Nephilim - Morbid Romantica January 2011

Morbid Romantica Challenge - 2011

officially starts tomorrow.
January is focusing mainly on Nephilim.
For the complete list head to the challenge page.

I have not been too excited to gather such a group of books
together in a long time.

This challenge is purely for Morbid Enjoyment!
*Who doesn't like a bit of Paranormal Romance in their reading?*

We will TRY to focus on one theme during the month.

However, you can cross off books for any theme as you go.

Challenge is easy and will be fun!!

Here are the levels,
Where will you fall?

Lost Romantica - Read 1 Book from 12 themes = 12 Books

Crushing Romantica - Read 3 Books from 12 themes = 36 Books
Lusting After Romantica - Read 4 Books from 12 themes = 48 Books
Falling for Romantica - Read 5 Books from 12 themes = 60 Books

Cannot Pull Away Romantica - Read 6 Books from 12 themes = 72 Books
Vexed Romantica - Read 7 Books from 12 themes = 84 Books
Devoted Romantica - Read 8 Books from 12 themes = 96

Morbid Romantica - Read 9 Books from 12 themes = 108 Books

Book suggestions for Nephilim:

*Links lead to GoodReads for more info*

City of Bones ----> Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes ----> Cassandra Clare

City of Glass ----> Cassandra Clare

Hush Hush ----> Becca Fitzpatrick 

Crescendo ---->  Becca Fitzpatrick

Fallen ----> Lauren Kate

Torment ----> Lauren Kate

Angelfire ----> Courtney Allison Moulton

Unearthly ---->Cynthia Hand

Halo ----> Alexandra Adornetto

Personal Demons ----> Lisa Desrochers

Evermore ----> Alyson Noel

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid series) ---->  Richelle Mead

Angel Star ---->  Jennifer Murgia

Angelology ---->  Danielle Trussoni

Fallen Angel (Fallen Angel 1) ---->  Heather Terrell

Awakened (The Guardian Legacy 1)----> Ednah Walters

Covet ----> J.R. Ward

Crave ----> J.R. Ward

Kissed by An Angel ----> Elizabeth Chandler

The Fallen Vol. 1 ---->  Thomas E. Sniegoski

The Fallen Vol. 2 ---->  Thomas E. Sniegoski

Strange Angels ----> Lilith Saintcrow

A Rush of Wings (The Maker's Song) ----> Adrian Phoenix

Angels Blood (Guild Hunter 1) ---->  Nalini Singh

The Ghost Hunter ----> Lori Brighton

I know this is a small and very limited list of suggestions.

If you know of any that I missed please let me know so I can add it to the list.

If any of these are wrong also please let me know so I can take it off the list.

I have not read all of these but found them through some research.

I too need some suggestions.

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Grab this fun button & add your name to the Mr. Linky!

This should be a fun challenge!!

No Bake Cookies

Last night I decided that I needed to do something with the wee ones that had nothing to do with motion pictures.  Ugh... That picture box is just utterly too horrible! 

What is fun and makes a mess at the same time but is something I need to lend hardly any effort in helping with.

No Bake Cookies was the answer.

Pictures are from last night and the cookies were made by the wee ones.

Recipe is my mother's.  Only the Creator knows where she grabbed it from but these cookies were apart of my childhood as well!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No Bake Cookies

Row 1

1 stick butter

½ cup powered baking cocoa

2 cups sugar

½ cup milk

Row 2

½ cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups oatmeal

(not instant)

Directions:

Bring Row 1 to a boil.

Boil for 3 minutes (I would stir while boiling so there is no chance of burnt yuck),
then remove from heat. 

Add Row 2, stir well.

Drop teaspoon sized amount onto wax paper.

Eat when cool and hardened.

*Yes, that is the mystery machine cookie jar*

Enjoy!


If you attempt to make this simple recipe I'd love to see a photo of the yummy goodness.

Best of 2010

The Perpetual Page Turner created this lovely survey to show off
our Best of 2010 Books.


Click Here for all of the Books the Mad Scientist read this 2010!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


1. Best book of 2010?

My favorites for this year are The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny.

(Yeah, I know... I'm Mad.)

2. Worst book of 2010? 

Fallen by Lauren Kate

3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010? 

Fallen by Lauren Kate & Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010? 

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, The Host by Stephenie Meyer & Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.  

5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010? 

Soulless by Gail Carriger for Steampunkery
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie for Native American 

6. Best series you discovered in 2010? 

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter Series!

YUMMY!

Comes out next year - Bonded by Blood by Laurie London, Angelfire by Courtney A. Moulton

7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010? 

Sherrilyn Kenyon & Gail Carriger

Comes out next year - Bonded by Blood by Laurie London, Angelfire by Courtney A. Moulton

8. Most hilarious read of 2010? 

Ur... DK

9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010? 

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Soulless by Gail Carriger, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare & Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Comes out next year - Bonded by Blood by Laurie London, Angelfire by Courtney A. Moulton

10. Book you most anticipated in 2010?  

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Changeless by Gail Carriger

11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010? 

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Gothic, Dark & a Dress to Die For!

12. Most memorable character in 2010? 

Hmm... I love love love Nykyrian Quiakides from Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

(Read at the beginning of the year and still dream of him.)

Anita Blake from Guilty Pleasures by Laurell Hamilton

Jace from City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Will from The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Coming out next year - Dom from Bonded by Blood by Laurie London

Will from Angelfire by Courtney A. Moulton

13. Most beautifully written book in 2010? 

Stardust by Neil Gaiman was great with Simple words.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare was choked full of amazing quotes.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks made me cry... big time. 

(Which is extremely hard to do!)

Soulless by Gail Carriger for utterly amazing fashion & Scottish WereWolf!

14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010? 

Imapact as in life changing... I don't think any.

But... as in can't get out of my head would have to be 

Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

15. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read? 

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. 

It has to be one of my all time favorite movies & I didn't want to ruin it by reading the book.

But I broke down this year.

Book Blogging in 2010 

Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.) ? 

I would have to say goodreads was my greatest find, which lead me to blogger, which lead me to shelfari, which lead me to NetGalley, which lead me to twitter, which lead me to where I am today!

Thanks to Everyone who took out there time to read all of this!

Mad Scientist's Challenges for 2011

2011 will be here in no time!

New Year Blessings to all!

Here is a list of challenges that the Mad Scientist will be partaking in.

Any challenges that I am seriously missing out on?

Please do let me know.


Challenges Hosted by Steampunkery & Book Reviews:

Nephilim (Fallen Angels)

1.)  The Fallen Volume 1 by Thomas E. Sniegoski

2.)

Steampunkery Romantica
1.)  Vampire Empire  -  Book One:  The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith
2.)  Clockworks & Corsets by Regina Riley 

1.)  Time: Future... Vampire Empire - Book One:  The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith
2.)  Read a Book on the Computer...  Clockworks & Corsets by Regina Riley

Challenges by others:

Hosted by Jennie @ Life is Short. Read Fast.

I guess we will be seeing how fast I can read...

1.)  Vampire Empire  -  Book One:  The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith
2.)  Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny
3.)  Maximum Ride #3 Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson
4.)  The New Kid at School (Dragon Slayers Academy #1) by Kate McMullan
5.)  Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
6.)  The Fallen Volume #1 by Thomas E. Sniegoski
7.)  The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
8.)  A Sex God by Ashley Ladd
9.)  Alec's Reward by Kim Dare
10.)  The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
11.)  Clockworks & Corsets by Regina Riley 

Vampire Challenge Hosted by Parajunkee

1.)  Vampire Empire  -  Book One:  The Greyfriar
2.)

Shifter Challenge Hosted by Parajunkee

1.)  Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny
2.)  Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
3.)

E-Book Challenge Hosted by The Ladybug Reads

1.)  Clockworks & Corsets by Regina Riley

Hosted by Savannah @ Books with Bite


1.)

Steampunkery Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas to all of my steamy followers

&

Anywho stumble upon this blog of

Steampunkery & Book Reviews!

I send out my love to everyone!

Wonderful steamy days to all and to all a wonderful steamy night!

Your favorite,

Mad Scientist

& Noah the Victorian Punk

PS: Send any & all book gifts to the Mad Scientist

Care of Mad Labortories!

Wisconsin

USA

*grin*

Steampunkery Fashion @ Blasphemina's Closet

It is the holiday season and I hope everyone is having a very Happy Holiday thus far.

Enjoying your Christmas Eve,

Wait you are checking out this post!  

Running away from the family for a few moments.  

I understand and I'm guessing you would so I have this very smashing 

fashion post to get you ready for the New Year's Eve Party's!

I know you are dying for New Year's!  

The start to a new beginning.  A new year of reading.

A new year with new debuts authors, books from last year to be read, & challenges that need to be started straight away.

First!  We need to get dressed up and ring in the New Year Properly!

Here are some amazing images of ubber smashing wants that I needed to share with you.

Enjoy!

You simply much scroll slowly because they are just

too scrumptious for a minute look over!

Light up your dress with this hair piece!

Simply Stunning!

Hot!!

Perfect for New Years!

How cute!

Can I have 5 of these dresses?

Too Amazing

"Blasphemina's Closet has been known for 10 years as the longest running gothic and lolita clothing online boutique in the west (est. 2000). Praised for her attention to detail and custom clothing for all sizes, Samantha Rei's mission is to bring beauty and fanciness to the masses."
(Taken from ETSY Bio)

 

Visit at:

ETSY

Website

Twitter

Book Review... Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire

By:  Courtney Allison Moulton

Published:  HarperCollins

Release Date:  February 2011 

PreOrder:   Amazon | The Book Depository | IndieBound | B & N

eBook 291Pages

Cover Art:  Hard to say, I don't love it or hate it and I certainly like it more now that I am finished with the book.

Tags:  Young Adult, Teen Paranormal Romance,

First Line:  I Stared out the classroom window I longed for freedom, wanting to be anywhere in the world other than gaping up at my economics teacher like the rest of my classmates.

Why the Mad Scientist Read this Book:

Thanks to the our dear NetGalley and friends at HarperCollins I was able to obtain this most wonderful eARC in replace of a honest and truly Mad take on this book.  *shakes head* Are they sure?

Concoction of a Review:

I admit that when I started Angelfire the Mad Scientist had no clue (even more then normal) what this book was about. Ok, besides the female on the front with some amazing looking blades.  *wonders* Could I carry that sword and a parasol at the same time?  The point is I had no idea what I was getting into, I did not even know that this book was young adult.  Now that we know that, I will tell you that I was floored by this book!

I flew through this book devouring every word and chapter as I went.  It felt short, but not in a bad way at all.  Come to find out that the book is 400+ pages in real book form.  WoW!  Yes, I was floored.  Courtney Allison Moulton had the Mad Scientist at page 1!

Our Heroine, Ellie, is a normal everyday teenage high school girl who wants a car, to hang out with her friends, has a donkey behind of a father, and wants move forward to a decent college.  Wait a moment all... you can scratch that.  Ellie is a Preliator who has been reincarnated since before Christ.  You might ask, "What is that?"  I know I did!  A Preliator is none other then a lovely female warrior who holds a whirlwind of ancient power who goes around killing hellish demons that we call reapers.  Ellie is the host to all of this power but she wouldn't know a lick of what to do without a our gorgeous Will.  *swoon*

Will is her Guardian who has been by her side for over 500 years and is now helping her gain her memory from her previous lives.  Soon our heroine is also swooning over said Guardian and sneaking out of the house to be with him. They might deny their attraction but it is so powerful.  Soon we find out even more behind the stoic Guardian.  Ellie saved his life but there is no sacrifice too small or big that he wouldn't do for her.  It is very clear that Will's existence for no other purpose then for Ellie, too keep her safe that is.  Tender. *smirk*  Ellie has to learn how to wield her sword, call Angelfire, and why she goes around killing reapers.

Ellie has all of this power and sexy Guardian by her side but all she wants is the good old days... friends, her father's love, and when she didn't have to lie so much.  Her old life is no longer on the front lines.  She is apart of a huge supernatural battle that has been going on for years.  Many reaper fear her greatly. No matter what the reapers cannot win the larger battle, the cost would be too great to even fathom.

Which leads us to the action packed battle scenes.  Courtney's writing has you right along in all of the action.  Her crisp words make you cringe when you are supposed to and be excited when Ellie kicks reaper behind.  Buildings were being knocked down, mailboxes were being splintered, and there was even an amazing epic battle in the middle of the ocean.  Yes, epic.  

I am looking forward to reading.  Scratch that, I can barely wait to read "Wings Of The Wicked" (Angelfire #2) and "Hymn To The Fallen "(Angelfire # 3).

4.98 Blasts

I do believe it is a new favorite! 
Powerful fight scences, steamy attration & a new fictional Boyfriend!

Quotes:  

Mom frowned.  "You have to be smarter than the pancakes, Ellie."


The next morning, my head and every muscle in my body hurt as if I'd run a marathon through six feet of snow in stilettos.


You're six hundred years old and a root beer float is your favorite food?

Mad Scientist enjoyed these reviews, you may too:

Book City Chick
Novels on the Run

Where to find our lovely author:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Waiting on Wednesay ....WoW!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine in an effort to share with other smashing bloggers what titles are out there to be released.  My picks this week are:

Dead Rules

Randy Russel

Release Date: July 1st, 2011

Sometimes falling in love means you have to kill somebody. (from Goodreads.com)

It's really that one line that really does all the talking for me.  I mean, how twisted is that?  I suppose that much of the time love and death go hand in hand, but still.  It's funny to me in a dark sense.  It sounds smashing.

The Mysterious Lady Law

Robert Appleton

Release Date:  January 31st, 2011

In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance-even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be-a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted?

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself-and turning the tables on Lady Law...(from goodreads.com)

Now, being that this book is Steampunk and takes place in wonderful Britian, I couldn't pass it up.  It seems as though Robert Appleton has given us a Steampunk Mystery and I'm always in for a good investigation.  I do not deny that a little mystery goes a long way. 

What is your pick for this WoW?  Cheers!

Mad Scientist on a Scientist

Liv - Scientist & Book Lover

The Mad Scientist was pleasantly shocked and interested by the fact 

that there was a Scientist in Beautiful Darkness.

We must of butted heads right away because I could not quite figure out if I enjoyed

Liv's character at the start.

Liv is a brilliant character who loves books and science.

She brings in a whole new bag of possibilities 

and know it all attitude to the wrought iron table.

Well, when you are a Scientist you do feel like you know everything. *grin*

Liv was a intense wedge between Ethan and Lena.

Although, she didn't try to.

However, I really must admit that I enjoyed the wedge.

I was horrified when Lena ran off with... My dears, that would be a spoiler.

But surprised when Ethan turned to Liv in a way I never thought of.

Shocked!

Liv, Link, and Ethan...

The human Trio running through the Caster World to save our dear naughty runaway, Lena.

Ethan you stubborn obsessive male for chasing after her.

Liv thanks to you Ethan had brilliant back up.  I mean... men! 

What would they do with out a woman leading them in the right direction.

Down the wrong path.

*smirk*


All you need to know is that she is the most wonderful Scientist.
And after time I warmed up to her and we are now indeed friends.


I hope you enjoyed Liv as well.

Who does the Mad Scientist think would be the best person to play Liv?

That is a hard call.  

She would have to be stunning.  (Because we all are!)

She would have to send out those vibes of strong presence.

She would have to someone who brings ideas of intelligence to mind.

She would have to have to be a grand leader.

Only one person comes to mind and I do believe it is because of her role now.

Emma Watson ------>

Strong Presence

In Love with the Dress

Who would you pick?

What did you think of Liv?

She was unexpected.

At least for me.

But she was someone who really 

helped the story along.

Mad Thoughts on another Scientist! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mad Scientist Enters the Twitter World

Pleasant Sunday to everyone!
Mad Scientist trusts that you slept well.

I have big news!

Big news for the Mad Scientist and Steampunkery & Book Reviews!

Huge!

@MadSteampunkery

The Mad Scientist is now on Twitter!!

Now with that being said I need to say sorry for any errors while I'm learning how to tweet and retweet and find people.

I'm enjoying it already.

But.....

I need some fantastic followers now.

@MadSteampunkery

Please stop by and follow the Steampunkery Twitter bird and I'll follow you back!

Can you tweet about the Mad Scientist entering the Twitter World!?!

Take care all of you as we get farther into the Holidays.

Book Review... Caster Chronicles No. 2

Beautiful Darkness

By Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Hardcover 512 Pages
Cove Art:  Simple.  I understand the steps but I think I liked the prototype better with the Gothic gate across the front.
Tags: Dark Fantasy Paranormal, Southern Gothic, Cover Love, Young Adult

First Line: I used to think our town, buried in the South Carolina backwoods, stuck in the muddy bottom of the Santee River Valley, was the middle of nowhere.

Caster Chronicles Feature Week!!

Concoction of  a Review:

Caster Lena Duchannes and Ethan Wate survived Lena's sixteen birthday together in Beautiful Creatures, the decision of choosing to go light or dark now draws near.  However, Ethan has a serious problem, his girlfriend is pulling away from him.  What is even worse, he does not have the faintest idea how to keep Lena from leaving.   She draws away from Ethan while she struggle with her internal self and fights to decide who she really is, is she going dark?   While he is chasing after Lena, trying to save her, he finds himself delving farther into the Caster world even farther then he even imagined.

In Beautiful Darkness there is an array of new character arrivals to keep this book interesting. Olivia AKA Liv, is a brilliant girl who loves books and science finds herself not making things easier for our dear Ethan.  Our lovely Caster Lena retreats farther into a world where Ethan does not belong.  However, armed with the obsession of saving Lena he races head first deep into the hidden Caster tunnels beneath Gatlin and other southern cities with Link and Liv.  This human trio is runs into scary magical creatures that can tear them apart, secrets of Ethan's mother and of other family members he has known for his whole life.  I loved how Liv really stepped up throughout this adventure.  It was refreshing to see the science girl out on an adventure instead of locked up in a laboratory playing with beakers all day.

Much of the plight of this books seems to stem from a newly occurring theme in YA books. Where one of the people in "love" completely abandons the other to save or protect the other.  To me it makes no sense to leave the person you love with all your heart without talking and cutting them out of your life to to be a good thing to do.  How does that solve the problem?  Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl jumped into this new wave using the theme to drive the plot.  This does put Ethan in a stupor and sends him after her in a non healthy obsessive rage to follower save her.  Because of this I did not connect with Lena which made the presence of Liv all that more interesting.  *grin*

I do have to mention our musically inclined or not so inclined Link was amazing with his I'm so buff and wont back down gutsy macho mantra.  It made me laugh and feel sorry for him altogether.  I also felt for him when they met up with Ridley throughout Beautiful Darkness.  This siren seriously had a effect on him.  I love reading and watching how these dynamic characters fight through tension, dislike, and attraction.

Saving Lena will not be a simple challenge for her champion.  She is punishing herself due her feeling responsible for uncles death, Macon.  Will our southern born lad be able to save the girl from his dreams?

4.00 Blasts

Beautifully Dark writing!!

Plus there is a Scientist!!

What's not to like!?! 

Mad Scientist recommends these few Reviews of Beautiful Darkness by other Bloggers:
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
Alison's Book Marks 
Bewitched Bookworms  (right now they are doing a book discussion for Beautiful Darkness)
In the Closet with a Bibliophile

Website to visit:
Caster Chronicles Link
Margaret Stohl Blog Link
Kami Garcia Blog Link

What's Your Status No. 4

What's Your Status?

is a brand new MeMe started by my wonderful Blogger Pal

Zakiya @ Butterfly Feet Walking on Books 

Basically it is a weekly what did I find myself buying, finished reading, what The Mad Scientist is currently reading, and probably what I think will be read next.

This includes books, audio, and ebook form for me.

Mad Scientist Finished Reading:

Angelfire By Courtney Allison Moulton

E-Book from NetGalley
I do believe it is a new favorite!!

Bonded by Blood
E-Book From NetGalley

Mad Scientist is Currently Reading: 

Lost Voices By Sarah Porter

E-Book from Net Galley

From PYR:

The Horns of Ruin

Vampire Empire
Book one: The Greyfriar

The Buntline Special

Cowboy Angels

Up Next For Mad Scientist:

Vampire Empire
Book one: The Greyfriar

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is going on here?

I am trying to get a few fun challenges off the ground for this coming 2011.

Morbid Romantica Challenge - 2011

This challenge is purely for Morbid Enjoyment!
*Who doesn't like a bit of Paranormal Romance in their reading?*

We will TRY to focus on one theme during the month.

However, you can cross off books for anything theme as you go.

Challenge is easy and will be fun!!

Lost Romantica - Read 1 Book from 12 themes.

Crushing Romantica - Read 3 Books from 12 themes.
Falling for Romantica - Read 5 Books from 12 themes.

Cannot Pull Away Romantica - Read 6 Books from 12 themes.

Morbid Romantica - Read 9 Books from 12 themes.

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Grab this fun button & add your name to the Mr. Linky!

This should be a fun challenge!!





Reading Bucket List Challenge

January 1st 2011 - December 31st 2011

 
Easy Sign up with just a comment.
Here!!


I hope you find them worthy.

ALSO Ridley's Giveaway!!
There is plenty of time.
Sign Up for a Hardcover of Beautiful Creatures
&
Find out where you can win a Hardcover of Beautiful Darkness!!