Cat Thursday - Dear Diary, A Cat's Lament

Welcome to the weekly meme hosted by The True Book Addict that celebrates cats; their foibles and humorousness and the joy they bring. You can join in by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you made or came across, cat art or share with us pics of your own felines, then post your link up at The True Book Addict.

This is so freaking funny; several instances of mild swearing. 

Review of The Intercept by Dick Wolf

Publisher: William Morrow
Series: Jeremy Fisk #1
Format Read: Print ARC
Source: The publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: December 26, 2012

Buying Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depsoitory

Blurb from goodreads:

Dick Wolf makes his literary debut with this tense, driving thriller reminiscent of the classic The Day of the Jackal, an extraordinary tale filled with the ingenious twists and high-wire suspense we have come to expect from this master storyteller.

Days before the July Fourth holiday and the dedication of One World Trade Center at Ground Zero, an incident aboard a commercial jet over the Atlantic Ocean reminds everyone that vigilance is not a task to be taken lightly. But for iconoclastic New York Police detective Jeremy Fisk, it may also be a signal that there is much more to this case than the easy answer: that this is just the work of another lone terrorist.  

Fisk—from the department’s Intelligence Division, a well-funded anti-terror unit modeled upon the CIA—suspects that the event might also be a warning sign that another, potentially more extraordinary scheme has been set in motion. Fluent in Arabic and the ways of his opponents, Fisk is a rule breaker who follows his gut—even if it means defying those above him in the department’s food chain. So when a passenger from the same plane, a Saudi Arabian national, disappears into the crowds of Manhattan, it’s up to Fisk and his partner Krina Gersten to find him before the celebrations begin. 

Watching each new lead fizzle, chasing shadows to dead ends, Fisk and Gersten quickly realize that their opponents are smarter and more agile than any they have ever faced. Extremely clever and seemingly invisible, they are able to exploit any security weakness and anticipate Fisk’s every move. And time is running out.  

Bea's Thoughts:

Lung Update

It's been a while since I posted anything about my lungs and the surgery, bronchial thermoplasty, I had. The last procedure was in early October, seven, almost eight, months ago. It's hard to believe it's been that long. For months prior to the surgeries I was in and out of the doctor's office and the hospital for testing, paperwork, more testing and yet more testing. After each of the surgeries, I had a 2 week check-up appointment. Since the appointment after the last surgery, I haven't been in and it feels weird. The hospital was practically my second home and I haven't been there in months. That's a good thing, it just feels odd.

It's also a good thing that I have only been to my regular asthma doctor's office a few times in all those months. I had a big asthma flare beginning at Christmas time that lasted about six weeks, which necessitated several visits to my regular asthma doctor's office and involved an allergic reaction to a drug. That was an uncomfortable one but I've had worse ones, worse by far. Winter, and especially the holidays, are not unusual times for me to have asthma trouble so I figured I was due for one bad episode. Other than that though, I've been doing well. I still need my rescue inhaler from time to time, but those have been for fleeting episodes and I haven't needed my nebulizer or steroids except for that episode. I haven't been able to go off any of my prescriptions but I was told in advance that would be the case. I've been quite healthy and it's a little scary. It's been so many years, what with the asthma and other health issues, since I wasn't sick on a regular basis that it feels abnormal at times. But it also feels wonderful and I'm slowly exploring what I am now able to do again. Now, the asthma is not cured, there is no cure, the best I can hope for is a reduction in my symptoms and I am definitely seeing that. :)

So, my lungs are calmer, life is good, and I am looking forward to continued improvement as the improvement can continue for up to two years after the surgery. I  have high hopes for this procedure and I hope it will soon be available to all people with severe chronic asthma and not just to participants in the trial studies.

A reminder what lungs with asthma look like, oh and these are when the lungs are quiet, not in the midst of a flare. They're narrower obviously when there's active inflammation:

Giveaway & Excerpt from South of Surrender by Laura Kaye!

Another day, another excerpt! I love reading excerpts, seeing what's going to happen, maybe getting a preview before the book is released, and sharpening my interest in a book. Today's is from a new paranormal romance, South of Surrender by Laura Kaye. It's the third in her Hearts of the Anemoi series.

Excerpt from Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf by Victoria Danann

Wheeeeeee, another excerpt, this time from a brand-new paranormal romance by Victoria Danann. For the past fourteen years, Victoria has illustrated and authored Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners and written several non-fiction books on magickal arts. She lives in a town north of Houston known as The Woodlands even though the idea of the witch in the woods may be a cliché. She owns 7th House Publishing and contributes to its enterprises. In addition to art and writing, she plays Classic Rock music (keys, rhythm guitar, vocals) and manages one of Houston's premier party bands. Married. Four children.


Find Victoria online:

website
facebook
Pinterest
goodreads
twitter

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Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf by

Victoria Danann

Publisher: 7th House
Series: The Black Swan Saga #4
Formats: ebook
Length: 647 KB
Release Date: May 25, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon |Barnes & Noble

ISBN ebook 978-1-933320-69-4

ISBN Print   978-1-933320-64-9

Blurb from author:

The fourth installment in The Order of the Black Swan serial saga. The story of B Team continues while the romance centers on Stalkson Grey, head of the Elk Mountain Reservation Tribe of werewolves. He embarks on an adventure he would never have dreamed possible, willing to take any risk to save his pack from extinction. Along the way he learns that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you're far, far from home.

Quote-Tastic #4

Anna at Herding Cats & Burning Soup has created a new weekly meme. Want to join along?

  Click on the link above. Anna is posting hers on Mondays, as am I, but you can choose any day of the week that works for you. Leave me a link in your comment and I will check out your quotes!

I'm reading  I just finished "Bad to the Bone" by Jeri Smith-Ready and it has lots of good quotes. This one reminded me of an incident with a pie I made for Thanksgiving many years ago so I decided to use it. Enjoy! And no, I wasn't the one doing the bleeding. :D

 Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready 

I spend Thanksgiving Day cutting myself. Not on purpose, like Jeremy, or like that friend I had in high school. Since I have no flair for cooking, David has put me to scullery work in his kitchen. Ciara, peel this. Ciara, slice that. "This" ends up being my index finger, and "that" turns out to be my left thumb. There's enough blood in the candied yams to make it a part of any vampire's complete breakfast.

Sunday Book Share #38

 

 

I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. These  memes allow book bloggers the chance to share print and digital books they've received, and different posts and events at their blogs.

Summer! Gray, rainy, cool summer. If I didn't know better, I'd think I lived in the Northwest instead of the Northeast region of the US. :D Since I'm actually not fond of high temps or humidity, I don't mind the mild weather but I wouldn't mind a little more sun and dryness. :D It's a three day weekend here in the US and the unofficial start of the holiday season. I'm also not a beach person so summer for me means making sure to put on sunscreen before heading work and running the A/C in my third floor condo. Well, I also run the A/C because of my asthma and allergies; throw in the heat and humidity and my A/C will be going non-stop until about October, when ragweed season ends. I am enjoying having more hours of sunlight and the fresh veggies and fruits. 

Mr. Crankypants was a little calmer last week, with fewer tantrums and they lasted only 45 minutes or less. But Jaws kept us from getting too comfortable. Toddlers and biting go together naturally and this toddler is all of a sudden biting, often and casually. In one two hour period, she got another toddler, an infant and two teachers (she's also biting her family at home). We have implemented action plans for both children and are already seeing results. I love working with young children but they do keep my on my toes!

The Week In Review

Nook Reviews: The Rising by Kelley Armstrong (YA, UF) Soooo good!

The Farm by Emily McKay (YA, UF, Horror, Dystopian)

Eliza's Forever Trees by Stephanie Lisa Tara (MG, fantasy)

BookTrib Review: The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelschneider (Non-fiction, science)

Excerpts: Riverbend by Tess Thompson (Romance, Mystery)

A Matter of Circumstance and Celludrones by Claire Robyns (Steampunk, Romance)

The Tree of Jesse by J.R. Mattison (Thriller, Religion)

Cover Reveal: Irish Kisses by JoAnne Kenrick (Romance, Erotica)

Spotlight: Beyond A Doubt by Felicia Rogers (Historical romance)

Memes: Cat Thursday - Art or Destruction?  Quote-Tastic #3  Sunday Book Share #37

News & Info: Chat with Andrew Gross

Giveaways:

SpaWish egift cards, ends May 30th.

A Bella Andre Beach Bag full of goodies, US only, ends May 31st.

Kindle Fire from author Stephanie Lisa Tara, ends May 31st, 2013

A Kindle Fire HD or $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 PayPal Cash, ends May 31st. 

1 ebook copy of The Tree of Jesse by J.R. Mattison, ends June 7th.

 

2 Melissa and Doug Giant Plush Stuffed Sea Turtles, ends June 12th.

15 copies, 1 per winner, of Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book, ends June 12th. 

Odd and Unusual Search Phrases Leading to the Blog: Nothing too interesting this time around, "how to catch a cat" is still popular and a new one, "what happens at bea book tour".

 

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge: I read two for the week; The Farm by Emily McKay and Eliza's Forever Trees by Stephanie Lisa Tara.

The Upcoming Week 

Reviews - These are tentative; Different Dragons edited by Dana Bell

The Intercept by Dick Wolf

Blog Tours - Excerpt & Giveaway from South of Surrender by Laura Kaye

Excerpt from Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf by Victoria Danann

Spotlight on First (Wrong) Impression by Krista D. Ball

Spotlight & Giveaway of Blade Dance by Danica St. Como

Interview with author James Ramsey & Giveaway of Andromeda Rising

 Guest Post from Robyn Grady, author of The Goddess

BOOKS

Bought - Kindle

Won - Kindle

 

I won these from the author in a blog hop.

Kindle Freebies

Heh, yes I had a good week with the freebies. :)

I hope you're enjoying your weekend; don't forget to leave me a link so I can visit you. :)

Review of The Farm by Emily McKay

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Series: The Farm #1
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Source: I received both an ARC & a finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I used the finished copy for the review.
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository*
* Affiliate link; use supports the blog

Blurb from goodreads:

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

Bea's Thoughts:

The blurb for this book totally drew me in and was the reason I read this book. I find vampires interesting, and a little scary, but they're not my preferred supernatural species. But, the premise was just too intriguing to pass up.

Despite that, the first portion of the book, maybe the first quarter, the book was easy to put down. I was enjoying it but there were some blatant cliches-good girl falls for bad boy, smart girl who has no love life, etc- and the story, while interesting, took a while to grab me. Then, I began to get absorbed and putting the book down to get some sleep was more difficult. The last half of the book kept me awake until almost 3AM but I finished it! The cliches never did go away but the main character, Lily, is aware of her behavior and how cliched it is. She's pretty self-aware for such a young person, she's just shy of her eighteenth birthday. Despite her self-awareness, she's by no means perfect, and during the course of the book, approximately a week, she matures and grows. She's been responsible for herself and her sister for six months now, ever since they were rounded up and quarantined on The Farm. She had to grow up quickly, has made mistakes and makes more during the book, but that added to her realism and likability.

The story is told from the perspective of Lily, her sister Mel, and Carter, the boy Lily crushed on Before and who has now come to rescue them. Most of the book is from Lily's perspective but it's always obvious who's talking as each perspective is a new chapter. Mel's was interesting as it's a very different way of thinking and it was heartbreaking at times how different Mel and Lily's viewpoints were. They clearly love each other but their different ways of looking at and experiencing the world and of communicating sometimes result in complications and misunderstandings, both minor and major. I wish we had spent more time in Mel's head but given how this book ended, I think that might happen in the next book. In some respects, the climactic events in this story were foreseeable and in other respects, they were a complete shocker. They definitely change the game and will have an explosive impact.

I liked the characters, the world building, the details, and how scarily vampires and the Ticks are portrayed. The explanation for the Ticks reminded of Mira Grant's FEED, which is one of my favorite books. But, McKay goes beyond the obvious similarities and puts her own spin on it. Oh, and speaking of spins, I had doubts at first about McKay's concept of abductura; I couldn't see how they could be so powerful or be saviors but by the end of the book I was convinced. It's a new concept to me and it has intriguing possibilities. So while the book was a slow start for me, it picked up steam and was ultimately a fascinating, absorbing, sometimes terrifying story of love, treachery, science gone wrong, manipulation and the fight to survive. It's not perfect but it's very good, go read it.