Angels Fall

I finished Nora Roberts' Angels Fall yesterday afternoon. Once again an enjoyable book from NR.

From the publisher, lifted from B&N:

Reece Gilmore has come a long way to see the stunning view below her. As the sole survivor of a brutal crime back East, she has been on the run, desperately fighting the nightmares and panic attacks that haunt her. Reece settles in Angel's Fist, Wyoming-temporarily, at least-and takes a job at a local diner. And now she's hiked this mountain all by herself. It was glorious, she thought, as she peered through her binoculars at the Snake River churning below.

Then Reece saw the man and woman on the opposite bank. Arguing. Fighting. And suddenly, the man was on top of the woman, his hands around her throat . . .

Enjoying a moment of solitude a bit farther down the trail is a gruff loner named Brody. But by the time Reece reaches him and brings him to the scene, the pair has vanished. When authorities comb the area where she saw the attack, they find nothing. No signs of struggle. No freshly turned earth. Not even a tire track.

Reece is a contradiction, she's had a severe trauma in her life that left neurotic and obsessive, probably justified, and yet she is also strong or at least getting stronger and at times more confident as the book goes on. Brody becomes her rock, believes in her when many others around them think she's simply that poor crazy woman from back east.

Have you ever reached the point in a suspense when you realize who the villain is and you say "NO!!"? I was about 2/3 through the book when the villain's identity started to dawn on me, and my brain started whispering "no, no, no, the villain can't be..." but of course it was. I still enjoyed the book and I have no ideas which secondary character would have made a better bad guy--LOL.

PS--Ames was nice enough to send me the code for boxing in blockquotes, but I'm still too HTML challenged to make them work--oh well, I'll keep at it.

Life's oddities... and a couple other thoughts

Yesterday was one of those odd days that left little questions about the inane oddities of life.

Why is it ...

• the woman who cut me off in town had a "Respect Mother Earth..." bumper sticker and was driving a huge SUV while flicking ashes and a cigarette butt out her window?
• when the supermarket is doing give aways with their "spend a gazillion dollars and get a free turkey or ham" deal they never have the size they're "giving away" the turkeys or ham are 5 lbs bigger and you have to pay the difference?
• the book I wanted from the library isn't available when I'm there, but is available 3 hours later?*
• I can't find shirts to fit my son, 4/5 is way too small and 6/7 is way to big?
• that Amazon takes over a week to tell me the Disney Princess Belle I ordered for my niece was out of stock?
• after 24 years the village still questions why we've never had a water meter?
• a 5 year old needs privacy when taking off clothes, but has no problem running around the house completely naked?

*I shouldn't complain about the book, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, I knew that they were holding it for someone else and they called to tell me the other person cancelled, it was nice they called so quickly.

One of the books I picked up at the library was Nora Roberts' Angel Falls, I've read about half the book and OMG, the heroine is one of the most neurotic characters I've ever seen in a romance, yet it completely works (Jane, I haven't reached the canoe scene yet, of course that wont really matter as I'm clueless about canoe etiquette).

So last week when my Mom and sister took me out for "Girls Day Out" it turns out they've been living under the misconception I've been languishing in SAHM martyrdom because I wear old patched jeans. I had to point out that my old patched jeans are 1. my favorites, 2. incredibly comfortable, 3. have pockets for keys and money and 4. clean. I've promised to wear nicer pants/skirts in public. We had a nice lunch and Mom gave me my birthday present a month early.

Got to go, Junior's in the shower and we're going to be late for school.

Have a good one and happy reading.

PS--I've a column up on RTB, read about the conversion of a non-romance believer.

Linda Howard Again... And an HTML question

I've been on a Linda Howard kick again. Read three over the weekend. Son of the Morning, Open Season and Midnight Rainbow.

Midnight Rainbow was book three of my "Can You Guess The Book" post. Published originally in 1986, it was my first Linda Howard. I think it's safe to say I've gone on to read everything she's written. I'm now looking for my copy of Diamond Bay, you can't really read MR and not DB--LOL.

My husband spent a good part of yesterday afternoon flipping between football games and a program about The Templars, so I've decide to bug him into reading Son of the Morning.

Open Season is my go to book right now, you know the book you pick up because you don't know what to read but need to read something. I love the condom/drugstore scene, it makes me laugh everytime I read it.

I'm trying to figure out how to put a border around a blockquote or part of a blog post, does anyone know how to do this? Ames does this and I love the look. Ames or anyone else out there--HELP.

Have a good one and happy reading.

Can you guess the book...

Everybody's doing it...

1. Grab the nearest book.

2. Open to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next four sentences on your blog along with these instructions.

5. Don't you dare dig around for that "cool" or "intellectual" book on your shelves. (I know you were thinking about it.) Just pick up whatever is closest.

I have 3 books sitting on my desk, so I decided to post from all three.

Book one:

He didn't know her that well at all. In fact, she was desperately, impractically romantic.

She leaned back in her chair, stretching her long bare legs out in front of her. "So let's sum this up," she said in her best lawyerly voice. In truth she'd spent very little time in court, and it had never been up to her to provide the summation ,but she could wing it with the best of them. "I can't leave the house because the doors and windows are electrified, but I can use the pool... What's to keep me from taking off once I'm outside?"

Can you guess my book?

Book two:

He was motivated by an urge for adventure and the hopes of impressing an unattainable lady.

It was not his place to disillusion Miss Welbourne, however. Nor would she thank him for it.

"I'm sure he was very brave," she said.

Can you guess my book?

Book three:

A shiver ran over her; he rubbed his free hand up her bare arm, feeling the coolness of her skin. Of its own accord his hand continued upward, stroking her satiny jaw, smoothing her dark tangle of hair away from her face. She was in a melancholy mood, this funny little cat, staring at the rain as if it would never stop, her eyes shadowed and her full passionate mouth sad.

Cupping her chin in his hand, he tilted her face up so he could study her quiet expression.

Can you guess my book?

Leave a comment... ***EDITED***

Yesterday while shopping with my sister and Mom, my mom announced she spoke with my brother and heard all about "The Sleep Over". Oops, I guess I hadn't mentioned it to Mom. Now, I hadn't talked to or emailed him, apparently he or my SIL read the blog, I'm leaning toward the SIL.

I also know my husband is checking in every few days. ***EDITED*** At 1:00 Friday morning he pointed out that I should be more careful about what I post... "What if...", so this ended up edited at 4:00 Friday morning--Oh The Guilt--LOL.

You know guys, you could delurk and leave a comment once in a while.

When the Neo Counter shows a visitor from somewhere unusual, say India or Saudi Arabia I wish they'd leave a comment. I'd love to know whether or not they like the blog or how they found me.

And for those who seem to find me because they're google searching for porn, sorry you'll have to look elsewhere. You folks don't need to leave a comment.

Yesterday's odd google search was "my friends hot mom Mrs. Carrington". So, I wonder just how hot Mrs. Carrington is.

Have a great day and happy reading.

PS--My Neo Counter isn't working now, something about the server, I wonder if it's theirs or mine, oh well.

The Name Thing...

I've just finished Madeline Hunter's The Rules of Seduction, like I said in my post last night, it's very character driven.

The hero's name is Lord Hayden Rothwell. Ms. Hunter gave a wonderful description of him on page...

Dark hair, unruly as if the brushes had been forgotten this morning, framed a handsome face composed of strong, chiseled planes. Signs of fatigue dulled his deeply set, midnight-blue eyes. Strained forebearance tightened his square jaw and firmly set mouth...

So, why is it I spent a good part of the book visualizing Craig T. Nelson from the old TV sitcom Coach. I kept waiting for Jerry VanDyke to come running in screaming "HAYDEN, HAYDEN!!"

And then somehow the blue jean wearing "Coach" morphed into Mr. Incredible when the voice started to interfer. I guess the midnight-blue eye color might match, but that's about it--LOL.

I hate doing this. Hayden's a rather distinctive name, I don't know anyone with it. If the name had been William or Bill, Ben or David, I'd probably not have visualized anything.

I should be relieved I didn't visualize Hugh Grant and Lilith (Frasier's prissy ex-wife) while reading Meljean's Demon Angel.

Does this happen because I'm not fully engaged in the story? Hmmm, I'll have to think about it.

The Sleep Over

Well, it's 5:30 in the morning and I'm up. Not because I can't sleep, but because the two little boys in the other room are up for the day. They've been up since 4:30. Yes, I said 4:30. At 5:00 my husband announced to me, it's going to be awhile before we do this again--understatement of his life.

We don't coddle our son, if he falls he gets up and the only time we get a reaction is when he notices he's bleeding, if he doesn't notice he just keeps going. Apparently the friends parents either coddle or he's a whiner and a bit of a tattletale...

• I've got a headache.
• "Junior" pushed me.
• I want to play with that.
• I want to play outside.
• I want to play with trains.
• "Junior" pushed me. You're playing tag in the house, I'm sure you pushed him too.
• My leg hurts.
• My leg hurts.
• My leg hurts... There's no bruise it looks fine.
• It's deep inside.
• I can't sleep. That was as 1:30 this morning.
• Crying... hit head on floor during pillow fight at 5:20 this morning.

And, now they're having a "fart" discussion. 9:00 can't come fast enough.

I think there's a reason we only have one child--LOL.

Have a great day.

This and That

Finished Betina Krahn's The Book of True Desires, this morning, thoroughly enjoyed it. Great time period--1898, great setting--Cuba and Mexico, smart hero and heroine, interesting secondary characters, very good adventure--kind of an Indiana Jones type thing, but the heroine is the archeologist.

I picked up the December issue of RT the other day. I'm having a hard time picking out books.

Definites:

• Pleasure For Pleasure by Eloisa James
• Autumn in Scotland by Karen Raney
• Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard
• Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot
• Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank

Maybes:

• The Great Betrayal by Millenia Black
• Bogeyman by Gayle Wilson
• Hero Worship by Dawn Calvert
• Two Lives in Waltz Time by Viven Dean
• The Master of Shilden by Lucinda Carrington

My son is having a play date/sleep over today. His friend arrived at 10:30 and is staying over. They've had lunch and a snack, played outside twice, watched some Noggin and have been playing with trains in his room, and it's now 12:30. All of that in 2 hours, it's going to be a long day--LOL. Apparently Junior doesn't have enough trains, his friend brought a bag full too. I'm pleased to say they play nicely together, their teacher says they compliment each other which she appreciates because they don't instigate too much trouble that way. Tomorrow morning they have basketball at 9:00.

No Rest For The Wicked by Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole's No Rest for the Wicked was not what I expected.

The Blurb courtesy of B&N:

A soldier weary of life . . .

Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire -- a nightmare in his mind -- against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A Valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him . . .

When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow -- accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings -- particularly lust -- emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill.

Become competitors in a legendary hunt.

The prize of the month-long contest is powerful enough to change history, and Kaderin will do anything to win it for her sisters. Wanting only to win her, forever, Sebastian competes as well, taking every opportunity -- as they travel to ancient tombs and through catacombs, seeking relics around the world -- to use her new feelings to seduce her. But when forced to choose between the vampire she's falling for and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

I'm being a little bit lazy and linking to some of "The Reviews" I've come across:

Cindy loved it

Nath didn't.

Meljean loved it.

Bam liked it.

My thoughts... I liked it, but it had some hurdles to overcome. After the first in the series, A Hunger like No Other, I expected a fun read with little hints of horror, this one lacked the scarier moments that I liked so much about AHLNO.

I'm starting with "What I didn't like":

1. Sebastian starts out the tortured, self-pitying vampire hero, this almost stopped me from getting any further into the book.
2. The fated mates concept that seems to permiate so many paranormals.
3. The too cool dialogue was at times grating--"Don't go all dental on me." left me rolling my eyes.

What I did like--Cole overcomes my initial "Oh, no" reaction with a fun and overall entertaining story.

Baggage

I pulled this quote from Lydia Joyce's comment on Dear Author's "Should Authors Shut Up and Write" post:

Was I unrealistic because I didn’t not pound in the realities of Alcy’s situation, assuming that readers would take my book as I had written it, without hauling in the baggage of their past experiences in the genre?

"...Without hauling in the baggage of their past experiences in the genre..."

Is this possible? Is it possible to come to each and every book with an open mind, a completely clean slate?

I'm not so sure it's even remotely possible. We read with the hopes that every book is a keeper. Along the way we discover what works for us and what doesn't. I don't like amnesia books, but if a favorite author writes one, I'm willing to give it a try, but at the same time my past experiences and dislike isn't going to be easy to overcome.

What about when a character does something, well, out of character? Or a book goes in a direction we don't like? Are we going to embrace every book by the author or are we going to be leery of future books?

Isn't "baggage" on some level part of the reading experience??

Reading, reading, reading...

Mini confession time, I misplaced my glasses, this is the main reason reading has been non-existent. They showed up Thursday--Kristie's theory works, instead of obsessing about it, eventually everything lost will be found.

Cold as Ice by Anne Stuart was the first book I'd finished in close to 2 weeks. And once again Anne Stuart comes through with a good book. Peter Jensen is a closer for "The Committee," deep cover operatives that fight to stop terrorism and bad guys all over the world. He's working for Harry Van Dorn, an over the top villain planning 7 terrorist attacks on the same day in order to cause financial chaos all over the world, somehow he is going to benefit from this (it's a little vague as to why, but I guess that didn't really matter). Genevieve Spenser works for Harry's law firm and stops to have Harry sign some documents before leaving on 6 weeks of vacation. Well, of course she is plunked down right in the middle of the stop Harry at all cost operation. And, she's not smart enough to get out while the getting was good, not that she's TSTL but she thinks Harry's the wonderful guy the media projects. Genevieve is at times annoying, but this really feels like Peter's book so I was able to get past most of her stupid moments. The book isn't perfect, but it's an exciting adventure definitely worth reading.

I was actually 100 pages into this one when I picked up Cold as Ice. And once I found my glasses Dance of the Gods turned out to be the 3rd book I finished in 2 days. This book was work for me. I liked Morrigan's Cross and thought it was a good set-up for the series. This book wont stand alone, I didn't expect it to, which is fine, it's part of a series that needs to be read in order. I had three issues 1. there's additional world building going on, the first book sets up the vampire world, this one sets up Geall where the ultimate war between vampires and humans takes place. 2. I never warmed up to the h/h, Blair and Larkin, not a good thing for a romance--LOL. It's not a bad book and once the Circle of Six makes it to Geall the book gets better. And the odd thing is by the time I finished the 3rd book in this series I loved all the characters. 3. There are a few little info-dumps, enough that I started to notice them.

The 4th book I finished was Nora Roberts Valley of Silence. I loved this book, for me it was a complete page turner. Moira is a wonderful Warrior Queen and Cian is perfect as the Noble Vampire. I cried through this entire book. They've had 2 books to fall in love, they declare themselves early in this and know that ultimately their love can't exist in their worlds. All the characters come to detailed life, including the vampire family of Lilith, Lora, Davey and their protector Lucius. It's filled with scary and fantasy moments. Some may find the ending somewhat contrived, but it's a romance. Moira and Cian have to find a HEA and this one works for me. This may become my favorite NR and since I've read just about everything she's written that's pretty darned good.

Did you notice I skipped the second book I finished? It was a god awful Historical Erotic Romance that I read in a NyQuil induced haze. Two hundred and five pages of boring--I refuse to comment on it until I go back and reread parts to see if it's actually better than I thought and try to figure out why it was considered erotic because I wasn't all that impressed, it was a waste of good money.

Have a good one and happy reading.

Reading with a vengence...

Well, the reading bug has finally taken a big bite. I've finished 4 books since Friday. We're on our way to 7:30 Mass, so I don't have much time. More to come later.

Have a great day and happy reading.

Cold as Ice is in my hot little hands...

I'm about half way through it. I'll blog about it later.

Have a great day and happy reading--my reading will definitely be happy :D

A few pictures...

I'm posting some pictures, because 1. I haven't posted cute kid pictures in a while and 2. I've got a cold that's leaving me too fuzzy headed to think. The Halloween pictures are at the end of the post.






I'm not sure I posted this picture from our summer vacation. It's one of my favorites, doesn't it scream "Come to the Jersey Shore"?








Apple picking, someone wasn't thrilled with posing in the scarecrow, don'tcha love the frown. The foot in the background is his 9 year old cousin, who I found out was a real bully that day. Do you think he told me this when it happened? Of course not, it comes out a month later when I can't do anything about it.







Gotta try the apples...










You can't tell 5 years olds to "just stay on the line", they take you literally. Play went on right around them but they never left the line.




Getting ready for Trick or Treat. My little vampire was very excited about Trick or Treating with his best friend, I barely had enough time to snap a couple of pictures before we were off to their house. The live up on the next street so we walked.

As you can see both of them were vampires. The best friend got to wear scary make-up, I was afraid to use anything on that beautiful face, he has very sensitive skin. The lounging scarecrow was actually a person in costume. Scared the heck out of the people in front of us.

Have a great day and happy reading, Tara

Happy Halloween

Everyone have a scary and boo--tiful day!!

Busy day ahead, school party, bingo and trick or treat, I'll be back sometime tomorrow.

Five Truth Meme... and a few other things

Well, I've now been tagged twice (thanks Kristie and Amanda) so I guess I actually have to do this.

1. I love being home. Somehow my days seem even busier than when I worked full time. A full day of errands and taxi-ing Junior around is still better than running someone elses office and balancing checkbooks.

2. I'm a dyed in the wool independent moderate. One of the two things I don't blog about. On somethings I'm liberal and others I'm conservative and in recent years I fall more and more right smack in the middle and wonder why everything must be all or nothing--is it possible to compromise and actually get something done?

3. I take great comfort in my faith. The other thing I rarely blog about. I might talk about going to church or my son's school, but I don't really talk about my faith. It's just part of me. I like going to church, when Junior can actually sit still long enough so I can hear what the priest is saying-LOL. I pray every day and find myself saying "Hail Marys" throughout the day.

4. I hate ironing. I have friends who do this to relax, I don't get it--LOL. I don't even own an ironing board, I have a big fancy cordless Oreck iron that I've never used, came free with my vacuums. I've 9 years of ironing white uniform shirts--yikes.

5. I'm a perpetual optimist, which some people find surprising because of how sarcastic I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm not "Little Miss Mary Sunshine" all the time, I see lifes negatives; yet for me lifes little glass always seems at least half full. I'm thankful for what I have and rarely feel envious of what others have. And, I smile a lot. Even when I'm working bingo and everyone is grumpy around me, I'm thinking I hope I live long enough to be a cranky old woman.

Glad that's done, I have no idea who hasn't done it, so feel free to pick it up and run with it.

My son's turning into a little social butterfly. If he doesn't have homework he expects to have playdates and becomes incredibly annoyed when this doesn't work out for him. He has a Halloween party to go to tonight, another one at the school tomorrow (Trunk or Treat) and is Trick or Treating this year with his best friend. I'm thankful I get along well with his mom, we see each other a lot.

His soccer game for today was cancelled because of rain, I'm rather thankful for that as it was scheduled for 8:00 and yesterday it was 25 degrees when we left for school.

Tuesday I volunteered to help out at his class Halloween party before I remembered I had bingo too. I'm dropping him off at 8:20, and then I'm back there from 9:00 - 4:00. Then have to come home and cook--I don't think so, Chinese on Halloween sound great doesn't it? Trick or Treating goes from 6:00-8:00.

I haven't read a book in about a week and I'm not obsessing over this, just keeping busy doing other things and when the urge strikes I'll pick one up. I did buy The Poison Study the other day (at least I think that's the title--LOL) and think I'll probably start it today. It's going to be stormy so curling up on the couch with a new book sounds good. I feel a little like Cindy, my sleeping schedule has been screwed up--I've been falling asleep by 8:30 at night and that's right smack in the middle of my normal reading time.

I still haven't even looked at setting up polls, but promise to have the Alpha Scale Poll up and running as soon as I can.

Have a good one and happy reading.

More Alphas....

Jane's suggestion in the comments yesterday was a good one...

part of me thinks that almost all romance heroes are alpha and we just need to pick one in each category that best exemplifies that persona.

Keep listing Alphas and which category you think they belong to and I'll try to figure out how to do polling and hopefully have that up in the next day or so.

Have a good one, Tara

The Alpha Sliding Scale

I couldn't decide in which order to list the different type of Alphas but decided to start with the best and work down..

• Strong/Protective--Doesn't stomp all over the heroines independence.
• Strong/Protective/Control Freak--Likes to be in charge, but adjusts.
• Strong/Anti-hero--Think Anne Stuart heros.
• Strong/Protective but condescending--Likes to be in charge, smirky with a pat the little lady on the head attitude.
• Controlling/Jumps easily to conclusions--different from the control freak because causes unneeded misunderstandings.
• Alpha Jerk/but trainable--Strong and protecting, control freak, condescending... but learns to control the negatives, grovels nicely.
• Alpha Jerk--Obnoxious bully, revenge seeking, needs to grovel and often.

Do those work?? Are additional categories necessary--Let me know.

Here's my original list and the rest were left in the comments, where would you put them on the Alpha Scale?

• Clayton--Whitney, My Love, Judith McNaught
• Rolfe--The Conqueror, Brenda Joyce
• Graelem--Firesong, Catherine Coulter
• Wolf, Joe, Zane Mackenzie--The Mackenzie books, Linda Howard
• Lucky--Dark Wager, Mary Spencer
• Richard Tiernan--Night Fall, Anne Stuart
• Dane--Dream Man, Linda Howard
• Sam Donovan--Mr. Perfect, Linda Howard
• Cian MacKeltar--Spell of the Highlander, KMM
• Dageus MacKeltar--The Dark Highlander, KMM
• Pick any one/all of Julie Garwood's heros
• Lachlain MacRieve--A Hunger Like No Other, Kresley Cole
• Baran--Jane's Warlord, Angela Knight
• "Lucky" Doucet--Lucky's Lady, Tami Hoag
• Any and all of JR Wards heros
• Any and all of Shannon McKenna's heroes
• Prince Nicholas--My Dark Prince, Julia Ross
• Lord Warrick--Prisoner of My Desire, Johanna Lindsey
• James Mallory--Gentle Rogue, Johanna Lindsey
• Actually pick and Lindsey--LOL.

I've read everything with the exception of Shannon McKenna and I don't remember Prisoner of My Desire, but am pretty sure I read it--back then I read Lindsey faithfully. Sometime today I'll post them to the different categories, but I'll put them in comments.

A few things...

I read two novellas last night, the first reading I've done in a week. One was pretty good the other was god awful. I'd give titles, but I don't have the book in front of me.

I just finished painting my foyer. I've always liked the word foyer, it's what my mom always used. No matter how big the entry of the house, it's a foyer. The wallpaper was getting old, it was in good shape and had a classic look that wasn't out of style, but was I sick of looking at it.

Once I pulled down all the paper I'd realized why we papered in the first place. The old plaster walls were a mess. My husband spackled over the weekend and I painted today.

The color I thought I'd picked was a neutral taupe, but turned out to be a pinky taupe, but I still like it. It dried real quick and I've already put the furniture back in the space. And I realized I have a couple of different borders that will go quite nicely with it, now I need to decide if I want antique cherubs or hydrangea.

This past weekend Junior's school had it's big fundraiser and I "volunteered" Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Fundraisers are manditory so there's no need to volunteer, every body works--LOL. Though I did get suckered into decorating the back of the Mini-van for Trunk or Treat. We decorate the trunks of our cars with all sorts of fall and halloween stuff and give out candy to the kids who show up in costume. There will also be crafts and snacks for the kids too. That's this coming Saturday.

Junior is going to be a vampire for Halloween, and I found a cheap costume, in the dark on Halloween night it will look fabulous. I was going to make it, but I would have spent more on the fabric.

I'll list the Alpha hero tomorrow and everyone can post them to different categories.

Have a good one and happy reading.

Alpha Sliding Scale...

Jane reviewed Patricia Waddell's True Blood this week and thought the hero was a little too "Alpha".

My comment...

I obviously have a high alpha tolerance level, Cullan didn't bother me in the least...

Kristie's comment...

I’m with Tara in that his over the top alphaness didn't bother me...

Jane's comment...

We all have differing levels of alpha male tolerance. We should make up a sliding scale!

So, lets do it!!

List Alphas--favorite ones and hated ones and we'll compile a list and make some sort of scale.

I'll get it started with a few oldies, some are hated and some are loved, some are strong Alphas, and some are Alpha jerks:

• Clayton--Whitney, My Love, Judith McNaught
• Rolfe--The Conqueror, Brenda Joyce
• Graelem--Firesong, Catherine Coulter
• Wolf, Joe, Zane Mackenzie--The Mackenzie books, Linda Howard
• Lucky--Dark Wager, Mary Spencer (this one might be a little obscure, but he's up there on the alpha scale.

Let's compile a great big list and maybe we'll find some books we've never read, more for the TBR pile.

That's all I have time to list, got to get Junior to school.

LOST??

Okay, I don't have a whole lot of time and Kristie hasn't posted this weeks review of LOST...

Where the heck did the Polar Bear come from? I have absolutely no memory of this from last season!!

Someone please help me out, because I'm completely clueless--LOL.

Were Locke's flashbacks from before or after his relationship with Peggy Bundy Katie Segal?

And, is Hurley even heavier?

Working from home...

For a while my husband has been telling me to come up with something I could do from home. I like being home, my son's schedule is somewhat chaotic and to be perfectly honest I really don't want to work for someone else.

So, last week we had a playdate with a little boy who goes to school with Junior and lives right around the corner. His mom told me she was starting a specialty cake business from home. She makes beautiful children's birthday cakes. Thinking about this got my brain in gear and I came up with an idea.

Party Favors. Over the years I've done birthday, shower, holiday themed favors for all my own parties. This got my now stimulated brain working even more. My sister makes fabulous cookies and candy. My SIL does meticulous molded chocolates. I also bake and do the candy thing, and have experience in packaging and advertising.

They're both in. Turns out they've both been thinking about something similar, but wasn't sure about doing it themselves and actually getting started. I'm hoping we can brainstorm this weekend and have things rolling by the end of November.

Distraction over, I've got something to work towards.

Have a good one and happy reading.

Guilty -- Not Guilty...

Lifted this from Jenster.

Guilty Or Not Guilty...This is the question

1. Dated outside your race? NOT GUILTY, but boy I love Jin from LOST.

2. Singing in the shower? GUILTY everybody does this, right?

3. Spit in someone's drink? NOT GUILTY that's just gross.

4. Played with Barbies? GUILTY not only did I play with them, my mom made us matching outfits.

5. Made someone cry? GUILTY I've got a 5 year old, every "no" is a catastrophe.

6. Opened your Christmas presents early? NOT GUILTY Mom had a great hiding spot.

7. Lied to a friend? GUILTY "Nice new do."... "No! Those jeans don't make your butt look big."--LOL, that one's Jens, but I'm guilty of it too.

8. Watched and cried while watching a soap opera? NOT GUILTY I don't watch soaps, but if this was Hallmark Commercials--GUILTY.

9. Played a computer game for more than 5 hours? GUILTY Hate to admit this one--LOL.

10. Ran through the sprinklers naked? NOT GUILTY As if...

11. Ate food that fell on the floor? GUILTY Kiss it up to God.

12. Went outside naked? NOT GUILTY But have gone outside in some pretty skimpy PJs to get the paper.

13. Been on stage? NOT GUILTY

14. Been on stage naked or close to it? NOT GUILTY Another as if...

15. Been in a parade? NOT GUILTY

16. Been in a school play? NOT GUILTY But I did work on the costumes for my Senior class play.

17. Drank beer? GUILTY Not since I was 16, the one and only time in my life I was drunk.

18. Gotten detention? NOT GUILTY

19. Been on a plane? GUILTY

20. Been on a cruise? NOT GUILTY someday

21. Broken into a house? GUILTY my own, I've also had a police officer break into my car when I locked the keys in it while it was running.

22. Gotten a tattoo? NOT GUILTY I've thought about this, but I'm reaching an age that a saggy tattoo isn't too appealing.

23. Gotten piercings? GUILTY

24. Gotten into a fist fight? GUILTY In middle school, smacked around a couple of boys for picking on the poor handicapped boy that rode on the school bus with us, I still get mad thinking about it.

25. Gotten into a shouting match? GUILTY On a monthly basis with the hubby--can anyone say PMS--you'd think one of us would learn about "pulling the tiger's tail."

26. Swallowed sea/pool water? GUILTY (Who hasn't)

27. Spun yourself in circles to get dizzy on purpose? GUILTY Loved doing this as a kid and have passed this one on genetically to my child.

28. Laughed so hard it hurt? GUILTY Cry, hurt, can't breath.

29. Tripped on your own feet? GUILTY Down a flight of stairs and broke my tail bone.

30. Cried yourself to sleep? GUILTY Hate this.

31. Cried in public? GUILTY Hate this too.

32. Thrown up in public? GUILTY First grade reading class, but not since--LOL.

33. Lied to your parents? GUILTY

34. Skipped class? GUILTY Not until I was in college, how geeky is that?

35. Cried so hard you threw up? NOT GUILTY--yuck.

All over with this one...

I'm still rather distracted from reading, it's one of the reasons I started with the Sudoku puzzles. It's probably why I changed the look of the blog too, though I hate to admit it, I don't like black and this might not last until Halloween--LOL. I've got a huge TBR pile and what did I read over the weekend...Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Match Me If You Can. I borrowed it from the library last year. I'd already read it but wanted a copy for myself so I bought a paperback copy last week.

There's just something comforting about a favorite author, you know what your going to get even when it's not perfect it still works. I'd forced my way through 2 books last week that didn't work and realized I need comfort reads when I'm this distracted. I think I may pull out a couple more SEP books and have a mini marathon, like the Linda Howard one I had earlier this year.

I can't believe my little guy starting school full-time has thrown me for such a loop. He loves school and once he found his "boundaries" it's been great. But, I still haven't found a real routine. I've done none of the heavy duty cleaning I thought I would, reading has been hit or miss. And, the holidays are right around the corner. Okay, I'm done whining.

I've got a full schedule this week... Today, Junior has a hair appointment after school. Tuesday, I take my husband's car for an oil change. Wednesday, Parent Guild meeting. Thursday, set up for a school fundraiser and soccer practice. Friday, the school fundraiser (actually the fundraiser is a 3 day event, but I only have to work Friday, which includes baking 3 batches of brownies). Saturday, soccer and a family party and Sunday, I escape by myself for a candle party. I'm amazed by anyone who has more than one child and still functions--LOL.

When the heck is Blogger going to add "blog" to their Spell Check?

Finally finished a couple...

I finally finished Rachel Gibson's I'm not in the Mood for Love. That title always seems awkward. I ended up skimming parts. It's one of those okay books that take too much energy to work up a review, not good enough to gush yet not bed enough to rant. Kasey Michael's Everything's Coming Up Rosie falls under the same category. I skimmed/read it last night. The characters are likeable but grating after a while and the pacing of the book is horrendous

Junior had a soccer game at 10:00 this morning, cold but not freezing. It was 28 degrees for the 8:00 game--yikes that's cold. I guess I shouldn't complain with Buffalo getting 2 feet of snow yesterday.

All those books that were on my bed are now in 2 bins that are so heavy I can barely drag them, forget about picking them up. And have I done anything with them? Nope. I've got mini projects going all over the house. Oh, well there's always this week.

We're doing yard work today and shopping for new kitchen counters.

Have a good one and happy reading.

A New look... at least for now

I thought it was appropriate to display a new look for Friday the 13th, at least for the next few weeks. This really wasn't too hard. I keep messing with the colors, but I think I'll leave it alone. I'm getting the idea and am planning to do something different for November.

Have a good one, I've got a ton of laundry to do today, that will give me time to read.

Happy reading.

Just a few things...

Just a few things before we start a busy day. Junior's off, all Catholic schools are closed in the archdiocese, but it's not a "Holy Day of Obligation." We're meeting one of my SILs for a little shopping, the kids need some winter gear.

1. If I seem to be gone for a few days, I'm working on a new blog template. I'm getting a little tired of my "serene girl." She's very pretty, but it's a little too serene for my taste. I'm more into upbeat and cheery. I've found a site that I like with linkware, so I have to actually design the blog myself and I'm not really sure I can do this, but what the heck I'm giving it the old college try.
2. I'm currently reading I'm Not In The Mood For Love by Rachel Gibson. It's not her best book. I'm starting to think that once an author writes a good book or better we have much higher expectations. Perhaps we think that each book should get better. I don't particularly like the "Sex in the City" like characters. SITC's been done, I'm not all that interested in Idaho's version. I've got another 100 pages to go, at this point I'm not that impressed.
3. I was shocked by yesterdays news about Yankee's pitcher Corey Lidle. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.
4. Wendy, congrats to your Tigers, up 2-0 *grin*.

That's all that's fits to print, at least for today, have a good one and happy reading.

My newest mini obsession: Sudoku

I forgot to post this yesterday...

Happy Thanksgiving
to our friends north of the border!!

The Disaster Area **Updated**

Normally The Disaster Area is the title I reserve for my son's bedroom, especially after a particularly good/bad playdate. These days it seems to be my entire house. Why? I've got books everywhere. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but it's not too far off. I don't have stacks of books in the living room, dining room, bathroom or kitchen, though I've only recently moved a stack out of the kitchen and the only reading material in the bathroom is my husband's, but our bedroom, the office and my back porch are infested with books. Infested seems to be the right word as these books seem to be breeding like bugs. The piles of TBR books, already read books, books for my sister, books to exchange, books to return to the library and books to keep seem to be growing by the minute.

I'm going to try and organize today, I wonder if it's possible to get done in a few hours. I doubt it.

**Update/Edited**



I pulled paperback books out of the home office, the only flat surface I can work on is my bed or the office floor, the bed gave me more room.




I found:

36 for the TBR pile
51 keepers
120 for the trade group or UBS
8 for my sister
9 issues of Romantic Times

Next I'm working on that bookcase to the right of the bed.

Found 128 books in bookcase:

5 books for hubby
38 for the TBR pile
40 keepers
45 for the trade group or UBS

I've decided to leave the back porch for another day, there are just too many books and I know I wont get it finished. I hate starting something when I know I don't have enough time to get it done.

Have a good one and happy reading.

The Rake's Proposal by Sarah Elliott...

"THE RAKE’S PROPOSAL is an amusing regency romantic suspense thriller headlined by two likable protagonists who have successfully shunned marriage until now." Lifted this quote from Harriet Klausner's review over on Barnes & Noble and I'm sure it's the same review you'll find anywhere else she posts. Now, why the heck am I quoting HK? Basically, it says it all.

My thoughts...
1. The girl on the cover reminds me of Lolita Davidovitch.
2. The heroine is incredibly independent for her time, which was nice.
3. The hero is incredibly independent and tolerent for his time, which was nice.
4. For smart independent people they have an inability to communicate and this drives the conflict between them.
5. It's a pleasant read, "Charming" if you want to quote Eloise James.
6. I'm getting tired of pleasant, charming and amusing Regency romances.
7. I feel guilty making any negative comments, anyone who writes pleasant, charming and amusing Regency romances must be nice and it would be like kicking a puppy.

So, here it is--The Rake's Proposal is a nice read, not spectacular but not horrible. The sad thing is I'm kind of curious about her first book and will probably search out a copy of Reforming the Rake, which will probably also be pleasant, charming and amusing.

There's no joy in Mudville

Risks, Taboos and Comfort Reads...

Over the last few days I've noticed little conversations about risk taking, taboos and the predictable comfort of romance as a genre. A column over on RTB discusses risk taking leaving the author on the outside, Alison Kent picks up the conversation in her blog. And Keishon asks "Can you read outside of the box?"

This whole thing leaves me somewhat baffled and at a loss. Are authors condemned for taking risks? I guess it depends on the risk. I've been reading romance a long time, and I see the genre as being completely driven by risk takers and taboo breakers. Now, that doesn't mean all readers are going to love risks and the forbidden, some people read for the comfort and predictability of romance, and there will always be authors who write for these people.

It's the authors, editors and publishers that take a chance on something new or forbidden that moves things forward, and keep the genre from staggering into complete mediocrity. How else to do we end up with trends? Paranormals and Erotic Romance are hot now, and there are authors, editors and publishers that we can point to and say they took a chance writing, editing and publishing books that are like no others out there. This goes way back to the Boddice Rippers of the 70's (Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers), the historical trends of the 80's and 90's (Jude Deveraux, Catherine Coulter, Mary Jo Putney, Susan Carroll, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood), the Romantic Suspense trends that are still popular today (Sandra Brown, Tami Hoag, Linda Howard, Anne Stuart). I could go on and list authors for Time Travels, Contemporaries, Westerns, Romantic Comedies... You don't have to love their books, but they've moved the genre forward and allowed us to have the variety we expect and want.

It's the breakout novels that leave the rest of the genre in their dust trying to catch up.

The new RT at a glance... aka Anne Stuart Rocks

Before I start listing my must have books. I have one thing to say...


Anne Stuart Rocks!!!!

When asked about the "bisexual" hero of her next book Cold As Ice she handles it beautifully...

Actually I think I handled Peter Jensen in the best possible way. I'd already set him up in Black Ice, and at the time I hadn't planned to write a spin-off. And he was working undercover, providing sexual favors for a mafioso. He simply took the persona of who he had to be. He can control his body, perform sexually and doesn't think twice about it. It's a nonissue for him

It's simply part of his cold and calculating backstory, and it fit. It wasn't meant to be shocking, though I was pleased that my editors didn't make me wipe out all mention of it and pretend it never happened.

If people won't pick up the book because of it, they probably shouldn't read my books, anyway. The relationships between my heroes and heroines are quite dark and intense. I don't set out to offend, but I'd rather risk that than write something else.

She goes on to say...

I do find androgyny appealing, but I think that's because of the dichotomy. I love masquerade books in general--plots where someone is pretending to be something he's not. Think Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel. There's something very hot about a lacy, bejeweled fop who's an alpha wolf in bed.

And, her next Ice hero is Japanese.

How about some books, at a quick glance these caught my eye...

• The Rules of Seduction -- Madeline Hunter
• Clandestine -- Julia Ross
• The Rogue's Bride -- Leslie LaFoy
• A Lady's Pleasure -- Renee Bernard
• Awaiting the Night -- Donna Lea Simpson
• Born in Death -- JD Robb (hey, Mavis is having the baby)
• Crazy Sweet -- Tara Janzen
• Cold As Ice -- Anne Stuart
• Hot Dish -- Connie Brockway (her new contemporary)
• No Rest For The Wicked -- Kresley Cole
• Valley of Silence -- Nora Roberts
• The Bargain -- Julia Templeton

Monday I made a quick dash into the bookstore and picked up the November issue of Romantic Times.

And, of course a few books, as if I can go into a bookstore without buying books.



This one wasn't on my book order but I'm a sucker for Tribal Police stories, had to have it.

I picked up Tropical Heat used. It's my first Jaci Burton book, actually it's two books--Passion in Paradise 2 and Passion in Paradise 3. Read both stories Monday night, and was pleasantly surprised that they had a beginning, a middle and an end, a real plot, not just sex scenes strung together by something resembling a plot. I know, I know, I'm reading the wrong EC's--LOL



No Brainer, second in the series and have peaked in but haven't really started reading.




This is my first Aphrodisia. I hadn't planned on picking it up, but 1. I liked the cover and 2. I liked the back blurb. So I figured what the heck.


I also picked up Patricia Waddell's The Lady's Proposal (couldn't find a decent picture to post) it's not a futuristic/sci fi, but the back blurb sounded pretty good. They had 2 of her "He Said..." series but not all four, so I decided to pass on them, besides the covers look real familiar and I may have read them.

If it's Tuesday...

It must be Bingo. Ah, it's only once every 4 weeks but this month my "Bingo Team" gets zonked twice, today and Halloween. Our "Bingo Captain" (I swear that's what he's called) is sick, the old people will smell fresh blood, the feeding frenzy will be ugly. The grapevine is telling us one of the old folks stole $170 last week, don't they realize how close they are to the Pearly Gates--yikes bad karma at its worst.

Five hours of chaotic boredom--you don't want to know how that's possible--LOL, but heck it's worth the $1200 it saves in tuition.

Have a great day, maybe tomorrow I'll talk books again.

Oh and one more thing...

GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES, GO YANKEES
sorry Wendy I just had to do it--LOL

True Blood by Patricia Waddell

You can sum up in three words why this book works...

Zero Gravity Sex

Okay, there's much more going on in this book, but I have to admit the first love scene is a doozy.

Coped this from B&N

From the Publisher

She's a diplomat:

Danna MacFadyen of the League of Planets is assigned to investigate the explosion of a space freighter. She must use her psychometric skills to determine whether this was an accident or terrorism -- but for Danna, the hardest part of this assignment is working with Korcian Enforcer Cullon Gavriel.

He's a warrior:

Fighting isn't just in a Korcian's blood -- it's in his very soul. Cullon Gavriel already knows the freighter explosion was terrorism -- targeted at the Korcian prince traveling incognito aboard the ship. Cullon's single goal: to discover who is killing Korcian True Bloods. He never expects to become enchanted with a beautiful Terran female who has the ability to step into the past.

As the pieces of an explosive puzzle fall into place...

Danna and Cullon realize they have uncovered a conspiracy that stretches across the galaxy. The trail leads to the capitol city of the Korcian Empire, where shocking secrets lie hidden-- and where the lines between politics and love cross unexpectedly.

This book is an entertaining futuristic/sci fi read. The h/h are attracted to one another from the first page and they're relationship builds from there. He tries to be controlling and being a diplomat handles him really well without every doing something TSTL. The sex scenes are integrated beautifully and I didn't skip one, which I have a tendency to do if the story is really working. I had one issue with the book which comes at the end of the book, mini spoiler... the killing of True Bloods is a conspiracy, no big deal, but the assassin is homosexual, and this bugs me, a gay man in a militaristic society who resents his treatment by his own father.

I'm heading to the UBS today to look for Ms. Waddell's backlist.

The Mean Girl Thing...

Yesterday I didn't have time to comment on or about RTB's Mean Girls column.

This gets under my craw each and every time I see it anymore. I've come to hate the "if you have nothing good to say..." mentality, that I used to live by. Wallbangers simply don't exist and we should never voice an opinion that isn't glowing. I'd rather live in Mrs. Giggles world than the every glowing one of Harriet Klausner. I'm sure Ms. Klausner is a very nice person, but it's impossible to love everything you read, at least Mrs. Giggles is honest.

I hate the condescending attitudes that tell us if we write something critical we are being mean. Criticizing a book is not the same as criticizing the author.

Okay, I'm taking a deep breath and moving on. Hopefully everyone is having a great weekend and reading something fabulous.

The little terror strikes again...

Once again the teacher wanted to talk to me after school. It seems the child makes mean/ugly faces when he doesn't get his way. Like this is news to me. Yesterday they saw a movie about strangers and they had an accompanying coloring book to send home so the parents could go over it with the child. My child announces, he's got a coloring book and doesn't need another. (I'm thinking Al Pacino in Scarface--"I don't need no stinking coloring book") and apparently the face he made matched. That got him his name on the board--strike one.

Then he continued to argue with the teacher about not wanting the color book--strike two.

Then he caused a problem in the bathroom, roaring and yelling--strike three.

Strike three means no recess and he gets to sit in the principal's office while the other kids are outside having fun.

It's the 3rd full week of school and he's had his name on the board 6 times and has lost recess twice. I somehow managed to make it through 13 years of elementary, middle and high school without seeing the inside of a principal's office. I'm blaming all this on my husband, he too was mischievous and at one point had to eat lunch in the principal's office everyday, but I think that was 4th grade not Kindergarten.

Oh, and the face he made. Made it for me this morning--he wasn't happy with me. "That's the face I made at Mrs. T___." I had to leave the room because I couldn't let him see me laughing.

I found it

Everything's Coming Up Rosie was found behind my desk this morning, but it's going back on my TBR pile as I'm reading True Blood by Patricia Waddell and can tell it's going to be a good one.

Ran to the UBS yesterday and picked up part of my book order, but since it's not in front of me and I can't remember what I bought--I guess I'm not listing anything. While I was there I saw an anthology that included Linda Howard's The Way Home. Came home found my copy and read it while waiting in the parking lot at school. I love that story. Saxon and Anna, Saxon with all his baggage and Anna's serenity--don't know why it works but it does.

Life's little odds and ends

I finished Susan Andersen's Just for Kicks. I can honestly say it's the first Andersen I've ever been able to finish, and I've tried many. I liked it, but didn't love it. The heroine calls people "toots"--I absolutely hate that expression, I ignored it each and every time it popped up and sometimes it popped up 2 or 3 times a page. Renee has a good review here. It's got a little bit of a cliche thing going on with the "showgirl with the heart of gold" theme. Now I'm reading Lisa Gregory's The Rainbow Promise. I'm starting to think I already read it, which is completely possible considering it was published back in '89, probably read it new.

Monday was Junior's first soccer game, because of rain they've only had one practice. Best laugh of the week watching 18 five year olds running up and down a soccer field. When the coach placed 3 little girls on defense and told them to stay there, they took him literally, play going on madly around them, but not one of them moved an inch. When Junior was on defense he saved a goal and has been talking about it ever since.

Yesterday we went to the library, they were having a special day for kindergarteners and he got his first official library card, he's quite proud of himself, took out a Thomas book that he not only owns, but already knows by heart. But it was the only Thomas the Tank Engine book available so he had to have it. I discovered they now have book downloads available for 2 week periods. I don't know how this works, but if I get my ebook reader for Christmas I'm going to take advantage of it.

The other day I had a chance to talk to his teacher and asked how he was doing academically, because at home we're having problems getting him to do his homework, that not really right, he does the homework no problem, but he fights with me when he has to write his full name on the page. Now I realize his first and last name are both long, but not so much so that it should cause this problem. Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked. So, she says he's doing great, but has a problem using scissors. I've been working with him at home and he's fine cutting. I pointed out maybe he might have a problem with the school scissor because he's left handed and she blinked rather owlishly at me. I'm not sure what that meant and I was a little afraid to ask. I'm thinking he may have been trying to use his right hand in school because he is a little ambidextrous, but really is better with his left hand.

My computer is dying, I'm not sure if it's a software or hardware problem, but where getting corrupted data all over the place. I really don't want to invest in a new one, but I think it's inevitable.

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

Have a good one and happy reading.

No reading last night. Why? Homework, dinner, soccer game, baking cookies for school. It was the baking cookies for school that did me in. Today they're celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday along with 4 of the kids in Junior's class. I promised juice and cookies, 9 o'clock last night I'm baking chocolate chip and sugar cookies--I tried buying them at ShopRite but they were sold out--10 cent a cookie sale. Now I could have read something if I bothered to get up off the couch and go upstairs and get my book, but I put on the Yankees instead and watched them kick poor Tampa Bay's butt, which was a relief since they'd lost the last two games. Not that any of this matters as they've already clinched.

Hey Kristie, guess what book I found in a little UBS in Point Pleasant, NJ--Lisa Gregory's The Rainbow Promise. I bought it while we were on vacation and completely forgot about it. Found it under the passenger seat of my mini-van yesterday. It was a nice surprise.

Drive By Blogging...

Yikes, I can not believe it's been 5 days since my last post. Junior is in school full-time and somehow I seem to have less time. How is that possible?

So, I've finished 2 books in the last week, lost one and never wrote a review for another.

2 books finished (drive by reviews):

You Had Me At Goodbye -- Jane Blackwood. I was not impressed by this book, found the whole thing rather boring. Is this the book that the RT reviewer said was "nice"? Nice book, nice characters, boring story. Sorry, that's kind of rude.

The Gladiator's Honor -- Michelle Styles. I liked this book a lot. Love that it's set in 65 BC, love the gladiator theme and the gladiator, liked the heroine. Question some of the dialogue, but how the heck would I know what they would have sounded like--LOL. Am looking forward to more books by Ms. Styles.

Lost book = Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Kasey Michaels, I was actually enjoying this one and have no idea where I left it, last time I saw it was last Monday. It'll show up eventually.

The promised review was for Susan Wiggs' Summer at Willow Lake. I liked this book, but didn't love it. Nice separation story, camp sweethearts find one another again, this book probably leans a little towards woman's fiction. The setting was good, a camp in the Catskills, there was a few things that weren't "right" but not enough to complain about and certainly the author should be allowed a little leeway. There were a lot of class issues going on in the book and I didn't like or agree with much of them--do you have to be poor or hard working to be nice? Are all rich people snobs--or I should ask are all rich women snobs? Because it seems rich men can be attracted to poor women, but women born rich are all bitchy--at least the older ones were in this book, the young ones look to be future heroines in this series, so I'm assuming they'll all be nice rich woman.

Currently reading Just for Kicks--is that the title of the new Susan Andersen, it's not in front of me. I've only read about 20 pages, but so far so good. A while back Turn Another Page had a great quote from the book listed on their sidebar under "Hero Quote"--loved it so much I bought the book even though I'm not a SA fan.

Have a good one, and happy reading. I'm hoping to be more diligent this week and post something everyday.

Another edited post...

Yikes, I haven't finished a book in days and now have 4 going at the same time, I wont bore you with the sad details.

I've got my first "Parent Guild" meeting tonight, have no idea what's in store. I wont be getting any reading done tonight--Project Runway is on tonight and that's my little TV guilty pleasure. Project Runway was a repeat, so I watched Kidnapped on NBC instead, it was pretty good.

Well, it turns out the Parent Guild is all about fundraising and giving the kids a well rounded education, sponsoring events similar to public school... dances, school parties, camp programs etc.

Have a great day and someone please read something wonderful.

The Weekend ** EDITED**

**Edited** I just realized this is my 500 post. Who would have thought I'd have so much to say--LOL?

My husband informed me he googled "romance reading mom" for the first time today. I'm not sure whether or not I should be insulted as I've been at this for 1 1/2 years--LOL.

He tells me this as I was sitting down to write a "husband" post.

Over the weekend he asks me to make Chicken Cacciatore. I cook Italian all the time, but this is one I never had growing up*** and never think to make. He has fond memories of "Grandma's," so I decided to give it a try. Find a recipe over at The Food Network and ran to the store to pick up the ingredients I didn't have in the pantry. Between preping and cooking it took 3 hours. "It's not like Grandma's. It's not bad, but not the same."

Great. So while talking to my MIL today I mention I need to get Grandma's recipe. And there's silence on the other end...

MIL -- "Grandma who?"
Me -- "Grandma C____."
MIL -- "Grandma never made Chicken Cacciatore."
Me -- "He swears it was the only thing Grandma cooked when you went for dinner."
MIL -- "He's crazy, it was baked chicken parts with tomato paste and oregano. Grandma wasn't much of a cook and she never made 'Italian'--she hated garlic."

Well, baked chicken parts and tomato paste would have been a heck of a lot easier. I was going to email his cousin for the recipe, she would have thought I was nuts.

And a quick kid story, I'm giving up on the Child Free Zone--LOL.

While I was out getting capers and olives for the Cacciatore, my son was home with Daddy. When I got back I could smell popcorn. Mmmm, it smelled really good. It turns out Junior got tired of waiting for me to get home (Daddy's directions) and decided to make it himself while Daddy was upstairs. When his father smelled the popcorn, he came down and found him sitting in the living room with a great big bowl watching TV.

***Apparently we did have this growing up, but it was so bad, I've blocked it from my memory. So says my sister. Honestly, I don't remember ever having it. Mom's a great cook so I can't imagine it was bad... But then again, she did cook cow's tongue when we were little too--we revolted against that, yuck and double yuck.

Slow going...

After teasing Jane about reading too much erotica in one week, I'm now reading my 3rd contemporary romance in a row and my brain is feeling a little numb.

I finished Susan Wiggs' Summer at Willow Lake over the weekend. It falls somewhere between okay and good and I'll probably write a review tomorrow when I have more time.

Jane Blackwood's You Had Me At Goodbye was up next. I'm just about finished with that one, but forgot to bring it with me to the hair salon today. Everything's Coming up Rosie was in the car, I'm about 100 pages into that one too.

A couple of things on a busy Saturday...

1. My first official column is up on Romancing the Blog today. Well, actually it's my second column, my first was special guest blog back in December.

2. I found this great quote over on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread (Sybil)from Jane... "I am all erotica'ed out. I read 6 books last week. They were all bad. All about sex. None about romance. One made my eyes bleed." My first reaction was "Yikes, Jane, you don't read 6 in one week, you read 1 a week for 6 weeks." I know there are people who read erotic romance exclusively, but I'm never going to be one of them.

My parents are coming today for a visit and I haven't cleaned the house.

Have a good one, happy reading.

Giving up on one and starting another...

I hate to admit I'm giving up on Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll. It has nothing to do with the story, which is very good. I simply can't read it. The print is so small that even with my glasses I'm getting headaches and eye strain. I'll finish it, but in small doses between other books, so I wont really consider it a DNF, because it truly doesn't deserve DNF status. I guess I need new glasses, but my insurance wont pay for another pair for 3 more months, I'll hold out that long.



I started reading Susan Wiggs' Summer at Willow Lake this morning. I just realized I haven't read any of her recent contemporaries and am looking forward to this one. We live in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and this is set in the Catskills. Ms. Wiggs lives in the Pacific Northwest and I'm hoping she's either been to the Catskills or did really good research, as it will be like reading a book set in my own backyard.

What's everyone else reading?

Have a great day and happy reading.

I know I swore this would be a child free zone for a few weeks, but today was picture day at school and it's the first time he wore his regular uniform. How could I not post these?





Can someone explain how such a cute kid can be such a skutch?

Child free zone...

I've reached the point where I'm now obsessing about my son's bad behavior and have decided after today this blog will be child free zone for the next few weeks. Normally, I'm not a big believer in spanking but I've now gone beyond thinking about spanking and completely understand why some species eat their young. I can feel the gray hairs sprouting all over my head.

I don't spank, but after the last 3 days I'm tempted, I'm needing time outs to keep my frayed temper in check. Rewards for good behavior work sometimes, loss of privileges work sometimes, but neither are working right now. Welcome to the world of parenting, right?

Deep purifying breath... SERENITY NOW!!!

You know I never realized there were so many hidden costs to raising a 5 year old. Obviously, we're choosing to pay tuition, he's been in school a week and so far we've also spent this month...

• $16 for learning supplies (teacher orders)
• $10 for his first "book fair"
• $25 soccer registration (his first game is 9/23)
• $25 shin guards and socks (we don't need cleats this year)
• $16 for gym uniform
• $25 basketball registration (starts in November, "instructional league" his school is basketball crazy--2 courts in the gym and 3 more outside--there's only 180 kids in the whole school, apparently everyone plays, between school leagues and CYO they have basketball programs running year round)
• $95 Little League registration (this is for spring ball, we missed fall ball, that registration was in June)
• $??? we're already selling Gertrude Hawke candy bars as a fundraiser, I had a toffee almond one for breakfast, I'm afraid to see how much we'll be buying.

My son doesn't understand that he doesn't get to keep the money from the candy sales. When I explained it was a fundraiser for school and we would have to turn the money I got "I do the work and they get the money?" Yep.

Back on track...

Well, I'm kind of back on track. I almost have a routine... Get up, make breakfasts, pack lunches, take a shower, drop Junior off at school, run errands, blog, clean house, pick Junior up from school, cook dinner, clean up, Junior's shower and bedtime, ah then it's time to read and well, whatever.

I've finished two more books (Caroline Linden's What a Gentleman Wants and Elizabeth Boyle's His Mistress by Morning, both are listed on my sidebar) neither was all that memorable, so I probably wont write reviews. It seems I can either gush about a book or rant about it, but somewhere in the middle completely escapes me.

I had planned to write something yesterday, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I cried through most of the mornings news coverage.

Junior is in school full time. Yesterday he got his name on the blackboard for not listening--it's going to be a really long year--LOL. What he's learned so far this year... 1. Thomas the Tank Engine is for babies and 2. Only girls wear sweaters.

September's TBR Challenge

Title: Awaken to Pleasure
Title: Secrets in the Marriage Bed

Author: Nalini Singh

Year published: 2004 and 2006 respectively

Why did you get this book? I'd read Slave to Sensation earlier this month and went looking for her backlist

Do you like the cover? NO and NO

Did you enjoy the book? Yes and Yes

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? New to me when I'd read StS

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I'll be passing these on.

Anything else? I don't read much category romance--shame on me, I know. These were both good books, a lot of story packed into 184 pages. My first thoughts for both of these books were "over the top/too melodramatic" but after I thought about it, they need to hit the conflict head on running or nothing will be resolved in the short page count. What I liked about both books is the relationships felt real.

Awaken to Pleasure--Jackson Santorini is the head of his own movie studio, Taylor Reid used to be his secretary. Chance brings them back together and both are looking for something in their lives. He wants a family and is very protective of her. She need the protection of a husband (she's fighting to keep custody of her younger brother). And the story just flows from this very simple premise, they fall in love, over come obstacles and heal one another. A nice book. The only thing that really bugged me was his use of Italian endearments--so didn't work for me.

Secrets in the Marriage Bed--Caleb and Vicki Callaghan have been separated for 2 months when she finds out she's pregnant, and he convinces her to try and work things out. This book so works because it shows an unhappily married couple coming to terms with the problems in their individual lives and marriage. A real couple dealing with real life issues, now that was truly refreshing. The more I think about it, I may have to move this from good to very good.

Hey look, it's only the 9th and I've actually finished the TBR challenge.

Don't Feed The Bear

Yesterday I get a phone call from my mom...

Mom: "Fran saw a bear in her driveway the other day." Fran is Mom's next door neighbor.
Me: "Oh, My God."
Mom: "It ran up the hill to Underhill."
Me: "You're kidding. Could it have been a big black dog?"
Mom: "No, she's sure it was a bear. I probably should have mentioned it before we babysat on Tuesday."
Me: "That's okay, it's not like he plays outside at your house. How big was it?"
Mom: "Five foot."
Me: "Wow, that's big."

My parents live less than an hour north of NYC, not prime bear territory.

Today I was thinking about bears in my parents backyard and then it hits me. Mom feeds the birds and racoons every day. Now, I'm worrying she maybe feeding the bears. Yikes, I call her and tactfully ask if she's still feeding the racoons.

"No, I did throw some bread out to the birds, but your sister already gave me the Don't feed the bear lecture." So, I'm thinking What, bears don't eat bread? But decide it's better to leave that one alone.

Creature of habit and teaching an old dog new tricks

I've been out of sync for the last 3 weeks. Between preparing for vacation, being away, getting Junior ready for school and his starting school this week, I've been completely out of sorts.

I'm a creature of habit, not necessarily a slave to routine, every minute doesn't need to be planned, but I do like a certain amount of order in my day. The last three weeks haven't been horrible or even that chaotic, but I'm looking forward to next week when Junior's schedule is normal and I can put myself back on some sort of normal track.

But, I must admit my little bit of chaos hasn't affected my reading. In the last week I've read three GREAT books (Lover Awakened, Slave to Sensation and Darcy's Story).

I also reread a book I read a couple of months ago, Anya Bast's A Change of Seasons, somehow I ended up getting this book ebook format and trade paperback. Don't ask, I don't know why. The first time I read it was in ebook format sitting at my computer, I thought it was okay/good, not great, but the second time I read it (in the car while driving to and from a family commitment over the weekend) I enjoyed it much more.

Why?

I'm trying to figure out why I would like it more the second time. Obviously, it was a reread, so why was it better the second time. Hmmm, is it because I'm an old dog and I can't seem to learn this new trick of reading without holding a book? Was I in a different frame of mind and the book was more appealing this time.

Now, you're probably wondering why I would even reread a book I thought was just okay in the first place? Ah, there's nothing like being rushed out of the house and realizing you don't have anything new to read in the car. This one was downstairs and the closest to grab as we were running out the door.

I'm currently reading Nalini Singh's Awaken to Pleasure, it's a Silhouette Desire from August 2004, it qualifies for Angie's September TBR Challenge. Of course, after finishing STS, I had to run out and try to find her backlist, picked up 2 at the UBS.

Got to go, I'd like to finish ATP before picking Junior up at school at noon.

Have a great day and happy reading.

First Day of School

The first day of school didn't start out wonderful, new shoes were AWOL, so he had to wear his old ones, of course the shoes were under his train table, Dad was sure he looked there. I don't know why I sent him up to look he can't find milk in the fridge.

But other than that things went well, they only have half days this week and they were so busy that they didn't have time for snacks, so he was cranky hungry by the time we picked him up.

A Must Read

I'm loving this book. The perspective is wonderful. A must read for anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice

Hectic

Hectic seems to be an appropriate description for my life these days. Today was food shopping and bingo, I only have to do this once a month, thank God, it's a long 5 hours, alternating chaos and boredom.

Tomorrow is Junior's first day of Kindergarten. Half days this week and he starts full days next Monday. His uniform is all ready, summer uniform for September and October, polo shirt, dress shorts, white socks and dress shoes. We've followed each and every rule and I can only hope we're ready for this. I'll post pictures of the adorable child tomorrow. Starting next week I'm stripping and cleaning each room of the house, once that's done, I'm not sure how I'll be spending my days. Maybe I should think about getting a job.

Yesterday we went to our nieces 3rd birthday party, that is her "family" party, Sunday we have her "kids" party to go to. Don't ask.

Junior starts soccer this week and Little League registration is at the end of the month.

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

I'm at a loss as to what to say about this book. Everything feels like a spoiler.

Once again I'm left thinking "I should hate this book." But I don't, I loved it. The names are still ridiculous, I hate the word "shitkicker", the "leathers" are such a cliche, the tortured vampire hero is an even bigger cliche. Bonded, mates, the needing, yikes. Yet it all works.

We met Bella in Lover Eternal, and she was already falling for Zsadist. She's part of the vampire aristocracy and he thinks completely out of his league. This book opens with Bella having been kidnapped and missing for 6 weeks and Z has been frantically searching for her. When he finally does he pushes her toward his brother (Phury), but she only want Z. The story unfolds from there, we have flashback to Zsadist's period of captivity, we see what torture he's been through that's made him what he is. Yet, I'm left wondering about his name, is he really a sadist? I don't think so. After years of abuse he correlates pain with feelings and emotions.

So, he's running for all he's worth away from Bella, she's sucking him back toward her and this makes him feel again, more than pain. She goes through her first period of needing (when vampire women are fertile) and this completely bonds them together. This needing thing is completely over the top, but still works, why?? I don't know.

Anything else feels like a spoiler. You have to read it to find out how much love transforms him.

There are glimpses of Wrath/Beth and Rhage/Mary.

John hasn't gone through his transition and he's still a 90 lb. weakling. But we do find out who is father is.

Torh and Wellsie's story continues.

What the heck is going on with Vishous and Butch and Marissa?

Rehvenge (the Reverend), Bella's brother is an important part of the story, he's a symphath (check out the glossary for an explanation).

Butch and Marissa are next.

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Another book that leaves me somewhat speechless, but at least I think I can come up with a review that is somewhat coherent.

Sascha Duncan is a Psy a race of people who have basically banned all emotions in the attempt to stop violence, of course by banning all emotions they've basically created a race of unfeeling psychopaths. Sascha's problem--she feels emotions, but has learned to hide this.

Lucas Hunter is the alpha of the DarkRiver leopard pack, actually he shapeshifts into a panther. He's investigating the serial killing of changelings by a member of the Psy and he's doing this under the guise of a business arrangement with the Duncan family business.

Ms. Singh's world building is handled smoothly and flows into an alternative world filled with Psy, changelings and humans (though we don't see humans in this story). The attraction between Sascha and Lucas is instantaneous and slowly builds through the story. The story's conflict isn't really between them, the conflict is dealing with the Psy without them realizing it. The Psy function and live through an intricate system called PsyNet. Kind of like what we know as the internet yet instead of connecting computer networks, they're connecting brain functions in a telepathic way. This becomes an important part of the story as Sascha needs a telepathic network in order to survive. They mystery is handled well, the story flows smoothly. The secondary characters are well developed and interesting.

This is a wonderfully told story, I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

What to say??

I've been trying to formulate my thoughts about Lover Awakened for the past 2 days, but every time I start to write something I find it's filled with spoilers and that's not fair to anyone who hasn't read it yet. I'm rereading parts in the hope I can come up coherent non-spoiler comments.

I also finished Slave to Sensation, wow, it was like reading Linda Howard or Nora Roberts trying to channel Jayne Ann Krentz and putting a whole new spin on the telepathy thing, throw in the fact the hero is an alpha panther changeling and it's a book you can't put down. I'm adding Nalini Singh to my authors who write "great men" list.

Heading to 7:30 Mass, so I have to go, sometime today I should be able to come up with reviews/comments for both of these books.

We'll talk later.

some thoughts, questions and observations...

Pulled from the October's RT Mailbag (page 6)...

Time travel and paranormal are going to destroy what have been known as romantic books...

Give it a freaking break. These books have been around for years, their growing popularity (though how popular are time travels right now?) fits with genre cycles. Don't like them, don't read them, when their sales start to fade something else will come to to forefront.

Also from RT...

A letter from Judith McNaught (ad on page 12):

Dear Reader,

When the hardcover edition of Every Breath You Take was published, there was an overwhelming uproar from reader's about the hero and heroine and their love story...

I've decided to expand their story in the paperback edition...

I read this book, did I miss the "overwhelming uproar"?

Why are Danielle Steel's books considered romance?

October looks like slim pickings (at least for me), but December looks pretty good. New books from... Eloisa James, Karen Ranney, Meg Cabot, Linda Howard, Marjorie M. Liu (though I don't read her), Aliison Kent (SG-5), Erin McCarthy to list a few.

My husband finally finished Holly Lisle's I See You. To quote him "It was pretty good, even with the ghost thing." I figure that's probably high praise considering he thinks I read nothing but trash. The "ghost thing" left me scratching my head, the man lives and breaths Stephen King, hello, the king (haha, sorry for the bad pun) of things that go bump in the night, including ghosts, can the man say "The Shinning"? Now he's reading Nora Robert's Northern Lights, which "isn't bad so far."

Books, books and more books...

So, I ran into the bookstore yesterday to pick up the last of my August book order and guess what???? Some of my September books were already in. Can you hear me squeeeeiiiiiinnnnnng???

August books:

1. Summer at Willow Lake -- Susan Wiggs
2. Darcy's Story -- Janet Aylmer, which I think was part of my July order, but the bookstore had a hard time getting it, on backorder for 2 months.
3. The Privilege of the Sword -- Ellen Kushner

September books:

1. Lover Awakened -- JR Ward, finished this one before going to sleep last night, I'm going to let it roll around in my head for a couple of days before commenting. But, I will say Butch's story is next, can't wait.
2. Slave to Sensation -- Nalini Singh, this one's up next.
3. To Rescue a Rogue -- Jo Beverley
4. His Mistress By Morning -- Elizabeth Boyle
5. Everything's Coming Up Rosie -- Kasey Michaels.

Also picked up the October issue of RT. Now, I'm officially broke and back on a budget, our school tax bill arrived yesterday--went up almost 8%, we weren't expecting that.

Have a great day, and happy reading, I know my reading will be very happy!!