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

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

Lulu... Sounds like a great bucket list adventure, I hope you get to do it soon.

Melindeeloo... I had a great time listening to The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. The narrator did a fine job of conjuring an older lady's voice, and I liked her practical view on life.
I seem to be on a kick of older lady stories. I also listened to the latest Lady Hardcastle Mystery, A Picture of Murder This series is set in 1920's England and one of the crime solvers is an older lady, (She happens to only be in her 40's, but sounds like she is in her 80's) LOL!! These would be classified as a cozy mystery, I believe.

Next up on audio is probably Kingdom of Ash. Has anyone else read this? Were you satisfied with the dramatic conclusion?

I haven't seen this mentioned this week either. Queen of Air and Darkness also came out Tuesday. Is anyone reading this? This is the final book in the Dark Artifices, (Shadowhunter), world. I'm generally not a YA reader, but I have been reading the main novels in the Shadowhunter world. I didn't read all of the spin-off stories. It might be time to give up on the Shadowhunter series. I loved the Victorian era, Infernal Devices series, and have enjoyed seeing small peeks into a couple of the characters from that era/series in the Dark Artifices books.

On kindle I am going to start a novella in the Tessa Dare Spindle Cove series, Once Upon a Winter's Eve. It is currently free on KU.

I used to adore Nora Roberts' writing. I couldn't wait for her next book to come out. I really cannot imagine that that particular author didn't have a clue as to who she was messing with. I believe that she found a beef and ran with it. Why didn't she take down her post right away when she learned of her mistake? I don't accept her half hearted apology. It was a great way for a breakout author to get her name out there. As a teen I knew that titles weren't copy written, where has this so called writer been? I would think that an accomplished writer would have had more information before she jumped on the stupid train. I don't have any interest in reading her book, not my style anyway. I'm with Lulu, she's on my Never to read list.

On a totally different topic. For the audiophiles out there, a lot of Elizabeth Hunter's books, (Cambio Springs), have been added to the Romance Package listing.

I am listening to something different for me, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax . It is about an older woman who walked into the CIA and asked if there was anything she could do. As life would have it, she was the perfect person for a mission to Mexico City. Hired to be a simple courier, of course thing go awry. The best part about this story is that she is practical, frank, and totally naïve. I believe this book was written in the 1960's, and it is quite enjoyable.

I was hoping that it would wrap up some loose ends of the previous books. I have the book, I might wait on reading it for now.

Paula... I'm with you. Now what am I going to look forward to on Friday or Saturday? There was always a thrill when you saw the e-mail or when you discovered that there was another chapter up.

Doug and anyone else thinking about reading the Sweep of the Blade serial, a quote from their blog---

"Maud’s “novella” cleared 70K mark, so it is actually a full length novel. Unlike most of the Innkeeper novels, which are mostly unchanged when they go to publication, because this was originally a novella, it needs to be extensively edited. It has some pacing and consistency issues. So we expect to end up with a somewhat different book at the end."

I liked all of it, but if is going to be changed through the editing and publication won't be until sometime next year, you might want to check it out now. Their writing concentration will be on their more profitable endeavors. Sadly, Innkeeper isn't one of them.

I am doing Names as my 3rd A to Z challenge:

A- Alena Budrene, Venom & Vanilla, (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
B- Brefreton, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
C- Caroline Maxwell, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
D- Dani "Mega" O'Malley, Iced: Fever Series Book 6
E- Elias "Dancer" Garrick, Feversong
F- Francine Duncan, Angel's Peak
G- Gertie, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
H- Hades, Hisses and Honey
I- Indy Savage, Rock Chick
J- Jack Culhane, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
K- Karis Dunway, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
L- Lee Nightingale, Rock Chick
M- Merlin, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
N- Novo, Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
O- Odin Nelek, Eternal Seduction (Darkness Within #1)
P- Peyton, Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
Q- Quesnel, Dark Queen
R- Rick Sudder, Paradise Valley
S- Stoker, A Treacherous Curse, (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)
T- Theseus, Fangs and Fennel
U- Urien, Planet Dragos
V- Veronica Speedwell, A Treacherous Curse
W- Wellesley, Burn Bright (Alpha and Omega)
X- Xai, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
Y- Yaya, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
Z- Zared, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)

I am doing Locations as my 4th A to Z challenge:

A- Alabama, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
B- Boulder, CO, Shadow Hunt: Disrupted Magic Book 3
C- Colorado, Denver, Rock Chick
D- Darby, Montana, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
E- Everlasting, ME, Total Eclipse of The Hunt
F- Finlara, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
G- Gambillia, Dungaria, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
H- Hubb NE, Lake Silence
I- Isle of Moon, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
J- Jemez Springs, What's Your Year, Darlin'?
K- Key, Tequila, One Tequila
L- London, England, Her Royal Spyness
M- Moscow, Russia, The Girl in the Tower
N- Newport, Rhode Island, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
O- Oregon, Thunder Point, The Wanderer, Thunder Point Book 1
P- Perthshire, Scotland, The Pearl Thief
Q- Quill, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
R- Rhyacia, Planet Dragos
S- Seattle, WA, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
T- Tandara, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
U- Under Mountain Palace, A Court of Thorns and Roses
V- Virgin River, CA, Virgin River
W- Woodwyn, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
X- River StyXx, Shades Of Wicked: A Night Rebel Novel
Y- Y's, The Chosen, Amid the Winter Snow
Z- Zorbash, A Muddle of Magic, Fledgling Magic #2

I am doing Species as my 5th A to Z challenge:

A- Alligator Shifter, How to Date Your Dragon
B- Birds, Stymphalian, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
C- Centaur, Total Eclipse of The Hunt: A Cozy Paranormal Mystery (The Happily Everlasting Series Book 5)
D- Drakaina, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
E- Eagle Shifter, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
F- Frost King, The Girl in the Tower: A Novel (Winternight Trilogy)
G- Grizzly Shifters, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
H- Hydra, Hisses and Honey (The Venom Trilogy Book 3)
I- Ice Giant, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
J- Jackal Shifter, Hot and Badgered
K- Kolyagga, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
L- Lady of the Lake, Water Elemental, Lake Silence
M- Minotaur, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
N- Naga, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
O- Ograk, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
P- Polar Bear Shifters, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
Q- sQuirrel Shifter, For the Soul of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters Book 5)
R- Rhino Boys, (Fae), Feverborn
S- Satyr, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
T- Troll, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
U- Undine, The Deathsniffer's Assistant
V- Vampire, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
W- Werewolf, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
X- foX shifter, Dead But Not Forgotten
Y- Yeti, Miss Frost Braves The Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 5)
Z- Zombie Hyena's, Oracle's Haunt: Desert Cursed Series

I have been able to complete 3 categories, Names, Locations, and Species. I am now trying to grasp at anything to complete the Title and Authors lists.

Good luck everyone!!! We're very close!! :-)

Monadh..... I agree, I seem to feel that there is something else there too. He had healing magic with no training or familiar influence. He was an orphan when Roland bought him. Where did his ability come from? I seem to think that one of the other characters mentioned something to that effect. I wonder if he is really an actual relative of Erra and Roland. How did Roland know to look for Hugh? Did he just hear about a healer, feel his magic, or was he looking specifically for him? That particular question has been niggling at me since I read about Hugh and Roland's beginnings.

Georgiana wrote: "Carol wrote: "Loved "Sweep of the Blade"!!"

I loved Sweep of the Blade also. I was surprised to see that I started reading the serial in February (I think a few weeks into the the ..."

Georgiana... I didn't realize that Sweep of the Blade was started that long ago. Wow!! It was first posted on Christmas Day last year. I loved this serial, probably even more than the other Innkeeper books. I think that it is because I love the underdog h, Maud, who methodically destroys all of the arrogant, prejudiced vampires and beats them at their own games with perseverance and style. Also, her daughter, Helen, is one heck of a little girl. I love her relationship with Arland.

Vinity... I know that you also read/listen to Jodi Taylor's The Chronicles of St Mary's. The Christmas short story is available for pre-order, And Now For Something Completely Different and will be delivered on Christmas Day. I love this series and it is exceptional on audio. The series builds and the writing improves as you go along. This is a different spin on the standard time travel series. The people of the Institute of St Mary's travel back in time to chronicle the actual events. The try not to interfere and have a policy to never take someone out of their place in the timeline. There are bad guys who, for whatever their reasons, try to interfere in that process, or to kill some of the main characters. I must say that I haven't run across a bigger bunch of characters who are so inept at expressing their feelings. There is a lot of comedy, some heartbreak, and a genuine attempt to portray actual events with some accuracy.
Speaking of which, did anyone catch Ilona Andrews' post about the incredible inaccuracies in the Braveheart movie? Written by a medieval history expert, it was funny and the whole article just talked about the opening moments of the movie. The comments were great too.

Doug... That is the much debated question. Most people think that it is about Hugh.
Yes, read the serials!! The only thing different is that IA posts the serials as PG. The completed copies have the more R rated stuff.

I have a question about a scene in the Bone Driven book.

Do you think that (view spoiler)[Cole slept with Luce's friend just to prove that he could? To perhaps express his independence? What about Maggie? Did she do it to get back at Luce because she lost everything that was dear to her? Am I thinking about this too much? That is who he slept with right? (hide spoiler)] I started the book and then put it down for shinies, and I might have have remembered the scene wrong. Also, what did you all think about the reveal at the end about Wu? I'm still in for Cole to be Luce's man, but they seem to be alluding to Wu as her potential mate. The third book, Death Knell comes out on Tuesday, I believe.

I finished a couple of quick books, Ash Bear . This is the third book about the girls of the next generation. Joyce did something different with this h, Ash. She has a disability, never has it been named, but quite possibly Autism. The H, Grim is the maniac alpha of the Rogue Pride who harbors 2 separate animals inside. This might be the last of the Beast Daughters.
I also read the stories in Seasons of Sorcery: A Fantasy Anthology I really liked the stories, and like some here, I did not read the last story because I haven't read any of Kennedy's series.

On kindle, I have a couple of choices to read, I have to finish my A-Z challenges. I am close but not quite there.

On audio, I have been listening to a collection of Ursula K. Le Guin's blog posts. She is quite an interesting person and always the descriptive writer. You get tales about her cat, prominent people she has known, children who write her about her books, and some of her views on life and politics. I has been a nice insight into her private life, both humorous and serious and always concise. It is called, No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters

Wow that's a lot of reading for only $7.00. I am not sure that I need another series to get wrapped up in, but it is very tempting by both your high rec, and the amazing price. I have a ton of books to read in both my kindle and audible books.

I have been listening to a Mary Balogh novel, Someone to Love. I generally love her books, but I get impatient when she gets all wrapped up in every detail and every person's description. Bother! Thirteen people and thirteen elaborate descriptions! Ugh!! I like her stories, but sometimes my patience wears thin.

The fantasy novel with Russian folk tales woven in, The Bear and the Nightingale is currently $1.99 on kindle. This is an excellent beginning to the Winternight trilogy, and is especially good on audio. (Which is not currently on sale).

Edited to add.... The third book, The Winter of the Witch is due for release on January 8th.

At the mention of Jodi Taylor, I decided to purchase the latest 3 short stories set in her St Mary's world. I finished last years' Christmas story, Christmas Past. In this tale, our heroine, Max, returns to 1800's London with her son. He was kidnapped from our era and sold to a chimney sweep in the early 1800's and he wants to check on the other two much abused boys whom he lived with.

The second short story is set in St Mary's alternate history involving three of the older employees. Unknown to most, these women were part of a revolt against the government and were instrumental in their current way of life. There is no timeline jumping in this tale, just reminiscing and lots of wine. The Battersea Barricades

I also started the latest short story, The Steam Pump Jump.

Better Off Dead in Deadwood which is book 4 in the Deadwood series is only $.99 and the audiobook is only $7.49.

Night Pleasures Although this says that it is the first book in the Dark Hunter series, it is not. That said it is only $1.99 on kindle.

Besieged: Stories from the Iron Druid Chronicles a collection of stories in the Iron Druid world is only $1.99 on kindle. Also, the audio version is only $4.95.

In the absolutely rare chance that someone hasn't read this yet, the 8th Kate Daniels book, Magic Shifts is on sale for $1.99.

Kristi... I was the complete opposite. My spare room was full of books, books were in piles next to bookshelves which were chock-a-block full. I couldn't wait to get that newest tech, "The Kindle". I remember it cost hundreds of dollars and I had to wait for 4 months to get one. But once I received it, I was enamored. No more losing the page, or stuffing multiple books into my purse, or luggage.
Now, the only books that I have in DT are nearly all signed, old, or special editions. Most of which I got at the RT or other book signings.

Speaking of Author and Reader conferences, J.R.Ward and many other authors are appearing at ROR Readers on the River, in Louisville, KY on September 13 & 14, 2019. There will be a second chance drawing on November 28th for additional spots.

Book Lovers Con will be in New Orleans, LA on May 15-19, 2019.
This appears to be the answer to the RT's demise. In fact I'm pretty sure that they got my e-mail because I had attended the RT.

And--- If you are really into it there is RARE Paris, (Romance Author and Reader Events), on April 6, 2019. This is Paris, France, I don't get why it is only one day. I hope that everyone gets to visit Paris for a few days.

I'm actually thinking about going to the New Orleans, the Book Lovers Con. I would love to meet more of you and meet authors that we all like.

I have a kindle fire that I read at home and I take it with me when I travel. (It's smaller than my tablet, and is in color). I sit in my plane seat or hotel room and watch movies/TV series. It also has a "night" mode, called blue shade. I set it to automatically come on at 9:00p.m. and off at 5:00a.m. You can also adjust the brightness. I turn mine down quite a bit when reading in bed.
I also have an older Touch which my friend uses, and a Voyage that I carry around with me in my purse. I listen to Audible books on my phone. Yes, I am addicted. :-)

On another note, I see that you can trade in older kindles, they determine the condition and give you something towards a new one. Also get this, the first kindle was issued in November 2007. It seems to me that I have had a kindle forever, guess not, LOL!!

I agree with Paula, I love my kindle(s) too!!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!