Stranger by Zoe Archer

Title: Stranger (Blades of the Rose #4)

Author: Zoe Archer

Publisher: Zebra 2010

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 463

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Paranormal; Books Around the World - England

How I Got It: I own it! (from the Borders closing sale)

Gemma Murphy has a nose for a story - even if the boys in Chicago's newsrooms would rather focus on her chest. So when she runs into a handsome man of mystery discussing how to save the world from fancy-pants Brit conspirators, she's sensing a scoop. Especially when he mentions there's magic involved. Of course, getting him on the record would be easier if he hadn't caught her eavesdropping...Catullus Graves knows what it's like to be shut out: his ancestors were slaves. And he's a genius inventor with appropriately eccentric habits, so even people who love him find him a little odd. But after meeting a certain redheaded scribbler, he's thinking of other types of science. Inconvenient, given that he needs to focus on preventing the end of the world as we know it. But with Gemma's insatiable curiosity sparking Catullus' inventive impulses, they might set off something explosive anyway...

The last book of the series definitely got back on track. After the ridiculous revelation from the third book, Rebel, I was glad to see the story get back on track. The characters, both new and old, made the book feel like an epic. Everyone coming together from across the world to fight the Heirs and take back the Primal Source made for a great adventure. I loved seeing more of Bennett, London, Astrid, Lesperance, Gabriel, and Thalia. The Heirs were appropriately vile. But it was Catullus and Gemma that shined the most. I loved Gemma's tenacious spirit and Catullus' cool intellect. They make a perfect pairing. I really bought the romance.

As to the story, I appreciated the inclusion of the mythical beings of England. A nice touch to see pixies and trolls and Queen Mab. When Catullus and Gemma journey into the Otherworld, I was momentarily reminded of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series. Thankfully, this book took the story to a new and different version of Otherworld. I especially loved the encounters with Queen Mab and of course Merlin. And finally, the epic battle was worthy of the end of the series. Everything was larger than life (some things literally) and the danger was great. Of course the Blades win, but with great losses. I was satisfied to see that there were injuries and losses. This wasn't some magical battle where the good guys come through unscathed while vanquishing all their enemies. This was a real battle.

Overall, I've really enjoyed this series. While I wasn't a fan of Archer's contribution to the Bianca D'Arc's zombie series, this one definitely drew me in. I loved the mix of magic, romance, and adventure. I even got some geography and culture thrown in for good measure. Recommend!

Blades of the Rose

#1 Warrior
#2 Scoundrel
#3 Rebel
#4 Stranger

Jack of Fables: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 2: Jack of Hearts

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

In this volume collecting issues #6-11, Jack reveals the secret of his former relationship with the illustrious Snow Queen — when he took her powers and became known as Jack Frost. And in present times, he lands in Las Vegas and meets his lovely new bride, a directionless heiress. Could it possibly be "happily ever after" at last?

Two great continuing adventures of Jack. He is really growing on me as a character. Not quite as good as the main Fables series, but definitely a great little read. I enjoyed the story about the Snow Queen. Shows us what she was like before becoming the partner of the Adversary. And the little (hee hee) twist as to what caused her illness: Very nice! Wonder if that will come back up again. Entertaining back story. The Vegas story was interesting, but mostly for the interludes featuring the Page sisters and Mr. Revise. I am really liking the whole deleting fables side plot. Very interesting stuff. Can't wait to see what happens to Jack next!

Jack of Fables:

Rebel by Zoe Archer

Title: Rebel (Blades of the Rose #3)

Author: Zoe Archer

Publisher: Zebra 2010

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 398

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Paranormal; Books Around the World - Canada

How I Got It: I own it! (from the Borders closing sale)

Nathan Lesperance is used to being different. He's the first Native attorney in Vancouver, and welcome neither with white society nor his sometime tribe. Not to mention the powerful wildness he's always felt inside him, too dangerous to set free. Then he met Astrid Bramfield and saw his like within her piercing eyes. Now, unless she helps him through the harsh terrain and the harsher unknowns of his true abilities, it could very well get him killed...Astrid has traveled this path before. Once she was a Blade of the Rose, protecting the world's magic from unscrupulous men, with her husband by her side. But she's loved and lost, and as a world-class frontierswoman, she knows all about survival. Nathan's searing gaze and long, lean muscles mean nothing but trouble. Yet something has ignited a forgotten flame inside her: a burning need for adventure, for life - and perhaps even for love...

Well I hunkered down today, grabbed my tea and sweater, went out to the back porch, and finally finally finished this book. It took me 5 days! That's just crazy for me. It's finally done, over, finished. But what are my thoughts? I'm having a hard time coming to a consensus on this one. Do I like it? Do I just like it less than the previous books in the series? Do I have an issue with the main character? All good questions... After some pondering, I think I've finally collected my thoughts.

The Good

The series continues to entertain me. I still enjoyed the far flung location, this one in the rugged Canadian Wilderness. I still loved the adventure and action sequences. The final battle was the most brutal yet. I still like the magical aspects. It was nice to see the Sources tied to a Native American tribe. I liked the twist of having three connected Sources. I am still taken with the writing style. Not too descriptive, not too conversationalist, just right amounts of action and quiet moments. I am really digging this series.

The Bad

The decision to make Nathan an Earth Spirit. It felt so cheap, so overused. Maybe it's because I've read a ton of shifter/werewolf/witch/vampire books lately, but I just felt out of touch with the character. I want to connect to the characters. In fact, I think I have a fixation on characters lately. I also took issue with the baddies in this book. They just didn't seem bad enough. I loved the nastiness of the Heirs in the first two books. For goodness sakes, in the second book on the baddies is the female lead's father. There's not much nastier than that. But these ones seemed almost like caricatures, but real villans. I was disappointed.

The Verdict

I enjoyed it, just not as much as the first two. I am still looking forward to reading the fourth book, Stranger, and seeing Catullus' story play out. But first, maybe a graphic novel break...

Blades of the Rose

Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Jack is forced into the Golden Boughs Retirement Community, a jail of sorts where Fables are imprisoned until society-at-large forgets about them, thereby diminishing their magic powers. Enlisting the support of Goldilocks and a cage full of fairies, Jack plans the entire retirement community's escape. Willingham and Sturges give Jack a bad-boy attitude, making him an everyman hero that readers won't always identify with, but will enjoy watching flub and fake his way to freedom, complete with clever riffs on the Turtle and the Hare, the Toothfairy, Mother Goose and Humpty Dumpty.

Not as great as the main Fables series, but definitely a good read. Jack has always been on the periphery of the Fables series. He finally gets his starring role. This volume picks up right where Fables: Homelands leaves off. Jack has been cast out of Fabletown forever, but soon finds himself among other Fables. Some of whom are no longer remembered. But this isn't a nice home. It's a prison run by the horrendous Mr. Revise and his Senior Librarians, the Page sisters. We meet Humpty Dumpty, the Tortoise and the Hare, The Carpenter and the Walrus, Goldilocks (her return!), Paul Bunyan and Babe, and even Alice. All were great side characters. I especially love Goldilocks. She's so psychotic, it's just fun to see her work. A great Jack story. Can't wait to read the rest.

Jack of Fables:

Scoundrel by Zoe Archer

Title: Scoundrel (Blades of the Rose #2)

Author: Zoe Archer

Publisher: Zebra 2010

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Paranormal; Books Around the World (Greek)

How I Got It: I own it! (from the Borders closing sale)

London Harcourt's father is bent on subjugating the world's magic to British rule. But since London is a mere female, he hasn't bothered to tell her so. He's said only that he's leading a voyage to the Greek isles. No matter, after a smothering marriage and three years of straitlaced widowhood, London jumps at the opportunity - unfortunately, right into the arms of Bennett Day. Bennett is a ladies' man, when he's not dodging lethal attacks to protect the powers of the ancients from men like London's father. Sometimes, he's a ladies' man even when he is dodging them. But the minute he sees London he knows she will require his full attention. The woman is lovely, brilliant, and the only known speaker of a dialect of ancient Greek that holds the key to calling down the wrath of the gods. Bennett will be risking his life again - but around London, what really worries him is the danger to his heart...

A great addition to the series. I loved this one so much! The characters! The culture! The adventure! The magic!

Bennett Day made his appearance in Warrior and I just knew who was going to be a great character. A rogue but one with a sense of honor. He treats women as equals not the delicate flowers most men of the time saw. I loved that in his character. I think I fell in love with him right from the beginning. London is an interesting case. While she starts as that delicate flower, inside she has a thirst for knowledge and adventure. Once she figures out how to satisfy that thirst, she goes after it. I liked that. She's innocent in many ways, but open to new experiences. And Athena is just awesome. A witch from a matriarchal clan. She reminds me of the Amazons: strong, independent, not needing a man.

The story was full of adventure, danger, and riddles (of course). I loved the journey through the Greek Isles to the hidden islands and ruins. The descriptions were amazing. I really felt like I was on a boat in the beautiful Aegean Sea. And of course, Greek mythological creatures made their appearances. My favorite was the Nereids. Such fun! And the hidden creature at the top of the island. I won't give away who it is, but after reading it, it completely makes sense. I just love this story!

Blades of the Rose

Fables: Homelands by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables Vol. 6: Homelands

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

This clever, enjoyable series written by Willingham, has a rather ingenious premise: what if all the characters of fairy tales lived, loved, schemed, and fought in a modern-day city of their own? This installment contains two fun story arcs. One, a cute satire of contemporary Hollywood, stars Jack, of beanstalk fame, portrayed as a rather unsavory trickster. Making his way to Hollywood with a fistful of cash, he becomes a wildly successful producer of films based on his own mythological exploits. Eventually, though, his ruthless business practices and unsavory past catch up with him. In a longer story, Little Boy Blue goes on an epic quest to find and kill a shadowy tyrant.

Another amazing Fables volume! I just can't get over how much I adore this series. I can't wait to get the next volume and speed through it. This one had two great stories. Usually I liked one of the stories more than the other one, but not this time. Jack has always been one of my faves and I'm glad he got his own story. Plus he has a whole spinoff series (don't worry, I got the first four volumes from the library already!). Jack in Hollywood, just seems natural. Plus we get to meet Jill (you know, of Jack and Jill). She's an interesting side character. I really hope we see more of her in the future.

Then the big story: Homelands. We know from the previous volume that the Adversary is continuing to expand the empire. We actually get to go the Homelands and see the expansion. And we meet the Snow Queen (Sigh! She's so evil, I love her). And we meet Gheppetto (sp?). And we remeet Red Riding Hood (kinda saw that one coming). And the Blue Fairy (I feel so sorry for her). And Mowgli (interesting character, hope we see more next volume). And Frau Totenkinder (she's becoming my absolute fave!). All in all, a great collection of new and relatively new characters to tangle with. I saw who the Adversary was a mile away, but it's still a great story. The series is really going now...

Fables:

Warrior by Zoe Archer

Title: Warrior (Blades of the Rose #1)

Author: Zoe Archer

Publisher: Zebra 2010

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 354

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Paranormal; Books Around the World (Mongolia)

How I Got It: I own it! (from the Borders closing sale)

The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond - where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn't be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress - just what he needs. Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artefact Thalia is after. Huntley's assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn't easy to deceive...

This is definitely a keeper. A blend of romance, Victorian era historical, and Indiana Jones-esque adventure created the perfect book. I loved the premise: magical items, Sources, containing the power of the world. The Blades protect the Sources. The Heirs seek to use the Sources to take over the world. Into this very strange world, a common (or not so common) soldier follows his inner code of honor. Along the way he meets a very confusing young woman, many colorful characters, and danger. I especially liked that Thalia was not a typical Victorian lady. She is a true child of the world, open to the cultures and lifestyles of other peoples. Gabriel is just enough Indiana Jones to keep me intrigued while embodying the traditional romance novel lead characteristics. I loved him. I could see how Thalia allowed herself to love him. Even the brief appearances of fellow Blades members entertained. (Could it be that they are the focus of subsequent novels? I have all four, so we shall see.)

Beyond the characters, I enjoyed the paranormal aspect. The concept of objects imbued with primal energy peaked my interest. There's a great twist when if comes to the Source Gabriel and Thalia seek. I didn't see it coming, but it was definitely a good one. None of these cheesy twists. This one made sense.

Finally, I loved Thalia explanations of Mongol life. At my heart I love reading about culture and history. This book had a bit of both thrown in. I've never done much research into Mongolia, but the cultural discussions intrigued me. I loved learning about the stories and traditions of the Mongol people.

Overall, a great action-adventure romance. A definite must! I'll be moving quickly onto the second in the series: Scoundrel.

Blades of the Rose

The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather by Alexandra Potter

Title: The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather

Author: Alexandra Potter

Publisher: Plume 2010

Genre: Chick lit

Pages: 400

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

Imagine if you could go back ten years and meet your younger self--would you recognize her? What advice would you give her? Wear sunscreen. Back away from those pleather pants. Don't give that idiot your phone number. Lemon juice won't bleach your hair, it just attracts wasps. He's the one--don't let hm get away. For Charlotte Merryweather, there's no need to imagine. She's about to find out for real... with some surprising consequences.

My first thought after finishing... "It was alright." I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't love it. It was okay. It was mediocre. It was something to read for a day, I guess. My real problem lies with the characters. Looking back over part book reviews, I am always talking about the characters. I guess I really need good characters to love a book. And this book gave me alright characters. Charlotte, the present Charlotte, was way to neurotic. I guess she's supposed to be. It's the Christmas Carol syndrome. Take a crazy/neurotic/angry/depress/etc person and show them their past, present, and probably future. They do a 180 degree change, and everything works out in the end. Just like in A Christmas Carol, I cannot stand the main character. Charlotte is too crazy/neurotic/silly. I can't even want her to change. I just want her to go away. I understand the point is to show you what could have happened and what went wrong, but shouldn't I be rooting for the character.? I just wasn't at all. And so I don't care about the book. The premise was interesting, but the characters just didn't make me care.

As I read back over this review, I may be a bit harsh on the book. Once Charlotte meets Lottie (about 150 pages into the book), I started to see her as a real person and not a crazy stereotype. By the end of the book, I started to somewhat care for her. But I still stand by that she wasn't a character I could connect to. And I guess that's why I'm sticking with my 3 star rating.

Greek Street: Cassandra Complex by Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Title: Greek Street Vol. 2: Cassandra Complex

Author: Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels

Boasting a "Greek Chorus" of sexy strippers, vengeful gangsters, a murderous youth and a disturbed clairvoyant teenaged girl, GREEK STREET is Peter Milligan's reimagining of the brutal and visceral tragedies of Ancient Greece played out on the mean streets of modern-day London. In this second volume, a shocking new drama unfolds on the blood, tear and fluid-stained stage of Greek Street as disturbed mother-killer Eddie and aristo visionary, Sandy, try to get to London where Dedalus investigates a suicide and an urban witch tries to get through to a monster. Don't miss this sexy blend of crime, supernatural surrealness and soap opera, all using characters and plots that are simultaneously familiar yet intesnely brand new.

Another Greek masterpiece. I love this series. It takes all the pain of the original Greek tragedies and turns them into something new and modern. We can understand the underlying themes of all the Greek plays through a new lens. If I continue, this review will just turn into gushing and more gushing. Plus I don't want to spoil the storyline for you. It's too good to miss. Unfortunately the third volume won't be out for another few months. I will have to bid my time until then...

Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell

Title: Miranda's Big Mistake

Author: Jill Mansell

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2009

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 475

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

Miranda's track record with men is horrible. Her most recent catastrophe is Greg. He seems perfect--gorgeous, witty, exciting. And he and Miranda are in love... until Miranda discovers he left his wife when he found out she was pregnant.
With the help of her friends, Miranda plans the sweetest and most public revenge a heartbroken girl can get. But will Miranda learn from her mistake, or move on to the next "perfect" man and ignore the love her life waiting in the wings...

Another delightful contemporary romance. I knew within the first 30 pages who would end up with who (except for Bev, that was a surprise), but I still enjoyed the ride. Jill Mansell has a way of taking fairly common storylines and character stereotypes and turning them into a rollicking good read. I loved Perfect Timing and somehow I think I love Miranda's Big Mistake even more. Of course the main character is great. But somehow all the characters are great, even the ones you are supposed to hate. The story played like a good romantic comedy. With the rash of really bad romantic comedies in the theaters lately, has anyone thought about turning these ones into movies? They would be amazing. Funny, sad, cheesy (but good cheesy), romantic, yet realistic. They have everything you want out of a rom com. I must read her other books! I think I finally found a way to finished my Summer Romance Challenge. I'll just read all Mansell books!

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Title: The Left Hand of Darkness

Author: Ursula K. Le Guin

Publisher: Ace Books 1969

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 304

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Science Fiction; 2011- Show It Who is Boss

Genly Ai is an emissary from the human galaxy to Winter, a lost, stray world. His mission is to bring the planet back into the fold of an evolving galactic civilization, but to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own culture and prejudices and those that he encounters. On a planet where people are of no gender--or both--this is a broad gulf indeed. --L. Blunt Jackson

I am at a loss about this book. I went in thinking "This is a classic, I will love it. I'm digging science fiction right now. I loved Madeliene L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series. I loved Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale. I enjoyed Heinlein's Have Spacesuit-Will Travel. I adored Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. I am going to love this."

And I was completely disappointed. Oh sure there were parts that I liked. But overall, I kept waiting for the story to really start. I wanted more. And it didn't help that all the names, geography, and customs were very confusing. I got hopelessly loss in a sea of words. I just couldn't truly get into the story like I wanted to. Definitely not going to appear on my Favorites of 2011 list. Oh well. Onto something else...

Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell

Title: Perfect Timing

Author: Jill Mansell

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2009

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 431

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

It's the night before her wedding when Poppy Dunbar meets Tom. he is tall, dark, and handsome with a quirky smile, and Poppy can't shake the feeling she's known him all her life. She can't go through with the meeting they arrange... but she can't go through with the wedding anymore either.
Suddenly notorious as "The Girl Who Jilted Rob McBride," Poppy leaves for London and a fresh start. Soon she's installed in the bohemian household of Caspar French, a ravishingly good-looking young artist with a reputation for breaking hearts. But even in her new home and new life, Poppy can't get Tom off her mind. Until she's tracked him down, she'll never know if their meeting was destiny, or if it was just a matter of timing...

OMG!!! I finally found a contemporary romance that I absolutely adored. Everything about it was great! The characters are amazing. Poppy is horribly lost (just like how I feel sometimes). Caspar is the perfect lothario. Claudia is a down-right bitch. Jake is the nerdy little boy lost. And Tom is the perfect Prince Charming. But of course, not everyone is who they seem. All the characters have such chemistry. I couldn't wait to read the whole thing. Even the perfect happy ending didn't bother me. I loved how the characters got to their happily-ever-afters. The journey was the book. And it was great. Very inventive. Not full of clichés like most contemporary romance. I didn't feel like I was reading a recycled story. I was reading a real story, full of faulty people.

I won't run the ending. You'll just have to pick it up and read for yourself. I will definitely be reading more from this author. I finally, finally, finally, found some great contemporary romance. I'm not giving up on this author!

The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

Edited By: Trisha Telep

Publisher: Running Press 2009

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 532

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Paranormal

If love transcends all boundaries, then paranormal romance is its logical conclusion. From the biggest names around, here are 24 tales to take you to another time and place.
Let Alyssa Day, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cheyenne McCray, Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Kelley Armstrong, Maria V. Snyder, Carrie Vaughn, Allyson James Marland, and others show you powers beyong your wildest imaginings.
Within these pages mythical beasts, magical creatures of all shapes and sizes, heart-stoppingly handsome ghosts, angels, and mortals with extra-sensitive sensory perception play out the themes of extraordinary desires.

Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology. There were a few stories that I didn't really love, but I think that has more to do with the style of writing. I did absolutely adore a few. My favorites:

"John Doe" by Anna Windsor -- Really loving the angel theme stories lately. This one intrigues me. Definitely want to read more from the author.
"The Tuesday Enchantress" by MJ Putney -- Two Guardians meet in a surprising circumstance. Neither can deny the attraction. Whole story takes place in the span of a few hours. Great meet and instant attraction story.
"Pack" by Jeaniene Frost -- A great werewolf story. Love Frost's writing and characters. When I get the rest of the series, I am blasting my way through the Night Huntress books.

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

Title: Squireel Seeks Chipmunk

Author: David Sedaris

Illustrated by: Ian Falconer

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2010

Genre: Humor

Pages: 159

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Amazon -- Customer Favorites

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary is a collection of animal-themed humorous short stories by memoirist and humorist David Sedaris.
If animals were more like us, if mice kept pets and toads could cuss, if dogs had wives and chipmunks dated, sheep sat still and meditated, then in the forest, field, and dairy you might find this bestiary, read by storks, by rats and kitties, skimmed by cows with milk-stained titties. "I found the book to be most droll," might quip the bear, the owl, the mole. Others, though would be more coarse. "Bull," could say the pig and horse. As to the scribe, they'd quote the hen: "Trust me, he's no La Fontaine."

Delightful collection of stories. Some funny, some sad, some thought provoking. Make not mistake about it, these stories really aren't about animals. Unless you consider humans just to be another species of animals. Then, yes, it is about animals of the upright two-legged kind.

My favorites:

The Parenting Storks -- What happens when we try to answer the touch questions? What kinds of answers do we get? One stork thinks she has it all figures out. Unfortunately for her and her child, her answers aren't real or logical. Poor stork!
The Crow and the Lamb -- The cruel things we do to each other. Makes for a great story about a lost sheep and lamb and the selfish crow.
The Judicious Brown Chicken -- Pride goeth before a fall. Haven't I read that somewhere? Another take on the phrase.

David Sedaris has certainly hit another home run. Just amazing!

Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood by Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Title: Greek Street Vol. 1: Blood Calls for Blood

Author: Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels

Inspired by classical Greek dramas, the series constructs a crime epic following intertwined stories in modern London and most succeeds in channeling the shock value of the original works.

What would happen if we took the classic Greek dramas and set them in today's world? Would they fundamentally change? Milligan shows us that the answer is a resounding NO! All the stories, the triumphs, the tragedies, the characters from ancient Greece are still with us.

I loved this gritty, definitely not for kids, graphic novel outlying the undying lessons. All the remembered characters are here (Cassandra, Daedalus, Oedipus, Agamemnon, the Furies, the Fates, the Greek chorus) placed into modern bodies. I love that this is set in the nasty parts of London, Greek Street, almost a world unto itself. We feel for the tragedy of Eddie (Oedipus). We sympathize with Sandy"s (Cassandra) plight. We loathe Lord Menon's (Agamemnon) and the Furies' despicable behavior. We hope for Detective Daedalus' future. Will his blood be spilled while Jesus watches?

This first volume pushes the stories. Retelling them, but adding new connecting bits. I really want to read the second volume. And the third coming out early next year. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled after issue #16, so I must enjoy it while I can. I like to think of it as a darker Fables series. Definitely something perfect for me.

Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Title: Men in Kilts

Author: Katie MacAlister

Publisher: Onyx 2003

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 352

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

So far, Kathie WIlliams has made a good show as the only American at a mystery writers' conference in Manchester, England--what with that falling asleep in public thing behind her.
The sight of Iain MacLaren wakes her up. Clad in a deliciously woolly sweater, the burly Scotsman seems to be holding up a wall at the cocktail party. So Kathie makes her move...and winds up stark naked with him in bed, where his thick Scottish brogue, thick manly chest, and thick...other parts...drive her to do things she's never done before. Like fall in love.
And if things aren't moving fast enough--and on the wrong side of the road, no less--Kathie is about to visit Iain's sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands and meet his sons. She's feeling a wee bit nervous. Because she can't tell where this mad affair is going--except north...

Everything in the summary happens in the first 20 pages. Based off of that, I thought I was going to hate this book. I thought "that's it, just jump into bed with some guy. We all do it (yeah right). And so as you get to the Highlands, everyone will love you and that'll be it."

Thankfully I was wrong. The book really gets going after Kathie arrives in the Highlands. Turns out Iain hasn't been completely forthcoming with his acquaintances and other details of life. Not that he should have bared his soul that first night in Manchester, but it does make an interesting adventure for Kathie to find out all the details.

The characters are great. Kathie is generally someone I would like except for those sobbing episodes. I tend to get mad, not burst into tears when someone is mean to me. Kathie is a crier. Other than that little part of her personality, I love her. She's got the sarcasm, the intelligence, the craftiness, to make her interesting. Iain is all muscle and Scottish accent. He's more eye candy than character, but surprisingly it didn't bother me that much. Bridget is entertainingly evil and the housekeeper is irritatingly annoying. Iain's first wife and Kathie's mom are like two peas in a pod. Great little side characters.

Spoiler alert!!!

The book continues past the pont of the usual romance end: the wedding. Thankfully we get to see a bit of life after the big day. There are a few unanswered questions about the farm and various acquaintances. There's also that bit about the sheep seasons. I thought it was going to wear me down, but amazingly I loved that section of the book. We get more than the usual romance, and I defiantly appreciated that!

Overall, a good light romance read with some nice not-so-graphic sex scenes. A welcome change from my recent string of bad luck with tired romances full of tired plots and characters.

The Walking Dead: Book One

Title: The Walking Dead: Book One

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Zombies

Pages: 304

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels

This hardcover features the first 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers and anyone needing a slightly heavy object with which to fend off the walking dead.

Very much in love with this series already. The drawings, all black and white, show such emotion and movement in single frames. It's just fantastic. I especially loved the pages of no dialogue, but multiple single frames acting out the screen. Just beautiful. And I definitely agree with the black and white coloring. Somehow it makes everything more bleak and horrifying. Even the zombies look scarier. s great. Each one has its own story to tell and mysteries to solve. But I think my favorites are Rick (duh!) and Tyrese. Both are those kind of people anyone would be lucky to have in the zombie apocalypse. I just hope they don't die soon. I like them way too much.

To be honest, I watched the AMC series before reading the graphic novel. They are alike, but not alike. Many of the characters are the same in the beginning, but the series definitely branches off on its on at some point. And I'm okay with that. These are two different entities. They can be different. So I'll keep reading the graphic novel and keep watching the series.

Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

Title: Lucky Girl

Author: Cate Lord

Publisher: Entangled Sept. 6, 2011

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 268

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

Jessica Devlin isn't looking for love. Heartbroken after being dumped by her unfaithful ex-fiance, she's determined to have a fabulous time during her vacation in England where she ll be maid-of-honor at her cousin s wedding. After working overtime as beauty editor of Orlando's O Tart magazine, avoiding dating, and putting on ten pounds, Jess is ready to toss her past like an empty lipstick tube and party like a single gal.
But when she steps into the church on her cousin s wedding day, she sees the one man who could sabotage her plan James-Bond-gorgeous Nick Mondinello. She s never forgotten the London marketing exec who held her in his arms after her beloved grandfather s funeral two years ago. Ambitious, and lusted after by women everywhere, Nick is completely wrong for guarded, Plain Jane Jess.
Could Spy Man Nick ever fall for her? Nope. Not unless Jess is one lucky girl.

Very predictable contemporary romance. Girl's been hurt by a jilted lover. Girl thinks she's fat and ugly. Girl spies gorgeous man whose way out of her league (or so she thinks). Girl and guy dance around their attraction, she never really believing he could like her. Girl gets guy into bed. Girl (or guy) makes a stupid mistake/lie and loses guy. Girl gets buy back through some dramatic act or he just shows up on her doorstep.

Overall, a very quick read. But I'm now having issues with all these romances novels where the girl constantly thinks that she's ugly. When are we going to ease up on body issues? Not everyone can be/should be/wants to be a size 0 with no hips or boobs. I prefer real women curves. Jess's insistence that she's ugly (even though she's like a size 4) gets her into these awkward situations with gorgeous man Nick. Can we get some stronger (no physically strong, but emotionally strong) women in these romance novels? I think the damsel in distress act has run its course.

Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fables Series

A volume full of backstories about the fairy- and folktale characters who figure in the hit comic book Fables gets the kind of classy treatment success merits. Every story in it is drawn by a different artist who shows off his or her distinctiveness in manners ranging from traditional comics realism and photo-based naturalism to Maxfield Parrish-Howard Pyle sumptuousness and a panoply of caricatural styles.

I absolutely loved this volume. Another Fables volume lives up to the promise of a great story. All the backstories were entertaining. Variations on the fairy tales of yore. We start with Snow White becoming Scheherazade on a mission to secure the Sultan's alliance against the Adversary. Very nicely woven as the background to the other tales. The real Scheherazade even makes an appearance. Then we get stories involving Snow and PC and the dwarves, Reynard the fox, the Frog Prince, Bigby, an unlucky rabbit general, Snow and Rose Red and Frau Totenkinder (with appearances from other Fables), a mermaid, and King Cole. Each story flows into the next with crossover events and characters. Throughout we see the real history of the Fables before they escaped to NYC. Very entertaining to hear of the origins. I think my favorite was Frau Totenkinder's story. The evil witch isn't all she seems. She's become one of my favorite characters in the entire series. And of course, the artwork was amazing. Each illustrator had their own style, but remained true to the fairy tale magic throughout. Great side volume for the Fables series!

Ringworld by Larry Niven

Title: Ringworld

Author: Larry Niven

Publisher: Del Ray 1985

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 342

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Science Fiction; 2011- With a Twist

A new place is being built, a world of huge dimensions, encompassing millions of miles, stronger than any planet before it. There is gravity, and with high walls and its proximity to the sun, a livable new planet that is three million times the area of the Earth can be formed. We can start again!

This book was really mixed. J warned me that it was harder scifi than Have Spacesuit-Will Travel and Ender's Game, and it certainly was. I liked parts of the book and then got confused about other parts. My knowledge of physics ans space travel is not on par with J's and I found myself drifting during those passages. And those passages take up about a third of the book. I kept having to reread sentences; stopping to think about what he was trying to explain. Sometimes, I completely glossed over a concept because I couldn't figure it out in a few mintes. Those were the pages that drained my reading stamina. I had to take a few reading breaks with this book. I couldn't do it all in on sitting.

On the good side, I loved all the parts focusing on interactions between the alien species. Their cultural and language differences intrigued me. I also found the explanations and mysteries of the Ringworld civilization fascinating. Those parts redeemed the book for me and kept me reading. I guess deep down I'm more of an anthropologist than a scifi geek. And that's okay.

Ringworld

#1 Ringworld
#2 The Ringworld Engineers
#3 The Ringworld Throne
#4 Ringworld's Children
#5 Fate of Worlds: Return from the Ringworld (with Edward M Lerner)