Visiting Nessie

One cannot go to Scotland without stopping by Loch Ness for a quick chat with Nessie. She's very shy, however, and I was not quick enough with the shutter. Oh, well. Here is Urquhart Castle. She likes to hang out below the tower. :-)

Oh, the places I have been

Create Your Own Visited States Map

Deadly Debut by the New York Tri-State Sisters in Crime

Deadly Debut: A Mystery Anthology by New York Tri-State Sisters in Crime
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had the honour of reading this anthology before its release, and am I glad I did! You've all heard the saying "The only good New Yorker is ... one who write murder mysteries." right? Since that's the case I now know 7 good New Yorkers.

1. Death Will Clean Your Closet by Elizabeth Zelvin is an intriguing tale about a recovering alcoholic and a disappearing body in his walk-in closet.
2. The Lie by Anita Page starts with a scared child's white lie and the unexpected consequences that follow.
3. Murder in the Aladdin's Cave by Lina Zeldovich details the murder of a belly dancer and how logical sleuthing brings the murderer to justice.
4. Family Matters by Peggy Ehrhart finds a private investigator helping her musician father prove a fellow musician is innocent of his ex-wife's murder.
5. None of the Above by Diedre Verne show how violent academia really is when a stolen test is used to set a road block on the tenure track of a fellow professor.
6. NYPD Daughter by Triss Stein proves that a rookie cop will always be a little girl in her cop father's eyes. When she stumbles upon a protection racket it's daddy to the rescue!
7. Strike Zone by Terrie Farley Moran takes us back to the year 1961 when Maris broke Babe Ruth's home run record and a young girl finds courage in the works of Edgar Allen Poe.

This is a collection well worth having and I highly recommend it.

Blind Justice by Anne Perry

Blind Justice by Anne Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Monk series is a favourite of mine, even more so than Anne Perry's Pitt series. While this story focused on Oliver Rathbone, it really advances William and Hester's story line as well. And I'm very much enjoying their growing relationship with Scuff. The series just keeps getting better and better. I can only hope that Ms. Perry is a vampire or some sort of immortal so that she never stops writing.

The Last Word by Lisa Lutz

The Last Word by Lisa Lutz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great read. The Spellmans are a unique bunch and I really enjoy my time spent with them. If you are familiar with the series, you will enjoy this one, too. If you are new to the series, go get the first one and read them all. It's really worth it.

MaryJanice Davidson's Undead and Unsure

Undead and Unsure by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent, as always. Some questions were answered. Sinclair is back. The ending raised my eyebrows. I see a come-uppance on the way for a certain beautiful young blonde. And the house is now chock full of babies and puppies! I love this series. Thanks, MaryJanice. If you ever make it to Halifax, Nova Scotia, know that you will be very welcome to visit. Or stay. You could move here. It's really nice.

Random House's Sizzling Summer Readathon Results

For the month of July I accepted Random House's reading challenge to

Join our Sizzling Summer Readathon and challenge yourself to read as much as you can this summer.

This I have done, with very good results. At first I guestimated that I would read 3000 pages over the month of July. After the first week I realized that I was capable of much more, so I adjusted my number to 8000 pages. I am pleased to announce that I ended up with 9292 pages in total. Following are the books I read:

1. The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg: 295 pages
2. Hidden Prey by John Sandford: 233 pages
3. The Hit by David Baldacci: 390 pages
4. Affliction by Laurell K Hamilton: 527 pages
5. Broken Prey by John Sandford: 254 pages
6. Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts: 484 pages
7. Deck Z: Titanic by Chris Pauls: 202 pages
8. The Night is Watching by Heather Graham: 392 pages
9. Stolen by Allison Brennan: 360 pages
10. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch: 390 pages
11. The Water Rat of Wanchai by Ian Hamilton: 400 pages
12. Invisible Prey by John Sandford: 249 pages
13. Phantom Prey by John Sandford: 228 pages
14. Deadly Forecast by Victoria Laurie: 294 pages
15. Bomb Shell by Catherine Coulter: 400 pages
16. Cold Copper by Devon Monk: 400 pages
17. The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag: 416 pages
18. The Bridgerton 2nd Epilogues by Julia Quinn: 384 pages
19. The Husband List by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly: 227 pages
20. The Storm by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown: 394 pages
21. Wicked Prey by John Sandford: 218 pages
22. Storm Prey by John Sandford: 216 pages
23. Buried Prey by John Sandford: 266 pages
24. The Last Word by Lisa Lutz: 329 pages
25. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: 318 pages
26. Stolen Prey by John Sandford: 409 pages
27. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews: 327 pages
28. Silken Prey by John Sandford: 289 pages

This was a fun challenge and I enjoyed every single book I read. I'll let you know if I win any of the prizes.

Carniepunk is now in stores!

Carniepunk by Rachel Caine

My copy is ordered, and while I wait for it to arrive I thought to let you know that you too can enjoy this wonderful anthology that includes stories by all these wonderful authors:

• Rachel Caine
• Rob Thurman
• Kevin Hearne
• Seanan McGuire
• Jennifer Estep
• Allison Pang
• Kelly Gay
• Delilah S. Dawson
• Kelly Meding

What's not to like?

You can purchase this in Canada from:

• Amazon
• Chapters and Kobo

If you are in the US you can go to the Simon & Schuster Website for all the usual links.

Happy reading!

Kelley Armstrong's Omens

Omens: The Cainsville Series by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had the privilege to read an advance copy of this book. I have long been a fan of Kelley's Otherworld series and I knew that I would enjoy her writing. It's always a leap of faith when an author asks you to forget established characters and meet brand new ones. Fortunately for me, Kelley's new world is as engaging and enjoyable as the Otherworld was. This one is a must-read for all Kelley Armstrong fans and for anyone who enjoys their mysteries with a twist.

Well done, Kelley, and thank you once again for another great story!

View all my reviews

It's a Wonderful Life at the Lion's Den Theatre

On Sunday I attended the Lion's Den Theatre production of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. They put the play on like an old-time radio show and we were the live studio audience. It was fantastic. The actors all did a wonderful job. It was easy to sit back and follow along while His Honour, played by Eric Fitzpatrick (the gentleman on the left), explained to Clarence, Angel Second Class, how this might finally be his chance to earn his wings.

Bedford Falls came alive in our imaginations through the superb acting and excellent live sound effects by Shawn Maggio and Mark Penny. The All-Female Trio: Girlband leant their voices to the songs of the era and I've never heard better.

I'd give this production 5 thumbs up! Job well done.

Way hey and away we go

Way hey and away we go
Zombie walking, zombie walking
Way hey and away we go
Walkin’ like a zombie.

Was you ever in Halifax
Chompin’ sailors on their necks?
Waitin’ for some yummy brains
Walkin’ like a zombie!

Blatantly appropriated from the lyrics of the traditional 19th century sea chanty and sung to the arrangement recorded by Great Big Sea. My sincerest apologies to anonymous and Great Big Sea! And thanks to the Zombie Bride for permission to post the picture.

Kelly Gay's The Darkest Edge of Dawn

The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie Madigan must now face the consequences of what she wrought in The Better Part of Darkness. 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 ash, the off-world drug of choice. Charlie certainly has her work cut out for her in this, the second book in the series.

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 ash and how it affects humans, as well as about the history of the Adonai and Charbydons, and—holy smokes!—if she continues Charlie's evolution in this direction...eek!

I loved this story. Way to go, Kelly!

Walk Like a Zombie

Yesterday a friend and co-worker looked at me and said "You look like death warmed over! Let's go walk like zombies." So there we were, strutting our stuff down the streets of Halifax with various and sundry other undead. It was a great event. Quite a few of us showed up (I'd guess over 200) and the costumes were excellent. Another pal brought her dog Lester, who totally got into the spirit of things.

You can go look at more pictures on the Metro News site where they have posted a lovely shot of Lester. You can also see me in the 6th picture (on the right side in the orange and black dress), which happens to be the shot they printed in today's paper. There goes my 15 minutes of fame!

12 Angry Men: a review

I saw a most excellent live production of 12 Angry Men at the Lion's Den Theatre in Halifax last night. In the picture, the young man in the centre is Juror # 5, played by a family friend: Eric Fitzpatrick. He and his fellow actors did a superb job. The setting itself is quite simplistic: a table and 12 chairs. It takes place in the jury room and begins with the members of the jury being instructed by the judge to deliberate on a charge of murder in the first degree. The jurors come on stage, seat themselves, and immediately hold a vote: 11 guilty votes, 1 not guilty vote. The judge has instructed them that the vote must be unanimous as the death penalty will be applied if the defendant is found guilty. What follows are the arguments between the jurors as they try to decide if there is reasonable doubt in the case. In the end...well, you'll have to go see the play to find out. The production runs until August 5. I highly recommend you go.

Shawntelle Madison's Coveted

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of an OCD werewolf and her struggles to belong, both to her family and her pack. Ms. Madison has created an interesting and unique setting for her wolves and the other supernaturals who inhabit it. I actually gained a level of understanding about OCD that I didn't have before. What more can you ask from a book but that you learn something! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Photo of the Week winner!

My photo of a pufferfish was chosen to be this week's photo of the week at the Canadian Geographic Photo Club web site. I'm so thrilled! Go check it out http://photoclub.canadiangeographic.ca

Jana DeLeon's The Lost Girls of Johnson's Bayou

The Lost Girls of Johnson's Bayou by Jana Deleon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

She was only six when she walked out of the swamp after the LeBlanc School for Girls caught on fire. Sixteen years after the terrifying night that stole her memory, a child's scream lures Ginny back into the woods…where a strong arm encircles her. The gun-wielding stranger is Paul Stanton, a cop-turned-P.I., who's come to Johnson's Bayou looking for answers of his own.

Paul has spent almost two decades searching for his missing sister and now, this Southern beauty could be the key to his quest. But someone would rather see Ginny dead than have her memories resurface. And although uncovering the dark secrets of the past could put them both at risk, it's a chance Paul's willing to take if it means finding his future…with Ginny.

I really enjoyed this story. The pacing is good, the characters are likable and believable, the suspense is...suspenseful (LOL) and the ending is very well done. Jana throws you a couple of red herrings to keep you on your toes, but in the end the girl gets the guy, which is what it's all about, am I right?

Jimpressions. Too amazing!

Devon Monk's Dead Iron: The Age of Steam

Dead Iron by Devon Monk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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."

Tracy Madison's By Magic Alone

By Magic Alone by Tracy Madison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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.

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.

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.