Merry Christmas everyone!!!

In My Mailbox #15

In My Mailbox is a bookish meme hosted by Kirsti @ The Story Siren and was inspired by Alia @ Pop Culture Junkie.


I am very happy to have received Toil and Trouble from  H.P. Mallory for review this week.  I really enjoyed Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble (click the title to see my review) so am looking forward to the second Jolie Wilkins book!

Title: Toil and Trouble
Author: H.P. Mallory


The Underworld in civil war. 
The cause? A witch who can reanimate the dead. 
A sexy as sin vampire determined to claim her. 
An infuriatingly handsome warlock torn between duty and love. 
Who says blonds have more fun? 

After defending herself against fairy magic, Jolie Wilkins wakes to find her world turned upside down—the creatures of the Underworld on the precipice of war. 

The Underworld is polarized in a battle of witch against witch, creature against creature, led by the villainous Bella, who would be Queen. 

While Jolie has one goal in mind, to stake the vampire, Ryder, who nearly killed her, she also must choose between the affections of her warlock employer, Rand, and the mysteriously sexy vampire, Sinjin. 

And as if that weren’t enough to ruin a girl’s day, everything Jolie knows will be turned inside out when she’s thrust into the shock of a lifetime. 

Toil and Trouble is the second book in the Jolie Wilkins series, the follow up to Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble.

Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011

Another challenge I'm going to attempt in 2011!!

The Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011 is hosted by Book Chick City.

Sign Up Details

• To sign up you MUST make a post on your blog about participating in the challenge - you then use the URL of the post to sign up to the challenge by adding it to Mr Linky below. DO NOT just add your blog URL - this will be deleted.

• You must add the button to your sidebar - make sure that it links back to this post so others can join the challenge if they wish. Easiest way to do this is to copy and paste the code displayed below!

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

• Rules: To read TWENTY FOUR (24) horror & urban fantasy novels in 2011 (24 is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

• At the beginning of Jan 2011, you will find a link to add your reviews.

• You don't have to have a blog to join in - for those without a blog just FILL IN THIS FORM and I will add you to the list - just join the discussion in the comments section to let us know when you've read a book and what you thought of it! :)

Follow Friday #17 & Book Blogger Hop #16

HAPPY FRIDAY!!  I'm joining in Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop again this week.  Take a look around!   

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee, head on over there to join in the fun, meet new blogger friends.  Featuring today Angie @ Another Book Junkie.

Do you have an under-noticed author that you think we should all know about?

I've been thinking about this and can not think of just one!  I've discovered great books from Indie authors, so I guess I'm noting a whole section of authors!  (Yeah, I know it was meant to be an author!)

I'm also taking part in the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books so head on over to join in the fun!  This weeks question is from Angela @ Library Girl Reads

"What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs?  Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?"
All of those things!  I love reading what people think of books and it's great to get some interviews and giveaways etc in there too.  I suppose for me it's the whole book blog experience I like, I love also how every blog is just a bit different!

Shifter Challenge 2011

Another challenge - I love them (so much that I set them monthly on Goodreads!!).  Must admit I'm better at taking part than finishing them but i'll give it a go!

The Shifter Challenge is being hosted by Parajunkie, to take part sign up here.

This challenge celebrate those fantastically furred peeps that are quite normal except for the fact that they spend a good bit of their lives on four legs.here we celebrate those fantastically furred peeps that are quite normal except for the fact that they spend a good bit of their lives on four legs.

The rules:

1. Post about this challenge on your blog stating that you are participating. That post is the link that you will include in the Mr. Linky below. The link should be the post link not just your blog link.
2. Grab the button and display it in the post (use grab code underneath the button) or on your sidebar so others can join in the fun.
3. Challenge goes from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
4. The challenge is to read 20 books that have a SHIFTER as a MAIN character, either protag or antagonist
5. There will be a post that goes up for January 1 where you add each book as you read them and discuss books read in the comments.

2011 E-Book Challenge

Hosted  by The Ladybug Reads

Another challenge I'm going to participate in in 2011.  I have just got into reading e-books but I love them!  I'm going to go for Obsessed (like you didn't see that coming!!).  To join in find details here.

Challenge Guidelines: 1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge 2011

Hosted by: Bitten by Paranormal Romance

One of several challenges I'm taking part in during 2011.  Watch out for more!  (Anyone interested in monthly challenges I run some on Goodreads.)

This is a challenge to read 20 paranormal romance book between Jan 1st through Dec 31st. Any books read before Jan will not count.

You can pick any *adult paranormal romance book as you go, new release or old release it doesn't matter. But remember this is only for paranormal romance.  NO urban fantasy, YA or paranormal erotica. If you have any questions please email me or leave a comment.

*It doesn't matter if the book is vampire, witch, any shape-shifting, Greek gods, zombies or faeries just as long as it adult paranormal romance. Most book will tell you on the side cover if its paranormal romance, that's what you want to get to read. If you have a book you don't know if it would work or not just email Laurie at Bitten by Paranormal Romance and ask, its no bother.

Here is some examples
Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Hunters
Lynsay Sands An Argeneau series
Nina Bangs Gods of Night series

Just because she said no erotica doesn't mean she wants you to read books with no sex in them these listed above have sex in them, but they are not considered erotica we know the difference. The reason she said no erotica is because she is also hosting an Erotica paranormal romance next year too and she wants them separate.

Each month she will put out a newsletter of sort and in there will be some choices of different books. You can comment and ask questions as we go. That way we can get ideals as we go.

Read it and write a review on your blog (you do not have to have a blog to participate) and come back and post the review in the Mister linky on the Bitten by Paranormal Romance Blog. She will have a mister linky for each month so don't worry. If you don't have a blog visit her blog for different directions.

During each month there will be one winner that is picked to win a prize.


To sign up and get all the details about the challenge click here. 

Waiting on Wednesday #14 ~ "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine which spotlight eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.


 My pick this week is Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning, I'm really enjoying the series - yeah I've only just got round to it - and will be up to date by the time Shadowfever is out!

Title: Shadowfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: 18 January 2011

"Evil is a completely different creature, Mac.
Evil is bad that believes it's good."

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister's murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals that have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief, while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh--a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King that contains the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac, and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.

Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman that haunts her dreams? More importantly, who is Mac and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master's penthouse, to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover, to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac's journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and make a choice that will either save the world...or destroy it.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Hi Everyone, I've not been around for at least a week (life gets in the way and you have to go away on family business - you know how it is!!),  When I got back I discovered I'd been awarded The Versatile Blogger award FOUR TIMES!!  A great big thank to all, I really appreciate it!!  Make sure you stop by these great bloggers (after you read my post of course!).  Thank then to:

 Mariya @ Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
Nanny @ Getting Naughty Between the Stacks
LunaMoth @  Far From Reality
Akasha Hale & Lexus Salvatore @ Supernatural Must Read

Here's the rules:

1. Share 7 things about yourself
2. Pass The Award to 15 bloggers recently discovered.
3. Notify the blogger recipients
4. Link The blogger who gave the award.

7 Things about me

1.  I love coffee.  I'm probably a full on coffee addict.  Nothing better than a lovely cup when I'm reading, in a cafe, having a break from study (you get the idea!!)
2.  I love blogging.  I've been at my book review blog nearly four months, I've learnt so much and have a lot more I want to learn too!  I love the actual blogging and the community too!!!
3.  I live in a tiny village in the north of England ~ it's a long way removed from the settings of most of the books I read!
4.  I absolutely love my baby nephew - two months old today :)
5.  I hate the cold snowy winter, much prefer the warm sunshine of summer.
6.  I always busy!!
7.  I'm studying for another degree in Math and IT (my first degree was in History)

I'm passing the blog award on to

(I appologise if you've already received it - but you won't have from me!!!!)
 1. Smash Attack Reads
2. Fiction Vixen
3. The Creative Well
4. Book Chick City
5. The Bookish Snob
6. Mindful Musings
7. Books With Bite
8. Paromantasy
9. Wicked little Pixie
10. Urban Fantasy Investigations
11. Book Faery
12. Reading on the Dark Side
13. Among The Muses
14. Location 2571
15. Parajunkee's View


There are other blogs I'd love to pass this on to also but have declared themselves award free blogs, but I love them anyway!!!)

I'm guest posting today!!

I'm guesting over at Romance Book Junkies today, head on over there to read all about me.  It's my very first interview!  Thanks for having me Danielle! :)

Follow Friday #16 & Book Blogger Hop #15

HAPPY FRIDAY!!  I'm joining in Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop again this week.  Take a look around!   (Sorry about the lack of reviews recently, I've been ill and unable to read - nightmare!  But I'm back now so look out for reviews soon!!!)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee, head on over there to join in the fun, meet new blogger friends.

I'm also taking part in the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books so head on over to join in the fun!  This weeks question is from Sarah at Writer, Reader, Dreamer

"What is your favorite book cover?"

Wow, that's a really hard question!  There are so many great covers out there!  The following are ones that have caught my eye recently, sorry can not pick just one!
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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

Waiting on Wednesday #13 ~ "Entangled" by Cat Clarke

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine which spotlight eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.

 My pick this week is Entangled by Cat Clarke, I've seen this book around in various places and it sounds like it should be good.

Title: Entangled 

Author: Cat Clarke

Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc

Publication date: 6 January 2011

The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?

17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with a table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got here.

As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget. There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?

Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?

A story of dark secrets, intense friendship and electrifying attraction.

Teaser Tuesday #14 ~ 'Rosemary and Rue'

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is from Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire.


"The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a summer's day," I said, thinking I am authorized to be here in his direction.  The smell of copper and cut grass swirled around me as his eyes glazed over.  I lowered the receipt.  "I trust everything is in order?"


p. 59

Guest post: Scott Nicholson & Kindle giveaway

Today I'm pleased to welcome Scott Nicholson for a guest post as part of his blog tour, I'm sure you've come across Scott in other blogs too.  If you're interested in wining a Kindle make sure you check out how to enter at the bottom of Scott's post!

Albert Shipway: The Interview

By Scott Nicholson

http://www.hauntedcomputer.com

There’s this guy in the novel Cursed! by J.R. Rain and me. We worked through four drafts honing things and tightening J.R’s original vision for the story, and most of the fun came from good old Al Shipway, the insurance negotiator who just happens to have a fondness for the simple pleasures of life. But his pleasures lead to pain when it’s time for a little payback, and a vengeful old lady puts a curse on him.

I’m interviewing him here to find out if he’s up for the job of coming back in a sequel.

Scott: So, Al, why should we read this book?

Al: Well, because I didn’t mean to do those bad things, and it’s kind of my wife’s fault. I mean, if only we’d gone through with the divorce in the first place—

Scott: It sounds like you’re dodging responsibility. I hear that’s a bad habit of yours.

Al: Hey, I’m not the one who lied about being the daughter of a serial killer.

Scott: Always an excuse. But you took the good with the bad, am I right?

Al: What other choice does a guy have?

Scott: The right choice. Sticking to your vows. ‘Till death do us part’ and all that.

Al: Yeah, but that was back when I thought death would be the end of it. Now I know better.

Scott: So, I hear you’ve been introduced to some new ideas and a new way of looking at things.

Al: Yeah. Do you have anything to drink?

Scott: Al. Hasn’t that caused you enough trouble?

Al: I only drink to escape. Is that so wrong?

Scott: Can’t say I blame you. If I had your problems, I’d be in the bottle before noon every day.

Al: Nothing I can’t handle. Tabby, she’s pretty cool, even if her family is weird as heck.

Scott: Well, after what happened to Tabby’s sister—

Al: Man, not you, too. Everybody puts that on me, but it was all my wife’s fault.

Scott: I can tell we’re not going to get anywhere with this conversation. So, what’s next, now that it seems like you danced your way out of a horrible curse?

Al: (flexes biceps) I’m ready for anything. Bring it on.

Scott: Oh, look, There’s a mouse.

Al: (jumping up on chair) Eeek!

Scott: Just kidding.

Al: (looking around warily) I knew that.

-----------------------

Scott Nicholson is author of 12 novels, including the YA paranormal romance October Girls and the thrillers Disintegration, As I Die Lying, Speed Dating with the Dead, Drummer Boy, Forever Never Ends, The Skull Ring, Burial to Follow, and They Hunger. His revised novels for the U.K. Kindle are Creative Spirit, Troubled, and Solom. He’s also written four comic series, six screenplays, and more than 60 short stories. His story collections include Ashes, Curtains, The First, Murdermouth: Zombie Bits, and Flowers.

To be eligible for the Kindle DX or Kindle 3, simply post a comment below with contact info. Feel free to debate and discuss the topic, but you will only be entered once per blog. I’m also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free e-books to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter. Thanks for playing. Complete details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm

In My Mailbox #14

In My Mailbox is a bookish meme hosted by Kirsti @ The Story Siren and was inspired by Alia @ Pop Culture Junkie.

This week I was lucky enough to win Mind Games from Robyn over at The Bookoholic Zone.  I'm really happy as I've heard good things about this book so look out for a review here sometime soon!


Title: Mind Games
Author: Carolyn Crane

 Mind Games heroine Justine Jones isn't your typical kick-ass type - she’s a hopeless hypochondriac whose life is run by fear.
 

She's lured into a restaurant, Mongolian Delites, by tortured mastermind Sterling Packard, who promises he can teach her to channel her fears. In exchange, she must join his team of disillusionists - vigilantes hired by crime victims to zing their anxieties into criminals, resulting in collapse and transformation.

Justine isn't interested in Packard's troupe until she gets a taste of the peace he can promise. Soon she enters the thrilling world of neurotic crime fighters who battle Midcity’s depraved and paranormal criminals.

Eventually, though, she starts wondering why Packard hasn’t set foot outside the Mongolian Delites restaurant for eight years. And about the true nature of the disillusionists.

Follow Friday #15 & Book Blogger Hop #14

HAPPY FRIDAY!!  I'm joining in Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop again this week.  Take a look around!   (I haven't posted much this week as I've been ill so not managed to read much either.)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee, head on over there to join in the fun, meet new blogger friends  and meet her featured blogger of the week GReads.

How long have you been book blogging??

I've been book blogging for three months now but I still feel like a newbie, I just wish I had more time to devote to my blog and reading too!

I'm also taking part in the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books so head on over to join in the fun!  This weeks question is:

"Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

I'm thankful for my family and friends most of all, without them I would be half the person I am!  I don't have any Thanksgiving holiday traditions because I'm British and we don't have it!   

Waiting on Wednesday #12 ~ "Lover Unleashed" by J.R. Ward

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine which spotlight eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.


 My pick this week is Lover Unleashed   by J.R. Ward, I've read all the BDB books so far and have enjoyed them so I'm looking forward to the next instalment.  I'm really happy that it looks like it is published on the same day in the UK as the US but we get paperback (unfortunately that may change before the release date!  We are usually behind!)  Check out the alternative UK cover below too!


Title: Lover Unleashed 
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #9
Publisher: NAL Hardcover (UK - Piatkus Books)
Publication date: 29 March 2011


Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?



What do you think of the UK cover?  Do you like it?