Jordan by Susan Kearney

Product Details
Pub. Date: March 01, 2010
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Format: Paperback, 416pp
Series: Pendragon Legacy
ISBN-13: 9780446558440
ISBN: 0446558443

Synopsis
A DANGEROUS MISSION
Vivianne Blackstone devotes herself to her career, putting her love life on hold. Her latest project is a spaceship designed to protect Earth from the deadly Tribes. But its engineer, the alluring Jordan McArthur, now threatens both her job and her wary heart . . .
AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE
Jordan's past goes back to King Arthur, and he must find the ancient artifact that can save the galaxy. Vivianne's ship is his best hope, but convincing the fiercely independent beauty won't be easy. Especially when the passion flaring between them burns through their defenses - and love is the last thing they need to survive.

My thoughts:
I wasn't sure if I would run into problems following the story since this is the third book in a series, but not having read the other two books wasn't an issue. The characters from the prior books were mentioned but did not feature prominently. I do think I may go back and read them now that I've read this story.

This was a different type of paranormal romance than what I am used to. Most of it took place in space while visiting different planets and encountering different races of beings. Earth is feared to be infiltrated by members of a group called the Tribes who either take over other planets or destroy them if they cannot convert them. People are becoming suspicious of one another and are looking for moles and spies among themselves who might be passing on information. Jordan sets the ship to take off before they have finished all of their checks because he knows a way to save earth. Jordan is from a home planet that was destroyed by the Tribes and has been alive for centuries, he once called King Arthur his friend.

This story really grabbed me and kept me reading, it was both fast paced and smooth. I never felt like I had to keep reading but that I wanted to keep reading. In other novels I sometimes find a point that feels like a lull that I need to push myself to get through to see what happens, but there were no spots like that in this one. It was a very enjoyable, engaging read.

GIVEAWAY: Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop

Kristin van Ogtrop knows she's lucky--fulfilling career, great husband, three healthy kids, and, depending on the hamster count, an impressive roster of pets. She also knows she is tired. Always.

Using stories and insights from her own life, she provides a lexicon for the half-insane working mom. Anyone who has left a meeting to race to the Halloween parade immediately understands van Ogtrop's definition of "Kill the messenger" as "The action you must take in order to forget about the office for a time--that is, to remove your Blackberry/Treo/iPhone/whatever from your person and store it as far away as your neurotic self will allow." Filled with essays, lists, and resonant observations, JUST LET ME LIE DOWN establishes van Ogtrop as the Erma Bombeck of the new millennium.


About the Author
Kristin van Ogtrop is the editor of Real Simple magazine and has held positions at Glamour, Vogue, Travel & Leisure, and Premiere. She
lives outside New York City with her family.


Giveaway details:
This is my third giveaway. It is hosted by Hatchett Book Group and they will be shipping the books to the winners.

This is a giveaway for 3 copies
-Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win.
-No P.O. Boxes, please.
-To enter you need to be a follower.
-Giveaway ends on March 10.
-Leave a comment with your email address to enter.

Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass

Product Details
Pub. Date: January 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 352pp
ISBN-13: 9781439156797
ISBN: 1439156794

Synopsis
For Kira Solomon, normal was never an option.


Kira's day job is as an antiquities expert, but her true calling is as a Shadowchaser. Trained from youth to be one of the most lethal Chasers in existence, Kira serves the Gilead Commission, dispatching the Fallen who sow discord and chaos. Of course, sometimes Gilead bureaucracy is as much a thorn in her side as anything the Fallen can muster against her. Right now, though, she's got a bigger problem. Someone is turning the city of Atlanta upside down in search of a millennia-old Egyptian dagger that just happens to have fallen into Kira's hands.

Then there's Khefar, the dagger's true owner — a near-immortal 4,000-year-old Nubian warrior who, Kira has to admit, looks pretty fine for his age. Joining forces is the only way to keep the weapon safe from the sinister Shadow forces, but now Kira is in deep with someone who holds more secrets than she does, the one person who knows just how treacherous this fight is. Because every step closer to destroying the enemy is a step closer to losing herself to Shadow forever....

My thoughts:
I continue to be impresses with the fantasy/science fiction choices made for the Sci-Fi Pocket Blog book tours. I think perhaps I have had the wrong impression of fantasy books for a long time or didn't quite realize what was in the genre. Kira's character really intrigued me. When I started it I was reminded of one of the X-Men characters, I've never read the comics but saw the movies. Anna Paquin played her and she was a girl who couldn't touch anyone with her bare hands because she would drain them of energy (or something like that, i was never totally clear on what she was taking from them). Kira has a similar affliction, because of her powers she cannot touch anyone with taking away their energy and possibly killing them or putting them into a coma. Can you imagine how lonely it would be to go through life never being able to touch anyone in anyway? No kisses or hugs, no holding hands or anything more.

Kira was a likable character who really wanted to do the right thing. I enjoyed Nanse as well, he was quite the character but I don't want to reveal anything that might take away from the story for another reader. I wondered from the ending if Glass was setting this up to be the first in a series, she makes it seem as if Kira has some more battles to fight and goals to meet but nowhere on the book does it say it is number one of a series. Perhaps it depends on how well the first one sells whether or not the publisher will release a second one.

I find that I am liking these stories with people who have special powers. It adds a new element to my reading! Also I liked how gods and myths were pulled in to add to the story. I would recommend this book to other readers and as I said in the first sentence, I am so glad I was introduced to this author and had the chance to read her book. On my own I might not have picked this one up (although that might have had more to do with my towering TBR piles than the book not appealing to me!).

Coming of the Storm (Contact: The Battle for America Series #1) by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O"Neal Gear

Published:February 9th 2010 by Pocket (first published 2010)

Details Hardcover, 512 pages

Isbn 1439153884 (Isbn 13: 9781439153888)

Description: COMING OF THE STORM is the first book in an exciting new series from renowned archaeologists and authors, Kathleen O'Neal and W. Michael Gear. With twenty-three internationally bestselling novels, more than 17 million copies of their books in print worldwide, and a legion of devoted fans, this husband and wife writing duo are regarded as the definitive authors of pre-Columbian Native American history. Now, for the first time, they bring to life the clash between Native Americans and Europeans. In 1539, Hernando de Soto landed in Florida with a thousand soldiers, horses, and slaves, and proceeded to march through sixteen American states, forever changing the face of America. COMING OF THE STORM follows his journey through Florida, as told through the eyes of a Chickasaw trader named Black Shell.


My thoughts:

The Gears have other books in another series, I even have a few on my shelf, but this is the first one that I have read. I received this book as part of Pocket Blogs Book Tours. When I read the introduction I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it or not, but I was surprised by how quickly I was able to get into the story. I like the two main characters and enjoyed seeing how they worked as a team and used their intellect to make their way. Having the story set from the point of view of the Native American people and the way they viewed the "Kristanos" who arrive on floating palaces and enslave the people with metal collars brought history alive for me. So much of what it taught in school is geared to the point of view of white Americans that it was nice to see that changed around. While I am enjoying this novel I am afraid that I haven't quite finished it. I plan to post a completed review in the near future, but from what I have read so far I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I am even thinking about pulling some of the other books I have from these authors from the shelf to read as well.

Other tour participants:
Coming of the Storm: Tuesday, February 23rd
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Book, Books Everywhere: http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/
Pam’s Private Reflections: http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/
Reading at the Beach: http://ilratb.blogspot.com/
My Reading Room: http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Confessions of an Overworked Mom: http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/
Just One More Paragraph: http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com/
I Read: http://sumanam.wordpress.com/
Simply Stacie: http://stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com/
Thoughts in Progress: http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
Pick of the Literate: http://bookrevues.blogspot.com
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com
The Book Tree: http://thebooktree.blogspot.com/
Cheryl’s Book Nook: http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
Vision Quest Fail: http://visionquestfail.blogspot.com/
Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/

It's Monday! What are you reading?

This is hosted by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books . While this is my first time participating, it has been on my mind. Every week when I see other readers posts I think about creating a post and then I get busy and forget and it's Wednesday and seems too late. You know how it goes.

Right now I am reading:

Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass

Coming of the Storm by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O"Neal Gear

How to Never Look Fat Again by Charla Krupp

If all goes according to plan I should have a review up for each of these books this week. My goal is to try to finish up books I have agreed to review and then become more selective about what I agree to review so I have more time to devote to self selected reading. I've had a good time being exposed to new authors and new genres, and I have no regrets about agreeing to review books, but I am starting to miss just picking up a book because I want to not because I feel like i have too.

So what are you reading?

Changing of the Guard: The Yellowstone Chronicles by Ted Rechlin

Product Details
Pub. Date: December 2009
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Format: Paperback, 38pp
ISBN-13: 9781432750084
ISBN: 1432750089
Cover price: $22.95

Synopsis
Merging past and present, Changing of the Guard: The Yellowstone Chronicles tells the story of the daily life of the wild inhabitants of Yellowstone National Park, both seventy million years ago and today. Told in documentary style, Ted Rechlin's wonderful book is full of vivid illustrations depicting Yellowstone as you have never seen it before. Discover the story of the dinosaurs continues every day in the lives of the great mammals that roam the park today. Changing of the Guard beautifully depicts Bison and Triceratops side by side, Wolves and Raptors shoulder to shoulder, and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex and the imposing Grizzly Bear alongside one another. Rechlin's detailed illustrations are a treat for the eyes and will captivate audiences of all ages. Changing of the Guard: The Yellowstone Chronicles is a truly unique experience for the reader. This children's book is a must for fans, the world over, of dinosaurs, wildlife, and wild places.

My thought:
I have an almost seven year old who loves dinosaurs! Every week he brings home two more books from his school library about dinosaurs so I thought this book would be perfect to share with him. I really liked how Rechlin put the animals that live in Yellowstone today right next to the ones who were living in that area 70 million years ago. Each animal has their statistics next to them giving their size and weight. Even though a lot of facts were included it was still interesting to read and very easy to get into. I haven't shared it with my son yet, I did the first read through on my own, but I am very excited to share it with him tomorrow when we read together. One thing I thought would have been helpful would be to have the pronunciation for the names listed along with the facts. From having read so many dinosaur books aloud I have to say that some of them have names can be tricky and I hate finding out that I've been mispronouncing a name. That said, most of the dinosaurs in this book are ones I've read about before and I already knew how to pronounce, it was just something I noticed as I was reading through.

The illustrations added to the story for me. I liked how the ground squirrel and the purgatorius were present for most of the story going about their daily task of finding food for themselves and their babies. It showed how so many things are going on at any given moment. I am ashamed to mention that I didn't know that both coyotes and wolves live in Yellowstone. I knew about the wolves but never considered coyotes. At one time we lived in Nevada and we saw coyotes on more than one occasion. Yellowstone sounds like such a great place to visit. At some point I would like to visit. Seeing national parks really brings nature into focus, I remember seeing the Grand Canyon and being really struck by how quiet it is as well as obviously being quite huge. Pictures just don't show it the way it is in person and I have a feeling Yellowstone is the same way.

I received this book from the author through an annoucement posted by Bostick Communications. The book was received for review purposes.

About the author from his web site http://www.tedrechlinart.com:
Ted Rechlin is a successful illustrator and a highly sought after illustration instructor.

Ted has built up a portfolio in many different fields of art and illustration. He works professionally in comic books, trading cards, t-shirt design, tattoo design, graphic design and logo work, and picture and children's book illustration

"Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis

My thoughts:

About a week ago I finished listening to Voyage of the Dawn Treader of audio CD. Pretty soon I will be done with the Chronicles of Narnia and I have The Swan Thieves to start next, time to move on to some adult reading!

I enjoyed this one and I heard a rumor that it will be out as a movie this summer. I looked and found this site: http://www.narniaweb.com/ that gives a release date for December 10, 2010. While I can't tell for sure if this is authentic, it looks like there is a movie to be made or that has been made for this book which will be interesting to see. It will be the first time that I've recently read the book and seen the movie, rather than the reading and movie being separated by years.

I was glad to see Lucy and Edmond back in Narnia for another adventure, but a bit sad that Peter and Susan weren't along as well. Out of all the characters I thought that Eustace underwent the largest transformation to his character. Going to Narnia seemed to change him for the better. While we were listening my six year old wondered if Eustace might return to Narnia because Aslan does not say that he will not, so it left the door open for a return visit. During their voyage the two islands that caught the most imagination and thoughts for my children were dragon island, where Eustace actually spent time as a dragon, and Goldwater Island (which was later changed to Deathwater Island). They had a lot of questions especially about the pool that changed everything to gold. The funny part is I don't even think they realize how valuable gold is.

I did wonder where Reepicheep went. His faith was uplifting. He knows he is supposed to make the journey alone and that he will not be returning but he does not show fear, he trusts that this is what he is supposed to do and he is not afraid. Imagine if we all knew what we had to do and had the faith that it would work out because it was as it was supposed to be?

At the end I wondered if we had seen the last of Caspian or if we would see him again since time in Narnia and time in our world do not pass in the same fashion.

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

In the fifth book in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, Edmund and Lucy Pevensy along with their bratty cousin, Eustace, are transported through a painting into Narnia where they join Prince Caspian on a voyage to the west. The children are tested on this voyage, and visit strange lands and encounter unusual creatures. Eustace is turned into a dragon, and then helped to return to human form by Aslan, the lion god.