Anecdotal - Vitamin D

 

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. 

Here's the anecdotal part of my story. 

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. 

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!"

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.

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!"

I was so pleased I was able to make a difference, that I could help. 

"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!"

So, there you go. More proof that it works; taking Vitamin D can make a difference in your mood, concentration and energy levels.  

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. 

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.

Ian Mackenzie Ear Swoon Report

I am still aglow.
I am sad that it's over.
I continue with the adoration of the novel, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (you know, the one written by Jennifer Ashley).
My ears have now joined my eyes and brain as fans of Ian and if ears could swoon, mine would have.

It's all thanks to the incredible talents of narrator, Angela Dawe

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, indeed, if ears could swoon, mine would have. If anyone were to ask me if buying this audio version of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie would be worth it, I wouldn't hesitate to say YES! Yes, yes yes. I was happy reading the book 10 years ago and I'm even more thrilled from listening to it today.

A huge THANK YOU 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.

That Doesn't Turn Me On!

 Back to the book life. 

Back to reading blurbs and trying to find one that catches my eye, piques my interest and makes me want to check it out. 

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. 

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. 

What can't I stand? Here's a few examples:

critically acclaimed

critically acclaimed author 

surrounded by secrets and heartache

and its dark secrets.

 the secret she's been keeping is revealed.

world of scandal, secrets and desire.

 and the secrets that tear them apart.

a secret that could destroy their fragile relationship.

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'.   

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, or the supporting cast 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.

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. 

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. 

Yes, I'm opinionated. But I think you know that already. 

The Difference in My Life from 2019 vs. 2020 - An Observation

The difference between years 2019 and 2020 at my workplace is marked.

I work for a great place. Its product helped out so many once the reality of remote learning became established.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

Revisiting Ian

 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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!

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.  

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 'romance'.  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. ❤

    

I've Got the Whole World in My Ears

What am I talking about?  Yes, Audio Books, again. 😊

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 listened to 16 books in the Heart series on Audible. 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 Heart Mate and I was hooked. 

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. 

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 podcast with Mr. Levine. 

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.

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. 

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. 

The list of books in the Heart series can be found via this link to Robin D. Owen's blog, here.  There are a lot. 

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. 

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?

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. 

 

Illusion Town Audio

 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. 

This one is called Illusion Town. 

This audio book is also narrated by Barbara Rosenblat and I am a very happy listener. I like her vocal style. 

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. 

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 Illusion Town 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 Illusion Town. 

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. 

The difference between this book and the one I reviewed yesterday is the humor. There is less in Illusion Town 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. 

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!  :) 

Audio books are my new favorite things and I had to share. 

 

Audio Perfection

 I'm a very happy ... listener.

I read this book in 2015 but listening to it in the audio version was like discovering it anew. 

The narrator, Barbara Rosenblat, read Siren's Call by Jayne Castle. It's she who made the experience extra special. 

 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. 

I really enjoyed listening to Ms. Rosenblat's narration and I searched for a sample to share and I found it, Here.

Ella's dust-bunny partner, 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.

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. 

I adored Siren's Call in 2015 in print. In 2020, the adoration continues. 😊

What Grabbed My Attention

I know I've been absent from the Saturday Seven - I needed a bit of time to come up with something to write about.

It's not always easy to find a different angle that has yet to be done. I think I might have found it.

As you've probably guessed from my previous posts, I have a HUGE bent towards the paranormal, fantastical and fantasy.

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.

This first book to pop into my head was How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire 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!



This book broke my rules of not making decisions based on a cover. Karen Marie Moning's Kiss of the Highlander 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.

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.

For this next book, Undead and Unemployed, 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.

The next book that grabbed me wasn't based on the title or cover but the synopsis. Slave - The Cat Star Chronicles 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.


And then there was this, Pooka in my Pantry by R.L. Naquin. How could I pass up a title like that? How about the first book, Monster in my Closet? Then came Fairies in my Fireplace. 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.

An unusual book caught my eye one day, Infected: Prey (Infected, #1) by Andrea Speed. 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.

Last but not least was this title that grabbed me, Size Matters by Robyn Peterman. 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 Size Matters did.

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.

What about you? What's your favorite hook?

Oh, and please visit the other contributors to the Saturday 7 - it's a great way to discover new reads!!!

The Black Holes of Romance Books

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.

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! The black holes of romance.

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 black hole.

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 black hole when it comes to romance stories.

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 black hole.

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 black hole moment.

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 black hole.

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 black hole.

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 black hole-worthy.

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 black hole in romance isn't as deep as I thought.

Make a Movie!!

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**

1)   My very first major book that I was enamored with was read in high school, Dune 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. Starlog Magazine, 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??

2)   Another book that made a great movie was The Day After Tomorrow. 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.

3)  Then there was Krull. 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.

4)  Now, I've heard rumors that finally, FINALY the Dragonriders of Pern 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!

5)  A movie that SHOULD be made would be based on Sarah Morgan's Sleigh Bells in the Snow (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!!!

6)  A novel that was made into a movie recently that totally surprised me was The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit 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!!!

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 TWENTY YEARS. 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.

At least with today's Saturday Seven, I'm not 100% paranormal. Sort of. **wink**

Please see today's Saturday Seven at LASR to see everyone else's great posts today!

Thanks for visiting. :)

My Leading Men

Good morning!

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

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.

Lothaire (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

                         

Seth 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. 

                                                                   

Rogan 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!

                                                                   

       

Lucien Argeneau 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.

                                                   

Gregori, the Dark One 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.
                                               

Vlad.  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. 

                                                                     

Ian MacKenzie 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.
   
                                                           

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. ;)

Who is yours?

If you want to see the place that created the Saturday Seven, go here.

The Appealing Oddness of Paranormal Romances

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.
                                                 

 

1) Worldbuilding - whether it be Lynsay Sands, Kerrilynn Sparks, Terry Spear, Dianne Duvall, Jennifer Ashley, Robin D. Owens, Gena Showalter, Christine Feehan, Nina Bangs, Ilona Andrews, Erin M. Leaf, Sandra Hill, Alanea Alder, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, Jayne Castle, Alexandra Ivy, R.E. Butler 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.

2) Being surprised. 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 Cheryl Brooks. Those first few books in the series contained lots of surprises.

3) The claiming. 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 hoping 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.

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.

                                         

4) Meeting non-humans. This is where an author's creativity can shine. Can gargoyles, dragons, elves, fairies, were-wolves-cats-bears-rabbits 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.

5) Sex. 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.

6) Alien landscapes and cultures - 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 Elsa Jade 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.
                                                         

 

7) Pure romantic escapism - 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.


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.

Now I get to ask you. Of my 7, which one speaks the most to you? Do we have anything in common?

This post is due in large part to Long and Short Reviews - 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.