~ Stacy's Place on Earth ~

"In the Flesh" by Livia Dare (2009) - review

2009-11-11T10:10:00.000-06:00

AN INFAMOUS BEAUTY. A DARING WARRIOR. . .

For five years, Sapphire has been the King of Sari’s most treasured concubine. Independent at last, she refuses to put herself in anyone’s control again. But now another’s meddling has led her into the path of proud, arrogant Wulfric, Crown Prince of the rival kingdom of D’Ashier. . . a man who is dangerous to her in every way.

AND A SEDUCTION THAT COULD DESTROY THEM BOTH

The daughter of Wulfric’s fiercest opponent, Sapphire is a prized warrior in her own right and highly skilled in the sensual arts—in short, Wulfric’s perfect match. A lasting union is unthinkable, but the bargain they strike—to spend one night together, and then part—proves impossible in the face of a desire powerful enough to bring two countries to the brink of war, and two hearts to the point of surrender. . .

I've been a fan of Sylvia Day for years, and having recently loved her SJ Day books, I was excited to see yet another series, under the name Livia Dare, being released. This is a story Sylvia wrote 5 years ago, which has now been renamed "In The Flesh".

Sapphire is the king's favorite concubine, yet despite the pride she takes in her work, this is not a love match, at least not for her. Sapphire is a pragmatic woman, and knows the king doesn't really love her, at least not the way she deserves to be loved, and she's fully aware of the strain her presence places on his marriage to Queen Brenna. In fact she encourages him to go to his wife, to start a family so that he will finally have an heir, but the king is obsessed and wishes to be with no other woman but Sapphire. However the king does agree to release her from her contract, making her a free woman, with the belief she will return to him. However Sapphire has other ideas....

Prince Wulfric knows something is amiss while out on patrol with his men, but by the time he fully realizes it, it's much too late, and the prince is taken prisoner. Beaten and tortured, his death is almost assured, until Queen takes matters into her own hands and devises a devious plan that will most assuredly end in Sapphire's death. By placing Prince Wulfric as Sapphire's prisoner, the queen believes once Wulfric realizes who is holding him captive - the daughter of his enemy - he will murder her.

Of course because this is a romance novel, things don't go according to her evil plan. For one thing, Sapphire doesn't count on the immediate lust she feels when she gazes at Wulfric's masculine perfection, or that her body would betray her so shockingly in his presence. For another, Wulfric is near death, and almost embraces his fate, until he witnesses the sensual concubine's inability to disguise her intense attraction to him. Something about the way her hungry eyes gaze upon him evokes a strong need, one that urges him to fight to live instead of giving up to die....

My thoughts:

"In The Flesh" is a very sexy story, but also an emotional one, which I love. You have two very strong-willed people fighting each other to get their own way, both stubborn, proud, and very attracted to each other.

First you have Wulfric, who is used to always getting his way. Everything in life has come easily to him, so to have this striking, fearless female stand up to him baffles him as much as it entices him. He's torn by his desire, knowing nothing good can come of it. In fact to pursue it would surely mean war between their countries. Yet he cannot think of anything beyond possessing this fiery woman and making her his.

Then there's Sapphire, a woman who's been trained since birth in the sensual arts of a concubine, a rather prestigious role, especially as that of the favored treasure of the king. She reminded me so much of Inara from "Firefly" here, practical about her position, revered and respected, she accepts her fate while not exactly embracing it. For her, she's never known the touch of a lover whose purpose was to please her, so her attraction to her father's enemy stuns her. Why he should be the one to awaken her passion is beyond her comprehension.

Together, these two set each other on fire. It's not long before they both give into the overwhelming desire that doesn't let them think of anything else. What brings them together is lust, but from these earthy feelings grows a stronger, truer bond. Despite their wariness, their distrust, neither can ignore the feelings that develop over time. Because despite their differences, both Sapphire and Wulf begin to recognize the rightness of their union, and see how evenly matched they are to each other.

I won't lie, there is a lot of sex in this book. In fact these two can barely breathe without crawling all over each other. But what makes it so much more interesting is that while they engage in numerous heated, raw, needy bouts of sex, each encounter is tempered with incredible emotion. Usually at this point of the book when the hero and heroine can't keep their hands off each other for the 15th time, I get bored and flip the pages. The scenes become filler at that point. But both Wulf and Sapphire are helpless not just to passion, but to the love that grows so strongly and quickly between them. In that moment when they first saw each other, something happened that changed them both forever, something they cannot walk away from, no matter how hard they try.

What also intrigues me is their future. This was book #1 in the Sapphire trilogy, and while it ends happily, there is this sense that all of that could change, which kinda makes me nervous. Their countries are at war, and the king is not ready to let Sapphire go. I admit that I do worry the direction the story may take. But that's rather premature of me. Right now I'm just very glad I read it, and I'm happy that there are 2 more books in the series.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

the happenings at my place

2009-11-10T07:00:00.003-06:00

It's been awhile since I've talked about what I've been up to, other than reading, plus I don't have an "O" author for my spotlight, and I'm not ready with "P", so I'm taking this week off. Since I'm the most boring person on the planet, I haven't really had much to talk about lately, other than books, and my serious case of reader envy LOL. Which, in case anyone misunderstood, was all (mostly) tongue-in-cheek. I think if I stepped away from the computer more, I'd actually get some reading done! Yeah, good luck with that *g*

Sunday was a lot of fun, as I trekked into the city to meet up with some friends at the Drake Hotel for afternoon tea, something I've never been before. The weather was so nice - almost 70 degrees in November - and the train ride was smooth and quick. Grabbed a taxi the rest of the way there which took a few minutes. I love taxi cab drivers. They get to where you need to go, and fast. And while I waited, I did try to take some pictures on my new phone, but I only saved one. I'll need to figure out a way to make them bigger....

Now I've made no secret that I'm not much of a tea drinker, or at least I wasn't much of one until about a few years ago when I stepped inside Teavana to buy a gift, and tasted the most wonderful tea I'd ever could have imagined. It was a combination of 2 different teas, the kinds of which escapes me at the moment, but it was an amazing blend. Anyway, each of us got to choose our own tea, which they brought out in individual teapots for us, and I went with a caffeine-free blend, the chocolate mint truffle, which was very good, not too strong and not too sweet. I would definitely have that one again.

We sat right next to the harp player, which I really liked. I didn't think she was too loud, though some of her musical selections had us cringing. Still, it's a beautiful instrument, and if you didn't listen to closely, very enjoyable to listen to while sipping tea and eating cucumber sandwiches. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

Tomorrow I'm meeting up with an online friend I've never met before - Danielle. She lives not all that far from me, but this is our first opportunity to get together, and I'm really looking forward to it :) I think I will take my regular camera and use that instead of my phone, which I still have to master. I hope to have some good pictures to post. Danielle's been warned LOL.

I am just about to finish the 7th and final season of The Gilmore Girls; 2 more episodes left. All in all, I liked it way more than I thought I would. It was a pleasant surprise. Now I'm going to try and clear out my Netflix queue before asking for more viewing selections. I have about 70 dvds in there, some movies, mostly t.v. shows, so I hope to whip through those more finding more new shows to love. Do I dare start 24 when it's just about to go into, what, it's 8th season??????

Now I'm off to go read for a bit. I have a few days off from work and I FINALLY got my copy of Ava Gray's "Skin Game", which I've been whining about for days on Twitter. Now that it's in my hot little hands, I plan on spending some quality time with Reyes. So off I go.....

What have you been up to lately?

"On The Edge" by Ilona Andrews (2009) - review

2009-11-09T07:08:00.002-06:00

Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.

Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn’t turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power).

But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them—or they’ll devour the Edge and everyone in it . . .

When I first read the back cover blurb, I admit, I was not all that impressed. It sounded like some post-Apocalyptic "Terminator: Salvation" nightmare (I thought the movie pretty much sucked) and I was hesitant to buy it. But I had loved the "Magic" books so much, and a lot of cool people had raved about "On the Edge", so I let go of my inhibitions and before I could change my mind, I bought it. Let's just say that sometimes it's really a good thing to be proven wrong :)

Much like the "other" series, this book is about magic. But other than that, the similarities end. Here, you've got the Weird, that is all magic, all the time. Then there's the Broken, where there is no magic, and anyone thought to have magic would be pretty much considered out of their ever-lovin' minds. Next up is the Edge, which is where Rose and her family lives. The Edge is a strange mixture of magic and non-magic, and those of the Edge can travel between the other realms, in a way, though not without discomfort on some level, and it all depends on their level of magic. Not everyone can cross over.

Now the things about Rose is that she has a lot of magic. And people want it, or they want to benefit from others who will pay for her powerful magic. They are not so nice about how they go about getting it, either. Rose has 2 younger brothers to look after, George and Jack, who each have their own abilities, and she would walk to hell and back to protect them. To make matters even more complicated, living on the Edge and working in the Broken barely keeps their heads about water. Rose and her family are barely getting by, but she is stubborn and hard-working and refuses to give in. She fights to keep her brothers safe.

Declan, much like everyone else, wants her magic for himself. He's willing to be noble and make her his bride, but to Rose, a trap is a trap, no matter how pretty you make it look. However Declan is the one that helps protect her brothers and fights side by side with her when an evil of great strength tries to take her magic through violent and horrifying means, so while she doesn't trust him, she agrees to have him challenge her for her hand. Only she has no intention of giving in and letting him win, no matter how masculine and attractive he is. But sometimes the heart refuses to listen to logic, and you end up falling in love, no matter how hard you try not to...

My thoughts:

Despite my initial reservations, I was completely blown away by this book. LOVED it. Ilona Andrews manages to make a bleak and oppressive world come alive, and peppers it with colorful, unique characters that have you wanting to get to know them better. Despite her magic, Rose is a young woman faced with raising her two younger brothers on her own, and at times she's so afraid that the only way to get past it is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I could completely understand where she was coming from, and it made me respect Rose, despite her hardness at times. Rose didn't have a lot of options, and sometimes she had to be tough to survive. It's a bleak, lonely existence she leads, and it's heartbreaking to watch her live this way.

Despite Declan's various reasons for coming to the Edge, I found much to like about him. He was demanding and arrogant, but also protective of Rose and her family, and whether it was for his own benefit didn't make much of a difference to me. He could be compassionate and understanding, and still managed to push Rose's buttons. One of my favorite things is that while he would put himself into the role of protector, he didn't discount Rose's abilities completely, even if it bothered him on a very basic level to let her be right in the thick of the danger alongside him. He recognized that she was a survivor, and wasn't someone who backed away from difficult situations. In fact most times, she didn't have a choice.

I loved Rose and Declan together. They worked well as a team, and after a time earned the other's respect, if grudgingly, which forged a stronger attraction between them. I liked that neither of them fell all over each other once they fell in love. Rose was just as stubborn as she was from day one about not caving into Declan's demands. She stayed true to herself, and I think that's exactly how it should have been.

So despite the bleakness of these worlds, and the constant dangers, there is much to adore in "On The Edge". I'm excited to see there's a 2nd book coming out. In my opinion, Ilona Andrews just keeps getting better and better. Despite my reluctance, I was sucked right into the pages and didn't want to put it down. Now that's talent for you. The story is rich and colorful and compelling, and I cannot wait to visit the Edge again, because I'm not quite ready to leave yet.

Rating: ***** out of *****

A child in need of an early Christmas - updated

2009-11-06T14:39:00.000-06:00

Shiloh Walker passed this on after checking it out through Snopes.com and it appears legit. Let's brighten this little guy's day. I have mine all set to go....

ATTENTION FACEBOOK FAMILY & FRIENDS! Diana Harrison Biorkman has a 5-yr old son in his last stages of a 2 1/2 year battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. They are celebrating Christmas next weekend and Noah loves Christmas cards. Please take a minute to send a card to: Noah Biorkman, 1141 Fountain View Circle, South Lyon MI 48178. THANKS. PLEASE REPOST THIS MSG & EMAIL YOUR BUDDIES!

***this was sent to me, please pass it on***

~ Edited to add link to a story about Noah ~

Upcoming: Veterans Day: free entree at Applebee's - feel free to share

2009-11-05T07:22:00.005-06:00

Someone had emailed this link from Applebee's. Turns out that the restaurant chain is offering a free entree to Veterans and Active Duty Military on Wednesday, November 11th, Veterans Day. They just have to show proof of military service. Just a little something giving back. You gotta like that. Let's show our military some love.

If you know of any other special events or similar offers, please feel free to share here. I wouldn't mind posting more information. We probably all know someone in the military. Let's get the word out :)

Living with reading envy

2009-11-04T07:20:00.002-06:00

I love my fellow reader friends. I really do. But sometimes, I am so jealous of them! Yes, it is true. While they are funny and gorgeous and smart and naughty, there's one thing about a lot of them that drives me absolutely crazy: they are ALL reading a gazillion more amazing books than I am!!!!

So I'm coming out right now to say that I am suffering from a serious case of reading envy. So when I read that some vixen is reading about a totally hot guy biting a woman's neck and that it's giving her wicked ideas, I seethe with jealousy. When I hear someone got the next book in a series I adore but haven't gotten around to buying yet, I feel slighted. Shameful, isn't it? Sigh. It's not pretty, I admit, and it's all in my selfish little head, but I fear it's something I must learn to live with, probably for the rest of my life. [Screams "I waaaant Reyes!"]

Rationally I know I cannot read every book out there I want to read. Or the thought of going back to re-read all the In Death books is daunting, as much as I'd love to do just that. But there are days when I wish I could read more than 1 book a week. Life just gets in the way...not to mention blogging, twittering, watching t.v., working....

So the next time you're twittering about the latest book from the coolest author on the planet, just remember that there are those of us out there wishing we read faster, or that we didn't need to sleep as much as we do so we could read instead. Remember me LOL. That is all I can ask.

***But seriously, don't give up the pimpin'. I exist for the awesome book pimpin'; it gives me something to live for!****

Do you suffer from reading envy?

What's your remedy?

Spotlight: N - Chloe Neill

2009-11-03T06:44:00.002-06:00

When I came up with my spotlight idea several months ago, I had no idea who I was going to spotlight for the letter "N". That is, until Miss Chloe Neill came along. Now I am a completly enamored reader of her books, and much like Mandi from Smexybooks, I wish to share that with my fellow readers.

See, I am not the biggest paranormal reader, despite recent evidence to the contrary, and the idea of yet another vampire series really didn't thrill me. But this one was set in Chicago, which I liked, so that piqued my interest. Then one day I was in the bookstore and I came across it on the shelves and when I read the synopsis, it really appealed to me.

It wasn't until I actually started reading the book though, that I became infatuated. Merit is an incredibly likable heroine. She's stubborn, and a bit of a smartmouth, but she's got a big heart, is loyal to those she loves, and lives by her own moral code. Merit doesn't just simply follow the crowd, even when it doesn't make her all that popular. She's a great heroine.

Plus, I really love that we get to see the mythology in action. Yes, Merit is a vampire, but a newbie at it, and there's a lot for her to learn. While some of it is instinctual, she still has to train and prepare and educate herself on her new lifestyle. It's not always easy for her to adjust to what she's become.

So I've read "Some Girls Bite" twice, and already Chloe is an auto-buy author for me. "Friday Nite Bites" is in the bag I carry to work with me, but I'm not quite ready to start it yet because it's soooo long until the next one.

Something kinda fun: before I actually "knew" of Chloe, she did a fun post at my former review site, Romance Novel TV. Here's her post.

What do you think of female vampires?

Why do you think it might be cool to be one?

"Secret Desires of a Gentleman" by Laura Lee Guhrke (2008) - review

2009-11-02T07:33:00.005-06:00

Once Upon a Time . . .

Maria Martingale was going to elope. But Phillip Hawthorne, Marquess of Kayne, put a stop to those plans when he learned his younger brother intended to marry a cook's daughter. Now, twelve years later, Maria discovers that the man who holds her fate in his hands is none other than the haughty gentleman who sent her packing--and he's as handsome and arrogant as ever.

Happily Ever After?

Always the proper gentleman, Phillip will do anything to protect his family from scandal, and when Maria dares to move in right next door, he knows scandal will surely follow. She is as tempting as he remembered . . . and the more he sees her, the harder it is for Phillip to keep his own secret desire for her a secret . . .

The last new LLG books have been hit or miss with me (the last one especially was a miss) but I bought this book before I read the last one, at a signing Laura was at last fall, and now, a year later, I finally felt up to giving it a try.

And I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Right from the start I felt pulled into the story. Maria Martingale was a woman determined to make a success of her bakery, and she wasn't about to let anything, much less her worst enemy, stop her from achieving her fondest dream. She'd given up so much, lost so much, and her desire to make her bakery the best patisserie in the city of London is what's driving her now. Having found the perfect location to set up shop, she's dismayed to learn that not only is Phillip Hawthorne temporarily living right next door, he owns the building she's trying to lease. Once again this proper gentleman, who thinks he knows exactly how everyone should live their lives, is trying to control her's, and Maria must break a promise in order to get Phillip to relent.

Phillip now looks upon Maria as an opportunist gold digger, but that was not always the case. Having grown up together - Maria's father was the chef for Phillip's family - Maria and Phillip were once good friends. But then time apart and the reality of their social positions had Phillip pushing Maria away, until it became clear that he didn't want anything to do with her. And when his younger brother and Maria decided to marry, he sufficiently nips that in the bud before any harm is done.

Now, over a decade later, Maria shows up and is once again wreaking havoc with Phillip's carefully planned out life. Lawrence is just about set to propose to a very acceptable young woman, yet the timing is a very delicate thing, and Phillip tries to ensure that Maria will not set her sights on his brother again. So between keeping them apart and dealing with his overwhelming yet unwanted desire for her, Phillip has his hands full of drama, which is what he's tried to avoid. But he just can't keep away from that stubborn, fearless woman who enflames his passions and makes him forget all that is proper....

My thoughts:

This was a wonderful book, for the most part. You see, Phillip suffers from Mr. Darcy Syndrome. Miss Maria Martingale (aka Miss Elizabeth Bennett) is way beneath Phillip in social status, and while he admits to his intense attraction to her, it is with the utmost reluctance and distain. But he is too much of a gentleman to offer to make Maria his mistress. Instead he proposes marriage, and the idea that he would wish to marry her just to get into her bed is ludicrous in Maria's eyes. Why, if he cannot even like her, much less respect her, what chance did they have of sustainng a happy marriage? Smart girl she was, to reject his proposal and let him stew in his frustration awhile.

I liked Maria pretty much through the whole book, until the very last page anyway. She was hard-working, disciplined yet passionate, ambitious, and confident in her talent. She didn't let Phillip intimidate her, yet she was a caring person and his abandonment of their friendship hurt her very deeply. Yet she refused to let it hold her back or make her hard and bitter. She stood up to Phillip, and before too long their past came back to remind them of why they once were friends.

Phillip started out a jackass, much like Mr. Darcy did in P&P, but he eventually warmed up and won me over. See he had what he believed to be inappropriate feelings for Maria, even back then when she was 15 and he was 17, and he was appalled by this. So much so that it was easier for him to abruptly severe their friendship than risk getting to close to her.

Secret love is one of my favorite tropes. I am a complete sucker when the hero has strong feelings for the heroine yet hides them from her for what he thinks are valid reasons. Here, I could understand and perhaps even appreciate where he was coming from, especially when now, as a grown man, he gets to know Maria all over again, by watching her at her place of business, by seeing how carefree yet responsible she is, and his feelings re-awaken. Though he tries to deny them for most of the book, he more than makes up for it on the last page. I could have kissed him, he was so scrumptious. (Note: and the guy on the stepback cover? If he was Phillip I think I'd jump him myself)

So everything was going great, I was happy, this was a wonderfully romantic story, until Maria goes and knocks the wind out of my sails with a decision that had me slapping my forehead. I'm not going to give it away, so you're going to have to read the book to find out, but let's just say I really did not see it coming. Maybe I should have, but man, seriously??? And okay, maybe it wasn't even what she decided so much as how she decided. I wanted to shake her for disappointing me. Up until that point the book was a gem. And then the last few pages just jarred me out of my romantic euphoria.

I'm sure most readers won't have a problem with it like I did. After all, it really is a good romance, one that gave me butterflies, and I love when that happens because it's such a rare occurrence when I read anymore. So I'll be grateful for those moments of it I did have, and ignore the rest. Overall the book made me supremely happy :)

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

And the winner of Kylie Brant's "Waking Nightmare" is....

2009-11-01T19:08:00.001-06:00

CRYSTAL GB!!!

Congrats Crystal! Please send your snail mail addy to me at trelainastarblazer @ yahoo dot com and I'll get that mailed out to you :)

Here is the list of those who participated. Thank you all for stopping by.

1.4. CrystalGB
2.16. Barbara
3.3. host
4.15. Minna
5.9. joder
6.2. Susi Sunshine
7.1. RK Charron
8.8. Armenia
9.10. Estella
10.12. Smokinhotbooks
11.11. Razlover
12.14. donnas
13.13. Mandi
14.6. Emmanuelle
15.7. chey
16.5. Cecile

And in other news, I went and got me a phone. FINALLY decided to quit hmming and hawing, so after work on Friday, I headed over to AT&T and let myself to approached by a nice young man named Javier, who showed me some fancy phones, like the Impression that Kati got and also the Solstice, but I really wanted to check out the iPhone just to see how it felt to use, so we made our way over to the really pretty phone near the front of the store.

One of Kati's issues with the iPhone was about the difficulty using it with long fingernails, because the iPhone is heat sensitive whereas something like the Impression is more touch sensitive. Right now my nails are shorter, but I'm growing them out. However I preferred the way the iPhone operated, and I had no problems typing with it, and Javier had one and was showing me all the stuff he had on his phone, most of which involved his daughter, which was so sweet. I must have talked to him for about 45 minutes to an hour. He never pressured me, and I think that's what helped me decide to get the phone. I'm sure that's his selling technique, but hey, it worked, and I'm so very happy with my new phone that I don't care how he got the sale. I got a purple case for it, too *g*

So yes, I might be indecisive, but eventually I make a decision, and one without regret. I'm so proud of myself!

How about you: have you made a big decision

lately? Were you happy with the results?

Backcover blurb for Erin McCarthy's "Hot Finish" - out 8/10!

2009-10-30T10:40:00.005-05:00

Not all marriages last forever…

Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client—and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband…

But this one might...

Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if—even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early—they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish…

****

Wow! I so want this!

My procrastinating nature up against technology

2009-10-30T09:21:00.006-05:00

Yes, this is an old, must re-visited topic for me, but once again I am blogging about it. As many of you know, I am probably the world's biggest procrastinator. I remember a few years back I blogged about wanting to get a tattoo. At the time, I did, very much so. But I couldn't decide what design I wanted. It needed to be something that would mean something personal to me, an image I could live with for the rest of my life. Now, years later, I still haven't decided, and now I'm not even sure I want one anymore. Issue solved.

But now I have a new obsession. I've been wanting to get a new phone for awhile. Currently, I have a Razr, got it back when Razrs were actually kinda cool. But that was 3 or 4 years ago now, so I've been thinking I need to upgrade. Not that I have a need to do so; I don't have a job where I need to be connected at all times and I'm clueless when it comes to new technology. But I WANT one. Thing is, I have no idea which one to get. I have AT&T because most of my friends are on this plan so it's great for moble2mobile. Several people are trying to convince me to get an iPhone, but do I really want to spend $200 for a new phone plus whatever it costs for the monthly plan. Right now my cell bill is around $50. I don't want to double that. I probably need to sit down and decide which phone is really best for me. Kati got an Impression, so maybe I should compromise and find something like that. Possibly the Solstice. Still need to figure it all out....

I've also had my current camera for about 3 years, and while it still works fine, it's not as quick as a lot of today's cameras, and I admit, I wanted a pretty one, like this CoolPix someone raved about. This one is an easy one. I think I'll be getting it. Love the cover, it's point & shoot, and well within my price range. I don't need anything to fancy, but I want something that will encourage me to take more pictures. I am horrible at this. But if I have a pretty camera, then maybe I'll get better at it? Well, that's the story I'm going to stick with.

And now that I'm looking at cameras and phones, I also want to get a new laptop. Again, I don't really need one, it's just all about want. Should I cross on over to the other side and go for a Mac, or stick with what I know? And why, you're probably wondering, am I spending all this money? Well there is a benefit I have through work that would take care of the cellphone and the laptop. Pretty cool.

An informed consumer is a happy consumer. But I am horrible at waiting, and taking the time to compare. I just want someone with a clever brain to just tell me what to buy. So, yeah, feel free to just tell me what to do. Obviously I'll make the final call, but input is happily accepted. And if I were to get the iPhone, what is the best plan if I use internet service????

Muchos gracias for putting up with the world's biggest procastinator.

Next topic up to agonize over: upgrading the blog and what features to add.

Win a copy of Kylie Brant's "Waking Nightmare"

2009-10-29T06:53:00.002-05:00

As promised, I am having a contest for book #1 in romantic suspense author Kylie Brant's The Mindhunters series.

Contest will run from now until noon CST on Sunday, November 1st. All entries must include a response to the contest question to be eligible for an entry in the random drawing. Please DO NOT leave your email address in your post. Winner is responsible for contacting me within 1 week of announcement, otherwise another name will be drawn.

All you have to do is answer a question. In the spirit of Halloween, and to keep with the theme of the book, that question is centered around nightmares.

~ What would be your worst nightmare? ~

Mine, I'm pretty sure, would be drowning. I was never a strong swimmer, but I remember being thrown into the lake when I was a kid - still brings back bad feelings about that day. I also am creeped out by porcelain dolls. They always look possessed to me. Weird I know. Guess we all have our hang-ups.

Anyway, I hope I don't freak anyone out, this should be more in the spirit of the season and like those spine-tingling, chilling feelings you get when you go to a haunted house. Have you ever done that? I haven't in years, but I have memories to last a lifetime *g*

So go forth and enter. Have fun, and good luck!

The Magic of Ilona Andrews

2009-10-28T06:53:00.001-05:00

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for magic....

One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds.

In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy...

Down in Atlanta, tempers - and temperatures - are about to flare...

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate's going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest - and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive...

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games - an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament - she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community...

Because I officially suck at reviews these days, I'm going to give my thoughts on the first 3 books in this series and hopefully convey my strong opinion that these books are definitely worth checking out.

Once again I have to give a shout-out to Smexy (Mandi) and a few other fabulous bloggers who convinced me that the Magic series was the way to go. I definitely had my reservations, and though others raved about the books, when I first saw the bookcovers I was not impressed. But I was in Barnes & Noble last Friday night and perusing the rows of books when I came across all 3 of the Magic books sitting there, just waiting for someone with a giftcard to snatch them off the shelves and rush them to the checkout line before they changed their mind (yes, that would be me).

I started the first book immediately when I got home, and was feeling rather disappointed. It was rather a slow start, and the descriptions of the resident vampires alone made me almost queasy. These were not sexy, muscular hotties who seduced. No, these were mindless creatures one millimeter away from total bloodlust. But I kept at it, turning page after page, squinting my eyes at passages filled with nasty, dripping gore and blood and pain. These stories were not light-hearted fantasy escapes, they were fairly violent and explicitly messy (word to the wise: I would not recommend eating while reading these books).

But then somewhere along the line, probably halfway through "Magic Bites", I began to lose myself in the story, and started rooting for Kate. She was not only strong and able to take care of herself, she was able to withstand pain, and lots of it. Kate was not spared injury here. She was slapped, punched, kicked, stabbed, and pretty much bloodied during many scenes in the book. She wasn't always the strongest, but she fought with all her might. She fought because she cared, even when she knew it was dangerous to do so. Kate had her own code, such as it was, but she lived by it and had a clearer conscience for it.

"Magic Burns" was even better, and we do see a softer side of many of the characters in this story, especially Kate, who fights to protect a young girl. This situation brings out her maternal instincts. We see the attraction between her and Curran, the Beast Lord, grow, much to Kate's chagrin. Kate realizes that despite her best efforts, she has a best friend in Andrea. The Pack, for the most part, respects her and treats her as a friend. And I love Kate's relationship with her dagger, Slayer. Cracks me up that she's so attached to it. It's like a living, breathing object of death that she can't sleep without.

Now "Magic Strikes" is really where it's at though. A lot of stuff happens here, most notably that she and the Pack almost lose Derek. This story really tugged at the heartstrings, for many reasons. When Derek is beaten so brutally yet is unable to heal, it's devastating to everyone. Curran is put in the difficult position of being lied to by someone he trusts, and as the Beast Lord, the consequences must be severe, as he cannot allow anyone to question his strength, his authority. Kate's feelings towards Curran are inevitably stronger here, as witnessed time and time again. Without giving anything away, I think the series really came together very strongly in this book. It's by far my favorite of the three; the most intense, edgy story to date, and secrets about Kate are finally confirmed here, though heavy hints have been sprinkled throughout the first 2 books.

It's a fascinating series, and I'm so glad I stuck with it and didn't let my initial reaction turn me off the stories. They're still a bit over the top with all the fluids and ickiness - and guess what? Curran don't look all that pretty in his warrior form - but once you get back that, you can really enjoy some good drama.

Rating: 4, 4, 4/12 stars - highly recommended

Would you read these books?

Why or why not?

Check out the cover for Chloe Neill's 3rd Chicago Vampires book!

2009-10-27T18:17:00.004-05:00

Is this cover gorgeous or what?? If I were Chloe, I'd be so thrilled by this vision for her 3rd book, which will be out July 2010. Of course it's totally on my TBB list. (Click here to go to Chloe's blog and click to see enlarged version).

And yes, I will admit that I totally have a reader crush on her and her amazing books, but that's all Smexy's fault. I'm not ashamed to admit it (my crush or that it's Smexy's fault LOL). But Chloe has nothing to fear. Shiloh Walker has experienced similar behavior from me, and I've even met her in person and managed not to need police intervention. I'm obsessive, but not psychotic. I can behave in public. Just admiring the pretty picture.....

What do you think of the cover?

Spotlight: M2 - Erin McCarthy

2009-10-27T07:13:00.001-05:00

It's been awhile since I've done my weekly spotlight, but think I'm finally on track again. Since there are some letters of the alphabet that I don't have authors for, I've decided to double up. Here is another one of my all-time favorites:

I first heard Erin McCarthy's name years ago while online at Lori Foster's Yahoo Group. Though it was Lori's group, she was very gracious about inviting other authors to hang out and chat, and I believe that's how I got to know Erin so many years ago. I really liked her personality, and I was excited to hear she was a recently published author, so obviously I couldn't wait to read her stories.

My memory is not the greatest, and I think I read them a little out of order, but that was okay since they weren't really part of a series, and while I'm anal in my reading style and must read a series in order, I don't feel compelled to read an author's backlist from start to finish (unless it were part of a series, of course).

The first book of Erin's I remember reading is "Smart Mouth", which gives the reader a strong idea of Erin's writing style. The story, is sexy and snappy, and I love how once the hero encounters the heroine, his whole perfectly ordered life, or at least the life he thought was so orderly, is turned completely upside down. Another thing I adore about Erin's stories are that they're funny as hell, not always slapstick, but sometimes in a very earthy, sexy way. I love it when the heroine knocks the hero on his ass because she's just not like anything he'd expected, and he just stop thinking about her, even when she drives him completely nuts.

Do I have a favorite Erin story? That's a tough one, because I love so many of them. "Miss Extreme Congeniality" from the Brava "Bad Boys In Black Tie" comes to mind because I just loved the heroine, CJ. She's your typical tough, "don't mess with me or I'll slug you, pretty boy" heroine who had it bad for Wyatt Maddock, and she hated him for it. Their story was explosive, and it's definitely a favorite of mine.

Erin is not one to sit still. She writes about the Vegas Vampires, a light-hearted take on the undead which is a lot of fun to read, and she's writing a darker series about the Seven Deadly Sins. She obviously likes to challenge herself. Not to mention she has the Young Adult books under the moniker Erin Lynn. The first one, "Demon Envy", is a younger voice, but still her's. It's sarcastic, but it's not cynical and so all-knowing like some other YA books I've read. I enjoyed it very much, and have yet to grab the 2nd book, "Speed Demon", especially now that I've found my way slowly gravitating towards YA, which I don't often do. But I enjoyed the characters in the first book very much and would love to find out what they're up to these days.

I think Erin's books are the perfect definition of everything that was awesome about a Kensington Brava story, and now she's moved on to another great name in sexy romance, Berkley Sensation. Erin might quite an impression last winter with the release of the first book in her Fast Track series, "Flat-Out Sexy". And I'd be remiss if I didn't post one of her sexiest covers, from the 2nd book in the Fast Track series. If anyone bought the book for the cover alone, that's a treat, but then you read another hot story that leaves you wanting more. I love that Ty sees beyond Imogen's studious looks to the sexy woman beneath, and that she sees he's not the pretty boy he lets people believe him to be. And I'd also be remiss if I didn't make mention of the hawt tree sexin' that goes on in this book. Just ask Katiebabs, an expert in this particular topic ;)

I've had the pleasure of meeting Erin several times over the years, and she's even friendlier and more interesting in person. And she's been very good-natured about letting 2 certain harmless people stalk her at the RWA conventions. But that's just the way she is *g*

So tell me: have you read Erin McCarthy's books?

Which one is your favorite?

It's hard to choose, isn't it?

Waking up with romantic Suspense author Kylie Brant

2009-10-26T08:33:00.000-05:00

The author: romantic suspense author Kylie Brant

How she came to my attention: Recently on Twitter I was advised by author Colleen Gleason about Kylie Brant, and that she'd just come out with a new series from Berkley that sounded very promising. Being on a rom suspense kick, I immediately added them to my tbr list, and the next time I was at the bookstore, I snapped the first 2 books right up.

Then Kylie expressed interest in being a guest at my blog, which always makes me happy :) I enjoyed her first book, and definitely wanted to find out more. And I love visiting an author's website and digging past what we normally see and trying to find out more about what makes an author tick. Kylie graciously answered my questions, and I want to thank her for taking the time to answer my questions and share a little of her writing process with us. Here's what she had to say....

S~ Kylie, you mentioned at your website you started writing because some of your favorite writers couldn't write fast enough. Who would those authors be?

Kylie: I was reading all of the Silhouette Intimate Moments line at the time so some of those early authors remain on my keeper shelf: Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Lowell, Linda Howard, Parris Afton Bonds and Sandra Brown. Once I started writing myself, I understood why they couldn't write faster :)

S~ What was the first romance you remember reading and how old were you?

Kylie: I started reading teen romances when I was 13 or so. I believe Beverly Cleary was my first author, and Jean and Johnny was the name of the book. I read it so often I can still remember parts of it.

S~ Have you traveled to do research for one of your books? If so, what was the most exotic location you've been to?

Kylie: I don't often travel to the site I'm researching, simply because lack the time. But the first trip I made to the Dominican Republic ended up in the prologue of The Business of Strangers. For my November release, Waking the Dead, I went to Oregon to crawl through caves, searching for the perfect one to hide seven bodies in. Found it, too!

S~ You also mention you're not a chick-flick type of girl, but do you ever get squeamish with where a storyline takes you? Or do you have a line that you won't cross, a need not to get too graphic?

Kylie: There's sort of a personal 'I can't go there' line that exists for every author, I think. I'll admit to having creeped myself out a time or two writing the first three Mindhunter books! It's a fine line to show the villain at his most chilling, yet not detail too much of his violence on scene.

S~ Having been published for nearly 20 years now, how have your stories evolved? Where do you see yourself going in the next 20 years?

Kylie: I think I was still learning and perfecting my skills for the first dozen books or so. I was fortunate enough to get published fairly quickly, but that also meant I was pretty ignorant. My suspense plots have grown increasingly more complex and my characterization more indepth. I hope to continue learning and improving for the next twenty years!

S~ What's the most fascinating thing about writing for you?

Kylie: I can always get lost in the research. I find it so intriguing. In the November book I learned some pretty interesting tidbits about defleshing bones. Just thought I'd mention that in case you're in need of some dinnertime conversation :) (S~ Wow, thanx Kylie,just what I've always wanted to know LOL)

S~ Has there ever been a story you've wanted to write and either the idea was rejected or you just haven't gotten around to writing it yet, something burning inside your imagination to get out?

Kylie: I've been extremely lucky in that all my proposals/stories have eventually found a home. Actually, I think book six was sort of rejected, but I was still too dumb to figure that out so I revised it and handed it back in. It was bought after that revision. Usually I have three storylines running in my head at any one time. I often write trilogies and each of the books' plots are evolving simultaneously.

S~ Do writing such suspenseful, sometimes horrifying stories ever give you nightmares, with all those gruesome thoughts floating around in your head? If so, how do you counteract them?

Kylie: I'm pretty good at compartmentalizing. With five kids, I had to learn to be! And I teach full time so I'm used to turning off the writing side of my brain for hours at a time. I can't say I've ever had nightmares from the books. When I'm done writing for the day I shift into some other mode and let the plot fall away. It's not something I have to work at; it just is.

S~ Based on your acknowledgment page, you thank a lot of experts who've talked with you about procedure and their experiences. Have you ever interviewed victims of some of these crimes?

Kylie: No, and the thought makes me squeamish. I'm very empathetic and that would make it difficult for me to write the scenes dealing with some ofthe villain's acts.

S~ Have you learned a lot of safety precautions because of what you've learned in your research, or taken any self-defense classes to prepare for a story? Do you know how to shoot a gun?

Kylie: LOL, I'm the biggest wimp around. Whenever the kids start wrestling with me I'm the first to whine about my sore back, wrists or frozen shoulder :). I've picked up a few tips along the way, but wonder sometimes how effective I'd be if I were the victim of a crime. I had never touched a gun in my life until the Kiss of Death outing at the RWA convention in Atlanta. I was horrible with a shotgun but was pretty good with the handguns, if I do say so myself. I tend to be pro-gun control, but after that experience I can better understand collectors and people who like to target shoot. It's sort of a rush.

S~ With your latest books, the Mindhunters, how far do you plan to take the series? Will we learn more about the fascinating Adam Raiker in subsequent books? Will he eventually get his own story?

Kylie: I've been surprised and gratified by the number of people wondering about Adam. We recently went back to contract with three more Mindhunters books and the last of that trilogy will be Adam's story. (S~ Yay!)

S~ How connected are the Mindhunter books? Are they stand alone? How do you feel about writing a series of books that are tightly intertwined?

Kylie: Each of the books are stand alone. The only thing that ties the first three books together is that the heroines work for Raiker. The next three books will be more closely tied together with an overarching suspense plot. Writing three more closely connected books takes a lot more thought because all three books need to be carefully plotted. Since I'm not an outliner, it takes a lot of up front planning for me.

S~ How is writing for Berkley different than writing category romances? Has it been more freeing or more difficult for you?

Kylie: It's been absolutely liberating. I'm loving being able to tell the story in my own time, in my own way. It's especially nice to allow the romance to develop at its own pace, without having to 'force' things because of the length. I tend to write long, so I'm really enjoying taking all the time I need to let the story spin out. Oddly enough, the category romances got more difficult as the word count got shorter. It's difficult to plot a complex suspense with a satisfying romance in 60,000 words.

S~ What book are you currently reading right now?

Kylie: I'm enjoying Cindy Gerard's Feel the Heat. She writes great heroes and wonderful adventure romance. It's tough to put down!

S~ Once you finish a book, how do you un-wind from all that intense focus?

Kylie: Lot of times as soon as I send in one book I have to start on another. So really the only down time I have are a couple ofweeknights to veg after work before it's right back to the computer again.

S~ You like to travel to tropical locations. Are you able to relax and enjoy the sights or are you always "writing" stories in your head?

Kylie: I was still writing the final scenes of Waking the Dead when I was on my way to our tropical vacation last March. I finished at 11:00 PM that evening at the hotel near the airport. Then I edited on the plane and the first evening and following morning in the Dominican. Sending that book in was such a relief; I'd written four books in 17 1/2 months while teaching full-time and was pretty exhausted. After I emailed it in, I was absolutely transported to a different world. For two solid days I didn't think of a thing--not writing, working or family (!) It was sort of disorienting to come back to reality, LOL, but that's the mark of a great vacation. When I can lose myself in the moment.

S~ One reader complaint I've seen about romantic suspense novels is that the hero and heroine always stop in the middle of a dangerous situation and end up having sex. Sure it's the adrenaline talking but it has to be realistic. How do you balance the romance in a romantic suspense novel without one element overshadowing the other, yet still make it believable?

Kylie: Well, it's not like the author can put the suspense on hold while we take the relationship to the next level. That would destroy the pacing. And sometimes it's the editor, rather than the author, who wants an intimate scene at just that spot. That said, I'm not a fan of having the characters engage in sex in the middle of a physically precarious situation. That would have me doubting their intelligence and capability of bringing down the villain.

S~ You sound like a practical woman, but surely you have some vice(s) or weaknesses that you can share: unrequited love for some actor? A love of karaoke? Addiction to dark chocolate? Spill!

Kylie: LOL, I am depressingly practical while having unexpected bouts of frivolity. My vices are Diet Coke and Skittles. Throw in pizza and I'd be good on meals for weeks at a time. I have the dietary habits of a four-year-old :) I have to force myself to eat semi-healthy. It's a battle.

S~ When you create a character, how indepth do you research them? Do you have a detailed log complete with pictures and personality descriptions or do you draw off an outline? And what actors and actresses do you picture as your characters?

Kylie: Confession time: The writer side of me is completely different in some aspects than the other me. Does that sound just a tad schizophrenic? But in my 'regular' life I'm organized to a scary degree. I'm a list maker and freakishly sequential. My approach to a project tends to be part to whole: step by step to the end result.

But when it comes to writing, not so much. I'm not a plotter at all. I begin knowing the characters very well, the overarching suspense plot, the climax, ending and I have ideas for a couple scenes. That's about it. Sometimes I know up front who the villain will be. Sometimes that changes during the course of the story. The thought of plotting charts and outlines give me hives! My approach to the story is very much whole to part: I have an overall idea, but the details are fuzzy :)

The happiest time in my writing career was when I finally realized there was no 'correct' process when it came to writing. It used to be that the characters appeared first for me. But now that the plots are more complex, I'd say the suspense and the characters appear almost simultaneously. The characters begin as ideas, forming and reforming in my mind until they evolve into story people that I find intriguing. I rarely write anything down prior to a proposal or first chapter. It's all in my head. I like to write the first three chapters prior to a proposal (although if I can get out of the synopsis altogether, I'm happiest!)

During those three chapters I'm getting a better handle on each character's distinct voice. For Waking Nightmare, I had Clive Owen pictured as I was writing Ryne Robel. But I'm not really very good at remembering the names of actors and actresses, so I always have to research pictures of them when I'm trying to come up with one that matches my mental picture of my characters.

S~ You definitely seemed to have found your niche with romantic suspense, but do you ever see yourself going in other directions, perhaps tackling a suspenseful historical or riding the paranormal wave? What keeps you challenged?

Kylie: Because I also teach full time I feel like I can't get the stories inside out quickly enough. So I haven't yet grown blase about writing dark romantic suspense. I don't really see myself heading in any other directions, but have always been intrigued by the thought of doing YA suspense.

S~ Let's talk booksignings and conferences. Any plans to take the "Waking" books out on tour, let's say, to the Chicagoland area or thereabouts? Do you attend the various writers conventions throughout the year - RT, RWA, etc? Any plans in 2010?

Kylie: Most of my outings take place in the summer when I have more time. I have tentative plans to attend RT in 2010 and of course will be in Nashville for RWA in July. I'm still trying to make up my mind about attending Thrillerfest that month, as well.

S~ How do you feel about the multitude of social networking venues out there,such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace? Do you think they are helpful to you as a writer? Why or why not?

Kylie: I do think they help me reach a wider audience. It's impossible to quantify, of course, but I have had readers tell me they found me through Facebook or Twitter. I find MySpace to be overly cumbersome, but love Facebook. It has become my new timewaster :) as if I needed yet another.

S~ What's the last good movie you saw? Any t.v. shows you just have to drop everything to watch?

Kylie: I thought The Proposal was cute--love Sandra Bullock. Russell Crowe's State of Play and Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino were excellent.The only thing I drop everything to watch is NCIS. I'm a huuuge fan! But I also like to watch Two and a Half Men, Medium and Grey's Anatomy.

S~ Would you consider yourself to be adventurous? Do you skydive? Surf? Battle dirty dishes with a fearless heart? Or do you save the heroics for the fine men and women who grace the pages of your stories?

Kylie: I like to try new things. I've gone white water rafting and would love to skydive, scuba dive and hang glide. My husband is not up for any of these, though, so my biggest challenge is finding someone to go with me.

S~ When you find time to read, who are currently some of your favorite authors writing today?

Kylie: Nora Roberts is my favorite romance author. I especially love her JD Robb books. Tami Hoag, Lee Child and Robert Crais are also auto-buys for me.

S~ How have romances changed since you started writing? Do you like the way relationships in today's books have evolved? Has it made it easier to write the relationship aspect of your stories?

Kylie: I think the romance relationship takes a much more realistic arc than it did in the past. The obstacles in the couple's path are genuine and not based on easily resolved issues like misunderstandings or lack of communication. Heroes are more complex. I do think it makes the relationship easier to write because the arc tends to be much less formulaic.

S~ Do you ever see yourself writing strictly non-romance, or is it too ingrained in your blood? What do you think romance lends to your stories?

Kylie: Hmm, I don't know if I could ever give up the romance. After reading a straight suspense or watching a thriller movie, I invariably think about how much better it would have been with a relationship in it. One thing romance offers a dark suspense story is hope. While the plot can deal with gritty issues, the reader is still uplifted by the journey the h/h take overcoming past traumas and finding a future together.

S~ Do your family members read your books? How do they feel about having a writer in the family?

Kylie: I've been published since my kids were ages 6-14, so they've pretty much grown up with an author as a mom. They keep me pretty grounded, LOL! My husband has read all my books, and is my biggest fan. My dad also reads and brags about my books. A couple of my daughter-in-laws read them all, and two of my sons have read a couple. I have plenty of people offering me critiques :)

S~ You don't have a critique partner but do you ever participate in brain-storming sessions with other authors? Have anyone locally you bounce ideas off of?

Kylie: A couple years ago two of my published friends and I started getting together for weekend brain-storming sessions twice annually. It works because we know each other very well and so the suggestions we make are usually spot on. It's difficult to schedule those weekends, though.

S~ I've noticed that a lot of romance writers are incredibly supportive of new and unpublished writers. Have you come across someone that you think everyone should know about?

Kylie: Allison Brennan has very insightful comments about the industry and I always find myself reading all of her posts. She's very generous about answering questions for newer authors.

S~ So Kylie, what are you currently working on now? What can we look forward to in the coming months?

Kylie: I recently went back to contract for three more Mindhunters books. (S~ Excellent!) These will have an overarching suspense plot and the last of the three will be Adam Raiker's book.

S~Thank you so much for taking the time to answer any of these questions LOL. I appreciate it, and am really looking forward to posting this interview! And I thank Colleen for giving me a heads-up about your books. Waking Nightmare kept me up way past my bedtime!

Kylie: Thanks for the opportunity, Stacy! Glad you enjoyed WN :)

*******

So there you have it. Stay tuned for your chance to win a copy of Kylie Brant's Waking Nightmare, the first book in her Mindhunters series!

An award: I gots one

2009-10-23T08:07:00.001-05:00

It always amazes me that people take the time to do this, and to include me in the fun. I am horrible when it comes to these things, but I'm trying to mend my ways. No promises, but I'm working on it...

This is the Honest Scrap award, and it was presented to me by my new friend, Heather @ Book Obsessed. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself.

I selected these bloggers as worthy of this award because they always give something back to me. Some of them may not be as well-known, but they are genuine and amazing in their own amazing ways.

In My Own Words: I may not visit everyday, and I don't always comment, but that doesn't mean I don't value your friendship and what you give back, because I do. I keep a lot of things close to my heart, and I don't always share, but I hope this award gives you an idea of how much I treasure you. Online friendships are unique, because you can develop a bond with people you may never meet in person, but I think they are just as important as the friendships in my everyday life. Thank you for all you do.

1. Laurie @ Laurie's Laudanum

2. Lea @ Closetwriter

3. Barbara @ Happily Forever After

4. Mandi @ Smexybooks

5. KristieJ @ Ramblings on Romance, etc.

6. Liza @ Blogging by Liza

7. Kati @ Katidom

Now there are many, MANY other blogs just as deserving, and I realize that. It's hard to narrow it down to just 7 blogs. So if you're not mentioned, it's not because you're not worthy. You ARE! *g*

10 Things About Me

1. Currently I am addicted to Baja Fresh's fish tacos. Can't get enough of 'em.

2. I love kids but will be okay if I never have any of my own. I'm way too selfish anyway.

3. The older I get, the more I hate flying.

4. I was very baptized. I don't go to church but I do believe in God, very much so.

5. I hate candycorn. It is the worst part of Halloween, imo.

6. I'm really bad at meeting people. It makes me nervous. Total dork here. Nothing personal.

7. I love the smell of gasoline. And a wood fire. Coffee. Lilacs. Freshly cut grass...

8. I love visiting haunted places. Did the Richard T. Crowe tour a few years back. So fun!

9. I love being lazy. I have no problem doing absolutely nothing for long periods of time.

10. I cannot hear Taylor Swift's song "You Belong With Me" enough. I will play it til I hate it.

Okay, that's all I've got. I hope you go forth, and share the love......

Blog spotlight: Sarah @ Monkey Bear Reviews

2009-10-22T07:11:00.002-05:00

Do y'all know Sarah? Well you should! I know I first came across her blog as I was blog-hopping, but it wasn't until I "met" her on Twitter that I really got to know her, and it's been such a pleasure chatting with her about books and other topics.

I think each blogger is different in their own interesting and unique way, and one of the things that sets Sarah apart is that she approaches what she does with an intelligent, thoughtful manner that just blows me away. I could read the same book as her, and after reading one of her reviews, come back with a totally different take on it. It's like she absorbs the work and processes it, then comes back with these amazing posts that make me so jealous that I don't have her brains. But she's so cool that I just can't hate her LOL.

Another thing I like about Sarah is that she's unafraid to tackle timely, potentially volatile subjects with a clear, concise opinion and bring forth other angles to discuss. Though I'm not intellectual by any means, I do enjoy thinking about ideas and concepts long after the conversation is over, and Sarah offers me that in spades through her posts. I've learned a lot from her and her blog is definitely one I visit on a regular basis. I might not always post, but I always come away from it with something valuable.

But my high regard for Sarah doesn't stop there. She also has this cool thing she does every once in awhile where she talks about guilty pleasures (i.e. Susan Mallery). I love that even someone who loves to discuss and debate has this fun side that proves we all enjoy books for many reasons, even if we don't always understand why. Her observations are amusing and spot-on, and I like how she doesn't apologize for her guilty pleasures, no matter how truly awful they may be. We should all be so confident in our opinions.

For a taste of the brilliance that is Sarah, check out her review post on Meljean Brook's "Demon Angel". I am so completely jealous that she "got" the book with much less difficulty than I did. This is one of those books I'm going to have to go back and re-read because I exist on a more superficial plain of reality and this is a story you need to fully let yourself sink into before you can grasp its brilliance. However Sarah got it in one. I loved her review and it gave me a renewed sense of urgency to read it again, and very soon.

So please do me a favor: if you haven't visited Sarah's blog before, take a few minutes and stop by to check the place out: Monkey Bear Reviews. She's got a lot to offer discussion-wise, and she's a book lover, just like the rest of us. I know you'll see why I'm such a fan :)

Soooo, what do you think of Sarah's blog?

Pretty awesome, huh?

Blurb for Toni Blake's "Sugar Creek", Book 2 in Destiny series

2009-10-21T06:52:00.005-05:00

Coming June 2010:

Sugar Creek

Welcome to Destiny, Ohio — where the Romo and Farris families have been at odds as long as anyone in town can remember.

Rachel Farris returned to her childhood home with one mission in mind: get Mike Romo out of her family’s apple orchard business and out of their lives. But hard-nosed and totally hot Mike, who happens to be the law in Destiny, is convinced the Farris clan stole the land from his family fifty years ago and he’s not backing down. Even when shapely trouble shows up in a pair of designer blue jeans.

However, neither the hunky cop nor the sexy prodigal hometown girl can anticipate the electricity that heats things up whenever they’re together —adding new sizzle to an ongoing feud that’s raged for generations, and soon putting both their hearts at risk.

I can't wait!

Top 10 reasons why I think you should read "Some Girls Bite" by Chloe Neill (2009)

2009-10-20T07:45:00.004-05:00

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced theirexistence to the world-and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker... and this one decided the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead.

Turns out my savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four hundred year old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude-and servitude. Right...

But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my concerns. Someone's still out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war-and there will be blood...

Of course I have to give a shout-out to Mandi from Smexy Books for bringing this one to my attention. I admit I was feeling rather vamped out, but I'm ever so glad I decided to listen to her and read "Some Girls Bite". The girl knows what she's talking about.

10. The Setting. I love reading books set in Chicago, so check, this one fits the bill. Makes me want to visit each and every spot, even if it is all made up in Chloe Neill's head.

9. The Heroine. I love strong, funny heroines who don't take themselves too seriously, and Merit is all that and more. It's interesting getting her perspective on becoming a vampire against her will, and adjusting to all the changes and rules.

8. The Best friend. Mallory is not just Merit's roommate, they are also the best of best friends, as close as sisters, and she always has Merit's back. She's not just a sidekick; she's got a life and gig of her own. She's sassy, uber smart, and dealing with her own revelations.

7. The Mythology. Being somewhat of a purist, I like it when the history stays close to the original (i.e. Bram Stoker's Dracula is my reference guide here). So there are some elements of the vamp world that are very much in line with the granddaddy of all fangbangers. But that doesn't mean I don't allow for some variety. Chloe mixes it up here and makes it interesting, moreso than those damn BDB chaps. Chloe doesn't have designer everything, and she's got issues that make her interesting. Totally dig that.

6. The Mentor. OMG from the minute Catcher Bell came on the scene, wearing that Public Enemy Number 1 t-shirt, I was in lust. Damn, that boy is fine, and I want me some of that. He's my kinda bad boy, wearing jeans, oozing sex appeal. His woman is a LUCKY woman, and if I didn't like her, I'd seriously hate her. Plus, there's that whole mysterious thing going on. Just WHO is Catcher Bell???

5. The Family. Between the heartless Richies that are mortified by Merit's new situation yet have no compunction trying to use it to their advantage, and the blue-collar grandpa who thinks of Merit as the apple of his eye, Merit's got her hands full with familial responsibilities. At least her grandfather loves her unconditionally and offers a safe haven from her parents.

4. The Weapons. Okay so I tend to be fascinated by the gratuitious violence in vamp novels, and nothing says I want to chop your head off quite like a shiny, sharp sword. But Merit has to learn how to use it first. And that's when Catcher comes in. It's all about honor....

3. Shapshifters and Witches and Nymphs, oh my. In addition to the vamps who have recently come out of the coffins, Chicago is beset with a whole lot of additional otherworldly characters who each have their own individual personalities and unique quirks, and Merit's head is spinning with all this new-found knowledge.

2. The Wealth. Okay, despite Merit wanting to live life on her own terms, she can't possibly deny the perks of being a part of Cadogan House and the idea of living in such luxurious accommodations. Rich, lush, tasteful, the massive and classy pile of bricks is tempting to even the most resistant of principles, so even Merit's impressed it doesn't resemble a Vegas brothel with heavy goth overtones. The Liege has got taste.

1. The Hero. Yum. Granted, Ethan Sullivan isn't exactly hitting all my hot buttons, but the guy is mega rich, incredibly experienced, and sexy in a lithe, panther-like manner, so I figure it's only a matter of time before I succumb to his predator-like chamrs. With the need for a Mr. Darcy-like personality adjustment, and a sensuality that lights Merit's fire, she's got her hands full trying to keep her hands off of her Liege. Yet despite all of Merit's good points, he isn't too happy about the fact he is massively attracted to her against his will, and this could present a big problem for their future. Still, Ethan is the top dog, and his appeal cannot be denied. Like I said, yum.

**Honorable mention**: Morgan. Vamp from a competing house who has the hots for Merit and she most likely also has the hots for him. Didn't like him none too much by the end of the book, but I hear that change is a'comin'. Can't wait for Morgan to persuade me otherwise....

So???? What are you waiting for? Grab your copy today and find out what all the fuss is about.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (2008)

2009-10-19T07:54:00.001-05:00

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created "perfect" life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for--her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

I admit that I don't read much YA romance anymore, not since I was a pre-teen to be exact, but from time to time I'll pick up something that intrigues me or has been given rave reviews by a fellow reader, especially one whose opinion I trust

Such is the case with "Perfect Chemistry". Blogger Christine had been talking about this one awhile back, and it definitely got me interested. The fact that it was set in Chicago piqued my curiosity even more. Then I read the back cover blurb and just knew that this was a book I had to read. Finally, this past weekend, I did.

"Perfect Chemistry" was a quick read for me; I devoured it in less than a day, but don't let that fact fool you. True, it's not filled with complicated dialogue, but it is a deeper story than one would imagine. It's cliche' in that you have the perfect princess matched up with the ultimate bad boy - in this case an acual gang member - yet it's endearingly fresh and bittersweet.

Brittany Ellis is the so-called perfect princess, and of course it's not surprise she's dating her perfect counterpart, golden boy Colin Adams. They've been apart all summer, but surely this was true love, so of course they pick up where they left off as they start their first day of senior year. But Brittany didn't count on a run-in with the most dangerous boy in school, Alejandro Fuentes, or that they would end up as partners in Chemistry class together.

Alex Fuentes has a tough life, one made more difficult by the fact he's the man of the family, and would do whatever it takes to protect his family, even if that means joining a gang. He has no illusions about his chances of going to college or getting away from the dangerous neighborhood he and his family live in. Girls like Brittany Ellis think they're better than everyone else, and he's no more thrilled than she is when they are assigned as lab partners. But maybe, just maybe, he can teach this rich bitch a lesson, and still look cool in front of his friends.

Yet the more Brittany and Alex are around each other, the more they both realize that each is acting a part, portraying an image to the outside world that doesn't really exist. Learning this about each other really opens their eyes to how similar they really are, but how can two people from drastically different worlds ever be more than enemies?

My thoughts:

A book like this reminds me why it's good to read Young Adult stories. As Christine mentions in her review, the story is written where each chapter alternates POV of Brittany and Alex, so it's told in first person but we see both sides of the story without having scenes repeated. So even though we don't really have each side to every event, the storyline was easy to follow and we get a strong idea of how each character reacts to what is happening to them. Written this way, it read rather quickly. It was very engrossing, actually, and I barely could put the book down. It's deceptively simple, yet hooks you from page one and holds on tight. These are the best kinds of stories.

Now this book is not breaking fresh ground here. There are no revelations here, but that's okay. What really impacted me was the vulnerability and honesty of these two young people. Brittany is in no way silly or vapid, other than the persona she adopts in public. Deep down she is a smart, caring young woman who loves her handicapped sister more than anything and is just trying to get by without the rest of the world finding out how screwed up her family is. Alex is tough and cocky, and he has his violent moments, but inside he yearns for what he believes he'll never have; a chance to make something of himself and protect the family he feels responsible for taking care of. Instead of shirking responsibility and only living for the moment like so many young guys his age are doing, he goes to school, and has a job. But he realizes it's only a matter of time that his decision to become a gangbanger will drastically change his whole world and a line will be crossed that he can't walk away from.

What I also liked about this book is that it doesn't take the easy way out. Answers to Brittany's and Alex's problems just don't miraculously appear at the last possible moment, and each of them has to deal with the obstacles and challenges between them rather than counting on having them easily resolved. It's messy, but more effective for having not followed the easy, predictable path. At the same time, it's hopeful. There is no tragic ending here for our young lovers. Some might say this is a safe read, but that's okay. Not every good story out there has to be tragic.

And as much as I enjoyed "Twilight", this book easily surpasses that one in evoking my stronger emotions. I still can't get it out of my head. Sure, there's all those intense, rollercoaster feelings you'd expect in a romance between two teenagers, but it's not so obsessive that it's creepy. It's not overly cynical and rampant with sex and drugs and bad behavior, but it doesn't shy away from those issues either.

Simone has a sequel coming out in May of 2010, called "Rules of Attraction". After reading "Perfect Chemistry", it's definitely on my TBB list.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

Waking Nightmare by Kylie Brant (2009) - review

2009-10-17T09:51:00.001-05:00

First he learns your darkest fears. Then he makes you live them.

With a serial rapist on the loose on the streets of Savannah, hot-shot detective Ryne Robel needs all the help he can get for his task force. And he needs it now, before another woman falls victim. But Abbie Phillips isn't what he bargained for. Sent from an exclusive group of the best criminologists in the country, she's smart, fierce…and distracting. She may be a brilliant forensic profiler, but Ryne needs answers, not pyschobabble and head games.

However, Abbie convinces him that head games are exactly what this elusive suspect is all about. The seemingly random acts or torture are actually calculated to match each victim's darkest fears. And the stakes are rising. While they study the devious psychopath, he's watching them—the next objects of his horrifying obsession.

I have seen Kylie Brant's books around over the years, but it wasn't until Colleen Gleason mentioned her latest release to me that I decided to give them a try. I was in a romantic suspense mode, still am in fact, so I thought it sounded exactly the type of stories I was looking for. Something grittier, edgier, without any paranormal elements but grounded strictly in realistic terms.

This first story in Kylie's Mindhunters series was about a serial rapist. Right then and there, there's a feeling of not quite fear, but of serious tension. Rape. It's one of every woman's nightmares, and here was a villain that not only raped women, but set it up to prolong their suffering long after the brutal attacks. He feeds on their deepest fears and exploits them so cruelly that the victims are left not only reliving the rape but must live with the permanent "scars" he leaves behind.

Ryne Robel is a tough detective determined to capture the monster praying on these women, but he can't do it alone. Along with a variety of law enforcement officials and experts, the profiling skills of Abbie Phillips have been added to the mix without his consent. See, Abbie is a profiler, and Ryne just doesn't have much faith in her line of work. It isn't until he starts to work more closely with her that he realizes the potential her experience brings to his team, and he utilizes her strengths to try to stop another attack from happening. Now if only she would stay out of his head....

Abbie has her own issues, least of all a troubled sister whom Abbie feels responsible for, so she doesn't have time for an unwanted attraction for a man who obviously doesn't want her around. But she's been down this road before, and she wasn't going to let Ryne's attitude chase her off the case. She has a job to do, and she knows she's more than capable of handling this case, with or without the lead detective's cooperation. Time was running out and if they didn't work together to catch a monster, someone else would pay the price...

My thoughts:

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book, although at the same time it gave me chills to read about a man who likes to hurt women. I liked that we see Ryne and Abbie as being very competent in their careers, yet at the same time each of them had demons that drove them. Their jobs were beyond stressful, and made it difficult to maintain stable relationships with their loved ones. It also made them guy-shy to even consider the possibility of getting involved beyond a temporary fling, yet even that didn't seem like a good idea either. Both of them understood that what they were feeling - respect, understanding of the pressures of the job, admiration - went beyond mere attraction, and it scared them off. But sometimes you can't always listen to the voices in your head, so they engage in a passionate affair that gives them a chance to briefly forget about the horrors of their day-to-day job and just "be".

I liked both Ryne and Abbie very much. They were both strong characters but not invincible, and watching the struggle between the logical and the emotional made them all the more real. Abbie especially had a difficult time sometimes separating the reactions of her heart from what she knew in her head to be true. These were human characters who didn't always see reason, and I think the story was the better for it.

The story was going along rather nicely until about the last few chapters of the story, when we discover who the rapist is. This part just seemed to overly rushed, and I didn't feel like we had a clear idea of the attacker, which left me wanting more. Maybe I just like getting into the head of the villain and discovering what his motivation may be, but the ending felt rather abrupt. The story alluded to the abuse he had suffered, but I wanted more. Does that make me a voyeuristic reader? Quite possibly. I just felt a little cheated at the end and wanted find out more about the attacker's history.

Overall though, it was a good, solid story, and an interesting introduction into the world of the Mindhunters. I already have book #2 lined up to read sometime in the near future, and....a Kylie Brant interview. I might be giving away a copy of all three of the books listed at her website, so stay tuned for that....

Rating: **** out of *****

Drive-by....

2009-10-14T08:06:00.003-05:00

I'm still in my weird blogging funk, and don't really have much energy to commit to my beloved corner of the world here, but I will be back. I totally bailed on my planned birthday bash, but that's okay. God willing, there's always next year for that.

I've been reading a lot, which is quite a good thing. Finished the first 2 of Roxanne St. Claire's Bullet Catcher books, read Opal Carew's Secret Ties which really wasn't all that bad but not all that super hot either. BDSM lite, which I didn't mind, but it could have been so much steamier. It just didn't get my hormones raging, which is the sole reason I bought the book. Yes, I admit that I do read some books just for the dirty parts. Just wish this one would have delivered. And in other reading news, I'm now reading Kylie Brant's Waking Nightmare, and it's pretty good. Not quite as absorbing as Leslie Parrish's books, but I'm liking this one a lot. Hope to have more to report on Kylie in the next few weeks.

For my birthday, one of my friends took me out to lunch and to see "The Hangover", which I'd heard nothing but great things about. I was so looking forward to a raunchy, inappropriate movie, and this was definitely that. But that's all it was. Where the hell was the funny? I think either I had out-of-this-world high expectations or they tried way too hard here. Even the teenaged boys sitting in front of us thought it sucked.

Don't get me wrong, I'll drool over Bradley Cooper any day of the week (even though he was pretty much a jerk for most of the movie), and I'm not easily offended in the least, but damn, I was not much amused either. The whole Mr. Chow thing was just downright creepy, and the potential to be hugely and outrageously runny was bursting at the seams here, but it just wasn't working for me. Out of the 30 people in the theatre, I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Heard there's going to be a sequel. I can wait til DVD....

Still watching Gilmore Girls. Halfway through season 6. I've got about 80 DVDs in my Q to get through before I feel ready to replenish. So many tv shows, so little time........

How've you been?

What's going on in your world?

Stuff....

2009-10-06T18:41:00.000-05:00

I still haven't been reading much lately, but it's more from being so exhausted than from a reading slump. I have a ton of great books to read, just too tired to read them, so that sucks. It took me about 3 weeks to finish Evanovich's "Fearless Fourteen", and that's not good. Lately I've been reading a bunch of categories, Harlequin Presents to be exact, because they are quick reads that don't require a lot of concentration.

I've also been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster these days and it's driving me nuts. I'm not really an emotional person, or at least I never was. I never cried at commercials, even the really sappy ones. Now it doesn't take much to set me off. It's so weird. If I didn't know better (and believe me I know VERY WELL) I'd think I was pregnant. But I think the combination of stress, lack of sleep and feeling a little left out just snowballed into this hormonal typhoon that's sucked me dry. I want to go back to being my apathetic self. I miss me LOL.

But I did catch up on a lot of sleep this weekend. Saturday night I met a friend for dinner at Big Bowl, this really yummy Asian restaurant, and then we went and saw Robin Williams for his Chicago performance the “Weapons of Self-Destruction” comedy tour. OMG was that fun. If you're not easily offended and not a prude, I think you would have loved it too. I'm not the biggest fan, but I've enjoyed some of his movies over the years, so I didn't mind going to see him in concert. I don't find him sexy like my friend L does, but then again she used to think Richard Simmons was sexy, so her opinion is rather questionable at best. Still, it was a fun time, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Television-wise, I just finished Season 5 of Gilmore Girls, where Lorelai asks Luke to marry her. Don't tell me what happens, but I hope he says "yes". I like him much better than Rory's father. Personally I think Christopher is a wimp, and Lorelai's parents are aggravating, but Luke, I like. And Rory, what is going on with that girl? She used to be so much less dependent on men, now she's all into Logan and he's turning her into such a sissy girl. Really hate that. Don't get me wrong, Logan's cute in his own way, but I hate who spineless Rory's become since he entered the picture. I have a feeling there will be 2 more seasons of this...

Updated to add: I finally grabbed something off the TBR pile! "Kill Me Twice" by Roxanne St. Claire is this week's lucky winner.

***

So, what's up with you?

Coming Soon: What She Wants by Lacey Alexander

2009-10-05T06:43:00.008-05:00

What She Needs

Welcome to the Hotel Erotique, where sex is the main amenity.

Mild-mannered Jenna Banks has never considered sex a recreational sport, preferring instead to share herself one-on-one with a man she respects and loves. Then a friend secretly enters her in a contest—and to Jenna’s dismay she wins. It’s a two-week stay at the notorious Hotel Erotique, where every sexual fantasy comes true—in room after room, with stranger after stranger.

Even more unnerving for Jenna is Brent Powers, her wildly sensual personal guide, who can’t wait to put his degree in sexual psychology to work—by tapping into Jenna’s unspoken fantasies, and by allowing her to surrender her inhibitions and discover her true sense of freedom. But with the slow and steady seduction of Jenna come feelings that neither of them expected. And now where the final fantasy takes them depends on how far Jenna and Brent are really willing to go.

***

Release date: November 3, 2009!