Recent Reads

I've been reading a lot lately so this is a three fer!


Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

Why this one: To be honest, I don't know what made me pull this one out of the TBR pile. I don't even remember where it came from though I'm guessing at one of the conferences I went to last year as it doesn't seem to be one I'd normally buy.

Steam Level: Warm, though that was a pleasant surprise since it's listed as Urban Fantasy on the side - though I listed it as Vampire in my spread sheet

Blurb: Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires who feed off the living. In Austin, Texas, one woman's madness will drive her into a world that few people ever see - or even know exists.....

Shortly after she picked up a guitar, Miranda Grey conquered the Austin music scene with a new found ability to physically manipulate her audience's emotions. But as her powers outgrow her control, her mind is increasingly invaded by haunting secrets and overwhelming sadness. Unable to look anyone in the eye, Miranda's fast approaching the edge of insanity - with no one to catch her fall.

When he outlawed killing humans, David Solomon, Prime of the South, ignited a civil war among Austin's vampires. His sympathy for mortals angers the old guard who refuse to control their violent urges. David has his hands full with the growing insurgency, but he takes in a broken-down woman, a musician in need of supernatural guidance. He doesn't know that Miranda Grey has the power to change his world as well....


My Thoughts: As I went into this one one a whim really, I didn't have the same kind of expectations that I would have if it was an author I'd read and enjoyed before, or if there had been a lot of on line buzz. I went into it blind - readingly speaking. So it was a delightful surprise to discover how much I was enjoying this book as it went along.

Miranda Grey, our heroine, was a mess. As the blurb says, she was barely coping and was on the verge of total collapse at the beginning of the book due to her ability to read the thoughts and feelings of those around her with no way to turn it off. She was defeated and the only thing keeping her going was her music and her gig as a singer at a small bar. Her life changes though, when one night on her way home she is viciously attacked and raped. This event acts a kind of a catalyst and she releases her rage, along with some pretty powerful abilities she wasn't aware she had. But she's still left in pieces at the end until she is rescued by our hero David Solomon.

Now I've gone on the record as not being too fond on the whole of vampire heroes, but there have been exceptions and David Solomon is certainly a wonderful example of those exceptions. Although he is the Prime - the leader - and ruthless when it comes to enforcing the rules he set in place when he took over as Prime; rules that include making sure humans aren't killed and butchered like the way they were under the old regime, he has a tenderness in him. He does what he has to do, but it hurts him that he does. And this tender side is really brought out when he rescues Miranda and works on showing her how she can shield and ground herself. Through their interactions with each other, David and Miranda slowly begin to have deep feelings for each other. But he's a vampire and, well, she isn't.

Both characters are standouts in this book. I love that Miranda grew in strength throughout the story. She starts out as this broken character and slowly emerges as a strong, forceful woman who makes a good mate for David. And David is an equally fascinating character. Although he's a vampire, he's also a computer geek and are a number of times I smiled at this geeky, tender, alpha vampire.

All in all, I was more than pleased with this book and if you're a fan of vampire series, readers who are, should check out this books with it's strong and compelling hero and heroine

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

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A Little Texas by Liz Talley

Why this one: Again I'm not sure what made me pick this one up. I got it at the same time I bought the latest Karina Bliss book. I've never tried this author and I haven't read any reviews on this book so again, I was testing new waters.

Steam Level: Though it takes a while, once it gets into the steam, it's very warm in the room.

Blurb: Growing up in Oak Stand Texas, gave Kate Newman all the Texas she'd ever want. Her bold personality is better suited to a city that never sleeps. So coming back to take care of unfinished business is like squeezing into last decade's jeans. A bad idea all around. Her only diversion is Rick Mendez. Enigmatic and irresistible, he's got a heart as wild as her own.

They're so good together, Kate dares to peek beyond the end of her stay. But what are the odds for a guy with deep roots in the same soil a girl can't wash off fast enough? Seems more likely that when Kate heads for the bright lights, a little piece of her will be left behind.

My Thoughts: This was another book that I was quite pleased that I took a chance on. I've really been enjoying this line by Harlequin and this is another reason why.

Kate owns a business in Vegas that's in trouble. Desperate for money, she decides to blackmail the man who fathered her, but refused to acknowledge her. She figures he owes her something, if only child alimony from when she was dirt poor, living in a trailer park and being raised by her grandmother. But her plan backfires when her father demands that in exchange for the money she needs, she spend at least two weeks with he and his wife. He's had a narrow brush with death and he wants to make amends to those he has hurt and number one is his illegitimate daughter. He sends Rick Mendez after her. Rick was a good friend of Kate's legitimate brother, a young man who died to early. Rick is also depending on Kate's father Justus Mitchell to help him with a program he is setting up to help former gang members start a new life. Rick himself is a former gang member who changed his life around and wants to help others do the same.

The attraction between Rick and Kate is flammable, but one of the ways Rick has changed in no more one night stands and that's all it would be with Kate as she has every intention of returning to her old life once she does her penance.

Kate is a somewhat bitter heroine. I didn't mind that for the most part though as she's certainly had a rough go of it. She did get a tiny bit tiresome in her bitterness as she seems to have quite a few friends and supporters in Oak Stand. But I know as adults things are often different than they way they seemed as children and sometimes we still see things through our inner childs eyes so all in all I understood why Kate acted as she did.

And whatever I may have found frustrating in Kate is balanced out by Rick our hero. He's a yummers, that's for sure. It's different reading a story where the heroine is the one in pursuit and the hero is the one holding off for a more meaningful relationship so I found it rather refreshing *g*. I'm not sure how realistic it was, but it was atypical of most romances. This one is actually the third book in a series and after finishing this one, I went and purchased the first two as ebooks I enjoyed it that much.

Grade: 4 out of 5

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Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelly

Why this one: Well (yep, long story coming up) first off I read a review that Wendy did and her review intrigued me enough to want to try it.

(OK - I just checked Wendy's reviews to link and it seems it wasn't at her place I read the review. So if someone else did this book, let me know who you are so I can link and give you a big thank you)

Anyway - continuing on with the long story.... I wanted to get the previous books by Liz Talley, I compared prices at EHarlequin and Chapters. EHarlequins prices were better so I bought them there. And then spent the next half hour or longer trying to figure out how to get the darned things loaded onto the Kobo - with no luck. The older I get, the more....shall we say child-like my little tantrums can get. I emailed Harlequin and asked them if I could get a refund since no matter what I tried I couldn't get the darned things over. So, with frustration boiling over, I then went to Carina Press to see if it was me or if it was Harlequin. Sweet as Sin had been sitting in my cart ever since I read the review not at Wendy's. I added a couple more and bought them. And tada!!! I got them over to my Kobo with no problem. And as a footnote, I heard back from Harlequin and they very graciously are refunding me for the two Talley books I couldn't get loaded and so I will still get them - only with less stress from Chapters *g*.

Steam Level: Oh Mercy yes! And yes and yes!!

******Note******

It was really driving me mad as to where I read a review and I couldn't let it go. Thankfully I found out where and no temper tantrum ensued. I read the review at Mandi's Smexy Books!

Blurb:

John Murphy is tormented by nightmares. A bestselling young-adult author, he writes the ultimate fantasy: stories where good always triumphs. He knows better. His past has shown him the worst in people—and in himself. When he moves next door to the sexy, vibrant Livvy—a woman completely unlike his usual one-night stands—he's driven to explore every curve of her delicious body.

Pastry chef Livvy knows that giving in to the temptation that is John Murphy won't lead to anything permanent, but she deserves a passionate summer fling. John discovers she's as sweet as the confections she bakes while Livvy slowly unravels his secrets. But what will happen when she uncovers them all?

My Thoughts: Right off the bat -I said it earlier and I'll say it again - THANK YOU MANDI! I LOVED this book. I started reading it late last night. I reluctantly put it down and picked it up again today. I read it at the doctors office. I had to renew some prescriptions so after dropping them off, I read it in the food court while I waited. I read and I read and I read. I glanced up ever so often and there were 3 different groups of people at the table nearest me that came and went while I was absorbed in this book. I simply couldn't turn it off.

John Murphy has just moved into the neighbourhood when a sexy lace bra that blew off the line ends up on his side of the fence. He returns it and is smitten with it's owner, bake store owner and pastry chef Livy. They are instantly drawn to each other, but Livy is reluctant to get involved with John or Murphy as she calls him to avoid the Grease name similarities. He comes across as the typical 'bad boy' and that's not the kind of guy she wants to get involved with. But as they get to know each other, her attraction to Murphy can't be denied.

I loved both these two characters. In some ways, although completely different, it reminded me a bit of Broken Wing by Judith James. I think many of you may remember the kind of love I have for that book *g*. In this book, as with Broken Wing, Murphy is broken almost beyond repair. He has suffered horrible, horrible abuse when he was young and that abuse has messed him up big time. Although it wasn't the sexual abuse that Gabriel suffered, it still completely warped how Murphy saw himself. He spent years protecting his younger sister from the monster that raised them. Once Livy begins to get a sense of what Murphy is hiding and what he has suffered, she is determined that nothing he does will drive her away.

Murphy, for his part, is heartbreakingly afraid to believe in love. For every little part of his heart he lets Livy into, he keeps her out of another. At one point in the latter part of the book, he really goes for the jugular in order to drive Livy away and if we, the reader, didn't already have our hearts broken by what he has gone through and if we didn't see how much pain he was in, it might be hard to forgive him. But because we do, we only want what he needs and that's Livy.

One of the fascinating parts of this book is the stories that John writes. Because he dealt with monsters as a child, he has made those monsters work for him in his professional life. He's a writer of YA fiction; a series about monsters and Inez Kelly also parallels the story of John and Olivia along with the latest book that John is writing and it's almost as interesting.

This is a book that will have me thinking of it long after I finished and that's the mark of a Real Good Book for me!

Grade: 5 out of 5

Recent Read - And in Other News

Night Betrayed by Joss Ware

Why this one: I am LOVING this series so it’s a no brainer that as soon as a new one comes out, I’m reading it!

Steam Level: Although the setting is stark and cold, the steam level is hot

Blurb: The world they knew is ashes.

The world that remains is in peril.

And five extraordinary survivors are humankind's last, best hope.

The Change that devastated the earth did not destroy Theo Waxnicki. It made him something more than human; eternally young, eternally beautiful . . . but not immortal. When he dies on a mission against the Strangers, he is lost to the darkness . . . until a miracle lady brings him back.

Born during the apocalyptic storms and earthquakes that left the world in ruins, Selena has dedicated her life to easing the pain of others. But Theo is the first in her care to survive. Responding to Selena's tender touch, Theo starts to live again, to feel and desire again. But joined in a world of terrors, the secrets they can never share make them targets. And love could be the ultimate betrayal.

My Thoughts: As mentioned in reviews on the previous books in this series, if someone had told me I would really enjoy an ongoing series where, although labeled romance, that aspect kind of takes a back seat, and the setting in years in the future after an apocalyptic ‘end of the world’ scenario, I would have said ‘right, and pink pigs fly. But I would have been forced to find those flying pink pigs because I do love this series and Night Betrayed is no exception. Though the hero, Theo Waxnicki is in his 80’s, he stopped aging when the catastrophe happened fifty years earlier. I had to smile to myself as I was kind of guilty of age discrimination. Theo has quite the libido cause he still looks young, but he’s in his 80’s and I thought ‘wouldn’t he need Viagara or something?’ I have to say that in the middle of this tense story, I was distracted by something rather silly.

In the previous books, I hadn’t really warmed up to the character of Theo, so when I heard this was ‘his’ story I couldn’t help wishing it might have been someone else’s. But once I started reading this book, that was a non issue. Once more this world that Joss Ware has created is so compelling, so interesting yet so bleak at the same time, and just so damn well written, that I found myself on the edge of my seat as I read along.

In this one, Theo has been brought back to life by the heroine, Selena in a small community far from his home in Envy. Theo is smitten with Selena but just getting over a broken heart when the woman he loved chose another. Selena for her part, is leery of getting involved with Theo as she has many secrets and has been burned in the past because of them.

As with previous books though, the romantic relationship isn’t really in the forefront. Instead it’s the mystery of the events that resulted in the end of the world as it was known and what has been happening since then. And it’s utterly and completely fascinating. It’s edge of your seat exciting. People who you hope make it don’t.. This isn’t a happy and sunshine series, that’s for sure. But it’s such a compelling read that I highly recommend it. I can’t say too much so as not to give too much away – that’s the way it is with this kind of series I think.

Now – should you read the first three books in order to read this book? I’m not sure – probably. But the first ones are so good you will want to anyway. I just checked and the first two books are one for a ‘really can’t be beat’ price on the Kindle:

$1.99 for Beyond the Night

$3.99 for Embrace the Night

I say – get at least these first two and see what you think!

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*|

And in Other News....

It seems as if I'm going to have to return my Velocity Micro Cruz Touchscreen Wifi Tablet. I couldn't figure it out and my Son Who is Getting Married was too busy for a couple of days to come over and look at it. So I took it into work and had someone from the It department look at it. He showed me how to turn it on - it's amazing that a button that looks like the same kind that turns on computers also turns on a table

(oops - gotta wait for a couple of minutes - the song by Nellie is on and I have to wave my arms - be back in a minute)

OK - I'm back

Anyway - wait another sec - gotta turn the radio down now. See - it would be an IPod to turn down but that's a small electronic device that scares me - and with good reason as you shall see!

So the IT guy got it turned on, but it seemed Very Slow and as I was sitting there I was getting more and more frustrated. So I figured I'd better stop playing with it until The Son who is also an Accountant took a look at it. He and my future daughter-in-law came over Saturday and guess what? Now matter what we tried, the damn thing would not turn on. I swear I didn't throw it anywhere. We shall call her Kara said I should check to see what kind of ratings it got. Sure enough, they were bad, real, real bad. And of course The Son who is Getting Married pointed out the foolishness of buying small electronic devices on The Shopping Channel. They both said and I reluctantly agreed with them that I'd be better off returning it and paying more money and getting an IPad. My future daughter-in-law who we are calling Kara offered to come with me. I'm sure while my head was turned, my son Who is Getting Married must have nudged her and whispered "For the sake of the sanity of all of us, do NOT let her buy a small electronic device on her own!

The current songs that are rockin' my boat

So often when I hear songs on the radio it doesn't take long before I get tired of hearing them over and over. But these ones below I don't think I'll ever tire of. I still get chills when I hear them still



I ADORE this one by Nelly. I find myself waving my arms when the lines come up - if you ever loved someone put your hands up. It gets a bit dicy if I hear it in the car. I try singing along but at times he's singing so quick with so many words my tongue gets all tied up, but I can sing along with some :-)




As for Stuttering by Fefe Dobson, I can't really put my finger on what I like so much about it. But it is a fun one to sing along with

Question!

So. I got the strangest email the other day. Some dude named Paul wants to buy my blog. Not to worry, not to worry, I have no intention of selling it, but I thought it a very odd thing. According to the email, his firm wants to use Ramblings on Romance, etc. to improve the search engine rankings of their clients - whatever the hell that means.

It has to have original content - no problem with that requirement I think, correct English and grammar; I strive for that though I know I'm not always successful. I must not have pornography or other distasteful content. I wonder if the post I did a while ago about what I would do if I directed a porn flick applies. And it must be found on google. I think one could find it there if they tried. According to the writer, I could sell it for as much as $1,000.

BUT I WILL NOT BE BOUGHT!! I WILL NOT SUBMIT TO 'THE MAN'.

I don't care if they offer me 100 X's that amount. I don't want anyone else telling me what I can say and can't say. If I want to be distasteful, well, I damn well will be distasteful. If I want to shout it to the world that yesterday they did an office poll on who wears underwear to bed who doesn't and I told them I did a similar poll on my blog quite some time ago, I will do so. And By Jove I want to have the freedom to declare to the world that I go commando!

But I am curious as to what this is all about. Is it legit? Has anyone else received such an email? I don't plan on responding since I'm a distrustful soul and think that should I answer, even if it's in the negative, somehow they will 'find' me - whoever does that kind of thing. But if anyone else knows anything, I'm interested.

And upon further reflection - would you sell your blog? If you got $1,000 - would you be willing to give all editorial comment? How about for $100? How important is your blog to you and do you have a selling price?

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

And in other news, my VELOCITY MICRO 7" CRUZ TOUCHSCREEN WIFI TABLET arrived
today. And yes I opened it. And yes I'm afraid of it. I called my Accountant Son, the Son Who is Getting Married, to ask him if could come and help me figure it out but all I got was voice mail. If he doesn't call back soon, I'm going to have to dive into the Small Electronic Device world and try and figure it out myself. *shudder*

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!