Last post of 2008

Here I am this New Year Eve, looking back at all the books I read this year (about 245 given or taken a couple) and thinking: Could I read more?! There should be a way! And yes, I have to expand my horizon and look at other genres, not just SiFi, Fantasy, Paranormal, (A little) Romance and Historic novels. I know there has been lots of book that go simply under Fiction title and a lot more that are basically Mysteries. Well it is very hard to characterize some books, for example: A witch heroine solving the murder case of her best friend which happens to be bionic woman! Is it a mystery, a SiFi, a Fantasy or whatnot?
Anyway here are my last books read in 2008:
“Fish Out of Water” (Fred the Mermaid, Book 3) by MaryJanice Davidson: Fred is engaged to Prince Artur and renting a huge beach house and every one is dropping by to enjoy her extra bedrooms including her supposedly dead banished biological father.
Thank goodness, this series is finished! I was so tiered of Fred’s grumpiness and bad language!
“The King's Favorite: A Novel of Nell Gwyn and King Charles II” by Susan Holloway Scott was a great book. Although it is named a novel, I read it more as a biography of Nell and I came to love her character. She is the kindest, most considerate and less ambitious mistresses of Charles II. The 1660’s were beautifully pictured and the writing was great. It is a true Cinderella story and for that truly enchanting.
“Casting Spells” by Barbara Bretton was funny. A descendant of a great witch and mayor of Sugar Maple, Vermont; Chloe Hubbs is under pressure to marry and extend the protective spell her great great grandmother cast over the city to protect its supernatural residents. Imagine the whole town playing matchmaker! Oh, and Chloe is half human and doesn’t have any magic of her own. Enter one sexy detective and…Well, Welcome to Sugar Maple!

Happy New Year and more reading to you!

Hot Sexy Vampires (please line up!)

I found out last night that two of my good friends have become vampire fans courtesy of Edward Cullen (Can you believe it!).
Now I see it my duty to introduce them to some hot sexy delicious vampire heroes whom are much more manly than that little love-sick boy! I actually did a post last year on my favorite vampire series at “Beware, Vampires are coming!” and that list has expanded considerably over this year. But this post is all about my favorite vampires. In order of hotness, Ladies; I give you the top ten:
- Eric Northman from Sookie Stackhouse Southern vampire series by Charlaine Harris. Eric is a blond Viking, he is arrogant and bossy and power hungry but very protective and loyal. When he loses his memory and ends up in Sookie’s, he is the ideal lover.
- Kisten from Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison. He is leather clad, can go out during the day, has lots of cool cars and motorcycles, is a total badass, and is fiercely loyal to Rachel and Ivy.
- Henry Fitzroy from Blood series by Tania Huff. He is the bastard son of Henry IIIV and more than 500 years old. He is a romance writer and has great taste. He is fair and just and kingly and protective of his people. He is very loyal to his friends.
- Ty Bonner from Vampire Love series by Kimberly Raye. He is bounty hunter and a made vamp. He is a cowboy and has the whole tall and dark and handsome thing.
- Stephan from Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I so heart him! He is cool and casual. He is old and European. He is kind and considerate to his entourage and is looking for a way to benefit humanity from vampirism. Bonus features: some super sexy werewolves!
- Eric Sinclair from Queen Betsy series by Mary Janice Davidson. He is the tall and dark and handsome and the king of all vampires. His best feature: he ignores Betsy!
- Mircea from Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance. He is wiling to suffer for his love (and he is tall and dark and handsome too!)
- Thomas from Dresden files by Jim Butcher. He is an emotional vampire so no blood drinking. He loves his brother and is super strong. He is keeping away from the woman he loves in order to protect her and he is tall, dark and handsome! What else you need?!
- Adrian from Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. He is from royal family and a prince, very cool and arrogant and selfish and loyal, extremely rich and has cool magic too.
- Jean-Luc from Anita Blake vampire hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. He is a sharp dresser, a master vampire and totally powerful. He is a great politician too. He has dark long hair and doesn’t matter how many triangles Anita forms and how many new man she sleeps with and how stupid Richard is, I still heart Jean-Luc!
Oooh, and how can I forget! My ultimate arrogant selfish sexy crazy vampire is Lestat. Even when applying for sainthood, he is arrogant. How can you not love him?! And no, I’m not talking about that blond Tom Cruz like person (I so hate Tom!), I’m speaking of the true character of Lestat in Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles series. He is so deliciously selfish you have to love him!

So what do you think? Any vampire you like to add to this list? Anyone I forgot?
Drop by and give me names and books and authors! Maybe one day we do a survey and find the most popular vampire ever!

A long holiday post

Have been living (barely!), reading (a lot), taking exams (what a nightmare!) and having flu (so awful!) this previous month so, I say I’ve pretty busy.
Right after final exams, dear hubby and I got stomach flu and a bad case of cold on top of it and have been resting (read being imprisoned!) at home for two weeks. Imagine you have only three weeks vacation time and spend 2/3 of it in bed sneezing!
Have read a lot though. Here is the list in order of genre:

Paranormal/Fantasy/SiFi (romance)
“Succubus Dreams” (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3) by Richelle Mead. Georgie is having troubles, her recruiting imp is back in town trying to sabotage her, she has an apprentice, lots of weird dreams, and yes she is losing her energy strangely. Also she is pushing her boyfriend and best friend together, no wonder Seth cheats on her! Poor Georgie!
“Dark Light” by Jayne Castle is the fifth or sixth book in Planet Harmony series. A guild boss and a reporter join forces to solve the mysterious disappearances of retired ghost hunters.
“Kitty and the silver bullet” (Kitty Norville, Book 4) by Carrie Vaughn. Kitty is back in Denver because her mother is diagnosed with cancer. There is a vampire war and she has to choose sides, also it means facing those two assholes alphas of Denver pack Cal and Meg. I liked this book better than the previous one. Kitty is growing, she is more responsible and she isn’t all talk anymore!
“Underground” (Greywalker, Book 3) by Kat Richardson. I didn’t like it (you can read it if you like!). There is so much going on in the story and the main character is unpolished and weak.
“Bone Song” by John Meaney was dark mystery full of death and zombies and wraith and bones and stuff. I liked the book, the writing, the plot, the characters but not the overall theme. It is a great book if you are into morbid stuff!
“Dragon Wytch” (Sisters of the Moon, Book 4) by Yasmine Galenorn. Camille and her sisters are facing another squad of demons and looking for the third seal. She loses Tristian and spends sometime with smoky the dragon. A unicorn, a pixy and an incubus are in the story (and no, they don’t go into a bar!).
“The Bride of Casa Dracula” (Casa Dracula, Book 3) by Marta Acosta. Milagro
is preparing for her wedding but it looks like the universe is against her! For better I say, because Oswald is not in love with her anymore and Ian (ooh, fabulous Ian) is back!
“All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire” (Love at Stake, Book 5) by Kerrelyn Sparks was OK. Ian has grown 12 years in 12 days and is ready to find a bride. When he tackles a thief finds his love!
“Living with the Dead” (Women of the Otherworld, Book 9) by Kelley Armstrong was great. A human friend of Hope is in trouble and Hope and Carl are helping. A ghost seeing detective and his sidekick are investigating a murder and a new race of super-naturals are introduced.
The Vampire Babylone series by Crystal Green: “Break of Dawn “ and “Night rising” (reread) were truly boring! I hate Dawn’s character, the busy plot and the untied treads of story. Not good, not good at all!

Romance
“The Beach house” by Jane Green was a great read. So full of beautiful landscape and a great house and interesting characters. I loved Nan!
“Secret desires of a gentleman” by Laura Lee Guhrke was a good romance. Good plot, great dialogs, good characters but a historic romance it was not! Sorry, it was hard to imagine the story happening in 1850 or whatever date was given in the book. The characters were straight from a contemporary romance dressed in 1800s-something clothing and riding coaches and carriages and being dukes and duchesses!
“Tempted by the night” by Elizabeth Boyle was great. Had a little supernatural in it as well. The story was funny, the dialogs great and Ms. Boyle writing style enchanting. I liked it so much that I went ahead and read another of her book’s “Love Letters from a Duke” too. This one is also funny with an entertaining cast of characters. You want to laze in the bed and enjoy times long gone and have a laugh, read something from this author!

Mystery
Should I put “Bone song” here again?
“Sister Pelagia and the Black Monk” by Boris Akunin was perfect. I loved the translation, the style and the plot. I hadn’t been reading anything from Russian authors (except the classics: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov) and this book was great. I’m reading the first book of the series now, “Sister Pelagia and the white bulldog” and enjoying it a lot.
Akunin is such a great writer, I’m thinking of starting a Russian phase and reading all I can find from his books and other contemporary Russian authors. Let’s see what happens!

Books, work, depression!

I’m gonna nag! Yeah, I have a presentation (and of course I knew about it for 2 months and still didn’t do anything!), I have a paper and two finals, couple of quizzes and at least 4 more sets of home work for next couple of weeks and I’m too depressed to do anything!
Now back to books:
“The Magical Christmas Cat” by Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Linda Winstead Jones. Four Christmas novella with cat themes, all were good. Some big cats, some small cats, some cats as lovers, some cats as monsters, some cats as cute and meddling.
“Wolfsbane and Mistletoe” by Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner had 10-14 small stories by different authors and some were amazing. My favorites were from Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn and the last two stories by authors I can’t remember the names of.
“Buckingham Palace Gardens” (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels) by Anne Perry was the first book I read from this author and it would be the last. I have read much better mysteries and this one seemed kind of pale in comparison.
“The Moneypenny Diaries” by Kate Westbrook was very interesting. I’m not a big fan of “Bond, James Bond!”; but this book was quite interesting and well written. I’m going to look for the rest of series.
“Shadow Kiss” (Vampire Academy, Book 3) by Richelle Mead had a sad ending. Rose was having a tolerable time at the end of her academic life and was looking forward to her future adventures. Why should it happen like that, why?! I hope, very seriously hope; that Ms. Mead will find a way to bring back the lovely hero of the series or I will be very heartbroken and disappointed and sad and mad and…!
Two books by Jennifer Rardin: “Biting the Bullet” (Jaz Parks, Book 3) and “Bitten to Death” (Jaz Parks, Book 4). Well, they were OK. I mean Jaz is this superhero secret service assassin and got lots of cool gadgets and powers and all… her character is very hard to believe. She has a genius inventor and a vampire boss and a seer in her team! Yeah, and she is in love with her boss. I didn’t like Jaz's character, too far fetched, too powerful, too perfect… but the style and adventures and plots of the stories were good. Very well written, I should say. I couldn’t put the books down (and I didn’t like Jaz!).

Long time, no post!

Despite having midterms a couple of weeks before, I’ve been reading a lot. I also was able to finish some of the books I had unfinished like:
“The confections of a werewolf supermodel” by Ronda Thompson. Lou has man-trouble and can not decide between three hot guys, a serial killer is on the loose and there is something strange about a research lab, also her family is missing. The story is unfinished at the end of the book, too many loose ends, so I’m thinking there is going to be a second book.
“Accidentally Dead” by Dakota Cassidy. Yeah, Nina is finally accepting her undead status and marrying Greg.
“Noah” (Nightwalkers, Book 5) by Jacquelyn Frank ends well. Noah goes back in time (with the help of two years old Leah) and saves his mate Kestra. They face deadly enemies together and end up happily in love and organizing an army.
What I didn’t like was when Kes hears about Nightwalkers, one minute she is thinking there are no such things and in the next instance she is using her druid powers to see through Gideon! So unbelievable! Aside from this, the rest of the book was quite good actually!
“The Rogue Hunter” (Argeneau Vampires, Book 10) by Lynsay Sands was not bad. A lawyer and an enforcer meet and fall in love and the rouge vampire is a good guy! The series is not finished and hey we all want to see all the vamps get their happily ever-after, right?!
“The Dark One” by Ronda Thompson is the first book of Wild Wulfs of London. The story of three brothers cursed to be werewolves. In the first book the love perishes the curse. I’m not too curious about the rest of the series!
“Frost Bite” (Vampire Academy, Book 2) by Richelle Mead was good. Rose is being responsible, Lissa is growing in power and Dimitri… Well, he is busy with new people! Rose’s mother also makes an appearance.
I have to hunt down the next book!
The last book of The Last Man Standing series, “Seduction of a Proper Gentleman” by Victoria Alexander was good. Well, you had the feeling it is not1854, but 1980’s but hey, the story was good! Oliver, after all his friends have married in a six month period; is kind of depressed and his family is trying to make him choose a woman. Lady Kathleen comes from a family of witches and wants to break a curse. Some meddlesome aunts and mothers and butlers and cousins later, they are in love.
A YA book from Elle Woods’s series, “Beach Blond” by Amanda Brown was a pre-teen love story! Do not read it!
Four books of Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, books 4-7 were great: “Summer Knight”, “Death Masks”, “Blood rites” and “Dead Beat”. Well Harry is well and alive, his left hand is burned, he has a vampire brother, Suzan is not coming back and a fallen shadow is seducing Harry in his mind…. Else? Too many monsters slayed and too many favored owed, too many risk taken but worth it…
“Queen of babble gets hitched” by Meg Cabot. One word: BORING!
And finally my favorite of the month: the latest book of Merry Gentry series, “Swallowing Darkness” (Meredith Gentry, Book 7) by Laurell K. Hamilton was amazing. Merry is facing lots of enemies, but she has grown in power and she has confidence, she has become a queen in her heart and protecting her people and fighting for them.
I loved it. I think this one was one of te best books in the series.

Little by little!

I am reading very little and very slowly. In last couple of weeks I’ve finished “Accidentally Fabulous" (The Fashion-Forward Adventures of Imogene) by Lisa Barham and Sujean Rim. Imogene goes to LA and is starting to rise as a star… oh, she is not humble and modest either! OK, no worries! She will learn a lesson at the end!
Then “Dark light” by Jayne Castle. The sixth (?) book of planet Harmony and ghost hunter series. A guild boss and a cute reporter’s cooperation over a project results in a permanent romance!
I find a little novella from Nalini Singh in “The Magical Christmas Cat” by Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Linda Winstead Jones. It was short and sweet, a human school teacher falls in love with a leopard from Dark River pack.
And finally I’m reading “Noah” (Nightwalkers, Book 5) by Jacquelyn Frank. Too soon to have a opinion on the book, but this Noah is not the nice kind king of demons, I tell ya!

Mom is always right!

My mother hates man-made fabrics (nylon, rayon, polyester,…) with a passion. But her pet-peeve is polyester! I remember so many times gushing about so and so’s dress (the nice pattern, the style, the fit) but she would wrinkle her nose and say” It was polyester!” with the same disgusted tone of someone saying it was leprosy or a decaying roadkill! From when I was eight, she thought me how to read clothes label and “yes honey, the more percentage of cotton, wool, or silk the better, aim for 100%!”
Well, I had my share of rebellion and have gone for garments containing nylon, acrylic (how else you are suppose to stay warm?) and of course Lycra (what a wonder!) but always in a mixture with natural materials.
I mean I should know better, right?! Well, this September I found the cutest little blouse/top in my favorite store. It had a separate bowtie under the collar and you have the option of making the collar bowtie or just button down. And it was sheer, and best of all, it was in this gorgeous navy and purple plaid. The too good to be true part was the price: only 16$! Wow, imagine the trendiest top for fall for only 16$! So the fact that label read as 100% polyester was of little concern. I started making excuses as I was looking through other racks and browsing (the top in my hand): I can wear a cotton cami underneath; I wear it layered under a vest or cardigan when it is cold and only use it for the collar, I… Excuses excuses…
I can’t believe how naïve I was! I have worn the top the total of four times, it is itchy, it is hot and it is suffocating! The worse lose of 16$ ever! Mom was so right!

For the love of a good Bag!

Hey follow Bag-lovers, check this video and enjoy the spectacular handbags.
And if your cash is burning holes in your pocket why not go out and spend it on a great handbag (or three for that matter)?
To encourage you, I confess to buying four bags in four months and am still looking for a good looking patent leather in a deep navy or cobalt or Prussian blue. If you find any just let me know!

Back to school

Yep! It has been a couple of weeks now and life is not easy, let me tell you! Homework, research, just commuting to school and back, eating, sleeping,… yeah, it is tough!
Just have read two teeny tiny books: “Happy Hour at Casa Dracula” (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) by Marta Acosta. The first book of Milagro’s story. She says how she was bitten, her changes and adjustments. The other book “Midnight Brunch” is when she is meeting her boyfriend’s parents and the rest of the extended family. Over night she is becoming too popular for her own good!
The second book was “Hostage to pleasure” (Psy-Changelings, Book 5) by Nalini Singh. Oh my god, it was great! The council is losing its power. A group of humans have started to gather power and are trying to attack Psy and Changelings and Dr. Ayasha and Dorian are falling in love! I can’t wait for the next book. There are so many things happening, like Sasha gaining power and Fait's different visions, and all that conflict inside the council!
Am looking for a good book despite all the homework I get.

Young Adult books

Nothing special really! Two of Meg Cabot books, “Airhead” about a geek girl who get the body of a supermodel and “Victoria and the Rogue” when a Lady Victoria comes to England from India to look for a husband.
And a very simple and childish book by Todd Strasser, “How I Created My Perfect Prom Date”.
Well, I’m wasting my time!
It is the first week of classes and it’s hard to get adjusted.

More about Molly!

While waiting for the rest of Molly Murphy’s series, I leafed through three other books and was kinda disappointed. Why these rubbishes get published? Ohh sorry, that was so un-PC! Well, “The Bearskin Rug” by Jennifer Stevenson was not even romance, a jumble of ugly scenes and lots of porn-ish situations; the book has no story and no plot! Real rubbish indeed!
“Don’t make me choose between you and my shoes” by Dixie Cash was … ah, should I say cheesy? All this Texas this and Texas that, it reads like a commercial! Also it has been written for 80plus olds with a heart condition!
“Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander” by Ann Herendeen was different. Telling of a love triangle from a different perspective I have no authority to judge the subject but the story telling, the plot and the cast of characters were enchanting.
Then of course I got the rest of Molly’s books and spend four days finishing them. “In like Flynn” starts when Molly finds out her Jewish suitor has issues. She accepts to go undercover on an assignment from Daniel. She goes to a senator’s house to expose a team of fake mediums but four murders later she lets the fake spiritualists walk free and arrests a killer. In “Oh Danny Boy” Daniel is in trouble and Molly is trying to help him, finds a serial killer and track a missing girl. She finds a new ally in a policewoman detective and her friends are helping her anyway they can. Then “In Dublin’s Fair City” Molly goes back to Ireland to track a missing child but on her first day on the ship she gets a new assignment, lots of excitement and a murder. Then in Dublin she gets mixed up with freedom fighters, finds out about her family and leaves the Ireland again under suspicion. Back in New York and with Daniel out of work, she gets more cases in “Tell Me, Pretty Maiden”. One is an opera ghost, the other a traumatized girl and an old lady also asks Molly to find her nephew. With Daniel’s help Molly is working really hard and finally making some money too.
Ms. Bowen has created a wonderful series and each book is thrilling and better than the last one. Her characters are thriving and growing with each book and her narrative is still fresh after seven books.
Then I’ve started “Midnight Brunch” (Casa Dracula Series, Book 2) by Marta Acosta. After reading a great mystery this book seems lukewarm. I better wait until the book ends!

Spies and adventures

Have read the second book of A Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen. In “A Royal Pain” Georgie has another assignment from the Queen. She is to entertain a Bavarian Princess and attracts the attention of Prince of Wales. David the crown prince is paying too much attention to a certain American lady (yeah, the infamous Mrs. Simpson) and the Queen is unhappy. Several murders later, Georgie has found out some interesting facts and has stopped an assassination.
Then the third book of Molly Murphy’s series “For the love of Mike” by Rhys Bowen. Molly is establishing her detective business, is thrown in jail a couple of time, working in sweatshops and finding a sweetheart (maybe for real this time, not that scumbag Daniel Sullivan!) and is catching murderers. She is uber busy!
Finished the sixth book of Nic Costa series “The Garden of Evil” by David Hewson. Such a sad tale! Poor poor Emily is killed by a ruthless crazy murderer while she is helping Nic just three months after their wedding. The whole team is enraged, Leo goes above and beyond law to find her murderer and every one is bringing their best to the table to catch that powerful privileged killer.
Finally read “Undead and Unworthy” (Queen Betsy, Book 7) by MaryJanice Davidson. Betsy and Sinclair are back and facing a new upraise in their subjects. The Fiends have gained their mental powers back and want to kill Betsy. Detective Nick is asking Betsy to help with a case. Betsy’s dead stepmother is hunting her and … yeah, go read it! After all the other great books I read, Ms. Davidson’s writing looks very simplistic and childish and her story has lots of holes in it. Hey, we are fans and we won’t criticize, right?!
Else? Been reading the rest of Pink Carnation series, books two and three “The Masque of the Black Tulip” and “The Deception of the Emerald Ring” by Lauren Willig. I also went back and reread the fourth book “the Seduction of Crimson Rose”. Well, in the first book you meet Lord Richard (the Purple Gentian) and Amy and Jane two young cousins who travel to France to become spies and stop evil plots of Napoleon to take over Britain. Amy and Richard fall in love, Richard is unmasked by French and thrown in jail, Amy saves him and they go back to England to train more spies and live happily ever after. In the second book Richards’s best friend Miles and Richard’s sister Henrietta are helping the famous Pink Carnation when some French Spies start killing their messengers. With the help of Pink Carnation who is still in France, Miles and Hen arrest the elusive Theresa and think they have found the deadly Black Tulip. They get married too! Then in the Emerald Ring book, Geoffrey another friend of Richard is trying to elope with Marry Alsworthy the love of his life but when he opens the carriage door, he finds Letty, Marry’s little sister. Hey the girl is ruined and he has to marry her. Out of rage Geoff takes of to Ireland right after the wedding and without telling Letty. She follows him and finds him flirting outrageously with a beautiful heiress. Well, what can she do when the Black tulip is there? The Pink Carnation asks them for help in stopping an Irish revolution and Geoff and Letty fall in love! In the Crimson Rose book, we meet Lord Sebastian Vaughn and Marry Alsworthy. Marry has the exact beauty that all the Black Tulip petals had. Pink Carnation asks for Vaughn’s help in requiting Marry and ….
I liked Lord Vaughn’s character more than all the other heroes of the series. Richard was a spoiled child, Miles was like a large shaggy dog and Geoff was too brooding for my taste. But Sebastian, oh, he was perfect, sharp wit and sharp tongue, lots of teasing, really brave, totally pragmatic, self centered and utterly selfish… the perfect hero! I’m so in love!!! Can’t wait till January for the fifth book.
Also read "The moneylender of Toulouse " a Fools' Guild mystery by Alan Gordon. I didn't like it. The author didn't pay any attention to the time frame. People in 13th century surly were not talking and teasing and behaving like modern people, right?

So yummy, so good…

What am I reading? A lot of good things!
First, do you remember those three Iranian sisters in Ireland? Yes, Marjan, Bahar and Layla are back in “Rosewater and Soda Bread” by Marsha Mehran. Marjan is helping a mystical creature and cooking her way into the heart of a very handsome landlord. Bahar is acting strangely, becoming very strict and maybe hiding secrets and Layla is up to no good with her boyfriend… should read the book, I can’t tell you everything!
Again remember that group of police detectives in Rome? Nic Costa, Leo Falcone, Gianini Peroni, Theresa Lupe and Emily Deacon are facing some unsolved cases and looking for vicious murderers in “The seventh sacrament” by David Hewson. Everyone is looking forward to a summer wedding and some happy times but before that there are lots of obstacles to go through. Again, read the book, you’re gonna love it!
Two books on Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen: “Evan's gate” and “Evanly bodies”. Didn’t like the setting and characters. Reminded me of Miss Maple, too much Welsh countryside!
But Ms. Bowen’ other series Molly Murphy mystery is a treasure I’m savoring book by book. So far in “Murphy's law” I got to know Molly, her reasons for going to New York City and how she is dealing with life in a big city in 1930’s. Then in “Death of Riley” we see how Molly chooses her career, what inspires her and how she is going to make money and be independence. Can’t wait to read the rest of series. These books have great mysteries, lovely funny cast of characters and very interesting look at life at the time. A joy to read!
“Her royal spyness” is the first book of another historical series also by Rhys Bowen. A great read, a lovable character and a fun time frame, what else a fan of historical novels and mysteries can ask for?
Finally read the nth book of Blackdagger Brotherhood “Lover enshrined” by J.R. Ward. It was much better that V’s story. Phury is changing the tradition, gets over his addiction, falls in love, blah blah…. Had a lot of though sounding dialogues. Thor is back… John is growing up… Omega has a son, Scribe Virgin has a daughter… one question, if she had a son and a daughter why she is called Virgin?
Am still following the series but don’t like it anymore, just in interest of science,… you understand?
A great new series (new for me anyway) is the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. My favorite period of history, after France revolution and during the napoleon regime, this series explores the life of one great English spy who protected the England against ambitions of Napoleon. We get to know so very interesting characters and hear a couple of romances in “The secret history of the Pink Carnation”. The good thing is, you get to know who the elusive Pink Carnation is and you are one step ahead of every one else in the series!
Due to my just finding out about the series I actually read the fourth book “The seduction of the crimson rose" before the first or even second and third! Oh, well, I just have to go read it again after finishing the second and third book I guess. But let me tell you this much, there are a lot of great adventures ahead and I guess Ms. Willig can continue the series with success. Her story telling is mesmerizing and all the twist and time frame changes? It makes for a wonderful read. Hope you enjoy it as much as I!

Beezy bee, beezy bee, yeah; that’s me!

Well, hello there! Did you miss me?! Been really awfully busy!
How is it that for months and months there is nothing exciting in life and you get bored out of your mind and then suddenly your schedule is bursting with appointments and meetings and parties and travel and…. I’ve been attending meetings and seminars, lots of parties and lunch dates and dinner engagements and quite some great traveling and sight-seeing these past few weeks and still have lots planned for coming weeks.
Have you heard that Chinese proverb: “May you live in interesting times”? Yeah, that’s me, living the interesting life! And yes, it is true what they say about that proverb, it is not something you wish for usually! I feel like a highly charged battery, very hyper and kinda lost! Too many pictures in my mind, too many words in my head, too many new people…
Anyway, been visiting the nation’s capital and all the greatness it had to offer. Gosh, I so want to live in a big city again! All that museums, wow; I was a kid in a candy store, a bear in a honey pot, a … OK, enough!! I lived in a green dream for five days and am still dreaming about deer and caverns and grand buildings and green mountains and great works of art. My eyes are still full of sparkles of all those gemstones and crystals I’ve seen, how am I suppose to go back to living the unglamorous life of dear southern California?!
No shopping opportunities though and NO, I’m not regretting! My eyes had been feasting enough and also I have a shopping spree planned right here (ha ha ha!).
Have been working on a bar of “Green and Black’s Organic” dark chocolate before leaving for east coast and my good choice was confirmed by my sophisticated friend there too! How cool is that!
Readings? Not much in the past three weeks but have discovered a couple of great series last Thursday. Full account requires another post! Keep tuned!

Not writing!

Wow! Long time, no writing! Ammmm…you know… I have summer depression and …. Yeah, sure! Anyway, I haven’t been reading much so there was nothing to write about.
Finished “Just One Bite” (Dead End Dating, Book 4) by Kimberly Raye. In this book, Lil is helping demon brothers to find a fugitive demon, is helping her secretary and is finding the perfect match for local vampire hunter. Talk about conflict of interests!
Then “Cry Wolf” (Alpha and Omega, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs. It was great. Anna and Charles get to know each other and make their bond stronger.
“Lady Killer” by Lisa Scottoline was good too. Remember that good Italian catholic girl Marry in that all women Philly law firm? This is another story for her in which she gets closer in some aspect of her life and may be is getting ready to fall in love again.
And last but not least was “Blood Noir” (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16) by Laurell K. Hamilton. I didn’t like it! This series has lost its sparkle and freshness and is getting cheesy! I’m still a fan of Ms. Hamilton’s Merry Gentry series but Anita Blake is finished! Yeah, yeah, she is such a top bitch and getting more powerful and people are killing themselves to be with her…. Sheesh, Give me a break!
What else? Nothing much! Still trapped in our remodeling project, not gone shopping in ages, can’t eat much chocolate due to warm weather, and am watching all the movies I’ve missed this past couple of years. What a productive life I’m having!
Ooh and today due to getting bored in a seminar, have started to compose a couple of lists and now can’t stop my self and am making “To Do”, “To Read”, “To buy”, “To change”, “To wait for” and … lists!

Going back to favorites!

Well, so many things to read and so little time to write! Now, where should I start?
I checked out six of “Gossip Girl” series by Cecily Von Ziegesar to see what the hoopla was about: “Gossip Girl”, “You know you love me”, “I like it like that”, “Because I’m worth it”, “You are the one I want” and “The Carlyles”. I liked Blair and Serena and even Vanessa but not Nate! The guy is totally spineless! Oh forget it…
“Because your vampire said so” (Broken Heart, Oklahoma, Book 3) by Michele Bardsley. I’d read the first book and it was OK, this one is OK too. What kind of review is that? I couldn’t notice why all the singles in that little town were out in the night of attack! Very convenient I say! And all single parents? Come on! Do they really have to have each a couple of teenagers? Aside from that, this mixing of races and Blood wolf thing had me a little bored. In conclusion, although Ms. Bardsley has some great ideas for her series, she is not a very good storyteller or writer and mixing the folklore into the story has not improved the plot much.
“Secrets in the Shadows” by V.C. Andrews was another book about teen anguish and unhappiness. I didn’t like it; you are entitled to your own opinion!
“Seduced by magic” by Cheyenne McCray the second book of “Magic series” was fun. Too heavy in Celtic folklore with some changes from author but the story was sound and the characters interesting. I had read the first book upon publication and the second one did not disappoint. Should I go look for third and fourth?
Ooh yes, I finally got to read “The chocolate lovers' club” by Carole Matthews. I had started the book nearly a year ago and thought it is about problems of a group of chocoholics. Not that much! I was surprised, the book ended up being very funny with happy ending and a nice plot involving a great robbery! Loved it! Wish we had a "Chocolate Heaven" around the corner!
“Fool Moon” by Jim Butcher from Dresden Files was great. Harry is solving a mystery involving werewolves.
“She went all the way” by Meg Cabot was another of her cheesy romances, very simple and cute and without much complication.
“Le divorce” by Diane Johnson was worse than the movie. I was disappointed. It felt much unconnected and report like. Although one reason for my dislike might be that I don’t like lose unfinished stories that try to sound noire.
And finally reread for ten thousandth times “Pride and Prejudice” by all time genius Jane Austen. I can’t have enough of stuffy England aristocrat and their mossy manors in my current frame of mind. But don’t you all get frustrated with likes of Mr. Collins and embarrassed by Mrs. Bennet ramblings? Don’t you wish for a Mr. Darcy?
Austen is such a master (sorry! Mistress) of describing stuffy frustrating characters, you never get tired of reading her novels.
OK, this was my essay on how I’m spending my summer. What about you?

Reading Junk!

When you are depressed, the whole world is going against you. You can’t even find good books. I have no problem with junk foods (love them actually!) but junk book? No way Jose! A famous guy once said “every written word is worth reading at least once!” and I had the quote printed and hanged on my bookcase but after reading these books I changed my mind:
“She's no angel” by Leslie Kelly, a story happening in a town named Trouble. A New York cop going to his grandfather’s house meets a girl without shoes, car or a cell phone by the road. Well he has Hero syndrome and has to save her and the rest is history.
“Someone like him” by Karen Kendall is a modern day Cinderella story happening in Manhattan. Yeah, you guessed it: BORING!
“The Penwyth curse” by Catherine Coulter was a historical-paranormal romance. The characters were savage and rude, the story had a loose foundation and was all over the place. Very cheesy indeed!
Oh god, I hate romances! Why did I waste my time reading this junk? I feel sick!
Then “Unlucky in law” by Perri O'Shaughnessy, a bad murder-legal mystery. It was bad, story was cliché, take this one as a sample: the murderer killed because he had stolen something and he stole that thing because he just liked to look at it! What the heck!
“The black tattoo” by Sam Enthoven is a YA adventure book. The characters are fourteen and the book is written for teen and preteen boys. It is just like a computer game, all actions and swords and kicks and bangs: demons want to destroy the world, a teen gets super powers over night, angry teen hates his family…. Blah blah blah….
It is such a sad state, but actually this book was the best I’ve read this week! Yuck!

Five out of seven is not bad!

Did I ask for some good new books? Well, I found them at least for a week!
“On account of conspicuous women” by Dawn Shamp happens in 1920 and is the story of four women: Bertie a feminist, Ina a school teacher who was widowed in her honeymoon, Doodle a farmer girl and Bertie’s cousin, a girl who think modernism is in wearing the latest fashion. At the end, each has learned a lesson and has taken a big step toward independence.
“Miss Pettigrew lives for a day” by Winifred Watson and no! I didn’t see the movie! Anyway the book was great fun. I hope the movie is half as good because I put it in my list!
“Murder melts in your mouth: a Blackbird sisters’ mystery” by Nancy Martin. I love the Blackbird mysteries. In this one Nora’s best friend is entangle in a murder, Nora’s parents are back, Mike is there and not there. Libby is regrouping in a push hotel on someone else money and Emmy is pregnant. Talk about action packed.
Also it looks the series is finally going to end in a book or two.
“The anatomy of deception” by Lawrence Goldstone, a mystery which take place in 1880s. A team of medical students and their professor are trying to find a missing girl and find the killer of one of their colleague.
“Matala” by Craig Holden was boring, a tale of bored spoiled children looking for mischief all over Europe and con men and women doing everything for a little money.
“Enlightenment for idiots” by Anne Cushman was a cliché. Such a waste of time! A yoga instructor with a messed up life goes to India to find enlightenment. She is commissioned to write a travel book and keeps going from one ashram to another and practicing strange disciplines all over India. Her trip is caught short because she is pregnant by her on n’ off irresponsible boyfriend. She comes back, gives birth, turns in her book later than deadline and still has not found enlightenment. The moral lesson: stay right where you are.
My conclusion: take responsibility and get your act together before going on spiritual journeys!
“Dragons wild” by Robert Asprin. Oh gosh, this book was good, better than good, it was great. It was fun and entertaining; the story was well written and new. Loved the characters and the setting too! Imagine, it was happening in French Quarters in New Orleans and you get to take nightly strolls on the Moonwalk. How fun! Anyway, college graduate Griffen and his sister Valerie found out that they are the last of pure breed dragons and are in danger because other powerful dragons want to kill them or force them to join their organizations. Griffter (Griffen’s nickname) and Val escape to New Orleans, learn about their new powers and find a support group and yes, do illegal gambling! It is a great read. I recommend it to everyone, guys and gals both will enjoy it!

Long time, No post!

I’m getting a little depressed, all this hot weather’s fault! Had a long list of reading to do, but still am enjoying “Fearless Fourteen” (Stephanie Plum, No. 14) by Janet Evanovich.
Read “L’ Affaire” by Diane Johnson. Had seen the movie of “Le Divorce” and liked it, so it was with high expectations that I started “L’affaire” and glad to report, it didn’t disappoint me! Loved the characters, Amy specially; but why should we admire that womanizer Emile?
“Wolves in chic clothing” by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman was much better than their “The Right Address”. Julia, Douglas, Lell, Polly, Hope and … were delightful.
Then “Momzillas” by Jill Kargman. Ms. Kargman showed she is a master in this book. But do people really go this crazy after they have kids?
“L.A. Woman” by Cathy Yardley was OK. The story of three women in LA, each with her own issues had a nice happy ending.
Two waste of time books by Victoria Laurie: “A Vision of Murder “(Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 3) and “Demons Are a Ghoul's Best Friend” (Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book 2). Very simplistic and cliché. Am not going to read anything from this author ever again!
Needing good books! Any recommendations?

Summer Hibernation

What you can do when it’s 80-90 degree outside? Read of course!
Read and re-read “Green riders” series by Kristen Britain. In “Green Rider”, Karigan who is suspended from school is running away to home when on the way meets a dieing Green rider with two black arrows in his back. The Green Riders are special force of messengers for the King and have special secret talents. The dieing rider asks Karigan to carry his urgent massage to King Zachary and Karigan story starts. She endures various adventures and hazards and delivers the massage, takes part in saving the king from his traitorous brother and kills a dark sorcerer. “First Rider’s Call” happens a couple of years later. Karigan has finished school and gone back to her merchant clan to run the business for her father but the ghost of the first rider keeps calling Karigan back to the King’s service. A dark spirit is awake behind the magical walls that protect the realm and the small crack the dark sorcerer made in the wall is growing. Also the descendants of imperial forces (a group of magical warriors who came to Karigan’s country a millennia ago with their dark leader Morhovan the Black and destroyed the land and people) are gathering and plotting. They call themselves the second empire. There is also the little matter of why every enemy Green Riders face somehow knows Karigan! Then in “High King’s Tomb” these Second Empire people have gathered and have a necromancer for a leader and making all sorts of trouble. Karigan has an apprentice, goes on a date, sword plays with a famous thief and rescues a kidnapped princess.
All great and everything, just one complain: Ms. Britain is such a slow writher. It will take years for the next book to come out!
Then the fourth book of Nightwalker series: “Damien” by Jacquelyn Frank. The story of shapeshifter princess Syreena and vampire prince Damien. the nightwalker races unite against Ruth but she is collecting powerfull allies too! It was much better than “Elijah” the last book, I tell ya!
Finally finished “Embrace the Night” (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) by Karen Chance. Someone please tell me if this was the last book of the series. Cassandra finally breaks the geis and frees the vampire lord Mircea from going mad. She also learns that not all offers of help are sincere!
Another book of Dresden files: “Grave Peril” (The Dresden Files, Book 3) by Jim Butcher. I’m in love with Harry! he attendes a party and some one gives him his tombstone as a gift! His godmother wants to turn him to a hound and his frinds are facing a nightmare! Full of action!
What else? Oh yeah! How can I forget?! “The Courtesan's Secret” by Claudia Dain. It was great. I enjoyed it enormously! It was so delicious (wink!).
And three book of Elizabeth Adler: “Meet me in Venice”, “Summer in Tuscany”, and “The Hotel Riviera”. Her plots are uncomplicated and her characters simple but it is a joy to read about beautiful landscapes and romantic setting and great provincial food. Her books are like mini vacations, you get to relax and unwind. So refreshing!

In a fine summer afternoon

I have been reading nonstop this week. Oh, yes, I had a paper to finish and send to my professor and I was worrying about it. I wish I could learn to work harder instead of worrying … Anyway I took half day out of my precious readings and finished the darn thing. Then, what I read this week:
Two more books of Jim Butcher 's “Dresden Files”: “Storm Front” and “Small Favor”. My favorites this week! I’m so falling in love with Harry Dresden! Am thinking about buying the whole series!
“Queen of Dragons” by Shana Abe is the third book of Drakon series. Haven’t read the other books and this one was entertaining but not exceptional. I very much liked the character of Maricia but Kim’s character was lame. Contrary to what author wanted us to believe, he came out very weak minded and not a good leader.
“Friday’s Child” by Georgette Heyer was badly written. As I said about another book of her, Ms. Heyer writes like an eighteenth century author and a bad one in that! But the plot and cast of characters were great. Hero (Kitten) was crazy and delightful. Anthony was a model of 18-19 century noble Englishman, simple, honest, brave and honorable. Freddy was a fun coward and George was very Lord Byron (passionate, romantic, handsome). Miss Milborne reminded me of Miss Blanche in “Jane Eyre” and Gil… Oh, I wish he was real and I could travel back in time and meet him! Well, I also wish this story was written by a master of dialogues. It could have been so much better, but is a delight even now.
“The Last Twilight” (Dirk & Steele, Book 7) by Marjorie M. Liu: well, I can not say I didn’t like it, but… hmmmm, it could have been better. I have a problem with damaged scared heroes, so sue me! Anyway Amiri finds his love in a tortured and hunted doctor Rikki, Rictor makes an appearance and a new type of shapeshifter is introduced. I’m liking this series less and less, don’t know why!!!
“Legally Blonde” by Amanda Brown. OK, don’t laugh now! I loved the first movie. Elle Woods was fun and when I saw the book, I grabbed it. Actually I like the book much more and am planning to read the whole series. What? It is fun and lighthearted, kindda like chocolate mousse!
“Secrets of a Proper Lady” by Victoria Alexander is the third book of “The Last Man Standing” series. I loved it! The dialogues where great, all those oral sword plays between Daniel Sinclair and Lady Cordelia. Well it had a funny plot too, but I couldn’t feel a little cheated at the end. The finale let me down! I guess you can’t have everything, right?! So now, the last man is Oliver and the question remains: Is he going to have his book or not?
Then “The Accidental Mother” by Rowan Coleman which was a disappointment. Old plot, a friend dies and leaves the custody of her two small girls to her single career-oriented best friend. The father is missing. The career girl has lots of challenges, finds the father, make peace between father and girls and falls in love with the man! It was awful! Should she really leave everything and go to her dead best friend’s husband? Doesn’t it remind you of that little problem some women have? The problem of falling for their friends’ boyfriends and husbands and fiancés? The one which has its roots in jealousy? Yeah, that one! How convenient it was in this story! It just makes me mad! Ms. Coleman could have Sophie happily married to Jake but nooo!!! She should go for Louis, how totally stupid! The only lovely character was Artemis the cat, let me tell you!

I need some good books! Help!

Miss Me?

Ah, it’s not easy typing one handed! I have a fractured wrist and I’m trying to live my life normally! Huh, fat chance! It happened last Friday, before that I was busy with exams and visitors from out of town. And I’ve been reading a lot:
“Weekend in Paris” by Robyn Sisman. A shy and timid English marketing assistance finds out her promised weekend conference in Paris is her boss’s attempt to get her into bed and she quits her job. But she takes the train to Paris and meets new friends, a gorgeous French artist, and an older doctor who is very interested in her family name. Some revelations about her childhood and problems later, she is back to London with a brand new job!
Wish real life was that easy!
“Cupidity” by Caroline Goode is a YA. A brainy highschooler girl wants to fall in love and have a boyfriend so she writes to Jupiter the lord of gods and because the gods haven’t got a help request in a thousand years they take it way too seriously. It was simplistic and honestly bad written. Such a waste of topic!
Two books from Victoria Alexander “The last man standing” series: Four bachelors in Victorian England make wager to see who is going to marry last.
In “A Little Bit Wicked” Gideon and Judith meet and fall in love. He is a lord with land and title and a wicked way with women. She is a widowed lady with money of her own who values her independence. A selfish manipulative ex-wife, an opinionated aunt, four silly friends, a bitter sister-in-law and an abusive late husband later they are happily married and honeymooning in south of Spain.
“What a Lady Wants” starts when Lady Felicity is wishing upon a star for an adventurous man to fall in love with. Well, at that exact same time Nigel falls into her garden. The rest is up to Felicity to tame a man with Peter Pan syndrome.
Well four months after the wager two out of four are married, happily and in love. I usually don’t read romances and if I do it is often a disappointment. But I liked these books, the sharp dialogs and the crazy idealistic heroes. Am going to look forward to the last two books of the series, although I still think Ms. Alexander could do a better job with her heroes and plots.
“The Darcy Connection” by Elizabeth Aston was a disappointment. I was in mood for stuffy English writing but Ms. Aston’s plots and writing style left a lot to be desired. She had a bunch of interesting characters and she did nothing with them, just a luck warm copy of Jane Austen’s novels.
“Death of a Darklord” by Laurell K. Hamilton was dark, bitter and unhappy. Didn’t like it and I think the finale was disappointing and rushed.
“The little lady agency and the Prince” by Hester Browne was funny although the story was cliché. Maybe because I haven’t read the previous two books. Anyway out of 5, it makes a 2.
And finally my favorite this week was “Waking Brigid” by Francis Clark. In Savannah after the Civil war, strange murders are happening and the Catholic Church gets involved. Brigid, a nun now; was raised in Ireland and based on the Old ways. She knows to stop these crimes she needs a power stronger than church. She learns about “Walkers” and …
What a pity the author passed away and can not continue the story of “Walkers”.

Books and books and books!

Have lots of work, an exam and am worrying like crazy!
Instead of studying for my exam, I had finished two more of Irene Adler series, “Good night Mr. Holmes” and “Irene at Large”.
Then finally finished “From Dead To Worse”. Poor Sookie had a really hard time in this book. Her selfish brother and his wife were causing trouble, Sookie found out that she has other OTHER relatives, there was a Were war and a vampire takeover and another witch has become her roommate. Wow, no wonder she was so grumpy in the whole book!
What else? Ah, yes; “Personal Demon” by Kelly Armstrong was great. First I thought Hope Adams narrative is weak, hence the need for sharing the narrative with Lucas. But at the end I saw it as a clever storytelling technique that Ms. Armstrong used. Also as this story was very much related to Paige and Lucas’s life, it was fair to give them a voice too.
Else? “White Night” by Jim Butcher. I had heard so much about Dresden Files but never watched the TV series. I’m glad that I finally got a chance to read one of this series. Enjoyed it and am going to read the whole series. (After my exams of course!)
Also I have started “Embrace the Night” (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) by Karen Chance.
Now I should get back to my homework and exam! Yuk!

Carole Nelson Douglas’ Irene series

I still have to finish “From Dead To Worse” but I’ve been reading four of Carole Nelson Douglas’ Irene series and been fascinated. What a great series!
If you ever wondered about Sherlock Holmes and want to know him more this is the mystery series for you!
The characters are unbelievably loveable. Irene is inspiring, beautiful and kind. Penelope (Nell) is funny and kind hearted in a stuffy English way. Oh, you will wish to meet Godfrey and Quentin. I’ve read "The Advanturess", “Irene’s Last Waltz”, “Chapel Noir”, “Castle Rouge” and “Spider Dance” and loved all of them.
Some of the mysteries are not original but Ms. Douglas more than made up for unoriginality with her great storytelling skills and unexpected twists in the story.
There are three more books in the series which I will hunt down as soon as possible.
Also I wait impatiently for the next book in the series. Unfortunately there is no information about future books of this series in author’s weblog. If you know anything about future adventures of Irene and cohorts, please let me know!

New Mysteries

Finished “The Painter of Battles”. I’m saying again: Perez-Reverte is a genius! The finale was great, unexpected, when Faulques confesses… also you could see how the struggle for love, life and reason was happening and how … No, I won’t say more. Go read the book!
Also finished “Summer in the City” and loved it!
Have started the latest book of Sookie Stackhouse series, “From Dead to Worse” (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8) by Charlaine Harris. Looking great so far!
Another book I’ve started: “Gone with the Witch” (Triplet Witch Trilogy, Book 2) by Annette Blair. Remember the triplet sisters in Salem? OK, this is the story of Storm, the middle sister.
And a new mystery series by Carole Nelson Douglas, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. I’ve started with the second book “The Adventuress” or as in early editions “Good Morning, Irene”. Had a funny narrator, great story and famous characters. Loved the book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Nagging!

I’m nagging so if you don’t like it, don’t read this post!
I have three toxicology problems to research and write essays for, also two other design problems which I have no idea how to approach and all are due tomorrow. Worse yet, I don’t feel like doing anything serious, want to sleep and dream only.
Bad chance and all, a couple of weeks ago I saw a maxi floral dress (right on trend) in a store. It was white cotton with orange flowers on it and the lining was cotton too. The price was great and the style also, what am I saying; it was perfect and I didn’t buy it! Darn it! I’ve been thinking about it. So went back Tuesday, they didn’t have it anymore! I went to another store yesterday and no, they didn’t have it either! They don’t have it online either! It’s gone, totally gone! I’m so frustrated! Why should I waste two weeks thinking about it and then get so disappointed? I should have got it on the spot and didn’t! I want that dress, it was so me!!! I so want it!

Savvy shopper!

Oh, I’m so going to boast! I’m going to make you all jealous, yeah, yeah! And I don’t care if you think I’m being shallow and vain (huh huh!) I’m so excited I’m gonna burst!
Here is the story:
I have been looking for a good size leather tote bag (like forever!) and also I’ve been looking for an UN-monogramed leather bag from a very famous brand. Friends know I don’t like that brand because everyone is carrying a monogrammed bag of it and there are a lot of fakes around too. Anyway, I found a dark brown leather tote of this brand WITHOUT the monogram and other pretentious jingles and it was half price! Annnnnd I had a 20% membership discount for the store and I had a little store credit too… the bag finally came out in one third of the retail price! You should envy me! (evil laugh)
And that little red wallet I had my eyes on also came out next to nothing. I gave it to myself as a good-job gift! It is the cutest, ruby red patent leather with red leather linings and only 2 ½ by 3 ¾ inch. Just perfect!
Now if I only could find that other bag from another brand I’m lusting after! Oh well, I can wait!

Around the books in one week!

I have finished a little mystery book “Dying in style: Josie Marcus, mystery shopper” by Elaine Viets. It wasn’t very well written (that’s the kindest thing I can say about it!).
I’m reading “Kitty and the silver bullet” by Carrie Vaughn. So far it doesn’t measure up to her other books. Let see how it goes!
And I’m reading “Summer in the City” by Robyn Sisman. It is a funny story of two people from two sides of Atlantic changing homes and jobs and… a little cliché but fun never less.
What else? Ooooh, yeah! You know that genius Spanish author Arturo Perez-Reverte? Well, his latest book is “The Painter of Battles” the story of a retired war photographer and a soldier whom he took his picture years ago. Andres Faulques is hiding from the world in a lighthouse tower and is painting a mural of all the wars he has seen, a visual memorial of all the places and people and pain he has witnessed. The visitor (soldier) tells him he is here to kill him and it starts an amazing story!
So far the book has been enchanting.

Kim Harrison’s books

Did you miss me? I’ve been super busy! I had a couple of projects and homework I had to work on and we are remodeling parts of our house and living in total chaos. Between helping dear hobby change the flooring and turning in essays on toxicants, I’ve been reading “The Outlaw Demon Wails” by Kim Harrison. I loved it, enjoyed it and reread it! Actually after reading it I started from the first book “Dead Witch Walking” and reread the whole series. I’m thinking maybe Rachel is going to fall in love with Trent. Yes, she is tolerating him more, he is admiring her and understands her better. Rachel has been learning a lot about herself and she is becoming wiser (and stronger). She is not taking stupid risks anymore and knows that her friends relay on her. Well, what will happen when she learns demon magic? And also, I’m guessing Kisten’s killer is Rynn Cormel.
By god, I can’t wait for the next book!

To Be Someone Awesome

We all have been there, in a crowded party checking other women’s outfits, comparing and worrying about how our own stands out or is so totally wallflower no one will notice if we leave the party… but then she enters and every head turns in her direction (or we think every head, anyway) and yes, she is making us (let’s be honest) jealous! Maybe we are not totally madly jealous but we are an unflattering shade of green, envy green! Hmmm… what should we do? Let’s analyze the situation: are we jealous of her style or her outfit? Usually we are jealous of other women’s styles. But don’t be fooled, there are two types in what we call stylish category: the phonies and the real deal.
The phonies are those who always wear the same thing, the same safe thing to be exact. The Little Black Dress is stylish? You see them in some version of LBD (sometimes in that exact same LBD) in every party, wedding, birthday, cocktail and celebration! Jeans and a sporty jacket for day time? Always! One black or gray turtleneck in winter? Yes, every time, every where! Wearing only beige, black or gray, after the third meeting you have memorized their outfits and will expect nothing else! Although they make a great first impression they are unable to show creativity (a true sign of being stylish). They wear always the same safe look years in and out!
On the other hand, people with great personal styles are creative, wear a variety of trends and always end up looking awesome. There are two main type of attitude, those who have one signature look (and no, it’s not wearing the same outfit everyday!) and those who are chameleons.
Having a signature look is all about knowing yourself, your face and body structure, liking a certain era, and knowing the classics. I give you some examples.
A friend of mine has a look I call “Lady-like Elegance”. She is very petit (5’ with high heels) with a delicate face and the most beautiful eyes and longest lashes ever! I’ve seen her in variety of outfits, skirt suites, LBDs, tops and jeans, a teal jersey top and its matching gaucho (!),white cropped pants and Indian style top with red and gold embroidery, blouses, dresses, coats, jackets… in picnics, travel, concerts, parties, and every other occasion in between and she always looks like a little Jackie-O! It is the way she carries herself, the way she holds her head, her make-up and her hair style. She is the perfect model of powerful ladies of 60s and 70s. She looks glamorous, polished and elegance.
Another friend has “Sporty Sophisticated” style and her signature look is wearing muted autumnal colors. Her coloring is autumnal, hazel eyes, caramel brown hair, and golden skin. Doesn’t matter what the outfit, a leather jacket in dark burgundy, a suede coat in brick red, a deep plum top, a silk pale rose blouse, a skirt in army patterns of olive and khaki and brown, a cream chenille cardigan, light coral t-shirt,…. her color combination is always flattering, feminine, stylish and in the same family of colors.
A third friend wears “Luxurious Low Key”, always sporty, jeans or cargo pants, her cloths are designer name brands and you can bet all her knits are cashmere! But she always looks comfortable and girl-next-door. The only funky note is her shoes, her gorgeous colorful shoes!
On the other side of spectrum are my chameleon friends. Those whom I look forward to see every time in every social gathering. Those you can not guess before hand what they’re gonna wear. Of these exciting fun people I give you two examples.
The first is my “Sexy Siren” friend. Doesn’t matter the occasion you can count on her to wear something sexy and outrageous. Mini skirts and décolletage satin mini dresses in the office, a tacky green and gold dress from a hole-in-the-wall shop for her dance class, tiny beaded tops from a booth in a fair,…she collects unique pieces and wears them with pride. “Bebe” is right up her ally with all those skin tight body con designs. Micro minis and down-to-there necklines and high high heels are her territory.
My other friend dresses the way an actress does for every role. With perfect attention to details, she plans and wears an outfit down to the last accessory. A French woman out on town, beret and red scarf, cute top, great coat… a kid in a birthday party, short overalls, white short sleeve shirt, socks, sneakers, short wig… a glamorous diva, stunning gown and beautiful up do… for every occasion she has a special and different look. Her day to day style varies too, sexy secretary, preppy student, powerful businesswoman,… she wears every look and trend but with such a precious detailing that they all look custom-y, like she is playing dress up every single day and having fun. Her attitude is her personal style, that playfulness she adds to her outfits, making them less serious.
I have learned something from each of these friends. I confess I’m not above envying them for their confidence either. The way they find all those gorgeous clothes and accessories, too! They inspire me and make me have fun.

Bad Reviews!

Just a little reading! I started and was soon disappointed with “An infamous Army” by Georgette Heyer. So a few chapter into the book I gave up. This author writes like it is eighteenth century or so; So many characters, so much unimportant dialogs and so little scenes. Does she think she is the new Austen? Or Tolstoy, writing “War and Peace”?
Give me a break! Aren’t book reviews stupid?! They all said something along the line of how brilliant the book and characters were!!!
Then yesterday I finished “Mine to Possess” by Nalini Singh (finally). Clay finds his long lost love. The next book is Dorian’s story and I can’t wait for it. The tension in Psy-net is increasing and interesting things are going to happen with Faith’s father in council and that mysterious character Caleb and that Ghost. Also if Ayasha is going to come to leopards’ pack, they will have an E-Psy, an F-Psy and an M-Psy, all very powerful! Hmmm….!

And yes, I’m still reading “La Vida Vampire”.

A Very Tall Order

Finally finished “Holy Smokes”! My finishing the book was as hard as Aisling’s getting married, it took 5 or 6 tries!
Then I started and finished a historical mystery happening in regency era, “Why Mermaids Sing: A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery” (book 4 of Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries) by C.S. Harris. It is an intense story, having everything: love and romance, betrayal and lies, spies and politicians and murders, crimes and detective work. The killings were very cruel and ugly. Beware, it is not a pretty story, you may get really sick after reading the book!
I’m also reading a very nice paranormal romance: “La Vida Vampire” by Nancy Haddock. Classic, calm and funny, all you can wish for!
My ‘To Be Read’ list grows by the minute and I’m way behind! It is hard adjusting to a new schedule every couple of months!

Carole Nelson Douglas

I’ve been reading Midnight Louie Feline PI series by Carole Nelson Douglas. “The cat and the King of Clubs”, “Cat in a diamond Dazzle”, “Cat in a Flamingo Fedora”, “Cat in a golden Garland”, “Cat in a Hyacinth Hunt”, “Cat in an Indigo Mood”, “Cat in a Neon Nightmare” from a series of twenty books (so far). Despite all the references to old movies and songs, I enjoyed the series so far. I loved Temple’s character and was dazzled by Max. However Matt’s character is somehow tiring and repetitive. Side characters like Molina, Electra and Aunt Kit are warm and well developed too. As for our feline Sam Spade Mr. Midnight Louie Sq., he is such a lovely kitty I wish he was real and up for adoption.
Another series from Carole Nelson Douglas is “Dalilah Street: Paranormal Investigator”. First book is “Dancing with Werewolves”. An interesting story, however somewhere in the middle of all that action you may feel lost and confused!
And I finally got to read the first book of Love at Stake series: “How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire” by Kerrelyn Sparks. This is the story of Roman and Shanna and the ending was great. So far Ms. Sparks’ score is 2:2 for her finales!

The Serpent’s Tale

“Be still my vampire heart” was much better that the other two books of the series. That ultraromantic and sentimental finale was very suitable and Ms. Sparks didn’t get too detailed about swordfights (which was good! You could use your imagination!). I think this one is the best book of the series. I still have to read “How to marry a Millionaire Vampire”.
Then I truly enjoyed reading “The Serpent’s Tale” by Ariana Franklin. She is such a great author. The story was mesmerizing. I started the book yesterday around noon and finished it by midnight and didn’t put the book down for one minute in between. In this book, Sir Rowley has become a man of God and Adelia is trying to find a balance between her love for him, her child and her career. This Adelia is more feminine, motherhood has changed her. She even feels pity for killers and professional soldiers. But her mind is as sharp as ever, believe me! The court of Queen Eleanor is strange and you slowly fall in love with Henry II. I won't tell the story, I don't want to spoil it for you, but that assassin guy was a complicated character. I never suspected he was the killer.
Reading about twelfth century England convinced me that I never want to time travel into that era. People were so savage!
I loved the book, such a pity it was so short!

Love at Stake and the Philosopher Cat

I finished “Vamps and the City” second book of Love at Stake series by Kerrelyn Sparks. I liked Austin and Darcy and the whole plot but… the ending sucks! I’m getting the feeling that Miss Sparks doesn’t know how to finish her books. Her finales are so lame!
Then I have started the third book of the series “Be Still My Vampire Heart”. It is the story of Emma and Angus.
I also started a mystery “Thomas Gray in Copenhagen: In Which the Philosopher Cat Meets the Ghost of Hans Christian Andersen” by Philip J. Davis and M. Dorian. Ok, it is a little silly book of philosophy for young adults. Thomas Gray the cat and her coworker Prof. Fysst are looking for a lost manuscript of HC Andersen to prove that the famous Danish author liked cats.

The right name

Exam: check! Project: check! Proposal: Check! Presentation: check! OK, I’m done! Yeah, I started my spring break Friday afternoon and finally was able to finish “Elijah” by Jacquelyn Frank. My opinion has not changed, this story is too dull! Some unimportant scenes stretch forever and ever… Anyhow, Elijah got his bride the queen of shape shifters Sienna, Gideon and Legna died and came back, Noah went almost crazy and Jacob and Bella finally named their daughter Leah, Mary died and Ruth promised to take revenge! All in good time!
Then it was “Child of a Dead God” by Barb and JC Hendee. It is the sixth book of The Nobel Dead saga and it is as bleak and frustrating as ever. Don’t get me wrong, the plot and storytelling is great. This couple knows how to write and do a great job of it. But the story is sad! I mean poor Sgaile died!!! Was it absolutely necessary to kill that elf? I was kinda getting attached to his honorable ways and elegant manners. Ahh, well, and Osha! Now he has to leave the assassins caste. Good news is, Magiere’s undead half brother Welstiel finally (hopefully!) is dead, bad news is Chane escaped (courtesy of Wynn again!). Good news is Leesil and Magiere got home and got married, bad news is they can not stay there and live happily as they dreamed about. It is all that old elf’s fault, that Most Aged Father guy! Why no one kills him for goodness sake! All his people are assassins and no one will take his miserable life? And what will happen to Li’kan? She just dies of hunger now that Margiere took the Orb? The book was bittersweet, more bitter than sweet actually! Yes, our heroes achieved some success, but they lost a lot too, mainly their loved ones! I’m not very enthusiastic about the next book; I fear something bad is going to happen to them.
And then I finished “The Undead Next Door”. Yaay, at last something with happy ending!
What is wrong with these authors? How they name their books? “The child of a dead god” had nothing to do with its story; I still don’t know who this child was! Is it Magiere or was it Li’kan? Huh?
And then this “The Undead Next Door”! You would expect a love story between two neighbors when one of them is a vampire, right? Wrong! The hero and heroin where not neighbors, they didn’t live close to each other or anything. They meet at a party and then someone wants to kill the guy and the girl fights him and now she is in danger and he has to protect her and they fall in love and kill the valiant together! So, how it all relates too next door neighbors, I couldn’t figure it out! And just between you and me; the author didn’t know anything about fighting or sword fighting. Her war scenes were like reading a movie script, like: then he drew his sword and he jumped in the air and… ah, heck! It wasn’t a good story, why should I bother?!

Gods and Provence

I have to finish writing my PhD proposal and I can’t write! I’ve got writers’ block! How stupid is that! On the other hand, I have no trouble writing about how frustrated I am! Sorry, guys; you have to suffer the consciences!
Anyway, a few days ago, I spend a day and half finishing two wonderful books.
“The invitation to Provence” by Elizabeth Adler was a simple romance. The great thing about the book was all the description of Provencal landscape and great foods and wines and happy scenes, flowers, sunsets, village scenes… I needed to escape somewhere peaceful and this book provided it with its simple wordings and uncomplicated plot.
The other book was a humorous modern epic, “Gods Behaving Badly” by Marie Phillips. For all the fans of Greek mythology, this book is a must read. What happens if the entire Greek pantheon is going to live in our modern world cramped together in a little house in London? Read the book and find out!
Also I'm half way into "The undead next door" by Kerrelyn Sparks. It is the fourt book of Love At Stake series and looks promising. I may start reading the rest of the books of the series after my exams!

A little thing called research!

I finished “Vampire, Interrupted” and it was a disappointment. The Argeneau Vampire series was not great but it had its own twists and quirks and was entertaining, however; not the last book. It appears Ms. Sands was in a hurry to finish the series (if this is the last book!) and wrap things up and paid no attention to historical facts or culture of fifteenth century! Or maybe she always was a sloppy author but it didn’t show. The other stories were contemporary and centuries old vampires were behaving very modern to blend in. But in “Vampire, Interrupted”, Julius and Marguerite have already lived together five centuries ago (if only for a year) and there is these memories and flashbacks and that’s when you can see the author’s lack of historical knowledge. She even got Marguerite’s clothes wrong when Julius was whispering his memories. Come on, a Bonnet wasn’t part of fifteenth century ladies’ attire, hats and bonnets for women came into being around eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Just type the word Bonnet in Wikipedia!
Anyway, the book was a disappointment. Wish Ms. Sands had done her research before writing it!
Right now, I’m reading the fifth book of Crimes of Fashion series “Grave Apparel” by Ellen Byerrum. In this book, there is a Sweatergate in Eye street observer office and two editors are fighting. Lacey the notorious fashion editor and writer of the column “Crimes of Fashion” is entangled in a murder (again!) and looking for the main witness. Her boyfriend’s mother likes to play detective and Christmas sweaters are filling the Washington DC. The Crimes of Fashion series is a murder mystery series, featuring Lacey Smithsonian, a fashion reporter and editor working in a paper in Washington. Lacey has a knack for finding corps and having killers after her, trying to add her to their head count. The other books of the series are: “Killer Hair”, “Designer Knock Off”, “Hostile Makeover”, “The Raiders of the lost Corset”, and the next book in the series will be “Armed and Glamorous” coming in July 2008.
It is a great series and each chapter starts with one of Lacey’s column on fashion tips and advises. All in all, a very fun read!

Vampires and Werewolves!

Marty from “The Accidental Werewolf” got her happy ending. Apparently there is going to be an Accidental series, the next story will be about Nina (the cranky!).
Then tonight, I started on “Vampire, Interrupted” by Lynsay Sands. Marguerite has started to enjoy her single life and new job but someone wants to kill her and for some reason she is very hot and bothered by someone in her detective team. Let’s see what happens at the end.

Gym Rat

It’s official! I’m a gym rat as of yesterday! How did it happen you ask? As my friends know, my favorite work-out is shopping and my favorite nutrient is chocolate. Obviously gym and exercise and me don’t mix well! Was it taking two exercise classes this quarter (the fact that I’m missing most of my Tai Chi class on purpose and have missed 4 session of Yoga due to holidays and sickness and instructor canceling the class, completely irrelevant?) or thinking about buying an exercise DVD or may be those two twenty minutes that I spend on Tread-mill this week? Huh? The answer is none of the above! It is my dedicating a whole drawer to gym-wear that makes me a gym rat! Ha! Didn’t you know that having proper exercise cloths is the most important even the only point of exercising?
All that planning and color coordinating and finding cute little shrunken hoodies and matching tank tops is a great exercise and past time, much better than sweating on your yoga mat or trying to move slowly (very slowly!) in Tai Chi!

Happy! (The Dwarf? maybe! Me? Definitely!)

I’m so happy! Remember “The Mistress of The Art of Death” by Ariana Franklin? Adelia and Sir Rowley Picot and all that mayhem and witchcraft? Well the sequel to it, “The Serpent’s Tale” has come out! Yoooohooo! I was waiting for a great book and here it is, the answer to my prayers! If anyone wants to give me a gift, please make it this book! And soon too! I can’t wait!
Aaaand another great surprise, the second book of Claudia Dain will be out in May. Have I told you about great scheme and dialogues of “The Courtesan’s Daughter”? Well this second one in the series is “The Courtesan's Secret” and from the excerpt in Ms. Dain’s website, it sounds even more delicious! (Delicious is the favorite word of Lady Sophia!) How am I to wait two more months for it, I ask you?

The Jinx of a book!

Apparently I’m not reading enough. My mood is bleak, my temper short and my head is pounding, all bad signs! Good news is I broke that jinx and was able to finish a book! Yaay! It was a “Jinx” anyway! This book of Meg Cabot is a story for Young Adults. Jean (Jinx) comes to NY to live with her aunt and uncle and their three children. Jean is running away from some mistakes which are bound to catch up with her. Worse than that her cousin Tory thinks of herself as a powerful witch (and the only one who inherited the powers of their great-great grandmother). Also the only one who has been friendly toward Jean at school is a boy whom Tory has been in love with like forever. Jean has good reasons to believe she is jinxed for life. What a mess!
“The accidental Werewolf” also looks good. I’m halfway through the book and the story has been great so far. Ms. Cassidy has a wicked sense of humor and the working of Marty’s mind is hilarious.
That’s it for now! Stay tuned for farther developments! Ha!

Ranting and Bitching!

What a life! I took that exam and aced it and it wasn’t easy! How do you pronounce Pfiesteria piscicida anyway? Or Pseudo-nizchia for that matter? And who the hell cares?
Then over the weekend I worked on a field trip report and finished a site sketch who put Rembrandt to shame (yeah, sure!)! Also finished a couple of books:
“Gucci Gucci Coo” and “Breakfast at Stephanie’s” by Sue Margolis. Very boring, very cliché. This author has great ideas but she pushes so much stuff into her stories that she gets confused and wraps things with very lame endings.
Then “Odd Mum Out” by Jane Porter, the story of a rebel without a case. Sheesh… talk about hanging to your past with all you’ve got. What was it she wanted to prove anyway?
A new book again: “The Accidental Werewolf” by Dakota Cassidy. OK, this one is not that bad. I’m a couple of chapters into the book and love how the plot is unfolding. Let’s wait and see!
Have you met people whom keep moaning and bitching about simple things in life? Like the length of their hair or its color, or wanting to change their car or lose weight or how much they hate their job or……. And just keep bitching and bitching and do nothing about it? How frustrating is that? To listen day after day and visit after visit to someone complaining about the same old crap over and over… you know the worst part? All their problems are easy to fix, just they have to move they lazy butts to a store or to gym or … just do something! But no, they prefer to bore you and me every single frigging meeting! Why shouldn’t we shout at them “Hey dude! Move it!”? And you know what the absolute worse is? There are some guys who do this too! I mean yeah, you kind of get used to a moaning nagging unhappy gal after a while but a guy? How pathetic!

Right in the middle!

I finished “Vampires are forever” (Argeneau Vampires, Book 8) by Lynsay Sands. Thomas and Inez are going to live happily ever after and then in a couple of weeks it is Marguerite’s turn. Oh well, she deserves happiness too!
Then I started “Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel” by Ronda Thompson. Why is that I can’t finish any book? Let’s see:
I haven’t finished “Holy Smokes” yet (too boring!), “Elijah” (too cliché!), am a couple of chapters into “Mine to Possess” (Psy-Changelings, Book 4) by Nalini Singh. Also I’ve read a few chapters of “The Chocolate Lovers' Club” by Carole Matthews.
Sheesh! What’s wrong with me? Am I getting sick? Some new type of ADD maybe?
To top it all, it is Valentine in a couple of days and I haven’t thought of a gift for Dear hubby! And I have a midterm that day too! What’s wrong with my life?!

Spring Fashion

I’m so tiered of my heavy winter clothes and can not wait for warmer weather. These feelings got way out of hand as of yesterday when I saw two lines of trees full of white blooms and lots of green hills. Is there an exact time when you are allowed to change to your spring wardrobe? A date on your calendar or is it a feeling or just seeing what others are wearing? If the last one is true then it has been spring in Southern California for a couple of weeks now. Girls in school are wearing miniskirt and shorts! Anyway I can’t wait to get rid of my tweeds and wools and knits and boucles. I’m so craving all those airy light fabrics of spring, silk and lace and toile and chiffon… Wow! Also I’m going to adjust my style a little. Usually I wear business casual with some twist… a little femininity or something periodical and costumey piece. This winter specially, I was all 40’s high waist skirts and defined shoulders… But for spring, I’m thinking more ruffles and lace and sheer silky fabrics with bows and flowers… As for colors, I’m still happy with my black and whites and reds and occasional orange and greens… Also I’m going to add bright yellow to the mix as well. I’ve been enchanted with feminine details of Anthropologie’s stuff and cute designs of my recent discovery, Madison Bleu.
My planned looks for this spring are:
-Jeans and nauticals (yeah, just like last summer! It never goes out style!)
-A little safari pieces
-lots of ruffles and ribbons and flowers and Victorian blouses

Good little girl!

Five books in five days. Slow but not bad, not bad at all, considering I had a presentation to prepare and worry about too!
I reread “Desiree” by Annemarie Selinko. I used to read it at least once a year before but it had been six or seven years that I hadn’t. Missed the book and the sweet enchanting voice of Desiree dreadfuly.
Then, a little romance about a plotting old lady and her schemes “Breaking all the rules” by Sue Civil-Brown. Not too much to write about!
“Only the Cat Knows” by Marian Babson was a little confusing and boring and artificial and … well, not a great book!
Then another of Discworld books by Terry Pratchett. “Guards! Guards!” is when a dragon comes to Ankh-Morpork and Captain Wimes meets Lady Sybil and Carrot comes to town and Vetinari is imprisoned in his own dungeon. Very very funny.
And Last but not least “Courtesan’s Daughter” by Claudia Dain. I usually don’t like period romances but this one set in 1802 England is very delicious. A former courtesan Lady Sophia and her cheeky daughter Caro are enchanting and endearing. All those plotting and cutting remarks were refreshing. Wish the book was a series, it simply was too short!
Well, now I should start studying for a midterm like a good little girl!

Miss Me?

Well, have I been lazy or what? Truth to be told I’ve been reading a lot and not doing anything else! Here it goes:
A great new series about a little team of detectives in Rome, Italy by David Hewson. In “A season for the dead”, we meet Nic Costa a young rookie detective and his partner Luca, their boss Leo Falcone and the police pathologist Theresa. They form a bound and start looking for a serial killer with ties to Vatican. The killer murders Luca and Nic gets wounded pretty badly at the end. In “The villa of mysteries”, Nic is persuaded back to work by Leo and is assigned a new partner, Gianini; a huge man with a scared face and calm manners. The corpse of a young girl is found and investigation points to an ancient cult. Theresa is playing detective and looking for clues too. A ghost from Leo’s past is making an appearance and complicating the investigation. “The sacred cut” starts when a corpse in found in Rome’s Pantheon and FBI wants to lead the investigation. Leo, Nic and Gianini are asked to wok with the FBI and Emily, a young beautiful agent; is the go between. She has more than professional interests in the matter: the last victim before the one in the Rome, was her father. Is she willing to face the skeletons in her father’s old closet in order to catch this murderer? “The lizard's bite” happens in Venice, where our police team is working (a punishment handed out to them because of the way the last investigation turned out!) and a simple and easy murder-suicide case in given to them to wrap and stop the locals from gossiping. When Theresa and Emily come for vacation and join the guys, new insight into the mystery are revealed and everything takes a turn for worse. Leo gets shot, Nic is kidnapped, Emily is seducing a suspect and Theresa is … well, read it for yourself! Anyway, the series was one of the best I’d read recently and well worth the time. Loved these modern three musketeers, loved them!
Then two more books of Masters of elemental series by Mercedes Lackey. “The gates of sleep” is a turn-of-the-century Seeping Beauty with a twist and “The serpent's shadow” is a new Snow White. Well although the ideas for the stories were kind of old, the twists and quirks and characters were new and interesting.
“Bloodfever” by Karen Marie Moning was boring and a waste of time. Mac’s character is way unpolished and unfinished. The story is not making sense and characters are all over the place. Unorganized and with lose ends this is not a series I want to fallow.
“Forget about it” by Caprice Crane is about new beginnings, karma, lies, and unbearable families and bad choices. All in all nothing new!
“Caspian rain” by Gina Barkhordar Nahai is about a Jewish family in pre-revolution Iran and how faith and free will (or lack of it!) affects the lives of these family members. A sad but very well written story, it made me cry my eyes out!
I also finished “Darkling” (The Sisters of the Moon, Book 3) by Yasmine Galenorn. This one was about the third sister who is a vampire. She faces her sadistic ‘sire’ and woes to be good.
I’m also still in the middle of “Holy smokes” and am very bored with it! And yes, I have started “Elijah” (The Nightwalkers, Book 3) by Jacquelyn Frank but am not liking it. The first book was great, the second one OK, this one is starting too look bad!
Yeah, I’m done! Pretty much!

Books are good for you!

I had some busy days. First I finished “Iron Kissed” (Mercy Thompson, Book 3) by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is endangering herself to save her Fae mentor. Zee the blacksmith is wrongly accused of murder and imprisoned. The story was frustrating because you knew something bad is going to happen to Mercy (which did!). The only good point was that she finally chose between Sam and Adam! I’m waiting for the next book already.
Then I was happy to spend half day finishing “Succubus on Top” by Richelle Mead. Remember Georgina Kincaid? She is back and is helping an old friend seduce a hypocrite radio-lecturer and her mortal friend Doug is doing drugs that are way strange. Loved the story! It ended too soon in my opinion!
After that I finished the book club assignment of this month, three books of Crazy series. “Crazy Wild”,” Crazy Love”, and “Crazy Sweet” by Tara Janzen. The series has five or six books (“Crazy Hot”, “Crazy Cold” and “Crazy Kisses”) and the sequel series is Loose series (“On the Loose” and “Cutting Looses”). A group of chop shop boys turned secret agents are fighting crime and terrorism and finding love.
And two more books from my new favorite series Elemental Masters: “The Wizard of London” and “Phoenix and Ashes” by Mercedes Lackey. In the first one, a power hungry lady master of air is threatening the life of a ten year old true medium. It is Victorian England and a private school for talented children houses the most amazing headmistress ever. No, I won’t tell the story! Go read it yourself!
“Phoenix and Ashes” is a new take on Cinderella. Young Eleanor loses her father in the World War II. Her new stepmother is a black earth master and turns her to a housemaid. Reggie is an air master and the lord of nearby property (yes, the prince charming!). He is a shell-shocked pilot and the wicked stepmother wants him as her son in law. Anyway you know the story! But believe me when I say it is very enchanting and well worth reading!
And no, I haven’t finished “Holy Smokes” yet! It is quite boring compare to these other books!

Argeneau Vampires and Holy Smokes

I was able to finally finish “The Accidental Vampire” (Argeneau Vampires, Book 7) by Lynsay Sands. The darn book was taking forever! Well, I have read all of Argeneau vampire books. Here is the list if anyone is interested:
A Quick Bite (Argeneau Vampires, Book 1) Lissianna and Greg
Love Bites (Argeneau Vampires, Book 2) Rachel and Etienne
Single White Vampire (Argeneau Vampires, Book 3) Kate and Lucern
Tall, Dark & Hungry (Argeneau Vampires, Book 4) Terri and Bastien
A Bite to Remember (Argeneau Vampires, Book 5) Jackie and Vincent
Bite Me If You Can (Argeneau Vampires, Book 6) Leigh and Lucian
Vampires Are Forever (Argeneau Vampires, Book 8) Out Jan 29 08. Thomas and Inez
Vampire, Interrupted (Argeneau Vampires, Book 9) Out Feb 26 08.
And yes, book 7 is about Victor and Elvi (Ellen).
Ms. Sands is finding lifemates for all the Argeneau clan but I wonder if she is paying any attention to Marguerite. My only concern, really!
Then I started on “Holy Smokes” (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4) by Katie MacAlister. I was waiting for this book forever and as much as I adore Drake, Aisling is starting to fry my nerves! So far they have missed their wedding day twice! Good news is, yes; there is a baby, so they have to end up together!
Let’s wait and see what happens at the end.
And my favorite book of the week “Reserved for the CAT” (Elemental Masters Novel 5) by Mercedes Lackey. Ninette is a little ballerina in Paris Opera Ballet and her biggest ambition is attracting a benefactor but when she performs her dream rule, she is fired and starving and soon to be homeless. No, wait! Was that a talking cat?
It was a great historical fantasy and a very funny story. Loved it! Am going to read the rest of the series and am hopping all of them will be this great.

P.S. Hah! I knew it! I just checked Ms. Sands’s website and read about book 9. Guess what? It is about Marguerite! She deserves happiness after all those centuries with that bastard Jean-Claude!