There I was, happily bloghopping last night when I saw all the fun this bunch of ingenious book bloggers have discussing the books and heroes they’d like to be stranded on an island with.
Well, since I’m really going to be stranded on a beach for a company regional seminar the next four days, I decided to join in the fun. Considering that some of the ladies are bringing several of my faves and we could swap, and that Katie’s pants are already full, here are my picks:
1. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
2. The Mage’s Daughter by Lynn Kurland
3. The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
4. Poison Study by Maria Snyder
5. When You Believe by Jessica Inclan
6. The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham
Some of my faves which the other ladies would bring are Pride and Prejudice, By Arrangement, The Smoke Thief, Outlander, Slave to Sensation, The Duke and I, The Duke, Wicked Deeds on Winter’s Night and Lord of the Fading Lands.
For the rules and the round-up, go over to CJ or check out Kristie’s and Katie’s posts. Oh, and before you list, check too the lists of Sarai, Sula and Tracy. Apologies for not listing all 20 DIK stowaways but I really ought to make a dash for the airport now.
Bye, ladies … mull over the draft of heroes, while I’m off to catch my flight to Cherating Beach.
Posted on May 6th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Books, Just for Fun | 3 Comments »
Continuing the epic saga of Tencendor where the story left off in Enchanter, Sara Douglass once again brought the conflicts and triumph of the three different races – Avar, Icari and human – as well their emotions and courage to these two books.
In Starman, Axis finally fulfils his destiny and establishes a brand new Tencendor, but the peace loving Avar tribe is still hesitant about throwing the weight of their support behind Axis, particularly when they learn of Axis’s betrayal of Faraday. What will Axis have to do to convince them? For without their help in the creation of the Rainbow Sceptre, all that Axis and Azhure have strived for will come to nought. More mysteries abound … Azhure’s parentage, the identity of the Dark Man, the true role of the Sentinels, and the secret of the Prophecy.
After defeating Gorgrael and raising their children to take over the ruling of Tencendor, Axis and Azhure ‘retired’ to ponder the mysteries of the stars and universe with their companions of the Circle. But beneath the bucolic peace of the western and eastern countryside, resentment has been building with the unequal progress amongst different factions of the human population. Sinner marks the beginning of an era of terror that makes Gorgrael’s deeds seem like child’s play.
Read more…
Posted on May 6th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Books, Fantasy, Authors A to M | No Comments »
Sourcebooks has released reissues of some of the most beloved works from the prolific, and dare I say authoritative Regency romance writer, Georgette Heyer under its Casablanca label.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a new convert, there’s bound to be one amongst these six reissues that will capture your imagination. And the gorgeous new covers are not the only reason to check these Spring Heyer Titles out, amongst which these caught my eyes:
False Colours sounds like double trouble to me … especially when Christopher “Kit” Fancot is asked by his financially desperate mother to masquerade as his missing twin brother, Evelyn and ended up falling in love with Evelyn’s betrothed, Cressy Stavely!
In Friday’s Child (April 2008), (my favourite cover amongst all the reissues) after being denied by the incomparable Miss Milbourne, Lord Sherrington decides to marry the next woman he sees … a recipe for sheer romantic comedy or major heartache? You decide … since that lucky lady happens to be penniless romantic, Miss Hero Wantage. Can the two work through a marriage of convenience, or is there an attraction there neither expected? Hmmm …
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Posted on April 29th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Books, Romance, Authors A to M, Historical | 4 Comments »
Being no stranger to Lynn Kurland’s sweet time travel romances, I was naturally delighted to discover that she has published two romantic fantasy works under the Nine Kingdoms trilogy and needed no persuasion to get the series.
Turns out Star of the Morning and The Mage’s Daughter were every bit as brilliant as the back covers promised. Readers who were introduced to her novellas in To Weave a Web of Magic and The Queen in Winter would be thrilled at these two full length novels.
I was simply enchanted by this tale of dragons and mages, elves and warriors, woven around a romance that is as sweet and chaste as the Arthurian tales of knight errands and chivalry. Lynn Kurland peppered the story with her trademark subtle humour, timeless ideals of romance and honour, powered by her lyrical prose, interesting plot turns which make this tale of adventurous quests an epic fantasy worth staying up late for just to finish the last page. And the witty quips she gives to her characters. They’ve entertained me far more than I dare to admit — just ask my bewildered husband, who thought I’d gone mad, chuckling while reading the books.
Having re-read both books right after the first round, I’m already eagerly anticipating the concluding story in the next book. No news of the title and release date on the author’s website, but I reckon end this year or sooner.
So, for those who’ve yet to pick up the books, here’s a synopsis:
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Posted on April 18th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Books, Romance, Fantasy, Authors A to M | No Comments »
News of these two interesting new books arrived in my mailbox recently.
In bestselling author Linda Francis Lee’s new novel, THE EX-DEBUTANTE, hot-shot Boston divorce lawyer and heiress, Carlisle Wainwright Cushing, is lured back to Texas to deal with her mother’s latest divorce which has the whole town talking, and the family-sponsored 100th annual debutante ball which is on the verge of collapse. In the midst of teaching eighteen year olds to balance books on their heads, and trying to figure out how to tell her mother that she is engaged to a Yankee, who should show up but old flame Jack Blair, whose actions left her wondering if the man is going after her mother in the proceedings, or her.
This story about “the risks one woman must take if she stands a chance of finding herself, real love, and her place in that crazy thing we call family” is already on sale since 1 April. Read more about the book and Linda Francis here. While you’re at it, check out the letter from Carlisle, the heroine.
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Posted on April 12th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Books | 1 Comment »
When Kristie decides to take up a cause, you can trust her to go all out for it. Just look at her crusading efforts and the converts she has made, and you can surely guess at the passion that stirs inside her heart. Why, if you need conviction, ask the readers whom she’s successfully persuaded to read Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas last year.
So, when she started crusading for readers and friends to give the BBC drama series North & South a try, I decided to get the video and watch the series myself. Turns out all that swooning over le Armitage was no exaggeration and the series itself is every bit worth the lavish praises Kristie and her friends, and the many fan converts she’s made since the crusade began, had heaped on the story, plot development and the characters, and more!
From the first encounter between Margaret and John, I was drawn to the internal struggles and conflicting emotions fleeting across the heroine’s faces, and the quiet admiration shining through the eyes of the absolutely drool-worthy Armitage. As their inevitable attraction unfolds in the four-hour drama, I started cataloguing the intense looks and brooding glances which spoke volumes without John ever uttering the redeeming three words, and sometime after the second episode, I lost count and simply gave myself up to the thrill of ‘the look’ every time it happens.
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Posted on April 9th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Screen | 6 Comments »
With one website launched, I have a little bit of breathing space, so without further ado, here are the reviews of four books read recently.
Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmel is a prize find. I mean, I’ve always been a fan of Greek heroic fantasy, but have always stuck to the interpretations of female authors. Mr Gemmel swept me off my feet with this gritty, enthralling tale of three different characters – two heroes and a priestess-princess and the roles they will eventually play in the Trojan war. A veteran writer renowned in the fantasy genre, this gentleman took me by surprise with his sensitive treatment of the finer emotions of the heroine, and the barely suppressed feelings of love.
But as with all heroic epics, the central theme here is still about honour on the battlefield, and the friendship which sprung between two heroes from rival kingdoms. I’m so pleased with the rounded characters, the developing plot and the hint of more intrigues to follow that I’m already scouting the stores for the sequel and the finale, completed by the late author’s wife and published posthumously very recently.
The Dangers of Deceiving A Viscount by Julia London was truly worth waiting for. I knew Phoebe’s unusual talent for designing gowns, and her secret identity as London’s most-sought-after modiste Madam Dupree would be good fodder for an unexpected romance … and she was despairing over being left on the shelf. But of course, as she’s introduced to Will in her role as modiste, she’s face with the dilemma and risk losing him who hates deceit of any kind, or accept his offer of carte de blanc and enjoy her brief sojourn in his estate.
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Posted on March 28th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Books, Romance, Fantasy, Authors A to M, Inspirational, Historical | No Comments »
It’s been two crazy weeks of non-stop preparation for the launch of another website, and the company annual dinner, so much so that now that the party’s over and we’ll know for sure if the site’s ready for take-off on Monday, I find myself with some time on hand, so what better thing to do than a quick catch up on all those review posts. So here goes …
Now, Crazy Cool by Tara Janzen, has been on my TBR list ever since Kristie and Cindy, put it on their Top 25 (?) lists two years ago. So, it was with much anticipation that I finally got a hold of one copy and settled down to read. Hmmm … the action scenes, the suspense (two murder mysteries to solve) and the build-up of romantic tension were what I expected, so no complaints there. However, I did find one or two of the detours e.g. Kidd and whats-her-name making out, a little annoying. Overall, this book is packed with equal amounts of romance, adventure, action and suspense to provide an entertaining evening read.
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Posted on March 16th, 2008 by ag
Filed under: Romance, Authors A to M, Suspense, Historical | 1 Comment »
