28 Jan 2012 16 Comments

In My Mailbox: Wicked Good Reads & Fabulous Authors (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren that lets book bloggers and book lovers get a peek at some of the goodies that are floating around out there.

It’s been a strange week in my neck of the woods. I didn’t receive a single book in the mail this week. No probs as I have tons of goodies sitting in the reading pile calling my name.

I did take a trip to Houston’s Murder By the Book with the hubby and a reading pal for an author signing that can only be described as insanely awesome. Jordan Dane, Ellie James, C.C. Hunter, Tracy Deebs, Emily McKay, and Shellee Roberts were more fun than a barrel of monkeys. So we snagged a few signatures and enjoyed great conversations with all of these writing divas. We do have a video from the event and will have it posted soon.

No One Heard Her Scream is an amazingly thrilling and suspenseful read. I wasn’t aware when I read it that it was Jordan’s debut novel. Jordan’s adult and YA novels are equally amazing reads that I highly recommend. You can check out my reviews by clicking on the titles No One Heard Her Scream,  In the Arms of Stone Angels, and On A Dark Wing.

And a handful of swag to go with these awesome reads too.

I did borrow one lovely book from the library this week…

That’s what I brought home this week. What goodies did you find in your mailbox?

by Jennifer in Features, In My Mailbox Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

28 Jan 2012 2 Comments

Inevitable Reads: All Souls Trilogy

Inevitable Reads

Inevitable Reads is a weekly meme we’ve thrown together to highlight titles that we simply, without-a-doubt, must get our hands on; the stories we’ve been waiting for ever since we heard the author was writing them.

When Deborah Harkness released A Discovery of Witches, I immediately added it to my must-read list but have yet to dive into the trilogy. Why? While there are tons of great reviews on the web, I’m beginning to hear a few complaints about the pace of the story and lack of action. I think I checked out ADOW from the library but couldn’t get to it before someone else wanted it. Honestly, it sounds like a fascinating story, and I love witches (and vamps too), so I’ll read it, no matter what.

If you’ve read A Discovery of Witches, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are, and if you plan to continue to read the trilogy.

The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
Release date: July 10, 2012

Shortly after Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont timewalk to London, 1590, they discover that the past may not provide a safe haven after all. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy Matthew Roydon, the vampire falls back in step with a group of radicals known as the School of Night who share dangerous ideas about God, science, and man. Many of his friends are unruly daemonsn – the creative minds of the age who walk the fine line between genius and madness – including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot. Matthew, himself, is expected to continue to spy for Queen Elizabeth, which puts him in close contact with London’s cutthroat underworld.

Together, Matthew and Diana scour the bookstalls and alchemical laboratories of London where they follow the elusive trail of Ashmole 782 – and search for the witch who will teach Diana to control her powers.

by Jennifer in Features, Inevitable Reads Tags: , , ,