More work-ish kinda stuff

A bit of background for anyone new here. I work at a place that arranges home care. It's too long a story to tell - but I've been there going on five years. For most of that time I worked in what is called the Access department, where all new referrals come to. I love the department, but last summer a job opening became available covering for a maternity leave. Here in Canada, mat leaves are for a year - one area we so have it going on over you guys in the US - but that's an issue for another day.

This job was in the Supportive Care department where unfortunately for most, it's the end of life and what we offer them most is palliative care. I've been drawn to this area because of my own life circumstances. I was ready for a change when the job came up; it was a department I wanted to try working in and my existing job would be there at the end of my co-workers mat leave - a Win/Win.

Less than a month later I fell on my basement steps breaking my legs in two places resulting in a most interesting month long stay in the hospital and a two and a half month absence from work myself.

{This is exactly what I broke and what they did by the way - is it cool or what?}

But I'm back full time and really enjoying working in the Supportive Care department. But as you can imagine, there are some sad times and sad stories. I fell part of what I offer the team is comic relief. This is some examples of what I mean. Take it away!! And yes - I do include the pictures.

From: J, Kristie
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 10:09 AM
To: My Current Team
Subject: Thought for the day

So – I was watching TV last night – American Idol I do believe, when a commercial came on and I got to thinking. It was the commercial for Mini Wheats and the little Mini Wheat people are all happy and relaxing and even singing in a bowl of hot milk. They seem very mellow and totally enjoying the fact that they have discovered the wonders of hot milk. But they are so sadly obvious to the fact that their little lives are very soon to be dramatically cut short. Because looming in the background are people. Hungry people. People that have spoons in their hands and plan to eat up those happy little Mini Wheat people.

Just thought I’d share where my mind sometimes goes

Kristie J

Client Services Assistant

SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM


***************************************************************
And here is another way I made my team wonder what kind of oddity they are working with. We have, as a group, entered a trivia contest fund raiser coming up soon and this is some communication concerning it:

From: N, Kimberley
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:51 PM
To: J, Kristie
Subject: RE: UPDATE - Trivia Night Event

Yes…thanks Goodness…I on the other hand rely heavily on Tequila!

Kim N RN

From: J, Kristie
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:44 PM
To: My Current Team
Subject: RE: UPDATE - Trivia Night Event

LOL – if you aren’t a winner yourself, the next best thing would be me winning that HUGE basket of wine. I can’t drink wine anymore so should I be the lucky winner, I’d have to give it all away. You would think I would have learned when I could no longer drink gin for the same reason…….or rye…….or rum……..

Thank goodness I still have beer and coolers

Kristie J

Client Services Assistant

SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM

From: N, Kimberley
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 2:41 PM
To: The Team
Subject: UPDATE - Trivia Night Event

Hi Group;

Confirmation today from the event co-ord, our registration is confirmed and table reserved.

Our team name is : CARE PALLS

There will be a registration table at the event. The first member of our team to arrive can pick up our envelope under our team name, which includes question sheets, door prize tickets, sponsor information, etc. A table at the event will have our team name on it, we can all gather there.

Alcoholic(beer, wine & coolers) and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Snacks on our table and intermission food (sandwiches, desserts) are included in the price of the event.

There will be silent auction items and a contest to win a HUGE basket of wines... bring some cash!

Sounds like fun!

Reminder

Date: Sat. Feb. 26

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Somewhere in the city

Kim Nichols RN

(as a footnote - anyone who spent time with me at RWA a couple of years ago will get the wine reference)
***************************************************************************

I went to a Jewellery Party a couple of weeks ago where I learned that wearing multi-necklace strands was all in style. I've been a bit of a bling-aholic lately so I've been having a grand time wearing it all now that I know I can. My fellow Client Service Assistant on the team noticed and I kind of preened when I noticed I had entirely forgot earrings!!!!! I had matching watch, bracelet and multiple strands on necklaces but Oh Noes - naked ears. A little later I could tell my coworker - I shall call her Rebecca - was stressing out. We have an in-office IM system so I IM'ed her out of the blue:

Kristie

Thank GOODNESS I had an emergency pair of earrings on hand is all I can say!!

11:58 AM Rebecca

Did you have to break the glass??

11:58 AM Kristie

Of course - they don't match what I'm wearing - but at least it's something!

11:59 AM Rebecca

You can't have everything!!!

11:59 AM Kristie

No - I think I had them here from before I started using the little earpiece and had to remove them because they are the stump post kinds and I kept hurting the back of my ear when I answered the phone, SLAMMING the metal post into my head hurts!!

12:01 PM Rebecca

It is hard to type when you are laughing so hard.

**************************************************

Although I'm not in the Access department at this time, I'm still on the team email list and get the emails that are sent to the team. This one came today and while it really has nothing to do with me in my current department, I thought I'd answer anyway:

Well, Deborah, I hate to be known as the joy killer – though I know I have developed that somewhat unfair reputation through the years, but I kind of put in for those days first. I put in my request two weeks ago. And since despite my attempts to rectify the situation, on the reception board I’m still listed as working in Access, being the destroyer of dreams that I am, I have the sad task of tell you that your S.O.L!

Unless of course you agree to shovel my driveway for the rest of the winter. I would consider reconsidering if you were to agree to that. And lucky you, it’s really more just my front porch and little walkway to the house as one of my neighbours has been plowing my sidewalk and driveway for me. So I’d say it’s a good deal for you – the two days you want for just some shoveling for the next couple of months.

Kristie J

Client Services Assistant

SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM

From: E, Deborah
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 2:13 PM
To: My Former Team

Subject: Vacation for February 18 and 22/11

Hi team

I would like to take February 18 and 22/11 off. Please let me know if this causes any conflicts within the team for other vacation times. Thanks : )

Deborah E

Client Services Assistant - Access Department

*****************************************************************

You know - there are many, many days I really like going to work

Stuff

So – it didn’t take too long to get the internet back again even though it took longer to get back to blogging. It seems that something somewhere became, um, unplugged. The Engaged Son discovered this when he came over to help me check out my finances so I can help contribute to his wedding. And since he is also The Accountant Son, he put me on a budget. I haven’t really followed one for a long time now – first because I didn’t spend money and then because I did have money so I spent money. But I didn’t really keep track of what I was spending or where. He made up an Excel spreadsheet and since I LOVE Excel and never get to work in it at work, it shall be ever so much fun. Not nearly as much fun as my book list spread sheet, but fun nevertheless.

Now I’m no accountant; numbers scare me, but it did strike me as somewhat odd that at the end of the month I want to see a negative dollar amount. That means this is money I’ve saved. After giving me a somewhat odd look, and probably thinking where did he really come from, he said he could change it if I want so a negative wasn’t a good thing, but I said it was OK. So along with having another spreadsheet to play with (I’ll have to figure out how to do graphs – I really like graphs) he discovered I had an unplugged Wifi thingy. So I’m back online again.

One of the things I discovered while I was internetless – at home anyway – was Mahjong. I don’t know if this is good or bad since it’s replaced Free Cell as my game of chance. I’ve become rather addicted to it I fear. I know that I rock the Crab board, but all the others; the Dragon, the Turtle, the Cat and the Fortress, give me fits. I especially like it when I match the dragons and the seasons for the little noises they make. I have it on my desk top but not on my laptop. I seem to be addicted to it and *gulp* I’ve been known to stay up way past my bed time trying to match all those darn tiles.

And then there is my……..fondness, for The Shopping Channel. It ‘calls’ to me, I was watching not long ago and the Today’s Showstopper was a Velocity Micro Cruz Touchscreen Wifi Tablet. I honest to goodness don’t know what came over me at that moment.

Perhaps it was the deal – from the regular price of $249 to $199. Or mayhap it was the 7 easy pays. But fuck me if I didn’t fold and buy me a Velocity Micro Cruz Touchscreen Wifi Tablet. And I don’t even know what it is!?!?!? I DO know it’s a small electronic device. A small electronic device that I have a crippling fear of. It should be there today. When I googled to see exactly what I bought, this is what it says “

We’ve designed and refined the latest generation of the Cruz Tablet to be powerful and stylish. At just under one pound, the .6” thick Cruz fits perfectly in a bag, purse, or backpack. You’ll turn heads with this stunning Android based dynamo! Key features include:

• Crystal clear 4:3, 800x600 full color capacitive touch screen display – ideal for viewing ebooks and magazines, web pages, and movies
• Built in tilt activated accelerometer
• USB and SD card slot for upgradable storage
• Tons of useful apps and games
• Access to the largest selection of the most popular books with the Kindle for Android app
• Extended life, user replaceable battery
• 802.11n Wifi and full browser support
• Access to the Cruz Market™

What does this mean?? Why did I buy it??? I have an e-reader. I think what hooked me is it’s small and the laptop I have is rather large and heavy and I was thinking when I go on trips I can take it rather than the big heavy laptop. I was thinking I can sit in the living room and watch reality TV and blog and twitter. But what the hell was I really thinking?? I wonder if it has Mahjong?

They 'got' me previously in a week moment. It was the same day I got my new hair style. I was sitting there later with this great new look, still trying to get over the trauma of thinking I was going bald when what should they have on but a product, Ojon Hair Care, that would rejuvenate and thicken my hair. OK - it was the Today's Showstopper, it was a good price and I was sold. What tickled my funny bone though was when they started going on about virgin hair. It took them a while to get to what that actually meant - virgin hair?????? But what it does is put lipids back in our hair - so we would have hair just like a baby's. Now I don't know about you, but baby's hair isn't a big sell for me. It's superfine and let's be honest, many babies don't even hair for a while.

But I was still contemplating the horror of baldness so I got it anyway. I must say I do quite like the shampoo and conditioner but I don't care that much for the mousse. What was most fun though was going into work and telling my coworkers I revirginized my hair.

Recent Read

And I am back!

Actually, it's been a while now since Rye fixed my internet - it's amazing how much better things work when plugged in....and how stupid one can feel when things aren't.



Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis

Why this one: I was in a Shalvis ebook buying mood and discovered this was out in eform and was less expensive than a paperback.

Steam Level: Whew!!If you want to look out the bathroom stall, you’re going to have to wipe off the steam first!

Blurb: Co-owner of the town's only kennel, Lilah Young has lived in Sunshine, Idaho, all her life. Pilot-for-hire Brady Miller is just passing through. But he soon has Lilah abandoning her instincts and giving in to a primal desire.
It's Brady's nature to resist being tied down, but there's something about Lilah and her menagerie that keeps him coming back for more. -

My Thoughts: If I like the heroine of a Jill Shalvis novel, for the most part I quite like the story, her baseball series excluded as she doesn’t know baseball enough for this fan of the game. But other than those two exceptions, I really enjoy her books. She writes GREAT heroes no matter what and she has her guys thanking and acting the way guys would I think. And Brady Miller is no exception. For me, this is where the author shines; in creating believable, delicious heroes. Brady is former military, now working in the hot spots in the world for private contractors. He’s taken a month long leave to help out his two good buddies. His first day back he is run into, literally by Lilah, our heroine, when she runs into the back of his truck. Brady is yummy, yummy, yummy, he’s like love in the tummy. He and Lilah fall fast for each other, but as neither wants any kind of commitment; Brady because he’s leaving at the end of the month and Lilah because she’s been burned before and her life is too hectic for any real commitment. But those frisky little hormones can’t be denied and it doesn’t take too long before the two of them indulge in their lust and indulge and indulge and indulge. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think at times there was almost too much. I love a good love scene as next as the next person reading romance and reading hot romance at that, but at times I couldn’t help but think maybe a little less sex and a little more talking would be in order.

When it comes to Lilah it’s more of a good news/bad news. I liked her – up to a point. She works hard as the owner of a kennel which houses all types of critters and also as a rescuer and placer of abandoned cats and dogs. In addition to this, she’s taking an online course in animal husbandry. There is much to admire about her. She is strong and independent, but at times I almost found her independence almost too annoying. She refuses help – from anyone. She has bad plumbing for example – in her house – and can’t afford to get it fixed. But she won’t let any of her male friends look at it. In a few places she passes the point of independent and falls into stupid territory. Speaking as someone who has not one but two non-working dryers (it's a long story), I would more than welcome some studly dude offering to help fix them - either one.

But overall, I enjoyed this book and was glad for the purchase and electronically closed the book with a happy smile. There were a number of times when I either smiled or snorted with laughter and that always makes me pleased.

Grade: 3.75 out of 5

In case you are wondering where I am......

I'm having internet issues at home. I can't seem to get online. And as I feel very guilty/scared doing this at work, there are those emergencies when I simply MUST risk getting busted . Once things get fixed at home, I'll be back.

Recent Read

The Sergeant’s Lady by Susanna Fraser

Why this one: I loved the cover, I heard good things about it and the price, coming from Carina, was excellent.

Steam Level: Nice and Steamy

Blurb: Highborn Anna Arrington has been "following the drum," obeying the wishes of her cold, controlling cavalry officer husband. When he dies, all she wants is to leave life with Wellington's army in Spain behind her and go home to her family's castle in Scotland.

Sergeant Will Atkins ran away from home to join the army in a fit of boyish enthusiasm. He is a natural born soldier, popular with officers and men alike, uncommonly brave and chivalrous, and educated and well-read despite his common birth.

As Anna journeys home with a convoy of wounded soldiers, she forms an unlikely friendship with Will. When the convoy is ambushed and their fellow soldiers captured, they become fugitives—together. The attraction between them is strong—but even if they can escape the threat of death at the hands of the French, is love strong enough to bridge the gap between a viscount's daughter and an innkeeper's son?


My thoughts: There are some similarities with this book to the one I recently read and reviewed, Sing my Name in that the hero and heroine come from different social backgrounds. This is an English Historical rather than a Western, but other than that they were two different stories.

This one starts out with our hero Will, trying to help a friend who’s in labour while on the move in Spain during the English/French war. The heroine, Anna, comes along to offer her assistance, but it’s soon clean she is married to a real jerk when he rides up and orders Anna away from the ‘riffraff of the common soldier. But Anna has spunk and refuses to leave, instead staying to assist Will, even though neither have participated in a birth before. During this time, a bond is established. Anna admires Will and Will admires Anna, at the same time, recognizing that Anna is married to a very difficult man. Though both fully admit to themselves any kind of relationship is impossible, still, neither can forget the either. When Anna’s husband meets his demise, Anna’s plan is to return to her home in the Highlands of Scotland and Will is part of the regiment that escorts her and a number of wounded soldiers to the coast. They are thrown together again when they are captured by the French and then forced to flee. Their attraction grows but even though Anna’s husband is out of the picture, their different stations in life are still a real barrier.

Like Sing my Name, I found this one to be a poignant story of two people who want to be together, who aren’t quite complete without the other, but who are kept apart due to society. Both are people to be admired. Will is a simple man, yet one to be admired. He entered the army in his youth to seek out adventure and has been quite happy doing what he’s doing. He’s a rifleman in the army and of course while reading I kept thinking of Sean Ben in Sharpe’s Rifles, not a bad picture to keep in mind.

For her part Anna is also a good heroine. She realizes fairly early into her marriage that she has made a huge mistake, but she is doing the best that she can. She is compassionate to others, brave when called for. As with Sing My Name, there is a bit of a road story when Anna and Will are travelling back to his regiment. When they reach it and are forced to remain apart, there is such palpable longing in each of them for the other. If I had any wishes, it would just be that it was longer. I hated to finish this one so soon. But I hasten to add that it was because I was enjoying it; not that I felt it was lacking in any way.


This book was a treat to read and I hope the author has more books coming.

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

Hello There!! It's been a while hasn't it

You have probably noticed a certain lack of presence from me lately. There are a few reasons for a lack of blogging. I don’t like this time of the year. I think I’ve blogged about it in the past, but I just find the ‘Christmas Season’…..difficult. Having said that though, I had a wonderful one this year as opposed to previous years. My sister and I were invited to spend Christmas Eve with Ryan’s fiancés parents home about an hours drive away. I met them briefly when, we shall call her Kay, was trying on wedding dresses. I had a nasty cold that day and wasn’t playing with a full deck so I didn’t catch their names. It was hilarious when I realized the day before that I was going to be spending the night with people whose names I couldn’t remember. It was a long story, including the fact that one of the Case Managers I work for, inadvertently requested to be friends with the OS on Facebook in order to find out the names of K’s parents – you had to be there. Anyway, Lisa and I had a great time and Christmas wasn’t nearly the horror it could have been. But I tend to hunker down and draw in the covers around this time of year.
I’m still wanting a cigarette at times – badly – and never more it seems than when I’m sitting in the computer room. I do have a laptop that I have in the kitchen, but the OS was constantly taking it and it got to be such a pain to keep asking him to bring it back. But now that he’s gone, I have the laptop at my disposal all the time.

And the third main reason I’ve been so scarce is I just haven’t been able to think of much of anything to blog about. Just as most of us go through reading slumps, I’ve been going through a blogging slump. But hopefully it will come to an end soon. In all the time I’ve been blogging this has never happened for this length of time. But a couple of things have occurred to me.
I think my experiment with longer hair is going to be coming to an end. I don’t know if it’s because it’s longer or I’m getting older, or the trauma my body went through when I broke my leg, or something seriously is the matter with me or my mind is playing nasty games on me; I’m hoping it’s the last one. But I seem to losing hair at an ALARMING rate! And I’m starting to get paranoid. Every day in the morning when I brush it, it seems chunks are coming out. You should see it when I wash my hair. I look at my scalp – half afraid to really look at it in case there are large hairless spots on it. I try telling myself that because it’s longer than it’s been in YEARS it’s just the length that makes it seem like I’m losing so much – but I think I’ll go back to short hair – just to ease my mind.

And yet another reason – I have excuse after excuse don’t I? – is sometimes I almost have too much to say and while my motto is why say in 10 words what you can say in 100, I am reminded by those around me who love me to ‘hurry up and get to the point!’ It may take a while to ‘get to the point, but I do try and make the journey most amusing. When I have too much, I’m not sure where to begin and I don’t want to scare visitors away by the ……length …. Of my posts. So I’m a tad afraid of scaring people with the length I can get too

And further to that piece that I didn't quite get around to posting, an update. I did indeed get shorn. And I LOVE it. It's supereasy to take care of and best of all I'm not freaking out every morning when I see the amount of hair that's fallen out.

Other random thoughts. One of my favourite shows these days until the return of SYTYCD just happens to be Hawaii Five O. And the actor who plays Steve McGarrett Alex O'Loughlin - well he sure does put Jack Lord (for anyone who remember the original show) to shame. I guess he was on another show a few years ago, Moonlight where he played a vampire. If I knew then when I know now - or rather saw then what I see now, I just may have watched that show. But I was wathcing another Vampire show at the time. And since I loved it, well, it would have been a very tough choice.

Anyway, the character he plays on Hawaii Five O is very intriguing, a former Navy Seal (a vampire and a Navy Seal - is it any wonder he seems to be the romantic hero typey *g*) But I was channel surfing the other day and saw he was in a movie with Jennifer Lopez, the back-up plan. *shudder That just seemed so wrong, rough tough Steve McGarret being the love interest of a pregnant J-Lo. That's just a random thought that's been going round my head lately.

In book news - I really need to do a summary of last years reads. Hopefully I won't take weeks to get around to it!

Recent Read

Sing My Name by Ellen O'Connell

Why this one: I was blown away by her other Western (look below *g*) and when I bought Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold and saw that this one was also available in eform at Smashwords for $2.99, I took a risk and got this one at the same time. It wasn't really a risk though as the price couldn't be beat and it's a Western.

Steam Level: I could see through the mist, though there definitely is a cloud of steam

Blurb: Sarah Hammond is the overprotected daughter of passionate Massachusetts abolitionists. Matt Slade is the orphaned son of hardscrabble Texas settlers. Sarah knows about every Civil War battle from studying newspaper accounts. Matt fought in the bloodiest of them under Generals Longstreet and Lee. If Matt and Sarah ever crossed paths, it should have been for an unremarkable moment. He would tip his hat. She would nod and pass on by.

Except as survivors of a Comanche attack, Matt and Sarah spend far more than a moment together. They come to know each other, depend on each other, and love each other. The vicious revenge of Sarah’s humiliated, jilted fiance allows him to say, “I destroyed them.” Did he? Or when Matt and Sarah meet again years later, can they put their lives and their love back together?


My Thoughts: As I said, I was blown away by her first Western and when I finished it and it came to picking the next book to read it was a no-brainer that this would be the one I'd read. As with the previous book, this, THIS is the reason I love Westerns so much. This book is all that I can ask a romance to be; poignant, moving, sad with tenderly sweet funny moments. Both the hero and heroine are to die for great and as with EoS,EoG, the characters are HONEST with each other even though they may not agree.

The story starts out with Matt being mistaken for an outlaw by a couple of bounty hunters. The fact that they have the wrong guy doesn't bother them at all. It picks up after the two bounty hunters and their prisoner have joined an army wagon train heading west. Sarah is headed west to join her fiance, and army officer. She's not in love with him, but is going along with the engagement as she thinks he is better than she can expect and her parents are quite impressed with him. During their journey, she is horrified at the way Matt, our prisoner is being treated and she takes measures to make sure he is treated more humanely. Not long after this, the entire party is attacked by Indians and Matt and Sarah are the only survivors. While Sarah has lived a life of pampered luxury, Matt is well versed in how to survive and the two of them head out to try and make it to the nearest fort. As it's just the two of them, they get to know each other very well. Sarah soon realizes that Matt couldn't possibly be the criminal he was under guard for and for his part, while Matt realizes that Sarah has lead an entirely different kind of life than he has, he admires her tremendously for her 'pluck'. Along the way they fall deeply in love and while Matt is aware of the difference in their stations, he succumbs to the growing love between them. Because they spend time talking, and getting to know each other, the reader can feel the love developing between them. Unlike many a romance where the hero/heroine only have a surface knowledge before declaring their love, with Matt and Sarah, we know it's solid, but undeclared on Matt's side.

They finally make it almost to the fort where they are headed before giving in to hunger, thirst and exhaustion. When Sarah awakens, it's too a livid fiance; a fiance with power who doesn't hesitate to use it. Matt is sent to jail on trumped up charges and Sarah reputation is ruined. At this point there is a separation between them and those reader who aren't fans of long separations may be disappointed in this next section. But it didn't bother me as I was loving the story and I felt that this parting was necessary. The time focuses on Sarah and how her life is a struggle and yet she is so determined to wait for Matt no matter what obstacles are thrown in her way. It serves as a real transition time for her from a somewhat helpless young woman unsure of her own strength into a woman with loyalty, patience and, well, true grit who will survive anything.

Matt is finally released from prison and takes up with a gang of gunslingers. While they don't do anything illegal, they skirt the line at times. He believes the time is lost where he and Sarah could have made a go of it, but Sarah has never faltered in her love for Matt and when circumstances bring them together once more, she absolutely refuses to take no for an answer. I've mentioned before how I love it when a hero is gone for the hero but in this story it is Sarah who is completely gone for Matt. Obstacles? What obstacles. The only one she sees is Matt himself and simply will not take no for an answer.

Sing My Name is simply..... beautiful. It's gritty at times and not easy to read in some places but it's balance out with gently humour and a hero who no matter what life throws at him, meets it with a level headed kind of acceptance. While he had every right to be bitter and angry, he's mature enough to know that he would be the one hurt the most. Sing My Name is REAL. The characters are wonderfully written, from Matt and Sarah, both young and innocent at the start of the book, to mature and capable at the end. The secondary characters are also so very well done. The gang of men Matt is a member of come alive, two in particular. A very dear friend of Sarah betrays her and while she did it thinking it was in Sarah's best interest, there is no simple forgiveness that often drives us readers nuts.

I loved Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold but I think I love this one just a tiny bit more. I know I'll be reading both of them over and over. And I still think it's crazy that she doesn't have a contract with a NY publisher!!

Grade: 5 out of 5

Recent Read - and update

Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O'Connell

Genre: Western

Why this one: I read a thread on it at All About Romance and it sounded interesting. They were highly recommending it; it was a western and I love westerns so it was a given.....

Steam Level: Starts off cool and slowly comes to a full rolling boil

Blurb: Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold is a story of romance and family conflicts set in Colorado in 1885. Anne Wells has embarrassed her rigidly proper family since she was a child with occasional but grievous lapses from ladylike behavior. They blame those lapses for the disgraceful fact that she is a spinster at 28. Cord Bennett, the son of his father's second marriage to a Cheyenne woman, is more than an embarrassment to his well-to-do family of ranchers and lawyers - they are ashamed and afraid of their black sheep. When Anne and Cord are found alone together, her father's fury leads to violence. Cord's family accepts that the fault is his. Can Anne and Cord use the freedom of being condemned for sins they didn't commit to make a life together? Or will their disapproving, interfering families tear them apart?

My Thoughts: Wow!! Just Wow!! I just got this one yesterday. My Kobo was broken and I finally did something about it and called tech support. They were able to talk me through reloading all my books back onto the Kobo and as a well-deserved reward, I decided to order some new e-books. Although most of the posts on the thread at AAR mentioned that it was available either through Kindle (which I don't have) or pb, I decided to check out the author's website and discovered it was available at Smashwords for a Very Reasonable Price. Since my Kobo was working again and I was looking for books, I couldn't download it fast enough!

I started reading around 2:30-3:00 ish and couldn't go to bed until I read the whole book. I finally finished at 1:06 am. Then I couldn't sleep - ack! I think the people at Wendy's substituted a regular coffee for the decaf I ordered. See, I couldn't take time away from reading to make supper so I went through the drive through - not to mention I love their new fries - but I'm getting off topic. So while trying to fall asleep, I kept going over this book in my head, trying to think of how to put down in words how much I loved it and how much it moved me.

It's been a while since I've loved a heroine as much as I love Anne Wells. I think I have a girl crush on her - in a strictly platonic way of course. I love how well written she is. She's open and honest and brave in such a refreshing way. And what I especially loved was how fiercely protective she is of the hero, Cord Bennett, against anyone who she thought was wronging him, including his rather thickheaded brothers. There isn't anyone she won't take on to protect him. There were so many instances when there could have been frustrating misunderstandings, but instead Anne meets the issues head on and handles them directly so there are no festering resentments.

And as much as I love Anne, I love Cord just as much. Although quite reticent at first due to the prejudice he has experienced most of his life, he's more accepting of it and not the bitter kind of hero he could so easily have been. He is matter of fact about his life and while it is a lonely one, he doesn't really expect anything different. That is until Anne comes into his life. They knew each other briefly as children and then their paths cross again when Anne stumbles across Cords farm when trying to run away from a forced marriage. Her father catches her and in order to 'punish' her for her obstinacy, he forces the two of them to marry, and then has his henchman almost beat Cord to death. But Anne stays and nurses Cord back to health and after discussing the situation matter-of-factly, they decide to remain married. Cord is convinced it will only be for a short while; that Anne is too good for the likes of him. But he doesn't count on her sense of honour and her growing love for Cord, and his for her.

This is a great story of two lonely people brought together and discovering they are perfect for each other. Cord has a rather dry sense of humour that I really enjoyed and as mentioned earlier, Anne is ferocious in her defense of Cord. As their love builds, so do the love scenes which makes them even more a vital part of the story. Anne and Cord are friends first so there is not a doubt that this is a couple that will last.

While Anne's father for the longest time seems to be a Very Evil almost cartoonish villain, the author gives an explanation towards the end that makes very good sense. And I quite enjoyed Cord's two older half brothers, Frank and Ephraim. Time after time they misjudged Cord, thinking him a wild man in some of his actions. But instead he had very good reason for all the violence. He just couldn't have been bothered trying to explain himself to his brothers. His attitude makes for some delightful scenes that had me smiling.

{I'm having to go through this and make sure everything in this review is in the current tense as I plan on going back and reading this book again soon, very soon, slower this time so as to savour it the way it deserves to be savoured}.

The only thing keeping this from being a perfect 5 out of 5 is a very small thing that bothered me but probably wouldn't bother most readers. When referring to some of the towns people who let prejudice and anger rule their actions, the author referred to them as 'haters'. This is very much a 2010 expression and took me out of the old west where I doubt this expression would have been used. And since this word and expression just drives me crazy, I wish the author had used another expression. But that is a very, very small niggle in what is almost a perfect book. There was a certain.... distance is the only word I can think of in the first part of the book, a slight failure to connect with the characters. But very soon the author hit her stride and I felt as if I was right along with them, taking the journey of their love story with them.

Grade: 4.975 out of 5

This one gets a very well deserved two thumbs up. At the price it's offered at, and if one has an ereader device, whatever you do, don't miss this heartwarming Western. It's a perfect example of why I love this genre.

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

And in other news - OS has left the building!!! He moved out on the weekend. I almost feel bad about feeling so giddy that he's gone - but I'm resisting that guilty feeling and just wallowing in the giddiness. I can set the temperature at 18 degrees celcius and know it will stay at that temperature. I can go out anytime I want without having to ask him to move his car out of the way. I can go into the bathroom now and look into the sink and not see little whisker hairs. There is no door at the bottom of the stairs now. I don't think he's put my library back - I'll give him a couple of weeks to make himself at home before I start nagging - but nag I will if he doesn't get his butt back here and rebuild my library.





And in even bigger and better news, YS (youngest son) or - let's not hide it Ryan (who has posted the news all over his Facebook page) proposed to his girlfriend last week. AND SHE SAID YES. I'm finally going to be getting that daughter I've been wanting. I told her tonight I've been waiting 30 years for her. They've set the date for October 8/2011 so I'm sure I'll be blogging about it lots in the coming months. I really like her. She asked me to go wedding dress shopping with her and her mom and dad this past weekend. I thought that was so sweet of her to include me. Yep - I'm going to be a mama-in-law and I'm thrilled at the thought

Recent Reads

Unguarded by Tracy Wolff

Why this one: Pure impulse buy. I'm new this year to the Super Romance line and I've really enjoyed most of the ones I've read. When I saw this one at Walmart for 30% off - I just got it.

Steam Level: Not very hot but when you read it you understand why and it makes sense that it wasn't.

Blurb: Rhiannon Jenkins is an events planner on the rise. And her latest client, Shawn Emerson, could make her career. Too bad the gorgeous man insists on mixing a lot of pleasure with his business. In Rhiannon's books getting involved with a client is the fastest way to exit a job. So, no. She''ll resist all his come-get-me looks and tempting offers.

While his charm is easy to overlook, Shawn in the role of confidant and friend breaks down all her best defenses. Suddenly the tables turn and she wants to be close to him. That means opening up about the ugly events of her past is —a risk she hasn't taken before now. Oh, but he could be so worth it!

My Thoughts: Sometimes one regrets impulse buys reckoning they wasted their money. Sometimes one is happy with their impulse buys, glad they went for it. And sometimes one is really amazed at one's own genius in giving into impulse. With Unguarded, my reaction is the third one. I'm amazed at my own genius. This book is really, really, really good. The back blurb isn't written so well and I bought this book almost despite it. One thing that's not mentioned in the blurb is it's a younger hero/older heroine storyline. I like this kind so it was a nice surprise.

Both lead characters in this book were very well done I thought. Rhiannon survived a tragic event in her past - barely. It turned her life upside down and though she is managing to survive, it's a struggle for her. She is less than pleased when she is hired by the younger and flirtatious Shawn, to plan a party he is throwing since his graphic novels have been sold to Hollywood to be made into a movie. Although she is just as attracted to him as he seems to be to her at times, an involvement with a younger guy is not something she plans to give in to. Rhiannon has many facets to her character and I really liked her. She's vulnerable yet stronger than she gives herself credit for. She is working on rebuilding her life and she has come much further than she realizes, considering what happened to her.

And Shawn is an equally great character. I'd say his most charming feature is that he's a nurturer. He realizes very quickly that Rhiannon has suffered something in her past and he is determined to help her. This kind of trait in a hero can be very yummy and it is in Shawn's case. He's not bothered at all by the age difference, another plus in his favour *g*. He does have some reservations though, as his cherishing nature has led him to heartache in the past. But it's really too late as he is totally gone for the heroine.

This book was a very delightful one and I am really doing a happy dance that I discovered this line. The only thing keeping it from being a 5 is I felt it was a scene short. Considering all the work that Rhiannon had done and the party planning was the basis for their meeting each other, I was disappointed that it didn't have that final scene I felt it needed.

Grade: 4.75 out of 5



Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry

Why this one: It was another impulse buy. Being shallow I'll confess that the cover may have had something to do with me picking it up in the first place.

Steam Level: I'd say between warm and hot.

Blurb: Willow Tarata is a Guardian who trusts no one. She hunts those who prey on the vulnerable. And she's driven by a vengeful goal - find the man who murdered her mother. Yet suddenly Willow's quarry now has her on the run....straight into the sights of San Francisco's most dangerous detective.
Three bizarre murders have Inspector Rick Ramirez baffled - and determined to uncover the truth. But to catch the real killer, he needs the help of his prime suspect, Willow Tarata, even though this fierce and sexy blonde is challenging his professional cool. And now, unless they believe in each other and trust their deepest instincts, a relentless evil will end both Willow's and Rick's life - and claim this Guardian's extraordinary powers forever....

My Thoughts: Sometimes one regrets impulse buys reckoning they wasted their money. Sometimes one is happy with their impulse buys, glad they went for it. And sometimes one is really amazed at one's own genius in giving into impulse.

WAIT!

I just said that about the previous book didn't I? But it applies to this one as well - and call me a happy camper that two impulse buys turned out so well! I really liked this one. I liked it so much that despite just buying two books I've been waiting months for, I kept reading this one. I was late getting dressed today 'cause I was so busy reading. I haven't done the housework I had planned because I was too busy reading. Gotta love when that happens.

I adored the heroine in this book. Willow is one tough cookie. She's had to be since her mother was murdered when she was only ten. As soon as she was old enough, she made it her life's goal to track down and wreck vengeance on the man who killed her mother even though Willow only knows him as The Bad Man. After tracking him for years, she finally hopes to corner him in San Francisco, even as she is aware that The Bad Man has probably lured her there. She is on her way to a meet with a private detective she hired when she comes across two dead bodies, the detectives and another man. Also at the scene is a police Inspector, Rick Ramirez. He senses Willow's presence, but because she has some pretty awesome superpowers, he's unable to find her; either that night or at other times when she seems to be at the same scene as other crimes. He suspects her, but doesn't really want to as their attraction to each other is overwhelming.

I really enjoyed Rick's character too. He's a rules kind of guy. He lives buy the book and his world is one of black and white until he's confronted by Willow who is all kinds of gray. Their opposite personalities really made for some great and spicy scenes between them. It was rather fun watching Rick having his carefully ordered world rocked.

The secondary characters were also very interesting - from his rather mysterious herself grandmother, to Morgan, Willow's computer geek best friend and partner. This is the third book in a series about Guardians, a select group of people who have inherited supernatural powers, but even though I haven't read the first two, it was no problem following this story at all. Though I did check my handy dandy spread sheet and it seems I have the first in the series - somewhere in the house. Once I get my library back, I'll have to see if I can find it!

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

Ack!! Again a long absence :-(

I don't know why I've been away for so long. It wasn't planned or anything. I have a couple of theories as to why I've been absent for all this time. BTF (before the fall) I used to spend hours at the computer and while whiling away the hours, I confess, I did a lot of smoking. Since I'm still one of those reformed ex-smokers, it's been best to avoid places I associate with smoking for a while since though I haven't given in, the urge to give in at times has been very strong.

In addition, I'm back to work full time now. I'd been at my current position for less than a month BTF, and in the time I was off there were a number of changes. So when I went back to work, not only did I have to relearn the job itself since I hadn't had that much time at it, I had to learn all the changes that had been made while I was off. On top of that, my energy level has been way down still so when I got home, not only have I been mentally tired brain learning wise, I've also been tired physically wise.

So - what else has been going on with me?? Not a whole lot. The past day and a half have been snow days here in London. We've been hit by a major snow streamer, the likes of which hasn't been seen for quite some time. The office closed yesterday at two and didn't open at all today. Of course I did not know that and drove all the way into work, only to see 3 cars in the parking lot and no one at reception. I ran into one head person who said the office was closed and hadn't I been notified? Um, no. I couldn't help but chuckle - here I was, the one with the broken leg and all and I made it in only to find out I didn't have to. Still - it gives me an opportunity to update here - long past due.

I haven't been reading that much. So far in this month of December, I've only finished one book - and that one was almost 3/4 read in November.

On the plus side though, I've passed the record set since I started recording the books read back in 2004. My previous high was 105 books in 2005 and so far in 2010, I've read 108 books. The vast majority I've read this year are Contemporaries, followed by Romantic Suspense. The third highest number is Historicals followed by Westerns though I haven't read any Westerns for a while. (once again, great graphs are thanks to Rosario!!)

I checked at Chapters and Jo Goodman's latest, Marry Me is out and the Chapter near me lists 7 copies. When I checked it out, there were none on the shelf. When I asked a clerk, he told me they probably weren't out yet as it wasn't the "official" release date.

That was a lot of hooey of course, they just hadn't put them out yet, but I decided I was too tired to make him go to the back and get me a copy. Next time if the same thing happens, I won't be so lenient *g*. They've always gone to the back for me in previous visits.

My poor Kobo is on the fritz. When last I charged it and turned it on, all book had disappeared off of it, even the pre-loaded books. Since I haven't been reading that much lately, I haven't bothered trying to load them back on. It's going to take greater concentration powers than I seem to have theses days. Though since Oldest Son is also off today, I think I'm going to get him to have a look see if I have problems. Though on second thought that might not be such a good idea. OS manages to break many, many things around here (including my leg). Speaking of OS, he's moving out next week.





While I love him dearly and he hasn't been that bad of a tenant (he's been great at shoveling out the snow), it's time. It's time. Yes, it is time!!

And last for this particular post, AAR posted their Top 100. Once again - for the third time - Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase came in top spot, followed by *drum roll please* Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas! Amazingly, I've read 92 of the top 100. Go visit and check it out? How many have you read? Any books you haven't that interest you now? And what do you think of the list?

Ponderings

So - I don't think it will come as any surprise to anyone who comes here even on a semi-regular basis, that I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance. I wait with barely suppressed excitement for each new season to begin; whether it be the US or Canada version. At the moment I've also been captivated by another dance show - Got To Dance UK, though I do think some of the contestants are a bit too young. I have the same thoughts on some contestants on America's Got Talent. But I've gone off topic.

I have a different opinion on Dancing With The Stars however. I watch it - sometimes - and it annoys me when I get hooked on it. But all previous annoyances are nothing compared to how I felt last night after seeing the results. It annoys me to the max that a lot of people vote on other reasons besides talent. There is NO WAY that Bristol Palin should still be in when Brandy is now gone. I don't have anything against Bristol. She seems like a nice enough young woman and while I think her mother is a nut job, still her mother does seem like a decent sort overall - except she hunts and I don't think she belongs in politics. But come on!!! It's just not right that Brandy is gone. She is by far more talented than Bristol and watching the personal bits week after week, it was obvious that winning this show was very important to her. If she had lost out to Jennifer Grey it would have been a different story since Jennifer Grey can really kick up her heels too. But I'm willing to bet that many of the people who voted for Bristol, did so because of her mother and that just doesn't strike me as fair. If I were to vote, I'd do it 90% on talent I think, but it doesn't look like everyone thinks the way I do. I do believe I'll skip the rest of it. It might be better for my blood pressure.

So apparently Ryan Reynolds is People's Sexiest Man for this year. Once again I feel out of step. Yea, he's cute I guess, but he doesn't do a thing for me. I don't even think I've seen a Ryan Reynolds movie! Mostly because he doesn't do anything for me. Of course I'm mystified that so many consider his wife as out of this world sexy. I don't see that either.
Course I'm cold when it comes to George Clooney, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Mathew Mcconaughey, Colin Firth et al. See what I mean? Out of step.


I know it's been expected for a while now, but still it was nice to hear about Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement. He seems to be a very nice and down to earth young man and I think she is beautiful - have ever since the first time I saw her picture and I think she will make a gorgeous queen. And I have a strong case of hat envy for her. It's just sad that his mother isn't around to have met Kate and to be involved with his upcoming wedding.

I hope Kate doesn't go through the same kind of over scrutinizing that Dianna did. Though I have a feeling that she won't be left alone for quite some time.


I overdid it again yesterday. I had someone coming over after work to see about doing housecleaning. So of course before I had someone over to clean the house, I had to clean the house. Can't have anyone who does house cleaning coming into a messy house can one? So I got up extra early and worked like the dickens to clean it up as much as possible. I left a note for Son #1 to do a few little things like vacuuming and sweeping the floor and the main one - to clean the spit out of the bathroom sink - HIS spit mind you - since I don't leave mine - knowing full well the chance of his doing so were slim. And I was right. Then I went in and worked for four hours - I'm in every day this week. Then I worked real hard when I got home until she got there. I thought we were just going to talk about her doing housework, but no - she and her husband came all ready to clean the house! So of course I had to go into the rooms ahead of them to tidy in as much time as I had. One good thing though - it seems my philosophy of not looking for something worked again. While 'tidying' I found my passport that I haven't seen since I got back from Florida and my Harry Potter glasses. They have been missing for quite some time too. It was ever so nice to find both of them!! And I didn't even have to look :-)
And it is ever so nice to have a Very Clean House. I'll have to do my darndest to keep it that way.

And speaking of Sexiest Man - I think Daniel Radcliffe has it going on over Ryan Reynolds, even though Rye is Canadian. See - if it were a vote in thing, I'd pick a Brit over a Canadian every day! Heh, heh, heh

Just a real quick reminder

Today is the last day for entries to the AAR Top 100 Poll!!! It's a great way to scope out books you might not have read before so if you can get a list going, send it in.

Holy Camolie Batman!!

I didn't realize it had been so long since last I posted!! An update on my condition is required I do believe.

I'm doing good. If anything I'm almost doing to good as I figure I'm stronger than I am and then overdue it. For example I was at the gym last week and did 15 minutes on the treadmill at a faster pace than I should have and at a much higher incline than should have. Then I did the machines, more time on the treadmill and then 10 minutes on the bike. And promptly did myself in for the next few days. That's just an example of the stuff I've managed to OVERdo.

I'm back at work. This past week I worked 3 days a week for only 4 hours each day I worked and next week and the week after I'm in all 5 days, but still for only 4 hours a day and then (hopefully) the week after that I plan to be back full time.

I've been working out at the gym - as a matter of fact I plan on heading over there shortly. I'm trying to hold back but - I'm not always good at it :-) I'm still going to physio though I'm down to once a week and after next week that should be once every other week. I'm not even using a cane now, though I'm carrying it 'just in case'.

I had an MRI yesterday for what they think is a pinched nerve. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be though it was annoying. I wasn't nearly as claustrophobic as I thought I would be, but it was real loud and it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

I'm still not smoking - and that's a good thing. I've been eating a bit more bad stuff the past few days so I'll have to nip that in the bud!

And I've been reading quite a bit too. Hopefully I'll have some reviews shortly.

So - sorry for disappearing like that again. Hopefully I won't do it again :-(