It's Thursday!

Hey everyone! I know, I've been awful again with the updating, so here's a quicky.

I finished Paula Quinn's Laird of the Mist, which JenB recommended. I quite enjoyed it. I didn't love, love, love it. But it was a fun and easy read. And Callum MacGregor is my all time favorite type of hero, the super alpha brought to his knees by his woman. I loved how Quinn was able to show how much he loved Kate. Even when he was doing his damndest to push her away, and was being nasty and surly, the way he looked and her and touched her and how she made him laugh was really touching. It's a quick and painless read that I found lots of fun. Over all, I think I'd give it a B-. Mostly because even though I really enjoyed the story, there's really nothing "special" about it. It's a really enjoyable book.

I took yesterday afternoon off, and spent it at home. The oak pollen right now is astronomical here in DC. I think it's bothering just about everyone. It did rain some yesterday, but it's still pretty heavy. The count is down from over 2,000 to about 1,000, which is still really high. Anyway, allergies make me really sleepy and give me a ton of problems with my contact lenses. So I spent yesterday in the chair, in my glasses reading a book.

I've been keeping an eye on Rotten Tomatoes seeing how the movie Wolverine is doing. So far, it's getting pretty mediocre reviews, but frankly, since my boyfriend, Taylor Kitsch is in it, I'll be dishing out the money to see it probably on Sunday morning. The thing about me is, that my tastes are low brow enough that if a movie is scoring anywhere between 45% and 100%, I'll probably like it. And I love a big action flick. I enjoyed the first X-Men movie, so I'm expecting to like this one too. Plus, if you're not sold on the story, look at Taylor as Gambit. In fact, look at this quote from Hugh Jackman's wife about Taylor:

Being married to Hugh Jackman (pictured with co-star and fellow hunk Ryan Reynolds, left) has to be up there on the "How lucky is she" list, but the Wolverine star told USA TODAY's Kelley Carter that someone else caught his wife Deborra-Lee Furness' eye in the film.

"When she saw the movie, which she said was her favorite of the four — which is great because she's always honest with me — when Taylor Kitsch came on … she said 'Hubba, hubba.' And I was like 'OK. That's good. He's good, isn't he?' And she was like 'No. He is hot!' "

Heh. And she's married to HUGH JACKMAN.

ETA1: Don't get the appeal of Taylor Kitsch? Read this article about Taylor's role on Friday Night Lights and how it will translate to Wolverine. Quote from the article: "You hold hands with Matt Saracen, you marry the coach...you have sex with Tim Riggins."

ETA2: I have a review up at RNTV today, Hard & Fast by Erin McCarthy. Go forth, read and maybe leave me a comment...

How's your week going? Reading anything good? Will you be going to see Wolverine?

Wow!

It's been almost a week since I posted anything. My week was NUTS! We had this big huge reception on Capitol Hill on Thursday evening followed by a Board of Directors meeting on Friday and Saturday. Our reception on the Hill was my baby, and it was attended by our newest Board member, Ashley Judd. She's a lovely, lovely woman, although, to be a bit catty, not as tiny as I thought she'd be. Now granted, she hasn't been doing a movie lately, but I thought she'd be practically emaciated. Instead, she's just a regular sized person. Probably a size 6, in no way fat, or anything, just not as teeny, tiny as I thought she'd be. Her skin is luminous. I've never seen anything like it. Anyway, she did her appearance with us on Thursday, but then had to catch a flight out that night to get to Venice for "a friend's" wedding. Turns out that friend was Salma Hayek. Wow, huh?

Anyway, with all the crazy going on, I didn't have much time to blog. Sorry 'bout that.

So, I'm reading Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn. She's a new to me author, and I picked up the book after I read somewhere that JenB liked it. Since she's been on quite a historical kick lately, I though, hey why not? So far I'm enjoying it. There's nothing shocking or different about it, but the writing is very capable, and I quite like the heroine, who is smart and feisty, but so far not stupid in any way. And the hero is shaping up to be a type that I love, that whole "I'm totally honorable, and yet have a major grudge against your family" type. We'll see. But I'm about six chapters in and have found the book quite entertaining.

I ordered a bunch of books from Amazon, which arrived last week, so this is one. I also ordered Ann Aguirre's Blue Diablo, which has been quite positively reviewed by Katiebabs and CJ. Kmont was a little less enamored, but it's enough for me to pick it up. But I'll need to be in the right mindset for it, I think. I also picked up Dragonbound by Jade Lee, which got a good review from AAR. I've never read anything by Lee before, but I checked with Katiebabs, and she's liked stuff from Jade Lee before, so that's good enough for me. The last book I ordered was False Colors by Alex Beecroft, which I'm SO excited about. It got an almost gushy review from Sarah at Dear Author, and I love those sweeping, epic love stories. It's M/M, but the review was so glowing, I couldn't do anything but pick it up. I've got about six books coming from RNTV for review this week too, so looks like I'm set for a while. And just in time for it to get really hot here in DC. It's about time to start clocking some pool time! Woohoo!

I was all set to go yesterday to see The Soloist in the theater, but I just...wasn't in the mood. So I skipped it. This Saturday I'm going to have a Brazillian Keratin Treatment done on my hair, which should relax and defrizz it. I'm SO excited. The treatment lasts about 3-4 months on color treated hair, which should get me through most of the summer, woohoo! I can't wait! I'm sort of nervous, because it does use some strong ingredients, but if it will defrizz my hair for the summer, I'm all in!

Also, it's dawned on me that in a little less than two months I'll be on the beach for a week. Thus, I got back on the diet bandwagon yesterday by joining Weight Watchers again. I've put on about 10 pounds since I hit my goal weight. I'm quite sure I can't lose all 10 pounds before I go to the beach, but I can do 5-7, and that's what I'm going to do. I'd kind of blocked out how freaking hungry one gets on WW for the first couple of weeks until your stomach adjusts to having much less food in it. So, I'm both PMS-ing AND hungry. I should probably come with a warning label today.

Did you do anything good this weekend? What are you reading? What's up in your life?

Secondaries Who Need a Book

There are bunches of books that I've read where the secondary characters have really stood out. In some, the authors do go on to write a Happily Ever After for them. In many, no story was ever written.

And since I love a list, here's my list of secondary romance characters who I think need their own love story.

1- Cat, The Windflower by Tom & Sharon Curtis. I still consider this to be a travesty that they quit writing before telling Cat's story. I just pretend like Cat did finally embrace his legacy and find a fiesty, is morally ambiguous woman who kicked his ass around the block.

2-Siera Mallory, To Die For & Drop, Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard. Blair's attorney sister, she's in very few scenes, but we know she's a fiesty, tiny, Southern attorney, and she manages to give Wyatt (the hero) a hard time on a couple of occasions. If I can't have another Blair story, I want Siera's.

3-Joe Travis, Sugar Daddy, Blue Eyed Devil & Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. I was shocked to hear that at this point Lisa doesn't intend to write Joe's story. If ever a man was screaming out for an HEA, Joe is. Plus, well, I love the Travises, and would just like to visit them again.

4-Aubrey Quinn, The Chesapeake Bay saga by Nora Roberts. I get that this one is never gonna happen. But again, I just love the Quinn's, they're among my all time favorite romance families. It's just so darn sad that Nora will never write Aubrey's story.

5-Marie Martineau, See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson. I loved the way she tweaked Luc left and right. I'd love to her grown up and finding a man. Even better, a hockey player.

What secondary characters do you wish had gotten their own books?

Aaaand, We're Back

Yay! I feel like I've gotten my reading mojo back. Thank God!

So, this weekend I read three books (I KNOW! Shocking!). So here are mini reviews of each.

For Her Pleasure by Maya Banks. I picked this one up because I really enjoyed the first Maya Banks that I read, Be With Me, which was a well told story of one heroine and three heroes. This story was um, similar. Almost too similar. One heroine, two heroes, but she was being stalked, had practically been raped, and she had two burly childhood friends (both unsurprisingly hot) who love and protect her. The story is divided into three parts, the last actually featuring a friend of one of the heroes. The stories were too short for my tastes and frankly, I didn't buy the supposed HEA between the heroine and her two heroes. Final grade: D

An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes. I begged Kate to send this one to me when I found out she'd read it because the storyline intrigued me. Two high ranking scoundrels from haute ton make a very public bet about who is the better lover. A very respectable widow decides to volunteer to judge the competition while remaining anonymous to the public. She travels away with the first of the heroes, seduction and attraction ensue. In fact, chemistry and fantastic sex ensues. She comes home realizing that she's fallen for one of London's most notorious rakes who really and truly doesn't want to get married. Except that the idea that she's about to go off with one of his closest friends for a week of seduction and sex is making his crazy. It's really not a tough story, but I found it to be wonderfully entertaining. Emma Wildes is a talented author (who I'd never heard of), and I look forward to reading more from her. The secondary romance in the story is nearly as entertaining as the first. This is a fast and well written historical, if you go for the public bet gone awry story line. Final grade: B+

Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Night. A friend of mine recommended this beautifully written story to me. It's the story of two battered and broken people who find love. Michael is a widower. His partner Alex was killed after being hit by a drunk driver. Also injured in the accident was their seven year old daughter, Andrea. Now Michael is alone, trying to raise his daughter, and completely adrift with what to do. Rebecca O'Neill is a former child actress who now works for a production company bidding on scripts for the company to produce. She quit acting after being brutally attacked by a rabid fan who believe she was his girlfriend. She was stabbed nine times and was terribly scarred in the attack, including her face. She spent over a month in ICU recovering from her wounds, but the attack has left her not just scarred physically, but the victim of anxiety attacks and paranoia. She meets Michael, an electrician, when the power is out in her office. Since the office is shadowed, they engage in a very mild flirtation, and she ends up taking Andrea out for a quick bite. Andrea realizes that she and Rebecca have something in common, scars that are healed physically but not emotionally. They begin a connection that the young girl has never had with anyone. What begins for Michael as a way for someone to connect with his troubled and distant little girl becomes an attraction between two adults damaged by life and trying to find their way. The book is written from the perspective of both characters, alternating by chapter between viewpoints. It is a deeply emotional tale, and one that the author never, ever pulls any punches on. At first I was unsure, if Michael was in a gay relationship, how would it work for him to be with a woman? Would it be credible? I found it to be completely credible. Ms. Knight handled the story with a delicacy and believability that had me flipping pages as fast as I possibly could. I also have to give HUGE kudos to Angela James with Samhain, this book is definitely outside the norm of what we read in romance, and was probably slightly chancy, but it is just a truly lovely romance. I'm so glad I had a chance to read it. It will easily go into my top 10 favorite books I've read this year. Final grade: A.

ETA: OK, so I just sent gushy fangirl notes to Deidre and to Angie James. I never know, do authors like to hear from slightly stalkerish fangirls? Or is it weird??

This Post is About Football

ETA: Huh. So the draft is NEXT weekend. So that means one more week of angst. Thanks Meghan & Wendy. It's a fair point you make.

Of course, I stand by ALL the rest of this rant.

********************************************************

Apparently NEXT weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Saturday at 4:00 ET, the NFL Draft kicks off. Now yes, most of you have no interest whatsoever in the draft, and honestly, I shouldn't either, considering that the Redskins SUCK at drafting, and generally prefer to make a splash during free agency. Needless to say, I'll be glued to my TV around 4:00 to watch the festivities. At least, until the 13th pick.

There's quite a bit of nervousness among Redskins fans right now, as there are rumors abounding that the Redskins are about to make a colossal mistake and draft ANOTHER rookie quarterback. Which is just flat-out stupid. We have a young QB right now whose numbers have improved every single year that he's been a starter. Mark my words, if we let Jason Campbell go, the next team he goes to will be in the Super Bowl. Why? Not necessarily because Campbell is THAT good a QB, but because that's how it works with the 'Skins. We give up a QB, they go on to lead their next team to the Super Bowl (Trent Green, Brad Johnson. the list could go on for miles). And we'll be left with another rookie who we'll eventually realize is NOT a franchise QB. Because franchise QB's don't come around that often. Sure, Atlanta and Baltimore both got lucky last year. And there is a possibility that Mark Sanchez (the QB that the 'Skins are rumored to be interested in) would be a franchise QB, but IMO, the 'Skins should give Campbell another year, especially given our very real needs at OT and DE. Then, if Campbell doesn't do well this year, let him go and trade up for a franchise QB like Tim Tebow from Florida. But does the Danny listen to me?? NOOOOOOO.

And so it goes. As of now, the Redskins are projected by most experts to go 9-7 again this season. So that will be roughly 5 or 6 seasons of mediocrity in a row. C'est la vie.

Second point, the NFL lost a couple of giants this week. The passing of Harry Kalas I've already talked about. But John Madden's retirement, announced yesterday, is HUGE. Madden is not just a well known figure because of his video game empire, but also as a Hall of Fame coach and the best colorman in the industry. Even as he's dropped off a bit in the last few years, I've still always enjoyed his broadcasts. I have to say, though, that I'm very satisfied with Cris Collinsworth as his replacement. I know that there are many who don't care for Collinsworth, but I've always found him to be a smart colorguy who understands not just the fundamentals of the game, but the nuances. I almost always learn something when watching Collinsworth call a game. And there are too many broadcasters you can't say that about.

Anyway, this weekend I'll be parked in front of the TV for a good portion of the evening. Then begins to long, dry season of little to no football news. Just a late May mini-camp. SIGH. I'm bummed already.

Is that a flashlight in your pants...

I've just started reading Ghostland by Jory Strong. I asked Kate to send it to me, because she really enjoyed it, and we generally have the same tastes, except for her ha-ha romance thing, which I don't have.

Here's the thing, I'm not even kidding you, from the first instant that we meet the hero, when he slaps eyes on the heroine, he's erect. I mean, CONSTANTLY. He's aware that other people can see his erection through his soft, linen pants. He doesn't seem to care that much. Now, this is a paranormal romance, and well, often the sex is charged up and it's totally acceptable in different cultures for the relationship between hero and heroine to be very sexualized. Hell, that's half the appeal of the books for me. But in all seriousness, this guy is constantly hard. I mean, ALL. THE. TIME. ETA: No, it's not a paranormal power, just my point was that in paranormals, often sexuality is more essential to the story. So far there's been no indication that sex is "critical" to the hero's species, it's just that he has no control of his peen, apparently and is constantly erect around the heroine.

This comes down to being a whole lot of tell for me. And not much show. Now,granted, I'm only five or six chapters into the book. And the h/h have only had a couple of encounters, one of which was pretty sexual in nature, although it didn't go all the way. But here's the thing, I feel like it's incumbent on the author to SHOW the sexual tension, not just tell us that the hero is constantly hard. I really am only a few chapters into the book, but I am already struck by how much telling is going on with regard to the attraction between the hero and the heroine. Not to mention the purple prose. For goodness sake, we've had "womanly folds" and "manhoods" both mentioned so far.

Thing is, the story and world building is interesting, but since I'm one of those readers who is reading far more for the romance than that UF or Fantasy aspect of the book, I think this is why it's sticking out to me. I love UFs that balance a well written romance with a well written UF/Fantasy story. So far, I'm not completely convinced that I'm going to get it with Ghostland.

I am a huge fan of sexual tension. In fact most of my favorite romance re-reads are books that feature a ton of tension between the h/h before they consummate. I think that Linda Howard is a master (mistress?!) of it. I think that Ward, when she puts her mind to it writes some dandy tension. Lisa Kleypas writes lovely tension too.

Which are your favorite books that feature sexual tension? Who so you think writes tension best?

A New Costume Drama Crush

When, oh when will this movie get distribution in the States? I *LOVE* Emily Blunt and this movie has freaking everything I love: costume porn, court intrigue and a British ingenue playing royalty.

Slump...

Hey Everyone! Wow. I've been in a total blogging slump lately, I think mostly brought on by my total lack of motivation to read anything. On top of that, I have two major events next week, one of which is being attended by Ashley Judd, who is joining my company's board of directors. So, lots of work and when I get home, i seem to be mostly catatonic, which results in not reading that much.

Anyway, here's what I've been thinking about lately:

Sara and I went to Shepherdstown this weekend for a night away. We had such a good time. We left about noon and stopped at the Blue Ridge Grill in Leesburg for lunch. It's not that there is anything special per se about the Blue Ridge Grill, just really yummy food and it's really clean and fresh feeling. It's my favorite excuse to go shopping in Leesburg. Anyway, we went up to Shepherdstown and checked into the Bavarian Inn, which was wonderful and lovely. We even stayed in the same chalet that we stayed in for my parent's 50th anniversary. We shopped around in Shepherdstown, which is this darling little Civil War era town that is full of cool coffee houses and funky stores and bakeries and restaurants. Neither of us bought a single thing, but we had a great time shopping around. Then we had a delicious dinner at the Inn and went back to our room and lay around in our PJs and chatted. It felt really decadant and wonderful to do. We checked out the next morning, and stopped at the bakery for some pasteries and coffee and then headed home. We were home by 11AM. It was just a perfect night away.

I'm still reading Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh. I actually am quite enjoying it, but it is a scosh predictible, so I just haven't finished it. I'm sticking with the series mostly because I'm dying for the youngest brother (Stephen)'s book. I'm also listening to The Villa by Nora Roberts, which is one of my favorites by her. I love anytime she writes an Italian family. Mostly because I secretly would love to come from a huge Italian family. I don't know why, but I LOVE romances that feature big Italian families. This one is no exception.

I was so sad to hear that Harry Kalas died yesterday. Most of you won't recognize the name (unless you're from Philadelphia), but he has one of the most recognizable voices in the world. He was the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1971 until yesterday. He was also the voice of NFL films, which is where I know him from. He was a legendary journalist and one of the true greats in sports reporting. I know that those in Philadelphia are devastated to have lost him, and I share their sadness. He was a class act all the way.

I'm looking forward to going to see State of Play this weekend. I adore movies where the protagonist is a journalist of any kind. And to have Russell Crowe playing one will be fantastic. I'll be following my usual plan and going on Sunday morning. I hope the movie gets decent reviews. Doesn't really matter, I'll be seeing it anyway.

I guess that's about it for me. I know, I'm really boring these days. Stick with me, you guys! I promise my reading slump will end soon and I'll get my butt in gear to start doing a better job blogging.

In the meantime, tell me what's going on with you?? Seen any good movies lately? Or read any terrific books? Watching anything good on TV?

We Have A Winner

Thanks everyone for playing my "Getting to Know You" contest.

Our winner is:

Lusty Reader!

Congratulations! Please email me at marykate317 at gmail dot com with your mailing address and I'll send off your gift card!

Getting to Know You

RNTV is doing this, and I think it's just a terrific idea.

I want to get to know those of you who stop by my blog a little better. Please post your answers in the comments section.

One randomly chosen commenter will win a $15 gift card from Borders.


1-Where do you live?
2-Do you have a blog or live journal? If so, please provide the address.
3-What's your favorite show in television?
4-What's your favorite movie?
5-Do you read romance? If so, what's your favorite genre?
6-What's your favorite romance of all time?
7-Who's your favorite actor/actress?
8-What's your favorite food of all time?
9-What's your favorite musical?
10-Are you a sports fan? If so, what's your favorite sport/team?

The contest has ended. Thanks for playing! Winner will be announced on Sunday, April 12th. Stay tuned!

Have fun! I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

Stolen Meme (from Nicola)

Thanks Nicola!

1. What author do you own the most books by?
Nora Roberts, especially if you count the JD Robb series too.

2. What book do you own the most copies of?
The Windlfower. I own three copies. One for a loaner, one pristine copy and one for me to re-read over and over and over again.

3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Um, it's not that much of a secret. Roarke from the In Death series.

4. What book have you read more than any other?
Wow, this is hard, I'm a chronic re-reader. I annually re-read The Windflower, but if I had to guess, my all time favorite comfort read is Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan. I'd guess I've read it over 50 times.

5. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Meet the Austins by Madeline L'Engle. I also really loved Jane Emily by Patricia Clapp.

6. What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
Hmmm, probably Six by Opal Carew, who I usually love. But this book was just...too porny for me.

7. What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Best book? As opposed to favorite book? Technically speaking, the best written book I read in the past year is probably Scandal by Carolyn Jewel or Broken Wing by Judith James. Favorite book? Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas.

8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?

Wow, tough question. For romance readers, I have a list of 10 books I think all romance readers should read. The one book I think everyone should read? Les Miserables it's a favorite..

9. What is the most difficult book you've ever read?
Good question. Les Femmes savantes by Moliere when I was in college. French is hard enough to read without it being a farce as well.

10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
French. Absolutely.

11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?
Shakespeare for sure.

12. Austen or Eliot?
Austen, pleas.e

13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
My lack of reading SO many of the classics. Even more embarassing, my lack of desire to EVER read the classics.

14. What is your favorite novel?
Romance: The Windflower. Fiction: The Mists of Avalon

15. Play?
A Few Good Men

16. Poem?
Ode to A Grecian Urn? No, I'm kidding. Probably I'm Sick by Shel Silverstein

17. Essay?
I don't read essays.

18. Short Story?
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

19. Non Fiction
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

20. Graphic Novel?
Never read one.

21. Science Fiction?
I don't believe I've ever read a straight Sci Fi book before.

22. Who is your favorite writer?
Nora Roberts

23. Who is the most over rated writer alive today?
Dean Koontz

24. What are you reading right now?
Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh

25. Best Memoir?
I can't remember ever reading a memoir. I've read some biographies.

26. Best History?
The Life of Elizabeth I by Allison Weir

27. Best mystery or Noir?
Hm, I just finished reading In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming, which I found to be outstanding.

Random Post

Hey Everyone! Hope you're doing well. Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged about...well really anything. Here's what I'm thinking about this week.

1-Friday Night Lights. First, woohoo! FNL has been renewed for not just one season, but two. Which is appropriate because it remains, in my opinion, the best written, most compelling show on television. I successfully convinced my friend Katie to start watching, and after just three episodes, she's all in. This week's episode that aired on NBC had me alternating between the edge of my seat and completely falling apart. I've never watched a show that is more adept at tugging on the heartstrings without going into schmaltz.

2-Reading. Ugh. I've been just awful lately with the reading. KB just sent me a big package of books, which I promise I'll get to! This weekend I finished Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione and wrote the review for RNTV. I wasn't as wowed as I was by Passion Unbound, but it was definitely a fun read, and I still find the world to be one of the most fully fleshed out paranormal worlds out there. I also (no surprise here) re-read Smooth Talking Stranger (I just got my own copy in the mail) for the sixth time. Then I put it on the shelf where I'm sure I'll break it out again next time I need a little comfort. Now I've started Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh. I think that I'm going to like it better than First Comes Marriage. The hero is an absolute scoundrel, which is one of my favorite types. We'll see how it goes.

3-Listening. I'm still listening to Angels & Demons by Dan Brown on audiobook. I read the book about seven years ago, and quite enjoyed it. But I'd forgotten most of it, and I wanted to refamiliarize myself before the movie comes out. I'm enjoying it, but the narrator has NO knack with accents and should just stick to reading. But for the most part it's entertaining and full of cool tidbits that make me desperate to visit Rome and the Vatican (I've never been). Ah, well, someday, perhaps.


4-Basketball. Woohoo! The UNC Tarheels made it to the National Championship tonight. They're favored to win, but Michigan State practically has home court advantage and the crowd will be hugely partisan. Fortunately, the 'Heels are usually pretty good on the road. But it's going to be an edge of your seat kind of game. LET'S GO HEELS!

5-Movies. I forgot to tell you guys I went to see I Love You, Man last weekend. I loved it. Hilariously funny and uncomfortable, but truly entertaining and very sweet. I think Paul Rudd is just adorable and he does goofy so well. I also adore Jason Segel, who is monsterously funny and so gifted with musical instruments. I really can't recommend it enough. If you've got some time, this is NOT just a guy movie -- although it does have some hilariously guy-ish moments.

6-Entertainment. I'm off to Busch Gardens Williamsburg with my sister's family this Friday. I'd imagine the park will be jammed, but it'll be fun to spend the day and not have it be stiffling hot. I love BGW, great rides, yummy food, and a great day with family. I'm totally looking forward to it. Then, the next day, I'll get the chance to spend the day and night with my sister. This year, I gave her for Christmas a night away, just the two of us. Not that I don't adore her family, I honestly do. But Sara is one of my best friends, and we only rarely get to hang out, just the two of us. So I'm looking forward to spending some time just the two of us. We're off to The Bavarian Inn, which is where my folks had their 50th anniversary party. We had an awesome time when we were there before, and the restaurant there is frankly, beyond delicious. So we'll go and have a fun night away. Should be fun!

7-Fashion. That's a LOT of dress for such a little woman, Carrie Underwood. Not sure you are pulling it off. Even though I love the color.

That's all I've got! I hope you guys are doing well.




What are you thinking about this week? Read any good books? You're rooting for the Tarheels tonight, right?

S'Go 'Heels!

Our time is now.

Shiny!

Here's the next in Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series!

Isn't it delicious!?

The book is Sabin's (the Keeper of Doubt and the leader of the Greek Warriors). Sabin is one of my favorites, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's due out in September.

Visit Gena's Lords of the Underworld site here.

The books are big fun, and yummy hot. If you haven't tried them, I recommend them wholeheartedly.

I'm not going to lie...

Today makes me cranky. I hate, hate, hate practical jokes. Which is ironic because I grew up in a family where teasing is a way of life.

So to that end, I give you:

Hot cowboy man.
Hello, Mister Cowboy.
I'd probably let you play jokes on me. I'm shallow like that.