My goodness, it’s almost here! Can you believe it? Because I sure as fuck can’t.
So. I moved house this weekend, from Bedfordshire back to Devon (the hubs works there/here; he’s been commuting for a few months while we waited to see if the position would become permanent, and since it has, here we are). Really not the best weekend to be moving, but what can you do? And it’s actually awesome. In Beds we had a little two-bed flat, a teeny place. I liked it, but it was teeny. This “new” place–and I say “new” because the house is almost two hundred years old, it was built in the 1830s–has four bedrooms, a front room, a dining room, a huge kitchen, a laundry room, one full bathroom and two half-baths. And three fireplaces. It’s pretty incredible. And the best part is that it’s owned by a gentleman my husband works with, so we’re paying very little for it (which is how we’re able to afford it, frankly). Like, we pay £20 more per month for this than we did for that little two-bed flat. So, we–I–feel extremely lucky, which is nice because I could use every bit of luck I can find this week, quite literally. Please luck please.
So, the house is amazing–it even has a front staircase and a back “servants” staircase–but man, is it filthy. FILTHY. Like, filthy to the point that I don’t even know where to start. (I have started, in the kitchen, but you know what I mean.)
Anyway. This explains, basically, why I haven’t been around much this last weekend. (I also don’t have internet, really–the BT guy is here now–so am using a pay-as-you-go dongle from 3. Which I really have to recommend, if you’re in the UK; it’s lovely and fast.) (ETA: The BT guy decided he didn’t feel like actually connecting anything or doing anything, so while the phone was technically switched on, the only working jack is above the front door. No, I am not kidding. He told me I should call an electrician if I actually, you know, want the phone jack somewhere else. He didn’t have any wires/cords with him to even just allow us to plug in the phone somewhere else. Thanks, BT. And it especially sucks because he was kind of cute [not that I'm looking] and seemed so nice. Anyway.)
I do have some pictures of the house, if anyone wants to see them?
SO. Moving on. There are some new reviews, and TWO interviews up with me today! (A reminder, since it’s been a while: All links on my blog open in new windows/tabs.)
Both interviews were a lot of fun to do, and I hope you go read them and comment and ask more questions or whatever.
The lovely ladies at Stellar Four review SACRIFICIAL MAGIC:
Readers of Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series, let me reassure you: The things you love about the series abound in Kane’s fourth novel, Sacrificial Magic. Terrifying ghosts. Malicious evil-doers. Magic, both pure and vile. That distinctive Downside cant. And — perhaps most importantly for many of us — the crackling, fraught passion between Chess and Terrible.
So, to try and sum things up a little bit, Chess’s emotional story, both the romance and the drug addiction, as well as her strength and bravery when it comes to doing her work and defending the people she cares about, adds tremendously to the fact that these books are serious novels with a lot of layers to explore, not just light adventures. They’re still a lot of fun to read, don’t get me wrong. The mysteries are exciting and interesting. It’s not going to depress you, I’m super sensitive to that, I hate dark and depressing books. The balance it terrific, it’s fun, exciting, thoughtful and smart writing with layers that will leave you thinking for a long time to come. I really recommend this book and this series.
Under the Covers gives it five feathers:
Ms. Kane is one of the very few authors that can make me feel a myriad of emotions, all in one book. Sacrificial Magic is no different.
From the amazing writing, to the non stop story and characters that have stolen my heart. Sacrificial Magic will take you on such a ride, I really didn’t want it to end. THAT I CAN GUARANTEE!
Last but certainly not least, Red Hot Books says:
It’s like watching a star explode: It’s beautiful and destructive and you can’t take your eyes off of it. And before I convince you that it’s all heartwrenching sadness, remember that joy and elation I talked about earlier. It’s not all one way or another. This book took my emotions on a roller coaster. When it was over, my heart was in my throat; I felt satisfied and exhausted; and I’m already dying to get back on the ride. If you have never read this series or if you gave up on it early, you are truly missing out. 5 stars.
…I think that’s it for new reviews, and as always if you’ve written one and I haven’t mentioned it, let me know it’s out there!
And tomorrow is release day, and I am panicking.