Five Flame Review!

Shadows of Myth and Legend, my new book of paranormal poetry, just received a 5 Flame Review by Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf!  

5 FLAMES-Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf For Rereading!  

This rating is the top rating a book can get. If I enjoy a book so much I will make it a nice little home on my bookshelf. I have one bookshelf set aside for books that I plan on keeping until my hubby puts me in the ground. These are books that if for some reason I have no books in my TBR pile (OMG!), then I will pick these to reread again and again.

To check out the review and giveaway be sure to visit My Overstuffed Bookshelf!

In My Mailbox: 3/30

This week I received both books and dvds In My Mailbox.  I had ordered box sets of some of my favorite tv shows and was happy when Supernatural: Season 1, Supernatural: Season 2, Supernatural: Season 3, Supernatural: Season 4, and Moonlight arrived in the mail.  New Moon was released on dvd and arrived this week as well.  I also received a copy of The Crazy School, Wherever Nina Lies, and a Sing Me to Sleep bookmark.

In My Mailbox is hosted weekly by The Story Siren.

Review: Wondrous Strange

I have been reading many modern day paranormal fantasy books lately involving faeries and changelings and was pleasantly surprised that this book didn't disappoint.  Kelley is a likable main character but I must confess to being much more drawn to the supporting characters of this book.  Sonny, the solemn Janus with a past, Tyff, Kelley's roommate, Lucky (you'll just have to read WS to learn about Lucky!), and the hodgepodge of eccentric characters in Kelley's theater troupe make this an enjoyable read that you can become completely immersed in. 

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
ISBN: 9781554682744

17 year-old Kelly Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what shethinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelly's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

Got fae?  If you're looking for more paranormal romance and/or urban fantasy titles involving faeries, changelings and other creatures of folklore, I've recently read and greatly enjoyed The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, and Lament by Maggie Stiefvater (review).

Free Music Friday

Some of E.J.'s finds for free music this week:















Theo the Weak (album) by Just the Architect
The song In Motion is addictive!

Winter Solstice (album) by Jake Downs
This free offer is only for the fab people who bought Jake's Plague EP!

Friday Fun: Book Blogger Hop

For a bit of Friday fun I decided to join this week's Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books!
Isn't that just the cutest button?

Supernatural Anime: Paranormal Investigators

Amazon is having a HUGE sale on anime dvds!  I couldn't help myself and ordered three supernatural anime, Ghost Hunt, Tactics, and Mushi-shi, that each have a very different approach to paranormal investigations.  

If you are an anime fan and don't already own these box sets then I highly recommend all three.  If you are a fan of the supernatural and enjoy shows involving paranormal investigations, then I would suggest beginning with Mushi-shi.  It is very slow paced and doesn't involve the typical anime stereotypes that can bother some viewers who are new to anime.  Mushi-shi is also breathtakingly beautiful.  The animation is truly amazing and the stories are incredibly well done.

Are you an anime fan?  Do you have a favorite paranormal investigator(s) anime movie or series?  There are so many other great shows out there including,  Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, xxxHolic, Witch Hunter Robin, and Chrono Crusade just to name a few!

I've decided to continue with a Supernatural Anime feature and will pick new themes for each post.  Next up Supernatural Anime: Vampires & Vampire Hunters!

PRG 2010 Book Challenge: Updates

I've been adding authors and titles to the Paranormal Romance Guild Book Challenge here on the original blog post, on the Amazon Listmania! list, and on our Goodreads Paranormal Romance Guild Book Challenge Group.

Welcome to all of the new readers since we began the challenge in January! 

Interested in learning more about the Paranormal Romance Guild?  
Check out the PRG website for more information.

Contest: 150 Followers and a Book Tour Launch!

Hello all! I am very excited to have 150 Followers!

I am also launching my Shadows of Myth and Legend virtual book tour.

Join author E.J. Stevens as she launches the Shadows of Myth and Legend virtual book tour. Become immersed in dark tales of spiteful fae, impish brownies, vengeful selkie, passionate vampires, and temperamental weres.

Shadows of Myth and Legend by E.J. Stevens
A collection of dark faerie tales inspired by folklore, myth and legend told in the haunting lyrical style of dark poet E.J. Stevens.
 

So let's celebrate!

***CONTEST***

I will be giving away a signed copy of Shadows of Myth and Legend, a Shadows of Myth and Legend bookmark, a From the Shadows bookmark and a Shadows of Myth and Legend magnet to one lucky winner.

To enter leave a comment on this post and be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner!

For additional entries:
+1 Follow this blog
+1 Leave a comment on my new Shadows of Myth and Legend book trailer on YouTube.
+1 Tweet about this contest
+1 Post about this contest on your blog or other social network site (Myspace, Facebook, etc).

**Giveaway ends Midnight EST on April 11th.**

Spring Equinox

Spring is finally here!  We were treated to a few lovely warm days here in the North East and I admittedly escaped the shadows of my inner sanctum to frolic in the sun.  I am wearing my freckles like a merit badge (this has been a very long Winter!) though it may lower my goth street cred.  *pfft!*  My corgi and I explored the mossy green hemlock forest near my home and were honored with a very early mating song by hundreds of eager frogs singing from the nearby vernal pools.  A wonderful taste of Spring!

Now back to my writing desk....

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception

I began reading Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater yesterday thinking that the fall of four leaf clovers on the front cover was appropriate for the holiday.  I wasn't able to put it down.  This book has a pleasant mix of compelling characters and shadowed mystery that kept me reading even when I should have turned the light off for bed (always a sure sign that I'm enjoying a book!). 
I recommend Lament to fans of young adult, fantasy, and paranormal romance.

The Emerald Isle

I've noticed many bloggers sharing their pics of Ireland today and thought, "I want to share too!".  I lived in Dublin for three months and though my favorite haunts were around Grafton Street this pic was actually from one of my rare trips to the countryside.  That day we nearly collided with a flock of sheep, while moving at shockingly high speed, but it was worth the trip to have the chance to wander through the old church ruins and surrounding graveyard that we found along the roadside.  There was so much history there that the stones nearly sang out the story of all that they had seen.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  May your day be filled with magic and wonder.

Unrestrained Cover Envy: Torment

I have a confession to make.  While I absolutely love my book covers, I am finding myself coveting the newly unveiled cover for Lauren Kate's Torment (the sequel to Fallen which also had gorgeous cover art!).
*drooling* *sigh* *drooling*

Grimoires and Guardians

I found this beautiful art print Forest Guardians by Ravens Feather Studio at the Reliques shop on Etsy.  I also recommend visiting the artist's blog, Little Faerie Tales, where she currently has pictures posted of her amazing mixed media Fayre Grimoire.

Signed Bookplates

My book tree bookplates arrived yesterday so if any of you would like a signed bookplate to add to your copy of From the Shadows or Shadows of Myth and Legend please email me with your address and I would be happy to send these to you.

These bookplates are self adhesive with a peel off backing.

Dean, Sam, and Mick! Oh my!

I just received an email that Amazon was having a HUGE dvd blow out sale and decided to check a few box sets on my wishlist.  I am so glad that I did!  Supernatural: The Complete First Season, Supernatural: The Complete Second Season, Supernatural: The Complete Third Season, Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season, and Moonlight: The Complete Series were all 60% off.  I ordered all five box sets for under $94! *squeeee!*