Kinx's Book Nook: 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

It's Monday! What are you reading?!


Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! Hosted by Book Journey.

Here's what I'm reading this week:

The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson

Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird…

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth—human and supernatural. When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region. Could this be the true home they’ve longed for? Um, not quite. After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them. Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven. And losing the battle isn’t an option.




The Companion of Lady Holmeshire by Debra Brown


A baby girl is found in a basket on Squire Carrington's doorstep. She is raised and sent to work as a servant girl for The Countess of Holmeshire. The widowed and unconventional Countess chooses Emma Carrington as a companion and sends her off for finishing with the goal of dragging her along into genteel Victorian society. As a former servant girl and now just a companion, she is sure to be rejected. She has eyes for the young Earl of Holmeshire, but he is engaged by arrangement to a lovely London lady. Tribulations and banned romances of the servants downstairs play into the story humorously as we follow Emma from a stone fortress to a Victorian village and grand London mansions. Great surprises unfold at a Midsummer Night's Dream Ball that help to solve mysteries that have gradually developed. You are invited to predict the great revelation of the last few pages!

What are you reading this week?!


Sunday, December 30, 2012

Review: Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul

Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul
Written by Leanna Renee Hieber
Published by Sourcebooks, Inc
Released on November 8, 2011
317 pages
YA Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen - everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable... utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked - bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. And unless I can free him soon things will get Darker Still.

Ms. Hieber has written a wonderful, gothic tale of "magic most foul." It is dark and romantic with a splash of suspense. Darker Still is just the beginning of, hopefully, many adventures of Natalie Stewart.

Natalie is a heroine who is trapped inside herself. Mute since she was a child, she has difficulty communicating in the world. She is incredibly intelligent and frustrated by how people treat her. However, she hasn't found the stength to find her voice until she comes face to face with the portrait of Lord Denbury. Their connection is immediate. Ms. Hieber was written a lovely character in Natalie. She has strength and intelligence that grow throughout the book. I really enjoyed Natalie's self discovery of who is she and who she wants to be.

Usually I do not enjoy immediate lovestruck heroine and hero. However, it does work in this story. I believe Natalie and Lord Denbury will start facing real challenges in future books. As I was reading, I'm convinced that he may have a little darkness in him which we may see later on. Darker Still didn't really delve into Lord Denbury's character in great detail. Ms. Hieber gave us a glimpse. He should prove to be very interesting in future stories.

New York City is another major character. I loved how she was used throughout the book. Central Park is Natalie's refuge and safe haven. I can just picture it during the Victorian period; men and women promenading up and down the paths wanting to be seen. New York is a wonderful backdrop for a dark, gothic tale such as this. You can picture in your mind the dark, misty streets of the New York City and Natalie running to try to save her love. So romantic!

Darker Still is a wonderful beginning to the Magic Most Foul series. I'm so curious on how Natalie and Lord Denbury will evolve and how they will continue to fight Magic Most Foul.





Saturday, December 29, 2012

Stacking the Shelves

 
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

This is what my wonderful husband got me for Christmas:

Persuasion: An Annotated Edition

           


















Free from Amazon: 
 

The Choosing by Jeremy Lazlo (Blood and Brotherhood #1)













Charlotte: Pride & Prejudice Continues by Karen Aminadra




Searching for Captain Wentworth by Jane Odiwe
 















Bought from Amazon:

The Weired Sisters: A novella by Cecy Robson









 




Thursday, December 27, 2012

Feature & Follow (26)

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.
 
The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!
 
How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!
  
What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Q: What book do you think everyone should read? If you could gift the entire population with one book?

A: Wow! What a great question!! My 7 year old daughter, Chloe, said Bad Kitty which is a solid choice. However, I will have to pick a Jane Austen novel (or two); either Sense and Sensibility or Persuasion.











Review: Chase Tinker and the House of Magic

Chase Tinker and the House of Magic
Written by Malia Ann Haberman
Published by Crossroad Press
Released on August 13, 2012
252 Pages
YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination...

Thirteen-year-old Chase Tinker can't understand why he has the power to move things with his mind. Besides that, his dad has been missing for over a year, causing his mom to be too upset to pay much attention to her sons, so now he's been busted for shoplifting. As if this isn't enough to worry about, his younger brother Andy suddenly has a weird magical ability too.

Can things get any crazier? Chase thinks.

Then, a grandfather they thought to be long dead arrives at their door. He wants Chase and Andy to come visit him for the summer so they can learn about their supernatural heritage and why they have magical powers in the first place.

The boys soon find out that Grandfather, along with their cousin Janie, lives on a remote island in the middle of Puget Sound in an out-of-this-world house where fantastic magic can be found in practically every room, stairway and corridor. Chase can't believe their dad has been keeping so much from them.

It's an even bigger shock when Chase learns that all their magic is controlled by a very powerful and mysterious Relic in the attic, and if anything happens to this relic, every bit of Tinker magic will be lost forever. He's even more disturbed when he learns his family has a dark and powerful enemy that is determined to steal all their magic, their house and their relic.

Now Chase must find a way to stop these evil beings, while at the same time figuring out what has happened to his dad, unraveling even more Tinker lies and secrets and not letting on that he has a huge crush on the housekeeper's daughter.


Chase Tinker and the House of Magic is another YA fantasy on the same lines as Harry Potter. It isn't as good as Harry Potter; but I found it fun and entertaining.

The main character, of course, is Chase Tinker. He is a thirteen year old boy who finds out he comes from a magical family. Chase can be very irritating at times. He can be very bossy and doesn't think before he acts. However, he is very loving and protective of his little brother, Andy. He is Chase's sidekick and a cute, sweet little boy.

The villians of the book are called the Dark Enemy or the Marlowes. In this book, the Dark Enemy is more of a secondary storyline which I'm not sure that is the intent. I would have liked more backstory for the Marlowes. It would have given the book more suspense and intrigue if we knew more about the Marlowes.

My favorite part of the book is the house itself. Every room of the house has its own magical power. It is fun watching the kids explore the different rooms of the house and try to discover its magical power. Ms. Haberman has a wonderful imagination! I think my favorite room, of course, is the library. It is, indeed, magical to its very core. I wish I had a library like that!

Overall, I liked this book. It was fun and quick to read. I'm hoping Ms. Haberman will provide more detail about the Marlowes in the second book. 



This book was given to me as a gift by the author in exhange for a honest review. Said gift in no way influenced my opinions.  







Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Miracle In the Manager

 
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the owrld should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manager; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 
And suddenly there was the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
 
Luke 2: 1-20
 
 
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
 
 
Matthew 2:1-2
 
 
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
 
 
Matthew 2:9-11
 
 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Twas the Night Before Christmas



Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window

I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
 


With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.




And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"









Friday, December 21, 2012

Review: Matt Archer: Blade's Edge

Matt Archer: Blade's Edge
Written by Kendra C. Highley
Released on December 27, 2012
296 Pages
YA Fantasy

Synopsis

When Matt Archer was fourteen, he discovered monsters are real. As if that wasn’t enough to go on for a few decades, Matt also found out that he’d been chosen to hunt those monsters--with a sentient, supernatural knife. Now fifteen, Matt has spent the last year working with a clandestine military unit, trying to rid the world of monsters, demons and other vicious creatures, all while keeping it a secret from nearly everyone he knows back home in Billings.

Including his mom.

Add in a new girlfriend, family secrets, sibling drama and enough homework to sink an aircraft carrier, and Matt’s life has become more complicated than he ever imagined. Worse, the knife has developed some very definite opinions about Matt’s personal life and it interferes in his business whenever it wants. More and more, Matt’s coming to realize that sharing brain-space with a spirit kind of sucks.

When stories of decimated towns and hordes of zombies start pouring into the Pentagon from Afghanistan, Matt knows he’ll be called up soon. Between the new mission and the knife’s increasing control over his mind, Matt wonders if he’ll survive long enough to take his driver’s exam.


Blade's Edge is an exciting continuation of the Matt Archer series. Kendra Highley did not fall victim to the sophomore funk. She has written an emotional and power story about Matt's horrific journey to rid the world of monsters.

Matt is now 16 years old; however, he is having to grow up much too fast.  Ms. Highley has written such a great character in Matt Archer. She is slowly developing him. With every page, I’m getting more and more attached to him. He is a sixteen year old kid who has to make life and death decisions. The question is…can he? He is forced into a war that should be only for grown men and women. Matt should be a normal kid enjoying his life. His struggle with his duty is heartbreaking. Ms. Highley really captured Matt’s struggle and always reminding the reader that he is only sixteen years old.

Strong family values continue into the second book. Matt’s family give him a strong anchor that he desperately needs. His mom is a strong, loving character who loves her son and wants to protect him. One of my favorite scenes from the book is between Matt and his mom. It doesn’t matter that Matt is member of a top secret military group; he’s still a boy who needs his mom. It is a very touching scene.

Blade’s Edge is darker than the first book. For the first time, Matt has to deal with death that hits close to home. It breaks your heart that he has to struggle with blame and guilt. Ms. Highley just flat out made me cry! And I don’t do that very often.

As you can see, I’ve gotten very attached to Matt Archer. To me this is an emotional journey of a young boy who is quickly becoming a man. The monster-killing is secondary. However, I really want to know who is behind the monster invasion. I can’t wait for book #3!




I received this book as a gift from the author but said gift did not influence my opinions of the book.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Feature & Follow (25)




Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs! 

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you! 

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Q: What have you learned from book blogging that you didn't know before about the publishing industry?

A: I've learned that there are so many wonderful independent authors out there. I've read so many books that haven't been picked up by a major publishing house. It's their loss, but our gain. I, also, am amazed at the dedication and drive independent authors have in order to get their books read. It is so competitive out there and their endless resolve is inspiring!


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (14): Angelopolis

 
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


My Waiting on Wednesday:

Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni (Angelology #2)
To be released on March 26, 2013

The sequel to the New York Times bestselling Angelology will thrill fans of Deborah Harkness, Justin Cronin, and Elizabeth Kostova

Hailed by USA Today as “a thrill ride best described as The Da Vinci Code meets Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Danielle Trussoni’s bestselling first novel, Angelology, wove biblical lore, the Orpheus myth, and Milton’s Rebel Angels into a present-day world tinged with the divine supernatural. The novel plunged two endearing loners—art historian V. A. Verlaine and Evangeline, a beautiful young nun—into an ancient battle between a secret society and mankind’s most insidious enemies: angel-human hybrids known as the Nephilim.

Now a decade has passed since Verlaine saw Evangeline alight from the Brooklyn Bridge, the sight of her wings a betrayal that haunts him still. The Nephilim are again on the rise, scheming to construct their own paradise—the Angelopolis—and ruthlessly pursued by Verlaine in his new calling as an angel hunter. But when Evangeline materializes, Verlaine is besieged by doubts that will only grow as forces more powerful than even the Nephilim draw them from Paris to Saint Petersburg and deep into the provinces of Siberia and the Black Sea coast. A high-octane tale of abduction and liberation, treasure seeking and divine warfare, Angelopolis plumbs Russia’s imperial past, modern genetics, and the archangel Gabriel’s famous visitations to conceive a fresh tableau of history and myth that will, once again, enthrall readers the world over.


 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Author Spotlight & Giveaway: David-Michael Harding




David-Michael Harding is a life-long writer whose last novel, How Angels Die, received critical acclaim.  A former semi-professional football player, his writing is hard hitting and passionate.  He holds a master’s degree in education and is an adjunct professor of writing. His respect and admiration of Native American culture inspired this novel. Most of his days are spent writing from the cockpit of his sailboat, Pegasus, somewhere off the Nature Coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.





a Rafflecopter giveaway


"Cherokee Talisman brings to life characters from out history and through a flare for fiction and historical research, Harding tells their story. Cherokees that might be painted by racist misconceptions as blood thirsty savages are humanized by Harding, making them heroes of a very real time. History is written by the victorious, but when almost forgotten historical characters are brought to life they are preserved for the ages, and in this preservation David-Michael Harding has succeeded." - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker





  They were blood-thirsty savages – superstitious, dirty animals.   
 They were thieves and killers who burned houses to the ground and kidnapped women and children. 

 They were protectors of a Nation – guerrilla fighters serving their country.   
 They were husbands and fathers who built homes in lush valleys for their families.        

 They were – the same men.        

 In 1775 perspective came with the color of your skin. 


An orphan boy, Totsuhwa, is taken under the wing of legendary Cherokee war chief Tsi’yugunsini, the Dragon. But even under a dragon’s wing isn’t safe when a covetous nation forms around them. 

Amid the battles, Totsuhwa fights the reoccurring pain of loss until he meets Galegi, who becomes his wife. Trying to raise their son in a peace the new world won’t allow, they teach him the strictest Cherokee traditions while white assimilation, encroachment, and treachery grows. General Andrew Jackson wages war against tribes across the southeast and the toll is high. With his people gradually losing everything, Totsuhwa must find a way to save his family — and the Cherokee Nation — before all is lost. 

Cherokee Talisman recreates the neglected history that existed when one nation was born and another almost died.  



 
<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Two sisters take different roads in their work for the French Resistance during World War II. Claire is an active guerrilla fighter while Monique seduces German officers to learn military secrets from bedroom pillows. Love enters in for both as battles rage in their family over the morality of killing vs. sex while, unknown to them all, D-Day rapidly approaches.

How Angels Die is a highly dramatic novel with very strong female protagonists.  The story is rife with action, conflict, and intrigue.  Through it all, the characters struggle with devotion to family, country, cause, and oneself.  The reader is effortlessly drawn along the storyline and feels the impact of the events surrounding the sisters.  Compassion for the characters, German as well as French, runs deep and captures the imagination as coastal war-torn France comes alive on the pages.

Brimming with high drama that is punctuated by family humor, How Angels Die lifts the veil on a lesser-known side of the French Resistance. Through the prism of two intrepid women, the novel illuminates how these women employ their formidable assets and fierce love of country to face down a vicious enemy. With page-turning action, unstoppable passion, and historical accuracy, this heart-racing novel is a must-read for sisters, history buffs, and action enthusiasts alike.

More than a war story, How Angels Die compels its readers to face the decision-making processes that bring us to where we are and who we are.  It also asks questions of the mind that expose prejudices and the eventual regret that follows.

"In How Angels Die Harding delivers an edge of the seat read as he skillfully summarizes the events and pain of years of conflict during the Nazi occupation of France into ninety-six gut wrenching, mesmerizing hours." David Roth, Tampa Writing Examiner 


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