-Well, I FINALLY got my bookshelf pages updated and posted! There are hundreds of amazing authors and books listed in both Adult and Young Adult genres of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Graphic Novels, Manga, and a couple others.

I hope that this list will help readers find new authors and books. Just click on the My Books A-K and My Books K-Z links at the top of my blog. Eventually, I’ll get started on making the book titles into links, but for now, it’s up-dated and there for you all to browse.

-I bought the Star Trek DVD and have to say that I was really impressed with JJ Abrams version of the series! I’m really hoping that they will make another movie with these actors playing these characters. Awesome! 

The next movie that I am dying to see is Avatar. The trailer looks amazing!

-UPDATE- Best selling author, Yasmine Galenorn, will be here on December 5th to begin the launch of her Jan 5th release, Bone Magic. I’ll be interviewing Yasmine and there will be a giveaway for two books. Yasmine will also be popping by to respond to comments on the 5th and 6th, so be sure to come by.

Now I’m off to read and give my fingers a rest. The mega-type-a-thon of the book lists is done. Whew!

For a change, I’ve actually been to see a few movies lately, so I thought I would share my thoughts on them with you all.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It

I’ve been to see this movie twice and I loved it! MJ was unbelievably talented and a creative genius. He still had it at 50 years old. The movie chronicles the rehearsals from the This Is It shows that were to be in London this year. Based on the footage, the show would have been absolutely amazing! It made me sad because the full show will never happen now, and his children will never get to see him perform. He passed before his time. I was also happy because he still had his voice, his dancing and his passion and dedication to his art.

(I ask that anyone who has negative comments to make about MJ keep it to themselves. If you’re not a fan of his music, that’s fine. Everyone’s entitled to their own taste in music. But I would appreciate it if anyone who has negative things to say about him would go and find a group of your peers. It’s not here.)

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

I finally made it to the theater to see this movie and was not disappointed. It should definitely be seen on the big screen at least once, though I’ll be buying the DVD as well. Harry Potter and the rest of the characters have grown up and have to go through even more trials and life changing situations.

I’m always impressed by the quality of the HP films. The stunning scenery, sets and special effects mixed with the wonderfully rich characters that the actors portray and the situations that they’re placed in makes for an amazing movie. I’m ashamed to admit that I have yet to read the books, and yes I do have them all, but I’m loving the movies!

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

If you’re a resident on the planet Earth, you know that New Moon opened on Nov 20th. I went to a 12:30pm show on Friday and it was packed, as was the show at 11:55am. The line-up outside for the movie when we came out was overwhelming. But that’s no surprise to me. (That’s why we went early. ) And thankfully there weren’t a million squealing/tweeting teenagers to ruin the movie.

I really liked it. I’ll have to see it a couple more times to totally make up my mind, but other than the people who were in the theater with a BABY who was crying!!??, I enjoyed the movie. I thought that they did a good job of putting the story to film. As an avid reader, of course there were parts of the book that I wish had been put into the movie, but let’s be real, there’s no way to pack every detail of a 608 page book into a 2 hour movie.

I loved the addition of the werewolves and the Volturi. I don’t want to give any spoilers away for those who haven’t seen it yet. They stayed true to the book with a couple of changes that added to the visual experience. I’ll definitely be going to see it again.

Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Book Description

“Vamps in Chicago!

You’d think headlines like that would have provoked the fine citizens of the Windy City to take up arms against us bloodsucking fiends. Instead, ten months later, we’re enjoying a celebrity status reserved for the Hollywood elite—fending off paparazzi only slightly less dangerous than cross and stake-wielding slayers. Don’t get me wrong, Joe Public isn’t exactly thrilled to be living side-by-side with the undead, but at least they haven’t stormed the castle yet.

But all that will change once they learn about the Raves—mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle and drink themselves silly. Most civilized vampires frown on this behaviour, putting mere mortals at ease with their policy of asking a person’s consent before taking a big gulp of the red stuff. However, that doesn’t make good copy for a first time reporter looking to impress his high society family.

So now my “master,” the centuries old, yet gorgeously well-preserved Ethan Sullivan, wants me to reconnect with my own upper class family and act as liaison between humans and vampires—and keep the more unsavoury aspects of our existence out of the media. But someone doesn’t want people and vamps to play nicey-nice—someone with an ancient grudge.”

My Thoughts:

The second book in the Chicagoland Vampires series did not dissapoint! If you’ve read my review of the first book, Some Girls Bite, then you know I was addicted from the get go. In this book, Merit continues her training as Sentinel for her “House”, and is still working on adjusting to her new life as a vampire. I love that Merit has such a sassy and courageous personality. I had a hard time putting the book down. The plot flows well, mixed in with excitement, danger, mystery, romance and humor. The world-building, characters and story telling that Chloe Neill has crafted is quite simply gritty and delicious at the same time!

I highly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Mystery or Suspense of the supernatural variety. If you’re new to the genres, but not sure about the “gore” factor involved with Vampires and Shifters, then this is also a great series as it’s not overly descriptive in that regard. There is violence, as it wouldn’t be a Paranormal/Urban Fantasy without it, but it’s not of the horror variety. (Though, strangely enough, I see it shelved in the Horror section of my local bookstores!? This does not confound me overly much as I also find Erotica shelved in Fantasy too, lol.)

Buy Friday Night Bites at:

Chapters

Amazon

Today is Rememberance Day up here in Canada and I’d like to take a moment to give thanks to all the brave men and women in our military for their strength, their sacrifice, and their efforts on our behalf.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow (1)
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

To my brother Kai, I hope you come home safely soon. I love you.

The Midnight Guardian by Sarah Jane Stratford

Book Description:

“It’s 1938, and the tentacles of Hitler’s terrifying Third Reich have commenced their stranglehold on Europe. The Nazi empire will soon be clean of all bloodlines deemed tainted or undesirable…including vampires. London’s ancient tribunal of vampires is aghast at the destruction taking place on the Continent. Though vampires try not to interfere with human politics, Hitler’s terrible plans force them into action.

They resolve to send five of their most formidable vampires to Berlin— millennials that have lived over 1000 years and whose age and wisdom make them close to invulnerable— to infiltrate, disrupt, and destroy the growing Nazi war machine.The brilliant and beautiful millennial Brigit is loath to go, but her powers are needed if the mission is to have any chance of success. She must summon all her strength to endure the separation from her lover Eamon, whom she made almost eight centuries ago, but whose lack of millennial status makes him an unacceptable choice for this operation. Though he longs to join her, his duty to Brigit is best served from afar, by nurturing their deep psychic connection and reinforcing her spirit with his fierce devotion and memories of his tender embrace.

But as the millennials attempt to penetrate and sabotage Hitler’s armies, they discover that the Nazis are more capable than any human force they’ve yet encountered and more monstrous than they’d ever imagined. Forced to take bolder, more dangerous steps, they soon attract the attention of specially trained vampire hunters loyal to Hitler and his vision of a vampire-free Europe. Exposed, deep inside enemy territory, with vicious Nazi officers and hunters at her heels, Brigit must attempt a daring escape from the Continent, guarding precious cargo that marks the only hope of salvaging their mission.”

My Thoughts:

I was sent this book to review from the lovely folks over at St. Martins Press. Now I’m not much of a historical buff, but this novel was extremely well written and kept me captivated. Sarah Jane Stratford pens an intriguing tale full of suspense, romance, danger and takes you back to the beginnings of World War II with a really likeable group of vampires.

I found myself cheering Brigit, Mors, Eamon and the rest of the group on in their mission. This author skillfully mixes in the paranormal with history and takes you on the journey with them through her world-building and rich characters. I found it to be a very impressive debut and look forward to the next Millennial novel.

To find out more about Sarah Jane Stratford and her books, go to her WEBSITE. 

Buy The Midnight Guardian at:

Chapters

Amazon

Lenore: Noogies by Roman Dirge

Book Description

“Take a trip into the dark, surreal world of a little dead girl with a knack for (often) unintentional mayhem in this remastered, gothic classic, newly-coloured and presented in glorious hardcover!

A massive cult hit on both sides of the Atlantic, Lenore is one of the funniest, darkest, cutest, creepiest characters on the marketplace today.”

My Thoughts:

Roman Dirge’s twisted dark sense of humor in the creation of Lenore is side-splittingly captivating! If you like a dose of the undead mixed in with your day, then Lenore is the way to go. Mr Dirge’s ability to capture the childlike thought process of a cute but macabre little dead girl makes for some hysterical situations and some truly wonderful artwork captured in this graphic novel.

I highly recommend Lenore: Noogies to anyone who has a taste for all things gothic, humorous, creepy yet adorable and artwork that brings the character and her little mishaps story to vivid life.

To find out more about Roman Dirge, visit his website.

Buy Lenore: Noogies at:

Chapters/Indigo

Amazon

 The end of the year is coming up, can you believe it.  My wonderful Twin, at Wicked Lil Pixie and I have decided to ask our readers what their favorites of 2009 are.

I figured we would start a bit easy: YA category Favorite Authors & Best New Authors and we’ll move on week by week to other genres/sub-genres/authors. I also know there’s a lot of late releases this year, so they’ll have their own category as well, so we don’t leave anyone out.

I also think a top 5 for every category should suffice, we know how hard it is to choose favorites.

 At the end of it, we will have a contest with some of the top books of every category being given away.

So, comment away…who are your FAVORITE NEW AUTHORS of 2009 & FAVORITE YA Authors of 2009 nominate as many as you want for each category and next week we’ll have a poll to narrow them all down!

 Nat over at Wicked Lil Pixie awarded me with a Heartfelt Award! Thanks Nat, I heart you too.

“Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you’re relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy ? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.”

I am to list 9 blogs that make me feel warm and cozy…

1. Patricia’s Vampire Notes

2. Literary Escapism

3. Sci Fi Guy

4. Anna’s Book Blog

5. Amberkatze’s Book Blog

6. Dark Faerie Tales

7. La Femme Readers

8. Book Chick City

9. Bloody Bookaholic

I just personally want to say “Thanks” to all of you amazing book addicts who take the time to create and maintain such great blogs to share your finds and thoughts with the rest of us!

Yes boys and girls, I went and got myself a new tattoo a few weeks ago and I love it! I’ve been a fan of Jasmine Becket-Griffith for years and when I recieved a flyer in the mail advertising her new figurine line through The Bradford Exchange, the picture of this figurine, Ruby, just kept sticking in my mind. Here’s a pic of the figurine:

Sweet right? So as fate would have it, after I’d stewed over the idea for awhile, I friended a tattoo artist on facebook through a mutual friend. I decided to ask for a quote, and as they say, the rest is history! Here’s my tatt: (It’s on the side of my right calf in case anyone wants to know).

And here’s the picture the artist took for his portfolio on the day we did the 6 hours of carving my leg tatt! The artist is Tex Nobles from OM Studio. He did an awesome job. She’s beautiful no?

For some reason, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s character Simi comes to mind when I look at it, but I just flat out fell in love with the picture and had to have it! So what do you all think?

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

BUY

Book Description:

“Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn’t quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new “friend,” Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever-rub the genie’s lamp.

If you love Sookie  Stackhouse, then you’ll want to dive into Nicole Peeler’s enchanting debut novel.”

My Thoughts:

Besides the fact that I absolutely LOVE the cover, Tempest Rising is one of the best reads I’ve devoured this year! I’m loving the cover because 1) It’s just gorgeous! 2) It’s different. 3) I’m loving the colors used, and 4) It kind of reminds me of Jasmine Becket-Griffith’s artwork of which I am a huge fan. Sharon Tancredi is the awesome illustrator of the covers for this series. 

Jane True is totally one of the funniest, animated and entertaining characters I’ve had the pleasure to “meet” on paper. I was completely absorbed in the world that Nicole Peeler has created and couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. Ryu, Anyan, Nell, Tracey and Grizelda are rich characters alongside Jane and others. Between several cultural references and Jane’s inner dialogue I was laughing my head off while cheering her on during her madcap caper of a journey.

  I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Tracking The Tempest which is slated as a spring/summer 2010 release from Orbit 

To find out more about the author, go to Nicole Peeler’s Website

To read a great interview with the author, go to Wicked Lil Pixie’s Blog

Buy at Chapters

Buy at Amazon