The Darkest Touch Review

The Darkest Touch is the third novel in Jaci Burton's Demon Hunter series. Do you like your men who can kick some demon ass like nobody's business, and their women who are smart and intelligent? The Darkest Touch will definitely appeal to readers who like paranormals that have action packed scenes and a great deal of adventure within the pages. And of course I cannot fail to mention that there are some nice sex scenes also. Even though I haven't had the chance to read the first two in this series, I didn't find myself lost and things picked up rather quickly. The action starts on page one and does not let up. The two main characters here are archeologist, Angelique Deveraux and demon hunter Ryder, who has no last name.

I can only assume both Angelique and Ryder were first introduced in Hunting the Demon (Book 2)? Angelique is not your normal run of the mill archeologist, for she and her twin sister, Isabelle, may have special powers that the demons known as the Sons of Darkness need for their own means. One of the sisters is a catalyst who can bring the coveted black diamond to life. If the diamond gets into the hands of the demons, and one of the Deveraux sisters are able to tap into the power of the diamond, the whole world could be in danger. From the beginning, we find out that Angelique is not the sister who can do this, but it is her twin, Isabelle, who has darkness living inside of her.

Ryder is part of the Realm of Light, the group that keeps the Sons of Darkness in line. He had helped Angelique escape from the demons that had first captured her, but she didn't wait around for him and now he has to find her before she is found by those nasty demons again. Plus, she has the black diamond, and Ryder is not certain if Angelique is so innocent in all of this. He assumes that Angelique may use the diamond to save herself, or sell it to the highest bidder. Ryder is able to find Angelique and they go on the run. He won't let her go till he finds out where she had hidden the diamond. Angelique won't give up the diamond unless Ryder can help her find Isabelle. When Angelique knows that Isabelle is safe, then she will give Ryder what he wants.

Angelique does give Ryder one of the things he wants from her, and that means sex. But since Ryder can't love Angelique, and only can give her sex, he keeps her at arms length when it comes to his heart. They barely have time to work out their feelings because they are constantly on the run from demons and searching for Isabelle who is close to being found by the Sons of Darkness. Again Isabelle's dark nature comes into play and is a very important part of the story.

The Darkest Touch has some dark moments with nasty demons and of action and fighting. Ryder is your typical brooding, I can't love you hero, because he feels he is not worthy of Angelique's love. Angelique is a man's dream come true because she is so caring. I found these two a bit annoying because of the constant pushing and pulling going on in their relationship. But to counteract them, there was a secondary story dealing with Isabelle and another demon hunter, Dalton. I really did enjoy Isabelle and Dalton better than Angelique and Ryder. Isabelle is very different from her perfect twin. She is greedy, pushy and the question of whether she is truly evil is left open for the reader todecide. There is a major secret about these twin sisters and Isabelle tends to embrace the one side her sister Angelique ignores. The way The Darkest Touch ends, leads me to believe that the next book will be about Isabelle and Dalton. As for Dalton, he is another brooding male, but very sexy, and gives it to Isabelle good against the wall of her cabin on a yacht as they look for underwater treasure.

Overall, I found The Darkest Touch a pleasing read. Jaci's writing, as always, is great, and she has a way of building up the action along with some surprises you won't see coming.

3 stars out of 5 stars

Katiebabs (KB)

Various & Assorted

1) First off - my obsession

SYTYCD Canada was wonderful once again. Here were my top favourite routines - the ones I spent the two following hours voting for



Nico and Arrasay got the majority of my votes. I just LOVE this couple!! This routine was crisp and clean and they were totally in synch with each other. And the are so great together. The only problem *sigh* I was spoiled by seeing Nico in only a pair of ripped jeans the previous two weeks.




Allie and Danny came in second in my voting. I loved this routine. What impressed me the most was Danny. His background is ball room so seeing him do this style and do it so well was great. And Allie's background is ballet so it was nice to see her dance in her style



This was third. Kaitlyn and Izzak really killed this routine. Up until Wednesday night Izaak was good on his own but not that good with a partner. This changed I think with this routine.



Natalli and Francis got quite a few of my votes too. This routine was a lot of fun. Francis is also a ballroom dancer and I've been waiting to see something different from him since up until Wednesday night he got nothing but ballroom dances. I think he did an excellent job. And you just gotta love a French accent.

~*~* FOR A REAL SPECIAL HALLOWEEN TREAT WATCH THIS~*~*

The quality isn't the best and if I see a better one I'll post it. BUT THIS IS CRAZY!! They don't call us Crazy Canucks for nothing I tell you. I don't think I breathed through the whole routine.


And I said Assorted

2) We have us another Quester!! I'm a bit late with this but Janet of Dear Author read Broken Wing and reviewed it. And best of all - she LIKED it!!

3) Nath contacted me the other day to see if I'd be interested in doing a review with her at Breezing Through on the newest JD Robb book. I'm in a book slump, but this is one I've managed to read so our thought should be up sometime today :)

My answer to an interesting question

Mary Kate has a very interesting post up today on the reaction so far to The Windflower and those who have read it on it’s round the world tour. So far there are some strong negative reactions to it and she is asking why this is because it’s her all time favourite book.

So. That gets me to wondering -- why does the book work for me on almost every level? I'm thinking back to 2000, when I first read the book.

And then

So why does this book not work for other readers?

For the record, while not “officially” a member of the tour because I have my own copy and have already have read it and will be doing a filler piece while it’s in transit to it’s next stop. I just need the go ahead to post my say.

I’m with Mary Kate. I read this one much later than she did. She first read it in 2000 and I think I read it about 2005. And I loved it! Mary Kate makes a statement that I totally agree with:

Maybe it's because I did start reading romance in the early 80s, but forced seduction has never really bothered me.

That was true for me to for quite a while until slowly over time, it did begin to bother me quite a bit and I gave up romance for quite some time. When I came back to it, there had been significant changes – for the better(!) in the heroes.

I think it does make a difference in how long one has been reading romance as to whether this one will work or not. As a fellow long time reader, I remember the days of Steve from Rosemary Roger - now THERE was a jerk hero!! The heroes of yesteryear romance novels were downright cruel to the heroines. They thought nothing of either forcefully seducing or downright raping the heroine. This was an early theme of many a romance book I read. Kathleen Woodiwiss, Catherine Coulter, Brenda Joyce's earlier novels, Jude Devereaux to name just a few, had what we would now consider as horrific heroes.

So compared to some of them, Devon wasn't nearly so bad. By the time he and Merry consummated their love, they were both in love with each other - and that makes a great deal of difference.

Now readers converted to romance after the Great Change; the Softening or Mellowing of this 'old school' hero probably don’t realize how desensitized us older romance readers had become to this type of hero. They may read one or two older type romances and not be as negatively impacted by them as us old coots are. Whitney My Love by Judith McNaught regularly appears on top book lists – and I hated it because of the hero(??).

Books of today are much ‘tighter’ than many of the books I grew up in my first round of romance reading days with. While I’m not going to get into that great of detail as to actually count pages, the romance books of yesteryear were, on the whole, much more detailed. So even though it was 2005 when I first read The Windflower, I was used to the weightier prose and it didn’t take me out the story at all. On the whole, they seemed to be much more sweeping than books of today. It wasn’t unusual for them to take place in more than one continent. I think many of today’s readers might get bored with what might be considered excess story and scenes.

So once The Windflower tour winds up, I think an interesting question might be asked of all participants. Does the length of time you’ve been reading romance affect your thoughts on this book.

Goulish Halloween Book Giveaway

BOO!

Halloween is only a few short days away, and to honor this fun day where children get free treats, I have decided to give away some special treats away for the adults!

I have two spooky gift packages to put in your pumpkins. The people at St. Martin's Press so graciously sent me 2 copies of Sherrilyn Kenyon's One Silent Night, her newest book in her Dark-Hunter series that comes out in November. Not only will you get this future release but 3 other books to go along with it.

Bloodcurling Prize Pack #1:
One Silent Night- Sherrilyn Kenyon
Phenomenal Girl 5- AJ Menden
Dark Magic- Cheyenne Mc Cray
Between Light and Dark- Elissa Wilds

Terrifying Prize Pack #2:
One Silent Night- Sherrilyn Kenyon
Any Given Doomsday- Lori Handlehand
A Curious Affair- Melanie Jackson
King of Sword and Sky- CL Wilson

You have to act fast in order to win these books! Just comment here by Friday, October 31 by midnight and answer these questions:

1. What is your favorite scary movie?
2. What is your favorite scary book?
3. What candy did you love to get when you went trick o' treatin as a child (or for some, until they turned eighteen? :P)

Katiebabs (KB)

Some MOST Excellent Deals!!

Anyone who has visited here on an ongoing basis probably knows that one of my favourite authors is Pamela Clare. She has been an autobuy author since her first book came out - WoW - five years ago. While I've enjoyed all her books, Ride the Fire is my favourite historical she's written.
And she is a versatile author who also writes EXCELLENT Romantic Suspense. And not only is she an incredible writer who pens books I adore, but I've been fortunate enough to meet her in person and now call her a friend. She is a very warm and caring person. I don't have a relationship outside of author/reader with very many authors, but she is one of the exceptions.

Now it's never been a problem for me since I've been buying her books from the very beginning. But I've heard that her earlier releases are hard to find.

****BUT!!****

Ta Da!!

Her first four books are being rereleased. And not only that, but they are being rereleased at a Very Good Price.
So if you've ever been tempted (by me or anyone else *g*) to try her books, now is the perfect chance.

The Kenleigh Trilogy

Sweet Release

$4.99 ($6.99 in Canad)

Though Cassie hates the slave trade, she buys a fevered Cole Braden for labor on her Virginia plantation. The former English aristocrat had been sentenced to indentured servitude in the colonies for defiling women. Now his only hope is to earn the love of the beauty who owns him.





Carnal Gift

$4.99 ($6.99 in Canada)

Offered to a stranger in exchange for her brother's life, a young Irish woman must confront her desire for her new lord and precariously toe the line between love and hate.






Ride The Fire
(new cover)

$4.99 ($6.99 in Canada)

Pregnant and alone on the wild frontier, a woman must decide whether to allow a wounded, buckskin-clad stranger into her cabin--and eventually into her heart.






MacKinnon's Rangers

Surrender
(new cover)

$4.99 ($6.99 in Canada)

The first book in a new trilogy by Pamela Clare. Iain MacKinnon had been forced to serve the British crown, but compassion urged him to save a lovely lass facing certain death. He'd defied his orders, endangered his brothers, his men, and his mission--all for a woman. But when he held Annie's sweet body in his arms, he could feel no regret.



And by the time you read these, her newest book should be out!!

Untamed

Though forced to fight for the hated British, Morgan MacKinnon would no more betray the men he leads than slit his own throat—not even when he was captured by the French and threatened with an agonizing death. Only the look of innocent longing in the eyes of a convent-bred French lass could make him question his vow to escape and return to the Rangers. And soon the sweet passion he awoke in Amalie had him cursing the war that forced him to choose between upholding his honor and pledging himself to the woman he loves.


I think all the readers who have read any of these books will agree that they really are wonderful reads!!

An Interview With Jordan Summers

"War is brewing in a near-future world where murder is all but unheard of and the existence of creatures known as the Others has yet to be proven. In the end, one woman will face her fears to stand and fight.
Gina Santiago is a member of an elite tactical team in charge of protecting the world. She’s devoted her life to apprehending the most heinous criminals that prey on society—and now she’s after the worst one yet.
On her own, with no backup, the trail takes her to a dusty, tight-knit town on the fringes of society, where everyone’s a suspect. Even the sexy sheriff, Morgan Hunter, isn’t telling her everything.
The closer Gina comes to finding out the secret of this sleepy little town and its big, bad sheriff, the more scared she gets—because she’s beginning to realize that she has a secret, too. A secret that will change her life…and make her the killer’s next prey. "



Romance author and Urban Fantasy Noveliest Jordan Summers has a new release coming out next month for Tor. Her newest book, Red, Book 1 in her new Dead World Series hits the shelves next week. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this tale a futuristic Earth where murder still occurs. The twist with the murders in this book is not the violent and gory way the victims died, but who or what killed them.

Katie: Red is the first book in your Dead World series. When you wrote Red, did you decide this was going to be the start of a series, rather than a stand alone book?

Jordan: Actually, I thought Red was going to be a stand-alone. It wasn’t until I discussed the book with my editor at the time, Anna Genoese that it turned into a series.

Katie: How is writing for mass paperback different for a category like you did for your Harlequin Blaze title, Off Limits?

Jordan: The word count is much higher. *g* No, just kidding. Well, not really. Snort! The biggest difference between writing category and single title is plot size. You can have multiple sub-plots in a single title. You don’t have that luxury in a category-length book. Also, there’s more room for a large cast of characters in a single title.

Katie: You write for both on-line and print publishing houses. How is your experience in writing for an on-line publisher different for a print publisher?

Jordan: I haven’t written for the online publisher since 2005/2006. I know it’s changed a lot since I left. The lines between online and print publishing are beginning to blur. With online publishing, you have a lot more freedom when it comes to book length and subject matter, since it’s a niche market. Those things are narrowed in print publishing because you’re trying to appeal to a much bigger audience. There’s more pressure when it comes to writing for a print publisher. Sales numbers are extremely important in today’s marketplace. As a writer, you want to reach as many readers as possible. Right now that means going the print route. This may (and probably will) change in the future.

Katie: Red has many genres mixed in together from sci-fi to futuristic to even suspense mystery and romance. In your opinion, what genre would you say Red is? Do you mind having a book with a so many labels?

Jordan: I think Red is a dark fantasy romantic thriller. Does it have sci-fi elements? Absolutely, but at its heart it is a dark fantasy. It contains vampires, werewolves, chimeras, telekinetic psychics--among other things. It just happens to take place in a near-future, post-apocalyptic world. I actually don’t mind having all those labels applied to Red because I think the book ultimately becomes whatever the reader wants it to be. With the exception of my three published contemporaries, I haven’t written a single book that could be categorized under one genre tag.

Katie: Which authors are your inspiration?

Jordan: The names have changed over the years. Virginia Henley, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Johanna Lindsey were behind my desire to write romance. I still have several of their books on my keeper shelf. In fact, the very first book I wrote in high school was a historical pirate adventure. I look up to several writers for various reasons. My current favorites are: Patricia Briggs, Simon Green, Lynn Viehl, John Scalzi, Lora Leigh, Stephanie Laurens, Christine Warren, and Angela Knight. When I grow up, I want to write like them all. :)

Katie: Do you have a set schedule when you write? Is there any advice you can give to aspiring authors who are having problems trying to hit their own word count or have writer's block?

Jordan: The only time I keep a set schedule is when I’m under deadline. I plan to change this because I’ve discovered I don’t work well using the ‘stop/start’ method. In 2009, I’m going to a five to six day writing schedule. The goal is to hit 1500/2000 words a day.
Reaching word count is tricky. Some people are just naturally more verbose than others. I tend to write very sparse, which means it’s harder for me to hit the 90/100K word counts. I’m not fond of reading or writing a lot of description. I am working on changing my habits, since I think ‘some’ description is necessary. My advice would be to practice. I wish there was a magic phrase or element, but the truth is you develop these habits by doing.
Normally writer’s block is a sign you’ve taken a wrong turn in a book. It helps to go back over what you’ve written to see where you went wrong. Sometimes, writer’s blog comes from fear. Walking away or giving yourself permission to write crap normally dispels it.
If you were stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere, what three books would you need to have with you?
My initial thought was a power source and a Kindle. I immediately moved from there to the SAS Survival Guide, which would be a must if I was stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere. If I wasn’t fearing for my life, I’d say Devil’s Bride or Captain Jack’s Woman by Stephanie Laurens, Mine to Take by Dara Joy, and either Secrets: Volume 6 by Angela Knight et al or Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh. It would be a very tough decision to make.

Katie: Are there any new shows on television you enjoy watching this season?

Jordan: Ever since they cancelled Moonlight, I’ve refused to invest in new shows. I think True Blood is interesting. I also think Fringe shows promise, but that’s about it.

Katie: Can you give us a hint of what is to come with Gina in the sequel, Scarlet that comes out in June 2009?

Jordan: Scarlet picks up a month after Red ends. Gina’s life has changed dramatically. She’s trying to navigate relationship waters, while searching for a place to fit in. Scarlet really deals with emotional connections and betrayals. There are murders to solve and threats to extinguish. The past comes back with a vengeance threatening to destroy her future. A new romance blooms. The pressure is building and no one escapes unscathed.

Don't forget to get your copy of Red on November 4th!

Do you have any questions for Jordan? If so, leave a comment here and Jordan may stop by an answer them.

Katiebabs (KB)

So - I promised to blog about my newest obsession

I semi-mentioned it an an earlier post when I said I'd started watching So You Think You Can Dance Canada.
I posted the routine that blew me away.
Well - the obsession is growing. I've never voted in any of the shows where you vote such as either American Idol or Canadian Idol or Dancing With the Starts.

But..... that's all changed with SYTYCD. I watched it on Wednesday night - it ran from 8:00 to 10:00. I even spent Wednesday trying to convince my coworker Donna, to watch it - telling her it was her homework assignment for the evening.
Well after it was over, obsession really took over completely and I voted - non top - for the next two hours!!! Yikes! I was up 'til midnight voting and my normal bed time is 10:00. I was on the early shift last week so that made it even worse since I had to get up real early on Thursday.
When Donna told me she only saw part of it, I told her she failed her homework assignment but could get a second chance if she watched the repeat tonight. Somehow though I don't think the obsession has taken over her body yet - but I'm working on it.

So - what is so good about it you ask - that I've gone over the edge? Well, my 'supplier' Carrie sent me the tryout routine of the dancer I've pegged as who I want to see go all the way.



And here is the routine I spent TWO HOURS!! voting for



The connection between these two is just incredible and Carrie and I have exchanged a few emails on how fine ;-) these two are.

And for those who are liking them too, here was their first dance



I love how Nico explains what dance is to him.

And here is another routine I spent a lot of those two hours voting for


I found their routine mesmirizing.

And this is the third routine I voted for


So - there you have it. My alternate obsession.

The Widow and Widower in Romance

I am toward the end of a romance that will be published in November with a heroine who is a widow of three years. Her husband was a police officer killed in the line of duty and she still misses him. She wears her wedding ring, and even wears another ring of his around her neck on a chain. She doesn’t date or think about having a future with another man because she feels she is still married.

When the hero enters the picture, she is attracted to him but fights her feelings because of her love and dedication to her deceased husband. But when she touches the hero, she literally feels the sparks between them, and this unnerves her. She fights and fights her attraction for this new man until she ends up have sex with him, and from there begins to fall in love.

Up to a certain point I loved how the author showed the heroine was still in love with her deceased husband. You don’t read that very often because usually, the first husband was an abusive jerk, and old geezer who could barely walk, or just married the heroine for money and prestige. That was not the case with this book that is until, the heroine falls for the hero. She suddenly finds faults with her deceased husband that she never found before. First that changed was the attraction she had for her husband. Their initial introduction was nice and she found him to be sweet and fun loving. We come to find out that their marriage was very much like that. I was actually fine with that part, because not all romantic relationships, even that of marriage can be full of smoldering passion or constant intense sexual loving. BUT, when the heroine and hero finally have sex, it is unlike any sexual experience she has ever had. As she is in the midst of being pleasured by the hero, while he is giving her oral sex, she tells the hero that her husband never did that act, and he was pretty unadventurous in bed. Thus cementing, at least in my mind, that the hero is some sort of love god, while her poor dead husband was a bit of a dud in bed. But she did love her dead dud, so very much so, but since the hero is now in the picture, she continues to find even more faults with the dud.

The scene where the heroine and hero have incredible sex annoyed me because of how her feelings changed about her husband, just because of this new man who came into her life. Why can’t her memories of her husband be just as strong and wonderful as her new ones with this new man? Why do authors find the need to start out the story with the heroine so in love with their deceased partner to the point of sacrificing their future and preferring to be alone? But, when the hero pops up, the heroine makes excuses why her first love was not worthy and could never compete with this new love that is oh so much more fulfilling?

Off the top of my head I can’t think of many books I have read where the first marriage for the hero/heroine is still a worthy one especially after they meet their new mate. The only book that comes to mind, mainly because I saw it sticking out of my bookcase, is Lisa Kleypas’s Where Dreams Begin. The one reason that this is one of my favorite books by her is because the heroine, Holly Taylor, has such a deep and intense love for her deceased husband that doesn’t change even when she meets her hero, Zachary Bronson. Up till the bitter end, she can’t let go of her deceased husband, even though she has found a new and exciting love with Zachary. She still very much loves her husband, but loves Zachary with so much passion because he is such the polar opposite of her first husband. She has a place for both these two men in her heart.

If only more authors would write a book like Lisa did with Where Dreams Begin. I am all for the widow heroine meeting the hero, and visa versa, but to downplay a romantic relationship such as a marriage the hero/heroine had before they meet their new mate seems wrong to me.

With that in mind, can anyone think of any books where the first marriage is still treated with respect and fondness by the hero/heroine?

Katiebabs (KB)

Another one reporting in.

Yep - another Quester has just read and reviewed Broken Wing - and she loves it too!

Leslie of Leslie's Psyche has a great review.

I'm headed for bed now but I'll be back tomorrow to explain why I've been MIA the past couple of days. Yep, you guessed it - another obsession. It's a good thing I recognize this about me.

2008 Put Your Heart In a Book Conference

**MAJOR EVENT**

2008 Put Your Heart in a Book Conference

Calling all tri-state New Jerseyians! This is the event for you!

From October 24-25th, The New Jersey Romance Writers Association are holding a conference full of workshops and meet and greets with authors!

One Saturday 10/25 from 4:00-5:30pm there is an open Literacy Book Fair much like the one I went to and reported about at the RWA conference in San Francisco, CA.

Who will be there?

Eloisa James, Lisa Scottoline and J.R. Ward are the main authors being featured among many more! *you bet your booty I will be asking Ward about her May release- Lover Avenged and about barby Rehv*

I will be there running amock, taking pictures, and whatever else may come my way.

Hope to see you there!

Katiebabs (KB)

Katiebabs & KristieJ talk books

Broken Wing - Part II

And here we try it again

KristieJ: So... Broken Wing. What are your thoughts on it? I don't think you were quite as bowled over as I was

KatieBabs: I thought it was a lovely historical romance, everything I look forward to in a book from a luscious romance, tortured, angsty hero and the heroine who is his soul mate in every way.

KristieJ: And what did you think of Gabriel? I thought he was just a too die for hero. So damaged; such a lost soul

KatieBabs: OMG Judith made Gabriel go through so, so much!!

KristieJ: But I think it was a good thing that a lot of it we didn't *see* we just heard him tell Sarah about it. I think it would have been a very difficult read if we, the readers, were 'there' while he was going though it.

KatieBabs: I think that is why made this book a winner because of the conversations Gabriel and Sarah had and what we heard, while Sarah heard it was so emotional

KristieJ: I loved the sense of innocence between them. I thought it very unusual, especially considering Gabriel's past history. But there was such a freshness about them. I truly believed that they became friends before lovers. In so many romance books, the hero/heroine act on their lust for each other before really getting to know each other - but it was the opposite in Broke Wing. I appreciated that.

I just noticed there is a review of this on Amazon that confounds me. "The characters were good. The plot was ok, but there was no spark. I couldn't get excited about anything. It felt like a long story of tragic happenings which finally ended. I wanted it to be over. There is a happy ending. The author talks about historical accuracy and has a glossary of foreign terms in the back of the book, which was nice. However, this almost felt like reading a history book. I wanted more of an emotional connection." I found the exact opposite! I thought the spark was one of the best things about this book. And I thought there was an amazing emotional connection.

KatieBabs: I love how Gabriel is a bit unsteady around Sarah, like he is a toddler taking his first steps.

KristieJ: He's just waiting for her to think the worst of him - and she never does. It confuses him.

KatieBabs: I loved that part and he tries to seduce her and she doesn't fall for it

KristieJ: you mean where he disappears into his other self and she pulls him back?

KatieBabs: oh yes.

KristieJ: and when she does - he's so afraid that he doesn't know how to make love - this hard shelled former prostitute was so scared and so vulnerable. He was so appealing in that scene wasn't he?

KatieBabs: it was like he had duel personalities

KristieJ: He really did have them didn't he?

KatieBabs: One minute he was this sly seductive lover playing a part and then the next, a lost little boy

KristieJ: Great observation! I think the one was his way of protecting himself - protecting that lost little boy inside. That's why there was such an air of innocence about him - it was the little boy that was so appealing - in a grown up - very sensual, very *row (don't know how to spell it) kind of way

KatieBabs: What did you think of they way He and Sarah would lie in bed and just talk and kiss? I thought it was so sweet!

KristieJ: It was wasn't it? It kind of reminded me (in a good way) of the movie The Blue Lagoon.

KatieBabs: Willie Ames?? LOL

KristieJ: No - Brooke Shields and William Katt. It wasn't a very good movie - but they were too innocent young people just discovering themselves once they grew older

KatieBabs: I always thought that was Willie Ames with Brooke Shields! Willie Ames is no Gabriel. lol

Now of course, after doing some research, I realize that I also, was wrong! Hard to believe - but true. It was Christopher Atkins

KristieJ: Nope *laughing* that's for sure. Cause the other side of Gabriel was this sword wielding, capable person. And then there was the seducer side of him - the one who had to drink in order to do his 'work'.

KatieBabs: the second part of the book reminded me of Captain Blood and Errol Flynn

KristieJ: I know!!!!! Though Sarah wasn't in it - I thought it was still very good reading.

KatieBabs: very much swashbuckling

KristieJ: And I love me some swashbuckling!!!! Now that you mention it - a young Errol Flynn would make a good Gabriel wouldn't he?

KatieBabs: I do too!! And Gabriel does that

KristieJ: When he's swinging that chain - and rescuing his friend Jacques - *shiver*

KatieBabs: I really thought for a moment, that Judith would go there with Jacques, if you know what I mean

KristieJ: *g*......I'm not quite sure what you mean. Gabriel and Jacques being 'very' good friends?

KatieBabs: well Jacques comes across willing to have fun with both men and women and since Gabriel had experience in that and was suffering because of his separation from Sarah, he would allow Jacques to comfort him

KristieJ: I think though - he was a one person hero. Sarah was just IT for him. If he couldn't have her - he would have nobody. And that was a large part of his appeal. Who doesn't love a hero who is that focused, that committed, that there would be no one else - ever?

KatieBabs: And I am so glad he didn't drown his sorrows with other women and kept away from sex because in respect for Sarah

KristieJ: Oh me too!! I may have to hide this part 'cause *grin* the author leads us to believe different. And speaking of Sarah - what did you think of her? Although this is definitely a hero-focused book and there are large parts where Sarah isn't in it, I thought she was a marvelous heroine!!!! I thought her just as strong - if not stronger than Gabriel

KatieBabs: Sarah was a bit too good to be true at times, a little too perfect, but I think she and Gabriel had great chemistry. And don't get me started on when Sarah first kisses Gabriel! Best scenes in the book!

KristieJ: That's why I don't get that other review on Amazon??? I thought there was incredible chemistry between them. *laughing* I know yo

u liked that scene. I think you might have mentioned it a time or two. Kind of like a certain 'cravat'

KatieBabs: Cravat? Whatever do you mean?? RICHARD!! - see had to mention him.

Do you notice how we seem to bring him into every one of our ‘chats’? This is a good thing!

KristieJ: This is one of the few books by the way where I just couldn't put Richard in the place of the hero

KatieBabs: if this was made into a movie, could you see Richard playing Gabriel? ooops

KristieJ: ROTFL!!!! so my answer is *laughing* no

KatieBabs: what actor could you see in the role?

KristieJ: I see you suggestion of Errol

Flynn as a great one. I'm just looking for the right picture. Like perhaps this one.

KatieBabs: oh good one! perhaps with better hair though

KristieJ: just a sec - I may have found the perfect one. Here we go

KatieBabs: OMG that picture is perfect

KristieJ: I just saved it *g* Visuals are so good aren't they?

KatieBabs: I really like that picture! We need one of Sarah now

KristieJ: Here's another one that's not too shabby. Not a good Sarah though.

(You see – I was multi-tasking – I

was also looking for pictures of Errol Flynn.)

OMG KATE!!! Check out THIS ONE!!

KatieBabs: that could be the scene in the book when Gabriel pushes Sarah against the wall and kisses her

KatieBabs: wow that is some sword in his pants. wow wow really shows

KristieJ: doesn't leave a whole lot to the imagination does it? That's got to be a joke one that got in there somehow

KatieBabs: you have to post that picture. the lol will roll

KristieJ: they will indeed won't they *guffaw*

KatieBabs: Speaking of what was in Gabriel's pants, what did you think of the sex scenes? I thought they were very well written and beautiful

KristieJ: I did too! In a lot of books I kind of skim over them, but because I was so connected to these two, I read and loved the love scenes. How about Merle Oberon for Sarah? I always loved her - especially in Wuthering Heights

KatieBabs: And Gabriel didn't want to be intimate with Sarah that way at first because he didn’t want to lose their friendship. Oh Merle Oberon would be perfect! If you think of it, Broken Wing has a definite Wuthering Heights feel to it

KristieJ: It does doesn't it? And I know that's one of your all time favourite book. here's a good pic.

KatieBabs: I have it bad for Heathcliff. But Gabriel didn't have those obsessive crazed feelings like Heathcliffe did for Cathy

KristieJ: *thinking* how about Laurence Olivier for Gabriel?

KatieBabs: Perhaps a bit younger? Wasn't Gabriel in his mid 20's? Even though I adore Olivier

Here's a picture that I think might work??

KristieJ: He looks kind of Gabriel like in that pic though - after he's come back and finally trying to woo Sarah again. That's one thing I couldn't quite figure out - how old he was. I'm pretty sure Sarah was around 21 - but I couldn't place Gabrie

l’s age. And one of my questions for Judith *g*

KatieBabs: I would say around 25.

KristieJ: So - the question I'm real curious about *g*. What would you grade this one?

KatieBabs: B+ or A-, I can’t decide. Help me decide

KristieJ: OK - I'll decide for you *g* A-

KatieBabs: lol

KristieJ: heh heh heh

KatieBabs: I think my problem is, there are so many amazing books this year and Broken Wing is one of them. One small thing is that I felt Gabriel was too tortured. And really, how could he get away with sleeping with Sarah in her room! lol

KristieJ: You mentioned that before. But I didn't really see it. I think Sherrilyn Kenyon overdoes the torturing of the hero - but I thought Judith did a good job of it

KatieBabs: OH I have a question about another book for you

This is where we get sidetracked a bit.

KristieJ: Yeeees?

KatieBabs: it is in regards to a scene in Dreaming of You and since you are a master at that books...You know the scene where the prostitute goes to Sarah after Sarah has left Derek?

KristieJ: does he "do it" with the house wrench? Could that be the question?

KatieBabs: I assumed that Derek just cuddled and slept as in sleep with the prostitute and did not have sex with her. Other fans tell me he had sex with her. I say no! But now I am not sure. Does he do it or is it open to impetration?

KristieJ: It's left open to impetration. Lisa said once she did that on purpose. I took it that he did - but pretended it was Sarah. It didn't bother me since at the time they weren't together - she was engaged to someone else, Derek thought he'd never see her again and Sarah didn't seem troubled - so it never took away from my Derek love.

KatieBabs: oh shucks. I will believe he didn't then.

Here I try to console Katie

KristieJ: LOL - that works. He was pretty deep

into the gin - so maybe he couldn't get it up anyway heh heh

KatieBabs: I can go for that!

But if Derek and Gabriel were in a fight, who would win?

KristieJ: I say this almost reluctantly but truly - Gabriel

KatieBabs: really?? I think Derek would win. More street smarts

Now I get distracted.

KristieJ: I'm going to have to take a break. SYTYC

D in on - a repeat from earlier in the day - and my man Nico is on soon. What did you think of their routine by the way? Carrie emailed me and said 'they are so doing it'

KatieBabs: it was really, really good! Nico is nice

KristieJ: A hawt guy who loves to give hugs and kisses. I can get into that *g*

KatieBabs: LOL!! I would if I were his partner

KristieJ: OK - Nico's on!!

KatieBabs: okay, have fun watching and drooling

So there you have it! By the time I finished watching SYTYCD, Katie had signed off but I think it’s safe to say that Broken Wing gets a bit Thumbs Up from her too!!!!

And since Katie is so fond of the kissing scenes, I found this picture for her.

Oh - and you probably want to see the picture that I found whilst multi-taksing that cracked Katie and I up during our chat - I couldn't post it during the 'chat' portion of this, it would have been wrong - but for those who are curious.......