I am a baaad blogger lately....

Didn't get to post much recently. I was doing an "emergency" babysitting job for a 10 month old who turned out to be sick last week. Somehow, I managed to catch what she had. Joy.... I am mostly back to normal. Just irritated throat from the strain on the throat from the weekend.

I did manage to have a very nice day Saturday. Husband took me out unexpectedly to the downtown library that I usually avoid. Cranky librarians, expensive parking and crowded buildings are not my idea of fun. Husband was needing a book to do a report he had due today. Ironically, he had the book from his class, but his boss ended up taking it with him over a 4 day out-of-town trip along with husband's book report on the laptop he borrowed from my husband. So all of it had to be redone. He got it done yesterday. I liked it. Had some humor in it. I like humor in presentations as it is boring to hear otherwise when your in class where everyone is doing nearly the same subject. I think his will stand out. For someone who hates doing presentations and the like, he does a VERY good job at them.

We also had lunch at a nice restaurant which we haven't done in a long time. At least not just the two of us. Groups and big family dinners don't count as we usually have everyone else getting our attention. This time, it was just the two of us. Very nice. I actually tried a new item on the menu. It was okay. I was kind of disappointed with the pumpkin cheesecake. I adore pumpkins or pumpkin flavored dishes usually and I was expecting something else. Ah well.

I am now spending some time doing some research on various subjects I am studying. Decided it was a waste of time to read Eat, Prey, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elisabeth Gilbert. My mother-in-law recommend and loaned me the book. Finally got around to starting it last night. The writing style is easy to read, but I having problems with Elizabeth herself in the beginning. She just irritates me and seems to imply that all her problems come from elsewhere than herself as well as what she wants and needs is more important than anything else (despite hurting others). Can't see where the enlightenment is on this. Maybe it gets better later, but it actually irritated me enough to start ranting to my husband last night instead of falling asleep. *sigh*

So I put that aside and started re-reading Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron. Then I started The Queen's Bastard by C.E. Murphy which is alternate history fiction with paranormal elements (or fantasy). A lot of politicial intrigue to this one. I have high hopes for it.

I planned to write more here, but I got some to work that is taking priority over this. I should be returning to normal "book" related news next time.

Jacquelyn Frank has a contest for an ARC, manga talk and books

I've updated my livejournal blog. Believe me, I post a hell of a lot there about books. And more books. For those who don't know, it is www.shartyrant@livejournal.com. You don't have to be a member to read it or comment. I am still learning blogger. It has some limitations that I am fighthing with like not having a "cut" feature where you can put spoiler or pics behind so those who want to avoid them can by not clicking on that link in the post. Blogger needs that ability.


Passing on some news for my fellow book nuts: Jacquelyn Frank http://www.jacquelynfrank.com/series.html, author of bestselling series of the Nightwalkers (the newest release Nightwalkers: Noah is on shelves now) is holding a contest for her new upcoming release Ecstacy which is the first book of her new Shadowdweller series. http://authorsafterdark.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-york-times-diva.html
All you need to do is make a comment on that blog entry to be entered.

In other news, I just finished 3 books I got from the store yesterday. Two were mangas. Very disappointed with those. It was romance drama oriented which I usually don't enjoy as well as the ones that have humor, action or paranormal in it. Go figure. It had some humor, but seemed so cruel on some of humor jokes. It is about a 16 year old high school student who desperately wants a boyfriend, but can't get one (there is a reason for that as explained later in the books). She gets so desperate that she takes up an offer to order a "figure" (think android like) boyfriend from online. Problem is, after 3 days, if she still has him, she owes a million dollars to the company! Plus, the figure, Night, is of the "night love series" which means that he is more than willing to lose the clothes (No worries, no nudity in it is really shown). The theme on the back cover reminded me of Clamps' Chobits series which I enjoyed so I was willing to give it a whirl. The art was decent, but the story never really grabbed me. I thought Night was creepy as a boyfriend. Not because of him not being human, but his actions. He also came across as too innocent and naive that he came across as younger than the girl which creeped me out even more. Ugh. It had a lot of the high school drama with girls and boys being cruel to each other which isn't enjoyable for me to watch. Mainly because I was like "slap that girl"! "Beat that boy who is being such a jerk!"

*sigh* I am so violent when reading. I will be taking the two graphic novels to the used bookstore for trade credit or selling it on ebay.


I am now reading In The Serpent's Coils by Tiffany Trent. http://www.tiffany-trent.com/writing.html It is YA (young adult) dark fantasy historical fiction with fairies. I am enjoying it. It fits with the "Halloween mood" I am enjoying.

"Fairies can be downright dangerous!In the Serpent's Coils marks the debut of Hallowmere, a dark, edgy historical fantasy series. Ever since her parents died in the Civil War, Corrine's dreams have been filled with fairies warning her of impending peril. When she's sent to live at Falston Manor, she thinks she's escaped the danger stalking her. Instead the dreams grow stronger, just as girls begin disappearing from school. "

That's it for now as the buzzer has just let me know the food is done and I hunger. Definitely check out the links supplied for some cool books and contests!

Test post #2! Susan Wright To Serve and Submit & A Pound of Flesh erotic fantasy

Forgive me while I post this as I am still learning blogger on how to do pictures and the like. I am using this as a bit of an experiment to figure out how do things like I do on livejournal. Anyone know how to do a "cut" for length and such on blogger? I haven't found any info on it in the help
section as of yet. I usually post small pics of the book covers as well as official sites ect. I have a format I use so be patient as I screw this up a bit. Hah!

Book blurb for To Serve and Submit:

"Between domination and subservience exists a realm of sensual fantasy unlike any ever dreamed...
Marja was born a child of the fens, young, beautiful, and free. Her days were spent searching for bog iron for her poor family and communing with the spirits of the land who both guard and guide her. But her contentment is broken when a man comes to her small village and buys her from her father to transform her into a pleasure slave.
The handsome Lexander is well-known as a procurer of slaves for the pleasure house of Vidaris, where Marja is to be schooled in the arts of seduction and carnal delight. Though frightened, Marja grows to love her master and discovers her nature as a true submissive. But when Lexander grants Marja her freedom, she discovers that not all are so kind. Like the warriors who care nothing for those they conquer - and show no mercy to those who oppose them.
Now, Marja must accompany a fallen noblewoman on a perilous journey to save the land that's so precious to them. And Marja will have to use all of her strength, skills, and cunning to survive in the war that is about to engulf them all."

Book blurb for A Pound of Flesh:

"Between dominance and subservience lies a power no amount of pain or pleasure can extinguish...
Freedom.
As a pleasure slave for the house of Vidaris, Marja submitted to the whims of her master, Lexander, offering no resistance to his desires. But she could still see the good within her master's heart - and set him free with her love.
To atone for his sins, Lexander has sworn to free all slaves by destroying pleasure houses throughout the world. He burns Vidaris to the ground, knowing that word of his betrayal will reach his fellow masters, and that he will be branded a renegade and hunted down.
Determined to aid Lexander at any cost, Marja accompanies him into one den of iniquity after another, infiltrating the slave quarters, willing to endure hardship and pain and even the loss of Lexander's love in order to sow the seeds of revolution...."

Test post 1 Marie Brennan's Doppleganger series and Susan Wright series

Cause I am a sick puppy, I decided to go with some original posts for now (as I am too lazy to import the other from livejournal just now). Be afraid.

Also for you fellow book nuts: The Knight Agency is giving away 10+ titles by its authors to two lucky winners. Just make a comment (with a name or handle for them obviously). Thanks to http://nalini-singh.livejournal.com/ for posting about it. Psst....if you haven't read Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series you are really missing out. Just sayin'. It is futuristic paranormal sci-fi romance. It is one of the best blend of 4 genres I have ever seen. Go! Enjoy!
http://www.nalinisingh.com/




For the first time in a week, I managed to go to the bookstore. A week is a LONG time for me. You have no idea. I picked up a few books of course.

One was a sequel to a fantasy book I bought not long ago. It's called A Pound of Flesh which is a sequel to To Serve and Submit by Susan Wright. Both books are erotic fantasy I was told that fans of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series would enjoy so I decided to give it a whirl. Please be warned that this series (like the Kushiel series) both have sex and some types of sex that might disturb including S & M and such. Just be warned if you are easily offended by such, you might want to skip both series. I haven't finished To Serve and Submit yet (I read it while I was VERY sick so I hate to say I don't remember much of it except the very beginning or anything else during that time), but I figured to go ahead and get the sequel. I'll post my thoughts on the books later of course. But for those curious to what they are about:

http://www.susanwright.info/ is her official site and see the following "test post" here as I am putting up covers and book blurbs there as I experiment on my formating.

I got Warrior and Witch (Witch in the new printing) I went with the first printing as it matches my first book Doppleganger (Warrior in the new printing) which is also the first printing cause I am nut that way. I also excited as I am in the mood for another Marie Brennan book. Marie Brennan is the author of the "Doppleganger" fantasy series. http://www.swantower.com/ is her official site where you can check out excerpts and other goodies.

The "Doppleganger" series is a duology (so far no more books are planned as yet by the author for this series). They were originally called: Doppleganger and Warrior and Witch. It is fantasy "sword and sorcery" fantasy with some interesting elements of magic and the repurcussions of it's use. I just read Doppleganger (Warrior) not long ago and decided I need the sequel. I hear it is even better than the first. Woot! Color me happy!

As a side note: These novels were just re-released with new covers and new titles. The first book, Doppleganger is now called Warrior and the sequel, Warrior and Witch is now just called Witch. I actually prefer the new titles and covers better as it fits the series better and more reflective of what is going on, but I had already got the first print with the original titles so I have to take what I can get.

Book blurb for Witch or Warrior and Witch. Please be warned that this has spoiler for the original Doppleganger (Warrior) which should be read first.




"When a witch is born, a doppelganger is created. For the witch to master her powers, the twin must be killed. Until now . . .
Mirei's extraordinary magic makes her the most powerful witch alive. By some, she is hailed as a miracle, while others proclaim her to be an evil abomination . . . and vow to destroy those who champion her.
Now the different factions of witches engage in a bloody war, with magic, treachery, and murder. But both sides may be fighting for nothing. For the power that the rebel witches fear, the magic that Mirei alone possesses, is killing her. extraordinary magic makes her the most powerful witch alive. By some, she is hailed as a miracle, while others proclaim her to be an evil abomination . . . and vow to destroy those who champion her."