Review: Infinite Days (Vampire Queen #1) by Rebecca Maizel

Rebecca Maizel. New York: St Martin's Griffin, 2010. 325 pp.
Rating: Striking 

"You have said that humanity is what all vampires crave. The freedom to feel more than constant pain and suffering." (13)

Lenah Beaudonte, a 592 year-old vampire, yearns for the life she lost. Constantly inundated with images of vivacious humanity, plus taunted by memories of her previous life, Lenah's mind begins to gradually unravel. Desperate to flee the endless pain, Lenah seeks a ritual so old, so sacred, so dangerous, its contents must remain a mystery. For this ancient ritual can return a vampire to human form. Surviving the uncertain effects of the mystical ceremony, Lenah, born in the 1400s, awakens as a sixteen year-old girl in the 21st century. Confident that she would never know a love as she shared with Rhode, her centuries-long companion, Lenah's attraction to Justin Enos comes as a surprise. Acclimating to her new life, Lenah soon feels like a normal teenager. However, ties binding her to the past arise coming back to haunt her. 

Book Talk Tuesday: What Books Are Talking to You?

Pick of the Week:

Gringolandia by Lynn Miller-Lachmann - This novel focuses on a Chilean family torn apart by politics and the strength it takes to repair the family relationship once a member has suffered irreparable harm.

Book Trailer

What books are talking to you this week?

Book Talk Tuesday: What Books Are Talking to you?

Ah, the first Book Talk Tuesday of the new year. I'm so excited! 

Pick of the Week

Stolen Nights (Vampire Queen #2) by Rebecca Maizel - Now that Lenah has made the ultimate sacrifice, was her intention enough?

So, what books are talking to you on this frigid Tuesday?

Finally, its Here!

A few months back, I posted a poem, one of the many point-earning activities, that I submitted for the Merlin Spiral Contest. After procuring 13,600 points, I was tied with another contestant for first place. To break the tie, the consulted rafflecopter decided I should rank second. Since there are two remaining contests for books 2 and 3, I still have a chance to win first place and/or the grand prize. Take that rafflecopter! 

My contest spoils include an Apple Ipod Shuffle and a Merlin's Blade T-Shirt.

T-Shirt Front 

T-Shirt Back

My New Year's Promise

A new year brings with it fresh starts, new beginnings, and renewed energies. By now thousands of New Year's resolutions have been written, declared, and affirmed. Some of them will be attained, many will be broken, yet hundreds will never be attempted at all. 

This year I've opted not to make any resolutions, but I'm going to make a New Year's promise instead. In 2014, I promise to become a better book reviewer and blogger. Sometimes the reader in me overpowers the blogger forcing me to devour the next book on my TBR pile. Other times I'm terrified to write. Translating my thoughts into coherent, engaging, and enjoyable text is an intimidating feat that ofttimes leads to frustration. Rather than pushing through my frustration or taking a short break, I just stop. Stop writing. Stop practicing. Stop improving. Stop working on my craft. 

As you can imagine, such destructive behavior has left numerous unfinished reviews, plus a few story attempts in its wake. However, this year brings with it a promise to unlearn unproductive patterns and form productive ones. My journey to become a better writer must start somewhere. So, it begins here, on my blog, today, 2 January 2014. To keep with my promise, along with current reviews, I will be completing and posting all of my half-written reviews that are in my draft folder over the next few weeks. Also, Book Talk Tuesday will resume next week on the seventh. 

I'm excited about all 2014 has to offer. Big things are in store...giveaways, author interviews, and more! It's going to be an awesome year!! 

P.S. Don't worry...I've also promised to consistently exercise. Ha! :-)