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!

I’m not writing!

I am not in the writing mood, am too tiered, sleepy and cranky! Why? Don’t know!
I discovered, read and finished a new series by Patricia Wynn, “The Birth of Blue Satan”, “The Spider's Touch”, “The Motive from the Deed”, all Featuring Blue Satan and Mrs. Kean (Blue Satan Mystery series).
Blue Stan aka Viscount Gideon St. Mars, an aristocrat in 1715 who was wrongly accused of murdering his own father and lost his lands and titles. The cute and intelligent girl Hester Kean is his only friend. The series a historical mystery and pictures the events at the end of Louise XIV life and the war between James Stuart and George of Hanover very well. The series is well researched and well written, the plot absorbing and the characters endearing. I’m so in love with St. Mars! Can’t wait too see what happens at the end. Hope he gets back his home and clear his name and live happily!
Then a quick look on “City of Shadows” by Ariana Franklin showed me that I’m seriously tiered of reading about that girl who impersonates the Grand Duchess of Russia Anastasia. Didn’t finish the book! Humph!
“Lover Unbound” (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward was disappointing. Yeah, V is this total jackass hero! Hated him and the story too! He finds Jane and then she is killed and her ghost comes back and lives like a real person?! WTF? She can eat and drink and talk and make love? Very convenient, very unbelievable, totally F-ed up!
I’m going to fallow the Black Dagger brotherhood series but I don’t like it! All that mob-trash lingo (even women talk like that!) and that hip hop mismatch dressing and … I’m so not feeling it! Just want too see how Ms. Ward finishes the series!
And last but not least, I finally finished “Rebel Fay” (The Noble Dead, Book 5) by Barb Hendee and J.C. Hendee; just on time for the next book! Well, it is violent and all the characters are lost and frustrated and unhappy and the ending looks dark and grim. However, I still have hope that this series will ends happy and Margier and Leesil and Chap can go back to their tavern and live a nice life! And maybe Lily will go with Chap too! And Wynn finds a nice man (not that Chane guy or that stupid Osha!), and every elf and human will be friend and there is flowers and laughter and songs everywhere and… What?! I can hope, can’t I?

Books and Nutella

Why everybody think they can write murder mystery and detective novels? Why do we have all these librarians and designers and teachers and … running around trying to find killers and solve crime cases? I blame that wretched spoiled little girl Nancy Drew!
Anyhow, I had the misfortune of reading “Ghost of a chance” and “Legend of the Jade Dragon” by Yasmine Galenorn. These are the stories of Emerald O’Brian a tearoom and china shop owner in a small town who is the town’s witch and self-appointed detective. In the first book she exorcises a demon and finds a killer, in the second one she is trying to get rid of a cursed jade statue. The stories bored me out of my skull with repeating and discussing every tiny unimportant detail.
Then I finally (finally!) finished “Holidays are hell” a collection of four novellas by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu, and Vicki Pettersson. All four stories were well written and entertaining.
After that it was “Witchling” (The Sisters of the Moon, Book 1) by Yasmine Galenorn. I had read the second book “Changeling” a few months ago and liked it. The first book is the story of Camille the older sister who is a witch (a very sexy curvy one!). Her only problem is that her spells tend to backfire with embarrassing if not dangerous result (once she made all her clothes disappear in a middle of a bookstore instead of becoming invisible!). The third book is supposed to be out (haven’t find it yet!).
Ms. Galenorn did a great job in this series (contrary to her detective series) and I hope she gives up writing mysteries and just continues with fantasy fiction romance.
And then I enjoyed the third book of Kitty Norville series “Kitty takes a holiday” by Carrie Vaughn. After that fiasco in Washington, Kitty takes some time off and goes to a mountain cabin to write her memoirs (and cry in peace!). But someone is throwing sacrificed animals on her porch and her lawyer turns up bitten by a werewolf. The werewolf hunter Cormac is there to help but … yeah, it is not a happily-ever-after for Kitty this time (although she now has a pack!). Loved the book! Can’t wait to start the fourth book!
I have a love-hate relationship with Nutella. I buy a jar and finish it in a couple of days, then I feel so bad that I don’t eat any Nutella for a few months then again…. Anyway I just wanted to tell all Nutella lovers that it taste great with banana! Enjoy!!!

Judith Merkle Riley

I have been reading Ms. Riley’s books and enjoying times long gone. Aside from “In Pursuit of the Green Lion: A Margaret of Ashbury Novel” the second book of Margaret of Ashbury Trilogy, I finished three more of Ms. Riley’s books all historical novels with a little romance for the flavor.
In “In Pursuit of the Green Lion”, Margaret tells us how she married Gilbert (aka brother Gregory) and how she came to love him.
“The Serpent Garden” is about a widowed young woman in England of Henry VIII. Susanna has learned painting from her father a master of Flemish style but she never thought she has to earn her living by painting. After the death of her unfaithful husband, she takes up painting portraits and ends up in the house of King Henry’s mighty advisor. She travels on assignments and witnesses important historical events all the while trying not to fall in love with Robert Ashton. I liked this book almost as well as Margaret series.
“The Master of all Desires” is happening in France when Catherine de Medici is trying to size power right before the death of King Henri II. Dr. Nostradamus is one of the characters in this book.
“The Oracle Glass” is about a deformed girl in France who can see visions in water at Louise XIV court. The story is about fortune-tellers, prisoners, and witches of Paris in that time.
All in all, very entertaining! Ms. Riley’s style of story telling is fascinating and her historical facts accurate. Her characters are well developed and each has her own distinguished voice. Her books are of the best historical novels I ever read. I enjoyed these enormously.
What else? Nothing as great as Riley’s books, I assure you! Well, “Devil may Cry” (A Dark-Hunter Novel, Book 11) by Sherrilyn Kenyon was disappointing. I have read four or five books of Dark-Hunter series and didn’t like them that much. Dark-hunters are like mafia thugs and Atlantian and Greek gods are more like mafia bosses. Those GODS! Artemis is a crazy pretentious bitch and Acheron is a masochistic lost soul! The whole series is so over-rated in my humble opinion! Not worth the time!
“Agnes and the Hitman” by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer was really long and (at the end) boring. Characters were too simple and one dimensional to be real or attractive.
And yes, I finally was able to finish “Fanged and Fabulous” (Immortality Bites, Book 2) by Michelle Rowen. I think the first book “Bitten and Smitten” was much better. Sarra came out kind of whiny in this one!
Maybe I made a mistake starting my holiday readings with Riley’s books, everything else paled comparing to her work!

"Making Money"

For those who don’t know Terry Pratchett’s Disc-world, I pity you people!
I finished “Making Money” and love love loved it! Moist Van Lipwig is back and is taking over a bank and renovating the banking system and money making business of Ankh-Morpork. Yeah, he used to take money out of the banks (mostly at night!) not into it but hey, he is reformed! He just likes to pick the locks of post office (he is general postmaster and the big boss there) for practice and out of boredom! Anyway he is back and it’s fun and excitement all around! Lord Vetinari and people of Ankh-Morpork believe in him, why don’t you?!
Then it was “A Vision of Light: A Margaret of Ashbury Novel” (Margaret of Ashbury Trilogy) by Judith Merkle Riley. Remember her? In this book she is dictating her life story to grumpy brother Gregory and learns to read and write. After the unexpected ending of the story (yeah, like I already hadn’t read the third volume!) I can’t wait for the second book of the series. Ms. Riley’s style is really interesting. You get absorbed into the story and somehow live and breathe with the characters. I have three or four more of her books and I know I’m going to enjoy them enormously.
What else? Oh, a contemporary fiction which hasn’t been very interesting so far. I’m in the third chapter of “Wednesday Night Witches” by Lee Nichols and already think Eve is a doormat! Well, let’s see what happens at the end!

“Exit Strategy”

When I put hold on 15-20 books last Friday night, I was absolutely fed up with all the romances I was reading (Well paranormal romances to be exact. I hate romance!) The only saving grace was they all had happy endings and were helping my stress level (something somewhere was going right!). I didn’t know how much I’ve missed a well written book and a wonderful plot until I started “Exit Strategy” (Nadia Stafford Series, Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong. Ms. Armstrong has done a great job with Women Of Other World series but in “Exit Strategy” she has shown her total mastery in describing human emotions and complicated characters. Nadia’s character is so real you can laugh and cry with her. Although at the beginning you wonder how a hit-man (hit-woman) can have normal emotions, at the end of the book you come to love Nadia and Jake and even Evelyn. I impatiently wait for the second book of the series.
I checked out the book on Tuesday afternoon and was finished by Wednesday morning!
After that I spent a half day on Stephanie Rowe’s “Sex & the Immortal Bad Boy”. Well, remember Theresa, Justin and Becca? This one is about Paige. Cute story and a total fluff!

Now that I've started the latest book of my all times favorite author Terry Pratchett, I’m going to savor it!

Hooray, it’s Christmas!

I’m alive; I’m well and done with the exams! Hooray! Now I can live my life for three glorious weeks any way I want! I can shop until I drop (already started that one!) I can read as much books as my heart desires and I can eat chocolate and enjoy it too! Haa! Did you know when you are stressed you can’t taste chocolate? I just found out! So now after almost finishing a box World finest Mint Meltaways, I can enjoy the taste of the last one!
Anyway, last week in my study breaks I finished “Swimming without a Net” (Fred the Mermaid, Book 2) by MaryJanice Davidson and started on “Wife for Hire” by Janet Evanovich. It is funny but not as great and simplistic as her other books.
Then Friday night right after my last exam, I started searching for the books on my list. Thank heaven many of them are available in the library! I have a list of 15 books on hold!
Then I started a Christmassy book in honor of the holidays! Yes, “Santa Baby” by Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster, and Carly Philips. Crusie’ novella wasn’t up to her usual standard, but the novella from Carly Philips more than made up for that! I tell ya!
After that was a paranormal romance by Susan Squires. “The Burning” is about Stephen a two thousand years old vampire from Carpathian Mountains and beautiful and weird Miss Ann Van Helsing who can read everyone’s life by a touch. Well have you ever wondered why Mr. Van Helsing hated vampires? In this book you will find an answer but you’ll come to dislike Van Helsing so much it would ruin the movie for you! Be truly warned!
Had I read anything else from Susan Squires? Yes, “Sacrament”. And yes, “The Burning” is much better! Apparently they are from a series but I won’t recommend it. Just my opinion really! You feel like reading some gory torture and abuse and nasty sex scenes, go ahead and read them, I can’t stop you! Her other books are "The Comanion" and "The Hunger" and NO! I'm not going to read those two! Mark my words!

I wish it was next week!

My reading is limited to a chapter of “Swimming without a Net” (Fred the Mermaid, Book 2) by MaryJanice Davidson every other night and I’m way tiered of Fredrika’s wise cracks! That mermaid is a punk marine biologist with a vocabulary worse that a sailor!
To amuse my self (and get my mind of the exams next week), I’m daydreaming and composing my list of HAVE TO READ.
Well, these are on top (or near the top!):
First, To Finish:

“Holidays Are Hell” by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Vicki Pettersson, and Marjorie M. Liu
“No Rest for the Witches” by MaryJanice Davidson, Cheyenne McCray, Christine Warren, and Lori Handeland
“Kitty Goes to Washington” (Kitty Norville Series, Book 2) by Carrie Vaughn

Then read:

“Making Money” by Terry Pratchett
“Lover Unbound” (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward
“Holy Smokes” (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4) by Katie MacAlister
“Kitty Takes a Holiday” (Kitty Norville Series, Book 3) by Carrie Vaughn
“Kitty and the Silver Bullet” (Kitty Norville, Book 4) by Carrie Vaughn
“Iron Kissed “(Mercy Thompson Series, Book 3) by Patricia Briggs
“Elijah” (The Nightwalkers, Book 3) by Jacquelyn Frank
“Exit Strategy” (Nadia Stafford Series, Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong
“Succubus On Top” (The Georgina Kincaid Series, Book 2) by Richelle Mead
“An enchanted Season” By Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Jean Johnson
“Wife for Hire” by Janet Evanovich

And some more….
As soon as I remember I’m going to expand this list!
Yeah, I’m planning a really fun Winter-Break! I just wish it was next week!

Happy Endings!

What better time for reading except right before final exams?!
I spend a day and half of my scare and precious time to read:
“After Glow” (Ghost Hunters, Book 2) and “Ghost Hunter” (Ghost Hunters, Book 3) by Jayne Castle. “After Glow” is again about Lydia and Emmett and how they come to know each other more and get married. “Ghost Hunter” is the story of Elly and Cooper. Elly cancels their engagement when she thinks Cooper doesn’t love her and is after her family’s connections. Cooper then tries to the end of the book to convince her otherwise. Lydia and Emmett make an honorary appearance as well! Both books were fun (at least better than Math and my other subjects!).
“Visions of Heat” by Nalini Singh is the second book of Psy-Changelings series (First and third being “Slave to Sensation” and “Caressed by Ice”). It is the story of Faith, a far-seer Psy who thinks she is going crazy and Vaughn, a jaguar changeling from Lucas’s pack. The happy ending? Of course! She chooses love over power and comes to live in jungle!
What else? Don’t ask! I’m tired of whining about school!

Harmony!!!

“Achieving the perfect harmony in life is next to impossible -- but you need to make the effort today.” Can you believe this nonsense? This is my supposed horoscope for today!
How am I going to achieve harmony when I have a power point presentation to prepare for next week, a project to work on (with a team, first meeting at 18:00!) and three courses to study for and turn in homework for with exams in 2 weeks? I have no idea! I’m going hysterical here, have you noticed?!
I’m munching on chocolate without tasting it (almost finished two boxes of truffles), I haven’t gone shopping in a long long time, and I can’t read my favorite books! How am I supposed to achieve harmony? How?

Little reading, lots of homework!

Well, that sums it up pretty neatly! I reread “Tall, Dark and Dead” and “Dead Sexy” by Tate Hallaway to calm my nerves.
“Obsession, deceit and really dark chocolate” by Kyra Davis was a mystery novel narrated by a mystery writer. Aside from this quirk, there was nothing interesting or new in the story.
“After Dark” (Ghost Hunters, Book 1) by Jayne Castle is another novel from planet Harmony, and the story of Lydia a Para-archeologist. Had I said I’m not going to read from Jayne Castle anymore? Well, I was wrong; her stories are growing on me! I kinda like all these ghost hunter stuff!
A couple of books from my favorite authors are out, but I don’t have time to read, how sad! I think I need a long hibernation, just me, some books, a warm fluffy blanket, and lots and lots of chocolate! Oh, I wish!

Live life to the fullest!

Chatting with old friends, making new friends, having friends over and going to parties, eating and drinking and being merry, sight seeing, and reading, I was fortunate to enjoy all these pleasures in a five day period and am happy there is more planed for this weekend. So much so that I totally forgot my established routine and had a hard time going to classes yesterday! Dragging my exhausted body and happy soul to school after a weekend full of fun was hard work, I tell ya!!! So glad there is no more classes for the rest of the week (just one on Wednesday afternoon).
Finished:
“Eye of Heaven” (Dirk and Steele, Book 5) by Marjorie M. Liu is the story of Blue and Iris. He can manipulate electricity in any form and from any source; she can talk to big cats and turn into a leopard herself, a match made in heaven! The book was a little violent and had more than enough gory scenes, but a happy ending never less.
“The Dark Highlander” by Karen Marie Moning wasn’t that attractive. I had a little problem accepting the characters and logic of the story. I’m not going to read any more of her Highlander books for sure.
I feel like I have to make some changes in my life style but everything depends on my schedule for next quarter. Let’s see what happens!

Beeez, Beeez! I is Beeezy!

Well, looks like it’s one post a week now! I had the good fortune of reading a little more than past few weeks. So here it goes:
“Sacrament” by Susan Squires is a historical romance with a vampire hero. The book is too long in my opinion; the author could have made two or three books out of this one. In grade of 1-10 it would make a 3.
“Silver master” (Ghost hunters, Book 4) by Jayne Castle is a Sci-Fi romance about people 100 years in future in a planet name Harmony, a colony from earth. Psy powers are common but strong and strange ones are frowned upon. A matchmaker and an investigator are linked by an ancient artifact and persuade by mafia. They fall in love and live happily ever-after!
This one was book fourth in the series but I’m not sure I want to read more about this world and its people’s love life!
“The Plain Janes” by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg was a comic book about 9/11 and its effect in a teenager’s life.
“Slave to sensation” and “Caressed by Ice” by Nalini Singh were book one and third of a Sci-Fi romance series about a parallel universe where people are in one of the three caset: Psy (those who have psychic powers), Changelings (Were-anything) and humans. Psy are the ruling caset by help of a program installed years ago. Silence stripes young Psy of their emotions when they are still babies. Psy grow up to be robotic unfeeling logical people. In the “Slave to sensation”, a powerful but damaged Psy starts to trust her feeling and see the truth of Changeling's society. She falls in love with a were-panther and the rest is history!
In the “Caressed by Ice”; a Psy soldier and assassin is feeling quite tender toward a Were-wolf who was abducted and abused in book one. They both have some learning and adjusting to do until they can find their happily-ever-after.
Then I checked “Shadow Touch” by Marjorie M. Liu. The story of Artur (he can read the history of things with touching them) and Elena who can perform miracles and heal any disease. Well, book two of Dirk and Steele novels was not as great as I thought but much better than book 3 (“the Red heart of Jade”). I wonder why all Ms. Liu’s heroes should be damaged and abused? Why can’t she see the attraction in strong perfect men? And what is the name of book 4? I can't find it anywhere!
And then finally I read “Your Coffin or Mine?” A Novel of Vampire Love (Dead End Dating, Book 3) by Kimberly Raye. Lil is busier than me in this book! She is looking for Ty (maybe he is abducted if he can’t call), is matching a variety of beings, is dodging her mother’s calls, playing bride maid to her would-be sister in law, and adopting a cat! Wow, talk about multitasking! Very fun and funny book, all in all. Loved it!

“Express yourself!"

“Express yourself! Do something creative!” This was the most recent (Wednesday night) fortune cookie massage I got, right after a math exam! It takes more than twenty four hours after stressing over exams (two in 3days, studying for them for a week) for the creative juice to flow! Anyway, I calmed myself by re-reading “Moon Called” and “Blood Bond” by Patricia Briggs.
Last week after finishing that Toxicology exam, I had a day and half to spend on:
“Soul Song” (Dirk & Steele, Book 6) by Marjorie M. Liu. Well, I like “Tiger Eye” much better. But “Soul Song” was better than “The Red Heart of Jade”. Should I reserve judgment and look for “Eye of Heaven” and “Shadow Touch”? Hooom! Maybe!
“Blame it on Cupid” by Jennifer Greene was a plain old-fashion romance with no trace of supernatural what so ever. Kind of refreshing! And nothing special! Girl meets boy. Boy is a player; girl doesn’t want to be tied down. They fell in love and change their nature and settle down with happily ever-after!
Then “Dangerous games” (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 4) by Keri Arthur. I don’t think I’m up for all the violence in her books. I curb my curiosity and won’t read anymore of Riley Jensen's adventures. She is a hybrid of vampire and werewolf, very sexy and very kick ass, but she has something missing. She does not appear real. Her character is lacking something!
And finally, “A lick of Frost” (Meredith Gentry, Book 6) by Laurell K. Hamilton. I enjoyed it! I loved it! I want to read it over and over! Merry is defending her guards against her uncle’s (King of light and Illusion) accusations, she is bargaining with Ash and Holly (twin half-breed goblins), tries to pacify Frost and Rhys, is surviving her aunt (Queen of night and darkness) attentions, and is carrying twins! Wow! Talk about action packed! But the ending! Ah, Ms. Hamilton is so cruel! How could we wait a year (at least) for the next book?! What will happen at the hospital? Will Merry get to sit on the golden throne or she remains in dark court? What happens to Frost? And Mistral? What about other guards, will they have to go back to the queen? Eeeeeeesh! I can’t wait! It is not fair!
But the book was great, I tell ya!

Time flys when you're not having fun!

With the schedule I’m having it’s a wonder I’ve not gone totally nuts! I’ve been working on a midterm (take-home) for 4 days. I’ve completed one set of homework and stressing over two exams.
I finished 2 books (very quick reading) last week. One was “damsel under stress” by Shanna Swendson. Book three of Katie Chandler adventures in a magic company, it tells a supernatural love story in corporate settings with lots of twists and humor. The first two books are “Enchanted Inc.” and “Once upon stilettos”. Katie is finally dating the man of her dreams but every magical being in the world is interfering with their dates, most specially Katie’s fairy godmother who after years and years of absent from Katie’s love life has chosen this particular time to appear. If I was going to rate it in scale of 1-5, the book only would have made a 2.
The other book was “Falling out of fashion” by Karen Yampolsky. A very lukewarm biography of a fashion editor. After second chapter you get bored out of your skull. The narrator voice is way too dull and flat. I just skipped through and read every couple of pages to get the whole story!
What I really want to do is get the “A lick of Frost” by Laurell K. Hamilton and forget every thing else for a day which is not possible. I have waited months for this book, the sixth book of Meredith Gentry series and now that it’s out I don’t have time to read it except for a few pages every other night or so. Life is so not fair!
On a positive note, it’s raining chocolate! Just received a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts from Australia. Hooooooooom! Very fancy, very delish! The box is almost empty and it took only a couple of days!

Wild Fires

Wild fires! No, it is not the name of a book; it is what’s happening right now in southern California. San Diego and Malibu LA are burning from Sunday, fires have not been controlled, hundreds of houses are damaged and large areas are evacuated. These tragedies are happening every couple of years in Santa Ana season (warm dry winds blowing from South). And yes, there are always smaller fires around as well. Sky was dark today, Air smelled of smoke, and it was raining ash.
In this sorry state we (dear hubby and I) were asking ourselves what will happen if we have to evacuate. What are we going to take with us?
Well, we both had the same answer: our cats, important papers, our photo albums, a couple of art works that are one of a kind, two velvet jewelry pouches my grandmother made before she passed, and maybe my jewelry (all of it fits in one hand!). These are all our un-replaceable belongings and with the exception of cats and framed art work, will fill only one small duffel bag.
The interesting part was I didn’t think about my books, my journals, my stories and poems, my clothes, handbags, or not even my necklace and pendant collection although I got every piece of it from a different city.
My other interesting discovery was when you have to prioritize you see you only have a very few and important belongings: your loved ones and your memories.

Baby it's cold!

Ah, No! Blogging is a thing of past. I don’t have time anymore (or energy)! Well I’m fighting a nasty head-cold, finishing two sets of homework, dropping one class, attending meetings, eating chocolate to calm my nerves, and reading a little in between! And yes! Saturday was my birthday! Lots of lovely presents, including three box of chocolate! Haa, I’m spoiled rotten! Didn’t you know it? (wink)
I read a couple more Nancy Drew books when I was lying feverish in bed and could do nothing else. And last week found time to read “The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes”, a novel by three authors, Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, and Anne Stuart. Three Fortune sisters, Dee, Lizzie, and Mare are running and hiding from their power-crazy aunt Xan. To end it all (and play the part of perfect aunt) Xan conjures a spell, attracting girls’ true loves to them. The problem is how much our sisters can depend on their hearts and desires and their love for each other and how much they can trust their newly found soul mates? And the million dollar question: What is Xan’s price for the only good she ever did in her life?
It is a very attractive story, however; it is very brief considering it had three authors collaborating over it.
Well life is not perfect!

Scientific laws and your daily lives!

It is a proved scientific fact that you can lift your mood by putting on make-up, the more the better. Try your brightest color eye-shadows, your darkest or brightest lipsticks, three or four layers of mascara and pile on foundation and powder. As an extra boost you can dance from one mirror to the other in your house, check yourself in different lights, and try to improve your make-up by adding other colors to your face. You can even answer the door bell in this state if you are brave enough and know the person on the other side of the door doesn’t have a heart condition!
Well, this very accurate test-study was done in our college days by a couple of friends and me. Now years later, I’m thinking of taking this law one step farther and say:
It is proven that when you dress nicely, people are nice to you.
I have a theory about it: when you dress your best, you feel confident, you are happy and smiling and nice, therefore whoever you are communicating with is nice back at you!
Anyhow, I need volunteers in their best dresses going around living their daily lives.
Will you do it?

Paris, Nancy Drew, chocolate, and science!

What a life! Classes, homework, stress… Sheesh! I can’t even sleep well, I keep thinking about all the things I have to finish the next day or on the weekend or … I’m going crazy and it’s still the third week of this term!
The worst part? Having very little time to read! I managed to finish the second book of Imogene adventures “Project Paris” by Lisa Barham and Sujean Rim. Imogene goes to Paris to report fashion week but fashion models go on strike and she has to work hard to stay in Paris for the summer. She may have to invent a new designer, produce a whole new collection and assemble a fashion show! Well, she is cute, has great fashion sense and very good friends, if anyone can do it, it’s her!
Else? Yeah, “Nancy Drew” series by Carolyn Keene! Don’t sneer now! It is very relaxing, believe me! Plus Nancy has great style. I finished three of her books in one afternoon, and then worked on a set of homework and today I finished the fourth one and am in the middle of the fifth!
May be it’s the chill in the air but I can’t eat dark chocolate anymore. Right now I’m very much in love with chocolate bars from Tommy and sally’s. Yup! That's the name of the manufacturer! These handcrafted tasty chocolate bars plus some handmade truffles and two sets of “Care Bear” chocolates are great discoveries of dear hubby. I’m very thankful and totally addicted! The only problem is I love “Care Bears”; I can’t bring myself to bite off the head of Sunshine Bear!
Now I’m taking pity on all you ignorant people in the world and am going to share my extensive knowledge of water with you one pearl of wisdom at a time! (wink wink) Well, did you know it takes 3000 to10000’s of years for the water of deepest parts of the ocean to get to the surface? But after evaporation that water stays in atmosphere for only 10-11 days? And when it gets to the ground (and gets sucked by the soil), again it may take up to hundred of years for it to come back to the surface? Aren’t you amazed? Well, you should worship me for sharing this with you! (batting eyelashes)

School is a bitch!

Been awfully busy. Class after class after class. Why am I doing this to myself? Anyway, I managed to finish some books, like:
“Weird” by (somewhat I can’t find her name! Edited,a week later: her name is Liz Maverick) is a Sci-Fi romance and has the format of a computer game, a little confusing because there are several versions of reality and you keep jumping from one to another. Every chapter is like: beep! Game over! Reset! Now start over! Anyway the cover design reminded me of computer games and Japanese anim.
Then “The Jane Austen book club” by Karen Joy Fowler took a couple of my days. I didn’t like it that much, not the characters, and not the format. The connection to Austen’s books was very weak and the story dull. What the movie is going to look like, I wonder!
From Nightwalkers series by Jacquelyn Frank “Gideon” was great. The demon/ Healer Gideon has been in love with the king’s little sister, but now with the dark-magic users close by and demons community peace jeopardized; he has to play more political roles. But he will win the heart of his fair maiden at the end.
Two books from Raintree series, “Raintree: Inferno” by Linda Howard, is the story of the king and the oldest Raintree siblings Dante. The last book “Raintree: Sanctuary” by Beverly Barton, is the story of Mercy and her daughter. I loved Hunted, liked Inferno, and tolerated the Sanctuary! It says a lot about the three authors!
What else? Yeah, been reading “Witch in the House” by Jenna Mcknight. The love story of Jade (one of the three widowed witches of a small town). The detective, who is sent to investigate the disappearance of Jade’s husband, falls in love with her. Question is: is it real love or is it due to a spell Jade did right before opening the door? Nice story, really liked it!
Then “A girl like Moi” by Lisa Barham and Sujean Rim, adventures of Imogene, a teenage fashionista. Very nice, especially all those clothes and shoes. The book has cute illustrations too.
Not too shabby for a week full of classes, Huh?