2012 Horror/Thriller Reading Challenge

Ok, I may be crazy but I have signed up for yet another reading challenge!  I was trolling the internet looking for H P Lovecraft items when I came across this blog Sweeping Me.  What caught my attention was this:

I mean, are you kidding me?!  IT is one of my all time favorite horror novels and the challenge badge has a scary clown?!  So I couldn't resist and signed up.  If you want to do the same, find all the info you need here.

Unpleasant dreams!  (And happy reading!)  

Steampunk Sunday: Her Majesty's Explorer, a steampunk bedtime story by Emilie Bush

Today will mark a departure for the blog as I will be reviewing a children's book for the first time!  And before the review, I want to thank Kevin D Steil at Airship Ambassador for bringing Emilie and me together; THANKS KEVIN!  :)

Emilie P Bush is the author of two previous novels, Chenda and the Airship Brofman and its follow up, The Gospel According to Verdu.  She is also the publisher behind Coal City Steam.

Emilie saw the absence of steampunk children's books as an untapped opportunity and has come up with a story that is sweet and dreamy-a perfect bedtime story and a great introduction for children to steampunk.

This IS a children's book after all, so the cog and gear elements are kid friendly but steampunk nonetheless and this gentle get-ready-for-bedtime story also boasts lovely illustrations by William Kevin Petty that turn children's books standbys like duckies, teddy bears and other cuddly animals into mechanical friends ready for dreamland!

HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER...is a very cute book that reminded me of the books that were read to me as a child and I had a couple of "Aww..." moments as I walked down memory lane reliving those older books and characters, which I hadn't done for quite a while.  And this book is also a two-for-one package with the inclusion of a poem, "Three Cheers For Steampunk", that I loved because I am also a closet rubber duckie collector!  I am anxiously awaiting the Steamduck bedtime plush buddy, which I'm sure is coming soon!

If you have little ones that love to be read to before bedtime or are starting to read books on their own, or if your child is looking for some cuteness that is cog and gear rather than fur and feather, then HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER: A STEAMPUNK BEDTIME STORY would make a great addition to your children's book collection.  A HUGE congratulations to both Emilie Bush and William Kevin Petty on their achievement here and I hope the adventures of St. John Murphy Alexander continue!

HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER...comes out February 28!  For more info:
Her Majesty's Explorer on Amazon
Her Majesty's Explorer Launch Party on Facebook
Coal City Steam


(This is 1/6 books read for the Steampunk Reading Challenge 2012 hosted by Dark Faerie Tales )

Zombie Reading Challenge 2012

Good morning all!

So in an effort to keep my commitment to reading a wider variety of books this year, I'm focusing on doing two things this year; featuring "themed" months here on the blog (be on the lookout for a short fiction month and a tentacle month coming soon) and participating in more reading challenges.  I think the theme months will be fun and I like the idea of a little accountability in the reading challenges where other participants can see my progress and I theirs.  And the latest challenge I've joined is...

Who doesn't like zombie fiction?!  Plus there are a few zombie titles in the Ever Growing TBR Pile, so I also felt this would be a great, enjoyable way to finally get on those books!

To get details on the challenge and see how you can join yourself, follow the link on the sidebar to Book Chick City.  Happy reading!

New Release: HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER, A STEAMPUNK BEDTIME STORY

Here is the trailer for a new steampunk children's book debuting February 28.  The book (and I'd never heard of a steampunk children's book before!) is super cute and my review is forthcoming; for now, enjoy this sneak peek into the steampunk world of Emilie Bush's HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER: A STEAMPUNK BEDTIME STORY!