Heart of Gold by A. K. Smith

I Just finished reading "Heart of Gold". I did not enjoy this book at all. To me there was nothing hard-boiled to it. I thought it was slow and just seemed to drag on, not much to the story line to keep the reader interested. The characters are bland, even the main characters and the plot is boring and narrow minded. When it did finally come to a conclusion (which happened in one chapter) it seemed like it ended mid-sentence, I thought I missed a page. I think the only thing I can say good about this book is that there were only a handful of typos.

I had to basically force myself to finish this one, for sure it's going to get added to the "did not like" pile. Sorry Mr. Smith.

Pinky

Happily Ever After

OMG!!! Lookie at what I got!  I wanted this book so bad, but my budget wouldn't allow it.  The wonderful people over at Night Shade Books were kind enough to give me a copy, how cool is that!  How great to have a book with some of my favorite authors writing fairy tales for our generation.    

Once Upon A Time...

...in the faraway land of Story, a Hugo-winning Editor realized that no one had collected together the fairy tales of the age, and that doorstop-thick anthologies of modern fairy tales were sorely lacking...

And so the Editor ventured forth, wandering the land of Story from shore to shore, climbing massive mountains of books and delving deep into lush, literary forests, gathering together thirty-three of the best re-tellings of fairy tales he could find. Not just any fairy tales, mind you, but tantalizing tales from some of the biggest names in today's fantastic fiction, authors like Gregory Maguire, Susanna Clarke, Charles de Lint, Holly Black, Aletha Kontis, Kelly Link, Neil Gaiman, Patricia Briggs, Paul Di Filippo, Gregory Frost, and Nancy Kress. But these stories alone weren't enough to satisfy the Editor, so the Editor ventured further, into the dangerous cave of the fearsome Bill Willingham, and emerged intact with a magnificent introduction, to tie the collection together.

And the inhabitants of Story, from the Kings and Queens relaxing in their castles to the peasants toiling in the fields; from to the fey folk flitting about the forests to the trolls lurking under bridges and the giants in the hills, read the anthology, and enjoyed it. And they all lived...

...Happily Ever After.

Contents:
Bill Willingham - Introduction
Gregory Maguire - The Seven Stage a Comeback
Genevieve Valentine - And In Their Glad Rags
Howard Waldrop - The Sawing Boys
Michael Cadnum - Bear It Away
Susanna Clarke - Mr. Simonelli or the Fairy Widower
Karen Joy Fowler - The Black Fairy's Curse
Charles de Lint - My Life As A Bird
Holly Black - The Night Market
Theodora Goss - The Rose in Twelve Petals
Jim C. Hines - The Red Path
Alethea Kontis - Blood and Water
Garth Nix - Hansel's Eyes
Wil McCarthy - He Died That Day, In Thirty Years
Jane Yolen - Snow In Summer
Michelle West - The Rose Garden
Bruce Sterling - The Little Magic Shop
K. Tempest Bradford - Black Feather
Alan Rodgers - Fifi's Tail
Kelly Link - The Faery Handbag
Peter Straub - Ashputtle
Leslie What - The Emperor's New (And Improved) Clothes
Robert J. Howe - Pinocchio's Diary
Wendy Wheeler - Little Red
Neil Gaiman - The Troll Bridge
Patricia Briggs - The Price
Paul Di Filippo - Ailoura
Jeff VanderMeer - The Farmer's Cat
Gregory Frost - The Root of The Matter
Susan Wade - Like a Red, Red Rose
Josh Rountree - Chasing America
Nancy Kress - Stalking Beans
Esther Friesner - Big Hair
Robert Coover - The Return of the Dark Children

Here is how you can get your copy:
Barnes & Noble
Border's
Amazon
Your Local Independent Dealer

Pinky

Uncommon Magic by Michelle Scott

A Free Friday Special

I got this one from Smashwords off of their Facebook page for Free Friday.  I wanted this one, so I was tickled when she gave this one away for free (doin the happy dance).  Yes I like fantasy books the most, horror is second, odd mix huh?

Uncommon Magic

Here is the book's description: 

In Mira Meadowmarsh's world, Magicians have complete control over ordinary people like herself. Magicians rule with iron fists, levying taxes, seizing property, and meting out harsh punishment to those who break the rules. But while the un-magical commons cannot defend themselves against the Magician's magic, there is one thing that Magicians fear: inventions. So when rumors spread that the un-magical are building machines and planning an uprising, the Magicians retaliate with even harsher laws. 

At first, all of this means nothing to Mira who doesn't give a fig about politics. She's in love, and life is sweet. But when she discovers that her brother is an inventor who's suddenly the most wanted man in the country and that the boy she loves, her companion since childhood, is really a Magician, Mira finds herself in the middle of a brewing revolution. 

Pinky

The Days and Months We Were First Born - The Unraveling

Here is my latest download.  I have to be honest, I think this one will give me nightmares for months.  I love scary stories though, I really can't wait to read it.  Hop on over to Smashwords and download a copy for yourself.

by Christopher Hunter

Here is the book's description:

In the summer of 2068, New Yorker Martin Jacob had a sweet life ahead of him. He had recently graduated from NYU. He spent most of his time with his artist girlfriend, who had a wonderful apartment in Harlem. And in September, he was to begin his career as a History teacher for a private school in Connecticut. An easy life was laid out before him. Then a man-made virus came along, and it turned his world upside down. 

Martin wakes to find a disheveled President addressing the nation. His girlfriend is driven mad with grief, right before his very eyes. His parents call to inform him that they are going to die. And he steps outside to find Martial Law on the streets. 

"The Days and Months We Were First Born- The Unraveling" is book one of Martin's epic tale of survival. At times funny, at times heartbreaking, and at times action packed, this book will take the reader on an unforgettable journey.

Pinky 

Check out the latest freebie I got!

Here is the latest goodie, it's by MJA Ware

Monster Mashup

Monster Mashup - Spooky Short Story Ominbus -- with Special Bonus Zombie Short.  Now with twelve short stories. 

Monsters, magic, goblins, zombies, and more. Be prepared to sleep with the lights on. This collection of short stories will have you looking over your shoulder, avoiding mirrors, and jumping at the slightest sound. 

From fiendish creatures hiding in your bathroom mirror, to Halloween pranks gone deadly wrong. Each story will scare, delight, and surprise.

No gore or cursing here, just good ol' spine-chilling fun!

The Stories Are: 

1. -- Infinite Reflections – When Jessie's sister gets trapped in a haunted mirror, he must figure out how to destroy the creature within. Though, Mom might like it if he gets his sister out first. 

2. -- Bloody Marcy – Mixing a game of Bloody Mary with a practical joke proves to be a deadly combination. 

3. -- Monster in the Mirror - Nate, his little sister, and best buddy Dan, stumble upon a hidden room during a sleep-over. What they find inside is anything but friendly. 

4. -- Death Trap – Mike takes a bet to go inside a haunted house, but will he live long enough to collect? 

5. -- Steven, Space Stowaway – Steven sneaks onboard a spaceship bound for Mars. Just one problem: the Captain has a particularly unpleasant way of dealing with stowaways. 

6. -- The Price of Friendship – How much is a best friend worth? Joey finds out the hard way. 

7. -- Hobgoblin Horror – Jake only volunteered at the retirement home because Shelby works there. So, it's no wonder he's doesn't hear Mr. Fitches' warnings about a local homicidal hobgoblin—too bad for him. 

8. -- Rolling Leprechauns for Change – Leprechauns can have a nasty sense of humor—especially, when they're getting even.  

9. -- Hide-n-Go-Coffin – Playing hide-and-seek in a cemetery is disrespectful. When it happens to be cursed, the results can be deadly, or maybe even worse. 

10. -- Grandpa's Suits – A game of spin-the-bottle with the school pervert isn't a bright idea. Fortunately for Zoey, she's not quite alone. 

11. -- Brother's Keeper – Zack would be wise to spend less time looking for his missing sled and more worrying about what is lurking outside. Too bad, he's not the only one who'll suffer for his single-mindedness. 

12. -- Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb – When Life gives you lemons, kill zombies. In this special short story that inspired the upcoming novel, Nate and Misty's town is overrun by the undead and they'll need a little luck to squeeze their way out of this sticky mess.

 Now doesn't that sound like fun?

Pinky