Musings on a Monday

In my last blog, I mentioned how much I enjoy author websites but I must admit I don’t frequent their blogs very often. Oh I do read some of them, but not very many. I have visited quite a few but find many of them deal with the issues of writing itself. I’m much more interested in the finished product. It would sort of be like me doing a blog on my job. How I spent part of the day copying and pasting, signing up new customers on the company website, other kinds of things that only really would interest someone doing the same job. It would be rather silly to set up a blog for that when I can talk to my coworkers at break or lunch or anytime during the day about the job.
Authors on the other hand are in a different boat. By the very nature of what they do, they work alone all day – unless they have a regular job in addition to writing. I imagine they find other writers blogs that deal with the issues of writing very interesting and consoling. And I think it’s great they can establish on-line friendships with others in the business.

But being a reader, I spend more time reading other reader blogs. I could spend hours reading them and all the different things readers have to say. I’m always looking for new ones and am most annoyed with myself when I find one and forget to make a note of it and then can’t find the particular blog again. This has happened a few times. So if there are any other reader bloggers out there who stop in and visit, leave a message and I will make note of it this time. Angie has a challenge going to check out 15 new blogs in 15 days - and it sounds like quite the experience, but I’d rather concentrate on fellow reader blogs that aren’t in my usual rounds. Since Maili is on hiatus, I’d love to take up that slack and find new and undiscovered bloggers.

Speaking of blogs, I read an interesting article in the paper. It seems I’m rather unusual. The article stated that the majority of bloggers are young people – teenagers mostly and that the percentage of people in my age bracket aren’t into blogging. I kind of liked that I was ahead of my time.

Another interesting part of the article is it seems some bloggers are getting fired for blogging about their companies. Now many may disagree with my thoughts on this, but I see the point of the companies. It’s one thing for a bunch of employees to go out after work and bitch about the job, nothing at all the matter with that. I expect that kind of thing has been going on as long as people have been working. But it’s quite another in my opinion, to broadcast company issues on a medium that can be read by anyone around the world. I think most companies anymore, when you first start have you sign a confidentiality agreement. I for one take that very seriously. There is a reason why I have never mentioned when I work(ed) or even what industry.

And finally, when did Will Smith get to be so hot!?!.



I’ve been watching him for years. My sons were/are big fans of Fresh Prince of Belle Air and we’ve watched that show when it was on, and the reruns for ages. I’ve seen him in a number of his blockbuster movies since then and always thought of him as a good singer and a good actor but kind of goofy, but we watched I Robot for the first time last night and maybe it was the shower scene at the beginning, but at that moment I thought “Whoa, he is fine, lucky Jada Pinkett.” I’ve seen them on entertainment shows and they always seemed so hot for each other. Now I know why!


‘til later

Author Websites and my 2 Cents - for what that's worth

I know this has been done before, but I thought I would add my 2¢ worth. Because the system was down at work today, I had an excruciatingly boring day at work. To alleviate some of the boredom, I did a bit of surfing of some upcoming books I’m looking forward too. After checking them out at Chapters and Amazon, I skipped over to the authors’ websites looking for a little more info.
Now I know authors are busy people too. A lot of them have jobs in addition to their writing. Plus they have lives. Maybe some of them don’t maintain their own web sites and are waiting for the web-master/mistress to update, but please – make that a priority for us readers! Wendy Lindstrom is a perfect example of an author missing the boat.

Lips That Touch Mine is one of my top faves so far this year. I loved the book, I loved the cover and it was her very short back list that I HAD TO GET – that helped prompt me into asking about a book trading group (which by the way I did receive – really liked one – so so on the other – although LTTM is still my fave)
She has a fourth book coming out in October. It’s listed at the Chapters website. It’s listed at Amazon. I have a picture on my sidebar under Eagerly Anticipating, so you would think that she would be broadcasting the book on her website. Not so! It’s not even mentioned and it’s coming out next month. I want details! I want the anticipation to build. It makes no sense to me that if you are an author and you have a website, why you don’t do your damndest to create buzz.
It doesn't look like her website has been updated much since the end of November. She’s 2 books behind now.

Morag McKedrick Pippin is another example of an author who could do better.

Blood Moon over Bengal her debut, is a book I thought was most excellent. She has another one coming out – sometime (?) Blood Moon over Britain, but there is very little info about it on her website. There is an excerpt but that’s all I could find. Is there a cover yet? When is it coming out? Details authors, us readers want details.

Even if you don’t have much to say, say something. I checked out Pamela Clare’s website. I didn’t care as much for her latest RS, but I’m sure everyone is aware of how much I loved, loved, loved Ride the Fire.

Looks like she has another historical series coming out. There aren’t many details on her site because there isn’t much to tell, but there is enough to intrigue me and keep me checking back for more.

Nicole Camden is an author who seems to understand. It doesn’t appear that there is much happening with her at the moment – and what a shame is that!!! I haven’t read her short story in Big Guns out of Uniform, but I will be buying it when it comes out in mass PP. I hear her story is phenomenal. But she is letting readers know what is going on/not going on with her

Now to balance, a couple of authors who are getting it right.

Jill Shalvis makes it very easy to see her backlist, what she has out recently, what she has coming out shortly, and what she has planned after that. She gets a gold star. Bonus is she has lots of book giveaways. I should know. I won one

Liz Carlyle is another author who gets a better than passing grade on keeping us readers informed. We know what book is coming out this month and what her next two books are, when they are coming out and an excerpt.

A final word of advice from a reader who spends a fortune on books - websites are one of your best ways to promote. Be proud. Boast. Make them a priority and use them to their full advantage!

I'm not normally like this - really

For all those who have witnessed my struggles with pictures, colours, design etc, now that I have a great new look and seem to have mastered pictures – a bit of an explanation as to why I was so insane there for a while on making sure I got things right. Once upon a time, about 2 ½ to 3 years ago at my old job, I was the go to person for any kind of presentation, promotional material, design work, that kind of thing. Mind you it was a rather small branch office and the industry I worked in was not noted for the artsy kind of thing. But nevertheless, I was pretty damned good with the limited resources and limited skills needed if I do say so myself. I had come quite a long way from the days when computers and all things related scared me to death.
Now hindsight being 20/20 and if I knew then what the future held, I would have gotten the heck of there and moved somewhere where I could continue to learn new stuff. But complacency and advancing years kept me where I was.
I remember, before things changed, working a few 12 hour days, happy as a pig in – well you know – working on PowerPoint presentations, designing templates, doing the most awesome special effects; they were cool. I took a few courses on photoshop – I was lovin’ life and lovin’ the job. But, there was a changing of the guard, and they began going to the head office for more and more of the kind of thing I was doing and I did less and less of what I enjoyed doing the most. And with most things, if you don’t use it, you loose it. I was moved into a completely technical position and they slowly began taking away my toys. Designing, presentations and other things like that all that became a thing of the past. And I was falling further and further behind in new technology and advancements.
So here I was, all the things I loved to do – the things I was good at – gone and I was left in a job that was so not for me. I’m not even sure anymore if I could do a decent PowerPoint presentation anymore.
So when I was off work and got into the wonderful world of blogging and I saw some of the amazing stuff that other bloggers could do, well, it reminded me of what once was and I was bound and determined to get back on that horse again. It’s a different kind of horse, that’s for sure, but there are some similarities.
Silly as this sounds, learning all these new things, frustrating as it is when I don’t “get” it quick enough for my liking, rejuvenates me once again. It’s challenging and reminds me of what I was once able to do. When I manage to do something new or something right, it’s an indescribable thrill. And at this time in my life I can use all the rejuvenating and thrills I can get!
So to everyone who helped answer my frantic, probably stupid sounding questions, who worked on the new look, thanks for helping me bring back happy memories.



‘til later

I Got Mail

Whooo Hooo

I had a good mail day. The book I won in Jill Shalvis' contest arrived today!


The Night Before Christmas 


Thanks Jill!


'til later

It seems I'm not the only one

As I make my regular rounds around different blogs lately, there seems to be a certain theme going of depression, not really having much to say and/or not updating as frequently as other bloggers did not to long ago. Not having been in this world long enough – and I don’t think many of us have - I'm still looking for and finding new blogs to read - I don’t know if this is a regular occurrence or not. I know for myself, I’ve started about 4 in the past couple of days and just seem to run out of steam about half-way through. It’s not that I don’t think they are interesting, it’s just the enthusiasm or creative juices or something seems to be lacking.
It’s not a lack of time – that I have. My sons are grown up and don’t need my attention, my husband works afternoons so I have all evening, and it’s summer rerun time so it’s not that the television has any big draw. That will probably change though in a couple of weeks – Lost season II, Without a Trace, Amazing Race, Survivor, and some interesting new shows will draw some of my attention away.
I love baseball and they have a saying in the sport – the dog days of summer. They players are tired and it’s harder to get up for a game unless you are in a pennant race. Most of the players loose a lot of their enthusiasm this time of the year.
I think that’s part of what is hitting blogland.
But I also think it’s more. Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath have affected us all I think. Even if we don’t know anyone personally affected, I think all of us have read about someone who know someone who lost everything. I haven’t been glued to the television watching the coverage. I did watch it for one evening and found myself crying at some of the stories. But I have read a lot of news stories on the internet. I’ve followed a lot of links and reading them has really brought out a lot of negative emotions. Most of all because so much could have avoided. I heard on the news just this morning about a nursing home that had evacuation plans all set, but the owners just didn’t bother calling anyone to come and take out the senior residents. I think stories such as this are going to be coming out for quite some time. I’m also very bothered by the callousness of some people – can anyone say former first lady Bush? And when I read some of the responses on political blogs and message boards – well, it’s just hard to believe the hatred and vitriol of my fellow man.
It’s hard to write a positive sounding blog when there is such chaos and suffering going on. I don’t want to come across as indifferent or insensitive. On the other hand, I don’t want to get to inured in a lot of hopeless emotions that are so easy to get caught up in.
So where is the balance? Do we blog about the good things and risk coming across as uncaring or do we continue on with the positive?
I’ve noticed there are a number of bloggers out there who should be on cloud nine, but they aren’t, they are depressed or sad or weepy. I can relate, I feel that way myself sometimes. On the other hand, I still feel very enthusiastic about this blogging business, my own and reading other peoples. So what do we do, how do we come to terms with being happy and life going on when it’s so bad for so many?


'til later

I love a good read

Almost Perfect - Julie Ortolon

I really really liked this book. Julie Ortolon is a real buried treasure in my opinion. Ever since her first book Drive Me Wild, she has been on my autobuy list but she is an author you never really hear too much about.

In Almost Perfect, three friends, Maddie, Christine and Amy are motivated to change their lives when a fourth friend writes a self-help book using them as examples of what NOT to do. Angry at first, they realize she is right and agree to set about changing their lives. This first book is the story of Maddie. Maddie is a young widow who gave up her dreams of becoming a great artist to tend to her late husband during his bout with cancer. She decides to take a summer job as an Arts and Crafts counsellor in Santa Fe, a city famous for it’s art galleries. She can work during the day and concentrate on her art during the evenings. The only drawback is she will have to work with Joe her young high school sweetheart whose heart she broke years ago.
Joe is less than thrilled to see Maddie again after all these years. Although devastated at the time, he moved on with his life and joined the Army Rangers. After a serious injury ended his army career, he moved back to Santa Fe to help his adopted mother with the summer camp she runs. Seeing Maddie again brings back all the pain he felt when she refused his offer of marriage when they were young.
Eventually though, he gets past his hurt and offers his help with Maddie in establishing her career.
What can I say? I loved both Joe and Maddie. This is a wonderful second chance at love story. Joe is a wonderful hero, a bad boy teenager, still sexy, still vulnerable after all the years apart and wary of getting hurt but Maddie's biggest supporter once he lets his guard down. And Maddie is a wonderful heroine, full of insecurities after being raised in a rather dysfunctional family. The chemistry between these two sizzles and there are some wonderful and tender moments when Joe is vulnerable enough to let Maddie know how much she hurt him. He fell in love with her the first moment he saw her and never really stopped.
The secondary characters are also very well done too. Christine and Amy are good friends and the friendship between the three women is almost as important as the love story between Joe and Maddie. And Mama Fraser, Joe’s adopted mother is a wonderful character too. She and her husband while getting on in age adopted Joe when he was 16 – a wounded troublemaker of a kid and gave him the security to make something of his life. And she’s still feisty after all these years.
I can tell I’ve read a good keeper book, when as soon as I finish, I start it all over again –the second time to savour. I did that with this one. Anyone wanting to try a wonderful author should not miss Julie Ortolon. And the really good news? She has the other two books coming out in October and November so I don’t have to wait very long at all for their stories.
Grade: 4 ¾ out of 5 (Maddie’s insecurities were a tiny bit over the top although I could really relate, so not a 5, but I thought it was even more than 4 ½ if only for Joe alone. This is the first ever 4 ¾ score.

Here are the next 2 that won't be long in coming:

Just Perfect
Christine's story coming in October

and
Too Perfect
Amy's story coming in November


'til later

August TBR Reading Challenge

Keishon's reading challenge for the month of August was the series

Now that the reading challenge for August is over, I’m reporting in.
I love series books. They really can fill a void. For one thing they are a very quick read. I get impatient sometimes when it takes too long to read a book. I can usually read a series in a day. They are generally lighter and fluffier than single titles but sometimes that is just what I am looking for. I think of them as the ice breaker boat. Although it’s smaller and lighter than regular boats, it’s the one that cuts through the ice. This is what series do for me. So I was delighted when I saw what her August challenge was – it wasn’t a challenge for me. So without further ado here is my report:

Title/Author: Her Last Defense – Vickie Taylor – Harlequin IM
Copyright Year: 2005
Synopsis: The hero Clint is a Texas Ranger on medical leave who feels his career is over. Dr. Macy Attois is a research doctor who comes to the small town looking to stop a biological nightmare.
Your Grade: 2 out of 5 – It received 3 hearts at TRR.
New author for you? - No
Would you read more of this author's work? – I read and loved Carved in Stone and look forward to the next one in the series. I don’t think I’ll read another series though.

Title/Author: A Dash of Temptation – Jo Leigh – Harlequin Blaze
Copyright Year: 2003
Synopsis: Dash the hero is the CEO in training for a popular men’s magazine. The heroine (whose name escapes me at the moment) is a florist. He overhears her talking to a friend about a fabulous party she is going to solo and he asks her to be his date.
Your Grade: 2 our of 5 I wasn’t impressed at all with this book. I am always irritated by name dropping in books and this one is chalk full of them. Also, I just didn’t “feel the love” – lots of lust, but no love
New author for you? No, I read one previous books with which I was equally unimpressed
Would you read more of this author's work? – no, I’ve tried a couple of her books now and really haven’t enjoyed them

Title/Author: Nobody Does it Better – Julie Kenner – Harlequin Temptation
Copyright Year: 2000
Synopsis: Paris Summer is a writer of action adventure novels who has used a pseudonym for years. Now everyone wants to meet the author. Bar owner Devin O’Malley takes on the role for a book signing tour and along the way they fall in love. I really enjoyed this one. It had almost a Remington Steele feel to it, a show I loved years ago.
Your Grade: 4 out of 5 – TRR gave it 3 hearts
New author for you? No
Would you read more of this author's work? – Yes. She is an up an down author for me but I very much enjoy her up books so I’ll continue to read her.

Title/Author: A Love Beyond Words – Sherryl Woods – Harlequin SE
Copyright Year: 2001
Synopsis: Allie Green was trapped in her home in the aftermath of a hurricane. Deaf since she was a teenager, she was helpless and terrified. Ricky Wilder was her special disaster rescuer. In the devastation after the hurricane because her home was destroyed he took her into his home. Although he has always been a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy, Allie is different. Allie, for her part, is very wary of getting serious about someone due to her special needs.
Your Grade: 3 1/2 out of 5 – TRR gave it 4 hearts
New author for you? No
Would you read more of this author's work? – Probably.
***Note***
I read this book earlier in the month, before Hurricane Katrina hit. I’m sure if I had read it after, I would have had a much different reaction.

I tried to read different series and I have to say (sadly because Harlequin ended this line) that I like Temptation the best. I was kind of surprised at the results. First off, I usually read more series than this a month but it was a good run of other books so I didn’t get a chance to read more. And second, that I had more disappointing ones than normal. I enjoy series and usually get better results.

Ain't it the truth!

Funny of the day



Too true


'til later

Practice makes perfect so they say

Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen
I stopped at 3 stores today and can't find this one yet.


Lord of Desire by Paula Quinn
Nor this one either


One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle
You guessed it not there.

BUT

The hunger was partially appeased when I found (and bought) this one

Almost Perfect - Julie Ortolon
And the silly cashier wanted to charge me $21.

And now you have witnessed the birth of Picture Monster

Thanks go to Nicole who helped with the birth

I know such wonderful people




'til later

How real is real

I cheerfully admit I’m stealing this idea from Robin and after she saved me from doing a very rash thing.

I cut my romance teeth so to speak, on historical romance. I think most of us old time romance readers did. It’s only the ‘young uns’ that might not have started as avid fans of the genre. I see on message boards posters complaining about “wallpaper” historicals. Those books that are basically written in modern syntax are then set in historical times. If it’s too obvious like most everyone else, this can bother me somewhat too. Not as much as some, but I can be taken out of a story if I KNOW, the author hasn’t done any research.
But on the other hand, how much historical detail do we really want? Times, they were a different back then. The Georgian period, one of my favourite in romance, was notorious for lack of hygiene. People just didn’t bathe back then the way they do nowadays, especially among the lower classes. Even the upper classes were not that hygienic. I think, from what I’ve read, that wigs were a staple back then because they’re heads were covered with dirt and bugs and other assorted nasties. They wore a lot of face paint back then and really, how good could they have looked after a few hours in the hot ballrooms they floated around in. I expect they all smelled pretty rank too. Mennen speed stick deodorant for men and Arrid Extra Dry with fresh baby scent for women just hadn’t been invented yet. But who wants to read about smelly people – Blech. And one doesn’t even want to think too deeply about sex of the oral variety. Yuckers.
The idea of beauty has changed a great deal over the years. Even in these days, you look back at what was cool in the 80’s and it just isn’t that great by today’s standards. At the time I loved the long hair on guys, and I should admit this to my sisters who think I’m shallow ‘cause my main focus on hero’s was the length of his hair, but men’s hairstyles in the 80’s, now that I look back, were horrid. And even I – yes, I confess, used to wear blue and green eye shadow on occasion. Not as much as the Smart Bitches always laugh at in their delicious cover parodies, but I certainly don’t go for that look today. And who all remembers the long hair, parted in the middles so you can’t see the face Marsha Brady look. It’s laughable today. So imagine how truly unbeautiful the people of that era look today. I’ve seen portraits of the people of that day and let’s face it, they just were not that attractive. And the hairstyles back then? Not nice. There was no mousse back then and they used *ugh* greasy stuff. And what about the mutton chop sideburns for men in later times. Does anyone find them attractive today? I don’t.
So when I’m reading a historical today, I use today’s standard of attractiveness in my mind. I don’t picture the hero/heroine in my mind the way the probably looked.
And teeth! We spend a fortune on teeth today, straightening, polishing, whitening, flossing and brushing. Today we have Listerine. In historical times, they didn’t have all that kind of dental care. They didn’t have dentists and orthodontists. I imagine tooth decay was pretty rampant back then. And bad breath. We still have morning breath – well with the exception of myself of course but I imagine most of the people suffered from all day breath back then.
So for those who apply rigid standards in their historicals accuracy, are they really being fair? When you really think about it, is it fair to diss a writer if she is not overly accurate when we (probably) ignore the uncomfortable realities of historicals?

A wonderful rerereread

To Die For by Linda Howard

I can’t remember if I ever blogged about this book before or not. But if I did what the heck. I find it one of the most delightful of all Linda Howard’s books. It was just the tonic I needed.

Blair Mallory is the owner of an upscale gym. When one of her most disliked members is murdered, Blair comes face to face again with Wyatt Bloodsworth, a lieutenant in the police department. Three years ago Blair fell hard and fast for Wyatt but after 3 dates, he never called her again. And she is out to make him pay.
Blair is an utterly and completely wonderful character. She’s one of my all time favourite heroines. She started out as a cheerleader – I can hear the groans now – but wait – she’s smart, she’s funny, she’s wisecracking and best of all she knows her own worth and she’s not going to let anyone mess with her.
She starts out with a bang as she makes a list of Wyatt’s shortcomings. She keeps him on his toes and she does it in such a fun way. In one scene they can’t decide on a movie. She wants chick flick – he wants action adventure. They get to the movies and he just assumes they are seeing the action adventure. But that’s not the way Blair operates. Instead she buys tickets to two different movies. She is constantly doing that kind of stunt and each and every one cracks me up every time.
You notice so far I haven’t really mentioned the mystery part of the book. It was only so so. But it didn’t affect the grade at all since it so utterly charming even with a so so mystery.
What did surprise me about this book though was I went into it with a bit of prejudice. It’s told in the first person and with the exception of the Stephanie Plum books, I very rarely read first person books. But I had barely gotten into this book when I knew it wouldn’t be a problem at all. It’s so well written and Blair is such a delicious character that I didn’t even really notice. Even though we never get into Wyatt’s head, Ms. Howard does such a wonderful job describing him and all his reactions to Blair’s antics that you don’t notice the lack of the hero’s voice.
So if you are looking for a suspense ‘lite’ with engaging characters that will make you smile and laugh, I can think of no better book to recommend than To Die For.

Grade 5 out of 5


'til later

Be sure to check out AAR-Aid

In order to raise money for the Katrina disaster, AAR is sponsoring an auction at Ebay beginning today. Some wonderful authors have donated quite a few 'can't miss' books.
The auction starts at noon.
In case you miss today's there will be a series of auctions.
I know I plan on bidding - once I figure out how.

Thoughts

I haven’t felt much like blogging lately and I suspect I’m not the only one.
First off, after a bit of an absence I want to a gain thank CW, Candy and Maili for the great new look. I came up with the picture and they (I call them blog doctors) did most of the rest. I’m not exactly sure who did what but I know Candy did the banner, CW the guts with major consultation work by Maili.. I also have to thank CW and Jay for holding my cyber hand as I, with closed eyes (seriously I closed them) transferred the old into the new in the late late (or early, early ) hours. My deepest thanks for all the wonderful work.
(Egads I sound like I’m giving an Oscar thank you speech don’t I?)

I like probably everyone else, has been following the news this past week. The following are just some of my thoughts on what has happened this past week. I have watched in horror and anguish along with everyone else, the devastation that Katrina caused. And words almost fail me as I watch what happened and continues to happen in the aftermath. I have read blogs and followed news links and I am beyond appalled at what has taken place. I spent one evening watching the news and was completely confused and horrified as to how news cameras and personnel could get into the convention centre and Superdome, into hotels and overpasses where people were trapped and desperately waited for rescue, but the authorities couldn’t get anyone through. That made no sense.
Another thing that bothers me is the number of people saying now is not the time for finger pointing. I don’t think it’s finger pointing – I think its demanding accountability. There is too little of that anymore. No one wants to be held responsible for anything anymore.
In the case of Katrina and the debacle after, all levels of government hold some degree of responsibility. They mayor certainly for not having made sure someone or some group would be in charge at the Superdome. To a much greater extent FEMA for not having made sure there were evacuation plans. FEMA used to be respected – not anymore. Now they and the president are a cruel joke. What happened to a once great support and warning system? Homeland Security – what a joke - enough said. And ultimately the one who holds the most responsibility is the president. I’m not saying George Bush solely, this is a problem that has been in the making for years and preceding presidents did nothing. But Mr Bush made it so much worse with his successive funding cuts.
I am saddened by the further division this has caused in the US. It seems staunch Democrats think the current administration is completely to blame and staunch Republicans are absolving the administration of all blame and placing it where it does not belong. Why can’t both sides agree this has been coming for years and crosses all political parties.
I have read various comments of such hatred and lack of understanding for the victims. “Why didn’t they leave. They had plenty of warning. I don’t feel any sympathy” This kind of thought terrifies me in it’s lack of compassion and understanding of even the most obvious facts. Many of these people simply COULDN’T leave.
And then the stories that are emerging after make me so angry I can hardly bear it. The young man who took a bus, loaded it with complete strangers and drove to Texas. He should be hailed as a hero, instead at first the bus was denied entry because it didn’t enter through the “proper channels” and then he was accused of looting. This is beyond belief. Even this morning in our local paper there is a story of a family that were accused of “squatting” while they waited for help at gunpoint by law enforcement only released when they offered proof they owned the home. So what if they had broken in? This is a family trying to survive an unprecedented disaster. Should they be punished for surviving? It horrifies me.
Now stories are emerging how help was refused. The city of Chicago offered help. It was turned down. The Red Cross was turned away. What kind of insanity existed in the minds of the power that be to do this? I truly do not understand.

And now it appears the survivors are being screwed by the insurance companies. I read Larissa Iones’ accounts and my heart goes out to her and her family. She related her conversation with the insurance company. It seems the damage to homes won’t be covered in many cases because they don’t have flood insurance. People have spent years paying the high cost of hurricane insurance, believing they were safe in the event of a disaster only to be told they aren’t covered because the damage was caused by flood waters (caused by the hurricane). How can insurance executives sleep at night? How can they not do everything in their power to help?
This rant is in no way directed to the American people. I don’t blame them for any of this. It is the government that has failed its people time and time again. I’m sure, in time the resiliency and caring of the ordinary citizen will triumph not because of the leaders but in spite of them.
I don’t live in the States but I have asked myself could the same breakdown, the same failure happen here should we suffer such a cataclysmic event?
Sadly, I have not the slightest doubt that it can.


‘til later

Under construction

As you can see, I have a new look thanks to CW, Candy and Maili.

As you can see it's still a bit under construction though.

Better posting (read gushing for the blog doctors) coming very soon.

Teaching an old dog new tricks

I got a new computer yesterday. I could say it was an anniversary present to myself but since I didn't really remember it was my anniversary it was more coincidence than anything else.
The old computer, I was comfortable with. I bought it from my former place of employment and it was the very same one I used for quite a while. I knew it's quirks. I knew how long it took to boot up, although like everything else that gets old it was slowing down. It was Windows 98 and it was probably 7 or 8 years old. Ancient in the world of computers. This new one is Windows XP. Somehow I passed right by Windows 2000.
This new one is taking quite some getting used too.
I changed my blog 'about me' recently to reflect that I am still learning more. I must confess right about now I'm not 100% sure that's a good thing. My theory is we were only given so many brain cells at birth and right about now I think I have almost reached my limit of brain cell usage.
It has a CD burner. The CD Rom on my old one was busted so I'm going to have to relearn that. It has 2 outlets to put the CD Rom's in. I don't know which one to use. Since this new computer is a 'pre-owned' one, I didn't get instructions. I have this feeling I'm going to be learning a lot of things by trial and error. I was already beyond my comfort level in a lot of computereze things. Now I'm out of the stratosphere.
On the plus side, Free Cell didn't work anymore on the old one. It does on the new one.
I think the new one has sound, although I haven't been able to figure that out either. The old one had the sound turned off because it was old and more annoying that trying to listen to the halted sounds it made.
I couldn't watch movie trailers or anything with moving pictures. It took forever to download and wasn't worth the effort. It was a bit of a nuisance when I wanted to watch the trailers for Lord of the Ring.
So I will attempt to learn this new one, as long as the brain cells hold out.

'til later

Etcetera time again

Yesterday was my 30th anniversary. Yes, I have been married to the same man for 30 years. Staggering when I think about it. In complete role reversals, I didn’t even realize it was yesterday until I got to work and glanced at the calendar. I knew it was the 29th but I so easily loose track of the days. Because my husband is working afternoons these days we went out for dinner Sunday night instead. He was the one that had to remind me – I was thinking next weekend. In fact, I couldn’t even remember how many years we had been married. Embarrassing, that. I didn’t dare ask, because as I said, in some ways our roles are reversed. I think he would have been quite ticked at me if I confessed I really had no idea how many years we had been married. So I just went along with him and agreed on 30. He also has a better memory of the actual wedding day. Two things only really stand out for me. My parents who lived an hour away were two hours late. To this day I can still vividly recall sitting in the bathtub crying my eyes out convinced they were in some horrible accident on the highway. I even remember calling highway patrol trying to find out if any had been reported. The second incident was a bit funnier. We got married many, years ago, back in the days of David Bowie, Elton John and platform shoes for men. My husband bought himself a pair of those platform shoes only days before the wedding. I don’t think he had time to factor in height readjustment. It was a very, very small wedding and the church we got married in was this tiny little half sized church. Which meant half sized doors. I can still hear the thump and picture everyone wincing when he forgot to duck going in. He asked me at dinner last night what I remembered about the day we got married. I don’t think he was all that amused when I brought those two incidents up. As that was pretty much all I remembered, I had to do the “so what are you’re memories of that day” routine.
When I think back to that time, the thing that strikes me the most is how bloody young we were. I had just turned 21 two weeks before that (yes, yes if you do that math, my secret is out). He was a year older. Not that anyone will ever ask but if%2

Last Summer - Theresa Weir

Not to long ago I mentioned how sad I was that Tom and Sharon Curtis were no longer writing romance. Well I have another author to add to the list. Theresa Weir. Although she still is writing, she is no longer writing romance but rather mysteries under the name Anne Frasier. I have one in my TBR pile but that’s it
I just finished this book and it was absolutely wonderful.

Johnny Irish is a dissolute bad boy Hollywood actor who has come back to his small Texas hometown to participate in their local parade. He is bitter towards the whole town and has planned something else up his sleeve. Maggie is the school drama teacher who has been roped into picking him up at the airport. She was one of the few who were against asking him back but she was outvoted. She doesn’t seem to impressed with his wild lifestyle. Halfway through the parade in one wacky yet poignant scene, Johnny falls off the back of the car he’s riding on. Maggie is horrified when she sees a syringe and assumes the worst.

Johnny is one of the most interesting and vulnerable heroes I’ve read in a very long time. His outward mask of comic actor and dissipated celebrity is hiding a sad and lonely guy who doesn’t really seem to care if he lives or dies. Maggie slowly begins to see what’s beneath the surface and very reluctantly falls in love. What’s different about this book is Johnny is continually leaving and coming back to Hope Texas. The book spans at least two years although book wise they aren’t apart that much. Because Maggie doesn’t really understand how vulnerable Johnny really is, she is constantly hurting him and my heart ached reading about his pain. This is a book that came oh so close to making me cry. It’s rich and it’s deep and it’s surely one that shouldn’t be missed.

After I closed the cover, I went looking for reviews on this book. I was astonished at how hard it was to find any. Neither AAR or TRR have one and Amazon only has two. Theresa Weir has the rights to her books and I remember some months back she posted at AAR wondering if there was much of an interest in her earlier works. IIRC she got a pretty good response. She then followed up that her editor who didn’t think it was a good idea, that there wouldn’t be a demand for them. My question? IS SHE FREAKIN’ NUTS????? I’ve read a number of Ms. Weir’s books thanks to the trading group I’m in and while so far Last Summer is my favourite, each and every one of them is different and unique and a breath of fresh air.
It makes me want to take up a rallying cry to “get them published!” I need to read more by this wonderful author!!

It makes me shake my head yet again at the publishers as I remember one of the reasons she switched to mysteries is they weren’t interested any longer in her romances.

Grade: 5 out of 5

‘til later

Origin in Death

I’ve read all the In Death books. And reread them. And rereread them. And rerereread them – you get my drift. Some, such as Naked in Death I think I’ve read about 4 or 5 times. Others slightly less than that. But I have read all of them at least twice. And always, without exception, I have read faster or skimmed or even skipped past on rereads the mystery side in order to get to the relationship side - or being honest, the sex. So imagine my shock and surprise when 16 books down the line I find the mystery angle of Origin in Death just as compelling if not more so than the relationship angle. This book rocked. I found the mystery in this book very compelling and truly horrifying. And most frightening of all, some years down the line, not beyond the realm of possibility. I’m not going to say anything more about that part of it because this book is still only out in hardcover and I know a lot of people who may or may not read this wait until the PB. I just want to say it was very, very well done.
As far as the relationship side of the book went, well it was as wonderful as ever. We get to see a (for him) nervous Roarke. He decides to invite his newly found family over from Ireland for Thanksgiving. He’s just not quite sure how to handle the fact that he has family now and I think it’s great to see him uncertain for a change. Eve is just as bitchy wonderful as ever. I’m not sure she is someone I would like in real life but I sure do love reading about her. Before I started reading this book there was a rather interesting discussion on the Review board at AAR on whether Eve was being a good wife or not by seeming not to care about Roarke and his concerns. A poster or two thought Eve was too selfish in her career. I must admit I was a little worried that it might sway how I saw Eve, but not to worry. I still didn’t agree with the posters who thought that. Eve was just being Eve – a dedicated cop.
There was a rather astonishing bitch fight between Eve and Dr. Mira. It was nice to see an angry side to Dr. Mira. I’m not sure who was right and who was wrong. A bit of both I think.
It’s amazing to me that after 16 books in the series, I’m not the least bit tired and I hope JD Roberts continues for a long long time.

‘til later

I don't always want a HEA

WHAT? y’awl are probably wondering. How can she not want a HEA?
I was trying to explain this not to long ago and I’m not sure I did a good job in making my point. So before I go on, just to be clear, when I read a romance, while not always wanting a HEA, I DO want the hero and heroine to end up together. It’s more of a semantics thing. When I was young I loved fairytales. And in almost every one, they lived “happily ever after.” But then I grew up and realized that very rarely happens. One of the major reasons I read romance is to get away from real life for a time. But I often enjoy a more realistic romance whether it is in a historical or contemporary. And when I’m reading a more realistic romance, I want a more realistic ending.
As an example I’ll use Darking I Listen by Katherine Sutcliffe. I loved this book but for me, this was not a HEA and I’m glad it wasn’t. Brandon was one screwed up human being and it wouldn’t be realistic to think he and Alyson tripped happily into the sunset. Brandon was going to need major long term help to get him past the trauma he went through.
Anne Stuart’s Black Ice is another example. Can anyone who has read this book picture Bastien and Chloe doing the suburb thing with a SUV, 2.5 kids and a dog? Not me.
And what about the In Death series? When it finally wraps up – and I hope that’s a long way down the road, can anyone imagine Eve being happy? She just wouldn’t be Eve if she were.
Historicals don’t necessarily have the traditional HEA either. The book that got me realizing this is A Season to be Sinful by Jo Goodman. Lily had a very dark history. One of my favourites, Whispers of Heaven didn’t have a HEA to me. I loved the ending for that book, more so because of the ambiguousness of it. It allowed me to create an additional ending; a follow up, in my mind.
I don’t think The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale had a HEA. Samuel was also one damaged dude and I can’t picture him happy.
And while I haven't read either Shadowheart or For My Lady's Heart, they are both in my TBR pile, I don't think either Allegreto or Melanthe would be what we consider "happy" even at the end.
Being happy is fleeting. I can’t say I’m happy all the time. I’m not unhappy, but I think I would almost get tired of being continually happy. I’m pretty sure I would get annoying after a while.
Instead what I prefer in these darker and more intense books is the hero and heroine are enriched by the other person. They grow and they are better people for there loves being in their lives.
Brandon can heal deeper with Alyson as a part of him. Bastian is changed and loving Chloe is the reason. Eve can accept and conquer her childhood scars because Roarke helped make it possible.
I have read books with a somewhat darker theme where the author insisted on giving them a traditional HEA and it made my teeth ache. I can’t read Catherine Anderson any more for this reason. I used to love her historicals and I read a few of her contemporaries and she is a perfect example of an author who insists on making everything turn out just wonderfully happy. Nope not for me.
So for me it’s sufficient and sometimes more fulfilling to have a ATLAEABOTB ending but I can’t really see that becoming an everyday acronym.

‘til later





And Their Lives Are Enriched and Better Off Than Before

My Movies - Postscript

Mali has a movie meme up today courtesy of Angie she tagged everyone on her sidebar. Takes care of everyone in one fell swoop (grin).
I’m at work and it’s one of those days where everything I touch turns to shit so with an hour left to go, I need a break.

Last movie I saw:
At the theatre that would have been Kingdom of Heaven with Orlando Bloom and Liam Neeson. Loved the movie and thanks to reading medieval romance books I knew that the Knights Templar were up to no good without having read The DaVinci Code – I think they were in there. And was Mr. Bloom nice and buff in the movie.

Number of movies in my collection:
Well, I don’t have very many at all so I can name them
Lord of the Ring Trilogy and Lord of the Ring extended DVD Trilogy (6 in all)
Pirates of the Caribbean – I luurrve Captain Jack Sparrow
Roby Roy (don’t know if Mali would consider this a good thing or a bad thing)
Dances With Wolves – Again Mali – I loved this movie
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. I bought this one for the video at the end – really I did.
Field of Dreams (and sticking with Kevin Costner)
For the Love of the Game – best baseball movie - evah
Finding Neverland - Johnny Depp again. Incredible actor
The Phantom – Gerard Butler may not be the best singer but he makes a hell of a sexy phantom
Last of the Mohicans Daniel - Day Lewis as Hawkeye, Daniel Day Lewis as Hawkeye
The Bounty – a young and brooding Mel Gibson yummers. Even though this movie was made years ago, it’s amazing how many of the actors went on to either be nominated or win Oscars – Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Liam Neeson, Daniel Day Lewis. Quite a who’s who it starred.
Do you see a theme here? With the exception of For the Love of the Game they are all period movies. Hmmm – Movie library of a romance lover

All time Favourite Movie:
Field of Dreams – when the ghost of Ray Kinsella’s comes to plays catch – that makes me cry every damn time.
Honourable Mention goes to an oldie Wuthering Heights with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. Although by today’s standards, it is horribly overacted, when I first saw it many years ago, it left a lasting impression of a doomed and tragic love. And there was such chemistry between the two stars.

Favourite Movie Quote:
Well, I’m at work and I don’t remember it exactly so I will have to watch and listen to it for sure when I get home (Yes! Hand pump) but when Hawkeye is talking to Cora under the falls scene in Last of the Mohicans
I think it’s “stay alive, stay alive. I will come for you but you have to stay alive”
“quote to be inserted”
Such intensity and such passion (shivers)

Best Movie into a book:
Without question – Lord of the Rings. When I saw the first movie, I was blown away by how Peter Jackson managed to capture the spirit of the book. All the characters were how I imagined them except Aragorn – who was even better in the movie. Runner up goes to Tim a book Colleen McCullough wrote. The movie starred Piper Laurie as an older woman and Mel Gibson (in his first starring role) as the very handsome yet mentally challenged hero. I believe this movie was made in Australia, which would explain why ‘Hollywood’ didn’t change the script. I was very impressed with how close the movie stuck to the book.

Worst Movie:
Well, I’ve seen a lot of clunkers and I mentioned Thunderpants at Maili’s blog and it does win for ‘I can’t believe they made a movie about this’, but the one when I left the theatre I thought ‘And I paid good money for this’ was the second Star Wars movie. Dreadful story, dreadful acting, dreadful movie. My sister wanted to go see the third one recently, but after the horror that was Attack of the Clones, I didn’t want to. We didn’t.

Book I’d like to see made into a movie:
There isn’t any I don’t think. Considering how Hollywood manages to screw up book to movies, I don’t think I’d want to see what they could do to a beloved book. Plus they would be bound to get the casting all wrong for whatever it would be.

postscript

I listened to it. Listened being the key word as I haven't quite got the hang of things yet.

STAY Alive, I will find you. No matter how long or what it takes, I WILL find you. STAY ALIVE

And in the spirit of fairness

Well, since I shared the historical authors who don’t do it for me anymore, I suppose it’s only fair to do the same thing with the other genres. Keep in mind, just because I say they don’t do anything for me anymore doesn’t mean I still don’t think they are excellent authors. They have all been autobuys and since I have excellent taste, they have to be good.

Nora Roberts. Now Nora and I have an odd relationship although I doubt she is aware of it. I stopped reading her books smack dab in the middle of one of her trilogies. When I think of why I stopped reading her, I think of deep rich chocolate I just overdosed on one day. I think she is a great writer and have no problem recommending her books. But I think up until I quit reading her, I had read every book she had written with the exception of about 3 Harlequins. Trilogies, stand-alone books, harlequin books, and hard cover – I read them all. And then one day, halfway through I just had one too many chocolates. That was it. Couldn’t read/eat another one. I own more books of hers by a long shot that any other author. But even though I gave her up, I’m consoled by the fact that I still love her incarnation as JD Robb. So I still get my chocolate fix, just another type.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is another excellent writer I gave up on. I can point to the exact scene where she jumped my own personal shark. I had been wavering on her for a while. I really didn’t care for This Heart of Mine. I had issues with the heroine. Things didn’t improve with First Lady. But it was the scene in Breathing Room where the heroine made the hero put on not one but two condoms. “Oh give me a break,” I thought. Although I limped through the rest of that book SEP and I were through as a couple. Haven’t read one since and even though her latest one is getting rave reviews, once an author is off my list, it’s hard for them to make it back on. Most especially is it difficult if they are off because something in a book really pissed me off.

The giving up of Jayne Anne Krentz is very similar to Nora Roberts. I gobbled up everything she wrote whether it was JAK, Amanda Quick or Jayne Castle. I loved all three genres she wrote in. But I was in the middle of the Eclipse Bay Trilogy when I just couldn’t read another one. I love her previous books and I’m enjoying BAM’s recent reviews. Sadly about the same time as I stopped reading JAK, I also stopped reading Amanda Quick. I had noticed that she seemed to be leaving the romance side further behind to focus on the suspense. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but with so many other books out there to read and since I take romance over suspense – sigh. She hasn’t had a Jayne Castle futuristic book published for a while but if she ever does, I’m still on for those ones.

I jumped off the Suzanne Brockman bandwagon before she took a huge leap in popularity. I loved, adored, couldn’t get enough of her books until The Defiant Hero. I ‘discovered’ her when Prince Joe was first published and except for the hesitation when Get Lucky came out (due entirely to the absolutely dreadful cover) I couldn’t get her books fast enough. But Meg scarred me and scarred me good. To this day, this remains the only book I have actually physically thrown against a wall. I read the excerpts for the next book once I picked it up off the floor and it just jumped here there and everywhere, even in the excerpt and I knew I wouldn’t have the energy to try and keep up. I still bought the next two in the series Out of Control and Over the Edge but couldn’t bring myself to read them. Yes, I’ve heard they are supposed to be her best, but again, too many books, too little time. Also I prefer books with one major storyline and I don’t think she writes that way anymore. Then I read her Harelequin Taylor’s Temptation and really did not like it so I gave up on those too although she isn’t writing very much for Harlequin these days.

Elizabeth Lowell. To be honest I’m not quite sure why I quit reading her books. I did read one and the angst of the hero got to me and then I noticed this was the case in a few of her books. And I think I found some of her heroes just a little bit too controlling for what I was comfortable with at the time. But I’m willing to revisit her. So if anyone has any recent books of hers to recommend, she is an author that can make it back on my list.

'til later

Livid doesn't begin to cover it

Thanks to Maili who keeps an eye out for all things interesting that I would otherwise miss, I just checked out her link to Candice Proctor’s ‘a note to her romance fans’. Now anyone who has spent anytime reading this blog or following me across cyber world and it’s message boards knows I think Candice Proctor is THE premier romance writer out there. I am in wonderment of this authors ability to tell a story. One of her talents that awes me the most is her ability to write and write wonderfully in different genres. She wrote an excellent medieval in The Last Knight. She wrote a terrific western in The Bequest. She wrote the most beautiful ‘coming of age’ and ‘giving all for love’ story in Whispers of Heaven. She followed up with an incredible ‘South Pacific’ love story in Beyond Sunrise. Each and every book of hers is poignant and beautiful and exemplifies what romance is all about.
Imagine my horror then when I read her letter and saw she has been ‘penalized’ for one of her greatest assets. I am outraged, livid even. If ever I doubted the publishing industry was insane – and I never did – this proves it.
How dare they try and pigeon hole an author of Ms. Proctor’s calibre – and others like her. Can you see the smoke coming out of my ears yet?
I’d write more, but I’m too steamed at the moment.

I shall return when I calm down.

As the historical turns

There’s been a lot of talk among fellow romance readers lately about how hard it is to get into historicals these days. I know where they are coming from. Except for a few notable exceptions such as A Season to be Sinful by Jo Goodman and Passion by Lisa Valdez, I’ve been having a bit of a struggle with this genre too. While once the staple of my reading cupboard, they just don’t “do it for me” for the most part anymore. I have dropped so many former autobuy authors it’s very depressing.
Madeline Hunter exemplifies malaise that has hit historicals. She burst onto the scene a few years ago with some most excellent medievals. By Arrangement, her first book, was about a merchant who wanted to marry a titled heroine. Her writing was rich, vivid, detailed and I thought “Wow”. This was followed up in very short order with By Possession. And if readers thought the first one was different, she hadn’t even gotten started yet. In By Possession, Ms. Hunter broke even more barriers. The hero was a lord and the heroine was a serf. How cool was that? Again, her talent amazed me. By Design followed the same kind of path, the heroine a young noblewoman who had her home stolen and the hero, a craftsman. These are all very good books, which I recommend highly as well as her other medievals that followed. But then something happened to this wonderfully promising author. She switched to historicals and sank to the depths of mediocrity as far as I’m concerned. Because I hate giving up on an author, I continued to read her books but was not impressed – at all. The only one I can say I enjoyed was The Romantic and that was strictly because she created such a wonderful hero. As for her latest, I couldn’t even finish it. This from an author who started out so promising. ‘Tis truly sad
Celeste Bradley is another author I thought showed great promise with her first couple of books. But now she seems to have a severe case of seriesitis. Spy (yawn) book after spy(yawn) after spy(yawn). Way too much of the been there done that. It’s not that her writing isn’t good – but it all blends together so I can’t tell one book from the other.
Christina Dodd was a not to be missed author for me years ago. A Well Pleasured Lady and A Well Pleasured Man – controversial and delicious. I loved them. Her medievals were pretty damn good too. So what happened to her? I stopped reading her books midway through the governess books and haven’t been the least bit tempted to try any since. Bland, bland, bland, safe, safe, safe = boring, boring, boring. She’s off the list.
Jane Feather is another author who lost it as far as I’m concerned. I read all her V books years ago and she became an autobuy but I don’t know, something happened somewhere along the line.
And then there’s Mary Balogh. Ah, Mary, Mary, Mary. I find it so hard to accept that the author of such books as Thief of Dreams, Longing, The Secret Pearl is the same author who’s writing today. I know there are some who still really love her work, but sadly I’m not one of them. I began losing interest with her in A Summer to Remember. I still bought her though until midway through the Slightly series, then dropped her like a led balloon. The dreaded seriesitis had felled another author. This is the same disease that took Julia Quinn.
So there we have five authors that used to be autobuys for me that I’ve lost. It’s almost to the point where I pick up my still-on-my-list of historical autobuy authors with some trepidation. Gaelen Foley is still doing it for me – on and off that is. As is Liz Carlyle, I haven’t had any problems with her books although I almost send up a little ‘please let this be good’ before I start. Jo Goodman doesn’t worry me at all. She is one of the few authors who keeps getting better and better with each new book. (Thought I would end on a positive note)
So for those readers who are having a hard time getting into historicals, I can feel your pain. I’m experiencing the same thing.

‘til later

I know this is a rhetorical question

But why is it that Tom and Sharon Curtis aren't writing any longer?
I read Windflower awhile ago and was devastated that there was no sequel with Cat's story. If ever a book cried out for more it was Windflower.
I recently got Sunshine and Shadow curtesy of Candy and this book is absolutely riveting. It's the kind of book that I almost don't want to read any more of because then I'm closer to the end.
Alan Wilde is a cynical and tired hollywood director. Susan Peachy is an Amish teacher who wanders into his outdoor set. Alan is immediately drawn to the innocence of Susan and casts her in his movie. Along the way these two totally different people fall in love. It's a beautiful and poignant story. The writing is wonderful. I don't know how it ends yet, because I don't want to reach the end but I am so enjoying the journey.

This book is beautiful, just beautiful.

Which brings me to my title. Why oh why aren't these wonderful writers still writing

sigh

Picture brought to you courtesy of Nicole, Jay and Angie who showed remarkable patience with this rank amateur blogger. Thanks! And also the spelling :)

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – Tell me what it means to me

(And I didn't loose it after all - thank you autosave!)

As I blog hop around, one of the current and consistent complaints on writer blogs and apparently on writers groups lists is that romance authors aren’t getting the respect they feel they deserve as writers. But since I am a reader, I’m more concerned with the lack of respect that readers of romance get. And writers think they have it bad? Well IMO readers have it just as bad. As readers, we are faced with potential scorn every time we purchase a romance book at a book tore. And it doesn’t even have to be a book with one of “those” covers. I don’t think there is one among us who hasn’t experienced some kind of nasty comment or raised eyebrow on our choice of reading material at one time or another. I’ve had them a few times. One time I was in the bookstore looking for a romance author who had recently moved to hardcover – can’t remember which author it was now, but the sales clerk who was helping me, almost gave me a disdainful sniff and said she didn’t think romance writers deserved to have their books in hardcover. Now whoever the author was, probably would have been very hurt with this attitude and angry by this comment – as well she should have – but the author will never know. But me, as a reader, was very angered by it. Of course when confronted by this kind of disdain, I can never think of a snappy comment or excellent zinger in return. I always think of great lines later but it wouldn’t be too effective if I pulled out a list on paper and read some of them off.
And how many romance readers are still “n the closet” because they’re not sure what the reaction of friends or co-workers might be? While not in the closet exactly, I don’t broadcast the type of book I read. I don’t promote romance except with fellow readers. When I’ve told people in the past, on occasion, I have gotten that look that somehow I lost a bit of intelligence in their eyes. Co-workers can be brutal to tell. At my previous place of employment, everyone pretty much knew, but it was a slow telling – and I never did find another romance reader there. I’ve come out and my circle of friends all now what I love to read. I recently had occasion to be driving with a co-worker at my new place of employment. We started talking books – she’s quite a reader too it turns out. I took a deep breath hesitated for a few seconds and said, “OK confession time here. I read romance books. I’m balmy about romance books. In fact I have over 2,000 romance books in my collection. I even read Harlequin books sometimes” I let out the deep breath and she looked at me a bit oddly waited a couple of minutes and said “I thought you were going to tell me you’re gay or something, which would have surprised me because I know you’re married and have kids”. We both got quite a chuckle out of it.
But why was it such a big deal for me to tell her? Well, part of it in the general sense is I’m totally a wimp; yeah, I know – but hey some of us have to carry that banner of whimphood. In fact it’s much easier to tell people I’m a wimp and damn proud of it than it is to tell them I love romance and I’m damn proud of it. My family of course know, and some are the most scornful. And it bothers me. A lot. I guess I don’t want the same kind of thing happening from people who don’t know me and love me so well. I don’t mean to sound whiny here – hey that’s just the way it is.
So to authors – I know it bothers them a lot of them when they don’t get no respect. But they ain’t the only ones in that boat. Readers, the ones who buy authors books can’t get no respect either.

Don't you hate when that happens

I wasn't too busy at work so I worked on a post. When I tried to save it my computer crashed - lost everything I had written.
Came home, started again and the computer crashed - lost everything I had written.
I took it to mean it wasn't meant to be
Sigh

Just dropping in quickly

Check out Keishon's blog! She has a most excellent post about the publishing industry and authors without contracts. She says it all!

Reading challenge for July - Historicals

I think Keishon’s reading challenges are a great idea – even though I failed in May and didn’t manage to read a single romantic suspense. I was determined to do much better in July with the historical. I thought it would be a breeze. Unfortunately, most of the books I did try and read were DNF. And there were some biggies in there

My Surrender – Connie Brockway
I usually love her books; in fact she is one of my favourite historical authors but this Rose trilogy has been giving me problems. I didn’t care for the first one, quite liked the second but I couldn’t finish My Surrender. By 1/3 of the book, I still hadn’t warmed up to either the hero or heroine so (sadly) I put it down. I did try 3 times with this one. Will I read her again? Absolutely. I’m looking to see what she can do with RS.
Lord of Sin – Madeline Hunter
She blasted onto the scene with her wonderful medievals t hen switched to historicials and for me they just aren’t the same. Of her latest batch, I only enjoyed The Romantic and The Charmer.
I tried Lord of Sin but again I just couldn’t get into it. I found the hero whiny. Oh woe is me, I inherited a title and I don’t want it. Get over it already! I’m not quite ready to give it up and will give it another try. Madeline Hunter though, is off my autobuy list and on my “get it at the UBS” list

The Rogue by Celeste Bradley
Another one I couldn’t get into. It was the first meeting between hero and heroine that did this one in. She’s hanging upside down on a tree by her legs (twit) which the hero admires. (eye roll). I think Celeste Bradley is a good writer but too many in the series and too many good guy English spies.

England’s Perfect Hero – Suzanne Enoch
I bought this one used because of the buzz on Enoch but one word here – Avon
I enjoyed her contemporary romantic suspense Flirting with Danger, and look forward to more instalments in the series (which aren’t published by Avon btw) but I won’t be reading any more of her historicals.
I also wanted to read The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke which is in my TBR pile but with the frustration I felt with other well-loved authors, I didn’t want to risk another disappointment so I’ll try this one at a later time.
At this point I was so discouraged with historicals that I moved onto to other genres in July.
The month ended with a bang though. A mighty bang. More than one bang (grin) with Passion by Lisa Valdez. She restored my faith in historicals. I loved this one and definitely will read her next one!
So, five attempts but only one finish - sigh
NOTE: Even though it was August when I read this one, A Season to be Sinful by Jo Goodman is also an excellent historical

Keishon’s challenge for August is the series and I’m reading my first one right now.

Since I couldn't think of anything else

I thought I would update my side bar.

I added Cindy (a brand new baby blogger and already better than me - sigh) and I changed my pictures.

As I did this all at once and anyone who has followed my struggles, I'm quite impressed with myself.

I was kind of disappointed though. When I was looking for books "I just had to have as soon as they come out!" , I could only find one (oops - make that two thank you BJ for asking and Angie for answering. Ah well, I'll wait for the buzz for more.

Getting Political

Although I have very strong political thoughts and beliefs, I very rarely “let them out”. It was never my intention to get political with this blog. I've read all about the split between romantica authors and long time RWA members but haven't commented on it as it's more of an author concern and I am a reader and this is mainly a readers blog. But in the case of the fiasco that was the awards presentation at the recent RWA, I do have a few of them. I wasn’t there of course, but I have been reading on blogs and message boards and I know the stories are true. How sad that an award show that was supposed to highlight some of the best and brightest writers the industry has to offer, was hijacked away from them for a political agenda. Whether you are right thinking or left thinking, it really makes no difference. This was an award show. And to use it to promote the political beliefs of the current administration at RWA was wrong.
To be playing the song “don’t worry, be happy” during footage of the Tienanmen Square rebellion is absolutely and beyond belief of normal thinking people.
That authors’ as well known and respected as Nora Roberts and Jennifer Crusie are speaking out against what happened speaks volumes as to the problems within the RWA. It is a mess, a bloody bloody mess.
How does this effect readers? At first glance it doesn’t seem to really. They were awards for writers and, not all that many winners are well known among readers. But it is another symptom I see of the polarizing of America. I see it happening with more and more frequency across message boards. There is a bitterness and hostility growing between the two sides that didn’t exist a few years ago. So you were a republican and your best friend was a democrat – or vice versa. There was still a large middle ground where friendship and tolerance reigned. There seems to be greater and greater intolerance for the other side and more and more finger pointing. What is happening in these times is really scary.
Another real fallout to this fiasco is the damage that could fall upon RWA and romance readers. From what I have learned by traveling around is there was a film crew there from the Canadian cable station Bravo doing filming for a documentary on the romance industry. For those not aware of it, this is a very prestigious cable network with quality programs – probably some of the best in the country. I can only imagine the damage that can be done if this documentary focuses on the award ceremony and their “montage” highlighting the romance industry – scenes of OJ Simpson, of Monica Lewinsky, of Loreena Bobbit for gawds sake. Some of what I’ve read was in this film montage and what was left out makes me shudder.
What can be the fallout? Romance writers and their readers will look like morons. Because some leader and her buddies with more power than is good for them, decided to push their own political agenda.

Space - The continuing voyage

Well, onto my first set of reviews. Two thumbs up and not a thumb down

Unmasked by CJ Barry was the book that got me started again on futuristics. This was my first book by this author but it certainly won’t be my last. I thought it was a great book, full of adventure.
Torrie Masters is the only sister in a family of mostly brothers. She is finally the captain of her own ship. When the ship seems to malfunction, she refuses to abandon ship (space) and much to her dismay she realizes it was only a trick so a band of pirates can steal her cargo. She gives her word not to report them but that doesn’t keep her from trying to track them down herself. She is captured and only saved from slavery when the leader of the pirates Qaade Deter buys her. At first she thinks he is a slaver himself and is determined to see he gets what is coming to him. But Qaade isn’t what he seems. Instead, a former slave himself, he has set up a network to free and reacclimatize as many as he can find. Once Torrie realizes the scope of what has been happening in the galaxy and what Qaade is doing she is willing to readjust her life in helping him.
This book has everything that is good in a futuristic. It has a great hero and a great heroine and great chemistry between them. There’s lots of adventure and I highly recommend it.
Grade: 4 ½ out of 5

The Star Prince by Susan Grant
I read this one all out of order. I had it some time ago, started reading it and when it didn’t grab me, I traded it back in. Later on I read The Star Princess, the third in the series and loved it. I went back and found The Star King, the first book and loved it also. So then I had to read The Star Prince, the middle book. It took a while to find a copy but thanks to the trading group, I got me a copy.
This time I finished it, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other two in the series.
Ian Hamilton is the son of Jas Hamilton, the heroine in The Star King. He has been named the heir of Rom, the hero from The Star King. The Vaad Nash are a very traditional group of people and Ian is determined to learn all he can about their culture and adapt himself to it. Tee’ah is a Vash princess who wants to be a pilot in a society where women are to not much more than ornaments. She steals away from home and takes the job of pilot on Ian’s ship. Ian is tracking down a congress man from earth who is determined that Earth opt out of the federation.
I could never really warm up to either Ian or Tee (as she is known to the crew of Ian’s ship) I found Ian, well, boring. He’s a good guy, trying to do the right thing. Tee is a bit more interesting, but I never really understood what she saw in Ian. I’m glad I read this book as it completes the trilogy and since I’ve loved everything else Susan Grant has written, I will certainly continue to read her books.
Grade: 3 out of 5

Banner’s Bonus by Carole Ann Lee
I mentioned in my blog of introduction to my favourite futuristics that this was one of my favourites. Since it has been years since I read it, I wanted to read it again to see if it stood the test of time. It did. Nick Banner has to be one of the best heroes the galaxy. A charmer and a ladies man, he is the owner of his own ship who delivers cargo across the galaxy. He is asked by one of his best customers Jonathan Loring to “disappear” with Loring’s daughter Tressa when there is threat of kidnapping. Although at first Nick Banner seems like the worst possible choice, underneath his charm, he is an honourable man. The routine assignment turns out to be a lot more than he bargained for and along the way, he is charmed by and reluctantly falls in love with Tressa. As they travel through space there are times when each needs to be rescued by the other. Although Tressa is young and innocent and a bit of a throwback to the heroines in older books, I still thought she made a good heroine and I quite liked her. There is some excellent chemistry between them despite their different natures. But Nick is the one who really stands out in this book. You have to love a guy who give a girl an apology rock.
The book I read was the original published in 1995 and I understand that when it came out in e-book, the author did some rewriting to strengthen the character of Tressa. Since this book will again be reissued in e-book form, I am very much looking forward to the revised edition.
Grade: 4 out of 5

Note: It’s a very rare thing when I do any kind of connecting of the cover of a book to the characters inside. Despite how they look on the cover, I still form my own mental images. This was an exception. I love the new cover with Nick Banner on the front. It made the book even more enjoyable picturing Nick as he appears on the latest edition. Maybe it’s because he reminds me of Duncan MacLeod from the Highlander. Even though I finished this book a couple of days ago, I don’t want to take it down and I think I will move it to favourite covers.
Out of curiosity, I checked out the covers artist’s work from a link at Ms. Lee’s website. Check it out if you want to see some wonderful book covers – Holly Smith at bookskins

All in all, I’ve really enjoyed my latest foray into futuristics and after a brief intermission to read A Season to be Sinful, I plan on going back to them for awhile.