Pattern Book
These last few days I’ve been neglecting blog maintenance and reading in favor of working on a project I started earlier this year, and I want to give my mother for Christmas: a shawl, made using a knitting loom. I probably would have had it done today had I resumed working on it a day earlier (or if today hadn’t been devoted to errands and a visit from my brother and his family). The project is 165 rows. I had only 33 rows done when I put it aside originally, and I have approximately 45 rows left to knit. I got the bulk of it “knitted” Thursday afternoon and Friday. I actually resumed working on the project Wednesday, but very little progress was made due to the need to re-familiarize myself with the techniques and the pattern. The shawl will be only the second project I’ve ever loom knitted. Prior to that was a hat from the same leaflet — and I had to do three of them before I got the hang of it.
I’ll try to post a picture when I complete it. Note: It is NOT the one one the front cover of this leaflet.
Note: I scheduled this entry in advance so that it posts at 8:00 AM. I’ll be late getting the link posted on the host’s blog.
The meme is hosted by Reading at the Beach.
The rules are very simple: spotlight a book that begins with the featured letter. Include the book cover, title and author, a synopsis, and link(s) to retailer(s). If it’s a book you’ve already reviewed, link to the review. Return to Reading at the Beach and leave a link in the comments.
This week’s letter is: M
This week pick: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Magic Bites
From the back: When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake. Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles. The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings — and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league — but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Comment: There was never a doubt in my mind regarding what book I would feature for the letter M. The Kate Daniels series is one of my favorites. It’s urban fantasy, not a romance — though there is a slowly evolving relationship between Kate and Curran. The series also features non-glamorous vampires and creatures/beings from different mythologies and folklore. For instance, in the short story “Magic Mourns”, the characters have to deal with a creature straight out of Greek mythology.
Though I loved the book, Magic Bites — being the first book in a series — has it’s rough spots. Kate pushes her luck a lot and is mouthy, and there are several “Eewww” moments. But what makes it all worth it is the first time Kate meets Curran. Below are the links to my thoughts on the three books and short story, plus — as a bonus — a little bit of silliness I posted last December.
Magic Bites
Magic Burns
Magic Strikes
Magic Mourns
Cover Talk
It’s that time again. This will be my first time participating in the swap. I enjoyed looking at/reading about the past swaps and I decided, if there was one this year, I would join in. The deadline for sign-up is 12 November.
After finishing up Three Bags Full (Leonie Swann), I was at a loss as to what to read next. I thought this would be a great time to use the second Random Reading pick. I actually ran this a few days ago, and have since started reading the book. I’m behind times getting stuff posted. Below is a picture of the stack.
Please note: The list below the picture is random (I had Random.org randomize the list for me).
Stack 2
The List:
1. Storm Born (Mead, R.)
2. Someone Like Her (Johnson, J. K.)
3. On the Edge (Kearney, S.)
4. Wicked Game (Smith-Ready, J.)
5. Winter’s Edge (Stuart, A.)
6. Riding the Storm (Croft, S.)
7. Marked by Moonlight (Kohler, S.)
8. A Taste of Magic (Madison, T.)
9. Wolf at the Door (Warren, C.)
10. Beg for Mercy (Andrews, T.)
11. Hot Mama (Estep, J.)
12. The Earl’s Untouched Bride (Burrows, A.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Random.org picked. . . .#1
There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
- 1. Storm Born (Mead, R.)
- 8. A Taste of Magic (Madison, T.)
- 3. On the Edge (Kearney, S.)
- 10. Beg for Mercy (Andrews, T.)
- 12. The Earl’s Untouched Bride (Burrows, A.)
- 2. Someone Like Her (Johnson, J. K.)
- 6. Riding the Storm (Croft, S.)
- 9. Wolf at the Door (Warren, C.)
- 11. Hot Mama (Estep, J.)
- 7. Marked by Moonlight (Kohler, S.)
- 4. Wicked Game (Smith-Ready, J.)
- 5. Winter’s Edge (Stuart, A.)
Timestamp: 2009-10-29 23:58:22 UTC
What: Winter Holiday Reading Challenge 2
When: 1 November 2009 – 31 January 2010
Who: Diane (Book in Hand)
Rules (Copied from her website):
The theme for this challenge is Winter Holidays. The books that you choose to read must have a storyline that includes celebrating a winter holiday, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, etc. (However the holidays are not limited to just these examples.)
You may choose the number of books you wish to read and a reading list is optional.
~~ & ~~
I’m going to read Christmas anthologies. Not sure how many I’ll read. I still have books left over from last year. Here’s a few possibilities:
- One Candlelit Christmas (Julia Justiss, Annie Burrows, Terri Brisbin)
- Together by Christmas (Nicola Cornick, Catherine George, Louise Allen)
- The Night Before Christmas (Brenda Novak, Day Leclaire, Molly O’Keefe)
- A Regency Christmas (Lyn Stone, Carla Kelly, Gail Ranstrom)
- The Heart of Christmas (Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, Courtney Milan)
