April 2012 Update

I have read 16 books and 2 short stories in the month of April. Thanks to the two Read-a-Thon's I have taken part in. Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-Thon where I read 3½ books and Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict, that took place over last the week and I read 6 books for this.

1. Sowing Secrets by Trisha Ashley 
2. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness 
3. The Ask and The Answer 
4. Restoration of Faith by Jim Butcher (short story) 
5. The New World by Patrick Ness  (short story) 
6. That’s Another Story: The Autobiography by Julie Walters 
7. Neuromancer by William Gibson 
8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White 
9. The Tar-aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster 
10. Supernaturally by Kiersten White 
11. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher 
12. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley 
13. Cursed by Jeremy C. Shipp 
14. The Howling by Gary Bradner
15. Indigo by Orphelia Keys 
16. Turner by Karl Drinkwater 
17. Ivory by Steven Merrifield 
18. The Green King by Stephanie Parker

 THIS is where all my posts from April is.

Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon Finished

Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon Wrap-up.

I accomplished my goal for this week. My goal was to read at least 6 books and 4 of those had to be from the horror genre.

I did read 6 books and 5 of them were horror books, the last was a fantasy book.

1. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp

2. The Howling by gary Brandner

3. Indigo by Ophelia Keys

4. Turner by Karl Drinkwater

5. Ivory by Steve Merrifield

6. The Green King by Stepanie Parker

It was an interesting week, reading a genre I don't usually read. Cursed and Turner impressed me and I might look at those authors again in the future. But I am not completely taken by this part of the genre I will return to the my currently favourite genres of fantasy and paranormal.

The Green King by Stephanie Parker

When her parents move from London to a country town on the edge of a massive wood, Charlotte is sad to be leaving her city friends behind. Yet she's entranced by the spectral image of a green man who seems to metamorphose before her very eyes... Slowly but surely, Charlotte finds herself being inexorably drawn into a magical world of dark and light, good and evil; a world where something mysterious, something wonderful and something terrible is happening in the woods. Together with her shadowy neighbour - a boy who has spent his life exploring the woods - and another who was inexplicably lost there as a child for a week, the three unearth a terrible secret that threatens to destroy not only the woods but also potentially our whole world; and in exposing the mystery they discover their destinies. From Goodreads.

It is basically about good versus evil but done in a very interesting way. It was a quite fast paced book and I enjoyed it very much. A cosy easy read as it should be when it is supposed to be for children 8+ but I found it very good too.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
2012 Where are you reading Challenge,
Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon 

Ivory by Steve Merrifield

Martin Roberts has made a successful career from painting, but is finding that his creativity is slipping away - stifled by his family life. That is until he is responsible for running a teenage girl down in his car. Miraculously the girl survives, but stranger than her lack of injuries is her striking physical appearance; stark white hair and skin, and jet black eyes. Being mute her condition and background remains a mystery, but when a black blind man arrives to collect her from the hospital Martin learns that she is a prostitute and that he is her pimp. It should have been the last Martin saw of Ivory, but he finds that he is haunted by her look, she has stoked the embers of his creativity and he realizes he must paint her. He seeks her out in London's streets of vice, 
facing dangers of this world and another, pursuing an obsession that he learns has led to the deaths of countless others before him. From Goodreads



To me this was an extremely slow moving book, bordering on the boring. A man is obsessed by a woman that is clearly not human. And it goes on and on promising some horror behind it all, just enough to keep me going expecting the horror to start. At the end there is bit of horror but too little, too late for me.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Smashword the 9th of April 2012),
2012 Where are you reading Challenge,
Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon 

Turner by Karl Drinkwater

An isolated Welsh island seems the ideal place for four unconnected individuals to seek refuge from their own demons and to escape from the rat race. However, on Ynys Diawl they face a night of horror and madness. If they don't work together none of them will see the light of day.  
Phil Rickman, on BBC Radio Wales' Phil The Shelf literary programme, likened it to "The Wicker Man in Wales". The writer Bec Zugor summed it up as: "This will do, for visiting remote islands, what Jaws did for swimming in the sea."
Turner is a tense rural thriller which follows a single night in the lives of a small group of people trying to survive an apparent outbreak of insanity on a remote island which has a history of disappearances. From Goodreads. 
                     





I enjoyed this book even though to say enjoyed is probably the wrong word. It is a splatter horror book and it is not the splatter part I liked. No, it was more the thought of the evil mind that had made the things that happened on this island possible. And at some point in the book we are told about this persons ancestors and it is chilling to realise that the things that are happening are the product of centuries of madmen. The book made me dislike the islanders but at the end I felt a lot  more sorry for them than anything else. I like the end of the book but won't say why as that might give it away.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Smashword the 9th of April 2012),
2012 Where are you reading Challenge,
Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon 

Indigo by Ophelia Keys

Have you ever passed someone on the street, met someone at a party, who just gave you the creeps for no reason? Granted, some of them are just creepy people. But you should be aware that some of them aren’t people at all. This is the first in a paranormal fiction series set in Melbourne, Australia. From Smashwords

Again an okay book that was interesting enough to keep me going and was scary in places. Spirits that can just remove you from this reality and can touch you. I would have liked to know more about the background of the main characters but maybe that will come in one of the books that is obviously coming at some point. I might look for more from this author at a later date.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Smashword the 9th of April 2012),
2012 Where are you reading Challenge,
Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon  

The Howling by Gary Brandner

When middle-class Karyn Beatty is attacked and raped in her Los Angeles home, she suffers a miscarriage and a nervous breakdown. She and her husband, Roy, leave the city and go to stay in the secluded Californian mountain village of Drago whilst Karyn recuperates. Although the town offers Karyn a quiet lifestyle and the locals are friendly, Karyn is disturbed when she continues to hear a strange howling sound at night coming from the woods outside their new home. This puts further strain on her marriage as Roy believes she is becoming more and more unstable, but Karyn is adamant that there is something in the woods. As tension between the couple mounts, Roy begins an affair with one of the local women, a shopkeeper named Marcia Lura. However, on his way home, Roy is attacked in the woods by a large black wolf. From Goodreads

This book wasn't as scary as I had been led to believe. I did like it but there were only a few surprises in the book and I only found it scary just in the beginning and right at the end. I will not rush out to get the next 2 books in the series.

This book qualifies for:
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012,
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge,
2012 Ebook Challenge, 
2012 Where are you reading Challenge,
Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon

Cursed by Jeremy C. Shipp

Your life is no longer recognizable, every detail corrupted by unknown forces. The harder you struggle, the more you suffer. Your words mean nothing, your actions backfire, and one by one everybody you know is sucked down with you.
You are:
1) Nick
2) cursed
3) afraid all the time
That's because: a) someone or b) something is after you with a vengeance. Even with the help of other cursed people, you don't stand a chance because you're all, you know, cursed. That means you and everyone you know will:
1) suffer
2) die
3) amuse your tormentor
That is, unless you figure out how to manipulate the person behind this and turn their power against them. Check your list a second time because they're probably on it. The only thing left to do is scratch them off. From Goodreads.

I chose this book because it was a Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Best Novel (2009) and it sounded interesting.
It was interesting but I didn't find it scary. Yes, it is very scary to Nick and his friend Cecily who are cursed in different ways. It seems like small curses but at the same time it is devastating curses as it completely disrupts their daily life. There is also a lot of humour in the book and I really like the end.
Definitely a book to read but I don't think it is going to give me a nightmare. I will edit this post tomorrow if I have a nightmare.

This book qualifies for:
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012,
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge,
2012 Ebook Challenge,  
Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon

Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon Start

It is time to start the Spring Into Horror Read-a-Thon.

t's coming...to shake up your peaceful spring. ;O)  Yup, it's the Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon, April 23 at 12:00am CST to April 29 at 11:59pm CST (adjust times according to your time zone). Now don't let the word 'horror' scare you away from this read-a-thon.  You do have to read at least one scary book during the duration of the read-a-thon.  That book can be horror, paranormal, thriller, mystery, etc. The rest of the read-a-thon, you can read whatever you want.  More horror/scary stuff or just your regular reading repertoire.  As always, this is a week long read-a-thon, but you can join in and read whenever it's convenient for you.  It's all about being laid back and getting some reading done...with a little bit of scary thrown in.

I'm going to try to read only horror this week. I do read a lot of paranormal and most of that is just not scary for me.

So my goal for this week is to read 6 books and I want at least 4 of them to be "real" horror as I don't usually read that.

I have made a list of books that people have listed under horror - it is as usual a long list so I will in no way get through them but it gives me the possibility to choose.

1. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp

2. Horns by Joe Hill

3. The Howling by gary Brandner

4. The Devil's Due by TJ Vargo

5. Indigo by Ophelia Keys

6. Turner by Karl Drinkwater

7. The Sacrifice by Janice Daugharty

8. Ivory by Steve Merrifield

9. Shadow of The Past by Thacher Cleveland

10. In the Midnight of His Heart by Al Bruno III

11. Catharsis by Jonathan Face

HERE will be all the posts for this Read-a-Thon

Right I am ready to start reading. 

Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley

Life is sweet for chocolate maker Chloe Lyon! In the picture-perfect Lancashire village of Sticklepond, Confectioner Chloe dispenses inspirational sweet treats containing a prediction for each customer. If only her own life was as easy to forecast - perhaps Chloe could have foreseen being jilted at the altar! But when a new Vicar arrives in the village, the rumour mill goes into overdrive. Not only is Raffy Sinclair the charismatic ex-front man of rock band 'Mortal Ruin', he's also the Chloe's first love and the man who broke her heart. Try as she might, Chloe can't ignore this blast from her past. Could now be the time for her to make a wish - and dare to believe it can come true? From Goodreads

It was cosy and sweet like all of Trisha Ashley's books that I have read and is again about getting a long lost love who turns up again. It was okay and there was as usual not any real surprises in the book, I liked the pagan input in it but it just wasn't as good as some of the others I have read. Then again that might be my fault as this was my last read of Dewey's Read-a-Thon which of course means I was rather tired during some of this read!

This book qualifies for:
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012,
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge,
2012 Ebook Challenge,  
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2012

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

"Harry Dresden's faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. All par for the course for Chicago s only professional wizard." "But in all Harry's years of supernatural sleuthing, he's never faced anything like this: Professional wizard Harry Dresden is approached by the Winter Queen of Faerie to find out who murdered the Summer Queen's right-hand man. Soon, Harry finds out that the fate of the entire world rests on his solving this case. From Goodreads

The fourth book in The Dresden Files. I am still enjoying them and I like that  Harry Dresden is not your typical hero. Basically he wouldn't get far without his friends. And in this book his enemy might not be his worst enemy! I am going to keep reading this series.

This book qualifies for:
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012,
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge,
2012 Ebook Challenge,  
2012 Where are you reading Challeng,
2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2012

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal. From Goodreads.

I was looking forward to this book after having just finished Paranormalcy. It did not disappoint. It was fast paced and had a lot of different things going on. Evie wasn't as confident as in the first book but she was also trying to be a normal teenager which of course she is not.  Jack who works for the IPCA is interesting but I saw his intentions well before they were reviled and think that both Rachel and Evie should have seen the problem with him before they did.
I am looking forward to read the third and last book in this series.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge, 

2012 Where are you reading Challeng,

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2012

The Tar-aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster

Moth was a beautiful planet, the only one with wings--two great golden clouds suspended in space around it. Here was a wide-open world for any venture a man might scheme. The planet attracted unwary travelers, hardened space-sailors, and merchant buccaneers--a teeming, constantly shifting horde that provided a comfortable income for certain quick-witted fellows like Flinx and his pet flying snake Pip. With his odd talents, the pickings were easy enough so that Flinx did not have to be dishonest...most of the time. In fact, it hardly seemed dishonest at all to steal a starmap from a dead body that didn't really need it anymore. But Flinx wasn't quite smart enough. He should have wondered why the body was dead in the first place... from Goodreads
 






This is the first book written in the Pip & Flinx Adventures but I am glad I read For Love of Mother - Not first as that is the background story about Flinx and Pip. I enjoyed this book about them and their adventure away from Moth and the sudden growth of Flinx's powers. I am looking forward to the next books in the series that I already have.

100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge, 
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2012

Dewey's Read-a-Thon Finished

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2012 has finished.

Did I reach my goals? Yes I did.

Goal 1: Last the entire 24 hours. I did that, I had a tough time around hour 20 but got over it and lasted till the finish line.

Goal 2: Read 3-4 books. I also did exactly that. I read 3 3/4 books, I am on 78% of my forth book and I intend to finish it later today after a wee sleep.
My books:

1. The Tar-Aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster 166 pages.
2. Supernaturally by Kiersten White 357 pages
3. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher 388 pages
4. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley 390 pages

I read the top 4 books of my list which I am quite happy about and I took part in 2 mini-challenges.

I am already looking forward to October.

2 hours to go. I'm not sure it will be enough time to finish my 4th book but I will do my best. I must admit I am looking forward to a wee snooze later. But I definitely will keep going as breakfast has given me a bit of energy.

It is now 8am, I am being blinded as all the clouds have disappeared and the sun is just coming over the mountain behind my house.  It is going to be a lovely day.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon hour 21

My walk was literally just 5 minutes. -10 degree C and a bit of wind-chill is sure to wake you up. But it was lovely to see the sun on the mountains in the background. I am not sure I will see much of the sun today as it is still overcast but I can hope.

I am back into my reading even though it is still a bit hard going.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon hour 20

I'm getting tired, so I will have to do something. I think I will go for at short walk, 5 minutes out in -10 degree C might wake me up.

3am and it is still light

Yes it is now 3am and it is still light outside. My picture is actually looking darker than I think it is. The only reason it is darker than it should be is that it is so cloudy but I can still see Herbert Island which I couldn't when the Read-a-Thon started. Time for a wee snack and then of course more reading.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon hour 17

Hour 17 and I have finished my 3rd book Summer Knight by Jim Butcher. It is now time to change genre so I will read Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley. I am surprisingly good at following my list this time which I really like. Right, back to reading

Dewey's Read-a-Thon Hour 13 - halfway through

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?
    I'm doing fine, not sleepy or anything and quite caught up in my books.
2) What have you finished reading?
     I have finished reading The Tar-Aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster and Supernaturally by Kiersten White
3) What is your favorite read so far?
     That was Supernaturally by Kiersten White
4) What about your favorite snacks?
     I am enjoying the Easter eggs my mother-in-law sent me - and no even though she sent them well before Easter I only just got them last week else they wouldn't have lasted till now.
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!
    I have seen some interesting ones.