All posts by skyebjenner

Romance Awareness Month

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2019
Number of books: 6
Hosted by:My Vampire Book Obsession

In honour of Romance Awareness month this August we decided to celebrate the classic romance book cover.

Duration
August 1st – 31st

Rules
Complete at least 2 tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count
You must read a different book for each task

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♥ Read a book with time travel or vikings – Valkyrie by Kate O’Hearn
♥ Read a book written by Sandra Hill or that begins with a letter from her name – American Gods by Neil Gaiman

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♥ Read a book tagged historical romance or set in New Orleans
♥ Read a book written by Caroline Bourne or that begins with a letter from her name – Bloody Valentine by James Patterson

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♥ Read a book with a Scottish character or with a blue cover – Eragon by Christopher Paolini
♥ Read a book written by Sara Bennett or that begins with a letter from her name

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♥ Read a book set in New York or with a naked chest on the cover
♥ Read a book written by Johanna Lindsey or that begins with a letter from her name – One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Monthly Challenge – August 2019

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2019
Number of books: 11
Hosted by:My Vampire Book Obsession

◈ Duration 
Starts: August 1st
Ends: August 31st

• How It Works 
Ten books each month is a lot, so there will be 5 different levels. So pick which level you want to do and that’s how many items you will need to check off.

• Levels :
Transitional – 2 books
Fledgling – 4 books
Vampire – 6 books
Master – 8 books
Vampire King or Queen – 10 books

1. Lemonade
This month we celebrate national lemonade day. With it’s delicious and refreshing taste, it’s not hard to see why this drink has become such a summertime favorite.
Read a book with a drink on the cover, or with a sweet or tart character.

2. Another Dimension
The weather has gone topsy turvy and nothing is as it should be. People are bewildered and can’t make heads or tails of it. We have officially entered The Twilight Zone.
Read a Science Fiction book or a book that has a different dimension.

3. Beach Bum
It’s that time of year where we all head to the coast to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good book while lounging about on the beach. Yes, nothing quite says summer like getting sand in places where it shouldn’t be.
Read a book while your at the beach, that has water on the cover, or any other book that would be perfect to read while at the beach.Valkyrie by Kate O’Hearn

4. In the Glade
During the night when the moon shines bright, fae of the summer court come out to sing and dance and cause mischief. Have some fun and join them in their revelry. But whatever you do, don’t eat the food! 
Read a book that has fae in it, or a character who is hard to read.

5. Road Trip
Pack up your stuff and toss it in the car, it’s time for a road trip! Let’s see the sights, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and experience new things. Read a book where the characters go on an adventure, or if there is lots of driving in the story.American Gods by Neil Gaiman

6. The Shadows
For us pale folk the sun is our bane. It hurts our eyes, burns our skin and turns us into a vibrant shade of lobster. The only safe place to hide is in the dark. Stick to the shadows! 
Read a book about vampires or other creatures that are sensitive to daylight. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

7. Wipe Out
With the sun blazing high in the sky it’s easy to feel exhausted and out of it. The warmth just leeches all your energy until ya got no oomph. To beat the heat, read a book when it’s really hot outside as a form of escapism, or read a book that takes place during the winter.

8. It’s Alive!
The ever famous author, Merry Shelley, was born on August 30th of 1797. To pay homage to such a legend, read a book with a monster in it, or read a book that begins with any letter in the word Frankenstein.Bloody Valentine by James Patterson

9. Smokin’
While the weather is hot and humid, scaled beasties come out to play for the warm air encourages dragons to journey forth and mingle with mortals. 
Read a book that has dragons in it, or a hot and steamy love affair.Eragon by Christopher Paolini

10. Berry Picking
Fresh sweet berries are aplenty in the warm summer months. Weather eaten fresh or put in a dessert, they are a delightfully scrumptious treat!
Read a book with fruit on the cover, with a berry colored cover, or with an especially fruity character.

11. – BONUS BOOK: SPF
With all the outdoor activities going on in August it’s imperative to wear a good sunscreen. Don’t leave the house without it ladies. You’ll regret it if you do! 
Read a book from a genre that begins with one of the letters in the word SPF.

June 2019

Image result for june

So I’m doing things a little differently from henceforth. The books that I’ve read the month before are being published (so a month’s delay from reading to publishing). Which means that there will be two Junes in the lists for this year, and then everything will even out in a weird way.

June was a month of very little reading (for me). I started a new job, I got flooded with things I want to do for my PhD, and I mostly just felt cold and lethargic. But here are the few reads that I did get around to…

Non-fiction

Standalone stories

Series

Short story collections

Image source: Time and Date

An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism by Steve Hockensmith

Overview
Image result for an apple for the creature book cover

Title: An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism
Author: Steve Hockensmith
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Tricksters
Dates read: 30th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve known it all along.

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

This professor of Jewish myth and mysticism has a few secrets in his closet. And he’s about to use them to make the world a better place…

Thoughts

I know next to nothing about Jewish beliefs and practices. And by next to nothing, I mean nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch. And that’s probably not going to change. But this short story made me seriously consider changing my outlook for about twenty minutes. It managed to bring to life an aspect of a belief system that (I’m assuming) is a slightly off kilter and different one to what is normally displayed on TV.

As soon as the little professor offered to “fix” the nice lady’s problem, I was kind of expecting a vampire story. I’ve been reading a lot of them lately and it seemed suitable that a vampire would lecture of Jewish myth and mysticism (I believe Judas is also tied up in vampires and Judaism and Christianity). Then I spent the rest of the story trying to figure out what the little man was… because he certainly wasn’t a vampire!

This was a fun, easy and enjoyable read. There was a great level of humour throughout. A nice departure from some of the more serious books I was reading at the time…

 <- Magic Tests ReviewVSI Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Fairy Enterprise by Jeffrey Ford

Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: The Fairy Enterprise
Author: Jeffrey Ford
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Fae, Gaslamp
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “Did you say fairies?”

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

He wants to manufacture fairies and make a fortune. But when the wrong person hears about his plans, things will take a turn for the worse.

Thoughts

I really loved the industrialist spin of this story. The idea of taking the fae and mass producing them for some kind of gain. That in and of itself makes for an interesting story. The fact that someone with power finds out and seeks revenge on the perpetrator just makes it all that much better.

The story for this is a little convoluted and twisty, but I found that thoroughly enjoyable. Actually, the setting, the story-tale telling and the themes were all a little bit reminiscent of Jekyll & Hyde. There was an atmosphere of mystery, a sense of irony and a darkness about the tale that screamed Victorian England. Murders done in dark streets. And, eventually, wrongs being righted.

The Fairy Enterprise is a great short story that encompasses the needs and drives of industrialisation. It also helps to give a fantastical, fae spin to a story that is dark, twisty and more than a little fun.

 <- Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells Review From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Dead Girls Don’t Dance by Mary Janice Davidson

Overview
cravings

Title: Dead Girls Don’t Dance
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Series: Undead #1.5
In: Cravings (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: She coughed out more sand, cursing herself.

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

Vampire Andrea Mercer is literally dug up by an old crush, Daniel Harris, and during a trip to Minnesota to see the vampire queen, her desire for him reignites.

Thoughts

This was a funny, cute and easy read. It took me a little longer than most novellas because I was also trying to watch a cute little movie at the same time… but in general, this was just a nice little read. I especially liked that although I thought Andrea was going to be a sweet woman. One who meets her significant other and falls a little in love. I was kind of wrong. Although she does fall for Daniel, she’s not really sweet. She’s kind of a powerhouse. And she’s pushy. And she really refuses to take anyone’s crap.

I haven’t read the first book in this series, this is my first ever Mary Janice Davidson story for that matter. So I really didn’t know what to expect at the end of the story when Andrea finally meets the Queen. Within two sentences I fell completely in love with the woman. And, as always, had to fight the urge to go out and buy the books straight away. Actually, I’m still fighting that urge. Queen Betsy is totally different to any image of a vampire queen that I have ever carried in my head before. And I was completely obsessed with it.

For most people there’s always that “what if” person. That person that you constantly wonder what if something different had happened and we’d gone down that track? Daniel is that person for Andrea, and it’s kind of sweet how he manages to completely except all of the horrors in her new life and finds himself in love with her. The fact that he does so with a healthy dose of humour and a bit of stupidity had me smiling throughout, and clutching the book to my chest after I’d turned the final page.

 <- Blood Upon My Lips ReviewOriginally Human Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Cat of the World by Michael Cadnum

Overview
Image result for coyote road book cover

Title: Cat of the World
Author: Michael Cadnum
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Tricksters
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: While I first set paw upon sand in the Egypt of the Ancients, I have travelled the world.

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

The cat is in the bag… literally. But this cat has some sharp teeth and his captors are about to face more than they bargained for.

Thoughts

Cats are tricky, difficult and irritating creatures. They always have been. They’re also kind of fun, but, mostly irritating and tricky. Which means that it makes perfect sense to have a feline creature in a collection of trickster stories. I also love that although it is a cat trickster with extra powers, it’s not quite god-like and not quite mortal… but a glorious, contrary mix of something in between.

This entire tale was quick, quirky and filled with the sassy language that I’m sure a cat would use, if he could talk. It was a lot of fun. And, considering I was reading it will feeling the after-effects of a migraine, it was a nice, easy, happy read. Although I’m not really a cat person, and am, in fact, allergic, I do love tales of these insane creatures. There is something so fun, capricious and contrary about the silly creatures. Something which speaks to me on a personal level.

Many tales of tricksters involve a wit defeating another wit. Yet, this wasn’t quite like that… the cat is kind of witty. The foes he went up against though… not so witty. Which of course, makes it even funnier and more enjoyable.

 <- Uncle Tompa ReviewHonored Guest Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Curses by Jim Butcher

Overview
naked-city

Title: Curses
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #10.7
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: What stories are you interested in, specifically?

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

Harry Dresden investigates how to lift a curse laid by the Fair Folk on the Chicago Cubs.

Thoughts

Baseball isn’t really my thing. Nor is it something that I’ve ever understood. Probably has something to do with being Australian and not really having many baseball players in the vicinity. But I still know that the Cubs are quite famous for not winning and having a loyal fan base. It seems to come up a lot in American TV, movies and books…

I love that this short story takes something that is so large in popular culture and gives it a beautiful, supernatural spin. It’s a great start to a collection of urban fantasy stories which I’m sure are going to get darker, grittier and far more fun as the tales unfold. It certainly started this book off with a great bang. One that made it kind of hard to put these stories down and get back to working like a real adult.

I was expecting a story in which Harry swings in and saves the day again. In this case, helps to unravel the curse on the Cubs and help them finally win the finals (or whatever they’re called). It didn’t quite work out like that, and I loved the change from routine that this indicates. The slight change from the typical trope. Which is probably why I love the Dresden series in the first place.

 <- Naked City ReviewHow the Pooka Came to New York City Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Flowers of the Chapel by Sarah Morrison

Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Flowers of the Chapel
Author: Sarah Morrison
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 27th June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Lizzie, dear Lizzie.

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

Lizzie is hurrying home to report to her master, with the Ripper on the loose, she knows that she shouldn’t be out alone. But, when she finds out who the true culprit is, her whole world is turned upside down.

Thoughts

I loved this twist on the traditional idea of Jack the Ripper. Instead of being a man, she is a woman. And not at all who I expected. Which of course, made it all the more intriguing and impossible to put down. A little more tragic when the final ending hit.

This was a little sadder than most of the short stories so far in the collection. Most of them are kind of twisted, but this was a bit tragic. I felt Lizzie’s loss and confusion as the final words were read and it made me feel more connected to the trials of the victims. More connected to their fear, pain and suffering. Not only at the hands of the Ripper, but also the fear that must have coated the entire city in the months of his terror.

 <- Oh Have You Seen the Devil? ReviewThe Roebuck Cabal Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil

Overview
Image result for the secret science of magic book cover

Title: The Secret Science of Magic
Author: Melissa Keil
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Easy reading
Dates read: 27th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Joseph gives me what I think is a sympathetic smile.

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

Sophia

She’s smart, like genius-calculator-brain smart. But there are some things no amount of genius can prepare you for, and the messiness of real life is one of them. When everything she knows is falling apart, how can she crack the puzzle of what to do with her life?

Joshua

He spends his time honing magic tricks and planning how to win Sophia’s heart. But when your best trick is making schoolwork disappear, how do you possibly romance a genius?

Thoughts

Holy crap. I have been in a bit of a reading slump lately (relying mostly on short stories, rather than novels to keep me slightly interested). And then I picked up this book. Which was quite possibly a mistake, because now I have a brand new author to obsess over. It is the first book in a long time that I struggled to put down. And read cover to cover. It’s also the first book in months that I stayed up way past my bedtime to read a book because I JUST COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN.

Although I often become emotionally invested in the characters that I meet in the pages of a book, I don’t often literally shed a tear. Let alone lie in bed with tears streaming down my face. There was just this one moment in this book that almost felt like a punch to the solar plexus, and it made me weep. This was surrounded by moments of smiling and laughter, so overall the mood of this book was incredibly cheerful, even though I had a moment of tears.

Everyone thinks that they’re a bit of a misfit in high school, which is why I can see how this story would speak to the masses. I’m sure even the popular kids kind of feel a bit uncomfortable, especially at the very ending of high school when they’re about to spread their wings. I assume, I had friends, but I was more like Sophia than any other high school character I’ve ever read about. It was also amazing to have a dynamic like Joshua in the story. In school he is quiet and reserved, but he has a fun filled, happy and thriving social life out of school that reminds you we can all find the place where we fit best… it just took me a few years out of high school to realise that personally.

I may not be quite genius-level smart, but I do understand all of the pressures that Sophia experiences throughout this book. There seems to be this idea that because you are smart, you should know what you want to do with your future. Have everything planned out and a goal in mind. For me, that has never been the case. I’ve never really had a future plan or goals. I just have a huge sense of curiosity and a drive to learn more, although sometimes I want to know more about how to interact a little better with others.

 <- Life in Outer Space ReviewThe Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl Review ->
Image source: Melissa Keil