ReRead Challenge for May

Nath's ReRead Challenge for May

I’ve been delighted this past little while to discover more readers discovering Jodi Thomas. I’ve been reading and enjoying her books for years now. I think I must have loaned out the book I was planning on reading or else it’s in the ‘pile’ so when I was going through the library’ (and may I take this opportunity to say I’m dying to see what Nath thinks of it) I came across my older Jodi Thomas books and pulled out my favourite one.

The Tender Texan by Jodi Thomas

Published: 1991

Why this one: It called out the loudest

Steam Level: it starts out cool, but builds to a very warm boil

Synopsis:

A Shocking Proposition
Bold and beautiful, Anna Meyer dared to walk into a campsite full of Texas cattlemen . . . and offer one hundred dollars to the man who'd help her forge a frontier homestead.

A Reckless Agreement

On the brink of manhood, Chance Wyatt agreed to settle down and build a home with the lovely stranger. The boy in him never considered the possibility of love. But the man in him could not deny the passion . . .

They vowed to live together for one year only. But as the challenges of the savage land drew them closer together, neither could resist an aching desire that enflamed their hearts, touched their souls . . . and broke all the rules

My Thoughts: I like this book. I mean I really, really like it. A lot. It’s a great representative of why I love the Western genre. I like it.

Chance Wyatt is a dream of a hero. He’s the strong and silent type that is there for the heroine at all times. And even more intriguing, he is younger than Anna – and one of those delicious virgin heroes. I love a good Alpha hero, but as times is nice to read about a great Beta hero and Chance is one of the best ones I’ve read.

Anna, on the other hand is one of the prickliest heroines I’ve read. Don’t get me wrong, I really loved her character, but because of her prickliness, an Alpha hero never would have worked for her. She needs someone calm and patient and gentle with her. It’s not that Chance doesn’t have his moments and stands up to her when he needs to, but at times she even tried my patience a bit. She is a young, pregnant widow who has been horribly abused by her late husband and is afraid to get close to a man again, though she needs one to help her carve out a home for herself in the west.

There is not a great deal of external conflict in this book, though there is some as they deal with the harshness of the land and the threat of attack by the Comanche who are unhappy with their land being overtaken, though they are never really attacked. Rather it’s the story of a damaged, lonely young woman slowly being healed by love by an equally lonely young man.

I think this is probably the third or fourth time I’ve read this book over the years and after reading it again, I know it won’t be the last time either. I really, really love this book. If you’ve enjoyed Jodi Thomas, I really urge you to look for this one, it will be well worth the time.

Chance gets a 5, Anna gets a 4 so the final grade: 4.5 out of 5

Recent Movie

I don’t get to the show many times a year – it’s not so much the price of the movie that keeps me away, it’s the cost of pop and popcorn. It’s a sad thing when that costs you more than the admission to the movie! But it’s just not a ‘movie experience’ without it! But it was my sister Lisa’s birthday yesterday and that was her present from me to her – dinner and a movie.

Now I’ve been trying to get Lisa to do a guest post on here for a while but she hates romance and thus not a whole lot for her to post about. We did have a deal awhile ago – I’d read one of her kind of books if she’d read one of mine. And I put a lot of thought into which book to give her. I knew she would balk at straight up romance so I thought a nice RS might do the trick. And what better one thought I than Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard. It has a serial killer right??

Well – she welched on our deal – said it was to ‘romancy’. So that I thought, was that.

But as I was starting to do a review for Star Trek I had a scathingly brilliant idea. While Lisa may never read and review a romance, I know she enjoyed Star Trek. I emailed her and asked if she would do a movie review for me and (happy dance) she did.

So for your movie reviewing pleasure – may I present……

Star Trek

Review by LisaT – KristieJ’s sister

It was with great trepidation that I agreed to go with my sister to see the new Star Trek movie as part of my birthday celebration. Not that I don't like Sci-Fi - I'm a huge Sci-Fi fan - I watched all the original Star Trek's many, many, many times (who wouldn't love Captain Kirk and his ..... great ...... delivery ..... of.... his ..... lines...... with.....each.....word.....as ....it's .....own .....sentence .....!!). I also watched all the other Star Trek's as they came along - both at the time and in re-runs. No, the trepidation came with the fact that Kristie wanted to see this movie. You see we, as a general rule, have totally different tastes in just about everything. She reads romance - I read (as Kristie calls them) "murder books". I don't want or need (or can even stand) romance in a book. I never read the ending of a book until I actually get to the end of the book - in my mind that would totally spoil the whole experience and why bother to read the rest of the book if you already know how it's going to end???? We also have totally opposite tastes in movies - I like action, adventure, sci-fi and horror - she (big surprise here) likes "chick-flicks", romance, the whole she-bang. So when she actually suggested that we could go and see Star Trek, my first thought was "Hold on just one cotton-pickin' minute - this is supposed to be sci-fi - not romance - I have a baaaaad feeling about this".

(at this point I must interject. Yes, I love romance type movies - but my all time favourite movie is Lord of the Rings - that's an action movie)

But all my fears were unjustified. Star Trek was, indeed, a Sci-fi flick with really not a whole lot of romance involved - just perhaps a teeny-tiny token amount - I won't elaborate so I don't spoil the fun. What it was, was a great prequel to the original Star Trek series with just enough "inside" moments for a true trekkie fan to love (like what exactly happened with the Kobiashi-Maru test and why James T. Kirk was the only person to ever pass the test, how Dr. MacCoy got the nickname "Bones", and what the heck is Ohura's first name (but you have to be quick to catch it)). I will admit that the actor playing Captain James Tiberius Kirk is, indeed, a "hottie". Hence (I think) the attraction for the "romance" set. I don't have anything against "hotties" - just mushy romance:)

But the new Star Trek is basically a great classic Sci-Fi adventure movie. The actors playing the younger versions of the original TV series characters were very well chosen. Checkov was great, as were Sulu and Scottie. The actor playing Doctor MacCoy got the original down pat, and the actor they cast in the role of Spock was just eerie in how much he looked like a younger version of Spock (or Leonard Nimoy). I give this movie two (unromantic) thumbs up.

Lisa T

And though this is Lisa's review - I have to just add that I LOVED it and give it the same! And I want to see it again. See - a romance reader and a horror reader can meet and share like minds!


And I thought I'd pass along this cute quizz. I have to say though - I wasn't too happy with who I am :-(

Your results:
You are An Expendable Character (Redshirt)

An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 75% Uhura 50% Geordi LaForge 50% James T. Kirk (Captain) 45% Jean-Luc Picard 45% Deanna Troi 45% Chekov 40% Will Riker 35% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 30% Beverly Crusher 30% Data 27% Mr. Scott 25% Spock 24% Worf 15% Mr. Sulu 5%

Since your accomplishments are seldom noticed, and you are rarely thought of, you are expendable. That doesn't mean your job isn't important but if you were in Star Trek you would be killed off in the first episode you appeared in.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Quiz

And what would a great review be without a trailer.

A Hearty Welcome To

A brand new baby blogger - Monroe with a Twist. And when I say baby blogger - she just opened up her 'place' in May.

Welcome to Blogland!

Stuff

I’m at work and I’m dying of boredom. They taken away most of the jobs we used to do and while they have reassured us many times that, not to worry, we will be getting lots more to replace what we’ve lost, as of right now, I’m done my work for the day and it’s not even noon!!
This is when my mind wanders. OK – it wanders all the time, but it’s even worse when I don’t have anything to keep it busy.

Has this happened to anyone often? I was reading a book, Cate Noble’s Dead Right (as opposed to Kate Noble’s Compromised – yes I have them both. I was at the store trying to figure out which one to buy since I was curious to see how different the author would treat these two different genres – one a RS and the other a historical – only to discover while entering them into the spread sheet they were two different authors) – really getting into it when I turned the page and what I was reading made no sense whatsoever. After a long huh? , I realized that 20 pages were missing!
Luckily I still have the receipt so I’m going to take it back and get another copy tonight, but still – I was on a roll! This happened at work and one good reason why I always carry two books with me!

OK – I was at work and then it got busy (thank goodness!). I did indeed stop on the way home and exchanged books and now (hopefully) I have the full book.

I opened a Twitter account tonight. I have no idea what to do with it now though. It will probably sit there doing nothing until I have enough brains back to figure out what to do. I was pretty reluctant to open one, but it seems everyone has one these days so I thought I’d go against the demographics and open one. I don’t think I fit into the demographics of ‘twittering’

I haven’t actually come out and said so on the blog – but I’m making it official – I’m going to DC, I’m going to DC – to the RWA conven - tion. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and connecting with new ones. Wendy posted a list of the authors who will be at the literacy signing and while there are a few authors I’m sad won’t be there – there are some fab ones who will be!

I’ve hired a lawn service. I’m having my first ‘cut’ tomorrow. My neighbours will be so happy!! And I won’t have to hide my head in shame when I pull out of the driveway and see the long grass. It was kind of cool how I found them. I helped a friend move on Saturday and she found this small company online to move her. When they showed up, I asked them ‘you don’t do lawns by any chance do you?’ And they said Yes! Then – pushing my luck, I asked ‘and what are the odds that you do junk removal?’

‘Good they said – they do that too!!’ Yippee I said – well I didn’t say that out loud. They were all young and attractive and one who is older doesn’t say Yippee out loud.

But I have old, old furniture in the basement and I’ve wanted to get rid of it and replace it with new stuff for a long time now. And my ‘library’ in the one room isn’t large enough anymore so I’m going to have to expand into the next room and with a huge wall unit and 2 beat up and ratty couches and 2 old chairs gone – I’ll have more room! Now I just have to have that done before I have a special guest come and stay with me in a few weeks.

I'd say she's done it again

A Rant - Stealing is stealing is stealing

Too often I live in a bubble and miss a lot of what is going on around me. But I just read something that horrified me and while somewhere in the recesses of my mind I knew it was going on, it's so far removed from anything I would ever do that it was kind of like a small brick hit me in the head.

As anyone who is any kind of regular here has probably gathered, I am a huge fan of Pamela Clare, both as a writer and as a person. I have had the opportunity to exchange emails with her and even better, meet her in person. She has a blog and her most recent post is about how a number of sites are offering up 'free' copies of her books. As I was reading along, I was appalled and horrified at what she was describing.

How on earth could anyone with even a semblance of a conscience actually have the audacity to do this kind of thing? Quite honestly it almost stuns me, but then the cynical side of me isn't surprised. I don't really care for the cynical side of me. I looked up the word audacity and it means among other things: bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints.

What has happened to us as a society that some people think they are above the 'normal restraints'? Why is it that the one being stolen from is the one who is trying to track down and attempting to close these sites down. Frankly, while I was reading her post, I was amazed at how restrained she was in relating what's going on. She is "really ticked off". I am fucking and seriously pissed off that someone I respect is going through this - and it's not just her. She included links and I was revolted at how many authors works are being victimized by slime.

To those who do this kind of thing I say in my most harshest of tones - how dare you!!! Who the hell do you think you are and what gives you the right to steal from hard working authors who put their heart and soul into their writing. This is their living; their livelihood you are messing with. And why??? For some kind of pathetic jolly kick?? What a useless group you are.

And to those who download these files - you aren't any better - not any better at all. In fact you are worse!! You gotta know that what you are doing is wrong, yet you do it anyway. Sure I can understand the temptation. We are faced with temptation in one form or another every day. But that is why we have morals and scruples. We are faced with these kinds of choices every day and the decent person will make the right choice. If you visit these kinds of sites and download books that are stolen by slime then that is the wrong choice and you need to be called out on it. You need to feel shame in what you are doing and you need to stop. You need to get that conscience we were all born with working again. You need to think of the people you are ripping off and what it's costing them - both in sales and in anguish.

I know this goes on in other areas of entertainment and I'm just as upset with that too but novels and romance novels in particular are my passion. I have respect for authors, even those whose books I might not enjoy as much as others. Pamela states that the people who steal her books (and others) are a small but growing group. One of the best ways to stop them, is to stop using them, to think about how you would feel if you were robbed of the work that you do.

A time for books

So – while most people kind of mourn the onslaught of reruns, I rejoice. I’ve never been that much of a television watcher – at least I didn’t used to be. But more and more, I found myself picking up shows and watching them even though I didn’t really want to. The Bachelor is a good example. I did not want to watch that show but found myself being sucked in. The same went for American Idol, (and while not exactly disappointed – still I though Adam was the best) Dancing With the Stars (and I’m trying not to be bitter that Gilles didn’t win. Since Melissa didn’t either, neither my co-worker nor I owe either a coffee. But still – how could Gilles not win???) , Celebrity Apprentice, Survivor.

OK, OK – maybe there was a bit of Ru Paul’s Drag Race in there too. And, if they were to hook me up to a lie detector, I just might confess to a couple of episodes of Toddlers and Tiara’s. And yes, yes if one were to threaten to pull out my nails, I might just confess to watching a few episodes of Tila Tequila’s Shot at Love. And all right, I cringed while I watched some of Paris Hilton’s BBF. But I only watched one – just one episode of Brett Michael’s Rock of Love.

There – now I’ve gone and confessed my dirty little secret.

But the point is – they are all finished now.

While I did watch them, at the same time I resented the fact that I was and was most annoyed with me for wasting time.

Now regular television shows were a bit different. I simply could not miss Lost every week and didn’t resent the time watching it. And who would possibly mind watching the delicious Simon Baker in The Mentalist.

But now these shows are all either done or finished for the season so my time is freed up. There will be one show I watch now – and only one!

So You Think You Can Dance – yep – it started tonight and I’m pumped.

I’m hoping all this free time means I can start reading at a much faster clip. It seems this ‘I don’t really want to watch’ television watching has cut into books TBR. But now, with the exception of one show, things should speed along much quicker. Maybe – just maybe, I can read 2 books to every 3 I buy.

Now if only I can stay away from Tila Tequila’s Shot at Love II

Recent Read

The Girl Most Likely To by Susan Donovan

Why this one: I’ve read her books in the past and except for one, I’ve quite enjoyed her books, though the last one, a reread, was a DNF. But I put that down more to the mood I was in since the first time I read it, I gave it a 4

Steam Level: Warm

Blurb: Kat Cavanaugh was sixteen when she hitchhiked out of Persuasion, West Virginia and vowed never to return. Who could blame her? She'd just stumbled upon her father's adulterous affair, found out she was pregnant, got dumped by her boyfriend, and kicked out of her house and school . . . all in a single afternoon. Twenty years have gone by and Kat's back-gorgeous, rich, and looking for an apology from everyone who'd turned their backs on her. First on that list is Riley Bohland, the boy who broke her heart before she could tell him about the baby. But Kat didn't count on Riley having his own axe to grind, or that he'd be just as delicious as he was at sixteen. She also didn't count on her heart opening at the sight of him. When their anger ignites a passion intense enough to burn through two decades of secrets and lies, Kat must question everything she thought she knew about her past. And what about her future? The only place to find the answers may be in Riley's arms.

My Thoughts: This is a bad news/good news kind of review.

First the bad news

Sadly, this book had a big strike against it going it. I don’t like stories with a secret baby plot; where the mother deliberately keeps the news from the hero that he is a father. If the father is a jerk, that’s one thing, but if the father is the hero and is a decent guy, this drives me nuts and it’s a long climb up for the heroine who has selfishly deprived her child of part of his or her parentage. If I hadn’t like the authors previous books, I wouldn’t even have read this book.

Now the good news

I liked this one enough not to want to throw it against the wall. Now that may not sound like much but it really is since it is such a hot button for me. While I hated what Kat did to both Riley and Adrian, her son, I didn’t hate her. I could understand, considering her childhood; her wacko father, her spineless mother and being dumped by her best friend and the father of her baby to run away and stay away for a while.

But I didn’t understand her keeping her son away from his father when she knew he was a good guy.

I loved the deep friendship that developed into love between Riley and Kat when they were young. I loved that he was so protective of her from early on. He made a stupid move when he deserted her without a fuller explanation but I thought she was wrong to punish him so severely for it and rob her son.

I liked that Adrian didn’t forgive her easily and that Riley never tried to talk him into forgiving his mother. What she did was unforgivable.

I loved Riley. I thought he was a great hero and he was the reason I kept reading.

I got a kick out of his psycho ex-girl friend.

And if this isn’t a big hot button with other readers as it is with me, I think they will probably quite enjoy this book.

Grade: 3.5 out of 5

A little bit of this - a litte bit of that

A Little Bit of This

Attention Crusaders!!

There is something that has been brought to my attention that needs to be rectified. I almost gasped in horror when I realized it. In fact – I do believe I did gasp!

It seems that Lea of ClosetWriter, the one who has been holding the best kissing scenes poll, has not seen the (almost a lock) potential winner!!

Yes Crusaders – she has not seen North and South!!

I Know!!

I find it hard to believe myself. And not only has she not seen it, neither have two other bloggers who have romance blogs, Cecile and Kara. The most romantic four hour movie evah and they haven’t seen it. This situation must not be allowed to continue! How can Lea fully appreciate the (almost a lock) potential winner without ever having seen the lead-up to the Most Wonderful Kiss, without knowing what John and Margaret have gone through; without feeling his heartbreak?

How can she make it a proper and fair vote without coming to know that the John Thornton we meet at the beginning isn’t really a true representation of who he really is – a caring and ‘passionate’ business man, a man who is confident in his business affairs yet so unsure that a young woman of a higher class can actually love him?

And you can see why one tears up when Margaret’s father explains John Thornton’s tragic history. You need to see the ™ by Carrie 'Fist of Doom'. And the costume drama of it all, the score, the cinematography, they all must be watched and savoured.

Lea, Cecile, Kara and any other romance bloggers who haven’t seen this, I implore – nay – I beseech – that you find some way, some opportunity to set at least four hours aside to watch this. I say at least four because there is every likelihood that seeing it once just won’t be enough! So many of The Crusaders rented this but then went on to purchase a copy of their own. There was even one Crusader who had her DVD break down once it played North and South – refusing to play any other movie.

Please – for the love of all things romance – ease my mind and my heart and my romance loving soul – watch this and let us know how much it affects you. Stand proudly and become part of The Crusaders! Join US

And a little bit of that

Kitten update

Well, I have my kitten. She is adorable, full of kitten fur and a delight – with reservations. She purrs like a machine. I have given her the name de plume Calliope, The Calico Cat to go along with Zina The Princess Nota Warrior Cat. She is mostly black with orange highlights and a white ruff. When I figure out how to download pictures with the new camera (and when I find the cords and stuff I need to do this) I shall post pictures.

However – and I am not used to this – she is a counter kitten. She loves to jump up on the counters. Lisa, my middle sister will think this hilarious as I laughed at her counter cat Willis and her inability to break Willis of this habit. And of course I can’t mention her adorability without mentioning the leather chair she has already scratched the hell out of one of my *sob* new leather kitchen chairs.

Zina lives up to her name in Nota Warrior Cat and seems to be almost afraid of this little kitten half her size. I thought Zina might have her nose out of joint about getting a little sister – but she seems more puzzled, bordering on terrified of her new little sister.

And in honour of the newest addition, here is something I find hilarious!!

WHAT PETS WRITE IN THEIR DIARIES

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary..

Day 983 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are
fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I
nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an
attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their
feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it
clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made
condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.
Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was
placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.
However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that
my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what
this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try
this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and
snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly
released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is
obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with
the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My
captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell,
so he is safe. For now.................

Second Great Canadian & Neighbour Blogger Meet

You may remember that like all the bloggers in Southern California meets, it would be great to have a Canadian Blogger meet and include any of our neighbours to the South who can make it also.

Well, work has been done behind the scenes and I'm happy to say we have a date and a place and bloggers and looking for more.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009

Place: Ancaster, very close to Hamilton

Bloggers (so far):
CindyS of Nocturnal Wonderings
Ames of Thrifty Reader ,Breezing Through and TheBoob Tube
Nath of Books, Books and more Books and Breezing Through
Leah of Closetwriter (and who has the finals posted for the best kissing scene - and North and South is one of the fi-an-ists)
Me

Here's hoping there are more of you out there who want to come and meet up in person. Just email any of us or leave a comment and you can become part of the party!

Links - and I don't mean golf

Today’s post is a post of links – at least until I let my mind wander again

It’s my day up at Reader’s Gab over at Access Romance wherein I offer my take on nice bloggers/mean bloggers

There are a couple more reviews of The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie, which as you may have gathered is my latest pimp it up book.

MK has hers

And

Tracy has hers

There is Orianna’s Broken Wing challenge and she is still accepting new joiners.

And in other news –

So – my little family is going to grow by one.

No, I haven’t been knocked up. There are steps involved to reach that end and those steps are lacking in my life. And besides – I’m pretty sure I’m eggless now anyway.

No, neither of my sons has fallen madly in love at first sight and eloped on the weekend. I’m still waiting for news of a daughter-in-law with no real prospects on the horizon.

Instead – Zina, Princess Nota Warrior Cat is going to get a little sister. I always figured I’d be one of the dotty old cat ladies with a house full of cats and in that effort, there is a coworker who has kittens to give away. Seems her little indoor cat managed to escape one early morning and she is the one who got knocked up. I’ve been thinking and thinking about getting another cat but was worried about Zina’s nose being out of joint. But as people keep telling me again (and again and again) she’s not a very friendly cat. She is to me of course. Many times she won’t leave me alone – like when I’m trying to read – but to others, I may see their point. But if Zina really doesn’t take to a little sister, Ryan who is also a cat lover, said he would take her – (they are all females). So I don’t have to worry. I’m probably picking her up tonight.

No - this isn't her but she is a Calico just like Zina and hopefully I will have pictures soon!

I see London, I see France

Sometimes, while at work and not busy, my mind wanders and goes to some unusual places. You are about to see where is visited today. I was reading a book the other day – I think it was Anne Stuart’s latest and there was this scene that had me puzzling. The heroine, who was married, but didn’t sleep in the same room with her husband – and she was a newlywed to boot so you gotta know there are issues in that marriage – but that’s not what had me puzzling. What did was a scene where she was getting ready for bed and she put on underwear and then her pajamas and I couldn’t help thinking ‘why on earth would she do that???’

I know I’m giving away WAY TOO MUCH INFORMATION (heh heh heh) but I don’t wear underwear to bed when I’m sleeping in my own bed – alone. I totally don’t see the point. If you are sleeping in a bed with roomies in a hotel, of course it’s a different story so former roomies need not worry – but alone? Ah home? Pour quoi?

At this point it might be of interest to know what kind of younger sisters I have. At times they live to persecute and torment me and this is one of their evil ways. You see – I call them underwear or panties. But my nemeses in this discussion INSIST on calling them underpants. To me, when I hear the word underpants it brings back those haunting memories of seeing my grandmother’s underclothes wear hanging out on the line. Big, white, full figure *shudder*. Just that word makes me cringe and Lisa and Nancy know this and use the word underpants unmercifully. We’ve even had deep discussions about this word. They say it’s what you wear under pants so what else would you call them? I, of course, come back with what if you are wearing a dress or a skirt – what about then eh?

But wait – now I’m getting riled up again and slightly off topic.

If one wears pajamas, which by their very nature have bottom parts, what is the point in wearing underwear beneath them? The only reason I can come up with is you expect to have a fire in the middle of the night and don’t want to be caught by a handsome firefighter without the foundation of undergarments. But in that case, reasoning follows that you would also wear a bra to bed and that would be very uncomfortable. I like to grant the puppies freedom at night.

And same goes for a nightgown. Unless it’s a very, very short one, your assets would be covered.

The nightgowns I wear – unless I’m wearing jammies, go below my knees so no matter how much twisting and turning I do, it never ends up around my waist. So again – why wear underwear to bed – unless of course they are boxers or something and they ‘are’ part of one’s sleeping ensemble. Think about it – what if you are one who wears thongs – and is a restless sleeper. Wouldn’t you run the risk of giving yourself wedgies all night?

It’s a different scenario of course if you aren’t sleeping alone – or with roomies and the purpose is to entice a willing victim. But then again, in that case chances are they would be off soon anyway so you wouldn’t have to deal with the wedgie problem.

I’m curious now of course. Are more women more comfortable wearing underwear under pajamas? Are they hoping for a midnight call by sexy cop?

Because I thought some might want to remain anonymous when answering such a personal question, and because doing polls is fun and easy now, I’ve added one.

Now you know what thoughts occupied my mind today.

And more important - why the hell does my font keep changing as if it had a mind of it's own?

I Proclaim - No More Proclamations

So - I made a proclamation in mid-April. Oh how smug was I. Turned out I couldn't even last for a month!!
After seeing all the May releases,
I knew I was in trouble.
But wait!
There were contests for some of them!
Perhaps I could cheat my way through. If I won a book - that really wouldn't count now would it?
But
alas I did not win any of the books.
And I couldn't not get them!
So - I reclaimed my proclamation and
ordered them
online from Chapters.
They came today.

It was a good mail day.

Hah!!!!

Round 1 goes to Doc!!!

Just in case you aren't aware of it, I'm quite a baseball fan. The ONLY team in our household was and still is the Toronto Blue Jays. They've had some lean years lately and weren't expected to do much this season against the powerhouse Red Sox and Yankees. And even more so when half their pitching staff went down. The only solid pitcher they had left was Roy Halliday.
But much to everyone's shock, as of today, May 12, they are in first place in all of baseball!! Now in my not so humble opinion, this is the team that should be getting the baseball buzz, but much to my annoyance, they rarely even seem to be mentioned. I listen to a lot of sports shows on the radio.
I listen and I listen and I listen and the Jays are barely even mentioned.

Well, tonight was what many thought would be the first real test *snort*. I watched the game in between commercial during American Idol because this was a good match-up - Roy Halliday of the Blue Jays against A.J. Burnett former Blue Jay, now pitching for the dreaded Yankees. And *fist pump* Doc won. Now I don't know if they will be able to carry this roll they are on all season, but for now, it surely is a good feeling for all Blue Jay fans.

Recent Read

To Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Why this one: I've really enjoyed all her previous books including the books by her alter ego Julia Harper so it was a given that I would read this one

Steam Level: Yepper - this is a hot one

Author Website Blurb:

CAN A WOUNDED BEAST . . .

Reclusive Sir Alistair Munroe has hidden in his castle ever since returning from the Colonies, scarred inside and out. But when a mysterious beauty arrives at his door, the passions he's kept suppressed for years begin to awaken.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST . . .

Running from past mistakes has taken legendary beauty Helen Fitzwilliam from the luxury of the ton to a crumbling Scottish castle . . . and a job as a housekeeper. Yet Helen is determined to start a new life and she won't let dust-or a beast of a man-scare her away.

TO TAME HIS MOST SECRET DESIRES?

Beneath Helen's beautiful façade, Alistair finds a courageous and sensual woman. A woman who doesn't back away from his surliness-or his scars. But just as he begins to believe in true love, Helen's secret past threatens to tear them apart. Now both Beast and Beauty must fight for the one thing neither believed they could ever find--a happy ever after.

My Thoughts: Hmmmmm. This is the first historical I've read since another historical I read and I think maybe I should have read a few other genres in between to 'cleanse the pallet' so to speak. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book but it didn't come close moving me the way the other book did. Alister just didn't have the depth that Ian did and I didn't like Helen nearly as much as I liked Beth. I think if I hadn't read them so close together (I just finished a reread of the other book last week, To Beguile a Beast would have fared better.

I love a good Beauty and the Beast story and this one is good as that. Alister is gruff and grouchy teddy bear who is hiding away from society due to his scars. At first the last thing he wants around is a beautiful housekeeper, but ever so slowly he lets Helen and her children into his life and opens up to a less lonely and solitary life. There is a wonderful scene where he goes around waking everyone in the castle up early so he can take them all fishing.

Helen is a bit more problematic for me. She has lived the life of the mistress of the powerful Duke of Lester. Despite this interesting premise, I found her a bit bland. She didn't have the courage of another historical heroine I loved.

I wasn't all that impressed with the POV of Abigail her nine year old daughter either. I sound bitchy and heartless I'm sure, but I don't really care what a nine year old thinks and feels in a romance. I didn't think her POV really added anything to the story.

I feel bad because I'm sounding harsher than I usually do and this book doesn't really deserve my harshness. It's a good entry into the series and after reading the excerpt for the final book in this series, I'm really looking forward to this.

All in all, I recommend this book, but if you've read and been blown totally away by another recently published historical, I'd advise letting more time and more books lapse between that one and To Beguile a Beast. Then this one might not suffer as much next to it.

Grade: 4 out of 5