Screencast and MediaRoll

I'm currently updating help videos for our library, and instead of posting them to YouTube, I've decided to try Screencast.com. Screencast offers a number of nice features, including the fact that they display such high quality video. However, I previously used Widgetbox to create my video widgets, and Widgetbox does not support Screencast videos. So, Screencast offers their own MediaRoll widget, and I'm going to try it out here. We'll see if I like how it looks.

And...it's not bad. I have tried a couple of times to change the colors of the embedded video gadget, but no luck with it so far. Oh well. This isn't a bad color scheme, all things considered. 

Where is William Kamkwamba Now?

I remember reading about William Kamkwamba once upon a while ago (more than a year ago, less than two, I think) about how he built a windmill from what we would consider to be spare parts, in his home country of Malawi, and how he brought his family electricity and running water, a luxury for Malawians. (Amazon.com's blurb says that only about 2 percent of the country can afford this luxury)

Anyway, William Kamkwamba, Amazon.com's book blog, Omnivoracious, checked in on William, and he's rebuilding more things and soon will go to Dartmouth's School of Engineering. He says that Dartmouth lends out power tools...and that made him smile. Frankly, that made me smile. How absolutely cool is that?

Best of luck to William, and may we hope that all engineering schools start lending out tools.

Where is William Kamkwamba Now?

New Spice in the Library!

I just ran across a video promoting libraries, done in the same style as the current and popular Old Spice commercial. (You'll recognize the style once you see the library tribute version, if you watch any TV at all.)

Not much to say about this except I love libraries, and I love books, and I love this library video. Kudos to the creators!

The Vampire Shrink

I recently purchased a book on a whim from the Amazon.com Kindle store, primarily because it was offered for $1.99. (Book publishers, take note--because of the low price, I also bought the sequel, which was offered for $3.99. Books on sale! Booyaah!) The title? "The Vampire Shrink" by Lynda Hilburn. I'll admit, I'm not terribly fond of the cover, but then I'm not fond of covers where the publisher gives me a photographic image of the hunky hero. (It hurts the powers of my imagination, it does!) And, I liked the cover even less once I met Devereaux, because hon, he sounds a lot hunkier than that picture portrays...hmmm. Anyway, back to the review...

I found the heroine, Kismet Knight, to be likable enough, and the concept--a psychologist specializing in treating "Vampire Wannabes"--to be unique. I thought that some of Kismet's snappy internal dialogue was a bit out of character, but I didn't find it so off-putting that I put down the book, and found it bothered me less toward the end, when the action took over more of the story. And the second book, "Dark Harvest" (remember the ebooks on sale...Booyaaah!) was better in that regard...much better, in my opinion, and I'll read a third book in this series when it's offered.

I did laugh at the heroine's reluctance to believe in real vampires, because, I mean, because who doesn't believe in them? ::laughing:: Just about every other novel and every third movie has a vampire somewhere in the cast, so vampires are definitely out and about in society--otherwise why would we think they're so cool?

Anyhoo, this series reminded me most of the Southern Vampire books by Charlaine Harris, which is a good thing in my book. Many vampire books on the market today are series romances, in that they follow a new couple of the week through their particular story in each new offering. I like that type of series, but I adore (let me say that again...I adore) book series that allow me to follow the same characters as they face new adventures, because then I can love the characters longer--they become like family, you know?

My rating for "The Vampire Shrink:" 4 stars.
My rating for the sequel, "Dark Harvest:" 4 1/2 stars.

Manga Mania!

OH MY GOSH. I have found a new addiction, and truthfully, I didn't need one. Understand, I am a big American comic/graphic novel fiend from waaaay back, so it was probably inevitable that I was sucked in by the Japanese form of the books.  (I started reading comics at age 12--Iron Man and Avengers were my favorite titles, and I still have those collections today.) Anyway, long story short--I read about the manga "Bleach" on a library blog (The Early Word...google it, you'll get it.) and was intrigued enough to check it out. Now, I am quickly becoming a Manga Maniac. Here are a few of my current favorites:

Bleach, by Tite Kubo 

This is the popcorn and chocolate manga of my current manga world...thankfully, it hasn't yet found a way to go to my waist. I can eat this story up like crazy. I started reading the manga, then quickly switched to viewing the anime version, and now I'm back with the manga.

Amazon.com's official product description for this series says "Hot-tempered 15-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki, the hero of the popular fantasy-adventure Bleach, has the unsettling ability to see spirits who are unable to rest in peace. His sixth sense leads him to Rukia, a Soul Reaper who destroys Hollows (soul-devouring monsters) and ensures the deceased find repose with the Soul Society. When she's injured in battle, Rukia transfers her sword and much of her power to Ichigo, whose spiritual energy makes him a formidable substitute Soul Reaper. But the orange-haired teenager isn't sure he wants the job: too many risks and moral dilemmas."

This series has surprising depth as the main characters struggle with feelings of grief, friendship, commitment, and failure. Of course, it also has lots of humor and action, and the mix is truly wonderful. Buy the set (yes, I have all 30 volumes currently available), and read the latest chapter, translated from the Japanese, online. (Google, you'll find these sites.) But buy the books...and make all your friends read them. From VIZ Entertainment.

Saiyuki, by Kazura Minekura

 

"Saiyuki" is the ultimate buddy book (I love buddy movies! Wee!). Publisher's Weekly says "A four musketeers tale in which some of the heroes are human and some are a bit more, this manga follows a band of handsome, dashing young adventurers as they travel the land fighting the demonic youkai, who look almost human, aside from pointy ears and bat wings. There's a lot of backstory to this saga, but the protagonists are likable enough to make it enjoyable for newcomers. The leader of the band is Sanzo, a human priest with deadly fighting skill and sullen good looks. Son Goku, a much more cheerful kid, is actually the Monkey King; a long imprisonment in which he never aged explains why he looks and acts like an 18-year-old. Ladies' man Gojyo is actually a youkai himself, but that doesn't stop him from being one of the good guys. And Hakkai is a human who wears a monocle and drives the Jeep."

The cover above is for issue one of "Saiyuki Reload," the second "series" of these books. The first is "Saiyuki," the second, as mentioned, is "Saiyuki Reload," and the third is "Saiyuki Reload Blast." Both the first two series are in print, published in English by Tokyopop. The third series, already being published in Japan, will hopefully be printed in English soon.

Black Bird, by Kanoko Sakurakoji

The artwork on this one was what first caught my eye--all four volumes are graced with stunningly beautiful covers. Of course, I had to buy them, and was happy to see that the interior artwork is just as gorgeous. This is a "girls" manga (or shōjo manga) meaning that is is aimed at young girls under 20. I didn't let that stop me (I'm a bit beyond 20...LOL) from enjoying it. "Black Bird" is the story of a young girl, Misao, who is predestined to be important to demon-kind in that her blood gives power to the demon who claims her. Unfortunately for Misao, they can claim her either by eating her or drinking her blood, or....by marrying her. When handsome Kyo comes along, telling her he intends to make her his bride. Misao is understandably unamused by this, but as more demons arrive to try and eat her, Kyo's help, good looks, and charisma start to change her mind.

Black Bird received the 2009 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo manga.This is published by VIZ Media, and I must say they have done a spectacular job with it. Volumes 5 and 6 are scheduled to be released in August and November.

"Mine Till Midnight" by Lisa Kleypas

From Amazon.com: 

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.
 
Wealthy beyond most men-s dreams, Cam has tired of society-s petty restrictions and longs to return to his -uncivilized- Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship-but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter-.

***

I had been looking forward to reading this book for quite some time, and had been forestalled from picking it up for a number of reasons. Primary among these was that this particular book was not available as an ebook from my online book retailer. My access to the book changed when I bought a Kindle 2, and was able to buy this book from the Amazon.com Kindle store. (Hurray!)

Anyway, I dove eagerly into this book, for it dealt with Cam Rohan, a man we were introduced to in another one of my favorite Lisa Kleypas books, "Devil in Winter," a part of her Wallflowers series of books. 

"Mine Till Midnight" is the first book of the Hathaways series, but characters from the Wallflowers series appear at times to help smooth over the transition between the two. Cam's story is a pleasure to read, and I greatly enjoy the Hathaway family and like and admire the heroine of the story, Amelia Hathaway. The story is warm, loving, and has enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. (I think I was forced to read far into the night with this one--but who needs sleep?) Of course it ends happy--what romance doesn't? This one has a very satisfying ending, however, and it will have you reaching for the next book in the series to find out how the other family members fare.

Lisa Kleypas writes a depth into her stories that other authors seldom achieve. Her characters at not simply characters--they are people you come to like, come to care for, and want to visit on a regular basis. This book is a gem, and I will admit to you that I've already read the next two books in the Hathaway series ("Seduce me at Sunrise" and "Tempt Me at Twilight") and they are just as special. I will most certainly pick up the next two books of the series just as soon as they are released.

Rating: 5 stars

From Amazon.com: Dulcinea Craven descends from a long line of witches, and she has just inherited wild, untrained magical powers that she has no idea how to control. Now a ruthless vampire and an age-old demon are determined to enslave Cin and steal her power for their own. Her only hope is The Righteous, a band of warrior vampires who slay the rogue undead. Among them is Michael, a fierce swordsman who inflames Cin’s most primal hungers. Showing her a sensual pleasure beyond anything in the mortal realm, she must choose between the human existence she has always known, and immortality as a vampire—a new life filled with forbidden urges, dark yearning, and unearthly passions…

***

I'll admit...I'm late on this review. But, I'm late with it for a good reason, and that reason is that I so loved this book that I had to read the second one, Grave Sins, right away. Jenna Maclaine has created something that I adore...truly adore; she's created a paranormal mystery/adventure series that I could easy follow for years, if Ms. Maclaine keeps on writing them.

Cin Craven is an interesting character--just feisty enough to provide a kick-ass flair to the book, but she's not so hard as nails as to not show her more sensitive side. (I won't spoil any of the series by my review, but I will just say that it is very clear that Cin is devoted to her family and friends, no matter her status in life.)

Two points of the character and her story(s) give me pause. One, Cin could easily become too powerful, and in more than one occasion in the 2 books I've read, her powers seem to "come to the rescue" to save the day perhaps a bit too readily.The other is that Cin, for being such a "young" member of the group she travels with, seems to be leading the investigations a little too soon. I have the feeling that Devlin, Justine, and Michael were quite able to solve problems on their own before Cin arrived. 

Having said that, I will continue to follow this series, and I hope that Ms. Maclaine keeps up the high quality of the stories and of her writing. Truly, I adore series like this, and I find it very difficult (even though there are a multitude of series out there) to find a series/character I like. And I like this series...very much indeed.

Rating: 5 stars

"Night Falls Darkly," by Kim Lenox

From Amazon.com:  Ever since an accident took away her memory, Miss Elena Whitney can’t recall the secrets of her own past. All she knows is that with her mysterious benefactor Archer, Lord Black, returning to London at the behest of Queen Victoria, she should seize the chance to get some answers.

A member of the immortal Shadow Guard, Archer has been summoned to London to eliminate the soul of an evil demon—Jack the Ripper. Archer feels not only bound to protect the women of the night, but also his beautiful young ward, Elena, whom he spared from death two years before. But with a wave of panic spreading across London, Archer fears that Elena is his weakness—a distraction he can’t afford, especially since she’s likely to become the Ripper’s next target...

***

This was a very interesting novel; well-written, interesting characters, and more over, a very good plot. I liked both Archer and Elena very much, in that each had a compelling history, and each had reasons for their decisions as they moved through the story. The secondary characters, Leeson, Mark, and Selene, were also unique and compelling.

Having said all of that, at the end of the book, I wasn't sure I had read a romance novel or a very good paranormal mystery. (I love paranormal mysteries, for I'm a big fan of the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse books.) I think that Ms. Lenox could easily allow Archer and Elena to star in their own series of books, and I would look forward to each  new adventure. She has built enough "story stuff" into her world that she could easily do this, and with her writing skill, I am certain that each new installment would be equally compelling.

The romance in this story, while a vital part of the tale, was not as large a part as found in other romance books. This wasn't bad, not at all, as the attraction between the two protagonists was very convincing. Yet, I found that I wanted to follow their tale after the end of the book; I wanted to see Archer and Elena actually get to "romance" each other a little more, rather than just long for each other. If Elena and Archer play sizable roles in the next book in this series, then I will be satisfied. I suspect they do not, however, relegated to more minor roles.

I will certainly read Ms. Lenox's next book, for she is a wonderful writer. I do hope we see more tales of Archer and Elena in the future. If not, then I'll have to imagine my own.

Rating: 5 stars

"After Midnight," by Teresa Medeiros

From Amazon.com: When the ever practical Caroline Cabot first hears the words, "Our sister is marrying a vampire," from the lips of her fanciful youngest sister, she accuses Portia of having a wild imagination.

But when she discovers their sister Vivienne is actually being courted by Adrian Kane, the mysterious viscount rumored to be a vampire, she decides to accept his invitation to a midnight supper and do some sleuthing of her own. To both her delight and her dismay, she soon finds herself falling under Kane's bewitching spell.
After all, what's a proper young lady to do when her sister's suitor arouses more than just her suspicions?

I've read a couple of Ms. Medeiros' books previous to this one--"Yours Until Dawn" and "Thief of Hearts." "Thief of Hearts" is one for my keeper shelf, as I think that particular story is practically perfect in every way. "After Midnight," while not quite the keeper that "Thief of Hearts" is, the book gives us vampires, and Gothic settings, and lots of romance, in addition to a very good plot involving some well-drawn characters. This book has a fairly large cast of characters, and while some authors relegate their secondary characters to more minor roles, Ms. Medeiros allows hers to shine here, each with their own moment on the stage. This was a enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading the sequel, "The Vampire Who Loves Me."

Rating: 4 stars

"The Mad, Bad Duke" by Jennifer Ashley

From Amazon.com: Meagan Tavistock could easily see how Alexander had earned the nickname Mad, Bad Duke. His deep blue eyes promised sinful pleasure, his touch burned through the silk of her dress, and his rich voice intimated that as soon as they were skin to skin, he’d fulfill desires she didn’t even know she had. When a love spell missed its intended target, Meagan could no longer resist the temptation...until the magic wore off, leaving the pair in a most compromising position. Their only option was a marriage that thrust Meagan into a new world of high danger, dark secrets, and a passion so intense she couldn’t help wondering: Was it the lingering power of the spell or true love at last?

I adored this book, the second book I've read by Jennifer Ashley, the other being "The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I adored "Ian Mackenze," and it's a toss up as to which book I loved more.

Ms. Ashley writes a very convincing love story, in that she lets the reader "see" the two protagonists fall in love. Her story is also never predictable, which is  is very refreshing. This is a historical story, set in Regency England, yet it also contains a bit of the paranormal, giving it a unique flavor among romance tales. Her primary characters--the hero and heroine--are interesting, as are the secondary characters, who are well-drawn, giving the story additional depth. As I said, I loved this story, and I will certainly read more by this author.

Rating: 5 stars

"Archangel's Kiss," by Nalini Singh

From Amazon.com:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena... 

I only recently read "Angel's Blood," by Nalini Singh, and I found myself wondering why I hadn't read any of her books before. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed "Angel's Blood," and so I snapped up "Archangel's Kiss" the moment it was released.

All I can say is that "Archangel's Kiss" was a very satisfying continuation of the story of Elena and her archangel, Raphael. Not only must they face off against Lijuan and her growing army of reborn, but they must contend with the threat posed by murderous power-play of an unknown, but powerful angel.

I love the characters and world that Ms. Singh has created here. I think I actually liked the second book better than the first one, as Elena and Raphael are past many of the "where are the relationship boundaries?" part of of their relationship, and now present a united front against their enemies.

I also very much enjoy the cast of secondary characters. In addition to Dimitri, Venom, and Illium, we now have Galen, Jason, and Aodhan. All of them have pasts that beg to be explored, and I look forward to learning more about them all. I suspect that we'll also explore more of Raphael's past, and I am anticipating a future visit from his absent mother.

I'm starting in on Ms. Singh's Psy-Changeling series shortly. I am grateful to have discovered Mr. Singh's wonderful work.

Rating: 5 stars

"Lessons in French," by Laura Kinsale

From Amazon.com: 

Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything—himself.
For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.

I cannot tell you how much I anticipated this book, since it's been a number of years since Laura Kinsale published a book, and I adore her work. And I must say that I was not disappointed--the book was a wonder.

The story's hero, Trevelyan, has a come home to see his dying mother. The heroine, Callie, has a sister soon to marry, is event is about to leave her in her cousin's home, unwanted. Her prize bull, Hubert, is, however, very much wanted, and it is Hubert, inevitably, who provides reason to bring our hero and heroine together over and over again. 

This was a marvelous tale of family, love, and livestock. (I continue to worry about the fat pig, and hope that her owner takes care to provide her a healthier diet.) Being a country girl at heart, I was overjoyed to read of a heroine in a Regency tale wearing muck out boots on a regular basis...I suspect it will be years, if ever, that I read of such a refreshing woman again. Truly, I loved this book. I hope that Ms. Kinsale does not take a break from her writing again any time soon. (But if she does, I will patiently wait for her new work, and buy it on the spot.)

If you haven't read any of Laura Kinsale's work, this is a fine book to start with. Then, of course, you must read all her other works without delay. If you are like me, then Trev and Callie will long remain in your heart.

Rating: 5 stars

"Veil of Lies: A Medieval Noir" by Jeri Westerson

From Amazon.com and Booklist: 

What is a disgraced knight qualified to do? Westerson answers this pressing question in a promising debut featuring reluctant sleuth Crispin Guest. After Guest is accused of treason and stripped of his rank, he uses his considerable powers of deduction to earn a meager living as a “tracker.” Desperate to pay his rent and his long overdue tavern bill, he accepts a less than savory offer to spy on the wife of a prosperous merchant. When his client is discovered dead in a locked room, Guest must unravel an intricate plot involving a missing religious relic in order to save himself. This authentically detailed medieval mystery has an intriguingly dark edge that will appeal to fans of both historical fiction and noir. --Margaret Flanagan --

I read this on a whim--I'm typically more of a Regency or Victorian era mystery fan, and haven't read many placed in medieval times. But the premise intrigued me...a disgraced knight becomes a detective. How can you go wrong with a tale about a knight? 

The answer: You can't! I loved the character of Crispin Guest, and I very much enjoyed the stories secondary characters. The mystery was well-plotted and interesting. I look forward to reading the second book of the series, and hope that Crispin Guest solves many more mysteries in the future.


Btw, I like the paperback cover much better than the hardback cover. While I purchased the ebook copy from Amazon.com, I do look at the cover images when I purchase. Just my two cents, but I'll more readily pick up a book cover with a person on it, rather than a more abstract cover. And I love the artist's rendition of Crispin against the Gothic-styled background.

Here's the paperback cover:

Rating: 4 stars

"The Earl's Dilemma" by Emily May

From Amazon.com: 

James Hargrave, Earl of Arden, urgently needed a wife--and who better than his best friend's sister?
He wasn't looking for passion in this marriage of convenience and plain Kate Honeycourt had been on the shelf for years.
Why, then, should she so firmly turn him down? Surely she couldn't be holding out for a love match? Although, curiously, the more he saw of Kate, the more aware he became of her attractions. Maybe love wasn't as impossible as he'd once thought....

I picked this book up on the recommendation of a friend, and I am very glad I did. Emily May has created a lovely tale of falling in love, and I enjoyed it greatly. One thing that seems to be missing in many romance books of today is that the reader sees the hero and heroine fall in love. (More in the paranormal/urban arena than in others, but still.) Instead, characters suffer from "instant sexual attraction" that seems to serve as love. Frankly, I enjoy the process of the characters getting to know each other and to appreciate each other. 

James and Kate start the story on a terrible note for both of them--he needs to marry to keep his inheritance, and Kate, after overhearing a private conversation not meant for her ears, is determined to help him find a proper wife, though she's loved him for years. Both characters have to learn a few things about themselves as Kate helps James find a wife, and herein lies the story. 

I will pick up the next book by Ms. May with anticipation, and I wish her a long and prosperous career.

Rating: 4 stars

"Angel's Blood" and "Angel's Pawn" by Nalini Singh

From Amazon.com:

FIRST IN THE GUILD HUNTER SERIES from -a major new talent- (CHRISTINE FEEHAN).Nalini Singh introduces readers to a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires.Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it-s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It-s an archangel gone bad.The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other-and pull her to the razor-s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn-t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael-s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.

I've not read Nalini Singh's work before, though I had heard of her Psy-Changeling series, recommended by other reader friends. I chose to pick up "Angel's Blood," as well as the companion novella, "Angel's Pawn," because this was the start of a new series, and a good jumping on place for me.

I'll admit, when a story involves heavenly characters--angels and demons, that is--I am always a bit wary. If an author writes the characters like they could have appeared in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, all is good. If they try to mold their story a more Biblical mold, it's not for me. I take my faith very seriously.

Having said that, Ms. Singh writes "angels" in the Buffy mold. (As in, excellent characters, in interesting situations, with some deeper moral and ethical questions motivating them through it all.) These are excellent tales, and I will certainly snap up "Archangel's Kiss" come Feb. 2.

No spoilers, but I found all of the characters to be fascinating, and I very much enjoyed how Ms. Nalini illustrated what might happen to immortals who lose more of their humanity (as much as they had, anyway) every passing year. Very well done.

A couple of comments--Ms. Singh told us what the vampires wore, and what Elena wore, but the angels--I would have liked to know more of what these fine feathered folks were wearing. Michaella's clothing was described, yes. But  what does an angel wear when flying around the city? Some of us humans would really like to know. Also, where did angels come from in the first place? (I hope this is something we discover in future books.) I'd love to know the mythology of the race, and a bit more of their history.

My rating: 5 stars

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker

From Amazon.com and Publisher's Weekly:

Six young men and women are called to protect the living world from the dead in Hieber's Gothic romance debut. Mysterious powers give Alexi and his peers the mission of keeping the restless dead in line and seeking a prophesied seventh guardian. Miss Percy Parker, an albino orphan with a talent for languages, fills none of their expectations, but Alexi is drawn to her all the same. Hieber draws Victorian London as beautiful and grim, with depictions of Jack the Ripper as a nightmarish many-headed hound alongside charming descriptions of the Athens Academy, Percy's boarding school, and Greek mythology that smartly draws together various elements of the story. The supporting characters are nuanced and appealing but given short shrift by the narrow focus on Percy and Alexi, though future sequels may give them more room to play. Hieber's debut shows great potential, and readers will want to revisit her intriguing world.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker" is a beautifully written story, one I very much enjoyed. Leanna Hieber writes the most lovely prose, and conveys such a sense of atmosphere with her words. Truly marvelous. The closest book I can think of to compare to "Percy," a book with the same Gothic fantasy tone, is "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman. I applaud the author for her delicate, delicious writing.

I won't say too much to spoil the plot of this one, because this is a special book. But while I loved the character of Percy Parker,  I think I love Alexi Rychman more. He is steadfast, unselfish, and powerfully loyal to his friends and the work he has been given to do. Because of that, I think that his longtime friends should have trusted his judgement when it counted. I am hopeful that they find a way to make amends in the sequel. 

Rating: 5 stars

Dangerous Highlander

From Amazon.com:

"First in a breathtaking new series, the bold and passionate Lucan MacLeod—one of three brothers cursed by dark magic for eternity—is driven by desire for the one woman he dare not let himself possess…

He is magnificently strong—and dangerously seductive. One of the fiercest of his clan, Lucan MacLeod is a legend among warriors, inspiring fear in man and woman alike. For three hundred years, he has locked himself away from the world, hiding the vengeful god imprisoned in his soul. But then, a young lass caught in a raging storm awakens his deepest impulses…and darkest desires.

Cara doesn’t believe the rumors about MacLeod castle—until the majestic Highland warrior appears like a fiery vision in the storm, pulling her into his powerful arms, and into his world of magic and Druids. An epic war between good and evil is brewing. And Lucan must battle his all-consuming attraction for Cara—or surrender to the flames of a reckless, impossible love that threatens to destroy them both…"


"Dangerous Highlander" was a book I was very excited to read, given the premise. It is very difficult to find good paranormal romances, at least for me, because as a regular science fiction and fantasy reader, often I find the paranormal romance world-building to be lacking in depth. And given the fact that this concept--that ancient "gods" are held captive in certain Highland warriors, and that an evil Druid wants to find a way to harness their power for her own purposes--was refreshing, because it didn't involve vampires or  werewolves. (Not that I don't love vampires and werewolves, but still.)

The story has some very good points. The concept is indeed fresh, and Ms. Grant has created some interesting characters. Having said that, I did find her world-building to be a bit iffy, as characters often had to throw in extra explanations over such pivotal plot points as "Dierdre is a drough, not a druid, and Cara is a druid, not a drough." As 300 year-old warriors who had long fought Dierdre and had been held in her castle for years on end, I expected that most of these men would have had a very firm grasp of who Dierdre was, as well as the lore of the druids. If they didn't know before they became warriors, they would certainly have the time and abilities to find out. And they would most assuredly have had a motivation to do so.

Also, the love story part of this book did not work for me...I never felt the connection. I suspect this was because this book was really more of a mix of romance and epic fantasy. The epic qualities meant that Ms. Grant had to focus on a grand theme, and move many characters around in her story to give them their time on the stage, and because of this, it seemed that the focus on the relationship between Cara and Lucan suffered. (Others will think differently, I'm sure.)

This is a series I will not continue to read, unfortunately. I must say, however, that I simply adore the cover!

Rating: 3 stars