Weekly Progress

I felt tired most of this last week and I'm not sure why. We wrapped up January and moved into February and it's a bit mindboggling how fast the year is going. I did complete my non-fiction book for January. I listened to Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose though I also have the paperback version as well. This is definitely one of those books I suspect I'll gain more each time I read/listen to it. I recommend it if you want to learn more about deep reading whether or not your goal is to be a better writer. I still need to decide on my non-fiction book for February. 

The Main Habits I'm Tracking:

    1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days.

    2) 20 Minutes Walking -- I haven't done a concentrated walk. It's still a goal though so I'm leaving it up here. Per my pedometer, I'm averaging 1.5 miles of walking per day which I'm happy about.  

    3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 6 of 7 days, including wrapping up my non-fiction book for the month as noted above. 

    4) Work Writing -- 5 of 7 days, including some editing for Joely. Run, don't walk, and pick up One Cut Deeper by Joely Sue Burkhart and fall in love with Charlie and Ranay.

    5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days -- No real surprises this week.

    6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 4 of 7 -- The calendar reminder is definitely helping. I'm also tracking this on my pedometer. 

My plan was to do another no book buy month for February but I already kicked that to the curb. I'll have to come up with another thing to apply to February for my no-spend goals for the year. 

I decided to take my trip. It's a bit scary because I really can't afford it and continue with my plan to be debt free by May/June of next year. However, yesterday, I bought my flight and ticket to LLS M5 and reserved the hotel in Savannah. I plan to take advantage of this trip to visit friends in Miami and, maybe, Fort Mill. This trip will tick the box of going somewhere I've never been before - Savannah. Joely and Molly will be at LLS as attending authors so it will be a blast no matter how it shakes down.

Weekly Progress

Week Two is almost a wrap.

Fun event this last week was seeing To Kill a Mockingbird at the Smith Center with Ian. Normally, I'll read the program before the show starts but Ian and I were talking/catching up. I spent the entire first act recognizing the voice of the actor portraying Atticus Finch but not placing it. (My seats are good but without binoculars, you'd be hard pressed to see individual faces. Since focusing on faces via binoculars means missing other aspects of what's happening on stage, I no longer even take them to shows.) Of course the minute the lights went up for intermission I was looking up Atticus...it was none other than Richard Thomas! Another I recognized was Jeff Still! Yeah, a bit of a fan girl moment.

Habits I'm tracking:

1) Morning Affirmations -- 6 of 7 days 

2) 20 Minutes Walking -- HA HA HA, that'd be a big ol' no this week

3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 3 of 7 days

I created a quick and dirty Google Docs sheet to track my reading. Nothing fancy, just title, series/book number, author, month completed, and format (ie: paper, ebook, audio book, etc.). I used to keep a much more detailed list back when I barrowed from the library more and paper was my default format. With Kindle, I can just drop completed books into a collection and call it good. As of today, I've read nine books this year and did a beta read for Joely. 

4) Work Writing -- 4 of 7 days, I completed my read through of my current WIP and added 1k new words...Yay!

5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 6 of 7 days (haven't done tonight's yet) - I'll do my weekly review of the journal I'm keeping for this tonight

6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 1 of 7, which isn't to say I don't drink water daily I just didn't meet my daily goal of 4

I had two items I wanted to complete this week 1) scan and shred papers on desk - done, and 2) schedule doctor's appointment with primary care doctor - done.

I've been successful in not buying any books this month. Though I admit to adding some to my wish list.

Today has been insanely productive on the cleaning front and I was able to tick off a lot of items from my to-do list. I'm pleasantly tired.

Hello 2023

I'm going to dust this ol' blog off so I can have some accountability, even if no one reads it, I'm at least putting it out in the world.

Here we are at the end of another year. Resolutions. Goals. Intentions. However you want to label it, we all seem to attempt it. I'm no different. I've been in a kind of limbo since 2020 and COVID and I really need to get back on the horse so to speak.

There are a number of areas I want to focus on this year. So, in no particular order:

1) I intend to read/listen to12 non-fiction books this year. I already have the first one queued up on Audible. I figure one book a month is very doable

2) I intend to be more active. Pre-COVID I was walking 2 miles a day. With my kid taxi schedule I won't be able to attempt that for a bit. To start, I am committing to walking outside for 20 minutes a day as soon as I get home from work. 

3) I want to have a more positive attitude. I'm committing to 5 minutes of affirmations each morning as soon as I wake up (instead of scrolling through emails or social media) and naming 3 things I'm grateful for each night before bed. I plan to keep a notebook to track my feelings and progress.

4) I've been putting off getting a mole removed. I will schedule an appointment with my primary care doctor so I can get that referral. Hopefully, I can have this resolved by summer. (I would also like to get in to the dentist -- funds permitting -- for a full cleaning/filling type appointment by the end of the year.)

5) I will finish my photo organization and back-up project by summer. It's one of those things that is easily derailed by other things.

6) I intend to reduce my debt by at least half (excluding my car loan that I'm starting over with but that's a story for another day, or not) by the end of the year. I will schedule no spend months like no buying books in January. Using the snowball method, I should be able to be debt free in 18 months (excluding my car loan). 

7) I want to take a real vacation. Not that visiting family isn't great or a priority, but I want to go somewhere I've never been before. If I can't make this work for 2023 due to funds (see that whole debt thing above) I want to at least have something planned for 2024 and saving toward it.

8) I want to work on my writing more. As Joely Sue Burkhart said, it could be a good side income. That means working my craft and actually completing something! I have a project I've been working on and my goal is to have it drafted, and hopefully edited, by July. (Dare I link this to Joely?!)

9) I will finish my scan and shred project by the end of the year. No. More. Paper. Like the photo project above, this is easily derailed by other things.

10) I always seem to lose some of my PTO at work. I will schedule mental health days and take at least one day off every other month for no reason other than me time.

Well, look at that...I ended up with a Top 10 List.

Okay, for the accountability aspect of this whole thing, I will post my results weekly. Since this is publishing on a Saturday, I'll stick with that. 

On the off chance someone reads this, what are your intentions for 2023? 

Happy New Year! I hope 2023 is an amazing year for all of us.

Book Review -- Return to Shanhasson

In this final book of the Shanhasson trilogy, Shannari dal’Dainari has won the Rose Crown. She has her beloved Khul at her side. Yet shadows crowd closer than ever. Political machinations and assassination attempts have crippled her ability to protect the land and the people. When her children are endangered, she has no choice but to send them to safety.

Away from her.

Surrounded by grief, danger, and turmoil on all sides, the last thing she needs is another enemy threatening to destroy all she holds dear. Yet a Black Dragon stirs in the deserts of Keldar. He haunts her dreams, while a Keldari army amasses on her border. When he soars over the Shining Walls of Shanhasson, will she put a knife in his heart…or will Shadow devour her at last with dragon jaws?

Again, Joely Sue Burkhart hits it out of the park with this long awaited final installment to the Shanhasson Trilogy. A highly emotional read well worth the wait. (My review of book one: The Rose of Shanhasson and book two: The Road to Shanhasson)

Return picks up about three years after Road left off. Shannari is trying hard to balance her life as the High Queen of the Green Lands and her life with Rhaekhar as Khul’lanna of Nine Camps of the Sha'Kae al'Dan. The world and characters are richly drawn. The intrigue is amazing. The story flows smoothly with huge highs and heart-dropping lows.

I love Joely's masterful painting of the world. It's epic in classic fantasy fashion yet nothing is forced. It was nice to see the Keldar again (I first met this branch of the world in some of Joely's free reads).

Where Joely shines is her characters. Not a two-dimensional person among them. These characters are so real. (I think I said it best in my review of Road when I said, "I lived a lifetime between these pages!") I love with them. I laugh with them. I hurt with them. I cry and scream with them. Even with the hints peppered on Joely's blog I came apart completely at one point. And yes, I screamed, scaring the dog, LOL. There were more than a few tears, not just sad but happy ones too, during this story.

In Joely's own words:

However, if your heart isn’t singing with joy at the end...and yes, a few tears might spill from your eyes (I cry every time I read it)...then I’ve failed utterly and completely.

She doesn't fail folks! (Though I'm thinking Shannari's gonna be exhausted :wink:)

This trilogy is not a romance in the classic sense. Bad things happen to good people. But this tale isn't all about loss. It's about love and the power of that love. It's about the greatest gift and the greatest sacrifice. Shannari's road is long and hard but there is light in the darkness.

This quote from Kahlil Gibran fits the Shanhasson Trilogy to a tee:

Your joy can fill you only as deeply as your sorrow has carved you.

Be sure to read the series in order!

Book One: The Rose of Shanhasson

Book Two: The Road to Shanhasson

Book Three: Return to Shanhasson

Happy Release Day

So many books, so little time...

Highlander's Curseby Melissa Mayhue

Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance)by Larissa Ione

Lady Doctor Wyre: Jane Austen Space Opera, Book 1by Joely Sue Burkhart

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse)by Charlaine Harris

My One and Onlyby Kristan Higgins

Vampire Mineby Kerrelyn Sparks

Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 9)by JR Ward

What are you waiting for? Run out for, or download to your e-reader of choice, some new reading material. Or if you already did, what are you reading?

I just finished Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, Book 1)by Molly Harper which was a fun romp if reminiscent to the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

Book Review -- The Bloodgate Guardian

Worlds within worlds await through the Maya Bloodgate...

Dr. Jaid Merritt doesn’t do digs. The last time she ventured into the jungle, someone died. Now she’s content to decipher Maya glyphs from pictures sent to her by her famous archaeologist father. But when he goes missing while trying to perform a ritual based on her translations of an ancient codex, Jaid must put aside her fears and travel to Guatemala to find him.

After misusing the Bloodgates to bring his twin brother back from the afterlife, the Maya priest known as Ruin was cursed by the gods to stand as the guardian for all time. He was unable to stop Dr. Charles Merritt from opening the gates, and now demons roam this world. The last thing he wants to do is hurt the beautiful woman who is somehow infused with his magic, but if she uses the codex to retrieve her father, Ruin must do his duty. And this time, he won’t fail. Even if it kills him. Again.

I'm bias, I freely admit that. Joely Sue Burkhart is a friend, but she didn't give this to me as a review copy -- bought it with Mark's hard earned money, LOL -- and I didn't beta read The Bloodgate Guardianeither.

Once again, Burkhart blew me away with her attention to detail, research, and amazing characters. She built a fully realized world seeped with Mayan mythos. She doesn't burden the story with her research but weaves it within the plot seamlessly. A great twist on the "end date" stories out there.

He never hated his magic until it compelled him to kill.

I was pulled in from the first sentence, Burkhart kept the action moving, the tension high, and I didn't want it to end despite the very satisfying ending. Bloodgate is a strong stand-alone story yet open to a possible series. I loved the world and the people thus would be thrilled to see more.

The characters...what can I say?...they spoke to my heart, something that happens every time I pick up one of Joely's stories.

Ruin's delicious. A strong alpha man doomed to live forever alone consumed by guilt. Burkhart took a historical/mythological person and breathed life into him. No apologies made for his culture yet a person I could sympathize with.

Jaid's stronger than she thinks she is and I totally related to her. Jaid acts and feels how I imagine I would being thrown into that story.

They have an amazing chemistry.  The culmination of their feelings isn't as erotic as some of Burkhart's other works but it fits this story. One of the things I love about a Burkhart read is how she makes her couple work for their happily ever after. By the time Ruin and Jaid reach that point I blew out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Kudos!

Definitely run don't walk to get this one.

February Reading Summary

Total number of books read: 12

Monthly reading goals:

1. 1 new-to-me author each month -- Lindsay Buroker
2. 4 genres/sub-genres each month (I'm adding to that at least one book a month must be non-fiction and/or writing related.) -- Non-Fiction (GMC by Debra Dixon) -- yay me I got it in this month, Mystery (High Fiveby Janet Evanovich), Urban Fantasy (Shadowfeverby Karen Marie Moning), Fantasy (The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker), Fantasy Romance (The Bloodgate Guardianby Joely Sue Burkhart)
3. 4 release years each month -- N/A
4. 1 book from glommed author (A glommed author is someone whose books you’ve bought a bunch of after reading one or two that you love.) -- N/A
5. 1 book from unfinished pile till depleted -- N/A
6. Alternate male and female authors (I will say at least one male author per month.) -- Moses Siregar III
7. Write a note to 1 author each month -- see #1

January's Reading Summary

Total number of books read: 8 -- Yikes, I better pick up the pace or I won't even come close to reaching 100 books this year.  Admittedly, I've been sidetracked with learning new dietary things and toying with my own writing. 

Monthly reading goals:

1. 1 new-to-me author each month -- Sloan Parker
2. 4 genres/sub-genres each month (I'm adding to that at least one book a month must be non-fiction and/or writing related.) -- Failed at reading a non-fiction this month despite trying a couple times, my head just wasn't having it. Fantasy (see #5), Science Fiction Romance (Lady Doctor Wyreby Joely Sue Burkhart), M/M Erotic Romantic Suspense (Breatheby Sloan Parker), Paranormal Romance (In the Darkest Nightby Patti O'Shea) -- yep, Romance a big theme this month but I got different sub-genres in there so it counts :)
3. 4 release years each month -- N/A
4. 1 book from glommed author (A glommed author is someone whose books you’ve bought a bunch of after reading one or two that you love.) -- N/A 
5. 1 book from unfinished pile till depleted -- Holly Lisle's Courage of Falcons
6. Alternate male and female authors (I will say at least one male author per month.) -- Failed at reading a male author in January (darn you George I'm calling you out for not getting your story to me this month J/K sorta)
7. Write a note to 1 author each month -- see #1

Book Review -- Lady Doctor Wyre

A dangerous technology could conquer the universe. Love could set it free.

Jane Austen Space Opera, Book 1

Charlotte, Duchess of Wyre, once held the Queen’s highest confidence—and the technological secret that keeps the royal heart beating. Fearful of what atrocities that Britannia might commit with her research, Charlotte turned to the galaxy’s most infamous assassin, Lord Sigmund Regret, to stage her own death.

Even without the simplest of luxuries, seven years hiding in the Americus colony is preferable to one day in the Tower of Londinium. Until a bounty hunter’s bullet forces her to revive her research. Now the same nanobots that keep the Queen alive also run rampant in Lord Regret’s body. Making his yearly Solstice visits increasingly…intimate…and complicating her courtship with the safe and honorable Sheriff Gilead Masters.

When the Americus colony declares independence, and her humble sheriff makes a shocking confession, Charlotte has had enough. Weary of running, tired of living without tea and silks, she fires a warning shot across Britannia’s bow: cease hunting Lady Wyre, or lose the technological power the crown holds so dear.

Her next task isn’t so simple. Somehow she must keep the two men she loves alive—and prevent them from killing each other.

First of all, I had the pleasure of working with Joely on this as a beta reader, thus may be a wee bit bias.

Just love that cover, don't you? 

Another amazing read! This story is a wonderful mix of steampunk, sci-fi, western frontier, regency London, and as Burkhart calls it "Jane Austen Space Opera." Burkhart peppered the world with enough information for you to see it, feel it, without burdening the story. A skill I admire. I love a richly built world but often find it slows the pace of the story...not so with Lady Doctor Wyre.

To describe the coverlet as colorful would be as great an understatement as stating that Queen Majel was simply a powerful leader.

That line speaks volumes about the world not just the owner of said coverlet. (And there is more to come in this world as a prequel is in the works as well as Majel's story.  :gleefully rubs hands together:)

Burkhart's trademark skill with the characters is in full force. (She utterly blows my mind with her characters.) She makes them live and breathe and I can see them walking off the page into the real world.

Charlotte's duality of girly-girl and scientist is awesome. She's a strong woman, no wilting violet, who has and will do what she must to survive, yet she remains true to her femininity -- love that.

If they want to lure me with a party, then let me prepare for a full celebration. Charlotte let a warm smile brighten her face and she clapped her hands with delight. "Oh, excellent! I haven’t enjoyed a decent soiree in ages. Do come in, gentlemen, while I pack for the trip."

She formed an unusual relationship with Lord Regret who just happens to be an assassin. I could completely see Sig and Gregar -- Joely has some great assassins in her backlist -- swapping knife throwing techniques over a pint. Who'd have thought assassins could be so appealing? A status quo hampered by her falling in love with the local Sheriff -- think Clive Owen here folks...'nuff said.

With a lazy smile to match his, she leaned back in her chair, all her tension and haughtiness traded for indolence. "Actually, he was very good, and I did not have to tie him up first to have my way with him."

So, so my favorite line in the story!

Then all hell breaks lose and not because Lady Wyre has found herself in love with two men!

Sig snorted. "Her, afraid? She lived in the mouth of the lion’s den, Sheriff. She can certainly handle one President and a couple of marshals. If I know her at all, she’s already managed to figure out why a shopping trip is in order."

I loved this story with its twists and turns and was engrossed from the first page.  It's so hard to write a review and not give away spoilers!  So I'll just say, buy it, read it, and maybe you'll see why Joely Sue Burkhart is an auto buy for me. Lady Doctor Wyre releases March 29, 2011 from Samhain Publishing.

Warning: Ladies in positions of power, stylish spaceships, BDSM. A ménage a trois featuring a duchess on the run, a gentlemanly assassin, and a rough-and-tumble sheriff willing to gun down anyone who gets between him and his lady.

Book Review -- Hurt Me So Good

Linky Update: Hurt Me So Good -- pick up your copy today *g*

I had the honor of working with Joely Sue Burkhart on this story as a beta reader -- and consider her one of my blogland friends -- so this review may be a wee bit bias. I love playing "what if" games and it was pure joy to do so with Joely, creating a sweet sub-plot. This is the second book in the Connagher series and releases next week on October 5th in e-book.

One sub to please the Master…in any way he wishes.

Victor Connagher is no stranger to the Dallas BDSM scene. As CEO of a risqué cable channel that caters to adventurous adults, he ensures the lifestyle is portrayed in a positive light. He even supports a local bondage club. Yet behind the cool, confident mask, Victor lives in fear.

Once, and only once, he lost control of his inner Dom—and it cost him his fiancée. Now, no one knows how hard he works to keep his darker appetite for pain buried. No matter how much his saucy, confident associate producer makes his fingers itch to once again take up his riding crop.

Shiloh Holmes is a sub, but she’s no doormat. She’s always suspected Victor has the skills to feed her insatiable need for pain, and now she’s found the perfect way to crack his formidable control. Develop a new reality show, America’s Next Top sub…and dare him to compete.

Week after week, as Shiloh fearlessly challenges the real Victor to come out of hiding, he realizes his past mistake was only a blow to his pride. If he loses Shiloh, he could lose his heart.

Warning: Explicit sex, BDSM, reality television, a very reluctant Dom, an audacious sub willing to do anything to win for him, and one very wicked riding crop.

Joely Sue Burkhart is a master, and I do mean MASTER, at character development. I always feel like I might be able to meet one of her characters in real life. They have hopes and dreams, fears and worries, had highs and lows. They are human. I love a great character.

In a nice twist for a romance this really is Victor's story because he has the most to lose. I loved watching him struggle with who he is. On the surface Victor is powerful, seemingly on top of the world. But he has flaws both real and imagined. Shiloh knows what she wants, sets out to get it, and knocks poor Victor's world on its axis.

I admit to not knowing a lot of the BDSM lifestyle, Burkhart's work has been my intro. She's writes with compassion and a well researched glimpse into the world of BDSM. The reality show was amazingly drawn out with a prefect blend of shuddering "not me thank you very much" and tantalizing "hmm."

Peppered throughout the story are Shiloh's blog posts, a sweet tie-in to Conn's story Dear Sir, I'm Yours.I can only hope Vicki's story (the third in the Connagher series) will have a similar tie-in. I understand Mal, a fascinating secondary character, is due for a happily-ever-after as well. For a Hurt Me So Good prequel teaser you can read Lie To You. You can't go wrong with a Burkhart read.

Ode to a Phantom

One night during high school, I believe it was, I stayed up way past my bedtime...shh, don't tell!...and watched The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney. 



I fell in love.  The Phantom will always be the ultimate tragic hero to me.  (The closest I've come to a similar reaction to a character would be Joely Sue Burkhart's Gregar.) 

The fact that a movie -- and a silent one at that -- made almost half a century before my presence turned a stick blue, almost a decade before either of my parents were glimmers in my grandparents' eyes, and spoke to my teenage self on such an elemental level, still resonates with me. Lon Chaney also had to have been one hell of an actor to convey all the layers of the Phantom without saying a word!

Thus started a love affair that's been going on nearly thirty years.  (Wow, I feel old now!) 

I think I've seen every movie incarnation out there, including a bunch of foreign ones complete with subtitles.  Of course, I've seen the Andrew Lloyd Webber version.  The Broadway incarnation once or twice in Portland, the Vegas version once, and The Phantom of the Opera movie too many times to count.  (If I was Christine, I'd have no problem being locked up with Gerard Butler's Phantom for the rest of my life *g*) 



I listen to The Phantom Of The Opera CD a lot, too.

And what good reader, in the middle of a love affair, would miss reading The Phantom of the Opera?  Not I.  Sadly, I speak not a word of French, so have to rely on the translated version of Leroux's work.  *le sigh*  I remember falling in love all over again the first time I read the book.

I've not got into all the reincarnations of the book -- a little too fan-fic for my tastes -- but do plan on reading Phantom by Susan Kay once I can lay hands on a copy. I've heard nothing but good things about her take on the original story. I'm on the fence about Love Never Dies. Though the music I've heard sounds amazing, sequels rarely live up to the hype.

What story captured you body and soul?

For the Love of Books

Paperback Writer had a post about book love on Tuesday and I thought I'd throw out the same questions.

1. What are you currently reading? What are you enjoying about it?
2. What books are you recommending/handing out to friends?
3. What upcoming titles are you impatient for?

So let's open a discussion in the comments.

I'll start.

Currently reading -- The Prince and the Pilgrim by Mary Stewart

I love this woman's writing! This story, while not part of the her Arthurian Quartet, is about two characters met in The Wicked Day (The Arthurian Saga, Book 4). I never fly through her books, a slow read over a number of days where I can savor the words. The Arthurian Quartet are the books I look at as my cross over from youth fiction to adult and for years measured everything I read by the standard Stewart set. When I pull out one of her books it's like visiting an old friend.

The other books in the Quartet are:
The Crystal Cave (The Arthurian Saga, Book 1)
The Hollow Hills (The Arthurian Saga, Book 2)
The Last Enchantment (The Arthurian Saga, Book 3)

Can't say I've made any recommendations recently so I'll add some more Mary Stewart favorties --

The Ivy Tree-- was actually the first Stewart book I ever read. My mom brought a copy home from the hospital where she worked and I still have it.

Thornyhold

Nine Coaches Waiting

Looking forward to -- My GigoloThe Care and Feeding of a Male Prostitute by Molly Burkhart released last month, The Bloodgate Guardianby Joely Sue Burkhart released on Monday (yep, they are sisters!), and Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5)by Larissa Ione.  There's many more but I want a discussion *g* (though if you look at the sidebar you'll usually find a list of books I'm looking forward to).

Book Review -- The Road to Shanhasson

Joely Sue Burkhart was super generous and sent me a copy of The Road to Shanhasson, the second book in the Shanhasson Trilogy. Currently, this is only available as an E-book. (Published July 2009 by Drollerie Press -- approximately 302 pages) Genre is Romance (man-woman) with sub-genres of fantasy and erotica.

Shannari has survived her enemies’ plots long enough to return to the Plains with Rhaekhar, but their new life together will not be easy. First, she has to get through a wedding ceremony that will make both him and his personal guard, Gregar, her co-mates…without anyone dying. Since both she and Gregar are Shadowed, that may prove to be an impossible feat.

Tensions redouble with her return and Rhaekhar is further away than ever in uniting the Nine Camps of the Sha’Kae al’Dan. His enemies have the perfect weapon to use against him: his outlander woman.

And no matter how far she is from the political–and deadly–waltz of the High Court, her destiny drags her step by reluctant step to Shanhasson. The road back to Shanhasson is thick with shadows and stained with blood. How many of her loved ones will die in her fight to claim the Rose Crown?

Road picks up where Rose left off. Once again Burkhart's world building was vibrant. Fully-realized cultures from their myths to present day.

I lived a lifetime between these pages! Laughing. Crying. Loving. Dying. I laughed at Rhaekhar's wicked sense of humor (at the inn) when Shannari's father meets her Blood (personal guard) -- he seriously channelled Gregar! I cried as my heart broke along with Shannari's. I squirmed in delight when Rhaekhar, Shannari, and Gregar's love culminated into the menage a trois hinted at in book one. And don't worry if that's not your usual thing because Burkhart does it tastefully without losing the sizzle. There was some roughness between Gregar and Shannari though I didn't feel it was abusive within the scope of their relationship.

These characters -- these people -- are as real to me as my husband or best friend. Their world as real as the one outside my door. But Burkhart doesn't stop there. She blends in a life and death struggle that fits perfectly within the world she breathed life into.

A definite must read recommendation here! The third book, Return to Shanhasson, should be out in E-format soon. Note: If you don't like blistering hot sex, and lots of it, then you should give this a pass. Though I think you'd be sorry if you did.

Book Review -- The Rose of Shanhasson

Another Joely Sue Burkhart E-ARC I received back in November was The Rose of Shanhasson. This was released first as only an E-book, obviously received the attention a Burkhart book deserves, and then was released in print. This is the first in the Shanhasson Trilogy. (Published November 2009 by Drollerie Press -- 258 pages) Genre is Romance (man-woman) with sub-genre of fantasy (and maybe erotica).

As Our Blessed Lady’s last Daughter, Shannari must rule as High Queen or the Green Lands will fall into eternal darkness. Her destiny is to shine against the Shadow, protect the land and people with her magic, and keep the Blackest Heart of Darkness imprisoned. Her blood is the key, powered by the love in her heart. However, Shannari’s heart is broken, her magic is crippled, and the nobles must have forgotten the dire prophesies, because everyone wants her dead.

Only love can restore her magic, but her scars testify how love can be corrupted. So when a barbarian warlord conquers her army and professes a love like no other, Shannari’s first instinct is to kill the mighty Khul. Even worse, one of the Khul’s guards used to be an assassin–a very skilled assassin, if the darkness in the Blood’s eyes is any indication. The same darkness festers deep in her heart and draws her to the wickedly dangerous man as inexorably as his Khul’s unshakable honor. Her weakening heart is not only torn between love and duty, but also between two magnificent warriors.

Yet neither warrior will be able to help her when Shadow calls her name.

Loved this! I've read a number of Burkhart's shorter works and thoroughly enjoy her voice and writing style. I also follow her blog so am likely a very bias reviewer. If her other stories hadn't already hooked me this one would have and Burkhart is firmly on my auto-buy list.

The world building here is fantastic. I was swept away into a world familiar yet intriguing. Vivid and fully-realized characters continue to haunt me long after the last page. The plot -- "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." the grandfather from Princess Bride -- seriously though, the plot was rich and full!

The Sha'Kae al'Dan have a beautiful, rich culture reminiscent of Native Americans. Rhaekhar is the Khul or the leader of the Sha'Kae al'Dan. He is strong and sure and the perfect hero.

The Green Lands, a culture reminiscent of medieval kingdoms, are in turmoil. Shannari is the last direct descendant and destined to be High Queen. And, of course, someone doesn't want THAT to happen. But she's been hurt and damaged and requires the greatest growth to achieve her happily ever after. I could completely relate to her survivor instinct and call to fulfill her destiny.

Add in Gregar, one of Rhaekhar's personal guard, and you have a love triangle -- menage a trois? -- of epic proportions. Gregar is just as damaged as Shannari, a not so perfect hero, and to say something calls between them would be an understatement. (Side note: I love it when the person I picture portraying a character matches that of the author!!)

Run, don't walk, to pick this one up!

I know the second book, The Road to Shanhasson, in the trilogy is out in E-format, I can only hope it will be in print soon as well. These books are destined for my keeper shelf!

Note: If you don't like blistering hot sex, and lots of it, then you should give this a pass. But I think you'd be sorry if you did.

Book Review -- The Defiance Anthology

Back in November I was lucky enough to get an E-ARC of Defiance, which is an anthology by Laura Anne Gilman, Angela Korra'ti, and Joely Sue Burkhart.

I had read snippets of Burkhart's story on her blog so was excited to be able to read the finished product. Generally, I'm not an anthology person. I like my stories meaty, LOL, and am often left wanting more from short stories. In the end, an anthology is just a series of short stories tied together by some theme -- in this case, special women during the Civil War. On the plus side, I got to read two authors I'd never read before, and THAT is the beauty of anthologies. This one may just have converted me.

Laura Anne Gilman, Joely Sue Burkhart, and Angela Korra’ti take us back to the days of the Civil War with ministering angels, magical creatures, and death. Each of the women in these stories refuses to take on the role she’s been assigned by birth, race, or circumstance. Each woman demonstrates life changing defiance.

Finder’s Keeper by Laura Anne Gilman

The heroine, Davida, is from a long line of gifted women. She refused to put aside her talent or to be chained down by society. Thus she moved away from everything she knew, finding her own safe haven, among people who occasionally called on her gift. With a few details, she could find things. But then her gift starts coming on its own in the form of dreams, forcing her hand and setting her out on adventure to recover that which SHE has lost. Like any story worth its salt, she ends up with more than she bargained for.

This is one of those stories that is hard to talk about without giving away too much. The ending left me thinking. Gilman allows for her readers to imagine, to read between the lines, to finish the story. I loved how Gilman kept Davida true to her character to the very end with no compromises.

I enjoyed this enough to search out additional works by Gilman.

The Blood of the Land by Angela Korra'ti

The heroine, Dorcas, is a slave attempting to make it to Canada with her lover Caleb. Dorcas has the power to heal which has caused her major trouble, as you can imagine. Along the Underground Railroad, Dorcas and Caleb come across an injured man -- a white man -- who turns out to be the sympathizer they had been in route to. This white man, Elias, has power and it calls to Dorcas. An epic battle ensues when Dorcas and Caleb's "master" catches up to them.

I loved that Korra'ti made Dorcas and Caleb strong, capable, and intelligent people despite their circumstances. I'm glad she didn't shy away from the slavery but nor did she dramatize it.

Not being familiar with Korra'ti's other work I found some of the references hard to follow...or rather too much for a short story. Elias is a Warder with ties back to her first book. The whole power thing somehow connects too. However, I think it is absolutely awesome that the world this story takes place in, is based off her first book, Faerie Blood, which started out as a NaNoWriMo project!

Overall, a well paced story and an author to be on the watch for.

Storms as She Walks by Joely Sue Burkhart

Okay, I'm likely a bit bias here, but this was my favorite. I love the Native American culture. This had the most romance of the three stories, tame for Burkhart but fulfilling.

The heroine, Meli or Storms as She Walks, is masquerading as Thunderer in the US Army. She's got courage and a dream. Of course, her worry though a good part of the story is the men in her regiment discovering her secret.

Meli is a half-breed, abandoned by her white mother, caught between worlds. After working and bleeding with her fellow soldiers, she develops a kinship with two Negros, Lying Abe and Big John. Lucky for Meli, all men aren't stupid or bigoted. Leading this rag-tag outfit is Captain Steadman, a man with three simple rules. First, he'll never ask you to do something that he refuses to do. Second, he'll never leave a man behind. And you can be assured of his promise, because rule number three is he never lies.

Then the commanding Colonel sets a trap for the regiment resulting in Steadman's capture. It is up to Thunderer to orchestrate his rescue. To say more would spoil the read for you.

I was hooked from the first sentence and pulled right along though the story. Burkhart has an amazing knack for building bonds between characters. I loved the dynamic of the regiment. I loved Meli's strength and commitment. I loved Steadmen's straight-shooting manner. I'm left with a soft spot for Lying Abe and Big John. This is defiantly one of the short stories I wish was a full-length novel because I wasn't ready for it to end...despite being satisfied with the ending.

NaNoWriMo is ALMOST Here!

And the battle between Cam and me for computer time will commence, LOL. That countdown clock on the side is starting to feel a little like a time bomb!

These two published authors, Joely Sue Burkhart and Jenna Reynolds, are amongst my "writing buddies" and the links will take you to their NaNoWriMo related posts.

Lynn Veihl, another published author, is unofficially participating this year and you can find her NaNoWriMo posts here.

Larry Brooks, also a published author, has a phenomenal series about story structure on his blog.

And the NaNoWriMo site itself has tons of references. So why am I putting all this up? Because I don't have anything better to blog about, LOL. No seriously, I hope you'll cheer me and Cam on...maybe even join the madness.