Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Audible download

Early in the story, I decided who the bad guy was, but that may be because of the work that I do and how often I see this sort of thing going on. Not to the extent it did in this story, but similar circumstances. I liked the way the time period switched back and forth, telling Connie's story and then telling Deliverance's. Both stories held my interest.

The Van Alen Legacy

Blue Bloods #4: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

I really like this series a lot more than Meyer's "Twilight". This latest installment starts a little slow, but the ending is a page turner. By the last 100 pages, it was very hard to lay it down. Fast paced and action packed, the excitment was non-stop. Some new surprises and twists to the story have me looking very forward to the next installment. I hope it come soon!

Along Came a Demon

Along Came a Demon by Linda Welch

I read this one on my Kindle and it was not very long, but was very enjoyable. The police department thinks Tiff is a regular psychic, but what she really can do is talk to the newly dead who have died violently and she can identify demons a mile away. Who does the department assign as her partner? A demon. A very handsome demon.

Glass Harmonica

The Glass Harmonica by Louise Marley

An unusually written book, the plot kept switching between the 1700s and late 2010s. The story was about two women, both glass harmonica players, both living in different centuries. Their stories sort of crossed paths, but then again didn't. Toward the ending, the reader was able to see more how their stories correlated. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

A Touch of Dead

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris
Unabridged Audio

This must be my month to revisit old favorites. Of the six stories in this book, I had read all but two. This is a collection of the Sookie Stackhouse short stories. Awesome collection. I loved, loved listening to this one in audio. The reader has my idea of Sookie's voice down perfect.

Harper Hall Trilogy

Harper Hall Trilogy by Anne McCaffrey

Unabridged Audio
Dragonsinger
Dragonsong
Dragondrums

It was nice to revisit this old favorite. I have read or listened to this series numerous times. I never grow tired of it and it never grows old.

Poison Study

Study Series #1: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Unabridged Audible Download

Great series - I really enjoyed listening to this one and look forward to reading the next installments. Yelena is in prison for murder and is scheduled to be executed. The Commander of Ixia's food taster has recently died. She is given a choice, she can be executed or become the Commander's new food taster.

Win a book by Maria Snyder

My friend Amberkatze is giving away a book by Maria V. Snyder this week, author of the Study Series and the Glass Series. To enter, all you have to do is tell Amber what you are currently reading. Go over to http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-interview-contest-with-maria-v.html and check it out!

Lace Reader

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

I found this to be an unusual read. I liked it a lot and even though I had figured out parts of it before the ending, it was still a very good mystery. Towner's grandmother Eva predicts the future by reading lace. She lives in Salem and is friends with the local coven of witches. When Eva disappears, Towner returns to Salem to help look for her. Ghosts from the past rise up to haunt Towner and the remaining members of her family.

Dragonsblood

Dragonsblood by Todd McCaffrey
Unabridged Audio MP3

I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening or reading books about the Dragonriders of Pern. I've read them all, listened to them all on audio and I so look forward to many, many more in the future.

Contest Time at Amberkatze

Amberkatze's contest and interview this week are from the author of the Chicagoland Vampire series, Chloe Neill. Enter at : http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-interview-contest-with-chloe.html

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

I thought this was a cute parady, but it bothers me that it is usually marketed as being by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. I don't really think Jane would have approved. I caught myself laughing out loud in some places. Mrs Bennett is at her best, lol.

Immortals #2: Blue Moon

Immortals #2: Blue Moon by Alyson Noel (Kindle Edition)

Should I do it? Should I not do it? Geezzzz I get tired of hearing the teen girls in teen novels repeat this over and over. But aside from that, this was good, fast paced second in a series novel. It leaves a big, big cliff hanger at the end and you wonder what will happen between Ever and Damen. I hope the next installment isn't so long in coming that I forget the story line, lol.

House of Night #4: Untamed

House of Night #4: Untamed by PC & Kristin Cast
Unabridged - Audible download on my Kindle

This was the first time I listened to any of this series on audio and it was the first time I've ever listened to on my Kindle.

This story just keeps getting better and better. This one left you with quite a bit of a cliff hanger. I have the next installment on my Kindle so I don't have to wait to get it to begin listening, which is great!

Listening to an audible download on the Kindle is not bad. It was easy to download and the sound is great. The Kindle goes to sleep screen at some point, so you can't pause as easily as I'd like. You have to slide the turn on and then press pause a couple of times before it works. It works on my "line in" in my car just like my iPOD, but again, it's hard to pause or turn off in a hurry.

The Walk

The Walk by Lee Goldberg (Kindle Edition)

Awesome book! Marty was at one day when the big one hit. A devistating earthquake that almost eliminated LA from the map. His only way back home is to walk. Along the way, he discovers some things about his character. Some he liked, some he didn't as he was forced to choose between the right thing and the safe thing, the heroic and the cowardly.

Contest Time at Amberkatze's

My friend Amberkatze interviewed Jennifer Rardin, author of the Jaz Parks series. She is giving away 2 copies of Jennifer's book "Biting the Bullet". To enter, you must come up with a good name for a vampire book. So head over to Amber's, read the interview, and enter the contest!

http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/08/author-jennifer-rardin-guest-blogs.html

Immortals #1: Evermore

The Immortals #1: Evermore by Alyson Noel

I really, really liked this one, so much that I have already bought book number two for my Kindle. Ever's family was killed in a car accident. She should have died too, but she didn't. Now she hears other people's thoughts and see their auras, she can read entire books by placing her hand on them, and can see and talk to her little sister who is a ghost. Then Damen comes to her school. She can't hear his thoughts, but he seems to hear hers and he sees her little sister too. Excellent beginning for this new series. I am looking forward to reading more.

The Road to Woodstock

The Road to Woodstock by Michael Lang

Has it really been 40 years? Woodstock Music & Art Festival happened in 1969 in Bethel, NY. I wasn't there, unfortunately, but watched the movie like all good flower children who were unable to attend in person. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's recording of the song by Joni Mitchell is still among my all time favorite songs and I really wish I could have heard Jimi Hendrix play live the "Star Spangled Banner", a song which often moves me to tears. This book was written by Michael Lang, the then 25 year old that was one of the main organizers and producers of the festival billed as "An Aquarian Explosition: Three Days of Peace and Music." Oddly enough and unknown to me till after the fact, I began reading this book on August 15th, the date in 1969 that Woodstock began. I call it a great way to remember a unique, unrepeated day in history. I often wonder how the ideals of that generation - love, peace, sharing - got us where we are now, a country of greedy, selfish jerks who care only for how much money one can accumulate by whatever means necessary.

Six Wives of Henry VIII

Six Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Frasier
MP3 on 3 CDs

Antonia Frasier has long been known for her historic research and writtings on the British royal family. Excellent book about each of the wives of Henry VIII. They are portrayed here as more than just the king's flavor of the month. Queen Katherine of Aragon, beloved daughter of not only a king, but a woman who was queen in her own right. Anne Boleyn, not just a pretty face. She was also a lover of literature and music. Jane Seymour, scholarly and kind. Anna of Cleves, not given the chance she deserved. Catherine Howard, only a child when the king married her and barely in her twenties when he beheaded her. Katherine Parr a loving, kind woman who was also a religious scholar. I liked this book because it focused on the women and their lives before, during and for two of them, after Henry.

Brass Bed

The Brass Bed by Jennifer Stevenson

Quick, easy read. An undercover cop investigates a sex therapist that has been helping her best friend (who happens to be her boss's wife). The therapist sits with her, drinks a glass of wine and then introduces her to "The Brass Bed". He tells her to rest and he leaves the room. The brass bed just happens to be occupied by an invisible sex demon whose has been cursed. He has to remain in the bed until he satisfies 100 women. Our undercover cop just happens to be the 100th woman to take a rest on the bed. Mayheim insues as she unknowing releases a several hundred year old, naked sex demon on an unsuspecting Chicago.

Farseer #1: Assassin's Apprentice

Farseer #1: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Why didn't I pick this one up sooner? Exactly my kind of book. The main character goes by "Boy", "Newboy", "Fritz" and "Thomas". His father was a prince, his mother unknown. His grandfather leaves him with the royal family and says he is their duty to raise him. He is schooled in the arts of fighting and letters during the day and at night, he is taught the finer points of assassination.

Contest Time at Amberkatze's

Amber interviewed Leanna Renee Hieber this week, author of the new book "The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker" . To enter the contest go to http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/08/author-interview-contest-with-leanna.html

Cemetery Dance

Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Unabridged on 12 CDs

Preston & Child are my all time favorite writing duo. They never disappoint me. Rene Auberjonois is the reader and he is Pendergast. No one else could ever do that voice. In this latest episode several people are killed by what can only be described as a "zombie". All evidence points to a cultist group that live deep in the heart of NYC.

Lighthouse Keeping

Lighthouse Keeping by Jeanette Winterson

A very unusual book. I really enjoyed it and caught myself thinking about it at odd times during the day and wishing I could go home and read some more. The story centered around Silver, a young orphan who was apprenticed to the lighthouse keeper. But then the story mainly talked about Babel Dark, the son of the man who built the lighthouse. In the end you can see how fate and stories of the lighthouse keeper, Silver, and Babel were all intertwined.

Powers of Detection

Powers of Detection edited by Dana Stabenow

Powers of Detection is a book of paranormal stories of murder and mystery. Most were excellent. I especially liked "Cold Spell" by Donna Andrews, "Fairy Dust" by Charlaine Harris, "The Sorcerer's Assassin" by Sharon Shinn and my favorite was "Justice is a Two-Edged Sword" by Dana Stabenow. I loved the combining of a murder mystery with paranormal talents, two of my favorite genres.

Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways

Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways by Traci Hall

I really liked this one and want to read more in the series. Rhiannon has special psychic powers that can turn violent when she is too upset and that caused a bit of trouble in her old neighborhood. Her parents moved to the country so that she would have a fresh start and a chance to be a bit more normal. But upon arriving at their new country house, Rhiannon finds it already occupied by a ghost that she can sense and talk to.

Lady Elizabeth

The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
Unabridged on 16CDs

Alison Weir is an awesome historian. I own several of her non-fiction accounts of British history. In her second fictional novel, she takes off a bit into speculation of a few events that all evidence leads to, but isn't quite substantial enough to call historical fact. Regardless, this book is outstanding and portrays Elizabeth in her early years leading up to her ascension to the throne. Fantastic listen.

Wild's Call

Wild's Call by Jeri Smith-Ready

Amazon knew what they were doing when they placed this short novella on the Kindle for free. This little taste of Jeri Smith-Ready's writing was awesome and I've added her Aspect of Crow series to my wishlist. The Wild's Call is a prequel story set in the same world as the Aspect of the Crow.

Witch's Grave

Ophelia & Abby #6: Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard

As an author, Damsgaard just gets better and better. I think this has been one of her best efforts, although I was disappointed in the ending. I think history was repeating itself only on her side this time rather than the guys. I would like to see Ophelia with a serious love interest. I always like the way she brings in more than just one aspect of the metaphysicial. In this book she uses runes, tarot and spells.

China Garden

China Garden by Liz Berry

When I was in my teens, I began reading Gothic novels. Actually, it was more like devour Gothic novels. Shortly after reading the first couple of chapters, I knew I had found a new one. More modern than the poor girl finding a job at a haunted mansion and falling in love with the tall, dark, handsome heir to the castle, this book had all the elements of a good Gothic. Secrets, mysteries, mazes, the heir that she can't stand at first but is nevertheless irresistibly drawn to - great book. I enjoyed every page.

Contest

Amberkatze's contest this week is with one of my favorite paranormal authors, Kat Richardson, author of Greywalker, Poltergeist, Underground and her newest addition, Vanished. This week's entry needs to include what you do for relaxation other than read. The prize is an autographed copy of Greywalker. Contest addy is : http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/07/author-interview-contest-with-kat.html

Septimus Heap #4: Queste

Septimus Heap #4: Queste by Angie Sage

I love this series and Queste was just as exciting and entertaining as the other three. Septimus and Princess Jenna can really get themselves into some fixes. In this installment, Septimus is tricked into taking the Questing stone and Jenna is determined to get Snorri and Nick back to the right time and place.

Rosie Dunne

Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Ahern
Unabridge on 5 CDs

Honestly, can two people really be that stupid? The audio was extremely well done with almost a full cast. Very fun, but I swear, the two main characters made me so mad! Any two people that have been best friends and gone through everything they went through together have to be just right for each other, but do they see it --- NO, but listening to them keep missing each other makes for an entertaining listen.

Interview & Contest at Amberkatze's

This week Amber's guest was Rachel Vincent, author of the popular Stray, Rogue, Pride, Prey series. her newest, My Soul to Take, is due out in August. Head over to Amber's and tell her what kind of cat you would like to be to enter the contest to win the Vincent book of your choice. http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-intervew-contest-with-rachel.html

Interview & Contest at Amberkatzes

This weeks interview at Amber's was with Ciara and Shane are the stars of author Jeri Smith-Ready's books Wicked Game & Bad to the Bone. After telling Amber about your pets, you will get to choose one of Jeri's books as a prize. Jeri will send the winner a bookplate so the book will be signed, as well as a signed BTTB cover flat and a shiny metal bookmark with engraved paw prints and quotes about dogs.

You can enter the contest at : http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/06/interview-contest-with-ciara-shane-from.html

GoodReads

*sigh* I just looked at my GoodReads pages and they are all messed up. Books that I want on my wish-list appear on my read pages and books that I have read are appearing in my wish-list audio books. What a mess!! I did a lot of work on my lists this weekend. Guess I overdid it and it couldn't handle all the changes.

Secret History of the Pink Carnation

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

Unabridged Audio on 9 Cassettees

A very fun listen. Elouise is writing her dissertation and wants to unmask the Pink Carnation. Picking up where the ScarletPimpernel left off, the Purple Gentian had taken over and after the Purple Gentian, there was the Pink Carnation. Elouise's investigation takes her to the home of Colin Selwick, the Pink Carnations private papers where she finds the true identity with some unexpected results.

The Awakening

Darkest Power #2: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

I won a copy of this from Amberkatze's contests. Kelley graciouly sent me an autographed copy along with a nice note and a couple of bookmarks from the series.

This is one of my favorite teen paranormal series. It still has me guessing on who are the good guys and who are the bad. Chloe and her band of rebels have escaped from the experiment and are on the run. At the same time, they are finding themselves more powerful and one has become a full fledged werewolf.

UR

UR by Stephen King

I can never resist a new Stephen King and this one was even more intriguing because it was written for the Kindle and you can only read it on the Kindle. I think he just wanted to write a Kindle book. The main character, Wesley, purchases a Kindle. His is pink and they only come in white, but he doesn't pay any attention to that little oddity. But it comes with new books written by authors long dead and newspapers that tell the future. Nifty little item until you read where someone you love is going to die and you try to change the future to save her.

Contest time at Amberkatze's

Amberkatze interviewed Stephen Zimmer this week. Stephen is the author of the series "Rising Dawn Saga" the first book of which is "Exodus Gate" . The give away package includes an autographed copy of "Exodus Gate", a poster of the cover, an 8x10 cover art, 7 postcard sized art cards (numbered series) and bookmarks. To enter, you have to tell Amber where you are going on holiday this year or where you wish you could go. To enter, head over to http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-interview-contest-with-stephen.html

George, Reba, Cowboys

June 6, 2009 - Cowboys Stadium
Leann Womack, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, & George Strait

I have to admit, I'm not much of a football fan. I loved my Dallas Cowboys back in the 60s & 70s, but haven't watched much football since. But I do have to say I feel honored to have been at the first event ever at the new Cowboy Stadium.

I bought the tickets because I'm really a big, George Strait fan. If he plays anywhere in a 4 state radius, I'm usually there. Leann, Blake & Reba were a huge bonus. I really like all of them as well.

The stadium is massive, acoustics were bad, but George was awesome. I got to see an assortment of other well knowns as well. Jerry Jones suite was right behind where I was sitting. During the course of the evening, he was joined by Jimmy Johnson, Bill Bates, Troy Ackman and Senator Kay Baily Hutchinson.

A truly magical afternoon and evening. The roof of the dome opened to the sounds of George singing "Texas". How fitting.

Dead & Gone

Southern Vampire #9: Dead & Gone by Charlaine Harris

This series just gets better and better. Now that the werepeople have seen the world is semi-safe for vampires, they decide it is time to make their presence know. There were several plots running in this book and sometimes I fogot about one while reading about another. Overall, I would give the book a must read for all Charlaine Harris fans.

Rune Study: Jera

Rune #12: Jera
The goddess Sif

Sif was the wife of Thor and the mother of Uller. She had long, following hair the color of wheat and was therefore associated with the harvest. She was the earth mother and symbolized spring and summer. Loki attacked her one day and cut off her hair, thus posing a dire threat to crops and the harvest. Thor was outraged and demanded that Loki make amends or endure a severe beating. Loki had the dwarf Dvalin make her new hair from the finest magical thread.

Jera's meaning is the year. The object is they scythe and her color is black.

Meaning: One year. Gaining back what is rightfully yours. Legal matters, obligations and harmony.
Reversed: Completion cannot be rushed and taking a situation stage by stage.

Agatha Raisin & the Haunted House

Agatha Raisin & the Haunted House by MC Beaton
Unabridged on 4 cassettes

I laughed so much listening to this book. Middle-aged Agatha has a reputation for being a "Miss Marple". A designation she resists because Mrs Marple was old and Agatha is trying her best not to be. Madness and mayhem follow her as she attempts to flirt with her new next door neighbor while trying to solve the mystery of the haunted house.

Midnight Predator

Midnight Predator by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Awesome read. Two rival mercenaries are hired for a suicide mission into vampire territory. There Turquoise once again meets up with the vampire who killed her family and made her a slave. She escaped from him once, now she lives to destroy him. An amazing book for an author who was 18 when this one was published.

Blood & Chocolate

Blood & Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Unabridged on 7CDs

Was there a story to this one? If so, I either I never heard it or there was so nothing to it that I missed it. So glad I got this one from the library and didn't invest my own money in it.

True Blood

True Blood - First Season

I bought the first season of the "True Blood" series. The series is loosely based on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire book series. I like the basic story lines of all 12 of the first season's shows, but there is too much sex (very graphic sex) and the opening credits are flat out disgusting. And the cussing. Seriously, flinging the "f" word around every other sentence? Are there really whole towns where everyone talks that way?

On the plus side, I did like the actor selection. For once, I think the actors were actually selected to match my idea of how the characters in the book would look. Eric is a cutie as is Sam and Jason. Bill is dark and brooding which fits my idea of him completely.

I did like the series. The storylines are based on the books, so it is a good solid story. I will buy next season's set when it comes out. I hope they clean it up a bit.

Marlene Perez Contest

Amberkatze guest author this week is Marlene Perez, author of the teen series "Dead Is". To enter, stop by Amberkatze's blog and let her know what kind of music you've been listening to lately.

http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/05/author-interview-constest-with-marlene.html

Playing for Pizza

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Unabridged 6CDs

Has John Grisham ever wrote anything that wasn't wonderful? This book was no exception. This was one of his football books rather than his lawyer books and a bit more football detail than I like, but the story was solid and enjoyable. The story revolves around a third string quarterback that throws away a super bowl. The only contract he can get is playing football in Italy.

Kathy's Kindle

Okay, I've gone and done it now. I ordered my Kindle about a week or so ago and it came last night. I'm still learning all the features, but so far so good -- very good in fact!

I found two books I wanted, one I have a paperback of on my TBR shelf and the other on my wishlist. Both cost $0.00. That's right, they were free downloads. "Assassin's Apprentice" by Robin Hobb and "Blood Engines" by TA Pratt.

I also bought "Rick Steve's Paris 2009" in honor of my upcoming vacation. The verdict is still out on the travel book. It sounded like a good idea. Having several 10 lb. travel books downloaded to one 10.2oz device sounded better than lugging the books themselves all around Europe, but I'm going to have to get a lot better at navigating the contents before I decide for sure whether or not the books also go with us.

I was excited to find that audio books can be purchased and listened to on the Kindle as can music. Not only can you listen to music on the Kindle, but you can have your playlist playing in the background as you read. Got to try this feature soon!!

I am disappointed in the fact that I can't organize my books the way I would like to or perhaps I haven't read far enough into the manual. I was hoping to be able to create folders to sort the books into. "Travel", "Fantasy", "Reference", etc. If this is not a feature, then I should suggest it to Amazon. (I know, I know, it's a librarian thing!)

Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy #1: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

A very, very slow start. The book referred back to prior events so often that I thought I was wrong and this was the second book in the series rather than the first. The story was original and very good until the cutting began. Seriously, do writers think books don't influence teenage girls? They don't think that impressionable teengirls won't think "I'm depressed, maybe if I cut myself like such-in-so in my favorite book, I'll feel better." Kids are really susceptible to things like that, much more so than adults. At least it was only a couple of times and it appears to have ended, but still, I don't think I'd recommend this one to any teenaged girls I know. Since I'm an adult and won't go off and cut myself next time I'm depressed, I will give the next book in the series a try. Like I said earlier, it was a bit different and I did like the basic story. It left a few loose ends to that promise to make the next book a good read.

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
Unabridged 6CDs

Story of a 20th century woman who awakes one day to find herself in Jane Austen's time. The story takes some comical turns as she tries to exert her 20th century independence in straight-laced 1700's England. A cute fast listen . I enjoyed the story.

Isabella Moon

Isabella Moon by Laura Benedict

Unabridged on 12CDs

The story was very strange. A little girl's ghost begins appearring to Mary Kate and then suddenly several townspeople begin dying or getting murdered. A very strange story, but a good listen. However, I had a problem with the readers voice. When she was talking in her regular voice she was fine, but when she started trying to do different voices, it was really, really bad. Even the supposedly educated towns people came off as sounding hick and foolish.

Lucinda, Darkly

The Demon Princess Chronicles #1: Lucinda, Darkly by Sunny

This book started out great. The first chapter really caught my attention. Then the second chapter was nothing but a hot, sweaty sex scene. I should have quit right there. The story (was there one?) went downhill fast. The book was nothing but "how do I keep them safe, how do I keep them safe". So if you can't tell already, I didn't like this one much.

Hermit Thrush Sings

The Hermit Thrush Sings by Susan Butler
Unabridged on 5 Cassettes

Overall a nice listen-to audio. The state of Maine (now known as Mainard) has suffered a holocaust and the few survivors are under the rule of tyrant. The people are considered to be no better than animals and are taught untruths. A small band of rebels has surfaced and Leora's sister, long thought dead, appears to be one of the leaders. Leora has a webbed hand that allows her to paint the future. Her hand is kept a secret by her foster family because it is a sign of deformity and if known would cause her family embarrassment and it would send Leora to the insititute. After helping a prisoner escape, Leora is forced to fee herself.

Cemetery Dance

My friend Terra is offering to give away an audiobook by my two favorite authors, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Go over to her blog and check it out! http://terra57.blogspot.com/2009/05/cemetery-dance-by-douglas-preston.html

Isa

Rune Study: Isa

Isa is considered to be the 11th Rune and relates to the goddess Skadi who belongs to the God Hagal. It symbolizes ice. It's object is the ski or sled. It's animal is the reindeer, it's tree the alder and it's color is black.

Skadi was the daughter of Thjazi. She married the god Njord who lived by the seashore and loved the sun, the crashing of the waves and the sea gulls. Skadi preferred the north with their mountain peaks of snow and ice. She loved the wind, the snow and the wolves. Njord agreed to live with her for nine days of every twelve with her in the north and she in turn lived with him by the sea for the remaining three. They became the goddess of the winter and the god of the summer because the Scandinavian people have nine months of winter and three months of summer each year.

Meaning: Withdrawn or taking a step backward. All progress halted. A lack of interest or drive. A parting or a chilly response.

Reversed: Treachery or infidelity.

At Grave's End

Night Huntress #3: At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

This series has been really good all the way through. Unfortunely, I don't have a copy of the fourth book in the series, so I will have to wait a while to read it. A few zombies make a brief appearance in this one as well as the daughter of Cleopathra. Interesting!

Vote & Win

My friend Amberkatze has decided to add a bit of a twist to her contest this week and is offering a poll to decide which book she will give away. Go over and vote at http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/05/win-book.html then leave a comment. The winner will be announced Sunday, May 17th.

Sex & the City

Sex & the City by Candace Bushnell

Not at all what I expected, but I enjoyed reading this one. Is is a series of short news columns from The Observer. It left me wishing I'd read the book before seeing the television series or the movie.

Singer of All Songs

Chanters of Tremaris #1: Singer of All Songs by Kate Constable

Unabridged on 5 cassettes

I really liked this teen fantasy. Calwyn is a chanter of the north who chants to make ice. Her land is surrounded by a high wall of ice that she helps to make and maintain. One day she finds a man inside the walls. He has a broken foot and claims to have flown over the wall. Excellent story. I have ordered the second book from Amazon. I hope it gets here soon :)