Nicki J Markus / Asta Idonea: August 2012

Tuesday 28 August 2012

The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England by Kristine Hughes - Book Review

Title: The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency & Victorian England

Author: Kristine Hughes

Publisher: Writer's Digest Books

Publication Date: 1998

Pages: 240

Format: Paperback

Genre: Non-Fiction

Source: Bought Copy

Today I welcome author Shanae Branham to the blog. Shanae has a fun video interview to share with you, as well as some info about her latest book release, DiSemblance.

The Werewolf of Paris: A Novel by Guy Endore - Book Review

Title: The Werewolf of Paris - A Novel

Author: Guy Endore

Publisher: Pegasus Books

Publication Date: 17th July 2012

Pages: 250

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Paranormal

Source: ARC via NetGalley

Title: Computing for Ordinary Mortals

Author: Robert St Amant

Publisher: OUP

Publication Date: October 2012

Pages: 252

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Non-Fiction

Source: ARC via NetGalley

Blood Storm (Lharmell # 2) by Rhiannon Hart - Book Review

Title: Blood Storm (Lharmell # 2)

Author: Rhiannon Hart

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: 1st August 2012

Pages: 360

Format: Paperback

Genre: Paranormal / YA

Source: Bought Copy

Title: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles # 1)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: 2nd October 2012

Pages: 404

Format: Paperback

Genre: Paranormal / YA

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Samuel Bagby, Author of Lily: An American Fable - Guest Post

Today I am joined by Samuel Bagby, author of Lily: An American Fable.

What will readers like about your book?

I am hopeful that readers will laugh in reading the book: it is certainly offensive enough, I think, to at least render forth a few laughs, and if so, it will do itself the favor of rescuing itself from the rubbish pile. I say that because the character of the novel is patently unsavory—no, that's not quite getting it—he's a slimebag. That's encapsulating things in a nice, pithy word the man and more importantly the woman on the street intuitively understands. I say that because he is likely to be offensive to women; I suspect he will be simply familiar to the men.

Insurgent (Divergent # 2) by Veronica Roth - Book Review

Title: Insurgent (Divergent # 2)

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: 1st May 2012

Pages: 525

Format: Paperback

Genre: Dystopia / YA

Source: Bought Copy

Title: The Archived (The Archived # 1)

Author: Victoria Schwab

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication Date: 22nd January 2013

Pages: 108 (336)

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Paranormal / YA

Source: Sneak Peek ARC via NetGalley

Silver Threads by Jade Kennedy - Book Review

Title: Silver Threads

Author: Jade Kennedy

Publisher: Valley Press

Publication Date: 31st May 2012

Pages: 28

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Poetry

Source: Review Copy from Author

Title: The Mephisto Kiss (Mephisto Covenant # 2)

Author: Trinity Faegen

Publisher: Egmont USA

Publication Date: 25th September 2012

Pages: 448

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Paranormal / YA

Source: ARC via NetGalley

Book Blogger Hop # 32 / Follow Friday # 48

What is the one genre you will NEVER read?

I actually have two: chick lit and true crime. The first because I can't stand shoe shopping and don't want to read about other people doing it, the second because there's enough bad stuff on the news everyday without reading more.

What blogger inspires you? It can be any kind, it doesn't have to be a book blog.

I am always inspired by our kind hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read for their dedication to their blogs.

Also, I have great respect for any writer who blogs as I know from personal experience how hard it is to find time for one, let alone both.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith - Book Review

Title: Unholy Night

Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication Date: 2012

Pages: 307

Format: Paperback

Genre: Literary Fiction

Source: Won in a Giveaway

Title: Tuesday's Gone

Author: Nicci French

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 25th July 2012

Pages: 448

Format: Hardback

Genre: Thriller

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Excerpt - The Jazz Cage by Ray Smith

Today I welcome author Ray Smith who is here with a brief excerpt from his new book, The Jazz Cage. Read on to find out more!

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom - Book Review

Title: The Time Keeper

Author: Mitch Albom

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication Date: 4th September 2012

Pages: 381

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Literary Fiction

Source: ARC via NetGalley

Title: Georgette Heyer's Regency World

Author: Jennifer Kloester

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Publication Date: 2010 (2005)

Pages: 381

Format: Paperback

Genre: Non-Fiction / History

Source: Bought Copy

Book Blogger Hop # 31 / Follow Friday # 47

Who is your go-to author when you are in a reading rut?

I'm not sure I've ever been in a reading rut. I'm always reading and there's always something great I can find to get into. But if I had to pick one, I'd say I like to go back to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro in between other reads or some Jane Austen.

Q: What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?

Aside from improving my HTML knowledge to make the blog look good, I don't think I'd change much. I'd probably try to post more about my writing as well as book reviews, but that is something I can do with this current blog if I ever get the time. I also wish I had the skills to make a cooler banner! Some people have such awesome banners....

The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children # 1) by Jean M. Auel - Book Review

Title: The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children # 1)

Author: Jean M. Auel

Publisher: Hodder

Publication Date: 2010 (1980)

Pages: 502

Format: Paperback

Genre: Literary Fiction

Source: Bought Copy

Excerpt Post - Mad Mortal by Kevin Anthony

Today I am joined by Kevin Anthony who is here to tell us a little more about his release, Mad Moral, and to share an excerpt.

Prince of Wolves & Blood Rites by Quinn Loftis - Book Reviews

Title: Prince of Wolves (Grey Wolves # 1)

Author: Quinn Loftis

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: June 2011

Pages: 254

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Paranormal

Source: Won in a Giveaway

Excerpt - Dark Genesis by A. D. Koboah

Today I am hosting an excerpt post from Dark Genesis by A. D. Koboah. Read on to find out more about this new book.

Entangled (Spellbound # 1) by Nikki Jefford - Book Review

Title: Entangled (Spellbound # 1)

Author: Nikki Jefford

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 20th February 2012

Pages: 209

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: YA / Paranormal

Source: Free Copy from Author

Title: Georgian & Regency Houses Explained

Author: Trevor Yorke

Publisher: Countryside Books

Publication Date: December 2007

Pages: 128

Format: Paperback

Genre: Non-Fiction / History

Source: Bought Copy

Mars on the Rise (Veetu Industries # 1) by Rae Gee - Book Review

Title: Mars on the Rise (Veetu Industries # 1)

Author: Rae Gee

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 25th April 2012

Pages: 295

Format: E-Book -PDF

Genre: Steampunk / Fantasy / M/M

Source: Review Copy from Author

Meeting Charlaine Harris: A Report from a Fan

Yesterday evening, I had the good fortune to attend a talk and book signing by the amazing Charlaine Harris. Yes, Charlaine Harris actually came to Adelaide, a town that rarely gets the major events and big stars. What's more, the tickets for the evening, hosted by Dymocks, were an unbelievable $10 and that covered the talk, the signing and wine and nibbles. A complete bargain in my opinion.