Thursday, March 31, 2011

Forbidden Hops (1)

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Tis Time for the Mechanical Bunny Hop...


    Except this weeks hop post can be found on my Adult Blog!





Not need to fret... 
        
            The Mad Scientist has no story to delve into concerning matters of the Festive Holiday of April Fools.  Nonetheless, it is of improper character for a Lady of any background to frolic in such a manner.  LOL!


Happy Hopping to all!



Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Library Unveiled (1)

Don't know what is in your library?
Want to share your books with others?
Curious to know what is in other libraries?

I am quite sure that I am not the only mad person who has spent time strolling through another's virtual library or digging through my own looking for the next beloved book to dive into or add to my wondrously long wishlist.

The Mad Scientist is also quite sure that with being surrounded by many many bound books that I am in no need of desiring more on a continuous scale that borders obsession.  Of course, I really do not mean that...

There are books on my shelves older then a few parasols, that have gone unread, books that I go to for comfort, and books that I have plain out forgot even existed.  What a wonderful idea abounded my brain the other idea!  What if others had shelves like these?  What if others wanted to share not only the books received that week (which is all well and good) but also the books that brought them joy for years!

What is on Your Shelf?  will allow you to share your personal library, bound or virtual, with the Mad Scientist and other bloggers.

Every Thursday stop by and share 5 books & perhaps a snippet of your thoughts or link to a review.

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

Die For Me by Amy Plum is an ARC that I am currently reading.  Indeed this book has been enjoyable.  The horrid thing about ARC's and actually liking the book is that you have to wait even longer for the next book in the series to make its appearance!  

The Mad Scientist was lucky enough to win this ARC at the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in Naperville, IL.  The authors were just amazing to chat with & currently I am excited about the tour coming so close to home this summer when Amy Plum will be there along with some other authors!

Stone Garden by Molly Moynahan is a book that I acquired from a friend.  The Mad Scientist has no clue what this book is about or even what she thought of it.  Hmmm.... anyone else recommend this one to me?

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory was just wonderful.  A fellow GoodReads friend pushed me to read this one and I am so happy that I did.  It is now on my favorite Historical to re-read pile.  Yes, there is a pile and in this post you get to see two of them :)

Just to make sure that I am clear, I'm not a fan of movie tie in covers but for the low low price of two dollars at Goodwill I could not pass this book up... twice.  I'm not sure how I managed to buy two copies ;)

Sightseeing is a book that I picked up at the Freer Gallery in Washington, DC.  The Mad Scientist was in need of a culture pick me up since I have not visited Thailand in too long of a time.  This book held several short stories that were just too much fun to read.


Helen of Troy by Margaret George was historical tale that was spun in such away that had me loving every minute of the book.  I was pleasantly shocked and hooked even more by being told of Helen's story from her own point of view.  

I have enjoyed Margaret's writing so much that I felt ever so inclined to read some of her other novels, although I warn you that her books are quite lengthy in size.  This coming Tuesday I will be visiting Margaret at her book signing and release for Elisabeth I, which I am very much overjoyed about!  I've been in love with her books for years!!!!!!


Well, my lovelies!
There are my first 5 books that can be found in my library!

What is on your shelf?

*Book Titles are Linked to GoodReads for Your Convince*

A new MeMe? Yes, Lets!

Don't know what is in your library?
Want to share your books with others?
Curious to know what is in other libraries?

I am quite sure that I am not the only Mad person who has spent time strolling through another's virtual library or digging through my own looking for the next beloved book to dive into or add to my wondrously LOOOONG wishlist.

The Mad Scientist is also quite sure that being surrounded by so many bound books that I am in no need of desiring more on a continuous scale that borders on obsession.  Of course, I really do not mean that...

There are books on my shelves older then a few parasols that have gone unread, books that I go to for comfort, and books that I have plain out forgot even existed.  What a wonderful idea abounded my brain!  What if others had overflowing shelves like mine?  What if others wanted to share not only the books received that week (which is all well and good) but also the books that brought them joy for years!

Library Unveiled will allow you to share your personal library, bound or virtual, with the Mad Scientist and other bloggers.

Every Thursday stop by and share 1 to 5 books & perhaps a snippet of your thoughts or link to a review.

Starting tomorrow!

Copy the button above or make your own, drop by any time on Thursday and add your link to my comments!
*Wednesday at midnight, central time.*

Prepare yourselves and find a new way to enjoy Book Shelves!

~`~  Let me know what you think!  ~`~

If nothing else let the Mad Scientist share her enormous library with all of you!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Bonded by Blood --> Book Review

8804055
Bonded by Blood

By: Laurie London
Series: Sweetblood #1  
Published By:  HQN (Harlequin)
Published Date: Feb 2011
eBook 389 (Nook)
Tags: Adult, Paranormal Romance, Vampires


First Line:  Mackenzie Foster – Shaw spotted the cemetery sign at the last minute and squeezed the brakes, spinning out her white Triumph motorcycle in a spray of dirt and gravel.


Why the Mad Scientist read this book:
I needed a adult fix and this book was it.   With this in mind it had no effect on my already effected brain.



Concoction of a review:
Bonded by Blood was a wonderful debut novel & scrumptious beginning of the Sweetblood series by Laurie London.  It starts off with dear Mackenzie taking pictures in various cemeteries.  (I right then this book was for me, vampires & morbid cometary.)  But what will her wondering eyes find?  Well, one simply to die for delicious hunk of a vampire who has been injured by a silver bullet.  She is drawn to him in a cautious way but he is drawn to her by her overpowering rare and extremely addictive sweetblood.  You can’t help your sweet tooth & neither could he.
From that point she felt odd, especially when she was missing a day of her life.  Where did it go?  Then she found herself oddly attracted to a stranger.  The connection she feels for him is overpowering her stubborn rational self.  Which may be a good thing for her.  She quickly learns about a world that she never knew about & possibly were she belongs in it.
Bonded by Blood was crazy mad hot when it came to the wonderful chemistry between Dom and Mackenzie.  These two pulled and pushed into each other in and suspenseful passionate way.  I loved it! Laurie London builds their intense relationship slowly and explosive at the same time.  Seems to be hypocritical?  It is hard to explain but too true.
The love scenes were hot and steamy, just the way I like them.  Nothing was over done, over the top, or reused when it came to Dom and Mackenzie’s body twisting scenes.
The world Laurie London created was also very believable.  Behind a paranormal book there is a lore and this one was well thought out and developed nicely explaining everything that needed to be laid out so the reader, or the Mad Scientist, would not be too confused or left in the dark.  We also learn of the world along with Mackenzie so the shock and wonder goes hand and hand. 
Save a Tree – Read an e-book Button
e-ARC Love!
Dislikes?  Not really.  If I had to pick something I would have to say that I wish Mackenzie kept more of the hardcore attitude as the story went on but I didn’t think about it until after the story was over.  We will see about book two.
Overall, Bonded by Blood was a story with a new twist of a vampire/human romance that had me flipping through pages faster then I could read them.  I was recommending the book and now I’m stuck waiting for more Sweetblood action even longer then noraml since this book isn’t even out yet!!!




4.5 Blasts
Hunky vampire & intense steamy scenes 
will be had!







Find Laurie London’s Debut Novel at:

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Invincible - March 22nd 2011

If I have not made myself clear about my fan status for Sherrilyn Kenyon, now would be a grand time to state my love of her books.  
.................................................................................................................
The Mad Scientist is a Huge Sherrilyn Kenyon Fan!!
.................................................................................................................
I adore The League Series especially Born of Night with Nykyrian & Kiara.  Admittedly, the Mad Scientist is a fan of the Dark Hunter Series as well.   Perhaps there is not much surprise.  I am hard pressed to find a reader of romance that does not swoon over her Dark Hunters.  If not one, it is more likely it is over all of them.  

While reading this series my mind reeled with the idea of having a book just about Nick, Squire to the charming Kyrian from Night Pleasures.  Personally, I was beside myself when Sherrilyn announced not only a book about Nick but a whole series!

Shaking in my boots with anticipation I also had my doubts due to the Chronicles of Nick being launched as a Young Adult Series.  Her adult series has me in love that the young adult jump had my loyalty falter for a moment.  

Infinity was wonderful but in a way that is very different to why I love her novels to begin with.  On March 22nd I will be in line with the second in the series in my arms!  
I can Hardly wait!!
*Review of Chronicles of Nick: Infinity to come,  Re-Reading just before I pick up Invincible.*

Chapter One Exerpt:


They say when you’re about to die, you see your entire life flash before your eyes.

They lied.

The only thing Nick Gautier could see flashing was Kyrian Hunter’s vampire fangs. That horrifying sight froze him in place on the elegant mahogany staircase at the front of Kyrian’s sprawling antebellum mansion.

I’m going to die...

Again.

Yeah, since he’d attempted to go to school about twenty-two hours ago and had found out his principal had been eaten by a zombie, everything and its brother had been after him.

Now his friggin boss was a vampire.

It figured. So much for his paycheck, unless the devil could cash it he’d never see a nickle out of it.

Would this day ever end?

Dude, right now, you’re the one who’s about to end. That thought finally shattered the terrified fog in his head that had held him immobile.

Run, dude, run!

He couldn’t go downstairs cause that was where Kyrian stood. The only place to run was upstairs, after his mother who’d already gone into the bedroom Kyrian had loaned them for the night- she was completely oblivious to the fact that they were in mortal danger and that their blood was about to be drained. He spun around to warn her.

“Nick! Wait!”

Wait, my gluteus maximus. Vampire was shy a few quarts of blood if he thought Nick had any intention of not going Casper on him.
I’m too young, too smart and too good-looking to die. Yeah, and then some. They needed him to improve the gene pool. Not to mention, at fourteen he hadn’t even had his first date yet. He’d only just, this night, had his first kiss. He should have recognized that alone as a sign that the apocalypse was coming and that his death was imminent.

As he neared the top of the stairs, Kyrian jumped straight up from the floor twenty feet below and flipped over the shiny railing to land gracefully in front of him and cut off his escape. Kyrian’s black eyes flashed in the shadows. Dressed all in black and at over six feet in height, Kyrian made a deadly, impressive sight even with his boyish blond curls.

There was no way to get past him.

Crappola...

Nick skidded to a halt. What should he do now? His mom was in a bedroom a few feet behind Kyrian. He’d yell for her, but the last thing he wanted was for Kyrian to kill her too. Maybe if he kept quiet, Kyrian would only drain him.

“It’s not what you think, Nick.”

Yeah, right. “I think you’re a bloodsucking demon vampire who’s going to kill me, that’s what I think.”

Before he could so much as blink, Kyrian reached out and grabbed his neck with some kind of Vulcan death grip. He wanted to fight, but he was as helpless as a pup being held by the scruff. With the inhuman strength you’d expect from the undead, Kyrian hauled him past his mother’s temporary bedroom and into Kyrian’s upstairs office.

Like the rest of the house, the floor to ceiling curtains were drawn shut to protect against the dawning sun- something that should have clued Nick in the first moment he'd stepped into the house that Kyrian was a ghoul. The dark wood of the desk blended in seamlessly with the dark green walls.

Without breaking stride, Kyrian flung him into his black leather chair.

When he started to bolt, Kyrian slammed him back into it. “Stop a minute and listen. I know I’m asking the impossible from you, but for once in your life, shut your mouth and open your ears.”

“I’m not the one talking.”

Kyrian glared at him. “Don’t get smart with me.”

“You want me stupid?”

“Nick...”

Nick held his hands up. “Fine, just don’t eat my mom, okay? She’s had a bad enough life without becoming the Bride of Dracula.”

“I don’t drink blood.”

He arched a brow at that. “Yeah, right.”

“Yeah, right. I don’t. I’m not a vampire.”

This from the one with the freaky long canines? “Then what’s with your peculiar dental problem, huh? And don’t even try to tell me they’re fake, Mr. Armani suits and fancy car, cause you ain’t the type to have false ones and all that also says you have the money to fix them if you wanted to. Not to mention the fact you don’t go out in daylight and how did you ninja flip up the stairs just now if you’re not one of the undead?”

“I’m gifted.” 


Next Two Appearances!
Apr 26 , 2011; 6:00 PM
Bloomington, MN,
Mall of America Signing Born of Shadows launch
Venue: Booksigning
Location: Mall of America 60 E. Broadway

Apr 27 , 2011; 7:00 PM
Oak Brook, IL,
Chicago Born of Shadows Tour
Venue: Booksigning
Location: Barnes and Noble


I leave you with this trailer of Chronicles of Nick: Invincible!
Your Local & Global 
Mad Scientist!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Giveaway & Author Tour






Tomorrow is going to be a long but pleasant day.
Oh, poppycock! It is going to be a GRAND day!
The Mad Scientist will be in Chicago for The Dark Days of  Supernatural Tour!
The Mad Scientist will be meeting with four wonderful authors!

Afterlife         Desires of the Dead
Claudia Gray   ---   Kimberly Derting
AngelfireOnce in a Full Moon
Courtney Moulton       ---       Ellen Schreiber  
How exciting is that!?!
Personally, I can hardly contain myself. Yes, I'm jumping out of my skin!


Now for all of you I have a wonderful Giveaway!
Let's just say it is an early start to my 1000 Follower Giveaway :)
This is going to be an ARC Giveaway!
Open Internationally!
 The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man by Mark Hodder
Black Halo by Sam Sykes
The Scar-Crow Men by Mark Chadbourn

The Flappers: Vixen by Jillian Larkin
After by Amy Efaw


Grand Prize Winner:
A signed copy of one of the books from The Dark Days of  Supernatural Tour!
It will be a surprise but there is a 1/4 chance for one of the above!


 Yes!  Thank is a huge kick off to the 1000 Follower Giveaway!
6 possible books.
Grand Prize winner gets signed book and first choice.
Second winner gets choice of two books.
Third winner gets the last two books.


Rules!
+5 for a Tweet
+15 for a Blog Post
+5 for 1000 Follower Giveaway Button on Sidebar
+20 for being a Blog Follower
*This is a follower giveaway, I love my followers very much!!!*
+5 for being a Twitter Follower


Just leave a comment with links & email!
Open Internationally!



Here are the badges:
Steampunkery & Book ReviewsSteampunkery & Book Reviews


Loving my Followers!  *Hugs*

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Grinding Gears: Madame Tussaud

Madame Tussaud
&
The French Revolution

The Mad Scientist had a thought shoot through her like a bolt of lightening.
I am currently reading a book full of historical value, even if it is fiction. The events are very accurate including the names of people. Why not expand and share what you know?




Madame Tussaud
A Novel of the French Revolution
By Michelle Moran
Madame Tussaud
An image of herself with a wax head.  1761-1850

The Scientist that I am went straight to google with this thought to see what I could find out. Yeah, not very scientific but the thing is you can find; websites, images, quotes, and anything else after stroking a few keys. I may be old fashion but technology sometimes has to catch up with me!

Madame Tussaud is still a place that many flock to so they can see some of their favorite people or not so favorite without stalking them. A few places you can go to see a varied amount of figures include Amsterdam, Bangkok, Hollywood, Hong Kong, Washington DC, and of course London.

Gwen Stefani



  • Madame Tussaud created her first wax figure of Voltaire in 1777.
  • In 1835 she opened up her shop in London.
  • The Chamber of Horrors was the most popular exhibition.


There are just three fun historical facts that I found.  
I'm finding it difficult to add anything else, much to keeping some tidbits from ruining the book for you if you do plan on reading it.
Here is a blurb that I found on the official website:
    From housekeeper's daughter to royal tutor, master figure maker and thriving business woman, the life of Madame Marie Tussaud has all the ingredient of a bestselling novel.
 I just about broke out in a hysterical giggle when I read that. 

How exactly has wax figures still at the height of fasination when a person thinks vacation?  Why do they think of Madame Tussauds as a pleasurable place to visit for travelers since 1835? I found a news article from a few days ago addressing my wonderment at this. How the wax works.

I leave you with this short motion picture that had me laughing in the most unlady like way.
Judging by that I hope you find this clip funny as well.


A link for a small teaser from the beginning of the book, Portal.
A link to the hardcover vs softcover book art duel, Portal.
Have your say, which cover do you prefer?


Off to my happy spot to cuddle with some more pages from this novel!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I Challenge You to A Duel - Madame Tussaud


The Mad Scientist is currently tucked away safely in the back of the laboratory reading

Madame Tussaud
A Novel of the French Revolution


I am quite enjoying myself & this book!

Ah, sweet bloody revolution!
*This book is not for anyone who does not quite enjoy a bloody mess.*

I think many of you who have enjoyed my oddity at times 
know that I do not fancy reading the wonderful synopsis of any book.

I am a scientist who loves to toss out logic when it comes to reading.
Yes, indeed odd.  Covers will draw me in or I rely on wonderful recommendations.
By either friends or my lovely followers.
Yes, I think you can blush now.

With that there is a huge book art debate!
By huge... I mean we all want beautiful covers to swoon over and show off.
Which cover is better?

This week it is 
Hardcover vs Softcover!

Which one do you prefer?

Hardcover                      VS                        Softcover
  

I am indeed undecided on this one.  

The bright sunshine colors of the Hardcover draw me in but I'm not a fan of the stylish hair.  I can hardly believe they loved it at one time.  Whereas, the girl in the Softcover seems sad and beautiful at the same time.   The mask also adds a hint of intrigue.

Which one would you love to have on your shelf?
Or virtual shelf?


Monday, March 14, 2011

Teaser Tuesday: Madame Tussaud



  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Madame Tussaud
A Novel of the French Revolution








     The queen smiles, and then her daughter speaks.  "I think it is improper."

     "There is nothing improper," the king overrules.  "The queen is covered, and the act of dressing is a part of life."

Page 45 Nook Book 








I maybe a scientist in knickers when there is work to be done, but I can appreciate some lovely fashion.  The bright dress pasted on this cover peaked my interest almost as soon as I laid my upon it.  However, the matter of learning had me even more excited.  There is no better way to learn then by reading about it in an amazing novel!  Thus far I am enjoying Madame Tussaud very much.

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A Piece of Steampunkery

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How amazing is this skin?!

Simply Amazing


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