Friday, March 30, 2012

Kiss Me I'm Irish Read Along: Ch 21-25 + Epilogue

I have really enjoyed this read along. I will absolutely do more in the future. It's been fun seeing others blogs and reading their opinions on the book. I'm sort of sad that this is the final week. Well here goes the final section.
Questions for Chapters 21-25 + epilogue

1. In a moment of anger, Atticus reveals something about himself that he usually keeps very secret, for his own benefit. Has something similar ever happened to you? Have you ever spilled a closely guarded secret in a moment of excitement or anger or absent-mindedness?



When someone entrusts me with information, my lips are sealed. I'll take it to the grave. I can't think of a single time I've spilled a big secret. These lips are sealed!



2. Atticus tells Mrs. MacDonagh, "the universe is exactly the size that your soul can encompass. Some people live in extremely small worlds, and some live in a world of infinite possibility." Then he asks her what she is going to do with the new information she has discovered. What would you do if you found out that other beings were among us? Would you deny it or embrace it?





I would embrace it whole-heartedly. I think the world is full of wondrous things and why deny a few more ingredients.

3. So far, Atticus has revealed a few of his powers and has even shared some power by putting bindings on Granuaile. What do you think has been his coolest or most helpful power so far?


I know it is probably one of his tamer powers, but I love his ability to talk with Oberon. Oberon is great and has his back. I think his ability to interact with Oberon is one of the most fulfilling powers I've encountered in fiction.

4. Atticus gets pretty pissed when he finds out that Aenghus Óg is drawing power from the Earth and, in turn, killing it. That's when Atticus decides he must fight the old Fae for committing such a heinous offense. What is something you would fight for, even if it meant you might die trying?


The safety of my family and our freedom to live our life the way we want.


5. What did you think of the final showdown between Atticus and Aenghus Óg? Did it go down the way you expected? Was there anything about their battle that surprised you?





I was surprised with the hell spawn. But I was super excited when he got brought down the Hell instead of the Morrigan coming for him.

6. What was your favorite/least favorite part of Hounded? Who was your favorite/least favorite character?


This sounds like such a cop out, but I do not have a least favorite part of Hounded. I loved the whole book and wouldn't change a thing. With that said, I don't really have a least favorite character. I mean you totally have to hate the witches, but they had to be there. Plus  I loved how terrible he made them.

7. What do you think is coming up next for Atticus? Will you continue reading this series, and if so, what do you hope to see happen in the next book?


EEEEK! I've already read the next books. For anyone debating whether or not to do so, I say DO IT!! They are wonderful.



Read-alongers: If you have CAPTCHA on your blog, please consider turning it off (even for the day). With the new CAPTCHA system on Blogger, it is even more difficult and annoying to comment, especially if someone is trying to comment from a phone or tablet. Truth is, many commentors now skip over blogs with CAPTCHA. To keep commenting simple and fun for everyone, please turn CAPTCHA off. If you need insturctions on how to turn CAPTCHA off, visit this post: CAPTCHA: How to Eradicate Evil.

Hounded Discussion Schedule:
March 02nd: Chapters 1-5 hosted by Geeky Blogger's Book Blog
March 09th: Chapters 6-10 hosted by On a Book Bender
March 16th: Chapters 11-15 hosted by Smash Attack Reads!
March 23rd: Chapters 16-20 hosted by In the Closet With a Bibliophile
March 30th: Chapters 21-25 + epilogue hosted by The Unread Reader
April 06th: Special interview with Kevin Hearne & announcement of winners!

What you could win:
Everyone who signs up for the read-along and participates each week will be entered for a chance to win one of three prizes. Best part: there will one winner per prize! The first name drawn will get first choice and so on. Wondering what's up for grabs? A Third Eye Tote Bag, a Sausage Fest Pint Glass, and a personalized, signed copy of any book in the Iron Druid Chronicles.

International participants: The giveaway is open to you as well (as long as The Book Depository delivers to your country), though the prize is limited to any book in the Iron Druid Chronicles (not signed).

Grab a button:

Friday, March 23, 2012

Kiss Me I'm Irish Read Along: Ch 16-20

Over at http://intheclosetbibliophile.blogspot.com/, is the continuation of our Iron Druid Chronicle Read Along. You should really go check this out, Love the series, love the author. Just all around fun!

Here we go....

1.  Just after Atticus is shot, Oberon has to "ninja" his way out of the shop and into Hal's Beamer (with the icky air freshener). Have you ever been in a situation where you had to "ninja" your way out and try not to be discovered? If so, what happened? 


Yes! One time I was at a music festival with my best friend. She had recently broken up with a guy and we were waxing poetic about his downfalls when BAM we see him across the street. We ducked really low and tried to hide behind a group of people. We were trying "become one" with the group all stealthy ninja like. FAILURE! He saw us. We were forced to eat our words and be nice to him. He was like a little lost puppy and he then continued to follow us from stage to stage, playing tag a long.

2. Atticus's main goal through a large portion of the book is not only protecting Oberon, but also protecting the sword. You are now living in a paranormal world and you need a weapon! What weapon do you choose and what can it do? 


I choose a bow and a quiver full of infinity iron and silver tipped arrows. I.E. it's always magically full. I honestly, would rather fight from far away and just take people out that way. Plus the arrows could turn into flaming arrows when needed. So I could set things on fire, for whatever reason necessary.

3.  To recharge and heal after being shot, Atticus sleeps naked, tattoos to the earth, in a patch of grass near the Civic Center in downtown Scottsdale. Where is the weirdest place you have ever slept?  


TIE: It is either on a parking deck roof or in an elevator.
My mom passed away when I was in high school. I spent ALOT fo time in the hospital. A few times I had friends stay the night with me. Well being typical teenagers we had to keep ourselves entertained. One night we went up on the roof of the parking deck and played cards all night. We had brought blankets to keep warm, so we just decided to stretch out and sleep. On another night, around the same time. We decided to hang out in one of the elevators and ride it up and down all night. Eventually we just fell asleep between 2-5 when no one was using the elevator.

4. We finally find out some very interesting information about Granuaile and I don't know about you, but I certainly wasn't expecting to find that she's sharing her head with someone else. What about you, did you expect anything along those lines? If not, what were you expecting concerning Granuaile?  


I sort of thought Granuaile was going to be a Goddess or some other supernatural creature. I was not expecting her to be sharing his skull with a very old witch.

5.  Laksha is a witch, a truly evil one at that for many of the things she's done in the past. However, she's supposedly seen the error of her ways. Do you think she really has? Would you be willing to trust her? Do you think Atticus is smart to have decided to trust her to help him with the "other" witches?  


I think for Laksha, you can trust her as far as you can throw her. She would be a great ally to have, and I would want to be on her good side. However, I wouldn't trust her more than I absolutely had to. Your actions speak louder than your words. She would have to prove to me that she deserved my trust.

The Hunger Games :Movie Review

Here are a few highlights:

1. The movie stayed true to the book.

2. It got a bigger emotional response from me, than probably any other movie. I full on boo hoo'd during several parts.

3. the imagery was beautiful.

4. Jennifer Lawrence was fantastic. That is how you play somewhat aloof, but full of emotion/passion at the same time. You could always see a myriad of emotions just brewing underneath.

5. Lenny Kravitz as Cinna was spectacular.  He was the embodiment of Cinna. Such a cool combination of understanding and compassion.

6. The soundtrack was spectacular.


Go see it, bring tissues.

Grade: A

Friday, March 16, 2012

Kiss Me I'm Irish Read Along: Week 3

1. I love Leif Helgarson, Viking Vampire, Esq. I have to say that combo makes a pretty cool attorney. If you could have a paranormal/mythical beastie (or combo) covering your tuckus in court, what would you choose and why?

I would definitely go with a vampire. He could charm the jury if need be, making them find me Not Guilty!

2. The police show up to question Atticus about his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon. If you could own any dog breed, what would it be and why? (P.S. Oberon is going on my list of favorite sidekicks!)

I love oberon and an Irish wolfhound is definitely high up on the list, but I have such a soft spot for Basset  Hounds! 


 3. Malina Sokolowski and the other Sisters of the Three Auroras coven have my antennae up. What is your opinion of them? 

I do not trust them at all. In my eyes, they would screw over Atticus if it served them, or even if it didn't, just to prove that they could.  They're sort of scary.


4. Brighid, goddess of poetry, fire and the forge, gave Atticus the power of Cold Iron, which can be used to fight off that nasty lilttle hellspawn. If you could wield one magical power, what would it be and why?

I think I would want to be able to teleport. It could be offensive or defensive. If you're stuck in a no win situation, you just leave. If you need to sneak up on someone, well you're never in one place too long.

 5. The cops show up at Atticus’ shop to search for poor Oberon, who remains magically hidden throughout the ordeal. What is the one thing you would do if you could remain hidden from sight? I want to hear some good answers for this one! 

I would spy on people all the time. I would go to big governmental meetings and see what's really going on. I would go to big sports teams and see who's really going to snag Peyton Manning!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Hounded Read Along Week 2

Over at http://onabookbender.com/ we're doing the second installment of the read along for hounded. so go over and give it a shot!

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 6 — 10
1. In Chapter 6, Atticus goes hunting with Oberon and Flidais. What was supposed to be a fun hunting trip turned rather disastrous. Were you expecting something like this to happen or did it catch you by surprise? Have you ever had something that should have been fun turn disastrous or nearly disastrous?

I was caught off guard by the disastrous turn. I felt so bad for oberon. poor chap. I feel like my life is one walking disaster after the other. Heck, simple dinners turn into trips to the hospital in my life.

2. We are only briefly introduced to the witches (or, a witch) in chapter 7. What are your first impressions? How much would you trust the witches? Why?

My first impression was that they shouldn't be trusted. I just didn't get  a good vibe.
 
3. Oberon says, “With dogs you just go up and smell their asses and you know where you stand. It’s so much easier. Why can’t humans do that?” Do you ever wish there was an easier way to find out where you stand with someone (besides Oberon’s suggestion, of course)? In what cases would it be easier or better to hide your true feelings?

I believe just putting it all out there is better than not knowing. A lot of times we make wrong moves, or try to impress people, or try too hard to be something we're not, only to get along with others.  I think if most people grew some thicker skin we'd be better off not hiding our feelings at all.

4. Chapter 9 makes Atticus’ life much more difficult: the witches are in some way working with Aeghus Og, Bres comes after Atticus, and more trouble appears at the end of the chapter. Have you made sense of what has happened thus far? Any predictions for what might happen?

eeek I've already read the books....

5. Atticus has had plenty of time to cultivate attitudes and ethics that would allow him to live a very long time. What do you think it is about Atticus that has allowed him to live for as long as he has?

He keeps a cool head. He's seen it all, and knows when to be "zen-like" and when to kick butt. He doesn't go off after every battle that comes before him, he doesn't pick fights, he just wants to live in his little piece of the world, doing his druid thing. 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Fair Game Patricia Briggs

Many of you may have read the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. The Alpha and Omega series is set in the same world. This is the third installment of the A&O series. Honestly, you should pick up all the books. They're good reads. Lots of shifters and some Fae issues. Her world building is definitely done with a tempered hand. It is expertly woven over the course of several books. Nothing feels forced.

courtesy of google images
After the murder of three werewolves, Charles and Anna are sent to investigate a serial killer. They have to work with the FBI, Homeland Security and a newly formed governmental group CANTRIP (i kept reading it as cat nip) in order to bring the killer to justice. Charles is an Alpha without a pack, the right hand mad to the Marrok (head of all weres/his father) and his wife, Anna, is a much sought after Omega. You get a good deal of mystery and investigation. It almost read like a crime novel and the urban fantasy stuff was "almost" secondary.

This book was especially enjoyable. You got to see the progression of their relationship, a peak into the MT world, and some new developing politics with the Fae. The ending of this book was so bad ass. I was happy with the whole thing, but I literally squee'd while reading the last few chapters. It was such an epic declaration.

You really do need to read the first A&O books in the series to really be invested in Anna and Charles. So I wouldn't recommend just picking it up. But if you're on the market for a whole set of books, I would Tell you to Pick up the Mercy Thompson Series and then Give the Alpha and Omega series a shot.

Rating A-

Monday, March 5, 2012

Cage Match

Over at SUVUDU there is a cage match a brewing. Votes start today around 10 am est. Our favorite druid is involved. So go on over and give Atticus your vote. I mean c'mon he's a super ancient druid bounding around the Tempe, Arizona area. He's slaying Gods, dealing with witches, and spending time with a very lovable Irish Wolf hound.

Go Check out Kevin's blog for more details about atticus. Heck just go pick up the books.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors

Courtesy of Google Images
This is such a fun and quirky series. Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors, is the fourth installment of this Nice Girls Don't... Series. The main character, Jane Jameson, is a librarian turned vampire/book shop owner.  In this installment, Jane finds herself in the midst of wedding planning craziness, vampire parenting, and trying to out maneuver her Satan-like grandmother from the beyond. A Jane Jameson book would not be perfect without there being someone trying to kill/maim Jane. I swear she is the definition of Murphy's Law. Whatever can, will go wrong given the right circumstances. In Half Moon Hollow, those circumstances must encompass just being Jane Jameson.

  I have a certain fondness of the Jane Jameson character. I identify with her on so many levels. She's a super book worm,Jane Austin loving, trivia spouting, murphy's law defining type of gal. I think we'd be besties if she were a real person. Jane finds herself in so many precarious situations/adventures, but they feel real. Growing up in the South, I feel like I know these characters. Molly Harper does a splendid job of weaving so many different personalities into each book. It doesn't feel contrived. You feel connected with Jane and her friends/enemies. Her mom is the quintessential over bearing mother. The town is full of small town southern gossip. It seems, well rather normal to me. Which is scary in and of itself.

I give this book a solid B+

If you want something that will give you a good laugh, check out this series. It's fun, it's smart and will keep you entertained throughout the entire book.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Iron Druid 1 Read Along Chapters 1-4

Hello everyone!

This is going to be a mega busy blog week. I have so much to review. I am extra excited about this. Plus I plan on leaving a short excerpt from the book that I AM WRITING. yes you read that right, i am going to drop a good little sneak peak at my newest creative venture.
But on to the read along. If you'd like to join, go over to the Geeky Blogger's page and sign on up.

1) Kevin Hearne had the most perfect beginning for this book:  "There are many perks to living for twenty-one centuries, and formost among them is bearing witness to the rare birth of genius."  If you were to live for centuries what do you think you would be excited to see? 

I think I would for sure love to see the changing dynamics of the world powers. You see some countries rise and fall, while others quietly take their place. Also, the evolution of architecture. I would love to see all the new juxtaposed against the old.

2)In the 2nd chapter we learn about the amulet and its protection powers!  Do you think having met the Morrigan and heard about Aenghus Og that it will be enough to protect Atticus?  I mean the Morrigan has a point about hot chicks coming after him and his defenses might be down! He is very male!
I felt that atticus was such an old druid, that he hadn't lived through all the craziness by pure chance. I think it would be good protection to a certain point.

3) The literary world's coolest dog is introduced in this chapter!  Did you love Oberon immediately?  Show me a picture or describe the type of animal you would love to have as a talking companion! (Cat, Dog, Mouse, Sloth, Horse---what is your pick--pictures please)?
I fell so dang hard for Oberon. I don't think I have ever wanted to adopt a literary animal quite as bad as him. He's so dern lovable!
and you said anything....
 

4) In this chapter Flidais asked Atticus what his name is and then precedes to ask if anyone actually believes he is Greek?  He says nobody pays attention to names here.  Do you know what your name means and where it comes from?  Or do you have a name you wish had?  Let's talk names!

Diane is the french version of the latin name Diana. She was the goddess of the hunt (Roman mythos) and the daughter of Jupiter. She was the roman counter to Artemis.

5) We learn about Atticus' lawyers in this chapter, a rather unique combo!  Without jumping ahead, would you hire a lawyer combination of two supernaturals who on the surface would appear to be natural enemies or at the very least two very Alpha attitudes? What would be the positives and negatives of that decision.

I absolutely would! They would strive to be the most awesome lawyers possible. I would never doubt their loyalyt because once a werewolf gives you his word, it's stone. 
 

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I review for BookSneeze®

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Fate's Edge- Ilona Andrews
Tricked- Kevin Hearne (IDC 4)
The Doors of Stone (King Killer Chronicles) Patrick Rothfuss
Whatever Jim Butcher writes in 2012
Bear meets Girl- Shelly Laurenston
Biting Cold- Chloe Neill
Sacrificial Magic- Stacia Kane
Molly Harper- Jane Madison Nice Girls don't Bite Their Neighbors
Patricia Briggs- Omega #3
more, but that's a good start for now.