The whole family’s up early this morning to get on with the packing. I’ve taken vacation leave and we’re going to Cherating Beach for 4 days of sun, sand and sea.

Of course, on the top of my list are books for the journey (an 8-hour coach ride) plus some for the beach. Having finished Fallen and The Dangerous Gentleman on my recent business trip to Paris — yeah, lucky me … another jaunt to the City of Love and Light … there’s a horrid flight journey turned good there, but more of that when I return – these are the choices left to me:

Ice Storm (I should get on this soon)

Hunting the Demon

Sugar Daddy

Rhapsody or Stardust

I was tempted to bring the Temeaire series, but it may be a bit too much, so let’s save it for later. More later …

Alright, I plead guilty to bingeing again when I happened to be in the vicinity of Borders on Wednesday. Well, I was actually going to the bank in the next building, but there was a big signage informing that it’s moved to another location.

So, left with one lunch hour to kill, and no place to go, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to pop into Borders to check out what’s new, then grab a sandwich or something.  Instead, I ended up hauling back these on an empty stomach:

Fallen by Erin McCarthy (love the classy matt cover and the story premise)

Warrior Rising by P C Cast – her version of the Iliad, won’t miss it for the world!

Pilgrim and Crusader by Sara Douglass – simply have to find out the conclusion of the series

Hunting the Demon by Jaci Burton – at last, they have stock!

Apologies if you’ve been trying to post comments for the past week or more.  I’d disabled the comment function accidentally while trying to combat the comment spam that’s been plaguing me. The annoying spam is still coming but what I find more irksome than anything else if this footer bug or worm that seems to attach itself to my file no matter how many times I deleted it.

So, if anyone of you has a solution for that, please point me in the right direction.

Tonight being one of the rare occasions where I’m home early from work and the DH is out late, I decided to take a short tour round blogosphere, and I just couldn’t resist sharing these exciting news here.

First up, Sybil, has very kindly posted an excerpt of Lisa Kleypas’ upcoming wallflower reunion book, A Wallflower Christmas, which will be released this coming October. Oh, joy! It was a real treat for moi because the scene features Evie and St Vincent, my absolute favourite characters from the regency romance series. I’m sure fans of the series would have marked the release date down on their calendar.  While you’re over at TGTBTU, check out the discussion between the duckies and LisaK.

Oh, and I’m also eyeing these books to be released around the same time:

1. King of Sword and Sky by C L Wilson
2. Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
3. Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini singh

I don’t know about you but I’m already counting down till October.

This magnificent fantasy epic was first brought to my attention by Katie, who named them her Top 2007 reads.  So, when I chanced upon the first two books of the series on a book buying binge, I swept them home and never regretted it.

Why? Lord of the Fading Lands and Lady of Light and Shadows deserve all the rave and praises that have been heaped on it since its debut. Author, C L Wilson combines superb character development, detailed universe building, the rich imagery and lush descriptive to make this series an astounding accomplishment for a maiden publishing effort. Believe me, the road to her getting published is inspiring and a great encouragement to all aspiring writers. 

What about these books found resonance with many romance and fantasy fans? To me, the premise of the eternal battle between good and evil and the search for the matching half of a person’s soul have timeless appeal.  Throw in the Fey folks, magic, political intrigue, suspense in the form of mysterious murders, insidious dark magic that threatens to overturn the balance of power, and a seemingly humble and obscure but kind and engaging heroine who comes into her undiscovered strength and magic, and you’ve got me sold on the story.

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.