I was sure I could not finish reading this book before the year ends, but I was glad I did. To be honest, I did not give this book any thoughts until I stumbled upon this author's new release, The Treasure, which was released in hardcover this month. Since The Treasure is a sequel to this book, I figure I should read this first although both books could be read as stand-alone.

Anyway, this is a classic historical romance sets in the 12th century in Constantinople where gender differences and slavery are not uncommon. And of course there are the battles that endanger everyone's life in the village.

Thea of Dimas, the heroine in this story, run away from the House of Nicholas where she is kept imprisoned and hoping to set foot in Damascus to start her own embroidery business. Meanwhile, she is also planning to free her younger sister, Selene and she is waiting for the right time to strike. After her caravan where she seeks refuge is destroyed, she encounters a dark warrior Lord Ware during her journey to Damascus. Feeling dead exhausted and almost dying from thirst, Thea is sure she would embrace death in no time but the brooding and powerful Lord Ware rescued her, with some coaxing from his right-hand man cum friend, Kadar. He took her to his desert fortress in Dundragon despite her refusal.

Lord Ware wastes no time in her defensive behaviour, for he is pressed with other critical issues like battles and being hunted by the Knights Templar after his discovery of their secret Lion Throne. However, it seems that his enemies have found his weakness by killing those who are close to him. Thea is a strong woman with a mind of her own; she refuses to take orders from an arrogant man like Lord Ware but once she realized and understand what Lord Ware had gone through, she stays by his side after he has promised to free her sister on her behalf. And although there is always danger lurking around the corner, still they cannot fight the attraction they have for each other as the days goes by. I think there is no need for me to elaborate further as I figure the readers could very well imagine what would happen towards the end.

I think I would have enjoyed Lion's Bride more if I were to read this book a few years back. Probably because I have not been reading a lot of historical romances lately, hence they have somehow lost its touch to me. Still, I think the premise and the characters are great, although I have to admit that reading about the women who were being treated badly and unfairly at those times are disturbing. Lord Ware strikes me as a man who may appear cold on the exterior, but actually he has a soft heart. I also enjoyed reading about Thea's younger sister, Selene and Kadar, whom the latter was asked to rescue Selene by Lord Ware. And this is where their story will be told in Iris Johansen's latest release, The Treasure. I am looking forward to reading the sequel; and I am also hoping that I would be reading more historical romance in the coming year. I cannot promise I will, but at least reading this book is a good start.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Fiction & Literature
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald
Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg
Loved Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani

Mystery & Crime/Thrillers
The Treatment by Mo Hayder
Sacred Cows by Karen E. Olson
No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay
In the Woods by Tana French
The Likeness by Tana French
Out by Natsuo Kirino
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Fantasy
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman
Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (I classified this book under this category since it deftly blends the legend of Sleeping Beauty)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

So... are you ready to read further?

My 'Book of the Year' under the Fiction & Literary category goes to... Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg!
Reason: This book had me utterly speechless right after I finished the book. First, I was totally blown away by the plot, it is original and not to mention there is humor, intrigue and suspense in this story. What's more, I love reading books about books, and this is just one of them!

Another 'Book of the Year' under the Mystery & Crime/Thrillers category goes to... The Likeness by Tana French!
Reason: Her novels are always so intense and full of suspense. I remember I was "wowed" by her debut novel, In the Woods where it features a young boy and his other two friends have gone into the woods and disappeared. Twenty years later, the boy who came out alive became a detective, and the murder case he was asked to resolve reminds him of the childhood trauma so many years ago. In The Likeness, the protagonist (not to confuse with the protagonist from In the Woods) became the victim and although it is still a psychological suspense, it focus more on one's weakness and what it takes to be an undercover to find the killer. Seriously, this book really had me hooked from the beginning till the end!

Finally, the 'Book of the Year' under the Fantasy category goes to... Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman!
Reason: I swear I had a hard time deciding on this one! Why? Because there are also books by big authors like Shannon Hale and Neil Gaiman, and both of them are my favourite authors! However, this book stood out among all because of the complex plot, the interesting cast of characters and what's more, this is a story about sorcery and magic. It is believed that the darkness does not lies from the magical power but within the hearts of men instead (I love stories that deals with humanity). As usual, it is the good versus the evil and I am already looking forward to the next instalment already!

So this is it! Goodbye 2008! Here's to another great reading year!

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

My teaser sentences for today [Lion's Bride by Iris Johansen (Pg 60)]:.

"Life is always a battle. You can't stop it; you can only choose the battleground," he said as if reading her thoughts. "If a pigeon reaches its target, men die. If a falcon stops the pigeon, different men die."

How often do you recommend books to others, and who do you recommend them to? Do you only recommend books to your “reading friends” or to anyone you think might find the book interesting? What does it take for a book to make it to your ‘recommendation’ list?

I love recommend books to anyone. One would thought most of my friends must be booklovers too since I am one, but they are not. At least they do not read as much as I do. Ever since I started blogging, I get recommendations from other bookbloggers by reading their blogs and vice versa. Slowly I get acquainted with some of them and knew their reading preferences, thus I will recommend books to them according to their preferences. However, there are times that I do recommend books that are not their usual reads but I know they might be interested because of the intrigue plots, a certain subject matter or any other things that would spark their interest. Books that make it to my recommendation list are those that I liked and would linger in my mind after I have finished reading.

How about you?

The overall view

Santa busy at work!

Jingle Bell... Jingle Bell... Jingle All the Way...

The snowman has some fun with the white snow (cream, I mean... hehe)

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Happy holidays!

Librarian Jean Norville is the maid of honor of Molly, her best friend's marriage at the Southfork Texas Wedding Chapel. However, chaos broke when shots are fired and everyone scrambled for safety. It seems that the Boston's IA Department is investigating the possibility that Connor O'Bannion, Molly's husband-to-be, and the other cop and a few other bad cops got wind of a diamond theft and in the takedown killed the real thief and kept the stones for themselves. Molly's handsome brother, Sam Broadbent who is a Texas Ranger offers to protect Jean and leads her away from the chaotic scene. Jean does not need any help from anyone but Sam thinks otherwise, not after she has accidentally walked into O'Bannion heated telephone coversation with someone.

They then meets Len Hughes, a helpful trucker after their car's tyre had been hit and he gives them a ride and offer an accommodation at his cabin. Jean could run away from whoever someone who is after her but could she run away from a sexy ranger like Sam, after all the attraction they have for each other?

Sam Broadbent's sister, Molly is getting all ready for her marriage to Connor O'Bannion at the Southfork Texas Wedding Chapel but unfortunately, her wedding ceremony is disrupted by gunfire. In truth, Molly could see little point to this wedding. Although she and O'Bannion had been together for three years, she felt she knew very little of him except that he is a cop with the Boston P.D., and that they have to get married if he is to move up in the force. As for Molly, being a corporate lawyer she is aware that having a partner in her life would make her seem reliable and respectable in her profession.

Meanwhile, Joe Cartland did not want to do anything with Christmas or weddings but when her nephew and nieces bribed him into attending O'Bannion's wedding, who happens to be their late father's cousin, he has no choice but to agree, after all he is their only uncle. And it proved that his attendance is a bad choice when there is a gunfire and he has to knock someone down in the middle of the rosebushes to keep her from being shot.

As much as he wanted to keep Molly out of harm's way, Joe needed to get his nephew and nieces out of the place so they agree to find refuge at their parents' holiday house in Queensland, Australia. However, someone also told Molly that there is a house vacant in Australia and perhaps she could go there as a recoup from this unfortunate event.

* * *

Christmas Getaway consists of three inter-related novellas about three different women finding their true love during their 'escapade'. Although I enjoyed reading all three novellas, there is not enough intense and chemistry between the characters but I understand this is only an anthology and it would be unfair to compare this with other novels with more well-developed characters and plots. I have to say Anne Stuart's Clause and Effect stood out from the others because her story is fast-paced and humourous. Christmas Getaway is a fun and entertaining read and it is a good book to curl up with during this festive season.

Note: I want to thank Alice for agreeing to read this anthology with me. As usual, it was fun and I am looking forward to reading more books with her (and Julia) in the near future!

Merry Christmas to all!

First, I want to thank Alice for nominating me for the Kreativ Blogger Award.

As highlighted by Alice's post, this award deals with the values we deem important in others. Here are the six values that are important to me, six things I don’t support, and my nomination of six bloggers:

Six values that are important to me:

1. Honesty
2. Faithfulness
3. Sense of humour
4. Friendliness
5. Discipline
6. Love

Six things I don’t support:

1. Rudeness
2. Hypocrisy
3. Hatred
4. Over-critical
5. Self-righteousness
6. Unfaithfulness

My nomination for six bloggers are:

1. Wendy from Musings of a Bookish Kitty
2. Nymeth from Things Mean A Lot
3. Iliana from Bookgirl's Nightstand
4. Trish form Trish's Reading Nook
5. Julia from Julia's Books Corner
6. Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?
   

---

Also, thanks to Julia for presented me the Christmas Spirit award.

• It is about love, sharing and giving
• Christmas trees and ornaments
• Christmas shopping
• The colourful lights and the Christmas decorations in malls
• The festive moods
• Christmas parties
  

I would like to pass this award to the following friends:

• Nymeth from Things Mean A Lot
• Wendy from Musings of a Bookish Kitty
• Dar from Peeking Between the Pages
• Trish from Trish's Reading Nook
• Debi from Nothing of Importance
• Naida from The Bookworm
• Jen from Up Close & Personal with LadyTink
• Kristy from Just Another Blogger
• Shana from Literarily
• Softdrink from Fizzy Thoughts

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

My teaser sentences for today is extracted from a novella of an anthology, Christmas Getaway by Anne Stuart, Tina Leonard and Marion Lennox. I am currently reading Caught At Christmas by Tina Leonard.

(From Pg 98)

She reviewed her situation: Alone with a very good-looking man out in the middle of nowhere.

Women dreamed of Santa dropping a dreamboat like Sam under their Christmas tree - but she wasn't daring enough to consider unwrapping him.

First, Nymeth sent me this lovely Christmas card and two beautiful handmade bookmarks she made for my daughters! Isn't she sweet and talented? I especially love the prints of her bookmarks; I love the brown elegant designs and the other is just adorable with little chicky prints and white polka dots!

I then received a very cute Christmas card by Wendy. I have to grin whenever I see the card because not only the penguin is adorable with its skiing gears but penguins happen to be one of my favourite animals too!

Follow up next is a book titled Gossamer by Lois Lowry and a beautiful Christmas card by Alice. What made this gift so special is, Alice gave it to me after she found out this is on my BookMooch wishlist! I was simply speechless after opening her mail and at the same time, I was also touched by her thoughtfulness.

I have another surprise when I received this beautiful glass of tulips from my best friend, Jennifer, for my birthday earlier! She had specially ordered it from a local florist although she is living all the way from Pennsylvania! I am so, so touched by her kind gesture! Thank you so much, Jen!! I miss you too!

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about Christmas book buying…

In these last few days before Christmas, I'm sure there are plenty of us scrambling to get our last minute shopping done. Are you buying any books for friends or family (or even yourself)? Do you expect to receive any bookish gifts from others - books, or book-related?

Although I would love to buy books for my family and friends, I won't be buying books for them since most of them are non-readers (except my bookblogging friends, of course). However, not all of them dislike reading at all; for instance my husband does not share my passion for reading fiction novels but he does read books which are related to his job. Since I do not have knowledge in that area, I don't buy books as gifts for him and moreover, what I buy may not be of his liking.

For me, I love buying books for myself anytime. And although my family and friends know I am a booklover, they usually don't buy books as gifts for me (except gift cards) because they know I would prefer to buy them myself, and moreover what they buy may end up duplicates for me.

How about you? Do you buy books for your family and friends?

Note: As much as I love chatting with friends or readers via Cbox, I regret to say I have to take it off my blog after some consideration after seeing someone misused it. Although I find the act amusing, I hate to mislead my friends and readers who mean more important to me. Nevertheless, I would love to hear from you so please feel free to email me.

What is the best book you ever bought for yourself?
And, why? What made it the best? What made it so special?

I was in for a surprise when I checked today's BTT and saw there are two sets of questions being asked. What a nice treat!

I could not answer the first question because I think most of the books I bought are pretty good, or else I would not have spent money on them! If I have to answer this, I would say that buying hardcovers are the best because I rarely buy them and I view them as treats or rewards for myself. Usually I would only buy hardcovers when they are on sales or if they are written by my favourite authors.

Do you give books as gifts?
To everyone? Or only to select people?
How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?

I love the idea of giving books as gifts. Books provide knowledge and entertainment, and I am sure any booklover will appreciate these. As much as I love reading and buying books, I understand that not everyone shares the same passion as me, so I make sure to get books only for those who loves reading.

Besides being a giver, I love being the receiver too! I always get excited whenever I get books in the mail or as a gift from someone. Nothing cheers me up more than getting books; and the more the merrier!

tl;dr Challenge

1) Books of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
2) American Gods by Neil Gaiman
3) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

2008 TBR Challenge

1) One True Thing by Anna Quindlen
2) Stars by Nora Roberts
3) P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
4) Sacred Cows by Karen E. Olson
5) Forbidden by Suzanne Brockmann
6) Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard
7) Next To Die by Marliss Melton
8) My Lover's Lover by Maggie O'Farrell
9) The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
10) Halfway To The Grave by Jeaniene Frost
11) Almost Noon by Alice Sebold
12) First Drop by Zoe Sharp
Alternates:
1) The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
2) Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
3) A Student of Living Things by Susan Richards Shreve
4) In The Woods by Tana French


The Short Story Reading Challenge

1) Holidays Are Hell by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson
2) Hell On Heels by Julie Kenner, Kathleen O'Reilly & Dee Davis
3) Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

I had enjoyed reading these books, but my favourites will be The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, Sacred Cows by Karen E. Olson, The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly and In the Woods by Tana French.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

This is a must-have book for Harry Potter fans. On the other hand, anyone may read this book as it is a stand-alone from other Harry Potter series. This book consists of a collection of five imaginative wizarding tales, accompanied by some illustrations done by J.K. Rowling herself. The readers also get to read the wise Professor Albus Dumbledore's insightful thoughts through the commentary at the end of each story, including a few explanations of his own. Some of them give us a glimpse of his humorous side, which I think is fitting to his personality.

Each tale is a delightful read. What I find most meaningful about this book is, there is a moral/lesson to be learned behind every story.

The Wizard and The Hopping Pot is a tale about compassion, and how a young wizard overcome his arrogance and selfishness by a magical pot his dead father has left behind. The Fountain of Fair Fortune is about three witches and a knight who find themselves battling their way towards the magical fountain which is believed will bring fortune to one fortunate person between the hours of sunrise and sunset on the longest day once in a year. It is a wonderful tale of sharing and determination.

The Warlock's Hairy Heart is a dark tale focuses on love when a young warlock decided to lock his heart after seeing his friends became foolish after they have fallen in love but things are not the same again after he has changed his mind and unlock his heart. Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump and The Tale of the Three Brothers focus issues such as wits and that death is inevitable.

J.K. Rowling has weaved another winner in this short stories collection. I enjoyed the five wonderful tales in this book; each one is unique and so meaningful. I have to say The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Tale of the Three Brothers are my favourites among all. The only thing I find disappointing is, the five tales are too short and I hope there are more tales collected in this book. Nevertheless, reading this book has made me want to continue reading Harry Potter series again. I am looking forward to reading Book 3 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the near future (although I had watched all the movies to-date).

Note: Buy this book as a support to the Children's High Level Group (CHLG). From every sale of this book, Scholastic will give is net proceeds to the CHLG, a charity cofounded in 2005 by J.K. Rowling and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, MEP.

Other blogs reviews:
Dolce Bellezza
In Spring it is the Dawn
Hello, My Name is Alice
Out of the Blue
Stella Matutina
Things Mean A Lot
5-Squared
(Let me know if I have missed your review.)