You oughta be in pictures...

Do you ever think about casting your favorite books and having them made into movies? I'm talking about that today in my post LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! over at Readers Gab.

How 'bout this one?

Me: Babe? C'mere a minute.

Turn around. Waits. Goes to entrance of store where GG is standing.

Me: Honey, I need you to come in here and smell this and tell me if you like it.

GG: *pained deer in the headlights look* Just buy what you like.

Me: I want you to like it too. Don't you like it when I smell good?

GG: (a wise man married for almost 30 years) You always smell good.

Me: Reeeeeeeallly? Can you smell me right now?

GG: *leans in for a sniff* Yep.

Me: Okay, what do you smell?

GG: What do you mean what do I smell? I smell you...

Me: What's the scent, the frangrance...

GG: *smiles* Delectable.

Smart man, who did come inside the store and help me pick out some stuff.

Stuff you really should know...

What do you need to know? Well, for instance, Shmoo turned 20 last Friday. Can't believe that. That's him in the balloon court jester hat. Can't believe we got him to wear that at dinner. Of course, he's already moved past this birthday and is planning the big "I'm turning 21" bash for Las Vegas next year. Let's just say it's hard to keep a straight face much less discuss a trip to Vegas when one of the participants has a balloon hat on his head.

Fortunately, he wants GG and I to go, which I guess is a good thing unless it's only to pay for the whole thing. That can't be the only reason, can it? OTOH, it is a little surprising since Beanie hasn't quite forgiven us for his "family" Vegas bash. Not only did he not get drunk, (Is THAT really necessary or am I dating myself by even mentioning that?) I don't think he bought or drank any alcohol that weekend. Needless to say Shmoo has different ideas for his birthday debauchery party. Thankfully it's a year away and if the college gods are listening it will be just weeks before Beanie (finally!) graduates from college.

Speaking of Beanie... The dear boy is always up to something. His latest shenanigans include a radio show called "Geek say what?" Yes you read that right. GEEK SAY WHAT? The link is to their facebook page. The little darlings in true geek fashion have gone to a whole rash of Comic Con events around the state and have interviews and other geek type stuff up. I believe they also have links to podcasts of their radio show. I'll tell you again... I never know what he's going to do next. He's thrilled that because he's on a radio show he has press passes and doesn't have to shell out for all these events. Wish I'd known that before getting he and his GF the 4-day pass to THE Comic Con in San Diego in July. Who knew?

Beanie called me on Saturday afternoon all excited because Stan Lee walked by him at a Comic Con he went to in LA. *eye roll* He was beside himself with glee. It's a goal to try and get an interview with Mr. Lee. OTOH, he was really looking forward to meeting Adam West and passed that up when he found out West was charging $50 for his autograph. I believe his words were something to the affect "Does he need money for retirement or something?" I reminded him how long ago that original Batman TV series was and how little Mr. West probably got paid.

He also told me how and I'm quoting here, how "freakin' weird" Verne Troyer, the actor who played Mini-Me, in the Austin Powers movies, is. Well duh...

In other news I've just finished re-reading Carolyn Jewel's books MY WICKED ENEMY and MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE. I needed to read something was going to be a sure thing to take my mind off real life stuff and these two books filled the ticket.

Now I'm just looking forward to getting away this coming weekend with my boyfriend. Of course as of this morning GG hadn't made any reservations. Isn't it a rule or something that if you ask your sweetie for a weekend get away you do the planning? Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

Easter is over already?

Well Easter came and went like and whirlwind. Didn't Lent use to be longer??? Oh, what's that you say? I'm just getting older and days are going by faster? Bummer, I was afraid that was the answer.

One great thing about the weekend was that my sister, Warrior M, was here with her husband and the Stair Steps. They are getting ready to change their duty station from California to *gulp* Nebraska. The reality that Nebraska is too far to drive in a weekend strikes me every now and again. *double gulp AND heavy sigh*

They don't leave for another six weeks so we are trying to cram as much time together as we can before she moves. Of course, there will never be enough time and while I really do hate to see her move far away again, she's so happy and together and has a great husband and kids, that you can't help rejoice about all the good stuff in her life. Not to mention they already found a fabulous house to live in so, you know I'd be a real b*tch of a sister if I couldn't be thrilled for her.

Another good thing was that Beanie was given enough of a reprieve from Disney that he could be home overnight and have Easter dinner with us even if we did eat at 3 PM. Hey I was at a table with my children with a home cooked meal on a holiday. It was a red letter day.

I took a few days off last week to get all my Easter stuff done so I could spare my family my usual holiday frenzy and angst. All I will say about that is, "it worked". What can I say, but that life is a work in progress and I'm no exception to THAT rule.

I even had a little bit of time to read and was able to consume Jennifer Haymore's newest, A TOUCH OF SCANDAL. It's a follow up to A HINT OF WICKED and in October there will be a third book out also related to these first two called, A SEASON OF SEDUCTION. I was in the right mood for this historical and found it a "just right" read for me over the long holiday weekend.

So while I feel like Lent and Easter were here and gone before I knew it, we had a wonderful holiday. Color me grateful and blessed.

March 2010

Wow, what a month March was. In memory I'm thinking of it as a very up and down month, but when you look at the grades, it looks like pretty even reading.

PRACTICE MAKE PERFECT by Julie James
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the by-play between these two competitive workaholic lawyers was just plain delightful. With lots of snap,sizzle and wit, this is probably my favorite of her three books. Loved the ending.
My Grade = B+/A-

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Julie James
This book has more sizzle than the previous two and was still heartily enjoyable.
My Grade = B+

HEART OF STONE by Jill Marie Landis
I've seen reviews of this book, actually I'm surprised at how many I've seen, and most of what you've already read about this mostly sweet western with spiritual overtones is right on. SL Wendy best captures my feelings so here's her review. I'll continue reading the series because like Wendy, I'm curious too.
My Grade = B

BROKEN by Shiloh Walker
I have about three of Ms. Walker's books in my tbr. Why? I don't know because I've always found her books to be good solid reads. Interesting dynamic here and a story with a twist, not a gargantuan twist, but a twist.
My Grade = B

BUTTERFLY TATTOO by Deidre Knight
There have been many great things said about Ms. Knight's book BUTTERFLY TATTOO, but all I can think to say is, "wow". The choices made in this story were brave and could have been a real bust if not handled as well as Ms. Knight did. Kudos for opening some doors with this and broadening minds.
My Grade = B+

DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Alexis Morgan
So I looked back and see I haven't read any other Paladin books since the first two in 2006 and 2007. They received B and C grades respectively. I finished this book, but was never really engaged with the characters.
My Grade = C

DARK ANGEL by Mary Balogh
As book one in a re-release of two of Ms. Balogh's presumed older favorites, DARK ANGEL presents us with a young woman who is the unwitting pawn between two feuding men. While it takes almost too long for Jennifer Winwood to figure out what is going on, she finally does. This book prompted me to think a lot about what is forgiveable and how much can one overlook when they've hurt not only you, but your family as well.
My Grade = B

IGUANA BAY by Theresa Weir
I remember how much I loved this book when I first read it... 20 years ago! I've been meaning to re-read one (or more) of Ms. Weir's books for a while now. She currently publishes under the pseudonym Anne Frasier. She will be re-releasing her book BAD KARMA with Samhain Publishing on April 10th.

This book is tame by today's standards. A star witness and alibi for a crime boss is kidnapped by an embittered cop who wants the man put away for this and past crimes. The story holds up pretty well despite the missing technology (cell phones and computers) that we've come to take for granted.
My Grade = B

SLIGHTLY SINFUL by Mary Balogh
The 5th in the Bedwyn series, this book along with book 6 were languishing in my tbr. I happily pulled them both out and devoured them. This is Alleyne's book, one of the younger Bedwyn's. Alleyne is thrown from his horse during battle and awakens not knowing who he is. He's taken in by some "working" ladies one of who seems out of place. Ms. Balogh wisely has Alleyne heal and head for home. A solid and enjoyable read.
My Grade = B

SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS by Mary Balogh
I did remember when I started reading this book how much I wanted to have Wulfric's story after reading the first Bedwyn book. Here it is last but not least. I appreciated this story very much about the cold and autocratic Duke who spends his time watching a totally unsuitable young lady. Reminiscent of PRIDE & PREJUDICE in its tone, I really liked this one a lot.
My Grade = B+

HIS EVERY KISS by Laura Lee Guhrke
After last month's reviews Nath very helpfully told me that last month's read, GUILTY PLEASURES was loosely related to this one, HIS EVERY KISS. I, of course, recalled the mercurial and tempestuous composer Dylan Moore from previous books, and was happy to read his book. A gifted and talented composer who can no longer write music due to a head injury that leaves ringing (literally) in his ears, Dylan Moore despairs his life. Estranged from her family and widowed Grace Cheval needs a job, desperately. But is she desperate enough to accept employment from the profligate Dylan Moore?
My Grade = B

WILD RIDE by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer
There are some interesting and fun characters in this book none of whom I feel we, as readers, really get to know. The premise of the book and the location of a run down theme park were terrific. I just wish there was more meat to the story and the characters.
My Grade = C

THE FIRST SIN by Cheyenne McCray
Picked this one up on a whim. I haven't read any of Ms. McCray's books for a long time. I read a couple of her EC releases a few years ago. I loved the sizzle between the H/H and there's a decent storyline about two "special secret unit" cops trying to bust a sex ring each with their own personal reasons to do so. I wanted to like this book more because it had a lot of elements I like. The heroine Alexi was just missing something for me.
My Grade = B-

MIND GAMES by Carolyn Crane

I literally just finished reading this book and on many levels feel its too soon for me to try and quantify my feelings about the book. On the one hand, it's original and captured my interest and curiosity. On the other hand, it's a bit of a bizarre tale and not what I would classify as a romance, and yet there are most certainly romantic elements. What I will say is that I will be picking up the next installment, because, you know, there has to be one.

My Grade = B-