THE FRIDAY 56 : CHRYSALIS THE AWAKENING

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Closest book: Chrysalis The Awakening by ML Lacy
P56, 5th sentence:

The view of the city from my window was not what I expected, but it was probably more spectacular at night.

BRANDED BY FIRE WINNER!

The winner of the Branded By Fire Giveaway is..... (((drum roll here)))

Jamie

Congratulations to our winner!! And please contact me for your mailing address so that I could post your book to you on Monday.

And a big THANK YOU to all who participated in the contest!!


Notice: Postal strike re-start today (I think). So please expect delays.

CONTEST REMINDER

Branded By Fire Giveaway ends today, so grab your opportunity to bag yourself a free copy before it's too late! Click here to go to the contest.

SERVANT THE AWAKENING

Servant The Awakening by LL Foster
Book 1 of the The Servant series

Genre: urban fantasy, chicklit

About This Book:

Gabrielle Cody has the ability to see the demons among us as they really are-and the responsibility to destroy them. She can't allow anyone to get in her way, even the magnetic Detective Luther Cross. Sensing a malevolent presence watching and stalking her, Gaby is drawn again and again to an abandoned hospital surrounded by an aura of sickness and suffering-and unimaginable evil.

Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from the author's website at http://www.llfoster.com/Books/awakening/index.htm on 27/10/09.

Cherry's Rating: 1 out of 5 cherries


Verdict: Annoying read

My Take On This Book:
I've read this book sometime ago so this review is a repeat basically. The old review got lost somewhere in a fit of housecleaning and I changed my blog's url and template back in June (or so) this year. This book was recommended to me by a Facebook friend and so I went and bought it. After I've read it, I told my Facebook friend that I would not read any of his recommendations ever again. He then told me that LL Foster is his sister!! Of course I backpedalled furiously! I told Artie that the story telling quality was superb. Which it was! I must have said something sufficiently pacifying because he is still talking to me. If you plan on getting me a Christmas gift, buy me a duct tape for my mouth please. The reason I gave this book a one out of five is that this book has a cliffhanger ending. I don't like cliffhanger endings! This was the first and the last LL Foster aka Lori Foster book I've read and avoided LFoster since then.

But because Ms. Foster is Artie's sister, I would still promote this author. So for those readers who are more forgiving than me, below is a buy link. I do not expect the whole world to have exact the same tastes as I do, so for those who would like this kind of reads, you can buy this book at:
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DX9KNV6

EMBRACE THE NIGHT

Embrace The Night by Karen Chance
Book 3 of the Cassandra Palmer series.

About This Book:

Recently named the world’s chief clairvoyant, Cassandra Palmer still has a thorn in her side. As long as Cassie and a certain master vampire—the sizzling-hot Mircea—are magically bound to each other, her life will never be her own …

The spell that binds them can only be broken with an incantation found in the Codex Merlini, an ancient grimoire. The Codex’s location has been lost in the present day, so Cassie will have to seek it out in the only place it can still be found—the past.

But Cassie soon realizes the Codex has been lost for a reason. The book is rumored to contain some seriously dangerous spells, and retrieving it may help Cassie to deal with Mircea, but it could also endanger the world...

Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from the author's website at http://www.karenchance.com/books_embracethenight.html on 25/10/09.

Cherry's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Genre: urban fantasy, chicklit, time travel

This book has adult content.

Verdict: Fast-paced and never a dull moment.

My Take On This Book:
The story-telling quality is good although it has some annoying tendencies like trying to paint the female protagonist as stupid in an effort to create more drama in the story. I find that irritating to read. There is also too many time travels back and forth, back and forth, which is kinda dizzying to the reader. Having said that, the author has cleverly avoided paradoxes which is the usual pitfall of time tavel stories. This book is also fast-paced and never a boring moment. On the whole I would give this book a 3 and a half out of five.

THE FRIDAY 56 : CURSE THE DAWN

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Closest book: Curse The Dawn by Karen Chance
P56, 5th sentence:

I'd been trying to surreptitiously wipe my sweaty palms on the full skirts of my dress, but I guess I hadn't been subtle enough.

BONFIRE NIGHT GIVEAWAY

Bonfire Night is celebrated in Great Britain every 5th of November. We commemorate the public execution of Guy Fawkes and everything rebellious with fireworks!

I was looking for a book suitably rebellious for our Bonfire Night theme but couldn't find one. So, I'm giving away The Magicians by Lev Grossman instead. Haven't read this book, so you thriller buffs tell me if this book is good or not...

How To Enter:
Open only to followers. Post in a comment that you are a follower. To gain extra chances of winning:
+1 entry credit - post a comment
+1 entry credit - re-post this contest and tell me the url in a comment here

Open to international addresses. If this contest is not in concordance to your local legislations, then it is up to you to abide by your rules. Will mail to any valid address in the world as long as the postman can get to you. No hand deliveries folks! Contest ends on November 5, 2009. Winner to be announced on November 6, 2009. And please, please make it easy for me to contact you just in case you win, and leave an email add. But if you do not want to leave an email add, please make sure that you come back on Nov 6 to check if you won. Good luck ppl!

**CONTEST CLOSED**

Mr Linky:
If you have a contest that you want to tell people about, just enter it in the Mr Linky box in this format:

Your name: (enter the name of your contest)

Your url: (enter the url of your contest)

THE WARRIOR : THE MEAN STREETS ANTHO

The Warrior by Jim Butcher
Published in Mean Streets anthology. A Dresden File short story.

Verdict: Short and sweet.
The title of the story does not fit though. But if Butcher is going to develop this short story to something more, then maybe yes. But the story as it is, no. There are four more short stories in the book but I did not read them. I was only interested in Jim Butcher's work.

Caption from the back:
Harry Dresden - Chicago's only professional wizard - tries to protect a friend from danger and ends up becoming a target himself.

Cherry's Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries

THE FRIDAY 56 : EMBRACE THE NIGHT

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Closest book: Embrace The Night by Karen Chance
P56, 5th sentence:

Then slowly, as if he were moving underwater, he pulled back, his teeth sliding out of me cleanly.

OBSIDIAN PREY

Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle
Book 6 of the Harmony series by Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle

Genre: paranormal romance

My Take On This Book:
I had a hard time getting into this book, unlike it's predecessors where it was grab-you-and-take-you-away from page one. And the ending was a little bit too corny for my liking. The twists and plots is slightly predictable. About one-third into the book and I was pretty sure who the bad guys are which proved to be correct at the end. Still an enjoyable read. Story-telling quality is 4 out of 5. But on the whole, I give this book a 3.

Cherry's Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries

Caption At The Back:

The world of Harmony has it's own special glow, thanks to the aliens who left behind powerful amber and twisting underground catacombs. Sparks fly, senses are rezzed, and passion can take yo by surprise...

Three months ago, amber tuner and independent prospector Lyra Dore made the find of the decade in an underground rain forest: amethyst ruins. But the very man she was dating stole her claim - and her heart. At least she has her artistically talented dust bunny, Vincent, to comfort her...

Amber Inc. CEO Cruz Sweetwater never meant to hurt Lyra. His affinity for obsidian amber gives him the ability to sense that she is his true love. But the ruins have mysterious powers, putting everyone involved with the project in danger. Only by trusting their psychic instincts will Crus and Lyra survive - and surrender to the desire that binds them.

HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY

Oh goody!! It's halloween month!! I don't read horror but it's Halloween, so horror it is! But because I am not such a horror fan, I will focus more on the celebratory aspect of Halloween. The fun part! Trick or treat, chocolates, and giveaways! Righty yo... so I am giving away Dracula The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt for you scary junkies:

How To Enter:
+1 entry credit - post a comment
+1 entry credit - re-post this contest and tell me the url in a comment here
+1 entry credit - become a follower and tell me in a comment here. If you are already a follower, just say so in a comment here too.

Open to all. If this contest is not in concordance to your local legislations, then it is up to you to abide by your rules. Will mail to any valid address in the world as long as the postman can get to you. No hand deliveries folks! Contest ends on November 3, 2009. Winner to be announced on November 4, 2009. And please, please make it easy for me to contact you just in case you win, and leave an email add. But if you do not want to leave an email add, please make sure that you come back on November 4 to check if you won. Good luck ppl!

About This Book:

The official sequel to Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula, written by his direct descendent and endorsed by the Stoker family. The story begins in 1912, twenty-five years after the events described in the original novel. Dr. Jack Seward, now a disgraced morphine addict, hunts vampires across Europe with the help of a mysterious benefactor. Meanwhile, Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school to pursue a career in stage at London's famous Lyceum Theatre. The production of Dracula at the Lyceum, directed and produced by Bram Stoker, has recently lost its star. Luckily, Quincey knows how to contact the famed Hungarian actor Basarab, who agrees to take the lead role. Quincey soon discovers that the play features his parents and their former friends as characters, and seems to reveal much about the terrible secrets he's always suspected them of harbouring. But, before he can confront them, Jonathan Harker is found murdered. The writers were able to access Bram Stoker's hand-written notes and have included in their story characters and plot threads that had been excised by the publisher from the original printing over a century ago. Dracula is one of the most recognized fictional characters in the world, having spawned dozens of multi-media spin-offs. The Un-Dead is the first Dracula story to enjoy the full support of the Stoker estate since the original 1931 movie starring Bela Lugosi.

Info in About This Book was taken from amazon at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/000731034X/ref=s9_tops_bw_i12?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-sign-in&pf_rd_r=0GVWA5NW05AM882QD0KF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=471525753&pf_rd_i=63 on 10/10/09.

I picked this book because this seems to be a classic horror. But I haven't read this book so you tell me.

**THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**

THE FRIDAY 56 : OBSIDIAN PREY

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Closest book: Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle
Book 6 of the Harmony series.
P56, 5th sentence:

The columns supported a dome-shaped roof.

BAD MOON RISING

Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dark Hunter book #26; Were-Hunter book #7

Genre: paranormal romance, urban fantasy

Cherry's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


My Take On This Book:
This is the story about Fang Kattalakis (wolf katagaria) and Aimee Peltier (bear arcadian).

The old premise in the Dark Hunter/WereHunter world is that different species do not inter-mate. It is a total no, no. Completely un-acceptable. Consequently there is a huge racial discrimination for mixed heritages and mixed couples. So on the outset, one can already see the problem that our protagonists are facing. A bear and a wolf don't mate. It makes an interesting love story.  Not very original though. Anyhow, the story-telling quality is still good. Also nice to hear about background follow-ups to characters and events in previous novels. I always liked that. Nicely links-in this novel with the others. On the whole, I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5.


Cover Art: I thought I was having a deja vu when I saw Born Of Night. Does the two cover arts look the same to you? Or am I just being crossed-eyed?

It seems that Elora's Cave tactics is catching... recycling models :)

Hellchasers: Also in Bad Moon Rising is where I first heard about the Hellchasers. I presume this would be another Dark Hunter off-shoot series just like the WereHunter and the Dream Hunter serieses. Different threads on the same world. I guess it does make a variety. Keeps it from being boring. Or is the Dark Hunter world getting a bit too crowded?

About Bad Moon Rising:

Fang Kattalakis isn't just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. When Aimee, the woman Fang loves, is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever. The war is on and time is running out...

Info in About Bad Moon Rising was taken from amazon at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0749909226?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwcherrydece-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0749909226 on 07/10/09.