tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129244012024-03-07T17:42:30.817-05:00M's Favorite ThingsObservations and comments on subjects near and dear to me. Some funny, some serious, but to share them with you is an honor.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.comBlogger718125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-77817174359383329252023-01-24T21:43:00.006-05:002023-01-24T21:43:30.578-05:00I Tried a Book Out of My Comfort ZoneSometimes, reading out of my comfort zone is ... well, uncomfortable.
<br><br>
The blurb of the book sounded rather interesting.
<br><br>
The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb (Author), Kirsten Potter (Narrator), Blackstone Audio, Inc. (Publisher)
It was an Audible Audiobook – Unabridged
<blockquote>
Grace Alban has spent 20 years away from her childhood home, the stately Alban House on the shores of Lake Superior - for reasons she would rather forget. But when her mother’s unexpected death brings Grace and her teenage daughter home, she finds more than just her own personal demons haunting the halls and passageways of Alban House. Long-buried family secrets, a packet of old love letters, and a lost manuscript plunge Grace into a decades-old mystery about a scandalous party at Alban House during which a world-famous author took his own life and Grace’s aunt disappeared without a trace. That night has been shrouded in secrecy by the powerful Alban family for all of these years, and Grace realizes her family secrets tangle and twist as darkly as the hidden passages of Alban House. Her mother was intending to tell the truth about that night to a reporter on the very day she died. Could it have been murder, or was she a victim of the supposed Alban curse? With the help of the disarmingly kind - and attractive - Reverend Matthew Parker, Grace must uncover the truth about her home and its curse before she and her daughter become the next victims.</blockquote>
One thing I can say - the writing was good.
The atmosphere was at times, spooky, exciting, interesting and surprising.
<br><br>
I started to like the story until, I didn't.
<br><br>
I'm not a fan of witchcraft because it's inherently full of pitfalls, like pit, evil, negative, scary and rather depressing.
<br><br>
I looked at some reviews and I agreed with one of them. The mystery was solid, the clues were riviting and it's rather Gothic in nature. But, it really didn't need to be warped by the supernatural angle. The mystery could have stood on its own. I agree with that statement.
<br><br>
I enjoyed discovering that the old house didn't just have a couple of secret passageways, it was riddled with them. It was fascinating. Until I later discovered how effective they were for someone with ill intent.
<br><br>
Eventually, all the secrets are revealed, the villian is dead, and a family can finally look towards the future.
<br><br>
The Fate of Mercy Alban was 42 chapters of revelations, horrors, surprises, shocks and a rather tame romantic theme.
<br><br>
What left a very sour taste and left an unpleasant sensation in my brain, was the epilogue.
<br><br>
This is a spoiler so don't read any more if you intend to read the story.
<br><br>
*******
<br><br>
The evil pouring out of the book to seduce, warp and corrupt two innocent young girls, girls that up until that point were well-loved by their families, were kind of sweet, and shown to have genuine caring and sympathetic personalities, was a vile and sick way to end this book. I was not happy. I was actually disgusted. If that was supposed to hint at a sequel, I won't read it.
<br><br>
<i>Especially</i> after what I went through learning all about the actual fate of Mercy Alban.
<br><br>
If I had to pick anything from this story that was truly horrific and earned the moniker of a supernatural horror story, the epilogue condensed it in a nutshell. Right before the end of the last chapter, the heroine of the novel, Grace Alban, makes a remark that forshadows the epilogue.
<br><br>
Do you know what this kind of ending feels like?
<br><br>
The ending of the 1977's Empire of the Ants. Just when they thought they made it. After going through the guantlet, after fighting to survive against incredible, stacked-against-you odds, they failed. All of it was WORTHLESS! The evil ants WIN. A giant WASTE of my time!!! Why did I bother watching this???
<br><br>
You know, except for Star Wars, 1977 was a sucky year.
<br><br>
Why do I say that? 1977 also brought The Kingdom of the Spiders with William Shatner.
<br><br>
Guess what? EVERYONE DIES even after valiant attempts to survive. The spiders WIN! WHY do people call the end of civilization by creepy crawly means, entertainment?
<br><br>
Another giant WASTE of my time. Why did I bother watching this??? Oh, yeah. That's right. William Shatner. Ha.
<br><br>
Seriously though, The Fate of Mercy Alban gave me the same sensation once I finished the book.
<br><br>
I'm a reviewer. I'm supposed to not give spoilers. If I'm too negative or snarky, they can't use my review. But how can I express what drove me nuts without saying WHAT got my goat?
<br><br>
That means I write about the story on my blog. I don't get too many readers here anymore because I'm sporadic at best about posting blog posts. But this book upset me so much, it drove me to write this post. I had to put it here because no way could I do this in my 'official' capacity. It's a bit too opinionated, and it leaves a visitor with the impression that I ended up not liking this book.
<br><br>
They'd be right.
Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-27966681840266696882022-02-12T13:37:00.000-05:002022-02-12T13:37:03.167-05:00Realizing Mortality<p> I'm getting old. Old enough to look a bit more on the
past because there's more of it than a guaranteed future. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Yes, many people, friends and relatives, have passed on.
It's only natural. It might be 'natural, but that doesn't mean it comes without
pain. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Family members who were in their 80s and up, well, it's
to be expected. If they were an intimate, integral part of your life, then
there's deep feelings and emotional pain and loss. If not, feelings are muted.
They're there, obviously, but not necessarily crippling. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">When you grow up, move away, get married, have kids, your
family focus shifts closer. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">For those with distance between them, not having seen
them for 20 or 30 years tends to minimize the loss, because you've basically
been living without them affecting your daily life. There's sadness but the
pain isn't as harsh because you've been distanced from them. There weren't
fresh memories made; they haven't come by to give hugs or do anything tangible
or physical to reinforce a closeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
you have are memories of what was. All you have is remote contact via Facetime,
Facebook, letters, texts, Instagram or the old-fashioned phone call. It's not
the same as a hug. It's not the same as when you experienced smells, sights,
sounds, touch, music, laughter, hugs, tears and more hugs, person to person,
face to face, together making new memories all the time. With COVID, being
together is made almost impossible. Being together is an effort that is
thwarted by local municipal and governmental overreach. It's made it easier to
stay apart from each other, diminishing that sense of emotional connection.
Isolation is a real thing. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Recently, I realized a closer feeling of mortality when
my friend of over 40 years died after a 5-year fight with tongue and throat
cancer. It's an insidious disease and its toll is heartbreaking. Yet, due to
modern medicine, she was able to stay on this earth to experience some
wonderful times at her high school reunion and got to dance with someone she
had the biggest crush on in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was able to spend more time with her kids and grandkids. Even though
towards the end, she could no longer speak, the final good news of being
presented proof that one more grandchild was on the way - something she worried
would not happen while she lived - made her day. That big ultrasound picture
caused a lot of jumping around, smiles and wild gesticulating that left no
doubts as to how happy and joyous she felt at the news. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I share the above paragraph because there's more and more
of a push for doctor assisted suicide being made legal in the US. Some states have it already (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, to name a few) and more on trying. Slippery slope folks. Or, if our health care industry is socialized, we'll end up like England where they prevented a set of parents from taking their
kids, Alfie Evans and the other, Charlie Gard, out of the country. The US and another
country had the medical expertise and technology and the willingness to intervene in order to try to save
their lives. Early intervention could have possibly given them a chance at a better quality of life once they were saved, <b>if</b>
they could be saved. Certainly, they had a much better chance here than in their own country.
England's courts deliberated and pondered and argued and decided that death was more beneficial, more humane for the
children than life. Over there, parents no longer have the right to fight for
the life of their children. The government and courts can take over decisions of
life or death. I guarantee you more death than life will be the result if such a healthcare system is adopted here in the U.S. There are those that want to bring that authoritarian view of life and
death over here to make us like everyone else. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We were a country that valued life. We fought for life,
its dignity and sovereignty because it is a gift from God, not man. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Every time man plays god, he screws it up and the whole
world suffers. However, when we pursued life, medical breakthroughs abounded,
there were more inspiring stories of man helping their fellow man in times of
crisis. Crisis will always be a part of the human condition, but instead of
responding with a willingness to fight for life, doctor assisted suicide is the
next step in the unwillingness to fight for life and instead, embrace practices
that prefer the ease of death - it saves insurances money, it prevents a burden
on our tax dollars ... money? It comes down to money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that all there is between life and death
of a human being, how much money is saved if a human is left to die, or
hastened onto death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did THAT
become more important than life? </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Are there times one wishes they could die? We're human,
of course there is. Extreme pain, depression, sickness - my goodness, there are
a ton of reasons why death seems preferable. My belief in God, the light, the
way and giver of life, is my strength to give Him the ultimate authority over
me. Easy? Heck no. I'm human. There are passages in Scripture, in the Bible,
that provide a different way of looking at life's pain and sufferings. Think of
the pain Jesus went through as they tortured him all the way until he died on
the cross. He endured that pain for us, for a purpose - he sacrificed himself
for our sins to be forgiven, to open the gates of Heaven back up to us that
were closed. Jesus suffered pain and humiliation. For us. In that he also
showed us how to look at pain and suffering differently. Instead of focusing
inwards, on how much it hurts, we are encouraged to look outwards - to use the
pain as an offering as he did. Offering it up for the souls in Purgatory, for
the benefit of someone other than ourselves. Not to be a martyr, modern medicine exists for a reason, but to find
the courage, strength and endurance to accept the human condition and let God
work through you until he calls you Home. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">For some, the above paragraph will make absolutely no sense. I'm not
writing this to change a mind, more to remind myself that I shouldn't be afraid
of my mortality no matter how it ends. There is an end goal, and that's
Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm reminded of that when I talk
to my mom. I still have her on this earth but I can see time is taking its toll
on her health. I still have my dad, but if doctor assisted
suicide were already the law of the land, the focus on saving money over saving a life, the decision to
fight for my dad's life when he had heart failure wouldn't have happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, he was close to death. In
another country, he would have been left to die. In THIS country, they fought
for him to live and we've had the blessing of his being with us 3 more years
and counting. There have been many celebrations, and laughter and yes, even lots
of tears during that time, but I still have my dad. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I prefer my mortality to be decided by God, not from man's
governments, courts or companies and their propensity to look through the lens of monetary
loss or gain. I'm more than that. I'm a child of God. Let my time be His
decision, not a human’s.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-87144835706013677862021-10-10T14:15:00.001-04:002021-10-10T14:15:12.734-04:00Book Discovery: A Winter Wedding
This is a novel that was published in 2014 but I only recently discovered it. I guess it's a good thing because my reading it now is during a period of time when I'm less anomored of the books I've recenly tried to read and I was hoping for something to lift my spirits.<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeXrnzNINPec_kic4mnnnHq6axQlzlai4bDGqjjYTWpAexinsZBzNPS2tpKZ7kRd_20amyQKMOHBGHq4YdpgYg-pnmVC4J9QxCpoDL0BW_RxuowgVkpur973KHPB0lWOSddDWnw/s350/this.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="213" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeXrnzNINPec_kic4mnnnHq6axQlzlai4bDGqjjYTWpAexinsZBzNPS2tpKZ7kRd_20amyQKMOHBGHq4YdpgYg-pnmVC4J9QxCpoDL0BW_RxuowgVkpur973KHPB0lWOSddDWnw/w181-h251/this.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's my observation that there is a lot more sex in stories than there needs to be. Perhaps that is why I liked this story by Amanda Forester so much - there was only enough to prove the burning passion between them. There is the temptation, a scene filled with a taste of the forbidden, then the final capitulation resulting in expressions of love and sealing their marriage commitment. The element that the author included, and for which made a favorable impression, was the heroine's turning to her faith during times of insecurity, confusion and seeking guidance. It's not heavy-handed at all. It reads as natural as a person thinking about anything else when being in a situation of unusual uncertainty and stress.</div><br />
<blockquote>This is the blurb:
<b>This adventurous duke...has met his match
The Duke of Marchford requires a suitable bride, but catching spies for the Foreign Office takes up most of his time. Not wanting to face another London season as an eligible man, he employs the notorious Madame X to find him a match.
<br /><br />
Miss Penelope Rose knows the rules of marriage among members of the ton better than most. Her own unsuccessful attempts at matrimony did not stop her from becoming London's most exclusive matchmaker. Marchford proves to be a difficult client, but as he draws on her social expertise to help him flush out a dangerous traitor, they find that falling in love may be the riskiest adventure of all</b>.<br /></blockquote>
<br />
The weird part is that I didn't read the blurb. I just picked up the book and started reading. It wasn't the cover, the author or anything else that prompted me to try it out. The book was passed down from a friend, and since I trust her judgement and have always liked her reading choices in the past, I figured that there was a good shot I'd like it. I, in fact, adored it!
<br /><br />
I enjoyed the strong female character, the stubborn hero, the hero's opinionated grandmother and a few other unnamed secondary characters that will remain anonymous because of their roles in the plot. A plot, I may add, that is solid, well-thought out and thoroughly entertaining and thrilling.<br /><br />
If readers of this blog post are romance readers, like a bit of romantic suspense, a story light on sex and heavy on seduction, titillating scenes, near misses and a satisfactory moment of completion, with some explosions, spies, daring-do and close call rescues, then this book should hit all the right buttons.
<div><br /></div><div>This might be a novel from 2014, but it's a great read for 2021 too!!</div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-12832588242923557482021-05-23T10:49:00.001-04:002021-05-23T11:05:33.989-04:00Enough With the Talking Toe Nails!!!<p> </p><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
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</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLQ0NVdTQu2lMpvTy5zb9SmQOsoH6oY0rzlmMmv4sDWnsWuF1tHepai34t9yMeruiT4AvzDRVH4KDswP4yaMbuarSDVCEIZSSTG3PDI7da5O8aVB1jEuJbJ0wf88FyM_h3eYN5g/s369/Stop+it.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="344" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLQ0NVdTQu2lMpvTy5zb9SmQOsoH6oY0rzlmMmv4sDWnsWuF1tHepai34t9yMeruiT4AvzDRVH4KDswP4yaMbuarSDVCEIZSSTG3PDI7da5O8aVB1jEuJbJ0wf88FyM_h3eYN5g/w148-h156/Stop+it.png" width="148" /></a></div><br />Warning - this is a gripe session - about television commercials.<p></p><p>First, I'm going to date myself by remembering <i>fondly</i> the commercials of my youth. There were songs - Oh, I wish I was an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNddW2xmZp8&t=1s" target="_blank">Oscar Myer Weiner</a> ... Or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPRHJd3uHI" target="_blank">Bologna </a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LurEEv0lM" target="_blank">Ho Ho Ho Green Giant</a></p><p>or, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fivBoHfgEs" target="_blank">Libby, Libby Libby</a> on the table, table, table, </p><p>There were exclamations - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlNAYCcxgUw" target="_blank">Anthony! Anthony!</a> for Prince Spaghetti.</p><p>There was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV4ZdzZNXhg" target="_blank">hunkalicous</a>! And <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyGwWCHRQiE" target="_blank">romantic</a>! (okay, yeah, I like Tom Selleck, but he gave good commercial!)</p><p>Nowadays, I DESPISE most of what I see. </p><p>I am seriously squicked-out by talking open wounds or toe nails, or walking, talking boxes for mail-in poop samples, haunting, stalking digital stomachs, or any talking face dubbed onto a body part like a hand or finger. It doesn't amuse me - it annoys me. </p><p>Don't even get me started on that stupid Bath Fitter commercial where the mom is taking a bubble bath behind the 'daughter spokesperson' and demands 'FRESH towels' while there is a stand of perfectly and artistically rolled towels next to the tub. ::rolls eyes:: (and no matter how hard I tried, I never could get bubbles that Tall and Thick! ) </p><p>Then there are commercials with actors playing annoying problems like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdosf0puGeo" target="_blank">dandruff </a>- I guess people think it's funny but I don't. </p><p>But - give credit where credit is due - not all old commercials were palatable - take <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrxtenpDIj8" target="_blank">Slim Jim</a> for example. That was simply freakish and scary.</p><p>This one about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PYIH4dnL3I" target="_blank">IT issues</a> is a toss up between insulting, annoying and WTH? </p><p>You can change a channel to escape a show you don't like, but those commercials follow you everywhere!!!!</p><p>Then there are the commercials that think they're being funny but they insult our intelligence. I've noticed that they believe they can subliminally pass off a suggestion onto viewers thinking they won't catch the subtle nuance endorsing a dubious societal quirk as normal, when it most definitely should not be and isn't. </p><p>Short of sitting in a chair, watching television with my laptop open in preparation for catching a specific commercial when it airs, I'm writing this as a generality and from memory because I don't want to sit and waste more braincells watching a television show JUST for the commercials. All I'm doing is sharing my opinions about the drivel commercials are plugging into their dialogue or visuals that endorse stupidity of the masses. What they 'think' of as funny, is actually stupidity, the unfunny kind. The original Three Stooges was smart stupid-funny - they used clever quips and word puns and there was actually a devious intelligence behind a lot of their skits - Paris-sites, Baron of Gray Matter - funny. Today's commercials can only dream about being clever funny. Instead they make us out to be idiots. </p><p>The propensity for flooding the airwaves with drug commercials is the stuff of nightmares. Not the medicines themselves, but all the listed side-effects. Seriously, some of them, like 'thoughts of suicide', death, heart problems, seizures, etc,, are oftentimes worse that what they're treating. Thing is, are they inundating us with commercials with the purpose of utilizing the masses as further research subjects? Talk about cheap options for continued drug trials - get the people to willingly submit themselves as unpaid test subjects. That's how watching those drug commercials makes me feel. </p><p>The most egregious are the commercials for movies. No longer do I see actual hooks to grab a person's curiosity. No longer am I able to get an idea of what the movie is about. Hardly ever do I see anything rated G or innocently cute, adorable yet intellectual. What do I see? Violence. Extreme violence using explosions, guns, physical aggression, anger, vindictiveness, rage, and more gun violence. That's it. That's practically all they show. It's laughable how high-on-their-horses politicians are about gun violence when Hollywood glamorizes and showcases it in a positive light. Need to solve a problem? Use violence. Retribution equals shooting someone. If you're angry, feel slighted or were wronged? Shoot them after beating the snot out of them. THAT kind of commercial is a constant barrage on television, every danged day. Violence SELLS - movies, newspapers, news programs and television shows. They think guns are the problem? Where the heck do they think the idea STARTS??? It's fed multiple times a day during commercials.</p><p>There's more I can say. Perhaps I'll edit this blog post when I see something while I actually have my PC open. I can then provide more specific examples.</p><p>Seriously, though. Enough with the stalkeri-sh behavior of inanimate objects and body parts come to life in order to sell us stuff. It doesn't work for me. It turns me off and makes me want to tune out.</p><p>I prefer to listen to audiobooks. No stupid commercials. </p><p>And, there is another reason I wanted to do this post now versus later. I saw that Blogger is not going to offer the option of the widget that alerts people who actually do follow this blog, even as sporadic as it is, to something I've posted so it's at least seen, by someone. Once that widget is shut down, it's over, I'll be posting for myself, I guess. But then again, when I started blogging, I basically was. Some things seem to come full circle, don't they? </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-22121639309089355702021-05-23T09:13:00.000-04:002021-05-23T09:13:09.881-04:00The Art of Wonder<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGLnJJvm8CFcXPFbKsee0Vsi0nMMAbNlC1yHWWi5s42a1SMvLUiYwa1voLNITERrRZz860vPZKslYchj1lgSgJCARZpWbufAEKekjOPKX2yN7mKU1LRGop1qBoaFBXfWfs0awvQ/s763/Mandala.1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="763" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGLnJJvm8CFcXPFbKsee0Vsi0nMMAbNlC1yHWWi5s42a1SMvLUiYwa1voLNITERrRZz860vPZKslYchj1lgSgJCARZpWbufAEKekjOPKX2yN7mKU1LRGop1qBoaFBXfWfs0awvQ/s320/Mandala.1.png" width="320" /></a></div>I credit the Curio Collection at <a href="https://www.jacquielawson.com/aboutus" target="_blank">Jacquie Lawson</a> for the discovery of an ancient art form I had never heard of. <div><br /></div><div>I am having SO much fun, and creating them after a long day of work and data entry is calming and kind of therapeutic. So, below are a few examples. Enjoy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7tkoMo-KTNPCbkcobX3srY4mlghn6rR3y0N0rPfK8S0Zs3CWIQ9yUdi5A9mRsthyGVZMcRWFAisumPNlVOE3n4oBxEfVQsblp5hNebk2sH43m_5yhE_zY4oRFOu7jeFVAyv01Q/s600/mandala+-+2021-05-11T211138.555.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7tkoMo-KTNPCbkcobX3srY4mlghn6rR3y0N0rPfK8S0Zs3CWIQ9yUdi5A9mRsthyGVZMcRWFAisumPNlVOE3n4oBxEfVQsblp5hNebk2sH43m_5yhE_zY4oRFOu7jeFVAyv01Q/s320/mandala+-+2021-05-11T211138.555.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIzdfB4_pFEZFwuG3QYShkzskIYMYAfuPwOfBzHIxb36dj_WRxABynqsE5qriuDBFqdKOKo70ND5ztT7yaKMNaE4MaxJzTg3jmWoaPsjDX0YqdSxAItbkkN8niYyEFiZQovvzmA/s600/mandala+-+2021-05-06T181635.058.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIzdfB4_pFEZFwuG3QYShkzskIYMYAfuPwOfBzHIxb36dj_WRxABynqsE5qriuDBFqdKOKo70ND5ztT7yaKMNaE4MaxJzTg3jmWoaPsjDX0YqdSxAItbkkN8niYyEFiZQovvzmA/s320/mandala+-+2021-05-06T181635.058.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U7xu2ZloKFK0CKO8jw9XWt6jutN9N2IOFbKgBJ8S8QLKAIrhjYxLNx8xW-mrLy9opiKxGAkK84gdsuAJfOi4imCsIixysDGSZXjMFtrLLhJXEzuI9EbPUp3IEpXkkuWuEsHXVg/s600/mandala+-+2021-05-06T181714.943.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U7xu2ZloKFK0CKO8jw9XWt6jutN9N2IOFbKgBJ8S8QLKAIrhjYxLNx8xW-mrLy9opiKxGAkK84gdsuAJfOi4imCsIixysDGSZXjMFtrLLhJXEzuI9EbPUp3IEpXkkuWuEsHXVg/s320/mandala+-+2021-05-06T181714.943.png" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAweLvxuqMqwAMZfwODh_8iM7ww7cN2zoPMMIsOGcDpV8u2fiJHjw_QtAI8ZAdLpKxa9tolbRq87faeFD8Loe8KLWr-sye46Mc99eNlBZ8Pw2ggk3si2HStoDQGrmZdffo5Hd67g/s600/mandala+-+2021-05-10T202555.832.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAweLvxuqMqwAMZfwODh_8iM7ww7cN2zoPMMIsOGcDpV8u2fiJHjw_QtAI8ZAdLpKxa9tolbRq87faeFD8Loe8KLWr-sye46Mc99eNlBZ8Pw2ggk3si2HStoDQGrmZdffo5Hd67g/s320/mandala+-+2021-05-10T202555.832.png" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DrXYVlXqUXAA0ZKzVZpFv6aPoaj33RH3Sw4UuCKnj2IWTz-R65tNObR6UrYEbT_WQ3JRjODl3J6fTz700frMmonACOasjglG0bCu9Uoekgf7OLU5rovl6bcQihCp3Ut_T5Q8wA/s600/mandala+-+2021-05-11T211150.406.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DrXYVlXqUXAA0ZKzVZpFv6aPoaj33RH3Sw4UuCKnj2IWTz-R65tNObR6UrYEbT_WQ3JRjODl3J6fTz700frMmonACOasjglG0bCu9Uoekgf7OLU5rovl6bcQihCp3Ut_T5Q8wA/s320/mandala+-+2021-05-11T211150.406.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoYS7l8d_aqdHOZ4ggVDGGhRVoiqG4UysUh2hF4tUUz9OW6bESG416eOVc2kpkvgLJr1_gxZVzCdU5mroZPHvSn8VDDHgCbJeXvM6o8DCDufiiwSgvKeM3qbVX7R8b_RR5c2toQ/s600/mandala+%25287%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoYS7l8d_aqdHOZ4ggVDGGhRVoiqG4UysUh2hF4tUUz9OW6bESG416eOVc2kpkvgLJr1_gxZVzCdU5mroZPHvSn8VDDHgCbJeXvM6o8DCDufiiwSgvKeM3qbVX7R8b_RR5c2toQ/s320/mandala+%25287%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BuQ-qG3hCQRQjEW69pc41eA7d8-H9IuAl6Rn8jrcHO2YMbi7nDuAoDq85pHno7Xm1MDZ3mDKrAB5LBOpF9yf8-V3KcfJvKhtbNx38p-6FiMpOD7OQT915aDWqX1qVqWX7016dg/s600/mandala+%25285%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BuQ-qG3hCQRQjEW69pc41eA7d8-H9IuAl6Rn8jrcHO2YMbi7nDuAoDq85pHno7Xm1MDZ3mDKrAB5LBOpF9yf8-V3KcfJvKhtbNx38p-6FiMpOD7OQT915aDWqX1qVqWX7016dg/s320/mandala+%25285%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaXJE8gWXAUF8BFfTFrBAVldbB7LuCr05fOF2uTD-dUBk4fMf69jBxRtk51u2IP_1seOvADKumTyfMbx8afkjsz28Yx-qaJ9-bbcHp_x2xBMaSj6EMTHtJRrPPLZJAEvdEn0wnw/s600/mandala+%25286%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaXJE8gWXAUF8BFfTFrBAVldbB7LuCr05fOF2uTD-dUBk4fMf69jBxRtk51u2IP_1seOvADKumTyfMbx8afkjsz28Yx-qaJ9-bbcHp_x2xBMaSj6EMTHtJRrPPLZJAEvdEn0wnw/s320/mandala+%25286%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZQHkw-L7deSSMFnk0-_e-vxKw9VCAO4-X9srouhSZK0D-d0PSFnDBYZ7m4kpD_TZEoauPClryVbQPEh0kn3oAH6hchKU09zWZKf8IYubDLiyTkg_1a_w0BcxKxvHOAQk2FYsxg/s763/Mandala.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-20418215851275420582021-03-12T07:24:00.003-05:002021-03-12T07:25:05.435-05:00The Mackenzie Books vs. Audio<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhS3yX69_I4G-gcMBRHm8qKIAojJCZ__fRrb5BkMSoMTGqo51USNyPxMGZnRI0YEqU7anVwTzgonlakGeHS_Fbi-gJh218MI5kspAeQER9YOSryMqerZVNaOBNl0XVO75EKZnIg/s296/Audio.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="296" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhS3yX69_I4G-gcMBRHm8qKIAojJCZ__fRrb5BkMSoMTGqo51USNyPxMGZnRI0YEqU7anVwTzgonlakGeHS_Fbi-gJh218MI5kspAeQER9YOSryMqerZVNaOBNl0XVO75EKZnIg/w154-h158/Audio.png" width="154" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Even though I've recently been made aware of the controversy about Audible's ill treatment of authors, I already had a subscription. I hadn't used it in a bit so I had 3 credits in the bank, so to speak. Of course I snapped up the next three books in the Mackenzie family: Lord Mac, Cameron and Hart, the Duke of Kilmorgan. After listening to them back to back, I figured out something. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course, other fans may not agree with my opinion but I'm going to say this anyway. The rest of the books in audio format are tedious. Why would I say that especially after I waxed poetic over Ian's story? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Perhaps it was the narrator, but I don't think that's entirely true. To expound on the vocals of the men, for Ian's story, all the brothers were present and the narrator had to give them specific voices to clearly differentiate them. I continue to believe she did a bang-up job. However, the voice for Cam (The Many Sins of Lord Cameron) didn't sound the same as in Ian's book. Hart's voice (The Duke's Perfect Wife) was more in line to his personality, and remained strong and deep during Lord Mac's story in Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage, and Cam's in The Many Sins of Lord Cameron. I was pleased and relieved to hear Ian's voice remained true for all of them. Overall, I give Ms. Dawe her due. Her skill with male voices is more impressive and effective than some male narrators attempting female voices. If it's not the narrator, that leaves the writing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What all three have in common is the telling. I'd read the books in print and I enjoyed them. Maybe it's been awhile, maybe my tastes have changed or I'm more aware, but whatever the reason, I found myself disappointed and a bit let down. When reading a novel, whether it be in print on paper or on an eReader, I can skip parts that I realize I don't need. For example, the excerpts of past newspaper clippings that start each chapter in Lady Isabella and Mac's story; they annoyed me. I couldn't jump past them in audio format. The sex scenes were also harder to skip in audio than in print. Skipping means the story moved at a faster pace. I think I must have skipped parts of scenes at some point when I was reading the print books. Even saying that, I have fond memories of the print books from the past. Unfortunately, I won't be saying the same for the audio versions. I thought them slow and bogged down with telling. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The more I think on it, the more I believe that the narrator did the best she could with the material. There's a ton of introspection, internal dialogue and description. With Hart and Eleanor's romance, annoyance is the predominate feeling, especially at the end when Hart finally opened up about his dark desires. All that buildup and it fizzles. The loud thought in my head at that point - "That's it? That's all there is? That is considered the dark secret that he couldn't tell the heroine through the entire novel?" There is more eroticism in the descriptions of Mac's paintings of Isabella than the <i>climactic </i>scene with Hart and Eleanor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are highlights though. Like when the author wrote scenes with drama, suspense and action - they were well done and gripped my emotions. Those scenes woke me up, made me pay attention and ensured I was 100% engaged. I wanted more of that level of intensity and involvement but it wasn't there. Ms. Ashely has the talent to get the job done, but it didn't translate well to audio. That was a revelation to me, you know. It made me realize that not all books are strong enough to transition into audio format. There's a needed balance between narration and action, less introspection and more doing and dialogue to be successful in audio, and nothing made that more clear to me as when I listened to the three Mackenzie romances. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don't regret listening to them. I wanted all the brothers to have their HEAs, especially when it's finally revealed just how vile and mean their father truly was. How they came to be men of honor, protective and passionate, is all due to Hart's influence. There is still much to recommend in reading all the Mackenzie brother's romance stories, but if you can borrow them from your library's audio files, then that's the way to go instead of buying them outright. Take them for a spin and see if they're worth buying and keeping. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What redeems them is Ian. Ms. Ashley created a character that is endearing, wonderful and engaging. I'm of the opinion that Ian is the glue that holds everything together. It's not a wonder then, why, even though I don't find the other audiobooks to be on the same </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">wow </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">level</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, that I am still glad I bought and listened to the books. As I "watch" Beth and Ian continue their HEA as life goes on during the series, I continue to be grateful to the author for creating them in the first place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, there you have it. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not all print books are strong enough to transition into audio format. Even a great narrator can't change that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-20736831809802952202021-03-08T14:34:00.000-05:002021-03-08T14:34:15.328-05:00Anecdotal - Vitamin D <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Aew5YpbvmDMexWoBmgniNofZImRS81-ZcCUws3bvYQgt_gU-bJltCqjkvZCdfBy_HGF_wABCFuGmKeuSav7OlcpkfmnDDfM37KUm1jjh8AVLcqvOR5g42rJvmyuNzwKICAcQeQ/s710/Vitamin+D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="710" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Aew5YpbvmDMexWoBmgniNofZImRS81-ZcCUws3bvYQgt_gU-bJltCqjkvZCdfBy_HGF_wABCFuGmKeuSav7OlcpkfmnDDfM37KUm1jjh8AVLcqvOR5g42rJvmyuNzwKICAcQeQ/w320-h174/Vitamin+D.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>I'm writing this post to add to the many anecdotes about Vitamin D. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a real thing. I had a horrible time with it a few years ago and when I was tested for Vitamin D deficiency, it was found to be extremely low. I was immediately given a prescription for 50,000 IU. It seems living in the Northeast means I'm prone to SAD. </p><p>Here's the anecdotal part of my story. </p><p>I've known this co-worker for three years. In all that time, especially during tax time, he's been full of vigor and could work long hours without lagging. He has a brain for math, order and detail. </p><p>This year something changed. We had a conversation once he dropped off his current project. "I don't know what is wrong with me. I have no energy. I can't focus. I'm going to bed at 7:30 PM because I just can't keep my eyes open. This has never happened to me before!"</p><p>I could tell he was puzzled, frustrated and angry with himself. I asked him a few more questions then offered my experience with the effects of Vitamin D on my health. I told him I believed in it, that it's made a difference for me, especially in the winter months, and that I now take it weekly from November to March. I also said that Vitamin D is cheap enough and the worse that could happen is ... nothing. Your body needs that vitamin anyway and if it's not a Vitamin D deficiency, then there would be no change. I said, "It's a simple thing to try." He agreed.</p><p>Fast forward a week later. He came into my office and right away I noticed a different demeaner. His first words, "I want to thank you for your suggestion about Vitamin D. It's the only thing I changed and I can't believe the difference it's made. It's like night and day!"</p><p>I was so pleased I was able to make a difference, that I could help. </p><p>"I even told my wife about how good I was feeling and now she's taking it too. So, I just wanted to thank you for the advice. I still can't believe the change. It's amazing!"</p><p>So, there you go. More proof that it works; taking Vitamin D can make a difference in your mood, concentration and energy levels. </p><p>Just like anything a person takes, more isn't always better. Too much Vitamin D can be harmful. But if you take an extra 1,000 IUs and you notice a change for the better, then you know you're on the right track. Seeing your doctor is a prudent thing to do, just like I did. Sometimes, the level is SO low, you need a prescribed super boost to get you where you should be. </p><p>If you experience low levels of energy and concentration, it's worth checking out your Vitamin D levels. You might be surprised at what you find out.</p><p><br /></p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-21056371397094673402021-03-07T08:51:00.002-05:002021-03-07T14:27:59.995-05:00Ian Mackenzie Ear Swoon ReportI am still aglow.<br />
I am sad that it's over.<br />
I continue with the adoration of the novel, <i>The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie</i> (you know, the one written by Jennifer Ashley).<br />
My ears have now joined my eyes and brain as fans of Ian and if ears could swoon, mine would have.
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It's all thanks to the incredible talents of narrator, <a href="https://tantor.com/narrator/angela-dawe.html" target="_blank"><b>Angela Dawe</b></a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1ou86q46Qg6o4lLfAJ09QONEric1eJM2WnIAnD5YmxkBWzQGFxmIcWUBosF3V7YINnjSw-2vJHHH4ocT9eMud6uGweER60vtpKmaAerjUSPJPTnAVAJwBtjDsVBEg1ykw8OtQw/s500/IAN.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1ou86q46Qg6o4lLfAJ09QONEric1eJM2WnIAnD5YmxkBWzQGFxmIcWUBosF3V7YINnjSw-2vJHHH4ocT9eMud6uGweER60vtpKmaAerjUSPJPTnAVAJwBtjDsVBEg1ykw8OtQw/w215-h244/IAN.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>I finally listened to the audiobook of Ian's story and through the stellar talent of Ms. Dawe, she brought Ms. Ashley's Lord Ian Mackenzie to vivid life. That means I fell in 'love' with Ian all over again.
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The strong point of Ms. Dawe's narration is her incredible talent with voices. She may have a melodious and sweet voice for her female characters, in this case Beth, the heroine, but her staggering ability with vocal ranges for male characters is truly a gift. That dark, strong and forceful voice she used for Ian's brother, Hart, caused trepidation and shivers - Ms. Dawe made him sound commanding and definitely 'Duke-ish'.
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The Scottish accents, and I think Beth's maid might have been Irish, and of course the English accents, were integral in character differentiation. Every single character's voice was unique, which translated to bringing out their personalities if full flavor. The narrator provided a rich listening experience that is top-notch. I always thought Ms. Ashley's writing was awesome and Ian's story must be a shining jewel in her long career. It's well earned. Ms. Dawe had superb material to work with and her talent raised it that much higher in my esteem.
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Do you realize that I started listening to it just this past Friday? I finished it at 2 a.m. Sunday morning! I listened to the novel in my car, at work, practically any moment where I had 30-45 minutes of straight listening time. When everyone went to bed, I shut of that blasted television and closed my eyes to sink into the romance story between Ian and Beth. It was sublime.
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Here's one thing I DID forget - how sensual, titillating and passionate those 'open bedroom door' scenes were. I don't remember there being so many but I could not stop listening, or skip past those scenes. Why? Because Ms. Ashley is a clever writer. She incorporated critical increments of forward momentum of Beth and Ian's romance. The words, internal dialogue and emotional expressions were woven in so tightly, I had no choice but to listen and blush. Beth's calling herself a 'wicked, wicked woman' and Ian's focus to detail on what he wants to do with and to her, plus the descriptions used to paint a picture for a reader of Ian's pleasure with her body, caused me no end of heated cheeks. Listening to those words directly into my ears left me in no doubt about Ian's passion for Beth or hers for him. Ms. Dawe's narration wouldn't allow doubts.
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Here's another thing that the narrator did - she captured the moment when Ian looked directly at Beth. Readers and fans of the novel know exactly why those moments were so powerful and emotional. Ian didn't make eye contact, hardly ever. When he did, it had meaning; a depth of meaning that is profound. Ms. Dawe captured that moment even through the audio venue. I was quite pleased.
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I don't yet know if Ms. Dawe has narrated other romance stories of the Mackenzie family, and if not I hesitate to listen to them. Mostly because the quality of the narration by Ms. Dawe set a very high bar of expectation and I don't want to experience a let-down. My ears have, for lack of a better term, an audio glow; a pleasant listening memory I prefer not to diminish in any way.
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Yes, indeed, if ears could swoon, mine would have. If anyone were to ask me if buying this audio version of <i>The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie</i> would be worth it, I wouldn't hesitate to say YES! Yes, yes yes. I was happy reading the book <a href="https://msfavsthgz.blogspot.com/2021/01/revisiting-ian.html">10 years ago</a> and I'm even more thrilled from listening to it today.
<br /><br />
A huge <b>THANK YOU</b> to Jennifer Ashley for writing a romance that has held solid all these years, and to Ms. Dawe for creating audio magic and bringing Ian and Beth's romance to vivid life. Their happily ever after is all the sweeter for it.
Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-66923431993276442112021-03-03T22:50:00.000-05:002021-03-03T22:50:58.600-05:00That Doesn't Turn Me On!<p> Back to the book life. </p><p>Back to reading blurbs and trying to find one that catches my eye, piques my interest and makes me want to check it out. </p><p>I sometimes think that mood plays a part in how a reader interprets a blurb. It may be a blurb in their favorite genre or trope but something just doesn't fit, and they pass. </p><p>What I find annoying is a specific trope, or phrase. I start off really enjoying a blurb and the more I read it, the more I think this might be the one, until one sentence sinks it. I'm done. I'm over it. What started to turn me on, just shut me off. </p><p>What can't I stand? Here's a few examples:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">critically acclaimed</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">critically acclaimed author </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">surrounded by secrets and heartache</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and its dark secrets.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> the secret she's been keeping is revealed.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">world of scandal, secrets and desire.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and the secrets that tear them apart.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a secret that could destroy their fragile relationship.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There it is in a nutshell - secrets. A convenient plot conflict, a well-used trope that drives me nuts. The 'secret' is the scary threat; everything reads great, they overcome some major obstacles and just when you think they're going to make it, BAM! the secrets from the past show up and now all the gains are wiped out, trust is gone, one character is tragically hurt, or runs away to 'heal', or they become bitter enemies - so the book continues and now the story becomes focused on what they have to do - whether it be to grovel, connive or trick the other, or 'friendly secondary characters with good intentions' manage to get them together and the hero and heroine both reluctantly admit the spark is still there, and they start again but now they have to work around the damage of the 'secret'. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">I despise the trope of secrets. I despise a story where one main character frets practically the entire book about their secret only to find out everyone forgives whatever it is, which can come across as too pat or contrived</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">, or the supporting cast </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">thinks nothing of it, or, and this is worse, they knew about it all along and didn't care. I'm left with an anticlimactic ending, and the feeling of being let down or worse, duped. I'm so over secrets. They turn me off.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Then there is 'critically acclaimed' and NY Times bestseller, USA bestseller, whatever it might be. The epitome of ridiculousness is an example from a recently read blurb that included references to numerous bestseller lists and that the author was acclaimed here and there, but do you know what was missing? The story! Nothing about the book that would help determine who would want to buy the book. There was NOTHING but name dropping of all the 'bestseller' lists, and how 'important' they are because past books were 'acclaimed'. I had no idea if it was contemporary, a mystery, mainstream fiction, no mention of the characters, no teasers, no hooks, no idea what it was even about. Why would I buy it? That turned me off. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">I guess it's a good thing they DO state that secrets are going to tear them apart. Why? Because I'll know not to buy the book. Also, I don't particularly care if a person is acclaimed or not - that's no guarantee that the current book is worth reading. Usually they are 'acclaiming' about previous books so I'm not impressed. Certainly not enough to spend money on a hardcover. Being 'acclaimed' does not turn me on. </span></p><p>Yes, I'm opinionated. But I think you know that already. </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-67955745587776253092021-02-20T14:19:00.001-05:002021-02-20T14:19:58.869-05:00The Difference in My Life from 2019 vs. 2020 - An Observation<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The difference between years 2019 and 2020 at my workplace is marked. </span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I work for a great place. Its product helped out so many once the reality of remote learning became established. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2019, our product was getting recognized as a great classroom tool and the month of August was so busy, I was working 3-4 hours overtime some days just to keep up. It wound down the second week into September and things went back to a normal pattern like in years past. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2020 and COVID-19 changed all that. It started the last week in July and exploded. Just Boom! August and September were months that took over my life. They were a blur. I missed MD appointments, hair appointments - I lived my job. I was averaging 16 hours a week overtime just to keep my head above water. We all were. And it lasted until the first week of October! Things usually slow down in December, reflecting the holiday season. In 2020, the reverse was true. I've never been so busy. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm not complaining, I'm happy, thrilled and relieved that we are doing so well. It's the reason for this manic pace that is sad. A virus has been weaponized by politicians with our kids suffering collateral damage. Today I heard them being referred to as the "lost generation". That shouldn't even BE a thing. It shouldn't be acceptable, to anyone. Children are our future, any country's future, and there is so much pain, suffering, insecurity, depression ... my gosh, the list can go on and on. So, remote learning is now the thing, and the product my company offers can help students in a specific curriculum, so is being discovered by more and more teaching professionals. Again, I'm proud that we can contribute to students continuing their education via online instruction. I only wished that it didn't stem from something so world-changing as this virus is turning out to be. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2019 I took for granted that I could visit my parents and family. That I could easily go across the state line to visit a very good friend of mine and have a sleepover, that I could go shopping anywhere at any time and never fear for my health, that I could join a gym and finally feel like I'm taking charge of my health, all of those actions of everyday life, destroyed in 2020. The gym has shut down, I can't see my parents because they are in critical stages of health issues - cancer and heart failure, to name a couple. I haven't seen my friend in over a year - I can't cross state lines. I have to shop carefully and my hands are cracking, drying out and peeling from so much handwashing and use of strong hand sanitizers because you know previous research showed the plethora of germs on the handles of shopping carts, door handles and counters. Holidays were spent apart so the usual joy and excitement and anticipation was non-existent. Especially so for my aging parents that are not computer savvy and only use one if they have to - so Zoom meetings weren't an option. Again, I could go on and on, but I don't have to. To one degree or another, we ALL are affected by these same issues. The pain and struggle is universal. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What isn't universal, yet is, is the quandary of working parents with kids of school age. In the 1950s homeschooling could have been achievable because a family was able to save, function and live life on one paycheck - usually the father. One paycheck and everything you need from shelter, clothes, food and other life essentials could be purchased. One parent could stay home and teach and be there for any crisis. In 2020 that's a lifestyle lost to the mists of time. There is no choice whatsoever that one parent, father or mother, could stay home to take the helm of homeschooling. You need two paychecks to survive, never mind thrive. Imagine being a single parent - it's unfathomable to understand that level of crisis. It's too extreme to consider the ramifications yet for too many, it's their reality. COVID has made it OUR crisis too.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Families have to make hard, impossible choices - and through it all, kids suffer. Their suffering isn't going to end next year, or the year after. Nor does it affect only them. It's going to affect ALL of us, with or without kids, because kids are our future. Ask yourself, what kind of groundwork is being laid for them in 2020? In ten years an 8-yr. old is going to be 18 - legal age where adult decisions, expectations and life skills will be demanded of a lot of them. They lost a year of education, perhaps more. They lost socialization skills, soft skills that employers were having a hard time finding even before COVID-19; they lost momentum in their education - and the most tragic and heartbreaking of all, are the kids that will never see that age - they took their own lives because the whole COVID situation overwhelmed them. Imagine them seeing their parents unable to fix what is wrong, realize that they aren't able to eat the foods they're used to, they come to understand shelter insecurity, food insecurity, the loss of friendships leading to a feeling of aloneness and helplessness - all of which compounds itself during isolation, lockdowns, shelter in place, whatever the 'experts' call it. It's all bad.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2020 took away the life we had in 2019. 2020 didn't 'flatten the curve' - it flattened our very lives - dealt body-blows to our hopes, dreams, security and the ultimate harm, lost loved ones. 2020 was a smackdown. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started the blog post with an upbeat tone because 2020 started off that way, It was awesome and I felt life was good. Then March 13th, Friday the 13th was the date everything changed for me. As month after month went by, confusion, apprehension, worry, fear, anger, sadness, you name it, I felt it. It's no comfort to know that I'm not alone facing those emotions. There are many, too many, people in this country, and indeed the world, that have it much worse than me right now. I get it. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">COVID is a real threat to health, and I am aware of too many people who've dealt with it - and have aftereffects that are freakishly scary in their own right. This virus has changed the world now and will affect the world going forward. My life in 2019 seems like a fond memory. Now it's 2021 but I don't want 2019 to be a memory, I want that level of living back. Not just for me, but for all the children and their families. They NEED 2019's freedoms returned to them, they are our future and need our support.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I fear for my life because I have health issues that put me in the at-risk category. My lungs are compromised already. But I listened to a priest's homily a few months ago where he said " You can not live your life if you live in fear. Don't let them make you fear. Don't be afraid to live." That's the one common denominator that's fed to us day in and day out on TV, radio and newspapers - Fear. Not hope, not encouragement for strength, nor giving us confidence that ultimately we'll win the day because we are and will continue to fight this - no, it's fear. Fear paralyzes. For 9 months I was paralyzed. To a certain degree, I still am. But I'm starting to live. Maybe 2021 won't be like 2019 but it sure as heck is not going to be a twin to 2020. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'll do all I can to be smart and follow the rules, but I'll work to make those rules work FOR me, not against me. As the Dune quote goes, "Fear is the mind killer".</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-27378646361600619512021-01-24T19:16:00.001-05:002021-03-07T14:27:28.238-05:00Revisiting Ian<p> </p><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoz7d7EVrkl_TmcmCuSRoDOkq_eaD7hwXIRPFW-vWK7SODFvgSgSTusspNMYQmK8XqJAFIMN9ggwsFc3xjTo8JHdDXJkQSGJG-OdgBJ-4oKL-Qotzg_vleTzPnmHgl55ls8d8lw/s225/ian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoz7d7EVrkl_TmcmCuSRoDOkq_eaD7hwXIRPFW-vWK7SODFvgSgSTusspNMYQmK8XqJAFIMN9ggwsFc3xjTo8JHdDXJkQSGJG-OdgBJ-4oKL-Qotzg_vleTzPnmHgl55ls8d8lw/w272-h291/ian.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>It's been almost ten years since I read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies Series Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley. Ten years since I first met Ian, and yet, it seems like yesterday. </span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I was on Facebook a few days ago, scrolling through my news feed. I came across a post from a reader who had just discovered Lord Ian Mackenzie's story. The reader's excitement and joy from reading that novel was made very clear. A rather robust comment thread ensued with most waxing poetic about how much they enjoyed Ian's story, the romance and the happy ever after. I had so much fun reading all the comments. </span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Even after ten years, Ms. Ashley's story continues to reach new readers who then become fans of the author's Mackenzie family - all because of one fictional hero, a man named Ian. </span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">After seeing all that new reader enthusiasm, it inspired the desire to re-read the book, again. Well, I've 'organized' my keeper shelf quite a few times over ten years, and I can't find it. However, thanks to the advancement of audio-books, I was delighted to stumble across a new possibility. A few months shy of the anniversary of discovering my perfect book-boyfriend, Ms. Ashley issued an Audible version just in time for Christmas! I couldn't believe my good luck!</span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Yes, I bought it. Immediately! I wish I could say that I listened to it as fast but I haven't - yet. I'm saving it for a long weekend, perhaps a stay-cation, where I can have uninterrupted ME-time. I haven't even checked out the new Bridgerton series on Netflix. I've read books in the series but again, I need that me-time to just sit and absorb the romance escapism that Ms. Quinn is known for, translated to television. </span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">As for the reason for my post, I really wanted to share the enjoyment of seeing that Ian still has the ability to captivate new readers even after all these years. Unfortunately, there's no one in my "family bubble" that reads what I read, or even cares to read fiction, never mind '<i>romance</i>'. So, here I am, revisiting Lord Ian Mackenzie, and confirming that no other book-boyfriend or hero has taken his place. There's just something about Ian. ❤</span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 36px !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> </span></h1>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-38658820564555589162020-12-05T05:00:00.001-05:002020-12-05T05:00:07.466-05:00I've Got the Whole World in My Ears<p>What am I talking about? Yes, Audio Books, again. 😊</p><p>This isn't going to be a post about an individual book but an entire world. The world of Celta; a world built by author, Robin D. Owens. I<a href="https://www.audible.com/author/Robin-D-Owens/B001HCRY18"> listened to 16 books in the Heart series on Audible</a>. It was the best 2 weeks I've spent away from television, the news, the stress, politics and boring reality shows. And, no commercials! It started with <i>Heart Mate</i> and I was hooked. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRisjj6IgA6VSKyG4UPvc-9G3f63nApysmFwGbB4l-5Dfs8JPv65HH3rBBu1tXY2OqO13D3Hgw4e8KZSqQ03unz9egitKLBER3YNdRHCk-OP17-OiCfKTxr5Zb_Rd4Y2npHvdU2Q/s475/Heart+Mate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRisjj6IgA6VSKyG4UPvc-9G3f63nApysmFwGbB4l-5Dfs8JPv65HH3rBBu1tXY2OqO13D3Hgw4e8KZSqQ03unz9egitKLBER3YNdRHCk-OP17-OiCfKTxr5Zb_Rd4Y2npHvdU2Q/w167-h233/Heart+Mate.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I have purchased and read all the print books in the series except the last four. I was able to listen to those I missed and it was an even better experience than the Harmony Series I wrote about in the previous two posts. </p><p>What made it extraordinary? The narrator, Noah Michael Levine. I'm telling you, a narrator can make or break an audio book experience. I listened to 16 books and Mr. Levine hit it out of the park in every novel. I wanted to know a little bit about Mr. Levine and I found this podcast on YouTube. It's a bit gritty as the interviewer and interviewee use salty language, but learning about the ins and outs of being a narrator was fascinating! Here is the link to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEXOd_81vik">podcast with Mr. Levine</a>. </p><p>None of this listening experience would have been possible without the creative genius of Ms. Owens. Her plots, heroes and heroines, secondary characters and talking Fam animals are so well written, they're a joy to read. I've been a fan for years and years and the fact that her books translate well to voice is a testament to her craft. She has written dialogue and descriptions that flow well and work with the talents of a narrator.</p><p>Even though I've read the books before, Mr. Levine's interpretation of the cat Fams was totally awesome. How he expressed them saying YES! made me smile every, single time. Samba was fun with her flying saucer. When Primrose the puppy says 'I love you', I melted because the narrator captured the innocence and love in the puppy's voice. Turquoise House's antics also made me laugh out loud. The Fam cat, Felonerb was so...out of pattern, I think he beat out even the birds as the most unusual animal character. Some of the human characters sounded Irish, some sounded like they had New York nuances and others had speech patterns that were unique in other ways. Blackthorn's "riiiight" made me grin because in my head, it sounded like he was channeling Matthew McConaughey. There were so many flavors of characters, either human, house or animal, I'm impressed that Mr. Levine kept every one unique. Even when previous characters had cameo appearances in following stories, their voices and personalities were consistent. That is how I became immersed in the world of Celta. </p><p>That ability to carry the characters from story to story made me feel like I knew them as people. I believe it was because audio books are a more intimate venue; as if someone was sharing something special and whispering it into my ear, like a friend. Just as people (fans) get sucked into the daily lives of the characters on soap operas, my listening experience engendered the same effect. I refer to later books that mention the deaths of the elder Holly men, like Tab. I actually felt a twinge of sadness on their loss because they played such important roles in the earliest stories. I also felt a little shocked. Yet, it was also believable. Time goes on and the struggle to survive on Celta remains a challenge. </p><p>The list of books in the Heart series can be found via this link to Robin D. Owen's blog, <a href="https://robindowens.com/?page_id=162">here</a>. There are a lot. </p><p>After listening to so many in a row, I discovered a pattern. There is usually one incredibly well-written, action packed, suspenseful and dramatic crisis point at the end. The entire romance and story builds and builds upon clues, challenges and pitfalls until all the pieces come together with a flourish. When I say they are well-written, I'm not exaggerating. True, Mr. Levine's voice acting had a hand in bringing it to vibrant life, but the words used have to be chosen for maximum effect by the author. Without exception, in all 16 stories I listened to, I experienced intense emotion and reacted out loud, expressing horror and/or shock, and I let out gasps and held breaths in anticipation of the outcomes. If you could have looked at my face, you would have seen me wide-eyed, and my mouth was probably hanging open until the final curtain of the drama. Then, the story slides into a happy ever after that is not only welcomed with relief but with joy and satisfaction. Every story in the series affected me in this manner. Didn't matter how the story played out, the pattern of when things occurred is felt. The how of it, however, is unique in every book. </p><p>One thing I looked forward to was the humor. I found it to be a rich, vibrant, happy humor. A lot of it can be attributed to the hero and/or heroine's Fam animals - their actions or their dialogue - it didn't matter. They were and are perfect comedic foils. They also provided serious and valuable assistance when needed; they were valiant and resilient and faithful. What's not to like?</p><p>If you are looking for an amazing listening experience, and enjoy Sci-fi romance stories, by all means, try the HeartMate series on the planet Celta, a world built by author, Robin D. Owens. The print books are awesome but the audible versions are out of this world. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-13087499307670598542020-12-03T19:24:00.001-05:002020-12-03T23:03:11.247-05:00Illusion Town Audio<p> I'm back with another ear-glow. Today I finished the last audiobook my library has for Jayne Castle's Ghost Hunter series which takes place on the planet of Harmony. </p><p>This one is called <a href="https://jayneannkrentz.com/book/illusion-town/">Illusion Town</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9oBRmzz8XoKRVh8-p8b98ivT_qZXwQD_4A2iOBkHmW82pET9_4kE6kE-uEbxZwd5UqhtMhjFsw1sWQx3vx4_RVOcb9OleWqS6KKVf10GVkr-d0rp8duYVyioq9AJs4DH5Rg40w/s350/Illusion+Town.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="217" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9oBRmzz8XoKRVh8-p8b98ivT_qZXwQD_4A2iOBkHmW82pET9_4kE6kE-uEbxZwd5UqhtMhjFsw1sWQx3vx4_RVOcb9OleWqS6KKVf10GVkr-d0rp8duYVyioq9AJs4DH5Rg40w/w185-h256/Illusion+Town.jpeg" width="185" /></a></div><br /><p>This audio book is also narrated by Barbara Rosenblat and I am a very happy listener. I like her vocal style. </p><p>I don't remember reading this one in print, but since I'm a fan, I was delighted to experience the story like I was listening to a play over the radio. </p><p>The one word that is used a lot is 'chortle'. Cats purr, foxes yip, and dust bunnies chortle. I have a mental picture of dust bunnies. If you've ever seen the movie, Dark Crystal, you might remember Fizzgig - the adorable fluffy companion with a mouthful of teeth. Give Fizzgig 4 eyes and 6 legs and extra poofy fur and you have a dust bunny. They are my favorite secondary characters in the series and each one has its own personality. Virgil is Hannah's furbuddy in <i>Illusion Town</i> and Virgil's token of choice is a doll. What is so special about the doll is only realized by fans of the series. When Hannah and Elias discover the carnival, it gave me a flashback to a lot of the stories that happened on Earth, where Harmony's population and history started. Every exhibit starred in a mystery solved in the past and had a hero and heroine that vanquished the madman or madwoman of the piece. The tradition of mystery, suspense, drama and unusual items of import continued in <i>Illusion Town</i>. </p><p>Ms. Rosenblat once again provides a variety of voices to bring the story alive. There's the pushy scientist, Hannah's aunts, of course the bad guys, and the hero and heroine. All of them were distinct. </p><p>The difference between this book and the one I reviewed yesterday is the humor. There is less in <i>Illusion Town</i> but there's more drama, exciting escapes and an ending that seemed more of a wrap-up to the series for now, instead of just ending it with the HEA between Hannah and Elias. The list of who's who is what gave me that impression. Of course, I seriously hope that Ms. Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) will once again write more adventures on Harmony. Fans would be so happy, including me. </p><p>I give this story high marks for keeping my interest. I listened to the audiobook while commuting to and from work, while at work (I have my own office so I can do this) and when I got home. I simply couldn't stop listening -which is par for the course because that's the same kind of experience with the author's print books - I can't put them down. The difference with audiobooks is - I don't have to stop just because I'm driving a car! :) </p><p>Audio books are my new favorite things and I had to share. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-20650484904880154032020-12-01T19:42:00.001-05:002020-12-01T19:42:37.706-05:00Audio Perfection<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> I'm a very happy ... listener.</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFl0rOeGzUXQ4x7FW7ub1ZKyyai6iz2gfqHgSoViCUdF8boJlq5P6QZCp-SqoMctSLeNXOzRpoZeSLy6vmFVuZX87XVEEG4MLpKngL6Qr1J5sekXEdXWdOPRmR31QVCpdCuIdFQ/s350/Sirens+Call+Jayne+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="217" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFl0rOeGzUXQ4x7FW7ub1ZKyyai6iz2gfqHgSoViCUdF8boJlq5P6QZCp-SqoMctSLeNXOzRpoZeSLy6vmFVuZX87XVEEG4MLpKngL6Qr1J5sekXEdXWdOPRmR31QVCpdCuIdFQ/w183-h256/Sirens+Call+Jayne+Castle.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I read this book in 2015 but listening to it in the audio version was like discovering it anew. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The narrator, Barbara Rosenblat, read <a href="https://jayneannkrentz.com/book/sirens-call/" target="_blank"><i>Siren's Call</i> by Jayne Castle</a>. It's she who made the experience extra special. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> Her voice has a smoky quality to it. For Rafe's POV, it was perfect - low and growly, and Ella's POV had the right amount of feminine flair and personality. How Ms. Rosenblat expressed the repartee between the characters, and her inflections during the many entertaining dialogues had me laughing out loud. Of course, the writing has to be stellar in the first place and Jayne Castle, a la Jayne Ann Krentz, is an amazing, prolific writer who has entertained me for over 2 decades. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I really enjoyed listening to Ms. Rosenblat's narration and I searched for a sample to share and I found it, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVBXz6Spsyc" target="_blank">Here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ella's dust-bunny partner, <span style="background-color: white;">Lorelei, is charming and delightful, especially when it comes to powdered donuts and her wedding veil. Those two props were well-placed comedic foils that lightened the plot at the most unusual times. I adored Lorelei. The narrator brought her antics to vivid life.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">I listened to the book using Libby, through my library. I had the best experience and I'm hoping that Ms. Rosenblat has narrated other stories in the Ghost Hunter series. The planet of Harmony continues to fascinate me and through audiobooks, I get the feeling I'm going to fall in love with the series all over again. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">I adored <i>Siren's Call </i>in 2015 in print. In 2020, the adoration continues. 😊</span></span></p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-91289860157733049142018-04-14T10:39:00.000-04:002018-04-14T10:48:06.968-04:00What Grabbed My Attention<br />
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<a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/saturday-seven/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqICJ4C44Mp4rqBjkIAVRFvCW2yGKauYSHtcF46KB2g-67UC2uDyv9IEmmmCJJa0y0a2cNWP6HMbJsSGLBmBx44Tnz5RbX-pDjXQYnPqQM2ynQyfdpSS5OUk9fPTfp7a9V4yix2A/s1600/SaturdaySeven-copy-1024x293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="1024" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqICJ4C44Mp4rqBjkIAVRFvCW2yGKauYSHtcF46KB2g-67UC2uDyv9IEmmmCJJa0y0a2cNWP6HMbJsSGLBmBx44Tnz5RbX-pDjXQYnPqQM2ynQyfdpSS5OUk9fPTfp7a9V4yix2A/s400/SaturdaySeven-copy-1024x293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I know I've been absent from the Saturday Seven - I needed a bit of time to come up with something to write about.
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It's not always easy to find a different angle that has yet to be done. I think I might have found it.
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As you've probably guessed from my previous posts, I have a HUGE bent towards the paranormal, fantastical and fantasy.
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What grabs me often is the title of the book, or the back-cover synopsis or even the authors themselves. Rarely does the book cover alone make me buy or read a book.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCGPzRDpuC4PQjrJ3M_OePpn_mCo2QW7XXeY7_5DtAloEwBSWboVlCGfh2Yz5hl9s4v_tvfAMe4daYn2sEOGM83zhZ9ax4Szm1Z9uuULpqjWRmrF1Xm3wUST3FetVRcAPPMsA2A/s1600/Grabbed+me+Vampire.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCGPzRDpuC4PQjrJ3M_OePpn_mCo2QW7XXeY7_5DtAloEwBSWboVlCGfh2Yz5hl9s4v_tvfAMe4daYn2sEOGM83zhZ9ax4Szm1Z9uuULpqjWRmrF1Xm3wUST3FetVRcAPPMsA2A/s200/Grabbed+me+Vampire.webp" width="133" /></a></div>
This first book to pop into my head was <i>How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire</i> by Kerrilyn Sparks. The title inspired me to pick it up, the back-cover synopsis prompted me to buy it. I have read practically every book Ms. Sparks has written. What a ride that series was. Now, she has a new series and, because I was so happy with the previous one, I gave it a whirl. Yes, it's the author herself that had me buying into the new series. She still rocks!
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This book broke my rules of not making decisions based on a cover. Karen Marie Moning's <i>Kiss of the Highlander</i> showcased only the bottom of a man's face. For a long, long time, book publishers only showed this model's arms or in this case, his lips. How often does a reader get a visceral reaction just from a man's lips? I did. Oh, wow did I ever.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJrPfis4O2rCB7NgEAzlvVPUklu79pBz5FuSJYktr6dl1ESYH5_4QCnVuWncgYLIUVZOh1xy9Nlj3XdW4XA31CZ6jFXLjeewzItbtbYR_FVivoIFIH1AYN086hZPzraoJsnvDag/s1600/Grabbed+me+Lips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="289" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJrPfis4O2rCB7NgEAzlvVPUklu79pBz5FuSJYktr6dl1ESYH5_4QCnVuWncgYLIUVZOh1xy9Nlj3XdW4XA31CZ6jFXLjeewzItbtbYR_FVivoIFIH1AYN086hZPzraoJsnvDag/s200/Grabbed+me+Lips.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
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I read every title in that series and couldn't wait for more ... until she shifted focus with that Fever series she has going. I read it because of the author. I kept reading because of the mystery of one of the key characters. I stopped reading it once the two protagonists finally admitted loving each other and that made me happy, but at the same time, the book had taken a dark turn. I haven't read another book since. Every back cover synopsis or blurb I've read since confirms my belief that the series is too dark, hopeless and unpleasant for my tastes.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiguOAg4cduPpFHh_iCp-FigH9fsQ9NzqWYGGaLlMnpGl1h9lEShV729hPlwDFvB40tCm95zr67yE_6oO_V6BVL2pajVsw4p1oM-qCYZFMRJPIXLpaIW_DQuXjd107BnQ4U9sujQ/s1600/Grabbed+Me+Undead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="307" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiguOAg4cduPpFHh_iCp-FigH9fsQ9NzqWYGGaLlMnpGl1h9lEShV729hPlwDFvB40tCm95zr67yE_6oO_V6BVL2pajVsw4p1oM-qCYZFMRJPIXLpaIW_DQuXjd107BnQ4U9sujQ/s200/Grabbed+Me+Undead.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
For this next book, <i>Undead and Unemployed</i>, I thought the title was clever. The synopsis was also unique which is good because I was never a fan of the cover artwork. So, the title is what made me pick it up, and the heroine, Betsy sounded original. The book was funny, punny and a hoot. So, I got the first book in the series, enjoyed that too and continued to read the others in the series for quite a while. I stopped because Eric, the hero, drove me nuts. The feeling like their relationship was on a never ending gerbil wheel finally got to me. And I stopped. Until I reached that point, however, I laughed and giggled during every book.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3FDGANzai1FBs8GY6Kd338hKjOGuf-20mhDBGGWXXia6gLuJyKTh7mtUAWnn-B-zo6F3JMeL8LQXZvNvIAJyXzl2sK32Eqn31P-7OMadQuFLPdFzilR5ewh08-InaW73ZmGkuw/s1600/Grabbed+me+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="304" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3FDGANzai1FBs8GY6Kd338hKjOGuf-20mhDBGGWXXia6gLuJyKTh7mtUAWnn-B-zo6F3JMeL8LQXZvNvIAJyXzl2sK32Eqn31P-7OMadQuFLPdFzilR5ewh08-InaW73ZmGkuw/s200/Grabbed+me+Brooks.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
The next book that grabbed me wasn't based on the title or cover but the synopsis. <i>Slave - The Cat Star Chronicles</i> by Cheryl Brooks sounded really unique. A few survivors from a planet that no longer exists because some dude with Darth Vader syndrome blew it up? Add in that the heroes' very interesting sexual talents were ... definitely different. I ended up reading the entire series and I enjoyed every single one. I was actually sad to see the series end.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj1M3_IWcQ1OEfi94sOr51ayPLwhT3HOYgC_Pgc5SyZJsbS2NSg24VbekEn_qhZee7vIcIkq21GBLQwQ6RSr3QFHR2lMr31csG8kQQtQsqQoBbZvhLzuHlqJcRmZC6tWz7EOqDQ/s1600/Grabbed+me+Pooka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj1M3_IWcQ1OEfi94sOr51ayPLwhT3HOYgC_Pgc5SyZJsbS2NSg24VbekEn_qhZee7vIcIkq21GBLQwQ6RSr3QFHR2lMr31csG8kQQtQsqQoBbZvhLzuHlqJcRmZC6tWz7EOqDQ/s200/Grabbed+me+Pooka.jpg" width="200" /></a>And then there was this, <i>Pooka in my Pantry by R.L. Naquin</i>. How could I pass up a title like that? How about the first book, <i>Monster in my Closet</i>? Then came <i>Fairies in my Fireplace</i>. I have read every single book in that series and it was totally engaging. They take turns being humorous and serious but always highly imaginative. Sure, the titles grabbed me but the stories kept me.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnIJpaDHN856fiHCqY4X45CBnpPhshV_LL93AzCrJYnLPBezCer11HhcQKNzz_hm6pqjnjUvsgcpDd1PwtUgHg8xHuO3dmjFg4zGLgtffBD8rHtvQL-__6z_skK1hu6Nq0Ot5Tw/s1600/Grabbed+me+Prey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnIJpaDHN856fiHCqY4X45CBnpPhshV_LL93AzCrJYnLPBezCer11HhcQKNzz_hm6pqjnjUvsgcpDd1PwtUgHg8xHuO3dmjFg4zGLgtffBD8rHtvQL-__6z_skK1hu6Nq0Ot5Tw/s200/Grabbed+me+Prey.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
An unusual book caught my eye one day, <i>Infected: Prey (Infected, #1) by Andrea Speed</i>. In that book I met Roan and fell a little in love with the character. It's M/M, yet not. What I mean is, this book was more a mystery with lots of suspense, investigations and unique challenges for the main hero, Roan. To a reader it's quite clear that Roan and Paris are two guys who really love each other despite or in spite of their health challenges. Due to a virus, hence the 'infected' reference, Roan can turn into a ferocious lion. The cost is rather high and debilitating. But the guys' physical expressions of love and lust were mostly behind closed doors. I think what hooked me was the best part - there was PLOT, substance and damaged, fallible characters that made an impact. I've gobbled up the books in the series since. The book had the best synopsis hook and I'm so glad I discovered it. So title and synopsis were the key elements that grabbed me.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrf6cQgdd6lkZgIDsyIJT6mq5B6eA6Dpftlncsn9M8xXGiBkru3Q5lh9Gkbc4wltxPGk0vuU_nIjZBIAs-DXB2uMYpq8Z_N1My-h-1DnmUvzV7_UH1QAbh7e-8Orls8DH5hDcsw/s1600/Grabbed+me+Bigfoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrf6cQgdd6lkZgIDsyIJT6mq5B6eA6Dpftlncsn9M8xXGiBkru3Q5lh9Gkbc4wltxPGk0vuU_nIjZBIAs-DXB2uMYpq8Z_N1My-h-1DnmUvzV7_UH1QAbh7e-8Orls8DH5hDcsw/s200/Grabbed+me+Bigfoot.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
Last but not least was this title that grabbed me, <i>Size Matters by Robyn Peterman</i>. The cover was certainly quirky, but it was the synopsis that clinched it. When I read Hasselhoff, Bigfoot, and Sasquatch hunters, it was an immediate buy. How could I not? I laughed and laughed and had a riot of a good time reading it. I tried other books in the series because of this one, but none had the same high-powered comic level <i>Size Matters</i> did.
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So, those are samples of what, as a reader, grabs me most. I think the conclusion is, it's a toss up between title and synopsis.
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What about you? What's your favorite hook? <br />
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Oh, and <a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/miscellaneous-musings/saturday-seven-book-of-the-month-winners/">please visit the other contributors to the Saturday 7</a> - it's a great way to discover new reads!!!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-6837956381504662712018-03-10T11:59:00.000-05:002018-03-10T11:59:29.508-05:00The Black Holes of Romance Books<br />
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<a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/saturday-seven/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqICJ4C44Mp4rqBjkIAVRFvCW2yGKauYSHtcF46KB2g-67UC2uDyv9IEmmmCJJa0y0a2cNWP6HMbJsSGLBmBx44Tnz5RbX-pDjXQYnPqQM2ynQyfdpSS5OUk9fPTfp7a9V4yix2A/s1600/SaturdaySeven-copy-1024x293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="1024" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqICJ4C44Mp4rqBjkIAVRFvCW2yGKauYSHtcF46KB2g-67UC2uDyv9IEmmmCJJa0y0a2cNWP6HMbJsSGLBmBx44Tnz5RbX-pDjXQYnPqQM2ynQyfdpSS5OUk9fPTfp7a9V4yix2A/s400/SaturdaySeven-copy-1024x293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My mind has taken a bizarre twist today. I have two sons. Boys find body humor hilarious. I think we all did as kids but as adults, we supposedly grow out of it. Yet, no matter our age, 8 - 80, when a toot occurs in an incongruous arena and takes us by surprise? We revert to the inner child and giggle, snicker or disguise our laugh with a cough. No matter what, we tap into the humor. Yes, it might be embarrassing for the tootee, but it's hard to keep a straight face sometimes.
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Romance stories tend to gloss over or outright ignore the basic things we do. Sometimes, daringly so, an author will include it. If they include the scene just right, it can be hilarious. But that's the exception to the rule. For most, they simply don't exist! <b>The black holes of romance</b>.
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1) Lovers wake up in the morning and immediately proceed to engage in passionate kissing. Some actually dare to mention 'loving his or her smell'. Really? Morning breath has fans? It's a great scene when an author can make that moment funny. There are a few books out there that address this. Most just ignore it. Personally, I find it very hard to ignore. Oral hygiene is one thing that tends to fall into a <b>black hole</b>.
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2) It goes by many names but I'll just refer to it as 'toots'. Rare is the book that can mention it in a comic sense. There's only ONE book that comes to mind and it's The Corset Diaries by Katie MacAlister. It was the first occasion I had ever seen a toot used in hilarious context and the memory of it remains to this day. Otherwise, it's another <b>black hole</b> when it comes to romance stories.
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3) Burps. I'm not talking about burping babies, or manly belches after consuming beer. I'm referring to scenes in a romance book where the natural result of eating or drinking fast never happens. Have you ever opened your mouth to say something and a burp bursts out? How about meeting the parents of your date at a nice restaurant and a burp makes a loud entrance? Burps happen. Often at the most innocuous of times. Yet, I don't read about it in romance book scenes. Burps all fall into a <b>black hole</b>.
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4) Brushing teeth. There are some who do broach that subject. A few call it by name, many refer to it as 'freshening up'. But to have a his and hers teeth brushing scene? It's not really romantic, is it? So, unless it's put in there as a means to get beyond 'morning breath', it's not really put in there. IRL we all do it but since it's fantasy, heroes and heroines have perfect teeth all the time. Unless it's the book How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks. Ms. Sparks made a vampire needing a dentist, funny. Otherwise? Another <b>black hole </b>moment.
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5) A long shower without sex. Seriously. Most of the stories I've read fall into two categories - long showers for sex, alone or with others, OR they are the fastest dang events in history. If a heroine has long hair and she takes a shower, HOW can she be 'ready in 10 or 5 minutes"? When I freshen up, it's shower, drying, teeth, and body function (you pick the order), perfuming and/or powdering - HOW can that be done in less than 10 minutes? Of course the hero looks at the heroine with appreciation and compliments her on how sexy and well put together she is. Seriously? My hair would be a limp rat down my back, I'd probably still be damp and will have toothpaste stuck to the side of my mouth. And makeup? Forget it! So, realistic bathroom procedures go down into a <b>black hole</b>.
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6) Meals. They are always perfect. They always have the best, fresh ingredients. They are always ready in minutes, no matter how complicated they are. And what's with always making this pasta Bolognese dish? From the recipes I've checked out, it's not exactly fast and I would NOT just happen to have the ingredients on hand. That would take planning. But, in romance stories, they never plan and their omelettes never turn into scrambled eggs. Having a kitchen experience I can relate to in a romance story is nonexistent. A culinary <b>black hole</b>.
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7) I can't think of one book that I've read in the past 5 years that even has a hero or heroine blowing their nose (without being sick), having an embarrassing nose goblin or sneezing in a realistic manner - you know the kind, it sort of echos, has moisture torpedos zooming across the room at mach speed and you feel dizzy with relief afterwards, which quickly morphs into embarrassment when you notice everyone is looking at you? Never happens in romance books. A nose's antics are definitely <b>black hole-worthy</b>.
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I think the only author that even approaches tackling some of this black hole list in her books and makes them funny is actually Katie MacAlister. I'd be curious to know if you have found other authors who ingeniously, and perhaps even hilariously, interweaves some of this list in the course of telling their romance story. If so, please share. I'll add them to my TBR pile. It would be nice to find out the <b>black hole</b> in romance isn't as deep as I thought. <br />
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-69336283203780514962018-02-10T09:36:00.000-05:002018-02-10T09:36:41.518-05:00Make a Movie!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/saturday-seven/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqICJ4C44Mp4rqBjkIAVRFvCW2yGKauYSHtcF46KB2g-67UC2uDyv9IEmmmCJJa0y0a2cNWP6HMbJsSGLBmBx44Tnz5RbX-pDjXQYnPqQM2ynQyfdpSS5OUk9fPTfp7a9V4yix2A/s1600/SaturdaySeven-copy-1024x293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="1024" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqICJ4C44Mp4rqBjkIAVRFvCW2yGKauYSHtcF46KB2g-67UC2uDyv9IEmmmCJJa0y0a2cNWP6HMbJsSGLBmBx44Tnz5RbX-pDjXQYnPqQM2ynQyfdpSS5OUk9fPTfp7a9V4yix2A/s400/SaturdaySeven-copy-1024x293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For my Saturday Seven I thought it would be cool to join in the book-to-movie memes that are out there. Somewhere along the way, I'm sure, like me, you've finished a book and said, "This should be made into a movie!" Whether it be a Whodunit, fantasy or romance, there's something that gave my imagination a definite buzz of excitement. The funny thing is that a couple of them actually made it to the big screen years after I read them. It was like rediscovering an old friend - except the books were always better. **grin**
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1) My very first major book that I was enamored with was read in high school, <i>Dune</i> by Frank Herbert. There was something grand about the whole plot, concept and cast of characters. No matter that it took place in deep space, the base nature that all humans have plays out in glorious weirdness. <a href="http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/scifi/entire-run-starlog-magazine-online-free.html">Starlog Magazine</a>, a publication I devoured like candy as a kid , chronicled the ups and downs of bringing it to life. It was a long road and it finally happened. It think the movie focused on the creepy, sadistic weirdness that was House Harkonnen in too much detail for my liking. In that regard, the book was better. But the Sandworms? Ooooh, that was so COOL!!! I never saw the most recent remake - how can you improve on Kyle MacLachlan and Sting??<br />
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2) Another book that made a great movie was <i>The Day After Tomorrow</i>. There were a few minor differences between book and movie but the tidal wave scene still is one of the best special effects done and I know my imagination could never have created that intense a visual as the movie version. Wow. In that, the movie was better than the book, so I'm glad someone recognized the potential.
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3) Then there was <i>Krull</i>. I'm not sure if the movie came first and then the book, or the book was written following the movie to capitalize on the association, but no matter, the book had details the movie couldn't grasp. The romance between a prince and princess is the ultimate romantic tale especially when it's against impossible odds, a race against time and a formidable foe. The movie is cheezy, sure, but I love it anyway.<br />
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4) Now, I've heard rumors that finally, FINALY the <i>Dragonriders of Pern</i> will be made into a movie. Why did it take so long? That series influenced many a writer, and caused kids to dream big and imagine the possibilities of other worlds. I just hope Hollywood doesn't screw it up by slipping in earth society checklists and instead keeps true to Anne McCaffrey's vision. It's the best!
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5) A movie that SHOULD be made would be based on Sarah Morgan's <i>Sleigh Bells in the Snow</i> (O'Neil Brothers). It would be perfect as a Hallmark Movie. Heck, I'd BUY the movie if it was ever made, especially if it was true to Ms. Morgan's creative vision. That novel is the definition of romance and has been on my keeper shelf since 2013. Love, love, LOVE that book!!!<br />
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6) A novel that was made into a movie recently that totally surprised me was T<i>he Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit</i> by Jill Monroe. I READ that Harlequin story years ago and when Jill announced that it was a movie on Lifetime, I was frantic. I didn't get that channel!!! Fortunately, Lifetime had different online outlets and I was able to watch it on my PC. BEST TIME EVER! Of course, the movie took a few liberties with the original story but still, a Jill Monroe book made it!!!! I was so thrilled!!!
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7) I know that the Sookie Stackhouse Novels by Charlaine Harris was made into an HBO miniseries and at first, I was so excited. But HBO totally screwed it up. The books were ten times better!! So, although it should be my number seven, I'm going to switch to another world that has been built up over a span of years starting in 1999. Next year will be <b><span style="color: red;">TWENTY YEARS</span></b>. A movie or series would have to tone down the sex of course, as the scenes are strongly erotic in nature, but the concept of Carpathians vs vampires, vampire hunters and mages, and very strong leading female characters with serious skills and talents could be an amazing onscreen sensation. The language, customs, romance, healing chants, music and mountainous vistas and forest scenes could be a visual feast of the senses. I believe Christine Feehan's Dark series should be made into movies or a miniseries- but they better let the author have control of her characters. The Dark series has survived 2 decades for a reason! And it's not what Hollywood thinks they know. They understand diddly.
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At least with today's Saturday Seven, I'm not 100% paranormal. Sort of. **wink**<br />
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Please see today's <a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/miscellaneous-musings/saturday-seven-valentines-day-books/">Saturday Seven at LASR </a>to see everyone else's great posts today!
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Thanks for visiting. :)<br />
<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-88733104566540646052018-02-03T07:25:00.000-05:002018-02-03T07:25:53.017-05:00My Leading Men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good morning!<br />
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Today's post is going to be a quick one. I was invited to go outlet shopping with a group of friends. When they took me to the new outlets at Foxwoods two months ago, it was my first time going to such a thing. They were aghast. I was a 'shopping outlets virgin'. They have taken up the challenge to cure me. LOL<br />
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Anyway, I was thinking about heroes who take charge and I had no problem coming up with seven. The dilemma was choosing which ones. That's a nice puzzle to solve. So, here are the men who lead me during my romantic getaways of imagination.<br />
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<b>Lothaire </b>(Immortals After Dark #12). He was a villain for many books in the series. A true anti-hero. There was something tantalizing about him. Even though Darth Vader was redeemed in the end, Lothaire kept more true to his character so he never really turned into a goody-two-shoes. Watching him fall in love was highly entertaining, yet Ms. Cole had a way of humanizing him enough to make him a great leading man. He grew on me. LOL<br />
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<b>Seth </b>from Ms. Duvall's Immortal Guardians. He doesn't have his own HEA yet. I'm not-so-patiently waiting for it. Seth is a very unusual hero as he leads and cares for a unique collection of humans. Why he's so vastly different, what makes the humans he cares for so precious, and the lengths he'll go through to protect them blows my mind. He seems lonely, he has this internal pain I want to heal, but Seth being Seth, puts everyone's needs before his own. He's mysterious, powerful and capable of great compassion. <br />
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<b>Rogan </b>from Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy Series. He's such a BAD bad boy, he's delicious. He's powerful, stubborn, manipulative in amazing ways, and he has never loved or been loved, ever. Watching him find a happiness that is unique to the kind of being he is, was an awesome experience!<br />
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<b>Lucien Argeneau</b> by Lynsay Sands. He's the big boss, the one all the Immortals fear. He's the perfect straight man. Yes, he shoulders a LOT of responsibility and he carries himself with a stoic, powerful demeanor - but his brethren love to poke him every chance they get - when they deem it safe to do so. As much as I respect his character, I giggle too.<br />
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<b>Gregori, the Dark One</b> from Christine Feehan's Dark series. His HEA is in the 4th book of the series., Dark Magic. He's a very powerful, scary and spooky Carpathian. He appears many times throughout the series as their most powerful healer and fighter. He captures my imagination when Ms. Feehan describes him. So when he falls for Savannah, it's a beautiful thing. Another thing I like about him, he never runs from a fight.<br />
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<b>Vlad</b>. I' was introduced to him in the first book, Once Burned, in the Night Prince series. Yes, he's basically Dracula BUT like nothing I'd ever read before. I ADORED his character - dark though he was. Ms. Frost created a very seductive hero and of course, the heroine is just as unique as he is. It's a trilogy so there's plenty of twists and turns. Vlad isn't a 'I love him" character - there were times I wanted to smack him because he is just SO his own man, arrogant, commanding and very possessive with the woman he eventually falls in love with. Why he's so commanding, his back story, is explosive in how it touched my heart. Life made him what he is, but Leila introduced the softer emotions. <br />
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<b>Ian MacKenzie</b> in The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley. I read his story way back in 2012 and it's stayed with me all these years. Ian has what we now know as Asperger's. His character made such a huge impact that any book in the series that Ms. Ashley writes is always better simply by the virtue of Ian being in it. I adore, love, want to hug, Ian. His story brings to life the power of love. He's a terrific, stellar and wonderful hero.<br />
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So, those are my favorite leading men. If I read Nora Roberts, chances are one of her men would make this list as so many people rave about a certain one. But I don't so he's not here. ;)<br />
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Who is yours?
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If you want to see the place that <a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/miscellaneous-musings/saturday-seven-seven-books-we-loved-and-are-giving-away-to-you-giveaway/">created the Saturday Seven, go here.</a> <br> <br>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-74534569878585219352018-01-27T11:56:00.001-05:002018-01-29T08:17:40.041-05:00The Appealing Oddness of Paranormal Romances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My past posts are amazingly bent towards paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy romances. So, I thought I'd share the 7 reasons I prefer them over others. Just so you know, I do read other genres, but none spark my imagination more than alternate realities and universes. <br />
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1) <b>Worldbuilding</b> - whether it be Lynsay Sands, Kerrilynn Sparks, Terry Spear, Dianne Duvall, Jennifer Ashley, <a href="http://robindowens.com/?page_id=2">Robin D. Owens</a>, Gena Showalter, Christine Feehan, <a href="http://www.ninabangs.com/bookshelf/index.php">Nina Bangs</a>, Ilona Andrews, <a href="https://erinmleaf.com/">Erin M. Leaf</a>, <a href="https://www.sandrahill.net/">Sandra Hill</a>, Alanea Alder, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, <a href="http://jayneannkrentz.com/books-by-series/">Jayne Castle</a>, Alexandra Ivy, <a href="http://www.rebutlerauthor.com/books/the-wiccan-were-bear-books/">R.E. Butler</a> and scores of others - their imaginations have created a different reality with its own rules, social structure, challenges, lifestyles, and unique methods to finding their mates/loves that lead to the coveted happy ever after. No matter if it's in outer space or a variation of our own Earth, or a combination of both, the possibilities are endless.
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2) <b>Being surprised.</b> I enjoy the intrigue of the unknown, and the comfort of being able to relate to the hero and heroine no matter how odd their environment. I like seeing the 'human' side of things even among non-humans and the unexpected means of courtingship and claiming. That makes me think of the series by <a href="http://www.cherylbrooksonline.com/id19.html">Cheryl Brooks</a>. Those first few books in the series contained lots of surprises.
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3) <b>The claiming</b>. Yes, I know it's been done to the point of overkill, that moment when the hero or heroine catches a whiff of a particular scent that can only mean one thing - mate. In reality, humans marry <i>hoping </i>that their union will be one for the record books - celebrating 50, 60 or 70 years together until death does them part. Alas, for many people, it's not to be. Yet, we never lose hope. <br />
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In paranormal romances there is that tantalizing idea of nature providing a spark which points them in a guaranteed direction. For them; it's more than hope, it's seeking what they intrinsically know for a fact, an assurance that there is someone special for them. They know without a doubt when they cross paths. Their hope is more along the lines of fate making them stumble upon each other at just the right time. In my most favorite romances, the hero is (steared or steered?) towards his mate but it's not a given. He has to work for it; woo her, impress her, convince her, romance her and maybe even protect or fight for her. I'm not a fan of whiff-grab-mark-have sex and call those steps 'romance'. No, I want the protagonist to EARN the privilege of their mate's love, devotion and trust. I need a meeting of the minds, a clash of circumstances, a plot to overcome and conflicts I can relate to, before they rumple/tear/burn up the sheets in physical expression of passion, lust and love. The claiming can be by bite, marking or some other mystical manifestation and it's always super steamy, exotic, erotic, and the best part - forever. <br />
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4) <b>Meeting non-humans</b>. This is where an author's creativity can shine. Can <a href="http://christinewarren.net/books/rocked.php">gargoyles</a>, dragons, elves, fairies, were-wolves-cats-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Red/e/B00FZA7O1S/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1">bears-rabbits</a> find love? Yes. I've read about were-skunks, were-moose and were-beavers. I read about aliens that are truly reptiles-tails included, beings that have an extra arm, or two, and aliens that are essentially blobs that can take whatever form they wish. I've seen aliens turn into madmen because they've not found their mates in a certain time frame - and the heroine has a huge undertaking in saving him in time from permanent insanity with the power of her love. Like I said before, paranormal/sci-fantasy offers unique situations that will never be found in straight contemporary or historical romances. Those genres have set parameters and rules that must always be kept in mind. Non-humans have no such constraint except what the author chooses for them.
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5) <b>Sex</b>. Yes, paranormal and sci-fi/fantasy romances offer varied levels of heat - spicy to erotic, and odd or unusual courtship practices. Aliens and paranormal beings do it better. They always seem to know what and how to touch, bite or lick. :) I don't like books where the only plot is how many sex scenes can be squeezed in between a thin vehicle that claims to be a story conflict. I need my emotions involved, I need to be invested in the characters. I need to care. When the criteria is met, the books have a solid chance of going on my keeper shelf. The bedroom door doesn't have to be blasted all the way open but I like being seduced the same time as the heroine. I like when the sensual buildup, tantalizing teases, and near misses culminate in the satisfaction of seeing the protagonists succumb to their passions. When done right, paranormal romance sex is fun.
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6) <b>Alien landscapes and cultures</b> - This pertains more to sci-fi/fantasy stories. Obviously this is part of #1, Worldbuiding, but it's the descriptions that are the showcases here. If an author can describe to me what the protagonists are seeing, and I can clearly visualize the scene, then it's worth noting. One author who can illustrate that talent is <a href="http://www.elsajade.com/book-series/intergalactic-dating-agency/">Elsa Jade</a> because there is this one story that takes place on a hostile planet. The flora and fauna described, as well as a specific predator, knocked my socks off. Of course, there are magically guarded pockets on Earth that are doorways to a supernatural culture that is hardly benign to its denizens. Leave your earthly humanity at the gate because a whole new world is described to take you away from normality.
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7) <b>Pure romantic escapism</b> - Those three words say it all. I don't need a book to educate me on heavy subjects that dog my steps in real life from television, news radio or newspapers. I want to escape the negatives, the stress, and my worries of dealing with every day drudgery and crisis. Take me to another world, another culture where their conflicts are removed from my own. Show me heroes and heroines who are falling in love despite their unusual circumstances. Show me a romance with a happy ending to lighten my day, a story that makes me feel good, and a book that takes me on an adventurous roller coaster of emotions that culminates it the good guys winning and the bad guys getting what they deserve. Romantic escapism is my mental vacation. Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy pulls me out of my world and sends me into uncharted destinies. The lure is impossible for me to resist.
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Paranormal romances may take me to odd places with quirky characters, but they are always entertaining. Love is their end goal. The pursuit of love and a solid happy ever after are such appealing hooks, I'm a pushover.
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Now I get to ask you. Of my 7, which one speaks the most to you? Do we have anything in common?
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This post is due in large part to <a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/saturday-seven/">Long and Short Reviews</a> - A site where I've discovered so many new authors while browsing their reviews, it's a favorite of mine. I'm happy to be a part of their Saturday Seven. <br />
<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-12340584992936404302018-01-20T10:08:00.001-05:002018-01-20T10:08:27.369-05:00So Addicting, I Binged Bought<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good moring!
This Saturday I'm going to share books/series/authors who've inspired me to binge buy. Many people talk about what series they've binge watched on Netflix, but hardly anyone crows about doing the same with books.
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The first one I want to share is:
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1) Big Sky Alien Mail Order Brides By Elsa Jade
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<i>They were looking for love in all the wrong galaxies…</i> -<br />
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With a teaser like that, my curiosity prompted me to buy the first story in the series. After <i>Alpha Star</i>, I immediately bought 6 books by Ms. Jade, then I bought a couple of others. And I read to my heart's content. They weren't all first-place winners but every single one entertained, engaged and provided wonderful escapism with an HEA. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEyQBuRC0k_TMduKPA594gOpdP2lshU2pQJ1iPR4PFwZWN09lVkIaevQUz-oGqfKLDMi2HXAdClqDQSyr9jR0QSuvMekbLtgAtW7KSEww3bP6F4sGGLkV7oqHc4L7mcfL3lpdHw/s1600/ELSA+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEyQBuRC0k_TMduKPA594gOpdP2lshU2pQJ1iPR4PFwZWN09lVkIaevQUz-oGqfKLDMi2HXAdClqDQSyr9jR0QSuvMekbLtgAtW7KSEww3bP6F4sGGLkV7oqHc4L7mcfL3lpdHw/s200/ELSA+1.jpg" width="133" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbEOlitqG8prIx6zi5j2LD3nnAlvbCkIgfoSyqGwlpNzKxgIDGqrm6vdG11ZrM6ZGnfTmPQSsiCHbZ7rBv5FtZkudiIOzJ3rkYs5XpWB-SZuPsLn-clDLQGqt7NfEr7JS5biyMg/s1600/Elsa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbEOlitqG8prIx6zi5j2LD3nnAlvbCkIgfoSyqGwlpNzKxgIDGqrm6vdG11ZrM6ZGnfTmPQSsiCHbZ7rBv5FtZkudiIOzJ3rkYs5XpWB-SZuPsLn-clDLQGqt7NfEr7JS5biyMg/s200/Elsa+2.jpg" width="132" /></a>
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2) Wolves of Angels Rest is another series by Elsa Jade
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<i>The mating moon is rising...<br />
The wolf-shifters of Angels Rest are on the prowl.</i> <br />
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I bought 10 of the books right off the bat and I devoured every single one. I think I read all the books in both series within a week and a half. They were so much fun! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1FeOXgKSBSuj1d9B02An8nL3Y2nT5jaJyrBC7EO0RrqSHyJSD22iSg1GYZxB7dApk2NMhtVRF1TDNua2pPvX6Ksr5Rx3h039AWdVLUNWQPRvjbBJZachEXHmcImwekrHKtl1aw/s1600/Elsa+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="214" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1FeOXgKSBSuj1d9B02An8nL3Y2nT5jaJyrBC7EO0RrqSHyJSD22iSg1GYZxB7dApk2NMhtVRF1TDNua2pPvX6Ksr5Rx3h039AWdVLUNWQPRvjbBJZachEXHmcImwekrHKtl1aw/s200/Elsa+4.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxx6x3rydTuX7nd0o2nhbLwlDT6fD9h2qphQgVilY8QrLFEN-ZM3BdbfcWJqzssyi6mibvLx7mc7aFPO0GQlvZZ82YeUvifrr50aPkadkhLzi0BBzZQIvthpYGwXXgS8DxBP7MNg/s1600/Elsa+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxx6x3rydTuX7nd0o2nhbLwlDT6fD9h2qphQgVilY8QrLFEN-ZM3BdbfcWJqzssyi6mibvLx7mc7aFPO0GQlvZZ82YeUvifrr50aPkadkhLzi0BBzZQIvthpYGwXXgS8DxBP7MNg/s200/Elsa+3.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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3) The title grabbed me - <i>Monster in My Closet</i> (A Monster Haven Story, Book 1) but the book enchanted me. The concept was so different and original, how could I resist? My reading frenzie resulted in the immediate purchase of 7 more books in the series and I devoured them within a matter of days. Fascinating stuff!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN-xkvtHJI3YSVWTanaK_s6xdFOkqD5eJvkj1g7X1V8_sdEZ-Ce-bxNVht9GvU1E3_2Rd7HehVPNtys2Dwi181xx0CR20vRtlSD2CcyKDb63pA2Ze8f_o-1enhurMDK3x8XmHSw/s1600/monster+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="189" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN-xkvtHJI3YSVWTanaK_s6xdFOkqD5eJvkj1g7X1V8_sdEZ-Ce-bxNVht9GvU1E3_2Rd7HehVPNtys2Dwi181xx0CR20vRtlSD2CcyKDb63pA2Ze8f_o-1enhurMDK3x8XmHSw/s200/monster+1.png" width="126" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzilUPIrHhp8XSFrRuVNqvdxm4m4t5QzOqbT0w5GL8sj3N-TRUcDz0vB9sLetbnN3AEDkEC6SkFceToM5zH_m-t95Z62PFQxtY24WQW3L_wPDmFvOGrVO4_fktKmwajIKqjcIog/s1600/monster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="189" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzilUPIrHhp8XSFrRuVNqvdxm4m4t5QzOqbT0w5GL8sj3N-TRUcDz0vB9sLetbnN3AEDkEC6SkFceToM5zH_m-t95Z62PFQxtY24WQW3L_wPDmFvOGrVO4_fktKmwajIKqjcIog/s200/monster+2.jpg" width="126" /></a>
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4) Alanea Alder is my next binge buying event - it started with My Commander and I was so hooked I promptly bought 5 more and enjoyed every single one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4smvcNNs9HFwDtGLIxq-ZqXhDMddcc5i4IY-5OuXz5sXKqOiVNH2H-VBc2jX-sQvihqJtVcMmK0t8XmV_ELEYU-S4Mkq9WeWnueYZv7QA6aGJkFWUwT3SkKWEs397Y-fF3GP9vA/s1600/alder+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4smvcNNs9HFwDtGLIxq-ZqXhDMddcc5i4IY-5OuXz5sXKqOiVNH2H-VBc2jX-sQvihqJtVcMmK0t8XmV_ELEYU-S4Mkq9WeWnueYZv7QA6aGJkFWUwT3SkKWEs397Y-fF3GP9vA/s320/alder+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In researching book covers for this, I noticed that there are 3 more books in the series I missed!!! Guess what I'm going to be doing today??? **grin**<br />
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5) I think I've lost count as to how many of Lynn Red's books I've bought and read. I stopped looking at titles after I hit 10, lol. If you like shifter romances be it bear or wolf, then she's got the goods. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8crzLhHGIdWBBKEOZAra1_06Zzr4HlfmtSupyfWG-kMaOrYcHVP-fOrWV-1IeHh8BokVYxMUM5IsKLbv96s9HyvdQXb08ObAtjKdjC4T2g96WcGhHvw3ovBD5UlXxR4HBJwm2Q/s1600/Red+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8crzLhHGIdWBBKEOZAra1_06Zzr4HlfmtSupyfWG-kMaOrYcHVP-fOrWV-1IeHh8BokVYxMUM5IsKLbv96s9HyvdQXb08ObAtjKdjC4T2g96WcGhHvw3ovBD5UlXxR4HBJwm2Q/s200/Red+1.jpg" width="133" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuYj9z6Op8ze8Nmp129MxPA7iAifWFY_a06YMaB-9Ndt-GsU7ClXNp9iLb32f0kWTqNhjQqOM8f2cXKx_QlvpPdzhGLtZ8ciqd3_eVEaDD-upFBluGD90AZv4UgjJAjS7LNHXyA/s1600/red+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-center: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuYj9z6Op8ze8Nmp129MxPA7iAifWFY_a06YMaB-9Ndt-GsU7ClXNp9iLb32f0kWTqNhjQqOM8f2cXKx_QlvpPdzhGLtZ8ciqd3_eVEaDD-upFBluGD90AZv4UgjJAjS7LNHXyA/s200/red+2.jpg" width="133" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ1V1Ie-Ftp4YnzWgL6fZXZY1eXsZY-NvOmuVxg6w3VSRei_BrkMW-GDrgQs8I3AY6EK6xNOsM580kgq7P2koxl55LjNr929lMnarz_9SZO29lxrU7v2LsxObKIXFhoPxt5mYgQ/s1600/red+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ1V1Ie-Ftp4YnzWgL6fZXZY1eXsZY-NvOmuVxg6w3VSRei_BrkMW-GDrgQs8I3AY6EK6xNOsM580kgq7P2koxl55LjNr929lMnarz_9SZO29lxrU7v2LsxObKIXFhoPxt5mYgQ/s200/red+3.jpg" width="133" /></a>
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6) Caris Roane is another author that I simply could not get enough of. I discovered her B<i>lood Rose</i> series when she was 6 books in - I bought them all and then as soon as the others came out... 3 more I believe, I bought them as well. How could I not? I loved her heroes! So yeah, I binged until I read them all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Ej_Vz80AY7LlPi7rMf8LDQVwTohx5xcC58CQqn4Yp-oQBrb6TiNNXj1BZ_2NfgjsJi8PX1Lgjt605KyQmol11KIIjgQoNidsPX8REO_wEflKdrNiGkOLs7su8LrzYC7hCeyew/s1600/Caris+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="202" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Ej_Vz80AY7LlPi7rMf8LDQVwTohx5xcC58CQqn4Yp-oQBrb6TiNNXj1BZ_2NfgjsJi8PX1Lgjt605KyQmol11KIIjgQoNidsPX8REO_wEflKdrNiGkOLs7su8LrzYC7hCeyew/s200/Caris+1.jpg" width="138" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_h2zRBVTXYnr5VYTKjg-kESgbs6Xa0blCHCWicaFbStT3HvnmEDKkgFGtoXTqV5NQEkfRz9lu21eyjsxRsQKqllS1EStEcuwgiUJN6rcvaPjgseqSVXvBPtjvujmro2pDGI77g/s1600/caris+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-center: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_h2zRBVTXYnr5VYTKjg-kESgbs6Xa0blCHCWicaFbStT3HvnmEDKkgFGtoXTqV5NQEkfRz9lu21eyjsxRsQKqllS1EStEcuwgiUJN6rcvaPjgseqSVXvBPtjvujmro2pDGI77g/s200/caris+2.jpg" width="133" /></a>
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6) Jennifer Ashley and her paranormal shifter series. I've bought books in binge style twice, both times it was 5 books in a row. She has so many to choose from! Her heroes and heroines are strong and compliment each other nicely. Her world building is certainly unique and I was always vested in her heroes finding their HEA. They didn't have it easy. Their falling in love is the greatest hook!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcTTLBrI1FrXJsipSL9_nZ35ZNAMgeqgwgbZJ5lh0H54zXMrl05fM92eujiy5r_GTFuXgYjeZzBht_lSi97e7SrBiW7j60lqELRRA0xMQ18lHV73gCSsRTV5ad28DJa_o10BpmA/s1600/Jen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="251" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcTTLBrI1FrXJsipSL9_nZ35ZNAMgeqgwgbZJ5lh0H54zXMrl05fM92eujiy5r_GTFuXgYjeZzBht_lSi97e7SrBiW7j60lqELRRA0xMQ18lHV73gCSsRTV5ad28DJa_o10BpmA/s200/Jen+1.jpg" width="128" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQFMjkII_jOb7ZuFu7Be9gdIam1J5Ss3a9459uu58agk14Wr_TH3XXV9AbaJ4kyzbqXNRwsZio8Y_8KsYtjKGUV7hB-mb39CneYUdr5JcqQ1q4wm-mfgieyzOw-0hb_Zlv0RqMQ/s1600/jen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="251" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQFMjkII_jOb7ZuFu7Be9gdIam1J5Ss3a9459uu58agk14Wr_TH3XXV9AbaJ4kyzbqXNRwsZio8Y_8KsYtjKGUV7hB-mb39CneYUdr5JcqQ1q4wm-mfgieyzOw-0hb_Zlv0RqMQ/s200/jen+2.jpg" width="128" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0VkrDkNxURDcjLGK8_BFNeX36B3WvlOnDfuQ0hmSPHGTiNvsPWfdc_BG7n1fqzkaqPh0CeoBWzsMjrkTCLa6cMaGfbfZNagatTCDjbFdPRZLPovnYdDFHhFWRP_jej2l3TGJXg/s1600/jen+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: center; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="251" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0VkrDkNxURDcjLGK8_BFNeX36B3WvlOnDfuQ0hmSPHGTiNvsPWfdc_BG7n1fqzkaqPh0CeoBWzsMjrkTCLa6cMaGfbfZNagatTCDjbFdPRZLPovnYdDFHhFWRP_jej2l3TGJXg/s200/jen+3.jpg" width="128" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsJwN0RBTp7f9LS8OQkVx4fHCJ4zcHBt62ruGRXdLOzR6-2NHk9V9v9m9wCALFfVzH14RyHj_EZq0YZdlPX1FJI_hNQ22AFu7bR_pjM99kDJE7QDaK-92DEzjA37iYmihLcrUjg/s1600/jen+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="217" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsJwN0RBTp7f9LS8OQkVx4fHCJ4zcHBt62ruGRXdLOzR6-2NHk9V9v9m9wCALFfVzH14RyHj_EZq0YZdlPX1FJI_hNQ22AFu7bR_pjM99kDJE7QDaK-92DEzjA37iYmihLcrUjg/s200/jen+4.jpg" width="123" /></a>
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Actually, I went looking through my list and so far I have a OVER 20 books by Ms. Ashley. That's quite the investment in an author, eh? Worth every dollar. :)
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7) Aileen Erin - Nook had her first book, <i>Becoming Alpha</i>, on sale at a price I couldn't pass up. The premise sounded interesting. At first I thought it was going to be a YA series, but instead I think it's a New Adult .. or whatever the term ... it's a paranormal with lots of drama, action, challenges and witches - both good and bad. It follows the journey of a young girl who was accidentally bit and turned into a werewolf. The set up might sound familiar to avid paranormal readers, but trust me, there's a lot that is wholly unique to Ms. Erin. I was blown away and had to, simply HAD TO find out if there were more and I found a total of 8 books. It was the PERFECT Binge Read experience!!!! The books have to be read in order because it's following Tessa's journey and I am so SO glad I discovered Ms. Erin's Alpha series. It rocks. <br /> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1eJrqLRCcc_12DBoeYzLMcJz09wlh-QjWDkUnaeoioKS_OsoAdFUtNX_s_JBWnYJM4TNn5-ZaS1hPzxCSz-cTU2DMk26MiXMZPASoWjwwvPsYmVwXv18nXBRO05sEhyWeDFOGg/s1600/alpha+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1eJrqLRCcc_12DBoeYzLMcJz09wlh-QjWDkUnaeoioKS_OsoAdFUtNX_s_JBWnYJM4TNn5-ZaS1hPzxCSz-cTU2DMk26MiXMZPASoWjwwvPsYmVwXv18nXBRO05sEhyWeDFOGg/s200/alpha+1.jpg" width="125" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyB74s1qKM-Qaib3jbGJPhPfBYX1emYCJgUsNXyDpP7O0WdeQGByp5O5TUOoYbnchdyf8o2d-zVw-M3GHBNIvxDfgsqPjMWfSd7TUflt91jlmTH0Dc4rCaTEefbRLeBnOPh4v6w/s1600/alpha+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyB74s1qKM-Qaib3jbGJPhPfBYX1emYCJgUsNXyDpP7O0WdeQGByp5O5TUOoYbnchdyf8o2d-zVw-M3GHBNIvxDfgsqPjMWfSd7TUflt91jlmTH0Dc4rCaTEefbRLeBnOPh4v6w/s200/alpha+2.png" width="125" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweXuaTV2gUJg9Pie-cpehP3gNxsDfxAGKvfucQNE8Ns9R7fc-HqEZnQh494-Ra18hpTspnIfSQOaUGA3cxepP0xaZKEjVrODJ2rGupkNe1Inaa1qf2jux614u7NCW_PG4CdXclQ/s1600/alpha+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-center: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweXuaTV2gUJg9Pie-cpehP3gNxsDfxAGKvfucQNE8Ns9R7fc-HqEZnQh494-Ra18hpTspnIfSQOaUGA3cxepP0xaZKEjVrODJ2rGupkNe1Inaa1qf2jux614u7NCW_PG4CdXclQ/s200/alpha+3.jpg" width="125" /></a>
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There you have it - my 7 most amazing binge reads. When I look back over my post I realize I'm REALLY into paranormal binge reading! I had no idea! That's funny.
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The good thing is, I know more are waiting for me out there in bookland and I can't wait to find my next addiction. Do you have any to recommend? :) I adore discovering new authors.
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Anyway,<br>
Thanks for visiting!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-15056007866974912632018-01-13T12:15:00.002-05:002018-01-13T12:19:42.630-05:00Authors Who Write with Bite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Saturday! And, welcome to my fandom.
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Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan of paranormal romances. I've been giving a bit of thought as to what I'd want to contribute to this today's Saturday 7 and I thought I'd list the names of my go-to authors whose heroes love to nip, bite and claim.<br />
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To be chosen by using such a basic and visceral method appeals to that part of me that responds with an ancient female instinct similar to our furry counterparts in nature - to wait and watch while suitors joust, show physical prowess, strength and dominance so a female can mate with the strongest male, -.procreation with the strongest is an intense survival instinct in nature. Humans have a much more difficult time of it and muck it up a lot. I think that's why I like stories about heroes who have a penchant to bite, mark and claim their chosen lady because nature gives those guys a bit of a push - usually a scent or other sign that she's 'the one'. Their assured exclusivity and monogamy to one woman, and all that focus of sexual drive, the need to protect and the treating of a woman like the sun rises and sets in her eyes, has a huge appeal to the romantic within me. These 7 authors have captured my imagination like no other and I'm thrilled to share them with you.<br />
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1) <b>Christine Feehan </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1RIkwLGHs03MavO0ecjZ1Y2jGnKPbJ2mCQc2kcsl_XGZ_LrtNg2QmqAeZB5NFpCKm4E9b5h0LD5XZS5qBhTmlWO0EF8rrNjxTJjhJO-vbp0CYcAnWDtE1CmCKG3WlS5427XhoA/s1600/Dark+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="311" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1RIkwLGHs03MavO0ecjZ1Y2jGnKPbJ2mCQc2kcsl_XGZ_LrtNg2QmqAeZB5NFpCKm4E9b5h0LD5XZS5qBhTmlWO0EF8rrNjxTJjhJO-vbp0CYcAnWDtE1CmCKG3WlS5427XhoA/s200/Dark+1.jpg" width="124" /></a>
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Ms. Feehan's Carpathians have been thrilling me for over 15 years. She's been entertaining readers since her first book, Dark Prince, exploded on the shelves in 1999. In them, her heroes cannot see colors, have no feelings and within them lies a spreading darkness that will consume them and turn them into vampires unless they have the fortitude to recognize the end is near, can no longer hold out on hope and loyalty alone, and face the sun before they succumb to evil. Their one hope, as slim as it is due to a plot thread woven throughout many of the early books, is to find their lifemate; she's a woman who is their one - the other half of their soul who can save them from the darkness within. She gives them back their ability to feel and to see color.
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What I enjoy is watching these merciless killers of the undead get knocked on their butts by the colors that blast their eyes, and the return of lost emotions that overwhelm their good sense. Their protective streak explodes and their about-to-be lifemate is faced with a man who is not only macho, alpha, dominant and arrogant - those protective instincts are in overdrive. His woman must be protected at all costs and when she's not happy he considers it a personal failure. The guys are stymied by the fact that all the heroines are modern women who push right back and refuse to be the 'little woman at home'. That's quite a learning curve for men who are usually a few hundred years old or older.<br />
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The reason Ms. Feehan's Carpathians are on my list is because of; HOW they claim their woman. It's sensual, sexy and there are fangs involved. The author makes it romantic because there are these ritual words that are said which encompass all what a woman can hope for in her man in real life. She is first in all things and her happiness is of major concern as well as her safety. Her hero can do no other than to love her above all others - she truly is the light of; his life. What's there not to like about that? There's a new Dark book coming out in 2018 and I can't wait!<br />
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My second choice is considered controversial by a lot of readers out there.<br />
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2) <b>Laurell K. Hamilton</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP9dlUANpeSycOcbW1nW4PJSZhSvJoGC13xaBZg3oiuOTEO5BBknM3Hvj2OOQGv26NLHhnrCNdDwo-WslWbl39vCrVv5EzDW9Hps5aEiVHowIttfyFJhyphenhyphenLqcb_c7bQRBE0jyBTA/s1600/Anita+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP9dlUANpeSycOcbW1nW4PJSZhSvJoGC13xaBZg3oiuOTEO5BBknM3Hvj2OOQGv26NLHhnrCNdDwo-WslWbl39vCrVv5EzDW9Hps5aEiVHowIttfyFJhyphenhyphenLqcb_c7bQRBE0jyBTA/s200/Anita+4.jpg" width="119" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
A lot of early fans think the first book, Guilty Pleasures published in 1993, through Obsidian Butterfly in 2000 were the best because they focused more on the drama, the dark side of paranormal crimes and Anita Blake's role as consultant to the paranormal police division. The macabre dance of romance between Anita, Jean Claude, (vampire) Master of the City, and Richard (Werewolf), really started to form from Lunatic Cafe on. <br />
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Once Narcissus in Chains was published in 2001 things took a dramatic turn. The elements for a complicated, convoluted and unconventional romance were introduced. It would take a while for the focus of the books to really turn from external plot conflicts to personal and in the process many early fans had a hard time adjusting to the new focus - Anita's love life. During the years after 2006 the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series turned to dark eroticism. Between vampires, werewolves, a select group of werecats (jaguar, tiger, panther) there's a lot of biting, claiming, marking and sexual dynamics that make up the strengthening romance between Anita and a few key characters. <br />
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Longstanding fans who've stuck with the series, and even fans of erotic romances, gobble up every novel Ms. Hamilton produces because we've been invested in Jean Claude's, Micah's and Nathan's love for Anita and her love for them for quite some time. Marking comes with some unusual side effects and I'm enjoying every chapter of their developing romance. Complication is Anita's middle name and I never know what Ms. Hamilton has in store for her intrepid heroine. I have to wait until August, 2018 to find out what's next.
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3) <b>Kerrelyn Sparks</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfMDcK7qzliXB0CUHucJYOauJBREZcXM16AZd06Ldj4ySKH8gOtt3fGksvOBXKAa1K6FH9X8eUW1sHuhlwbkdtDSjKJ_4FZkEMbuxAn0kBdnNLesDKa38WE-zCG9Ttr8da26IJg/s1600/Sparks+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfMDcK7qzliXB0CUHucJYOauJBREZcXM16AZd06Ldj4ySKH8gOtt3fGksvOBXKAa1K6FH9X8eUW1sHuhlwbkdtDSjKJ_4FZkEMbuxAn0kBdnNLesDKa38WE-zCG9Ttr8da26IJg/s200/Sparks+1.jpg" width="125" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg596hrtbdGgdReqZhhVwY1qBNdMC6JqdLll1SbVaZWTsEDevM-9J6NiEIl7fHcdLB5AzMjUJftw9oWMynIXOpKw9bqJkJB2Fy4nM9n3wZOoV6AZM2SLNoiBozxbXouXBG_s9DlA/s1600/sparks+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg596hrtbdGgdReqZhhVwY1qBNdMC6JqdLll1SbVaZWTsEDevM-9J6NiEIl7fHcdLB5AzMjUJftw9oWMynIXOpKw9bqJkJB2Fy4nM9n3wZOoV6AZM2SLNoiBozxbXouXBG_s9DlA/s200/sparks+3.jpg" width="125" /></a>
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Ms. Sparks is an author with a ginormous sense of humor who inserts her own fandom of certain genres into surprising moments within her novels. Since I share the same appreciation and sense of fun, her books have always entertained me on various levels. The heroes and heroines are usually always vampires so you know there is a lot of biting. There are Highland warriors, French fencing experts and other paranormal beings that kept the <i>Love at Stake</i> series fresh, funny and addicting. Well, Howard was a bit different but he was lovable, adorable and was one of my favorite heroes. The series completed with Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire so new readers can binge-read to their hearts content. Ms. Sparks' books are and will continue to be, on my keeper shelf.
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4) <b>Lynsay Sands
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp72Bf-onhdwm82FG_QcbTG70BjFOTE5zmQPEetUcLcFBUlozFn3lP7MfOskSeugHOAOmEWLonClurO20zNe6kBMU5vDqmHyI-IWv1GMVXTjpYdTdBlOYai0_pLbFrwaiMU0a4Q/s1600/Sands+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="177" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp72Bf-onhdwm82FG_QcbTG70BjFOTE5zmQPEetUcLcFBUlozFn3lP7MfOskSeugHOAOmEWLonClurO20zNe6kBMU5vDqmHyI-IWv1GMVXTjpYdTdBlOYai0_pLbFrwaiMU0a4Q/s200/Sands+1.jpg" width="124" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrORR2VYFmqV7ILLEu8TNTR1Ku_PGMHAR6pzz31czzwnX7i8Nfrg_peD675wkFwCDypeQpWoKPzp27QI15jGQ6wqWxNtDVdondJnPVzQADbsTVNtYxnPlCFxIeYOX4rQS6jorJgA/s1600/Sands+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="210" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrORR2VYFmqV7ILLEu8TNTR1Ku_PGMHAR6pzz31czzwnX7i8Nfrg_peD675wkFwCDypeQpWoKPzp27QI15jGQ6wqWxNtDVdondJnPVzQADbsTVNtYxnPlCFxIeYOX4rQS6jorJgA/s200/Sands+2.jpg" width="131" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PwO2OhMxmiRsJh7-G7tr2r2FpafljlnZmhIbJTntWE3x1UpvklQqR7TrJpAJ_xZq-KxKq0NxEsarxFbXXraoAJggcL5-qFnG_bP7vvKhvS7CdyGjx9291-dl8GFYrqJwL1qBWg/s1600/Sands+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="279" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PwO2OhMxmiRsJh7-G7tr2r2FpafljlnZmhIbJTntWE3x1UpvklQqR7TrJpAJ_xZq-KxKq0NxEsarxFbXXraoAJggcL5-qFnG_bP7vvKhvS7CdyGjx9291-dl8GFYrqJwL1qBWg/s200/Sands+3.jpg" width="111" /></a>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: Center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: center; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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Ms. Sands made my previous post of Saturday 7 as one author who made me laugh. Well, she makes me sigh and swoon with her Immortal heroes, descendants from Atlantis. Of course they feed like vampires but they eat food too. How Ms. Sands incorporates eating food in her romances is unique, clever and important. However, it's when the romantic protagonists bite their love-to-be that things get really hot, steamy and very, very sexy. Her 27th book in her Argeneau series is coming out in March and I can't wait. She's managed to keep the series fresh and surprising and lately she's discovered a whole new aspect to explore with a new kind of villain to defeat - readers are in for fun and exciting times ahead.
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5) <b>Lydia Dare</b> & 6) <b>Terry Spear</b>
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Both authors do what I affectionately refer to as "wolfie romances'. I adore them. When those hot sexy, hot heroes bite you, you're mated and it's forever. A guaranteed love is the stuff of dreams, wishes and fantasy but it's an idea that's successfully seductive and thrilling. It's all on how it comes about - the pursuit and the claiming. ::swoon::
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7PShx0oog3txqAtIsoess1Pjr-nJouhqcq__yqpsMGCA6VbqI8ZfXFpt3td9MzCRLOMg9AsCrglzVDFolXJj9O3V1MsZPvYd1Uet8fzZKOsnkPjBR_Ad7kS3AmDvt9pr86JuMg/s1600/wolfie+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="505" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7PShx0oog3txqAtIsoess1Pjr-nJouhqcq__yqpsMGCA6VbqI8ZfXFpt3td9MzCRLOMg9AsCrglzVDFolXJj9O3V1MsZPvYd1Uet8fzZKOsnkPjBR_Ad7kS3AmDvt9pr86JuMg/s200/wolfie+2.png" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoqSUFgBGzvFNrpICS4SWfFTiYhC2NCPEsig7GeB-3z2plqhfT6Ev70ikMdA2sKS9aoNFD8tBluDmzTcAxGzPUbmHOF8CUhZODf05Zn8C3cHO8UrEOrKZJiGav7nXwxewA1pncA/s1600/wolfie+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="305" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoqSUFgBGzvFNrpICS4SWfFTiYhC2NCPEsig7GeB-3z2plqhfT6Ev70ikMdA2sKS9aoNFD8tBluDmzTcAxGzPUbmHOF8CUhZODf05Zn8C3cHO8UrEOrKZJiGav7nXwxewA1pncA/s200/wolfie+3.jpg" width="121" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTydBImY151mIrx5LUiE06zSu7pGbVq7nfqX6eZC37Pt1coLWTwd93EXgusS0kn6SsDTfiZ7Fbm9A9HmmdpCCwO6oELws1aoTyP0R0p5PwFOxwmBm9-dLdIZgP_hqHo_Tncemyeg/s1600/wolfie+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img a="" border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="304" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTydBImY151mIrx5LUiE06zSu7pGbVq7nfqX6eZC37Pt1coLWTwd93EXgusS0kn6SsDTfiZ7Fbm9A9HmmdpCCwO6oELws1aoTyP0R0p5PwFOxwmBm9-dLdIZgP_hqHo_Tncemyeg/s200/wolfie+4.jpg" width="121" />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3sg0WTW84nKZnrrnCnjOym_uVU9bZ1ffZbq68FahnHSKt58mDXiK7Jnn57QGe20h01GH3FtzkPd5_5HwcZfG2Dy8akBOS8gd79lhpLS6cJg6WZBIMvGgW_9JIF-Wh16mJ5qQMQ/s1600/Woflie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="305" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3sg0WTW84nKZnrrnCnjOym_uVU9bZ1ffZbq68FahnHSKt58mDXiK7Jnn57QGe20h01GH3FtzkPd5_5HwcZfG2Dy8akBOS8gd79lhpLS6cJg6WZBIMvGgW_9JIF-Wh16mJ5qQMQ/s200/Woflie+1.jpg" width="121" /></a>
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What's really cool is that two of the books have a tagline on the front cover from Long and Short Reviews. How cool is that??? Where do you think I go to find book recommends? :)
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Last but not least, <br />
7) <b>Dianne Duvall</b>
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This is an author that I've been avidly following for the past 5 years or so. Oh my gosh, this series is SO AMAZING! Yes, there is transformational biting within the novels of the <i>Immortal Guardian</i> series - 7 so far. Only heroines and heroes with a hidden element in their DNA can be turned. The why of it, the history, and the teasing possibilities, are still being slowly revealed. <br />
<br /> Ms. Duvall has me completely captivated. She has yet to write a story that doesn't suck me in 100%. If you've never heard of her and you are a fan of paranormal romances, then take my word for it, you're in for a treat. Of course it's my opinion but I am such a fan that I want everyone to fall in love with them too. The more readers, the more likely the author's publisher will continue to be supportive in Ms. Duvall's writing. The oldest of the Immortals HAVE to get their HEAs!! The only drawback, not that I truly consider it as one, is that each consecutive story builds on one another. You won't care about Seth or Darnell unless you've read from the beginning. And I care - greatly.<br />
<br /> There's drama, excitement, sword fights and an uber villain is just getting started causing major mayhem. When the heroes and heroines get together, their scenes are sexy, seductive and truly hot. <br />
<br /> Love, love, love this series!!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKkQwxFnb85NRGRcxD7G3S6k_13G-nxjb57WbQFhsKejDXWZPKycovMp0LgAJDt8fPYeC2FOLG-W5ht4I1q2_sy1IM-QeuYWw4sU_7H5RErk1UDENgZLU2RpXzqUk-olJG6Rzmg/s1600/IMM+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="186" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKkQwxFnb85NRGRcxD7G3S6k_13G-nxjb57WbQFhsKejDXWZPKycovMp0LgAJDt8fPYeC2FOLG-W5ht4I1q2_sy1IM-QeuYWw4sU_7H5RErk1UDENgZLU2RpXzqUk-olJG6Rzmg/s200/IMM+1.jpg" width="124" /></a>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12924401" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZaZjji5aU9Hbmu1te8msgcwIya7m5PujLgUa6mq45oY9YCWsJxqxi6K2VjJvJhyLErigiJ8kVu8zlrbbBstyVVMT9qYNQb2tTm1Qu6lp4b8zue_qS_2VCJtOPBImTnptt2RB6Q/s1600/IMM+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="186" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZaZjji5aU9Hbmu1te8msgcwIya7m5PujLgUa6mq45oY9YCWsJxqxi6K2VjJvJhyLErigiJ8kVu8zlrbbBstyVVMT9qYNQb2tTm1Qu6lp4b8zue_qS_2VCJtOPBImTnptt2RB6Q/s200/IMM+2.jpg" width="124" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW21zu3nsdmDzUIio6jcZqHz_JAAnbJMz9sRp04iPUJUDmyybRsTc8b7VHray1SGyQiAD0WcyDUyBD_0eEPBo90NrbTGmrZIBNHst7Nhuqrmgi7OSS74M0vYclrh3iLgI1LZjmQ/s1600/IMM+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-center: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="186" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW21zu3nsdmDzUIio6jcZqHz_JAAnbJMz9sRp04iPUJUDmyybRsTc8b7VHray1SGyQiAD0WcyDUyBD_0eEPBo90NrbTGmrZIBNHst7Nhuqrmgi7OSS74M0vYclrh3iLgI1LZjmQ/s200/IMM+3.jpg" width="124" /></a>
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I hope you enjoyed my Saturday 7 with Bite. All these authors are on my keeper shelf, with good reason. Many I have as print or hardcover books but I'm also getting ebook backups. Also, they have the distinction of having a high re-readability factor. Many people have movies that they'll watch again and again. I have books. Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-88145437300174835882018-01-06T11:02:00.003-05:002021-03-07T14:29:18.898-05:007 Authors Who Make Me Giggle or Snicker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to try something different. I'm going to actually participate in a meme. I've been a fan of LASR for a long time so this idea is pretty cool.<br />
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I thought about it and realized that humor is an important element for a few authors that are must reads for me. At least once during the novel it has to make me snort and snicker and even facepalm at various points in the story. The book most definitely has to make me break out in smiles, grins and giggles to one degree or another. <br />
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1) If I'm in need of zany, madcap and startled guffaws, then Sandra Hill is a sure bet. I adore her Vikings, both the ones that stay in the past and the time-traveling Vikings that make great navy SEALS, as well as her sexy Cajun heros. From language issues to Tante LuLu, every one of those books in those series has something to make me giggle out loud, no matter where I am.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7bfyjC4U-RcdVYJ9QXTE82b7tmj6mHdZayzihApi8k1SMIPdDlLoCiuZwHWpIgRdhJtZ2aZYzdSJHR2kvG9N3r5f9YVYWprqLuMWY2rNPgZzqPfTV-I4-IfcL9-jWHZutwp-BQ/s1600/CAJUN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7bfyjC4U-RcdVYJ9QXTE82b7tmj6mHdZayzihApi8k1SMIPdDlLoCiuZwHWpIgRdhJtZ2aZYzdSJHR2kvG9N3r5f9YVYWprqLuMWY2rNPgZzqPfTV-I4-IfcL9-jWHZutwp-BQ/s200/CAJUN.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7bfyjC4U-RcdVYJ9QXTE82b7tmj6mHdZayzihApi8k1SMIPdDlLoCiuZwHWpIgRdhJtZ2aZYzdSJHR2kvG9N3r5f9YVYWprqLuMWY2rNPgZzqPfTV-I4-IfcL9-jWHZutwp-BQ/s1600/CAJUN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7bfyjC4U-RcdVYJ9QXTE82b7tmj6mHdZayzihApi8k1SMIPdDlLoCiuZwHWpIgRdhJtZ2aZYzdSJHR2kvG9N3r5f9YVYWprqLuMWY2rNPgZzqPfTV-I4-IfcL9-jWHZutwp-BQ/s1600/CAJUN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7bfyjC4U-RcdVYJ9QXTE82b7tmj6mHdZayzihApi8k1SMIPdDlLoCiuZwHWpIgRdhJtZ2aZYzdSJHR2kvG9N3r5f9YVYWprqLuMWY2rNPgZzqPfTV-I4-IfcL9-jWHZutwp-BQ/s1600/CAJUN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7bfyjC4U-RcdVYJ9QXTE82b7tmj6mHdZayzihApi8k1SMIPdDlLoCiuZwHWpIgRdhJtZ2aZYzdSJHR2kvG9N3r5f9YVYWprqLuMWY2rNPgZzqPfTV-I4-IfcL9-jWHZutwp-BQ/s1600/CAJUN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<img alt="Image result for old sandra hill book covers" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSN-ozepvvSNZOUrGutdOR9Sh-2GJahORp9miJy4V2PtkK_W2_k" width="123" /><img alt="Image result for old sandra hill book covers" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpNCej5XEXrxeNjfCeUHoU9Qvbz_mYY9u8feFwKWCXpND0PfvHHA" width="121" /><img alt="Image result for old sandra hill book covers" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJCFSPFLXocAXu0Nfm3TwS2XitGk5k7qWw1yvrl9RKKC3fgMyE" width="125" /><br />
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2) I've been a huge fan of Lynsay Sands and her Argeneau series for years. Her humor is not always knee slapping but it fills me with happiness, grins, giggles and chortles. That kind of humor balances out some of the dark plot elements due to villians with bite issues. Ms. Sands also writes historical and contemporary stories so I always have plenty to choose from.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0iFS5s2EFWckOE79IxYK3yD_R0-v9n4KY3NnE03z-UJ0dofV8pwBhWwjMyPMs4_XYUGrzj8yR0QTf76agBF3WVO1MpNNxl2XVsoswXF37AQRM4n2yqR98uT5329M2Fjbgz-YlA/s1600/Lynsay+Sands.immortal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0iFS5s2EFWckOE79IxYK3yD_R0-v9n4KY3NnE03z-UJ0dofV8pwBhWwjMyPMs4_XYUGrzj8yR0QTf76agBF3WVO1MpNNxl2XVsoswXF37AQRM4n2yqR98uT5329M2Fjbgz-YlA/s200/Lynsay+Sands.immortal.jpg" width="123" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv_hRaASZ4S7_yE6R_4dSoQcuaW5fscqExbayD9FbOyuG6Gr9Jc3Hjo-OenZAsHWCpQIGkOWh9tOGvCFIm5WAcCKs7hIy9eW_xvIpJs7owoHh-s_tcNJ4lwmUdoi0vCpos0PlQg/s1600/Lynsay+Sands.bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv_hRaASZ4S7_yE6R_4dSoQcuaW5fscqExbayD9FbOyuG6Gr9Jc3Hjo-OenZAsHWCpQIGkOWh9tOGvCFIm5WAcCKs7hIy9eW_xvIpJs7owoHh-s_tcNJ4lwmUdoi0vCpos0PlQg/s200/Lynsay+Sands.bride.jpg" width="123" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv77KmtNdxjRNsKbKEvcqxuWSQX_2IQZbC5qTPBb2HgkzulnQH2k_NcP1X9lKuMg8LILuwvNXEJB6bq0hT-uVc_3quk7iUHHzWLo7ArgHT6AhKIvOmp31sjQ2ofWb0QSkZGdDBw/s1600/Lynsay+Sands.switch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv77KmtNdxjRNsKbKEvcqxuWSQX_2IQZbC5qTPBb2HgkzulnQH2k_NcP1X9lKuMg8LILuwvNXEJB6bq0hT-uVc_3quk7iUHHzWLo7ArgHT6AhKIvOmp31sjQ2ofWb0QSkZGdDBw/s200/Lynsay+Sands.switch.jpg" width="123" /></a>
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The Switch was HILARIOUS! I even got my sister to fall in love with it too!
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3) I've also been a fan of Nina Bangs for a long time - probably since 2005 when I used to visit her blog faithfully. She's a paranormal author who created a most unusual cast of characters. Poor Hogarth is a great sidekick because he's so dry and caustic - a great straightman. Every novel has something to smile about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm_G8Op8wUG2OpeoZ3VGtrzs1wq_VJOpFSN4JgYMpOQvpriaIBHzxYBqgVABEF-u74oSXxv_4t_Qf93z85Rc46dVBltERhEBW3lHVtinC5TKlyuMPMq5xKnd_cu062fHa4F91IA/s1600/Nina.Wicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="214" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm_G8Op8wUG2OpeoZ3VGtrzs1wq_VJOpFSN4JgYMpOQvpriaIBHzxYBqgVABEF-u74oSXxv_4t_Qf93z85Rc46dVBltERhEBW3lHVtinC5TKlyuMPMq5xKnd_cu062fHa4F91IA/s200/Nina.Wicked.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCc7kQxqX-vv7uFjYx_wvXf9F6C8BUDbDMU_DzVIsZvdVesdLKgFG-Xm7sswpx4X0g0g8BIxJrW5yWBTjFZZkSngYPwsvONlXlIwhtOWt3En3SKId84wxj6mS8a-xksL052FKvA/s1600/Nina.Edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCc7kQxqX-vv7uFjYx_wvXf9F6C8BUDbDMU_DzVIsZvdVesdLKgFG-Xm7sswpx4X0g0g8BIxJrW5yWBTjFZZkSngYPwsvONlXlIwhtOWt3En3SKId84wxj6mS8a-xksL052FKvA/s200/Nina.Edge.jpg" width="130" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmNN31Ap-rEUsRn0kARWaxFG6zeCxX84M-hBk9IQW5z_Sw0SL7BlT_N9McSSMYXTnSRi5wdhZazVvGKXoUuloIf_46pV-r20v8vTMsNbur0eTzqsfCLOlX6odQj8xCy43erbOaA/s1600/Nina.myWicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmNN31Ap-rEUsRn0kARWaxFG6zeCxX84M-hBk9IQW5z_Sw0SL7BlT_N9McSSMYXTnSRi5wdhZazVvGKXoUuloIf_46pV-r20v8vTMsNbur0eTzqsfCLOlX6odQj8xCy43erbOaA/s200/Nina.myWicked.jpg" width="132" /></a>.
<br />
Sparkle Stardust is fun to meet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4) Jill Shalvis - an author I was privileged to actually <a href="https://msfavsthgz.blogspot.com/2007/03/smart-and-sexy-says-it-all.html">interview </a>for my blog back in 2007 - has a sense of humor that never fails; her heroes and heroines always touch my emotions and most of them I would love to meet in real life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO3dArzS3GsLWZPM181jYaBiW-uMhJ0N6Id_jVPOAsk1AEzYHtpoUbqqJd6_NFuIHhDQ3ou4V-aXz3mZ74IGDs2TjJi6O03w_M3ry6904MvRlbQKRYwCLOSOy5FAGHt4TsMzeZA/s1600/Shalvis.Sexymistake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="175" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO3dArzS3GsLWZPM181jYaBiW-uMhJ0N6Id_jVPOAsk1AEzYHtpoUbqqJd6_NFuIHhDQ3ou4V-aXz3mZ74IGDs2TjJi6O03w_M3ry6904MvRlbQKRYwCLOSOy5FAGHt4TsMzeZA/s200/Shalvis.Sexymistake.jpg" width="121" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBsiCE5sEYT7j3lOyh9yDYb3XnF3VZLkeNxKUe1sYhsuqPbLID9zz2ITEwl_-QKbelxWR2Mqgod09fG-cH-PSpnDm4XdWYsslgjzg_kSmSsDhaf9ITiPy79JtC-xtc2a-W93gog/s1600/Shalvis.animal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="223" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBsiCE5sEYT7j3lOyh9yDYb3XnF3VZLkeNxKUe1sYhsuqPbLID9zz2ITEwl_-QKbelxWR2Mqgod09fG-cH-PSpnDm4XdWYsslgjzg_kSmSsDhaf9ITiPy79JtC-xtc2a-W93gog/s200/Shalvis.animal.jpg" width="123" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmDnW_-gV1Wtnpt-NqL4Aq5pVfpo6fwN5sgTpnFipDyY1g0V2LsU1sp1S8f4FWGai1k-YOmkoeTFeMx3_200dEoJQvF0q3CfU2XjwX866_m2d7AFs0V34bfA8-PAbXebC9w8hpA/s1600/Shalvis.luckyharbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmDnW_-gV1Wtnpt-NqL4Aq5pVfpo6fwN5sgTpnFipDyY1g0V2LsU1sp1S8f4FWGai1k-YOmkoeTFeMx3_200dEoJQvF0q3CfU2XjwX866_m2d7AFs0V34bfA8-PAbXebC9w8hpA/s200/Shalvis.luckyharbor.jpg" width="123" /></a>
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<br />
5) Sarah Morgan - Oh my gosh, am I ever a fan of hers. Her novels have me walking around with a sappy, happy smile on my face. Her books are so romantic and gentle and the humor is so lifelike and touching that I can't pass by a title of hers and not buy and read it. She's a solid writer who is a master of her craft. I might be surprised with an outright giggle here and there but no matter what, I know a smile is always in store for me. How did I find Ms. Morgan initially? Harlequin romances. She started off as my favorite brain candy and ended up being one of my go-to authors no matter what platform she writes in.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGRsEBirwb7Mz3lz61ZrXmOaYWj-rt0Gfyr6CFUTDkC5NKZ30sjTnfBEd6vSWUGTOuubclb4kGnCWFSZyfOaeSUiEbZdQ0JyI7wfcE2zqR69_bXxoV13W2R3BCWqECZlFOBX1sQ/s1600/Sarah.Sleigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="620" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGRsEBirwb7Mz3lz61ZrXmOaYWj-rt0Gfyr6CFUTDkC5NKZ30sjTnfBEd6vSWUGTOuubclb4kGnCWFSZyfOaeSUiEbZdQ0JyI7wfcE2zqR69_bXxoV13W2R3BCWqECZlFOBX1sQ/s200/Sarah.Sleigh.jpg" width="126" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlZi7FjMi-zjkvYXyeHpiaSPiESGL_3_eQZmSSkSHHUJHaPep_fPBHQVqGhEU8tQhSFnJAypuvbOFVIR3MgNDVsw-LKf-TZJeddj24Iz39u9QCvkToHwDIHEJMDyEqaj38_rZEA/s1600/Sarah.Sleepless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="178" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlZi7FjMi-zjkvYXyeHpiaSPiESGL_3_eQZmSSkSHHUJHaPep_fPBHQVqGhEU8tQhSFnJAypuvbOFVIR3MgNDVsw-LKf-TZJeddj24Iz39u9QCvkToHwDIHEJMDyEqaj38_rZEA/s200/Sarah.Sleepless.jpg" width="125" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuo8qMxfQaGj3Rd5fRUNAp7D4UFM6XNisGQ23_OmhtY7L0cSPa8ZtPJeW8q3IQDC4AihXhEHE4_4pihxm_8aAEjWFF8qddhMNH2CIkTCi1vg8VYy4o8q1YGaqmF8RH2iotJ3dJw/s1600/Sarah.Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: center; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuo8qMxfQaGj3Rd5fRUNAp7D4UFM6XNisGQ23_OmhtY7L0cSPa8ZtPJeW8q3IQDC4AihXhEHE4_4pihxm_8aAEjWFF8qddhMNH2CIkTCi1vg8VYy4o8q1YGaqmF8RH2iotJ3dJw/s200/Sarah.Greek.jpg" width="150" /></a>
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6) What list can possibly be perfect unless it includes books by Katie MacAlister. She writes in many genres but my favorite is paranormal. Her books can be an absolute gigglefest. As far as knee-slappers, uncontrollable fits of hilarity and true snort-worthy scenes, Ms. MacAlister gives Ms. Hill a run for the money when it comes to "the most giggles found in one book". Not all of her books are home runs in the snort category, but Ms. MacAlister comes darned close. If you can find one about the Renfest, grab it. I went to our local faire years ago not long after I'd read the book and I met a 'wench' who LOVED Ms. MacAlister's books so much, I think we talked over 30 minutes just comparing the funniest notes between the books we'd both read. Two strangers laughing hysterically in the middle of a Renfest about BOOKS! How cool is that?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVvJocCfdAFEFE06Ht9RusxJnA3q0keMqtdjhkX0VykSQsUlhaHGXi7x38439Ojb69z7iFSTcu1pgWhfuVuS-kuycucqcjthf3HXou51EBpQHNQc9qNyN4Of8oJJ2DHR31Cvj4Q/s1600/Katie.Harry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVvJocCfdAFEFE06Ht9RusxJnA3q0keMqtdjhkX0VykSQsUlhaHGXi7x38439Ojb69z7iFSTcu1pgWhfuVuS-kuycucqcjthf3HXou51EBpQHNQc9qNyN4Of8oJJ2DHR31Cvj4Q/s200/Katie.Harry.jpg" width="133" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOwaVUFPeUMeAZ-kT1g7jNQ6rMS7wR5EGxaLSyfIF094Bi6evurT6uxIHdWhmtuVD7CRBGtPO34T7eOufd69n_It1y2nuWA5-ewpMtVAyhIjMA4VRwhUPjt-i01K27bt6Beukgw/s1600/Katie.Knight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOwaVUFPeUMeAZ-kT1g7jNQ6rMS7wR5EGxaLSyfIF094Bi6evurT6uxIHdWhmtuVD7CRBGtPO34T7eOufd69n_It1y2nuWA5-ewpMtVAyhIjMA4VRwhUPjt-i01K27bt6Beukgw/s200/Katie.Knight.jpg" width="119" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkHPof20D1ul79j1AjxzpjjCJCr4dkAYmp3hnbhTs1vG1EDAJY6luIoYG4DkUYxDnKNoGTnY0DNBFtTvrcQvXIhm-IpZW7uAmGw8qYEcUMLrT5-KYdE1H0imWesgTESDztQaLFw/s1600/Katie.Smokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: center; margin-right: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="311" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkHPof20D1ul79j1AjxzpjjCJCr4dkAYmp3hnbhTs1vG1EDAJY6luIoYG4DkUYxDnKNoGTnY0DNBFtTvrcQvXIhm-IpZW7uAmGw8qYEcUMLrT5-KYdE1H0imWesgTESDztQaLFw/s200/Katie.Smokes.jpg" width="124" /></a>
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<br />
And finally
<br /> <br />
7) Jennifer Ashley - Her humor isn't hilarious in her novels but many have this happy vibe that pops out in unexpected ways. Her plots are emotionally meaty and have depth so when humor is exhibited between her characters it has this real feeling. It makes me smile or grin or just feel good. Sometimes feeling good is its own reward. I've read about the Mackenzie family (LOVE) and her paranormals (a bit on the dark side) but somewhere along the line, Ms. Ashley imbues her characters with a sometimes subtle humor that I can appreciate. She's well worth time spent in her worlds.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38mY8jaJ8XIINQ8399bMEln6rG6zNWieCOvJetKPRCj9fKSWJeWXe4PyEK3I5pC3d2-QIoM_Qh_qYqsaD3D072QTvm3HPbQCo2IIAHmxbx-EQMU-P6khdiw1cYC_ncL3bGIuqpw/s1600/Ashley.Ian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="251" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38mY8jaJ8XIINQ8399bMEln6rG6zNWieCOvJetKPRCj9fKSWJeWXe4PyEK3I5pC3d2-QIoM_Qh_qYqsaD3D072QTvm3HPbQCo2IIAHmxbx-EQMU-P6khdiw1cYC_ncL3bGIuqpw/s200/Ashley.Ian.jpg" width="128" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL71_1icYm4lyEfaXe-aNOgxhf-ScqjO1AwdMIpxuGaKA7d9LVBvGWfzC_nqVwI5AiOqMQRCBrMhMR9B0FN0RcOvQ31me9NOp3_hLz20rCzKhyOsPwp9Ipzzm5YxR1ihfCPa_cQ/s1600/ashley.tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL71_1icYm4lyEfaXe-aNOgxhf-ScqjO1AwdMIpxuGaKA7d9LVBvGWfzC_nqVwI5AiOqMQRCBrMhMR9B0FN0RcOvQ31me9NOp3_hLz20rCzKhyOsPwp9Ipzzm5YxR1ihfCPa_cQ/s200/ashley.tiger.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyt_UeOJuo5ZdVi4qkkc4n4O8-j7rGnO1j1Tl5ZFSQJ5JQv2vtQSxnp3DHxBeUadAjyzmbRmk1lmD4hWbdgjQjwcQK4tKqD292mv1d9TI-wWXa2k_kUCOQ1UVCLcFcKMCQZ-eTA/s1600/Ashley.Pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="310" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyt_UeOJuo5ZdVi4qkkc4n4O8-j7rGnO1j1Tl5ZFSQJ5JQv2vtQSxnp3DHxBeUadAjyzmbRmk1lmD4hWbdgjQjwcQK4tKqD292mv1d9TI-wWXa2k_kUCOQ1UVCLcFcKMCQZ-eTA/s200/Ashley.Pirate.jpg" width="123" /></a>
<br> <br>
So, am I the only one who enjoys some serious humor in her romances??
Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-10467970523283113442018-01-06T07:23:00.002-05:002018-01-06T07:28:54.231-05:00New Year's Resolutions That Aren't<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_zRNuAGyNz6WLsgC_S6H6k78jRgseA2QvJvu3rbUao1PN0jIGL-Mtv-8MBanzKbB4tazD_1a2wtZimKeaGyLni-srwf8AKiLXA7M9m2KfHv17Dk2C9RANY5d7LsQLEebMTIS2A/s1600/2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="480" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_zRNuAGyNz6WLsgC_S6H6k78jRgseA2QvJvu3rbUao1PN0jIGL-Mtv-8MBanzKbB4tazD_1a2wtZimKeaGyLni-srwf8AKiLXA7M9m2KfHv17Dk2C9RANY5d7LsQLEebMTIS2A/s320/2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Good grief.<br />
It's 2018 already and I didn't blog at ALL in a whole YEAR? What happened to my resolutions??<br />
<br />
Hmmm, well, the last one for 2017 was the hardest, as I thought it would be. However, I am still a lector at my church and I now co-teach Faith Formation classes (4th grade), otherwise known as CCD classes.<br />
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I didn't bake as much as I wanted to but I did bake more than 2016 so that's something.<br />
<br />
I did have a garden this year afterall! I was so excited to get a great many zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers. However, I had to fight an unknown plant assailant. It might have been a baby bunny, a chipmunk or a vole. I had a fence, and sonic mole stakes but it wasn't enough. I ended up using PVC pipes and pantyhose as part of my anti-critter arsenal. Once I did that, my plants finally had a chance to grow and produce.<br />
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As far as exercise? Totally laughable. The part of my body most exercised was my brain. I read a lot! Of course, since it's an addiction, that's easy to do.<br />
<br />
As far as 2018 resolutions, I don't think I should make any. I could make wishes ....lol<br />
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1) Bake more, eat less.<br />
2) Exercise once a week (it doesn't sound like a lot but believe me, for me? It is. Sad that.)<br />
3) Blog more than once this year. Today's post doesn't count.<br />
4) Use nail polish more often<br />
5) See my IRL friends more often<br />
6) Go on a couple of nature walks while not forgetting my camera<br />
7) Make French Onion soup. In all my years, I've never tried and I really want to.<br />
8) See more than 1 movie a year - maybe see 2!<br />
9) Try growing Pattypan squash again - on purpose. I bought one last year and had NO idea what it was and when I saw this odd looking thing, I had no idea what to do with it. After YouTube searches there will be a serious hunt to get another plant or two - on purpose instead of accidental.<br />
10) Find more easy Crock Pot recipes<br />
11) Try a new exotic veggie - that means actually preparing and eating - not look at it and take pictures.<br />
12) Organize my Keeper Shelf.<br />
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So there are my personal wishes, one a month for 2018. If half of those 'wishes' come true, I'll feel moderately accomplished.<br />
<br />
Now, off to explore the world of essential oils. It's a great unknown but promises to be scentastic. ;)<br />
<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-13079096431377842462017-01-01T15:17:00.000-05:002017-01-01T15:17:15.090-05:002017 Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQuqwoHeGUjOqrikz8MN1HK3PILiI2154mg-Bc9-_Z7CZoYl9nJLwqv96O_fRToe0no950IYwveKibcDn-iQ3LxP-pD4rWauxSEg2lKhtqc1UNPGHaa-ib8vMjTANybwrGqGGVw/s1600/2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQuqwoHeGUjOqrikz8MN1HK3PILiI2154mg-Bc9-_Z7CZoYl9nJLwqv96O_fRToe0no950IYwveKibcDn-iQ3LxP-pD4rWauxSEg2lKhtqc1UNPGHaa-ib8vMjTANybwrGqGGVw/s200/2017.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
A new year = new promises to oneself.<br />
<br />
This year I am going to keep those goals simple.<br />
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I want to bake more. At least twice a month instead of twice every 6 months.<br />
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I want to exercise more - not to lose some ridiculous amount of poundage, but to increase lung capacity.<br />
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I actually want to share more on my blog because it's the only place that seems to allow freedom of expression without being 'unfriended' for the silliest of things. You know, like having an opinion?<br />
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I want to have a garden this year. ( I refuse to consider that we'll have another drought)<br />
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Last but not least, I want to love my God more, remember to thank Him more often, and pray more often.<br />
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The saddest thing? The last promise will be the most challenging to keep. It's also the one that means the most. Interesting dichotomy, don't you think?<br />
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Anyway, <b>Happy 2017</b>!!<br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12924401.post-56172068195483914402016-11-27T10:51:00.000-05:002016-11-30T14:28:16.985-05:00Romancing the DemonThere's been an uptick of using Christian beliefs as a fantasy world. <br />
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Angels lose their wings because they've succumbed to the lust of a human woman. </div>
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Demons being redeemed or seen as heroes and acting like any normal guy with regular needs, with a few interesting appendages complicating things. </div>
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I understand that authors take poetic license; it's free speech after all. However, the stories of the Bible come from a world with the lines specifically drawn. </div>
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Some of the best stories come from writers who think outside the box and challenge longheld or current beliefs. I give credit where credit is due. </div>
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For those that are stronger in their faith, this manipulation of their basic tenets and understanding of their faith, and the romancing of evil, is a bit hard to swallow. I highly doubt that a certain other religion would tolerate such a desecration of their beliefs. In fact, they kill people for less. So, why do folks seem to think it's okay to treat the Christian faith with a cavalier manner? Well, we certainly won't rise up and do harm - well, we shouldn't. There are extremes in <i>any </i>form of human decision. I suppose, if authors do any level of research, and they're ... undecided, perhaps a kernel of spiritual truth will find fertile ground and some day bear fruit. Therefore, not pouncing and making a big deal out of it could be viewed as a passive form of preaching. If there's something worth exploring and writing about, conceivably there's a possibility that conversion of souls can take place. They're being exposed to the Lord. If it makes someone curious about real Christian practices and beliefs, then something good can come of it. The Lord's work is accomplished by using people, tools and options most cannot even guess at, and not all of them are through "perfect" means, because, absolute perfection does not exist on this earth. We're all sinners.</div>
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I have drawn my personal line in the sand when anyone writes Lucifer as a being with feelings, with normal human lust and emotions and connections. First, he was an angel and angels were never, ever human. He's the total absence of God, he's the darkest dark, and the instigator of the worst parts of the human condition; the destructor and violator of souls. Not only is he not human but he's not redeemable nor something to trifle with. He's Sauron's worst nightmare, Freddy Krueger is a novice in comparison, and the human mind simply cannot fathom the depths of wrongness that is Lucifer. So to romanticize him, make him act, talk or yearn for things as a human male would is, frankly, abhorrent to me. </div>
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If they want to use the premise of angels and demons, take them out of this world, make them aliens, a different dimension and/or write it under the sci-fi/fantasy genre and disassociate it from the Christianity that is practiced here on earth. Use Greek or Roman mythology, like Hades or Pluto, instead of something that is alive and real.</div>
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I practice a lot of 'willing suspension of disbelief' when I read, but when it comes to my religion, I'm unwilling to compromise and suspend my beliefs for the sake of enjoyment. The beauty, strength, grace, forgiveness and love of my God is not something I'll ever be willing to suspend, even for a book written by a favorite author. </div>
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For me, romancing demons and the devil is not an option. </div>
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08573730655117969888noreply@blogger.com0