BlogHappy

My Pinterest Addiction

2012-01-24T21:16:00.001-06:00

Okay, I admit it, I’m a Pinterest addict. I love love love this site. Just love it. So who else is a Pinterest addict with me?

Phoenix Rising by Corrina Lawson

2012-01-24T13:12:00.001-06:00

Phoenix Rising by Corrina Lawson

1st book in The Phoenix Institute series

Here’s the blurb from Samhain’s site:

He was born to be a weapon. For her, he must learn to be a hero.
A Phoenix Institute story
Since birth, Alec Farley has been trained to be a living weapon. His firestarter and telekinetic abilities have been honed to deadly perfection by the Resource, a shadowy anti-terrorist organization—the only family he has ever known. What the Resource didn’t teach him, though, is how to play well with others.
When psychologist Beth Nakamora meets Alec to help him work on his people skills, she’s hit with a double-barreled first impression. He’s hot in more ways than one. And her first instinct is to rescue him from his insular existence.
Her plan to kidnap and deprogram him goes awry when her latent telepathic ability flares, turning Alec’s powers off. Hoping close proximity will reignite his flame, she leads him by the hand through a world he’s never known. And something else flares: Alec’s anger over everything he’s been denied. Especially the passion that melds his mind and body with hers.
The Resource, however, isn’t going to let anything—or anyone—steal its prime investment. Alec needs to be reminded where his loyalties lie…starting with breaking his trust in the woman he’s come to love.
Product Warnings
Contains telekinetic sex, nuclear explosion sex hot enough to melt steel, and various and sundry swear words.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I feel like I should have loved it since it’s an idea I like. I want to read more superhero/comic book type romances. Give me some X-Men or Wildcats or Witchblade or something along those lines (I confess to being a product of 90s comics. I was an Image fan. No one ever said I had the best taste in comics). Marjorie Liu comes very very close with her Dirk and Steele books, but I really do want more.

One of the main problems I had with this book is that Alec seemed so juvenile in his emotions. I never quite found him romance hero material. Hero material, yes, but he seemed locked in his teens as far as his hormones went. This is not what I want when reading an action romance. Beth also seemed so young and I never really felt as if she was the competent, professional that she was supposed to be. I almost found the leader of F-Team (the elite team that backs him up) more appealing. Actually, I found Beth’s adopted father Drake intriguing too. Now if there were books about them, I’d read them.

Even with all the problems that I had with the two main characters, I did enjoy reading the book. I liked the writing, for the most part, and aside from Alec’s rather juvenile behavior, the action was great. I will look for the next book in the series since I think it has potential and my qualms with this one are mostly with these particular protagonists. Next time, hopefully, we won’t be trying to meld a coming-of-age story with an action romance. So in the end, I thought of it as a happy-for-now, rather than a happy-ever-after.

Does anyone have any suggestions for some action/superhero romances?

January TBR Challenge and a few other things

2012-01-18T13:28:00.001-06:00

When I saw that Wendy was doing another TBR Challenge for 2012, I decided that maybe, just maybe, this would be a way to get my butt in gear and this poor neglected blog back in action. A lot has happened in the past few years. I have a kid who’s almost 2 and I also no longer work at a bookstore. I also have found myself reading less and less book blogs and more home/design/family blogs. So I really have changed focus and keep wondering if I should just start over with a new blog, or keep all the old stuff. Who knows? Any ideas? But whoever said that I would stop reading once I had kids obviously was not a true reader. I still read a ton.

On to the TBR Challenge! In honor of Wendy, our fearless leader, I chose…

The Major and the Librarian by Nikki Benjamin!

I’m going to swipe my book description from Amazon.

For four years Major Sam Griffin had stayed away from Serenity, Texas, gruffly avoiding the fact that he was still heart-achingly in love with the woman who had almost married his brother.
Now home on leave, the devastatingly handsome pilot had to face beautiful Emma Dalton again. And though there was unmistakable yearning in her eyes, Sam could never put down the roots he knew the shy librarian so strongly craved. When Sam finally had the chance to win the heart of the woman he'd always loved, could he convince Emma that her home would always be where he was?

This blurb doesn’t really do the book justice. Yes, Emma almost married his brother, but the reason she doesn’t, is that he dies the day of the wedding. And so Emma and Sam haven’t spoken since as each has secrets that they haven’t shared. Sam has good reason to believe that it was his fault and Emma also has good reason to have felt guilt. Sam comes home when Emma, who is close to Sam’s mother, sends him a letter telling him his mother has cancer. So he comes home, and eventually, the truth comes out, as we all knew it would.

I actually quite liked it. Emma and Sam really do have good reasons for their actions (avoiding each other, etc), so the lack of them just hashing things out all at once was reasonable. The Major and the Librarian isn’t a really deep emotional book, but it was a nice winter afternoon read. I enjoyed how the .romance played out as they got to know each other again while they cared for Sam’s mother. One thing that did bother me is that although we are shown how Sam’s career as a Naval officer impacts his life, Emma’s librarian job is just wallpaper. She could have been anything. So librarian fail. At least we didn’t have her as an uptight virgin!

If I had to grade this, I’d give it a C+. Glad I read it, but it’s not a keeper or something I feel compelled to have around to reread.

Out Loud!: Meg Cabot

2011-07-13T09:26:00.004-05:00

So last night was the last Out Loud! event that the local library system here has put on. It was the first time I went to an event and I will definitely have to go to more. They have had some major authors in the past and I hope it continues.

I've enjoyed Meg Cabot's books in the past and after hearing her speak, I'm even more inclined to pick them up. The woman is hilarious. An audience member compared her to Tina Fey and last night I'd have to agree. She had the audience cracking up as she recounted her childhood. I will be thinking of space ships and princes every time I hear basketball for awhile. And about the "vampires" she encountered while she worked at NYU.

After her presentation, which included powerpoint slides with images of rejection letters and illustrated school notebooks, there was a nice long Q & A. She did a great job of calling on people of all ages, from middle schoolers to older readers and aspiring authors of all ages. After that, she did a book signing. Barnes and Noble had lots of her books available for sale, including her newest (but alas, no hist. romance), Overbite. I bought She Went All the Way for myself (I don't think I've read it)and decided I would get two of Cabot's younger audience books for Linnea. So I picked up the first Allie Finkle book and the first of the Princess Diaries.

One thing that I noticed about the presentation, but didn't mention it at the time is that she doesn't make any mention of her historical romances. Perhaps it was because of the audience of tweens and up, but I like her historical romances, so it was a bit disappointing. As she signed my books, I did ask her when those particular books would go to e-format and she said hopefully soon as it is being looked into.

If you ever get a chance to see Meg Cabot speak, GO! She was gracious and laugh-out-loud funny.

5 - 365 in 2011

2011-01-05T19:59:00.000-06:00

"Gimme that camera!"

4 - 365 in 2011

2011-01-04T14:12:00.000-06:00

Not the best picture, but she's still cute.

3 - 365 in 2011

2011-01-03T16:14:00.000-06:00

2 - 365 in 2011

2011-01-02T20:10:00.000-06:00

365 Photos in 2011

2011-01-01T20:22:00.001-06:00

Came back from running errands to find Gambit enjoying the heat from Nick's netbook. Love the look on his face. He's about to yawn, in case you were wondering.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T21:14:00.002-06:00

Only a few more hours until the new year. Here's hoping for lots of posting, a baby who sleeps through the night, and lots of books read!

Mischief by Laura Parker

2010-01-23T18:44:00.002-06:00

Back cover copy:

ONE NIGHT OF SURRENDER

When Napoleon brings his war to Persia, clever but shy Japonica Fortnom is chosen by the ailing Viscount Shrewsbury to arrange his escape from Baghdad. Desperate, she turns for help to the infamous Hind Div, a man as mysterious as he is merciless. Thinking her naught but a wily assassin, he drugs and seduces her in a night of passion that marks her very soul. Realizing her innocence too late, he agrees to send her to safety, aching to find her again some day...

TWO FATES INTERTWINED

Pushed into a hasty marriage to provide the dying Viscount's five daughters with a trusted guardian, Japonica finds herself wed, widowed, and with child--all in the space of a fortnight.

A year later, she arrives in England, wishing only to settle her unruly charges with Devlyn Sinclair, the new Viscount. She is stunned to discover he is none other than her savior and seducer--and that war wounds have left him with no memory of his former identity, or of their night together. Wary of claims he might make on their child--and her--Japonica keeps the past a secret, even as they share a household. Yet there is no denying the powerful emotions that draw them to each other...now and evermore.

I picked this one up at work. I couldn't resist that it starts out in Persia. The back cover copy is actually quite accurate. It does a good job of explaining things without giving too much away.

Japonica is a great character. She's used to being on her own and is independent without falling into feisty territory. She's quite strong and I could even forgive her for the secret baby plot point. And suffering heroes? Devlyn definitely suffers. Literally tortured, he's now got a hook for a right hand and suffers from mood changes and crazed nightmares and fevers. They definitely had a lot to deal with to get their HEA.

I'm still trying to decide if this is a definite keeper, but it's up there. Quite enjoyable and if you're in the mood for a Napolean-era romance set in Persia and England, you might try picking this one up.

I'm 22 weeks along!

2010-01-23T18:03:00.002-06:00

So I'm over halfway done with this pregnancy. Things are going well. Of course, I still can't believe how much I can sleep. At least I have an excuse.

We had our final ultrasound on Friday. All is well and she's right on track. I feel like these last few months are going to fly by and that I really should get on top of things such as painting the nursery. I already plan to do a forest theme and am using this as inspiration. I also have an obsession with owls and have scoured etsy looking for ideas. Haven't bought any yet, though. It always seems too early, or there are bigger things that I want to buy before buying all the little things.

I've also found that the Baby Center boards are addicting and although I post quite infrequently, I can spend way too much time perusing them.

At least I have plenty of people to ask for advice. Sarah, Angie, and Jane have all been quite useful.

Also, the thing I've craved most is mac & cheese. Most lunches that I have at work are of Easy Mac. Yum. Although right now I really want a DQ Blizzard. And Wendy's Frosties are always good....

*that pic is neither me, nor what I look like. Still don't look very pregnant.

Meeting "The Rogue"

2010-01-03T20:34:00.005-06:00

I'm working on a review of Dead and Kicking by Wendy Roberts, but don't have it up yet.

Also, the very fabulous Mcvane is working on a new blog look for me based on my fave Chat Noir from a few years back.

In other news, a funny moment at work happened when Sarah Palin* and her entourage came in to sell her book, Going Rogue. Much hilarity ensued when she wasn't happy with her offer, which led to perhaps changing the name of Half Price Books to something else when she gained office. Also, when Half Price Books' hippie-roots were mentioned, hippies were dissed. Anyways, you had to be there and it was so funny. I definitely had a hard time keeping a straight face.

*a much younger SP, actually. This one wasn't old enough to have grown children.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T12:59:00.004-06:00

2010 is going to be a crazy year, I predict. Mostly from adding to the family.

No real resolutions this year, though I do want to try to blog more. And take more pictures.

Food porn!

2009-08-19T21:33:00.002-05:00

I spent my lunch break flipping through the Martha Stewart Cookies book. It's so totally food porn. Every recipe has this utterly delectable picture and we oohed and aahed over most of them. I think I will have to buy it and try out some of the recipes.

Also made pizza dough from the dough I made from the Artisan Bread in 5 Min. a Day cookbook. Was a bit doughy in the center, but I didn't have all the necessary tools anyways. It was still delicious. Made it simple, grabbed some tomatoes from my plant in the backyard (my one and only tomato plant that is falling over) and sliced those up, then put on some chicken chunks with mozz cheese. It was quite good.

Night before last I read Clover by Clamp. It was good, but so incredibly depressing. I'm still not entirely sure what I think about it.

Also, customers who toss crumpled up bills on the counter are not nice. Come on, can't you just straighten them and hand them to me nicely?

I will leave you with this photo I took at the Minnesota Zoo last month:

Blogging woes

2009-08-18T20:59:00.003-05:00

I really don't know what's wrong. I want to blog. Really, I do. But every time I sit down to write something about what I've read, I blank. I construct entire posts in my head whenever I finish a good book, yet since it's at night and right before I fall asleep, it stays in my head and is forgotten when I next sit down at my computer.

Perhaps I just need to not stress about it all. I do miss the sense of community I had when I was a regular poster. I want that back.

I've been doing purges of my books lately. I'm tempted to send all my western historicals to Wendy to dispose of as she sees fit. And I don't really need two copies of The Windflower, yet who would want the rather-beat-up-but-readable copy?

In other news, I've decided to take a jewelry making class in October. I hope it's fun. I'd also like to do more sewing, but I need to find a nice easy beginner pattern. Already made pajama bottoms, so need something different.

Also having fun getting together for A-team events. It's nice to get together with like-minded people. Godless Disc Golf is coming up. I had fun the first time I went, so hoping for more of the same.

Anyways, I'm still reading lots and lots, I've just given up on keeping track of it all for now. Just finished up Beloved Vampire by Joey W. Hill. Was quite good.

Dancing in the kitchen

2009-07-01T14:04:00.002-05:00

Is there anything better than dancing in the kitchen to hard rock and baking chocolate chip cookies? I think not.

Anyways, the new Halestorm cd is good, as is the new Mastodon. So if you like rock, go get them.

In other news, I finished The Wolf by Jean Johnson last night and also started What Happens in London by Julia Quinn.

Coming shortly!

2009-06-27T19:16:00.000-05:00

More posts from me!!!! Aren't you just thrilled? I know you are.

~Nicole

P.S. I met a very nice woman at work who is also a fan of the Smart Bitches. Perhaps if we get enough romance fans in the area, we can start a get-together of like-minded readers to chat and discuss romance.

Twittering from yesterday. I am so exciting.

2009-05-29T21:52:00.003-05:00

09:58 @avidbookreader aw, all mystery and no others makes Avid a sad reader. #
09:59 @avidbookreader of course, I find myself only interested in fantasy lately. #
10:02 @avidbookreader I'm reading The Steel Remains right now and even though I feel so lost, it just compels me to continue on. ebil book #
10:05 @avidbookreader yeah. we'll see if I do finish it. #
10:14 @avidbookreader fantasy and he's got so many storylines going on at once #
10:36 @avidbookreader I would hope your eye is human. #
10:36 @avidbookreader okay....that's quite the title #
22:24 @SmartBitches Happy Anniversary! #
22:25 my bathroom is getting a small remodel in a couple weeks. timed so dh doesn't have to paint #
22:41 anyone used eBook Organizer? #
22:56 these are seriously awesome earrings. The geekiness, it hurts: bit.ly/v6dXe #
23:13 I finally ran diskcleanup. 26.2 GB in temp files. Ouch. #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

Crafty Bosoms

2009-05-16T22:26:00.001-05:00

Heaving Bosoms frame
Originally uploaded by kelley899

So anyways, lately I've had this image of a romance novel frame and grabbed covers from work with this in mind. I definitely had fun making it tonight.

I really only went for envelopes and a mag

2009-04-29T10:45:00.002-05:00

And I came back with 4 books. Plus the envelopes and magazine (All You because of the fab coupons it contains).

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Salt and Silver by Anna Katherine

Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day (I don't really like Sylvia Day, so no idea why I picked this up)

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Beyond Heaving Bosoms vs. Cassie Edwards

2009-04-27T20:15:00.001-05:00

Beyond Heaving Bosoms
Originally uploaded by kelley899

Alley in GF

2009-04-27T19:58:00.001-05:00

Alley in GF
Originally uploaded by kelley899

Here's a pic I took while walking in downtown Grand Forks. I don't know why I like it, but I do.

May 2009 Books I Want

2009-04-22T21:25:00.002-05:00

Under Fire by Jo Davis
Fight Fire With Fire by Amy Fetzer
No Limits by Alison Kent
With a Twist by Deirdre Martin
Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Silver Falls by Anne Stuart
Sin and Shadows by Lyn Benedict
Storm Glass by Maria Snyder

Okay, I'm sure there are more, but that's all I could remember based on looking at the AAR list.

Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy

2009-03-10T09:08:00.005-05:00

Hounding the Pavement is Judi McCoy's first foray into the cozy mystery genre and is the start of a promising series. Ellie Engleman is just starting out as a dogwalker in Manhattan, but she's got an edge over the competition in that she can communicate with dogs. When she finds the owner of one of her clientele dead and his prized Bichon missing, she goes on the hunt to find the dog and just maybe solve a murder. Add in an attractive detective and you've got the great chemistry you'd expect from a romance author turned mystery author. I really enjoyed Hounding the Pavement as it is full of humor and Ellie and Detective Sam Ryder are fun to watch as they fight their attraction. Oh, I can't forget Rudy, Ellie's companion dog, whose doggie insight is delightful.

Read If You Like: The Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston, Yellow Rose Mystery series by Leann Sweeney, and other light-hearted cozy mystery series.

Nicole and Tux sleeping

2009-03-01T20:51:00.001-06:00

Nicole and Tux sleeping
Originally uploaded by kelley899

Nick snapped this while I was taking a nap in the living room this afternoon.

My cat does love a sick woman

2009-02-23T18:34:00.002-06:00

Especially since she camps out on the basement couch with the heated throw. I had Tux by my side all day. He wasn't moving. I really hate to get sick, but I have a tendency to do it a lot. But I really didn't want to sneeze and cough all over customers today or yesterday. I suppose my manager won't see it that way, but what can I do? Just suck it up, I guess. I did read a bunch in between napping. And I do think I'll feel well enough to head in tomorrow. I've got my supply of DayQuil to take with me.

Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood

2009-02-09T19:41:00.003-06:00

Holly Carver is a small-time witch who busts ghosts for tuition money, but ends up wrangling a demon when a haunted house job goes bad.

Her Undead business associate, Alessandro Caravelli, suspects the demon is somebody's not-so-secret weapon. The supernatural community is at war, and Holly's unpredictable magic holds the key to hell's doorway. Soon Holly is on everyone's "must have" list, and not in a good way.

Alessandro wants her for more than magic. A lover with six centuries of experience, the vampire is walking seduction, but he's also a predator. Every moment he spends guarding Holly, every second he spends falling under her witch's spell, he becomes more and more of a threat himself. As Holly's grandma warns her: vampires are like a box of rich chocolate—they seem so tempting, but over-indulgence is a killer...

I wasn't quite sure if I was going to read this one. The cover makes it look kinda silly, imo. And it's nothing like what Holly actually is. For one thing, she's struggling to make ends meet as the last of her family and trying to get into college.

I liked Holly. She doesn't make stupid mistakes and think she can do more than she can. I also liked that I wasn't quite sure who the hero was going to be. It made for more of an urban fantasy feel and I actually liked that about the story. The world here is interesting and I can't wait to explore it more in future books. It seems like vamps and other supernatural beings have come out recently, but not too recently.

overall, I really enjoyed the book. So bravo to Sharon Ashwood for winning me over.

I'm a bad, bad girl.

2009-01-28T19:59:00.002-06:00

Ack, I haven't posted in ages. or at least it seems that way!

I'm kinda in a book slump. Haven't finished one in awhile. *cringe* I've been reading, just not finishing anything. I have several books that I'm in the middle of, including The Gods of Amyrantha by Jennifer Fallon, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman, and The Accidental Sorcerer by K.E. Mills. And it seems that none of them are romances. I'm in a bit of a romance slump as well, it seems. I started and put down Loreth Anne White's The Heart of a Mercenary, although I think I will start it up again sometime. I did pick up Kristan Higgins' newest today and already in the first few pages I had to stop and make my husband read a passage since it was so cute and funny. So that should end my romance slump.

Each of the fantasy books I'm reading is quite good. Very different in their own ways. Eon is an excellent young adult book. And in what seems to be a very weird thing, it has three different titles, one each for Australia, UK, and the US.

In other news, I attempted to watch Wanted and found it wanting. So very very bad that even the cool action sequences couldn't save it for me.

2009 TBR Challenge: The Immortal Prince by Jennifer Fallon

2009-01-21T17:07:00.002-06:00

Yes, it's not a category romance. So sue me. I did read some, but not ones that I would consider tbr.

I've had this book in the to be read pile for well over a year. I'd first gotten it when I asked a coworker to buy it for me when he was over in Australia. Well, he did, but it languished on my bookshelf until now. Coworker now has the rest of the series, which is not available in the US yet. Coworker is also moving to Australia sometime this year, so I figured I'd better read them while I could. Or at least so I wouldn't have to wait for them to be released over here.

I whipped through this large book in only a few days. I found it to be quite good and can't wait to read more.

When a routine hanging goes wrong and a murderer somehow survives the noose, the man announces he is an immortal. And not just any immortal, but Cayal, the Immortal Prince, hero of legend, thought to be only a fictional character, a figure out of the Tide Lord Tarot, the only record left on Amyrantha of the mythical beings whom the part-animal, part-human Crasii believe created their race.
Arkady Desean is an expert on the legends of the Crasii. At the request of her childhood friend, Declan Hawkes, the Kings Spymaster, she is sent interrogate this would be immortal, hoping to prove he is a spy, or at the very least, a madman.

Set the task of proving Cayal a liar, Arkady's own web of lies, and that of her husband and the King's Spymaster will start to unravel. Nothing is really as it seems around Cayal, the Immortal Prince; the lies seem plausible, his stories improbable and truth more than any of them bargained for.

The Immortal Prince is full of a complex cast of characters. I liked the theme of history repeating itself and humans trying to find scientific answers to explain away what they think are superstition (despite my own atheistic tendencies). Cayal is sick of life and wants to die, yet he can't. These immortals are not gods. As the book progresses, we see that they are all too human and the world is in for another rude awakening as the Tide rises and their power once again is able to be used.

I look forward to learning more about the Tide. And Cayal and Arkady are such interesting people who both have many secrets.

Anyways, can't wait to read the next three in the series. Yay to Jennifer Fallon for writing such a great fantasy.

I'm a moody mess. And a few other things

2009-01-12T20:56:00.004-06:00

Oh yes I am. Moody is me. So off to the doctor for me. or at least to make an appt tomorrow. I think my hormones are out of whack. I feel like PMS all the time. Doesn't help work, doesn't help home. So off to ask the wizard, er, doctor. Maybe a BC change will help. Or back to zoloft. But I don't really want to go back on zoloft. So who knows. Bleck, no one really cares, but writing this is rather cathartic.

I think my word of the year needs to be "Connect". Connect with friends, family, co-workers, husband, cats, job, life, environment....all those things.

Note: I wrote most of this last night and posted it on Myspace, but I figured I'd post it here too. Of course now I feel better, but that's mood swings for you. Who knows how I'll be an hour or a day from now. I did make a doctor's appt. and will go later this week. And had a dentist appointment this morning. And have fillings that need to be replaced. Yuck. Oh well. And there's new paint-on fluoride treatment and I'm not supposed to brush my teeth tonight. The idea of that kinda boggles my mind, but that's what she said. It feels all weird on my teeth. But other than the filling replacements, things are good. I always feel so fabulous coming out of the dentist here.

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

2009-01-12T20:40:00.003-06:00

Ex-cop Luther Malone, lifelong member of the secretive paranormal organization known as the Arcane Society, is waiting to meet Grace Renquist. Hired as an aura-reading consultant in the quest for a murder suspect, she’s got zero field experience. She’s from tiny Eclipse Bay, Oregon. She’s a librarian, for heaven’s sake.

As for Grace, she’s not expecting much either from Malone, who walks with a cane and isn’t so good with a gun. Nice résumé for a bodyguard . . .

But even before they reach their hotel in Maui—where they’ll be posing as honeymooners—Grace and Luther feel the electric charge between them. Problem is, they need to remain vigilant day and night, because it soon becomes clear there’s more going on here. Rogue sensitives—operatives for the underground group Nightshade—are pouring into the luxury resort like there’s a convention. Grace recognizes those dark spikes in their auras. She saw the same pattern in someone else in another life—a life she hasn’t revealed to Luther or anyone else. And she understands how dangerous these people can be . . . especially with those para-hunters at their sides.

While the pair’s employers at Jones & Jones scramble to get them backup, Luther and Grace have to think on their feet. The criminals in their midst aren’t just high-level sensitives: They’ve enhanced their talents with a potent—and unpredictable— drug. And as Grace knows all too well, if you don’t control your powers, your powers will control you. . . .

Running Hot is the new Arcane Society book. This time we have aura readers in Hawaii.

Grace Renquist is a high-level sensitive who can read aura like no one else can. She's asked to go to Hawaii to find a murder suspect. She's to meet ex-cop Luther Malone. The electricity flies the moment they meet. Lots happen and it turns out Nightshade is involved, as anyone who's read the previous books will know.

I liked Grace, but I didn't feel like I knew her very much. I got a much better impression of Luther and his life. He doesn't want to have his gift become something he uses to get his way, although he realizes that could easily become the case. Grace seems to mainly be attracted to Luther because he's a calming influence on her and she can touch him without feeling overwhelmed by emotion caused by her gift.

I felt the book was fast-paced, but relatively forgettable and not Krentz at her best. I did enjoy it for the over-arching Arcane Society/Nightshade storyline, but the romance just didn't work for me. Too much lust and not enough love. I actually liked the parts of the story that didn't deal with Grace and Luther more.

So....a so-so story, but I still really enjoy the series and hope to read more.

Hockey and allergies and this and that

2009-01-09T22:33:00.004-06:00

Oh man, my allergies are killing me. My eyes are dry and sore and my sinuses are bad. This sucks.

In other news, we had a hockey party here at the house and the Sioux beat the Gophers 6-3. It was a truly spectacular game and great fun to get together with friends. Tomorrow night we're heading to a sports bar to meet up with around 50 other fans here to cheer on our team. It's nice to live in a town with such a large Sioux fan base.

Also....my new Sony Reader arrived and it is fabulous. I'm going to have to make a side-by-side comparison review before I send in the old one. So far, with the new Reader, Calibre "sees" it consistently (unlike the PRS500), the pages change faster, and the screen is crisper.

Well, I should go upstairs and let Nick rub my back and generally make me feel better. And read for a bit. I'd say on the Reader, but I have Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz out from the library, so I'm going to finish that first.

Beau Crusoe by Carla Kelly

2009-01-08T09:26:00.002-06:00

I first picked up Beau Crusoe when it came out, but never got around to reading it. I'm very glad I did as it's not your typical Regency and can even be a bit gruesome at times, though I will try to avoid spoilers.

James Trevenen had been shipwrecked on an island for five(?) long years before being rescued by missionaries. While there, he kept sane by studying crabs and writing a treatise on them that he had published upon his return. It has won an award and he's to stay with Susannah Park's family until the award ceremony.

Susannah Park is a social outcast after she eloped. Her and her husband traveled to India where he died, leaving her pregnant. Now she dotes on her son and puts up with a crazy family.

I liked both James and Susannah. They're both not perfect and their pasts have had a profound affect on how they think and behave. I liked seeing them work through things together and realize that they belong together. A lot of the story deals with some very dark issues, but I liked that the author softened things with a bit of humor. James being hailed as "Beau Crusoe" and having some of his exploits greatly exaggerated is humorous and the exaggerations are relatively harmless.

I did have some reservations about the ending and how quickly things were seemingly resolved that did keep this one from being a keeper. I didn't think that James' issues would resolve themselves quite that quickly and would think his choice in the end would have had more of an effect on his psyche than it seemed to.

Carla Kelly can definitely write well and I look forward to reading more of her books. This one didn't quite make it up to keeper status, but I did enjoy it.

As an aside, apparently Carla Kelly lives in the same town that my Grandmother did. Considering it's a really small town, that's kinda cool.

*also posted at eHarlequin for the 2009 Challenge.

It's a sickness, I tell you!

2009-01-06T21:01:00.003-06:00

So I have too many books. Yes, I do. Really. I'm 28 and I do not need to already have this many books. New books come out every month. I will continue to buy new books. Therefore I need to have less books right now.

Easier said than done. Certain authors I tell myself I must keep, like Marjorie Liu, Alison Kent, Jill Shalvis, Meljean Brook, C.J. Barry (actually most of my futuristic romances because they don't make many of them anymore, eden though most of the stories probably suck), Susan Donovan, Linda Winstead Jones, Cindy Gerard (local author), Julia Quinn, Robin D. Owens, P.C. Cast, Mary Balogh, Erin McCarthy and more....these take up space!!!!

And even though I love my ebooker read to pieces, I still love physical books. I have this unnatural attachment to them. I love just standing in this disastrously messy room and seeing them on shelves and in piles. Yet am I really enjoying them if I haven't read many of them? Is it the thrill of the purchase and the joy of ownership that I am attached to rather than the words inside? I want to have more of my books as ebooks, yet I have this unnatural thought that if I give up a book that's hard to find, I won't ever find it again if/when I decide to read it. But is that really so terrible? That I miss a few books? I have plenty to read, it's not like my world will be so very awful if I can't read that one book.

So I'm going to really try to pare things down. So what if that book on the shelf is hard to find? If I'm not interested in reading it, do I really need it?

I've decided to start with a crate of books that I'm so-so on. I want to read them, but they haven't caught my interest lately, or they are ones that others have said that they like the author, so I grabbed them, or I bought them because they are ones that I don't see much of at work. If at the end of this year I haven't read them, off they go. I'll post the list later. So I guess that'll be one of my reading challenges.

And I really pledge to buy more ebooks and less print books. So publishers, help me on this. Don't wait to put out the ebook after the print book hits the stores. And don't price it more than the print book.

Thank goodness the week is over.

2009-01-04T20:41:00.002-06:00

No real topic today, just working on actually posting. Went to work today and it wasn't too bad. A quiet Sunday for once. It seems like it's been crazy at work for forever. Guess when the going gets bad, people head to the used bookstores. I did find a few books that looked interesting, but I don't recall the titles offhand.

I did finish up Defending Angels by Mary Stanton. It's the first book in a new series about a lawyer with some unusual clients. I quite enjoyed it.

Miine, all miiiiiiiine!

2009-01-02T20:53:00.002-06:00

After some serious lust over the Kindle and how much faster it responded than my current Reader, I decided to upgrade to the PRS505 since it will also be much faster than my current Reader. Even better, it comes in red! And free engraving!

2009 New Years Resolutions

2008-12-31T17:18:00.002-06:00

So...it's almost the new year and I've been thinking about what I want to do in the coming year.

1. Blog more. I'd like to say everyday, but I know that won't happen, but definitely lots more. I miss the sense of community that I used to have.

2. Stay in touch with friends more. I'm notorious for not emailing or calling. This includes family. I really should call my mom more often than a few times a year.

3. Keep track of books read. I was so incredibly bad at this this year.

4. Exercise more.

5. Play more. Wii Fit!!

Upcoming books I want to read.

2008-12-25T17:50:00.002-06:00

This one made the list because of the tag line: She's a librarian with a really long shelf life". How can I resist that? Molly Harper also has a blog.

It's Nalini Singh. Need I say more?

Kresley Cole's newest IAD book. Again, no need to say more.

Oooh...pretty cover. And it's Lara Adrian's newest.

Looks interesting and I like to try debut fantasy authors. And she describes her writing as having a "Dumas twist." hmmm.....
Kari Sperring, you need a website.

Well, let's stop there for now.

Tux in the spotlight

2008-12-25T15:12:00.002-06:00

Gambit and his new toy

2008-12-20T20:39:00.001-06:00

Here's the new toy I got the cats. It's called a Fling-ama-string and they both love it.

Fortune & Glory Contest

2008-12-16T20:48:00.001-06:00

Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye

2008-12-05T21:50:00.003-06:00

Okay, this is one for those who are complaining about the lack of straight contemporaries out there. I adored this book and am even thinking about rereading it. So, here's my impression of Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye.

Rosalie Ronaldi doesn't have a domestic bone in her body ...

All she cares about is her career, so she survives on take-out and dirty martinis, keeps her shoes under the dining room table, her bras on the shower curtain rod, and her clothes on the couch ...

Nick Romeo is every woman's fantasy - tall, dark, handsome, rich, really good in bed, AND he loves to cook and clean ...

He says he wants an independent woman, but when he meets Rosalie, all he wants to do is take care of her. Before too long, he's cleaned up her apartment, stocked her refrigerator, and adopted her dog ...

So what's the problem? Just a little matter of mistaken identity, corporate theft, a hidden past in juvenile detention and one big nosy Italian family too close for comfort ...

I really, really, really liked this book. It's cute and fun and really romantic. If I was reading a book for fantasy, this is what I would want. Nick's a wonderful guy and I liked how he can be caring and compassionate, yet still be very masculine. Hmmm...kinda reminds me of my husband, actually. Maybe that's why I liked the book so much.

For much of the book, Nick pretends to be a simple mechanic at the dealership that he actually owns. He does this because he's sick of being wanted for his money and thinks that he won't be seeing Rosalie for very long anyways. But she grows on him and he finds himself unable to bring himself to really tell her who he is. Of course, Rosalie has found out his identity fairly early on and deduces his reasoning for herself. I liked that this didn't end up being major conflict for the characters. Instead, it was their own fear of relationships that forms the main conflict and for these particular characters it rings true.

I also liked Rosalie. She's a workaholic and it's a true part of who she is and I liked how Nick brings her out of her shell. There's some conflict when it turns out she's working for a company that he's trying to take over and it was interesting to see how that was handled. I kept cringing, waiting for what I thought would be one or both of the characters doing something stupid, but they didn't. And like the blurb, there's corporate theft and juvenile detention, but it all works.

I hope I haven't missed anything or made anything confusing. Just ask and I shall try to explain better. Here's a link to an excerpt of the book: Romeo, Romeo excerpt

All in all, I adored this book and can't wait to read more in this Domestic Gods series.

Hint, hint to anyone reading this: My birthday is towards the beginning of May, when the next book, Too Hot to Handle comes out. Me wants. Badly.

Romancing the Stones by Catherine Berlin

2008-12-05T21:19:00.003-06:00

Look, look! Another book post! This time up is Romancing the Stones by Catherine Berlin.

Okay, I admit that it was the title that first got me to look at this book. And then the blurb hooked me in. And the cover is pretty good too.

Blurb from Samhain:

Naked. Wet. Pointing a gun at your dream guy. What a way to start the day…

Archaeologist Charlotte “Charlie” Blair arrives home from a dig in Peru to find a dead body in her house—and herself suspected of murder. Sorting out the truth, that a serial killer has been using her place to stash his kills, proves easier than shaking off the detective who’s determined to protect her.

Detective Rob Vaiden’s first sight of Charlie is naked, wet, and pointing a Glock at his chest. Oh yeah, this is going to be a hell of a case. Something about the bombshell has attracted the attention of Orion, a killer Vaiden’s been pursuing since his days as a rookie cop. To catch Orion, he needs to be near Charlie. Trouble is, while she’s easy on the eyes, the maddeningly independent woman is determined she doesn’t need his help.

Vaiden gets on Charlie’s last nerve, but she’s got her own problems. The golden rod of Manco Copac, the greatest find in her career, has disappeared. In place of the gold phallus she finds a bag of mythical Ica stones. Stones for which Orion is willing to kill.

Charlie…the stones…Orion. What connects this deadly triangle? Vaiden and Charlie race to figure it out—before Orion chooses his next target.

I'm of two minds with this book. On one hand I liked it and found it very readable, but on the other, I was left with way too many questions about just what the story was about. It all just didn't make any sense.

And with that title and cover, I was expecting more of an exotic adventure. Yes, the blurb says nothing about that, but that's my personal feeling.

Anyways, I don't mind that I read the book, but it was kind of meh. So probably a C if I had to grade it. It's possible I'll read something else from the author as I did feel she had potential.

LibraryThing

2008-12-04T21:29:00.002-06:00

Okay, finally am really trying to get my LibraryThing account up to date. I've started adding books in tonight and hope to add more tomorrow. So if you are dying of curiosity to see what books I have, feel free to take a look. Kelley899

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

2008-12-04T18:26:00.002-06:00

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

Let's try something new and just get me to at least mention on here what I've read/been reading and how I liked it.

A modern girl’s comedic odyssey in a school filled with the descendants of Greek gods.

When Phoebe’s mom returns from Greece with a new husband and moves them to an island in the Aegean, Phoebe’s plans for her senior year and track season are ancient history. Now she must attend the uberexclusive academy, where admission depends on pedigree, namely, ancestry from Zeus, Hera, and other Greek gods. That’s right, they’re real, not myth, and their teen descendants are like the classical heroes—supersmart and superbeautiful with a few superpowers. And now they’re on her track team! Armed only with her Nikes and the will to win, Phoebe races to find her place among the gods.

This is a YA book that I grabbed from the library. I'm a sucker for books that incorporate mythology, so grabbing this one was a given. It was a quick, fun read. I liked how Childs used the Greek mythology and the idea of a school for the descendants of the gods was fun. Phoebe seemed pretty typical and I liked how her running was such a part of who she was and made the ending not seem so surprising. Even after finishing the book, I'm not so sure what I think of Blake, the love interest, but we'll see how I do when I read the next book in the series.

Anyways, cute, fun, and full of mythology. And teen angst, cliques, and IMing.

Mini review of Zappos and Onlineshoes

2008-11-19T11:22:00.004-06:00

Okay, so now I've ordered both from Zappos and from Onlineshoes.

Zappos:

1. I order shoes, shoes get to my house sometimes as early as the next day. That's with free shipping! I ordered once after 8 p.m. one night and had the shoes the next morning.

2. Return policy: You have an entire year to return shoes and there's no restocking fee. They also provide the postage to return it, you just drop off the box at UPS.

3. Returns are credited to your card in approx. a week.

Okay, their website could be a bit less busy, but it gets the job done.

Okay, now for Onlineshoes:

1. I order shoes, free shipping, but it takes close to a week for my shoes to get here. Very annoying, especially after being used to Zappos' speedy service.

2. Return policy: 90 days for returns, if you don't do an exchange, they charge you $6.99 for the return.

3. Okay, just sent back my exchange, so don't know when my account will be credited, but it's supposed to be on par with Zappos.

Onlineshoes does have a 110% price guarantee, but honestly, the service and speed of Zappos beats that for me. But the prices seem to be fairly competitive between the places. I did order from Onlineshoes this last time because they were having a sale and they also have a deal with Discover that gives me a percentage back (wouldn't mind that, Zappos). But having to wait so long for my shoes after the fast service at Zappos really didn't endear them to me. I want my shoes and I want them now! I have very wide, rather short feet (or as I call it, duck feet), so I really can't find shoes by just walking into a store. The quick service allows me to order a few different kinds of shoes at once and know that I will get them quickly and be able to easily return them or exchange them without the process taking weeks.

So Zappos gets my vote. I'm always recommending them to friends. There was once a woman in Penney's who was complaining to her friends that she was sick of seeing ugly shoes for the wide widths in the stores. So I kinda butted in and told her about Zappos. And showed her my super-cute size 6.5WW Naturalizers (I told you they were duck feet). Hope she took my advice.

Chalice by Robin McKinley

2008-11-18T17:48:00.002-06:00

As the newly appointed Chalice, Mirasol is the most important member of the Master’s Circle. It is her duty to bind the Circle, the land and its people together with their new Master. But the new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, only drawn back into the human world by the sudden death of his brother. No one knows if it is even possible for him to live amongst his people. Mirasol wants the Master to have his chance, but her only training is as a beekeeper. How can she help settle their demesne during these troubled times and bind it to a Priest of Fire, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone?

I've always liked Robin McKinley's books, so when I saw that this one was available, I grabbed it. Unfortunately, it's not going to be a favorite. I enjoyed Mirasol quite a bit as she muddles through becoming the Chalice and trying to keep her land together.

One of the problems with Chalice is the writing style. It jumps back and forth in time and can honestly get quite confusing at times. And you never really get a feel for what the magic in the world really is and where this particular land and people fall in respect to the world as a whole. I also finished the book thinking, "this is it?". It's also an incredibly difficult book to sum up. Most of the action happens toward the end of the book and almost felt tacked on. It's like most of the book is slow and meandering and then rushes to end. Robin McKinley is a beautiful writer, but this is not the way to be introduced to her work. To be honest, I was disappointed. Not sorry I read the book as I did enjoy it, but it really didn't live up to my expectations.

Blogs I must visit every day

2008-11-15T20:58:00.003-06:00

For lack of better things to say right now, here is a list of the blogs that I must visit every day. I have a ton of blogs on Sage, but these are the ones that always get clicked on.

In no particular order:
1. Karen Knows Best
2. Nice Mommy, Evil Editor
3. The Misadventures of Super Librarian
4. The Beauty Brains
5. The Whiny Librarian
6. Alison Kent
7. Lilith Saintcrow
8. HelenKay Dimon
9. Jill Shalvis
10. Megan Frampton
11. Meljean Brook
12. Dear Author
13. Smart Bitches
14. Moderncat

Naughty, naughty kitty

2008-11-13T21:50:00.001-06:00

Bits and pieces and thoughts

2008-11-03T11:45:00.002-06:00

Well, had to fast last night so I could get some blood drawn this morning. Ugh. But I did then remember that I needed a flu shot and they were nice enough to get me in right away for that. Except then that means I have to figure out how to work in an allergy shot around my schedule this week and I can't get that and any other injection on the same day. Hrm.

I did finally get a notebook mouse for this laptop. I don't really like to use the touchpad, but will if I have to. Got a bluetooth one this morning so I don't have to use up a usb port to connect it. It's so cute. Was a cinch to pair with my laptop. Also hit the UBS and scored some goodies. Got Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson that I'd special ordered and also scored Texas Splendor and Texas Glory by Lorraine Heath and The Famous Heroine by Mary Balogh.

It might get up to 77 here in Cedar Rapids and for Iowa in November, that'll be a record.

Unrelated (this post title is "Bits and pieces and thoughts" after all), but I've noticed that it's always the people who seem less-than-well-off who will take a plastic bag to put that one itty bitty item that they've bought at work rather than do the green things and forgo.

I've been reading the Blood Lite anthology and oh is it a different feel and experience than the previous anthology I read, which was Wolfsbane and Mistletoe. In W&M, I loved almost all the stories and liked the rest. Here, there are plenty of stories that I just plain didn't like and some I just skipped over. Although the Mr. Bear story has stayed with me, in a disturbing sort of way.

I also read Jill Shalvis' Feb. 09 release, Instant Attraction, and loved it. Jill has such a way with humor and romance. And her characters always seem so real. Not to mention her blog is absolutely fabulous and I'm always calling Nick over to read one of her posts. She always makes me smile.

I'm always starting and putting down books, so while waiting for my flu shot, I started Amorous Liaisons by Sarah Mayberry. I vaguely remembered someone mentioning liking her. Maybe Jane? Don't know if I'll get back to it right away, but we'll see.

Crap, it's been awhile

2008-10-30T19:58:00.000-05:00

Oops, haven't posted in awhile! Twitter and Myspace get addictive, I guess. And all this political stuff. So I'm online, just not here.

I have been reading, as usual.

Read Skinned by RObin Wasserman and was underwhelmed. It seemed to want to make a political message and what-ifs in kinda post-apocalyptic/major disaster world, but it left more questions than anything. And it also was about the nature of humans and the soul, etc. But I just wasn't feeling it. but maybe I'll read a sequel.

Books galore

2008-10-24T09:18:00.002-05:00

So Sybil got me thinking about all the books in my house. And so, in a burst of crazy inspiration, I decided to snap photos of all of the piles and shelves of books. And so, here you are:

This is all the various piles of books around the house. I think I got them all.

Save the Contemporary

2008-10-20T20:37:00.001-05:00

For art and Harry Potter Fans

2008-10-18T18:44:00.002-05:00

Starting on November 1st, there is going to be a Mary GrandPré exhibit at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. She's the artist for the Harry Potter books. She will also be there on Nov. 2 to sign books and do a gallery walk. Sounds cool.

Oooooh...I hate you Tor!!!

2008-10-17T21:54:00.002-05:00

So, I read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson earlier this week. Finished it last night, in fact. And looooved it. So of course I go looking for the ebook of the second book, Well of Ascension.

Oh, it's only available in one place, at BooksonBoard? And only in secure Mobipocket? And supposedly the ebook is $14 with discounts bringing it down to $7.99, which happens to be the price of the mass market paperback that it's available as?

I'm pretty frickin' mad right now. I got the first book as a freebie for Tor's new site and now you tell me I can't get an ebook of the second book? You suck, Tor.

Anyways, Mistborn, or rather The Final Empire as is supposedly the title (someone needs to tell the cover people that the series title gets the small print, not the actual book title), is really awesome.

New word of the day: Pilomatrixoma

2008-10-17T07:14:00.003-05:00

The word of the day is: Pilomatrixoma.

otherwise known as what that strange lump on my leg was. No matter that kids are the ones who usually get them or that they're usually not on one's leg. Or that Wedmd didn't have ANYTHING on it. Yeesh. Oh well, it was benign. Yay.

I've got a nifty scar there now. The stitches came out yesterday and everything looks fine, though the doctor said there's a bit more puckering of the skin than she'd hoped for. Oh well. Doesn't bother me.

Spending time with Nick

2008-10-07T19:19:00.002-05:00

Since Nick's been working so hard lately, he asked to take a half day today and spend the afternoon with me. It was a nice change to be able to see him on a weekday afternoon. We went to check out the Silver Spider in Mt. Vernon where I picked up a cute change purse (thanks Adriana). Then we headed out to Westdale for a bit and came home and just spent some relaxing time together. Nice and low-key.

I also got my allergy shots this morning and so my upper arms are not feeling so hot. The welting was a bit worse this time than the last couple times. No idea why as I think I'm on the same strength. Leg doesn't hurt when I walk now, but beware bumping it! That can be quite painful. So I still have to be careful of it, especially now that I'm not always thinking about it.

Made ham and potato soup for supper and added some artisan bread I grabbed at Hy-Vee. Very yummy and fitting for this rainy day.

Also checked out End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists by Ravi Zacharias from the library. Nick's reading it right now and says it isn't providing much of an argument. It's supposed to be a rebuttal to Sam Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation (which I quite enjoyed). From the back cover: "Dr. Zacharias exposes “the utter bankruptcy of this worldview.”" Riiiiiiiight. I really am trying to get both sides of the issue here.

Now I'm off to make some peanut butter cookies and then watch the debate.

Very familiar.....

2008-10-05T20:36:00.003-05:00

Amazon wishlist wishes

2008-10-05T20:28:00.001-05:00

Why can't I search by date? Like give me a list of all the books on my list that are out this month? Or at the very least show me the damn date on the list. Hmph.

Religulous and stuff

2008-10-05T19:02:00.001-05:00

Well, saw Religulous on Friday and loved it. But not really a movie that I can crow about too much as I'm sure it would offend a great number of people. I did like the end where it implored agnostics/atheist to stand up and make their voices heard.

My leg is better and I made it through work with not much trouble. I had a few twinges of pain. I can't believe these stitches have to stay in until the 16th. Good thing it's cooler out as I doubt this bandage would be much fun in heat. No oozing, which is good. I've actually never had stitches, so I find looking at it when changing bandages to be very cool. Apparently the divot that I will have there will eventually fill in. But no more lump, one would hope. I forgot to ask when the results of it will be in. If nothing else, I'll ask when I see the doc to have the stitches out.

Work went well today. Went by pretty fast. The new person seems to be getting the register quickly, thank goodness.

Went out to Fiesta del Sol with friends last night. Hadn't seen them since the Flood. It was great to chat with them and I really need to work on seeing them more often. Particularly Amy. I miss seeing her as much as I used to.

My leg hurts

2008-10-02T19:45:00.001-05:00

My leg hurts
So I had my excision scheduled for this morning. Got a lump removed from my leg. It's been there awhile with no problems, but I just finally decided to get it removed.

Oh my goodness did the shots of Lidocaine (or whatever it was) hurt. I can handle pain quite well, but these hurt! At least I didn't feel them digging out whatever it is. it's being sent to a lab for analysis. The doctor really wasn't quite sure what it was other than it wasn't quite like a subcutaneous cyst. Blech. And now the stuff they shot into my leg for pain is wearing off and it's starting to hurt. Ouch. So my leg hurts lots. The stitches have to stay in for two weeks and remained covered for the first week. Ugh. It looks rather ugly at the moment. I will spare you pictures, but I really was tempted to take a post some. :-)

Also been meaning to sew a new cover for one of our chairs, but didn't get to it today. Just didn't feel like it. Did buy one of these for my laptop, though. I got it in the chocolate brown. It's nice.

I wants to see this!

2008-10-01T20:44:00.001-05:00

Mine, all mine.

2008-09-27T20:22:00.001-05:00

And it should be here by the end of the week. I've never had a laptop, so this is very cool for me. The LED screen delayed it, but it's still shipped earlier than they estimated. *happy dance*

Look at the pretty birdy

2008-09-21T22:32:00.002-05:00

This bird feeder is in a tree that sits right outside our picture window in the living room. It's fun to see all the birds we get. The cardinals especially stand out, though obviously these are not those.

Personality quiz (otherwise known as "look at the cute kitty")

2008-09-16T19:05:00.001-05:00

Personality Type Quiz

Intellectual Personality Type

You’re really smart, obviously, but you’re more book smart, than street smart. You like reading, watch the news, and love discussing whatever is going on in the world. You enjoy being around people who challenge you intellectually.

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by

Oh, I shamelessly stole this from Darla at Nichtzusagen.

The Chosen Sin

2008-09-12T21:16:00.002-05:00

Seriously, how cool is that cover? So go enter at Anya Bast's blog.

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen

2008-09-12T21:01:00.001-05:00

Aww...the love I have for Tess Gerritsen mysteries knows no bounds. So, I was in SuperTarget today to buy cereal (hey, Kashi cereal for 4 for $11 and a $5 gift card? I'm there) and a few other things and headed to the book section like always. And there was The Keepsake. On sale for 30% off. All nice and shiny.

And I didn't buy it.

Cuz earlier today I plunked down a rather large amount of money on a spiffy Dell XPS laptop. It'll be my first laptop. And unfortunately, because I wanted the LED screen, won't ship for another month.

Anyways. It's Tess Gerritsen. And I remembered I had money in my Paypal account. Booksonboard, I was there.

I went. I bought. I downloaded. I read. I luuuuuuuuuuurved.

It's got Jane, Maura, archaeology, mummies, Egyptology, tons of mysteries, and more into the private lives of our favorite characters, yet still focused very much on the mystery. Really, you don't need a summary. You just need to buy the book and read it. It's good. Really good.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Lightning reviews!

2008-09-08T22:23:00.001-05:00

Trial by Fire by Jo Davis
1st in the Firefighters of Station Five series

Dont get burned...

Lieutenant Howard “Six- Pack” Paxton loves three things: being a firefighter, riding his Harley, and his bachelorhood. That is, until the curvaceous Kat McKenna falls into his arms at the scene of a fire—and melts the six-foot-six tower of bronze muscle…

But just as passion ignites between them—and they explore new heights of ecstasy—a ruthless arsonist with a deadly secret and a thirst for vengeance becomes their worst nightmare.

This was a fun, quick read. It has some suspense in it as an arsonist is targeting Howard for some mysterious reason. Kat and Howard work well together and I liked that it wasn't all easy for them. Howard has some baggage from his past that's rearing its head in the way of nightmares and those nightmares have seriously affected him. But, like many men I'm sure we all know, he can give good advice, but doesn't always take it himself (to get help). There are also some very interesting characters who I'm sure will be getting their own stories and I like that they aren't all stereotypical macho males who tend to beat their fists against their chests. At least that's what they seem like. Anyways, I liked the story. And I'll read the next book in the series whenever it comes out. It's not a perfect story, but it's not bad.

Grade: C+ (yes, I know my grading is always different)

Heart Fate by Robin D. Owens
7th in HeartMates series

Wed to a wealthy older man when she was just a girl, Lahsin Yew runs away from her abusive home to find a new life. At seventeen, she’s about to enter her Second Passage, when her Flair—and perhaps her HeartMate—will be revealed.

Lahsin finds sanctuary in a secret garden, where she meets Tinne Holly. Though he is her HeartMate, he cannot tell her, and her troubled past prevents her from trusting any man. Pretending to find her by chance, Tinne helps her through her Second Passage. But when the truth is revealed, can she forgive his deception, and learn to trust in her destiny?

Owens' HeartMates books are a definite comfort read for me. I really enjoy the world she has created and the characters that inhabit it. Heart Fate includes many of the characters that I've grown to really like, including the Turquoise House that many may remember from a previous book.

I really enjoyed watching Lahsin heal from her marriage to an abusing husband. Tinne also has to heal from his failed marriage. Watching them become comfortable with each other is nice. There isn't a whole lot of action, but I never felt like the book was slow. Like I said, it's a comfort read. You know what to expect and it delivers. It may by SF romance lite, but it's still quite filling. It also reminds me a bit of JAK's Harmony series.

*That guy's chest on the cover? Scary. And the way he looks at you? Even scarier.

Grade: B

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini SIngh
5th in Psy-Changeling series

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural
implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically
gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy--cool, calm,
emotionless...at least on the surface. Inside, she's fighting a
desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the
PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the
lethal danger of a sniper's embrace.

DarkRiver
sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he
lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard
lives within. And that leopard's rage at the brutal loss is a clawing
darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been
on Dorian's agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he
discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules...

Ahh...I love this series. It's such a nice blend of SF/dark fantasy and romance. I have to agree with many of the reviews that say the romance is a bit weaker here, but overall the story is really good. I like that there's not a lot of black and white in this world. I can't wait to see where this series goes next. The over-arching plot is almost more exciting than the romance, which honestly, works just fine. If you haven't read this series, you definitely should. Just don't start with this book as I really think a person needs to start at the beginning to really appreciate it all.

Grade: B/B+

Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
?th in the Dark-Hunter series (I never know how to order this series)

Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. However, his human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, Acheron became the sole defender of mankind.

Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence.

Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.

War has never been more deadly... or more fun.

This is a big book. I'm not even really sure why I read it since I thought I'd given up on the series with Wren's book. But I read this one and actually kinda liked it. Yes, it's got a lot of filler and I didn't actually think there was a lot of new information that hadn't already been really hinted at in previous books, but it was interesting to see what Kenyon made of Acheron's past. Although one would think after 11k years, one would have gotten over a few decades or so of abuse. Anyways, I was really disappointed in the romance. She's nothing special and her sole appeal seems to be that she doesn't care what happened umpteen years ago. So what?

Grade: C-

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Vacation pics very late, lots of pictures

2008-08-26T22:54:00.001-05:00

Here's the walking bridge at Multnomah Falls

More of the Falls

This is a pic taken at the edge of the cliff at the resort we stayed at in Depoe Bay

More of the resort

Me at a beach (wish I could remember which one)

Sculpture thing at Howard Amon Park in Richland, WA

Sea gull on sign at resort

Foggy Oregon morning

Rocky Creek Bridge

And yes, all these are from May, but I figured a post was a post was a post, right?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Sick kitty

2008-08-15T15:12:00.004-05:00

Oh boy. You know, cats can be expensive. Oh yes indeed they can.

For a little background, Tux has been urinating outside his litter box. I figured it was just behavioral, so for awhile, we just worked on cleaning up his messes. Finally I went to the vet where they found out that he definitely had some problems. Man I felt bad about not taking him in sooner. So he went on antibiotics. Luckily, there's a new shot that is a substitute for a two-week bout of antibiotics. No twice daily pilling for us. Yay!

Took him in again two weeks later. Tests came back better, but not completely cured. So another shot and another two weeks to see if all is cleared up.

Now I took him in two days ago and he's WORSE. Poor guy. So the vet thinks he has interstitial cystitis, which doesn't respond to antibiotics, I guess. And he suggested an ultrasound to rule out stones. Bleck. See, expensive kitty. And prescription kitty food.

I'm thinking my RT trip might not happen. Cuz really, the cat is way more important. And I can't even get that upset with him for peeing on my carpet when he's obviously in pain and ill. *sigh*

In other news, Karen really does know best and Dorothy Koomson's My Best Friend's Girl is excellent so far.

Anything For Her Children by Darlene Gardner

2008-08-01T16:21:00.002-05:00

Title: Anything For Her Children
Author: Darlene Gardner
Published Date: May 2008
Series: Suddenly a Parent
Rating: C+/B-
Previous books of author enjoyed (if any): n/a
New to me author?: Yes

The bond Keri Cassidy shares with her adopted kids couldn't be stronger if they were her own flesh and blood. So when coach Grady Quinlan suspends her teenage son from the basketball team, the fiercely protective single mother is fit to be tied. Until she uncovers the scandal in Grady's past.

Grady claims he's innocent of any wrongdoing. In spite of evidence against him, Keri finds herself believing Grady when no one else does. But how can she trust a man who threatens her son's future? She doesn't want to have to choose sides. But she may have already made a choice. If she has the courage to follow what her heart is telling her.

I really enjoyed this one. Keri adopted the children of a co-worker when it was apparent that unless she did, they were bound for foster care. So she's a fairly young woman (around 25) with a teenage son and slightly younger daughter. I really liked her and could see how she was so reluctant to believe things about her son when they've been through so much. (and non-related, but Tux is lying on my lap, kneading his claws into my shorts and resting his chin on my left arm. And purring. Loudly.)

Grady is also a likeable guy. His teaching philosophy is not making him popular, but he sticks to his beliefs. I could understand how hurt he was when Keri didn't believe him about some things in the story. He's such a nice guy. It was good to not have a crazy alpha he-man as a hero for once.

Anyways, it's a pretty low-key story, but it kept my interest and I found myself really liking the characters. There's a few little side stories involving Keri's children that actually worked quite well and rounded out the feel-good-ness of the whole story. So, if you want a cute, sweet story, this is a nice one. It's nothing terribly special, but it's a nice way to spend a couple hours and didn't have any annoying moments.

A Curious Affair by Melanie Jackson

2008-07-13T20:11:00.001-05:00

Title: A Curious Affair
Author: Melanie Jackson
Published Date: June 2008
Series: none
Rating: B-
Previous books of author enjoyed (if any): I'm not sure I've really enjoyed her previous books.
New to me author?: no

LIKE A THUNDERBOLT
Recent widow Jillian Marsh wasn't planning on killing herself that March night, but she hadn't ruled it out, either. It had rained for the last seventeen days-days in which her jaws were locked together and she was unable to speak, supposing there'd been anyone worth addressing. And then there was her cat problem. Ever since she'd been hit by lightning last October, the cats in town had been talking to her. Which meant she was insane, right?

But that night something changed. The cat Atherton appeared with something very interesting to say, about an odd accident that had occurred up the hill. And since Jillian could hardly go to the town's new lawman, who'd been trained in LA and was new to this Sierra town, with a feline eyewitness, it was up to her to find out if there was indeed trouble afoot-or if this conspiracy and her newfound and unwanted attraction to Sheriff Murphy were all part of an endless hallucination.

So I'm a sucker for books with cats. Even just having a cat on the cover will entice me to pick a book up. But I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I haven't enjoyed the few Wildside books of Jackson's that I've read, so I was a bit leery about this one, but I'm glad I did.

I think that people who pick this up looking for a paranormal romance will be a bit disappointed. The paranormal aspect is small, as is the romance. Instead, I'd say it works better as women's fiction. Most of the story is Jillian realizing that life goes on and that she needs to stop keeping to herself after the death of her husband. The mystery is a way of making her interact more with people.

I really liked Atherton (who, by the way, has his own Myspace page). He definitely acts like a cat. Although it becomes obvious that he's more than just a simple stray. Like I said, I picked it up for the cats and I did like how they all played their part in the story. I also liked the cat related quotes that begin each chapter.

All in all, I enjoyed this one. It's slow and meandering, but I never found it boring. It's just cute.

5th Anniversary

2008-07-12T22:22:00.001-05:00

Oh my, has it really been that long?

It's our 5th wedding anniversary today. Time has definitely flown and lots of things have changed. Ahh...I love him.

And he finished some bookshelves for me today. What a guy. And surprised me with red roses on Thursday since he wanted to be unpredictable. No, you can't have him. He's mine.

And completely unrelated, here's a cloud picture I took from my work parking lot earlier this week.

Well, it's actually three pictures stitched together because the cloud was way too big.

Cinderella Lopez by Berta Platas

2008-07-09T20:27:00.001-05:00

Title: Cinderella Lopez
Author: Berta Platas
Published Date: April 2006
Series: n/a
Rating: B
Previous books of author enjoyed (if any): n/a
New to me author?: Yes

Fifteen-year-old Cynthia Lopez made a promise to her dying father: she will live with her two stepsisters, Ami and Lila, until she turns 25, at which point she'll inherit his large estate. Now, nine years later, twenty-four-year-old Cyn is counting down the days to that fateful birthday. At first, living with Ami and Lila had been fun, even exciting at times. Two of New York's hottest It-Girls, they know all the right people, own all the right things, and go to all the right parties. Sensible Cyn used to be content hiding in the shadows of her larger-than-life sisters. Now, Cyn is finally wising up and realizing that she is no longer stepsister to the stars--she is personal assistant/slave to the stars (or Las Diablas, as the Latin press likes to call them). And, when Prince Charming enters, Cyn must go head-to-head with her truly wicked stepsisters in order to win back her father's fortune, her perfect man, and, most importantly, her life.

This was an impulse grab at work. I vaguely remembered seeing something about it somewhere on the web, but for the life of me, I can't remember. Went home with a rather upset stomach from work and so crashed on the couch downstairs with this book. Finished in only a few hours (with intermittent dashes to the bathroom, of course you needed to know that) and came away with a smile on my face.

I'm a sucker for fairy tale stories and this one works well. I like the Latin vibe and the music scene comes across just as crazy as one would imagine. Cyn's a very down-to-earth person and I really liked how her and Eric interacted. They just seem to fit.

I also liked how the Cinderella elements really worked well in the novel, yet didn't seem forced or put in just because. If, like me, you like a cute fairy tale-based story, I recommend picking this one up.

Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor

2008-07-08T22:32:00.001-05:00

Title: Bound by Shadow
Author: Anna Windsor
Published Date: June 2008
Series: The Dark Crescent Sisterhood - Book One
Rating: DNF
Previous books of author enjoyed (if any): Arda series from Ellora's Cave written as Annie Windsor
New to me author?: No

Falling for a demon can be hazardous to your heart.
Riana Dumain is a fully trained Sibyl, a warrior priestess battling
evil whose practical magic keeps her grounded in earthly
science--and desires. She knows that gorgeous NYPD detective Creed Lowell is dangerous, and possibly a foot soldier for the evil Legion cult, using his badge and drop-dead looks to consolidate demonic power.
Creed's low profile Occult Crimes Unit pulls Riana and her two sister Sibyl into the case of a politician's son, murdered in a ritualistic sacrifice. Soon, Riana's instincts prove true. Creed, the hottest half-human she's ever known, a demon in bed and out, is guarding a trapdoor to hell. And unless Riana can find a way to tame her mystery man's treacherous inner self (and her heart), all of Manhattan may be enveloped by darkness.

I really tried to finish this one, I really did. But when you find yourself only reading a few pages at a time and easily putting it down, perhaps now is not the time to read it. So I'm sending this one back to Paperspine. I enjoyed her Arda series when I was first reading erotic romance and so was looking forward to this series to see how she did writing for the big leagues.

Riana's supposed to be a big, bad, strong woman, but I really didn't get that impression. She's strong in some ways, but the way she just melts with Creed just doesn't mesh with how I thought her character should go. Yeah, that pesky paranormal attraction is probably going on, but this time it just wasn't working for me and actually annoyed me. Not really the reaction I'm sure I am supposed to get. But for those interested, it is a hot book. Definitely could go with the erotic romance tag.

I did like Creed, though. Especially the few interactions with his partner. Very funny. And the "thing" inside him is very intriguing and I keep wanting to know what it really is and how it will be important for the story. Just not enough to actually continue reading. Quite frankly, I got kinda bored. Not a whole lot seemed to be happening and I was about a quarter into the book. And it's a big book.

I suppose that would be another question, what's with books getting bigger again? THis one, Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves (currently reading and it's SO good), and Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen are the first three books I got from Paperspine and they all seem bigger than the books I've been seeing around. Good trend, if in fact it is a trend and not just some fluke.

My cats, they are under the couch

2008-07-07T21:34:00.002-05:00

Well, Gambit is, anyways. The weather is storming here and he hates the thunder. Well, scared out of his mind is more like it.

Am borrowing Linda Howard's Death Angel from my manager at work and so far I'm enjoying it. But I'm not real far into it yet, Drea's just starting her escape at the moment.

It's nasty sticky hot here and only getting hotter. I want winter back.

Oh, changed a few things around in the library, so I'll have to post pictures soon.

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris

2008-07-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

Letters to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris

"Thousands of people have written to tell me that I am wrong not to believe in God. The most hostile of these communications have come from Christians. This is ironic, as Christians generally imagine that no faith imparts the virtues of love and forgiveness more effectively than their own. The truth is that many who claim to be transformed by Christ's love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of criticism. While we may want to ascribe this to human nature, it is clear that such hatred draws considerable support from the Bible. How do I know this? The most disturbed of my correspondents always cite chapter and verse."
So begins Letter to a Christian Nation...

This is a really short book, but I found it to be quite interesting and really quick read.

Not sure how many people who actually read my blog would like it, but I'm glad I did and I must say I agree with a lot of what was written.

Anyways, not what I usually write a review on, but I knew it would be short, so a good way to get back in the swing of things. At least I hope!

Blog changes

2008-07-05T22:04:00.001-05:00

Okay, so as you can see, I changed my template. And as you can see, I did it myself (even my sorta spiffy kitty header). So please, let me know if there are any problems so I can attempt to fix them.

Ack, books read! And nothing written!

2008-06-21T17:30:00.004-05:00

Twisted Creek by Jodi Thomas
At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker *thanks Jay, for pointing out my mistake!
Scandalous Life of a True Lady by Barbara Metzger
Odalique by Fiona McIntosh
Emissary by Fiona McIntosh
Goddess by Fiona McIntosh
Delaney's Desert Sheik by Brenda Jackson
The Summoner by Gail Z. Martin
Hinterland by James Clemens
Corpse Pose by Diana Killian
Did You Say Twins? by Maureen Child
A Little Dare by Brenda Jackson
Running Wild by Sarah McCarty
Beyond Reach by Karin Slaughter
Black Magic Woman by Justin Gustainis
Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
Thorn's Challenge by Brenda Jackson

And I'm sure I'm forgetting some!

No Mor Water Pleez

2008-06-14T18:53:00.001-05:00

moar funny pictures

In fabulous company!

2008-05-29T16:36:00.003-05:00

Went to the Oregon Coast and Portland and a few other places last week on vacation. Friday night I got to meet up with Lilith, Candy and Meljean at Powells and then we went out to eat. Here's a picture Nick took for posterity.

I'm back from vacation

2008-05-11T21:54:00.002-05:00

Well, for a week at any rate. Next Saturday I'm off to Portland and Depoe Bay and hopefully a fabulous dinner with some very cool blog/author people.

And a funny moment had on vacation. We were in Waldenbooks with my mom and I was looking at the romance titles when Mom walked over.

Mom: What's Nora Roberts doing in this section?
Me: Um, she writes romance, Mom.
Mom: Are you sure? I thought she just wrote mysteries and I have one to read.
Me: No, Mom, she really writes romance. With mystery, but she writes romance.
Mom: hmmm....

Yeah, my mother is incredibly anti-romance and thinks romance readers are crazy and obsessed with reading them. Hope you like that Nora, Mom. And okay, that's not exactly what she said, but the gist is right.

*so...do I capitalize mom or not? *sigh*

Oh, and it SNOWED, yesterday, on Saturday.

And I'm in love with the new James Clemens fantasy series The Godslayer Chronicles and I read the first two books this last week and there aren't any more yet!!! Bad author, bad. Write faster. The bookses, they are good. Well, if you like that kind of fantasy.

And I read Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter and adored it, too.

Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart

2008-05-01T21:18:00.003-05:00

In the wake of a failed love affair, brainy beauty Jilly Lovitz takes off for Tokyo. She's expecting to cry on her sister Summer's shoulder, then spend a couple months blowing off steam in Japan. Instead, she's snatched away on the back of a motorcycle, narrowly avoiding a grisly execution attempt meant for her sister and brother-in-law.

Her rescuer is Reno, the Committee's most unpredictable agent. They'd met once before and the attraction was odd – tattooed Yakuza punk meets leggy California egghead – but electric. Now Reno and Jilly are pawns in a deadly tangle of assassination attempts, kidnappings and prisoner swaps that could put their steamy partnership on ice.

Can I just say that I devoured this book? So good. Reno is awesome. I mean, how can you resist a guy described as a "tattooed Yakuza punk"? I loved how fast-paced the story was. It was definitely the hero who was the focus of the book, and since he's so fascinating, that was just dandy with me. Anyone else read it? Just loved it. Yeah, had to say that again.

Allergies are eeeeeeeeevil

2008-04-28T18:21:00.002-05:00

Ugh. Had to go home sick from work today because of my allergies. I was sneezing and sniffling and probably scaring the customers who probably thought I had a nasty cold. I just felt achy and sinus headaching. Went home, took two Benadryls and collapsed on the basement couch for over 4 hours. And even after all that sleep, I still feel exhausted.

Woe is me. Windy days and flowering trees do not a happy Nicole make.

I've got this stuck in my head

2008-04-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

Ah, the awesomeness that is this commercial. I just love it.

Guess what I'm reading?

2008-04-23T20:44:00.003-05:00

The third Sharing Knife book! Oh, I'm enjoying it so far.

Also finished reading up Fast & Loose by Elizabeth Bevarly. It was cute and a quick lunch time read. I liked the Derby setting.

Also read Lord Deverill's Secret by Amanda Grange. It's a very traditional Regency novel stuck in trade paperback. Good story, but not really worth $14. I am happy I read it, though. It was also very cute.

Also listening to Naughty Neighbor by Evanovich in my car. So far it's really cute and I like the reader, C.J. Critt.

North and South

2008-04-11T16:40:00.004-05:00

Well, Kristie has done it again and I am a convert. North and South was so amazingly good. Just amazing. And the end....ah...so good. So many others have mentioned all the fine aspects of this show, so I won't go into it (although if you want to know more, Kristie has quite the list of fans on her sidebar).

Thank you, Kristie, for the recommendation. You're a gem.

Oh, the horror...

2008-04-10T18:54:00.001-05:00

The hockey game, it is painful to watch. My poor Sioux.

Anyone read Bad Blood by L.A. Banks?

2008-04-07T21:15:00.002-05:00

I just started this one today and so far I really enjoy it.

Anyways, will let you know what I think of it when I finish.

And in other news, I've started watching North and South.

Confession time

2008-04-03T21:54:00.002-05:00

I have not finished Strangers in Death. I started and returned Wish Club by Kim Strickland and Forget About It by Caprice Crane. And I really liked each of them when I started them. I just sorta set them aside and never picked them back up again. Bad me.

Um, those are just the ones I can remember. I started Beware of Doug by Elaine Fox at work today, who knows if I'll finish that one, either.

Cover Candy!

2008-04-02T19:38:00.002-05:00

Lighnting reviews: Harlequin Blaze

2008-03-31T19:59:00.002-05:00

So I don't really want to write up separate posts for these, but Jane convinced me that I should at least let you all know what I thought of them. So here you go.

Talking in Your Sleep by Samantha Hunter. This one I liked. Both Joy and Rafe are having sleep problems. Rafe is on leave from his job as an EMT for burnout and insomnia and Joy is stressed from too much work. Her x-rated sleep talking worked to get Rafe and Joy talking, but I liked that it wasn't the focus of the story and wasn't taken too far. Anyways, I enjoyed the story.

Dead Sexy by Kimberly Raye. Vampire lite is what this one is all about. Cute and fluffy without a lot of substance. That's what I wanted when I read the story, so I wasn't disappointed, but many probably would be. Jake's in town because he needs to kill his sire so he can become human again. Nikki's not looking for a relationship but a series of events forces her into having Jake as a fake fiance. It's pretty much a tale of a good girl having a fling with a bad boy who just happens to be a vampire. Anyways, it was cute. I believe Jane mentioned that she wasn't impressed with the sequel, but I confess that I'll probably read it anyways.

Shaken and Stirred by Kathleen O'Reilly. I think enough has been said about this one and yes, I liked it alot. Can't wait for the sequel.

She Did a Bad, Bad Thing by Stephanie Bond. This is the first in a series called Million Dollar Secrets about a group of friends who win the lottery. This is one of those makeover stories and is fun. Jane's a makeup artist who really doesn't do much for herself, but when she wins the lottery, she decides to have a fling to Vegas. She's followed by her neighbor Perry, who actually insults her and then feels bad about it and feels like he has to look out for her. I kinda liked that he wasn't instantly likeable, though I wasn't quite convinced he liked Jane for Jane, I was convinced enough to be happy in the end. Eh, it worked. I liked the story well enough and plan to read the rest of the series.

My favorite was At Your Command by Julie Miller. Zach and Becky get married after knowing each other for only a week in Vegas. Then Zach is shipped off and they don't see each other for over a year. Becky plans to get a divorce, but Zach is all ready to really get to know his bride as soon as he returns. I felt that their romance really worked and that they each realized that their marriage would require work and compromise on both their sides. It made me want to read more of Miller's Blazes as soon as I was finished. If you want to pick up a good Blaze, this is one I'd really recommend.

Dragonborn by Jade Lee

2008-03-31T19:06:00.003-05:00

Fantasy romance is rare, so I usually try to read them while I can. Of course, we've recently had C.L. Wilson's books which were fantastic, but mostly, I find these types of books to be rare. Kudos to Love Spell for being one to publish them.

ONE PROTECTOR
When dragon power flows through your veins, when dragon thoughts burn in your mind, you can accomplish anything. Natiya knows, for she carries one of the last eggs in the land disguised as a jewel in her navel. Day by day the Unhatched grows, and when at last it births they will be joined in a sacred and eternal bond. Gone will be the barmaid forced to dance for pennies; born will be Dag Natiya, revered Queen. Take her body or her soul, nothing will stop them.

ONE SLAYER
When dragon power flows through your veins, when dragon emotions trample your soul, you become a monster. So knows Kiril, for one destroyed his cousin. No matter how kind or joyful, all beings must succumb to the power of the wyrm. That is why Kiril vowed to destroy dragonkind—and he has almost succeeded. Only one egg remains. But there is an obstacle he did not foresee: love.

Okay, I'm actually having trouble articulating what I thought of this book. On one hand, I love dragons and like how Jade Lee has incorporated them into the story. On the other hand, there are some inconsistencies that aren't spelled out in this story that are kinda spoilers, so I'm not going to mention them. And Kiril and Natiya's romance is a bit hard to believe. I would think that she'd be more horrified at him for all the dragon killing that he's done than she shows in the book. And his attraction to her is much more lust than love, although at least we are shown that she isn't a illiterate peasant and actually has a brain.

I did believe in Kiril's motivations for killing and his belief that dragons are evil was born of some pretty compelling evidence. But he's just not that deep a character.

Perhaps there's just too much going on in the book for it to quite work as well as it might. It tries to fit too much into a too small space. The storyline is more epic fantasy that fantasy romance and the romance definitely is hurt in the process. I admire what the author is trying to do and did find the book to read well and fast, but it doesn't really hold up after the fact.

Because I did enjoy it while I was reading it and like the idea of the story, I'm going to go with a C+ for this one. It's not bad, but it's not nearly as good as I'd hoped. And I will buy the next one in the series as I am interested enough to see where things will go.

Random Stuff About Nicole

2008-03-08T06:47:00.003-06:00

Okay, so saw this on Wendy's blog and stole it. I need to post something, you know!

4 Jobs I've Had
1) telemarketer
2) work-study library assistant
3) clerk in gift shop
4) bookseller (I like my current job *grin*)

4 Movies I've Watched Over and Over:
1) The Rock
2) Die Hard 2
3) hrmmm....I'm not much for watching movies and then I like when things blow up
4)

4 Places I've Lived:
1) Grand Forks, ND
2) Crescent City, CA
3) Cave Junction, OR
4) Richland, WA (and many more)

4 Shows I Watch:
1) Bones
2) What Not to Wear
3) Mythbusters
4) Dirty Jobs

4 Places I've Been:
1) Seattle, WA
2) Minneapolis, MN
3) Chicago, IL
4) San Juan Islands (whalewatching)

4 Things I Love to Eat:
1) popcorn
2) potatoes
3) bread
4) apples

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1) in bed
2) shopping
3) blech, I don't know...I'm rather content with where I am.
4)

Things I Look Forward to:
1) good books
2) vacation with my husband
3) seeing my in-laws
4) seeing SB Sarah and MelJean and whoever else this May when I go to Portland!!

Reading ADD

2008-02-26T21:18:00.004-06:00

I cannot seem to finish much lately. I did read Demon's are a Ghoul's Best Friend by Victoria Laurie and really enjoyed it, but I still have Strangers in Death half-read and usually I stay up late reading the new In Death book. And I started Wish Club by Kim Strickland and set it down. And Ghost of a Chance by Kate Marsh and Nylon Angel by Marianne de Pierres. And The Charmed Sphere by Catherine Asaro. And The Mercenary by Cherry Adair. So hmmm....I want to finish these!

And bah, Gambit's dumping things off the desk and getting hair all over my monitor! And yes, the picture is of Tux, not Gambit. But it's still cute!

Oh, I did buy Grimspace by Ann Aguirre yesterday. So far it's quite good. So maybe it is helping my reading problem.

My love for Zappos.com knows no bounds

2008-02-21T11:46:00.002-06:00

Ah....Zappos, I love you. When my city was out of winter boots, you came to the rescue. When I ordered after 8 p.m. on Monday, you had my shoes to me by Wednesday morning. And that's the free shipping option. I love you, I really do. And my new Keen Vail boots look fabulous.

I'm here, really!

2008-02-17T11:50:00.001-06:00

Ah...the joy of being snowed in. Yes, we're in the process of getting 7 inches of snow today. After we got some ice last night. Oh joy.

Anyways, I updated my books read list on the left there. Anything above the Lori Wilde book is new. As you can see, I went on a Lynsay Sands glom. So good, too.

Unpredictable by Eileen Cook

2008-02-17T11:20:00.001-06:00

I was surprised at how much I liked Unpredictable. At first, I found myself annoyed that Sophie would spend so much time and effort in getting back a man who clearly didn't love her, but she's just so funny that I couldn't stay annoyed and just went along with the ride. I'm very glad I did.

This may be mainly Sophie's story, but there is a cute romance, too. I enjoyed the horoscope quotes at the beginning of each chapter and how they related to the events in the book. There's also a great cast of supporting characters, from Sophie's friend Jane to Melanie, Doug's new girlfriend and the reason for Sophie's invention of psychic talent. And we can't forget Nick, who helps Sophie "become" psychic and may just be the one man who really sees who she is.

I just loved how her scheme gets away from her and she's left scrambling to somehow salvage everything and how it all ends up. It's a very good book and I will definitely be getting the next from Eileen Cook.

Originally posted at the Harlequin's 100,000 Book Challenge.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T07:37:00.001-06:00

moar humorous pics

BlogHappy

My Pinterest Addiction

Phoenix Rising by Corrina Lawson

January TBR Challenge and a few other things

Out Loud!: Meg Cabot

5 - 365 in 2011

4 - 365 in 2011

3 - 365 in 2011

2 - 365 in 2011

365 Photos in 2011

Happy New Year!

Mischief by Laura Parker

I'm 22 weeks along!

Meeting "The Rogue"

Happy New Year!

Food porn!

Blogging woes

Dancing in the kitchen

Coming shortly!

Twittering from yesterday. I am so exciting.

Crafty Bosoms

I really only went for envelopes and a mag

Beyond Heaving Bosoms vs. Cassie Edwards

Alley in GF

May 2009 Books I Want

Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy

Nicole and Tux sleeping

My cat does love a sick woman

Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood

I'm a bad, bad girl.

2009 TBR Challenge: The Immortal Prince by Jennifer Fallon

I'm a moody mess. And a few other things

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

Hockey and allergies and this and that

Beau Crusoe by Carla Kelly

It's a sickness, I tell you!

Thank goodness the week is over.

Miine, all miiiiiiiine!

2009 New Years Resolutions

Upcoming books I want to read.

Tux in the spotlight

Gambit and his new toy

Fortune & Glory Contest

Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye

Romancing the Stones by Catherine Berlin

LibraryThing

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

Mini review of Zappos and Onlineshoes

Chalice by Robin McKinley

Blogs I must visit every day

Naughty, naughty kitty

Bits and pieces and thoughts

Crap, it's been awhile

Books galore

Save the Contemporary

For art and Harry Potter Fans

Oooooh...I hate you Tor!!!

New word of the day: Pilomatrixoma

Spending time with Nick

Very familiar.....

Amazon wishlist wishes

Religulous and stuff

My leg hurts

I wants to see this!

Mine, all mine.

Look at the pretty birdy

Personality quiz (otherwise known as "look at the cute kitty")

The Chosen Sin

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen

Lightning reviews!

Vacation pics *very late, lots of pictures*

Sick kitty

Anything For Her Children by Darlene Gardner

A Curious Affair by Melanie Jackson

5th Anniversary

Cinderella Lopez by Berta Platas

Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor

My cats, they are under the couch

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris

Blog changes

Vacation pics very late, lots of pictures