TSS - Paranormal or Mind Tricks?

The weather took a bit of a turn last night. A rather large change from the sweltering days we experienced early last week when the temperatures reached 110°F during the day and 83°F at night. It feels almost like autumn now, and I like it. Save for the wind, that is. Don't get me wrong, I love the wind. I just don't love it when it reaches 30mph and attempts (and succeeds) to knock down my fence. Yes, the wind blew down a section of old fence towards the front of the house. Not that I'm complaining, much. The top fence board was snapped from the last big wind and was never replaced while the flats where so old and rotten they no longer hold a nail. I really must remind the landlord to fix that before winter sets in...

Needless to say, the day was very nice and of a perfect temperature for reading. Which I did. I pulled out the new books I received from Harper Collins and picked two that looked interesting. TEMPTED BY NIGHT by Elizabeth Boyle was the first that caught my eye. This paranormal historical tells the tale of Lady Hermione Marlowe who is positively in love with Lord Rockhurst, though she hasn't the courage (or the stomach) to speak with him directly. Rockhurst on the other hand (our dashing-yet-misunderstood hero) is a demon hunter. Sounds like so many other tales, doesn't it? Not so! Our hero has the *ahem* luck to make quite a fool of himself while battling the forces of evil and our heroine, while not gagging over the sight of her beloved (yes, I said gagging) has the tendency to turn invisible once night falls. At times the story tells more like an adventure than a romance, and I like that! This book has depth! Yay!

The second book I pulled out is THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN by Karen Ranney. This one is about Miss Davina McLaren who has fallen from grace and must marry to save her tarnished reputation. Marshall Ross, known as the Devil of Ambrose, has made his offer and Davina accepts her fate. But there is a reason Davina was chosen, and none of them are love. The Devil, you see, has a traumatic past that has left him raving mad at times--unaware of his own actions--and as the last Ross of his clan, has a desire to produce an heir before he dies.

So far I am very happy with both books. They both read very smoothly, are delightful and fun, with nicely created plots and characters. I find Hermione a bit flighty, but Rockhurt is perfect for her and the duo keep the story light and entertaining. Davina, on the other hand, seems a bit cynical and Marshall a bit accepting, but the pair fit with the stories more dark feel. As of right now, I recommend them both!

Is It Really Sunday Again?!

I just looked at the clock. 1:40. Yup, it's Sunday. Again. Yes, yes, I know I don't sound all that enthused and, to be truthful, I'm not. No, I'm not happy that yet another week has passed. Not happy that I am still reading the same book I was reading earlier this week (as a reviewer I need to throw back at least two a week). I'm not happy that I have not completed the work I needed to get done. So, no. I'm not happy. Of course it may also be that it is1:40 in the morning and I'm tired. I really should just go to bed.

But before I do that I wanted to tell you what I'm reading. This weekend I'm finishing up Julia Quinn's MR. CAVENDISH, I PRESUME. I'm not as thrilled with this one as I was with THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM. Yes, it's a good story that reads nicely but I am reading a story that I've basically already read. There isn't much of anything new. Yes, these are different characters with different circumstances, but the whole basis is the same and rather anti-climatic. Quinn would have had a better set of novels if she had taken a cue from Debra Dier and simply had elements of the novels overlap as Dier did in DEVIL'S HONOR and SAINT'S TEMPTATION (two of my all-time favorite novels which really should be re-printed). I am currently on page 260 of 370. With luck, I'll finish this and still have room to start something else.

See also: What I'm Reading - Mr. Cavendish, I Presume

TSS: A midnight snack

It is a little after midnight here in sunny *cough* California and I'm still wide awake. That's fine, I suppose, since it is Sunday and I'm a creative soul (so I've done little to be called creative today. That's nothing to fuss over). I needed to blog about my latest read, DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey, before I forget what I thought about it in my sleeping hours. Why can't I just write it down? What fun would that be?!

So, as I just stated, I've finished Terri Garey's DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY. Now, at first it was a bit odd. It read like a blog and I got the wrong impression of Nicki (seriously, she's not goth and is more like a rich, dark, er, romantic emo?). It also seamed like a re-hash of Medium/Ghost Whisperer (god, I hate that show!) but I'm happy to say it wasn't. Nicki Styx is a smartalic romantic-punk who, after a brush with death, can see ghosts.

I wouldn't call the book 'edgy but Garey managed to pull off a very entertaining story that wasn't too bogged down with a sappy, melodramatic romance. Joe (the good Dr.) was entertaining and made a great partner for Nicki. And while I couldn't call Garey's writing style the best, her imagination alone created enough of a 'good thing' with it's twisted plot, sharp and unexpected turns turns, and great humor that I'd gladly read the next Nicki Styx novel.

As a matter-of-fact I'm off to read it now (who needs sleep anyways, hum?)

Buy it now! Kindle - Amazon - Barns & Noble - Books-a-Million- Borders - Waldens

No time for reading in another Sunday Salon

Ok, so my posting times tend to run a bit on the dark side of the day. Sue me. On second thought, please don't. I'm broke as it is!

It's Sunday again, the start of another week and another Sunday Salon. It's just too bad neither have gone the way I would have liked. Don't get me wrong, the day was well enough but I got next to nill done from my weekend to-do list. I'm not surprised, really, as this is the norm for me.

To keep those of you who are here for the books interested, I've got two on my plate this week. The first is Three Nights Of Sin by Anne Mallory. I've been reading this one for the past couple of days and am currently on page 192 of 371. Despite my very slow progression through the novel, I like it. The writing is very smooth and easy to read, the situation the characters find themselves in is actually believable and not forced, and the romance is not quite so blatant. (As we all know, over stressed romance can actually ruin a book. Yes, it's a well known fact... erm, I think). Well, in my opinion anyways. Still hate the cover, though. I'm not adverse to a hot guy all over a hot girl, but when it makes the novel appear like some smut-fest? Shesh!

The second book is Eve Kenin's Hidden, the sequel to Driven. The first wasn't horrible, save maybe a bit over weighed with made-up terms. Essential for creating a nice sci-fi environment, but when over done? Annoying. I hope she mellowed down with this new book. She has a nice plot going that could make for a nice series. That is if she doesn't send us to sleep with over defining!

Lastly, I have a new bird! I've never had one before, save for chickens, so I'm feeling a little excited. He was originally part of a pair but his mate was taken by another to be with his bird. It's sad, really. My poor little guy has lost his birdy girlfriend and is now stuck in a new home with strangers! I don't feel too sad, though. His name is Q and his mate was Barbie... Get it? Barbi. Q. *sigh* It's like some sad redneck joke! And before you get all uppity, I live in the middle of a cow-town and I know my fair number of rednecks.

I'm off to bed before I insult anybody else...

TRUST ME, it's another Sunday Salon

It's Sunday again and while I may not have been posting as regularly as I'd like I have been reading. And reading. And reading. As it stands, I am currently engaged in 3 books, each one quite different from the last.

The book I currently have grasped in my not-so-grubby little hands is the newly released TRUST ME by Brenda Novak; a romantic suspense by one of the genre's greatest.

Four years ago Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bed by a knife wielding rapist. While she was able to defend herself and wound her attacker, the trauma that was caused has stuck with her ever since. Now Sky, along with two friends--other women who are also survivors of tragedy and pain--, runs an organization dedicated to helping other victims of crime. But Sky's past still haunts her and with the news that Oliver Burk, her attacker, is to be released from prison in just a matter of days, Skye can't manage to grab a decent nights sleep. Luckily for Sky she's not alone. Detective David Willis, the investigator who was assigned to her case, still believes Burk to be a danger to society as well as a mass murderer. With both Skye and him digging into Burk's past, how may more secrets will surface before he's put away for good?

So far the novel is enjoyable. Novak has created a very in-depth plot with twists and turns that don't leave one lost or confused. Her story telling is consistent (Un-consistent story telling, plot lines, and tone tend to drive me nuts!) and her characters are well defined. While not as suspenseful as most, TRUST ME is keeping me intrigued enough to keep reading. In fact, I keep forgetting this is a romantic suspense so when those little romance novel nuances pop up they annoy the hell out of me.
I'm currently on page 218 of 435

Before this I was, and I guess still am, reading next month's ETERNAL PLEASURE by Nina Bangs. This one is a paranormal romance with an emphasis on sex.

When Kelly Maloy is offered a rather handsome sum to drive a man around town for a couple of weeks, she jumps on it. Her career at a local zoo may be emotionally fulfilling but it doesn't offer much in the way of pay and college isn't going to pay for its self. But she wasn't expecting the oh-so-sexy Ty Endeka or the terror and desire he stirred in her. What she also didn't expect was that Ty had the soul of a prehistoric menace or that he was the eleventh in a group of defenders who may be humanity's last chance at survival.

This one started out very intriguing but quickly devolved into a paranormal with the soul of an erotica. Sure, the call for sex and "bone deep" desire when paired with a great story telling can create a very moving story, but when it becomes over powering? Yah, not my cup of tea. Besides, it tends to weaken the plot. Another thing that annoyed me was Ty. Ok, so he has the soul of T. Rex. Got it. His boss, Fin, has given him the knowledge of man kind. Got that, too. What I don't get is why Ty doesn't understand emotion but understands everything else perfectly well. *sigh* So damn annoying...
I'm currently on page 160 of 308

Lastly, the book that I started with, TEMPTATION OF THE WARRIOR by Margo Maquire. A historical romance that is borderline paranormal fantasy. I guess.

To save his people from destruction, Merrick Mac Lochlainn has traveled through time into the 19th century in search for a magical jewel. He knows it won't be easy but he never expected trouble would find him so quickly. Trouble would be Jenny, the orphan turned teacher who is being accosted by bandits. When the handsome and powerful stranger saves her only to be injured himself, Jenny feels a deep need to help him despite her rush to track down the woman who stole her last family heirloom. And with a band of gypsies calling him her husband, she sees no desire to disagree. At least not until the handsome stranger who stirs her maiden blood can take care of himself.

It's at this point, when Jenny is thick in the gypsy caravan, that the story slows. I mean really slows. Despite her innocence and jaded look towards men, Jenny finds herself deeply attracted to Merrick. So attracted that she's finding it hard to fight off his advances . But Jenny won't let herself get too close to him because she believes, quite adamantly, that he's married. Merrick, despite his memory loss, believes he is married to Jenny (as he would, since everybody around him says so and the attraction they feel for each other just screams "We are married!"...). Throw in some jealousy and you have 50% of the novel. All of which occurs in the caravan. There is some magic thrown in at the end, but I haven't seen much of it yet. I just hope this one gets better, not worse.
I'm currently on page 80 of 375

So that's it for my Sunday. That's also it for my week, basically. I did receive my very first yaoi manga, but that's a post for another day.

Manga and Sunday Salon...

... a good combination? I think so (of course, manga and anything is a good combination. Especially manga and iced mochas!). If you haven't read a manga yet, do so! They are so very addicting it's scary. As of right now I'm reading Absolute Boyfriend ( 絶対彼氏 Zettai Kareshi) by Yuu Watase and it's a keeper! The art isn't the very greatest (it's like everything else out there, I would say) but I like it, and sometimes it's hard to tell one male character apart from another, but the story line, characters, and hilarity are just too intriguing and fun!

Absolute Boyfriend is the story of an average high school girl who, for the life of her, can not get a boyfriend. Honestly, the poor girl is like an anti-boyfriend magnet! It is hinted (ok, bashed upon us) that the reason she can't attract a boy is because of her rather small chest size (let me warn you now, this manga does... insinuate quite a lot and is rated 16+). So what does she do? She orders one on a trial basis. If she fails to return him in 3 days she'll have to pay 100 million yen (roughly 1 million bucks!). Ouch. You know what happens, right? You guessed it; she keeps him. So how does that work? She has a robotic boyfriend living in her apartment, still has to attend school, oh, and did I mention an old school friend who has had a crush on her forever is living next door! What happens? You'll just have to read it and find out.

So far I've enjoyed vol 1 and 2, vol 3 was a bit repetitive for my tastes ("Have sex! Have sex! Let's have sex!!") but the story was saved in vol 4 by a new twist. Vol 6 is a kicker, folks, so brink a hankie (and if you're like me, buy it last!!).

Now, I'm off! If you have any questions about it, just ask. Happy reading all.

Yes, yes, yes! The covers link to the amazon store so you can check out each volume and perhaps buy it ^_^ Come on, I know you want too!! Besides, if you don't you wont read a great story and I wont get payed!

Vampires and another Sunday Salon

It seems like forever since the last time I bloged on Sunday. It seems like forever since I actually read, too, which really isn' like me. Perhaps I need my head examined... or a nice, extra large iced mocha.

This Sunday I'll be reading VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER by Lynsay Sands. I recently finished THE ACCIDENTAL VAMPIRE (also by Lynsay Sands) and I'm not really looking forward to V.A.F. due to the fact that T.A.V. was simply to... well, lame might be too harsh of a word, but I honestly can't thing of another word that fits. The story was just to mellow and unexciting for a novel not marketed as such. Character development was very thin, the ending was extremely anti-climatic, and the town of Port Henry?! Mayberry reincarnate. Sugary sweet is all well and fine, but come on! There are 6 vampires in town and somebody trying to commit murder, spice it up a bit!!

Perhaps it's the fact that I've come in at book 7 that it seems so week, but I seriously hope not. I still have to read VAMPIRE INTERRUPTED after V.A.F.

That would be another thing that makes me twitch. The titles. I'm sure Mrs Sands came up with her titles to be witty and cute, but shesh. Vampire Interrupted=Girl Interrupted, Vampires Are Forever=Diamonds are forever, A Bite To Remember= A night to remember, Bite Me If You Can=Catch Me If You Can... get my drift? She hasn't used One Bite Stand yet, but I'm sure that's either because Nina Bangs beat her to it or it's in the works and just hasn't been published yet. Ug, I hope not.

It's Sunday? Again?!

It's Sunday again and I'm not reading or participating in Sunday Salon (TSS). Ok, I'm kinda reading The Luxe by Anna Godbersen, but not officially (can you not read a book officially?) and I've posed this which I guess could be participation...

In other news. Our house, an old double wide modular that looks as if it's seen more bad days than good, is sitting on what used to be an orchard. Now, I don't know how many of you have walked through an orchard in spring or winter, but the ground is so soft and moist it causes things to, well, shift and sink. I'm not saying the house is officially tipping, but it sure feels and looks that way. Or at least half of it does. That being the case we are looking to move. I'd love to get my Grandmother's old place, but unless the roof has been replaced that's a no-go (there was an electrical fire, supposedly. I have other ideas.) That leaves me with a house to clean just in case I find something. Up here, things go fast and deposits are a killer; there's no way I'm going to pay rent for two houses when I' only living in one.

Now, off to clean this warmth-forsaken place so I can get back to work. Reading!

Sunday Salon: Last Minute

The clock is counting down to the beginning of a new day and the end of Sunday, and as a last-minute type of person, I'm posting my Sunday Salon ramblings for the late crowd.

Though today has been a busy day with last-minute holiday shopping and preparation, I still managed to finish The Warrior by Kinley MacGregor. I really wish I hadn't wasted my time. That sounds a bit harsh, I know, but for a writer as established as Sherrilyn Kenyon, I was expecting something a little better than this... atrocity!

The novel, set sometime in the reign of Henry V, fallows Lochlan MacAllister as he searches for his missing brother, Kieran. Lochlan runs into Catarina, a bastard of King Phillip of France, as she flees an arranged marriage. That's about all the sense this story makes. The author makes no effort in creating a relationship between the characters and instead leads them into cliché situations that left me rolling my eyes, speechless. Characters seam to be underdeveloped and under used and modern phrases and ideals prevented the story from attaining that authentic feel that make historicals, well, historicals. If that wasn't the worst of it, the ending was just to ridiculous. And the epilog?! Oh, seriously. If your going to cross genres, please do it decently! A hack job like this is what turns readers away from your work!

And to think, I still have to write a review for this one. Ug!

Midnight Ramblings and Sunday Salon

Seams like I've fallen behind on my plan of posting at least twice a week, but I guess I'm lucky to be posting once a week. I can't really say that I've been busy (I have, ho boy!) as I've been slacking a bit too much lately. There really is no excuse! I did finish Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber and Onc Bite Stand by Nina Bangs. Still don't know what to think about that last one. Boy, is that review going to be a pain!

Found this on Deb's blog and had to pass it on. Why? Well, for one, it's something that is incredibly easy to do, everyone can do it, it will help save the environment, and is it really all that hard? Okay, okay. I'm also passing it along because one of the prizes is a ChicoBag. I practically grew up in Chico and have to spread some home-town love (no, I don't have a Chico State hoodie, but I do have a ChicoBag!) New American Dream: BYOB.

Oh, and it's Sunday again! Time for Sunday Salon. Too bad I spent all day Saturday reading. I'm a bit pooped on the reading scale. Hum, perhaps it should be changed to Saturday Salon... Yes, people, I want you ALL to change your schedule for me! Muahahahahaha! Ouch! Okay, I'll stop! Please put the bats away!

I've decided to read A Red Hot New Year by Cynthia Eden, Diana Mercury, Virginia Reede, and Denise Rossetti. Ok, so this isn't really something I'd normally read in a 'public' setting, but not only is it past due on a review but it's a new year's piece and there is no sense reading and reviewing it after the holiday. So I'm taking the plunge and reading this collection of erotic short stories for Sunday Salon. Please, no comments from the peanut gallery. I may be a bit kinky, but I'm not that kinky.

I don't really know about Reede's short, Snow Blind. I'm not into more than 2 partners, swingers, 2+-soms, or ... well, you get the pictures. It just gives me the creeps. I don't really think this one will earn any brownie points from me. Well see how it goes in the morning.

Er... did you count all the links I slipped into this post? 11! Wow, talk about annoying!

Sunday Salon: Where Angels Go - 1

Book Title: Where Angels Go
Author: Debbie Macomber
Time spent reading: 2 hrs. 24 mins. (144 mins)
Pages read: 96/297
Back Blurb:

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are back! These three irresistible angels love their assignments on Earth. They especially love helping people who send prayer requests to heaven (even though the Archangel Gabriel, their boss, knows they're going to break his rules)!

This Christmas, Mercy is assigned to bring peace of mind to an elderly man... who discovers an unexpected answer to his prayer.

Goodness is sent to oversee the love life of a young woman afraid to risk commitment a second time.

And Shirley has the task of granting a little boy's fondest Christmas wish.

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy go wherever they're needed. These three charming angels often find themselves in trouble., but somehow things always work out for the best--especially at Christmas.

Comments: I'm not sure if it's just me or if this is the way Debbie Macomber normally writes, but I'm not finding this novel to be all that, well, enjoyable. Sure, it's sweet and the writing is very smooth, but the overall execution of the novel is lacking. The angels, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, are to immature for my liking. I keep seeing flashes of 12 year olds in grown-up bodies who seem to have no control of themselves. Perhaps Touched By An Angel {extra link} has tainted me to all other types, but when I read this novel I expect a bit more decorum and sensitivity from my angels.

The three subplots are different enough from each other to give the novel a bit of substance. I have a bit of a problem with Goodness' assignment. Beth, a young woman who suffers from an old marriage, finds a guy on an online MMO and decides she'd like to meet him. Now, come on! The worst she expects is that he's either 50 years old or married. Not that he's 16, or lives at home in his mother's basement, or that he's some vastly over-weight psycho killer. Nope, never even crossed her mind.

Over all the novel reads like some Saturday morning Christmas feel-good flick. Sure, there are many people who love those, but it's not really something I'd expect to read.

{Vist and Join THE SUNDAY SALON}

Sunday Salon: In Preporation - Dec 9

Going through my TBR pile can be pretty daunting. Finding a thin one for Sunday Salon, nearly impossible. Not this weekend! Two books fairly jumped down on me in their readiness to be read.

With it's pretty deep berry-pink spine and little rose, The Accidental Florist by Jill Churchill was the first novel to catch my eye. The cute little cat on the cover was the kicker. And, hey!, only 219 pages. Nice. So I sit my self down and wait until midnight to crack open the book. I read a few pages and stop. Uh-oh, this isn't good, it's boring! No, no. It has to be me. I just haven't gotten into the grove yet; the sentences will pick up. Page 19. Still dry, still choppy, still boring. Ok, this one's a pass.

Next book is Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber. Nice little Christmas story which reads much smother. And at 297 pages, a sure shot for Sunday Salon. I only hope it's not to churchy... We'll see.

Sunday Salon: All the Pretty Girls - 2

I always plan to do one of these right, but the day never turns out the way I'd like. As you can guess by the title it's Sunday again and I'm making a last ditch-effort in participating in this week's Sunday Salon.

I finally finished ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS by J.T. Ellison and all I have to say is: Wow. Quite honestly this has got to be one of the most involved stories I have ever read that I could actually stand to finish. Ellison has created a very intriguing plot with many twists and turns, and plenty of gore. The characters where not as 3-dimensional as I am used to and the ending a bit lacking, but the story was still very entertaining. I admit I even felt sorry for the serial killer. If ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS is any indication, J.T. Ellison has a great career ahead of her. For all those who like crime novels, this one's for you.

To finish off Sunday Salon and to start my Monday I've pulled down LAIRD OF THE MIST by Paula Quinn and THE LUXE by Anna Godbersen (teen) from my TBR shelf. Not sure which I'll read first, though. I'm actually in the mood for another crime novel (oh, shocking!)

Happy Saturday

Happy Saturday everybody. That is, if Saturday is a day you can be happy about. Up here, it's cold. Weather.com says it's 47 but feels like 40. Yah, that could be right (those of you in snow-blanketed areas be quiet! It's been in the high 90's low 100's all summer and I haven't adjusted yet!)

I'd also like to say a quick hello to all you Swap-Bot visitors. I hope you enjoy my blog (and if not, please don't throw fruit at it.)

My back is a bit sore form knitting all night. I love knitting and making homemade gifts, but I have to tell you: it can be a bitch. With only 20 days left of Christmas shopping and mailing (no, I don't shop the last days; I don't have a death wish) I really need to get this stuff done. How far am I? No comment.

It was cold last night. The coffee pot became so chilled it shattered when the percolator started. Nice. Woke up to coffee all over my counter and an electronic coffee pot full of coffee, but not in a good way. Had to pull out the old Salvation Army bound one and I'm still waiting for it to finish. Boy do I need my coffee!!

Was a bit board this morning, too. Trying to wake up without coffee or tea can be a pain (why didn't I just make tea? I wanted coffee, I had already started it. There's no giving in here!) So I visited some blogs, took a couple of quizzes (thanks Sarah), and, well, typed this post. I sure hope tomorrow is better.



No surprise here

I Scored a 80%!

A little surprised there


62%How Addicted to Blogging Are YouMeh.


70% GeekOn this one, I'm sure I could have been geekier.

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.

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

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.