made on sliver of sense. Then she sighed. "Well, all right then, baby," she said softly. "Let's rock and roll." - How to Love

"Do the people of North Star honestly think Merry Carole and I are just like her?
Merry Carole and I are the women North Star thinks we are. The women you're with in the shadows, but not the women you take to the Saturday dance. We're the women you're infatuated with, but not the women you love. The women who raise your unwanted children alone. The women who ruin you. The more Merry Carole and I fight the chains of our mother's legacy, the more they bind us." - Nowhere But Home

"Sometimes people think they know you. They know a few facts about you, and they piece you together in a way that makes sense to them. And if you don't know yourself very well, you might even believe that they are right. But the truth is, that isn't you. That isn't you at all." - This Song Will Save Your Life

She has been with us for such a short time, yet she was willing to risk her life for our cause. "Weren't you scared?" I ask.
"Yes. But it was a good scared."
"There's a good kind?"
"Oh, yes." Her voice drops so low I have to strain to hear. "Orlin made me scared all the time. Scared I would starve. Scared I would get too cold. Scared he would hurt me again or get so mad that he'd throw me to one of the men. That was nasty bad scared." She pauses, scuffing her boots against the floor. "But you never hit me, even though I'm your slave."
"You're not my--"
"And you always feed me. You call me a true name. Now, when I'm scared it's not because of meanness. And today I chose my own scared. It's always a good scared, when you get to pick it for your own self." - The Bitter Kingdom

"For the first time, she doesn't smell like roses. She smells like cactus milk--clean and salty and of the desert, like my people--and I suddenly wonder if she would taste like all the girls I've kissed in my life. There were other girls before... I always assumed there would be more, but I never thought...
Even a moment ago when I... I didn't think... imagine... that she might...
A part of me still refuses to believe it, but another part knows what a girl wants when her fingers linger too long on a boy's mouth, and it knows better than to hesitate. So I don't. I pull her hand away, and risk a kiss." - Of Beast and Beauty

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

The longest book I read this year was The Host by Stephenie Meyer at 619 pages and the shortest would have to be Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

All I got to say to this is Clockwork Princess (only because I couldn't put Jellicoe Road for another answer all by itself). And Jellicoe Road.

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Now in all of the books I love, there are great characters with equally great connections with people. But the one I now have a long-standing investment in would be Eve Dallas and Roarke, together, and all the friends and family they make and meet along the way.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I've got two answers for this one because, well, you know, I'm me. They are Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas and The Mephisto Kiss by Trinity Faegan.

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Jellicoe Road and Nowhere But Home both fit this bill more than a little comfortably, so two answers again! Deal!

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

Unsurprisingly, fantasy. Surprisingly though? Mucho contemporary. I actually used it to save me from reading atrocities enough times that I got to read some really amazing ones. Go figure.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Newest huh? Sawyer from How to Love and Gem from Of Beast and Beauty. And Jonah Griggs. Because #LOTSAREASONS.

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

And the winner of a trip to San Juan for two is Katie Cotugno for hitting off with a bang, pow! by giving us How to Love.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Did anyone else get a little tired by this point?

Okay, but for serious I'm going with The Bitter Kingdom because have you seen all the places in there?! It's beautiful to read let alone imagine actually seeing.

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

I will not lie. It was super duper fun to plow through the Lords of the Underworld series. Sexy, angry, resentful demonic men falling for awesome women and, in doing so, breaking curses. It was so easy to blow through all of the current books.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

Again, my chest was in my stomach and heart was in my throat and all those other expressions deep, insightful authors like to use to describe a serious case of heartache for both Clockwork Princess, and, um, Jellicoe Road *ahem*.



27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Thank goodness for easy questions at this hour. Simple as baking a cake... for anyone else other than me. Let's go with Orleans by Sherri Smith, The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram, and lastly The Mephisto Kiss by Trinity Faegan.

Julius Pepperwood, I forgot how much of a pain in the ass this survey is. Don't misunderstand, it's LOADS of fun. For, like, the first ten questions then it's impossible to want to keep typing your feelings. Especially when one is at that same keyboard for four hours trying to complete this with extreme accuracy and exquisite wit. Obviously, it's a hard life I lead.

Agree, disagree with any of my points? What about your own survey what does that look like? Let me know in the comments down below!

I'll try to post part two at some point, but no promises... What? She SAID it was OPTIONAL. Learn about it.



Oh, joy. And some parting philosophy that doesn't belong to me, unfortunately for you, before you go.