Well, I hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday! I wanted to let all of you know that you can now follow Place of Reads on Twitter (@PlaceofReads) and like us on Facebook (Place of Reads)
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Happy Reading!
Cana
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
It's Monday/Tuesday, What Are You Reading?
What I read last week:
Now, I didn't read as much as I normally would. This week has been hectic, and it is amazing how much it effected my reading schedule!
Plus a few books you'll never know about :)
Currently Reading:
This is what I'm reading, and there will be more added to this list I'm sure!
Next Week's Reading:
I'll be honest, I haven't even thought that far in advance.... I'll let you know though!
So what are you reading?
Cana
Dark Earth by Jason Halstead
Description:
Eric’s learned at a young age that the odds are stacked against most people and only hard work would see him through it. That stubborn pragmatism helped him through the death of his young wife and raising of his infant daughter. He never suspected that the odds were being worsened by people and powers outside of his control.
Eric’s daughter Jessica quickly proved to be a prodigy that could perform miracles with anything she attempted. Once she hit the age of 13 the true nature of her talents began to be revealed. A simple drawing so perfect it seemed to be alive was followed by a garden filled with life beyond that of anything the Earth had seen in recorded history. Then came the next assassination attempt, foiled by that same stubborn and pragmatic father.
When an earthly assassin proved no match for Jessica or her protector a hunter was sent from another world. A world bound parallel to the Earth and only reachable during the rarest of times and by the most dire of circumstances. Ignorant of the impossible nature of the task Eric had set for himself, he must learn call upon an inner strength he never knew he possessed when Jessica is snatched from her very garden and abducted through the shadows into the other earth.
Eric, refusing to admit defeat, learns the true nature of not only his daughter and her amazing powers, but also his own legacy bequeathed unto him by a father he never knew. A father that is darker than the hunter and one who has only conquest and domination at any cost on his mind.
My Review:
Eric is a man who has lost a lot. His mother, his wife, and has moved to the middle of nowhere to raise his daughter. It is only when the world (and another world as well) comes to his home and world that he has to face what and who he and his daughter really are.
This novel is just as the title suggests, it is dark. There is a lot of death, even from the very first chapter. But even then it is still a really beautiful story. Eric is a strong man who after being introduced to a new and strange world, he takes it and grows. He fights to protect his daughter and becomes a stronger person. Between two worlds (parallel to each other), Earth and Dark Earth, the story tells of what love and courage can do for someone.
With a mix of Celtic myth, werewolves/changelings, witches, and secret organizations that protect the world as warders, you will get a wonderful mix of fantasy and fairy tale.
Recommend this book!
Cana
View all my reviews
Eric’s learned at a young age that the odds are stacked against most people and only hard work would see him through it. That stubborn pragmatism helped him through the death of his young wife and raising of his infant daughter. He never suspected that the odds were being worsened by people and powers outside of his control.
Eric’s daughter Jessica quickly proved to be a prodigy that could perform miracles with anything she attempted. Once she hit the age of 13 the true nature of her talents began to be revealed. A simple drawing so perfect it seemed to be alive was followed by a garden filled with life beyond that of anything the Earth had seen in recorded history. Then came the next assassination attempt, foiled by that same stubborn and pragmatic father.
When an earthly assassin proved no match for Jessica or her protector a hunter was sent from another world. A world bound parallel to the Earth and only reachable during the rarest of times and by the most dire of circumstances. Ignorant of the impossible nature of the task Eric had set for himself, he must learn call upon an inner strength he never knew he possessed when Jessica is snatched from her very garden and abducted through the shadows into the other earth.
Eric, refusing to admit defeat, learns the true nature of not only his daughter and her amazing powers, but also his own legacy bequeathed unto him by a father he never knew. A father that is darker than the hunter and one who has only conquest and domination at any cost on his mind.
My Review:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This novel is just as the title suggests, it is dark. There is a lot of death, even from the very first chapter. But even then it is still a really beautiful story. Eric is a strong man who after being introduced to a new and strange world, he takes it and grows. He fights to protect his daughter and becomes a stronger person. Between two worlds (parallel to each other), Earth and Dark Earth, the story tells of what love and courage can do for someone.
With a mix of Celtic myth, werewolves/changelings, witches, and secret organizations that protect the world as warders, you will get a wonderful mix of fantasy and fairy tale.
Recommend this book!
Cana
View all my reviews
Monday, September 5, 2011
Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
Description:
Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.
Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.
When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...
My Review:
In a world parallel to ours, there is the country of Elden where witches, werewolves, vampires, and even humans live. The Blood Sorcerer came and killed the King and Queen, and in their dying breaths, the King and Queen sent their four children into the rest of the world with the urge to seek revenge (from the King) and to survive (from the Queen). Nicolai, the eldest and a Living Vampire, gets sent to a country where he is made into a sex slave. It is only when Jane (from Earth) is brought to his country by a book, does his chance for freedom come.
This is a wonderful story. As with those familiar with Ms. Showalter’s work, you can’t help but love her characters. Nicolai is a cocky, self-absorbed, and very over-sexed vampire looking to escape from his master (who in part reminds me of a troll by the description). Jane is a wounded woman, both in body and in spirit, after losing her family to a car accident. Nicolai brought Jane to his world for selfish reasons only to realize that he was wrong when he falls in love.
I love that you see a change in Nicolai’s character and even Jane’s character. You want them to succeed and to survive the trials set before them so that they can live “happily ever after”.
Will warn all readers, very adult scenes, and (though very enjoyable to read), this book might not be appropriate for all readers!
Cana
View all my reviews
Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.
Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.
When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...
My Review:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In a world parallel to ours, there is the country of Elden where witches, werewolves, vampires, and even humans live. The Blood Sorcerer came and killed the King and Queen, and in their dying breaths, the King and Queen sent their four children into the rest of the world with the urge to seek revenge (from the King) and to survive (from the Queen). Nicolai, the eldest and a Living Vampire, gets sent to a country where he is made into a sex slave. It is only when Jane (from Earth) is brought to his country by a book, does his chance for freedom come.
This is a wonderful story. As with those familiar with Ms. Showalter’s work, you can’t help but love her characters. Nicolai is a cocky, self-absorbed, and very over-sexed vampire looking to escape from his master (who in part reminds me of a troll by the description). Jane is a wounded woman, both in body and in spirit, after losing her family to a car accident. Nicolai brought Jane to his world for selfish reasons only to realize that he was wrong when he falls in love.
I love that you see a change in Nicolai’s character and even Jane’s character. You want them to succeed and to survive the trials set before them so that they can live “happily ever after”.
Will warn all readers, very adult scenes, and (though very enjoyable to read), this book might not be appropriate for all readers!
Cana
View all my reviews
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Island of Living Trees by C.L. Ragsdale
Description:
An island infested with trees that walk around, capture unsuspecting visitors and turn them into trees? An absurd fable unworthy of being taken seriously, unless that is you are a member of Irene's Eerie Adventures then it is Good TV and that is your business. Once again Irene Waters finds herself in the unknown territory of the sensational as she and her cameraman, Troy Stenson, visit Isla de los Árboles Vivos, or The Island of Living Trees.
Supposedly the island is under the curse of a banished Indian shaman who turned himself into a tree and does the same to anyone unfortunate enough to wear out their welcome on the island. Sensational tales abound, but actual facts, thanks to Reboot's consistently unreliable research department, are scarce. However, such minor details have taken a back seat to the sensational storyline. As usual.
As if animated trees were not enough to contend with, Irene is also facing issues of the human persuasion inserting themselves into the story.
Yvonne Ruben is an overzealous political candidate determined to protect an up to now unheard of species of island fox whose existence Irene suspects may be more wishful thinking than concrete in nature. Steve Parker, the superstitious boat captain who has a past relationship with Yvonne, wants them off the island before they even arrive. Brian Wells, an enthusiastic real estate developer thinks the island would be a good investment, putting him in direct conflict with Yvonne. Worst of all, there is Pepper Fierce, an environmentalist who insists her sole concern is the aforementioned island fox but whose attention seems solely fixated on Troy.
Things go from bad to weird (what else is new?) once the Reboot Team, Yvonne, Pepper and Steve arrive on the island. Troy's mind is on the charms of Pepper not the mystery, and for some reason he is nervous of the trees. Pepper seems intent not on finding her precious fox, but in turning Troy against Irene. Steve won't leave his boat, and Yvonne is merely tolerating the others. Then a member of the party mysteriously disappears, and everyone, with the exception of Irene, is certain they have been kidnapped and turned into a tree. Outnumbered and on defense, Irene must rely on the long distance assistance of her station manager Bernie Youngman to cut the tree myth off at its roots and solve the mystery.
Supposedly the island is under the curse of a banished Indian shaman who turned himself into a tree and does the same to anyone unfortunate enough to wear out their welcome on the island. Sensational tales abound, but actual facts, thanks to Reboot's consistently unreliable research department, are scarce. However, such minor details have taken a back seat to the sensational storyline. As usual.
As if animated trees were not enough to contend with, Irene is also facing issues of the human persuasion inserting themselves into the story.
Yvonne Ruben is an overzealous political candidate determined to protect an up to now unheard of species of island fox whose existence Irene suspects may be more wishful thinking than concrete in nature. Steve Parker, the superstitious boat captain who has a past relationship with Yvonne, wants them off the island before they even arrive. Brian Wells, an enthusiastic real estate developer thinks the island would be a good investment, putting him in direct conflict with Yvonne. Worst of all, there is Pepper Fierce, an environmentalist who insists her sole concern is the aforementioned island fox but whose attention seems solely fixated on Troy.
Things go from bad to weird (what else is new?) once the Reboot Team, Yvonne, Pepper and Steve arrive on the island. Troy's mind is on the charms of Pepper not the mystery, and for some reason he is nervous of the trees. Pepper seems intent not on finding her precious fox, but in turning Troy against Irene. Steve won't leave his boat, and Yvonne is merely tolerating the others. Then a member of the party mysteriously disappears, and everyone, with the exception of Irene, is certain they have been kidnapped and turned into a tree. Outnumbered and on defense, Irene must rely on the long distance assistance of her station manager Bernie Youngman to cut the tree myth off at its roots and solve the mystery.
My Review:
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So, yet again, we watch a wonderful mystery for Irene and Troy. Going to the Island of Living Trees, they are there to see if it is true that an ancient shaman is turning people into walking trees. You get to meet a politician, an animal activist, and a crusty charter ship captain.
I loved this one almost as much as the first in the Reboot Files series. Irene and Troy prove that they are human with the few little fights that they have. Also, the way this story moves is a bit faster than the first, just because the island gives a more "secluded" feeling. Within the first couple of chapters, you are trying to figure out who is the mastermind behind the living trees.
Also, the intrigue about who is the Secretary, and who is keeping the Reboot files gets deeper as Bernie gets a call to warn him about the file. Hmmm, who are they?
As a whole, great short story. Looking forward to more from the Reboot Files!
View all my reviews
Friday, September 2, 2011
Follow Friday (6)
Welcome to Follow Friday Hosted By Parajunkee.com andAlisoncanread.com
This weeks question:
Q. If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?
A. It was too sad how it ended. I mean, it broke my heart!!!! I can't tell anymore because it will break your heart too, that and it is a spoiler, and I hate spoilers!
What about you?
Cana
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Birthday Celebration Giveaway Winners!
We have our winners! Goldilox with Goldilox and the Three Weres won a copy of Falling Under by Gwen Hayes and Gabbi with Book Breather 4 Lyfe won a copy of Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul.
Congratulations!
Be expecting another giveaway soon, in honor of reaching 100 followers.
Hope you love where you're reading!
Cana
Congratulations!
Be expecting another giveaway soon, in honor of reaching 100 followers.
Hope you love where you're reading!
Cana
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