My Book Challenges for 2010

First, let me say that I have never participated in a book challenge. I still can't believe I didn't find the book blogging community until September of 2009. I have missed SO many cool things, and I'm just amazed at all the cool book bloggers out there. You all are awesome. So, it's time to pick a few book challenges for 2010. I have no idea how you all choose them. I'm guessing the idea is to challenge myself:) First, I choose The HMS Challenger over at Word for Teens. Nicole explains the challenge:

Way back when, the ocean had yet to be explored. We knew nothing about it. Then, the HMS Challenger was sent out - its challenge? To scope the ocean and learn it's secrets.

With that in mind, readers, I challenge you to read (or reread) ten books between now and September 19th of 2010. But not just any ten books. These books must involve water - be it about pirates, mermaids, or the coast of California, fiction or nonfiction.

Isn't this a cool idea? Wow, and some good books come to my mind!

Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme by Sara Douglass
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Ilse Witch by Terry Brooks

Those are off the top of my head. I'm also excited because I can also reread Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler AND include the second book Tracking the Tempest due out in the spring or summer of 2010. Awesome.


My next challenge is the 100+ Reading Challenge from J. Kaye's Book Blog. The rules are as follows:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

This will be my "big" challenge. I constantly have a book that I'm reading, and now and then I read two at a time, so 100 books shouldn't be a problem at all. Reviewing each of them will take motivation on my part, but I really want to do this. So, I'm in!

Lastly, unless another challenge grabs me and hauls me into it's clutches is the 451 Challenge, which is based on 451 Fridays, a weekly feature hosted at As Usual, We Need More Bookshelves.
The Rules:

Between January 1, 2010 and November 30, 2010, participants are challenged to read books on the 451 master list. There will be several levels of participation:

Spark - read 1-2 books from the master list
Ember - read 3-4 books from the master list
Flame - read 5-6 books from the master list
Blaze - read 7 or more books from the master list

Re-reading is acceptable, as are crossovers with other challenges. Audio, print, and e-books are all acceptable. Each month, participants will be encouraged to post their reviews on the challenge blog, and each review posted will be an entry into a grand prize drawing for a $25 gift card to the online bookseller of the winner's choice.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury was one of the first science fiction books that I read when I was a teen, and last year my teen read it for the first time, loving it as much as I did. He, like me, loves books and reading with a passion. So, I am going for the Blaze level and reading 7 or more from the list, which has some awesome selections!

I will post an individual post for each challenge in January. Have you chosen a book challenge for 2010?

~Moonsanity

I Won a KINDLE!

It's 6:35 a.m. and I haven't even had coffee, but look what I won:

The masterminds behind Bibliofreak went to Random.org and entered 1 on the low end and 4416 on the high end (we had a total of 4416 entries).

We ended up with 3476.

And that person is Brenda Hyde.

Brenda, congratulations, and I’ll be e-mailing you to get your info. I still hope to be able to get it to you by Christmas.

THIS is the prize:


Yes, I won a KINDLE from J.T. Oldfield over at the awesome Bibliofreak Blog! Is this the most awesome Christmas surprise ever? Yeah, I thought you'd agree!

Thank You J.T.

~Moonsanity

Deep Kiss of Winter Blog Tour

Deep Kiss of Winter
Authors: Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Pocket Books/2009
Hardcover: 336 pages

Tempt Me Eternally Summary:
Aleaha Love can be anyone—literally. With only skin-to-skin contact, she can change her appearance, assume any identity. Her newest identity switch has made her an AIR (alien investigation and removal) agent and sends her on a mission to capture a group of otherworldly warriors. Only she becomes the captured. Breean, a golden-skinned commander, known for his iron-will, who is at once dangerous and soul-shatteringly seductive, threatens her new life.

Untouchable Summary:
Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela the Ice Maiden--the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can't be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure.

I've been a fan of Kresley Cole since last summer when I started reading her Immortals After Dark Series, so I was looking forward to reading her story in the Deep Kiss of Winter anthology featuring one of the Wroth brothers, who are full of vampire warrior goodness. Her story in the book, Untouchable, didn't disappoint with it's steamy romance, adventure and cameos from the other Immortal book characters popping up. Ms. Cole got pretty dang creative with the love scenes involving Murdock and Danii since they can't touch each other skin to skin. The word erotic comes to mind, as well as the phrase "hot damn".

I'm a newer reader to Gena Showalter, having read only the first book in her Lords of the Underworld series. Her story in Deep Kiss of Winter, Tempt Me Eternally takes place in her Alien Huntress world. It's erotic and fast paced with characters who are beautiful, alien and often harsh because it's all they've known. The story was fascinating right from the start, even though I was not familiar with the world Ms. Showalter had built.

I recommend Deep Kiss of Winter for not only fans of Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole, but also J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian and Jeaniene Frost. If you know a reader who loves these authors, Deep Kiss of Winter would make the perfect Christmas gift!

~Moonsanity

Review: The Phoenix Chronicles

The Phoenix Chronicles
Author: Lori Handeland
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

I've read:
Any Given Doomsday
Doomsday Can Wait
Apocalypse Happens

Summary: Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department's fight against injustice. But when Liz's foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams...of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?


The Phoenix Chronicles are gritty, dark, fast paced and thought provoking. I know many readers shy away from dark urban fantasy, and after you read my review you may well decide to skip this series. Lori Handeland deals with a lot of difficult themes in her fictional world. How far will a heroine go to save the world from evil? How much sacrifice can a person endure before snapping and going over the other side?

Elizabeth Phoenix has never had an easy life, but she's felt protected and loved by two people for a short time before it was snatched away. Afterwards she was able to pick up the pieces and build a life until even that is taken away from her. Liz is a strong, cynical character thrown into a life of darkness and evil. She has to make choices that no one should have to make. Sacrifice becomes a way of life for her.

The Phoenix Chronicles are a fast paced, but often difficult read. The thing is, some of the best books tackle subjects that make us uncomfortable: betrayal, violence, forgiveness and rape. Liz is constantly aware that her decisions could make a difference between stopping the Apocalypse or allowing it to happen.

Yes, there are difficult sexual scenes that will make some readers uncomfortable, including rape. The scenes are crucial to the plot though, and are not there just for shock value. For me, they are part of what makes Liz who she is, and are important to understanding her relationship with the other characters in the book. I normally try not to read reviews of a book before I review it, but I couldn't help but notice the reviews on Amazon for Any Given Doomsday. One reviewer claimed "rape is not romantic". I'm not sure this person actually read the book all the way through, or even that carefully. At NO point does the author even hint that those scenes were romantic. Readers of this review need to note that this series is NOT paranormal romance. It's dark, gritty urban fantasy that tackles difficult themes.

I really liked The Phoenix Chronicles and I'm looking forward to the fourth book in the series, Chaos Bites, which will be coming out in Spring, 2010. I recommend this series to fans of Vicki Pettersson, Jocelynn Drake, Jim Butcher, Sarah Douglass, or Jennifer Fallon.

In The Beginning is a short story that kicks off The Phoenix Chronicles series and it's free for download here.

~Moonsanity

Blog With Bite Review

Some Girls Bite: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel
Author: Chloe Neill
Trade Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade

Summary: Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

NOTE: This is my second group review for Blog That Bites. Read the other reviews and discussion questions here.

I've been following Chloe Neill's blog for a little while now, but I hadn't been able to pick up her first book until last week. I knew it would be witty and entertaining, but I didn't expect it to be thought provoking. I'm not sure if the cover mislead me, or if it was something I may have read about the book along the way. Some Girls Bite IS witty, but it also has elements involving friendship, loyalty, family, love and desire. We meet the characters, make a few guesses and then find out we are SO wrong. I laughed a lot, but my heart also broke for Merit, and I was on the edge of my seat as her decisions were made. The author made her characters come alive for me.

Merit is her own person because she's had to fight against family expectations her entire life. Her grandfather, a retired cop, and her roommate are really her only emotional support. Her life is turned upside down, and shaken up like a chocolate malt, but without the malted goodness. Suddenly she's got vamps who want her body, her loyalty and her frig is stocked with bags of blood. She's not having a good time, and the surprises just keep coming.

I highly recommend Some Girls Bite for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I can't wait to read the second book Friday Night Bites and see what happens to Merit and her friends next. (Note: I finished Friday Night Bites and reviewed it here.)

BLOG WITH BITE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Warning: Some spoilers in the discussion questions!

1.Obviously the issues of social status and class are used in this story, do you feel Merit is above the simplistic ideology in this book, or is she the typical character: shuns away from the idea of being better than others but loves her status, in both the vampire and human worlds?

I don't think she's typical at all. She doesn't love her "status" in either world. Merit fought against her family's attitude and social status, wanting to live her own life, not believing that they were better than others. As far as the vampire world, she didn't want that either. She wasn't given a choice. When she is given responsibility as she joins her house, she reluctantly does what she is asked, or really told, to do because she wants to do what is right.

2.What motivations do you believe pushed Amber to behave the way she did? Her cattiness seemed rather shallow, but could it only be cattiness that had her acting the way she did in the end?

I'm not sure she was shallow as much as she was convincing. In order for her to fool Ethan she had to appear shallow and completely obsessed with him. It was important that he saw her as loyal to him above all else and jealous of anyone that might take his attention away from her. Celina had convinced her that she would have a future with her house once her plan worked. I'm sure she believed she would be part of the leadership in this new "society".

3. Do you see a House of her own in Merit's future?

No, I really don't. She wouldn't want that kind of responsibility. It would mean she would have to deal with the politics of society. She had enough of that growing up in her family's home. I think she will always protect Ethan, regardless of what happens in their relationship.

4.Which vamp are you hoping Merit ends up with?

I'm not sure, but there is a part of me that thinks she would be good for Ethan. She would bring out his "humanity". Then of course there is the fact that he is hotter than hot. Whew.

~Moonsanity

Kelly Gay Blog Tour Interview & Contest

I am especially excited today because this is my FIRST Blog Tour and my first Contest! I have a review, interview questions and then a giveaway below.

The Better Part of Darkness
Author: Kelly Gay
Publisher: Pocket Books
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages

Summary: Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens. When a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.

I signed up for Kelly Gay's Blog Tour because her book was urban fantasy and sounded like something I would be interested in. When my copy arrived I set it aside while I finished another book. The night I started it I opened it to the first page, read the first sentence and KNEW I was going to love it. How, you ask? Read this first bit of dialog:

"You told a two-thousand-year-old oracle to prove it".

I was not disappointed because it only got better after that sentence. Charlie, the main character is a kick-butt heroine with a daughter, an ex-husband, and an attitude. One reason I love urban fantasy is that it gives me an outlet of sorts for my frustrations at the world. How many times have you heard of an injustice and wish you could find the responsible party and kick their butt? The Better Part of Darkness is a story about a woman who just wants to do what is right for her, for her daughter, her partner and her city, and she gets to kick ass while doing it. Doing the right thing is never easy, though, especially when supernatural forces are set against you at every turn.

The Better Part of Darkness is an urban fantasy, but I wouldn't consider it a paranormal romance. Now, that's not to say that there aren't some very interesting males in Charlie's world, just the opposite. However, finding a Happily Ever After when you are simply trying to survive and protect your family is not a given. Charlie's world is dark with twists and turns that throw her for a loop when she least expects it. I was on the edge of my seat, never guessing what was going to happen next. What a ride!

I highly recommend The Better Part of Darkness for fans of Vicki Pettersson, Lori Handeland, Rob Thurman, and Jocelynn Drake.

PROBING, YET NIFTY QUESTIONS

Since it's a busy time of year I didn't do a full interview with Kelly, but asked her two questions that had popped into my head. I hope you enjoy her answers.

Kelly, I loved your characters, but I especially liked how you showed Charlie's relationship with her daughter. Were those scenes easier to write because you do have a daughter yourself, or did it make it harder, more emotional, to write them?

Thanks! I think it was definitely easier to write those mother/daughter scenes.This was one area of the book that I felt really comfortable writing. When I was writing those scenes, I was actually eager to dig deep because those types of emotions are ones I know firsthand, ones I can relate to, and ones I can easily envision if I were in Charlie's shoes. There were some strong emotional moments for sure -- one that stands out and I remember getting a little choked up about is when Charlie links hands with the others around Bryn's kitchen table -- but as a writer, I live for that kind of stuff. Those are some my favorite scenes to write.

I see so many possibilities for the men in Charlie's life. Without sharing any spoilers, can you just give us a hint of the possible turn on's, I mean, happiness that could be coming her way?

LOL. I do see some happiness coming Charlie's way . . . eventually. There *cough* might be a few 'turn on's' before that, though. :D There are a few guys in BPOD that could qualify in both areas, and I can tell you that things get a little bit hotter in THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN, but I can't give you any hints, other than you'll be surprised. ;-)

Thanks Kelly!

THE AWESOME, BUT SIMPLE GIVE-AWAY
Pocket Books has graciously allowed me to give away TWO copies of The Better Part of Darkness to my readers. Here are the instructions:

1. Leave a witty comment about the book, Kelly or how you feel about urban fantasy. You pick.

2. Follow my blog on the Google Friend Connect thingy.

Both things are mandatory for entry. I'll use the random number picker (yes, that might be it's technical name) to choose the winners on Monday, December 31st, 2009 at 9 a.m. The books will be sent out from the publisher after the winners are chosen. IF you don't have a blog please leave your email in the comment you make.

(US mailing addresses only and no P.O. Boxes please)

Thanks everyone for joining me on my first blog tour:)

~Moonsanity

Review: Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Friday Night Bites: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel
Author: Chloe Neill
Publisher: NAL Trade
Trade Paperback, 357 pages

Summary: "So now my "master," the centuries old, yet gorgeously well-preserved Ethan Sullivan, wants me to reconnect with my own upper class family and act as liaison between humans and vampires—and keep the more unsavory aspects of our existence out of the media. But someone doesn't want people and vamps to play nicey-nice—someone with an ancient grudge." ~Merit

Note: To read my review of the first Chicagoland Vampires book, go here.

I want Merit and Mallory to be my best friends. They have the kind of friendship every girl wishes for in life. They are sisters of the heart, kindred spirits and nothing can come between them, not even vamps or magic. Reading Friday Night Bites, the second Chicagoland Vampires book, was like visiting old friends again. I was able to catch up on Mallory's hot romance with uber sorcerer Catcher, and her adventures in magic. I caught up on Merit's struggles to figure out how she feels about Morgan, the funny, warm and sexy master of the Navarre House and Ethan the sexy, hot, stick up his butt, master of the Cadogan House.

Friday Night Bites is another great read from Chloe Neill that makes me want to kill for the third book in the series. Really, Ms. Neill, did you have to leave us hanging like that? That's okay though, because you gave us new friends, new enemies and some surprises along the way. What more can we ask for in a book? You even gave us some hot, steamy scenes that had me yelling "Come on Merit, JUST DO IT". I get a little wrapped up in your books, as you can tell.

Who do I recommend should read Friday Night Bites? I first must clear up a misconception that it's a young adult novel. Ms. Neill does have another series that is YA and starting in 2010(Firespell January 2010), but the Chicagoland Vampires series is an urban fantasy. I recommend that fans of Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews read the Chicagoland Vampires series. One quote I ran across compared it to an urban fantasy Nancy Drew and this is so true, if you add in the hot vampires and sorcerers. Merit can sniff out a devious plot and catch the perpetrator in a few fell swoops. Lastly, I must say one of my favorite things about Merit is her love of food; fast food, fancy food, comfort food, or just plain ole pizza. She's a girl after my own heart.

~Moonsanity