My Awesome/Crazy Life!

Tomorrow, When the War Began by: John Marsden (1st in series)

2009-11-10T02:20:00.002-07:00

In the house nothing was wrong, and that was what was wrong. There was no sign of life at all. Everything was neat and tidy. At that time of day there should have been food spread out on the kitchen table, there should have been dishes in the sink, the TV should have been chattering in the background. But all was silent. Corrie opened the door behind me and came in quietly. "Jesus, what's happened," she said, not as a question. The tone of her voice terrified me even more. I just stood there.

"What's wrong with the dogs?" she asked.

"They're all dead except Millie, and she's nearly dead."

I was looking around for a note, a note to me, but there was nothing.

When Ellie and six of her friends return from a camping trip deep in the bush, they find things hideously wrong. Their families are gone, houses empty and abandoned, pets and stock dead. Gradually they begin to comprehend that their country has been invaded and everyone in their town has been taken prisoner. As the horrible reality of the situation hits them, they have to make a life-and-death decision: run back into the bush and hide, give themselves up to be with their families, or stay and try to fight.

Living with the Dead by: Kelley Armstrong (9th in series)

2009-11-08T23:55:00.000-07:00

Such a great book. I love this series. Unfortunately, I don't own this book yet, I had to borrow it from the library. I can't wait to read the next book, but there is a waiting list of, like, 108 days. Definitely recommend this series to everybody.

They're smart, sexy, and supernatural. They're the men and women of the Otherworld--a realm of witches, ghosts, and werewolves who live unseen among us. Only now a reckless killer has torn down the wall, trapping one very human woman in the supernatural cross fire.

Robyn Peltier moved to Los Angeles after her young husband's sudden death, trying to put some distance between herself and her memories. Though she's still grieving, the challenges of her new life as the PR consultant to Portia Kane--the word's most famous celebutante wannabe--can sometimes be amusing, even distracting. But when her client is gunned down in the back room of a nightclub, Robyn is suddenly on the run as the prime suspect in the murder. And as more bodies pile up around her, it seems like only Hope Adams, Robyn's best friend, and Hope's somewhat spooky boyfriend Karl are on Robyn's side.

Hope Adams follows the kinds of stories whose headlines scream from supermarket checkout lines. But the difference is that Hope's stories are even weirder--and they're all true. Though determined to help Robyn, Hope knows it's only a matter of time before her friend is caught. But it's not the police Hope is worried about. For Robyn has gotten herself in the middle of a turf war between two powerful Otherworld cabals who'll spill any amount of blood--human and inhuman--to protect what they consider theirs for all eternity. And the only way Hope can keep her friend alive is by letting her enter a world she's safer knowing nothing about.

Prince of Swords by: Linda Winstead Jones (6th in series)

2009-11-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

These were great books, I'm glad I grabbed them from the library. I wouldn't mind owning these books, they were great!

As the forces of good and evil clash in an pic battle, the firstborn children of the Fyne witches have finally come into their own, each with a special gift that will shape destiny...

For months, Rayne has been imprisoned in the cellar of secluded house, afraid of the day when the demon-possessed Ciro--the man who has declared himself her future husband--will return to claim her. He believes that the linking of her pure soul to his lost one will produce the perfect child--one who will serve his ultimate purpose.

The Prophecy of the Firstborn spells out that Lyr Hern is to wield the crystal dagger. But his search for it is sidetracked by the beautiful prisoner he encounters. Despite his attraction to Rayne, Lyr is none too happy about taking her along once he has freed her.

Especially when--to foil Ciro's plans--Rayne decides that Lyr is just the man to corrupt her...

Prince of Fire by: Linda Winstead Jones (5th in series)

2009-11-02T23:10:00.003-07:00

The firstborn children of the Fyne witches have finally come into their own, each with a special gift...

Despite the prophesies, Keelia, Queen of the Anwyn, would never let a wild Caradon, a man who can shape-shift into a mountain cat, touch her. But when one kidnaps her, mistaking her for the caster of a spell on his people, Keelia realizes she has never been more wrong: Her Caradon captor is the very same lover as in her torrid, recurring dream...

No man alive, Caradon or not, can resist a sensuous Anwyn queen. When Joryn, the Queen's kidnapper, realizes his mistake, the two must work together to undo the wicked spell. Neither can deny the crackling chemistry between them, nor can they deny the ever-looming Prophecy of the Firstborn: She will betray love in the name of victory...

Prince of Magic by: Linda Winstead Jones (4th in series)

2009-11-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

The firstborn children of the Fyne witches have finally come into their own, each with a special gift...

Independent Ariana Kane Varden, daughter of the Sun Witch, has never let family duty keep her from reaching her dreams. She learned the practice of her gift, the power to heal others, at her mother's knee. And now she is the palace healer, tending to her emperor...

The last prophecy of magician Sin Chamblyn's late grandfather points to Ariana as the one to save Columbyana from a growing evil. Sian has hightailed it from lands afar to deliver the message. While he prepares her for the fight of her life, Sian intends to remain undistraced by his sensuously beautiful protege. But in the heat of battle--and passion--diligence might be his downfall...

Car Trade

2009-11-01T19:00:00.003-07:00

So Spencer, his parents, and I all made the 4 1/2 hour drive to Rawlins, WY to switch cars. Spencer's dad, Gary, traded in Spencer's Jeep for the Cash-for-Clunkers deal in September, I think, and got a 2009 or 2010 Hyundai Accent. So Spencer has been driving the Accent around since then. Gary was fixing up an old Toyota 4Runner for Spencer. All the repairs are finally finished and so today we made the switch. Spencer now has the 4Runner and Gary has the Accent. Unfortunately we had to leave town at 7 am this morning. That sucked! Spencer drove the first half of the trip because I don't completely trust myself with a stick-shift. We arrived in Rawlins at about 11:15 am and beat Gary and Debbie by about 20 minutes, and they left before we did. But that is because we had the new Accent that could go 90 mph and they had the 4Runner that could go 80 mph max. The truck is a beast, and it will be even more of a beast once Spencer puts the lift on it that he wants. We got back into Logan at about 6 pm, I think. So that was our fun, adventurous day we had today.

The Star Witch by: Linda Winstead Jones (3rd in series)

2009-10-31T23:59:00.001-06:00

Three "different ad engrossing" wiches coming into their own. Here, the eldest wonders how she can remain chaste with a sensuous enemy tempting her...

Some say the Circle of Bacwyr is a myth--and practical Isadoa, a young, widowed attendant to the Empress, numbers among them. But for Captain Lucan Hern, the powerful Circle is as real as the daggers he hids under his clothing. The warrior was raised solely to find--and capture--the elusive Star of Bacwyr. But his teachers never told him exactly what it was. They only made one thing clear: Stay away from witches...

Sounds easy enough. Then Lucan meets Isadora, a decidedly different kind of beauty. She is oblivious to his attraction while he is equally oblivious to the fact that she's a witch. And he believes her ring is the Star he's been searching for.

Isadora has slept in a cold bed these long years--but the arrival of this gorgeous creature sets her body afire. And after a lifetime of searching for the Star, Lucan all but forgets it, waiting for Isadora to give herself to him freely, when he will take her beyond her wildest dreams...

The Moon Witch by: Linda Winstead Jones (2nd in series)

2009-10-31T23:15:00.001-06:00

In "The Sun Witch," the Fyne sistes come to terms with their sorcery. Now, one must decide how far she is willing to go to stay true to herself...

Blessed--and cursed--with the ability to see the past and future of anyone she touches, middle sister Juliet yearns to use her gift upon herself, if only to understand the terrifying nightmares that plague her. But her fears mean nothing when she is kidnapped by the Emperor's men.

All his life, Ryn has dreamed of a woman with flame-red hair and haunting beauty. He draws extraordinary strength and senses from the wolf-beast within him--and after years of hunting, he has found his life mate. Defeating Juliet's captors, Ryn whisks her away to his home, where his wild desire leads him to defy an ancient prophecy--and only Juliet's untapped powers can stave off the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both.

The Sun Witch by: Linda Winstead Jones (1st in series)

2009-10-26T01:08:00.001-06:00

Saw this cover while browsing the library and decided I wanted to read it. Sometimes you can judge a book by it's cover, this is a good book.

For three hundred years, the Fyne women have called their cottage on the mountain home. The villagers stay away from the Fyne sisters, fearing their witchery. But Isadora, Juliet, and Sophie use their sorcery for good--most of the time...

A curse put on their family long ago makes true love unattainable for the Fyne women. Sophie's two elder sisters, both skilled witches, have accepted this and have vowed a lifetime of chastity. But young Sophie has yet to find her own power. With more luscious curves than her sisters, Sophie wonders if the fire coursing through her body might be an indication of her true strength. She dreams of a green-eyed stranger, and when she finally does meet the man of her dreams, Sophie knows her power: Nature has gifted her with fertility.

Although groggy from war wounds, Kane could have sworn that an angel came to him, healed him, and made love to him. Now, after a year of searching for the girl who may or may not have been a dream, Kane is stunned to find Sophie--with his child at her breast. But when a scorned suitor captures their infant daughter, they must call on all their strengths, both earthly and supernatural, to fight the curse that promises to end their happiness.

Skin Trade by: Laurell K. Hamilton (17th in series)

2009-10-25T22:56:00.003-06:00

Oh.My.Gosh! I absolutely loved this book! I devoured it!!! I had to leave it at Spencer's house so that I didn't read it all night and not go to sleep. And yes, it is that good a book. I definitely recommend Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, it is an excellent series. She has two new books for Anita coming out next year and I am so excited!!!

Once you tell someone certain things--say, you got mailed a human head in a box--they tend to think you're crazy.

Anita Blake's reputation has taken some hits. Not on the work front, where she has the highest kill count of all the legal vampire executioners in the country, but on the personal front. No one seems to trust a woman who sleeps with the monsters. Still, when a vampire serial killer sends her a head from Las Vegas, Anita has to warn Sin City's local authorities what they're dealing with. Only it's worse than she thought. Police officers and one executioner have been slain--paranormal style...

Anita heads to Las Vegas, where she's joined by three other U.S. Marshals, including the ruthless Edward hiding behind his mild-mannered persona. It's a good thing Edward always has her back because when she gets close to the bodies, Anita senses "tiger" too strongly to ignore it. There weretigers are very powerful in Las Vegas, which means the odds of her rubbing someone important the wrong way just got a lot higher...

The Crystal Eye by: Deborah Chester (3rd in series)

2009-10-20T22:00:00.001-06:00

Ampris's days as a gladiator and freedom fighter are far behind her. She only wants to raise her childern--half Aaroun, half Viis--away from the influence of their reptilian heritage. But the wilderness is taking its toll on her children and the other refugees. Desperate, Ampris returns to the ghetto that spawned her to seek the knowledge contained in the Imperial Archives that can save her people.

Instead she learns the truth behind the enslavement of her race--a shocking betrayal that forces Ampris to walk the warrior's path once more. It is a path that will lead Ampris into a final confrontation with her old enemy Israi--and decide the future of a universe...

The Crimson Claw by: Debra Chester (2nd in series)

2009-10-18T22:52:00.002-06:00

Ampris has begun her exile, aided by her companion Elrabin, the Kelth. She has learned the archival history of the Viis empire, its languages, its weaknesses. Now she will learn to harness the innate savagery of her race in the gladiatorial arena. Fighting for sport. Fighting for life. Fighting for the chance to lead a desperate battle for the future of the slave races...

Meanwhile, Israi, the Viis princess, is coming of age as well. The childhood friend of Ampris is about to become queen of the Viis empire...and Ampris's mortal enemy.

The Golden One by: Deborah Chester (1st in series)

2009-10-17T14:34:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love these books. I have loved them since I was a little girl.

For centuries, the kingdom of the beautiful, reptilian Viis flourished. But time, plague, and their own short-sighted arrogance have taken their toll, and an empire that once ruled scores of systems is now concentrated on one decaying homeworld.

But Sahmrahd Kaa--ruler of the Viis--is not concerned. He has just purchased a new pet for his daughter. The animal is an Aaroun--a lower creature with sharp teeth and mottled fur, one of many kept by the Viis as slaves. Unknown to the Kaa, however, is the true importance of this "pet."

History will name her Ampris the Exile. Leader of the Great Emancipation. Conqueror of the Viis.

The Darkest Whisper by: Gena Showalter (4th in series)

2009-10-16T22:56:00.003-06:00

Another great book from the Lords of the Underworld. Definitely love this series.

He is the keeper of Doubt and his entire world’s about to be rocked.

Bound by the demon of doubt, Sabin unintentionally destroys even the most confident of lovers. So the immortal warrior spends his time on the battlefield instead of the bedroom, victory his only concern…until he meets Gwendolyn the Timid. One taste of the beautiful redhead, and he craves more.

Gwen, an immortal herself, always thought she’d fall for a kind human who wouldn’t rouse her darker side. But when Sabin frees her from prison, battling their enemies for the claim to Pandora’s box turns out to be nothing compared to the battle Sabin and Gwen will wage against love…

Danse Macabre by: Laurell K. Hamilton (14th in series)

2009-10-16T22:36:00.003-06:00

Anita is definitely not happy with the possibility of being pregnant and none of the possible fathers know whether to be happy or upset. Watching the drama is so fun.

These days, Anita Blake is less interested in vampire politics than in an ancient, ordinary dread she shares with women down the ages: she may be pregnant. And, if she is, whether the father is a vampire, werewolf, or something else entirely, it's clear that being a Federal Marshal known for raising the dead and being a vampire executioner is no way to bring up a baby.

Blood Noir by: Laurell K. Hamilton (16th in series)

2009-10-15T22:49:00.001-06:00

This is another great book. Anita's power level up's another level. And Marmee Noir makes another appearance, reminding everyone why they are afraid of the dark.

A favor for Jason, vampire hunter Anita Blake's werewolf lover, puts her in the center of a fullblown scandal that threatens master-vampire Jean-Claude's reign and makes her a pawn in an ancient vampire queen's new rise to power.

The Harlequin by: Laurell K. Hamilton (15th in series)

2009-10-13T22:46:00.001-06:00

Great read! Loved it, definitely a new level of terror for Anita.

Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death.

Long-time rivals for Anita's affections, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, and Richard, alpha-werewolf, will need to become allies. Shapeshifters Nathaniel and Micah will have to step up their support. And then there's Edward. In this situation, Anita knows that she needs to call the one man who has always been there for her...

Deceptions of Fate by: Brittney Schmelter

2009-10-10T19:10:00.004-06:00

I was looking through Brittney's poems the other days, and came across this poem again. I think this is one of my favorite poems by Brittney. It's a little dark, but you can see the imagination and creativity it takes to write something like this. I definitely can't do this.

In the back of the room, on top of a shelf, sits a box of many colors.
Take them out, just one by one, and each will tell a different story.
Each color is a piece to a puzzle, a puzzle that we like to call Life.
~What is the importance of them you ask? Well soon we shall see~

[Reach inside the box, my darlin', by fate you have ben twisted.]

The white has been brought forth, the simple color of the invisible.
"Love has consumed your heart, but not a soul loves yours in return."
Forsaking the vows of hope and job, anguish engulfs the broken soul.
~What does it matter if one person perishes? It's no cause for concern~

[Come my child, reach inside me, by fate your heart has been blinded.]

Black has been drawn; darkness enters the room, the color of the bold.
"Domination over reason, strike out, for you are the one in control."
There is no escape as the blows cascade down, they shall always rule.
~Many are strong, others are weak, in this life each person plays a role~

[Feel around and bring forth your color, by fate you have been greeted.]

The color green has emerged, the unmistakable color of the envious.
"She holds your world when she holds his hand, a world that's yours."
Jealousy controls the mind: actions come into play; death soon follows.
~Sometimes things happen, that the world and I choose to ignore~

[Stretch out your hand and grasp a color, by fate you have been hounded.]

The color red has been withdrawn; it represents the color of the angry.
"He speaks crude words when your back is turned, do not tolerate it."
Violent phrases emanate, innocent ears are soon defiled, and hatred is bred.
~Fighting happens in all family units, it's something we can permit~

[Seize a color from my lovely box; by fate you have been tempted.]

Dazzling colors remain; they are secreted inside that haunting little box.
It calls you to reach within it's cardboard walls and draw out your color.
And you will obey that mesmerizing request whether you realize it or not.
~What's the importance of them? By fate you have gained your answer~

By fate you have been twisted.
By fate your heart has been blinded.
By fate you have been greeted.
By fate you have been hounded.
By fate you have been tempted.

By fate you have learned.

Brittney Schmelter

Micah by: Laurell K. Hamilton (13th in series)

2009-10-09T22:25:00.002-06:00

Love this book! I love Micah, the relationship they have is amazing.

"'RAISING THE DEAD IS EASY. LOVE IS HARD...' There are lots of reasons to raise the dead-some private, some public. In this case, the feds have a witness who died before he could speak on the record. They want him raised so his testimony can be taken. So here I am, on a plane to Philadelphia, flying off to do my job. But I'm not alone. Micah is with me. Micah, head of the St. Louis wereleopard pard. King to my Queen. The only one of my lovers who can stir my blood with just a glance from his chartreuse cat's eyes. I was happy to have him at my side. Until he mentioned that this will be our first time alone together. No Master Vampire. No Alpha Werewolf. Just me and Micah. And all my fears and doubts..."

Incubus Dreams by: Laurell K. Hamilton (12th in series)

2009-10-09T22:24:00.002-06:00

Another great read. I love Micah and Nathaniel, the little ménage à trois they have with Anita is so fun. I think that they are my favorite characters in this series.

Anita Blake may be America's most powerful vampire hunter and necromancer. So it's no surprise that the Regional Preternatural Crime Investigation Team seeks her assistance when a St. Louis stripper is murdered and the evidence points to unusual serial killers: a group of seven vampires. It appears a master vampire has gone rogue--and may prove too powerful for Anita Blake, even if she can gain help from not only her vampire consort, Master of the City Jean-Claude, but from the wereleopard king Micah, her other lover, and the alpha werewolf Richard, her bitter ex-lover.

Cerulean Sins by: Laurell K. Hamilton (11th in series)

2009-10-07T22:15:00.001-06:00

Another great book, I love this whole series.

When a sinister stranger tries to hire the magically potent Anita Blake to raise the dead, she finds herself embroiled in the search for a vicious, supernatural serial killer, and also in the clandestine international politics of the vampires. And as she becomes more deeply enmeshed in cruel plots and counterplots, her tangled personal life only becomes more demanding, more wrenching, and more erotically fraught.

Narcissus in Chains by: Laurell K. Hamilton (10th in series)

2009-10-05T02:00:00.002-06:00

Another good book. They finally introduced Micah and I have a feeling that these books are going to get so much better now!

Narcissus in Chains continues the adventures of Anita Blake. In this novel, Anita attempts to reconnect with her friends and allies after a lengthy separation, and to undo the damage caused by her absence. Even as Anita attempts to repair the damage and come to terms with her newly developing powers, she is also threatened by a series of attacks and disappearances within the shapeshifter community.

Obsidian Butterfly by: Anita Blake (9th in series)

2009-10-02T19:33:00.003-06:00

Another good book, but this one only involved Edward, you don't hear from Jean-Claude or Richard. Heck, you don't hear about any of the lesser characters from her other books other than Edward. Definitely a good book though.

"MY NAME IS ANITA BLAKE. I'D LIKE YOU TO MEED EDWARD...'Edward was a hit man. He specialized in monsters. Vampires, shapeshifters, anything and everything. There were people like me who did it legal, but Edward didn't sweat the legalities or, hell, the ethics. He was an equal opportunity killer. I mag be one of the few friends that Edward has, but it's like being friends with a tame leopard. It may curl on the foot of your bed and let you pet its head, but it can still eat your throat out...'"

Molly

2009-09-30T00:01:00.001-06:00

Here are some pictures of the kitten that Spencer and I had for two days. Her name was Molly and she was the sweetest thing that we ever had. She was an American Shorthair, and as you can tell from the pictures, she was a gray kitten and she had gray eyes. Spencer and I fell in love with her the first time we saw her at the pound.

She was so tiny that she fit inside of Spencer's shoes. She would crawl in and disappear and all we would see would be just her little tail.

Her favorite place for me to hold her was on my shoulder. Spencer called her my little parrot.

Look at those beautiful gray eyes. Isn't she a cutie?

What's funny is that she would start out on one shoulder, then she would crawl across my chest, under my chin, and go over onto my other shoulder. And then she would crawl across my back and the back of my neck to the original shoulder. Too funny.

Cute little fluffy kitten.

I think this is my favorite picture of her. Not so great a picture of me though. Definitely not.

Look at her little tail going. Spencer and I had to give her back because we found that Spencer had a slight allergy to her and we didn't have the money to clean her. We actually really didn't have the money to take care of her the way she needed, we kinda rushed into buying her. But we gave her back, that was a sad day. I can't wait to get another kitten.

Blue Moon by: Laurell K. Hamilton (8th in series)

2009-09-29T02:26:00.003-06:00

An excellent book! I'm excited to read the next book. It's going to get so much better from hear on out, I can feel it! :)

Danger makes the world go 'round. Just ask Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter. Right now, her problems lie with her ex-fiance--a werewolf who just got arrested on an assault charge. His guilt or innocence is not the issue. The fact that there's a full moon on the rise is...

"I WONDERED WHAT JEAN-CLAUDE WOULD THINK OF ME DROPPING EVERYTHING TO GO RESCUE RICHARD...It didn't matter. I was going, and that was that. But I did spare a thought for how that might make my vampire lover feel. His heart didn't always beat, but it could still break. That's love. Sometimes it feels good. Sometimes it's just another way to bleed."