Happy New Year!!

From Tinks world to your's.....

And so much more!!!







Best of wishes to you and your family for 2010!!

Twas The Night Before X-Mas, Oh my!!

Twas the night before xmas
and I felt like a louse.
No cookies or presents to be found in the house.

I should have started shopping
I know, please don't scream,
but procrastination's an art form, if you know what I mean.

So out of the house I flew like a flash,
tore open the car door, and drove in a mad dash.
The mall was closing with only minutes to spare,
as a raced from store to store in great despair.

Where was all the merchandise
even those with great price,
where was all the movies, toys, books on my list?
As I sat in a dither, it decided to mist,
Oh great, now it was going to snow
Wouldn't just you know?

If only I'd been a good girl and oh so nice
instead I was mouthy and full of hot spice.
Santa wouldn't be saving my butt this year
nor would his eight tiny reindeer.
No sirree bob!
I'd have to save myself, a helluva job!

So off to the all night mini mart I drove,
a grand miniature, treasure trove.
Who wouldn't want beef jerky
to go with all of that turkey?
Candy galore with calories and more.
So glad I happened to find this store.

As I filled my cart with cheap foreign crap,
it was useless, until I felt on my shoulder, an odd tap-tap.
As I was turning to see and looking away
I got the best surprise of my day!
A drunken Santa who'd had too many an egg nog
and he appeared to lost in an alcoholic fog.

I know you, he declared.
Your on my list,
c'mere and give Santa a kiss.

Grabbing a Polaroid,
I gladly complied.
Then I threatened Mr. Claus,
and offered a bribe.

If he fulfill every wish on my list,
Mrs. Claus need never know, if he got my gist.
As Santa came to his senses,
he easily saw the consequences.
Separation, divorce, oh my,
all for a kiss, he could just die.

He gladly agreed, snatching the pic,
he hurriedly called the reindeer, quick, quick.
I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
Christmas isn't what it used to be, and Good Night!!

Back to the house I drove at a leisurely pace,
all of my worries were gone, without a trace.
And under the tree, many beautiful gifts had arrived.
Along with the sweet note from Santa, just in time.

"Dear Dottie, my love
For your kisses I thrive,
same time, next year, so take care.
Signed Your one and only Santa-Bear."

So, next year no worries
Santa won't mind,
I'll easily trade kisses
for Christmas wishes.



Happy Holidays to one and all,
Hugs, Kisses, and many beautiful Christmas Wishes!!
The best of all to you and your families!!

Coming New From Robin Burcell!!

The Bone Chamber by Robin Burcell
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 384

Robin Burcell has a new novel coming out and I can't wait to take a peek!

(Release Date: 12/29/09)

From the Cover: Mysteriously summoned to Quantico to help re-create the face of a murdered, mutilated young woman, FBI forensic artist Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick knows immediately this is no ordinary crime. The hit-and-run death of the forensic anthropologist assisting her—a close friend—and Sydney's abrupt dismissal from the case by covert government investigators only strengthen her need for answers. Now her hunt for a killer is carrying her from Washington to Rome to the hidden chamber of a legendary tomb—on the trail of a fabled treasure of the Knights Templar . . . and a curse.

For buried deep in the mysteries of the Freemasons and the Vatican's Holy See is a secret that could rock the world. Suddenly an ancient map is pointing Sydney toward something the Templars wished to hide away forever—something that could unleash an unstoppable tide of blood and devastation.


Sounds interesting, doesn't it.....for all fans of thrillers, this is going to be an excellent read!

Coming New From Vickie Taylor!!

Legacy of Stone by Vickie Taylor (the third book in the Les Gargouillen Series)
Publisher: Berkley / Penguin Putnam Books
Page: 304

(Release Date: December 2009)

From the Cover: Immersed in a dark and violent world, gargoyle Levi Tremaine is being hunted. Can he distinguish friend from foe in time to save his soul-and the woman he loves?


My sweet friend Anna, from Anna's Book Blog, sent me the first two in the series, Carved in Stone and Flesh and Stone. Can't wait to pick up the third in the series.

Reviewette: Unearthed Anthology: Illusion by Edmond Cheng

Publisher: Midnight Showcase
Pages: 92-171

From the cover: A haunting, a vision, a nasty headache, and a murder…
What’s next? Illusion will distort and re-shape your view.

Author’s Bio
Edmond Cheng, nationality: Chinese currently living in Hong Kong, he
is interested in writing mystery. Illusion is his first story.
Apart from writing, he teaches English as a full time job.

Thomas and Karen are happily married or so he thinks. But could it all be an illusion? When Aunt Wai Ha comes to visit, he becomes disturbed by her allegations. Jonathon and Helen, his best friends, are also concerned, but then again, is it all just an illusion?

As the story continues, it becomes more and more convoluted and confused, reality and illusion mixing until one is hard to tell from the other.

Accusations fly, is Helen having an affair and plotting Jonathon's murder? Is Karen who she appears to be? Is Thomas being haunted by ghosts, spirits, apparitions? As the story unravels, confusion ensues, life and death struggles begin and end. Who will remain?

Illusion by Edmond Cheng is just what the title states, it's all an illusion, the fevered imaginations of the protagonist in the story, Thomas. As Thomas' life ebbs and flows, the reader begins to see that all is not right. His story, his reality contradicts itself as a way of preserving his sanity. Because, instead of seeing what it before his eyes to believe, he chooses to look through rose colored glasses to perceive what he would like reality to be.

Illusion is a fun little read that was confusing at times. The use of American English is not perfect, nor are the speech patterns. It entwines Chinese mysticism and Western ideas, bringing us a story that is unique in it's rendition. I once read a Chinese fable about an attacking army, and while reading this story, I was reminded of the fable in the manner in which it was told. There is strong cultural influences used in the story that increase the enjoyment of the reading, but at the same time, cause to reader to stop and re-reading passage to gain the full impact of it's meaning. It was almost like reading a fast pace action movie filmed in Hong Kong, which just happens to produce some awesome movies that includes some of my favorites. It's a twisting, turning, gut-retching read. This is Mr. Cheng's first attempt at writing and since English is not his first language, it is my opinion that he did an excellent job. I truly enjoyed reading this novella, the story is exciting and a real psychological thriller. The use of imagery was good though sometimes simplistic, and at other times, bold and engaging. I loved the influences of his Chinese culture throughout the story. It was pleasure to read something, though Americanized, retained it's cultural influences. If you looking for an uncomplicated read, try something else. If you don't mind an involving read, give it a try, you might enjoy it, but be prepared for the fast pace and tone.

I received this book in ebook format from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Welcome To A New Blogger

Some of you may remember a sweet little dark Urban Fantasy that I reviewed a few months ago called Dark Time, Mortal Path Book One by Dakota Banks. Well, Ms. Banks has decided to join our little community of authors and book reviewers. She's just starting her blog out, so please everyone, give her a big welcome!

http://dakota-banks.blogspot.com/

I love the name of her blog, Mortal Blog. Stop by and welcome her to the blogosphere!

Fired Up by Jayne Ann Krentz

Publisher: Putnam Publishers, Imprint of the Penguin Group

Pages: 354

(Release Date: December 29, 2009)

From the Cover: The New York Times-bestselling author presents her latest Arcane Society novel and introduces the first book in the Dreamlight Trilogy-the story of a curse that spans generations, and the love that can heal it. . . .

More than three centuries ago, Nicholas Winters irrevocably altered his genetic makeup in an obsession fueled competition with alchemist and Arcane Society founder Sylvester Jones. Driven to control their psychic abilities, each man's decision has reverberated throughout the family line, rewarding some with powers beyond their wildest dreams, and cursing others to a life filled with madness and hallucinations.

Jack Winters, descendant of Nicholas, has been experiencing nightmares and blackouts-just the beginning, he believes-of the manifestation of the Winters family curse. The legend says that he must find the Burning Lamp or risk turning into a monster. But he can't do it alone; he needs the help of a woman with the gift to read the lamp's dreamlight.

Jack is convinced that private investigator Chloe Harper is that woman. Her talents for finding objects and accessing dream energy are what will save him, but their sudden and powerful sexual pull threatens to overwhelm them both. Danger surrounds them, and it doesn't take long for Chloe to pick up the trail of the missing lamp. And as they draw closer to the lamp, the raw power that dwells within it threatens to sweep them into a hurricane of psychic force.

Chloe Harper has read all the legends about the Winters family and their rivals, the Joneses. Old Nicholas Winters had been bent on finding an artificial way to enhance psi abilities through a device that came to be known as the Burning Lamp and Sylvester Jones, a chemical way through Alchemy, and became bitter enemies. Each driven by their needs, allowing for the madness that ensues. Had each succeeded? Who knows, but the legends remain and many believed they had.

Into her life walks Jack Winters, believing he has been beset by the Winters family curse, delusional nightmares have become his reality and he believes that only Chloe Harper with her unique ability to read dreamlight to be his only solution. He fears he will become the multi-talented being known as the Cerberus that all the old legends have threaten. Only she can control the Burning Lamp, if they can find it in time, before he loses tenuous grip on reality.

Chloe Harper has her own problems, her family has made it a life goal to stay off the radar of J&J, the Jones family Society and the Arcane, their governing body. By helping Jack Winters, she'll be putting herself out there in a way that's sure to garner notice. J&J would like nothing better than register and control all those with enhanced talents and Chloe doesn't want to live by anyone else's rules. She had enough of her own.

But she's drawn to Jack Winters in a way that has been previously unknown to her. Can she work the lamp to save him? Legend says that only a highly talent woman in dreamlight could turn the psychic key to the unleash the power of the lamp. Was she that key? As Jack and Chloe delve deeper into the world into the mysteries surrounding the lamp, another factor comes into play. Fallon Jones of J&J as discovered a clandestine organization called Nightshade that will do just about anything to possess the lamp and a strong dreamlight talent, and murder and mayhem are distinct possibility. An unease alliance forms in a triangle of Winters, Jones, and Harper, what has Chloe gotten herself into?

Fired Up by Jane Ann Krentz is a sweet ride through the world of the Arcane Society where psychic talent is the norm. By all appearances, Chloe Harper is a private investigator with a nonsense attitude and the ability to take care of herself. She also as a talent for exposing fraudulent pieces of art, everyone in the Harper family can spot a fake or reproduce one (not all aspects that the family is involved with a wholly legitimate). But it's that very expertise which brings her to Jack, that and the fact that when he hacked J&J, her name popped up as a strong dreamlight talent. He has to find the lamp that was taken from his family years ago, and he'll need help. Chloe's one weakness is a need to help, bring order to the chaotic mind, and Jack's is a mess. If she can bring the dreamlight and strat-talent of his psi abilities together, he'll be a force to be reckoned with.

Fired Up is romantic urban fantasy that zings when Jack and Chloe come together, heated up by the influence of the lamp and their own long denied desires. Chloe long ago decided the serial monogamy was she best choice (a love them and leave them type of arrangement) and when that doesn't work, she decides celibacy is the life choice for her. She can never sleep in the same bed with another person, their dream energy is too disturbing. Jack is too focused to have time for a relationship, his marriage soon ends in divorce, neither finding what they were looking for. Chloe may be his answer in more ways than one. I recommend this book for all lovers of romance, urban fantasy, or who just want a good fast read. It was excellent. For more information about Jane Ann Krentz or her books, please visit her website.

I received this book for review from Lydia at Penguin Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

I May Have Fallen In Love.....Again

I sat watching SNL last night and they announced the musical guest was going to be Bon Jovi. The host was Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black) and he did a great job. Honestly, as 80's bands go, I thought Bon Jovi started out rocking.....fading......but they're back and I love this song.....This is a fan made video, but I thought it was one of the best, taking Bon Jovi back and then forward through time to.....

Back When We Were Beautiful....

The world is cracked
The sky is torn
I'm hanging in
You're holding on

I can't pretend
That nothings changed
Living in the shadows
Of the love we made

Back... When we were beautiful
Before the world got small
Before we knew it all
Back... When we were innocent
I wonder where it went
Let's go back and find it

Sha la la Sha la la hey Sha la la
Sha la la Sha la la hey Sha la la

Some dreams live
Some will die
But the you and me
Is still alive

Now am I blessed?
Or am I cursed?
Cause the way we are
Aint the way we were

Back... When we were beautiful
Before the world got small
Before we knew it all
Back... When we were innocent
I wonder where it went
Let's go back and find it

(Solo)

The world is cracked
The sky is torn
So much less
Meant so much more

Back... When we were beautiful
Before the world got small
Before we knew it all
Back... When we were innocent
I wonder where it went
Let's go back and find it

Back... When we were beautiful
Back... When we were beautiful
Back... When we were beautiful
Back... When we were beautiful

Sha la la Sha la la hey Sha la la
Sha la la Sha la la hey Sha la la

Reviewette: Released by Kimber Chin

Publisher: Champaign Books
Pages: 33

From the Cover: Fifteen years ago, Alvar went to prison for a murder he didn't commit. Finally released, he comes face to face with the real murderer - the only woman he has ever loved.

Edenia wanted fifteen long years for the murderer of her husband to be released from prison. If only she could release him as he had her those many years ago.

Alvar didn't need to look upon the murderer he had spent the last fifteen years trying to forget, lying eyes and lying lips that he had willingly served time for.

Only, could they both be wrong, what if another had pulled the trigger, ending the bastard's life and his sick cruelty along with him. The answer may not be what either one expects.

Released by Kimber Chin was an intense drama belying the few pages it was written upon. In the short space of pages, the reader learns what the hero and heroine have given up, each for the other, without ever recognizing the truth. Quickly, the story unfolds, revealing a love story that has been unrequited. Alvar for his youth and inexperience, and Edenia for her fear of reprisal. Only her best friend, Stigr, has allowed her to keep her sanity through Alvar's imprisonment. Each thinking the other guilty, it's only through confrontation that they realize a third party is involved. But the threatening messages to leave the past alone only serve to wet Alvar curiosity and anger. Who did he go to prison for if not Edenia?

Released was a quick read, sweet love story, and mystery all wrapped up in a nice little package. If you'd like a quick little crime drama to read, I recommend Released. It's available in ebook format from Amazon as well as other ebook distributors.

I received the short story from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

What Lies Beneath by Charles Bice

Publisher: Wimabi Press
Pages: 201


In the summer of 1976, thirteen-year-old George Moody visits his scientist grandfather. There he is introduced to precocious distant cousin, Liza, who is George’s age and also staying with Grandpa. The other member of the household is Kizzy, the mystical housekeeper who charms animals, possesses healing powers and lives in the coal cellar. George finds friendship and diversion with Sammy Sweeney, the neighborhood oddball. Their numerous misadventures include dodging the local bullies, risking life and limb in Sammy’s tree house and snooping around Grandpa’s off-limits shed, which is at the center of strange occurrences.

A second summer at Grandpa’s will change George’s life permanently as he uncovers the nature of the household in which he has been passing his carefree vacations. And not until decades later will he comprehend the full, bewildering truth.

"A late night incident draws George Moody into the dilapidated shed behind the home he inherited from his grandfather, forcing him to confront long-buried family secrets and to relive two extraordinary summers of his early teens. Seasoned with magical realism, What Lies Beneath is a coming-of-age novel for anyone who has ever been a kid."

George doesn't even remember the father that perished in the Vietnam War. All he does remember is the triangle shaped flag given to his distraught mother with his last goodbye. Stewie Nye, the carpet guy, with his garish grin soon came into their lives and became his step-father. George's family was never really close, no hugging, at arms length, he grows up missing what most kids find natural.

Until he gets to spend the summer of 1976 at Grandpa Moody's Durham house. George is thirteen years old, ready to try a little independence and not all that happy to visit Grandpa. Cousin Liza from Aberdeen is the opposite of him and what he has grown with. She hugs, smiles, and though grown up beyond her years, she slowly becomes what George has been missing, companionship. Sammy from next door becomes a constant companion with whom mischief can be found. Too soon, the summer time at Grandpa's is over and George returns home but Liza keeps up with George through letters and phone calls. It becomes something that George looks forward.

The only thing that George is the most curious about is the small shed behind Grandpa's house where Grandpa seems to spend all of his spare time. What does he do in there to all hours of the night? He and Sammy managed to sneak into the shed only to discover it's not exactly what Grandpa said it was.

The next summer comes and though Stewie, with the same vicious yellow grin invites George to work at the carpet store, he chooses to return to Grandpa after talking to Liza. She can't return, but her sister Ann who is seventeen will be there and is dying to meet him. Cousin Ann turns out to be an exact copy of an older Liza and turns out to be just as sweet.

But suddenly Ann becomes sick and must return to Aberdeen where she spends a week and returns still not herself. And as the summer progresses, she becomes weaker and has to return home again. Grandpa seems more and more preoccupied with his little shed. It's not until Grandpa's refugee from a Nazi concentration camp and housekeeper, Kizzy, sends him to the shed that George begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding the small building and what it houses.

What Lies Beneath by Charles Bice is an excellent mystery that put me in mind of something in between Dean Koontz and Robin Cook. Young George never really knew his grandparents and with the death of his father and the remarriage of his mother, he soon loses contact with Grandpa Moody who lost his wife soon after the death of their only son. George is kind of an outsider, a loner, it's the way he's been brought up. What he discovers at his grandpa's is the love he's been missing. Liza, and then Ann, envelop him in their shining light and become an important part of his life. When Ann becomes sick, he is at a loss. Kizzy is a mystery all on her own. She appears to be ancient, older than Grandpa, yet never seems to age, living in Grandpa's basement apartment and strange beliefs about souls. It's all odd to George who is baffled in his youth. It won't be until George reaches adulthood, after the death of his grandpa and Kizzy, that he comes to understand everything that has happened.

What Lies Beneath is an excellent YA coming of age story that brought back memories of my own youth and forgotten times. There are many twists and turns throughout the story that lead to it's eventual conclusion and George's discoveries. It was a short read and it ended being a page turner that I couldn't put down. It was an excellent little thriller that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and the thrill of discovery. For more information about this author and his books, please visit his website.

I received this book for review from the publisher, Wimabi Press, and Library Thing. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beth Kery's New Contest

Our sweet friend Lea at Closetwriter is promoting Beth Kery's new contest, and it's definitely worth checking out!



Beth Kery's new contest is for a Sony E-Reader!! Who wouldn't want to win one of these spiffy new ereaders??

Just click on the link and check out the rules for this great contest!

While you're there, check out her new book soon to be available, 'Release', and it sounds great!

Muppet Madness

The Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger (Deborah Smith)

Publisher: Belle Bridge Books
Pages: 264

From the Cover: Ian’s blood seeped from the gashes in his side onto the gray, weathered floor. This time I couldn’t heal him. I could only free him. Outside, in the strangely bright sunshine of a North Carolina morning, things you don’t want to imagine in your worst nightmares tried to rip the building’s big windows out of their aging brick sills.

Downstairs, the broad chestnut doors of the old Asheville Bible printing shop bulged inward as Pig Face slammed it again. The wood began to splinter.

I cocked the pistol. Everything inside me screamed against pointing it at Ian’s heart. I hated his body; I ought to be able to kill that body without caring. But a funny thing had happened on the way to that moment. I’d fallen in love with my husband again.

I knelt over Ian, straddling him. I put both hands on the shaking gun to steady my aim. My tears fell on his blood-stained face.

He managed a rueful smile. “Now, that’s a sight I’ll remember to death and back,” he whispered. He clamped one bloody hand on mine. As always, we shared the choices, the pain, the passage.

We had found each other again, across centuries. Why hesitate on a single sunny day in North Carolina?

“See you later,” I said hoarsely.

I pulled the trigger.

Livia Belane is an old soul reborn over and over, but she doesn't remember her past lives. In this incarnation, little Livia Belane receives a message. Draw them. Trap them. Burn them. This scares her, but her mother's reaction is even worse. She locks her in the closet. As Livia watches, her mother is slowly torn away, leaving a demon is her place. One by one, each member of her family is ripped away. And she stands accused of the heinous crime of killing her mother and brother.

After spending time in a mental facility, Livia is released and she returns to Asheville, NC, the only home she has ever known during her many lifetimes. She lets no one get close to her, she's like a death sentence, those she loves die.

Even as she fights to be alone, an eclectic group forms around her, refusing to leave her in peace. A couple of hippie artists, a bar owner, and a street performer surround her, making up an eccentric unit that becomes her family.

Then, one evening as the bar closes, she's attacked viciously, raped and left for dead. But her rapist is none other than the demon of old, Pig Face, who has been tracking and killing her throughout many lifetimes seeking his revenge. And this time, he's just getting started.

The one thing that might save Livia is to remember her past lives as a soul catcher, one who can trap the demonic soul and banish it permanently. But to do so, she'll also have to recall her one true love and soul mate, Ian, soul hunter to her soul catcher. Paired together throughout time, her protector and lover.

The Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger is dark urban fantasy that takes a walk on the wild side. We meet our kick ass heroine as her cringes away from what her life demands. No ties, no strings. She just wants to be left in peace. But the demon sees her solidarity existence as a weakness, one to be exploited. As her group of friends surround Livia, she comes to realize that they are her guides and protectors, pushing her to find what she has lost, Ian. Ian is a strapping Scot-Irish soul that is called to Livia again and again. But, having watched him die horrifically, Livia banishes him from her memory, and it isn't until she's almost killed that she starts to remember bits and pieces of what her life once was. If she is to survive, she must regain what she has denied. Souls never really died, they're reborn in different bodies, old and young alike. Bodies are temporary housing for souls to be replaced when the old one has been used up. And this is what happens to Ian. When Livia finally calls him back to her, she makes a horrible discovery, he takes the body of the one possessed by her demon attacker. In the core of her soul, she knows Ian is her one true love, but how do you learn to love a body that once tried to kill you?

The Soul Catcher is wonderfully dark urban fantasy, a quick read and a page turner. There is graphic violence and sex involved and hard language, so if this isn't your cup of tea, try something lighter. It brings together Cherokee legends, myths, and traditions of old and mashes it together with modern times, very unique world building. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Livia is shaped by the violence she endures to become the kick ass heroine that the story needs to banish the demons from her life and those that she comes to love. Because at the heart of this dark urban fantasy, is a love story that out lasts time and cannot be denied. If you love dark urban fantasy, I highly recommend this book.

I received this book in PDF format for review from Belle Bridge Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Winner of Immortal: Love Stories With Bite

There were 98 entries for this contest, WOW!!



The winner of Immortal: Love Stories With Bite is..............

LILI

Yay Lili!! I'll be sending you an email.

Thanks everyone for playing along.

Contest at St. Martin's Press

From Tara @zeitghostmedia and St. Martin's Press

Happy Holidays!

In celebration of the release of Sherrilyn Kenyon's new trilogy 'The League', St. Martins Press is also offering your readers a chance to enter a sweepstakes to win digital downloads of all three books from 'The League'. Here is the link:


http://us.macmillan.com/smp/promo/bornofaudio


Have you been thinking of reading 'The League'? What a better way than to win a digital download of one of the books? Just click the link above and you'll be taken to the contest page.