Wilkie in Winter - Hosted by The Estella Society (#WilkieWinter) & The 2014 Historical Fiction Challenge

The Estella Society is hosting Wilkie in Winter! Yay! First you read a novella, The Frozen Deep, and then you read The Woman in White. I have never read the first before, but I read The Woman in White a few years ago and really liked it. I am hoping to reread it; but we will see how that goes. I made sure I still had it on my e-reader. I considered going with a paperback this time around, but the print is so little I stuck with an e-copy. Wilkie is technically out of copyright, so you can get his books for free in most cases if you go the e-book route. It should be fun!

Hosted by Historical Tapestry.

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Here are the details:

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

• everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)

• add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)

• any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

During the following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels: 

20th century reader - 2 books 

Victorian reader - 5 books 

Renaissance Reader - 10 books 

Medieval - 15 books 

Ancient History - 25 books 

Prehistoric - 50+ books

My Thoughts: Well, I didn't do this challenge in 2013 because I didn't do any challenges, but since I technically blog at Historical Tapestry I decided I should maybe include it this year... My historical fiction often moves into the historical fantasy realm, so we will see how much books I get to.

Blogiversary Week at Historical Tapestry!

Tomorrow marks the 5th blogiversary for Historical Tapestry. On this blog I missed that year entirely, but am now making up for it planning a week long event. There will be give-aways, games, posts, and other fun. Be sure to check it out!!

Titanic Week at Historical Tapestry

I have always been a bit attracted to the Titanic and all of the history that surrounds it. I go through periods where I am a bit obsessed with it. I can quote my fair amount of info about it. My reading has gone in a bit of a different direction over the last few years, though, and I have been neglecting that particular subject. I don't seem to read much historical books any more. For the centennial, though, there are so many books out about the subject. We are hosting a week-long Titanic event at Historical Tapestry. I have been refreshing my memory about all of the facts and pulling various books off my shelves. I have also been eyeing some of the new books out about the subject and have a few of those on my shelves as well. The week on Historical Tapestry will run from April 9 to 15, 2012. I hope you will pop by and visit!

If you are looking for some book recommendations you can check out this post from the Savvy Reader with some choices on it. I have The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe and RMS Titanic by Hugh Brewster on my TBR pile.

Historical Tapestry Reading Swap

The five of us at Historical Tapestry have decided to have a reading swap. It's shaping up to be a lot of fun! We drew names and the chose a book for that person to read before the end of 2011. It is not like I need anymore books to read this year, but I thought it would be a fun idea.

It works out this way:

Teddy chooses for Alex

I choose for Marg

Marg chooses for Ana

Ana chooses for Teddy

Alex chooses for me

Alex chose Katherine by Anya Seton for me.

I have been meaning to read this book forever, so it is about time!

I chose Fingersmith for Marg and I am really excited to see what she thinks of it. I had thought she had read Sarah Waters before, but she hasn't, so it is about time she gave her a try. This was one of my favourite reads ever!

Then, Alex will be reading The Secret River chosen by Teddy. I haven't read this yet, but it is one I would like to get to in 2011.

Ana is reading The Winter Sea, one of my favourite reads from 2010, chosen by Marg.

Teddy will be reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was a favourite of mine from a few years back.

I am just as excited to see what everyone thinks of their chosen book as I am to see what I think of my book. It just worked out to include several of my favourite books, so I am curious to see what they think. To follow along you can visit Historical Tapestry over the next year.

Historical Tapestry Best of 2010

Looking for some historical fiction reads in 2011? Check-out Historical Tapestry's Best of posts:

Mine was up today.

Alex's Post

Ana's Post

Teddy and Marg will be posting their's in the next couple days, so be sure and check them out!

Happy reading in 2011, no matter what the genre!

Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

Over at Historical Tapestry we are hosting the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 30, 2011. Since the challenge is being hosted at a blog that I am a part of, I thought it only right that I participate. I will be reading historical fiction anyway, so it just makes sense!

The levels are as follows:

1. Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
2. Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
3. Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
4. Daring & Curious: 5 books
5. Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

I can't decide which level to go with. Some years I read a lot, while other years I don't read that much. I think I will start with Struggling Addiction and then if I read more than that, great.

1. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

2. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

3. The Beauty Chorus by Kate Lord Brown

4. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

5. Correspondence: An Adventure in Letters by N. John Hall
6. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
7. Outlander (Outlander Series, Book 1) by Diana Gabaldon

8. The Things We Cherished by Pam Jenoff

9. The Legacy by Katherine Webb

10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

11. Next to Love by Ellen Feldman

12. Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow

13. Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey

Week in Review and Sunday Book Coveting

Random Thoughts

I was a bit slack with my blog posting this week! I missed yesterday because of writing emails for the Holiday Swap. I got a late start because of some technological issues, but then I wanted to finish because there are so many things I want to accomplish this week! Actually, there is so much I want to talk about in this post that I think I will do it in more sections than normal!

Virtual Advent Calendar

One of the most important things about today is that sign-ups have started for the 4th Annual Advent Calendar! It is hard to believe it has been four years. My blogiversary is coming up and I will have been blogging for four years at that time. Crazy how fast time goes! Anyway, it is hosted by Marg and myself again this year and I hope that lots of people will join up! The calendar officially starts on December 1. To sign-up just head over to the blog. I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with this year!

November Reading Challenge

How is everyone making out with my unofficial reading challenge? I finished one book this week: Tatiana & Alexander by Paullina Simons. I even reviewed it! Nymeth read a book for it, too, and you can read her review by heading over to her blog. Anyone else? It is not too late to do so. The goal is to simply read a book that is related to World War I, World War II, etc in honour of Remembrance Day (or whatever it is called where you live!). Hope to see a few more reviews before the month is over with.

Dewey Reading Challenge

It was planned back at the beginning that I would do the mini-challenge in December for the Dewey Reading Challenge. I still plan to do so! There will be an official post about it on either Wednesday or Thursday. Basically, though, the point of the challenge is to do things you would likely do anyway. Dewey was all about the blogging community, and even her own community, so all you have to do is do something for either the blogging community or your own community and post about it. Easy, right? When I announce it formal I will set-up a Mr. Linky. I hope people will join in!

Other Reading Challenges/Events

I also just wanted to take a moment to mention Historical Tapestry. Believe it or not, I do still blog there! We have launched a new feature this week called The Alphabet in Historical Fiction. The details are as follows:

Each fortnight you have to write a blog post about an historical fiction book of your choice (it might even be something you already read before), but it MUST be related to the letter of the week.

You have several possibilities:

- the first letter of the title
- the first letter of the author's first name or surname
- the first letter of a character's first name or surname
- the first letter of a place where an historical event took place

You just have to choose one of them and participate.

The fact that you can reuse old posts is a very big draw for me. I might actually manage to participate! This week is brought to you by the letter 'A'. Sorry, I couldn't resist! Tell me you know where I get that from... At least, it is sort of quoted correctly. I haven't watched Sesame Street in a number of years...

I also wanted to do some advertising for Marg and her reading challenge. She has decided to do a Terry Pratchett one. I have been working on Terry Pratchett this year. I read Nation, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, and The Tiffany Aching trilogy. That means that it will be soon time to read the actual Discworld series. Since I plan to be reading it anyways it makes sense to make it a challenge! I actually have three Pratchett books on hold for me at the library, so I will just hold on to them until December 1 when the challenge starts. Head over to Marg's blog for all the details.

hm, I am starting to think I should have made this two posts!

Weekly Reads

At time of posting I managed to finish 8 books!

Wintersmith (Tiffany Aching Trilogy, Book 3) by Terry Pratchett - Speaking of Terry Pratchett, I finished the third book in this trilogy just this week! It was a fun book. I really enjoy Tiffany. I am also very happy to finish a trilogy! (This usually means I start another one... The sad thing is I did all ready. You will soon see!)

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover Bartlett - I read this book because it was blogged about a lot for a bit and I thought it looked interesting. It is about a man that is obsessed with stealing books and the people that book stealing concerns. Nothing ground-breaking, but it was a good read.

Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle - I read this because John Green has a story in it, of course! Although, I really like Maureen Johnson so far, too. I have never read Lauren Myracle before. I am going to be buddy reviewing this with Amy from My Friend Amy, so stay tuned!

Bone - Volume 2: The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith - The second book in the Bone series. I am really enjoying this series so far! It is about time I got around to reading it. It's a lot of fun! I look forward to book 3 when it comes in for me at the library.

Tatiana & Alexander (Bronze Horseman Trilogy, Book 2) by Paullina Simons - I read this for my unofficial reading challenge. I have even reviewed it all ready! Go me!

Project Princess (Princess Diaries, Book IV and a half) by Meg Cabot - As I said last week, finishing up this series is a priority for me. I have too many series on the go! Mia kind of annoys me, that's why I stalled in this series, but they are still fun books... I have the next book on hold for me at the library.

Avalon High Coronation -Volume 1: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot - See? I finished one trilogy and started a series! It has Arthurian connections, though. I was looking for the book above and found this one and decided to give it a go. It is manga. Apparently there is a novel that is technically book one, so I have that and the next manga on hold for me at the library. I like Arthurian re-tellings...

The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien - I love Tolkien, but yet I don't read him. I was looking for Christmas-related books and this one popped into my head. I had a total fangirl moment because one of the letters in the book mentions Nova Scotia! I live in Nova Scotia. I mean, Tolkien actually knew that Nova Scotia existed! That made me unnecessarily excited, but I feel the need to share. I even got the cc to read that letter! (The cc doesn't like Tolkien! Mind you, he has only tried to read The Hobbit, so I don't think he has given him a fair chance.)

Currently Reading:
Peter & Max by Bill Willingham
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
The Dragon Book: Modern Tales from the Masters of Modern Fantasy edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois

Weekly Posts

Music Munday: Review - To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles by Marc Eliot

A Bookish Day
Remembrance Day 2009
Review: Tatiana & Alexander by Paullina Simons

Library Loot

The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices by Xinran (Women Unbound Challenge)
Letters from Burma (Women Unbound Challenge)
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmerelda Santiago (Women Unbound Challenge)
Blue Noon by Scott Westerfeld (Carry on with series)
Prelude by Madeleine L'Engle (Finish off a trilogy)
Avalon High Coronation -Volume 1: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot (Read)
Project Princess (Princess Diaries, Book IV and a half) by Meg Cabot (Read)
Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer (Carry on with Series)
Death Ship of Halifax Harbour by Steven Laffoley (Canadian)
The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien

Since this is all ready a really long post, I am going to skip Sunday Book Coveting for this week! Okay, I think I am going to go read or something because I just stared at the computer for a really long time writing this post!

Hugh and Bess: A Love Story by Susan Higginbotham

My review of Hugh and Bess: A Love Story by Susan Higginbotham is up at Historical Tapestry. To read it, click here.

"A delightful novel full of chivalry, romance, and real-life terrors."
Historical Novels Review

Forced to marry Hugh le Despenser, the son and grandson of disgraced traitors, Bess de Montacute, just 13 years old, is appalled at his less-than-desirable past. Meanwhile, Hugh must give up the woman he really loves in order to marry the reluctant Bess. Far apart in age and haunted by the past, can Hugh and Bess somehow make their marriage work?

Just as walls break down and love begins to grow, the merciless plague endangers all whom the couple holds dear, threatening the life and love they have built.

Award-winning author Susan Higginbotham's impeccable research will delight avid historical fiction readers, and her enchanting characters will surely capture every reader's heart. Fans of her first novel, The Traitor's Wife, will be thrilled to find that this story follows the next generation of the Despenser family.

Win a Book!

Over on Historical Tapestry, you have a chance to win Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell!

Following the "absolutely superb"(Diane Haeger, author of The Secret Bride) Mademoiselle Boleyn, novelist Robin Maxwell delves into the life of Caterina-the adventurer, alchemist, and mother of Leonardo da Vinci.

Caterina was fifteen years old in 1452 when she bore an illegitimate child in the tiny village of Vinci. His name was Leonardo, and he was destined to change the world forever.

Caterina suffered much cruelty as an unmarried mother and had no recourse when her boy was taken away from her. But no one knew the secrets of her own childhood, nor could ever have imagined the dangerous and heretical scheme she would devise to protect and watch over her remarkable son. This is her story.

Head on over to Historical Tapestry for your chance to win!

Maus: A Survivor's Tale - Volume 2 - And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman

Books Completed: 11
Date Completed: January 8, 2009
Pages: 144
Publication Date: September 1, 1992

The second book in the Maus series is up on Historical Tapestry. I might have rambled a bit with this one... A good read, though!

A Day Off Work...

Yes, The Terror has been set aside for the new Neil Gaiman! I came home to find my copy waiting for me, and even though I own books by him that I still haven't got around to reading, I still started this one right away! I am almost done, so my plan is to finish it today. Don't get me wrong, The Terror is good, but it is not a fast read by any means!

Also, I forgot to mention that there is a review of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows up at Historical Tapestry!

Hi!

I am not getting enough sleep, so I am off to try and catch up on a little bit of it before I crash and die! (That and while my cold turned out to be insanely bad allergies, the charming comedian in my life has gone and got himself a cold that I DON'T WANT! And, he got it the same way I am going to if I don't go bed: Not getting enough sleep!)

Hey! The Charming Comedian. haha That's different. I don't know about the charming part, but he is pretty funny! Like when he gets up on the coffee table and pretends he is a go-go dancer. He is really random, can you tell? I am really random too, though. Like this post, this post is random!

Anyway, head over to Historical Tapestry for another interview with Michelle Moran. Saturday there will be a wrap-up post, and then you have until 11:59 Eastern Standard Time to do something to get entered in the draw for a chance to win one of TWO copies of Michelle's new book!

And, I am out! Night!

This, That, and The Other Thing....

I really need to come up with better titles for my posts! I probably have even used that one before, but I can't remember and I am too lazy to check.

So, my throat is still putting up a fuss, but I think I have allergies and not a cold. I love the fall, don't get me wrong, but something just drives my sinuses crazy! And, I know this, but the sore throat sort of threw me off and made me think I was getting a cold! I am actually happy to have allergies. Weird, I know, but who wants a cold at this time of the year? I want to read and read and probably clean, but I mean, who wants to clean? I just informed my DH via text-message that I have too many books. I am kind of curious what the reply will be. I do have too many books, but not overall, just to read... I feel like I should be making a big dent in Mount TBR, but I don't think it is working out so well.

Tonight I finished up a book in the Extraordinary Canadian series that Penguin Books has. I love the whole idea behind this series and have been pre-ordering the books. Two arrived in the mail this week. One on Big Bear and the other on Lester B. Pearson. Now I have to wait until March of next year for more! So, I figured I should, you know, read the ones I have already! So, I read David Adams Richards book on Lord Beaverbrook. The review will be up on Historical Tapestry once Michelle Moran's week is completed. I really think I am the biggest fangirl when it comes to this series. It is a perfect way for me to catch up with some figures from Canadian history that I am not necessarily familiar with. Yeah, I have issues, but you know that, right? And, the books are going to look so awesome all lined up in a row on my shelf... Once I have them all, of course, because you know that I will have to have them all! This is also my fourth book for that Canadian Challenge I supposedly belong to, but since I haven't actually reviewed anything yet, I am sure most people forgot I even belonged! Oh, wait, that was the fifth. Man, I am behind!

Also, don't forget to head over to Historical Tapestry for Michelle Moran week. I know people read my blog, but I haven't seen you comment (slackers), and you are missing out on a chance to win a FREE BOOK! So, go over there and comment! I supposedly comment on your blogs and I don't get free books for doing so! You do! (haha, well, maybe). Today I posted a review of The Heretic Queen, which I loved and consider one of my favourite reads of the year!

I think after I finish this I am going to review a book... So, expect another post from me today!

Playing Catch-Up

Yeah, I died again! But, here I am! I am behind on reviews, but no big surprise there. And, of course I am not actually going to write one tonight. That would be too logical! So, how is everyone making out? There is a lot going on in the blogosphere, so I have to make an effort to pay attention this week, wouldn't you think?

I am pretty amazed, my DH is actually reading! That just amazes me because I keep reading books that he himself wants to read, but he never actually reads them! He doesn't have enough time and he doesn't have enough interest to make reading a priority, so he just tells me he will read them one day. Anyway, we were at the bookstore the other night and he picked up a book. It was Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of all Time. He considered buying it! I was shocked! So, I went home and bought it online... It was a perfect idea when I think about it because we are both reading it. I am about a hundred pages into it, he is just reading it sporadically and out of order, but we keep pausing to show each other something that we find interesting. Music is something we have in common and we have similar taste, so we are also arguing the order that they put the CDs. We don't always agree, but that's the fun of it, I suppose. He is more into music than I am, so he also sings parts of songs when I am totally clueless as to who certain artists are. Anyway, it might not be world-class literature, but it's a start, right?

As to the book, I think I am up to about number 83. The Beatles are probably the band that have been showcased the most. That does not really surprise me! Three of their albums are in the top ten alone. Bob Dylan has been in the list a bunch so far, too. As he is a Traveling Wilbury and I love that band, I am very happy he is so popular. Even if I am not a big fan of him. There were a few surprises... Pink Floyd is not in the list as much as I expected they would be. Some random rap album is placed very early into the list. He knew who they were, I had no idea. Neither of us really thought they deserved the spot, though. I am learning a lot of random stuff. One thing that is maybe a little interesting is that John Lennon's solo stuff is being showcased more than any of the other Beatles solo stuff. It is such a shame he died so young! Actually, I was commenting while I was reading about how many of the top 100 (well, 83) had singers that died young... Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, the first lead singer to ACDC, whoever the lead singer to the Doors is (I am blanking! That's terrible!), etc. Just imagine what they could've been capable if they had lived longer.... They already accomplished so much in the short time that they had!

So, that was part of my weekend. Sitting around comparing notes about a book. Exciting, huh? Hopefully there are more books of that nature that interest him so we can do more of it... I will have this book finished soon! I probably should read slower, but he will be at it for a while, so he can tell me things and I will have already read about it, so it works, too. I never date readers, for whatever reason, so when they actually read it is always a big thing! He listens to me ramble about books all the time. I didn't think I did it a lot, but he tells me otherwise, so I think that is a good thing that he can listen to me go on all the time, right?

And, I still haven't thought of a good name to use on here...

If you have managed to read through my rambles and get to the end of this post, let me remind you that it is Michelle Moran Week at Historical Tapestry! The first post is up now, so be sure to head over there and participate! Don't forget about the give-away!

Random Stuff

I have books to review, but I have to be in the right mood to write them. I guess my mood has been more random than anything the last couple days. I particularly like my randomness from yesterday... I was laughing at the memories when I wrote them. I think I might do posts like that more often just so I can look back on them and laugh... you know what I mean? I won't remember them otherwise...

Take tonight for example. After the cookie conversation there is silence:

Him (really need to come up with something better...): What are you doing?

Me: Updating my blog. The post is called "A Day in the Life of Me." I wasn't in the mood to do a book review.

Him: Oh, yeah, what are you writing about?

Me: Elephants.

Him: You aren't blogging about what I said to you on the phone, are you?

Me: What does it matter? You are just a random person, you could be anyone! You could be several anyones. No one knows.

Him: Or, you could be making it up.

Me: Yup.

Him: So, are you blogging about what I said on the phone?

Me: Yep.

Him: What! You can't tell people what I say!

Me: Why not, it's funny? People will enjoy it.

Him: Really?

Moving on. My review of The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason is up on Historical Tapestry. I reviewed it a couple days ago, but I had to wait my turn to post it. This sort of proves the completion of the R.I.P. Challenge. I will read more, of course, but I like knowing that I actually finished a challenge considering how sporadic my reading has been lately!

Anyway, so far I have read:

The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke

An Announcement and Some Other Stuff

Okay, so I have a review to write, but I actually wrote a couple for Historical Tapestry last night, so it is not like I am slacking... I am just going to talk about other things and first thing tomorrow there will be a review on here to read!

First up, Michelle Moran, author of last years Nefertiti and this years The Heretic Queen, will be appearing on Historical Tapestry for a week in September! I am very excited, and I think you should head over to Historical Tapestry for all the details! It's going to be great!

Moving on. I did really good this year with the book buying, but I sort of slipped these last couple weeks. I just had an order come in, and, well, now I have another one coming...

It contains:
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (This looks really good)
The Terror by Dan Simmons (I blame all of you!)
The Empress of the Last Days (A bargain book)
Rolling Stone the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (not for me, but I probably will read it)

Now, would you like to know the annoying thing? I didn't get them from Amazon.... I have a gift certificate for Amazon and I went elsewhere... I find I am doing that a lot lately! Why, you might ask? Because the last book was twice as much on Amazon and The Terror would take too long to ship. I am all about instant gratification. If an Amazon.ca associate stumbles upon my blog, please be advised, I had a GIFT CERTIFICATE and I had to go somewhere else! Now, I will use the gift certificate at a later date, but really, it is crazy I had to go elsewhere for my books.

I am currently reading The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke for the R.I.P. III challenge. (I am not a short story reader, so not sure what I will think of it when I am done.) This will be my third book! I finished The Bleeding Dusk the other night and my review is done, but it has to wait its turn over at HT. Anyway, I just bought Clarke's book. It was in the bargain bin at the bookstore, so I got a hardcover copy for a really good price!

The Birthday Wrap-up

*** Edited to Add Link to a Review of Wolf of the Plains.***


Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! Sorry I did not get a chance to share what books I received, I had worked all day and then gone out, so I was not home a lot. Now I am sneaking in between my new job, which I just got off of, and my old job, which I have to work one of my last shifts in. It is going to be a super long day, but I think I am really going to like my new job.

So, I suppose people are wondering what I got for my birthday. So, I will share.

My sister bought me Standard of Honor by Jack Whyte. I picked it out. Yesterday. When she bought it. She also gave me money towards the third season of House.

My mother bought me the first and second season of House. And, then she gave me money and told me to buy books with it. I also received a twenty-dollar gift card from a friend, so this is what I bought:

The Serpent Bride by Sara Douglass
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Widdershins by Charles de Lint (this was a last minute addition because it was a bargain book).

I also got an Egyptian history book that has not arrived yet.

Then, I received Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley. I placed the order for all these books, the next day, I received an email. I had won six books! One of them was Winterbirth, so I tried to cancel it, but I was too slow. I am going to take it to the store and exchange it for something else.

So, what did I get in my prize pack? New books from Orbit, a company that just branched out to the U.S. I strongly recommend this company, and I have not even read them yet! I hear such good things about their books all the time, and now I have six to enjoy. So, besides Winterbirth, I received:

The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller (book 1 in the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology)
The Devil's Right Hand by Lilith Saintcrow (book 3 in the Dante Valentine series)
The Electric Church by Jeff Somers
Dead Man Rising by Lilith Saintcrow (book 2)
Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow (book 1)

Cool, huh? I had all of them on my wish list, so I am super excited to read them! The pros with Orbit, having never read them this is just judging them by the cover. The fact that they are very clearly numbered! I can clearly notice that ALL of the books that are part of a series are part of a series. This is a plus. The con, I think their cover art is a bit, um, dreary. I think I will have to comment on that more when I get around to reading them!

I also bought Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden with some of my birthday money. I can safely say, without a doubt, this is the best historical fiction book I have read all year. This is one of my favourite reads of the year. I think I am in love with this series, and I cannot wait until book two comes out next year! Do yourselves a favour, read him! I am all psyched up to read his other series, which is about Julius Cesear. This series is about Genghis Khan. It is sooo good that I reviewed it already! My Review on Historical Tapestry.

Anyways, I have to run to my other job, but there is a run down of my birthday goodies. Surprisingly enough, everything was very affordable. I am starting to notice a difference in book prices.

Thoughts on a Tuesday

So, my friend had her baby a week ago today, so that means that she is a week old today. Yep, she had a girl. Her name is Jasmine Arianna, but I am afraid I do not have any details passed that. I have not heard from her at all since before she was due, so I have not even seen a picture. Anyways, for those that were wondering, she had her baby. I only found out on the weekend and this is the first time I have had to really post since then.

On another note, I have two reviews posted, but on my other two blogs. I posted a review of The Huntress by Susan Carroll on Historical Tapestry. While not as good as the previous three books, it was still a great read and I cannot wait for more in the series. To head over there directly, click here. Then on Twisted Kingdom you can read a review of The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe. To head over there, click here.

Other than that, not much to post about. Just trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, which is actually a big thing and stressing me out, but in any case. Other than that, I am just reading. Tolkien is good, very hyper, though, he just fell off the counter. The other cats are very unfriendly, so hopefully they get used to the kitten soon! Oh, and I am organizing my bookshelves. That's actually a lot more difficult than I would have thought.

Two Reviews

I actually posted reviews, but not on here.

On Twisted Kingdom, I posted a review of Dragons of the Winter Night by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

Now the people know that the dragon minions of Takhisis, Queen of Dragons, have returned. The people of all nations prepare to fight to save their homes, their lives, and their freedom. But the races have long been divided by hatred and prejudice. Elven warriors and human knights fight among themselves. It seems the battle has been lost before it begins.

The companions are separated, torn apart by war. A full season will pass before they meet again--if they meet again. As the darkness deepens, a disgraced knight, a pampered elfmaiden, and a rattle-brained kender stand alone in the pale winter sunlight.

Not much in the way of heroes.

To read the review, click here.

On Historical Tapestry, I posted a review of The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander.

Though the events are almost a century old, the imprisonment and execution of Tsar Nicholas and his family still hold an aura of mystery that fascinates. In haunting prose, Robert Alexander retells the story through the eyes of Leonka, on the kitchen boy to the Romanovs, who claims to be the last living witness to the family's brutal execution. Mysteriously spared by the Bolsheviks, the boy vanished into the bloody tides of the Russian Revolution. Now, through Alexander's conjuring, he reemerges to tell his story. What did the young boy see in those last days of the Imperial Family? Does he have answers to long-standing questions about secret letters smuggled to the Tsar, thirty-eight pounds of missing tsarist jewels, and why the bodies of two Romanov children are missing from the secret grave discovered in 1991?

To read the review, click here.

Some Self-Promotion!

*****This is a Sticky Post, Scroll Down for New Posts*****

Just a post to remind people that I have two blogs other than this one! I really should have buttons on my sidebar, but I really have not entered that level of computer skills.

So, first up is Twisted Kingom, a blog that discusses fantasy and other related genres.
The other one, is new, and it is centred mostly on historical fiction. It is called Historical Tapestry. (There was a typo. Fixed now.)

I think I am going to keep this up so I can announce new reviews on my other two blogs.

New review on Twisted Kingdom: InterWorld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves.