Shelf Candy Saturday #81: Toward the Gleam, by T.M. Doran

Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!!

This weekly feature

showcases beautiful book covers,

and provides information,

if available, on their very talented creators!

For more information

about Shelf Candy Saturday,

just click HERE.

This is my choice for this week!

Toward the Gleam

T. M. Doran

Hardcover, 481 pages

Ignatius Press

March 1, 2011

Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Mythology,

Philosophy, Tolkien-based Fiction

Goodreads/Amazon US

  

Why do I love this cover?

The first thing that caught my eye, when I first came across this cover, was the similarity of the illustration in the top compartment to an illustration created by the incomparable and revered J.R.R. Tolkien.  Since this great man is one of my favorite writers, since I passionately love his fictional world and characters, I knew I had to take a closer look!

The plot of this very intriguing novel does owe much to Tolkien's enchanting fantasy world.  Thus, it was only natural that the cover for this book should have recognizable Tolkien elements in it. 

The illustration I've already mentioned is lovely.  The one in the lower compartment is more stark, more modern-looking.  The spider in one corner, and the spider's web in the other, are a clear reference to Shelob, the frightening, giant spider which appeared in The Two Towers, the second novel in Tolkien's trilogy.  It seems that the inclusion of these elements is also meant as a metaphor, referring to the machinations of the major villain in the plot.  They might also refer to the ingeniously-crafted intellectual deceptions of the evil philosophies explored in the novel.

Stacking The Shelves #21: Paradise Lost, Still Water Saints, Shadow and Bone, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, Shadows in the Silence, The Beautiful and the Cursed, The Immortal Rules

This is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer, Lili,

Stephanie, Helen, and Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews!

(I have decided to start participating

every other week, though, because of

time constraints.)

As the title implies, this is all about

sharing the books you're adding

to your shelves, be they physical or virtual.

For the complete rules, and to sign up,

just click on the link above.

This week's haul!! 

  

Books Purchased

This is John Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost,

in the leather-bound Easton Press edition. 

I found this incredible treasure

on Ebay, at a great price!

This gorgeous book contains

the original William Blake illustrations.

The pictures below show just how

beautiful this edition is!!

Goodreads/Shelfari/Amazon US

 I first saw this book on the blog

Vonnie's Reading Corner,

and it looked fascinating, so I ordered it from

Amazon right away!

It concerns a Latina who is a healer,

and is reputed to even work miracles!

Besides, I love the cover!

Goodreads/Shelfari/Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

 I've seen this one on several blogs,

especially those dedicated to young adult fiction,

and my curiosity was piqued.

I keep hearing about how good this book is!

So, even though the synopsis mentions

some terrifying elements,

I'm plunging in!

Besides, I'm also wondering

who -- or what -- the Grisha are....

Goodreads/Shelfari/Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

This book is the second one in

this series that I've also

encountered on several blogs,

and is also supposed to be great!

I must confess that I fell

in love with the gorgeous dress on

the cover, and then I found out

the plot has zombies in it....

Ye gads!!  I hate zombies!!!

I ordered the first book before

finding out more...

So now I might have a giveaway

for these two.... Lol.

Goodreads,/Shelfari/Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

  

 I've read the first book in the series,

Angelfire,

and really liked it!

The story involves angels,

to my great delight,

and is a very unique one, too,

for the warrior is an apparently

ordinary young girl....

The plot has plenty of action,

as well as a beginning romance...

I really must continue with this series!!

Goodreads/Shelfari/Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

This next book is another one I've

heard a lot about.

The hype says that fans of Libba Bray and

Cassandra Clare will love it!

Well, there are gargoyles in the plot,

as well as some mystery...

There's also supposed to be quite a bit

of graphic violence...

but well, the Angelfire series is violent, too.

We'll see how it goes...

and the gargoyle part does intrigue me!!

Goodreads/Shelfari/Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

Who hasn't heard of Julie Kagawa?

Well, actually....only YA fans

know exactly who she is.

Her Iron Fey series is reputed to be awesome,

and yes, I want to read it!!

The Blood of Eden series, which

starts with The Immortal Rules, is

also supposed to be great!

It's about vampires, so, of course

I'm going to read it!

(And I already own the second book,

The Eternity Cure....)

Goodreads/Shelfari/Amazon US

The Book Depository UK

So what do you think of

my haul this week?

What awesome books did you

bring home to stack

on your shelves?

Book Blogger Hop #31 (8/16 - 8/22): Were you a born bookworm?

Welcome to the new

Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Billy @

Ramblings of a Coffec-Addicted Writer!

He took over this hop from

Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.

I'm so glad he decided to

continue with this weekly feature!

For more information, click HERE.

What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this week's

question:

Were you a born bookworm, or 

did somebody get you

into the habit of reading?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the

Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and

comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's

question when you visit Bill's blog!

My Answer

I was definitely a born bookworm!  I inherited it from my mom, who was a born bookworm herself.  As a young secretary, she would always take a book with her, everywhere she went.  I've always done the same thing, as well.

Mom has a little anecdote about the best way to keep me out of trouble when I was a toddler. 

After she married Dad, she decided she would be a stay-at-home mother.  After I was born, she had to dedicate a lot of time to my care, of course.  As I grew, I began to be quite a handful!  Unfortunately, she had no one to watch me while she did housework.  When I turned two, and she had reached the point where she felt like pulling out all her hair, she hit on a great idea.   She started a daily routine of putting me in a playpen in the living room, with a copy of "Reader's Digest" next to me.  Then she would go do her housework, looking in on me from time to time.  And what did I do in that playpen?  I would sit quietly, slowly turning the pages of the magazine, as I  looked each one over carefully...  Later on, I would fall asleep, the magazine next to me, in perfect condition.

My two sisters -- I am the oldest -- didn't share my love of reading.  While they played with dolls, I would read my comic books, later going on to condensed versions of such books as Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, and Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales.

My love of reading and books has only grown stronger with time, too.  I'm a compulsive book buyer and hoarder, and nothing delights me more than going to "Paradise", which is my nickname for the local Barnes & Noble store I try to visit every weekend!

And then, of course, I have this book blog, which I started in September, 2010, and hope to continue for as long as I can, because I greatly enjoy sharing my passion for reading, as well as my love for books as objects, with other enthusiastic bookworms! 



What about you?

Were you a born bookworm, too,

or did someone get you

into the most wonderful

habit in the world?

Waiting On Wednesday #87: Steadfast, by Claudia Gray

This is a weekly event hosted by

Jill @ Breaking the Spine!!

It showcases future releases which

we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!!

Here's my choice for this week!

Steadfast

(Spellcaster #2)

Claudia Gray

Hardcover, 352 pages

Harper Teen

March 4, 2014

Paranormal Romance, Thriller, Urban Fantasy,

Young Adult Fiction

Goodreads/Amazon US

The synopsis for this book is not yet available

from the publisher.

Here's the exciting synopsis from

the first one, Spellcaster!

Spellcaster

(Spellcaster #1)

Claudia Gray

Hardcover, 389 pages

Harper Teen

March 5, 2013

Paranormal Romance, Thriller, Urban Fantasy,

Young Adult Fiction

Goodreads/Amazon US

Goodreads Synopsis

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed.

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

Why I'm waiting on Steadfast!

I'm currently reading the first book
in this series, Spellcaster.
As you can see from the synopsis above,
this novel is full of heart-pounding
excitement, as Mateo and Nadia
join forces to fight the evil threatening to
engulf the town of Captive's Sound.
I started this novel this past Sunday,
and have been reading every chance I could
possibly get to it, at work, while
answering phone calls and signing for
UPS packages, and at home, when
not posting on this blog.
This first book in the series is a
definite page-turner!
So I know that the second book will
be just as good!
Heck, it will probably just blow me
right out of the water!!
March just cannot come soon enough!!




What seriously awesome books
are you eager to get your
greedy, little bookworm hands
on this week?

Blog Tour: Spotlight/Interview/Giveaway!! Kindred and Wings, by Philippa Ballantine

Welcome to this stop on the Kindred and Wings Blog Tour,

sponsored by

Bewitching Book Tours!

About The Book

Kindred and Wings
(Shifted World #2)
Philippa Ballantine
Trade Paperback, 340 pages
Pyr
August 6, 2013
Fantasy


Goodreads Synopsis

On the back of the dragon Wahirangi, Finn the Fox flees the world he has known. As he sets out to find the brother he never knew of, he still holds in his heart the memory of the Hunter. He has denied his love for her, but he cannot deny it forever.

In the halls of the Last Believers, Talyn begins to uncover her own mysteries, but her lust for the death of the Caisah is still strong and clouds her vision. She must choose her path, as the Seer of her people or as the assassin of the overlord.

Meanwhile, Byre, Talyn's brother, must venture into the fiery world of the Kindred, to rebuild the pact that his ancestors made. He will risk everything he is as he forms a new pact that will change his people forever.

Dragons and myths will be reborn, as the Hunter and her Fox face each other once more.

Goodreads/Amazon US

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Philippa Ballantine

Maria:  How would you describe yourself, both as a writer and a person? 

Philippa:  As a person, I love people, and am generally chatty with folks.  I guess that would make me an extrovert.

As a writer, I love writing memorable characters with flaws. 

Maria:  What resources -- whether people, books, courses -- have helped you the most in your writing? 

Philippa:  I find it is people that I have worked with that have helped me with my writing.  Laurie McLean, my agent, has been a great guide in the business of writing.  My husband, Tee Morris, has taught me a lot about writing action scenes and getting dialogues just right.  And I have learned a lot about editing by working with Danielle Stockley of Ace Books.  Getting to conventions, I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing colleagues, as well, who have inspired and encouraged me in the business. 

Maria:  How did you create the mythical world of Kindred and Wings? 

Philippa:  Conhaero was very much inspired by my homeland of New Zealand.  As has been made apparent recently, the landscape there is constantly shifting.  How people cope and deal with that reality has always been very interesting to me.  So I simply imagined 'what if the landscape moved even more'.  Once I had that, the whole plot and characters opened up. 

Maria:  Have you always wanted to write fantasy? 

Philippa:  I have always loved fantasy as a reader, but as a writer I am addicted to its possibilities.  There are literally no boundaries to the imagination.  You construct everything in the world, and as long as you are consistent with rules, people will move right in and enjoy what you've constructed.  I can't think of any other genre that has that scope. 

Maria:  Do you have any literary influences?  If so, who are they, and how have they influenced your own writing? 

Philippa:  C.J. Cherryh has always been my influence and role model.  She writes strong female characters, with compelling storylines and plots.  She has also had a varied and long career in the business.  I guess I want to be her when I grow up! 

Maria:  Do the dragons in this novel speak and interact like humans with the other characters? 

Philippa:  There are only a few dragons in the world of Kindred and Wings,  and they are special and wonderful creatures of legend that have only recently returned.  They can indeed communicate and interact with humans -- though most humans are rather scared of them. 

Maria:  What inspired you to write this novel? 

Philippa:  Hunter and Fox was only half the story, and I wanted to write a tale of redemption...not just for one character, but for a whole world.  The idea of many, many different groups of people being pulled together into one world and having to learn how to work with each other, has always been a compelling one for me. 

Maria:  How would you describe/contrast Finn the Fox and Talyn the Hunter? 

Philippa:  Finn is a total optimist.  He believes in people and the power of the word....even if he hasn't seen much of it lately.  Talyn is very much a pessimist.  She's lived a very long time, and seen terrible things all around her.  She's down in this pit of despair, just slogging along....until Finn turns up, and all the rules are upended.  They are a couple who are pulled together and apart by events, but somehow, they need each other. 

Maria:  Would you say that writing fantasy is more challenging than writing other genres?  Why or why not? 

Philippa:  The worldbuilding aspect is certainly where a lot of effort goes when writing fantasy, but then I think other genres have challenges of their own.  Writing mysteries is almost like writing backward, for example.  But there are a lot of challenges all genres face: writing compelling characters, describing scenes so the reader gets a good understanding of what's going on, and making plots that encourage them to turn the pages.  So I don't think fantasy is any more challenging than other genres -- it simply has different challenges. 

Maria:  What new project(s) are you currently working on? 

Philippa:  Right now, my husband and I are working on the third and fourth books of our Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Steampunk adventures.  For myself, I am working on starting a new series -- this one full of monsters, gods, and mysterious siblings.    

         

INTERVIEWER'S NOTE

I would like to thank Phillippa Ballantine

for stopping by today, and

graciously answering my questions!

I'd also like to thank Bewitching Book Tours

for sponsoring this tour!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Philippa has always had her head in a book.  For this she blames her father, who thought The Lord of the Rings was suitable bedtime reading for an eight-year-old.  At the age of thirteen she began writing fantasy stories for herself.

She first earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science, and then a Bachelor of Applied Science in Library and Information Science.  So soon enough she found herself working in the magical world of libraries, where she stayed for over a decade.

Her first professional sale was in 1997, and since then she has gone on to produce mostly novel-length fiction.  In 2006 she became New Zealand's first podcast novelist, and she has voiced and produced Weaver's Web, Chasing the Bard, Weather Child, and Digital Magic as podiobooks.  Her podcasts have won both a Parsec Award and a Sir Julius Vogel award.

Philippa is the author of the Books of the Order series with Ace.  Geist, Spectyr, Wrayth, and Harbinger are coming in July, 2013.

She is also the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series with Tee Morris.  Phoenix Rising debuted in May, 2011, and The Janus Affair came out in May, 2012.  Phoenix Rising won the Airship Award for Best Written Steampunk, and was the number eight Best Science Fiction Book of 2011, according to Goodreads.  The Janus Affair was the seventh most popular science fiction book of 2012 on Goodreads.  The series continues with Dawn's Early Light in December, 2013.

In addition, she is the author of the Shifted World series with Pyr Books, with the first book, Hunter and Fox, released in June, 2012, and the second, Kindred and Wings, scheduled for August, 2013.

When not writing or podcasting, Philippa loves reading, gardening, and whenever possible, traveling.  With her husband Tee and her daughter, she is looked after by a mighty clowder of five cats in Manassas, Virginia.

Philippa Ballantine Online

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