All posts by skyebjenner

Series Mt. TBR 2020

Challenges

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Books: 100

I am a shocker for starting a series and then starting another one. So, this year, I want to read 100 books from the series that I’ve already started. I made a list of the books that I owned at the beginning of 2020 that would continue on in series that I have already started. I didn’t include the full list, since it’s over 400 books. So here are the ones that I’ve actually managed to read…

64/100

  1. Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh
  2. Foundling by D.M. Cornish
  3. Blue Moon by Lori Handeland
  4. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
  5. The Man Within by Lora Leigh
  6. To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands
  7. Tempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren
  8. Dead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey
  9. Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne
  10. The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands
  11. Falling for the Highlander by Lynsay Sands
  12. The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
  13. The Last Olympian: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti
  14. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
  15. An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
  16. Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs
  17. Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
  18. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
  19. The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein
  20. 9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan
  21. When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
  22. It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn
  23. The Ill-Made Mute by Cecilia Dart-Thornton
  24. Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews
  25. On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
  26. Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
  27. The Chosen by Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda
  28. The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
  29. Stormwalker by Allyson James
  30. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
  31. Firewalker by Allyson James
  32. Surrender to the Highlander by Lynsay Sands
  33. The Highlander’s Promise by Lynsay Sands
  34. Sm(B)itten by Delilah Devlin
  35. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
  36. Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter
  37. Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman
  38. Truly, Madly… Deadly by Delilah Devlin
  39. The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
  40. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
  41. Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs
  42. Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
  43. White Hot by Ilona Andrews
  44. Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews
  45. Sunchaser’s Quest by Mary Stanton
  46. Omens by Kelley Armstrong
  47. Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
  48. Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews
  49. Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep
  50. Unremembered by Jessica Brody
  51. Biting Bad by Chloe Neill
  52. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
  53. The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce
  54. Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance
  55. 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs
  56. Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
  57. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  58. Veiled Enchantments by Deborah Blake
  59. Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh
  60. Dead and Dateless by Kimberly Raye
  61. Ice and Embers by Melanie Karsak
  62. The Stone Mage and the Sea by Sean Williams
  63. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison
  64. Elizabeth’s Wolf by Lora Leigh

Series Finished

January

  1. Spinster Heiresses by Cathy Maxwell

February

  1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians – the Graphic Novels by Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti
  2. Triplet Witch Trilogy by Annette Blair

March

  1. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan
  2. Grace Valley Trilogy by Robyn Carr
  3. The Bridgertons by Julia Quinn

April

  1. –

May

  1. Works Like Magick by Annette Blair
  2. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

June

  1. Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews
  2. Nevada Baylor Trilogy by Ilona Andrews

July

  1. Bevelstoke by Julia Quinn

August

  1. Rock Kiss by Nalini Singh

September

  1. Veiled Magic by Deborah Blake

October

  1. Florida Doctors by Erin McCarthy
  2. The Manning Sisters by Debbie Macomber

November

  1. –

December

  1. –

November 2019

List, ,
Image result for november spring image

I have been insanely busy. But, it’s meant that although I have been doing lots of fieldwork… I’ve also been mostly at home. So I’ve managed to do a LOT of reading…like a lot a lot. It was actually a pretty good month for reading. Just bad for sanity and sleep…

Non-fiction

Series

Short story collections

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Novellas

Standalones – Short stories

Image source: We Heart It

My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding edited by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
Author: P.N. Elrod, L.A. Banks, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Esther M. Friesner, Lori Handeland, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon & Susan Krinard
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 30th September – 30th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “You and your” – his eyes flicked toward Ian, who was clambering over the railing – “your intended can wait up on the quarterdeck.”

Synopsis

Werewolves, vampires, witches, voodoo, Elvis—and weddings

An “ordinary” wedding can get crazy enough, so can you imagine what happens when otherworldly creatures are involved? Nine of the hottest authors of paranormal fiction answer that question in this delightful collection of supernatural wedding stories. What’s the seating plan when rival clans of werewolves and vampires meet under the same roof? How can a couple in the throes of love overcome traps set by feuding relatives—who are experts at voodoo? Will you have a good marriage if your high-seas wedding is held on a cursed ship? How do you deal with a wedding singer who’s just a little too good at impersonating Elvis? Shape-shifters, wizards, and magic, oh my!

Thoughts

I started reading this collection just before my best friend got married. I kind of figured that it was just a suitable kind of anthology to be reading when I too, was experiencing much of the wedding insanity that tends to surround such a fun day. And, it was nice to know that no matter what happened… nothing could go as badly wrong as many of the weddings in this collection.

There is something about weddings that seems to bring out the best and worst in people. So much pressure and stress for just one day which always blows my mind… but most people don’t have to deal with the supernatural. The characters in these stories do. And some of the battles they face are just… well, ridiculous. And difficult. And so much fun to read about.

Most of the authors in this collection I have on my shelves. Which made this a really good collection to read. Not only did I not then add a hundred different books to my wish list, but I often had the pleasure of revisiting worlds that I already have on my shelves. And the few I didn’t recognise? Well, they’ve quickly found their way on my to buy next list…

 <- “…Or Forever Hold Your Peace”Spellbound ->

Image source: Amazon

Omnisexual by Geoff Ryman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for alien sex book cover

Title: Omnisexual
Author: Geoff Ryman
In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Erotica, Science fiction
Dates read: 30th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: ROC
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: Lying on his back, he could see the stars.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

An incredibly sexual short story filled with intense innuendos and aliens.

Thoughts

I felt so very, very confused while I was reading this. So I figured that it might be a good idea to just share with you the dot points that I wrote as I was reading this. I’m not even sure I can make sense of what I was writing… I’m not sure I made sense of what I was reading… but it was fun regardless!

  • Not sure if this is about sex or birth. Seems gross either way.
  • SHE is giving birth to hummingbirds. And there was something about doves.
  • HE is now pregnant (???)
  • Basically, this story is fucked and I’m only on page 2.
  • Every single sentence in this is super, super, intensely sexual. Like wow.
  • The sexuality is ACTUALLY making me uncomfortable.
  • The child is being rode (or is it ridden?)
  • Alright, I’m THINKING that this short story is about immortality that we achieve in the next generation. I’m gonna think of it like that… this was WAY too weird.
 <- Roadside Rescue ReviewAll My Darling Daughters Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Beowulf for Cretins by Ann McMan

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover beowulf for cretins

Title: Beowulf for Cretins: A Love Story
Author: Ann McMan
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, LGBTQI, Romance
Dates read: 30th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bywater Books
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: I don’t doubt it.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Is God in the machine – or out to lunch? It’s anybody’s guess.

English professor and aspiring novelist, Grace Warner spends her days teaching four sections of “Beowulf for Cretins” to uninterested students at one of New England’s “hidden ivy” colleges. Not long after she is dumped by her longtime girlfriend, Grace meets the engaging and mysterious Abbie on a cross-country flight. Sparks fly on and off the plane as the two strangers give in to one night of reckless passion with no strings attached, and no contact information exchanged.

Back home at St. Albans, the college rocks Grace’s world when it announces the appointment of a new president – the first woman in its fabled 165-year history. Cue Abbie – and cue Grace’s collision course with a neurotic dog named Grendel, a fractious rival for tenure, and a woman called Ochre in what very well be a final shot at happiness.

Thoughts

This story is sweet, fun and not one that I’m going to forget anytime soon. It’s a fairly easy read, but one that still completely sweeps you away. Makes you forget about reality. I spent a perfect afternoon reading about Grace, Abbie and their neurotic dog while my neurotic dogs were piled on top of me. There was just something completely innocent and sweet about this story… not what I would normally claim for a romance. Mostly they tend to be a lot more lustful.

Sadly, there aren’t many LGBTQI stories on my shelves. Yet, every time I’ve run across one, I’ve found that it is brilliant and unforgettable. Maybe because they’re not so common-place, and it is more difficult to have them published… whatever it may or may not be, it’s not a sub-genre that often finds its way to my shelves. And, in fact, I think this was the first LGBTQI romance that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. It was kind of life changing to be honest. I’m going to now find every single Ann McMan book I can.

An obsession with books is obvious in the amount that I read… but I also love to write, and reading a story about someone who has that same literary obsession was really relatable. Everything about Grace is relatable and makes her impossible to not to love. Then, there’s Grendel. A dog that is damaged, neurotic and completely loveable. Although, I do find every dog I meet ridiculously loveable… whether in person or on print.

Abbie was also a loveable character. However, I found that I related to Grace’s awkward mannerisms and kind of lost feeling way more. The more put together woman is someone that I aspire to be… but I think I’ll forever be more like Grace… kind of bumbling through life in a somewhat confused way. But always stumbling into a happily ever after. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.

 <- Backcast ReviewDust Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

“…Or Forever Hold Your Peace” by Susan Krinard

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: “…Or Forever Hold Your Peace
Author: Susan Krinard
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Magic, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Olivia frowned and studied him more carefully, sinking deeper into her Talent as an Anatomist.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

It’s the marriage of the season. Until a man objects, and then falls to his death. The bride goes missing and the groom and friends discover a secret that will shock everyone.

Thoughts

I’ve never really understood why people are happy to have that unless anyone objects part in their wedding vowels. If I had that in mine and someone objected, I’d probably want to march right up and sock them. I’ve also never been to a wedding that has that in the ceremony. But, it does make for a good literary tactic. Something that adds a nice sense of drama and suspense. Plus, the perfect moment for a spurned lover, crazy person, whatever to interrupt the proceedings.

There was a sense of completing the circle in this story – it starts and ends with pretty much the same scene. Just the final part there is a little more understanding about who the bride actually is. I really loved how this was a full circle – there was a bit of a humorous, poetic sense to the tale. And a much needed sense of closure that I don’t often find in short stories.

I’m so excited that this is part of a series. As I was reading it, I was hoping that it was – there was just something really interesting and fun about the world that was being built. Although, the series is just another short story… still, I get to revisit Kit and Olivia!

 <- A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher ReviewMy Big Fat Supernatural Wedding Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover dragon blood patricia briggs

Title: Dragon Blood
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Hurog Duology #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Magic, Medieval fantasy
Dates read: 30th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Her tail curled around her front paws and she purred when my eyes met hers.

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Synopsis

CALL TO REBELLION

Ward, ruler of Hurog, is striving to restore his lands and people to prosperity, wanting nothing more than a quiet life. But when an old friend, escaping from high King Jakoven’s torturers, seeks refuge in his keep, Ward can no longer ignore the growing rebellion against the tyrannical High King. He realizes that he cannot stand aside – he must join with the rebels.

However, Jakoven has a secret weapon with which he intends to crush the rebellion: Farsonsbane, a magical artifact that has destroyed entire cities. But first, Jakoven needs blood to awaken it. Dragon’s blood. The very blood that courses through Ward’s veins…

Thoughts

I have read this before. So I didn’t think I’d get as insanely hooked… I read the whole book in one day. While I was trying to write a paper. Probably not the best book to sink my literary teeth into if I’m being honest with myself…

Although Dragon Bones would have been fine as a standalone, I’m really glad that Briggs decided to revisit this world. There is just something about Ward and Hurog that makes it difficult to walk away. Plus, interestingly, it is the only one of her series thus far that features a male lead. Yes, there is still a strong, independent woman in this story. But it’s written from Ward’s POV and more so about him. Tisala is his love interest.

Dragon Blood is a fantastic end to this duology. Not only do you feel like Ward and Tisala get to live happily ever after. Their country and peoples’ are finally safe from a tyrannical king and an ancient artefact that could kill them all is also destroyed. A very good, easy happy ending that still lets you know that everyone continues to live and fight their battles – after all, dragons, bandits and magic are still heavy in the air.

If I was asked to describe in one sentence why I love this story so much… I wouldn’t be able to answer the question. As with all of Patricia Briggs’ books, there is something about the writing, the character building and the battles that Ward overcomes that make it impossible not to love the tale. Add in a heavy dose of dragons and medieval sword fight… I’m kind of sad that I read through it so quickly… again. I read this in one day last time too…

 <- Dragon Bones ReviewMore Patricia Briggs reviews ->

Image source: Goodreads

Last Thorsday Night by Holly Lisle

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of time travel romance book cover

Title: Last Thorsday Night
Author: Holly Lisle
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Romance, Time travel
Dates read: 29th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: They changed me.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

She’s part of a writers group. And she really enjoys their company. But one night, a strange man decides to join and takes a little bit too much interest in her. It turns out that he’s a time traveller and what he has to tell her about the future may tear her world apart.

Thoughts

I should be part of a writers group. But I should probably also write my own work a lot more than I do. There is something about doing a PhD that completely removes your ability to get much of anything else done. Reading and writing reviews is the extent of it at the moment. But, I digress… in this short story, I loved the idea of a writers group being the primary setting of the story.

One of my biggest fears in not only my personal writing, but also my academic writing is putting in all of the work for someone else to take advantage of it. There is just something a little too relatable to this storyline and the idea of her work being stolen that made me feel the heeby jeebies from the very beginning. The fact that this was done through a brutal murder was just terrifying and skeevy.

I loved that ultimately, there is a choice between guaranteed fame, and an unknown, but highly potential future. Eventually, there is a choice between the love of millions and the love of one. A superficial love, or one that knows her to her core. Such a great story.

 <- Iron and Hemlock ReviewThe Gloaming Hour Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series: Dark Hunter #9.5
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 29th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Celena knew she was breaking the rule, but Rafael didn’t have to know it.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

His squire has published a story all about… well, him. But, the punishment and the punisher might just be what the doctor ordered. It’s bought Celena to his doorstep and into his home.

Thoughts

This is the second to last short story in a collection of tales about weddings. I spent most of the story wondering where the wedding in the story was. After all, it starts with the couple trying to seduce (and avoid being seduced). Not that much about marriage. And there were no invitations to a marriage either. Actually, it started with the squire of the vampire-esque creature being a total moron.

Actually, Jeff is more than a total moron. He is painfully, ridiculously stupid. Not like a little off-kilter and doesn’t necessarily think things through. Holy crap stupid. Like, almost gets himself and everyone else killed stupid. Which of course made me kind of love him. In that, I want to kill you way… there is just something hilariously brilliant about someone who is that truly dumb.

Reading this reminds me why I love Kenyon’s writing (the little I’ve read so far) and why I have six of her books already sitting on my shelves, ready to go. I’m seriously hoping that the premise created in this story could be part of a larger series. There is something fun about the world created that is fun and had me smiling all the way through.

 <- Tacky Review“…Or Forever Hold Your Peace” Review ->
Image source: Amazon

A Guide to Native Bees of Australia by Terry Houston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover a guide to native bees of australia

Title: A Guide to Native Bees of Australia
Author: Terry Houston
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Insects, Non-fiction, Science
Dates read: 16th October – 29th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: As the bee immatures reach maturity and pupae give rise to adults, the mite nymphs moult to become hypopi and mount their new bee hosts in preparation for being carried out of the brood cells to begin yet another cycle.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Bees are often thought of as yellow and black striped insects that live in hives and produce honey. However, Australia’s abundant native bees are incredibly diverse in their appearance and habits. Some are yellow and black but others have blue stripes, are iridescent green or wasp-like. Some are social but most are solitary. Some do build nests with wax but others use silk or plant material, burrow in soil or use holes in wood and even gumnuts!

A Guide to Native Bees of Australia provides a detailed introduction to the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees. Illustrated with stunning photographs, it describes the form and function of bees, their life-cycle stages, nest architecture, sociality and relationships with plants. It also contains systematic accounts of the five families and 58 genera of Australian bees. Photomicrographs of morphological characters and identification keys allow identification of bees to genus level. Natural history enthusiasts, professional and amateur entomologists and beekeepers will find this an essential guide.

Thoughts

This book has been insanely helpful to my understanding and knowledge of native Australian bees. A lot of what I’ve witnessed in the field was supported and further expanded by this book. Yet, it was also filled with approachable language that even people who don’t pursue a PhD would be able to understand. Not something I often find in my science books.

The layout of this book is wonderfully logical. It starts with an overview of Australian bees, starts to go into the specifics of their biology and then, finally, ends with a breakdown of the specifics of each family found within Australia.

There’s not much more I can really write about a nonfictional text in an interesting manner. But, suffice it to say that I would be referring to this a lot as I march around the bush in search of pollinators and other interesting invertebrates.

 <- More insect reviewsMore science reviews ->

Image source: CSIRO Publishing