Couldn't resist!

When I realized how close I was...It's My 100th post!!! Go me! Going to do a pretty east one that I've seen around a bit and has got me curious...

Top 100 list

Red=read
Blue=in the TBR milk crate

1. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
2. Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
4. As You Desire by Connie Brockway
5. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
6. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
7. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
8. Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
9. All Through the Night by Connie Brockway
10. Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
11. It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
12. A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
13. Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
14. The Proposition by Judith Ivory
15. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
16. Ravished by Amanda Quick
17. Frederica by Georgette Heyer
18. Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly
19. MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard
20. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
21. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
22. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
23. The Bride by Julie Garwood
24. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
25. To Have and to Hold by Patricia Gaffney
26. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
27. Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth
28. Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann
29. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
30. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
31. My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway
32. In the Midnight Rain by Barbara Samuel
33. The Windflower by Laura London
34. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
35. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
36. Nobody's Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
37. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
38. Paradise by Judith McNaught
39. The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
40. Dream Man by Linda Howard
41. Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann
42. Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney
43. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
44. Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney
45. Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney
46. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
47. Heart Throb by Suzanne Brockmann
48. For My Lady's Heart by Laura Kinsale
49. Honor's Splendor by Julie Garwood
50. Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh
51. Untie my Heart by Judith Ivory
52. Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
53. The Secret by Julie Garwood
54. This is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland
55. Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
56. One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
57. To Love and to Cherish by Patricia Gaffney
58. Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
59. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
60. Venetia by Georgette Heyer
61. Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant
62. The Prize by Julie Garwood
63. Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly
64. Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann
65. The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh
66. Heartless by Mary Balogh
67. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
68. Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory
69. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas
70. The Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer
71. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
72. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegar
73. With This Ring by Carla Kelly
74. The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood
75. The Rake by Mary Jo Putney
76. Fallen from Grace by Laura Leone
77. Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath
78. Castles by Julie Garwood
79. One Good Turn by Carla Kelly
80. Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
81. By Arrangement by Madeline Hunter
82. Perfect by Judith McNaught
83. My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
84. The Defiant Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
85. The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
86. Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
87. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
88. Kill and Tell by Linda Howard
89. After the Night by Linda Howard
90. More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
91. Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
92. Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase
93. The Charm School by Susan Wiggs
94. Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott
95. How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn
96. Angel Rogue by Mary Jo Putney
97. Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
98. Dancing on the Wind by Mary Jo Putney
99. Once and Always by Judith McNaught
100. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

20 out of 80...hmmm...there are a bunch of others I'm interested in reading. One of these days I'll have to try a Linda Howard or Suzanne Brockmann, or Mary Jo Putney for that matter, just for shits and giggles. I'd like to see a new list, say 2005, see how it's changed. 100th post, there ya go.

A great big fangirl squeeee.......

Only a week until Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward. Review is up at AAR. Perhaps a bit spoilery, but nothing I didn't suspect already. I've got my B&N gift card and I'm good to go!

ETA: I was looking at the AAR review message board, where there was some discussion of LA. All I have to say, depending on your inclination towards spoilers, either run or run away. I love spoilers, but I'm a bit mad at myself, because I would've preferred not to know. Day-um!

Comfort Reads, pt. 2

When I first discovered book blogs, one of the first I read was Rosario's Reading Journal. She's been keeping it for quite a long time, and has an extensive archive of her great reviews. Anyhow, while puttering around her site I discovered that she was a fan of one of my favorite authors evah, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, and in turn made me an instant fan of hers. Recently, Rosario revisited one of my favorite Peters books The Street of Five Moons.Ms. Peters is best known for her historical mysteries featuring Amelia Peabody, but I came to those books late, after reading many of her others. My mother introduced me to Peters/Michaels at the tender age of 12, and I was hooked. As Peters, she writes comic mysteries, as Michaels she writes Gothic Romantic suspense, but her books all had intelligent (if sometimes TSTL) heroines, exotic international locations, plots with lots of archaeology, art history and history, and sizzling, yet tame sexual tension. To boot, the author actually has a PHD in Egyptology. Absolute catnip to a geeky, brainy tween from the 'burbs.

Anyhow, while Amelia Peabody may be most people's favorites, my heart belongs to Vicky Bliss, the art historian heroine of the Street of Five Moons, and her on again, off again lover, the third great imaginary bad boy hero love of my life (following Fonzie and Han Solo), Sir John Smythe. The man was British, he was an art thief, he quoted Shakepeare and John Donne, and he always, always saved Vicky. Witty banter and romantic tension abounded.

So Rosario's review inspired me to re-read Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis, my personal faves, and they've really done the trick in cheering me up. These books feature mysteries involving ancient artifacts, they are fast paced, very funny and have Peters' hottest love story. One caveat, they are definitely intentionally over the top and tongue in cheek. They're also a bit old fashioned (well, they did come out a long time ago). Vicky is constantly bemoaning the fact that she is an intelligent, feminist academic trapped in a tall, hot, blonde, curvy body. She embodies the TSTL heroine in some ways. She always gets everything wrong, always expects the worst of John and always ends up in the worst possible situation. But within the context of the book it works. These books are just plain fun, and that John (again over the top) is just too yummy. It's books like these that led me to romance, and they just don't make 'em like this anymore. I bought the most recent Vicky Bliss mystery, Night Train to Memphis, during my freshman year in college, people. Peters has since been devoted to the Peabody mysteries alone, but after 12 years I refuse to give up hope that she will some day return to Vicky. They should be read in order, see here.

Children's Book alert!

So I've had a bit of a stressful month, and, I must admit, I've been a bit depressed. I've had a lot of difficulty concentrating and I've finished a grand total of one romance in three weeks--
Untie My Heart by Judith Ivory. It had a very interesting hero and heroine, and it was a solid read, yet it wasn't quite clicking for me. Still, I'd give it a solid C+. This week I've attempted to take matters in hand and cheer myself up, and I found some books that did the trick. Today I finished Caddy Ever After, by Hilary McKay (who dosn't seem to have a website), and it left me with a huge grin on my face. This is the fourth installment in the series chronicling the Casson family, siblings Caddy (Cadmium Yellow), Saffron, Indigo (Blue) and (Permanent) Rose. Their rather neglectful parents are both artists: the extremely dotty Eve, who spends most of her time in the shed and is unable to perform the simplest of parenting tasks, and Bill, who's off in London to work and hang out with his friends and girlfriend. These books are very British: everyone's rather daft and eccentric and dryly witty. The house is a mess and there's never any money. They are also both hilarious and touching, and the love of the family for each other really shines through. Although the title would lead you to think that the book centered upon oldest sister Caddy, the story is told from the alternating points of view of Saffy, Indigo and Rose. It deals with the annual Valentine's disco at school, Saffy's new boyfriend and the compelling question of whether or not Caddy will marry, not off and on love "Darling Michael", but new guy Alex. It's not so much what happens, but the way it happens. I just love the dialogues and the points of view. McKay's got a great voice. And I love Sarah, Saffy's wheelchair bound best friend. They have such a great friendship. It's a real treat for those whose like middle grade (ages 10-13) lit., or if you just like stories about kooky Brits. I caution you to read these in order, or you won't get the full story and flavor. It goes: Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, and then Caddy Ever After. While I was searching for an author site, I found this article, which suggests that there will be another book, which I sincerely hope, because I think some relationships need to be resolved, most importantly father Bill's with his family. Plus, I want Indigo and Sarah to get together.

Also while I was poking around, I found a great children's literature website: Jen Robinson's Book Page. Definitely worth a look if you like children's books or if you are looking for something to buy a young one.

Blogging Experiment pt. 2

***Okay folks, I believe it's all good now. Apparently now I can only insert links while in "edit html" mode. Huh. Whatever.***


I've never read one of Gena Showalter's books, but they all sound good. Maybe I'll win 'em all and finally get the chance!!

Here we go:

Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter

Earth, Wind and Fire aren’t just a band anymore…

Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chill your drink, or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my grande mocha latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I’m waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells me 1) his name’s Rome Masters, 2) he’s a government agent and 3) I can control the four elements with a thought.

He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation that I am. . . because now he’s supposed to kill me. The only good news: I didn’t make this bed of trouble, but Rome sure seems to want me to lie in it. With him.

Read an excerpt.

Order your copy from Barnes & Noble or Amazon or Books A Million.

And if you’d like a chance to win signed copies of *all* Gena Showalter’s books, all you have to do is post this entry, too. Post the cover, the blurb, the links, and this contest announcement, then head over to Gena’s blog (http://www.genashowalter.blogspot.com) and let her know you posted the material. A name will be randomly selected on September 3rd from those who do!!

Blogging Experiment

I am participating in a blogging experiment hosted at dearauthor.com. To enter the contest, put up this blurb, image, and trackback and you are entered to win the following prize package.

• $200 Amazon gift certificate


• Signed copy of Slave to Sensation


• New Zealand goodies chosen by Singh


• ARC of Christine Feehan's October 31 release: Conspiracy Game

You can read about the experiment here and you can download the code that you need to participate here.

SLAVE TO SENSATION

Nalini Singh

Berkley / September 2006

Welcome to a future where emotion is a crime and powers of the mind clash brutally against those of the heart.

Sascha Duncan is one of the Psy, a psychic race that has cut off its emotions in an effort to prevent murderous insanity. Those who feel are punished by having their brains wiped clean, their personalities and memories destroyed.

Lucas Hunter is a Changeling, a shapeshifter who craves sensation, lives for touch. When their separate worlds collide in the serial murders of Changeling women, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities…or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

Excerpt

Seriously folks, lots o' people liked this book. I'll be checking it out myself when I have a better attention span.

Comfort reads...

No I haven't read anything new since my last post, and my brain is not up to reviewing just yet. But I'm getting there. I did however return to a book that I first read last December, and have read about four times since. A book that deservedly has the reputation of being one of the best romances evah, and never fails to put a smile on my face and give me a little happy. Yes indeedy, this is my tribute to



Yes, the cover sucks, especially because that guy is so not Dain!!! But still, Stephanie, you should read this. The witty repartee, the wonderful tormented hero, the funny and eccentric heroine...this book just encapsulates for me, all that is great about reading romance. I'm too lazy to write my own reviews, I'll just link you to some good ones that give a taste of what makes this book so great. If you haven't yet, check this one out. It's a great example of a historical romance.

Mrs. Giggles' review

Lori's very recent review

Mailyn's review

Rosario's review

AAR review by Kathy

Ok, I think that's enough for now. You get the idea.

Do you know what your children are reading...

Hi, my mom's too crazed right now to sit down and write a review. She's too crazed to even clean up after me when I throw her books all over the floor. Someday she'll get around to reviewing Blame it on Texas by Cathy Gillen Thacker, Once a Scoundrel by Candice Hern and Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas. Maybe she'll even get around to updating her links. She keeps rereading bits of the Kleypas, so I think she really liked it. Do you think I'm too young to read trashy novels? It's more fun to throw them around the room, anyway.