WTFckery or Not? You Decide

Some interesting WTFckery coming your way...

1. Simply put, one fugly looking cover.

2. The newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have received the strangest wedding gifts. I don't think this was on their gift registry. From BBC News:

"The recently married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were presented with an unusual souvenir by the Seychelles government after their honeymoon to the country - a rare and mysterious coconut famed for its erotic shape. On the tree, the coconut is a giant green orb, but inside, with the outer husk removed, it closely resembles a female human bottom.. Not surprisingly, coco-de-mer nuts sell for high prices and you need an export permit to take them out of the Seychelles. The erotic connotations of the coco-de-mer are obvious whether or not you are a royal honeymooner."

3. Getting married and in need of a best maid or maid of honor? Why not have the Chick-Fil-A Cow mascot in either role? From Huffington Post:

"Fast food has indeed become the gospel for many. About 23 percent of Americans eat fast food at least 20 times a month, according to Jeff Davis at Sandelman & Associates, and another 20 percent indulge 12 to 19 times a month. But few restaurants inspire cult-like dedication. Those that do usually offer only one or two main products, or they're able to create an aura of scarcity.

"John Ruck, an 82-year-old retiree in St. Petersburg, Fla., has road-tripped to 48 Chick-fil-A openings — not for the coupons but for the camaraderie. He went to his first in January 2006, while grieving his wife's recent death, and found them therapeutic.

Still, Ruck plans to keep coming "as long as the good Lord lets me," and compares the parking lot gatherings to a family reunion where he sees friends he's met at other openings. Last year, he drove more than 1,000 miles round trip to an opening in Louisiana, then turned around and did it again the following week.

Ruck is so enamored that he decided to make Chick-fil-A part of his wife's memory. A couple years ago, he had their wedding bands melted into one ring. When the jeweler asked him if he wanted an insignia, he had it stamped with the Chick-fil-A logo. Though his wife, Joanne, never slept in a Chick-fil-A parking lot, the chicken chain "was the only place she'd let the grandkids eat when she took them to the mall."

Skelton, who will stand beside the Chick-fil-A cow at his wedding, certainly understands the desire to marry his favorite restaurant fare with the love of his life. The managers at a Chick-fil-A in Concord, N.C., who will provide his bovine best man, are also enthusiastic."

4. My neck hurts thinking about wear this contraption. From Gizmodo:

"Cabeau's $35 pillows have little pockets for MP3 players, which should avoid those mid-slumber accidents when you get tangled amongst the wires." Price: $34.99

5. Say hello to George, the world's biggest dog. From Daily Mail:

"George the Great Dane is 7ft long, weighs 18st and is the world's biggest dog." I can't even imagine what it must cost a month to feed him.

Can you believe the size of his paw?

6. Speaking of dogs, how about real life glow in the dark ones? From Reuters:

"South Korean scientists said on Wednesday they have created a glowing dog using a cloning technique that could help find cures for human diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, Yonhap news agency reported.

A research team from Seoul National University (SNU) said the genetically modified female beagle, named Tegon and born in 2009, has been found to glow fluorescent green under ultraviolet light if given a doxycycline antibiotic, the report said.

The researchers, who completed a two-year test, said the ability to glow can be turned on or off by adding a drug to the dog's food."

7. Disgusting WTFckery here. From MSNBC: 

Snail-slime face cream is hot beauty trend

"Snails – or more accurately, their guts and slime – have become the latest fad in skin care. Hailed for its active ingredients, snail extract is popping up in beauty lines across South America and skin care mecca South Korea. Both low- and high-end companies have taken to the sticky ingredients, which debuted on the market in the mid ’90s and range from seemingly tame to slightly bizarre (BB Cream features “mucus from red ginseng-fed snails”).

Not that slime is the only way to ensure a smooth face. “Lots of species, including humans, secrete mucus rich in hyaluronic acids ... but that doesn't mean you'd put phlegm on your face,” said dermatologist Dr. Bobby Buka, who instead recommends non-mollusk products such as First Aid Beauty's 5-in-1 face cream for similar results.

Buka says there are no placebo-controlled trials demonstrating the efficacy of snail slime or mucus in skin rejuvenation, but sees no harm in slathering on some slime. “I generally don't dissuade patients who swear by snail-derivative products, but it's definitely not my first choice if you've got $20 to spend on your skin.”

8. If only I had $55 million dollars lying around. From Vulture:

"Rapper, Soulja Boy has announced (via an entourage member) that he purchased himself a $55 million G5 jet for his 21st birthday. He's gutting the in-flight lavatory -- and replacing it with a giant, LUXURIOUS bathroom along with giving the jet a custom paint job, all for an additional $20 million. Guess he doesn't have to worry about the nationals' debt ceiling crisis.

9. A little something extra for your coffee in the morning. From Gizmodo:

Alcohol milk packaging thanks to Fubiz.

10. Well, I'll be snookered. Orange juice isn't made with real oranges. From Gizmodo:

"Orange juice from Tropicana, Simply Orange, Minute Maid, Florida's Natural, etc.—they're all ridiculously consistent in their flavor. And the trick isn't to get the most delicious tasting oranges but rather to create their own unique artificial flavor. It all starts with the stripping of the oxygen. Once the juice is squeezed and stored in gigantic vats, they start removing oxygen. Why? Because removing oxygen from the juice allows the liquid to keep for up to a year without spoiling. But! Removing that oxygen also removes the natural flavors of oranges. Yeah, it's all backwards. So in order to have OJ actually taste like oranges, drink companies hire flavor and fragrance companies, the same ones that make perfumes for Dior, to create these "flavor packs" to make juice taste like, well, juice again."

10. A how to NSFW video on how to make vagina cupcakes. Great for Kmont's Full Fork Ahead cooking blog!



11. And your Regretsy WTFckery is the one thing we all need for our bathroom. A coozy for our toilet paper. Actually, I find this pretty cool and wouldn't mind having one.

Enjoy this week's WTFCkery! Go out and have a cupcake or two.

Guest Author Post: Miranda Neville and Her Pintle

I “overheard” a conversation on Twitter expressing surprise and amusement at the use of the work “pintle” in The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. Don’t get me wrong: I am delighted to surprise and/or amuse anyone, but I’ve come across so many words for the penis in the course of my reading that a new one doesn’t seem unusual to me.

OED lists approximately 82 synonyms for the male organ and another 30 or so for the testicles. The oldest citation, c. 1000 AD, is “weapon.” Names like John Thomas, Peter, and Dick are late nineteenth or twentieth century; apparently earlier men didn’t feel the need to personify their manhood, at least not in writing. Yes, manhood is there (1640) and root (1846) but not the infamous manroot which may have been invented by a romance writer. My favorite is “yard,” dating back to 1379 and often used in the 18th century. Definitely a guy who came up with that one. Priapus, named for a Greek god with big equipment, was popular. Priapism is a seriously medical condition when an erection lasts for hours despite lack of stimulation. (Also caused by an overdose of Viagra or vampire blood.) Such is the glamorous life of a historical romance novelist. I get to research this stuff.

Three years ago I decided to read Georgian century porn as a way of gaining insight into the fantasy life of my Regency heroes. These books were written by men for men, but often purported to be written from the woman’s point of view, usually an old whore instructing a young initiate. They are almost unrelentingly phallocentric.

The most famous and popular English work, Fanny Hill: The Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure is pretty graphic in its physical descriptions, but nowhere is there a mention of the clitoris. Even the woman-on-woman action is all about penis substitutes. John Cleland, the author, was apparently unaware of the little nubbin’s existence. (When I mentioned this to some of my girlfriends they all remarked they had known men like this.) Other works exhibit the same male prejudice/ignorance. Yet the existence of the clitoris was known. Gonosologium Novum, a rather scurrilous 1709 medical work on venereal diseases, describes it and calls it “the seat of the greatest pleasure.”

Among the works I discovered in the British Library, was a small volume entitled The Genuine and Remarkable Amours of the Celebrated Peter Aretin. Aretino was an Italian poet who, thanks to some dirty sonnets and one of the original whore dialogues, became a kind of godfather of porn. The Genuine Amours has little to do with Aretino. It’s a novel in which an English youth describes his active and varied sex life. “Pintle” and “prick” are his preferred words. He also, I’m happy to report, discovers what he calls “the coral headed bud of titillation.”

I used The Genuine Amours in The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton, as a handy way to give my virginal heroine a bit of sex ed. before they get down to business.

You may get the impression from this post that I write a erotica. I don’t. The Amorous Education is a mainstream historical romance. I do, however enjoy doing research and I also like to laugh. Thank you, Katie, for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate both these interests, which I hope are reflected in my writing.

Thanks Miranda! Here's just a small excerpt of where you can enjoy the delights of the pintle (or in Celia's case, admiring Tarquin's:

"And felt that part of him hard against her lower belly: the pillock, according to Joe, or pintle, the word preferred by Francis Featherbrain. Like one of Master Feathrebrain's inamoratas, she reached for it. It swelled and stiffened through his clothing as her own private parts throbbed back."

*KB fans self*

Interested in seeing how the rest of the scene plays out? Then, you must pick up The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. This is one book that is recommended reading. It's fun, witty, sexy, where you learn new terms for specific body parts!

Available now from Avon books...

Synopsis:  (The Burgundy Club, Book Three) Being kidnapped teaches Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life.

LESSON ONE
Never disrobe in front of a gentleman ... unless his request comes at gunpoint.

LESSON TWO
If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.

LESSON THREE
If offered an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.

LESSON FOUR
Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.

LOL Harrison Ford Verbally Slapping Chewbacca Video

Some funny for your Friday...

This has been one of the biggest viral video sensation this week, thanks to the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. If you haven't had the chance to watch this one, it's must see viewing.

Anyone who is a Star Wars fans is going to get a kick out of this. And even if you're not, this 1 minute LOL hilarious bit with Harrison Ford verbally slapping Chewbacca will have you dying from the funny.

At :42 in I laughed like a loon all because of this statement- "Daniel Craig's my wookie bitch now!"

Her Best Catch Book Review *Lindi Peterson*

Her Best Catch is an inspirational Chick-Lit. The protagonist, Allison Doll is stressing out. She uses up most of her free time trying to plan her mother’s fiftieth surprise birthday party. Her mother is acting very flighty and irresponsible, and wants Allison to loosen up and not worry so much. Her best friend Velvet and Trent have started dating and Allison now feels like an outsider where they’re concerned. She begins nicknaming them Trevlet because they do everything together as a duo. Allison has become more of a third wheel. Whereas Allison used to find joy in going to her Sunday after church group, she now finds it tiresome, that is until a superstar athlete joins the group. Former Atlanta Braves relief pitcher, Ashton Boyd has been welcomed into the fold. Allison wants to go out of her way to make Ashton feel welcome, but she feels he’s so out of her league because he’s too handsome for his own good and is a celebrity. But Ashton doesn’t expect anyone to treat him like a star. He actually comes across as a humble sort of guy and soon he and Allison start up a friendship.

Allison is confused by Ashton. He goes out of his way to ask her out for lunches and dinners and constantly calls her on the phone. She wonders if they’re dating, but then he seems to pull back and only treat her as a friend. But all this friendly touching from hand holding to hugging makes her head spin because she wants more than just friendship with him. She wants what Velvet and Trent have together. But Ashton has a reputation of being a ladies man and he may not stick around. But Allison must mean something important to Ashton who constantly tells her she’s awesome and ends up kissing her, which leads her to wanting to go further and breaking her vow of abstinence. Allison looks to God and her faith to give her the answers she needs, but it seems God isn’t listening or he wants her to figure out things on her own.

Her Best Catch by Lindi Peterson is a very tame and adorable romance. At times I felt I was reading more of a Young Adult book because Allison’s thinking comes across more along the lines of what a teenage girl would do, rather than the actions of a grown woman. But, I can understand Allison’s viewpoint with her two friends who soon become lost in their own world, and with Ashton who gives Allison many mixed signals. I really enjoyed the interaction Allison has with her grandmother, who is being courted by a nice older gentleman, which in turns makes Allison even lonelier because it seems everyone is dating or is in a relationship.

Ashton does tempt Allison to go further with his wonderful kissing, but she doesn’t because of her religious beliefs. I can respect this, even though Allison is in her late 20’s, but again it seems as if the tone of the book is more suited with a main protagonist who should be much younger. Ashton is respectful where Allison is concerned. He does give off an almost alpha type vibe that is quickly replaced once we gain more insight on him and why he has come back to the church. I would call Ashton a sweetly sensual hero. The tension in Her Best Catch is very minimal if you think about it. Allison’s biggest worries are whether or not Ashton will leave to return to his old flashy life and her relationship with Velvet and Trent. But regardless of the simplicity of this story, I really enjoyed it and found myself rooting for Allison to find happiness and work things out with Ashton to her advantage.

Her Best Catch is easy reading and a perfectly cutesy story with a subtle romance dealing with one’s religious beliefs and how it helps them decide on the best course of action. (Bell Bridge Books)

Final Grade: B+

A few other Her Best Catch reviews:

Novel Reviews 

Quill Book Reviews

Reading, Writing and Ruckus

Heart of Lies Book Review *Jill Marie Landis*

Jill Marie Landis is a perfect example of an author who writes wonderful inspiration historical romance. Jill is best known for her Americana/Western historical romance. Presently, she’s writing a series about four sisters who were cruelly separated when they were very young and how twenty years later, they must find their way back to one another.

The first book in the Irish Angel series, Heart of Stone, was about the oldest sister, Laura, who was forced into prostitution, escaped to Texas and then ended up marrying a reverend who through his love and deep spiritual beliefs, helped Laura overcome her past that has haunted her. Her goal is to find her three younger sisters. She hires Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott who ends up in New Orleans, Louisiana on the trail of Megan, the second oldest sister.

Maddie Grande was once part of a “tribe” of children thieves run by Dexter Grande. Maddie doesn’t remember anything before she became a part of the tribe and when she became old enough, was in charge of brainwashing the children Dexter kidnapped into accepting their new lives. Years later, Maddie is now living in a shack on the edge of the bayou swamp. Dexter has died, leaving her own with the help of her petty criminal twins brothers, Terrance and Lawrence, who were also once part of the tribe. Terrance ends up kidnapping an eight year old Penelope Perkins. Terrance plans to start a new tribe, or at least hold Penelope for ransom, in order to get money from Penelope’s rich parents. Maddie is forced to watch over Penelope while the brothers plan their next step. Maddie wants no part of this, but she’s afraid Terrance may harm Penelope if she doesn’t do what he wants. She’ll try to find a way to return Penelope to her parents before she can be found and arrested.

Tom also takes on the Perkin’s case and he finds himself on Maddie’s doorstep. He figures out she’s involved, but he doesn’t know if she’s the mastermind behind the crime, or an unwilling accomplice. Maddie is running scared and she outwits Tom, but loses Penelope in the process. Now she has to find Penelope and a way to return her to her parents without getting caught. But Tom is on her trail, and even though he knows he can’t trust her, he feels compassion for her situation and soon develops an attraction for her. And then things come to a head where someone is killed and Tom refuses to let Maddie disappear and start anew for she may be one of the long lost Lane sisters.

Heart of Lies is a book that will tug on your heart. Maddie is an incredible heroine who has been through so many hardships. She’s able to carve out a new life for herself, but because of what she was forced to do as a child, she has self-loathing because her actions have destroyed so many. The way she helps Penelope is her way of righting the wrongs she has done.

Even though the subject matter here is heavy and at times dark, mainly with Maddie, there are a few light moments with humor, mainly from Penelope, who is a very blunt speaking, adorable girl who refuses to be a victim herself. You’ll chuckle a few times by what comes out of her mouth. Also, Maddie and Tom have their moments together that are equally tender and sweet. Tom is not a cold lawman, but one who looks at all sides before he makes an informed decision about someone. His feelings for Maddie creep up on him and at first he’s shocked, but then he welcomes them. The main problem is getting Maddie to accept him. Maddie is a harder nut to crack because she doesn’t feel she has any worth. Her self-esteem is very low, but she comes across more as a fighter and a survivor than one who is close to giving up on life.

The entire book moves at a nice pace and the last fifty pages may bring a happy tear to your eye. Heart of Lies is all about hope and forgiveness without being too heavy on God and religion. It’s more about having faith in one’s self and putting that faith in others, like Tom wants Maddie to do with him since he becomes her savior.

Heart of Lies is perfect for all ages and really hit all those high marks I look forward to when reading an emotional tale with a wonderfully written romance. If you’re looking for a more tender romance with lovely kissing scenes and with a heroine who has defied all the odds life has thrown at her, including a hero who wants to be her biggest support, I recommend you read this latest by Jill. And to get a better idea about the Lane sisters and their tribulations, pick up Heart of Stone and the next two books to come about the remaining sisters. (Zondervan)

Final Grade: A-

A few other Heart of Lies reviews:
Novel Reviews
Trinty's Rose Garden

The Men of the Hunger Games Movie Fails to Excite

Say hello to your Gale and Peeta.

Too white bred, too old and too meh for me. Looks more like a cover for Muscular Fitness magazine. Or perhaps a catalog for Abercrombie and Fitch.

I must be getting old because I rather see Donald Sutherland on the cover as President Snow.

What do you think?

Guest Author Post: Stefanie Sloan On Being a Debutante Author

I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime in the span of three months. Being a debutante author is—oh wait, make that was—a kaleidoscope of, well, just about everything. The emotions, the stress, the honor, the responsibility—it was all awesome and overwhelming. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Nor would Lady Clarissa Collins, the heroine of my third book, The Sinner Who Seduced Me.

You see, Clarissa is an artist—with an artist’s eye to match. She’s taken in the highs—gorgeous Jimmy Choo heels and sporty track suits—and the lows—the RT burger—and figured out the perfect ending to a perfect deb experience.

I’ve been to California, New York, and all over the Pacific Northwest during my debutante tour. Having travelled the English Channel multiple times within the span of weeks—and in the arms of the dashing James Marlowe, no less--Clarissa completely understands my need for functional, yet fashionable loungewear:

Who would not want to lounge in this wear? It’s cozy and seductive, feminine yet funky fun. And I know, you’re thinking “Uggs?!” But I promise to only where them within the confines of my home. Really! Pinky promise.

As for what to do with all of my time now that I’m no longer a deb? Clarissa was less familiar with such a concept as she was most recently reunited with her one true love only to find they were in a race to rescue not only each other, but the whole of England. But ever the perfectionist, she offered a few suggestions:

Oh yes, please.

And this:

She had me at “and.”

Clearly, after such excellent options, Clarissa deserves her happily ever after.

Please sign up for my newsletter where you’ll automatically be entered to win a signed copy of Clarissa’s story, The Angel in My Arms.

http://www.stefaniesloane.info/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1

And before I go, let me say what is, perhaps the most important two words a true debutante could ever utter:

Thank You.

It’s the readers that make everything worthwhile. For your interest and support, I’ll be eternally grateful!

Available now from Ballantine Books...

Synopsis:  A dedicated Young Corinthian agent, James Marlowe accepts the riskiest of missions—go undercover as a traitor and infiltrate a deadly French crime organization. As he heads to Paris, he is prepared for all matters of intrigue—everything but a surprise encounter with the only woman he ever has loved. Five years ago, the exquisitely stunning Clarissa Collins spurned his love, breaking his heart in the process. Now, the accomplished painter is in peril up to her lovely neck and only he can protect her.

Blackmailed by a mysterious man who threatens to destroy her world, Lady Clarissa cannot imagine a crueler fate. Until she is reunited with James Marlowe, the enthralling man who seduced Clarissa body and soul, then betrayed her. Despite the hurt and misunderstanding that still simmers between them, their enduring passion ignites anew, leaving the two breathless with desire and need. With their lives and England’s safety hanging in the balance, they have little choice but to put the past behind them and work together to save everything they hold dear. As they attempt to escape the clutches of the malicious forces holding them, can Clarissa and James find their way back to each other hearts…this time forever?

Who's the Best Old Spice Guy? *Informal Poll*

If you had to pick your favorite Old Spice commercial spokesperson, who would you choose?

Bruce Campbell?



Mustafa?



Fabio, the newest one?




Hands down, Grover is my favorite. The, "I'm on a horse, Moo! Cow." makes me giggle every time.



Which one is your favorite?

Guest Author Post: Cassandra Dean on Writing Enslaved *Contest*

 Hey peeps! Cassandra Dean here and many thanks to Katiebabs for facilitating this Amazing! Wonderful! Fantastic! blog post! So a little bit about me to begin?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. From the time I first learned to read and write (first phrase read: To The Beach, and I totally had a pen license – did anyone else have one of those??), I’ve imagined stories and adventures. Once I had the tools, and that nifty pen license, I put these imaginings on paper. I have a lot of handwritten stories floating around the place!

As high school drew to a close, I knew I wanted to undertake a career that somehow incorporated writing but never did I think I could actually be a real, live, super cool author. That was for other, way more awesome people than me! In my final year of university I undertook a short story course and this lead to my introduction to a romance writing group where I met my awesome critique partner, Lucy Clark. I then pottered along for years, trying to write books, get them published, running about…and then I created Enslaved.

Enslaved came about as I was watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Initially I thought this show would be a waste of space, a place to park my brain and watch as the pretty boys ran about wearing not much at all. It’s reminiscent of the movie 300 with its visual style and sensibilities. What was really odd at the time, for me anyway, is that most of the lead actors are from either Australia or New Zealand and they use their own accents. Now, I’m Australian. We don’t hear our accents a lot in shows produced by American networks, and certainly not in historical epics. The first time I heard a big speech (with swearing and everything!) I think I almost fainted in shock at the Oz twang coming from the actor. However, I quickly got used to it and then…Oh my wordy lordy, then. 

Spartacus is awesome. AWESOME. I don’t quite know how to describe it. Created by Stephen S DeKnight (who used to write for Angel – Joss Whedon alum!), the show seems to be a bit of naked himbos running around but then, around episode five or so, it got so I COULD NOT MISS AN EPISODE. It was Shakespearean and tragic and dramatic and bold and subtle and emotional and the language…Oh, the way they use language is beautiful.

Anyway, I was watching this show, watching Spartacus do his thing, and thought – what if his character, a slave, fell in love with his owner’s daughter? How would that happen? What would keep them apart? How awesome would the star-crosssed loverness of it all be???

So the idea ran around my head for a few days and then I sat down to write it. Three days. It took three days. I’ve NEVER had a story flow that quickly! It was awesome! Three days, and Enslaved was born!

I was to teach a slave.

Marcus, a gladiator in my father’s ludus, was compelled to my presence to learn of Rome’s gods, her legends. When first he came, fear consumed me – fear of this silent, resentful slave who burned with his anger.

Time, though, changes much. Marcus softened and I grew unafraid. As we became closer, I grew more than merely unafraid – I grew to love him. Never did I think we would be separated.

I was wrong.

I forced myself to forget. Forget Marcus, forget the almost-smile he gave to me alone, forget everything but my life as it was now. Then, one day, I wandered into a market and spied Marcus, and the truth I had always hidden, thought to forget, was thrust upon me.

I had never ceased to love my slave.
My heroine, Lucia, practically leapt of the page. I found it extremely easy to write her point of view, to tell her story. Though life threw challenges and setbacks at her, Lucia perseveres and never gives up – never completely.

As for my hero, Marcus...oh, Marcus. He is delicious and strong and just by being him, he encourages Lucia to play and joke, something she has never had. He may be enslaved but he is never cowed, and when he loves, it's with a passion and depth that is blinding.

The more I worked on Enslaved, the more I loved Lucia and Marcus. Their story touched me deeply and I hope you feel the same way!

Cassandra Dean
Check out more details at Cassandra's website!
Enslaved is available now from Decadent Publishing.

Contest time!

How would you like to win an ebook copy of Enslaved, a signed postcard, a keyring and a magnet? All you have to do is leave a comment here for Cassandra by Friday, 7/29.Are you a fan of the show Spartacus? Did you enjoy Gerard Butler's abs... ahem acting in 300? Why not tell us here? This is open for any to enter.

It Came From the 70's Book Review and Giveaway *Connie C. Wilson*

Not only do I have a deep love of reading, but I also love watching and dissecting movies. While in college, I had this incredible professor, Dr. Wild, who taught film. From Dr. Wild I looked at movies differently and have a bad habit of being too critical when it comes to them (much like I do when I read books). At one point I thought I wanted to be a film critic, much like Roger Ebert. When I can, I’ll read non-fiction books about the film industry, including books about movies I’d never think of watching. It’s a great way of learning about classic movies everyone should watch at one point in their lives, including those bombs that should have never been made.

I met Connie Corcoran Wilson at Book Blogger Con in May and we had a lovely chat about movies and her film background. She has written a non-fiction book called, It Came from the 70’s: From the Godfather to Apocalypse Now. This book is filled with her movie reviews from 1970-1979 when she was film critic for the Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa). Her rating system is very much the type you see for other movie reviews posted in newspapers from a 1 to 4 star rating. Connie’s reviews range from such notable movie classics like, Apocalypse Now and Alien, to some duds like Moonraker (James Bond in space and considered the worst Bond film) and Two-Minute Warning starring Burt Lancaster

Connie has a very personable way of reviewing, where not only she explains the plot, but gives some interesting facts that the reader may not be aware of. The first movie in the book reviewed is Apocalypse Now, which Connie gave 4 stars. Did you know Harrison Ford (appearing for a hot minute) and Laurence Fishburne (who was only 18 at the time) were in Apocalypse Now and the special effects budget was the largest at the time for a film? The French Connection starring Gene Hackman has one of the most exciting car chases ever filmed, where Connie gives insight on what lengths the director and stunt driver had to do to make this scene word.

One movie I never heard of called, The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) stars Davie Bowie as an alien who comes down to Earth in search of water. Connie gives big props for David’s performance, which garnished him a few acting nominations, and even won him Best Actor in 1977 from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. After reading this review, I went right on You Tube to see if I could find the original film trailer.

Unfortunately the trailer looks horrible and David’s garish red hair makes me flinch. Also, the movie is broken up in parts on You Tube if you want to watch for free.




Star Wars, The Godfather, Superman and Carrie are all mentioned as well. I was surprised other big movies from the 70’s like Taxi Driver, Dear Hunter and The Exorcist weren’t mentioned, but movies like The Exorcist II: The Heretic and King Kong were. But then again, the book is only a little over 250 pages, so that limits the amount of reviews. I would be really interested in reading a sequel from Connie if she did publish more of her reviews.

It Came From the 70’s is perfect reading for movie aficionados and a great way to impress friends with movie trivia. If you’re a film buff, I would certainly check out It Came From the 70’s. (Merry Black Smith Press)

Final Grade: B+

Giveaway: 

Connie is giving away cool It Came from the '70s luggage tags to 10 lucky US readers. In addition, she'll send the winners a short story "sneak preview" of her upcoming short story collection, Hellfire & Damnation II, the sequel to Hellfire & Damnation.

In order for your chance to win, leave a comment about your favorite movie from the 70's here by Thursday, 7/28.

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours!

KB Pimpin' Future Releases

Some future books to add to your TBR pile...

I can't get enough of this series! Heart Search (Celta's Heartmates #10) by Robin D. Owens (Berkley, August 2nd).

Synopsis: Noble Laev T'Hawthorne must rebuild his life after marrying a woman he believed was his HeartMate, only to fall victim to her greed.

Abandoned at fifteen, Camellia Darjeeling values her independence above all-even as her father and uncle emotionally scourge her and extort money. For Camellia, trusting men, even her HeartMate, is too risky.

When Laev and Camellia meet, they refuse to acknowledge that they are true HeartMates. But their destiny cannot be avoided

Between by Jessica Warman (Walker Children's, August 2nd).

Synopsis: Elizabeth Valchar --- pretty, popular and rich --- wakes up the morning after her 18th birthday on the yacht where she’d been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead. She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death.

She’s also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them.

In her regular life, Liz was a runner. It wasn’t abnormal for her to run 8-10 miles per day. But as memories from closer to her death begin to surface, Liz finds that she’d been running much more than normal, and that she’d all but stopped eating. Liz’s mother, who died when Liz was nine, had battled with anorexia as well, and those around her worried that Liz was following in her mother’s footsteps. But something more sinister was consuming Liz from the inside out.

Fury (The Fury Series #1) by Elizabeth Miles (Simon Pulse, August 30th).

Synopsis: It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

I'm not big on paranormal historicals but the blurb caught my eye. No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper (Sourcebooks, September 1st).

Synopsis: England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her target she'll need help learning how to fit into society.

Simon has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell, and Joan may be his perfect revenge. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants her anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it.

Shadow Kin (The Half-Light City #1) by M.J. Scott (Ace, September 6th).

Synopsis: On one side, the Night World, rules by the Blood Lords and the Beast Kind. On the other, the elusive Fae and the humans, protected by their steadfast mages...

Born a wraith, Lily is a shadow who slips between worlds. Brought up by a Blood Lord and raised to be his assassin, she is little more than a slave. But when Lily meets her match in target Simon DuCaine, the unlikely bond that develops between them threatens to disrupt an already stretched peace in a city on the verge of being torn apart...

The cover (holla dog) and blurb looks like a cute read. Stay with Me by Paul Griffin (Dial, September 8th).

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-olds Cece and Mack didn't expect to fall in love. She's a sensitive A student; he's a high school dropout. But soon they're spending every moment together, bonding over a rescued dog, telling their secrets, making plans for the future. Everything is perfect. Until. Until. Mack makes a horrible mistake, and in just a few minutes, the future they'd planned becomes impossible. In this stark new reality, both of them must find meaning and hope in the memories of what they had, to survive when the person they love can't stay.

A virgin hero and a courtesan heroine! Hurrah. Unclaimed (Turner #2) by Courtney Milan (HQN, September 20th).

Synopsis: Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he’s known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check… until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he’s waited for all his life.

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to win free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark’s enemies make her an offer she can’t refuse: Seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she’s sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs—and the love she knows is impossible

Season for Temptation by Theresa Romain (Zebra, October 1st).

Synopsis: Julia Herington is overjoyed when her stepsister, Louisa, becomes engaged—to a viscount, no less. Louisa’s only hesitation is living a life under the ton’s critical gaze. But with his wry wit and unconventional ideas, Julia feels James is perfect for Louisa. She can only hope to find a man like him for herself. Exactly like him, in fact…

As the new Viscount Matheson, James wished to marry quickly and secure his title. Kind, intelligent Louisa seemed a suitable bride… Until he met her stepsister. Julia is impetuous—and irresistible. Pledged to one sister, yet captivated by another, what is he to do? As Christmas and the whirl of the London season approach, James may be caught in a most scandalous conundrum, one that only true love, a bit of spiritous punch—and a twist of fate—will solve…

I still have to read Dust, but this sequel has caught my eye. Frail (Dust #2) by Joan Frances Turner (Ace, October 4th).

Synopsis: Now that the Feeding Plague has swept through human and zombie societies, it seems like everyone is an "ex" these days. Ex-human. Ex- zombie. Except for Amy, that is. She's the only human survivor from her town-a frail. And if the feral dogs, the flesh-eating exes, and the elements don't get her, she just may discover how this all began. Because in this America, life is what you make it...

Let's hope this one has a better ending then the last one. Slow Ride (Fast Track #5) by Erin McCarthy (Berkley, October 4th).

Synopsis: As a tribute to her late father, a legendary sports journalist, Tuesday Jones is planning a cancer benefit, with racing memorabilia and a drivers’ meet and greet being auctioned off. Donating a vintage stock car is ex-racing star Diesel Lange. When Tuesday looks into his piercing blue eyes, she feels like it would be so easy to lose herself—but can she trust him with her fragile heart?

Diesel Lange has had his own brush with death. After his accident, he knows he’s lucky to be alive, and he’s determined not to waste another minute of his life. Even though he’s retired, he still loves a thrill—and no one has set his heart racing like Tuesday Jones. He wants nothing more than to shift their romance into high gear, but he knows her heart is still aching with grief. Can Diesel do the one thing he could never do on the track—take it slow?

WTFckery or Not? You Decide

Some interesting WTFckery coming your way...

1. Fugly book cover here. Is he trying to tear off her lip because he's hungry?

2. This has to be the strangest blurb for a book deal I've ever read. Note the squirrel part:

"Martha Brockenbrough's TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THE DEAD, in which a guardian angel in a rehabilitation program for wayward souls accidentally kills the girl he's supposed to watch over, fails to get her into heaven, and may or may not cause lasting psychological damage to a squirrel, to Arthur Levine at Arthur A. Levine Books, in a pre-empt, for publication in Summer 2012, by Jill Corcoran at The Herman Agency."

3. How do you feel knowing as taxpayers we lost $1.3 Billion in the payout to Chrysler? From The Consumerist: 

"The government bought a piece of Chrysler in a 2009 bailout that turned out to be a costly investment in an automaker deemed too big to fail. Now that the government has sold its remaining interest in the company to Fiat, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the arrangement cost taxpayers $1.3 billion.

CNNMoney reports the Treasury assistant secretary for financial stability says he's happy that the company was able to raise private capital to repay most of the government loan. Chrysler borrowed $12.5 billion from the government and paid back $11.2 billion before the sale. The government won't collect any more of the debt. Estimates say the total auto bailout lost $14 billion in government funds."

4. People actually do eat dirt. From Discovery News: 

"Some humans' urge to consume clay may stem from the activity's protective properties for the digestive system, according to new research to be published in The Quarterly Review of Biology.After examining 482 cases of human geophagy and 330 records of the practice among animals in a meta-analysis, researchers led by Sera Young of Cornell University discovered that eating dirt had little to do with being hungry or seeking minerals the body might be lacking. Rather, the team found that geophagy may help stave off pathogens in the gut, especially for pregnant women and pre-adolescent children.

5. Not necessarily a WTFckery,but looks like something my cat would never use to poop in. Also on the expensive side and the reviews are less than positive. From Amazon:

CatGenie 120 Self-Washing Self-Flushing Cat Box for $269.99

Product Features

* Automatic cat box flushes waste away and washes itself clean
* Uses litter-like Washable Granules to satisfy cat?s need to dig and cover
* Ideal for cats of average size and 6 months or older
* Requires hookup to cold water and electrical outlet
* Includes biodegradable, recyclable SaniSolution cartridge

6. Is this Marilyn Monroe statue too risque to be in public? What do you think? And why would they show Marilyn with granny panties? From Daily Mail:

"A 26-foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe towering above tourists in the middle of Chicago was unveiled on Friday to much applause. The statue, by artist Seward Johnson, replicates the actress's famous subway scene in 1955 film The Seven Year Itch and was unveiled on Chicago's Pioneer Court.

In the scene Monroe stands over a subway grate as a breeze from a train passing below blows her skirt over her panties."

7. Some baby shower cakes are so very WTF. From Cakewrecks: 

8. I wonder if they'll start selling these baby at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter down in Florida? From I09:

*I can see Leanna Renee Hieber over at Ebay bidding on this Voldermont baby every hour*

9. Looks like Humpy Dumpy will be the star of his own movie.

"Two backwoods redneck brothers are confronted with a dangerous egg-shaped creature whose mother they torture and kill for fun. Half-human, half-alien, Humpty Dumpty exacts his bloody, murderous rage on the brothers in an unforgettable story of revenge."

1. And your Regretsy WTFckery sure is a fugly candle/clay hybrid melting baby: I ask, is this art? WTF do you do with this?