The Gunslinger by Stephen King and Book at the Door Winner

The May winner of the Book at the Door giveaway is… I won a Book at the Door with Behind the Willows

Crystin Goodwin! (Who, I might add, has released the latest in her Blessings of Myrillia series recently and while I’ll shamefully admit I haven’t yet read Ice Blessed I’m certainly going to because UnBlessed and Fire Blessed were oh so very good!)

Crystin will get both a copy of Stephen Kings, The Gunslinger and A. Mouse’s first line art mailed to her door! Thanks for playing Crystin and thanks again to the talented Mouse for her artwork!

“The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.” -Stephen King

As for The Gunslinger I know the name Stephen King brings horror to mind and that puts a large number of people off. I certainly can’t tell you there isn’t an aspect of horror to this book. But I, who hardly ever reads horror, at least on purpose, still recommend it.

The Gunslinger is the first of seven books in The Dark Tower series. ( I did mention epic fantasy in the first post right?) And I know those words, “epic fantasy” put another slew of people off, but this isn’t epic fantasy like I’ve ever encountered before. There is world building, and then there is what King did. He created a story that wove a tapestry around most of his stories, and people. And since the guy has written a lot of books – it’s mind blowing. But, you don’t need to have extensive knowledge of his books in order to enjoy this one. In fact I would say it’s hard to appreciate the world building as you read through the series, because his (horrifically) good writing makes it too easy to get swept away in the drama, the cadence of a slightly different way of speech and the unfolding adventure. It’s not until later ,when the book is set down, that you can roll it all over in your mind and marvel at the scope of it all.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Even if you think it’s not your thing, give it a try, you might be surprised.

Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Artists of all kinds (Yes, you photographers and you who says you can’t draw and you who just wants to practice hand lettering and you who is selling paintings online and…all of you!) if you are interested in providing a small piece of work that includes a first sentence I would love to hear from you!

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Primed by Eric J. Gates

May25

Primed is the sequel to Outsourced. Perhaps you remember, Outsourced as the book I read last year that had me so caught up in it’s dramatic conclusion that I didn’t get out of bed in time to brush my teeth before my friend came to visit. (True story.)

But I’ve learned my lesson. When I started nearing the end of Primed I made sure I was ready for bed with nothing to lose but sleep. And a good thing, because twists started twisting and cliff hangers started hanging and things got exciting. Which is saying something because things, involving two writers, a DIA agent, a homicide detective, a mysterious device and the Russian mob start out fairly exciting even before the twists start twisting and the turns start turning!

Also, I’m tired now.

Would I recommend it? If high octane mysteries are your style, check these books out. Just be sure to start with Outsourced and clear your calendar!

Book at the Door: May Giveaway

May17

I’ve got a book.

Would you like it?

Book at the Door

Of course you would!

Because not only do I have a book for you, but I also have a bit of artwork done by my favorite mouse.

Have you met Mouse yet? She and her friend Fox can be found on Instagram hiking, creating and having fun. I’m thrilled she took the time to help out with the first line art for this month’s book.

As for this month’s book, it’s the first book in one of my very favorite epic fantasy series. A series written by an author I usually steer clear of because his imagery is so excellent in a terrible, horrible sort of way that it not only gives me nightmares but daymares too. But, for this series, I made an exception and urge you to make one as well.

Here is the first line:

“The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.”

Do you know the line? Does it give you a touch of the chills like it does me?

Leave a comment and let me know the name of the book (You are already online, go ahead, Google it!) or let me know your favorite epic fantasy and I’ll put your name in the hat for the drawing. Then be sure and bop over to Mouse’s cozy little nest on the internet, (mousetalks.wordpress.com) and give her a wave hello, check out her lovely writing and maybe leave a piece of cheese if you are feeling extra generous!

Who knows, maybe this book and Mouse’s art will be arriving on your doorstep!

Contest will be open through May 24th.

Winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Mouse’s hand letting artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

The Owl Goddess by Jenny Twist

May4

You know me, I hate to reveal too much about a book in a review. I promise, no big spoilers but I’ve got to tell you something this time…

… the owl goddess, her name is Athena and she lives on a spaceship.

Talk about food for thought!

Let’s just say that when I start out a book and “regular” people are named Zeus and Athena, Artemis and Aphrodite, there are expectations and ideas that pop into my head. When those “regular” people met some other mostly regular but more stone-age-ish other people and they have names like Atlas and Prometheus and Pandora… More ideas occur.

As it turns out, I meet a character named Pandora, I just hold my breath the whole time waiting for the you-know-what to hit the fan, because you know it has to… it’s Pandora! You don’t even need any extra foreshadowing when you have a name like that!

For the first part of the book I wasn’t a very good reader. Instead of just putting my faith in the story and letting it flow, I couldn’t stop wondering what the author was up to and guessing how what I knew about those names was going to fit in.

Then there was a turning point about halfway through the book. Suddenly both the characters and I had a grasp on what was going on and I finally settled in and enjoyed the unfolding of the tale.

Would I recommend it? The author did a really nice job crafting her story around Greek mythology yet writing something totally new. I think this will not only be a hit with young adults who already know and love Greek mythology but also an excellent way to introduce kids, who would rather read about space travel than where olive trees came from, to the classic tales.

Rosie's Book Review team 1

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

The Black Orchid By Celine Jeanjean

Apr27

Reviewing a sequel is always a little bit challenging. I’ve begun to think of it as advice on if it’s worth it to start reading the first book of the series.

In this case the answer is yes.

You’ve got to start with The Bloodless Assassin (previously title The Viper and the Urchin) where you will meet the assassin that reminds me of Eyore and the street urchin who teams up with him.

And then, for sure, you’ve got to continue on to The Black Orchid.

Hands down my favorite part of these books is the characters. In the first book it was the witty dialogue between the two. In this sequel the focus shifted away from the dialogue (don’t worry it was all still fun and fantastic) and onto some major character development. I won’t spoil anything with details but let’s just say things have changed quite a bit and watching the two main characters adjust to their new position in life is to watch some great writing at work!

Would I recommend it? Yup. Yup. Yup! Just don’t forget you need to start with The Bloodless Assassin to make the story even more enjoyable! And then please keep reading because I think this one might be even better than the first!

Rosie's Book Review team 1

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

Raelia by Lynette Noni

Apr14

The worst thing about this whole Medoran Chronicles series, of which Raelia is book two, is that the author, Lynette Noni, lives in Australia.

I on the other hand live in the USA, far from Australia. So far from Australia that hard copies of her books aren’t even sold here.

This is a terrible problem because these are books that need to be shared.

These are the kind of books that I want to be able to loan to the next young adult who walks through the door.

These are the kind of books I want to hand to the next adult who enjoys YA fantasy.

These are the kind of books that I want to lend my Harry Potter fan friends.

Then I want to pass them off to a person who claims not to like fantasy but that is enough of a reader that they will give them a try when I tell them how great the characters are.

And then, once everyone is done gushing, I want to put them nicely on my bookshelf where I would smile fondly at them whenever I passed by until the next reader dropped by my house looking for a good book.

Would I recommend it? Not only would I recommend both Raelia and Akarnae (which you should really read first) I encourage you to buy them, especially if you are outside of Australia. Perhaps then, one day, we’ll get some paper copies on the shelves here!

Also, if you, like me, are fond of “real” books come check out my Book at the Door giveaway, I’ve got books to share!

Round Trip Fare by Barb Taub

Apr6

You know how when you wait and wait for a sequel to come out and then it finally comes and you read it and it’s so great that you just have to go back and re-read all the books that came before it while wondering why you didn’t do that before it came out to make the reading of it even more enjoyable and then debate with yourself if you really should just re-read the sequel again even though you just finished it mere days ago …

Yeah.

This book is just like that. Round_Trip_Fare-Barb_Taub-500x800

Would I recommend it? Yes! This book can be read as a stand alone but, it’ll be much better if you read the rest of the Null City books first.

Or second.

Or first and second.

Basically you just need to read them all because once you enter Barb Taub’s world of urban fantasy where super powers sometimes just suck, angles aren’t always what you’d expect them to be, and with a short ride on a sentient Metro you can arrive at Null City where superpowers will fade into a thing of the past, you aren’t going to want to leave. The men are just too good looking (and tattooed), the imps make fabulous coffee (once they’ve been living in Null City for a bit anyway), the women kick butt (with large amounts of sass and style) and the dogs are awesome. Sure, you may very occasionally raise an eyebrow at the “convenience” of a character’s actions but don’t let it get to you. Focus on the snarky dialogue, the tattoos and the Firefly references and you’ll be having too much fun to care!

Round Trip Fare comes out on Thursday (Yeah, I totally got an advanced copy. And yeah, it’s pretty much reader heaven.) Luckily for you the first of the bunch, One Way Fare, is FREE right now!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Book at the Door: April Giveaway

Apr5

Happiness is a good book.

Happiness is a package on your doorstep.

Happiness is sharing a great read with a friend.

I’ve got a book.

Would you like it?

Despite the fact that I regularly post book reviews, I don’t always like reading them. I don’t want to know what happens. I want it all to be a fantastic surprise as it unfolds. I don’t like reading the back of the book, it gives away too much. I like reading the first page, the first line.

“It was as black in the closet as old blood.” At least three quarters of the credit for this masterpiece goes to John who came up with all the ideas and drew the chemical structure!

That’s the first line of the book I have here.

This book is used. Or shall we say, softened. Broken in, ready for a new friend. It is a book I’ve read and loved and if you stopped by to chat I’d try to send it home with you.

Leave a comment with the title of the book in it and I’ll throw your name in the hat.

Maybe the happiness will come your way.

Contest will be open through April 18th.

Winner will have the dubious award of receiving our hand letting artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Black Cape Case Files by Matt Abraham

Mar30

It has come to my attention that not everyone innately understands the merits of books about a private investigator in a town full of people with super human abilities.

This is baffling to me.

I can only suspect it is my tendency to babble and throw my arms about when excited that confuses people and distracts them from the topic at hand. So let me explain in the written word…

Dane Curse is a small time private investigator. Not just any old PI but the type that brings to mind old radio shows:

“The door swung aside and in walked a woman. She had a long, flowing overcoat atop a tailored black suit that hugged her hips like an old friend it hadn’t seen since high school. Her broad brimmed hat cast a shadow over a pair of almond eyes so smokey they could teach a Navajo communications course, and with two full lips as red as the menace that scared my ma she said, “Mr Curse? I’m Mandy Marcus.” – The Coconut Swindle

The difference is that Mr. Curse happens to have super strength and invulnerability and when Mandy Marcus (aka The Widow) shrugged off her jacket, she had four arms underneath.

While I love the idea of a PI working in a town full of super heroes (white capes) and their counterparts (because seriously, how fun is that) that isn’t even the best part. The best part is Dane Curse himself. Former black cape turned PI for the “bad” guys and their families. He’s not got great luck, but he’s good with brute force and persistence. And while he might kinda, sorta, still be a tiny bit of a bad guy, he’s still doing his best to do right by his clients.

Would I recommend it? Heroic villain anyone?

Yes.

Yes, is the answer you’re looking for.

Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

Mar16

Steampunk is a literary genre that confused me, if I thought of it at all.

When it did cross my mind all I could envision was people dressed in outfits involving lots of leather, corsets, top hats, a few random gears thrown in and goggles. Always the goggles. But the why of it all escaped me. I turned to the internet and Dictonary.com gave me a definition…

“A subgenre of science fiction and fantasy featuring advanced machines and other technology based on steam power of the 19th century and taking place in a recognizable historical period or a fantasy world.”

… clear as mud now right?

But what I’ve decided is, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what Steampunk is or isn’t because as the writing gets better, the genre matters less. Not to say that I wouldn’t have wanted the author to describe this alternate history full of magic and technology as well as she did. No, quite to the contrary. Because she described it so well and because her characters were so rich, there was no confusion. I didn’t read a “steampunk” book.

I read a book about a sister whose brother was kidnapped. I read about oppression and freedom. Class warfare and outright warfare. I read about evil beings that weren’t and good citizens that weren’t either. I read about trust and I read about love.

Sure, there were some crazy gizmos in amongst all that but, at the end of the day, the gizmos weren’t what had me flipping pages long after I should have turned in for the night.

Would I recommend it? Don’t let a funny word like steampunk scare you off, give it a try, I think you’ll like it.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review