I just joined Bloglovin‘ and I am loving it!
Have you checked it out yet? So many blogs to follow in tons of categories. Plus it puts your blog out there for other folks to find and follow as well. And after all, every one of us who has created a blog (with all the craziness involved) wants to have people come and visit us. You know it’s true. 🙂
I just know that I’m gonna be spending hours there checking out blogs in all of my interests, not just about books. :).
Long, long ago before there were sparkly vampires. In the days of imagination taking flight through an author’s words only. There was the Wings in the Night series by Maggie Shayne.
I have three all time favorite series or ongoing novels. Wings in the Night was the first in that list – the other two were added years later. I go back and re-read these books all the time, so it really is no surprise to me that the brainstorm for Throwback Thursday on Keeper Bookshelf starts off with this, my all time favorite vampire series and now ongoing series.
And now I have to add one more series to that list since now there is the new series Wings In The Night: Reborn!
My favorite character from all the novels has to be Rhiannon. She is strong, sexy, regal and one seriously badass vampire. And she is also the hostess of the new(ish) website devoted to these fantastic creatures at WingsInTheNight.com created by Maggie Shayne. If you’re a new or old, devoted fan you will want to check out that new website.
Over at Amazon.com there are two really great deals on Ms. Shayne’s earlier Wings in the Night novels. In the bundles of Wings in the Night bundle part 1 and Wings in the Night bundle part 2 you’ll find six novels (in each part equals 12 great novels) for your Kindle or using a reading app. for your desktop at a really great price. Honest, I went over and got them in e-reader format for myself just to have then safe on my computer where they will live forever. 🙂
(and yes those are affiliate links in the above paragraph)
Individual reviews of the novels making up the entire Wings in the Night series will come in a later post on Keeper Bookshelf. For right now, I wanted you to be introduced (or reminded) of this awesome series and encourage you to check them out.
May all your nights be twilight-filled.
Reissue/Reprint Wednesday is a new feature here born from a discovery today that a long-time, often re-read trilogy is being re-released in trade size format with brand new covers.
Yay! I re-read this trilogy at least once a year. To me it is just that good, I get caught up in the lives of these three women and their men and I must revisit them. (in truth, my original copies are now getting a bit frayed so this is really good news)
This feature also comes out of annoyance at buying novels that I already own! Grrrr! I cannot stand it when I’m pulled in by a new cover, thinking “Oh, how did I miss this one?” only to discover that — it’s on my bookshelf already. Novels are reprinted or reissued all the time, so it’s hard to keep up with them all, but I’m going to showcase one or two a week in the hopes that it helps someone else from buying a duplicate copy of something they already read.
So to start this feature, the reissue novels of this week are:
The Three Sisters Island Trilogy
Dance Upon The Air (January 2015)
When Nell Channing arrives on charming Three Sisters Island, she believes that she’s finally found refuge from her abusive husband—and from the terrifying life she fled so desperately eight months ago…
But even in this quiet, peaceful place, Nell never feels entirely at ease. Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local bookstore café—and begins to explore her feelings for the island sheriff, Zack Todd. But there is a part of herself she can never reveal to him, for she must continue to guard her secrets if she wants to keep the past at bay. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she’s so carefully created could shatter completely.
Just as Nell starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to break free of her fear, she realizes that the island suffers under a terrible curse—one that can only be broken by the descendants of the Three Sisters, the witches who settled the island back in 1692. And now, with the help of two other strong, gifted women—and the nightmares of the past haunting her every step—she must find the power to save her home, her love…and herself.
Heaven and Earth (May 2015)
Ripley Todd just wants to live a quiet, peaceful kind of life. Her job as a sheriff’s deputy keeps her busy and happy, and she has no trouble finding men when she wants them—which, lately, isn’t all that often. She’s perfectly content, except for one thing: she has special powers that both frighten and confuse her—and though she tries hard to hide them, she can’t get them under control…
Distraction soon arrives in the handsome form of MacAllister Booke—a researcher who’s come to investigate the rumors of witchcraft that haunt Three Sisters Island. Right from the start, he knows there’s something extraordinary about Ripley Todd. It’s not just her blazing green eyes and her sultry smile. There’s something else. Something he can detect, but she’ll never admit. Fascinated by her struggle with her amazing abilities, he becomes determined to help her accept who she is—and find the courage to open her heart.
But before Ripley and Mac can dream of what lies in the future, they must confront the pain of the past. For Three Sisters shelters centuries of secrets—and a legacy of danger that plagues them still…
Face the Fire (June 2015)
Mia Devlin knows what it’s like to love with your whole heart—and then watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic they shared—and determined to live without love…
The new owner of the island’s only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes of winning back Mia’s affections. He is puzzled when she greets him with icy indifference—for the chemistry between them is still sizzling and true. Angry, hurt and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a passion for Sam still burns up her heart. But she’ll need his help—and his powers—to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take the first steps toward destiny—and come together to turn back the dark…
(descriptions are from the back cover of each book)
These new covers are simply stunning, and represents each of the three “sisters” in this trilogy very well (in my opinion). I cannot wait for these.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Nell, Ripley and Mia before then may I suggest that you treat yourself to these reissued novels when they hit the bookstores throughout 2015. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂
I admit it. I have a serious case of book envy going on now. Yesterday and this morning I went through the list of blogs taking part in the Stacking the Shelves meme over at Tynga’s Reviews.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Not only did I find some really interesting new (to me) book blogs to follow — but the books. Oh, the books. And this is only January. My book envy is going to go supernova come July!
I saw at least 50 books that I really want to read. 50. Whew, that’s a lot of reading material plus what is in my to read pile. And we both know that there will be more fantastic novels coming out soon so what’ a book-aholic to do?
The best we can. Really. I love reading, I love putting together this website telling you about the books I’ve read. But, in all honesty, it is so hard to keep current being a one woman blogger here.
When a book really grabs me I can finish it in one day, maybe two. An average book reading time for me is between two or three days. Then there are the ones that just drag because I cannot get into the book – at all. I hate, really hate, to not finish a book. It might not be to my taste, but someone poured their heart and soul into creating it and I probably plopped down my hard earned money to buy it — so I should finish it. So I usually completely read most novels in my piles. I may not love it, but someone else might so I feel obligated to read, review and let the comments fall where they may around here.
Yet there is that occasional one that I simply cannot read one more word of. I’m sorry to those authors, but the book stinks. Badly. The one thing I will not do on this website is name those DNF books. I can’t because someone created it and someone else might find it to be the most awesome book they have ever read. I do not want my experience with DNF books to influence someone else.
I can hear some people say, “If it stinks you should tell people”. Okay, maybe. But, here’s the thing. I have never, ever been able to finish War and Peace. I cannot connect to that book. On the other hand, I read Gone With The Wind once each and every year. Both are considered classic novels and worth reading at least once by many people. So who am I to say that a book stinks and belongs in a did not finish pile when someone, somewhere may think it’s a new classic?
My reading schedule for this year is simple. I vow to get to the bottom of my To-Be-Read pile and do my best to keep up with currently released novels.
I know I am going to suffer from book envy throughout the year – I accept that. But, I plan to do a lot of reading, reviewing and posting this year… because of my serious book envy (or in spite of it.) 🙂
How ’bout you? Are you visiting book blogs and just drooling over novels that you want in your to-read-pile? (me too)
I absolutely loved this novel and am so looking forward to the next book in the series.
Here is the book blurb from Goodreads:
All of London knows the Duke of Rutherford has position and wealth. They also whisper that he’s dissolute, devilish, and determinedly unwed. So why, everyone is asking, has he hired a governess?
When Miss Lily Russell crosses the threshold of the Duke of Rutherford’s stylish townhouse, she knows she has come face to face with sensual danger. For this is no doting papa. Rather, his behavior is scandalous, and his reputation rightly earned. And his pursuit of her is nearly irresistible—but resist she must for the sake of her pupil.
As for the duke himself, it was bad enough when his unknown child landed on his doorstep. Now Lily, with her unassuming beauty, has aroused his most wicked fantasies—and, shockingly, his desire to change his wanton ways. He’s determined to become worthy of her, and so he asks for her help in correcting his behavior.
But Lily has a secret, one that, if it becomes known, could change everything . . .
Read on for my review of The Duke’s Guide to Correct Behavior – no true spoilers, promise.
This is an older novel that like many books, has been reprinted. A friend gave me a copy of Dangerous Passions a few months ago. I just got around to reading it a few weeks ago, and have finally finished it. Yes, that’s right – weeks.
Here’s the book blurb from Goodreads:
Let bestselling author Kat Martin sweep you away-from Society’s grand ballrooms to the perilous battlefields of the Napoleonic War-in a magnificent story of love, betrayal, and trust regained.When Elissa Tauber learns of her beloved brother’s murder and that her native homeland is threatened, she is determined to expose the traitor. Posing as a recently widowed countess, she moves through the glittering world of the court, willing to barter even her lovely body if she must.More than one man poses a threat, but it is the tall, imposing Lord Wolvermont, Colonel Adrian Kingsland, who endangers her heart. Even as she suspects he might be the spy called the Falcon, she longs for his touch. When fate takes a hand, Elissa must decide whether to betray her mission-or lose the man she loves.
Paperback, 368 pagesPublished February 15th 1998 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks (first published 1998)
Let me start this review with a sort of disclaimer: I have always loved Kay Hooper’s Bishop/Special Crimes Units novels. That enjoyment doesn’t mean that I don’t know that some are better than others – but – I enjoy the stories nonetheless. Having said that…
from Goodreads:
How do you make peace with the dead if the dead aren’t ready to forgive? In New York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper’s new novel, the answer lies in the twisting shadows of a small town, and its secrets yet unearthed…
When Deacon James’s younger sister Melanie calls him, terrified, he goes to her aid in the small Georgia town of Sociable. What he finds is a scared young woman in the grip of what she insists is a paranormal nightmare—and murder. Two local men have been killed under mysterious circumstances. And Melanie is the prime suspect.
Trinity Nichols left a high-stress job for quiet, small-town life. But news of the murders has left her—and the town—on edge, especially when there is nothing remotely ordinary about how the men died. And her investigation is yielding more than she bargained for, including a group of strangers who have descended on Sociable, some with abilities Trinity finds hard to believe, and agendas she refuses to trust. For some reason, they know a lot more than they should about what’s happening in town. And what’s happening is growing stranger by the minute.
Now Trinity, Deacon, and this odd band of FBI agents must work together to solve a series of disturbances so incredible that Trinity, and the town of Sociable, will be changed forever. She just isn’t certain who—or what—will be left standing when it’s all over.
This book is in my personal collection- owned.
Read on for my review of Haunted – no spoilers, promise.
I hate to admit to this – I really do, but I am in such a blogging slump lately.
Oh, I’m reading. Maybe not as much but I am turning the pages of really good books. I’m just not writing about the experience.
And I don’t know why.
I guess there really is no explanation for slumps… they just happen. And I’m not alone either. A lot of the book blogs that I follow are also experiencing slumps. Whether it’s lack of time, life getting in the way of the fun of blogging or some other reason, writing slumps happen to every blogger that ever put words on the screen.
So. What to do about it? Forcing it won’t work, I’ve tried that before with dismal results.
While reading the comments on other blogs of other people in a similar slump the suggestions of reading for enjoyment only, switching to a different style of novel, blogging about something non-book for a while — but most importantly was the large number of statements suggesting “don’t feel guilty, we all have slumps and eventually they go away”.
And that is exactly what I’m going to do. I love this blog, I love talking about books that I’ve enjoyed, sharing authors that readers may not have tried yet — but no more guilt.
A new year is about to arrive, and the blogging slump will fade away. Until it does I’m guilt-free about this situation I’m in…
And I’m wishing you a wonderful new year full of awesome reading adventures.
Talk again soon.
I thrive on a continuing story. I want to know what happens to the secondary characters – I also want to know what I missed in the first book. Just a few of the reasons I absolutely love reading a continuing storyline.
Often times a trilogy or series starts off with a blast of excitement – others unfurl like a slowly blooming leaf. Secrets of Bella Terra was a very slowly opening blossom (one I almost gave up on, except I’ve been trained by a bookaholic mother to read the whole story before reaching a conclusion!).
At its very core, Secrets of Bella Terra is about history – family history, the history of lovers and the history of a lifelong family feud fed by bitterness.
Rafe Di Lucas and Brooke Petersson have a past history. One forged in childhood and continued throughout early adulthood – unfortunately, Brooke ended up always being the one left behind as Rafe took off around the world. His reasons were valid – to him. Her reasons to stay and wait were all that mattered to her, even as she convinced herself that she was not waiting for anything except her next vacation.
Returning to Grizzly Falls, Montana would be a lot more fun if they didn’t have so many serial murders around there! But then, that would leave us with nothing new to read from the ongoing “to Die” series by Lisa Jackson.
Once again murder returns to hover over the winter holidays of Detective Selena Alvarez and her partner, Detective Regan Pescoli.
This time the mad killer is placing bits of Selena’s stolen jewelery on the bodies of his victims – frozen naked works of “art” by a killer who not only believes in revenge, but in painfully, slowly unwinding secrets Selena would have liked to keep in her past.
Secrets will always find their way to the surface – Selena must make sure that her secrets are told to the necessary people before the killer makes them headlines.
Private Investigator Dylan O’Keefe has close ties to those old secrets and he is not going to let Selena keep them from him any longer.
A love gets a second chance – if – secrets can be told and trust freely given by both Selena and Dylan.
(possible spoilers ahead)
A crystal ball is not always necessary to know that evil walks among us.
“Before She Dies” was an enjoyable read. As a child of the carnival myself, many parts of the story had me smiling in memory of my childhood years traveling the carnival circuit with my parents.
But.. to my knowledge we never had a murderer among us!
Charlotte (Grace) Wellington’s sister Mariah was murdered. Grace left the carnival world and set out to make her own life away from the memories, and the people of her past. Yet the past rarely stays in the past.
Grace or Charlotte as she is now known, hides memories and her past behind the tough surface of her criminal lawyer career. She rarely lets anyone in. Detective Daniel Rokov is determined to get past the line she draws between personal and professional. It’s a difficult task but one that Daniel will succeed at.
The carnival is in town – and women are being murdered. His mission is to destroy the witches. He takes great pride and pleasure in dealing out his kind of justice. The seer, the witch, the one who has knowledge that she should not have will pay the ultimate price.