Ink Exchange -Quick 'n Dirty

Title: Ink Exchange
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: YA, fantasy
Source: Public Library

I am here to admit I made a mistake. I read this series out of order. In fact, I had absolutely no idea that Ink Exchange was part of the Wicked Lovely series. I made assumptions based on title similarities and not much else. I'm a dork.

That being said, upon reading this novel so many things now make sense. When I read and reviewed Fragile Eternity, I enjoyed it, it does stand on its own.....but there were still several things that didn't fit quite right. This novel fixed those. New characters are introduced, old friends are given the chance to shine, and step A actually does lead to step B. Wee! Don't you just love it when things make sense?

Naked Heat

Title: Naked Heat
Author: Richard Castle
Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery
Source: Public Library


This is the second real world published novel by Richard Castle. If you're a fan of the show, you should have no reason to not enjoy these novels. Each is almost exactly like reading an episode of Castle, the tv show. The almost is changed up with just a couple minor changes....the characters have different names, and the romance is much more heated. What's not to enjoy? Plus, there is always the added bonus of knowing you're reading a fictional novel written by a fictional character.

Devil Bones

Title: Devil Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Genre: mystery
Source: public library


Bones! Have you seen the show? I love it. There is just something that works about the combination of characters, forensic science, and cop show / mystery. Knowing this, I'm not sure what took me so long to try out the books......I'm glad I finally did though.

This novel finds Brennen working hard to solve a mystery that involves a literal witch hunt and the possibility of human sacrifices.

The things I find most interesting about this novel are the little differences from the show. Don't get me wrong; I expected there to be differences. These just appeared in ways I wasn't expecting.  The characters and personalities that make the show click, for me, aren't available per se. See, all of these characters are parts of Dr. Brennen's own personality. It took a bit of adjustment....especially the bits were Brennen isn't the socially awkward geek that I love. All the rest is there though. The crime, the forensics, the gory science details (which btw, require you to be very science savvy), the strange quirks....all there. Awesomeness!

Overall: No, they aren't the same as the series, but very close. Yes, if you like the science in the show, these will be great for you. Yes, you can read them out of order - this is her most recent novel, but my first novel.  Yes, I'll definitely be reading more.

Flight of the Night Hawks

Author: Raymond E. Feist
Title: Flight of the Night Hawks ~ Book 1 of the Darkwar Saga
Genre: Fantasy
Source: public library

Don't you just love going into a book store or library and finding out a favorite author has new books out that you've never heard of? It's like Christmas. This is how I discovered the newest series within a series by Mr. Feist. Apparently, the universe was hiding these from me and the library felt it was time to let me know they existed.

I love the worlds that Feist has created.  They fit together so neatly and form several little series within the main series. It's always interesting to see where each new mini-series will take the overarching storyline.


What I liked:
1. While this series is taking place several years after most of the other stories, there are still familiar characters. This is one of the perks of having non-aging characters I suppose. The main ones can continue on and we can get the children / grand-children of other beloved characters to fill in the gaps.

2. The familiar characters above never feel hokey or out-dated. Sometimes characters just get old. Luckily, these characters seem to know their place in time and within the stories.

3. The action is still there. While not a constant thrill ride, there are several small things that occur and a few big things that set everyone on edge. Definitely a fun read!

What I didn't like:
1. Apparently, I'm something like four years behind on reading novels I really enjoy. Feist's novels were some of the first fantasy novels I read and enjoyed. It's weird to me to not know there were new books.


Overall: I'm glad I finally made it into the loop and was able to read this book. For fantasy readers, especially ones who enjoy series, this is definitely a book for you. It is written to stand alone, but it will make much more sense if you read the rest of the sagas first.

Fragile Eternity

Title: Fragile Eternity 
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy
Source: public library

This review is a long time coming. I read this book over a month ago. I can't even explain why I've been sitting on it and not actually blogging it. Maybe I'm crazy......or more likely busy, tired, and somewhat lazy when it comes to my free time, lately.

For some reason I didn't know that this was book three. When the cover said sequel, I thought they meant literal this-is-the-next-book sequel. I apparently didn't do enough pre-research and just assumed that this was book three and the other books were a separate series. They do have different types of names and covers.  It doesn't really matter though. In this case assuming worked out well. I enjoyed the book and was only the tiniest bit of lost at the beginning.

What I liked:
1. While this is actually book three, I had no problem following the story line. All the characters I enjoyed getting to know in Wicked Lovely were still central to the plot.

2. I'm surprised to find out that this is book three as the plot hasn't moved forward much. I'd expect to be onto a whole different set of problems, issues, scenarios....but realistically the main difference is the addition of a couple new characters.

3. I still love the way the faerie realm is portrayed within these novels. There is all the drama and hierarchy associated with Fae courts, but mixed in is the dramatics of being a human teenager.

What I didn't like:
1. Not knowing that the book I read wasn't actually the next one. Some of this is my fault, but some lays on the publisher / cover artist. Please find a new word. Sequel means next in my mind. Could you at least number the books?

2. There were characters introduced within this story who were very hard to get to know. Upon reflection I'm sure this is due to my reading the novels out of order. However, it was very off-putting while reading.

Overall:  Fragile Eternity, while it may sound like the name of the newest designer perfume, is actually more enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend skipping book two, but seeing as I have, it's not the end of the world if you do. If you've read Wicked Lovely, I would definitely recommend enjoying the rest of the series too.

Read-a-thon ending

This is it for me folks. 

I really wanted to make it to the 24 hour mark. I'm close. We are in hour 20....so only four hours to go. Unfortunately, I just can't keep my eyes open any long. I was nodding off while reading.....I'm having trouble spelling everything correctly. I'm calling it a day....mid-book.

I'm currently 36 pages into Naked Heat.

Total time spent reading: 14.5 hours

Total books read: 3 and a lil bit

Total pages read: 742

I'm proclaiming this a satisfactory participation day. 

Good luck to those of you who can make it to the end!!!

Read-a-thon update...still going

Book 3 finished! This one was a surprise read. My husband, an author, finished a new novel yesterday. He printed it out for me to read/proofread today. I don't know how much proofing I did, but I definitely read.

Title: Untrue Tales book 4 (ARC)
Author: Teel McClanahan III
Pages: 146
                                        Total pages read so far: 705 !


OMG!!! I can't believe I'm still at this. Part of me wants to go to sleep now....but part of me wants to see this thing out. I. can. do. it. I. can. do. it. We. can.do. it. We. can. do. it.

Read-a-thon update, again

The read-a-thon is in hour 16 and I'm done with book #2!!!!
Title: Devil Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Page count: 304          
Total pages read today: 559
Blogs visited: 3    (Fizzy Thoughts, Multigenre Fan, Miss Wisabus)

Mid Read-a-thon challenge

Can you believe it is hour 12 already?  I don't feel like I've been reading for half the day....but then.....distractions of my own making. Oh well!

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now?  Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

2. How many books have you read so far? This is my second book, but I chose to start with a big one.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? The new Richard Castle book. Yes, I read fiction by fictional characters.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? A few, but mostly just okaying it with my hubby.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I've created a couple interruptions of my own. They were mostly accidental....such as needing to go shopping for clothes that fit me, today, because of a one-day sale. I'm trying to space the distractions out to mid-book and between books.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much support from non-reading bloggers there is. It's awesome!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  I think it's great and working fine this way.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? I'm going to do it again.....hopefully, next time without the self-made distractions.

9. Are you getting tired yet?  Not tired, but relaxed enough I could take a nap...that's what my weekends are usually for, so I'm having to fight that urge.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Ummmm...lemme get back to you on this one.

Read-a-thon update

I'm back from distraction #2.  I'll be starting a new book here in a few seconds and wanted to let you know about it.

Title: Devil Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Pages 304 +   (There is a Q&A in the back of the book, but I think I'll skip that for today).
Progress so far: Haven't even read word one.


Happy Read-a-Thon!

Read-a-thon update

Book one down!


Flight of the Night Hawks by Raymond E Feist

Total pages read today: 255!

Also, I feel bad. I want to visit other blogs, encourage the other participants, but I'm finding enough distractions on my own. Eeep!

Hour 2 challenge

 The hour two mini-challenge  is hosted by Miss Wisabus. I love this challenge! She wants to know about my childhood book favorites....that I can do!

1. I am still deeply in love with the Bugg Books by Steven Crosgrove. He's the author that did the Leo the Lop books. Wonderful! I have such fond memories of the Buggs and their world......even though only a few people believe they existed. My own mother doesn't even remember me having them. I found a few recently, but my funding was to low to start my collection. If you see them anywhere, think of me!

2. The Babysitters Club. I had all of them. ALL OF THEM. I think I may have even been a member of their book club. Sadly, sometime around high school, I needed the drawer/shelf space  and I was forced into giving the books away. Now that they are coming back out, I'm interested in seeing them.

3. When I got older, the novel Christie went with me everywhere....for a while. I can't say what it is, but there is just something about Mountain life that interests me. I still have a fascination with blue-grass music, which I give this book inspiration for.

4. I still read YA novels all the time.....just visit about half of my blog posts. They are fun and cover interesting topics. Lately, I've also been using my YA reading habits to stock my "lending" shelf in my classroom. It's awesome!

Dewey's Read-a-Thon

In celebration of surviving another block teaching, I'm going to spend today participating in Dewey's Read-a-Thon. There is still plenty of time to join, if you'd like. This is my first time participating in one of these.....I'm excited!   

If you are interested in participating, all the information you need is here. In case you're daunted by the idea of reading non-stop for 24 hrs....no worries! There are cheerleaders with distractions and encouragement, there are mini-challenges, and you can always take a break and update your blog to let everyone know how you're doing (which will be a challenge within itself, for me).


I missed the hour one challenge, but I'll head over to do the hour two soon!


And before I go:    Book Status Update

Reading: Flight of the Night Hawks: Book 1 

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Page Count: 92 / 347