Blog Tour ---> The Warrior & the Flower

Today Mad Scientist has an Asian influenced novel right in time for the Chinese New Year. For this is the Year of the Horse. 

Candace at Candace's Book Blog & CBB Book Promotions is an excellent host! Stop by if you are interested in being apart of future Bookish delight tours.

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Audiobook Review

The Warrior & the Flower 

3 Kingdoms - Book #1

By: Camille Picott

Published:  Pixiu Press

Publish Date:  March 20th 2013

Pages: 307 ebook
Tags:  Fantasy Fiction, Dragons, Young Adult 
Source:  Candace's Book Promotions

Smashwords • Amazon • Goodreads  • B&N

Concoction of a Review:

My oh my. This was such an unexpectedly wonderful delight. My ears were so very much happy from the first moment the audio started, for the Mad Scientist loves audiobooks read by men. A males voice can just be soothing.

Yi, is a retired soldier who takes care of a very special vault for the World Emperor. One day he found that his home & family were destroyed in such a heart wrenching way. A very tragic beginning indeed. After a time, he tosses himself into his work where he nearly looses himself in his overwhelming grief for his wife and daughter. Why has the God of Good Fortune abandoned him? he wonders. 

The World Kingdom is not on the best of terms with its neighboring Sky Kingdom. As the World Emperor trusts Yi, he requests of his time to take up an assignment involving secret meetings to gather information from the Sky Kingdom. 

Here MS pictures Yi with his long hair:

Driven by the previous events he steps in when he sees a young girl who looks very much like his own being beat. He buys Tulip to save her. He debates with self as to what he will do with her now that he may have saved her life. Becoming Tulip's adopted father he is pressed with her amazing curiosity, untimely questions about "special tofu" which had me snort out a giggle here and there at this retired solider trying to bumble through such questions.

Besides for the male POV & voice, with some alternate view from that of young Tulip, MS found the Asian influenced novel to be just that. It was a very creative blending of fantasy and Asian touches here and there. One did not feel overly focused on the Asian aspect but it was there in beautiful layers. 

A beautiful novel to listen too. The action was well in order as MS felt that she could picture the fights happening in front of her crocheting hands. Twists a  plenty. Emotional greif & the blooming of a man's thought to be dead soul.  

** Thanks to Candace's Book Promotions for the ebook. However, all Mad thoughts are presented in as right of mind a twisted brain can be inside of this Mad Scientist!**

4.5 Blasts --->  A Most Delightful Read

A great adventure that will make you think of how people treat others. 

Please do not forget to stop by the other beautiful blogs hosting this tour!

Give Away!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Everyone needs a chance to read or listen to the adorable book!

About the Author

Camille Picott is a fifth-generation Chinese American. She writes science fiction and fantasy books with Asian characters and/or Asian settings. Camille grew up reading speculative fiction stories largely devoid of Asian characters and culture. This, coupled with a passion for her heritage, is the reason she strives to bring some aspect of Eastern myth, legend, culture, and ethnicity to all of her writings. To visit Camille, go towww.camillepicott.com. 

Website • Facebook • Goodreads 

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Today, that of the 31st of January, World Kingdom Warrior - 3 Kingdoms #0.5 is free on Amazon. Will be starting this novella shortly.

Amazon

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The Prayer Shawl MS was working on during the audio goodness.  (Finished)

@madsteam on instagram

eBook Review ---> The Engineered Throne

By: Megan Derr

Published  By:  Less Than Three Press

Publish Date:  Nov. 13th 2013

Pages: 346 ebook
Tags:  Adult, Fantasy Fiction, War, M/M Romance, Dragons, Stand Alone
Source:  Netgalley.com

Concoction of a Review:

The Engineered Throne just blew the Mad Scientist nearly out of her corset. Every little while when updating my progress on GoodReads there was little to say other than how much in love with the book MS was. Which was throughout the whole of the novel. Truly.

Vellem is a young gentleman who is head of the 21st Regiment, the Army Corps of Engineers who pride themselves as being the best engineers who can bring into existence as well as dismantle with use of ogre powder. Thrusting himself into his work he gradually made himself a remarkable name known throughout the lands. Due to his engineering exploits Vellem's role turns out to be paramount to the plot. 

His eldest brother & Minister to the King, Koit, arranged for Vellem to marry Perdith, a young princeling with only a slight chance of sitting on the throne, so that previous animosity between two kingdoms can attempt peace. 

"Small breakfast room. I never realized how right I was to call you a hopelessly spoiled little brat."  14% 

The plot is mostly action driven within a detailed world which kept all lulls at bay. MS was scrolling at such a swift rate one might have feared the lacy gloves would gain several more holes. Assassination attempts galore, mass killings, battles, and MS does so enjoy a good military skirmish. One cannot be prim and proper all the days of such a long year. 

Here is how the Mad Scientist pictures Vellem & Perdith:

Source

The hardcore romance was missing. However, this would be one of those reasons MS did enjoy the book. There were bouts of worry & anxiety between Vellem & Perdith. Small bits of hate & growth between them that turned into desire. Their development from arranged marriage to devotion was a perfect fit more so than falling into each others arms as strangers. 

"You are mad."
"I have been accused of that, yes," 92%

Megan Derr created an alternative historical world wherein two men being together was not prejudiced by others. Wherein dragons chirp and love flowers. Wherein sabotage and traitors had MS engrossed late into night. It has been entirely too long since MS has lost sleep over a book.  

"He gladly took a swallow of coffee to wash away the taste of sweet flowers."  56%

MS does look forward to more inky goodness by Megan Derr. Howbeit, warning is due. Tis being an advanced copy the copy editing is a touch tarnished with a few mistakes here and there. Nonetheless, this did not hinder my enjoyment.

** Thanks to Netgalley! All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!**

5.0 Blasts --->  A Proper Book Indeed!

Pan on ReReading this one several times over!

Library Book Review ---> Grave Mercy

By: Robin LaFevers

Published  By:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publish Date:  April 3rd 2012

Pages: 549 hardcover
Tags:  Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fantasy, Series, Magic
Source:  Community Library

Concoction of a Review:

Why did the Mad Scientist read this book? A convent of female assassins working for the God of Death (Mortain) had MS whirling!!!

@madsteampunkery

Truly beyond that MS was unsure of what to expect. Although, once the post went on instagram about my current read several comments were posted about how great the book was. Sweet biscuits. How truly exciting!

Ismae is the daughter of death. Of course, being as such her life was hard starting before even birth. Her father sold into a marriage at a young age to a detestable man who nearly beat to her last breathe. She was whisked away by a priest who worships the old saints to a convent where she was to choose to work and train to become a handmaiden of death or to go to a husband. 

"Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?"

After crossing paths with Lord Duval during an assignment to snuff out a traitors life without being caught Ismae finds herself thrust into his company as his mistress. Scoffing at the very idea of being his mistress she was bid to pack and leave the convent immediately. She is to be the eyes and ears at court and to kill those Mortain bids by bearing the Marque of Death.

"When one consorts with assassins, one must expect to dance along the edge of a knife once or twice."

They are both muddled over the forced companionship. Ismae determined not to let another male walk over her or shift her faith. However, she starts to bloom as she questions what her convent requests of her. 

Here is how the Mad Scientist pictures Ismae: 

Duval is unwavering in his loyalty & protectiveness of Duchess Anne, his half sister. He can also wield a sword and hold his own along side one who is trained in death. Plus, this man plays chess. *flutters fan* MS loved how he would visit Ismae's room to give appearance of visiting his mistress into the night. Ismae blustered and bumbled and their friendship developed. 

"I comfort myself with the knowledge that if Duval ever feels smothered by me, it will be because I am holding a pillow over his face."

The political plots of stealing the duchy from little Anne was a foot. The race to find Anne a suitable husband from the many who were promised her hand from her late father proved to be a daunting task. It was getting ever so hard to trust the people around her, including Duval's own mother and brother. Twisting and turning it finally came to the point where one could see the who was behind such dastardly plans. 

Reading Grave Mercy during the holidays was a treat. Retreating into such a world full of horses, dresses, and a castle. Fantasy plus history and MS was loving every page of the this huge tome. 

** Thanks to the Oneida Community Library and Inter-Library Loan! All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!**

5.0 Blasts --->  A Proper Book Indeed!

Can hardly wait to pick up Book Two!

#crochetmoodblanket2014

New Year's fever has bitten. 

Indeed the Mad Scientist has to have her hands dabbling in various things.

* Book Blogging*

* Travelling *

* Instagram Photography *

* Baking *

Now MS is going to venture into the world of Granny Squares!

Yes, it is foreign to me. 

Grammy Mad Scientist never dabbled in such frivolous actions.

However, MS is a bit more venturous.

Crochet (or knit) a granny square each of the 365 days.

or if you like bigger squares (stripes) each of the 52 weeks.

The square is supposed to fit your mood of the day.

Some have assigned colored yarns to represent their moods.

However, MS is just going with what strikes me in the moment. 

This group of people started mummy_stacey via instagram.

There is now a facebook group with 1000+ people. 

Feel free to join in. 

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{Day 1}

A very small portion of yarn in my stock.  Trying to match colors up and figure out what I was in the mood for. 

{Burst Granny Square ~ Blanket 1} 

Square 1/365

Blues represent water.  Took my boys swimming for New Year's celebration.

 {Burst Granny Square ~ Blanket 2} 

Square 1/365

MS got down to business with the coral teal combo straight away after my aunt pulled the yarns out of a bag and handed them over. They are pretty and remind me of living in Key West, Florida.

{African Flower Hexagon ~ Blanket 3}

Hexagon 1/365

MS loved this pattern & is feeling ambitious to jump into three blankets. Tis already known days will be missed by they are fun to make and can be done as boys study or play those fowl video games. 

Here is my start.

Feeling ambitious, Excited, & Calm.

Send me a message and let me know what you think.

These are my first ever granny squares. Only completing one practice burst square which was promptly ripped apart due to being one solid color. MS found color changes to be much more pleasing to the eye.

My lovely followers, do not fret. 

MS does not plan on sharing every square every day. 

But perhaps a weekly round up to let you know if and how the project blooms.

Happy New Year!!!

2014