Empty Nest and Pirates - UPDATE

Come Monday, my husband and I will officially again be empty nesters. Our oldest son is moving out. The youngest one has been on his own for some time but the oldest one ran into financial difficulties and of course he came home until he got things sorted out. What was supposed to be a three month stay turned into a year and a half. I love my sons dearly, I really do, but at ages 25 and 27, they really should not be at home with their parents. This became abundantly clear to me last week. I was copying a file onto a disk so I could take it into work and add things to it on my break. I just picked up a disc that was lying next to the computer, copied the spreadsheet and got ready to leave. Just before that I thought I should check the A: drive to see if it copied all right. There were a few files on it I didn’t recognize and thought I would open them up to see what they were. Imagine my astonishment when they turned out to be pictures of a half naked girl. Well, I knew they weren’t my husbands – he has no idea how to copy files. That of course left the son. I deleted the spreadsheet popped open the A: drive and carefully put the disc back where it was. He is 26 and 11 months. This was on Thursday. On Sunday, I was making dinner when he came in the house with a girl behind him. When I looked at her I realized it wasn’t exactly the first time I met her. I just about said “oh, you’re the naked girl” but luckily I managed to keep my mouth closed. Yep, it’s time this little bird leaves the nest.

UPDATE

It's a good thing I laugh at life's ironies. Son number 2 was over this morning - it's a holiday here in Canda. My oldest son had been living on his own for a while with a roomate who skipped out on him - thus the financial troubles. Son number 2 moved out a month before son number 2 (hell, Brent = son # 1, Ryan = son #2) A month after Ryan moved out, Brent moved back for his extended stay. We had a month of no kids and for the first time in memory, the testesterone equaled the estrogen. When Ryan dropped in this morning, it was to inform us that he needed to move back for a while. He is having roomate issues and is saving for his own house. So, this empty nest will only be empty for a couple of weeks.

I read on Romancing the Blog how they were extending an invitation to guest readers. I decided to give it a shot. I couldn’t think of anything to write about for the longest time and then finally something came to me. I had been in a reading slump so why not write about that. I quickly typed something up because the deadline was approaching and got ready to send it out.
Now in order to appreciate this story, you must know I am completely and utterly useless about some areas of the computer and internet and pasting pictures and that kind of thing. Some time ago our Microsoft Outlook denied me access and I haven’t got it fixed, mainly because this is an area I’m a dufus on. I can, however get access to my email through our provider – the cable guys. The only problem with this is because my husband pays the bill, all emails going out this way appear to be coming from him. Which is a hoot because he’s about as good at email stuff as I am. If I'm sending an email to someone for the first time, I usually put a disclaimer in the subject line saying this email is NOT coming from Derwood, it's really Kristie. Back to the story.
I obediently copied my “column” into the email, ran it through spell check and sent if off, barely making the deadline. It wasn’t until the next day, it occurred to me that it went out under the name Derwood Stonehaven (name has been changed to protect the poor innocent). I completely forgot to say who I was, or add any kind of disclamier. I won’t copy the whole column, although I’m sure I’ve blown it for sure, but there were a couple of things I (Derwood) wrote, that when I think about the PTB at RTB, believing this came from Durwood crack me up.

This one for example:
“Being a fan of the rollicking pirate adventure genre, I think of a book slump as winds that die out on the ocean. The seas calm, ships are left becalmed on the ocean seas, unable to continue their journey until the winds pick up again.”

Or this one:
“Reading is essential to my psyche.”

Or then there is this priceless one:
“After years of reading all kinds of fiction and non-fiction alike, I have settled in very happily to romance. At this point I’m not really interested in exploring other reading types.”

And finally this one:
“ The slump is usually caused by the letdown of a run of very good books, like the adrenalin rush leaving my body after a strenuous workout”

So, if the judges at Romancing the Blog happen to read an entry from (Durwood Stonehaven) and think “this guy is wacked” he really isn’t. He’s just married to a computer dufus wife. And Durwood wouldn't read a romance if it was the last book on earth.
And hopefully, someone from there will take pity on me and give me another chance.

Author websites - And "keeping Maili amused"

I love authors websites. I love visiting them. That’s why I enjoyed Maili’s blog. I visited some of the ones she mentioned and already, I found a few books I’m interested in reading. I can spend hours on author web sites. I particularly enjoy reading about their backlists. One of the features I most enjoy but not many have, is the little tidbits and trivia that went into writing their books. Laura Lee Guhrke, Jo Goodman and Susan Kay Law all have wonderful little tales about what went into the writing of their books. And covers, I love seeing the covers of backlists. The perfect ones are when they have both printable backlists and cover backlists. Another feature of particular interest to me when visiting author web sites is their upcoming books. I like to see what they have planned as much in advance as they can post it. Even if there is no title or cover or even publishing date yet, I still like to see what’s up. It helps to build anticipation and it also reassures me that they do have more coming up. It is so disappointing to invest time and heart into an author and then discovering she is no longer writing. I know this happens and real life takes over, still as a fan of their work, it can be a bummer.
Updating web sites is vital. Even if there is nothing much happening, it’s nice for the author to update their web site and say there "Hi, I'm her but nothing much is happening. At least we fans know they are still out there wanting to keep in touch. If an author is going to take the time and energy to have a web site, keep it current and up to date. If not then I almost wish they would remove it. There are a number that I visit and when I get there, nothing has changed in 2 or 3 years. That can be frustrating.

And

"to keep Maili amused"

since I stole this idea from Mail, here's a website she might like. It's a love we both share
http://www-public.rz.uni-duesseldorf.de/~fischeni/

I don't know if you watch this show or not, but I am totally addicted - and it's on tonight
http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/

My vote would be the mane
http://www.geocities.com/marcacito/Hair.html?1080146414836

Whenever I get bored, I think of changing my hair
http://www.hair-news.com/hair-styles.html

Ah, those stupid things we did when we were young
http://www.crazyfads.com/

Longing for yesterday

There was a post recently on a message board I often visit with a two point question. The first question dealt with the vanishing romance books on the bookshelves and the second point dealt with the lack of interesting historical romances being published today. This is about the second part of the question.

I love Historical romance. It's the genre that gave me my love of romance books BUT the Historical Romances in particular English setting being published today, except for the increasingly rare cases are not the same as the historicals that were published a few years ago. Another poster said today’s historicals are boring. I can’t say that I find them boring as much as I find them completely forgettable. Many of the older historicals are unforgettable. Even though I read some of them years ago, if you were to ask me the basic storyline I would have very little problem coming up with it. Compare for example the books written by Celeste Bradley to Loretta Chase. I’ve read all the books in Ms. Bradley’s spy series and while I enjoyed them, for the life of me I can’t remember the storyline or the characters six months, even three months later. If I read the back blurb, if I rack my brain, I’ll remember something, but it hurts to do that. On the other hand, while I haven’t read Lord of Scoundrels for a couple of years now, I can still vividly recall the glove scene between Dain and Jessica, the scene where she gives him the icon, the boxing match and so many other unforgettable moments. Early Mary Jo Putney books, Julie Garwood (although she hasn’t stood the test of time with me, I still vividly recall many of her books). Just out of curiosity, I went to my spreadsheet, picked a random year over 5 years ago and here is a list of some of the books published that year:

No Sweeter Heaven – Katherine Kingsley
Then Came You – Lisa Kleypas
Whisper of Roses – Teresa Mederios
Thunder and Roses – Mary Jo Putney
Dangerous – Amanda Quick
Deception – Amanda Quick
Lady Defiant – Suzanne Robinson
East of Forever – Christina Skye
A Rose at Midnight – Anne Stuart
Shadow Dance – Anne Stuart
Once in a Blue Moon – Penelope Williamson

The year – 1993

Many of these books are considered classics and are still highly sought after today in 2005, twelve years later. How many books published in the past couple of years will still have the staying power of some of the above books? Not nearly that many I’m thinking.

I know there are a couple of reasons very little stands out these days. First of all is the quality of writing. It just isn’t there for the most part. Words and descriptions and character development have gone to the wayside in a lot of cases. Instead, they have been replaced ad nasuem by stories of spies, of dukes, of marquis, of rakes. Dain in FoS was a rake, but at least his character was developed. A lot of readers may not care for him but I bet they remember him. The exact same can be said for Jessica.
Quick question, no cheating, who was the hero of Bradley’s The Spy (2003)? Me, I have no idea. I know I read it. I can look it up and if I read the storyline, I can probably remember, but off the top of my head – nada. Next question. Who was the hero of Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale (1992)?
Another major factor in the decline of the historical is imitation. I know it is the sincerest form of flattery, but how many spies, rakes, Dukes of Dullsbridge, Marquis’ of Mundanehaven, Earls of Boredom are we expected to read and remember? I have just about reached my saturation point. I can count of the fingers of one hand, how many English historicals I can still count on to remember a year from now.I want this to change. I want to remember books published today five, ten years from now. But I don’t know if it will.

More of my all time favourites

I want to say that even though these next books aren’t in the top ten, they just as easily could be. It’s a very miniscule difference that separates any of them in the top 100. I could reread one and it would jump right into the top ten. So without further adieu, the next group in my list

Dream Fever, Katherine Sutcliffe – This book stars Nicholas Sabre as a tortured loner sent to New Zealand when he killed an aristocrat in duel. He is tricked into marrying Summer O’Neal, herself running from trouble. He doesn’t want to love Summer but her joie de vie pulls him out of his dark and lonely life. Nicholas is a tortured hero, not always easy to like. There is one scene that many may not like in these PC days but I found it very powerful and I love this book.

Jackson Rule , Dinah McCall – This is a story of Jackson Rule, a young man who after spending years in jail, comes to work for Rebecca Hill, a preachers daughter, when he can’t find work anywhere else due to his prison record. Rebecca sees something in this tortured soul and they fall deeply in love even as Jackson fights to deny his feelings. If you like a tortured soul, you will love Jackson Rule. I think this one has recently been rereleased under Sharon Sala

Sweet Lullabye, Lorraine Heath – This book has the best Beta Hero I have ever read. Jake Burnett has loved Rebecca from afar, but believes he never has a chance with her. Then when Rebecca’s father offers Jake a pregnant Rebecca as wife, Jake marries her and moves away. This book is so incredibly poignant I cried when I read it. A book very rarely moves me to tears, but this one does. I miss Ms. Heath's westerns more than I can say.

Portrait in Death, JD Robb - This is the Robb book where we finally get to see Roarke showing some vulnerability. He is always so strong and so there for Eve. Finally, we get to see him needing Eve

Take A Chance on Me, Susan Donavan - Thomas Tobin a district attorney who frequently works undercover inherits Hairy the Chinesse Crested dog. Thomas is forced to visit vet Emma Jenkins for help with Hairy's neurosis. This is a wonderfully funny laugh out loud book and even if you don't live Thomas and Emma, I dare you not to fall in love with Hairy. I did and I don't like dogs.

Looking for Lacey, Linda Francis Lee - Bobby McIntyre is a football quarterback recovering from an injury back in his home town where he owns a sports bar. Lacey Wright is his uptight single mother employee. At first it would seem these two have nothing in common but when the layers are peeled back neither are what they seem. Even Mrs Giggles likes this one - I think.

Texas Destiny, Lorraine Heath - Another wonderful book from Lorraine Heath, this is the first book in trilogy of three brothers. This one is the story of Houston. He is forced to bring his brothers mail order bride home when his older brother is hurt. Along the way Houston, a loner who was seriously injured during the Civil Way and Amelia, his brother's promised wife fall deeply in love. Did I mention how much I miss her westerns? None of her current crop of historicals have even made it close to my top 100, but her westerns are beautiful.

Absolute Trouble, Michelle Jerrott(Albert now) - This is the authors first book and she had me as a fan at the first chapter. Dulcinea Queen is a cop forced to retire when she is injured on duty trying to take down a crook. Julien Langlois, who is after the same bad guy is posing as a male stripper. When this Cajun, is forced to hide out with Dulcie, sparks fly. I love the "dance" he does for her. This book is hot and this book is steamy and I love this book

Conor's Way, Laura Lee Guhrke - I just finished reading this book again (and again and again) Conor Braningan is an Irish boxer who was beaten bery badly when he refused to "throw" a fight. He is rescued by Olivia Maitland. He is slowly and very much against his will, drawn into the struggles Olivia and her three daughters face. Conor is a hero beyond words. I simply adore this book. It should not be missed!!

Morning Glory, LaVayrle Spencer - Will Parker, Will Parker, Will Parker. Oh what a wonderful hero. This is my all time favourite book by Ms. Spencer and I think this one is a classic romance in it's finest form. Will applies for the job of handyman for Ellie. These two lonely people find love and acceptance with each other. If you've never tried LaVyrle Spencer, there is no better book than this to start with.

I thought of a game

kind of like word association because I'm bored and feeling silly. I'll name five well known authors and you have to say the first book that comes to mind. You can't take time to think. It may not be your favourite but it's the first one that comes to mind. Just pass if you haven't read that author

Laura Kinsale





Susan Elizabeth Phillips




Jennifer Crusie




Linda Howard




Mary Jo Putney




Now think up five more for your own blog if you want.

(I'm trying to think up ideas for wish lists)

My All-time top ten

One of the good things about having read romance books for so long and so quickly is whenever I can't think of something else to blog about, I can blog about favourite authors recent reads, old read or top reads. Today's offering is my all time top ten favourite books.

1. Dreaming of You ,Lisa Kleypas - The reason? Derek Craven. I also like Sara quite a bit

2. Lord of Scoundrels ,Loretta Chase Dain is really just a big old teddy bear at heart and Jessica knows how to treat him. She's my kind of heroine. There's a reason this one always ends up so high on so many favourite lists.

3. After the Night, Linda Howard – This one I rate so high for the washroom scene alone. Sexy, funny and anyone who’s read it knows what I’m talking about

4. One Summer, Karen Robards – By all rights this one shouldn’t be so high. The mystery was only so so, but I adored the love story between Johnny and Rachel. One test is if I remember the characters names years later and I definitely remember these two.

5. Mr. Perfect, Linda Howard – The banter between Janie Bright and Sam Donavan is sharp, witty and delightful. This is the only book I have both in HC and PB and I plan on keeping both

6. Naked in Death, J.D. Robb - Although it’s hard to narrow down a favourite In Death book, this is the one that launched the series and I always go back to.

7. Whispers in Heaven, Candice Proctor – Jean Mason’s review (linked) at TRR says it beautifully what makes this book so special

8. Love Alters Not, Patricia Veryan – Anthony Ferrar is such a wonderful, tortured yet noble hero and I adore Mitten, the heroine. This one has it all (including a great cover)

9. Once and Always, Judith McNaught – Another surprising top ten. Jason is a bit of a jerk and Victoria is a bit too perfect, but still this is one I simply loved

10. Ride the Fire, Pamela Clare – I’ve blogged about this one recently. It’s the only book I’ve read in the past couple of years that has broken through to make it in the top ten.

If you really think about it

If you really think about it some of the expressions and actions that sound so good in romance novels wouldn’t really survive in the real world. I mentioned in my last blog about nostrils flaring. Then I got to thinking. This is a favourite in romance books
“His nostrils flared as he looked on her with hunger in his eyes” Hands up. How many of us have actually seen nostrils flare. I have but only on commercials where they have a close up of some weird guy moving them in time to the commercial jingle. While it sounds all ooohhhy in a romance novel, would we really notice if the nostrils of the men in our life flared. I think if I even noticed my husband’s nostril flare, I would think he was coming down with a cold or about to sneeze. And the hunger part too. I can’t say if I ever really noticed a “hungry” look in my husband’s eyes when he feels frisky. Of course, we’ve been married over 30 years now and maybe that’s too long now to notice that hungry look. Although I know he is “hungry” for the Leafs to win the Stanley Cup if hockey ever resumes. I guess I might have been replaced by a little rubber puck.
Another one that amuses me when I think hard enough about it how the hero always manages to lift one eyebrow. “His eyebrow quirked as he looked at her in amusement”. It’s never both eyebrows, it’s always just the one. Now I think the ability to quirk one eyebrow is one of those things not many of us are born with. Kind of like the ability to curl your tongue. My mother could do it, lift one eyebrow, I'm not sure about the tongue curling, but she practiced for hours when she was young. She used to tell my sisters and me that. How hard she would practice in front of the mirror. I think it was one of her proudest accomplishments, learning how to do that. A few times she would sit us down and try and teach us how. She was an odd woman but very dear. Only one of us managed to learn how and it wasn’t me. Although the sister who did learn how quirks her eyebrow at me and it is most annoying. This is the the sister who doesn't read romance novels and she usually does it when I try and discuss them with her. It was hard enough for me to learn how to do the Vulcan “live long and prosper” hand greeting. (I grew up watching the original Star Trek). Spock could do the one eyebrow thing very well though. And the greeting. Talented guy was that Spock, but emotionally very cold. So, did most of our heroes practice this trick when they were kids in the hopes that one day they would be amused enough by some future heroine to do it?
I think there is a lot of romance stuff I haven’t examined in close detail. I’ll have to do some more thinking on it.

I've been renewed and my leaves have been watered

I am obsessive compulsive when I am trying to track down a book that I’ve decided I simply can not live without. There’s an adrenalin rush. The book finding radar goes on full alert. I carefully make my plans to visit all the used bookstores around me, study my route, time my schedule. I can’t sleep the night before I make my run. I am on the hunt and I’m excited. If my nostrils flared, they would be flaring. And I don’t stop until I found the treasure or I have reached a dead end. There is always an unfulfilled feeling inside when I reach the dead end. I’ve only lately discovered Amazon but I only save them for a very last resort. The cost of shipping and handling, currency exchange rate and the price of some books can be quite hard on the pocket book (who really uses that word anymore).
It has seemed until recently though, that my book questing had almost run its course. I had found almost every older book I wanted or I gave up trying to find them. My visits to UBS’s didn’t have the excitement as they used to. There was a definite lack of passion in checking them out. It was almost a formality that I went to them and I didn’t really expect to find anything of value. I almost always left empty handed or with books I was just eh about. It just wasn’t the same as when I first started.

I feel lately though like I am renewed. I was at a UBS last night looking for books for members of the trading group. That adrenalin rush was back when I found a few books on the list. The desire to raise my hands in the air and shout “YEA BABY, COME TO MAMA.” That pure love of a treasure found had resurfaced.
I am pumped again about finding books. I plan to make an hour trip tomorrow after work to visit the best UBS in the area for romance books. I went on the internet to check their hours, I looked for other UBS’s in the other city I’ve never been too. I found maps. I HAVE A QUEST AGAIN. My passions have been restored. I didn’t have much of a reason to visit this store for a while and I couldn’t justify the time and energy to look for books I had no real hope of finding. But now I have reasons, over 500 of them. Tra-la-la-la-la-la¯
I think a number of members of the group feel the same way I do about the trading. I would much rather have someone owe me a book than to owe someone else. I think it must be something about being obliged to someone that makes us nervous. But for those who owe me books I’m stealing an oft-repeated phrase:

Cost of parking meter $ .50
Cost of book $4.00
Cost of envelope $ .69
Cost of mailing book $4.50
Cost of excitement in finding book, cost of knowing it’s going to a well wanted home, cost of imagining the same excitement I feel

PRICELESS

If anything, I owe YOU for making my book searching life worth living again.

Then of course too, there is the absolute joy in getting a book that was on my quest list. Found. Success. Mission Accomplished.

This and That

I know I have said (complained, whined) in the past that I am an island, that none of my friends or family truly understands my passion for romance books. A lot of them know and I’m sure in the back of their minds they are thinking “she’s a wee bit of an odd one isn’t she”. Thank heavens I have an on-line community I can share with. I have one sister who is semi-understanding, and one friend who somewhat shares my love of the romance genre. I am happy to report I am no longer an island of one. This friend, after a 2 year hiatus due to RL has come back to the romance reading world. Our public library system has an atrocious selection of romance books. They don’t even have Bliss or Dance on file. I know, I checked. Can you imagine such an oversight? Because of this, I am the main supplier of books for my friend. I’m about as comfortable as I can be in loaning them to her, as she also shows them the proper respect they are due.
Being the main supplier puts me in an odd situation. I always give her the best of the best, in my opinion. There are a couple of genres she doesn’t care for, but other than the rare book she hasn’t been able to get into, she loves what I love.
Has this I wonder sometimes given me an inflated opinion of my own tastes? Having someone almost unanimously agree with me, while good for the ego always causes something of a shock when I read a review on a book and it gets a completely different grade than I have given it. This happened recently when a book I quite enjoyed received a terrible review. All the points the reviewer mentioned on why she give it a bad review, I agreed with, yet when the reviewer closed the book, she hated it and when I closed the book I loved it. Now, it’s not that the reviewer is wrong and I’m right. That would be just way too presumptuous wouldn’t it? Besides, it’s an opinion and how can anyone’s opinion be wrong. Facts can be wrong but opinions can’t be. That’s what makes it interesting though when I disagree with someone about a book. I may not agree with them but I love that they love books just as much as I do.

It looks like books are starting to arrive now in the book trading group. I don’t know about anyone else who has received books yet, but when I get home and there they are, it feels so good I almost question whether what we are doing is legal or not. I’ve gotten 4 books so far with more to come and I don’t’ know where to start :) What a delicious decision I’m going to have to make. This should get me out of my slump.

Is anyone else like me when they get a book they have hungered for a while? It’s like I’m too excited to read it. I just have to hold it for a while, check out the back, check out the front, savour it, put it down and move to the next one and repeat the process then start all over again. It can take ages to actually start reading sometimes. So are you a savourer or do you just jump in with both feet?

Project Eve - Lauren Bach

I hate it when this happens. This one just didn’t work for me on many levels. The idea was great. Rachel is a kick ass private detective. She is hired by a US Senator to try and find out if his stepdaughter gave birth before her tragic death in a car accident. In order to find out what really happened she goes undercover at an exclusive college funded and run by a highly successful evangelist.
She is teamed up with Elijah, a CIA agent she shares a past with who also partnered with her beloved brother before his tragic death.
It’s hard to pinpoint why I didn’t care for this one, it just didn’t work on so many levels. The storyline sounds great. First off though, the author loaded Rachel down with too much tragedy. Her parents were both killed when she was young and it was left to her brother to raise her. This is where I began questioning things. Her brother raises her and is her sole support after their parent’s die, so why does he join the CIA and participate in dangerous missions?
And if loosing her entire family isn’t enough, she walks into a very compromising situation when she tries to surprise Elijah her lover. That takes care of that.
This poor girl is left with nothing.
When she meets Elijah many years later and is forced to work with him again, supposedly sparks fly. I didn’t feel any sparks. Not a flicker. Not an ember. Nada. Nothing. Lauren Bach has done excellent sexual tension in the past but I didn’t feel it in this one.
We know who the bad guys are right off the bat. Or at least we should. I’m lousy at guessing who the baddies are, but not this time. If I can get it, believe me, anyone can.
The ditzyiness and naiveté of the college students annoyed me to no end. And the college itself was just too far fetched to believe. I know it was supposed to be a religious institute and somewhat separated from the world but the author carried it to extremes. I can’t imagine any campus not serving coffee.
Then, right near the end of the book, out of the blue, her mentor , it is learned has a drinking problem. What on earth does this have to do with anything at this point and why even mention it. This is a character never seen or never heard from before or after.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. But when I closed the cover I was left with rather a nasty taste. A somewhat cold heroine, no real sparks between the hero and heroine, over the top villains and characters coming in and out of the story that add nothing.

Grade 2 out of 5

My Blog Slump

I’ve discovered you can have a blog slump just like you can have a reading slump. I know because I’m in one. I can’t think of anything to say, so I’ll just say why I have nothing to say, which will be saying something.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure late last week. Now it didn’t come as a surprise as it’s in our family, but still it’s given me a bit of a jolt. In fact it was so high last Friday; I spent the afternoon in Emergency. The doctor has already doubled the medication I will have to be taking from now on. I’ve seen her more in the past few days than I have in the previous year. I’ve always taken my health for granted and now all of a sudden it’s not as good as it was. That’s taking some adjusting, not to mention the major life style changes I’m going to have to make to combat it. Because I’ve spent so much time at the doctor’s, I’ve been working later in the evenings to make up time and when I come home I’m wiped and my brain is functioning at half capacity.

A very good friend of my husband’s died on the weekend very unexpectedly. He was only 44 and had a massive heart attack. My husband isn’t taking it all that well. I’m trying to help him through it which is emotionally tiring.

My boss at work is leaving the company, in fact tomorrow is his last day. Now I haven’t been working there all that long, but I couldn’t have asked for a better supervisor. He loves the work I do and let’s me know all the time. He has been so good for my ego when I really needed it. His replacement is someone I like very well to so I’m not worried about that but still it’s hard to say goodbye to someone who has been good for you.

On the upside of things, I have been deeply involved with the book trading group that is going great guns. Other wonderful readers have found books for me that I have been trying to find for years. I had a wish list and all have been found except for one – Dance by Judy Cuevas and I have great expectations that it will be found. I’ve found a few for other readers, but I want to find more! It’s as much fun finding books for others as it is for me.

I just finished One Night of Sin by Gaelen Foley. Now I know some don’t like her, she can be a bit on the purple side, but I really liked this book. She is a hit and miss author for me and I’m happy to say this one is a hit.
Alex Knight, is our tarnished hero. In previous books he has been rather a bad boy. He got himself deep into debt from gambling and to get himself out of debt he offered his services as a gigolo, thus breaking the heart of poor Lizzie, the heroine in previous book.
Alex finds Becky our heroine fast asleep on the doorstep of a friend’s house. He immediately mistakes her for a lady of the evening and takes her home with him for a night of passion. But Becky isn’t what he thinks she is. Instead she is a woman in deep trouble running away from her nasty villain cousin who plans to ruin her. She had witnessed a murder and is running for her life. She agrees to go along with Alex in order to stay hidden.
For me, Ms. Foley does a good job in explaining the rationale behind Alex and why he is the way he is. His behavior explained and accepted I can sit back and enjoy the love story between an erstwhile rake and a damsel in distress. Becky was strong and while she did not like what Alex had done in the past, still she accepted him, mistakes and all. I did have a few eye rolling moments. The obligatory scene where Alex becomes a madman taking on four nasty guys at the same time. Gaelen Foley seems to like having her heroes do this doesn’t she? But still it all in good campy fun. I’m easily pleased and this book pleased me
Grade 4 out of 5

Now I have to dig into my TBR pile for some romantic suspense for Junes challenge. Before books start arriving :)

Recent reads and questions

Why is it that just as soon as I start buying nail policy because my nails are looking good, they start breaking? I’ve lost 3 in the past day, just after buying 4 new colours of nail polish. And then it takes a good year to grow them nice again

Why is it, just after I get my car washed, the birds have a rave overnight right above it?

The Cobra and the Concubine - Bonnie Vanak

This book took me by surprise. When I finished it, I thought why haven’t I heard of Bonnie Vanak before? For those who complain about same old, same old, this the book for you.
Badra was just a young girl when she was rescued from a brutal and sadistic owner by the Sheik of the Khamin (apparently the hero of her first book). Once he realized how badly she had been abused, he assigned Khepri as her guardian and protector. Skip ahead a number of years. Khepri has been secretly in love with Badra for years. Finally he decides she is old enough and asks permission to marry her. Because of the abuse she had suffered, she refuses him. He leaves discouraged and returns to England where it turns out, he is a peer.
The Cobra and the Concubine is different on many levels. First is the location. Much of it takes place in Egypt. The author does a very good job in evoking the atmosphere of the time and place of when the story takes place. Next, is the heroine. Badra is an Egyptian slave girl. I found this most unusual for a heroine. I think the author does a good job in explaining why she makes the decisions she does. The hero Khepri or Kenneth is what I liked best. I thought he made a wonderful hero. Brave yet vulnerable where his feeling for Badra were concerned, confused and lost when he is thrust into a world he doesn’t understand. I enjoyed this book enough to seriously need to read her back-list and hope (really hope) she writes a book on another character who appears.

Grade 4 out of 5
It was interesting reading this one so soon after Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase. Both took place in Egypt but the feel was entirely different. Mr. Impossible was outsiders looking into the time and place. The Cobra and the Concubine was like being right inside. Both different but very good.


Stargazer – Colby Hodge

This one is a typical futuristic. Now since I love futuristics, I was enjoyed it more than other readers who aren’t into futuristics. Princess Lily the heroine rescued the hero, Shaun Phoenix a prisoner when they ship they were both travelling on was attached by the same evil group who was attacking her planet. Instantly smitten, our hero decides his life mission is to keep our heroine safe. I had some problems with Lily in this one. I felt she was too self-sacrificing and willing to give her life for her people. I guess I like my heroines somewhat on the selfish side. The hero Shaun is good though. He is determined to rescue at all costs. I thought this was a pretty good effort for a first book and I would try her again. I just hope her next heroine is a bit less perfect.
Grade 31/2 out of 5

Going back to the vault

I thought since some of us might be visiting UBS's over the next little while, I go back to my excel vault and share some of my older favourite books again.

Once a Pirate by Susan Grant
This is a wonderful time travel/reincarnation book. I didn't read it that long ago. I had ordered it from Amazon when I was going through my pirate book phase. And it fit the bill wonderfully. Carly Callahan an airforce pilot (pre Bonzai) is forced to eject from her jet and into the ocean. She somehow travels back in time and is rescued by pirate Andrew Spencer

Once I read Once a Pirate, it triggered a Susan Grant glom and I ordered another book that turned out to be a real winner

The Star King by Susan Grant
A wonderful futuristic.Air Force Lieutenant Jasmine Boswell was flying her fighter jet over Saudi's no-fly zone when the missile coming out of nowhere hits her plane. She bails out of her disabled jet, but lands on an alien-looking desert with spaceships flying overhead. She also encounters an injured Romlijhian B'Kah, whose starfighter crashed killing his brother. This strange encounter remains in both their minds
Years later they meet again and the book takes off from there.

What I love about Susan Grant is the strength of her heroines

And in a complete switch

Homeplace by Dorothy Garlock
(and I can't believe I can't remember the names of the h/h as I've read this book probably 4 times)
This is a sweet tender story of love found in the depth of despair. The heroine travels to help her young stepdaughter during the birth of her baby. When her stepdaughter dies of neglect during the birth she stays to take care of the baby. At first she is furious with the baby's father but things aren't always what they seem. This book is a very real portrait of rural life and love.

Reaching beyond our comfort zone

The other day while surfing the net I came across a message board I don’t visit very often. They were discussing books and authors, mainly historicals, and I was struck by how much I’ve grown as a reader. Many of them seemed perfectly content with the market, what the authors were producing and very happy in their own comfort box. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that exactly, but I’ve discovered in the past number of years that life has a way of kicking us outside that box when we least expect it. Now I’m not going to go as far as too equate real life with reading romance novels, but in a small miniscule way, the more we are willing to experiment, to accept different ideas and concepts in romance books, maybe, the easier it will be to handle the changes real life throws us.
For example, for years I’ve heard how good Outlander was. A number of years ago a friend even lent me her copy to read. When I saw how thick a book it was and that it was written in the first person, I handed it back and said, “thanks, but it’s not for me”. It was far too away from my comfort reading level. But after hearing how good it was once I joined the on-line reading community, I saw it in a UBS and thought “what the hell, why not. Live a little.” So I did. Now whether I enjoyed the book or not isn’t really the point I’m trying to make. I did like it though by the way. Not as much as others, but it was the attitude I took that was important. I then began applying this same attitude towards other genres, some worked, others didn’t. Vamp books for example I tried with a why not, what the hell attitude and didn’t care for them. But the effort was made. Werewolves on the other hand worked. Go figure. Now in real life, over the past number of years, I’ve been thrown some real curve balls. I’m sure all of us have had those. But if we take the approach of “why not, give it a shot” I think it makes us more flexible people and able to handle change better. Life is always changing isn’t it?
That’s why I think Keishon’s challenge to read a different type of book from our TBR piles each month is such a good idea. Although yes, it’s to make a bit of a dent in my pile but I know in those brief moments of crystal clarity that I have sometimes, I will always have a huge TBR. I will exit this world leaving many books unread. For me though, the real challenge is to stretch myself as a reader. Some of her year’s worth of challenges will be tough for me, but I want to do it anyway. The last one worked J.
Something else that prompted these thoughts was reading Tara Maria’s blog about her leaving her zone. She spread her romance reading wings with great success. Congrats!
So if we start with an open attitude and a willingness to accept new ideas when it comes to romance reading and then apply it to real life, who knows what can happen? They won’t all be successful. I know for me, I’ve tried something from different genres and thought “well that was perfectly dreadful”. But the real gain is in the trying.
In my current job, I am a data analyst, about as far outside my comfort box as I can get. And you know something? I like it. And I’m good at it. Who knows *grin* what might have happened it I hadn’t read that Outlander book.


*note* For those who haven’t noticed and are interested, Sybil has set up a book exchange group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bookslostandfound/ I’m glad she did! I’m such a dufus with this kind of thing somehow I managed to sign myself up twice. I sent off my first package to another reader yesterday and believe me; the thrill was just as great if not greater when I sent it as the one I got when I received Bliss!!

Wow, I set a record with linking! Between that and pictures I'm not doing to bad. Now if I could only learn to sign up for things just once.

I have an idea

I don't know if it will work or not but what does everyone think? Who knows there might already be such a thing. It came to me when Robin sent me a copy of Bliss I couldn't find that she found in her neck of the woods. It seems us romance fans are scattered all over the world. What I might be able to find no problem (such as Patrica Potter's Wanted and Diablo - I saw them at a UBS on the way home) others might not be able to find. What if we somehow set up a wish list of books we are looking for. We could post the list every so often and if someone found a book we could swap or else work something out. It sure beats the S/H you pay ordering something through Amazon. I pay $1.00 for a book, and extra 50cents on exchange and then $15 for S/H. I know for me, I would be thrilled to find a book for someone who has been searching for particular book. If someone doesn't have a blog of their own to post it on, I'd be willing to share space on this one.
Just a thought

And a big thank you to Jay who has been helping me with posting pictures. It's still a work in progress but I was just tickled pink when I hit view blog and there they were.

Bliss by Judy Cuevas

Finally, finally, I got a chance to read Bliss by Judy Cuevas (Judith Ivory) on the weekend. It has been killing me for ages when readers discuss this book and Damce and I hadn’t read it. I started looking for it a few years ago when I started visiting the message boards and so many people recommended this book and said how good it was, but could never find it at any of the UBS. Thank you so much to Robin, who recognizing the desperation when it was discussed yet again, came to my aid and sent me an extra copy she had found. My thoughts on the book:
It was wonderful! It was obviously published before the whitewashing of historical romance began.
1) It takes place in France – not England
2) The hero is French – not some English Duke or Earl
3) The hero is an ether addict
4) The heroine is NOT a virgin, although by no means a skeet (Sybil – I did it)
5) The story takes place in the early 20th century

I loved both Hannah and Nardi. Both of them were so wonderfully imperfect. Hannah was a tiny bit on the selfish side and influenced by money, although when push came to shove, she chose love every time. She was childish and wise, brave and scared. She was a heroine I could really relate too.
And Nardi, what a wonderful hero he was. He’s temperamental and insecure with an addictive personality. He is indulged by his family and used by them at the same time. He is charming, spoiled charismatic and so loveable. And imperfect; wonderfully and deliciously imperfect.
This is a book I know that I will read over and over again, if only to read what good historical romance books can be. Thanks again Robin
Grade 5 out of 5

Afterthoughts:
When I was flipping through the back pages where they advertise other books published around the same time (For My Lady’s Heart) I was surprised that I didn’t buy it when it first came out. I was heavily into book buying that year. I think though, that was long before I discovered review sites and message boards so somehow it just escaped my notice. Thank goodness for them now. I don’t think a book this good could escape me now.

How on earth can she redeem Sebastian in Dance? I know she does and I know Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas has the talent, but Sebastian certainly was very dislikeable in Bliss. Of course, I'll have to get a copy first :)

Why, oh why haven’t these been re-released? I was at the bookstore the other day and I noticed that Kinley MacGregor’s A Pirate of Her Own has just been reissued. I would love to know how Avon decides what should and shouldn’t be re-released. Not to take anything away from MacGregor, but I bought the original only a couple of years ago, so it’s not that old and probably not very hard to find. In fact I stopped at Chapters on the way home from work and the original ($8.99) and rerelease ($9.99) were both on the shelves. Why do Avon and other publishers reprint books that are readily available but not classics?

A very quick one

Kudos to the London Knights Junior A hockey team. All year they have been simply the best team in all Canada, breaking all kinds of records along the way. They just won the Memorial Cup and are now the reigning Junior A Champs of the country.

A ramble - Why is it?

Why the hell is it we are so hard on our own kind. What prompts this is a post on a message board concerning the character of Sookie Stackhouse and how, because she has sex with more than one guy, she is a skeet (new word for me that’s for sure). I haven’t read the series so I can’t comment on the particular character, although judging from the responses, the original poster is way too harsh. But even if it were true – SO WHAT? Why in general are some readers so harsh and judgemental on heroines with some experience under their belt so to speak?
I’ve seen posters on message boards indignantly refuse to read a book if they know the heroine was a prostitute in the past. Bad Moon Rising by Katherine Sutcliffe for example had a heroine, who through no real choice of her own, was a mistress to a villainous type
When this book came out, there were some who refused to read it based on this reason. What a shame since it was quite a good book. I can’t specifically remember other books or characters but I know this happens quite frequently. Why???? So what if a heroine isn’t “saving” herself for the hero. Does that make her any less of a good character? Often the reverse is true; she seems to be more interesting.
And why aren’t these same readers making the same judgements on the hero? It seems the hero can slut around without the same vigorous outcry. The double standard seems to be alive and well in some romance readers world.
I recently blogged about a discussion about a book not out yet. Some readers were upset with the heroine because she took back the hero. Other were upset she didn’t screw around herself. A few were indignant with the hero but the overwhelming anger seemed directed to the heroine. I have seen this happen time and time again.
Even think of the names that are used for women of experience
Slut
Skank
Ho
whore
Tramp
Now as if we don’t already have enough, skeet
And what about the male of the species? I tried thinking of words we use for them
Dog
Player
Male slut
Which list is nastier?
The same ironically can be said for the opposite. “Virgin” heroines seem to be reviled just as much these days with some readers. I’ve seen readers get just as indignant when they realize the heroine doesn’t have experience. Again I have to ask SO WHAT?Why is a woman’s wealth of sexual experience or lack of sexual experience such a big deal? Mrs Giggles anyone? Now I love reading her reviews. She has a wicked and biting sense of humour that, while I don’t have, I can certainly enjoy. But she seems to hold such vitriol for the virgin heroine. For her and others with this opinion, why base such intense dislike on a heroine because she is a virgin. Base it on the fact that she is just TSTL or a badly written character; not because she does or doesn’t have sex. I can enjoy a book if the heroine is a virgin – yes, even in a contemporary, just as much as I can enjoy a book when the heroine has a past – yes, in a historical.
I just don't get this hostility concerning sex and the heroine.

A challenge issued, a challenge met

I must admit to some trepidation when I accepted Keishon’s challenge. I haven’t read a trad regency kisses only book for a very long time. But I had accepted Keishon’s challenge in the past with much success. I kept putting it off and putting it off but a deal is a deal and I finally picked up Properos’ Daughter to read. To be honest I was surprised I even had some trad regencies to read. I picked this one up a couple of years ago when it first came out partly based on the reviews and partly based on the good looking guy on the cover. I’m shallow, I know it, I admit it.
I started reading it the morning of my trip. Bad thing to do. Instead of the packing I should have been doing I read. When I got to my destination, I’d forgotten quite a few things because I was too busy reading. It was a blessing though during the 3hour (did I already mention 3 hour) delay at the border. It really helped me from thinking about other pressing matters for a while anyway. I read it when I got to the hotel and I didn’t want to stop reading.
This book was very very good!

Title/Author
Prospero’s Daughter/Nancy Butler

Copyright Year
2003

Synopsis
Morgan Pearce seems to be a hero who has it all. Good looks, a job he loves even though the ton aren’t supposed to work, a married woman whose older husband is out of town. Then he is talked very reluctantly into traveling to a country home to help edit his friends father’s memoires. It is there he meets the heroine Miranda Runyon. She had a terrible accident three years previously, is confined to a bath chair and virtually ignored by her family. Because Morgan couldn’t help a close friend injured in the war, he is determined to help Miranda. In the course of helping her, they fall in love and wonder if they can surmount all the obstacles in their way.

My grade/how did it compare with other reviews
TRR gave it 5 hearts
AAR gave it a B+
My grade – 41/2 out of 5

New Author to Me
Yes

Would I read more of this author’s work?
Absolutely!


Thanks Keishon. I probably never would have read this book without your challenge and I would have missed a wonderful read. I look forward now to June’s challenge book. I hope you have better luck than you seem to be having.

Now for something totally different. Do I live in a great country or not? I love American Idol and Lost. What to watch tomorrow night? The Lost finale or the winner on AI??? And I don't know how to program a VCR. Turns out that both show are on the same Canadian channel. American Idol it on tomorrow night and Lost is on Thursday night. I can see them both now. Yes!

My Big Adventure

Well, I’m back from my big adventure. My youngest sister (YS) was getting married. She moved to Massachusetts about a year ago to be with her fiancé. My middle sister (MS) and I drove down on Saturday for her wedding on Monday. We planned on returning on Tuesday. This is the farthest I have ever driven before and I learned and observed a few interesting things on the trip. Never, never order an extra large decaf coffee from MacDonald’s. First off, the coffee is instant (blecchhh). That would not have been so bad maybe if it was a regular size, but if it’s extra large, the coffee in next to undrinkable.
If you do however, manage to drink it all, do not then have something else to drink to wash away the taste as you are approaching the border. You may get stuck in a 3 hour traffic delay – yes three hours – to move half a mile. With absolutely no chance to turn around. No chance. After drinking an extra large coffee followed up by a diet coke.
Washrooms at Home Depot are located in the back. The back of a very large store.
When men jump out of a car, why do they not go behind the trees? They must like to rub it in about their abilities to jump out of a car in a 3 hour traffic jam. Women can’t do this.

Never trust a GPS that has a male voice. My YS sent us her fiance’s GPS to help us get there. It lied. It will get you to almost where you want to go, then either it will play with your mind and give screwy directions and chuckle to itself as it says in an oh so polite voice to “please make a legal U turn as soon as possible” probably realizing you can’t make a legal U turn for the next mile or so, or it will stop working altogether. Then it does it again. And then again. Just when you have no idea where you are.
Between these two factors, a trip that normally takes between 7 and 10 hours can take 12 hours. Yes, 12 hours. A beer will go down very smooth after this. And you sleep good.
The area around Vermont, New York and Massachusetts is breathtakingly beautiful. There are mountains all the way around and the countryside is much more winding than I am used to driving. But it sure was gorgeous scenery.
Americans actually seem to obey the speed laws. In Canada, if the speed limit is 100 (kilometers) an hour, that pretty much means you won’t get caught if you’re still going 120. I love to drive fast. I couldn’t do that too much on the weekend. Between obeying the speed laws and the winding roads, I had to curtail my need for speed . Luckily I made up for it on the way home once I crossed the border.
I’ve observed this before of course, having grown up in a border town, but our currencies are very different. Canadian currency comes in some very lovely colours, blue for $5, purple for $10, green for $20, orange for $50 etc. We also have coins for $1 (loonies) and $2 (toonies). It’s easy to tell what is what and how much money you have left. With American currency, you have to actually look at the bills to see what each one is. And it can seem like you have more money that you do when you have seven $1 bills.
I must admit to being somewhat disappointed in the Barns & Noble store we went to. I had most of my money earmarked for books I couldn’t find at Chapters, but alas there weren’t any. I did however pick up a book with one of “those” covers I would have hemmed and hawed over purchasing here. I didn’t have to worry about that because chances are I’ll never go back there. I liked that freedom.
And the most important thing. As much fun as traveling is, and as much as you laugh the next day about a 3 hour traffic jam and all that entails is, as much fun as it is meeting some very wonderfully warm and friendly people, as much fun as it is to stay in a hotel and not worry about having to make the bed, as much fun as it is seeing some of the most incredibly beautiful scenery, as nice as it is to see your baby sister marry a very nice man with a very nice family, there really is no place like home.