The Excitement of New Books

     Most of us know that wonderful feeling when we order something online. We are so excited for our new thing, only to realize that now we have to wait for it to ship to us. Even quick shipping can seem to take forever.

     I did a very silly thing and got around to using a gift card I got for christmas. So what does a sensible gal like myself do? Orders books. As many books that the darn thing could get me. Now I have to wait.

     One of the books I picked up was one that I have been looking for a long time. A kitchen witches cookbook. I cannot wait to get my hands on that one. The other two that I grabbed are two that I have not heard of yet.

      Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews. The first of a new series.
"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 second was Black Dog: Hellhound Chronicles #1. Another first of a series that seemed interesting to me. It was also in the bargan book section on Barns & Nobel.com.

"Ava has spent the last hundred years as a hellhound, the indentured servant of a reaper who hunts errant souls and sends them to Hell. When a human necromancer convinces her to steal her reaper’s scythe, Ava incurs the wrath of the demon Lilith, her reaper’s boss.

As punishment for her transgression, Lilith orders Ava to track down the last soul in her reaper’s ledger . . . or die trying. "

     Reapers? Sign me up! This is another one I cannot wait to get my hands on. The only real question now is, what to read first! 

 

Book Review: Protect and Serve by Terri Reed "Rookie K-9 Unit

     Hope you all enjoyed seeing a glimpse into my upcoming novel set. As a treat I'll give you all a break from that boring stuff and do a book review. (I really need to do more of these, it means I get to read more books)

     I was at Meijer after a decent pay day and I decided to treat myself after getting my 3rd book out for the year. I was super proud of that one, and I wanted something new to read. I browsed about the shelves looking for something under $5. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cover with dogs on it. Quick history, I have worked with training dogs sense I was 7. So that's pretty exciting. I picked it up even though it was a heterosexual suspense romance. Not my personal cup of tea but I wanted to expand my horizons, and dogs, so I gave it a chance.

      I also try my best to finish a book I start, it's a personal rule because there is always something to learn. This was the first book that I broke that rule on. It wasn't at all a bad book, there were just a lot of underlying things that bothered me and disrupted my reading.

     The one that really got to me is the fact that she didn't seem to research some aspects of her own book. A few small things she missed the mark on but I shrugged it off and pushed through but as I continued it, I realized what was really bothering me. She seemed to do little to zero research about dogs and how their training goes. To the general public I'm sure it was alright, but the structure of how the organized the training of the actual dogs, bothered me so much. For example, they had police training classing going on, while having some puppies there for training as well. Most facilities that do this type of thing, don't do that. The pups are normally trained in the "off season" so they are ready for the next batch of handlers, said handlers go through about a 3-8 week training course, test out and go on the job as handlers. Not still training their dogs while working the streets. If the dog isn't ready to work, they don't go out to work. So that was something that really bothered me. There were some other points as well, but I chalk a lot of it up as just me.

     It was however a good wholesome read. It was also very religious. There was a lot of talk about God, so if that's something that will bother you, pass this one, if that's your cup of tea, try it! I would generally gear this type of book to a Christian mom. Super good and clean but still keeping the story of love and suspense. For sure that had to be hard to balance.

     Another thing however, that I couldn't get past in this book was her sense of no timeline. At times I had to really look through the book to get my own personal timeline. There were moments where "the attack" happened two days before, but yet a puppy who was missing from said attack, had a picture taken "yesterday" Things like that. It made me double take a lot and for me, I can't handle books that time jump to begin with.

     One last thing about this that bothered me personally was how the author made the characters dance around the idea of a relationship. The idea was constantly reinstated that fact. I understand it's a religious novel, but when reading about a romance, I'd like a little. There are ways to make it work without it loosing it's wholesomeness.

     Overall the quality of the book was great, especially for a low priced book. The writing style itself was really enjoyable and I think that's why those small details pulled me out of the story.

     My final thoughts: Okay, if you have a few spare bucks and cops with dogs saving a dog trainer from her crazy brother sounds cool. READ IT! Try it. If god, and a glitchy timeline bother you, you might want to pass on this read.

     Best of luck! What are you reading? If you've read this book please PLEASE leave your own feedback at the bottom, I'd love to hear from you.

Poppy - Profile

     Last but not least, may I introduce Poppy. Hope you all enjoyed meeting my girls, get your favorites and be sure to tell me! I love hearing from you.

Full Name: Unknown

Nicknames: Poppy (is known as Poppy to everyone)

Titles:

Gender: Female

Date of Birth: April, 3rd

Age: 723 Human years = 25 fae years

Hair: Dark brown roots with tips that change color, long, normally with flowers

Skin: Tan/Olive

Eyes: White/light blue

Height: 5' 9''

Weight: 75 lbs

Place of Residence: Thornwood Forrest

Place of Birth: Thornwood Forrest

Occupation: Protector of the Forrest

Appearance: Lean, slender, wispy. Childlike face with large eyes and small stag antlers. Extra joints on her fingers, only has 4 per hand.

Fashion of Choice: Corset made of Birch bark and willow wood. Thick ivy covering her bottom bits. Sometimes other foliage as clothing and adornments.

Personality: Fun, playful, mischievous, mysterious, perverted.

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Motivations: The wonder of nature

Disposition: Can’t take anything serious

Outlook: Life will continue. Wanna fuck?

Religion: Child of Pan

Sexuality: Omnisexual.

Positive Traits: Resourceful, connected to nature.

Negative Traits: Can’t take anything seriously, sexulizes everything, has her own personal agenda

Misc. Quirks: Can shape shift, can float, glide, and go through some things (non-human)

Interests: Grass, animals, rocks, trees, flowers

Likes: Nature, sex

Dislikes: People and things.

Favorite Food: Fruit

Favorite Drink: Flower nectar

Favorite colors: Green, bright caterpillar green

Hobbies: Sex

Theme Songs: Lindsey Stirling - "Crystallize", Nine Inch Nails - "Closer"

History: Coming soon to a book near you.  

Kenna Briarthorn - Profile

     Ready for more? Meet this hot headed lass who I already love. Meet my girls, let me know the one's you like. Remember, all these shorts will be released soon.

Full Name: Kenna Briarthorn

Nicknames: Feisty Pants

Titles: Miss

Gender: Female

Date of Birth: July 19

Age: 27

Hair: Blond with black tips, short and spiked

Skin: Black/chocolate

Eyes: Gold

Height: 5' 6'

Weight: 114lbs

Place of Residence: Normally on an Airship, small house located in Kananthum.

Place of Birth: City in the mountains, Narkain

Occupation: Runner for Goblin Markets

Appearance: Dark skin and bright eyes. Curvy in all the right places. Muscular build. Smooth skin.

Fashion of Choice: Fireproof gear, most she has made herself. Scarf, skirts that split up the side. Gloves. Goblin made boots, ect.

Personality: Hot headed, stubborn, sultry. Brave and headstrong. Tough gal who grew up on the streets, learning how to make her life for herself.

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Motivations: Sex, food, money

Disposition: Always up for an argument, quick to anger, and quick to cool down.

Outlook: Burn it.

Religion: Follower of Menoetius

Sexuality: Bisexual

Positive Traits: Brave, strong, loyal, quick witted (even when wrong)

Negative Traits: Rash, hot headed, reckless

Misc. Quirks:

Interests: Power, machines, airships

Likes: Men, women, trouble, flying, scaring people, fighting.

Dislikes: Missing out on a fight, went her gear breaks, when her airship blows up

Favorite Food: Meat

Favorite Drink: Meed

Favorite colors: The color of Iron

Hobbies: Welding, flying, blowing things up

Theme Songs: Nickelback – "Burn it to the Ground", Machininima – "PVP Gurl on my Team"

History: Coming soon to a book near you.  

Rise from the Grave Magic the Gathering Fanfiction

     (Just a quick post of some fanfiction that I finished up. I was pretty happy with how this one turned out and I really would like to do more. If this is something you want more of, let me know!)




 The Litch rose up before the woman, his crown of ice framing his dead skull. His armor creaked with each step he took towards her, and the cold rolled off of his frame in waves, chilling the air around him and freezing anything he came into contact with. The tip of his frozen blade dug a thin trench through the earth as he moved forward. The ice king’s horde roared behind him, and as their maws opened a blue glow illuminated the sky.

    The age-old Litch stopped. Both feet squared and with a single hand he raised his two handed ice blade to the sky. Behind his helmet his eyes glowed as the waves of chill turned into waves of magic. The undead leader roared into the sky and a rumble followed his call.

    Miles away the earth split in half, ice and rock crumbling and shattering as the magic took effect. From under the earth rose a beast. In its glory day it was a great dragon, but now after time and death had ate away most of the flesh the creature was more bone that anything. The magic wrapped around the bones and pulled the beast up from the ground. Its wings stretched wide for the first time since its demise, and its skeletal body took to the sky the beauty and grace of a dragon still in the very essence of its bones. With a few beat of its wings the miles of ground rushed by.

    Liliana sucked in a cold, deep breath. The Litch was sucking the life out of everything around her, and while she had worked with them in the past, she had never really gotten used to that. She watched as her enemies lined up and looked to the sky. She had heard the earth rip itself apart. She stood there, terrified as what was once a dragon rose up before her. What started as a small speck in the sky turned out to be a monster from before the ice age. And it was hungry. She swallowed hard and clenched her fist.

    Liliana stood there, a small glow around her. She was battered from her trials. Parts of her clothing was charred from a fire bolt spell. Other parts were still soaked with muck from the swamp lands. She had bruises all over and more than half of her legion had fallen. It was looking hopeless for her, but she would be damned if she gave up now. Liliana Vess did not just give up when things got hard, she normally rode them out. She pulled herself together and faced the sky, her head held high and her eyes honing in on the skeletal dragon.  “This ends today Nevinyrral!” Her purple magic spiraled around her.

    “Oh does it now? Pretty lady, you think you can just come in here, steal my horde of treasure?” The Litch laughed at her efforts to intimidate him. He had armies, and a treasure trove of resources. “But you are right, it will end today.” He pulled a device out of his robes and smiled. The Litch took one more step toward her, and with that step, disappeared into thin air. His army however, and the hovering dragon still watched her every move, their mouths glowing an eerie blue. 

    “Strike!” She summoned and pushed her hand forward. Her personal horde of undead lurched toward the enemy as her magic pulled them. The beasts and creatures drug themselves and hobbled with a speed that was unnatural. A few that were a little more together dropped to all fours and charged the enemy, running half of the beasts own team in the process but no one seemed to notice or care. It was chaos to say the least.

    The skeletal forces charged each other, clashing in the center. Liliana worked her magic and threw spells left and right, making the skeletons crumble before her. The bones piled up around her and mixed with her own forces at her feet. A sick grin crossed her face—they could be replaced. A shrug followed the thought, as they were also already dead. The skeletal dragon hovered above and circled the battle that unfolded before it. Liliana looked up to the sky. The beast was dead.

    The Litch might have control over this creature, but in the end, it was still dead, and she was a necromancer. Liliana sucked in a deep breath and took a few steps back. Her own warriors flew forward into the throws of the battle to keep their mistress safe. The necromancer steadied her breathing and pulled the energy around her. Her hands twisted and turned, cupping the flowing energy and drawing it all into her. This would be the biggest thing she had ever done so far.

    She threw her hands toward the beast that was munching on both allies and enemies. The magic rushed from her and flowed around the dragon. “You will obey me.” Her purple magic flowed around the beast’s glowing bones and slowly took over the blue light, smothering it under its own purple hues. “Death is no excuse for disobedience.” She called to the sky and the creature withered and pulled against itself, the two magics fighting and tearing it apart.

    The skeletal dragon plummeted to the ground, its massive body crashing into its own ranks. The blue glow of the undead was snuffed out under the creature. Liliana pulled and heaved, her will curving and flexing the magic that controlled the dragon like a puppet. It stood up, now a deep purple glow in its eyes. It lashed out and grabbed the nearest Litch knight. With one bite the blue glow stopped and the two halves of the body fell to the ground. The dragon roared and the forces around it stopped mid battle.

    The ground trembled below. It was just like before when the Litch awoke the dragon, but it was different. A smell of sulfur was in the air this time along with the stench of death. Liliana looked to the horizon and saw a massive cloud of smoke rising from the tip of a mountain. There was a scream from the Litch king’s forces. The skeletons cried as they fell apart, the blue glow going with them. Within a moment the world seemed to stand still. Even the dragon’s bones did not creek in the wind. 

    “What just happened?” The necromancer whispered to herself.

First Draft Done!

     It's always a mix of emotions when I finish a first draft. Sad because I have a problem ending/finishing things. Excitement because it's one step closer to being finished and out for others to enjoy. Exhaustion because now I need to start all over again. haha. But no really, that last one sucks. Anyway time to reward myself with some ice cream and relaxing before starting up again tomorrow. 

~Skadia

Valdis Dreadmore - Profile

     Another teaser of some interesting girls to come. Get to know my girls and pick your favorite! 

Full Name: Valdis Dreadmore

Nicknames: Val

Titles: Necromancer, Lady of Death

Gender: Female

Date of Birth: Nov 3rd

Age: Unknown

Hair: Long black, either down or in dreadlocks

Skin: Pale Grey

Eyes: Dark purple, almost black with a white ring around her iris

Height: 5' 9’’

Weight: 93lbs

Place of Residence: Just outside the City of Kananthum, normally near a graveyard

Place of Birth: Unknown.

Occupation: Undertaker/ Dark Mage/ Witch Dr.

Appearance: Her skin is pulled tight over her frame. Oddly she doesn’t have a lot of muscle even though she can carry dead bodies with ease. Her eyes are hallow and hair is always down, even when in dreads. The tips of her fingers are black that fades back to her normal skin color.

Fashion of Choice: Light wispy fabric that covers mostly just the important parts. No matter what weather. She can’t feel cold so never wears anything that could weigh her down.

Personality: Cold, Talks to herself but is not crazy, wise beyond years.

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Motivations: To see what will happen.

Disposition: Cold, shallow, generally indifferent.

Outlook: It’s not over yet.

Religion: Death will claim us all.

Sexuality: Asexual

Positive Traits: Smart, charming, Calm

Negative Traits: Distant, shallow, bit evil

Misc. Quirks:

Interests: Dark arts, dead things, monsters

Likes: Bats, goo, skulls, gambling, otters

Dislikes: Most people, positive attitude, physical labor

Favorite Food: Jerky and pound cake

Favorite Drink: Coffee

Favorite colors: Silver

Hobbies: Cataloging the monsters of the world

Theme Songs: My Chemical Romance - “Welcome to the Black Parade” In this Moment - “Sick like Me”

History: Coming soon to a book near you.