~ Stacy's Place on Earth ~

One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (2008) - review

2009-12-17T07:01:00.001-06:00

You can run from the grave, but you can't hide . . .

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head--wanted: dead or half-alive--means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again.

This is the 2nd book in the outstanding Night Huntress series, and this installment is just as engaging and thrilling as the last (well if you count the infamous chapter 32, even moreso).

Cat has been away from Bones for four years now, adjusting to her new life and new identity. But as much as she would like to think so, she really hasn't moved on. Fighting the evil dead is something Cat is very, very good at, and she's hand-picked a tough group of fighters as her team, but at the end of the day, she goes home alone.

A recent murder, similar to a tragedy from her past, prompts Cat to return to Ohio, and once again she runs into her old lover, and in the most unexpected place. Old feelings and strong desire still burns strong between them, but the reasons she left in the first place still exist. She's not willing to sacrifice the man she loves just by staying with him again. Her new life and old one cannot blend smoothly, and it's just easier all the way around if she stays away from Bones, even if she's unhappy. It's a small price to pay for the safety of those she loves.

But Bones is persistent, and still very much in love with his willful Kitten. Now that he's found her, she's not going to get away so easily. It's up to him to show her they can stay together and work their the issues that were keeping them apart. And now that there is a price on his love's head, he's going to fight tooth and nail - and sire - to keep her with him forever.....

My thoughts:

Jeaniene Frost has done it again! Some of you might remember, if you read my review of the first Night Huntress book, that I didn't much care for Bones when we first met him. The whole fact that he was British and pompous and blond did absolutely nothing for me. Or so I thought. The cheeky devil won me over despite my initial protests. Now, in this installment of the series, I was concerned how I would react to the separation between Cat and Bones: after all, it's been 4 long years! That's an eternity, even to a vampire, to be apart from the person they love, and all kinds of shenanigans can happen during that time.

But I shouldn't have worried. Ms. Frost brings us a bittersweet yet also funny reunion between these two stubborn but incredibly likable characters. I won't give it away, but suffice it to say that the where and how was quite fun, and right along with Cat, I knew I hadn't stopped loving Bones. He has a way about him that makes it very easy to overlook that he's a total pain in the ass on occasion. Worth putting up with for the rest of the time, especially chapter 32.

Yes, you know I had to go there. One of the most delightful things about a paranormal romance is that there are barriers and boundaries that can be erased so much more easily than in a traditional romance. Here, in this infamous chapter, Bones gives Cat the night of passion she demands, and it is so incredibly hot that even now, a week later, I'm still shivering when I think about it. The man's got some seriously dangerous skills, and Cat was one lucky chica, no doubt about it. This is the stuff legends are made of. Whew!

But there's a bunch of other stuff going on. For example, Cat's team has to come to terms with the fact that their leader is dating one of the undead. They're not so cool with that, and it causes tension in the ranks. In addition, they are dealing with the loss of one of their teammates from a fatal vampire attack, which makes Bones' presence even more unwanted. And if that weren't enough, someone has a serious jonesing to get rid of Cat permanently, and very nearly succeeds. As if Cat didn't have enough to deal with, there's just the teeny, tiny problem of her mom, who hates vampires with every fiber of her being, even though Cat is half vamp. Can you say dysfunctional? That pretty much covers Cat's relationship with her mother, yet Cat loves her, and is willing to put up with a lot to keep her mother safe.

This book I think really sets the tone for the series. Cat is no longer than clumsy, naive, starving waif we meet in the first book. She's somebody now, and she's incredibly good at what she does. She grew up, developed some confidence (and a better wardrobe?) and we see her in charge of this unit of men that defer to her in all decisions. We also delve more into her family tree, which is quite interesting. We also deal with some of Bones' history as one of the undead, and the hierarchy within the vampire world, from his sire to other Master vampires, their laws so different from human ones. It's a fascinating culture, and it will be interesting to see how Cat, as part vampire, tries to blend these two sides of herself within both worlds.

It should go without saying that I am ever so glad I have the 3rd book in the series, because while this one didn't quite end as a cliffhanger, there's still some loose threads that need to be addressed, and I'm thinking we're going to learn a lot in the next one. The more I learn, the more I want to know. And that's definitely a sign of an outstanding series.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

Holiday contest #3: win a copy of "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles

2009-12-16T06:44:00.000-06:00

A lot of readers are seriously into YA books these days, and after ages I finally picked this one up. As usual, I'm late to the party, but that's okay. Better late than never right?

So this book was a real treat. Jaded yet optimistic all at the same time, and the ending, well, that was worth it, let me tell ya. I did my review a few months back on it, and when I was thinking of holiday contests, and including some of my favorite things, well this book, Perfect Chemistry, was one of my favorite books of the year, not to mention a damn fine YA story. So this is my giveaway this week.

Per the Grinch (that would be me), same rules apply. Contest will run until noon CST on Friday, December 18th. All you have to do is answer the question. I ask that you don't include your email address. Once a winner is selected, it is their responsibility to contact me no later than a week from Friday, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

This week's contest question:

What clique, if any, did you fall into in high school:

Were you a jock, the homecoming queen, the class clown?

Something else entirely?

Good luck :)

Spotlight: T - Sherry Thomas

2009-12-15T06:53:00.003-06:00

[Picture by Jennifer Sparks Harriman from Sparks Studio]

Like a lot of people, I'm pretty impressionable. So when word came out about this new author - Sherry Thomas - who wrote an amazing story with some rather unlikable characters, I admit I wanted to know more.

That book was "Private Arrangements". I read it, and reviewed it. It was so different than a lot of books out there, and I was captivated right from the start. Some people did not like it, and gave very valid reasons why that was so, but for me, the story was a revelation. Here, the author took a gamble to write about characters we just might not enjoy reading about. But when you really think about it, that's what makes it so compelling. The truth is, in real life, most of us can be unlikable. We can be selfish and manipulative and rude and a whole bunch of other not so pure qualities. And while I like to keep my books, especially my romances, on a happy level, it's rather fun to read something that doesn't stick to the complete formula. Sure, we still have the HEA here, but it's for 2 people that might not make anyone else happy, but they sure do make each other happy.

I then went on to read "Not Quite a Husband" quite some time later. It was a very good story, though I didn't like it quite as much as PA. However Ms. Thomas writes very absorbing dialogue and completely draws you in so completely that you feel you are standing right there, breathing in the same air as those you are reading about. I loved that Bryony is this amazing doctor, intelligent and poised, and Leo is the good-looking charismatic hero that falls incredibly in love with her, yet both their insecurities lead toward divorce. I find it fascinating how Sherry tells the "story behind the story". Now I want to see the movie that it was inspired by (careful - there are spoilers at Sherry's site).

I have "Delicious" yet to read, and I know I need to find some quiet time where I can just recline and let myself be carried away by her words. It sounds so enticing, especially this time of year when it's natural to curl up with a good book after enjoying some mouth-watering holiday feasts. I must make time for this....

So what are your thoughts on the books of Sherry Thomas?

Chillin' in Tampa

2009-12-14T07:05:00.001-06:00

As some of you know, I just got back from a business trip to Tampa/St. Pete's. It was wonderful to get away from the midwest winter and just enjoy some decent weather in the middle of December.

[This picture here is the view from my room. Not exactly on the beach, but very, very close].

One thing I've noticed as I've gotten older as I seem to be getting more claustrophobic. On the way down to Tampa it wasn't bad because I was sitting in an aisle seat, but coming back, I was in the window seat and I couldn't sit still. I wanted off the plane. I think I'm going to need to start taking something to put me to sleep so I don't have to worry about this in the future.

I was traveling with coworkers so that made it much more fun than going by myself. Not being an especially social person, I find it hard to just strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to me. But going with people was awesome. We had a great time :)

We tried to go out every night, though the first night we were wiped out. One evening we went to Patrick's Bayside Grill, where we all had incredible steaks. We sat outside and enjoyed the mild weather. The food was excellent, the service very attentive, but it took forever to get our food. That was the only drawback. Other than that, we relaxed and just felt glad to be somewhere warm for a change.

I'm not a huge ice cream eater, but one stop we had to make was to this location, which I guess has been on the Food Network. Funny how we were the only ones there so early on a warm night. So that meant no waiting. I actually didn't have any ice cream, but the choices sounded pretty amazing. I almost regret it. Almost. But I knew that being so full from dinner I wouldn't have enjoyed it anyway.

Another memorable place we went to, after we lounged in the hot tub for awhile, was a place called Mad Fish. The dinner was wonderful, but we really stopped to try the fried Twinkies and fried Snickers. Oh, yum! Definitely worth the experience. I loved fried foods (and it shows) so it was awesome that these questionable delicacies were just as outstanding as we'd hoped.

For extra dessert, we had to have chocolate martinis, made especially by Linda at the Sirata Hotel. We thank her for the wonderful drinks and the company. It was a great trip all the way around.

And yes, I actually did learn something while I was there, but the memorable moments were the conversation, food and drinks, not to mention that wonderful hot tub.

When you travel do you like to hit the hot spots?

What are some of your most memorable moments - dining, etc?

There be winners...

2009-12-13T12:41:00.008-06:00

Well folks, I'm back. Believe it or not, I missed blogging terribly. And it's good to be home, despite the midwest winter weather. So I'm a little caught up, and ready to announce some winners.

First off is for the DVD "The Ugly Truth", a movie I really enjoyed. I had a blast reading the answers for the contest question - it was a lot of fun to see how daring and fun people can be, something I am so not LOL.

I'm jealous because I haven't even gotten a copy of this movie yet, but tis the season of giving, so the DVD goes to.....

DonnaS!

Congrats! Donna please email me your snail mail addy to trelainastarblazer @ yahoo dot com You have one week from today - until Sunday, December 20th, to contact me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

----------

Nxt up is the first book in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series, "Halfway To The Grave". Some cool ideas for supernatural creatures. It's hard to choose, isn't it? And I'm surprised so many people haven't read about Bones yet! I thought I was one of a very few. I hope the winner enjoys him (and the book) as much I as did. Of course if the winner is a guy, then I hope you love Cat *g* And...the copy of the book goes to....

Julie!

WTG! Same rule applies; please provide your snail mail addy to the email address provided above no later than a week from today, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The holiday contests aren't over, so I hope you'll stop by and see what else is going on in December :)

Let's hear it for the nice guy

2009-12-10T07:25:00.006-06:00

Zachary Levi from "Chuck", who happens to be a really nice guy

Nice guys are great, aren't they? Now I'm not talking about the ones that let you walk all over them. Sure they're nice, but there's such a thing as too nice. I'm talking about the ones that are genuinely decent guys, who like to goof around and hang out with you and just be a good friend. I know a lot of nice guys (sadly, the good ones really are taken) and as I've gotten older I'm really starting to appreciate them.

Like when they do hold the door open for you. I love this. I'm a very independent person and I don't get hung up on that whole feminist thing, because when someone does something nice for me like that, I'm going to appreciate it instead of looking at it as men trying to take my right to open my own door away from me. I have a friend like this. She looks at this as a bad thing. I think she's crazy, because she's missing the whole point, in my opinion. I think someone holding the door open for you is a considerate gesture, one of respect, not of someone trying to make me feel inferior. Sometimes women are plain crazy.

But. I digress. We're talking nice guys here. The ones who love their kids and buy you coffee and appreciate a good joke. The ones who surprise their wives on their birthday with a special gift, the ones who unabashedly love their dog, the ones who blush a little when you give them a compliment. The ones that are protective, the ones that appreciate you're a woman without being pigs, and the ones who have lots of friends because they are such nice guys.

I'm celebrating the nice guy today because I am lucky enough to know several, and think they are some of the greatest people around. In some cases, I envy their wives and girlfriends LOL. In others, I'm just glad they're a part of my day. So let's hear it for the nice guys, and all the reasons we love them.

Do you know a nice guy or two?

What's so great about them?

Would you or have you dated a nice guy?

Holiday contest #2: win a copy of the 1st Night Huntress book in 2 of my favorite new series!

2009-12-09T07:00:00.005-06:00

Thanx to the many awesome bloggers and Twitter pals out there, I've discovered another new author who writes the most incredible paranormal series: Jeaniene Frost. I am completely in love with these books, and can't thank these guys enough for pimping it out.

So I'm going to return the favor this holiday season and spread the love. This week's holiday prize is a copy of the first in the Night Huntress series (which I just reviewed) called "Halfway to the Grave".

Contest runs from today until noon CST on Sunday, December 13th. All are welcome to enter as long as you can receive mail.

As always, please DO NOT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR ANSWER. Winner is responsible for contacting me and has one week from the time announced, otherwise another winner will be selected. Winner must also answer the selected question in order to qualify:

If you could be any supernatural creature (vampire, werewolf, fairy, witch, etc.) which would it be and why?

Good luck to you all, and cannot wait to hear which one you choose :)

Spotlight: S - Nalini Singh

2009-12-08T06:50:00.004-06:00

Picture by Ashwini Singh

Isn't Nalini Singh just adorable? I think so. And who would think she writes not just one but two incredible paranormal series that have readers panting for more.

I'm slowly swimming in the dark and dangerous waters of the paranormal world, mostly because for the longest time, I wasn't interested in reading about any other creature besides a vampire, and look at how long it took me to find them appealing (as mentioned in my Night Pleasures post). I'd read stories with werewolves before, but they didn't appeal much to me. I figured I was a once-creature kinda girl.

So when everyone started raving about these books involving leopards and panthers and wolves, well I couldn't care less. However after awhile I couldn't ignore the discussion any longer, and I was feeling left out and jealous that there were books out there that several of my reader friends adored that I hadn't read. I finally got my hands on "Slave to Sensation", especially cuz my pal Kati made me most curious about this alpha named Lucas. And wow, I was blown away.

So now I've read several of Nalini's Psy-Changeling books, and loved each and every one of them. Before too long, word spread about another series, this one about Archangels. I figured there's no way she can strike gold twice, right? Well, I would be proven incredibly wrong on that one. "Angel's Blood" is a fantastic read, imaginative and fearsome, and I'm trying to figure out which series I like best. But really, it doesn't even matter. Because Nalini has some sensational writing skills that are apparent in whatever she writes. So I'm going to savor both series, and hope to God that she has it in that limitless scope of a brain to wow us yet again with her magic. Rock on, Nalini.

Do you have a favorite Psy/Changeling hero?

And what do you think of Raphael?

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (2007) - review

2009-12-07T07:29:00.005-06:00

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father--the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner--are there actually "good" vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

Young Cat Crawfield is the by-product of a date rape her mother suffered twenty-some odd years ago at the mercy of a vampire. That horrific experience scarred her mother so deeply that Cat feels guilty for her very existence. Now to atone for being born, Cat is spending her nights killing those very same vampires whose DNA runs through her veins, and her days in the classroom, trying to make something out of herself.

One night while trolling for vamps in the usual stomping grounds, Cat encounters an arrogant, cheeky vampire who sets her completely off her game. Every other time she's offered herself up as seductive prey, the evil vampire unerringly took the bait, too hungry to ever suspect something might be wrong. But this English bugger flusters Cat, makes her feel silly and gauche, and even declines her tempting offer. It isn't until another time that Mr. Can't Be Bothered decides he's got time for her, and even then, Cat discovers she's not the one in control here. Sure she may have successfully killed a bunch of vampires for someone of her tender years and limited abilities, but this one was different. Powerful. Deadly. And not one bit fooled by her innocently seductive act. This is one fight Cat's not sure she can win.

Bones is his name, and he's a bad-ass vamp who has his own reasons for killing vampires. At his ripe old age, he's a master vamp, and has powers Cat's not seen before. Discovering her amazing ability, as well as the fact this Kitten has a little secret she uses as her trump card, Bones offers up the idea of an alliance between them, a dangerous pact that just might get Cat killed....

My thoughts:

Just when you think there cannot possibly be another amazing series to fall in love with, that all the books out there are blurring into one another and you just don't have the energy or the inclination to start again, when all paranormals are based on a cookie-cutter formula, you are proven very, very wrong. And I have Jeaniene Frost to thank for that.

Cat and Bones. I mean really, what kind of a name is Bones? Certainly not a very sexy one. Amd to be honest, his real name isn't all that hawt either. And confession time: I did not even like Bones when we first meet him. He was a total wanker, and I badly wanted Cat to stake him even before I knew who he was. (In fact it was with a sense of dread that I suspected this total ass was in fact Bones, and sure enough, some people in the know on Twitter confirmed my worst fears).

But I am a weak, easy woman, and before too much longer, despite my initial distaste, I was in luv. Bones might have been rude and irritating at first, but he has an amazing tendency to wear down your defenses. He's deadly and unrepentant, but there's just something about the guy that's rather irresistible.

And then there's Cat. She's what, 21, 22 years old at this point, and has already been killing vamps for the last 6 or 7 years. She's a refreshing character because she's a loner, but not really a hardened person despite her lonely, unforgiving. Because of her half-breed existence, she's gone mostly without any friends, which is rather sad and made my heart go out to her. She also has a mother hell-bent on vengeance and Cat feels guilty for her part in that, no matter the fact that it is absolutely not her fault for the violence her mother suffered or the result led to her being born. Yet in addition to all that, Cat also has a fierce, prickly side that I rather admired. She's a bit clumsy, still getting her feet wet, yet she also has this really alluring, beautiful and fearless appeal about her that even after a time Bones cannot resist. The bloke is head over heels and Cat doesn't even know it.

This book was a trip, and I'm competely sucked in by Jeaniene's storytelling. Funny, clever, entertaining, very sexy, I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page. I especially liked how the relationship between Bones and Cat developed, and as much as I enjoy the long, drawn-out courtship, it makes sense that in a life and death existence, everything is more intense and you don't wait around for when it's the "right" time. So along with all the other exciting, edgy things going on in this book, you also have a poignant love story. That really appealed to me.

I've already started book 2 (impatient for chapter 32!) but I won't reveal any of that here. Suffice it to say it's an amazing kickoff to my new favorite series, and if you haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, stay tuned because I'm going to include it in my holiday contest. I promise, you will LOVE it.

Rating: ***** out of *****

Here's where I'm going and other goings-on....

2009-12-06T07:48:00.002-06:00

St. Pete Beach, Florida

As this is being posted, I am currently on my way to Florida for a business trip, and this is the area where I'll be. I'm excited because the weather has to be at least 30 to 40 degrees warmer than where I live, so that in itself is a good thing. I'll be back Thursday night sometime.

While I'm away, I won't have much (if any) internet access as I'm leaving the laptop at home. I have my phone, but blogging from that seems too much like work, so I'm not ignoring you, I'm just limited on resources. Any contests I'm running prior to leaving will be finalized when I return (you know me....world's biggest procrastinator!)

Speaking of contests, I did want to answer a question Marisa had asked me about "The Ugly Truth" in my contest post and why it was one of my favorite movies of 2009. Well, I saw several movies (and there are some I have yet to see before the year is up, i.e. "The Blind Side) but this movie, which is very politically incorrect and derogatory and raunchy, just hit the right tone with me at the time. I really liked it. It's not a piece of cinema brilliance, but after seeing so many "meh" movies that didn't register much after I left the theatre, this one I just plain enjoyed. It wasn't perfect by any means, and the whole "anal, prissy, uptight" female lead is beyond old, but whatever. Some cliche's can be really entertaining, and this one was.

I am feeling a little stressed out because for as long as I've been blogging, I still enjoy the process, and hate that I won't have time to devote to it this week. I tried to get some worked before I left, so those are in the works, but the following week might be sparse. I know, why should I worry about something so silly, right? I just do. I get to make myself the focus and talk about all the things I love (or think about, or rant over) and I have the floor all to myself, even if no one is listening. The biggest of course being my love of romances (and all the genres and subgenres). It's one part of my life that none of my real life friends share, and that makes it really lonely sometimes LOL. I want to tell my coworkers all about Jeaniene Frost or Lisa Kleypas or Ann Aguirre, and none of them get it. It's no fun gushing alone. So my blog (and Twitter) suffers the consequences *g* I do so adore my online friends :)

Holiday stuff: I'm pretty much done, and I cut back soooo much this year. I elected not to write Christmas cards, except for some to the troops. That's it. Well, my parents too. It's so weird because I LOVE sending out Christmas cards. This year, I just wasn't feeling it. So rather than force myself, I decided not to bother. I'm hoping next year I'll be back on track.

That's about it, without getting maudlin. The holidays are a time I always feel a little sad while also getting a little swept up in the magic of it all. I still remember the feeling I had when I believed in Santa Claus, and it's stayed with me all these years, which is why it's still magical. And I'm so grateful for all the blessings I have. I really am very, very lucky. Sure there are things I wish that were different, but I'm not going to concentrate on that. I'm going to remember all what I do have, not least of which is a TBR pile that will keep me busy for the rest of my life LOL.

So off I go! I've got several books with me, including book #2 & 3 of the Twilight series, A Shannon K. Butcher book, and perhaps Devon Monk's first in her series. I am easily distracted while out of town, and I will be with several coworkers, so I'm saving #3 & #4 of Frost's books to savor for when I return. I'll miss you guys, and can't wait to hear about all the amazing books you're reading and pimpin'. Catch ya soon.......

What She Needs by Lacey Alexander (2009) - review

2009-12-04T06:45:00.004-06:00

Welcome to the Hotel Erotique, where sex is the main amenity.

Mild-mannered Jenna Banks has never considered sex a recreational sport, preferring instead to share herself one-on-one with a man she respects and loves. Then a friend secretly enters her in a contest—and to Jenna’s dismay she wins. It’s a two-week stay at the notorious Hotel Erotique, where every sexual fantasy comes true—in room after room, with stranger after stranger.

Even more unnerving for Jenna is Brent Powers, her wildly sensual personal guide, who can’t wait to put his degree in sexual psychology to work—by tapping into Jenna’s unspoken fantasies, and by allowing her to surrender her inhibitions and discover her true sense of freedom. But with the slow and steady seduction of Jenna come feelings that neither of them expected. And now where the final fantasy takes them depends on how far Jenna and Brent are really willing to go.

When Jenna finds out she won a contest for a 2-week stay at Hotel Erotique, she is not pleased. For some time her friends have been trying to get her to be more adventurous when it comes to sex, but as far as Jenna was concerned, she's quite content with what she has, even though she's not dating anyone and there's no one new on the horizon. She's feeling pressured to do things that make her feel uncomfortable, so initially she wants to decline the invitation. But her friends convince her to go anyway, if for no other reason to enjoy the beach and getting away for a few weeks, so she reluctantly agrees.

Upon reaching the island, she's feeling weird about everyone thinking she's there for a wild sexcapade because she really only intends to use this time to read and lay out on the beach. She's also squirming because prior to coming to the hotel, she had answered several questionnaires about herself, some of them rather intimate. Even though she hadn't intended to take advantage of the sexual amenities the resort has to offer, she didn't want to be disqualified from being there at all, so she responded to the surveys honestly, believing that the staff wouldn't force her to do anything she really didn't want to do. Braving the knowing smiles, she checks into her room and since she has some time before she's scheduled to meet with her consultant, so she relaxes and gets comfortable.

According to the guidelines of the hotel, female guest are paired with a female consultant to discuss their expectations and plans for their stay at the erotic resort. However, as luck would have it, her consultant was called away on an emergency, and she ends up having dinner with Brent Powers, a magnetic and intriguing man who pushes Jenna's buttons. He also happens to be part owner of the resort. Brent has been on the island for 15 years, so he's seen and done a lot, indulging in fulfilling fantasies in a non-judgmental, freeing, safe environment. He believes that Jenna is sexually repressed, primarily due to some events in her life and also because of her parents' personal views on sex. He doesn't think she's opened herself up to the wonderful world of sensuality and all it has to offer. And he thinks that he can encourage to explore her fantasies and lead a more satisfying life, on several levels. Brent is determined to help her reach that point.

At first Jenna is angry. How dare this stranger tell her there's something wrong with her just because she doesn't indulge in numerous sexual encounters? She's not that kind of woman, and she's completely content with that. But in talking with Brent over dinner, it's evident that she is holding back in other ways as well, and as he lulls her into a heady, sensual mood, she slowly lets herself feel the provocative attraction between them, and lets it take her where it may....

My thoughts:

I've been a fan of Lacey Alexander long before I realized she was also Toni Blake. The first one I read, "French Quarter" was incredibly sexy and wild. Most of Lacey's books are like that. They also have a strong emotional component that's always driven me to seek out her stories. This one is no different in that respect.

Jenna does let herself be seduced by Brent that first night, and shares an incredibly sexy and thrilling encounter right there in the gazebo with Brent. It's a very carnal act, but one she enjoys immensely, much to her surprise. Jenna isn't a prude, exactly, but she seems to shy away from exploring outside her comfort zone. She likes to feel "safe", and to know what to expect. But with Brent, anything can happen, and she's about to discover just exactly what that means.

However it's her second rendezvous with Brent that really ramps up the heat considerably, and yes ,you wicked wenches, you'll need to keep a fan (and/or your man) nearby. It is scorchingly sexy and wild, as they indulge in a little role-playing with Brent as a priest and Jenna as a naughty Catholic school girl. Not everyone's personal taste, and not one I thought I'd be into since for one thing I'm not Catholic, but wowza, this one is incredibly sexy and exciting, especially considering Jenna's reservations. Brent has made sure that Jenna is aware that every fantasy she has includes a "safe word", so if at anytime she's not completely into the fantasy, it will stop. But he also encourages her to push past her personal discomfort with the unknown and challenge herself to be a bit more daring. She decides to jump in with both feet and let herself fully experience the pleasure of this particular forbidden fantasy, and the results are extremely satisfying for both of them.

They engage in several common fantasies, each time Brent pushing her a little more, testing her limits and letting her know that she is not being judged or condemned for what she does or doesn't do. Jenna begins to feel herself becoming more and more connected to Brent, trusting him to give her the ultimate in pleasure and fulfillment while opening up her mind to as far as her imagination wants to go. He begins to notice that his participation in Jenna's fantasies may actually be hindering more than helping, so he tries to draw back, but Jenna insists that she wants him to be a part of her sensual journey, so he reluctantly agrees, just as caught up in the sensuous web he unwittingly created as Jenna apparently is.

I liked a lot of things about this book, mostly that no matter how incredibly explicit or wild the fantasies got, there was a strong connection for Jenna, mostly between her and Brant. Yes, it was about sex; hot, wild, sometimes rough, very explosive sex. But no matter how much Brent wanted her to, there was no way she could partake in random, meaningless encounters with just anyone. Yet she still let herself push past her own boundaries and discover what it was like to act outside her comfort zone.

One thing that I let slide is that Brent's role is not just that of consultant, but also as a therapist in a sense, and the idea that he would be intimately involved in Jenna's sexual exploration seems far-fetched and unprofessional, especially when he cannot remain objective, however in the interest of the erotic tone of the story, I was willing to put my beliefs aside and not let them interfere with what I was reading. I went with the flow on this one.

The biggest pet peeve I had, and this tends to be the one I've had with the last few of Lacey's books, is the heroine's overwhelming desire to "please" the hero. There was one fantasy Jenna participated in, a fantasy that does nothing for me personally but would have been a breakthrough for Jenna if she could have just let herself go and not done it because Brent was somehow involved. Yet he's there, and it just kind of ruined it for me. I understand that she would want him to be aroused by what she was doing, and for her to see that it was turning him on is a huge aphrodisiac, but I wanted Jenna to be doing what she was doing because it pleased her. The way it's written comes across to me that the heroine is so dependent on the hero for her pleasure that it supercedes her own desires, and that just doesn't sit well with me at all. I think I understand where Lacey is coming from on this, because this is a romance and yes, there is a HEA, and my personal feeling is that it's to establish right from the start that the heroine has feelings for the hero that she doesn't have for any other man. I get that. But to have every single fantasy revolve around his presence and his pleasure was a bit too submissive for my taste.

However that being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. As Lacey has said, it is an edgier erotic romance, delving beyond the fantasy element and digging into what drives a person's views on sex and how they present their sexuality to the world. I found this rather fascinating because in a lot of erotic romances, the characters are so willing to let it all hang out and not really question why or how they're doing what they are doing, regardless of their level of experience. Yet here we have a heroine who is in fact sexually experienced but has a lot of reservations about any sexual encounter she cannot control or sex that might be what she considers inappropriate. Instead of reveling in having dirty fantasies, she's shut herself off from anything that is what she thinks isn't proper. But with Brent she puts her trust to guide her, to give her permission in a sense, and to trust that what she is doing is not wrong.

So yeah, lots of hot, delicious sex and one very scrumptious hero who discovers that while it may be exciting to have a bounty of sexual variety, it can also be just as thrilling to share it all with the right person.

Can't wait for the next LA book, which won't be until....2011!

Rating: **** out of *****

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (2002) - quickie review

2009-12-03T07:02:00.005-06:00

Dear Reader,

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking the evil that preys on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power? That is my existence, and it is dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minutes of it.

Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. Or in Amanda's case, one buttoned all the way up to her chin. She's smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal--in other words, me.

My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Yet every time I look at her, I find myself wanting to try again. Wanting to believe that love and loyalty do exist.

Even more disturbing, I find myself wondering if there's any way a woman like Amanda can love a man whose battle scars run deep, and whose heart was damaged by a betrayal so savage that he's not sure it will ever beat again.

"Kyrian of Thrace"

This is the first "official" Dark Hunters story, and where I first discovered that vampires could avoid sunlight and have fangs, but not look like an emaciated Pillsbury Doughboy. Oh no, that was not the case with these bad boys. (They ARE mad, bad, and immortal, after all).

While reading this book, I had to smile because while there are memories of great violence and death, there are also many light-hearted and cheesy moments as well. We see more earthly involvement with the Greek gods and goddesses here, and this is the book where we first meet Acheron, or aka Ash.

The gist of the story is that Kyrian was betrayed thousands of years ago by someone he loved, and his cry of anguish was heard by the goddess Artemis, who had created this band of hunters - led by Acheron - to battle the Apollites who turned daimon. A Dark Hunter relinquishes his soul to Artemis, and they are fated to walk the world alone. Apollites, also known as the descendants of the god Apollo, were cursed to live no more than 27 years before they crumbled to dust and died. Those desperate enough not to die become daimons, blood suckers, and require the souls of humans to sustain their existence. Dark Hunters do not require blood to survive, nor do they kill humans for their souls. However they cannot be out in sunlight, unlike daimons, and while immortal, they can die. A Dark Hunter who dies becomes a Shade, doomed to walk the earth always hungering, longing, but never being satisified. It is an existence beyond cruelty.

So Kyrian is hunting daimons, most especially Desiderius, who seems to have powers unlike any daimon he's known. Desiderius handcuffs Kyrian to Amanda Deveraux, a human with extraordinary powers of her own, coming from a magical family. But while Amanda loves her family, she denies her roots, preferring to live in the "normal" world. She doesn't know it, but has incredible power, and Desiderius is fully aware of this. He uses his human minions to carefully nurture Amanda's gifts without her knowing.

While together, Amanda and Kyrian begin to fall in love, although because of his tortured past and the incredible betrayal he suffered, Kyrian is convinced no woman can ever love him. He continues to push her away. But it's no use. He finds her extraordinary, and is constantly surprised at her bravery and fearlessness. So while he finds himself wishing for a life other than that of a Dark Hunter, a life filled with love and family, he knows the chances of that are near impossible of surviving. Only a handful of Dark Hunters have ever successfully gotten their souls back, and the price is one that may just be too steep to pay....

My thoughts:

Yeah the book is a little cheesy it some ways, but in others quite enjoyable. As I mentioned, I have a special fondness for the Dark Hunters series because I never knew vampires could be so delicious until I read "Night Pleasures". I continue to like the Greek mythology references, although we're all over the map here with them, but that's okay. It's all part of the fun. I don't recall ever reading anything where Ms. Kenyon goes out of her way to apologize for creating such a lovable mess, and I can appreciate that. It is what it is. Some things you just enjoy, even if they're not the greatest. And tastes change over time, so a book you once loved 5 years ago may not be the same book you love today. I was aware of all of this when I started to re-read NP, and so I let go of any expectations and just enjoyed the ride.

Of course I have to mention, again, this is when we first meet Acheron, leader of the Dark Hunters and a being who's walked the earth for over 11,000 years. He's got a "partnership" with Artemis since he's in charge of the group but Artemis still owns their souls. What do we know about him? He's very tall, been around almost forever, looks young, has long hair that he changes the color with his moods (it's green when he first comes on the scene). And the dude's got powers. Amazing powers. And then there's that whole deal with Artie....

But moving on. I liked that while Kyrian is a dangerous hunter, he also retains some of his humanity. He can be quite funny and blase' about what he does. After all, he's been alive a looong time (though not even close to as how long Acheron's been walking the earth) so there's not much he hasn't seen or done. He now has a purpose - to kill daimons - and he does it very well. Amanda has him thinking of things he hasn't thought of since he was human - a home, family - and part of him longs for it, while another part believes deep down it can never be. All he can do is keep her safe.

I liked Amanda right from the start. Even though she's conservative and resistant to her true nature, she's not going around with a stick up her ass. She's a very warm, caring person, and while initially she is distrustful of Kyrian, she soon is fighting there right alongside him. And once Amanda commits to something, she's in it with her whole heart. At one point, the climax of the story, she has to be braver than she's ever been, and despite her incredible fear, she pulls it off. It's a crucial moment and she doesn't even waver. I remember the first time I read that scene, and I was on pins and needles. It wasn't quite as gripping this time around, but I was still drawn into it.

So yeah, this series isn't perfect by any means, but it's like a comfortable old chair you just can't get rid of. I decided not to read all the books right in a row, so it may be a little bit before I go onto the next one, but I'll get there. Eventually.

Rating: **** out of *****

Holiday contest #1: Do you want "The Ugly Truth"?

2009-12-02T06:55:00.004-06:00

"Abby Richter is a romantically challenged morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She's in for a rude awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway, a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick." from Yahoo movies

This was one of my favorite movies of 2009, so I thought it would be fun to give it away as my first holiday prize. I just love Gerard Butler (even if he is a man ho!) and thought he was funny and sexy and even sweet in this movie. It's a bit raunchy, and politically incorrect, but if you like hot guys and you're not easily offended, then I think you just might like this one.

If you've already seen it and want your own copy (like I do), then here's your chance. As always, I like to ask a question and get to know my "audience" *g*, and this time is no different. And the contest question is:

"What's the craziest thing you'd do or have done to get a guy's attention?"

Rules: So please comment no later than noon CST on Saturday, December 6th. All eligible comments must answer the question. Please DO NOT leave your email address. Once the winner is announced here at my blog, it will be their responsibility to contact me within 1 week of announcement, otherwise a new winner will be announced. Contest is open to anyone I can send this to, anyone who receives mail.

[Since I will be out of town on business starting early Sunday morning and will be gone for a week, I might not be able to respond until after the 12th.]

So go ahead, I want to know just how wild and crazy you guys all are LOL. And GOOD LUCK!!!

Spotlight: R - J.D. Robb

2009-12-01T06:48:00.005-06:00

Who on the planet, or at least in the romance community, doesn't know who Nora Roberts is? The woman is an ICON. No question. She's written hundreds of books and continues to have numerous releases year after year.

I discovered her books late in the game, though other than the Dream series, I decided NR just wasn't for me. Her stories were okay, but I wasn't blown away by them. I still to this day love that Dream series with the unforgettable Margo, Kate and Laura and the men who loved them. I more recently read the Chesapeake Bay series and enjoyed those as well. It's a toss-up between whether it's Cam or Ethan who I like best.

But while Nora writes some great stories, it's her alter ego J.D. Robb that I completely love and adore. By the time I decided to give them a try, I went in with bold intentions, and bought all 12 or 13 books that were out at the time. Yes I did. And never regretted it for a moment. There are currently 35 books released with at least 2 more coming out. Not only has she written about one of the most memorable, sexy and coveted heroes of all time, the infamous Roarke (except for the smoking thing), she also created a heroine that is unlike any other as far as I can tell. She's not dramatically different, but Eve Dallas is a force of nature, and the genuine article. From abused child to fearless homicide detective, Eve has seen and done things no one should have to experience, but while that may be the case, it's made her this fierce, loyal, unapologetic, proud, fashion-challenged woman who got an incredibly rich, powerful and sexy god to fall passionately in love with her.

And if that weren't enough, you have a captivating array of secondary characters to love, from Eve's best friend Mavis to Roarke's butler Somerset, who battles it out with Eve every chance he gets. Then there's Eve's partner Peabody and her boyfriend McNab. You've also got Eve's mentor Feeney, and a multitude of others who shift through Eve's day. The setting is several decades in the future, so it has an exciting, futuristic quality but retains a present-day charm. Or at least as much charm as New York City can ooze.

So my author spotlight is for the unforgettable J.D. Robb and the hours of reading pleasure I've spent immersed in this series. I hope that NR continues to write about Eve and Roarke and her merry cast for as long as humanly possible. I'm not ready to let go.

Are you a J.D. Robb fan?

And wouldn't you just kill to have Roarke as your husband????

Double Dose of Dahl (Victoria Dahl, that is)

2009-11-30T07:12:00.003-06:00

Molly Jenkins has one naughty little secret: her job as a bestselling erotic fiction author. Until her inspiration runs dry--thanks to a creepy ex--and it's time to skip town and move back to tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado.

One look at former high school hunk chief of police Ben Lawson and Molly is back in business. The town gossip is buzzing at her door and, worse still, a stalker seems to be watching her every move. Thankfully, her very own lawman has taken to coming over, often. The only problem now is that Molly may have to let the cat out of the bag about her chosen profession, and straitlaced Ben will definitely not approve....

I had heard about author Victoria Dahl awhile ago. I think it might have been when Katiebabs talked about one of her books on KristieJ's blog. But it wasn't until a Twitter conversation about the hot and dirty contemporaries that Ms. Dahl wrote, as well as her own tweets, that finally got me to give them a try. And I devoured both contemps over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Overall I rather liked "Talk Me Down". It was sexy, and fun, and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. I did waver between wanting to smack Molly upside the head and wanting to be her friend though. She has a tendency to be pretty immature, but she's got a vivacious personality that made it difficult to hate her. Still, there are times when she has a big mouth, and for a private guy like Ben, it bothers me to see her acting so cavalier about certain things.

And keeping her profession, as that of an erotica writer, a secret even from her family, was a bit extreme. I think what bothered me most about it is that she KNOWS how much Ben hates secrets, and why, yet she keeps it from him anyway. True, he's fully aware of that fact she has this secret, but trust is so important to him, and while she was only looking for something casual, Ben was not. Perhaps that's a double standard, because what if the reverse were true? Would I be as upset with Ben if he had this huge secret? Now that I think about it, yes I would.

Another thing that bothered me was the whole stalker issue. I thought it was enough to have this secret between them instead of throwing another subplot to take away from the relationship. It would even have been okay if it had been toned down a bit, but I just didn't think it was necessary to take it to such a level as it went to. And the Cameron thing squicked me out, right from the beginning. I admit I flipped through these pages because I just wanted to get past them.

But by the end of the book, everything worked out, so that's the main thing, right? I think Molly grew up enough to be more worthy of Ben, though she still had a ways to go. But I believe she was willing to try to be the kind of woman Ben deserved, because he was pretty special.

Rating: *** 1/2 out of *****

Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she'd stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex...and lots of it.

Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brain--not love and romance. A serious architect, he's delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori's bedside table, he's busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn's protective instincts kick in.

Suddenly he "cares." More than either of them ever expected....

I liked this one quite a bit more than the first book. Lori wasn't always the nicest heroine, a fact she herself will admit to, but that's okay. She's had a difficult time of it the last ten years but she faced up to her responsibilities, even though it's not the life she would have chosen for herself. But Lori is a healthy young woman with raging hormones, and she just ain't finding ways to satisfy her needs in Tumble Creek. Heck, most of the town believes she's a lesbian, and even if they didn't, there aren't many desirable men to choose from.

With the help of her friend Molly, Lori decides it's time to occasionally go out and just have fun being a woman. During a girls' night out, they run into Molly's brother Quinn, who can't take his eyes off Lori. He's stunned to discover under the overalls and grease is a very sexy, attractive woman, one he wants to spend more time with. At first Lori isn't too crazy about the idea, even though Quinn pushes all the right buttons. But she's known him all her life and she cannot imagine living out her dirty fantasies with a friend. However there's just no other man who will do, and soon, Quinn and Lori are hittin' the sheets and discovering how down and dirty friends can get...

These book was incredibly sexy. The fact that Lori wasn't afraid to explore some of her most naughty fantasies and that Quinn was more than willing to take her there was incredibly hot. I liked that he didn't think she was a freak or a nymphomaniac just because she wanted to do things "nice" girls aren't supposed to want to do. In fact the guy counts his lucky stars that she trusts him enough to share her desires in the bedroom, and he's more than willing to satisfy each and every one of them.

But Quinn begins to develop stronger feelings for her, and because he cares, he believes he knows what's best for Lori, so he pushes her to change some of the things about her life. And because of fear and indignation that he assumes he has the right, Lori pushes him away.

On top of her issues with Quinn, she has to deal with someone trying to destroy her business. This is what keeps the book from being perfect for me; when we discover the motivation and who the actual culprit is. Without giving it away or going into detail, I was soooo disappointed in how this scenario ended. It's not that I didn't see it coming, I just wish it had ended much differently. In fact I prayed that what happened wouldn't happen. Sadly, it did. But it didn't run the book completely for me, because there was a lot of stuff I liked too much about it.

The ending is rather romantic, though not in a traditional sense. I liked that Lori and Quinn were taking it slow. It was unexpectedly sweet, actually. And very fitting for the relationship they'd been having. I highly approve.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon (2002) - quickie review

2009-11-29T08:14:00.000-06:00

For 2,000 years, Julian of Macedon has lived a curse of being a love-slave. When he is summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, Grace is the first woman to see him as a man with a tormented past. Taking him out into the world, instead of keeping him in the bedroom, Grace teaches Julian to love again. But can that alone break the 2,000-year-old curse he is under?

I read this book years ago, and I don't remember why I picked it up since vampires creeped me out (though this story isn't about vampires). But I was curious about this writer who told stories about vamps mixed t up with some sexy guys and proceeded with a huge helping of Greek mythology. Sherrilyn Kenyon does not list it as a Dark Hunter book on her website though I see it listed that way at many online bookstore sites. I guess it's the prequel to the series, because it has some overlapping characters but there's really nothing about the Dark Hunter history. Still, I'm glad I read it, even though it's a bit on the fluffy side.

Grace's friend Selena thinks Grace needs a hot guy to show her a rockin' time in bed, so she brings Grace a special book, where inside the covers is a hot sex slave from thousands of years ago. Once he is summoned, he will give the summoner untold pleasure from full moon to full moon; an entire month.

Grace doesn't believe in all Selena's mumbo-jumbo, even though Selena is her best friend. But it's her birthday, and she's had a little too much wine, so she humors Selena by chanting the words necessary to bring Julian forth. When nothing happens, she's not surprised and Selena is majorly disappointed and goes home.

But of course Julian does show up, and he's very, very naked. Grace is immediately drawn to Julian, as any healthy, red-blooded woman would be, but she's not the sort of woman to just jump into bed with a guy, no matter how much he flips her switch. Julian doesn't understand Grace's reluctance as every other time he's been summoned, women have fallen upon him like ravening wolves. But right from the start, she's different, and hell, he's got nothing better to do, so why not let her show her around the 21st century?

As time passes, Grace discovers the torment of Julian's past, and how he came to be cursed. It turns out that there may be a way to break the curse, but it's dangerous and very iffy. However Grace has come to care deeply for Julian and even if he decides to move on, she'd rather have him free than trapped inside the dark pages of that book for who knows how long. Eventually Julian begins to wish for it too, and together they fight to break a curse that is nearly impossible to break...

My thoughts:

Wouldn't that be just about every woman's fantasy, right there with a hot guy to cook and clean? Yeah, I thought so too, but Grace doesn't. I liked that she's not willing to just let this gorgeous, sexy man lure into his arms quite that easily. But she wants to help him, which is more than what anyone else has ever tried to do for him before. So he lets her, even though deep down he believes she's wasting her time. But no one's ever looked beyond his appearance and his talents in the bedroom, and it feels good to be valued for something other than his body. He's not fooled, he knows Grace wants him, but she's not easily seduced.

Having already read several books in this series, I've already noticed that Sherrilyn Kenyon tends to make her heroes really suffer. I mean REALLY. Just wait til Zarek, if you haven't read the books. Most heart-breaking story ever. But this is Julian's story, and he suffers plenty enough. Betrayal, torture, horrendous grief. The things that are done to him are incomprehensible, yet they happen, and he's lived over 2000 years having to remember each gruesome, excruciating detail. I'm amazed that Julian hadn't been driven insane by all what he witnessed and experienced. But then this is a book about a fantasy lover, so insanity wouldn't really suit the purpose, now would it?

I enjoyed going back and revisiting where it all began. It's not the best of the series, but I'm glad I read it and got to know Julian and Grace, who will make future appearances in the series. I thought the book was sexy and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. Part of it is my fascination with Greek mythology, though Ms. Kenyon does take huge liberties with it, but so what? It's mythology for God's sake. And the book is fiction, and it's fun to step outside the box from time to time and watch Aphrodite be a mom to Julian. I didn't start the series looking for intellectual stimulation, but to be entertained, and so far, that's exactly what I've experienced.

And Ms. Kenyon does tug on your emotions a bit, which is one of my weaknesses. I've already started reading Night Pleasures and there's a bit more of that going on in that book too. What can I say, the Dark Hunters are my bag of potato chips.

Rating: **** out of *****

Upcoming holiday contests: the ??? Days of Christmas

2009-11-28T10:40:00.002-06:00

Jack here (Sam? Miguel? Alex?) is wishing you the very hottest and sexiest of holidays ;)

Tis the season of giving, and I'm really excited to be running some contests in the month of December, just in time for the holidays. I haven't completely figured it all out, mostly because I'm going to be out of town for a week for work and I won't have access to a computer (which is going to kill me) so I'm trying to get myself in gear before then.

I thought I would tailor the contest to suit my personality and give away prizes of books and DVD's that I like.

Because of my schedule in December I most likely won't be able to get the prizes out by Christmas, but they all will end before December 25th. Besides, isn't it still kinda fun to get gifts AFTER the holidays are over? Yeah, I thought so too *g*

So stay tuned for those contests, and hopefuly you'll enjoy them as much as I know I'm going to :)

What kind of contests are your favorite?

~ And no, you can't have the hottie. He's MINE! ~

What I'm watching: Chuck (Season 1)

2009-11-27T07:45:00.003-06:00

Editorial Reviews:

Zachary Levi starred as computer geek and social misfit Chuck Bartowski in this heady NBC combination of comedy, fantasy, espionage, teen angst and wish fulfillment. While working a technical-support firm called the Nerd Herd, Chuck accidentally downloaded millions of megabytes of government secrets into his own brain!

This made him an invaluable commodity to his former college roommate Bryce Larkin (Matthew Bomer), whom Chuck had always assumed was an accountant but was actually a CIA agent. Recruiting Chuck as a human "secret weapon," Bryce was also saddled with the responsibility of keeping our hero alive--or at least, out of the hands of the Enemy.

Lightening Chuck's burden considerably was his sexy contact person Sarah Walker (Yvonne Starhovski), who somehow managed to shed most of her clothes in each episode.

Also in the cast were Adam Baldwin as irascible CIA boss Maj. John Casey, Joshua Gomez as Chuck's goofy best friend Morgan Grimes, Sarah Lancaster as Chuck's troublesome sister Ellie, and, at Nerd Herd headquarters, Mark Christopher Lawrence as manager Big Mike, C.S. Lee as assistant manager Tang, and Chuck's coworkers Anna (Julia Ling), Lester (Vik Sahay) and Jeff (Scott Krinsky). The weekly, hour-long Chuck was first seen on September 24, 2007. Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Earlier this year on a flight, I remember seeing an episode of this show on the plane, and it looked like a really fun show. So I added it to my Netflix Q. But then I kinda forgot about it until I got the first DVD and watched it. Guess what? It really is a fun show!

Oh where to start? First off, I totally love the name of the store where Chuck works. Buy More. He works with a bunch of dysfunctional underachievers, including his best friend Morgan, and a rival who ends up as assistant manager instead of him. But there's a very good explanation for that. I love it when scenes take place in that store. Hilarious.

Then there's Sarah and Casey, spies who each keep an eye on Chuck since his brain now houses millions of secrets. Casey (a goatee-less Jayne from Firefly) plays his usual curmudgeonly self, and he does it so well. Sarah seems very sweet, but she constantly plays him and never lets him forget that it's all a cover. He's falling for her anyway.

Chuck's sister and her boyfriend, Dr. Awesome. Chuck lives with them, and has an especially close relationship with his sister as they were both abandoned by their parents years ago. Ellie likes to spend time with her brother, but the more involved he is with the spying, the less time he can spend with her, and this causes problems. Chuck is just too nice to say no to being a spy.

Then of course, there is Chuck himself. The guy is a total geek, but such a cutie. Even his dorkiness is cute. Yeah, he likes to play video games with Morgan and have weird conversations about what type of sandwich they'd bring if they were on a deserted island. He hasn't had a girlfriend in 5 years. But Chuck is genuinely adorable. He's got this big smile, and truly seems to like being a nice guy. He's not a very good spy, and he doesn't listen, but you just can't help but like him anyway. He's one of the good ones.

I'm halfway through season 1, and I'm loving it. I heard it's just been picked up for a 3rd full season, so yay! So happy to hear that, because it's grown on me in a very short time. If you haven't watched Chuck and you want something fun and easy to watch, this is your show.

How about it: do you watch Chuck?

If so, what do you like best about it?

I'm thankful for....

2009-11-26T03:23:00.002-06:00

I don't do a list every year, but this year I felt like writing one up. Here are just a few of the things I'm grateful for this year:

My crazy family. We may not be close, but I love them unconditionally. And though we live over 560 miles away from each other, they are always near.

My small group of RL friends. I'm not the most outgoing person, and I'm rather private, and very weird, yet I've managed to find a wonderful group of people who get that *g* I truly appreciate that :)

My health. It isn't until you get sick or see someone you love suffering with health issues that you really begin to appreciate being healthy. And I am, disgustingly so. I hardly ever get sick, I need maybe 6 hours of sleep a night, and I feel good. The worse thing I suffer is that time of the month, and I know others who get it worse. Also means I have a low tolerance for pain.

My job. Oh my gosh, these days I've seen so many good people lose their jobs, people with families to support. I am very fortunate I have a relatively stable job in this economy, and I intend to keep it that way.

My online friends! Here more than anywhere I know you guys can appreciate that :) Who knew that you could "meet" so many amazing people online? I'm very grateful for that as none of my RL friends read romance, and my reading is such a large part of who I am. I LOVE my online friends.

I have to specifically mention Twitter because I've met people from all over the world whom I'd never know otherwise. It's become rather an addiction for me, especially now that I have an iPhone. You can Twitter anywhere. Except, it seems, in the movie theatre. For some reason, I can't get reception there...

Heat! I freeze easily, much like Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally", I freeze when it's 72 degrees outside. I am lucky that I can afford to stay warm.

Netflix. I took several years off of watching t.v. because I was such a hermit. I could watch t.v. 12 hours a day. I stopped, cold turkey. Now, slowly I'm getting back to watching it, one series at a time. My newest love is Chuck, which I'll be talking about in another blog post.

Smut, and the friends who love it as much as I apparently do. It's okay to be a dirty girl. Appreciate that about yourself. Celebrate your inner slut *g* Do it today!

Music. Because I just couldn't live without it. True, I'm such a mainstream girl, but I do have rare moments of brilliant taste as well. All I know is it's a requirement.

Dreams. I have them just like everyone else, and some I've added to a list of things to do before I die. Some are to challenge myself, like skydiving. Others are places I want to visit or things I want to try. The world is a magical place.

I have you and your family have a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving. Peace....

Paradise Rules by Beth Kery (2009) - review

2009-11-25T07:24:00.001-06:00

She didn’t believe in paradise…

To most people Hawaii’s crystal blue shores are an inviting opportunity to escape reality. But for Lana Rodriguez who grew up there, the picture-perfect vacation getaway disguises the bitter truths she escaped years ago, and not without some emotional scars. Now a successful blues singer, Lana’s returning to Waikiki with a different outlook on the past, and a bold defiance when it comes to men, romance, and sex. This time, it’s on her terms.

Until she found it in him.

Local celebrity, businessman and island god, Jason Koa, may be every woman’s dream. For Lana, it’s not exactly love at first sight. Though their start is rocky, they can’t deny the passions they arouse in each other. Jason refuses to become Lana’s pawn. It’s time to show her who makes the rules on this island—and in the bedroom. But will Jason’s attempt at breaking Lana’s shell reveal secrets that neither are prepared to face, or will they allow themselves to get swept away by a tidal wave of desire?

Hawaii. An island paradise suitable for romantic interludes and uninhibited nights of passion. Lana Rodriguez returns to the islands after years away, taking a much needed vacation with her personal assistant and good friend Melanie, who's recovering from a nasty divorce. However Hawaii is not Lana's idea of paradise. In fact, just the opposite. Waikiki holds ugly memories of her childhood, memories she'd rather escape. But having left that life long ago, she's determined not to let those bitter feelings control her. Besides, it's just for a few days.

Jason Koa is not only a successful businessman, he's also a former Olympic gold medal winner and a proud resident of these islands, and cannot imagine living anywhere else. He's a good-looking guy used to his share of women, but something about Lana both attracts and repels him. She's a cold bitch, yet she's also the same woman who sings those soulful songs he loves so much. He has all her CD's. But when they first meet, it is not under the friendliest of terms, yet beneath their strong dislike for each other is a forceful attraction that neither can forget.

Jason and Lana soon engage in a sexual liasion that starts out almost hostile, yet is incredibly incendiary. Jason is a man who likes to be dominant in the bedroom, though he doesn't mind shaking things up a bit, especially when it's apparent Lana doesn't easily give up control. She's an intensely private person who doesn't understand how Jason can feel so comfortable in the public eye. But she cannot keep away from him either. Jason gives her more pleasure than any man she's been with, but he does it on his own terms. She fights him every step of the way, knowing she must always maintain a strong hold on her emotions. She cannot let herself get too involved with Jason, not only because she'll be leaving in a few days, but because to do so would meaning losing herself. She's lived that way once, when she had no choice, and she refuses to live that way again. No man can force her to do what she doesn't want to do.

However the more time she spends with Jason, the more she settles into her own skin. Letting herself enjoy the moment doesn't have to mean giving away a part of herself. Just as she's beginning to realize this though, scandal breaks, and Lana must face some truths about herself, and exactly what it is she's hiding from....

My thoughts:

This is probably my 2nd favorite Beth Kery novel. Similar to "Wicked Burn" in that it shows growth and trust through sex, "Paradise Rules" tells the story of a young woman who experienced a painful childhood on the island, and who's vowed to only live life on her terms. Even when Jason pushes her physically, it's not without her consent. I like that Jason also doesn't try to use sex to control her in the sense that he doesn't withhold orgasm until she gives in to his demands. Despite some of the incredibly raw and forceful encounters they share, instead of feeling "forced", they remind me of walls that Lana needs to break through to get past the demons she's fighting. She relinguishes control to Jason at times, but it is only to discover that he will not exploit her, but rather take care of her if she will only trust him to do so.

Jason and Lana were difficult characters to like. Even though Lana comes across as this rude, bitchy woman, Jason is not without his faults. The first time they have sex, although arousing and satisfying for both of them, there is an edge of discomfort because of the way he treats her, almost like an object. She's totally into it, but his blatant disregard for her set me off a bit. Almost like he believes that she's there to serve him, and nothing more. Yet this is also a breakthrough for Lana in a sense, because she initiates their next encounter. And while she tries to make it about only sex, Jason's not having it. He finds ways to extend their time together, whether it's lounging in the sun or going snorkeling, he finds ways to earn her trust, time and again. Even when she frustrates him and he feels like they keep going backwards, he doesn't give up completely, and it's obvious that Lana doesn't want him to.

These are very complex characters, even Jason, who seems to have it all and not really a lot of baggage. Yet his growing feelings for Lana prove he's not willing to just walk away when things get unbearable, or ugly, or sordid. For some reason, he wants to be with this prickly, secretive woman who refuses to budge. Every step with her is work, so much so it doesn't seem worth the aggravation. But he keeps at it, peeling away her layers and discovering what's hidden beneath.

A few things I didn't really care for were, for one, the scandal. It just seemed a bit extreme to have such a private person exposed in the way Jason and Lana are exposed. I think it could have been toned down and still been an effective way for Lana to face her fears. The second issue I had a problem with is the way Jason finds out about Lana's past, and how it's down in so public a way. Once again, Lana's defenses are stripped away so completely that I hurt a bit for her. It would have been different if it were in a more private setting. I don't know, maybe it's being a private person myself that had me reacting so strongly in these instances, but when I put myself in her place, it was heartwrenching to imagine what she was experiencing at these painfully revealing moments.

Okay, I know you're gonna ask, so I'm gonna tell you: the sex was dayum HOT. A little uncomfortable, but always very intense and exciting and wild. I loved how Lana went wherever Jason took her, almost without hesitation. Instinctively she trusted him on some level right from the beginning, and he doesn't let her down *g* It's definitely scorching and dirty and raw, but also satisfying and consensual and the kinda stuff that has you squirming in your chair while reading it, but mostly in a very good way. Not the kind of book to be reading on the train, that's for sure.

The ending is more hopeful than happily ever after, but you know, that worked quite nicely for me. I gotta say that I actually hate it when the characters know each other for a few days and though they might have heaps of issues, they proclaim their love. That doesn't happen here, and I was all the happier for it. Instead we see both of them are willing to work at it. Now 99.99999% of the time, I want the HEA. But in a story like this, it's okay if we get a promise that it's on the horizon at some point. It's not like Lana boarded the plane and said "I'll call ya".

The tastes and scents of the islands come through strongly here, and it made me want to jump on a plane and get lei'd. The warm and endless sun, the brilliance of the exotic flowers and unique tastes of the local fare left my mouth watering and my soul longing for a beach chair. Beth brings the feel of Hawaii to the reader, and it enriches this moving, frustrating and passionate story. I hope we see Jason and Lana again, and discover that they do in fact get their HEA after all.....

Rating: **** out of *****

Book alert: Infamous by Suzanne Brockmann

2009-11-24T18:57:00.006-06:00

INFAMOUS
July 27, 2010
First time in print!

A paperback original from Ballantine Books

In her first original paperback in more than six years, New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann delivers an unforgettable novel of contemporary romance and thrilling suspense.

When history professor Alison Carter became a consultant to the film version of the Wild West legend she’d dedicated her career to researching, she couldn’t possibly know that she would not only get a front row seat to a full-blown Hollywood circus, but that she would innocently witness something that would put her life in danger. Not did she expect that a tall stranger in a cowboy hat would turn the movie -- and her world -- completely upside down…

A.J. Gallagher didn’t crash the set in dusty Arizona to rub elbows with Hollywood’s elite. Unable to ignore ghosts from the past that refuse to stay buried, A.J. came to put an end to the false legend that has tarnished the reputation of his family. But when he confronts Alison, sparks fly. And when she becomes targeted by ruthless criminals, suddenly she and A.J. must face the intense attraction that threatens to consume them, in order to survive the danger that threatens their very lives.

******

And check out the Harlequin ebook cover for "Getting Lucky"!

All I can say is...about DAMN TIME!

Spotlight: Q - Julia Quinn

2009-11-24T07:47:00.004-06:00

Sometimes my author spotlight section is a breeze. Other times it's difficult to choose an author from so many great ones. I'm pleased to say that this week's spotlight author was one of the easiest I've done, and what fun it was to write.

My first encounter with the books of Julia Quinn was many years ago. In a book I was reading, I had read a blurb from "The Viscount Who Loved Me", where Kate is hiding under Anthony's desk, and the sparks that flew between these two characters was too extraordinary to resist. I definitely had to get a copy of this book. Kate was funny and incredibly smart and interesting, much more so than her sister, whom Anthony had decided to marry. I couldn't wait to see her putting him in his place.

At the time I didn't realize it was not the first book in the series (it was actually the 2nd) but by then, I was already hooked. I fell head over heels in love with Anthony and Kate, and just adored that entire Bridgerton family. And while I enjoyed each of the subsequent stories about the Bridgerton siblings, no one could quite hold a candle to the love story of Anthony and Kate. They had it all.

Not until Michael Stirling came along in "When He Was Wicked" and stole my heart, that is. I can't say that Francesca could ever compare to the unforgettable Kate, because she does not, but there was something about her that I did like, and it was quite obvious Michael thought she hung the moon, even though his love for her was for the most part unrequited. Julia wrote a darker, more sexual story with WHWW than she had with any of her other books that I'd read, and I loved it. It was edgier, hotter, and incredibly intense. It remains one of my favorite re-reads ever.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Julia twice. Once was at RWA in 2008, which was lovely but also a bit disappointing because she is one of those authors that is always in high demand, so as much as I enjoyed meeting her, it was for a brief moment while she signed my book. The other time was soon after that, in the fall, when she and Laura Lee Guhrke did a book tour and came to the Chicago area (click link to read more). Squee! It was to a library outside the city, and it wasn't a huge gathering, rather one much more intimate and relaxed. Julia and Laura took turns answering questions about their books, and afterwards we stayed and got to chat for awhile. Julia is just as engaging and friendly as you'd imagine, and I had several of my books signed by her.

I was one of the few readers that actually enjoyed what she did with "The Lost Duke of Wyndham" (loved this story so much! Jack and Grace were so wonderful) and "Mr. Cavendish, I Presume". I preferred the first story to the second, but still, I wasn't as disappointed as some readers were. The concept worked for me.

Now I wasn't as excited about her last book. "What Happens In London" started out with so much potential but just fell flat for me. So much went on with the Russian and some ridiculous plot that keeps the hero and heroine distracted so we don't get to see the love story develop like we do in previous books. I didn't think we needed so much emphasis on the drama when it would have been better suited on the romance.

Still, Julia remains on my auto-buy list. She still writes a more memorable, sparkling story, even when she's not at her best. It's what makes her so unique, and one of my all-time favorites.

What's your favorite Julia Quinn novel?

Would you like to be part of the Bridgerton family?

Hunter's Need by Shiloh Walker (2009) - review

2009-11-23T10:57:00.002-06:00

In this dazzling follow-up to Hunter's Salvation, national best-selling author Shiloh Walker tells the story of another unique hero at the heart of a terrifying story...

HIS CHALLENGE

Duke is bitter. A shapeshifter betrayed by the psychic powers of Analise Morell, he cannot forgive her for putting him in the clutches of a feral vampire, but he also can't shake his desire for her. And when she needs a Hunter, Duke must face his demons - and hers...

HER MISSION

Desperate voices are battering Ana's psychic shields. A serial killer with extraordinary powers is about to strike again, and the tormented souls of his previous victims are screaming for her help. But Ana can't understand why they want her...

THEIR INSATIABLE DESIRE

After what she did to him, Ana is sure Duke must be using her...but so be it. Ana can't fight her longing for him or the desire that's haunted her for years. Every fiber of Duke's soul - both the man and the cougar within - yearns to protect and possess her...

It's true, I'm a total Shiloh Walker fangirl, and I was absolutely thrilled to get an ARC of this book (Shiloh is so good to me *g*). I actually thought this was #10 in the Hunter series, but now I'm not so sure, as she's had several novellas and spin-offs in the series. Here is a list of the Hunters so far.

Ana knows the Hunters hate her for what she did to Duke, how it lead to him being tortured, even though she did what she did to protect her younger brother Brad. And she knows Duke hates her most of all. She's at Excelsior to try and figure out how her psychic gifts work, and because Brad also has incredible gifts of his own. But it's useless. She's not strong, and her powers are useless. Tired of feeling like an outsider, and knowing it will be better for Brad if she leaves, Ana says good-bye to her brother and takes off for parts unknown.

And ends up in Alaska. Here she's found a place of beauty and solace, where she can just "be". Over the next year she finds a job, and though she might not be exactly happy, she's found a place where she doesn't have to feel like such a useless freak.

Until one day, her good-hearted nature introduces her to an evil that's been around a very long time. By helping a kind homeless man, Ana starts to get strong feelings about some killings in their area, some that go by years. One in particular, the death of Marie, the homeless man's dead financee', won't let her go. Ana senses Marie's presence so strongly that it drives her to look into her death. She even goes as far as to visit Marie's family members. But still, despite all the investigating she does, she's frustrated because every lead comes to a dead end. She needs help, and though she's reluctant to do it, she contacts Excelsior.

Duke has been restless a long time, but even moreso after Ana leaves Virginia. Yet when she calls asking for help, he blows her off, figuring that no matter how much he wants her, it's better if he stays far away from the woman who was responsible for the torture he suffered at the hands of a feral vampire. However fate intervenes and he ends up going to Alaska to help Ana, and once he's there, the animal inside him senses an evil, but despite his best efforts, he cannot locate where it's coming from.

But he's got more pressing needs. Unable to resist Ana any longer, he uses her attraction to him to seduce her, and they are both lost to the intense pleasure that they experience. Duke is drawn to Ana, despite her betrayal, and he can't keep away from her. Ana loves Duke, has always loved him, and though it's going to hurt something fierce when he leaves, she'd rather have these few moments of happiness than nothing at all.

As Ana becomes more involved in solving the crime, the spirits of those who died are pressuring her to find the killer. It's too much for her to handle. However both her and Duke know it's only a matter of time before he strikes again, and in order to stop a killer and avenge the deaths of so many innocents, Ana must let herself trust in her powers and not be afraid to face the horror of a mad and obsessed brutal killer....

My thoughts:

Another winner from Ms. Walker. Shiloh has this amazing talent of always adding just enough emotion to draw me in while mixing in suspense, extreme sensuality, and characters with extraordinary gifts. I love the intensity of her stories, and though sometimes it can be hard to read, that she sometimes writes about good people who go through very difficult and tragic circumstances, but never in a gratuitous manner.

Ana is stronger than she realizes, because she knew that a lot of people would end up hating her for what happened to Duke, however her sole concern was her younger brother Brad. How can you not admire a woman who puts her sibling before herself? She wasn't a coward; it took strength to do this and risk the aftermath. And if she had to do it all over again, there's no doubt she'd do exactly the same thing.

Despite Duke's treatment of Ana, he's never been able to forget the way she mesmerized him the first time he sees her. Though he understands why she did what she did, he still holds a grudge. Knowing the kind of man Duke is, this makes complete sense, and I could accept his feelings. Once he goes to Alaska and spends time with Ana, his feelings slowly begin to change. He sees how proud she is, how determined she is to make it on her own without anyone's help, even while knowing she doesn't believe she has any gifts. And as they race to stop another innocent woman from being killed, he witnesses firsthand her strength, her bravery, and her generous, selfless heart. It doesn't take much for Duke to realize that Ana is the woman he's been waiting for all his life.

This is a heartbreaking story, one that I don't think was fully explored, at least there were a few things I still had questions about. But they didn't bother me enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story. One of my favorite moments is at the end when Ana finally realizes that Duke really does love her, and she laughs from sheer happiness. She's suffered so much, and to finally discover she means the world to the man she loves is a moment of joy that is very lovely to witness.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

My review of New Moon (2009) movie

2009-11-22T10:23:00.001-06:00

Following Bella Swan's ill-fated 18th birthday party, Edward Cullen and his family abandon the town of Forks, Washington, in an effort to protect her from the dangers inherent in their world. As the heartbroken Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school, numb and alone, she discovers Edward's image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. Her desire to be with him at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.

With the help of her childhood friend Jacob Black, Bella refurbishes an old motorbike to carry her on her adventures. Bella's frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob, a member of the mysterious Quileute tribe, who has a supernatural secret of his own.

When a chance encounter brings Bella face to face with a former nemesis, only the intervention of a pack of supernaturally large wolves saves her from a grisly fate, and the encounter makes it frighteningly clear that Bella is still in grave danger. In a race against the clock, Bella learns the secret of the Quileutes and Edward's true motivation for leaving her. She also faces the prospect of a potentially deadly reunion with her beloved that is a far cry from the one she'd hoped for. (from Yahoo movies)

In Twilight, we see Bella and Edward becoming more and more enamored of each other, so much so that it's like an obsession, and Bella is almost desperate to keep his attention on her. Even when it puts her life in danger, she would rather die than be without him. We also see how Edward has tried to keep away from her, maintaining it's for her own good, yet even he cannot deny his strong feelings for her.

Now in New Moon, we see how Bella and Edward are together almost at the exclusion of everyone and everything else. Bella is impatient with Edward because everyday she grows older, and before too long she fears growing "older" than him. She pressures him to change her, but he refuses. At this point, a few things happen at once.

First is her fateful birthday party, where her clumsiness has her cutting herself in front of all the Cullens, and her human blood is too much for Jasper to resist. He tries to attack her, which ends up with more of Bella's blood being spilt, and other family members feeling somewhat overcome with bloodlust. The second thing is that people are starting to notice that Dr. Cullen hasn't been aging like a normal person would, and the Cullens have decided that they needed to move away from Forks. These two events prompt Edward to push Bella away, telling her he doesn't want her anymore, even though we, the clever audience, know it's all a lie, Bella believes it because even after all this time, she still doesn't feel worthy of Edward. (Stupid girl, putting all your worth in the opinion of some guy).

Bella goes through months and months of depression, pushing everyone away and suffering through awful nightmares that scare her father. After some time has passed, she finally decides to reconnect with her friends, and one night when she goes out to a movie with a girlfriend, she accidentally discovers that if she acts recklessly, she can "see" Edward again. The adrenaline rushes are what bring his image to her, so she keeps doing crazy, wild stunts, if only to see him one more time.

During this time she brings some old pieces of junk to her friend Jacob with the hope that he can rebuild them into motorcycles that will provide her with that much needed adrenaline rush. He agrees, and by being casual and teasing, Jacob eventually draws Bella out of her shell again, being there for her, going to movies and basically just hanging out. It's quite obvious he has strong romantic feelings for her, but Bella insists on maintaining their friendship. She can't lie and make any promises to him while she still loves Edward, will always love Edward.

Jacob insists on being there for her anyway, promising not to hurt her, until something happens that has him running from Bella. Confused, miserable, hurt, she doesn't understand why Jacob doesn't want to be around her anymore, until one day she's had it and goes over to see him, demanding to know what's going on. It's at this point that Bella discovers the secret that Jacob has to hide from her, a secret not unlike the one she has about Edward....

My thoughts:

I am not really a fangirl of this series. Other than Twilight, I haven't read any of the books, and I only read that one after seeing the movie. But I will admit to being insatiably curious about it, which is why, like a sheep, I went to see Twilight on opening night, and then saw New Moon on its first night of release. I feel like I came into this series as an objective observer, but that is no longer the case, because now I've made my choice.

If I were twelve, I would be completely, insanely in love with Edward. He's the brooding, sad, emotional hero of every young girl's dreams, and if he weren't so pasty, he might be kinda cute. As long as he washes his hair and bathes on a regular basis, that is. Edward evokes feelings of romantic, aching, eternal and obsessive love, where he cannot live without Bella. He even pushes her away for her own good, using Bella's trust in him against her. This is what I didn't like, because as much as he tries to protect her, he enforces the belief that she just isn't good enough for him. Mostly likely he did it unintentionally, because he knows of no other way to convince her to keep away from him, but I was angry with him all the same.

When we first met Jacob in Twilight, he looked like a kid, but he was a grounded kid, one who listened to his father and wasn't really all that exciting. He has a strong dislike for Edward, partially because of jealousy, but also because of what Edward is. Now in New Moon, Jacob is still that good kid, and it's very obvious his crush on Bella is stronger than ever. He's the one that pulls Bella out of her depressive state. He's a good friend to her; he makes her laugh, he looks out for her, he's honest with her. He's got the dreaded "friend" syndrome going on, and maybe if Jacob weren't so darn cute, I could kinda understand why Bella wouldn't want to be more than friends. But on top of being a really cool guy, and the person who saves her from sinking deeper into depression, he's pretty hot. She even has to acknowledge it at one point when he takes his shirt off. She tells him he's "unbelievably beautiful", which, instead of taking advantage of that, Jacob teases her about it instead. See, Jacob is the guy a mature woman would fall for. Unlike Edward, who satisified my 12-year-old angsty, melodramatic self. Jacob is the guy that you want in real life, the guy who sees Bella's worth and appreciates it, but doesn't try to idolize it. So yeah, you guessed it; I'm officially on Team Jacob. True, it doesn't make sense to pick a side when we already know Edward gets to keep the crown and gets Bella in the end, but that doesn't mean I can't show Jacob some love, now does it?

The movie is actually a lot better than I had been expecting. There are intentionally funny moments, such as those with Jasper, and some involving Bella's dad Charlie. It's a little more light-hearted at times, though indesputedly dark at others, especially when meeting the Volturi. Weird and creepy are these vamps, which only highlighted Edward's pale and morbid expressions when we see him in their midst. He truly does pale in comparison to Jacob. Yet this is the guy Bella wants for all eternity. Go figure.

And of course there's Victoria stalking Bella with the intention of torturing and killing her. Since Edward killed her mate, she's going to return the favor. I know y'all know what happens with her, but don't tell me. I know enough of the rest of the series (i.e. demon baby) without needing to know everything.

Now not having read New Moon, I cannot say how true to it the movie is, but I've heard it's fairly close. There's a cliffhanger moment at the end, which isn't much of a cliffhanger since hey, we know what happens. But it was kinda cool the way it ended. And I heard the next one, Eclipse, will be out June 30, 2010. Is this true?

One disappointment I had is that the soundtrack cannot compare to Twilight's, which I own and love. This one I maybe liked one or two songs, that's it. I definitely wouldn't buy it. The music was such a part of Twilight that I'm sorry the same can't be said for this movie.

Overall, though, money well-spent. I even would go see it again, if for no other reason than to see Jacob up on the big screen again *g*

Rating: **** out of *****

A mini review of Covet by JR Ward (2009)

2009-11-20T07:38:00.002-06:00

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option.

Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior, and a woman who makes him question his destiny. With an ancient evil ready to claim him, Vin has to work with a fallen angel not only to win his beloved over...but to redeem his very soul.

Really, what can I say about this book that hasn't been said numerous times? Not much, if anything. "Covet" has been reviewed by better and more eloquent people than me, however I still feel compelled to add my jumbled thoughts to the mix.

The premise of the book sounds intriguing, and if anyone is addicted to the crack that is the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by Ms. Ward, it was only a matter of time before this book would be consumed by said addicts. I would almost describe myself as a recovering addict, because while I loved the first 4 books (yes dammit I did love Butch's & Marissa's book, and no, you can't take that away from me!), the next 3 books started to lose the magic. I'm sorry to say that I feel like JR Ward promises big yet delivers little. She holds back from really giving us the genuine goods. Take the whole Butch/V thing. Come on, why not go there? And who isn't irritated with the Scribe Virgin, right? Yet at the same time, the author doesn't follow through in her own mythology. And don't get me started about Jane...

However this is not a review of the BDB books. This is about "Covet". We have this guy, Jim, who teeters on the edge of being good and bad, who ends up being chosen to save the world because of it. Okay, I'm good with that. Then there's Vin, this mega rich hottie who is about to propose to his girlfriend. Loved Vin when we first meet him. And finally we have Marie-Terese, an extremely reluctant prostitute who's in it for her own personal reasons. I really liked M-T, and felt sympathetic towards her situation.

But then once all the players are in place, the action begins to drag. Turning each page is an effort as we try to follow along with the rules of the game without falling asleep. We discover some interesting facts about Vin, and his past, which should have been a huge freakin' clue to the guy why bad stuff was going down. We also find out some things about his girlfriend, which, even if you weren't paying attention, were pretty obvious from the minute she shows up on stage. There are no real surprises here. Even the discovery of the guy tracking M-T is rather anti-climatic.

If there is anything good to be said, at least JR doesn't lapse completely into the BDB slang, though the word "freshies" makes an appearance, and makes me cringe every single time. I know many readers were annoyed by the silly lack of question marks. Count me in with that. The lacklustre performances were hurtful. I didn't even care for Jim by the time the movie is over. That is probably the biggest disappointment - not feeling anything while reading this book, other than relief when it was over. Seriously, getting through the book was like fighting a battle, a battle to stay awake.

Now I know this review doesn't really "say" anything. I'm not giving you plot, or the order of events. I'm sure if you look at a lot of reviews out there, you can find it. I just wanted to express my feelings about the story. As I stated, I have nothing original to add. I think I'm mostly patting my back here that I actually finished the book. It does feel like a major accomplishment.

But I have a feeling I'm in it for the long haul. I'm rather disappointed in myself for deciding to stick with it, but at this point it's some compunction that won't let me stop. It's embarrassing really, this need to continue reading. But that's how it's gonna be.

Rating: ***1/2 out of ***** : a big fat MEH.