From the Stacks: Elemental and Storm

Today is sort of a two for one post...and that's simply because one of the picks is a novella and I didn't want to give it its own post. Anyway, today I am jumping into the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer which features all these amazing and powerful young men (most of whom happen to be brothers). I love them.

First up is Elemental which is 0.5 in the series (aka a prequel novella). To be fair about this one, some have said that you should read it first while others say you should wait until after reading Storm. Personally with the way Elemental ended, I think it made the truth all the more shocking when it came out in Storm, so I say read the novella first. Oh, I'm also going to apologize for the slight blur of the pictures. It's sometimes difficult to get a good image when taking a picture of an e-reader.

Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer

Summary:

"Earth, Fire, Air, Water - they are more than you dream.

As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn't have much power. That's okay - she knows what happens to kids who do.

Like Michael Merrick. He's an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy, dangerous, and completely off limits. At least according to Emily's family.

But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily's family doesn't just want her to stay away from him.

They want him dead."

My Thoughts:

Oh my goodness...I instantly fell in love with Michael Merrick, and I really wanted to read so much more with Emily and Michael...but this being a novella meant that it was short and sweet. Of course, this novella also hinted towards the main turmoil that I've seen so far in the series between the Merrick family and some of the other weaker Elementals in town. This was a sweet possible beginning to a relationship that ended too soon. I really really look forward to reading more about Michael. Elemental gets a 5/5.

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Summary:

"Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys - all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her.

Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water - just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming..."

My Thoughts:

Going from Elemental to Storm there is a time lapse of a few years, which only helps to build the tension between the Merricks and everyone else. Unlike the prequel novella, this story focuses on Chris, the baby of the family, which I found slightly disappointing since I had gotten so drawn in to Michael's story, but Chris quickly won me over. He's such a cutie. Each of these boys is amazing. Seriously.

Okay, so what makes everyone else in this town so against the Merricks is how extremely strong the Merricks are. When it comes to the elements - earth, air, water, fire, and spirit - think of them as each being on a star (pentagram) together. The closer to a point, the stronger the elemental ability, and the Merrick boys are all on the points, a fact that means they should have been destroyed at birth.

Becca encounters Chris Merrick when she saves him from a beating, and then she ends up getting drawn into all the issues of being associated with the Merricks. As she gets closer to them, Becca also gets closer to Hunter, the new boy at school who has a few secrets of his own. By the end of the story Becca has even discovered a secret about herself and that certainly makes this first full novel in the series a thrill to behold.

I was drawn in to this world and I didn't want to leave it. When I had to go to work, I would spend my 10 minute break reading on my NOOK because I didn't want to go 8 hours without reading more about these boys. After finishing this book I automatically had to buy Fearless and Spark, and I devoured them just as quickly. Amazing books! 5/5.

Other Readings:

The next in the series is Fearless (#1.5) and Spark (#2), and I will be getting that review up on the 23rd. The third book in the series, Spirit will be out May 28, 2013, but the third novella Breathless should be out before that. I'm really counting down the days because that is how much I love these books.

Background Noise and Inspirations

I admit it...I've been a little lax in my writing and I need to focus more on that. But things are just so stressful at home. To make my life more insane and stressful, I work full-time at a job I very much dislike because I have to be able to make some sort of payment on my student loans, I help my mom with her college homework, and then I do my reading for both fun and for my From the Stacks posts, and at some point I'm supposed to find time to write, but I'm also filling out as many job applications as I can because I need to get into a schedule and environment that will be better for my sanity.

Anyway, I digress. This is supposed to be about my writing progress, and I'm finding myself being rather inspired to work on several of my novels...most of them being ones I have on my schedule for 2013. Nevertheless they are not the project I am supposed to be editing right now. Yes, granted, my CreateSpace code won't expire until June, but I'd really like to get Project Death: Resurrection out really soon. By my calculations right now, I could theoretically finish the chapter edits by December 31st. The best thing to do after that is to set it aside for about a week and then go over everything again just to be sure I don't have any majorly large problems in the overall story.

I guess this means that if all goes well I should have Project Death: Resurrection out by the end of January. So... *fingers crossed*

When I'm writing I like to have background noise so I don't lose my mind. Most of the time it is music, and I definitely enjoy bands like: Nightwish, Epica, Kamelot, Leaves' Eyes, Paramore, Evanescence, and Within Temptation. I throw other stuff in there as well, but these guys tend to make every novel playlist I create.

Lately I've been putting in DVDs I've seen a hundred times so I don't have to focus on what is on the screen...and better I've been having a Gilmore Girls marathon. I love the show and the witty banter and the amazing characters. Right now I am watching the last episode of season three (again) and then I can move on to Rory's first year of college in season four.

With how much I love these characters and the story lines, it makes me think of my own stories. I hope that my characters are at least half as beloved as Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.

Okay, and now I'm going to get back to writing. Oh, but I should probably also mention that I am planning to have a From the Stacks post up every day starting tomorrow until the first of the year. Enjoy. :)

From the Stacks: Harbinger

I am a huge fan of books that are mythological in nature, whether they are action-adventure fantasy, or romance, whatever. I don't necessarily have a preference to a specific pantheon either. I have read Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, Native American, Asian, basically whatever I can get my hands on. On this bonus From the Stacks post, I found myself pulled into Greek mythology in Australia with Peta Crake's Harbinger.

Harbinger by Peta Crake
ISBN: 9781742536484

Summary

"As an Olympic messenger, suburban Aussie girl Ophelia Lind is used to being at the beck and call of the gods. But when gorgeous demigod Aden moves into her neighbourhood and starts taking advantage of her services, Ophelia believes life could not get any worse. She's about to be proven very wrong.

Ophelia tries to enjoy a normal, everyday life while running messages for the Greek gods – but without warning an odious creature - evil incarnate - begins to stalk her. As a messenger dealing with the all-powerful and sometimes frightening gods, Ophelia is accustomed to adventures and scrapes. But this is different. Even Aden, who is madly and deeply in love with Ophelia, finds it difficult to protect her. Suddenly Ophelia is in a battle for survival and begins to question everything – her upbringing, her identity, and her true feelings for the alluring and entirely frustrating Aden."

My Thoughts

I liked this book, but I didn't quite love it, not in the OMG I have to share this with everyone manner of a number of the books I read. Ophelia is a messenger for the gods, so it makes sense that at some point in the book we the readers would have to accompany Ophelia as she receives and then delivers messages. But, and the point does happen quite early on in the story, it seemed to jump far too much for me. It was basically just "She went to see God A, who sent her to Goddess B, who sent her to God C, who sent her to God D, and then Goddess E." For some reason that bugged me. I wanted more information.

Learning about Ophelia, and more about her background and her mom was quite interesting, and I really did enjoy Aden, though I also felt and understood Ophelia's frustration with him. For the most part I thought the romance did seem to grow genuinely, but the attempt at a love triangle (unless she was purposefully making it so it wouldn't be another love triangle story) ended really suddenly with the revelation of who Ophelia's other suitor was. 

The book was a quick read and I did enjoy it, and I would most certainly read a sequel if Peta Crake does write one. All in all, I think I give it a 4/5. Also, I know I usually post links to both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but there is not a NOOK version of this book. You can buy the ePub from Kobo and then by using Adobe Digital Editions, transfer the file onto your NOOK device. 

Harbinger on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Harbinger-ebook/dp/B008XG3Q90/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_1

Harbinger on Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Harbinger/book-l2x8OvA-PUyedzYRLOtoQg/page1.html?s=ft6m_Z5NfUKLNqNbuI39pA&r=5

Other Readings

I have five more bonus posts ready for use this month, and I am still reading on some of my Vaginal Fantasy and Sword & Laser book club picks for reviews as well as some other books I've purchased in either paperback or downloaded on my NOOK. There will most likely be ten or so From the Stacks posts for all of you in December. I hope you enjoy.

From the Stacks: City of Swords

Here it is everyone: A Bonus From the Stacks post. Today I'm talking about one of my great loves...Italy...well okay, an alternate version of Italy, but still. It's amazing. There's romance, and travel, and secrets, and a magic of sorts, and of course an adventure/war type situation. Welcome to the City of Swords.

City of Swords by Mary Hoffman
ISBN: 978-1-59990-842-7

Summary

"Laura is a member of a special group. She's a Stravagante, a person who can travel through time and space.

One day she finds a mysterious silver sword that acts as her talisman. It enables her to stravagate to sixteenth-century Fortezza in Italy, where she meets a swordsmith named Fabio. Laura also meets the charming and attractive Ludo, and they instantly fall for each other. The only problem? A rivalry is brewing in Fortezza that will force them to fight on opposing sides. Ludo is battling to overtake the Fortezza crown, while Laura finds herself supporting the Stravaganti, the ones responsible for preventing Ludo from succeeding. Will Laura and Ludo be able to overcome the odds?

The ultimate test of love unfolds in Mary Hoffman's heart-pounding new Stravaganza novel."

My Thoughts

This is the sixth book of the Stravaganza series and for now serves as a temporary final book. I've read posts on the author's blog that she does have plans for more books (there are twelve city-states in Talia so there is a potential for another six books), but for now everything is concluded...which makes me deeply sad because I so love these books.

Okay, so I don't often say this, but I take slight issue with the summary for this book. Why, you ask...well, it says Fortezza in Italy, which is completely untrue. Fortezza is in Talia, the alternate version of Italy that the Stravaganti travel to/from in the books. In fact Fortezza is loosely based on the real Italian city of Lucca. The summary listed on Mary Hoffman's web site is better (in my opinion):

"Laura has a secret -more than one. When she finds a dagger-shaped paperknife in Mortimer Goldsmith's antiques shop, it seems to speak to her. But it has a sharp blade and takes her to Fortezza in Talia, known as the City of Swords. There is a tussle in Fortezza over who will rule the city when the old Prince dies and Laura finds herself caught between factions, one led by the devestatingly attractive Manoush, Ludo..

But there are other Stravaganti to help her both in 16th century Talia and 21st century London. It is just a terrible twist of fate that her heart is on a different side from her duty. Meanwhile, Luciano and Arianna are supposed to be getting married in Bellezza. But Luciano is involved in the Siege of Fortezza and Arianna fears there will be bloodshed at the wedding.

She is right, but whose will it be? The gripping climax to the Stravaganza sequence."

This book nicely ties up some of the strands that have been dangling since the beginning, but still leaves plenty of room just in case the other books become a reality. Personally, I would love to see the full twelve books, one for each city-state, because traveling to each of these places has been so amazing for me. It is made all that more powerful since I have been to Italy. I was only there for a week, but I completely fell in love with the beauty and culture of the country. When I first read the first of the Stravaganza series that takes place in the alternate version of Venice, I knew the basic layout of everything and it made for an incredibly enjoyable read for me. 

In fact, along with a friend of mine from college who also loves these books, we have planned to someday go on a Stravaganza tour of Italy. We are going to travel to each of the cities in Italy that correspond with the alternate versions in the books and then we can take pictures and have book discussions and fully immerse ourselves in this world. Right now that tour stands at six cities, but I'm still hoping that by the time we can actually afford the trip, we'll be able to hit all twelve.

Anyway, in City of Swords we get to delve deeper into Laura's life. She has been mentioned in previous books, but this time we see why she is unhappy, which leads to her becoming a Stravagante. I loved the irony of a self-harmer being taken to Fortezza, the city of swords, and honestly being there helps Laura to see that cutting herself is not the thing to do, when surrounded by the ever-growing war between the di Chimici family and the Stravaganti. This book also brings the Manoush in again, sort of in a more lead role as Laura's romantic interest is Ludo, a young man we met in previous books.

The battle in Fortezza ended basically as I expected it to, but it was learning exactly why Laura was unhappy that made the ending work for me, that and a certain wedding that I had been waiting for for several books now. Again, the wedding was sort of something that could be predicted early on, and it does somewhat satisfy me as the current ending to the series...but seriously, Mary Hoffman, I want more. I know this struggle with the di Chimici and the Stravaganti isn't even close to over yet and it will bug me to not have the issue fully resolved. I sincerely hope you get to write the other books, because I will be waiting for them.

All in all, I guess this book only gets 4.5/5, because of the couple rather predictable elements involved. It is still a great read. 

Here's the Stravaganza official web site: http://www.stravaganza.co.uk/

City of Swords on Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stravaganza-mary-hoffman/1110929989?ean=9781599908427

City of Swords on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stravaganza-City-Swords-Mary-Hoffman/dp/1599908425/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355084759&sr=1-1&keywords=city+of+swords

Other Readings

I'm off work today and I work third shift tomorrow, so I'm hoping to be able to read a book or two (maybe three) so I'll be set on my regularly scheduled From the Stacks posts for the rest of the month. All bonus From the Stacks are other books I've read this year and haven't been able to fit in to my review posts. Anyway, I'm off to read...hoping to finish Alchemystic today.

From the Stacks: Baba Yaga's Daughter and Other Tales of the Old Races

Okay, so I was going to hold off on this review until I re-read the Negotiator trilogy that started all of this and then I would review all of them, but I can't wait any longer. Today I'm delving into a world filled with dragons, vampires, selkies, djinn, and gargoyles. This is the world of the Old Races created by C.E. Murphy, and today I am gushing about the amazing collection of stories in Baba Yaga's Daughter and Other Tales of The Old Races.

Baba Yaga's Daughter and Other Tales of The Old Races by C.E. Murphy
ISBN: 978-1-59606-382-2

Summary

"Ancient rivals, worst of friends, best of enemies: dragonlord Janx and master vampire Eliseo Daisani are the threads upon which a tapestry of lives and loves are woven across the centuries. From the coldest Russian nights to the heat of Chicago's greatest fire, nothing brings the immortal adversaries together--or tears them apart--like a woman.

And there is always a woman.

Vanessa Grey has been at Daisani's side for decades but the secrets borne by a witch may be her undoing. Baba Yaga's daughter has plots that are decades in the hatching, but they may only succeed if Margrit Knight, named "the Negotiator" by Daisani and Janx themselves, will work with her. And there are others: the deadliest vampire hunter mankind has ever known, and a woman for whom the Old Races are a wonder to walk away from.

Revisit C.E. Murphy's world of the Old Races with ten stories that delve into the past and future of the two most beloved characters from her urban fantasy trilogy The Negotiator!"

My Thoughts

I purchased this book back in January and was told it would be ready in September. There was a delay and it wasn't printed until October, which meant I didn't get it until November. Despite the wait, this book was well worth it. My copy of Baba Yaga's Daughter is part of a signed limited edition of 1000 copies and I have #72.

This wonderful collection of stories expands on the Old Races universe and shows a lot more of the history between Janx and Daisani. Theirs is a really interesting relationship, almost how you would act towards a sibling. You torment them and challenge them when you can but no one else better even think of doing such a thing. On the other hand, sometimes the two of them seem to be on completely good terms. Getting to see more of their long and complex history was a complete joy to me.

I have been so intrigued by this world since I first read Heart of Stone, the first book in the Negotiator trilogy. Since then I have read and bought every book in the universe (well, and every book C.E. Murphy writes because, honestly, I'm obsessed. She is such a good writer). If I could I would give this book a 10/5. Since that's totally not cool, you can obviously see that it earns a 5/5 from me and I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment in the Old Races universe.

I do not recommend this book for anyone who hasn't read the trilogy, especially considering that the last story takes place after the trilogy and as such, contains spoilers. However, for fans of these books, it is an amazing addition to the collection of C.E. Murphy/Old Races books.

Baba Yaga's Daughter on Subterranean Press ($40, but it is a signed limited edition): http://subterraneanpress.com/store/product_detail/baba_yagas_daughter_and_other_tales_of_the_old_races

Baba Yaga's Daughter on Barnes & Noble ($28.80 hardcover but not signed): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baba-yagas-daughter-other-tales-of-the-old-races-c-e-murphy/1113897200?ean=9781596063822

Negotiator trilogy on Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?series_id=649505

Other Old Races collections on Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?series_id=813486

C.E. Murphy on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/C.-E.-Murphy/e/B002D656ZI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1354900498&sr=1-2-ent

Other Readings

For some reason my reading has slowed down the last couple weeks, but I'm going to try and pick up the pace so I can get a few bonus reviews out this month. Also, I don't know how many brand new books I'll be able to review in the next weeks or even months, due to student loan payments. However, I can honestly say that my TBR pile at home is large enough to give me enough books to review for a couple years.

Multi-tasking and Author Friendships

The fun part about being finished with NaNoWriMo is that I don't have to feel bad about working on several different projects at the same time. Of course, the difficult part is that I am not as focused as I would be during a NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNoWriMo month.

Take right now, for example. I am working on the edits for Project Death: Resurrection so I can follow through with self-publication, but when I can't work on that, I end up pulling out The Life and Death of a Seer, or I'll put out my other little side project, House of Librarians. The idea came to me a couple months ago and as a librarian myself, I love librarians as characters, but this book follows a group of librarians who moonlight as superheroes, though right now the focus seems to be on the connections and relationships between the librarians.

I'm also trying to take a little bit of time to read and then catch up on some of my television shows. Today I was lucky enough to get distracted with re-reading a not-yet-published story by a good friend of mine. Yesterday we had a conversation and it ended with me being sent copies of the story, as well as the partially written sequel of the story, something that makes me feel pretty darn awesome. I'm hoping sometime in the future to have either an author interview or a guest post with her.

I met Donaya Haymond through fictionpress.com and I loved her writing even back then and we started talking with each other quite a bit and formed a friendship I truly treasure. When she started publishing with Eternal Press, I made sure to write articles about it for my college newspaper, and I told everyone I could about those books. I ended up earning a spot in the acknowledgments for a book (which I proudly showed off to each of my friends because I thought it was one of the coolest things ever.)

Her fifth book came out last month, but I'm still waiting for it to show up in the NOOK store so I can read it again. I read it back when it was on fictionpress.

I highly recommend her books, and right now I'm going to jump back into the stories I was sent yesterday, but here are the links to her books:

Donaya Haymond on Eternal Press: http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=256

Donaya Haymond on Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Donaya-Haymond?store=allproducts&keyword=Donaya+Haymond For some reason the e-book version of her third book is under a misspelling of her last name so: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Donaya-Hammond?store=allproducts&keyword=Donaya+Hammond

Donaya Haymond on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_scat_283155_ln?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ADonaya+Haymond&keywords=Donaya+Haymond&ie=UTF8&qid=1354662806&scn=283155&h=622635e5fbd44c69123d91fb7816b292ed9c2d4e

From the Stacks: Marianne Curley

Okay, I know...by last review isn't up yet and I'm sorry, but I did just find some book news that makes me very very happy. When I was in high school there was an Australian author I thoroughly loved named Marianne Curley. My first experience with her was finding Old Magic in the library. I read it, loved it, and ended up checking it out so many times that the librarian (aka my mom) told me that she would not let me check it out again.

Needless to say, that was not an option I approved of, so I went out and bought my own copy. Then when her Guardians of Time trilogy (The Named, The Dark, and The Key) came out, I devoured them as well. After that I kept waiting and looking and waiting some more for new books to be released and nothing came.

Yesterday, I randomly decided to get on and look for her books, because my library no longer has the Guardians of Time trilogy and I really want to re-read them. I fully planned on buying them. Then I saw a new book by Marianne Curley, to be released next summer. If it wasn't for the fact that I was at work, I probably would have started jumping up and down and giving a loud fan-girl squeal.

According to her new author bio for the book, she has spent the last several years fighting a rare form of bone marrow cancer, where she had a very slim chance of surviving, but by miracle her sister happened to be a perfect match, and by another miracle she survived the marrow transplant, and has been recovering from this major health scare.

Like a number of authors who love their job, she couldn't stay away from writing, so now she has a new book coming out and I will definitely be buying a copy as soon as it comes out. Typically I tend to wait for paperback copies, but I am so glad to have new Marianne Curley books that it will be completely worth the extra cost to get hardcover.

Here are some helpful links if you want to get swept away into these amazing stories as well:

Marianne Curley's web site: http://www.mariannecurley.com/

Marianne Curley's books on Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Marianne-Curley?store=allproducts&keyword=Marianne+Curley

Marianne Curley's books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Marianne-Curley/e/B004NA72T0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1354465004&sr=1-2-ent

Her new book, Hidden, will be the first in the Avena series, and is expected June 25, 2013