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