What are You Reading?

So welcome to What are You Reading?

Today is the day I've chosen to ask what are you reading, and are you enjoying it?

I'm currently 3 books:

Demon Lover by Juliet Dark
So I'm almost half way through this book.  It is a beautiful combination of all things Fae, witches and world mythology.  It was a little slow at first, but I must admit, like the main character and her demon lover, I'm now addicted.  (And by the way, is that not an absolutely GORGEOUS cover?)

The Christian Zombie Killer Handbook by Jeff Kinley
I'm still in the first couple of chapters. This is an interesting play between a novel and a Bible study/help book for Christians. So far, I think it has potential.

La Luxure by C.D. Hussey
I'll be honest.  I just started this today.  I'm a glutton for books,and I can't wait to start a new one when I can.

I have a list of about 100 books to go before the end of the year, lets see what I'm reading next Monday.

So what are you reading?

Cana

Early Review: Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Description

Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and
comely lass, who captures Gavin’s heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.

The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well. When a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. As Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God’s love is more powerful than any human force on earth.

My Review:

Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Serena and her mother have been living in secret exile after Serena's father tried to kill her for her seizures (he thought they were a sign of evil). When Gavin goes to the town where Serena and her mother lives to help protect the new laird, he is surprised that he finds someone he is interested in. But so much will happen to keep them apart, what with murders, fires, and even a 2nd love interest. Will they get to live and love each other, or will someone not make it?

So, I started reading this book, and I was immediately struck by how Ms. Taylor gives an idea on how seizures might have been seen during Medieval and Renaissance times. A person with such an affliction could be considered possessed or evil. She has a great way to add a mystery to the book, without it being over powering. Throughout the whole thing, I was pretty sure I knew who was the villain, but it was nice to still not be sure.

The book has a great theme of trusting in God, even when all the bad in the world comes crashing down on you, but without the Bible beating that some Christian fiction can do. You cheer on the hero/heroine in hopes that they will save the day and get to live happily ever after. But you also want most of the issues solved by the end of the book. Both of these were equally fulfilled, though the issue with the seizures would never be completely solved. That gave it a taste of real life, which can, and was, refreshing.

As a whole this was a good book. There are a few times where I was confused because Ms. Taylor will refer to a conversation that the main characters supposedly had, but I don't remember ever reading any of those conversations or even a synopsis of them. Also, there were some times where they refered to events and even the facts on why the MacKenzies were there in the first place were a bit hazy even in the middle of the book. Again, those holes don't take away from the story, it just frustrates me :-/

Overall, this is a great and easy read.

Cana

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Follow Friday (2)

Welcome to Follow Friday Hosted By Parajunkee.comandAlisoncanread.com

Q.  Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader?  Did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation?  Does it bring you comfort every time you read it?). 

A.  There are 2 books that changed/influenced my life.  As a child, I hated reading and then I discovered Nancy Drew, specifically The Scarlet Slipper Mystery.  The idea of a young girl figuring out the mystery was AMAZING to me.  

The second book was Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast.  I first read this during middle school while my parents were divorcing.  And now, whenever I feel bad, depressed, or just plain yucky, this is the book I read.  
Can't wait to see what everyone else's book is!
Cana

Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Description:

Highland Blessings is the story of a highland warrior who kidnaps the daughter of his greatest enemy and clan chief to honor a promise he made to his dying father. Bryce MacPhearson, a highland warrior, kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. While Akira’s strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment when he forces her to wed him, hoping to end a half-century-old feud between their clans. While Akira begins to forgive, and Bryce learns to trust, a series of murders leaves a trail of unanswered questions, confusion, and a legacy of hate that once again rises between their families. Clearly, a traitor is in their midst. Now the one man Akira loves no longer trusts her, and her own life is in danger. Can Bryce look beyond his pain and seek the truth? Will Akira discover the threat against her before it’s too late? How will God turn a simple promise into bountiful Highland blessings? 

My Review:

Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Akira gets kidnapped on her wedding day, and ends up having to marry the century old enemy clan Chief, Bryce. There is a long row of murders, one including her own brother. Through it all, you are wondering if there will be a happy ending.

You really learn to like the characters, though I personally wanted to throttle Akira just a bit, because she is a bit headstong. Bryce is, of course, a stubborn man who would love to end the feud that has been tormenting the 2 clans for over a century- a feud that no one really remembers why it happened. Think of this as the Scottish Hatfields and McCoy fight.

There is a mystery on who is killing the people from both clans, and you are wondering if the good guys are actually the bad guys or is there someone who you haven't met yet trying to cause all these problems. You keep reading in hopes that a character you like doesn't get killed off.

For a first novel, I was impressed with Ms. Taylor's work. It was well written, with only a few holes that I would have loved to have filled in. The major "hole" for me was the agreement that Akira and Bryce had-- Abstinence until she agreed to consumate their marriage. The problem for me is that there was never a definite end to this agreement, but at the end of the book she is pregnant. Now, I took sex ed and realize that you can't get pregnant by holding hands or kissing, but I would have liked at least one chapter to have Akira say "Hey, you big lug! I love you and our agreement can now come to an end."-- Just say it in a Scottish brogue. That would be all it would take for me to make the leap from no sex to pregnancy.

Otherwise, it is a good book. I do recommend it, and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Taylor.

Cana

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And the award goes to.....

One of my blogging buddies, The Book Addict, gave me the Liebster Blog Award!! I am so excited about this award, but now I'm more excited about introducing you to my book blogging friends who deserve this award too!

1. I love Gathering Leaves just because she has a similar taste in books that I do.  I love how we also might agree or disagree on the books themselves.  Always nice to have someone tell you that you might not be reading it right ;-)
2.  A Book A Day is a great blog when I'm desperately looking for that romance book with good morals to it.  
3. Paranormally Romanced is where I go when I really want to know what would be my best choice in supernatural/paranormal/ fantasy books. Always get a smile from this site. 
4.  Musings of a Book does exactly what her name says: her love of books and her musings about what she reads.  
5.  Bound & Determined to Find a Good Read is more of a biased vote.  We don't read the same books, we don't really have the same preference for books, but when it comes down to it, I consider this site a must look at every day just because, Richie, you're my friend. 

The goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. The rules of the award are:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have bloggity-blog fun!

Waiting On Wednesday: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

What I'm Waiting For:

Torrent (The River of Time Trilogy #3)

By Lisa T. Bergren

Expected Publication Date: September 1st, 2011 by David C. Cook Publishing

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.   Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.   But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death. 

Why I can't wait?

Well, first, I fell in love with the characters... Especially Marcello, which just reiterates my LOVE for Italian men.  Second, I love a good time travel book, and when you have had the joy of being there in modern times, it makes you wonder what you will do if you went back in time there.  What would it be like?  Would you make it?  Or would they burn you as a witch? 

And finally, Marcello.  Yep, I need to know what happens.  I need to know that Gabi gets back to him, and STAYS with him.  I would personally like to take Gabi's place, but as long as I know he is happy, I can stay in the real world :P.  

So what are you waiting on?

Cana

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

Description:
Strange things are happening: old friends disappearing, angels (or devils) clambering on the fire escapes of New York City. But for Pearl, Moz, and Zahler, all that matters is the band. As the city reels under a mysterious epidemic, the three combine their talents with a vampire lead singer and a drummer whose fractured mind can glimpse the coming darkness. Will their music stave off the end? Or summon it?

Set against the gritty apocalypse that began in Peeps, The Last Days is about five teenagers who find themselves creating the soundtrack for the end of the world.

My Review:

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So, if you haven't read Peeps Peeps, then don't pick up this book. It isn't like you can't read it as a stand alone, but, for me, Peeps was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better.

So in The Last Days, the trash is getting worse, the world is getting worse, and Minerva is ready for sex and blood and to finally escape from her room. Then we have Pearl, who is Minerva's best friend, who really wants her friend to turn normal again and to finally start a new band. She also has a huge crush on a fellow band member. Moz, Zahler, and everyone else is enthralled by Minerva.

There are some good points, in that it explains a lot more of what Peeps do, what the orgins in how they work to save the world, and some great musical scenes that really make you wish that you could be there listening.

The downers are that you don't see any familiar characters from the first book, and I really loved Cal and Lace. Second, it seems to move much slower, as there is little action, but a lot of band practices. Its a bit of a disappointment in the end, you really wish that more actually happened. But it was decent.

Cana

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