RAK Roundup

And already we come to the end of yet another month, so it's time for my RAK roundup post.

Again I send out a couple of books and I hope those who recieved them will enjoy them.

I myself got three books this month!

Stella spoilt me again and send me two books!
Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews and Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong.

I already read Bayou Moon and it's awesome. I'll be reviewing it somewhere the next few weeks.

The Bookish Brunette send me Viper Moon by Lee Roland.
I'm reading this book at the moment and so far it's a really cool read.

Thanks Stella and Ashley, you are awesome!


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RAK:

The RAK movement (=Random Acts of Kindness): it is an initiative organized by the Ladies at the Book Soulmates where everyone posts their whislists and then other people realize one (or more) wishes of a person. Meaning that they send some books to the lucky person they picked! Doesn't it sound fabulous?

Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.

• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!

• Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Land of Falling Stars - Book Review by Voodoo Bride + giveaway

Land of Falling Stars
by Keta Diablo
ebook

What is it about:
After her parents die in a fire, Sophia Whitfield struggles to save her beloved home, Arbor Rose. The Civil War has devastated the South, and another blue coat has come to steal her meager possessions. Before the hated enemy inflicts his destruction, she shoots him. And soon discovers the soldier is Gavin, the champion of her childhood.

Gavin's dark secret lurks in Sophia’s future. When she discovers the truth, she's torn between a burning hunger for the man she truly loves and loyalty to Jesse, their childhood friend. The despicable acts of war have changed everything Sophia and Gavin once cherished. Yet somewhere deep in their hearts, the mystical Land of Falling Stars still exists.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
A very emotional historical erotic romance.

I loved the romantic and sexual tension between Sophia and Gavin (who is one hunky blue coat) and the scenes between the two of them are really intense and hot.

Next to a really hot romance there was lots of action as well: death threats, a perilous journey and much more. The historical background of the Civil War was intriguing and added to the overall mood of the story.

I fell in love with Gavin from the start. He's hunky, loyal and courageous. Sophia is a much more difficult person to love. From time to time I felt like kicking some sense in her and Gavin forgave her faults much too easily in my opinion. Still I rooted for both of them to find happiness together and to be able to let go of the past.

All in all a very enjoyable and steamy romance.

Why should you read it:
It's an intense and hot erotic romance


Buy this ebook:
On Kindle
On Nook

And now for a giveaway:
Keta Diablo has kindly offered one ebook copy of Land of Falling Stars to one of the readers of this blog.

If you want to be entered for this giveaway you need to:
- leave a comment telling me you want to be entered in the giveaway
- leave a way for me to contact you
- do all this before the 5th of November
- I'll pick a winner at random on November 6th.
The giveaway is international of course and you do not have to be a follower of this blog

Alien Proliferation - Early Book Review

Alien Proliferation (Katherine "Kitty" Katt #4)
by Gini Koch

What is it about:
Alien Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt is expecting her first baby. But the alien attacks are getting more dangerous, and now Kitty and her Alpha Centaurion husband, Jeff, have to find out who's behind the conspiracy to kill Kitty's secret agent mom and what caused Kitty's transformation into a superhuman-and they've got to do it all before the baby shower...

What did Voodoo Bride and I think of it:

Four books into the Katherine "Kitty" Katt series and Koch is still going strong.

Once more Koch delivers a wacky, action packed, delightfully fun adventure that keeps you guessing and laughing from the start.

There's quite some emotional moments in this book as well with at least two moments that had us sniffling.

Kitty's adventures have always been a bit over the top (which to me is one of the charms of this series), but in this book certain events sky-rocket totally out of there, to soar back into credible just before you feel like you're being taken on a ride. This is not meant as criticism in case you're wondering. I think it's amazing how Koch comes up with the craziest things and manages to make them totally believable and although Touched by an Alien will probably always be my favorite in this series, Alien Proliferation is a very close second.

Those who read and loved the earlier books in this series will absolutely love this book as well. For those of you who haven't started this series yet: Go get the first three books now and you'll be all up to speed for Alien Proliferation once it's released in December.

We'll impatiently be counting the days until the release of book 5: Alien Diplomacy

Why should you read it:
It's a fun, wacky and awesome adventure.


pre-order:

Release day: December 6th 2011

Wishlist Wednesday - The Goblin King

Today a book that's on Voodoo Bride's wishlist:

The Goblin King by Shona Husk

Cursed by a Druid millennia ago, Roan lives a bleak existence in the Shadowlands, desperately trying to retain his soul and not succumb to the goblin horde. When a beautiful human summons him to grant a wish, he sees a glimmer of hope. But will she ever agree to be his queen?

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I think it's a horrible cover, but got wacked by Voodoo Bride when I told her. She's been drooling over it since she first saw it.
We did read the free prequel The Summons and that was a pretty cool story, so if Voodoo Bride ever does get her hands on The Goblin King (the book, not the king himself) I might even read it as well.

Teaser Tuesdays - Down These Strange Streets

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Elizaveta opened the conference room door and entered like the Queen Mary coming to port in a wave of herbs and menthol instead of salt water, but with the same regal dominance, a regality accompanied by enough fabric and colors to do justice to a gypsy in midwinter - and it was hotter than sin outside.
(page 393, In Red, With Pearls by Patricia Briggs - Down These Strange Streets Anthology)

The Real Werewives of Vampire County - Book Review

The Real Werewives of Vampire County
by Alexandra Ivy, Angie Fox, Tami Dane and Jess Haines

What is it about:
"Where Darkness Lives" by Alexandra Ivy
No one's more surprised than Sophia when she's struck by an unfamiliar maternal urge to move near her daughters. But instead of being greeted by a welcome committee, she's targeted by kidnappers. . .and saddled with a gorgeous bodyguard on a mission to protect—and seduce. . .

"Murder on Mysteria Lane" by Angie Fox
When a werewolf trophy wife is found dead in Vampire County, Heather McPhee goes undercover to investigate. Heather's never been a mascara-and-manicures sort of girl, but she's willing to learn. Especially with sexy vampire detective Lucien Mead posing as her husband. . .

"Werewolves in Chic Clothing" by Tami Dane
Ever since Christine Price moved in with her fiancé, Jonathan, and his twelve year-old son, she's worked hard to fit in with a cadre of local women whose lives seem picture-perfect. Except no one in Jon's upscale neighborhood is quite who they appear to be. Least of all Jon. . .

"What's Yours is Mine" by Jess Haines
Still Waters is like many other exclusive gated communities—except that it's home to one of the largest werewolf packs in the state. But Tiffany Winters isn't frightened of her big, bad new neighbors. In fact, she intends to take her place among the pack. . .

What did I think of it:
Those who know me will probably be able to guess I wanted to read this book because it has a story by Jess Haines. Luckily her story wasn't the only gem in this anthology.
I will give my thoughts about each of the 4 stories.

"Where Darkness Lives" by Alexandra Ivy
I strongly disliked Sophia, the lead character. The plot was largely evolving around a romance and not liking one of the two people involved in the romance isn't a good thing I think. So this story didn't work for me. Maybe I should try something else by Ivy as the writing was decent.

"Murder on Mysteria Lane" by Angie Fox
This story was fun and enjoyable. I really liked Heather and Lucien and wouldn't mind reading other stories with the two of them in the lead. The story did feel a bit chaotic and rushed at times though. I most probably will read more by Fox in the future.

"Werewolves in Chic Clothing" by Tami Dane
A really cool story.
The atmosphere, setting and pacing of this story were all great. The characters ranged from weird to mysterious and from cooky to likeable. The story was clever and fun and if it's any indication as to the quality of other work by Dane she might become a must buy. I'm putting her upcoming book 'Blood of Eden' on my wishlist in any case.

"What's Yours is Mine" by Jess Haines
This story is very different in mood and setting (although set in the same world) as Haines H&W Investigations series. Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not! I loved this snarky story which in my opinion fitted the title of the anthology the best. I could easily see this story play out in an episode of Desperate Housewives (if there were werewolves in that show). It is fun, catty, snarky and as with all good stories: much too short. I dont think I need to tell you I'll definitely read Haines upcoming books.


Conclusion: I enjoyed (if not loved) three out of the four stories and will pick up more books more by at least two of the three authors I didn't know yet, which is a great score I think.

Why should you read it:
It's got backstabbing werewives and other cool paranormal stuff.



Releases October 25th

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters - Book Review

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
by Ben H. Winters and Jane Austen

What is it about:
As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels?

What did I think of it:
You may know by now that I enjoy reading mash-ups where classic stories are given a paranormal edge by adding zombies, werewolves and what not.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is a worthy addition to my growing collection of mash-up books I think.

Winters does a great job adding tentacles, sea monsters and other fishy things to Austen's story about a mother and her three daughters. I really enjoyed the extra adventure and drama Winters contributed and I will confess I think Winters does an even better job of fitting his text to the original as Grahame-Smith did with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

What I did have trouble with is Austen's original story. I will confess the romance in this book doesn't make sense to me at all! I had two favorite characters and I really felt sorry for them by the end of the book as both were matched with people I think didn't deserve them. (And yes: I checked the original story and there it didn't make sense to me either.)

All in all a very enjoyable mash-up with a disappointing romance.

Why should you read it:
It's got tentacles and sea monsters!!