The Mark of Kane by LW Herndon

  This is one bad-a$$ demon (or half demon). He's caught between the human world and a world that humans don't even want to know about. Thaddeus Kane is on a mission to save some innocents who have no idea of how powerful they are and ow much they threaten the balance of power in the otherworld. Kind of a cliched plot but there is nothing cliched abut Kane's character. Kane is one of the best anti-heroic hero's I've read in a long while. It's as if he doesn't want to go about saving humans (ans he really doesn't) but he can't seem to help himself. Being half human and half demon, Kane can't fight the half of him that still possesses a soul. This book is filled with references to Western religion, Eastern spirituality, magic and sorcery. Something for everyone, really. Rather than alienate the reader, the references serve to expand the scope of what happens outside of out normal lives.


  Kane's relationships with his demon partners Chaz and Decibel remind you of comedic duos of the old Hollywood era. Here they are fighting otherworld crime and they're taking verbal shots at each other. Great stuff. Aside from Chaz and Decibel, Kane has to deal with a Shalim, his master, who would rather not have him around if he could just find a way to kill him. Basically, Kane is unwanted by just about everyone but he rolls with the punches.

  The paranormal novels that I read are usually PR, but I really liked this book, nonetheless. Great characters like those found in Showalter's and Ward's work.

BookRooster.com

I love books. A lot. And there is nothing better than a good, free book. So, I joined http://www.booklending.com/ when the site began several months ago.  It works like this: you buy a lendable book for Kindle,  post it on the website and lend it to another bibliophile.  You also post  lendable books you would like to read and as they become available, you get to have it for a two week load. Sounds simple? It is.  Now, the people at BookLending have started something new with a sister site called BookRooster.com.

BookRooster allows avid readers to receive free copies of books, from a genre of their choosing, to read and post reviews on Amazon.com. Sounds simple? It is.  You get an email invitation with a description of the book, you respond if you would like to read it and then, if you are one of 30 people to respond first, you are sent an attachment with the book. You read it. Post a review. Done.  I have accepted invitations for about six books so far  and have reviewed three of those. 

Ok, back to me loving books....I have a book backlog. Books in print and ebooks, in addition  to those I have recieved from BookRooster. How do I keep up? Why I read multiple books at any given time, of course! Currenty on roster, is a book called The Mark of Kane by L.W. Herndon . It's a paranormal about a half-demon with a conscience (It is not a paranormal romance). Yeah. I know. But the book is turning out to be really good with the classic good v. evil theme.  Also, I have Fall by David Scott Hay and Jennifer's Garden by Traci E. Hall. 
So, I said all of that to say.....check out http://www.booklending.com/ and http://www.bookrooster.com/ if you like to read as much as I do.

#nowreading

I'm about a quarter way through  a new series by Lora Leigh. This one featuring three male cousins who have been orphaned and ostracized by their families in Colorado mountain town.  Typical of Lora Leigh, this book is super sexy (but nothing fans of hers can't take). In Midnight Sins, Rafe is accused, by the town,  of mudering the wife of his best friend and it only makes it worse that he might be in love with her sister.   Pretyy good so far but then, Leigh doesn't disappoint.

Unlocked by Courtney Milan

Gracious! Do boys ever stop pinching girls to get their attention? Apparently not and all the abuse is finally too much for Elaine, Lady Stockhurst to take. For ten years she has been the butt of society's jokes and all because she garnered the attention of Evan, Lord Westfield.
This is the first historical book (novella) that puts the effects of bullying in the face on the reader (beautifully done, by the way).
The heroine is tormented for ten years because she spurned the advances of Evan and when things got too hot, Evan left for parts unknown. And now he's back to make amends and hoping that Elaine will forgive him. But, there is still another enemy to consider and she isn't so keen on redemption.
I liked this story and found that the length was appropriate; not too many have mastered the art of presenting and resolving an issue in a smaller package. I'll definitely be looking for more from Courtney Milan.

From the Library: Quick review of Burning Up by Susan Andersen

Oh, they've done her wrong. Town bad girl Macy O'James has returned to Sugarville and these people are so not sweet.  Still paying for past transgressions, Macy comes to town to take care of some family business and give the people what they want: a Hollywood vamp.
Town fire chief, Gabe Donovan, is impressed and scared to death by this woman with 1000 costumes. As much as he hates his attraction, he can't seem to help it.  Soon he decides to give in to the pleasure of the real Macy. But being the former outcast of Sugarville is taking more of a toll on Macy that she's willing to admit and its getting on Gabe's nerves. (Did I mention that Gabe is six and half feet tall and a fireman? Yeah? Oh.)
Great and realistic dialogue makes this a wonderful read. Add in zany family and friends and these people could be your neighbors.
A great read and definitely one to pass to a friend.

Review: One Day by David Nicholls (no spoilers)

Whenever there is a book that gathers the public attention with movie tie-ins and press releases, I proceed with trepidation. I'm always a little afraid that the book will be, I don't know ,common? And this from someone who reads romance by the bag full. Though with One Day, I found myself pleasantly surprised that it was all that everyone said it wasn't. Hmmm...
I began reading this book and immediately fell in love with Nicholls language; absolutely gorgeous and sumptuous words.

Ok, so the normal girl loves beautiful, unattainable boy apply here but that is the end of the formula. Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley are actually quite perfect for one another but are forced to wait until their life experiences catch up with their desire for each other. We meet these two people every year on the same day: July 15th (the significance of this date is slowly revealed and makes the story that much more richer). Dexter is dead set on always being in and living in the moment. He has always been beautiful and desired and doesn't know how to cope well enough when he is not the brightest light in the room. Part of his misunderstanding and disdain of Emma comes from the fact that she would rather find happiness in simplicity. Their relationship is a revolving door with them always missing their opportunity to connect; constantly looking for something that the other is not capable of giving.
Emma loves Dexter in a way that is beautiful and debilitating; she can never quite move past the ideal of loving him and being lived by him. Her other relationships are hindered by his on/off presence in her life. While he is included as an integral part of her life, she is not integral to his. Dexter has been selfish for so long that it confuses him that other people might as, or more, important that him. Yet, Emma is his constant.
I don't like reviews that catalogue every nuance and movement of the novel, so I won't do it. But I will say that this is one deliciously romantic story. Some of the reviews that have read mention how un-romantic this book is bit I find it to be the epitome of romance, melodrama, and tragedy (oops). I wish I had purchased this book for myself instead of having a library copy. There were so many passages that I wanted to highlight and underline. Though I was apprehensive about this book, I thoroughly enjoyed my journey with Emma and Dexter. This is definitely one for the shelves.  

Dressed and ready to go

My Kindle is no longer naked (I mean nude). I have this leather cover with pockets, but I missed the feel of holding an 8 oz book-like object in my hand. And so....I finally buckled down and added some shiny skin to my Kindle. Notice the Union Jack flag? Well, it was one of the few that were ready to ship immediately and I do so love my instant gratification.

So now my Kindle is dressed and ready at all times.

blackeros77: On page 191 of 435 of One Day, by David Nicholls: Dex is a rather mixed up, selfish bastard. http://t.co/IL1Xwrn Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/blackeros77/status/106872857526673408 Sent via TweetDeck (www.tweetdeck.com)

One Day by David Nichols

Even before talk of the movie, I'd heard the buzz about this book. A guy and a girl find each other but never happen to be on the same page at the same time. Dexter and Emma. Completely romantically named characters. Even so, I resisted the urge to read is book and then when I wanted to read it, I either couldn't afford a copy of my own or had to wait several months for a library copy. 
I finally picked up my reserved copy from the library and this sucker has been well read. I love that; knowing that so many people have enjoyed (or has at least attempted to enjoy) the same book.  So....here's to great romance and making good on missed opportunities.

Return of the Prodigal

So...I haven't posted or updated this page in several months. Not that I haven't been reading, rather have just not taken the time out to update. I have changed the error of my ways and will not forsake this page again. I will now make good use of the Blogger app on my Android phone and update while on the go. Really there is no excuse for me not to.