Vanessa’s Comments (group member since Jun 15, 2017)

Vanessa’s comments from the Read, Reading, Planning to Read and More group.

Kristi... I think that you are right, I think that most everyone loved Oracle's Moon.

With another Dragos and Pia story coming out on July 13th, it might be nice to re-listen to these.

Sorry edited to add link to new story.....
The Unseen

Thanks HappyBookWorm... I am sadly still committed to reading the Song of Ice and Fire series to it's conclusion. Martin states that he is writing a "huge" book so maybe he will draw a conclusion in this book instead of the anticipated 7th book. Who knows, he might just finish "The Winds of War" in the next 2 or 3 years! *insert wishful face here* :-)
Thanks for the update. I hadn't seen that particular article, but I have been looking from time to time to see if there is any info.
Most fans have been complaining that Martin is spending most of his time traveling around the world attending various "cons" instead of writing TWoW. Can't do that this year, too bad.
As usual he is very involved in TV shows, and for some weird reason lots of pre-"Game of Thrones" books, and he is writing another at this time too.

On the reading front, I finished the latest Shadow Riders books and have started listening to a weird Audible Original, More Bedtime Stories for Cynics which is a re-telling of Fairy Tales in a new and adult only way. I got it for free, so I can't complain. Some of the stories are just plain old weird and some are actually funny.
I haven't had much time to sit and read, so I m still tackling Of Shadow and Sea in both e-reader and audio form.

Thanks Waverly for the info on both books. I didn't know that either one was out now.

Georgiana wrote: "Hi all. I was hoping you could help me choose a series of books to recommend to my mom. From discussions here, I started her on Anne Cleeland's Acton & Doyle series and she has enjoyed them.

From..."

Hi Georgiana... I have only read, (listened to), a few of the Mrs. Pollifax series books. This is a very old series, but very interesting. The first few are located in the "far East". This series is complete, so no anticipation of the next book.
I do admit I have the Wrexford and Sloane books on my wish list. I hope to get to them sometime soon.

I have been listening to the latest books in Feehan's Shadow Riders series. Shadow Warrior and Shadow Flight I like her take on people who can "ride" the shadows. Believe it or not, Shadow Warrior doesn't have nearly as much smex as she usually does. One possible reason is that the h, was shot in the shoulder in the beginning of the book. One thing that I cannot stand is that she insists that her h's are virgins or very nearly one. The h in Shadow Warrior is stalked by her foster brother throughout her life and if she forms any attachment he quickly moves in and threatens them so she will give him money. So that would put the kibosh on any relationship, so I get it in this instance.

I was looking for the 2nd Epilogue for End Game and I signed up for Buroker's newsletter, well lots of nice little stories are available as a PDF once you confirm your newsletter/email address. Many of the stories are related to the Fallen Empire but not all. She is planning on releasing these on kindle later this year.

The price of books has gone up. Can we blame that on the Corona Virus too? My friend doesn't read on her kindle and buys paperback books. She said that the cost has gone way up, I use my kindle and I have a ton of books to read already so I don't purchase DTB's, except cookbooks. I got a cookbook on NetGalley recently, but it wouldn't download. I wasn't the only one that this happened to. It was going to be one of my only digital cookbooks.
I wonder if there is a way to get that bundle to you folks.

I just got an email about a story set in the Charlie Davidson world,
Quentin and Amber are all grown up and both are investigating a supernatural entity that is killing people. Quentin is a demon hunting tracker and Amber is a PI. They still have feelings for each other, so cute! Anyway, The Gravedigger’s Son: A Charley Davidson Novella is a novella in the 1001 Dark Nights series. It is due out next May.

Thea Harrison's newsletter has a deal that you can pick either 5 books or add to that 10 more for either $5.00 U.S. (The first 5 books) or $15.00 (add to the original five 10 more). It is the Science Fiction Writers of America Fantastic Beasts bundle. I don't recognize many names, but it might be fun to read new to me authors.
It is available through Story Bundle and ends tomorrow June 18th. I recognized 1 of the authors, Tameri Etherton, who I met in Dallas a few years back. There is also a Lindsay Buroker series "Heritage of Power", books 1-5. That price is cheaper than some of the regular authors latest releases for one book.

Storybundle.com/fantasy

You have to type in $15.00 its auto fill is $20.00.

DemetraP thanks for the rec, we usually like the same books.

Also, on Harrison's blog is a sneak peek @ The Unseen A Story of the Elder Races due to be out soon. (It's in edits right now).
She is going to post snippets every Friday until it is published, possibly on July 13th. Dragos and Pia! Yay!

I listened to the whole Lindsay Buroker Fallen Empire series and I loved it. End Game was a good ending to the series, I also saw that there is a 2nd epilogue and I am going to try and track it down.

I am still reading Of Shadow and Sea the main character is kind of amusing because she thinks like a sociopath everything is black and white. She was raised to be an assassin from a really young age so there is no doubt about why she thinks that way. This isn't exactly YA, but the story line bounces back and forth from present day to 13 years ago. Lots of secret societies (guilds), and lots of, (how should I put it), assuming you know what is going on but until they add details you have to go with the flow. There is interesting world building, weird people, with even weirder abilities. Many fantasy tropes are here, alchemy, "readers", "soul" binding for power, elders, and the list goes on. It is a very different sort of read, but I like it.

On audio, I am listening to the second Mrs. Pollifax book, The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax . These are fun spy/mystery books. The title character is an older lady and the narrator does an excellent voice.

TINNGG... I love wild lilies, (Tiger Lilies). We have lots of them up here in CT. They aren't ready to bloom yet. This Spring, while relatively snow free, was very wet and cloudy. It's taking a while for our perennials to bloom this year. How is your son doing? Is family life relatively back to "normal"?

I've seen some of her pictures. They're gorgeous and day lilies are a favorite of mine.
It is such a strange world that all sports are ailing. I'm not in any hurry to snuggle up to thousands of people at a game, or concert, or even a theater. As you know, we travel around Thanksgiving and there are countless times that we are in hotels with fans of whatever University (especially yours!). It will be strange to not have a game screaming on the public TV's.

On a reading note I am almost done with Lindsay Buroker's Fallen Empire series. I always like group storylines and these are pretty good on audio. I've got about 2 hours left of End Game
I'll be sad to say goodbye to these characters.

Lisa, I'm way behind on the Brides of the Kindred. Are they still good? I'll catch up someday. I like a bit of Alien love once in a while.

Kristi... Your campus is thinking of all of the students returning? Up here in CT UCONN and others are thinking of only having freshmen and seniors attend school and have the sophomores and juniors stay home on their computers. I feel sorry for the students from other countries, they don't all have the access that they need, to say nothing of the potential language barriers for some of the more advanced classes. Heck, I speak English and sometimes I had a hard time listening to some of my professors. Their food will be all "take-out". (My friend is a manager for their food court so to speak).

I never tried the Black Jewels series, so many here did not like them that I wasn't tempted to try. I wonder why she is so intent on adding to that series? Was it contractual? Maybe, (heaven forbid), she is burned out on the Others series? I certainly hope not. Even with the new location, I love that world.

I have been reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, again with my friend. I am so far ahead of her that I am going to change course and try a new to me series. I haven't seen it mentioned here. It's a different kind of spin. One book is from the "Shadow" point of view and the second "first" book is from the "Sea" point of view. This dichotomy in perspectives intrigued me. It's The Elder Empire: Shadow Book 1...

Of Shadow and Sea

and the next book "1" is.....

Of Sea and Shadow

I've only just started and so far I like it.

I finished Lover Enshrined I think that looking back that I liked it better the second time. There is a lot of info besides Phury and Cormia's romance. Lash, Tor and Lassiter, Rehvenge, Xhex, Z, Bella and Nalla, the Chosen, and the first appearance of V's twin, Payne. The thing with this story is it had a lot of different stories hammering from all directions, and I think that Phury was such a different H. (view spoiler)[He is drug addicted and wired, he made a hasty decision to become the Primale and is a virgin, and he had serious psychological problems leading to his death wish and subsequent mutilations of the Lessers. (hide spoiler)] He had a lot to carry around on his prosthetic leg and no personal reference on how to deal with it all. In the background we see John, Qhuinn and Blay a lot, and glimpses of the missing Brother. I think that the stew pot was quite full on this one, and no room to stir it. Sadly Phury had to be the sacrifice, but he's used to it. Out of all of the Brothers, I had the least connection to him anyway.

I hope that everyone is doing well, where is Vinity? Hello?

HBW... Thanks for the fun link. It's amazing that people actually said those things.

I loved the Edge books too. I liked the fact that there was a normal world, an edge, and a weird. I thought that they were a cool take on the supernatural world.

Lisa... I agree. I generally pay attention to whether a series has a cliffhanger or if it hasn't been updated in a while. Most of the time someone here will give us a heads up. One thing that no one mentioned, (on Ilona Andrews blog), is the fact the some authors abandon their original series and then write a prequel or about an ancillary character. I would much prefer that the auxiliary foray was postponed until the end. One other thing that kind of irks me is when you are expecting a new novel and you get a novella, or something which appears to have had much less work, info, (pick what you want), than a full length book.

I was inspired to look into the Scott Lynch saga, (Gentleman Bastards series), because Ilona Andrews was asked what people thought when an author gives up on a series. I found an interesting "review" on the Amazon page for the next (4th? last?), book in the series, The Thorn of Emberlain

The last book was published on October 8th, 2013. Ironically the first "author" review for The Republic of Thieves was by George R.R. Martin. Go figure! Also, fans of the series have lamented the fact that Lynch seems to have (had), lots of time to go to fantasy "Cons" and never released or completed the 4th book, Thorn of Emberlain. The futuristic review---

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0...

To be fair, someone posted in said blog that Scott Lynch, like Patrick Rothfuss, suffers from depression. Also mentioned was Kresley Cole and her two unfinished series. Link to Ilona Andrews' blog......

https://ilona-andrews.com/giving-up-b...

I have been trying to stay away from too much media these days. (My sister lives in Washington D.C. and has a sort of front line on the action. They were tear gassed on their balcony the other night. That's enough for me.)

I am still on my Black Dagger Brotherhood read. I am on Phury's book, Lover Enshrined . I know that lots of people didn't like this book, but I'm looking at it with a different perspective this time. There is a lot of vital information in this one. I did find one blooper that I am not sure why it has been allowed for so long. (view spoiler)[When Phury left to become the Primale, Bella had about a year left of her pregnancy. After he brings Cormia back to the Brotherhood compound the book picks up approx. 8 months later and it was stated that Bella had about a year left of her pregnancy, weird. (hide spoiler)]
I have been doing tons of yard work, it's a lot slower with my shoulder still recovering from rotator cuff surgery. I've been driving my pickup around my yard and rolling a lot of heavy things off the tailgate, LOL! To keep myself amused I have been listening to Lindsay Buroker's Fallen Empire series. I'm on book 6 Arkadian Skies . There is non-stop action and a bit of romance. That motley crew has been under attack constantly. I can't wait to see what happens next.
After this series, I might do some straight up romance, Jodi Taylor sounds nice and so does Scott's The Rich Boy.

Stay Safe Everyone!

Doug.... The Fallen Empire series has a lot of snark. The main character just can't help herself. I listen to these and I find myself laughing out loud sometimes.

Wow, that review was worthy of a book itself. I do like the time travel show(s) references. I also liked the punch in the throat action, does that make me bad? Thanks HappyBookWorm for the laugh.

Thanks for the nice sentiments. My friend died in the early years of the war.

I have loved Lindsay Buroker for years, My first read of hers was Flash Gold

Paula wrote: "That is why I didn't read the second book Forest Fire as soon as I finished the first one. I sounded to depressing."

Paula when we are in a better mood, maybe we should do a buddy read for Forest Fire

I loved Swamp Santa If you haven't ever listened to these, they are hilarious on audio. It's how I fell in love with this series and it's how I will continue this series. I hope that her latest book comes out soon.

I have a Fallen Empire Omnibus so I have started listening to the first book, Star Nomad I am so glad that I waited on this series, I got the Omnibus for a reasonable price/credit and got 3 books for that one price.

I hope that those here who celebrate have a safe Memorial Day!

Thank You to those who have served our country and mostly to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
(On a personal note, miss you Eric Miner, my former work partner who was lost in Iraq.)

For years I read everything that Nora Roberts wrote, except the J.D Robb books. I agree with Doug, I really enjoyed The Witness This is in fact the only book where I read the paperback when it came out and then listened to the book on audio again a couple of years later.

I'm glad to see that the Veronica Speedwell series is continuing. It had an almost ending feel, but not quite there. If she follows along like her Lady Julia Grey series, the MC continued with her sleuthing after her marriage. If you haven't read either of these series, Raybourn does a fantastic job at the slow burn.

Lady Julia Grey.....
Silent in the Grave

Veronica Speedwell....
A Curious Beginning

I finished Forbidden Forest I liked it, but I can see that there is a lot of angst in the future and I'm not into lisyening to that right now. Has anyone read this series? (The Legends of Regia) The reviews are downright brutal for the second book, Forest Fire.

I started listening to Swamp Santa. I love this series, but the audio comes out so long after the kindle edition that you are always behind.

I'm still reading the BDB books. I can't believe all of the details that I have forgotten, and all of the things that I kind of take for granted without thinking of how they came about. My friend is loving these, Lisa I think that we have a convert! LOL!!

Hey folks! Tomorrow Connecticut will finally enter the real world again and lift most of the quarantine restrictions.

I have been listening to more books because Spring has finally come to CT and I am working outside to the best of my ability. (I had rotator cuff surgery on Jan. 31st).

I listened to a contemporary novel The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane This is a story of family, however you define it. Janine "Janey" Brown wins a free home from the Home-Sweet-Home Network. Entered into the contest by her aunt Midge, Janey had no idea that she was in contention. She is a practical recluse and the thought of moving to Damariscotta, Maine from Cedar Rapids, Iowa nearly paralyzes her.
On the other side of town, Janine "Nean" Brown is avidly watching and hears "her" name announced. Living with her most recent abusive boyfriend, she sells everything and takes a bus to her new home.
As you can guess, both Janine's can't be the actual winners. Aunt Midge is the mediator/common denominator who helps to bring Janey out of her shell and genuine friendship to Nean and Janey.
This was a sweet tale, a bit predictable but at the same time sentimental and silly.

I also listened to the latest Veronica Speedwell, A Murderous Relation I loved this book. Veronica and Stoker are once again embroiled in another mystery. Called upon by one of the most powerful women in Victorian England to retrieve a valuable item to possibly prevent a royal scandal. The back story is that Jack the Ripper is loose in White Chapel and he has the whole of London in turmoil.
Throughout this series, Veronica and Stoker have had a simmering potential romance, and in this fifth book it is do or die. I love their relationship, she is the powerhouse and he is the calming effect. They have been in so many crazy situations that they know what the other one will do and they totally trust one another.
These novels are so well written. I have loved them all.

I started something someone here recommended Forbidden Forest I see that the series bounces around between the main character, Forest and a couple of other characters.
Forest is a halfling, half shapeshifter and half elf. She is the lowest of the lows in their homeland, Regia. Given an unusual assignment Forest has to get the blind prince, Syrus to the wizard who blinded him to begin with. At the cusp of a war, Forest has to use all of her skills to transport the prince through enemy territory. Both are extremely attracted to each other, but their complicated affection is forbidden in their world. I'm about half way through this first book and it is keeping my interest. This has a YA feel maybe because the characters are "young". Narration is by Khristine Hvam.

I read The Royal Treatment This was a fun break from the more serious books that I have been reading lately. Sometimes the MC, Christina was a bit too much for me, but overall it was an entertaining read.

On kindle, I am back to the BDB, Lover Revealed which is Butch and Marrisa's story. In the background is John Mathew's struggle with Tor and Wellsie gone. I can't believe just how much I take for granted and how much that I have forgotten in the small details.