Me, GG and a little book called SKIN GAME

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.

Far Away From Home...

I'm not really far away from home. I'm just in Northern California for a conference for work. Normally a trip out of town to shake things from the daily routine is pretty welcome. However, I feel like I'm barely back in my routine and I'm gone from home for most of the week. Or maybe I'm just wondering what sort of mischief GG and Shmoo will get themselves into while I'm gone.

Of course I brought books with, but only three. Wonder of wonders I scored SKIN GAME by Ava Gray at my favorite BORDERS on Saturday. I'm halfway through it. For the last three people on the planet who don't know it, Ava Gray is a pseudonym for Ann Aguirre. I'm hoping by the end of the week to do a dual review of both DOUBLEBLIND and SKIN GAME.

Just as a heads up to all you peeps who like dark heroes? Ann wasn't kidding when she said Reyes in SKIN GAME was dark. For that matter Kyra isn't all lightness either. These two are not your average protags. Dark? Very. In fact, I'm actually a little breathless about this H/H here at the halfway point of the book. I'm riveted and wondering how it's all going to be resolved in the 164 remaining pages.

Did that make you want to go buy the book? Good. Oh and in the name of full disclosure I did not get paid or receive an ARC of either of these books. I just like Ann Aguirre's writing. Boo-yah FCC.

I better get going I have knowledge about retirement accounts, disability benefits, health issues and other important stuff to learn about. Yeah, very exciting stuff...

Knit One, Perl Two

I'm getting my stitches removed this morning.  I'm a teeny tiny bit anxious.  *gulp*   On the other hand I've got Sirantha Jax to keep me company.  Now there's a woman with cojones.  Maybe a leather jacket and some steel toed boots would be just the ticket for my nervousness.

Reading, Working and Recovery

This is just a drive-by because I'm a bit tuckered. I went back to work today with my swollen nose, slightly black eye and 60 stitches. It sounds so dramatic, but I'm actually feeling fine.  I told GG, who looks at my swollen schnoz worriedly, that I've had arthritis flare-ups that felt way worse than this has. 

Reading has been a little problematic. There's stitches across the bridge of my nose right where my glasses rest. This means I can only tolerate my glasses being on for so long.  End result? Shorter reading time. 

TO TEMPT THE WOLF by Terry Spear looks like it's going to be a DNF. I did manage to get through TUCKER'S CLAIM by Sarah McCarty. I re-read CAINE'S RECKONING recently and it was better than I remembered, so I thought maybe with more realistic expectations I would have a better reading experience with TUCKER'S CLAIM. It just wasn't what I was hoping for. One of the things I've liked most about Ms. McCarty's writing were the multi-layered and complex characters she has. There is so much room for possibilities in this Hell's Eight series that I couldn't help but being disappointed. I think more exploration or at least a further explanation of their past and how the men of Hell's Eight got where they are would be great. Everything just feels too rushed to me. 

Now I'm on to TEMPT ME AT TWILIGHT Lisa Kleypas' latest historical that is also a part of the Hathaway family series. I've barely cracked it, so not much to tell there.

I'm also excited about DOUBLEBLIND by Ann Aguirre. On Tuesday on our way home from the hospital my sweet and darling husband stopped at the bookstore so I could get the Kleypas book.  Lo and behold there was DOUBLEBLIND so it made its way to my house as well. A girl's gotta have something to read while she recovers doesn't she?

That's it for now.  Sort of a rambling mishmash isn't it?  

Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

I'm sort of fumbling around here because I don't know where to start with this book. Maybe I should start by saying I didn't want to put it down once I started it. Or, maybe I should tell you that I'm still surprised how hooked and interested I am in a paranormal sort of book that while character driven, the romantic elements are not the central theme of the story. All those things are true about BLUE DIABLO.

However, what Ms. Aguirre does best, in my humble opinion, is create memorable multi-layered characters. While her characters struggle to understand each other, we too as readers are sorting through all the information the author is giving us trying to figure things out. There are wonderful secondary characters as well who help fill out this story and give it added depth and flavor.

Chance and Corine, the H/H have a history. Eighteen months earlier Corine slipped away in the dark of night, no longer believing she could survive a relationship with Chance. Was Corine right to leave? Is Chance who and what he appears to be?

As they join forces to find Chance's Mother, someone Corine loves dearly, their back story is revealed. Partly. One can't help but feel, even at the end of this book, that there is more to know about Chance and Corine. Throughout the book Corine often mentally and verbally refers to Chance as her ex, but he is anything but with all the unfinished business between them.

While I was reading about these two strong, independent, and interesting people I couldn't help but think how complicated they each are. Life and love are rarely tied up in neat little packages, and that certainly holds true here.

BLUE DIABLO is a contemporary story, and while these characters inhabit the same time and place we do, their world has an added layer and dimension to it than the one we 'normal' people inhabit. This gave the story texture.

Chance and Corine both have a special gift. Corine can see the history of an object when she touches it. Chance is one lucky guy, always knowing the right people, the right turn to take in the road, and the right job to take next. However, nothing is pat or trite here. Not only 'good' people have special gifts and the race to find Chance's Mom is full of obstacles and complications. There were a couple of instances where the story got a little woo-woo, but these were minor and thankfully brief in comparison to my enjoyment of the overall reading experience.

This book is a worthwhile read for the characters alone. Interesting, intense, complicated and memorable, what more can you ask for? I can't wait to read the next book in this new series, HELLFIRE that should be released in April 2010.

In the meantime I'll console myself with the next installment in the Grimspace series, DOUBLEBLIND which is due out in October.

My Grade = B+

Blue Diablo

Ann Aguirre, who you may have heard me rhapsodize about a time or two or ten is having a contest. You should go check it out. Don't even think about how completely awesome her Grimspace books are or how much I adore the singular Sirantha Jax, think of yourself and all the cool stuff you could win.

The book cover and clock below tells you everything you need to know about BLUE DIABLO, her new release due out on April 7, 2009. Personally, I can't wait.

Cindy's Meme

Cindy tagged me for this one. Apparently this meme was making the rounds back in November, but I like to pay up when I've been tagged, so my answers are below. I won't be tagging anyone, but the scoop on how you can do be a part of this one is at the end of the post.

The books that have been on my shelves the longest:
How about RING AROUND THE ROSARY? Yes indeedy my dear friends. This is the book my Aunt C gave me for my First Holy Communion, as we called it way back in June of 1962. Take a look at this...

A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):

1. SHATTERED LEGACY by Lora Leigh. I actually purchased this from Ellora's Cave and printed the whole darn thing out on my printer and took it to the hospital with me. I read this book at my mother's bedside near the end of her life. I remember her waking and asking me what I was reading.

2. THE CARPETBAGGERS by Harold Robbins. Um...yeah. I read this one as a precocious 13-year old babysitter. The book boggled my mind. It was my first 'adult' book.

3. Within the year I read the CARPETBAGGERS I was staying at my grandparents and found FAREWELL THE STRANGER by Saliee O'Brien in the book case in the basement. I consider this book to be how I started reading romance novels.

A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):

I met Ann Aguirre at RWA and was so effusive and sycophantic in my praise for GRIMSPACE that she took mercy on me and gave me an ARC of WANDERLUST after I attended one of her workshops where she was presenting. I was over the moon.

A book that’s been with you to the most places:
My copy of Little Men by Louisa May Alcott.

I loved LITTLE WOMEN, but every time I read it, until I was an adult, I borrowed it from the library. When we lived in Japan I received a copy of LITTLE MEN as a Christmas gift. I honestly can't remember for certain who gave it to me, but I think it was my grandparents. Anyway, for a long time this was the only book I owned. It was mine. All mine. It was kept in my room and has moved with me ever since. RING AROUND THE ROSARY doesn't count because my Mom kept that one (who knows why) until I got married.

The most recent addition to your shelves:
Over the Fall I glommed Jodi Thomas. So I'd have to say TWISTED CREEK would be the latest addition to my keeper shelves.

Okay, that's it for me. Now it's your turn. Here are the rules if you want to participate in this one.

The Rules
1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!
2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.
3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.
4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…
5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc

My Reading Year 2008

Lordy, Lordy, in the process of doing this post I had to go back through the last three months of 2008 quite a bit. How can you stand me? All I did was whine, whine, whine. I actually had a wonderful Christmas. Thanksgiving was great as well. My niece got married, as many of you know, in late October and life has been at mach speed since. Sure, I'm living la vida loca on crack but, you know, it's a very good life so I need to quit complaining already.

I felt compelled to mention these things so you all don't think I'm sitting in the dark in sackcloth and ashes lamenting my life. I've been busy, but I'm good...as are GG, Shmoo and Beanie.

I can't believe how fast some of you got your year end stats up. Wenches. Kudos and much admiration. I'm thrilled to be sitting here doing mine when we are only a week into the new year.

I'm happy to report I finally did my monthly reading lists for October, November and December. Click on the links if you are interested in seeing what I read in those months. They probably popped up as newly published if you have an RSS feed reader so you may have already seen them that way. If you don't have a reader they are dated and buried in the appropriate months. As I said, if you give a rat's patootie you can use the links and it will be quicker.

Here it is chiquitas... *drum roll* In 2008 I read 135 books. Not bad, but quite a shocker especially after I checked to see how many books I read last year. In 2007 I read 244 books. 244. Books.

Conclusion?

Apparently working full time puts a crimp in my reading habits. Well that and a commitment to exercise several times a week. Oops, I almost started a whine there.

Anyway, 135 is the magic number. 109 fewer than last year. I can hardly believe it was that bad. GG reminded me that this is more than 2 books a week. I reminded him that I am used to reading 4-5 books a week. Who knows maybe this is my new normal. Time and 2009 will tell...

Here are some of my 2008 highlights:

While I only had two DNFs, I also only had three 'A' grades as well. I'm a very tough grader just ask my kids. Never mind, don't ask them because they will also tell you I'm crazy. Just trust me. I'm a stingy 'A' giver.

My three 'A' grades went to a re-read of one of my old favorite SHADES OF TWILIGHT by Linda Howard; WINTER WOMAN by Jenna Kernan and MRS. DREW PLAYS HER HAND by Carla Kelly. The title links are to my reviews of those books. Interestingly enough both WINTER WOMAN and MRS. DREW PLAYS HER HAND were TBR day reviews as well. Makes me shiver to wonder what other treasures are in those tubs of mine.

RWA was a highlight for me this year for many reasons. One of them was Jodi Thomas. I hadn't read a one of her books, but I brought back and sent signed copies of her book TWISTED CREEK to a few friends who'd mentioned they liked her. I later discovered I didn't keep one for myself. I bought the book (again!) and loved it. Even though TWISTED CREEK was a contemporary, the writing interested me enough that I went looking for Ms. Thomas's back list which is mostly westerns. I've really enjoyed her books and will be forever grateful to Dev for the original recommend. Jodi Thomas is definitely an auto buy now.

For no apparent reason I can think of it appears that I read more historicals this year. Maybe it's just a lack of decent contemporaries. I don't know.

Another author I fell in love with is Ann Aguirre. It's unusual for me to be so passionate about a female character, but Ms. Aguirre certainly succeeded when she created Sirantha Jax. This is another author I had the pleasure of meeting at RWA. I got to tell her how much I enjoyed Jax and GRIMSPACE. I gave GRIMSPACE a B++. However, the book and characters have really stuck with me and I should probably change that grade to an 'A'. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to reading Ms. Aguirre's new book called BLUE DIABLO that's due out April 7th.

I did more re-reads this year than I have in recent years. In addition to the Howard book, I also re-read a couple of Jennifer Crusie's older books that were re-published. I enjoyed them both. I also re-read an Iris Johansen historical LION'S BRIDE that held up well.

Nalini Singh is still kicking bootie with her Psy-Changling series. She is also an author I was fortuante to meet at RWA and she's just as nice as can be. I enjoyed HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE this past year and am looking foward to the new series starting in March. The first book is called ANGEL'S BLOOD. BTW, she has a contest going right now for an ARC of the new book.

Of course I'm wondering what 2009 will bring. Even after GG looked at my '08 stats he still thinks I'll be back on track with 4-5 books per week this year. Things should settle down at work by the end of March. Hopefully there won't be as many special projects and less working on weekends. That means more time for reading! Right?

Ann Aguirre

As anyone who visits here regularly knows I'm a fan of GRIMSPACE and WANDERLUST the Jax books by Ann Aguirre. Which means, you know, I stalk her blog and website. Recently Ann was talking about a play list she put together for one of the books she was working on called SKIN GAME under another pseudonym, Ava Gray.

Anyway, I asked her in the comments if she always does a play list for her books. For all of the inquiring minds out there, yes, she does. Ann then very kindly posted the play list to SKIN GAME.

Naturally, as any good freaky stalker fan would do, I then added the links to all the songs and created a duplicate play list. Why go to all that bother? Well, Ann suggested it might be fun to listen to the tracks as you are reading the book.

Don't you just love little factoids like that? Obviously, I do. So I'm all set for when the book comes out. Of course, since she just finished writing it I might be waiting for a bit. That's the bad news.

The good news? I recognized several of the songs right off the bat. So, you know, I'll probably be listening to the play list even without the book.

Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre

Today is the day kiddies. It's out and it's good. WANDERLUST by Ann Aguirre is the second installment about Sirantha Jax. You may remember Jax as the space jumping heroine from GRIMSPACE.

The process of reading Ms. Aguirre's books is one I've thoroughly enjoyed. I just loved Jax voice rattling around in my head as I was absorbing these books.

Ms. Aguirre has created, in my opinion, a unique and quirky character in Sirantha Jax. What surprised me most is how much I relate to this character's wry observations and envy her unabashed honesty about herself and who she is.

Ms. Aguirre's writing is very engaging and multi-layered. I dare you to open her either of her books, GRIMSPACE or WANDERLUST, and be able to put them down. Don't be afraid of the first person thing. You don't notice it as you get sucked into the story. I was one of the last people to give GRIMSPACE a try after reading several good reviews and was so glad I picked it up.

Hopefully I'll have my shizzle together before the week is out and put up a more complete review. For the interested, here's my review of GRIMSPACE. In the meantime, go give WANDERLUST a try.

Random Thoughts - Part ???

Wonder of wonders, Shmoo went to visit his brother. He finally admitted he misses Beanie. They have some serious video game time planned and a trip to the Magic Kingdom. This bit of news does my mother's heart good. Shmoo decided while Bean was home over the weekend that his brother is actually "pretty cool". I couldn't help but wonder if there had been some alien body snatching going on, but I'm not one to question a boon.

What does one eat for dinner when sons are not home and husband has already eaten? A Starbucks mocha light frappaccino, popcorn, cantelope and a cookie. What can I say. It is very liberating.

After gymnastics I don't think there's anything I'm excited to see at the Olympics. Track and Field just doesn't do much for me, although those sprinters are something to behold. Sure I've watched some beach volleyball, some basketball, horse jumping, and diving. Nothing has piqued my interest like the gymnastics did. Did you see the mens' rings competition? The muscles, strength, endurance? Unreal. Very impressive.

Tomorrow is TBR Challenge Day. Will I be ready? Uh, don't hold your breath. I love this challenge I really do. I've read books I might not have read without it. How'd I let this creep up on me again?

How is it that it seems like every other blog I read in Romancelandia has a review of HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE by Nalini Singh already? Huh? You guys suck. Although I guess I can't grumble because I have the ARC of WANDERLUST by Ann Aguirre that I'm dying to read and have only gotten through the first 8 pages.

Which begs the question, why am I writing a post when I could be READING????

BTW, bunches of contests out there. I'm pimping one at LET'S GAB. Lori has the three Elizabeth Hoyt books to give away if you go over and tell her your favorite Olympic event, winter or summer. Go on, you know you want to.

Me? I'm going to read. I think. Right after I do some stuff for work and eat some more popcorn. Doofus thy name is Rosie.

Real Life

It's taken every bit of the past week to get back to real life after the RWA conference. Work is as busy as ever and I'm beginning to think with my on-going training it's just going to be that way now. This is my new normal.

On the home front even though Beanie was always gone a great deal and had a busy life I'm still adjusting to him living away from home. It just feels different and don't tell anyone, but I'm feeling a bit hollow. I miss him.

Reading was pretty good over the weekend. I not only finished TURBULENT SEA by Christine Feehan, but I read two of the stories in the FIRST BLOOD anthology, Meljean Brook's and Erin McCarthy's. Both pretty good. In Meljean's "THICKER THAN BLOOD" I just wanted more, more, more! McCarthy's was a bit too pat and ended a little quickly for me, but a pretty decent tale. As anthologies go, it's good news here folks.

I also read/skimmed an ARC of MR. CAVENDISH, I PRESUME by Julia Quinn. I was a bit disappointed with this book, not because it wasn't good or well written, but many parts of the story are the same as THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM but from a different character's perspective. Unfortunately, there's really no new story, or at least I didn't think so. The backdrop for this love story is the same one as THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM so it was like reading the same book over again to a certain degree. Thus the skimming.

I also got some packages ready and mailed on Monday (yesterday). Praise be. It took me a week to get organized enough to do it. So all of you who are expecting a package from me...'it's in the mail'.

It was fantastic to have a reading day. We got other chores done around the house too, but being able to have big chunks of time to read was grand. I actually feel better and less agitated. Weird, huh?

So now I'm dying to read the ARC Ann Aguirre so graciously (I only begged a little bit) gave me at the conference. WANDERLUST is the follow up to GRIMSPACE. I can't wait to read it, but I need to get a book in for the TBR challenge. And, no Nath, I'm not a book ahead...again...wait maybe I have something in draft... Gah! Who knows, I should read something out of the TBR anyway that's the point of the challenge to begin with.

So real life, it goes on and I'm rolling with it. It feels pretty good.

GRIMSPACE by Ann Aguirre

Something completely different for me. I'm going to get right to the point. Yeah, don't faint, it might not happen again for a long time.
















I really, really liked GRIMSPACE by Ann Aguirre. Sirantha Jax is a wonderfully flawed and intense character. I loved being in her head. The only way I know how to describe the rhythm and flow of this book is to tell you that I felt like I was absorbing the book by whole pages at a time instead of reading it. Does that make any sense? I have to say, it was a wonderful feeling. Grimspace is written in first person in such a way that the reader feels sort of like a voyeur or a part of the character's stream of consciousness. It's a very intimate feeling and puts the reader in the moment with Jax.

Jax has a J-gene or "jumper" gene that allows her to help space travel by "jumping" the space cruisers (think warp speed) to a specific charted destination through a nirvana-like no man's land called Grimspace. That said, there are a couple of important things to know about Jax. One is that jumpers get very attached to their pilots because there is a built-in intimacy during the jump between the two parties. Secondly, jumpers don't have a long life expectancy because their body breaks down from the stress it goes through doing the jumps. And, finally, Jax has just survived a crash from her last jump where the most important person in her life, her pilot Kai, was killed.

It's hard not to be engaged by Jax self awareness and honesty. She knows she's a difficult person to live and deal with. Her wry sense of humor is so refreshing and human that I couldn't help admiring her and being amused by her intelligence and wit. Ms. Aguirre did a great job of creating a woman who can, at least internally, admit her need and love for her pilot, Kai, at the same time be strong enough to want to survive her loss and live life again. Jax has to choose, more than once, about how far and how hard she wants to work to live a life with meaning.

Not all of Jax choices are her own. Some of them are thrust upon her like when she meets our male protag, Marsh. Marsh comes to Jax where she's being held after the crash to suggest there's something more she might want to do with her life. Without many options or time to make decisions Jax goes with Marsh and the adventure of this book begins.

I'm not your usual fantasy or science fiction reader. Recently I've enjoyed LORD OF THE FADING LAND by C.L. Wilson which has elements of fantasy and magic. I remember making a comment in a discussion with other readers (when Nath and Ames were visiting) that I don't like magic or fairies or ghosts in my books. Nath, who has a memory and a mind like a steel trap, remembered my liking C.L. Wilson's books which have wizards and magic in them. All true.

So I guess it would be honest to say that while I'd be a reluctant reader of fantasy, science fiction or futuristics, I do read them. Although I have to confess right here and now that I'm fickle. Perhaps if I were a bit more analytical or brighter I might be able to figure out the common denominator in the books I've liked. But to be honest, I couldn't tell you any single thing for sure.

I can tell you that I bought this book because of online buzz and that I'm always willing to try something different. Like most avid readers I'm always curious to see what treasure is behind the next book cover. I'm so glad I took a chance and opened this book and started reading. Once I did I couldn't put it down.

Fortunately, the further adventures of Jax will be here soon. The next book in the series, Wanderlust is due out August 26, 2008. You can read an excerpt here.