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Samantha finished reading Sadie Walker Is Stranded yesterday.
Samantha is now reading Under the Never Sky.
Samantha is planning to read Unwholly.
Samantha is planning to read The Golden Lily.
Samantha is planning to read Deadlocked.
Samantha is planning to read Moonsong.
Samantha is planning to read Lover Reborn.
Samantha is planning to read The Divide.
Samantha is planning to read Enchanted.
Samantha is planning to read Partials.
Samantha’s last login was yesterday. show recent activity »
Hi Sam, it's lovely to hear from you. Don't worry we all get like that sometimes where we need a break once in a while. I want you to know though, that when your ready, I'm here. If you ever need to talk on a more personal level then you always have my email address too. By the way I'm envious of you for having read The Strangers on Montagu Street. Is it the last book in the series do you think? Do Melanie and Jack finally get it on or not?! lol I have fond memories of us reading the first book together. Anyway thanks for joining the book challenge invite I sent you. I look forward to hearing your book recommendations for 2012. Take care Bye! xxxx
Hi Sam, just a few lines to wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. PS May you read many many books lol! xxx
Hi Sam, it's been forever since we last chatted and I figured you were taking some time out from writing and concentrating on reading for a while. It's been eight months (where has the time gone!!) though and I've really missed our chats. Hope you are fine anyway and that you'll drop a line to let me know your're ok. Take care Bye! xx
Hi Sam, hope you are well. I apologise sincerely for replying late to your letter. I currently have family over from abroad and have had my hands full. I've felt too exhausted at times to attempt my emails. Hopefully they'll be gone in the next couple of weeks and things can get back to normal. You sound abit depressed in your note and I'm sorry that I've not been there for you while you've been feeling down. I hope you are feeling better. I'm glad you've done so well with your reading though and I'm going to look carefully at the ones you've mentioned are good. I'm going to move Darkness Becomes Her up my shelf. DO you know when the sequel, Haven, is due out? Wither sounds really good too. I wasn't the one who recommended the Fever series although I have it them on my wishlist. I'm very curious to read about Jericho Barrons though!I've thought about you alot over the last couple of weeks because I've been reading all the books you've read yourself and reviewed in the past in your notes and each time I've found myself totally agreeing with your analysis. The books I'm referring to are Fallen, Hush Hush and Beautiful Creatures. You weren't too impressed with Fallen and I have to say that Torment was even more of a letdown. Nothing of any significance actually happened in Torment apart from Luce questioning her love for Daniel and whether or not he was worth all the times she'd died in the past only to be reincarnated. Sam, you know where the heroine's warned about something but goes ahead heedlessly EVERYTIME? Thats Luce. I think the author was saving the good stuff for the third installment - at least I hope there will only be three! You were right, Hush Hush was in a lot of ways superior to Fallen. I preferred Patch to Daniel and Nora was less irritating compared to Luce. Crescendo was a bit slow though, so I hope the third installment picks up. You were right about the surprise ending - I didn't see THAT coming lol. Beautiful Creatures was a surprise Sam. It was very imaginative I thought. Just as I'd think the story was going one way, there would be another surprise. Beautiful Dark started off very slow but halfway through the book BOOM! Shock after shock. You see I liked Macon from the start and was quite upset when he was killed off at the end of Beautiful Creatures. I never imagined though that Ethan's mother had loved Macon before she met his father and that she should help Ethan from beyond the grave to resurrect Macon was a lovely surprise. I'm really looking forward to Beautiful Chaos.Another series I've recently read are Adrian Phoenix's The Makers Song. The series is a bit disturbing in places (especially the first book) as it contains elements of sadism and child abuse but they have a great Fallen Angel/Vampires thing going on which is interesting. I've just started Jenna Black's Morgan Kingsley series which has got off to a flying start so I'll let you know how I get on.Anyway thats about it Sam, hope to chat to you very soon. Take care wont you? Your friend AlwaysNis xxxxxxx
Hi Sam, it's lovely to hear from you. It's great that you are putting off reading the Morganville Vampire series yet as there's still hope that we can read them together. Several books end on cliffhangers too so it's nice when you've got the next installment on hand. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed Afterlife and found it to be a satisfying conclusion to the Evernight series. I'm looking forward to reading it as soon as I get my hands on it. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on Darkness Becomes Her though as I have it on my wishlist and am wondering whether to buy it. Also what did you think of Wither?The Chicagoland Vampire series were quite fun at times. First two books were good but the third book went a little off target at times. It finished good though so I'm looking forward to the fourth installment in May. The heroine is funny, sassy, strong willed and fiercely independent. There are also a host of fun supporting characters too and they all bounce off each other in such a way that I've laughed helplessly at times.I'm so pleased that Fringe is still going from strength to strength. I can't wait to see the 3rd season - are there any rumours that there will be a fourth season do you think? I hope so. I think the US are currently showing the third season of The Mentalist Sam. I've such a soft spot for the lead as he's very appealing to watch. He has one of those smiles that lights up his whole face and makes you smile with him. The series is centred on a man named Patrick Jane who formerly had a lucrative career as a con man, successfully posing as a psychic medium and enjoying near-celebrity status. He appeared on television to claim that his paranormal abilities helped the police profile a serial killer named Red John. Red John, angered by the perceived slight, murdered Jane's wife and young daughter in revenge. Jane subsequently abandoned his career as a psychic and teamed up with the CBI, using his skills to help them solve various crimes. His main focus is on the cases involving Red John or Red John copycats. He admits to faking the supernatural aspects of his skills, often asserting that "there's no such thing as psychics", yet he has finely honed skills in cold reading, hypnotism, and pickpocketing, as well as powerful observational skill and a deep insight into the human psyche and behavior. We've just watched season 1 and 2 back to back and really enjoyed the show. I'm finally starting Lauren Kate's Fallen series tonight so hopefully I can discuss the book with you next time. It's been great chatting as always. Take care won't you? Bye matey! xx
Hi Sam, it's wonderful to hear from you. Yes, I've finished The Immortals since my last note and they were a bit of a mixed package I thought. Evermore was a decent start (I gave it three stars) but the second and third book went really downhill. I gave them both two stars. Dark Flame, however, picked up abit and Night Star finished with a twist that has me counting the days until June for the release of the last installment. I don't want to put you off Sam as I want you to make up your own mind. We'll discuss it hopefully when you've had a chance to read them yourself.I haven't read Kristin Cashore's Graceling or Fire Sam, but I'll look them up it you think they are good. I'm currently reading the second book in Chloe Neil's Chicagoland Vampire series - have you read them by any chance? They are smart, fun and have some great characters. March is a bit packed for me Sam as I want to complete the CV series and finally get round to Becca Fitzgerald's Hush Hush, Lauren Kate's Fallen and Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers which I've been promising my friends like forever! Everyone seems to have read them but me. Please go ahead with the Morganville's Sam as it wouldn't be fair to have you wait. I remember the first six books enough to be able to chat about them. Hopefully I can catch up with the series in April as the tenth book will be released in May.How have you been getting in with Fringe? Still waiting for the start of the third season here. I've discovered a new series though - it's called The Mentalist. They are currently showing season 1 and 2 back to back on TV on Demand so I'm in my element. Have you heard of it? Have you ever watched Lie To Me? The Vampire Diaries is becoming more complicated by the minute. I was sorry to see Tyler leave the other week. I'm a huge Caroline fan, couldn't stand her in the books but love the version of Caroline in the TV show. Anyway I look forward to hearing from you soon, let me know how you get on with the Morganville's. Take care Sam.Your friendNis xxxx
Hi Sam, I'm doing well too thank you. I'm so glad to hear that you are revelling in your decorating, when it's all done you'll feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment! I'm so glad to hear that you and your hubby got round to seeing Moonlight. I know what you mean about how some of the execution could have been better. The show seriously suffered halfway into the season due to the writers strike a couple of years back. Do you remember the strike? It lasted quite a while and several shows never recovered and got cancelled as a result. Moonlight was never picked up for a second season. I thought the two leads had great chemistry though and I used to send the kids bed just so I could ogle at Alex O'Loughlin in peace. I'm so happy to hear that you were affected by the Shifter books as well. You and I are big softies I think and it just proves how absorbed we get into the books we read. I'm sure if the author knew how much we were affected by her books that she would feel like she'd done something right. I was so proud of Faythe towards the end. It was wonderful watching her grow and come into her own. My only small regret was that we didn't get to see her recognised as Alpha of her Pride by the Territorial Council. I would have loved to have seen previous supporters of Calvin Malone who'd refused to recognise her as Alpha finally eat humble pie. The book seemed to finish a bit sudden once the war was won. I still gave it a five star rating though. I loved the series. I started Alison Noel's The Immortals straight after and they seem so tame next to the Shifters. They've been on my shelf forever though so I'm going to get them out of the way. I should start the fourth book, Dark Flame tonight straight after Shadowland. Have you read them by the way?Cryer's Cross sounds really good and I've added it to my shelf. I haven't gotten round to Elizabeth Chandler's Dark Secrets series yet. I've not been in a rush because I own them so I know I can read them anytime. I'm looking forward to reading them though. Some of your March releases coincide with ones I'm looking forward to as well, particularly Afterlife and Vampire Diaries The Return: Midnight and Lover Unleashed. Anyway, I'm off to fix a snack and do a spot of reading, so I hope to chat to you very soon. Take care duck.Your friendNis xxxxx
Faythe's father has died too!!!!!!!! Is there any end to this painnnnn?!! sniff
Hi Sam, how are you? Well I hope and that you are making progress with your decorating etc. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying Fringe. I can't wait to see the third season myself. I'm still waiting for them to show the sixth season of Supernatural, but so far nothing. We've had a six week break from the Vampire Diaries but luckily it's started back up this week although I can't for the life of me remember how the last episode ended.I own four books by Nicholas Sparks but haven't had a chance to read them yet. I know a couple of his books have been made into movies though. Let me know what you think of his other stuff though please.Yes, the thing with Ethan has finally come up Sam and I must say it broke my heart honest to God. I never imagined that when you said he goes through some bad things that you meant he was going to die! I thought he'd get some injury that would put him out of action or that one of his many girlfriends would finally catch up with him lol I'm grateful that you didn't let on though as it would have been an anti climax. Sam, you probably going to think I'm daft, but I honestly couldn't stop crying, especially how everyone reacts to the news etc Some of the lighthearted fun has gone out of the books now as Ethan and Jace's goofing around always kept the books from going too dark. Everythings going wrong in this book. Manx has been declawed, Faythe's father has been removed from Head of Council, Marc is missing, Faythe and Jace have had sex despite my warning her not to lol I'm a huge fan of Jace but feel she should end up with Marc. What about you? I'm coming towards the end of Prey now and should start Shift tonight. Alpha is the last installment. I've been really impressed with this series though Sam, thank you again for recommending it to me.Anyway, hope to hear from you very soon. Take care duck.Your (still grieving over Ethan) friendsniff Nis xxxxxxxx
Hi Sam, hope you are well. I'd love to read the MV at the same time if you are game. I have all the books apart from the tenth book, Bite Club which will be released in May. You are right about the fourth volume coming out in June (7th) too. I'm game whenever it's convenient for you Sam. Just let me know. The first time round, I gave the first 6 books a five star rating so it will be interesting to see what it will be like 2nd time round. I can't wait to hear your views though!I'm a bit anxious on the reviews expressed on Misguided Angel as I had high hopes for it. The Van Alen Legacy finished in such a great place i.e Kingsley dying and Mimi on the warpath after being jilted by Jack in favour of Schuyler. If it's slow going it must mean that not alot is going to get resolved perhaps and that there will be other books. Sometimes the authors tend to cash in on their success I think. I completely get how you feel compelled to complete a series rather than leave it up in the air as it will always leave you wondering otherwise. They are like an investment. :) Let me know what you thought of it if you read it before I do won't you?Tess Oliver's Camille sounds good Sam and I'm going to try to get it if I can. Thanks for telling me. The Shifetr series is coming along great. I completed the first book, Stray and am 3/4 of the way through Rogue. Faythe has accidently infected her ex boyfriend, Andrew who is none too pleased and it looks like he wants revenge. She's also freaked out by the fact that she's capable of shifting partly, something which her father didn't initially believe she could do but has now seen for himself. I'm intrigued by her mother's behaviour in this book as she comes across as a bit of a mystery. I'm also intrigued now regarding Ethan as you mention that he's going to go through some bad things. I'm really glad that I invested in these books Sam and it's all thanks to you.I've been adding a ton of historical fiction books lately Sam. I love this genre but am really struggling to find the time to fit them in as I can't shake this paranormal/vampire genre obsession I've got. I know you like historical fiction too so I shall have to have a peep at your shelf and see which ones are your favourites.Anyway, keep in touch won't you and let me know how you are. Take care duck.Your friendNis xxxx
Hi Sam, how are you mate? Well I hope. I've noticed that certain Shelfari notifications have ended up in my junk box which I've managed to read before they've had a chance to delete them. They've been where friends have asked questions on whether or not to read a certain book and so forth. It's strange that it never used to happen before, only recently so perhaps some settings have been changed that we are not aware of. I don't know if you've been on Facebook in the last couple of weeks but I foolishly updated my profile the other week and I hate the changes they've made. Unfortunately I don't think it's possible to go back to old settings once you've allowed the updates to take place. Bummer eh?Sam, it's such a bummer that the library doesn't have Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. They are quite expensive to buy and rarely on good offer. It's a pity they don't have them available in boxsets actually. They are not a bad series though Sam and I hope you manage to get your hands on them one of these days as I'd love to hear your thoughts on them.I'm really excited to learn that you have two volumes of the Morganville Vampire series too. I've been meaning to re read them for ages to catch up with the new releases. I shall have to time them around the same time as you. They are really quick reads that you will fly through them as they are awfully hard to put down at times.I don't mind that the Strain books don't have romance in them. To tell you the truth Sam, I get a bit put off by the sex scenes in books and prefer for it to be kept to a minimum and more down to the nitty gritty so to speak. The trilogy sounds good though and I'm looking forward to reading it. You are right about Dark Secrets 3 being out, I brought it last Thursday! I was a bit surprised that it wasn't as thick as the other two books but I'm really looking forward to reading them all. As for the first two books in The Hollow trilogy - I'd be really interested to know your opinion on them Sam, so please let me know when you do. I totally agree with you - there are just tooooo many books out there and not enough time or money!! You totally surprised me about Bloody Valentine as I hadn't realised that it was a short story compilation. I don't think I shall bother to buy it now and will get probably get it from the library. Is Misguided Angel the last book in the series then or will there be another one? I'm really pleased that you enjoyed both Crescendo and Torment, I must get round to reading them soon so we can chat further about them! I think Tempest is out next month isn't it so you shouldn't have long to wait for the conclusion to your cliffhanger. I think we've got to wait until June for the release of The Passion though.Well, I'm enjoying the first book in Rachel Vincent's Shifter series. Almost finished now - it's taken me five days! It was over 600 pages long and had teeny weeny writing. I'm surprised I haven't gone blind. It was a brilliant start though if not a bit uncomfortable reading over the rape scenes. I think I shall end up giving it a four rating. I've got a soft spot for Jace and I like Ethan too. Did you have any favourite characters? Anyway, I must go now Sam as the kids are hungary. They've been bugging me for a sandwich since I started your note so I'd better go. Take care duck.Your friendNis xxxxx
Hi Sam, I'm glad to hear that things are settling down somewhat and you have managed to do a bit more reading too. Sometimes a little rest from reading can work in a positive way whereas it revitalises us when we start up again. I know that you are going to be flying through those books in no time and I'm going to be trailing behind trying to keep up! It's great that you have The Mediator series Sam. They are light reading for when one feels particularly down in the dumps. The heroine, Suze, is the narrator and some of the things she comes out with tickle me sometimes. I've given them mostly a three and four star rating so far. I'm looking forward to comparing notes with you on the Shifters series. I read the first book in the Dark Guardian series by Rachel Hawthorne called Moonlight last week and quite liked it as I haven't read a werewolf book since Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series back in 2009. Unfortunately the library only had the one book in the Dark Guardians and I don't want to buy the other four or five books till I'm more sure. A fellow Shelfarian recommended the Dorina Basarab series ages ago but I had problems obtaining one of the books and ended up purchasing it in the end. Dorina is a dhampir - half human half vamp similar to Rose in the Vampire Academy books. There are only two books in the series and I'm not sure if there'll be any more but as you know I'm a sucker (pardon the pun) for anything vampire related so they should ber right up my alley so to speak.I try to get round to reading Last sacrifice as soon as I can while it's fresh in your mind I promise. I'm so pleased to hear that there's going to be a spin off series from the Vampire Academy books even if they are based on some of the secondary characters. I shall have to look up which characters are going to feature. It's a shame Awakened wasn't up to it's usual standard. Perhaps the authors are grasping at straws now and they should finish the series off on a high. I'm disappointed to hear that Aphrodite ends up reverting to her old ways. I've found the dialogue iffy at times myself Sam, but the plot has won me round. I think thats been more of Kristins input than her mothers. I shall have to re read them from the beginning to recap on where I last left off as the last book I read was in 2009. I want to re read the Morganville Vampire series to as the last book I read was Carpe Corpus so I'm way behind evn though I've got them all up to date. I shall time it closer to the release of the 10th book, Bite Club, in May. I've just looked up some of the books you've mentioned you've read recently. XVI by Julia Karr and Flu sound quite disturbing lol but I know you're a huge fan of post apocalptic/zombie/alternative universe genre books. I hadn't heard of the Strain trilogy before though so I shall see if the library has the first two books as I don't think the third one is out yet. You know the mention of vampires and suddenly I'm like a fish on a hook. I'm sure if I saw the real thing I'd probably run a mile.You know I've had the two in 1 Elizabeth Chandler’s Dark Secrets and Dark Secrets 2 since last year but haven't gotten round to reading them yet. I agree with you that they sound quite good and I'm waiting for the release of Dark Secrets 3 so that I can own the set. Now that you've said they are good I shall have to put them further up on my reading shelf so we can swap notes.Whats next on your reading list? There's a couple of books I'm anticipating this year - Claudia Gray's Afterlife for example. I'm also looking forward to the conclusion of the Prophecy Of The Sisters trilogy as well as Jessica Verday's The Hollow trilogy. You know I keep complaining about The Hollow books because they are a bit drawn out but I love that they are set in a cemmatary and that Abbey can see and talk to the dead. Just the idea that there's this whole different world set in a cemmatary really appeals to me. One of my favourite books is Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard book - have you read it by any chance. I love it to bits. I would have given The Hollows a five star rating if it had been slightly edited. The Haunted was dragged out too and you can tell that all the action was being saved for the third book. Still the third should be a corker or Miss Verday is going to be on my list! lolAnyway it's been great chatting to you as always Sam. Take care won't you?Your friendNis xxxxxxx
Hi Sam, I hope you are well. I can't seem to get enough of books at the moment, what with reading and being constantly on the look out for new additions to my shelf. I'm currently finishing off The Mediator series by Meg Cabot which I enjoyed reading as it's made me smile at times. The heroine is so sassy and I love it when she refers to her stepbrothers as Sleepy, Dopey and Doc. Have you read them?Do you remember when you recommended Rachel Vincents Shifter series some time back and I promised to read them? Well I finally managed to get my hands on six of the books of the series so far and I'm looking forward to digging into them as soon as I can. I've also got Alyson Noel's The Immortals and Karen Chance's Dorina Basarab series on my 'currently reading' shelf too. I can't remember if you've reading The Immortals or not? I'm pleased you enjoyed Last Sacrifice as it means it must have finished with a satisfactory ending. I bought my copy around Christmas but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I'll let you know when I do so we can chat about it. I haven't read my copy of Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods Book 5) either as I'm waiting to buy the sixth book, Bloody Valentine so I can read them together. Was Awakened rubbish then? How disappointing. I've got Tempted and Burned but haven't read them yet so I'm abit out of touch since Hunted. I was planning to buy Awakened this weekend as it's only just come out in the UK this past week. I loved the first five books but am not a big fan of the Kalona plot as I loved it when it was centred on Neferet as the villain. I shall have to catch up with Tempted and Burned to see where the author is going with the plot. I'm a big fan of Aphrodite, she was such a ***** in the first book but I loved reading about the softer side to her in the following three books. I think there's another book coming out in November isn't there?I totally get what you mean about Fringe as despite not seeing the third season as yet, I've read that it's several episodes on before Peter realises that it's not Olivia. I think its about 6 or 7 episodes into the season? I can imagine it being frustrating as you'd want them to be reunited as soon as possible particularly as Peter seems to be taking their relationship in a physical capacity. Anyway I'm looking forward to chatting to you more too as you know you are one of my favourite and closest friends on Shelfari. Here's to a fabulous 2011 and as for new releases out there? Bring them on!!!!!Your friendNis xxxxxx
Hi Sam, I'm so sorry to hear that your hubby's grandfather passed away on Christmas day. That it was on Christmas Day of all days is infinately sadder as it's supposed to be a joyous occasion that will have you all reflect back on in future Christmas' to come. I'm sure though that you are all finding comfort in the knowledge that he's not in pain anymore and I pray that some of the burden of your pain will lessen with time.It was a quiet Christmas our end and an even quieter New Years Eve as it's been so cold that we've just wanted to stop in huddle around the fire. I've managed to do lots of reading though as one of the advantages of winter is the longer nights and the extra time to read! I think you will like the Wierdsville series by Rook Hastings Sam. I loved and sympathised with the characters in the series and I think when you care about the characters - you want them to have a good outcome. The plot is fast moving, full of twists and downright spooky in places. The second book was even better and I can't wait for the third.I'm so glad you've enjoyed Fringe. The second season finished with Olivia being stuck in the alternate dimension so I can't wait to see how she's going to come back. I shall have to wait for when season 3 is repeated though as Sky One is halfway through already.Anyway I hope 2011 proves to be a great year for you Sam, both in your personal life and in your reading ;) and I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future. Take care duck. Bye!Your friend Nis xxxxx
Hi Sam, it's so wonderful to hear from you as I've really missed you! I figured you had some stuff going on in your life and was really worried about you. I'm really sorry to hear about your hubby's grandad being terminal. One of the hardest things I think is watching someone we love suffer and my thoughts are with you. You seem to have done alot of travelling what with weddings and what not so I'm not surprised that you've fallen behind abit on reading. Still I'm sure that once things have calmed down somewhat you'll be back with a vengence! Since we last chatted I finished Christopher Pike's The Last Vampire series which wasn't bad, I think they would appeal to you. I loved the two books I read in the Wierdsville series by Rook Hastings. I can't wait for the third book. I hope you manage to get hold of this series at some point. I read the sequel to Jessica Verday's The Hollow and it was slow going at times but finished with a juicy ending so I'm going to have to wait for the third book next year. I love the concept (dead people alive in a cemetary with shades of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard book) but think the author could have shortened it in places.I liked the Prophecy of The Sisters by Michelle Zink. The first book was quite sinister in places with a gothic feel. The 2nd book, Guardian of the Gate was slower though. The author is obviously intent on saving all the action for the third and last book due out next year in August called The Circle Of Fire.Another book I quite enjoyed was Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall. I loved the language she used which was quite funny and had me laughing out loud in parts. I'm looking forward to the sequel next year. I've just finished the Beautiful Dead series by Eden Maguire which was quite good too. I'm currently reading Marilyn Kaye's Gifted series. If you think you might be interested in reading any of this titles, please let me know and I'll tell you a bit more about them without giving too much of the plot away.I'm pleased you're enjoying. I finished watching the 2nd season a couple of weeks ago and it finished on a shocking cliffhanger. Sky one are half way through the third season though so I haven't been able to watch the third as I'm waiting for it to be repeated from the start of the 3rd season. I haven't seen the Survivor series though I'm afraid. I've been enjoying The Vampire Diaries though. Logan has just changed into a werewolf for the first time. Klaus is after Elena because she's Katherine's doppleganger and by killing her he can reverse the vampire curse. Katherine is locked up in the tomb.Anyway, Merry Christmas for tomorrow and a Happy New Year too Sam. Don't worry about getting back to me late, I understand it's going to be tough in the next couple of weeks. Take care duck.Your friendNis xxxxxxxx
Hi Sam, how are you? Well I hope. Thank you for your kind words regarding my aunt. She had deteriated considerably towards the end of her life, Parkinsons is truly awful but at least she died with all her family around her who got to say goodbye. You mention you've had some changes in your own life too recently and I'm looking forward to hearing all about them when you email me. I'm glad you haven't gotten around to read the Hush Hush and Fallen sequels yet as I've not read the first installments yet so hopefully I can compare notes with you very soon. I've had the Rachel Vincent’s shifter series on my to read shelf for ages but haven't acquired them yet. I've ordered a couple of books off Amazon yesterday, Melissa De La Cruz's Misguided Angel, Rachel Caine's Ghost Town and the sequel to The Hollows by Jessica Verday. I criticised The Hollows when I first read it because I hadn't realised that it was the first in a trilogy until the book finished. The book left everything up in the air and I was so disappointed that I'd got to wait a whole year to find out where the author was going with the book. I'm going to re read the first book again and I'll let you know if the sequels good.Sam, I totally agree with your assessment of the Vampire Kisses series, I thought they were aimed at a younger audience too. I prefer to read vampire books that have more darker elements I think. Raven did make me laugh a couple of times and I loved Alexander's butler - I forget his name now. The Dark Divine was aimed at a young audience too I think as was the first book in the Dark Touch series. The Darke Academy series was better. It's about a girl named Cassie Bell who joins an academy but discovers sinister goings on. Apparently a student died in mysterious circumstances the previous year. There were similar elements to the Evernight series minus the vampires. Here's the synopsis to the 1st book.The Darke Academy is a school like no other. An elite establishment that moves to an exotic new city every term, its students are impossibly beautiful, sophisticated and rich. And the more new scholarship girl Cassie Bell learns about the Academy, the more curious she becomes. What sinister secrets are guarded by the Few -- the select group of students who keep outsiders away? Who is the dark stranger prowling the corridors at night? And what really happened a year earlier, when the last scholarship girl died in mysterious circumstances? One thing Cassie will discover is that a little knowledge may be a dangerous thing, but knowing too much can be deadly!I'm currently reading Christopher Pike's The Last Vampire series which is not bad so far. I've finished the first book and am reading the sequel Black Blood.Supernatural hasn't started over here yet, it usually starts around January. I'm missing my Smallville fix though. The Vampire Diaries is more than making up for it though. You are slightly in front of us at the moment but I agree with you, the series seems to be going from strength to strength.Fringe on the other hand is absolutely brilliant. If you're enjoying season 1 then you are going to love season 2! My eldest son and I are huge fans of Walter and I love his relationship with Peter. We have four episodes to go until the end of season two, but unfortunately will have to wait for re runs of season 3 as Sky One is already half way through showing them.Anyway it's been great catching up Sam, I look forward to hearing from you soon. Take care won't you?Your friend Nis xxxxxx
Hi Sam, I hope you are well. I'm so sorry to have taken so long to reply to your note. Things went from bad to worse after my last note. No sooner had a I recovered from the chaos of having my new doors and windows installed, then I ended up losing my aunt who had been suffering from Parkinsons for six years. It was so sad. To top it off my PC became infected with malware which while cleaning up, ended up shutting down completely. I got it back on Saturday but unfortunately it had to be completely reset so I've lost everything that was on it. Reinstalling everything has been a lengthy process and I was anxious about my notes on Shelfari accummulating. When I signed into hotmail, I had 118 messages! Anyway I'm happy to report that I'm back now and will do my best to make up for my absence. I finished reading the Midnighters series and it wasn't too bad. I was sorry that Jessica had to sacrifice herself at the end to save everyone. I'm looking forward to swapping views on Hush Hush, Fallen and both their sequels with you. Thank you for your kind words regarding my stepmum. She's much better now. I smiled over your green fingers comment. Do you know that everytime I buy a plant for inside the house, it dies on me too. I think I have more luck with the ones in the garden as they seem to take care of themselves as long as it rains on time! My mum used to talk to her indoor plants like they were her babies. She'd read somewhere that talking to plants helps them grow.I can't believe you've read 215 books Sam, thats amazing and hats off to you for doing so well. I read Vampireville last year when I bought the 3 in 1 book Vampire Kisses. I bought the 4th and 5th one to but took a break after book three so they've been waiting on my shelf ever since. What are your thoughts on the series? I read The Dark Divine, Everafter by Nell Stark and Shadows by Amy Meredith which is the first book in the Dark Touch series. They were so so. I enjoyed the Darke Academy books by Gabriella Poole though. I've read the first three books but I don't know when the fourth one is due out. I'm currently reading the third book in the Vampire Beach series.I'm pleased to hear you are still working your way through Supernatural. My favourite seasons were 3 and 4 but I think the writers started to lose the plot a bit in the 5th season what with God and the angels featuring in the show. I hope the new team behind the show will take it in a better direction in season 6. I'm currently a quarter of the way into the second season of Fringe and if anything it's getting better and better. I can't wait to hear your views on it. How are you getting on with Vampire Diaries? Elena and Stefan have figured out that Caroline was in league with Katherine, albeit against her will. I wanted Mason to get along with the brothers but he's told Caroline's mum (after Damon tries to kill him) that the Salvatore brothers are vampires and she tries to kill them. They are saved by Caroline and Elena in the nick of time. Katherine seems to genuinely love Stefan.Anyway I'll say toodles for now Sam and catch up again soon. Take care won't you? Bye!Your friendNis xxxxxxx
Hi Sam, my reading is coming along alot better now thanks. I've finished the second book in the Midnighters series and I'm glad I stuck with it as the plot has been quite clever and original. I'm on the third and last book now, Blue Noon. What were your thoughts on these books and did you have any favourite characters? Like you, my reading has been slower but at least we are perservering!I managed to buy Becca Fitzgerald's Crescendo today so I'm hoping to read Hush Hush in the next couple of weeks along with Fallen and it's sequel Torment. I've had both Hush Hush and Fallen for ages but kept putting them off until the release of their sequels. I just need to clear my current 'books I'm reading now' section first.Family seem to be taking up alot of my time at the moment. My stepmother had an operation under a week ago and I'm trying to give her a hand until her stitches heal. Next week we're having double glazing windows and doors fitted which will take a couple of days. I have a feeling that I will have to do a spot of painting once they've been fitted which I'm not looking forward to. I've been squeezing a touch of gardening in between by planting the winter stuff and digging up the summer plants. Clocks should go back at the end of this month which always depresses me as it means longer nights. On the plus side I always seem to have more time to read in the winter. Incidently, how are you doing in your Book Challenge?Anyway, take care Sam and chat to you soon I hope. Look forward to hearing about your recent books. I forgot to check out the ones you mentioned in your previous note so I shall do that now. Bye!Your friendNis xxxxx
Sam!just stopping by, to scream: HELLO'JasI miss Ya!Luv Ya!
Hi Sam, how are you? I bet you've been wondering where I've disappeared to! I'm so sorry, it's been difficult keeping up with the reading and therefore less reason to log onto Shelfari as a result of having nothing to add. I think I'm lacking a good riveting book that will make me stop all my chores and beg me to read it. It seems ages since I've come across a book like that. Of all the books we've read together Sam, I agree with you on your preferences too. I liked the Evernight series the best too followed by the Dark Visions book. The Forbidden Games was redeemed in my eyes due to the sad ending with Julian but Dark Visions was better.I mentioned I was going to read Mia James' By Midnight in my last note? It started off with a great Prologue and then seemed to take ages for anything to actually happen. By chapter ten I'd lost all interest in the book and skipped to the last chapter just so I would have an idea what the book was leading to. I don't know if it's due to my readers block or what Sam, but I couldn't get into it for the life of me. You must check it out for your self Sam in case you feel differently about it. I don't like to tell anyone to avoid a book as everyone has different likes/dislikes.I started Scott Westerfeld's Midnighters straight after and realised that it was more sci fi rather than paranormal which is what I'd assumed it was. Usually I'm not a big fan of the sci fi genre and a couple of times I was tempted to abandon the series. By the end of the first book I started to get into the characters a bit more though and so far the start of the second book is going well too. Regarding the Drake Chronicles, the characters were all interesting Sam, and I love how close they all were as a family so I think you'd like the books for this aspect. The books don't compel you to rush out to buy the next one though like for example the Vampire Academy series would though for some reason. All the elements are there (good vamps v. bad vamps) but the edge of your seat stuff is missing. Fringe seems to be getting better and better with every episode Sam. I think DH will find aspects to keep him interested in watching it. I look forward to hearing your views on it when you do. The 1st installment of the Vampire Diaries was great. You are so right in your assessment of the actress who plays both roles. She does an excellent job.I shall look up all the books you mentioned Sam so thanks for telling me about them. I'll let you know how I get on with The Dark Divine and the Prophecy Of Sisters. Take care meanwhile and chat soon I hope.Your friendNis xxxxxx
