P.S. I Love Books

Friday Finds [61]

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:19:00 +0000

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.

My Finds This Week:

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between (Rhiannon's Law, #1) by J.A. Saare

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

America Pacifica by Anna North

How to Conquer a Highlander (Highlander, #1) by Mary Wine

Blood Red Road (Dustlands, #1) by Moira Young

Tempest Rising (Tempest, #1) by Tracy Deebs

Edge of Hunger (Primal Instincts, #1) by Rhyannon Byrd

Possession (Possession, #1) by Elana Johnson

Ashes (Ashes Trilogy, #1) by Ilsa J. Bick

Dry Souls (Dry Souls, #1) by Denis Getson

Flashback by Dan Simmons

ARC Review: In the Forests of the Night

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:38:00 +0000

In the Forests of the Night

Kersten Hamilton

Series or Stand Alone: Goblin Wars series, book two

Release Date: November 2011

Publisher: Clarion

Pages: 288 (hardcover)

Author Site: http://home.comcast.net/~kerstenhamilton/

My Rating: 4/5

Source: Received for review from author (e-book)

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

Review:

I loved Tyger, Tyger when I read and reviewed it earlier this year! I was sooo excited when I was approached to review the second in the Goblin Wars series. In the Forests of the Night spends most of its time in the real world instead of Mag Mell. I admit the beginning was somewhat slow for me. I think the magic of Mag Mell and the first book as a whole made me think the second book was going to be the same. While still filled with plenty of Irish folklore, the magic of Mag Mell was kept in the background. Once I really got into the story and the characters I found the magic I was looking for - it was just packaged differently.

In the Forests of the Night had such great character development!! I loved seeing Teagan branch out a little bit more. She was very independent in the first book but it seemed her confidence bloomed this time around. She's still somewhat vulnerable at times but her strength always resurfaces when she needs it. I also got what I wished for in my review of Tyger, Tyger... more Abby!!! I was really pleased with how much time was put into each character because it really helped me connect with the book.

While it had been a little while since reading Tyger, Tyger I didn't feel lost in the second book. I think it best to read the series in order to get the best possible picture but you don't miss too much if you jump right into In the Forests of the Night. There is a lot of real-world conflict going on in this installment that I enjoyed. The ending was fast-paced and engaging and I can't wait to get my hands book three. Fans of Tyger, Tyger must continue on with the second book. And I highly recommend the series to anyone who hasn't gotten a chance to start it!

From the Desk of...

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:28:00 +0000

... author Stephanie Dray!

Who were Cleopatra’s Grandchildren?

by
Stephanie Dray

I’ve spent the past few years writing about Cleopatra’s daughter--a fascinating young woman that most people didn’t even know existed. Today I want to talk about the next generation, the children that the infamous Queen of the Nile may have bounced on her knee if she’d lived to a ripe old grandmotherly age.

As far as we know, Cleopatra Selene was the only survivor of the Ptolemaic dynasty. But she seems to have been determined not to be the last of her line.

Though Selene’s parents were two of the most famously fertile individuals in ancient history, it is only certain that Selene had one son. He was born to her late in life and may have hastened her death. The name she chose for him is both the single most telling detail about her life and the most mysterious. Breaking with ancient tradition, her son wasn’t named after her husband, King Juba II.

Instead, Selene’s son was named Ptolemy.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. It indicates that even after having been married to Selene and ruling his own country for at least a decade, Juba’s lineage was still considered to be inferior to hers. Perhaps it indicates that she was the true ruler of Mauretania. It also may have led some to question whether or not he was even the father of the boy.

In a time when it would have been considered their duty to produce children, perhaps Juba and Selene did not fancy sharing one another’s bed. On the other hand, child mortality rates were extremely high in the ancient world. There may well have been other children that we just don’t know about.

An inscription from ancient Athens indicated that Juba had a son and a daughter, who is unnamed. However, this daughter need not have been the child of Cleopatra Selene because King Juba actually had another wife, Princess Glaphyra of Cappadocia.
Now, historians have argued that as a Roman citizen, Juba was unlikely to have
broken with Roman law and taken more than one wife at the same time. It must be pointed out, however, that like Juba, King Herod was also a Roman citizen and had more wives than he could keep track of. Juba’s father had kept many wives and it’s entirely possible that the young king may have done the same to earn the respect of his Berber peoples. It strikes me that admirers of King Juba II who insist that he couldn’t have taken a second wife because he wouldn’t have taken a second wife may be projecting onto him some virtues of modern morality. After all, even the most Roman of the Romans–Julius Caesar–is rumored to have tried to pass a law that would allow him to take more than one wife.

A more persuasive argument, to my mind, is that Archelaus the King of Cappadocia was unlikely to allow his daughter, Glaphyra, to play second-wife to Cleopatra’s daughter.
So, what of Juba’s daughter? His marriage to Glaphyra was extremely short and this daughter is never mentioned in conjunction with her, so the daughter was probably Cleopatra Selene’s child. (Professor Duane Roller has suggested that Juba may have reinstated the tradition of a harem, in which case this unnamed daughter may have belonged to a concubine. But if so, it seems less likely that she would be mentioned in an inscription.)

The most probable explanation is that the girl mentioned in the inscription is Selene’s daughter. If so, the girl was likely named in the tradition of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Another Cleopatra Something or Berenice or Arsinoe. (In my own forthcoming novel, Song of the Nile, she will be named Cleopatra Isidora.)

A third child is also hinted at. Some scholars have suggested that Selene may have had two sons, both named Ptolemy, one of whom died young. This would reconcile some confusion in the historical record about Ptolemy’s age, and might also explain why Selene would have tried for another child so late in life when it was so dangerous for her to do so. If true, it would mean that Ptolemy wasn’t the only son born to Juba and Selene, but the only surviving son.

He would go on to be the King of Mauretania and he is likely the father of the girl we now believe to be Cleopatra’s great-great-granddaughter, Drusilla of Mauretania!

Stephanie graduated from Smith, a small women’s college in Massachusetts where–to the consternation of her devoted professors–she was unable to master Latin. However, her focus on Middle Eastern Studies gave her a deeper understanding of the consequences of Egypt’s ancient clash with Rome, both in terms of the still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide decline of female-oriented religion.

Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Now she uses the transformative power of magic realism to illuminate the stories of women in history and inspire the young women of today. She remains fascinated by all things Roman or Egyptian and has–to the consternation of her devoted husband–collected a house full of cats and ancient artifacts.

Purchase Info for Song of the Nile:
Amazon
B&N
IndieBound
Constellation Books
Powell's

**Be on the lookout for my upcoming review for Song of the Nile!!**

Book Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:49:00 +0000

For Review:

Song of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter, #2) by Stephanie Dray
Blood Drunk: Faded Blue by Angela Lovell
In the Forests of the Night (Goblin Wars, #2) by Kersten Hamilton

Won/Miscellaneous:

Bound by Shadows (The Dark Crescent Sisterhood, #1) by Anna Windsor (from Paperbackswap)
If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan (from Paperbackswap)
Blue Moon (The Immortals, #2) by Alyson Noel (from Paperbackswap)
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr (from Paperbackswap)

Friday Finds [60]

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:05:00 +0000

My Finds This Week:

Mercy (Mercy, #1) by Rebecca Lim

Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles, #1) by Kevin Hearne

Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, #1) by Diana Rowland

Brooklyn Story by Suzanne

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #1) by Michelle Hodkin

Wildefire (Wildfire, #1) by Karston Knight

Mystify (Mystyx, #2) by Artist Arthur

Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

Watched by Sharde Richardson

Review: Flesh and Bones

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:39:00 +0000

Flesh and Bones

Paul Levine

Series or Stand Alone: Jack Lassiter series, book seven

Release Date: January 1997 (hardcover)

Publisher: William Morrow & Company (hardcover)

Pages: 320 (hardcover)

Author Site: http://www.paul-levine.com/content/index.asp

My Rating: 3.5/5

Source: Received for review from author (e-book)

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

“I was sitting at the end of the bar sipping single-malt Scotch when I spotted the tall blond woman with the large green eyes and the small gray gun.”

The next thing Jake Lassiter knows, the woman pumps three bullets into the man on the next barstool.

And Jake, the linebacker-turned-lawyer, has a new client.

She’s stunning model Chrissy Bernhardt, and the dead man is her wealthy father. The defense? Chrissy claims that she’s recently recovered repressed memories of having been sexually abused by her father. Jake wants to believe her but suspects that the memories were either implanted by a shady psychiatrist or fabricated by Chrissy herself. Complicating the situation, Jake falls for his client, clouding his judgment. Is she an anguished victim or a cold-blooded killer? And what about her brother, who stands to inherit a fortune if Chrissy goes to prison? Jake wades into a quagmire of dirty water deals, big money, and family corruption, all leading to an explosive finale.

Review:

I accepted this book as apart of a blog tour (that I failed miserably to meet) because the synopsis sounded pretty decent. I hadn't read any other book by Paul Levine and Flesh and Bones is the seventh book in a series. I'm not a huge crime/legal novel lover but I found Flesh and Bones to be very enjoyable! The beginning of the novel sets up the plot and goes through introductions which was a bit slow for my tastes. Jake is an ex-Miami Dolphin football player who now spends his time defending the citizens of south Florida. He's sitting in a bar when a beautiful woman comes in, shoots her father, and then faints into Jake's arms. Sounds exciting but I wasn't as sucked in as I wanted to be...

Eventually I found myself immersed with the story as Jake's case goes to trial. I'm so glad I stuck with the story because I found I really liked Jake's character and I really liked the writing skill of the author. He had a very warm and caring personality that surprised me. I also loved the fact that Chrissy was obviously guilty for shooting her father and Jake had to find a way to keep her from a prison sentence. I admit I rolled my eyes when the two of them became romantically involved...but again Jake's character (and Chrissy's) surprised me and I quickly warmed up to the idea of them becoming an item. The court scenes were totally engrossing and I really appreciated all the twists in the plot. I had to keep guessing and I like that about a novel!

Flesh and Bones is number seven in the Jake Lassister series and although there were some references to some background information it can still be read as a comfortable stand alone novel. I'll be checking out the rest of the books in the series and I'm interested in reading Paul Levine's other books. I think a lot of legal thriller fans will like Flesh and Bones so I definitely recommend giving this one a go =)

Waiting on Wednesday [88] - Don't Expect Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:33:00 +0000

from goodreads.com:

Delaney Collins doesn't believe in fairy tales. And why should she? Her mom is dead, her best friend is across the country, and she's stuck in California with "Dr. Hank," her famous life-coach father—a man she barely knows. Happily ever after? Yeah, right.

Then Dr. Hank tells her an outrageous secret: he's a fairy godmother—an f.g.—and he can prove it. And by the way? The f.g. gene is hereditary. Meaning there's a good chance that New Jersey tough girl Delaney is someone's fairy godmother.

But what happens when a fairy godmother needs a wish of her own?

Reason: I love the fact that the father is a fairy godmother!! The synopsis sounds fun and quirky and cute.

Cover Discussion: Love it! It sets up a fun tone for the book that definitely makes me want to open it up and get started.

Release Date: November 8th

Teaser Tuesday [66] - Drink, Slay, Love

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:25:00 +0000

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:

-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
-Please avoid spoilers!

"Well, this is all very nice, but I have to run. Go on, shoo. Go ... poop rainbows ... or whatever it is you do." She wiggled her fingers at him to wave good-bye, and then she turned her back on the unicorn and started to walk away. (9)

**Find out more about Teaser Tuesday at http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/. Join in the fun!**

Book Promo: The Goblin Wars Series

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:35:00 +0000

Hello all! I just wanted to spread the word about a little title called Tyger Tyger (Goblin Wars, #1) by Kersten Hamilton... which has recently been released in paperback!! I read and reviewed Tyger Tyger back in March through NetGalley and really enjoyed it. It's a really fun and unique story that has some awesome world-building going on. And it has goblins, really cool, well-written goblins... Check out my review for more of my thoughts =)

from goodreads.com:

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures—goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty—are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

The second book, In the Forests of the Night, will be released

November 22nd!!!

Kersten also has a pretty sweet book trailer contest going on to raise money for libraries. Be sure to visit her website for more information on Kersten, her books, and the contest!

Friday Finds [59]

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

My Finds This Week:

Baby Love (Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan, #1) by Catherine Anderson

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

Blood Ties (Castings Trilogy, #1) by Pamela Freeman

American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Lily of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter, #1) by Stephanie Dray

Bumped (Bumped, #1) by Megan McCafferty

The Thirteenth Chime (Sense of Truth, #1) by Emma Michales

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

The Lost Gate (Mither Mages, #1) by Orson Scott Card

From the Desk of...

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

...author Jeanette Baker!

How Do We Know What to Leave Out?

Research, for a historical author, is the most exciting part of the writing process, with the added benefit of travel. Research is where we find our inspiration, settle on our plots, come up with our characters and, of course, travel to locations where our heroes could have lived out their lives. Historical novels, for the most part, combine realistic settings with fictionalized characters, although they frequently include recognizable names from the past.

For me, a writer of Celtic fiction, the researching process begins and ends with travel, usually driving the country roads of Scotland and Ireland, countries rich in history. When I spy one of the ubiquitous brown markers indicating a historical site, I turn in to explore it. I’m intrigued by ancient castles, especially the unrestored ones in a state of ruin. These allow my imagination to soar.

CATRIONA began in just such a manner, with an unplanned trip to Stirling Castle. That particular day was windy and blinding in its brilliant blueness, an unusual occurrence for Scotland, the land of mists. After exploring the grounds, I climbed the stairs to the watchtower where Margaret Tudor, daughter to Henry VII of England and James IV of Scotland, waited for her husband to return from the Battle of Flodden Moor. This was a particularly difficult time for her because her husband and father fought on opposing sides. I’d read in the small brochure handed out when I turned over my nominal fee for visiting the castle, that she had carved a poem into the wall. The poem is no longer legible and no one really knows what her thoughts were, but standing there with a death grip on the parapet because of the terrifying wind, I imagined what they might be.

Jamie Stewart was a handsome, charismatic king who spoke 8 languages, fathered 38 illegitimate children, founded universities and demanded that the nobility learn to read. History tells us the marriage was not a love match, I decided, for purposes of my novel, that it was. That very day, the idea for CATRIONA was born. Why not, I thought, create a woman, a cousin, with ties to England, who needed Jamie’s protection for her own purposes? Why not pair her with her equal in intelligence, Jamie’s favorite, a border lord, who’d helped him win the crown? Why not set the two of them amidst the intrigue of the Tudor and Stewart royal courts?

Now my research gained focus. Had there been such a lord? Where could I find him? This is where the heaviest part of research takes place, locating information, reading, reading and more reading, learning about the time period, the political situation, alliances, religious affiliations, clothing, architecture, food preparation, weapons and flora and fauna of the time, familiarizing myself so that all of the above become second nature. Thank goodness for the Internet.

Sure enough there was such a man. His name was Patrick Hepburn, Laird of Hailes and his castle, Hermitage, a ruin, still stands, a sentinel of the fractious borders between England and Scotland.

At this point, when I find my focus, I create my fictional characters, filling in plot points, conflicts and resolutions. The best novels are those which combine internal and external conflict. History makes a historical writer’s external plot very easy to come by. Determining what to include and what to leave out becomes the challenge. My rule of thumb is, does the event or scene move the story forward? Is it necessary for the plot? Will it be interesting to readers who don’t have my background or stake in the subject? This is when I need the opinion of a fresh reader. Fortunately, I have people I can ask, usually my critique group, but others as well, to read and comment on my works in progress.

Finally, when everything is in place, once again I make my travel reservations and visit the actual sites of castles, villages and battles. Times have changed enormously in 500 years. The great forests and boglands once filled with oak, yew and animals of every kind are now fields and pasture lands. But with a little imagination, I find a spot away from everyone else, lean against the stones and close my eyes. Then the images come.

I hope you enjoy reading CATRIONA as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Check out the blog tab on my website, www.jeanettebaker.com, and read about my thrilling discovery of the forgotten, vine and lichen-covered tomb of Gerald Fitzgerald, last Earl of Desmond, beheaded in 1592, one of the characters in my novel, NELL.

Jeanette
Jeanettebaker.com

Jeanette Baker is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, published by Pocket, Kensington and Mira Books, many of them set in the lush countryside of historical and contemporary Ireland where she lives and writes during the summer months. Her ancestors, the O’Flahertys, hail from Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands located off the coast of Galway. She takes great pride in the prayer posted by the English over the ancient city gates, 'From the wrath of the O'Flahertys, may the good Lord deliver us.'
Jeanette graduated from the University of California at Irvine and holds a Masters Degree in Education. For the remainder of the year, she teaches in Southern California, reads constantly, attempts to navigate the confusing world of Facebook and, more recently e-publishing, concocts creations from interesting cook books and enjoys the company of friends and her grown children. She is the RITA award-winning author of NELL.

Click here to find out more about Catriona and Jeanette's other novels.

**A big thank you to Pump Up Your Book and Jeanette for letting me be apart of Catriona's tour. I really enjoyed the book and I'm excited to read more about Scottish history and more by Jeanette! Be sure to check out my review of Catriona if you haven't already.**

Blog Tour Review: Catriona

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:19:00 +0000

Catriona

Jeanette Baker

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: August 2011 (paperback)

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 464 (paperback)

Author Site: http://www.jeanettebaker.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Pump Up Your Book

Synopsis:

[from jeanettebaker.com]

Kate Sutherland always felt out of place in brash and modern Southern California. But when she comes to her ancestral home in the Shetland Islands to seek a mystical guide who may shed light on her true heritage, she is caught between the present day and visions of a life from five centuries past....

A fiery young woman of royal English blood, Catriona Wells is determined to save her family from the deadly political clashes of 15th-century Britain. But Cat's cunning is no match for Scottish border lord Patrick MacKendrick. When this powerful warrior betroths her against her will, Cat must decide whether she dares to love him--and to trust him with lives that are more precious to her than her own.

Review:

Catriona started a bit rocky for me. I had a bit of a rough time staying focused and getting used to the jumps between Catriona Wells and Kate Sutherland. I didn't mind the different perspectives or even the different time periods...there were just moments where I felt things were moving too quickly. But when I finally found my comfy little niche I was captivated by the story and plot! I loved the historical parts of the story. This is my first time delving into Scottish history so it was a real treat! As soon as I was done I wanted to know more about James IV's story and more about Scotland. Jeanette Baker brought a lot of the characters to life and I really became interested in them.

The modern story involving Kate was more of a backdrop for me. I liked seeing how Kate's life was unfolding after she found out she was adopted and traveled to Scotland for answers. I got a bit lost when she met Maura though...The paranormal aspect of the story was also a bit iffy for me. I definitely felt the magic at times, but other times I was left a little perplexed. But don't let these observations deter you from checking this out... Catriona is a beautiful story that will appeal to a lot of readers. There are two romantic arcs to follow in the plot and like I mentioned earlier I leaned more towards the historical one involving Catriona and Patrick. Kate and Niall's relationship moved a bit too fast for me...but I still enjoyed reading it. I think I'm just in more of a historical fiction niche at the moment...

I can't express enough how strong and developed the characters were. Characters are so important to me and many other readers I'm sure. I loved the latter part of the story when the secondary characters really start to get involved with the plot. The Scotland setting, both historical and modern, was detailed and so easy to picture. Reading Catriona has definitely gotten me more interested in Scotland and I love that about good stories. I'm excited to read more of Jeanette Baker's work and I recommend Catriona to romance lovers of all kinds!

Book Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:14:00 +0000

For Review:

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Won/Miscellaneous:

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James (from Paperbackswap)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (from Paperbackswap)
Tempted (House of Night, #6) by Kristin Cast and P.C. Cast (from Paperbackwap)

Review: Broetry

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Broetry

Brian McGackin

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: July 2011

Publisher: Quirk Books

Pages: 128 (hardcover)

Author Site: http://www.brianmcgackin.com/

My Rating: 4.5/5

Source: Received for review from publisher

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

As contemporary poets deliver entire volumes on subjects like incest, menstruation, and pine cones, regular guys are left scratching their heads. Who will speak for Everyman? Who will articulate his love for Xbox 360, for Mama Celeste’s Frozen Pizza, for any movie starring Bruce Willis?

Enter Broetry—a stunning debut from a dazzling new literary voice. “Broet Laureate” Brian McGackin goes where no poet has gone before—to Star Wars conventions, to frat parties, to video game tournaments, and beyond. With poems like “Ode to That Girl I Dated for, Like, Two Months Sophomore Year” and “My Friends Who Don’t Have Student Loans,” we follow the Bro from his high school graduation and college experience through a “quarter-life crisis” and beyond. Packaged in a small gifty hardcover and illustrated with tasteful black and white illustrations, Broetry is a funny and sly look at modern masculinity.

Review:

I admit I can't quite remember the poetry lessons I had in school...and I'm definitely not a connoisseur in poetry (or literature, or writing, or anything actually...). I don't remember all the different type of poems or the technicalities of creative writing so take what you will from my review. Broetry is basically for the men in the world who don't like poetry... being a female who sometimes enjoyed (when I could understand it), if not always appreciated, poetry didn't deter me from enjoying the collection. From a person who enjoys all forms of humor, be it crude and vulgar to cute and corny, I found Broetry to be full of funny moments ranging from laugh-out-loud to indiscreet smiles. I even recognized some of the poetic forms McGackin used and found them clever and interesting. And I may not be able to relate to everything in the poems I still found them funny as hell!

As I was reading through the short collection of poems I found myself marking pages of my favorites and wanting to share them with everyone. Some of them include:

Not Another Teen Movie - composed of movie titles that are arrayed in a pretty clever relationship timeline
I'll Take "Crazy Bitches" for $200, Alex - a play on Jeopardy and ex-girlfriends
Whorecrux - a very clever usage of a Harry Potter term in reference to 7 "important" ex-girlfriends
Pocahotness - about crushing on animated characters
Yes, I Cheated on You - Being a woman I wasn't offended by this poem because I was that girl in some of my relationships...It was interesting to see a guy's perspective on the uneasy subject abou fidelity. This one is also an example of a specific type of poem, I just don't know which kind lol
(American) Ninja Warrior - I'm having a hard time really explaining what this one was about...it could be a dual personality thing going on or different point of views arguing...its funny though!

The poems were also broken up into parts, or time periods, of a person (or man's) life. It started with high school, through college graduation, to "real life" with a "quarter-life" crisis thrown in for fun! The subject of the poems varied, sometimes wildly, and I just had a blast reading them all. Broetry is a keeper in my opinion. It may not be the best collection of poems but its a book that I know will bring a smile to my face when I need it. It's clever, funny, cute, and just plain fun! And yes, it can be educational because it does show some of different examples of poetic writing. I also think it will accomplish its goal and hit home with its target audience: the men in the world who could care less about the poetry they had to read in school...this may be the book to get them =)

Waiting on Wednesday [87] - Born Wicked

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:42:00 +0000

from goodreads.com:

A Great and Terrible Beauty meets Cassandra Clare in this spellbinding fantasy.

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Reason: I need some more witchcraft in my life and I love the dramatic pull of the synopsis. It sounds like it could have a lot of potential to be an engaging and exciting YA series =)

Cover Discussion: Eye-catching and pretty. I like the addition the flowers make on the model and the colors are vibrant. Great job!

Expected Release Date: February 7th

Teaser Tuesday [65] - Catriona

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Her voice was muffled. "I'm not ashamed."

"What is it then?"
She hesitated and then spoke. "I've never slept beside a man before. 'Tis an awkward feeling, and I don't know what to do." (264)

**Find out more about Teaser Tuesday at http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/. Join in the fun!**

Winner Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:21:00 +0000

The winner of To Die For by Sandra Byrd is:

Lolarific

You have until the end of Wednesday, September 20th to email me back. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Waiting on Wednesday [86] - Blood Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:37:00 +0000

from goodreads.com:

The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely-wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle’s body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world…and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

Reason: This pretty much sounds amazing... I can't wait to read it or hear some more thoughts on it!!

Cover Discussion: Very complex but I actually really like all the details when the cover is blown up. I think it's an eye-catcher!

Expected Release Date: September 27th (US)

Review: Bedbugs

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Bedbugs

Ben H. Winters

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: September 2011

Publisher: Quirk Books

Pages: 256 (paperback)

Author Site: http://www.benhwinters.com/

My Rating: 3.5/5

Source: Received for review from publisher

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

FOR RENT: Top two floors of beautifully renovated brownstone, 1300 sq. ft., 2BR 2BA, eat-in kitchen, one block to parks and playgrounds. No broker’s fee.

Susan and Alex Wendt have found their dream apartment.

Sure, the landlady is a little eccentric. And the elderly handyman drops some cryptic remarks about the basement. But the rent is so low, it’s too good to pass up.

Big mistake. Susan soon discovers that her new home is crawling with bedbugs . . . or is it? She awakens every morning with fresh bites, but neither Alex nor their daughter Emma has a single welt. An exterminator searches the property and turns up nothing. The landlady insists her building is clean. Susan fears she’s going mad—until a more sinister explanation presents itself: she may literally be confronting the bedbug problem from Hell.

Review:

Bedbugs is creepy, creepy, creepy! But oh so good... It isn't just a thriller/horror story. Bedbugs instills a sense of paranoia that I found frightening. The reader doesn't quite know whether to trust the state of mind of the main character which always makes an interesting read.

The characters were very realistic, which I appreciated. Susan has recently left her legal aid job to pursue her artistic dreams while leaving it to her husband, Alex, to take care of the financial obligations. They have a young daughter, Emma, who is very bright and energetic. A nanny comes by to help Susan so she can concentrate on the housework and her artwork. The family has been trying to find the right place to move to for some time and they find their dream apartment when they least expect it. I liked the landlord and her eccentricity...but there are sinister things going on in "too-good-to-be-true-land". Susan's family, her life, and her sanity are soon in a danger Susan never, ever thought to encounter.

I admit I was a little annoyed by all the modern references, especially in the beginning of the book. I felt the author didn't need to constantly name everything the characters used, i.e. Craigslist, Ray-Bans, Facebook, etc I just didn't feel that I needed to know every brand name the author could slap onto the pages...It was just unncessary in my opinion...But I quickly got over it as I got more into the plot of the story. I loved how realistic everything was. Bed bugs are scary, period. The stigma concerning bed bugs is very real and I hate to admit I may even contribute to it. I liked how the reader was able to witness all of suffering that took place in Susan's life and her relationships because of what was happening to her. There are many points in the story where Susan's state of mind is (with good reason) questioned. I couldn't help but imagine what I would do in her position and I honestly didn't even want to...

The ending was very good, I wasn't quite expecting it...I liked that I was kept on the "edge of my seat" during parts of the story. I'm a fan of Ben's work. It's unique and different and I like that. I'm looking forward to seeing what he dishes out next. I think Bedbugs will be a smashing hit with thriller fans...it will leave you itching for more...!! Haha, sorry I had to do it =D

Book Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

For Review:

Nocturne by Syrie James
Catriona by Jeanette Baker (for blog tour)
Antiquitas Lost by Robert Louis Smith
Fallen by Traci L. Slatton

Won/Miscellaneous:

Ocean of Blood (The Saga of Larten Crepsley, #2) by Darren Shan

Friday Finds [58]

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:50:00 +0000

My Finds This Week:

The Wild Hunt :: Elizabeth Chadwick

Plague of the Dead :: Z.A. Recht

Vampire Rising (Alex Van Helsing, #1) :: Jason Henderson

Pulse (Pulse, #1) :: Kailin Gow

The Ghost and the Goth (The Ghost and the Goth, #1) :: Stacey Kade

Abandon (Abandon Trilogy, #1) :: Meg Cabot

Blood Soup :: Kelly A. Harmon

Starstruck :: Cyn Balog

Fall for Anything :: Courtney Summers

The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern, #1) :: Shannon Hale

Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos, #1) :: Roxanne St. Claire

Trapped :: Michael Northrop

Blog Tour Review: To Die For

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:04:00 +0000

To Die For

Sandra Byrd

Series or Stand Alone: Ladies in Waiting series, book one

Release Date: August 2011

Publisher: Howard Books

Pages: 352 (paperback)

Author Site: http://www.sandrabyrd.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Historical Fiction Book Tours

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

To Die For, is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it.

Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history, her own calling to the Lord that she must follow, too, with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

Review:

I still have a lot of catching up to do in the historical fiction genre and I just love discovering more and more with each book I read. And I'm quickly becoming a big fan of the Tudor time period. To Die For was a very interesting look into Anne Boleyn's rise and fall through the eyes of her very close friend Meg Wyatt. It seems most people either love or hate Anne Boleyn and I haven't read enough yet to form my own opinion. The last Tudor book I read was Diane Haeger's The Queen's Rival and the small portion of the book featuring Anne portrayed her as a temptress and I was all for being against Anne. While To Die For wasn't from Anne's point of view, it was still heavily centered around most of her life.

I know some basic facts about Anne and how she inserted herself into Henry VIII's court. She is often portrayed as manipulative, seductive, heartless, etc... Anne had power over men and she knew how to use it to get what she wanted. I liked that To Die For portrayed Anne as a not only a woman but as a human with emotions that can often lead us astray. I'm sure she wasn't the kindest woman most of the time, especially when she didn't get what she wanted. But it was nice to see how her feelings may have came into play regarding her ascension to being Queen of England. Having Meg's perspective furthered Anne's more vulnerable portrayal in this story. Sandra Byrd, while very Anne-sympathetic, still showed how Anne could be unkind and somewhat cruel in parts of the story and I appreciated Sandra being honest and still staying true to her opinion.

Meg's story was heartfelt and engaging as well. From her childhood to the tearful ending of the book I felt that I really got to know Meg and her strong personality. Her loyalty to Anne, along with her friends and family, is astounding. Her struggle with God and her own personal faith was an interesting addition to the overall theme of the English Reformation topic of the story. I strayed completely away from all types of history (European, US, etc) in school so it was nice to learn a little something about the Reformation. It was enough to get me interested even more in the time period in hopes of adding to my knowledge of what happened. I may not run to non-fiction right away to find out about certain topics but I love when a fictional novel can get my brain gears turning and my curiousity piqued.

I thought the characters were developed very nicely from Meg's servants to her brothers and her love interest. I became attached to quite a few of them and came to really dislike others. I also really enjoyed Sandra's writing style. The flow of her dialogue and writing worked well and it was hard to put down at times. I was so excited to learn that To Die For is the first book in a series. I think I'm going to really like the historical christian fiction that Sandra will put out and I think a lot of others will too!

*click here to see Sandra's book tour stops*

Waiting on Wednesday [85] - Sweet Venom

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:22:00 +0000

from goodreads.com:

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Reason: I love all things related to greek mythology...even if it sounds a bit sketchy I'll give it a try. I'm not loving the sound of the synopsis but I still want to give it a go. Plus anything about Medusa is a winner in my book...

Cover Discussion: A little on the plain jane side for my tastes.

Expected Release Date: September 6th

Blog Tour Q&A with Sandra Byrd & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Please join me in welcoming author Sandra Byrd to P.S. I Love Books while on her blog tour!

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd persevered and has now published more than three dozen books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was widely acclaimed, and was followed by two more books in the series. Her most recent 4-book young adult fiction series is London Confidential. Publishing her Tudor Series, beginning with Book 1, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, is a lifelong dream come true.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra is also an accomplished non-fiction writer and author. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications and periodicals. Sandra is also passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. As such, she has mentored hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

Sandra resides in Washington State with her husband Michael, a chaplain, their two children, and a circus dog named Brie.

Welcome Sandra! I appreciate you taking the time while on your book tour to visit P.S. I Love Books. Can you tell us a little bit about To Die For?

To Die For is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it.

Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

What was one of your favorite and least favorite things about writing it?

I mentioned in the Author's Note how hard it is for me when people view Anne as a harlot, a vixen, a man eater. There is real hate in some corners for her. She was certainly a smart, ambitious, and witty woman. But she was also a loyal daughter, a true friend, and I believe she loved Henry. She was a positive power in the English reformation. I do think she was somewhat deceived, and to some extent, allowed herself to be. But perhaps that could be said of anyone at some point in life.

Which of the characters did you enjoy working with the most?

Oh, Meg, for sure. Because she's the point of view character, I got to "be" her, and so I grew closest to her. Also, because less is known of her life I got to spin her story a bit more - though I definitely tried to keep it all true to the time. So of course, then, I adored working, too, with Will, her love.

If you had the chance to do it all over again would you change anything in To Die For?

No, I don't think so. I got to write the story I really wanted to write. I might smooth out a few things in the language, because this was my first historical novel, and I was learning. But it pretty much ended up just how I wanted it to.

What do you think of the cover?

I adore it. I think the designer/art director is a genius!

If To Die For were made into a movie who would be your ideal cast for the main characters?

I would love to see Jordana Brewster as Anne and Alexis Bledel as Meg.

What is your favorite time period in history to work with?

I especially like Britain from the medieval years through the Victorian Age, and France from Louis XIV till the present age.

If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author (dead or alive) what would it be about and who would you choose?

Oh, so many to choose from. If I had to pick, today, I'd probably choose Victoria Holt/Jean Plaidy, because she stoked my love of all things historical. Plus, she pretty much knows everything about everyone in the periods I most enjoy so my facts would likely be right on.

If you didn’t have a passion for writing books what do you think you’d be doing as a career?

I'd love to own a French tea house. I miss seeing people every day, face-to-face, and I love to bake!

I’m always looking for books to add to my ginormous TBR (to be read) pile. What books are you currently reading or have read recently? Any good recommendations?

I'm just starting a season of reading Japanese historical books, many of which were recommended to me by members of Passages to the Past Historical Fiction group on Facebook. For a look at the current Japanese royal family, you might read The Commoner: A Novel. It's not a happy read, but really insightful, and I believe, close to the truth. First up, though, is Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham. I've been looking forward to reading that for some time. Then, Cutting for Stone by Verghese.

What are some of your favorite things to do when given a break from the writing life and other work-related things?

I love to bake and cook, listen to music, hang out with my friends and family (and dog!), and especially, travel. I live in a really scenic area, too, so I enjoy walking the trails.

source

Are you currently working on any projects that we may see from you in the future?

Yes! There will be two more books in the Ladies in Waiting series. The second book, The Secret Keeper, takes place during the queenship of Kateryn Parr. She was a strong woman, given to the reformation, and a best-selling author. But she had a soft spot for a bad boy and it led her, and those under her care, into trouble and distress. I hope readers will find a deep, witty, and nuanced Parr in this book with perhaps a surprise ending.

The third book in the series will take place in the court of Elizabeth, and will also be told from the point of view of one of her ladies. We often hear about Gloriana, her power and amazing intellect, but not as often about Elizabeth's softer side as it intersected with her friends and her loves. Elizabeth was loyal but could also be a tempestuous friend, which made being her lady in waiting a bit of a balance walk and dangerous in its own right.

Thank you so much for stopping by Sandra! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Please visit me online at my website; you can also link to me on Facebook and Twitter from there. I hope your readers will also sign up for my e-postcards (where I am also giving away two Kindles) so I can keep in touch! If you’d like to visit some of the castles and palaces “virtually,” please visit the "Castles and Palaces" page on my website where there are lots of wonderful photos.

Click here for a chance to win a copy of To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

(Thanks to Amy from Historical Fiction Book Tours and the publisher)

Giveaway ends September 12th

Open to US, CAN, UK, AUS & NZ entrants

Good Luck!!

Be sure to check back soon for my review of To Die For

Click here to see Sandra Byrd's book tour schedule!

Winner Announcements UPDATED

noreply@blogger.com (Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:24:00 +0000

The 5 winners of Dracula in Love by Karen Essex are:

Marjie Pride
(claimed =D)

Erin L.
(claimed =D)

~~Meredith Miller~~

~~Donna~~

Mary D
(claimed =D)

2 new winners:

Ivy

&

Vivien

The winner of Bleeder by LK Rigel is:

~~Daniela~~

new winner:

Aleetha

Thanks so much to everyone who entered! I've emailed everyone so please respond by ~~Thursday, August 25th.~~ Friday, August 26th

P.S. I Love Books

Friday Finds [61]

ARC Review: In the Forests of the Night

From the Desk of...

Book Arrivals

Friday Finds [60]

Review: Flesh and Bones

Waiting on Wednesday [88] - Don't Expect Magic

Teaser Tuesday [66] - Drink, Slay, Love

Book Promo: The Goblin Wars Series

Friday Finds [59]

From the Desk of...

Blog Tour Review: Catriona

Book Arrivals

Review: Broetry

Waiting on Wednesday [87] - Born Wicked

Teaser Tuesday [65] - Catriona

Winner Announcement

Waiting on Wednesday [86] - Blood Rights

Review: Bedbugs

Book Arrivals

Friday Finds [58]

Blog Tour Review: To Die For

Waiting on Wednesday [85] - Sweet Venom

Blog Tour Q&A with Sandra Byrd & Giveaway

Winner Announcements *UPDATED*

Winner Announcements UPDATED