|
|
Monday, August 31, 2009:
Double Play by Jill Shalvis (2009) - review
 Pace Martin is the ace pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He's got the arm, the experience, and the wins. He's also got the pain, the pressure, and the possible end of his career looming over him. The last thing he needs now is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful, tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses.
Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark, and slightly attitude-challenged Pace Martin fits the bill. But when she realizes there's more at stake than just a win, she starts to see the handsome, broad-shouldered jock in a different light.
Pace and Holly begin a seductive game, but in the face of unexpected betrayal and challenges, they'll have to find the courage to swing for the fences... Jill Shalvis, oh how do I love thee, and thy books? Oh, just more than words can say.
Writing about sports heroes has got to be very challenging, because we don't see a lot of them out there, and because there's got to be such a stigma attached to them. Let's face it, the majority of these players make more money than us regular folk will ever see in our lifetime, and many of them live and party like there's no tomorrow. There's the women in every city, those groupies; there's the instant recognition and adulation from the fans. Who wouldn't get a swelled head with all that attention and instant access to the hottest clubs and events? But probably the biggest strike against sports players these days are all those drug scandals.
Jill addresses each of these issues here in her recent Berkley release. Pace Martin is one drop-dead sexy player, in every sense of the word, and he's used to having all the advantages that fame and money can buy. But lately he's been feeling the physical strain his body has endured by being in such a competitive sport. Despite all the exercise and therapy, the downtime and relaxation, there's very strong chance that he'll need to have surgery, and this is a big deal, not something Pace takes lightly. Depending on the damage to his arm, he may end up with a procedure that will end his career, and that is just not acceptable to a man who's lived and breathed baseball ever since he could remember.
Holly Hutchins is a reporter who sniffs out the dirt and reports on it. She's not a tabloid reporter, but rather an investigative journalist who prides herself on telling both sides of a story, regardless what her research uncovers. When her latest assignment involves reporting on the Heat, Holly's not exactly thrilled, but a job is a job, and she doesn't have much of a choice. Besides, she senses a story waiting to be uncovered, and trusting her instincts, she'll dig it up no matter what it takes.
As to be expected, Pace is reluctant to be interviewed by the perky yet persistent reporter. In fact the first time he sees her, he mistakes her for just wanting his autograph. But Holly isn't one to give up easily, and despite her unwanted attraction to a man who earns his living with his brawn, not his brains, she nevertheless dogs his every step until he figures out it will be less painful to just give in. Of course that's when he thinks this is a one-time deal. Before too long Holly is writing a series of articles all about the Heat, which means she'll be sticking around. Which means that despite how much they both might try to deny it, they're very attracted to each other, and all those moments of close proximity are bound to lead to something crazy and explosive that neither one of them could have counted on....
My thoughts:
"Double Play" is a fun, sexy, inside look into the world of major league baseball and the men and women who love and live the game. We see the toll it takes on the players who are under tremendous pressure, the endless temptations that are thrown their way everytime they turn around. There's the curse of steroid use, the fanatical fans, the unrelenting need to win. The legends to live up to, the superstitions that tend to make even the most rational of people a little crazy.
Pace initially seems like your typical baseball star, armed with stunning good looks, a golden arm and money to burn. But as we get to see more closely into his daily life, we see that he has problems just like everyone else. His relationship with his father pretty much sucks, he's got an overzealous fan who thinks they're soulmates, his shoulder hurts like a bitch, and he can't stop thinking about an irritating yet irresistible woman who's not fooled by his charm. We see his softer side in the way he responds to a group of young kids who love baseball like he used to. Pace is a bit of a teddy bear, but he's not a sappy fool. He's still a guy, and really, would we want him any other way? Not in our books, we wouldn't.
I flucuated back and forth with my feelings for Holly. At first I liked her, but then when she was in her all hard-ass reporter mode, I didn't. I've never been a fan of reporters/journalists/hacks, whatever. No, I've never been a fan of the relentless drive to follow a story to its inevitable conclusion, no matter where that road may lead or who might be run over in the process. I don't like the invasion of privacy. But despite my personal hang-up, as I got to "know" Holly, and saw what made her tick, and what realizations she came to about the way she's lived her life, the little stinker wormed her way past my defenses, much like I'm sure she did with Pace.
There relationship was a bit rocky at times, but they became friends, and eventually lovers. Despite how they were both unused to opening up to people, their feelings for each other made it impossible to keep their usual safe distance for long. It could be painful at times, and it probably would have been easier if they could just walk away, but both of them had done that too many times in the past. But could they figure it out before their pride had them both walking away? Well duh, of course they could, and they did, and they pretty much will be living happily ever after for as long as they both shall live. Because that's what happens in a romance. But despite the predictability of our HEA books, it's the journey that makes it so much fun to get to that obvious destination. I love a romance that deals more than just the sexual attraction, but isn't too heavily mired in serious issues. Pace especially was having to struggle with the possible loss of a career he's dreamed about his entire life, while Holly faced the realization that she's never let anyone in, not really. So both of them were dealing with demons that scared them silly.
I loved this glimpse into the world of baseball, even though it's not my favorite sport, or even my second favorite. I liked the players, their close-knit version of family. I liked their passion for the game, watching how they interacted, what it was like for them to live on the road. I'm sure somewhere out there, there are players that do it just for the love of the game, players who have families they care about and go home to, rather than living for the next booty call. Until then, there are books like "Double Play" to read and savor.
The next book, "Slow Heat", will be out February 2010, and yep, I'm sooo gettin' it!
Rating: **** 1/2 out of ***** Labels: Jill Shalvis, review
posted by Stacy~ at 8/31/2009 06:46:00 AM
|
 
Sunday, August 30, 2009:
I had to go back 3 times and correct the list because I inadvertantly kept leaving people out, but I think I've got it. The winner of Sarah Parr's RENEGADE is....
BABYBLUE22 (Afshan)!!!!
Congrats Afshan. Please email me at trelainastarblazer @ yahoo dot com with your snail mail addy and I'll get that out as soon as I can. If I don't hear from you by noon CST Sunday, September 6th, another name will be selected.
Thank you all for stopping by and giving such creatively wonderful answers. I can't decide which I'd choose if given the opportunity, but based on these suggestions, I have quite a few imaginative ideas ;) 13. BABYBLUE22
37. ETIRV
12. PAM P.
7. LEA
1. LIZA
38. MARY G.
21. CRYSTALGB
41. MARI
11. AMY M.
14. MINNA
9. EMMANUELLE
17. KAY
28. KAREN W.
40. PAM P.
15. LEA
25. LIZA
4. ESTELLA
43. MINNA
18. EVA S.
23. JCP
33. MAIJA P.
39. ESTELL
36. CHEY
31. MAUREEN
10. WANDA
24. HOUSEMOUSE88
35. BOOKLOVER1335
6. LEONTINE
30. SUSI SUNSHINE
34. TETEWA
22. AMY M.
2. JCP
19. HOST
20. I HEART BOOK GOSSIP
27. WANDA
5. KAREN W
8. HOST
26. PATTI
3. CHEY
29. JODER
32. BARBARA
16. MANDY
42. BABYBLUE22 I have another interview and contest lined up in the next few weeks :) This time the prize will be 3 books, so stay tuned.... Labels: Sarah Parr, winner
posted by Stacy~ at 8/30/2009 05:42:00 PM
|
Saturday, August 29, 2009:
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber (2009) - review
What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death….
I had first met Leanna Renee Hieber last year at the 2008 Lori Foster/Dianne Castell get-together. She's a very friendly and interesting person, and very good at remembering people. It was quite lovely to hear she was writing and about to have a book published in 2009, and she was kind enough to send me a copy of it.
TSBTOMPP is very different than most of the books I've read in recent memory. There is rather a dream-like quality about it, blended with several other intriguing elements: the delicious chill of a ghost story, the horrific murders of the Ripper, the fascinating aspects of Greek mythology. There's love and pain, friendship and betrayal.
Miss Percy Parker is remarkable in the sense that she is looked upon as a physical oddity, and in her mind that means she is quite beastly. She also has the ability to communicate with ghosts. These facts, along with a few others, ostracize her from her peers. Miss Parker is a lonely young woman who longs for companionship, and soon begins to find it at the Athens Academy.
She's extremely intimidated by Professor Alexi Rychman, who teaches mathematics. See, Percy is proficient in every language except, it seems, that of numbers. It's just that the professor affects her so, and she cannot seem to concentrate on anything but his richly, beautiful voice. It gets to the point where Professor Rychman offers to tutor her or she runs the risk of complete failure in his class. Nervously, she accepts.
Professor Rychman has been waiting for his goddess for years, and everything else in his life is just to pass the time. As part of an elite yet secretive group called the Guard, he serves the good of his cause, forsaking his heart's desire for that of duty. He's impatient with his student, who cannot seem to grasp the basic concept of mathematics, yet also finds her arresting in her appearance. After a time Alexi begins to look forward to the tutorials, and hopes to break through Miss Parker's timidity to find something strong and resilient within her.
Meanwhile the others in the Guard are distracted by someone who seems to be the long-awaited seventh in their group, and cannot fathom Alexi's preoccupation with a mere student. Fiendish trouble is coming, and they must all be on their guard to defeat the evil that threatens all of London....
My thoughts:
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is indeed both strange and beautiful. Reading the lyrical prose is incredibly hypnotic, and wrapped around me like a warm, cozy blanket. I felt drawn into Miss Parker's stark and lonely world right away, and fell right into the pages. I was equally as captivated by the lives of all the other characters as well.
That doesn't mean I was completely in love with the book though. The main thing that bothered me - and I'm sure other readers - was how meek and timid Percy was. Just about every comment she made had some reference to her looks, or her loneliness, or how tragic her life has been. Yes, Percy has the "poor me" syndrome, and frankly, it rather got on my nerves. And to pair her with an older, more sophisicated man was remniscent of the old Harlequin Presents from the '70's and '80's, which didn't seem so suitable or particularly interesting, especially not in the beginning.
Still, there were many things I did find delightful, and both Alexi and Percy grew on me as I got to know them and watch them with each other. Also, I certainly did want to find out more about the Guard's history and what happened in all that time, from when they first met, through those years in between. We catch glimpses, but not nearly enough to satisfy my curiosity about Michael, Rebecca, Elijah, Josephine, and Jane, and what their lives have been like. The rather gothic feel of the story made me second-guess every character, and wonder just what role they played in the destiny of the Guard. And I've always been fascinated with mythology, so the numerous references were a fun addition to the storyline, not to mention the involvement of the Ripper. So I'm especially pleased to hear that there will indeed be more strangely beautiful tales coming in May 2010....
Rating: ***1/2 out of *****
Labels: Leanna Renee Hieber, reviews
posted by Stacy~ at 8/29/2009 08:38:00 PM
|
Friday, August 28, 2009:
Win a copy of RENEGADE by Sarah Parr
 Oh how I love contests, and what a coincidence; today I'm having one. What fun :)All you have to do is answer the following question and you'll be entered in the random drawing: If you could be stranded anywhere, ANYWHERE in the world for a month, where would it be and who would it be with? All are welcome to enter the contest to win a copy of Sarah's latest release, RENEGADE. It doesn't matter where you live, as long as you can receive mail. Contest ends Sunday, August 30th @ 5pm CST and a winner will be announced soon after. Please DO NOT leave your email address in your response as it is the winner's responsibility to contact me via email within 1 week of announcement. If no one has come forth, another winner will be drawn. Also, anyone who leaves a comment in the previous post - Sarah's interview - will be included 1 additional time in the drawing. So please, go forth and enter :)
GOOD LUCK! Labels: contest, Sarah Parr
posted by Stacy~ at 8/28/2009 06:38:00 AM
|
Thursday, August 27, 2009:
Sarah Parr, part Renegade...
 I first noticed this author when Katiebabs reviewed her book Renegade, and have been curious about her ever since. As I mentioned earlier, I had been lucky enough to meet Sarah in June, and she was so sweet. And kind enough to grant me an interview.
S~ So Sarah, how long have you been writing? Is this something you've always done or did you pursue it later in life, after raising a family?
I started writing only a few years back. I completed two manuscripts, signed up for RWA Nationals in Dallas and was lucky to meet Hilary Sares from Kensington. She bought them both. The first one, Renegade, came out in June. Book 2, as yet unnamed, will be released in July 2010. (Yay! News we like to hear *g*)
S~ Which authors have inspired you to write? Who are some of your past and current favorites?
I read a wide variety, from classics to mainstream to textbooks. Inspiration comes to me in bits, so I guess I am the summation of my experiences.
S~ How has it been to have your first book, Renegade, out in release? What has been the reception, and does it match or differ from your own expectations?
Seeing Renegade on the shelves still catches me off guard. I feel lucky that it is there and hope that I can continue to write stories people will enjoy. (Oh, you do!)
S~ What do you consider the most difficult part of writing? How do you make it a little easier?
Staring at the blank page. I make it easier knowing that it is something all writer’s go through. I work until I meet my goal of the day, whatever that is.
S~ How long have you been reading romance? How has the genre changed in your eyes?
I started reading romance as a kid with fairy tales, complete with Happily Ever After. Each new writer brings something new, bringing new ideas, stories and journeys. If there has been change, it has been in the increase in choices as the genre grows and flourishes.
S~ What are some things we won't see in a Sarah Parr novel?
My core story is one where you have a hero and heroine who are both strong in their own rights. Each is very capable but together, they create something greater. As a new writer, I cannot really say what you won’t see, but you will see variations on that theme.
S~ Paranormals are the hot thing these days. Do you see yourself branching out, or are you quite happy staying with the historical genre?
I will always write historicals but I enjoy all kinds of stories so you never know.
S~ How do people react when you tell them you write romance? Have you ever had to deal with some pretty strange comments?
Jimmy Buffett says, ‘If we weren’t all crazy we would go insane’ – starting with me. I have a quirky sense of humor so I love the strange comments! (Great attitude!)
S~ Your bio states that you're well traveled. Have you been to the locations you write about? What are some of your favorite destinations?
I’ve been very lucky and have traveled tensively – lived in Europe for a year, Bermuda a year, and worked for a cruise line in sales. It gave the chance to travel all around the Europe, the Mediterranean, Russia, the Caribbean and United States. As a student of history, I armchair travel as well. My favorite destinations are places with rich stories.
S~ What is your typical day of writing like?
With a family to look after and boarding stables to run, I write when I can, blocks when I can find them, evenings where possible. In all, if I added it up, I would average around six hours a day towards writing.
S ~ I see your next release is set to be a sequel to Renegade. Can you tell us more about it, and when we can expect to see it on the shelves?
My next book is due in July 2010 and is a tied stand alone. It takes place over 30 years later and the hero is the son of Jonathon and Jaline – Warrick. Jonathon and Jaline are seen in cameos. (Ooooh, can't wait!)
S~ Now I always like to ask a few questions and find out what an author is like outside of their writing life. What are some of the ways you like to relax?
I ride dressage and cook gourmet. When I travel, I collect cookbooks from the places I visit.
S ~ Coffee, wine, chocolate? What's your idea of a good meal?
Dark chocolate – preferably 70%, an aged Portuguese tawny port, Coffee – dark roast or espresso. A good meal includes atmosphere such as at Ray’s Boathouse in Seattle, Le Bouchon de Grove in Coconut Grove, Lorelei on the water in Islamorada and Tugra in the Ciragen Palace Istanbul. Some of my best meals have included pizza on the deck of a cruise ship. When at home, I like recipes  that are a challenge. Right now I am playing with Japanese cuisine.
Ray's Boathouse
S ~ Hotties are very important here at my blog. Who is your idea of eye candy? What kind of man do you find sexy and could you give us some (many) examples?
Hotties – David Boreanaz, Yannick Bisson, George Clooney, Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Richard Gere, Keanu Reeves, Matthew McConaughey, Brendon Fraser, Harrison Ford, Sam Eliot, Johnny Depp, Patrick Dempsey...
S~ Who is someone you admire, whether a writer or someone outside the business? Why do they inspire you?
I have several mentors, people who have stepped outside their own success to help me. Too personal to name, they have taught me gratitude, sacrifice and giving back to others despite their journeys towards success. I owe them much and try to give back in return whenever I can.
S~ What books are you currently reading? Any book you cannot wait to get your hands on?
I average about a book a day. Right now I am working through the wonderful titles I picked up at RWA Nationals along with research books for my 2010 release.
S~ What has been some of the best advice you've gotten about writing?
Keep to the story.
S~ What goals have you set for yourself?
To keep improving my craft, to continue to write no matter what.
S~ Do you find it difficult to write those juicy love scenes or do you just let the characters come out to play?
Finding the right words so that the characters can express their story isn’t easy, but that is true in all scenes.
S~ Other than the RWA literacy signing, any plans to attend any booksignings in 2009? (Come to Chicago!!)
Not at this time, although if anyone would like an autographed copy, I have bookplates I can personalize. Send me a request, a SASE envelope to Sarah Parr PO Box 464 Pittsford, NY 14534 USA and I will sign one and include a bookmark for your collection.
S~ Any last words? Thoughts on the genre? Some exciting news you'd like to share?
S~ Sarah, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me :) Faithful followers *g*, stay tuned tomorrow to win a copy of Renegade for your very own. And keep in mind comments/questions left here will also be counted towards an entry in the contest.
As always, thanx for stopping by! Labels: author interviews, Sarah Parr
posted by Stacy~ at 8/27/2009 06:56:00 AM
|
Wednesday, August 26, 2009:
Bloggers & book pimpin': giving & receiving
 I received a lovely surprise Tuesday when I found out that one of the bloggers I visit, Nicola, was in town for a few days visiting family, and she and Shannon invited me to hang out with them Tuesday evening. We decided to meet at Barnes and Noble, naturally, at a location not far from me, and chill. This is always fun for me because I rarely get to shop for romance books with others who love them as much as I do. I hadn't met Nicola in person before, but I recognized her almost right away from her picture. She's one of those people you warm up to right away, and boy, has she read a lot of interesting books. I took special note of one she mentioned by Fern Michaels called "Captive Passions". I don't know if I'll ever read it, but having Nicola telling the outlandish tale of how the story goes definitely made me laugh, and I admit I'm rather tempted to try to find a copy just to see if it's everything she said it was. There's just something about those old school romances written in the 70's and 80's that managed to get away with throwing in all kinds of crazy stuff and still manage to win the hearts of fans. Gotta love that. Readers of today are much pickier, though rightfully so.
Another fun thing we did was come across another reader who heard us chatting in the romance aisles and wanted to know what books we were talking about. She was looking for contemporary romance, and Nicola immediately mentioned a local favorite, Julie James, to which Shannon and I readily agreed. It was so cool to actually show her the books, put them in her hand, and watch her walk up to the cash register, happy as any reader could be to find a gem of a story. Book pimpin' at its finest.
Of course I was not exempt from being being pimped to. Shannon came across Patricia Briggs' latest in the Alpha & Omega series, "Hunting Ground" and I snatched it up without even thinking twice. I believe she's the one who got me hooked when she encouraged me to get the anthology "On The Prowl" where we first meet Anna and Charles, and I fell completely for the cautious, fated pair, so she hadn't steered me wrong with her rec.
So definitely this was a fun evening, where I came away with only 3 books (got the last 2 in Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series, now I have all 6 titles) but I'm set for awhile. Can't wait for a chance for some uninterrupted reading time.
What book(s) are you pimpin' these days?
What's the best pimpin' you've received lately? Labels: friends, pimpin; blogs
posted by Stacy~ at 8/26/2009 06:57:00 AM
|
Tuesday, August 25, 2009:
Spotlight: I - Larissa Ione
My first experience reading anything by Ms. Ione was when I picked up the first Sydney Croft book a few years ago; It was Riding The Storm, and wow, was it scorching hot and completely intriguing. I then immediately got the second book and that one was even more intense. Incredible powers meshed with sexual need is definitely an explosive combination. Break out the ice cubes and crank up the a.c. for these reads. They are on fire!
Later I kept hearing all these great things about Larissa Ione's Demonica series, so of course, being the follower that I am, easily influenced by outside forces, I picked up a copy of the first book, Pleasure Unbound, and thought it was okay. But then at another time, when I was more in the mood for a demonic possession, I re-read it, and totally GOT it. Larissa had created an incredibly absorbing world of demons and torment. I was captivated by the main characters and definitely clamoring for more, so of course I got the next 2 books in the series. You can't go wrong with a nice, hot demon ;)
I had the pleasure of meeting Larissa at RWA in San Francisco in 2008, and she was so friendly and interesting and made me feel so comfortable, as if all the gushing didn't freak her out a little. She's so nice that she introduced me to the author sitting next to her as a way of introducing that writer's work to others. How cool is that? Definitely very classy.
Larissa has since become one of those auto-buy authors for me, and I'm checking out her site now as I type this, anxious for the next writing installment. Something tells me I definitely want to be Snow Bound ;)
Have you discovered Larissa's books? Do you have a favorite demon? Labels: Larissa Ione, spotlight
posted by Stacy~ at 8/25/2009 09:29:00 AM
|
Monday, August 24, 2009:
Renegade by Sarah Parr (2009) - mini review
A WOMAN TO ADORE
Far from England, alone for too long, Captain Jonathon Barry Is captivated the instant he saw Jaline--she is too magnificent not to notice. There is a grace to her movements, an elegance to her bearing, that sets her apart even before she lifts her exotic black eyes or speaks. Her voice is intoxicating, soft as velvet with a sweet, lilting quality, as she recounts an evil bargain made against her will. She is to be his mistress, and he may do with her as he pleases … Jonathon is deeply torn, for Jaline is indeed his by right. She is only a slave, the prize he has won in a Constantinople gambling den. Trembling, bared to him, body and soul— he can see how cruelly she has been treated. It is clear that Jaline is in danger still and he may well be her only hope. Yet even a renegade like Jonathon would risk anything to save so beautiful a woman…and to love her, if she will let him. I read an amazing review by Katiebabs for this book, and knew I just had to read it. So when I met Sarah Parr in June at the Lori Foster/Dianne Castell gathering, I was disappointed to discover that her book had been sold out before I even had a chance to see the cover. But Sarah was very sweet and gracious, and later, she even did an interview with me (which will be posted later this week). I decided to do this as a mini-review because it's very difficult for me to find the words to really describe this book. Sometimes a story sneaks up on you, has a way of seeping into you and you're not sure why or how it happened, just that it does. This is one of those books. I enjoyed it very much, but it's one of those times where it's hard to put into words how it make me feel. I don't look at that in a bad way, though it does make it a tad bit difficult to write a review. I guess you just have to read it to understand. When we first meet Jonathan and Jaline, he has already won her in a gambling den, and he realizes that she's a bit scared of him. Jaline feels very much in Jonathan's debt, and is accepting in her fate as his mistress, though to him, it appears more like she's walking to the gallows. But he desires her greatly, and is not willing to let her go, especially when it is evident she is still in some kind of danger. Since her parents died, Jaline has known what it's like to be a burden. She knows that Jonathan now owns her, and in fact can do whatever he wants to her, and she refuses to renege on the terms of their agreement. Yet despite her resignation, she's also strongly drawn to Jonathan, and finds his kindness and patience rather confusing. She also wonders why he hesitates to make her his mistress in truth, preferring to wait until a more comfortable situation for them both. Jaline is not used to men like Jonathan. He might just be the one to slip past her defenses, no matter how much she doesn't want to care... My thoughts: Jaline is part shy mouse, part clever and fearless tiger. Jonathan is captivated with her right from the start, even begins to fall in love with her, though while he doesn't think of her as a slave, he does consider her "his". He's charmed by this hauntingly sad and beautiful woman who has managed to survive by her wits and strength alone. I loved Jonathan's patience with Jaline, even though she has willingly agreed to share his bed, he doesn't want to just use her like she expects him to. She's heartbreakingly lovely and resilient, but he senses her vulnerability, understands that she expects him to turn on her like everyone else has. But to him she is so much more than a woman to warm his bed. He values her instincts, trusts her judgment implicitly. I really liked how Jonathan will defer to Jaline from time to time, not caring that she is a woman. He just knows that she's had experiences that shape her way of thinking, and that she's pretty spot on with her assessments. You gotta love a hero who respects the opinions of a woman, even if no one else does. Jaline doesn't want to love Jonathan, but she cannot help herself. He's the first person to truly listen to her, to care for her for more than just a means to an end. But Jonathan is on his way to becoming a duke, and there is no way she will let her position as his mistress become more, ruining his chances to reclaim his family's title. Above all else, Jaline is a practical woman, and understands how these things work. I found her actions to be in line with the type of person she was, even if falling in love with Jonathan wasn't part of her plan. Jaline was a bit hard to get to know, but she manages to sneak up on you and make you care. She looks upon her beauty as more of a curse than anything else, and it isn't until she meets Jonathan that she discovers that not all men are ruled by their passions. While once she may have looked at being a mistress as an obligation, with Jonathan it is about giving, about pleasure and feelings. "Renegade" is a lovely story, moving, filled with intrigue, action, betrayal, and most importantly, a wonderful love story. It's hard to explain, but suffice it to say that by the time I closed the book, I was assailed by that feeling of sadness I get whenever I don't want a book to end. The characters made me fall in love with them and I wasn't quite ready to leave their world. I definitely will be reading more of Sarah's work. Please stay tuned later in the week where I'll be posting a wonderful interview with Sarah, and intend to give a copy of "Renegade" away to one lucky winner :) Rating: **** out of ***** Labels: quickie reviews, Sarah Parr
posted by Stacy~ at 8/24/2009 08:35:00 AM
|
Friday, August 21, 2009:
It's the same old, same old situaaaaation...
 Awhile ago I was talking to a good friend of mine who confessed to me that she pretended to not know anything about football just so that the guy she was dating could impress her with his considerable knowledge (rolling eyes). Stuff like this drives me nuts, and I told her so. I guess I've never been big on playing the helpless, silly female, especially when it comes to sports. If I know something, chances are I'm gonna tell you whether you want to know or not.
It did get me thinking though of other cliches, especially those found in romance, scenarios that I get tired of seeing over and over again. Usually they are thrown in just to make a story "easier", but I think it's taking the easy way out. I think it would be more interesting if authors didn't always fall back on certain cliches to drive their story. Such as these: The lone heroine. Mostly found in paranormal romance or urban fantasy, the heroine is almost always a kick-ass chick who goes it alone. She doesn't trust anyone, except maybe her one good friend, though she usually turns out to be pretty normal and tends to have a family of her own. Other than that, our heroine is a loner, going through life fighting the good fight, engaging in casual sex and low-maintenance hook-ups, sometimes barely scraping by, but seems to always have really cool, expensive weaponry. Most heroes in these same books fit this category as well, but I get more ticked off when it's the heroine. Dead parents. Now I know a lot of people lose their parents, usually in their 30's and 40's, so it's not the natural order of things that bother me. It's the endless stories with parents that die, usually in a fiery car crash at some point when our hero/heroine is a child or teen. Why do so many characters have to have such a background? I'm thinking because it's an easier way to create conflict, and used to justify why a character is distant, or avoids intimacy for fear of losing that person. I get that. But it's used way too often. Dysfunctional families. Like many people, I would say I come from a dysfunctional family. It's common. But so are well-adjusted families. I know several people who actually get along with their parents and siblings, and they spend all their holidays together. I know because I've been there. It doesn't mean they don't fight or get irritated with each other. It just means that they like to spend time together and look out for each other. Wow, how refreshing. Heroines who don't believe you can have it all. Kati did a post on this not too long about about a certain book she'd been reading, and I believe I know which one it is *g* Essentially the heroine was a career woman who didn't think she could continue her career and have a fulfilling relationship with the man she loved. She thought she'd have to choose, and in the end, she almost chose the career. Despite discovering how lonely she was, about how there was something missing in her career on the other side of the country that she was able to have living in a smaller location with people who cared about her, she still almost walked away. D'oh. This strongly borders on TSTL territory for me. In the 80's, and maybe even the 90's, I was okay with this, but now, nope. It can be done. Women do it all the time. It's no longer a novelty to have it all. It's reality. So this one tends to bother me. The perfect skinny body and "heroine" hair. Yes, it's fiction, and we want it to be about pretty people, but beauty does come in all shapes and sizes, and hearing about a heroine who is a size 12 being called a "large" or "heavy" heroine burns my butt. As women, we check each other out, look at what other women are wearing and what size they are. And if I were asked the question as to which woman would I be attracted to, it's not the size 2 blonde who ate a grape for breakfast this morning and looked in disapproval at my cup of fruit and piece of french toast I had on my plate. No, it's going to be the pretty, dark-haired girl with actual cleavage from her real boobs who's gotta be at around a size 10. Plus she actually has a smile on her face instead of the pruny scowl blondie hit me with. Yeah, I'd do the brunette. Yet in a romance novel, the heroines are always as tall as the man's chin, with a slim yet curvaceous body. I'm totally picturing a Barbie doll here, and hasn't it been proven that there's no way Barbie could stand up straight if she were real? (and no, I don't mean that, so get your minds out of the gutter. That's a topic for another time).
So those are just a few of the cliches that get on my nerves when it comes to romances. Sometimes you can a book and know exactly what you're going to get, and sometimes there's not a lot of fun and excitement in that. Can you think of any others that you would love to see long gone?
Labels: cliches
posted by Stacy~ at 8/21/2009 06:36:00 AM
|
Wednesday, August 19, 2009:
The J.D. debate: does Ryan Reynolds make the cut?
So there's this crazy idea out there some people have that actor Ryan Reynolds is the inspiration behind Julie James' hero in her release, "Practice Makes Perfect". Ryan Reynolds! Can you believe it? No, me either. To me, Ryan is the goofball med student from "Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place" (later just "Two Guys And A Girl"), or National Lampoon's "Van Wilder", which I admit I've never seen but can imagine it quite well. Classic cinema right there, I'm telling ya. (Nostalgic moment: watching Berg (RR) being dominated by Pete's virginal stalker Irene. Good stuff...)
So Katiebabs, our favorite eccentric redhead, stands behind her claim, and I believe so does the author, Julie James, who up until that moment, seemed rather clever and level-headed. Now I'm seriously questioning her judgment, because yet having seen "Definitely, Maybe", "Wolverine", and even "The Proposal", I was still not convinced of Ryan's worthiness.
However Miss Julie is offering up "Blade: Trinity" as her proof of the wonder that is Ryan. I've been warned that the movie is pretty bad (no surprise there) but to pay especially close attention to his abs, particularly, as Katiebabs insists, during his stint as Parker Posey's bitch. She believes this will be her winning argument in the ongoing debate. But first off: Hannibal King??? Really?!
I don't know, folks. As I'm watching, definitely do I see RR's trademark smartass charm, but I'm thinking that even that isn't enough to woo me. Case in point: "I ate a lot of garlic, and I just farted. Silent but deadly." Funny but not sexy talk. Now if Parker had managed to rips his pants off, I have a feeling I would have had a much different reaction. I think the makers of this film missed a golden opportunity by not having the movie further investigate the tattoo located in the near nether region of RR's body. There was obviously an important key element of the story missing because of such neglect. Personally, I feel like I was deprived of privileged information - we were robbed!
 Verdict: Despite all the evidence, despite the sweet, lingering perusal of the muscular physique of one yummy Ryan Reynolds, despite the charisma and the humor and the winning smile, I stand by my original decision: Ryan Reynolds is not and never will be J.D. Jameson. Yeah, sure, he's the original creation of Ms. Julie James, author tres extraordinaire, and technically I guess she calls the shots here, but as a reader, I claim a tiny piece of him (obviously not THAT piece because it better not be tiny - besides it would have already been claimed by Katiebabs, or perhaps KingMhoFho, no doubt). So the search for the perfect J.D. Jameson lives on....case dismissed.
Who is YOUR J.D.? (a.k.a. anyone else but Ryan Reynolds!) What's the worst movie you've ever seen just to watch a certain hot actor appear in it? Who was it and was it worth the pain? Labels: Julie James, Ryan Reynolds
posted by Stacy~ at 8/19/2009 06:45:00 AM
|
Tuesday, August 18, 2009:
Spotlight: H - Linda Howard
The first story I ever read by Linda Howard was a short story in the anthology "Upon a Midnight Clear". The name of the story is "White Out", and it was my first experience with her particular style. What an initiation! When the heroine first meets the hero, he has come upon her cabin during a blizzard, and is in dire need of shelter. He's so cold, near frozen, and the heroine does what she must to help him survive. Quite memorable. The next book I read was "Now You See Her", about a gifted artist by the name of Paris Sweeney - who prefers Sweeney - who begins painting disturbing images. During this same time, she engages in an impulsive, intense affair with a millionaire. Oh, to be so lucky. Next up on my reading list turned out to be what I consider her crowning glory, "Mr. Perfect", by far my favorite of all her novels. Jaine and Sam are incredible together - laugh out loud funny, sexy, blunt, affectionate. This book is all that epitomizes the best of a Howard novel. I've read several LH books since then - "Dream Man", "Open Season", "All the Queen's Men" are just a few. Most were wonderful, some not so much. But they were all distinctly Linda Howard stories. I haven't read all of her stories. In fact there are quite a few I haven't read. Maybe someday I will. The last one I read, "Death Angel", stll had a glimpse of wha makes her books wonderful. It wasn't loved by all, but I found it quite enjoyable. There was something about that inevitable connection between the hero and heroine that resonated with me. Linda Howard is one of the authors I've never met, though I've seen her at RWA. But of course the line was always so long. She is one of the greats. What's your favorite Howard book? Most memorable scene? Labels: Linda Howard, spotlight
posted by Stacy~ at 8/18/2009 06:38:00 AM
|
Monday, August 17, 2009:
Book blurb alert: "Something About You" by Julie James
FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES…
Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…
…INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…
To be released March 2nd!!!! That's forever-away, but wow, does it sound hot or what???? So can't wait for the cover..... Labels: Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 8/17/2009 02:07:00 PM
|
Classic favorite: Anne of Green Gables
I know I've talked about my love for AoGG before, but since I've recently brought it up in a post about some of my favorite things, and found out that some people haven't seen it, I felt like taking a walk down memory lane. So AmyC, this one's for you :) If you've heard this all before, I do apologize. It's just so much fun for me to talk about. I first came across AoGG on PBS, and I believe one of the scenes that first caught my attention was when Gilbert pulled Anne's hair, and of course she gets red-headed-temper mad and bashes him over the head. Classic But everytime it came on, I managed to miss it. Finally, one day, when I was 14, me and my best friend Jennie were babysitting, and the family had "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlea" on VHS. Score! Jen and I stayed up and became instantly enamored. We watched almost all 7 hours of it before finally crashing, only to wake up the next morning, anxious to finish the movie. OMG, just a lovely, wonderful, sparkling, romantic adventure. Prince Edward Island is gorgeous, somewhere I'd love to live, and in my mind, there can never be anyone but Megan Follows as Anne Shirley. I think she played her just perfectly: utterly absorbed in her books, intellgent, opinionated, loving, with a hot temper and fierce loyalty. Megan IS Anne. 
Here, Anne is supposed to be taking care of her chores, but instead she's been lost in a book and is reciting part of it, lost in the beauty and magic she conjures up from her imagination. Of course, her wandering attention gets her into a spot of trouble.... 
Here's Anne with her best friend Diana. As they walk along the beach, they talk about boys, and love, and growing up. Anne's set her sights on what's ahead. She doesn't see herself in Avonlea forever. Anne has some definite ideas of where she see's her future going.
Anne loves living at Green Gables with Matthew and Marilla, but she doesn't see that as her life forever. Still, she can savor the beauty of her home....
Anne and Gilbert has always fought, but as they've gotten older, they've finally called a truce, and start to develop a deep friendship. Anne knows that no matter what happens in her life, she can always depend on Gilbert. This is just a small taste of how amazing this series is. And I cannot neglect to mention the beautiful score that accompanies the movie. It's amazing, and there's one part, near the end of the 2nd movie, that never fails to make me all weepy when the music starts. Gets me everytime. I highly both recommend "Anne of Green Gables", and " Anne of Avonlea", aka "Anne of Green Gables the Sequel". The 3rd movie, released in 1998, is " The Continuing Story", and while it's memorable to see some of the original characters, it's not quite up to par with the earlier editions. See it if you must, but don't expect the same feeling as you might feel in the first 2 movies. Have you seen these movies?
Have you read the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery?
What do you think is so special about Anne Shirley? Labels: Anne of Green Gables, Megan Follows
posted by Stacy~ at 8/17/2009 06:06:00 AM
|
Thursday, August 13, 2009:
Eating healthy, aka I'm reeealllly huuuungry!!!
 A few weeks ago, a co-worker, the one who attended the Diana Gabaldon booksigning with me, suffered a mild heart attack. She's in her early 50's, and needless to say, it was a wake-up call. Not just to her, but to others who know her. It sure made me really take a serious look at my eating habits. I've never paid a lot of attention to what I eat. As long as it tastes good and feeds the hunger, it worked. I always thought that hey, I'm young enough, I don't need to worry about what I eat. Eat McDonald's everyday? So what, right?
Well, no, not so much. My family medical history is pretty scary. We've got it all - cancer, heart disease, arthritis, addictions, Parkinson's, emphysema, it's all there. We're pretty doomed. My uncle died of a heart attack at age 51. My dad had quadruple bypass surgery last summer at the age of 65. My mom smoked & drank through all her pregnancies. As Bucky Covington would say, "It Was a Different World". Yet did we turn out alright? I don't know. The last time I had a physical, within the last year, I was good to go on for awhile longer. But after Karen's mild heart attack, I've done some re-evaluating and for the last 2 weeks, I've been eating really healthy: spinach and tomatoes. Peapods and zucchini and cucumbers. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, honeydew and grapes. Radishes. Peaches. Apples, bananas, pears. Carrots and lettuce. Not that I'm not eating bad stuff too - I still crave bacon and McD's vanilla iced coffees and will indulge a bit - but I'm trying to take better care of myself. And of course, drinking plenty of water. It's hard. Not impossibly hard, but I'm obsessing over food more than ever. I feel like I'm constantly hungry, so food is what I think about most of the time. Like right this minute. I'm craving something fattening and loaded with cholesterol. Someone said to eat every 3-4 hours. I'd prefer every 3-4 minutes. See my problem here?
So I guess my question today is, what ways do you use to stay healthy? What kinds of foods do you eat and how do you keep it interesting? I admit, I'm not much of a cook - it's the preparation that drives me nuts. So if you do have some simple, throw-it-together recipes, feel free to share. Like a spinach salad with strawberries, walnuts, and peppers. What salad dressings do you swear by? And it doesn't just have to be fruit & veggies. Maybe there are other things you eat that are good for you. For the record I have tried turkey bacon and it's, well, different. So thanx for whatever helpful tips you can pass along. Though the deck might be stacked against me, I don't want to actively follow in my family's footsteps when it comes to my health. It's never too late to start, right? Labels: healthcare
posted by Stacy~ at 8/13/2009 06:31:00 AM
|
Wednesday, August 12, 2009:
"Shattered" (2007) - movie review
From http://www.moviesonline.ca/film6483.htm: Neil and Abby Warner have the perfect life and a perfect marriage. With their beautiful young daughter, Sophie, they are living the American dream... until today.
When Sophie is suddenly kidnapped, they have no choice but to comply with the abductors demands. The kidnapper - Ryan (PIERCE BROSNAN), a cold and calculating sociopath takes over their lives with the brutal efficiency of someone who has nothing to lose.
In the blink of an eye Neil and Abby's safe and secure existence is turned upside down. Over the next twenty four hours they are at the mercy of a man who wants only one thing. That they do his bidding. It soon becomes clear that Ryan's demands are all the more terrifying... because he doesn't want their money. What he wants is for Neil and Abbyís life, the life that they have built over 10 years, to be systematically dismantled and destroyed. Piece by piece.
With time running out on their little girl, Neil and Abby realise their nightmare is about to take its most deadly turn: They will have to face Ryan's final, horrifying challenge - would they kill an innocent man to save their own child?
In the far distance a solitary light burns in the window of a lodge as the car glides to a halt - and Neil knows it is a question only he can answer - when Ryan hands him the gun...
After seeing "The Ugly Truth" and loving it, I wanted to find out if there were any other Gerard Butler movies I hadn't seen, and came across this one, which appealed to me, since I'm definitely in a suspense mode lately. As I'm watching it I realize that part of it had been filmed in Chicago; where the hell was I when Gerard was in town??? I seriously don't remember this. How sad to have missed that.
Anyway, so the movie starts out with Abby and Neil, and we see their beautiful daughter, their gorgeous house, their wonderful life. Abby is a stay-at-home mom, and Neil works for a top advertising agency. The two are going about their day; Abby planning a day of pampering with a girlfriend for her birthday and Neil getting ready to attend an off-site work meeting at his boss' cabin. As they drive into the city together, discussing their plans, all of a sudden a man with a gun jumps up from the backseat and tells them they will never see their daughter again unless they do everything he says.
So as the day progresses, Tom Ryan, their captor, asks exactly what it is they would do to get their daughter back. He takes them through the city, making demands on a deadline, pushing them to see how desperate they are to get their child back. He basically breaks down their life, taking from them their security, their sense of worth and confidence, their trust in each other. Yet by the time their day of captivity is over, Tom will ask of them the ultimate sacrifice, and pushes to find out to exactly what measures this couple will go to in order to save their child...
My thoughts:
This movie was pretty interesting, and not exactly what I was expecting, and that can be very cool. We see what we think is this perfect family going about their lives. They seem totally devoted to each other. Yet then we see glimpses of what really goes on in their day, and we see that Neil on that job and learn he can be a real jerk at times, that he lets his ego take over and smirks at those less charismatic, less, confident. That Abby is not so content being a stay-at-home mom all the time. There are cracks in the armor.
But all of that is set aside in the desperate need to get their daughter back. Money, career, material objects become not only secondary, but completely unimportant when it comes to saving their child. It becomes quite obvious that Tom doesn't care about anything or anyone, and so Neil and Abby realize that reasoning with him is not an option. He has an agenda that he intends to carry out, and no matter what they say or do, it won't change that. Their feelings of rage and frustration and utter helplessness grow in intensity because they are at Tom's mercy, and have no idea what he's going to ask of them next. But Tom has a definite plan as to how this is all going to end, and it's not going to be pretty. The question is: how far will you go to protect the life of a loved one?
Pierce makes for a decidely sinister and sexy villain. You can't help but be drawn to his ruthless character housed in such an attractive package, yet also hate him at the same time for endangering the life of a child. Abby is a frantic mother who would lay down her life, or let herself be victimized to get her daughter back. Maria Bello is incredibly gorgeous, yet she also has this strong maternal vibe that shines strongly in her role as Abby and you can picture yourself being her, scared for her child, willing to be pushed to any length if it means her daughter will be safe. That fits with my idea of a loving mother, and she got it right without becoming hysterical and useless. And then there's Gerard as Neil, the sexy husband and father, who loves his daughter but feels threatened and is not afraid to push back, at least at first. Like any protector, he can't sit idly by and just "let" this happen to him and his family, he has to try to get control back from Tom. But there comes a point when he's stripped of his dignity, that whatever loss he suffers can't compare to the idea of something bad happening to his little girl. Or his wife.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys suspenseful action, and is fascinated by the lengths some people would go to in order to protect what is their's, whether it be material things, or something infinitely more precious, like a loved one. You also see several glimpses of Chicago, which for me is always a treat. Time flew by as I watched this, even though at times I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what the ending was going to turn out to be.
Rating: ****1/2 out of ***** Have you seen this movie? What did you think? Labels: Gerard Butler, movies
posted by Stacy~ at 8/12/2009 06:38:00 AM
|
Tuesday, August 11, 2009:
Spotlight: G - Diana Gabaldon
You always remember your first. For me, it was Diana Gabaldon. The very first author I had ever met in person. I remember talking about her Outlander series with my co-worker, and was beyond thrilled(!) to discover she was also a fan. Somehow we found out she was going to be in town for a booksigning, so we decided to go.
I remember how excited we were, giddy almost. For a die-hard reader, meeting a person who has written a piece of literature - in this case what I would consider to be of epic proportions - that has wrung the strongest of emotions out of you on nearly every page, well, it was a chance of a lifetime.
Knowing what I know now, it seems rather silly, but at the time, we were nervous. Standing in line, waiting for the signing to start, was a strange agony, until this tiny woman with long dark hair walked by right where we were standing. It was Diana Gabaldon, and the mood was electric. The fun was about to begin.
Before the signing, Diana took some time to chat with the crowd, to read a passage from her latest release, and basically enchant the crowd. She was very charismatic, very aware that we all suffered from serious Jamie Fraser love, and patiently indulged us all.
Meeting Diana was amazing. She was sweet and funny and made my first booksigning a memorable experience. Painless, fun, exciting, and highly recommended.
Back to my Jamie love comment. It's true, while Claire was a strong, brave, independent, pragmatic woman, she was not the heart of the series. A part of me felt too distanced from her, and while her personality is what helped her survive her ordeal, it also made it difficult to warm up to here. It was Jamie that "made" the series. Jamie, who loved his Claire unhesitantly and is an unrivaled hero. When it comes to Jamie, there really is no comparison. He's in a category all of his own. It's not fair to pit anyone else against him because really, he wins.
But, despite all that, I've only been able to read up to "The Fiery Cross" (hanging head in shame). I feel awful, and though I have it, I haven't been able to pick it up again. I think I'm just to remember the love I had for the first 4 books, and die happy because of it.
Have you read Diana Gabaldon's series?
Does Jamie rock your world, and who should play him in the movie?
Who was the first author you ever met?
Labels: Diana Gabaldon
posted by Stacy~ at 8/11/2009 06:40:00 AM
|
Monday, August 10, 2009:
Movie weekend: romantic comedies
This weekend was a relaxing one, where I beat the heat by staying indoors (mostly) and watching some movies I'd not seen before, and reading some good books. It was all about romance...other people's of course LOL. Here's my movie roundup:
From Booksamillion.com:
RETURN TO ME: A charming romantic comedy about finding love in the most ironic--and unlikely--of places. Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) is mourning the tragic loss of his wife, who nobly agreed to donate her heart to a needy recipient. When he meets Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver), little does he realize that she's the recipient! Eventually, the truth comes out, and Bob must decide for himself which heart it is his heart wants to follow.
I can't believe I've never watched this one before, considering I'm a long-time David Duchovny fan (sex scandals nonwithstanding) as well as the fact this was filmed in Chicago. So it arrived on Friday and I watched it Sunday. Very sweet without being sarcastic about it. I liked that.
David plays Bob (though it's hard to think of him as a Bob), who lost his wife Elizabeth. We actually meet her in the beginning of the film and see what an amazing woman she is. A year later he decides to start dating again but the woman he goes to dinner with is not the one he ends up noticing. Instead he's drawn to their waitress, and after a bit of hesitation, awhile later he asks her out. The two begin to fall in love when they realize that Grace's heart is the one belonging to his late wife. I liked that they were both gun-shy, and watching them genuinely falling for each other was lovely. It wasn't all fireworks and grand gestures, but rather conversations and holding hands. That really appealed to me. Wish they made a few more romances that concentrated more on the couple than outside circumstances. Anyway if you haven't seen it, I think you should. 
From Booksamillion.com From British director Nigel Cole, whose sweet-hearted comedies CALENDAR GIRLS and SAVING GRACE shared a similar combination of humor and true emotion, A LOT LIKE LOVE is the story of two friends who seem destined to love each other--if they can ever realize that themselves. Meeting on a flight from Los Angeles to New York, naive Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and tough Emily (Amanda Peet) have sex in an airplane lavatory before learning each other's names. Despite this intimate introduction, Emily is uninterested in getting to know the guy she just picked up, telling Oliver frankly that he's not her type. The two part ways, but end up running into each other hours later in what proves to be just the first of many semi-coincidental romantic encounters. After spending a fun day together in the city, Oliver gives Emily his home number and tells her to call him in 6 years, once he's gotten his life and career figured out. When an unforeseen breakup leaves Emily dateless for New Year's Eve a few years later, she calls Oliver and they meet again. In the years that have passed since their first meeting, Emily has taken up acting, Oliver has started an online diaper-selling business, and both have gotten more flattering haircuts. But Emily is disappointed to learn that Oliver is moving to San Francisco for business the next day. Over the course of a few years, Emily and Oliver grow to depend on each other in times of crisis, and develop a solid friendship. While each sporadic encounter contains an undeniable spark, the timing never seems to be right, with several bad relationships, career transitions, and location changes getting in the way. But will the pair realize their feelings for each other and get together before it's too late? I'd seen the preview for this movie a few times, and thought it looked interesting enough to watch, so did, though the appeal of Ashton Kutcher usually escapes me. I thought he was good in "The Guardian" with Kevin Costner, but overall I don't see it. And in this movie when he goes into the airplane bathroom and Amanda Peet follows him in there, I seriously have to question her sanity. He looks like a 17-year-old skateboarder, and a dorky one at that. The movie was alright, nothing earth-shattering. Ashton & Amanda were cute together, had lots of chemistry, same sense of humor. Realized 7 years later they were in love and finally on the same page. Hoorah. Life is good. Is it just me, or does it seem they don't make really good romantic comedies anymore? You know, the kind that tug at your heartstrings. Or do they and I've been missing out? Labels: movies
posted by Stacy~ at 8/10/2009 06:45:00 AM
|
Friday, August 07, 2009:
I had mentioned earlier in my Kreativ blog award post that one of my favorite things is (was) the music of Faith No More, but it reminded me that I haven't listened to my 2 favorite albums in years. What a fair weather fan I am! The thing is, I tend to get completely obsessive about something until I either get sick of it and never want to get near it again, or gradually my fascination with it fades. [FYI: I haven't updated my Nathan Kamp covers in at least a year, I'm figuring. "I still love you, Nathan, I'm just not IN love with you".]
Don't ask me why I loved this album so much, I just did. My brothers used to listen to it, and like Metallica, it just insidiously seeps into your bloodstream until you are hooked. I remember watching "Epic" on MTV and I developed a bizarre crush on the strange lead singer, Mike Patton. He has this weird, kinda creepy vibe about him, but back then, when I was 17, I thought he was hot. He couldn't sing for shit live (having seen performances on various late night talk shows) but I didn't care. I would just listen to the album and be in heaven.
"Epic" is probably their most well-known song, which is why I've listed it below, but it's not my favorite. I really liked the title song, "The Real Thing", and "Falling to Pieces", and "Edge of the World" the best from this album. Granted, these songs are not known for being politically correct, in fact some of them are down-right offensive, but I'm not big on liking things because they're nice and right and agreeable. I do tend to go for some things that get me in trouble.  Epic LyricsArtist(Band): Faith No More
Can you feel it, see it, hear it today? If you can't, then it doesn't matter anyway
You will never understand it cuz it happens too fast And it feels so good, it's like walking on glass It's so cool, it's so hip, it's so right
It's so groovy, it's outta sight
You can touch it, smell it, taste it so sweet But it makes no difference cuz it knocks you
off your feet You want it all but you can't have it It's cryin', bleedin', lying on the floor So you lay down on it and you do it some
more
You've got to share it, so you dare it
Then you bare it and you tear it
You want it all but you can't have it
It's in your face but you can't grab it
It's alive, afraid, a lie, a sin It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win It's dark, it's moist, it's a bitter pain It's sad it happened and it's a shame You want it all but you can't have it It's in your face but you can't grab it
What is it? They say What is it? They say What is it?....
 In this album, "Angel Dust", Mike had cut his long hair and had a goatee going on, and I was like, wow. I know, it doesn't take much to impress me, does it? But there was something about the way he made fun of everything that I liked. I think it's also because I was the good girl (for the most part, except for those few times...) and easily attracted to those who flipped off society and what was acceptable and proper. Not that I necessarily wanted to run to the dark side but it definitely held a fascination for me. Heck, I was a teen, that's that you do at that age. I liked "Angel Dust" almost as much as "The Real Thing", though I never wore out the cassette, and there really were some catchy songs, like "Be Aggressive", "Small Victory" and "RV". It was a darker album, edgier, and I was all over it. Huh, until do my re-wind here, I'd forgotten how much I really enjoyed these albums. Now I'm thinking I need to upgrade my CD collection and get both of these so I can listen and re-live my past. Of course I could also download them to my iPod, if I could find where I put it.... So what album/cassette(s) have you played so much you wore them out? What is probably the most "inappropriate" music you like to listen to?
Labels: Faith No More, Mike Patton, music
posted by Stacy~ at 8/07/2009 07:08:00 AM
|
|
|
