A little hockey love

The Longest Goal in Hockey History?



This happened last Saturday night as the Sioux played #1 U of M Gophers. We ended up winning 7-3 for a weekend sweep. And I so thought we were going to be the ones losing.

I'm still here

I'm here, just still haven't felt my usual self. Been going to work, but it's still been tiring after a full day. I have been reading. Read all four books in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede and read The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. Also started this rather intriguing book by Lara Adrian last night. *grin*

Other news.....DH and I reserved a room at this hotel for a Valentine's Day getaway (only instead a could days later). Should be lots of fun and the place looks fantastic.

This and that

Well...it's Sunday. And we got about 8 inches of snow. I did make it to work this morning. Had Nick ride along and then he picked me up after work. More people than I expected came in to shop. Still not a lot, though.

Also read quite a few books in the past few days. Read books 2-6 of Meg Cabot's Mediator series and highly enjoyed it. So good. Also finished up Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede at work. Read Fairest by Gail Carson Levine and Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky. I really loved each and every book, too. I'm on a roll as far as reading goes.


Oh, and finished Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James. Another good one! Damn, I've been on a roll.

And it flies again

And I'm sick. Again. Nasty sore throat. Why me?

But I thought I'd post to let you all know I was still around. Working. Now resting cuz I'm sick. Damn it. I'd better be better tomorrow.

My how time flies

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Monday. Ooph. Well, I'm pretty much over my cold/sinus infection. Just some lingering coughs and stuffiness. Of course, then that TOTM came. Heh. How perfect is that? Ugh.

I had today off. Got my highlights touched up and I looooove them. I keep looking in the mirror. And VS had a great sale, though I only bought some pj bottoms and a tank. But hey, both of them ended up totaling under $10. Can't beat that. Spent the rest of the day relaxing and reading.

On the reading front, I've been reading a few books:
An ARC of Tempt Me, Taste Me, Touch Me by Bella Andre that's been very good
Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James that has also been very good, but I forgot where I put it. So far I've been really impressed with how I actually see the romance between Josie and Mayne working.
Miranda Blue Calling by Michelle Curry Wright is one I'm reading at work during break and I'm enjoying it. It's a bit different than things I've been reading in a way I can't quite put to words, but I like it well enough.
Don't Look Back by Joanne Rock. I won this book at the eHarlequin Open House last December. So far it's okay.
Yule Be Mine by Charlene Teglia on my iPaq. Fabulous story and so far I just love it!

Oh, also got these fabulous earrings that I ordered from Linda Trent Jewelry. Very similar to these, but in a pink chalcedony. They are very fabulous and I really hope to get some more jewelry from the site someday.

Who Makes Up These Rules, Anyway? by Stevi Mittman

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Let me tell you a story, about a girl on Long Island, who always tried to play life by “the rules”—as outlined in the Secret Handbook of Long Island Rules...

That girl, uh, woman, is me, Teddi Gallo. I’m the mother of three kids under the age of eleven, best friend to Bobbie (who denies there’s any such thing as a secret handbook, but who knows all the moves by heart), and the daughter of June (who has inside info on the rules, but also has a reserved room at South Winds Psychiatric Hospital, as well).

And if I don’t have enough to send me over the edge, my too-handsome-for- his-own- good husband seems determined to drive me crazy. But why?

This is the tale of how I had to re-write that old, dusty handbook—and while doing so, I suddenly discovered the secret to happiness was living by your own rules. And that has made everything different.


Let me tell you, I loved this book! It was just too funny. It's a quick read and once I started it, I had a lot of trouble putting it down. I received the book from Stevi when I visited the eHarlequin Open House chat in December. Also got the other Teddi Bayer books and I can't wait to read them.

It's a cute blend of women's fiction and humor that really had me laughing and rooting for Teddi as it seems that everything is going crazy around her. Well, her included! I may not be the age that this book is aimed at, but I certainly enjoyed it and plan to pick up some more in the future, if they are anything like this one.

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason



Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil....

Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.

In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.

But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.

And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.


okay, I was going to write up a nice post on this book, but since the lovely Smart Bitch Sarah did a much MUCH better review, I'm just going to link to her review. Read it. Buy the book if it sounds like it will float your boat. It's quite good. The ending is a bit disturbing if you want a strict romance HEA, but keep in mind that this looks to be a true series in that the books will follow Victoria and not just individual couples. Her story is just beginning here.

You can visit Colleen Gleason here.

Lost in Translation by Edward Willett


Kathryn was a human empath whose world and life had been destroyed when, as a very young child, she'd watched helplessly as the alien S'sinn slaughtered her parents before her very eyes. Only the Translators, an elite guild of empaths, had been able to free her from the trauma and give her a new life.


Jarrikk was a young S'sinn, an unproven warrior who'd seen his flight mates slaughtered by the humans who'd sought to colonize his world. Crippled so that he could never fly again, he would have chosen death, but he wasn't allowed the choice. Instead he, too, was trained to be a Translator. And as humans and S'sinn found themselves poised on the brink of a war that could not only destroy their own species but could disrupt the delicate balance of the multiracial Commonwealth, these two Translators--who had every reason to hate one another--had to work together to find a common ground and avert catastrophe. But whether their Translators' oath and training could overcome the enemies leagued against them was very much in doubt...

Title: Lost in Translation

Author: Edward Willett

Year published: 2006 (paperback edition, 2005 hardback Five Star edition)

Why I picked up this book: Liked the cover, then the back blurb sounded interesting.

Do I like the cover? Yeah

Is this part of a series? I don't think so. It certainly stands alone.

What I enjoyed about the book: I liked that it had a distinctively SF feeling, but wasn't overly technical. And the characters were interesting. It shows the events that lead up to the two of them meeting and how each side isn't all evil or all good. There are lots of shades of grey. It's not a deep book, but I'm glad I read it.

What I didn’t like about the book? Not much. It was a good read. Not something I will probably read again, but I enjoyed it.

Is this a new-to-me author and would I read something by this author again? new to me author and I do think I'll read more if something comes along that looks interesting.

Am I keeping it or passing it on? Passing it on. It was good, just not a keeper.

Greywalker by Kat Richardson



Harper Blaine was slogging along as a small-time P.I. when a two-bit perp's savage assault left her dead.

For two minutes, to be precise.

When Harper comes to in the hospital, she begins to feel a bit ...strange. She sees things that can only be described as weird-shapes emerging from a foggy grey mist, snarling teeth, creatures roaring.

But Harper's not crazy. Her "death" has made her a Greywalker-able to move between our world and the mysterious, cross-over zone where things that go bump in the night exist. And her new gift (or curse) is about to drag her into that world of vampires and ghosts, magic and witches, necromancers and sinister artifacts.

Whether she likes it or not.


Title: Greywalker
Author: Kat Richardson
Year published: 2006
Why I picked up this book: Looked interesting.
Do I like the cover? yeah, it has a nice urban fantasy feel.
Is this part of a series? Looks to be first.
What I enjoyed about the book: I really liked how unique the world here is. It has vampires and witches and who knows what else, but the idea of the Grey was really well done. Harper's a strong character and the way she acts is very believable. I liked how she didn't just accept all the strange things that were happening.
What I didn’t like about the book? Nothing at all, really. It was very good.
Is this a new-to-me author and would I read something by this author again? it's a new-to-me author and I'll definitely read more.
Am I keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it.

Hell's Belles by Jackie Kessler



She's a hot demon on the run from Hell--which isn't easy to do in heels.

Once upon a time, Jezebel was a powerful succubus, capable of seducing men and sucking out their souls. But that was before Hell put a bounty on her head. Now her only chance to escape a fate far worse than death is to live as a mortal, losing herself in a sea of unfamiliar humanity, in a place where the sinners walk hand-in-hand with saints--a place like Belle's strip club in New York City.

Working as an exotic dancer is a piece of cake for a former demon who once specialized in sex. Taking money from men? Please. It's like leading lawyers to the Lake of Fire. Plus the lingerie is great. But she hadn't counted on meeting sexy Paul Hamilton, a man haunted by his past. Good-bye, succubus; hello, lovestruck. Learning all about how complicated--and pleasurable--love can be, Jezebel thinks she's turned her back on Hell.

But Hell hasn't stopped looking for her. The secrets Jezebel holds are the most dangerous of all, the kind every demon in the Underworld would do their worst to protect. Demons are closing in, which is enough to make Jezebel shiver in her G-string. But it's her love for Paul that's going to have deadly consequences...


I quite enjoyed this book. I read it one night during my vacation when I couldn't sleep because of my cold (the cold I still have, btw). It definitely held my attention and was very fun. The romance designation is a bit wrong, I thought, though. It's more of a urban fantasy/paranormal chick lit. Jezebel is definitely the main character and the story is about her journey. There have been so many other reviews out there talking about the book, so I won't really mention much else. Basically, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the sequel when it comes out.

Anyone else read this one?

Airs Beneath the Moon by Toby Bishop


At Deeping Farm, far in the Uplands, young Larkyn Hamley finds a lone winged horse, starving, exhausted, and about to give birth. The headstrong Larkyn saves the newborn from death. But in the process, the coal-black foal named Tup bonds with Lark, which the horses only do with one human woman for life.

So when Mistress Phillipa Winter arrives to inspect Tup, she has little choice but to take the farm girl to the Academy for a “proper” education. There, Lark realizes that her unlikely good fortune may not be so lucky. For in the elite world of the Academy, Lark’s kindness and honesty prove to be weak armor against the taunts and cruelty of the high-born girls already there.

Now, with Tup as her only ally, Larkyn Hamley is going to show everyone how high she can fly. Because if she falls, it’s a long, long way down…

Title: Airs Beneath The Moon
Author: Toby Bishop
Year published: 2007
Why I picked up this book: I liked the cover and then learned the author was Louise Marley and I remembered liking a book of hers.
Do I like the cover? Yes, it's what drew me to the book.
Is this part of a series? It looks to be the first in a series.
What I enjoyed about the book: Airs Beneath the Moon is a cute story. Lark really doesn't fit in, but because of Tup, she's determined to succeed. I liked how the history of the area is brought into the story and the motivations for the villain was believable in an evil sort of way. And well, the story appeals to my inner horse-mad child.
What I didn’t like about the book? Occasionally, the sheer evilness of the villain was a bit surprising in a book that's YA-geared. And damn it, I want more of the story!
Is this a new-to-me author and would I read something by this author again? Definitely will read more. This was cute and fun.
Am I keeping it or passing it on? I haven't quite decided yet.

Still sick

Yes, I am still sick. As of tomorrow, it will be two weeks. Ugh. Went to the doctor this morning and was told I have acute sinusitis and to rest for the rest of the weekend. No work for me. But I do get some nice cough medicine out of it. And different antibiotics. And I have become one with the couch.

Read two books today in between napping. Lost in Translation by Edward Willett and Greywalker by Kat Richardson. Both were quite good. Now I'm reading Match Game by Beverly Brandt.

Also...I somehow ran the battery so low on my iPaq that it erased everything. So, ugh, have to reload programs. Luckily all my ebooks were on my SD card and seem fine. And well, they're backed up on my PC. So no real loss, just highly annoying.

Question about "snarky" reviews

No, I'm not going to talk about my opinions on the matter, cuz, well, I'm not. but anyways, which blogs are they talking about? Seriously. I want to know. Cuz I can't think of any blogs on my reader/reviewer blog list (and there are a little over 60) that would qualify. So obviously I'm missing something. And quite frankly, why get upset over some reader review that's probably not even seen by that many people?

okay, so I read the damn RTB post on it. And er....I confess to not reading much of RBtB (Romance by the Book) BECAUSE it only does positive reviews. Yeah, I keep it on Snarfer to occasionally read the posts, but I don't rreligiously read it and never for any reviews. Only positive reviews were why I stopped reviewing at the review sites I did and why I don't head to them anymore for book info. I just can't trust a place that never tells me the bad and mediocre along with the good.

And geez, I just realized my blog isn't on the list at RtB. *pout* No wonder I haven't gotten many hits lately.

I am back from vacation.

I'm back. Still have my cold from hell. Although it's kinda gone from hellish to more normal cold. Well, insofar as I have a leaky faucet for a nose, sinus pressure, stuffed ears, and general fatigue. At least I don't have the sore throat from hell that usually felt like shards of glass at the back of my throat every time I swallowed and the nasty throat gunk and icky nasty mucus of the not-so-clear kind. So I really do feel much better. That might also be due to the horse pills I've been taken since things had gotten so bad I went to Urgent Care up there for relief. Where I learned I had an ear infection in one ear and lots of sinus congestion (my ears were so stuffed I couldn't hear right, things sounded like they were going through some synthesizer. It was weird).

But although I was really sick for most of the vacation, I still enjoyed it. I love visiting my in-laws. It's a great place to relax.

Got some great gifts that I can't wait to use. Also read a lot.

Finished up:

From Baghdad, With Love by Jay Kopelman and Melinda Roth
Hell's Belles by Jackie Kessler
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden
Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu

Also started Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot and a paranormal/SF romance e-ARC.

I hope to have posts up on all of them soon. Also listened to a Bill Bryson audiobook on the way back from ND. It was good.

I also need to invest in Kleenex.