Tuesday Teasers- September 22nd 2009

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: * Grab your current read * Open to a random page * Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) * Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


MY TEASER-

"Lead rested in his chest and an invisible fist squeezed his throat, but he didn't hesitate. He was many things, but not a coward."

From page 21 of Causing Havoc by Lori Foster

Take A Chance Challenge

I have found this challenge through a group I am in on Shelfari. I know it is late in the year but I just got back into my reading and blogging Groove again. I'm going to take a stab at this one. It looks like it will be fun!!

TAKE A CHANCE CHALLENGE

• The challenge will run from June 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009 (6 months)
• One winner will be drawn on December 1, 2009 and will receive a grand prize of $25 worth of books from Amazon (any books you choose!)
• Each completed task earns you one entry into the drawing for the grand prize.
• To earn an extra entry, blog or Tweet about this challenge and let me know in the comment section.
• To earn 5 extra entries, complete all 10 challenges.
• The total number of entries that can be earned is 16 (10 for each challenge, 5 for completing all tasks and 1 for blogging/tweeting about the challenge).
  
• You can join the challenge anytime before the November 30 deadline but only tasks completed by November 30, 2009 will be counted as entries.
• To have your entries count, you must publish them on your blog and link up that post in the appropriate challenge page found here.
  
• All participants must sign up in Mr. Linky below so I can keep track of everyone who is participating.

I hope I've covered all the bases. As this is my first attempt at a challenge, if I'm missing something critical, let me know! Also, I've created a button for the challenge that you can use if you would like (code is in my left column). So now, without further ado, here are the 10 challenges for you to work on.

1. Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
2. Random Word. Go to this random word generator and generate a random word. Find a book with this word in the title. Read the book and write about it.
3. Birth Year Book. Find a book that was published or copyrighted in the year of your birth. Read the book and write about it.
4. Judge A Book By Its Cover. Pick out a book based SOLELY on the cover. First, write about what you expect the book to be about based on the cover art. Then read the book and write about how the book was different from and/or similar to what the cover art led you to expect.
   
5. Phoning An Author. Pick a random last name out of the phone book. Find an author with the same last name and read a book by them. Write about it. (I'm flexible ... if the first random name you pick is Xprxyrsss, you can pick again!)
   
6. Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
7. Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2008 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.
8. Lit Riff (inspired by the book Lit Riffs by Matthew Miele.) Choose a song and then write a brief story that is inspired by or further explains the lyrics of the song.
9. Poetic Review. Write a book review in three different forms of verse: haiku, limerick and free verse. (You can pick any book you want to write about.)
10. Movie/Book Comparison. Find a book that you haven't read that has a movie based on it that you haven't seen. Read the book and watch the movie within a few days of each other. Write about your reactions to both the book and the movie and compare the two.

Romeo Romeo by Robin Kaye

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 383 pp
Isbn: 9781402213397
Published: November 2008
Challenge This covers #2 Read a debut author or one with less then 4 books published for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.

First Sentence or two: Rosalie Ronaldi made a successful escape from the insane asylum. Okay, so it wasn't a real insane asylum; it was her parent's Bay Ridge home. But most days it could pass for the Sicilian version of Bellevue.

Backcover:
Rosalie Ronaldi doesn't have a domestic bone in her body... All she cares about is her career, so she survives on take-out and dirty martinis, keeps her shoes under the dining room table, her bras on the shower curtain rod, and her clothes on the couch... Nick Romeo is every woman's fantasy-tall, dark, handsome, rich,really good in bed, and he loves to cook and clean... He says he wants an independant woman, but when he meets Rosalie, all he wants to do is take care of her. Before too long, he's cleaned up her apartment, stocked her refridgerator, and adopted her dog... So what's the problem? Just a little matter of mistaken identity, corporate theft, a hidden past in juvenile detention and one big nosy Italian family too close for comfort...

Random Thoughts -These characters were so REALISTIC. No need to get your imagination to bend some of the rules for you to feel this is believable. This book was easy to read and enjoyable. I loved the Italian families. This was great fun to read and to dream of my very own Romeo. (et um.... Don't tell Peevie!)

Favorite Scene - One of my favorite scenes was the family dinner Rosalie went to with out Nick and got a suprise. Also the scene where Joey proposed to her. Be still my heart is all I can say. LMAO

Favorite Quotes- I want to share Rosalie's dating rules.
1. Always meet the guy in a public place in case he turns out to be a psycho.
2. Never sleep with the guy on the first date, no matter what, even if her hormones told her to hurry the hell up, they wanted a cigarette.
3. If you fight on the first date, don't make a second.
____________________________________________________________
(Rosalie's Mom on the phone to her)
"......ungrateful, puttana of a daughter. I thank God my sainted mother is dead, God rest her soul, because if she saw what you've become, it would have killed her. As it is, she's rolling over in her grave."
___________________________________________________________
(Cousin Vin to Nick)
"What do I look like, the freaking Barefoot Contessa? I hear she lives in the Hamptons; you want I should give you directions? Oh, right, you know how to get there. You got a freakin' house out there. So why are you here buggin me?"

Rating - 5 Stars
Author's Website

BBAW Reading Meme September 16th

Wednesday September 16
Reading Meme
We encourage you to be creative with this! Please choose one or two questions to answer or try to answer all the questions in five words or less. Or choose a picture to answer a question! Brevity is the goal of today!

Do you snack while you read? Sometimes. If so, favorite reading snack? Usually Cookies
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of
writing in books horrify you? NO WRITING IN BOOKS ZOMG The only time that would be acceptable to me is if it was a college book. Then I can abide by the writing in the margins and stuff.
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? I usually use a big colorful paperclip. I occasionally dog ear for saving favorite scenes or quotes I want to put in my reviews.
Laying the book flat open? I usually hold it open. If it's a hard back then lay it flat.
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? 99% of the time it's fiction for me. I excel at escapism.
Hard copy or audiobooks? I am always intrigued by audiobooks but still have yet to make myself try one. Hardcopy all the way.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you
able to put a book down at any point? I can put a book down at any point. If I know it's gonna be down for long time then I try to aim for the end of a chapter.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? No to lazy for that. I do however dog ear it and look that word up later.
What are you currently reading? Romeo Romeo by Robin Kaye
What is the last book you bought? I actually bought 3. Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laruens, In the Master's Bed by Blythe Gifford, and With Seduction in Mind by Laura Lee Guhrke

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can
you read more than one at a time? I mostly need to just concentrate on one book at a time or will get confused and or lose interest in one or more.
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? In the morning in my quiet living room. I have one side of the couch I love to sit at just under the outside windows. I find it peaceful.
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? I love them both. Although I do need the stand alones in between series for a break in the writing and storytelling styles.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost. I can't say enough about her and that series. I also tend to recommend Lynsay Sands and Sandra Hill a lot. GREAT authors and most of their stories make me giggle at one point or another. I LOVE that.
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) I am not really organized at this time. Which is really odd since I have over 300 DVD's and I insist that all go in alphabetically or I am irked. I may have to rectify this ....which is exciting because I love "playing librian" as I call it.

Where Did That Come From? Sept. 16th 2009

Omar the Tent Maker

So today my mother, a.k.a. "The Newsbuffer", and I were discussing Big Brother the season finally. I have it taped and she didn't want to give anything away but she hinted that Julie Chen the host, who is VERY pregnant and about to POP, kinda shocked her. Julie is usually so impeccably dressed and always so Cute, even pregnant. She always makes things look easy and neat. The Newsbuffer tells me that her outfit for the first time ever during her whole pregnancy finally looked like one made by "Omar the Tent Maker." Well I feel for ya Mrs. Chen. We all know what its like to get to the last stages of pregnancy and not give a "HOOT" what we look like at that point in time. For all we know she was in early stages of labor. *shrugs
While my Mom is telling me this, my brain stops on "Omar the Tent Maker." I begin to wonder if there really was an Omar? Was he a famous tent maker? Was this fictitious Omar famously known for his tent designs? I got myself to googling.

There was in fact an "Omar the Tent Maker". Although he was a fictitious character in a Movie of the same title. The movie was put December 1922 and was a "Silent" Picture. A little side note, according to Imbd, Boris Karloff played Imam Mowaffak. Say that 3x's fast.

Movie Details
his film about Omar Khayyam, author of The Rubaiyat, was adapted from the stage play by Richard Walton Tully with mixed results. It shows Omar (Guy Bates Post, who also played the role on stage) as a student in love with Shireen (Virginia Brown Faire), the daughter of his teacher. The couple marry in... secret, but the Shah (Noah Beery) has heard of Shireen's beauty and carries her off to his native land. When she turns down his advances, she is imprisoned. Shireen gives birth while she is locked up and the Shah orders that both she and the baby girl be thrown off a cliff. They are saved, and the child is handed over to Omar, but Shireen is sold into slavery. It takes seventeen years for Omar and Shireen to be reunited. During that time, their daughter grows up (to be played by Patsy Ruth Miller), and falls in love with a Christian slave. Those who bought tickets to this picture hoping for The Rubaiyat were disappointed, as only a few snatches of poetry appeared in the title cards. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Starring Guy Bates Post, Virginia Brown Faire, Nigel de Brulier,

Director James Young

Released By First National

This has been another edition of Where Did That Come From? Hope you enjoyed it. Any and all comments are welcome.

Flapper by Joshua Zeitz

Genre: Non-Fiction (Very Rare for me)
Pages: 291 pp
Isbn: 9781400080540
Published: February 2007
Challenge: This does not cover a challenge at this time. Was pure pleasure and my interest.

First Sentence or two: On May 22, 1915, amid a flurry of cameras and a battery of outstretched hands, most bearing autograph books and pens, Eugenia Kelly, the young heiress to a sizable New York banking fortune, pushed past waves of idle celebrity watchers and slowly wound her way up the marble staircase at the Yorkville Magistrate's Court, on Manhattan's fashionable Upper East Side.

Synopsis: Blithely flinging aside the Victorian manners that kept her disapproving mother corseted, the New Woman of the 1920s puffed cigarettes, snuck gin, hiked her hemlines, danced the Charleston, and necked in roadsters. More important, she earned her own keep, controlled her own destiny, and secured liberties that modern women take for granted. Her newfound freedom heralded a radical change in American culture.

Whisking us from the Alabama country club where Zelda Sayre first caught the eye of F. Scott Fitzgerald to Muncie, Indiana, where would-be flappers begged their mothers for silk stockings, to the Manhattan speakeasies where patrons partied till daybreak, historian Joshua Zeitz brings the era to exhilarating life. This is the story of America’s first sexual revolution, its first merchants of cool, its first celebrities, and its most sparkling advertisement for the right to pursue happiness.

The men and women who made the flapper were a diverse lot.

There was Coco Chanel, the French orphan who redefined the feminine form and silhouette, helping to free women from the torturous corsets and crinolines that had served as tools of social control.

Three thousand miles away, Lois Long, the daughter of a Connecticut clergyman, christened herself “Lipstick” and gave New Yorker readers a thrilling entrée into Manhattan’s extravagant Jazz Age nightlife.

In California, where orange groves gave way to studio lots and fairytale mansions, three of America’s first celebrities—Clara Bow, Colleen Moore, and Louise Brooks, Hollywood’s great flapper triumvirate—fired the imaginations of millions offilmgoers.

Dallas-born fashion artist Gordon Conway and Utah-born cartoonist John Held crafted magazine covers that captured the electricity of the social revolution sweeping the United States.

Bruce Barton and Edward Bernays, pioneers of advertising and public relations, taught big business how to harness the dreams and anxieties of a newly industrial America—and a nation of consumers was born.

Towering above all were Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, whose swift ascent and spectacular fall embodied the glamour and excess of the era that would come to an abrupt end on Black Tuesday, when the stock market collapsed and rendered the age of abundance and frivolity instantly obsolete.

With its heady cocktail of storytelling and big ideas, Flapper is a dazzling look at the women who launched the first truly modern decade.

Random Thoughts -Was this the first teen angst rebellion? I don't know if in fact it was but this is what it seemed to me. I found this book really entertaining to read. With all its facts and information Mr. Zeitz brings the pages alive in this book. Never did I find it boring or tedious to read. I felt as if I was in a well liked sociology class. To see the hows and whys some of the things came about was thoroughly interesting. If you have ever loved the period of the "Roaring 20's", or have thought you would've been a flapper, then I think you would Enjoy reading this book. It's a very rare thing for me to LOVE a non-fiction book but "Flapper" has a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf. Kudos!

Rating - 5 Stars Easily

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 368 pp
Isbn: 9780060562519
Published: February 2006
Challenge This covers #5 Read a book borrowed from the library or a friend for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge. (Now I checked it out from the library and started to read it. I happened to be going through my own books and found that I owned a copy of this one when I didn't believe that I had. So since I had the libraries copy I count this as a library book.)

First Sentence or two: As Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, stared at the young woman who had just barged her way into his London residence, it occurred to him that he might have tried to abduct the wrong heiress last week at Stony Cross Park.

Synopsis:

A devil's bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts — which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions...or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Random Thoughts -This case of opposites attracting is Fabulous! Even the bad guy needs to be loved. LOL I felt so bad for Evie. I was glad to see her take charge of her own destiny. Deep down she had some spunk. As for Sebastian, I love him. He is a tortured Hero. I don't think things would of worked out between Evie and him had she played it any other way. Nothing like telling a Man what he can't have to make him Want it that much more.

Favorite Scene - I liked the scene where Sebastian taught Evie how to play billiards. This scene was very sexy. I also highly enjoyed the wedding scene. Nothing like a Scottish blacksmith to marry you, while his daughters sing to you. LOL

Favorite Quotes- St. Vincent said in a clipped voice, "It's not a love match. It's a marriage of convenience, and there's not enough warmth between us to light a birthday candle. Get on with it , if you please. Neither of us has had a proper sleep in two days." Then the blacksmith's heavy brows lowered. "I don't like ye," he announced.
St Vincent regarede him with exasperation. "Neither does my bride-to-be. But since that's not going to stop her from marrying me, it shouldn't stop you either. Go on."

Rating - 4 Stars

Tuesday Teasers- September 15th 2009

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: * Grab your current read * Open to a random page * Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) * Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


MY TEASER-

"I'm breaking rule number three. If you fight on a first date, don't make a second."

This from Page 44 of Romeo Romeo by Robin Kaye

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 382 pp
Isbn: 9780060562496
Published: Sept. 2005
Challenge This does not cover a Challenge at this time.


First Sentence or two: Two young women stood at the threshold of the perfumery, one tugging impatiently at the arm of the other. "Do we have to go in there?" the smaller one was saying in a flat American accent, resisting as the other pulled her forcibly into the quietly lit shop. "I'm always bored to tears in these places, Lillian-you stand there and smell things for hours-"

Synopsis:

It happened at the ball . . .

Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.

It happened in the garden . . .

When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously–swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed . . . thank goodness they weren't caught very nearly in the act!

It happened one autumn . . .

Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable . . . as his bride?

Random Thoughts -I loved the way Lillian and Marcus sparred with words. I thoroughly enjoyed being privy to their secret thoughts and emotions when they each were slowly figuring out that, they cared for the other no matter how impossible it may seem. Especially Marcus, a man so sure of himself and set in his ways, rigid in all things proper. It was great to touch bases with the old friends known as the "Wallflowers". This quartet is so unique and fun to watch as they grow in love and friendship. Can't wait to read the next one.

Favorite Scene - How can you not love a scene where the heroine gets drunk and loses all her inhibitions. When Lillian was alone in the library and the party had left the estate for the day, she found a bottle of clear liquor with a pear in the center of the bottle. She tasted the liquid. The next thing, Marcus was summoned from a servant to inform him of an out of control guest, "Lillian". She made me giggle getting her hand caught in the EMPTY bottle trying to get at that pear. This whole scene was funny to me. The fact that Marcus took advantage of the whole situation shocked me to my toes, and THRILLED me to no end!

Favorite Quotes- "Dear," Daisy said softly, "the next time you face a room full of strangers... you might tell yourself that some of them are just friends waiting to be found."

Isn't that the sweetest thought. I want to hold that quote in my head and remember it for myself.

Rating - 4 Stars

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Cruise, Eileen Dreyer, & Anne Stuart

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Paranormal Romance
Pages: 391 pp
Isbn: 9780312940980
Published: June 2007
Challenge This covers #4 Read a book with an "F" in the title for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: Mare Fortune bounded down the stairs of the family home in her ragged blue running shorts just as the wind caught the front door and blew it open, sending coppery dust swirling in. She batted the dust away and looked out, but instead of Mrs. Elder's beat-up front porch across the street, she saw a golden sunshine beaming down on a red tiled roof and a fat laughing baby toddling in a dusty road while a tough dark haired guy chased after it, laughing, too.

Synopsis:

You’re invited to spend the weekend with three extraordinary sisters…

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she’s still trying to control her shape-shifting power—no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.

Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday—annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart. . . .

The youngest Miss Fortune, Mare, towers above her sisters but her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video!! and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video!! VP and Mare’s long lost love turn up. . .and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

Random Thoughts -I'm not sure if I can entirely explain it. SOMETHING, was lacking. What I am not sure of, I can't seem to put my finger on it. I had to force myself to sit down and read this book on many occasions. It literally took me 4 days to get it read. I could of finished it easily in a day if it were a page turner. I thought about giving up on the book a couple times but kept thinking....NO I really wanna see what Mare will do or say next. I wanted to see who she would end up with. Her sisters were cool too just not as "out there" as she was. I loved Mare! So I trudged on and am glad to say I finished the book and know what happens to them. I don't know that I will read another collaboration like this. I think that somehow the different hands on this project didn't make it flow. Maybe "too many cooks in the kitchen" so to speak.

Favorite Scene - I think any with Mare at the video store. I also got a huge kick out of a scene with Lizzie & Elric. He transformed her clothes to a silk nightgown. She looked down and furious, she transformed her clothes into a nuns habit. He looked at her then transformed Lizzie's clothes again this time to a skimpy panty set that could of been from victoria secrets. She grumbles then transforms her clothing into a set of armor. Then she almost fell over from the weight of it. The more he kept trying to get her naked and the more she refused the funnier and funnier it got.
Favorite Quotes-
Mare to a guy customer-"The thing about chick flicks," Mare said to Algy, "is that chicks like them." She picked up Girls Gone Wild and handed it to Shawn. "Here's your dick flick. Enjoy."


Mare and a visiting vice president from the Video store as he is inspecting her unorthodox signs advertising certain movie genres......
Jude-"And the 'Cry Till You Puke' display?" Mare leaned closer trying to look confidential and trusting. "You know, weepers are not my thing. But if you're into them, you really want to go the whole way. Beaches, Terms of Endearment, Shadowlands...actually Shadowlands is a damn good movie. Anyways, you want to be pointed to the ones that are going to get you there. It's like emotional porn, you know? It isn't really the story that matters, it's getting that release."
"I see," Jude said, looking more interested.
"Because that's really what we're selling here," Mare said. "Emotional catharsis, vicarious release. You want to experience the hell of war without getting killed? We have 'Movies Your Recruiter Doesn't Want You to See.'"

Rating - 3 Stars

How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 313 pp
Isbn: 9781416525035
Published: January 2007
Challenge This covers #15 Read a book from the backlist of an author you enjoy for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: Jack Kincaid died as he had lived: awash in a haze of fine bourbon, his perfectly tailored coat pockets stuffed with his winnings from a night of wild gaming, and reeking faintly of the perfume of another man's wife.

Synopsis: It's hardly the type of wedding Fiona MacLean dreamed of. No family, no guests, just a groom who's been dragged -- literally -- to the altar. But if marriage to Black Jack Kincaid, the handsome wastrel she'd sworn never to see again, will avert a bloody war between their clans, so be it. Surely she can share his bed without losing her heart....

Known throughout Scotland and London as a wild rogue, Jack is accustomed to waking in dire situations, but...married? Long ago, he and Fiona reveled in a youthful passion. Now, the fiery, sensual lass is his once more. And though their marriage is in name only, Jack is determined to win her forever -- body and soul....


Random Thoughts -This book was cute. I love it when the women show the men that she can do just as he does. The old phrase "What's good for the goose is good for the gander". Which leads us into my favorite scene of the book....

Favorite Scene -When Fiona goes to a gambling house with another man. See Jack thinks since they are married all they have to do is procreate and the marriage doesn't have to change his carousing ways. So tired of sitting home alone Fiona decides to attend one of these places and tells the butler to tell her husband when he asked, that she went out "carousing". I was laughing so hard. Then when Jack finds her and Campbell he doesn't approach them but proceeds to make her jealous with talking with his ex lover. So Fiona and Campbell (who is very game) procede to do the same on their end to make Jack Jealous. Campbell even gets Fiona 3 drinks in a short period of time. They go to hit the dance floor when Jack has had enough and approaches them. He decks Campbell and grabs Fiona and throws her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I had the biggest smile plastered on my face while reading this scene. To me it shows he cares more then he wants to admit. I love the fact that Fiona was spunky enough to not act like a lady and do something about it.
Favorite Quotes-

As Fiona is being carried out of the gambling establishment she says "Your Hell on a woman's hair, Kincaid! I hope you know that!"

Rating - 4 Stars

Booking Through Thursday-Sept. 10th 2009

What’s the most informative book you’ve read recently?

For me it would have to be a book called.........

Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern by Joshua Zeitz

Technically I am not done with it. I am however on the last 2 chapters of the book. I have enjoyed the reading of it though. Really cool to see how and why some things seemed to have come about.

Tuesday Teasers - Sept. 8th 2009

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: * Grab your current read * Open to a random page * Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) * Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
MY TEASER

"Gorgeous men do not faze us Dreama," Mare said, giving the card back, reality making her cranky again. "They are merely flesh and blood, arranged in a pleasing manner. They too shall pass, while we remain immutable and eternal. And, of course, unfazable. That's why we rule the universe."

Page 46
The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Cruise, Eileen Dreyer, and Anne Stuart.

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 405 pp
Isbn: 9780671027575
Published: June 2001
Challenge This covers #12 Romantic Suspense for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: "This is ridiculous!" Clutching her purse so tightly her knuckles were white, the woman glared across the desk at the school principal. "He said he didn't touch the hamster, and my child doesn't lie. The very idea!"
Synopsis:
...the deliciously racy topic that Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends are pondering one night at their favorite after-hours hot spot: Mr. Perfect. Would he be tall, dark, and handsome? Caring and warmhearted -- or will just muscular do? As their conversation hears up, they concoct a tongue-in-cheek checklist that becomes an overnight sensation, spreading like wildfire at work and sizzling along e-mail lines. But what began as a joke among friends turns deadly serious when one of the four women is murdered....Turning to her neighbor, an unpredictable police detective, for help, Jaine must unmask a killer to save her friends -- and herself. Now, knowing whom to trust and whom to love is a matter of survival -- as the dream of Mr. Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.
Random Thoughts -I personally would of been more racier with my Mr. Perfect list. LOL
*ut oh husband over shoulder* I of course married my Mr. Perfect. *giggles*
----Seriously though this book was great fun to read. The romance between the Hero and Heroine was fun and titillating to read. The only down side was I did correctly guess who the murderer was early on. Never the less this still was a page turner for me. It kept me very engrossed.
Favorite Scene - Who doesn't love to spray someone with the hose while washing their car?
That was the cutest scene when Jaine had enough of Sam frightening her and she lost it all and sprayed him on purpose. I had to giggle and it made my heart beat faster as they finally got to the kissing it lead to.

Rating - 4 Stars.

Booking Through Thursday-Sept. 3rd 2009

What’s the biggest book you’ve read recently?

(Feel free to think “big” as size, or as popularity, or in any other way you care to interpret.)

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The only book that comes to mind for me is "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. That book is kinda hefty. I loved the book and the story OMG!! I really want to read the next one but it's as big if not bigger then the first one in the series. Yes I am totally intimidated! LOL Outlander is 850 pages. Wow!

As far as Popularity Big, I would have to say "Breaking Dawn" book in the Twilight Series. I went to the big Midnight Sales Release Party that Borders Books had in our town. The local library hosted it and they had several corners all over the store with different games or trivia to play. It was of course Teenagerville. I had fun non the less though. The kids had all made t-shirts for the best t-shirt contest. They had a preview of the "Twilight" movie trailor running in one area. In another area they had a bucket of apples and were measuring who had the biggest bite. I enjoyed that immensely because while I was there a few "tough" looking young men were there and trying to show off for the girls. One of them got his jaw locked. It was very humorous. They had a great many giveaways as well as Bingo in the Coffee lounge in the store. I have to say it was GREAT fun. I however was not as impressed with the book.

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So how bout you? If you don't participate in the Booking Thru Thursday Meme, what is your Biggest or most Popular book you have read lately? Feel free to tell me in the comments section.

Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 297 pp
Isbn: 9780312946722
Published: 2009
Challenge This covers #10 Reader's Choice for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: With a final shove, Charlotte Langan managed to heave the heavy, centuries-old spinning wheel up the last two attic steps and onto the dusty floor.
When she's hauled the thing down to her bedroom six months before, she certainly hadn't anticipated the need to carry it back up so soon--at least not by herself.
Synopsis:
THIS IS KNOT YOUR AVERAGE LOVE STORY
Jenna Langan knows what she wants, and as she tells her best friends after their weekly knitting group, she doesn’t need a man to give it to her…only a few of his best swimmers. And just because her marriage to undercover vice cop Gage Marshall ended badly doesn’t mean he can’t still give her the baby she’s always wanted. In fact, she’s willing to bet a couple of her favorite hand-knit boas that she can tie him up in knots he’ll definitely enjoy…
BUT TRUE LOVE IS MORE THAN JUST SKEIN DEEP
An unexpected seduction is one thing, but stud service? No, thank you. Gage had his reasons for pulling the plug on his happily ever after with Jenna, and nothing that’s happened since their divorce has changed his mind. That is, until Jenna got it into her head to tie him up and drag him down. Now he has no choice but to stick around until he knows for sure if his ex-wife is pregnant. But the more time he spends with Jenna, the more his resolve begins to unravel…

Random Thoughts -This book was a refreshing change of pace. The author has a very unique voice. She is very much of our day and time we live in now. This is not about a simple mix-up and fix it up. Sometimes couples have these almost insurmountable hurtles that can not be overcome. I loved Jenna and Gage! I desperately wanted them together. Gages reasons had valid points and I couldn't fault him for his reason. This made the struggle so very real and scary. I was almost thinking this would be the rare book that ended not happily ever after.
Ms. Betts makes the reading fun and fresh with her MANY pop culture references in the pages and amongst the story. Never have I read a book with more. It was fun and exciting each time I came upon another one. Gage and Jenna are HOT and their story is very endearing. I recommend this to everyone. I plan on reading the other two books in this trilogy of hers.

Favorite Scene - I do love the scene where Jenna, Grace and Ronnie are having Mexican Night and all those lovely Margaritas. I find the trio so fun and I never know what they are going to say. This is like the 2nd book in a week that had a fun drunken ladies nite in it. I think I might need one. Seems I am longing for my gal pals and nice frosty drink. Problem is, I don't really have any Gal Pals that are here in my state. Most of my pals these days are online. Sighs

Favorite Quotes- These are a few of the pop culture references I spoke of earlier.
"Hiding like a fat kid squirreling away a last slice of birthday cake"
" A 'woody', as they used to say...though the last time she'd called it that, her niece's cheeks had turned bubblegum pink and she'd been quietly informed that 'woody' was a term currently reserved for a rather private, highly aroused portion of the male anatomy."

"Put the zip in your Miracle Whip?"

"Jenna?" he prompted when she stood there like a crash test dummy.

She looked like she was about to toss out another of her trivial demands that would bounce off him like bullets off superman

Her life was like a chapter out of some Latin-American telenovela.
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There are MANY MANY more, those are just a few. Have fun trying to count all the current today pop culture references.
Rating - 4 Stars.

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 375 pp
Isbn: 9780060791896
Published: 2004
Challenge This covers #3 Read a book that was used in the Summer 2009 Reading Challenge for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: London, 1841
Although Annabelle Peyton had been warned all her life never to take money from strangers, she made an exception one day...and quickly discovered why she should have heeded her mother's advice.

Synopsis:
Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.
Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.
Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

Random Thoughts -What a WONDERFUL Book! Sensational! I was glued to the story. Page turner! This book made me have the range of emotions and feel so deeply for the couple. I laughed many times. (I got a funny look and a shake of the head from my husband one time.)
I held my breath and was so excited a couple times I needed to stop and take a deep breath just to calm down. I was very worried and cried at one point even. This is one powerful author. With a flick of her pen she can pull emotions from me. BRAVO. I was so enamored of all 4 wallflowers and can't wait to read the other 3, that I ran out and bought the very next one not wanting to take a chance that it will be checked out at the library.

Favorite Scene - Without question the game of rounders the 4 girls played sans dresses so that they could run the field. Getting caught was an extreme bonus that added the most loudest fit of giggles on my part.
I have a second most favorite scene that I have to mention because it absolutely melted my heart. When Annabelle and Simon are in Paris and a pair of men are trying to decide who will drink champagne from her shoe. Simon is one cool, dashing MAN, for the way he handled that situation. Want to know more? READ THE BOOK OMG!
Favorite Quotes- Not so much a quote this first bit but an exchange of letters between 2 of the wallflowers.

Dear Evie,
Impressed, amused, and somewhat apprehensive about what scrapes these Bowmans will land us in. Where, pray tell, are we to find a place where we may play Rounders-in-knickers unobserved? Yes, I am thoroughly shocked, you shameless hussy.

Dear Annabelle,
I am coming to believe that there are two kinds of people...those who choose to be masters of their own fate and those who wait in chairs while others dance. I would rather be one of the former than the latter. As to how and when Rounders game shall take place, I am satisfied to leave such details to the Bowmans.
With all fondness,
Evie the hussy


Rating - 5 Stars with out question!

Newest Acquisitons-Sept. 04, 2009

I did it! I got bit by the buying new books bug! I went Crazy. I fooled my mind into thinking I didn't though. I went to Border's to purchase just 2 books. Only 2, shouldn't be an issue. I was so excited that when I was walking in and a mother and her teenage daughter were right behind me I said the stupidest thing. I was opening the door and held it so they could get it. The daughter had manners and said "Thank You." I said "Thank you." Then I thought oh wait I'm not supposed to say that, then said.."oh umm...WHATEVER." What a dolt! (smacks self in forehead) That was really rude of me to say but I was all flustered. Thankfully they laughed at my silliness and we all went our seperate ways. I purchased my 2 books there ...WITH a 40% discount on one ...THANK you very much! (pats self on back) Then went to the HUGE grocery like slash walmart type store here in town to pick up Grammy Gram the "Newsbuffer" with whom I had dropped off before running to Borders. While looking for her I of course wander myself right into the book section! I couldn't stand it I got 2 more books. You know I only bought 2 at a time soooo thats not so bad right? Hehehe The things we tell ourselves. I love it!
Don't look at me that way. I know you have done the same. Admit it!

Jewels Of The Sun by Nora Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 347 pp
Isbn:9780515126778
Challenge This covers #11 Read a book set in Ireland for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two:Obviously, without question, she'd lost her mind.  Being a psychologist, she ought to know.  All the signs were there, had been there, hovering and humming  around her for months.
Synopsis:
In her new trilogy,(New in 1999)  New York Times #1 Best Selling author, Nora Roberts returns to the lush, green hills of Ireland, where love is forever touched by magic - And where the Gallagher siblings explore the depth of their fiery hearts.

Determining to reevaluate her life, Jude Murray flees America to take refugee in Faerie Hill Cottage, immersing herself in the study of Irish Folk and discovers hope for the future of the magical past.

Random Thoughts -Sorry to say this is not my favorite book of Nora's.  Quite the contrary.  This book was so HARD to get into.   She set the tone and story up of Jude in the beginning but it stayed that way for way to long into the book.  Jude is a solitary person, an introvert if you ask me. (I know you didn't but, HEY it's my blog!)  Jude spends the first part of the book locked up in her own thoughts and discoveries.  She is restless.  This made for restless reading!  I plugged on reading the book then when it hit the halfway point the book SHOT off like thoroughbred in a racetrack.  I couldn't put it down then.  It made for a nice book from that point on. Thankfully!  Aiden is just dreamy!  He says many things in this book worth quoting. Jude I could of lived without.  I think the follow up books in this trilogy will more entertaining if they have Brenna and Darcy in them.  Without a doubt I have hope for those two books.

Favorite Scene - My favorite scene and when the book finally got off the ground, is the sleepover with Brenna and Darcy.  Those two made Jude actually more interesting. 

Favorite Quotes- Aiden took her hand again in the friendliest and the most annoying of manners.  "I suppose I'm accustomed to being so. But if you want to take over and seduce me darling Jude, I can promise to be weak and willing."

Aiden-"Then drink only a little, and I'll fix you some breakfast."
Jude-"You will?"
Aiden-"A bit of this, a bit of that, and a little lie-me-down."


Brenna-"Tell me does he take his sweet time about it, or is he a member of the Irish Foreplay Club?"
Jude-"Irish Foreplay Club?"
Brenna-"Ah you've not heard of it," Brenna said soberly as Darcy snickered. "Their battle cry is 'Brace yourself, Bridget.' Then their in and out before their lager's gone warm."


Shawn(Aiden's Brother)-"Does it hurt?"
Aiden-"What?"
Shawn-"Shoehorning your foot in your mouth that way. I bet it cracks the jaw something fierce."

All in all some wonderfully funny quotes from the Irish characters in this book. 

 
Rating - I gave this book a 3 stars only because it took to long to get moving.

True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 345 pp
Isbn:9780061866968
Challenge This one covers no challenge, at this time.

First Sentence or two: The Night before Virgil Duffy's funeral, a storm pounded the Puget Sound. But by the next morning, the gray clouds were gone, leaving in their place a view of Elliott Bay and the spectacular skyline of downtown Seattle.

Synopsis:

Disaster Number One: Men

Hard knocks and hunger taught Faith Duffy not to believe in love. Still, when she married her very wealthy—and very old—husband, she became the perfect wife. And then he went to that big bank in the sky, leaving Faith with lonely nights, a pile of money, and a total mess of a pro hockey team. Heck, Faith doesn't even watch hockey!

Disaster Number Two: Passion

But most of America and half of Canada is watching Ty Savage. His lethal sex appeal and deadly right hook make him the favorite of fans. For most of Ty's life, he's dreamed of winning the Stanley Cup. The last thing he needs is a bimbo messing up his plans.

Disaster Number Three: Love

Faith loathes Ty on sight, but she can't stop thinking about him all day . . . and night. Then a moment of temptation ends with Faith in Ty's bed, and she begins to see there's more to him than sex appeal. Ty discovers there's far more to Faith than beauty and billions. But a relationship with Faith is impossible, and falling in love—that would be a disaster.

Random Thoughts - This book was so FULL of PASSION!! It kept me glued to the pages and occasionally holding my breath. I love when books can do that to you, just hold you in a spell as if your very life depended on reading it. I can easily recommend this book to others without batting an eyelash. This is the first time I have read a Rachel Gibson book I believe, and you can bet your ass I will be reading more just as soon as I can get my Hot little hands on them! This book can be compaired to SEP's football series books. I thoroughly enjoyed those and hope Ms. Gibson will be making a few more in her Hockey series.

Favorite Scene - Would have to be the one where she dons her coat and heels and nothing else and heads for the door and her man waiting by a hot car for a HOT night of passion. These two sure made the blood boil when they got together. I enjoyed how they kept saying how "inappropriate" the things they were doing to each other. Made me giggle cause it made it all that more sinful for the things they did.
Rating - I gave this book a 4 stars.

Newest Acquisitons-Sept. 02, 2009

It has been a while since I have purchased a brand new book.
I get books all the time from the library, and paperbackswap.com. Mostly the books I own come from the Friends of the Library book nook in my McHenry public library. They sell books people have donated. They are extremely resonable, paperbacks are 50cents, hardbacks are a dollar. I have made some great finds in there. I think part of the excitement in getting my books this way, is the chase, or the hunt. Thank God for those resources, otherwise I would not have been able to own very many books these last couple of years. Since I have an income finally, I am now able to purchase the occasional Brand (shiny) New book from the stores. I think I did very good today. I was only going to buy one today. Well you know how that goes out the window when you see 20 or more you just have to have. (rollseyes) So for me to leave the store with only 2 was a near miracle. Just ask the husband. I love the sleek feel of the covers all new and shiny. The smell of newly printed pages. *sighs I have a book sickness, I know. Don't care though. I think most who read this post will feel the same way as myself. These two books for now go to my Mountainous TBR pile. I am feeling the pull though. We will see how long I can hold out.

Wondering about BBAW?

Getting ready for BBAW, which kicks off on September 14-18th, the gals hosting the event, asked some of us who participated last year to answer a couple questions for other Bloggers who have not been a part of this event in the past. *Note this will the second year so only one event has past. LOL

1) What was the highlight (something that happened, a post, an activity, etc.) of BBAW for you last year?
To be honest I had just got my blog up and running by like a week. I somehow happened on to My Friend Amy's blog and she was hosting the first ever BBAW. I was excited to know there was such a thing and decided what the heck and jumped in feet first. It was a thrill and an honor because now I had a couple things to blog about besides my silly self and what I had for lunch. (no I didn't post about any lunches I have had)

2) What is one new blog you discovered during BBAW last year?
Last year I was so excited and PLEASED to get to interview another Book Blogger. I was given the job of interviewing Rebecca of The Book Lady's Blog. I was so nervous because in my eyes she was a bonified Real LIFE Blogger. LOL She got married in a library. How cool is that?
Well if you would like to see my interview just click here.

3) What tips would you share to help others get the most out of their BBAW experience?
Just follow along with the activities set up. This year there are going to be a couple Meme's that we get in advance so we can have them ready for the post day. (love that) Take a while and explore the sites that have been nominated for awards. Post Post Post to your hearts content on the activities and giveaways. Most of all HAVE FUN, pat yourself on the back for being a Book Blogger.

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: * Grab your current read * Open to a random page * Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) * Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
MY TEASER

What a shame that she'd wasted that body on an old man. Because no matter what anyone said, Viagra couldn't turn back time fifty years and give an eighty-one-year-old man what it took to please a thirty-one-year-old woman.
Pg. 47, "True Love and Other Disasters" by Rachel Gibson