Keeping You In the Know: Upcoming Events

February is not only an incredible month for great books coming out but various events that you may want to know about. Most of the events I will list will be in NYC, but some are on-line ones that anyone can go to as long as you have a computer and internet connection.

FOR READERS AND AUTHORS:

Author Leanna Reene Hieber has all the details on her blog about this great event that will occur this Monday, February 2nd:

Lady Jane's launches on February 2nd with award winning and multi-published authors. Andrea Pickens and Hope Tarr will kick off what will be a monthly offering of rich storytelling and great community.

Some invaluable friends of romance, such as Barbara Vey and RomanceNovel.tv will be there to help us celebrate, and the generous and vital RomanticTimes, who have been incredibly supportive so far. Not to mention our respective current publishers, Berkley, Harlequin and Dorchester, who have been incredibly supportive too!

Mark your calendars! Every first Monday of the month, from 7-9 at the fab Tribeca venue Madame X. Admission is $5.00 or a gently used women's fiction novel - all admissions benefit Share the Love! I WILL BE THERE TAKING PICTURES!! :D

CONFERENCES FOR THE BOOK LOVER:

New York Comic Con is next weekend from Feb. 6-8. I blogged about this a few months ago and I will be there on Sat. and Sun. to recreat my famous crotch shots I took last year of Batman, Superman and Yoda. A 2-day pass for the weekend is only $50 and you will leave with a ton of free stuff including some ARCS because there are many publishers there and authors you can meet. If anyone else wants to come or is going, just email me and we can pal around together. One of the main reasons I am going is because of this panel:

Sunday, Feb 8th at 1:45pm:

Kick-Ass Female Authors and Killer Heroines

Eos and Avon Books have a question for you -- Why are vampires, werewolves, fairies, angels, demons, and denizens of the otherworld so damned sexy? USA Today notes, "The hottest bad boys in contemporary fiction are cold-blooded vampires. Not since Anne Rice's bestselling series about Lestat have so many readers thirsted for novels about blood drinkers who are sexy as well as scary." The authors making names for themselves writing these dark daydreams have opinions on the category-killer appeal of their books and why readers are turned on by kick-ass female protagonists who are just as strong and in-control as their He-Man mates. Panelists include Kim Harrison (White Witch, Black Curse), Jeaniene Frost (At Grave's End), Vicki Pettersson (City of Souls), Jocelynn Drake (Dayhunter), and Margaret Ronald (Spiral Hunt). The event is moderated by Michael Spradlin (The Youngest Templar).

O'Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing is happening February 9-11, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, in New York to explore these and other emerging trends around digital publishing. he third annual TOC Conference will also focus on industry-wide strategic issues, like the changing retail and supply-chain landscape. In addition to "long-view" trends we'll be supplying practical tales from the trenches from those who are already experimenting and innovating on the digital frontier of paid content. Unfortunately I will not be attending this conference because it is quite pricey, costing over $1500 for the three days.

FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS:

Amazon's 2009 Breakthrough Novel Award Contest opens on Feb. 2. If you are an aspiring author who has a story already written, why not take part in this contest? You have nothing to lose! I am entering, so why not compete against me?

FREE STUFF!

Harlequin is 60 years old this year and they are giving away 16 free Books to be downloaded from eHarlequin.com. How can you pass up free books? I downloaded some of these books already to my computer. THANK YOU HARLEQUIN AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Keeping you "in the know"!

Scandal Book Winner!

I have a winner in my Scandal book giveaway!

MJ!!!!

Please email me your address where you want me to send your prize at Katiebabsg AT gmail DOT com.

But for those who didn't win, don't despair because you have another chance to win! Meljean Brook is holding her own Scandal contest. You have till Sunday to win.

Now the next big question is, who are you rooting for to win the Super Bowl?

The Cardinals or the Steelers?

The Wicked Burn Discussion

He wanted all of her and did she ever let him have it...

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Vic Savian knows what he wants when he sees it. And what he wants is his sexy neighbor, Niall Chandler. When he finds her in the hallway of their building being harassed by an aggressive suitor, Vic steps in and finds himself greatly rewarded.

Sleeping with her gorgeous neighbor when she didn't even know his last name was the craziest thing Niall had ever done. Now, she can't seem to get enough of Vic--the uninhibited passion he stirs in her. Suddenly, with his help, she's opening to sensual pleasures she’s never known before. But when Niall's past comes back to haunt her, will she and Vic let themselves venture beyond the bedroom and explore the possibility of the love that is in their hearts?

I have been a big fan of Beth Kery's books ever since she published with Ellora's Cave. Beth writes incredible erotic romance that has never disappointed. When Tracy from Tracy's Place reviewed Wicked Burn for Book Binge and loved it, I quickly had to read the book also. Instead of doing a traditional review, I asked Tracy if she wouldn't mind having a discussion about Wicked Burn. She accepted.

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Come read and see what we thought about Wicked Burn. Perhaps our views will help you decide if you should read Wicked Burn. (YOU SHOULD!)

Tracy: Well, I was sent the book by Holly from The Book Binge to read for review. It was kind of strange because she usually sends me a list of books and asks which ones I'm interested in but she didn't do that on this occasion, which was kind of weird. I must have been living in a hole somewhere cuz I'd not heard of the book before. How about you?

KB: I have been a fan of Beth's work for a long time. She writes sexy romance with heroes that are alpha types that take control of the situation but have a great way with the heroine. Plus she writes incredible sex! I had received Wicked Burn from the publisher, Penguin and the buzz about the book was great, so I thought why not? I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into because a few minutes after Vic and Niall meet, they are having sex. That first sex scene really set the tone of the entire book and was really telling what their relationship was like and the problems that arise because of it.

Tracy: I agree about the start of the book. I picked it up and didn't bother to read the back of the book so I had no idea what to expect. When it started off with sex I was thinking it was just going to be strictly erotica but I was very wrong. Of course the sex was hotter than hot. Holy smokes! LOL

KB: I also though it would be heavy on the erotica, but it was so much more than that. Even though Vic and Niall's relationship is heavy on the sex, there is a nice romance going on between these two, such as Vic saving Niall from her date who was an ass and Vic wanting Niall to stay the night and some cuddling. I love cuddling in my romances.

The sex scenes were awesome! Just the right amount of foreplay and hot sex. I was surprised that the topic of sex toys didn't come into play till the end. Not that I really think the toys were needed.

Tracy: The way that Vic and Niall were going at it I'm with you - no sex toys needed. They did have a nice little romance going, didn't they. With Vic asking her to his play and him being much calmer than he normally is. It was very hot, yet extremely sweet. Sex was their main means of communication but there was more going on there.

KB: When I first was introduced to Vic, I thought he would be this gruff alpha male who beats his chest and won't let Niall leave his bed. Even though he was very sexual with her, he was a gentlemen in some ways. He takes her to dinner, lets her meet his mother and sister and tells her about his life. I also like his vulnerability because of what his skanky ex-fiancé did to him. He is so protective of Niall also, and I love that! The thing he has for her pearls must have some hidden meaning, but I can't really find it. Do you think there is one, other then the use of them to create more sexual lust between them?

On a side note, the last time I read about pearls during sex was in a Thea Devine book called Devine and I was still a bit green in my reading with sex scenes. The way that author used the heroine's pearls in that book did nothing for me and made me a bit squeamish. When Beth uses them as a sex toy, I was very impressed!

Tracy: Oh I completely agree about the pearls - though like you I can't find any hidden meaning either. I did read another book with pearls at one time, although the name escapes me now, but like you those scenes just kind of left me cold. Vic really knew how to use his pearls...and everything else he had!

You're right about Vic being a gentleman. I think that's why the book appealed to me so much...I love the alpha male but I don't want him to be so dominating that he's not got an ounce of softness in him. It's all about the way they use the softness inside that is what I love. Vic was that guy - though he didn't want anyone to know it.

What his ex-fiancé did to him was just beyond horrid. She was just the lowest of the low creatures as far as I was concerned.

Now do you think that Niall should have told Vic about her husband earlier? I kept thinking that she should have told him - I kept thinking, ok...are ya gonna tell him now? He was definitely the type of person to understand - with the truth and nothing but the truth. I think there would have been problems once the truth was out but he would have reacted differently once he knew the entire back story.

KB: I thought it was adorable that Vic wasn't much of a talker, and that Niall fell for him. His responses were almost caveman like. Pretty funny if you think of it because he is a playwright. I wasn't sure what to think about Vic's reasoning for kissing her skanky fiancé. I know he wanted to see if everything he ever felt for this woman was dead inside of him, but I think Niall had a right to be upset and let him know it because, hello! Your tongue is in the mouth of another woman when you just had it in the mouth of your woman a few hours before that. I would have kicked him where it hurt. But of course it led to some hot and steamy nookie between the two.

I would have a problem with Niall not being upfront about her husband with Vic. But everything she said to Vic on why she didn't tell him does make sense. She thought it was only sex between them and he didn't give any indication that there relationship was more than that. But then Vic saw their relationship very differently from Niall's. There was a big lack of communication because of the mistrust they had with one another. Niall was ashamed because of what happened three years ago and her husband. The guilt ate away from her and if she came out and cried on Vic's shoulder right away, he may have hightailed it for the hills.

I also thought Vic investing more emotionally with Niall than Niall did in the beginning. Not until she thought she lost him, did she comes to some conclusions that I wish she had made before the whole blow up between them happened.

Tracy: Nope, Vic wasn't much of a talker and I think that's where a lot of the communication breakdown was. Don't get me wrong there wasn't a whole lot of communicating that wasn't done via sex, but still. I definitely thought that Vic was had more invested in the relationship than Niall did, he just had a different way of showing it. At one point I did think that Niall was being a little "head in the sand" about their relationship but she did have her reasons.The whole skanky fiancé thing ewwww *shudders*. I understand why - but can't you just analyze your feelings without the tongue action?

KB: I am so glad this simply wasn't just a story of two people who just wanted hot sex. In the beginning that was the basis but both saw something special with one another. But if Niall was too honest with Vic, then the tension and whole basis of the story would be missing, so I am fine with the way things happened between them.

I also loved how Vic's sister and mother sided with Niall and wanted her to be with Vic because they knew she was a good person and great for Vic. And when Vic was able to forgive Niall, and Niall was honest, especially what the sex toys from Vic meant to her, that was when everything came together perfectly.

Tracy: Sometimes I read books and I think, wouldn't it have worked better if they'd done ___ whatever it is. But this book was just so great the way it was. Without the help of Vic's sister things would have gone very differently. Vic was so stinkin stubborn! LOLI agree - the sex toy scene was a huge turning point and it was perfect. I was so glad that Vic went after Niall after he gave her the sex toys instead of just waiting around. To me it showed that she really meant something to her.

KB: Beth can sure write sexy and hot erotica that is emotional and very "real", IMO. I think Wicked Burn did this perfect. Beth will definitely be the author to watch.So, what is your final grade? I give Wicked Burn a B+

Tracy: I will definitely be reading more of Beth's work, that's for sure.

I don't give grades but I gave it a rating 4 out of 5 which makes it a keeper for me.

Thanks Tracy for a great talk. Wicked Burn is out now from Berkley.

The Gift Everyone Wants: The Snuggie

As seen on TV, the Snuggie, the blanket with sleeves is the biggest craze with over 4 million Snuggies sold!

From USA TODAY:

The Cult of the Snuggie threatens to take over America! Or at least, a substantial number — 4 million — of late-night couch spuds.

The Snuggie, an oversized fleece blanket with sleeves, stars in a ubiquitous TV ad so cheesy it's practically art, and apparently wildly entertaining. The ad shows people wearing Snuggies at a sporting event, cheering and high-fiving each other while dressed … sort of like medieval monks.

"Every once in a while, a product transcends advertising to become part of pop culture," says Scott Boilen, president and CEO of Allstar Products Group of Hawthorne, N.Y., which conceived and markets the China-made Snuggie.

Indeed, Snuggies seem to be everywhere. See them on Facebook — nearly 250 groups, pro and con; one fan club lists 5,999 members. Watch them on YouTube — nearly 300 parody videos posted, including one titled "The Cult of the Snuggie," with 146,000 views as of Tuesday.

Jay Leno makes fun of them: "Lard-ass quilt was the original name! Why not just put your robe on backwards?" Ellen DeGeneres spoofed them, trying one on during her show. Fox News even spotted someone wearing a Snuggie in the crowd at President Obama's inauguration last week.

The Snuggie concept is not new, nor is it the only such product on the market, but the Snuggie proves once again that an attractive price (two for $19.95, plus free book light online and on TV, about $14.99 for one in stores) and clever marketing can take you far in American retailing.

Snuggies went on sale in August, began TV advertising in October and started shipping to retailers in December. Already, 4 million have been sold. But the Internet is crowded with angry testimonials from consumers who say they were overcharged or never got their order or waited much longer than four to six weeks for their Snuggies to arrive.

My boss even has one and got his at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $14.95.

There is even a commerical parody post on You Tube about the Snuggie called The WTF Blanket. Your stomach will hurt from laughing so hard:

Who's brave enough to admit they have their own snuggie or want one? And why didn't I think of this idea? :(

FOR SHAME!! *My Weight Rant*

I have a rant coming on because This cartoon was posted in today's NY Post:

The cartoon was in response to this photo floating around of Jessica Simpson:

I don't think Jessica's outfit is the best, but fat?? I am disgusted and appalled, perhaps because I take something like this to heart. The mocking cartoon hits close to home for me.

I used to be 240 pounds and a size 24 by the time I was 21 years old. I have had weight issues all my life and because of it, I obsess with my weight on a daily basis. Men have told me that they wouldn't date me or have sex with me, hell wouldn't even kiss me because they thought I was too fat. I had a so call best friend from the age of 9 to 21 who told me I was a heifer almost every day we were friends. I have had people make assumptions about me because of how big I was.

Because of my weight problem, I decided to do something about it for me, not any one else. For the past eleven years I have sweated my ass off at the gym and denied myself certain foods to reach a certain look I can be happy with. Honestly, I will never be happy with the way I look. To this day I stare in the mirror and I still see myself as the 240 pound, size 24 girl.
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I am now a size 10, I wear anywhere from small to medium size shirts. My underwear constantly sags because I have no ass to speak of. I can barely fit into a "B" cup bra and I can see the bones in my neck and hips. I go to the gym at the crack ass of dawn almost five days a week, where I work out from anywhere from an hour to two hours. My mother and sister are constantly worried for me because I am so obsessed with my weight they think I have an eating disorder. If I go more than two days without working out, I will eat less because I feel I have failed and will gain weight.

And in the media and Hollywood's eyes I am fat because I will never fit into a size 2 or even a size 6. If I even tried to lose another thirty pounds. I wouldn't be able to walk and would be in a hospital because of it.

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FOR SHAME!! Shame on the NY Post for their ridicule and FOR SHAME on me for falling for it and living a life where I will never look in the mirror and think I look good enough.

This is me two weeks ago at my sister's wedding. For once I saw myself in a picture and didn't turn away in disgust. Not a size 2, but a fine size 10 if I do say so myself.

Kiss of the Demon King Book Review *Kresley Cole*

I must say that Kiss of the Demon King is a vast improvement with its title and cover. I was so not feeling the long “I can’t remember them, for the life of me titles” of Kresley Cole’s past books in her Immortals After Dark series. I could never get them straight and delegated them to numbers like perfume, such as Cole #5 and Cole #6. And don’t get me started on the cartoonish look covers. Sorry, not a fan.

But you can’t judge a book by its lame title or cover and that is very much the case with Kresley’s paranormal series that keeps on giving. Kiss of the Demon King (Book #6 in the Immortals After Dark series) is a scrumptious world of larger than life heroes and heroines with outlandish plots and action packed sequences that will give you the ride of your life. Each book that Kresley writes for this series continually gets better. Her books are simply fun reads where you know the action is intense and the relationships between these mystical male and female creatures will be hot and heavy. Kiss of the Demon King is Kresley’s most erotic to date. She extends the foreplay to the point where you are just as frustrated as the characters who are engaging in it. She knows how to build up the passion and intensity between the two lovers. And when it comes to Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions and Rydstrom Woede, King of the Demons, watch out because they two practically combust. Whenever Sabine gets hot and horny, she can’t help but make an illusion of fire.

Kiss of the Demon King is set during the same time line as Dark Desires After Dusk, where Rydstrom’s brother Cade is on his adventure with his new found mate Holly. For those who don’t know the background of Rydstrom, he is the rightful demon king to the Kingdom of Rothkalina. He has been exiled by an evil sorcerer, Omort, who took over Rydstrom’s castle Tornin, as well as Rothkalina. Rydstrom and Omort have been fighting each other for hundreds of years. Omort, also known as The Deathless One, cannot die and the only way Rydstrom can find kill him is a magical sword that was made by Omort’s brother. This sword will kill Omort by beheading him. Rydstrom sends his brother Cade on a mission to try and retrieve the sword.

Sabine, who is Omort’s half-sister and a Sorceri is the subject of his incestuous lust, also has a plan up her sleeve. Sabine is Rydstrom’s foretold mate and queen. She wants to get rid of Omort because she despises him and everything he stands for. He is a bully and a brute who only cares for himself. Sabine has had it rough. She has been killed more times than she can count and is brought back to life by her sister Lanthe. Both Sabine and Lanthe are safe from the Vrekners while they are in Rothkalina. Vrekners are winged demonic angels who want to slaughter the Sorceri and have been hunting Sabine and Lanthe since they have been children. If the Sorceri sisters are on Earth for an extended period of time, the Vrekners will find them. These creatures were responsible for the first time Sabine died. Their leader Thoronos especially wants Lanthe for some reason. Sabine is sick of everything. Sick of having to rely on Omort’s protection and be surrounded by evil freaks. He also has something very important he holds over her head. He has given Sabine and Lanthe a poison, and if they don’t take it from his own hand every few days, they will both die a horrible deaths.

Sabine has finally figured a way out from under Omort’s rule. She will kidnap Rystrom, chain him to her bed and seduce him so she can become pregnant with his son. It was told that her son would be a tool of great power that will take over the throne from Omort. Sabine has her work cut out for her because she is a virgin. The reason? She has been waiting for Rydstrom who is her rightful mate. And why not? Rydstrom is quite the dashing demon with the eyes as black as obsidian and the horns that are so very kissable. A demon’s horns are very sensitive to touch, so you can imagine what a set of lips would feel like wrapped around those suckers. Sabine can’t wait to get her hands and mouth on Rydstrom’s.

Sabine sets up an illusion and Rydstrom comes to her aid. Before he can figure out who Sabine is, she captures him and puts him in the dungeon under castle Tornin and at her mercy. Rydstrom quickly realizes that Sabine is his mate and would love nothing more than to have some hot sex with her. But Sabine has put Rydstrom in a horrible position. He won’t give in and wants Sabine to give him a vow that she will be his and do what he wants. Sabine actually wants Rydstrom to marry her and won’t have sex with him until he gives her that vow. Rydstrom refuses and Sabine tortures him with her hands. Let’s just say that Sabine literally has Rydstrom by his cock and she treats that part of him with some TLC. This is where the erotic part comes in. These two don’t have actual intercourse till much later, but the events leading up to the main event is too good for words. The sexual tension is key between these two.

Sabine may think she has Rydstrom at her mercy but he there are a few of Omort’s followers who want to help Rydstrom. And when Rydstrom gets free, he wants revenge because Sabine has given him the biggest case of blue balls ever. He will give Sabine her just desserts and then he will keep her with him always and will never let her go.

Kiss of the Demon King did not disappoint in any way. Lush is one word that comes to mind with the hottest sex scenes you will read this year. For those who have wondered about the horn licking, there is some horn love going on here. And the tension and buildup between Sabine and Rydstrom is too good for words.

Sabine and Rydstrom have definite faults but you can’t help but feel for them because their lives have been truly horrendous. What I love about Sabine is that she may lament about her life, but she is not into self-pity. She takes a stand and won’t be defeated even if she dies trying. I especially loved the relationship that Sabine and Lanthe have as sisters. Kresley has written the sisters in such a way that is wonderful, caring and protective. Rydstrom may come across as tyrannical and an alpha male, but even as Sabine is sexually torturing him, he feels so protective of her. He hopes to build a life with her, not only because she is his mate, but there is something special about Sabine that makes him whole.

Kresley’s world building is written well enough where you won’t get lost and she leaves open some loose ends so you are already invested emotionally in the next book. Plus she has an interesting plan up her sleeve with the mad Valkyrie, Nix. Nix, a fan favorite, may be making her way into another paranormal series. Nix wants some “T.O.” as she says and will visit the boys who are the Lords of the Underworld. For those who are not aware of the Lord of the Underworld series, the author who writes that series was given a very lovely dedication from Kresley in this book.

If you haven’t read Kresley Cole’s Immortal After Dark series, what are you waiting for? Kiss of the Demon King is another wonderful addition that has delivered in so many ways. (Pocket)

Final Grade: B+

Changing Mid Stream?

I just finished a book I will be reviewing for Romance Novel TV that I really did enjoy but left me with questions. This book is part of a Contemporary romance series, but with this recent installment, the author decided to do something different and made the book a Sci-Fi Romance.

The book in question in is Lori Foster's My Man Michael, (SBC Fighters book 4) out in stores today from Berkley. My Man Michael is part of an on-going series about Supreme Battle Challenge fighters and the women they meet and fall in love with. This latest book is about fighter Michael "Mallet" Manchester and Kaylie Raine, a woman who comes from 200 years in the future to bring Michael back with her to help save her people.

Again, I really did enjoy the book and this is usually the case whenever I read a Lori Foster book. But unfortunately I would give My Man Michael a lower grade because it is a book the changes mid stream in a series. I am not sure what to think about this book that is different from the earlier books in this series.

I went back in my memory banks to think of any other series where are author decided to change the tone of a book that really doesn't seem to fit. The only two I can think of is when Laurel K. Hamilton came out with Narcissus in Chains, book eleven in her immensely popular Anita Blake series. She made her main character, Anita, change from a very closed off sexual person to a sex addict. I also found that Stephanie Meyer took a great chance with Breaking Dawn, the final book in her Twilight series. (Don't even get me started on the Twilight Zone like book that Breaking Dawn has become!)

Some readers may just shrug their shoulders and enjoy the book regardless of what the other books were like in the past. I find that I am a bit more critical.

Are you the type of reader who doesn't care? Are there any books that changed the tone of a series that shocked you, or perhaps it worked for the better?

Talk Me Down *Power Puff Review*

Welcome to another installment of the Power Puff reviews. Bubbles (Ana from Book Smugglers) and I, Blossum, the snarky but cute red head have chosen Victoria Dahl’s first contemporary, Talk Me Down. There has been much discussion about this book on the various websites and blogs. Both Bubbles and Blossum are up to the challenge to decide if Talk Me Down is a winner or a dud.

I am going to start off and say I enjoyed Talk Me Down. It was a fun, fluffy and sexy read. Perhaps at times the actions of Molly were a bit too silly, but overall I really had a fun time reading this one. I can see Victoria going far in the contemporary world. She reminds me a bit like of Julia Harper, who also writes historical romances under another name, much like Victoria does. Also Rachel Gibson comes to mind. It was a welcomed relief to lose myself in such a book like this.

Molly Jennings has returned to her small home town of Tumble Creek, Colorado to escape her stalkerish, won’t take a no for an answer, ex-boyfriend Cameron. Cameron has a way in making people agree with him and he really thinks Molly is playing hard to get and they are not really broken up. It gets so bad, that Molly has to leave Denver and return to her roots. Molly’s job lets her travel because as long as she has a computer, she can work. Molly is an erotic romance author who goes by the name Holly Summers. (I think that is a great pen name) Molly keeps her career a secret because she doesn’t want people to look down upon her, because most of her family and friends wouldn’t have a high opinion of her work. If I were in Molly shoes, I would shout from the hills- “I write great sex! Nah Nah.”. But Molly is not that self assured and probably likes the mystery she eludes.

As soon as Molly returns, she bumps into her old crush and older brother’s friend, Ben Lawson. Ben is the Chief of Police in Tumble Creek. Ben acts as if Molly has the plague because their last encounter was when a barely teenage Molly caught Ben with a girl who was giving him oral sex. Both were beyond embarrassed, especially Ben. Ben keeps to himself and tries not to fuel the town’s gossips because his father did something so horrible that has followed Ben into adulthood. Ben would love to get to know Molly better, but her personality and lifestyle is sure to raise some eyebrows, which Ben doesn’t need. And because Molly won’t tell Ben what she does for a living, he will stay away.

Ben can’t keep away from Molly because it is such a small town and he loves being with her. She is bubbly, happy and makes his heart go pitter patter. This does sound strange to explain how the hero feels, but Ben is so very different from the other heroes I have read in the past. Ben blushes up a storm every time he is near Molly or she says something that shocks him. Very early on, Molly says something that doesn’t just make Ben blush, but he actually puts his hands over his ears so he doesn’t have to hear anymore. Can you think of any other time in another book where you have a hero doing this? I haven’t, and I loved that Victoria wrote Ben like this. Ben was just too cute for words.

Molly is sick of placing her feeling aside for the Chief of Police and will use her feminine wiles to get Ben into her bed. Ben is a man after all and Molly is a woman he really appreciates. These two can’t keep their hands off of each other. The make out like crazy in his car and finally when they get to the bedroom and have sex, it is really tender, sweet and hot. Molly and Ben are very happy with one another, even though Molly refuses to say she is Ben’s girlfriend. Ben is the first one to say, “Yes you are my girlfriend. We are having sex and that means we are together and exclusive.” I kept saying, GO BEN! Shut up Molly and just kiss him.

But as Ben and Molly try to work things out, Ben can’t help but question Molly about her job and her ex-boyfriend who sends her gifts and shows up expecting to go to a party. Also, Molly thinks someone keeps breaking into her house, unlocking doors and moving things around. She still won’t tell Ben what she does to make money and Ben is to the point of being fed up.

Talk Me Down had some great moments, especially between Ben and Molly. I am not just talking about their physical relationship but I loved their dialogue with one another. I had a few laughs over Ben because he ran a few job scenarios around in his head that Molly could possibly be involved with such as online sex performer and stripper. I really didn’t think it was such a big deal that Molly kept her career such a secret. Her personality was of a woman who didn’t really care what people thought. If she had told Ben right up front that she was an erotic romance author, he may have an initial reaction of disgust or shock, but I was led to believe he was the type of guy to get over it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was willing to act out some of her scenes from her books.

Molly was a bit silly and immature at times but she made me laugh by her internal thoughts and actions. She reminded me of a girly girl who wanted to have fun and when she wanted something- Ben, she didn’t back down. Even the way she handled Cameron didn’t bother me because everything she did made sense. The only thing left was to tell her older brother or Ben and they would have gone to Cameron and make him see reason. I really couldn’t see that happening.

Again, I loved the fact that Victoria made Ben a middle ground hero. He was part alpha, part beta and the way he blushed was adorable. Ben is the reason to read Talk Me Down. He grounds Molly and they both bring something special to their relationship.

Talk Me Down is the perfect book for those who need some light reading and good sex. Blushing heroes and a heroine who writes great sex works for me! (HQN)

Final Grade: B

What did Bubbles think? Click here to find out
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Blossum

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Movie Review

Last night I saw the Oscar nominated movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This is a movie based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Most of you probably already know the plot, about a man who is born in his eighties and as he grows older, his body grows young to where he will die as a baby. The tagline they use for this movie- “Life isn’t measured in minutes, but in moments”, becomes so important for the way Benjamin lives his life. One of the most important scenes in this movie was when the young Benjamin, who is around twelve at the time, asks an old woman, why do people die? She responds that everyone must die because death is where we, the living, realize how important people are to us and how much we love them. And even though Benjamin was born near death and not supposed to survive his first year, did survive and enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved and was loved and never looked back or thought of his own death when he would physically look like a baby with no memory or function of the way he lived.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button begins with an elderly woman named Daisy (Cate Blanchett) dying in a hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her daughter, Caroline (Julia Ormond) is at her bedside as a hurricane called Katrina is about to make landfall in a few hours. Caroline knows her mother doesn’t have much longer to live and she wants to spend these last few hours with her. Daisy is in and out of consciousness and wants Caroline to read from a diary that was written by a man named Benjamin. Caroline finds it strange that her mother would have this man’s diary, but decides to read some passages out loud.

Benjamin (Brad Pitt) was born in 1918, the day World War I ended. His mother died in labor and his father (Jason Flemyng) was so overcome with sadness and disgust for his son, who he felt was a horror because he did not look like a healthy new born baby, took his son and placed it on the steps of a retirement home of sorts. Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), who is a young black woman and a caretaker to the retired people of the home, finds the baby and takes it in. After having a doctor look over the baby, he comes to the conclusion that that baby boy has a body and aliments of that a man in his eighties. He thinks the baby will not survive the year. Queenie, who can’t have children, will care for this sickly baby, who she names Benjamin because he is one of god’s creatures and deserves love and protection.

Benjamin doesn’t die and by the age of twelve he lives much like the inhabitants of the home. He looks very much like an old man with liver spots, is bald and wears glasses and sits in a wheelchair because he can’t walk. As he continues to age, his body heals itself. Soon he is walking and is able to stand up straight. It seems with each year, his body reverses in time. Also around this time, Benjamin meets a young girl who is about six years younger then he is. Her name is Daisy and she is the granddaughter of one of the guests at the home. Benjamin falls in love with Daisy and loves her beautiful blue eyes. This is the girl who will become the woman he falls in love with. Daisy doesn’t find Benjamin strange and they become playmates.

By the time Benjamin is eighteen, he decides to go off into the world and find himself. Physically he looks like he is near sixty, but his mind is bright and he wants an adventure. He leaves Daisy but continues to write her. For the next few years Benjamin enjoys life because when he was younger he could barely leave the home he grew up in because of his ailments. Now his body is perfect and as he continues to age, his body continues to go in reverse. Also at this time we see Daisy and how she lives her life. She becomes a ballerina and Benjamin is always on her mind. The same goes with Benjamin. Even though these two fall in love with other people, have sexual experiences and many friends, they always come back to one another.

After the second World War and into the 1950’s and 60’s Benjamin is in his prime. He is a man in his forties and for this moment his body is exactly as it should be. Daisy comes back into his life and they become lovers. This is the moment Benjamin has been waiting for his whole life, to be with his love Daisy. We see a wonderful montage of Benjamin and Daisy building their life together. Daisy laments she is getting older looking while Benjamin looks younger each day. It doesn’t really bother Benjamin because he is with Daisy and will love her even when she is old, wrinkled and dying.

But then something happens, a life changing experience for Benjamin and this is where he has a decision to make. If he continues to stay with Daisy, there will come a point where she will have to take care of him because as he gets closer to his death, his body continues to go into reverse. Daisy will no longer have her lover, but a young man who will become a teenager and then a child and finally a baby. Benjamin can’t allow Daisy to go through this heartbreak, so he leaves her so she can have a full life. This is where Benjamin will live out his remaining years traveling and enjoying himself till he gets to the point where he can’t.

You would think The Curious Case of Benjamin Button would be a depressing movie about death, but it is not that in any way. This movie is a celebration of life, to take each day as it come. Death is most assured, how you live your life isn’t. Benjamin, played by Brad Pitt looks upon his life with joy and happiness. Even as a young boy in an old man’s body, he shines with innocence and a will to live. He lives each day as it is his last. Even when he leaves Daisy, he spends those years exploring and learning everything he can. And even though his body reverses, his mind is very much alert. By a certain age, the mind goes and our bodies begin to break down. The same happens when Benjamin’s body becomes a young child. His body is just a shell, so what if it ages backward as everyone’s body ages forward? The meaning to life is not to worry about how long you have on the Earth, but how you spend your time there that matters.

The Case of Benjamin Button was an uplifting tale and one of the best movies I have seen in the past few months. The acting was great and Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett have wonderful chemistry. Brad makes this movie and I really can’t see any other actor in the role as Benjamin. From the moment Brad is on the screen he shines. When Benjamin is in his forties, he looks too good for words. Brad’s boyish charm is in full effect here. Also, Cate looks timeless. These two actors are the best my generation has to offer.

The director, David Fincher has worked with Brad before in Se7en and Fight Club. His direction was wonderful and he really knows how to film a movie.

Life and death go hand in hand and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a perfect example of these two things. People live and die, but all that matters is how they look upon their own lives and those they affect around them. I left the theater feeling upbeat and looked around at my own life and hope the next remaining decades I am on the Earth will be treated the same way Benjamin did his. This is a movie not to be missed.

Final Grade: A-

Breaking the Silence Book Review *Katie Allen*

Breaking the Silence from Katie Allen was such an incredible book for me. What first caught my eye was the fact that the hero, who is a bit socially inept, but an amazingly looking specimen of manhood, was a virgin. When it comes to virgin heroes, I am a big, big fan. Not only does Katie deliver a wonderful portrayal of man who is more assured working on his computer alone in his house than around people, but she has written a book that will hold your interest till the very last page.

William Jackson has finally bought his own home after years of hard work. He has overcome a great deal in his life where he was in a foster home that was full of horrors. But William was able to survive and now he has a great life. His work as a computer programmer may seem boring but he is pretty good at his job. Ever since he moved into his house, he lives for the afternoon when he can watch a woman walk her dog along a path near his house. William knows that this is a bit too stalker like and creepy, but William has no experience with women. William has never gone on a date or even had a girlfriend. His sexual experience is nothing because as he was growing up, he was always looking over his shoulder in fear. He has never been at ease with people and has become a hermit. But since he made the move to buy a house, he has a new outlook on life and will put one step in front of the other and try to meet the cute dog walker and make conversation with her.

Jenny Fitzgerald is an engineer at a firm where she gossips with her co-worker and gay friend, Christian who wants her to get laid. Jenny hasn’t had a date in forever and is at her wits end. When she looks in the mirror, she sees a pretty nice looking face staring back at her. But she can’t understand why there are no men around for her to pick. The only offer is from her overly friendly co-worker Even who freaks her out. He stares at her and always comes around to bother her. There is even a pool at work for when he will finally ask her out. Jenny is definitely not interested in that man, no matter how desperate she gets. So instead she laments on her single status and walks her dog when suddenly a god from the sky appears in front of her.

Jenny can’t believe her luck when the most gorgeous guy she has ever seen is on the path she uses to walk Rosie, her dog. He may not be much of a talker, but there is something about him that Jenny likes. She may be a bit shallow in her attraction to the sex god since he is so beautiful to look at, but as she gets to know William, she can see he is a really nice guy who goes out of his way to listen to her talk and seems interested in her life. And when she invites him to a work function, he accepts. Jenny can’t wait to show William off to everyone at work. And perhaps she will get a few make out sessions with him.

William never thought a beautiful woman like Jenny would give him the time of day. He doesn’t see his appeal and thinks the only reason people stare at him is because he looks awkward. But when Jenny stares at him, he can’t help but think that Jenny finds him pleasing. Being with her makes him happy and he feels like he belongs. He just hopes he can hold back his urges because he would love nothing more than to throw her against a wall and have his way with her. William’s wishes keep coming true because Jenny would love for William to ravish her, and ravish her he does. Jenny doesn’t know that William is a virgin, not that it matters, because the sex they have together is mind blowing. We are talking about firework exploding and stars shooting (only in a romance!). Both are so over the moon with each other that they can’t dare to leave each other’s company. William can hardly keep his emotions in check, he bawls like a baby during an intense session of lovemaking with Jenny. Jenny thinks William is so perfect and too adorable for words.

Everything is going great for both Jenny and William, that is until Evan, who is so obsessed with Jenny, wants revenge for refusing him. What he does to Jenny may destroy the love both she and William have finally found with one another.

Breaking the Silence is an emotional and so very romantic story. We have two people who find something wrong with themselves, finding each other. I couldn’t help but compare Breaking Silence to the movie, Untamed Heart with Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei. The reason is because the character of William reminded me so much like Christian in the movie. William is the shy, not too vocal hero who adores the heroine with every sense of his being. He is so uncomfortable in his own skin that it takes the love of Jenny, a fun and caring woman, to show William how great he is. Some of you may think, oh waaa… the boo hoo sexy hot hero has problems, but still looks incredible because of his looks. I think the point that Katie is making with her story is that no matter what you look like to others, such as with William and his model looks, if you think you are below average or weird, it doesn’t matter. William’s past made him into the man he was when Jenny meet him. He is unsure and so afraid of living because when he was a teenage, someone cruelly took his innocence away. When he finally meets Jenny and learns to live, he is still so very much an innocent, much like a baby taking their first few steps into the world.

Jenny was perfect for William because she was almost the total opposite of William. She was bubbly, optimistic and just enjoys life. And her life became so much more sweeter with William beside her. Her initial attraction towards William was because of his appearance but that all changed when she saw who he was inside. When it came to sex between these two, it was playful, loving and so very intimate, exactly what he needed.

Also a word of warning. The topic of rape is very blunt here and there is a scene that will make you cringe because it is a violent attempt at rape. Katie makes sure to stop things before they can go so very wrong. The aftermath and the recovery was handled so very well.

Not many books make me want to go on and on why they are so very special, and Breaking the Silence is one of them. Katie Allen has definitely caught my eye. This is one book that shouldn’t pass you by. Don’t be surprised if you find it in my top book list for 2009. (Ellora's Cave)

Final Grade: A-

Click here to buy

The Sharon Cullars Auction

Romance author Sharon Cullars needs help. This wonderful romance author is close to losing her home because of foreclosure. The romance community from authors to bloggers have come together to try and raise the $10,000 needed to save Sharon's home.

At this moment there is an auction in Sharon's name where you can contribute and end up with some very cool things such as ARCS (Advanced reading copies) from your favorite authors and critiques on your manuscripts if you are a writer.

Scandal Book Giveaway! *Carolyn Jewel*

Sometimes a book is just so good you can't help but constantly talk about it. I first mentioned how much of an incredible read Scandal was back in November. If there is one book you read this Winter season, or for the year, I recomend this historical romance by Carolyn Jewel. Even for those who don't read historicals, I urge you to try this book. You may be surprised in ways you never thought possible.

My review of Carolyn Jewel's book has now been posted up at Romance Novel TV Now you can see why I can't stop raving.

Scandal doesn't come out till February, but you have your chance to get this book before then. I have a copy of Scandal. In order for your chance to win this book, just leave a comment here by Wednesday 1/28. All I ask of the winner is that they post their own review Scandal on their blog, another website or even here if you have no place to post.

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Good luck! :D

Twilight Done With Bunnies

I know. I have a bad obsession with everything with Twilight. But this latest 48 second video paraody of the Twilight movie with bunnies had me in stitches.



UPDATE: Because the video is owned by Stars, the video now can only be seen on their website. Click here to see it.

Sinful Temptations Book Review *Cassidy McKay*

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of a phone sex line? Cassidy McKay gives us an idea, and with an interesting twist. In Sinful Temptations, the phone sex operator is a man and the owner of the company. He also finds himself very interested in his client even though his own self-imposed rules tell him otherwise. Not only did I think this as a great premise, but her characters are believable by the way they react with one another and there is even a bit of mystery towards the end.

Jennifer Amante’s friend, Tess dares Jenn to call Sinful Temptations, a phone sex line. Jenn has quite the dry spell going on with her sex life. At twenty-eight Jenn is a real estate receptionist who was betrayed by a man she was involved with. Tess wants Jenn to liven up and find some pleasure, even if it is with a stranger over the phone. The anonymity is tantalizing even though Jenn is embarrassed by the idea of getting off over the phone by a voice. Jenn hopes that the message she left at Sinful Temptations will be lost, but that is not the case because she gets a call back from a man with the most sexiest voice she has ever heard.

Nick is the owner of Sinful Temptations who finds the business a bit ho hum and dull. He is going to school to get his business degree and his fledging company is slowing taking off. When he hears the message Jennifer leaves, he is intrigued and calls her back under the name of Naughty Nick. Jennifer is a bit ashamed but Nick has a way over the phone and soon they both have a great sexual experience together. Nick can’t believe that Jenn has gotten him so hot because that just does not happen for him. Jenn enjoys Nick but feels pathetic for getting her jollies off and decides her phone sex experience is a one-time deal. But Nick is about to come back into her life again because he is looking for a home and coincidentally uses the real estate office where Jenn works. When Nick meets Jenn, he quickly surmises that Jenn is the same Jenn who called the sex line. Jenn has no idea that Nick her client is Naughty Nick the phone sex god. Nick wants nothing more than to take Jenn out on a date. Jenn refuses but that doesn’t stop her from calling Sinful Temptations to talk to Naughty Nick again.

Now Nick has to figure out a way to get Jenn to go out on a date with him and tell her who he really is without humiliating her.

Sinful Temptations was a fast read where the buildup of passion becomes more important than the actual act. Only in a book such as Cassidy McKay’s can a phone sex operator, who is drop dead gorgeous and practically perfect, end up with a normal type of woman like Jenn. Regardless of the probability being nil to none, I really enjoyed how Nick and Jenn got together. Their phone conversations were hot and I could definitely see both these two releasing their tensions with one another.

When Nick and Jenn finally come face to face, you are rooting for both of them to act on their fantasies with one another. Nick won’t let Jenn pass him by because he knows he has a good thing with her. Poor Jenn can’t understand why a man like Nick would be interested in someone like her. And when she puts two and two together, her reaction is exactly what I would expect.

Towards the end of this tale, a stalker of Nick’s comes out of the blue and even though I felt the story didn’t need such drama, it didn’t take too much away from the main focus. Perhaps it even adds a bit of tension and excitement to the story.

I really did enjoy Sinful Temptations and since this is my first Cassidy McKay book, I will definitely be interested in her future releases. If only I had my own sexy phone sex operator hunk at my disposal! (Resplendence Publishing)

Final Grade: B

Interested in buying Sinful Temptations? Click Here!

Get Marked Giveaway **S.J. Day**

Author S.J. Day has an incredible contest going on called the Get Marked Giveaway.

What can you win?

1. Advance Reading Copy of EVE OF DARKNESS(1 Grand Prize winner)
2. Marked series coffee mug(2 second place winners)
3. Marked series poster with the entire first chapter on the back(5 third place winners)
4. Tor Books key chain that lights up when squeezed(2 runner up winners)

Want to know how to enter? Click here for all the details. You have till Saturday, February 28th to win!

And don't forget that EVE of Darkness, the first book in the Marked series comes out on April 28th from Tor Books.

The SciFiGuy has one of the first reviews posted for EVE of Darkness. Go read his review and see why you should add this book to your TBR pile.

2009 Oscar Nominations!

This morning the Oscar nominations were announced. Here they are:

Best Picture
'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
'Frost/Nixon'
'Milk'
'The Reader'
'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Director
Danny Boyle, 'Slumdog Millionaire'
Stephen Daldry, 'The Reader'
David Fincher, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Ron Howard, 'Frost/Nixon'
Gus Van Sant, 'Milk'
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Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, 'The Visitor'
Frank Langella, 'Frost/Nixon'
Sean Penn, 'Milk'
Brad Pitt, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Mickey Rourke, 'The Wrestler'

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, 'Rachel Getting Married'
Angelina Jolie, 'Changeling'
Melissa Leo, 'Frozen River'
Meryl Streep, 'Doubt'
Kate Winslet, 'The Reader'

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, 'Milk'
Robert Downey Jr., 'Tropic Thunder'
Philip Seymour Hoffman, 'Doubt'
Heath Ledger, 'The Dark Knight'
Michael Shannon, ' Revolutionary Road'

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams- Doubt
Penelope Cruz- Vicky Christina Barelona
Viola Davis- Doubt
MarisaTomei- The Wrestler

Taraji Henson- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Screenplay
Dustin Lance Black, 'Milk'
Courtney Hunt, 'Frozen River'
Mike Leigh, 'Happy-Go-Lucky'
Martin McDonagh, 'In Bruges'
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter, 'WALL-E'

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Best Adapted Screenplay
Eric Roth, Robin Swicord, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
John Patrick Shanley, 'Doubt'
Peter Morgan, 'Frost/Nixon'
David Hare, 'The Reader'
Simon Beaufoy, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

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It seems The Dark Night and WALL*E have been denied for best picture! Those were my two biggest shocks. I really want Kate Winslet and Heath Ledger to win!
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What do you think? Any surprises? Who do you think will go home with the gold statue on Sunday, February 22nd?

Genre Sick?

Agent Jennifer Jackson, who has her own Live Journal called Et in arcaedia, ego, has a post where she asks for her commenters to partake in a unscientific focus group:

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"...what kinds of novels I, as an ever-so-progressive agent, should be looking for, or something you'd snap up in an instant if you found it in the bookstore. Conversely, feel free to mention things you are tired nigh unto death of seeing in the bookstore."

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As I read through the comments, the majority seem to be burnt out with urban fantasy and vampires. This concerns me is because my current manuscript that I am in the process of sending to some agents is an urban fantasy and has vampires in it. *coughandhotanddirtysexcough*

O_O

Should I be worried? Are readers really sick of the urban fantasy genre and sexy undead men and women?

What genres are you sick of? What types of books would you like to see more of?

I am all for heroines who are strong, intelligent and can stand on their own two feet with men who treat them as equals. They end up wanting to be together because they make each other happy. And I feel that can cross any genre.

The Only Show...

...that makes me scream and yell at my television and scratch my head because I have no clue what is going on starts tonight on at 8pm at ABC.

LOST!!

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I think this man below is a pretty good reason to watch the show:

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Are you excited as I am? What do you think will happen? And do want to throw things at the television because at the end of each episode you have more questions than answers?

Tuesday January 20, 2009

This picture says it all about today, Tuesday January 20, 2009.

Ransom my Heart Book Review *Meg Cabot*

Ransom my Heart is the first Meg Cabot book I have ever read. When I first saw this book and read the synopsis on the back cover, I was led to believe this was a young adult novel since this is the conclusion of the Princess Diaries series and “written” by Princess Mia Thermopolis who is the heroine of the Princess Diaries. I quickly figured out this was very much an adult historical romance by the tone and the love play between the heroine and hero, which was too good for words. If you are like me and haven’t tried Meg Cabot, why not start with Ransom my Heart? This is a wonderful, funny book with excellent characters and nice love scenes.

Finnula Crais is in a bit of a quandary. The year is 1291 and her older sister Mellana is pregnant by her lover, Jack Mallory, a troubadour who is dead broke. Mellan begs Finnula to help her and Finnula comes up with a plan. She will kidnap a rich man and use his ransom to pay Mellana’s dowry. Finnula has a low opinion of men in general. She thinks they are useless creatures. The reason she feels this way is because of her first unwanted marriage that ended with her old senile husband dying the night they became man and wife. Finnula is a bit of a tomboy who likes to wear leather braises (pants) and go hunting in the woods and capture game for the poor villagers so they can put food on their tables. If Finnula doesn't find a man to ransom, her older brother Robert will probably kill Jack.

Hugo Fitzstephen has finally returned home after ten years away in Jerusalem fighting in the crusades. He and his squire Peter are on their way to his home where he'll take over the title of Earl since his father, the Earl of Stephensgate, died while Hugo was away. Hugo always had a way with the ladies and longs for some female companionship. He may get his wish when he spies a beautiful young woman bathing naked in a spring. When she disappears into a waterfall, Hugo loses sight of her. The next thing he knows is that the young woman is holding a knife to his throat and makes him her prisoner. Hugo can overpower and escape from the beauty, but he goes along with her game since he is having so much fun.

Finnula has found a rich man to save her sister and her family's name. But she quickly realizes her error because the man she captures is just a poor knight home from the crusades. Hugo is not sure what to make of the sweet Finnula and cannot believe she is allowed to come and go as she pleases all alone and wearing braises instead of dresses. He will stay her hostage just so he can protect her and make sure she returns home all in one piece. Hugo tells Finnula some fibs so she doesn't catch on that he is an Earl. He wants to know more about Finnula without her acting differently towards him because of his title. Finnula is also not truthful to Hugo since her dead husband happened to be his father.

Eventually Finnula will figure out who Hugo is. And even though Finnula has a bad taste about marriage, which at first makes Hugo ill because the groom was his father, he will show Finnula that love and marriage is not such a bad thing, And since Hugo is so skilled in the bedroom, Finnula will be under siege because she is a bit of a lusty woman herself. She really enjoys Hugo’s kisses and making love to him. Hugo is willing to give Finnula is heart. He just hopes that she will want a lifetime with him as his wife.

Ransom my Heart was a thoroughly enjoyable read that had me laughing till the very last page. The dialogue was witty and the situations were laugh-out-loud hilarious. And Meg can sure write some steamy love scenes! Don't be surprised if you find Hugo and Finnula to be one of your favorite couples of the year. Their passion for each other knows no bounds, as well as their mutual love and respect for one another. These two really bring out the best in each other and it was so adorable to see the very independent Finnula fall in love. At times she may seem too innocent, but that is what makes her such an appealing character. She is both strong in body and sweet in her heart, and because of her nature, Hugo finds her to be the perfect woman for him.

Hugo is just as amazingly written as Finnula. At first glance, Hugo may seem to be a womanizer, but that is quickly pushed to the side because he only has eyes for Finnula. He is a very well rounded hero. I also thought it was very telling what type of person he is by how accepting he is of Finnula and her strange family. Each one of Finnula's sister's has very distinct personalities and her brother Robert, who is the patriarch of the family, is just as loving and kind as the rest of his siblings.

Ransom my Heart is everything I am looking for in a great book. There is a romance that will tug at your heart, fun characters, and the mystery of whether Hugo’s father was murdered and by whom. Don’t let Ransom my Heart pass you buy. A KB recommended read all the way. (Avon)

Final Grade: B+

As Shadows Fade **Excerpt**

Colleen Gleason has just posted a wonderful excerpt for As Shadows Fade, the final book in her Gardella Vampire Series. Coming to a book store near you in March from Signet.

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All I have to say is Victoria is in a bath and both Sebastian and Max are there.

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Rub-a-dub indeed *G*

GO TEAM SEBASTIAN!

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Are you Team Sebastian or for Broody Team Max?

Remember Dara Joy?

First of all I have to give a shot out to the always hilarious Mrs. Giggles for posting the new cover of Dara Joy's soon to be released book:

I know you should judge a book by its cover.

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But OMGWTFBBQ!!

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Once upon a time Dara Joy wrote great laugh out loud funny sci-fi romance such as Knight of a Trillion Stars, which is one of my all time favorite romances and other fun reads such as Rejar and Mine to Take.

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But then her publisher at the time, Dorchester brought a lawsuit against Dara and she went MIA from the publishing world. Dara did come around again and made quite a splash back on the scene with this book:

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Death By Ploot Ploot!

You may be wondering what "ploot" is. If you are brave enough, check out the Urban Dictionary and be ready to be shocked.

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I will fondly remember Dara for those quirky, yet enjoyable romance she wrote and not the ploot she is now known for.