Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn (and other stuff)

Well, I loved it. More than the last few JQ's (although I liked those a lot, too). It reminded me a lot of earlier stuff, so I was happy. But from what I've seen around, not everyone agrees with me. But hey, I like it. So there.

Also read a collection of Kristine Katherine Rusch (she's also Kristine Grayson and some other names) stories that Ed Gorman let me borrow. I really want to read more of her stuff now as these were all fantastic stories. And it's gotten me interested in reading more SF/F shorts. And I need to read some more of Ed's stuff. I liked the short story he did in Places to Go, People to Kill. And he's a really nice guy and fascinating to talk to.

All by myself

And already I miss Nick. He's on a business trip until Friday. *pout* This house seems so very large without another person around.

One of the things I've been busy with...

To give you an idea of size, those white shelves are eight feet across (two four foot sections butted together).

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger. I did read two Carla Kelly books and oh my, both were good, but I just adored The Wedding Journey. Miss Milton Speaks Her Mind was good, too.

Recently read quickie post

This is the latest in the Jayne Austen series by Laura Levine. Like the previous books, it's humorous, light, and fluffy. Perfect for the summer. This time Jayne has to clear the name of a stand-up comic who's also a client. More funny emails from her parents and more silly Prozac moments.

I remember this as being on one of those blog circuit things when it first came out, but I kinda ignored it. But I picked it up one day at work and read it. It's surprisingly good and laugh-out-loud funny in places. I also think those who like their comics will get even more of a kick out of it. There's a sequel out now that I mean to read sometime, too.


I just read The Mad Earl's Bride by Loretta Chase from this one. I hadn't even realized it was a novella when I read it as it's remarkably contained. You also get glimpses of Jessica and Dain from Lord of Scoundrels. Fun story about an earl who thinks he's going insane.

I really enjoyed Ravished. I really liked both main characters and the addition of the archaeology was fun.

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly was another one I really liked. And it has a virgin hero. Not something you see everyday.

Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson. Pure fluff. Well, actually, this one is better than some of the others in that more actually happens in this one. I know many people have given on on MJD, but I still enjoy this series as it's just cute and humorous. But oh, the story is definitely too short for hardcover. I finished this one in a short evening. But it was a fun time.

Another concert!

Heading to another concert tonight. Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Puddle of Mudd, and RED. Should be really good.

The L.U.R.V.E. Train!

Dear People Magazine,

Every November, you come out with your "Sexiest Man Alive" issue; every spring, you print your list of the "World's Most Beautiful People."

But in 2007 -- for the last two hundred years -- the sexiest man and the most beautiful person has been ... a vampire.

George? Pffft. Brad? Come on! Jude? ...no.

Why isn't it that Colin Ames-Beaumont hasn't graced your cover? Is it simply because his picture cannot be taken? (He's so beautiful a blank cover with just his name on it would make your readers drool.) Because he usually only comes out at night? (How is that different than Johnny Depp?) Because you think he hasn't bared his assets for a Hollywood camera?

Are you afraid of his tainted blood? You shouldn't be: one look will not send you to the Chaos realm, surrounded by flying dragons and the screams of the damned. Only Colin sees that realm when he looks into a mirror -- it will not trouble you. Is it the woman he's falling in love with? Geeks need love, too, People Magazine -- a fact you have long overlooked (but that is another campaign to be won.)

Is it the fear that if you met him in a dark alley, the words "Oh my God you're so beautiful!" would hardly be past your lips before he had you up against the wall for some hot sexing that you wouldn't remember the next day?

No; none of those things are true impediments to being called "the sexiest" or "the most beautiful". I think the problem is that you've been stuck on one pesky little word in the "Sexiest Man" title: Alive.

But there are those of us -- readers and authors, geeks and norms -- who know that Undead can be just as sexy as Living. And we've got hundreds of paranormal romances to prove it.

So I'm beginning my campaign to get a vampire on the cover of your magazine. To no longer be forced to stare longingly at men who can't read my mind. Men who can't use a sword. Men who can't wear satin-lined capes and look good doing it. I'm calling for all readers, living and undead, to fight for vampire equality.

And I'm nominating Colin Ames-Beaumont to the be first representative of the "Sexiest Man Alive (and Undead)" for 2007. What separates him from other vampire romance heroes, you wonder? He's strong, as they are. He sucks blood, as they do. He's got out-of-control sexual appeal, as they do. But there is one thing, People Magazine, that makes Colin stand out from the rest of the vampire heroes.

Colin ... is blond.

But do not take my word for it; judge for yourself. And because he is cursed, unable to see his reflection or to have any pictures taken, the only proof I can offer is in Demon Moon. The book cover cannot do him justice -- you must look inside. Want a peek? The first four chapters are here. Or you can buy it at Amazon (it is available June 5 in stores everywhere).

Sincerely,

Meljean Brook

Living and Undead Readers for Vampire Equality

Join the L.U.R.V.E. Train - Because vampires are beautiful people, too.

(Want to join the L.U.R.V.E. Train? Nominate your own vampire, win books and Amazon gift certificates? Climb aboard here.)

Bookshelves

Oh, they look so pretty up.

Not so pretty falling down. Yeah. Falling down. Almost on top of me. Turns out that the screws holding the metal thingy that slides over the screw from the wall are really short. Cheapskates.

So uh, there will be longer screws added. And more pictures later. And my lip hurts.

Good book alert!

Okay, so I'm not done with it yet, but oh my, Wraith by Phaedra Weldon is so damn good so far. I just looooooooves it.

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly

Colin, Earl of Haverwood, a man afraid of his own temper, falls for gentle, breathtaking Sarah. But before he can trust in love, he must trust in himself.

Okay, really pathetic blurb, but I don't feel like writing a huge synopsis, so stole this one from Amazon.

Anyways, I really liked this one. Mainly because of the characters. Sarah and Colin are just wonderful. I also liked how Colin's interest in dragons was used.

Yeah, there were some parts that were a bit iffy, but mostly I liked it a lot. It was very sweet.

yes, this post is pathetic. Sorry.

Good news!

My boxspring will be delivered tomorrow! Yay! And the desk is now built and set up in the office, so our PCs are all set up there too. We solved the wiring problem by just ordering wireless cards from Newegg and doing that. Much easier than bashing holes in the walls.

And I'm now a part of the fabulous Romantic Advances site. I was a bit late joining them as I was in moving chaos. it's a faboo site. Okay, I'm still in moving chaos with all these boxes everywhere, but it'll go away...I hope.

Gambit is thrilled with all the windows we have in the house. He's currently in the sill of one of the office ones enjoying the breeze that's coming in. Earlier he was all puffy over something he saw, but we didn't figure out what it was.