Kelley Armstrong

[Kell]

Has anyone else read her Women of the Otherworld series? They run as follows:

1. Bitten
2. Stolen
3. Dime Store Magic
4. Industrial Magic
5. Haunted

The 1st 2 predominantly follow the story of Elena Michaels - the world's only female werewolf (& therefore highly desireable in the WW community). The 2nd one introduces a whole host of otherworld characters & the 3rd & 4th focus more on the Witch/Sorcerer relationships along with a few demons & vampires (see the whole thing opening up, here?). The 5th one carries on the story but from the afterlife point of view (it's intriguing - take my word for it).

There's a 6th book due out next Spring which should see a return to the WW characters (a very welcome return at that).

I've read them all & love them but would be interested in hearing from anyone else who's read/would like to read them...

[Michelle]

I haven't come across them, but they do sound very interesting...

[Kell]

Have a look at her official site for more info: http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/

[Gaia]

Love her books 8-)

I own all the ones she has out. So, all the ones you have listed :P

I checked out some of her online stories but I can't really get into reading a book/story online.

Now i can't wait till May 2006 for the next book about Elena to come out.

Stolen was the first book i read from her. Alittle backwards as her first book was Bitten :P.

[Kell]

Ooh, goody - another fan! I'll admit, most folks just say "who?" & look puzzled when I mention her, yet I'm always recommending her works to people, left, right centre.

[Gaia]

Lol. Yea same here. I've recommended the series to a few of my friends. Once they finish what they are reading now they're going to grab my copies and give em a read.

Can't wait to see what they think of the books.

[Kell]

I can barely wait for Broken to come out. You can read the 1st chapter on her site - it looks pretty good!

[Michelle]

I'm trying Bitten on your recommendation.. and I'm impressed! In fact, as Amazon has some of hers at 3.99, I may just go buy a few more! :wink:

[Kell]

Funnily enough, I was on a training day about 6 weeks ago to use Powerpoint & we all had to do a presentation at the end of it (there were 3 of us), so I did mine on Kelley Armstrong's books. One of the lasses from the course bought some of my books from me & came to pick them up on Friday as she & the other lass from the course were both here for a course that day. Both of them had since bought all the books, read them & loved them - LOL!

They're just really, really good books!

[Michelle]

That's odd - I wrote out a reply here this morning.. and it's not here!

Anyway, I really enjoyed Bitten.. it's a great idea for a story, but she also has such great characters. I've found myself a new author to read! :D

Kelly has eFiction on her site - there are 3 full length books which are prequels to Bitten, plus 12 short stories she wrote in 2005. I've just downloaded and printed off Beginnings - I have a laser printer, so it shouldn't be too heavy on ink, but you can also download an eReader version, or simply read online.

There's also alot of good stuff on her site - but no one is allowed to get caught up in her message board, and forget this one!! :(

[Kell]

Yes - there's some great stuff there. She actively involves fans via a newsletter too, to encourage them to take an active part in deciding what her next piece will be about, & she always manages to deliver.

I get the newsletter & updates, but I don't use the forums (I'm not usually a forum poster type - it takes something special* to make me stay!).

* From this you can gather I really like it here. :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

Aww.. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now! :D

And, of course, we like having you here. :friends:

[Michelle]

Kell or Gaia.. have you read the eFiction at all? I'm about half way through Beginnings, and really enjoying it. It's great to see how Clay and Elena met.

[Kell]

I've only read one or two of her e-fics so far - I keep meaning to get onto the rest of them, but somehow something always comes up. I'm going to have to make a concerted effort now...

[Michelle]

I highly recommend Beginnings.. it gives a great insight into their relationship.. and takes you right up to the bite! :D

[Michelle]

It's been a while since I was really excited about new books arriving, but I could hardly wait for the rest of hers to turn up from Amazon! And I've not been disappointed so far.. Stolen continues Elena's story, but also introduces other great characters and ideas.

To anyone who likes the usual horror books, I'm sure you'll like these, and also people who like thrillers. In addition, I'm reminded of how I felt reading JD Robb.. great character development.. I feel like I'm really getting to know them, just like Dallas et al, and looking forward to hearing what comes next for them. :D

(Bitten is for sale, btw! :wink: :laugh: )

[Michelle]

I think I enjoyed Stolen even more! :D

Onto the next one... :read:

[Kell]

Ooh, you're up to Dime Store Magic? More magic & mayhem coming your way, then - enjoy!

[Michelle]

Yep, just started it this morning.. looks good. :D

[Michelle]

These just get better.. I loved the humour in DSM. :mrgreen:

Anyone else have a favourite?

[Kell]

I'll admit to loving the 1st 2 just a little more than the others - I just adore the whole Pack! In sayinng that, though, I completely enjoyed the characters from the Coven & the Cabal too & the storylines through the 2 Magic books is excellent. Haunted was good, but I'm not quite so fond of Eve as a character, so I wasn't quite as thrilled, but it was still a damn good read. Here's hoping the new one will be on form with the return to the Pack!

[Michelle]

Broken
Coming May 2006
When half-demon Xavier calls in the favour Elena owes him, it seems easy enough, steal Jack the Ripper's 'From Hell' letter away from a Toronto collector who had himself stolen it from the Ripper evidence boxes in the Metropolitan Police files. But nothing in the supernatural world is ever as simple as it seems. Elena accidentally triggers a spell placed on the letter, and manages to tear an opening that leads into the nether regions of Victorian London. Toronto may be looking for a tourism boost, but 'Gateway to Hell' isn't quite the new slogan the city had in mind...

Wow! Sounds very very cool! :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Doesn't it just? Roll on May, I say!

[Maureen]

...nope not my type as well.

[Michelle]

Although I haven't quite finished Haunted, it's my least favourite.

I can just about put them in an order, although it's difficult...

Dime Store Magic
Stolen
Bitten
Industrial Magic
Haunted

Anyone else?

[Kell]

I think mine goes more like this:

Stolen
Bitten
Dime Store Magic
Industrial Magic
Haunted

But it's very difficult! Seeing as how Broken will go back to the Pack, I'm thinking I'll rank it above the "magic" ones, as surprisingly enough, I prefer the Werewolf ones over the Witchy ones.

[Michelle]

We're close then.. just have Dime Store Magic in a different place. There was just something about that one I really enjoyed. :)

[Inanna]

Am about to read 'Haunted', I loved 'Bitten' and 'Stolen' alot, wasn't that keen on 'Dime Store Magic' but 'Industrial Magic' made ammends for that.

Personally I don't think there are by far enough books with werewolves in them, and the characters especially Clay and Elena were fab :alc:

[Cerridwen]

I love Kelley Armstrong, bitten was just brilliant :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

Is that the only one you've read? They were all fabulous! :read:

[Cerridwen]

Ooh no that one was my favourite, I have read them all up to Haunted, she's brilliant one of my fave authors :mrgreen:

[Inanna]

Ooh no that one was my favourite, I have read them all up to Haunted, she's brilliant one of my fave authors :mrgreen:

Ditto for me :mrgreen:

[Kell]

More Armstrong fans *rubs hands in glee*. You're in good company here, lasses - we seem to have quite a few members who are fans of the Women of the Otherworld series.

Can't wait for May - it's too long to have to wait for Broken!

[Maureen]

Can't wait for May - it's too long to have to wait for Broken!

You'll be mended again by then!! :D

[Kell]

Can't wait for May - it's too long to have to wait for Broken!
You'll be mended again by then!! :D
ooh, i dunno about that - I may have totally cracked by that point - LOL!

[Inanna]

May's a whole 4 months away, I may have to reread Bitten and Stolen by then :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

Inanna, have you seen the eFiction on her site? I read one of them, and it was really good. :)

[Inanna]

Oooooh!

No I haven't, I'm going to check it out when I get back from the school run.
Thanks for that tip Michelle :D

[Kell]

She also does an e-newsletter which keeps you up tp date on everything she's doing & ther's the 1st chapter of Broken avaialbe to read there too - it's a pretty nifty site!

[Inanna]

Very cool :D

[Anonymous]

I just got Industrial Magic for £1.50 at the hospice shop and I can't wait to read it !

Just another to add to the ever growing list of *To Be Reads*

:reading:

[Michelle]

Tracey, as I'm too lazy to read back :roll:, have you read any of the others?

[Kell]

I'm almost 1/2 way through Ascension now - has anyone else read her online ficiton?

[Michelle]

I jumped into Beginnings.. and I LOVED it! I really must get the rest.. although I have a feeling my toner may be running low. :(

[Kell]

Tell you what - I'll send you my print out of Savage if you like. :) It'll save another print being made. And I'll probably finish Ascension tomorrow too, so I can send you that one with it.

[Michelle]

You're a :star:

[Kell]

LOL - I know it ;) I just like spreading the word where Kelley Armstrong's concerned...

[Anonymous]

Michelle wrote :

Tracey, as I'm too lazy to read back Rolling Eyes, have you read any of the others?

No I haven't, would it be better to read them in a certain order??

[Michelle]

I would certainly recommend Dime Store Magic first. Bitten & Stolen are the first 2, but are mainly about different characters. But Industrial Magic would make more sense after Dime Store Magic.

[welshy]

I've never heard of her but will look out for her on read it swap it....I'm a big of fan of that site :)

[Kell]

You can get the 1st one, Bitten, on Read it, wap it at the moment.:)

[welshy]

Oh I hope they still have it there on Monday......I've sent off 15 books for people on that site in 4 days so I'm not ordering or swapping until Monday now.I'm getting that much of a regular at the post office now they've got a separate counter just for me!

:lol:

[Michelle]

For those of you using read it, swap it regularly, don't forget to download the little fliers that Kell made, and put them in the books. That way we may get some more readers here. :)

http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=632

[welshy]

Oh I wish I'd known about this last week.With all the books I've sent off I could have sent loads with them.

Ah well,I've had another order this morning so I've downloaded the fliers and will put one in every book I send off now. :D

[Inanna]

How long are these little stories of hers, how many pages do they fill?

[Kell]

Savage is 176 pages, Ascension is 126 pages, Beginnings is 202 pages & Otherworld Tales is 193 pages. I printed them off double-sided on A4, so it's half the amount of paper.

She's also working on her 2006 e-fic at a rate of one or two chapters a month, but I think I'll wait till it's complete before reading it.

[Inanna]

Well if I had a printer I would print them off LOL

Still that is alot of paper and ink :mrgreen:

[Kell]

I'm sure Michelle would pass them on to you when she's done with them - it'll be like our very own Armstrong e-fic chain - LOL!

[Inanna]

LOL that would be cool if she did :D

[Kell]

And I've just started Beginnings (which I thnk Michelle already has printed & read), so I can always pass that one on when i'm done too... :)

[Michelle]

I printed Beginnings normally, and it was alot of pages. I don't think my little printer does double sized! There was also gaps between lines during conversations, which was annoying.

Anyway, the paper got recycled by the girls, so I no longer have that one.

[Inanna]

Brilliant, thanks Kell.

Then I'll pass them on to anyone else who wants to read them :wink:

[Kell]

No probs,then. When I'm done with Beginnings, I'll pass it to you, Inanna, since Michelle's already read it. After that I'll be moving onto the Otherworld Tales which I can pass round too...

[Inanna]

Cheers Kell :D

[Anonymous]

Michelle Wrote :

I would certainly recommend Dime Store Magic first. Bitten & Stolen are the first 2, but are mainly about different characters. But Industrial Magic would make more sense after Dime Store Magic.

I'll look out for DSM then, before I read IM.

Thanks for the tip Michelle. :D

[Michelle]

I can lend it to you if you want?

[Anonymous]

Michelle wrote :

I can lend it to you if you want?

Oooooooo that would be great !!!

At the rate I'm reading DIG I'll be finished soon!!

Thanks Michelle !

:tyou:

[Michelle]

There was so much going on this morning that I had to scroll back up and see what I was lending you! :lol:

Don't forget to go to the reading circle and let us know your thoughts on DIG as you go along. Kell and I are waiting so we can join in!

[Kell]

Michelle & Inanna - I just posted your packages to you. Inanna, you'rs went 2nd class, so you should get it Wed/Thurs. Michelle, they made me send yours parcel post, so it could take up to 5 days to get there :( Still, you should get it by Saturday & you'll have lots to keep you busy over the weekend. :)

[Michelle]

Not a problem Kell. The parcels are normally pretty quick, anyway. :)

[Inanna]

Thats great Kell, thanks. Am hoping to get DIG started tonight so I'll be able to read those at the weekend :wink:

[Michelle]

There you go Kell.. your parcel arrived today!
Thank you :friends:

[Kell]

You're welcome - it certainly did get there faster than expected! Enjoy them... :D

[Acesare*]

Michelle has managed to get me hooked on Ms Armstrong too - bought all 5 in the series yesterday and now I'll have to go hungry for another week! ;)

Jo xx

[Maureen]

and now I'll have to go hungry for another week! ;)

Jo xx

That's one way of going on a diet. Literature for food!

[Kell]

Has anyone started reading Kelley Armstrong's 2006 serialised novella, The Case of El Chupacapra? I've read all 3 of the available chapters & it looks like it could shape up to be something really good. It's focusing more on the Cabal side of things so far, so it could get interesting...

I was going to wwait till the end of the year when it was all finished, but I couldn't wait - I needed an Otherworld fix!

[Kell]

I've just printed off the other 2 non-Otherworld short stories from the site: The Halloween House & Truth & Consequences. I'm hoping they'll both be every bit as good as the rest of her e-fic

[Emma]

I've just ordered Bitten from Green Metropolis after reading your article on Kelley Armstrong Kell.

Can't wait for it to get here now.
:reading:

[Kell]

Ooh, goodie - another convert! LOL - It's fast becmoing the Kelley Arstrong Cult in here. ;)

[wiccibat]

just started El chupacabra, having read beginnings, I must get round to actually getting a 'real' book! :mrgreen:

[Kell]

El Chupacabra is a work in progress - I'm dying for the next chapter already!

[Acesare*]

Loved all 5 of her books.

I was just on Amazon as I was thinking of pre-ordering Broken, and this is the synopsis of the book by Amazon:

"In this rare, personal investigation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama discusses his vision of science and faith working hand in hand to alleviate human suffering. Drawing on a lifetime of scientific study and religious practice, he explores many of the great debates and makes astonishing connections between seemingly disparate topics - such as evolution and karma - that will change the way we look at our world. While he sees science and faith as 'complementary but different investigative approaches with the same goal of seeking the truth,' the fact is that the two have often been at the root of human conflict for centuries. In THE UNIVERSE IN A SINGLE ATOM the Dalai Lama challenges us to see that the benefits of opening our hearts and minds to the connections between science and faith are far preferable to perpetuating the divisive rhetoric that often surrounds them. He believes that such enlightenment is the key to achieving peace within ourselves and throughout the world. Now, as we face such troubled and uncertain times, the need has never been greater for this extraordinary man's compassionate thoughts and wise words."

Is it just me, or does this not sound right?

[Inanna]

Ahhh maybe His Holiness was a werewolf :wink:

[jake]

Is it just me, or does this not sound right?

LOL!! Sound like you are in for a treat girls :wink:

[Kell]

See, they've got a dufferent synopsis on Armstrnog's site - perhaps they're trying to throw us off the scent? LOL!

[Kell]

Just to let everyone know, Broken has now been published.

I will, however, be waiting a lttle while to get it as I've a) got loads of books to keep me busy & b) have no money. So, it'll either be a birthday spend or waiting till it comes out in paperback...

Armstrong has also aready begun work on book No. 7 (no title as yet), so plenty to look forward to!

[Inanna]

I have this one coming from Play.Com :D

[Michelle]

I've put my order in with the library!

[Michelle]

I'm just off to the library to pick it up! Yay!

[Cerridwen]

Got mine I was going to start reading it but, started something else instead, may read it next.

I wasn't overly impressed with Haunted though but, as Elena is back again I know I will love this! :wink:

[Kell]

I felt the same, Clare - I wasn't so keen on Eve's story (although I did enjoy it - just not as much as the others). The 1st two, featuring the Pack, are still my favourites, so I'm hoping that I'll enjoy Broken as much as I did Bitten & Stolen.

[Michelle]

I'm waiting for a few others read it before I say much. I loved DS Magic and I Magic, but I agree, I wasn't quite so keen on Haunted.

Broken was a good enough story, but wasn't as good as I hoped..

Perhaps part of the problem was that Elena and Clay are too 'settled' now, and that part of the storyline is missing.

Also, on one hand Elena is really worried about her pregnancy, but on the other, she's rushing around taking chances.

I also think it may have been nice to explore the 'Victorian England' angle.. having someone go through the portal perhaps?

It was nice to get back to the characters, and it was a good book, despite my points. :)

Seriously.. don't read my comments until you've read the book! lol ;)

[kitty]

I have just finished reading Bitten and now im hooked. :reading: I read most of it this weekend. Have just ordered Stolen carnt wait for it to get here. Am I ok to have a break between Stolen and the next one, cause there about different things right?
So much for not buying any more books for a while!
Thanks kell, there great :tyou:

[Michelle]

Another Armstrong fan!! :D

Yep, Dime Store Magic is the next one, and about a different set of characters (although the old ones do pop up, if memory serves me correct.)

If you try the Kelley Armstrong competition, you may be able to get a signed copy! :)

(I am sooo jealous of you all.. *I* want to win that one! lol)

[kitty]

Thanks Michelle!

[Acesare*]

Couldn't you ask for another 6 or so - I want one too!

[kitty]

Yay, the postman has just been and delivered Stolen! Carnt wait to start it :jump:

[Kell]

Hope you enjoy it, Kitty! :)

[Lilywhite]

After all the raving going on here, I managed to get Bitten from the library and will start it as soon as I finish my current book.

You are bad influences :)

[Kell]

Ooh, enjoy it, Kat! I hope you end up as hooked as I am - LOL!

[Acesare*]

I'm just bought Broken really cheap on eBay - can't wait for it to arrive!

[Ronny]

I just finished Bitten and really enjoyed it, I'll be ordering more of her books. I thought it was especially good for a first novel.

[Leah]

Thanks oh so much Kell for the referral on this author. I bought Bitten a long time ago but never got around to reading it until recently and I fell in love and am dying to have the rest of her books now. I also turned a fellow avid reader onto her as well and she's in heaven just like me. Thanks again!!!!

[Purple Poppy]

:mrgreen: Kell must be Kelley Armstrongs biggest advocate!! She did the same for me. I have read Bitten and Broken, and am on the lookout for the third one...name I can't remember, but will recognise when I see it. Must put it on my Xmas list.:mrgreen:

PP:readingtwo:

[Kell]

The third one is called Dime Store Magic & focuses on the Witch, paige Winterbourne, who was introduced in Stolen.

The folks who I know I've personally pointed in the direction of Kelley's books now number in the low twenties... :blush:

[Purple Poppy]

Kell said;

The folks who I know I've personally pointed in the direction of Kelley's books now number in the low twenties


I think Ms Armstrong should pay you commission!!:friends0:

PPhttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Catkintails/Tags%20and%20blinkies%20etc/Susannagif.gif

[Michelle]

She's also had alot of exposure on this forum.. I hope all of her fans read the interview (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/kelley-armstrong-interview.php) she did for us? :) I'm also hoping to be able to give away a copy of her next book as a comp prize aswell. :D

[Purple Poppy]

ohhh goodie :mrgreen: Nice one Michelle!

PP

[Kell]

I'm also hoping to be able to give away a copy of her next book as a comp prize aswell. :D No no NO! It must come to me!

*arches fingers lasciviously* Come to me my preciousssssss!

[Purple Poppy]

Kell said, or rather hissed;

No no NO! It must come to me!
*arches fingers lasciviously* Come to me my preciousssssss!


Ha ha!
We'll just have to wait and see! I think they'll be quite a few of us up for this one!

PP

[kitty]

I read Dime Store Magic the book before the one im reading now, and didnt enjoy it nearly as much as the first two. Dont get me wrong it was a great book, just really missed Elena and Clay like mad.:cry:

[Acesare*]

Don't give up, I felt that way, but they do come back in Industrial Magic and have a whole story of their own again in Broken

[Michelle]

Whereas, as I've said before, DSM is actually my favourite. :)

[Lilywhite]

I agree Michelle, I didn't really enjoy the first two that much.

[Kell]

I read Dime Store Magic the book before the one im reading now, and didnt enjoy it nearly as much as the first two. Dont get me wrong it was a great book, just really missed Elena and Clay like mad.:cry: I felt the same way. Like the others say, the Pack do come back into it, & by the time I'd finished Industrial Magic, I had become rather fond of the new characters too. :)

[Acesare*]

Me too - I hated Paige at the end of Stolen, but she really grew on me!

[kitty]

Thats good news as the rest of her books are on my Christams list! I will look forward to having the pack back !:D

[Kell]

The 7th installment, No Humans Involved (starring necromancer Jaime Vegas) is out next year, as is the start of a brand new series, Exit Strategy - I can hardly stand the waiting!

[Acesare*]

Me neither!

[Purple Poppy]

Strange how different folk like different things. I started to like Paige too at the end of Broken, so I'm quite looking forward to reading Dime Store Magic.

PP

[kitty]

I carnt wait, think ill slowly make my way through the rest, so im not waiting for it to come out!

[kitty]

Has anybody read the new book? Ive not bought it, but im not that far into the series yet. I want to know what your thoughts are!:jump:

[Michelle]

The new one isn't out until May 3rd.

[kitty]

:blush: How embarressing, for some stupid reason I thought it was May. I thought it had come round quick. Ill blame it on work, its messing my head up. :doh:

[Michelle]

I've almost finished No Human's Involved, and it's FANTASTIC! I love Jaime's character, and the chemistry between her and Jeremy is HOT! :lol:

[Lilywhite]

I'm only up to Industrial Magic in the series but I have enjoyed the others so far. The stories are better and better the further into the series you get.

[Michelle]

has anyone read, or started reading, Exit Strategy? I'm a few chapters in, and can't decide what I think. The one thing I'm finding difficult is visualising the main character as a woman.. if I didn't know otherwise, I would swear it was a guy!

[Kell]

Not yet, but it's high on my list of priorities, seeing as how I got it for Xmas. However, I'm having to space them out in between challenge-relatedbooks... :irked: