We're Home Early...

We decided to make the Berkshires a day trip, it's less than a two hour drive, so the hubby decided he'd rather sleep in his own bed. Junior got to go on another train ride, so he enjoyed our little trip. Berkshire Scenic Railroad and The Norman Rockwell Museum were our two stops. There is an amazing amount of things to do while visiting the Berkshires, but since it's so close to home, I think we'll be making more day trips and maybe a mini vacation. Scenically the area reminds me of home (New York's Hudson Valley and Catskills).

We got home last night in time to watch Dirty Dancing. I've not watched the whole thing in years. I still enjoyed it even though it's campy and the dialogue is horrendous. I can't believe it's almost 20 years old. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." made it into the top 100 movie lines.

Well, I'm left wondering whatever happened to Baby and Johnny (not in real life Jennifer Grey had a nose job and ruined her interesting face and Patrick Swayze, well, I guess he's somewhere in Texas.)

So, what does everyone think? Did they get married or go their separate ways? Did she save the world? What does he do after "dancing"?

I rarely watch TV at night, but after watching DD my husband put on a video of 12 Angry Men. It's one of my all time favorite movies. I'm always left wondering, did the kid do it?

Got a ton of reading done this weekend:

1. The Bane Affair--Alison Kent
2. The Shaughnessey Accord--Alison Kent
3. The Samms Agenda--Alison Kent
4. To Pleasure a Prince--Sabrina Jeffries
5. One Night with a Prince--Sabrina Jeffries

And, I'm half way through Double Trouble by Claire Cross.

I traded for the Kent books and to be honest I probably would have been really annoyed if I had bought them, not because they weren't good, they are but they would have been expensive. All of them are trade paperbacks, both TSAs are 117 pages long and cost $7.99 new (that's 7 cents a page.)

Will someone please explain why so many of us feel the need to finish books that are part of a series? The 2 Jeffries books are the last 2 in The Royal Brotherhood Series, I read the first one last week and thought it only so so. The second was the best of the lot and dammit I'm left wanting the hero's sister's story, which is so annoying, because I'm going to have to keep an eye out for it. Now I'm 1/2 way through Double Cross and I realize there's a book before it--again annoying I'll search it out even though I'm not loving this one.

I really am a pathetic book junkie.

Hope everyone had a great and safe weekend.

PS--Megan, I didn't finish Into the Fire yet. Somehow I've missed placed it and haven't had time to rip the house and car apart looking for it. I was enjoying it, but I like just about everything Anne Stuart writes.

One more thing--my son picked up a variation of an expletive I hadn't heard before... H-E-double fish sticks.

Happy 4th of July...a few days early

Happy 4th to one and all.

We've got a busy weekend, so I'm not sure I'll be on again--well, I'll probably be on in the morning to blog hop, but probably wont have enough time to post anything.

Picnic at one of my BILs tomorrow, and Sunday after Mass we are heading up to the Berkshires for a couple of days.

I'm planning on reading the first 4 books in Alison Kent's SG-5 series. I finished Drive Me Crazy last night and haven't started anything today.

Junior and I went to a local Farm Market with my sister today, the produce is amazingly fresh, the baked goods are unbelievable and we can even pick up homemade soaps. Almost all of the villages and towns in our area are doing a weekly farm markets which is great, it helps the small local farms and small businesses. We live in the fastest growing county in NY and we are within driving distance of NYC, so the small farms in our area are fast disappearing to developments of McMansions.

Have a great weekend, be safe and happy reading.

TBR Challenges And The Other Thing

It's the last day of the month and I've reached my TBR challenge, I pledged to read 15 books and have actually read 23, a really good month. I've been in such a good reading groove that I hoped to reach 25, but I may get 24. I'm half way through Anne Stuarts Into the Fire.

I swore I wouldn't buy anymore books for a couple of weeks, but I couldn't keep to it. I somehow managed to squeeze a little bit out of the food money this week and picked up 3 new books and 1 used at the UBS yesterday.

One of the books I picked up was Kathy Love's Wanting Something More. This is the last in the "Ugly Stepp Sisters" series. Which I, of course, had to read immediately. I liked it, but was somewhat disappointed. I new it was going to be about Marty and Nathaniel (Nate), but I was expecting to see his transformation from AH to decent person. The transformation happens before the start of the book. She always tackles interesting subjects as part of the plot, this times it's near death experiences.

Can someone recommend a good message board?

I hate to admit it, but AAR's message boards give me a headache, I hate that you can't just follow down the list of messages, without going "back". I like discussions, but some people get down right combative, it's like being on RT's Political Board.

And, the RT boards seem to have been hijacked by aliens, I'm sick of lists and inane questions. I think most the interesting posters have gone to blogging because of this, not that I'm saying I'm interesting, but Anne E, Amanda, Erika, Holly... are blogging and they really aren't posting anymore. At this point I'm popping in on RT to check on Jenster and see how she is feeling.

Why is it my husband can't put a dirty, empty dish in the sink to be washed (they always go on the counter or the table), but he will put a dish with stuff on it (like cherry pits or a banana peel) into the sink, instead of dumping the garbage in the trash which is literally 2 feet from the kitchen sink??

Have a great day, and happy reading.

Not Much of a Link Slut...

I'll do my best to help keep Maili entertained, but I'm not much of a "Link Slut."

This is actually lifted from Maili's blog a while ago--Peter Pan, personally I find this man a little frightening. Can this guy be for real??

Daily Confessions, someone my husband works with visits this site everyday, and he believes everything he reads.

Dear Reader--I get emails from them everyday, each week they give you 5 small installments of a book so you can decide whether or not you're interested.

Baghdad Girl is a 13 year old girl from Baghdad who loves cats.

Hasidic Reggae-- I've posted this one before, but I like this guy and would love to see one of his shows.

Another link stolen from Maili, but always worth a revisit--My Husband's Crap.

The Reading Binge Continues...

Since my last blog I've finished 3 more books and started a 4th.

The Trouble With Valentine's Day by Rachel Gibson was a good book, I liked Kate and Rob and the story was a fun read. But, if Ms. Gibson used the words "HUMMER" and "Duchon Lounge" one more time I would have thrown the book at a wall--for some reason this was real distracting for me. I also knew the "Hummer/HUMMER" joke was going to show up somewhere in the book. I love the Tom Jones references, one of the mothers of a childhood playmate was President of the Tom Jones Fan Club when we were kids and they had Tom Jones stuff all over their house.

In the Prince's Bed by Sabrina Jeffries, I can officially say I am sick of full-size Regencies and REALLY, REALLY need to start avoiding them. I've always been hit or miss with SJ, but this was neither hit or miss, just kind of so so.

Remember My Heart by Janis Reams-Hudson, I enjoyed this, but I like reincarnation stories, the fate and finding each other through time thing always gets me drawn into the story. For some reason the stalker part of the story reminded me of Karen Robards' One Summer, one of my all time favorite books.

I've not only been on a reading binge, but I've been binge cleaning the house, spent all day Monday cleaning like a lunatic.

Have a great day, happy reading.

My Crazy Family

I know we all have crazy families, but sometimes mine makes me laugh out loud.

This past weekend we celebrated one of my Aunt's birthdays. She's closer in age to me than she is to her sister, my mom, Aunt C is more like a sister than an aunt. Did that make sense?

Mom is a full charge, type A personality, which she would never admit to. She constantly tells anyone who will listen she would like someone else to make decisions, but when someone else does, she overrides anything anyone comes up with. And even worse, she tells you you're wrong when you've not asked her opinion. She does this with cooking and decorating too--constantly tells us what we should have done instead, but that's another tale.

My sister decides we need to have a birthday party, but she doesn't want to have it at her house, and to be perfectly honest, no one really wants to go to her house, because she's got the most annoying Jack Russell Terrier that you just want to muzzle, but she does have central air conditioning which would make visiting okay if she locked up the dog (please note, I would like the dog more if he didn't try to bite my child and my sister would be less annoying if she didn't talk baby talk to the thing and feed him bites of food off her plate). Mom doesn't like coming to my house during the summer because we don't have air conditioning (well, we do in the bedrooms, but we can't entertain there.) Hey, the house is 100 years old, it has other charms and with a pool, we really don't feel hot, but Mom wont use the pool. Mom had everyone for Father's Day and doesn't want to have company again for a few more weeks.

So, my sister comes up with the bright idea of bringing the party to my Aunt's house, only she doesn't tell my Aunt. Two days before "The Party" my sister tells me to call Mom and tell her to tell my Aunt we're all coming on Sunday for her birthday. Now, my sister is planning on bringing the food, so at least she wasn't expecting my Aunt to throw her own birthday party.

Of course I do as I'm told and I call mom and tell her what my sister wants her to do and get a "WHAT???" Mom's not happy, I knew this before I even called. I got an "I'll talk to your sister" and she hung up.

Friday night I get a message from my sister. The party is now at my sister's, the dog will be kept outside and I am to bring lemonade and something else that I couldn't get from what my sister is saying, so I call her back. I'm to bring lemonade, potato chips and fruit. This is per my mother, through my sister.

Sunday we get to my sister's and the dog is outside on a run with his very own swimming pool and a reflective tent for him to sleep under and the dog is much happier than he would have been if he had been in the house playing alpha male against my three year old.

The party would have been perfect except my husband played bartender. My husband can drink like a fish and not get drunk, but I can't say the same for my Aunt. He makes this drink with vodka, lemonade and an orange liqueur that's blue--it's called "Chris' Blue Drink." I'm sure it has a real name, but that's what everyone in the family calls it. Well, the husband has a real heavy hand with the booze and my Aunt is a maudlin drunk, not a good combination.

The next birthday is Junior's, and Mom wont have a choice she's coming here. And, the hubby wont be allowed to play bartender--he'll be too busy barbecuing, or maybe I'll keep him busy deep frying a turkey. I'll have to think about it, but wont be asking Mom's opinion, I don't have to she'll give it anyway.

Sweet Lullaby

I just finished Lorraine Heath's Sweet Lullaby. I can't say how long it's been since I cried this much reading a book. Great, wonderful, fantastic book, but I don't know who I was more pissed off at Rebecca for leaving or Jake for letting her go. And, why did it take her 3 months to realize she shouldn't have left?

Off to pick another book, with all the books I now have waiting for me, I really want to read Laura Lee Guhrke's The Marriage Bed, which I don't have.

Sex and the Serial Killer

Jay (for some reason this isn't linking and I'm really html challenged) suggested I read this one next, she's looking for it. So I did. It falls under the "Bad Review Test" umbrella. Mrs. Giggles gave it a 28. I just checked AAR's review. They gave it a C+, and RT gave it 4 1/2 stars. So maybe it doesn't really fall under the "Bad Review Test". My thoughts fall somewhere between AAR and RT. It was a pretty good read, funny elements and worth picking up.

Got to go busy day ahead.

Have a great day, and happy reading.

Some More of This and That...

Book Buying Freeze

After telling Maili to squeeze (embezzle) extra money out of household expenses to buy books, I've managed to squeeze every last dime I could out of our budget and now am putting myself on buying hold for a few weeks. But, because I am a weak book junkie, I'm not sure I can do it. Avoiding stores that sell books might help, but not an easy task. Though I did go to Wal*Mart yesterday and managed to get in and out without looking at a book. But, why is it I can't get out of that store without spending a minimum of $80.

I know there are people who consider WM "The Evil Empire" at times myself included, it's not my first choice for shopping, but I needed a birthday present for a little girl from my son's class (his first real kids only party is this weekend) and the little girl's mom is a regular WM shopper, I figured if she needed to return the gift (a "Sky Dancer" and a "My Little Pony", it would be easier for her to return them to WM.)

Fallen From Grace

I finished this Wednesday night. It is an excellent book, and I'm passing it on to my sister tomorrow. I'm curious if the roles were reversed and the heroine was the prostitute, would a man not be affected by this and would he be able to get past it? I don't know--we may be liberated, but are men truly liberated enough to accept a woman's sexual history (good, bad or ugly).

The TBR Pile

Well, thanks to the trade group I now have a very nice TBR pile. I'm not like most romance readers, I don't keep hundreds of books on my TBR pile. For me, it's normally about 10-20. Now, it's 40-50, which is absolutely huge for me. After I buy a book if it no longer interests me, I move it out, usually to my sister (that way I can get it back if she likes it.)

Between buying books and books showing up in the mail, new books are appearing on an almost daily basis. I realized if I related my TBR pile to an inventory system I'm a LIFO (last in first out or maybe it should be LIFR, last in first read) reader. Not a great method if you have a lot of books, you never make it to the "bottom."

"I'm supposed to like this author..."

We all blog hop and check in on message boards and hear about hot authors we're supposed to absolutely love. But, sometimes we come across an author that it seems everyone else in the romance reading world loves and we are left with a great big HUH!!

I hate when this happens. I always feel like something is wrong with me and my tastes, and wonder what I'm missing. After finishing FFG, I picked up a "highly" recommended Harlequin Temptation and WHAM, I hate the writing style. This is the 3rd book by this author that I've read and I really wanted to like her books. And, no I'm not going to tell at this point, because I have a couple more that I'm going to try before giving up.

So with all these books...

Why can't I decide what to read next. This is probably why I don't keep a huge TBR pile in the first place, too many choices. I'm taking Junior to the playground this morning and then we'll spend the afternoon floating in the pool. I need a book for that, so I need to decide on something quick.

Have a great day (and weekend), and happy reading.

Feeling a Little Guilty

Today's column over at RTB is a good one. It's interesting to see things from an agents perspective.

“Publish to the market” is how I’ve heard this philosophy described at one company. “We must publish to the market, and we can’t ignore the dictates of the market.”

Don't you just want to smack the publisher that says this?

But where was “the market” when the first person wrote the book that created said trend? Simple, it didn’t exist. It took the forerunner—the Big Risk Taker—to pave the way. If I’ve heard it said once, I’ve heard editors say it a zillion times: “We want to find something fresh and different.”

I picked up Laura Leone's Fallen From Grace yesterday at the UBS, and I'm now feeling guilty about not ordering it new. It obviously falls under the "Big Risk Taker" category and is published by a small publisher. Her dedication says it all:

This book is dedicated to my editor, Russell Davis, who is smart enough to believe that romance readers want a good story more than they want a safe one.

I started reading this last night but got side tracked watching the AFI Best Movie Lines. And, of course, I feel asleep right before they did the last 10. I picked the book back up this morning and since it's raining and Junior now has a full blown cold, I'll try to get some reading in between the whines and complaints.

Have a great day, happy reading.

Junior has the Croup

He's not really sick, we caught it really early. He barked a couple of times yesterday and had a low grade fever. The pediatrician thinks it wont get any worse. Today he's not even coughing. I'm taking him to the UBS and the Supermarket, hopefully somewhere along the way he'll take a nap.

FYI--Junior isn't really a Jr. He's actually named for both his grandfathers, it's a tradition on my Italian side to name the first born son after the grandfathers, and the second after the father--of course, if I didn't like the names I'd have come up with something else. Using this tradition one of my DH's cousins would have been named "Julius Caesar." Junior actually comes from an old Bill Cosby skit "Junior Barnes You Gunky," it's one of my husbands favorites. We don't actually call him Junior, we only use it when we're talking about him, strange I know. He also has a whole host of other nicknames that we do call him (including Bumbles--which completely offends my SIL from hell, the Oliver Twist thing, but "Bumbles" is actually short for "Bumble Bee"--don't ask--LOL.

Aren't you all glad I shared this with you--LOL.

Have a great day, happy reading.

Bad Dialogue--Just Shoot Me...

A few weeks ago I picked up five contemporaries (romantic comedies) by the same author. I've read her blog, she IS very funny, I thought I would love her books. I went through a run of really bad contemporaries earlier this year, but I thought I would give this author a try--eeeekkkk. My complaint is once again the same--the dialogue is horrendous.

Do women who write romantic comedies actually ever talk to men? Listen to men talking to other men? I've come to the conclusion that the men in my life must be odd and speak differently than other men, because the men in almost all contemporary romantic comedies sound like women.

Words my husband (or any other man I know) wouldn't use when talking to other MEN:

1. chagrin
2. gee whiz--please, you've got to be kidding.
3. relationship
4. pray tell
5. impotent--I'm sure men use this word, but only with a doctor.
6. creepy--it would be "f*cking creepy.

Two words I don't ever want to hear out of a hero's mouth, "Ooo, ooo..." Is that actually considered two words or one?

Do authors believe men sit down and talk about "relationships" the same way women do? No way.

See, It's not About Sex, and The "Bad Review Test"

Well, I finished A Countess Below Stairs. A sweet book with an interesting time period (post WW I, England) and a heroine who is a Post-Russian Revolution emigre. And, it was "sweet"--no sex, it didn't need it. The next time someone tells me romance is about sex, I'm handing them this book. Romance is about relationships and HEA, sex is a fringe benefit.

I'm still on a reading binge, I finished ACBS before we left for school, started and finished Patricia Grasso To Catch A Countess for my "Bad Review Test" and am about 100 pages into Ruth Wind's In the Midnight Rain, so far it's great. I love rainy days. Junior plays beautifully by himself and doesn't require entertaining and I can curl up on the sofa and read.

The Bad Review Test

I have read two books that qualify for this test, one I read on purpose and the other I read before I saw the reviews.

1. To Catch a Countess by Patricia Grasso--Mrs. G gave this book a 03, it deserved it. The heroine is dyslexic and in Regency England this probably would have qualified her as "stupid". The problem with this book is she really is stupid and her inability to read has nothing to do with it. She simply does and says stupid things, this may be because she's a sheltered 18 year old, but I hope I wasn't this stupid at 18. And, the hero is a bully. I like alpha heros, but he's not only alpha, he's just plain mean. And, his redemption comes too little too late.
2. The Cobra & The Concubine by Bonnie Vanak--This book fell into my Bad Review Test by accident. The review over at AAR came out after I read the book, the reviewer there gave it an F. I understood the reviewer's complaints about this book, but it still entertained me. Even if it wasn't entertaining, it would have gotten a higher grade from me simply because of setting and time period (Egypt/England in 1898--is this period considered Victorian or Edwardian?).

So, what does all this show? Who knows?

A Little of This and a Little of That

I've been reading like a fiend for the past two days. Seven books from the trade group have arrived and I have read 2 and am half way through a third.

The Vampire Viscount--by Karen Harbaugh
I really enjoyed this book. It makes me realize I'm missing out by not reading more traditional Regencies. This book was fast paced and extremely entertaining and all of 227 pages.

Amber By Night--by Sharon Sala
For some reason I like librarian plots. I know they're stereotypical and not realistic, but I like them anyway. This wasn't the best one I've read, but it was a quick read.

A Countess Below Stairs--Eva Ibbotson
I am really enjoying this book, I'm only half finished, but can see why it's on Maili's keeper list. Though I do think the villianess is being used as an extreme foil for the lovely Anna.

Today is Moving Up Day at my son's nursery school. I'm hoping to have A Countess Below Stairs finished before we leave at 9:45. For some reason the Grandparents and 2 Aunts have all decided to come to this little ceremony. We're taking Junior out for a Chinese Food lunch. He's very excited, Chinese is is favorite and he would eat it every day if he could (he's his mother's son--LOL--I'd eat it every day too).

Yesterday, Junior and I went shopping for Father's Day gifts. Somehow we managed to get in and out of Barnes & Noble without buying any books for Mommy. Of course, we didn't get out without Junior having to eat at the Starbucks in the back of the store. I don't drink coffee, but I had to have a Chocolate Fudge Caramel Brownie. I needed that like I needed a whole in my head or another inch on my hips, which is probably where the brownie settled. The store is new and this was the first time I've brought Junior with me. He was very excited as soon as we walked through the doors. "Mommy, they have food here. I'm hungry I need lunch."

We spent the whole day running around, and I realized, while in Lowes, I'm almost as addicted to flowers as I am to books. I couldn't get out of that store without buying 2 more plants for my perennial beds.

Got to go, I want to finish reading and still have to make breakfast for the DH and Junior.

Have a great day, and happy reading.

I'm So Weak

I'm pathetic. I can not go into a store that sells books without buying one or two or three...

Yesterday, I ran into the supermarket to pick up a couple of things and came out with three books. Now, I know I've got over a dozen books coming in the mail within the next week or so. Why did I buy these books? I'm weak.

And what makes this even more pathetic 2 books are part of series that I'm only slightly interested in continuing reading. I certainly could have waited to get these books used.

But, one of the books I picked up was Victoria Bylin's Abbie's Outlaw. I finished it last night and really enjoyed it. I read very few western romances. It's been years since I've read them on a consistent basis. There was a period of time that every hero in a western was a Confederate ex-patriot, with lots of baggage. I've always had a hard time with these heros, but I'm saving all of this for a blog about being a PC romance reader.

No more time, Junior has school this morning.

Have a great day, happy reading.

The Memory is Shot!!! aka "Crap, I Already Read This!!"

So far this month I've finished 9 books, which is pretty good considering today is the 13th. But, I've started and skimmed another 5 books and realized "Crap, I already read this." The memory is shot, for years I've relied on my memory to keep track of books, and usually when I picked up a book and read the blurb, I remembered it--good, bad or ugly. If I thought it was "great" it would already be on my keeper shelf.

I now need lists. I've got TBR lists, To look for lists, trade lists, wish lists, keeper lists. And, that's just the lists related to books. I've got shopping lists and phone call lists and list to keep track of when bills need paying. I keep schedules for school, doctors, hairdressers.

OMG, I've become my mother, how is this possible. I used to make fun of my mom with all her lists and calendars--what the heck happened.

Book Contests and Stupid Cows

I'm prefacing this by saying I am not a writer nor do I ever wish to be a writer. 1. I'm not sure I could handle the rejections and 2. I have absolutely no writing talent. But, book contests fascinate me.

One of the first RTB columns I read referred to contest reviewers as "stupid cows". Twice a year I become a "stupid cow." I do this through my local UBS. The UBS used to have a romance reader book club and several members volunteered for this, myself included, and we've been doing it for years. This week I picked up copies of the prologue and first chapter of 6 different historical novels. One of the question the contest asks is "What would it take to get you to recommend this book?" I'm paraphrasing the question because I don't have the work sheets in front of me. HOW ABOUT LETTING ME READ THE WHOLE FREAKIN' BOOK?!!? How can anyone recommend a book based on 25 pages?

So, this year I got historicals, which was nice considering last year I reviewed category romances and boy all but 2 were really bad, you have no idea whose books your reviewing because the authors name is not included, which is fine. But, 2 or 3 months after the contest you start getting thank you cards and you have no idea if someone is thanking you for liking their manuscript or really saying "nah, nah you stupid cow, I sold my manuscript."

Sorry, I think I got off track there. Like I said, this year I got historicals, 3 Regency periods, 1 Victorian, 1 Medieval and 1 Native American/Indian. I actually like 4 out of the 6, and would have liked to have finished each manuscript. One of the ones I didn't like was a Regency with so many characters introduced in the first chapter my head was swimming and I needed a score card. The other was the Medieval which breaks my heart because it really is my favorite historical time period. Within the first 25 pages you realize the heroine is a feisty, TSTL idiot who runs off to the Cruscades to "help" her father. I've come to the conclusion that feisty is synonymous with stupid.

I really did enjoy the first 25 pages of two of the manuscripts and will probably write a note to the coordinators and see if I can get the entire manuscripts. One was set in 1898 England and I liked the heroine from the first time she opened her mouth. And the other was a Regency set in Egypt. I would really like to finish both of these books.

This "Stupid Cow" is signing off, have a great day and happy reading.

This and That, I Should be Asleep

Well, it's 11:30 at night and I should be asleep, my son gets up at 5:30 every morning.

I've been picking over Maili's keepers list and just finished reading Theresa Weir's Cool Shade. And all the way through it I thought it was kind of depressing, until I reached the last page:

"There was one more thing she had to ask him. 'Your old music. Most of them are love songs. Who did you write them for?'

'You.'

'Just how gullible do you think I am?' she asked,even though she'd thought the very same thing. 'You've only known me a few months.'

'I've known you a lifetime. Here' He touched his chest, his heart. 'you've always been right here.'

She smiled up at him through her tears...."

Does it get any better than that???

Sybil has a link to Alison Kent's blog, which has the RWA graphical standards letter of explanation. My first thought was what a load of crap...but Maili made a comment about covers (we know how much Maili loves covers--LOL). Is it possible the RWA is trying to persuade publishers to improve romance/romantica/erotica covers. If so they're really pissing off some of the membership in the process. If they don't care about the "content", what's the big deal with the covers? Isn't that what all this comes down to? Though it does have a Nazi "we've set the standards, therefore you must goosestep and follow our lead" feel to it.

My brain is hurting from too much thinking, I'm going to bed.

Is this true???

Thank you Maggie Osborne!...I read that you are retiring.I wish you all the best that life has to offer you. Your excellent stories,which by the way are "keepers" for me,will be sorely missed.Thanks for the hours of happy reading you've given me.

I just lifted this from RT's Favorites Board. Is this true?? I don't read many westerns and my favorite western writer is retiring, it's just not right!!

The Day From Hell

I'm not going to go into much detail, but yesterday was the day from hell. It started out at 5:30 in the morning with the our internet server dumping out every couple of minutes and went down hill from there. It ended at a wake/memorial service for a 49 year old man. Just not a good day.

Today has to be better, right?

Surviving the Picnic and Procrastinating

Well, we survived the picnic. It was more like 300 children and almost as many adults, what a zoo. All the kids from the school were wearing white t-shirts and most had blue jean shorts, it was almost impossible to find a child in the sea of white and blue. Junior had a great time and I had to drag him out kicking and screaming. It was 90 degrees, thank God for the breeze and the temperature under the pavilion had to be 10 degrees cooler. One of my girlfriends (my son's "best friend's" mother) swore she would be there 1/2 an hour early, I knew this was impossible (she's never on time), so it was a good thing I got there early because I snagged 2 picnic tables under the pavilion for our group.

When we got home we received bad news. One of our BIL's brothers passed away. He'd had a massive heart attack and open heart surgery 10 days ago, he was in desperate need of additional surgery (he had an infection that they couldn't get under control and his blood pressure with medication was only 60/40) and would have needed a heart transplant if he had survived. The really frightening part of all this he was only 49, no history of heart disease in the family and he died on his son's 25th birthday. So, so sad. Tomorrow is the wake, my mom will watch our son so we can go.

On a much, much lighter note, I've realized books are overrunning our lives and space. I need to reclaim our home office, the shelves in here are a jumbled mess as well as the 8 boxes of books that at one point had been in some semblance of order, but now are an absolute disaster. In addition to the shelves and boxes in the office I have about 1000 books library organized on shelves on our back sun porch. I'm going to be going through everything and deciding what is really a keeper and what can be traded, sold or donated. If I can actually get the office taken care of we may be able to put in a futton and a couple of tables and voila we have a home office, reading room and guest space. I'd love to turn the space into nursery, but I can't convince my husband he's not to old at 47 to have another baby and he also has the nerve to tell me "you're eggs are too old." Hey, I'm only 41, my grandmother had my aunt when she was 44. I also can't convince him to put heat on the sun porch so we can use it as a library/home office in the winter.

I reread Eloisa James' His Wicked Ways last night. I know so many people don't like "long separation" and "adultery" stories, but for some reason this book so works for me.

I've got to go.

Have a great day and happy reading.

School Picnic

Today is my son's 1st school picnic, 250 children all under the age of 5. The whole thing is a little frightening for me--LOL. The picnic starts at 10:30, he was ready to leave at 7:00, of course, he still has his pajamas on, but this doesn't matter to him--He's ready to GO, NOW.

I wont be doing any reading today, but I hope everyone has...

A great day, and happy reading.

Books, The Pool and a Little Guilt

I finished Madeline Hunter's Lord of Sin, over the weekend. I now know more than I ever wanted to know about 19th century engravings. I'm one of those readers who likes historical info in a book, but for me this was a little overkill. She (MH) keeps adding characters who will probably will get "stories/books" in the future. I guess she's not going back to writing Medievals.

It was a good book, but I think there may have been to much mixing of the classes for the time period. I'm not really sure this would have been very accurate, but it did make the book different. And, no one will ever be able to accuse MH of writing fluff. She also dealt with the sad subject of the "clearances", which I may blog about separately.

After finishing LOS, I started Jane's Warlord by Angela Knight. It's a little out there, but so far it's a fun read. The talking wolf threw me, at first I was expecting him to turn into a werewolf, probably because the only other AK book I've read was a werewolf story. I also think the cat's name was thrown in for shock value, which all things considered isn't really shocking and just seems a little silly and immature.

The pool is finally open, of course, our weather has now gone from early spring like to mid-summer, in less than 10 days. Which is typical for the North East. The air temperature will be between 85-90 degrees and humid today, but the pool is only 66, as of this morning, a little cold for swimming.

I'm feeling a little guilty about my comments about bad reviews in my last blog. I do enjoy reading these reviews, they can be funny, but I should have qualified it by saying I don't like to see writers insulted and hurt. Of course, reviews are individual, but writers must know that it's only one persons opinion. If a reviewer rips a book, it doesn't necessarily mean they are ripping the author, but I guess it would be hard to differentiate (spell check says I spelled that correctly, but it looks wrong--LOL) between the two.

Have a great day, and happy reading.

Avoiding Reviews and "The Bad Review Test"

I've been avoiding reading reviews before reading books for awhile now. I find reviews influence my viewpoint too much. If the reviewer isn't thrilled with the book and points out all the flaws, the book has a strike against it before I even start reading.

I finished Bonnie Vanak's The Cobra & The Concubine the other night and really enjoyed it. It's not a "perfect" book and wont be going on my "keeper" shelf, but I liked it. If I were giving it a grade it would be a B-/B. Most of the book takes place in 1895 Egypt. Great time period and location. I love books set in Egypt.

Like most books the first page is used for praising earlier works, so I have the names of her other books in this series (and yes, this book can stand alone.) Curiosity sent me looking for reviews--why? I don't know, because I'm now kicking myself. I'm still going to read The Tiger & The Tomb and The Falcon & The Dove but in the back of my mind I'm going to remember that AAR and Mrs. Giggles disliked both of these books. I would have been much happier being totally oblivious.

I'm going to make a point to avoid reviews of books I want to read, but I still love reading bad reviews. I've blogged about this before. It's like a guilty pleasure. If a reviewer at AAR or Mrs. G gives a book a really bad review

1. The reviews are usually very sardonically (is this a word? yes, encarta says it is) funny and I hate to admit they make me laugh out loud.
2. I'm always left wondering "can it really be that bad??" Probably, but I have to admit there are a couple of books I'm truly tempted to put to the test.

I already have Jennifer Skully's Sex and the Serial Killer Mrs. G gave it a 28 and she gave Patricia Grasso's To Catch a Countess a big whopping 03. I'm still looking for a copy of TCAC. I've read Patricia Grasso in the past and have always run hot and cold with her books (lukewarm and ice cold is probably a better description.)

So sometime in the next couple of months I'm going to do "The Bad Review Test". I'll let everyone know the results.

Having Too Much Fun...

Okay, I'm having too much fun with Sybil's new swap loop. I've got a swap going with Sybil and have posted my "Wish" and "Trade" lists. I'm ignoring my own blog, bad.

Yesterday, while Jr. was in school I ran to the UBS (shock of shocks, I know) and picked up the new Nora Roberts and Christina Dodd books and 3 Marian Keyes and 3 Elizbeth Bevarly's used. I really need to organize my TBR pile, it's growing by leaps and bounds, even though I swore I wasn't going there for a couple of weeks.

I started reading 2 books and had to put them down because accents were annoying the heck out of me--Midnight in the Garden of Good and Edie (M. Stillings), I know it (the lisp) would be going away, but it was still bugging me. The other was Lord of Sin by Madeline Hunter. Jenster over at RT reassured me that the accent also goes away, so I'll probably pick that one back up after I finish the new Nora Roberts (Black Rose).

Remember Jenster in your thoughts and prayers--she started her chemo therapy yesterday.

My husband opened the pool yesterday--looks pretty good, he needs to add some water to it. At the rate we were going I didn't think we'd need it until August. It was in the 50's and cold up until last Friday. It's supposed to be in the 80's and humid by Sunday. I'm not sure the pool will be warm enough to swim, but my crazy kid and his cousin went swimming at Nany and Grandpa's house last weekend--64 degrees, one of my BIL's got in with them. Please note, my husband didn't volunteer--LOL !!

Got to go, want to do some blog hopping before DH and Jr. get up.

Have a great day, and happy reading.

Body Electric and Other Weekend Reads

I finally found enough time to sit and write something. Writing about weekend reading on Wednesday seems a little silly, but I have to blog about Susan Squires' Body Electric.

Once again I've spread my romance reading wings and found a WINNER. I read very little Science Fiction and Futuristic romance. This Book falls into both categories, a little bit of each. I finished it in one sitting Friday night. About 2/3 through the book, I took a couple of minutes and left a message for Amanda telling her to take this one with her over the weekend. Hopefully, if she got to it, she enjoyed it. It's very fast paced and a real page turner.

Let down time, what could follow such a great book. I decided to read some fluff. It took me 3 days to finish Jillian Hunter's The Husband Hunt. It wasn't a bad book, but couldn't compare to Body Electric. This is my second JH book in 2 weeks and I have the same complaint--it's too long and bogs down towards the end. I could have nit picked this one to death, but chose to enjoy it for what it is, a fluffy little historical.

Yesterday morning, I started The Cobra and The Concubine by Bonnie Vanak. I'm about 1/3 finished. So far I'm it's very good, but I was too tired last night to read before falling asleep. I haven't picked it up yet this morning. Instead of reading I decided to do some cleaning and pack up some toys for the ASPCA thrift shop.

Errands and yardwork today--not much time for reading.

Have a great day and happy reading.

Striped Feet

My feet are striped.

From April through October I live in my Birkenstock sandals. They are by far the most comfortable shoes I own, my Birkenstock clogs run a close second. For some odd reason my feet are the only part of my body that doesn't sunburn.

It's June 1st and my feet have a lovely tan, but when I take the sandals off I have three very white stripes running across both feet.

An Old Friend, a Big Rut, Missing Medievals and The Memorial Day Weekend

Yesterday, I picked up Johanna Lindsey's A Loving Scoundrel. I finished it before I went to sleep last night. For some reason, even though I really don't read her books anymore I still enjoy "The Malorys". I guess it's like visiting an old friend. The book was good, not great, I probably wont ever read it again, but I'm glad I picked it up.

I pledged 20 books this month for the RT May TBR Challenge. Good news, I'll reach my 20 books (only have 1 to go). But, what is truly amazing, I've enjoyed 16 of the 19 books I've finished so far.

• 4 Romantic Suspense
• 4 Romanticas/Eroticas
• 3 Catagory (SIMs)
• 2 Paranormals
• 2 Victorian
• 2 Regency period
• 1 Georgian
• 1 Time travel/Fantasy

I needed a change more than I realized. I was in a huge rut, reading only 4 romance sub-genres (medievals, suspense, contemporaries and full size Regencies) and rarely deviating from them. What did I expect? I was basically reading the same stories over and over, and moaning and groaning about how the "same" they all seemed. Spread my wings a little, try something different and I'm really enjoying reading again.

I used to read like this all the time. While I was pregnant and right after my son was born I went through a huge dry spell (about 18 months) where I read almost no romance. And, when I finally came back to it, I found these were my favorite sub-genres and stuck with them for the last 3 years. What a rut.

I miss reading Medievals, I guess that's why I put three Juliana Garnetts I've already read back on my TBR pile. There seems to be something missing from the newer medievals. It usually feels like I'm reading a contemporary in a historical setting and I really hate that. I know the romance industry is cyclical and these books will be popular again, but will they be these contemporaries hiding in medieval clothing or will they have the grit I'm looking for? Who knows, but I'll keep trying them.

My sister is leaving for Lake George on Saturday. I'm just back from vacation and am jealous. They're heading to Bolton Landing (north of the Village of Lake George). They're going to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. They're going antiquing and shopping. I love my son, but I've had it with trains.

I'm dying to go to the Jersey Shore this year, but once the pool is open my husband doesn't like going away. He plans to open the pool this weekend, why I don't know, it's been in the 50's and raining. Why run the filter and spend every afternoon skimming etc. if you can't swim? His father has their pool open already so my husband figures he should have ours open too.

I doubt I'll be back on-line long enough to actually blog anything this weekend. Hopefully everyone will have a happy and safe holiday weekend. Amanda has a link reminding us why we celebrate Memorial Day.

TBR Pile growing in leaps and bounds

I did make it to the UBS today, only not while Jr. was in school. It turned out today was "Crowning Mary Day", he goes to a Catholic pre-school. I barely had time to run home get the cameras (the video camera wasn't charged even though my husband swore it was--another tale).

After school he had a hair appointment. The hairdresser is my husband's cousin's ex-wife, now isn't that convoluted, but we all like her more than my husband AH of a cousin--another tale. His hair looks very cute, it's got that little flip up in the front, makes him look very grown up.

And then, he fell asleep on the way home. Finally we made it to the UBS by 2:30, but I managed to more than double my TBR pile in about 20 minutes.

Maili's lists in hand I found:

• Risky Games--Olga Bicos
• Nighthawk--Kristin Kyle
• The Last Man in Town--Susan Kay Law (I think I may have read this one.)
• Fever Dreams--Laura Leone
• Outlaw's Embrace--Ashley Snow
• Body Electric--Susan Squires
• Cool Shade--Theresa Weir

I also found:

• The Scotsman--Juliana Garnett (which I've read, but can't find my copy.)
• Tiger Eye--Marjorie M. Liu
• Bundle of Joy?--Ariella Papa (Chick Lit--Red Dress Ink is the publisher.)
• Sex & the Serial Killer--Jennifer Skully (snagged an autographed used copy that looks like it's brand new, never been read, only $1.50)
• Sacrament--Susan Squires (someone blogged recently about reading this one.)
• Black Lion's Bride
• White Lion's Bride--both by Tina St. John
• Damascus Gate--Robert Stone
• Into the Fire--Anne Stuart (I've never read this one and it keeps coming up during the discussions about Black Ice, which I liked.)

That's all the books I'm buying for the next week or two.

Have a great night, happy reading.

The TBR Pile Shocker

It's probably not really a shocker. I got rid of my entire TBR. It didn't go far, just to my sister's. Before we left for vacation I gave her every book in my TBR pile and a big bag of books I'd read in the last couple of months. I should qualify this, I gave her my entire romance TBR pile, I've still got boxes of mysteries/suspense/horrors (to many to actually count).

So, we get back and I realize I've got 2 books left(The Assassin by Rachel Butler and The Cobra and the Concubine by Bonnie Vanak. I almost had a panic attack.

While Jr. was in school on Tuesday I ran to the brand, spanking new Barnes & Noble that opened while we were away. I wondered around in fog for 45 minutes and only bought 2 books:

1. The Veil of Night by Lydia Joyce
2. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie by Marianne Stillings

How is it possible to wonder that long and only find 2 books? I can't even explain it.

I still had about an hour to kill, so I headed to the UBS and picked up Madeline Hunter's Lord of Sin and used:

1. Delight
2. Indiscretion
3. The Husband Hunt--all three by Jillian Hunter
4. Jane's Warlord
5. Master of the Night--both by Angela Knight
6. A Loving Scoundrel--Johanna Lindsey--need to keep up with the Mallorys

While I was putting books on my bookshelves I discovered I had filed Taylor Chase's Heart of Deception with keepers, but hadn't read it, so I can add 1 more to the TBR pile. I also pulled out 2 Juliana Garnett's, The Knight and The Laird.

That brought my entire romance TBR pile to 14 books. I've since read The Assassin and The Veil of Night. That leaves 12 books on my TBR pile (see I can do simple math--LOL).

Twelve books and I've pledged to read 15 for the June's RT TBR challenge. I'll be heading back to the UBS today while Jrs in school.

Got to go, we're already running late.

Have a great day, and happy reading.

I must be PMSing

Okay, I got up this morning at 5:30 and started my daily blog hop, when I reached Maili's I was annoyed by the idiots she found dissin' romance novels. But her romance quiz made up for it--LOL.

Romancing the Blog hasn't been updated yet, and yesterdays column left me feeling somewhat guilty, because I don't enjoy everything I read--is it me or is it possible to like everything? I must be too picky.

Then I head over to Romantic Times and someone posted on the General Board about Tom Cruise's comments about how Brooke Shields dealt with her postpartum depression. Another idiot.

And then I found this teaser on the RT Favorites Board:

File this under "I DON'T GET IT" :

His hand moved to her gown and opened it. He covered her breast fondly and possessively. When he felt the sticky moisture, he raised his head and gazed down at her.

"I love to watch my son nurse."

"I know. I love watching you watch him." Hank lightly stroked her dusky nipples and a bead of milk formed on the pad of his thumb.

"He didn't drink it all. You've still got milk"

"Plenty", she replied huskily. His inquiring eyes flew up to hers. they held for several misty seconds. Then Rhonda lovingly curved her hand around the back of his head and drew it down.....

Am I the only person who thinks this is gross? I breast feed my son and believe me I had no desire to feed my husband too, yuck. I managed not to post a comment since I didn't know the answer--that's one I wouldn't have forgotten--LOL.

I think I'll take a shower and start my day all over.

Have a GREAT day and happy reading.

Vacation Reads

Nicole asked about my vacation reads, so here they are:

One Way Out--Michelle Albert
The Seduction of an English Scoundrel--Jillian Hunter
Master of the Moon--Angela Knight
A Breath Away--Rita Heron

One Way Out--Michelle Albert: This book had 3 things going for it before I even opened it:

1. Michelle Albert is consistently good.
2. Archeology.
3. The hero is the academic, which I thought was a pleasant change, usually it's the heroine and she has a stick up her, well you know.

This was a good book. Though, I do think it got a little bogged down by the "bad" guy, in the end, why the thief couldn't be the ultimate bad guy, I'm not really sure.

The Seduction of an English Scoundrel--Jillian Hunter: This was my first Jillian Hunter and I enjoyed it. Full size Regency, which was actually a strike against it, I'm really tired of this sub genre, but this one was a good piece of entertaining fluff. The dialogue was snappy, and I liked the characters (primary and secondary). My only complaint, it seemed a little too long, and dragged in the middle somewhat. There are 2 more in the series, and I'll read them, I may even search out some of her backlist.

Master of the Moon--Angela Knight: My first Angela Knight, and of course, it's the second in a series. But, it gave enough back story to bring you up to date, without making you feel like you missed something vital, so it stands alone, which is a plus. So, Amanda read this a couple of weeks ago and it sounded interesting, but I have to agree with her, I found myself skipping some of the sex scenes. That's not necessarily bad, I was enjoying the story and wanted to move along. I'm normally not a huge paranormal fan and especially "fairy" stories, but I'm opening my horizons and trying not to have preconceived ideas. I'll look for the first book in the series the next time I'm in the UBS (which may be today--LOL).

A Breath Away--Rita Heron: Another author new to me. This is a romantic suspense and it was not a great book for me:

1. On page 2 the heroine says something to the effect of 'why should any man love her when her own father doesn't'--huge turn off for me. She sounds like she needs therapy before the book even started.
2. The author trys to draw your attention to too many suspects, though I had figured it out as soon as the character was introduced, but not why he was doing it.
3. I had also figured out why she (the heroine) had a psychic connection to all the "victims" way before the rest of the characters came up with the idea.

The author leads you in so many directions that there was too much to tie up by the end. It had the feel of one of those "who done its" that come up with the murderer out of thin air in the last chapter of the book.

Not bad, I enjoyed three out of the four.

Have a great day and happy reading.

Could this be Teddy?

I took 168 digital pictures in 5 days--is that possible?

The first thing that came to mind when I saw this one--The book Years by Lavyrle Spencer. This is how I imagined Teddy working out in the fields. I think I need to visit Linnea and Teddy again.

Have a great day and happy reading.

Trains, Cabooses, More Trains and Lots of Amish Buggies

We're back from our mini vacation. And, some may have figured out we spent the last 5 days in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

My husband planned this entire vacation, start to finish. You can tell, because somehow he planned to spend 5 days in Lancaster without visiting an antique shop or country gift store. This was a "kids" vacation, entirely planned for the 2 kids in our family--the 3 1/2 year old and the overgrown 46 year old I'm married to. Our son is a train fanatic and my DH planned everything around things Jr. would enjoy.

May 18th:

We left our house at 9 am expecting to reach Strasburg by 1 pm. Didn't happen we sat for 2 hours in traffic on 287 in NJ and didn't reach our motel until 3 in the afternoon. Six hours non-stop in the car. My DH doesn't stop for anything except gas. Thank God for the DVD player in the mini-van, we watched 4 hours of "The Incredibles" and Jr slept for the other two. After checking into our motel we spent the rest of the afternoon reconnoitering --driving past everything on the "itinerary".

Our motel wasn't a motel in the tradition sense. We stayed at the Red Caboose Motel. Every unit is a real caboose, and it sits right smack in the middle of an Amish Farm. The motel has recently changed hands and is going through major renovations (needed). There were all sorts of work crews crawling all over the place--landscapers, carpenters, electricians, painter...The outside of the caboose was in need of paint but the inside was nicely decorated and really clean. When I saw all the workmen and the outside of the unit, I almost princessed up and insisted we go someplace else, but our son was so excited about sleeping in a "real caboose", I didn't say anything. Though my husband swore he knew my every thought by the look on my face.

After "reconnoitering" we went to one of the popular "smorgasboards" for dinner. We got there early and the place was packed with senior citizens doing the "early bird specials" thing. We sat next to a lovely retired couple from Michigan. We know this because our son introduces himself to anyone who will sit still long enough to talk to him. We lost track of the number of times we heard "He's very articulate for 3 1/2."--"Yes, we know".

May 19th:

The Strasburg Railroad, an Amish Buggy ride and a visit to the Toy Train Museum are on the agenda.

Of course, Jr. loved the train. It wasn't the first tourist train ride we've taken him on, but it really was the nicest, best maintained ones we've ever been on. The coaches looked like they were right out of the 19th century. The entire place was beautiful and within walking distance of the caboose. It opened at 10 and we were on the first ride out at 11. We had to convince Jr. it didn't open at 7 o'clock in the morning, and yes we really do have to eat breakfast.

We got a PB&J sandwich into him and we were off on an Amish Buggy ride. The ride runs right out of the caboose place's parking lot. We waited a few minutes for the driver--an Amish man who showed up on a ride on lawn mower, which I thought was a little strange, but I didn't say anything.

The Toy Train Museum was next. It was even closer than the rail road to the cabooses. Their parking lots were so close they could connect them. Jr. and the DH absolutely loved this place and wandered around for a couple of hours. We had to convince Jr. we had to leave.

That night we went out for all you can eat Chinese food, Jr's favorite. For some reason the girls that work in these places love Jr. It gets to the point that it's embarrassing. "He's so cute"..."Come, we'll get noodles...Egg Drop Soup...ice cream." There are other little kids, why are they making such a fuss over our kid. This happens in every chinese food restaurant we go into--it's very strange.

May 20th:

It rained, which was okay, because it fit right into the DH plans, The Pennsylvania Rail Road Museum and the Choo Choo Barn.

Our son is very good in museums, especially train related ones. The PRRM has a train simulator and Jr. got to drive a "real" train. They also have a play room for kids. He spent an hour playing with the same Thomas trains he has at home. The Choo Choo Barn is a huge "village" in HO scale, at least I think it was HO. Once again, my husband and son loved it. I thought the Toy Train Museum's were better, but what do I know.

My husband planned this entire trip via the internet. He even found covered bridges which we had to search out. For some reason the man loves these things. It must be the history lover in him. Jr. slept through most of this.

May 21st:

Our 22nd Wedding Anniversary was spent at the Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park. Seven straight hours of riding the rides. Jr's favorites--an antique car ride he went on 8 times with my DH, and the log flume which we all rode 4 times and I filmed video their 5th ride. We barely got him to eat and he literally ran between every ride. Basically, 7 hours of running around. The kid was exhausted when we left. He was still damp from all the flume rides, so I changed him into sweat pants and a tee and figured he would fall asleep on the ride home after dinner. He never made it to dinner, he fell asleep on my lap before the waitress took our drink order. He slept from 5:30 that evening until 5:45 the next morning.

May 22nd:

Back to Strasburg Rail Road for one more train ride before heading home.

It really was a perfect "kids" vacation.

But, today it was back to the real world, the DH went back to work and Jr. and I went food shopping.

I did get in some reading, 4 books, but I was good, I didn't spend the entire 10 hours we spent driving back and forth with my head in a book.

Tagged by Nicole...

We're back from vacation, but before I blog all about that, I got "tagged" by Nicole.

Here goes:

Total number of books I own:

Probably about 1500, those are my books if we add in my husbands it's probably around 2,000. These numbers are staggeringly frightening--LOL.

Last book(s) I bought:

• The Assassin--Rachel Butler
  A Breath Away--Rita Herron
  The Seduction of an English Scoundral--Jillian Hunter
  Master of the Moon--Angela Knight
  The Cobra & the Concubine--Bonnie Vanak

I copied this right out of my last blog.

Last book(s) I read:

Vacation reads:

• One Way Out--Michelle Albert
• The Seduction of an English Scoundrel--Jillian Hunter
• Master of the Moon--Angela Knight
• A Breath Away--Rita Heron

Five books that mean a lot to me:

1. Anne of Green Gables--LM Montgomery
2. Mrs. Mike--The Freemans?--I don't have it infront of me.
3. Salem's Lot--Stephen King
4. Midnight Rainbow--Linda Howard
5. Outlander--Diana Gabaldon

That was really hard. Anne of Green Gables was my favorite series as a kid, I probably could have listed the Little House books too, Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka... Mrs. Mike hooked me on romance, though I'm not sure it is really a "romance". Salem's Lot was the scariest book I've ever read, I slept with a light on for a month after reading it. Midnight Rainbow was the first Linda Howard book I read. Outlander, though not my favorite of the series, it is the first.

Tag 5 people:

Amanda
Anne
Erika
Kristie J
Mary Stella

I'm sorry if I've double tagged anyone, my only excuse I've been away and haven't blog hopped in 6 days.

Quick Bookstore Stop

The books I picked up at the UBS last week were supposed to be my "vacation" books. But, because I'm weak, I was unable to hold off and actually read them on vacation. So, I needed another trip to a bookstore.

Today, I decided to run my last minute errands at the mall. Junior needed new sneaker (leather Buster Browns from The Shoe Dept., they light up, he's thrilled.) Instead of going to the UBS I went to Waldenbooks, buy 4 get the 5th free. So of course I had to get 5 (if I have time to post pictures I will):

• The Assassin--Rachel Butler
• A Breath Away--Rita Herron
• The Seduction of an English Scoundral--Jillian Hunter
• Master of the Moon--Angela Knight
• The Cobra & the Concubine--Bonnie Vanak

Maili mentioned The Assassin a while ago and today was the first time I've seen it in a bookstore, and Amanda blogged about Master of the Moon (you need at least one "smutty" book while on vacation--LOL.) The rest I've heard nothing about, but their blurbs looked interesting. The only author of the five I've read is Rachel Butler (aka Marilyn Pappano).

I had the new Johanna Lindsey paperback release in my hand (I would like to finish the Mallory series--I think it's Jeremy's story--I didn't even read the blurb), but I couldn't bring myself to pay $7.99 for it. I don't really read her anymore, I'll wait for a used copy. I almost picked up Madeline Hunter's Lord of Sin, but I ordered it from the UBS and I didn't want to end up with two copies.

The books I bought today are going into the suitcase today, otherwise I'd have 2 of them finished before we leave--I'm so weak. Okay, maybe I'll put a couple in my backpack in the car so I can read during the drive.

Got to go, I have to start packing, books first then clothing.

Have a great afternoon, happy reading.

While I was putting books in the "car" backpack I discovered two Daniel Silvas--happy day.

Comfort Zones and Expectations

Most readers have comfort zones, or favorite zones. Genres that catch their attention first. In the past mine have been, medievals, regencies (full size) and romantic suspense. New medievals are hard to find, and the market is glutted with mediocre regencies and romantic suspense.

Breaking out of our comfort zones is sometimes difficult. I've spent the last few months trying to do just this with little success. After being completely disappointed with contemporary romance, I've moved on to other genres some falling under the romance umbrella, and some not.

Eureka, in the last 2 weeks I've broken free of these comfort zones and changing expectations has much to do with it. In the last 2 weeks I've read:

• 3 category romances (Silhouette Intimate Moments)
• 1 fantasy
• 4 erotica/romantica
• 1 vampire

Out of these 9 books I enjoyed 7 (last Friday I posted about the two I hated). A string of really good books? I'm not really sure. I started reading these books with little expectations. These are books outside my comfort zone, and I had no idea what to expect. The only books in this group I've read on a consistant basis are the category romances--but it's been years since I've read 3 or more in a month let alone a 2 week period.

All I was looking for was a well written book with a believable HEA. Seven books hit that mark. Are they keepers? No, but I'm realizing I shouldn't be looking for a keeper everytime I open a book.

I'm no longer looking for the "greatest romance" ever written, all I need is to be entertained and some escapism. If someone I trust recommends a book I'll try it, if the back blurb looks good, I'm going to read it. And, if I find some keepers in the process, all the better.

Have a great day and happy reading.

PS We're leaving for vacation Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, so this may be the last post for the next week or so.

If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl

Yes, yes, yes, I'm doing a happy dance--I've finally found a vampire series I can sink my teeth into (hehehe--pathetic pun, I know, but I couldn't help myself.)


In the depths of human desire, eternity awaits…

She Restores the Light of Hope.

Dr. Alexandra Keller is Chicago's most brilliant reconstructive surgeon.

He Dwells in Shadow.

Michael Cyprien is New Orleans' most reclusive millionaire -- in desperate need of Dr. Keller's skills.A New Dawn Awaits Them Both…

Beneath the foundation of a mansion in the heart of the Garden District, Alexandra will perform an illegal surgery. Her patient’s disfigurement is beyond medical repair. But his body’s ability to recuperate from his wounds borders on the miraculous.

Alexandra knows Michael Cyprien is no ordinary patient. Intrigued by how his remarkable physiology might benefit medical science, she is even more compelled by his presence -- and the mystery surrounding him and his associates, a cadre of immortals who call themselves the Darkyn…


I have yet to read a vampire series that has held my attention--I can't stand the whinny, "poor, put upon me," controlling vampire heros. I have to admit I haven't read the Anita Blake series. I'm having a hard time finding all of them. I think one of my BIL's has the complete set. I'll have to borrow it.

The plot is very logical, and the vampire hero isn't whinny, he tries to be controlling, but the heroine is equal to him in strength. This is what gives the book a solid backbone.

Normally, I prefer books to tie up all story lines by the end, but this is a great start to a series and I'm l looking forward to the next in the series to see where it will go next.

Have a great night, happy reading.

Try, Try Again

So, after seeing what Nicole posted to my last blog, I decided to give Wildfire by Cheyenne McCray a try. It was a really quick read and I finished it in a couple of hours this morning (215 pages with print large enough I could have read it without my glasses.)

Pleasantly surprised, not bad, in fact it was pretty good. It was like reading a Harlequin Romance, but with a lot of really hot sex. Boy (Jake Reynolds) comes home after 10 years to find the girl (Dee MacLeod) he left behind, knows she's the love of his life and wants to settle down with her, but she needs convincing. No crazy, obsessive brothers--LOL, only a light sub-plot about cattle rustlers that continues into the next book. The names are so stereotypical--Jake Reynolds, Jess Lawless, Kev Grand, Jarrod Savage, Catie Wilds, just to name a few. They made me laugh out loud, but somehow they seemed right.

Now, I can go back to If Angels Burn, which is really good so far.

Have a great night, happy reading.

Wednesday's UBS Finds

So, after confessing on Monday or Tuesday I had never read an Ellora's Cave, I discovered 5 of them used at the UBS on Wednesday. I also found a used copy of Michele Albert's One Way Out and a new copy of Lynn Viehl's If Angels Burn.

You may notice I'm only showing 4 Ellora's Cave covers, the 5th one the bookstore owner said was completely unreadable (pretty honest). Two of these she liked and the other two are her "Best Selling" Ellora's Cave. I should have realized "Best Selling" doesn't make them good books, if I had questioned her further (I sound like the Spanish Inquisition--LOL), I probably wouldn't have bought the books. Oh, we live and learn.

After reading the 2 "Best Selling" books I wrote a major 4 page rant in my book journal. I've decided not to post this as it's filled with swearing. I would have thrown the books against the wall and kicked them a few times, but I didn't want to wake my husband up. Dr. Phil would have had a field day with the characters in both these books. Needless to say I wasn't real impressed with my first foray into this line of books.

I'm thinking if I want to read romantica/erotica I'm probably going to stick with Emma Holly.

I decided to read If Angels Burn next. I'm only 20 pages into it, but it looks real promising, I don't expect to be throwing this one against the wall.

Have a great day, happy reading.

PS Check out today's column at RTB,it's a good one.

Does Life Get Any Better Than This??

A 7 year old goes to his first professional baseball game at Yankee Stadium. It's a day game and it's a beautiful spring day with a breath taking blue sky.

He and his dad get there early, visit "Monument Park", buy a pennant and a program and find their seats behind home plate on the 3rd base side. Yogi Berra throws out the first pitch. Not only do the Yankees win 13 to 9, his favorite player hits a home run.

My nephew will have magical memories of a perfect day that will be with him his entire life. Does life get any better than this?

A Born Romance Reader, My Grandmother and a Lousy Reviewer, that would be me.

A Born Romance Reader:

Nicole Blogs about her romance reading Genesis. For me, I think it's genetic. I was born into a family of romance readers. Including my dad, especially my dad.

Both my parents are avid readers. My mom reads just about any type of fiction published (with the exception of horror--though she does have a copy of the Exorcist on her book shelves, but she still has nightmares about it 30+ years later.)

My dad reads biographies (political and historical--no Kitty Kelly--LOL), westerns and romance. He always has a huge pile of books on his night stand. Mixed in with the Louis L'Amours and Zane Greys were always plenty of Harlequin, Harlequin Presents and when I was little, lots of Barbara Cartland. Pretty tame, I know, but to be completely honest I don't want to know if my dad reads anything really "hot", I'd have to file that under "too much information."

I became a serious reader in Junior High School, up until then I read Nancy Drews and anything that had a horse in it. But, in JHS I read "Mrs. Mike," I've blogged about this in the past. I wore out the school's copy of "Mrs. Mike" to the point they gave me the book at the end of the school year. So, it was in JHS that I started raiding my dad's night stand. Which was fine with my parents.

By the time I was in High School I was raiding my aunt's pile of books (she and my grandmother lived with us back then--both were romance readers, grandma is gone, but my aunt still reads romance). In High School I discovered historicals, (Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers) and Danielle Steele. Anything I read got passed onto my entire French class, under the desks, of course, the teacher was a major ^%#*$. For those of you who can't understand anyone reading KW, RR, and DS that was all there was back then, we're talking the late seventies (I graduated in '81). I also discovered Stephen King in HS--Salem's Lot, Carrie, The Shining. A couple of years ago, I admitted to my mom, I lifted "Looking For Mr Goodbar" off her night stand when I was 15. I was a completely clueless 15 year old, after reading it I didn't believe anyone had (whispering) oral sex.

The romance bug stuck, I've been reading ever since.

My Grandmother:

My mother's mother (Big Grandma) lived with us after my grandfather died in 1973, my aunt who was only 19 lived with us too, until she got married. "Big" grandma was a skinny 5' 2", huh, "little" grandma was 4' 10"--LOL, it's all relative especially to little kids, we named them big and little--how these two little women ended up with grandchildren that range from 5' 8"--that's me to 6' 5"--my brother, we will never know--I've completely digressed, sorry).

Big Grandma was a liberated woman, before there were liberated women. She always worked, not because she had to, Grandpa made very good money, but because she wanted to (I guess Grandpa was liberated too). Though she was very independent, Grandpa always thought she was a prude, "Mamie, you should have been a nun--None of this and None of that..." You know something maybe we're all a little odd, how many kids back in the 60's heard their grandparents talking like this--I don't know.

Well, Grandma discovered romance novels after Grandpa died. Like me, she raided my dad's night stand. She used to say "I don't read the sex scenes, they're disgusting"--like there were sex scenes in Harlequins and Barbara Cartlands back in 70's--LOL. But, she must have been secretly reading my aunts' books, because she often said "I wish I knew then, what I know now."

She was a character, I miss her and grandpa everyday and they've been gone so long now. Okay, that was maudlin enough--I'm making myself cry.

On a Lighter Note, I'm a Lousy Reviewer:

I can admitted I'm a lousy reviewer. I can't write a good synopsis to save myself. I'm not really sure I even want to. I break a book down like this:

Did I like:

• The hero? (that always comes first and to be honest, I almost always like the heros--what can I say, I like all types of men.)
• The heroine?
• The story line, plot and writing style?

Was the book memorable and would I read it again? If all the answer's are yes, It's a keeper. If it's not memorable, it's a B- and things kind of go down hill from there.

That's enough thinking for one day.

Have a great day and happy reading.

Confession time...

I have a few confessions to make.

1. On a regular basis, I go over to Maili's Blog (mcvane) and run her list of reader blogs--it's a great list. If I was good I'd just list them all on my own blog, but I'm too lazy.
2. I've never read an Ellora's Cave. I'm starting to think I'm in the minority. I keep looking for used copies at the UBS, but nary a used one can be found. I must be missing something and will have to break down and buy one new.
3. I'm a closet Nora Roberts reader. Still get all her new releases (paperback) and somehow find comfort in the predictability of her characters, story lines and trilogies.
4. I have completely given up on Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. As predictable as NR may be I started to feel JAK's books were the same book over and over again just with name changes.
5. I don't care if it's not "hip" to love Linda Howard's alpha heros. I do, I don't care if they're cavemen, tough guys or idiots, when they fall in love, I believe it.

Now, I'll say a good Act of Contrition, and go food shopping, or maybe I'll take jr. to the playground instead.

Lot's of thoughts running through my pea brain...

After a weekend of running around, brunch at my sister's on Saturday, breakfast with my in-laws Sunday morning and a 1st birthday party in the afternoon/evening, my head is kind of spinning with lots of thoughts some about family and some about books.

I'll start with the SIL from hell. She managed to strike again--big surprise. Snarky with one of the BILs and she can't imagine being home full-time--too much work, this was addressed to me. I thought this was some sort of compliment (color me surprised, I should have known better), until she turned it into a commentary on her dislike of play yards and play pens, because I commented that when my son was her daughters age I used a play yard and lots of gates, it kept him contained and safe--he learned to play very nicely by himself. Maybe I'm wrong, but you can't watch them every minute they're awake, but you need to know they're safe, that's why the play yard (cage--LOL) and our gated off living room worked for us."It stops their curiosity about their surroundings. . ." Anyone who knows my son knows his curiosity needed a little squeltching at times or he would have been climbing the refrigerator and swinging on doorknobs, not that he hasn't done both of these. Or even worse trying to get outside--now that is really frightening. Oh, well, no more complaining.

I did very little reading this weekend, I did finish George & The Virgin, but I think I'll do a separate blog. At the rate I'm going I don't think I'm going to meet my TBR challenge over at RT. I need to get cracking to reach 20 books.

Oh, I did finish Karen Templeton's SIM Swept Away. It was good. The heroine's 37 and the hero has 6 kids (and the kids aren't annoying always a plus, and I loved little Travis--reminded me of my little guy--like ages.) Kids in books can be a peeve for me, so often they don't seem realistic, but KT did a great job--I guess having 5 kids helps--LOL. My son has a wicked vocabulary, but at the same time still sounds like a little boy, this seems to be hard for some authors to do, either the kids sound 40 (because the writer is showing how smart they are) or the the child comes across has mono-syllabic, which kids aren't (unless they need speech intervention).

Got to go, planning a school party for tomorrow and have to get together with other Moms, and have to get the food shopping done or we wont be eating tonight.

Have a great day, happy reading.

Happy Mother's Day and other thoughts...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the Mom's out there.

Well, it's 2 o'clock in the morning and I'm up. Considering I fell asleep before nine, this shouldn't be a big surprise. Why did I fall asleep so early? My book light died and I was too lazy to go downstairs, my husband was watching TV in bed, Tombstone for the umpteenth time (for those of you who know my thoughts about The Godfather movies and JFK, Tombstone is fast approaching the "I hate this movie" level.--LOL)

For the first time in years, I've started reading category romances again. I've picked up 3 SIMs in the last week. They're quick reads and I'm finding I can get an entire book read in a sitting. Back when I worked full time and commuted I probably read 10 to 15 category romances a month, but of course, back then I was reading 40-50 books a month. Commuting is a gift to readers.

I got Alison Kent's attention with my "whining" about RTB, which I guess is a good thing. I know RTB is for all aspects of the "Romance" world, and I wasn't really complaining, I was trying to point out my perceptions didn't match RTB's concept. If we want our voices heard we really need to speak up.

Gee whiz, now I'm having an allergy attack. If I take Benadryl, I'll sleep right through Mothers's day. I'm going back to bed.

Have a great day, and happy reading.

I'm still bitching...

Will someone please tell me if this is acceptable behavior? A poster on a message board is planning to exchange a book she didn't like after reading it. Do people actually do this? I thought she was kidding.

If you don't like a book do you save the receipt and return or exchange it for a different one. I can't believe how offensive I find this. With this logic the next book I buy will be the last, I'll just keep exchanging them until hell freezes.

A Rant or Maybe a Whine--"Romancing the Blog"

This is directly from the Romancing the Blog mission Statement:

. . .Who dictates the direction of modern romance? The writer? The reader? The publisher? The reviewer?

The answer is: All of the above.

Weblogs have emerged as a viable source of information. "Bloggers" are on the cutting edge. They find information and spread it quickly. They share their knowledge and their viewpoints, they "rant" and they praise. And when it comes to romance, they know their stuff.

The columnists on Romancing the Blog are the best of the best. They are readers, reviewers, aspiring authors, and bestsellers. Some are thoughtful, some humorous, some a bit "ranty," and some are insightful. They have their own voices and a love of romance. Together, with your comments, they will map the landscape of today's romance genre from every possible angle. From story conception to the moment a reader finishes the book, they'll cover it all.

Sorry, that was long, but I wanted to include all this info.

Now, yesterday over at Maili's Blog, she posted about cliques within the romance blogging community. I decided to bring some of the conversation over here as not to tie up her blog with my gripping--LOL.

It seems to me the founding fathers/mothers of RTB are missing an important part of the equation. The reader.

Until today, I had never read RTB's mission statement. I'm sure their intentions are to have readers as an important part of their "blog", but I'm not sure we as readers are getting that point. Don't get me wrong, readers are welcome, readers are columnists, and readers post, but on a whole it seems to be an "industry" blog, and I read it and enjoy it as such, but I'm not really sure it's geared for readers. Maybe it's just my perception as a reader.

There are approximately 40 columnists between regulars and guests--3 are readers (not a great percentage), but how many readers are going to be as articulate as any author. In the sidebar there are about 175 "author blogs" listed and there are 20 odd "reader blogs"--several of which haven't been updated in a while (Maili's list is better), and there's a few "industry blogs" listed.

This was Maili's response to my post on her blog:

Tara Marie . . . As for RTB, I have to admit that RTB intimidates me, which is probably why my columns/responses are written as if I was on speed or had too much coffee. :D But RTB *is* for readers as well as authors. The only way to enforce the presence of plain readers is to respond. Keeping silence on readers' part will only create a stronger feel of the author/editor/reviewer presence, leaving readers out in the "cold." I mean, what stops you - or any readers - from approaching the RTB team and ask if you - or they - could contribute? We have to start somewhere.

I think she's right if we want to be heard we need to voice our thoughts and opinions, but I'm curious, how many readers truly feel comfortable doing this, in this environment?

What stops you - or any readers - from approaching the RTB team and ask if you - or they - could contribute?

I know what stops me, I may have a big mouth, but would be completely intimidated by the concept. What can I say, I'm a wimp. If 20 published authors and industry insiders are agreeing with each other and patting each other on the backs, how many readers are going to be a dissenting voice?

So all of that to show what stops me, but what stops other readers?

Boy, am I long winded, sorry about that--LOL.

Apologizing First--Whiney, Ranty Mood

I'm in a pissy mood, and I can't even use PMS as an excuse.

1. Why is it somehow my fault our son refuses to eat vegetables? I keep telling my DH it's his fault--he's the one with the brother who only ate corn until he was 35, genetically it came from his side of the family not mine.
2. Why do I have to spend Mother's Day with my SIL from hell? She has once again started a family riot over something ridiculous. I dread "get togethers" with my DH family.
3. Why am I the sounding board when my mother is mad at my father? I really wish to remain clueless--which I've told her, but it falls on deaf ears.

On a lighter note, I'm reading Lisa Cach's George and the Virgin. I realize I'm 3 years behind the times, it's silly book, but at this point it's entertaining.

It has come to my attention my son is a ham.

It seems my son is a ham. Color me surprised (not really).

Today was the "Mother's Day Assembly" at his nursery school. Forty five 3 and 4 year olds singing the praises of dear old Mom. Isn't it great--LOL. At this age the girls are much more attentive to singing, but Anthony seems to hold his own.

Well, the director of the pre-school had to tell me how he comes in to her office with a book and reads to her (actually he describes the pictures, he may be smart, but he's not reading yet). He makes it a big production. The ladies in the office get a great kick out of him.

I discovered from one of the other mothers who was sitting in with the class on Tuesday, my son is the only child who needs no prompting from the teachers to talk about his show and tell items (this month--a toy weed wacker, with all the noisy bells and whistles--which was better than last month's 3 foot long and 1 1/2 foot tall motorcycle which I begged him not to bring). He's up there showing how the weed wacker works, running it along the wall and the edge of the play mat, and letting the other kids play with it--the teachers basically have to tell him to shut up and sit down, of course they say it much nicer than that--LOL.

Did I mention his nickname at home is Barrymore?

Reading Compatriots and Opposites

There is such a variety of books out there every month that I've found a need for reading compatriots. Friends, readers, reviewers who have similar enough taste to mine that I can almost always agree with their thoughts about a book and look forward to their recommendations.

My sister is my closest reading buddy. Sometimes it seems like we think with the same brain. Our taste in books is almost identical--at times it's a little spooky. I can't tell you how many times we've bought the same book and discovered we either loved it or hated it before we could talk to each other.

I've discovered over the last few years that I also have a few on-line compatriots Anne E. is one, she doesn't read as much romance as I do, but our taste is fairly consistant when it comes to historicals (I probably like a larger variety, but what she does read and enjoy I do too). Since I've discovered blogging, I've found a few more (I'm still testing the theory and I'll probably list them some other time).

When it comes to reviewers, probably the closest to my taste would be the dreaded, feared and hated (please note, my tongue is in my cheek) Mrs. Giggles. Anything she rates 85 or better, I'm likely to love and anything she rates 50 or less I'm probably going to hate. It's the scores in the middle that I don't always agree with. There are also a few reviewers over at AAR that I agree with fairly consistantly.

The funny thing is one of my best barometers aren't the people I agree with, but sometimes it's the people I never agree with--my reading opposites, people I know if they loved it I'm probably going to hate it and vice versa. There are a few of regular posters at RT that I almost never agree with. One writes the best reviews, I don't usually agree with them, but the reviews are beautifully written. When I first started to lurk and post on RT, I would go out and buy books she raved about--eek, I was always left scratching my head, wondering "huh??"

But, I've come to the conclusion it's a good thing there is such a great variety of books in the romance genre--that way there's something for everyone. It's just sometimes hard to determine which ones are right for me.

Have a great day, happy reading.

Last Month's Books

Last month I read 17 books, a good month, not as good as the 23 back in March, but nothing to sneeze at I guess.

I'm being lazy and not posting the books with their grades. I'm not even sure I'm going to do this. It seems to be silly to post a grade, but not a review. I write lousy reviews (not a job I can aspire to--LOL).

Probably only half of what I read last month would get good grades and I'm left wondering if the problem with the books was more me than the books--I seem to be getting pickier as I get older.

Have a great day, happy reading.

The Funny People We Meet...

Over at Squawk Radio Elizabeth Beverly was talking about different jobs she had before she started writing full time. I think many people have had odd jobs, but the people we meet and get to know are much more interesting.

My husband is one of those people who can find humor in just about everything. He tells great stories about some of the people he's worked with over the years.

• There was the man who asked my husband if the Lincoln Tunnel was there before the Hudson River. The same man's last name was "Taylor" and his wife shot him during an argument (she was a cop and only wounded him), but the headlines in the paper were "Elizabeth Taylor Shoots Husband". Someone at the paper had a sense of humor.
• He worked with a man who used to give truck drivers directions like "turn left at my cousin Tom's old house" as if the drivers knew his cousin and where he used to live. Of course, at the time my husband was a driver and didn't find it all that funny.
• When he was first out of high school, he worked for a man who re-used tea bags, I guess it's not really surprising he paid minimum wage.
• He worked with a man who used wax his hot water heater and put headlights on his ride on lawn mower (he would wax the lawn mower too.) The same man put a hole in the gas tank of the same lawn mower when he was installing the brake lights on the back.
• He also worked for an Hasidic man who sent him to the "Jewish" bus station to pick up his father with the description "He's an old Jewish man with gray hair, black coat and hat, you can't miss him." This description fit every man getting off the bus.

But, I think I worked with the funniest woman who had no idea she was funny. We worked for a Ministry--an interdenominational bible teacher, who would visit different denominational churches all over the country to preach and sell his teaching books and audio and video tapes. "Lori" was the bookkeeper.

We were in a staff meeting when she started talking about a TV evangelist who had a huge pipe organ playing during his broadcast. The problem was she was going on and on about the minister's "organ," how big it was and how beautiful and how she wished her minister had an "organ" like that. We were all dying and finally another woman (real grandmotherly type) reached over and patted her knee and said maybe she should be quiet. Ah, then a light bulb went on and she ran out of the room, completely red faced and laughing hysterically.

Some jobs are strange and odd, but the people we meet along the way are stranger than fiction.

Have a great day, happy reading.