Book Review: Paranormal Romance

Me and My Shadow by Katie MacAlister


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hey what can I say.... I LOVE IT!!!!! Started reading it at 6pm wed and finished at 4am thurs a 10 hour reading marathon... there were just so many good scenes in the book, but I gotta say Magoth "stole the show". The scenes in the woods getting whacked with May's tail and the nakid "butt cheek" leather pants/chaps... Oh and him and Drake's mom talking kinky sex toys... LOL

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Book Review: Wicca, New Age, Inspirational

The Witches of Dixie by Laura Stamps


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The book in my opinion should have be named “A Witches’ View on Life” for the 4 separate but intertwining stores of the 4 witches by any other name is in fact the author. These stories are not totally fiction but in reality the interests and loves of the author, Laura Stamps. After reading her LiveJournal blog for so long and then finally getting around to reading her first book, which she recommended long ago (sorry it took so long – L.). It was as if I were reading yet another facet of her quite interesting life. This book is not so much an urban fantasy as it says on the back cover; but in my view more a collection of thoughts, and inspirational messages. I found several spells, chants, and rituals that I liked and plan to tweak them to my needs.

The only down side to the book is that the first two sections were written in 3rd person view point; and for some reason that grated on me and I had to push myself to read past that and finish the book.

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Book Review: Paranormal Romance

Tall, Dark & Fangsome by Michelle Rowen


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Tall, Dark & Fangsome made my all night page turner list. I’d been trying to savor the book, only reading a few chapters a night to make it last. But last night when I was in the middle of the book I just couldn’t put it down; and did an 8 hour marathon read to finish it. Poor Sarah blocked, or should I say staked, at every turn to try and rid herself of her nightwalker curse by Gideon Chase. The desperate, manipulative, and now dieing vampire hunter is hell bent on having Sarah sire him. In the end he gets what he wants, and more to his dismay. But alls well with the world of Sarah and Thierry for as with all romance novels they get their HEA. A very good series even if it is romance without sex scenes.

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Book Review: Paranormal Romance

Darkness Revealed by Alexandra Ivy


My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I don’t know what happened to the authors muse, but this book just didn’t excite me the way the first 3 in the series did. I think she should have stopped with the last one, because the storyline for this book was just tolerable. I like a romance with liberal love scenes and the descriptive telling of how the vampires and their mates marry/bond with each other. This had little to none of that. Hopefully the next book in the series will redeem itself.

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Weigh In Update: I seem to be losing ground with the weight loss ever since I went back to work. I doesn’t seem to matter how little I eat or if I do a 1 mile workout on the treadmill during the weekdays. It's been another 2 months and now I'm 7 pounds fatter, it just keeps creeping back on and I don’t know what to do……

Book Review: Paranormal Romance

Primal Needs by Susan Sizemore


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The last of the Prime’s loose end love interests are tied up into a proverbial love knot. An unspoken war and conspiracy plots are bubbling to the surface remain as a secondary plot that needs to be answered. But will it? It’s been 2 years between Primal Desires and Primal Needs. Will this be the end of the series? Will the author leave this threat to the vampire clans, and werefolk unresolved? By the looks of her website it will. She has a Primes #8 “Dark Stranger” coming out Oct. 27, 2009 but its set in the distant future on a starship. And since I’m not into spaceship/sci-fi romance I’ll be checking it out from the library but I doubt I’ll be buying it.

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Book Review: Contemporary Romance

The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Annette Blair


My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A cute lighthearted romance. PG 13 rated in the sexual dialog between Rory and Vickie. A time filler read for those 15 minute breaks at work and during lunch. I liked it but not enough to read books 1 and 2 in the series about Vickie’s sisters finding love and marriage.

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Book Review: Contemporary Romance

Wanting Something More by Kathy Love

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars


Basically a hometown girl who is bullied in high school because of her tall lanky looks; comes back home as a supermodel to fall in love with a reformed guy, the chief of police, who use to tease and bully her in high school.


View all my reviews.

Book Review: Paranormal Romance

Stakes & Stilettos by Michelle Rowen

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


OK after reading the 4th book in this series I finally get it …. The author likes to write romance without sex scenes. Which really kind of irked me, cuz I was use to the writing styles of Katie Macalister and Alexander Ivy. Moving past that, I have to say I really enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of one Sarah Dearly, vampire. Yes, I’ll be quite happy when Sarah and Thierry get their HEA and the bad guys get staked; in the 5th and final book in the series…. Tall dark and fangsome.

It took the first 2 books to really get into Michelle’s version of her Toronto vampire world. Where the vamps can walk in the sun and tolerate human food and drink. Of course they do have the general vampire traits….. No reflections, fangs, and need for a pint of O negative when they get thirsty.

If you’re into sweet romance with equal amounts of humor and implied behind closed doors sex scenes then give this series a try. Like me, it just may grow on you.


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Book Review: Paranormal Romance

Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang
by Katie MacAlister

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


I only have one complaint - not enough sex scenes between Pia and Kristoff. *LOL* Loved the fact Katie brought back a few old character favorites from previous Dark Ones books. Allie and Christian, Sebastian, and Esme the ghost. Just wish they had a little more page time.


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Book Review: Paranormal Fantasy

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars


As always Butcher does it again with another "mystery/who done it" that left me guessing up to the last 1/4 of the book. Not as bloody and violent as his previous books, but just as entertaining. I was hoping to have more with the character of Thomas Raith (Harry’s halfbrother), but oh well…. Maybe I’ll get my wish in the next book.


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Book Review: Paranormal Fantasy

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love this series even if the sex is implied and behind closed doors. What can I say I live in the Tri-Cities. It's fun reading about vampires, werewolves, fae, and a shapeshifting coyote that live right outside my front door.


View all my reviews.

Other stuff: Had to get the prescription on my glasses re-ordered again!!! Man this is getting old. Hopefully the third time they'll get it right. At least it's not costing me anything more. The dieting has hit the wall big time. I haven't lost any weight since January. I keep hovering between 177 and 180 pounds, which sucks big time!!! No stitching to speak of thanks to my prescription woes. At least I can take my glasses off to read.

That's all for this blog blurb folks!!!

Book Review: Paranormal Romance

First Blood by Susan Sizemore (and others)

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cave Canem By Susan Sizemore (rating 4 of 5 stars)

A story of the theft of 2 hellhound puppies and what happens to them.

I’ve been waiting almost 6 years for her to resolve the cliff hanger she left in the last Laws of the Blood book “Heroes”. I was disappointed in that of the 4 characters – the situation between Valentine, Geoff, Char and Jebel – only Valentine’s issue gets resolved.



I still have to read the other stories in this Anthology.


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Book Review: Paranormal Fantasy

Backup by Jim Butcher

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Backup” is a novelette (70 pages) written in a first person perspective not from Harry but his older half-brother Thomas Raith, a White Court Vampire.

Thomas faces a problem. Harry is investigating a child's kidnapping, but, what Harry doesn't know is that the purported mother is actually a centuries old demon. Thomas knows all about the demon but is unable to tell Harry of the demon due to an even older pact amongst the demon-hunters that he's apart of. Thus, Thomas has to find a way to help Harry without letting Harry in on what he's doing.

Thomas does an awful lot of "I'm a monster" agonizing and he's really very whiny, more so than when written from Harry's POV. Still, it was really interesting to see things from Thomas' POV. His admiration for his brother comes through quite clearly and that's the real pleasure in the read. As Harry doesn't usually portray himself as one of the most powerful living wizards, good, but not on that level, so Thomas' view of him shines a whole new light on just how powerful Harry really is.

The story comes across as a “day in the life” kind of scenario. Way too short for an avid Butcher fan like myself. I highly recommend it if you can get your hands on a copy; and as this was a limited print run by Subterranean Press costing $20 you'll be lucky to find it new, let alone used.

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Book Review: Paranormal Erotica

I read this book a week and a half ago and only now have gotten off my ass for it's write up. I've been really distracted the last two weeks and been kind of depressed because my weight loss has had a setback.


Lyon: The Lords Of Satyr (Book #3)
by Elizabeth Amber

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


The date, November, 1823, Paris, France, and Lord Lyon Satyr youngest of the Satyr brothers searches for his FaerieBlend bride as his two elder brothers, Nicholas and Raine, did before him.

Because King Feydon had sown his seed where he should not have, Lyon would soon find himself yoked with a bride not of his own choosing. One whose name and face are unknown to him, but whom he nevertheless has journeyed from Tuscany, Italy to find.

Lyon not only finds one, but two potential brides – sisters. One has the outward appearance of a Nereid, a sea nymph or mermaid, named Sibela. The other a courtesan who has a unique talent for haute cuisine, named Juliette. Trouble in the form of a nights enchanted sleep not only robs Lyon of almost a weeks worth of memories but nearly his life as well.

The story was well paced, but for me drug at times simply because I was impatient for the sex scenes, which I must also complain about because there wasn’t enough of them either. {grin}

This time the story was more a straight to the point scenario and had little to no side twists or turns. The author seemed to be treating it as a horse race impatient for it to be over. Even her writing style was somewhat subdued this time around as her very vibrant and descriptive visualizations of the sex scenes were somewhat lacking. Which was not the case in the first two books, Nicholas & Raine. The book in and of itself was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it as a continuation of a multi-story arc. But if you are looking for something strictly for arousal purposes I would give it a pass, or find it in the used section of a book store and save yourself the cost of a new book.


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Halloween, Stitchery Update, and more….

Halloween Day:

Not much happened around here today. I was planning on dressing up like a swashbuckling vampire complete with my red and black floor length (6ft.) hooded cape, taking my niece and nephew out trick or treating again this year. But due to my massive weight loss (75 lbs.) my old SCA costume didn't fit me anymore. So I ended up asking my nephew what I should dress up as, and with out batting an eye he said Witch. Well thank goodness that wasn't a problem. I simply put my floor length hooded cape on and hung my silver sabbath pentacle around my neck and I was good to go.

Trick or treating with my nephew lasted all of 2 houses and that was it. My niece on the other hand had her poor mother going around several blocks in the neighborhood.

Here’s a couple of pics. Jesse is a pokemon named meril and Sarah is a dementor from Harry Potter.




Stitchery Update:

Well this is my end of the month update for Musical Bell Pull ( by Donna Vermillion Giampa ). This is the banjo and the bottom picture of the 4 instruments. This month I just couldn’t seem to get any sort of stitching enthusiasm jump started with this project. I think it has to do with that time of the year and my seasonal depression is rearing it’s head for the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.). So with that in mind I think I’ll put away all my stitching until well after the beginning of the new year. Here’s the latest picture.




SURPRISE!!!!!:

Well the biggest and most unexpected surprise came in the mail on Thursday the 30th. A personally autographed ARC (advanced reader copy) of Katie MacAlister’s Zen and the Art of Vampires. I had entered a random drawing contest hardly thinking I would win – and what’da ya know miracles really do happen. Because this is my very first ARC. {grins} The dedication page was for all the loyal minions that virtually live at her message board and of course I’m a card carrying member. I don’t know if this is coincident or not but my name was used as one of the fodder characters for two pages near the end of the book. It was however used as a male name, so ( Jan ) was pronounced like Yan ( as in yawn ). What’s really going to drive me crazy is the fact that I’m sworn to secrecy about what’s in the book and I have to keep my mouth shut until December 2nd when the book is officially released. I managed to read, or I should say rip, through it in an 11 ½ hour marathon read. From midnight Friday Halloween to 11:30 am Saturday. I still as yet haven’t had any sleep and I have this over whelming urge to read it all over again tonight. Yea, I know I has it bad addiction wise. {chuckle} Anyway here’s a pic of it in my hot little hands. My precious, My own, Bawhahahahha……





Weigh-In Update:

Wahoo!! I made double my weight loss goal again with another spectacular 10 pounds shed. That puts me 40 pounds closer to my tentative goal of 150 pounds. If I can keep up with this 10 pound loss consistently I think I may lower my final goal to 130 pounds!!!

Man one of these days I’m gonna have to get my hair cut and have a new {skinner} picture taken of me for the blog. {Grin}


For the next few months I’ll be catching up on my authors and writing book reviews.

That’s all for this blog blurb………..

Book Review: Contemporary Erotica-Romantica

Wild Wild West by Charlene Teglia

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars



As the back page blurb says… 3 girls from Seattle, 3 cowboys from Montana. All pair up at a coffeehouse called Lemon Espresso. Each story is told as a separate novella.

First I want to say that the stories in and of themselves are readable, but I find that I’m just not into cowboy erotica. Guess I like my stories with more of a paranormal plot. That and the fact I’ve been to Missoula and the only thing populating coffeehouses are the college students from Univ. of Montana where the campus just happens to be. Or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been around real ranchers and I just can’t wrap my imagination around the fantasy cowboys in this book. Shrug… who knows for sure, anyway.

A man’s word is his bondage, Gabe and Willow’s story. Willow’s a (Sub) and wanna be book author. He’s a (Dom) an english teacher and into bondage. Gabe is very quite spoken and sweet. He always tells Willow exactly what he going to do to her and then politely asks for permission. The story itself was OK, but really I'm really not into bondage. So meh, I'm giving it a 2.8 out of 5 stars.

Ready to play, Chet and Jolie’s story. Jolie is a recent graduate from law school. Chet is an ex rodeo rider turned horse breed rancher. The story basically involves a budding (but accelerated) relationship with straight vanilla sex (mission style) with a little voyeurism thrown in. A sweet simple story and an easy read on the comfort scale. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars. I would have given it a higher rating, if it hadn’t been for the annoying fact that the author kept letting Chet call Jolie “baby” most of the time. I’m sure she thought of it as an enduring term from Chet’s P.O.V. but to me it just came off as sounding condescending. It would have sounded much better if he had used a special pet name instead.

Reuben’s Rules, Reuben and Laura’s story. Laura is the owner of Lemon Espresso the coffeehouse that is the focal point of the three stories. Reuben is an ex army ranger turned sheep rancher. Laura’s fantasy is BDSM with her as sex slave to Reuben’s master. There was no bondage, pain, or rough discipline involved. Just a fun fantasy of slave/master sex with a couple of first-timer sex toys and a little voyeurism thrown in. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. I liked it the best for the sheer enthusiasm the author put into writing this story. This novella was obviously written first and her forte is clearly this sub-type of erotic/fantasy writing.


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Book Review - Paranormal Romance: Dragons

Up In Smoke (Silver Dragons, Bk. 2) by Katie MacAlister

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars



As always Katie you were brilliant !!! I did a 13 hour cover to cover read.



HEADS-UP THIS POST HAS SERIOUS SPOILERS AHEAD..... BEWARNED!!!!!

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The scenes that made me snort with laughter…

Aisling in the kitchen after getting a muscle cramp. Gabriel prodding her belly convinced she’s going into labor. Drake roaring at him to keep his damn hands off his mate. The whole house in a uproar with Istvàn wanting to boil water and Pàl bolting out of the house to get the midwife. All the while Aisling trying to tell them without much success that they’re over reacting. It was funny thinking of Jim as the squeamish type wanting to leave the scene to avoid the “baby juice, blood and guck”. Considering he’s a centuries old demon, he’s must of seen it all at some point. {snicker}

In the clothing shop in Paris with May on the mobile phone with Cyrene. Who informs her twin that because May is a mate to Gabriel, she must be mate to Kostya. And she being very attentive looking after this very needy dragon for the 6 weeks Mays been gone.

Thank you so much for hooking these two ( an airhead & control freak ) up. It’s so much fun seeing Kostya tortured like this. I dare say it won’t last for long as Cy will probably get distracted by some other needy/insane dragon.

Sally, Sally, Sally… for some reason I got it in my head that she was the 20 something version of Dolores Umbridge of Harry Potter ilk, puke pink pepto bismal outfit - attitude and all. Ha!

I loved Katie's knowledge of surfer speak 101. I snorted with laughter and lost my place so often I had to read that passage in the book twice. It was just so gnarly dude!!

Katie's really got me shaking my head over Magoth buck naked in a church fountain getting randy with a statue. I guess if he doesn’t have powers to create havoc, then the next best thing would be to cause wide spread disgust (ie thumbing your nose at the court of divine blood). Either that, or he’s up to something and Katie's going to spring it on us in book 3.

I loved all the dragon sex scenes between Gabriel and May. Especially that one with the gold dust and Gab trying, but without much success, at foreplay. As for May, I think she should just give into the shard and become a dragon for the time being. Who knows the key to her being freed from Magoth might be in turning into a dragon and braking the bond he has over her. I’ve heard Katie state several times dragons cannot be minions of demon lords.

Now what's up with this white dragon that’s also an archmage…. Hummmm interesting…. Or being white and therefore ouroboros without a sept? Even more interesting….. So who can he be? Baltic, Constantine Norka, some other ancient dragon or Dr. Kostich. And why is he helping Fiat trying to kill off all the other wyverns?

Oh man, I’m going to burst from curiosity/frustration before November 2009 gets here!!!

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Book Review - Paranormal Romance: Vampires

Dark Hunger (The Brethren: Book 2) by Sara Reinke

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars


[Update: Oct. 4, 2008 Important Notice at bottom of post]



Dark Hunger the second book in a three book trilogy, gave me a rollercoaster ride for my emotions. I wanted to laugh, cry, giggle with anticipation, and stomp my foot in frustration, in this page turner of a book. As with the first book, Dark Thirst, it sucked me into the world of Brandon, Lina, Rene & Tessa and wouldn’t turn me loose until I finished the book 14 hours later.

This second book concentrates on the burgeoning love interest between Rene and Tessa. As they, along with Brandon and Lina, travel across country to Nevada in the quest to escape the Brethren, a prominent family of vampires.

For more character info read the review by Terra57 She’s done an excellent review.

If you missed the first book, not to worry, the author pulls information from it to let you know what’s going on in the developing plot. There’s also a lot of flashback/background information that’s new to the characters of Rene and Tessa. That’s what this book mainly focuses on - character development.

The one thing that the author, Sara Reinke, did which wins her high praise from me. Is that whenever Rene, the Cajun part human part vampire, spoke french she immediately repeated the words or phrase in english. I always found it frustrating when romance authors liberally laced their dialog with foreign languages and I not knowing what was being said. Unless, of course, you had an french-english or some other dictionary at hand.

The end of the book left you with one hell of a cliff hanger. In that Rene did something completely out-of-character. It left you with a twist to the plot that I never saw coming and it’s got me wondering – how in the hell is Sara going to write herself out of this!

2009 can’t get here fast enough when the third and final book in the series, Dark Passion, hits the stores.



Important Update:

I have just read via Sara Reinke’s e-mail announcement list that of Oct. 1, 2008 Kensington publishers have dropped the Brethren series due to sales on the first two titles.

I as a loyal reader of Ms. Reinke’s I am severely disappointed in Kensington for not, at least, letting the author finish with the 3 story line arc. To leave a reading audience hanging that way shows that Kensington is more interested in the bottom-line dollar wise then to satisfy it loyal customers.

I fervently hope that Ms. Reinke finds an e-book publisher so that the question of what happens to Brandon, Lina, Tessa, & Rene is resolved.

The outline for the proposed third book in the Brethren Series, Dark Passion is now available at her forum. IT CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE PUBLISHED BOOKS. Hopefully it will answer any lingering questions readers may have about the events set up in Dark Hunger; You'll find it here….. http://sarareinke.activeboard....


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Book Review - Paranormal Romance: Vampires

I Want You To Want Me by Kathy Love

My review

Rating: 4 of 5 stars


I WANT YOU TO WANT ME is a continuation of the story arc of two vampire (Lampir) half-brothers Renauldo (Ren) D’Antoni and Vittorio Ridgewood. In this story of Vittorio, he finds his soul mate in Erika Todd a sculptor.

Vittorio and Erika’s involvement starts out shaky and frustrating. But quickly turns into hot bunny sex 1/3 of the way through the book (ch. 12) and you get to read plenty of it evenly paced throughout the remainder of the book.

Trouble in the form of the brothers’ mother and Lampir creator, Orabella, rears her demented and possessive head. As she jealousy kills off all Vittorio’s lovers determined to have him all to herself and in a much more than parental way. And naturally she goes after Erika with the help of her demon lover, Maksim.

I consider the book a palatable piece of fluff. Not much in the way of plot but not boring either, and in the end you get your HEA.

View all my reviews.

WiP Update: Once Upon A Time - Part 6

Well this was a very slow week and a half getting this small section done. Guess I’m starting to reach a mini burn-out again when it comes to stitching. Well at least I accomplished my goal for this project. I’ve decided to rotate it in between the other projects on my list; at least that way it won’t get turned into a UFO.

I thought I’d try something a little different this time in displaying the picture. I drew a box around the actual section that’s new and grayed out the rest of the picture to show just how much and where the progress was on the fabric. If you click on the picture link you’ll get to see a bigger snap.





As for what I’m going to work on next, I’ve got “Camelot Sampler” set up on the scroll frame cradle. But I’m also thinking about “Musical Bell Pull” I haven’t worked on that since February 2001. Whichever one I work on next will be awhile, as I’ve been neglecting my growing collection of romance novels. They’ve been collecting dust on my headboard so I plan to get some reading done until the beginning of August and then get back to stitching.

And speaking of books, I was thinking of moving all my book related things – goodreads reviews, widgets, etc. – over to my Live Journal Blog. That’s if I can ever figure out how to put my author banners and goodreads widgets in the side panels that is. I need to start posting to it or one of these days LJ may decided to up and nuke it. I’ll be sure to post a notice and have a link in my side panel so you can look at it if you want, when I get around to it that is.

Well that’s it for this blog blurb……

Book Review - Paranormal Fantasy: Vampires

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2 by Laurell K. Hamilton

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars


Excellent artwork and storyboard scripting!!! I managed to buy the book the day it hit the shelves and read it the minute I got home.

I now plan to put the paperback "Guilty Pleasures" in my TO-READ list. I’ve gotten the feel for Hamilton’s writing and I hope the book has a wee bit more romance in it than the graphic novel did.

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Book Review - Paranormal Romance: Vampires

Lady & the Vamp (Immortality Bites, Book 3) by Michelle Rowen

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really sweet story if you like romance with little to no sex. This book should have been labeled as "young adult/teen".

Which is odd because the characters were written as much older; Michael Quinn (age 30) and Janie Parker ( age 25 ). What was most in abundance was verbal loquaciousness. Both characters (well Michael more then Janie) went on and on about their self loathing and doubt.

Overlooking that little annoyance I rather enjoyed reading it. The book was sharp, witty, and had plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. A very good vampire book.


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Book Review - Paranormal Fantasy: Vampires

Since not everyone maybe interested in signing on with GoodReads I thought I’d start posting my comments/reviews here on my blog as well.


Heroes (Laws of the Blood, Book 5) by Susan Sizemore

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t believe this but I actually liked this novel, even with the 4 previous strike outs. In this 5th book the writing was tight, the scenes and dialog flowed smoothly, and even the plot made sense. It’s just a shame that Sizemore’s last book in the series finally got me interested and caring about the characters. Even when she left me with a small cliff hanger/dangling plot thread at the end with the characters of Char McCairn and Jebel Haven.



I’ll have to email her and ask if she ever resolved the cliff hanger in a later novella. Cuz I sure would like to find out how the situation between Valentine, Geoff, Char and Jebel gets resolved.




View all my reviews.

Christmas Sampler 2003 Update and Page Loading Problems

As promised here’s my progress picture for parts 3 and 4. This will temporarily be set aside as I work on a birthday present for a girl friend. Her birthday is coming up in June and I’m going to stitch her a kitchen towel and potholder combo with a picture of blueberries. No worries about her finding out, as far as I know she doesn’t have internet access so my secret will be safe.

After that I’ll be working on Le Marquoir - Il était une fois replacing french knots with seed beads for part 4. Then it’s back to christmas sampler forcing myself to finish it.
Do you ever get to a point working on a project that you’ve had for so long that you start to wonder what possessed you to start it in the first place? That’s what I’m feeling about christmas sampler. There must have been something about it I liked back in 2003 when I started it that drew my interest, but for the life of me I can’t remember what. Now I feel like it’s a chore to finish the beast. But finish it I will, then it will either get rolled up and put away never to see the light of day, or it will get turned into a bell pull and only hauled out during December to be hung up on the wall.

As for the wonky page loading problems. I’ve gone out and bought myself a 3 inch thick Cascading Style Sheets book. Basically it’s a developer’s guide for CSS1 and CSS2. It may take me a while but I plan on teaching myself the basics and fix my blog myself. I guess it doesn’t pay to go copying and pasting other peoples code together when you have no idea what the hell you’re doing.

Well that’s it for this blog blurb.

Belated Valentine's Day and Fantasy Author Autographs

Greetings everyone two posts in as many days the mind boggles. ;-)

Well I managed to get to Wal-Mart today and there were no mini rose bushes to be had. So I hoofed it across the parking lot to the Home Depot Mega Store and lo and behold they still had a dozen left by the front entrance for $5 each. White, deep red, pale pink, and something that looked like bright pink tipped in orange. I got one 4 inch pot of the bright pink tipped in orange.





I had a friend of mine take pictures outside of his house to day. He cut off the bottom of the picture so you can't see my hand holding the bottom of the pot. I don't know what's up with that yellow bud in the bunch. Next.....

RADCON a Sci-Fi and Gaming convention was held this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Red Lion Hotel in Tri-Cities, Washington. One of the fantasy authors I read, Patricia Briggs, was going to be there this weekend but not in an official capacity.

As I live in the Tri-Cities I wanted Patty to sign the six books I have of hers. Problem - what if I'm not able to find her during the 3-day convention after shelling out over $30 admission fee.
Solution – Patty is good friends with the owners of the local new/used book store "Book Worm" and took the time to visit both branch stores and signed every new book they had on hand. Huzzah!!!

I missed her for a personal signing at the "Book Worm" because of a doctors appointment on Friday. But I made it over to the larger of the two stores before they closed that same day and picked up an autographed copy of each of the 6 books I wanted. Some of her earlier novels were there but I only had $50 with me at the time so I could only get the 6 I really needed. Yeah, I know $30 verses $50. But I figured I'd spend more on a sure thing, and get a second set, than to risk $30 and come away with nothing. Anyway here I am grinning like an idiot at my book acquisitions. The one in my hands is the anthology "On the Prowl".

Yes, definitely a late but still happy V-Day even if I had to buy it myself.

One Last Thing:
eHarmony.com sent me spam a couple of days ago saying – come take our personality profile test and check your matches for free this valentine’s weekend. So on a whim I did it today. I answered all the questions truthfully and the final outcome of all this was….. Soooo sorry but we can’t match you. They basically implied that I’m too old, too fat, unattractive and set in my ways. THANK YOU so much eHarmony for letting me know I’ll never find a husband, die an old maid, and never have sex with anyone for the rest of my life. That’s what you get for telling the truth….I should have lied through my teeth and been happy. ;-p [snicker]

SBQ Meme: Holiday Gifts... What ya get?

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/12/sbq-holiday-gifts/

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Nope, no stitching related presents for me.

All I got was a card and some money from my sister, but it was enough for me to head straight to Hastings today and picked up My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon Anthology – edited by P.N. Elrod and Lynsay Sands' The Argeneau Series, all of them up through the latest - The Accidental Vampire. She's the latest on my list of newly discovered authors.

I've basically gone a little off the deep end in finding and buying books from new (to me anyway) authors. Here's the complete list so far.

Monica Ferris ……………. Mystery
Patricia Briggs …………… Paranormal-fantasy
Jim Butcher ……………... Paranormal-fantasy
Carole Nelson Douglas …. Paranormal-fantasy
P.N. Elrod ………………. Paranormal-fantasy
Tanya Huff …………….. Paranormal-fantasy
Elizabeth Amber 1 …....... Paranormal-romance (Erotica)
Amanda Ashley ............... Paranormal-romance
Alexandra Ivy .................. Paranormal-romance
Kathy Love ...................... Paranormal-romance
Katie MacAlister ............. Paranormal-romance (Humor)
Sharon Page .................... Paranormal-romance (Erotica)
Sara Reinke 2 .................. Paranormal-romance
Stephanie Rowe ……...... Paranormal-romance
Lynsay Sands 3 .............. Paranormal-romance (Humor)
Susan Sizemore .............. Paranormal-romance
Shiloh Walker 4 ............. Paranormal-romance (Erotica)

1: The Lords of Satyr Series
2: The Brethren Series
3: The Argeneau Series
4: The Hunters Series

And to think I started out with just reading Jim Butcher, Katie MacAlister, & Monica Ferris. Don’t however get me started on science fiction; big trekie fan here. I’ve got the original series, next generation, and all the spin-off series in my ancient paperback book collection. As well as the Babylon 5 series.

Later, Y’all……

Wow I’m a Silver Dragon and my 100th post!!!

To celebrate my 42 hour reading marathon of all 3 Aisling Grey books and thus finish my goal of reading *ALL* of Katie MacAlister’s adult romances ever published. I went to her Dragon Septs website and discovered which dragon sept was for me.

Which Dragon Sept is Right For You?

You are calm, understand the meaning of zen, are a poet, and value the time you spend with other people. You would do well with the Silver Dragon Sept
Take this quiz!

Here's a little added info on traits from www.dragonsepts.com/ handbook:
The silver dragons are renowned healers, and as such, are very much in demand in both the mortal and Otherworld. Some silver dragons also have empathic abilities, a trait that has been exploited by other septs. They have a particular affinity with nature, and many spend time with earthier beings such as wood sprites, elves, and sylphs. They are cautious and careful in battle and politics, and while they hold honor and loyalty to be among their most valued traits, they are formidable in their revenge if you cross them.

It was mon., tues., & wed. of last week that this marathon happened but I kind of let posting to my blog go until this Sunday. You’re probably scratching your head wondering how I could spend 3 days straight reading and not work. Well the simple answer is I’ve been laid-off for the next 6 weeks until the company work orders for circuit boards start coming in again. So in the mean time I’ll be at home doing a lot of reading and stitching.


Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! My 100th post. I can’t believe y’all have put up with my sometimes mindless drivel. To bad I don’t have any updates on my dragon to post, oh well, I’m sure to have something next weekend. Anyway, I’m off to watch my recorded episode of this weeks Doctor Who!!!

Later y’all

SBQ Meme: The Second Time Around????

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Would you ever stitch one of your BAPs a second time?
(This does not include starting over because of mistakes,
bad fabric, etc., rather stitching something from the first
stitch for a second time.)

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/09/sbq-seconds/

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I don’t know if you’d call it a BAP, but if I had the time and inclination I’d love to stitch “To Love And Cherish” by Sandy Orton again. For myself, if I ever got married. But since I haven’t had, nor can find, a boyfriend in the last 12 years I don’t think it’s going to happen.









On the Reading Front: I’ve finally finished Katie’s Adult Historical Romances. Now it’s on to the Aisling Grey series. Then I’ll have read every book she’s ever WRITTEN!!!!!

I’m a Katie Minion....

in the worst (or best) possible way. Case in point-yesterday. Saturday night 6pm I grab the next in my (to read) stack of Katie novels “Hard Day’s Knight”. 14 ½ hours later – Sunday 8:30am - I finish the book. What can I say, I read as slow as a snail and always read the r-e-a-l-l-y steamy parts over twice {wicked grin}. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t put the damn book down.

I love Ren Fairs and the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism)

Next, “Blow Me Down”, historical romance then paranormal dragon (Aisling Grey Series) romance books!
Then I’ll have devoured them all, until next month that is….

Just a Quick Note....

Well it's been 3 weeks since I poked my head in here. So far I've managed to read through 4 of Katie's books. The Corset Diaries, Men In Kilts, Bird of Paradise, & Improper English. To say the least I'm driving myself crazy, being that I don't have a boyfriend and no way to relieve the frustration except by other means which I won’t do or go into. {Wicked Grin}

Anyway, I have some good news on the stash front. Back in July I bought Needle Guardian by Teresa Wentzler from Patternsonline.com And just today after waiting almost 6 weeks I finally got the supplies from Paw Prints Cross Stitch in the mail. Wahoo!!

I am so itching to start this, I think just this once I'll fall off "The Wagon" and do this small project. I think that's what I need to get me back in the mood to work on my bigger WiPs.

Ta, All...

Turning Bookworm…

It seems I’ve shifted into a bit of a stitching slump, and have been more cheerfully engaged in reading Katie Macalister’s romance books. I was never interested in romance fiction before I picked up her book “A Girl’s Guide to Vampires”. The paranormal series is excellently written, well balanced with just the right “laugh out loud” moments in all the right spots.

Anyway, I’ve tried to work on Pamela Kellogg’s “Christmas Sampler 2003” but I just feel like I’m plodding along in my rotation. I just don’t seem to have any enthusiasm for stitching right now. So this will probably be my last post for awhile. Maybe if I put all my projects away for a couple of months the stitching bug will bite me in the ass once more. In the mean time, I’ll be devouring the rest of Katie’s adult Contemporary, Historical, & Paranormal romance books – that’s 12 books so it should take me a month if I pace myself.


Part 3 - Christmas Sampler 2003 – Well technically it isn’t really finished as I just couldn’t get myself to do the back stitching with the kreinik gold braid. Click pic for bigger image.

SBQ Meme: Just One More Stitch....

Today's SBQ is from Renée and is:

Do you consider yourself a "floss miser?"

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/07/one-thousand/

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The answer to this question is – Yes, No, and Maybe.

If I’m stitching from a prepackaged kit - yes, I try my best to conserve the floss and not have much in the way of left over orts. I’m always panicked that I’ll run out of a certain high use color and I won’t be able to match it with the stock I have on-hand; considering that certain kit companies special dye their floss lots.

If I’m doing a chart with a lot of confetti stitching then yes, I’ll save the orts to finish up sections of the design.

If I’m using limited edition sampler threads like from “The Gentle Arts”, then that’s a definite yes.

If it’s plain old DMC or Anchor then no, unless you consider one - two inches left on the needle miserly.





Other news: I seem to have let my stitching slide this last week and a half. I got so caught up in reading about my favorite vamps in the Dark Ones series that I managed to polish off two books!!

"Bring Out Your Dead" in the Just One Sip anthology and
Even Vampires Get the Blues

I’m now at the lastest book in the series and I’m chomping at the preverbal bit wondering if Katie will have another Dark Ones book out this year. Who knew I’d fall so hard for vampire paranormal romances?!?! ;-)