Last Day for Reading Material

I read a variety of books, but it would't be fair to end this week without pointing out the first author who hooked me on Urban Fantasy and Dark Fantasy.  Laurell K Hamilon.

Bestseller Hamilton's Anita Blake, police consultant, executioner, necromancer, private eye and wereleopard protector, returns in her amorous 10th adventure, driven more by conflicting desires for the lovers she neglected in her last outing, Obsidian Butterfly (2000), than by the urge to solve any mystery. Once again, in a world where vampires and werecreatures are protected by law, Blake attempts to resolve her libido's constant crisis. Plunged into the netherworld of a leather D/S (dominant/submissive) bar, Narcissus in Chains, by the abduction of one of her inherited wereleopards, Blake finds herself deep into shapeshifter politics and a were creature power struggle that is all a metaphor for her own inner struggle. Whom should she choose werewolf Richard or vampire Jean-Claude? Or should she take a new lover? Who cares? Blake is eventually infected by the "ardeur" from the vampire clan and tinged with shapeshifting abilities from the were clan. As she becomes more like the fantastic creatures she protects or kills, she, alas, doesn't get any more interesting as a character. Her obsessions with lust serve mainly to overwhelm a rickety plot. Blake needs to put her clothes back on and get back to work. Too much flesh and not enough plot leads to the old but so true saying, "Less is more." (Oct. 9) Forecast: With a 15-city author tour and 100,000 first printing, this should be as successful saleswise as previous books in the series.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

(I chose book 10 from the series because it was the first one I read.  It was easy to leap into her world and delight in her characters.  I've bought the complete series since then, but this 10th book impacted me like none other.) 

Laurell K. Hamilton revitalized vampires, werewolves, and zombies in the popular Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter books. In this new series, she updates faeries. A Kiss of Shadows introduces Merry Gentry, a.k.a. Meredith NicEssus, a faerie princess of the Unseelie Court, where politics is a blood sport. Merry, who's part sidhe (elvish), part brownie, and part human, never really fit in. She's short, not skilled in offensive magic, and mortal because of her human blood. These are real liabilities when your family, especially aunt Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness, is out to kill you. Merry has been in hiding for three years, living in Los Angeles and working for the Grey Detective Agency, which specializes in "supernatural problems, magical solutions." A new case sets her against a man who uses forbidden magic to seduce fey women and drain their power. A plan to trap him goes awry and Merry's cover is blown. Now Andais knows where she is. But things have changed in Andais's court, and Merry is changing too.

Despite the selkies, brownies, goblins, and ogres in this book, it's not for children. The fey are "creatures of the senses"--and in the Unseelie court, sex and pain go together. Merry is sexually adventurous and surrounded by gorgeous, powerful males, most of whom want her badly. She's politically savvy and no coward, though she's not the warrior Anita is. Hamilton fans and readers of adult fairy tales like Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy will want to give Merry a look. --Nona Vero --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


(Erotica has nothing on this.  Merry Gentry has to have sex with everybody until she gets pregnant.  Only then can she be monogomous and claim her king.  Can you say big slut?  The stories are actually good.  I like Doyle and Frost.  I have half of this series.)


I hope everyone has enjoyed by reading material.  There is plenty more but that'll be it for the week. I admire each and every one of these authors.  Their technique and love of the art should be emulated by all of us. 

Happy Writing everyone!!!  See you next week.

Let's talk about sex. Come on, you can do it.

Sex or no sex? How about it blogger buddies?

Donna Weaver has brought up an interesting question in my last post about favorite romance reading material, and I felt myself compelled to share it with you guys. This does not only apply to romance but fantasy, science fiction, etc.

Should a book contain sex? If so, should it be explicit? Or, do you feel it robs from the story, interferes with the plot? In today's society sex is second nature.

The way I see it there are two extremes in writing.

1. Window steaming sex that has the characters climbing up walls to achieve desired climax...somebody turn on the fan, it's getting hot in here.

2. Subtle kissing, lights go off, leave the keys on the table in the morning while you're walking out the door so that we get the gist of what you did.

Which would you rather read, if any? Does the sex matter if the plot is good?

I have sex...LOL...that is to say that I have incorporated sex into my writing. Some is subtle, some explicit. In the world and with the characaters I've created it works for them.

I have also posed this question to the people I work with. So far Romance readers here are voting for sex, hotter the better. Those who read other genres really don't seem to care as long as the story is good.

Reading Material 4

I love a good Romance.  There are three authors in particular that in my book know how to deliver.  The first is Lisa Kleypas.  I'm going to choose just one of her books.  This one is pard of her seasonal series.

Bestseller Kleypas's latest begins with the rake Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, striking a deal with Evangeline Jenner, the stuttering daughter of a sickly club owner whose uncle is plotting to marry her to a cousin, kill her and take her father's money. Evangeline offers up her future inheritance to Sebastian in exchange for the protection of marriage and assistance in seeing her father before he dies. They embark for Scotland, where they have a hasty marriage. Despite their mutual mistrust, they forge a tentative bond, but Sebastian is alarmed by his powerful reaction to the consummation, while Evie tries to defy her feelings for this "muff-chaser." After Evie's father dies, Sebastian takes an interest in the club, and while reforming it, Evie challenges him to a three-month celibacy bet before she'll bed him again. The suspicious newlyweds fight growing passion and frustration while a mysterious villain makes attempts on Evie's life. Kleypas's fans will appreciate the high action and scintillating twists and trysts.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


(This is a great read.  Sebastian is too hot.)



My second favorite Romance author is Stephaine Laurens.  I've chosen to list book one of the Cynster series because it's the one that made me fall in love with her books.



Governess Honoria Wetherby is determined not to marry; she plans to have adventures among the Egyptian pyramids in lieu of wedding a controlling husband. But even the best-laid plans can run afoul of luck and outrageous fortune, as is fatefully proven one stormy evening when Honoria happens upon a dying young man in the woods. After passing the night in a cottage alone with the corpse and his cousin, the rakish and very much alive Devil Cynster, it's decided--by the handsome rake--that Honoria has been compromised by the unchaperoned evening and the only remedy is to marry. Despite her flat refusal, Devil is determined to have the beautiful and feisty governess; his family is overjoyed that he's finally planning to marry. But Devil definitely has his work cut out for him as he attempts to convince Honoria to wed him and forego her plans for adventure. Luring Honoria to the altar is further complicated when she insists upon aiding him in the search for his cousin's killer. Which will Devil accomplish first: seducing Honoria or unveiling a murderer? Or will Honoria foil the first plan and solve the second before Devil can?
Devil's Bride is the first of several novels by Laurens that feature the members of the noble Cynster family in Regency England. The larger-than-life hero is bold, brave, daring, and determined and meets his perfect match in the heroine, who is plucky, intelligent, practical, and wise. Lush sensuality, deft plotting, and charming secondary characters make this novel a stellar beginning for the Bar Cynster series. --Lois Faye Dyer

(Devil Cynster is to die for.)


My third favorite Romance author is Julia Quinn.  Now, she's not as sexually explicit as the other two writers, but she weaves a lovely tale.  Her stories are loaded with rich plot and enticing characters.  I have been entertained.



Penelope Featherington fell madly, hopelessly in love with Colin Bridgerton two days before her 16th birthday. Unfortunately, Colin has always seen Penelope as the plump, shy best friend of his younger sister. By the time Penelope is 28 and a seasoned member of the English ton, she's accepted that her love for Colin is destined to remain unrequited and she shall be a spinster forever. Fate, however, has other plans. When Lady Whistledown's Society Papers announce that Colin has returned from his nearly nonstop travels, Penelope is blissfully unaware that her life is about to change dramatically. Colin is equally unaware of the turn his life is about to take. He's not surprised that his beloved mother is determined to marry him off, but he's rather astonished to find himself inexplicably drawn to Penelope. Her dry wit and intelligent mind are delightful, and Colin soon finds himself joining forces with her to deflect his matchmaking mama's good intentions. Together, the two will thwart their mothers' iron wills, face the formidable Lady Danbury, confront the gossips of London society, and resolve the lovely dilemma of falling in love. And, oh yes, there is that matter of the true identity of Lady Whistledown. Will the twosome unmask the elusive journalist? Or will their efforts be doomed to failure like so many others' before?
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton continues author Julia Quinn's wildly popular series of Regency historicals featuring the Bridgerton family, The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and An Offer from a Gentleman. True, the novel possesses all that we've come to expect from Quinn, including deft plotting, witty repartee, a faultless Regency setting, and expert characterization. But perhaps the book's most pleasing facet is Quinn's quietly nuanced handling of the hero's and the heroine's internal growth, which is furthered by their blooming relationship. They're two strong individuals made stronger by their bond. Now that's love. --Lois Faye Dyer


(I usually focus on the hero, but in this case Penelope takes the show.)

Stay tuned tomorrow.

Visual Blog

　

　

Attention fellow bloggers. Since I'm forcing you all to endure my reading material this week, I thought it would be fun to take a moment and post my version of a visual blog. Besides, I wouldn't be me if I didn't try to entertain you at least once. I practice photography as a hobby, and I so wish I would have taken this picture.

Who says nature doesn't have a sense of humor?

Ay, get off my rock!!!

　

I'm sure you all have experienced these visual blogs. Every artist draws emotion from pondering a picture.

Man: He decided to scale a mountain so he could say he performed a spectacular feat. Little did he know he'd happen upon the seagull's nest. The red helmet he wore to be spotted from the ground did nothing to help him blend in. He has peed his pants and a little extra for good measures. Shaking out his leg isn't doing the trick. He is currently cursing out the birds. How do we help this guy break free? What would you do in his place?

Seagulls: For years they've lived on the meager rations of man. The occasional bread crumb or potato chip has long since failed to hit the spot. Now, in a secluded spot provided by nature they can finally feed on human elixir.

"Pull harder, or we'll have to move the nest."

So tell me what you're feeling. Fear? Tender cozy appreciation for birds?

This would make a great ride at a water park?

Someone toss the little peckers a piece of bread and be done with it?

　

  

Reading Material 3

When I first picked up a copy of Silver Wolf, I thought it was an enchanting tale.   Not only is it loaded with historical facts, the author throws werewolves and ghosts into the equation.  When Regeane finally meets Maeniel, the grey wolf, sparks fly.  I have to say that their affection and loyalty toward each other touched my heart, so I had to buy the next two books of the series.  Silver Wolf is still by far the best. 






Regeane is a fatherless royal relation who happens to be a werewolf. Her guardian, Gundabald, and his venal son Hugo plan to recoup their fortunes by marrying Regeane to a wealthy bridegroom, even though she might inadvertently make him into a bedtime snack. Gundabald forces her into apparent compliance by threatening to reveal her secret to the Church, which would burn her at the stake. As the bridegroom, Maeniel, journeys to Rome to claim her, Regeane discovers allies in her quest to defeat Gundabald's machinations, including some very strong, funny, and levelheaded women. Unfortunately for Regeane, she also has more powerful enemies than Gundabald.
Alice Borchardt brings 8th-century Rome vividly to life. Her language is earthy and sensuously descriptive: "The wolf visited Regeane's eyes and ears. The girl staggered slightly with the shock. The light in the square became intense. Smells an overwhelming experience: wet stone, damp air, musty clothing, perspirations shading from ancient sticky filth to fresh acrid adrenal alarm."
Borchardt is Anne Rice's sister, but she writes a very different sort of tale. Ghosts, the dead, and supernatural forces are here, but so is laugh-out-loud humor and a happy ending. --Nona Vero --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.





Night of the Wolf interweaves a tale of the Roman Empire with magic, romance, and--lycanthropy. It follows The Silver Wolf, Alice Borchardt's absorbing story of the coming of age of a young woman who must learn to control and enjoy her wild side within the exotic setting of decadent Rome. This sequel begins by focusing on a mysterious figure from The Silver Wolf, Maeniel, a wolf who must contend with being a part-time human. Some of the other characters are magical in their own ways, such as Dryas, a warrior queen and priestess of the Caledoni. Others are resolutely human, such as Lucius, a Roman noble who finds himself at the mercy of Caesar and Cleopatra. Maeniel gradually begins to understand the quirks of human nature and in time finds that all roads lead to Rome, where Caesar's life is in the hands of Maeniel and his allies. With an adventurous plot, an unusual historical background, and a large helping of steamy sex scenes, this series should be much to the taste of fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon or Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. --Blaise Selby --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title




Alice Borchardt writes at least as well as her sister does--and her sister is Anne Rice. The Wolf King is the third in her series of alternate history novels with shape-shifting protagonists, following The Silver Wolf and Night of the Wolf. Reading the first two adds to the reader's understanding of the characters, though it's not required.
Borchardt mixes fantasy, horror, romance, suspense, action-adventure, political intrigue, and realistic evocation of Italy in the late eighth century. She uses lyrical descriptive passages to set scenes and immerse the reader in her characters' experiences. When a runaway Saxon slave rescues Regeane, the silver wolf, from a deadly blizzard, "the wind was howling around him and the world was sinking into a cold, gray blueness as the sun set somewhere beyond the clouds." He wraps her in his flea-harboring bearskin, reflecting that "this girl didn't have nearly the healthy temperature he did; maybe the little bastards would die. At any rate, the extermination of his vermin companions was the only benefit he was likely to derive from this particular adventure." He's wrong about that.
Regeane is Maeniel's mate (he's the long-lived werewolf leader of the pack, whose earlier life was featured in Night of the Wolf). Once thawed, Regeane confronts a demented abbot and a gang of (literal) cutthroats to save him. The werewolves and the Saxon head for Geneva to pledge allegiance to Charlemagne, who's about to cross the Alps to challenge King Desederius of the Lombards for control of northern and central Italy.
Soon Maeniel is in Desederius's territory and in danger. Regeane follows, despite his prohibition. They're fated to reencounter Regeane's sniveling cousin Hugo, who seeks revenge. He has become host to a powerful bear spirit who wants the wolves for his own purposes. The new Hugo has a lot in common with the Steve Martin/Lily Tomlin character in All of Me; he provides comic leavening to the sometimes grim action. Other returning characters include Pope Hadrian's tough, practical, but vulnerable mistress Lucilla; her protégé, the singer Dulcinia; and the ageless werewolf earth-mother Matrona.
The Wolf King's almost-too-rich plot lines, characters, and mixed Teutonic, Roman, and Christian mythic elements may overwhelm those new to Borchardt's alternate Dark Ages. The story also ends abruptly--leaving plenty of room for sequels. --Nona Vero --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


Stay tuned tomorrow.

Reading Material 2

Last time I went on an airplane I took three books with  me.  I've probably read them tons of times before, but they continue to entertain me.  These are easy reads for those who can't resist a little Paranormal Romance.




Two hundred years after the Raintree clan defeated them, the Anzara wizards are rising again to take on bitterest foes.  As king, it's up to Dante Raintree to protect his clan, but his heart--and maybe his loyalties--may be fatally divided when Lorna Clay walks into his life.  Suddenly fire, always his to control, defeats him, taking with it his livelihood.  Unsure whether Lorna is to blame yet unable to walk away from her, Dante faces the fight of his lifetime, a fight even his strength and that of the Raintree clan may  not be enought to win.

(Lorna also has special powers.  Dante is a bit hardheaded to begin with, but he comes around.)











Their name is Raintree. It's more than a last name; more than a notation on a family tree. It's a mark of destiny. Each family member has a special gift, an otherworldly talent. Gideon Raintree, a homicide detective, can harness electricity and talk to ghosts. He will need to wield gifts he's kept hidden to solve his newest case -- a relentless serial killer unleashed by the dark Ansara wizards. But first he must deal with his reaction to Hope Malory, his alluring new partner. He'd never planned on love in the midst of battle. With evil lurking at every turn, Gideon and Hope are in a race against time to save their love, their family...and their newly conceived child.

"A love story, a mystery, an adventure -- Haunted has it all, and the plot moves at a lightning pace. Linda Winstead Jones has a magic touch with paranormal, and, yes, the pun is intended" --New York Times bestselling author, Linda Howard

(I liked Gideon.  He's softer than his brother.  As for Hope, although she's a gutsy detective, she's got no powers.  The ghost girl, Gideon's daughter, was a nice touch.)








War with their archrival, the evil Ansara clan, is unavoidable. For Mercy Raintree, a war means she must assume her position as guardian of the Sanctuary—the sacred Raintree home place deep in the Smoky Mountains. But doing so threatens to disclose her most prized secret—one Mercy has kept to herself for six years.

As the solstice looms and the battle heats up, Dranir Judah Ansara gathers his forces, intending to wipe every Raintree from the face of the land. Including Mercy, whom he's claimed as his to kill. Then he comes face-to-face with her—and with her daughter, Eve. Will Mercy's closely guarded secret change not only the outcome of the battle—but also Judah's own bitter heart?


(This was my favorite of the three.  Judah is hot. He's like a beast.  Mercy is his complete opposite, although more powerful than her brothers.  Their daughter is adorable.  It really has a beautiful ending.)

Have a great day!

Reading Material

Good morning all.  I'm a little late in posting today.  It's called sleeping in.  A weekend of non-stop activity tends to have that effect on me...specially when I take a Monday off.  Hurray!!

This week I thought it would be a little fun to share with all of you my favorite reads.  I couldn't possibly go on vacation and not take a book along.  That's just plain wrong.

When I first started writing, I purchased several books in different genres just to see where I fit the best.  Saturday, I grabbed one off  the shelf so I could sit and read it on the bus amid 35 or so people.  I'd never read this book before, but I cringe if I find something on my shelf that's unread.

Seductions: Tales of Erotic Persuasion.

See, at one time I thought the sex scenes in my books were so hot they belonged on the erotica shelf.  I have nothing against erotica, but it's not what I'd like to write.  I've smoothed things out a lot since then, and althought I've only  made it through half the book, I have to say it's rather tasteful.  Like all erotica it is definitely meant for one purpose, to get people hot and bothered.  That's okay, and I can most certainly find humor of reading it in a bus full of strangers.  In honor of naughty erotica, I couldn't resist sharing a story.

Funny Story Ahead:

That's right.  It's a hand.

This is actually a cute story, but I laughed for a good ten minutes.  Be it far from me to ignore a good opportunity for laughter.

To make time pass on a bus trip we play games.  Each person eventually wins a prize.  I'm friends with the guy who sets up the trips, and he couldn't resist running to the front of the bus and sharing this story with me and my hubby.

See, we played a game of fill in the blanks with baseball trivia, which I failed miserably.  He carried a large box filled with prizes around the bus.  Everyone picked something out.  When he made it to the back of the bus to an elderly couple, the sweet old lady dug into the box and pulled out the above plastic hand.  It was a keychain. 

After thoroughly inspecting it, she puts it back in the box and says, "No, I don't want it."

"Are you sure?" my friend asked.

Her husband nodded curtly and said, "I already have one of those handjob things at home."

....^-^.....  Sometimes you just gotta love people.

See ya all tomorrow.