Over the past few months, I have found the "strength" from reading song lyrics and listening to certain songs that are uplifting. Music truly does have incredible power to lift our spirits.
After posting about being a failure and reading the amount of comments and the emails from those who have been in that dark moment like I have, I hold out my arms to all of you and give you a group hug.
Regardless of where we are in our lives and what we feel, we always need to hear something that will raise our spirits.
My gift to you is Whitney Houston's come back song, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" she sang live back in September on the Oprah Winfrey show. Everytime I hear this song, I find the strength I thought I lost.
And, I refuse to break.
This also goes out to Jessica and Karen especially.
Lost touch with my soul
I had no where to turn
I had no where to go
Lost sight of my dream,
Thought it would be the end of me
I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to,
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out of the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me
I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
There were so many times I
Wondered how I’d get through the night I
Thought took all I could take
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
Sunday, January 31, 2010
I Didn't Know My Own Strength. I Will Not Break.
WTFckery Or Not? You Decide
1. Some major WTFckery going on from Amazon between Macmillan in regards to their ebook pricing turf war that brings to mind West Side Story. Instead of The Jets vs. The Sharks, this latest publishing drama deals with The Amazons vs. The Macs.
The story goes as follows:
Macmillan and Amazon are currently in very big public dispute about eBook prices. Macmillan has asked Amazon to raise the price of electronic books from $9.99 to around $15. Amazon said no and has temporarily removing Macmillan books. It appears that Macmillan books are still not available directly from Amazon. Publishers displeasure with Amazon.com’s $9.99 price for Kindle e-books has been growing along with the popularity of the Kindle, which has also helped to set the price as an unofficial standard as new devices and e-book vendors enter the market. In the wake of the launch of Apple’s iPad device and its content deals with the big publishers, it has been reported that Apple and the publishers have agreed on prices of $12 to $15 for e-books sold through Apple’s forthcoming iBooks Store."
So, whos deserves the biggest WTFckery label?
Amazon for sticking to their guns and refusing to increase ebook prices and punishing Macmillan and their authors by not letting the public buy their products?
Macmillan who refuses to budge, thus hurting their authors' sales by telling Amazon to go screw themselves?
Or perhaps Amazon and Macmillan equally deserve the WTF loser title for not coming to an agreement and work together to fix this. Because either way you look at it:
1. Aauthors who publish with Macmillan because of Amazon’s scare tactics are the main causalities here. Plus, why would the public at large buy a $15 ebook when they can get the same type of product for $5 less, especially in this weak economy where people are trying to save as much money as they can?
2. Readers will turn to other on-line ebook retailers to get the Macmillan titles they need showing Amazon they don't hold all the cards.
2. This is more of a personal WTFckery opinion on my part. Reading this made me see a bit red.
Publishers Weekly THINK FUTURE panel series is designed to present new and engaging information about the future of publishing and to explore genres and hot-button issues with leading experts in the field.
PANEL I: DO BOOK REVIEWS STILL MATTER?
Reviews have traditionally played a major part in a book's success. Authors and publishers looked to the trades to start a book's trajectory and then to the major newspapers and magazines to bring a book's merits to readers and book buyers. In the age of the Internet, marketing and publicizing books is being radically altered. Print coverage is shrinking and the shift to online is marked by inconsistent, sometimes unreliable information by bloggers.
Isn't it lovely that because review print publications are so frightened of becoming obsolete, those self proclaimed "professionals" just have to stress how bloggers are inconsistent and unreliable. First, explain to me what makes a professional reviewer and why they think they have the right to hold a panel where they are critical against bloggers? WTF?
3. I guess this cover is for a very specific reading audience. Gray Pleasures by Richard A. Birth. Thanks to @rebyj for this one. Seventy year olds having sex and masturbating. Grandma and Grandpa need some loving also!
Synopsis: Mary Grace, a widow now seventy, turned on to sex following her menopause. A naive, guilt-ridden virgin at the time of her marriage, she never learned to relax and enjoy sex. Her husband proved a poor lover who only touched her when he wanted to get laid. Once he could no longer become erect, he ceased initiating sexual exchanges. At the time he died, Mary Grace's libido took off. Eventually, she permitted herself to masturbate.
She soon discovered her ability to achieve orgasm. When Mary Grace hears Nick Jacobson read poetry at the Senior Citizens Center, she decides to get to know him better. Via the Internet, she learns of his book-signing at a local bookstore, and plans to attend. Eagerly, she fantasizes about sexual encounters with this retired teacher, but she first must buy a whole new wardrobe of sexy underwear.
The two meet. Coyly, Mary Grace lets Nick know of her interest in learning more about sex. Well able to succeed at that task, he takes it on. An aging male well versed in the art of offering delicious sensual caresses, he finds handling the teaching a bit easier than he does achieving hardness. Still, he's a sensual man who loves eating a woman, and this is just what Mary Grace needs. She always felt that no man could admire her genitals, but Nick quickly convinces her that he loves the aroma and taste of her pussy.
Mary Grace becomes comfortable with her body and Nick's. She learns to enjoy both giving and receiving oral sex, and she even finds pleasure and excitement in talking dirty. Nick teaches her new positions. When he also introduces her to his gay son and his partner, she finds them a delightful couple.The budding romance becomes temporarily inconvenienced by an unfinished relationship that Nick needs to end. A more serious complication gets introduced by a woman who stalks and harasses not only Nick, but also Mary Grace and her family. At length, it seems as if everyone is screwing everyone else, except the two main characters. Mary Grace and Nick perfect a hot monogamous romance: one that offers lifelong pleasure.
4. From Cakewrecks under Bakeries From Beyond. WTF cake is this? Looks like a mutant snowball cookie:
5. So you think the adorable platypus is your friend? Think again. From the 15 cute animals that will cause you horrible harm:
The evil look in my eyes proves I will crush you with my furry hind legs!
The platypus looks, for all intents and purposes, like a joke. A slapped together set of features and parts of other animals, evolving in the island obscurity of Australia. Wait, what country? Oh you know exactly where this is going now...that's right, even the comically misshapen platypus will do you in. For all their bumbling charms, platypuses have a number of points in their favor. Firstly, they're damned fast swimmers. They can also hunt their prey by detecting the electrical fields generated by their muscular contractions. That's right, they can track by telltale signs of your body's electricity. How badass is that? Not only that, but the Platypus is one of the few venomous mammals to be found. Only the males pack this heat, on the spurs of their hind legs. While it's powerful enough to kill animals around the size of a dog, it won't kill you. But you might just wish it had. The pain is so excruciating that it's completely incapacitating, and can last for months. You also get edema, starting at the site of the wound, and then rapidly spreading. That's when weird fluids building up beneath your skin, making the effected area all swollen and lumpy.
6. Those who enjoying reading about tree sex in their books. Beware of tree with tumors.
7. This new board game for Monoply looks like a frisbee. WTF Hasbro?
"For its 75th anniversary, Monopoly's getting a massive update, pitting brazen and new against proven and old: Circular board or quadrilateral? Cash currency or fake credit cards? This is the stuff of ruined relationships. Monopoly Revolution will be out in Fall, for $35."
8. Awesome new infomercial product here! The Shake Weight. Perfect for to strengthen your hand job muscles so you can jerk of a rhino.
9. And your Regretsy WTFckery of the week comes in the form of a night light chicken carcass for $500. Sticking a dead deer head on over your fireplace is so old school. The Dead Chicken Carcass Night Light is the latest trend for 2010.
Description
The installation “Neither fuzz, nor plumage” was inspired by ecologic catastrophe- pandemic flu. This anomaly has happened to humanity looks to me like diagnosis of the modern world society. Chicken- polysemantic and associative object. By choosing it I was trying think ironically relating to moral changes of the world.
Enjoy this week's WTFckery...
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Top 20 for 2010, Zombie Podcast and the Slanket Obsession
Some interesting things to note...
I was one of the few reviewers highlight over the Borders True Romance Blog yesterday. Because I also review for the Romance Junkies, I was asked for my top 10 most wanted reads for 2010. My list goes as follows:
The reason I picked these books - the majority have delivered great past reads. I also would love to emphasize on a new debut author, Carolyn Crane whose first book, Mind Games will be released in March from Bantam and she has some great buzz behind her.
Lover Mine by JR Ward
Demon Blood by Meljean Brook
Changeless by Gail Carriger
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole
Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Married By Morning (Hathaways) by Lisa Kleypas
Last Night’s Scandal by Loretta Chase
Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran
First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World, Book 1) by Jeaniene Frost
How does your list compare to mine? What are some of your most wanted books for 2010?
B-Sol, who runs the very popular horror blog, Vault of Horror, asked me to be the subject of this week's Conversations in the Dark podcast. This twenty minute talk (where you can hear my most excellent Jersey accent) is where we discussed the rise in popularity of the zombie myth in movies and books. I talked about such authors like Zoe Archer, Mark Henry and Carrie Ryan who all have written about these creatures in their books. I also talk about the future of zombies as a possible successful romantic character in the romance genre.
And finally, one small piece of WTFckery:
I think this obsession with the slanket/snuggie has grown so out of control! Seriously, who would take a picture in a sky blue cookie monster colored blanket with sleeves?
I blame Kmont for my slanket obsession. Thanks fellow snuggie wearer!
Love Advice From Love Doctor Mho Fho *Cowboy Ranger Questions Courting Skills*
Welcome to the latest Saturday Edition of Love Letters to Mho! The Love Doctor is in!
Dear Mr. Mho-
I’m in a bit of a quandary and need your advice about a little lady I saved from an ambush. She's a real spitfire, a Spanish beauty, who’s full or sass and gets on my ;ast nerve as we ride on my horse, alone, over the vast hot desert as I bring her to safety.
But, I was weak and being the manly cowboy ranger that I am, couldn’t stop my urges and have pleasured my Senorita in some very interesting ways. Because we have to keep moving, I introduced my petite spitfire to some butt loving on my horse, mid-motion, as well as having her giving me the best blow job of my life. She is very bendable as she rides behind me, where she was able to lean down and place her head so perfectly in my lap as we rode along.
The main issue is that I have marked her in ways I had no right to. Just knowing my manly essence has been smeared all over her chest and stomach, left there to dry for a week because there’s no clean water around to wash makes me want to beat my chest and scream out my love for her.
I want to build a family and home with my jizz covered, best blow job on a horse virginal lady. Yes, our courting is very abnormal, but since she didn’t complain about my drying man spunk, I knew she’s a keeper.
Do you think she’ll want to keep me?
Ranger S
Ranger S,
I hear man spunk is a great moisturizer. So think of it this way- your funky smelling spunky lady doesn’t have to go out of her way to find a great age reducing body and face cream because you’re all that she needs.
Next time, lay off the BJ action while on a horse. One wrong move with you horse stumbling could lead to your sacks full of face moisturizer being bitten off.
Take care proud jizz rubbing cowboy dude
Yours
Mho Fho
Need a hint on who is asking for advice? Click Here
Friday, January 29, 2010
Lessons from a Scarlet Lady Book Review *Emma Wildes*
Colton adores Brianna, even though he wouldn’t call what he feels for her exactly love. At a very young age he has been taught to be very responsible and thinks of things in very cut and dry terms. He has no room for sudden emotional outbursts and likes to stay in control. Brianna begins to break down these walls he has built, and soon all he can think about is bedding her. His regard for Brianna changes where he becomes very suspicious and comes to the conclusion that the only way she has learned these new intimacies from a man, thus he comes to the conclusion that Brianna must be cheating on him. Things will take an interesting turn because based on Colton’s trust issues, he could destroy their marriage.
As Brianna and Colton’s marriage begins to worsen, his well known rakish brother, Robert, starts lusts after Brianna’s unmarried friend, Rebecca Marston. Rebecca has wanted Robert forever, but her father has a very low opinion of him. Robert finds her to be too innocent for an improper man like himself. With the guidance of Brianna and Lady Rothburg’s advice, Rebecca will try and seduce Robert just as Brianna has with Colton and hope that it will be enough where he’ll turn his back on all other women and decide she’s the one woman of his heart.
Lessons from a Scarlet Lady is a refreshing Regency romance because the main couple in are already married, care for one another deeply and enjoy one another in the bedroom. Brianna is innocent when it comes to certain things, especially in regards to what she learns from the courtesan’s advice book and how to use those techniques in her marriage. What she does with Colton isn’t too shocking and pretty tame from dressing more scandalously to engaging in other sexual positions and acts. Colton loves being with Brianna this way, but because of her openness and these new skills, he comes to the conclusion she must have learned it elsewhere. And I can’t blame him because where would a virginal English miss, who came into a marriage unaware to what occurs in the bedroom, know to get down on her knees and pleasure her husband? Colton’s mistrust could have been nipped in the bud if only Brianna told him about her book, but she doesn’t thinking he’d frown upon her reading material. Again some open communication could have stopped a whole lot of heartache, but then again there would be no story.
I did find Emma Wildes’ tale a pleasing read. I loved how she balanced these close relationships, where she shows a loving marriage with some internal problems, to that of a more innocent one with Rebecca and Colton’s dastardly brother, Robert. The love scenes are nothing too eye popping, but fit the overall tone needed. Some may find themselves a bit annoyed with Colton, not because of his concern with Brianna possibly having a lover, but because his unfortunate past that makes him cold and distant. Other than that, I found Lessons from a Scarlet Lady a pretty solid historical romance. (Signet Eclipse)
Final Grade: B
A few other Lessons from a Scarlet Lady reviews across the internet:
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Stacy's Place on Earth
Guest Review: Breathless Press Title Quickies
The people at Breathless Press were kind enough to send me a few of their shorter length books for review. And since Tracy from Tracy's Place is a much more skilled reviewer than I am when it comes to these particular books, I asked her if she wouldn't mind reading and reviewing them here for a guest review post.
For your reading pleasure, some quickie reviews by Tracy...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Harder by Jamieson Wolf. This is a great m/m erotic short story (7 pages) that had me smiling most of the time. Owen has the hots for co-worker Sebastian but Owen believes that Sebastian is straight. That doesn't stop him from having fantasies about the other man. One day when Owen is in the bathroom he catches a glimpse of a large cock and when he looks it just happens to be Sebastian’s! Sebastian and Owen have a hot experience in the bathroom right then and there and it doesn't stop there. Although this was a very short story it was just fun. I'll be reading more from Mr. Wolf in the future.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Soldier's Return by Ava Delany. An incredibly short story at only 2.5 pages that tells of a woman who's waiting for her husband's return after a long absence. We know he's in the military of some sort and that he's been gone for a while but we don't know how long. She jumps him when he walks in the door and they have hot sex. It's a pretty straight forward erotic story and a cute homecoming - but it seemed like it was over before it began.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
To purchase any of these titles and other hot reads, stop on over to Breathless Press!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Is an Author's Lack of Research Insulting to Her Readers?
As I read Moon Craving, my enjoyment began to deteriorate over the constant use of certain words spoken by the characters that wouldn’t have been invented yet during this time period. Let me give a few examples on why lack of research on the author, as well as the editor, leads to a book that made me want to throw it against the wall as I kept rolling my eyes and was jolted out of the story because it became so annoying and obviously wrong.
Example #1: Talorc talking with Abigail:
“He should have done a better job of protecting you.”
“Okay.” She did not care if she ever saw her parents again.
I really don’t think the word “okay” was used in medieval Scotland. To make sure, I wanted to look up the origins of the word and when it came into use. @jentheginerkid recommended a great site called the Online Etymology Dictionary as a guide. I typed in the word “okay” and this is what was found:
OK:
1839, only survivor of a slang fad in Boston and New York c.1838-9 for abbreviations of common phrases with deliberate, jocular misspellings." Further popularized by use as an election slogan by the O.K. Club, New York boosters of Democratic president Martin Van Buren's 1840 re-election bid, in allusion to his nickname Old Kinderhook, from his birth in the N.Y. village of Kinderhook. The noun is first attested 1841; the verb 1888.
As you can see OK or Okay would not be used by the Scottish population.
Example #2: Abigail says “All right” when Talorc orders her to do something. Again, this phrase jolted me out of the story.
ALRIGHT or ALL RIGHT:
Frequent spelling of all right, attested from 1893.
Example #3: The term “bitch” is spoken too many times to count as in regards to Abigail’s mother, who is described as a bitch.
Talorc turned to face his bride. “Your mother is a bitch.” Again, the amount of times this word was used raised some red flags.
BITCH:
In modern (1990s, originally black English) slang, its use with reference to a man is sexually contemptuous, from the "woman" insult.
From these three examples I’ve listed, it shows bad research from the author, as well as her editor. As a reader who caught onto these, wouldn’t Lucy Monroe also stop and think for a moment that perhaps just by going on the internet and searching for the origins of these words and how they were used, she could have written a more enjoyable and believable book?
But then again, perhaps a reader is not expected to question and take things at face value because Monroe writes such poetic passages as:
“When he had finished climaxing, he leaned forward and began to rub his seed into her skin, marking Abigail in an unmistakable way for all Chrechte warriors to recognize… Abigail lay compliant below him as he caressed every last drop of his come into her skin, until she was so thoroughly marked with his scent his own wolf would have a hard time distinguishing between their bodies.”
And
“Lifting her arms above her head, he nuzzled one of her armpits. An aphrodisiac like no other, the scent of her pheromones made him crazy. He nipped the tender skin right where arm and shoulder joined.”
I don’t know about you, but I hope aspiring authors don’t jump on the bandwagon of creating a heroine who speaks valley girl in the medieval era, and has a hero obsessed with rubbing his man fluids all his future mate’s body, not allowing her to bath after he does it, while having an armpit sniffing fetish.
Sorry Ms. Monroe, I expect better of you where you should respect for your readers, because they may just call you on these mistakes. Purple prose dialogue is one thing, but not researching some very noticeable faux pas is inexcusable.
Interview: Erica Ridley on Writing and Wicked Kisses
Synopsis: Miss Evangeline Pemberton can see the Future. Sometimes. The Past, too, although that tends to be less useful, as she can't change what's already happened.
One might think the most irksome characteristic of her alleged "gift" is that said visions are followed by debilitating headaches. Or that they've got her running for her life. But no. By far the most vexing quirk is that these fantasies accompany all skin-to-skin contact. Which means she can't touch anyone. Not even the tall, dark, and brooding recluse in her Present. Gavin Lioncroft is a wealthy committed bachelor with nothing but time on his hands. Well, and blood. (But he's not telling how that got there.) And an impromptu house party. (He hasn't the slightest idea how that happened.)
His very first night back in the bosom of High Society and the man he threatens to kill turns up dead. Good. The cad had it coming. But just because he's dodged the hangman's noose before, doesn't mean Gavin will get away with murder again. And this time, there's no fading into the shadows. The only chance of saving his neck is by risking his heart--to the one woman from whom he can hide nothing.
KB: The title of your debut novel, Too Wicked Too Kiss, is very telling? How wicked is your hero and what makes him too wicked to kiss?
Erica: In the world of the novel, Gavin Lioncroft's name is synonymous with "wicked". He's suspected of murdering his parents, a rumor which he doesn't bother to deny. He's passionate, quick-tempered, sensual, determined. He represents a threat to the heroine, both physically and emotionally. Lots of wicked to go around!
KB: Can you tell us your publishing success story? How long did it take you to write Too Wicked Too Kiss?
Erica: I wrote the first draft in 30 days. (It showed.) I forced it upon my critique partners anyway. They gently hinted some revision might be in order. I shoved it under the bed to mulch, and wrote a different story. That new story netted me my rock star agent, Lauren Abramo, of Dystel & Goderich. I was still in love with the historical under my bed, but rather than drive myself crazy revising it page by page, I blank-page rewrote it with "More Everything" in mind. More Gothic atmosphere, more sensuality, more banter, more surprises. I loved it, Lauren loved it, my editor John Scognamiglio loved it--and the countdown to release day is on!
KB: Have you always wanted to write Regency Historical Romance? What other genres would you like to write?
Erica: Absolutely! The first manuscript I ever wrote to completion was a Regency-set historical. I also tried my hand at romantic suspense and contemporary paranormal, but historicals have always felt like home. The Gothic aspect lets me incorporate the suspense elements I love as well as a hint of paranormal, while still keeping the rich world of Regency England front and center.
KB: You’ve ridden a camel? What was that experience like?
Erica: In a word... sweaty. (What? That's not glamorous? Heh.) I was just out of Tangier in Morocco, and camels, while neither as personable nor as pretty as horses, were pretty much the only option. To be honest, I was actually excited to get hoisted up on one of the big smelly things, if only to be able to say I'd ridden a camel in Africa!
KB: I see you have joined Twitter. Do you find it dangerous for a writer, seeing as it can be a major time suck?
Erica: LOL. I have many, many time sucks, but so far I've managed to keep Twitter on a leash. Possibly because I just returned home this month from a year abroad, and with the time difference, all the tweeting took place while I was asleep. Now that I'm back in the US, though, TweetDeck sings me its siren song, so I'll have to watch my time carefully...
KB: I see from your website, you’ve posted storyboards you use when writing. Why would a writer use a storyboard and how can it benefit one’s writing?
Erica: I love storyboards! For me, they are multipurpose. They are often called "plot boards" or "plotting boards" because of how easy they are to visually map out the plot of a story. I like to grid a big posterboard with squares for scenes. I write on sticky notes, using a unique color per major plot thread so I can see at a glance that I'm not forgetting any characters or story elements. This is especially useful when revising. Using sticky notes lets me add things, move things, and remove things at will, all while keeping things consistent.
KB: Speaking of writing, what three words of advice would you give to writers who are trying to get published?
Erica: Write. Polish. Repeat. =)
KB: Do you have a critique partner or beta readers? Would you recommend writers use them?
Erica: Absolutely, on both counts. As with all writing advice, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for them all, but in my experience, having someone other than myself cast an objective eye over my books before I submit them to my agent or my editor. Too Wicked To Kiss wouldn't be the book it is today if it weren't for the feedback from my rockstar CPs Darcy Burke and Lacey Kaye. (Go team!)
KB: What are your favorite authors to read? What authors would you like to read that you haven’t had the chance to yet?
Erica: My faves are waaay too many to list... but my recently-read include Karen Rose, Diana Peterfreund, Melissa Marr, and Julia Quinn. Upcoming books on my TBR include Betina Krahn (who has a new release this month) and checking out Libba Bray, whom my CP Darcy has been raving about lately. When it comes to romance, I'm a voracious cross-genre reader, so if you have any recommendations of recent (or upcoming) releases, please let me know in the comments!
KB: What makes a perfect hero or heroine? If you were a heroine in one of your books, what would you be like? What type of hero would you want to sweep you off your feet.
Erica: To me, the ideal hero and heroine are two very imperfect people who are absolutely perfect for each other. If I were the heroine of one of my stories, I would be a focused, fearless woman willing to risk everything--except my heart. The smart, funny, sexy, (and possibly homicidal *g) hero would have to try his damnedest to change my mind... and the only thing better than the adventures along the way would be our Happily Ever After at the end.
Erica will be hanging out at the blog today, so please feel free to leave questions and comments!
Get extra content and bonus features for Too Wicked To Kiss on the Unauthorized Scandal Sheet at: http://www.2wicked2kiss.com/
For contest, blogs, embarrassing photos, and other fun stuff, check out Erica’s author web site at: http://www.ericaridley.com/
Please join Erica for lots of games and prizes in the Facebook community at: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidleyFans
And if you have Twitter, please come tweet with Erica at: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Special Edition: Cover Awesomeness and Lauren Dane on MSNBC
This is a KB special pimpage of some soon-to-be-released future books where the covers have just posted...
Coming from Samhain on March 16th from LB Gregg. Catch Me If You Can (Romano and Albright, Book 1). Notice the phallic looking building in the back? I wonder what LB thinks of her cover model looking more like Justin than say, Russell Crowe?
Warning: This book contains graphic language, sex, lies, intrigue, clowns, kleptomania, anal sex, oral sex, mutual masturbation, bad driving, good cooking, and the missing head of a Justin Timberlake statue. Not for the sour of disposition.
Synopsis: Lowly art gallery assistant Caesar Romano is freely out of the closet. Now he’d just like to get out of his Nana’s guest room. Everything—his reputation and his financial freedom—is riding on the success of tonight’s gallery opening. If only he could shake free of the past so easily. A mysterious gatecrasher, Dan Green, looks like a promising addition to his pending new life—until Caesar’s ex shows up and suddenly the opening disintegrates into a half-naked dance melee. When the glitter settles, a missing sculpture of Justin Timberlake has Caesar up to his eyebrows in extortion, intrigue and a wild sexual adventure underneath, inside, and on top of a variety of furnishings. As the cast of suspects piles up, so do the questions. Like who’s really blackmailing whom? And what does a stolen paint-by-numbers clown matter when Dan is so outrageously capable of blowing Caesar’s resistance to smithereens?
This one was just posted a few minutes ago! Killbox (Jax series, book 4) by Ann Aguirre. Coming in September from Ace. Some awesome guns on this one!
Synopsis: Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. With no tolerance for political diplomacy, she quits her ambassador post so she can get back to saving the universe the way she does best—by mouthing off and kicking butt. And her tactics are needed more than ever. Flesh-eating aliens are attacking stations on the outskirts of space, and for many people, the Conglomerate’s forces are arriving too late to serve and protect them. Now, Jax must take matters into her own hands by recruiting a militia to defend the frontiers—out of the worst criminals, mercenaries, and raiders that ever traveled through grimspace…
Forget the man titty! It'a all about the back! Get an eye of that tattoo! Inside Out by Lauren Dane. Coming from Berley Heat, hopefully out this year!
Synopsis: Ella Tipton is a survivor. In the wake of an attack that left her nearly dead, she’s spent each day putting her life back together. Once vibrant and outgoing, she’s needed to reclaim the best parts of who she was while retaining the hard won lessons. There hasn’t been room for any romantic entanglements, even if she were ready. Still, it didn’t mean she had to stop sneaking looks at Mister Tall, Dark and Tattooed himself.
Security professional Andrew Copeland isn’t quite sure when his jones for the lovely and decidedly skittish Ella developed. He’s known her for years, has watched her triumph over the pain she’d been dealt. Cope is no stranger to women, but he knows the nervous flush he gets every time he talks to her is different than any attraction he’s had in the past. Determined to get Ella to let him in, Andy does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense. While Ella’s sure he’s just being nice, the prospect of being able to touch him and gain the tools to push away the last vestiges of her fear is more than she can resist. Soon enough, Cope shows Ella his feelings are far more than friendly and re-ignites something deep inside her. Before long desire and love turn them both inside out.
And speaking of Lauren Dane, she was mentioned today on MSNBC where they talked about how free books on Kindle are generating more sales. Dane's Giving Chase was downloaded almost 27,000 times as part of the free program, which lead to over 3,000 downloads being bought for her other title, Taking Chase. Lauren was mentioned alongside such classic books like Pride and Prejudice and Dracula! Go Lauren.
Here's the video:
and this is your KB special edition pimpage!
Lessons in French Book Review *Laura Kinsale*
Lady Callista Taillefaire is described as “a gifted wallflower”, who at the age of twenty-seven is a spinster who blends very well into the wallpaper that people don’t even notice she’s there. Callista knows she doesn’t have much to recommend to herself because she is plain with red hair, very stiff and shy with gentlemen and has such fair skin, that when the wind blows, she becomes splotchy. She’s been jilted three times by men she was engaged to, but for some reason or another, gave an excuse and decided not to marry her. Callista has a fortune, left to her after her father’s death, and enjoys her small town life, waiting for her younger sister, Hermione to marry so she can move way with her and her husband because they live with their cousin and his wife, Dolly, who is a very shrewish woman with her nose in the air. Other than being at odds with these relatives, Callista loves to raise livestock, including her favorite bull, Hubert, who she treats more like a pet than a farm animal.
Callista’s staid life is about to become topsy turvy, when her very sick French neighbor, Madame de Monceaux’s son, Trevelyn d Augustin returns home from France to England after being away for almost a decade. Callista and Trev used to be teenage sweethearts. She was given French lessons from the Madame. Trev taught Callista very different lessons in French that is until her father caught them intimately together in a carriage. Callista was heartbroken because Trev left England without a word. He arrives unannounced during a ball and re-acquaints himself with Callista. She’s shocked to see him, as he is her, because he assumed she would be married with children.
Trev went to France to search for his family property that was lost during The Terror, as well as fighting at Waterloo. He has returned home to Shelford to see his mother and hide from the law. He’s gotten himself into a big scrape and thrown into prison. He had no idea how close his dear mother is to death and the horrible conditions she’s been living in. He turns to Callista for help. Trev wants to be friends with Callista again because he has missed her all this time. He hopes to find a way to exonerate his name before he’s exiled to either the Americas or Shanghai.
Then a series of incredible events occur, starting with Hubert being sold from Callista, Trev trying to buy her beloved bull back and a former suitor of Callista’s, a Major Sturgeon, comes back into the picture and wants to rekindle their relationship. To make matters worse for Trev, Sturgeon and he had a past together. If Sturgeon recognizes Trev, the jig is up and he’ll be hauled away in irons. Callista is torn between Trev and Sturgeon because on one hand, Sturgeon can give her the stability she has always wanted, but on the other, she cares deeply for Trev even though she thinks he only views her as a friend. Trev tries to show Callista that what he feels for her is more than friendship, but because she thinks she has nothing to offer except her fortune, and because Trev is dashing and has been on many adventures, he would never want to settle down with a boring nobody like her. If only Callista knew the truth about Trev and what’s he been hiding from her. When she finds out, it maybe too late for them because not only does she have to figure out a way to get Hubert back, but juggles two men who want her for their own reasons.
Lessons in French is a delightful romance that pulls you in, where you are surrounded by the sites and sounds of rustic England after the Napoleonic Wars. I would say this is part adventure, part comedy as Callista and Trev team up together. This duo has a way of falling into some major pitfalls that is comparable to a screwball comedy, but just subtle enough where you won’t roll your eyes.
Callista is a wonderful heroine who has wit and intelligence, even though she maybe lacking in looks and overall sparkling personality. She’s a very analytical woman. Her reasons for letting Sturgeon court her may turn off some readers, but she has her reasons for doing so. At first glance, Trev may seem to be as cold as Callista’s former suitors, but as the story unfolds, we find out why Trev acted the way he did. You can’t help but root for him because the way he feels about Callista is so beautiful and moving.
I must hand it to Laura because she really makes Trev shine. There’s a bit of a mystery regarding Trev, and it’s up in the air whether or not he has waited for Callista, so he can engage in those intimacies most men his age already have. Trev may seem experienced, but has an innocent quality to him. At one point, while Trev is spilling his deep feelings to Callista, you’re made aware that Trev has never fallen for another woman in the time he’s been away. Nothing is more romantic that the hero saying to his heroine- “I seem to be yours, body and soul.”
Laura Kinsale has written a lighthearted, romantic Regency romp. Lessons in French is like a breath of fresh air, that twenty pages into reading, I stopped and thought, this is the reason I read historical romance. Welcome back Laura, we’ve missed you dearly. (Sourcebooks)
Final Grade: B+
A few other Lessons in French book reviews on the web:
Gossamer Obsessions
Mrs Giggles
Scandalous Women
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
First Impressions on Reading Pride and Prejudice and Some Persuasion Love
I should be ashamed. I considered myself a very dedicated romance reader, but have never read a Jane Austen novel, including Pride and Prejudice. I've seen almost every Austen book come alive on screen and won't go into detail on the amount of times I've watched Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.
So, I've decided to nip this in the bud and started reading Pride and Prejudice.
I'm half way through and all I can say is that Austen has a wonderful way with dialogue, so much so that she barely has any descriptive scenes or settings. This doesn't really bother me as because I can envision every scene so perfectly because of Austen's words. I also have a new respect for Darcy and found something that hasn't come across in the many of the screen versions I've watched. One specific thing that has been missing from page to screen, is in regards to Darcy's "regard" of Elizabeth. I always felt when Darcy first meets Elizabeth he really doesn't care for her because he is a snob. But, as he comes to knows her and sees her in a new light, his opinion and feelings changes to respect and then love.
From reading Pride and Prejudice, that's not the case. My long lasting opinion for Darcy has changed drastically. When Darcy first makes Elizabeth's acquaintance, he does look down upon her, but is also smitten, mainly because he adores her wonderful eyes. Darcy cannot get Elizabeth's eyes out of his mind and can't understand why he finds her so appealing when everything about her confuses him. She is beneath him because of her social status and crazy family. But, Darcy is so confounded to the point that he wants to be around Elizabeth all the time and because this simply cannot be, he forcible removes himself from her presence, for fear he will ask for her hand in marriage. He's practically obsessed with Miss Bennet. His suffering is very funny. His internal turmoil over his feelings for Elizabeth is in a word- adorable.
I never thought of Darcy being adorable before. From seeing Colin Firth and then Matthew Macfadyen play Darcy, I've always felt that the character was stiff, cold and aloof. This sudden "Aha" moment I've had with the Darcy character from the novel has made my reading so much more enjoyable.
I hope to finish reading Pride and Prejudice by the end of this week and post my overall opinions of my Austen reading experience. I've decided my next classic novel to tackle will be another one of her novels, Persuasion.
My love for Persuasion is up there with Pride and Prejudice. (mind you, this is going by what I've watched on screen) Over at Pop Culture Divas, Julia Smith has posted her top 10 ten romantic films, and one of them is the 1995 movie Persuasion. She found a fan made video highlighting the important parts from the movie and after watching it, I can say that my devotion for Jane Austen continues to grow.
If you haven't watched Persuasion, I urge you to do. Ciarán Hinds playing Captain Frederick Wentworth is just as excellent as Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen playing Mr. Darcy.
Spellbent Book Review *Lucy A. Snyder*
Cooper, along with Jessie as his aid, will bring forth a rainstorm to break a drought that’s causing major problems for the farming community outside of Columbus. As Cooper goes through his typical ritual, something goes very wrong and he ends up opening a portal to Hell. Cooper is pulled in, leaving Jessie alone to fight a demon that has come out of the portal. Suddenly, Jessie's dead aunt calls her on her cell phone, and Pal starts talking to her. It’s up to Jessie to subdue the demon formerly known as Smoky, Cooper’s familiar fox terrier and stop it from causing destruction in the downtown area. But, Jessie is still a novice and barely stops the demon and ends up almost dying and losing an eye and part of her left arm.
Even though it seems things couldn’t get worse for Jessie, they do. The leader of the governing circle of the seven powerful witches and wizards, Benedict Jordan, places a magical gag order on Jessie to stop her from rescuing Cooper. Jessie has to sign a magical binding contract or she will become an outcast leaving no one who can help her. She knows something is off with Jordan, and along with Pal, a ping-pong ball she uses for an eye and the help of Cooper’s brother, Warlock, she’ll channel more magic and power so she’ll be able to walk through the fires of hell to get her man back and find the answers she needs. With enough willpower, she hopes to get her old life back, and hopefully grow back a new eye and arm so she doesn’t look like a freak.
Spellbent should have been another action packed urban fantasy combined with a bit of humor and on the edge of your seat action. Unfortunately, this debut by Lucy A. Snyder was an utter train wreck of unbelievably bad dialogue and badly edited scenes. Half the time I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Many colorful phrases used didn’t help such as- “My throat felt like it was lined with steel, wool, and I could taste pennies where I’d bitten the inside of my lip” and “My hormones lit up like Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Eve.” Also, Pal, who’s a combination of reason and condescension, brings nothing mentionable with helping Jessie. Can someone please explain to me what a Canadian Librarian sounds like and why the reader would find that amusing when describing the ferret?
The story is cluttered with descriptions that are so amazingly over the top and not in a good way. I thought it was bad enough when Jessie goes rooting through the garbage can for a used maxi pad for a magic spell, but I was mistaken because it gets worse. When Warlock and his girlfriend, Opal end up making some special creatures due to the combination of Opal’s menstrual period and Warlock’s sperm that was mixed together in a toilet that was it for me. Among other scenes like this, I couldn’t figure out if Snyder was going for a more dark comical fantasy tale, where she tried to succeed in writing something differently that stands out from the normal urban fantasy series being published. If so, she hasn’t accomplished that in any way.
Jessie is annoying and very immature. There is really nothing to recommend her. The villain Jordan makes a very forgettable appearance. Warlock had his moments, but he was written as such a sad sack and as close to a drugged out hippie character as you can get.
The overall plot of Spellbent is in a word- dull. The motions Jessie goes through to find Cooper don’t deliver in any way and has a major lack of focus and the push needed to keep the reader interested. The writing is very much surface writing, as in there is no meat or depth, and by the time I finished reading, I couldn’t remember half of what happened.
Spellbent is a very weak book that strives to be something more and fails in every way. (Del Rey)
Final Grade: D-
A few other Spellbent book reviews on the web:
Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Green Man Review
Royally Bitchy
Monday, January 25, 2010
Dancing Video That Will Blow You Away- Michael Jackson's "This Is It"
The inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines have gained world renowned recognition for their amazing choreographic dance routines where they mimic Michael Jackson's dance moves to near perfection. This latest video is part of what Jackson's was set preform on his "This Is It" tour.
Jackson's long-time choreographer Travis Payne, with dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid, taught the inmates routines from "This Is It."
You will be blown away by this. The dance moves are visually stunning.
That peace sign at the end... wow.
KB's Pimpin Cookie Books *Future Release To Keep on Your Radar*
A nice mix of future (cookie cover pimping) book releases to add to your TBB pile...
Flirting with Forever by 2009 RITA winner Gwyn Cready. Coming from Pocket on March 30th. Loving the shoes!
Synopsis: Art historian Cameron Stratford is about to make a name for herself with her sexy tell-all "fictographies" of 17th century painters, but she's more familiar with her subjects than her readers can imagine. Thanks to a time portal she's discovered, she has caused quite a stir in the Great Beyond. To protect their members' reputations, the Guild representing dead artists convinces playboy Sir Peter Lely, portraitist to Charles II and a man with his own dark secrets, to sabotage Cam's project. A few hours posing on Peter's modeling chaise lead to a night of seductive passion--then Cam returns home and discovers his betrayal. But before she can turn her angry pen on her lover, Peter makes a surprise visit, transforming Cam's 21st century life into chaos of classic proportion.
Heads up Meredith Duran Fans! Wicked Becomes You coming from Pocket on April 27!
Synopsis: Gwen Maudsley is pretty enough to be popular, and plenty wealthy, too. But what she’s best loved for is being so very, very nice. When a cad jilts her at the altar—again—the scandal has her outraged friends braying for blood. Only Gwen has a different plan. If nice no longer works for her, then it’s time to learn to be naughty. Happily, she knows the perfect tutor—Alexander Ramsey, her late brother’s best friend and a notorious rogue.
But unbeknownst to Gwen, Alex’s aloof demeanor veils his deepest unspoken desire. He has no wish to see her change, nor to tempt himself with her presence when his own secrets make any future between them impossible. But on a wild romp from Paris to the Riviera, their friendship gives way to something hotter, darker, and altogether more dangerous. With Alex’s past and Gwen’s newly unleashed wildness on a collision course, Gwen must convince Alex that his wickedest intentions are exactly what she needs.
Stormwalker by Allyson James. Also writes as Jennifer Ashley. Coming from Berkley Sensation on May 4th. Can I have this woman's body? Please?
Synopsis: Half-Navajo Janet Begay comes to Magellan to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the police chief’s daughter. But the people of Magellan sense that Janet is not what she seems, and they’re right. Janet possesses extraordinary power which is tied to the storms that waft across the desert. The only person who can control her when she’s caught in the storm’s evocative power is Mick, a dark-haired, blue-eyed biker Janet can’t seem to touch with her powers. He can weild fire and not get burned, and Janet’s never sure where he goes when they’re not together. Together they investigate mysterious disappearances, which Janet fears are tied to her mother’s people, the mythical gods from below the earth. They are helped along the way by Coyote and Crow, but these shapeshifting gods have their own agendas.
Sally Mackenzie has a new release in her "Naked" historical series! The Naked Viscount coming from Zebra on June 1st.
Synopsis: After eight Seasons in London, Lady Jane Parker-Roth is ready to quit the dull search for a husband in favor of more exciting pursuits. So when she encounters an intruder in her host’s townhouse, she’s not about to let the scoundrel escape. Until she discovers she’s wrestling a viscount—Edmund Smyth, the one noble she wouldn’t mind meeting in the dark. And when their struggle shatters a randy statue of the god Pan, even more mischief ensues… Edmund was indeed searching for evidence of a scandal, but the shocking clues inside the nude statue are far from what he expected. The same can be said of Jane, who shows a talent for interfering in his affairs. And as his quest becomes more than a little improper, he finds the impetuous Lady has a talent for that as well…
Debut author, Kasey Mackenize's cover for ther first release is up! Red Hot Fury coming from Ace on June 29.
Synopsis: As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston’s Chief Magical Investigator for the past five years, she’s doing what she was born to: solving supernatural crimes. It’s far from business as usual when the body of one of Riss’s sister Furies washes up in Boston harbor. Riss discovers that the corpse’s identity has been magically altered, but as soon as she reports her findings, she’s immediately—and inexplicably—suspended from the her job. Then a human assassin makes an attempt on her life, and Riss starts to realize that someone may be trying to stir up strife between mortals and Arcanes.
When a Fury gets mad, she gets even, and Riss is determined to untangle this case. Without the support of the mortal PD, Riss turns to the one man she can trust to watch her back—shapeshifting Warhound Scott Murphy. But since Scott is also Riss’s ex, she’ll have to keep a tight leash on more than just the supernatural rage that feeds her power as they try to solve a murder—and stop a war…
If you were a fan of Melissa Francis' first book, Bite Me! here's the sequel, Love Sucks! Coming HarperTeen on July 27th. Thanks to Teen Channel Reviews for the heads up.
FYI! No cover yet but news about C.L. Wilson's single title release, The Winter King. Since Dorchester sold Wilson's contract to Avon, I assume The Winter King will be published under them. Release date still unknown. Thanks to Leontine's Book Revews for the information.
Synopsis: When the heir of Summerlea stole Wynter Atrialan's bride and murdered his brother, the Winter King swore vengeance on the neighboring southern kingdom. Now, after three years of merciless war, Summerlea is crushed, and the conquering Wynter aims a final blow at his enemy's heart by demanding one of the Summer King's beloved daughters in marriage. But the Summer King has a fourth daughter...one of whom he is not so fond. And she is is no sweet, helpless princess-in-a-tower. She is a fiercely passionate creature, with a nature as volatile as the dangerous forces of her weathergift, the power of storms.
Possess Me by R.G. Alexander. Coming from Berkley Heat in August. Three stories in one! Can we say nom le nom man titty? Thanks to Kmont at Lurve Ala Mode for this lickable cover.
Synopsis: When Allegra heads down to New Orleans to heal her wounds, she never expects to lose her heart to such a quiet, troubled man as Rousseau. She’s even less prepared for the scorching, sexual spirit within him—and what he can do to her…
Ben has loved Michelle as long as he can remember. But his beautiful artist has a way of running away from life—and what the pair could be. Leave it to the infamous sexual spirit to help Ben prove to Michelle where she belongs: in his embrace…
It’s All Saints’ Day, the one day the voodoo spirit can walk the world in the flesh. When he bumps into Bethany, she might just be the reincarnation of a girl he once loved. Passion ignites, but can he overcome past mistakes and fall in love again?
I've been hearing great things about Beth Kephart, mainly from Amy at My Friend Amy. Here is Beth's next release, Dangerous Neighbors, coming in August from Emont USA.
Synopsis: Could any two sisters be more tightly bound together than the twins, Katherine and Anna? Yet love and fate intervene to tear them apart. Katherine's guilt and sense of betrayal leaves her longing for death, until a surprise encounter and another near catastrophe rescue her from a tragic end. Set against the magical kaleidoscope of the Philadelphia Centennial fair of 1876, National Book Award nominee Beth Kephart's book conjures the sweep and scope of a moment in history in which the glowing future of a nation is on display to the disillusioned gaze of a girl who has determined that she no longer has a future. The tale is a pulse by pulse portrait of a young heroine's crisis of faith and salvation in the face of unbearable loss
Enjoy your latest in KB pimpage...
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