Book Review: Midnight: Century of the Vampire 1-3

Set in a future where the war between humans and the vampires is coming to a close and the humans are losing, we are introduced to Mark and Aura as they are attempting to survive the vampires and find along the way.

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I was lucky enough to get a chance to review this omnibus and found it to be rather enjoyable.  There are three novellas contained within that give the reader a chance to start get to know Aura and Mark and watch their relationship develop.  We are also introduced to a group of scientists that that add another interesting dynamic to the stories.

After reading the first three novellas in this series I admit be being filled with questions such as how this war ever came about and the mystery surrounding Aura.  The stories however are good enough that I am more then willing to wait on the answers.  I also found it refreshing that while there is romance involved it's not all about a sexy vampire.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy the paranormal.  I rate this book a 3.4.

***I was given this omnibus by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Review: Daughter of the Spellcaster

Has a spell been cast?

Lena Dunkirk is a practicing witch, Ryan McNally a wealthy playboy. Logic says mismatch, yet from the first they share a passion that defies reason, as if they know each other from another place, another time. Then Lena gets pregnant and runs for the safety of home.

Months later, when Ryan appears at her door looking to help raise their child, Lena doesn’t know whom to trust–particularly now that “guru to the stars” Bahru has taken an interest in her baby, offering gifts forged of magic.

Soon she and Ryan are sharing eerie dreams of ancient lands, while a vengeful demon plots to take possession of their child. As the moment of birth approaches, the demon’s power rises, forcing the hand of love to wield the blade that will decide the fate of a child’s soul–and the future of the world.

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Wow!  It's not very often that on comes across a book that is fairly accurate when it comes to Wicca.  And the reason that I only say fairly is that the element of fantasy was introduced.  But it does a fantastic job of showing basic spellwork and explaining some of the rites. 

As you can tell I am rather impressed by DAUGHTER OF THE SPELLCASTER.  I just loved Lena, Ryan and Lena's mom Selma.  All great characters portrayed with a deft touch.  Rather then being one dimensional we get to see them in both great days and moments of weakness. 

The plot itself is woven together beautiful with times of terror and of joy, and all with that touch of magic.  One is never quite sure just what the next page will bring which keep me glued to the book.

I highly recommend DAUGHTER OF THE SPELLCASTER to anyone that enjoys their romantic suspense with that little extra.  I rate this book a 4.6.

***I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

Freak Out.

I really feel as though I have been neglecting you this month.  I have to admit that my head hasn't been into blogging or even really spending a lot to time on my computer this month.  Since I have been babying my right elbow I have really been trying to use my left hand more.  Well as luck has it, I am starting to develop pain in that wrist.  Oh well, one thing at a time.

Since playing with metal is going to be out of the question for a while I have been spending time in my studio trying to get ideas out of my head and also finish up some jewelry that I have promised.  I have a few pieces done (but of course I haven't taken pictures) but I don't think that I am even finish up on my Yule gifts.  On the bright side, I am almost finished with my last project that I committed too.  It's a charm bracelet and I am down to my least favorite part which is attaching all the wonderful dangles with jump rings.

Since my surgery is next Tuesday I have been getting slightly freaked out.  Not about the surgery itself but afterwards.  Like just how am I going to be able to pull my shoulder length hair up without two hands.  And no my husband won't let me cut it.  Yes I did check.  And washing it?  Just how does that work let alone drying it.  I can just see pulling the hubby out of bed to dry my hair.  Oh and cutting my food.  And I will have to get a bib as I am horrible with my left hand.  Well you see what I mean.

It is going to be fun however dragging the husband to Black Friday for the few things that I want.  I just hope that everyone else doesn't want them as there is NO way I am going to be up to standing in line for hours.  At least with Macy's you can go online on Thanksgiving for the same items.

Anyways I wanted to let you know that I was still alive and my posting is apt to be spotty.  I will have the hubby pop up on Facebook to let everyone know how the surgery goes.

Book Review: Christmas Stalking

Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel "Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.

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I was in the mood for a romantic suspense and with the holidays coming up how could I resist a book called CHRISTMAS STALKING.  I did get more then I expected as technically this book should be listed under Christian Fiction.  Luckily the storyline was good enough that all the mention of faith and God didn't pull me out of the story.  I just think that mention of this fact should be brought up so the book can be correctly filed.

As I said before this book has a very tight plot with some very enjoyable characters.  I just loved Winnie and her frustration when everyone around her tried to protect her and not let her know what is really going on.  Colt is strong yet tender and protective of those he loves.  Ellie has been scarred by her past yet this family manages to scale the walls that she has built to protect herself.

The plot itself is very tight and filled with suspense.  They never knew just where the next blow would come from.  The dialogue was crisp and right on target.  All in all this was an enjoyable book to read.

I rate this book a 3.8 and would have rated it higher if there had been any mention that this book fell into the Christian genre of writing. 

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

Art Charm Hop

This year has been one of challenges.  I have fallen in love with them as they give me a hint of a direction and then push me to grow.  Before this particular challenge I have really no idea just what an Art Charm would be.  And I want to thank our lovely hostess Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions for her patience with all my questions.

The requirements were that we each had to make eleven charms one of which would be donated to an auction benefiting Beads of Courage.  If you haven't heard of Beads of Courage, they are a wonderful organization that gives out beads to children with life threatening illnesses when they undergo different treatment milestones.  This really helps to keep spirits up for these brave kids. 

There are a lot of definition of an art charm out there on the internet but my take away is a charm made by manipulation.  One could make the charm of ceramic, glass, clay.  Or for those of us that don't make beads one could take things that are handmade and combine them.  

And for the direction, our theme was laughter.  Now this one was a bit of a toughey as I am not one to break out in laughter.   So instead I thought of things that are guaranteed to put a smile upon my face.  And one would be watching a flock of birds dancing in the air on a warm blue day with wisps of clouds floating by.

Now that I had decided on the concept the design came together rather quickly.  I used lampwork spacers that I picked up on Powers Art Studio(they have some really nice beads at reasonable prices), Swarovski crystals, and the birds that are lead-free pewter from TierraCast.  I did some light wirewrapping using sterling to bring it all together. 

I really had a lot of fun with this swap and will be joining the next one that I stumble upon.  All of the charms that I received are so unique and so gorgeous.  Be sure to check them out as you will be amazed.  Just click here for the list of participants.  And if you would like to add some wonderful charms to your collection and help out a great cause click here.

Beautiful Things

This week has really moved along quickly and I am left wondering why I didn't get such and such done.  Oh well there is always next week.

• This was a good mail week.  The necklace above is one that I won from Alicia of All The Pretty Things.  I just love this necklace.  The suede is so soft and comfortable.  Another bonus is that it hits me in the just the right spot.
• Another thing that arrived last week was my art charms from the swap that I participated in.  I just love them all and be sure to check back tomorrow when we will all be showing off.
• I was able to hide out in my Studio for a few hours yesterday.  I was listening to a good book and putting away my pretties.  I had picked up some things from Out West, BeatleBaby Glassworks and Marsha Neal Studios.  Once I played and petted my new beads I was actually able to make one necklace for my husband and almost finish work on charm  bracelet that I am trading for a pair of fingerless gloves.  
• I am sad in some ways that I won't be able to play with metal for a while after my surgery but I am also excited.  For one the pain will be gone (at least in my elbow... starting to have other issues because of how I has having to do things to baby the elbow) and for another since I won't be able to create in the same way I am going to be pushed in new directions such as that resin that I picked up and using a lot of more textiles.  I can hardly wait to see what I come up with.
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Book Review: Big Shot

Fate brought Texas rancher Durk Lambert face-to-face with his ex-lover, Meghan Sinclair. The reckless but gorgeous P.I. had been beaten and left for dead, with no memory of her attacker, of Durk…or herself. Years ago she'd broken his heart, but no cowboy walked away from a woman in need.While Durk kept her safe on his Bent Pine Ranch, his own memories threatened him—laughing with Meghan, making love. He still wanted her, but he feared Meghan was the one woman he could never have—and the one he'd lay down his life to protect. Because while Durk wanted her to remember, a killer needed her to forget.

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It has been years since I have read one of the more 'classical' Harlequin romances and I did enjoy my trip to the past.  I used to devour these books when I was younger.  I think that my tastes have changed as I have matured however.  I really did expect some more tension in a romantic suspense then was served up.  Instead if I will think of this line as romantic suspense lite I will know just what Harlequin line to grab when I am in the mood.

Overall I did enjoy the story.  Durk is all that a man should be with his strong sense of honor and protectiveness to those that are physically weaker and those that he loves.  The sense of warmness that one gets from the Lambert family is a true delight and Meghan as she recovers her memories is one that fits well within that clan.

The book was cleanly written with the exception of one misspelled word that the editor should have caught as it is a common mistake.  The pacing was great and kept my interest.  

I rate this book a 3 as it was an enjoyable way to pass the time but it doesn't have that special spark that would prompt me to hunt out the previous books in this series.

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

Beautiful Things

(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Sorry that this is a day late but I pretty much took the weekend off from my computer.  I have started to have issues with my left hand lately and wanted to give it a break.

1. Husband was off this weekend so we did get to spend some time together.  Went out to grab some greek food at a place in Federal Way that I discovered through Groupon.  Not bad at all.
2. I finally moved into the 21st century and picked up a Samsung Galaxy S3 cell phone.  I had held onto my old blackberry for as long as I could due to the battery life but when the cat broke it, I knew that it was time to get a real phone.  Now I wonder why I waited to long.  I absolutely love it!
3. My numbers are starting to look prettier at work which is a load of stress off of me. They were talking about me working back in the call center again which I absolutely don't want to have to do.  I love working from home and it really helps out with my migraines.

Ears To You blog hop

I normally tend to be a little bit chattier but I have been dealing with a nasty migraine since Wednesday so I am just going to put up some pictures as I am sure that other participants will do a great job of explaining the hop.  Also I do apologize for the wrap on the third pair.  I just noticed it.  I will have to fix it before I mail these pairs out on Monday.

Copper Diem
My Addictions
Beads, Tea and Sweets
Juls Beads
Fabric of my Life
Blogging Business Artisans
Jeannie's Blog
Lorelei's Blog
One Kiss Creations
Backstory Beads
According to Katie
Cherish Designs
Beads: Rolling Downhill
Falling Into The Sky
Garden Path Beads
Antiquity Travelers
Sissy and Jacks
Erin Siegel Jewelry/Art Bead Scene
Northwood Creative Studio
SilverRose Designs
Dreamin of Beads/SAS Jewelry Design
Cabe Woman
Summers Studio
Honey from the Bee
Shaiha's Ramblings
Mama's Got to Doodle
Beads for Busy Gals
Tanya McGuire
Creative Atelier