Thursday, March 29, 2007

Moonshine

I meant to post this before I went off to sulk, but it ended up, like a lot of stuff I meant to do, as hell's road pavement.

Moonshine by Rob ThurmanMoonshine, Rob Thurman's second novel, debuted back at the beginning of March, and more than keeps the promise that began with book one, Nightlife. As novels go it's very edgy, with lots of surprises that I didn't see coming. Subtle things change with Cal and Nik, how they work together and relate to each other, which I thought made the book. I fell hard in love with Nik this time around, which I didn't expect to because I didn't much like him in the first novel. Cal continues to develop as a protagonist in dark and mysterious ways. George . . . well, let me not spoil that plot thread.

From a technical standpoint, let me shake my fangirl pom poms for the way Rob shifts story gears in this one. It's extremely hard to go from nonstop action pacing to deeper, more introspective moments and then back again without jarring the reader. Rob does this so well you don't even notice it, and that, folks, is quite the transmission.

Moonshine is a high-intensity dark fantasy adventure, with amazing characterizations and a thrill-ride storyline. I loved it, and I think Rob Thurman is one of the most original and talented new writers I've read in years. Expect great things from this series and its author.

As always, you don't have to take my word for it. In comments to this post, name a a book or an author who's recently thrilled you (or if you're in a boring book rut, just throw your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Friday, March 30, 2007. I'll draw five names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Moonshine by Rob Thurman. Bonus: if you've not yet read Nightlife, I'll throw in an unsigned copy of that one, too. Giveaway open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

86 comments:

  1. I just picked this one up. I can't wait to dig into it. As for an author who thrills me, it would have to be Patricia Briggs. I've already embarrassed myself by sending her a mini-fangirl message.(You don't have to throw my name into the hat.:)

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  2. What's been thrilling me lately? Lois McMaster Bujold, Laura Lippman, and Sara Donati/Rosina Lippi.

    Of the 19 books I've read so far this year, 13 were by one of them.

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  3. Yay, new book! I've been looking forward to a sequel since the moment I finished 'Nightlife'.

    My recent book thrill is courtesy of Caitlin R. Kiernan's 'Daughter of Hounds'.

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  4. Anonymous1:13 AM

    Wow this seems like a cool new series!

    Please add my name to the hat!

    J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood has recently thrilled me.

    Since I don't have an account I will leave my name Terri

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  5. The series sounds awesome ;)

    I recently picked up Becoming Americana by Lara Rios and am pleasantly surprised--almost finished reading the entire thing on the plane ;)

    This book rocks.

    -jackie

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  6. Anonymous2:15 AM

    Well, I finally got my hands on a copy of Talyn (forgive me, I live in Australia. Books are slow in coming here sometimes). It is indeed a thrilling read, and I'm now even gladder they kept it as one book- what were the publishers even thinking, trying to split Talyn into parts?

    Grah.

    Anyway. Talyn, and Holly Lisle.

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  7. Throwing my name in the hat.

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  8. I have to mention Kim Harrison. Thoroughly engaging characters.

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  9. I recently was thrilled by Robin D Owens Heart Series, and Kresley Cole's new Vampire/ Valkyrie Series that started with "A Hunger Like No Other". Books that have been out for a while but that I just recently got a chance to read.
    I've never read Nightlife but I think I'll have to try and find a copy since everything I've seen suggested on here and have read, had turned out to be really good. Thanks for entering me.

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  10. Anonymous6:04 AM

    I loved the latest J.D. Robb book - great characters!

    Debbie

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  11. David Anthony Durham, The Pride of Carthago

    I mean, Romans, Hannibal, elephants and battles, what's not to love? :)

    He presents the thrilling story of Hannibal's rise and fall in Italy through a bunch of interesting characters, fictive and historical.

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  12. The dutch novel Joe Speedboot by Tommy Wieringa is absolutely great.

    It is being translated to French, English, Italian and German...

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  13. Anonymous7:53 AM

    I've been reading Forty Signs of Rain by Kim Stanley Robinson. It's the first book I've read by Robinson and has already made me want to read his other books as well.

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  14. I've only had time to read short stories lately and many of them have been quite thrilling, but won't list them here. Please throw my name in the hat. Thanks!

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  15. Anonymous7:57 AM

    on the Jellicoe Road. The characters and the story feel so real, even though most of the events are outrageously unrealistic. (Not in that they can't and don't happen everyday, but the addition of them all together.)

    Sorry if this posts twice.. Blogger...

    Wolverine.

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  16. Name. Hat. Please?

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  17. Anonymous8:02 AM

    Name in hat too. =)

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  18. Me too, me too! I dearly love contests ;-)

    As far as thrilling reads, most of what I've read recently has been for research. A lot of great information, but thrilling? Uh... no.

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  19. Anonymous8:13 AM

    I've been stuck in work-related non-fiction reading since finishing, um, well, could it have been Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (definitely inspiring) several months ago? I'm thankful for everyone who submitted a comment, for now I have many new novels - in addition to Nightlife and Moonshine to read!

    And, yes, please throw my name in the hat.

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  20. Not to kiss up or anything, but I am about halfway through Plague of Memory. Great, as usual! Recently, though, I read Moon Called & Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs. Liked them both A LOT.

    P.S. I've already read Nightlife and enjoyed it immensely.

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  21. Anonymous8:34 AM

    I just bought Angela Carter's "Burning Your Boats: The Collected Short Stories", and it's making me want to dance, sing, burn everything I've ever written, and other crazy things. It's surreal, magical, and I've been forced to look at storytelling in ways I'd forgotten about -- which tells me I've been in a minor rut. Anyway. Good stuff. :-)

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  22. Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy! I'm loving it! I'm into the second book at the moment, and i'm looking forward to reading the rest of Robin Hobb's books after I finish this trilogy.

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  23. I'm reading Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's A Mortal Glamour, and it's making me swoon. Sexy/scary/sexy-some-more. Lovin' it.

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  24. Lately I've been taking PBW's advice and reading my way thro' the Locus list of recommended first novels from 2006. Can't describe myself as thrilled so far, but I'm notoriously difficult to please.

    The last book that thrilled me (and the first book that had thrilled me in a long, long time) was Sarah Waters' Affinity. Book love!

    PBW, which of your books would you suggest I start with? I can't find any on the shelf so I'll have to order.

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  25. Well I pretty much just discovered Wen Spencer, but I think I'm late on that one. I've reading through her backlog in the past month and a half and getting thrills. This series you're recing looks very interesting, I'm adding it on my list.

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  26. I just finished Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series, which I loved. I haven't picked up anything new because reading has been distracting me from writing lately, but I do have two Star Doc novels on my desk, calling me...

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  27. Anonymous9:33 AM

    The last book that really thrilled me was King Stephen's Lisey's Story. Partly because, well, it's just a damned fine novel (probably the best he's written in a decade or more), and partly because it's good to see him stretching those writing muscles so impressively after having said not all that long ago that he felt he was starting to recycle himself.

    Hat, please.

    --- Chris

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  28. I just finished Allison Brennan's See No Evil and it was a page-turner. I sat down to do a little reading, and I finished the book 6 hours later. Awesome stuff.

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  29. Recently, I have been reading Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson series. I love it.
    I have not read any of Rob Thurman's books. They sound good.

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  30. A new (to me) favorite is Robin McKinkley's "Sunshine."

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  31. Anonymous9:57 AM

    I'm in the book rut... maybe Nightlife will get me going. Hat please. =)

    ~CJ

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  32. I want to second EJ's comment about Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Historical romances are not my thing. However, several people recommended this book to me, and when I found a used copy of it last week, I decided to give it a try. I'm about one third of the way through...and I like it a lot. It's been a pleasant surprise.

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  33. Have yet to read either Moonshine or Nightlife, so I'll gladly throw my name in.

    A book that has delighted me lately? Dzur, the new Steven Brust "Vlad" novel.

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  34. I have been reading the literary equivalent of Good Girls.

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  35. Anonymous10:16 AM

    I'm a fan of Suzanna Brockmann's and her books never fail to thrill me. A few months ago I discovered JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and have been sucked into that world since.

    I have not read Nightlife nor Moonshine, and would love to try something else you recommend.

    Thank you.

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  36. Anonymous10:33 AM

    Patricia Brigg's MOON CALLED and BLOOD.
    Robyn Carr's VIRGIN RIVER.



    Cherye Barta

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  37. Anonymous10:34 AM

    Oops! Suppose to be BLOOD BOUND.

    Sorry.


    Cherye

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  38. For some reason I've been reading a few classics on my "to read" list. Nothing lately that's exactly "thrilled me," but I am enjoying 3 Musketeers. Thanks always for your generosity!

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  39. Anonymous10:59 AM

    Linnea Sinclair's Accidental Goddess. Oh and her new one Games of Command.

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  40. I'm slow but just finished reading The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout. Gory and gruesome in places, but I enjoyed it quite a lot.

    And I went looking for Moonshine and couldn't find it, so please toss my name into the hat. I haven't read Nightlife either, so both would be very much appreciated.

    Thanks!

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  41. Anonymous11:27 AM

    Just tossing my name into the hat.

    Little Lamb Lost

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  42. I am reading Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie. Love her writing.

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  43. Marie Brennan -- Doppelganger

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  44. Vicki Pettersson's The Scent of Shadows. 'Nuff said.

    PS Don't put me in the draw. :) Thanks.

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  45. Anonymous12:36 PM

    Just got "Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss last night and I am enjoying every moment. Starts slow, but I can already feel the pace quicken, that and giant demon spiders always helps to keep the tension high.

    I keep meaning to pick up Nightlife, so this would be perfect. Thanks again for this contest, it's wonderful!

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  46. I just read A Thread of Grace by mary Doria Russell. The ultimate.

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  47. I've had good luck lately. I've just started reading J.D.Robb's in Death books, and am enjoying them. I've also read A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer, Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward, and Warprize, Warsworn, and Warlord by Elizabeth Vaughan. All very good and books I would recommend with no reservations. Please throw my name in the hat :o).
    Ann

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  48. Anonymous1:12 PM

    After finishing a string of 'meh' books, I just started Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. I love the voice and the story line. It's refreshing.

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  49. The latest new author that's thrilled me was Shana Abe. Her THE SMOKE THIEF was a very enjoyable fantasy, and I regret that I didn't read it sooner - except that now its sequel, THE DREAM THIEF, is already on the shelves and so I don't have to wait.

    ~Nicole

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  50. Anonymous1:42 PM

    Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward. Also Moon Called and Blood Bound.
    I loved Nightlife but would welcome and extra copy to pass on to a friend. I didn't expect to love it as it isn't my "usual" reading... but love it I did.

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  51. The latest thing I've read was "Minnie and Moo and the Night of the Living Bed". I found it quite entertaining - especially when the sheep got wet and were mistaken for trick-or-treating children dressed as giant sponges.
    (hmm... I think my allergy medicine might be kicking in...)

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  52. Anonymous2:13 PM

    I've just finished (re-)reading Kim Harrison's books (DEAD WITCH WALKING was the first in the series and FOR A FEW DEMONS MORE just came out this month) and right before that I had re-read MOON CALLED and BLOOD BOUND by Patricia Briggs. They are the two authors who constantly (and are currently) thrill(ing) me.

    I don't have either book, though they've both been on my "to buy" list.

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  53. Anonymous2:37 PM

    Me want.

    I'm not technically in a book rut, I'm just to lazy to go check out books people have recommended lately. ^_^
    Jess

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  54. sigh...my comments keep getting lost everywhere on blogger. Trying again.

    J. R. Ward surprised me in Lover Awakened.

    I'd love to read both his books. I was going to pick up the first one the other day in the bookstore but I couldn't remember the title or the author's last name. Yeah, lists are my friends.

    Maripat

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  55. Haven't read either so throwing my name in the hat. Thanks.

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  56. As usual, I'm behind in the reading pile, but one that recently snared me was Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy. I'd really recommend giving her a try if you haven't already. Even got Colin to read them and Sheila, you're one of our few crossover authors :).

    Anyway, your description sounds fascinating and right up my alley, so I'd love to win one. And if I don't, I've got a new author to add to the to read list anyway.

    Cheers,
    Margaret

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  57. Anonymous3:04 PM

    So many good books to read!

    Last author who thrilled me was Chris Moriarty and 'Spin State'. Alas, I still haven't picked up her sequel, but the first book really 'wow'd' me with the worldbuilding and gritty characters.

    (BTW - I started doing book giveaways off my website as well, because it seems like such a cool idea. And it's been fun!)

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  58. The Scent Of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson blew me away. Plot and prose both were above par. The sequel The Taste Of Night was released yesterday, and I can't wait to read it.

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  59. I really enjoyed Scott Lynch's Lies of Locke Lamora. I'm looking forward to the next Gentleman Bastards book, due out in June.

    I haven't read either of Rob Thurman's books, and would love my name tossed into the hat.

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  60. Haven't read anything exciting lately, but I'd love to throw my name in the hat for both of the books!

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  61. I've been in a reading rut lately. Haven't read the first one, so throwing my name in the hat for both.
    It sounds like a good series.

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  62. George R.R. Martin has restored my faith in the Great Fantasy Epic. I am really enjoying A Song of Ice and Fire, even if lots of bad things happen to lots of nice people.

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  63. Anonymous5:50 PM

    Well, Scott Lynch rocked my socks with "Lies of Locke Lamora", but since someone else already praised him, I'll throw a little love at Maria Snyder and "Poison Study". She managed to write my favorite kind of male romantic lead, so I couldn't help reading too fast and finishing too quickly! (And why does that sentence sound naughty to me no matter how I rewrite it? *grin*)

    I haven't read anything by Rod Thurman, so I'd be thrilled to give him a try.

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  64. I just finished reading Laura Lee Guhrke's latest and loved it. Great characterization (particularly the heroine). Lovely writing.

    And, yes, add my name to the hat, please. Although I just might go looking for this one anyhow....

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  65. No need to enter me in the draw as I already have both books, though I've not read Moonshine yet. :)

    A book that blew me away this year was The Time Traveller's Wife. It definitely put me through an emotional wringer, and made me raise the bar on what I expect out of a book.

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  66. Oh my daughter introduced me to Jodi Picoult. I'm starting my fourth book and between us we probably have bought 9 of her books. I have read Plain Truth, My Sisters Keeper, and Vanishing Acts and just started The Pact. I really recommend her.

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  67. Haven't had a chance to read either of Rob's books, but I am intrigued enough to add them both to my wish list. Just finished a book by new author Shannon Butcher, No Regrets. Picked it up after seeing a review on one of my regular blogs and really, really enjoyed it.

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  68. Anonymous8:49 PM

    You don't have to enter in me in the contest since I've read both books. I just wanted to give an extra plug for Rob Thurman's books because I loved them both, and I can't wait for what's to come! I'm glad you can make more people aware of these great books.

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  69. I just started The scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson
    It sounds really good

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  70. Anonymous10:29 PM

    Book rut here.

    *sigh*

    But you could help jar me out of it.

    *grins hopefully and throws her name in the hat*

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  71. I haven't read either of these books. Sounds like I'm missing out!

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  72. Anonymous11:47 PM

    I read Linnea Sinclair's "Games Of Command" a few weeks ago, and it was so good I followed that up with "Gabriel's Ghost", "Finders Keepers", and "An Accidental Goddess." All were excellent. I haven't read Rob Thurman's books but will add them to my "to buy" list.

    kbrant

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  73. Anonymous8:42 AM

    Last non-fiction read: Creating Comics by Scott McCloud

    Last fiction read: Looking for Jake by China Mieville

    These shorts from Mieville are quite good. I'd especially recommend "Details" and "Report of Certain Events in London".

    I don't have a blogger account, but my name is Patrick.

    Pls. add me to the hat.

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  74. I have to agree with kbrant about Linnea Sinclair. I loved "An Accidental Goddess" so much I went out and bought the other three the day after I read it. (Though I'm only halfway through "Finders Keepers" and haven't gotten to "Games of Command" yet.)

    I also loved Maria V. Snyder's "Posion Study". Excellent, excellent.

    Now I'm on a mission to find Rob Thurman...

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  75. Put my name into the hat. I can find the most recent book but I want to read the first one first.

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  76. Hi

    The last book i loved is actually a trilogy, by Robin Hobb , it's the Royal Assassin trilogy. It's Fantasy, i hope the genre is appreciated here too.
    I'm also putting my name in the hat, it's hard to find good books in English here in Paris.
    Pleeeease chose me!

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  77. Anonymous2:30 PM

    Hmm, I guess I am in a bit of a book rut right now. But I'm hoping to work my way out of it once exams are over! ^_~ I am still loving J. R. Ward's new series, of course.

    Rob Thurman sounds like an impressive new author, so I'm definitely putting my name in the hat. I love amazing characterizations mixed with a great, fast-paced plot, but I jut know I'm going to come up with so much gay subtext between the two main characters. ^_~ I'm in gay romance withdrawal because there simply isn't enough out there yet! I'll try to restrain myself from writing crazy fan letters to Thurman about this when I get his books, though. ;)

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  78. Anonymous2:33 PM

    Tossing my name in the hat.

    B. Eric

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  79. Anonymous3:50 PM

    I'd love to throw my name in the hat, since I haven't read any of Rob Thurman's books.

    I recently discovered Linnea Sinclair and immediately ran out and hunted up her books. I finished Accidental Goddess this weekend - heaven!! I'm reading Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy now, and I really like it.

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  80. Anonymous4:48 PM

    I'ld love to throw my name in too. I can't think of anything thrilling I've read lately, so here's my opportunity.

    Greetings, M. Gregoire

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  81. I haven't read either--please put me in the hat!

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  82. Anonymous8:12 PM

    Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin was excellent. I've also read several of the books listed above and they were also very good. I have the 1st book but would love to have my name entered into the "hat" for the second. Thanks. Marie

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  83. I love Rob's 2 books! I have them both so no need to throw my name in the hat.

    Just wanted to toss out the name Kat Richardson who wrote "Greywalker" and the upcoming "Poltergeist". I think she is quite talented.

    And, I'm lucky enough to have reviewed "Night Lost" for Romance Junkies and let me just say - it was WONDERFUL!! It gets 5 Blue Ribbons!

    Hugs,
    Robin Snodgrass
    Reviewer for RomanceJunkies.com

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  84. Throwing my name into the hat.

    Names? I got nothing.

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  85. Oh, I also want to mention a trilogy that I LOVED! They are by Jessica Inclan. "When You Believe", "Reason to Believe" and "Believe in Me"

    These are books about three magical brothers and they blew me away! I recommend them as often as possible.

    Hugs,
    Robin Snodgrass

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  86. I've been in a book rut recently as well -- but a student wandered into my office today and asked about a fantastic book called The People of Paper, which is about what happens when an immigrant believes that Saturn is causing all the problems in his life. (And then it turns out it's not Saturn's fault -- just the author's.) Hilarious and heartbreaking at once, it's the craziest thing I've read in ages. (Seriously, if you pick up the book, the sheer physical presentation of it will intrigue you enough that you won't put it down.)

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