strange and random happenstance: Sabina Kane

1) Blue-Blooded Vamp by Jaye Wells - The end of the Sabina Kane book, sigh. Thanks to my peeps down at Murder by the Book for getting me a signed copy at their June event! Bought at Murder by the Book.

2) The Taken by Vicki Pettersson - I had heard about series and then John at Murder by the Book insisted on it's awesomeness and the fact he could get me a signed copy, yes, an easy sell, plus I trust his opnion. Can't wait to dive in! Bought at Murder by the Book.

3) *Everyone's Reading Bastard by Nick Hornby - An epub short story that wasn't worth it. Bought at Amazon.com

*Means it's already been read

4)* A Ministry of Peculiar Occurances: Tales from the Archives The Wrong Camera by Catherine Ford - Yet another great addition to the Ministry's every growing archive of epubs! Also fun to see Eliza pre-England. Bought at Amazon.com.

5) The Thames: Sacred River by Peter Ackroyd - I've been reading the new book by Deborah Harkness and there is so much about Queen Elizabeth's England and life on the Thames, that I saw this book at just had to get it. Also, the cover is a cool die cut of the waterline. Bought at Half Price Books.

6) Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter - THE book of this summer, which I've been waiting to pick up for quite awhile. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

7) The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton by Elizabeth Speller - Crumbling old estate, murder mystery, I am so sold. Ironically I didn't realize this was the second in the series by Elizabeth Speller, but luckily I had picked up the first awhile ago! Bought at Frugal Muse.

8) Peter and Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham - So, I've kind of been sucked into the world of the Fables comics. Actually, seems pretty logical if you look at my reading tastes. I'm actually not this far along in the series yet, but since I was at the comic book store, and they had a mint copy... and I knew this is one I would need some time with other than the comics which I can speed through, seemed a logical choice. Bought at Westfield Comics.

9)* Shadow of Night by Deboarh Harkness - Finally in hardcover! I read the book on my Kindle thanks to the publisher, because I knew I was going to a signing so I didn't want to have to buy the book twice! (Always support you local stores when they have an event by buying the book there! Even if they where as disorganized and chaotic as the Barnes and Noble this event was at.) Also, Deborah Harkness is a damn good speaker. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

*Already read the book, though not this edidtion

Note on the bookstores:
Amazon.com - because sometimes, more often that not, your local Barnes and Noble didn't stock that ONE book you where looking for, and having prime means everything shows up so fast!

Barnes and Noble - the last big chain in the Midwest that everyone knows and loves or loathes accordingly.

Frugal Muse - local Madison, Wisconsin chain with two stores in town which sells both old and new books at wonderful prices (at a really steep discount for new books too) and is easily my favorite bookstore.

Half Price Books - chain store of used books where you can often get amazing deals, but whose prices are not quite half off anymore since they decided to raise their prices in a bad economy.

Murder by the Book - the best bookstore in the world! They're in Houston, Texas and have tons of amazing events and for every book you buy they'll let you send in three books to get signed. Love you all!

Westfield Comics - the local comic book shop that I try not to ever hit on a Wednesday. Madison has a strong geek community and it's kind of like a mad crush on Wednesdays.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments

Labels: Beautiful Ruin, Catherine Ford, Deborah Harkness, Fables, Jaye Wells, Murder by the Book, Nick Hornby, Peter Ackroyd, Sabina Kane, The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, Vicki Petterson

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Published by: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 29th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 496 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Can true love be forgotten?

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations."

I've been wanting to read this series for awhile, even more since the RT Convention... sigh, there are too many books!

Changeling by Philippa Gregory
Published by: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 29th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 272 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Dark myths, medieval secrets, intrigue, and romance populate the pages of the first-ever teen series from #1 bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.

Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.

Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.

The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs. It includes a medieval map of Europe that will track their journey; and the interior will include relevant decorative elements as well as an interior line illustration. And look for a QR code that links to a note from the author with additional, detailed information about the setting and the history that informed the writing. With Philippa Gregory’s trademark touch, this novel deftly brings the past—and its salacious scandals—vividly and disturbingly to life."

I wonder how Gregory's bid to pry her way into the YA market will work... I'm betting on a fail.

The Janus Affair by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
Published by: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: May 29th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 432 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Evildoers beware! Retribution is at hand, thanks to Britain's best-kept secret agents!!

Certainly no strangers to peculiar occurrences, agents Wellington Books and Eliza Braun are nonetheless stunned to observe a fellow passenger aboard Britain's latest hypersteam train suddenly vanish in a dazzling bolt of lightning. They soon discover this is not the only such disappearance . . . with each case going inexplicably unexamined by the Crown.

The fate of England is once again in the hands of an ingenious archivist paired with a beautiful, fearless lady of adventure. And though their foe be fiendishly clever, so then is Mr. Books . . . and Miss Braun still has a number of useful and unusual devices hidden beneath her petticoats."

Steampunk yeah! This new series was heartily endorsed by my friend John at Murder by the Book.

Blue-Blooded Vamp by Jaye Wells
Published by: Oribit
Publication Date: May 29th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 336 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The epic conclusion to the amazing Sabina Kane urban fantasy series.

Sabina Kane is on the hunt. Her prey: Cain, the father of the vampire race and the one who murdered her family and her friends. Unfortunately, Cain is hunting Sabina, too.

The one man who holds the key to defeating Cain is, of course, Abel. A mage with secrets to spare and, hopefully, the power to match it. Unfortunately, for Sabina, he's in Rome and may not want to be found.

Sabina sets out for Italy with her friends, Giguhl and Adam Lazarus, to track down the only man who can get her the revenge she hungers for. But will he help her or oppose her? And just who is Abel, really? Worst of all, when Sabina figures out the goddess Lilith has a plan for her-she realizes this trip is getting deadlier by the minute. As they say: when in Rome-SURVIVE."

Yeah new Sabina Kane, boo last Sabina Kane.