Friday Book Club

It's book club time! What are you reading and loving at the moment?

My most recent reads have been Fair Game by Patricia Briggs, and a reread of Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz. Both were fantastic!

Okay, your turn. :)
 

Silver Borne - Patricia Briggs

I've been catching up on my reading over the past couple of weeks, so I'm going to be doing some book posts this week.

First up, Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs. It was awesome. I just love the developing relationships both between the main, and the secondary characters, as well as how the world itself continues to deepen and grow.

Seeing more of Samuel was wonderful - I can't wait to see where Patricia Briggs takes this storyline.

I know a lot of you are fans of this series too - what do you love most about it?

p.s. If you haven't yet read this series, start with the first book, Moon Called.

Friday Book Club

I'm back home via a couple of days in Hong Kong! I have so many pictures and so many cool facts to share that I've decided to inflict a few on you all every Snapshot Monday for a little while.

I did tons of reading while I was gone, including several books I've been saving up to read like Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle, Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs and Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. All three were fantastic!

Now, your turn - what are your reading recs this week?

p.s. My in-box is overflowing, so apologies in advance for any late replies!

Books I'm looking forward to...

Here's a very partial list of book I'm looking forward to. Of course, I must first finish writing my own book (the cave beckons) and catch up with the tbr ;-)

Demon Forged - Meljean Brook - releases October 2009 (How cool is that cover?!)

Ghostland - Jory Strong (I was tempted to steal this ARC for myself in the ARC contest. The concept sounds very intriguing). - releases April 2009

Hunting Ground -Patricia Briggs - releases August 2009 (I just love her writing, her world, everything).

What are some of the books you're waiting for?

p.s. I've read Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews and it is spectacular. Post about that later this week!

Patricia Briggs & Website

I have some wonderful news to share! Patricia Briggs, author of the rocking Mercy Thompson series, had this to say about ANGELS' BLOOD!

"...it was simply awesome. Powerful, terrifyingly, passionately awesome."

Whee!!

~

Also, the website has been updated, and included in this month's updates is a deleted scene from Caressed By Ice, as well as an "extra" scene between Lucas and Sacha. Enjoy! :-)

Book links!

So I was scrolling down my blog feeds and I found some links I thought you all might be interested in.

The Knight Agency (my agency!) is giving away 10+ titles by its authors to two lucky winners - you just have to swing by and drop your name in the hat.

Silhouette Nocturne is giving away a free Caridad Pineiro novella. Details on how you can download the story available here.

Also, available for download are the first 11 pages of (Patricia Briggs') Mercy Thompson comic Homecoming. Full details at Urban Fantasy Land and Dear Author.

Must Haves

Thanks for all the book recs everyone - I have a feeling that's a thread I'll keep coming back to pick up more reads :)

How about we talk about future releases today?

Here's another book I'm adding to my "can't wait" list - the new Ghost Hunter book! Comes out August 26!

I love this series.

The blurb:

Everything is different underground. Just ask the residents of Harmony, a futuristic world where alien catacombs can lead you astray—and where psychic senses spark out-of-this-world passion...

Reporter Sierra McIntyre's stories on Crystal City's ghost hunters—and their mysterious guild—have earned her tabloid a bit of respect. And they've allowed her to clothe her dust bunny companion Elvis in rock-and-roll style. It helps that she has mega-rez intuition to fall back on...

Especially when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild Boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn't want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her senses—and Elvis—give her the green light. To uncover the conspiracy within his own organization, Fontana proposes...marriage. And though it's purely a business arrangement, there is nothing pure about the attraction that sizzles between them...

And just for fun, a few more books I'm wanting to get my paws on (no pun intended *g*).



And that's just for starters! I've also got a couple of fabulous ARCs that I'll be chatting about later. But now, tell me - what's on your "must have" list? :)

Demonica: Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione

I've got a book rec for you today - Pleasure Unbound is the start of a new series by Larissa Ione set in Underworld General Hospital. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and thoroughly enjoyed it, so here I am, adding to your tbr pile. *g* This book is dark, sexy and takes place in a very unique world - totally recommended :)

Here's the blurb (you can read an except on Larissa's site). The book releases next week.

In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life…

She’s a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure—but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

Two lovers will dare to risk all.

Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his desire to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable—and let Tayla possess him, body and soul…

Your turn to add to my tbr pile. I've got a few new releases on it already, and I'm anxiously awaiting Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs. What's on your reading list?

Link & Reader Interview: Helen

First a link - Urban Fantasy Land's got Particia Brigg's new cover art up - one word: stunning!

~~~

And now, as promised, here's a new reader interview! I've got two more left (unless any more come in), that I plan to post next week. Today's interviewee is Helen, a fellow book lover!!

Question #1: Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am currently ready to graduate from Cal. State University Bakersfield after this Winter Quarter with a LBST degree. I plan to attend either San Jose State University or someplace else- I haven’t decided yet!- to get my Masters in Library Science.

Obviously I love books so I reaaallllyyyy hope to get into a profession where I am surrounded by books!

I was born in California and have lived here all my life!! I love it here and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, but I would love to travel all over the world!!

Question #2: Are you a hoarder or do you give your books away?

I am definitely a hoarder, I also happen to be a giver, especially when I love a series ‘cause then I give my books over to someone else so they can be obsessed as me and I can keep buying new ones….sounds bad but …..jeez what can I say I LOVE BOOKS!!!

Question #3: What author might tempt you into turning stalker?

I don’t think I could stalk anyone…..what with the threat of Imprisonment….but if I could get away with it….ummm…..lets just say Nalini you are definitely in the top 10!

Question #4: How susceptible are you to chocolate?

Very susceptible to chocolate, especially if it is Ferrero Rocher….ohhhhh that stuff is soooo good!!!!

Question #5: Favorite book? Why?

Such a hard question…I guess I will go with what I said in a previous blog, Piers Anthony writes Sci-Fi Fantasy books, and his Xanth series got me started reading when I was young and so I will always hold a special place in my heart for his books since his books gave me my unquenchable desire to read, read, and read!!!!

Question #6: If you knew you were going to be stuck on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?

EEEEEKK!!! The desert I can live with, (I live in the MOJAVE DESERT!) but Island!!!! I am so afraid of water!!! So for me I would definitely need …… an architect/contractor so he could design a home, and build it, if I have to live on an island….. Then I would need… a chef so he could feed me food that I wouldn’t know how to prepare, or scavenge, or find.. and last but not least…..a fully equipped helicopter pilot with a helicopter so I could leave this Island paradise whenever I need to get back to civilization!!!!

Question #7: What did you eat for breakfast?

This one is easy….I ran out the door and forgot my breakfast!!! But I was dreaming about pancakes with lots of maple syrup

Question #8: How many books in your current to-be-read pile?

Oh wow since I am in my last 3 weeks of school I have at least 10 books!! But its ok because as soon as I am done I will be reading at least 2 a day and I should be caught up in a week!

Question #9: Describe your idea of a perfect hero.

The perfect hero for me is someone who can love me for who I am, but will always spare time for others as well and not be caught up completely in just us because there is a whole world out there.

Xtra ?’s

Which character in a book do you relate most with?

-I relate most to Sascha because she fights her feelings a lot but then finds out that her emotions are what sets her free to be everything she always wanted to be and more.

Where do you live?

-I live in California, Antelope Valley, Lancaster- part of the Mojave Desert

So what would people think was a perfect heroine??

-A perfect heroine can be tough or soft but can always hold her own when she needs to.

If you were in the Psy/Changeling World, what side would you be in?

-I would absolutely want to be in the Changeling world, being able to turn into an animal would be a wonderful gift!!

Interview: Patricia Briggs

I'm absolutely delighted to present an interview with the wonderful Patricia Briggs! Her #1 NYT Bestselling (woohoo!!) Mercy Thompson series is one of my absolute favorite new series - if you haven't read these books, you're missing out!!

The series order is Moon Called, Blood Bound & Iron Kissed. However, there's also a fantastic novella "Alpha and Omega" in the On The Prowl anthology. Follow the link for excerpts.

And now, onto the interview that Patricia was gracious enough to agree to despite deadlines!

1. I have a girl-crush on you and your writing. Please tell me that doesn't disturb you so I can continue to adore you from afar.

Adoration is always acceptable :) When it is mutual it is more fun *grin*

2. I know you have a book (Cry Wolf) coming out this year featuring Anna and Charles from your brilliant short story in the On the Prowl anthology - I've heard that you originally only planned to write a novella about them. Did the fact that you'd done a novella make it harder or easier to write a full-length book about them?

A lot harder. First off, I wouldn't have made Charles a Flathead (one of the Salish people) though that was the most logical tribe for his mother to have come from -- there is a lot more information out there on other Native peoples. Also, Charles is more powerful than I usually prefer my characters to be -- it makes challenging them . . . well, more er challenging. Thirdly, I would never have left them where I did. The first chapter of Cry Wolf has to begin in Chicago -- and explain a lot of what happened in "Alpha and Omega". It all contributed to the very difficult time I had writing Cry Wolf. I like the final version, my editor liked the final version (though she maintains that the version before that wasn't bad), and one of my copyeditors wrote to tell me he liked it too.

3. Do you think you'll write more novellas set in Mercy's world?

Truthfully, I am not a short story writer -- and for me the novella is a special hell for writers. All the work of a book -- and you have to keep cutting the good stuff. It took me as long to write "Alpha and Omega" as it did "Raven's Strike" -- which is my longest book to date.

I do have a short story in Tony P. Kelner and Charlaine Harris's Wolfsbane and Mistletoe which should be out around Christmas next year. It's about David Christiansen, Adam's mercenary buddy from Moon Called.

I'll also have a short story in Strange Brew edited by P N Elrod about witches. I assume it will be out sometime in 2009. That brings my total short fiction ever written up to six. Five are published -- and one will never, ever see the light of day as it was not only horribly derivative, but a shaggy dog story as well.

4. What do you most love about the world you've created in the Mercy Thompson series?

I love to play in the "real" world. To take things I see in politics, in society and say, "what if". I derive a terrific pleasure from using real places -- "Ah hah," I mutter "that's somewhere I don't have to make up from scratch!"

5. Do you think there really are things that go bump in the night?

Absolutely. I'm not sure about werewolves -- though one of my husband's coworkers claimed that not too long before Mike (my husband) started working there, some guy broke into the building (six story brick 1920's gorgeous building) setting off the alarms. When the police got there he was crouched on the ledge outside the second story windows. They brought him in and he claimed he was running away from werewolves. I'm also not sure about vampires (other than the humans who have convinced themselves) But ghosts and ghoulies? Absolutely. In fact I have six, six foot tall, thousand pound hairy beasts that guard my home . . . all right, they're horses -- but Speck chases off any coyotes, deer or antelopes who trespass.

6. Can you tune up a VW?

Nope. But I've worked as the tool handler for my husband as he worked his arcane craft. We've had three Jettas, two Vanagons, a Eurovan, and a Passat -- as well as a pair of Opel GT's (imported by Buick, built in Germany by Opel). Most of the mechanic stuff are things that have happened to us -- or friends.

7. A couple of writerly questions because I'm nosy: How do you write - do you plot out the books or do you just run with it?

I just run with it. Though I've had to be a little more disciplined as my timelines for getting books finished has diminished. It's awfully easy to write yourself into a corner and have to delete 100 pages when you don't have an outline.

8. How do you keep track of your world? Do you have a series bible?

I have lovely people who do all the work for me. I was just sitting down (after Iron Kissed) to pull apart the three books and write everything down -- when my forum people got together and posted it to the web. So if you're curious, you can go to Hurog.com and head to the Forums and look for the Mercy's World Topic. They have saved me thousands (okay, hundreds) of hours of work. Bless 'em.

9. Were you suprised at the wonderful reader reaction to the Mercy Thompson series?

Absolutely. We (my editor and I) knew it would sell better than the straight fantasy -- because Urban Fantasy was just selling better in general. When Moon Called sold out the first week and then made it to the USA Today list, we were over the moon. (pun intended) When Blood Bound hit the New York Times we were flabergasted. When Iron Kissed made it to #1 mass market . . . well, I'm not sure I really believe it yet. I keep waiting for someone to say, "Wait, we made a mistake!" but so far so good.

10. I don't think it's spoilerish to say that Mercy chooses between Adam & Samuel in Iron Kissed. Did you always know which one she'd choose?

N: I'm whiting out the answer for those of you who haven't read Iron Kissed and want to be kept in suspense! To read the answer, just select the text either with your mouse, or using SHIFT and the arrow keys.

No. Not until I started wondering why they hadn't killed each other in Blood Bound -- and why Samuel wasn't being pushy. I knew it had to be Samuel who was running the show -- as the most dominant he determines how he and Adam interact. And the only reason I could come up with was that he wasn't really, really in love with Mercy that way anymore. Mercy loves Samuel -- but not that way -- though if Adam hadn't been around . . . Anyway, I knew when I started Iron Kissed, but I didn't expect it to resolve when it did.

11. Can you give us a hint of what you have coming up for Mercy? Tell me you have plans to write lots and lots and lots more books! :-)

The next Mercy book will be Bone Crossed. We're back to dealing with the vampires -- and for those readers who have been complaining about Stefan's absence, he's a major player in this one. After Bone Crossed, I'm under contract for three more Mercy books. We'll see where it goes from there.

12. If you met a werewolf on a lonely night, what would you do?

I have no idea. My stupid reaction to sheer terror is rage. I have no idea why. So doubtless I'd do something really dumb and get myself eaten.

13. And a fun question to end on: What's your vice of choice? Chocolate? Cute men? Wine?

Well, my husband, in addition to being smart and funny, is very cute -- but probably not a vice since he makes me happy and doesn't cost me anything (marriage is a wonderful institution). Horses would probably have to be my vice of choice, since they are demanding, expensive and, like most people bitten with the bug (Mike calls us Pod People) I tend to get obsessive about them.

A huge thanks to Patricia Briggs for the interview!!