Hey Kati - The New Year's Eve Edition

Whatcha reading? Oye! I owe Kate a review of Jo Davis's Hidden Fire (this weekend, I promise, Kate!). SPOILER: I liked it WAY better than Under Fire. I'm reading a western romance called Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner for Book Binge, and I've got the new Laura Kinsale to read and review for Smexy Books. I've also got to do a quick re-read of All Through The Night by Connie Brockway for a thing I'm doing with CJ. So, it's good to be me right now. Lots of reading to be done.

Whatcha watching (the TV edition)? I watched the Kennedy Center Honors on Tuesday night. It's a remarkably well done awards program. Granted, they've only got six awards to give, and it's very, very produced, but the show itself is a ton of fun to watch. This year, the highlights were an award for Robert DeNiro, which was aweseome. He just looked so appalled the entire time, but so humble as well. His tributors were: Meryl Streep, Edward Norton, Ben Stiller, Harvey Keitel and Sharon Stone. It was well done, but slightly weird. The other awardee of note (to me) was Bruce Springsteen. First, his tributor was Jon Stewart who was both hilarious, and very reverent. The musical honors were done by John Mellencamp (weird arrangement of Born to in the USA), Melissa Etheridge, who kicked Born to Run's ass, Ben Harper and Jennifer Nettles doing I'm on Fire and closed by Sting and an incredible choir doing The Rising. It made me nostalgic for sitting on Scott Jackson's back porch listening to Bruuuuuuce when I was in high school. I'm just sorry we didn't get Thunder Road, which is my favorite of his songs.

Whatcha watching (the Movie edition)? I went and saw It's Complicated on Christmas Day. It was...OK. Look, I love Nancy Meyer's movies. Something's Gotta Give is one of my favorites. In particular, the houses that she shoots are incredible. And Alec Baldwin was interesting in a mostly irredeemable role. Steve Martin was adorable, and Meryl was, well, Meryl. The movie just left me somehow cold. Also, I hated they way they dressed Meryl Streep. Dumpy city. She's a remarkably attractive woman (not gorgeous, but definitely attractive), but they did her absolutely no favors throughout this movie.

Whatcha listening to? Glee Soundtrack, Volume 1. This sound track makes me so happy. It's got that great Broadway type vibe, but it's all very popular songs. I'm also seriously loving the Zac Brown Band, particularly Chicken Fried and Toes. Both songs make me yearn for summer.

Whatcha doing for New Years? Scott and I are meeting our friends Josh and Julia for dinner and then, yes, karaoke. My guy loves the karaoke. I'm not going to lie, there will be adult beverages, so it should be a good time.

To each of you, I wish a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Be safe!

What are you reading? Seen any good movies? How 'bout TV? What's up with you??

Kati's Favorite Heroes

Earlier this year, I did posts on my favorite historical romances, favorite contemporaries, and favorite PNR/UF romances. I thought I would also do posts on a variety of favorite characters in romance. Of course, it has to kick off with heroes.

I read romance almost exclusively for the heroes. What woman doesn't like to fantasize occasionally about a big, strong man brought to his figurative (or sometimes literal) knees by his love for a woman? I am a sucker for an alpha hero. Not just an alpha, but an ALPHA. And I'm bewitched by any alpha who is a caregiver to the heroine at the same time.

10. Cameron Quinn, Sea Swept by Nora Roberts. I love me some Cameron. A playboy and thrill seeker who loves leggy models and fast cars, Cam comes home as soon as he gets the news that his adoptive father is dying after an accident. He and his brothers are saddled with a young boy his father adopted. And he becomes, for all intents and purposes, a stay at home mom. When he meets Anna, the social worker assigned to look into whether or not he and his brothers are competent to care for the young boy, sparks fly. I love Cam because he's the potent combination of charm and quick temper, but mostly because he works so hard to care for a kid he'd never seen before.

9. Jefferson Wyatt Bloodsworth, To Die For and Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard. I think Linda Howard writes some seriously dandy alpha males. And Wyatt is no exception. Here's what I love about Wyatt most, we never ever -- not even once, get into his head. His love story is told exclusively from Blair's point of view. And yet, we understand this man completely, who falls for a teeny tiny ballbreaker, and absolutely holds his own with her. I love that he is utterly alpha, and smart, and determined to never let Blair get the best of him. He's delicious.

8. McKenna, Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas. A stable boy who falls in love with an earl's daughter, McKenna is classic Kleypas. He's a blue collar hero who is single minded in his pursuit and adoration of a woman "above his station." After she hurts him unaccountably, he leaves, makes something of himself, and comes back for revenge. And oh, do the sparks fly. Especially when he finds that she still loves and wants him, but won't have him. And then he finds out why, and he gives her a speech that will just melt your knickers. It remains my favorite Kleypas historical for the speech alone.

7. Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore, A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. Oh! Em! Gee! Do I love this book. McNaught is very often a polarizing figure in romance, but to me she's a grand dame. This book features the fiesty heroine, kidnapped by her father's sworn enemy, forced into marriage and loyal to that family to the end. But Royce, the hero, is at his heart, a good man. One who only wants peace, although is reknowned as the King's most lethal weapon, causes him to have to fight constantly for that peace. When he meets Jenny, the heroine, he knows that his happiness will lie with her, if she'd ever stop fighting him. Their battle is gorgeously crafted. And it has to be said that the ending scenes, where he chooses to honor a promise to her, and is practically killed in the lists remains one of the most swoonworthy I've ever read.

6. Senior Chief Stanley Wolchonok, Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann. I love Stan because he's *not* a good looking guy. He's a good guy. He's strong, and steadfast, and very good at his job. He's a leader of men. And he is completely in love, from the start, with Teri Howe, a pilot and soldier in her own right. He respects her, and secretly wants her. And when she figures it out, and goes about seducing him, he fights it on every level because he thinks she pities him. Boy does he learn he's wrong. I love Stan because once he figures out that she wants him, he's not going to let her go, and will go to every length possible to keep her happy. I don't read the Troubleshooters anymore. But I'll still pick this one up and savor it occasionally.

5. Gage Travis, Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas. OK, sure, Gage has dropped down a couple of notches in my hero roster. But I still adore him. Again, another hero whose head we never have the chance to climb inside of, but who Kleypas is able to draw as a fully realized, completely compelling guy. He's a tremendouly successful businessman, loyal to his family, and suspicious of our heroine, Liberty. But it is his surprising sensitive side that makes him so interesting as a hero. I almost never re-read all of Sugar Daddy. I always open it to the scene where Liberty goes to take care of Gage when he has the flu. I love how evolved he is, and yet still utterly alpha at his core.

4. Rhage, Lover Eternal by JR Ward. I can't help it. I adore Rhage. He's the least angsty of the Brothers. But I love how from the moment he meets Mary, all he wants is to be with her and to make her happy. He's completely alpha and yet an absolute caregiver. It's a wonderfully arousing combination.

3. Lucas Hunter, Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. Ah, Lucas. I adore him so. He's an actual alpha, and yet, when he finds Sascha Duncan invading his dreams, he allows her to explore her sensual side. He keeps pushing at her barriers, enabling her to discover that she can feel things, and slowly building that connection between the two of them. My favorite scene in the book is one where they are sitting on a couch, having a conversation with another couple. They start out on opposite sides of the couch, and by the end of the scene, she's in his lap, with her hand on his bare skin. It shows how he maneuvers her, without ever making her lose her will, into not just his arms, but his heart.

2. Jack Travis, Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. I feel slightly incestuous, having both Jack and Gage Travis on my favorite heroes list. But hey, Lisa Kleypas is just that good. Jack is another wildly successful businessman, and one who is a total playboy. Until he meets Ella Varner, who presents him with her nephew, who she claims is his child. Now, Jack knows the baby isn't his, but he's fascinated by a woman who would drop everything in her life to care for the infant. Soon he's arranging for a place to live, and building cribs, and seducing her. Jack is another of those caregiving alphas, and is Lisa's best hero ever.

1. Roarke, In Death series by JD Robb. In my opinion, there has never been a better hero created in romance. Roarke is every woman's fantasy: loaded, gorgeous, generous and ruthless. And because of the length of the series, we've had an opportunity that we don't get in most books. To really, really know him. We know how he thinks, we know his past, we know his strong protective streak, and we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, of his unswerving devotion to his wife. He is the ultimate in romance fantasy and easily, my all time favorite hero.

So, there you have it, my Top 10 favorite heroes.

Lisa Kleypas has three heroes in my Top 10.
Nora Roberts has two heroes in my Top 10.
5 of my heroes are from contemporary novels.
3 from paranormal/UF/futuristic novels.
Only one hero is what I'd describe as old school, which actually quite surprises me.
My top 5 heroes are all alpha/caregiving heroes. Huh.

Your turn: Agree? Disagree? Who are your favorite heroes?

GLEE Flashmob

Y'all know how I love a good flash mob. And what's not to love about this one, which rolls out the premiere of GLEE in Italy. It's not quite as organized as some I've seen. But man, the music from GLEE just makes it.

No? Si!

My Favorite Romances of 2009

Katidom Presents:

Kati’s Favorite Romances

of 2009

I thought that this list was going to be tough to create, but in fact, it wasn't, which thrills me. 2009 was NOT a great reading year for me. Mostly because I found myself pulled from reading by listening to audiobooks on the way to and from work, which vastly cut down on my reading time. But I've resolved to get back to reading in 2010, so hopefully my volume will be up.

With no further ado, here are my Favorite Romances of the Year.

11. Skin Game by Ava Gray (Ann Aguirre) - Confession, while I do really enjoy Ann Aguirre's work, I always find myself yearning for her books to be heavier on the romance. This book is all romance, with a seriously bad ass hero and a heroine who is smart, and wily. I knew Aguirre could write a really hot romance that sparkles with chemistry and attraction. Turns out, I was right.

10. Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins - As most of you know, I really, really don't like what I call "ha-ha" romance. I like humor in my romance, but I hate when it's laid on too thick. Higgins does a fantastic job melding smart humor and terrific heroines in her books. And she always gives her main characters eccentric families. This book features a mother who is a *very* eccentric artist and it provides for some seriously laugh out loud scenes.

9. Going too Far by Jennifer Echols - Thanks to Ana from The Book Smugglers, I got into reading Young Adult literature some this year. Echols writes a wonderfully troubled heroine and a hero who is more mature, and who makes the heroine want to be better for him. The balance of romance and growth the characters show is what makes the book so excellent.

8. Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh - Nalini Singh is in my top 3 favorite authors of all time. She has literally never written a book that I wasn't completely absorbed in and her Psy/Changeling series is one of the most fully realized worlds in paranormal romance. Branded by Fire finally gives readers the mating of two changelings, and it is everything this reader could have wanted. Hot, emotional, and sexually charged. This is my second favorite of this series, and a book that I can't recommend enough.

7. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James - The thing that gets me about Julie James books is how marvelously likeable her heroines are. They are smart, driven, tough, and loyal. And she always manages to pair her heorines with heroes who run a gorgeous counterpoint to them. Cameron and JD are one of my favorite couples this year. Both smart and driven, and wildly attracted to each other. This book is BIG fun and I loved it. Even if I didn't picture Ryan Reynolds as JD. ;o)

6. Angel's Blood by Nalini Singh - As I've said, Singh is one of my favorite authors. This new series is set in an alternate universe where Angels oversee mankind. Our heroine, Elena is a vampire hunter and she is paired with Raphael, the archangel whose territory is North America. Raphael is utterly ruthless, humans are literally like ants to him. But he is fascinated by Elena, and soon sees that she is more than a toy. This book is hot, hot, hot and Singh again does a masterful job of world building without ever losing sight of both the action and the romance.

5. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason - To say that I adore the Gardella Chronicles would not be hyperbole. I began reading them almost as soon as the first book, The Rest Falls Away, was published. And I quickly (and vociferously) joined Team Max. While some readers abhor a love triangle, I think that Gleason did a great job with it, giving both Max and Sebastian an equal shot at Victoria, our heroine. As a reader, I was completely satisfied with the ending. This book wraps up the five book series, and does it in a way that left me heaving the big sigh and wishing that she were going to write one more.

4. Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight - Honestly, this is a book I probably never would have given a shot to, if it hadn't been for Maria Lokken, who read it and insisted that I read it too. This book is easily the most emotional I read this year, pairing a heroine who had been attacked and scarred by a stalker, and a man who had lost his gay lover. Knight finds a way to make the romance credible by alternating chapters from each character's view point. It is a simply gorgeous book and one that I know I'll re-read whenever I need to be swept away by emotion.

3. Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas - If you'd told me at the beginning of the year that Sherry Thomas would be in my top romances of the year, I'd have laughed at you. Her other books have not worked for me on virtually an level. But this book has an unusual setting, a couple torn apart by misunderstanding, and one of the boldest moves I've seen an author take in a long time. The fact that Thomas is able to completely redeem the hero after his mistake is enough to make the book linger with me. I've loaned it to multiple other romance readers who have all been blown away by it.

2. Scandal by Carolyn Jewel - When Katiebabs reviewed this book for RNTV, I was kind of taken aback by how gushy she was about it. That is, until I read it. Jewel takes a hero who seems irredeemable at the beginning of the book and utterly changes the reader's opinion of him. I love how hard he works to woo the heroine, and when they finally come together, it is incendiary, and completely captivating. The prose in this book is superb, it is a book that I have re-read twice this year already. I adore Jewel's writing and she's become a go-to author for me.

1. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas - It says something that I've probably re-read this book six times this year. Jack Travis leapfrogged over a variety of other romance heroes to be in my top 3 favorites of all time. This book is like a warm, fuzzy blanket: soft, and warm. The last three years, Kleypas's contemps have been my top read of the year. I don't expect that to change any time soon. I just hope she's going to give us Joe Travis's book at some point in the future.

So, there we have it. My Top Reads of the Year. I hope you might have found something on this list that you haven't read. Or something on the list that you agree with. In the coming days, I'll do my "best of the rest" list. Stay tuned!

Christmas Movies

I was teasing Scott last night after he made a reference to the Island of Misfit toys (um, he knew *all* of them!) because he's a huge fan of the Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He's also a big fan of The Year Without a Santa Claus, and in fact, can sing both of the "Meiser Brother" songs. He's gifted, my guy.

Anyway, it got me thinking about Christmas movies, and why we seem to hold such a special place in our hearts for them.

My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas. Why? It personifies the big Technicolor films of the 50's. It stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. It has big time dance numbers, Bing crooning, and Rosemary belting them out, but mostly for me, it's about the costuming. The costumes were done by Edith Head, who, in my opinion has never, ever been outclassed as a costume designer. She did Grace Kelley's costumes in Rear Window (anyone remember the black and white Paris window dress?) and she did the costumes for White Christmas, which include a black number worn by Rosemary Clooney as she sings in a night club. It's one of my all time favorite cinematic costumes. Clooney was no shrinking violet, she was zaftig all the way, and this dress hugged every single curve she had. And did it in a way that made her look like sex on a stick. But it's not just those costumes, but the ones for the dance numbers, and the dresses that the girls wear to sing Sisters, and the costumes that the group wears to sing White Christmas at the end.

The story itself is thin as a wire: couple meet, fall in love, misunderstandings ensue, sister and best friend intervene and meddle, more misunderstandings, and love triumphant, all set to catchy songs, and at an Inn with no snow, but you know, it's not about that for me. It's about the costumes and the music, and the technicolor-ness of it all.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Best of List Contest

I'm still working on what my Best of 2009 List will look like.

But I thought I'd try to glean some recommendations from those who read my blog, who are always smarter than me. So, if you would, please answer these questions in the Comments section and be entered for a chance to win the mass market paperback of your choice.

Please answer the following,

What is your:

1- Favorite Romance of 2009?
2- Favorite Couple of 2009?
3- Favorite Debut Author of 2009?
4- Favorite Paranormal Romance of 2009?
5- Favorite Contemporary Romance of 2009?
6- Favorite Historical Romance of 2009?
7- Favorite UF/Fantasy Romance of 2009?
8- Favorite Hero of 2009?
9- Favorite Heroine of 2009?
10 - Least favorite book of 2009?

Thanks for playing! And good luck!

Da Rulz:

All commenters will be entered in a contest to win a mass market paperback or ebook of their choice.

One entry per person only, please.

*Hard copy of book open to US residents only, Ebook open to everyone!

This contest will stay open through 8:00 am (EST), December 20, 2009

Same Song, Different Verse

Today's tragic news that wide receiver Chris Henry from the Cincinnati Bengals had died from wounds sustained after falling out of a pick-up truck is all too familiar.

Henry was just 26 years old. He'd had a troubled past, having been arrested four times and been suspended by the league for misconduct. By all accounts, Henry had, in the last year, straightened his life out, figuring out what was important, and creating a future that looked bright and hopeful. In fact, he'd recently had a new tattoo added, it said simply "Blessed".

As a Redskins fan, this is an all too familiar tune. Two years ago, we suffered the loss of 24 year old Sean Taylor. Young and troubled, changed by the experience of becoming a father. And murdered in his home by intruders trying to rob him.

Granted, the news on Henry is that he jumped in the back of a pickup truck, driven by his fiancee after a dispute of some sort. He fell out of that pickup truck about half a mile away from her parent's home. Now, I have no idea if she fled in fear for her life, or just in a huff.

Either way though, my heart goes out to another family, another team, and another fanbase dealing with the senseless death of someone so young. And again, right at the holidays. It truly is a tragic loss.

Pssst....Your Ass is Showing

Yesterday's drama in Romanceland featured an author taking to task a reviewer on Amazon for giving her a bad review. The author, Candace Sams, who I'd never heard of before yesterday's kerfuffle and posting using a pseudonym (NiteFlyr One), basically accused the reviewer of having a personal vendetta against the author and then not engaging with her after the author challenged the negative review. The reviewer, again, who I've never heard of, did reply back a couple of times, in a most cordial manner, but as the situation escalated, she, quite smartly, in my opinion, backed slowly away from the discussion. The author engaged with a variety of posters on the Amazon board, questioning everything from author sales, to motivation of posters. She was quite sure that the reviewer (again, never heard of this person), had sent up some sort of reviewer bat signal to all the other romance reviewers in the land to go and defend her from the author. Which of course, is absurd. The traffic started when Jane from Dear Author and a number of others on Twitter, picked up the conversation and noted it. Personally, I read through about 12 pages of comments and crazy rebuttals from the author before I thought, "I can't watch this any more."

My point is that, I've never heard of Candace Sams. The book in question is one that has one of those titles, Electra Galaxy's Mr. Intersteller Feller, that immediately makes me think "no thanks", not due to anything I know about the writer, but because I tend to avoid titles that are too cutesy or have a pun in them.

As Meljean so succinctly put it yesterday, "Oh, Honey, no." I am not an author. I will never be an author. But I am a voracious reader, and I review for a couple of different blogs. And I cruise about 150 blogs almost exclusively related to romance every couple of days. On top of that, I spend a good deal of money on my romance habit. I'm one of those terrific target demographics in romance, because if your book is getting buzz, has a pretty cover, or you have a good web presence, I'm very, very likely to buy your book. And nothing -- nothing at all is going to make me mark you off my buying list faster than showing your ass to readers.

I think that there is one cardinal rule for romance authors, and it is: Do NOT Engage with Readers or Reviewers Who Do Not Like Your Book. There is pretty much only one answer to a reviewer or reader who doesn't care for your stuff, "Sorry to hear it didn't work for you."

Truly, I understand why this is so difficult. Imagine it from an author's standpoint. You've toiled for months on this book. You've had to submit it and perhaps endure rejection letters and editor feedback, and perhaps crit partner or beta reader feedback. You've polished and rewritten and worked your tail off to get this book published. And then one reviewer comes by and trashes the work.

I get where that would tee you off. I get where you'd want to defend your work. And defend it hard. But here's the thing, like Julia Roberts said in Notting Hill, these sorts of things are forever. They get cached and stored, and readers remember them for ages. I can tell you, I have a list of probably 15 authors who I would never, ever pay money to read, not because their work is bad, but because they have shown their asses to readers over the years that I've been on the internet.

On the other hand, there have been a multitude of authors whose work I've bought because of their strong, friendly, and smart web presence. Authors like Meljean Brook and Shiloh Walker are examples of that. These authors chime in with their unique perspectives when appropriate, redirect conversations that might be veering slightly off course, and of course, bring their general personalities and smart commentary to web discussions around Romanceland. And that's enough for me to say, "Yeah, I'll buy her book."

And I truly believe I'm not the only one. I'll bet there were a multitude of readers yesterday who mentally marked Candace Sams off their reading or buying lists. It was like watching her self immolate before my very eyes, and it did get to the point where I pitied her. She just couldn't seem to stop herself from responding, and clearly not one of her friends were willing to wade into the fray to get her to stop.

What about you? What's your opinion on author/reviewer interactions?

Weekend Round-Up

Is it just me, or did this weekend go by too quickly?? That's what I thought.

So. I have a bunch of round-up blah-di-blah for you.

1-Reading. I'm reading again! Yay! First up, A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore. OK, sure this book was being buzzed about this summer. I bought it, I just didn't get around to reading it. I actually quite enjoyed it. I thought that the writing was occasionally a little less than it could have been. But the overall tension between the characters was well done, and it was a quick and enjoyable read for me. I followed A Hint of Wicked with Demon Forged by Meljean Brook. And I *loved* it! See my blog below. I'll see what I can do about a review on my blog sometime later this week. I also read and reviewed my first two novellas for Book Binge. The novellas were Curious Intimacies and His Intimate Submission by Anne Douglas. I think Douglas has a really nice touch with erotica. She's obviously got a vivid imagination, and the menage book in particular was very hot. But I have to say His Intimate Submission featured a scene that exercised my squick factor HARD. I mean, had me squirming and considering the DNF. But I got through it. I'll check with Holly when the reviews will post, but soon. After they post, I'll probably blog on why my squick factor was exercised. Now I'm reading Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I've been hearing a ton about the book. I'm only about five or six chapters in, but I'm already captivated by the immensely likeable main character (the book is first person) and the moody feel of the book.

2- Gossip. Oh Lord. I'm sick to death of the Tiger Woods thing. Look, I'm a fan, I love watching him play golf. And it comes as no shock to me that he's not a faithful man. I mean, he's the most recognizable person on the planet. You could take his picture to the Republic of Chad and they'd go "That's Tiger." Is it any surprise that he has women throwing themselves at him constantly? No. Is it even less of a surprise that he's taken some of those women up on their offers? No. He screwed up. His wife and family are suffering for it. He's going to suffer financially for it. The PGA is going to suffer for it. But at this point, I no longer care who he's been sleeping with. I just want him to go away and I want the media to shut up about it.

3- Football. The Redskins won yesterday. Yes, we're now 4-9. And honestly, it's likely that this will be the last game they win. They're due to play the Giants, the Cowboys and the Chargers for the remainder of the season. I expect them to put up a good fight, and fall down in the fourth quarter in each of those games. It's what we do. The only comfort I can take is that the Giants AND the Cowboys lost yesterday. It would have been better if Philly lost too. But well, Philly was playing the Giants, and both teams couldn't lose. Either way, it's been a tough year to be a Redskins fan. The only good news is, we're definitely going to have a top 10 draft pick. Of course, we'll probably squander it. But whatever.

4-Christmas. I've done about 1/4 of my Christmas shopping. The sad part is, I'm pretty much completely uninspired to do the rest. I picked up the stuff that I knew I was going to be buying. And I know what I'm getting the two people I drew for Christmas in my family. But I'm struggling with what to get my folks and my sister. Which is totally usual for me. I'm hosting my family's Christmas get together this year. It should be good. We're doing appetizers and dessert. Since we always gorge on apps and then aren't hungry for dinner. We'll just forgo dinner altogether.

5- Mr. Incredible. Yesterday Ame and I took Jack to Paint Your Own Pottery to paint a couple of ornaments. He continues to be just the most delightful little guy. Look at his concentration on the painting. He really is one of the lights in my life.

6- Movies. I did go see The Princess and the Frog this weekend for Jack's birthday party. It's really cute and a terrific message and story. I thought the music was a tiny bit subpar for Disney, except for a couple of numbers, but it was fun to see a traditionally animated Disney film again. And like I said the message was great!

That's it for me. What's going on with you guys? Reading anything good? Seen any good movies? What do you think about Tiger?

You Too Can Learn Hamlet from Brian Cox

Brian Cox is generally considered to be among the finest Scottish Shakespearean actors.

Of course, I know him best as Agamemnon from the Brad Pitt classic, Troy.

Either way, I defy you not to pass out from the cute. If for no other reason than toddlers with British accents are like kryptonite.

In Which Kati Cleanses Her Soul w/r to Meljean Brook

Truth: I read Demon Angel, Meljean Brook's first book. And well, I had a hard time with it. Mostly because it's what I call "romance for smart chicks" and the world building was kind of overwhelming for me. Plus, I never really warmed up to Lilith.

But here's the thing, seriously, everyone loves Meljean's books, and well, I love Meljean herself. Her blog is regular reading for me, and she's just really friendly and honest, and always has interesting blog topics. So I just kind of...shut up about it and didn't say anything about the fact that her work didn't really work for me. Thing is, with the group of bloggers I seem to hang around, it's hard not to get excited every time Meljean has a new book out, because, well, they all LOVE her. But thus far, I have resisted buying any of her books.

That is, until Demon Forged.

So, it started with Kate emailing me and telling me hands down, she'd read her book of the year, Demon Forged. She was all OMFG, BEST. BOOK. EVER. And then CJ read it. And she was really excited about it. Then I read a review by someone who had never read Meljean's stuff over at AAR and she gave it an A.

And then I won it at CJ's place.

When the book arrived, I just kind of hastily put it on my TBR shelf. And thought, "Sooner or later, I'll get to it." That day arrived on Monday. I finished an historical romance, which I quite enjoyed, but hadn't picked another book out to read. I went to the TBR and thought, "Might as well give it a go."

I started the book on the train on the way to work on Monday, and have been reading it at lunchtime, on the commute home, and last night into the wee hours. It's mesmerizing. I have to say, I can really see an evolution in Meljean's work. Probably part of it is that in Demon Angel, she was worldbuilding. Alot. But I also see a tremendous sense of confidence in the writing.

As someone who literally hasn't read a single book between Demon Angel and Demon Forged, I was mildly concerned that I might be completely lost. And there are a few things about the world that I wonder about (mostly signing and caches). But what really strikes me is the incredible sensuality that Meljean writes with now. It might just be the main characters, who have a really tragic past, and seem to have insurmountable differences between them. But I don't think so. To me, the sensuality I'm reading in this book is a lot about a writer being completly confident in the choices she's making. The first love scene between Irena and Alejandro is mind blowing. And what I appreciate is Meljean's ability to move the action of the story ahead (it's obvious that big things, they are a-comin'), but never waiver from focusing on the love story between the hero and heroine. It's a very fine line to walk, and to me, it's the most obvious sign of her comfort with her creation and her confidence as a writer.

The most exciting part for me is that I'm now fascinated by the world, which means I've got a whole delightful backlist to read. How cool is that?

My Favorite Things from 2009

I did this last year, and thought it would be fun to do again. I'll definitely be doing both an informal "Best of" and my formal Top 10 reads lists as well, but this is just to get us started.

My Favorite Read of the Year: Well, in the non-romance category (although it's sort of a romance), Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. Her Fae Court series is probably my favorite series this year, and I continue to marvel at her imagination, and her ability to write such a compelling and dark series that is so teen oriented. I just adore this series.

My Favorite Movie of the Year - High(ish) Brow Edition: Star Trek. JJ Abrams is amazing. He took the franchise, paid homage to what was good about it, reinvented it, and made it compelling to watch. I love this guy, and am thrilled to hear that he'll be making another one. I can't wait for it. OK, this isn't really high brow, but when you see my next choice, you'll understand.

My Favorite Movie of the Year - Gutter Edition: The Hangover. OMG. How I loved this movie. Lines from it make me laugh, and the sequence as the guys are just waking up still can make me chuckle when I think about it. This is going to be a movie I buy and put in when I need a good laugh.

My Favorite Awards Show of the Year: Hugh Jackman hosts the Oscars. I completely understand why he isn't doing it again, and I'm truly excited to see what Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have in store for us. But Hugh is at his heart, a song and dance man. And I loved what he did with the show. Plus, DAYUM, the man knows how to make a tuxedo look gooo-oood.

My Favorite Red Carpet Fashion of the Year: Sandra Oh in Marchesa from the 2009 Emmy's. She has a tendency to become an accessory addict and do too much with dresses. Or sometimes wear too much dress. But this dress is fitted perfectly, youthful without being too young, and incredibly flattering. She looked stunning in it.

My Favorite Television Drama of the Year: Yeah, it's still LOST. The final episode of it had me literally screeching "Oh no you di'int!" at the television set. I'm on tenterhooks waiting to see what happens next. I think the final season is going to be mind blowing.

My Favorite Television Comedy of the Year: Modern Family. This show has me in stitches every week. I've recommended it over and over to people and absolutely will be buying it on DVD the moment it comes out. It's become Must See TV for me, in the best possible way.

My Favorite Show on TV: It remains Friday Night Lights. I'm still stunned at how few people watch this terrific show. It's beautifully acted, gracefully plotted, genuinely set and just such an earnest and heartfelt show. Plus, it has to be said, Taylor Kitsch is a perfect of example of God having a very, very good day.

Favorite TV Cameo: Clooney back to ER. OMG. I was beside myself the day he came back. Honestly, I haven't watched the show in more than two years, but seeing him come on screen, it was a shock to the system. And five minutes later, it was like he'd never left. Dr. Doug Ross FTW!

Favorite Experience: Hands down, RWA. I had the best time finally meeting bloggers who I've "known" for years, Katiebabs, LBea, Rosie, Wendy, Lusty Reader and a host of others. And best of all, I got to meet NFR - Nora F'ing Roberts. Awesome.

What are some of your favorites from this year? Tell all!

Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel - A Review(-ish)

Truth: I've been carrying Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel around with me for about three weeks. So why has it taken me so long to read the book? Well, I loved Scandal. No, I mean, LOVED it. It's going in my top 3 favorite books of the year. And I was...trepiditious about reading Indiscreet. What if I didn't love it? What if Scandal was a one shot deal for me? I mean, I'm a *giant* pickwad when it comes to historical romance. I read very little of it anymore, mostly because it all seems to be more or less the same to me. But I fell in love with Scandal, truly finding Jewel's prose to be stupendous, and lush, and the story and characters fascinated me. Needless to say, I was worried about Indiscreet. I dove in slowly, but found myself completely captured by the prose and the characterization.

Sabine Godard is disgraced through no fault of her own. The Earl of Crosshaven has spread a particularly spurious piece of gossip about her that has caused her uncle, a scholar, to whisk her away from England altogether. On the night that the gossip is spread, Lord Edward Marrack is in attendance. He is repulsed by what Crosshaven has done, and realizes immediately that Sabine is utterly ruined. A year and eight months later, Sabine finds herself in Turkey traveling with her uncle, and helping him write a book. One night she meets Lord Edward, now the Marquess of Foye, while reading tea leaves to pass the time at a gathering.

Foye is an honorable man - and a giant one. He's tall (6'6") and burly and possessed of a hook nose that he fully realizes makes him intimidating to the fairer sex. But Sabine finds herself fascinated by the man's style, his intelligence, and his wit. Foye befriends Sabine's uncle, and soon the two are thrown together often. Sabine's uncle never truly believed Sabine when she said that she and Crosshaven had not committed an impropriety, but Foye knows it's not true. Sabine also has an education that would rival any man's. She's fluent in multiple languages, conversant in a number of "unladylike" topics. Foye is captivated and one night, after saving Sabine from a crush at a ball, he kisses her.

By the time they parted he was panting, and so was she. And she looked like a woman thoroughly kissed. He stared at the carved wooden ceiling while he fought for control.

She touched his face, following the line of his cheek. "I'm sorry if I've upset you."

Foye stared at her. "Upset? Upset that I've been indiscreet and ungentlemanly?"

"You haven't been." She drew in a long trembling breath while he scrubbed his hands through his hair. "Well, perhaps a bit indiscreet."

"Indiscreet. It was a good deal more than that, Miss Godard."

After that encounter, Sabine can think of little else. Every time she sees Foye, she wants him to kiss her. And he is fighting to be a man of honor. But their attraction is thorough, and soon they realize that they are destined for each other.

Sabine is an incomparable beauty, and Foye quickly realizes that she has captured the interest of a Pasha -- one who is reputed to be active in the slave trade. Unfortunately, Sabine's uncle quite likes the Pasha, and agrees that he and Sabine will travel to be guests at the Pasha's home. Foye does what he can to convince Sabine's uncle that the visit would be unwise, but her uncle is resolved. Foye can do nothing to stop her uncle, so he promises Sabine his help, and swears that he will find a way for them to be together. The Godards leave, and Foye quickly assembles a group of mercenaries and follows. When he arrives, uninvited, at the home of the Pasha, he is informed that Sabine's uncle has passed away, and Sabine is not available to see him. He immediately realizes that the Pasha is intending to either keep Sabine for his concubine, or sell her for profit. It is up to Foye to break Sabine out and get her quickly to a British consulate, where he will marry her and give her both his heart and the protection of his name. But will they be able to outrun the Pasha, who is in hot pursuit of his prize?

There is so much to recommend this book. Yet again, Carolyn Jewel shows herself to be a master with prose. The book is beautifully crafted, and while full of adventure, the book never ever strays from building the relationship between Foye and Sabine.

And Foye, what a hero. Big, brawny, and noble. I appreciated his wit, and his tremendous honor. My favorite scene between Foye and Sabine is one after he's removed her from the Pasha's home, they are on the run, fleeing with Foye's hired band of men to the British consulate. Sabine is quite an accomplished artist, and throughout the book, she expresses her wish to draw Foye. In a quiet moment, she is finally able to get her wish.

Foye looked at it for quite a while before he said anything. "My God," he whispered, "Me to the very hook in my nose. You are an artist, Sabine." He touched the page. "Did Godard know this about you? I know he discouraged you, but did he understand the extend of your talent?"

She reached over and took the sketchbook back. "He knew a great deal, Foye. But not everything. Now, since you will not let me draw you from life, I think we are done. Surely now we may sleep."

But Foye stared at her, his eyes intent. "I've lost my soul to you," he said. "My heart"

And right then is when I heaved The Big Sigh.

The book is faithfully set in the middle east and the settings are lovingly drawn by Jewel. But it is the characters who make the book shine. Sabine, both fiercely intelligent, and inexplicably drawn to Foye, and Foye, so steadfast and honorable. Their love story is compellingly drawn and completely satisfying to read. Jewel's prose continues to sparkle and it draws the reader in absolutely. I found Indiscreet to be a delight to read, and a romance to wallow in.

Final grade: A-