Monster on the prowl! The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd #bookreview #horror

I was shopping for some craft books when I came across this one which was on special. It intrigued me so I picked it up in spite of the fact that horror is not typically my preferred genre. It has been one of the print books on my to-read list for quite some time.

I have to admit that I've been reading this one for about a month off and on. I've finally finished it. The author says this book was inspired by H. G. Wells's classic novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. I readily admit I've never read that one. 

The science in this book is not accurate, but is probably similar to that from Wells's novel. If you ignore that and move on to the story itselt, it is interesting. A mad scientist playing God, horrific creatures, an unknown monster on the prowl, and a love triangle/quadrangle.

Author Interview and Excerpt! The Soul Thief by Mjanka Verstraete #interview #excerpt

The Soul Thief (The Angel of Death Series #1)

by Majanka Verstraete

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: November 11, 2014

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Book blurb:

When sixteen-year-old Riley is injured in a car crash and sees a girl stealing a boy’s soul, she’s convinced she’s hallucinating. But when she sees the same girl at the hospital later, she knows she wasn’t dreaming. That’s when Riley learns her secret heritage and who she really is: a halfling Angel of Death.

Too techy for me - The Martian by Andy Weir #bookreview #themartian

This book came highly recommended by a friend, and although I readily admit to being...shall we say, frugal?...since the recommendation was from such a trusted source I let the moths out of my wallet and paid the full Amazon asking price for this book on Kindle, even though I generally won't spend over $6 for an ebook. This one cost me $8.39 (AUD).

Now this could be the time for me to start a tangent about the cost of ebooks, especially by traditional publishers when all you get is basically a file. Yes, a lot of hard work goes into writing and publishing a book and costs should be recouped and profits made, but...As an Indie Author myself I know exactly how much it costs to produce an ebook, and I must say traditional publishers tend to overprice their ebooks, but enough about that. This is a review not a tangent.

So back to The Martian.

My Realization - Kindle vs. Print Books #kindle #printbooks

I have over 50 unread print books laying around my house, as well as a fair number of print books that I have already read at least once. Well okay. Not exactly laying, but stacked neatly on bookshelves. But that is beside the point. I generally read on my Kindle and when my husband asks about all the print books, especially as I obtain more, I tell him I'm saving them for the zombie apocalypse when we no longer have electricity. 

Sounds like a plan, right? Of course that means I will have to read in daylight or by candlelight, or even by torch until the batteries run out, but whatever.

Dream Travelling! Awoken by Sarah Noffke #bookreview #dreamtravelling

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

So my last review was the first book in a series and I complained, again, about being dropped in mid-air. 

Well this book is also the first book in a series, but here's the difference. This author did it right!

She did leave some unresolved things that I want answers to, but there was a resolved plot line in this book! It makes such a difference when authors leave you satisfied, yet still wanting more and Sarah Noffke did just that with Awoken.

Dropped in Mid Air! True Calling by Siobhan Davis #bookreview #series

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'd been in a reading slump for awhile, and when Netgalley offered me this book I thought it sounded pretty good. I'd been looking for a great post-apocalyptic sci-fi read. At the time I hadn't realized that it was the first book in a series, rather than a stand alone. You all know how I feel about series - I love them if done right. This one was pretty good right up until the end, where the author cut it off at what I felt was a crucial point leaving me screaming in frustration, as happens so often with series anymore. Yes, I know you want us to get the second book, but for crying out loud don't drop us in mid-air!

It really was "No Place for a Woman" by Mayse Young, Gabrielle Dalton #Aussiehistory #bookreview

I promised you new reviews, right? Here's the first of several coming up. 

So you know about my Fibre Craft group. My friend Brian from the group loaned me this book and told me I needed to read it. (He has also loaned me the entire Cosmos DVD series - what a great friend!)

Brian used to live in the Northern Territory for awhile. In fact, the local aboriginals called him "Old Brian of the White Mob" which he assures me is a name that denotes their respect of him. No, that's not sarcasm.

I Haven't Forgotten You #bloggingneglect

I've been neglecting you again, haven't I? Not deliberately, I swear. I spent the month of November attempting to complete the NaNoWriMo challenge. I did not win this year, but I do have a good start on a book that is a bit different for me. I think. I won't tell you much about it for now though. 

And yes, that does mean I now have THREE books in progress. *sigh* I know, I know. I need to get at least ONE completed for you folks soon. I'm working on it, I promise.

I've been busy in other areas as well. I've been reading, and you'll see some reviews coming out of that soon here on the blog.

I even finished my Christmas shopping early, which takes much of the stress of the Christmas season - NOT one of my favorite times of the year - off my shoulders.

Lap blanket I crocheted

And I've continued with my weekly Fibre Craft group, where I've crocheted a lap blanket for a local nursing home resident (a stranger to me) as a Christmas present. I like the bright colors. They remind me of spring.

I also accomplished something that makes me very happy.