Hanging Out with Anthea Lawson

I've been a bad bad blogger! Sorry I "disappeared" for a bit. The whole moving and starting work thing is taking some adjusting. *sigh*


Anywho...

I'm hanging out with Anthea Lawson, the fabulous new romance writing team of All He Desires over at DIK. Come by for some drinks and a lovely chat with Anthea and Lawson!







Other things...

The sweater was successfully assembled (and wow it really looks like a sweater). Worn it to work (and got lots of compliments, dunno if it was that I warned them ahead of time or not). Anyway, pictures of said sweater below. (I had to borrow a camera as I don't own one... maybe I'll get one... someday after I get that e-reader... A girl has to have her priorities in place)



Next knitting project (now nearly completed): Some cute lacy fingerless gloves! And currently reading Eye of the World by the late Robert Jordan *still upset that he died before he finished the series!* (which a challenge when one is knitting at the same time, the cookbook stand not working so well... must find a better book holding system).

Will check in again soonish...

Oops forgot all about the book club (BAD Shaymless Aymless BAD)... Anyway... how about the discussion for The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie at the end of this month (since that'll give me time to actually read it *ducks*? And we'll get LustyReader's book in December!

Busy Busy Busy... Kinda

Life continues in Indiana. It was "warm" all last week with of a high in the mid 60's (18-ish for you metric folks). That's NOT warm! *sigh* On the plus side, no ice on car ! On the down side, it rained for most of the week.

Haven't been online much or reading much (must read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie *nervously checks calendar* *panics*). Instead I have been knitting and just completed my very first sweater, mostly - still need to assemble it. Pictures will be forthcoming once I actually assemble it. And as I have yet to figure out how to read (a bound book - e-books are easy since you can turn pages with a touch and don't have to keep them open, and now am seriously thinking about buying a e-reader since reading on the computer is a bit awkward) and knit at the same time, the reading hasn't been going well. And the TBR continues to grow!

Some review to be written... soon-ish... really...

A quick run down:

1. Meljean Brook's Demon Forged was excellent! (Can't believe what she did to poor Michael... wondering how CJ/KB will rescue him so that he can continue to "dust" their cabanas).
2. Nalini Singh's Blaze of Memory was fabulous. Nalini continues to please! Loved it. Of course I'll need to get an official copy when it get out on the 3rd of Nov. (still giggling over Rom and Jules's jealousy).
3. Anthea Lawson's All He Desires was good/okay (B-/C+ still trying to grade it). I'm thinking it was a mood thing since I read it after Demon Forged (which had the reading bar set really high and had me thinking of knife wielding, heart devouring heroines *sigh*). She's a new author with promise and her book will hit the stores in November (see here for an excerpt). Come by the Island next month (11-14) to chat with Anthea!
   

Now, back to my knitting... must make mittens for winter (which they tell me is just around the corner... I'm still making people laugh at my indignation about the weather). On the plus side knitting has made me some new friends at work. Now I'm teaching four people how to knit!

Life in Indiana

It's been a while since I last posted. So here's an update for all of you (just in case you were wondering what in the heck's been going on in my ever so exciting (not!) life).


First there was the misery that is the flu. I think I was probably one of the first to get it in my neck of the woods. I'm so lucky!

*sigh*

So with the help of my good friend Cindy, I was able to get back on my feet after a week of bed rest (so not fun and I didn't even want to read any of my books!).

Now everyone at work is blaming me for the flu that is spreading like wildfire throughout the building. *sigh* Of course they cannot blame the swine flu on me as I didn't have that particular strain (at least I don't think I did but don't know of sure as I did not go to the doctors).

I discovered that there is a branch of my bank in Indiana (yay!) but it was over an hour away (boo!). I went and deposited by first paycheck and relocation money. Got home and checked the mail and wouldn't you know it there was another check (yay! Money in is always good) in it! *sigh* Now am trying to decide whether or not to open a bank account in one of the local banks so that I can cash checks and use the ATM (for free!).

Woke up early over the weekend and thought I should do the grocery shopping while I still had the energy for it (this flu really sucked). It was a nice brisk morning. I got into my car, started it and discovered that it wasn't dew on the car but ice!

ICE!!!!! In October!!!! *pout*

It so doesn't do that where I came from (at least not until December or January). This whole weather thing sucks. I am not looking forward to "real" winter. Of course everyone around has been getting a great laugh at my whole indignant attitude toward this phenomenon.

September 2009 Reads

Did pretty well. Of course I bought most of this month as well. *sigh*

1. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
2. Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder
3. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
4. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
5. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
6. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
7. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
8. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
9. Alpha and Omega novella by Patricia Briggs
10. Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
11. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
12. Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
13. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
14. One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
15. Dream Warrior by Sherrily Keynon

And I'll get around reviewing these...

soon-ish...

still have August reads to review. All this moving and unpacking and starting new job has made me choose between reading and reviewing...

one guess on which I choose ^_^

SARBC Book for October 2009:

It's Sarai's (of What am I reading?) choice and she's chosen!

The Shaymless Aymless Romance Book Club book for October 2009 is:


Official Blurb for the author site:

The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family--rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them--of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz.

The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women.

Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama--an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband.

And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.

Read excerpt here.

SARBC Discussion: Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught

Welcome everyone to the Shaymless Aymless Romance Book Club discussion for September 2009.

Kati of Katidom selected Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught.


The Official Blurb:

ELIZABETH CAMERON
The Countess of Havenhurst possessed a rare gentleness and fierce courage to match her exquisite beauty. But her reputation is shattered when she is discovered in the arms of Ian Thornton, a notorious gambler and social outcast.

IAN THORNTON
A dangerously handsome man of secret wealth and mysterious lineage, his voyage to Elizabeth's heart is fraught with intrigue, scandal, and a venomous revenge.

Destined for each other, yet wary of each other's motives, Elizabeth and Ian engage in a dance of suspicion and passion that tests the very soul of their star-crossed love. As a twisting path of secrets takes them from London's drawing rooms to the mysterious Scottish Highlands, Elizabeth must learn the truth: is Ian merely a ruthless fortune hunter at heart?

Read excerpt here.




******************** DISCUSSION AHEAD ********************



1. Was this your first McNaught novel? If so, what about it worked? What didn’t?

2. McNaught’s heroes are famously dominant and have been described as “asshats” before. What did you think of Ian Thornton? Did he work as a hero? If not, what aspect of his personality didn’t work for you?

3. Throughout the book, Elizabeth finds people underestimating her. Did you find her reaction/manipulation of that fact to be funny? Or have a negative reaction to it?

4. One of Judith McNaught’s most famous writing tropes is the B.R.G. (Big Romantic Gesture), Almost Heaven is no exception. Did you find the BRG to be romantic? Give some examples of your favorite BRGs in romance.

5. Almost Heaven has one of my favorite epilogues. Do you enjoy epilogues in romance?

DISCUSS!

Busy Busy Busy

The first week of work went well as did the first official weekend after starting work. Found another kindred spirit and we visited each others homes to ogle each others books. What fun! And tried an Indian place (not bad but not spicy enough). But wouldn't you know it as soon as I relaxed that evil thing called the "Migraine" struck and incapacitated me for three days. *ugh* I really hate them and still think decapitation would work but its just too permanent a solution to really be feasible. I suppose it was just too much change all at the same time.

Week two was topped off by a lovely surprise from my newest book buddy with a copy of Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs ((((bookbuddy)))). Which I promptly devoured as soon as the weekend started (and of course I read it all in one sitting). Then on Sunday I went and found the nearest Trader Joe's (about one hour and 15 minutes away). A bit far for everyday stuff but close enough that I can stock up on Nuts about Antioxidants trail mix monthly. *happy dance* So its off to week three.

The much anticipated (by me) Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre is out tomorrow. Now the big question is do I go out and buy it tomorrow and stare at it for the rest of the week as it sits next to the reading chair whispering my name (which also sounds a lot like that little voice telling me that ice cream doesn't have calories) or do I wait until Friday to swing by the bookstore? Oh the agony!

And to think I will have to do this next week as well since Demon Forged by Meljean Brook is out the 6th (another Tuesday). *sigh* (And not to mention Deep Kiss of Winter being out the following week then Queen of Song and Souls two weeks after that... nope not mentioning those books and none of those gotta haves in November either... nope no mention of Blaze of Memory here at all... none!)

Much will power will be involved these two weeks since I know once I open the little devils I'll have to read them all the way through. Perhaps is best that I not buy them until the weekend...

but what if they sell out!?

Well it's a college town and there are many bookstores...

and many more readers...

ARGH!!!

Must buy, then hide until the appropriate time...
must not open books until after work on Friday...
*squints eyes and crosses fingers*

And don't forget to come by on the 30th for the Shaymless Aymless Romance Book Club discussion. We will be discussing Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught!