Beautiful Books

As you all know, I have a Kate Spade obsession.  These books are part of my new KS collection.  They were written by Ms. Spade herself!!   In these books, she shares humorous and practical guidance on how to create your own sense of 21st century class and elegance; she shares her ideas about etiquette in lighthearted but down-to-earth terms--everything from air kissing to cell phone use; and, she invites you into her world of easy, festive entertaining, where the emphasis is not on "the perfect meal" but on having "the perfect time."  They're fun, brightly illustrated and have great shelf appeal.  You can find them all over, but I reccomend half.com or abebooks.com.

Chronicle Books

Chronicle Books is hosting a giveaway!

1. make a list of chronicle books valued at up to $500 that you love and would like to win

2. post the list to your blog and you'll be entered to win your list of books!  BETTER NEWS:  one of your readers who comments on the post will also win your list of books too! 

See rules here.

Here's my list: 

 

$40

$19.95

$14.95

$24.95

$16.95

$35

$14.95

$16.95

$24.95

$16.95

$27.50

$12.95

$14.95

$35

$18.95

$14.95

$19.95

$35

$12

$12

$18.95

$40

10.95

Total:  $498.75

All of the books I chose (and you can choose) can be found at Chronicle Books. And, if you want an opportunity to win my books (should I win), leave a comment!!

Fun Gift #3

$13.60 at Amazon

A beautiful book with great shelf appeal.  It's a gift that says I think you're smart, you deserve pretty things, and Merry Christmas all rolled into one attractive package.  It's perfect for pretty much anyone, male or female, close friend or dog walker, and even old and young.  A timeless gift sure to be enjoyed.

Guilty Pleasure Books

I don't know about you, but I love nothing more then curling up with a great book.  Sometimes I love a well-written romance novel.  Of the super-natural variety.  Yes, I know it's weird, but I love them anyway.  Here are a few of my favorites (so far):

The Mercedes Thompson series.  Author: Patricia Briggs.  Supernatural link:  She's a shapeshifter. 

The series is set in the Tri-Cities area of Washington state in a world in which Werewolves and certain types of the fae have been forced to reveal themselves to the public. The series follows Mercy, a VW mechanic by trade, as she learns her true nature and is caught up in the affairs of the local werewolf pack, led by Adam, the Alpha who lives next door, and the local vampire seethe, a member of which she has befriended.

 The Sookie Stackhouse series.  Author: Charline Harris.  Supernatural link: She is a telepath.

The book series is a first-person account of Sookie's life as a supposedly human barmaid and telepath in the town of Bon Temps, Louisiana.  the series depicts her everyday life as she matures and leaves her sheltered life in small town Louisiana. She starts the books as a barmaid who is a telepath; there is also a focus on the everyday life of modern vampires, such creatures having recently "come out of the coffin". Sookie has many experiences with such vampires, as well as others in the supernatural community, including shapeshifters, witches, fairies, and werewolves.

You know her from True Blood, but the books are much better.

The Jaz Parks series.  Author: Jennifer Rardin.  Supernatural link: She's an Eldhayr, a form of angel

The story presents a contemporary world in which mythological beings such as vampires and several less famous creatures are real, and follows the efforts of the CIA to combat paranormal threats to national security.  The focus of the tale is CIA operative Jasmine "Jaz" Parks, who is regularly partnered with her boss, the enigmatic vampire Vayl. While on missions, Jaz and Vayl are tasked with stopping paranormal or mythological beings who've taken criminal roles in human society, or humans engaged in related activities.

 As I find a good urban fantasy series, I'll share.