Silver-White Book Blast

Silver-White by Shawn Underhill



“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

~ Robert Frost



*Evie’s family has been holding out on her …

Big time.

On an unexpected visit to her grandparents’ house in New Hampshire’s secluded North Woods, the sixteen-year-old literally runs into the truth of the long-hidden family secrets, and finds herself thrust without warning into the clandestine world of the Great North Pack—a wild and exhilarating world of rugged beauty, heart-pounding adventures, and long nights running under a sea of stars … but as she’s set to discover, a world also fraught with potential dangers lurking in the shadows.


Praise

 "Simply put, this book was amazing. I've read more fantasy novels than than I can count, but this one is certainly one of the best. The heroine isn't some wishy-washy pansy that screams at everything, and the focus of the story isn't on some unbelievably beautiful teenage girl who suddenly becomes the biggest, baddest member of her species falling in love with some big, bad, sexy member of her newfound species. It's about a girl becoming something she never knew existed, finding her place within the pack family she values more than ever before, and an age-old feud that threatens everything she loves." ~Morgan

Purchase ~ just .99 cents

Amazon Kindle

Author Shawn Underhill

Shawn is a part-time writer from New Hampshire, where he spends his free time hiking in the mountains, camping, racing dirt bikes, or anything else that keeps him outdoors. Dogs are his very favorite people. He is also the author of the novel All Things Different.

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BookBlast $100 Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/13/13


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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Review: A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang

Title:  A Brush of Darkness
Author:  Allison Pang
Pages:  343
Genre:  Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher:  Pocket Books (A Simon & Schuster Division)
Summary:  The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmare. Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling the pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn't at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as-sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus's whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart--and there's only one she can trust to save her.

The Dish:  When it comes to selecting books (and series) to read, oftentimes it's all in the taglines and what quotes really stand out that will draw readers.  For me, I have to say it was after reading a quote from the author's website that almost made me spit water onto my monitor that I knew I had to read Allison Pang's A Brush of Darkness.

I'm beginning to realize just how picky I can be when it comes to series, particularly urban fantasy or paranormal series.  It's no fault of the authors because they're definitely doing their jobs of delivering great books, but I hadn't really felt the need to invest time into an UF series... until now.  Abby Sinclair is adorable, quirky, unsure, fallible, all traits I really adore in a herione because they show that she is indeed human.  I enjoy reading about confident, kick-butt, lets-get-er-done main characters, too, but finding one at the beginning of her journey and needing to learn more about herself is just as enjoyable.  Granted, sometimes that means being tossed into the water without a paddle, and Abby is definitely swimming with the sharks throughout the story.

After going through a great deal of tragedy within the past six months, I can relate to how Abby feels within this strange world that she's only recently learned about.  And believe me, there is a lot to take in knowing there are forces of the supernatural living alongside our own human realm.  Seeing it through the eyes of someone new helps to move the story along quite nicely because as Abby learns more about these celestial, faerie, and daemonic beings so does the reader.  When her own faerie boss disappears, it's no wonder Abby's not quite sure what to do in the situation, so she just tries to roll (or duck) with the punches.  I will admit, she does take some risks that surprised me and made me shake my head at her inexperience, but fortunately, she does have those willing to help her.

What amazes me most is how Pang has been able to bring together so many different supernatural creatures in such a smooth manner.  With some books that try to take on too many supernaturals, the story might be full of exposition just to clarify the existence of all of these otherworldly beings, not to mention readers might not really get to know the important characters because there are so many.  I loved how Pang picked out certain supernaturals to introduce, expand upon, and show that they are more than powerful non-humans while at the same time introducing others without necessarily going into great detail about backgrounds.

Brystion is definitely a favorite character, and who can blame me since he is a sexy-as-sin incubus?  (And between you and me, readers, I think incubi are slowly becoming the new supernatural, the one to see in future titles.)  Even with learning as much as possible about him, Brystion still has that air of mystery about him as well as the dark, brooding persona.  I wanted to slug him a few times in the story, yet he still somehow managed to have me warming back up to him.

It makes me happy when an author can really end a book on a satisfying note without necessarily closing the book completely.  Namely, I was satisfied with the ending but I definitely want to read more because I know this is only the beginning.  When a first book in a series leaves the reader with that sort of feeling, you know you've found one you want to stick with.  And I aim to stay on track with Abby's story.  Lucky me, A Sliver of Shadow is due to be released come the end of February.

TGIF Follow Friday (3)

TGIF is a weekly feature created and hosted byGReads! that re-caps the week’s posts and has different question each week.

This Friday's Question:

Gateway Books: Which particular books opened you up to a new genre?

For a long time during college and grad school, it seemed as though most of what I read was graphic novels and manga. While these are great books unto themselves, I missed being able to just sit down and read a book. College will definitely burn you out on reading, let me tell you.  I think it was actually three books (given to me by the same person) that opened me up to Young Adult Literature.  

First was Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study, which rekindled my love of fantasy books. In addition, I think that might have influenced my desire to bake, thanks to all the cinnamon swirl references. Then, there was Annette Curtis Klause's Blood and Chocolate, an amazing werewolf love story that really helped me delve more into the werewolf novels. After that was Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, and I was blown away by this particular genre. So I have to say thank you to Karen of Books Beside My Bed for getting me to branch out into YA through these novels. ^_^

Special Side Dish: Speaking of YA books, check out Marla's Bump in the Night Giveaway going on now at Starting the Next Chapter!

Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title:  Raised by Wolves
Author:  Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre:  Paranormal YA Literature
Pages:  418
Publisher:  Egmont USA
Summary:  At the age of four, Bryn watched a rogue werewolf brutally murder her parents. Alone in the world, she was rescued and taken in by the mysterious Callum, the alpha of his werewolf pack. Now fifteen, Bryn's been raised as a human among werewolves, adhering to pack rule (mostly). Little fazes here. But the pack's been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring against Callum's direct orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen Were locked in a cage. Terrifying memories of the attack on her mom and dad come flooding back. Bryn needs answers, and she needs Chase to get them. Suddenly, all allegiances to the pack no longer matter. It's Bryn and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.

The Dish:  First and foremost... how could I have taken so long to read this amazing book?  With Barnes' take on the werewolf pack mentality along with well-developed characters and a nail-biting plot, it's very easy to see why so many readers were as thrilled as I was with the first of the Raised by Wolves books.  Bryn is a human girl that was Marked, basically claimed, by Callum, the alpha of a werewolf pack, at age four after a devastating attack upon her family.  She has known no other life beyond the rules and ways of the pack even while attending a "normal" school.  All that she's known to be truth is changed after meeting Chase, the victim of a werewolf attack that resulted in his being Changed into one.

Right from the beginning, I knew I'd love Bryn as one of my favorite characters.  Her voice is so very honest and real, and you can definitely tell from the change in her narration tone just how much she herself changes over the course of the story.  She has been through many ordeals not only at the beginning of when her parents were taken from her but of also what she had to endure as one of the few humans part of a werewolf pack.  That's definitely not an easy feat considering what was expected of her.  Being made to believe a lie by one of the people she trusted most was another contributing factor in how Bryn was different from others.  To see how she grew and developed as a person having discovered this truth was a gradual process, making it a believable process.  It wasn't as if the change was overnight, and I give my compliments to Barnes in how she was able to make such transitions in Bryn.

What really made me impressed and happy with Raised by Wolves was all of the characters.  Callum was a leader doing what he thought was best for his pack and for Bryn, and I definitely liked him throughout the book.  Sometimes I found myself questioning his motives, but perhaps that was partially due to Bryn's thought process and how she had been deceived.  Devon was the support system that Bryn needed in a best friend as well as one of the more powerful werewolves of the pack.  To have such an ally within a pack that wasn't always favorable towards a human had to mean something to the others.  I really look forward to seeing him more.  Lake was the most rambunctious, "let's get 'er done" girl, and as one of few female werewolves, I can see the motivations in her behavior... and I loved her as much as Bryn and Devon.  I was a little sad she wasn't more present in the book, but here's hoping for the next book.  I enjoyed getting to know those who were introduced, and I definitely look forward to seeing more of their development in the coming books, Trial by Fire and Taken by Storm.

This is one of the best werewolf books I've read and also one of the most insightful of how this particular pack dynamic works.  If you enjoy a paranormal mystery and female-empowering stories, I highly recommend Raised by Wolves.  There is an inkling of romantic intentions, but I would definitely classify it more as Young Adult Paranormal.  It's a lengthy story, but definitely worth the read.

Werewolf Guest Post

Do you have an abundance of lunar energy?  Do dogs bark their heads off at you and then roll to their backs, showing their submission to your greatness?  Is silver not really your color?  Well, my friends, you might be...

a Werewolf!

(Or a Werewolf Supporter!)

All this week on Starting the Next Chapter, there will be guest posts informing readers about the baddest creatures of the night: 

Ghosts with Marla of Starting the Next Chapter

Zombies with Kyla of Kyla Novelista

Witches with Nikki of Books Most Wanted

 Vampires with Louise of Between the Covers

Werewolves with *ahem* DJL of Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes

Demons with Christy of The Reader Bee

On Sunday, October 30th, you will have the chance to vote for your favorite creature in a poll to decide who is the baddest brawler of Halloween, and naturally, when you think of brawlers you'll think of werewolves.  On October 31st, Marla will announce the winning brawler (which is going to be the furred ones, right?) AND there will even be a GIVEAWAY.

To get more information on Werewolves, please head over to Starting the Next Chapter to view my guest post and show the weres some love!  Just remember to bring lots of steak cooked rare, and vote for Werewolves on Sunday!  You won't regret it... unless you don't like shedding.  At which point, vote for Werewolves anyway!

Teaser Tuesday: Raised by Wolves

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.  Anyone can play along!  Just do the following:

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author, too, so that others can add the book to their TBR lists!

This week's teaser comes from Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Raised by Wolves, and I think it's a fitting book to read during the month of October.  Werewolves are definitely part of this season and Halloween is just around the corner.

"I recognized the madness, saw him losing control, bit by bit and piece by piece, and I remembered what I'd done to Devon when I'd lost myself to a similar directive.  When I'd been trapped with nowhere else to go."  
~ p. 176, Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Awake at Dawn

By C.C. Hunter

Publish Date: October 11, 2011, by St. Martin's Griffin

From Goodreads.com~

Now that she's settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen's determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities.  But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about to die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie's quest for answers is quickly put on hold.

To make matters worse, just when she's about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away.  When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie feels more conflicted than ever.  Her weekend with her mom should have been the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point.  Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie--and it'll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive...

I'm so happy about Awake at Dawn being released soon, and just in time for Halloween!  Born at Midnight was a great introduction to Hunter's supernatural world and I enjoyed it thoroughly as seen by my review.  It will be interesting to see how much Kylie will learn within this next chapter of her story.  With all of these happenings though, I wonder just how much she'll be able to learn.  We'll just have to wait and see!  

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Fateful by Claudia Gray

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Fateful

By Claudia Gray

Publish Date: September 13, 2011 by HarperTeen

From Goodreads.com~

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for.  Once the ship they're sailing on reaches the United States, she'll strike out on her own.  Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly.  But Alec has secrets...

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec's past truly is.  The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they're stalking him--and now Tess, too.  Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Werewolves on the Titanic... this definitely has the makings of something fascinating and exciting.  I can only imagine scores of action, intrigue, with a bit of romance, and I'm thrilled about another new werewolf book. ^_^

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?  I'd like to hear it!

Review + 100 Follower Giveaway: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Title:  Born at Midnight
Author:  C.C. Hunter
Summary:  One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls--a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren't just "troubled."  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side--learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie's never felt normal, but surely she doesn't belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason.  As if life wasn't complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek's a half-fae who's determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin' hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn't be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear--Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs...

The Dish:  It seems I'm giving a lot of love to Texas authors, and I'm happy to continue that love with C.C. Hunter's Born at Midnight.  Kylie Galen has just been sent to a summer camp for supernaturals, and she definitely has something to say about that.  Namely that she's at the wrong camp.  She's determined to prove to the camp leaders that's she's not one of them, but everyone seems to believe the opposite, especially when she keeps seeing the ghost of a soldier always following her.  Hard to argue with that logic that she is indeed supernatural, which makes her stuck where she is.  With a vampire and a witch for roommates that always seem to bicker with each other along with a half-fae who's very interested in her, a werewolf who knows Kylie from the past, and a sneaky shape-shifter, life at this camp is far from ordinary.

Readers have to look at Born at Midnight as an introduction to Kylie's life and the supernatural world that Hunter has created.  The story is about Kylie's journey in finding out just who and what she is as a supernatural along with meeting those who will help her in discovering that truth.  Fortunately for Kylie, she has many people who not only assist but to just have time to be a teenage supernatural.  Take Della and Miranda, the vampire and witch that she rooms with.  While Della can be a bit cold especially when it comes to Kylie's aversion to even saying the word "blood," the vampire is willing to stand up for her roommate against a troublesome she-werewolf.  Miranda is a boy-crazy witch with dyslexia that always seems to be "in-the-know" on camp news.  Readers get insight into how the vampire and witch dynamics work in this world, and despite their constant arguing, Della and Miranda are there for Kylie when she needs friends most.

Then there are the two males vying for Kylie's attention namely in Derek, the half-fae who has the ability to sense others' emotions and Lucas, the werewolf who knew Kylie from when they were children and whom she thought did a great misdeed to her.  Their dynamic in the story is...interesting to say the least.  When one is not spending time with Kylie, it seems the other is.  It doesn't seem that their "conflict" is as realized save for one confrontation when Derek and Kylie are on a "Meet Your Campmates Hour" activity when Lucas comes out of nowhere after Kylie screams when she sees a water moccasin.  As characters both males intrigue me since you have Derek's almost "boy-next-door" charm and then there is Lucas's "mysterious-speak-only-when-necessary" demeanor.  However, on a personal note, werewolves tend to trump fae with me (apologies to those who favor the fae, it's just my preference).

When you get to pacing of the story itself, it is a steady flow of Kylie's experiences both at camp, coming to grips with her parents in their divorce while she's trying to prove she's not supernatural, and also when dealing with the ghost, "Soldier Dude" as she named him.  There is a LOT going on in her life, so it's understandable that the story have a more relaxed yet inquisitive feel to it.  I definitely did not feel rushed though I did want to learn more of the different situations at Shadow Falls and involving Kylie's parents, determining whether they were supernaturals or not.

Most of the action doesn't get going until close to the end of the book, but as I mentioned before, readers should look at this book as an introduction to Kylie's world.  With Born at Midnight being the start of The Shadow Falls series, the main conflict cannot be revealed nor can the climax come at the beginning of the overall story.  Lucky for readers, Awake at Dawn is coming out in October of this year, and I'll be looking for that in stores to read more of Kylie's story.

UPDATE: The Giveaway is Closed! Check back for future giveaways!

Giveaway Time:

Now for the fun part!  To celebrate both reaching 100 Followers and also to show my love for Texas author, C.C. Hunter, I'm giving away a new copy of Born at Midnight to one of my awesome readers.  Rules are as follows:

1.  To enter please leave a comment with your paranormal of preference (werewolf, vampire, witch, fae, shapeshifter, etc.) along with your email address.

2.  You don't have to follow my blog to enter, but if you are a follower (old or new) please leave a second comment.

3.  The winner will be chosen using a random number generator on July 31st.

Good luck, everyone! ^_^

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title:  Paranormalcy
Author:  Kiersten White
Summary:  Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal.  Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still.  Normal.  Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies.  She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths.  Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.  So much for normal.

The Dish:  Four words really braced me for this story... pink taser named 'Tasey.'  After reading that, I knew this would most likely be a great book.  Kiersten White delivers a different type of paranormal story, and readers cannot help getting caught up in the novel due to an almost personable writing style.  The narrator's voice sounds so real especially with the humor associated with teenagers known as sarcastic wit.  This style made for a great and enjoyable read as we learned Evie's story.

Evie has only ever known life within the International Paranormal Containment Agency center as being a normal among many paranormals.  When your best friend can only live underwater and your faerie ex-boyfriend is still fixated on you, it's probably hard to find some sense of normality.  However, Evie manages to maintain her somewhat stable life for eight years until a strange and unknown paranormal is caught breaking into the center.  After that incident, a chain of events is set off and the "normal" world she has built is sent spiraling through the air.

I can understand the need for stability when it seems as though each day is a whirlwind of activity, and Evie never knew where she might be sent.  To have that steady familiarity ripped from her was almost heart-breaking for me.  People think they need a change due to the tedium of the everyday, but when confronted with it head-on, it can be a frightening thing.  Evie not only has to come to terms with the idea that the people she felt were 'family' have not been completely honest with her but also that there is something darker within the world of the paranormals.  And it's searching for her while killing those who are dear to Evie.

Evie's warmth and care for those around her really rang true through White's storytelling, and when someone dear to her was killed, it felt as though I had lost that person, too.  I felt so close with all of those that Evie loved, Raquel, Lish, Jacques, Lend, and even Reth, though he took awhile to really impress me.  Until now, the fae have not been part of the paranormal worlds I've seen in other books, so it was interesting to see my first recent example of the faerie world.  Reth annoyed me to no end throughout the book because I thought he was one of those trying to cause grief for Evie.  He still annoys me though not as much right now, and I'm eager to see what his role will be in the sequel, Supernaturally.  Lend was one of my favorites next to Evie despite my initial gasp when he first entered the story.  It would have been nice to hear some of the story through his voice, but Evie's opinions seem to influence my own...and you can't help adoring the sweet shapeshifter.

Overall, White's writing impressed and pushed me to read the book quickly, which I would have finished earlier had I not been preoccupied with a visit from my beau over the weekend.  I'm sure Evie would understand that, and I look forward to hearing more of her story in July.

Review: Intertwined by Gena Showalter

Title:  Intertwined
Author:  Gena Showalter
Summary:  There's something about the new guy at Crossroads High... Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him: one can time-travel, one can raise the dead, one can tell the future, and one can possess another human. With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now they're causing him all kinds of trouble. Like, he'll blink and suddenly he's a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he'll change the future. Or he'll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she's going to die. He's so over it. All he wants is peace. And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, as long as he's near her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He's a longer; she has friends. He doesn't care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it's too late... Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own, and a vampire princess Aden can't resist. Two romances, both forbidden. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger--but not everyone will come out alive...

The Dish:  I've been a bit of a Gena Showalter fan ever since I read The Nymph King.  There's just something about the way Showalter writes that really pulls me into the story.  Intertwined is the first YA book I've read by Showalter, and holy schnikies, is there a LOT going on.  Not that that's a bad thing, there's just a lot of material to absorb and process within just the first 100 or so pages.  We have four major players in this play of life: Aden, the boy who everyone thinks is insane because he has 4 different souls inhabiting his body; Mary Ann, the girl that somehow neutralizes the souls within Aden; Victoria, the mysterious girl who is drawn to Aden; and Riley, guardian of Victoria who has a habit of hanging around Mary Ann.

Let me first say that I am impressed with Showalter's ambition with Intertwined.  Most titles deal with one or two supernatural beings while Intertwined encompasses vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, ghosts, demons, just to name a few.  Fortunately, rather than try to explore all of these supernatural beings at once, Showalter examines only a few within this first novel, namely that of two main characters who are a vampire and a werewolf.  I actually like the idea of setting up an entire world living within the "normal" everyday world that most humans live in, and obviously that supernatural world would be composed of many different supernatural beings.

The characters really do make the story very enjoyable and engrossing.  I'll admit that Riley is my current particular favorite simply because of his protectiveness despite his somewhat brooding nature.  Aden is a doll in his own right, especially with having to share his head with 4 other people.  That would definitely be enough to put someone in an institution.  In the way of the relationships among the major four, I feel divided in my thoughts.  On the one hand, the hopeless romantic in me wants to go "Awwwww" about how the couples come together because of the sweetness of it.  However, the logician in me says that clearly they would need more time to truly fall in love.  Fortunately, the romantic side wins out simply due to the tense situations both couples are placed in.  That can definitely create a stronger bond between a pair of characters.

Understandably, this is the first part of a much greater story, so while the climax wasn't as immense as I thought it would be, it definitely made me curious to see what will happen in the next installment of the series, Unraveled.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Pack by Jason Starr

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

The Pack

By Jason Starr

Publish Date: June 7, 2011 by Ace Hardcover

From Amazon.com~

When Simon Burns is fired from his job without warning, he takes on the role of stay-at-home dad for his three-year-old son.  But his reluctance pushes his already strained marriage to the limit.  In the nestled playgrounds of the Upper West Side, Simon harbors a simmering rage at his boss's betrayal.  Things take a turn when he meets a tight-knit trio of dads at the playground.  They are different from other men Simon has met, stronger and more confident, more at ease with the darker side of life- and soon Simon is lured into their mix.  But after a guys' night out gets frighteningly out of hand, Simon feels himself sliding into a new nightmarish reality.  As he experiences disturbing changes in his body and his perceptions, he starts to suspect that when the guys welcomed him to their "pack," they were talking about much more than male bonding.  And as he falls prey to his basest instincts, Simon must accept that werewolves exist if he is to turn the tides of his fortune...

This sounds like a great supernatural thriller, and it's so rare that I read books from a male point of view.  I'm curious to know how Starr will portray the werewolf mythology in his novel and also to see what Jason will do to turn his fortune around.  Since I haven't read any of Starr's novels before, I think I'll wait until my library obtains it for the collection. 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? ^_^


Special Side Dish: Be sure to check out the Giveaway at Books Beside My Bed!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is: 

Kiss of Snow

By Nalini Singh

Publish Date: May 31, 2011 by Berkley Hardcover

From Amazon.com~

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the Snow Dancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness.  Hawke.  Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.  Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago.  But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.  Then Sienna changes the rules-and suddenly there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet.  Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight...  A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking out at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home-and the alpha who is its heartbeat. 

A friend of mine has been hinting to me that I should really check out Nalini Singh's work, and now I definitely feel inclined to do so.  I know I've said I'd like something aside from werewolves (and vampires), but this story intrigues me.  However, I'll have to start at the beginning of the series before hitting this one.  That's nine books before I reach Kiss of Snow.  Can I do it soon enough?  Here's hoping!  Also, that cover is something, yowza.  

What are you waiting on today? ^_^

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Born at Midnight

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Born at Midnight

By: C.C. Hunter

Published on: March 29, 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

From Amazon.com~

Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen… One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.”  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.  Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason.  As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.  Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

This has the makings of a fascinating and amazing book.  Paranormal and supernatural books have always been one of my favorite genres, and the added element of a camp dedicated to these paranormal teenagers is an even bigger plus.  Also, I'm amused to say that for once the love triangle doesn't involve a vampire and werewolf as rivals!  I can't wait until we add this to the library's collection!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Wolfsangel by M.D. Lachlan

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Wolfsangel

By: M.D. Lachlan

Publish Date: March 22, 2011 by Pyr

From Publishers Weekly~

Sorcery and savagery fuel this rousing historical fantasy, the first volume in a planned multivolume epic. Acting on the witch Gullvieg's prophecy, Viking raiders kidnap two infant brothers from a village. Wily and clever Vali is groomed to be Viking king Arthur's heir, while Feileg is raised ferally as as Gullveig's werewolf protector as she schemes against the god Odin. The boys enjoy adventures peculiar to their different upbringings until their mutual affection for farmer's daughter Adisla draws them together as comrades in arms as well as rivals in love. Lachlan (a pseudonym for Mark Barrowcliffe) keeps supernatural inflections to a minimum, opting instead for a colorful and credible evocation of the Norse world as one where the paths of gods and men frequently cross. Vivid in its rendering of the primitive historical past, this entertaining adventure will have readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

Ironically, I was just talking with my beau last week about the rather sparse amount of books involving Norse mythology. It seems as though most authors want to explore more exotic or traditional mythologies such as Egyptian or even Greek myths. Not that I am not fascinated by either of these cultures myths as well, but Norse mythology is one I haven't seen enough of, and it's refreshing to find a title like Wolfsangel. I'm also curious about the rivalry between Vali and Feileg and to see who shall win Adisla's love. I'll also admit I was drawn to the mentions of a werewolf, but apparently as the author has kept that to a minimum, it will be interesting to see his take with Norse mythology. 

Has anyone read or heard about novels centered around Norse mythology?

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I Just HAD to Buy...

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, a state that you don't have to worry about being deprived of more books as long as you're near a library. ;) This week's Top Ten is:

Top Ten Books I Just HAD to Buy...But Are Still Sitting on My Bookshelf

1. Fell by David Clement-Davies

Reason: I'll admit it was a shallow reason, but I absolutely love the cover for Fell. When I saw it at the bookstore, I had to read the summary and found that it was a sequel to The Sight. Curses, it has a prequel! I mean...Yay, it has a prequel! So until I read it's prequel, Fell will remain on my bookshelf.

2. Queen of the Orcs: King's Property by Morgan Howell

Reason: I've never seen much in the way of literature involving orcs, especially in a more positive light aside from the World of Warcraft novels. After reading Steve Nicholls' Orcs trilogy, I began searching for other titles like it and came across the Queen of the Orcs trilogy. I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but it IS on my TBR list for this year so that shows some hope.

3. The Mountain's Call by Caitlin Brennan

Reason: The summary drew me into the book along with the fact that the main beings of magic are white horses. I mean, what's not to love about magic, beautiful horses, and the forbidden call that pulls the main character, Valeria, towards the mountain housing the gods? Still, wild horses cannot drag me away from this book forever.

4. Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

Reason: Karen of Books Beside My Bed recommended this one to me at least a year or two ago. I was even able to get it for a good deal during one of Borders' post-holiday sales. Being an anthology, it should be easy enough to pick it up and read maybe one or two stories at a time, but alas not yet, though soon.

 5. Through Wolf's Eyes by Janes Lindskold
Reason: When I started really getting into wolf literature, I was searching for fantasy series focusing on wolves portrayed in a new light. I thought I found that in Jane Lindskold's Through Wolf's Eyes, and I'm sure it's still there. Now I just must make time to read it. 




6. 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
Reason: I had heard a lot of good things about this new werewolf series debut, and so I decided to buy it rather than wait until it was ordered for the library. It's still on the shelf right now waiting to be read but it will hopefully get read this year. 





7. Touched by Venom by Janine Cross
Reason: A friend recommended this trilogy to me because it has a strong female character and involves dragons, two excellent traits in a novel to me. However, I suppose I haven't been in a "dragon" sort of mood, thus it's being on the shelf so long. It will come down from the shelf this year though, I'm confident in that. (And it did this week! ^^)



8. Traveler by Richard Adams
Reason: I absolutely loved Watership Down and Tales from Watership Down, so I thought, 'Adams writing about horses in the same vein?  Sign me up!' I did start reading it, but for some reason I lost interest and put it back on my shelf. Hopefully, I'll give it another shot soon.



9. Hellboy Odd Jobs by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
Reason: My beau recommended this anthology as well as Odder Jobs to me, and when I found both of them at a recycled bookstore, I had to snatch them up.  I do adore Hellboy, both the movies and the comics and Bones of Giants. I just have to make time to read a little of Odd Jobs at a time even if I don't read all of the stories in one fell swoop.  



10. Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man by Rhonda L. Davis
Reason: This one was literally sold to me by the author as she was a local from the area I was living in during library school. I visited Hastings one night and saw Davis sitting at a table set up with her book, and we started talking. Greek mythology has always been a favorite subject of mine, and she did sell me on the story about a god changed into a centaur and a woman he has rescued and harbored.
I just need to read it now.