Kimber An at Goodreads

Really, I mean it this time.
Kimber An at Goodreads

Kimber Jr's Review of SUGAR RUSH by Kimber An, plus an Excerpt from the Story

***Decadent surprised me and released SUGAR RUSH early!  Here's the link-   SUGAR RUSH at Decadent Publishing  ***
.
Yep, it’s finally time for this fabulous book to come out! Of course, I’ve already read it, obviously. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this. But seriously, I did love this book. My job is to tell you why, so settle down and strap in, ‘cause Sugar Rush is heading your way!!!

.
The story opens with Ophelia, the main character, getting mauled by the ultimate jerk ex-boyfriend, Martin Brynner (did I mention he’s a jerk?) Luckily, though, someone throws a rock and hits Martin in the side of the head and frightens him off, good riddance!
'
Then we meet the rest of the supporting cast-Bianca, Ophelia’s hilarious twin sister, Worf the husky, and Ophelia’s mom Mrs. Dawson.
.
We also find out Bianca’s obsessed with making dresses. She’s currently preparing hers and Ophelia’s for the high school party that night.
.
That night, we find out just who threw that rock at Martin- none other than Ophelia’s currently anonymous “Sweet Wesley”. But when she collapses in the bathroom from lack of insulin (did I mention she was diabetic? It’s kind of crucial to the story, you know…..) we encounter an undercurrent of tension between Martin and another guy whose name you’ll figure out in about two seconds.
.
Adrian Grayer. He’s the one who’s been fending off Martin. He’s the one who’s been leaving all those drawings and Star Trek trinkets in Ophelia’s locker. He’s also the one who’s Ophelia’s Secret Admirer……
.
Some fun facts about Adrian: he likes birds, especially raptors. And his symbol is the griffin, a half-eagle, half-lion mythological creature that is very loyal and will fight to protect its mate (or whatever else it might be guarding) to the death. What this implies, I’ll leave up to you. However, I have some definite ideas…..
.
If one of your ideas was “he likes rehabilitating eagles” you’d be right! In fact, that’s where we catch up with him and Ophelia next, checking out some beautiful bald eagles that were released into the wild. Of course, Martin has to come and interrupt (what is it with bad guys interrupting kissing scenes?!), but luckily Bianca covers for her and he leaves. I’d better not say what’s next, though, or the boys might get angry and leave, and we don’t want that. But girls, I think you can figure it out.
.
In the meantime, we meet Raven, an ultra-intelligent raven with strange blue eyes. Is he important? Well, you could say that……
.
But before we can figure out just how, Ophelia’s dad finds out about her and Adrian, starts to throw a major hissy fit, finds out Worf approves, trusts the dog, and drives off. A few days later, Ophelia’s mom finds him………in a ditch, dead. And drained of all his blood. Now, what sort of creature would do something like that? Hmmm…….
.
However, all curiousness aside, it is a major All Is Lost moment. Ophelia’s father is dead, and, according to Adrian and newcomer Brandon Kelly, he was murdered. By vampires.
.
Yeah. Really.
.
(((Kimber An here- "They're not vampires. They're alien-human hybrids!"
(((Kimber Jr. here-  "Hey, if it sucks blood..."
.
Well, as always, life goes on. The next thing we know, Ophelia’s heading off to a New Year’s party. Things aren’t looking good then-it seems the Adrian’s run off with Katelyn, local bossyboots and complete jerk. Ophelia, however, has a few tricks up her sleeve…….
.
But more sinister things are hanging over the party. Martin nearly runs Trevor off the road just because he tried to help Ophelia and it looked……awkward. Why is Martin so possessive of Ophelia? Is it just because he’s the ultimate jerk ex-boyfriend, or is there another, more sinister reason?
.
Sorry, Folks, but that’s all I’m allowed to say. However, I would like to say a bit more about Brandon. Well, he’s a shapeshifter, and, as a matter of fact, he’s Raven, remember him? That’s why he had those strange blue eyes. He also loves Nintendo DS, Ophelia, and moose meat……….
.
Once again, I’m at the end of my rope. However, a little birdie (it looked an awful lot like a raven…..)Told me it’s out, so if you want more I suggest to hop over and get the e-book. Until then, VAMPIRES RULE!!!!!
.
(((Kimber An- "ALIEN/HUMAN HYBRIDS!")))
(((Kimber Jr- "Hey, none of the other authors I've reviewed yelled at me!")))
.
P.S All I can say is, thank goodness this book is published because the author was driving me crazy by singing “Sugar Rush” by the A-Teens all day for months. It wasn’t even on-key! Arrrrrrgh!!!
***
***EXCERPT from SUGAR RUSH***
***
Ophelia pressed pencil to paper and the lead broke. She sighed.

.
“You all right?” Adrian Grayer sat next to her in nearly every class.
.
“Fine.” She didn’t look at him, but leaned over and dug into her backpack for another pencil. Too bad he doesn’t like girls.
.
All the while, her mind raced, trying to figure out which of the others her ‘Sweet Wesley’ could be. Josh Taylor has full lips, so he can’t be the one. I know my secret admirer’s lips very well now. They’re pouty and cute, like he needs a chocolate chip cookie. She always kept three perfectly sharpened pencils and three Sharpy pens in her backpack, but came up empty.
.
Straightening in her seat, she eyed the electric pencil sharpener on the teacher’s barren desk. She did not want to walk up. The guys would all look at her and she didn’t know which one was her secret admirer.
.
“You can borrow mine.” Adrian offered his mechanical pencil, left-handed.
.
“Thanks.” She glanced his way just enough to see his sunny blond hair. When he leaned over to give her the pencil, she caught his scent too, the scent of birch trees in the winter. I love birch trees. She’d overheard him talking about helping at the nature center, rehabilitating eagles back into the wild.
.
Wait, that’s familiar somehow. She drew breath through her nose again. Very familiar.
.
His gold ring glinted in the lights as he placed the pencil above her book on the desk. A signet ring, its flat face was etched with the image of a creature, half lion and half eagle.
.
“Griffin!” Ophelia couldn't stop the gasp. "Oh, my!” She stared at the ring, and then looked into his stormy blue eyes, and then his pouty lips.
.
Adrian blushed deep red.
.
"You really are the one!”
.
"Does that mean you wanted…"
.
“But, you’re gay.” Ophelia’s voice squeaked just a little.
.
He pressed lips together and shook his head slightly.
.
Ophelia’s mouth dropped and she didn’t even try to stop it. Her face burned and she hid behind her textbook, certain the entire class could hear her heart pound. He’s been sitting right next to me for four months! Geez, I’m an idiot! She peeked at him around the edge of her book and knew it was true. He’s gorgeous!

I'm a Published Author!

Well, my darling editors sprung one on me and released SUGAR RUSH today!  Pop on over and check it out!   Sugar Rush at Decadent Publishing
.
Meanwhile, the festivities will continue on schedule.  Speaking of schedules, my baby is crying for dinner, so I must go.  Freaking out will resume later.

Back to Square One at Goodreads

(((sigh))) Well, I was good for go at Goodreads, but then I noticed something which needed changing.  I tried and tried and tried and tried to change it.  But, it would not change.  It just wouldn't.  eMailed Goodreads, but I decided I didn't want to wait around for them to fix it.  So, I deleted my whole dang account and started over.  On the bright side, I'm a little wiser for the experience.  I'll work on it again in the morning.
.
Meanwhile, I'm still befuddled by Cafepress.  Shelfari and I are getting along nicely, but I'm only have way updated there.
.
The first review, as far as I know, of SUGAR RUSH goes up this evening.  I know this because it's my daughter who's writing it and she's sworn not to go easy on me, and I suspect she'll try to get back at me for all those months I walked around singing, 'Sugar Rush' by the A Teens, off-key while I was writing the novel. 

Release Week Festivities for Sugar Rush

Good evening, Blog Buds!
.
I can't believe it.  My first novel will be out this coming Friday, October 22nd.  My main site is complete with a partial sample first chapter-
http://www.kimberan.com/p/sugar-rush-sample-chapters.html
And a Media Kit for Bloggers-
http://www.kimberan.com/p/media-kit-for-bloggers.html
.
If you would like to help spread the word, you can find all you need on the Media Kit page.  Of course, I'm happy to guest blog and all that too.  Just email me.   kimber.an@yahoo.com 
.
I am so busy and tired and my To-Do List is long.  Several blog buddies have graciously agreed to post or let me post about the blessed event.  I'll post here to let you know when and where that happens.  So far, I know I'll be at the SFR Brigade, the Galaxy Express, Alien Romances, Debuts & Reviews, and Lisa Shearin's blog.
.
My daughter, known here as Kimber, Jr, is reading Sugar Rush and will post her review on Tuesday.

.
On Saturday, I will throw a Cyber-Launch Book Party for myself, just like I used to for other authors.  If you want to know about those, follow this link to Lisa Shearin's last one-
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2008/04/cyber-launch-book-party-for-armed.html
I wonder if I can get her to bring her goblins to be the bouncers?  Hmmm...
.
Meanwhile, today we tried really hard to take my author's photograph, but the Alaskan weather did not cooperate.  We've had snow, but it hasn't stuck for the winter yet.  Today, the wind blew ice-cold as you can tell from the very best (waaaah!) picture of the ones we took

We did manage to get this one before my baby girl started crying from being so tired and hungry. 

A good book puts off just about anything bad, but when a girl is tired AND hungry only Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joose will work.

.

So, anyway, I reckon we'll try to do the pictures again next weekend.

Kimber An Braces for the Launch of SUGAR RUSH

Good morning, Blog Buddies!  I've been working hard this week, final proofing Sugar Rush for release on Friday, October 22nd, and upgrading my web presence.  I guess it's having been in that evil, dreaded purgatory known as Queryland for four years, but I put off most of the preparations until the last couple of weeks out of fear, fear it would all blow up in my face.  I'm still not doing the Snoopy Dance because of that, and also because all I can see is a TON of work in front of me!  Okay, I'll schedule my New-Author-Freak-Out for Saturday, October 23rd at precisely 4:17 a.m., once my coffee is working and before I need to return emails.  Yeah, yeah, that should work with the Master Schedule.  Did I mention I have four children?
.
Anyway...
.
I now have a main site and I own my domain name.  The thing is I don't have the money for a professional job. (My four children need to eat.) So, I went searching and discovered that Blogger has upgraded a lot.  There are some new beautiful themes and I was able to set up a blog which looks like a website for only the cost of my domain name, $10 plus tax.  Here's the address-
http://www.kimberan.com/
I still need to finish a couple of pages.
.
I noticed that my target readership, teens, enjoy an encyclopedia of sorts for their favorite stories, whether movies or novels, so I've established a blog which is all Sugar Rush stories all the time-
http://opheliadawsonchronicles.blogspot.com/.
.
I'm also on Facebook (most active,) as well as MySpace and Twitter.  I'm not active much on either MySpace or Twitter, because I simply do not have time. (Did I mention I homeschool two of my children and the fourth's a toddler?)  There are several other places I need to work on, YouTube, CafePress (have a shop, but not complete,) Shelfari, and Goodreads, as well as Amazon.  The list just keeps getting longer!
.
In addition to all this, you may have noticed I've re-organized this blog.  Starting the weekend after next (October 29th through 31st), I will be hosting guest bloggers from the publishing industry on Fridays, fellow ePublished Young Adult authors will be co-blogging with me on Saturdays, and established authors will guest blog on Sundays about the writing craft.  No one's turned down my invitations yet!  Everyone has been so generous!
.
For publishing industry professionals, I have Dara England, who designed my cover art, awesome SFR blogger, Heather Massey, my own fabulous executive editor, Heather Bennett, and fellow blogging book reviewer and new author, Tia Nevitt.
.
For guest authors, I have Walter Greatshell putting a Science Fiction spin on old monsters for the Halloween post, YA Fantasy Historical author Marissa Doyle, the legendary author and generous mentor, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, and Hawaiian author Patricia Wood who lives on a sailboat.
.
My new co-blogging YA ePublished authors are Vanessa Barger, Rebecca Royce , and Leslie Soule.  You can find their blogging schedule on the sidebar. 
.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do for promoting Sugar Rush over the next couple of weeks, especially next weekend and on the day.  If you have any ideas or want to invite me to guest blog or blog swap or whatever, please contact me!  You can comment here or here is my authorly email addy-
kimber.an@yahoo.com
.
If you feel so generous, I would appreciate you all posting my cover art on your blogs and such.  Here is the link to my About Sugar Rush page-
http://www.kimberan.com/p/about-sugar-rush.html
I'll be posting a sample chapter on my main site soon too.
.
Ohmigosh, there is so much to remember and to do.  You should see the size of my daily planner!  Okay, maybe not.  Too scary.  I'll post a showcase of Sugar Rush tomorrow.  My daughter is threatening to review Sugar Rush, but first, she says, she has to pretend I didn't write it, because there's kissing scenes and it's just too weird reading a kissing scene your mother wrote.
.
Big thanks to everyone for all your advice and encouragement over the past four years!

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE by J.K. Rowling

Countdown to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Month Four-Book Six-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
.
It’s getting down to the wire now- one month till the release!! Today I’m doing the second-to-last book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Talk about awesomeness! Here we go!!
.
The story opens with Britain’s Prime Minister (the Muggle one) trying to deal with a string of freak disasters. A nearby bridge collapse has nearly chased him out of office, and he doesn’t even know what caused it.
.
But he knows someone who does (not that he likes it)! Yep, it’s our old friend Fudge, now ex-Minister of Magic! That’s right, Fudge has been kicked out (no offense, but good riddance!) and was replaced by a guy who really knows his stuff and is ready to believe Lord Voldemort is back named Scrimgeour.
.
But in the meantime, things aren’t going well. That bridge collapse was no technical difficulty (please stand by). It was the Death Eaters! And that hurricane was no hurricane. It was a giant (not Grawp, thank goodness, but one of the bad giants.)! Voldemort is clearly growing stronger.
.
Many miles away, another plot twist is beginning. Two women appear in a small, mostly Muggle village somewhere. One of them, Narcissa Malfoy (does that ring any bells?), seeks out one house in particular. The other, her cousin Bellatrix Lestrange (if the previous one didn’t, this definitely should!), tried to persuade her not to do whatever it is she’s doing.
.
Turns out the person Narcissa Malfoy’s going to visit is our old friend Professor Snape, of all people. Apparently a little birdie told Narcissa that Voldemort himself has given her son Draco a mission, a very, very dangerous mission, and she wants Snape to promise to protect Draco as best he can. Bellatrix isn’t impressed, but she consents to perform the Unbreakable Vow on Narcissa and Snape.
.
Many miles later, we finally find Harry-asleep against his window. A letter lies nearby, telling Harry that Dumbledore will come and pick him up at exactly midnight. Well, it is now.
.
Dumbledore, of course, is punctual as always. Harry is awoken (at last) by the streetlights being put out (read your Sorcerer’s Stone, people!), and hastily starts to pack. But before he can finish, he rushes downstairs to find Dumbledore politely greeting the sternly anti-wizard Dursleys. He then proceeds to inform Harry that he has 1) inherited Sirius’s house, number 12 Grimmauld Place, and 2) inherited Kreacher of all house-elves! Needless to say, Harry is less than pleased, but better that than handing both over to Sirius’s cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange-and, incidentally, the very person who killed him!
.
Yeah. Really.
.
Happily, though, Harry also gets our old friend Buckbeak the hippogriff. He’d been living with Sirius ever since his big getaway, so now he’s Harry’s. Harry decides to let Hagrid take care of him.
.
So then Dumbledore sets off with Harry in tow to find an old friend of his, Horace Slughorn. They find him in a Muggle house, hiding out from the Death Eaters. At the first sign of Harry and Dumbledore’s appearance, he had made it look like he’d been attacked by Death Eaters.
.
One tip for that though: if you’re gonna convince anyone who knows anything at all about Voldemort and his henchmen (least of all Dumbledore) you’re going to have to remember one crucial point: the Dark Mark.
.
Slughorn forgot his, so Dumbledore isn’t fooled. Now, here’s one spell I need: the Cleanup spell. They show it in the movie, and it’s totally awesome. They use it to clean up Slughorn’s mess, and then Dumbledore leaves to let Harry work his charm on Slughorn.
.
In the end, it works: Slughorn agrees to teach at Hogwarts, which of course is the very reason why Dumbledore brought Harry along in the first place. He needs Professor Slughorn, but you really only find out some time later, so you’ll have to wait a bit to find out.
.
With that little task done, Dumbledore drops Harry off at the Weasleys’. But before they go in, we find out several important things.
.
Now, here’s the problem with cutting things off early so that you don’t give the ending away: if the character learns vital information after the big huge final battle, then I can’t tell you. But I am telling you now, so don’t be upset. Turns out that prophecy was about Harry. It said a boy born to parents that had defied Voldemort several times would come, and Voldemort would choose him as his equal, but he would have powers ol’ Voldemort doesn’t. Oh, yeah, and he would be born at the end of July. Does that ring any bells?
.
It should. If you were thinking “Harry” you’d be right. But the funny thing is, if you thought “Neville”, you’d also be correct! Well, would have. Obviously, Voldemort picked Harry, or else the title would be Neville Longbottom and the Half-Blood Prince instead of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. And, sorry Neville, but somehow Harry’s name looks better on the cover of the book. Could be that I’m just used to seeing it, but anyway, moving on.
.
So, essentially, Dumbledore warns Harry to stay out of danger, like that’s gonna happen! After that, though, the two head inside to find Mrs. Weasley soothing a distressed everybody’s favorite don’t-call-me-Nymphadora awesome Auror, Nymphadora Tonks. Since Sirius’s death, she’s been beating up herself because she thought she could have saved him. “Survivor’s guilt,” is what Hermione names the condition.
.
Next morning, Harry is reunited with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, the twins, and the rest of the Weasleys. That day, among other things, they get their O.W.L’s in. I’m not telling what they are, of course; you’ll just have to make like Hermione and get the book! They also go to good ol’ Diagon Alley with-surprise, surprise!-Hagrid as their guard. But when they get there it’s to find that nearly everything is closed, including the wand shop Ollivander’s, where Harry got his wand so long ago. Rumor has it that he was dragged off by Death Eaters for whatever reason. Mysterious, huh?
.
One thing that is open, though, is Fred and George’s joke shop! Remember way back when Harry gave him his prize money from the Triwizard Tournament? Well, after they made their grand escape from Hogwarts they flew here and built their joke shop. It’s awesome too, but that doesn’t stop Harry from noticing our old friend Draco Malfoy looking very suspicious.
.
Harry being Harry, he persuades Ron and Hermione to tag along as he tails Malfoy. Malfoy being Malfoy, he decides to lead them right into the weirdest place in Diagon Alley-Knockturn Alley. There they find Malfoy inquiring at a creepy shop called Borgin and Burke’s about something he wants to repair but doesn’t want the shopkeeper to see. He also threatens the poor shopkeeper with a visit from resident creepy guy Fenrir Greyback. In case you don’t know, Greyback is a werewolf-as a matter of fact the very same one who bit our friend Professor Lupin!
.
Soon we find ourselves back on the train to Hogwarts. Harry tried to persuade Ron and Hermione that Draco is a bad guy, but they aren’t buying it. So he decides to spy on Malfoy, with the help of his trusty old Invisibility Cloak and a little of Fred and George’s Instant Darkness Powder. Unluckily, though, he gets caught by Malfoy, who breaks poor Harry’s nose and covers him with the Invisibility Cloak so no one will find him.
.
Luckily, though, someone does: everybody’s favorite don’t-call-me-Nymphadora Auror, Tonks! Now, depending on whether you’re reading the book or watching the movie, it could be Tonks, or, if you’re watching the movie, good old Luna Lovegood. My personal favorite is Luna (for obvious reasons) but you can pick whichever you like. But anyway Tonks takes Harry back up to school, where we discover security has been tightened all around Hogwarts. We also find out Tonks has a new Patronus-something the movie just didn’t think important enough to feature. Ah, well. They’ll probably spring what that Patronus was hinting at in the Deathly Hallows. At least, I hope they will.
.
So finally Harry gets back to Hogwarts, just late enough for Snape to put Gryffindor back about fifty points. Ah, well. At least something’s still the same. Harry is reunited with a worried Ron and Hermione and they begin the school year together. Turns out Harry’s been appointed Quidditch Captain this year, so he has to pick out a new team. He does (after some hilarity, of course), and at the end of it Ron’s on the team again playing Keeper. Yay!!
.
Meanwhile, Harry’s lessons with Dumbledore have been going well. Dumbledore has been telling the story of Tom Riddle, a.k.a Lord Voldemort, starting at the very beginning with Voldemort’s mother Merope Gaunt and his dad, Tom Riddle Senior. But even as this story is unfolding, another mystery arises….. this one in the form of a seemingly innocent potions book. It’s been written all over by its previous owner. According to a scribble in the front, it used to be owned by a person called the “Half-Blood Prince”. But who could it be? That’s the mystery. It’s got helpful tips for potions all over the place; who do we know who’s good with potions? Hmmm…..but more than that, it has spells too. Spells that appear to have been written by the Half-Blood Prince himself. One of particular importance that I’d like to point out now is called “Sectumsempra” and it’s very important.
.
Dumbledore has also been teaching Harry about another critical point: Horcruxes. These little….objects….are the reason Voldemort didn’t die that night when he attacked Harry, and the reason why no one’s been able to kill him since. See, what happened is that he split his soul by killing people and putting the pieces into containers, called Horcruxes. An example is Tom Riddle’s Diary, waaaaaay back in the Chamber of Secrets. Yep, that was a Horcrux. He made seven in all. Tom Riddle’s diary was one, and so was a certain ring belonging to the Gaunts that Dumbledore managed to destroy, at the cost of a wilted hand. This particular ring is very, very, super-duper astronomically so-important-it’d-be-really-stupid-not-to-mention-it important. Maybe not so much now-though it definitely is important now-but in the next book, it is. Very much so. But anyway, he made seven in all. Six I’m pretty sure Dumbledore, Harry, and Voldemort all know about. The seventh…..well, I’m pretty sure Dumbledore knows it, but that’s about it. I’m not saying what it is…..or, rather, who……..
.
Back to a lighter subject, though. Soon Harry’s on Christmas Break and heads to the Weasley’s for Christmas. There the movie deviates quite a bit from the book. In the movie, the Death Eaters interrupt what was going to be a very awesome kissing scene between Harry and Ginny, Bellatrix lures Harry and Ginny into a cornfield (where’d that come from? The Burrow was by a forest…..), and the Death Eaters blow up the house. Ka-boom. In the book, Harry just basically has a good Christmas and discusses the possibility of Draco’s being a Death Eater with Mr. Weasley, Lupin, and everyone else within earshot. Personally, though, I like the movie better, though it does make you wonder where certain events take place in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, if they hadn’t interrupted that kiss…….
.
Anyway, back at the school of magic, Ron manages to take a love potion (meant for Harry) and is taken by Harry to Slughorn’s office. There he manages to take a deadly poison (meant for Dumbledore). Only Harry’s quick thinking saves him to act goofy another day. But the incident leaves Harry reeling. Earlier, a cursed necklace had sent a girl named Katie Bell to St. Mungo’s. Who’s behind these attacks? Harry has his suspicions, of course. But nothing’s for sure.
.
The next day, at the Quidditch game (narrated by none other than Luna Lovegood), Harry manages to get knocked out and joins Ron in the hospital wing. There he sets our old friend Dobby the house-elf and the unsavory character of Kreacher to tail his prime suspect-none other than our old friend Draco Malfoy. Is he going too far with this, or is Harry on the right track? Nothing’s for sure yet.
.
Later, we’re sure of two more Horcruxes: a locket of Slytherin’s and a cup of Hufflepuff’s. We also know Harry has a little job: he has to recover a crucial memory from Slughorn. This he does, with the help of a little Felix Felicis.
.
Just after that comes a pivotal chapter in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It comes when Harry corners Draco in a bathroom, accusing him of cursing Katie and poisoning Ron. They duel, and we finally figure out what Sectumsempra means. And it’s not good at all.
.
Here again the movie deviates from the book. In the movie, Ginny comes along to the Room of Requirement to get rid of the Half-Blood Prince’s book and kisses Harry there (YES!!!!!!!). In the book, Harry gets detention and misses a Quidditch game and the Gryffindors win and Ginny kisses him at the celebratory party. Either way, we finally get payback for that interrupted kiss!!!
.
But now it’s time to get back to more serious stuff. Dumbledore has found out where another Horcrux might be located, and, this time, Harry’s coming along for the ride. So they Disapparate from the Three Broomsticks to a little cave by the sea.
.
Sound familiar? Well, I didn’t mention it, but this cave is special. Tom Riddle took two children here to torture, and since then he’s turned it into a fortress to protect one of his Horcruxes.
.
There’s just one problem: it’s in the middle of a lake. And in the lake are Inferi, enchanted dead guys. And they’re super ugly, nowhere near as cute as the blood-sucking dead guys of the Twilight series. Aw, man!!
.
And they’re not even blood-sucking. Oh, well.
.
Somehow, though, Harry and Dumbledore reach the island. But an even more pressing problem steps up: the Horcrux is at the bottom of a cauldron filled with impenetrable potion. The only way to get at the Horcrux is drink the potion.
.
Dumbledore does, and it makes him very weak. Harry manages to grab the Horcrux and get him back to Hogwarts. But it’s only to find that his suspicions about Draco were correct: he has been trying to kill Dumbledore all year. Not only that, he’s also fixed a Vanishing Cabinet down in the Room of Requirement, and now a whole host of Death Eaters has invaded Hogwarts. And Draco has Dumbledore cornered good and proper.
.
But then Snape comes up.
.
I’m not saying what happens next-it’s against my policy of never giving away the ending-but I will say that it ends up being a HUGELY MAJOR All Is Lost moment, if you know what I mean. And it’s pretty easy to figure out. And Snape is at fault.
.
Oh, and did I mention SNAPE is the Half-Blood Prince? Who would’ve known?!
.
Well, I don’t like to end on a negative point, but that’s pretty much it. Well, see you next month---FOR HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS!!!!!!!! That’s a happy note, right? I should think so!! Until then, happy hippogriffs to you and see you then!
.
P.S And a special thanks to everybody’s favorite super-ultra-extra-awesome-person Nayuleska, ‘cause……well, you know why. Thanks, Nayuleska!!!!!!!

Kimber An Finally Buys...

...her domain name.  http://www.kimberan.com/   Also, SUGAR RUSH has a tentative release date, October 22nd.

Walter Greatshell to Guest Blog on Halloween

You know how I love a Sci-Fi spin on an old monster tale.  Walter has provided a couple of really great ones here at Enduring Romance.

.



XOMBIES APOCALYPTICON-
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2010/02/xombies-apocalypticon-by-walter.html

.

and XOMBIES APOCALYPSE BLUES
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/11/xombies-apocalypse-blues-by-walter.html

.
He has a new book coming in December too.  It's the cover art at the top of this post, MAD SKILLS.  Pop over to his website to learn more about it.  http://www.waltergreatshell.com/
.
Walter is going to terrify us with how he goes about world-building for his stories.  I asked him to do that because his fictional 'worlds' are just so cool and, hey, I can use the writing lesson.  So, pop in on Halloween, our first Storytelling Sunday of the new blog reorganization.

Review: Only You

Only You
by Deborah Grace Staley

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Belle Books
Cost: $12.95 (free right now on Kindle)

What I Liked:
I adored the hero in this book. Cole Craig was everything a perfect Southern gentleman should be, plus a little rough around the edges and blue under the collar. It only makes him more attractive. I was very impressed with the way he was written. It made me want to read more of Deborah Grace Staley's books. And that's a good thing, because there are three books in this series, and I still have two left.

I did enjoy the heroine, as well, and saw a bit of myself in her. She's an intellectual, has worked her whole life to accomplish her goals, and is now faced with obstacles that are more than just professional. The small town of Angel Ridge could easily have been any small town in the South, or the North for that matter. It was very familiar and comforting while simultaneously being frustrating. I loved that.

Deborah Grace Staley has been compared to Debbie Macomber. And while I'm not much of a Macomber fan, I would definitely keep reading the books in this series. So that's a good sign for me. Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Book Blurb:
A charming romance about the lives and loves of people in a small Tennessee town. In the tradition of Debbie Macomber. "Hey, ya'll. Dixie Ferguson here. I run Ferguson's Diner in Angel Ridge, Tennessee. Population three hundred forty-five. It's a picturesque town in the valley of the Little Tennessee River, established in 1785. In the early days, its first families--the McKays, the Wallaces, the Houstons, the Joneses, and, of course, the Craigs--staked their claims on hundreds of acres of the richest bottom land anyone had ever seen. After all the years I've spent behind the counter at Ferguson's, I could probably tell ya'll a story about near everyone in town. But we only have so much time, so I'll narrow it down to just two for now. This is a story about coming home. It's also a story about acceptin' folks for who they are. You could say it's a story about Josie Allen, a librarian, and Cole Craig, a handyman, but I say it's a story about finding love where you'd least expect to."

~Rebecca Lynn

Review: His Forever Love

His Forever Love
by Missy Tippens

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Series Romance
Publisher: Harlequin (Steeple Hill)
Cost: $4.12

What I Liked:
I really enjoy Missy Tippens' voice. It's very conversational and accessible. Her storytelling drew me in to this story right away. Of course, I've read a lot of Steeple Hill Love Inspired books, now, and this is definitely one of my favorites. I love the Southern small town setting, and the two main characters. Especially the hero. Love the whole sexy, brainy guy angle. That's definitely something new for me in a romance novel.

I really like the second-chances stories, and this is definitely a great one. The hero and heroine don't seem perfectly matched from the start, which I also like. They sort of evolve into each other--even though you know, of course, because it's a romance novel, that they'll end up together. But the things that keep them apart feel real, and when they do get together (I hope I'm not ruining the surprise), it's satisfying.

I've never read a book by Missy Tippins before, but this definitely won't be my last. She's definitely got the best of what is great about Love Inspired books. Her voice has an ease to it, her characters are engaging, and the story is satisfying. If you like Love Inspired books, I recommend this great love story.

Book Blurb:
In Magnolia, Georgia, local legend says that a couple who holds hands around the "forever" tree will have an unending love. Even so, Bill Wellington held Lindsay Jones's hands around that tree years ago...and then left her behind. He chose the big city, and now he wants to bring his grandmother there. But to his amazement, he finds that Granny has a boyfriend--and a vibrant life. A life that includes Lindsay, Granny's caregiver. Bill never thought he'd want to come home, yet Magnolia clearly has its charms. As does Lindsay, who makes him long for a second chance at forever love.

~ Rebecca Lynn

SUGAR RUSH on the 'Coming Soon' Page!

Check it out, the little book that could.
http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com/p/coming-soon.html
.
Here's Burl Ives to help celebrate-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEhyiNVVaeU&feature=related
Yeah, I know The Little Engine That Could is a children's story, but, hey, I used to be a nanny and now I have four children of my own.  I can quote Yertle the Turtle word for word in my sleep!

Fire Study by Maria V Snyder

January 2009, Mira
Paperback, Personal Copy
Fantasy, Young Adult

Summary from Mira

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder – able to capture and release souls – spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena`s unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena`s fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.

Honour sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies and enemies. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself – and save the land she holds dear.

Regular readers will know I love this series. I'm currently reading the Glass trilogy, which is supremely awesome! Anyway, back to Yelena's current dilemma. Wherever she goes, she isn't popular (apart from her friends, who always love her). I think trouble and suspicion have attached themselves to Yelena. I like her. The problem with having a rare skill, is that people only hear the bad parts about it from history, and never remember the positive aspects. It is the Council's duty to figure out whether Yelena's power as a Soulfinder is something that can be tolerated in the world. Poor Yelena. The executioner's noose follows her everywhere. That doesn't deter her from setting out to do what she feels is right, even if it will cost her everything.

She's already apart from Valek, and technically she can't ever see him again (for, if she goes back to him by law the Commander will have her killed. By Valek.) So she doesn't have him by her side. And yet he does end up helping her along the way. She has her family. Her mother's love is without question, but Leif - well he is still a tricky brother. Yelena learns to find a way to work with Leif (with a good teacher at her side). She learns that rushing headlong into danger leads to an interesting life. It's very hard to take one form of action when everyone around you feels it is wrong. But Yelena does it.

I liked the ending because Yelena bares mental and physical scars from her ordeals. They are tough, and life threatening. But she will do everything to protect the family she is only just beginning to know safe, and the other citizens who she cares for.

The good thing about Fire Study is that it isn't the end of Yelena's story. She appears briefly in the Glass trilogy, which produced cheers from me. It's a series that I rave about, that I read as my comfort books. Yelena rules! (And not just because of a pretty cover!)

Content is a bit violent, some romance, lots of danger and tension. Tissues are needed. And possibly a camera, because I was grinning at the end (while crying. They were happy tears!)

Be sure to check out book one Poison Study and book two Magic Study.

Review: The Perfect Love Song

The Perfect Love Song
by Patti Callahan Henry

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Cost: $10.85

What I Liked:
Having never read a Patti Callahan Henry book before, I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. The reviews I read were mixed. It seemed to be a book that you either hated or loved. I'm please to say that I came down somewhere in the middle.

I enjoyed Patti Callahan Henry's lyrical voice, which will likely make me pick up others of her books. I really thoroughly enjoyed Charlotte, the heroine of the book, and Kara, the secondary heroine. Both were endearing, patient, and loving. Charlotte's story was bittersweet, of course, though she came to a satisfying end.

But Jimmy... Oh, Jimmy. And I don't say that in the adoring, fangirl voice of Thoroughly Modern Millie. More like the frustrated, disappointed voice of a parent with a misbehaving child. One you want so desperately to see make the right choice, yet who continues to turn away from everything he thought he loved in search of something unattainable. He was only a "hero" in that he was the main character of the book. Even the end did not redeem Jimmy for me, because I didn't feel like he really learned his lesson.

Granted, it wasn't my story. And I think at least the author felt like she brought him to a satisfying end. It was good to read her note in the back about why she wrote this book. I always like to hear from the authors what they attempted to "say" in their books. What the intended message was. I like to see if that's what really happened or not. In this case, I think part of her message connected, and part of it did not.

But regardless of where I fell on liking or not liking this book, I really enjoyed the writing. I will pick up another Patti Callahan Henry book, because I think she's a good writer. And I want to get a chance to see what her other books are like. For now, I'm happy to leave Jimmy behind, but part of Charlotte will stay with me forever.

Book Blurb:
Jimmy Sullivan has been living on the road with his brother, Jack, and his band The Unknown Souls. Without a place to call home, Jimmy and Jack lead a nomadic life filled with music and anonymous cities. When they return to a place Jimmy never wants to see again—their old hometown of Seaboro, South Carolina—he falls in love with Charlotte Carrington.

With his soul now filled with hope, Jimmy writes his first love song. When he performs it at a holiday concert to a standing ovation, the lyrics are dubbed the “Perfect Love Song,” so much so that Jimmy finds himself going on tour with famous country music stars, catapulted into a world where the trappings of fame and fortune reign supreme.

All too soon, the hope that had once inspired Jimmy to write such beautiful, genuine lyrics is overshadowed by what the song can do for him and his career. In his thirst for recognition, he agrees to miss Jack’s wedding in Ireland to sing at a Christmas Eve concert. And his ties to Charlotte seem to be ever so quickly slipping away.

Alone in New York City on Christmas Eve, Jimmy finally sees—with the help of a Christmas miracle or two—that his material gains are nothing compared to love, that he is losing all that really matters in his life. Is it too late to find his way to Ireland, to his brother, and to love?

New Life! Backlist eBooks

I thought I'd let you all know about some authors who've e-released novels which have gone out of print.  Pop over to
http://backlistebooks.com/
for some greats by the likes of C.J.Cherryh, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, and others.