Friday, March 15, 2013

Author Verdell Walker’s To Be Read Pile





Verdell Walker’s To Be Read Pile (in no particular order!)

1.     The Dark Monk (The Hangman’s Daughter series), Oliver Potzsch. I recently read “The Hangman’s Daughter” which is the first book in this series about a 17th century Bavarian hangman and his headstrong daughter. I love a good mystery, and this one had a really intriguing setting. The characters are well developed and I especially liked Magdalena, the hangman’s daughter of the title, who was so strong and independent-minded. I’m a sucker for gusty gals, being one myself.

2.     Bring up the Bodies, Hilary Mantel. Mantel’s prior book, “Wolf Hall”, was pure genius in my opinion. There aren’t many authors who can take something as well trodden as the Tudor era and do something fresh and exciting with it. Mantel’s painstaking research is obvious here and is only enhanced by the fact that she is a master of character development. I found that I couldn’t wait to see what the wily Thomas Cromwell was going to do next…even though I obviously already knew!

3.     Crucible of Gold (Temeraire series), Naomi Novik. Normally, I’m not into fantasy or dragons but Novik is a real exception. The premise of the series is that it retells the Napoleonic War with a notable twist: Britain and France both have aerial corps comprised of dragons with human captains. I’ve read all the books in the Temeraire series. Her last two lacked the magic of the first 3, but what she achieved at the beginning of the series is enough to make me stick around.

4.     The Last Runaway, Tracy Chevalier. I love historical fiction and Chevalier is one of the best at it, in my opinion. She usually writes on European history, but this is her first foray into the American past. It’s about a Quaker woman who becomes part of the Underground Railroad. I’ve been reading up on slavery and the antebellum period for a writing project on my own, and I definitely want to check out this book.

5.     Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters. I’m a sucker for anything about ancient Egypt. I know more about it than someone who isn’t a trained Egyptologist has a right to know. And of course it has a gutsy gal in it.

6.     Lover at Last, JR Ward. People may laugh, but JR Ward is one of my biggest influences as a writer. If you want to know how to create compelling, multidimensional characters with a distinctive arc, look no further than her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I’ve read every single one, and I cannot wait for this one to come out!

The Andalucian Friend, Alexander Soderberg. Swedish crime thriller. Enough said J

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Dana's YA Bookpile




The Coven: Fire and Ice        
The Coven, Book 1
Verdell Walker

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

ISBN: Print – 1481981080
Ebook - 9781301450695

Number of pages: 454
Word Count: 114,679

Cover Artist: Gabriela Miyares



Book Description:

After her clique's bullying causes a classmate's suicide, Kat Grey trades the vicious world of the California "in crowd" for the chance to become a better person in Massachusetts. But when she steps in to protect a classmate from being bullied, Kat sparks a war with Hannah, Milton Academy's resident Queen Bee.

Kat's courage and compassion attract the attention of Blaze Ward, Hannah's ex-boyfriend. As they fall in love, Kat discovers that Blaze is more than the boy next door. He's a warlock. He is also the leader of an in-crowd like no other - the Brotherhood, five young warlocks charged with defending witches and humanity from a demonic adversary named Seth.

Kat challenges Blaze to become a better man and leader while he helps her find redemption as she makes it her mission to stop bullying at Milton. But when Hannah teams up with Seth to destroy her, Kat becomes a hostage in the age-old war between the Brotherhood and their greatest enemy. Saving Kat will require more than Blaze's strength and skill; it will mean breaking one of his kind's most sacred laws. Blaze will have to make a choice: his honor or Kat's life.

About the Author:

Verdell Walker is the author of THE COVEN series. Born and raised in the South, writing has been her escape from reality for many years.

Verdell is an avid sports fan and absolutely devoted to the Green Bay Packers. A gifted cook and baker, few things make her happier than making a meal for her family and friends. Except maybe writing about her favorite boys.






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