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Books I Read Last Year
(Books I Read Before That)
(Books I Read Before That)
Thirteen Orphans by Jane Lindskold
Brenda always thought mah-jongg was just a game. Now her father is hinting there's more to it than that, and when the friend they've traveled to visit appears to have been kidnapped, she's thrust into a treacherous shadow world in which she's heir to a magical legacy.
One can't help but love a book that's dedicated to oneself. My spouse and I introduced Jane to mah-jongg, and now she's taken it and run with it in classic Lindskold fantasy style.
Brenda always thought mah-jongg was just a game. Now her father is hinting there's more to it than that, and when the friend they've traveled to visit appears to have been kidnapped, she's thrust into a treacherous shadow world in which she's heir to a magical legacy.
One can't help but love a book that's dedicated to oneself. My spouse and I introduced Jane to mah-jongg, and now she's taken it and run with it in classic Lindskold fantasy style.
The Prophet's Way by Thom Hartmann
Through stories ranging from his personal experiences to the plight of the world's most troubled nations, Hartmann weaves a path to a refreshing perspective on our times.
This book is full of delights and sorrows. A must-read for anyone concerned about our world's future. Though Hartmann and his mentors are Christian, this book will also appeal to those on other paths of spirituality. His message about small acts that can change the world is for everyone.
Through stories ranging from his personal experiences to the plight of the world's most troubled nations, Hartmann weaves a path to a refreshing perspective on our times.
This book is full of delights and sorrows. A must-read for anyone concerned about our world's future. Though Hartmann and his mentors are Christian, this book will also appeal to those on other paths of spirituality. His message about small acts that can change the world is for everyone.
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Bella and Edward get married, then get a few surprises.
I expected a rousing finish to the series. This isn't quite that, but it's OK. The fairy-tale ending is sure to please the majority of fans. Personally, I enjoyed Jacob's path the most. In my own imaginings of the aftermath, I see the Volturi putting out a contract on Bella. Now I'm gonna go read a book that doesn't have a black cover.
Bella and Edward get married, then get a few surprises.
I expected a rousing finish to the series. This isn't quite that, but it's OK. The fairy-tale ending is sure to please the majority of fans. Personally, I enjoyed Jacob's path the most. In my own imaginings of the aftermath, I see the Volturi putting out a contract on Bella. Now I'm gonna go read a book that doesn't have a black cover.
Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine
Teenager Lucas Swain is getting by all right. His dad's been gone for years now, and he's sort of used to it, until he notices an urn in a taxi office and finds out the old lady whose ashes are in it was connected to his dad.
This is a charming and powerful story. Big thumbs up!
Teenager Lucas Swain is getting by all right. His dad's been gone for years now, and he's sort of used to it, until he notices an urn in a taxi office and finds out the old lady whose ashes are in it was connected to his dad.
This is a charming and powerful story. Big thumbs up!
Kitty and the Silver Bullet (Kitty Norville series, book 4) by Carrie Vaughn
Denver is the last place Kitty wants to be, but when her mother is diagnosed with cancer, Kitty has to be there for her, even if it means getting tangled in a war with her former pack leader and two vampires who are battling for control of the city.
Another great episode in Kitty's adventures.
Denver is the last place Kitty wants to be, but when her mother is diagnosed with cancer, Kitty has to be there for her, even if it means getting tangled in a war with her former pack leader and two vampires who are battling for control of the city.
Another great episode in Kitty's adventures.
The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
An anthology of poetry and stories inspired by the legendary Green Man, illustrated by the incomparable Charles Vess.
Worth the cover price for the marvelous introduction alone.
An anthology of poetry and stories inspired by the legendary Green Man, illustrated by the incomparable Charles Vess.
Worth the cover price for the marvelous introduction alone.
Suddenly One Summer by Barbara Freethy
Is Angel's Bay just a pretty name for a small seaside town, or are the angels real? Reid Tanner comes to town to cover the story—and sees Jenna Davies rescue a girl from drowning in the sea. If Jenna's a real-life angel, what is she hiding from?
Picked this up at RWA National conference. I am reading some romances this year, to see what that's all about. Some of them are not my cuppa; this one is fine for a summer read.
Is Angel's Bay just a pretty name for a small seaside town, or are the angels real? Reid Tanner comes to town to cover the story—and sees Jenna Davies rescue a girl from drowning in the sea. If Jenna's a real-life angel, what is she hiding from?
Picked this up at RWA National conference. I am reading some romances this year, to see what that's all about. Some of them are not my cuppa; this one is fine for a summer read.
Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk
Allie Beckstrom hated her father, but not enough to kill him. Too bad the first time she'd seen him in years was the day someone murdered him—leaving a magical signature that implicates her.
A fun read set in a Portland where magic is a controlled commodity--reminiscent in that respect of Walter Jon Williams's Metropolitan.
Allie Beckstrom hated her father, but not enough to kill him. Too bad the first time she'd seen him in years was the day someone murdered him—leaving a magical signature that implicates her.
A fun read set in a Portland where magic is a controlled commodity--reminiscent in that respect of Walter Jon Williams's Metropolitan.
Sebastian by Anne Bishop
In a world made of landscapes that are separate but connected, one can step from normality to nightmare in a second. Sebastian, an incubus, struggles to reconcile the light and dark sides of himself as he learns of his family's role in the world's survival . . . and potential destruction.
I found this confusing at first, but gradually got into it. A mix of contemporary and fantastic settings and creatures. Intriguing characters, well-evoked sexual tension.
In a world made of landscapes that are separate but connected, one can step from normality to nightmare in a second. Sebastian, an incubus, struggles to reconcile the light and dark sides of himself as he learns of his family's role in the world's survival . . . and potential destruction.
I found this confusing at first, but gradually got into it. A mix of contemporary and fantastic settings and creatures. Intriguing characters, well-evoked sexual tension.
The Challenge by Edith Layton
Mr. Wycoff and Lucy Stone are both English, but meet in America. He's rich; she's poor. He's a libertine, she's wary. Can they help each other find their hearts' desire?
Edith Layton passed away earlier this year. I knew her slightly through the Internet, and wanted to read one of her stories. Vivid and vivacious characters, and loads of charm. Just like Edith, from all I've heard.
Mr. Wycoff and Lucy Stone are both English, but meet in America. He's rich; she's poor. He's a libertine, she's wary. Can they help each other find their hearts' desire?
Edith Layton passed away earlier this year. I knew her slightly through the Internet, and wanted to read one of her stories. Vivid and vivacious characters, and loads of charm. Just like Edith, from all I've heard.
Glorieta Pass by P.G. Nagle
An Irish immigrant miner, a young Texan shop clerk, an orphaned Boston socialite their lives are thrown into turmoil by the storm of Civil War sweeping up the Rio Grande and into New Mexico Territory.
Yeah, I wrote it, but it's been ten years. I had to read it again to convert it into an ebook, and guess what? It's not half bad!
An Irish immigrant miner, a young Texan shop clerk, an orphaned Boston socialite their lives are thrown into turmoil by the storm of Civil War sweeping up the Rio Grande and into New Mexico Territory.
Yeah, I wrote it, but it's been ten years. I had to read it again to convert it into an ebook, and guess what? It's not half bad!
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein
From an Unexpected Party to the long journey home, Tolkein's beloved story of Bilbo Baggins's adventures is always a delight.
Brushing up for the Lord of the Rings Tea in October.
From an Unexpected Party to the long journey home, Tolkein's beloved story of Bilbo Baggins's adventures is always a delight.
Brushing up for the Lord of the Rings Tea in October.
The Brass Bed by Jennifer Stevenson
Jewel is a cop who gets shoved into "hinky corners," forced to deal with the m-word (magic) in a Chicago that's deep in denial of anything weird going on. Like, smoking pigeons. Like, rush hour pink stuff that swallows cars whole. Like, a bed haunted by a demon who declares himself Jewel's sex slave.
Funny and sexy. A romp of a read (for adults only).
Jewel is a cop who gets shoved into "hinky corners," forced to deal with the m-word (magic) in a Chicago that's deep in denial of anything weird going on. Like, smoking pigeons. Like, rush hour pink stuff that swallows cars whole. Like, a bed haunted by a demon who declares himself Jewel's sex slave.
Funny and sexy. A romp of a read (for adults only).
Rocket Boy and the Geek Girls, edited by Phyllis Irene Radford
Space...technology...aliens...humanity. Short science fiction that runs the gamut from funny to frightening, and evokes the sense of wonder found in golden-age SF.
I'm fortunate to have a story in this anthology, "Emancipation," my Jack Williams tribute. I've also read all the other stories, and can say without reservation that it's a great collection.
Space...technology...aliens...humanity. Short science fiction that runs the gamut from funny to frightening, and evokes the sense of wonder found in golden-age SF.
I'm fortunate to have a story in this anthology, "Emancipation," my Jack Williams tribute. I've also read all the other stories, and can say without reservation that it's a great collection.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Bod lives in a graveyard. It's his home, and the only place he's safe.
Charming, and as sweet as a story set in a graveyard can be.
Bod lives in a graveyard. It's his home, and the only place he's safe.
Charming, and as sweet as a story set in a graveyard can be.
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovitch
Stephanie Plum does it again. Ranger or Morelli? The question becomes complicated when a wannabe tries to take over Ranger's life, including Stephanie.
Great fun read, as usual. Particularly enjoyed the reappearance of Sally Sweet, branching out from drag into, um, creative thongs.
Stephanie Plum does it again. Ranger or Morelli? The question becomes complicated when a wannabe tries to take over Ranger's life, including Stephanie.
Great fun read, as usual. Particularly enjoyed the reappearance of Sally Sweet, branching out from drag into, um, creative thongs.
The Shadow Conspiracy edited by Phyllis Irene Radford and Laura Anne Gilman
Even a Golden Age casts a long shadow.
I have a story in this one. Just finished reading the whole book. Wow, what a great collection, and what a fun project!
Even a Golden Age casts a long shadow.
I have a story in this one. Just finished reading the whole book. Wow, what a great collection, and what a fun project!
