All posts by skyebjenner

Cosplay Cuties Collection – February 2019

Duration: 1st February – 28th February
Number of books: 6
Hosted by:My Vampire Book Obsession

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Collect a Cosplay Cutie each month by completing at least 2 tasks out of a set of 6.
A new set of tasks with a new doll will be posted each month.

The dolls you collect will be in your Vampire Heart thread. Don’t have a thread? You can still do the challenge if you want 🙂

Rules 
One book per task.
No minimum page count.
Complete at least two tasks to get the doll.

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February 
1. Read a book with multiple points of view. – Gene of Isis by Traci Harding
2. Read a book tagged ‘fantasy’. – The Beast of Blackmoor Bog by Kate Forsyth
3. Read a book tagged ‘romance’. – Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra
4. Read a book released in the spring of any year. – Battle of the Heroes by Kate Forsyth (October 2015)
5. Read a book with a 2 in the page count. – Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra (273 pp.)
6. Read a book with green on the cover.

Scavenger Challenge – Celebrating Cats

Duration: 1st February – 28th February
Number of books: 7
Hosted by:Crazy Challenge Connection

Did you know there are several holidays devoted specifically to the cat? It’s time you found an excuse to break out the catnip and celebrate with your kitty. Some holidays are admittedly kooky, but take a moment to explore some famous cat days celebrated in the United States.

1. National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day
Although this sounds like an impossibility, this January 22 holiday serves as a reminder to be more aware of your cat’s personality and to pay attention to what he or she may be telling you in a nonverbal way. 
🐈 Read a book with a domestic cat on the cover (show us the cover) – or – a book with a title that is in the form of a question.

2. National Cat Health Month
Celebrated each February, this month is a reminder to schedule your cat’s annual veterinarian appointment. For fun, help your cat be healthy by having daily play sessions to keep both of you physically and mentally fit.
😸 Read a book with a character who is a veterinarian or who works with animals in some other way – or – a non-fiction book with a medical or health theme.How to Sleep Well by Dr. Neil Stanley

3. What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
Oddly enough, there really is a holiday devoted to this “what if” concept. Celebrated on March 3, this day commemorates all the astonishing abilities your cat has, even without the advantage of opposable thumbs. Just imagine if your cat could open those cans of food on his or her own!
👍 Read a book with a human thumb or fingers on the cover (show us the cover) – or – a book with HUMOR on the main Goodreads page.Battle of the Heroes by Kate Forsyth

4. Hairball Awareness Day
Nothing can gross you out quite like a hairball. That’s why Hairball Awareness Day, celebrated on April 30, helps bring awareness to safe and effective ways you can prevent them.
😹 Read a book with human hair or animal fur on the cover (show us the cover) – or – a book with an author whose first AND last initials can be found in the word HAIRBALL.Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra

5. National Hug Your Cat Day
Wouldn’t you love one more reason to hug your kitty? Celebrated on May 12, this holiday reminds you to give your cat a cuddle.
😻 Read a book with two people embracing on the cover (show us the cover) – or – read a romance book.Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra

6. Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month is celebrated in June. There are so many great reasons to adopt!
😺 Read a book originally published in June (any year, but tell us which one) – or – a book in which a character is adopted or grew up in foster care.Gene of Isis by Traci Harding

7. National Cat Day
On October 29, National Cat Day encourages you to commemorate the special cat in your life. On this day, take a moment to celebrate the unconditional love and affection you get from your cat.
🐱 Read a book with a cat who is an important part of the plot – or – a book with the words CAT or DAY in the title.

Wandering the CCC: Book Quotes

Duration: 1st February – 28th February
Number of books: 4
Hosted by:Crazy Challenge Connection

Here’s another challenge designed to encourage you to poke around and see what else the CCC has to offer 🙂 

1. This game is found in the Playground section of CCC and has been running since January 1, 2016.
Read a book that was originally published in 2016 – or – a book with a title that starts with the letter “P” (disregard A, An, The).

2. The instructions begin, “To participate, you must first find the previous page/sentence request, then post the requested sentence from the book that’s closest to you at this very moment.”
Read a book that is the first in a series (tell us the series) – or – a book that you own, printed version only.Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra

3. The next person would turn to that page in his/her book and post the sentence asked for. Example: If I post “page 32, sentence 4”, the next person would go to page 32 of the book that’s easiest to grab and post sentence 4 on that page. Then that person will post the next page/sentence request, and so on. 
Read a book with 3 – 2 – OR 4 in the total # of pages (tell us how many pages) – or – a book showing only one person on the cover (post the cover).Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra (304 pp.)

4. You can get some really short sentences, some really long sentences, and some really silly sentences, but that’s the fun in the game, and it might intrigue someone else enough to check out the book.
Read a book that’s really short (between 150 and 200 pages) or really long (over 500 pages) (tell us how many pages) – or – a book with HUMOR on the main GR genre page.Gene of Isis by Traci Harding (621 pp.)

January 2018

It’s a new year… so hopefully that means that I’ll start finishing off some series that I started a while ago… although… maybe not this month!

Standalone stories

Series

Short story collections

Image source: Clipart Fox

Dr Lash Remembers by Jeffrey Ford

Overview
The Mammoth Book of Steampunk

Title: Dr Lash Remembers
Author: Jeffrey Ford
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I needed to show I was up to the task.

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

Doctor Lash has stayed behind in a city gone mad to try and help his patients… but maybe things just aren’t quite as they seem.

Thoughts

Most of the steampunk stories I read about are kind of based after an apocalyptic time, they’re definitely in a world run by steam engines and they have this beautiful surreal quality to them. Dr Lash Remembers has all of this too. But it also has this sense of anarchy. Rebelling against the government and taking back one’s own autonomy in the face of a lot of insanity.

There was an incredibly disturbing theme throughout this story – one which focused on the fact that some people will do anything to support their economic desires. Including sacrificing the lives of thousands to continue on with their monetary gains… all the more disturbing because it is something that recurs throughout our daily lives and realities.

 <- Clockmaker’s Requiem ReviewLady Witherspoon’s Solution Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay

Overview
Image result for the chamber of secrets limited edition illustrated book cover

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition
Author: J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay
Series: Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Illustrated, Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Completely nonplussed, Harry said nothing.

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

Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay’s dazzling full-colour illustrations in this stunning new collector’s edition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. With paint, pencil and pixels, Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Breathtaking scenes, dark themes and unforgettable characters – including Dobby and Gilderoy Lockhart – await inside as Harry and his friends, now in their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, seek out a legendary chamber and the deadly secret that lies at its heart .

This beautiful, deluxe edition features an opulent page size and an exclusive pull-out double gatefold; intricate foiled line art by Jim Kay on the real cloth cover and slipcase; gilt edges on premium grade paper; head and tail bands and two ribbon markers – the ultimate must-have edition for any Potter fan, collector or bibliophile.

Thoughts

I don’t need to harp on about the beauty of the Harry Potter series – I’ve done that elsewhere, and, quite frankly – we all know. But reading the absolutely gorgeous illustrated edition of The Chamber of Secrets and having the ability to submerse myself in Kay’s beautiful reimaginings… it just added an extra level of amazingness to the entire franchise.

There was a slightly darker patina to the images in the second illustrated Harry Potter – which works, because this is a slightly darker storyline. Although, one of the things I love most about these illustrated versions is the fact that I can use them to show my partner (who doesn’t read) the beauty of the written world… much much much better than that of movies…

 <- The Philosopher’s Stone ReviewThe Prisoner of Azkaban Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Santa’s Mortuary by Heather Graham

Overview
A Fantastic Holiday Season

Title: Santa’s Mortuary
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #14.2
In: A Fantastic Holiday Season (Kevin J. Anderson & Keith J. Olexa)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: ChristmasParanormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: World Fire Press
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: It was amazing that their room – in the right wing of the building – could be so quiet and charming while all manner of activity went on in other parts of the house.

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

It was amazing that their room – in the right wing of the building – could be so quiet and charming while all manner of activity went on in other parts of the house.

Thoughts

Christmas time is a time for love, family and laughter. Unless you are a slightly amorous ghost who is separated from the love of his life. Then it’s just a time of frustration and loss of love. And a potential way to ruin everyone else’s Christmas with your sense of loneliness.

Although Christmas is always toted to be a story of happiness, love and family, it is often a time of loneliness for some. I love that in a holiday story collection, there is a number of stories which feature this loneliness, including this Krewe of Hunters short story. And, I also love the fact that, like every good story, this one ends with a happy ending for all.

 <- A World Done In by Great Granny’s Grateful Pie ReviewYes, Virginia2097c, There is a Santa Claus Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Mercury by Priya Sharma

Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: Mercury
Author: Priya Sharma
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: FamilyFantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Beyond it were the cells.

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

Alice is taking care of her sick father in a prison cell and trying to sell his beautiful hats at the same time. But, sadly as his disease gets worse, so do their circumstances until there may be nothing left for either of them to salvage…

Thoughts

The idea for the Mad Hatter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland comes from the idea of mercury poisoning in hatters. So I loved the idea of a short story based around this idea. Especially one that still encompasses the innocence of Alice and the land of Wonderland.

Since writing that first paragraph, I have probably spent about thirty minutes trying to think of what to write next. What to say to emphasise the awesomeness of this story. But, everything that I can think of gives away part of the storyline. This story takes you on such an unbelievable adventure that at once feels both modern and old. There is a great number of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

 <- Conjoined ReviewSome Kind of Wonderland Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Music of the Night by Amanda Ashley

Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: The Music of the Night
Author: Amanda Ashley
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: She ran her hands over his broad shoulders, his chest, his belly, loving the way he quievered at her touch.

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

What is the Phantom of the Opera was really a vampire? What if you were his Christine? Paris, operas and a romance in the depths of the house… this story has it all.

Thoughts

I haven’t yet read The Phantom of the Opera… although it is due to arrive on my doorstep at any time. Yet, the very idea of it seems to pervade all sense of modern culture. I may have never read it, seen it or had the story line told to me… Yet, I still vaguely know what it’s about and feel the romanticism of the idea. So, the fact that there is a vampire romance based on this concept was incredibly fun.

I loved all of the parallels that were clearly drawn between this short story and the original tale. Yet, there was a great sense of modernity and joy throughout the story. I also love that although the phantom didn’t originally gain his own true love… in this chance at a new beginning, he finally gets his happily ever after. And who doesn’t love a happy ending?

 <- The Midday Mangler Meets his Match ReviewThe Day of the Dead Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Stalking Beans by Nancy Kress

Overview
Image result for snow white, blood red book cover

Title: Stalking Beans
Author: Nancy Kress
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Villains
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: The hay is thick and yellow in the fields of the manor house.

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

Was Jack really the innocent that he seemed to be? Nancy Kress provides an incredibly different take on this traditional fairy tale, one that doesn’t shed the most flattering of lights on Jack’s adventures up the beanstalk.

Thoughts

It wasn’t until reading this story that made me seriously question the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. After all, it’s a great little fairy tale that we’ve all grown up with. Until you really start to think about the what he actually does. He breaks into a giant’s house, steals his belongings and kills the man. Alright, in the fairy tale he is trying to eat Jack, but what if that’s all a figment of his retelling? What if he was actually just a bit of a douche?

In this retelling, Jack is an adult, and he really doesn’t make any good life decisions. Slowly, but surely, he weaves himself a web of lies and deceit that entangles and ensnares. Leaving him not only the bad guy of the story, but sad, alone and really not in any position to judge others. Yet, there is still a sense of sympathy that you feel for Jack as he becomes the villain of his own story. An ability that I’ve only been able to find in the best of writers – feeling sympathy for the fool who is the creator of his own downfall.

 <- The Frog Prince ReviewSnow-Drop Review ->
Image source: Amazon