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For the best in romance, from sweet to naughty!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Banned Book Review: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Publisher: J. B. Lippincott & Co., reprint: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 296, reprint: 384




(Release date: July 11, 1960)

From the Cover:

"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.... When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out."

Scout (Jean Louise) Finch is a precocious almost six year old when our story starts, it was that summer that Dill came to stay with their neighbor and his aunt, Rachel Haverford, 1933.  Now, Scout wasn't your typical girl, but these were not typical times.  The Great Depression had Maycomb, Alabama held tightly in it's grip. Scout's mother had died when Scout was only two, but she's a distant memory, and now Calpurnia, their maid has taken her place, making sure Scout takes her bath or at least washes, and to remind them all to eat, have good manners, treat others kindly.

Jem Finch is almost ten the year Dill comes to stay for the summer, and it's Dill who stirs up thoughts of Arthur "Boo" Radley, they share the stories they've heard, sneak by the Radley Place, and dares Jem to touch the house where Boo lives.  No one has seen Boo in fifteen years, not since he stabbed his father with a pair of scissors.  Now, since the passing of his father, Boo's brother Nathan takes care of him.

Dill, Charles Baker Harris, is a fatherless boy from Meridian, Alabama, sent to stay with his aunt for the summer.  Scout and Jem, having been raised to accept others at the word, take to Dill and his orneriness and odd stories; and he becomes their companion and friend for the summer.

Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout's father, is a good man, well respected in their community, and the first Finch to leave the family farm, Finch's Landing.  Atticus choose to become a lawyer, his brother, Jack, a doctor, and his sister, Alexandra stayed on the farm.  He makes a good living as a lawyer, even with the Great Depression.

As the years proceed, one following another, Dill becomes a constant figure and stays summers. Scout gets used to school, which is boring and much too slow for her. Jem discovers small presents left in the knothole of a tree and Jem and Scout find out Boo Radley has been leaving them presents, until Nathan fills up the hole.  One day, one of the kids at school calls Atticus a nigger lover and Scout beats him up.  When Atticus finds out, he explains that he's been asked to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, against the false allegations of Bob Ewell and his daughter, Mayella Ewell. He doesn't tell Scout why, but eventually, the kids at school do.

During this time, Aunt Alexandra comes to stay at the Finch's house, and asks Atticus to fire Calpurnia because she isn't needed anymore, but really, she doesn't like the fact that Cal has been taking Scout and Jem to her church; Atticus refuses.  This is the summer that Dill doesn't come to same with Aunt Rachel, but soon Scout finds him hiding under her bed. Dill claims negligent from his mother and new father, but really, they wonder if Dill and his new father don't see eye to eye.

It's at this time that the trial of Tom Robinson begins and Scout learns what the word "rape" means.  Atticus knows Tom Robinson is an innocent man, but he also knows the world he lives in, this is the South, and even the Ewells will be believed over the word of a black man.  Tom Robinson's fate is doomed.  The day before the trail starts, a gang of white men head to the jail, they figure an old fashion linching will serve Robinson for his crimes, but Atticus, one of the best shot in the county is waiting for them, and when the children show up and Scout recognizes one of the men, he becomes so embarrassed that he tells them all to 'clear out'.

The next day the trail starts and proceeds during the summer.  Atticus, through of series of demonstrations, shows that Tom Robinson couldn't have possibly beaten and subdued Mayella Ewell, he's lost the use of his left arm in a farming accident, but his fate is already sealed, and he's found guilty.  Scout is furious at the stupidity and injustice.  The black community honors Atticus for trying to help a black man.  Atticus assures Tom they'll appeal, they have a good chance, but Tom knows what's waiting for him in prison as well as what will happen to him if the appeal isn't successful (the electric chair) and he tries to escape.  During his escape attempt, he's not shot one time to try to stop him, but seventeen times.  But, Bob Ewell still wants his pound of flesh for being made to look like a liar, and he threats Helen Robinson as well as Atticus and his children.  It's the following fall during Halloween that the story of the Finchs, Boo Radley, Bob Ewell, and Tom Robinson is finished.

The night of the school pageant as Jem and Scout are walking home, long far everyone else has left because Scout has embarrassed herself by falling asleep and missing her part in the program, then running onto the stage at the last minute making everyone laugh at her; they are attacked.  Jem tells Scout to run,  Scout can't see well because of her costume, then she hears a crunch and scream, and there's a body on the ground.  Scout runs to get Atticus, telling him what has happened, only to find Jem, unconscious and placed on this bed, with a strange man, later introduced as Arthur Radley standing in Jem's room.  Atticus calls Sheriff Tate who finds Bob Ewell stabbed to death, a knife pushed up under his ribs.  Atticus says Jem acted in self defense, but they both know, Boo Radley saved Atticus's children on this night.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of my favorite all time reads.  I meant to stop telling the story with a few lines about the characters, Jem, Scout, Dill, and Atticus, but once again I found myself so drawn into the story that I couldn't stop until I had finished it, reached the conclusion, fulfilled by it's eventually outcome.  To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the most frequently challenged books, supposedly because of the racial epitaphs, but really it seems to be an actual portrayal of the times, and maybe the true reason for challenging is the fact that it portrays life so exactly.  It's embarrassing to realize that our society would and did lower itself to the standards that a person of color was degraded, and eventually murderer for being something unchangeable, beyond their control, the color of their skin.  The mockingbird to me represents the innocence of the times, the innocence of Tom Robinson, the innocence of Arthur 'Boo' Radley, and eventually, the death of innocence.  Though I was loath to use the N-word myself, I felt it was necessary for the reader to feel the impact of what Scout must have felt.  The only mother she ever really knew was Calpurnia, a black woman, the one person who understands her better than anyone else outside of Jem and Atticus, the only constant female influence in her life, someone who loved her without qualification, and she's being slurred and sullied by others in their community and the kids at her school.  It crushes Scout to hear her father demeaned, spat upon, cursed, as it did me, as drawn into Scout's life as if I'd actually lived it with her.  It's one of those stories that wraps around your body, you can feel it in your heart, breath it into life.  Harper Lee received the Presidental Medal of Freedom on September 5, 2007, nearly 50 years after To Kill A Mockingbird's original publication.  She has become one of the most renown authors of our time.  In 1962, Gregory Peck brought Atticus Finch to life on the big screen, and now when I read the book, it's his voice I hear as the guiding light in Scout's life and Harper Lee's voice that becomes the adult Scout who tells us her story.  It's funny how that happens sometimes, but To Kill A Mockingbird (the film and book) remains on my keeper shelf for all time.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

"Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
"Your father’s right," she said. "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.... but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird."

Mimus polyglottus (The Mockingbird)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Mind Games, Book One, The Disillusionist Trilogy by Carolyn Crane + Happy Release Day!!

Publisher:  Spectra/Random House
Pages:  384

(Released:  March 23, 2010)

From the Cover:

JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

Justine Jones has a problem and she's been dealing with it her whole life... since she was 13 and watch her mother die.  Now, almost 30, she's worse than ever before and it's ruining her life, her relationships, and her job.  She's a hypochondriac, frightened that any minute she'll suffer from a vein star rupture, leading to her death, just like her mom.  Her boyfriend, Cubby, is sick to death of hearing about a supposed brain bleed.  The girls in her shop, watch her with that look in their eyes, the poor sick crazy look, she can't continue to live this way.

Sterling Packard, a highcap intuit, has his own set of problems, mainly that he can't step outside of his restaurant, Mongolian Delites, trapped there eight long years by his nemesis.  He'd like nothing more than a stroll on the beach.  Instead, he forms a gang of sorts, a gang responsible for disillusioning the criminal element that's come to make Midcity their home.  How do they do this, you may ask?  His gang are all those sick crazy people and they force their fears into those who become their prey.  But, are the prey the only bad guys?

Otto Sanchez, Police Chief of Midcity, has problems too, one of which is the growing worry of his own possible vein star rupture, and not only does he have those fears to contend with, but also, maintaining his will over those he deems a threat to the citizenry.  He appears to be all goodness and strength, but is there more than what the eyes can see?  Could be he a dangerous mastermind stirring up the criminal element, only to contain it, prop himself up before the cameras to become the darling of Midcity?

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane is the first book in the Disillusionist Trilogy, and it's a great beginning.  Our heroine, Justine Jones starts out with hurdles to overcome, decisions to be made, and a life to live, if she can get passed her hypochondria, and that's a big IF.  She wants a normal life with normal problems, not hours spent sitting in emergence rooms and doctors looking at her like she's lost her mind.  In walks Sterling Packard, who swears he has all the answers to her problems.  The hypochondria can be controlled, a better job with more money, and a better boyfriend, namely him.  And, he'll give all this to Justine for a small price, her free will.  She has to become one of disillusionist hit squad, taking on the criminals by taking away their illusions, stripping them down to where there's no place to go except up.  He's disillusioning them and reboot them, from the goodness of his heart, oh, and for money.  But, what he really wants, is to be freed from his cage, and he'll need Justine to do it.  Otto Sanchez, Police Chief extraordinaire, want to citizens of Midcity to be free from the crime spree set in place by the collapse of the criminal underground some eight years ago, and he's working himself dizzy, as well as worrying about his own vein star problems.  And, he's afraid he's losing his grip on his bound criminal element.  When Packard sends Justine to disillusion the Police Chief, he's playing with fire, because either Justice will prove be his greatest accomplishment or his most dismal failure, and only time will tell.

Mind Games is a fast paced urban fantasy with just the right amount of pararomance, a little eroticism, and James Bond, all rolled up in a neat little package.  Justine has no idea what she's letting herself in for when she agrees to become a disillusionist.  There's more going on in Mongolian Delites than she knows about, and when she meets her idol, the one who's going to make Midcity safe again, Otto Sanchez, she doesn't know what to believe.  She can see the goodness at his core, but she's also seen the pictures of torture and death at his hands.  Can this be real?  Who is Packard and for that matter, Sanchez?  Who will gain her trust and her heart?  Mind Games provides a roller coast ride, and just when you want to believe Sanchez or Packard, the story twists, and Justine (and the reader) have left hanging by the seat of their pants.  There's a weird like kink in the DNA that allows children to become paranormals, mayhem abounds either from the disillusionists acts or those they're trying to disillusion.  The characters themselves are quirky and fun, some are dangerous and have an evilness just below the surface.  Carolyn Crane has made a great first start here with Mind Games, her world found in Midcity sounds like life in any big city, except for the supernatural twist, and I enjoyed it immensely.  I recommend it to lovers to urban fantasy (light or dark), pararomance (several juicy man candies), and those who love a good mystery/thriller, you'll find it all here in Mind Games.


Happy Release Day Carolyn!!

Congrats and Many More!!


Double Cross, Book Two, The Disillusionist Trilogy

Publisher:  Spectra/Random House
Pages:  336

(Release Date:  September 28, 2010)

From the Cover:

SOME SECRETS COME BACK TO HAUNT. OTHERS COME TO KILL.

Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers—dooming her to fight Midcity’s shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity’s new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will. 

As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men—one on a journey of redemption, the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

Ohhh, rubbing hands together.... I feel another buying frenzy coming on.....  Congrats CJ!!!
 
I picked up Mind Games for my own enjoyment.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 7

Good Monday Morning to all the lovely peeps of the blogosphere!!!

OMG!  I can't believe we're on the seventh week of Flash Fiction Mondays!!  It's been so much fun, playing with these wonderful prompts!  Sometimes I can write ahead and sometimes, it's Friday morning and I'm cringing, I haven't had a spare minute or the prompt has me truly challenged and I'm struggling to put words down.  But, I've had a blast and I'm so happy AmyC reminded me it was time to try out this fun little medium.  Michelle and Blodeuedd have made it so much more fun!!  (I'm still hoping that MsM, Sia, and Lea someday will have a chance to play along,....  you're all wonderful story tellers, I'd love for you to "flash" us... LOL and Christine, I encourage you to try out your wonderful imagination, I know you'd be great)!  As you may or may not have noticed, I've been stuck in a vampire story addiction lately...  I'm sorry you've all have to suffer along with me, lol, I'll try to write something different in the coming weeks, I promise I will, but for this prompt.... Damn, I'm smelling a vampire story for sure... (come on AmyC, I know you can do it!!!)

So, I guess it's time for.....

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!

This next picture prompt was given to us by our own wonderful Michelle G, and what a fantastic picture it is!!!  I love the feel, the look, and hell, I can almost feel the cold of night, the wind as it whispers, the crash of thunder, a blaze of lightning... Oh, I'm getting carried away....


Damn, I'm already imagining what this picture can bring!

So, if you'd like to play along, the rules remain the same...  On Friday, we come back and post our responses to the picture prompt.  We have a roomy (um, I've been known to exceed...), anyway it's a 350 word count (a little more or less is fine!).  You can write about anything the prompt evokes, mine are usually dark, disturbingly so, maybe a misfire of the wiring?  If you leave me a link to your answer to the prompt... I'll post so everyone can have a peek at your glorious words.  And as always by Friday I have every hope of being more coherent and less rambling!  (look, if you've been by my blog, you know I love to talk!!)

So, on your mark, get set, and create!!

And above all else, have fun, let your creative juices squeeze out into your words (sounds messy, but fun!), and I'll see you all again on Friday!!

Ciao!



PS:  The Deadline Dames have posted their picture prompt, so if you'd like to try your hand, click here.  It's really a thought provoking image, kind of sexy in an Arthurian/Charlemagne kind of way....)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sassy Sunday Story Starter.... picked up from Sassy Brit and AmyC

I'm really lovin Sassy Brit's Sassy Sunday Story Starters, so far they've all been great, and with my need to feed my vampire addiction, lately all my flash has been... well, blood letting.... as is this mornings addition of Sassy Sunday Story Starter....


One Night in Paradise
by Dottie Taylor
word count: 500

When her shadow filled the alleyway, all laughter died. Laughter always died when she appeared....
 
Elina threw her head back, giving her own throaty laugh, making the silence even louder. Some knew her as Lilith, dark queen of the damned, others as the beautiful beast, but she'd always think of herself as Elina, her name before Luther had his way. He'd no idea that by taking Elina he'd signed his own death warrant. But enough reminiscing, the night was young, and she wanted to play.

As she entered the room, Elina gazed about her, grinning wickedly. “Come, children, what's this?” She brushed her fingertips across the naked expanse of flesh nearest her, an arm which led to a massive chest. Gooseflesh raised either from excitement or fear, both were good. “We're having a party, are we not?”

A forced laughter filled the room, fear had been ignited, the fear of being chosen, the fear of being forgotten.

Elina hungered deep in her core, she scented the air, looking for the tastiest morsel. Her gazed locked on the piercing blue blaze across the room, hers for the taking. She continued her way around the room, caressing each body in her path, but she wanted none.

Elina smiled sweetly as she stopped in front of blue eyes, drawing his hand to her breast, and tugged. “Come with me.” She whispered and the stranger came willingly, unable to break his gaze since Elina had entered the room.

“Your name?” Elina always liked to remember the essence of each she took, it made the experience much more exhilarating, especially when horror blossomed in their eyes.

“Galen,” he murmured as she pulled him down the hall into another room, plusher than the one before. She pushed him into the cushioned sofa, her fingers stroking his smooth flesh as buttons came undone, placing her full red lips against it's pale warmth. She felt his blood pulsing, heard his heart racing, saw his veins throbbing. He was a treat for the senses, she couldn't wait to taste him. She plundered his mouth with kisses, tongues twining.

Galen glanced down at the beauty before him, heart in his throat, a tightness below his belt, needing release, and then Elina's hand was there, easing the zipper down. He groaned as he leaned his head back and his body sprang to life. Elina's lips traced over and around, and Galen shook with excitement.

“Beg me, Galen.” Elina demanded, she didn't so much as glance at him, if fear came too quickly, she couldn't savor it.

Galen begged for release as Elina found his pulse point, where the richest blood flowed heavy with desire, and plunged, pulling each swallow deeply, not disappointed.

Galen shuddered, his release came easily as did his death. Did she want to keep him? Elina considered, shrugged, and placed her bloodied lips upon his, giving back some of what she'd taken. Galen stirred beneath her lips, and the night began again.


I know, I don't do naughty, but there's a little naughty here, lol, just a tiny bit.  AmyC has been after me to try it out, see if I can be a little naughty as well as my love for the dark!  Slightly naughty, check (I'm blushing at home, thankfully only my laptop can see!)

So, if you'd like to add your voice to Sassy Brit's Sunday Story Starter, click here. Thanks Sassy for some Sunday morning fun!

Sins of the Flesh, Book 3, The Otherkin Series by Eve Silver

Publisher:  HQN/Harlequin Enterprises
Pages:  384

(Release Date:  October 1, 2010)

From the Cover:

Torn between lust and loyalty…

The blood of the Underworld lord of evil runs through soul reaper Malthus Krayl’s veins.  Raised to fight for survival and to kill for victory, he can destroy anyone who poses a threat.  As he searches for the one responsible for his brother’s murder, he refuses to succumb to any distraction… until his sworn enemy crosses his path and tempts him beyond all reason.

Calliope Kane, a Daughter of Aset, has a personal hatred for soul reapers.  Their savage attack against her family still haunts her.  But only Malthus can help her find the traitors of her kind, and only she can help him hunt the source of betrayal amongst the reapers.  As they unite, the danger grows closer…and the passion between them ignites…

*****May Contain Spoilers*****

Malthus Krayl is the third son born of the God of Chaos, Lord of Evil, Sutekh or Seth, and he has a mission.  To find those who took his brother, murdered him, and butchered his body; and when he does, they'll pay.  Unlike his brothers, he's lost faith that Lokan can be restored, but he can be avenged. Mal needs a break, both physically and literally.  The night he hits the clubs, hoping for relaxation and maybe a little fun, is the night when the woman with the bewitching eyes, body as beautiful as sin, and damn kissable lips dances into this life, and away, before he can ever get her name, leaving him filled with unquenchable desires and not any fun.

Calliope Kane, a blooded Daughter of Aset for more than 150 years, hates soul reapers. The day of her parents deaths feels fresh and raw, as if it were yesterday when the soul reapers came, ripped out their hearts, and ate them. If she closes her eyes, she can still see the bloody remains.  Calliope too needs a break, both physically and literally, she needs either blood or sex, preferably sex.  When she dances her way to the dark stranger with eyes she could drown in, she's drawn, but not by otherworldliness, she's drawn to the instant pull of desire that tightens her body taut with need.  When she recognizes he's more than mortal, she runs, fast and far.

When Malthus finds a trail that leads him in the direction of Lokan's killers, he runs right into a tasty treat in tight fitting spandex that leaves nothing to the imagination, but she's after the same thing he is, Pyotr Kuznetsov.  Mal wants to rip out his dark soul, take it to Seth, find out what happened to Lokan. Calliope wants to make sure Mal doesn't find out.  But, everything changes when Calliope taste the reaper's blood, absorbing his prowess and strength, as well as sealing her fate.

Sins of the Flesh by Eve Silver in the final installment and continuation of the Otherkin Series, but I've heard rumors that there maybe possibility more, and I certainly hope so.  Dagan, Alastor, and Malthus, half-gods, half humans, have been magnetic brothers to get to know, but I still haven't spent time with Lokan, either before or after... and I believe he has one hell of a story to tell. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to hope for more! As we enter Malthus's story, he's probably the darkest of the brothers, sexy and charismatic, once a pirate and a plunderer. He's loved and lost, and has no desire to do that again. He's lost the hope his brothers still have that Lokan can be revived, he's been too long in the Underworld, another soul lost to the darkness. Calliope Kane is a Daughter of Aset, Seth's biggest enemy, and she'd like to keep Lokan where he is and with the brothers never knowing who or what has been involved in his death, a great war could be brewing with Lokan's death as the catalyst.  She's afraid of what they will find out if they confront Pyotr Kuznetsov. She puts herself between Malthus and what he desires most (or what she thinks he desires most).  When Mal discovers an ancient artifact in Pyotr's house, he needs to confront Calliope, to find out how deeply the Daughters of Aset are involved in the murder of Lokan, if at all. Calliope seals her fate with the Matriarchs and the Guard when she consumes Mal's blood, but she really has little choice if she doesn't want to lose her prize. She realizes that the stranger from the club and Mal are one in the same, though she's calm and cool on the outside, fire glows beneath the surface. What happens when Malthus and Calliope unite can only be described as igniting combustion. But, all is not as it seems, either in the Guard or in the Lord of Chaos's domain, the Underworld. When Calliope goes on a wild ride with Mal to the Underworld, neither may be the same, and only Calliope can give what the brothers need the most, Aset's direct bloodline, a blooded member of her Guard. What they learn next is unbelievable even to the brothers who thought they'd heard and seen it all.

Sins of the Flesh is an excellent paranormal romance with strong dark urban fantasy elements. I love the mythology involved, the character development, and the underlying story that no one except Seth knows entirely; he's been conniving and scheming for centuries. He can take any form he wants, fool his sons who know him better than any of the living or the dead. He is the master of chaos, even his sons who have grudgingly come to know and sort of love him, are taken in by the truly masterful evilness of his actions, of his plans. You see, Lokan is..... well, it would be really unfair to tell, you'll have to buy the books, but it truly does tie the story together. I would still love to see Lokan's story told, what really happened, did he love as his brothers have come to? Also how the brothers reunited with their mates, can they find of way for life together, what will happen to Seth and what new role will his sons play? I highly recommend this series to lovers of paranormal romance (those boys sure know how to handle their ladies!), lovers of dark urban fantasy, and lovers of a story based in mythology.... it isn't entirely different from the stories surrounding ancient Egypt, and it's wonderfully told. If you enjoy mythology, this is a series for you too. Sins of the Flesh is a fresh telling of the gods Aset, Osiris, and Seth; with turns and twists and wickedness at the heart of the story. Eve Silver provides the reader with a wild ride through the dark, more than heated romance, and an evil beyond what those of the Underworld have seen.  I've immensely enjoyed reading the Otherkin Series, and highly recommend it.

Take a peek at the trailer for the Otherkin Series...



I received this book from Net Galley and Harlequin Enterprises for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Have You Been Banned? Banned Book Week Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2010


Here is a "top banned book list" of books repeatedly challenged (list complied by the American Library Association and Radcliffe Publishing Course):

1. Nineteen Eighty-four (1984) by George Orwell
2. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
3. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey
4. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
5. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
6. All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
7. Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez
8. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
9. An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
10. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
11. Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry
12. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
13. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
14. Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden
15. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
16. Arming America by Michael Bellasiles
17. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
18. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
19. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
20. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
21. Beloved by Toni Morrison
22. Black Boy by Richard Wright
23. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
24. Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
25. Blubber by Judy Blume
26. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
27. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
28. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
29. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
30. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
31. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
32. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
33. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
34. Carrie by Stephen King
35. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
36. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
37. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
38. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
39. Christine by Stephen King
40. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
41. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
42. Crazy Lady! by Jane Conly
43. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
44. Cujo by Stephen King
45. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
46. Cut by Patricia McCormick
47. Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite
48. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
49. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
50. Deenie by Judy Blume
51. Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds
52. The Drowning of Stephan Jones by Bette Greene
53. Earth's Children (series) by Jean M. Auel
54. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
55. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
56. Fade by Robert Cormier
57. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
58. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
59. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
60. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
61. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
62. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
63. Forever by Judy Blume
64. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
65. The Giver by Lois Lowry
66. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
67. Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
68. The Goats by Brock Cole
69. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
70. Goosebumps (series) by R. L. Stine
71. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
72. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
73. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
74. Guess What? by Mem Fox
75. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
76. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
77. Harry Potter (series) by J. K. Rowling
78. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
79. Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman
80. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
81. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
82. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
83. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
84. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
85. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
86. It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
87. It's So Amazing by Robie Harris
88. Jack by A. M. Homes
89. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
90. Jay's Journal by Anonymous
91. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
92. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
93. Jumper by Steven Gould
94. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
95. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
96. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
97. Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence
98. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
99. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
100. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
101. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
102. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
103. My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
104. The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer
105. Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
106. Native Son by Richard Wright
107. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein and Felica Picano
108. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
109. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
110. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
111. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
112. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
113. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
114. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
115. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
116. Private Parts by Howard Stern
117. Rabbit, Run by John Updike
116. The Rabbit's Wedding by Garth Williams
118. Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez
119. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
120. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
121. Scary Stories (series) by Alvin Schwartz
122. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
123. Sex by Madonna
124. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
125. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
126. The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher
127. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A. N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
128. Song of Solomon (novel) by Toni Morrison
129. Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence
130. The Stupids (series) by Harry Allard
131. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
132. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
133. That Was Then, This Is Now by S. E. Hinton
134. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
135. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
136. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
137. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
138. Ulysses by James Joyce
139. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
140. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
141. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
142. What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
143. What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
144. What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
145. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
146. The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
147. The Witches by Roald Dahl
148. Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence
149. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Fantasies by Nancy Friday
150. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Two of the most commonly requested books to be banned is "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "The Catcher In The Rye".

Of the 410 books challenged for 2009, the top ten per the ALA were:

1. “TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
2. “And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
3. “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
4. “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee
5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
6. “Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger
7. “My Sister’s Keeper,” by Jodi Picoult
8. “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things,” by Carolyn Mackler
9. “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker
10. “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier

The top two states to challenge books were Pennsylvania and Texas as per the ALA (more than 50% of the challenges came from these two states). Requests have been falling every year, maybe one year, there won't be ANY challenges... A girl can dream, can't she?

For banned book week, I'll be reviewing one of my favorite all time reads, To Kill A Mockingbird (or at least I'm going to try!!!)

Happy Reading! And remember, Speak Out Against Banning Books!!


Friday, September 24, 2010

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 6...... The Friday Post

Good Friday Morning Blogosphere Peeps!

It's been another long week here in the Taylor household, I'm still sleep deprived because I caught whatever my son had!!! LOL I'm feeling better, but now my tummy hurts... kids + school in session = illness (never fails...)

So, anyway, I had a heck of a time writing to Blodeuedd's picture, I think because I've been stuck in a vampiric mood, and it's damn hard to bring vampires into a knightly image! But... well, you'll see.... This time I just narrated.... hope you enjoy...


The Knight's Tale
by Dottie Taylor
word count: 356

Lance remembered the day of his death well.

Art and he had been quite a pair, they campaigned together, battled, spilled blood, and loved. The ladies couldn't refuse the pair, sweeping many a fine maid away with Art's fair fine looks and Lance's dark beautiful gaze. Then, Art became beholdened and married to the Lady Gwen, and with one glimpsed, Lance lost his heart. Art cared not for the Lady, leaving for weeks to fondled and plundered his conquests. Lance was struck, never to leave Gwen's side, caring for her deeply. But, soon, the flames of their love grew and found Art's ears. Lance was cast from court, banished and forsaken.

The once knighted man had many flaws, namely loving the wrong woman, but he was one of duty. He never failed in his duty even when forewarned it would lead to his destruction. It came to be truth on this night when the beautiful beast spied her mark.

Lilith found Lance in the darkest part of night, claiming to be held against her will by unknown men. She begged him to return her safely home, and when they arrived, he took the drink and food she readily offered, his head becoming heavy with drugged sleep, forcing him into nightmares....

Before him stood wondrous Gwen, arms beckoning. His armor fell away, his body caressed with kisses so sweet he no longer cared if it meant death. While believing Gwen had sought him out, Lilith seduced him, used him, confused his mind. Too late, he saw through the lie to find the beautiful beast. Lilith pierced him at his core, draining his life, forcing him to take from hers. For a century, she kept him chained, partaking of Lance again and again, sometimes mocking him as Gwen, and at other times, the beautiful beast. She became sure of herself, careless, until one day, Lance slipped a dagger between her ribs, rupturing her cold hard heart.

Now, Lance wanders through an endless time, taking what he needs, defending where he can. He looks forward to reuniting with sweet Gwen, if one day, the true death seeks him out.



See, I worked a vamp or two into the story, along with revenge and seduction...


What's your take?  If you chose to participate, leave me a link and I'll add it to my post!!!

Blodeuedd wrote an innocent tragedy here....

Michelle wrote of sweet love (with a twist) here...

AmyC wrote a little naughtiness and another love here....



And, remember to tune back in Monday for another edition of.....

 Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!!



Ciao!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Ubuntu..... PC Users..... Try Linux!!

As many of you know, I am a tried and true Mac user, I love my Mac, couldn't live without my Mac....  But, I do have an elderly PC, granted it's old and decrepit, but on occasion, someone in my home needs an extra computer and I drag it out.  Well, almost no one knows this, but my kid is a computer geek, loves every minute of it and he's been exploring the uses of Linux as opposed to Windows, and may I say, there is no comparison....  Windows is old and stogy, Ubuntu (easiest user friendly form of Linux, even I can use it) is almost as good as my Mac!  It's very close to Mac's OS X, and if you're familiar with Mac's it's super user friendly, almost no learning curve. If I had to depend on my PC, Ubuntu would be my operating system of choice.

On 10-10-10, Ubuntu is releasing an upgrade called Maverick Meerkat, it's free to consumers (ubuntu is South African for: open and available to others, affirming of others) and super easy to use!  You can still leave Windows on your computer with a small partition allotted for Ubuntu. There's even a youtube video showing you step by step how to install! All of my kids PC, and one my hubs bought for work, now have Ubuntu on them, it's so much fun and better to use.

I wanted to share with you some of Ubuntu's fun marketing adds, they're too funny!!







No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon **** WINNER****

Using Random.org, a winner has been chosen for the "What's Your Sanctuary" Sherrilyn Kenyon's No Mercy. And the WINNER is.....

Glitter Graphics














MICHELLE G!!!


This is the third time since I started having contest that random.org has chosen the first entry as the winner... it never works that way for me.... Michelle must just be lucky...LOL.. Michelle you have 5 days to claim your prize!!!!

tinkerbell nice day

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Jennifer Rardin (April 28,1965 - September 20, 2010)


I was very sad to discover that Jennifer Rardin passed away suddenly on Monday, September 20, 2010. She was a very young 45 years of age, a native to my home state of Illinois and a graduate of Eastern Illinois University as am I.  Jennifer Rardin was the author of the popular Jaz Parks Series.  She made herself accessible to her fans, making appearances at local bookstores.  I didn't know Ms. Rardin, but I did enjoy her books and I'm truly saddened by her loss.  It's unbelievable with someone with so much to offer, so much left to do, has been taken away.  We've lost a wonderful author and to her friends and family, you have my deepest condolences. 

From Goodwine Funeral Home:


There is a wonderful tribute to her on Suvudu's site here.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Next Book On My Buying Binge: Me, Myself, and Why by MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Pages:  320

(Release Date:  9-28-10)

From the Cover:

Sweet and innocent with a twist of girl-next-door, Cadence Jones is not your typical girl and certainly not your typical FBI agent. Just ask her sisters, Shiro and Adrienne. (Wait. . .best if you don’t ask Adrienne anything.) But it’s her special “talent” which makes Cadence so valuable to the FBI and it never comes in more handy than when she and her partner, George, get tagged to bring down the Threefer Killer. A serial killer who inexplicably likes to kill in threes, leave behind inexplicable newspaper clippings, and not one shred of decent forensic evidence, soon starts leaving messages that seem to be just for Cadence and her sisters. Could it be that this killer knows all about Cadence’s special “talent”? In the meantime, love blooms in the most unexpected place when Cadence meets her best friend’s gorgeous brother who is in town visiting—and she discovers that he knows her secret too! When attraction burns hot between them her best friend isn’t thrilled with the romantic development and this time Cadence just might agree!

From New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson comes an outrageously funny novel about a highly unconventional FBI agent, a rather odd serial killer, a best friend on the edge, a gorgeous baker. . .and oh, yeah, love.

Suddenly Cadence finds her unbalanced life turned even more upside down as she tries to date a baker who wants to get in her heart and in her bed, dodge a pesky psychiatrist, keep a leash on her sociopath partner, while trying to catch a serial killer who’s now fixated on her.

Some days it’s not even worth getting up in the morning. . .

As many of you know, MaryJanice (MJ) Davidson is one of my favorite authors.  I love her Queen Betsy Series (The Undead Series), Fred the Fish Series (The Mermaid Series), and Jennifer Scales Series!  Well, she has a brand new series coming out this month, and I've been trying out the first few chapters on St. Martin's Press, Read-It-First program that gives you a taste of the book before they're available to buy.  Though I thought I'd probably like MJ's new book and series, I was thinking..... do I really want to start a new series, even from an author I love?  Well, I have to say a resounding YES, I cracked up reading the Prologue and Chapter One!  I don't know if you've read MJ's books or not, they're paranormal romances that are full of humor, a little snark, fabulous shoes, and a little lovin.  I'll be buying!!  LOL  When my house crumbles under the weight of my thousands of books (okay, it's only hundreds) and falls into a giant sinkhole created by all the coal mining in Illinois, remember to send in the troops.  I'll be the one trying to save the books!

As a special little treat, St. Martin's Press and MJ have released her prequel, Outta the Bag, part of the Me, Myself, and Why trilogy, and it's a free read!!  Here's all the sites where you can pick it up.... I already did! (MJ's Musing)


Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 6

Good Monday Morning blogosphere peeps!

I have to say my butt is draggin' this morning.... where did the night go?  Oh, yeah, I remember, my kid kept getting me to tell me his throat hurt.  I plied him with various meds and pretty soon, he was back to sleep.  Unfortunately, there are only so many times that I can be woken up before I up for the day.  That came at 2 am for me.....  I did drift off at 6 am, but my alarm is set for 6:15 am, which is the time we all need to be moving if everyone is going to get where they need to be.  And my kid with the sore throat, refused to stay home from school.... Damn, I'm so tired, lol!

So without further ado, it time for another......

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge
yipee!  ((((yawn))))

Blodeuedd supplied our picture prompt this morning, and I have to say, it' like nothing we've used before, in fact, I've never written to this type of prompt EVER!  So this really will be a challenge! Thanks B!!  Next week, Michelle has offered up some tasty morsels, this is really starting to get fun!


I have to say, it's beautiful, and I immediately started thinking medieval knights, fantasy realms, battles between the good and evil, magics of all kinds.  I can't wait to see if the others have thoughts similar to my own!  Then again, I have been on a vampiric spin lately, I could see a very hot Eric Northman shimmering into the picture....  LOL  I need coffee!!!!!!!!!

If you choose to play along, the rules remain the same.... On Friday, we come back and post our responses to the picture prompt.  We have a roomy (um, last week I went over by 150 words..., I guess I needed to stretch...), anyway it's a 350 word count (a little more or less is fine!).  You can write about anything the prompt evokes, mine are usually dark and disturbing (inner turmoil?), and if you leave me a link to your answer to the prompt... I'll post so everyone can have a gander.  I promise by Friday, I'll be more coherent and less rambling.... I hope!
So, on your mark, get set, and create!!

Have fun and let your creative juices flow freely!!

See you soon!

Ciao!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Vampire Diaries on the CW

First Season Opening Promo, but still hot!


On September 9th, The Vampire Diaries's first episode of season two was released. Unfortunately, my daughter has tumbling on Thursday nights (grrrr....) and I'm always missing the episodes, but CW does play a few of them online and with CastTV, I never miss an episode!! So far, it has been a freaking awesome beginning (impo, anyway!), Katherine has returned to mess with the minds of Damon and Stefan, ready to play brother against brother as she has in the distant past. One of the reason both brothers stayed away from Mystic Falls. With Stefan inexplicably drawn back by the lure of Elena, and Damon drawn by what he wants to possess and become, a combustion of monumental proportions is about to explode.

The triangle continues.....



Here's Elena/Damon/Katherine closing scene from last season.... explosive...



Here's the Kiss Me / Kill Me opener for Season Two..... freaking unholy bitch!




Ms Moonlight gave an excellent blow by blow on the first season closer, and second season opening episode, The Return, here, so I feel no need to recap, lol, go.. read.. you'll enjoy!! Episode 2, Brave New World, was just as awesome.

Just when I think, Damon Salvatore is beyond redemption, I see his humanity peeking out, even in this second episode when he tries to be a freaking bastard, lol, as well as all over the first episode.  I still think he's freaking beautiful!! As for episode two, all I can say..... is Caroline is losing it.....

Sassy Sunday Story Starter.... picked up from AmyC and Sassy Brit.... (part four)

AmyC sent me Sassy Brit's Sassy Sunday Story Starter this morning, and between fixing breakfast, taking temperatures, doling out drugs, looking at the dog's sore foot (yes, even the dog came to me and showed me his foot), and flopping back on the couch from exhaustion, I wrote a little something about a subject that I love, vampires.... Hey, I'm in a vampiric mood..... watching lots of Vampire Diaries.... more to come later.


Vampire Vigilante
by Dottie Taylor
word count:  500



When the hair on the back of his neck raised and a shiver went down his spine, Edward was afraid to look behind him.

He fumble around, hands groping for the lights, anything to alleviate the darkness.

“Damned old houses!” Edward muttered for the rats benefit, he hated rats, he could hear the scuttle of tails across the concrete under his feet.

What the hell was Sarah thinking, arranging a showing in the middle of the night anyway? Edward grumbled to himself. Were we so desperate for fucking clients we couldn't pass up the weirdos?

Suddenly, a scraping came from behind him, now his hair not only raised, but bristled, his heart thundering beneath his ribs.

“Hello Mr. Jennings,” a voice boomed from the darkness.

“Um, Mr. Tepes?” Edward called back, this guy didn't even sound like he spoke fluent English. Edward would make the bitch pay, her stupidity astounded him. Her message said a mansion was going on the market. This place was a crap hole.

“That's right, Mr. Jennings. I've been expecting you.”

“Oh, well, okay. Mind turning on the lights so we can both take a look around?”

“Most certainly, Edward, your name is Edward, is it not?”

“Oh, sure, yeah,” Edward stuck out his hand in the direction the voice came from.

Clammy fingers cold as death wrapped around his own, making him cringe.

“Lights?” Edward reminded, only to have his vision flooded with brightness. He squinted trying to make out the person who still remained in a corner untouched by light. “Wow, what strength is that, about a 1000 watts?” Edward joked, trying to relieve his nervousness.

“Something like that,” murmured Mr. Tepes, without the hint of humor.

“Is there a dimmer, cause, I feel like I'm going blind, we can't show the house....”

“Show the house?” Mr. Tepes flung back his head, laughter erupting from his lips.

If that bitch sent me out here on a wild goose chase... Edward's temper flooded through his body, hands already fisted.

Abruptly, Edward's back slammed against the wall, a vise gripped his throat, dead eyes glowed in his own.

“I have you at a disadvantage, let me introduce myself. Vlad Tepes, I'd shake, but you'd died faster. I want it to last. Perhaps you know my family name better, Dracul?”

Terror blazed across Edward's face as fangs exploded in his vision.

“Sarah wanted me to give you something for all the years of happiness you've brought her. You'll never raise a hand to her again.” The fangs sank deep as Edward cried out, life seeping away to hell.

*****

“Mrs. Jennings?”

“Yes?”

“He won't be coming home.”

“Who won't be coming home?”

“Your husband. He won't hurt you ever again.”

“Who is this?”

“A friend.”

The line went dead, the phone slid from Sarah's quivering hand.

*****

Vlad grinned, this is why he was born vampire.




Okay, much better now.... LOL... I love the smell of a vampire story in the morning.... (almost Apocalypse Now) I know lame, but I crack myself up, though it could be the sleep deprivation....



Tune back in tomorrow for more flash fiction.... Blodeuedd has donated a gorgeous picture for the Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!!   See you then, and remember, bring a flashlight, you never know what may be lurking in the dark.....

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Promo: Invincible, Book Two, The Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin
Pages:  480

(Release Date: February 1, 2011)


Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse...

Nick Gautier’s day just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he survived the zombie attacks, only to wake up and find himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul.

His new principal thinks he’s even more of a hoodlum than the last one, his coach is trying to recruit him to things he can’t even mention and the girl he’s not seeing, but is, has secrets that terrify him.

But more than that, he’s being groomed by the darkest of powers and if he doesn’t learn how to raise the dead by the end of the week, he will become one of them....


Remember to stop by Sherrilyn's interview and What's Your Sanctaury + Giveaway, two entries available for No Mercy!!  Open to US & Canada (and any international reader who has a US/Canadian address willing to mail) ends Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Interview With Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Today at Tink's Place, I'd like to welcome another great author, Sherrilyn Kenyon. Ms. Kenyon writes The Dark Hunter Series, The League Series, and The Chronicles of Nick Series.


About the Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon lives a life of extraordinary danger... as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a fixation on. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she's found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than ten million copies of her books in print in 26 countries, she certainly has many friends to play with.


Hi Sherrilyn! Welcome to Tink's Place! Why don't you tell us about yourself?

Thanks for having me. There's not much to tell really. I'm a death-defying, immortal astronaut who slays demons...

Oh wait, those are characters from my various series. Never mind...

LOL, who does want to ride a space ship or hot motorcycle...  as well as being a death defying immortal demon slayer?


Some authors say it's the story begging to be told or a character that drives the need to write. What drives your need to write? When do you like to write, morning, noon, midnight?

Whenever and wherever I have a chance. And yes, the people in the stories are what drive me to write.


Your latest release, No Mercy, is part The Dark Hunters Series. Would you like to tell us a little about the series?

They're immortal slayers who sold their souls to the Greek goddess Artemis for a single act of vengeance against their enemies who killed them. In exchange, they spend eternity battling the Daimons who were created by the god Apollo and protecting mankind from those who would prey on them.

Oh, I'm rubbing my hands together, as my readers know, I love a book that includes a taste of mythology!!

When you're not working on your next book, who are some of the author's you enjoy? What's your favorite all-time read?

I read tons of authors. Kevin J. Anderson. Jim Butcher. Shannon Butcher. Stephanie Laurens.

My all time fave read is The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer.


Is there a character you feel close to, maybe part of yourself has seeped into?

I never seep into the characters and I feel close to all of them. They're like my children.


Who's your favorite hero?

I don't have one. Sorry.

Hey, that's okay, I fall a little for every hero.


Would you like to tell us what's next for you? Another Dark Hunter book?

After No Mercy, the next book out is Invincible which is part two of the Chronicles of Nick and then Born of Shadows which is another League novel.

Oh, I can't wait, I LOVE your League Series!


Now fun stuff. If you were stranded on a desert island, what five things would you want to be stranded with you?

1. My hubby
2. My children
3. Enough of their friends to keep them happy
4. A computer with never ending electricity
5. My pets

Awww, all great things and people to have surrounding you, not only on a desert island, but everywhere, everyday!!


I'd like to thank Ms. Kenyon for spending a little of her valuable time with us today here at Tink's Place. I love learning more about my favorite authors, don't you?

If you'd like an extra entry into the What's Your Sanctuary Giveaway, leave a comment congratulating Ms. Kenyon on her release!

Thanks for visiting!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 5....... The Friday Post

Good Friday Morning!

I had so many different ideas for this prompt, but I had to go with one near and dear to my own heart, and if you know me, then you'll know what I've been drawn to.....




Desperation
by Dottie Taylor
word count:  500

Was were a way to save him or was all hope lost? Cimone dropped her head to his chest. There, she could hear a faint thud, moments later, another. Ramon, the one she had search for all of her long life was slowly slipping through her fingers. The ground beneath him soaked with his life's blood.

Her mind reached out to his, shaking him mentally, his eyes fluttered open. The dull blue that greeted her was pain-filled, death making it's way, robbing him. His face creased in a small smile, Ramon, trying to reassure her. He was passed words, his eyes glazing.

Damn it!! She wouldn't let it happen, not again!

“Ramon, my love.” Her mind reached out again, his body beyond responding, but she could hear him calling back blindly, seeking in the darkness, tendrils of consciousness touched her lovingly. His thoughts slipped into hers, like his strong fingers once slipped into her hands and lips lingered in ecstasy giving kisses, he caressed her mind.

“Ramon, do you want live?” Cimone would never curse her lover to her existence without his acceptance and knowledge, but now there was no other way. This fucking war took away her choices.

His thoughts slid away, she shook him again. Death hovered at the edge, wanting.

“Ramon, my love.” Tears fell on his cheeks, as she kissed his lips. “Ramon, answer me.”

“Life, if I could choose, it would be life....,” thoughts drifted up to her, Death eager to take him. He wasn't ready.

Cimone did the one thing she'd sworn never to do. Kissing Ramon one last time, her lips slid to his throat, piercing the tender flesh, sipping the dredges of his life's essence. It was the only way. Ramon now death pale as his heart shuddered one last thud.

She torn her lips from his flesh, and brought them to her wrist, ripping and bringing it to his lips. She touched his thoughts again, “Drink the wine of my life, sweetheart, stay with me.”

Ramon didn't understand, but a few drops whetted his tongue, and he felt a surge of life, and he wanted more. He drew slightly deeper, and life surged stronger. He cracked his eyes open, Cimone above, begging him. He drew harder, hands finding her wrist, and pressing closer, tighter. Life was making him feel buoyant.

Cimone grew paler, and with the last of her strength, pulled her arm away.

“We must finding shelter. Others may be seen.” Cimone glanced around to realize, there was no one left to notice. “You must sleep, you need to heal.”

Ramon glanced up, a dawning in his starkly vivid eyes. Her blood and his, coursing in his veins. “Cimone, what have you done?”

“I've saved you, sweets, come, I know a place.”

Ramon grabbed her hand as they faded to mist.

Tomorrow would bring a new night for a new life... and it was their's for the taking.



So, what do you think? Happily ever after? Maybe? Sort of?

If you've chosen to play along, leave a link, I'll add it to my post!

AmyC wrote......

Michelle wrote......

Blodeuedd wrote......

And remember to join us next Monday for another....


 Monday Monday Flash Fiction Challenge!!


Ciao!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

What's Your Sanctuary? + Giveaway




When I was contacted about hosting a "What's Your Sanctuary?" giveaway of Sherrilyn Kenyon's new book, No Mercy, I was like.... well, first I had to close my mouth and wipe the drool from my chin, because... who wouldn't want to GIVEAWAY a copy of one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's book?  Who doesn't want to READ one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books?



And, it's an easy giveaway!  All you have to do is tell what your sanctuary would be or is!!  How easy is that?

I'll get the ball rolling.....  hmmmmm....  What would be my personal sanctuary?

My personal sanctuary, where I go when I'm afraid the world is going to get me is home. It used to be my childhood home, where I could surround myself with all the comforts of my childhood. Because, there really is no place like home, and it's very hard to go back once we've left. But, I've grown up, and now, provide sanctuary for my own children, and I also have to add, books, escaping within the pages of a good book is so satisfying....

So, now you know my sanctuary... What's your Sanctuary?



If you like to win a copy of Sherrily Kenyon's new book, No Mercy, leave a comment telling me What's your Sanctuary?

Contest ends Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010 midnight, open to US and Canada (if you're international, and you'd like to enter and you have a friend located in the US or Canada who doesn't mind mailing, you're are more than welcome too!)

And come back tomorrow for an interview with Sherrilyn Kenyon for another entry in the contest!!

How would you like to find yourself on the Mortal Path?

Dakota Banks visited Tink's Place recently, but she's not finished with her giveaway of the Mortal Path series.

If you go to her blog you can get all the details, but I'll share a few with you here.

1. You has a character in the next book!
AND
2. A subscription to the series.
OR
3. A critique, personally, from Dakota Banks.

Giveaway ends December 1, 2010

So, get on over to Mortal Path Blog, and see how to enter, and Good Luck! Too Cool!




Sacrifice Badge

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Winner of Dakota Banks Giveaway!!



Before I announce the winner of Sacrifice, Book Two, Mortal Path by Dakota Banks, I want to thank her for spending time here at Tink's Place, answering questions, and letting us know a little about herself and her writing process. I always enjoy learning about authors!




I used Randomizer to choose a winner, and it has spoken. The winner is.....


Blodeuedd!!


B, Send me your snail mail addy and I'll send it to Dakota! You have 5 days to claim your prize. Congrats and Happy Reading!!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 5

Good Morning to Everyone in the Blogosphere!

And since it Monday morning, it must be time for.....





Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!


This week's picture prompt has been chosen by the marvelous AmyC, and it's quite the prompt!!



Is this freaking amazing or what? I love it!! I can't want to see what everyone comes up with! I know Amy was hoping for light and airy (lol, moi write light and airy?) or naughty (hmmm... maybe there's hope for naughty, I kind of like naughty, lol!).

The rules remain the same if you should choose to play along. We have a roomy 350 word count (a little more or less is fine). On Friday morning, we all come back and post our respond to the picture prompt. If you post a response to the prompt, leave Amy or I the link and we'll post it on our Friday post, so everyone can take a peek!

And I totally agree with Amy, Michelle and Blodeuedd, if you come across a picture that you think will evoke a wild, wonderful, or wicked response (any adjective will do!!), let Amy or I know, and we'll use it as well. 

So, on your mark, get set, create! 

And most of all have fun, let your creative juices run free, and have a fabulous week! 

I think I'm channeling Grace Coopersmith this morning, lol, aka Marta Acosta and I have to mention this:  She's offering a free read of her fab book, Nancy's Theory of Style, HERE!! It's an unedited copy, but I have to say, I've read Nancy's wicked words, and laughed my dareaire off!!  Unfortunately, I still have plenty of dareaire left, so Grace, you need to write another book, my review will be up soon!

Caio!

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