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Wednesday, March 31, 2010:
What I'm watching: True Blood (season 1)
 From Booksamillion.comCreated by SIX FEET UNDER’s Alan Ball, TRUE BLOOD is like a sexier, bloodier older sister to the relatively well-behaved TWILIGHT. This HBO drama is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris, a series set in a world where vampires have just begun to "come out" after a synthetic blood substitute called True Blood is introduced. Oscar winner Anna Paquin stars as Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress living in Bon Temps, Louisiana, who falls hard for Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a Civil War veteran and vampire. But their romantic romps aren’t the only draw for the series: the existence between humans and vampires is an uneasy one, and people are dying.
Clothes fall to the floor almost as often as blood spatters the walls in this show that blends supernatural horror, sex, and mystery, with just a little bit of social commentary thrown in for good measure. Executive producer Ball and his writers have shaped a variety of fascinating characters in addition to Sookie and Bill, including Sookie’s mysterious boss, Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell); her best friend, Tara (Rutina Wesley); her womanizing brother, Jason (Ryan Kwanten); and her sweet grandmother, Adele (Lois Smith). This collection presents the series' complete first season.
Vampires. They're everywhere. On your t.v. and in your books. They're your creditors. For the most part I've made my peace with vamps and have grown to love several of them. However I have not read this series and really have no intention of doing so. Not I just don't need another series right now. But the HBO series intrigued me.
Vamps have come out of the closet, thanx to synthetic blood. Of course not everyone's happy about the vamps, and not all vamps are well-adjusted and polite. Some love to kill. And that's what's happening. Someone is killing people, and everyone blames the vamps for what's happening, especially when it appears the victims are fangbangers. The majority of Bon Temps would love it if the vamps just went away for good.
To be honest, initially I really had no interest in seeing it until I'd seen parts of episode 7 one night when I was on a business trip, and I was mildly hooked. So I added it to the queue and just finished season 1 this week. I'll be honest, it was better than I had expected. I like Sookie a lot and how she has strong ideals and doesn't care much what others think (she knows what they think because she can hear them). Bill is the somber, loner vamp she falls for, a southern gentleman who can't figure Sookie out. I do like his character, for the most part, but there's kind of an ick factor there too. For one thing, I hate longer fingernails on a guy. Creeps me out. But he's got the brooding thing down pretty well. Eric is a really old vamp, and so far, he does nothing for me. Not seeing the hot factor there. And what is up with both Bill's and Eric's hair? Bill looked like he had something dead on his head and Eric, the long hair? Uh NO. Hope they both look better in season 2.
The other characters? I do like Sam, but let's face it, he's too nice. I want to see a bit more aggression out of him. Unleash that animal side. Still, he's a good guy, and deserves to be happy. Tara freakin' cracks me up. I love that her and Sookie are best friends. Both very opinionated in their own ways. Jason, Sookie's brother? Well hey he's cute but dumb as a box of rocks, and in his stupidity he can be a real jerk. And what a damn horndog. Gets more action than the rest of the town altogether! Not sure that I like him much, but he is pretty to look at. For now.
The season ended on an upbeat note, but we just know there's all kinds of danger and death and sex to follow. Can't wait!
Are you a fan of True Blood?
Who is your VILF?
Labels: television
posted by Stacy~ at 3/31/2010 07:14:00 AM
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 A few weeks ago after going to my 2nd wine bar in the city, I suddenly decided I wanted to find out more about wine. Eventually I'm going to start going to more tastings in the spring/summer months in order to determine exactly where my palate lies. I know it will be more on the sweet side, but how sweet? How spicy?
These things never mattered all that much to me before, not even after seeing the wonderful scene in the movie "French Kiss" with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. Meg is asked to describe the wine she is drinking, and it's a very evocative, hypnotic scene. Made me think of wine in a totally different light. Yet even still, it wasn't enough to get me to care what all the flavors were and how the contributed to the enjoyment of drinking a fine merlot or chardonnay.
So today I'd like to know:
What is your favorite wine(s) - and if possible describe it as much as possible. Red or white? Dry or...not dry? Why do you like it so much?
Labels: wine
posted by Stacy~ at 3/31/2010 06:59:00 AM
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010:
Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis (2010)
 T.J. Wilder is the perfect package of breathtaking adventure and raw sex appeal. Even better, he's about to reconnect with the one woman he's never been able to forget...
Get Your Pulse Racing
To Harley, the landscape around Wishful, California, is exhilarating, untamed, and more than a little dangerous. The same could be said for T.J. Wilder, who's invited himself along on her trek to study a rare coyote. Harley's career is riding on this trip, and she doesn't need a stubborn, incredibly sexy distraction. But T.J. is a professional guide who knows when to stay back and when to provide invaluable expertise-just like he's done since they were in high school. And Harley, as usual, is torn between throttling him and giving in to the raw attraction that's been smoldering all these years.
T.J. knows how proud and capable Harley is, but he's damned sure not letting her put herself at risk when there are illegal hunters in the area. She needs him, with the same soul-stirring urgency that he's always craved her. And here, in this beautiful place days from civilization, he'll finally have a chance to prove it-over and over again...
Oh man, I am a total broken record here, but y'all know how much I adore the books of Jill Shalvis. They are funny and sexy and hot and just plain ole wonderful in a "sigh with happiness" kinda way. Nothing but two people falling in love and having naughty, explosive sex in the process (somebody sign me up!) Rugged, alpha heroes who make me weak in the knees and heroines I envy for the good fortune.
Harley has had a crush on T.J. for what seems like forever, but he's only ever looking for a good time, and Harley knows she can't and won't do casual, not even with the hottest guy she's ever known. Still, that doesn't prevent her from lusting after the maddeningly irresistible man, no matter how much she wishes otherwise. Harley intends to find a safe, stable man to settle down with, and T.J. is just getting in the way, messing up her plans. It's best if she avoids him altogether. Damn the man for ruining her plans...
T.J. is well aware that he and Harley have been tip-toeing around each other for years, but T.J. is getting a little tired of it, especially when he sees how open and affectionate she is with his family and friends. He doesn't understand why she doesn't like him, so when he has the opportunity to get her alone, he's determined to find out the truth, once and for all. It might not change anything, but at least then he'd finally know.
So when Harley goes on a short solo expedition into the wilderness to study a rare coyote, T.J. determinedly follows her, knowing that no matter how independent the sexy blonde is, she's not the type to prepare for every possible outcome, plus she's rather endearingly disorganized, which makes him rather nervous. And, what the hell, he figures maybe he'll get some answers out of her for once....
My thoughts:
Oh that T.J. is one sexy alpha. While it's rather difficult to choose which is the sexiest brother, T.J. might actually get my final vote. I'm a sucker for a guy hung up on the heroine, even if he doesn't fully realize it. It's like deep down he knows, but doesn't think he wants or can have anything permanent, so he shoves it down where he doesn't have to think about it, and believes that casual sex and fun times are all he's capable of. But after awhile even that gets old, and he's look for something different.
Harley cannot wait to get out of Wishful and finally start having a life. Taking care of her loving yet irresponsible family and paying her own bills has left Harley flat broke, and she needs to get this job in Colorado so she can finally break free and follow her dream. Not to mention get her away from T.J. She's been crushing on the eldest Wilder brother since they were in school, and never once has he looked at her as more than a friend. Besides if he ever did, it would be a one-time deal, no strings, and Harley wants the strings. I liked that she had definite ideas about that, and just because she wanted T.J. didn't mean she was willing to blindly follow him and end up heartbroken when he eventually left. It frustrated the hell out of him, but she stubbornly stood her ground.
So these two are circling each other. And kissing. And circling. And there's the bickering. And more circling. And finally naughty touching. Let's go back to circlng. At first it was rather hot. But when it relentlessly went on and on, I was getting reeeaalllly fed up. Delayed gratification has never been my strong suit, but this was getting rather ridiculous. Things would be heating up and inevitably something would happen to interrupt the sexxin' stuff. I teetered on a very thin "throw the book against the wall" ledge for a bit, and that is a very scary place to be, especially when it involves an author you love. Just when it looked like we'd reached a meltdown of epic proportions, the book got back on track and bone-jumping commenced. Crisis averted. Whew.
Most of my regulars here know I'm a pretty forgiving reader. It's just who I am. I have my definite hot buttons, over which I can get quite vocal, but for the most part, I can let things go if I feel the rest of the story can be saved. And that's exactly what happened here. T.J. learns some things about his past that he didn't realize, and Harley learns to take a leap of faith. And together the two made my mushy heart go awwwww.
And damn that Jill, she kept teasing me with glimpses of T.J.'s lean, muscular, sexy body. His shirt would ride up, or he'd bend over and show off that cute butt. Or his well-worn jeans would hint at treasures beneath. I was drooling from those scrumptious visuals and had to wonder if these are the kinds of men she sees in her neck of the woods. If so, I think I'm moving...
So we still have Jill's trademark humor and sexy teasing. We still get mouth-watering heroes who fall for the type of women we all could be friends with. And last but not least, we get a sigh-worthy love story that makes it worth the minor aggravation I was experiencing. As always, it's sad to say good-bye. I will miss those Wilder men and the women lucky enough to be loved - and bedded - by them.
Rating: **** out of ***** Labels: Jill Shalvis, review
posted by Stacy~ at 3/30/2010 07:08:00 AM
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Monday, March 29, 2010:
Happy birthday to our Ms.Smexy - MANDI!
 Mandi's rockstar "husband" Brandon Flowers
Sometimes you meet people in your life that have a greater impact than others. It could be a life-altering impact, or one of a less serious but no less valid reason. Mandi is one of those people that I've known for several months, and much like Katiebabs, has this way about her that is fun, engaging, and totally infectious (but in a good way *g*).
I'm bad a remembering things, so I can't exactly say how long I've known Mandi, but it's been awhile, gotta be around a year, and mostly through Twitter. She's generous, funny as hell, and adorable in her enthusiasm for all things Bruce Weed, er, Brandon Flowers, red wine, and sexy books. I also think she has an amazing talent for bringing people together. That is really quite fabulous.  For me, Mandi is just someone I warmed up to right away. She's very easy to get along with, doesn't take herself too seriously, but is also incredibly loyal and quick to share a laugh or lend support. She's the type of person who takes people as they are, and I can believe that she's a loving mom who'd do anything for her family and friends. So today is Smexy Day, the day of Mandi's birth, and we are spreading the love around the blogosphere. Feel free to share why you love Mandi and how much her friendship and humor have meant to you. Hugs to a beautiful, unique, and outrageous person. Mandi, we love you! Brandon singing to Mandi
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDI!
Mandi's "unusual" crush, David Letterman Dave's TOP 10 REASONS WE LOVE MANDI: 10. She loves wine *g* 9. She thinks hairy men are particularly smexy 8. She reads a ton of books and offers up fabulous recs 7. She's a Killers' freak! (someone has to love their music LOL) 6. She's damn funny! 5. She tweets hilarious revelations when she's had a little too much to drink *g* 4. She's got a fabulous blog: http://www.smexybooks.com/ 3. She loves smut! 2. She's married to her middle school sweetheart - awwwww! ...and the number #1 reason we love Mandi.... SHE'S AN AWESOME FRIEND AND LIFE IS MUCH MORE FUN WITH HER AROUND! Have an AWESOME day!
Labels: birthday, friends
posted by Stacy~ at 3/29/2010 07:09:00 AM
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Friday, March 26, 2010:
 Okay is it just me or do a lot of today's romance novels seem to be missing that core ingredient, that irresistible factor that keeps us coming back for more, better known as ROMANCE? I didn't fully realize this until I started reading some young adult stories, and really enjoyed how they focused on the growing feelings between these two young people. While there is a lot more angst and intensity to the feelings of a teenager, I still found the budding relationships to be mature, sometimes tender, occasionally painful, but also rather romantic. I felt really good after reading one of these stories. Maybe it's just my inner sap trying to break out of its adult shell, but I really, really miss that. Nowadays I feel like many romances have to be laid back. The characters are way too cool to ever get all sweet and mushy. Now I'm not talking undying declarations of love here, or some grandious, corny gesture, but just something that goes beyond the physical. Something lasting.
One such book that I recently read that left me feeling a bit empty when I finished it is by an author I completely adore. The ending, the big pay-off, was so abrupt and quick I felt almost like a door had been slammed in my face. I admit I was disappointed. It was like being given one bite of chocolate and then told you can't have any more. It was sexy and hot and yeah I liked that, but the part where they finally confess their feelings was treated almost like an afterthought.
Don't get me wrong, I love all the erotic, kinky, explicit lovin' that we get from the multitude of today's romances. In fact, the hotter, the better. I like it, I love it, I want some more of it. But if that's all we're getting, after awhile it gets old. It's like the icing without the cake. I crave that emotional connection and acknowledgment like an addict craves drugs. I live for a bit of that ooey, gooey, cow-eyed feeling. I want it back.
Granted, part of my recent dissatisfaction might also be due in part to the whole Sandra Bullock/Jesse James nightmare that has recently come to light. Here was a lovely girl in love with a bad boy who loved her back, living the romance novel life. Only, they weren't. Turns out old Jesse is one big man pig who deserves to be shunned and disliked. Makes you wonder where we can turn for romance anymore. Do you think today's romances are missing the romance? Or are you happy with what you're reading and don't want anything to change? Just curious..... Labels: expectations
posted by Stacy~ at 3/26/2010 07:16:00 AM
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Thursday, March 25, 2010:
What I'm watching: Battlestar Galactica (season 1)
Editorial Reviews:
Picking up where Sci Fi Channel's 2003 miniseries left off, Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 begins with the remnants of humanity (all 48,000 of them) on the run in what’s left of their space fleet. The Cylons -- the robot race that destroyed the humans’ home planet, Caprica, at the miniseries’ conclusion -- have both the numbers and the superior technology. What the humans have is the titular, outdated flagship and a ragtag military led by the gruff career soldier Cmdr. Bill Adama ( Edward James Olmos) and his frequently depressed, hard-drinking second-in-command, Col. Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan).
On the political side, the newly installed president of the Colonies, Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), tries to assert her authority with the military while dealing with the needs of her constituents. Vice President Gaius Baltar (the amazing James Callis) is haunted by his collaboration with the enemy and driven half mad by the frequent appearance of Six (Tricia Helfer), a Cylon agent only he can see. Fighter pilots Lee "Apollo" Adama (Jamie Bamber) and Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff) wage the day-to-day battles against Cylon raids.
A hit right from the start, and justifiably so, Battlestar Galactica rises above the sci-fi shoot-‘em-up clichés, thanks to producers David Eick and Ronald D. Moore, who have created a sci-fi universe in which they weave a rich dramatic tapestry. Consider the series' treatment of religion: The Cylons are monotheists, while humans are polytheists (which is manifest in amusingly pluralized cusswords). In addition to their numeric and technological advantages, the Cylons also have the treachery edge, and some have adapted human form. This allows for creepy infiltrations of the Galactica, including one that becomes apparent in the amazing season finale, "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II," in a truly jaw-dropping moment of violence. A classic cliff-hanger, the January 24, 2005, episode effectively whet appetites for Season 2, which premiered on July 15th with the series’ highest ratings ever. [Barnes & Noble]
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Once again I am late to the party, but having seen several people on Twitter talk about BSG, I finally decided it was time to give it a try. See, I remember watching the original series back in the late 70's, early 80's. Had such a crush on Dirk Benedict, who played Starbuck. Things are different now, most notably because Starbuck is now a woman.
Truth be told, I am LOVING this first season. The miniseries preceding it started out a little slow, as there's some background to cover, but then the show kicks it up a notch and I'm having a ball watching it. Dr. Baltar completely cracks me up; he has such a perfect sense of comic timing and his expressions and reactions are priceless. Not bad on the eyes either, though he doesn't give me tingles, despite, or maybe because of the accent. So far the two guys that do it for me are Helo and Apollo, though neither one of them has my full attention. First off, we don't see quite so much of Helo, though I sure would like to, and second, Apollo is cute in a boyish way but not sexy. I'm waiting to see if that changes.
Now I can honestly say I have several girl crushes going on here. Six is one of the bad Cylons, but she's utterly gorgeous, and has this unshakable faith in God that I like about her. Sharon is a pretty and likable Asian pilot with some issues, and I sympathize with what she's going through. And then there's Kara. She's more butch, but can also be very pretty, and God I wish I had that fearless attitude she had. She loves pushing people's buttons, and she's a bit reckless but that's part of her charm. So yeah, so far the girls are beating the guys. And that's completely fine with me. Let's hear it for the girls!
It really is a fun show, and I'm curious to see where it goes. I have several seasons to catch up on, and I'm looking forward to each and every one.
Are you a fan of BSG?
Labels: television
posted by Stacy~ at 3/25/2010 06:58:00 AM
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010:
Highland Surrender by Dawn Halliday (2010)
 Determined to put his roguish past behind him, the Earl of Camdonn arranges to marry the proper Lady Elizabeth. But when an accident lands the Earl in the expert hands of a beautiful Highland medicine woman, all well-laid plans are thrown to the wind- and, just as in the old days, his passions run high...
Ceana MacNab has terrible luck with men. Resigning herself to the healing arts, she has steeled her heart against love. Then fate sends Cam her way. Even though he's a well-bred Earl-and Ceana a low-born Highlander-their all-consuming passion may lead the way to lasting bliss.
After nearly losing his best friend Alan due to his all-consuming passion for Alan's wife, Cam has determinedly changed his ways. He sets about doing that by chosing a proper wife, a lovely woman, yet one who does not inspire the intense lust such as Sorcha once did. He has brought Lady Elizabeth to Scotland and to Camdonn Castle in preparation for their wedding.
But upon returning home, they are accosted by bandits, and in an effort to protect his future bride, Cam lures the men away from Lady Elizabeth and after him instead, realizing he's most likely the one they are after. Knowing the area like the back of his hand, Cam is sure he's lost them when he's suddenly shot...
Healer Ceana McNabb is an independent woman who never intends to marry. In fact she's just rejected the marriage proposal of her young lover a short while ago when she comes across an unconscious Cam in the forest. She manages to get him back to her cabin and tends to him there, all the while drawn to the handsome, virile invalid. When she discovers who he is, and that he is soon to be married, Ceana is determined to keep her distance. She has no intention of becoming a married man's mistress, and knows the most sensible course of action is to stay away from him, no matter how much she longs to experience pleasure in his arms. Only Cam has other ideas....
Upon awakening, Cam is bemused to find himself in the competent care of the lovely Ceana McNabb. He knows that he shouldn't be entertaining lusty thoughts of the earthy, sensual healer, but he cannot seem to help himself. She inspires an immediate and fiery lust, the kind that has gotten him into trouble in the past and one he's tried to steer away from since then. Besides, he's made a promise to his betrothed, and though the Lady Elizabeth does not inspire the intense passion Ceana does, Cam will not be unfaithful to her.
Lady Elizabeth must pretend to be someone she's not in order to escape her uncle. Acting prim and meek is not her character, but she must keep up the charade if she is to be married and hence out of the clutches of an evil man. When her carriage is unexpectedly attacked upon her arrival in Scotland and Cam disappears, she is suddently left on her own, until a taciturn, brawny Highlander finds her and returns her to the castle. Despite their brief exchange, Elizabeth immediately feels drawn to the Highlander, but knows that she must not deviate from her plan. Too much is at stake.
Despite the conflicting feelings felt, both Cam and Elizabeth are determined to go through with their arranged marriage, believing it is what's best. But what happens when love has other ideas?
My thoughts: I had mixed feelings about reading this book because I really didn't like Cam so much in Highland Obsesssion, after what he did by kidnapping Sorcha. However Cam is a changed man here, thinking of others besides himself, and I had to respect him for that. So here we have four incredibly likable people: Cam, Elizabeth, Ceana and Rob. Elizabeth is betrothed to Cam but develops feelings for Rob, who feels the same but won't betray Cam, who is in love with Ceana but she believes in her family's curse and won't ever marry but insists Cam marry Elizabeth even though it will break her heart. Whew! Quite a tangle it turns out to be. This book is unexpectedly romantic, very much about the characters, and I enjoyed it very much because of it. We see that Cam has a lot to make up for, having been absent from Scotland so long that even his own people are wary of him, some even distrustful. He genuinely wants to put the needs of his people before his own, but when it comes to his heart, he has a difficult time fulfilling his duty. Ceana is a wonderfully independent character, well-regarded by the people of the Highlands, educated yet respectful of the old ways she was taught by her mother and grandmother. From the moment she sees Cam, she knows he's different,that he might be the man who gets past her strongly guarded heart, but even so, she cannot risk the chance of loving him only to see him die. Elizabeth is not the typical "woman in the way of hero's happiness" here. She's quite charming and I found myself really liking her for her true nature. Elizabeth knows pain and loss, and is not the shy, dependent woman she's lead everyone to believe. Falling for Rob is so against what her plans are, but she can't help herself once she recognizes in him the man who will finally let her be who she truly is. Rob may be quiet and stoic, but he has his own secrets. He feels strongly for Elizabeth from their first encounter, but can never betray Cam like that. He has his honor. Yet the lovely Englishwoman warms him as no one ever has, and he cannot fathom that such an elegant, pristine woman could ever want anything to do with him, but the more he sees inside her heart, the more he realizes how well they suit. Only she's promised to another man.... So yeah, this is a dilemma, one that will have you rooting for the characters to find their HEA and yet not get hurt in the process. I was quite pleased with the story and though it's the sequel to Highland Obsession, don't feel like you absolutely have to read the previous book prior to reading this one. Rating: **** out of *****
Labels: Dawn Halliday, review
posted by Stacy~ at 3/24/2010 07:03:00 AM
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010:
Dance With the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon ( ) - quickie review
 Zarek's Point of View:
Dark-Hunter: A soulless guardian who stands between mankind and those who would see mankind destroyed. Yeah, right. The only part of that Code of Honor I got was eternity and solitude.
Insanity: A condition many say I suffer from after being alone for so long. But I don't suffer from my insanity-I enjoy every minute of it.
Trust: I can't trust anyone...not even myself. The only thing I trust in is my ability to do the wrong thing in any situation and to hurt anyone who gets in my way.
Truth: I endured a lifetime as a Roman slave, and 900 years as an exiled Dark-Hunter. Now I'm tired of enduring. I want the truth about what happened the night I was exiled-I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Astrid (Greek, meaning star): An exceptional woman who can see straight to the truth. Brave and strong, she is a point of light in the darkness. She touches me and I tremble. She smiles and my cold heart shatters.
Zarek: They say even the most damned man can be forgiven. I never believed that until the night Astrid opened her door to me and made this feral beast want to be human again. Made me want to love and be loved. But how can an ex-slave whose soul is owned by a Greek goddess ever dream of touching, let alone holding, a fiery star?
Okay, I don't care what anyone (Holly) says, this is a wonderful story, and most likely my favorite Dark Hunter book (I've only read about 6 of them). I stand by my original feelings for this story and as I read it, I was not disappointed. Some of the Dark Hunter books may be cheesy and dated, but this one stands the test of time...except perhaps those annoying references to Nazareth's Hair of the Dog...but I digress.
Zarek has once again been banished to Alaska, only now Artemis has called for his execution. However Acheron has managed to convince Artie to let Zarek be judged before automatically condemning and subjecting him to Shadedom. The judge chosen is Astrid, immortal sister of the Three Fates, and she's never once found anyone innocent. Artemis is satisfied in the eventual outcome. However despite her word, Zarek is still being hunted...
Zarek has never needed anyone and he won't start now. Born illegitimate after his cruel father impregnated a slave, he was literally a whipping boy for his own family. The other slaves hated him because of who is father is and hated by his family for being a bastard, Zarek has no one. He's subjected to constant beatings and has no friends, no allies. The transgressions of his brothers are often the cause for his beatings, though trying to defend others has often lead to being whipped. In fact, as a human, Zarek is killed due to the lies and machinations of a selfish, conniving woman who became his owner after his own father sold him. He has never known kindness, or goodness, and certainly never expects to find anyone willing to stick up for him. He thinks Acheron is a fool for wanting to prolong his agony.
Astrid is known to be a fair judge, though none of the Dark Hunters she's judged has ever survived. But encountering Zarek and taking him into her home changes things. Despite his rudeness and harsh personality, she begins to notice discrepancies in his behavior. If he's such a cold-blooded killer, how can he be so careful with her? Everytime she turns around she begins to discover truths about Zarek that don't add up. It isn't until she invades his dreams and sees what he's endured over the many centuries he's been a Dark Hunter that she begins to understand why he is like he is. In truth, Zarek can be quite the jackass. But is that reason enough to sentence him to the torment of eternal Shadedom? Astrid is not so sure...
My thoughts:
This must have been the 3rd or 4th time I've re-read Zarek's story, and each time it's made me cry. Even knowing what to expect, I still can't help myself. It truly breaks my heart at the cruelty he's had to put up with for over 900 years. (Note: this story beats Zsadist's story, hands down. Don't get me wrong, I love Zsadist, but Zarek is the original tortured hero here).
Even as a Dark Hunter, Zarek is forced to live in a harsh place where it's beyond freezing in winter, and has up to 22 hours of sunlight in summer. He has no friends, and even Acheron rarely visits. But Zarek is a stubborn oaf, and lives to piss people off. Can't say as I blame him. I don't see him as someone who mopes around feeling sorry for himself - he's managed to create some type of a life for himself, despite the greed and suspicion of the humans who live nearby. Zarek has never taken credit for any of the few good things he's done, and doesn't expect to be thanked for them. He's little more than an animal, yet deep inside there is a spark of humanity in him, and Astrid is determined to nurture it and help it thrive before ever judging him guilty. She alone wants to give him a fighting chance.
Astrid is frustrated by Zarek, and by his refusal to let her see what lies beneath his arrogant, ballsy persona. She finds a way to invade his dreams - more like his nightmares - and discover what has lead to Zarek being the way he is, and why he could possibly be guilty for the charges against him. What she finds is a scared little boy, an extremely lonely man,someone who refuses to ask for help because for one thing, he doesn't know how. She also discovers that he can be so gentle and tender, and that he cannot fathom how someone as precious and beautiful as Astrid could want to come anywhere near him. It just has to be one of life's cruel little jokes...
Truth be told, I could talk about Zarek for hours. This is not really a review, but I could talk about so many things, when all it comes down to is that this is a story that will break your heart, yet also make you smile when Zarek finally, FINALLY!, gets a break. I laugh at his ability to piss people off, and am amazed at how he just won't quit, no matter how much agony he suffers. Maybe he really is crazy, but damn, can you blame him? I was so glad that Astrid saw past all that and recognized his true worth, that she was able to fall in love with him and offer him a chance at eternal happiness. That she didn't try to change him but loved him because of all his facets. Their's is a remarkable love story, and ranks up there as one of my favorite stories. Any book that can still make me cry after so many years of reading has just got to be special.
Rating: ***** out of *****
Labels: quickie reviews, Sherrilyn Kenyon
posted by Stacy~ at 3/23/2010 06:58:00 AM
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Monday, March 22, 2010:
A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore (2010) - review
 The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-soldier had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he's convinced he's been betrayed.
Kate knows her duty to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett's powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen-and sizzling-kisses? Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way-the one that can separate Garrett and Kate forever. This is the sequel to Jennifer Haymore's unforgettable "A Hint of Wicked", and tells Garrett's story. Garrett has left home in search of William Fisk, the man who ruined his life and took Garrett's sister with him. While he tracks the dangerous William, he encounters the sweet yet surprisingly bold Kate, a servant of Mr. Fisk, as she watches him bathe in the nearby pond. Kate had only wanted to go to her hidden sanctuary and take a few moments for herself when she spies the beautiful man washing in the pond. In fact she looks forward to the end of her day when she can rush back to the pond in hopes of catching a glimpse of him. Only she doesn't expect that he'll notice her there, hidden, admiring his masculine form. Garrett finds himself drawn to the young woman he finds spying on him, despite her outwardly plain appearance. Yet when she gifts him with that glorious smile, he begins to feel something other than the numbness that has been his companion for so long. Kate soothes his soul, and soon he desires to make love to her, and banish the loneliness that plagues him. But at at the same time, he has come to Kenilworth for a reason, and as much as he'd like the enticing Kate to remind him what it's like to be a man again, and to help him forget his pain, he has a duty to his family, and most especially to his sister. And it turns out the enemy is closer than Garrett had imagined, and he is once again caught in the clutches of a madman, only this time Garrett is aware of the danger and not fooled like he was before. His only goal is to keep Kate and his sister safe, even if it means dying.... My thoughts: This is obviously a very different story than A Hint of Wicked, yet still manages to have its own share of twists and turns. Garrett is still somewhat bitter over the years he'd lost due to William Fisk, a man he'd called friend, and he's trying to move on and do what is best for everyone. He wants to be a part of his sister's life, as well as his daughter's. Here, he's lost some of the rage that we saw in him from AHOW, and he's become a more real character, flawed yet likable for it. Kate is a heroine I really felt for. She's a young woman who cannot even begin to compete with her brothers for her mother's love, and has only been left to feel inadequate. To have a gorgeous man like Garrett pay attention to her is as unsettling as it is wonderful. But Kate has a strength that she keeps hidden. She cares for her much younger and sickly brother, and she is a good companion to her brother's wife. Despite what her family tells her, she does have worth, and a caring heart, which is why she tries to save Garrett. Only she ends up falling in love with him, and knows that they can never be together, even before she realizes that he's a Duke. But that doesn't stop her from helping him when he needs it most. It's a little difficult to review this story without giving too much away, but I really did like it, though I wish we would have been more Garrett and Kate together. Maybe it's all in my mind, but it felt like we didn't see them interact much, just the two of them, beyond their steamy encounters. Granted, there's a lot going on in this book, but I am left feeling like there's something missing. We understand that Kate has a calming effect on Garrett, that she makes him happy, and of course Kate is quite taken with him as well. But other than a few brief conversations, the rest of the story centers around what has happened to Garrett and what continues to happen because of Fisk's quest for revenge, and the majority of those revelations are discovered either by Kate or Garrett individually. But don't get me wrong, I still liked this book very much, and was rooting for Garrett to find his own happiness. I liked him ever so much more in this story, and even sympathized with him more than I did previously because now we see how those lost years affected him. Not only did he lose his wife, he lost precious time with his daughter, as well as his sister. I think Kate was the perfect match for him, caring and loyal and able to draw him out like no other. She was still a bit of a hoyden, which was exactly what the serious, somber Garrett needed from time to time. He never got much of a chance to be a child, to play and be a little reckless, and Kate offers him that. I loved how he recognized that and how he loved her all the more for it. Together,they began to heal and truly be happy. That's exactly what I wanted to see. And of course, we see Rebecca, Garrett's sister, again. The young woman has gone through a lot, and has her regrets over her part in this epic disaster, but she's resilient and has many friends who will get her through the scandal. And she has her brother, who at one time terrified her, but now has proven to be a truly remarkable man. After all she's suffered, now it's her turn to find happiness... So if you liked A Hint of Wicked and are dying to know what happens to both Garrett and Rebecca, then definitely I recommend picking up a Touch of Scandal to find out. Because I'm not going to tell you ;) Besides, wouldn't you like to read it for yourself? Rating: **** out of ***** Labels: Jennifer Haymore, review
posted by Stacy~ at 3/22/2010 06:58:00 AM
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And the copy of "Release" goes to....
 You know me, I'm always late, late for a very important date. And since I was only running the contest until 5pm CST yesterday, any entries after that were not included. Sorry, but I want to be fair and keep to my own rules.
The winner is...thanx to Random.org...AMBER E!
Congratulations! Amber, please send your snail mail addy to trelainastarblazer AT yahoo DOT com and I will try to get this mailed out sometime this week.
12. Amber E.
9. joder
11. jeanette8042
2. Danielle
6. tetewa
7. Estella
16. Eva S.
4. Scorpio M.
13. Jay
10. Monica
1. Leontine
3. Ina
15. Liza
14. orannia
8. Calila1988
17. kh
5. Maija A.
Thanx to all that participated. It's always nice to have you stop by my blog :) Labels: winner
posted by Stacy~ at 3/22/2010 06:32:00 AM
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Friday, March 19, 2010:
"Release" Day - win a copy of Beth Kery's latest book!
 Genny loved her husband Max, but he lacked the sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. Ruggedly handsome, Sean had a heart-stopping smile that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became. Then her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night...
That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who touched her very spirit, and one-onone, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there's a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches. Today I am having a contest for a copy of this excellent erotic romance, written by Beth Kery. All you have to do is answer the following question to be eligible: In RELEASE, Genny has a hot threesome with her husband and Sean. If you could have a sexy threesome with any two people - could be from the movies, or a book, etc - who would those two lucky people be? The contest will run until 5pm CST on Sunday, March 21st. Everyone is welcome to enter, but must answer the question to qualify. I ask that you please DO NOT include your email address in your response. Appreciate it :) Good luck! Can't wait to see your answers ;)
Labels: Beth Kery, contest
posted by Stacy~ at 3/19/2010 07:32:00 AM
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Thursday, March 18, 2010:
Talking ghosts, favorite cities, and sexy romances with Beth Kery
 As any of you that visit my blog regularly know, I got a chance to catch up with Beth Kery again at a recent signing she did in Chicago to celebrate the release of her latest book, Release. She also took some time to answer my numerous (and oftentimes confusing) questions. Here's what she had to say about writing, music, and her love for research.
[Beth, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, and for posing for this picture.]
S~ Beth, your stories tend to be very deep, emotional journeys for your characters, which I really love, btw. Is it a laboring and exhausting process for you to tell such intense stories, or do you find the final outcome to be more rewarding to you as a writer because of the level of intensity and complexity?
Beth: Well, if it is labor intensive, it's a labor of love. I really wouldn't want to write anything but emotionally complex characters. And yes, I do find the layering of character, the richness of it, to be very rewarding, both for when I finish a book and when I read other authors who have done it.
S~ How do you prevent yourself from getting too caught up in the darker pyschological aspects of your characters' lives? Is there something specific you do to wind down from writing a particularly heavy scene? One example that comes to mind is how Max, Genny's husband, was so manipulative and pretty much all his actions had a purpose, usually to benefit him in some way yet put someone else in a weaker position.
Beth: Not really, in the case of Max. I actually can write anti-social personalities relatively easy. I hate to say it, but it's kind of fun to come up with a really nasty hero, and I respected Max--even if he was evil as all get out--because he was so observant and manipulative, so Svengali-ish, the ultimate spy, really.
I get more emotionally involved in writing something like Niall, in Wicked Burn, who had post traumatic stress syndrome, or Thomas, my hero from Explosive whose trauma is even more far-reaching. I cry a lot when I'm writing, but it's not in a 'bad' way. I'm just feeling with the characters. Afterwards, I often do make an effort to go talk to my husband or take a long hot bath, and sort of shake things off a bit.
S ~ I like how, In reading your bio, you mention something that really struck a cord with me. It was about how womens' sexuality is more complex than what we traditionally see in a lot of romance novels out there. We certainly see that in your books, and it's definitely a fascinating topic that should be explored more thoroughly. Why do you think it's so hard to find more intricate situations in books written for women?
Beth: Writing sexuality is always a bit of a mine field, because you are bound to touch off issues within some (many?) readers. Since historically, females have been cast as the subservient, weaker, 'less than' sex etc., modern women may find it offensive to read about a woman who enjoys being submissive in the bedroom, as one example. The thing that I find important to point out is that sexual fantasy is a lot like a dream. It follows different rules than your everyday, rational life. (I think this is true of romance in general, as well, but to a lesser degree than stories with erotic content).
What I meant in the bio is that traditionally men were considered to be the libidinous ones between the two sexes. There's all these studies done about how men are thinking about sex sixty percent of the time. (I don't know if that's the exact statistic, I'm free associating, but something along those lines). But there are a lot of factors that aren't taken into account in studies like that. First of all, there has been a cultural taboo placed on women for speaking openly about how they feel about sex, how much they think about it, what turns them on, what their fantasies are. How comfortable are women, really, when it comes time to reveal these things? Secondly, perhaps women haven't had the language to really express their sexual urges. It may be glaringly obvious to a man that he's irritable because he needs to get laid, but for a woman? Maybe it's the weather; maybe it's the kids; maybe it's PMS. (Simplified example, granted). Lastly, once a woman acknowledges what turns her on, she might have to deal with cultural judgements about the 'right' or the 'wrong' of it. Perhaps it's easier just to keep it inside.
So by my saying women are complex in their sexuality, I'm not implying men aren't as well. I just think women are more enigmatic and guarded in understanding and expressing their desires, and with very good reason.
S~ Can I just say that as a reader, I'm very happy to find an author who writes stories that send a positive message about a woman's sexuality.
Beth: Thanks, Stacy! I'm glad you feel that way.
S~ I'm sure as a writer you don't get as much time to read as you'd like. When you do find time to read, do you still read mostly romance or do you find yourself steering away books that are similar to yours?
Beth: I do admit that I'm so stretched for time lately, I haven't had my daily requirement of reading time. I'm probably going to shrivel up and die if I don't get some quality time with a good book.:) I typically don't read a lot in my genre, but I do enjoy Sarah McCarty, Shiloh Walker and Emma Holly, to name just a very few. I always look forward to Julie James and Larissa Ione books. I do tend--in general--to steer away from genres I write in. Now that I write, it feels a little bit like work, in that my mind is always analyzing vs. just escaping into the story. And then a lot of times, I'll be like...oh, crap! Why couldn't I have come up with that brilliant idea?  S ~ When you're driving in your car with the radio cranked up, what kind of music do you usually listen to when you come up with your ideas? Beth: I'm a huge Chris Cornell fan, so Soundgarden and Audioslave, and some of his solo stuff. He's so angsty, and his songs always make my mind go to these tragic romances. Of course, I always make mine end happily though. :) I think I was listening to Soundgarden when I dreamed up Wicked Burn, and definitely Sade when I thought of Paradise Rules, because Lana's career was very loosely based on Sade's. Sean from Release--or at least his accent--was inspired by Harry Connick Jr. I listen to all genres of music--pop, hard rock, jazz, classical. I don't have music going when I write, but I listen avidly when I'm stuck in traffic...which is too much. S~ I see from your website that you have a more releases out later this year. Can you share a little about these stories? : VELVET CATACLYSM, Princes of the Underground: Spring, 2010, Samhain: Velvet Cataclysm is my first foray into the vampire genre, although I should say, Saint and the other Princes of the Underground are technically something more than vampire or werewolf. Velvet Cataclysm is an erotic romance paranormal with hints of urban fantasy, and it comes out from Samhain on May 18. [Yay!]EXPLOSIVE: December 2010, Berkley Heat: Explosive is a novel of the heart. It's another erotic contemporary from Berkley Heat. I would compare it to Release, in that it also has some suspense elements, although Explosive has more psychological elements. The hero is a major alpha--major--but he's also vulnerable. Thomas' character was probably m  y biggest challenge to write to date. I'm curious--and extremely nervous--to know whether or not readers will find him as appealing as I do. S~ At Cecile's blog you mentioned that a guilty pleasure of your is watching ghost hunter shows? Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever gone on a ghost tour in Chicago, or anywhere else?
Hmmm, do I believe in ghosts? The short answer to that is 'no', or at least not in the way they are conveyed on many of those shows. I actually do believe in the power of the human mind, though, and that people can cause all sorts of physical manifestations given the right circumstances. I believe in telepathy, telekinesis, etc. Actually, my theory on what's happening on a lot of those shows is that the circumstances are ideal for some major telekinesis to occur. I mean, we know for a fact from research that poltergeists exist--sort of this unconscious burst of telekinetic energy from adolescents. Why does it have to be a disembodied spirit on these shows? Why can't it just be those people freaking themselves out and creating the manifestations with their own energy? I read this really cool article once where a Paranormal Research Society literally created their own 'ghost' by making up this rich history and talking about him all the time. Pretty soon, the 'made up ghost' was there, knocking on tables and creating ectoplasm or whatever. lol. Now that's the power of imagination.
S~ What were some of your favorite books as kid growing up?
Beth Kery: All the Nancy Drew books, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Lord of the Rings, The Mary Stewart Merlin Trilogy, The Narnia Chronicles.
S~ Who was the first author you'd ever met? What was it like to meet them?
Beth: Hmmm...I'm trying to recall. It might have been Julie James--I didn't really know anyone in person until early 2009. I had made online contacts, but not yet been to any conferences, etc. It was wonderful to meet Julie and talk on and on about publishers and promo and writing ideas. Very liberating and fun, for someone who sort of writes in the closet. lol.
S~ You mention how you love to travel and have incorporate those experiences into your stories, such as we've seen several of your books set in Chicago and also casting Paradise Rules in Hawaii. Which locations might we find highlighted in any of your upcoming stories?
Beth: London is probably one of my favorite cities in the world. and I'll be incorporating it into the second Princes of the Underground books at Samhain. I'd also like to include Paris, Amsterdam and Rome in that series, and likely New York, as well. I have a strange fascination with large cities' undergrounds, the stories they tell, the history, and that was actually part of the impetus for the Princes of the Underground series.
S~ You do a lot of research for your books. What are some of the most interesting things you've learned in your research?
Beth: I loved researching paranormal societies in late Victorian England for Fire Angel and then combining it with my knowledge of hypnosis. I learned that much of the science of hypnosis today was ground in these spiritual spectacles and early experiments into the world of mind control, hysteria and calling up the 'spirits of the dead.'
From my research for Daring Time, I learned that the affluent street Prairie Avenue had some of the first electricity installed in houses in the world, and that much of that knowledge resulted from the pioneering advancements of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. I also learned what toilet paper was like in the early nineteen hundreds...for those who had it anyway. lol.
S ~ Can you tell us a little bit about the story you're writing now, or perhaps a story you'd like to write in the near future?
Beth: Sure, Stacy. I recently got a contract with Silhouette Special Edition for a series called Harbor Town, USA. It's about three families, all of different cultures and socioeconomic statuses, who are bound together by one night of tragedy. It takes place in one of the small vacation towns on the Michigan shore. Have you ever been to those for a summer vacation? Very idyllic. Anyway, the first story is rife with angst, being about a sort of Romeo and Juliet couple, who were in love as young adults in this sleepy, vacation town. When the hero's father gets behind the wheel of his car drunk one night and causes a three-way car crash, members from three different families are killed, changing the survivors' lives forever. The hero and heroine are ripped apart, because the hero's father was responsible for her parents' and brother's death. The story is not only about Marc and Mari coming together after fifteen years, it's about the three families and their eventual healing process through love.
I get a little verklempt every time I try to describe it. lol.
Thank you so much for the interview, Stacy.
S~ And thank you, Beth, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to answer my questions :)
For those of you new to Beth's books, or haven't read much of her backlist, take a look at her bookshelf.
***Stay tuned for your chance to win a copy of Release!***
Labels: author interviews, Beth Kery
posted by Stacy~ at 3/18/2010 07:14:00 AM
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010:
 Milo and Jared
(Gilmore Girls)
I actually watched SUPERNATURAL before seeing the Gilmore Girls. In fact it was an episode of SUPERNATURAL when they are at a movie lot and they mention Gilmore Girls that I felt compelled to watch GG. It's all because of Sam :)
It seemed only fair that since Dean (Winchester, from SUPERNATURAL) got a day that we'd share the love and give Sam a day of his own. So here is some love for Sam today. 
I just love this look with those deep, dark eyes...I'm a sucker for a guy with sexy eyes, and I'd love to be the person he's looking at right now ;)
 I cannot deny it: Jared does have an engaging smile.
Awww, what an adorable couple *g*
There's that smile again. I just want to pinch his cheeks (all of them)
And no tribute to Sam would be complete without a picture of him in a towel. He's got the body to pull it off, that's for sure!
HAPPY Sam...er... ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
Labels: hottie, Jared Padalecki
posted by Stacy~ at 3/17/2010 07:06:00 AM
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010:
Book Alert: Beth Kery's Explosive!
 Genre: Centemporary erotic suspense Publisher: Berkley Heat ISBN-13: 978-0425236710 Release Date: December 7, 2010 Format: Trade Paperback
His touch would consume her—if it didn’t kill her first…
Dr. Sophie Gable wasn’t expecting her peaceful getaway to be shattered by the arrival of a half-dazed, dead-sexy guest. Thomas Nicasio has obviously been traumatized, and Sophie thinks she knows by what. There’s something about Thomas’s father that he can’t—or won’t—remember. Something that could get them both killed. Still she can’t resist Thomas’s electrifying seduction—or her instincts to help him…
An ex-Navy explosives specialist, Thomas has never felt this type of volatile need for a woman. Even while he’s grieving the deaths of his brother and nephew, something in Sophie makes Thomas want to overtake her, and each time he does, her willing submission makes him want her all the more. But danger is lurking close by, and if he can’t face the demons of his past, he and Sophie could be the next victims in a pattern of meaningless violence…
Check out Beth's blog for an excerpt! Labels: Beth Kery
posted by Stacy~ at 3/16/2010 11:00:00 AM
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 Copied from from Minx, the Magazine: What is St. Urho's Day?
"One of the lesser known, but extraordinary legends of ages past is the legend of St. Urho - Patron Saint of the Finnish vineyard workers.
"Before the last glacial period, wild grapes grew with abundance in the area now known as Finland. Archeologists have uncovered evidence of this scratched on the thigh bones of the giant bears that once roamed northern Europe. The grapes were threatened by a plague of grasshoppers until St. Urho banished the lot of them with a few selected Finnish words.
"In memory of this impressive demonstration of the Finnish language, Finnish people celebrate on March 16, the day before St. Patrick's Day. It tends to serve as a reminder that St. Pat's Day is just around the corner and is thus celebrated by squares. At sunrise on March 16, Finnish women and children dressed in royal purple and nile green gather around the shores of the many lakes in Finland and chant what St. Urho chanted many years ago: "Heinasirkka, heinasirkka, menetaalta hiiteen." (Translated: "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go away!")
"Adult male (people, not grasshoppers) dressed in green costumes gather on the hills overlooking the lakes, listen to the chant, and then kicking out like grasshoppers, they slowly disappear to change costumes from green to purple. The celebration ends with singing and dancing polkas and schottisches and drinking grape juice, though these activities may occur in varying sequences.
"Color for the day is royal purple and nile green."
This is the "official" legend of St. Urho - inscribed on the plaque on the first statue erected to the Finnish folk hero, in Menahga, Minnesota. In reality, none of it is true. St. Urho never existed, but that hasn't prevented every state in the union from declaring it an official holiday. It's all a tall tale that originated in Minnesota in 1956. But there are even disagreements about how the tale got started.
The most widely held account credits the origin of the legend to a department store manager in Virginia, Minnesota. As Aini Rajanen recounts in the book "Of Finnish Ways" -
"It started as a joke, when certain fun-loving members of a department store staff in Virginia, Minnesota, decided to turn the tables on their Finnish manager. On St. Patrick's Day he had been guilty of the heinous heresy of refusing to be impressed by the Irish claims for their saint. Pooh, said he. Finns have an even greater hero named Urho, and he told tall tales of the saint's mighty prowess. His staff bided their time. On the day which he had named as the feast day of St. Urho, they greeted him with a hand-carved nutcracker purporting to be the image of the saint, a frog, and a hand-lettered scroll on which an Irish lass (no less) had written a pidgin-Finn rhyme that sang the deeds of his legendary hero.
"It was meant only as a bit of mild teasing to be shared among themselves. But a reporter was present, and the next day the hoax hit the front page of the Mesabi Daily News. Finns of the area, needing a midwinter frolic during cabin fever season, seized upon it with glee. In the space of only a few years (the original rhyme was written in 1956), the idea spread until the celebration is now observed in [all 50] states, with governors proclaiming with straight faces the significance of St. Urho's Tay (not "Day").
"...Originally the story went that Saint Urho, a strong, brave Finn, saved his country from an influx of frogs by the simple expedient of asking them to leave, and for this deed was to be revered forever. The first date settled upon for this occasion was May 24th, but later wags set the date as March 16th, thus superseding by one day the Irish festival of St. Patrick. The enemy he drove from Finland underwent a metamorphosis from frog to grasshopper, and this now seems to be the accepted version."
Another possible origin of the legend credits a school district psychologist in St. Paul, Minnesota, with inventing St. Urho. Sulo Havumaki, who wrote the legend quoted above, supposedly created the Finnish folk hero in self-defense when he found himself surrounded by followers of St. Patrick in his office in City Hall. He taught at Bemidji State University, in Minnesota, where St. Urho used to chase a student dressed in a grasshopper costume through the classrooms. He died in 1970, but his widow was invited to break a bottle of wine over the toe of the Menahga statue when it was dedicated in 1982.
Variations of the legend describe the insects as locusts. Some claim that St. Urho wielded a rake; others say it was a pitchfork. There are also stories that purport that St. Patrick and St. Urho were one and the same. Supposedly, Urho heard reports of a plague of snakes in Ireland and set sail across the North Sea to lend a hand. The grateful Irish, unable to pronounce the Finnish name "Urho," (pronounced "oorlho") took to calling him The Patriarch. Eventually "Patriarch" became "Patrick."
A Modern-day St. Urho?
Another Irish/Finnish connection recounts that, faced with a short growing season in Scandinavia, Finnish vintners would inject their grapes with vodka to boost their alcohol content. Not to be outdone, Irish barkeeps would add knockout drops to their watery whiskey to increase the potency. These concoctions proved powerful, and the two groups were forced to share the credit for the invention, which became known as a Mickey Finn.
Depending on which version you believe, the words that St. Urho shouted to banish the plague of frogs/grasshoppers from his country, "Heinasirkka, heinasirkka, menetaalta hiiteen," may mean "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to hell!" or "Grasshopper, grasshopper, get the hell out of here!"
No matter which version of the legend appeals to you the most, you have to admit that it's a great excuse for a party. And if you celebrate St. Patrick's Day too, you can stretch the celebration over a two-day period. But beware - those that consume too much purple and green beer have been known to see visions of giant grasshoppers looming on the horizon!
Illonen St. Urho's Paivaa!!! (Happy St. Urho's Day!!!)
Labels: Finnish
posted by Stacy~ at 3/16/2010 06:48:00 AM
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Monday, March 15, 2010:
Chicago Signing: Beth Kery, Shiloh Walker, Julie James & Joss Ware
 Here's the first thing you see when you walk through the doors of the Barnes & Noble, located in Chicago on Webster. So pretty.....
Here's Beth Kery, author of one of my top favorite erotic romances of all time: Wicked Burn. She's so sweet, and much prettier than my blurry photo-taking skills would indicate. In my defense, I was using my phone to take the pictures, and it's not the best quality. But take my word for it, Beth is adorable.
I didn't notice this at the time I took the picture, but have to laugh at the sign above Julie James and Joss Ware: Bargain-priced top selections. Yeah, I'd have to agree - they are a bargain *g*
 And here she is, the object of my "obsessive" stalking: Shiloh Walker! Ain't she just the cutest thing ever???? And she left me the sweetest message in my copy of Broken, which I would have taken a picture of to show you, but I ended up leaving my books in someone else's car and don't have them back yet, but they are not far from me, so if I get them back soon, I'll be sure to take a picture and show you all. She says the nicest things LOL. It was a most fun Saturday, and I also got to meet some Twitter friends, like Colleen. Julie's adorable son Jackson was there, but I missed the opportunity to meet the brilliant Mr. James. Perhaps another time. I also missed seeing my pal Dani again. I got there around 3:30 and stayed the whole time. I figured if I'm going to drive into the city I'm going to make the most of it. After the signing, we headed across the street to the Webster Wine Bar. (I did take a picture, but it was so dark in there it's hard to see after I downloaded it). I talked to Julie a little bit about her next book - her heroine owns a wine store and Julie did extensive, um, research for the book, which has now prompted me to find out more about wine. I never really cared all that much before, but it turns out Illinois has some decent wineries, plus I checked online and there are a gazillion wine-tasting events around the city and suburbs, some of them even free. So I think I'll be brushing up on my wine knowledge. Shiloh's hubby was also in attendance. Gotta give the guy credit for listening to our chatter. He didn't talk much but you can just tell he's got some interesting thoughts and opinions, judging but the look on his face LOL. I'm sure being married to an author, he's heard it all. Got exciting news from Joss: she's working on book #4! I won't give anything away, but I'm thrilled to pieces. It's going to also reveal a lot about another character who will be getting a story later on, and I can't wait for his story. It's going to be a doozy, I'm sure. And in Colleen Gleason news, she's got a new vampire series she's working on, so I'm tres excited about that. Keep those books coming, Joss/Colleen! In other news, I have a interview with Beth to post, which will probably go up sometime this week. I'm looking forward to that. She was very patient with me, as I tend to ask really confusing questions, but I think we worked it all out. So as you can see, I had a GREAT time. These ladies are 4 of my favorite authors, all auto-buys for me. And I'm looking forward to seeing them again later in the year for other signings. There's the Chicago Spring Fling, which I'll be attending, as well as the Lori Foster get-together, and RWA. It's going to be a fabulous year :) Labels: Beth Kery, booksignings, Joss Ware, Julie James, Shiloh Walker
posted by Stacy~ at 3/15/2010 07:02:00 AM
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Friday, March 12, 2010:
Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon (2003) - quickie review
 Dear Reader,
Life is great for me. I have my chicory coffee, my warm beignets, and my best friend on the cell phone. Once the sun goes down, I am the baddest thing prowling the night: I command the elements, and I know no fear. For centuries, I've protected the innocent and watched over the mankind, making sure they are safe in a world where nothing is ever certain. All I want in return is a hot babe in a red dress, who wants nothing more from me then one night.
Instead, I get a runaway Mardi Gras float that tries to turn me into roadkill and a beautiful woman who saves my life but can't remember where she put my pants. Flamboyant and extravagant, Sunshine Runningwolf should be the perfect woman for me. She wants nothing past tonight, no ties, no long-term commitments.
But every time I look at her, I start yearning for dreams that I buried centuries ago. With her unconventional ways and ability to baffle me, Sunshine is the one person I find myself needing. But for me to love her would mean her death. I am cursed never to know peace or happiness-not so long as my enemy waits in the night to destroy us both.
--Talon of the Morrigantes
As part of my (very slow) plan to re-read the Dark Hunter books, I'm up to this one, which some consider book #2, others book #3. I think of it as the 3rd one because Fantasy Lover, though not technically about the Dark Hunters, is like a prequel, so I am okay thinking of it as part of the series.
These books are like...generic?...crack to me. Before I even realized such a thing existed in book form. As I've mentioned, they will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first time I saw vamps as something more than cold, icky undead creatures.
So this is Talon's story. He's a swamp-loving DH with a serious sugar and caffeine addiction and a preference for one night stands. Then one night as he's off killing Daimons, he's knocked unconscious by a Mardi Gras float and rescued by local artist Sunshine Runningwolf, who brings him home, where he's essentially trapped with no wheels and no protection from the sun. He's instantly attracted to the lovely, absent-minded Sunshine, but despite how much he likes her, he knows it will never be anything more than a casual fling. Dark Hunters don't roll that way. Talon especially, as he's been cursed to to lose everyone he loves, and he doesn't wish to put anyone else in jeopardy.
Of course the Big Bad have other ideas, and make it so Talon and Sunshine are stuck together as much as possible. They got major plans, including freeing the Destroyer and killing Acheron in the process, which would allow them to retain godhood. But they need to create a diversion, and distracting all the Dark Hunters in town seems like the way to go. Their aim is to divide and conquer.
So during all the goings-on, we meet some additional Dark Hunters: Valerius, the grandson of the monster responsible for what happened to Kyrian; and Zarek, a real ornery son of a bitch with a serious disregard for authority. Right from the start he pisses people off, and alienates himself to the point where he just might end up a shade if he doesn't calm his ass down. It does make you wonder what he's been through to make him so hostile. (I know, I know!)
My thoughts:
Good, cheesy fun. Reminds me of a time when reading was uncomplicated and my tbr pile held maybe 10 books. Night Embrace isn't quite up to par with today's paranormal romance, however it is rather emotional and gut-wrenching to read sometimes, and I am a sucker for those kinds of stories. These DH's suffered greatly as humans, often resulting in being brutally murdered. Talon's story is no different, having lost his parents, his wife & child, and his beloved sister before dying himself all because of the greed and power-hungry ambitions of others.
Going in, I did not have high expectations. I knew these weren't going to have the same effect on me as they did when I first read them. However I do quite like Talon, though he is not my favorite Dark Hunter, and he still has this tiresome obsession for his wife, which is rather weird after so many centuries since her death. Yet I really do like him and Sushine together, despite how he keeps trying to keep distance between them. She may seem absent-minded and carefree, but she's also smart and giving and capable of standing up to Talon. She could be stubborn and fierce, a worthy partner to the lonely Dark Hunter.
And speaking of lonely, we get more and more glimpses of Ash's past, and my heart just aches for him. I think I've only read 6 or 7 of the DH books, so I have quite a bit of catching up to do, and I know my heart is just gonna break. Will it hurt worse than Zarek's story? That one ripped me to shreds (and reminded me so much of Zsadist's story).
So yeah, all kinds of stuff goes down in this story as we delve deeper and deeper into the history of the Dark Hunters, and get a front row seat into Ash's complex relationship with Artemis. We see that there are more otherworldly creatures than just the Dark Hunters and the gods. This book also has a bit of a bang at the end which kicks off Zarek's story. I won't ruin it for the few people who haven't read the series, but it's a doozy.
These books aren't perfect; a lot of times they're clunky and cheesy and campy, but that's okay by me. I unashamedly enjoy them. The stories draw me in and keep me interested. I like the Greek mythology, even if many liberties are taken for the sake of the story. I like the setting in New Orleans. I like that the dangers are great and not always easily overcome. The Dark Hunter books is one of the first long-running series I've gotten hooked on, so it has a special place in my heart for that as well.
Note: Book Binge (Holly) mentioned on Twitter just yesterday that there's a scene where Talon and Sunshine spend the night having unprotected sex and Sunshine gets dressed the next morning without showering. Usually, that's a huge ick factor for me. However, that being said, I can overlook A LOT of things in a paranormal story, so details such as this don't register with me because I think differently when I'm reading this type of book and can get past things more easily. It's like the ick factor miraculously disappears for me because of the Dark Hunter superpowers LOL. Besides, Holly doesn't care for most (any?) of the Dark Hunters so I will just ignore what she has to say *g*
Rating: **** out of *****
Labels: quickie reviews, Sherrilyn Kenyon
posted by Stacy~ at 3/12/2010 06:52:00 AM
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