Hippity Hopping Holidays, Batman!

John Scalzi has posted another interview on his blog. This time he talks to...the Christmas Bunny?

Go to http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/12/22/an-interview-with-the-christmas-bunny/

I love this guy :-)

Away in a Manger

If you want a little holiday cheer, head on over to John Scalzi's blog where he interviews the innkeeper from Bethlehem: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/12/21/an-interview-with-the-nativity-innkeeper/

Big cats and pumpkins...just because

 

Marta Acosta's Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula

Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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 (The Bride of Casa Dracula), 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 (Happy Hour at Casa Dracula).

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 Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula marks the end of the Casa Dracula series, I hope that we will run into Milagro in the future, perhaps in a short story?

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: City of Night

City of Night by Dean Koontz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

New Orleans, Dean Koontz's City of Night. 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: Prodigal Son)

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 changing.

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.

This 2nd volume of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series was co-written with Ed Gorman, 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: Dead and Alive.

Cross posted at Sleepless eReader. Comment here or there.

The Friday 56: Deadly Desire by Keri Arthur

1. Grab the book nearest you. Right now
2. Turn to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
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.
5. Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
6. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Today, my closest was Deadly Desire by Keri Arthur. This was #7 in her Riley Jensen Guardian series, and I loved it—both the series and this particular book.

Hell, we cleaned up the rogues, and that had once been the council's job.

Jennifer Rardin 1965-2010

Jennifer 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 http://jenniferrardin.com/. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace, Jennifer. We'll miss you.