Before we begin - and you will also know which book we are discussing this time, I direct you to the newest Quester.
Yep, Anna of Anna's Book Blog has her thoughts on Broken Wing posted. Be sure to check them out.
AND: Leslie of Leslie's Psyche emailed me to tell me about a great interview Judith James did at a blog I've never noticed before - but have now :) You can find it at Yankee Romance Reviewers - and just so you know - they are having a contest for the book!!
And before I start - this is going to be a two-parter for two reasons - one) because it's just so long and two) well - you will see at the end :)
KristieJ: So *g* speaking of books - this brings me to ............. Broken Wing! What did you think of it? KatieBabs: I thought it was pretty good, really enjoyed it and adore Gabriel KristieJ: Pretty good - Katie - you're a tough sell KatieBabs: I felt James put a little too much torturing to the point of me going, oh my god, what more can she do? But I loved Gabriel and Sarah's romance KristieJ: LOL - I didn't think she did nearly the torturing as some authors - Sherrilyn Kenyon for example - but I agree with you - Gabriel and Sarah's romance was so very sweet - but not in a treacly sweet way. More in a touching way KatieBabs: the kissing! KristieJ: They were both - but especially Gabriel - were so innocent. LOL - I know you really enjoyed the kissing. I thought it very tender too - that's why in my review I said he was virginal. Because he was when it came to that aspect Pause (at this point I should point out that there were a number of pauses before Katie got back to 'chat') KristieJ: helllllooooo KatieBabs: oops sorry was watching my man on CSI. Grissom drool KristieJ: Grisom? KatieBabs: William Peterson. Judith James almost writes like Robin Schone but not as erotic, well it was sexy but not omg they did what?? KristieJ: I started a Robin Schone book after I put this one on the shelf but it didn't seem to have the same kind of - I guess poignancy is the word KatieBabs: Schone's books are hard to get through. What is the word about them? KristieJ: LOL - I don't know, I've never read any of them KatieBabs: they are very dark sexually, tortured men KristieJ: What did you think of the second part of the book - the part with Gabriel's journey? KatieBabs: I thought it was very interesting, but a bit rushed. I would have loved Sarah to go find him. Could you imagine that?
*****SPOILER HERE SO I HID IT*****
KristieJ: She did go to find him. She found him in London. He was even more lost then KatieBabs:No, I mean search for him way out...I was so happy Gabriel didn't ho around KristieJ:I was too. I thought it very clever of him - the story he used KatieBabs: I liked his buddy KristieJ: He was good wasn't he? So savoir faire (probably spelled wrong) not matter what the situation KatieBabs: very sly KristieJ: And quite the hound - that one scene Gabriel walked in on *chuckle* KatieBabs: heh heh KatieBabs: I am going to go to bed, snooze time
At this point I confess to a bit of confusion
KristieJ: yea - I think I will too KatieBabs: but we should do an AIM chat for Broken Wing
(pause while I scratched my head)
KristieJ: well ....... - I thought we were. KatieBabs: oh! ...... lol KristieJ: I think I'll catch the tail end of ER - Apparently it's Abby’s last night KatieBabs: I will be in bed dreaming of the days of George on ER KristieJ: And Luca for me. Before there was RICHard - there was Luca KatieBabs: Luca!! KristieJ: I'll save what we have and maybe we will try another time KatieBabs: this weekend? KristieJ: I have to work Saturday and then I'm going to a surprise birthday panama party after that - but I'll be around on Sunday after I get home KatieBabs: will see on Sunday then KristieJ: Oakely dokely. Night for tonight KatieBabs: sleep tight
So - no need to comment on Broken Wing because we did indeed 'chat' about it on Sunday where we get much more into it. That post will be up soon.
However - feel free to comment on Grissom - since *laughing* he obviously was more on Katie's mind. Or who you like better - George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross or Goran Visnjic as Dr. Luca Kova.
I got an email this morning notifying me that two books have shipped and usually when that happens I get them that day.
The two books??
Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb and
To Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt.
This would be opposed to yesterday when I got a bill from Rogers saying I owed them over $400.
Random Thoughts:
I was half way to work this morning when I realized I had done the unthinkable! I hadn’t put a book in my purse! Oh No! Now I don’t always get a chance to read at work – the ideal was in the summer when I could eat outside and take my lunch at unusual hours as to avoid people J But carrying a book in my purse is a comfort thing. One never knows when one might get caught in an elevator, stuck in a two hour traffic jam, decide to make a trip to the doctors office – whatever it might be. So when I realized I didn’t have one, I had quite a dilemma on my hands. Did I turn around and go back home and grab one or continue on? I was already running late since I got held up due to an earlier accident so turning back wasn’t really an option. I was all set to have a day filled with semi-anxiety. But! There is a happy ending to this. I also carry my lunch in a book bag and I’d thrown a TBR book in there some time ago. I remembered this just as I was pulling into the parking lot at work. ‘No book in purse’ anxiety crisis averted!
I have been chatting with some of my fellow romance readers and bloggers, and we seem to all have the same problem about what to do with ARCS or other books we read and can't keep because of lack of space. Some have thought about throwing out their books, and for myself, to throw out a book is the worst thing I can do. If it came down to it, I would put a box of books in front of my house with a big sign that says- "FREE BOOKS!"
Lately, I have been mailing out books to friends and those I have come to know very well on the net as a solution. For some this is too pricey, and the, idea came up about donating books. But the big question is where to donate?
If you are in the same boat as I am, I may have the answer to this problem. Share the Love is a new site founded by romance authors, Maya Rodale and Ann Bleakley, who want you to donate your old and new romance novels to:
"Provide assistance to women in transitional periods of their lives—homeless and domestic violence shelters, prisons and recovery half-way houses—and that help them establish independent lives."
These books would go to the Women in Need, Inc. "Founded in 1983, today serves over 8,500 people including 5,000 children who are homeless and disadvantaged. We strive to restore dignity, promote independence and provide stable housing to vulnerable families who face major obstacles that threaten to destroy their lives. When families find themselves without options, we provide them with housing, skills, knowledge, understanding and support"
If anyone has any other donation places that can recommend, post here, and I will add to the list. Why not share the love and donate your books that can bring happiness to others?
I have - well for lack of a better word - obsessive type personality. When I find something that moves me, I just can't let it rest. Some of you may have noticed that about me.
Besides romance books, I also have another thing that has taken over and obsessed me in the last little while. And that is Dance shows. It started with Dancing With The Stars. I loved that show - did not miss a week of it. And then I could smack myself for coming so late to the party that was going on for a while, I discovered So You Think You Can Dance. While channel surfing, I'd come upon it on occasion and watch, but for some unknown reason it didn't quite 'take' at first. And aren't I regretting that fact!!
But it really grabbed my attention midway through the last season and I was caught - hook, line and sinker and in no time, it became my favourite show.
You see, I think this too embodies romance. The passion, which I love so much in romance is also very evident in dance. The costumes, the intensity, the whole drama or laughter of the dance - no matter what style! It's all just as wonderful as a good romance book.
I found it mesmerizing - these young people with their DEVOTION to dance. The routines, the choreography, the music - I was enthralled!! And then they started advertising for SYTYCD Canada. I counted down the weeks and then days until it started here. I watched the auditions and then they weren't on for a couple of weeks and I lost track of it. With my most grateful thanks - Carrie, who knows A LOT more about dance then I do, emailed me to see what I thought of the first night of the final 20. Tragedy I'd missed it!! But! This little bit has a happy ending - Carrie sent me links and then the replayed the whole show again on Much Music on Sunday night. So I was able to watch it. The final 18 where on again last Wednesday. I started vibrating with excitement round about Monday. I was going to watch THIS ONE live. I LOVED it. Even the routines that weren't so good. But there was one that totally and completely captivated me. So much in fact that as soon as they started, for some reason, this one author kept popping into my head - and stayed there for the entire performance. "Aha!" I thought. This calls for something special! And a contest idea was born. Again the wonderful Carrie came to my rescue. I was emailing her about it and she so very kindly sent me the link. I can't tell you how many times I've watched it already!
So, here is the routine. Whoever guesses which author I was thinking of - well I have a copy of My Lord and Spymaster for the lucky guesser.
(and the fact that I think Nico is sex on a stick has nothing to do with it) And both Carrie and Katie know which author - so they can confirm it - I couldn't keep my excitement to myself until it was up on YouTube. And I'm just about to email said author and let her know.
And I've been a bad contest holder too. There is a winner for the last one - if anyone remembers and I'll be posting very soon!
I always check out this great website for upcoming books and a while back I noticed a bit of a lull in 'Had to Get' books in November and December. "Great!" I thought. "Now I can hopefully get some time to dive into the massive amount of books that I already have - the *cue the music* frightening TBR pile" Most of you will be nodding right about now. But then That Darn Wendy, (sounds like a sitcom doesn't it?) the Wendy who wins in the largest TBR pile, the Wendy who causes me to shake my head sadly and just say 'Wendy, Wendy, Wendy' at the incredible books she hasn't read yet, goes and does posts for books I just HAVE to get!
In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa
Her Warrior Slave by Michelle Willingham
The Rebel and the Lady by Kathryn Albright OK - technically I already have The Rebel and The Lady - but now I have to move it up
If that weren't enough, now I have to shake my head sadly, sigh and think 'Oh, that Ro'. (another sitcom) Yep - another book I Have to Buy
Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
And wouldn't you just know - they have a few copies at the Chapters five minutes away from my house.
I suppose turnaround is fair play though, since they are both planning on getting (and Wendy, I hope reading) a book I recently enjoyed.
It's that time again - time for Keishons monthy TBR challenge. This is my book for October
Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty Publisher: Ballantine Date Published: July 2007
Chapters Blurb:
Rory MacLeod is a bold and powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance–to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald–a bride he does not want and has no intention of keeping. But Rory couldn’t have anticipated the captivating woman who challenges his steely control, and unleashes the untamed passion simmering beneath his fierce exterior.
Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel MacDonald is prepared to use every means possible–including seduction–to uncover her husband’s most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel’s deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she’s always dreamed of with the very man she must betray, and discovers that passion can be far more dangerous than revenge.
I'm still having problems getting 'over' - well you know to what book I'm referring to, so I'm not sure whether I've suddenly gotten tougher or anything else is still paling in comparison. I had a tough time choosing a book this month. At first I was going to read either The Lover or Gabriel's Lady by Robin Schone because for this challenge I like to dig deep. But I started The Lover and knew it wouldn't be fair to the book. So instead I picked a more recent book - Highlander Untamed because part of what makes the whole book buying thing insane is I have the whole series and haven't read any of them yet. I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone with this choice.
This one is pretty standard romance fair. It has some good points. Although it's a Scottish Highlander book, we don't have the faux brogue to try and wade through. I give it a plus for that. On the other hand - Rory is unbelievably handsome, strong, honorable, loyal - in other words - perfect. Isabel is unbelievably beautiful, strong, honorable - except for the fact that she plans to betray Rory for her wicked uncle in order to save her own clan with her father and brothers who never showed her love growing up. But once she falls in love with Rory, she give up this plan and is loyal to his clan, loyal - in other words - perfect. So with two perfect people, the conflict is more external. Rory doesn't trust Isabel. Her clan - the MacDonalds are enemies of his clan the MacLeods (and I kept wanting to say 'of the Clan MacLeod) because her evil uncle broke a handfast to Rory's sister and humiliated her. Isabel is torn because she has a severe case of the hots for unbelievably handsome Rory and Rory has a severe case of the hots for unbelievably beautiful, but he doesn't want to act on them because he is only handfasted to her because King James ordered it and he plans on renouncing her at the end of the year. But as these two perfect people gradually fall in love with each other - I mean how can they not - they are perfect - they each seek to find a way out of their dilemma. And after Rory finds out about Isabel's early plan to betray his clan, he kicks her to the curb and both these two perfect people suffer until they are finally united in love and they live happily ever after.
I know this seems a bit facetious and I suppose it is - and I'm not really being fair. That's going to take awhile I fear. But overall it's a pretty good book. I'm glad I have the next 2 waiting to be read. And while I thought they each took longer than they should have to come up with a plan to be with each other - I did enjoy it. And the love scenes were veryhot. It gets credit for that! I'd say if you enjoy this kind of book, you will enjoy this one.
It looks like some tough times are ahead for the Publishing Industry in general because of the recession that has suddenly hit the US economy. Jane at Dear Author posted about an article from The New York Observer, where it states that it will be much harder for aspiring authors to convince publishers to take them on. So, if you are starting out as an author or trying to get published, tough times are ahead. Hitting the pavement may give you more blisters than you want.
This excerpt in the article especially caught my eye:
"Endeavor Talent Agency’s Richard Abate, who has in recent months done deals for Tina Fey, Heroes creator Tim Kring and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, called this the “tent-pole effect.” Skittish publishers, he said, will flock to books by well-established cultural figures—celebrities, athletes, etc.—which they feel they can count on to achieve blockbuster status just as those books are becoming more in-demand and harder to reel in. Publishers feel vulnerable unless they have at least one such title in their arsenal every season, and as a result they will offer more outlandish sums of money for them than ever. Mid-list projects, Mr. Abate said, the kind of books that have traditionally attracted advances in the $50,000 range, will suffer as a result: For little-known literary authors and journalists, “the advances are going to be lower and it will be that much harder to sell them.”
In fact, he said, these books “might not even get bought. We’ll see how it shakes out, but my guess is we’re going to have fewer purchases, smaller lists, more focused lists, and it’s going to get tougher for all those books.”
Jane also raised a very good question, if this will effect romance sales? I, for one think, people will continue to buy books, especially romance because romance readers are some of the most dedicated and supportive fans of the genre that I have ever seen. For myself, if it came down to buying essentials like underwear or socks, I would sacrifice those things for a book any day. (Perhaps, I am the only one that does this?) And again if you stick to reading paperbacks, they can be quite reasonable in price, failing between the $4.99 to $7.99 range. That is the cost of a beer, a mixed drink at a bar or a sandwich you may purchased to eat for lunch. But trade and hardcovers may suffer because even before the recession, who really wanted to put out anywhere from $14- $32 for a book that is under 300 pages?
Perhaps there is no reason to worry as of yet, because C.L. Wilson posted some uplifting news on her blog last week. Her third book, King of Sword and Sky, reached #35 on the NY Times Bestseller Mass-Market Fiction list last week even with, and I quote- "the financial meldtown, Hurricane Ike's aftermath and gas shortage in the southeast."
Tought times may be ahead, but I believe there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Rather than do another ETA - just check out Jessica's blog - she has a great review of Broken Wing. What a wonderful night!! Two who have succumbed to The Quest and two new Crusaders!! Add to that Simon Baker in The Mentalist and a good, though long book I'm reading and it doesn't get much better.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Update
So Barbara was the blogger in question who was about to watch North and South for the first time. She watched it last night and loved it. But I'm not sure whether she had time to watch the whole movie or just one episode. Ssshhhh - I'm just about to ask her.
My Crusader nose seeks them out! While blog hopping the other day, I noticed that Leya of Wandeca Reads had posted a most luscious video with scenes from North and South in it. "Wait a minute!" I thought. "She said she recently watched it, but I don't remember seeing a post where she blogged about it." So, me being me - a teeny, tiny on the obsessive side - asked her about it in the comment section. She emailed me and said yes, she had blogged about it, but didn't remember to actually publish her post. But she did send me the link. So I direct all Crusaders to Leya's thoughts on North and South!
And.....
I happen to know of another blogger who will be settling down soon to begin watching this for the first time. She plans on watching one episode a night. We shall just see if, like Lay's Potato Chips, she can stop at just one.
You realize what this means don't you?? Of course! Another video
or two
Oh heck!! Why not three!
And now I have to skedaddle!! Tomorrow is TBR day - and I've picked me a big book this time - and *gulp* I still have a ways to go!
*^*^*^*^ETA*^*^*^*^
OK - I obviously haven't skedaddled yet *sigh - this is a addicting place isn't it* But I may as well combine two obsessions!
Rosie - and I quote:
I have absolutely no problem recommending this book to any reader that wants to read a story that has multi-layered and complicated characters
and:
While Gabriel St. Croix is certainly a tortured and dark hero he is not mean spirited or cruel. We, as readers understand him better than the people he meets because we know his back story and his thoughts. This discovery and understanding of Gabriel is an integral part of the reading experience. It's not hard to understand why Sarah Munroe falls in with him.
Mind you - she doesn't give it quite a 6 out of 5.
Be sure to visit her to see what else she thinks of it. I think she likes it. And..... she has one very naughty husband! She has promised to 'get' me for laughing.
I ended up staying just the one night and left after our delicious turkey dinner. I left for a number of reasons - none of which 'cause I wasn't enjoying myself visiting Lisa in the country. But with it being a long weekend, I like waking up on my last sleep-in day in my own bed. I wanted to watch the repeat of So You Think You Can Dance Canada - so Carrie and I can discuss it and I missed it on Wednesday night and Lisa doesn't have cable. And Lisa doesn't have cable so blog hopping is out. Plus Lisa, the country girl now, was going out to ride her horse. But Lisa!! Had a great time I did.
Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
Why this one: I took it with me to the country and started reading because reluctant as I am to move on, I can't keep reading the same book over and over. After 3 readings I need to move on, if only to go back again sometime in the near future. And this one was a different genre and style which is what I needed
Steam Level: nice and toasty warm
Amazon Blurb:Rosalie Ronaldi doesn't have a domestic bone in her body ...
All she cares about is her career, so she survives on take-out and dirty martinis, keeps her shoes under the dining room table, her bras on the shower curtain rod, and her clothes on the couch ...
Nick Romeo is every woman's fantasy - tall, dark, handsome, rich, really good in bed, AND he loves to cook and clean ...
He says he wants an independent woman, but when he meets Rosalie, all he wants to do is take care of her. Before too long, he's cleaned up her apartment, stocked her refrigerator, and adopted her dog ...
So what's the problem? Just a little matter of mistaken identity, corporate theft, a hidden past in juvenile detention and one big nosy Italian family too close for comfort ...
My Thoughts: This was a cute, nice read. Keep in mind I think any thing I read after my last one was going to pale in comparison so I'm going to do my darndest to be objective. This was the story of two people, Nick and Lee who had both determined they were never going to get married or get serious about anyone but despite their best efforts, end up falling for each other. I quite liked Nick. When Rosalie came down with a serious bout of pneumonia, he kind of came and took over, taking care of her, cleaning her apartment, taking care of Dave the dog. You have to LOVE a hero who gets all excited about vacumming! And he's adorable when he's taking care of Lee. I could kind of see his commitment phobia. He's a rich guy who has dated the wrong kind of women. He's out of his element when he meets Rosalie. Rosalie on the other hand, was a bit of a prickly heroine. She kind of ran hot and cold with Nick and me - I couldn't see why *g*. They did both keep important information from each other a bit too long though. And sad to say - the author commited a huge faux paux for me which sadly knocked the grade down. In describing Nick she did the dreaded "comparing him to a well-known actor" thing. In this case, I Do Not Like the actor she used and I spent much of the time trying to rid my brain of that comparison.
****NOTE TO AUTHORS OF COMTEMPORARIES*****
Do Not Do This!! What your idea of a good looking actor is may not be the readers! EVEN IF IT'S RICHARD ARMITAGE, DON'T DO IT!!!! While many may think George Clooney is the cat's pajamas, he leaves me cold for example - and no, that's not the actor in this book *g*.
Instead, picture him in your head; have a poster in front of you - whatever it takes - and describe him in words. We readers are very good at filling in who we think is sexy.
I also found some of the secondary characters a bit dislikeable. Gina - Rosalies assistant was way too intrusive and Rosalie's mother got on my nerves way bad. But if you like contemporaries and are looking for a pretty good one, then I recommend you give this one a try.
Grade: 3.5 out of 5
And one more thing. It's my day up at Readers Gab at Access Romance where in I try and figure out a few things. Pop in to see if I'm all wet :-)
Kim Lenox has arrived on the scene with a news series that takes place in late 19th century Victorian England. Her Shadow Guards series is about a selective group of immortals who have the responsibility of eliminating those souls who are wicked and so very evil. I guess you can compare this series to a paranormal Law and Order or CSI with a historical twist. The first book in this series, Night Falls Darkly, is about the killer, Jack the Ripper who wants to transcend into the Inner Realm and wreak havoc among the immortals there, just like he is doing to the human mortals in London. For some reason he is only targeting London’s East End prostitutes to murder. Since the London police have their hands tied with this killer, there is only one who can stop him, and that is Archer Black, an immortal who works as a Reclaimer for the Shadow Guard. Archer is not alone and has back up in the form of two immortal siblings, Selene, who sleeps with snakes and eats documents, ink and all, to become more knowledgeable against those they must destroy, and her brother Mark, who is Archer’s second in command. Mark likes to one up Archer so he can come out on top and receive the praise he thinks he deserves. These three can hardly stand each other, but because they are trying to achieve one common goal, they must try and get along.
Archer comes across as dark, broody and cold, but he has a weakness, and that is Elena Whitney who he brought back from the dead. Two years ago he was chasing after a rapist, and Elena was caught in the middle. Elena has amnesia because Archer erased all her memories. She is the ward of the mysterious Lord Black whom she has never met. Elena has quite the life of luxury because Lord Black is obscenely rich and she has many things at her disposal. Elena wants to meet her benefactor to thank him, and make him aware that she wants to become a doctor. For the time being she volunteers as a nurse in a hospital close to Whitechapel where most of the Ripper’s killings have taken place. Elena doesn’t care that her life could be in danger because she must help those unfortunate enough not to have good health care. Then out of the blue Lord Black comes to pay a visit.
Elena is already half in love with her guardian because she has imagined what he looks like and how things will be when they will meet. Archer and Elena’s first meeting does not go the way Elena thought it would because he insults her by acting as if he doesn’t know who she is and can’t even remember her name. Elena is heartbroken. Archer feels the same way because he is lusting after Elena, but can’t act on his desires because he is this immortal with all the weight of the world on his shoulder. But that never stopped two characters such as these from denying themselves just because of a bit of an age difference.
For the next few hundred pages or so, Archer and Elena go on their merry way where Elena will continue to find herself in dangerous places just because she feels the need to be super nurse, and Archer goes out late at night where he tries his best to locate Jack, but always fails. Jack is always one step ahead, and not Archer or his fellow underling crime fighters can stop him. Things go from bad to worse when Jack realizes how much Elena means to Archer, and then begins to target her.
NightFalls Darkly should be a chilling atmospheric tale with great action and a wonderful romance. I have no doubt that readers who enjoy the Jack the Ripper legend will enjoy this twist that Kim Lenox has written. And it was also nice to see a change in the setting, especially with Victorian England rather then the same old Regency wallpaper reads being published. But even with these pluses, I found myself finding too many minuses to really want to continue on with the next book in this series. I simply could not keep myself interested with the characters or even the mystery itself. Simply put, I was bored.
My main pet peeve was with Archer and Elena. Archer is just like every other hero I have read in past paranormal romance. His motivations were not clear enough for me to understand.I felt like Archer arrived on the scene and you take him as he is. We had no back story of who he was or why he acts the way he does. We know he cares for Elena, so much so to save her life, but why? What is about Elena that makes him care? I found Elena to be too perfect, especially with her, “I have to save the world!” Mary Sunshine attitude. When we are first introduced to Elena, she is much like Archer, where we have no clue who she really is because of her accident. And when she finally remembers everything, because Archer gives her back her memories back, I felt I was robbed. This build up was very weak in regards to Elena. I also found the chemistry between the two lacking. The majority of the time these two hardly interact with each other, and when they did, Elena would snipe at Archer. He in turn, would just stand much like a little boy with his head down because he had to deny his feelings for Elena. He can’t have Elena because of who he is. Well, we all know where that will go. And when these two have their love scene that is expected, it was not the bells and whistles I was expecting but more like a kazoo that lost its wax paper, as you blow, hardly any sound can be heard. Perhaps it was just me, but my reaction to their love story was more “meh” than anything.
The horrible serial killer, Jack, pops up every so often to taunt Archer. Again I couldn’t find any real enjoyment in that part of the story because Jack is a one-dimensional character with no real traits. This may have been done on purpose because Jack the Ripper is still very much an enigma that has never been solved.
I still give credit to Kim Lenox for coming up with the idea for Night Falls Darkly, but for this reader, I found it just a bit too flat for my reading tastes. (Penguin, October 2008)
It's Thanksgiving here in Canada and I'm off shortly to stay with sister Lisa for a day or two.
So Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Blogger friends!
Thanksgiving in Canada
When is Canadian Thanksgiving?
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October
How did Canadian Thanksgiving begin?
English navigator, Martin Forbisher was looking for a northern passage way to the Orient. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in his quest but instead established a setttlement in present day Newfoundland. In 1578, Frobisher held a formal ceremony to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is not only considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving but the first Thanksgiving in North America! Forbisher was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him, which is now known as Forbisher Bay.
How is Thanksgiving Celebrated in Canada?
To celebrate, Canadians have parades and family feasts (which includes eating turkey). Much like Thanksgiving in the United States, Canadian Thanksgiving is a time for sharing, loving and family reunions. It is a time to be thankful for the past harvest and a time of prayer for good crops in the coming year.
Let's Compare!
In Canada...
Celebrated: Second Monday in October
Why: To give thanks for a bountiful harvest of crops
Year the first celebrated: 1578
On this day Martin Forbisher held a feast to give thanks for surviving his long journey
In the United States...
Celebrated: Fourth Sunday in November
Why: To give thanks for the bountiful harvest of crops
Year the first was celebrated: 1619
On this day Pilgrims held a feast to thanks Squanto (Native American) who had helped the Pilgrims survive the new world by teaching them how to fish, grow corn and by being their interpreter
But before I go, I have to direct you to Lights, Camera.....History. They have some cool stuff going on over there - and GREAT prizes!!
One of the really great things about Blogger Appreciation Week, was the thrill of finding even more new or new to me reader bloggers. And I've been so excited to find some of them. I haven't updated my Blog Hopping sidebar for a bit - I always plan too - but I'm easily distracted. But I do have some of them saved as favourite so I can find them. Here are a few new or new to me bloggers
Barbara of Happily Forever After Now I'm not just saying you have to visit her blog because I happened to be the lucky winner of a gift certificate when I suggested her friend Jen try the Stephanie Plum books. And again not just because I have a Very Strong Feeling she's going to be the Newest Crusader (she ordered North and South and plans to watch it this weekend - with her husband!) And it's not because she also just got a copy of Broken Wing and is going to read it. Nope - it's because her's is a great blog and I'm so glad I found it!!
Sayuri of Book Pron She's another new-to-me blogger whose blog I love to visit!! She just did her first real review and may I just say she did a Great Job!! And the fact that she did it on Mr. Perfect - one of my favourite books, even makes it better. She's given some wonderful quote in there. Made me see again why I love this book.
Beth of Just An Average Carpool Queen (formerly known as Beth) I love her blog too. Funny story though. I'm a 'jumper'. That means when someone comes up behind me, I jump! When I hear a sudden noise, I jump. She has a play list on her blog. I know this! Yet every time I visit, I jump when it kicks in *g*. And another odd thing about Beth's blog - she has two avatars walking and no matter what song is playing - fast or slow - the two avatar people walk in time to the music!! I don't know how that happens???? And she has 2 Keithe Urban songs on said list. Did I tell everyone I saw him in person? Yes, I know. I did. But it's fun to repeat it.
Lady of the Review of GoodBooks, BadBooks and Every Book in Between. Now I don't know if you all know this - but this our own Kaitlin - only this is her review site. And while she changed her header AWAY from Richard (I know! I don't get it either) the one she has now is pretty darn good. I wouldn mind waking up to see him reading next to me!
Heather of Heather's Reading Romance. She has quite a challenge she and some of her friends are doing. They are planning on reading the AAR Top 100 Romance Books. And since I've read over 90% of them, I'm looking forward to some reviews of some Pretty Darn Good books!!!
So that's just a few of my latest finds. I'll do this kind of thing again 'cause there can never be enough. And in that vein - Wendy - Superlibrarian has an EXCELLENT post up at Romancing the Blog and some great advice for us reader bloggers.
(and update. I'm going into unchartered waters here. I just started reading Broken Wing for the third time!!! This is a first people)
Let’s try this again… This morning I wrote a very insightful post about my initial impressions about Broken Wing, which I was able to locate before its release date. A few hours later. I received a few friendly emails telling my post went MIA. After some breathing exercises, where I have calmed down, I will try to the best of my ability to remember what I wrote the first time around. This is a small lesson- save your post in a Microsoft Word document!
*head hits desk*
When Kristie wrote me about a new book that had her jumping for joy, to the point where it would over take her number one favorite book and hero of all time, I was intrigued. Since Kristie is such a big, big fan of Lisa Kleypas’s classic Dreaming of You and Derek, the hero, I would have never expected another author to come along and change Kristie’s mind. New author, Judith James has some pretty big shoes to fill with her book, Broken Wing, and her very tortured hero prostitute Gabriel St. Croix. I was lucky enough to find a copy of Broken Wing a few days ago when I went to Barnes and Noble looking for a different book all together. I wasn’t surprised I couldn’t find the book I was looking for because B&N has this habit of not shelving new books on their release date, but I didn’t want to leave empty handed. To leave a bookstore without a book is simply not done, well at least in my mind. *G* As I roamed the Romance section, which is not a surprise at all, guess what I came upon? Not only did I find one copy of Broken Wing, but two copies, and before its November release date. I left with my bounty, a very happy reader.
*Har har my pun on the word bounty. Bounty = Pirate Romance*
I am right in the middle of Broken Wing and I can say that Gabriel is TORTURED beyond belief! He is one of the most abused heroes I have ever read. This man has undergone every horrible thing you can think of, and if Judith James wanted to, she would have thrown the kitchen sink at him also. This is a man who knows so much about giving physical pleasure and experiencing both emotional and sexual pain but has no knowledge of the word love and what it entails. Until he meets Sarah Munroe, Gabriel is a shell of a man ready to do something to end his suffering that no person should think of. Sarah changes all of that and she becomes his savior and his angel. She gives him his soul back and teaches him about love and respect. Respect is so important here because Gabriel has lost all respect and Sarah does something so very simple, she gives him the respect that all humans deserve. When Kristie mentioned that Gabriel is very innocent in some ways, that is true. Sex and love are two totally different things and Sarah teaches Gabriel about love through a kiss.
A kiss you say? That is correct. I won’t go into great detail about what Sarah’s kissing has done to Gabriel, but it changes everything between them and about Gabriel himself. If you have read the fairy tales where the prince awakens the princess with one sweet kiss, you already know what will happen between Gabriel and Sarah. This is reversed in Broken Wing because Sarah awakens Gabriel that same way the prince awakens his sleeping beauty.
The enjoyment in reading this novel is experiencing the journey a tortured character goes through to find happiness and redemption, essentially their happily ever after. Judith James’s Broken Wing is perhaps one book that has done this so very well. But since I have not finished, I cannot say if I will reach the same opinion Kristie has. I truly hope I do.
I will try and finish reading by the weekend so Kristie and I will have one of our world famous AIM review chats and discuss in full detail what we both like or perhaps dislike about Broken Wing. This is a really great blog event and with everyone on board with the quest, it will be an amazing thing to discuss a new book for weeks or perhaps years to come…
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ But for those who don’t have Broken Wing in their possession, I will give you some food for thought. Notice the two covers down below from Avon that will be published this month. Do you see something very familiar about both of them? Me thinks the Avon cover department is running out of ideas, especially when they have two books, with almost the same exact covers coming out the same exact time.
I’ve been a bit spotty in blogland recently.Here’s the reason why. I have been consumed!! On occasion, I might have been known to go a bit overboard when I read or watch something that ‘gut punches’ me or touches my heart on the deepest level.Well, you are about to see it happen again.
A while ago an author sent me an email asking if I would read and review her book.In the past I’ve always said no (very politely I hope) because I can’t guarantee when or if I’ll get around to reading the book and if the author has sent it, something in me feels obligated to like it – even if I don’t really.So when I got the first email from this author, my immediate thought was to say (very politely I hope) thank you but I must regretfully decline.But then I read the synopsis of the book and I broke the rule I have in my head about this.It ‘caught’ my attention and I wrote back that I would be willing to read this one since it sounded up my alley.
Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, Gabriel St. Croix has never known tenderness, friendship, or affection. Although fluent in sex, he knows nothing of love. Lost and alone inside a nightmare world, all he's ever wanted was companionship and a place to belong. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.
Sarah Munroe blames herself for her brother's disappearance. When he's located, safe and unharmed despite where he has been living, Sarah vows to help the man who rescued and protected him in any way she can. With loving patience she helps Gabriel face his demons and teaches him to trust in friendship and love. But when the past catches up with him, Gabriel must face it on his own.
Becoming a mercenary, pirate and a professional gambler, Gabriel travels to London, France, and the Barbary Coast in a desperate attempt to find Sarah again and all he knows of love. On the way, however, he will discover the most dangerous journey, and the greatest gamble of all, is within the darkest reaches of his own heart.
I finished this book and was beside myself with enthusiasm.In fact I was so full of enthusiasm that one morning I dallied too long reading and had to get dressed for work very quickly.I was still so focused on the book, it wasn’t until two hours in at work that I realized I’d put my top on backwards.I ignored people at lunch so I could read – me!A person who smiles at rummies on the streets of large cities – my sisters still haven’t let me forget the time I smiled and said hi to one in Toronto and he followed us for two blocks.
I knew very early on that this was going to be A VerySpecialBook.So I started emailing people.Ana of Book Smugglers emailed me asking me about something.I told her about this book.Very considerately she gave me the opening so I could wax enthusiastic about it.I emailed Katie about how excited I was reading it.Poor Barbara of Happily Forever After sent me an email asking about a problem she was having viewing the blog and I probably caused her eyes to blur replying very little about the blog problem because sadly, I don’t know how to fix whatever is wrong with it – but if anyone knows I would be ever so grateful for the help.Instead, I almost wrote a treatise on how wonderful this book is.I wrote to Robin (aka Janet at DA) about this book because we have commiserated together in the past about how few deep and luscious romance type books there are these days and I had to tell her about this one.I emailed Jane of DA, asking if perhaps she could review it since DA is MUCH bigger than here.And then Iemailed a wholebunchmorepeopletellingthemaboutthisbookandasking for help in reading it and spreading the word. But not to worry - you will get yours (unless you block me, this rather obsessed reader, from you email) If you haven’t gotten one yet it’s either because I don’t know your email address or I forgot in my excitement.During one of the flurry of emails Katie asked what makes this one so special.So I’m about to try and explain it.Keep in mind what I say, no matter how eloquent, won’t do it justice.
Gabriel is a young man living in complete despair.Since he was given as a very young boy to a French brothel, he has been used by men and women – terribly so.Hauntingly so.Heartbreakingly so.The only thing that keeps him going, that keeps him there, is the protection he is giving to a young boy, Jamie.He is terrified that the same thing will be done to the Jamie that was done to him.When he finds out the family, a brother and sister, of Jamie have discovered his whereabouts after years of searching for him, Gabriel knows it’s his time to escape – except he has no where to go.The brothel is all he has known.So when young Jamie refuses to go with this family he barely remembers unless his friend Gabriel accompanies him back to England, his older brother and sister agree, and Gabriel has a place to go.But he’s not happy.Not unlike Merripen of Seduce Me At Sunrise, Gabriel doesn’t feel worthy.He sees himself a whore and is just waiting for either Ross or Sarah, Jamie’s brother or sister to make a move on him.But Sarah senses there is something worthwhile underneath his hard shell.And slowly, and angrily Gabriel begins telling her about some of his past, expecting her to be horrified and send him away.But instead Sarah is compassionate and understanding.They slowly, over time, fall in love.And it’s beautiful to read.I was close to tears many times.
Sarah is an unconventional heroine.Married against her will at a young age to an old rue, she does the unthinkable and leaves him.He later dies but she is ostracized from polite society.But rather than mourn, she is now liberated to live life the way she wants to.Her brother Ross, supports her, rather than trying to get her to conform.He is very leery of the growing closeness he sees between Sarah and Gabriel since he knows what Gabriel was but he is convinced by a family friend Davey to look beyond the surface of what Gabriel once was and try and see what Sarah sees.
Now in most romances this would signal the end of the book, but not so in this case.Instead in Broken Wing, Gabriel leaves with Davey, a privateer, to try and make his fortune so he can support Sarah.What follows is all Gabriel’s story and his descent back into his personal hell but always with Sarah in his heart.My heart ached, and I mean really and truly ACHED during this part for all that Gabriel suffers and all that he goes through.
Ok – that’s all I’m going to say about the story line.Now I’m going to do my attempt at waxing poetically.
The Characters
Gabriel:You know how I just finished saying that Derek and Kev were on the same number one hero podium?Well – I will always have a special place in my heart for Derek and now Merripen, but Gabriel; he edges them out – just by a tiny tiny bit.He is angry, he is cynical, he is alone, he is bitter, he is innocent, he is lost, he is beautiful, he is virginal in some aspects and he will melt and break your heart.He is Very, Very Special.
Sarah:In many romances where the hero shines, the heroine can take a bit of a back seat.Not so in this case.Not so at all!While much of the book focuses on Gabriel, Sarah is just as important and larger than life as Gabriel.She is the means to Gabriel’s healing.Without her strength, Gabriel wouldn’t become the hero he has.She is compassionate, she is strong, she is caring, she is unconventional, she is intelligent, she is a force to be reckoned with and she is outstanding.She acts just like we always want a heroine to act. She is Very, Very Special.
Ross:He is a loving brother.He wants to protect his sister from harm.He is fair though.He has an intriguing past.
Davey: He is a privateer.He is the voice of reasoning.He is a friend to all who while he holds special feelings towards Sarah, understands when her heart is given to Gabriel.He is guilt ridden over what happens to Gabriel.
Jacques Valmont:He is a true friend to Gabriel when he needs one the most.He is the light to Gabriel’s dark.He is a male slut in a very charming way.
There are other smaller role characters that are just as vivid and compelling.
The Story
I don’t want to say too much at the risk of giving away spoilers, but it has a true ‘epic’ feel to it.I want to say it’s more than a romance, but the romance is at the core of it, so I’ll say it’s a romance plus.It’s so wondrously written that it’s almost as if we were there, fighting along side Gabriel and Jacques.There is a storm at sea where we can almost feel the wind blowing and the waves crashing.We can feel Gabriel’s struggle to overcome his tormented past.It’s dark and at times on the violent side.It’s certainly gritty.But oh how you will love it. And it's also a very hero-centric book.
This book comes out the beginning of November and I STRONLY urge everyone who loves a good historical romance to get this one.Heck, even if you aren’t normally a historical reader, I’d be willing to wager you will like this one.
And a special tip of the hat to Misty, who mentioned this book way back in March in a comment which prompted the author to email me which led to this whole quest to get readers to read this book.
And just so you know – this is an advance notice – I will be visiting.
And now for the grade on this one.I can’t imagine this ever happening again – not to say it won’t – but I don’t see it.
6 out of 5
It simply has to get bonus points for causing this massive obsession I now have going to get readers to give this one a try.
So! Who wants to join me in my quest to get readers to read this book?
We've had The Campaign (to read Dreaming of You)
We've had The Rumble with Sybil captain of Team Sebastian and yours truly captain of the Cravenators
We've had The Crusade with Sula, Katie and myself with all our Fellow Crusaders.
Now is the time for the Quest.
(And if you all are thinking 'she is one odd duck, she is' - Sister Lisa agrees with you)
**~~**~~**~~ UPDATE **~~**~~**~~
In my own words of 'smack me on the head', I never once thought of checking to see if she has a website! (and call me stupid). She does and has 3 excerpts. Here is the link. Thanks to Dev for pointing out my lapse in research*g*
And see what happens when I do these kinds of things while being in an overenthusiastic frame of mind? It was Seton - who *sad sigh* hasn't blogged since April, who first mentioned it.
The latest in Sarah McCarty’s Promises series, is Promises Reveal, about preacher, Reverend Brad Swanson and Evie Washington, the woman he is forced to marry because of a portrait she painted of him naked. Her uncle and mother, along with the loving yet nosy townspeople assume Brad and Evie were intimate, because how would Evie know about certain scars on Brad’s body let alone knowing what he looks like naked? When the story begins, there is literally a shotgun wedding about to happen and both Brad and Evie are not too happy about being the bride and groom. Brad is one of those McCarthy heroes who thinks he is bad, way down to his bones and marrying such an innocent yet troublesome lady like Evie is not a good thing, because what if he impregnates her with his demon seed? Keep in mind this is not a paranormal demon western, but an erotic romantic western that Sarah usually excels writing in the past.
Brad and Evie finally get married after a lot of jibber jabber back and forth, which becomes a very prevalent thing in Promises Reveal. Other than Brad and Evie constantly lusting after each other, and acting on it, they tend to go on and on about their feelings and so forth to the point where Brad becomes so frustrated with his bride, that he ravishes her every chance he can get just to shut her up. Evie tends to grate on Brad’s nerves, except when they are making love. I am all for a good ravishing now and then, especially when this occurs during a very intimate moment in the town chapel between the two. But overall I was very bored with Brad and Evie. Other than both trying to work on a marriage that should have never happened in the first place, there is Brad’s mysterious past that he is trying to keep a secret. And he believes he is really evil because of his father who used to beat him everyday and life he soon led in a criminal gang. As you can see, there is quite a lot of nonsense about Brad being an evil demon spawn.
I had great hopes for Promises Reveal because it is a continuation of a popular series that Sarah first started to write for Ellora’s Cave. We see many past characters from the other Promises book in this one, but unfortunately if you haven’t read those, you will be confused because certain couples appear on the scene talk about past events. So, if you are new to reading a Sarah McCarty book, Promises Reveal is not a good place to start. You do get a small taste of Sarah’s writing style and those smoldering sex scenes she is so well known for, but here they are a bit tame, because after all this is being published by Berkley, a more mainstream line and not an erotic publisher like Ellora’s Cave who allows their authors to expand on the heroine’s flowing cream and the hero’s adoration for certain inmate acts that deals with the heroine’s posterior. (Berkley, October 2008)
2 stars out of 5 stars
Laura Lee Guhrke’s next book in her Bachelorette Girls series called, Secret Desires of a Gentleman, is a fitting title because the hero, Philip Hawthorne, The Marquess of Kayne has many hidden desires for Maria Martingale, who opens a pastisserie, which is a high end bakery for the upper London elite. Philip and Maria have history together because she was his family’s cook’s daughter, and at seventeen, Maria and Philip’s younger brother Lawrence were going to elope. Philip put a stop to that by offering Maria a thousand pounds to leave and never see Lawrence again. Maria couldn’t refuse the offer because she was all alone in the world after her father died, and was quiet penniless. She took the money and did what Philip requested. Lawrence went to the United States and Maria went on to work on her baking craft. After twelve years, the Hawthorne brothers come in contact with Maria again just on coincidence.
Philip thinks Maria is up to no good and will ruin Lawrence’s plans to finally settle down and marry, which he is in the process of courting an American heiress. Philip threatens to take Maria’s shop away from her because he owns the building, but this time Maria won’t slink away because her dream is about to come true, and appeals to Lawrence who is all too happy to make her acquaintance yet again. There is nothing Philip can do, and hopes that Lawrence won’t fall for Maria again because Philip has a very important deal with Lawrence’s future father-in-law.
Maria is on cloud nine because everything she has worked so hard for is coming to pass. But Philip won’t leave her alone because his excuse is to watch over her and make sure she doesn’t seduce Lawrence with her feminine wiles and excellent baking techniques. And before long, these two can’t keep their hands off one another. Maria doesn’t want Lawrence, and longs for Philip, who is so out of her league because of the different circles they belong to. Philip is quite the snob who wants Maria, but can’t marry her because he is a lofty and rich Marquess and she is a just a poor cook’s daughter who will never belong in his world.
Secret Desire of a Gentleman is a sweet and fluffy read and those readers who enjoy this on-going series by Laura will certainly enjoy this latest by her. Philip and Maria’s relationship is very reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s one from that classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. Philip feels Maria is still very much below him, much like Darcy felt Elizabeth was. Philip even asks for Maria’s hand in marriage after an interesting episode in his carriage with Maria, and that proposal reminded me very much like the one Darcy gives to Lizzy. Actually the first few times Philip and Maria see each other, Philip’s disdain for Maria runs very deep. He truly can’t stand her because of what occurred twelve years ago. But then suddenly, for no reason, Philip begins to remember the times they spent as children and his feelings turn from ones of disapproval to lust, and finally love.
Whenever I read a Laura Lee Guhrke story, I always finish with a smile on my face and I did the same with Secret Desires of a Gentleman. Maria is a lovely heroine who won’t back down from those who think they can tell her what to do, which mainly happens to be Philip. I never really warmed up to Philip because he does tend to insult Maria, just because he thinks he is so high and mighty and so right. It was great to see him fall down a notch when he begins lusting after Maria, but again, that came on so suddenly that even when we find out he has kept a keepsake of Maria’s from when she was a little girl, it felt a bit hollow. If the reader can put their opinions aside about Philip’s sudden turn about feelings for Maria, then Secret Desires of a Gentlemen is a great read to loose yourself in for a few hours. (Avon, October 2008)
Who's in the mood to take a gander at some upcoming covers?
Kiss of a Demon King (The Immortals After Dark, Book 6)- Kresley Cole (Pocket, January 2009). A big thanks to Meljean for giving me the 411 about this awesome cover, which is such a vast improvement over the wierd cartoonish, man tittty covers that the Immortals After Dark series have been given. And don't even get me started on the titles that I can't ever remember! Dark Desires on a blah, blah. I can definitely remember this title for sure. :D And I had to share my happiness with Ana at The Book Smugglers who I decided to tag team on this. I have the urge to lick his dragon tattoo (or his horns?). Is it just me?
Synposis:His obsession: the enchantress who surrenders her body, but not her heart. After Sabine, the Queen of Illusions, lures and traps Rydstrom Woede in her lair, the ruthless warrior fights to resist her seduction. But his fierce demon nature lusts for her delicate body and won’t be denied. Even as Rydstrom plots to escape, he still intends to claim Sabine as his own—on his terms. Her downfall: the battle-scarred demon who vows to keep her at all costs. When Rydstrom breaks free, her abducts Sabine, turning the tables. Now she’s the one struggling to resist his delicious torment. With each relentless encounter, Sabine hungers more for her merciless adversary. They were never supposed to want each other this much. . . .If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice to save her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to keep his sorceress?(Thanks for the synopsis Ana!)
Night Huntress (Sisters of the Moon, Book 5)- Yasmine Galenorn(Berkley, January 2009). *Blush* I haven't read this series, but this cover really catches my eye. I like her big knife and her face says "Don't mess with me biotches!"
The Demon King and I- Candace Havens(Berkley, November 2008) I so look like that when I pose with my sword. Love the dress!
Synposis: The Caruthers sisters are heiresses with privilege, wealth, beauty, and brains. But these party girls have something extra. As the Guardian Keys, possessors of an ancient family secret, they hold the fate of the world in their hands. Gillian, the eldest, is a sensation in the art world— this world, that is. In her other world she’s the Assassin, a knockout who snuffs out dimension-jumpers who foul up her personal space. She never expected to join forces with one. But when a plague of murderous demons plunges the earth in darkness, she has no choice but to get a little help from a being who knows his stuff.
I am seeing a theme here. Can you guess what?
Does anyone have some up and coming covers that you can recommend, or perhaps a cover that makes you want to stay away?
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KristieJ: So *g* speaking of books - this brings me to ............. Broken Wing! What did you think of it?
Let’s try this again…
