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

How Rosie Got Her Groove Back

Do you really want to know? I thumbed my nose at the world, closed myself in my bedroom and finished one book and read another. I also got about 6 loads of laundry done, registered for RWA and grilled Shmoo about his plans for his date tonight.

(Side Note: No school tomorrow. New girl. They are going to go see FOOL'S GOLD. Poor schmucks.)

The book I finished was DAWN'S AWAKENING by Lora Leigh. The book I read in an afternoon was HARD TO HANDLE by Lori Foster.

Ms. Leigh's breed books have always been sort of favorites of mine so I was surprised I struggled a bit with this one. It may be the disjointed way I read it. I usually read her books in a single sitting, not so this time. I was happy that I was able to recall past characters and interlocking story lines. I love when the story progresses the Breed world and what's happening because there was certainly no new ground with the characters covered. Not to worry though. I'm still looking forward to the next book which I guess is Mercury's since there was an interesting excerpt at the back of DAWN'S AWAKENING. Although I'd rather move on to Cassandra's book now that Ms. Leigh's got me all intrigued about little Cassie (Dash and Elizabeth's daughter from ELIZABETH'S WOLF) all grown up. Who's the mystery man? Any guesses?

HARD TO HANDLE was just delightful. We revisit all the characters of the SBC, the imaginary ultimate fighting world Ms. Foster has created, in this book as well. It was entertaining and a quick read. I find it interesting that Jayne Ann Krentz has a quote on the cover with the words..."instense, edgy and hot". Entertaining? Yes. Intense? Edgy? Hot? Uh, not so much. At least I didn't find any of these characters edgy or intense. Tense maybe, but not intense. All of which takes nothing away from this being a great and fun Sunday afternoon read.

Both boys on dates and me home alone with GG and Jane Austen. What to do...what to do. I guess I could forego watching PRIDE AND PREJUDICE on PBS tonight since I have the DVD. Especially since I got the most incredible Valentine gift ever yesterday.

That crazy, wonderful, totally not romantic guy I married went into the place where I get my nails done, which is also a jewelry shop, and bought me diamond earrings yesterday. Just like that...the crazy man. Guess I have my work cut out for me giving him a suitable thank you. And before you give me what for about calling him unromantic. He hasn't been for 27 years. A wonderful loving supportative partner and mate...absolutely, but not particularly romantic. It's been fine. It's not like I didn't know this when I married him. Do you think it's the romance novels he's been reading?

Oh and all that about my groove? Yeah, it's definitely back.

What I've been reading...

I've been busy making a dent in my latest haul of books. For some reason reading mostly the westerns. Everything else I pick up I end up putting back down. It's nice to have a little bit of everything to read, but odd that I'm not interested in anything much more than these short westerns.


THE GUNSLINGER'S BRIDE by Cheryl St. John
This was a bit spicier than her Harlequin Historicals but not by much. It is also a part of the Montana Mavericks series. You can read it easily as a stand alone because while other characters are mentioned it isn't in a teaser way or with the previous characters being relevant to this story. Light fare, a quick read set in Montana in 1897. The gunslinger is actually one of three brothers who had left home and worked as a marshal and sometimes bounty hunter. Brock Kincaid wants to return home without dragging his violent past with him. (Excerpt) I noted on Ms. St. John's website that she has written about the other two brothers.


HIGH PLAINS BRIDE by Jenna Kernan
I was disappointed in this one. The plot had lots of promise, but it lacked depth and the dialogue was a bit too modern for me. Sarah West goes searching for her husband's brother, Tom West, to help her find her daughter who was kidnapped from a wagon train by Indians. It turns out that the daughter is actually Tom's. Before Tom left for the gold field of Californa Sarah climbs in his window to give him a goodbye present hoping he will change his mind about leaving. Once Tom's family receives word that he's died in his pursuit of gold, Sarah marries Tom's brother Samuel.

Of course years later Sarah finds out Tom is alive. In the meantime she and Samuel decide to seek their fortune out west.

I started out relieved and happy that the big reveal about the daughter's paternity was dealt with right away. Literally the first 10 pages of the book. Also that most of the "secrets" were brought out into the open as well.

My big disappointment was over the lost potential of telling more of the daughter's story and trauma as a captive. This was dealt with in a conversation between mother and daughter near the end of the book and it was too abrupt and pat for me. (Excerpt)

If you care, or are interested, the best book I've ever read about an Indian captive is THE PRIDE OF HANNAH WADE by Janet Dailey. It's gritty and realistic and a great story of one woman who wants to go home and how she survives as a captive and the censure of the white world she wants to return to.


THE PERFECT WIFE - Mary Burton
Another quick, easy read. Set in 1876 in Saddler Creek, Colorado this is a mail-order bride story. No set up or tricks. Both parties write to one another and Jenna Winslow accepts Rowe Mercer's proposal and sets out from Alexandria, Virgina to Colorado. There is however a secret. ::sigh:: Jenna has told Rowe that the baby she is bringing with her is her own when it is actually the born-out-of-wedlock child of her sister who died in childbirth. Sure there was a scandal in Virginia when the baby was born, but when Jenna's sister died and she decides to go west I don't know why she couldn't just tell Rowe whose baby it was. I didn't really buy into Ms. Burton's explanation. Of course, being a virgin when you have a baby is sort of a give away, don't you think? While that little "detail" bugged me. I'd read another book by Ms. Burton. (Excerpt)

My reviews of these westerns probably make it seem crazy that I keep reading and enjoying them, but I do. They are such quick reads and taken for what they are a preferable way to spend a couple of hours versus summer TV re-runs.


I've also read a couple of spicier books. The current contemporary release BAD AS SHE WANTS TO BE by Thea Devine (don't throw tomatoes at me!) and FORBIDDEN PLEASURE by Lora Leigh.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Thea Devine book. (Excerpt) I haven't read one of her books in probably 3 to 4 years and was intrigued by this one because it is a contemporary. I've only read historicals by her previously. Has she written a contemp before? Ms. Devine's writing here is cleaner than I've experienced in her historicals.

This book is about small town girl Frankie Luttrell who saves rich girl Marianne Nyland from drowning. Almost before she knows what hits her Frankie is swimming in the fast lane of the spoiled rich where the rules of life she's used to just don't seem to apply. Throw in Marianne's obsession and Frankie's fasination for hunky scion Dax Cordrey and let the games begin.

While I can say this book has an HEA of sorts, it is pretty much a straight up erotic read. If you like to read about women in charge of their own sexuality you should definitely give this book a try.


FORBIDDEN PLEASURE by Lora Leigh is about two men and one woman and is a part of her Bound Heart series. (Excerpt) This book is a complete stand alone though. No specific reference to any previous characters or stories in the series are made. While Ms. Leigh has certainly written this sort of story previously, I do think this is a tighter, better written and edited version than I've read by her. The sex and menage scenes are explicitly written. So much so that I don't know if this would be safe to read on the beach. Husbands, boyfriends and BOBs should definitely be on standby. If you like it hot, hot, hot...read FORBIDDEN PLEASURE. Oh, and Ms. Leigh goes out of her way to be sure we know there is NO MAN LOVE!


My apologies for not making the rounds. Beanie just finished his classes last week and Shmoo is taking his finals this week. Computer time has been at a premium. So I've been reading and getting all my annual physical doctor appointments and tests done. Ugh!!!

Just Finished...

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN by Julia Quinn and BIT THE JACKPOT by Erin McCarthy.

Both of these books were just enjoyable reads. I won't be stopping people in the aisles at my local B&N or Borders to tell them to read either one of them, but I enjoyed each of the books for being unapologetically what they are.

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN is pretty much standard Regency fare, but Ms. Quinn does have some very clever and witty exchanges between the H/H. I very much enjoyed their relationship and its dynamic. This is a quick read and an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. Great for when you are in the mood for something light.

I have to admit that I wasn't all that thrilled with the first Vegas Vampires book HIGH STAKES by Ms. McCarthy. Vampires and Las Vegas seem like a match made in...umm...er...hell? What surprised me is that after enjoying Ms. McCarthy's contemporaries so very much the foray into the vamp world didn't do much for me. Imagine my surprise when I decided to purchase the second book. Not only was I expecting not to like it, but I picked it up when I was in a defiant and obnoxious mood. So up against all that I still got engaged in the story and enjoyed it. Don't expect to read this and think you will be reading about the dark side of vampires particularly when the vamp world is in the middle of a presidential election. Yeah, interesting hook, huh? Again, an enjoyable read. Definitely a dessert of books and not the main course.

Right now I'm waiting for February 6th even with the TBR I have I'm anxious to read SEP's new book which is due out then and also, I'm going to give Lora Leigh another chance. I've been a big fan of her Breed series, but her storylines are beginning to have a repetitive theme to me. What books are you looking forward to this spring?

Saturday Working Stiff Talks Books

Every once in a while I have to work a Saturday. Today is one of them. Argh!! So, even though I'm just a regular working stiff this Saturday, I'm not going to let it stop me from giving you the review of MEGAN'S MARK by Lora Leigh that I've been talking about.

I must start by saying that I'm a big fan of Ms. Leigh. She is one of the first erotic romance or romantica authors I read. I found her and Ellora's Cave quite by accident. Truth be told I had never purchased a menage book until I took a chance and bought MARLY'S CHOICE. Whew, but those August brothers are some kind of alpha...who wouldn't love 'em? But I never thought I'd read a book about a menage a trois that didn't have me rolling my eyes or gagging. Somehow she made it work, at least she did for me.

Anyway, those books aren't what I'm here to talk about. I also enjoy her Breed books. In fact, WOLFE'S HOPE was the first e-book of hers I read and the first breed book.

I found the premise of experiments conducted for genetic enhancement by using animal DNA in humans not only intriguing, but a likely experiment that could happen considering how much we dabble in genetics and cloning these days. While there are single titles in this multi-layered series that are really great reads, I wasn't as interested or drawn in with MEGAN'S MARK as I have been with some of her others.

If you are a fan, you'll be satisfied to see all of the expected LL elements are in the story. Before you think my lukewarm reaction is because she may have watered down for an NYC publisher, you can toss that notion out with the garbage. I don't believe Ms. Leigh had to or was asked to compromise her story telling at all. All the same language and spice she has always used is still there.

I enjoyed the progression of the breed story line with the context of this book. Fleshing out the elements about the testing and pairing of mates that is taking place within the breed community and how they are coping with the world's opinion of them was very welcome. I LOVED the introduction of the character Jonas Wyatt. I think introducing the idea of the compromises one might have to make for the good of the whole is a great idea for readers to cut their teeth on and have them salivating for the next installment. I know I can't wait for Jonas' story. The hint of Megan's three uncles who are former SEALS since I, like many others, am fascinated with military men, was an interesting tidbit to dangle before us as well.

However, I did not feel particularly engaged by the H/H in MEGAN'S MARK. While I view this reading material primarily as pure escapism, I do like to find elements in the story I can identify with. That involves being interested in the characters and what happens to them. While sometimes mixing contrasting or complex elements in a character can really grab me, for most of this story I was wondering whether Megan was strong and tragic, or plucky and kick ass. It got to be a distraction and at times annoying. When the guy, Braden, a feline breed, has to point out to the gal that she's being a pussy and running away from her problems instead of dealing with them...things have run amok for me. It made me want to smack her.

So while there were many things I liked about the book, and it wouldn't stop me from auto-buying LL's next book. I was a bit disappointed in her big NYC debut. Actually, I enjoyed her last e-book LOVING LIES at Samhain Publishing a lot more. It was vintage Leigh and a straight forward erotic romp. I so appreciate a story that is so unapologetically out there flaunting what it is...an erotic romance with a HEA. Sometimes after a hard day at the office, it's just what I need to escape the travails of real life.

Ms. Leigh is certainly one of romantica's best writers. While she does repeat certain themes in her stories I wouldn't call her books formulaic. I hope she is able to keep progressing the breed story and I'd love to see her continue with her Legacy series. I think she has a lot to say and has a very strong writing voice. I hope she's scribbling stories for us for a very long time.