Bring on the Sun

P.S. NOT DEAD IN A DITCH...

The Countdown Begins...

Sixteen days ladies and gentlemen. 16 days until Shmoo graduates. Lots of stuff has happened the past few days.

Yes, Shmoo has a car. Finally after much searching GG came upon this little gem in his work parking lot. It was a dream find and a perfect first car. Price was right. What's not to like? Hurrah! No more car sharing. Of course, I suspect there's a kid lots happier about that than I am.

I lost a day scrapbooking because I indulged myself and read on Sunday. But I was back hard at work today. Heritage scrapbooks are completely done and I've actually begun on the Shmoo scrapbook. Wonders will never cease. Hopefully no all nighters are in my future.

The other thing I started today was getting the invites ready for the party luau. The boys had a bit of fun with me getting a picture ready to put on the invitation.

Gee, not a hammy bone in their bodies.

Not REALLY Here

You don't really see me. I'm NOT really here. I'm NOT checking emails. I'm NOT reading books or posts. I'm NOT writing posts. I'm scrapbooking.

OR...maybe...

I'm the F-L-A-S-H!

Tote that barge, lift that bale...

"Tote that barge, lift that bale,
you get a little drunk
And you land in ja-ail..."
OL' MAN RIVER from SHOWBOAT
WRITERS OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II & JEROME KERN

My whole body feels like I've been mulched which is funny when you think about it because the reason my whole body aches is from mulching my flower beds today. So, one more thing off the 'To Do' list, the flowers are planted. Can I get an 'Amen'?

So, before I went outside this afternoon I was going through posts on Google Reader when I run across a humorous anecdote from Megan Hart. Apparently her daughter made a request for some cleaning to be done before her slumber party. I got quite the chuckle out of the post and Megan's remarks in the comments. Let me just say there would never be a conversation like Megan had with her daughter in our household. NEVER happen. And, no, not because my house is so clean or anything either. I live with the male of the species.

Interesting to be sure, surrounded by men, but oh the trials, troubles and, well...laughs. Here's my conversation about a week ago with Shmoo.

Me: We have to start getting stuff done for your graduation party.

Shmoo: What? Why?????

Me: What do you mean why...40 (or more) people are coming to our house and I want it to be clean and the yard cleaned up and we have to...

Shmoo: All these people have been to our house before we don't have to do anything.

Me: It's a special occasion.

Shmoo: So?

Me: You're helping and we're doing it... so get over it.

Shmoo: What???!!! I have to help too? It's my party. I shouldn't have to do anything.

Me: You wish...

First of all, why was he complaining if he didn't think he was going to help? I'll tell you...because he already knew he was going to be helping. The little twerp!

Of course the conversation expanded to include Beanie and GG. Everyone had an opinion on how much or how little should be done. The over riding conclusion was that I didn't need all the stuff that I had on the list to be done. Yes, that's right. After all these years the male people I live with actually think that by saying, "We don't need to do that" will convince me to scratch something off the list. Riiiiiight.

There's one born every minute. I took up the slack for somebody because three live in my house. Heh heh...

Making the Grade

One of the most compelling reasons I started reading blogs and then writing my own was to see and share thoughts and opinions about books. Reviews. That still holds true almost three years later. I'm always curious to read, see, and hear about what someone else thinks about a book we've both read. Or, might read.

Real nirvana is sitting with a whole group of people up close and personal to chat on and on and on about favorite books and characters. I've had that good fortune and experience with the SoCal Bloggers and it was so much fun I can't even tell you.

Anyway, Holly recently wrote a post for Book Binge about her review preferences. I found myself agreeing with many of the points she was making. For instance, I completely agreed with her thoughts about the blurb. That said, I have to say what really stood out were her comments on grades. Specifically, the grade the reviewer gives the book.

Holly noted she always looks for a grade in the book review. Me too! I immediately thought, "Good, I'm not the only one." Holly's article goes on to list other points that are important to her about reviews, but I was stuck on that first one. Grades.

You might be thinking, "What's weird about that?" Well, when I started my blog I made a conscious decision to NOT put a grade on my reviews. My logic, which seems sort of dumb now, was that I frequently waffled in my feelings about some books. I didn't feel confident about being able to nail a specific measurement on a book. Additionally, I have to admit, that while I always try to give reasons 'why' I did or didn't like a book, I really didn't want to have to start defending any given grade I might slap up.

I realized when I was reading Holly's remarks how important looking for a grade in a review had become for me. Particularly now with so many posts to read each day, I will skim reviews and look for the grade. So picture it, there I am trolling through Romancelandia looking for the grade on everyone else's reviews and I'm not putting any on mine. Sometimes I'm such a dork.

Thanks to Holly we are making changes here at Nobody asked me... The bottom line? Starting with my TBR Day review of Beau Crusoe I began putting a grade on my reviews. I thought it might be more momentous for me, but it wasn't. In fact, it was sort of liberating and anti-climatic at the same time.

I guess since I've been grading books, sort of, on my personal spread sheet all along it's not going to be that big of a deal. Who knew?

Life Goes On

Between the deadline for TBR Day and the assorted projects due at work yesterday I'm in a state of bliss. It feels great to get things done and behind you.

Today is another big day for me but for a completely different reason. We are doing our final weigh in for the Weight Loss Challenge at work. It's been 12 weeks and I've lost 19 pounds. This means that since last summer, when I started swimming, I've lost 31 pounds. I can hardly believe it. I'm pretty darn happy about that.

Let's take a moment and bask in that bit of great news and celebrate shall we?

I'm slightly disappointed I didn't reach my personal goal of 20 pounds with the Challenge at work, but fat gone is fat gone. Right? Of course this means I now need to go shopping for some clothes which is also a mixed blessing. I seriously have no clue what size I am. It's been more than 5 years since my weight has been this low. Not only am I older, so you know stuff has moved around, but I've been exercising, so you know stuff has moved around. It's a bit surreal.

I think I'll hold off with the clothes shopping for a few weeks to see if I lose any more weight before RWA. One can hope, or swim, or walk, or in other words sweat and pant.

So life goes on. There's scrapbooks and book reviews still waiting to be done. But for today, I think I'll bask a little.

TBR Day: BEAU CRUSOE by Carla Kelly

Beau Crusoe by Carla Kelly. Published March 2007. Harlequin Historical Regency.

Keishon's TBR Challenge really has me on a roll reading some older stuff. Also, I figure it's incentive to keep things going if I have to read another book from the tower of tubs that is my tbr. How's that for some right thinking, huh?

Secondly, and more importantly, I really enjoyed this book and I love sharing that sort of news. Why I waited to read this gem I don't know. I remember buying the book, my first Carla Kelly, because there was a lot of buzz about it when it came out.

Our hero James Trevenen was stranded on an island for seven years after a storm shipwrecks the vessel he serves on. Desperately lonely, James studies crabs on the island and writes a treatise of sorts about them. James has come to London to receive a special medal and recognition for his scientific studies and observations.

James ends up staying at the family home of Susannah Park a widow with a young son. Susannah's father has been asked by a family friend, Susannah's godfather, to have James stay with them a couple of weeks before the ceremony. This is all under the guise that James will have someone to show him around London and not have to stay alone in a hotel.

The meeting of these two people is so tender and poignant. James is intelligent, honorable, and lonely. He's a man who has gone through this incredible experience and while he's aware that the experience has marked him believes he's handling the aftermath fairly well. On the other side we have isolated, lonely and devoted mother Susannah. Susannah believes she's had her great love and has no expectations of ever having those sorts of feelings again.

Ms. Kelly does a wonderful job of giving us a peek into the lives of these two seemingly ordinary people who are both struggling with extraordinary circumstances. I enjoyed the book very much for the subtle and skillful way Ms. Kelley reveals that there's much more to know about what happened to James on the island just as there is to understanding Susannah's reason for isolated servitude on her family's estate.

This is a wonderful story told well with a lot of character and charm. Needless to say I'm going to start looking for Ms. Kelley's back list.

B+ for me on this one.

I'm Saved!

Look at this!

The Rules Copyright dates are from 2007 and back. No 2008 titles. The older the title the better. You may review your books early if you like and spotlight them on the designated Wed of every month. There is an incentive as I am being generous and the rules are as follows for the $100 Amazon gift certificate: 1) you must read and review a book from your TBR pile with a copyright date of 2007 and older. 2) You must do this continuously without skipping a month until Dec 2008. 3) If more than one reader qualifies, then there will be a drawing. 4) Entering into this contest you are held up to the honor code (or whatever they call it in college), no quickie reviews of I liked it, or didn’t like it as they will be discounted (I’ve revised things a bit because I can do that).

Thank you Angela James for linking to Keishon's TBR Rules in your review today. I couldn't resist and I posted the pertinent part up above. Woo-freakin' Hoo! I can re-post my review of BEAU CRUSOE and highlight it for TBR Day. Praise be. This way the other Carla Kelly book I'm almost done with MRS. DREW PLAYS HER HAND can be used for the next month's TBR Day. You can be sure I'm going to go ahead and write the review over the weekend and have it saved for next month.

Whew! I feel so much better. It's actually pathetic how much better I feel. It's not about winning Keishon's challenge, though that would be nice, it's about meeting a goal. And, yes, though I'm squinting and panting I do believe that's the finish line I see up ahead.

The review will be up in a separate post.

The Challenge & The Finish Line

Today Keishon's TBR Challenge book review is due. I'm still reading my tbr book. I'm sprinting for the finish line. Sprinting I tell you. Don't look at the runner and ignore the panting.

I've been asking myself and wondering why oh why didn't I just save the Carla Kelly review of BEAU CRUSOE? Why? WHY? I'll tell you why. Because I arrogantly thought I had sooooo much month left to read one or two more books from my tbr stockpile. I was on a roll. I was in a reading groove.

I think we can bank on me not making that ASSumption again.

So here I am in the wee hours of the morning suffering from a case of "I'm not going to be sleeping any time soon". I'm panting for the finish line. Dead line. Whatever. Hey, didn't I say not to look at the runner?

Since I'm up reading (or will be), I'm thinking I have a fighting chance of finishing my book, writing the review and posting it tomorrow. Not the optimum circumstances or choice you understand, but still doable.

I'm betting you have your review done, don't you... I knew it! If I called in sick for work I could get mine done too. For sure. However, that would set a terrible precedent. Terrible. Precedent. It might start a regrettable trend. I might start calling out TBR Wednesday every month for the rest of the year. I could end up unemployed. Or...check, check...1...2...1...2... Can you hear me in the back? I could embrace ree-al-it-tee. *shudder* *stumble*

In the real world, I wouldn't worry about the TBR Challenge. I'd get the sleep I desperately need to function like a normal human being, and just go to bed. Heh. Heh. Lucky me. I live in Rosie World. Here in my world we embrace things like deadlines and goals and lists. Oh, and insomnia. We embrace the sleep deprived too. Yes. That's right. It's all about give and take here at NOBODY ASKED ME...er, uh...Rosie World. It's all about you and me and the Luh-ove. We don't need no stinkin' ree-al-it-tee.

Please, for the last time, don't look at the runner. *pant* *pant* *wheeze*

In the meantime, I'm going to click on 'Publish Post'. After that I'm probably going to read. Shortly thereafter I should finally fall asleep. One can hope.

Anyway, I've always preferred walking to any sort of running. Sprinting for crying out loud. What was I thinking? Anybody got some water? *THUD*

I warned you not to look at the runner. Now look what you did.

This week's list...

New week and a new list to torture myself with.

1. Write review of ARC. THIS WEEK!

2. Do buddy review of most excellent DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK by Kresley Cole

3. Doctor appointment. Done! Done! Done!

4. Get car washed. My first repeater from last week.

5. TBR review for Keishon's challenge post due on May 21. Uh, yeah, I guess I'll be wedging this in between scrapbooking tonight.

6. Start changing online passwords. After Super Librarian's hacker invasion I think I better do a little cyber housework and get passwords changed. I've got passwords that have never been changed since I started the accounts. Yikes! Pssst...I DID already start this one, but I need to get less panicked and more systematic about it.

7. Do I even need to say it? Shmoo's scrapbook.

8. Oh print out and put together the surprise "letter" book I'm doing for Shmoo too.

9. Now that I've done grad list I need to organize and prioritize it.

So let's see...it's already Tuesday. I'm supposed to write three reviews before the end of the week which to put it mildly is a bit daunting with everything else going on. I'll just have to take that one day at a time and keep whispering under my breath, "Inch by inch life's a cinch. Yard by yard life is hard."

What you don't see on my list is reading. Okay, I never put that on my list because it is usually a given, but looking at the list I'm thinking there's not a whole lot of down time there. The merry month of May has not been a good reading month. Bummer. Major bummer.

Well, I better get crackin' on my list. So, what about you...what's on your 'TO DO' list this week? I'm absolutely certain you are having more fun than I am.

6-0-5 and counting...

Life she is muy busy right now. I started scrapbooking. Which isn't to say I actually started Shmoo's. In reality I'm finishing my boys' version of the heritage scrapbook. I'm almost done with one and have about half of the other to do.

Yes, it IS more than a little whacked to be working on scrapbooks that could be done AFTER the graduation. But here my little chiquitas is the deal. I lose interest in projects when the "moment" has passed. I did the heritage scrapbooks for a specific moment in time. Christmas 2006. I got all the books done for my siblings but never finished the two I was doing for Shmoo and Beanie. Now 18 months later I HAVE to get them done before I start Shmoo's scrapbook. If I don't finish them now, sadly, I never will.

The good news is that I got more stuff for Shmoo's book on Saturday and pulled out more of the stuff that will go into his book. I also got everything organized and ready to go. I'm pretty giddy over the idea that I only have to do ONE SINGLE scrapbook this time. By the time I finish these last two heritage books I will have done TEN of them. I need some serious therapy. I didn't have to do one for all of my 7 siblings did I? Plus my two boys. Plus the experimental prototype that started it all. Huh? Did I?

So I'm plugging along. I've promised myself I will do a little bit everyday. I have *checking the calendar* 20 days left to get it done by my deadline which is Saturday June 7th. That's the last Saturday before graduation. The following Saturday is the grad party. So no procrastinating. It's going to be different than Beanie's graduation. Really, it is.

I don't very often notice what post number I'm on, but I've just completed post 605. Can't believe it. What a wild ride.

All you need to know...

...is that I found this book.

*Loud sigh* *Louder groan*

I'm supposed to work on Shmoo's scrapbook this weekend. Right?

For the Inquiring Minds...

These first photos are from Beanie's scrapbook. I chose 12x12 sized scrapbooks for both of the boys and for the most part I'm glad I did. These larger pages are the traditional size most of us visualize when we think of a scrapbook. However, it's not always easy filling those big pages.

Also, I'm not an expert or even particularly creative or clever. I am glad that I've gathered the stuff all in one spot and have it glued down some where, but don't expect a professional layout. It's just me. My only hope (and goal) is that my boys will appreciate having this stuff saved and put together. Some day. Maybe.

For the double page I photographed below, I had no trouble filling the big pages. It's the "He ain't heavy... He's my brother!" layout. I had lots of photos to chose from for that.

Side Note: I was too lazy to confiscate find the digital camera in Shmoo & Beanie's room. So, as usual, I took a shortcut and used my phone. The pictures aren't the greatest. End note.

I also took a couple of pictures from the heritage scrapbooks I did for all my siblings in the Fall of 2006 for Christmas gifts that year. This book is 8x8 and has a recurring color theme of pale green, red, and pink. I tried to use vintage looking paper, ribbon, lace, buttons, etc. to give it a historical feel.

The first page I'm showing you is the one I did of my parents wedding...

This next picture is of a page from very early in the scrapbook. I made a page with a large brown shipping tag like people used to put on their luggage when they came to the U.S. through Ellis Island. Then I used a label maker and made individual strip tags of all the family names I found in my research.

So now you have a little taste and feel for what I've done. I thought I'd share them with you since I frequently whine about being neck deep in some project.

Shmoo's scrapbook update: I bought some more cool stuff to go IN the book but haven't measured, cut or glued a single thing yet. But I'm thinking, thinking, thinking about what I'm going to do. Thinking. A lot...

Lots and lots of thinking.

Intensity and keepin' it real.

Go on over to Reader's Gab at Access Romance and read what I had to say about intensity and keepin' it real. What one word or quality do you associate with a good read? Mine is intensity. I use it all the time.

Or you can watch this cool video of Santana and Chad Kroeger. It's intense too.

Ay-oh. Ay-oh. Ay-oh-ay.

Things I should be doing, but I'm not...

1. Shmoo's scrapbook. Yeah, uh, not started yet. This weekend FOR SURE!

2. Make list of stuff "To Do" for Shmoo's graduation party

3. Purchase decorations for Shmoo's "Luau" graduation party DONE! DONE! DONE!

4. Finish Shiloh Walker's ARC of THROUGH THE VEIL and do review

5. Write column (due Thursday!) for Reader's Access

6. Get a clue of an idea for Reader's Access column

7. Reverse items 6. and 7.

8. Find a car for Shmoo before he drives us nuts

9. Find out date for Beanie's Jr. College graduation (I'm a bad mother because I don't already know this)

10. Make reservations and pay for Beanie's new student orientation at CalState school he's been accepted to. DONE! DONE! DONE!

11. Lose 4 lbs in the next 8 days to meet my 20 lb weight loss goal with my work's weight loss challenge. Yes, I know that losing 16 lbs is great, but my goal was 20 lbs in 12 weeks. I can eat oatmeal and water for the next week...really I can. *gulp*

12. Read and review a book from my TBR for next week (5/21) for Keishon's challenge. I really have to work on Shmoo's scrapbook this weekend and NOT read a book don't I?

13. Wash my car. Um, maybe the car wash for this one?

14. Get my flower garden planted out front. I'm only 6 weeks behind on this one. I'd really like some flowers out there before Shmoo's grad party. Hey maybe I take this off MY list and put it on Shmoo's grad party list which is, you know, still MY list.

This is just this week's list that I have to fit in between working, walking, swimming, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning house, and preparing the occasional meal. In other words the life of a typical Mom.

Time to roll up the sleeves and get my hands dirty.

Dinner

This was my dinner last night. Seriously addicting. Warning to all snackers! If you like cheesy (white cheddar) corn puff deliciousness you won't be able to resist these. I can never have them in my house again if I have a hope of continued weight loss.

No, I didn't eat the whole bag. GG saved me from myself by doing an intervention.

What's in a name?

Megan Hart had hers up. So I had to go see if my name was listed. My name ROSIE. Who knew? Did you? Urban Dictionary indeed.

To Sum Up

We went to Solvang on Friday. That's where the half marathon was held. My baby sister also ran in the event. It's always fun and so inspiring to go to these athletic events, but I got a tear or two watching my lee-tul seees-ter running. She was just awesome. She had hoped to finish in 2 hours and 30 minutes but surprised herself by finishing in 2 hours and 12 minutes instead. Rock on baby sis! She looks and feels great.

GG had a good run also and finished in 2 hours and 2 minutes. That was a personal best for him. So that was a very good day.

Beanie stayed home with the girlfriend to cook dinner for their anniversary. I'd left him marinara sauce and romano and parmesan cheese, a bag of salad, and whole grain pasta. It was all stuff I had in the house anyway, so he was all set. Turns out they had mac n'cheese and salad. What. Ever. I don't get it, but they apparently were very happy with their movie night and meal.

Shmoo was a little pissy about Prom. It wasn't a total disaster, but two of his friends didn't show. They came to the buses (no one is allowed to drive to the venue) but weren't dressed or ready to go. Now he thinks they probably never got tickets. I'm miffed because Shmoo was staying with my brother and no one took his picture. Yes, you read that right. NO ONE TOOK MY BABY'S PROM PICTURE! Shmoo says he doesn't care, which is fine, but I care, darn it! His prom was one of the reasons I was not going to go to the running event with GG and my sister. I thought I had everything covered. I only asked about 4 different people to take his picture figuring at least one of them would have done it for me. Nope. Not even his knucklehead brother that I threatened at least six times.

Boys! The same stuff just isnt' important to them.

So, I'm hoping this week I can get organized for graduation. I'm sort of there. We have to get the announcements out this week and I need to start the list of all the stuff I have to get done around the house for the party. Life around here the next month is going to be very interesting.

I see I have 233 posts in my Google Reader. I had whittled it down to under a 100 before I left town. What in heck is going on out there?

Do I have to mention that very little reading has been going on this past week? Yeah, didn't think so.

STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF

Ever since I heard these words lo so many years ago I've been saving them for just the right moment. Ta-dah! It's here.

Blogging has some how fallen to the bottom of the "to do" list this past week or so. I just haven't had the time to sit down and really catch up with things. This is just a quick drive by to let you all know it's another busy weekend here at Madhouse Central.

Beanie has his two year anniversary with his girlfriend and is fixing her dinner here on Saturday. I'm supposed to not interfere (don't worry!!) and believe he'll shop, cook and clean up all on his own. Oh-kay...I'm not holding my breath on that one. I will, however, give him the benefit of the doubt. GG and I plan to leave the premises.

Shmoo will be gone too as Saturday night is PROM night. After all the girlfriend trials and tribulations the last two months he is going to the dance stag. He's changed his mind about going at least three times in the last 24 hours. I told him last night. This is it...YOU ARE GOING. I couldn't take the vacillating any more. I admit I may be deluding myself, but I think he was relieved to have the decision made and taken out of his hands. Besides, now he can blame me if it sucks...which he feels it most certainly might. Oy! The burdens we carry for our kids.

GG is running in a half marathon on Saturday which I will attend and cheer for him adoringly. He will most certainly feel obligated to give me a full body hug when he's finished and streaming with sweat. Fabulous isn't it? It's how he shows love. I know, I know...you only wish your man would do the same.

Gotta go. I've got more to do in the next 24 than there is time... If only I didn't have to sleep.

BTW, for the curious, STOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF is a well known British musical with lots of great ballads like this one. Words and music by Leslie Briccuse and Anthony Newley. If you feel nostalgic go forth and YouTube.

NOTHING BUT RED

This is a portion of the forward in NOTHING BUT RED:

"I can’t change Du’a’s fate. I can’t punish those responsible for her death. I can’t change the world. But I can make damn sure that at least I don’t slip into apathy—that I keep trying. To do anything else is, in my not-so-humble opinion, immoral. I don’t try to make a difference because I think that I’ll succeed; I try because I couldn’t live with myself otherwise.

So yes, I’ve made this foreword all about me. And I encourage you to do the same: make this fight for equality about you. Don’t start with the world—start with yourself. Start with your apathy. Start with what you are capable of doing to help. Start with your capacity to care.

Everything that you do has the potential to change something, to inspire someone. To remind the people out there fighting the good fight that the work they’re doing has meaning.

The only thing you can ever change is yourself. Have you?"

Skyla Dawn Cameron
Head Organizer, Lead Editor, Book Designer


I don't want to forget. I don't want to be apathetic. Maybe you didn't get a chance to buy NOTHING BUT RED when it came out in April. Go now. Do a good thing. Like Skyla says maybe buying the book won't change the world, but it might change you.

AT LAST... APRIL READS

As you know I had a wonderful reading weekend LAST weekend. Even so I didn't think I'd read that much in April. Turns out I read 18 books. Wow! Who knew?

OUTLAW'S BRIDE by Maureen McKade. This was a good solid western, but not an exceptional read like I've come to expect from Ms. McKade. Another one bites the dust from ye olde tbr.

COUGAR'S CAPTIVE by Vonna Harper. A Loose-Id release. My grade was 'meh' and frankly aside from remembering it as a sort of a fantasy read I don't remember much about it.

GRIMSPACE by Ann Aguirre. I reviewed this one. It's futuristic, first person and I liked it.

GETTING RID OF BRADLEY by Jennifer Crusie. I'm listing this as a re-read because I have it on my keeper shelf. This was very entertaining and I have no idea why I didn't remember it except the book on my keeper shelf is from the original from 1994. I guess 14 years can leave the details a little vague. However, if you are looking for a few laughs about a woman, a divorce, a dye job gone wrong and a sexy cop with an attitude problem then you should read this book. . Oh, and did I mention 'dead dog' ? Very cute and funny. Oh, and a bonus for all you Crusie fans. It's Jennifer Crusie month over at Book Binge. Go check it out.

DEMON'S FIRE by Emma Holly. This is the third full book set in Holly's quasi-Victorian England and futuristic/fantasy demon world. This story involves a menage. Normally this is something Holly does well, but I felt the 'couple' was a little young in this one. This just didn't capture my attention as the earlier books in this world did.

RIDE THE FIRE by Pamela Clare. This was a very good frontier saga. The genuine historical feel and details about everyday life added an excellent backdrop to the story without being tedious. This is the third in the Kenleigh/Blakewell series. I read this out of order and without reading the previous two books and had no problem.

HUNTER:SALVATION by Shiloh Walker. This is another book I enjoyed and reviewed in April.

FALLEN STAR by Morgan Hawke. This is a part of her space series. Ms. Hawke's books are not for the faint hearted but this erotic other world she's created fascinates me. Her world building is very layered and detailed, something I think that just adds to the story. This was a re-read. A side note: as far as I know this is only available as an e-book. I read the copy I have had for some time, but I think it's still available from Extasy Books.

WILD FRONTIER by Sienna Black. Another Loose-Id release. Last month it was EC this month Loose-Id for my erotic fix. This was a DNF for me.

SHIFTER anthology by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day and Virginia Kantra. Surprisingly I liked the Angela Knight and the Lora Leigh breed story pretty well. Anthologies have been a bit of a bust for me lately so that was a happy surprise. I've enjoyed other books by Ms. Kantra but gave the story a pass because it had 'sea' in the title. I made the leap mer-people were involved which happens to be yet another category of romance that doesn't float my boat. My apologies to she and Ms. Day since I only read half of this book I cannot really comment on their stories.

MARRIAGE BED by Claudia Dain. This is from the tbr too. She's an heiress promised to his brother. He's a monk. Sort of. Prior to taking his final vows the brother dies and she goes to the abbey to marry him. He's a bit of a knot head about things, meaning it took longer than it should have for him to see the light. All in all though this was an entertaining historical.

BEAU CRUSOE by Carla Kelly. I enjoyed this one very much. It was also from my tbr. In case you missed it you can go here and read my review. I'm sold on Carla Kelly and I'm going to be looking for her back list.

SEALed WITH A KISS by Mary Margret Daughtridge. I can't believe my good fortune in winning this one. I was going to give it a try after reading Holly's review and then won a copy at Book Binge. I reviewed it with Beau Crusoe. Here's the link again.

LAST WOLF HUNTING by Rhyannon Byrd. This is the 2nd book in her Blood Runner series. This is a category romance and part of the Silhouette Nocturne line. The Blood Runner trilogy has been published in three successive months, March, April and May 2008. There's not a lot of depth here but the story premise interested me and I did buy (and read) the third book this past weekend. If I was grading them I'd probably give them a 'C' overall. Oh and FYI, the Blood Runners are a mixed breed were wolf that hunts the rogue weres gone bad.

FIRE & ICE by Anne Stuart. I was anxious to read this after reading the excerpt and realizing that these were two secondary characters from previous 'Ice' books getting their own story. This is Reno and Jilly's book for those of you who have been following the series. Reno is the younger cousin of Tak in ICE BLUE and Jilly is Summer's (also ICE BLUE) younger sister. As I mentioned when I talked about ICE BLUE I'm partial to the books because the Japanese culture is one that fascinates me. I lived in Japan for three years from ages 11-13 and absolutely loved it there. This story takes place entirely in Japan and that combined with Ms. Stuart's inimitable style, I enjoyed the book very much.

NIGHTCAP by Kathleen O'Reilly. The final in the O'Sullivan Brothers trilogy and a May Harlequin Blaze I was able to pick up early. This was a decent contemporary romance with two very strong characters, but I think the second book of the trilogy will always be my favorite. While Sean and Cleo are strong, smart, and savy I don't think they were always very likable.

DARK NEEDS AT NIGHTS EDGE by Kresley Cole. This one I did a buddy review with Nath over at Breezing Through.

ICON by Louisa Trent. Another Loose-Id release. I've enjoyed many of Ms. Trent's more contemporary e-books and her historicals. This on was difficult to get into and is a sort of erotic fantasy. It was only okay for me.

There 'tis. April's reads. Whew! One more thing off my 'To Do' list. Now to catch up on everything else...

What I've been doing...

Waiting for my turn on the computer. Beanie has been writing papers for school.

I've been reading and enjoying TASTE OF TEMPTATION by Elizabeth Hoyt.

Gathering stuff together to start Shmoo's scrapbook. Graduation is in a month! Yikes.

Watching the number of posts in my Google reader grow, and grow, and grow.

Still hoping to catch up with everyone soon!

Relay for Life

This event is near and dear to my heart since I lost both my Mom and Nana to cancer. I've donated for many years and even walked a few years, but now Shmoo is participating by walking this year.

It's also made for quite a busy day. GG and I went to the opening ceremony this morning. We cheered for the group Shmoo is walking with and I admit I got a little weepy when the Survivors did their lap. It was just very moving.

Then we went shopping and have been getting the food ready to bring back over for dinner for the kids tonight. Shmoo is staying over night with his group. At least we get to go home after dinner. There are other parents staying with the 27 teenagers through the night. Yikes! Yeah, uh, I have to admit that I'd rather do food and sleep in my own bed, but kudos to those parents staying up with all those kids.

BTW, it's not too late to participate or donate. Go here and find the event near you. Or go here and donate online right now directly to the American Cancer Society.

So my weekend has already been pretty busy. I'm still hoping to get my April reads up later tonight and get caught up with everyone's posts for the past few days. Anything interesting going on?

Oops I almost forgot...

I did a buddy review of DARK NEEDS AT NIGHT'S EDGE by Kresley Cole with Nath (Natuschan, books, books and more books) at Breezing Though. You can read it here.