Recommendations and Christmas wishes from Karin for December 2014.

In order to bring some more variety to my blog, I have asked some of my bookish friends to tell about the books they have in the past month, and to give us a recommendation. Today’s post is made by Karin from Austria.

Karin:

I’ve read 6 books this month two anthologies and 3 novellas – admittedly that doesn’t sound like a lot and it isn’t. But still I managed to pick out a favourite this time. It’s

Light my Fire (Dragon Skin Series) by G.A. Aiken



It is followed by

Christmas Revels – one anthology I was writing about



and Song for Sophia by Moriah Densley (a new author for me)



I know I have already talked about G.A. Aiken aka Shelley Laurenston but I want to reinforce once again how much I’m smitten with her books. The author uses some strong language, there is violence, battles and gore – and then there is the family life the dragons have carved out for themselves. This book is not suitable for beginning to read G.A. Aiken; what I liked most about it would only confuse readers who start the series with this book.
We hear a lot about how the families have developed, there is the author’s trademark snarky comments and humour and last not least there is the romance (sure it is an odd one). The main character is Celyn the Charming, the most curious and chatty dragon in the family. His heroine is Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Outerplains. She bears a long, long name (a running gag of course) but she doesn’t like talking too much.
The story carries on the last threads that Aiken has spun for her readers in the latest books.

I know this series is not for everyone – some might hate all the violence, the battling and perhaps the coarse language (now and then when the females of the family – or the males, come to think of it, converse with each other). Their life is a strange one. How could that not be when most of the males can change into dragons? But fact is that I look forward to each and every new book that this author publishes. And there is a new series on the horizon. The first book is going to be published in April and is called “The Unleashing”. So far, what I have read, it sounds promising!

Now I also want to draw your attention to Grace Draven once again. She has published some short stories (e.g. The Light Within) and an anthology with Elizabeth Hunter
AND
she has an ongoing series on her website: “Radiance”.
(here is a: link/)
I highly recommend it now because she is about to publish the last chapter and an epilogue one of these days (so you don’t have to wait too long like I did). Boy, did I wait for the continuing of this story! I’m of course going to purchase it the moment I’m aware it’s published – it’s so good.
Are you curious? Well, catch a glimpse at her website, read a few paragraphs and I’m sure you’ll be ensnared.

With this being said I wish you all a Merry Christmas (or a Happy Holiday Season depending on what you believe and celebrate). And I wish you a wonderful, healthy year 2015 when you enjoy reading lots and lots of good books.


Aurian: Thanks for the recommendations and Christmas Wishes Karin! With both you and Freya loving G.A. Aiken and Grace Draven, I need to try Grace Draven soon. I know G.A. Aiken is not for me though I do love her Shelley Laurenston shifters.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian