Taking the Mystery out of Suspence

It's warmer today and I like it. For the past week or so it's been in the mid 50's to lover 60's. That's all well and fine, but add to it the biting cold wind and you have a very uncomfortable atmosphere. Yes, I know. Biting cold wind and icy snow are much worse. Shut up, I don't want to hear about it.

I've been keeping my self busy knitting my semi-emo scarf and reading. Is it a coincidence that the book cover and my scarf consist of the same colors? Of course it is. Just because I've been reading a psycho thriller hasn't been putting bad things in my head...

I'm finally up to page 244 of J.T. Ellison's All The Pretty Girls and I think I've figured it out. Damn it. I still have 163 pages till the end and I don't want to go through the whole thing knowing who did it and being pissed off at the characters for not putting their information together to solve the case. Ellison does a great job of creating a scene, of keeping things moving with only minor pauses in stride, and displaying her characters as people, but I don't think I could live through it knowing the outcome so soon. Please, be a surprise ending!!

I've also just received Paula Quinn's Laird Of The Mist (which looks really, really good) and Timothy Knight's Great Kisses... and Famous Lines Right Out of the Movies (which looks like nothing more than a fun page...). Just thought you aught-a know.

Sunday Salon: All The Pretty Girls - 1

You know, Sundays would be so much better if they happened during the week. That, or kids had school on Sunday. Though I must admit this current bunch (only 2) is much more quiet than the other. I currently have two very young teen girls glued to the computer monitors in my living room. Both are doing their own separate things, so there is very little giggling, fighting, or yelling (though one keeps singing... off key, too.) So maybe this Sunday Salon will be better than the last ones.

Today I'm attempting to read All The Pretty Girls by J.T. Ellison. I've been reading the book for the last couple of days, so I'm already well into it. Sunday saw me starting on page 160 (wasn't that a cawinky-dink?) and I've read 35 pages. It's a very unique book with many twists. You fallow LT. Taylor Jackson, head of Nashville's homicide division, and her lover/boyfriend John Daldwin; and FBI profiler. What starts as a homicide investigation in Nashville turns into an FBI hunt for a serial killer. But that's not the least of it. Throw in a serial rapist, an up-and-coming drug punk, and what may be a corrupt judicial system and you have one complicated story.

So far Ellison has done a nice job with the characters as well as the setup and plot line. It's a bit confusing some times, trying to keep things straight, but boy is it engrossing. Ellison also throws in mini chapters from both the serial killer's and his victim's point of view, which is a nice touch to the novel.

Now, I just left a new victim slain by the killer and our lovely LT dispensing orders, so I bet get back to reading! Hope everybody else is enjoying a good book.

Happy Turkey Day

Just wishing a happy Turkey Day to all of you out there. Well, a happy day-after Turkey Day. Don't really know why it's called Thanksgiving any more, no body calls it that, no body gives thanks for anything, and no body really remembers how it was all started or why. So from now on, it's Turkey Day.

And in celebration of Turkey Day, or perhaps in preparation for Christmas (Winter-Time-Kids-Stay-Home-No-Quiet Day) I'm browsing some of my favorite online tea shops: Tea Guys, Mountain Rose Herbs, Monterey Bay Spice Company, The Republic of Tea, and The San Fransisco Herb Company. Hey, if there's one habit you have to do in your lifetime, let it be tea drinking.

Also reading All The Pretty Girls by J.T. Ellison right now. Boy, this is new. It's like reading an episode of a CSI - Law and Order cross over. I like Taylor and Baldwin so far. And I love that the authors has by-passed the whole 'I like you, you like me, but we're fighting it' thing and dumped them into a relationship.

Now, off to reading and more tea shopping.

Gimmy A Hankie

I'm cold right now. And it's late, but after spending the past two and a half hours between falling asleep, crying, and attempting to finish the book I was reading, I didn't want to wait until morning to give my thoughts. If this post doesn't make much sense, please feel free to keep it to your self...

Someone Named Eva is a deeply moving accounting of a chapter of the Holocaust that is not widely known; the annihilation of Lidice, Czechoslovakia.

While food rations are low and war rages around them, Milada's small village of Lidice is otherwise untouched. Milada herself lives unaware of the death and destruction not to far away, calibrating her birthday with her family and friends and attending school as usual. That is until one night when a troupe of Nazi solders march in, dragging residents from their home, separating the women and children from the men, and forcing Milada and her friends, family, and neighbors into confinement in a school gymnasium. Here, scared for her very life, Milada is examined, measured, and separated from all she knows and sent to a re-education center. where she learns that she fits the Aryan ideal: blond hair, blue eyes, head and nose shape. Through harsh training and constant brainwashing, she is taught to become the perfect Germain citizen.

Many parts of the story seamed to be underplayed for the sake of the young reader, merely underlining the true horror of life during World War 2. We do not learn until the very end, indeed, until the author's own end note, the true story behind Milada's tale. Perhaps it was the authors first-person accounting that hindered the story in such a way--Milada is a young girl who only knows what's around her and she isn't very inquisitive.

On the jacket cover it states: Ages:10-14, Grades: 5-9. And while the book--with its simple structure, wording, and descriptions--attests to the age requirements of it's readers, the soul of the story is a definitely a read for people of all ages. Emotionally touching and historically informative, Joan M. Wolf has created an easy to read story that is well worth the time.

[Someone Named Eve - Joan M. Wolf - Clarion Books - 978-0618535798 - July 2007]

The author was also kind to include a link to the Lidice Memorial web site. Take a look, but don't forget to bring a hankie. [LINK]

Sunday Salon: Someone Named Eva

I know I haven't been doing to well this Sunday, but it's not my fault. Honestly! I was all prepared to read when my brother called to tell me he was coming up. I had everything all ready, too. Tea was poured, radio was playing, book was out (that's the most important part, isn't it?) *insert dramatic sigh here*

Anyways, I've decided to tackle the YA books first since they are the ones past due on reviews. I'm starting with Somebody Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf. It's the story of a young girl amidst the Holocaust. Milada lives with her family in Czechoslovakia when the Nazi invade her home town. Because of her blue eyes and bright blond hair Milada fits the Aryan ideal of a perfect German citizen and is quickly taken to Lebensborn camp where her name is changed to Eva.

I'm rather intrigued by this one. It is inspired by real events and sports a rather nice research history. Now, if only people (despite how much I love them) would leave...

Sunday Salon: In Preporation

Ok, so tomorrow is Sunday and Sunday Salon will once again be in full swing. I know I haven't been doing so well to date, but that's not wholly my fault. If only my mind would get on track when I need it to (or at least mind... no pun intended.) If it did I'd have that novel finished, be half way through with NaNo, and be caught up on my reading. But no, it seams to find it extremely funny to come up with ideas and plans until I finally concede only to dumps them in the middle of the road, running the other way giggling madly. Hum. Reminds me of a 3rd great bully I once knew...

Well, not this time. This time I plan on being prepared. I've taken a page from Clare Dudman and put together a list of short novels for this Sunday; YA, suspense, and fiction. I've done (most) of the dishes, prepared the tea kettle, and loaded the radio (Haydn-Symphony No. 45 "Abschiedssinfonie"). Now I just need to get some sleep so I can function in the morning.

Ice Storm by Anne Stuart, Wife For Hire by Janet Evanovich, A Secret Affair by Barbara Taylor Bradford, Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

A bit Unlucky

So it has taken me a week but I have finally finished Jana DeLeon's UNLUCKY (No, Jana dear, this is no smear on you, only myself) and I have to say, I haven't ready anything like it for quite sometime.

Mallory Devereaux is unlucky. No, not a simple run of bad luck, but a chronic and devastating rash of bad luck. The merest touch of her hand, the brush of her finger, and heaven forbid, a kiss, can lead to life threatening danger. But Mal knows her limits. She has grown up with this 'affliction' and has learned to use it to her advantage. She's no scamer or shady person, but when faced with a group of dirty Yankies what's a little fun guna hurt?

When she finds out the man who is more like a father to her than her own is about to loose his business to the IRS, Mal puts her bad luck to good use by becoming a 'cooler' on her uncle's casino boat. So she has to flirt with some old men, accidentally touch them and spread her bad luck around, no big deal right? Wrong. Mal's luck works both ways and she's found herself not only working in the middle of a group of criminals, but assigned to work her magic on none-other than Silas Herbert; a man who has been at odds with her family for longer than she can remember. A man who also has a few tricks up his sleeves.

There has to be a bright side to all this trouble, right? Sure there is and this bright side manifests it's self as Jake McMillan (aka Jake Randoll); the hot and sexy dealer at Mal's table who causes her body to warm and crave human touch. What if he also happens to be an undercover FBI agent setting a trap for Silas while making her squirm in her seat? That's ok, she can handle him.

UNLUCKY is a very witty, entertaining, funny, and smoothly written novel, but there was just some stuff that bugged me. Jake, for instance, didn't strike me as a very good FBI agent. He didn't have any contacts on board or in town, he spoke quite openly on his phone when anybody could chance by and hear him, he didn't research his undercover role or the town where he would be playing, and he seamed more like a follower relying on Mallory's plans and ideas than coming up with any of his own. Oddly, he reminded me a bit of the character Colby Granger (Hum...) but a bit more rooky. Mal's bad luck was a great catalyst for many bad accidents, but with that many people mingling on board I expected a little bit more bad luck than I received. Over all it was quite fun. DeLeon did a wonderful job weaving the story together, portraying Mallory as a strong woman, and bringing out the comedy.

Overall review score: hum... 3.5/4 out of 5
[Unlucky - Jana DeLeon - Love Spell - 978-0-505-52729-5- November 2007]

Sunday Salon: Unluky - 1

It being Sunday, even if it is before the butt-crack of dawn, I am posting my preliminary to today's Sunday Salon. While I have a stack of some 30+ books before me I'm only going to choose two as I highly doubt I have the sanity to read more. Of course, sanity is a very tricky thing and one never knows what will happen.

This Sunday's book is UNLUCKY by Jana DeLeon. I will be starting on page 71 of this 308 page romantic mystery from Love Spell, a subsidy of Dorchester Publishing, and hopping I make it to the end.

Everyone in Royal Flush, Louisiana, knows Mallory Devereaux is a walking disaster. At least now she's found a way to take advantage of her chronic bad luck: by "cooling" cards on her uncle's casino boat. As long as the crooks invited to his special poker tournament don't win their money back, she'll get a cut of the profit.

But Mal isn't the only one working some major mojo. There's a dark-eyed dealer sending her looks steamier than the bayou in August. Turns out he's an undercover agent named Jake Randoll, and for a Yank, he's pretty darn smart. Smart enough to enlist her help to catch a money launderer. As they race to untangle a web of decades-old lies and secrets amid a gathering of criminals, Mallory can't help hoping her luck's about to change....

So far, so good. I like the heroine and the supporting characters. The hero... not sure yet, haven't really gotten the chance to know him. DeLeon is doing a fantastic job of picking up strings. I haven't had to hit the book against anything yet. Mallory's 'unlucky magic touch' seams to be a bit on the dissbalievable side. A simple touch 'infects' the recipient with bad luck. And I'm not really a cards kinda gal. The technical stuff tends to go over my head.

As always, if you'd like to join The Sunday Salon, feel free to sign up!

Sowhere Between Too-Late and Too-Early

It's Saturday night and I'm stuck in the house again. I'm always stuck in the house (I honestly can't remember a Saturday that I went out.) It's raining out side, too; cold and wet. Makes tonight the kind of night that urges any sane person to curl up under the flannel blankets, down comforter, and umpteen pets and sleep until tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, I have the soul of a writer and that automatically makes me institutionalizeable . So here I sit, a cold pot of tea before me, a candle burned down past half-mast, and my fingers turning a ghastly shade of pale purple as the blood congeals in my fingertips (oh, look. Now I get something remotely interested typed.)

To keep warm I've been knitting my scarf again. Half a row or so stretches the shoulders, flexes the fingers, and wakes me up enough to stare at the blank page again. And when that doesn't help I turn to reading. On that note, and since it is about 2am on SUNDAY, I suppose I could start Sunday Salon early. I think I'll call it a night after, even if I have to tie myself to the bed (oh, kinky!)

Before I forget. For those of you with a thing for dark jazz, I came across this band today (I like dark, slow, seductive music. It's so very hard to find.) Check out Bohren & der Club of Gore. Their music is definitely worth checking out.

November 8th

Ok, my writing isn't going all that good (hence the very, very sad title to this post!). It's been 8 days since NaNo started and I've written 473 words. Oy! At this rate I'll be finished by November 2009...

New Avon Titles

UPS dropped off a package from AVON today. Wow, 11 novels this month?! Ok, I'll probably only get to reviewing 2 or 3, but thanks for the selection choice guys!

• A Secret Affair by Barbara Taylor Bradford
• Blackthorne's Bride by Shana Galen
  
• Dangerous To Know by Barbara Taylor Bradford
• Forever After by Catherine Anderson
• Halfway To The Grave by Jeaniene Frost
• Holidays Are Hell by Multiple Authors
• Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu, and Vicki Pettersson
• In My Wildest Fantasies by Julianne MacLean
• Not The Marrying Kind by Hailey North
• The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens
  
• Taken By The Night by Kathryn Smith
• Wife For Hire by Janet Evanovich

What's Your IQ?

Ok, wondering around the net again and fell across that damn Tick.com add again. Little black words across the top flash a well known phrase from a well known preschool show "Which one of these things is not like the other?" *sigh* ok, I bite. Take the little test. Cheer and smile when I cross a question I don't even have to pause to answer. Give them my info. Oh, one more page and I'll learn my IQ! Yah, not all that exciting. Then the page pops up and I have my answer:

Congratulations, Amber! Your IQ score is 126

This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others.

Your Intellectual Type is Insightful Linguist. This means you are highly intelligent and have the natural fluency of a writer and the visual and spatial strengths of an artist. Those skills contribute to your creative and expressive mind. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results.

Ok. I don't really know how accurate that is, but I gata tell you: I like it. Sounds a bit like me, though, doesn't it? Much better than being labeled as a certifiable loon. Of course, what does it mean? Hum. A little fancy finger work though Google (my, doesn't that sound kinky?) and I have an answer: I am smarter than 95% of the population and I have superior intelligence. Please, don't mind my silly little grin. I'm sure it's all quite fake (they do have an option available where you can buy your results and their findings) but it is ego boosting.

Boost your ego, take the test. And, no. I get no commission for sending you there.

Also did the Emtional IQ for some strange reason. Bah, not as fun as the first.

Amber, your Emotional IQ is 115.

This number is the result of a formula based on how many questions you answered correctly on Tickle's Emotional IQ test. But your Emotional IQ score is much more than just a number: it's an indicator of success.

Research has shown that people with high emotional intelligence scores — not necessarily those with the highest IQ scores — tend to be the most valued and productive employees and have the longest and happiest romantic relationships.

So, where are you most emotionally smart? Your test results show that your strongest suit is perception — your ability to pick up on what others are feeling.

Because of this, you are unusually good at reading people's verbal and non-verbal cues. You're especially aware of the subtleties of people's actions, and can feel out the vibe of a situation better than many. That gives you and edge many wish they had. People with high perception skills like yours, however, tend to rely on them to the exclusion of others. As a result, they sometimes have underdeveloped abilities in other realms of critical emotional intelligence like managing emotions, empathy, and being expressive.

To truly excel in life and know how to relate to different people, you need to balance out the different kinds of emotional intelligence.

Research indicates that if people who are strong in perception can work to increase their overall emotional IQ score, they can prepare themselves to handle any interpersonal exchange with amazing skill — especially by learning to be empathetic and by being able to express what it is they are feeling or trying to say.

And the good news is that people who try to improve their emotional IQ have far greater success than people who try to improve their IQ.

It's Sunday Again - TSS

It's Sunday again and I'm in a slump. NaNo isn't going as good as I expected, and I really don't have an urge to read (why, that's quite a shocker, isn't it?!) Perhaps it doesn't help that there are 2 teen-aged boys in my living room playing online games together with rock music blasting around them that they insist on singing along with. Ask them to turn it down, you suggest? Well, obviously you don't live with teenage males. The argument, yelling, and pandemonium that would fallow such a suggestion would result in a headache more atrocious than the one I currently have.

Since it is Sunday and the Sunday Salon is in full swing, I supose I should at least mention that I finished Everything Forbidden by Jess Michaels this morning (hence the over proper language in this post.) For an erotic romance it wasn't half bad, and for an erotic historical romance it was actually quite good. Sure there where some historical allowances but they were very well played (the Sandwich makes an appearance with some liberty to actually historical use.) The sex is very erotic and there is actually a story line that makes sense. That is to be expected since Jess Michaels is a pseudonym for historical author Jenna Petersen. While the characters where a bit narrow minded (sex, sex, sex) and emotions where demonstrated with limited physical descriptions (body thrown back for shock, head tiled for interest, inquiry, and confusion) this novel was enjoyable, interesting, and emotional. I must admit that this is one of the best erotic romances I've read in a very long time.
[Everything Forbidden - Jess Michaels - Avon Red - 978-0-06-128394-9 - November 2007]

Now that that's out of the way, I'm back to writing my reviews so I can start my next book, The Queen's Lady by Shannon Drake. A historical set in the time of Mary Queen of Scots. Of course, like I said, it is Sunday. Cleaning and hose-hold shopping are on the list of things to do. Oh, it never ends!

Check out the Sunday Salon

Writer's Block

NaNoWriMo has started and I have writer's block. Sounds about right. I wonder if Starbucks has outlets so I can plug in the lap top...

Writer's Block

I can't write. Damn it! I CAN'T WRITE! Just my luck, NaNoWriMo starts and I can't write a thing (it's been 3 days and I've written 277 words. At this moment I'm 4724 words behind). Quiet house, warm tea, soft music, fresh air, food, sugar, nothing helps. When I'm not on the computer I feel I need to clean or read or something. Tomorrow is Sunday Salon so I'll probably have a boost of inspiration then. But now? Nope. Nothing.

I did get a copy of Gemma Halliday's Alibi in High Heels. Looks fantastic. I haven't read her work before, but the reviews have made her writing sound irresistible. Looks like they're also planning on turning it into a television series (is it just me, or are a LOT of books going to tv now-a-days?)

Numbed my mind with some of those silly online quizzes. Now I'm numb and bummed. I was amazed at how accurate they where...

You Have a Melancholic Temperament Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult. What Temperment Are You?

Your Dosha is Kapha Calm and grounded, you are not prone to mood swings or anger. However, once you do get angry, it takes a lot to cool you down. You tend to think a little slower than most people, but your logic is astounding. Overall, you very loyal and trustworthy. You're not scared of being who you really are. With friends: You enjoy their company, but often listen more than talk In love: You crave connection and affection. It's hard for you to be single. To achieve more balance: Exercise vigorously (especially in the sun) and let go of attachments. What's Your Dosha?

You Are Placid and Peaceful It's not that you're scared of most thrills It's just that you don't need them to be happy You're content with life as is... no need to change it Just make sure to let loose a little every now and then! How Daring Are You?

You've Changed 20% in 10 Years You've hardly changed in ten years, from your lifestyle to those very retro clothes. And unless you were really ahead of your time, you probably need to acquaint yourself with the modern world! How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

You Are Really Not Happy You may have noticed that things aren't going too well for you lately. Your life never used to be like this, but it seems like happiness is slipping away from you. You definitely need a change, because whatever you have going on isn't working. It's time for you to shake things up - even if it means totally changing your life path. How Happy Are You, Really?

You Are 20% Happy You know that there's more to life than how you've been living it. Life can be rough at times, but most of your unhappiness is self-inflicted. How Happy Are You?

*sigh* started the NaNo scarf, too:

"November's Agenda" or "How I Plan To Die"

Wow, ominous title, isn't it? If you knew all I had planed for this month I'm sure you'd agree with it. Luckily for you your reading my blog and I plan on telling you all about it.

Okay, so firstly we have NaNoWriMo. Oy! I honestly don't know why I do this every year. I've never completed a novel and probably never will, but I guess I enjoy it no matter how much I whine or complain about it. What is NaNo you ask? National Novel Writer's Month. NaNoWriMo. The concept is for an author, aspiring writer, or whomever, to kick out 50,000+ words (the total for a small novel) before the month is over. No editing, no back tracking, or planing ALLOWED. The novelist is suppose to sit down and write what ever comes to them at the top of their head. Not as simple as you'd expect considering to complete your 50,000+ word requirement you'd need to kick out 1667 words each day! That's like a 6 page term paper, and I know how horrible those where! Ok, fine. I can do it. By my math I would need to spend 2 hours and 47 mins writing (perhaps I should stay away from the math!) Ok, Chuck, got it! I'm on it! Somebody have the wheelbarrow ready to cart me home once this thing is over.

What else is going on... Hum, let's see. Well, I currently have 8 books picked out to read this month. My shipment from Avon hasn't arrived yet and neither have the books I requested from Harlequin, but that doesn't matter. I have 8; that's enough for now.

The estimated reading list is as fallowing:

• Everything Forbidden by Jess Michaels
  
• The Queen's Lady by Shannon Drake
• Lord Of The Faiding Lands by C. L. Wilson
  
• Lady Of Light And Shadow by C. L. Wilson
  
• Heart Of Stone by C. E. Murphy
• Everlasing by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
• Unlucky by Jana DeLeon
• All The Pretty Girls by J. T. Ellison

Sure, no problem. Yah, I like I do this every month (if you haven't noticed, I don't make it that far.)

So now I'm off. A writer's creativity comes in the hours they most need sleep and considering that it's 12:30 and I have a busy day tomorrow, inspiration should flow like water. No wonder creative types are crazy.

NaNo, here we go!

It has begun! Well, more or less. It is now officially November 1st (even if it is 12pm and I haven't seen the warm side of my bed for over 17 hours) and NaNoWriMo has begun! So, what does that mean exactly? What it means is that for the next 30 days any writer friends, authors, or aspiring authors you may have must not be bothered or they will eat you! Okay, maybe eat you, but they'll be very unhappy with you. And don't be disappointed if you don't receive a phone call, letter, an email, or any form of animal delivered conversation from them. NaNo is a very time consuming, stress filled month in which the writer is expected to whip out a novel (at least 50,000 words). That's not so bad, you say? Ha! I dare you to sit behind your desk and write. Go ahead, NaNo is for everybody!

So, for the next month, don't expect much to be posted in the way of intelligent conversation on this blog. Between my normal day job, running the house, and NaNo, I don't expect to have very many brain cells left to communicate anything understandable.

Hum, what does that mean for Thanksgiving? Never mind, we'll figure that out when we come to it.

For all of you participating in NaNo, feel free to let me know and we'll share our pain together.

Happy writing!!
Amber