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2012-01-27T16:33:00.001-08:00

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Hello? Anybody home?

2012-01-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

Holy crap! It's been more than six months since I've even done a drive by on my own blog?? You know what I miss? Besides the interacting with all the fabulous people I've met? I've actually missed writing what I WANT to write versus the stuff I HAVE to write at work. I can't honestly say I will begin reading, reviewing and showing up here on a regular basis again. But I know I do feel better and my work schedule is getting better every week --- thanks to the hiring of a new assistant -- so who knows?

New Countdown...

2011-06-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

Counting down to RWA in NYC. Am I ready? Oh yeah.

Counting down...

2011-06-13T02:10:00.000-07:00

Do you recognize this image?

No?

Well it's the stage for the U2 360 Tour. GG & I are going with Bean, Shmoo, Shmoo's GF and my sister.

Five more days!

Then one more week until I leave for RWA.

It's summer! Finally ...

It's not goodbye --

2011-06-07T00:50:00.000-07:00

I was notified a little over a week ago that Access Romance was going to discontinue it's Readers Gab blog. This meant that the once-a-month-for-sure post that I do would no longer be happening.

When I had lunch with Super Librarian Wendy over the weekend she noted that with Access Romance not being a monthly obligation for me any more I would likely disappear altogether.

Now to be honest, I'd been thinking the very self same thing. But you know, now that I've had time to think about it, I don't think so. If you think I'm going to follow that up with some revelation or observation about how my blog posting, face-booking, or tweeting will be new and improved --- well --- you really are doomed for disappointment.

I haven't clue one how my online, social networking life will be changed or improved. I just know I'm not done.

Sadly, though, my days at Access Romance are done. Here's my last post. Go see.

Who's Your Daddy?

2011-05-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, here I am for my monthly check in, whether you wanted it or not...

I've got a post up over at Access Romance, The Quiet Man and the Alpha Male.

In other news, I hope all my most deserving friends had a wonderful Mother's Day. I did. My husband is awesome.

In my post I talk about DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison. Holly gave us SoCal bloggers the heads up about this book a couple of months ago and I was chomping at the bit to read it. I'm loving it. There's lots of online buzz about it. Check it out.

Thank God for GPS

2011-04-07T03:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I could have found my way back here without a GPS. Such a terrific invention the GPS. Sometimes I like to request directions to places I'm not even going just to see how long it would take me IF I did go. My mind is like an attic. You never know if there is junk or treasure under the dust. You only have to read this stuff, imagine what it's like for me to live with.

I'm just popping in with my usual plea for you to go check out my Access Romance post. Today I'm discussing being Re-Virginized. As my sister says, "Don't judge me, just love me."

Thanks for your patience, love and support. If you are reading this, you are and have been a great friend. I appreciate you more than you know.

Who am I?

2011-02-10T02:20:00.000-08:00

I'm over at Access Romance again. I'm having another identity crisis of a sort. You know the old saying...misery loves company? Well so does mental illness. Come see what I'm all mixed up about now.

CoughCough* This Place Needs Cleaning!

2011-01-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's that time of the month again. I have an article up at Access Romance. This month I'm talking about my new "discovery" a little thing called an e-reader. I know, I know... Last one to the party again.

There's a couple of things I want to share with you. First, I read PRECIOUS & FRAGILE THINGS by Megan Hart last week. Out. Of. The. Park. A terrific read. It is NOT A romance, but it IS a very good book.

My next bit of news is that I've been talking to the fabulous LB Gregg and it seems she will be out this way for RT. A little of this, a little of that and it appears that I too will be making an appearance at RT. Can NYC and RWA be far behind????

Last and not least is this little gem. I admonished my sons not to spend money on Christmas gifts that they could not afford. In fact, I told them they need not buy gifts for their Dad and I. We really want for nothing and I hate to think of the boys spending money they need for other things. Beanie took my words to heart. Instead, he plotted and planned with his Dad and this is what I got for Christmas. Yes, I cried. I just watched it again and cried. That kid... I never know what he's going to do next.

How old are you?

2010-12-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'm talking about my "real" age over at Access Romance. I've found a way to reverse the aging process. Go check out my theory.

BTW, one more thing, in my post I mention Beanie making an appearance on Big Bang Theory. The episode is scheduled to air this Thursday, December 16th. See if you can spot the "featured" extra in the Green Lantern costume. That's my Beanie!

You Got to Have Friends

2010-11-15T03:05:00.000-08:00

I'm at bat at Access Romance. Obviously, I'm still struggling. It's amazing you bother with me at all. Believe me. I know this. But I hope you'll go read my thoughts about what being a blogger means to me.

Write right?

2010-10-14T03:15:00.000-07:00

Today I'm over at Access Romance listing the 10 Ways I KNOW I'm not a Writer. Sure you already know this, but go check it out anyway.

This gem is awesome!

2010-10-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

My lovely new swim watch. My new best friend. Who wouldn't love a friend who counts laps for you and tells you how many calories you swam? Isn't it love when a gadget tells you not only did you burn calories but you were damn efficient doing it? Yes, it's love.

The Sun is Shining

2010-09-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've been living in a cave the last couple of months. Which, I suppose is what happens when one is all work and no play. This weekend I'm catching up on my sleep and my reading mojo is back.

The sun is shining, we are having a last burst of summer. Here comes the autumn and one holiday a month for the next three months.

I'm working on balance and pacing in my life. You'd think by now I'd have some of this stuff worked out, but it's a constant battle for me.

Thanks to all of you who have been so patient and hanging in with me and my erratic presence online. I love you and appreciate you so much!

Hello? Anybody Out There?

2010-09-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Holy toledo it's been almost three weeks since I last wrote a post. Life, man it's complicated sometimes. Three weeks is forever on the internet. Although I have to admit that I've been so distracted with stuff in my real life that it seems like hardly any time at all.

That can't possibly mean I'm getting old... Can it?

Anyway I'm popping in now because it's time for my Reader's Gab post over at Access Romance. Believe it or not, to add insult to injury it appears I'm in a reading slump. Of course, I cannot suffer this in dignified silence. It just wouldn't be me.

Dearly Beloved

2010-08-27T19:17:00.001-07:00

Yes, once again I'm marrying someone. As God is my witness I think I feel as nervous as the bride and groom. Almost.

Beach themed wedding this time so I will be making lots of analogies to nature and storms and currents... And, of course, that potent little word L-O-V-E.

For now I'm off to eat tacos and maybe indulge in a margarita with that fabulous guy I live with, GG.

Thought for today... There's something grand about being married to someone and still feeling surprised and interested after 30 years. Wish I could somehow share that with my newly weds.

Who's Reading

2010-08-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

and what are you reading?

I've had a busy streak again and haven't had the time I'd like to read. C'mon share. Give me a vicarious thrill.

I was in the mood for this...

2010-08-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Too bad the guy who recorded this had to sing-along. I hadn't heard this one and fell in love with it today. Look at these awesome lyrics!

There's a wonderful world where all you desire
And everything you've longed for is at your fingertips
Where the bittersweet taste of life is at your lips
Where aisles and aisles of dreams await you
And the cool promise of ecstasy fills the air
At the end of each working day she's waiting there

I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
As the evening sky turns blue
A dream awaits in aisle number two

With my shopping cart I move through the heart
Of a sea of fools so blissfully unaware
That they're in the presence of something wonderful and rare
The way she moves behind the counter
Beneath her white apron her secret remains hers
As she bags the groceries her eyes so bored
And sure she's unobserved

I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
There's nothing I can say
Each night I take my groceries and I drift away
And I drift away

Guidance from the gods above
At night I pray for the strength to tell her
When I love I love I love I love her so
Take my place in the check-out line
For one moment her eyes meet mine
I'm lifted up, lifted up, lifted up, lifted up

I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
Though her company cap covers her hair
Nothing can hide the beauty waiting there
The beauty waiting there

I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket

As I lift my groceries in to my car
I turn back for a moment and catch a smile
That blows this whole fucking place apart

I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket
I'm in love with the Queen of the Supermarket

W-O-M-A-N

2010-08-12T03:01:00.000-07:00

Are women too hard on one another? Judge-y? I'm talking about it today over at Reader's Gab at Access Romance.

July 2010

2010-08-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

After months of not getting my lists out on time I planned to have this one post while I was at RWA. What can I say, I'm a planner. Having been to the conference before, I was fairly confident I wouldn't have any books to add to the month of July. Unbelievably, I finished a book on the plane to Florida. Crazy, huh?

Like the month of June, I don't have many books here, only seven. July like June was incredibly busy at work and the fatigue factor made reading a slow process. Plus I was blogging and blog hopping more, and that always has an impact on my reading.

With fewer books, I have longer review-blurbs. It's a curse. A woman of few words I am not.

WELCOME TO HARMONY by Jodi Thomas

The first book of what appears to be the Harmony books, WELCOME TO HARMONY introduces us to the town, and our narrator from whose POV we view much of what's happening. Sixteen-year-old Megan climbs on a bus and heads to Harmony, Texas, with little money. She does, however, have the many stories told to her about Harmony by Miss Beverly. The two became fast friends while Megan worked in the nursing home where Ms. Beverly lived.

This story focuses on Alex McAllen the town sheriff who continues to be tortured by her brother's brutal murder and the volunteer fire chief Hank Matheson. Hank not only happens to be in love with Alex, but he was also her brother's best friend.

This is Ms. Thomas at her best. I'm already buying copies and giving them away to friends. I can't wait for the next book.

My Grade = A

LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON by Lisa Kleypas

Fifth and final book of the Hathaway series. This is the youngest Hathaway sibling, Beatrix's book. Bea finds herself falling in love with Christopher Phelan via his letters. Letter that were written to Bea's flirty and shallow friend Prudence. If Pru won't answer his letters, Bea simply must.

This was an enjoyable addition and final installment to this series.

My Grade = B

WELCOME HOME, COWBOY by Karen Templeton

Ms. Templeton continues to amaze me with how much power she can pack into a category romance. This Silhouette Special Edition (#2064 July 2010) was wonderful, and a top notch addition to her Wed in the West series.

Here we find country music star Cash Cochran returning home to face some demons. He arrives at his family ranch to find his best friend's pregnant widow in residence.

My Grade = B

THE TEMPORARY WIFE by Mary Balogh

Reviewed here.

My Grade = A

BONDS OF JUSTICE by Nalini Singh

While I like the H/H in this story very much. I really felt this book was a catalyst and excellent pre-shadowing for the rest of the series. Don't mistake me, Max and Sophie are powerhouses in their own right and very unique, but I really felt like there was a lot with the "world" in which they lived was set up for future stories.

Second, it was nice to have a break from the shifters (changelings) having the center stage. With the next book being Indigo's we will be back in the thick of things with the wolf pack.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is one of the most solid and enjoyable series I've read. Ms. Singh continues to grow, change and build her world.

My Grade = B+

MISSING by Shiloh Walker

One of the highlights of last year's RWA conference in Washington DC was meeting the author Shiloh Walker. Back in 2003 when I first began finding other romance readers online, I frequented Lora Leigh's forum which Ms. Walker frequented. As it sometimes happens, I felt a little like I "knew" her when we actually met. She's a very nice lady and was part of a fun evening of readers and writers I had the good fortune to be a part of in DC.

This year I had the good fortune to have a wonderful, if brief, conversation with Ms. Walker about BROKEN and FRAGILE at the Literacy signing. That was so much fun!

It so happens, I'm a fan of her work. I've read all of her HUNTER series, and more recently the aforementioned BROKEN AND FRAGILE. Back to back and out of order I read them, but it didn't hurt my enjoyment of the books a bit. Anyway, I always have her on my radar for new releases and was very much looking forward to MISSING.

The characters she creates are Ms. Walker's strength. Cullen and Taige are no exception. Fascinating and intense, I wanted them in every scene, word, and page. The plot is not a new one, at least for me it wasn't. Competent to be sure, but it was all about the characters' personal journey in MISSING.

My Grade = B+

LADY ISABELLA'S SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE by Jennifer Ashley

This is the second book in the MacKenzie quartet. While characters from its predecessor THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE appear in this book, the story isn't dependent on what's happened previously and I think could be easily read as a stand alone or out of order. Of course, once you read about the MacKenzies, you'll want to read the other books.

In this book we have Roland (Mac) MacKenzie a talented artist and notorious scoundrel who, years previous to the story taking place, married Lady Isabella Scranton within hours of meeting her. Now, once again residing in the same city, Isabella breaks her silence with Mac to let him know she believes his paintings are being forged.

I really liked the way the history of the couple unfolded with snippets from gossip rags at the beginning of each chapter and then in the character's own recollections in the present with the distance of their past behavior to look back on with a different and more mature eye.

It's not often we read about a separated couple who both admit to loving one another, but are sadly unable to find a way to live together. I don't think I've read a better example of that than in this story.

A very good read, even on an airplane.

My Grade = B+

Final Thoughts - RWA

2010-08-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm home. I'm back in my routine and have had the last five days to sort through another whirlwind trip to RWA.

Each time I've gone to the conference the night before I leave, as I finish packing for the trip, I'm always swamped with anxiety. Why am I going? Does anyone REALLY care that I'm there? Will anyone remember me? True story, just ask GG.

As has been discussed on many other blogs and forums in the past, there are both pros and cons to attending this national conference for romance writers. However, at the end of the day, for a person who does not intend to write a book, like myself, one has to decide why they would use their vacation time, money and make all that effort into going to this (or any other) conference.

More and more each year it becomes about seeing friends. Each time I've gone I've met more readers and made more friends in the romance reading world, with a few authors too. This year was no exception.

Five years ago this week (August 4, 2005) I began this little blog. If you would have told me then that I would attend an RWA conference, let alone three of them now, or that I would be making the friends I have and meeting up with a blogging group several times a year, I would NEVER have believed it. Yet here I am... Surreal doesn't even begin to cover it.

So, final impressions and thoughts of Orlando?

Sultry, swamping heat

Sherry Thomas asking me to talk to a lady at her table at the Literacy Signing about how fantastic HIS AT NIGHT is. Who knew people came to shop at the literacy signing?

Some of the most amazing FMPs I've ever seen on women of all sizes and ages.

Kristie(j)'s laugh. Especially when she's making reading lists for SL Wendy.

Chicken, chicken and more...chicken.

LB Gregg in her writing sweater, propped up in bed, munching fruit, hunched over her laptop and muttering, "But what's it about????"

Women--authors, readers, bloggers all gathered at the Cabana Bar talking about books and men.

Women shaking hands and introducing themselves.

Everything you have ever heard about how nice author Jill Shalvis is? So true! Such a nice, nice lady. She's the one person I kept running into everywhere at the conference and then on the plane coming home.

Photo booth on the Boardwalk.

SL Wendy's blue dress for the RITA dinner.

Sharing anecdotes and book commentary with Aztec Lady at RITAs and weeping together at some of the acceptance speeches.

Dancing with LB at the Harlequin party. We'll always have Orlando, and DC, and San Francisco...

Drinks in the Swan Lobby and almost every other watering hole on the property.

RWA Florida 2010 - Part Deux

2010-07-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

Such an original blog post title. There are probably 900 other posts of the same name. I'm sitting in my room contemplating what to wear to the RITAs, I brought something, but suddenly I don't want to wear it. Call me contrary. It's okay.

Aztec Lady, Super Librarian Wendy, KristieJ, and I will be together with some others AL has gathered into the group. LB Gregg is having dinner with some other authors (K.A. Mitchell for one) and then joining us later.

It's been another fun, but exhausting conference. Every time I think I'm pacing myself better than the previous year I realize what a lie I'm telling myself. I did however really well with books this year. I bought at the Literacy signing, it's for charity after all, and was very restrained at the publisher signings. I had 3 boxes of books the first year. Last year I mailed two boxes. This year only one and am taking a few more home in my suitcase. I'm pretty happy about my restraint.

I was fortunate enough to get to the Grand Central Publishing signing early enough to get an ARC of MY IMMORTAL ASSASSIN by Carolyn Jewel. I'm over the moon with excitement.

It's late as hell and I'm procrastinating doing the girl thing for the party tonight. More when I get home. SL Wendy and I have an early flight tomorrow.

P.S. No review, spell check or grammar check of this post. I hope it makes ~~cents~~, ~~sents~~ sense.

RWA Florida 2010

2010-07-29T02:30:00.000-07:00

I've come to the conclusion that like any kid at a theme park I go into sensory overload each year at RWA. My brain simply cannot take it all in. I thought it might be better this year what with this being the third time I've attended the conference. Not so. I'm still a little bit star struck.

Highlights include:

1. Awesome conversation in the lobby with Sherry Thomas about one of my fave books so far this year, Sherry's HIS AT NIGHT.

2. Seeing Carolyn Jewel who has a kickin' and sassy new hairstyle. Love it. She's always so nice to me and for some reason around her I'm geeky and slightly demented. It's embarrassing. I'm a fan of several romance authors but around her I act like an idiot. Oi!

3. Meeting Ann Aguirre, Carrie Lofty and Aztec Lady outside The Fountain and catching up. Ann looks fabulous too. Love the blonde highlights in her fab red hair.

4. Speaking to Karen Rose at the Literacy event last night and asking her to sign the book to "Nath" and watching Ms. Rose's head pop up and say, "Nath? Was she at RT? That Nath?" When I answered in the affirmative Ms. Rose proceeded to tell me how she spent a lovely time with Nath at the toaster bar at RT. Way to go Nathie!

5. Nora Roberts' keynote speech was absolutely wonderful. Hopefully you caught some of the tweeted quotes. My personal favorite is "people will always be people and assholes will always be assholes."

LB Gregg (Lisabea at Nose in a Book) and I are rooming together again. Always fun times with her. We are also spending lots of time with Kristie(j) of Ramblings on Romance, Aztec Lady, AnimeJune of Gossamer Obsessions and SL Wendy.

Wendy and Kristie have had some pictures up on their blogs. How, I don't know because its taken be two days to work this post in and it's now 2:30 AM here and I'm exhausted!

F-L-O-R-I-D-A

2010-07-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's here already! RWA is next week. I'll be flying out on Monday and have a very busy weekend in real life, so I guess this is my last post until I'm in Florida. I was able to get a couple of posts up last year even though we had major connection issues in our basement room in DC and I was going 100 miles an hour trying to do everything and see everyone.

Why fix, what ain't broken?

This my third year going to this conference. I'm as excited as I was the first year. While it's always exciting to see the authors and attend some of the great panels RWA has, I really, really, really love connecting with all my blogger buddies.

My posts are linked to my twitter account. I may tweet, but I get distracted so often by the new and the shiny my tweets are usually very random. I'm @Rosemont1217.

Last Call...

2010-07-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Last chance to let me know what author you'd go see if you were at RWA. You never know. Come the first week in August you might get a surprise in the mail.

He's moved... again!

2010-07-18T14:40:00.001-07:00

Two years ago while I was at RWA, Beanie moved out of the house to be closer to the 4-year college he was transferring to. It wasn't a surprise. I knew he was moving and it was definitely planned. In my absence his Dad and his brother helped him move. It went well, we talked on the phone and I remember thinking that it had been pretty painless.

What I hadn't been prepared for was how I would feel when I got back home and he was just... gone. There's something to be said for going through the actual moving out process. I didn't, so it was sort of shocking and unsettling when I got back home and he wasn't there.

Fortunately he doesn't live very far away and we see him fairly often. But it's different. Even when he comes to visit it's not the same as when he lived at home. When he comes home now he's just passing through. He's a pretty happy guy most of the time. Resilient in fact. Seeing that, knowing that, I was able to put my own scary feelings of loss behind me.

It was no different than when he first walked (ran) and crashed into things when he was ten months old. Or, when he finally got finished with driver's training and drove. Alone. At night. To go hang out at a friend's house. New phases and stages of his life. A time to let go, as all parents do as their children grow up, watching him, proudly, move on with his life.

Now we have a new milestone. He and his girlfriend of four years have moved in together. I find myself exchanging anecdotes about his habits, his likes and dislikes with her. It's new this feeling of putting my son's well-being into another woman's hands, but it feels right. More importantly, he's still happy. Still resilient.

Aside from this move, he's got some pretty big things happening in his life over the next year. I'm a Mom. I worry, but I'm also smiling and genuinely happy, but still a little misty too. They grow up so fast...

Too bad I have to work.

2010-07-15T03:01:00.000-07:00

Come on over to Access Romance's Reader's Gab blog where I'm demonstrating my talent to list all the things I could be doing, or would be doing, if only I didn't have to work.

Give it to me straight...

2010-07-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

Normally in the final months leading up to the RWA conference, I look at my RWA cheat sheet where I list authors that my blogger pals like and for whom I might try to get a signed book by that author. Well that has been a bit of a bust this year since I haven't been around bloglandia all that much the past six months.

So here it is. Just drop in and comment and tell me. If you could get a signed book by just one author, who would it be? You never know. You might get a surprise in the mail when I return from RWA.

If you're curious. Here's the list of authors attending the conference this year.

The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh

2010-07-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh

You want to know what irony is? How I came to re-read THE TEMPORARY WIFE. Read on...

As I've mentioned ad nauseum, in the past six months my blogging, commenting and lurking have been sporadic to say the least. However last week on the merest chance I was at Tumperkin's blog, Isn't it Romance?, and read this post about her experience/review of reading THE TEMPORARY WIFE by Mary Balogh. Being in a reading funk at the time I immediately checked my keeper shelf to see if I had the book. I did. Thank God.

After picking up book after book for several days and not being able to engage my interest in anything, this delightful book did the trick. Hallelujah, I was reading again.

Noting that it was May 1997 this book was first released, and despite Ms. Tumperkin's review, I cracked it open with trepidation. Knowing from experience that some books, even historical in bent, don't hold up over time because we readers get used to different writing rhythms and trends, I thought the book might suffer in my hands because I've recognized I do like a pretty decently paced story. Thank goodness, my worries were unwarranted.

Impoverished Charity Duncan answers an ad for governess only to find herself offered marriage to Lord Anthony Earheart. Anthony is heading back to his family home after an 8-year absence. Having left home shortly after his mother's death and an inevitable and volatile split from his father the Duke of Withingsby, Anthony wants to return home on his own terms, with a wife of his choice, a choice that will most certainly insult his ailing father.

Subtly written and yet a full and hearty read, I thoroughly enjoyed picking up this treasure from my keeper shelf. I triumphantly declared to my husband that it proved my theory that I would have an abundance of such books to re-read in my old age when I may no longer be able to afford new ones. I'm so glad this was happily shelved and waiting for me when I read Tumperkin's post.

Where's the irony? Well, I visited Tumperkin's blog today. As I said earlier, it was the merest chance in my erratic blog hopping that I read her review. However, in her post of July 2nd, she notes that she, like many of us, is struggling with where and how she wants to continue blogging, or if she's going to continue at all.

With this review already in the works I can't help be struck that I would not have pulled THE TEMPORARY WIFE off my book shelf without reading her post. I'm grateful that for whatever reason she chose to write about THE TEMPORARY WIFE and that I happened to see it. It changed my whole week.

In the whole world scheme of things, my reading funk rates next to zero, AND, I want Tumperkin to do whatever works best for her and her life, of course. But, I can't help but think that her post and my reading it and re-reading that book is why I hang on to my blogging. When it works the way it's supposed to, well, it rocks.

Is something burning?

2010-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

I smell smoke. I smell cigarette smoke. I smell it mostly at night, but sometimes during the day at work. Both my home and office are smoke free environments. Sure I could blame it on a sneaking co-worker or a son who has a death wish, but I smell it even when I'm alone.

I have to admit this is freaking me out. Has anyone else heard of this or know why I smell smoke all the time? I've been reading stuff online and am convinced that I'm either cuckoo or someone has been secretly adding Downey dryer sheets to my clothes when I'm not looking.

June 2010

2010-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

June was dismal. Not only did I have the reading doldrums, as witnessed by more than a half dozen books with bookmarks in them sitting on my nightstand, but I can't remember in recent history when I only read five books in a month. Unbelievable.

With that, here's the month that was June...

ONE DANCE WITH A DUKE by Tessa Dare
Spencer Dumarque, Due of Morland is a member of the Stud Club with the sole focus and purpose to gain all of the Stud Club coins and claim ownership to a prize horse. Lady Amelia D'Orsay knows she doomed to be unmarried and most certainly unloved but decides to try her luck with the very eligible, elusive and mysterious Duke of Morland. I enjoyed this book on many levels and was anxious to see where Ms. Dare was going to go with this trilogy.
My Grade = B+

SKIN TIGHT by Ava Gray
As anyone who (still) reads my blog knows I absolutely loved Ms. Gray's first book SKIN GAME. I loved it so much I bought multiple copies and gave them away every chance I could. Therefore I was beside myself with excitement to see where she was going to take us in SKIN TIGHT with two completely different people, the very mysterious Addison Foster and the cool and controlled Mia Sauter.

Who is Addison Foster? Did you have some idea of who or what he might be from SKIN GAME. My bet is you never expected what Ms. Gray reveals in yet another gritty and moving book. I found this story fascinating. Ms. Gray has a talent for making the unthinkable believable.

More please.
My Grade = B+

DREAMVEIL by Lynn Viehl
Another author that continues to surprise me with interesting twists and turns in her stories is Ms. Viehl. In this second book about the Kyndred, a people/species who have Darkyn blood, we have Rowan Dietrich's story. Rowan ends up working in a 4-star French restaurant and trying out some of her hidden cooking skills while fascinating Chef Jean-Marc Dansant. That doesn't mean that GenHance doesn't want to get their hands on her for a little experimentation.

These Kyndred books are a terrific follow up to the Darkyn series and present a whole new addition of possibilities in this world Ms. Viehl has created.
My Grade = B

JUST A HINT CLINT by Lori Foster
This is a re-read I pulled off the shelves when I saw it out in re-print. I remember enjoying this book when I read it, but without picking it up and fanning through it I couldn't remember a single thing. Weird, since it's a re-read too. I'm remembering "romp" and "predictable". Not the worst way to spend an afternoon.
My Grade = C

TWICE TEMPTED ROGUE by Tessa Dare

Rhys St. Maur decides to go home after the death of one of his friends in the Stud Club. No more putting off setting things to right. What he doesn't expect is to come face to face with his past his first night back. Meredith Maddox has done what she needed to do to provide for her family. Even though this meant marrying an inn keeper several decades her senior and working from dawn until dusk. Now widowed she never expects to come face to face with the man she's loved since they were both children.

This was a capable and solid read, it didn't have the same emotional punch for me the first book of the trilogy did. However, I will be buying the third book, THREE NIGHTS WITH A SCOUNDREL when it comes out the end of July.
My Grade = B

I feel like I need a shower...

2010-06-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I'm a TrueBlood fan. Since Justified is on hiatus and Rescue Me hasn't started yet I have to admit I was looking forward to catching up with the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse and the cuckoos that live in Bon Temps, LA.

Unfortunately at least a couple of times each of the previous two seasons there have been episodes that just leave me feeling dirty and wondering why I watch the perversity that is TrueBlood. Last night was one such episode.

I hate to think that I'm so shallow that I watch just to get a look at vampire Eric Northman played so deliciously by Alexander Skarsgard. Sadly, I'm afraid I'm that superficial. Otherwise there is no reasonable explanation why I kept watching last night's episode all the way through. Of course I also obligingly watched the previews for July 11th which were just Eric-enticing enough to be sure I'll be tuning in again. I'm such a wimp.

I need some raspberry sherbet to cleanse my palate. Thank goodness Rescue Me starts Tuesday.

It's a New Day.

2010-06-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well, after all sorts of deal making with myself, wishing, stumbling, and generally fumbling my way through the last six months, I've once again cleared out my Google Reader and am trying to catch up with my pals.

Wish me luck.

One reason I've had time to do this is the reading has dried up in a big way. I've picked up four separate books this weekend and couldn't get interested in any of them.

What are you guys reading. Anything really rock your boat?

Reader = Writer?

2010-06-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have people in your life who think you should be writing a book instead of reading one? I wrote about it over at Readers Gab at Access Romance.

Take a look.

Reading Bliss

2010-06-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just finished another great historical and now I get to read the new Ava Gray book SKIN TIGHT. You may remember that I loved SKIN GAME, also by Ms. Gray, last year. In fact I think I bought about 7-8 copies besides my own. I wanted EVERY body to read it.

I also picked up WELCOME TO HARMONY, the new Jodi Thomas, Joanna Bourne's newest THE FORBIDDEN ROSE, OPEN COUNTRY by Kaki Warner which I reviewed for Book Binge, and Dreamveil by Lynn Viehl.

Very satisfying haul.

Maybe someday I'll post my April and May lists. They are both works in progress.

May 2010

2010-06-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

A big reading month for me was May. Also a good one. I sometimes think I end up in a reading funk because it's hard to keep having really good reads back to back to back.

Since I'm writing this post in July, I think that may be what happened in June and July with my reading malaise. Well that and a big project at work. Eighteen books for May. Fifteen in reality since two were DNFs and one was an anthology of which I only read one story.

SINFUL by Charlotte Featherstone
Well this book was a surprise. I think mostly because Ms. Featherstone didn't take any shortcuts or easy roads for her characters. The quote that opens the book, "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." by Anais Nin, sets up this story perfectly.

Both shy nurse Jane Rankin and Matthew, the Earl of Wallingford are damaged and hiding in the only way they know how.
My Grade = B+

BLOOD BORN by Linda Howard & Linda Jones
I started this book two times and am no further than 30 pages into it. I'm keeping it for now to try again in the future because I'm thinking, maybe I'm burned out on paranormals?
My Grade = DNF

WILD FIRE by Christine Feehan
This is pretty standard shifter fare. But a solid entry into Ms. Feehan's series.
My Grade = B

NOTHING BUT TROUBLE by Rachel Gibson
On my spreadsheet I labeled this a sports rom-com in the hockey world. That about sums it up. An unsuccessful acting career sends Chelsea looking for a real job. She lands one as a personal assistant to injured hockey superstar Mark Bresslar. Chelsea is unorthodox and Mark is grumpy. He can't play hockey any more. Fun read and a perfect book for the poolside or beach.
My Grade = B

SAVOR THE MOMENT by Nora Roberts
This is cake baker, Laurel's entry into the Wedding Quartet. I must say I'm enjoying this series quite a bit, but have to give this one a "B" just for being so anti-climatic. I felt this book more or less moved the series along and set up the fourth and final book which is wedding planner, Parker's book.
My Grade = B

VAMPIRE MISTRESS by Joey W. Hill
An interesting addition to Ms. Hill's vampire queen series. Gideon Green is so damaged and has so much anger. Anwyn seems to see his pain. Gideon, a ruthless vampire hunter, is, understandably, deeply troubled and conflicted by his brother's relationship with a vampire queen. Erotic as all get out with lots of emotional conflict, this book is not light reading.
My Grade = B+

LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS by Katie MacAlister
This may be a case of it's not the story it's me, but there just didn't seem to be anything new or interesting here. I only read a third of the book and called it quits. When Ms. MacAlister began the dragon books I couldn't get my hands on them fast enough. This just seemed too much same old, same old.
My Grade = DNF

SEX, LIES & SECRET LIVES by Thea Devine
I haven't read a Devine book in what seems like forever. I enjoyed this twin story, where one sister assumes the identity of the other, to find out what happened to the missing twin. Very spicy, predictable, but a book I was in exactly the right mood to read at the beginning of summer.
My Grade = B

THE MAN WHO LOVED PRIDE & PREJUDICE by Abigail Reynolds
In this contemporary homage to Jane Austen's PRIDE & PREJUDICE, Ms. Reynolds has marine biologist Cassie Boulton and wealthy and politically connected Calder Westing meet in a small New England town and sparks fly. I picked this up on a whim and was charmed by the idea of a modern re-telling of P&P.
My Grade = B

MEN OF DANGER (Anthology)
Hannah's Luck by Lora Leigh
Ibought the anthology for this entry. Why, I don't know...
My Grade = C-

IN SHELTER COVER by Barbara Freethy
This is a part of Ms. Freethy's Angel Bay series and I feel that while the books all take place in Angel Bay they are completely stand alone stories. I enjoyed this book about Brianna Kane trying to make a life for herself and her son in her deceased husband's hometown of Angel Bay. A place where she comes face to face with her husband's childhood friend, Jason Marlow. The same man who sent her husband to prison.
My Grade = B

MANHUNTING by Jennifer Crusie
This was a re-read that was once again fueled by seeing the newer release in the bookstore. I've been doing a lot of that lately (see the Linda Howard below). A reasonably intelligent career woman decides to begin putting as much energy into her personal life as she does her career when she chooses to visit a swanky resort where successful, and eligible, businessmen hang out. This is such a fun book to read and being so short it's a quick fix for an afternoon.
My Grade = B

ALMOST FOREVER by Linda Howard
An old classic Howard that is a re-read. This takes place in the same world as SARAH'S CHILD. The one thing that stops me from giving this book an A is Claire's behavior when they are in England. It didn't make sense the first time I read it and it still didn't this time. I don't get why she would be so insecure so late in the relationship. It's not like the man hadn't gone to great lengths to show his feelings for her. Still a good book and a blast from my reading past.
My Grade = B

10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU by Julia Quinn
I had a great month reading historicals in May. I could make a list of the things I liked about this one. For instance, the list making itself within the story. The relationships, not just the H/H but theirs with others in the story. It was a fun read as well. The irony of Sebastian being the heir to the man who wants to marry Annabel and beget children so Sebastian can't inherit, was delicious. I found myself saying, "c'mon, fix it... fix it..." Nothing like a little a tension and conflict to move a story along.
My Grade = B

FADE TO MIDNIGHT by Shannon McKenna
Kevin McCloud has been mourned for years by his brothers and as readers we have read about how his death and loss affected Davy, Sean and Connor. In this book we find out what happened. I was very excited about finding out what Ms. McKenna had in store for us here. I'm not one to complain about a book being too long, especially when I've been waiting for it for so long, however, I think this could have been tightened up a bit and it would have been a better book.
My Grade = B-

MARRIED BY MORNING by Lisa Kleypas
Catherine Marks is the sand in Leo Huxtable's shoe. Surprised years earlier by inheriting a title, Leo Huxtable finds himself having to marry and produce an heir in order to save the family home. The sparks these two throw off one another is as age old as a young man dipping braids in an inkwell. Attraction pure and simple. Although it seems to surprise the two of them. This is a very competently written book by Ms. Kleypas and far from a disappointment, I just wanted Leo's heroine to be someone new.
My Grade = B

HIS AT NIGHT by Sherry Thomas
It takes talent to act dumb which Ms. Thomas' character Lord Vere does, but in my opinion in order to write and make it believable to the reader as well, takes some real writing chops. There are some moments in this book that are so poignant. Paging through it to do this blurb, I actually sighed aloud. The wedding night (pgs 154-169) my heart hurt for both Elissande and Freddy.

I loved reading this book.
My Grade = A

WHERE THE WIND BLOWS by Caroline Fyffe
This is a quintessential cowboy story. Chase Logan arrives just in time to keep the winter and starvation from Jessie Strong' s door. These are both two wounded characters and the powerful healing of love. While the premise was predictable, I found myself engaged in the characters. GG is a lover of westerns and I knew this one had enough grit and reality in it to be a good read for him too.
My Grade = B+

Glomming Historicals

2010-05-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here at Nobody Asked Me Central I'm glomming historicals. While I truly enjoyed Lisa Kleypas' lastest release, MARRIED BY MORNING, I absolutely loved Sherry Thomas' HIS AT NIGHT.

I adored the details, the little things that an author throws in that makes a character whole. Lord Vere and Elissande, complicated, intelligent, deceitful and wonderful. Way to go Sherry. I hope you are at RWA so I can walk up to you and gush.

Now I have to decide what's next. The toughest decision in the world to make is what book to read when the last one you read knocked your socks off...

Diane Whiteside's THE DEVIL SHE KNOWS or Tessa Dare's ONE DANCE WITH A DUKE... Decisions, decisions, decisions.

I'm probably not going to like it if...

2010-05-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

Has a friend been telling you about a book and you said, "I'm probably not going to like it if..."

I'm talking about some of my schizophrenic and crazy contradictions in my reading habits over at Access Romance Reader's Gab today. Go take a look.

ETA: Well, that was a huge bungle. Apparently my scheduled post...didn't post! Everything is fixed and working now. No clue why the Reader's Gab post didn't go up when it was scheduled.

ETA 2: Now?

The Bean

2010-05-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

The Odd Couple from Katherine Bacca on Vimeo.

My beloved son posted this on his Facebook page with the words... "So where's my Oscar?" A play on words or a healthy ego? One does wonder. BTW, there's more after the commercial in the middle of the clip. What's up with that anyway?

P.S. That's him in the green shirt.

You oughta be in pictures...

2010-05-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

For many hours of movie (TV) viewing pleasure, thanks guys!

Timothy Olyphant

Sam Worthington

Robert Downey Jr.

This is...

2010-05-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

my life...

I don't know nuthin' about no stinkin' internet...

2010-05-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know nuthin' about no stinkin' internet...

I say this because I feel like a kid with my nose pressed up against the store window longing to go in and buy... whatever it is kids long to buy these days. I seem to run out of gas before I get my bottom in a chair and doing some of my favorite stuff. What's up with that? I refuse to believe that it's my age so that leaves the men in my life conspiring against me. Yes, let's go with that shall we? GG has turned into a tyrant who never lets me sit in front of the computer and demands ALL my attention.

I am feeling more energized with longer days and more sunshine and daylight hours. We'll see how it goes. I'm woefully out of the loop and have been sporadically ~~spying~~ lurking on some of your sites. It's sort of unbelievable that I ever posted 3-4 (or more) times a week. Or, did I ever REALLY do that?

Let's see...

1. Nose pressed against the glass? Check.

2. GG is a tyrant? Check.

3. Summer is coming and I'm elated? Double-check!

4. I totally lied about number 2? C'mon you know the answer to that one.

April 2010

2010-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have to say that trying to write even a blurb about books I read almost three months ago wasn't easy. On the other hand, with books I really liked the words flow pretty easily. You'll probably be able to tell when that happens.

Whenever I hit 15 books for the month, I'm plenty happy. Since I'm writing this list and it's July, I can tell you that my reading after April really started to slow down. Funny, that's in direct proportion to the increase of stuff happening at work.

JARED by Sarah McCarty
After my less than pleasant feelings on CALEB, the first of the western vampire books by Ms. McCarty, it begs the question why I picked up this book. Plain and simple it's the desperate hope that I'll feel, read and find the gold I found in Ms. McCarty's early PROMISE books. Not here, but a better book than CALEB to be sure.
My Grade = C

SWEET TEMPTATION by Maya Banks
This book dives into the BDSM world in a big way. One of the things I like about Ms. Banks is her characters unapologetic sexual preferences. She breaks from that a bit with Micah's protective feelings for his friend David's younger sister, Angelina. I didn't have the emotional buy-in I usually do with her stories.
My Grade = C

A TOUCH OF SCANDAL by Jennifer Haymore
I had a HINT OF WICKED on my bookshelf and yet couldn't find where I've listed or reviewed it anywhere. Weird. However, what I do know is that this book is Garrett's story. Garrett is the husband who comes back from the dead in A HINT OF WICKED and arrives just as his wife is moving on with her life.

In this story, Garrett is trying to come to terms with the life he has which is not at all the life he expected. Into this walks Katie the sister/servant to a titled, cruel and selfish brother.
My Grade = B

SILVER BORNE by Patricia Briggs
I will never miss the chance to read a Mercy Thompson book, however, this story had a lot to do with the fae. Not my favorite, at all. What saves it for me is the consistently well written characters, each with their own story arc, and Ms. Briggs continued diligence in building this world and the people who inhabit it. She never forgets her readers, and yet continues to build Mercy's world keeping it growing and changing as Mercy does.

I'm ready for more and would love to read the next Alpha Omega book too.
My Grade = B

THE PERFECT POISON by Amanda Quick
This is a historical Arcane book. I hadn't read Ms. Quick in sometime and I can't say if it was the absence or if the book was just that good. Botanist Lucinda Bromley is no stranger to controversy having been suspected of poisoning people in the past, even her own father. Once she appears set up for another murder she decides to hire an Arcane Society investigator to find out why she's been targeted. Into her world walks Caleb Jones with secrets of his own. Very enjoyable read with the snappy dialogue we all have come to enjoy from Ms. Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz)
My Grade = B+

LION'S HEAT by Lora Leigh
Yes here I am back to my old tricks buying Lora Leigh books again. I HAD to buy this one. It was the long awaited Jonas Wyatt book. A bit better plotted than some of my recent Lora Leigh reads, I was still bummed this book didn't have more bite to it. No pun intended. Well... maybe a little bit.
My Grade = C

REVEALED: A PRINCE AND A PREGNANCY by Kelly Hunter
A couple of years ago I read a review of a Kelly Hunter category romance on Nath's blog and gave the Harlequin Presents book a whirl. It was an enjoyable little romp with a heroine who was a limo driver. Seeing this in the store and remembering that book I picked this one up. This time I found a predictable lost love story that was not as satisfying as my previous read.
My Grade = C

WHAT THE LADY WANTS by Jennifer Crusie
Another re-release of an older Crusie book that had me shuffling to my keeper shelf to pull my copy down and re-read. Mitch is finishing up a year long bet to make a $1,000 as a PI. Mae Sullivan saunters into his office looking for help. Each fascinated with the other, this book was so much fun to read and the dialogue is wonderful.
My Grade = B+

ON SHADOW BEACH by Barbara Freethy
This book is actually book 2 of the Angel Bay series. And, no, I didn't read book 1 which did not impair or impact my reading of this book at all. Here we find Lauren Jamison returning to Angel Bay to help her Dad out. Lauren's family was fractured several years prior when her sister was murdered. Her mother leaves Angel Bay, but her Dad stays, almost in homage to his dead daughter. One of the suspects in the unsolved murder was Lauren's boyfriend, Shane. Shane has returned to Angel Bay as well, only not for a visit, but to stay.

Good solid read and I am looking forward to further installments about the lives and loves of Angel Bay.
My Grade = B

MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE by Carolyn Jewel
A re-read of Ms. Jewel's paranormal series seemed in order. This is actually the second book, but I read them out of order the first time, so why not again as a re-read? Xia and Alexandrine are as wonderful the second time around as they were the first. One of my favorite things when I'm reading is when the author knows their characters so well there are wonderful subtle and seamless details making the story a full bodied read. Yum!
My Grade = A

MY WICKED ENEMY by Carolyn Jewel
Another good story. This is warlord Nikodemus and witch Carson Philips tale. After the second reading I really do think one can benefit from reading in order. *g* However, I gobbled up both of these books with the same enthusiasm the second time around as I did the first. I cannot wait for MY IMMORTAL ASSASSIN which is due out in January 2011. Chapter One of the new book is available on Ms. Jewel's website.
My Grade = A

FRAGILE by Shiloh Walker
Is a companion book to BROKEN. Again I read the books about the two Rafferty brothers out of order. I read BROKEN in March and FRAGILE in April. They were written in the opposite order. Again, these books stand very well on their own. While there are references to the brothers' relationships, this in no way impairs the story. Having read BROKEN first did not give away anything of Luke's story or spoil it at all.

Luke has turned in his combat gear for hospital scrubs. He's attracted to overworked Devon Manning who is a social worker. Both of these characters carry emotional baggage from their childhood and their adult careers.

While a born protector and care giver, Devon is struggling to find his place in the world now that he's not a soldier any more. Watching the evolution of Luke and Devon walking through the minefield of their pasts to find peace and love in their futures made for a good read.
My Grade = B+

OPEN COUNTRY by Kaki Warner
I reviewed this one for Book Binge here.
My Grade = B

EIGHT DAYS TO LIVE by Iris Johansen
I've been reading Iris Johansen books for almost 25 years. That's just mind boggling. This is another Eve Duncan book with the story focusing on Eve's adopted daughter Jane MacGuire. In EIGHT DAYS TO LIVE Jane gets mixed up with a cult who believes Jane is revealing their secrets in one of her paintings. You always know what you are getting with Ms. Johansen, the requisite mystery and continued ambiguity about Jane's love life.
My Grade = B-

WICKED BECOMES YOU by Meredith Duran
Gwen Maudsley has been jilted for the last time. Deciding not to conform to society's dictates any longer. Gwen asks her late brother's best friend to tutor her in how to flout convention and live her life as she chooses. Of course Alexander Ramsey believes he knows what's best for Gwen and it's definitely NOT him. Another wonderful historical from Meredith Duran that I thoroughly enjoyed and just picking it up again for this post, remembered how much fun it was to read.
My Grade = B+

You oughta be in pictures...

2010-04-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you ever think about casting your favorite books and having them made into movies? I'm talking about that today in my post LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! over at Readers Gab.

How 'bout this one?

2010-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Me: Babe? C'mere a minute.

Turn around. Waits. Goes to entrance of store where GG is standing.

Me: Honey, I need you to come in here and smell this and tell me if you like it.

GG: *pained deer in the headlights look* Just buy what you like.

Me: I want you to like it too. Don't you like it when I smell good?

GG: (a wise man married for almost 30 years) You always smell good.

Me: Reeeeeeeallly? Can you smell me right now?

GG: *leans in for a sniff* Yep.

Me: Okay, what do you smell?

GG: What do you mean what do I smell? I smell you...

Me: What's the scent, the frangrance...

GG: *smiles* Delectable.

Smart man, who did come inside the store and help me pick out some stuff.

Stuff you really should know...

2010-04-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

What do you need to know? Well, for instance, Shmoo turned 20 last Friday. Can't believe that. That's him in the balloon court jester hat. Can't believe we got him to wear that at dinner. Of course, he's already moved past this birthday and is planning the big "I'm turning 21" bash for Las Vegas next year. Let's just say it's hard to keep a straight face much less discuss a trip to Vegas when one of the participants has a balloon hat on his head.

Fortunately, he wants GG and I to go, which I guess is a good thing unless it's only to pay for the whole thing. That can't be the only reason, can it? OTOH, it is a little surprising since Beanie hasn't quite forgiven us for his "family" Vegas bash. Not only did he not get drunk, (Is THAT really necessary or am I dating myself by even mentioning that?) I don't think he bought or drank any alcohol that weekend. Needless to say Shmoo has different ideas for his birthday ~~debauchery~~ party. Thankfully it's a year away and if the college gods are listening it will be just weeks before Beanie (finally!) graduates from college.

Speaking of Beanie... The dear boy is always up to something. His latest shenanigans include a radio show called "Geek say what?" Yes you read that right. GEEK SAY WHAT? The link is to their facebook page. The little darlings in true geek fashion have gone to a whole rash of Comic Con events around the state and have interviews and other geek type stuff up. I believe they also have links to podcasts of their radio show. I'll tell you again... I never know what he's going to do next. He's thrilled that because he's on a radio show he has press passes and doesn't have to shell out for all these events. Wish I'd known that before getting he and his GF the 4-day pass to THE Comic Con in San Diego in July. Who knew?

Beanie called me on Saturday afternoon all excited because Stan Lee walked by him at a Comic Con he went to in LA. *eye roll* He was beside himself with glee. It's a goal to try and get an interview with Mr. Lee. OTOH, he was really looking forward to meeting Adam West and passed that up when he found out West was charging $50 for his autograph. I believe his words were something to the affect "Does he need money for retirement or something?" I reminded him how long ago that original Batman TV series was and how little Mr. West probably got paid.

He also told me how and I'm quoting here, how "freakin' weird" Verne Troyer, the actor who played Mini-Me, in the Austin Powers movies, is. Well duh...

In other news I've just finished re-reading Carolyn Jewel's books MY WICKED ENEMY and MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE. I needed to read something was going to be a sure thing to take my mind off real life stuff and these two books filled the ticket.

Now I'm just looking forward to getting away this coming weekend with my boyfriend. Of course as of this morning GG hadn't made any reservations. Isn't it a rule or something that if you ask your sweetie for a weekend get away you do the planning? Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

Easter is over already?

2010-04-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well Easter came and went like and whirlwind. Didn't Lent use to be longer??? Oh, what's that you say? I'm just getting older and days are going by faster? Bummer, I was afraid that was the answer.

One great thing about the weekend was that my sister, Warrior M, was here with her husband and the Stair Steps. They are getting ready to change their duty station from California to *gulp* Nebraska. The reality that Nebraska is too far to drive in a weekend strikes me every now and again. *double gulp AND heavy sigh*

They don't leave for another six weeks so we are trying to cram as much time together as we can before she moves. Of course, there will never be enough time and while I really do hate to see her move far away again, she's so happy and together and has a great husband and kids, that you can't help rejoice about all the good stuff in her life. Not to mention they already found a fabulous house to live in so, you know I'd be a real b*tch of a sister if I couldn't be thrilled for her.

Another good thing was that Beanie was given enough of a reprieve from Disney that he could be home overnight and have Easter dinner with us even if we did eat at 3 PM. Hey I was at a table with my children with a home cooked meal on a holiday. It was a red letter day.

I took a few days off last week to get all my Easter stuff done so I could spare my family my usual holiday frenzy and angst. All I will say about that is, "it worked". What can I say, but that life is a work in progress and I'm no exception to THAT rule.

I even had a little bit of time to read and was able to consume Jennifer Haymore's newest, A TOUCH OF SCANDAL. It's a follow up to A HINT OF WICKED and in October there will be a third book out also related to these first two called, A SEASON OF SEDUCTION. I was in the right mood for this historical and found it a "just right" read for me over the long holiday weekend.

So while I feel like Lent and Easter were here and gone before I knew it, we had a wonderful holiday. Color me grateful and blessed.

March 2010

2010-04-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a month March was. In memory I'm thinking of it as a very up and down month, but when you look at the grades, it looks like pretty even reading.

PRACTICE MAKE PERFECT by Julie James
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the by-play between these two competitive workaholic lawyers was just plain delightful. With lots of snap,sizzle and wit, this is probably my favorite of her three books. Loved the ending.
My Grade = B+/A-

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Julie James
This book has more sizzle than the previous two and was still heartily enjoyable.
My Grade = B+

HEART OF STONE by Jill Marie Landis
I've seen reviews of this book, actually I'm surprised at how many I've seen, and most of what you've already read about this mostly sweet western with spiritual overtones is right on. SL Wendy best captures my feelings so here's her review. I'll continue reading the series because like Wendy, I'm curious too.
My Grade = B

BROKEN by Shiloh Walker
I have about three of Ms. Walker's books in my tbr. Why? I don't know because I've always found her books to be good solid reads. Interesting dynamic here and a story with a twist, not a gargantuan twist, but a twist.
My Grade = B

BUTTERFLY TATTOO by Deidre Knight
There have been many great things said about Ms. Knight's book BUTTERFLY TATTOO, but all I can think to say is, "wow". The choices made in this story were brave and could have been a real bust if not handled as well as Ms. Knight did. Kudos for opening some doors with this and broadening minds.
My Grade = B+

DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Alexis Morgan
So I looked back and see I haven't read any other Paladin books since the first two in 2006 and 2007. They received B and C grades respectively. I finished this book, but was never really engaged with the characters.
My Grade = C

DARK ANGEL by Mary Balogh
As book one in a re-release of two of Ms. Balogh's presumed older favorites, DARK ANGEL presents us with a young woman who is the unwitting pawn between two feuding men. While it takes almost too long for Jennifer Winwood to figure out what is going on, she finally does. This book prompted me to think a lot about what is forgiveable and how much can one overlook when they've hurt not only you, but your family as well.
My Grade = B

IGUANA BAY by Theresa Weir
I remember how much I loved this book when I first read it... 20 years ago! I've been meaning to re-read one (or more) of Ms. Weir's books for a while now. She currently publishes under the pseudonym Anne Frasier. She will be re-releasing her book BAD KARMA with Samhain Publishing on April 10th.

This book is tame by today's standards. A star witness and alibi for a crime boss is kidnapped by an embittered cop who wants the man put away for this and past crimes. The story holds up pretty well despite the missing technology (cell phones and computers) that we've come to take for granted.
My Grade = B

SLIGHTLY SINFUL by Mary Balogh
The 5th in the Bedwyn series, this book along with book 6 were languishing in my tbr. I happily pulled them both out and devoured them. This is Alleyne's book, one of the younger Bedwyn's. Alleyne is thrown from his horse during battle and awakens not knowing who he is. He's taken in by some "working" ladies one of who seems out of place. Ms. Balogh wisely has Alleyne heal and head for home. A solid and enjoyable read.
My Grade = B

SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS by Mary Balogh
I did remember when I started reading this book how much I wanted to have Wulfric's story after reading the first Bedwyn book. Here it is last but not least. I appreciated this story very much about the cold and autocratic Duke who spends his time watching a totally unsuitable young lady. Reminiscent of PRIDE & PREJUDICE in its tone, I really liked this one a lot.
My Grade = B+

HIS EVERY KISS by Laura Lee Guhrke
After last month's reviews Nath very helpfully told me that last month's read, GUILTY PLEASURES was loosely related to this one, HIS EVERY KISS. I, of course, recalled the mercurial and tempestuous composer Dylan Moore from previous books, and was happy to read his book. A gifted and talented composer who can no longer write music due to a head injury that leaves ringing (literally) in his ears, Dylan Moore despairs his life. Estranged from her family and widowed Grace Cheval needs a job, desperately. But is she desperate enough to accept employment from the profligate Dylan Moore?
My Grade = B

WILD RIDE by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer
There are some interesting and fun characters in this book none of whom I feel we, as readers, really get to know. The premise of the book and the location of a run down theme park were terrific. I just wish there was more meat to the story and the characters.
My Grade = C

THE FIRST SIN by Cheyenne McCray
Picked this one up on a whim. I haven't read any of Ms. McCray's books for a long time. I read a couple of her EC releases a few years ago. I loved the sizzle between the H/H and there's a decent storyline about two "special secret unit" cops trying to bust a sex ring each with their own personal reasons to do so. I wanted to like this book more because it had a lot of elements I like. The heroine Alexi was just missing something for me.
My Grade = B-

MIND GAMES by Carolyn Crane

I literally just finished reading this book and on many levels feel its too soon for me to try and quantify my feelings about the book. On the one hand, it's original and captured my interest and curiosity. On the other hand, it's a bit of a bizarre tale and not what I would classify as a romance, and yet there are most certainly romantic elements. What I will say is that I will be picking up the next installment, because, you know, there has to be one.

My Grade = B-

Thoughts on RWA

2010-03-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

More economic issues going on here at home with my work and GG's work. It got me reconsidering about spending the money to go to RWA.

"Rosie," I thought, "you are being selfish taking this trip, maybe you should cancel while you still can."

Then something happened. A good something.

I've really enjoyed Jennifer Crusie's books over the years and I was thrilled to meet her last year at RWA. Anyway, a couple of mornings ago I read on her blog that she's getting an award at one of the luncheons at RWA this year. Call me crazy, but I was smack dab in the middle of reading WILD RIDE (not my favorite Crusie or Crusie/Mayer btw) and I told GG it made me happy to see her get recognized for her work promoting the industry, and mentoring other writers.

GG recalled (who knew he paid attention to these things) that I'd also read CINDERELLA DEAL recently and really liked it. Well stop the presses, but, you know all things considered, I figured it was a sign.

Right?

I mean for me to read the Crusie blog at the same time I was reading the book and thinking what I was thinking( about RWA) AND GG remembering about the other Crusie book I'd liked so much. Wouldn't any rational thinking person think all that was a sign?

"Rosie," I thought, again, "you know you really want to go to RWA anyway, and now you have a sign, so quit dithering already, you know you're going."

You would think the way I go on that we were down to our last slice of bread and the electricity was going to be shut off. GG, stalwart guy that he is, just sighs and goes about his business and was probably wondering why I was rhapsodizing about Jennifer Crusie getting an award. But then again, he didn't know how hard I was looking for some divine intervention.

Let's just keep those thoughts of mine between us, shall we?

Random Thoughts

2010-03-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

In the bookstore yesterday I picked up a recent PEOPLE magazine to find out the following:

1. Brad & Angelina's twins are 20 months old! That's almost 2 years old. I don't know why this shocked me, but it did. Maybe because I don't know how any couple could survive the constant scrutiny these two do. I'm not a huge fan of either one of them, but I just sayin'...they put up with a lot of crap from the media.

2. OTOH, Dakota Fanning is only 16 years old. Lordy, I thought she was like 23 already. Weird.

3. Merlin Olsen died on March 11th. Probably ancient news to all of you, but I missed this. Do you remember him from LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE? Or, maybe you remember him as part of the (then) Los Angeles Rams football team "Fearsome Foursome". Anyway, he was a nice man and I was sorry to hear about his passing.

4. Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet are splitting. Man! Do I know them personally. Course not. But, I sorta liked the "them" I did know through the media and was sad to hear this. Although, I was wondering where he was on Oscar night.

To Forgive is Divine

2010-03-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

What are you willing to forgive? I'm talking about forgiveness and redemption at Reader's Gab. Go check it out.

ETA:

Sometimes I'm an idiot. I scheduled this to post at 3 AM this morning to coincide with my Reader's Gab post. Uh, yeah, that worked out soooooo well. So you know, feel sorry for me and go look at the post now, k?

Drum Roll Please...

2010-03-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's official. Yesterday I got my RWA registration confirmation. I'm going. For all my SoCal Blogger buddies who said to me, "Oh, you're going... You know you are!" All I can say is, you were right, I was wrong.

Now go write that down because I hate owning my flaws and faults.

February 2010

2010-03-03T00:01:00.001-08:00

Twelve is a perfectly respectable number of books to have read for February. I'm still working on my January list, but I more wisely was recording February as I read them, so you get this list more or less on time. Yay!

INTO THE FIRE by Anne Stuart

An oldie but a goodie, from 2003 that I decided on a whim to re-read. Jamie tracks down Dillon the bad-boy from the past to find out how her cousin, Nate, who was raised as her brother, died. The story takes place over a short period of time, but is quintessential Stuart.

My Grade = B+

THE CINDERELLA DEAL by Jennifer Crusie

This was a re-release that I hadn't found or read before. Daisy is a teacher who wants to be an artist but is finding it financially challenging. Linc wants a job at a small but prestigious college where the Board would prefer to hire a married man. As neighbors in the same building, Linc decides he'll strike a deal and ask Daisy to pose as his intended. Loved this book. The wit and dialogue were wonderful. It's so refreshing to read a book where the author counts on you having a brain and figuring somethings out on your own.

My Grade = A-

PRIDE MATES by Jennifer Ashley

This is the first book in a new contemporary paranormal series. I confess I bought this because I enjoyed THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE a recent historical by Ms. Ashley. There were a couple of new twists on ye olde shifter lore and I found myself enjoying this one quite a bit.

My Grade = B

NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER by Molly Harper

This is the third in a series of books about Jane Jameson, the somewhat reluctant recently turned vampire who is also a librarian/bookshop owner. I enjoyed this book for addressing in an amusing way some of the practical issues one might face living their life openly vampire. I like Jane's pluckiness and plucky isn't usually one of my favorite adjectives when I describe heroines. This was my first book of the series and I had no issues starting here.

My Grade = B-

SEALed WITH A RING by Mary Margaret Daughtridge

I've enjoyed the previous two books in this series so I was pretty happy when Toni from NEW & RECYCLED ROMANCES slipped this this ARC in with my UBS purchases after I had mooned over it during my recent visit.

This too is a marriage of convenience story, but it is written well with a lot of the obvious questions one might have if a friend came to you and said they were getting married for some purpose other than love.

My Grade = B

BACK IN BLACK by Lori Foster

This book is a part of the continuing SBC fighter series. I haven't read all of them, and had no trouble with this as a stand alone. This time out we meet SBC president Drew Black who is a PR nightmare for his partners with his brash no-holds-barred news conferences. Enter one Gillian Noode, PR expert to clean up his bad boy image. Gillian is one of those "too competent" heroines almost to the point I didn't like her much. I've been hit or miss with Ms. Foster and was in the mood to give this one a try.

My Grade = C

SCOUNDREL'S KISS by Carrie Lofty

I have Ms. Lofty's first book in my tbr, but picked up this one intrigued by a conversation with SL Wendy letting me know that the heroine is an opium addict. Talk about a hook... Ms. Lofty doesn't give her characters an easy time of it and weaves an interesting tale here. If you like a story rich with historical detail and complex characters, you'll love this one.

My Grade = B

BRIDE OF THE WOLF by Susan Krinard

I am rarely influenced by a cover. In fact if someone describes a book to me by the cover I'll never guess who wrote it or what book it is, even my most favorites. *glancing at keeper shelf to see what Carolyn Jewel's books look like* I've read Ms. Krinard's wolf books before and have had mixed luck and picked this up totally based on the beautiful green cover with the dual faces in the water reflection and the wolf.

Having said all that, this is a competent wolf shifter story set in the west and was appealing to me on that level.

My Grade = B-

NOTHING DENIED by Jess Michaels

Straight up erotic and a valiant attempt to have a real story intertwined with a man's need to be dominant and a shrew's need to marry. I didn't like the heroine in this book. She knows she's a shrew, admits she's a shrew and the author never gives us a chance to know her and understand, except in the most shallow and vague way, why her behavior is so extreme.

My Grade = C-

GUILTY PLEASURES by Laura Lee Guhrke

Daphne Wade, left with only the travel vouchers sent by the Duke of Tremore, travels to England after her father's death and is hired in her father's stead to help excavate a Roman camp site found on the Duke's property. I adored the opening of the this book where Daphne is unabashedly spying on her employer. With no aspirations and a self awareness of how far superior Anthony is in rank to her, Daphne adores him from afar. Ms. Guhrke does a wonderful job of introducing these two people to each other and in many respects we also see them come to their own self awareness as well. Very solid historical read from my tbr.

My Grade = B+

A BRIDE FOR JERICHO BRAVO by Christine Rimmer

Ironically I read THE STRANGER AND TESSA JONES which has siblings of the H/H of this book last month. I used to never miss a Christine Rimmer category and can't remember now what made me stop reading them. At any rate, I was happy to pick this one up and read it. Sometimes short and to the point is just the right thing and this fit the bill when I read it.

My Grade = C+

JUST THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE by Julie James

Do you ever pick up a book a second time and wonder why you didn't read it the first time you picked it up? I had that experience with this book. I really enjoyed Ms. James characters. With a sense of "realness" to characters most of us mere mortals would never meet, she finds a way to bring us in and care about these people through their flaws. Loved that. I'm anxious to read PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT which, fortunately, is in my tbr.

My Grade = B+

Random Bits of Stuff

2010-02-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

I'm probably the last person on the planet to finally read JUST THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE by Julie James, but I finally did. Not only a very nice ending to my February reading, but I think I can just about finish her second book, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT before her new release SOMETHING ABOUT YOU makes an appearance on Tuesday.

I'm still working on my January reading list. Hopefully I'll get it posted this week and February directly after it. Reading has been interesting lately. I've purchased a few books, but have found myself turning to re-reads and my tbr tubs.

This past week I was in training. The class I attended had about 30 cops and me. I'm definitely not a cop. Whatever I thought I knew about peace officers did not come close to some of the things I learned this week. I was most struck by this thought, we don't appreciate them enough. Sure I met a couple of jerks too, but for the most part I was blown away by their dedication to serving the public. Now I'm not saying they love the public, but they are dedicated to serving and protecting us from the bad guys. I met some really good men and women this week and it was a balm to my cynical heart.

I also put up with quite a bit of good natured ribbing about working in a fire department. It appears there's a teeny tiny bit of a raw nerve about all the love people have for "America's Heroes" ...the fire fighters. It was a hoot to hear the sarcastic remarks and teasing. I may have mentioned how much I love sarcasm a time or two, haven't I?

After being away for a week I'm expecting to be really slammed this week at work. I am, however, also determined to have a life. I just get so caught up sometimes with work. It's a good thing I have sons to heap on the guilt and a patient spouse who smacks me upside of the head to remind me of a few salient facts.

You probably don't care, but I only got to swim once last week (stupid rain) and was ever so relieved to find that I didn't gain any weight while at class. All that sitting around!

GG just informed me that Canada got the win in hockey in overtime. Congratulations Canada, you hosted one hell of an Olympics and a memorable one. What an ending!

My place or yours?

2010-02-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have someone read your thoughts? What if that someone was your significant other? What then?

I'm talking about it today over at Access Romance's Reader's Gab. C'mon on over.

What have you done for me lately? Or the year that was 2009.

2010-02-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm doing some blogging housekeeping. This means I'm catching up on the stuff that I just can't leave undone while I get on with my blogging life.

For those of you without a feed reader, if you are interested, I finally posted my dismal December 2009 reading list and am currently working on my January 2010 list. Hey who knows maybe it will be posted before Easter.

I'm also posting some 2009 stats in this post. These are just for me. This is stuff I found interesting when I looked over my list. In all honesty, I have no format for my yearly stats, I just randomly post what jumps out at me each year.

Books read = 164

A Grades = 9 (yikes not even 10%!)

D Grades = 4

DNFs = 4

With the two opposing ends of my reading accounting for 17 of the total books I read, you can see that the vast majority of what I read falls into the wide range of B+ to C-.

I'm glad to see fewer low, low grades, because that means I'm not wasting my time reading stuff I really don't like. Better yet, I think I'm doing better about risking my hard earned dollars on books I won't like or read. In all honesty I also think this is due to having blogger buddies to help me chose well. Being able to read or contact someone you trust about a book you are interested in and getting the scoop about just plain rocks.

I bought most of my books new and had very few ARCs this year. That's probably due to my not reviewing and being as active a blogger as I used to be. I noticed that I bought quite a few trade sized books in 2009. It's always because I like the author, because frankly with my arthritis it's a huge pain holding them to read. Hmmm...let's pause for maybe-I-should-buy-an-e-reader moment...

Anyway, between trade sized paperbacks (23) and hardcovers (15) there's a whopping 38 books that I bought in a size that I don't really like to hold or read. Plus the cost. I'm mulling this over for 2010, something has to change. I've also been wondering if this is because publishers can get more $$ for trade and therefore put the books out in trade first as a compromise between hardcover and paperback? What do you think?

I think... that I'm amazed that I've actually posted twice in a single week.

From the Peanut Gallery

2010-02-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you get the light bulb moment in the unlikeliest of situations when you least expect it.

Me: *sighs pathetically* I'm so out of the loop with my blog and I miss those people so much and I haven't done a book list since November... I'm so behind, I don't know where to start...

GG: Just sit down in front of your laptop and do it. Start.

Break over. I thought I'd jumped this hurdle a month ago but apparently I'm a sloooooow learner.

January 2010

2010-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

Here it is...finally! January 2010 list. It was an eclectic month with oldies, categories, historicals, westerns and little bit of paranormal, a touch of contemporaries, and a couple of military suspenses. Just about everything I think. It looks like 14 is the magic number for January.

A MATTER OF CLASS by Mary Balogh
This was a clever piece and one I enjoyed quite a bit. When an Earl's daughter besmirches the family name in a foiled elopement her parents fear she is ruined forever. Their neighbors, people the Earl has disdained since they moved in 12 years previously, are wealthy but not gentry. They do, however, have an eligible son and ambition enough to marry him to the hapless Annabelle.

I bought the book because I was interested in the premise and did enjoy it quite a bit. However, I don't see why it had to be released in the "mini" hardcover for $15.95.
My Grade = B+

TOO HOT TO HOLD by Stephanie Tyler
Book 2 of the series, this is Nick and Kaylee's story. Nick is a former SEAL who is constantly pushing the envelope both in his personal and professional life. While on a mission he stumbles across Kaylee a reporter who is investigating information with global political implications.
Still enjoying the series.
My Grade = B

PIECES OF SKY by Kaki Warner
A western more on an epic scale. I liked this book a lot for it's scope and depth. Jessica has come west all the way from England to find her brother and get his help to take back their ancestral home and assets from their younger sister's shady husband. On her way she meets rancher Brady Wilkins. Brady is tough, honorable, stubborn and one of the hardest working men Jessica has ever met.

It's obvious Ms. Warner is a lover of the western herself with the loving details she has in this book. This is the first book of of the Blood Rose trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading the next two installments.
My Grade = B+

SWITCH by Megan Hart
Suggestions. On notes. Notes not meant for her... Megan writes such interesting stories and always gives us a peak into ourselves in the process. If you received an open note in your mailbox that didn't belong to you, would you read it? If you did, do you think its contents could change your life?
My Grade = B+

COMING UNDONE by Lauren Dane
The second book in what I call Ms. Dane's "tattoo" series, this story is about oldest sibling Brody Brown. Brody is a tattoo artist, a talent that helped him support and raise his two younger siblings. Not allowing himself to become involved with anyone seriously while raising his younger brother and sister, he's surprised to find himself enmeshed in his neighbor Elise and her young daughter's lives. LAID BARE was such a great read for me that I was a little let down that Brody's story was so tame. At the same time it provides a nice balance to the overall arc Ms. Dane has. I'm looking forward to Adrian Brown's book.
My Grade = B

STREET GAME by Christine Feehan
Another installment in Ms. Feehan's Ghostwalker series. No new ground, standard fare, but it fits the bill if you know what to expect.
My Grade = B

THE MANE EVENT by Shelly Laurenston
Is it telling that when I came to write a snippet about his book I couldn't remember a single thing about it without picking up the book? Pretty standard shifter fare here. Competently done.
My Grade = C

TENNESSEE MOON by Norah Hess
Once upon a forever ago I read Norah Hess. I don't have any on my keeper shelf which should have been my first clue before I picked up this re-release. I did muddle through this and recalled parts of it as I read as being one of Ms. Hess's tamer (no forced sex) stories. Another case of not enough meat to the story for me.
My Grade = C-

THE STRANGER AND TESSA JONES by Christine Rimmer
SIM # 1945 January 2009. I've read several of the Jones Gang books over the years and it had been awhile when I picked this one up at at a UBS during our December SoCal blogger UBS crawl. Tessa Jones takes in a beat up stranger in a blizzard who isn't what he appears to be. This is a Jones/Bravo crossover book.
My Grade = B

THE WEDDING PROMISE by Carolyn Davidson
This story about a young woman abandoned with her two younger brothers by the wagon train she was traveling with is taken in by a stranger and offered a marriage of convenience. Another UBS find this was a sweet western and I like mine with a bit more grit.
My Grade = C

BEAST by Judith Ivory
This is another book that's been in my tbr for forever. I also know it's on a lot of people's "best" lists. It's a DNF for me. I am putting it back in the tbr and plan to give it another try someday to see if it was one of those right book at the wrong time sort of things.
My Grade = DNF

THE BOUNTY HUNTER by Cheryl St. John
Another western "lite" this is a story of a bounty hunter turned sheriff who try as he might can't stop thinking about one particular saloon owner. Lily Divine is a mover and shaker in her little community and involved in many aspects of its welfare.

This book worked for me when it concentrated on the characters. I had a tough time believing a woman could be as successful in business with all men (the other saloon owners) as Lily was.
My Grade = C+

SCENES OF PASSION by Suzanne Brockmann
Living at home with her parents at 29 Maggie Stanton's life gets a well deserved shake up when a friend from her past comes back to town. Another UBS find and an old Brockman Silhouette Desire I'd missed previously.
My Grade = C

HOLD ON TIGHT by Stephanie Tyler Book 3 of the series. This is Chris and Jamie's story. I was anxious to see where Ms. Tyler was going to take us with Chris and Jamie after introducing them to us in TOO HOT TO HOLD. I liked the story starting out with Chris so vulnerable, wounded and struggling to remember the details of a mission gone terribly wrong. Could it get worse when Jamie shows up to investigate what happened? My Grade = B

Filler

2010-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

1. Yes I know I suck for not posting forever and then just doing a post that sends you to Access Romance. What can I say? That column is keeping me, barely, connected.

2. Holy guacamole! I was shocked to realize that Academy Award nominations are next week. I'm further shocked to realize that I probably will have seen hardly any of the movies nominated.

3. Are you invested in the Super Bowl? Yeah, lots of history. Yes, I know the NO Saints are the underdog that has risen from the ashes, but just because he fills out a pair of jeans so nicely, I'd have liked to see Bret Favre make it to the Super Bowl. This from a woman without a favorite team and who rarely watches a game. I collect all my info by osmosis from the men in my life.

4. January was supposed to be the "slow" month at work. Yeah, not so much.

5. I've been asked to officiate another wedding.

6. I'm more connected than ever with 3 email accounts, twitter, facebook and a blog. How is then that I hardly ever get to go out and play?

7. Lisabea is visiting SoCal and we plan to drown her in SoCal blogger love on Feb 6. Wanna have lunch with us?

Men Who Read Romance

2010-01-28T03:30:00.000-08:00

Do you know any? Men who read romance novels? Do you have any of this little known species in your life? Well, I do. I'm talking about it over at Reader's Gab at Access Romance.

One is the loneliest number...

2010-01-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

Driving into work having a one sided conversation in my head about a book is just not the same thing as interacting with other romance readers online. It just isn't. It begs the question how I've stayed away from blogging and blog hopping for a record length of time in the almost 5 years I've been a blogger doesn't it? Well, maybe for you it doesn't but I sure wonder.

It's occurred to me several times to pack in my blog and call it a day already. Romancelandia can function just fine without one more voice in the darkness compelled to offer up her opinion. Really it can. It isn't that I can't think of stuff to say, or that I've gotten bored with writing and exchanging ideas with all of you. It has simply come down to a question of time.

I'm not special or any different than probably thousands of women across the world. I'm sure I'm no busier at work than many of you. I work an average of 45-50 hours a week. My day has gotten longer (for me) because I've added an hour of swimming or walking 6 days a week. That's the actual workout time. With travel to and from and showering after, my workouts become more like a 2-3 hour time commitment. This, as it turns out, makes all the difference in my blog time.

At first I was dividing my disposable time between reading and blogging. I missed my reading horribly. I was down to literally cramming 15 minutes here and a half hour there. Another factor was fatigue. With an hour workout added to the day I'm not up much past 11 PM these days and so my night time reading and blogging has become non-existent. It turns out GG, the boys and my other family members want me to interact some with them too. Can you believe that????

Even though I've mentioned most of this stuff before I've finally sort of wrapped my brain around the idea that my life is going through another change. If I want to enjoy my leisure time I have to learn to be less rigid and worried about stuff. It's been driving me crazy trying to "schedule" everything. *sigh* Same lesson, new day. I'm such a slow learner sometimes. So, once again it's Independence Day. I'm liberating myself to do whatever comes naturally.

There may be brief and short posts. Posts might not be as polished as I've done in the past. My blog hopping may be sporadic. I hope you will comment, email or share with me what's going on if I've happened to miss some big news you are sharing. I will do the same in return.

So it looks like I'm here to stay. I have no idea how this will all turn out in 2010, but I'm eager as ever to see what the year brings.

December 2009

2010-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

I only read five books in December. That says it all. It was quite the busy month, but then it always is. You'd think after all these years I'd have a bit more perspective and acceptance, wouldn't you?

Here they are.

HARD TO HOLD by Stephanie Tyler
I picked this book up by accident. Of course once I noted it was a SEAL book it pretty much closed the deal on me buying it. This first book is about SEAL Jake Hansen who on one of his missions rescues Doctor's Without Borders physician, Isabelle Markham from a near death hostage situation. Well done and an enjoyable read. My only beef is wishing for a bit more character layering.
My Grade = B

CARNIVAL TAROT by Jory Strong
Re-read of a trilogy of stories in one trade paperback. Individually published by Ellora's Cave these three linked stories have Ms. Strong's own brand of vampirism and lore. It's on my keeper shelf and was a "lighter" vampire story and not as PC as some.
My Grade = B

STAND IN GROOM by Suzanne Brockmann
This is one of Ms. Brockmann's earlier works and one I hadn't read before so I snapped it up when it was re-released. This is a contemporary marriage of convenience story. Some interesting dynamics on this often used story device and your certainly see glimmers of the wonderful writer she is today.
My Grade = B-/C+

EARLY DAWN by Catherine Anderson
I hadn't read a Catherine Anderson book in ages but when I saw this was a western I decided to pick it up. Having read about Eden Paxton's siblings in earlier books I had no trouble jumping into this one and enjoying it.

After a horrible break up with her fiance in San Francisco, Eden decides to lick her wounds and move to Colorado to be near her loving and protective half brothers. On the way the train is robbed and Eden is kidnapped. Matthew Coulter is hunting the men who murdered his wife when he finds Eden their captive and has to decide whether it's more important to rescue Eden or exact his revenge.

This had the best things I love about westerns. Real people in extraordinary circumstances.
My Grade = B

SUMMER BREEZE by Catherine Anderson
This is an earlier book about the Paxton's that I had in my tbr and pulled out after reading EARLY DAWN. In this book Rachel Hollister has lived literally closed off from the world since the massacre of her family years earlier. When her only contact with the world, her hired man, is bushwhacked, her neighbor Joseph Paxton promises him that he will take care Rachel while he heals. But how do you take care of someone barricaded in their home?

I had some issues with the ending of this book, but if you like well written character driven westerns, you'll like this and who knows maybe the ending won't bug you.
My Grade = B

Auld Lang Syne

2009-12-31T03:10:00.000-08:00

I'm completely clueless as to what's going on out here in Romancelandia. I've had a great holiday season and enjoyed family and leisure time and sort of taken an unplanned break from blogging and blog hopping. This pretty much happens every December, so I don't know why I should be surprised that the same thing happened this year. I really should do something about these unrealistic expectations I have...

Hopefully in the next week I'll do my December reading list and catch up my spread sheet for 2009.

In the meantime I hope you'll go over to Access Romance to check out my ROOM WITH A VIEW post at Reader's Gab. I'm waxing on about my reading and blogging in the year that was 2009.

Hey! Wow!

2009-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Look at that! I have a blog! Who knew? Considering how I've been neglecting it lately it's like rediscovering the whole process. I feel so out of touch. Forgive my neglectful blog hopping. I'm sure when things settle a bit here I'll be back out in the mix of things.

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and say hello and let you know I'm enjoying the holiday season quite a bit. The Stair Steps are visiting with their mom (my seeesteer) and my brother is here from NoCal and we are having a bit of holiday fun this weekend. The only blight on my December is my reading. Nothing seems to hold my interest, although I quite enjoyed Stephanie Tyler's HARD TO HOLD and am looking forward to the next book in her SEAL trilogy. Yes, I still have a thing for a man in uniform.

I'd love some suggestions for something to read. Is anybody reading a recent release that's really knocked your socks off? Tell me, tell me.

Enjoy the holidays. I'm thinking about you all.

The heat is on...

2009-12-11T05:49:00.000-08:00

We finally got heat on Tuesday. It feels so luxurious and decadent. Man, I will NEVER take being warm for granted again. I get cranky when I'm cold all the time.

The Banquet for work is tonight. The last couple of weeks finalizing everything are always a little hectic combined with regular work. I'm looking forward to a little bit slower pace next week. Maybe even get to do some blog hopping!!! Wouldn't that be nifty.

I hope you are all not going crazy with the holidays.

Oh, Beanie is in LA Monday night for his gig. He still hasn't told me the name of the place, which would help significantly, but I know it starts at 8 PM. I'll try to post more on this later.

Off to start my day with a swim. Crikeys! It's 36 outside. It will be a bit chilly...

November 2009 Reading List

2009-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Still in my reading frenzy at the beginning of the month, I have a respectable 14 reads for the month that was November. I'm surprised to see how many of the books I read this month are still with me and rattling around through my thoughts.

Heart Change by Robin D. Owens

This is the 8th installment in her Celta series. Still enjoying the series although this was not a couple I was particularly anticipating a story about.

My Grade = B

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

I've seen a myriad of reactions to this series out there in Romancelandia, but it's still in the plus column for me. I love the idea of four friends being able to stay friends and be in business. I'm looking forward to each installment of this series.

My Grade = B

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran
See my review of this one. Sublime.
My Grade = A

Ain't Too Proud to Beg by Susan Donovan

On many days this read might have been a solid C. As a general rule I like light fun fare for my Sunday afternoons and this fit the bill perfectly. The right book at the right time. Since a doggie is a part of this story having my Emily snuggled up next to me for most of it didn't hurt.

My Grade = B-

Rainwater by Sandra Brown

This one packed an emotional punch. I reviewed it here. After a few weeks to think about the book and absorb its impact I think I'm ready to grade it. What holds me back from an "A" grade is my belief there is conscious emotional manipulation of the reader.

My Grade = B+

Ice by Linda Howard

I talked about this one here. To sum up? Meh read for me. Although I readily admit I always have high expectations when it comes to Linda Howard.

My Grade = C?

A Bride in the Bargain by DeeAnne Gist

This historical gave a fictionalized account of one of Asa Mercer's brides coming from New England post Civil War to Washington Territory. Well done and steeped with history and true to life characters. Don't be afraid to try this romance just because it's in the inspirational line. Very well done.

My Grade = B

Love Under Seige by Samantha Kane
At Love's Command by Samantha Kane

While I have these two books in e-format I couldn't resist picking them up at my local UBS when I saw them. It was great to revisit the somewhat idyllic world of menage Ms. Kane has created.

My Grade = B

The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke

I grabbed this one out of my tbr and every time I do that I think of Keishon's challenge. Alas I didn't get a review done, but I'm one less book in the teetering tower of tubs.

My Grade = B

Wild Instinct by Sarah McCarty

Like its predecessor RUNNING WILD there are 3 chapters about three linked but different couples. While much better than my recent western reading of Ms. McCarty I found myself wishing this story was more fleshed out. I also can't help but hope this is leading up to a single title full length book wrapping up this storyline.

My Grade = C

Beyond the Rain by Jess Granger

I saw several good things about this futuristic debut book by Ms. Granger. While I found the story premise intriguing I was never fully engaged with these characters. For me, I'm afraid this was a bit too much of same old, same old.

My Grade = C

One Cowboy, One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle

This is a Silhouette Special Edition #2011 and is about broken down cowboy Zach Beaudry, brother to Sam Beaudry featured in the May 2009 SSE by Ms. Eagle. Neither of these books packed the emotional punch I've come to expect from Ms. Eagle, but as it contained elements of redemption in it, I graded a bit higher than Sam's book. There is a third SSE due out in February 2010.

My Grade = B-

Her Colorado Man by Cheryl St. John

When Mariah finds herself pregnant she gets help from an unexpected corner when her grandfather sends her away to have the baby. When she returns to Colorado to the bosom of her large extended family and their brewery business, Mariah is separated from her "husband" who has taken off to the Alaska gold fields. I really enjoyed the family dynamic in this story and the how well Ms. St. John handled the realities of what Mariah had to cope with.

My Grade = B-

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

2009-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

First I offer a little background on my Meredith Duran experience. Having seen many positive comments and reviews of her books, I purchased all three books as they were released. However, I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, I didn't sit down and read one of them until I met Ms. Duran at the RWA book signings. Superficial isn't it?

Secondly, I read the books in reverse order. I read WRITTEN ON YOUR SKIN first, then BOUND BY YOUR TOUCH and then, DUKE OF SHADOWS, her first book, last. In each book the writing is beautiful, flowing, with all the subtle layering and texture I so enjoy in a good historical.

However much I enjoyed the books I have to say DUKE OF SHADOWS is my favorite. Multiple times I'd stop and re-read passages that were so wonderfully written. At a couple of points in the book I got that feeling one gets when listening to beautiful music or seeing art that speaks to them in a personal way. I even remember telling GG how gifted Ms. Duran is.

As avid readers we see and hear all the time about watching for this author or that author as an up and coming writer to watch. Meredith Duran gets my vote. I can only see her getting better and better and I'm going to predict she has a long and successful career in the publishing world.

Now about the book...

On her way to British India to marry, Emmaline Martin meets with tragedy. Her intended, a soldier serving in India and the son from a neighboring estate back in England, is neither gentle or kind to Emmaline in her circumstances but remains stubbornly adamant they proceed with the marriage.

Having survived loss and societal ostracism Emmaline is not inclined to proceed with the marriage and seeks the assistance of another outsider, Julian Sinclair. Julian is described on the back cover as "the dangerous and dazzling heir to the Duke of Auburn." While Julian is tolerated due to his wealth and position, he has no illusions about people's opinions of him. Unaware of the particulars of Emma's circumstances, Julian is cynical and suspicious when approached by what appears to be a spoiled British debutante for help to get back to England.

The story begins in India amid the Indian uprising of 1857. Beautifully written with wonderfully layered and sweeping historical anecdotes, I just plain loved this book. With Ms. Duran's words I was able to picture the time, the place and horror of Emmaline's circumstance. I mourned loss and separation with both Julian and Emmaline. Through it all Ms. Duran's words flowed over me like music and poetry.

This is definitely a circumstance where an e-book could not possibly capture how I feel when I pick up this paperback look at the cover, browse through the pages, and am immediately delivered back into the moment and time of my reading experience.

If you love richly textured historical romance told with obvious love and care, you will adore this book.

My Grade = A

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

2009-12-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Like most people, I love the fall and winter for the holidays they hold. Since my social life is pretty family centric this is a win-win. However, each year I'm challenged to focus on what is really important and not get "carried away". Fortunately for me I have an all-purpose, works-every-time, portable conscience barometer for just this purpose. I call it "GG".

There is nothing like hearing that deeply drawn breath before he utters one magic word. It's our own personal code. Depending on how extreme or slippery the slope, meaning my mood swings, it may go like this...

Babe!

Baaaaaay-buh...

Babe?

*eye roll* Babe.

Now Babe...

Since our Christmas shopping is almost complete I've heard all of these already.

In other news...

1. With the busy-ness of the holidays I haven't read much and obviously haven't been blogging or blogging hopping much either. It's that time of year where there just aren't enough hours in the day.

2. Beanie has entered some sort of stand-up contest at a bar. There's a purse of $500. Since he just called me yesterday on his way to work, I don't have any details. When I do I'll post 'em since a couple people mentioned interest in going to see him.

3. Shmoo has one more week of his EMT class and then his final next Saturday. He's nervous. It's been an intense 14 weeks. After he passes the class he still has to take the National Registry. Not a guy who likes school much, I'm so proud of how hard he's worked and studied. If you have a spare prayer or candle, keep him in your thoughts.

4. We still have no heat. Can you believe that? The story is too long and boring to go into, but I will say there has to be a more efficient way to put in a new unit and convert to gas (we were all electric) than the circus we've gone through this last month. Holy moly! Cuh-ray-zee!

5. I can't believe the first week of December is over and my house is only half decorated.

Well I'm off to wrap and get packages ready for mailing. I hope things aren't too crazy in your life and you are enjoying the holiday season.

No book list yet...

2009-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

I'm almost done with my book list for November. Almost. However they tell me "almost" only counts with grenades and horseshoes. Who makes up these rules anyway?

Got appointments after work tonight so I'm guessing Wednesday or Thursday before I get it all together and posted. Beanie will be home for a short visit Thursday night and we are finishing our Christmas decorating on Wednesday...

Oblivion isn't such a bad address.

Don't knock it until you try it.

29 on the 29th

2009-11-30T03:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my 29th wedding anniversary. Trust me, if you don't have many miles on your marriage when you hit 29 years you can be struck anew with how fast the time goes. Conversely you may also be stunned at how much living you've done in what feels like a short amount of time.

Like any couple that has been together for 29 minutes much less 29 years we've had ups and downs, good times and bad, happy and sad. At the end of the day all I can say is love endures. Love endures AND it helps to have a sense of humor. Oh and it didn't hurt that I married a man that "gets" me and loves me anyway. That's a big plus. Thanks GG you are the best man a woman could ever hope to spend her life with. Thank you for loving me even when I forget to buy you an anniversary card.

I'm over at Access Romance Readers Gab today. Come over and see what I have to say about passion and music.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

From our house to yours

Happy Thanksgiving!

Movies, Movies, Movies

2009-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

So we bought the blu-ray of STAR TREK. Shmoo has watched it about 6 times already. GG and I managed to watch it over the weekend. We went whole hog and nerdy because we watched much of the second disc which had deleted scenes and the story behind the story, casting etc. Twas lovely. Man, that was a good movie wasn't it?

BTW, anybody know if Chris Pine (Capt Kirk) is going to be in an upcoming movie? Is there going to be another STAR TREK movie you think?

Next up was NEW MOON. Shmoo's GF had a birthday and they graciously let the oldsters tag along with them to the movie. I think it was better than the first one. They certainly are engaging and attractive individuals that Bella, Edward and Jacob, aren't they? Do we really have to chose a team, Edward or Jacob? Cuz I'm not going to.

We also went to see BLIND SIDE this weekend. I have to say that since I'm both sentimental AND a Mom I was teary eyed through much of this movie. It was well done and such a great story. Go see it, you won't be sorry. It's the best thing Sandra Bullock has done for awhile and her face doesn't look so "worked on" from plastic surgery.

I love movies, don't you?

The Mandarin Sideboard

2009-11-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, last year GG and I bought the BATV (code for big ass flat screen TV) and then a piece of furniture to go under the BATV. This was loosely referred to as our anniversary, birthday and Christmas gift to ourselves because these events all fall within 3 weeks of one another.

For the last couple of years we've been trying to do something for the house when we buy for each other. This has a dual benefit of getting some big ticket item we'd like to have and combines the money we've budgeted for our gifts to each other so we can afford the one big thing.

This year we've been contemplating the above pictured Mandarin sideboard. I feel guilty though. Sure it's coming out of the gift money. Sure we figured out a way to pay for the new heating and air-conditioning unit and ducting that makes me wince every time I think about it... BUT, and you knew there was one, it seems so decadent to go buy a big ticket item like this right now.

GG has no qualms whatsoever. Me? I worry. I worry about the economy, about saving more money, about our retirement in 9 years. Yes, 9 years... Is it too early to worry about that? No, I don't think so.

Anyway, because I'd really like to have the Mandarin sideboard we'll probably go ahead and buy it later today. Maybe. Probably. I think...

Me, GG and a little book called SKIN GAME

2009-11-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

After a fun time at the Tim McGraw concert GG and I decided to take today off and just be together. We love doing that. You might be wondering why I'm sitting here writing this post?

Isn't it obvious? I'm sneaking this in.

Because I bitch night and day about my phone GG told me we are going to buy me a new one today.

Me: I don't think so.

GG: I'm sick of you bitching about your phone.

Me: We are spending a gazillion dollars on new heat and air unit. I can wait.

GG: Well I can't. You are getting a new phone.

Isn't that bullying? I think it is.

Moving on to a trip to my favorite Borders...

Me: I'm just going to look for a couple of books.

GG: Riiiiight. I'm going to get a cup of coffee, want anything.

Me: Nope. (making a bee line for the romance section)

Perhaps 10 minutes goes by.

GG: I leave you for a few minutes and look at you.

Me: *frantically juggling about 7 books* Yep.

GG: What are you doing with another copy of SKIN GAME?

Me: I gave all my others away and I want to send my sister WarriorM a copy.

GG: You should write the author and let her know you buy a copy every time you're at the book store. *walks away shaking his head*

Me: Hey! I do not... and... she probably knows!

Yeah not my best come back. Who's he to talk?! HE is reading MY copy as we speak.

Who needs heat when...

2009-11-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

I'm going to see Tim McGraw tonight. Although you wouldn't catch me arguing if say the gas company service planning department finally decided to call so we could get going with this project already.

This just in...

1. We are taking tomorrow off since we will be up late at the concert tonight. We plan to start our Christmas shopping.

2. We bought a pre-lit Christmas tree. Finally found one with lots of lights that didn't cost the earth. While I've been known to string the tree lights myself, both GG and I are delighted that chore is history. When you are picky about how the lights look it takes forever to get the tree lights "just right".

3. Beanie has to work on Thanksgiving at the Magic Kingdom. Major bummer. We think we will be venturing to the OC Thanksgiving morning and take him out to eat mid-day before work then we'll trek back here and go to my sisters for dessert with the rest of the family. At least that's the plan today. We've never eaten out on Thanksgiving, but I can't imagine celebrating the holiday without both of my children. It may be coming in the near future, but not yet...

4. Speaking of Beanie, he got second place in the open mic contest at his school. He was over the moon because most of the contestants were musicians. He has another "gig" on November 22. Someone asked him to perform for a group of *ahem* mature women. He was asked to include some material on Jane Austen, and Napoleon & Josephine Buonaparte. He's doing research. Just his comments on doing historical research for a comedy bit is funny. Honestly I never know what he's going to do next.

5. Proud Mama moment. GG mentioned to me yesterday how amazing it is that in this economy both of our boys have two jobs. Beanie got hired back as seasonal help at his favorite place in the world, nope it's NOT D-Land, it's Toys R Us. Maybe all those dinner conversations about there's no replacing hard work to achieve your goals really worked???

6. Just finished reading THE MARRIAGE BED by LL Guhrke and before that I read A BRIDE IN THE BARGAIN by Deeanne Gist. I'd heard pretty good things about THE MARRIAGE BED and while good, it didn't change my world. Very well done character development though. The Gist surprised me. While privately I consider myself a spiritual person and certainly one of faith I've never read a book specifically labeled inspirational romance before. This also was a pretty good book and I enjoyed the story based on the real life brides brought to Washington Territory by Asa Mercer post Civil War. Anybody else old enough to remember the 70s TV show with Bobby Sherman, HERE COME THE BRIDES?

7. Got the most recent STAR TREK movie on blu-ray for the BA-TV for the "boys".

Well I think you are all caught up. Usually when I do these lists I think of two more things as soon as I hit "publish". Ain't life grand?

Life Happens...

2009-11-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Be kind to the woman on the corner holding out her tin cup. She just found out her 25-year old heating and air-conditioning unit is ker-flooey. Just the news you want a month before Christmas, isn't it? While temperatures have gotten a bit chillier here, we've been comfy enough in the evenings wearing sweats and adding another blanket to the beds. I am hoping we have the whole thing replaced by the end of the week so I don't have to head into Thanksgiving week with repairman wandering around. Also, it would be nice to have heat. Heh.

Now that we are over the initial shock that we have to replace the unit and the heart stopping cost, I'm philosophical. GG has survived yet another lay off at work and another pay cut. My job is going very well. At this point we are thrilled we are working and able to buy the new heat/ac unit. I've mostly been focused on being positive and optimistic that the economy is going to improve, and am hoping (and praying) that we see some change the first 6 months of 2010.

I'm off to do something more fun now, like write a book review, or read, or nag GG to make pancakes for breakfast.

Ice by Linda Howard

2009-11-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Ice by Linda Howard

This is not a review. This is a commentary. I feel compelled to comment on how disappointed I am by this book not only for the lukewarm quality of the story and the characters, the pathetic lack of pages and content, but also my self disgust because I should have known better.

I'm beginning to believe I will never again finish an LH book and clasp it to my breast with a happy and bliss filled sigh.

Thank God I have those happy memories of her highly entertaining speech at RWA, and I got a signed book, AND SL Wendy got a picture of the moment. Otherwise, I'd be pretty inconsolable right now. Oh, and I have all those wonderful early books right there on my shelves to re-read. Maybe I can survive this disappointment after all.

Barely.

Did I tell ya the one about...

2009-11-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest from Beanie...

He went for open mike night at a bar in Long Beach only to be told that they only allow singers and no longer allow stand-up after an "unfortunate situation" with a comedian the previous month. Beanie was steamed for having to make the drive so he decided to console himself with a trip to McDonalds.

Normally one wouldn't expect Mickey D's to be a hotbed for adventure, but my Beanie Boy is a magnet for the unexpected to happen. There he was munching away on cheeseburgers trying to hide behind a pillar. Why? There was a group of five highly intoxicated gay men. Five men who found my lurking son attractive and apparently made overtures. Overtures that Beanie swears will scar him for life.

Okay, I admit it. I was laughing my butt off at this point to which my son exclaims, "Mom, you are laughing and I'm scarred for life!" I told him it was good fodder for his act.

"Oh," he says, "that reminds me. I auditioned for this comedy thing at school and I'm one of the finalists."

"Really? That's great sweetie."

"Yeah, guess what material they liked best?"

"Bean, people are going to think I'm a horrible person!"

*Laughter*

"Do you still tell people that we used to tell you that you would be "returned" because you were naughty and adopted?"

*More laughter*

"You know people are going to think your Mom really said stuff like that to you!"

"Oh my God Mom you are hilarious!"

"I'm hilarious because I don't want people to believe I ever said I was sending you back?"

To which my darling son replies...

"Did I tell you about my new routine where I talk about how you made us clean dirt?"

I just want to go on record right now. I NEVER, NOT ONCE told either of my children I could (or would) send them back for misbehaving or not cleaning their rooms. If you ever hear that I did, remember that it's just a joke... Then whistle and applaud loudly for the young comedian and imagine what a wonderful and tolerant mother he must have.

As for the dirt thing, let's just say there may have been dirt, there may have been rakes and Beanie might have been involved.

RAINWATER by Sandra Brown

2009-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Rainwater by Sandra Brown

This is a story about a woman, Ella Barron, who owns and runs a boarding house during the Depression in Texas. The title of the book comes from the last name of one of her boarders, David Rainwater.

Ella's life is not an easy one. Running a boarding house with a seven year old son with special needs, Ella's life is one of hardship and endless chores. Into this world comes David Rainwater who has an affect on everyone who meets him during a volatile and tumultuous time in their small farming community.

Words you may have heard associated with this book like "tear jerker" "different" "not a romance" are all true. This is a slim volume of 245 pages priced at $23.99. Frankly a bold move for Ms. Brown when this book is not a romance and would not necessarily have her normal built in audience of romance readers. OTOH, I bought it, albeit heavily discounted, at Costco, so maybe marketing people know more than I think they do.

Unbelievably moved by this book, I'm writing this within hours of having finished it. Right now it is so fresh I cannot even think of the characters or the story without weeping. Consequently, I'm unable to grade this story right now. I'm trying desperately to decide whether or not I'm glad I read it, which is a little bit of irony because Ella and David have a similar discussion about Hemingway's FAREWELL TO ARMS and voice the same question. Can one be glad they've read a book when one knows in advance the ending might not be happy?

This book was devastating and even though I can't say whether or not I'm glad I read it, it was a compelling read. The second half of RAINWATER I couldn't read fast enough. Am I glad I met these characters? I guess I'd have to say yes. If I had read reviews in advance like this one would I still buy the book? I don't know.

I do know that I will be thinking about this book for a long time and wondering what I was supposed to take away from it. The best I can say to you right now is that if you want to read something different and something powerful, RAINWATER will certainly fill the bill.

October 2009 Reading List

2009-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Don't faint. It's my October list before the month of November is over. A-mazing! Fourteen books for October. I'm happy with that. I sometimes wonder why I torture myself doing these lists, but I love reading everyone else's and in the end I like to have a chronicle of my own reads that isn't dry spread sheet statistics. Is that weird?

I finally posted my September reading list. For all of you who don't have a feed reader, you can find it here. I buried it in chronological order. Hey, it makes sense to me. I was stunned when I realized I read 17 books in September. It's been literally years since I've done that. Naturally this phenomenon made me wonder whether it was a spate of great books, my mood or the planets being in Scorpio or Libra, or Aquarius or something. At any rate, I'm enjoying the boon while it lasts. As of the writing of this post I've read 150 books in 2009. Ho-lee! That took me by surprise.

Here's October...

Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole & Gena Showalter

I found Ms. Cole's tale interesting and wondered frequently how in heck she was going to resolve the whole "freeze you with a touch" between the H/H. OTOH she writes strong and compelling characters. I'm a bit waffle-y on this one.

My Grade on Kresley Cole Story = C

Blood Game by Iris Johansen

This is a return to the Eve Duncan world. This outing finds Eve and Joe matching wits with a very scary and wholly evil serial killer. Although as I think about it, is there any such thing as a NOT evil serial killer? *shudders*

The good news is I could read the whole thing without scaring the total be-jeebus out of myself. I'm calling this a solid read because I got exactly what I was expecting from the experience.

My Grade = B

Shadow Wranglers:Caleb by Sarah McCarty

Man was I disappointed with this book. It came close to a DNF and it is a testimony of my love of the PROMISE books that I stuck it out hoping. This my friends is a paranormal western and a big miss for me.

My Grade = D

No Greater Pleasure by Megan Hart

After being wowed by the first of the Pleasure Maiden books, last month's PLEASURE AND PURPOSE, this was sort of a let down. Skimming back through the book while doing this list I realize that it's because I didn't much like Quilla, the heroine.

My Grade = C

Holding Out for a Hero by Helen Kay Dimon

This is a book was a lovely surprise. I picked it up because I've been wanting to try Ms. Dimon and the back blurb sounded good. Some very nice tension and believable by-play between heiress Deana Armstrong and cop Josh Windsor and a heart breaking story. We have the requisite HEA, but it's not without it's twists and turns.

My Grade =B

Lady of Persuasion by Tessa Dare

When I read the excerpt for this book and Lord Toby was considering taking a bit of revenge on the younger sister of the man who stole his fiancee, I didn't quite buy it. Toby was such an affable and nice guy in the other two Dare books of this trilogy, it just didn't ring true for me. Nefarious bastard, Lord Toby is not. While this isn't a story that stands out, it was an enjoyable historical and very competently written.

My Grade = B

Covet by JR Ward

I expected more. Something new maybe. Nothing 'new' about this Fallen Angels series at all.

My Grade = C

Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl

This is an off-shoot of Ms. Viehl's Kyndred series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see what she does next.

My Grade = B+

Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre

Third book in Sirantha Jax series. I had so hoped to do a separate review of this book. It was so good. Sirantha Jax finds herself as an ambassador for the Conglomerate trying convince the Ithorians to become allies. The catch? Ithorians have an almost genetic distaste for humans and look and talk a lot like great big bugs. Knowing that going in I wondered if my deep love and appreciation for all things Jax would be enough to carry my interest through the book. I don't know how she does it, but Ms. Aguirre held me rapt to the end.

There are some incredible scenes in this book. Once again the world grows and the characters change in response to what happens to them. I love Ms. Aguirre's writing even more. Me and science fiction, who knew?

My Grade = A-

Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Looking at the book sitting in front me trying to write something here, I tried to remember something about it. I skimmed a bit, remembered I liked it, but I couldn't tell you why. Hmmm... a toughie...

My Grade = B or C???

Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

Here's a whole new corner of the Psy-Changeling world to explore that of the Shadownet, the Shine Foundation and of course our H/H Dev Santos and Katya Haas. I was intrigued and hooked from the first word. A worthy addition to the series.

My Grade = B+

Nightlife by Rob Thurman

Don't faint I don't think there's been another month in the 30 or so I've been doing these lists where I had 3 "A" grades in any single month.

Rob Thurman is another author I've been curious about reading each time I see a review pop up. Thanks to a conversation with Renee at our last SoCal blogger get together I picked up NIGHTLIFE. What a great writing voice and, at least for me, a completely unique story line with two brothers as central characters. Far from a traditional romance, I was charmed and hooked by the smart writing and characters.

My Grade = A-

Skin Game by Ava Gray
Loved this. See my review.
My Grade = A

To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt

This is the fourth installment in The Legend of the Four Soldiers series. I was really looking forward to this one. A character who's been talked about and remembered throughout the previous books I was salivating and anxious to read his story. Reynaud St. Aubyn rises from the dead, so to speak. Assumed dead for seven years after his regiment is attacked by Indians, Reynaud returns home to find his father dead, his sister married and his uncle in his home and assuming his title.

I do think Ms. Hoyt could have done more with the adjustments that Reynaud had to make returning home to assume a life that is almost completely foreign to him, however this was ultimately a decent read.

My Grade = B

And the books go to...

2009-11-09T00:23:00.000-08:00

Tetewa
flchen1

Thanks to everyone who participated. If I could I would buy you all a copy of SKIN GAME because I really enjoyed this book.

Tetewa left an email addy in the comments, but I need flchen1 to email me at RnG1180 at aol dot com so I can make arrangements to send the book out.

There were 22 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Tetewa
flchen1
CrystalGB
SJ
Mindy
Deedles
JenniferB
Patronus8901
Silent Raven
nath
Erotic Horizon
Tara Marie
Renee
Cathy M
sula
Mitzi
Fiction Vixen
Mitz
Brooke
LittleEagle
Blanche
Allison(’s)Reads

Timestamp: 2009-11-09 08:13:44 UTC

Don't Forget...

2009-11-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

You have until midnight (PST) tonight Sunday, November 8, 2009 to comment on my November 4th post for two chances to win SKIN GAME by Ava Gray.

Nobody asked me...

Test

Hello? Anybody home?

New Countdown...

Counting down...

It's not goodbye --

Who's Your Daddy?

Thank God for GPS

Who am I?

*Cough*Cough* This Place Needs Cleaning!

How old are you?

You Got to Have Friends

Write right?

This gem is awesome!

The Sun is Shining

Hello? Anybody Out There?

Dearly Beloved

Who's Reading

I was in the mood for this...

W-O-M-A-N

July 2010

Final Thoughts - RWA

RWA Florida 2010 - Part Deux

RWA Florida 2010

F-L-O-R-I-D-A

Last Call...

He's moved... again!

Too bad I have to work.

Give it to me straight...

The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh

Is something burning?

June 2010

I feel like I need a shower...

It's a New Day.

Reader = Writer?

Reading Bliss

May 2010

Glomming Historicals

I'm probably not going to like it if...

The Bean

You oughta be in pictures...

This is...

I don't know nuthin' about no stinkin' internet...

April 2010

You oughta be in pictures...

How 'bout this one?

Stuff you really should know...

Easter is over already?

March 2010

Thoughts on RWA

Random Thoughts

To Forgive is Divine

Drum Roll Please...

February 2010

Random Bits of Stuff

My place or yours?

What have you done for me lately? Or the year that was 2009.

From the Peanut Gallery

January 2010

Filler

Men Who Read Romance

One is the loneliest number...

December 2009

Auld Lang Syne

Hey! Wow!

The heat is on...

November 2009 Reading List

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

No book list yet...

29 on the 29th

Thanksgiving

Movies, Movies, Movies

The Mandarin Sideboard

Me, GG and a little book called SKIN GAME

Who needs heat when...

Life Happens...

Ice by Linda Howard

Did I tell ya the one about...

RAINWATER by Sandra Brown

CoughCough* This Place Needs Cleaning!