Plinky Question of the Day

The Plinky Question of the Day is a weekly feature I added to the blog to get to know you guys better and vice versa.  Sometimes the questions will deal with books or reading but, most of the time they won’t.  Because, let’s face it, there’s more to us than what we read.

If you could work from anywhere, where would you want to live, and why?  Somewhere urban? Rural? A different country?

This question was pretty easy for me to answer.  If I could choose any place in the world I would pick Hawaii.  And NO it’s not because of…

I never really got into that show.  *shrugs*  My parents took me when I was 4 and all I remember is a friggin’ pineapple plant.  What?  I was four!  Wait, what?  Yes, I said pineapple plant.  Yes, I know people often think they grow on trees but, I assure you it’s a plant.  See…

Cute aren’t they?  Anywho, I digress.  I’m not sure if my fascination with the Hawaiian Islands was born on that trip but, it’s definitely grown over time.  It’s one of those things that I like to fantasize about ALL the time.  Yes, I know it’s really just a big volcano but, no risk no reward, right?  I think it’s one of the few places that has it all.  Beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, majestic mountains and all types of weather.  There’s something for everyone.  I also think there’s something to be said about that laid back island vibe.  But enough of my babbling.  I’ll let these pictures do the talking.

 

 

Beautiful, right?  Right!  So when I win the lotto you’ll find me sitting here…

Enjoying this…

And yes, you’re all invited.  I’ll have the Mai Tais ready upon your arrival.

How about you guys?  Where would you want to live and why?

Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn

Title:  Night Myst
Author:  Yasmine Galenorn
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Berkley Publishing Group
Publication Date:  July 2010
Series/Standalone:  Book 1 of the Indigo Court series
Cover Artist:  Tony Mauro
Who/What/Why/Where:  Bite Club pick for July 2010.  Purchased with my own chump change.



Cover Blurb:
Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they could have imagined.  Having quietly amassed their strength for centuries, the Vampiric Fae are determined to enslave the world.  Now Myst, queen of the Indigo Court, is rising again - and a long-prophesied war is about to begin... 

Cicely Waters, a witch who can control the wind, has returned home to New Forest, Washington, after learning that her family is in danger.  The Indigo Court holds the city in fear.  People are vanishing, and strange deaths plague the town.  And when she is swept into an unexpected and passionate reunion with Grieve, the Fae prince who taught her how to harness the wind, Cicely finds herself with a fierce and territorial lover.

But Grieve has become enslaved by Myst's court, and now, caught between two evils, the lovers survive the machinations of the Vampiric Fae Queen, even as Cicely untangles the hidden secrets to her own heritage.

Review:
This was my first foray into one of Yasmine Galenorn’s worlds.  I’ve read a lot about her Otherworld series but, for one reason or another it didn’t call my attention.  Thanks to Bite Club, who chose this book as their pick for July, I finally got to try Yasmine’s work.  And all I can say is June is too far away.

I read this book 6 months ago (I know, I know I should’ve posted this review a long time ago.  Bad Jen!  *slaps hand*) and I can still recall the characters, the world and the plot like if I’d finished it last night.  Yasmine’s characters are amazing.  Cicely Waters is a bad ass extraordinaire.  Grieve’s is totally swoon worthy.  The supporting cast hold their own and add to instead of detract from the story.  And the villains….oh boy!  A dastardly bunch if I do say so myself.  The Vampiric Fae are scary mofos and the regular vamps are friggin’ ruthless.  Love it when an author brings the scary back.

I thought the world building was amazing.  I could picture each scene pretty vividly in my mind.  Add that to the stellar story and crazy plot twists and you my friends are in for one hell of a ride.  Did I mention that I scared my boyfriend when I finished the story by very loudly saying, ‘Holy shit!’.  No?  Well I did.  If darker toned Urban Fantasy is your thing I suggest you give Night Myst a try.  You won’t be disappointed.

Favorite Lines:
My body was melting like liquid silver, like the Wicked Witch of the West, like the second Terminator dissembling.  (pg. 188)

Joy, oh joyous flamefest.  (pg. 277)

Rating:
4/5 stars

Series Info:
Night Myst
Night Veil (June 2011)
Book 3 – To Be Titled (2012)

Author Info:
Website
Blog
Twitter

Also Reviewed By:
Vamp Chix
Supernatural Snark
Amberkatze’s Book Blog
All Things Urban Fantasy
Smexy Books

Vampire Rockers

Hello lovelies.  I was in the car this morning listening to different styles of rock music when I an interesting question popped into my head.  If I was told that some of my favorite musicians were really vamps who would I automatically assume made the list?  After rifling through iTunes I came to a couple of conclusions.  The first being that my top 5 assumptions were all rockers.  The second being that they all had a certain mix of angst, broodiness and aggression.  Last but, not least, they were all easy on the eyes.  What?  They’re vamps!  Being good looking is a pre-requisite.  So here they are:

TRENT REZNOR
(Nine Inch Nails, How to Destroy Angels)

 

I think Trent Reznor would make everyone’s list.  Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if people already thought he was.

 

JIM MORRISON
(The Doors)

 

Would it shock anyone if this guy turned out to be a vamp?  Yeah, I didn’t think so.  Mere mortals do not look that good in leather.

 

JARED LETO
(30 Seconds to Mars)

 

Brooding?  Check.  Good Looking?  Check.  Angsty?  Check.  I’d be shocked if he didn’t make the list.

 

SULLY ERNA
(Godsmack)

 

This dude’s voice is hypnotizing.  So hypnotizing in fact that he probably wouldn’t have to use a vamp stare on you.  *purrr*

 

ADAM GONTIER
(Three Days Grace)

 

This guy writes some pretty intense lyrics and you can feel the emotion when he sings about his trials and tribulations.  I’d say having a tortured soul would make you a pretty good vampire, no?

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance)

 

M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold)

 

Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audio Slave)

 

There you have it.  Apparently in Jen’s world most rockers would be vampires.  Go figure.

How about you guys?  Who would make your list?

Yet Another Musical Interlude

I've fallen behind on my reading so there won't be a book review today.  Sometimes it feels like I take a step forward and then end up having to take two steps back.  I'm not going to sweat it though.  For one, I'm still posting something and for two, I get to share some of my favorite music with you guys.  It's about keeping it positive for the 2011 people and that's what I aim to do.  So seeing as it's hump day and all, I figured I'd feature a band with a hot front man.  I give you 30 Seconds to Mars and their delicious front man Jared Leto.

He's come a long way from My So Called Life, eh?  I don't know about you guys but, I like him better as a rock star.  I'm just sayin'...

Starting, Catching Up or Finishing Part II

Welcome back for part deux of my starting, catching up or finishing post.  I’m pretty sure the second half of this list, like the first half, is going to drop some jaws.  Bear with me people.  I’m giving it the best I got and as much as I like seeking out the latest and greatest new books, I promised myself I would stop the insanity.  I intend to keep that promise even if I break into cold sweats every time I pass a bookstore.  So without further ado, here’s the rest of my list:

July

  

You’d think that I’d be in a hurry to get some sort of resolution and closure on one of my favorite character’s death but, I’m still mad that it happened.  So hopefully come July I’ll stop acting like a ninny and finally get back to the series that started me down the Urban Fantasy path.

August

   

Stop booing and hissing guys.  I know that I should’ve started this series a long time ago and that I should’ve been caught up with it and practically crawling up the walls waiting for the release of Magic Slays.  I’ll be getting to it….soon.

September

   

This series has been sitting on my shelf for so long that it’s down right embarrassing to even admit it.  When I said this was going to be the year I caught up with my TBR piles, I really truly meant it.

October

  

I’ve heard fantastic things about this series and I’m really looking forward to finally reading it.

November

  

I know, I know….I’m a punk for not having read anything by Nalini Singh.  I’ll be changing that by starting with her Guild Hunter series.  I then plan to move on to her Psy-Changeling series.  I’m hoping the catching up part progresses nicely so that I can start the series this year.

December

  
 
I loved A Rush of Wings, book 1 in The Maker’s Song series, and I’m excited about revisiting Dante’s world.  I’ve also been wanting to start Ms. Phoenix’ Hoodoo series.

To be completely honest, this is really only the tip of the iceberg.  I’ve got a ton of stuff shelved and piled up needing attention.  These are the ones I want to give priority to because they’re some of my favorite authors or I’ve been meaning to get to them for a while.

How about you?  What books or series have been sitting around waiting for some of your attention?  Which ones do you think should have made my list?

Plinky Question of the Day

The Plinky Question of the Day is a weekly feature I added to the blog to get to know you guys better and vice versa.  Sometimes the questions will deal with books or reading but, most of the time they won’t.  Because, let’s face it, there’s more to us than what we read.

Have you ever thought about starting your own business?

Gosh, who hasn’t?  I love the idea of ‘my own’ but, I’m not really a fan of ‘going it alone’.  I would most likely team up with my sister and start a joint business.  We’ve always talked about opening up a bake shop / bookstore.  To kick it up a notch I’d convert the second story into an old school jazz lounge.  I can almost picture it.

This…

Plus a little of this…

And a whole lot of that…

A girl can dream can’t she?  Now if only I could win the lotto to put this plan into action.  Ya’ll would come right?

How about you guys?  Ever thought of starting your own business?  What type of business would you run?