tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60912637066744781042012-01-03T09:57:54.028-04:00Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-46971157599458540132011-07-25T17:02:00.000-03:002011-07-25T17:02:30.028-03:00<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j8PGBnNmPgk?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j8PGBnNmPgk?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="440" height="250"></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-4697115759945854013?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-2587237646526074292011-05-28T09:45:00.000-03:002011-05-28T09:45:44.125-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9645260-dead-iron" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Dead Iron (Age of Steam #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1291258235m/9645260.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9645260-dead-iron">Dead Iron</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1375697.Devon_Monk">Devon Monk</a><br/><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/171701967">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>The old west during the age of steam. In this world people capable of creating both useful and decorative objects from gears, cogs, and wire are known as Devisers. In the east they are civilized and display their devices as the intricate works of art they are. In the west the rail is slowly creeping its way across the country, and the frontiersmen work and wait for the wonders of the east to arrive with the trains. This is a tale of true love and true evil. Of curses, murder, grief, and vengeance. Of greed, heroism, chaos, and hope. You will easily recognize many of the elements in Ms. Monk's story. The Rail Man, forging his way across the landscape, hurrying toward his ultimate goal, allowing no one to stand in his way. The Gunman, cursed to live alone and trying desperately to atone for his sins. The Beautiful Widow, thirsty for revenge following the death of her love. Devon has taken these iconic elements and re-imagined them into a wonderful steampunk saga filled with magic and curses, good and evil, horror and hope. If you like sweeping epic tales of struggle and triumph mixed with magic, mayhem, zombies, witches, and werewolves, you will definitely enjoy Devon Monk's highly imaginative "Dead Iron."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-258723764652607429?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-74534567023113024652011-05-24T15:33:00.000-03:002011-05-24T15:33:39.304-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8907285-by-magic-alone" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="By Magic Alone (Magic, #4)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1282153034m/8907285.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8907285-by-magic-alone">By Magic Alone</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2759174.Tracy_Madison">Tracy Madison</a><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150665328">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Meet our heroine, Julia: owner of Introductions, a dating service. Julia’s two best friends are Kara and Leslie. And then there’s Verda, the owner of Magical Matchups, a rival dating service that is stealing Julia’s clients. What’s a savvy businesswoman to do? Send in spies, of course. BFF’s Kara and Leslie infiltrate Magical Matchups to see if they can figure out the secret of Verda’s success. Our story begins with the three friends meeting to discuss what the spies have uncovered. What they tell Julia sets off an inevitable series of events that will culminate into a very satisfactory ending and create a wonderful romance you will end up re-reading, I assure you. Toss in Verda’s handsome grandson Scott, and you really have something magical happening. Scott just happens to be Leslie’s ex-boyfriend – the One That Got Away. Leslie wants him back, but Verda is convinced that Julia and Scott are fated soul mates. Tension, misunderstandings, and mayhem ensues.<br /><p>I really enjoyed this story. It’s the fourth book in Tracy Madison’s Magic series, but you really don’t have to have read the first three to enjoy this story. When you first meet Julia, she comes across as one of the most repressed characters you’ve ever read. And Scott! Well, he’s the quintessential jerk. I didn’t actually care for either of them at first, but the reasons behind their behaviour become clear quickly enough and you will warm up to (and start rooting for) both before long.<br /><p>Of course, the most important character doesn’t show up until the middle of the book. One of Julia’s clients, Zita Hildebrandt, goes on a date set up by Julia. Her date is a pediatrician named Daryl. Daryl really likes Zita and thinks the date was fabulous, but Zita’s experience was quite different. However, being a lovely and fair-minded individual, Zita agrees to give Daryl another shot. On their second date, they each bring along a friend. As it turns out, Zita falls for Daryl’s friend Adam, and Daryl falls for Zita’s friend. So in the end, Zita gets her well-deserved Happy Ever After. How did I end up in this book, you ask? Well, I won a contest. But that certainly didn’t bias or prejudice me toward this book! Oh, no, not at all! This truly is an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-7453456702311302465?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-38219759262649523502011-04-25T16:55:00.000-03:002011-04-25T16:55:17.343-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8675994-tangled-threads" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin, #4)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280371182m/8675994.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8675994-tangled-threads">Tangled Threads</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/580315.Jennifer_Estep">Jennifer Estep</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/109211680">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Fabulous! I have been loving this series, which has gotten progressively better with each new book. Gin has finally gotten over her feelings for Donovan and is focussing on her developing relationship with Owen. She keeps waiting for him to disapprove of her, and he doesn't, which she has a hard time believing. Meanwhile, her vendetta against Mab is heating up and Mab has called in a top level assassin called Elektra to squash the Spider for her. Elektra, as evidenced by her name, can kill using electricity. The creepy thing is, she really enjoys doing so, and takes great delight in frying her targets. It quickly becomes clear that the showdown between these two skilled assassins will be pretty spectacular. And you know there will have to be a showdown if Gin wants to protect her family and friends. <br /><p>One issue Ms. Estep touches on in this book (and that I'm hoping will be a bigger part of future volumes) is that, as word of mouth spreads about the Spider fighting back against Mab and her minions, the general populace of Ashland is taking note. You can almost hear the rumblings in the background. Is there a revolution on the horizon? Is Bria set to be in the right place and time to clean out the corrupt police department? We already know that other criminal factions are circling in on Mab as the Spider exposes her weaknesses. Maybe the law-abiding citizens will rally now that they have a rallying point. And, if that does happen, will Donovan return? I can't wait for the next instalment and (maybe) find out! A mark of a good series, in my opinion, is that it makes me wonder and imagine what will happen next. That is something this series excels at. I highly recommend that you find out for yourself.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-3821975926264952350?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-43651328392810704342011-03-10T18:56:00.000-04:002011-03-10T18:56:20.917-04:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9094324-forever-vampire" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Forever Vampire " border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1288390686m/9094324.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9094324-forever-vampire">Forever Vampire</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/117339.Michele_Hauf">Michele Hauf</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/153512413">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>I loved this book! Michele Hauf always tells a great story, but she really outdid herself this time. I was actually inclined to dislike Vail when the story started. He was so relentlessly snobbish. But, I connected with Lyric right away, and was cheering for her from the get-go. While it was probably my own interpretation, I like to think that Lyric "humanized" Vail enough so that he became more and more likeable. By the end I was rooting for the couple, not just Lyric, and I wanted them to reach their goal. Happily, Michele believes in the HEA, and I was not disappointed at the end.<br /><p>Well done, Michele! You've done it again. All I can say is: Keep Them Coming!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-4365132839281070434?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-68147785179400729652011-01-26T15:50:00.000-04:002011-01-26T15:50:19.042-04:00This is a really well done stop-motion video.<br /><br /><object width="450" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/acay3S2PhSg&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/acay3S2PhSg&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="450" height="280"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-6814778517940072965?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-88068197024014388072011-01-26T13:46:00.001-04:002011-01-26T14:11:45.641-04:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6409700-dead-and-alive" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Dead and Alive (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, #3)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255613180m/6409700.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6409700-dead-and-alive">Dead and Alive</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9355.Dean_Koontz">Dean Koontz</a><br /><br />My rating: 4 of 5 stars<br /><p>In this instalment, Deucalion, Carson, and Madison are steadily moving toward stopping Victor and his bid to take over the world. Victor's problem is that his creations are all turning into Pinky to his Brain. He is so bound by his own arrogance that he is incapable of taking steps to correct the errors. His downfall is inevitable, because he just can't admit that he isn't perfect. With everything going wrong around him, he finds more and more creative reasons why none of this is his fault. <br /><p>Erika Five (Victor's wife) has become a central figure in this story line. She stumbles upon a secret passage in the library that leads to a private study. In the study is a large, coffin-like glass box with "something" in it. Something that actually speaks to her. When she brings Jocko (Jonathan Harker's child from book 1) to see the secret room. Erika and Jocko have become friends and she wants his opinion about the mysterious box. Jocko is pretty sure that whatever is in the box is bad and they should just leave it alone.<br /><p>Deucalion visits Victor's Angel of Mercy Hospital and discovers that Victor's creations are imploding much quicker than anticipated. He finds and speaks with Victor's computer operating system, and when he learns that the computer is partly organic he "frees" her from her prison by shutting the system down. The computer is grateful, but she follows her fail-safe instruction by starting the self-destruct count-down. Victor goes back to the Hospital that evening only to find that everything will be destroyed. He grabs his computer back-ups and heads out to his new race factory outside the city. Deucalion, Carson, and Madison are on their way to the factory as well, and the final confrontation will occur there.<br /><p>I enjoyed this novel very much. I really liked the developing relationship between Carson and Madison, and the one between Jocko and Erika. Watching Victor's plans unravel and his utter confusion about it was fascinating. For me this was a satisfying read, and I recommend it. I'm really looking forward to Book 4: Lost Souls.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-8806819702401438807?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-36347449098401696172010-12-22T20:22:00.000-04:002010-12-22T20:22:07.921-04:00John Scalzi has posted another interview on his blog. This time he talks to...the Christmas Bunny?<br /><p><p>Go to <a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/12/22/an-interview-with-the-christmas-bunny/" target="_blank">http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/12/22/an-interview-with-the-christmas-bunny/</a><br /><p><p>I love this guy :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-3634744909840169617?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-53137195863321161592010-12-21T15:15:00.000-04:002010-12-21T15:15:47.328-04:00If you want a little holiday cheer, head on over to John Scalzi's blog where he interviews the innkeeper from Bethlehem: <a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/12/21/an-interview-with-the-nativity-innkeeper/" target="_blank">http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/12/21/an-interview-with-the-nativity-innkeeper/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-5313719586332116159?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-32484579760000184732010-10-29T13:39:00.002-03:002011-01-26T15:53:03.793-04:00<object width="450" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F_lBqWM7LXA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F_lBqWM7LXA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="280"></embed></object><br /><p>&nbsp;</p><object width="450" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UcT4paZfflg?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UcT4paZfflg?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="280"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-3248457976000018473?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-48712778759456803312010-10-25T14:52:00.001-03:002010-10-25T14:55:51.768-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7851008-haunted-honeymoon-at-casa-dracula" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula, #4)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1283293462m/7851008.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7851008-haunted-honeymoon-at-casa-dracula">Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18880.Marta_Acosta">Marta Acosta</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/119450431">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>A fabulous end to a terrific series! Ms. Acosta has written a very satisfying conclusion to her popular Casa Dracula series. At the end of book 3 (<em>The Bride of Casa Dracula</em>), Milagro ends her engagement to Oswald and finally explores a relationship with the Dark Lord, Ian. Unfortunately for Milagro, her attraction to Ian has always scared her a little, so she never seems to be able to fully commit to him. Ian, being all Dark Lordish, does nothing to ease Milagro's fears. Mostly because she never tells him about them, so, even though he's the Dark Lord, he's not a mind reader. To be perfectly fair to Milagro, Ian doesn't go out of his way to reassure her and confirm her place in his life, either. So when Ian starts flirting with the neighbours, Milagro sees red. Or rather, green. She breaks it off with Ian and takes off for the UK, where she indulges in a flirtation of her own. Her hunky flirtation follows her back to the US, where he promptly becomes a murder victim. Milagro freaks out, goes all sixes and sevens, bangs herself on the noggin, and wakes up with amnesia. Her last memory is from right before she meets Oswald for the first time. Yes, that's right, all the way back to the beginning of book 1 (<em>Happy Hour at Casa Dracula</em>).<br /><p>I really enjoyed reading this story. Ms. Acosta brilliantly uses Milagro's amnesia to resolve issues in Milagro's life. In the end we are left with a much wiser and happier Milagro, one who can at last commit freely and fully in a romantic relationship. Brava, Marta! You've done yourself proud. And while I know that <em>Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula</em> marks the end of the Casa Dracula series, I hope that we will run into Milagro in the future, perhaps in a short story?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-4871277875945680331?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-19932558011221257532010-09-25T07:54:00.001-03:002010-09-28T15:37:04.120-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16430.City_of_Night" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="City of Night (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166723458m/16430.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16430.City_of_Night">City of Night</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9355.Dean_Koontz">Dean Koontz</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48908821">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>New Orleans, Dean Koontz's <em>City of Night</em>. Home of the blues, jazz, and Anne Rice's vampires. And Victor Helios (nee Frankenstein). Police Detectives Carson O'Conner and Michael Maddison have encountered Victor's latest attempt at creating life, and with the help of Frankenstein's original monster, now calling himself Deucalion, they managed to stop (or at the very east slow down) Victor's run at world domination. (See book 1: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/760573.Prodigal_Son"><em>Prodigal Son</em></a>)<br /><p>While Victor has managed to create life from lifelessness, he also restricted them by making them subservient to him, and unable to hurt themselves or Victor. He is the master, and all must obey. But some of his creations are self-destructing. And some are <em>changing</em>.<br /><p>At the end of book 1, Deucalion, Carson, and Michael chase after one of these changelings, only to have it disappear into the city. Now they must find it and any others who might be out there, while trying to expose Victor's ultimate plan. And Victor, who has been oblivious to the changelings until now, must try to learn why his perfect creations are going so very wrong. Events are spiraling quickly out of control. We can only hope that our heroes can save the day, New Orleans, and the world.<br /><p>This 2nd volume of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series was co-written with <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4844.Ed_Gorman">Ed Gorman</a>, an incredible thriller/horror writer in his own right (click on his name to learn more about him). Between the two of them they have continued Frankenstein's legacy and actually managed to make us feel sympathy for Victor's monsters. Victor remains, however, the quintessential villain, and readers will have no trouble rooting for our heroes in their quest to stop his machinations. This is another excellent tale and a fabulous continuation of the series. Stay tuned for my review of book 3: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6409700-dead-and-alive"><em>Dead and Alive</em></a>.<br /><p>Cross posted at <a href="http://sleeplessereader.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sleepless eReader</a>. Comment here or there.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-1993255801122125753?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-79576462090427271192010-09-24T08:55:00.002-03:002010-09-24T09:06:46.237-03:00<ol><li>Grab the book nearest you. Right now</li><li>Turn to page 56.</li><li>Find the fifth sentence.</li><li>Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.</li><li><a href="http://vampchixreadbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Post a link</a> along with your post back to this blog.</li><li>Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.</li></ol>Today, my closest was <i>Deadly Desire</i> by Keri Arthur. This was #7 in her Riley Jensen Guardian series, and I loved it&#151;both the series and this particular book.<br /><blockquote><i>Hell, we cleaned up the rogues, and that had once been the council's job.</i><br /></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-7957646209042727119?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-13328245109022909802010-09-23T08:59:00.000-03:002010-09-23T08:59:49.213-03:00Jennifer Rardin, author of the popular Jaz Parks series, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 20. You can learn about her on her web site at <a href="http://jenniferrardin.com/" target="_blank">http://jenniferrardin.com/</a>. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace, Jennifer. We'll miss you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-1332824510902290980?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-41562861526014033132010-09-21T12:50:00.002-03:002010-09-21T12:55:28.405-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/760573.Prodigal_Son" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Prodigal Son (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178127239m/760573.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/760573.Prodigal_Son">Prodigal Son</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9355.Dean_Koontz">Dean Koontz</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48908800">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>This has to be one of the spookiest stories I've read in a long time. Dean Koontz and Kevin Anderson have taken the classic Frankenstein story and continued it into the modern day. In other words, Victor Frankenstein is still alive. When our heroine, Carson O'Connor, a police detective, stumbles across evidence of Victor's current experiments, she opens up a kettle of fish that puts her, her partner, and her family in peril. Cue the cavalry! But, surprise! The cavalry is none other than Victor's original monster. The monster calls himself Deucalion now, and no one is more surprised than he that Victor has managed to survive all these years. Deucalion teams up with Carson and Michael Maddison, her partner, to try to stop Victor's evil machinations before the city goes straight to hell in Frankenstein's handbasket. If you enjoy your stories complete with evil mad scientists bent on world domination, you can't go wrong with <em>Prodigal Son</em>, the first in Koontz's Frankenstein series. Stay tuned for a review of Book Two: <em>City of Night</em>.<br /><p><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7003073-prodigal-son" target="_blank">Link to where you can buy the eBook</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-4156286152601403313?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-3045398358345960392010-09-17T14:20:00.001-03:002010-09-17T15:52:05.903-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2260675.The_Bride_of_Casa_Dracula" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Bride of Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula, #3)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256096422m/2260675.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2260675.The_Bride_of_Casa_Dracula">The Bride of Casa Dracula</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18880.Marta_Acosta">Marta Acosta</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/119450422">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Book 3 of Milagro De Los Santos' adventures pulls you in from page one and doesn't let you go until you turn the last page. I was so absorbed by the book that I read it in one sitting.<br /><p>At the end of <em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36609.Midnight_Brunch">Midnight Brunch</a></em>, Oswald proposes to Milagro. Cheers are heard across the land. Except for inside the Council. Or from his Mother. Oh, and Ian isn't very happy about it, either. But, our Milagro knows what she wants and is determined to get it. So she dutifully heads off (alone&#151;Oswald has to work, of course!) to the east coast to meet with the Council and get their approval. She arrives at the hotel to find her reservation has been cancelled and her college friend Toodles is down with the flu. Then, in a shocking turn of events (she said knowingly), Ian just happens to be in the city as well. He comes to her rescue (again) by providing a place to stay and taking her out for supper. Fortunately, Ian's new girlfriend Ilena is there, so Milagro is not about to jump all over him (even though she really wants to). When she returns to Casa Dracula, it's with the news that the Council is still deliberating and they want her and Oswald to practice celibacy until the wedding, which is not for 3 more months! Oh, and they want her to swear loyalty and fealty to the Vampire Nation and renounce the USA. O.o<br /><p>You've got to wonder how Milagro gets herself into these fixes. Needless to say, she is very unhappy about the whole celibacy thing. And there's no way she's going to give up her American citizenship. And really, this kind of stress is the last thing she needs, what with her writing career going nowhere fast and poor Daisy, her beloved dog, dying. But she soldiers on, because that is what our Milagro does, and even though fate seems to keep shoving her back two steps for every three she takes forward, she is bound and determined to make this wedding come to pass. Or is it fate? Some of these supposedly coincidental coincidences seem awfully convenient. And the more they happen, the more it appears that poor Milagro has gone 'round the bend.<br /><p>I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment of the Adventures of the Miracle of the Saints at Casa Dracula. Marta Acosta has proven yet again that she knows what she is doing—and that's write an engaging, funny, appealing, and memorable romantic comedy. This series is a definite keeper.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-304539835834596039?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-10862928389282070862010-09-17T13:20:00.001-03:002010-09-17T13:21:47.391-03:00This is absolutely brilliant!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZyI4DN0OGc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZyI4DN0OGc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-1086292838928207086?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-61087923240897744942010-09-10T21:00:00.006-03:002010-09-10T21:12:23.952-03:00<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OLWZ4h1KOy0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OLWZ4h1KOy0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><p><h3>KINDLE GIVEAWAY BLOG TOUR</h3><p>Author Scott Nicholson and Amazon are giving away two Kindles as part of his fall book blog tour from September through November. A Kindle DX will be given away through the participating blogs, and a Kindle 3 will be given away through the tour newsletter. A Pandora's Box of free ebooks will be given away through Nicholson's <a href="http://twitter.com/hauntedcomputer" target="_blank">"hauntedcomputer"</a> Twitter account. No purchase necessary, and the contest is international.<br /><p>"The digital era coincides with Act II of my career," Nicholson said. "The Kindle has broadened many people's horizons and given readers more power than ever, and this is an opportunity to celebrate them and the book bloggers who spread the word."<br /><p>Nicholson is author of 12 novels and five story collections, as well as four comics series and six screenplays. His paranormal thrillers <i>The Red Church</i>, <i>Drummer Boy</i> and <i>Speed Dating with the Dead</i> have all hit #1 in the Kindle "Ghosts" category, and his new releases are the sci-fi thriller <i>Forever Never Ends</i> and the multiple-personality romp <i>As I Die Lying</i>.<br /><p>As a bonus, if Nicholson hits the Top 100 in the U.S. or U.K. Kindle Store during the tour between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, he will give away an extra Kindle 3 through the blogs. Sign up for the newsletter at <a href="mailto:scottsinnercircle-subscribe@yahoogroups.com" target="_blank">scottsinnercircle-subscribe@yahoogroups.com</a> to get daily links to the participating blogs. Winners will be selected at the Watauga County (NC) Public Library in December. Co-sponsored by <a href="http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kindle Nation Daily</a> and <a href="http://www.dellasterdesign.com" target="_blank">Dellaster Design</a>. Details at <a href="http://www.hauntedcomputer.com" target="_blank">www.hauntedcomputer.com</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-6108792324089774494?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-15763746090707059732010-09-06T12:13:00.002-03:002010-09-06T12:13:44.698-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7140462-the-darkest-edge-of-dawn" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Charlie Madigan, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266698685m/7140462.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7140462-the-darkest-edge-of-dawn">The Darkest Edge of Dawn</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2869203.Kelly_Gay">Kelly Gay</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/82166668">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Charlie Madigan must now face the consequences of what she wrought in <em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6318238-the-better-part-of-darkness">The Better Part of Darkness</a></em>. Her daughter has turned the hellhound into a pet. Her partner Hank's voice mod is fused to his throat restricting his siren power in a way that was never intended. And her ex-husband's deal with a revenant has just added another level of stress into her life. Because, not only has darkness fallen over the city (and everyone is blaming her for it), but her DNA is slowly being re-written, and no one has any idea what the end result will be (except Kelly Gay, hopefully!). Oh, and her sister Bryn is now involuntarily addicted to <em>ash</em>, the off-world drug of choice. Charlie certainly has her work cut out for her in this, the second book in the series.<br /><p>Ms. Gay has done a fantastic job with this book. I zoomed through the story and can't wait to see where she will take the characters next. In this installment we learn a little more about <em>ash</em> and how it affects humans, as well as about the history of the Adonai and Charbydons, and&#151;holy smokes!&#151;if she continues Charlie's evolution in this direction...eek!<br /><p>I loved this story. Way to go, Kelly!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-1576374609070705973?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-86172939483572227722010-09-03T09:42:00.000-03:002010-09-03T09:42:21.861-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36609.Midnight_Brunch" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Midnight Brunch (Casa Dracula, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266456289m/36609.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36609.Midnight_Brunch">Midnight Brunch</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18880.Marta_Acosta">Marta Acosta</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/119450400">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Milagro de los Santos is feeling left out because boyfriend Oswald is keeping secrets. True, they are <em>family</em> secrets, and Oswald's family of not-vampires have accepted Milagro into their home (and hearts), but she's feeling insecure and thinks that if only Oswald would include her, she would be much more sure of their love. In the mean time, Oswald is trying to juggle a demanding career, a demanding family, and a demanding girlfriend. He's understandably frustrated and lashes out at the one he loves the most&#151;Milagro.<br /><p>Milagro meets more of Oswald's family at a dinner party celebrating the birth of Oswald's cousin Sam's daughter. Sam is married to Winnie, Oswald's ex-fiance, whom we met in <em>Happy Hour at Casa Dracula</em>. After sneaking a peek at the secret <em>family</em> ritual she was not invited to attend, Milagro runs off to the city feeling more insecure than ever. While there, she meets up with one of the previous night's dinner party guests, who seems quite willing to tell Milagro anything and everything she wants to know about the secretive clan. Little does she know that he has much more than talk on his agenda...<br /><p>Book 2 of Marta Acosta's Casa Dracula series doesn't disappoint. Milagro worms her way deeper into our hearts by proving to be vulnerable, sweet, funny, and loyal. Marta's characterizations are totally believable and we find it easy to like, or despise them, as the case may be. The storyline at the desert spa is fabulous and you can just see Milagro getting herself into this kind of fix&#151;and getting herself out of it again. In the end, we are left with a more self-assured Milagro&#151;one we will certainly keep rooting for as her adventures continue.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-8617293948357222772?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-40386606508128579142010-08-31T14:36:00.001-03:002010-08-31T14:38:47.612-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33536.Happy_Hour_at_Casa_Dracula" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168448146m/33536.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33536.Happy_Hour_at_Casa_Dracula">Happy Hour at Casa Dracula</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18880.Marta_Acosta">Marta Acosta</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/119432621">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Milagro impulsively kisses a handsome stranger. During the embrace his lip gets cut and she accidentally ingests some of his blood. Oswald, our handsome stranger, is NOT a vampire, but he does have a rare genetic disorder that makes him crave blood and causes a photo sensitivity, which sounds suspiciously like vampirism.<br /><br />What follows is a hilarious comedy of errors and a look into a fascinating world where not-vampires exist and are being hunted by corporate baddies. Marta Acosta has written a splendid tale in the best tradition of romantic comedies, and I can't wait to dive into the next Milagro tale: <em><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36609.Midnight_Brunch" target="_blank">Midnight Brunch</a></em>.<br /><p>If you'd like to learn more about Marta, check out her blog: <a href="http://vampirewire.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vampire Wire</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-4038660650812857914?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-50887719641864139932010-08-26T13:36:00.002-03:002010-09-17T15:54:50.306-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7500798-when-blood-calls" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="When Blood Calls (The Shadow Keepers, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266547381m/7500798.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7500798-when-blood-calls">When Blood Calls</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3295277.J_K_Beck">J.K. Beck</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/118694880">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Sara Constantine, prosecuting attorney, meets Lucius Dragos while she's out celebrating a recent court win. They end up at her condo together for a night of passion. Sara thinks she's found a man who just might be worth keeping. Then her boss (the District Attorney) offers her a job with the Division, the department that deals with Homeland Security cases, or so she's been told. As it turns out, the department actually deals with paranormal cases, and Sara is introduced to a whole new world filled with vampires, werewolves, and ghosts (oh, my!). It seems the head of the Division has been following her career and he thinks she'll be perfect to prosecute the high-level murder case they've just landed. The suspect has been brought in and is none other than...you guessed it...Lucius. Turns out Lucius is a vampire and the evidence against him is pretty solid. So now poor Sara has to reconcile the fact that she's fallen for a vampire who might also be a stone-cold killer.<br /><p>I really enjoyed this book. Sara and Lucius are well-developed and believable, as are the secondary characters. The storyline is tight and fast-paced. There is a plot twist I didn't see coming at all, which makes figuring out "who done it" much more difficult. The world J.K. Beck (a.k.a. Julie Kenner) has created is fascinating as well. It's much grittier than her usual fare (demon-hunting soccer moms and superhero central). She's added an interesting twist to vampires I have not read about anywhere else. It's sort of a paranormal <em>Law and Order</em>, and I'm looking forward to reading book two to see where she takes the series. Personally, I think it's off to a terrific start. Well done, Julie!<br /><p><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7641961-when-pleasure-rules" target="_blank"><i>When Pleasure Rules</i>: Book 2</a> (Release date: 28-Sep-10)<br /><p><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7685237-when-wicked-craves" target="_blank"><i>When Wicked Craves</i>: Book 3</a> (Release date: 26-Oct-10)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-5088771964186413993?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-602525402616191702010-08-20T19:37:00.000-03:002010-08-20T19:37:17.629-03:00From "Steamed" by Katie MacAlister<br /><br /><i>"You should take up jogging," I told her, turning to scan the opposite direction. "Does wonders for your cardio."</i><br /><br />About the Friday 56:<br />1. Grab the book nearest you. Right now<br />2. Turn to page 56.<br />3. Find the fifth sentence.<br />4. Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.<br />5. <a href="http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-56-picking-guitar.html" target="_blank">Post a link</a> along with your post back to this blog.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-60252540261619170?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-73201269428016876082010-08-20T09:47:00.001-03:002010-09-17T15:55:18.193-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6666645-kell-s-legend" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Kell's Legend (Clockwork Vampire)" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tbzXOhu7L._SX106_.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6666645-kell-s-legend">Kell's Legend</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/326992.Andy_Remic">Andy Remic</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71459370">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>This sword and sorcery epic sweeps you away to the side of an aged hero and his granddaughter. Kell, hero of legend, is tired and wants to be left in peace to watch his granddaughter succeed at university. But the clockwork vampires, the vachines, have other plans for Kell's homeland. They strike at night with blood magic and overtake the town. Kell manages to flee with his granddaughter and her schoolmate. They soon meet up with a thief also bent on escape, and together they stay one step ahead of the invading forces.<br /><p>This is the first book in a trilogy and has certainly snagged my attention enough so that I will be waiting impatiently for parts two and three. I really enjoyed the fast paced action in this story. The author sometimes over-describes things (he rarely uses less than three descriptors), but that's easy enough to overlook. All-in-all, it's a fine start to a heart-pounding action tale, complete with quests and durance vile. Oh, and a bad guy you can really hate. I like it!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-7320126942801687608?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-45112343998120183502010-08-13T13:12:00.001-03:002010-08-13T13:42:31.266-03:00From "The Lives of Dalhousie University: Volume One 1818-1935" by P.B. Waite<br /><br />"There must not be, he said, four or five colleges in the province&#151;if so, their degrees would become a laughing stock."<br /><br />About the Friday 56:<br />1. Grab the book nearest you. Right now<br />2. Turn to page 56.<br />3. Find the fifth sentence.<br />4. Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.<br />5. <a href="http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-56-knife-of-dreams.html" target="_blank">Post a link</a> along with your post back to this blog.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-4511234399812018350?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-24394812841273849882010-08-11T13:41:00.002-03:002010-08-11T20:58:23.722-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3124975.Any_Given_Doomsday" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Any Given Doomsday (The Phoenix Chronicles, Book 1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280358597m/3124975.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3124975.Any_Given_Doomsday">Any Given Doomsday</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17060.Lori_Handeland">Lori Handeland</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49286029">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Nephilim, demons, witches, seers, and shifters. Throw in a vampire or two and you've got the makings of a great story.<br /><p>Elizabeth Phoenix is an ex-cop barmaid who can see the future. She's an ex-cop because she blames herself for her partner's death. She's a barmaid because she doesn't want to be a P.I. She can see glimpses of the future, but she doesn't want that either. When her foster mother is murdered, she's thrown into a whole lot of what she doesn't want. Now she has to face her past and accept her future, or the world as she knows it will end.<br /><p>I picked up Any Given Doomsday because I was browsing Ms. Handeland's site (<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.lorihandeland.com/">http://www.lorihandeland.com/</a>) and found a link to download a free short story called In the Beginning. After I read that story, I just knew I had to buy this book to find out what happens to Lizbeth. I'm really glad I did. The story is intriguing and engaging. Ms. Handeland has created a very interesting world and peopled it with characters you can like, some you will absolutely hate, and some that you won't be able to make your mind up on, at least, not yet.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-2439481284127384988?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-83509006536059523622010-08-10T13:05:00.000-03:002010-08-10T13:05:17.143-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6343247-the-demon-s-librarian" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Demon's Librarian" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255613960m/6343247.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6343247-the-demon-s-librarian">The Demon's Librarian</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/131208.Lilith_Saintcrow">Lilith Saintcrow</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48217992">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Chess Barnes is a librarian who hunts demons in her spare time. When the "real" demon hunters show up looking for some special books, all hell breaks loose.<br /><p>This is a really excellent story. The characters are all well-developed and the world Ms. Saintcrow created is fascinating. While it is quite satisfying as a stand-alone story, we can only hope that one day Ms. Saintcrow will return to this world and these characters.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-8350900653605952362?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-8083774084260614672010-08-09T22:53:00.001-03:002010-08-09T22:55:58.612-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7734264-shut-up-and-kiss-me" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Shut Up and Kiss Me" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1278722681m/7734264.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7734264-shut-up-and-kiss-me">Shut Up and Kiss Me</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/736364.Christie_Craig">Christie Craig</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/107200655">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>It's not often I find a book that actually makes me laugh out loud, but Ms. Craig has managed it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story about PR consultant Shala Winters and her exploits in Precious, Texas. It's funny and sweet and romantic and irreverent. And what Christie puts poor Jose through...well...let's just say that eau d'skunk is not a good choice for anyone. If you enjoy your comedies romantic, or your romances comedic, this is a story for you. You won't regret it!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-808377408426061467?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-68397308477729447842010-08-08T20:18:00.001-03:002010-08-09T22:56:41.125-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2992247.Bone_Key" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Bone Key (Supernatural, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267426533m/2992247.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2992247.Bone_Key">Bone Key</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/43697.Keith_R_A_DeCandido">Keith R.A. DeCandido</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49900772">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Excellent story. Mr. DeCandido has captured the tone of the series perfectly. It's a great <em>Supernatural</em> adventure, with ghosts (famous ones!) and demons (of course) and a mystery to solve. If you're a fan of the series, you will love this. If you're not, you'll probably become one.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-6839730847772944784?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-54755583062687085862010-08-07T17:17:00.002-03:002010-08-09T22:56:53.489-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5899779-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255569929m/5899779.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5899779-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies">Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/169377.Seth_Grahame_Smith">Seth Grahame-Smith</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51269047">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but somehow Seth Grahame-Smith has managed to maintain the integrity of <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> while adding zombies to the cultural and social history of Regency England. Amazing! Lizzie is her much-loved, feisty self, as well as a kick-ass, zombie-slaying heroine. In fact, Mr. Bennett insisted that all 5 of his girls receive training from Shaolin masters so that they can help fight the "unmentionables" that rise in their community. How can any of this be amusing, you ask? Read it and find out! you won't regret it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-5475558306268708586?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-1428044858183827382010-08-06T14:51:00.001-03:002010-08-06T14:52:11.130-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2261459.Happy_Hour_of_the_Damned" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Happy Hour of the Damned (Amanda Feral, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1278522164m/2261459.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2261459.Happy_Hour_of_the_Damned">Happy Hour of the Damned</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/848968.Mark_Henry">Mark Henry</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48090273">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>What did I learn from this book? Never go to Seattle if you're homeless. On the other hand, a visit there would probably be great. The nightlife sounds pretty lively...<br /><p>Amanda Feral was breathed on by a zombie. Moments later she dies in a slip-and-fall. When she first rises, she doesn't even know she's dead. So begins the adventure. There are vampires, shifters, incubi & succubi, and a vast assortment of other supernaturals she meets and befriends along the way. There are also bad guys trying to take over the world. It's all very much a zombie version of Pinkie and the Brain. With better shoes.<br /><p>Mark Henry has written a funny, witty, fast-paced story about a newbie zombie and her BFF. This series promises to be a hilarious romp through urban fantasyland.<br /><hr><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6056806-road-trip-of-the-living-dead" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Road Trip of the Living Dead (Amanda Feral, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266483608m/6056806.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6056806-road-trip-of-the-living-dead">Road Trip of the Living Dead</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/848968.Mark_Henry">Mark Henry</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48090286">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>This is the second installment of Amanda's post-life memoirs. Gil's latest client in his new "vamping" business--"Gil's Luxury Vamping: Creating Quality Bloodsuckers Since 2007"--takes offense at an unexpected extra service while crawling from his grave. Gil, Amanda, and Wendy decide it would be prudent to leave town for a while. Fortunately(?) a destination is easily chosen as Amanda's mother is in a hospice in South Dakota. The trio take off for the funniest road trip you've ever read about. With werewolves, ghosts, and neo-nazis to play with along the way, you just know that the glam-girls of zombie-dom are in for nothing but good times. Amanda is truly the reigning queen of the bitch-zombies.<br /><p><em>Road Trip</em> is an excellent sequel to <em>Happy Hour</em>. Mark Henry is a fine writer and has managed to make the shallow, fashion-driven, self-centred Amanda into a completely likable character. Be careful where you read this, because you will laugh out loud, snort, giggle, and snicker your way through the book. Amanda Feral is my hero. If I ever wake up dead, I want to be just like her.<br /><hr><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6855471-battle-of-the-network-zombies" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Battle Of The Network Zombies (Amanda Feral, #3)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279166394m/6855471.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6855471-battle-of-the-network-zombies">Battle Of The Network Zombies</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/848968.Mark_Henry">Mark Henry</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/115515050">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>A splendid conclusion to this irreverent series about a fashionista zombie and her BFF. Amanda tries her hand at mystery-solving when the host of American Minions, wood nymph Johnny Birch, is found murdered. Much mayhem and hilarity ensue in the now trademark Mark Henry style. This is a great read and I look forward to learning what Mr. Henry comes out with next.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-142804485818382738?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-55270519845460527732010-08-02T13:02:00.004-03:002010-08-02T13:10:25.073-03:00<center><table border="0"><tr><td><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6140308-bloody-good"><img alt="Bloody Good (Brytewood, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266534330m/6140308.jpg" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6140310-bloody-awful"><img alt="Bloody Awful (Brytewood, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280212974m/6140310.jpg" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6384522-bloody-right"><img alt="Bloody Right (Brytewood, #3)" border="0" width="98" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RKSh0Vl1L._SX106_.jpg" /></a></td></tr></table></center><br /><p><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6140308-bloody-good">Bloody Good</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6140310-bloody-awful">Bloody Awful</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6384522-bloody-right">Bloody Right</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2799920.Georgia_Evans">Georgia Evans</a></p><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/60656310">5 of 5 stars</a></p><p>It's World War II and those sneaky Germans will use anything to win, including vampires! Fortunately, the Pixies and assorted Others of Brytewood are there to save the day.<br /><p>This is a fun and scary romp through the WWII English countryside. I thoroughly enjoyed the Brytewood Trilogy and can only hope that Ms. Evans will one day return there to give us more stories from this quaint English village.</p><p>Georgia Evans is the pseudonym Rosemary Laurey uses for her fantasy books. You can find out more about Brytewood at <a href="http://www.brytewood.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.brytewood.co.uk</a> and about Rosemary Laurey at <a href="http://www.rosemarylaurey.com" target="_blank">http://www.rosemarylaurey.com</a>.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-5527051984546052773?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-87401037710769343882010-08-01T16:16:00.001-03:002010-08-02T16:37:22.615-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6389874-tempest-rising" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Tempest Rising (Jane True, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266673466m/6389874.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6389874-tempest-rising">Tempest Rising</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2895111.Nicole_Peeler">Nicole Peeler</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76492254">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>This debut novel is off to a great start. The main character, Jane True, is half-selkie, half-human. Not that she knew that. She just thought she was a good swimmer.So good, in fact, that her swimming was kept a deep, dark secret. Well, swimming in the North Atlantic in late fall is a little...odd. As the story unfolds, however, Jane learns about her self and gets her eyes opened to the world of the paranormal, but not in a good way, really. She's embroiled in a murder mystery and the next victim just may be her!<br /><p>I really enjoyed this look into Jane's world. Nicole Peeler has written a fun, witty, fast-paced novel that got me hooked from page one and hasn't let go yet. Bravo, Nicole! I'm already jonesing for book 2.<br /><hr><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7556058-tracking-the-tempest" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Tracking the Tempest (Jane True, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1271818189m/7556058.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7556058-tracking-the-tempest">Tracking the Tempest</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2895111.Nicole_Peeler">Nicole Peeler</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76492279">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>This is book 2 of Jane True's Life and TImes. First, I have to say !!!!!!! This is a fabulous story. It might even be better than book 1. Jane does a lot of growing in this story and she comes out much better for it. The truly bad part is that there are only 348 pages. Now we have to wait until January to find out what happens next. :(<br /><p>Tracking the Tempest continues where Tempest Rising left off. Jane is now fully immersed in the supernatural world. She's learning to use her magic and she's in a long distance relationship with Ryu, her vampire boyfriend. The supernatural community is busy playing deep games and Jane is struggling to keep herself and her loved ones safe.<br /><p>This is such a fast-paced book, I just know I'm going to have to read it again in a couple of weeks to pick up on all the finer details I zoomed through on the first reading. Jane has quickly become one of my favourite urban fantasy heroines and I send out a loud hip-hip-hoorah and congratulations to Nicole for her imagination and skill. You keep writing them, Dr. Peeler, and I will keep reading them! Oh, and Nicole, Ryu's last name (guffaw-giggle-snort) sheer brilliance!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-8740103771076934388?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-26504388660531089082010-07-31T14:21:00.001-03:002010-08-01T16:17:02.103-03:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6381205-soulless" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276012366m/6381205.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6381205-soulless">Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate #1)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/81531101">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>Alexia Tarabotti (Italian father, not at all her fault!) is all that is proper in a Victorian gentlewoman. Yes, she's a spinster, but she has fully accepted her lot in life. Her days are made more exciting, however, by her run-ins with Lord Conall Maccon, London's Alpha werewolf and Queen Victoria's go-to guy for all things supernatural (and preternatural). Unfortunately for Maccon, the more he tries to keep Alexia out of his investigation, the deeper she becomes involved. In the end they must work together to solve the mystery and save the day.<br /><p>This is one of the best renderings of a Victorian Lady that I have read in a very long time. Gail has created a wonderful heroine that she keeps true to her upbringing and heritage, IMO. The mystery is mysterious and exciting; the romance is charming, sweet, and exciting; and the characters are likable as well as believable (and exciting). Even though this is only book one of the <em>Parasol Protectorate</em> I am already a huge fan. I can't wait to read what happens in <em>Changeless</em>!<br /><hr><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6933876-changeless" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate, #2)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276020917m/6933876.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6933876-changeless">Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate #2)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/96132537">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>The newly-wed Alexia has started her job as Queen Victoria's muhjah on the Shadow Council. The Council, consisting of the potentate (a vampire), the dewan (a werewolf), and the muhjah, advise the Queen on supernatural and preternatural matters within the empire. As she leaves Woolsey Castle for a Council meeting, she stumbles over a regiment or two's worth of werewolves setting up a bivouac on her front lawn. As it turns out, werewolves serve in the Queen's Army, and this particular crowd has just returned from India by way of Eqypt. Past practice has them meeting at Woolsey Castle before being dismissed to return home. Alexia meets her husband's 3rd (Major Channing), who doesn't recognize her for who she is, and nearly has to take up her parasol to defend herself before saner heads (specifically Professor Lyall) intervene. Alexia no sooner sends the werewolves off to set up their camp in the back garden when her best friend Ivy Hisselpenny arrives in a great to-do, bursting to tell Alexia her <em>splendid</em> news. All of which happens in Chapter One and before Alexia can even get off her property!<br /><p>So begins the 2nd book in the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, and I couldn't have asked for a better sequel. Alexia is blooming in her role on the Shadow Council. Add to that a husband who understands her well enough to commission a very special parasol for her and she feels herself a lucky woman indeed. But what's life without a few challenges, eh? Alexia certainly has her work cut out for her what with Conall slipping off to Scotland without a word to her, a mysterious phenomenon that renders the supernaturals in London <em>super</em>-less, and an female inventor/scientist who dresses like a man and sets Alexia's instincts buzzing. What choice does she have but to follow Conall to Scotland (by dirigible!) so that she can warn him that the phenomenon seems to be mobile and has preceded him to Scotland? And what choice do you have but to read this and find out what happens. You won't be disappointed, I promise you!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-2650438866053108908?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091263706674478104.post-74638152509895933862010-07-30T11:44:00.000-03:002010-07-30T11:44:26.321-03:00I'm switching over from LiveJournal. No real reason, just because :-)<br /><p>To start me off right I am posting one of my reviews from Goodreads...<br /><p><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4484388-dracula-s-heir" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Dracula's Heir: An Interactive Mystery" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266758604m/4484388.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4484388-dracula-s-heir">Dracula's Heir: An Interactive Mystery</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38063.Sam_Stall">Sam Stall</a><br /><p>My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51361975">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><p>A wonderful "what happens next" story. Sam Stall does an excellent job of continuing the Dracula saga and what occurs in the lives of Dr. Van Helsing and Dr. Seward. The interactive mystery is a nice little twist that just made it all the more enjoyable.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6091263706674478104-7463815250989593386?l=zita-is-booked.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Zitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934983183390982361noreply@blogger.com0