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Friday 30 April 2010

POISON STUDY GIVEAWAY WINNER

I have been very naughty! Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner for this contest, but now we finally have a winner...

And the winner of the POISON STUDY GIVEAWAY is.......



Congratulations!! to our winner, your book is on it's way to you!

Thursday 29 April 2010

Review: CHANGES by JIM BUTCHER

Changes by Jim Butcher

Genre: urban fantasy

About Changes:
Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.
Source: Info in the About Changes was taken from the author's website at http://jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/12/ on 10/04/2010.

I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Changes by Jim Butcher received.

My Take On This Book:
This is book 13 of the series so the character and world building was done a long time ago with a masterpiece hand. What can I say? I’m a long-time Jim Butcher fan so my opinion is biased. Reading Changes has reminded me why I love reading Jim Butcher so much! The wry humour showing through the pages… non-stop suspense action chapter after chapter. The story telling quality is 5 out of 5, as per usual. So what new thing can I say about this book that I haven’t said already in previous Jim Butcher reviews? This book is obviously a pivotal point in the series, as aptly titled Changes. New developments in the story is emerging... And the ending was specifically designed to better torment die hard fans to having to wait for a year for the next installment…

Cherry's Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Author link(s):
Jim Butcher

Wednesday 28 April 2010

WW28: SHADE

WW28
  • First you grab our Wicked Wednesday pic.
  • Then you grab a book. Turn to page 28. Take the first sentence. And then you post it in your site with a link back to WW28.
  • Come back to Cherry Mischievous - WW28 and give us the url of your post (in a comment at a WW28 post) so that other WW28 readers can find your WW28 offering.

WW28 book offering: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
Page 28, 1st Sentence:
The Keeley Brothers' gig was at a northwest Baltimore County community center.

About Shade:
Love ties them together.
Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.
Source: Info in the About Shade was taken from the author's website at http://jerismithready.com/books/shade on 19/04/2010.

I would like to thank IBT for letting me read the review copy of Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready!

Author link(s):
Jeri Smith-Ready

Buy Link:

Tuesday 27 April 2010

COVER ART PLAGIARISM?

Does these book covers look the same to you or am I seeing doubles? Note that these books were published by different publishers and written by different authors. Plagiarism is hot on the blogosphere lately... does this come under plagiarism as well?

Friday 23 April 2010

IN THE MAIL: THEY CALL ME DEATH

I would like to thank Storywings for hosting the Missy Jane contest which made it possible for me to win They Call Me Death by Missy Jane!

About They Call Me Death:
Humans are no longer at the top of the food chain…

My name is Alexia Williams. In my world, North America is divided between north and south—but not the way it’s taught in the history books.

After losing my family to the shifters, I joined the Combined Human States Army. Now I find myself on the front lines, defending the wall between my species and theirs. My mission is simple: keep the animals on their side by whatever means necessary—and I’m good at it. I don’t talk to them. I don’t sympathize with them. I sure as hell don’t admire them…until one saves my life.

Andor isn’t like any shifter I’ve ever met. He’s a three-hundred-year-old golden eagle asking for help finding missing shifters who may be in my lands. I just have to decide between helping the animals or ignoring signs that my fellow humans aren’t what I thought they were. But how can I help a species I hate and fear? Even if Andor makes me feel alive again?

In the land of the shifters…they call me Death.
Source: Info in the About They Call Me Death was taken from the author's website at http://msmissyjane.com/shape_shifters on 23/04/2010.

Author link(s):
Missy Jane

Buy Link:


THANK YOU!!!
(((muah)))

Wednesday 21 April 2010

WW28: WINTERCRAFT

WW28
A chance to showcase your favourite!
  • First you grab our Wicked Wednesday pic.
  • Then you grab a book. Turn to page 28. Take the first sentence. And then you post it in your site with a link back to WW28.
  • Come back to Cherry Mischievous - WW28 and give us the url of your post (in a comment at a WW28 post) so that other WW28 readers can find your WW28 offering.

WW28 book offering: Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw
Page 28, 1st Sentence:
Thick smoke swirled around the cellar, creeping along the stairs, up the chimney and under the doorof the little hiding place.


About Wintercraft:
Ten years ago Kate Winters' parents were taken by the High Council's wardens to help with the country's war effort.

Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane – the High Council's most feared man – recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council's experiments into the veil, and he's convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace.

The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft – a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft...
Source: Info in the About Wintercraft was taken from the book's official website at http://www.wintercraft.co.uk/ on 17/04/2010.

I would like to thank Headline Publishing for the review copy of Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw received.

Book Link(s):
www.wintercraft.co.uk

Buy Link:

Tuesday 20 April 2010

LONDON BOOK FAIR

This was the first time that I have ever attended the London Book Fair. It is a three-day event, but I am not going back for the next two days anymore. I found out that the name London Book Fair is a misnomer. It should be named London Business Fair. This book fair is not for readers, it's for business people. It caters specifically for people who are in the "book profit" business. With emphasis on the "profit" bit. So if you are like me, just a reader, they don't really want you there. In fact some of the stands/booths were distinctly unfriendly. Take for example the Chapter 2000 stand (pic on the right). They didn't even want me to look at their display! WTF! So... did they display their wares so that people will not look at them?! It boggles the mind! Not everybody there are assholes though. Take the IndePENPRESS for example (pic on the top left). I approached their stand and their people greet you with a smile even though they got plenty of other people to play host to. That is a 5 out of 5 people skills. That is what I thought having a booth is for. You invite people to look at your wares and publicize your product. And the gentleman their talked about their company with a passion and like he knows what he is talking about. Gives one the impression that if you do business with them, you would be in capable hands. It gives a customer confidence in the reliability of the company.

The book fair is so big though and I did not have time to go around all of them. There were Australian, American, Russian and middle east publishers there that I never knew existed! And of course the big players were there too. Penguin, Harlequin, etc. So as a reader, there are some things that you could pick up, but rare and few. So if you are a reader, the London Book Fair is not for you. If you are an author or a publisher, you might want to attend this event.

Monday 19 April 2010

IN THE MAIL: SHADE

I would like to thank IBT for letting me read the review copy of Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready!

About Shade:
Love ties them together.
Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.
Source: Info in the About Shade was taken from the author's website at http://jerismithready.com/books/shade on 20/04/2010.

Author link(s):
Jeri Smith-Ready

Buy Link:

THANK YOU!!!
(((muah)))
XOXO

Sunday 18 April 2010

ROBINHOOD (MOVIE TRAILER)

Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett

Release Date: May 14, 2010

Another one to look forward to...

Saturday 17 April 2010

IN THE MAIL: WINTERCRAFT

I would like to thank Headline Publishing for the review copy of Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw received.

About Wintercraft:
Ten years ago Kate Winters' parents were taken by the High Council's wardens to help with the country's war effort.

Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane – the High Council's most feared man – recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council's experiments into the veil, and he's convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace.

The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft – a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft...
Source: Info in the About Wintercraft was taken from the book's official website at http://www.wintercraft.co.uk/ on 17/04/2010.

Book Link(s):
www.wintercraft.co.uk

Buy Link:

THANK YOU!!!
(((muah)))
XOXO

Wednesday 14 April 2010

WW28: CHANGES

WW28
A chance to showcase your favourite!
  • First you grab our Wicked Wednesday pic.
  • Then you grab a book. Turn to page 28. Take the first sentence. And then you post it in your site with a link back to WW28.
  • Come back to Cherry Mischievous - WW28 and give us the url of your post (in a comment at a WW28 post) so that other WW28 readers can find your WW28 offering.


WW28 book offering: Changes by Jim Butcher
Page 28, 1st Sentence:
Then we sprinted to the back of the building, down another alley, and away.
The line does not sound very exciting but it does say something to the pace of the story which is "fast-paced page turner"!

About Changes:
Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.
Source: Info in the About Changes was taken from the author's website at http://jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/12/ on 10/04/2010.

I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Changes by Jim Butcher received.

Author link(s):
Jim Butcher

Monday 12 April 2010

Review: THE TEMPLAR MAGICIAN


The Templar Magician by Paul Doherty

About This Book:
Murder and mayhem set at the time of the secretive Templar Order.

The year is 1152, and Jerusalem is still in the hands of the Crusaders, although the lofty ideals of before have now been replaced by subtle power-play. Meanwhile, in England, King Stephen is waging bloody war against Henry Fitzempress. The Templar Order, now fifty years old, is a wealthy power, glittering with tempting riches. Against this background of bloodshed, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, finds himself caught up in a murder mystery when Raymond, Count of Tripoli, is brutally assassinated. Who would have wanted to murder Raymond, and is it possible that the answer may lie within the hallowed ranks of the Templar Order itself?
Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from the author's amazon astore at http://astore.amazon.co.uk/paulcdohertyc-21/detail/0755354559 on 05/12/09.

Review:
This book is rich with historical detail about the rise of the Knights Templar in England. For those who enjoy studying this era, Doherty’s attention to historical accuracy will be appreciated; however, the novel as a story left a bit to be desired. I found the main character, Edmund de Payens, frustrating in his indecisiveness and naiveté and had trouble caring for him or about what happened to him.

The novel is initially set in Outremer (Palestine), the headquarters of the Templars and moves to various places in England. Although, again full of historical detail, the constant change of setting is tedious rather than pacey. The plot is full of intrigues within intrigues which frankly made it confusing rather than interesting. I had figured out who the villains were well before the main character and found myself cross with him for being too dense to see who it was.

I would recommend The Templar Magician to anyone with an interest in the era of the Knights Templar and the Crusades as it is rich with historical detail and peopled with figures from the past. As a novel, I found it very easy to put down.



CymLowellBuy Link:


We would like to thank Headline Publishing for giving us this review copy.

Saturday 10 April 2010

IN THE MAIL: CHANGES

I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Changes by Jim Butcher received today.

About Changes:
Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.
Source: Info in the About Changes was taken from the author's website at http://jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/12/ on 10/04/2010.

Author link(s):
Jim Butcher

Buy Link:

THANK YOU!!!
(((muah)))
XOXO

Wednesday 7 April 2010

WW28: ANGELOLOGY

WW28
A chance to showcase your favourite!
  • First you grab our Wicked Wednesday pic.
  • Then you grab a book. Turn to page 28. Take the first sentence. And then you post it in your site with a link back to WW28.
  • Come back to Cherry Mischievous - WW28 and give us the url of your post (in a comment at a WW28 post) so that other WW28 readers can find your WW28 offering.


WW28 book offering: Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

Page 28, 1st Sentence:
The building appeared exceptionally old, but everything in Paris seemed ancient compared to America, especially in Montparnasse and the Latin Quarter.

 
Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog