Try some; it's good.
Wherein I ramble about books, movies,
music, TV shows, my life, and occasionally, hot emo boys.
My Books
Current WiP
My ValentineGuide sequel = DONE
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007
hey, you sexy thing
You know who I'm talking to -- that box Amazon sent me yesterday! I have more coming, of course, because they tend to mail small boxes of 4-5 books, no matter how many I buy. So I'll get three or four more shipments before my order is complete.
Yesterday, I received:
Which pisses me off, as it's the second book in the Sonchai Jitpleecheep series, and I desperately want to read it. And I can't. Why didn't they send it with Bangkok 8?!
I'm reading this now. So far, so good. I'm really enjoying it. It's quite different than her usual books, but I like when an author changes things up. Her writing is actually more lyrical in this book. Good stuff.
I've sooo been anticipating this. I can't wait to read it. It's next after the Kelley Armstrong book, and you may rightfully expect squee-age. I'm gonna have so many possibilities for my November favorites contest! (You must be a loop member to enter.)
and...
Yes, I've already read it. How can that be, you might ask, since I just got the book? Well, I happen to have an e-ARC before the book ever came out. I'm just that cool. I also had a signed book plate ready to go, so VoC has gone into my Jeri Smith-Ready collection. I have every one of her books, signed cos she mailed me Requiem for the Devil. How awesome is that?
I'm still waiting for:
Bangkok 8 by John Burdett
Bangkok Haunts by John Burdett
Sexy/Dangerous by Beverly Jenkins
Witch Fire by Anya Bast
Forbidden by Suzanne Brockmann
Tempting Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 1) by Eileen Wilks
Mortal Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 2) by Eileen Wilks
Blood Lines (The World of the Lupi, Book 3) by Eileen Wilks
Perfidia by Elspeth McKendrick
An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris
Driven by Eve Kenin
Shadows at Sunset by Anne Stuart
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels (these are Pepper Martin mysteries)
The Chick and the Dead by Casey Daniels
Tombs of Endearment by Casey Daniels
Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1) by Robyn Carr
Shelter Mountain (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 2) by Robyn Carr
Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3) by Robyn Carr
This is way exciting for me because I limit myself to one or two big Amazon orders a year. For someone who used to make a trip to the bookstore bi-weekly, this is a painful reduction. Hopefully, I'll be in the States more in 2008, and I can indulge my habit. Best of all, I'm between projects so I can read a few books without feeling guilty!
What're you reading?
Yesterday, I received:
Which pisses me off, as it's the second book in the Sonchai Jitpleecheep series, and I desperately want to read it. And I can't. Why didn't they send it with Bangkok 8?!
I'm reading this now. So far, so good. I'm really enjoying it. It's quite different than her usual books, but I like when an author changes things up. Her writing is actually more lyrical in this book. Good stuff.
I've sooo been anticipating this. I can't wait to read it. It's next after the Kelley Armstrong book, and you may rightfully expect squee-age. I'm gonna have so many possibilities for my November favorites contest! (You must be a loop member to enter.)
and...
Yes, I've already read it. How can that be, you might ask, since I just got the book? Well, I happen to have an e-ARC before the book ever came out. I'm just that cool. I also had a signed book plate ready to go, so VoC has gone into my Jeri Smith-Ready collection. I have every one of her books, signed cos she mailed me Requiem for the Devil. How awesome is that?
I'm still waiting for:
Bangkok 8 by John Burdett
Bangkok Haunts by John Burdett
Sexy/Dangerous by Beverly Jenkins
Witch Fire by Anya Bast
Forbidden by Suzanne Brockmann
Tempting Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 1) by Eileen Wilks
Mortal Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 2) by Eileen Wilks
Blood Lines (The World of the Lupi, Book 3) by Eileen Wilks
Perfidia by Elspeth McKendrick
An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris
Driven by Eve Kenin
Shadows at Sunset by Anne Stuart
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels (these are Pepper Martin mysteries)
The Chick and the Dead by Casey Daniels
Tombs of Endearment by Casey Daniels
Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1) by Robyn Carr
Shelter Mountain (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 2) by Robyn Carr
Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3) by Robyn Carr
This is way exciting for me because I limit myself to one or two big Amazon orders a year. For someone who used to make a trip to the bookstore bi-weekly, this is a painful reduction. Hopefully, I'll be in the States more in 2008, and I can indulge my habit. Best of all, I'm between projects so I can read a few books without feeling guilty!
What're you reading?
Labels: books
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I want a new drug
First I want to lodge a complaint with the title gods.
Connie Brockway is one of my favorite authors. The woman is insanely gifted; she's totally from the Kinsale school of yummy, irresistible angst, and All Through the Night, published in 1997, is my favorite historical romance of all time. In fact, I want to re-read it but I haven't gotten around to replacing it since the flood a few years back. I was thrilled to death when she friended me on MySpace. Apparently, she's just signed up, and I was the fourth person she invited. I was Connie Brockway's fourth friend on MySpace!! And she invited me.
*Cue fangirl squee* That's bragging rights, there. I don't know if she knows me (sort of, from my web presence) or she just did a search for people who listed her as a favorite author? I'm gonna pretend she has some vague clue who I am. It's my delusion and I'm sticking to it! So there you have it -- my big thrill for Monday.
Anyhow, back to my complaint. People have been talking all over the Internet about All Through the Night by Suzanne Brockmann, and I secretly thought they were mixed up. It's an understandable mistake; both names start with "Brock" and what-not. Imagine my chagrin to discover that there's a new book with that title! One of her Navy Seal books, I think. How confusing is that?!
Two Brock-authors, two All Through the Nights. My brain hurts. Therefore, I protest to the title gods. It's just wrong. Now I don't know whether people actually know what book I'm talking about!
Anyhow, bitching aside, I love romance novels. They're the chocolate of the book world. When you need a comfort read, something to take you away from your puking kid and the fact that the damn dog has chewed up your last pair of decent shoes through some dog ninjary you cannot fathom, given that you keep your bedroom closed at all times, then you get a romance.
The heroes are hot, the heroines are feisty, and the endings are happy. Always. That's non-negotiable, or it's not a romance. It may have "romantic elements" or "romance subplot" but a romance will have a happy ending.
However. I'm a little tired of the endless lust. Like, hero-man takes one look at the heroine, whether she's classically gorgeous or not, and has an instant erection. Or if he's a were, maybe he takes one sniff. Whatever, the point is I'm tired of this lust-at-first-glance thing.
I want something different. I was delighted with Susan Mallery's series for this reason. The Buchanans? I devoured all four books in two days. I don't remember being put off by that instant-boner scene that I've come across with more regularity than I really like.
So here's what I want from you, my dear readers. Help me out with some book suggestions that feature the following plot devices: long-time crush, friends to lovers, and mistaken identity. Here's the caveat. I want a different flow to the relationship, no instant-boner or instant-weeping-vagina moment. I want a slow, simmering build where the characters may not even realize their latent attraction until it bursts into glorious irresistible life. I don't want books with passages extolling the other's good looks. I want something else, something fresh, with the characters enjoying each other's company first. A good example of this is a book by Dee Tenorio, Betting Hearts. I also want banter and clever dialog; Elizabeth Hoyt is a prime example of that.
And if that's not all, I also want lovely writing, hot sex, and a full, satisfying plot. (I'm not asking for much, am I?) Go forth, ye readers, and compile me a reading list that meets these qualifications, for I shall be in the States next month, and I'm buying books! But feel free to nominate ebooks if they fit the qualifications too because I can buy those now. Mwahahaha!
*sits back like a pasha and waits for the book titles to start rolling in*
Connie Brockway is one of my favorite authors. The woman is insanely gifted; she's totally from the Kinsale school of yummy, irresistible angst, and All Through the Night, published in 1997, is my favorite historical romance of all time. In fact, I want to re-read it but I haven't gotten around to replacing it since the flood a few years back. I was thrilled to death when she friended me on MySpace. Apparently, she's just signed up, and I was the fourth person she invited. I was Connie Brockway's fourth friend on MySpace!! And she invited me.
*Cue fangirl squee* That's bragging rights, there. I don't know if she knows me (sort of, from my web presence) or she just did a search for people who listed her as a favorite author? I'm gonna pretend she has some vague clue who I am. It's my delusion and I'm sticking to it! So there you have it -- my big thrill for Monday.
Anyhow, back to my complaint. People have been talking all over the Internet about All Through the Night by Suzanne Brockmann, and I secretly thought they were mixed up. It's an understandable mistake; both names start with "Brock" and what-not. Imagine my chagrin to discover that there's a new book with that title! One of her Navy Seal books, I think. How confusing is that?!
Two Brock-authors, two All Through the Nights. My brain hurts. Therefore, I protest to the title gods. It's just wrong. Now I don't know whether people actually know what book I'm talking about!
Anyhow, bitching aside, I love romance novels. They're the chocolate of the book world. When you need a comfort read, something to take you away from your puking kid and the fact that the damn dog has chewed up your last pair of decent shoes through some dog ninjary you cannot fathom, given that you keep your bedroom closed at all times, then you get a romance.
The heroes are hot, the heroines are feisty, and the endings are happy. Always. That's non-negotiable, or it's not a romance. It may have "romantic elements" or "romance subplot" but a romance will have a happy ending.
However. I'm a little tired of the endless lust. Like, hero-man takes one look at the heroine, whether she's classically gorgeous or not, and has an instant erection. Or if he's a were, maybe he takes one sniff. Whatever, the point is I'm tired of this lust-at-first-glance thing.
I want something different. I was delighted with Susan Mallery's series for this reason. The Buchanans? I devoured all four books in two days. I don't remember being put off by that instant-boner scene that I've come across with more regularity than I really like.
So here's what I want from you, my dear readers. Help me out with some book suggestions that feature the following plot devices: long-time crush, friends to lovers, and mistaken identity. Here's the caveat. I want a different flow to the relationship, no instant-boner or instant-weeping-vagina moment. I want a slow, simmering build where the characters may not even realize their latent attraction until it bursts into glorious irresistible life. I don't want books with passages extolling the other's good looks. I want something else, something fresh, with the characters enjoying each other's company first. A good example of this is a book by Dee Tenorio, Betting Hearts. I also want banter and clever dialog; Elizabeth Hoyt is a prime example of that.
And if that's not all, I also want lovely writing, hot sex, and a full, satisfying plot. (I'm not asking for much, am I?) Go forth, ye readers, and compile me a reading list that meets these qualifications, for I shall be in the States next month, and I'm buying books! But feel free to nominate ebooks if they fit the qualifications too because I can buy those now. Mwahahaha!
*sits back like a pasha and waits for the book titles to start rolling in*
Labels: books
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
This thread tickles me. You can go read it for yourself by clicking the title of this post, but I'll share the crucial bit.
I'm beyond astonished. Good grief, these books made him moan with disgust? *wide-eyed* But the funny bit is the addition of the word 'temporarily'. You think he finished the books as a mercy read?
The first thing that occurs to me, however, is that sci-fi has long been the province of adolescent males. Understandably so, the genre offers tales of adventure without the added weight of mature relationships, which carry with them the danger of sexual contact.
*whispers* Coitus.
I'm madly curious as to what's in these books that got them dubbed "pornographic". It's hard for me to imagine venerable authors like Silverberg and Clarke writing in a sweat-soaked frenzy to come up with something truly filthy, just for the sake of shocking this poor reader. Perhaps Silverberg and Clarke are dirty old men?
Heh. I must rebut!
In any event, it makes me wonder how 'classic' sf readers are going to respond to my work. The protagonist is a female -- and not a man in a woman's body, as some SF heroines seem to be. A real honest-to-God woman, complete with emotions and everything. Do you think people will complain that I'm smearing my girl cooties all over the purity of the genre?
We have our romance novels. Why must we write in other genres too?! SF should be a manly bastion without sex, emotion, or other squishy stuff, right? It should be solely devoted to killing aliens and flying ships and discovering new worlds. The male hero, if he ever had a relationship, should be alone now. Perhaps his wife died. Yeah, that works. That way, he's had the sex, but readers aren't confronted with the horrid reality of recreational coitus. (I said it again!)
Coitus.
So our lone wolf hero can sail away into the stars. Alone. Maybe he can have a robot as his sidekick. But not one who cusses, like Bender from Futurama. That would be dirty and perverted. And his adventures should always glorify violence, and show that the best way to solve a problem is with a ball-peen hammer. Or a laser pistol. Whatever. As long as something dies.
Why are emotional arcs and sexual content dubbed dirty / pornographic? American television is the same way. Insane levels of violence are permitted, but flash a little boob, and people freak out. It's definitely a yin / yang sort of thing, but yin is seen as more deviant than passive these days. So tell me. Why do we celebrate a cult of death and destruction?
I'm no prude, but I hate reading about sex in SF, especially when it's pornographic or dirty. Am I alone in this, or do others hate it, too? Here is a small list of books which have had me wince, moan with disgust and temporarily throw the book down:
Dawning Shadow - Somtow Sucharitkul
Throne of Madness - Somtow Sucharitkul
Alien Years - Robert Silverberg
The World Inside - Robert Silverberg (THE worst book I've ever read)
Camouflage - Joe Haldeman
Cradle - Arthur C. Clarke & Gentry Lee
Ringworld Engineers - Larry Niven
Of these authors, Gentry Lee and Silverberg are the most perverted. I read reviews that Rama II (written with Gentry Lee)was perverted so I haven't read that one. Anyone else has any more books to add and avoid?
I'm beyond astonished. Good grief, these books made him moan with disgust? *wide-eyed* But the funny bit is the addition of the word 'temporarily'. You think he finished the books as a mercy read?
The first thing that occurs to me, however, is that sci-fi has long been the province of adolescent males. Understandably so, the genre offers tales of adventure without the added weight of mature relationships, which carry with them the danger of sexual contact.
*whispers* Coitus.
I'm madly curious as to what's in these books that got them dubbed "pornographic". It's hard for me to imagine venerable authors like Silverberg and Clarke writing in a sweat-soaked frenzy to come up with something truly filthy, just for the sake of shocking this poor reader. Perhaps Silverberg and Clarke are dirty old men?
Heh. I must rebut!
In any event, it makes me wonder how 'classic' sf readers are going to respond to my work. The protagonist is a female -- and not a man in a woman's body, as some SF heroines seem to be. A real honest-to-God woman, complete with emotions and everything. Do you think people will complain that I'm smearing my girl cooties all over the purity of the genre?
We have our romance novels. Why must we write in other genres too?! SF should be a manly bastion without sex, emotion, or other squishy stuff, right? It should be solely devoted to killing aliens and flying ships and discovering new worlds. The male hero, if he ever had a relationship, should be alone now. Perhaps his wife died. Yeah, that works. That way, he's had the sex, but readers aren't confronted with the horrid reality of recreational coitus. (I said it again!)
Coitus.
So our lone wolf hero can sail away into the stars. Alone. Maybe he can have a robot as his sidekick. But not one who cusses, like Bender from Futurama. That would be dirty and perverted. And his adventures should always glorify violence, and show that the best way to solve a problem is with a ball-peen hammer. Or a laser pistol. Whatever. As long as something dies.
Why are emotional arcs and sexual content dubbed dirty / pornographic? American television is the same way. Insane levels of violence are permitted, but flash a little boob, and people freak out. It's definitely a yin / yang sort of thing, but yin is seen as more deviant than passive these days. So tell me. Why do we celebrate a cult of death and destruction?
Monday, November 05, 2007
I'm baaaaack
Did you guys miss me?
This morning, I find myself thinking about relationship arcs. There's a particular magic involved when an author gets it just right, when the reader gets swept into the irresistible chemistry between the two main characters. I've read a few books where it just didn't work for me. I mean, I couldn't see the hero and heroine together, apart from the fact that the author wanted them to be.
So I started thinking: what takes a relationship from mechanical to magic? Well, for me, it's a combination of factors. Do the man and woman complement each other in some fashion? Is banter present? I can't stress enough the importance of snappy dialog between protagonists. For me, it goes a lot further than all the manufactured sexual tension in the world.
Lean close, y'all, I have a confession. I'm tired of all the mental lusting. Like one good look (or whiff in some cases) and the hero is dying of priapism. And the heroine could go through a case of pantyliners because of the river running betwixt her thighs. I'd rather read dirty talk than have the author focus exclusively on their bodily responses. I know what goes where, but dialog? Can be unbelievably hot when it's done well.
Let's see, what else? Well, for me, it can also be as simple as, do they meet each other's needs? If I can't figure out what one of them gets out of the relationship, then I'm not sold on them being together. When you think about it, falling in love is such a glorious, irrational process that it's rather miraculous any author can depict it at all, let alone with such verisimilitude that we catch our breath at the intensity.
What are some books where you feel like the author got it exactly right? You show me yours and I'll show you mine.
This morning, I find myself thinking about relationship arcs. There's a particular magic involved when an author gets it just right, when the reader gets swept into the irresistible chemistry between the two main characters. I've read a few books where it just didn't work for me. I mean, I couldn't see the hero and heroine together, apart from the fact that the author wanted them to be.
So I started thinking: what takes a relationship from mechanical to magic? Well, for me, it's a combination of factors. Do the man and woman complement each other in some fashion? Is banter present? I can't stress enough the importance of snappy dialog between protagonists. For me, it goes a lot further than all the manufactured sexual tension in the world.
Lean close, y'all, I have a confession. I'm tired of all the mental lusting. Like one good look (or whiff in some cases) and the hero is dying of priapism. And the heroine could go through a case of pantyliners because of the river running betwixt her thighs. I'd rather read dirty talk than have the author focus exclusively on their bodily responses. I know what goes where, but dialog? Can be unbelievably hot when it's done well.
Let's see, what else? Well, for me, it can also be as simple as, do they meet each other's needs? If I can't figure out what one of them gets out of the relationship, then I'm not sold on them being together. When you think about it, falling in love is such a glorious, irrational process that it's rather miraculous any author can depict it at all, let alone with such verisimilitude that we catch our breath at the intensity.
What are some books where you feel like the author got it exactly right? You show me yours and I'll show you mine.
Labels: books
Monday, October 08, 2007
movies, romance, and stuff
So I went to the VIP Cinema with my husband on Friday night for a proper date. We were intending too see Resident Evil 3, but it had already been shunted off to the regular theaters. Since the gorgeous leather reclining seats and impeccable service were the reason we went to La Cuspide, we examined our other options.
Turned out we watched Superbad for our date. I thought it was really funny and Andres said it captured the co-dependent angst of two best guy friends moving on with their lives perfectly. I wouldn't know about that.
I don't think it was quite as good as Knocked Up, but Andres hasn't seen that, so we couldn't really compare / contrast the two.
I will say this: Seth Rogen is awesome.
Also saw I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry last week. Much better than I expected. Yeah, yeah, I know. I have terrible taste in movies. But I'll watch just about anything that will make me laugh.
About the only movies that were just too stupid get a laugh out of me were the Dumb and Dumber ones. Hell, I'm the one who keeps Rob Schneider thinking he's leading man material.
I was pondering that this morning. Well, sort of.
See, I don't really get crushes on actors. Not like I want to put their pictures all over my computer, or look for photos of them naked. But all the same, I get a warm fuzzy over guys like Kevin James and Seth Rogen making it in Hollywood. It gives me hope that normal people, or people who aren't drop-dead gorgeous, can be seen as leading man (or leading lady) material.
What about in your romance novels? Elizabeth Hoyt did something interesting with The Raven Prince. Edward de Raaf is not by any stretch good-looking. To be honest, he's not even nice. Have y'all read it? What did you think?
I have to say, I admire authors who can take an unpalatable character and make me fall in love with him or her. What books do you recommend where this happens? I'm tired of the pretty people.
Labels: books, movie madness
Monday, September 17, 2007
What's in a name?
So how important are titles, really? Would a bestseller by any other name still smell as sweet? Let's examine some plucked randomly from the NYT list, past and present, and find out.
NINJAS AND DEMONS by Dan Brown
Huh. Is it wrong to say I like this one better? I bet I'd have liked a book that could live up to this moniker better as well.
SHY POON by Nora Roberts
With this title, could the book be about anything other than the virgin spinster librarian and the town physician (and secret internet porn star) who loves her? He'll have to convince her that her underused va-jay-jay is just what the doctor ordered.
DEVIL MAY SULK by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Can't get enough emo? This story is for you! The hero will sit in a corner, arms folded and glare at you during commercial breaks. He was emo when emo wasn't cool.
A THOUSAND NASTY NUNS by Khaled Hosseini
Yep, this would've been a much different book. Good reading, though, I suspect, but it might've gotten Mr. Hosseini whatchallit'd. Excommunicated? The Pope might've taken off his pointy hat and everything to lay the smackdown.
INEBRIATED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
Eve gets drunk at the precinct Christmas party and nearly stabs a bitch. Roarke has to use his money and connections to get her off the hook because there's a killer preying on drunken women, and they need Eve on the other side of the cell. What? It could happen!
THE BISCUIT by Rhonda Byrne
Need to know the secret to winning your man's heart? It's all here in this Southern cookbook.
THE ELVES OF CILANTRO by Terry Brooks
Where Mexican fey come to Shannara. Need I say more? This one writes itself, I think.
FORCE OF MANURE by Suzanne Brockmann
An ex-Navy seal buys a pig farm in Arkansas, wanting to leave all the violence behind him. But when danger comes to his sleepy little town, he's not afraid to fight dirty, country-style.
CUTICLE by Robin Cook
The medical world has never known a crisis like this one. Every second, millions of people suffer from this insidious illness and there is no cure for... HANG NAILS. We need a manicurist, stat!
STAY THIRTY by Sandra Brown
A woman gets caught breaking into the municipal building, determined to erase all records of her true age. Now that she's 50+, she's finding it harder to date younger guys, but if she could just wipe her file, she could... STAY THIRTY forever.
THE FRENCH FRY LANDS by S.M. Sterling
A book about America, duh.
Look like fun? Go here, and then you do one! I had a blast with these.
Tomorrow, I have Pepper Espinoza, author of the ass-kickingly dark and wonderful Mad World, as my special guest. You won't want to miss it.
NINJAS AND DEMONS by Dan Brown
Huh. Is it wrong to say I like this one better? I bet I'd have liked a book that could live up to this moniker better as well.
SHY POON by Nora Roberts
With this title, could the book be about anything other than the virgin spinster librarian and the town physician (and secret internet porn star) who loves her? He'll have to convince her that her underused va-jay-jay is just what the doctor ordered.
DEVIL MAY SULK by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Can't get enough emo? This story is for you! The hero will sit in a corner, arms folded and glare at you during commercial breaks. He was emo when emo wasn't cool.
A THOUSAND NASTY NUNS by Khaled Hosseini
Yep, this would've been a much different book. Good reading, though, I suspect, but it might've gotten Mr. Hosseini whatchallit'd. Excommunicated? The Pope might've taken off his pointy hat and everything to lay the smackdown.
INEBRIATED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
Eve gets drunk at the precinct Christmas party and nearly stabs a bitch. Roarke has to use his money and connections to get her off the hook because there's a killer preying on drunken women, and they need Eve on the other side of the cell. What? It could happen!
THE BISCUIT by Rhonda Byrne
Need to know the secret to winning your man's heart? It's all here in this Southern cookbook.
THE ELVES OF CILANTRO by Terry Brooks
Where Mexican fey come to Shannara. Need I say more? This one writes itself, I think.
FORCE OF MANURE by Suzanne Brockmann
An ex-Navy seal buys a pig farm in Arkansas, wanting to leave all the violence behind him. But when danger comes to his sleepy little town, he's not afraid to fight dirty, country-style.
CUTICLE by Robin Cook
The medical world has never known a crisis like this one. Every second, millions of people suffer from this insidious illness and there is no cure for... HANG NAILS. We need a manicurist, stat!
STAY THIRTY by Sandra Brown
A woman gets caught breaking into the municipal building, determined to erase all records of her true age. Now that she's 50+, she's finding it harder to date younger guys, but if she could just wipe her file, she could... STAY THIRTY forever.
THE FRENCH FRY LANDS by S.M. Sterling
A book about America, duh.
Look like fun? Go here, and then you do one! I had a blast with these.
Tomorrow, I have Pepper Espinoza, author of the ass-kickingly dark and wonderful Mad World, as my special guest. You won't want to miss it.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A quickie... for your pleasure
Not reviews, per se, but a review of my vacation books, a roller coaster ride of reading fun. I won't go into detail, just my basic reactions.
I think you may be surprised by what I devoured in one short week. Ready? This'll go fast. You sure you're set? K, hang on tight, here we go!
Ebooks
By Bonnie Dee
The Warrior's Gift Meh.
Moon Over Bourbon Street Fun. Gabriel Knight in book form. Recommend.
Home Bound Crazy-hot. And kinda wrong. But hot. Recommend.
Blackberry Pie Holy crap, was this hot. Too short. Wanted a whole damn book. So hot I got a sunburn. And so beautifully written it brought tears to my eyes. BUY THIS.
By Charlene Teglia
The Gripping Beast Good writing. Fun way to kill a few hours. Plus...VIKINGS. Minus points for weird title that made me think it had hentai in it.
By Lauren Dane
Giving Chase Fresh baked bread, wholesome. Great heroine. Minus points for making me fall in love with one brother, and then turning him into a dick. Kinda suffered from dual hero syndrome. But worth reading.
Taking Chase Great! But it wasn't a keeper because Shane was such an ass in book 1 that I couldn't forgive him too readily. If you read these back to back as I did you may have the same problem. Cassie's issues were written beautifully. Warm chocolate chip cookies feeling from reading it and a happy sigh at the end. Even if I was still kinda mad at Shane.
Chased Not as powerful as book 2. Worth reading, though.
By Pepper Espinoza
Mad World Crap on a cracker, this is the shit. But dark, terrible, ugly, and dysfunctional. Hero is a corrupt cop just this side of insane vigilante and the heroine is a sociopathic hooker. KEEPER! Not for the faint of heart.
Rayne of Love Meh. Good idea, shaky execution. Writing was engaging, needed tighter editing.
New Frontier Hello, genuine frontier story. Outlaw, pioneer woman, Old West, hot sex? What could be better? I liked.
By Dee Tenorio
Betting Hearts Rocked me. SEP, look out. Fuckin' loved this. Buy this one!
Paperbacks
Still Waters
Tami Hoag
Tired, dated. Everybody smoked. The only interesting character, well, I won't spoil you. But meh. Yawn.
Moonshine
Rob Thurman
Better than the first one. Didn't make me sing out in awed delight like Patricia Briggs, but readable.
The Scent of Shadows
Vicki Pettersson
Gack.
Private Arrangements
Sherry Thomas
A very pretty, artfully written historical romance. Clever. It was a sugar cookie, a Quinn, not a Kinsale. PS -- haha! I have it and you don't.
You Belong to Me
Patricia Sargeant
Good writing. Great hero. Romantic suspense, and I'm not prone to love those. But I enjoyed it.
Forever Odd
Dean Koontz
Love the characters, love his writing and sense of humor. Hated the plot/story. I won't give up on Odd Thomas, but the first book was the best to date.
Got questions? You can ask in comments or email me.
Feel free to disagree. As always, this is only my opinion, which doesn't matter for shit.
I think you may be surprised by what I devoured in one short week. Ready? This'll go fast. You sure you're set? K, hang on tight, here we go!
Ebooks
By Bonnie Dee
The Warrior's Gift Meh.
Moon Over Bourbon Street Fun. Gabriel Knight in book form. Recommend.
Home Bound Crazy-hot. And kinda wrong. But hot. Recommend.
Blackberry Pie Holy crap, was this hot. Too short. Wanted a whole damn book. So hot I got a sunburn. And so beautifully written it brought tears to my eyes. BUY THIS.
By Charlene Teglia
The Gripping Beast Good writing. Fun way to kill a few hours. Plus...VIKINGS. Minus points for weird title that made me think it had hentai in it.
By Lauren Dane
Giving Chase Fresh baked bread, wholesome. Great heroine. Minus points for making me fall in love with one brother, and then turning him into a dick. Kinda suffered from dual hero syndrome. But worth reading.
Taking Chase Great! But it wasn't a keeper because Shane was such an ass in book 1 that I couldn't forgive him too readily. If you read these back to back as I did you may have the same problem. Cassie's issues were written beautifully. Warm chocolate chip cookies feeling from reading it and a happy sigh at the end. Even if I was still kinda mad at Shane.
Chased Not as powerful as book 2. Worth reading, though.
By Pepper Espinoza
Mad World Crap on a cracker, this is the shit. But dark, terrible, ugly, and dysfunctional. Hero is a corrupt cop just this side of insane vigilante and the heroine is a sociopathic hooker. KEEPER! Not for the faint of heart.
Rayne of Love Meh. Good idea, shaky execution. Writing was engaging, needed tighter editing.
New Frontier Hello, genuine frontier story. Outlaw, pioneer woman, Old West, hot sex? What could be better? I liked.
By Dee Tenorio
Betting Hearts Rocked me. SEP, look out. Fuckin' loved this. Buy this one!
Paperbacks
Still Waters
Tami Hoag
Tired, dated. Everybody smoked. The only interesting character, well, I won't spoil you. But meh. Yawn.
Moonshine
Rob Thurman
Better than the first one. Didn't make me sing out in awed delight like Patricia Briggs, but readable.
The Scent of Shadows
Vicki Pettersson
Gack.
Private Arrangements
Sherry Thomas
A very pretty, artfully written historical romance. Clever. It was a sugar cookie, a Quinn, not a Kinsale. PS -- haha! I have it and you don't.
You Belong to Me
Patricia Sargeant
Good writing. Great hero. Romantic suspense, and I'm not prone to love those. But I enjoyed it.
Forever Odd
Dean Koontz
Love the characters, love his writing and sense of humor. Hated the plot/story. I won't give up on Odd Thomas, but the first book was the best to date.
Got questions? You can ask in comments or email me.
Feel free to disagree. As always, this is only my opinion, which doesn't matter for shit.Labels: books, impressions, quickie, reviews
