VAMPIRE KISSES: THE BEGINNING by Ellen Schreiber

by ⋅ 1 Comment


VAMPIRE KISSES: THE BEGINNING
Author: Ellen Schreiber

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 576 pages
  • Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (April 21, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 006177894X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061778940

SYNOPSIS:

A new guy in town.

Rumors of vampires.

Dangerous first love.

This is where it all begins. . . .

The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in “Dullsville,” is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications—especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall.

MY TAKE:

This was a vampire story for young adults. At least that is what it says on the product description. I would have to say though, that if toddlers could read, they wouldn’t even bother with it. This book features the first three books in the Vampire Kisses series. The first book was okay to read, but as you moved on to the second and third book you sill start to feel like throwing it in the trash. The writing was juvenile, the plot was boring, and we hardly even get to hear from the main paranormal character of the book! We get to hear from Raven and her life at school, her friendship with Becky, and her constant bickering with Trevor who is the class snob! I am glad I had this on loan from the library and didn’t spend my money on it. If anything, I would only recommend the first book in this series. I don’t even think I will bother with reading the rest in this series.

MY RATING:


I did not enjoy this

book

Q&A with author LYNSAY SANDS

by ⋅ 6 Comments
Today I have author LYNSAY SANDS here to answer some Q&A questions for us. Lynsay happens to be one of my favorite authors of all times and she was kind enough to answer some questions for all of us!

Today her new release THE RENEGADE HUNTER is available for purchase! This is her latest in the Argeneau series. I personally can’t wait for the kids to get to school this morning so I can go pick it up!

Welcome Lynsay to My Overstuffed Bookshelf! Let’s get started!

1. Besides Renegade Hunter, what other books do we get to look forward to be released soon?

After Nicholas’s story, The Renegade Hunter, comes Tiny’s story which is in the Valentine’s anthology Bitten By Cupid. It comes out in January 2010. Armand’s story and then Cale’s (one of Martine’s sons by her first life mate) come out back to back in the fall of 2010. I can’t tell you a definite release date as that’s still to be decided by Avon, but I believe it’s September and October.


2. Are any of the other Argeneau family going to be expecting little vampires soon?

Well you know Lissianna and Greg have already had a little one, Luciana. There are definitely more little Argeneaus to come but I can’t tell you much more than that as it’ll spoil all the fun! Pregnancy by immortal and mortal women alike can be tricky and while they’re only allowed one every hundred years or so, they also live a heck of a long time so don’t have biologoical clocks ticking and can relax and enjoy each other for a bit before worrying about making little ones. So don’t expect there to be a slew of baby Argeneaus in the next book. Although that would be really funny wouldn’t it? Especially if the all men were left to look after them while the women solved the case! LOL


3. Which Argeneau is your personal favorite?

Lucian would be my favorite male character as I have a weakness for the crusty, marshmallowy type men. And if I had to pick a favorite female character then I would have to choose Marguerite. She is the backbone of the family after all!


4. Do we get to see a sequel to Devil of the Highlands?

Funny you should ask as there are two more additions to the Devil Of The Highland series coming out this winter. Taming The Highland Bride is being released in February and The Hellion And The Highlander is being released in March.


5. Do we get to see little Luciana grow up and have parts in other Argeneau books in the future?

Possibly but you will likely only see her as a child. My timelines aren’t much faster than ours so it’s doubtful we’ll get to see her all grown up. Then again you never now… 😉


6. Who spoils Luciana the most, Marguerite or Lucian?

Well by all outward appearances that would be Marguerite but in secret Lucian spoils her rotten! LOL


7. Are any of your characters based on anyone in your life?

Hmm… that’s another good question. Yes, many of my characters are based in part on people I know or have known. And no character is the complete embodiment of any one person. The Argeneau characters are in this sense unique individuals that express themselves in ways that even surprise me at times.


8. Can I be your next Argeneau girl? Name the heroine Amy, okay.

LOL!!

Thank you and take care,

Lynsay

September 29 2009 – The Renegade Hunter
December 2009 – Tall, Dark & Hungry – reissue
January 2010 – Bitten By Cupid Anthology – Tiny’s story
February 2010 – Taming the Highland Bride -Book 2 in the Devil of the Highlands series
March 2010 – Book 3 in Devil of the Highlands series

Website – http://www.lynsaysands.net/

Blog – http://lynsaysands.spaces.live.com/


YOUR LEGACY OF LOVE by Gemini Adams

by ⋅ 2 Comments


YOUR LEGACY OF LOVE
Author: Gemini Adams

  • Perfect Paperback: 264 pages
  • Publisher: Live Consciously Publishing; First edition (September 20, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615193757
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615193755

SYNOPSIS:
Award-winning British grief expert, Gemini Adams, gently explains how moms, dads, and grandparents can realize the gift in goodbye, by taking six simple steps to share their wisdom and affection in a legacy of love, so that surviving loved ones will suffer less, if the worst should ever happen.
After losing her own Mom to cancer at a young age Gemini quickly learnt that a typical inheritance doesn t give surviving family, especially children, the ongoing loving support they really need. So, she started a survey asking: If one of your parents died, what would you prefer: to inherit their money, or a letter saying how much they loved you?
Over 90% expressed a wish for the loving letter.
Gemini bravely shares this candid and heartrending account of the painful insights gained from her own loss, to teach us that our real wealth lies not in our Financial Assets, but our Emotional Assets: the values, stories, lessons, voice, values, and affections that makes us who we are. Detailing practical ways to share these in a precious gift that will surely be treasured forever. Her positive message will soothe and inspire even those most fearful of the inevitable, to spring into action, and create a timeless memento for their loved ones. Readers will also learn how to:

* Guarantee the preservation of special memories.
* Limit the grief and suffering for surviving family.
* Provide ongoing emotional support and guidance.
* Achieve peace of mind and deeper meaning to life.
* Limit stressful end-of-life situations for everyone.

MY TAKE:
I lost my Grandmother a few years ago. Every time I saw her she would tell me that this might be the last time you see me. I would always tell her that she would always be there for me! I would say this so that I would not have to deal with the thought of losing her. I wish I could go back and tell her how much I love her. This book helps with coming to terms with the D-word, death. Since reading this book, I find myself writing little letters to my children to let them know how much I love each one of them and have cherished them so much! The book helps you deal with the loss of loved ones and how to prepare loved ones in case you are the loss. It inspires you to not fight over little differences in case it is the last conversation you have. It deals with the what ifs of loss also. An inspiring and emotional read that gets you thinking and brings you to tears all at once.

MY RATING:


Very Good! You have to read this book!

THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH by Allison Hoover Bartlett

by ⋅ 2 Comments


THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH
Author: Allison Hoover Bartlett

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (September 17, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1594488916
  • ISBN-13: 978-1594488917

SYNOPSIS:
Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. Most thieves, of course, steal for profit. John Charles Gilkey steals purely for the love of books. In an attempt to understand him better, journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett plunged herself into the world of book lust and discovered just how dangerous it can be. Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed “bibliodick” (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. Bartlett befriended both outlandish characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she has woven this entertaining cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes, where he stashed the loot, and how Sanders ultimately caught him but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. Immersing the reader in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love.
MY TAKE:
I found myself doubtful at reading a non-fiction book. To tell the truth, I think they are too slow, and when I read I want to escape real life. I thought this was just going to be a book about someone who just collects their favorite books. When I first started reading it though, I found similarities in this man and my obsession with books. I thought to myself, OMG! That could so be me! I love the part where he describes how people love to show off their bookcases and calls them my library! I am constantly showing off my new books and I am always telling my husband that we need a library room. I would be in heaven! Frankly, it scares me now. Am I destined to be a book thief? No. Do I collect books? Yes. I am obsessed with collecting books. If I find a great author, I instantly want to own every book this author has published. I even have a shelf of books, which my family knows it as ‘Touch-this-shelf-and I-chop-off-your-hands!’ shelf, that includes my ARCs and signed copies. Would I ever steal them from someone? No. So, I am overjoyed to know that I am not that bad. This book opened my eyes to the many amazing books that we hold so dear and rare. To think people actually pay up in the hundreds of thousands for some books. I can see where someone would want to own them, but I don’t think I could go so far as to steal them as this man has. This is a true story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession just like the subtitle states. You will get sucked in from the first chapter all the way to the last. Be warned though, you may not like the similarities in the book thief and yourself!

MY RATING:


Very Good! You have to read this book!