glossolalia

(whoops. i read this for june, but forgot to post my review on it)

I think this is one of the best Stephanie Plum novel's yet.

Our little bondsman(women) is off to a running start from the very first.

As usual, Stephanie loses a vehicle, this time, in the very first chapter of the novel. As usual, it wasn't Stephanies fault. In fact, her and Lulu, her co-worker/thinks she's Stephanie's bodyguard/friend, were just standing in front of the deli-mart, trying to decide if they were going to have nachos, or a sub for lunch.

When they see that the deli-mart is being robbed. Of course, with Stephanie's luck, she see's the guy without his mask, and can identify him.

It turns out, that gang volence is becoming heavier and more proliferate in the Trenton neighborhoods. It also turns out, that the gang is tired of Stephanie catching them, when they don't show up for their hearings at court, and they have decided that Stephanie needs to be stopped.

So in comes a hitman from LA, and Stephanies, on again, off again cop boyfriend Morelli, can't keep her locked in the house, and the hottest bond enforcement agent in the whole US, Ranger, isn't around to impose his will (or hot body) on Stephanie either. So she's going about her business of bounty hunting, when the hitman decides for a little up close and personal.

"I'm your worst nightmare. I'm Junkman. And I'm not just gonna kill you... I'm gonna eat you alive. You can take that as a literal promise."

Having a fight with Morelli, and not able to stay in her own apartment, (that she's turned over to her sister, sisters kids, and sisters fiance) and not able to put up with her family ('they drive me crazy'), well, there's only one place she can stay. She's found the trail to what she thinks is the 'batcave' and off she goes. Sneaking into Ranger's apartment, she feels safe and secure. At least till Ranger comes home.

So between hiding out from the hitman, doing her job in bringing in bond skips, missing her boyfriend, and lusting after another man, she has to squeeze in fittings for a maid of honor dress and get her sister a gift before the bridal shower. PLUS she's getting fat (but it must be all the coffee she's drinking, Not The Krispy Creame's!)

Laughing out loud, I finished this book in a day long marathon of reading, refusing to put it down till I finished. This one goes on the bookshelf as a keeper.

Posted by me at 12:33 PM | Permalink

First I have to say, this husband and wife team of authors are one of my very favorite of all time. They write great space opera with humor, excitement, romance, adventure, swords (ok, knives), bad guys, traitors... oh... do I sound like the Grandfather in Princess Bride? :) Sorry about that. I became addicted to their Liaden Universe, when I happened upon a book of theirs at a used book store, many years ago.

Now they've come out with a new world (and hopefully a new series, if you all go over to Meisha Merlin Publishing and buy their books! :) called The Tomorrow Log.

It's about Gem (Anjemalti) ser'Edreth. Sold as a child by his Generationship Captain Uncle, he becomes a thief (and a wizard with electronics). Emotionally shattered as a child, he is now a solitary adult, no family or friends, immersed in his profession.

Till the planetary crime boss decides that she wants him to steal something for her. A commission he refuses. At the same time, the generationship decides it needs him after all, and a cousin comes looking for him. Telling him that HE is the Captain they have been waiting for. That will lead them to a world of their own. While Belaconto (the crime boss) has put Corbinye (his cousin) in the Blue House (a place where the old can go and buy a new body for themselves), and holds her, till Gem can steal the Binalche Trident.

What Belaconto does not know is, The Bindalche Trident has a mind of it's own.

So Gem must get the Trident, and with it the Witness for the Telios, save Corbinye and get away from Belaconto, before she kills them both. At the same time, helping his family and the Telios, whether he wants to or not.

As usual with these authors, the writing is fast paced, with amusement and zest. An Excellent adventure with a dash (or perhaps a little more) of romance.

Posted by me at 6:40 PM | Permalink

and

Choice of the Cat

It was quite by accident that I found this author. I was browsing Books-a-Million, looking for something (not in hardback) to read, when I saw this Book One of The Vampire Earth. Well, of course, 'vampire' caught my attention.

These aren't your hot sexy vampires, that's been written about lately. These are soul sucking destroying Earth vamp's.

Ok, first the book blurp: Welcome to the year 2065. Earth is under new management.

Louisiana, 2065. A lot has changed in the forty-third year of the Kurian Order. Possessed of an unnatural and legendary hunger, the bloodthirsty Reapers have come to Earth to establish a New Order built on the harvesting of enslaved human souls. They rule the planet. They thrive on the scent of fear. And if it is night, as sure as darkness, they will come.

The books is about David Valentine, and how he grew up to first become a Wolf *an elite guerrilla force sworn to win back Earth* then a Cat. David has lost everything and there is no hope for a future, not with the Kurian's (vampires) controlling the world.

I thought it was interesting, what they did with the legend of vampires (coming from another world through gates. How the 'lifeweavers' closed the gates a thousand years ago, and how the reapers were able to open them again to take over Earth). How the Kurian Reapers, were just Lifeweavers gone bad. (there's bad apple in every bunch :)

Admittedly, as I was reading this book, in the beginning, I had this 'well maybe the next chapter will get better'. But the next thing I knew, I was finished the last few chapters, and looking on the internet to see if there were any more that had been printed yet. :) so I guess that means I like it :)

I actually read while on vacation :) nothing could stop me :) It seems that the knowledge that David gain in freeing a lover and escaping from one of the main Kurian cities, has brought him to the attention of the Cats.

Now the Wolves fight the Kurians in packs, but the Cats are the spies. They go in and use they're eyes and ears to find out as much information as they can about what the Kurians are doing, (and who is this new kurian The General, who seems to be taking over all of the last human remanants?).

But David has been a Wolf for to long. Even though he enjoy's being a Cat, there are certain things that David believes in, that he won't give up.

I didn't particulary like the way that E.E. Knight wrote the first book, many flashbacks to when David was growing up, and why/how he became a Wolf. But in Choice, it was better. There weren't so many of these flashbacks, the action was more fast paced, and the whole writing seemed to flow together in a better read.

Enough that, I'll go buy the third book as soon as it comes out in paperback. :)
(Tale of the Thunderbolt)

Posted by me at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oh. My. Goodness! This book was GREAT! I read it in 2 days, even with all the people bothering me. *G* of course, there near the end, I was quite nasty to any one who tried to talk to me :)

The book starts out with some Facts:

The prior of Sion--a european secret society founded in 1099--is a real organization.

The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic sect that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brainwashing, coercion, and a dangerous practice known as "corporal mortification."

All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.

Now if that doesn't grab you, the very first page of the story should. For it starts out with the murder of the curator of Le Louvre, for the knowledge of where "it" is.

The book takes you along with a poor professor of religious symbology, and a beautiful cryptologist, on a treasure hunt for an extraordinary legend.
The 'bad guy' was not who I was expecting. But the end. Oh yes. I did figure it out before the Epilogue. *G Ok, so it was in the last chapter, when the last clue was read, it hit me like a bolt of lighting. *G* Kind of like it did with the Professor. :)

I may have enjoyed this book, because it explores and relates theories I have always espoused, about the Church and cover ups. On the role of women in religion, and how symbols play such a part of our lives.

Perhaps everyone is talking about this book, because it counters what the Church says.

If you like a mystery, then I recommend the book to you.
If you have Pagan tendencies, I recommend this book to you.
If you enjoy the Art of DaVinci, I recommend this book to you.
If you like cryptology, I recommend this book to you.

Face it. I recommend this book to everyone :)

Posted by me at 10:46 PM | Permalink

(whew, last day of the month, am barely making my review on time :) Been reading a lot, mostly re-reading. But that's for rambling later, now, my book review....

Seekers Mask is the third in a series that has taken quite a while to write. (Thank goodness for Meisha Merlin Publications who have resurrected some of the old stories.)

I first read God Stalked back in 1982 when it was first published in paperback, and Dark of the Moon when it was first published, and came out in hardback. (link leads to a new printing of the 2 books combined into 1, Dark of the Gods).
Due to her personal life, the third book in the series wasn't printed till the year 2000. Seekers Mask.
:) It was worth the wait.

Knowing that I was getting Seekers Mask in the mail, I re-read the first 2 stories to 'catch up'. I don't know if it's because I'm an adult now, but even though the first 2 are still enjoyable (and at least the first one needs to be read, before this one), I feel that the third is very good. I'm so glad that their are SciFi/Fantasy writers out there, that write for the adult.

Jame (the Heroine of the series) is finally growing up, and coming into her own. Accepting certain aspects of her abilities and realizing that she's always going to be different. That she has to be different for her world to survive, whether it means going against her elders or not. Even though this tears her up inside, especially when her twin brother seems to not accept what she is either, she still strives to do and be, the best that she can possibly be. And she can be better with what few friends she might have, around her.

In the company of her telepathic hunting cat, Jorin, a runaway priestling named Kindrie, and a chance-met squad of cadets, she sets out to rescue a friend from a cruel and ambitious Kencyr lord who seeks the deadly Book Bound in Pale Leather. Dodging ghostwalkers and shadow assassins, riding weirdingstorms and peripatetic trees, Jame discovers that her life is tangled up in a much larger purpose. For war against Permal Darkling cannot resume until three terrible objects of power, and the avatars who will wield them, appear. And she just might be one of them...

This book answers some of the question left hanging from the previous two, and of course, *grin* opens up many more. I can't wait till October, when the fourth book of the series is released. :)

My opinion... an Excellent fantasy book by a Wonderful writer.

Posted by me at 8:55 AM | Permalink

Not only did I read Dead Until Dark, but I was also able to get the second book Living Dead In Dallas (hoping to find the 3rd book in the series soon :).

These were cute books! I used to read Barbara Cartland (regency romance) on the plane from Dallas to Baltimore. One plane ride, One book. In a way, that's what these book reminded me of. They were a fast, easy read for me.

Similar to Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series, in the fact that they're about humans falling for a vampire. But that's as far as it goes. No where near as bloody or 'hot' as Ms. Hamilton's series.

My daughter (10yo) saw these books, and because of the covers, asked if she could read them, I almost started to say yes, but thank goodness I started reading the book first. Before I was half way through, I told her No. The first book may not have hot and heavy sex in it, but it does have sex. (The second, not so much).

These are fun books, with more of 'mystery' to them, then killing and blood. The Herione of the story, Sookie Stackhouse (grin) is just a small town waitress, that can read minds.

Her vampire boyfriend (Bill, and who could resist a vampire by the name of Bill) is just trying to live a quiet life, away from the regular partying, backstabbing crowd of vamp's.

Everything is fine, till a co-worker gets murdered in their small town, and it looks very much like a vampire did it.

To make matters worse, the big city master vamp, discovers that Sookie can read minds.

Whoops.

These books are great light reads, full of fun, a little bit of sex, and mystery. I highly recommend them.

Posted by me at 2:08 PM | Permalink

Oh My Goodness, but this book was good.

How come I haven't read any of Anne Bishop before? *G* ok, had a gift certificate from the book store, and was wandering the aisle, when I walked by this book, and the cover grabbed my attention. A women with two large black dogs on the cover.

Well, of course I grabbed the book and read the back.

It began as a witch hunt. But the Master Inquisitor's plans to eliminate all traces of female power in the world have expanded to crushing the Sylvalan barons who oppose him--and to destroying the wellspring of magic in the Mother's Hills.

Faced with this evil, humans, witches, and the Fae become uneasy allies. But even together, they aren't strong enough to stand against the armies of the Inquisitors that are gathering. So they look for help from their last possible ally. The House of Gaian. The reclusive witches who rule the Mother's Hills. The witches powerful enough to create a world--or to destroy one...

And the witches' long-held creed "Do no harm" is about to give way to a more important one: Survive.

So of course I had to get this book to read.

First off, I made a mistake. This is the last of a 3 parter. So if you're wanting to read it, you need to get the first 2 before this one. (I plan on it :) The name of the series is Tir Alainn Trilogy. (Pillers of the World, Shadows and Light, The House of Gaian)

Even though I know how everything ends, I'll wait a couple of months, then get the first 2 and read all three together. That way I'll know the characters better. (and I'll cry even more :)

Very involved, many different characters, all exploring their own worth and what they have to offer to the world. All learning to work with one another and live with one another. Even over the hatred they've had for generations.

Earth, Air, Fire and Water, The people each have an affinity with each branch of the Mother's Gifts. And some, Some have an gift of more than one.
Of coming to terms with how, all their lives, they have lived with the creed, 'harm none' and now, for their own survival, they have to put the creed aside.

I started yesterday afternoon reading it, and finished it this afternoon. Once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down, anxious to turn the next page, and find out what was going to happen next.
Yes, I missed a lot, not reading at least the first book of the series, but at the same time, this last one was so good, it's made me want to go out and buy the other 2.
When I say missed a lot, I'm talking about the characters interaction with one another. Why one thought this way, and another character thought that way. Of how some of the characters got together, and why they felt as they did. Of what had happen to make this one hate that one, and the other love none.

Not only did I enjoy this story immensely, but I like the way this author wrote, and I'm going to go and get her other trilogy, The Black Jewels. Ms Bishop writes dark. This wasn't a light hearted story, but a story filled with conflict and death, along with the love and friendship.
I cried, I laughed, I really LIKED this story, and am just sorry, that I didn't start with the first one. *G* of course, it gives me something to look forward to. :) (reading the first 2)

Posted by me at 9:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A girl coming to grips with her heritage.

Basically, that's what I felt this book was all about. Reading the inside flap is what gripped me. But instead of a romantic love story between a girl and her vampire. It's more of how a young women has lived all her life, in her mothers life. Not thinking about her father, or that side of her family and the relations (or No relations) with them.

And that it's his blood that has given her abilities that she didn't even realize she has. Or how, if it had been known, she would have been trained, and everything that she did (to rescue her and the vampire and for that matter, the rescue of the world that she lived in) was not *do able*.

Because she didn't realize this, she was able to do things, that no one else had ever been able to do before.

Admittedly, even though Ms.Mckinley says that she doesn't think she'll be writing a sequel. (The Muses refuse to visit her with a sequel at the moment, bad muses.) I would love to find out more of what happens with her and the S.O.F.
With her and the Part Bloods in her neighborhood.
With her and Mel. (who, in my opinion, is really a WIZARD, and HOW did he get into a biker pack? and WHY is he on his own, mostly, now, and WHY is he there with her?) --which I think, her fathers family might have set up people (Mel?) to keep an eye on her, and what about her landlady?

and OH! So Much MORE :)

In other words. This book has a High Rating in MY Opinion, and I would really, really like to have a sequel! :)

Posted by me at 7:18 PM | Permalink

nothing yet. Reading The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum.
Jacket Cover: Bristling with high-voltage excitment on every page, The Bourne Ultimatum is Ludlum's greatest thriller so far, engaging the reader with mounting suspense as the deadly antagonists circle eacy other in an ever-narrowing confrontation.

So far, that's the truth. :)

Posted by me at 6:43 PM | Permalink