Robin's Top Five Books of 2009

Talk about just getting it in under the wire! I'm sorry to just do a top five, but honestly I wrote so much this year, that reading took a bit of a backseat and a lot of what I did read were writing books. One of my goals for 2010 is to read a lot more!

Without further ado and in no particular order, my favorite books of 2009 were:

1) Columbine - Dave Cullen

Not for the faint of heart, this book is a gripping page turner, and also sets right everything that was gotten wrong in the media about the Columbine school shooting. It also explores why the boys did what they did. I couldn't put it down, but also kind of twitched while reading it. *Parent Advisory*

2) Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers so perfectly shows a girl losing it in this edgy, contemporary YA. I recommend her to everyone who wants to know how to show, not tell, because you get that she's losing it (or has lost it) before the character ever admits it. There's also something of a mystery involved as you find out why. There are sexual situations, though not a traditional sex scene like a romance novel would have.

3) What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew - Daniel Pool

This is a fabulously detailed look at Regency and Victorian England - all the little details you've been curious about if you read that sort of historical fiction. It explains how workhouses functioned and why they were so terrible, what consumption and gout really were, and why children might scavenge dead bodies out the Themes.

4) The House at Riverton - Kate Morton

I can say without question that this is my favorite sort of book: mysterious without being genre mystery, a story that flits back and forth between present day and some gothic and terrible past, and full of family secrets. I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you loved Rebecca and Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion, you'll be thrilled to read this.

5) Echo Burning - Lee Child

I love thrillers, but I've lost my edge - I can't read anything to icky anymore. I know that some of his books can be violent, but I think the violence was very tolerable in this book, the pacing fast, and the lead character incredible. Even Janet Reid is in love with Jack Reacher. :)

Best Reads of 2009

Clockwork Heart - DruPagliassotto

Review

Steampunk Alternate History SF/Romance

Soulless - Gail Carriger

Review

“ A novel of Vampires Werewolves and Parasols.”

Singularity's Ring - Paul Melko

Review
What if it took more than one individual to make one "Person"?


Spiral Hunt - Margaret Ronald
First rate Urban Fantasy the mixes ancient Celtic mythology with modern Boston politics.

Rosemary and Rue - Seanan McGuire
Faerie intrigue in blended with Noir detective story. Another first rate Urban Fantasy set in San Francisco. Reminiscent of the Bordertown books from the '80s.

Fast Ships, Black Sails -Edited by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer
Anthology of pirate themed Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Coyote Road Edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling
Antholoty of Trickster Tales by modern SF and Fantasy writers.

The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein
Not SF or Fantasy, not even a book I would usually have picked up if I had not heard the author interviewed on a radio program. The story follows the life of wannabe Grand Prix driver Danny Swift. What makes this book good is the POV character is Enzo, Danny's dog. Enzo is both cronicler of Denny's life and times and philosopher with profound insight into the nature of reality. Enzo's voice is what makes this book a good read.

Hope's Folly - Linnea Sinclair
Science Fiction Romance at the top of it's form.

Endless Blue - Wen Spencer
Review
Space Opera with great characters and plot twists - I still have my copy to send to someone who's interested.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Good health and happiness to you all!

I Got LEVIATHAN!

I figure Scott Westerfield doesn't need my help with publicity, so it'd be no use asking for an ARC.  However, I was doing some last minute shopping this morning and I found LEVIATHAN and it was used (looks brand new), so I was able to use my discount.  I emitted an audible expression of joy I'm sure they must have heard all the way to China.  Gorgeous cover art, hmm?  I think my husband will like this one too.
http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/?page_id=1125

Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Children

I don't know about you, but my life is very full.  I'm still scrambling to put Christmas together for my children.  Imagine those who don't have children and want to buy gifts for them?  It can be a little daunting.  More than once, a childless person has asked me for help.  I have a massive amount of offspring, plus I used to be a nanny.  So, here are books and toys for each age group-
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BABIES love any book with vivid pictures and poetry.  The tried and tested favorite among all babies I've ever known is HAND, HAND, FINGERS, THUMB by Al Perkins.  Any of the simple books by Dr. Seuss are good too.  Just make sure they're *board* or *cloth* books, because babies gnaw and slobber on everything, especially stuff they think is reeeally cool.  The all-time favorite baby toy is the Stacking Cups.  Build 'em up and Baby will roll or scoot over and knock 'em down, over and over.  They just love it.  Makes 'em feel so powerful!  Cause & Effect Toys are a huge hit with the newly mobile baby.

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TODDLERS will like many of the same books, but Push Toys are a big hit at this stage too.  I call it the Interior Decorator Stage because you'll see 'em pushing chairs and ottomans around.  They've learned to walk and it's the most exciting thing in the world to them.

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CHILDREN from about 4 to age 8 will enjoy the tales of Beatrix Potter and Legos, boys and girls.  My son is obsessed with Peter Rabbit and thinks Mr. McGregor is the coolest bad guy ever.  I can tell he'll be a huge Darth Vader fan when he gets older.  There's something for everyone in the world of Legos too.  This is a toy which they can put together and take apart for hours.  To really impress their parents, give a plastic storage container with a lid too.  Legos hurt bare feet when they're left on the floor!
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OLDER CHILDREN.  Breyer's Horses are a huge in our house and they come in enormous variety.  There are even some sets which come with famous horse books, like THE BLACK STALLION.  For books, my girl's really into the WARRIORS series.  And she's not even into cats.
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TEENS.  I highly recommend a Barnes & Noble gift card.  You can't go wrong.  Tuck it inside a card which communicates your respect for the new adults they're becoming.
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That's it! 
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For grown-ups, scroll down to our Top Books for 2009 lists or click on a genre label in the directory.  Most of these books were free ARCs to me.
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Disclaimer:  I received no compensation whatsoever for any of these children's products, not even free ARCs.

A Wonderful Book for Christmas

http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/tapestry/tapestry_index.html
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I love all her books.  I'd like to be Patricia Polacco when I grow up.  Or Jane Yolen.
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Merry Christmas, Blog Buddies.

Need Gift Ideas?

Please scroll down to read our Top Ten Favorite Books of 2009 or just click on the desired genre in the directory for our reviews.

Authors Share Their Holiday Stories

Check it out!
http://bookreporter.com/blog/blog/index.asp

Susan Grant's New Cover Art

Doesn't exactly scream "Totally Rocking Space Opera Romance Story Inside," does it?  Skiffy Rommers are not at all pleased.  Here's the conversation-

http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2009/12/science-fiction-romance-that-harlequin.html

Helping Out Your Favorite Authors

Times are tough all over and authors are not exempt.  If you want your favorite authors to keep writing the books you love, they need to make money for their publisher and agents and such.  Of course, always buy their books *NEW.*  Also, click on this link and pop over to the Galaxy Express to learn 25 other ways to help out.  It's for Science Fiction Romance, but, really, the lessons learned can be applied to any book.
http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2009/12/guest-blogger-rowena-cherry-presents-25.html

Kimber An at Maximum Capacity

Good morning, Authors and Associates.  My ARC stack is at maximum capacity.  This means if you want to send something, it probably won't get reviewed for a while.  If you don't mind that, do email and ask. 
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If we've already emailed about your book, then it's included in my stack whether it's here with me or not.
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As always, favorite authors are excluded.  They can send what they want when they want and odds are they'll jump the line.   They have their own tags in the directory. 
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Nevertheless, I have no YOUNG ADULT at this time and I try to review one each month.  I checked out a couple from the library.  Tossed one because it was an obvious Twilight knock-off.  Nothing against that blockbuster book and movie.  It's the knock-offs I don't want.  Currently trying to decide if the second YA novel I found will stick with me.  It's by an author I've been keeping an eye on for a while.  Writes great stuff, but nothing of particular interest to me before. 
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Please be aware, *Science Fiction* flavored Young Adult novels receive special treatment here.  They don't have to be officially labeled YA either.  They just need to appeal to my younger friends.

SFR Holiday Blitz Winner!

Yvette, congratulations!
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Pop on over to Yvette's blog and wish her the best!
http://brattysramblings.blogspot.com/

Last Day for the SFR Holiday Blitz Contest!

Good morning, Blog Buds!  In the olden days, the boys used to look at romance and go, "Ew, girl-cooties!"  And girls used to look at science fiction and go, "Ew, I'm a girl, I can't do science!"  Well, no more.  This is he 21st century, folks.  The boys should know by now that girl-cooties are yummy (the survival of the species depends upon it) and if you can handle a cell phone you can handle Science Fiction Romance.  So, scroll down to the SFR Holiday Blitz post and enter to win MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant.  You've got until midnight.

Please Scroll Down...

...for the SFR Holiday Blitz to win a fre copy of MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant and scroll down even further to read my Top Ten Favorite Books for 2009 and below that is Kimber Chin's Top Ten.  Whew!

HOPE'S FOLLY by Linnea Sinclair nominated for the RT Futuristic & Fantasy Romance 2009

This just in.  Don't know the details.  Got the scoop from Heather's Tweet.  One of Linnea's books is being given away free at the Alien Romance blog.  Please scroll down to the SFR Holiday Blitz post for full details on that blogosphere event.

Please Scroll Down...

...to read Kimber Chin's and Kimber An's Top Ten Books for 2009!

The Science Fiction Romance Holiday Blitz!

Welcome to the SFR Holiday Blitz!
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The holiday season is upon us, and that means 2010 is simmering just below the horizon. Start your New Year off right with a chance to score a FREE read from the little subgenre that could—Science Fiction Romance!
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What is Science Fiction Romance?  Well, just imagine Han Solo and Princess Leia making mad-monkey-love on the Millinium Falcon in Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back and you pretty much got it.
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Be sure to read this whole post to get the scoop on all the other blogs and the books they're giving away.
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Heather over at the Galaxy Express, http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/  in her infinite SFR wisdom, assigned Susan Grant to me.  If you scroll down and click on Susan's tag  at the bottom of this post, you'll understand why.  I've reviewed almost all her books and have the last one THE STAR PRINCESS sitting in my stack right now.  I bought it new.  I don't need to buy books new, you know, because I'm a book reviewer and get sent books free all the time. Susan's got enough published novels to fill an Intrepid-class starship, I swear.  Okay, that's a lillltle bit of an exaggeration.  (Did I spell that right?)  Anyway, I credit Susan with bringing me into the SFR fold. Actually, I credit her with bringing me back to the whole gosh-darn Romance genre.  See, I'd boycotted it for a couple of decades after reading my Grandma's Romance novels.  I thought if this was Romance, then I'd make do with chocolate and die a virgin!  Thank God, I found my husband and learned differently.  So, I was stumbling around the Blogosphere and ran into Susan's blog and learned that, hey, the Romance genre has matured quite a bit since Grandma's time!  There's a little bit of everything for everybody, including Science Fiction Romance.
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Here's the link to Susan's bio-   http://susangrant.com/meet.htm

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And Susan's backlist-  http://susangrant.com/books/index.htm

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And Susan's blog-   http://susangrant.blogspot.com/

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Now onto MOONSTRUCK.  Yeah, I know the cover screams 'Romantic Suspense,' but it is Science Fiction Romance, trust me.  Here's my review to prove it-   http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2008/02/moonstruck-by-susan-grant.html
By the way, it was nominated for the RITA this year and it should've won too, but a neural-parasite or something got to the judges and Dr. McCoy wasn't around to help out.
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Book Number Three in the Borderlands series, SUREBLOOD, will be out next year.  I'm anxiously waiting to see what it's like for a Pirate Mama to raise a kid in outer space, especially once his daddy comes warping through again.  Click on her blog link and scroll down to her posts on SUREBLOOD to learn more.
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Now, remember, read the rest of this post to learn about the other blogs and books, and leave a comment under the post so I know you want to be entered in the drawing.  'Kay?
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THE SFR HOLIDAY BLITZ Scoop
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12 bloggers have teamed up with 17 authors for your chance to win over 30 SFR books. Whether you’re new to the genre, or a fan looking to add to her collection, this event is for you.
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Best of all, it’s dead simple to enter: There are no quizzes to answer, no hoops to jump.
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All you gotta do is pop over to the blog with the book you want.  I'm sure you all want MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant, right?  Oh, okay, you can check the others out too.  I'm coordinating the giveaway of MOONSTRUCK though.  Leave a comment under the SFR Holiday Blitz post hosting the book of your choice.  The deadline to enter is midnight on Friday, December 11, 2009. The winner will be announced on Saturday, December 12, 2009.
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Once you've entered to win MOONSTRUCK, pop on over to the other blogs and check out what they got.
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Alien Romances
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Dirty Sexy Books
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Ella Drake
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Flying Whale Productions
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Lisa Paitz Spindler
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Love Romance Passion
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SciFiGuy
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Spacefreighters Lounge
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Take It To The Stars
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The Galaxy Express
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Queen of the Frozen North
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(((Kimber presses hand to heart.))) Hey, I AM THE QUEEN!  Oh, no, wait, I'm the Arctic Princess.  Okay, she can be the Queen.
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Finally, here's a list of the participating authors too:
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Ann Aguirre
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Katherine Allred
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Margaret L. Carter
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Rowena Cherry
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Ella Drake
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Jess Granger
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Susan Grant
(((Yay, Susan, woo-hoo!)))
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Nathalie Gray
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Leanna Renee Hieber
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Claire Delacroix
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Barbara Elsborg
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Susan Kearney
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Jacqueline Lichtenberg
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Karin Shah
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Linnea Sinclair
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Susan Sizemore
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Ann Somerville
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Merry Christmas!  Live long and prosper!  And may the Force be with you!
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P.S. Please scroll down to read K's and Kimber An's Top Ten Books for 2009!  You've got to finish that Christmas list, yanno.
;)

Kimber An's Top Ten Favorite Books for 2009

Yeah, I'm a few days early, but when you're a mom you got to grab your time and use it when you have it.  So, here it is!

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Middle Grade totally rocked this year.  Didn't find much Young Adult Science Fiction (or books which are that but labeled something else), but what I did find of it was excellent.  Very good books which just missed the Top Ten did so for two reasons.  One, the characters didn't engage me or each other well enough.  I'm a very character-driven reader (and writer.)  Or, two, the books were a part of a series which had run out of steam and had become too repetitive for me.  It seems like it's hard to keep a series riveting beyond the trilogy.

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I'll start the Top Ten with my number one favorite, but the others are in random order.

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Kimber An's Number One Most Favoritest Book of 2009-

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THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND by Allegra Goodman.  (Cover Art Varies)  Everything about this books was practically perfect.  Even though it's Middle Grade Science Fiction and I'm a forty year old mommy, I loved it.  The Heroine was vivid and real.  In a twist on the rebellious tweenager, it was her parents who defied the status quou.  Just awesome.  Read my review.  http://youngadultsciencefiction.blogspot.com/2009/03/other-side-of-island-by-allegra-goodman.html

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And now onto the other books in no particular order.
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REINING IN THE RANCHER by Karen Templeton.  Totally nailed what it's like to be pregnant and in love.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/02/reining-in-rancher-by-karen-templeton.html

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TENNYSON by M. M. Blume.  Middle Grade Paranormal.  This one almost knocked THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND out of the Number One spot and only missed because I prefer Science Fiction.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/04/tennyson-by-lesley-m-m-blue.html

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THE BRIDEGROOM by Linda Lael Miller.  I don't read Westerns, but Ms. Miller is such a glorious storyteller I couldn't help loving this one.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/05/bridegroom-by-linda-lael-miller.html

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THE KING’S DAUGHTERS by Nathalie Mallet.  Author of my favorite book for 2008, Ms. Mallet didn't disappoint with this book too.  Old characters grew, new characters sweated and breathed, plot twisted until I screamed.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/kings-daughters-by-nathalie-mallet.html

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WARLORD’S DAUGHTER by Susan Grant.  The most original SFR storyteller allowed in the New Release aisle, this one had two young people overcoming abusive childhoods to find love and live happily ever after among the stars.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/warlords-daughter-by-susan-grant.html

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CLEOPATRA’S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran.  'Happily Ever After' is never enough for me.  I always ask, "And then what happened?"  Michelle tells us what happened after Queen Cleopatra of Egypt committed suicide by letting herself get bit by a snake.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/11/cleopatras-daughter-by-michelle-moran.html

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AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti.  Wasn't much interested in Urban Fantasy until this one and I wouldn't have picked it up without a recommendation from my good buddy, Tia over at Fantasy Debut (now morphed into Debuts & Reviews.)  http://www.tianevitt.com/weblog/  Modern day Amazon Mama, totally engaging world-building, not a stereotype in sight that I could see.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/07/amazon-ink-by-lori-devoti.html

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SKINNED by Robin Wasserman.  Young Adult.  Shhhh!  It's also Science Fiction, but we're not supposed to know that because girls don't like science and science fiction, you know.  Ha!  After a terrible accident, a stereotypical teenage girl gets her consciousness downloaded into an android body and all of a sudden there's nothing stereotypical about her anymore!  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/09/skinned-by-robin-wasserman.html

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XOMBIES by Walter Greatshell.  Not classified as Young Adult, but I think my younger friends would enjoy it.  Awesome world-building and the male author managed to create a believable female character, a seventeen year old no less, which is something few male authors can do.  Human females get infected and turn into raving lunatics on a rampage.  Very cool.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/11/xombies-apocalypse-blues-by-walter.html

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And here are some Honorable Mentions reviewed by my family members instead of me-
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HEART OF THE RONIN

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PEOPLE OF SPARKS

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VANISHING SCULPTOR

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That's it, Folks!  Now, check 'em out and add 'em to your Christmas list.  And, remember, always buy your favorite authors' books NEW.  That's how they make money so they can stay in the business of writing the books you love.

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Merry Christmas.

Kimber Chin's Top Ten

This is always the most challenging post of the year and 2009 proves to be no different. Wowsers, I read some yummy romances this year.

So here are my top 10 (non-erotic) romances of 2009 (in no specific order)



MARRIAGE MART By Kelly Kirch

I really, really enjoyed the entire trilogy but Marriage Mart is my favorite. The writing is wonderful and the characters are fresh. Of course, this being a Regency, the dialogue was wonderful.

Lady Ester's father has arranged a marriage for her. Ester wants to get to know the man first and what better way to do that than to pose as a man?










I BID ONE AMERICAN By Amy Corwin

This is yet another wonderful Regency romance (there was a bumper crop of great Regencies this year). I Bid One American made me laugh so hard, my stomach hurt. The heroine, an heiress determined not to get married, mangles the hero's title a thousand different ways. She calls him 'Your Mindless Exaltedness' and 'Your Horrible Highness.' Funny, funny stuff.











THE TIGER'S LADY By Christine Scheel

Ahhh... I'm really mixing things up now (grinning). The Tiger's Lady is a delicious Regency set on the high seas. The ship is so well described, it is almost a character in the story. The heroine agrees to marry a man she hardly knows. Of course, a short time later, she falls in love... with her fiance's brother. Oops!











TEMPT ME AT TWILIGHT By Lisa Kleypas

What? A Lisa Kleypas story is in my top 10? Who would have thunk it! Loved it. Loved that it completely changed my opinion on romances that start with the heroine in love with one man and ends with her in love with another.

My Full Review is Here












THE VISCOUNT'S KISS By Margaret Moore

Another no brainer. I'm a crazy Margaret Moore fangirl and I'm loving her return to Regencies. A fun, fun book.

My Full Review Is Here













TO WED A WICKED EARL By Olivia Parker

This is Olivia Parker's second novel and I loved it as much as the first.


My Full Review is Here













MY LORD RAVEN By Jan Scarbrough

A yummy Medieval Romance with a dark hero. Love those!

My Full Review is Here















FOR THE EARL'S PLEASURE By Anne Mallory

This is a Regency with a paranormal twist. The hero and heroine had such strong chemistry. Wowsers.


My Full Review is Here











LORD BRAYBROOK'S PENNILESS BRIDE By Elizabeth Rolls

This is tear jerker Regency. One of those stories I save to reread when I need an emotional release.

My Full Review is Here














THE COMMANDER'S DESIRE By Jennette Green

A hero who isn't all good and a villain who isn't all bad, that's what The Commander's Desire offers up.

My Full Review is Here

That's it for another year. Wowsers, where does time go? Wishing you stacks of wonderful reads in 2010! Looking at my TBR pile, I know I have some (been saving them)

Heads Up for the SFR Holiday Blitz

It's coming December 6th and I'm coordinating the giving away of MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant and it is Science Fiction Romance, I swear, despite the Romantic Suspense cover art.  Here's a link to explain this blogosphere event-
http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2009/11/coming-soon-sfr-holiday-blitz.html

Kimber An's Unsolicited ARC Policy

Since I read the wonderfully awesome Urban Fantasy, AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti, I've received Urban Fantasy ARCs unsolicited.  This is fine, but considering how tight everyone's finances are I thought I should remind everyone that *unsolicited ARCs go to the bottom of my ARC stack.*  This means they won't get reviewed possibly for a loooong time, possibly ever.  So, save your money and email me first!
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***There is ONE EXCEPTION!***  If you've already established yourself as a favorite author of mine, you can send your new books straight to me, no questions asked.  Just send it.  You'll know you're a favorite author if you have your own tag in the directory.  Scroll down the left side and you'll see Karen Templeton, Lisa Shearin, and so on.  These authors get their own categories and can send me ARCs which will go straight into the regular stack and may jump the line altogether.***
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Although I loved AMAZON INK, the fact is I have very specific tastes when it comes to Urban Fantasy.  I'm sick to death of Kick-Butt Heroiones, for example.  There are more kinds of power than just one.  What set AMAZON INK apart was that the Kick-Butt Heroine was a Mommy and an Amazon (rather than a witch or some other thing common for this subgenre.)  It was very easy for me to suspend my disbelief for the world-building too.
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This policy goes for all Unsolicited ARCs, regardless of genre.  You can get an idea of what I like by checking out my ARC stack here-
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/kimber-ans-to-be-reviewed-stack.html  or my Top Ten Favorite Books of 2009 
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/12/kimber-ans-top-ten-favorite-books-for.html
But, why not just email me?  Hmm?  It'll save you money.
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Our policy here at Enduring Romance is to only post positive reviews.  In order to do this I make sure I'll at least *like* a book before I request  or accept it.  If I cannot review a *requested ARC,* I mail it back to you at my expense.  This has only happened once in three years.  I received a wonderful novel, beautifully written, but it had child rape and murder in it.  Well, you know what a rabid Baby Fanatic I am!  Former nanny here and mother of four.  If I can't read a book I didn't request, I do not feel obligated to mail it back.
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So, check out my ARC stack post and email me, 'kay?  Save your money.

ATLANTIS RISING by Alyssa Day and THOSE OF MY BLOOD by Jacqueline Lichtenberg

Good morning again, Blog Buds.  This is another heads-up post.  The holiday season is upon us and I'm going in at maximum capacity (new baby, you know) and already rather tired.  So, I wanted to let you know about these two books I'm reading, but may not have the chance to review until after Christmas.
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Both books have strengths which engage me as a reader.  ATLANTIS RISING, a Fantasy Romance, has great characterization and romantic tension.  THOSE OF MY BLOOD, Science Fiction, has great world-building and plotting.  They're both worth checking out, so don't wait on me.

MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant on the SFR Blitz

http://susangrant.com/books/moonstruck.htm
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I'm taking part in the SFR Blitz organized by Heather over at the Galaxy Express blog.  I just wanted to give you all a heads-up.  I'll be featuring and managing the give away of a free copy of MOONSTRUCK.  Yeah, I know the cover screams Romantic Suspense, but, trust me, it's Science Fiction Romance.  Click on Susan's tag at the bottom of the post to learn about MOONSTRUCK and all things Susan Grant on this blog.
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This idea came to us Skiffy Romers from GREEN EGGS AND HAM by Dr. Seuss.  "You may like it.  You will see.  You may like it in a tree!"  Hey, most of us are moms, you know.  So, tune in.  If you've never tried SFR, here's your chance to try it for free.

'Top Ten Books of 2009' Posts Forthcoming!

So, if you need help with your Christmas list, do check in here periodically this month.  I can already tell you my Favorite Book of the Year for 2009.  THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND by Allegra Goodman.  *cover art varies*  It's Middle Grade Science Fiction, but it beat out all the grown-up novels I've read this year.  In fact, Middle Grade did very well this year. 

Endless Blue - Wen Spencer

First off let me apologize for this being late. They have been doing "upgrades" to the phone/internet lines in my neighborhood for the past month and as a result I have had several extended periods with no phone or internet access.

Now, enough apologizing on to raving about this book.

I have been a fan of Wen Spencer since I read Alien Taste back in 2001. She's a good story teller who creates truly unique characters and situations. She tells stories where the relationships her characters have are as important as the events they live through. If you like SF or F with a hint of Romance Wen Spencer should be one of the writers on your watch list.

The series starting with Alien Taste deals with Ukiah Oregon, a feral child apparently raised by wolves and named for the city nearest to where he was found. Now an adult Ukiah is a professional tracker known for his uncanny abilities. He has also realizing that he's not exactly human. This series is fast paced tight urban SF. The second book in the series Tainted Trail has a horrid cover that looks like a cross between and ad for a first person shooter video game and an SUV commercial. More on that later.

Spencer has also written Urban Fantasy with Tinker and Wolf Who Rules which are about the adventures of a teenage mechanical and quantum physics genius and the return of Faerie magic to the real world. Tinker also had a sort or wretched cover.

Now with Endless Blue Spencer is trying her hand at Space Opera. Again the book has a cover that makes me wonder if anyone involved with the artwork had read the book. There are horned Minotaur like characters in the book, but at no time do they go flying though the air like the on the cover. I can guess who the other two characters are supposed to be, but they only faintly resemble anyone in the book.

Captain Mikhail Volkov is a clone of the clone of the Czar of the Novaya Rus Empire. He's not in line to rule at the moment due to governmental changes in the Empire. He's politically inconvenient, but too important to be disappeared. He made some mistakes in his youth, and has been given the chance to make up for that by joining the military. Through hard work he has become captain of the starship Svoboda. Turk is in charge of the unit of Red genetically modified human fighters on the Svoboda. He, is Mikhail's body guard/confidant. Unlike most Reds, who are creche raised Turk was raised as Mikhail's foster brother.

Reds are stronger and hardier than standard humans. They can grow fur and claws when stressed. Originally the Reds were designed to help humans colonize partly terraformed planets. Unfortunalty for them humanity has been attacked by aliens knows as Nefrim and the Reds have gone from potential colonists to soldiers. They are force grown in batches and raised with little socialization. They are encouraged to constantly compete with each other for dominance to make them tougher fighters. Rumor has it they have animal genes are imprinted with animal behavior to make them better fighters, Most humans regard them as animals, except for the few known as "cat fanciers" who treat them as dangerous sex toys.

When the engine of the long missing Starship Fenrir shows up in United Colonies space without the rest of the ship but attached to a sailboat with the body of an unregistered Red on board Mikhail is called to a meeting with United Colonies authorities. The Fenrir's engines seem to be the clue to where ships go when they make a certain kind of mistake in their FTL jump math. The unregistered Red makes the authorities worry that someone may be breeding their own private army. For political reasons dealing with the war UC can't send a ship to investigate. Novaya Rus has agrees to loan the Svoboda which has both FTL and atmospheric abilities, and her crew and captain to backtrack Fenrir's flightpath by making the same jump math errors and find out what is going on.

Loaded up with all the intelligence available about the Fenrir and an extra group of Red soldiers, Svoboda makes the jump and ends up in an inside out pocket universe with floating asteroid sky islands and an endless ocean dotted with small island archipelagos. Instants after entering this universe the Svoboda sideswipes on of the floating islands. The ship is damaged but still able to fly. Unknown to Mikhail as they made their jump the new Reds mutiny and throw Turk out the airlock.

Mikhail thinks Turk has been killed by the collision. He fights his own depression caused by the loss of his brother, as he tries to find out were exactly they are and how they can get home. While assessing the damage to his ship Mikhail begins having vivid hallucinations, more like waking dreams, where he relives the worst moments of his life. Each hallucination is associated with the sighting of mysterious glowing shadow beings who seem to be watching he Svoboda.They find an island settlement built around the remains of the Fenrir, that has been destroyed by what ever caused the ship's engines to jump back to real space. Mikhail finds a single survivor of the disaster, a woman Eraphie Bailey who looks like a Red but who's genes don't match any Red line in the Svoboda's data files.

Turk is not dead. After being pushed out of the airlock he fell into the ocean form a height that would have killed an unmodified human, and is rescued by a Paige Bailey. Paige is captain of a small trading ship crewed by herself and her cousins. She has no idea who Turk is when she fished him out of the water, other than a very good looking young man. She seems oblivious to him being a Red. Her ship is having serious engine and radio issues and has also been damaged from falling debris created when the Svoboda's licollision with the flying island. Paige and her family treat Turk as an equal. They offer him a place on their crew even though they know he is a Red. Thinking the Svoboda has been destroyed Turk accepts and agrees to help them investigate the strange goings on that have caused members of their family to disabear when the the settlement at Fenrir's rock exploded. Over time he realizes he is in love with Paige, and that she loves him, but due to bad experience in the past with "cat fanciers" he does not trust his feelings.

Back on the Svoboda Mikhail learns from Eraphie that there are no Nefrim living in Endless Blue, the native's name for the pocket universe, but there are several different species living in this strange universe including several different camps of humans. One human group lives in a settlement know as Mary's Landing, are mostly dependents of the survivors of he crash of a huge luxury ship, They are ruled buy "pure" humans and treat all genetically modified humans, including clones like Mikhail as property. Another, the oldest most prosperous group are desendantes of the colony ship Yamagychi and her military escort Yamoto. Eraphie is a member of a third group who live scattered throughout the whole of Endless Blue. They are mostly traders and live in small settlements and on their ships. Her people are a mix of standard and modified humans, both the hardy Reds and the more specialized and far rarer Blues. Blues are now illegal in the UC. They were designed to be perfect companions, and often but not always sex partners. Blues are beautify, and empathetic almost to the point of seeming to be able to read other people's minds. with Eraphie's help, but unaware of the Red mutiny on his ship, and still haunted by his hallucination Mikhail makes contacts with the various human groups and starts to unravel the mystery of what happened to the Fenrir.

Both the plot and the characters in this book are complex and multi-layered. On one level it's a fast paced Space Opera, on another it is about a romance that heals two people who have been badly damaged by past relationships, on another it is a story about what it means to be human and what humanities duty is to its creations. Overall it is a fun read and just the thing to take you away from the stress of the upcoming holiday season.

I enjoyed Endless Blue a great deal, wretched cover aside. It is one of the best books I've read this year. I'm willing to send my copy to the first person who drops me an e-mail promising to read it.

A Deplorable Lack of Historical Romance

My ARC stack is a healthy size, but I just used up my last Historical, CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran.  Scroll down for that review.  I wants Historical Romance.  I wants it, my preciousssss!  email me  kimberannebulaATyahooDOTcom 

Happy Thanksgiving!

No need to remind you what I'm thankful for this year!

CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran

I think most people have watched the classic movie, CLEOPATRA, starring Elizabeth Taylor and her legendary lover, Richard Burton, starring as Cleo's legendary lover, Mark Anthony.  If not, click on this link to learn more-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056937/
It's not necessary and the movie's not entirely accurate, but I think it'd be fun to watch before reading this novel.  The costumes are drop-dead gorgeous.  Anyway, on with the review.
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Queen Cleopatra of Egypt took over the throne, whether rightfully or not, who knows, but I think most agree she was a better ruler than her brat-kid brother.  Two things are important to know here.  One, Egypt was not ruled by Egyptians at this time.  It was ruled by the descendents of Ptolemy, one of Alexander the Great's generals, after Alexander conquered Egypt.  The other thing to know is that Ancient Egyptian women had more rights and freedom than other women at that time.  An Egyptian woman could marry for love and divorce the dude if he turned into a big, fat idiot.  She could own property and do lots of other things Roman women could not. 
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CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER begins with the deaths of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, which I really liked because I'm one of those readers who always wants to know what happens next.  'The End' is never enough.  The conqueror, Octavian, new ruler of Rome carries off Selene and her twin brother, Alexander, and their little brother, Ptolemy.  Sadly, Ptolemy dies of an illness on the way to Rome, but maybe he had it easy in the long run.
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Selene knows Octavian is keeping her alive after having her older brothers murdered because she's a girl and cannot inherit under Roman law and because she will be a useful pawn in the marriage game.  'Cause in Rome, girls are bought and sold like cattle, and often are not treated as well.  Alexander, on the other hand, is a growing threat, growing because once he's fifteen he'll be considered an adult, capable of leading rebellion against Octavian. 
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For the time being, though, they've got it pretty good for captives.  They live well and are educated.  Selene even gets to study archaelogy, despite being a girl.  Octavian's sister, Octavia, is surprisingly gracious, despite Mark Anthony having dumped her for Selena's mother.  The Empress Livia is a cruel chick though, marrying girls she doesn't like off to fat, dirty old creeps.  There's a scene in which one of these girls gives birth and the old creep wants the baby tossed in a dump because it's a girl.  Instead, the girl pays a slave to take her to a place where she might be found and cared for.  Selene is very disturbed by this.
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In Egypt, the women have learned to use certain herbs to induce miscarriage and adoptions are commonly arranged.  Not in Rome.  Unwanted babies are garbage, even if their parents are wealthy and/or well-connected.  Some people try to help the babies, but most die.  Even though she's not quite a woman herself, Selene is determined to change this.  She begins plans on building a foundlings' home where these babies can be cared for and placed for adoption.
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The odds against Selene ever achieving anything in Rome are massively against her though, because she's female and also because her mother was the hated Queen Cleopatra who seduced Julius Caeser and Mark Anthony too.  But, Mama instilled a strong sense of confidence and determination in Selene. 
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Just settled in, Selene and Alexander realize the major problem in Rome.  Slavery.  The Romans are wealthy and powerful and used to being catered too.  Most politicians and merchents are horribly corrupt.  Women don't want to have babies for fear of stretch marks.  New slaves are brought in whenever new countries are conquered.  You may know about Sparticus, a slave who read a revolt.  I think there's a movie about it too.  That happened before this story.  But, there's a new hero for the slaves, Red Eagle, and the Romans live in fear of him.
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Slaves are everywhere and from everywhere.  Octavia's maid is from Gaul, a former warrior herself.  Juba is a former prince who's parents were also done away with and he was brought to Rome in a similar way to Selene.  One would think these two would become fast friends, but Juba seems determined to make Selene dislike him.  Whatever his origins, by all appearances he's loyal to Octavian, his eyes and ears, the guy who finds out who's plotting what, when, and where.
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But, even Juba can't figure out the Red Eagle.  Or can he?
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Although Selene knows of Romans who hate slavery or at least despise how slaves are treated, there seems to be little she can do about it.  But, that doesn't stop her, of course.  She is, after all...

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Cleopatra's Daughter.

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Great story, vivid description, and a heroine you can cheer for.

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I still like NEFERTITI best though.  I'm silly that way.  I always like the first novel I read by an author the best.  It's okay to play favorites with books, you know.

;)