Tis the Football Season

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

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

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

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

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

3 stars of out 5 stars

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

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

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

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

3 stars out of 5 stars

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

Katiebabs (KB)

Winner in the BBAW Giveaway!

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

Cheryl

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

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

KristieJ & Katiebabs Talk Books

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

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

KatieBabs: which book?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KristieJ: Which in turn made Charles so protective.

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

KristieJ: LOL - I love long hair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KatieBabs: what's the name of it?

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

KatieBabs: I have heard of York

KristieJ: So - what would you give Cry Wolf?

KatieBabs: Cry Wolf gets 4 1/2 stars

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

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

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

KatieBabs: Cry Wolf is going in my top 20

KristieJ: Of the year or all time?

KatieBabs: this year

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

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

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

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

Dating da Vinci by Malena Lott

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 ½ stars out of 5 stars.

Katiebabs (KB)

Magic Strikes Cover!

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

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


Katiebabs (KB)

TBR Challenge - September

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Private Eye by Jayne Ann Krentz

Published: 1992

Published by: Harlequin Temptation

Amazon Blurb:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

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

It's meme time - again!

This is a fun one. The rules:

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

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

Robin Hood

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






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

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

Roarke from the In Death books

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

Jackson Rule

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

Gray Rouillard

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

Rob Roy

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September books:

Killer Charms- Marianne Stillings

Heart Fate- Robin D. Owens

October books:

Red Fire- Deirdre Knight

Night Falls Darkly- Kim Lennox

Power Play- Deidre Martin

Where's There's Fire- Maureen McKade

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

Katiebabs (KB)

A contest - Name That Body Part

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




Kate talked me into doing this!


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

The Prize?

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




How to win?


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

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



The winner will be announced next Monday

(see - I did it Kate!!)

Stop By and Say Hello **announcement**

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


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


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



Katiebabs (KB)

So - What IS an alternative?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What other ones do we have?

Twat: Shudder

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

Snatch: Uuggg

Box: Ah, no!

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

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

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

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

Say Goodbye Review

I have always been a big fan of murder mysteries. I am addicted to such television shows like CSI and Law and Order and enjoy reading murder suspense authors like James Patterson, Kay Hooper and Elizabeth Lowell. Another great author who feeds my appetite for these types of stories is Lisa Gardner. The first book I ever read by Lisa was The Next Accident, which was published in 2001. The Next Accident is about FBI profiler, Pierce Quincy who was being targeted by a deranged killer. There is also a bit of a love story between Pierce and a much younger woman, ex-cop Rainie Conner, who is very damaged and afraid of intimacy. Since then I have read almost every single book by Gardner and I love the fact how some of her books will alternate with Pierce and Rainie, and then next will be about Pierce’s daughter, Kimberly, who has followed her father’s footstep and has become an FBI agent herself.

Say Goodbye is possibly one of the best books I have read by Lisa, other than The Next Accident, which introduced me to the author’s world of serial killers, police procedurals and crimes so horrendous that there is no possible way they will ever find the killer. Lisa can sure write some great twists and turns and will not leave you disappointed, because like most of those police shows we watch on television, the good guys always get their man.

FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy is married to another FBI Agent and happens to be four months pregnant. Being pregnant does not slow her down and she is still hard at work solving murders and bringing those killers of the innocent to justice. Her husband Mac wants her to cut back for the good of their unborn child, which Kimberly is seriously thinking about doing, when a young prostitute by the name of Delilah Rose asks for her help. There is a new serial killer on the loose who calls himself Dinchara. He is murdering prostitutes, and before he murders them, he tortures them with his special collection of spiders. Just use your imagination when it comes to his special pets. *shudder* Delilah is afraid she will be another one of his victims and only remains alive because he has made her a pawn in his twisted games. Delilah also happens to be pregnant and will only tell Kimberly what she knows to track this elusive killer. Kimberly knows Delilah is not placing all her cards on the table, but since she is sympathetic, mainly because of Delilah’s pregnancy, Kimberly will take on this case even though she is placing herself in a lot of danger, not counting the health risks to her unborn child.

Dinchara likes to play games and he specifically picks Kimberly to play along with him. Not only is this monster a killer, but he is also a pedophile. Through flashbacks, we see how he was kidnapped by a man who stole him from his bedroom and sexually tortured him for years. He in turn continues the cycle of violence and kidnaps another young boy and abuses him, hoping to mold him into a killer, like himself. The boy he stole, along with Delilah, are very much his victims, but at least he keeps them alive. They are like the spiders he takes care of. There is only one way they can escape him and no longer be his unwilling pupils to his crimes. And to accomplish this, they must give the FBI and Kimberly a run for their money. The final outcome could possibly be Kimberly’s death.

Say Goodbye really tugged at my heart, including such feelings of anger because of Dinchara, a horrible man who enjoys raping little boys, killing prostitutes and using spiders in inhumane ways. It has been a long time since I have read such a villain who sent chills down my spine, and Lisa has done it here with her latest killer. Lisa has written another stellar story with Say Goodbye. I was hooked from beginning to end, waiting for Kimberly to figure out all the clues so she can save lives, even including those of Delilah and the young abused boy who must do Kimberly harm just so they can escape the man who has so much power over them. But, Kimberly is not alone since she has many to back her up, which includes her father Pierce, and step-mother Rainie, who come to help her. It is always a treat to see these two and to finally see them so happy after many years of living under very harsh and unhappy circumstances.

Lisa keeps raising the bar for herself with this on-going series about the Quincy clan. This is not your typical run of the mill serial killer crime. What was really unique, is instead of Gardner just focusing on Kimberly, the main protagonist, the reader sees many points of views that include the serial killer, Dinchara himself and how he became what he is. Also included is the young boy he molested for years and even that of a new victim he has kidnapped. Getting into each of these characters minds brings out some heavy emotions and your heart will really tear up for all of them. You may even feel a bit of pity for Dinchara himself because he is just as much as a victim as those he stalks.

If you have an intense fear of spiders, Say Goodbye may not be the book for you. But for those are a bit stronger and don’t mind those creatures and their master who uses them to create havoc and death, I urge you to try Say Goodbye and the world of Lisa Gardner. You will have some chills and thrills you will not soon forget.

4 stars out of 5

Katiebabs (KB)

Guess That Book

Day 2 - Clue 2

He's a no-nonsense police lieutenant.

****~~**UPDATE**~~****

The book has been guessed! Jessica is this versions lucky winner. It is indeed To Die For by Linda Howard. I love this book and I've read it a number of times now. Readers seem to either love or hate Blair - but I'm in the love her camp.
Other clues would have been:

• Someone is trying to kill this heroine and her inner beach bunny
• He nearly broke her heart years ago
• She is a love or hate type heroine
• This is a rare first person book written by this prolific author
• There is a sequel to this one where someone again is trying to kill this former cheerleader
  

Blogger Spotlight

I mentioned a couple of posts back how I enjoy finding new reader blogs. When I first started almost 3 1/2 years ago, there weren't nearly as many as today. And sadly, some of those blogging when I started just aren't anymore - and I miss them.

But, while new bloggers don't replace them, I do so love finding new romance blogs. Here are some I've discovered lately. They are either new bloggers or new to me bloggers. Hopefully I don't forget any. I bookmark them and then when I remember, add them to the sidebar since I don't use a feed - I do it the old fashioned way. So if I do miss you this post - hopefully I'll catch you next time.

Cindy W of Cindy Reads Romance. I get the feeling she's really looking forward to the new Twilight movie *g*.

Alice from A Book Lover. And she does love her books. (She's with me on To Taste Temptation)

LorieLong from Everyone Needs a Spare - And she's also a Crusader!!

Anna from Anna's Book Blog - a True Blood/Stephanie Meyer fan too.

Amy from Amy's Corner of the World. She needs help with what to read next. That will make 3 Amy's when I add her blog!

Leslie from Leslie's Psyche - and didn't she just review a good book!!

And I don't think I've mentioned Naida from The Bookworm. She reads romance - plus a lot more besides!

AnimeJune of Gossamer Obsession - A brand new one I just found today

Hello to you all and I'm glad I found you!!

Hump Day Wednesday Cover Fun!

It is Wednesday, hump day. I am not a big fan of hump day because I am always wishing it was Friday. But for those who are fans, let's give a cheer because I have proclaimed today to be the best, and the "WTF?!" in hump day book covers!

I just had to start with one of my most anticipated books for 2009:
Hope's Folly by Linnea Sinclair (Bantam, Feb 24, 2009) *This is Philip's story*



Does any one think of Batman? The huge bat looks like the bat sky symbol.


Nothing says romance like a slicked oiled chest, a hawk and a tiger.


Now, where did I put my car keys? Or, I have to go to the bathroom but it is so far away!


How you doin? I tend to bulge in places I shouldn't because of the tumor on my left side.

Excuse me miss, but can I borrow this blue nightie?


Is he servicing himself??


Katiebabs (KB)

Guess That Book

Yep - time for another book giveaway. This time the book up for grabs is a signed copy of I'm In No Mood For Love by Rachel Gibson. DA just recently had a post about the dearth of contemporaries - well, here is a good one.







Again we've begun - here's Clue Number One

She is a successful business owner

Edward Cullen, the True Stalker Hero?

Over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, there is quite a discussion going on about Edward Cullen, the vampire boyfriend of Bella Swan from Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. Sarah finally decided to read Twilight, and eventually reviewed the book and gave it a D+ grade, which I disagree with, but hey, not every book can be agreed upon equally. :D From there, Sarah wondered what is the deal with Edward? What makes all the teenage girls and some adult women become a bit swoony about him?

The great post, What Is It About Edward, raised some interesting things about this character, from him being an alpha hero stalker because he can’t stop watching over Bella. He sleeps in her bed with her every night, awake, trying to hold back his urges for her blood, along with having some major issues mainly because he is a one-hundred plus year old virgin. (This comment about Edward being a virgin is from the actor, Robert Pattinson who will play Edward in the movie Twilight). Apparently Robert didn’t have warm fuzzy feelings for Edward. And the comment he made about Edward being a virgin makes me roll my eyes.

From my point of view, I really don’t see Edward as a stalker in any way. There have been many other heroes from romances past that could be considered more of an alpha stalker than Edward. Take Christine Feehan’s heroes for instance. I can’t help but compare one trait of Feehan’s heroes with Edward for the soul purpose that Edward and Feehan’s heroes have no feelings until they meet their one true love. Other than that, the comparison ends there because, whereas Edward is willing to tell let go of Bella or tell her to stay away from him for her own safety, Feehan’s heroes are alpha jerks, who once they meet their woman, who brings the light and color back into their lives, won’t take no for an answer. They even resort to some type of forced seduction on their part to make the heroine succumb to their way of thinking. They dazzle her with their powers and in the midst of being dazzled, the hero attacks, binding them both for all eternity, just because it is meant to be, or so says the alpha hero.

I have also come to the conclusion that Rainier vel'En Daris Feyreisen from C.L. Wilson’s Fading Lands series is another perfect example of an alpha stalker obsessed male. I am in the midst of reading King of Sword and Sky and I have to admit that Rain fits this profile perfectly. When he is first introduced in Lord of the Fading Lands, he is some sort of raging, killing cat beast who, when he sees his mate, practically scares her into submission where she must accept him. If she doesn’t, he will go insane and kill many and perhaps even die a horrible death himself. Can we a manipulative and crazed SOB? And of course when the heroine, Ellie refuses him, he is much like those Feehan heroes who won’t take no for an answer. Again, is this really what people think Edward Cullen is like?

To me, an alpha stalker hero will do their very best to make the heroine obey them with no consequences to her feelings. In the case of Edward, he may be a little creepy in the sense he can’t help but watch Bella and follow her wherever she goes, but I have to give the poor guy a break. In Meyer’s world, vampires don’t sleep during the day, or even sleep at all. Unless they meet their mate, they are bound to walk the Earth for eternity with no feelings, just the basic one, where the must feed on blood. The deal with Edward and his feelings for Bella, and visa-versa, is the moment they meet. They both have that soul mate moment. Edward begins to feel everything he felt when he was human. Now his urges are raging ten fold and unfortunately Bella is the victim of these feelings.

Many readers think Bella is one-dimensional and has no personality. When we are first introduced to Bella, she is much like Edward. Her life is boring, very ho-hum. She doesn’t care to make friends or where she lives. She is going through the every day motions expected of her. But when she meets Edward, it is like an electric shock, she in turn becomes alive because of Edward.

I can’t help but compare Edward and Bella’s romance to a fairy tale. Theirs is like The Beauty and The Beast tale. I think there is a great deal of comparison with that story and what Edward and Bella have. At first Bella is a bit wary of Edward, but soon she accepted him, warts and all, and even though she knows he may want to kill her, she is brave enough to say to him, I trust you not to hurt me. And because Edward loves Bella, he tries his best not to give in to those beastly urges and kill her.

What about those so horrible “urges” of Edward? In vampire mythology, the drinking of blood is very much a sexual thing, a euphemism for sex. What Meyer does here is give the readers both, the lust for blood and sex, something we have read many times before. Edward’s impulses first and foremost are for Bella’s blood. Bella’s, is for intimacy and sex. What I liked about Edward and Bella’s relationship is the slow build up of this intimacy and combating the desire they have for one another. We see things begin slowly between these two with simple kisses and holding hands. As thing continue to progress between them, into New Moon and Eclipse, their relationship has begun a very sexual one where at one point we see Bella straddling a shirtless Edward and there is some heavy kissing going on, and I assume heavy petting between the two, but the heavy petting is off screen so to speak. Edward still has not given into his urges for Bella even though his craving for other things like the intimacy Bella wants to share with him is stronger. Finally in Breaking Dawn we see the final outcome, which is marriage, and that is where Edward finally gives Bella what she wants. I was so amazed by how well Meyer handled their wedding night and honeymoon. Edward still must sacrifice his most essential hunger for Bella, but these two consummate their relationship that is very satisfying, at least from Bella’s point of view. Bella’s experience is one ultimate fantasy where I expected to see fireworks and stars before her eyes because it was exactly what she always dreamed it to be. As for Edward, his experience was a bit more uncomfortable because he thought he hurt Bella because of his superior strength. Of course Bella didn’t see it like this at all and soon after, Edward and she continued their honeymoon with very happy results.

With this in mind, is Edward really the alpha stalker hero some have made him out to be? He saves Bella from dangerous situations (even though she must be one of the most accident prone heroines in the history of literature), watches over her and protects her when she is vulnerable, especially in sleep, and introduces her to a world of unparallel delight. He gives her wonderful gifts, makes sure she is comfortable and sacrifices himself, allowing the hunger he has for her to remain inside even though, each day he longs to let it break free. He denies himself of her love and punishes himself because he thinks he is not worthy. He wants Bella to have a life filled with joy and happiness and knows that if he continues to be in her life, she may not have that, but still because she wants him, he gives her what she wants most, himself, damaged in some ways even though he may seem to be the perfect package on the outside.

Is this truly an example of an alpha stalker? So, what’s your example of a stalker hero? Does Edward really fit the profile? Can you think of any other heroes in romance that tend to be on the alpha stalker side?

Katiebabs (KB)