tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158989792024-03-23T13:12:31.466-05:00Is that a stake in your pocket?Or a dagger? Or a big shiny sword? Or are you just happy to see me: Commentary and reviews of romance novels, primarily historical and paranormal, and whatever else I can think of.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-75494357582045585632008-02-27T21:23:00.004-05:002008-12-09T01:07:43.022-05:00On Hiatus...Making it official. I have decided to take some time off from blogging. Well, blogging here, anyway. I'll still be over at <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/">The Good Bad and the Unread</a>, as Sybil's newest <strike>bitch</strike> duckie. How can I resist the lure of the ARC? Lots of cool stuff coming up, so please stop by.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y9MhcJXpk9o16z2L8exuwvAJIFayNxKOCTElE23vJaoHKnor8IBSkYFZKLa9qTakesqYTBrYS2J1JUdXmzEeQuqTCgddALAL-xLw4o3yp58wHsAkpXdXU4xdNEHgUGaXh-yY/s1600-h/logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y9MhcJXpk9o16z2L8exuwvAJIFayNxKOCTElE23vJaoHKnor8IBSkYFZKLa9qTakesqYTBrYS2J1JUdXmzEeQuqTCgddALAL-xLw4o3yp58wHsAkpXdXU4xdNEHgUGaXh-yY/s320/logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171852331363475986" border="0" /></a><br />I'll also be continuing my monthly gig at <a href="http://www.accessromance.com/gab/">Access Romance: Reader's Gab</a>. Amanda has a post up about Irish romance. Got any recs for her?<br /><br />Also, debut author, Mark Henry, is giving away a copy of Happy Hour of the Damned (which I reviewed <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/2008/02/18/review-happy-hour-of-the-damned-by-mark-henry/#more-4324">here</a>) at <a href="http://www.dionnegalace.com/wordpress/?c=books">Bam/Dionne Galace's</a>. Go forth and comment. He funny.<br /><br />So I shall be around, and returning to my regularly scheduled program of lurking and making incoherent comments at other's blogs. See ya'll around the Internets!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkU6eh0fNfPGcsboKNh_prV8EF5buVfmQ6as2aS0vjGpsxgMD7aQdmmQJdWJedCdmAQtHhyphenhyphenRPA7wZG_rdazVB-iEcBwNsU0zuqovnVikN6EX37EZcMhWbGjGMOZGnF8ULCgPyN/s1600-h/Devilduck-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkU6eh0fNfPGcsboKNh_prV8EF5buVfmQ6as2aS0vjGpsxgMD7aQdmmQJdWJedCdmAQtHhyphenhyphenRPA7wZG_rdazVB-iEcBwNsU0zuqovnVikN6EX37EZcMhWbGjGMOZGnF8ULCgPyN/s320/Devilduck-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171855887596397090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Come to <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/">The Good Bad and the Unread</a>. Or else face the wrath of the devil duckie.<br /><br /></div>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-52629629084301614792008-02-18T22:04:00.004-05:002008-02-18T22:17:55.484-05:00Vote Early and Vote Often...So this is an essentially meaningless poll, but I've always wanted to do one. The dilemma that I have been pondering is this: lately I have not had nearly the time to devote to blogging that I like. Some of this is just plain busyness, and some of was caused by "reader's block", if there is such a thing. I was having trouble finishing books. You know the drill. I haven't been blog hopping either, one of my favorite pastimes. So I have been wondering whether or not to fold the blog. <span style="font-style:italic;">Gasp!</span> But of course I must waffle, and overthink, and now subject any visitors to it as well. So, out of curiosity, what would you do if you were me?<br /> <br /><script language="javascript" src="http://www.blogpoll.com/poll/view_Poll.php?type=java&poll_id=141580"></script>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-5327844461329583192008-02-18T21:49:00.003-05:002008-02-18T22:04:00.696-05:00Zombies are sexy too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/180px-Zombies_NightoftheLivingDead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/180px-Zombies_NightoftheLivingDead.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ql10UZs7L._AA240_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ql10UZs7L._AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Over at <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/">The Good, the Bad and the Unread</a>, check out my review of <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/2008/02/18/review-happy-hour-of-the-damned-by-mark-henry/#more-4324">Happy Hour of the Damned</a>, the debut novel by <a href="http://markhenry.us/">Mark Henry</a>.<br /><br />If you are amused by the thought of zombie chicks breaking into a funeral home to steal makeup (for the industrial strength full coverage), and repairing injuries with liquid leather, then you might enjoy this book. If the idea of the supernatural world as a place of kitschy-cool nightclubs, complete with themed cocktails, wall to wall with bored, gossipy creatures makes you grin, then give HHotD a try. It is unapologetically full of snarky humor, label dropping, pop culture references and other things I usually hate, but it fits so well with the silly, almost satirical tone, that I gave it a pass. Though at first I hated the narrator with a passion, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-14459668152171681042008-02-07T21:49:00.000-05:002008-02-07T22:35:19.658-05:00Blog Slut<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZXY1DWZ4L._AA240_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZXY1DWZ4L._AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I got some decent reading done in the past week and a half. First off, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Night-Guardians-Book-5/dp/0425219771/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202439547&sr=1-1">Demon Night</a>, by <a href="http://www.meljeanbrook.com/">Meljean Brook</a>. Loved it. Ms. Brook writes great characters and dialogue, and always a hot romance. Read my review <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/2008/02/05/review-demon-night-by-meljean-brook/">here</a>.<br /><br />I also read two great non-fiction books: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Queen-Virile-Passionate-Politics/dp/0060846747/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202440144&sr=8-2">Sex With the Queen</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Kings-Adultery-Rivalry-Revenge/dp/B000GH2YQ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202440196&sr=1-1">Sex with Kings</a> by <a href="http://www.eleanorherman.com/">Eleanor Herman</a>. Very readable, totally absurd history. As you may have guessed, these books focus on royal adultery. Crazy shit. Those poor kings and queens, not only were they forced to marry complete strangers, they were also pretty sad cases themselves. All the inbreeding led to unattractive, weak-minded and stupid monarchs. I enjoyed Sex With the Queen a bit more. Queens definitely got the rawest deal. Very ruled in their own right. Most of them had to leave behind family, friends and country for a place with an unfamiliar culture and language, to be treated poorly by husband and in-laws. It was interesting to read how some of them grabbed happiness (and sometimes a bit of power for themselves) by taking a lover. Don't expect dry academic writing. Herman is very dramatic, almost purple-y. Take a passage like this, about Henry VII's ill-fated fifth wife, Katherine Howard:<br /><blockquote>Let us imagine the queen's duties in the royal four-poster. The king would likely have suffocated his petite bride if he had perched on top of her. He must have required her to ride astride him, careful not to disturb the stinking wound on his thigh....We can picture the happy king,perfectly sated, snoring, as his young wife lay silently beside him, her heart sinking (Sex With the Queen 79).</blockquote> <br />Hee. Fun. Read more about the books in <a href="http://www.accessromance.com/gab/">Dirty Sexy History</a>.<br /><br />Now I just have to get something reviewed for <span style="font-style:italic;">this</span> blog.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-48198128682111512662008-01-29T15:41:00.001-05:002008-01-29T21:30:45.889-05:00Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qcO92b%2B-L._AA240_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:right;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qcO92b%2B-L._AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkfever-Fever-Karen-Marie-Moning/dp/0440240980/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201639413&sr=8-2">Darkfever</a>, the first book in this series, just over a year ago. I <a href="http://badattitles.blogspot.com/2007/01/things-ive-read.html">enjoyed it</a>, but I wasn't blown away. So it took me awhile to get to the further adventures of MacKayla Lane. But I liked <span style="font-style:italic;">Bloodfever</span> quite a bit more than <span style="font-style:italic;">Darkfever</span>. It took off running and never slowed down. I found the book to be engrossing and action-packed. <br /><br />Many of the things that irritated me about the first were gone. Mac has grown up a bit, gotten a bit darker and a lot more interesting. Jericho Barrons (man, I hate that name) has also gotten more likeable, while remaining a bit creepy and enigmatic. He is not really a nice guy, but I am enjoying the development of his relationship with Mac. I assume some kind of romance will develop, but for now things are nicely off balance. MacKayla now has three men in her life who have mysterious agendas: Barrons, the Fae Prince V'Lane and the dark horse Christian MacKeltar. <br /><br />The world of the Fae is developed more and is rather dark and creepy. We also learn more about sidhe-seers like Mac, and those relationships aren't going to play out well :) <a href="http://www.karenmoning.com/">Karen Marie Moning</a> is a very popular author of fantasy, men-in-kilts romance. I've read one, and only found it okay. But this <a href="http://www.karenmoning.com/novels/index.html/">Fever series</a> really has a lot to appeal to fans of urban fantasy, especially those who like Irish settings and folklore. The happy ending is not clearly in sight at all. But if the action remains fast-paced, and the characters and world keep developing like this, I'll be sticking with this series for awhile: <span style="font-weight:bold;">B.</span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-64768996666683179542008-01-28T16:02:00.000-05:002008-01-28T16:19:55.394-05:00I've finally got an Ebook Reader!I made my IPod Touch into an E reader!! And it was easy! There are these things called <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/webapps/">webapps</a> that you can put on your IPhone or IPod Touch and there's one called <a href="http://www.apple.com/webapps/utilities/readdle.html">Readdle</a>. <a href="http://readdle.com/">Readdle</a> makes it possible to view a variety of documents, including pdf, html and txt on your Iphone or Ipod touch. And it is easy. <br /><br />The <a href="http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/10/29/one-click-iphone-hack-thing-of-beauty/">Iphone hack</a> proved to be beyond my capabilities, but now I've got several books on my ipod. Once you download and open a particular file, you can bookmark it and thus read it even if you are offline, which is good. It's free to use and gives you 50 MB of storage, which is fine for me for now. <br /><br />Unfortunately, it doesn't read docs that are in .lit, which is my preferred format for reading on my laptop. I find .lit easy on the eyes and easily navigable. Also, I guess it saves the document exactly as is. I downloaded a pdf without opening it up and looking at it first, and when I opened it up to read, it was way too small. I was unable to zoom in adequately, and I couldn't change from a two page to a single page display. <br /><br />Readdle definitely has its limitations, but it's good enough for me for now until Apple smartens up and gets its own application going. Now I don't have to bring my laptop to bed, and I can read in the dark! And read e books and the Speech Therapist's office!Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-76698529993147078512008-01-24T22:30:00.000-05:002008-01-24T22:37:22.686-05:00Review up at TGTBTUI've got a review up at <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/">The Good, the Bad and the Unread</a>. Yet another Ellora's Cave novella. I don't know why these keep sucking me in. This was an all right read, though. Silly title and character names, and, well, premise. But <a href="http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419914317">Ride 'Em</a> by <a href="http://www.tillygreene.com/HOME2.htm">Tilly Greene</a> was <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/2008/01/23/review-ride-em-by-tilly-greene/#more-4102">pretty okay</a>.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-25677432233699429522008-01-18T13:22:00.000-05:002008-01-18T13:35:22.427-05:00See ya, suckers!I'm off to New Hampshire for the long weekend. Not all that exciting, but I never go anywhere. Hopefully, it will be a break from the every day and I will return, refreshed, renewed and ready to read. Seriously, look at the paltry year to date total.<br /><br />I did manage to polish off <a href="http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419913914&Page=Page1">His Magical Student</a> by <a href="http://www.marywinter.com/">Mary Winter</a>. See the review at <a href="http://goodbadandunread.com/2008/01/17/review-his-magical-student-by-mary-winter/">TGTBTU</a>. Not one of my best review haiku. Not the best book either.<br /><br />Heads up! <a href="http://lisabea.blogspot.com/">Lisabea's</a> got a <a href="http://lisabea.blogspot.com/2008/01/book-release-contest-and-celebration.html">contest</a>. For a signed copy of <a href="http://www.meljeanbrook.com/night.html">Demon Night by Meljean Brook</a>, no less. Advance word seems to be that it's as good as <a href="http://www.meljeanbrook.com/lilith.html">Demon Angel</a> and <a href="http://www.meljeanbrook.com/colin.html">Demon Moon</a>, two of my favorites of 2007. Brook really stands out with her wonderful characterization, great dialogue, and dashes of humor. Worth checking out, and enter the contest!Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-2777876563205696632008-01-13T12:12:00.000-05:002008-01-13T12:17:49.892-05:00Oh noes...When I wrote the last post, little did I know the dilemma that would be facing me. Tonight at 9pm, Masterpiece Theater kicks off its Jane Austen-a-thon with a new version of Persuasion. At the same time VH1 is premiering Rock of Love 2, featuring the increasingly creepy Bret Michaels. It's the highest of highbrow and the lowest of lowbrow! What's a girl to do? Thank God for DVRs!Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-70509250939633031592008-01-11T10:57:00.000-05:002008-01-11T12:42:57.757-05:00TV Things that may be of interest for those who love love...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/skanks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/skanks.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be strippers.<br />They may end up on tv puking drunk and throwing themselves at<br />washed up rock stars with bad weaves<br /></span></div><br />**My post at Reader's Gab is <a href="http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/01/10/dude-wheres-my-hea/">up</a>. Not a new topic, to be sure, but it certainly seems that there are more and more books being marketed as romance which really only have romantic elements. Is it a marketing ploy ? Does it screw readers who don't know beforehand?<br /><br />** Have all the English majors and Costume Drama lovers set their TiVos for <a href="http://http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/austen/index.html">The Complete Jane Austen</a>? I'm all excited. It's been slim pickings on the telly for me lately. First up, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Persuasion</span>. I love the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114117/">Ciaran Hinds/Amanda Root</a> version, but I always am interested in a different take. Dude, it's nothing but Jane and cute actors in gorgeous costumes romping around the scenic English countryside until April! I may actually OD on it!<br /><br />**As I said, the writer's strike has really killed TV for me. I find myself turning to <a href="http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/">Television Without Pity</a>, because it's far more entertaining than most anything on TV. There I discovered the joy of <a href="http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/Shows/Rock-of-Love">Rock of Love weecaps</a>. The woman who writes them also does America's Next Top Model, and she is hilarious. I think it helps to have watched it, but seeing the scintillating dialogue in black and white really underscores the absurdity of the proceedings. Was there Rock? Was there love? Doubtful, but there was lots of entertainment. Read them, it will make you feel better about your life. Parents, this is what will happen to your daughters if you don't instill any sense of self-worth apart from their looks. I'm not even joking.<br /><br />**Okay, there's this upcoming show called <a href="http://www.nbc.com/Lipstick_Jungle/">Lipstick Jungle</a> that I had no interest in, then I found out that Julian Sands and Andrew McCarthy in it. George from <span style="font-style: italic;">Room with a View</span>! Blaine from <span style="font-style: italic;">Pretty in Pink</span>! It's like it's 1986 all over again and I'm starting with the celebrity crushes. Okay, I'm still not that interested in the show, but I may have to watch this to see how they're looking.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-76197034534006020402008-01-08T22:12:00.000-05:002008-01-09T16:04:10.789-05:00Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EJcH6VoFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EJcH6VoFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Sunday night, while I was watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117109/">The Munster's Scary Little Christmas</a> with the kids, it got me thinking about how paranormal romance (and its cousin urban fantasy) is really just so many variations on just a few themes. Humans and creatures living together (uneasily or unknowing), secret groups of vampire or shapeshifter warrior/defenders, and the kickass vampire/demon/monster slayer. It's the particular author's voice and style that makes a book rise above the cliches. For example, I passed over <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lover-Black-Dagger-Brotherhood/dp/0451216954">Dark Lover </a> several times, thinking I'd had enough vamp warriors. But once I read it, a fangirl was born. Similarly, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Halfway-Grave-Night-Huntress-Book/dp/0061245089/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199899674&sr=1-1">Halfway to the Grave</a> by <a href="http://www.jeanienefrost.com/">Jeaniene Frost</a> flew completely under my radar. I think I dismissed it as a Buffy/Anita Blake ripoff (although I hate those books, I do give LKH credit for being innovative). Then reviews by <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/2007/12/19/review-halfway-to-the-grave-by-jeaniene-frost/">Bev</a> and <a href="http://kristiej.blogspot.com/search/label/Halfway%20to%20the%20Grave">katiebabs</a> had me wavering. Young vamp slayer with superpowers and a bleached blonde vampire with a British accent? Certainly sounds derivative. But the reviews were so enthusiastic I found myself wanting to give it a try. And they were right, it is definitely worth a try.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">Flirting With The Grave...</span><br /><br />Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.<br /><br />In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side ... and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.</blockquote><br /><br />So here we have a young half vampire who lives to kill vamps, meeting up with a mysterious stranger who kills vampires. And who, indeed has bleached blonde hair and is of English extraction. He teaches her how to hone her fighting skills, about vampire society and generally shakes up her world. Cat finds herself increasingly attracted to Bones, who goes against all her assumptions about vampires. Okay, not terribly new or different, but well done here. Just plain fun to read.<br /><br />I think the characterization is what made the book stand out. Sure, Cat is immature, sassy, hot-headed and other potentially annoying traits, but her loneliness and alienation always shine through. It's pretty sad. She has always been different, and has never known unconditional love. Her grandparents and neighbors disapprove of her illegitmacy and unusual strength, and her rather unhinged mother is just waiting for Cat to go psycho and start sucking blood. Her vampire hunting is a way to avenge her mother's rape and also to gain her mother's love and approval. Cat's behavior always seemed appropriate in the context of how she had been raised. And as she begins to show vulnerability and just blossom because of her relationship with Bones, it was very nice.<br /><br />And Bones was just lovely. All tough and scary and mysterious, but also so sweet and loving and protective with Cat. He was a great hero. The development of their relationship began with him beating the crap out of her, but from there on out it was a lot of fun to read. The interesting characters and romance, combined with the fast moving plot, made this one a winner for me. I'm going to give it an <span style="font-weight:bold;">A-</span>, and I really look forward to the sequel, <span style="font-style:italic;">One Foot in the Grave</span>, out April 29. </span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-26560759823278212032008-01-08T21:59:00.000-05:002008-01-08T22:11:59.374-05:00I don't do politics...normally, because that ain't what I'm here for. And if you're like me, you're probably looking at the upcoming Presidential election with mixed feelings at best, mounting dread at worst. But in honor of the NH primary, and my awesome cousin, I just had to share this. My twelve year old cousin has been volunteering on the John Edwards campaign in NH, and he's been getting a bit of local media attention. Here's a little documentary made by a local filmaker.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hDiJ5qkTg54&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hDiJ5qkTg54&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Ah, to be young and idealistic! Isn't he fab? Perhaps someday he'll be a politician, and I'll be able to say I knew him when he insisted his name was SpongeBob Squarepants. Or when he used to create sagas with the refrigerator magnets called "The Powerful Helmet", starring a Jets helmet magnet.***<br /><br /><br />***"Powerful Helmet"--ever seen that one in a love scene?Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-6735954926171999322008-01-07T23:18:00.000-05:002008-01-07T23:40:18.122-05:00Things...**I recently reviewed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0505527162">Deep Magic</a> by <a href="http://www.joynash.com/">Joy Nash</a> over at <a href="http://www.d1052860.dotsterhost.com/tgtbtu/wordpress/2008/01/03/review-deep-magic-druids-of-avalon-book-2-by-joy-nash/">TGTBTU</a> (They are under construction. Please bear with the ducks, 'twill be awesome eventually!) It was very good and different.<br /><br />**Spurred on my enjoyment of Deep Magic and craving more unusual settings, my first official read of 2008 was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Preachers-Daughter-Harlequin-Historical/dp/0373294514/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199766259&sr=1-4">The Preacher's Daughter</a>, by <a href="http://www.tlt.com/authors/cstjohn.htm">Cheryl St. John</a>, who I've heard great things about. It was pretty good. I love me some Americana, especially when they have socials with lemonade and pie and fiddlin'. I liked the preacher's daughter, Lorabeth, the girl had gumption. But although the angst of hero Ben was understandable, given his upbringing, it felt kind of contrived. Lorabeth and Ben's courtship and marriage were so angst-free, for him to start acting cold made him seem like a jerk. I don't know, something didn't quite work. Instead of feeling bad for Ben, I wanted him to get a grip. But I'd definitely read St. John again, because I liked the setting and her style.<br /><br />**I went to the <a href="http://www.tenement.org/">Lower East Side Tenement Museum</a> on Saturday. It was fascinating. Although the slums of the Lower East Side are certainly not romantic in and of themselves, I would love to see more romance set in 19th or early 20th century New York. I think it would be a great setting. Anyone know of any? I tried <a href="http://www.brendajoyce.com/">Brenda Joyce's</a> <a href="http://www.brendajoyce.com/novels_deadly.htm">Deadly series</a>, but I didn't care for the heroine or her love interest (although apparently it changes). <br /><br />**I found a new tough vampire hunter chick to love. Who'd have thought it possible? My review of Jeaniene Frost's debut should be up soon.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-7463639838670305412007-12-31T22:57:00.000-05:002007-12-31T23:10:35.592-05:00Read in 2007Interesting to no one but me...<br /><br />I'm going to be making some changes on the blog tomorrow, and I'll be getting rid of my "Read in 2007" list on the sidebar. So for posterity, I'm going to paste it here. I'm having a quiet New Year's Eve. It's 11:00pm and everyone else is asleep. I literally just finished my last book of 2007, and it was great. I'll be reviewing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Magic-Spell-Historical-Romance/dp/0505527162/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199160050&sr=8-1">Deep Magic</a> by <a href="http://www.joynash.com/">Joy Nash</a> at <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/">TGTBTU</a>. I'll link when it's up. I have a review of <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/2007/12/31/review1-scions-resurrection-by-patrice-michelle-erika-editing/#comments">Scions: Resurrection</a> by <a href="http://www.patricemichelle.net/">Patrice Michelle</a> up over there now.<br /><br />Without further ado:<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /> * Deep Magic by Joy Nash<br /> * Scions: Resurrection by Patrice Michelle<br /> * To the Victor Go the Spoils by Sherrill Quinn<br /> * Mistress on Trial by Kate Hardy<br /> * Upon the Midnight Clear by Sherrilyn Kenyon<br /> * The Six Month Mistress by Katherine Garbera<br /> * Holy Smokes by Katie MacAlister<br /> * Blame it on the Dog by Amy Frazier<br /> * Coulda Been a Cowboy by Brenda Novak<br /> * Back to Haunt You by Kate Hill<br /> * Fairyville by Emma Holly<br /> * Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr<br /> * Virgin River by Robyn Carr<br /> * Demon of Her Dreams by Sherrill Quinn<br /> * Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas<br /> * Boundless by Dean, Dee, Galace<br /> * Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward<br /> * The Farmer Takes a Wife by Barbara Gale<br /> * A Family of Her Own by Brenda Novak<br /> * Howl at the Moon by Christine Warren<br /> * Darkness Rising by Cynthia Cooke<br /> * Driven by Eve Kenin<br /> * Measure of a Man by Bonnie Dee<br /> * Big Girls Don't Cry by Brenda Novak<br /> * Father Material by Kimberly VanMeter<br /> * Accidentally Expecting by Michelle Celmer<br /> * Dangerous Lover by Lisa Marie Rice<br /> * Familiar Stranger by Michele Hauf<br /> * One More Time by Claire Cross<br /> * Ghosts and Roses by Kelley St. John<br /> * Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling<br /> * Starkissed by Lanette Curington<br /> * Raintree: Sanctuary by Beverly Barton<br /> * Finders Keepers by Linnea Sinclair<br /> * The Strength of the Pack by Jorrie Spencer<br /> * Pregnancy of Passion by Lucy Monroe<br /> * Lady Strumpet by Gia Dawn<br /> * Demon Moon by Meljean Brook<br /> * Mistress for a Weekend by Susan Napier<br /> * Fortune's Forbidden Woman by Heidi Betts<br /> * Power of Two by Patti O'Shea<br /> * Double Trouble by Claire Cross<br /> * Beyond The Edge by Susan Kearney<br /> * No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong<br /> * No Rest For The Wicked by Kresley Cole<br /> * All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris<br /> * Talons: Kiss Me Deadly by Shannon Stacey<br /> * The Demon You Know by Christine Warren<br /> * If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl<br /> * Step into Darkness by Naomi Bellis<br /> * Talons: Seize the Hunter by Michelle M. Pillow<br /> * Persecuted by Lisa Childs<br /> * Deadly Affairs by Brenda Joyce<br /> * Realm Immortal: The Stone Queen by Michelle M. Pillow<br /> * Realm Immortal: Faery Queen by Michelle M. Pillow<br /> * Realm Immortal: King of the Unblessed by Michelle M. Pillow<br /> * Anything for You by Sarah Mayberry<br /> * Wolf at the Door by Christine Warren<br /> * Blood Secrets by Vivi Anna<br /> * Rock Star by Roslyn Hardy Holcomb<br /> * Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward<br /> * Simple Jess by Pamela Morsi<br /> * Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair<br /> * She’s No Faerie Princess by Christine Warren<br /> * The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain by Lucy Monroe<br /> * The Bought and Paid For Wife by Bronwyn Jameson<br /> * Jack Riordan’s Baby by Anne Mather<br /> * Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield<br /> * My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson<br /> * Guilty Secrets by Laura Leone<br /> * Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann<br /> * Demon Angel by Meljean Brook<br /> * Man in a Million by Jessica Bird<br /> * Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning<br /></span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-36684919025460343792007-12-30T13:29:00.000-05:002007-12-30T13:32:26.910-05:00Do you see the tumbleweeds?Man, I've been neglecting this place! Well, I haven't been reading too much either. I debated whether or not to give up, but I'm not ready to yet. So hopefully I shall be back to blogging (and reading) form soon. Just wanted to say Hello and thanks to anybody who is still dropping in. Hope your holidays went well. Happy New Year!Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-32512357072566861062007-12-18T20:54:00.000-05:002007-12-18T21:51:03.835-05:00A Mistress by any other name...<span style="font-style: italic;">would not be half so interesting...</span><br /><br />I have to admit, I am always drawn to books with the word "mistress" in the title. And there's no dearth of them over at <a href="http://eharlequin.com/">Harlequin</a>. I think it's right up there with "baby", "bachelor", "tycoon", "millionaire" and "virgin" for words used most often in a title. [I'm just geek enough to love it if someone would do a statistical breakdown of Harlequin titles.] I am not certain what is so compelling about the idea of a mistress. My understanding of "Mistress" is that it is a woman with whom a married man is having an affair, or in the more historical sense, a woman who is set up in a house with accounts and such, in exchange for which she provides her "protector" with sexual favors. So what's the appeal? Infidelity isn't often an interesting subject for romance, and the idea of a "kept woman" in this day and age seems unreal. I'm sure it happens, but really, get a life! Get a job. Unless the guy provides a 401K and dental. And certainly, it seems as though some of these books aren't too clear on what it means to be a mistress.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UDeuyzwQL._AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UDeuyzwQL._AA240_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>For example, I recently read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Trial-Harlequin-Presents-Hardy/dp/0373820542/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198030182&sr=8-1">Mistress on Trial</a> by <a href="http://www.katehardy.com/books.html">Kate Hardy</a>. I have no idea how the mistress thing comes into play, other than the fact that the hero and heroine are sleeping with each other. I bought this on the basis of the excerpt and because it's and "opposites attract" premise, with a stuffy lawyer and artsy chick. But it was quite a pleasant surprise, and lived up to the excerpt. Leo Ballantyne starts out as a typical Presents hero, glowering and making nasty assumptions about the heroine based on half-assed info. Rose Carter, a vintage clothing dealer, makes quite a few assumptions herself. But in the second chapter, he calls to apologize! The two realize they maybe have got it wrong. As they find they have more in common as they think, they both fight their attraction to each other, thinking that the differences are too big to overcome. There are no big misunderstandings, no contrivances, just two confused people head over heels. I particularly liked Leo, who went after Rose with the same drive that made him so successful. He even says "I love you" first. It almost seemed to real, lacking that entertaining but ridiculous element of unreality that many HPs have. I'm giving it a B, and I'd recommend it to those who are leery of HP. I'd definitely read her again. Note: It is veddy British, and some of the language and legal stuff is different from the US.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zpG8IipmL._AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zpG8IipmL._AA240_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On the other hand, much is made of the heroine's "mistress" status in <a href="http://www.katherinegarbera.com/">Katherine Garbera's</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Six-Month-Mistress-Silhouette-Katherine-Garbera/dp/0373768028/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198031170&sr=1-1">Six Month Mistress</a>. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">[Look at this cover. The guy is supposed to be suave, sexy businessman. But to me, it looks like the former fat girl with her best buddy (and co-president of the drama club and art society) at the prom. He's grabbing her chin like, "No, no, no, sweetheart. If you eat one more cocktail frank, you're going to bust out of that fabulous dress. Then you'll never get that adorable jock." I love teen movies.]</span> In exchange for billionaire Jeremy Harper's help, the struggling Bella McNamara agrees to be his mistress for six months. There's a legal contract and everything. It ain't no thang for Bella, who has been into Jeremy forever. Jeremy has wanted Bella for years as well. So why doesn't he just ask her out? Well because his dad was happier with his mistresses than with his wife, so Jeremy figures that's the way to go. Whatever. Being mindful of her feelings, Jeremy lets everyone assume they are girlfriend/boyfriend, keeping the true nature of the arrangement secret. Again, why not just make her your girlfriend? Jeremy's kind of a bonehead. I loved the bit where Bella hesitates opening one of his gifts in front of her assistant, because the gift one gives a mistress is probably different from one you give a girlfriend. The possibilities abound--is it trashy lingerie? A feather boa? Birth Control? Silly contrivances aside, this was a fast read which would probably appeal to people who like these kind of books. Bella was quite a good heroine. Too bad Jeremy seemed monumentally clueless at times. A C+. Eh, real or fake mistresses, I'm sure I'll keep reading 'em. I guess "Fuckbuddy on Trial" or "Six Month Girlfriend" just resonates differently. </span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-52400641830160084162007-12-16T15:57:00.000-05:002007-12-16T16:14:59.130-05:00And the Winner is...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/santa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/santa.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.someecards.com/">Someecards</a>. [Man, I love that site!]</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jennie!!!</span></span><br /></div><br /><br />Jennie wins the Harlequin Holiday Prize Package, which includes Mistress on Trial by Kate Hardy (Harlequin Presents, Doing Ireland! by Kate Hoffman (Harlequin Blaze), For the Sheik's Pleasure by Annie West (Harelquin Presents), Restless Wind by Aimee Thurlo (Harlequin Intrigue), Accidentally Expecting by Michelle Celmer (Silhouette Special Edition), Coulda Been a Cowboy by Brenda Novak (Harlequin Superromance). FWIW, I read my copy of Mistress on Trial, and it was quite the pleasant surprise.<br /><br />Email me at dempseymurphy at optonline dot net with your mailing address. Thanks to all who entered. They were a funny lot.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-1638812759047170702007-12-15T12:45:00.000-05:002007-12-04T13:18:27.288-05:00Sticky:Have a Harlequin Christmas!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/drunksanta.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/drunksanta.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.someecards.com/">Some ECards</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Having a contest, scroll down for new stuff.</span><br /></span></div><br />If you don't get emails from <a href="http://eharlequin.com/">Harlequin</a>, let me tell you to go there now. They are running a <a href="http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=457&cmpid=WNINT200712040006">Twelve Deals of Christmas Thing</a>. Today's deal is 80% off of their Bargain outlet. Shit's like 95 cents each. Got me thinking, since I went on a Harlequin mini-binge over the weekend...<br /><br />Many readers are probably like I used to be, thinking that Harlequins are full of secret babies, sheiks, passive women and other cliches and anachronisms. Perhaps you are slightly intrigued but unsure whether or not to spend your hard earned money on something that has "Mistress" in the title for no apparent reason. Well, you're right about the fake mistress, the overbearing men and the lack of condoms, but categories can also be very readable. Given their short length, they're the perfect quick fix, making it easy to try something you wouldn't normally.<br /><br />In honor of the holiday season, I am going to give away a prize pack of new and gently used Harlequins. Here's your chance to experiment with category romance. The package includes:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mistress on Trial by Kate Hardy (Harlequin Presents)<br />Doing Ireland! by Kate Hoffman (Harlequin Blaze)<br />For the Sheik's Pleasure by Annie West (Harelquin Presents)<br />Restless Wind by Aimee Thurlo (Harlequin Intrigue)<br />Accidentally Expecting by Michelle Celmer (Silhouette Special Edition)<br />Coulda Been a Cowboy by Brenda Novak (Harlequin Superromance)</div><br /><br />All you have to do is comment and tell me about the worst present you ever got, for any occasion. One lucky commenter will be randomly chosen on December 15th. C'mon you know you want'em.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-38527673913994803142007-12-12T21:31:00.000-05:002007-12-12T23:23:05.088-05:00I've joined the Crusade!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/johnandmargaret.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/johnandmargaret.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Sigh, ugh! Tootie won Top Model. I think I'm hung up on her Tootie hair. She would've been so much prettier with, say, a flattering cut. Anyhoo, it was a pretty boring season (excuse me, cycle) altogether. At least I have Project Runway to keep me going. And perhaps, someday, The Office will be back.<br /><br />Given the lack of appealing tv viewing, I was keen to hop on board the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417349/">North & South</a> train. If you've been by <a href="http://kristiej.blogspot.com/">Ramblings on Romance</a> or <a href="http://sulaspace.blogspot.com/">Sula's Space</a>, you may have noticed a lot of posts devoted to this 2004 BBC miniseries. No, it's not the one with Patrick Swayze and Lesley-Anne Warren, as I first suspected. This is an adaption of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Gaskell">Elizabeth Gaskell's</a> 1855 novel about the industrialization of England. As soon as I read a little bit, I knew I had to watch it. I lurve BBC miniseries. There is nothing like beautiful people in beautiful costume swanning about lavish settings. Plus there is always restrained, yet smoldering passion. Good times, good times. One of the best things about becoming involved with blogging was finding like-minded souls. People who become obssessed with things like this or The Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea miniseries etc.<br /><br />Okay, the show. North and South centers on Margaret Hale, the daughter of a country vicar who uproots his family to Milton, an industrial city in northern England. The dark, dingy city full of mills is nothing short of complete culture shock, and Margaret's low opinion of the area and its people is cemented when she meets John Thornton, a local mill owner. Thornton happens to be disciplining one of his employees for smoking. By beating the shit out of him. John Thornton is a self-made man who saved his family from poverty. Although he is wealthy, there is a great social divide between the two. Their deepening and changing feelings for each other are challenged by a union strike which tests the city and everyone's way of life.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />North & South not only thrilled the romantic in me, but also the English major. This is a very interesting portrayal of a changing society. Margaret represents the traditional aristocratic way of life. Even though her family is not wealthy, she obviously has family and social connections, and she has that air of superiority. Her way of life is the best, and she assumes that those "in trade" lack the sensitivity that she has. John Thornton represents the more modern way. He had to work for money and position, and doesn't hesitate to hold on to what he has with whatever means at his disposal. He is honest and blunt, and basically kind, but he lacks the eloquence and refinement that seem important to Margaret. It's idealism vs. pragmatism, naivete vs. cold-hard experience, the ivory tower vs. down in the trenches. Margaret seemed overly harsh and kind of bratty at first, but she's definitely a product of her upbringing. And there is a third force here, personified by Nicholas Higgins, which is threatening to both of their ways of life. We see the beginnings of the working class attempting to take some power for themselves,through unionization and striking. Such actions are serious challenges to Thornton's wealth and power and to Margaret's assumptions about herself, Thornton and the workers.<br /><br />But opposites attract, and oh the romance is hot! These are two people who do not want to be attracted to be attracted to each other. But they are, and they fight it, and it's fascinating to watch. The casting and acting was wonderful. Richard Armitage as John Thornton cuts quite the distinguished profile (he is extremely hot). He is fabulous too. You can see all of his conflicted emotions and his struggle to contain them. Daniela Denby-Ashe (as Margaret) is grave, pretty and luminous. She stands out among the dingy surroundings. She is intelligent and blunt and it's easy to see the attraction for Thornton. And the ending! The "train scene." It's anachronistic and unrealistic, but ohmygod they're finally kissing and yay! I re-watched it five or six times.<br /><br />This was great entertainment. A sexy, sweeping romance set against a fascinating historical background. I've got to give props to the rest of the cast, particularly Sinead Cusack as Thornton's steely mother. I have to re-watch before it has to go back to the library, and I think I must buy it for myself. Count me as a new devotee.</span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-40390235073362992992007-12-09T09:21:00.000-05:002007-12-09T09:55:39.014-05:00Holiday Happenings...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/misfit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/misfit.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I was so excited yesterday. My copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/North-South-Daniela-Denby-Ashe/dp/B000AYEL6U/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1197210147&sr=8-1">North and South</a> had finally arrived at work. I was already to put the kids to bed early and join <a href="http://kristiej.blogspot.com/">the Crusade!</a> Then I fell asleep on the floor while waiting for HBomb to fall asleep (Yes, I have to keep him company until he goes to sleep. Sigh.) I woke up at 1:40 with the passing thought of turning it on, then went and passed out in my bed. I'm starting it tonight and nobody's stopping me. <br /><br />Anyway, there's some fun holiday related things happening in blogland. First off, stop by <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/">TGTBTU</a> for the duodecimal celebration. All manner of readers and writers contributing their romance related lists. While there, check out my review of the fourth Aisling Grey book, <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/2007/12/05/review-holy-smokes-aisling-grey-guardian-book-4-by-katie-macalister/">Holy Smokes</a>, by <a href="http://www.katiemacalister.com/">Katie MacAlister</a>. Mediocre, but I really liked the first two. For more info, see <a href="http://www.dragonsepts.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />Then a group of bloggers, many of whom are new to me, are doing an advent event. Each day leading up to Christmas, a blogger is writing about Christmas. I look forward to spending more time reading up on this. To see the what, when and who, go to <a href="http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/2007/11/2007-advent-blog-tour.html">Marg's blog.</a><br /><br />And finally, the ladies of Book Binge are doing a <a href="http://thebookbinge.blogspot.com/">totally awesome contest</a>. They're giving away an Ebookwise! Although I hold out hope of making my IPod Touch into an ebook reader, I really like the Ebookwise device. You just have to complete a holiday meme. See mine after the cut.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Christmas Meme:<br /><br />1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year?<br />I feel like Scrooge, but right now I can't think of a single Christmas romance I've read.<br /><br />2. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show?<br />How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's schmaltzy, but I try to catch Love, Actually every time it's on.<br /><br />3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?<br />Good old chocolate chips<br /><br />4. When do you start Christmas shopping?<br />I started before Thanksgiving this year. It actually made my life easier, but now I have to wrap everything.<br /><br />5. Do you re-gift?<br />Occasionally, but only if I think the gift is something the other person would enjoy and I have it or similar things already.<br /><br />6. What is your favorite Christmas song?<br />I like traditional Christmas music sung by choirs and what not. Otherwise it's Do They Know It's Christmas (Live Aid), Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses) or The Barenaked Ladies/Sarah MacLachlan version of God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen. Last year I bought my first non-classical Christmas Album, One More Drifter in the Snow by Aimee Mann. I like it a lot.<br /><br />7. When do you get your Christmas tree?<br />A week or two before Christmas.<br /><br />8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it?<br />HAAAATE! Thank God for gift bags.<br /><br />9. Who is the hardest person to buy for?<br />My in-laws hands down. Thank God for Omaha Steaks.<br /><br />10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial?<br />We're thinking about going for a fake tree this year. I prefer real ones, but I'm bad at making them last. And the needles, oy vey.</span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-67329835494448475372007-12-05T16:55:00.000-05:002007-12-05T17:48:04.737-05:00Some SuperRomance...So I read two <a href="http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=229">Harlequin Supeerromances</a> over the weekend. I am finding myself enjoying the line, although, the books aren't necessarily awesome. They are character-driven stories, and they often have out of the ordinary settings, characters and premises. They're a nice change of pace.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Goqw1s2NL._AA115_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Goqw1s2NL._AA115_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Coulda Been a Cowboy by Brenda Novak<br />Miniseries: A Dundee, Idaho Book<br />Mini-Synopsis: A football player takes custody of his illegitimate and unwanted son. Trying to stay out of scandal's way and get back into playing shape, Tyler Garnier, accepts a former teammate's offer of a cabin in Dundee Idaho. Now he just needs to find someone to keep his kid out of the way. Frumpy, poor Dakota Brown seems perfect. Although the two seem like total opposites, and Dakota doesn't respect Tyler at first, they strike up an unlikely friendship. And perhaps these two very different people are exactly what each other need.<br /></span><br />This is the fourth book I've read by <a href="http://www.brendanovak.com/">Brenda Novak</a>. She always has interestingly flawed characters and unusual plotlines. However, in the past, I felt that the romance aspect kind of went by the wayside. In CBaC, the focus is firmly on the characters' relationship. Tyler was not nearly as unsympathetic as he could have been. He is singularly focused on his career, and just particularly clueless about how attached he really is to his son, and later his nanny. Dakota is a practical, intelligent woman who has been held back by tragedy and family. I liked the way their relationship developed. They had a nice friendship, and when they got together it was because they really knew and liked each other. The things that held the story back for me were that a potentially huge conflict regarding the babymomma was wrapped too quickly and pat and the fact that Tyler carried on with his "I can't be a family man" schtick for far too long. But still a <span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span>. Novak is an author to try.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/210CDjK51uL._AA115_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/210CDjK51uL._AA115_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Blame it on the Dog by Amy Frazier<br />Miniseries: Singles...with Kids<br />Mini-Synopsis: A San Francisco artist with a twelve year old son and a rambunctious mutt, finds herself in need of a "dog behaviorist." The trainer's calm, stern demeanor and approach to disciplining animals alternately infuriate and intrigue Selena Milano. Jack Quinn finds himself fascinated by the mercurial Selena, bringing up emotions he hasn't felt since the death of his wife. But will these opposites be tripped up by Selena's need for independence?<br /></span><br />This is the first book I've read by Amy Frazier. She has a nice writing style, and I read this book in a matter of hours. I liked the funky SF setting, and the unusual occupation of the hero and heroine. Selena is an installation artist, and Jack rehabilitates dogs and runs a huge rescue center. However the book suffered from an issue that I find happens often in books of this ilk. I'm always attracted to stories with free-spirited heroines and conservative heroes, but that "free-spirited" label tends to mean immature and bratty behavior on the part of the heroine. Selena is no exception. Her insistence on "self-reliance" and fear of losing control over her son, cause her to treat Jack like crap way too many times. I grew increasingly exasperated, and wanted him to cut and run. Jack was a great guy, but not nearly as uptight as you would think. He feel like a ton of bricks right away, and pursued Selena even though she was unpleasant to him. I wished he had a little more fight. When she changed her mind at the end I wasn't positive she wouldn't change it again. This one gets a <span style="font-weight:bold;">C+</span>. But I would try this author again, with a different storyline.Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-70518129565246157702007-12-02T13:05:00.000-05:002007-12-02T13:25:47.036-05:00Some Christmas Cheer...I love this song!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tcEN4BOtrr8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tcEN4BOtrr8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Okay, amusing myself. I haven't actually seen this video in years. As I was watching it, these thoughts ran through my head. Perhaps yours too...I wrote some of them down.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">It's Bob Geldof! The man, the myth!...Who's that guy? Oh it's Paul Young. He sang "Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you" (as my sister liked to sing it)...Sing it, Boy George!...Why did Phil Collins get stuck playing the drums?....George Michael,back when we thought he was straight...then again, eighties hair and fashion made everyone look gay...Why so unhappy, Sting? Don't want to feed the World?...Sing it Bono!!...Hmmm, lots of people I don't recognize...More Paul Young (he must've been more popular in the UK, he carried this song)...Lots more do-gooding British musicians I don't recognize...Bananarama was awesome...Sting still looks uncomfortable and unhappy...maybe b/c someone's smoking, how rude...I think it's Jody Whatley...heh, one of the other guys from Culture Club...Ok, who the heck is that guy?...and fade.</span><br /><br />First snow of the winter. Reading and blogging ahoy!Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-637910633130667932007-11-20T10:30:00.000-05:002007-11-20T11:44:25.716-05:00I'm tired...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/tearhair.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/tearhair.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Hey, did you know I've been blogging for two years now? This is one of the longest stretches of time that I've stayed with a hobby. It all began with <a href="http://http//badattitles.blogspot.com/2005/11/and-away-we-go.html">this</a>, on 11/14/05. Sigh. How far we've come. Or not.<br /><br />Anyhoo, life has been super hectic, but that's name of the game this time of year. H-Bomb is <span style="font-weight: bold;">still</span> sick. He puked at school yesterday. Apparently due to to an ear infection. WTF? I know it's the school thing, but he was such a hale and hearty kid. A walking advertisement for the bennies of breastfeeding. I'm taking advantage by having a lounging around day. I'm sitting on my butt, reading and posting.<br /><br />Although I've been leaving this blog to languish, I've been slutting around again. My first post at Access Romance/Reader's Gab can be seen <a href="http://http//accessromance.com/gab/2007/11/15/manolos-hip-hop-and-remington-steele/">here</a>. What do you think of pop culture saturating romance? I also reviewed <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/2007/11/17/review-fairyville-by-emma-holly/#comment-32370">Fairyville</a> by <a href="http://www.emmaholly.com/">Emma Holly</a> at TGTBTU. Lisabea, have you read any Emma Holly? May help you with the old slump. Well written ER in several subgenres.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/turkey.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/turkey.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I'm calling out to the internets, has anybody successfully made their Ipod Touch into an Ebook reader? I got one from my hubby recently, and a bit of poking around suggests that I can hack it, as <a href="http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/10/29/one-click-iphone-hack-thing-of-beauty/">DA Jane was able to do with her Iphone.</a> I was able to get the Installer and the Ebooks app. onto my Iphone, but from there it went weird. I am having major difficulty figuring out how to get the files onto the Ipod. I have a feeling that the different directions assume a level of knowledge and technical expertise that I do not have. I got a "Network Connection Refused" message every time I tried <a href="http://www.hacktheiphone.com/111/iphone_step1_1_windows.html">this</a>, and I found some other stuff <a href="http://code.google.com/p/iphoneebooks/">here</a>, but the easiest ways to do it seem to require a Mac OS. Word seems to be that Apple will be coming out with its own Ebook app in February 2008. Perhaps I should just wait. <a href="http://http//www.severnsolutions.co.uk/twblog/archive/2007/10/30/ipod-touch-ebook-reader">This guy</a> found a way of doing it without hacking the IPod, but again I'm clueless. Not tech savvy enough to know what "Apache" and shit means. Bye the bye, if you're considering an e-book device of some kind, get thee to Jane's series at Dear Author. Start <a href="http://http//dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/11/dear-authors-2007-christmas-buying-guide-for-ebook-readers-the-multifunction-device/">here</a>, and you can access the other installments as well. Lots of good information. Be sure to read the comments for other opinions and suggestions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Happy Turkey Day!!</span></span><br /></div>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-9333828186029125692007-11-10T18:27:00.000-05:002007-11-10T21:43:40.113-05:00Take Me Home, Country Roads...One of my least favorite romance storylines is the one where the city girl ends up in the country, learns the value of hard work and country ways, and gives end her materialistic life to be a rancher's wife or something. I often find it heavy handed and hokey, which is weird because I love it on tv, and I often entertain fantasies of moving to the middle of nowhere. But <a href="http://www.robyncarr.com/index.html">Robyn Carr's</a> Virgin River trilogy had been given high marks by some bloggers I respect, and I had picked up the books at the library for $1.50. Needing a change of pace I decided to give it a go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51I59Bw8pKL._AA240_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51I59Bw8pKL._AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Melinda Monroe, an L.A. nurse practioner/certified nurse midwife, impulsively accepts a job in the small town of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0778324907/">Virgin River</a>, California. She is looking for an escape after suffering the tragic loss of her husband. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Virgin River</span> begins with some stuff right out of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Exposure">Northern Exposure</a>: Mel drives off the muddy road, and gets rescued by an crotchety old man who turns out to be the doctor she was hired to assist. He takes her to her disgusting cabin, where she promptly falls through the porch and back into the mud. Quickly realizing that this was a colossal mistake, she ends up at the local bar and grill, owned by a gorgeous ex-Marine, and finds out that the old Doc didn't want her around, anyway. The next morning, planning to make a quick exit, Mel literally stumbles over a newborn baby girl on the doctor's doorstep. Her calling won't allow her to leave an abandoned child. And thus, Mel's plans slowly start to change as she finds a new beginning in Virgin River.<br /><br />This book started off well enough. I knew what was going to happen: Mel would fall in love with the eccentric residents of the town, with country medicine and with the ex-Marine, Jack Sheridan. I liked everything, but my attention started to flag, as it has been lately. I even put it down for a couple of days. Yesterday I decided to give it one more chance while waiting in the OT office for my son. <span class="fullpost"> And I became completely engrossed and polished off the book in a matter of hours. When I finished, I sighed, popped a cold one in honor of the bar setting, and opened up the next book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/077832429X/">Shelter Mountain</a>. I read Shelter Mountain into the wee hours of the night, so engrossed with these characters was I, and finishing it earlier this afternoon. Later this evening I will probably begin <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0778324494/"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Whispering Rock</span></a>. I need the closure! <br /><br />I really fell in love with the characters in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Virgin River</span>. The characterization was very strong in this book, the setting very vivid. But what really stood out to me was the way Carr focused on the internal conflicts of the heroine and hero. Mel fears that she will never get past her grief and love again. As her relationship with Jack develops, she feels almost as though she is betraying her husband, as well as fearing losing someone again. Jack was a lovely hero, a strong and steady type. He had always been married to the Marines, so when he falls like a ton of bricks for Mel, it takes him by surprise. But he fears he will always come second in her heart. It was sexy, romantic, moving and emotional and no big misunderstandings or contrivances. Just a troubled soul finding home and love again. A <span style="font-weight:bold;">B+</span>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512Zz6qGspL._AA240_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512Zz6qGspL._AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I was intrigued by Jack's Marine buddy and bar cook, Preacher, so I dove into his story, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Shelter Mountain</span>, right away. Preacher is a big, scary looking guy who keeps to himself. Late one rainy night as Preacher is closing up, Paige Lassiter comes into the bar with her son Christopher. Right away, he can tell she's in trouble (the split lip and black eye being a clue), and he feels driven to help. Preacher is a really shy guy, who has always hung back because people find his looks intimidating. But as he gets involved with Paige and Christopher, and falls in love, it gives him a new confidence and purpose. In Virgin River, Paige finally begins to feel safe from her abusive husband. She gets back her confidence as well, and can't help but fall in love with Preacher, who loves and accepts her in a way she has never experienced. Unfortunately, abusive men are not easy to get rid of.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AAAAAAA!!</span> I liked this one even better than <span style="font-weight:bold;">Virgin River</span>. It deals unflinchingly with domestic abuse, and it put me through the wringer. I have to admit I cried several times, not only with the main plot, but with subplots as well (Ricky and Liz, Mel and Jack). I am definitely emotionally involved with these characters :) Preacher was great, and I really loved seeing these two people, so isolated for very different reasons, bring each other to life.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to <span style="font-weight:bold;">Whispering Rock</span>, although I'm not enamored of Mike Valenzuela (the hero), because I want to find out what happens next. There are a couple of characters who keep recurring, and I'm curious to see if they get some closure (the pot dealer guy, and Cheryl the drunk). These books have taken me out of my reading slump, and I would definitely recommend them to anybody interested in a character driven contemporary. Not a vampire, demon or secret agent in sight.</span>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15898979.post-32386412865129102382007-11-08T08:54:00.000-05:002007-11-08T13:53:52.768-05:00I get around...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/sicklady.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z34/dempseymurphy/sicklady.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I've been feeling seriously crappy. A cold is kicking my butt, and seriously infringing on my reading and writing time. I've only managed to finish one book, an EC novella, for review at <a href="http://www.goodbadandunread.com/2007/11/03/review-demon-of-her-dreams-by-sherrill-quinn/">The Good, the Bad and the Unread</a>. Standard fare, not great, not terrible, but I'd be interested in checking out other stuff by the author, <a href="http://www.sherrillquinn.com/">Sherrill Quinn</a>. I also have a post up at <a href="http://thebookbinge.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-so-hard-to-say-goodbye.html">Book Binge</a> regarding the difficulties in parting with books.<br /><br />While I'm being a blog slut, I may as well mention that I will be contributing to <a href="http://www.accessromance.com/">Access Romance</a> once a month. Access Romance is a fun site to explore, lots of stuff there. It is a site meant to foster communication between romance writers and readers. They have a feature called Reader's Gab, with monthly contributions by <a href="http://jmc-bookrelated.livejournal.com/">JMC</a>, <a href="http://kristiej.blogspot.com/">KristieJ</a>, Tara Gelsomino and Robin. Access Romance is now expanding to include me, <a href="http://www.rosemont1217.blogspot.com/">Rosie</a>,<a href="http://bookwormom.blogspot.com/">Amanda</a> and <a href="http://www.readforpleasure.com/">RfP</a>. Today's contribution is the debut by Rosie, concerning a topic likely to be of concern as my kids get older. <a href="http://www.accessromance.com/gab/">Check it Out!</a><br /><br />Right now I'm reading Virgin River by Robin Carr. Promising so far. Perhaps I will actually finish something to review on this blog!!Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12526459179535104279noreply@blogger.com4