Monday 30 April 2012

Sins of the Son - Book Review

Sins of the Son (Grigori Legacy #2)
by Linda Poitevin


What is it about:
When homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis sees a photo of Seth Benjamin on a police bulletin, she knows that Heaven's plan to halt Armageddon has gone terribly wrong. As the only mortal who knows of Seth's true nature, only she can save him.

Aramael was a hunter of Fallen Angels until a traitor forced him into earthly exile. Now, with no powers and only a faint memory of Alex, his mortal soulmate, he will stop at nothing to redeem himself-even if it means destroying Seth in the name of the Creator...


What did I think of it:
This book is brilliant, awesome and evil!!

I loved the first book in this series and immediately pre-ordered this one as soon as I finished Sins of the Angels, even though I was suspecting this book might have a love triangle.

And it does have a love triangle: One of the men Alex feels attracted to is selfish and petulant in my opinion, while the other is trying to do what's best for Alex and what's best for the world. Three guesses which one of them gets his heart stomped on.

But where other authors make me frown and throw the book across the room, Poitevin manages to write the story in such a way that even while I feel like kicking Alex I also feel like this is the way this story should play out. She manages to make me care for the story even when it's not doing what I want it to.

I muttered, I cursed, I hoped, I got angry, but never did I feel like I wanted to put the book down. I fell in love with it instead and couldn't stop reading until I finished it and I'll be rereading it for sure. Now the waiting for book three begins...

Why should you read it:
It's an excellently written and amazingly beautiful story!


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Sunday 29 April 2012

RAK round up for April

Tomorrow it's Queensday here in the Netherlands and there won't be any mail delivered on Queensday, so I can safely say I won't be receiving any more RAKs this month. That's why I'm closing this RAK month a little early (and because I already scheduled a review tomorrow ;-)

I received Hell Fire from Stella!
I had some trouble getting hold of this book myself so I'm very happy Stella found it for me.
Thanks Stella!

I also send a RAK Stella's way and I hope she will enjoy reading it.

And as always: I'm loving being part of the RAK thing so I will be joining up again next month.

===================
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!


Friday 27 April 2012

Oracle's Moon - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Oracle's Moon (Elder Races #4)
by Thea Harrison


What is it about:
When Grace Andreas's sister, Petra, and her husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister's two young children--neither of which she is prepared for. Then Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn Prince of House Marid, decides to make himself a part of the household both as guardian and counterpoint to Grace's impudence towards the Elder Races.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I had some misgivings about this book I will confess.

I really enjoyed the first three books in this series and I was intrigued by Khalil from the first time he made an appearance, no problems there. It was the two children I worried about.

I usually don't like romances where there's kids involved. Often they take away from the romantic tension.

I shouldn't have feared though. Harrison knows exactly what she's doing and managed to balance the family stuff and the romance in a way that had me totally engrossed in both the romance and the relationship Khalil forges with the children.

I really loved Khalil: he's sexy, dangerous, all powerful and still caring and human when it counts. Grace was a bit too hard on him at times in my opinion, but all in all the romance between them was very satisfying to read.

Although this story is mostly a story about family and love Harrison also managed to put in a suspenseful action storyline that had me invested as well.

So in the end I enjoyed this book much more than I expected and while 'Storm's Heart' is still my favorite book in this series, 'Oracle's Moon' is an unexpected second.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun paranormal romance with a sexy Djinn


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Thursday 26 April 2012

A Winner!

The winner of my Titanic giveaway has been picked by the ever fickle random number generator:

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog!

Congrats!


Thanks to all who entered.
Keep an eye out for the next giveaway which will be in June.

Enemy Mine - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Enemy Mine (Enemy #2.5)
by Marcella Burnard

ebook

What is it about:
It was a priority-two alert for beautiful Commander Cashel Khaleize: a contract put out on the life of Xiao Zhong. Professionally, Xiao was the Captain she reported to. Personally, he was man she desired. But as female Guild Assassin Mekise Tollenga closes in, Xiao wonders if even Cashel can be trusted with his safety. And with a tenuous bond between them, Cashel wonders how far she’s willing to go to earn that trust.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a delightfully hot story.

Cashel and Xiao are great characters and I enjoyed the developing romance between them. For a novella the character development and the romance were very well worked out and believable. I sometimes felt neither of them took the treat of the assassin serious though, but with the sizzling hot sexual tension between them I couldn't blame them too much.

There's a slight BDSM element to this story that I very much enjoyed, but that's light enough to not scare away readers who are not into BDSM.

I do wish this story had been a little longer. I finished it much too soon and wouldn't have minded if the tension between Xiao and Cashel had been drawn out a bit longer. But I feel that way about every good story, so don't mind me ;-)

Why should you read it:
It's a hot paranormal romance


Buy it here


Wednesday 25 April 2012

Wishlist Wednesday - Endgame

I pre-ordered this book as soon as it was available on bookdepository. I'm very curious to see how Jax's story will end.


Endgame (Sirantha Jax #6)
by Ann Aguirre


REGRET NOTHING.

Sirantha Jax has the J-gene, which permits her to “jump” faster-than-light ships through grimspace. She loves nothing more than that rush, but the star roads have to wait…

Her final mission takes her to La’heng, a planet subjugated during first contact. Since then, the La’hengrin homeworld has been occupied by foreign conquerors.

All that’s about to change.

Now, as part of a grass-roots resistance, Jax means to liberate the La’hengrin. Political intrigue and guerrilla warfare are new to her; this will be the most dangerous game she’s ever played—spies and conspiracies, a war of weapons and hearts, and everyone might not make it out alive…


Expected publication: August 28th 2012

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Teaser Tuesdays - Sins of the Son

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!

Elizabeth went up the stairs, stepped across the prone form, unlocked the door, and switched on the porch light.
Then, taking a deep breath, she faced the problem of moving a large naked man into the cabin.
(page 30, Sins of the Son by Linda Poitevin)

Monday 23 April 2012

Shadow of the Witte Wieven - Book Review

Shadow of The Witte Wieven
by Debbie Peterson


What is it about:
Despite a contract on her head, lone Drug Enforcement Agent, Aliyana Montijo must ferret out a mole and stop the assassination of top DEA officials, as so ordered by the Colombian drug lord she seeks to take down. The task is a daunting one, for there is no one she can trust. No one that is, until she encounters a most unlikely ally.
Former seventeenth century captain of the Dutch West Indies Company, Wolfaert Dircksen Van Ness, now from a parallel dimension, encounters the beautiful agent during an unearthly storm in the Bermuda triangle. Drawn to the Spanish beauty he rescues, he pledges his assistance, despite her reluctance to accept either his help or his heart.
Can Wolf bridge both space and time to claim the woman he loves?


What did I think of it:
This is a nice read that could have been so much more.

I will confess I might have expected too much from this book. It has a Dutch sea captain as a lead character and the title refers to Dutch folklore, so I was hoping for a good ghostly read.

First disappointment: The Witte Wieven in the title didn't refer to ghostly women who lure unsuspecting travels to their death. Instead it was the name of Wolfaert's ship. Why he would name his ship after ghosts who only haunt moors and why he used the plural form (witte wieven = white women) is anyone's guess. (And while we're on the subject of names: Wolfaert is not pronounced Wolfate! Come on! There's an R in there!)

Anyway: I decided to not hold this disappointment against this book and tried to enjoy the actual story.

And it's not bad. It's quite a nice read actually, but there were some things missing. The characters were all a bit one dimensional. I never really got to know any of them. Such a shame as there were some really interesting characters if only they had gotten a bit more flesh on their bones, so to speak. This lack of depth also made the romance between Aliyana and Wolfaert fall flat for me.

I also think Peterson could have used Wolfaert's background and the parallel dimension stuff a bit more. Now he and his crew were just handy helpers for Aliyana to give her everything she needed. It even went so far that their help removed all possible hurdles, so there was no suspense or danger at all.

In the end this was a nice, uncomplicated story, with some really interesting ideas that could have been used better in my opinion.

Why should you read it:
It's a nicely written paranormal story.


Buy it here

Saturday 21 April 2012

Grave Witch - Book Review

Grave Witch (Alex Craft #1)
by Kalayna Price


What is it about:
Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say.

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around...

To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.


What did I think of it:
This is a very enjoyable read.

I liked the magic system, it's unique and well thought out, and I was intrigued with Alex's powers. And having Death walk around as a character is always cool as well in my opinion.

The story is a strange mix between grim thriller and wacky paranormal adventure. This is for most part thanks to the breezy writing style. The grim scenes don't always feel grim because of the way they are written. Not that I think that's a bad thing btw.

There was the almost inescapable love triangle going on, but I will confess it didn't bother me as much as it does in some other books.

All in all a refreshing and enjoyable read and I will most certainly try to get hold of the second book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice paranormal mystery/adventure


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Friday 20 April 2012

Devil's Punch - Book Review

Devil's Punch (Corine Solomon #4)
by Ann Aguirre


What is it about:
As a handler, Corine Solomon can touch any object and learn its history. Her power is a gift, but one that’s thrown her life off track. The magical inheritance she received from her mother is dangerously powerful, and Corine has managed to mark herself as a black witch by dealing with demons to solve her problems.

Back home, Corine is trying to rebuild her pawnshop and her life with her ex Chance, despite the target on her back. But when the demons she provoked kidnap her best friend in retaliation, Corine puts everything on hold to save her. It's undoubtedly a trap, but Corine would do anything to save those she loves, even if it means sacrificing herself...


What did I think of it:
Usually I like to read a series in order, but I had some trouble with getting hold of book two in this series. And then I won Devil's Punch in a giveaway and I just couldn't resist reading it.

And let me say it's a great read, even without having read all the previous books.

Of course there are mentions of things that happened in the other books, but there's enough explanation to keep you up to speed without slowing down the story.

And what a story!

Love, friendship, evil demons, not so evil demons, yucky creatures, betrayal, kick-ass action: Devil's Punch has it all.

Aguirre's writing is solid as ever and her world building is more than intriguing. I really like Aguirre's characterization as well. Corine is a feisty and like-able heroine, while Chance is a worthy hero. My favorite character wasn't Corine or Chance though. It was a Greydusk, a demon who's introduced in this book.

This book was a lot more grim than the first book in this series I must say, so now I'm dying to read book two and three to see what caused this and to learn more about the events that are hinted at in this book. Luckily a friend managed to find and order book two for me, so now I'm waiting impatiently for it to arrive.

Why should you read it:
It's a gritty Urban Fantasy with lots of demons and other critters.


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Thursday 19 April 2012

Faerytale - Book review


Faerytale by Rachael Fuller

What is it about:
Faerytale, told in narrative rhyme, centers on two sisters, Ellie and her older sister Lucy. While playing, Lucy finds that Ellie has disappeared down a rabbit hole and is lost in a dangerous land of twisted fairy tales. A darker account of the classic tales of Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, Faerytale is a chilling story of Lucy's journey to find and rescue Ellie before the land is swallowed by impenetrable darkness.

What did I think of it:
This is a nice story.

It's set in rhyme and for the most parts that works nicely. There were some parts where the rhyme was a bit off, but not enough to really annoy me.

I think this story would be perfect to read to a child, it's not as grim as the blurb makes it out to be, although there are some surprisingly adult situations from time to time.

All in all a fast and pleasant read that's fun and recognizable for everyone who's into faerytales.

Why should you read it:
If you like faerytales and rhymes this might be a book for you.


Buy it here

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Wishlist Wednesday - The Hallowed Ones

I love all of Laura Bickle's books, so I'm really looking forward to this one:


The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.

Expected publication: September 25th 2012 by Graphia

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Interview with G.J. Koch

Today I have a special guest over on my blog:

G.J. Koch, aka Gini Koch.
She's here to answer my questions about pen names, space pirates and pigs.

Welcome G.J./Gini! It's always good to have you drop by.

Great to be here as always, and thanks for having me…us…um…this interview!

- Let me dive right into my questions: G.J. Koch, Gini Koch, Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase (and I'm sure I missed at least one other). You have a lot of different pen names. Did you get to pick them yourself or did your publishers pick them?

LOL. A.E. Stanton and J.C. Koch. So far. I have a lot of different pen names because I write in every genre, and in different voices. Because I have a lot of voices in my head. (It’s a controlled form of schizophrenia -- I make it work for me.)

So far, I’ve been the one picking my pen names. None of my publishers have asked me to change a name, or create a new one.


- And is it hard to keep track of your pen names and to decide what story fits what pen name?

When I first started writing, yeah, it was harder. I’d write something and then try to figure out “who” had written it. Or I’d write it as Pen Name A and my critique partner would gently say, “This is Pen Name B” or C, or D…

Now, I don’t work like that at all. I know who’s writing the story when I sit down to do it. So that makes it a little easier. It’s also important so I stay on-genre and on-voice.


- What can readers expect from Alexander Outland and his crew?

Laughs. Lots and lots of laughs.

Trouble’s brewing out in space, and Alexander Outland -- the least likely hero in the galaxy -- and his eccentric crew have to save the day, despite the fact they’d prefer to take the money and run.

There are aliens, explosions, telepaths, donkeys, space pirates of all kinds, and a galaxy-wide conspiracy. And the most horrifying “underwater” trip any crew’s had to face in a long, long while. But mostly, there are laughs.


- How would you describe Alexander Outland?

Alexander Napoleon Outland is the best pilot, and ladies’ man, in the galaxy. But Nap, as his friends call him, is more than that -- he’s a schemer with a heart of gold he desperately wants to hide, a soft spot for other people’s cargo and his exotic weapon’s chief, and the unerring ability to find the biggest misfit on any planet or space station and somehow join that person onto his crew.

Nap’s not your classic hero, but that tends to make him the right guy for the job… whatever the job happens to be.

He’s a little bit Han Solo, a little bit Malcolm Reynolds, a little bit Captain Jack Sparrow, and, in terms of outlook and smart mouth, a little bit Kitty Katt.



- How would Alexander describe himself?

Better looking than Ryan Reynolds and Chris Evans. COMBINED. And the best lover in the entire galaxy, guaranteed or you get a second tumble just to be sure.

- Will this book be a standalone or the start of a series?

The book stands alone but it’s definitely the opener for a series. I’d love to do more with these characters. But that’s up to Night Shade Books. They’re waiting until August to determine if sales warrant them going for a series. (So, um, please pre-order and race out and buy lots of copies when it hits the shelves on June 5, 2012!)

- Alexander Outland: Space Pirate is SciFi just as your Alien/Katherine 'Kitty' Katt series. Can we expect some characters or creatures from that series to make an appearance or is it a completely different universe?

No, there is absolutely no crossover at all. These are two completely different series, with completely different characters and universes. Alexander Outland is set in the far, far future, versus the present day setting for the Alien series. And their universes don’t touch, so to speak.

In terms of the series’ themselves, they’re both loaded with action, humor and romance, but I think Alexander Outland is actually funnier than the Alien series, and while its romance is absolutely prominent, it’s not as graphic as in the Alien series.


- More importantly: will there be pigs or zombies in this book/series?

ROFL. I knew that was coming. In this first book? No, sorry. In later books? Maybe. (Your best bet for pigs is currently my Martian Alliance series with Musa Publishing, btw.) Well, maybe for pigs. There might even be some pigs in very minor, supporting, walk-on roles in this first book, as I think of it. So pigs are a definite maybe!

Not so sure about zombies in the Outland universe. But we shall see. In Touched by an Alien I’d have told you we wouldn’t have zombies in the Alien series and yet they showed up in Alien Proliferation. So you never can tell.


- And last question: what's next for G.J Koch? More Alexander Outland or are you planning other SciFi books under this pen name as well?

Right now I haven’t given other titles for G.J. a lot of thought, mostly because I’ve been on deadline for Alien vs. Alien and now am on deadline for Alien in the House for DAW Books/Penguin, as well as Three Card Monte (the next in the Martian Alliance series) and other pieces for Musa Publishing.

However, I’m a prolific writer and none of my “personas” ever like to feel like one trick ponies, so I’m sure G.J. will look around and say, “Hey! I want more!” and then I’ll be writing it. I’m a slave to the muse, me.


- Thank you for answering my questions and I hope many people will buy your books, so I can look forward to many more in the future.


About Alexander Outland: Space Pirate:
"Captain Alexander Outland of the Sixty-Nine (short for Space Vessel 3369, of course) is the best pilot in the galaxy. He's also a pirate, a smuggler, and loved and loathed by women in umpteen solar systems. His crew of strays and misfits includes an engineer of dubious sanity, a deposed planetary governor, an annoyingly unflappable Sexbot copilot, and a slinky weapons chief who stubbornly refuses to give the captain a tumble.

Outland just wants to make a decent living skirting the law, but when an invisible space armada starts cutting into his business, he soon finds himself in hot water with the military, the mob, mad bombers, and an extended family of would-be conquerors. And that's not counting an occasionally telepathic spy . . . .

Like any sensible scoundrel, he hates heroics. They're risky and they don't pay well. But to keep his ship and crew in one piece, and make time with a certain hard-to-get weapons chief, he might just have to make an exception--and save the galaxy in spite of himself!"

(Night Shade Books, June 2012)

About G.J. Koch:
G.J. Koch writes science fiction. Not the hard stuff, though. Because that requires actual scientific knowledge or at least actual scientific research. Knowledge may be power and research may be cool, but they take time away from writing jokes, action, and romance, and being witty in the face of death is what it’s really all about. Check out G.J.’s rollicking Alexander Outland: Space Pirate series from Night Shade Books and reach G.J. at Space…the Funny Frontier (http://www.ginikoch.com/GJKbookstore.htm).

PS: at the moment Night Shade Books is having a 50% off sale (until April 19th) if you buy at least 4 books. So head over there and pre-order Alexander Outland: Space Pirate and pick up 3 other books all for the price of 2!


Monday 16 April 2012

Twilight's Dawn - Book Review


Twilight's Dawn (The Black Jewels #9)
by Anne Bishop


What is it about:
Anne Bishop's "darkly fascinating"* (SF Site) Black Jewel novels have enthralled readers and critics alike with their mixture of fantasy, intrigue, and romance. Now in Twilight's Dawn, Bishop returns to the Blood realm with four all-new captivating novellas.

Includes:
Winsol Gifts
Shades of Honor
Family
The High Lord's Daughter


What did I think of it:
It took me some time to gather the courage to pick up this book as so many people seemed to hate the last novella.

And I must confess I wasn't impressed with this book.

To be clear: Bishop's writing is beautiful as ever, no doubt about that. It's the four stories that just didn't capture me as the other Black Jewels books did. Something seemed to be missing.

I liked Shades of Honor best.
This is because my favorite character Lucivar got a lot of screentime, I will confess.

Winsol Gifts and Family were both nice, but didn't really grip me.

And there was the dreaded The High Lord's Daughter...
I didn't like this one for two reasons:
- The narrative was kind of wobbly, with lots of time skips.
- For many books I have invested in the relationship of two characters: Daemon and Jaenelle.
To have one of them torn away and see the other form a relationship with someone else wasn't my cup of tea.
It didn't help that I never liked the new love interest (who's a returning character in the series) anyway.

All in all this book was nice, but I probably won't be rereading it. I'd rather pick up one of the other Black Jewel books.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautifully written return to the much loved characters from the Black Jewel series


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide


Sunday 15 April 2012

Titanic Giveaway


And already we have reached day fifteen of 15 Titanic Days.
A big thank you to all who have shown interest in my posts about the Titanic and to those who have been patiently waiting for my usual posting to continue.

I want to end this series of reviews and posts about the Titanic with a giveaway.


One person will get either 'Shadow of the Titanic' or 'Distant Waves'

the rules:
Leave a comment telling me which of these two book you would want to win.
Leave a way for me to contact you
Open internationally and you don't need to be a follower to enter

The giveaway ends on April 24th and a winner will be announced soon after.


Saturday 14 April 2012

Titanic Movies

The Titanic has been the inspiration for many movies over the years.
In this post I will tell you something about three of these movies.

Saved From the Titanic
This movie is the first Titanic movie.
It opened only 29 days after the sinking and stars Dorothy Gibson, an actual survivor, and in the movie she even wore the same dress she wore on the night of the sinking. Sadly enough this movie is no longer in existence as the only known prints were destroyed in a studio fire in March 1914.


Titanic (1943)
The film was commissioned by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels during World War II. It was meant to act as propaganda to discredit American and British capitalism and to glorify the bravery and selflessness of German men. The story goes that the movie was so depressing that it was never shown in Germany itself (and it was finally even banned by Goebbels himself) , only in some of the occupied territories.

I have seen this movie and can say it's an interesting piece of propaganda. If you can get hold of a DVD of this movie it's certainly worth watching, or you can search youtube for it.


Titanic (1997 & 3D)
I'm guessing most people will know this movie.
I myself love this movie I will confess. Not because of the love story (in fact I do not care about Rose and Jack), but because of the rich detail of everything around that love story. Sure, there are some minor mistakes, but over all Cameron has done a great job in showing what the sinking of the Titanic was about: the bravery, the sacrifice, the unfair treatment of those in steerage, love. It shows us what happens when we are put to the test and what man is capable of when his life is threatened.

This week I went to see Titanic 3D, to see if the 3D element could improve on what already is a very powerful movie.
It can't.
The 3D was merely a gimmick that worked best at the start of the movie when we're shown the wreck of the Titanic. After that it lost its power to me, turning into a novelty that made me feel like I was looking at some kind of diorama at best and making me wonder why everyone was looking over the shoulder of the person they were talking to at worst. I will rewatch this movie in the near future, but without the 3D effects that distract from the actual story.


Some other movies of note:
- A Night To Remember (1958)
The Titanic disaster is depicted in straightforward fashion without the addition of fictional subplots.

- Titanic (1996)
It's got Tim Curry playing a shady character, that alone is worth watching this tv movie about the Titanic.

- Titanic (2012 miniseries)
This miniseries is being aired at the moment and having seen the first two episodes I can't wait to see the other two. It's very accurate and captures the mood of the time very well.



Friday 13 April 2012

Shadow of the Titanic - Book Review


Shadow of the Titanic
(The Extraordinary Stories of Those Who Survived)
By Andrew Wilson


What is it about:
In the early hous of 15 April 1912, the Atlantic Ocean was alive with the sound of screaming as 1,500 passengers of the once majestic liner Titanic struggled to stay alive in the icy waters.

The echoes of that night reverberated through the lives of each of the 705 survivors, and SHADOW OF THE TITANIC tells their extraordinary story.

Although we think we know the story of the Titanic, little has been written about what happened to the survivors after the tragedy. How did they cope? How did they remember that terrible night? Today, one hundred years after that fateful voyage, this book sheds new light on an enduringly fascinating story, seen through the eyes of those who survived.


What did I think of it:
This is both a fascinating and emotional read.

Just the introduction alone had me crying I will confess.

The chapters after that follow the lives of several survivors, telling not only about the sinking and what came after, but also telling about the lives these people had before the Titanic.

It's amazing and sad to read about how the sinking of the Titanic changed the lives of these survivors (mostly for the worst although some found strength and even love) and how even years later they still can't shake lose from this one monumental moment.

What surprised me is how turbulent the lives of most of these survivors were. As if the sinking of the Titanic is some kind of catalyst that pushes the lives of these people from the mundane into tragedy. And then there are those who would have lived turbulent lives anyway, with or without the Titanic. It's clear with these people that their character and their view on life helped them to survive the sinking.

Although this is not a happy book, it's not all grim. I must say I even had to chuckle at times, especially when reading about the rivalry between the last couple of Titanic survivors.

I will confess I love this book. As emotional as it is, it is a fascinating and interesting read, an almost bizarre view into human behavior, and it will most certainly get a place on my reread shelves.

Why should you read it:
I can advice this book to anyone who's interested in Titanic and/or in human behavior


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Thursday 12 April 2012

Tomorrow Belongs to Us - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Tomorrow Belongs to Us
by Lynda Dunwell

ebook

What is it about:
Drawn into espionage by navy officer Edwin Hardie, Lucy Mainwaring is advised by her diplomat uncle, who is Hardie’s superior, to accept Edwin’s marriage proposal. Believing the offer, although honourable, is made without true affection, she refuses him but agrees to get to know him better during an Atlantic voyage to a peace conference in America. They embark on RMS Titanic but who will reach New York?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
A nice read.

The romance storyline is sweet and has little drama to it. Lucy and Edwin are a cute couple who just need to get to know each other better to really connect. Nothing better than the sinking of the ship they're travelling on to get that job done. The one complaint I have is that the first part of the story felt slow and it took an awfully long time for them to actually get on board of the Titanic.

The espionage part of the story could have used some work as well. I sometimes wondered why it was introduced to the story at all, apart from it being the story hook that makes Edwin propose to Lucy. I didn't much care for this part of the story.

The use of the Titanic was done very well. I liked how Dunwell used people who actually were on board of the Titanic in her story to make it all feel more real to me without making them lose their dignity. The actual sinking and the rescue of the survivors were also well researched.

So in the end this was a nice and cute romance that uses the sinking of the Titanic as a plot device to bring the two lovers closer to each other. Not the best Titanic story I read, but certainly not the worst either.

Why should you read it:
It's a pleasant romance set partially on the Titanic.


Buy this ebook from Musa Publishing

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Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice.

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Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. But as she tries to piece together her history, Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her.


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Wednesday 11 April 2012

Futility or the Wreck of the Titan - Book Review

Futility or the Wreck of the Titan
by Morgan Robertson

novella, ebook

What is it about:
Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan is a novel which was originally written and published in 1898 by Morgan Robertson. This novel is the story of an ocean liner, called the Titan, which sinks in the North Atlantic ocean after hitting an iceberg. There are many similarities between this novel and the facts in the sinking of the Titanic fourteen years later. Morgan Robertson revisited his work in 1912 after the sinking of the Titanic and made the ship larger as well as changing the ending of the story.

What did I think of it:
Having been interested in the Titanic for as long as I can remember I had often heard of this story and the uncanny similarities between the Titan and the Titanic. It was only recently that I actually got hold of this book and read it though.

And let me say that I think it's almost a shame that this story will forever be linked to the sinking of the Titanic instead of being known for it's own merits. Because this is a very entertaining story.

So there are a few similarities between the Titan and the Titanic: there are many more differences. Futility is a suspenseful story with dark conspiracies, lost love, survival and it has a man fighting a polar bear!

I had expected to be awed by the similarities, instead I was grabbed by the adventurous tale of a man down on his luck who then has to fight for his life against impossible odds. I found myself cheering the hero on and hoping that his struggles wouldn't turn out to be futile as the title of this book suggests.

The writing is a bit dated of course and there are some serious info dumps at the start, but all in all it's an easy, pleasant read.

I will most certainly reread this unexpected little gem in the future and can advice anyone who loves a good suspenseful story to read it as well.

Why should you read it:
It's got a man fighting a polar bear, need I say more? ;-)


Get this ebook novella for free at Project Gutenburg

Tuesday 10 April 2012

882 1/2 Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic - Book Review


882 1/2 Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic
by Hugh Brewster, Laurie Coulter and Ken Marschall


What is it about:
Reissued for Spring 2012 to coincide with the anniversary of the sinking of the TITANIC in April 1912.

Here is the one book with all of the answers to your questions about the TITANIC! This is the heart-stopping story about the legendary ship--from the building,
maiden voyage, and tragic sinking, to its high-tech discovery on the ocean floor. Special features include the making of the James Cameron movie, true-or-false
quizzes, and real-life stories of the young people who sailed on the fateful journey. Illustrated with dozens of paintings, diagrams, and rare photograph.


What did I think of it:
One of the great things about this year being the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is the reissues of out of print books, so I can finally share my beloved Titanic books with others.

882 1/2 Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic is one of those books.

This book is full of information about the Titanic, from the building of the Titanic to the aftermath of the sinking and even the discovery of the wreck.

The question-answer method in which this book is written makes it an easy read and it's clearly aimed at younger readers, but it can certainly also be enjoyed by adults.

The questions range from silly (Why was the Titanic carrying dragon's blood?) to serious (What happened once people realized there were no more boats?), making this both a fun and interesting read.

All in all this book is a treasure trove of information, with lots of illustrations and photographs. Whenever I wonder about a small detail about the Titanic this is one of the two books I grab to find the answer.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and informative book about the Titanic


Buy it here

Monday 9 April 2012

And the Band Played On - Titanic Music


A lot has been told about the band that bravely kept on playing while the Titanic sank.
Did they really play 'Nearer, my God, to Thee'?

There are many CDs with music from that time period and songs that might have been played that fateful night, but there is one that is my absolute favorite:

'And the Band Played On' by Grupetto

Grupetto tried to reconstruct what music was played on the Titanic by reading accounts by survivors and by checking the play lists for White Star Line ships.

The list of songs they came up with is one that contains both songs people actually heard the night of the sinking and of songs that the band played in the days before the sinking. And even though it's highly unlikely the band did play 'Nearer, my God, to Thee' the song is included on the CD.

Apart from this CD being a great addition to my Titanic collection, the music itself is really good in my opinion. click the following link to listen to one of the many beautiful songs that's on the CD: Vision of Salome

When researching for this post I discovered this CD is out of print....
But fear not: I also discovered that Grupetto made a new CD that will be available this month called 'Titanic's Last Walz'.

So if you like ragtime music or if you are interested in hearing the music that was played on the Titanic, keep an eye out for 'Titanic's Last Walz'. I'll be cherishing my copy of 'And the Band Played On', because it's one of my favorite CDs.

Sunday 8 April 2012

Something's Alive on the Titanic - Book Review *

Something's Alive on the Titanic by Robert Serling

What is it about:
From the coverblurb - A band of brave men and women dare to venture where, years earlier, another salvage mission was mysteriously wiped out. ... What they find inside the legendary sunken tomb is the awesome, terrifying fact that they are not alone.

What did I think of it:
A very decent horror/thriller story where the writer actually did his research about Titanic, without it turning into a history lesson.

The story is intense, emotional and very creepy at times. I like how Serling manages to write a suspenseful horror/thriller while still showing respect for the lives lost with the sinking of the Titanic.

The characters are well written and vary from likeable to despicable and their actions fit their personality. Because this book describes two expeditions to the Titanic there are two casts of characters, both with their stronger and weaker points. The first expedition was my favorite cast of characters, but the second sure includes some interesting characters as well.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and I might pick up another book by Serling in the future.

Why should you read it:
This a great book for lovers of horror/thriller stories as well for people with an interest in Titanic.


* This review is a rewritten review (the first version was posted in 2010) and is rewritten and reposted as part of '15 Titanic Days'

Saturday 7 April 2012

Stalking the Titanic? - Giveaway Alert!

Ok, I confess:
This has nothing to do with the Titanic, but I thought it was too cool not to mention it here.
I already read an ARC and I can tell you this book is awesome!





Goodreads Book Giveaway





Stalking the Others by Jess Haines



Stalking the Others


by Jess Haines



Giveaway ends June 22, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.




Enter to win


Fateful - Book Review *

Fateful by Claudia Gray

What is it about:
Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It's 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they're sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He's in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it's because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously....

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec's past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.


What did I think of it:
Some of you may know I'm a sucker for anything to do with Titanic, so when I read that this book was about werewolves on the Titanic I just had to read it.

Sadly enough Gray didn't use the setting to its full advantage.

This story could just as well have taken place at a completely different location. All the Titanic does is keep all characters in this story in a confined space, so they can't get away from each other. Even the sinking isn't really used as a plot device. A shame!

My disappointment over the under-use of the Titanic set aside, this is an entertaining story. The bad guy is acting like a bad guy should, Tess and Alec are a nice, cute couple, there are some interesting side characters and luckily no love triangle.

This book won't end up in my collection of Titanic books, but I just might try something different by Gray in the future.

Why should you read it:
It's an entertaining YA read.


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

* This review was written in January 2012 and posted before on this blog.
It's reposted here as part of '15 Titanic Days'

Friday 6 April 2012

Carpathia - DNF Rant


Carpathia
by Matt Forbeck


What is it about:
It's Titanic meets 30 Days of Night.

When the survivors of the Titanic are picked up by the passenger steamship Carpathia, they thought their problems were over.

But something's sleeping in the darkest recesses of the ship. Something old. Something hungry.


What did I think of it:
Maybe I was expecting too much from this book.

When I first heard about it I was immediately interested.
Come on: Vampires on the Carpathia!
How cool is that?!

Well....

I got too annoyed by this book to be able to finish it.

First there was the writing.
It didn't fit the time in which this story is set in my opinion.

Then there were the vampires.
Why were they on the Carpathia anyway? They could move ridiculously fast in their bat form and I wondered why they didn't just fly all night and fly-hop from ship to ship that way. Would have been faster.

Next there was the conversation the vampires were having with a human while drifting in the freezing ocean. Come on! That the vampires could form coherent sentences is one thing, but the human? No way!

And then our heroine came aboard the Carpathia and got a room all to herself.....
Even Madeleine Astor slept on the floor of the library the first day and I am to believe that little miss nobody got her own room!?

Anyway:
At that point I decided this book wasn't for me and I put it aside.

Maybe it gets really cool after that point, with lots of gruesome vampire action, but I do not care. My bloodpressure couldn't stand anymore.

A pity, because the idea of vampires on the Carpathia is a cool one.

Why should you read it:
If you don't over think things, this might be a cool read.


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide