Long awaited Chocolate

It has been a very long time that I posted about chocolate. Now this close to New Year, I think it is a good time to talk some sweet nonsense and round up the year with chocolate.
I have been very devoted to Trader Joe’s these past few months (they opened a new branch close to our house), specially their wonderful French Truffles which I adore! Three of these per day and you have your fix of chocolate for day.
Another chocolate bought from Trader Joe’s was “Simply Light” chocolate bars. They come in three flavors, Milk chocolate, Dark chocolate and Almond Dark chocolate and are supposed to be low calorie. They are very sweet (probably from artificial sweeteners) and oily. Also there is some special type formulated for Carb-Watchers and is gluten free but again too sweet and oily for my taste.
Have been adoring Lindt’s Lindor Truffles White Chocolate. They are creamy and comforting and melt in you mouth goodness. My only problem was not getting enough cocoa from these truffles. They were more like cookies for me and I had to have a piece of dark chocolate afterward to get my cocoa fix.
My recent discovery is Godiva’s small chocolate bars. You can get these treats in supermarket for $3.00 and enjoy a quick fix! I’m currently enjoying the Milk chocolate flavor which has all the goodness of Godiva truffles. Each bar can be broken into four not-so-little squares and enjoyed separately.

A journey to Discworld

Have been rereading Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series due to having no better book available! How? The library was closed when I went to check out “Discworld” series and I had to keep busy over the weekend!
Anyhow, I finally got to check out: “The Light Fantastic”, “The Thief of time”, “Jingo”, “Feet of Clay” and “Monstrous Regiment”.
I admit “The Light Fantastic”, “Jingo” and “Feet of Clay” are not my favorites but it was these or waiting for a couple of weeks for my on holds to get to our branch.
So now starts my fantastic long anticipated journey to Discworld.
Annnnd to make things more official I am going to sign up with Marg form “Reading Adventures” in her Terry Pratchett 2010 challenge. It is the first challenge I’ve ever taken and I’m excited. Sheesh! I am a Challenge Virgin!

As I am a very fast reader I can finish the whole series in a couple of months, the challenge part for me is choosing the books that I love and buying them! I have been looking for box sets of mini series but found nothing. So I’m going to pick the individual books I love and start collecting them!
Good luck to me!

One book, two book, three…

I was thinking of checking out all of Terry Pratchett’s books from the library on Thursday and having “Discworld” orgy over the holidays but I totally forgot! Sheesh!
What I did check out were:
“50 Ways to Hex Your Lover” by Linda Wisdom, the first book of the series about that expelled witch class. This is the love story of Jazz and Nick. A nice action packed (!!) story but I liked Stasi’s tale better.
The seventh book of Psy-Changelings series “Blaze of Memory” by Nalini Singh was great. A Forgotten director finds a beaten and broken Psy on his door step and cares for her despite all the suspicions. The Psy –network is becoming unstable and I have two new guess on the identity of “Ghost”: Aden or Vasil. Am I clever or what?!

Have started a new book: “Working for the Devil” (Dante Valentine, Book 1) by Lilith Saintcrow. One quart into the book, I haven’t made my mind if I want to finish this book or not. Let’s give it a couple of more chapters!

Read a book and relax!

I am still reading to calm my nerves, so I did a lot of re-read:
The first 5 books of Sookie Stackehouse series, “Soulless”, and “The Host” were my rereads.
I also finished “Tempest Rising” (Jane True series) by Nicole Peeler. The book is from the same publisher as “Soulless” and has the same editor, but that’s where similarities end. “Tempest Rising” is a modern supernatural romance mystery, featuring a half selkie half human girl named Jane who is a misfit in her small fishing town up north in Main.
Let me tell you first that I didn’t like the book and I think the character was weak. The story was somehow illogical, very rushed and full of unnecessary characters. Also Jane was supposed to be a college graduate but she was talking like a trailer trash girl. And she easily went with that vampire boy and let him wine and dine and romance her and had this whole Cinderella experience with gorgeous clothes and balls and spa and all but all that time she was thinking negatively about the guy. She was behaving like a paid mistress, (very déclassé) and has the guts to get upset with the guy when she thought he is using her! Can I say it again? Very white trash!
And, how in god’s green earth this half cooked book has won some kind of praise?
My current read is “Confessions of a Demon” by S.L. Wright. It is an urban fantasy full of demons, mayhem, a little romance a lot of confusion! Love Allay, she is kind and loving and strong…

Can't wait for the Wednsday to pass and my exam, then I go get a whole bunch of good books and become totaly lazy for the holidays!

one not down, still one to go

I got to read “Unseen Academicals” the latest book of Terry Pratchett. The Unseen University has to put out a team for the game of Foot-the-Ball but can you imagine all those lazy wizards running after a ball?! The cast of characters in addition to the usual suspects (Lord Vetinari, Archchancellor Ridcully, Night Watch, Rincewind, Ponder Stibbons, Librarian,…) includes a street-smart tin-can-kicking young man, a couple of kitchen maids and a so-called goblin who is looking for selfworth and everyone is treating with confusion.
It was a great and funny story as usual but oh so short! And I keep wishing Mr. Pratchett writes a full book on the Librarian. I think it is high time for him to have his own book.
Else? Yeah, “Frostbitten” by Kelley Armstrong was Elena’s account of their Alaskan adventure. Elena had some close calls in this story but somehow she had to deal with issues of her distance past before becoming an Alpha. Oops, did I let the cat (the werewolf?) out of the bag?

And by the way, these books are read for medicinal purposes, to calm my nerves and stuff. I am so devoted to studying for my exam! I deny any charge of slacking and procrastinating and stuff!

Panic readings

You may have heard I have an important exam in a couple of weeks. Studying? Not much! Reading my favorite SciFi-Fantacies? Not much! Why? Because I’m worrying like heck and having panic attacks!
Aside from that, I finally got around to read “Made to Be Broken” (Nadia Stafford, Book 2) by my all time favorite author Kelley Armstrong. An employee of Nadia is lost and she starts to investigate. All her hurt and rage over her past comes creeping back and she is in for a wild bloody ride. But not to worry, Jack has her back and Quinn is the to help her.
Nadia is a strange character. I’m neither a sporty type, nor the type to like violence and guns and tough talking but if Nadia was real; I would love to have her as my friend. She is strong and loyal and has a strong sense of justice. I love the fact that she takes matter into her own hands.
Also finished “Wicked by Any Other Name” by Linda Wisdom. This is the third story in a series that tells the going ons of that seven hundred years old class of witches. This one is about Stasi, the nice romantic witch who owns a lingerie shop. There is a law suit and a cute lawyer and hate and mayhem in town, right before Halloween.
I had read half of the first book of the series but for some weird reason have left the book unfinished and forgotten. Now am starting to read the series again. Currently leafing through the fourth and newest one “Hex in High Heels”.
Am also parallel reading the second book of Chicagoland Vampires series “Friday Night Bites” by Chloe Neill. Merit is adjusting to her duties and responsibilities and fighting her attraction to her master Ethan. That creepy murderess is on the loose and for political reasons it is back to the family for Merit.
Love it!

New books wanted

Strange isn’t it? I have been reading less and less these days.
Finished “Soulless” and loved it! Can’t wait for the second book.
Reread “The host” by Stephenie Meyer and was amazed again. How can she write so great a story and then messes up “Twilight” series?!
Also read the first story “Fairy Dust” in “A Touch of Dead” by Charlaine Harris. I’d read the other stories when they were published.
Am starting a series about a class of witches whom got expelled from “Witch Academy” seven hundred years ago and are living among humans. Can’t remember the name of the author or the books! Will check and report later!

Read slow, party fast!

I am reading very slowly and have been busy with a bit of traveling, a lot of school and a little autumnal laziness!
Last week I finished “Dreamfever” by Karen Marie Moning while cruising to Ensenada, Mexico.
Loved the story! Mac has gone through so much in her battle with Unseelie princes but it is not time to be safe and happy. Her parents are in danger and there is a mystery concerning the fourth prince. The book ends as she is lost between dimensions and is fighting a monster, leaving us in suspend to the identity of that last kill.
I can not wait a whole year or two for the next book. I offer my first born for a chance to read the next book right now! Anyone?!!
Am reading “Soulless” by Gail Carriger. It is the first book of The Parasol Protectorate series and I am hooked! I love it! In an alternative reality, in Victorian England, the supernaturals have been out of closet for centuries. There is a certain young (not so young in that time standards) spinster lady who has certain supernatural or preternatural abilities. Ooh, and there is this gorgeous gruff alpha werewolf and this flamboyant frilly vampire and…
Ah, no, I am not going to tell you more! At least not until I have finished the book and reread it!
Go check the author’s website and this interactive game of dressing the main character. For anyone with any love for fashion, vintage, supernaturals and history; this series is a must!

Long time….

OK, it has been a boring week book-wise and most of it was my own fault! I knew I wasn’t in the mood for more Susan Witting Albert’s mysteries. But I had them on hold in the library so I had to check them out! “Nightshade” and “Spanish Dagger” were from China Bayles series and “Death on the Lizard” was an Edwardian mystery.
All seemed very tame and slow! I guess I wasn’t in the mood for conversations dragging on and on and everything being quite and nice!
Another mistake of mine was “Ice Song” by Kirsten Imani Kasai. A fantasy adventure in a strange land, the plot was confusing, the time line mixed and the characters weird. A very mixed up messed up story in my opinion!
This week’s good reads:
“How to Dazzle a Duke” by Claudia Dain was the fourth book of The Courtesan Series. Still am in love with the characters, Lady Sophia is just amazing and I love the way she manipulates everyone toward her own goals. So lucky I found the book in the library by chance!
My favorite Spanish captain was back in the latest book of Arturo Perez-Reverte: “The Cavalier in the Yellow Doublet”. Captain Alatriste is involve with an actress, all his friends are disappointed in him and he may have entered into a plot against the king.
Arturo Perez-Reverte is god and I worship his writing!
Finally got seduced -or had nothing better to read and was forced- to read “Skin Trade” (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 17) by Laurell K. Hamilton. OK, OK, I admit it: it was much better than the last couple of books of the series! It had a plot and didn’t (much) involve Anita having sex with random guys! But admit it, that whole Vittorio character was weak!

Book report

Have to return a bunch of books to the library and check out another bunch so a written report is necessary!
Read three books of China Bayles series by Susan Witting Albert: “A Dilly of a Death”, “Bleeding Hearts” and “Wormwood”. China is a former lawyer who now lives in a small town in Texas and growing and selling herbs and seasonings. She gets tangled up in murder mysteries and solving them with the help of her family and friends. The stories are slow, calm and the bad guys usually get stricken by lightening or fall into the river or something so the stories are not very violent. Let’s say I will revisit this series in 40 years and will enjoy it properly then!
Another book by Susan Witting Albert and her husband Bill Albert -writing under the name Robin Paige- was “Death at Blenheim Palace”. A lord and lady Sheridan are famous for solving mysteries in this Victorian/Edwardian mysteries series. This couple are guests at Blenheim Palace and get involve in solving the mysteries of stolen jewelries, a lost housemaid and a very brash straightforward mistress.
Again a slow series but had great descriptions of art and architecture and landscape.
My problem is putting hold on more of these two series in the library and now they are ready and I’m not very interested in reading them!
“Blood Promise” by Richelle Mead was the Vampire Academy series, Book 4. Rose has gone to Russia searching for Dimitri and she meets his family, sees his village and finally finds him. She still can not believe the change he has gone through and needs to be rescued. AT the St. Vladimir’s academy Adrian and Lissa have found a new friend named Avery but is she what she claims to be? It was a great story full of adventure and heartbreak and action, no wonder I adore every single one of Ms. Mead’s works!
Finally gave up and read “Lover Avenged” (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 7) by J.R. Ward. I’m so glad I did, it renewed my faith in JR Ward’s writing! The book was much better than the last two previous ones; definitely beat the Vishous and Phury’s stories. I always liked Rehvenge, somehow like when you like an old crazy dog in the neighborhood! In this story I admired him and become to love him as a long suffering silent hero. I’m glad I overcame my aversion to the series and return to following it! It is getting good! However I still can’t stand the rap/gang/black lingo thing Ms. Ward has going on!

Need new books and need them fast!

Books on the shelf!

Finally got and finished “Armed and Glamorous” by Ellen Byerrum. It is the sixth book of Crimes of fashion series and featuring Lacy Smithsonian a reporter from DC.
The story was a little repetitive and boring as every one was asking Lacy about Fashion Clues. But the fashion columns were better than other stories!
“As Shadows Fade” The Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason was not a historical supernatural romance, more like a Sci Fi! OK, if you took out their gowns and carriages and put in normal twenty first century clothing the story can make sense! I mean these characters are not behaving like a 17 or18 century people, their dynamic is too modern! And so with a lot of disappointment I put the book down half way through chapter four! This was the first book I was reading of this author and from this series and am not going to read the book or follow the series!
Three little books about supernaturals during the World War II: “Bloody Good”, “Bloody Awful” and “Bloody Right” by Georgia Evans was fun. The series is not very exciting or action packed, even the fight scenes are kind of mellow. But I liked it! It was so peaceful! I know, it was supposed to be about war! A bunch of supernaturals in a sleepy country village of England find out that Germany has sent some vampire spies. As they try to discover the identity of the spies and neutralize them, they learn more about their supernatural friends, fall in love and survive bombings.
Am reading “Fool” by Christopher Moore, “Martyr” by Rory Clements and “The Tale of Applebeck Orchard” (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P) by Susan Wittig Albert. Love love love this last one! The Cottage Tale series is funny, peaceful and full of amazing characters. I’m thinking of buying the whole series!
I am checking Ms. Wittig Albert’s website for her other series and putting hold on them in the library! I adore her simple humor and description of beautiful scenery. So good, so relaxing!

Ranting, nagging, and generally being unhappy!

Be warned, this post is not book related! You are not interested in me feeling crappy, don’t read it!

I’m bored, I’m unhappy, I am lonely! I seriously am fed up with myself!
I have a proposal for a research grant to write and am not in the mood to start it! This whole week I just kept looking at the requirement and format booklet and didn’t even read it!
I spent a whole wad of money on yarn and beads and crotchet needles supposedly to start some craft projects and have not done anything with them.
Dear hubby has been out traveling for a week and will be gone for another two and half week! I am lonely, darn it! I hate the house all empty and quite!
I have been shopping like some possessed woman and probably will do more damage to my bank account this coming week too! And you know what my Fortune Cookie was this afternoon? “Be careful not to overspend” How is that for irony?!
One side of my bed has been covered in winter clothing for a week now and I haven’t been in the mood to put them away! There are handbags and purses on the floor of my bedroom and I can’t enter my walk in closet because the cloths are covering the floor! I have become a total slob! I hate myself for it but am doing nothing to make it better!
Even my cats are fed up with me and won’t let me pet them!
I just keep lecturing myself and beating myself over all the things I have to do and make myself miserable! I guess I like feeling miserable!
Gush! What is so wrong with me?!

Fast reading before school

I finally got to read some long awaited books and thank goodness all of them were great!
“Hunting Ground” by Patricia Briggs was much better than “Cry Wolf”! Anna and Charles have gone to Seattle to attend and chair some international summon of werewolves and a few of the guests are causing trouble. Anna is trusting Charles and vice versa and they are more powerful together. Also Anna is learning to use her powers and is becoming more confident. I can’t wait for the third book!
“Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline was a bit of a surprise. I had thought it is another story related to that all women law firm. It is a journalist who adopts a baby and one day sees a flyer of a kidnapped baby looking exactly like her son. What she goes through, her struggles, her conflicts and her search for truth are mesmerizing and heartwarming. You feel so close to Ellen, you can laugh with her, worry with her and get angry on her behalf. Ms. Scottoline is an incredible writer.
And my lovely “Thorn Queen” (Dark Swan, Book 2) by Richelle Mead was so good and oh-so short! I mean come on; I finished the book in three hours! Eugenie is slowly learning about her new kingdom and some happenings cause her more involvement in the affair of her state and welfare of her subjects. What she found out at the end both romantically and personality wise, the decisions she had to take all are making her some new person. Also her powers are strange and their effects are unknown.
Wish the next book was out already!

No Nobel prize yet, books aplenty!

That little book, I had forgotten the title of; was “Grave apparel” by Ellen Byerrum. I left the book unfinished a century ago. Should find the latest one “Armed and Glamorous” or put the hold on in the library!
Reading “Bought” by Anna David when in South Bend, IN. the book was boring, a perfect read for long flights and long train rides! A journalist is doing research on modern courtesans of Los Angeles. The book would have been amazing if there was any truth behind the concept!
“The corner Booth chronicles” by Mimi Thebo was about a small Midwest town (Eudora) and an amazing bunch of characters. People go into a reading frenzy about a new book, tornado alarms are not working and lots of people have conflicting marriages. A gay couple come to town and some people want to grow pot!
My recent trip to South Bend triggered my imagination about the life in Eudora. It was a great peaceful funny book!
Have a new book on Ayurvedic medicine to read! Sounds like fun!

Books were read before ending up in a land far far away!

I have been neglecting this weblog recently so it is time to report on my latest reading:
“Dark Blood” is the sequel to “Bone Song” by John Meaney. Laura is dead but her heart is beating inside her boyfriend’s and he is hell bend on taking revenge on those who killed her, to the point of scarifying himself.
I’d said I would read this book because of its morbid atmosphere and all the skeletons and other death-related things but couldn’t stop myself. The story is too powerful and morbidly fascinating and Mr. story telling truly mesmerizing.
“Lord of Bones” by Justine Musk was the sequel to “Bloodangle”. It was as good as the first book with a little more emphasis on the love life of Jess. She has become the central role and Kai is doing everything to keep her to himself. What I couldn’t understand was why she has to fall in love with Max too! Anyway amazing reading for a day spent in airports and airplanes. The scary stuff doesn’t seem that scary when there are so many people around!
Read another little paperback I can’t remember the name of right now!
Also am reading “Larceny and Lace” (A Vintage Magic Mystery) by Annette Blair which is much better than her Salem witches series but doesn’t make much sense! If I hadn’t read “Secondhand spirit” this book would sound good but Ms. Blackwell had such a great style and her Lily Ivory was so real that this Madeira character sounds like a spoil brat in comparison. Even her fashion related talk and descriptions are unprofessional like a 15-year-old is talking vintage!
Anyway I’m away on a research trip and supposed to be writing Nobel worthy scientific papers not surfing the web and weblogging! Hah! Like that’s gonna happen, ever!

Depressed and Reading!

I am so in the mood for old English mansions and stuffy manners and biting conversations! Yeah, been reading a lot of Victorian and Regency era English novels! Just finished “The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy” by Maya Slater. Loved it although at the end cool Mr. Darcy ends up love sick. But this different view on my beloved “Pride and Prejudice” was delicious, witty and amazing.
“The Moon Opera” by Bi Feiyu was a sad little story. I’m not in the mood for sad and I didn’t enjoy it. But it is a well written story.
My so awaited “Branded by Fire” (Psy-Changelings, Book 6) by Nalini Singh was great. The story has so many twists and so many groups are competing for power that the love stories are losing the spotlight!
My best read this week: “Secondhand Spirits” by Juliet Blackwell was lovely, low key and entertaining. As I’m discovering the joys of vintage cloths and accessories, this book was the best thing I could read! A witch and the owner of vintage clothing store Lily Ivory is new in San Francisco and is trying to establish herself by finding new friends and her business by matching the right vintage to her customers’ aura. There is a demon loose and a child goes missing and a male witch is asking a lot for a little… loved the story! Only thing bad about the book was that the second one is coming out next year… I mean a whole year from now! Who can wait that long?!!
Visit Ms. Blackwell’s website and her weblog.

I have two psychology books but am not in the mood to finish them. Also a presentation for Friday which have to prepare power point for! And yes, I had two weeks to do it and still…
It’s summer for Christ's sake, who cares about presentations?!

Best authors ever

Remember how I loved “Hand of Isis”? Well, Jo Graham’s first novel, “Black Ships” is as good as her second or maybe even better (had a happy ending!). Gull is a slave-born girl in ancient Greece and she becomes Pythia or Oracle of Persephone the Lady of Death. It is twenty years after the fall of Troy and the remaining Trojans are looking for their enslaved kin, revenge and a new land to live. The story is enchanting, the characters strong, believable and lovable, and the plot is based on Aeneid by Virgil.
The second author I very much admired last week is Jude Morgan and I read her other three books as well. I wasn’t in the mood for sad and unhappy stories so I couldn’t enjoy “Symphony”(the story of an Irish actress in Paris) or “Passion” (three famous poet, four strong women, lots of heartbreaks). But “Indiscretion” was very much to my liking! England of Regency era, Caroline Fortune is a Captain daughter whom his father has bankrupted them by his gambling and bad investments. She seeks an employment as a companion to a very unpleasant lady and her adventures begin.
“With or without you” by Carole Matthews was a humorous novel of self-discovery. But the whole time reading the book I had a feeling that the story is very familiar to me!
“Playing James” by Sarah Mason was funny and happy and light, exactly suitable for a hot summer afternoon. A lady reporter is assigned to shadow a sour police detective and write a diary about day-to-day happenings of police life. The detective is to be married in six weeks and the reporter has a star athlete boyfriend but when photos of their assignments are published beside the diary people start to have much more different opinions about their relationship!
“The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life” and “The Modern Girl’s Guide to Motherhood” by Jane Buckingham were a waste of time. I had read much better guide books!
Am reading “The Last Standing Vampire” by Nancy Haddock. The previous book was “La Vida Vampire”. Francesca the vampire princess is living her life, enjoying her new house and her time with her boyfriend when a new vampire come into town and asks for help. Also Triton her childhood friend is somewhere in the neighborhood but is being very secretive and there is a slight chance that another childhood character is going to show up! What Cesca can do is keep herself from being shot at or staked.

I have to start looking for more books for the rest of summer. These days I can do nothing except find somewhere cool and read!

History, Romance and Magic

The title somehow sums up my readings for these last few days.
I did enjoy “Hand of Isis” by Jo Graham. This was the first book I read of this author and I loved her style. She is a great storyteller. Charmian, Cleopatra and Iras are three daughters of Egypt Pharaoh but what holds them close is stronger than bonds of sisterhood alone. In the time of great political and historical changes these three try to restore greatness to their beloved country and its famous capital Alexandria. The will of gods and mortals, fate and choice knits together the most important changes in Egypt (or all of ancient world). From the greatness of Rome to the devotion of Egyptians to their gods, you see a time different and yet strangely very similar to our own. A mix of history, romance and a little magic the book is a true delight and hard to put down.
The part that planted itself firmly in my mind is when Agrippa propose to Charmian and how she answers. Those Romans were truly arrogant and had complete disregard for other cultures. Doesn’t it remind you of other nations, Britain in Victorian times, France under Napoleon and even today’s America?
“Demon Mistress” by Yasmine Galenorn is the sixth book of Sisters of the moon series, featuring half human-half Fae sisters Menolly, Delilah and Camille. The narrative is by Menolly, telling of strange disappearance of magical women in the neighborhood, a frat house of geeks and squid type astral demon attacks. Life is getting pretty interesting for these siblings and their harem of boyfriends.
“Nightseer” by Laurell K. Hamilton was an amazing story of adventure, attraction and magic. An enchantress princess is dealing with revals in school, prophetic dreams, and a persistence suitor when their keep and school is attacked and she is forced to face her old enemy. I enjoyed the book and I have to say it renewed my fate in Ms. Hamilton’s writing. As I’m thinking the Anita Blake series is getting boring and chaotic and Merry Gentry series is a little lose, I was wary of starting another book of hers but fortunately “Nightseer” had a strong plot, interesting characters and a wonderfully fun ending. I’m hoping Ms. Hamilton revisits these characters and write sequels for the story. I love to read more about the adventures of Keleios and Lothor and know if they can find and free their friends.
“Royal Flush” (A Royal Spyness Mystery, Book 3) by Rhys Bowen happens when Lady Georgiana (Georgie to her friends) starts a new business and out of naïveness makes an awfully embarrassing mistake. She is send to Scotland in shame and is given a couple of assignment along the way. Back home her family is host to a group of crass Americans including the persistence and infamous Mrs. Simpson. Georgie has to help her sister-in-law in getting rid of her unwanted guests, attend royal shooting parties and somehow make the dark and tall and yummy Darcy fall in love with her.
“An Accomplished Woman” by Jude Morgan is such a great story that midway into the book I put holds on the other books of her. It is England when Napoleon was in power and Lady Lydia Templeton is living the life of an unattached, independent and wealthy blue-stocking. She is happy and not seeking a husband when her godmother asks her to chaperon a young girl in Bath.
Reading all those lovely long and witty conversations are perfectly delicious when you are lounging on your beach chair and enjoying the cool breeze of sea and hearing the sound of waves.

Read, read and read more!

So many books and so little time to write about them. For whatever reason I was reading a lot about style and personality and French style:
“The little Black book of style” and “The One Hundred” by Nina Garcia. The first one is about style, trends, classics and famous style icons; the second one is about 100 more important and vital pieces and accessories a stylish girl should have.
“How to walk in High Heels” and “A year in High Heels” by Camilla Morton is again about your style, what to do when and the second book is a day to day guide book for improving yourself.
“Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl” by Debra Ollivier is about life style of French girls, how they eat, dress and decorate and how they look at life in general. A fun read.
“Joie De Vivre” by Robert Arbor and Katherine Whiteside is a fun French cookbook and life guide. A little old fashion maybe, but full of great simple recipes.

The fictions I read were more interesting and quite fun. Almost all of them which is very rare!
“Dogs and Goddesses” by Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, and Lani Diane Rich was a great story. Three love story in one novel. Three women are trying to tame their crazy dogs by going to an obedience class. But the class is so strange that an instance friendship form between them as a way to deal with everything that’s happening to them. Was a good entertaining story, had good male and female characters and the three authors had worked perfectly together. Their other joined novel is “The unfortunate Miss Fortunes” which is also very funny and well written.
“Mona Lisa Darkening” by Sunny was OK. Much better than the last book of the series. I don’t like the characters and I think Mona Lisa is very weak but out of a morbid curiosity I keep following this series!
“Midnight’s daughter” (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir, Book 1) by Karen Chance was great. I love the world Ms. Chance has created and some of the characters from her Cassandra Palmer’s series and “On the Prowl” novella were in this story and … ooh, I just love Mircea! Well written, great plot, lovely well rounded characters, what else is there?!
My favorite funny story this last ten days or so was “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella. I finished the book in a couple of hours and so enjoyed it! It is funny (like her other books), have good characters although the plot is a little cheesy! I fell in love with Ed and loved Sadie. Also have started looking at 20’s style!
And last but not least finished latest Stephanie Plum book “Finger Lickin' Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich. In this one, Lula is the main character; she witnesses a murder and being shot at and threatened, and has her car and house blown up… Stephanie is staying with Ranger and working a case for him. There is a barbeque souse competition and Lula and Grandma are going to attend and win! It is mayhem, funny murders (I know!) and lots and lots of action, fires, explosions, fights and yeah, a flasher! Read it on the beach or by the pool for lots of laugh!

Enjoy your summer days, pick a good book and keep cool!

Books, Beach and summer!

It is hot, it is humid and it is summer. What you can do except pick your hat and beach bag and current read and head to the beach (or the pool, a shady umbrella and a comfy chair)?

Finally read “Forever Princess” Book 10 of Princess’ diaries series by Meg Cabot. Yay, this is the last book! I couldn’t stand Mia anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her in first few books but in these last couple of books she had become so spoiled and self-righteous… anyway she is graduating, having her 18th birthday and breaking up with her perfect boyfriend PJ…
“Addition” by Toni Jordan is about a woman who likes to count! She is obsessed with numbers and a little eccentric (or maybe a lot)! The story is good but also frustrating! I couldn’t stand all that obsession!
“The Map of Moments” by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon was strange and confusing. It wasn’t a supernatural novel, it was… after Katrina a Max goes back to New Orleans to attend the funeral of a girl he loved, but someone tells him of possibility of bringing her back and then starts this voohoo story about moments…yes the girls come back but there is no rational reason for it… not voodoo, magic or… well I didn’t like it, someone else might love it!
“Keeper of Light and Dust” by Natasha Mostert was a great book. Based on mystic teaching of eastern martial arts, it tells the story of modern warriors and their protectors and also of someone who is afraid of death and steals the Chi (life energy) of others to extend his own life. As a mystery it was simple and you could guess who the villain is a few chapter in the book. But the love triangle was enchanting and the story telling mesmerizing. The plot and characters were strong. All and all a great book. I remember loving Ms. Mostert other book “Season of the witch” too.
“Mona Lisa Cravings” (Monere: Children of the Moon, Book 3) by Sunny was OK. I remember reading a review from QB where she compared this series to Merry Gentry series by LK Hamilton. And yes, I noticed the similarities here specially when Mona Lisa gets pregnant… but there are enough differences to make this series a very independent one! But what I didn’t like about the book was all these sex-is-vital-blahblah, like author was looking for an excuse to throw in sex scenes whenever she felt like it… also Mona Lisa’s character is not well defined, she says she loves her people but does nothing special to help them, she acts really stupid sometime… the book is not that strong but let’s say it is much better than some of the other supernatural romances that are on the shelves.
The best of my reads this week was “Some Girls Bite” A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill. Merit, a 27 years old grad student; is attacked and is turned vampire against her will. It takes a long time for her to get adjusted to her new undead status but meanwhile she learns a lot about herself, her family, her new brethrens and her new powers. There is also this hot master vampire she hates and loves and sworn to protect whom makes everything much more complicated.

Well, it is 87° outside and even poolside is too hot to go (and I'm out of books! So I’m going to nap in my cool AC-ed room, dreaming of ... well something cool!!!

Happiness for cheap!

This little trio has made me happy for more than a week now.
All for less than $ 16.00 ! Enjoy!

















Revlon nail polish $2.99, Claire’s Flower ring $6.99, Claire’s Flower pin $5.99.

Awww, for the love of Chocolate!

Seems a long time and no report of new chocolate, so here it is a collection of international chocolates I have experienced recently:
“Choco Stones” made in Korea taste like Nestle Smarties but are shaped like little pebbles and are in colors of rocks as well. Has pictures of Flintstones on the package. Eating these I felt like rock-eating troll in “Never-Ending Story”!
I was quite happy with my Toblerone Milk and White chocolate bars with almonds and honey nuggets until a friend shattered my satisfaction with an act of good will!
This wonderful friend of mine brought us three huge (we are talking 3.5 by 11.5 inches!) bars of Nestle Swisss Chocolat Brut, wonderful milk chocolate with hazelnuts and almonds and black currant chunks in. Dear hubby and I have been enjoying these chocolates so much, nothing else compares to them!
“Creation 70% Pure Chocolate Bar” from Lindt has 70% cacao dark chocolate with rich dark chocolate mousse filling. The mousse is sweeter and balances the bitterness of the shell.
Also from Hawaii “Mauna Loa” macadamia nuts covered with Dark chocolate: very tasty and very presentable!
Ooh, shouldn’t forget my quite recent discovery from World Market store:
The store brand chocolate comes in different cocoa percentages and with lots of different flavors. I have tried and loved their Dark chocolate with Caramel truffle, Chili and Pomegranate flavor and also their plain milk chocolate. Their “Chocolate Cappuccino Spread” is delicious too, I say much better than “Nutella”! The chocolate quality is good and with a wide range of flavors and cocoa percentages they sure cater to every taste! I say with $2 a bar you got nothing to lose, go aheah and explore all the wonderful flavores!

More important than books

It has been a really hard couple of weeks for me. Lots of stress, many sleepless nights and …Well forget it! Sometimes we can’t do anything and just suffer…
Have been reading two books by Christopher Moore:
“A Dirty Job” is about a beta male name Charlie Asher. His wife gives birth and passes away and strange stuff starts happening. People drop dead whenever he passes and his infant daughter is…. Go read the book my dears! It is funny true to Moore’s style and full of quirky little jokes. If someone could make the Death and afterlife funny it is Christopher Moore (so very suited for my recent mood of gloom and doom!)
“Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal” is self explanatory! Have you ever wondered what happened in those thirty years between birth of Jesus and his baptism? Well here is your chance to find out and enjoy a humorous journey as well!
These were two of the best books I recently read!
Then “Unusual suspects” a collection of 12 novellas. The stories are quite good and well the mysteries engaging. Also stories are not long to be boring which is a big plus in my opinion.
“Living The Vida Lola” by Misa Ramirez was a mystery happening in Sacramento and had a huge cast of characters. It was well written but had not the best plot. A Latina PI is given a case involving a disappeared woman. In her search Lola encounters her high school crush and …
“Bleeding Heart Square” by Andrew Taylor was another mystery. It is 1934 and Lydia leaves her abusive husband and moves in with her father into a house with strange people and a big mystery. It was well written and a little dry! The love story was unavoidable and not well cooked, but the story telling style was great.
I also enjoyed three books I have been waiting for a long time for:
“Kitty Raises Hell” (Kitty Norville, Book 6) by Carrie Vaughn was good. Something has followed Kitty and Ben from Las Vegas back to Denver and it smells of sulfur and Brimstone. A team of paranormal investigators are in town checking out hunted houses and a strange vampire is coming to Rick and Kitty asking a high price for getting rid of that sulfury thing. With Rick and Kitty unable to agree to that vampire’s request, Kitty needs all the help she can get facing the threat of this fiery entity.
“Once Dead twice Shy” by Kim Harrison was great. A teenager is murdered but she steals an amulet from her killer and her ghost is given the illusion of a body. There are reaper at work and dark and light and fate and free will stand against each other. Very entertaining and quite well written!
“Succubus Heat” (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4) by Richelle Mead was good. Georgie finally get rid of Seth but she is bitter and very unhappy to the point her boss can’t stand her bitchiness and sends her to another city as a spy. There are strong powers at work and for a brief time Georgie is mortal and had to choose between her heart’s desire or the greater good (evil! Whatever!). I felt really bad for her… she is so kind hearted and good to be bad!
Ooh, and the latest book of Dead End Dating series, “Sucker for Love” by Kimberly Raye. It was a good story: Lil is handling her mother, her sister in law, her future sister in law, lots of clients, loosing a few shoes, have problems with her crazy selfish cat and looking for her kidnapped client Esther! It also ends well but I so wish I hadn’t read the sneak view of the next book! It shattered my whole good mood!

So here I am, read all I could and looking desperately for my next fix! Anything good coming out soon?!!!

Crazy world out there!

OK, I couldn’t right anything although I have been reading constantly. Why? I explain at the end of this post.
Been reading:
“Dragons Luck” by Robert Asprin. In this story Griffin is supervising a conference or alcove of supernaturals and thinks he is in way over his head. His mentor Mose is piling more responsibilities on him. Val, his sister; is hiding something and a bunch of crazy supernautrals have hit town. There is also some new dragon in town who is offering advice without asking for any payment. Huh? Strange!
I loved the book! I adore Mr. Asprin’s funny style and unexpected surprises along the plot. This was the book I was bragging about in the last post!
“Undead and Unwelcome” (Queen Betsy, Book 8) by MaryJanice Davidson was OK. Much better than the last book of the series this one actually had a story. Betsy and Sinclair are taking Antonia’s body to werewolves and Jessica and baby John are with them. Back home Marc is trying to help Laura with her devil worshiper problem and Tina has disappeared.
I’m getting tried of this series but can’t help myself following it!
“Being Nikki” (Airhead, Book 2) by Meg Cabot didn’t have the expected ending. I still don’t understand the reason behind everyone’s action but hey, it’s a story and sad to say; a very weak one at that!
“Men of Otherworld” by Kelley Armstrong was great. A quick chronicles of werewolves pack and somehow Jeremy’s life-story, it is a collection of stories about Jeremy and Clayton before and after Elena joined the pack.
I enjoyed it although I’d read some of the stories online in Ms. Armstrong website. I was so in the mood for other world that went to the website and read every thing online including the 20005 collection.
“Bond of Darkness” (Texas Vampire Novels) by Diane Whiteside was very confusing and I had the feeling very rushed. The relationship between Steve and her vampire was not well defined and much of their story was filled with the vampire boss and his lady’s story. Didn’t like it! Also it was reading like a patriotic ad for National Guard of Texas.
I also read a mystery book happening in England (Welsh, really) in the time of a cattle disease outbreak. Can’t remember the name but was a great book! I go look for it in the library and post the name later!
“The Host” by Stephanie Meyer was great. I wasn’t sure after that fiasco with Edward Cullen series that I want to read anything else from Ms. Meyer but the first couple of chapters of Host proved that this story is different. A great read, strong plot and realistic characters and emotions, Ms. Meyer proved herself a capable author.
Another going back on my promise was reading the three books of Fever series by Karen Marie Moning: “Darkfever”, “Bloodfever” and “Faefever”. This time around I liked the story and I’m impatient for the next book! I think Barrons is the Unseelie King and Mac is changing drastically with mixing and changing her morals. But still accepting a southern belle to turn Fae-killer and vicious is very hard!

Now one of the reasons I haven’t been posting has been: http://www.mythadventures.net/memorials01.html

Yes, sadly Mr. Asprin has passed away and the Dragon series is unfinished. It was shocking to end the book and read author’s biography and found out that the humorous wonderful person writing the story you just enjoyed is not alive anymore.
I am really sad and wish his family great patience.
Rest in peace Robert, We remember you.

Neglected Poor Baby, Part 2

Ok, back from hanging with friends and lots of shopping (or window-shopping as the case is!), I got to finish 4 books just this last couple of days, which considering all the catching up I have to do; is a good head start!
“Secret life of a Vampire” (Love at Stake, Book 6) by Kerrelyn Sparks was not better than the last one in the series. This one is about the son of legendary Casanova and a NYPD police officer.
Also I had read the stories by my favorite authors in “Blood Lite”, this time I went ahead and read the whole book which was kinda weird! I mean I am OK with vampires and werewolves and ghosts and everything but chainsaw killers?! Come on!
Loved loved loved “Grave Goods” by Ariana Franklin. Adelia is changing her outlook, maybe out of necessity may be out of her love for Rowley. Also a coffin has been found with what Henry II prefers to be labeled as reminders of King Artur and his Queen and Adelia has to face unpredicted dangers and find the truth. I however found Adelia’s change of heart about Rowley a little out of character but hey… I loved the story and the suspended ending is killing me, so I will be really thankful if Ms. Franklin hurries and write the next book!
Else? Huh… “Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress” by Elizabeth Boyle was the third book of the series The Bachelor Chronicles and it happens some twenty years after the previous story. Lady Philippa (Pippin) has two grown children but her heart is still beating fast whenever she sees a rakish sailor. When a young stranger visits her with memories from her past, she knows it is time to pack her infamous red gown.
I was a little bored by this story mostly because half of the book was revisiting the past which we had read in the other books of the series and well this Dash was not as Dashing as before… rather thick I thought!
The two books of Darkest Powers series “The Summoning” and “The Awakening” by Kelley Armstrong were great. Chloe is a teenager who starts seeing things one day and her life goes belly up completely. She is send to a special house for troubled teens and meets a bunch of strange kids with stranger claims there. What happens afterward is an amazing although sometimes frustrating story. I cheered, cried and got angry with Chloe and I think I’m falling in love with Derek (if his acne clears of course!).
Loved the series and can’t wait for the next book!
Oooh, how can I forget?! “Dead and Gone” (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9) by Charlaine Harris was so worth the wait but oh so short! Ms. Harris got rid of a couple of extra characters and cleaned the slate and we can safely assume that new characters are coming into the story. Somehow the great-grandfather Niall was getting tiresome! And we have to wonder what Jason is going to cook up now… also we are back to square one with Sookie not knowing which one she likes better: Eric or Bill… I however will be very happy when Bill bites the dust permanently! I hate his guts! Why can’t Sookie tell him Sayonara forever?!

Am reading a well awaited book and won’t say a word until I am finished but it is such a delight after all the serious books I’ve been reading!
So now I can say my poor neglected website has been getting enough attention these days and I’m gonna go and finish my books with a happy conscious!

Neglected poor baby!

I know I’ve been neglecting my weblog and if it was a living breathing entity, it needs years of therapy to recover but hey… I was on vacation! (And I haven’t been reading much!) So there, that’s my excuse…
Anyway a month and half ago on my way to my parents and during the twelve hours flight I finished the latest of Molly Murphy Mysteries “In a Gilded Cage” by Rhys Bowen. And a month later on the way back I re-read it!
Molly is engaged to Daniel Sullivan and gets into action for women’s voting rights by her two best friends Sid and Gus. She meets a couple of spoiled rich (and well-educated) girls and gets a couple of new cases to solve. She does well for herself and only twice is being threatened and in danger. I think she is learning!
After getting back I started on my “to be read” list and made good progress although I still have a lots of books on hold.
“Kitty and the dead man’s hand” (Kitty Norville, book 5) by Carrie Vaughn was great however a little rushed. Of course everything happened during a weekend so… but there are still some questions unanswered: Did Rick knew about the situation with Las Vegas vampires? Did the master of Vegas send Kitty to Panthers’ show on purpose?
What’s the deal with those two hunters? And how Cormac is going to react to hearing Ben and Kitty are married?
I think I just have to wait to get the next book. It is on hold and I am impatient.
Read the latest book of The Dresden Files: “Turn Coat” (Book 11) by Jim Butcher. It was a very sad story although the lesson at the end is that life goes on! I seriously hope the next book of the series has a happy ending, else I forecast a very unhappy ending for Harry Dresden.
“Confessions of a Little Black Gown” by Elizabeth Boyle was wonderful. However a little too busy… was that French spy character really necessary? And also back the there were nothing Little about gowns so why should we have to pretend it is the equivalent of our Little Black Dress? Sounds like I was not happy with book! Well maybe, a little; I was disappointed anyhow!
“Second Chance” by Jane Green: Way boring! I was not in the mood for slow motion stories!
“Turning Japanese” by Cathy Yardley was good. I always wondered about Japanese culture and this book took me to the heart of this culture and how it is to live in Tokyo for some time. It would be a wonderful opportunity and great experience. The story is about a half Japanese woman who leaves her life and family and fiancé, to take an internship in Tokyo Manga industry. It leads her into some new decisions and a new outlook on life. Great life altering experience, I guess!
Well I have to go pick up some friends, so stay tuned for the second part of this post!

Weblog, what weblog?

Believe it or not, I totally had forgotten about my weblog! I hadn’t checked it for a whole week and then tonight when I was looking for the title of a book I remembered… ooh, yeah, my weblog!
However it was no loss to anyone as I didn’t read anything this week. Can you imagine it… a whole week gone without reading? Well not completely, but almost!
The not complete part comes from my reading “The nice girls don’t have Fangs” by Molly Harper. It is the story of Jane, a small town librarian and how in a day her whole life gets screwed up. Yes, you guessed right, she gets fired from her job, then is shot at and dies and then is turned into a vampire all in the first three chapters. The rest of the story is the funny account of how she adjusts and what kind of troubles she is facing in her new life (unlife… ummm, death?...ok, what about “her new existence”?… yeah, that works!). First is her controlling mother and then her grabby greedy sister and her crazy best friend and after that a whole new group of undead friends…
I liked the witty narrative of this story and I very well could relate to Jane’s problems with her parents. As I’m going to see my own sweet and controlling mother in less than a week let’s not dwell on the issue! Just kidding! I haven’t seen any of my family in a very long time and I'm looking forward to this trip. I’m very excited!

I keep adding to my “on hold” list in the library but non of the books are yet available for pick up and with my trip coming this weekend I don’t know what will happen to my books! Some sympathy please!
By the way I'll be gone a month and if I don't read anything new, there won't be a post!

Absence makes the heart founder or my spring break gone too long!

Well here I am, absent for a month, have not done anything special and have not read much either.

I spend a week or so reading the first four books of The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. In the first book “The Tale of Hill Top Farm” we get to know the human and animal characters of “the land between the lakes” and learn of why and hows of Beatrix’s purchasing a farm there. In other books small and large mysteries are solved by humans and animals both. Second book “The Tale of Holly How”, the third “The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood” and the fourth is “The Tale of Hawthorn House”. I had read the fifth book “The Tale of Briar Bank” before. These stories are enchanting and sweet. You can lose yourself in peacefulness of the village life, cuteness of cats and dogs and badgers and guinea pigs and even fall in love with a fox. As for human characters I liked Beatrix and Mr. Heelis and Captain Milles and his sister, also the little children were endearing. Wish Ms. Albert would hurry and write the last three books of the series too.
Else? “The Courtesan's Wager” by Claudia Dain was lovely. I was laughing really hard at all that verbal banter and those stubborn characters. I really enjoyed it and hope that Ms. Dain would continue with the series.
“Accidental Human” by (Accidental Friends, Book 3) by Dakota Cassidy was fun. I liked Marty’s story the best, Wanda’s was good and Nina’s story (the second book) was so so.
Anyway, here Marty is pregnant, Nina is enjoying the life as Elvira and Wanda is hiding a deep dark secret and a very cute new guy!
“Lulu in Marrakech” by Diane Johnson was boring. Somehow I was expecting more action in a spy thriller. The narrative for this novel was boarder line yawn and snore! The characters were detached and incomplete and the finale was like the author has run out of paper and decided to wrap things up in a hurry. Somehow I was expecting more from Ms. Johnson.
The best of my readings this month was rereading Kim Harrison’s “The Hallows” series and finishing it with the latest book (number 7) “White Witch, Black Curse”. I loved it. In this one, Rachel is getting to a balancing point in her relationship with Ivy, she get to find Kisten’s killer and put her grieving to rest. And yes, she is dealing with demons and everyone knows it and people are unkind to her, but what the heck! She is alive and kicking and powerful. Ooh, there is also a new character (an old brief character coming back to the main series, actually) and all new twists in her love life. I think both Big Al and Trent have hots for Rachel and also this new Rachel Candy! I so love these romantic tensions!
With this good note let’s wrap up and look for new things too read!

P.S.: Still can’t get my mind around my spring schedule. I have a long “To be Read” list and were not been able to put my hands on any of them.

Gregory Maguire

My long over due post on Gregory Maguire goes like this:
I’ve always been cautious of stories written using already existing characters. I assumed lazy unimaginative noncreative writers use these ready characters and write second tries, sequels or whatever they are called to disguise their lack of talent. I can name two series as sequels to “Pride and Prejudice” and one sequel to “Gone with the wind” that were more than disappointments.
Anyhow that the case, I tried not to read Gregory Maguire books, second hand characters and all that. But somehow (call it not finding anything else in the library!) I checked out a few weeks ago four of his books and started reading “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister” right away. I was hooked! By the second chapter I was preferring his version to classic Cinderella. I totally forgot that I’m reading a story which I know the ending of. The characters were endearing even the most crass and cruel ones. The historical view point was refreshing and the narrator engaging. And at the end when we find out who the actual narrator is, who the real villain is… I only can tell the story builds up expectations and it precedes them.
So it was with this new found love that I started the Wicked Years series. Although I knew the story of “Wicked” through that famous Broadway play and the “Wizard of Oz”, I enjoyed the book much more. It is a well written story with amazing characters and multiple perspectives. The only critique I can think of is when Dorothy and her team enter the scene. The rational controlled Elphaba changes drastically and behaves way out of character. “Son of a Witch” is not as great as “Wicked”, Liir appeared very weak, however I think that weakness was in his make up and character from the beginning, he was not as strong or driven as Elphaba, he was always on the fringe. “A Lion Among Men” continues with side characters of Yackel and Cowardly Lion Brrr and Nor (Liir’s lost half sister). There is not much about Elphaba or Liir in the book but a couple of puzzles are solved and we know for certain that Elphaba is gone, her life story finished. Now is time for other characters. This third book was not as engaging as first or second, a little boring and lengthy perhaps. The thing is I was not interested in reformation of Cowardly lion! I hope for the next book of the series to be more interesting.
“Mirror Mirror” is the re-telling of Snow White fairytale. What I like about the book were multiple narrators, four to be exact! It made the story a little confusing at firs but when I got the hang of different voices, it made for an amazing read.
The only book of Gregory Maguire that I didn’t like was “Lost”. It is supposed to be a reference to "A Christmas Carol" and a bunch of other books but I was so lost half way into the book with all the mental pictures and dialogs and stories going through main character's head that I gave up reading the book for good!
Consequently Gregory Maguire is an author that I look forward to read more from, well; I’m waiting for the next book of Wicked Years anyway!

This week headlines!

Still not ready to write about Gregory Maguire. I have another two of his books on hold in the library and can’t wait to start. So bear with me here!
Have been reading latest books of some great series:
“Brisinger” by Christopher Paolini was perfect. But I was expecting this one to be the last book of Inheritance series, sadly it is not! OK, I’m becoming a little bored with this series!
The story was full of brave actions of Eragon and Sephira, also Eragon learnt a lot about his family and is becoming a strong force against emperor.
“One night of Passion” by Elizabeth Boyle is another book in Danvers family series. Colin is a captain who has been discharged from service with shame and Georgie is an orphan with a money hungry uncle and a careless guardian. She wants to get rid of her virginity in order to avoid getting married to an old man, he wants to forget honor and duty and have fun for just once! Read the book, although I liked Ms. Boyle’s later books better, this one was entertaining too. I specially liked Georgie’s sharp wit and her sharper tongue!
“One Fifth Avenue” by Candace Bushnell was not my type. I didn’t read “Sex and the city” but I have tried in vain to read “Lipstick jungle” and “Four Blonds” and have not gone passed third or fourth chapter. The same should be said for “One Fifth Avenue”. I put the book down after third chapter and for the life of me; I couldn’t pick it up again! That says a lot about her writing, doesn’t it!
“The Tale of Briar Bank” by Susan Wittig Albert is of the series The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. It was the fifth book and had a children story/fairy tale format which I enjoyed. Talking animals and village life go hand in hand and make a very peaceful story.
If you are a fan of Beatrix Potter this series may appeal to you specially!
I bought my copy of “The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter” from an antique shop in New Orleans almost two years ago and I love it dearly!
Then my favorite this week: “The Temptation of the Night Jasmine” by Lauren Willig. Lady Charlotte (Henrietta’s friend) is welcoming back her long lost cousin, Duke of Dovedale; Robert. But the reason Robert is back in family home is not to take up his responsibilities but to find the killer of his mentor in India. After charlotte’s disappointment with Robert, She takes up her mandatory position in the court of King George III right when King’s madness is back. With the help of Henrietta and Miles, Charlotte and Robert look for French agents and spies whom try to take advantage of confusion and …. Well go get your own book!
I had waited so much for this book and it was too short in my opinion. Also Pink Carnation was not directly involved which kinda disappointed me! Other than that, loved it!
Also finished Annette Blair’s third book of Triplet witch Trilogy: “Never Been Witched”. The third sister Destiny and King’s third friend Morgan get together and work out their issues and fell in love. I read the book out of a sense of completion and obligation (somehow!). Well it was not that great, a simple love story with a little spell and a few ghosts and angels and an ex catholic priest…
Why should all witches make ridiculous lyrics and have multiple tattoos and at least one suitcase full of sex toys?! I have read six of Ms. Blair books and all of them had these in common! Can’t you be a witch without tattoos and sex toys (Bad poetry optional!)?
Makes me mad!

Books, at last!

I’ve been reading very little this past… um, month (?!)! Although I have discovered a great author and I’m going to tell you about him in a separate post and after I finished all of his books!
Aside from that here is the list:
Found “Bone crossed” by Patricia Briggs a couple of days after release and finished it in five hours! I adore Ms. Briggs Mercy Thompson series. Right after her rape, Mercy is facing hard decision of choosing a mate and entering the pack of werewolves for good. Then her mother shows up and dried corpse of Stefan ends up in her living room. The mistress of vampires is furious and looking for revenge. In the middle of all these, Mercy’s old college friend is contacting her from another city and asks her to help with her ghost problem. Poor Mercy, everything is turning for the worse as she learns of all the hidden agendas everyone is harboring. At least she knows how to multitask!
I loved the book, it was action packed and Mercy appeared very capable and strong but also more human. She accepted help and admitted weakness when she needed help. She has grown and evolved. Somehow that rape incident has made her stronger. I loved the story. What I didn’t like was why the publisher switched to hardcover mid-series! I had to buy a hardcover and I can’t fit it beside the rest of the series on the bookshelf!
Finally finished “Night huntress” by Yasmine Galenorn. It was action packed and fast paced, also kinda rushed. Delilah is not the same spoiled little girl and the darling of her sisters anymore. Chase is taking up with another woman and Delilah calls Zach for back rub, sorry; back up! The fourth seal is found, that awful demon Karvanak is killed and Delilah finds about her strange heritage and still stranger responsibilities. I like the series but at the end I was becoming fed up with all the strangeness crammed into the story!
“Deja Demon” (Kate Connor, Demon Hunter) by Julie Kenner is book 4 of the series and I had read books 1 and 2. It is not a series I want to follow further. Kate was a retired demon hunter from Vatican who lost her first husband a follow hunter in an accident, had married a politician and was raising her teenage daughter and toddler son in a peaceful small town until demons started to show up and her old life came crashing back. She is doing her wife duties by throwing parties for her husband campaign, driving her daughter to cheerleading practices and killing the pesty demons, whom are all looking for something or someone in her family; on the sly until apparently in book 3, when she brings her dead husband back in the body of a high school teacher.
OK, honestly this is getting too weird for me and I read the fourth book more like daydreams of a very bored middle aged housewife (or soccer mom, may the case be!).
“Cat playing cupid” by Shirley Rousseau Murphy was the nth book of Joe Grey Mysteries. This series about the talking cats in a small village and how one of the cats is playing detective and helping local police department. Way way boring! I read only for my love of cats!
Then two books by Christopher Moore:
“Coyote Blue” is the story of a former Indian (yeah, former!) and how he learns to get back to his roots and finally becomes the local shaman.
“The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove” is about a small town (very much like Carmel!) and how a weed addict local policeman, an obsessed biologist, local bar owner, town shrink and town’s crazy lady join forces and solve town’s most important problems including finding and dispatching a drug ring, solving a murder, feeding and saving a five thousand years old dinosaur and curing the residences’ severe depression.
I love Moore’s satirical writing style. He looks at life with such a funny and light hearted humor that you forget you are being made fun of because of your mindless habits! Love it!
And then finally four books by Gregory Maguire who has become my favorite of the month which I’m going to write a separate post about! Keep tuned!

Chocolates and Hearts

With Valentine’s Day comes chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate. Many of these love signs have cute and tempting packaging but the quality of chocolate is bad. Too much chocolate butter and not enough cocoa and lots of sugar make for a very unhealthy gift.
I personally prefer to get a regular box of good quality chocolate and nice card than a heart-shaped red box of bad chocolate! But to each, his/hers own!
Check these chocolates for nice pakaging. (I don't know about the quality though!)
Recently I’ve got chocolate from friends far and near, and been wondering about quality of chocolate a lot!
A friend brought us a box of Macadamia nuts covered with milk chocolate from Australia (the box had a picture of Qualla bear on it) and it was phenomenal! Not too sweet, not too oily and very tasty. Australian chocolate lovers, you have a gem in your hands!
Then dear hubby picked a box of chocolate from “The Fudgery” in Banff, Alberta, Canada. These chocolate pieces are huge! Although the quality of chocolate is great, the sweets have only a chocolate shell and are filled with a very sticky caramel taffy too sweet and sugary to eat. The box is still sitting half full in the cabinet!
Later another friend gave us a huge box of “Kirkland” chocolate cover biscuits. Although titled with premium quality Belgian, these chocolates are not better than Hershey bars. I think I’m becoming a chocolate snob because I didn’t like any of the chocolates in the box. They are all too sweet and too oily for my taste. The thick biscuit adds to overbearing sweetness of these chocolates. Half a box is still full and whenever friends are dropping by I beg them to eat as much as they can!
My recent discovery though is keeping my faith in chocolate industry. Truffles from Starbucks come in four different flavors, Coffee, Chai tea, Vanilla and Caramel; and taste great. I’m in love with coffee truffles and chai tea ones, high quality chocolate, great flavor and nice packaging; all good! These chocolate truffles are almost as good as Godiva in fraction of the cost.
Speaking of Godiva, dear hubby had ordered two box of Godiva for Valentine but made a mistake and the boxes were delivered a month earlier! I finished the last truffle last weekend, now he has to go out and hunt chocolate!

Happy Valentine and enjoy your chocolate!

I’ve got Cabin fever!

Last week it rained almost non stop. As I have lots of cat-like qualities, I don’t like cold and I don’t like getting wet either; so I stayed home the whole week surfing web! But finally this week despite cold, I braved the elements and headed to school. I so missed all my unsocial grunting office-mates! Just sitting at my desk, shivering in the cold (there are lots of equipments and chemicals in our building so AC is set somewhere around 60-65 degree for the whole building!), staring at my computer, I was feeling … like crap! Worse is getting dressed each morning. It is not warm enough to wear tops and a light cardi, let alone skirts and dresses! (I wonder how some undergrads are wearing shorts and minis!) I have to layer at least three tops and usually add another one to it in the office and then wear a coat over it all! I feel so stuffed! Am so tired of winter and cold and heavy fabrics and knits! I want light flowy tops and cotton skirts… a couple of outfits in white and ivory, made of chiffon and silk… oh, when is it gonna get warm?! I need to get out and walk around, preferably somewhere with lots of shops; enjoying the sunshine and blooming trees!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Well economy is bad, what do you think? Should I list my recent sins? Yes? No? OK, truth is I’ve been trying to spend less this past couple of months; I’ve been sooo goood… I controlled my urges to buy a couple of new handbags. Boy, oh boy, it was hard! Specially that sweet one from Betsy Johnson at half price; I still lust after it!
To reward myself for my good behavior I bought two cheap handbags and a couple of belts! Well you get more work out of belts and two bags than one bag, right?! I feel very proud of myself! I’m so money savvy! (Yeah, right!)
And there was that silk top for only 25 and that silk dress for 30… I mean it is a bargain, right? You shouldn’t miss it! My advice: Head to “Heritage 1981” stores and check their stuff. They have some cute pieces with prices close to “Forever 21” but with better quality.
Anyway I’m thinking of what I need to complete my spring wardrobe and the list is getting longer and longer! How am I suppose to hold on to my new found sainthood and not over spend?

Bad books, good books and other stuff!

When some style of writing becomes attractive, every author apparently thinks she/he can master that style. Case in point: remember “Angels and Demons” and “Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown? Sure! Now, try to remember that style of writing, all those looking for treasures and paintings and all those master pieces and those histories, religions, background stories and information the characters were talking about?! OK, there are a couple of authors who do a great job with a mystery thriller and lots and lots of history, philosophy, and art lessons… well, they are masters, but my recent reads were not written by these masters (unfortunately!).
“The Illumination” a novel by Karen Tintori and Jill Gregory was about a charm necklace found in Iraq and all the people who were looking for it. An American reporter finds it and sends it to her sister an archeologist and there is a trail of death following the foot steps of Natalie from New York to Israel where she is looking for the history of the necklace…
Well, aside from all the blunders and errors in the story, the authors were not able to convey excitement, danger or cruelty very well, the narrative was boring and all the characters had the same voice…ah, and the history lessons were very boring!
The other book, “Caravaggio’s Angel” by Ruth Brandon was even worse. The story is about three paintings and their history and an art curator who wishes to exhibit all three…
The author’s description of paintings and … well, basically; her overall narrative was dry, unimaginative and un-art-like! Which art specialist likes a painting because the angel is sexy?!!! Come on!
Now, let’s talk about good books. Had listen to Boris Akunin fourth book of Fandorin series “The Death of Achilles” on audio and it took two days! I can read much faster! Anyway, the book was great and the reading good although it shattered my picture of some of the characters…
Else? The first book of Dark swan series “Storm Born” was great. I totally heart all Ms. Mead’s work! A half fey half human shaman, Eugenie; is going after an abducted teenage girl into otherworld and finds a lot more! She learns some secrets about her past, finds two sexy powerful suitors and a lot of power! A great book and I can not wait for the second one!

We went to see the “Inkheart” last night and liked it a lot. I kept thinking if I could read characters out of the books whom I like to bring into the real world and if I could go into the stories which books I like to travel into… some very pleasant and unpleasant picks!
Hey that’s just like real life!

Adventurous reading!

Have finished “Spooky Plum” and liked it. I’m not saying Plum series is great but it is sweet and uncomplicated.
Then have started “Night huntress” (Sisters of the Moon, Book 5) by Yasmine Galenorn. I’m reading it very slowly!
I read another of Elizabeth Boyle books. “It takes a Hero” was the fourth book of Danvers family series, in which after the war with France; Rafe the half Spanish Danvers brother is working as a private investigator and looking for a murderer and an author! Miss Tate the author of Ms. Darby series has more important secrets than her identity. Why should she care the debutants of London are refusing to get married and are in mourning for the hero of her books when a villain is killing people from her past. Enter Rafe Danvers and all her problems take a nose dive!
Else: yeah, “Uncommon Reader” by Alan Bennett was a novella about when Queen of England finds the joys of reading! Hey, we’ve all been there and blew up our obligations to finish the wonderful book we’ve been reading, right?! What I liked about the book was how the queen started adding her life experiences to her reading summaries and how she regretted not reading books sooner and losing the opportunity of talking with a lot of interesting people.
Ooh, and also I’m reading “The Turkish Gambit” by Boris Akunin. It is the third book of Erast Fandorin series and quite full of war and spies and adventures!

My Boris Akunin phase

He is my favorite this week or this past couple of weeks. Anyway, I’ve been reading his Erast Fandorin series: “The Winter Queen” is the first book. It is 1876 and 19 years old Erast -in his third week in Criminal Investigation Division- is given his first case, a simple suicide. But as the observant young officer starts collecting details for his report his curiosity is aroused and his acute observations prove the case much more complicated. It is also Erast’s love story, how he meets his sweetheart and what will follow. I loved the book but the finale left me very very sad. It was unfair… I know, I know, Erast has to grow and harden but like that?!! So unfair so heartbreaking… OK, the second book is “Murder on The Leviathan”. When Erast is send to Japan as a diplomat, in 1878 on a ship going from France to Calcutta; he encounters a Parisian detective looking for a murderer. Eleven people were killed in a mansion in Paris, a golden statue of Shiva and a silk scarf were stolen. Now on board of Leviathan, Detective Gauche has Erast and ten other people under suspicion and Erast is helping him find the killer.
I have the third and fourth books on hold and the fifth is “Special Assignments” containing two novellas. In first one “The Jack of Spades”, Erast is trying to find a charlatan and con man who has tricked people and stolen thousands and thousands of rubles. Also Erast finds and train Anisii as his very loyal assistant. It is a humorous story with lots of twists and cons! In the second novella “The Decorator”, Erast and Anisii and the whole Moscow are facing a horrible terror in the shape of Jack the Ripper or Ivan the Ripper… Yes, a couple of months after those horrible murders in London; the mutilated bodies of women starts to turn up in Moscow right when Tsar is coming to visit. This story has successful but sad ending.
What I like most about Akunin’s writing is his power of story telling. You never get bored reading his scenes and I guess we should thank Andrew Bromfield for his great translations of Akunin’s work. You get to hear two very distinctive and different voices in Sister Pelagia series and in Erast Fandorin series. The style of narration is completely different and shows the mastery of both writer and translator. Although some of the mysteries are not original, the plots are mesmerizing and fascinating and some times humorous. This two series have been two of the best I’ve read in past few months.

More romance, less work!

I have been reading a little romance but also had two books half finished. I got to finish the “Sister Pelagia and the white bulldog” by Boris Akunin and really enjoyed it. His funny old fashion type of story telling narrative in Sister Pelagia series has me quite impatient for the third book of the series whenever it will be out (Aug 11th, apparently).
Else? Yeah, the romances! I said good romance books are hard to find and here is the proof:
“Just like heaven” by Barbara Bretton was very bland. A priest (not catholic, thank heaven!) and a workaholic business woman meet under unusual circumstances and fall for each other. The book had a great start but 1/3 into the story and I started feeling bored. (Grade: 3/10)
“Just desserts” also by Barbara Bretton was much better and I can grade it 5/10. Nothing special though, good people are good and helpful and the bad one is bad from the start. An ageing rock star is looking for her lost daughter (which is a divorced mother of a teenager) with the help of his gorgeous lawyer.
“A wedding in Paris” by Barbara Bretton, Marie Ferrarella and Cindi Myers. Out of three novellas you would expect a good one, right?! Non! Well the third one “Picture Perfect” was better than others in my opinion.
But the last two novels by my currently favorite romance writer were great. “Stealing the Bride” by Elizabeth Boyle was the third book of Danvers family series. This is the story of Lord Templeton (Temple to his friends) and Lady Diana and how for 11 years they play cat and mouse until Temple finally accepts his heart and is persuaded to marry Diana. Good story, a little long maybe but Ms. Boyle wrapped it quite well. Also Temple is not as interesting as her other heroes in my opinion. I like Mad Jake better, ooh and Sedgwick and that duke Felicity was in love with… they were much more interesting than Temple. He is kind of cowardly if you ask me!
“His mistress by Morning” also by Elizabeth Boyle was great. This is the story of first Marlowe son, Sebastian Viscount Trent and Charlotte (a wallflower) and Milton’s ring! Read it, it is great!

Am also reading “Spooky Plum” by Janet Evanovich and loving it. Her humor is simplistic and great for times when you just want to relax and don’t think and kinda go with the flow!

“Stealing Athena”

“Stealing Athena” is by Karen Essex and I needed a whole day after finishing it to collect my thoughts and start writing.
The story is about Lord and Lady Elgin ambassadors to the Ottoman Empire and collectors of Greek art. It starts with Lord Elgin obsession with Athens Acropolis and his greed in collecting marble statues and sending them back to England. The only problem is he doesn’t have the necessary founds to do so and that’s where Mary comes in. She is beautiful and has a great fortune. So Elgin marries her but poor girl thinks it is for love. It is also the story of Aspasia the mistress of Pericles the most powerful man of Athens and the one building the great pantheon for the Goddess Athena. As years passes we read the happenings in both women lives, the dangerous pregnancies Mary goes through and how she begs her husband to have no more children and how he ignores her. His disfiguring disease and his pressure for more money and his imprisonment in France. How Aspasia becomes a great intellectual figures in Athens society and what dangers she faces.
At the end both women go through trails: Lord Elgin sues Mary for adultery and divorce, hoping to get more money out of her and her parents and Aspasia’s enemies sue her for improper behavior and her power over Athens’s governor. But while Mary’s legal husband (a 19th century gentleman and aristocrat) does his best to destroy her name and reputation in society, Aspasia’s lover defends her and respects her openly. Why? She was a foreigner and a powerless courtesan in Athens. Pericles valued her for her wisdom, for her brain and for her heart. He loved her. On the other hand, Lord Elgin never loved Mary despite all her wonderful qualities, her cleverness, her love and all the hardship she went through for his sake.
One should ask which man was more civilized, a 19th century count or a general from two thousand years earlier. Which one was more human, more respectful? Dare we conclude that these two millennia added nothing to the fairness and purity of human heart?
You can see why the book had me quite shaken, don’t you?!

Good Romance is hard to come by, grab it when you find it!

Ok, I know I’ve said it time and again, I don’t like romances, you all know it, right? Now I have a confession to make: I have been enjoying Elizabeth Boyle novels way too much! The thing is these are not some sexed up badly written stories with cheesy plots, no they are not! These books have great dialogs and lots of funny twists. Even the secondary (and tertiary!) characters are well developed and real.
Anyway as it is always with my finding a new author or series, this time -again- I started with Ms. Boyle’s latest book, “Tempted by the night”. But after that I read “Love letters from a duke” which had Felicity Langley and her sister Tally and their cousin Pippin as main characters. As it happens most of the characters appearing in this book had been acting center roles in Ms. Boyle’s other books. I think it all started with “Something about Emmaline” when Lord Alexander Sedgwick is inventing a wife for himself named Emmaline. What he didn’t think about was Emmaline actually turning up in his London house. His best friend is Lord John Tremont (or mad Jake) who has his own book “This rake of mine”. It is in this book that we encounter Langley sisters for the first time and Felicity starts matchmaking. Here is Elizabeth Boyle's website with her different series and characters:
http://www.elizabethboyle.com/books/main.html

I am so waiting for the next book of Marlowe series (still no mention of it in the website) and for April to read Tally’s story from Bachelor chronicles.
There is also a book of three novellas “Hero, come back” which has the “Matchmaker’s bargain” by Elizabeth Boyle in it but I have to say this one was not as good as her other stories.
Anyway I put hold on three more of her books (the Danvers family series) which I know I will enjoy as much.