Book Cataloguing - An analysis of online sites.

(along with a bit of bragging about my own)

I love cataloguing books. I've kept an excel spreadsheet on my books for about 10 years now and the one I have today is a far far cry from the rudimentary one I first started with. It's been through 3 job changes. See, I email it to work and if it's a really slow day with nothing to do, I might work on it - bad little worker bee I can be.
Back in the beginning it was pretty basic. I had listed the ISBN, Author, Title, Price (retail or Replacement Value Cost of course) and that was about it. I slowly began adding more columns with more information such as Genre, Rating, Year Published, Year Read, and Publisher.

(click on pictures for larger view)

Along the way I also learned how to do Hyperlinks so I could link a page from Amazon and I learned how to add comments (in which I add hero/heroine and brief blurb to jog my memory)

Then sometime in 2004, The Wonderful Rosario, who is the Excel Queen, helped me and added graphs so I could visually keep track of the books.


So with this labour of love and still very much a work in progress that's gone on for 10 years now, it will always be my favourite method of cataloguing books. But as the internet has grown and expanded, there are now a number of websites where you can catalogue books. I've signed up with three of them

• LibraryThing
• Shelfari
• Goodreads

I started first with LibraryThing and then sometime later opened an account with Shelfari and finally not so long ago opened another account with Goodreads.
LibraryThing remains my favourite. At the time, and I don't know if it's changed or not, but you could enter so many books into your LibraryThing account and it was full. If you paid a one time fee of $25 the amount you could enter was unlimited and you also had access to other features such as group discussions, recommendations etc. As I had way more books than the free number, I decided to pay the money and it's a decision I've never regretted. I don't know if that is still the case or not though.

Both Shelfari and Goodreads are free.


LibraryThing

But what makes me glad I signed up for LibraryThing and what keeps it as my favourite online book cataloguing site are a number of things. First off, I find it much easier to add books at LibraryThing. The tabs along the top make it very easy to find out which part of LT you are looking for, whether it's adding new books, checking your shelf - in which you have a number of choices - by a list, by covers, from 10 covers to page up to 100 per page. It's easy to find the profile page where you can add an avatar, add a website or blog, or give a brief description about yourself.
While checking out the site again for this post I noticed yet another feature I hadn't discovered before, the local page. When I clicked on there, they had a listing of all the library branches in the city and a few book stores listed.
And their customer support is excellent. When I first started cataloguing books, I had a number that didn't have covers. This didn't make me happy as you can tell by my spreadsheet graphs - I like visuals. I emailed them asking if there was any way I could add covers and within a day received a reply that yes, I could indeed add cover since I had a scanner. Anyone who follows this blog knows I'm not all that good with this kind of thing, so when I ran into trouble uploading the covers, I had an email conversation with step by step instructions and even advice into how I could do it. And amazingly enough I could figure it out! For that customer support alone, I was glad I paid for a membership.
You can also add LibraryThing to your blog (for which I had help *g*) There are a number of group discussions although I only belong to one. Another added feature I like is a list of the top member who share the same books. It's interesting clicking on some of them and seeing who I know.
Adding books is simple. You can do it by author, title or ISBN number. Searching for books in LibraryThing is very simple. It's easy to edit and/or add reviews, simply click on the pencil. Other than the original price of membership, I haven't found any drawbacks with LibraryThing at all and I didn't mind paying the membership fee for everything I was getting.
I give LibraryThing an A for ease of getting around, features ect.


Shelfari

As more and more readers started blogs, I began noticing more and more of them had Shelfari so I decided to sign up with them too. The have a number of features I like, though I still don't like it as much as LibraryThing. First off, it's free. You can't really beat that price. Second, I like the look of their 'shelves' much better; they are much more professional looking. Adding new books is fairly easy, but not as easy as LibraryThing. When adding a new books, they have a number of options;

• I plan to read
• I'm reading
• I've read
• Favorites (even though they spell it wrong)
• Own
• Wish List

For me, that's too many choices and I find it rather a nuisance. Since I can read a book in a day if I don't get distracted by this here computer and all the blogs and everything, if I want to buy a book, buy it the next day, read it the day after that and finish it two days later, that's a whole lot of changing I have to do on said list. You can add reviews on Shelfari, but it took me some clicking around to be able to figure out how to do that. They also have group discussions and it was the AAR Group discussion that finally got me using Shelfari more.
Another thing I don't care for that much is the shelf itself. You can only see 27 on one page at most and they are rather tightly packed and hard to make out.
Also, they don't have the feature of adding covers if one isn't already provided, a minus as far as I'm concerned.
Shelfari can also be added to a blog but since I didn't add the one for LibaryThing to mine, I can't really compare this feature.
I give Shelfari a B-. It would be lower except I really do like the look of those shelves.


GoodReads

I'll be honest here and say I'm least familiar with GoodReads. It's the most recent one I've signed up for.
But what I have seen of it by going in, adding books, clicking around etc. hasn't impressed me too much. After initially adding my books from my excel spreadsheet I find it very difficult to find out how to add more books. Each time it's taken a lot of clicking and searching out where to go. Even tonight I had to look around until I finally saw in the middle of the page where it says Add More. The choices aren't overwhelming like they are in Shelfari - just three to choose from

• Read
• Currently Reading
• To Read

but if you make a mistake and add the wrong label, it's a pain to try and correct. You can also add reviews, but I find it difficult to find out how, takes too much clicking for me.
It strikes me as more of a place to meet people then cataloguing books. I've had a few request from people to 'add me as a friend' and maybe it's a generational thing, but if I don't know you, I'm not going to add you as a friend just so I can have a higher number of 'friends'. I also don't think they have the option of adding book covers, I don't know, I haven't tried. But if they do, it would be too bothersome for me to add them seeing as I can't even find how to simply add books much of the time. I don't know if you can add Good Reads to blogs or not. It's to complicated for me to try and do it.
I realize they are the 'new kids on the block' but I'm just not impressed with them.
At the moment and until they become more user friendly, I give them a D.

• So now some question:
• Do you catalogue your books?
• Do you use an online site and are you happy with it?
• Which is your favourite and why?
• Which features do you wish they had?
• Do you have more than one?
• Which would you recommend and why?
• What are the drawbacks?

*****~~~~~*****

Update: After Bev's comment, I emailed LibraryThing and asked if they had any plans to be able separate books into different categories such as wish list, TBR and read. There was an answer in my inbox this morning that yes indeed, this is a feature that LibraryThing has planned and should be operational soon.
Again, I was impressed with their speedy answer and commend their Customer Service division.

Tis the Football Season

Football is a big sport to watch in my home and coincidentally I just finished two books about football players and the women they fall for that I really recommend.

The first one is by debut author, Marie Force called Line of Scrimmage. This sexy book is about a married couple of ten years who are ten days away from getting their divorce finalized. They have been separated for almost a year and Susannah Sanderson is about to breathe a sigh of relief because in less than two week she will be a free woman and able to marry her former high school boyfriend, Henry. Susannah is getting a divorce from Ryan, the start quarterback of the Denver Mavericks and overall MVP of the NFL. Ryan doesn’t want to go through the divorce since he is very much still in love with his wife. But the past year has been hard on them both because Susannah feels Ryan is selfish, especially since they lost their first child together when Susannah miscarried. That was the last straw and Susannah filed for divorce soon after Ryan went back to work.

Because the judge decided to wait six months to make their divorce legal, Ryan has a plan up his sleeve where he will move back into his home where Susanna still lives. He wants this remaining time with his wife and if she doesn’t agree, he will stop the divorce proceedings. Ryan basically blackmails Susannah into spending the time with him. Ryan feels he has changed and wants to show Susannah the new Ryan Sanderson. Susannah has no choice to go along with Ryan’s sneaky tactics. She thinks she is strong enough to be around Ryan and not fall for his charm, just like she did when she was in college.

Both Ryan and Susannah are hurting because of a lot of misunderstandings on their part. Susannah is not the typical trophy wife for a larger than life star like Ryan. That is what Ryan loves so much about Susannah, that she keeps his head on straight and brings him down to Earth. Ryan’s goal is to stay married to Susannah and through communication and some seduction on his end, he will show the love of his life how perfect things can be between them once again.

Line of Scrimmage is a nice romance, especially between a married couple. The love and passion between these two are still there, but there are some major issues they both have to work through. Ryan was never really accepted by Susannah’s family and Susannah’s friends, and her fiancé always tried to put seeds of doubt in her mind about Ryan because Henry always wanted Susannah back. Marie Force sure does know how to write a great hero with Ryan, who I fell for quickly, even though I did find Susannah to be a bit of a shrew at times. But when Ryan shut her up with his kisses, that was when things really go good between them. I am not a big fan of sports related romances, but this book was a treat and reminded me so much of Susan Elizabeth Philip’s writing and her own football series. Overall, a great romance with steamy sex scenes, and a lovely story between a married couple who still love each other dearly. (Sourcebooks, available now)

3 stars of out 5 stars

Bella Andre also has a new series out called the Bad Boys of Football and her latest in this series is Game For Seduction. Melissa McKnight works for her father, who is a very successful sports agent. Her dream is to be an agent herself, but her father doesn’t think she is good enough to be one. Yup, he is one of those parents who treats his child like crap. But Melissa wants to prove her father wrong. One of the McKnight Sports Agency’s biggest clients is the wide receiver of the San Francisco Outlaws, Dominic DiMarco. Dominic is a really great guy who doesn’t drink, party hard or sleep around. And ever since Melissa has been seventeen years old, she has been crushing after Dominic. But Melissa feels Dominic doesn’t even know she exists. How wrong she is.

Dominic wants Melissa, and badly, but since they work together and are professionals, he has this hands off rule. But it is getting much harder for him to not act on his desire for the lovely Melissa. And when Melissa tries to take on a new client all by herself, who is pretty much the ultimate bad boy of the NFL, Dominic takes it upon himself to watch over Melissa. Dominic is a tad jealous because he thinks Melissa will fall for this new upcoming star. So, he in turn offers himself as a client to Melissa. Of course he wants whole lot more where Melissa is concerned.

This is the only second book I have ever read by Bella Andre and it was one sexy, almost borderline erotic read. I absolutely love those stories where the heroine thinks she is not good enough for the handsome to die for hero. Dominic has these great set of morals, mainly because of something that happened to him when he was a teen. But when it comes to sex and with the one woman he wants, well, those self imposed rules he has placed upon himself are meant to be broken.

Game For Seduction is a pretty fast read with a romance that I really did enjoy. (Pocket Books, available now)

3 stars out of 5 stars

So there you have it. Two great romances with big brawny guys and the women who tame them off the field. Line of Scrimmage and Game of Seduction are perfect for those who want some light fun reading and of course some nice steamy sex. *G*

Katiebabs (KB)

Winner in the BBAW Giveaway!

We have picked a winner for the awesome BBAW book haul!

Cheryl

Congrats to Cheryl for this great prize! Email me at KatiebabsgATgmail.com with your address.

And a big shot out goes to My Friend Amy for the wonderful week she planned with great giveaways, posts and why it is great to be a blogger!

KristieJ & Katiebabs Talk Books

One of the things Katie and I like to do is chat about books. This edition we are talking about Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs.
Grab a coffee, settle back and read our 'chat' on this one.

KristieJ : So - are you ready to do a review?

KatieBabs: which book?

KristieJ: how about Cry Wolf first since it's out now. We'll see how that goes and if we have time for the Elizabeth Hoyt book?

KatieBabs: Oh yes, Cry Wolf. That is very fresh in my head.

KristieJ: Did you read the short story Alpha and Omega in On The Prowl?

KatieBabs: Yup. I count Alpha and Omega and Cry Wolf one continuous story

KristieJ: You really do need to read A&O first don't you? Otherwise Cry Wolf just kind of seems to start in the middle - well not the middle - but you don't get a good enough sense without reading A&O I think

KatieBabs: I actually started reading Cry Wolf first and then went and read A&O. Even though you don't have to read A&O, I would still tell people to read it because you learn more about Charles and why Anna is his mate and what happened to the Chicago pack.

KristieJ: Have you read any of the Mercy books? Apparently the last one give more detail into why Charles is in Chicago, but I haven't read any of them and I don't think I missed anything. These are the first Patricia Briggs books I've read

KatieBabs: Cry Wolf is my first book by Briggs and I feel like slapping myself because she is such a good writer! I would say she is one of the best Urban Fantasy authors I have ever read

KristieJ: Yea - me too. Although from what I've heard, the Mercy books are written in the first person whereas these are written in third person. But since I've go over my first person block, I think I'll go back and start her from the first Mercy book. I've seen them on blogs for a while now and people really seem to like them

KatieBabs: Mercy is mentioned in Cry Wolf a lot because Charles brother, Samuel? is in the Mercy series.

KristieJ: Have you read many werewolf books and do you like them as a whole? I myself prefer them to vampire books

KatieBabs: I will be honest, werewolf books are not my favorite even though I was a big fan of Kelley Armstrong when she first came out. Vampire stories are my favorite. Imagine an undead Richard? *swoon*

KristieJ: I'd rather a Richard with an animal inside *g*. (can we really have a conversation without mentioning him at least once? Nah - don't think so) So what did you think of this book then?

KatieBabs: Cry Wolf was an amazing read. Even though it wasn't heavy on romance, I was hooked. This is one every Urban Fantasy fan should definitely read.

KristieJ: It wasn't heavy on the romance true, but it had enough to make me happy. I think reader of both romance and urban fantasy would like this one.

KatieBabs: I sure did, especially the way Charles was with Anna. What a hero!

KristieJ: I loved that he was so protective of Anna that he was willing to see himself hurt rather than frighten her

KatieBabs: Charles comes across as alpha, but he is not too smothering and wants Anna to heal and move on with her life, hopefully with him in it

KristieJ: And I thought it was an interesting twist that their wolf form were of each other before their human form.

KatieBabs: I also love the setting! Not too many books I have read takes place in Montana

KristieJ: It' funny because that's where the book I'm currently reading is set too. It's a werewolf book. I think when you think Montana, you think wide open spaces with lots of room to roam.

KatieBabs: Yup, mountains, woods, camping, running around furry to your heart's content

KatieBabs: They were more comfortable as wolves, than being human

KristieJ: Anna wasn't as sure of being a wolf. But then she had a very horrific introduction to the 'birth' of her wolf

KatieBabs: What happened to Anna was so horrific, especially the rape and abuse she went through

KristieJ: Which in turn made Charles so protective.

KatieBabs: I adore Charles. And I am not big on a man with long hair. lol

KristieJ: LOL - I love long hair

KatieBabs: I like short hair on a man, or maybe shoulder length but not down to his butt. Would get caught and tangled

(I think this might be a generational thing – I’m *cough* a year or two {or 20} older then Kate)

KristieJ: What did you think of the secondary characters? I thought she did an excellent job - especially Walter. My heart ached for him. And Bran - now he was an intriguing character too.

KatieBabs: Bran was me second favorite character behind Charles. Two great men! They were so protective of Anna.

KristieJ: And Anna - what did you think of her? Did you like her character?

KatieBabs: I thought the way she was written, was very realistic as a survivor of abuse, especially with her not looking at people in the face and being scared. But, she still overcame and was very strong and wanted to belong somewhere and no longer be a victim

KatieBabs: I really, really liked her. Can't wait to see what Briggs does with Anna. A lot of potential.

KristieJ: I found her a little too timid a little too long. I could see why she was - she certainly had it bad in Chicago before they rescued her, but I thought she could have trusted Charles a little sooner. But like you said - by the end of the book she really came into her own.

KatieBabs: I thought the way she was Charles was expected. It is going to take some time for her. They better have a therapist on hand. I also think Charles is afraid of hurting Anna because she is so fragile in her mind and emotions

KristieJ: I loved the way she was able to soothe Charles and the other wolves - calming them down

KatieBabs: That is a very creative quirk she has. Great idea! I wonder when Anna becomes more self assured, what she will be like

KristieJ: Pretty strong I'm thinking. I also liked the way the author described the symbiotic relationship between alpha wolves and submissive wolves - that they both needed each other and that even though a wolf was submissive, they were still just as important to the pack. A far cry from what she was led to believe in Chicago. Not that she was submissive. She was an Omega wolf

KatieBabs: Very interesting concept, like the concept of alpha and omega. Every dominant needs a submissive and so forth.

KristieJ: Do you know if she has any more books planned in this series?

KristieJ: It seems there were some characters that could get a story or two

KatieBabs: I think the next book in this series is not till 2010. So far away...

KristieJ: Ack!! That's not for 2 years

KatieBabs: I know. But perfection takes time! *snort snort*

KristieJ: Are you going to try her Mercy books? It was interesting because I had to get another copy of this book and I found it in SCI FI section of the bookstore - not the romance

KatieBabs: I would be very interested in her Mercy series. But again, it is not heavy on romance. I think Briggs could be in both sections, Sci Fi and romance

KristieJ: Has this one made you want to try more werewolf books? heh heh

KatieBabs: I am on the fence still. Perhaps if I were given more recs *hint hint* I could change my ways.

KristieJ: Well - the one I'm reading now is pretty good. I was late back from my breaks and from lunch today 'cause I didn't want to stop reading *g* I'll go through some of my better ones and see what I can suggest!

KatieBabs: what's the name of it?

KristieJ: Ghost Moon by Rebecca York. It's different - that's for sure.

KatieBabs: I have heard of York

KristieJ: So - what would you give Cry Wolf?

KatieBabs: Cry Wolf gets 4 1/2 stars

KristieJ: And I'd give Cry Wolf 4 stars. Besides menz, we both agree on this one

(Earlier in the day while planning this chat by email we both agreed Simon Baker is da’ bomb – and you know what we both think of RICHard!)

KatieBabs: I read one book by Christine Warren about werewolves in Vegas

KatieBabs: Cry Wolf is going in my top 20

KristieJ: Of the year or all time?

KatieBabs: this year

KristieJ: I'm very glad I read the wonderful review of it at DA - otherwise I would have missed a very good book!

KatieBabs: The person who got me to read it was Ciaralira. She kept raving about Cry Wolf. And Christine loves Briggs' Mercy series. So, I didn't want to be left out

KristieJ: Then we are both glad we listened to the buzz

KatieBabs: oh yes! Some great recs by our fellow bloggers lately.

Dating da Vinci by Malena Lott

When Jane at Dear Author and Rowena at Book Binge both raised the question of where have all the good contemporary novels gone, I myself wondered the same thing. I, for one, do enjoy a good contemporary romance now and again, but this year I have found the genre lacking, with the exception of one or two novels. Surprisingly, I may have found a new author who has written a contemporary that may change my mind, and yours also.

Dating da Vinci by Malena Lott is about Ramona Elise, a widow with two young boys who is an English language instructor to immigrants who need help with the English language. During one of her classes, she happens to take home Leonardo da Vinci. And, we are told this in the very first line- “I never intended to take home da Vinci.” Da Vinci is the name of one of her students from Italy who has come to Texas as a college student. Leonardo da Vinci, looks more like the statue of David then the painter, and Elise sure does appreciate the young da Vinci even though she is thirty-six and he is much younger. Da Vinci needs a place to live. Ramona feels for the guy, and because he is too cute for words, she welcomes him to pay rent and stay at the studio apartment to in her backyard. The studio she offers to da Vinci was her deceased husband, Joel’s private workspace, and now two years later she lets da Vinci stay there as her way of moving on.

Ramona is taking baby steps and trying to get on with her life without Joel, whom she loved deeply. She has begun to clean out his closets and throw away certain foods he liked to eat, such as peanut butter, which may even be the same exact jar that was still in the cupboard before his death. The two-year anniversary of Joel’s death is upon Ramona and she still has some things to work out, such as Monica, the woman Joel was engaged to before he met Ramona. Monica came to Joel’s funeral and Ramona always wondered why they broke up. Monica is the complete opposite of Ramona in almost every way. Before Joel died, he started working on a project at the law firm where Monica worked. So, in the back of Ramona’s mind, she begins to think that perhaps Joel may have had an affair with Monica. Ramona has decided she will have a nice chat with Monica and ask her all the questions that have been bugging her.

As Ramona tries to figure things out, da Vinci becomes more important in her life. Her two sons come to adore da Vinci, and Ramona does also, so much so that after a lot of going back and forth in her mind, she decides to have an affair with the young Italian, which blossoms into a real relationship. Even though Ramona may feel a bit overwhelmed and self-conscious because of her age, da Vinci makes her happy. Things are going along pretty well, that is, until her so very perfect sister, Rachel, starts dating Dr Cortland Andrews. Ramona and Cortland hit it off very well, where as her sister is only with Cortland because he is handsome, has a nice house and money. Soon Ramona can’t stop thinking about Cortland even though she enjoys being with da Vinci. And if that is not bad enough, Cortland reciprocates her feelings and wants to break if off with her sister, and wants Ramona to do the same thing with her young Italian.

Who would have though a widow like Ramona would have two men lusting after her? Ramona is so confused and even more so because she keeps wondering what is so appealing about her that these two men can’t help but want to be with her. And, the doubts she has about Joel keep growing because she comes to the conclusion that the only reason he married her was because she was safe, and may have never loved her at all because he never got over Monica.

Dating da Vinci is a quirky novel told in the first person by Ramona who really touched my heart. All her questions and self-doubting is the exact way I would have felt if I were in her shoes. She is like any woman you would meet from a loving mother and daughter, to a faithful friend who lends a sympathetic ear especially when it comes to Rachel who can’t understand why Cortland won’t sleep with her. Ramona feels guilty for having the feelings she does for Cortland because she knows he belongs to Rachel for the moment. I would react the same way if I were in the same shoes as Ramona and Rachel was my sister.

Ramona’s relationship with da Vinci is a total fantasy because da Vinci is a hot stud who gives Ramona everything she needs, from good sex to helping her around the house with her sons. But, Ramona knows their affair cannot last forever because they are two totally different people. And as for Cortland, well, Malena can sure write some excellent male characters because you are really torn between both men that Ramona must choose in the long run. Dating da Vinci made me laugh and smile over Ramona all because of how she handles both the little and big things in life. Even with the death of a loved one, Ramona is not all gloom and doom, but is surviving the best way she knows how and I loved how she wanted to find love again and felt Joel would understand.

When I think of a well-written book, including a book such as this, I expect to walk away taking something special from what I have read. I have certainly done that here with Malena Lott's Dating da Vinci. She has written a story about human nature and the ups and downs someone has to go to fully understand life. Ramona must take that next step, hopefully with someone holding her hand, to help her overcome her grief and enjoy living life again to the fullest. That's what makes this a worthy contemporary in my eyes because it is about one woman’s journey to find love and happiness in those places, and people, she would have never thought possible. (Sourcebooks, November 2008)

3 ½ stars out of 5 stars.

Katiebabs (KB)

Magic Strikes Cover!

Ilona Andrews just posted her cover for Magic Strikes, the third book in her Kate Daniels series. The book will be out April 2009

Is this cover great? That is quite a large shiny sword Kate has there along with a pretty big kitty. *G*


Katiebabs (KB)

TBR Challenge - September

So TBR day snuck on me this month. I was chatting with Kate last night and she asked if I was going to do a TBR review and I said I didn’t think so – I hadn’t read a book for it yet. But even as I was answering her, I was becoming disappointed in myself. Keishon challenged us and I hated like hell to miss out on a challenge. I’ve made it every month so far and I fail often enough when I challenge myself to do housework. I simply couldn’t fail a reading challenge

So I got thinking. If I chose a smaller book to read – a Harlequin – and read it at work during breaks and lunch – that would give me an hour and a half. If I came straight home and read while I ate dinner, if I skipped So You Think You Can Dance – Canada; it’s only the tryouts anyway, I just might get one read.

I mean I’ve been know to read a book and a half in one day. I don’t seem to do it as often as I used to. The internet and blogging are a big distraction. But – if I stayed off the ‘puter, I just might get a book read and a review written.

I’m at work now – I read during morning break and all during my lunch and I’m almost halfway done. Only time will tell if I am successful in completing this challenge.

***** ~~~~~ *****

OK - Time Told! I did indeed get a book read for this month's TBR challenge. I was a bit late for work trying to choose the book, but I made it only 2 minutes late.

I have tons of Harlequins that I haven't managed to get around to reading yet. I don't know why - I quite enjoy them and they are nice and quick to read. I read this one in a day.

Private Eye by Jayne Ann Krentz

Published: 1992

Published by: Harlequin Temptation

Amazon Blurb:

P.I. Josh January is no hero, but he'll fake it for Maggie Gladstone. His last case almost killed him, and she's offering a much-needed vacation in return for investigating strange goings-on at her inn. The job should be a cinch. Seducing Maggie -- a bonus. But when the accidents turn deadly serious, playing the hero could cost Josh a very high price . . .

My Thoughts: I really, really enjoyed this one. I've read A LOT of her books although not so many lately - not quite sure why - but she has a shelf of her own in my library.

I love the way she writes a hero. She somehow manages to make him alpha but not too alpha. Josh January was like this. After being injured in his latest case, his partner talked him into taking what they both thought would be a fluff case. While the money wasn't that good, it included a month long stay at Peregrine Manor, an older, yet charming hotel run by Maggie Gladstone. Sparks fly between the two of them right away. Ms. Krentz can write good sparks! Josh thinks the case he's taken, a series of disasters that happen in the hotel and cause Maggie to shut it down for a while, won't interfere with his real agenda - writing that books he's always wanted to and getting some R&R after getting pretty burned out. He soon discovers though that there is more going on than he first thought. He's a good hero, kinda rough, and gruff, but inside a real nice guy.

Maggie, the heroine, is also charming. She's a bit of an innocent, yet nevertheless manages to stand up to tough guy Josh. The banter between them is humerous and kept me smiling.

One of the things I've always appreciated about this authors books is her sense of family - even if they aren't related - and this one is no exception. Also living in the hotel are three ecentric older charmers, the Colonel, who is working on making water a viable way to run cars, Odessa, an attractive older widow and Shirley, a gangster's moll. All thee add to the charm of this litte book.

A couple of other things did get me chuckling though. As this book was originally published in 1992, it's a bit dated. At one point Maggie, acting as bell boy, struggles to lift the big computer housed in a metal case up to Josh's room. And in another scene, she is described as wearing 'a black silk jumpsuit'. I don't think we see many of those in this year of 2008.

But this was another success - this month's book - I really enjoyed it! And shallow me - I even liked the cover. I don't know if it will be bigger if you click on the cover - I scanned it so I think it might. I think that Zina Nota Warrior Princess Cat snacked on it a bit.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

I just wish they still published the Temptation line *sigh*

It's meme time - again!

This is a fun one. The rules:

1. Comment on this post and ask for a letter.
2. I will give you one.
3. Think of 5 fictional characters whose names begin with that letter, and post their names and your comments on these characters on your blog.

My letter, courtesy LorelieLong, courtesy of Carrie Lofty, was K. I spent two days trying to come up with 5 fictional characters that started with K and I couldn't think of one so I had to go back and ask for another letter. This time I got a different one - R. I still had a tough time, but I did manage to think them up.

Robin Hood

No, no I don't mean the boy Robin in the current BBC series. He hardly stacks up against Guy of Gisbourne. I mean THIS Robin






. When I saw a clip on YouTube, I just had to get the first series with Michael Praed.
Mind you I haven’t watched it yet. Apparently things don’t end so good for this Robin.

And then of course we have the movie Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. I got the extended version of this movie - thought it wasn't really that good. Anyway, I've always liked this movie - despite it being a bit silly. And I do love the soundtrack

Roarke from the In Death books

Is there any better hero really? I know some might take Jamie Fraser but I'd take Roarke any day. Who can resist a bad boy billionaire with a lilt of Ireland in his voice. A hero who will do anything it takes to protect the love of his life. A hero who carries a button around with him as a reminder of that woman. He rocks my socks!

Jackson Rule

Darn! I just gave away my next book for Guess That Book! Ah well, I'll have to think up another one.
Jackson Rule is the hero in the book Jackson Rule by Dinah McCall. I read this one when it first came out - and an number of times since then - and it's remained pretty high up there in my all time favourite books, certainly in the top 15. And we are talking a lot of books through the years people! And the hero is the reason why. Read it - and you will know why this one is so special.

Gray Rouillard

I've said in the past that Faith Devlin is one of my all time favourite heroines. Well Gray Rouillard of Linda Howard's After the Night is one of my favourite heroes. I know many may not agree with me. They may complain he's too alpha, he's a jerk and a player. But let's face it - you have to give props to a hero who is so 'into' a heroine that he will go charging after her into a women's washroom and then bar the door to any other woman who wants to use said washroom until the heroine is composed. Though it's been years and years since I first read this book - that scene causes him to be on my list.

Rob Roy

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Rob Roy. If anyone has seen this movie they have to know why he made it onto my list
"Do you know how fine you are to me Mary MacGregor?"
*sigh*



Now it may be argued that Rob Roy isn't a fictional character. I'm not 100% sure. But one simply MUST watch this video anyway. I can't tell you how many times I watched it last night while writing this up.

So there you have it - my R fictional (or maybe not) characters. If anyone wants to play - just ask for a letter.

In Honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week: A Most Awesome Contest

The Blogging world is a buzz over the Book Blogger Appreciation Week that My Friend Amy has so graciously came up with and decided to hold at her blog. Along with the 200 other blogs that participated, Kristie and I did also, and were even nominated for Most Chatty Blog. *we lost*

There are some wonderful daily contests this week over at My Friend Amy and some other blogs, that you should definitely check out.

Amy asked for me to post why I love romance and why I blog about it. She posted my thoughts today, if you would like to go see what I said. :D

Speaking of contests, Kristie and I decided to take part in some giveaways also. As you all know, Kristie has been throwing her weekly Guess That Clue, Win a Book contest! And since I have such great love for blogs in general, I decided to throw an extra special contest here.

I am giving away 6 books, 4 that have not been published yet and won't be out till October. The 6 books are:

September books:

Killer Charms- Marianne Stillings

Heart Fate- Robin D. Owens

October books:

Red Fire- Deirdre Knight

Night Falls Darkly- Kim Lennox

Power Play- Deidre Martin

Where's There's Fire- Maureen McKade

Interested in winning this lovely haul of books? Comment here by Friday. Tell us why you love book blogs. What is it that makes you want to comment or spread the love? If you have a blog, and there is one thing you would love to post or do on it that you haven't what would it be?

Katiebabs (KB)

A contest - Name That Body Part

Subtitle - I can't believe I'm doing this!!




Kate talked me into doing this!


Kate and I were emailing about the previous topic on the lack of names for the female innards and we both thought the same thing. Instead of Guess That Book, why not have a Name That Body Part contest??
I emailed her today and said I didn't think I could go through with it but she told me I had to!

The Prize?

I have another autographed copy of Dangerous Secrets By Lisa Marie Rice that she so wonderfully gave me to give away in San Francisco.




How to win?


Just come up with an interesting name, a funny name, a real purple prose name, an 'alternative' name, use it in a sentence and Kate and I will pick a winner.

And just so I don't keep horrifying myself and others, it's amazing what you can come up with by cropping in paint.



The winner will be announced next Monday

(see - I did it Kate!!)

Stop By and Say Hello **announcement**

By now you have seen my new avatar floating around when I have posted on blogs or on other websites. The avatar is actually part of a bigger picture because I have started my own blog called Babbling About Books, And More!


Today my blog went live and my first welcome post is up. I hope you will stop be and say hello. :D


But Kate, does that mean you will no longer post on Ramblings? I am still here with Kristie, who is really the person responsible for allowing me to speak my mind and grow the confidence and go forth and be my own "Captain". I am still very much her "Wing-Woman". And wait till you see what we have in store this week... heh heh :P



Katiebabs (KB)

So - What IS an alternative?

It’s a Friday, I didn’t have that much to do and didn’t feel like working, so I was being a bad worker bee earlier and doing a bit of blog hopping. I was reading AztecLady’s review of a book wherein she says how much she dislikes the c***t word in a romance. And it got me thinking - not about work but about something else.

I know this word and the male c***k version bothers a lot of readers. I admit it can pull me out of a story too sometimes. If I see these while reading along in a historical, it just jars. But along the same path, if I’m reading along in a harder edged Paranormal or Romantic Suspense and I come along the euphemistic love channel or pot ‘o honey and//or manhood, root of pleasure or any of those descriptions that make us roll our eyes or chuckle in horror, that’s almost worse.

While there is a number of less the purple prose type words we can call the male lurve tool, there just aren’t as many for female’s pleasure chest. Think about it – how many words are there really.

While Sex and the City and The Vagina Monologue have made it possible to stand and proudly declare “I have a Vagina and I’m Proud of it!” First off, it’s too long a word with too many syllables; the word doesn’t really work to well in a romance and it’s a bit too clinical and Grade 7 health class sounding. I just can’t imagine an alpha hero whispering heatedly into the heroines ears “I want to put my penis in your vagina – now!” Whereas if it’s a more earthy kind of book it just seems to work better if the same alpha hero whispers gutturally “I need to fill your c***t with my c#*#k – Now!”

See – one works much better than the other. And keep in mind that not so very long ago I was a reader of kisses only books and my sisters thought I was the prude of the family.

But for many readers if that one doesn’t work, what else could one use?

Pussy. I don’t know about others but that one doesn’t work for me well at all. I remember a particular Laura Kinsale book where the hero is trying to get the heroine to issue a certain phrase. Finally she does – ‘will you please pet my pussy’? That pulled me so out of the story I remember it years later – My Sweet Folly. So that word is out for me. I can’t help but think cat.

What other ones do we have?

Twat: Shudder

Beaver: I’m Canadian – that’s just wrong

Snatch: Uuggg

Box: Ah, no!

Loins: I just noticed an email in my junk folder with an offer to set her loins on fire. But that is a bit vague I think. In addition, it’s not a mutually exclusive term – it’s a more gender neutral kind of term.

Hoohaw: I think that might be a local term we women just use amongst ourselves – can’t really see a surly damaged alpha hero using that expression.

I’m sure there are many other terms and or expression but I can’t really think of any that readers all over the world will recognize for what they are.

So – if you are one of those who are bothered by this term in a contemporary or RS, what term/word do you think would make a good substitute?