THIS WEEKS FEATURED BOOK/SERIES

The Outlander Series By Diana Gabaldon

Are you a fan of the Outlander Series like me? Have you heard of this series? Well if not, then let me introduce you to a wonderful series, one that will captivate you from the very beginning.

Synopsis

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon-when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Novels in the Outlander Series

Outlander   


Outlander, published in 1991, is the 1st book in the series. (Published as Cross Stitch in the UK.) This book introduces the main characters of Claire Beauchamp Fraser and Jaime Fraser, and is set in 18th century and 20th century Scotland.

 Dragonfly in Amber

Published in 1992, Dragonfly continues the story and is set in 18th century Scotland and France, and 20th century America. The plot involves the 1745 Rising and the Battle of Culloden.

Voyager

Published in December of 1993, Voyager moves the story from Scotland to America, via the West Indies.

 Drums of Autumn
Published in 1997, Drums of Autumn continues the series in America, beginning with 1767 Charleston through 1770.

 The Fiery Cross
Fiery Cross, published in 2001, is set in the United States and covers the pre-Revolutionary War period from 1770 to 1772.










A Breath of Snow and Ashes
The 6th book in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, was published in 2005. The book begins in 1772 and carries us through to the eve of the Revolutionary War.

An Echo in the Bone
Diana Gabaldon’s sweeping Outlander saga reaches new heights in An Echo in the Bone.











About this author

Diana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Mexican-American and English descent. She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology.

She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .

Diana Gabaldons Official Website: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/
Author’s Blog: http://voyagesoftheartemis.blogspot.com

Favourite Quotes from this series:

Oh, Claire, ye do break my heart wi' loving you." 

Blood of my Blood," he whispered, "and bone of my bone. You carry me within ye, Claire, and ye canna leave me now, no matter what happens, You are mine, always, if ye will it or no, if ye want me or nay. Mine, and I wilna let ye go." 

Book Blogger Hop 16 - 20 July

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!


The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.


RIGHT THIS INSTANT, WHAT BOOK ARE YOU DYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON (PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE)? 


My book would have to be : Dark and Stormy Knights By P.N. Elrod

Synopsis

They're the last defenders of humanity, the lone wolf bad boys— and girls—who do dark deeds for the right reasons. Modern day knights who are sexy, funny, mad, bad and dangerous to know because they do what most of us only dream about…and get away with it. In this all-star collection, nine of today’s hottest urban fantasy authors bring us original stories of supernatural, modern day knights that will have readers clamoring for more

They’re the last defenders of humanity, the lone wolf bad boys— and girls—who do dark deeds for the right reasons. Modern day knights who are se...more 

What about you?

Friday Finds

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!  

 I havent been to the library for ages now and it always amazes me that when I do pop in what great books they have, not to mention that some of them are quite new.

I love it when I find a book that I have have maybe see on Amazon and then I see it sitting on the shelf at the local library, I always feel kinda smug.So here are my Friday Finds:

1. Infidel By Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Synopsis

In this profoundly affecting memoir from the internationally renowned author of The Caged Virgin, Ayaan Hirsi Ali tells her astonishing life story, from her traditional Muslim childhood in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya, to her intellectual awakening and activism in the Netherlands, and her current life under armed guard in the West.









2. Birthright By Nora Roberts

Synopsis

When five-thousand-year-old human bones are found at a construction site in the small town of Woodsboro, the news draws archaeologist Callie Dunbrook out of her sabbatical and into a whirlwind of adventure, danger, and romance.
While overseeing the dig, she must try to make sense of a cloud of death and misfortune that hangs over the project-fueling rumors that the site is cursed. And she must cope with the presence of her irritating-but irresistible-ex-husband, Jake. Furthermore, when a stranger claims to know a secret about her privileged Boston childhood, she is forced to question     her own past as well.

What about your Friday Finds?

Lover Mine By J.R Ward

Synopsis
 
John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was-or his true identity.

Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable
 
My Review Rating  6/10

* Note: This Review does contain spoilers*
 
As a BDB fan I know that J.R Ward is great at spinning a tale and I have enjoyed most of the BDB books with the exception of Vishous story. First off I went into this book without much interest in Xhex and John Matthew, it just didn’t seem like the type of relationship that I wanted to read about, but I thought that by the end of the book my view would change. Unfortunately it didn’t. I was interested up until they got together but I seem to always view John Matthew as this adolescent pre trans, instead of the bulky vamp he is now.

There were a few things wrong with this book for me and I’ll start with Xhex. Yes we all know she is hard as nails, but how is it possible for a woman, excuse me symphath, to be kidnapped, beaten and raped every day for 4 weeks, to even think  about getting hot and heavy within just 2 days? Come on!!. It didn’t make any sense and was just not believable. Mind you that’s not the only amazing achievements of Xhex, she actually learned sign language in 2 days!! I was rolling my eyes by this point.
Darius and Tohrment’s adventures were ruined by an awful attempt at an old-fashioned language which was absolutely cringe worthy. If I had to read another “verily” I was going to throw the book at the wall. And there were pages of it. Yet again I rolled my eyes.
I would not categorize this book as Paranormal romance, as it was more on the side of Urban Fantasy, I don’t know how many pages I read until there was some actual sex. Seeing as I do prefer Urban Fantasy this was a welcome change and I enjoyed the different subplots.

Unfortunately I think that J.RWard is tending to drift away from the normal hetro romances in the first few books I enjoyed, It was bad enough reading about bondage and being gagged in Vishous story, and now she is venturing towards some pretty hard core,  gay stories. Sorry I'm not interested. If future books follow this path I shall not be buying. Quinn just happening to swing both ways is such a turn off. I find this all too much for my tastes.
All in all it was a mediocre read.
But if you are thinking of reading this book, then you have to read the earlier books in the series.

Booking Through Thursday

So … when you think about “hot reading,” what does that make you think of? Beach reading? Steamy romances? Books that take place in hot climates? Or cold ones?

Well it is actually Winter here in South Africa, but seeing as on the East Coast we have one of the mildest Winters then it s practically Summer all year round.

My Hot read would be something for the beach, something lighthearted and fun, I am not a big fan of romance but I will read them from time to time, depending on my mood and if theres more to the story then hissing, God I hate it when authors write like that.so my choice would be:

James Patterson Has Sold Over 1 Million Ebooks

James Patterson Has Sold Over 1 Million Ebooks

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. This week I’m waiting on:

Mockinjay By Suzanne Collins


To be released August 24

Product Description

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Spirit Bound - Vampire Academy Book 5 - By Richelle Mead

My Review Rating 9/10

Phew!! Well I finished this book in less than 2 days...as usuual with books in this series they are very hard to put down, and are extremely addictive.

What can I say about Spirit Bound?

It's going to be so difficult to write this review, because I can't talk about anything really without spoiling it. If you've read up to the last book, Blood Promise, you'll have questions. Well, most, if not all, of those get answered in one way or another. However, more questions arise; things happen in Spirit Bound that you wouldn't believe, and things are just so much more dangerous for Rose, in ways you wouldn't even consider.

Alot does happen in this book, but Spirit Bound wasn't as action packed as some of the other books in the series. This doesn't make the book bad at all, it just has a slightly different focus. Richelle's writing is just amazing! I love it! I am truly captivated by this series.

If I had my way, there would have been more Christian, more Adrian, and more Dimitri. Bad or good, I do love them both for different reasons.

This book is absolutely incredible! Was it my favourite of the series? No,that was probably Blood Promise, but then It's difficult to pick my favourite, it's all one story to me. But I absolutely loved it! I really can't wait to read Last Scarifice, the sixth and final book in the Vampire Academy series, which will be released 7th December 2010 - yet, I can wait, I don't want this series to end!

http://www.richellemead.com/

Other Books in this series you might enjoy

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo By Stieg Larsson

My Review Rating 5/10

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO – By Stieg Larsson Book 1 of The Millenium Trilogy

The Main character in this book is Mikael Blomkvist, a financial journalist/author who has been recently convicted of libel and is possibly facing the end of his career. Then, just as Blomkvist is trying to figure out if his career is salvageable, an elderly tycoon named Henrik Vanger steps in with a lucrative offer of employment.

On the face of it, Henrik Vanger would like Blomkvist to write his autobiography of the Vanger family. But Henrik also wants Blomkvist to help him solve a cold murder case, and if the fabulous amounts of money he is willing to pay aren't enough of an enticement, he also offers to help Blomkvist defend himself against the presumably false libel charges, which makes this novel both a murder mystery and a revenge saga.
Into this scenario is thrown wild card Lisbeth Salander, a deranged computer hacker who joins forces with Blomkvist, and turns out to be the most interesting character in the book.

It is obvious that the author has put a lot of time and effort and probably many years of research into writing this book, it is also obvious that he is extremely intelligent. The problem with this novel for me was that it takes at least 100 pages before anything happens. There is a section in this book where Henrik talks to Blomkvist about the family history which at I thought further along in the book would turn out to be relevant, but it wasn’t, so why did the author include pages and pages unnecessary information ? It was completely boring and really irritating that at one point I just wanted to throw in the towel.
Another thing that irritated me slightly was the lengthy passages that were written as conversations which were dull, hard to follow, and at certain points I was unsure of who was saying what and to whom. Maybe that was due to the translation more than the fault of the writer but I am not sure why it was written that way andit did not demonstrate anything interesting enough about the characters to justify the presentation of the information.

If you can grin and bear it and get passed the 100 page mark, then this book turns out to just ok, are there better books to read though. YES. In no way is the hype justified with this book. The only saving grace was the character of Lisbeth Salander. She is somebody who I would like to read more about.

Teaser Tuesday

This is the first time I have participated in Teaser Tuesday, and so here is Teaser for Dragonfly in Amber Book 2 of the Outlander Series By Diana Gabladon.

"God, what luck!" He poured a large dollop of wine into his cup, tossed it off, and poured
another.
Seeing me staring at him, he grinned and pushed the pitcher in my direction.
"Well, there's wine, lassie," he explained, "and then there's stuff you drink to wash the dust
away.

Dont you just love Jamie Fraser :-)

Twice Bitten - Book 2 of The Chicagoland Vampire Series By Chloe Neill

From the Publisher

Neill's briskly paced third Chicagoland Vampires paranormal romance (after 2009's Friday Night Bites) makes new readers comfortable with a thorough recap before diving into swiftly developing events that will satisfy returning fans. In the two months since graduate student Merit was involuntarily turned into the Cadogan House Sentinel by master vampire Ethan Sullivan, she's become part of the vampires' recent emergence into the public eye, battled another master vampire, suffered several emotional upheavals, and honed her fighting skills. Now she's assigned to guard the leader of North America's shape-shifters as the packs gather in Chicago to discuss the future of their often strained relationship with vampires. Merit's frequently snarky voice and amusing observations about the occasional absurdities of her situation combine with the magic of Neill's world in a refreshing take on urban fantasy.


My Review Rating 9/10

I just love this series, its one of my favourites and it gets better and better with each book.If the first book is Merit's birth as a vampire, the second is her tortured adolescence, then I'd call this one Merit finally coming into her own as a vampire. A lot more action than in previous books (of every kind). We got to know some of the other players, Merit got to know more of her fellow vampires, and things are nicely set up for future books.

I am not going into the details as that would spoil it. The story flowed well, was a quick read, and I had a lot of fun reading it. I'll definitely be getting the next one.

READ IT!!

Perfect Chemistry - By Simone Elkeles

My Review Rating 8/10


I have only recently started reading YA, and reading books like this makes me wonder why it has taken me so long.

Perfect Chemistry is set in Chicago in a small town ruled by a fierce social divide. The Northside of Fairfield is home to the wealthy and admired, whereas the Southside is where gangs and danger lurk at every corner. Northsider Brittany Ellis is everything a girl wants to be. She is rich, popular, captain of the pom squad, beautiful with an ideal set of friends and a picture perfect boyfriend and family. At least that's what Brittany wants everyone to think, you see, Brittany's life isn't perfect and everyday is a struggle to maintain control of that persona.

Southsider Alejandro Fuentes is one of the baddest bad boy's around town. He has a knack for creating fear and trouble everywhere he goes, usually it isn't his fault. Alex isn't affected either way since no one expects him to graduate High School, even if he secretly wants to. Alex is a fully fledged member of the Latino Blood gang that dictates Southside Fairfield. His sole focus is protecting his mother and brothers from the gang that rules his life, whilst maintaining his gang banger image. The irony baffles Alex tool.

On their first day as seniors at school, hot-headed-zero-tolerance-for-trouble teacher Mrs Peterson pairs Brittany and Alex together as chemistry partners for the rest of the year. Providing a new meaning to the term `opposites attract'.

The novel is written in a joint perspective, switching from Alex's and Brittany's perspective every chapter. This aids in understanding the characters for who they are inside and not what they are perceived to be by the rest of Fairfield. By getting access into both Brittany and Alex's head we understand the motives behind their actions, as well as who they really are inside and who they want to be.

Simone Elkeles explores the harsh realities of characters both South and North of Fairfield. She tackles issues like disabilities, drugs, sex, violence, loyalty and familial relationships whilst maintaining the lightheaded and sarcastic humour that she is renowned for.

It was a really enjoyable read.

Read it!!

Dark Lover Book1 - The Black Dagger Brotherhood By J.R.Ward

My Review Rating 8.5/10

In this first book You are introduced to the compelling and dangergous world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Wrath, the Blind King of the vampires, is asked by one of his closest friends, Darius, to help save the life of his half breed daughter Beth.

Beth, half human, half vampire, has no knowledge of the dark world of the vampires until Wrath shows up at her house one balmy night and from there the sparks begin to fly! All vampires start out as weak and have no vampire traits. Around the age of 25, they go through their transitions and have to drink the blood of a vampire of the opposite sex. This is what Darius has asked of Wrath. Although Wrath is against the idea to start, the death of his dear friend pushes him to do what he can and so he takes Beth on board. The more he spends time with her, the more he realises he loves her, a feeling which Beth returns ten fold!


I tend to rate the entertainment value of a book (despite whether I think it is actually well written or not) on how engrossed I become and how much of my to-do-list is being ignored while I am reading... This book had me up until 1.30 in the morning. This is a perfect book to take on a plane or have handy for a rainy day. You will not be bored. great FIRST BOOK TO A GREAT SERIES.

The Lovely Bones By Alice Sebold

My Review Rating 9/10

All I can say is Wow!! I have just finished this book and I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I feel almost mournful to let this book go. I cant remember a time when a book brought up so many different emotions, I never cry when reading a book, with The Lovely bones it happened almost every other page. It was heartwrenching from page one and I really felt so much for all of the characters in this story. It really tugs at your heartstrings.