WOW: The Guardians and The Human Blend

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.  This weekly meme features upcoming releases that we are looking forward to reading and highlights their release dates for others who may not be as familiar with some of the books.  It's also a great way to check out other books that other readers have discovered are being released.

The Human Blend (Tipping Point Trilogy, Book 1)
by Alan Dean Foster
Release Date: November 23, 2010

Given his name because radical surgery and implants have reduced him to preternatural thinness, Whispr is a thug. His partner in crime, Jiminy Cricket, has also been physically altered with nanocarbonic prosthetic legs and high-strength fast-twitch muscle fibers that give him great jumping abilities. In a dark alley in Savannah, Whispr and Jiminy murder what they take to be a random tourist in order to amputate and then fence his sophisticated artificial hand. But the hapless victim also happens to be carrying an unusual silver thread that appears to be some kind of storage medium. Ever quick to scent potential profit, Whispr and Jiminy grab the thread as well.


Chance later deposits a wounded Whispr at the clinic of Dr. Ingrid Seastrom. Things have not gone smoothly for Whispr since he acquired the mysterious thread. Powerful forces are searching for him, and Jiminy has vanished. All Whispr wants to do is sell the thread as quickly as he can. When he offers to split the profits with Ingrid in exchange for her medical services, she makes an astonishing discovery.

So begins a unique partnership. Unlike Whispr, Ingrid is a natural, with no genetic or bodily alteration. She is also a Harvard-educated physician, while Whispr's smarts are strictly of the street variety. Yet together they make a formidable team - as long as they can elude the enhanced assassins that are tracking them.

The Guardians

by Andrew Pyper

Release Date: January 4, 2011

There's no such thing as an empty house...

Trevor, Randy, Ben and Carl grew up together in the small town of Grimshaw as many boys do - playing hockey and forging friendships that run deep. Twenty-four years later, when Ben commits suicide, the three remaining friends gather once again in their hometown. But going home means going back, and that's not always easy. The three men are forced to confront their memories of a sinister crime that happened in an abandoned house in their neighbourhood - a crime that claws its way into the present, leaving its indelible mark on everyone.

Review: The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes

The Jumbee
by Pamela Keyes
Release Date: October 19, 2010
2010 Dial Books
Softcover Edition; 400 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3313-8
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
When Esti Legard starts theater school on Cariba, she's determined to step out of the shadow of her late father, a famous Shakespearean actor. But on an island rife with superstition, Esti can't escape the darkness. In the black of the theater, an alluring phantom voice - known only as Alan - becomes her brilliant drama tutor, while in the light of day Esti struggles to resist her magnetic attraction to Rafe, the local bad boy. Toppled sets, frightening rumors of jumbee ghosts, and brewing tropical storms culminate in a tantalizingly spooky finale where romance sizzles and truths are unmasked.

My Thoughts
I am one of those people who is thoroughly and absolutely addicted and fascinated by The Phantom of the Opera.  I actually first read the novel in French many years ago for a French Literature course (Le Fantome de l'Opera par Gaston Leroux) and then came the theatrical production, and of course, the film.  So when I received The Jumbee to review, loosely based on the ideas of The Phantom of the Opera, I was more than happy to delve into another twisted love triangle.

The Jumbee is set on the beautiful tropical island of the West Indies, but still retains the flavour of the original work by having many of its scenes occurring in a theater.  I'm not sure if anything can match the famous Opera de Paris (Palais Garnier), but with the theater being part of an old plantation house where slaves were tortured and beaten to death and is said to be haunted, definitely gave the setting that haunted feeling that is needed for a novel such as this.  The many myths and legends surrounding the island also helped to give the novel its mystical allure.  I just don't believe it was enough to carry off a novel that is going to be compared to The Phantom of the Opera, with its underground lake system, and double walls that allow for a series of mischiefs.  In The Jumbee, we have hurricanes occurring out of season, ocean waters, downpours, poisonous trees, and other such nuissances that create problems for the protagonists. 

Although I enjoyed the novel, and found the descriptions of the island and the theater to be fascinating, I just wasn't convinced of the ardour between Alan and Esti as I felt something was missing all of the time.  I didn't feel the connection that she felt to Alan, although I did feel pity and sadness for him, and I couldn't relate to her feelings about him, so I felt distant from her a lot of the time.  Although I understood her attraction to him when he spoke the Shakesperean texts to her, I didn't understand how that transferred into this all-consuming love for him so quickly and so suddenly, especially as how she didn't, and couldn't, touch him or see him. What I could relate to, however, was her feelings for Rafe Solomon, as he seemed more real and human.  I adored Rafe, with his powerful emotions and all of his flaws.  I also wished I learned more about Esti's father as it always seemed like we were given little tidbits of information but little else afterwards and I felt let down at the end as I don't think I really understood why Esti acted the way she did in the last year of his life.  Perhaps if Esti's character had been developed a little more, her thoughts and actions would have made more sense to me. 

The cast surrounding Esti and all of her friends were quite unique and I enjoyed them tremendously, even Ma, who wasn't exactly nice to Esti.  Alan's character was a lot of fun to read about, even if I didn't understand the love relationship, but he certainly gave the people of Cariba some interesting gossip and fed the tales of the jumbee, the ghosts that haunt the island.  And although he wasn't always nice to people, he was the most interesting when it came to character development.  


Verdict
The Jumbee was an interesting read, with a definite Caribbean flavour.  I always like reading books where I learn some of the history about the places in the novel, and it made me realize I am somewhat lacking in my knowledge of the slave trade in the West Indies and need a refresher course.   And I couldn't help comparing it to The Phantom of the Opera, which was perhaps unfair as well as Ms. Keyes definitely weaves the superstitions of a Caribbean culture with an old tale into a unique story, with enough suspense and mystery to keep any reader interested. 

Upcoming Releases - October 18 - 24

Another week of great books releasing that I really want to read.  I don't think I will ever reduce that TBR pile, EVER!!!!!!    As soon as I finish three books, I add about ten to the list and if that grows exponentionally, well...I am basically out of luck when it comes to taming the pile.  But, even after all these years, I still get a thrill when I walk into the library or bookstore and see those new releases on the shelves and I can't help but get excited when I pick up a new book.  My husband calls it an addiction, I call it a passion.

Crescendo (Hush, Book 2)
by Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 19, 2010

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?


Nightshade (Witches' War, Book 1)
by Andrea Cremer
Release Date: October 19, 2010

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?




The Templar Salvation (Last Templar, Book 2)
by Raymond Khoury
Release Date: October 19, 2010

Constantinople, 1203: As the rapacious armies of the Fourth Crusade lay siege to the city, a secretive band of Templars infiltrate the imperial library. Their target: a cache of documents that must not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Doge of Venice. They escape with three heavy chests, filled with explosive secrets that these men will not live long enough to learn. Vatican City, present day: FBI agent Sean Reilly infiltrates the Pope's massive Vatican Secret Archives of the Inquisition. No one but the Pope's trusted secondi get in-but Reilly has earned the Vatican's trust, a trust he has no choice but to violate. His love, Tess Chaykin, has been kidnapped; the key to her freedom lays in this underground tomb, in the form of a document known as the Fondo Templari, a secret history of the infamous Templars...


Forge (Chains, Book 2)
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Release Date: October 19, 2010

The Patriot Army was shaped and strengthened by the desperate circumstances of the Valley Forge winter. This is where Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. In addition to the hardships of soldiering, he lives with the fear of discovery, for he is an escaped slave passing for free. And then there is Isabel, who is also at Valley Forge - against her will. She and Curzon have to sort out the tangled threads of their friendship while figuring out what stands between the two of them and true freedom.




A Girl, A Ghost and the Hollywood Hills
by Lizabeth Zandel
Release Date: October 19, 2010

When Holly's mother dies unexpectedly, she thinks things can't get much worse. But then her dad starts dating again. And his new girlfriend is Holly's aunt - her mom's sister! Aunt Claudia is known in Hollywood as the Queen of B Movies. Horror films, zombie flicks, she's made them all. Holly never liked her aunt, but now she positively can't stand her. Especially once the ghost of her mother appears and tells Holly that Claudia was to blame for her death.





The Jumbee
by Pamela Keyes
Release Date: October 19, 2010

When Esti Legard starts theater school on Cariba, she's determined to step out of the shadow of her late father, a famous Shakespearean actor. But on an island rife with superstition, Esti can't escape the darkness. In the black of the theater, an alluring phantom voice - known only as Alan - becomes her brilliant drama tutor, while in the light of day Esti struggles to resist her magnetic attraction to Rafe, the local bad boy. Toppled sets, frightening rumors of jumbee ghosts, and brewing tropical storms culminate in a tantalizingly spooky finale where romance sizzles and truths are unmasked.



Merlin's Dragon (Merlin's Dragon, Book 3)
by T.A. Barron
Release Date: October 19, 2010

Avalon is on the verge of total destruction: an army of warriors, a swarm of fire dragons, and a lethal plague are all laying waste to Merlin's beloved land. But Merlin is nowhere to be found. Leading the fight in his place is Basil, the once tiny lizard who is now the most powerful dragon in Avalon.

But to restore peace, the mastermind behind this chaos, Doomraga, will need to be discovered and destroyed before his power grows stronger and Avalon and its inhabitants are beyond saving. For Basil to triumph, he and his friends may need to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Violence 101
by Denis Wright
Release Date: October 19, 2010

Fourteen year-old Hamish doesn't simply do terrible things, he is committed to the belief that violence is the solution to the obstacles in life. But Hamish is also extremely smart, and extremely self-aware. And he considers everyone around him—the other institutionalized boys, his teachers and wardens, the whole world—as sheep, blindly following society's rules, unaware of what really dictates our existence. Hamish's heroes, like Alexander the Great, understood that violence drives us all.

Through mesmerizing journal entries, Violence 101 paints a disturbing yet utterly compelling picture of an extremely bright, extremely misguided adolescent who must navigate a world that encourages aggressive behavior at every turn, but then struggles to help a young man who doesn't know where to draw the line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior.

Trance

by Linda Gerber

Release Date: October 19, 2010

Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come, a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it. Not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear: it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death.

It's Monday!!!

This has been a crazy week this past week!  I had progress reports due, plus parent-teacher interviews, and then a workshop on Friday.  Somewhere in there, I still had to be a parent and drive my kiddies to their dentist appointment and to their karate classes.  I sometimes wonder how I manage to get everything accomplished every day (oh, yeah, I don't!!!).  I feel like some days I am living by the skin of my teeth (has anyone else noticed what a weird expressions that really is?), but it's so true.  Any other parents feeling the same way right now?

Don't get me wrong, as I absolutely love my life right now and I really wouldn't change a thing (except for winning the lottery!!)  And I am very blessed with two amazing kids, and a loving husband who usually understands where I am coming from.  I just wish some days I could just let go and do nothing, you know?  No worrying about the dishes in the sink, the lunches that need to be made, the four loads of laundry that need to be folded, the floor that needs to be swept, and the list goes on.  I had this discussion at work with a couple of girlfriends the other day, and sometimes we have a hard time just letting things go and RELAXING! 

I was looking at condos today just for fun, and I had this fantasy of living in a small place that I could clean in less than one hour.  It seemed like heaven, until one of the people I was chatting with reminded me that there was nowhere to put the kids.  Back to earth I came and I realized that despite everything, I could always kick the kids outside with dad, and go have a hot bath, read a good book, have a cup of tea, and relax.  That's where I'm heading now!  Heaven!!!

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by the amazing Sheila over at Book Journey.  It's a great place to connect with other readers and bloggers, and to check out what everyone is currently reading, has read, or is planning on reading.  Head on over to Sheila's blog and check it out.  You may even win a prize if you play along!

What I read last week:

DragonArt Evolution: How to Draw Everything Dragon by J. "NeonDragon" Peffer - All of us were fascinated by this book that teaches you how to draw dragons properly.  The drawings were interesting and easy to follow.

Dust City by Robert Paul Weston - I loved, loved, loved this book. I really hope there will be a sequel.

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - I am a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe, which is one of things that attracted me to this interesting tale.  I enjoyed it tremendously and can't wait for book 2 in this supposed trilogy.

What I am currently reading:

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - I am close to finishing.  This one took quite a while, but I love it.

The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes - An interesting twist on The Fantom of the Opera.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - Love this book already. I was on the waiting list at the library and did not expect to get it this soon. 

The Outlaw Demon Wails (Book 6) by Kim Harrison (Audiobook) - I don't usually enjoy audiobooks, but am thoroughly enjoying this one.  I have been listening to this in the car on the way to work and find myself actually looking forward to it every day.  Weird!

What I am planning to read next:

Eon by Alison Goodman -  I snuck in a few chapters already, so I know I am going to enjoy this one.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - I can't wait to read this one as I really love books that jump back and forth through time. 

Review: Dragonart Evolution: How to Draw Everything Dragon

Dragonart Evolution: How to Draw Everything Dragon
by J. "NeonDragon" Peffer
Release Date: August 19, 2010
2010 Impact Books
Softcover Edition; 144 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4403-0252-7
ISBN-10: 1-4403-0252-9
Source: Review Copy From Publisher

Summary
Magnificent and powerful creatures, these dragons be, with bone-crushing jaws and razor-sharp teeth, it's difficult to tell whether you're dealing with a hotheaded nature or a wise and benevolent beast.  Therein lies the trouble with drawing them both from life.  Make your dragon portraits more authentic (while avoiding loss of life and limbs) with the help of this guide.  A follow-up to the fiercely popular DragonArt, this book features ALL NEW dragons and EVEN MORE detailed dragon anatomy instruction.

My Thoughts
I was very impressed with DragonArt Evolution: How to Draw Everything Dragon and have had a difficult time doing this review simply because I haven't been able to get this book out of my son's hands.  He basically appropriated the book as soon as it arrived, and it took me quite a while to track it down so I could have a chance to look it over and try some of the art techniques myself.  My compromise with my very stubborn 10 year-old son was to sit down with him and draw some dragons together.  And boy, did we ever have a blast!

First of all, the book is full of beautiful drawings of dragons and I was more than happy to thumb through the pages, exploring the drawings of all of the different types of dragons.  They were colourful, vibrant, and beautiful, allowing your imagination to soar.  My son and I spent some time imagining some stories to go with the dragons.  I definitely have a budding storywriter on my hands (if I can ever get him to pick up a pencil for things other than schoolwork, that is!). 

I had always enjoyed sketching and drawing when I was younger, and do have a collection of drawing books from my younger days, although I really haven't touched them in years.  I had a lot of fun trying the step-by-step instructions and demonstrations that were given in this book.  And it was easy to follow as the book is separated into sections that make drawing fun.   The Introduction included things like drawing basic dragon shapes, dragon shading and 3-D effects, colour and pattern considerations, and perspective and overlap, all with easy to follow instructions and information.  Part 1 discussed how to draw the individual dragon parts while part 2 talked about how to put it all together and draw complete dragons.  She even included a very interesting, but far too short, demonstration on digital painting.

Verdict
DragonArt Evolution: How to Draw Everything Dragon includes a lot of elements for the new or intermediate artist to draw many different types of dragons, and have fun doing it.  What I especially like about this book is how the artist encourages other artists to be creative and to mix and match things to create new things.  She definitely encourages fledging artists to be brave in their artwork and to try new things.  As a mom, I am definitely in favour of that type of philosophy and look forward to watching my children develop their artistic skills, and their imaginations, as they pore over this book.

Giveaway: Extraordinary and The Julian Game

Dear Readers,

In an earlier contest, I had both of these books up for grabs, but the winner already had both of them and asked to choose another book instead from Book Depository.  As a result, I am giving away both of these books again to another lucky reader.

The Julian Game (ARC) by Adele Griffin

Extraordinary (ARC) by Nancy Werlin

Giveaway Rules:

Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

Ends November 5, 2010 at midnight.

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Post a comment, including your email address, about this contest.

Extra Entries: Please leave a separate one for each entry.

1) Are a follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect (1 entry)

2) Are a follower via Twitter (1 entry)

3) Follow via email or RSS Feed (1 entry)

4) Tweet about the contest (1 entry)



Giveaway: STRIDE Everyday Panty

STRIDE Everyday!

Like any new mom when I first discovered I was pregnant, I was over the moon full of happiness, totally content with the way my body would grow and develop as the baby developped.  I don't really think anyone is prepared for the shock of a tiny little baby, inside a womb, kicking and punching the way mine did, keeping me awake at night, and landing some pretty nasty kicks right on the bladder.  Then you think, when the baby is born, everything will go right back to normal, right?  No more leaks when sneezing, no more having to squeeze the legs shut when you have to laugh or cough, longing for the days when you can jump or run again in freedom.

Imagine the shock when you have the baby and then you realize that things may not go back exactly the way they were before you had your baby.  And then you have another child (like me).  And then you have a third or possibly a fourth child (not like me).  So what is a mom to do?  Up until now, the only option was to live with tampons or pantyliners for the rest of your life, and help contribute to the landfills, or no more running, jumping, sneezing, coughing...I'm sure you get the drift.

Luckily for many women out there, Wendy Spencer was surprised to discover she had problems with light incontinence during her pregnancy (although not lucky that she discovered she was incontinent).  Unable to find any comfortable or discreet ways to deal with the problem, she founded Berkshire Axis Innovations, a company committed to discovering new ways to make the 1 in 4 women who suffer from incontinence feel more comfortable.  Using a patented new technology, OQUOS, this unique fabric had the potential to be woven right into women's underwear in order to act as a pantyliner.  Thus, STRIDE Everyday was born.  



When I was first contacted by STRIDE Everyday to review a pair of their revolutionay underwear, I couldn't help but picture "granny panties" in my mind.  And I know my husband had a good chuckle when I told him what I was reviewing as he couldn't picture something with that kind of technology to be anywhere near sexy.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised by what I received.  And they were sexy enough for my husband too!!!  Luckily, I am not one of those women who suffer from incontinence, but I can certainly see the advantages of this panty.  I tried them out while exercising, and they worked wonderfully and were extremely comfortable.  There was no sweat odours after the workout, and when I washed them, they looked as new as when I first pulled them out of the pretty little box in which they came.

STRIDE Everyday panty was comfortable and came in pretty, feminine colours.  You can get them in nude, dusty rose, dusty blue or black.  You can choose from a variety of types that suit your own personal style as well as a variety of colours that come with each style, colours that will appeal to any woman.  They range in price from $19.99 to $24.99  And for the men who would like something to lick away moisture, or those little leaks they do not like to discuss, STRIDE Homme was released in August 2010. 

STRIDE Everyday was also featured in Shape magazine in September 2010 as an editor's pick.

Overall, I was very satisfied with the panty I received.  It was comfortably, cute, and seamless, and I now prefer it over my regular underwear when I am working out.  I am definitely going to be purchasing more panties from STRIDE Everyday.

TO THE GIVEAWAY!

STRIDE Everyday has generously given one lucky reader the chance to win 1 pair of STRIDE Everyday panties in their choice of size, colour, and style.

Ends November 3, 2010 at midnight

Open to Canada and U.S. residents

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Visit STRIDE Everyday and tell me which style panty you would choose and which colour you would prefer.

EXTRA ENTRIES:  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

1) Follow me on Google Friend Connect. (1 entry)

2) Subscribe by email or reader. (1 entry)

3) Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)

4) Tweet about this giveaway - "Win a pair of STRIDE Everyday panties @ Curling Up By The Fire - http://bit.ly/bomzT7" (1 entry per day)

Review: Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

Dust City
by Robert Paul Weston
Release Date: September 30, 2010
2010 Puffin Canada
Softcover Edition; 300 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-06396-7
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

5 / 5 Stars

Summary
The son of the famed Red Riding Hood Killer unlocks the grim secrets of Dust City - and his father's past.

Henry Whelp is a big bad wolf - or will be, someday.  The only son of the infamous Red Riding Hood Killer, Henry is worried that he may be following in his father's violent footsteps.  He tries to distance himself from his past, and avoids the other teens at St. Remus Home for Wayward Youth, a dentention centre in Dust City - a rundown, gritty metropolis known of its production of fairydust.  But when Henry's psychiatrist turns up dead, Henry finds himself on a trail of clues that may lead to proof of his father's innocence - and the horrifying secret behind fairydust.

My Thoughts
I had no idea what to expect when I was asked to review this book, but it has quickly become a favourite of mine this year.  Henry lives in Dust City and wants nothing to do with dust, the mind-altering substance that is being created by the thaumaturgical companies now that the faeries have all disappeared and the real dust has disappeared with them.  But while the original dust gave people great gifts of joy and benevolence, and the gift of healing, the created dust has done something to the city and its people, creating an urgent need that can be felt in the underbelly of the city.

As Henry delves deeper into the truth behind the synthetic dust, he learns some horrifying secrets and the reasons to his dad's imprisonment.  These truths and secrets send Henry on a whirlwind path through Dust City and to the special city, Eden, where only those who are human may live. 

What I loved about this book is how the fairy tale world was brought into the mainstream and integrated so fully into the plotline.  I had to laugh at the scenes with Jack and his beans, the mention of Detective White (meaning Snow White) who can kick some serious butt, and Richard, a character from The Princess and the Frog, turns back into the creature he originally was.  The characters were so creative and unique and I couldn't wait to see who else would be brought into the story.  The incorporation of Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma and their demise was priceless and I love how this story was woven into the main story.  I just can't say enough about how original this was. 

The author acknowledges that one of his inspirations for this book was a volume he read based on the Grimms' Fairy Tales, and if you have ever read the original Grimms' stories you know they are definitely not lighthearted fun.  That being said, this novel does have its edgier moments and is definitely gritty.   Henry has some difficult times ahead of him in his fight to discover the truth and must use all of his courage to fight back.  There were definitely some dark moments in this novel, and some younger children may find some of the scenes uncomfortable.

Verdict
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was hooked right from the beginning.  I have always enjoyed the darker fairytales of the Brothers Grimm (I love Edgar Allan Poe too, so what does that say about my mind, eh?) so I was fascinated by the underlying grittiness that existed in this book.  The ending was satisfactory, but was my no means conclusive, which gives me hope that a sequel may be in the works.  I really hope so as I would love to read more about Henry, Fiona, and the other wonderful characters in this amazing novel.