I'm a bad blogger...

I thought winter would be a time I would be able to catch up on everything I'd let fall behind during my kids football season. Boy was I wrong!  The kids aren't in any sports until baseball season, but things have been crazier than ever.

• My day job has been super busy, I'm not complaining. 

• We have put a bid on a house we all love, fingers crossed that they accept the bid, but I have faith that this is the one that has been waiting for us. That probably sounds corny, but we've been looking for a year now, and two of the houses we liked fell through.

• I've started assistant editing, which I love! How awesome is it to actually get paid to read? I love reviewing, but the books I receive don't help pay my internet bill. : ) Who am I kidding, I love giving my input during this part of the writing process.  

 I'm still making time to read for pleasure (something I will NEVER deny myself!)  I tried to start ISLAND FLAME by Karen Robards last night, but I couldn't get past the spoiled idiot heroine nor the rape scenes...did anyone ever find that sexy/romantic?  I think I read 50 pages before I completely gave up. Which really sucks, because I was looking forward to a good pirate tale, and I really like most of her books.

Now I have a Harlequin Historical by Kate Bridges, THE ENGAGEMENT, that I think I will start.  I've never read anything by her, but I've found some awesome gems in the HH line.  In this one the heroine is a doctor and the hero is a MOUNTIE! I'm really looking forward to this, I can't remember the last time I read a historical that took place in Canada...or anyplace outside of the UK.

What are you up to? Reading anything good?

Friday Reads

Yikes! I've been so crazy busy that I'm looking for an escape. I found a little bit of time to myself last night, and finished Johanna Lindsey's NO CHOICE BUT SEDUCTION, not my favorite by her...the writing seemed a bit off, but I can't put my finger on it.  I did love the scenes between James and Anthony, but, well they've been on the top of my romance hero list for YEARS. :) I'm not giving up on JL and the Malory clan, so if I can find some free time this weekend, I plan to read THAT PERFECT SOMEONE, it's kind of a stretch to call  it a Malory book, but I hope to get some great cameos (especially from James...hubba hubba) LOL. I needed this historical change up, I went on a Shiloh Walker suspense binge last week.

So what are you reading? 

Have you heard the news? There's a new Publishing Assistant in town!

I'm really excited about this.  It's a new service being offered especially for indie authors, The Authors Red Room your virtual Publishing Assistant.  They offer all the great services you'll need to make your book shine.  Such as:

• Cover designs
• Website templates
• Manuscript formatting
• Manuscript editing

and much much more! I was over there browsing around, and saw many awesome things. I think this will be a great opportunity for new authors.

This is why I watch....

AMC's Hell on Wheels

Cullen Bohannon...a tortured hero, bent on revenge. Is he to far gone for redemption? (oh HELL no!)

This is a character I keep rooting for, even when he crosses the line. I love the storyline of this new series, I'm sad that I have to wait until next fall to enjoy it again. :( 

In the meantime, I think I need to read some Westerns...any suggestions?  I'm sad that there aren't more published...guess it's time to go on a hunt!

Review: SLADE by Sarah McCarty

The Shadow Wranglers #4
Paranormal (Vampire/Weres)
Berkley Sensation

As the tech guru of the Renegades, Slade Johnson is the genius behind most of their weapons against the Sanctuary. But with all his knowledge there is one thing that escapes him, how to cure his nephew's illness and save his life.

Scientist Jane Frederickson has made a remarkable breakthrough in her genetic studies. But what she discovers could be used to cure world hunger, or destroy humanity.

Can Slade and Jane keep her research out of the Sanctuary's hands? Is she the answer to Slade and his family's prayers?

*****

This was one of those stories that I enjoyed most of, but there were some aspects that just drove me nuts. I like the Johnson brothers, and their fight against the Sanctuary. I like the kick-ass storyline. I'm a fan of alpha heroes, but I really hate the over-alphaness of some of Sarah McCarty's lead male characters. I also hate how her strong, capable heroines all of a sudden become mealy little wimps, with bursts of stubbornness. I can handle weak characters, but I'm better with it when they start out being weak. Or if they are strong, it's okay to have a weak needy moment, but not to fall under the “oh save me because I just can't save myself” mode.


Jane kind of flip-flopped for me. I understood that she spent most of her life in a lab, so physical strength wasn't her strong point. In the beginning part of the book she tried to be strong, but when they finally made it to the ranch, and when Slade figured out she was his mate, he crossed the line of suddenly not thinking she was capable to make her own decisions. Jane bucked at some of it, but she seemed to cave to most of it. I understand the concept of compromise, but that didn't seem to be the case between Jane and Slade. It became a “what he says goes” kind of relationship...that's I'm not good with. Mostly because she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, and I felt she should have had more say in the choices that were made for her.

I will read more of Sarah McCarty's books, especially her here historicals...I don't mind the over-alphaness is a time period where women were expected to be strong but meeker (note: there is a difference between being more submissive and being stupid or weak), more followers than leaders. That is one setting that I get annoyed with too modern heroines.

Rating: 3

WINNER from Donna Grant's Guest Post :)

Congratulations Kristina Parmenter you're the winner of Donna Grant's ECHOES OF MAGIC!

Review: BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE by Lisa Kleypas

Capital Theater #2
Historical (Victorian 1833)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Lady Madeline Matthews believes she has the perfect plan to escape the arraigned marriage her parents are planning. If she can get herself ruined everything would be fine; anything would be better than being married to Lord Clifton, even being shunned by society. When she sees a print of the devilishly handsome actor, Logan Scott, Madeline knows who she is going to engage her ruinous affair with, now if she can only entice him into a liaison, things will be perfect...or will they? 

 

Logan Scott had enough on his plate being the owner of the Capital Theater, along with being the leading male actor, without having to dodge the naïve yet enticing Madeline. But can he keep his stern disciplined life under control, or will he be distracted by the lovely Madeline?

*****

This book has had a long standing spot on my keeper shelves, I have reread it A LOT throughout the years, and I'm sure I will read many more times in the future, as it is one of my go to comfort reads. It is always a pleasure to revisit Logan and Madeline. I love the passion and the angst that flows between these pages. Madeline is very naïve, but she is just what the jaded Logan needs. I love seeing her tantalize and push Logan who does his surly best behave, but of course he eventually succumbs to her innocent charms.

BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE is one of those stories that takes me through a whole range of emotions. I was brought to tears as I hated seeing the emotional suffering each of them went through, and Logan was hateful to Madeline for a brief period. But there was also smiles and laughter as I read this book. And most importantly was the very satisfactory end Ms. Kleypas took me to.

Lisa Kleypas is an auto-buy for me, no matter what genre she is writing. I absolutely adore her historicals, but her contemporaries are on the top of my list of favorites also. I'm eagerly awaiting her next book, RAINSHADOW ROAD, the first book in her new series, though it's the second book taking place in Friday Harbor with the Nolan brothers.

Rating: 5

A new beginning...

Boy-oh-boy am I ready for 2012 to begin!  2011 had a LOT of sucky moments between family illnesses, deaths and financial strains. I am firmly planting into my head...and anyone else I can convince, that 2012 will be a STELLAR year, one full of opportunities and improvements. 

Here are my 2012 plans:

• FAMILY - I'm praying that this year my family will be blessed with better health and more financial security--my in-laws and older relatives were struck hard last year.
• HOME- We currently searching for a home to purchase...if only we weren't so dang picky...or had a bigger budget :~P
•  READING- I always have high expectations for a good reading year, why should this year be any different.
•  EDITING - I'm dipping my feet into a new venture as an assistant editor...hopefully to eventually move up after proving myself--yes I know this will take time, but I learned long ago to always strive to be better. :~) I'm also looking forward to the new friends and contacts I will make on this adventure.
• DAY JOB - I'm still keeping my day job at the office...fingers crossed that we (my co-workers and I) don't go through the same crap as last year--I was stressing about whether or not I would be laid-off from July until the end of Oct. 
• REVIEWING - I'm want to be more punctual and active with writing and posting my reviews.
• BLOGGING - I love the new friends I've made since I've started, and especially with the author pimping I really began to get into. I can't wait to spread the word more about the books/authors I love and to communicate with other like mined people

I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention the end of the Mayan calender in this post, especially since when my dad was alive we used to discuss the meaning of the Mayan calendar all the time. I'm sad he's not around to talk to anymore, but I'll be thinking of him lots, especially at every mention of this Mayan myth. I choose to believe that it will signify some changes, not the end of the world. I'm very interested to see what will be reported on and what other people believe.  How about you, do you think that December 21, 2012 really signifies the end of the world apocalypse, or some great Earth changes? Or do you think that it will be just another day?

Okay, simpler question, what do you think 2012 has in store for you?