Angieville

Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted here @ Angieville and focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc. Everyone is welcome to join in at any time! I remember first running across Eileen Wilks ' name in the On the Prowl compilation I purchased solely because it contained Patricia Briggs ' first Alpha & Omega novella (fabulous, by the way). I never really sat down and read the other novellas, though. Now I'm wishing I had so that I could have discovered Wilks' writing much sooner. Instead, it took my buddy in all things urban fantasy Chachic throwing herself headlong into a glom of Wilks' World of the Lupi series to convince me to give the it a shot. And what a time to come in to a new series. The World of the Lupi is currently 10 full books in and going strong! Plenty of adventure to keep me busy in between waiting for the next book...

So tell me. Which are your favorite Great Expectations adaptations? I've really only watched the Jean Simmons/Anthony Hopkins one with any regularity. I do love the book (it was my first Dickens). And I'd be interested in falling in love with a film adaptation of it if you'd be so kind as to share your favorites. What do you think of this upcoming one due out next month?

Two trusted authors and a debut. Two contemporaries and a fantasy. Two YAs and an adult. However you slice it, these three pretties are utterly charming and I am eager as can be to get my hands on them. 2014, you are looking good, my friend. Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern I'm kind of crushing on this adorable cover and its tagline, "Sometimes love is everything you can't say." Disabled teen Amy has one goal for her senior year of high school: make a single real friend. In Matthew she finds that and more. Touted for fans of Eleanor & Park (which I still have to read), this one has my attention. Due out June 3rd It Felt Like a Kiss by Sarra Manning You all know my feelings on Ms. Manning's Unsticky . Ahem. The unacknowledged daughter of a famous rock star, Ellie's life has been quiet until the paparazzi ferret her out. Amid the chaos enters her father's disturbingly charming (and ruthless) lawyer and, well, I really can't wait....

I swear this won't become a daily thing! But I just couldn't shut up about J.C. Daniels ' Colbana Files, and so today my review of book two is up over at Dear Author . Things get real, guys. I was not okay after finishing it. 

Today, I'm embarking on little bit of a new venture. I'll be reviewing a couple (or three or four, my mileage will I am sure vary) books a month over at Dear Author . These will be urban fantasy and parnormals, and I am so thrilled to be leading off with the first book in an urban fantasy series that took over my life the minute I started it. Make sure to drop by today to see what I thought of J.C. Daniels' Blade Song . 

Similar to when Elias sees Josie for the first time, I fell in love with this cover the moment I clapped eyes on it. And, like Elias, I was nervous, given that I knew next to nothing about it and the level of affection I was feeling extended way beyond our limited introduction. But something in its lines, in the lovely design had me thinking it just might be something I could love long term. I immediately ran down the usual sites, routine investigation, you understand. Happily, it wasn't long before a copy landed in my lap for review. I have to say, I'm kind of crushing on the elegance of this cover. As someone who doesn't gravitate toward super-romancey covers in general, I'll admit this one was something of a breath of fresh air.  A Man Above Reproach is Evelyn Pryce 's debut novel. It recently won Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award in the romance category and it is due out in paperback from Montlake Romance later this month. I don't think I've ever ...

All I can think is how pretty it's going to look up there next to my copy of Scarlet . Well, that and how much I need to get my hands on it. Because I really loved the first book. It was the first Will Scarlet gender swap I'd read and everything about it worked for me. I'm so glad this sequel is finally in the offing, because that ending . . . talk about leaving all your balls up in the air ready to crash down at any moment. I need to know these characters are going to be all right. I love Scarlet's eyes on this cover. I full expect her to cause no small amount of mayhem to get herself (and the boys) out of the heinous predicament they're in. Lady Thief is due out February 11th. Are you excited?

I feel like I've been waffling on whether or not to read this book for years now even though it's only been a few months. The thing is, I really enjoyed the first half of Rainbow Rowell 's Attachments . I really, really did. And then I was summarily disappointed with the second half. I don't know if it was me or the fact that I read it immediately after giving birth and that just rarely ever works out for me or what. But the direct result was that I stayed away from Eleanor & Park , despite it's adorable cover and quirky premise. And I was apparently still shell-shocked enough that I was going to just go ahead and pass on Fangirl if it wasn't for Janice 's enthusiastic review some weeks back. I thought I was just sort of waltzing around lacking the Rowell gene, when in fact I simply hadn't found my gateway book. So, Janice. Can I send you a book bouquet or a fruit basket or some such gift of gratitude? Because I'm kind of having a hard ti...