So I ended up going the distance and saw  the movie Underworld Awakening instead of The Grey.

I was thrilled to learn Kate Beckinsale had returned to play the vampire Selene in the newest Underworld film. This is the fourth installment, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The beginning started off great, taking a few minutes to give us a quick flash through her life by using clips of the previous films. I love action, but unfortunately, the first half of the movie sped along a little too fast. I couldn’t connect with the storyline.

When mankind learns about the existence of vampires and lycans, war erupts. A mass purge is set into motion to destroy anything not human. Selena and Michael fight to escape, but things don’t go as planned. Selena is captured and put on ice for 12 years. When she wakes, the world is forever changed.

The few vampires and lycans that had survived were forced underground. That’s where we get to meet the handsome vampire played by Theo James. Isn’t he gorgeous?!

I won’t go into spoilers, but the ending of the film felt a bit rushed. No, not the fantastic fight scene. They didn’t scrimp on any battles , but I was looking for a more satisfying ending. So I’m giving the show 3.5 Stars for cutting out twenty minutes of the movie that would’ve made it a box office hit.

If you’ve seen the first three movies, you won’t want to miss this one either.

Rating:  

I really wanted to go see the new Underworld 4 movie last week, but the world had other plans for me.

When searching for the movie, the nearest theater was 40+ miles away. They only offered the 3D version. Fine. Whatever. I wanted to go. We picked a day. Unfortunately, hubby fell sick. He sucked it up, still game to go. But when it started snowing, then moved to freezing rain, no way.

So, we decided to wait.

There is another movie out this weekend that has awesome previews as well.

I very much want to go to this one.  It’s called The Grey with Liam Neeson. Have you seen the previews? The good news is that the movie will be playing in my local theater.

Now I just have to decide which one I want to see more. I’d love to go to Underworld, but I don’t think it’s in the cards for me. I’ll just have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

What movies are you waiting for this year? I heard whispers that there might be another Resident Evil movie out this fall. Yes, I know they are aweful, but I can’t help but watch them. How about you? What’s your guilty pleasure?

I’m getting sick.

I took a nap after a long day, and I woke up feeling much like the family dog. Ugh.

By the way, he’s sleeping, not playing dead.

I’ll see you on the other side. Going back to bed.

So are you a before or after person? What I mean is if a book was made into a movie, which do you do first? Watch the movie or read the book?

I’ve tried it both ways and found watching the movie first works best for me. If I read the book, I’m always disappointed in the lack of details and differences in the movie. A friend of mine argued otherwise. She stated that knowing all the hidden details enriches her movie enjoyment. Neither of us can convince the other that we’re right.

For me, the book is always better than the movie. But what I find odd is I only like reading a book once, where I can watch the same movie over and over and never tire of it.

So how about you? Does it matter which order you read and watch? What are your favorite movie/book adaptations?

My reading habits last year were horrendous. I didn’t get to read nearly as much as I’ve wanted. I’ve vowed (promised my tbr pile) that I would do better. So far, my attempts are pathetic. I’ve only read one book this year. Sad, isn’t it? I’m a writer. I love books. Why is it so hard to sit down and keep up with the books I’ve already purchased?

After finishing my last book, I perused my stack, searching for the perfect book to read next. I grabbed a book, sat down, read the blurb on the back cover and the first page. Nope. Not it. Got up and grabbed the next book. Same process. Still not a winner. Searched furiously for more. Four books and thirty minutes later, I still wasn’t satisfied. Even my husband stopped and asked me what I was doing.

I had to explain I was on the search for the perfect book. Nothing fit my mood. I finally settled on a book, not really satisfied. Until I had a conversation today with a friend. I apparently suggested a few books for her, and she let me know she was finally reading the first book.

That was it! The perfect book. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.

Since I purchased this book new when it was first released, that will tell you how far behind I am in my reading. It took me five minutes to pry the book out of the stacks of my tbr pile. So sad. But the good news, I can’t wait to get started. I’ve also heard whispers about movie deals. The first book is in theaters January 27th!

I’ve showed you the next book I’m going to read, what’s yours? Is it a new release or an old goodie you put away for a rainy day?

Title: Shadow City

Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Series: A Horngate Witches Book #3

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Pocket Books

Release date: January 2012

Pages: 369

ISBN: 978-1-4516-1385-8

ISBN: 978-1-4516-1387-2

Rating:  

DESCRIPTION: 

WOULD YOU SURVIVE IF A GOD CHOSE YOU FOR SPECIAL SERVICE?

The world is falling apart. The magical apocalypse has come. Now is the time to guard the covenstead against both raiders and refugees. But Max has been stolen by a powerful demi-god who is determined to force her to find a way to use a magical power she never knew she had—even if it kills her. Meanwhile, back in Horngate, a Fury is birthing. When the creature breaks free of the fragile bonds that enclose her, her rage will scour the covenstead from the earth.

Max finds herself in the Shadow City, a place of mysteries and magic, where she must battle for her freedom or become a slave to creatures of dreadful greed and power. Back in Horngate, Alexander must swallow his anger and pride if he hopes to defeat the Fury, a creature that no one has ever successfully fought before.

In the end, it will be courage, friendship, faith and loyalty that win the day. Or else so one will live to see tomorrow.

REVIEW:

Shadow City is the third book in the Horngate Witches series, starting were the second book left off. What initially drew me into this series was the excellent world-building, not to mention such rough-edge, angst filled characters. The first two books immediately landed on my keeper shelf. This third book departed a little from the series, inviting new characters and a new dimension to the world-building.

I’m a huge fan of Max and Alexander, so I was a little disappointed they spent the majority of the book apart. Despite that, each character was so fascinating, they captured my attention and kept me glued to the pages. I had to know what happened next! The fight scenes were pure, innovative Max and brought back what I loved so much in the first two books. Sadly, the romance, when mentioned at all, was so fleeting that I was disappointed. The ending left a few surprise twists that will keep me anxiously waiting for the next book to see what trouble finds them next and how they will manage to survive. Shadow City is next to the other two books in the series, nestled on my keeper shelf.

I would recommend reading this series in order to get the greatest impact. There are a lot of characters to keep straight and a number of underlining plot strings that might be missed if read as a standalone.

Previous books in the series:

In the last post, we touched briefly on series. Let’s talk about it a little more.

I don’t know about you, but I love series. Any kind of series, new characters or old, it doesn’t matter. I will buy them. A little peeve of mine, though, is I need to start a series at the beginning. Nothing is more annoying than when the book assumes you know information or characters when you don’t have a clue.

Love:

• Visiting the same world again.
• Revisiting beloved or new characters.
• You already know what to expect from the writer, so you pretty much know if you’ll like the story. No second guessing or doubts about spending the dough.

Pet Peeves:

• Book covers not clearly labeled. I hate buying books that don’t indicate they are part of a series. I need to read books in order.
• Cliff hangers. A mystery for the next book is fine, but leave the story unfinished is another thing.
• When the author or publisher stops the series in the middle without giving us readers a satisfying resolution. Not cool.
• Time between releases. Ugh. Need I say more?

I still read a number of ongoing series from years ago. I can’t seem to make myself stop. Here are some of my favorite series:

Michelle Sagara (Chronicales of Elantra)

Nalini Singh (Guild Hunter)

Devon Monk (Magic Series)

Lora Leigh (Breed Novel)

Marjorie M. Liu (A Hunters Kiss)

Ilona Andrews (Magic Series)

Diana Pharaoh Francis (Horngate Witches)

Karen Marie Moning

Gena Showalter

G. A. Aiken (Dragon Series)

Faith Hunter (A Jane Yellowrock Series)

Lili St. Crow (A Strange Angels Novel)

And at least a dozen more. What can I say? I’m a book hound. These are books that I will buy without reading the blurps or covers. These are the books that make me run home and stay up all night until they are finished. Some people re-read previous books before the author’s next release. I never done that before. I’m not much of a re-reader.

How about you? Do you like series or have any specific pet peeves? Also, do you re-read? What are some of your favorites?

If you’re anything like me, you have a number of books waiting to be read. Or hundreds of the little buggers towering in a tbr stack that threatens to topple at the slightest movement.  The stacks taunt me every time I enter the room. I swear they multiply when I’m not looking.

That doesn’t stop me from stalking the internet for new books. Especially books that are part of an ongoing series I’ve been reading for months, if not years.

 Here are a few books I just purchased:

 I’m really excited to get started on these authors. Now I have two problems: Waiting for them to be delivered and deciding which to devour first.

How about you? Do you have a favorite series? Or are you waiting for any new releases this month?