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Thursday, May 31, 2007:
"Some Like It Hot" contest!
While the cat's away.... Friday morning I leave for Cincinnati territory, and won't be back until sometime late Sunday afternoon, but while I'm away I figured instead of leaving you hanging, I would run a fun contest over the weekend. Open to any and all bloggers that enjoy sexy books, no matter where you live, I am offering up a copy of "Naughty Housewives". What is the sexiest book you've ever read? Did you like it? If so, why? A winner will be selected Wednesday, June 6th - good luck! Labels: contests
posted by Stacy~ at 5/31/2007 08:44:00 PM
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007:
"Voyeur" by Lacey Alexander - review
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (May 1, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0451221192
ISBN-13: 978-0451221193 Suffering from writer's block and with no lover to speak of, novelist Laura Watkins is in a funk. She needs a getaway and a release. Fast. Fortunately, she finds both in the retreat of a friend's isolated Colorado home. It's hers and hers alone for as long as she needs it. Then she comes upon the webcam, and her curiosity is aroused. So is her secret fantasy-to be watched by a stranger. His screen name is Flyboy. He likes what he sees. He wants to open up for her, too. Now, they're only one click away from exploring an after-hours game of exhibitionist and voyeur where anything goes. But now it's time to take it one step further-by meeting in the flesh. This time, no rules, no limits, and absolutely nothing to come between them...
Mystery novelist Laura Watkins is on a serious deadline, yet her Muse is completely M.I.A. When her best friend offers up an isolated retreat, Laura jumps at the chance to get away and concentrate on nothing but her writing. Only thing is, the writing is still not happening. Laura needs some inspiration, and she needs it fast. Maybe if she relaxed a little, let her guard down...She knows the owner has set up a webcam, but surely he wouldn't be watching her, not when she's alone with her most private thoughts...
Corporate raider Braden Stone knows it's rather late but he's just checking in to see if his houseguest made it to his cabin safely. He has no idea that he's about to witness a beautiful woman captured in an intimate act, or that it would be so erotic to watch this conservative writer turn into a sex kitten before his very eyes. Now he can't stop thinking about her and decides the best thing to do is to let her know he's been watching, and see where it leads.
Laura is mortified when she learns Braden had caught her in such a private moment, but soon admits that she likes having his eyes on her; it makes her feel unbelievably sexy. Having him watch her indulge in some of her most personal fantasies is thrilling; she can't seem to get enough of him or the way he makes her feel, and much to her surprise, the excitement of their nightly ritual brings a deeper, richer element to her writing that she's never experienced, and the words are just pouring out of her. But after awhile, acting out her fantasies just doesn't feel right anymore, so she decides that unless he's there with her, she's not going to continue to perform for him. Braden knows he's not ready to let these hot encounters come to an end, so he flies home, intent on indulging in a little one-on-one action with his lovely houseguest, more than willing to see how far she's willing to go with him, for him. Braden can't remember the last time he's ever been so hot for a woman, and once they meet face-to-face, their passion is explosive, wild, incredible, and he doesn't want their sexual interludes to end. He's drawn to her innate sensuality, loves that she's so turned on by acting out his fantasies and that she trusts him enough to go wherever he wants to take her. But when her week at his cabin comes to an end, will either one of them be able to walk away? Whew! Turn up the fan, keep a pitcher of ice water nearby, and indulge in one HAWT and SEXY read! I think Lacey Alexander (aka Toni Blake) is my favorite erotic romance writer out there right now, and she continues to deliver fabulous stories that tap into the average woman's most tempting fantasies. One thing that really made this book work for me is how easy I found it to relate to our protagonist Laura; while she's not a trembling virgin, she's also not a woman comfortable with having a casual affair with a virtual stranger, and her initial hesitancy to continue down a blatantly sexual path with Braden is completely believable. He does have to work a bit to get her out of her comfort zone, but once she learns to let herself go and trust in him, it's a liberating experience for her, one that frees her mind as well as her body. This becomes evident in her writing, how it takes her down a road she's never ventured on, and the results are rather exhilarating. And of course I wouldn't have loved this book half as much if it wasn't a romance, and watching Braden fall in love with Laura without even realizing it was happening was a sigh-worthy treat. So much of his life was wrapped up in short-term events and casual relationships that he didn't recognize what was going on between him and this amazing woman until he was forced to face the loneliness he never noticed before. Pretty soon one-night stands and snowbunnies didn't hold much appeal anymore, not when the best sex of his life is with the woman he loves. And what could be better than that? Not much....unless it's another Lacey Alexander story. Labels: Lacey Alexander, reviews, Voyeur
posted by Stacy~ at 5/29/2007 09:06:00 PM
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Got this from Gena Showalter's blog so I stole it....you answer each question with one word...GO! 1. WHERE IS YOUR CELL PHONE?: desk 2. RELATIONSHIP?: nonexistent 3. YOUR HAIR?: frizzy 4. WORK?: crazy 5. YOUR SISTER?: unrelated 6. YOUR FAVORITE THING?: success 7. YOUR DREAM LAST NIGHT?: unremarkable 8. YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?: martini 9. YOUR DREAM CAR?: fast 10. THE ROOM YOU'RE IN?: bedroom 11. YOUR SHOES?: closet 12. YOUR FEARS?: drowning 13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE IN 10 YEARS?: involved 14. WHO DID YOU HANG OUT WITH THIS WEEKEND?: friends 15. WHAT ARE YOU NOT GOOD AT?: patience 16. MUFFIN?: blueberry 17. ONE OF YOUR WISH LIST ITEMS?: triptoAruba 18. WHERE YOU GREW UP? Minnesota 19.LAST THING YOU DID?: laundry 20. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?: sweats 21. WHAT AREN'T YOU WEARING?: shoes 22. YOUR PET?: imaginary 23. YOUR COMPUTER?: slow 24. YOUR LIFE?: solitary 25. YOUR MOOD?: excited 26. MISSING?: mocha 27. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW?: chocolate 28. YOUR CAR?: reliable 29. YOUR KITCHEN?: small 30. YOUR SUMMER?: lazy 31. YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?: red 32. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED?: today 33. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: months 34. SCHOOL?: over 35. LOVE?: beautiful Labels: me
posted by Stacy~ at 5/29/2007 05:24:00 AM
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Monday, May 28, 2007:
Please don't forget our troops today. This weekend I had the privilege of meeting a World War II veteran, and I got the chance to say "thank you" to him. I couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed by all he'd seen. We have a lot to be grateful for, and I never want to forget. The Pink Ladies are doing a special blog on the troops today, and it mentions my good friend Laurie. Go check it out. Happy Memorial Day! Labels: Memorial Day, remembering, soldiers
posted by Stacy~ at 5/28/2007 07:11:00 AM
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Saturday, May 26, 2007:
"Tempt Me Tonight" by Toni Blake - review
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon Red (May 29, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0061136093
ISBN-13: 978-0061136092 He was her first: the first man she longed for, the first man she truly desired. Then he betrayed her and broke her heart. Now her revenge will be oh-so-sweet . . . and hot!
Trish Henderson has returned home to Eden to take care of some family business…and some personal business, as well. Though she’s achieved remarkable success as a high-powered Chicago attorney, Trish has never forgotten her small-town high school sweetheart, Joe Ramsey, or the devastation of heartbreak.
Now she’s come face-to-face with the gorgeous sex god Joe has grown into, and she’s determined to get him out of her system once and for all – and maybe take a little revenge, too. And this time, she has all the power. After all, where is it written that only men can explore and enjoy a physical relationship without commitment? Her plan: seduce him for just one night, then walk away…
But there’s just one problem. Trish is about to find out that one night with Joe may never be enough…
In stores June 2007. Go here for an excerpt. Trish Henderson and Joe Ramsay are high school sweethearts, and love each other deeply. Trish is off to college but promises Joe she will be home soon and they can finally be together, however Joe ends up breaking her heart in the most devastating of ways, and Trish wishes never to see him again. Fourteen years later, Trish is now a big-time lawyer and is home for an extended stay, helping her parents sell their diner and taking care of a few legal issues for them along the way. One night, Trish goes out with her best friend Debbie to catch up on old times with some old high school friends, not completely expecting to run into Joe, but inevitably she does. It soon becomes apparent that the chemistry between them is as hot as ever, and after one hot dance, Joe tells her he wants to take her home and rock her world. But Trish refuses, not impressed with his womanizing reputation. Later she decides that if they're going to hook up after all these years, it's going to be on her terms, not his. So she sets out to seduce her first love with the intention of walking away, proving to him, and to herself, that she really is over him. Joe knows Trish still wants him, almost as much as he wants her, but he's still shocked when she comes to his door, looking like sin in heels. He doesn't let that stop him from being with the only woman he's ever loved, though he's not too happy the next morning when he finds she walked out on him. Joe decides he's not going to make things easy on her, and shows up at her door this time. Trish isn't exactly happy to see him, but can't deny the incredible attraction that exists between them, though she still doesn't completely trust him, even after all these years. But maybe she can finally work him out of her system, once and for all.... I read this book in one afternoon, so caught up was I in Joe and Trish's story. It twisted me up inside right from the beginning, when Joe broke Trish's heart so brutally. While I hated Joe for what he did, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him because not only did he strongly regret doing what he did, he didn't act out of anger or the need to hurt Trish. Instead, he was hurting too, afraid of losing the girl he loved to the excitement of college and feeling rather unwanted himself. See, Joe isn't the typical bad boy - he's not a big drinker or a partier, he doesn't get in fights or in trouble with the law. He takes his responsibilities seriously, even taking on those that don't necessarily belong to him, he still has the same best friend from high school, and he's still as sexy as all get-out. Trish is also not completely what you'd expect as the heroine of a bad boy. Trish isn't the pampered and sheltered rich girl defying her parents nor the bookish wallflower hopelessly in love with the hero. What keeps them apart isn't powerful parents or the hero's misguided attempts to protect the heroine. Instead it's an act of betrayal. [Side note: I admit, I never understand why it has to take so long (almost 15 years in this case) for the hero and heroine to finally see each other after something like this happens. Neither of them had married other people and there wasn't any huge misunderstanding between them, so what gives? I could have understood five years, or maybe, maybe even 10, but anything longer is truly a lifetime]. Now they are both in their early 30's, each one with an established career: Joe owns a garage that specializes in servicing expensive foreign models, and Trish is a big-time lawyer about to make partner. Giving into their still-smoldering attraction is inevitable. Keeping their hearts intact becomes impossible. As Joe and Trish go from a spectacular one night stand to a short-term affair, they begin to get to know each other all over again, as well as discovering the person the other has become over the years. They talk, really talk about what happened in the past, all of it, especially the ugly stuff that drove them apart. Trish sees that Joe is a better person than she realizes, and begins to fall in love all over again, much to her dismay. Joe finds out that Trish has a good life in the city, but doesn't think he can let her walk away, not a second time. He knows he only has so much time with her before she goes back to the city for good, and he believes they truly belong together, and could never be happy with anyone else. Now all he has to do is convince Trish that he still loves her, and that he will never hurt her again. Can he make her believe in him, in forever? This was a bittersweet love story, one that drew many reactions from me. Overall, I loved the story, found it tender, passionate and romantic. If there is anything to take away from this book, it's that you should never settle, even if you think you may never have another chance. And when you do find that one person that makes you blissfully happy, no matter how scary it is, it's absolutely worth the risk. There were moments when I think the heroine forgot this, or maybe didn't really understand what she was giving up, and I admit to wanting to smack her upside the head from time to time for being weak, but by the end of the book, she got her act together and became worthy of my respect again. I mean, come on, how could she give up a great guy like Joe, one who was happy to see her realize all her dreams, even if it meant he might have to give up his own? Fortunately, she doesn't. Toni does a wonderful job of reuniting the hero and heroine in her books, and peeling away the layers of their lives until we discover what truly makes them tick. While I didn't like this story as quite as much as "Swept Away", I still found this one to be engaging and sexy, and well worth a Saturday afternoon. You know a story is a good one when you immediately start to go back and re-read passages, trying to re-capture those sigh-worthy moments. I hope the wait for another story isn't too long. Labels: reviews, Tempt Me Tonight, Toni Blake
posted by Stacy~ at 5/26/2007 09:45:00 PM
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Friday, May 25, 2007:
"Hunter's Salvation" by Shiloh Walker - review
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Heat (July 3, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0425216322
ISBN-13: 978-0425216323 HIS MISSION Vax was once committed to his life as a Hunter, tracking down the evil beings who preyed on humans, but he opted out of the game long ago. Now, he is pulled back in - because somebody, somewhere, is in danger. And, despite his best efforts, Vax can't ignore his calling...
HER SACRIFICE Jess Warren is determined to find the maniac who killed her sister. A gifted psychic and telekinetic, she will do anything to exact her revenge. Even if it means putting herself in peril...
THEIR INSATIABLE DESIRE Jess would rather not accept Vax's help - especially since letting him have his way could draw her deeper into his irresistibly sensuous realm. But then he saves her life - and they discover that the depraved madman they've been looking for is much closer than either of them could have imagined...
[First of all, let me start by saying (again) that I love this series. Over time, it has evolved and matured, and what was created from these changes is an intelligent and complex series that has me coming back time and again. Currently, "Hunting the Hunter" is my favorite story, and I hope to have a review up at a later date]. "Hunter's Salvation" starts out very promising. We once again meet up with Vax Matthews, the former Hunter who finds himself reluctantly thrown back into the life he walked away from long ago. Compelled to answer the call, Vax is drawn to Indianapolis where some evil beings are using science and magick to create a rogue army, and in the process, lives have been lost, including that of Miranda "Randi" Warren, an inncent who's brutal death is a dire warning to her sister Jessica Warren, an investigative reporter who has come a little too close for comfort to the shady goings-on at a goth club called Debach. Having lost her parents and now her sister, Jess has nothing left to lose, and is bound and determined to exact revenge on her sister's killers, even if it results in her own death. What she doesn't count on is a sexy ex-Hunter who is just as determined to help, and hopefully save her from herself. Thwarted at every turn by Vax, Jess soon discovers it might be better to have a powerful witch in her corner, especially if it will prevent her from being killed, at least until she reaches her goal of avenging her sister. Along the way, Vax and Jess are inevitably drawn into numerous dangerous circumstances as they search for answers. They run themselves ragged trying to stop these rogue killers from gathering more victims for their pet project and at the same time giving them ample opportunities to act on the attraction that they both feel for each other, yet keeping their emotions uninvolved. Neither seem eager to pursue anything other than a casual relationship - though Jess claims she doesn't do casual -and most of their focus is spent on tracking down a group of soul-less killers. But will one of them be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to prevent any more innocent people from dying? I liked the book, I did, but by the end, I had a few too many unanswered questions to completely love it. The story felt a little disconnected from the rest of the series, even though several Hunters make an appearance throughout. For example, we know Jess has these powers, but other than a few low-key situations, she really doesn't make use of them. She could have had no powers at all for all the good it did her. Why does she have these powers, and how strong are they? Does she have any other abilities? And exactly what was the point of having any powers at all if there wasn't a valid reason for them? I'd sure be wanting to give them a test drive, if it were me. Then there was the bad guys and their plans for a rogue army. What were their plans for this army? To get rich quick? Kill Hunters? Control the universe? Pick up chicks? And how exactly did they plan on carrying out this mission? Who exactly died, and who survived? And what really did happen to their most successful science "experiment"? Inquiring minds want to know. Another noticeable difference is that usually the romantic couple that the story centers around has an overwhelmingly strong connection and attraction right from the start, yet I didn't feel it much with Vax and Jess, both very worthy characters who were just begging for their own HEA, but other than a few hot encounters, I didn't sense that urgency, that need for each other than I've felt with the other books. I think more time was spent drinking coffee and eating than was spent getting to really know each other, and I was disappointed by those missed opportunities. There wasn't that familiar ache of longing that Shiloh does so well in her books, and I really, really missed it. Basically I had to wonder if this was an unfinished storyline, one that created threads to (hopefully) be answered in future books while still achieving HEA status. It reminded me of the "Pirates of the Caribbean Part 2" where there's a cliffhanger (as there was in Mike's and Leandra's story involving a key player that was brought to light in Malachi's story), only I wasn't quite sure what it was supposed to be; there was no giant sea creature who swallowed Jess or Vax whole. (Now wouldn't that have been interesting?) I really hope we haven't seen the last of Jess and Vax, because while they did hook up in the end, I would love to see their relationship get stronger, and to have their powers explored more thoroughly. So bottom line: while I did like the story, it just didn't reach out and grab me like previous Hunter books. I eventually acknowledged not every book in the series is going to be my absolute favorite. I felt like I'm missing something substantial here, and probably Shiloh is cooking up a really exciting and nerve-wracking story or stories that will have me biting my nails with impatience and anxiety (damn her!) though when I went to her website, I couldn't find any Hunter info beyond this book. So I'll keep my fingers crossed for the next one. Labels: Hunters, reviews, Shiloh Walker
posted by Stacy~ at 5/25/2007 05:47:00 AM
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007:
posted by Stacy~ at 5/23/2007 05:38:00 AM
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Monday, May 21, 2007:
Isn't he cute??? Jack needs a good home. Stop by Jo Leigh's blog for more details. Labels: dogs, home, Jo Leigh, pets
posted by Stacy~ at 5/21/2007 06:41:00 PM
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Catching up...Denzel, contests, movies
Happy Monday! Ha, yeah right. I have to leave for work soon, so my thoughts are going to be even more erratic than usual. Saw "Deja Vu" this weekend with my man, Denzel. Man, I love his movies. Even when they aren't the best they're still good to watch. There are actually a few I haven't seen, but one day, one day.... This one was a good one, a bit out there, but non-stop Denzel, to me, is always a good thing. Now the plot of the movie is as follows:  Everyone has experienced the unsettling mystery of déjà vu--that flash of memory when you meet someone new you feel you've known all your life or recognize a place even though you've never been there before. But what if the feelings were actually warnings sent from the past or clues to the future? It is déjà vu that unexpectedly guides ATF agent Doug Carlin through an investigation into a shattering crime. Called in to recover evidence after a bomb sets off a cataclysmic explosion on a New Orleans Ferry, Carlin is about to discover that what most people believe "is only in their heads" is actually something far more powerful--and will lead him on a mind-bending race to save hundreds of innocent people. It was pretty good, but the ending threw me off. I watched it at a friend's house and she didn't understand it either - maybe we're just clueless. Anyway, I enjoyed it, and Denzel always looks good to me. But dammit, why is it a man can be over 50 and still look so good? So not fair. Men should have to suffer, too. I have an Elizabeth Scott interview, and contest coming up, so stay tuned for that. I'm trying to get back into the interviewing thing again, so hopefully I'll have more riveting stuff about someone other than myself. I'll also be having a Lynn Viehl contest coming up as well, but I think since it involves 3 books, it's gonna be a doozy. Just trying to think of something fun and a bit challenging on this one. I'm trying to figure out if I should have the contests before I leave for the Lori Foster get-together. I probably will have at least one, maybe the Elizabeth Scott one, so keep it right here for your chance to win. Have gotten engrossed in a few more of Shiloh Walker's Hunter series "Hunting the Hunter" and "Hunter's Salvation" (which I got from the lovely HelenKay Dimon - HelenKay I'm working on my review for this week!). The more I read the series, the more I love it. I am a total shameless fangirl when it comes to her books anyway. I just hope I don't act like a total dork when I see her at the get-together. Haven't seen any movies recently (in the theatre) but I do want to see "Shrek 3" and I'll have to catch "Spiderman 2" before I see the 3rd installment. (It is the year of the 3). I also can't wait for the 3rd "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Johnny Depp - yum. What movies have you been watching (DVD or theatre)? Any recs? Labels: contests, Denzel, movies
posted by Stacy~ at 5/21/2007 05:33:00 AM
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Thursday, May 17, 2007:
[I originally posted this over a year ago, and almost lost it when I updated the blog. Now I found it and have to wonder: what the hell was I drinking when I wrote this?!?! God, this is why I could never be taken seriously as a writer - eww! Note: comments in blue are my current thoughts on what I wrote back then. It's like looking at a picture of myself with an '80's hairstyle: totally cringe-worthy.] Okay, I admit it: Sometimes I am a complete girly girl who fantasizea about living with her prince in a huge castle covered in diamonds and glowing with love ( WTF?????). Sick, I know. I am a total romantic sap. I guess that shouldn't be too big of a surprise considering most of the books I read, but at the same time the dream feels a little outdated. I don't mean outdated in the sense that true love is out of fashion because I don't believe that's true. I've seen too much evidence of the exact opposite ( May '07: not lately I haven't). But I do believe that it's outdated and just plain wrong to settle for Mr. Right Now just to avoid being alone and/or having to pay the bills on my own. (Has Destiny's Child's " Independent Women" been a great learning tool or what?) So maybe instead of my prince ( gag), who is running a little late ( hell he lost the directions so you know he ain't gonna show up now), I'm living there with my hottie harem who are all busy taking care of moi and my fancy digs. And knights. Lots and lots of knights, but they'd never wear their armor while I was around because then I couldn't see them ( without their shirts). There, I feel much better now ( uh not really).....  Okay, granted these monstrosities would be hell to heat in the winter, but you just can't beat the view....and fall is my 2nd favorite season - those colors are just gorgeous, and they set off the aura of the castle so nicely.... ( whatever) Can you imagine waking up every morning, anticipating the sight of this gorgeous mountain range? And those trees? If they weren't so beautiful, I'd want them all for Christmas trees, but that would be a heinous crime to nature ( that's not the only crime going on here). Um, do you think there are vampires living up in those mountains? ( If so, let them kill me now).  I keep imagining Nessie would pop up here, in this mystical location where a Celtic castle nestles just a wee bit too close to the water.... ( well, that might be kinda cool).  Holy mists of Avalon! (Or Austria, or wherever this place is located). Just like something out of my childhood dreams. Look at all those rooms! Imagine all the books I could store there. Oh yes, my own private heaven. And I've always wanted to have a house with secret rooms, where no one could find me yet I would have access to this amazing labyrinth of which held great secrets and even greater technology - yes, my castle would be computerized, from the drawbridge right down to the lighting to set the mood and definitely an advanced plumbing system. No roughing it for this chickadee. ( Okay, well maybe this doesn't sound so bad; in fact it actually makes a great deal of sense.) So there you have it - my little fantasy mixed with a good old-fashioned fairy tale ( aka the reason Stacy does. not. write. Is it Friday yet???) P.S. For more fantasy homes, you might want to visit hereWhat's your idea of a dream home? Have you ever visited a real castle? Could you afford those heating bills? Labels: delusions of grandeur, dream house, drivel
posted by Stacy~ at 5/17/2007 08:39:00 PM
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007:
New-to-me author: Shayla Black
I discovered Shayla Black when I saw the tantalizing book cover and just had to pick it up to find out what it was all about. Boy was I glad I did. Now that I'm discovering I have quite a penchant for erotic romance, I'm constantly on the lookout for ultra sexy reads that aren't sleazy or boring, and her first book, " Wicked Ties", was neither of those things. In fact, it was the exact opposite on both counts. The book had just the right dose of BDSM elements that made it overwhelmingly hot and intriguing, but not so much so that it creeped me out or left me cold and uninterested in the plot or the characters. Since the BDSM fantasy has never been a particularly strong one of mine, a lot of credit goes to Shayla for drawing me into the story right from the beginning and keeping me hooked throughout. I found myself more and more caught up in the lifestyle, curious to know how it can be both physically satisfying and emotional to those who were involved in it. Probably the biggest factor is trust, and how necessary it is to have enough trust in the other person to know what you need. So if you're curious about BDSM, or just enjoy reading really sexy erotic romance and haven't already discovered this author, this might be just the place to start. FYI: Shayla also writes as Shelley Bradley. These books I haven't read yet, but if they're anything like the Shayla books, then they are definitely worth the time. Publisher: Berkley Trade/Berkley Heat ISBN 0-4252-1361-7 Genre: Contemporary Release Date: January 2, 2007 She didn’t know what she wanted until he made her beg for it…
Morgan O’Malley has seen a lot of kinky things as the hostess of a cable sex talk show. But she’s never met a man like Jack Cole before. A self-proclaimed dominant, he’s as alpha as a male can get - and good for Morgan to have around when an obsessed stalker ratchets up his attempts to get to her.
Though Jack is a bodyguard, Morgan feels anything but safe in his presence. Because slowly and seductively, Jack is bringing her deepest fantasies to the surface. And when he bends her to his will, what’s more shocking than her surrender is how much she enjoys it - and starts to crave his masterful touch. A willing player in Jack’s games, Morgan knows that his motives aren’t pure, but she has no idea how personal they are…
Publisher: Berkley Heat Release Date: October 2, Genre: Contemporary Erotic/Ménage á trios Two men are better than one…
How can a virgin seeking happily-ever-after with a hot pop star who has a penchant for threesomes win her fantasy man? Kimber Edgington desperately needs a plan to convince Jesse McCall, who’s been her friend and secret crush since they spent a summer together as teenagers, that they are meant for each other. But all the tabloid stories about his sexual escapades make her feel oh-so inadequate.
Determined to prove she’s woman enough for Jesse, Kimber turns to bodyguard Deke Trenton for sexual education. Bold and brash, Deke warns Kimber that playing with him is playing with fire. But he can’t bear to imagine the innocent beauty in someone else’s arms. So Deke and his super-sexy friend, Luc, take Kimber under their wings and dangerously close to the edge of ecstasy. Though she’s saved herself for Jesse, Kimber soon learns, he’s not the man adept at stoking her aching, endless need. That’s Deke, and he can’t resist when Kimber begs for more–and more…
Labels: erotic romance, Shayla Black
posted by Stacy~ at 5/16/2007 09:56:00 PM
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007:
"Wild, Wicked & Wanton" by Jaci Burton - a review
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Heat edition (May 1, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0425213838
ISBN-13: 978-0425213834
They're inseparable best friends who delight in sharing their wildest secrets and dares. But their latest bet is the boldest one of all: each must sleep with whomever the other two have chosen for her. And come back with every juicy detail...
WILD
Abby married the town bad boy. And he lived up to his reputation, bedding any woman who let her guard down. She swore off men for good, but never counted on a pair of sexy veterinarians who are fulfilling a desire of their own.
WICKED
Blair is the town heartbreaker. Afraid to commit, she's broken off three engagements. Yet there's one man she never had the courage to bed. The one man she really loved. But now, the decision is out her hands.
WANTON
Callie is the sensible one....but beneath it all she's a true romantic, with the broken heart to prove it. Now her long-dormant fantasies may be getting a workout. A new man enters her life and everything about him is irresistible.
In the deluge of erotica and erotic romance out there, it's been a challenge finding a book that's not just scorchingly sexy, but also romantic. To me, that is the ultimate in a romance novel. Well, I picked this book up on May 1st after seeing some favorable early reviews, and it is one of the best book-buying decisions I've made in quite some time. This was the first book I've ever read by Ms. Burton, and I was very impressed with it. I've added this author to my auto-buy list. First off, let's set the scene. Bad girl Blair gets the ball rolling when she proposes a dare for herself and her two best friends, Abby and Callie: each of them must experience a weekend of sex with the man the other two women have chosen for them, no matter who it is. As incentive, if anyone backs out, they will have to take the other two on an all-expense paid weekend trip to Vegas. No one wants to lose, so game on. In "Wild", Abby makes one of her ultimate fantasies - sex with two men - a reality when her two best friends tell her that her assignment is to get down and dirty with sexy veterinarians Mike and Seth. Having worked with the hot pair for the last year, Abby has had her share of hot fantasies about the two doctors, but it isn't until her internship at the clinic is almost over that an opportunity to live out one of her wildest dreams becomes a reality. Both guys want her, and are willing to indulge her in a bit of fantasy fulfillment, no strings attached. Abby jumps at the chance, not realizing that when it's all over, not only will she experience the ultimate in pleasure, she will also lose her heart. This story was unexpectedly romantic, and I loved it. Abby's focus was on graduating and eventually setting up her own practice, so a relationship was not on her mind, but fulfilling her hottest fantasy was. I liked Abby - she was a bit unsure of herself because of a bad relationship but she also knew what she wanted. I liked that the men she chose were men she'd known awhile, and that she didn't feel guilt or shame about going through with it. I liked that while both Mike and Seth were in it for a good time, they also cared about Abby and made sure she was well taken care of. And I loved the happy ending - it brought tears to my eyes. Blair has always been in control when it comes to her relationships, and isn't willing to give it up for the only man who's managed to slip past her defenses. But in "Wicked", her best friends choose that man, hot sheriff Rand McKay, as the one she must spend a wonderfully decadent weekend with. Apprehensive at the thought because she knows Rand wants her to submit to both their fantasies, Blair nevertheless charges full-speed ahead, fully intending to win the bet with her control, and heart, intact. But Rand can see into the soul of the woman he loves, and knows that if they have any future together, he must convince her to let go of her hard-earned control and see that letting go and submitting to pleasure isn't the same as giving in and letting him control her. He knows what she needs, and he's playing to win. Forever. Blair was a tough cookie, which I liked about her, and she called all the shots in her relationships. While not afraid of sex, she wasn't willing to have the kind of sex that would take matters out of her own hands and allowing another person to be in charge of giving her pleasure. Blair was afraid to really let go but deep down that was what she's always really wanted. She thought she could get through the weekend without experiencing that, but Rand loved her, and knew this was the only way to break through the wall she's surrounded herself with so they could be together. Rand was firm with her, but not to the point that he came across as trying to overpower her, which always turns me off in submission stories. I liked that he was emotionally invested in what was happening, that it wasn't all about the sex for him, and that he understood where Blair was coming from when it came to her fears. This story was unexpectedly sweet, and I loved it. Callie has known love, but lost her beloved husband to cancer years ago. Since then, she's been lonely, and unsure if she'll ever find a man who accepts her and her "Wanton" fantasies. The one man who tempts the lovely Callie is Jack Fellows, a prominent attorney who stops by her shop every morning for coffee, leaving Callie all hot and bothered. Sure, Jack is hot, but certainly not the man for her. However Jack is the man her friends choose for her weekend of debauchery, so Callie lets herself be swept up on Jack's arms, and is delighted that he shares many of the same fantasies she does. See, Callie likes to watch. She also likes the excitement of possibly getting caught while having sex in a public place. Discovering Jack gets turned on by the same things adds a thrilling element to their encounters that Callie has never experienced before, and she loves it. Soon she's falling in love. But will Callie be the woman to share Jack's future? Callie was so incredibly likeable, and so was Jack. Despite being acquaintances in the beginning, it was easy to believe that they could be so drawn to each other and end up falling in love as quickly as they did. And oh were their sexual adventures blazing hot! I never thought I'd go for the whole voyeur/exhibitionist stuff, but wow, it was downright sexy and fun and titillating. I don't think I'll ever really look at a movie theatre the same way again (and this was way hotter than the image from the Alanis Morrisette song). Thanx Jaci *g* What I really loved about this anthology is that even though some of the fantasies might not be personal favorites, Jaci has written them in a way that is explicitly sensual and romantic, and it totally works for me. I love that when the characters fell in love, they didn't have to tame it down or be less adventurous, which sometimes happens in erotic romance. I love that these 3 best friends were totally open about their sexuality because yeah, girlfriends really do talk like that in real life. I know me and mine do.
I also liked that the focus was the women's fantasies, and not just typical fantasies where the women cater to the man's needs. I love that these women were fearless about what they wanted, unabashedly so, and enjoyed every single second of their pleasure. Hey, that's what it's all about. This book is a huge turn on, and I read it twice before finally reviewing it cuz I loved it so much. Hot sexy fun. Check out Jaci here for more exciting writing adventures ;)
Labels: Jaci Burton, reviews
posted by Stacy~ at 5/15/2007 05:29:00 AM
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Monday, May 14, 2007:
A Golden Era "Love Goddess"
A lot of people throughout the world adore blonde icon Marilyn Monroe, and I do too, but I admit that I have always been more fascinated by Rita Hayworth. I think she was glamourous, beautiful and incredibly talented. The way she danced was just amazing, whether she was with Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, or performing solo. There is just something so captivating about her and the era she came from, an air of mystery and glamour that we will never see again. 
Margarita Carmen Dolores Cansino Sadly, she led a rather troubled life, having been married several times. Rita definitely had her share of heartache. Later in life she suffered the ravages of Alzheimer's disease (Note: the Rita Hayworth Gala has raised more than $47 million since 1985). While she was breathtaking and sensual onscreen, she tended to be shy and reclusive in her personal life, which to me makes her a more intriguing personality and much more than just a pretty face. Here's my small tribute to her... 
"Rita Hayworth gave good face"
Vogue by Madonna
She once complained "Men go to bed with Gilda, but they wake up with me". Even with her striking red hair, has anyone ever looked better in black and white? I think not October 17, 1918 - May 14, 1987 Who's your favorite classic actress? Favorite black & white movie? Labels: goddess, Rita Hayworth
posted by Stacy~ at 5/14/2007 12:08:00 AM
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Saturday, May 12, 2007:
I got tagged by Toni and by Shiloh, so I guess I better do it, huh? - Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
- People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
- At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
- Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
1. I'm 100% (or so I've been told) Finnish and have traveled to Finland when I was 22 years old - it was an amazing trip and I really hope to go back. 2. I am always shocking people, and by that I mean I have a lot of static electricity built up in me that zaps most people who come into contact with me. It's kinda weird. 3. When I was a kid, around four, I was extremely afraid of death, and wouldn't go to sleep. This went on for weeks, until I made the executive decision that I was going to go stay with Santa Claus and live forever. 4. I've only ever been completely blacked-out drunk once in my life - when I was 19. Did shots with a cop, then played a drinking game with a few friends and a couple of strangers at a party, and the next thing I know it was morning and I woke up on the living room floor with a scar on my back and I had no idea how I got it. Let's just say that it was the height of stupidity and I've never done that again, nor do I want to. Kids can be so stupid.... 5. I really, really want the Loch Ness monster to be real. And one day I hope to see him/her (it?) when I go to Scotland. 6. I've always been drawn to tigers. I just love their wildness, their sleek beauty. I don't like that they are predators, but that is how they survive. I also hate that they are endangered. Humans can be incredibly cruel and selfish. 7. Give me a blue-collar guy over a suit any day of the week. I love a man who works with his hands, who wears faded jeans and cut-off shirts and has a bit of grease on him. Yum. 8. I am extremely low maintenance (and it shows). Including a 10-minute shower, it probably takes me 20 minutes to get ready. Being comfortable makes me feel good about myself. I think just about everywhere I've been this meme has been posted, so I'll tag whoever else wants to do it :)
Labels: me, tagged
posted by Stacy~ at 5/12/2007 09:08:00 AM
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Thursday, May 10, 2007:
Shane Bernier is a courageous seven-year-old boy from Lancaster, Ontario who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was only five. On June 6th, 2006 Shane and his family received some unfortunate news: Shane experienced a relapse after completing 108 of 130 weeks of treatment.
However, despite the bad news, Shane has managed to keep a positive outlook on his situation and has made a heart-warming wish... He hasn’t asked for money or toys or anything of the sort. Instead, his birthday is on May 30th and he would like to break the world record for the most birthday cards ever received. His goal is 350 million cards. With every card, Shane’s courage grows. Something as simple as sending a birthday card could be enough to help Shane find peace and joy in his current circumstances.
Please take the time to send a card to Shane and make his dream become a reality. Share his story with your friends, family and co-workers. If at all possible, get your youth groups, church congregations, employees, neighbours or communities to set aside a few minutes to write a thoughtful note to Shane.
With every card, Shane's smile grows..... If you’d like to send a card to Shane, please send it to:
Shane Bernier
PO Box 484 Lancaster, Ontario K0C 1N0 Canada
If you’d like to help Shane in other ways too, then take a look at our “ How Can I Help?” page for more ideas. We’ll add more ways as soon as they become available. Labels: Shane's Wish
posted by Stacy~ at 5/10/2007 06:00:00 PM
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Wednesday, May 09, 2007:
MaryKate muses about Alphas
Defining the Alpha Male In a recent online conversation with a well known author, I mused that I loved "old school" romance, and offered up Judith McNaught as someone who writes terrific alpha males. She came back to me and said that she didn’t think of McNaught’s heroes as alpha. That got me to thinking, what is an alpha male? I think of them as a leader of men, as one who is decisive, and driven and single minded in his pursuit of what he wants.
To me, Royce Westmoreland, from McNaught’s A KINGDOM OF DREAMS, is a prime example of an alpha: he is a leader of men, his moniker is the "Black Wolf of England." He is entrusted by the King to protect his interests. He gives no quarter on the battlefield, and, until he meets Jennifer Merrick, the daughter of his enemy, in his personal life. When he meets Jenny, she turns his life upside down. He takes her as his captive, and she hides a knife in order to kill him. He punishes her by setting her to work sewing his mens’ garments; she sews the arms closed and slices holes in thier blankets. She inadvertently kills his horse in an escape attempt. He has no idea what to make of her.
So of course, he has to marry her.
Not really, he’s ordered to marry her, and he does -- by kidnapping her, stealing a priest and forcing him at knife point to conduct that marriage. He gives no quarter. But as their relationship grows, he finds himself making small concessions to make her happy. In the end, he practically sacrifices his life to keep a promise to her. To me, he is the very definition of an alpha male.
What’s your definition of an alpha male in romance?
Who are some of the best examples of alpha males in romance? Why? Labels: alpha males, guest blogger, Judith McNaught
posted by Stacy~ at 5/09/2007 05:42:00 PM
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Monday, May 07, 2007:
My closest friend and I are like night and day: I'm white, she's black. I'm an awkward, small- talk challenged introvert; she's a vivacious, poised social butterfly whom people were drawn to. I'm a big, sissy chicken, she'll kick your ass (gotta love her!) But from the moment I met Cynthia in November of 1994, we became amazingly fast friends, despite our age difference (she's 13 years older than me) and my difficulty opening up to people.
It soon became apparent that we shared a lot of similarities which drew us together: neither of us are morning people, so each day, on queue, we would walk to the cafeteria, in silence, get our breakfast, and walk back to our desks without saying a word. We share a love of Denzil Washington movies, Garth Brooks music, and playing jokes on each other. Inexplicably, we gravitated towards each other and never got tired of talking, no matter how many hours we spent in each other's company. There's no one else on the planet that I share that with, even to this day.
When I met Cynthia, she'd been with her boyfriend, a younger man (you go, Cyn!) for several years. Michael is cute in a geeky, Urkel kind of a way, and he's extremely smart, competitive, and good at everything he does. I admit that I have a bit of a platonic crush on him, and admire him more because of how he cares for Cynthia because he always let her be herself, never smothering her. He's really a good, decent man. And I dig anyone I can be sarcastic with, who isn't easily offended by my teasing, and Michael totally gets me in that respect.
About 4 years ago, in the summer, July I think, Michael came home on a Tuesday from a softball game, complaining that he felt really queasy and was in a bit of pain. This was enough to raise a flag as Michael is the typical guy and never asks for help, but that evening, he asked to go to the doctor's office. Hours later, he was in one of the best hospitals in Chicago after suffering a heart attack and because of a rare blood disorder that was discovered at that time. A machine was doing 97% of Michael's breathing for him. He was in a coma, but he looked so peaceful as he was lying there, just like he was sleeping. I believed he would wake up any moment.
Well he did several moments later. That Saturday, he woke up, cranky, groggy, but alert and his old self, thank God. That Monday, I went to see him in the hospital, and hugged the stuffing out of him. After remaining in the hospital for several days, and getting strict orders from the doctor, Michael went home, and though he seemed to be fine, it was some time before he could go back to work. Yet over the next several months, their lives settled into a routine again, and soon Michael was back out on the softball field, or bowling, or playing darts. Some activities he was banned from by his doctor because of his health, but Michael was not going to spend his life in front of a television.
Almost a year later, well, it was exactly 11 months later, Michael complained of severe dizziness and asked again to go to the hospital. Once there, he told his doctors about his condition and that he felt he was suffering from vertigo. When Cynthia got to the hospital, he told her he was sure he was having a stroke, and Cynthia told the nurses and doctors again about Michael's condition, yet because the tests showed no blood clots, they were skeptical about a stroke.
But Michael knew his own body, maybe from what he'd been through the previous summer, and sure enough, he suffered a stroke. A massive one that left him completely paralyzed. He could only communicate with his eyes by blinking. Livid with the hospital, Cynthia's first concern was taking care of Michael. So her, her family and Michael's spent their time trying to find options and take care of Michael as best as they could. They truly believed with God's help and their determination that Michael would get better, if not today then someday. Until that day came though, many changes would have to take place.
For one, Cynthia, an extremely private person, would have to open her home to Michael's family and caregivers because Michael needed 24-hour care. She would have to learn how to take care of his treach tube, how to feed him, bathe him, help him dress. She would lose sleep, give up her privacy, talk to doctors and experts and the ADA. Try to schedule eye appointments and dentist appointments because no one would treat him in his condition. She continued to work a 40+ hour work week and still managed to take her dear friend Karen, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, to chemo and be there for her when Karen's mother was in hospice.
It's been almost 3 years since Michael's stroke, and in all that time, nothing's changed in Michael's condition. This past week he's been in the hospital, very sick with infections, so Cynthia has not slept more than a few hours total as she has been staying at the hospital with him, going home briefly to shower, deal with phone calls and mail. Getting back to Michael is her first priority.
Throughout this whole ordeal with Michael, she has never once complained about how unfair life is. If anything, she's become extremely protective of Michael and making sure he is being taken care of because out of everyone, he's the one who is suffering the most. For her, Michael is just as important as when he was talking and running around, only now he can't really say what he needs so easily, so she has to figure it out for him, and she does, eventually. For her, losing sleep or bathing him is not a hardship. Her faith in God has gotten her through many difficult nights.
As you can imagine, it has not been an easy time. Sometimes Michael is suffering and she's not always aware of it. Once, while getting him ready for a doctor's visit, his own mother had broken his toe because she tried to put his shoe on and when it wouldn't go on easily, she forced it on his foot. It wasn't until Cynthia saw the tears in Michael's eyes that she knew something was wrong. Another time, when she was at work, someone tried to break into their house while he was home with the caregiver, and Cynthia knew Michael felt both guilty and frustrated for nothing being able to protect this young lady who took care of him. Other times, Michael's family forgets what it's like for him when they are going to family reunions and come home but forget to bring over pictures and videos until several days later, after Cynthia gets on their case because of their neglect. Some of his nieces and nephews haven't seen him for three years, even though they only live a few miles away. It makes me angry that they can be so callous, and it breaks my heart because I know deep in my heart Michael would never treat them the way he's been treated.
Sometimes, because Cynthia and I have always been so close, people ask me how Michael is, and sometimes I have nothing to tell them because when her and I are together, she doesn't always want to talk about him or what her days are like. We might sit outside while it's nice, enjoying the breeze on our faces, complaining about our jobs or giggling over some of the stunts we've pulled on each other over the years. I can't give her much, but I can make her laugh so she doen't cry, and I can be there when she just needs a moment or two of silence. Sometimes we sit by the pond and watch the baby ducks, the size of cotton balls, waddle near their mother.
As close as Cynthia and I are, we still keep some secrets. She has no idea I have this blog. I don't even know if she knows what a blog is, or if she cares. She probably doesn't realize how much her friendship means to me, and how I believe she's in my life for a purpose. I don't question the reason, though I probably should, I'm just grateful that she's here. Cynthia has taught me, or has tried to teach me, never to complain unless you have a solution to the problem. She has taught me the importance of valuing myself, of not caring what other people think, and the value of a good prank. I learned from her that sometimes friendship is not what you say, but what you do. That feeling sorry for yourself can sometimes be the biggest waste of time, and that others always need more than you do.
I don't know if Michael will ever talk again, if he will never throw a dart, or even eat a potato chip. But as long as he is on this earth, Cynthia will be there by his side, never letting him forget that he is just as important to her now, even more so, as he was 4 four years ago, and that his life matters regardless of how he lives it. For that reason alone, she is truly special. She is my role model, my hero. Thank You, God, for my dearest friend.
posted by Stacy~ at 5/07/2007 10:30:00 PM
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"If You Dare" Kresley Cole
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (March 27, 2007)
ISBN-10: 1416540946
ISBN-13: 978-1416540946 Book One Can he exact revenge? High in the Pyrenees, a band of mercenaries led by Courtland MacCarrick wages war for General Reynaldo Pascal. When Court turns on the general, Pascal orders him killed. Court narrowly escapes and exacts revenge by kidnapping Pascal’s exquisite Castilian fiancée.
Can she deny her passions? Noble heiress Annalía Tristán Llorente despises her towering, barbaric captor almost as much as she does Pascal. Her inexplicable attraction to the Highlander only fuels her fury. Yet nothing will stop her from returning to Pascal—for if she doesn’t wed him, she signs her brother’s death warrant, as well as her own.
Can there be love between them? From the moment Court discovers that Anna’s prim façade masks a fiery, brave lass, his heart’s ensnared and he dares to defy the curse that has shadowed his life—to walk with death or walk alone. But Pascal vows that he’ll hunt the two, never stopping until he’s destroyed them both. If they survive, can there be love between a defiant beauty and a ruthless Highland mercenary?
Mercenary Courtland MacCarrick has turned on General Pascal and because of it, is nearly killed by the deadliest of assassins, the Rechazados, yet manages to escape by throwing himself into the raging river below. He's soon rescued by the proud and very ladylike Annalia Llorente, who despises the unconscious Scot on sight but nevertheless nurses him back to health with the desperate hope he'll soon leave Andorra and not bring any trouble to her people. Before too long, Court is awake and restless, anxious to find his men and get back to the tasks of being the mercenary he is and away from the haughty woman who makes his blood boil.
Despite their mutual dislike, Annalia and MacCarrick are reluctantly drawn to each other. Anna cannot help herself; the insufferable Scot is not without intelligence and a bit o' Scottish charm, and is considerably more perceptive than she's comfortable with. He sees her in ways she doesn't want anyone to know, yet both his knowledge of her and his formidable strength over her infuriates her to no end. And Court despises that this hot-blooded beauty would try to use him for her own purpose when he wants her so badly, not realizing the danger he has put her in by not leaving her home.
Their battle of wills comes to a brief halt when Court's men finally arrive, and Anna has no choice but to stand back and watch as Court and his crew take over her home as if it is their right, eating her food, drinking her wine. Angered, she says nothing as she is desperate and realizes she may need their help; she has been summoned by General Pascal to be his bride and to refuse would mean a violent death to her beloved brother Aleix. As much as she absolutely hates the idea of being in MacCarrick's debt, she swallows her pride to ask for his help in saving what's left of her family. Court readily agrees, for a price. However that price is one Anna is unwilling to pay. Knowing she has run out of choices, she goes to meet the General without Court's knowledge, and is escorted by the Rechazados, who take her to his fortress where she is to stay until they are wed.
Too late, Court discovers that Anna's plea for help is genuine, and realizes the danger he's put her in because of his foolish pride. Realizing she has escaped from right under his nose, he sets out to rescue her, and along with his crew, does so successfully, believing that Annalia's brother is already dead. However Anna is not convinced at all, and tries to get away at every opportunity, nearly dying in the process. But because of her rescue, marriage to Pascal will no longer save her brother; Pascal demands satisfaction and has now marked her for death.
It's up to MacCarrick to keep her safe, both from Pascal's men, and from himself and a deadly family curse. Wanting her more than he ever remembers wanting anything, seeing the brave, strong, fiery lass as she truly is, Court knows he is just as dangerous to her and fights to keep his distance.
Annalia is a passionate woman, and after coming to terms with her rescuer and seeing what a noble man he truly is, she wants him just as much. At first confused by her feelings, their time alone together forces her to really see her Scottish mercenary and what has driven him to the life he's chosen. Proud, rough, caring, MacCarrick is the man she longs to be with. Yet Court knows he must stay away from his Anna or risk having her death on his hands, an act he knows deep in his soul he could never live with....
Och, I almost hated Court MacCarrick in the beginning, with his "might makes right" speeches and bullying tactics towards Anna. He taunts her, says the cruelest things to her, takes over her home and refuses to feel guilty about it. But then he has never met a woman like Annalia, doen't know how to respond to her, but feels that pushing her away was the safest thing, at first for his pride, then for his heart. She was as strong and formidable as any enemy, resilient enough to handle his rough, Scottish ways, yet loving, and as loyal as any of his trusted men. Court knows that being with her is wrong, as he is not meant to know love, but love is exactly what he feels for her. He has no choice but to walk away.
I loved Anna and her fearlessness. As much as she's been sheltered her whole life, once Court refused to help her without being "compensated" in return, she wasn't going to sit back and meekly let him control her as he saw fit. At first she fought against him, using her own brand of fighting tactics, then she fought for him, with her body and soon, her heart. Her temper and impulsiveness might come across as a bit spoiled, but I liked it about her because she wasn't acting that way solely for her own pleasure; she's trying to save her brother. She was beautiful but didn't flaunt it; she was rich but didn't make vulgar displays of it. She was a private person, which I can totally relate to, and her unintentional humor amuses Court, which I found to be very sweet. When Court eventually leaves her (with the thought of protecting her), she makes a conscious decision to go on living, to not wallow with her broken heart. But this is a romance, and the top priority of a romance is the HEA, so Court finds it in himself a way to make it right so he can be with the woman he loves. Gotta love that. I already have the next book in the series (thanx to my pal MaryKate's rec) and am looking forward to another visit with those Highlanders. (Oh, and I don't know about you, but "listening" to Court with his "fascinatin' " Scottish accent easily brings Gerard Butler to mind.....) Labels: Highlanders, Kresley Cole, trilogy
posted by Stacy~ at 5/07/2007 05:59:00 AM
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Sunday, May 06, 2007:
Here are some interesting blogland contests out there: Lorelei James is having a contest at her blog, and if you love rodeo cowboys, check out her "Long Hard Ride" from Samhain - yummy ;) Cynthia Eden is having a contest for a copy of Secrets: Volume 18: Dark Passions. Check it out here - you have until July 1st to enter. MG Braden is having a "Love's Blessings" contest to win a $10 Fictionwise gift certificate that will run until May 21st. Crystal Green has a fun prize package from a recent trip to NYC. You have until May 31st to enter.
***Enjoy*** ~ I will be having a blog contest for 3 books sometime this month, so stay tuned :) ~ Labels: blog contests
posted by Stacy~ at 5/06/2007 10:18:00 PM
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Cover model Nathan Kamp speaks....
You've seen his picture on just about every other romance novel out there, now hear him talk about himself and how he ended up as one of the most recognizable cover models outside of Fabio and John D'Salvo (well, those are really the only other models I recognize).
Thanx to Michele for giving me the heads-up It's much 'ppreciated ;) Labels: interview, Nathan Kamp
posted by Stacy~ at 5/06/2007 09:05:00 AM
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Thursday, May 03, 2007:
As I was doing research for Barb's post, I came across this picture of me from June '05 and realized that I don't really have a pic of me anywhere - I use avatars a lot. me with Tony & Lori (aka Tori Carrington) Since it's not a horrible picture I thought what the heck, here I am. There are also a few from last June someone floating on my blog (from the Lori Foster event). I'm just not big on getting my photo taken. But this is reminding me that soon I'll be able to wear shorts, and I think this calls for shopping. Yeah, definitely. Labels: me, pictures
posted by Stacy~ at 5/03/2007 08:39:00 PM
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About a year ago I interviewed a voracious reader of romance, Bad Barb. (Here is my original interview). She also happens to be a good friend and yes, a mentor of sorts. Last year at RWA, it was amazing just how many authors actually know Barb quite well - actually, she is widely recognized in the industry by readers and writers alike. It's been awhile since that interview, so I thought I'd so a catch-up post and see what Barb has to say, and as usual, she's up to her old tricks...... How it all began..... I have been reviewing for about 6 years now, right now currently reading "Simon Says" by Lori Foster and "Lights Out" by Amber Green (Amber is with Loose ID). I also have been test reading, giving feedback on submitted manuscripts. (I really like doing this).
If you want to review like I do, the best thing I can tell you is find a legitimate review site and apply, most of the time you will start with e-books and then work your way up. DON'T go to the authors begging for copies, authors can tell if you are being friends with them just to get free books and stuff or whether you genuinely like them.
I started reviewing when Lori Foster sent me a copy of IN TOO DEEP, it was the first ARC I ever received and I reviewed it at Amazon and BN.com and she started sending me her other books, eventually other authors liked what I did and sent me stuff too. I think it was harder when I started 'cause there weren't as many places to review as there are now. SA: So Barb, how many ARCs would you say you get in a month? Where do you primarily get your ARCs from ((Kensington, etc or authors?) Which authors do you get ARCs from on a regular basis? It varies, but mostly I get my arcs lately from Berkley. :) I love Cindy Hwang. I also get books from Tori Carrington regularly and Renee George (she writes for Changeling).
SA: Do you have a review site? Tell us a little bit about the site (if you would be so kind) What is the link for it?
I review at TheBestReviews.com which is part of Writerspace. SA: Can you share any "teases" about "Simon Says" and "Lights Out"? Even just one-sentence blurbs (something more than "it's really, really good" LOL) I have to say Lori's heroine in "Simon Says" is one of the best names. :) and for "Lights Out" it is a menage (I love those) vampire.
SA: Are you doing test-reading for authors or for publishing houses?
I am test reading for one author right now (willing to take more. :)) and for someone I can't say who.
SA: Can you give a quickie review on a book that was recently released that you thought was awesome? (a New Author discovery, maybe)?
"FOUL PLAY" by Tori Carrington is the latest Sofie book and it was totally awesome. As much as I love Jake (the Aussie bounty hunter he is hot) I like the new guy that has entered Sofie's life. This time Sofie is looking to see what is going on with a pitcher from the NY Mets he appears to be the same but is he really? (SA: I met Tony and Lori a few years ago during their baklava tour and they are both very sweet and funny. I got hugs from both of them, me, who is so not a hugger of strangers, but they were adorable - I will find a pic from the event and post it so you can see me too LOL). *********** So there you have it: Bad Barb in her own words. And what did we learn today? That she remains the master of "the tease". Labels: ARCs, Bad Barb, tease
posted by Stacy~ at 5/03/2007 07:37:00 PM
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A lot of times I don't picture the heroes in the books I read as anyone famous; sometimes they're people I know, or even some imaginary guy I envision from the heroe's description. But my Bella pal MaryKate thought Wentworth Miller from "Prison Break" was Tohrment, the Brother who's heart and life has been devastated. Cutie pie, true that, but way too young-looking. But it got me thinking about Vischous, you know, the hot, kinky vamp from J.R. Ward's BDB series. I see an older version, and Dominic Purcell here gets my vote as our V. In this picture, especially. Look at those hot eyes, that sexy mouth. I can practically see the tats on his face, and I totally imagine him as our boy, V. What about you: who is "your" V? Tohr? Are you anxious for "Lover Unbound"? Favorite Brother? Labels: Dominic Purcell, Lover Unbound, Vischous
posted by Stacy~ at 5/03/2007 05:20:00 AM
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Wednesday, May 02, 2007:
You have to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
***Warning: this is not the usual Pollyanna blog experience you can expect to find here*** Normally, being the kind of person am, I don't get involved in blog wars. It's not that I have anything against them, I just feel like I don't have much of anything to add to the conversation. Plus, I'm not very confrontational, or even at the very least outspoken, so I mostly keep to myself in blogland. That's just me. I don't publicly share my opinion on everything. My personal choice. Having said that, it doesn't mean that I think others should do exactly the same thing I do - that's just ridiculous to even consider. I am a huge, huge believer in the freedom of speech. I visit a few blogs that have very outspoken conversations, some of which I agree with, some I dislike, others I laugh at. One of these blogs is Karen Scott's. Karen will most likely never see this as I'm sure she has more interesting places to hang out than here (sad but true LOL), so she probably doesn't know I enjoy visiting her blog, and though I might not always agree with what she says, or the way she says it, I respect her opinion and her right to state it on her own blog, or as an opinion on someone else's. What's prompted me to even mention her blog is an issue that's currently going on in blogland, all on account of a review she did of a book she thought sucked. (Normally I wouldn't link to it but I think by doing so it will give others an opportunity to see what started it all. Be forewarned: it is rather graphic as that's Karen's nature at her blog, and includes the comments about the entire situation that has prompted this post from me). I admit, I would never have written a review like that, but at the same time, I respect Karen for giving strong, specific reasons for why she didn't like it. I winced when I read it, and yet realized I also had to agree with some of the opinions she expressed. It was a harsh review, and if I were the author, I would have cried to read it. But there was also the fact that the author was not held entirely responsible for why Karen felt the way she did. Others who had read the book voiced their opinions as well, and there were a few encouraging posts towards the author where the reader seemed to feel that the author wasn't given any editorial guidance whatsoever. Not having read it, I have no opinion, and besides that's really not what my post here is about anyway. If you've read this far, and seen Karen's post, as well as the follow-up post, then you already know that someone rather well-known in the industry left a very long and accusing response to Karen's review. To say I was disappointed by the response is putting it mildly. I was appalled at most of what was said. To think a review could stir such venom really bothers me (stamping foot. Yes, I'm a force to be reckoned with). Seriously though, after reading Karen's review twice, I don't see anything that was said that should have caused the nastiness that it did. Most of the comments by this person were so over-the-top and ridiculous I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief, and then almost throw my laptop out the window in disgust. Accusing a blogger of causing someone to think of suicide is not only ludicrous, but irresponsible. It just sickened me that someone would go around making such accusations as if she was staging an intervention of a drug addict on a rampage. I don't know Karen very well, yet a few things I do know without having to be told is that she is not a vindictive, jealous person. She's severely outspoken, funny as hell, completely raunchy and a bit twisted, but definitely not some nasty, sick bitch running amuck in blogland. I have no personal reason to stick up for her other than I feel like she's being put up as an example of "bad, bad reader, mean blogger, how dare you try to have an opinion that doesn't mirror mine, you little insignificant twit?" And it totally pisses me off. I don't care who you are: how dare anyone believe they have the right to tell the intelligent, outspoken reading public how to think about a book or story purchased with that reader's hard-earned dollars (or other currency)? How dare they accuse a reader/blogger/Joe Blow that their comments have driven anyone to commit a drastic, horrific act such as suicide? Publishing such outlandish, irrational statements takes away this businesswoman's professional integrity, to say the very least. Now I know that I am someone who would probably get a pat on the head from the big-wig who wrote this as I have more of a tendency to be one of those fangirls that gets sneered at from time to time for never writing reviews for books that I would grade C or lower, but this time I can't rally for the cause and say "can't we all just get along?" No, this little battle has enraged this Pollyanna, and for a moment I just wanted to throw my copy of "The Secret" in the garbage if this is what the outcome turns out to be from reading it. (Note: using references from "The Secret" about the bad karma that will result from negative thoughts pretty much negates the entire purpose of big-wig's rant since said rant is nothing but negative thoughts about Karen and other readers, bloggers and authors who don't pledge the "Sally Sunshine" oath). So Karen Scott, for what it's worth, you may never read this and that's okay, but this fangirl is in your corner, and long, long, long live your blog because NO ONE should be able to take that away from you. Plus, on a more selfish note, I would hate to see such an entertaining place fade into the darkness of boredom and mediocrity. I know, I know. Soon this will be over, and a new topic will be all the rage, and I'll go back to lurking and wonder what the hell I was thinking trying to be one of the big dogs for even a brief moment, but for now I'm going to relax, enjoy the rest of the evening reading a good book, and remember that not all bloggers, readers, and authors are ruled by jealousy, arrogance, illusions of grandeur or attitude problems. Fluffy slippers, Nathan Kamp and Dove milk chocolate, take me away.......... Labels: blog wars, freedom of speech
posted by Stacy~ at 5/02/2007 06:33:00 PM
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