Ramblings on Romance Etcetera, Etcetera

Day 4

2009-07-16T23:10:00.004-04:00

The sightseeing is done - and I'm glad as the temperature soared today. I gather it's more like DC weather, but it's too humid for me to do the sightseeing thing.

So now it's strictly RWA conference stuff. The first thing on the agenda today was the Opening Session with Janet Evanovitch. I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get her newest book as a handout and she didn't do a signing last night. There are now 6 or 7 people in my department where I work reading her book and I was hoping to get a book signed to the department. I know they were all excited that she was going to be at the conference.

She did a great job in the Opening Session. She did a question and answer session and while many of the questions were a tad on the boring side, her answers were interesting and intuitive. She did say she had a new series coming out some time next year based I think, on one of the characters from the Stephanie Plum series.
What was good about the session was the big screens located at the sides of the stage and in the middle of the room. So although from where we were sitting, M. Evanovitch was only about 12 inches tall, she was much taller on the screens.

We had barely left the Opening Session, went back to the rooms for a bit of a rest when it was time for the KeyNote lunch with Linda Howard. I was a bit worried when I saw what the meal was - chicken with a tomato sauce and pasta as I make it a rule not to eat tomato based food *shudder* and I'm sure everyone who knows this position I have taken would be laughing, but after I scraped as much of the sauce as I could off, and brushed away those nasty little tomato pieces, the meal was pretty darn good! One thing I found a bit interesting - iced tea here isn't sweetened. Can you imagine? I had to add sweetener to it. And the desert -yum! Aztec Lady was bit miffed. She said to everyone at the table that she would be more then happy to eat their dessert if they didn't want it and no one said anything or offered up their dessert. Then when we were getting up to leave, we noticed about 2 or 3 people hadn't touched their dessert. By this time it was much too late for her to eat it as they wanted us out of there asap.

Now for Linda Howards talk. It was hi-lar-i-ous! Honestly - I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard. My eyes were running and my sides were hurting from laughing so hard. She was telling us stories about her family and funnier stories I've rarely heard. No wonder some of her books such as To Die For, Mr. Perfect are so funny - she has a Wicked sense of humour. Again I was slightly disapointed as the book of hers they gave away was Death Angel and I already have that in hardcover. I was hoping for a copy of Burn. Ah well - my loss will be someone's gain as it will make a great prize for a contest when I get back.

And then there was the Avon signing. Now Barbara was torn as there was a workshop she wanted to sit in on at the same time as the signing so I said I'd pick her up some books. Aztec Lady and AnimeJune also got her some and believe it or not, none of the books we got for her were books she already had!! I picked up some for myself too - yes me - I picked up some Avons. And yet again I was slightly disappointed. I was really hoping to get a copy of One Reckless Summer but it wasn't there and the books of hers they did have, I already have copies of. But once again I reached that wall - it was crowded in there and had to get out - immediately!

Rosie, Aztec Lady, Barbara, Amy and I went out for dinner. It was good although they did have some tomato bits on my plate. I guess the staff at the hotel didn't pass the word along that I don't like tomatoes. And after dinner, I did something I very rarely do - I had........dessert. Dessert twice in one day. That doesn't happen often.

The I headed down to the bar for a drink where I ran into SBSarah. It still astonishes me that people remember me *g*. I had a nice chat with some people from Source Books - the publisher that will be publishing Judith James' next book.

And then Barbara and I headed back to the room. Wendy has been MIA all evening. She went to a dinner with some people from Harlequin. She didn't think it would be long but it's almost midnight and young missy hasn't made it back yet. Methinks we might just have to ground her.

I don't have as many pictures this post, but I do have a lovely one of the back of a chair.

And I'm feeling bad about not answering most of the comments -but with three of us in the room using the lone internet connection - not to mention AnimeJune when she gets a chance and drops by, all the stuff we've been doing and so tired yet buzzed, I just haven't had time! So I'll do a post just answering everyone's comments and questions - but yes, I'm having a wonderful time. My feet hurt like you wouldn't believe and I'm looking my age instead of the youthful 27 I usually look like.

Update - it's now after midnight and young miss Wendy still isn't back yet. I'm going to have to have a talk with her!

Day 3

2009-07-15T19:00:00.010-04:00

Well, it's day 3 and I think I need a chance to get me second wind!! The day started off early - Wendy had a wake-up call in for 6:00 am as she had the Librarian Event to go too for the day. Now I'm normally up at that time when I'm working but on vacations it's a different story. But if one lounges around here - there is too much to miss. So one by one the rest of us got up - Rosie, Barbara and then myself. Since we got ready in that order, I was the last one to shower and as I was in there, Aztec Lady knocked on our door.

One thing I have to say - I think it's hard for most people when the first meet someone and I'm no exception. I had years of practice working as a cashier in a grocery store but it's still a little nerve wracking. But when I've met fellow bloggers, it doesn't take any time at all to feel comfortable. It happened with Barbara, it happened with AnimeJune and it happened again with Aztec Lady - even though I was wet and naked under my jammies. In no time at all, it's like we are old friends - because we are friends - just friends that haven't met in person yet.

Lisabea showed up - she and Rosie are room mates for the rest of the conference. I met Lisabea last year - before she was published and again I have to say, even though I hadn't seen her or Rosie or Wendy for a year, we were able to pick up right where we left off when we last saw each other - as if only a few days had gone by instead of a whole year. It's amazing to me how solid the friendships are.

So after lots of talk and chatting books and generally having fun, Barbara and AnimeJune and I headed out for more sightseeing. That AnimeJune is an animal when it comes to being organized. And as I'm the exact opposite, it was wonderful having someone who had things all marked out and planned. After heading to the subway station and down the steepest set of escalators - first time I've ever been nervous on an escalator, we headed to the street with a lot of museums and headed inside the Smithsonian where I took A LOT of pictures. I'll post them later as these posts are more just quick little ones so you can get a feel for what's going on. The Smithsonian was very cool indeed, but I was trying to pace myself better today. And poor Barbara's feet were very angry with her and broke out in blisters too show her how unhappy they were. So we headed back and AnimeJune kept on truckin'

This evening was the Literacy signing. In order to be better organized, I made a list of authors whose books I wanted to get, but lost the list halfway through. But I think I did pretty good before claustrophobia hit and I had to get out. It was packed as usual, as you can see. I think the others are still there as I'm alone in the room at the moment.

But now the night is to come - and I'm not sure what that holds but I'm sure it will be not my usual Wednesday night!

I picked up more books then usual and I can hardly wait until I can start entering them in my Excel Spreadsheet.

Day 2

2009-07-14T22:52:00.002-04:00

A day of walking...and walking......and walking....and bad tourist guides

That was how the first part of the day went. As the conference hasn't started, Wendy Rosie and I wanted to do some sightseeing since we probably won't have time once it starts. We decided the best way to start was to take a tour bus.

The tour we took had 3 'loops'. Now the guide on the first loop was good. And he was funny - and he made it interesting. We drove by many of the embassies and that was interesting and we drove through Georgetown and man - are they skinny houses!! You should have seen some of them. Seriously - they were one room wide. I think they must have had the living room on one floor, the kitchen on the next floor and the bedrooms on higher floors. They were very peculiar. The tour guide told us that one was just recently sold and it went for $450,000.!!!!!!!
Then we got on the next loop tour bus. I was packed and as Wendy and Rosie were sitting on one seat and me on another, once again, my personal space was invaded by a total stranger since the bus on the second loop was full. The tour guide was late and they had some guy who wasn't very funny telling dumb jokes. There was some little kid behind me who kept heckling him. Seriously - what kind of 10 year old kid heckles a fill-in tour guide!!!!! I was SO tempted to turn around and tell him to stuff it - I was impatient too and some strange person was in my personal space - but I didn't - I have manners. But I figured it wouldn't be good to get into a fight with a kid.

So then the tour guide finally showed up and introduced herself as a former teacher. And she was! I felt like I was back in the classroom and she kept asking questions I didn't know the answers too. That's what she did - kept asking us questions - saying we must have learned it in civics class - Hello - I didn't TAKE an American Civics class - and I'm sure many visitors from outside the US probably didn't either.
We ended up getting off the trolley - I couldn't have taken much more of her - and I did NOT leave a tip like I did for the first guy. So then we walked. And we walked. And we walked.
Sadly - I have not walked like that for a very long time. My feet were not happy campers. Plus I hadn't had anything to eat and I was hungry.
But things got ever so much better when we got back to the hotel. Barbara made it - Yea! Then a little later AnimeJune showed up Yea! And we went down for dinner and had a wonderful time in the restaurant talking - what else books!!

And I have a few pics. Here's one of Wendy on her phone. She's texting. I don't know how to text. Often I don't know how to use a cell phone. I'm going to have to see if one of my roomies knows if I have a speaker thingy.

Here's one of Rosie while we are waiting for the trolley.

Here's one of Wendy and Rosie taking pictures of this building (see below)

Which is NOT which, some people thought, the White House. Seriously - they did not know that! They kept taking pictures - thinking it was the White House.

And it's late and I forget what this building is again - but it's a famous one.

Anyway - it's late and I'm tired. My feet are still mad at me. Just wait until I tell them we are doing more sightseeing tomorrow!!

Day 1

2009-07-13T22:39:00.002-04:00

Well - Day 1 is drawing to a close. It's only about 6:30 Wendy and Rosie time, but it's much later then that my time. And since I was up Very Late last night and up early this morning - I'm ready to wind down and call it a day - while Wendy and Rosie are ready to par-tey!

Here are a few things of note so far:

Detroit airport has one ply toilet paper but the Washington airport has 2 ply - so they win when it comes to toilet paper.

I do not like taking off and landing in planes. I do not like planes. I was in the middle seat and they are so small, both people on either side of me invaded my personal space. I know it wasn't their fault - it's the compactness of the plane.

I was going to complain about this but it seems I made out better then Rosie when it came airline food. I was going to say I was offered a choice of either ONE cookie or a bag of about 10 dry roasted peanuts - I went for the peanuts. But apparently they wanted to CHARGE for a cookie on their flight.

The very oddest thing happened to me at the hotel. I was sitting outside the hotel - and a nice hotel it seems to be - when a guy came up and asked if I minded if he sat there. Men never do that to me!! It was very surreal I must say. I work at a place that's about 90% women so conversations with men are very rare in my life!! Now if this wasn't the case I wouldn't make a big deal of things, but it was so very - well - nice. We talked for quite some time and he was quite attractive

Anyway - others in the room want to use the puter so I'll say...

Kristie - over and out for Day 1 in Washington DC

I'm Up

2009-07-13T06:43:00.002-04:00

It's my turn over at Reader's Gab at Access Romance wherein I do what I do best - Ramble!

Still playin' those procrastination blues

2009-07-12T16:07:00.010-04:00

Yep - I'm here - not packing - though I do have clothes in the washer and dryer so at least I'm doing something.
A sort of crisis has arisen though. Now you get a chance to see how my mind operates in this one - and trust me - it scares me as much as it will you!!

I've somehow misplaced my digital camera. I noticed this the other day and rather then actually look for it, I checked out the other one I have. It didn't work. The boys (though at 28 and very soon to be 31 *gasp of horror* they aren't exactly "boys") both came over today. I asked Ryan the more tech savy of the two, to look at the second camera to see if he could get it working. He couldn't but thought it might be that the battery is dead. I headed over to Future Shop with Brent in tow and camera in hand and the sales guy thought the same thing. As this is an older camera and I've no idea where the battery charger is, I spent money and got a universal battery charger. After letting it charge for over 2 hours, it was all charged up. I popped in the camera and nothing! The camera still doesn't turn on.
So......rather then look for the missing camera 2 days ago, I've now wasted time, money and effort on another camera. All to avoid looking for the missing camera that I might not be able to find - or might be in the third or fourth place to look for it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And in other news - and in an effort to further procrastinate - I happened to catch TWIB today - well Ryan turned it on when he came over. Now it's not any new news that I'm a Toronto Blue Jays fan. I like the American League better then the National League - I just like the DH rule better even though baseball purists hate it. So when it comes the National League, I don't have any real team I cheer for though I've always wanted the Cubs to win. Ron was a big Cubbies fan and was quite disappointed a number of years ago when we went to Chicago to watch the Jays and the White Sox, that the Cubs weren't in town. He really wanted to see Wrigley Field.
But my cheering for the Cubs was half-hearted though they were/are my National League team. Until today!

OMG - do they have some hawt players!! With a Capital H!!! I love sports romance and while hockey romance is my favourite - hey I'm Canadian eh!, baseball is my second favourite and these real life players can play in my fantasies anytime!!

Yes - I really can be that shallow; that I will cheer for a team simply because of the good looks of the players! I console myself with the fact that I did route for the Cubs before Ryan put on TWIB today.

And now - I think my wash is done, hopefully the drying too and I need to look for a camera. Wish me luck in finding it because what is a trip without a camera??? It's bread without butter, it's Laurel without Hardy, it's the Two Stooges.
And start packing - I really need to start that!

*********

Update 1

Houston - we have bread and butter, Laurel has found Hardy and the three stooges are united. I found the camera. It had fallen between the cushions of the couch. And I found it in about the 8th place I looked so that wasn't too bad.

Update 2

OK - I didn't think I'd get it all done - but I'm 99% packed. The only thing left is the stuff I need to get ready in the morning - deoderant, toothpaste/brush, makeup. The litter box is all nice and fresh and right now I hear Destructo Cat shoveling it all about. My clothes to wear are all ironed and ready to put on. My purse is ready. I have my passport and all documents in a brown envelope in my computer bag. My post at Readers Gab is done and ready to post. All I have left to do is set 4 alarm clocks and head to bed. And it's only 11:34!! And I have my 2 books ready

I am Ready to Fly!!

Update 3

It's almost 2:00 in the am and I can't sleep. The 'girls' have decided it's playtime and I'm so hungry I'm eating a bagel.
Speaking of bagels - how do you pronounce it? I pronounce it bay - gel with a hard a. Ryan pronounces it baaa-gel with a soft a. Drives me nuts every time he says the word.

So You Think You Can Dance

2009-07-12T11:22:00.002-04:00

These are some of my favourites from this week

I don't really care for Kupono - but he does do this dance well. The judges really seem to love Kayla - and I can see why!

I loved both routines Janette and Brandon did.

I think Evan and Randi are wonderful together.

Upate

2009-07-11T19:07:00.006-04:00

I still haven't done the laundry or changed the kitty litter BUT I do have purty finger and toe nails. And I'm hoping the first thing everyone I meet will say is "Great Brows there Kristie!" cause man that hurt! She ripped out A Lot of virgin brow hairs there - even on top! I haven't had my eyebrows waxed for a very long time and I can't say I really noticed, but apparently over the time since I last had it done, I've been plucking unevenly and the two sets of brows didn't match!
And she ripped out a lot on the sides near my ears. That's a sensitive area. My upper face burned for a while I tell you. And she trimmed them. My dad had great bushy brows and mine were kind of long I guess. Not any longer though. I still haven't looked at them in a mirror in case they are too thin and I have to fill them in with an eyebrow pencil.

And those nasty dead skin calluses on the sides of my big toes - my sisters know what I'm talking about - are all gone. Unfortunately the toes are still short and stubby though *sigh*

I shouldn't be here!

2009-07-11T08:46:00.002-04:00

No, I shouldn't! I should be doing laundry. I got up early to start it. I should be getting my toenails and fingernails painted and my eyebrows waxed. I should be at the bank getting some more US currency. I should be cleaning kitty litter. I should be doing a post for Access Romance 'cause I'm up on Monday.

I should be doing any or all of things but I'm almost frozen with excitement. I wish I had Samantha's magic nose and I could just wiggle it and all would be done. But it seems the more excited I get, the more frozen I get. I wish it were the other way around!!

Don't get Mad....Get Even

2009-07-09T23:12:00.005-04:00

ROTFL!!!!! You have to watch this - it's hilarious!!
This is the story on YouTube:

In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didnt deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say no to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway.

This just has to gone down as a classic. I'm sure glad I'm flying Northwestern!!

How I'm feeling

2009-07-09T06:57:00.004-04:00

I'm finding it harder and harder to concentrate at work these last few days. Yesterday just dragged by. I have someone shadowing me at work tomorrow and I don't know what kind of mood I'll be in *g* Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll be several feet off the ground.

I stopped at a shoe store on the way home yesterday looking for a pair of nice sandals. I was telling Mary (who really needs to get a blog *wink*) in an email that I wanted to get sparkly. I tried on some really nice ones but they all had heels that were too high - and they weren't even high at all. While I admire high heels, I can't wear them so I had to settle for a slightly non-sparkly pair. I think I'll take them to work and then put them on so I can break them in a bit and find out where I'll have to put the band aids. One of the big things at the RWA conferences is the amount of standing/walking one does so comfy shoes are essential! I'm hoping to get these ones comfy by Monday. Now I just need to get a pedicure so my toes look purty.

I have my air bus booked.
I have my flight booked.
Thanks to super efficient Wendy, the room is booked. She's not just a Super Librarian!
I'll be the first to arrive on Monday. My flight was supposed to land at 5:00 pm but they changed it and now it gets in around 3:00. Wendy and Rosie will be in a few hours later. I'm thinking it will take me that long to figure out how to get the internet working!!
Brent will stopping by daily to look after 'the girls'.
I know where my passport is.

But I still have SO much to do - but I'm almost too excited to do it!

So - who else will be in Washington DC next week?

Recent Read

2009-07-08T20:34:00.007-04:00

To Dream Again by Laura Lee Guhrke

Why this one: I love her earlier books. I noticed a while ago that this was the only one missing so I recently ordered it from Amazon

Steam Level: Warm but you don’t have to worry about that nasty tongue burn

Blurb from FictionDB (a most excellent reference site):

AN UNCONVENTIONAL WOMAN

Beautiful widow Mara Elliot had little time for shining promises-or impractical dreamers. If she couldn't save her small London factory, she would lose the chance of security she'd worked so hard to gain. But from the moment handsome inventor Nathaniel Chase became her unwanted business partner, Mara found his optimism and reckless determination kindling hopes she thought she'd forever left behind--and a passion that was suddenly putting everything she treasured at risk.

A FREE-SPRIRITED MAN
Nathaniel Chase was practical enough to realize that Mara's East End factory was his last chance to turn his innovative ideas into reality. But Nathaniel never guessed that he would soon hunger to pull the strong-willed woman close in his heated embrace, fire her heart with overwhelming desire, and gamble all he valued to gain the only future that mattered.

My Thoughts: I really, really enjoyed this book. The hero Nathaniel is adorable. He's an eccentric, scatter brained inventor and toy maker. He’s a Beta hero and one of the of the better beta heroes. He constantly puts things down and forgets where he put them. I surely can relate to that trait. He’s also a dreamer, another trait it’s easy for me to understand.

Mara is one of those prickly heroines. Now when it comes to this type, they are either annoying or likeable. Mara was likeable. She's a widow whose late husband was a flake who couldn’t commit to anything. As a result she had to be the grownup and the one to take care of the day to day details of life like paying bills. She also suffered a tragic loss earlier which makes her character even more compelling. Because of this, she is afraid to take risks, preferring to trust in what is. This is the tension between Nathaniel and Mara and is very real and believable and I could see the case for both of them. But Nathaniel is totally different from her late husband and despite his dreamer tendencies is one that Mara can trust to be there for her. They both seem to complete and compliment the other and they become what the other needs to make them a more rounded person.

This book was published way back in 1995 and may be hard to find, but it’s well worth looking for.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

And this leads me to something that makes me sad as a reader. I’ve been a fan of Laura Lee Guhrke for years!! When I first started reading her books, I was struck by how different her stories were. Conor’s Way, one of my favourite books had a hero an Irish boxer very down on his luck. The story takes place in during the reconstruction of the South after the Civil War.

Another book I thoroughly enjoyed by this author, Breathless, has a divorced heroine and a hero who was her ex-husband’s attorney. Not So Innocent is another one I enjoyed immensley. The hero, Mick Dunbar is an inspector and the heroine, Sophie Haversham, has a gift of forsight. Charade is the story of a young indentured servant who becomes a spy in Colonial Boston. Prelude to Heaven has a runaway wife who was abused by her husband when she encounters a reclusive painter on the coast of France.

These are all books I’ve read and loved. And they are all unique. And they are published by Harper Collins and Pockett. Then she moved to Avon and things changed – considerably. After that that there were the overdone Dukes, the enough already Marques, the done to death Viscount and an author who wowed me with her uniquness became just another cog in the wheel. I’m a different reader then many. Thank goodness there are a few others like me, otherwise I’d feel very alone. But when it comes to historicals, I would take a book with an eccentric inventor hero over a duke; a down on his luck Irish boxer over and earl; a police detective over a marquis. I get bored to death with story after story after story dealing with the upper crust of British Society. It has been done to death!! I prefer a tale of more ordinary people. That’s one of the reasons why Dreaming of You and Suddenly You are my two favourite books by Lisa Kleypas. In one the hero is a gambler and the heroine a country mouse type writer and the other the hero a publisher and the heroine again a writer.

So when Laura Lee Gurkhe switched to Avon, I mourned, truly I did. Dukes and Earls and Viscounts (oh my) bore me and unless HIGHLY recommended, I stay away. And Dukes and Earls and Viscounts (oh my) are Avon’s bread and butter. So I knew that the days were numbered between Ms. Gurkhe and myself. It would be too painful to keep reading her post-Avon books with the dukes etc. when her previous books with more unusual characters were so loved.

The practical part of me understands why she switched. She has certainly received more notice now then when she was more a mid-list author writing for other publishers. And I’m sure that has translated into much better sales = more success = more money and who wants to be a starving artist when they can be commercially successful. But the emotional side of me – the stronger side alas – feels a great loss for what was. The emotional me wants her to still write those (to me) more interesting books – success and money be damned. But the emotional part isn’t always logical.

In some ways it’s even worse then when an author switches genres altogether. For example when Tami Hoag switched from romantic suspense to straight up suspense although I knew I’d be saying so long, I could do it with just very small sad sigh and then truly wish her well, the same with a number of other genre switching authors. But with Ms. Gurke, she is still writing romance, just not ones that I care to read any longer. It’s not unlike being close to winning the lottery, but only one or two numbers off. In the case of the others, it’s a lottery ticket with vastly different numbers. It just doesn’t hurt as much that way :-)

So for anyone who reads and enjoys Laura Lee Gurhrke, I highly recommend some of her pre-Avon books and for anyone who likes ‘outside the box’ romance, I highly recommend her pre-Avon books.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And I'm going off onto another topic. I'm on my laptop while watching So You Think You Can Dance and I'm awed by all the dancers this season. Week after week there is NO ONE I want to see leave. I think overall of all the ones I've watched so far, these are the best GROUP of dancers I've ever seen.

This and That

2009-07-06T20:26:00.004-04:00

First off, Alyssa of Alyssa`s Book Blog is looking for someone to take over her room in Washington DC if anyone is planning on going but doesn't have a room. She has the deets at her blog.

I'm going through the list of books to get at the Literacy signing. Now in addition to all my other 'issues' I also suffer from claustrophobia. During past Literacy signings, I read a point where it all gets too much for me and I have to get out - immediately. I haven`t been organized in the past and ended up missing out on books that I really wanted to get. But this time will be different. I will have *drum roll* a list!!!
So far this is my list. I'm sure I will be adding a number more

Butcher, Shannon, K	Burning Alive
Kantra, Virginia	Sea Lord
Thomas, Sherry	Not Quite a Husband
Blake, Toni	One Reckless Summer
Williamson, Beth	The Redemption Of Micah
Williamson, Beth	The Education of Madeline
Meredith Duran	Bound by Your Touch

I did indeed get the books I wanted at Chapters on the weekend. And didn't they just have that buy 3, get 1 free promotion going. So, *sigh* I ended up getting more. In addition to the ones already mentioned, I picked up these four.

Of course after buying them, I discovered a couple of the authors with be in DC.

Dilemma's Drive me Crazy

2009-07-04T12:00:00.006-04:00

I've been on a book buying ban and so far I've been doing pretty darn good! The only one I've bought since I met with Nath, Cindy, Lea and Mary (and Ames via Web Cam) is Stacey Kayne's newest, Mountain Wild. But with the coming of July and the release of some really good books, I have to decide whether I'm going to give in or not. There are quite a few that I'm hankering for and I have a gift certificate from Chapters. I've checked and they are in the store. I've done my research and the authors of some of them won't be at the RWA conference so now I have to decide whether to get them or not.

Of course it's a forgone conclusion that I will. But still, it's a dilemma. Because it's not like I don't have enough books and will be getting many more in LESS THEN 10 DAYS!

None of these authors are listed on the literacy signing so I think it's safe to say they won't be there and I can do some book buying this afternoon!!

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

And I have a new poll up. They are so easy in Blogger. I'm curious as to what everyone's favourite genre is. Do you have a favourite? Do you read mainly one or do you share the love? Why is the genre of choice your favourite?

So, now I'm often to do some shopping!!

So You Think You Can Dance

2009-07-02T23:43:00.009-04:00

So - I've been watching and loving this show. They are such a talented group of dancers, I hate so see any of them leave.

Alas though - there is no Nico types.

But for those fellow Nico fans, such as Carrie - you can see he did away with the Mohawk. I kind of miss it :-(

I LOVE Enya and this was from a few weeks ago and is probably my favourite so far. Sadly, both Asuka and Vitolio are gone now *sigh*

Here is another one I quite enjoyed

And I always love the group dances

And I think Randi and Evan are adorable

(you can tell I just hit the motherload on YouTube *g*)
(really this is just and excuse to post pics of Nico)

New Blogger Discovery

2009-07-02T06:50:00.002-04:00

She's not exactly a new blogger; she's been blogging since January, but she's a new find for me. And her newest review happens to be a book I adore. So be sure to check out Penelope of Penelope's Romance Reviews to see which book I'm talking about *g*.

My Girls...and my books

2009-07-01T21:18:00.010-04:00

One other thing I had to make sure I was ready for before I head out is my camera and how to download pictures. It took a call for help to Nath, but I think I have it now. So my practice is my 'girls'. Zina Nota Warrior Princess Cat who is the bigger one and about 3 years old now and Callie aka Destructo Cat.

And since I'm practicing and I always love looking at others bookshelves, these are my living room bookshelves. I enjoy seeing what books I have in common with others so these are mine

And in other news!!!

2009-07-01T00:04:00.010-04:00

It’s not long now!! As of tomorrow, it will be ‘officially’ less then two weeks until the RWA conference. I find that very hard to believe. I’m a lot less organized this time round. Yesterday, my day off was a busy day and I managed to get some of the more important things done:

I had my hair cut a week ago and highlights done yesterday - that gives my scalp time to fade and only have the colour on my hair added yesterday in order to give me that more youthful appearance and to wash that grey right out of my hair.

Bought not one, not two, but three new pairs of glasses. Now glasses and I, we have our issues. You see, they seem to keep running away from me and getting themselves damaged in the process. So far two pair of prescription sunglasses have managed to evade capture over the years and one pair of regular glasses. So I was down to one pair. The one remaining pair I had were bifocals from before. Then the arm went and fell off. And since they were bifocals and not balance with just one arm, when I wore them, I had to tilt my head in order to balance the bifocal part. People laughed. Nath laughed. And then one of the lenses fell out and that kind of took care of those glasses. Although there was an email that went at work that a lens was found at the front desk. It was mine.

So I decided it was probably time for new ones. I didn’t mean to get three pair though. I’ve always wanted a funky pair so I decided to finally get one. Then I got a normal looking pair that darken in the sun. But the glasses person explained that they didn’t darken that much and they didn’t darken in cars – and the sunglasses were on sale. So I decided what the heck. They look like cool shades instead of regular glasses tinted dark. So now I have cool shades, funky glasses and more professional looking ones.

Another Very Important thing I have to do before leaving is to get a manicure and a pedicure. I was hoping my nails would be nice and long, but in times of stress, I tend to bite them off – and they are bitten most of them. But the pedicure is important now that summer is here and I’m wearing sandals.

I’m even thinking of having my eyebrows waxed. And not only that, but the hair that gets darker all the time under my lip. I’m not close to mustache territory yet – and not to worry, never will be – but still, it’s not the same kind of hair I had in my 20’s. And chin hairs!!! Oh – those are so gross. I’m doing pretty good at plucking those little suckers, but I think I’ll have it done ‘professionally’ before I go just in case I get hauled out of the airport due to little scissors or eyebrow tweezers I might have in my luggage. One never knows what kind of trouble you can get into with a pair of tweezers!

Anyway – that’s the important stuff. The rest can come later

Reread Challenge for June

2009-06-30T08:22:00.006-04:00

Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare

Why this one: AL did a recent review of it and it started calling to me. I hadn’t read it for a while so I figured it was about time for another reread. You are probably getting sick of me talking about this one – but truly, it’s worth it!

My thoughts: I’m not going to give an outline since I’ve done that before and so have others. Instead I’ll just try and encapsulate what makes this such a powerful read for me.

One of the reasons this book is so compelling is the time period and the setting. I live in SW Ontario and when I was young one of my best vacations was a trip to all the old forts around the area. I’ve always loved history and was captivated by the history surrounding those old forts. I still remember a reenactment they did during one visit. I think my parents got quite a chuckle out of my excitement.

So reading a book that took place during this time period; the French Indian War against the British, takes me back to my youth.

And I can’t not mention the too die for hero in this book either. Nicholas Kenleigh is one of my very favourites of all time. From the very first when he is described as having hair down to his waist I perked up. Now I know this description doesn’t do it for everyone – heh heh heh but it sure does for me. Nicholas is one of the best tortured heroes I’ve ever read; both literally and figuratively. Because of what he went through he is pretty dead inside when he first runs into Bethie, the heroine. The author does such a fantastic job of slowly bringing him back to life while falling in love with Bethie. It’s not too hard at all imagining someone like Daniel Day Lewis in his Hawkeye role in Last of the Mohicans as Nicholas – nope, not too hard at all.

Bethie is also a great heroine. Wendy, SuperLibrarian put it well in a recent review she did of this book – a book she read due in part to my constant nagging – and she liked it. I quote: What I appreciated was that while she was alone and scared, she wasn't cowering in a corner waiting for someone to attack her. Oh no! Girlfriend knows how to use a rifle, and matches wits quite well with Nicholas when he shows up wounded on her doorstep”

I like how she puts that *g*.

The love scenes are soooo good. Pamela writes such great ones in all her books. The vibes between her couples in all her books are different and she really does reflect that in the scenes of intimacy that she writes. A lot of times when reading the sex scenes in a book I skip over them because there is nothing really unique about them. But in Pamela Clare’s books, each one is different and well thought out. You can tell she doesn’t just add them a sex scene for a sex scenes sake (try saying that three times!) Rather she takes who they are and what they are to each other into consideration and Ride the Fire is no exception. As an author, I’m sure they aren’t easy to write sometimes and they don’t necessarily add anything to the story, but in Ride the Fire, this isn’t the case. Bethie has been traumatized in the past and Nicolas sees this and is very patient and very tender with her. The full consummation doesn’t take place until later in the book, but before that he slowly shows her how good it can be between a man and a woman.

If you haven’t read this book or if you have it in your TBR pile just sitting there, I urge you to find it, to move it up. It really is a wonderful reading experience. It has been for me each time I’ve read it and this last time was no exception.

Grade: Always has been and always will be – 5 out of 5 and a true keeper

Not in that closet any longer

2009-06-26T12:26:00.002-04:00

There is fairly new-to-the-romance-community reader who posted at AAR recently. She is overjoyed to have found such a place and such a community made up of dedicated romance fans. But she confessed she was still 'in the closet' as far as her reading preferences went.
I really identified with her because that was me for a very long time. Even after I found the romance community; after I started blogging, I still didn't tell many people in my day to day life how deep into romance I was. Some may have known a bit - perhaps that I enjoyed a good romance now and then, but I never made a point of telling people and if asked would duck the question or kind of mumble out the words. I think I'm your classic people pleaser and I didn't want anyone looking down on my choice of reading material.
But I've come along way in the past few years and practically everyone I have contact with - my friends, my coworkers, my family know exactly what I read and I don't feel embarrassed or ashamed any more to tell anyone. I realized that when the movers came a few weeks ago and when they saw all my books and that they were pretty much all romance, I didn't even flinch when he commented on it. And what a glorious feeling that was after hiding it for so many years.
I'm not exactly sure what got me to the point where I am today, when I can go into a bookstore and plop down some of those books with horrid covers or explicit covers and not feel a moments qualm about it. I think it's a number of factors.

I have matured - yes that still happens even though I'm in my fifties. While I still like people to like me, I'm not concerned if they don't. I'm at the place where I don't feel I have to justify my reading tastes to anyone. If they don't approve or make some kind of comment; though to be honest, no one has taken that approach with me, it's too bad for them. If they've never tried romance, and chances are they haven't if they have a negative reaction, they are the ones missing out.

Being a part of the romance community has allowed me to see what an intelligent, thoughtful and well rounded group we are. Whether a college professor, an assistant DA, a lawyer, a doctor or a homemaker, as a whole, we are smart people who should be and often are respected.

Getting to know authors and seeing them as the dedicated artists they are. And there is no question they are artists, only their canvas is a blank screen and their true talent is in telling a wonderful story. I've read the very occasional book outside the romance genre and there is no question that authors who write romance are just as talented if not more so then many authors who write in other genres.

Besides just being part of the romance community, I've know had a chance to meet many other aficionados of the genre or fellow bloggers *g*. Having that instant connection to someone I've never met before and sharing a passion with them is wonderful. I know this might not make too much sense, but in hiding or being ashamed of what I read somehow almost seems to affect the relationship I have with them. If I deny or don't admit how I've come to know them, then that seems to deny a part of them and of me.

It's taken a long time to get to where I am now and if there are others who are still reluctant to 'come out of the closet' themselves, I understand, truly I do, because I hid there for so many years. But if anyone is thinking of breaking out and being proud of what they read instead of slightly ashamed and worried what others may think, I encourage them to do so. It really is a great feeling to be proud now of what you read instead of hiding it!!

~~~~~~~~

And in other news....

There are those defining moments in time where something stays in your memory for the rest of your life - where you were when you heard JFK died. Where you were when you heard Princess Dianna died, where you were when you heard Elvis died and now there is another one I will always remember - where I was when I heard Michael Jackson died. I know we are going to be hearing this over and over and over the next little while, but we did lose one of our greatest musical talents on Thursday.

I grew up listening to his music - he wasn't that much younger then me - hard as that is to believe and while I never counted him as one of my favourite musicians, there is no question I did love many of his songs. I remember how terrified my oldest son was when he first saw the video for Thriller - one of the best music videos ever made.

But he always struck me as such a lonely and sad kind of person. Only someone desperately unhappy with who they are could do to themselves what Michael Jackson did with all the plastic surgeries and that makes me sad. He was such a genius musically and it's disturbing that he never could accept himself. I watched a lot of the coverage and one item stood out. Lisa Marie Presley commented that when she married him, she hoped she could help him, that she could get him past the lost soul he always seemed to be, but she couldn't. It seems to me that he surrounded himself with vultures who didn't care about him as a person; who wouldn't stand up and say no - those kinds of actions are not good for you; they are inappropriate and will hurt you. And that makes me sad. He was a young man - and even though he was 50, to me he was still a young man who was so easily hurt and trusted the wrong people and the wrong advice. As for the charges he faced, I never really believed them. I can't say for sure whether they were true or not, but I tend to think not. I think he was looking for the innocence that he never really had in his own life.
And although as I said, he wasn't one of my favourite artists, still I admired him tremendously for his talent and what he contributed to the world.
Of all his songs I've loved over the years, this one is probably my favourite.

TV

2009-06-23T16:58:00.003-04:00

I know I said I was going to cut out all reality TV except for So You Think You Can Dance – and overall I’ve done a pretty good job of it. I only watched about 15 minutes of Paris Hilton’s New BFF – and that was quite enough. I don’t care if Tilla Tequilla finds love the second time around so I haven’t been watching it. I did watch a bit of the MMVDD awards – but that was only to see Nico – his Mohawk is now gone by the way. But there is another one I kind of accidently got hooked on and I have this to say about it.

ARE YOU NUCKING FUTS????? I think I squeaked that out when she turfed him!! You turned down a hot and hunky airline pilot who was everything a girl could watch for a boy break dancer and/or a slimy, sleazy looking bad country singer? Where is your head at girl?? I’m not good with names – only jobs – but the airline pilot was fine and seemed a helluva lot more sincere then break dance boy.

That’s it – I’m now officially done with this show. She’s just TSTL for me to watch it anymore. What’s worse – she’s a Canadian girl!!!! Plus, from the previews of upcoming shows, it goes into waters that are too deep for me to feel comfortable in. Apparently they have “overnight” visits coming up and – not interested. Plus, it seems one of them has trouble ‘getting it up’ if you know what I mean. I don’t know if they identify him but if they do, I don’t think I’d want my name out there as the guy who couldn’t perform.

So I’m saying bu bye to The Bachelorette.

But

In good television news, at least for anyone who might be reading this and lives in Ontario, guess what is on tonight at 9:00 on TVO??

Give up???

The second part of *drum roll please* North and South – British style!! One of the girls at work pointed out to me that they are running it Tuesday nights. I missed the Part I but at least I have Parts 2, 3 and 4 to look forward too. So anyone who hasn’t seen my favourite DVD of ALL time can get a glimpse of it tonight.

Recent Read

2009-06-21T13:15:00.007-04:00

To Have and to Hold by Patricia Gaffney

Why this one: I read it years ago and then lost it. I bought a copy through Amazon and then got another copy at a UBS recently. Since I now had two copies when before I figured I should read it *g*. It’s one of those books that comes up for discussion with quite a bit of controversy and since it’s been a while, I wanted to read it again.

Steam Level: Pretty high

Blurb: Sebastian Verlaine, the new Viscount D'Aubrey, was cynical, sophisticated, and too handsome for his own good. He was also bored. Why else would he agree to sit on the bench with two fellow magistrates to judge the petty crimes of his tenants and neighbors? It was all a lark -- until a beautiful prisoner came before him, and he realized he held her fate in his hands.

Rachel Wade knew everything about helplessness and sexual degradation. Her husband's violent death had freed her from that nightmare, but ten years in prison for his murder was only another kind of torture. Now a jaded viscount was offering her freedom -- but at a price. "Housekeeper," he termed her new position at Lynton Hall. "Lord D'Aubrey's whore," the scandalized villagers called it.

A ruthless, unkind bargain. But neither of them guessed how the tables could be turned. How a game that began in base desire could lead to a breathtaking gamble in love.

My Thoughts: As I already said this book is often up for discussion such as here and here due to its controversial nature and one or two scenes in particular. As it’s been a while since I’ve read it, I didn’t feel I could offer much to any discussion as my memory can’t always be trusted and I was determined to fix this.

Now for my thoughts. I can see why so many people love this book and I saw again why I loved this book when I first read it many years ago. Both Sebastian and Rachel are broken characters though in different ways. Sebastian is broken inside by his lack of a working conscience and Rachel is broken inside by having to deaden herself to all emotion in order to survive her ten years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit.

I think this book is almost broken into two sections, each equally compelling. One of the reasons I wanted to reread this book after so many years is to qualify in mind whether Sebastian did rape Rachel or whether it was forced seduction and to me – this time there was no question it was a rape. It was about Sebastian’s power over Rachel. Even though it wasn’t a violent attack; in fact he made it as gentle as he could, she said no, he knew she meant it and he did it anyway because he wanted that power over her. Even as she was becoming slightly aroused the second time, it was rape and for that very nature it was an ugly scene. And anyone who hasn’t read this book who is horrified that I loved it and think it’s a powerhouse of a book – I don’t blame you. I’m surprised myself that in the end I would love this book and root for Sebastian and Rachel. Even after the rape scene, Sebastian continues to treat Rachel viciously – though not in the physical sense. Following this scene he allows a 'pack of rabid dog' friends to humiliate her at a so called dinner party and even shrugs his shoulders when the most vicious of this pack heads out to assault Rachel.

Oddly enough I did enjoy the book up to this point though not so much as a romance but more of a character study of two interesting people. Rachel was very sympathetic and Sebastian was villain with depth. But the attempted assault on Rachel made a turning point in Sebastian's character. After shrugging his shoulders on what was about to happen to Rachel, he had an epiphany about himself and his character and how jaded and uncaring and cold he had become over the years. And at this point he made a determined effort to change himself and Rachel had become the catalyst for making this change. He needed her. And she needed him. She had all but wiped herself out in order to survive and needed him to bring her back to life. I realize unless you read this book you probably can't really understand what I mean and probably for many, even if they have read the book, Sebastian is unredeemable. I can understand if he isn't for them. But he was for me and that's one of the things that makes this such a compelling book. Even before Sebastian had his 'change of heart' he was starting to change from the jaded, bored, dissolute aristocrat who only cared about his own needs into a responsible, country landowner who cared what was best for others.

And equally absorbing was the transformation that Rachel went through. For the first part of the book we saw a young woman who had been so defeated by her tragic circumstances that she had become almost invisible. But we see her slowly start taking herself back. And oddly enough it was Sebastian that set this change in her in motion.

Unless this is a real hot button I have no problem recommending this book. Grading it is more difficult then normally so. Can one have a DIK without it being a perfect grade? I know I can and this is one of those books. Interestingly enough I started this book in the middle - at the dinner party where Sebastian has his own personal revelation and read it to the end and then started it at the beginning and read it all the way through again.

Grade: 4 out of 5 - with an asterisk ****

Review Alert

2009-06-21T12:46:00.003-04:00

I don't know why it is, but I love seeing reviews of books I've loved where they love it too. The lastest - Jessica's and Tumperkin's thoughts on The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie is posted at Racy Romance Reviews.

I gots nothin'

2009-06-20T09:23:00.002-04:00

Just thought I'd do a blog about nothing. Seinfeld was a great show about nothing so here is a blog post about nothing.

I'm doing good but I'm in a state of indecision. I just can't think of anything to blog about. I'm in that mode where I can't seem to settle on anything to read. It's not a reading slump so much as none of my books are calling my name loader than any other ones. I've started a number but none of them are jumping out at me.

I can't even decide what to call the new kitten. I named her Callie but that doesn't really seem to suit her and I'm not quite sure what does. She's adorable and I love her - but she's driving me crazy. She is the MOST curious cat I've ever had. She has to be into everything. And her latest 'thing' to do is start biting at my toes around 3:00 in the morning. Last night I shut the bedroom door but I don't like doing that.

I have an appointment to get my hair done shortly but I don't even know how I want it!!

I can't decide anything!!!!

Who wants to play?

2009-06-16T19:54:00.007-04:00

This went around a couple of years ago and now that there are a lot more bloggers, I think it would be fun to do it again. I also think it tells a little bit about us *g*

What am I talking about??

I'm curious to see what others have as their wallpaper. Now that I have two computers, I have two different wallpapers. And since I live by myself and don't have to worry about a significant other seeing it every day, I can have whatever I want - heh heh heh.

Here is the wallpaper on my desktop computer. I don't think it will shock anyone.

*Shiver*

And here is the one I have on my new laptop - courtesy of Nath

Ooooh la la!!

It's easy to do - just do a Print Screen of your desktop and paste it into Paint and save as a JPeg file. So - anyone game?