I am very excited to report that On the Broomstick will be participating in the Practical Magic Blog Party this year! In celebration of the book, movie and all things Owens, we will break out our broomsticks and rock the house on September 24th. Check out the link to Frosted Petunias and see the exciting group of bloggers that will be participating. Last year looked so amazing that I had to get the broomstick on the Practical Magic train.
So get ready and lets think of some witchy ways to celebrate this amazing book, movie and soundtrack. Who wouldn't love an excuse to have a bit of a party, right? Limes and coconuts!
Happy Follow Friday! Thanks for joining me for another ride On the Broomstick! September is here and I am starting to long for the color of fall foliage and cooler weather. Temperatures here in Houston have been anything but. Dry and hot. I should be putting a picture up of a shriveled up cactus, but we all have to dream, right?
Q. If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?
A. Being that we are in a witchy state of mind, I would change the ending of Harry Potter. I loved the books up until the oh so neatly wrapped up little package that was the ending of the last book. Jumping ahead in time where everything is sorted out and dealt with just didn't work for me. Why couldn't there have been a follow up book? Maybe just one to lead the way into Harry's kids getting into mischief? I would read that in a heartbeat.
Deliverance Trembley lives in Salem Village, where she must take care of her sickly sister, Mem, and where she does her daily chores in fear of her cruel uncle's angry temper. But when four young girls from the village accuse some of the local women of being witches, Deliverance finds herself caught up in the ensuing drama of the trials. And life in Salem is never the same.
Goodreads
So far, this has been a captivating read. It is a middle grade age level, but the subject is interesting, as is the voice of author Lisa Rowe Fraustino. Many thanks to the folks at Scholastic for sending me a review copy.
Q. In books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?
A. Well. I have so many favorite paranormals, it is hard to chose sometimes. Witches have always been up there for me, so I kind of wish they would be able to be out of the broom closet and take to the skies en masse. The kind of witch who could zot you if you cut her off in traffic, or could turn your ex boyfriend into a toad. The kind who could whip out a wand and kick some other pesky type of paranormal butt if needed. Raw elemental earth power at it's finest. Have broom will travel and all that. Makes me feel happy just thinking about it!
A. Oh yes. Dogs. I rescue everything, so my furry babies are my life. My husband and I treat them like we would if we had kids. I also have four finches, a fish (Cranky Fish) and Godzilla the lizard.
My best and most wonderful baby is Taddy. He is the cutest thing ever...
When an antique bridal quilt appears under mysterious circumstances at the vintage clothing shop where Rachel Grant works, she is fascinated. She has never been able to resist handmade textiles from the past, for she believes that through the ages, women wove protective magic into their fabrics in order to mark the important events of their lives: birth, marriage, and death.
But there is more than good in the quilt's magic power. Day by day Rachel sees and feels the power growing, as she senses the quilt influencing her thoughts and actions. Much as Rachel's logical mind longs to deny the supernatural, the aura of evil coming from the quilt is terrifyingly real, and it seems to carry a sinister legacy into the lives of the people Rachel loves.
Goodreads
This book has been a favorite of mine since it was released back in 1999. The blending of magic with the artistry of quilting always fascinated me. Each stitch was usually a blessing sent to whomever was to receive it. But what if you twisted that idea and made each delicate stitch a curse instead? This book is full of the best Barbara Michaels has to offer. Paranormal suspense, real life villains and a heroine who has to overcome almost insurmountable evil to make those she loves safe.
You may have to look for this book in the rare book stores as it is currently not too available. Check out your local library too. As with all of Barbara Michael's books, you will be glad you went to the trouble.
Tessa doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there's something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry she discovers in a box of old books. She finds the creature woven within it compelling and frightening. After the tapestry comes into her possession, Tessa experiences dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt that she herself participated in. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible centuries old secret. She also meets William de Chaucy, an irresistible 16th-century nobleman. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together, they must correct the wrongs of the past. But then the Fates step in, making a tangled mess of Tessa's life. Now everyone she loves will be destroyed unless Tessa does their bidding and defeats a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.
Goodreads
Release date: January 2011 by Delacourt
Many thanks to the publicity department for making a copy available for me to review.
What I liked:
Tessa is a bookworm and the world that Guibord built for her is a cozy one. Her father runs an old bookstore and Tessa loves it there. She misses her mother, but has a good life. When her Dad gets a box of books from an auction with a tapestry intermixed with the books, her life will change forever. When she touches it, she blacks out and begins to reach back into the past to a life she doesn't even remember. But someone else does.
The witch who cast the spell on the tapestry wants it back. Even more, the boy, William who pops out of it. He was spell cast into a unicorn centuries before and is the source of eternal youth for an evil that should have been vanquished long ago. Add the Fates who want their stolen threads back, and you have a wonderful story of love, lost time and hope. This book had me turning the pages deep into the night.
What I Didn't:
It ended and there isn't a book two in the works yet. I may cry.
Overall:
This is a 5 star keeper for my library shelf. Guibord has spun a world out of words that I would love to read more about. A star crossed love that spans centuries, this is sure to appeal to fans of Twilight and Fallen.
Maurissa Guibord can be found writing YA on the coast of Maine with her husband, triplets and an odd cat. Warped is her first published novel.
Q. If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?
A. Tough question as there are so many wonderful books out there. At the risk of ridicule, I have always loved the Harry Potter books and would have loved to be Hermione. She really knew her stuff. Spells to unlock doors and to zot the crap out of the bad guys. She really kicked butt.
I also love the world Gail Carriger has created in her wonderful Steampunk series. Yes, I would have to be Alexia. Parasol, please!
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.
Goodreads
This book looks like it will be a great read. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy to review it.
International bestselling artist Brian Froud and New York Times bestselling author John Matthews come together for the first time to create a spectacular interactive book that opens the doors to the enchanted world of Faerie. How does one discover faeries in one’s backyard or a garden, forest, or meadow? Through insets, hidden messages, magical signs, reflective mirrors, and other paper mechanics, Froud and Matthews reveal how anyone may discover the way to the land of Faerie. All you need is to believe and to own this book.
Goodreads
If you want a look inside...
What I liked:
This book is beautifully illustrated. So much so, that it really captures your imagination. The lift the flap surprises are wonderful and they lead you into the book, where the faeries are waiting for you. The varying styles of faeries, classic of Brian Froud, capture your heart and enthrall the mind.
What I didn't:
Not a thing.
Overall:
If you love books about faeries, then you need to check this out. Pop-ups, lift the flap adventures, and portals into the faery world await. An excellent gift for someone who loves faeries, or for your own collection. I know I will be keeping this book in my library for a long time to come. Many thanks for the wonderful folks at Abrams for sending a copy my way for review.
Key points:
*Lift the flap adventures *Portals into the faery world. *Previously unpublished work by Brian Froud. *Hidden messages * Reflective faery mirrors *Magical signs
If you are a fan of Brian Froud, then you know he is practically half faery himself. His books include: Faeries, The Heart of Faerie Oracle, The Goblins of Labyrinth, The Runes of Elfland and Good Faeries/Bad Faeries. He lives in Devon, England.
John Matthews is a New York Times bestselling author of Pirates. He writes a great deal about history and folklore. He lives in Oxford, England.
Succubus. An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic. A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.
When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?
But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.
But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
(Goodreads)
From the first second I picked up this book, I was hooked! Georgia Kincaid is a succubus with style. Her bookstore job is a dream, and the guys she hangs out with when she isn't "working" at her real occupation are a hoot. If you like a series with snark, believable characters you come to love and care about, then this is the series for you. Yes, there is some succubus action, but it is handled in a sultry, well written way that won't leave you feeling like you need to take a shower afterward. I can appreciate that.
What I liked:
The depth of the plot, the breathable characters and the fact that it is a series.
What I didn't:
Not a thing.
Overall rating:
5/5 Stars for a great book, and amazing series I can't get enough of!
Hmmm. I read so much, but filling in the blanks...I write alot. Blogging takes up some of my time. So do my puppies and my husband. I review music, so when I am not listening to it, I am usually writing a review about it. When time permits, I try to make my Thursday knitting class, but lately that has been quite the challenge with my full time job demanding more of my time than normal. So, I crochet a bit here and there, watch a sitcom with my husband over dinner and then I am usually back on the computer writing, blogging or reviewing something. Typically, this means I am surrounded by my furry kids, trying to either write a bit on the book, toss some laundry in the machine and run the vacuum all while running plot lines in my head and trying to squeeze as much into my time off as I can. Life is never boring at my house.
Question of the week:
Where do you get your books?
Answer: Most of the time I buy my books, both on my Nook and in physical form. I get some from publishers and authors who are interested in having me review them, and I find some at the e-branch of my public library. I love that you can use the e-branch Overdrive system with the iPad and the Nookcolor. It is super cool. I also use Netgalley. For any of you bloggers out there who have not investigated Netgalley, you really need to check it out. It is like an extended library check out system that you can use on your e-reader or iPad.
Tessa doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there's something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry she discovers in a box of old books. She finds the creature woven within it compelling and frightening. After the tapestry comes into her possession, Tessa experiences dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt that she herself participated in. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible centuries old secret. She also meets William de Chaucy, an irresistible 16th-century nobleman. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together, they must correct the wrongs of the past. But then the Fates step in, making a tangled mess of Tessa's life. Now everyone she loves will be destroyed unless Tessa does their bidding and defeats a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.
Goodreads
I just started reading this amazing book. If you like books, magic and a whole lot of suspense, try this one. The publisher sent it to me for review, and it is very worth the read. Stay tuned for my up and coming review.
Welcome to another excellent weekend blog hop! I am happy to see you here. It is always great to meet new book loving friends here on the web. Stop and sit for a spell and tell me about your current read!
Q. Let's step away from besties...What is the worst book that you've ever read and actually finished?
A. Oh wow. That is a hard question. The worst book that I actually finished. That is so hard. There have been a lot of books I have read over the years that don't get finished. I think I would have to say the one I hated the most was:
I mean, really. A story about a guy that turns into a giant roach? Oh the horror. It was the worst. Wait. No that might actually go to:
I hated every second of this book. It was awful. It's funny, I don't remember why I hated it, but the very thought of reading it again makes me shudder.
This week, instead of a question, we are promoting another blog's giveaway! Check out the awesome things going on at Vampires, Werewolves & Witches, Oh My!
If you are looking for a new app, consider the beautifully illustrated Goddess Tarot App by Kris Waldherr. There is a free lite version with a one card oracle, or a multi card version as shown above. Both are available from the Apple App Store. Both versions are lovely. Each card is full of the gorgeous artwork featured in Kris's deck and in The Book of Goddesses, posted in an earlier review here On the Broomstick.
For more information, check out Kris Waldherr's website:
From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.
The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.
For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.
(Goodreads)
This book was sent to me by the publisher and I can't wait to start reading!
