Please, sir. I want some more blogs.

I'm doing the blog hop again. Jennifer at Crazy for Books came up with this great idea for like-minded book readers to come across one another's blogs. Good times* to follow.

*dancing is optional ;)

Free Comic Book Day!

Quote of the day:

"Nobody who has not spent a whole sunny afternoon under his bed rereading a pile of comics left over from the previous holidays has any real idea of the meaning of intellectual freedom."

- Peter M. Dickinson

Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day, where participating comic book stores all over North America and around the world hand out free comic books (or sell them for a low, low price - this often involves proceeds going to charity).

Take your kids. Take your selves.

Click here to find a Comic Book Store near you. If you do attend, I'd love to hear back from you about what the lines were like. There is one I have my eye on. Hint: Cassandra Clare (The Stuff of Legend).

Rules of Attraction Book Review

I blame Simone. Its 100% her fault. What can I say? She writes a great book. That's right, folks. I went out and bought Rules of Attraction. In hard cover. And read it in 1.5 evenings. Just look at the cover. Doesn't it make you want to cry? Beautiful.

Rules of Attraction is book #2 (of 2 but another is coming next year) in Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry book series. Carlos Fuentes is sent by his mother to live with his brother Alex. Kiara Whitford is a friend of Alex's and volunteers to be Carlos' peer guide to help him adjust to his first week in a new school. Kiara and Carlos find they have clashing personalities, but not so bad that they keep their distance. Rather, they spend time together and when they aren't, they are playing tricks on one another (funny locker pranks, etc).

Trouble at school = Carlos facing two options: serious punishment or moving in with the the school principal (Kiara's father) and his family and attending an after-school program. Guess what happens? (Hint: smooching). As the story moves on, we find the trouble at school was more than another prank. Carlos must decide what is truly important to him and what he is willing to go through to have it.

Rules of Attraction has the same chapter-to-chapter switching of viewpoint between Kiara and Carlos that is seen in Perfect Chemistry. It also has the same raw dialogue that makes you feel like you are eavesdropping on someone else's life and characters you want to hug / shake some sense into. I also love Kiara. She is such a cool character with her interest in cars and hiking and is a totally awesome friend to anyone who can get past her stuttering.

After some digging on the internet (well, actually the first hit on a google search), it turns out Ms Elkeles has written four other YA novels unrelated to the series. However, I plan to distance myself from them for a while, otherwise there will be a reenactment of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Fiasco, where I gobbled all the books at once then wrote all over my jeans and wandered the house aimlessly when I realized there was nothing left to read. Besides, I have a garden to plant. Laundry to fold - One of these days, the book store is not going to allow me and my mismatched clothing in.

I can't explain how much I liked this book without the hand gestures, flailing arms and shrill voice a personal encounter will allow. Instead, I leave you with the book trailer.

Perfect Chemistry Book Review

If you are a reader of YA, I would like to recommend you read Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

Brittany Ellis, captain of the pom squad and all-around perfect person is paired with gang member Alex Fuentes in chemistry class. As they get to know one another, Alex finds Brittany's life is far from perfect and Brittany discovers Alex dreams of more than being in a gang.

Alex and Brittany begin to care for one another. They have chemistry. Dare I say - Perfect Chemistry? Even with their strong feelings, they barely fit in their own worlds. How can they find a way to fit in one another's?

One of the best parts of this book is it trades point of view from chapter to chapter (Ch 1 = Brittany, Ch 2 = Alex and so on). Both characters are so different from one another, yet believable.

The story also resulted in my husband and me driving all over town trying to find a copy of The Outsiders on DVD - not that it's a modern (as in post-Y2K) retelling. I'm just saying if S.E. Hinton and Simone Elkeles were to pass one another in the grocery store, they would high five. Twice - that high five where the arms swing around and immediately move into a low five.

Go on, give it a read. You know you want to ;)

Meet my robot friend

Blogging rule: Don't write blog posts of epic length. Hopefully today's post balances out yesterday's.

There is nothing worse than spending an exorbitant amount of time working on a project only to realize it isn't as amazing as it was supposed to be. Well, there are far worse things, but I like being dramatic.

Let's all stop to consider all the ugly bird houses in the world. It must be a rite of passage for everyone to build at least one ugly bird house in their life.

AutoCrit Writing Center is helping me to turn my ugly bird houses into what I consider mildly attractive bird houses. At least it is keeping my bird houses from being full of holes with sharp nails jabbing out at all angles.

It offers a Manuscript Editing Wizard with varying levels of analysis. I don't care what you are writing: newspaper articles, fairy tales, scientific manuscripts. It can show you any unnecessary words, patterns or crazy grammar you may have inadvertently used. And its not a person, so if you are shy, "Hello great, unbiased, non-human beta reader."

Obviously, they want you to purchase the service, but there are free components that are helpful.

I'm trying to make this post a shortie and we're on the brink of average length, so I'd better dash. Give AutoCrit a peek. It can't hurt.

It Builds Character

Have you ever had to do something you don't want to only to have another person suggest you do it anyway, saying if anything, it will "help build character"?

Well, I built character. I had to go to a murder mystery to do it.

I was expecting human checkers, only the Clue version with costumes. It was a Hollywood theme murder mystery and I was to be the social-climbing younger sister of a movie star who was murdered later that evening. More importantly, it was a fund-raising event to help find a cure for cancer.

Anyway, my character was somewhat disliked by the others. Three times I was asked to leave while people were talking. The other movie stars looked at me and whispered. I was accused of being a murderer. It felt like high school all over (except the last bit).

ps - If you are currently in high school, hang in there. Things get better. Sooo much better.

The worst part is, I left my purse in the car. I didn't have a book with me, not even a pen. I was officially stuck in the here and now.

With all due respect to everyone who had been there (friends who are much better actors than myself) and the good intentions of the evening, I just didn't like it. I think it was the gossip, but I got ridiculously upset. To my credit, I pretended I was having fun. aka You can control the number of times you smile in a day - Perhaps I resembled a territorial primate ;) (if this paragraph sounds crazy, see last post).

You know what? It was good for me. By the second half of the evening, I convinced myself to have a bit more fun (although I ran for the car when it was time to go). I even figured out the murderer - The Guy with the Fake Mullet.

Here is The Best Part: In my imaginary world, there is this close-knit group of selkies that have refused to talk to me. Perhaps they saw me looking pathetic and decided to throw me a bone, because they have started chattering like crazy. One even let me know why they stayed quiet for so long.

Finally! I get to the point:

Even though a character my not be the most important person in your story, they should be the most important person in their own.

Why couldn't I get the selkies to talk to me?

I wasn't taking them seriously. I wanted to make them that character you could pass in the street and say something like, "Well, hello there. I see you're a selkie."

"Why yes, you're right."

Life's not like that. Consider the selkie rules: In stories, the selkie is most predominant as the selkie bride. In the water, the selkie is a seal. However, they can come on land, remove their skins and walk around as a human.

If a human male finds her skin and hides it, she is immediately his (generally, his wife). So long as the skin is hidden, she will be a good wife and mother. If she ever finds it though, she's gone. No matter what connections she has formed, she will return to the sea. Sometimes she will approach the shore to visit her children, but she doesn't stay.

So what does it mean to be a selkie?

• Never trusting anyone. Even a woman can't be trusted. What if she is only your friend so she can find your skin for a male friend or family member?

• If you become a selkie wife, it is probably difficult to make friends with the other women in town (I only had to put up with it for an evening. Imagine a lifetime).

• Once you have children or even if you just care about your human husband, there would be fear of angering him or of him falling in love with another woman. If he wants you out of the house, all he has to do is leave your seal skin out in plain sight.

• Are there even any rules about the number of selkies one might collect? Could a person steal a bunch of skins and have more than one selkie wife? Keep them as servants? Sell them on the black market?

• If I were a selkie longing for the sea, I know I would be afraid of a house fire. I also wouldn't want any company in the house in case someone terrible would steal my seal skin.

• What of the selkie lover left behind (if there is one) or children? Does anyone ever come to help you escape? Not even friends and family? Do they wait for you to return? Do they go on with their lives? Does the human husband kill them to prevent any unwanted rescues or to make the search for your skin futile since there would be no one to return to?

These are only a few ponderings that struck me in the moment. I'm sure many more pass through the minds of selkie brides than those above. Even though they are only briefly visited in my story, I think I had a chance to get to know a few selkie women better and for who they are, rather than for what they could do for me.

I don't care if it sound silly. Wishing I had a book or something (Anything!) to take me to a different situation gave me a small taste of what it would be like to be a selkie, longing for her skin.

Oh, and are there more murder mysteries in my future? Probably. I might even surprise myself and have some fun.

Character built?

Check and Check.

Epiphanies

This week's epiphanies:

• Life is too short for bad sushi.

• Tiny Buddha says we can control the number of times we can smile in a day. This may mean people should smile more, however I believe it means you don't have to smile if you don't feel like smiling. You run the risk of impersonating a territorial primate (True Story).

• When you go into a situation where another person is trying to make you feel uncomfortable, remember this: You are good at something. Excellent, in fact, even if you're the only one who knows what that something is.

• When the belt loops rip off your favorite pants, it means two things 1) They have been well-loved 2) They will/should be missed (not worn) - this is a warning sign. If you continue wearing them, they will only break your heart.

• Even if it only blooms a short while, a hibiscus flower is worth the anticipation.

• This lady is: (initial thought) awesome! (second thought) someone who must have been very lonely beforehand.

• The way I use the word 'epiphany' is the definition listed third in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Nothing ground-shaking, but it still gets my wheels turning. How about you? Any epiphanies this week?

There goes the neighborhood

Me: Husband, husband! You need to come look at this!

Him: What is it?

Me: You need to come here!

Him: I'm eating lunch.

Me: You need to see this!

Him: What is it?

Me: The neighbors have set up up some sort of hoop!

Him: What?

Me: I don't know what it is. Some sort of hoop for sports. They're going to be tossing balls in the yard all summer.

Husband gets up and walks to window.

Him: It's a trampoline frame tilted on it's side. They're probably doing yard work.

Signature scent

I think I have a signature scent. Well, scents. One, I use when I want to smell good, one when I want to smell fabulous. We went to a party this weekend and I wore Scent #3 - a perfume that was just laying around and I figured what the heck.

What the heck is right. All night, I had the urge to go wash my wrists. I smelled fine, I just didn't smell like me. I smelled like some lady hugged me and her scent stuck.

Smell (I'd put aroma, but sometimes it's just plain-old-smell) can play a major role in memory (Have a big exam?: wear the same perfume while studying and while writing the exam). We know what our childhood home smelled like. We know what our best friend's childhood home smelled like. We can recognize the scent of rain on the air. We know the smell of a hockey bag.

I think it triggers something in stories, too:

• Reading a Karen Marie Moning book? Sandalwood = the smell of a sexy, sexy man. What's that on the air? Sandalwood? Don't be surprised if Adam Black is around the next corner.

• Jamie Fraser HATES the smell of lavender. Is that lavender soap? No, thank you. You can just go ahead and toss that in the latrine. My husband would rather remove the dirt from his body with a potato peeler.

• Bella smells so delicious, vampires have trouble controlling themselves from turning her into a snack on a windy day. It's windy! Quick Bella! Jump in that human-sized Rubbermaid container!

Anyway, I got a bit carried away there. Something about scent helps the memory stick. So long as the smell is recognizable by the reader, it can connect the dots. It helps share a bit more about them than eye and hair color.

It shares their hobbies ex. horse sweat and fresh-mown grass vs diesel fuel and engine grease.

It shares their personality ex. Davidoff's Cool Water vs Vivian Westwood's Boudoir.

Tell me people of blogland: Do you have a signature scent? Do one of your characters? Do you have a favorite book where you could recognize a character by scent alone?

The Summer Hideaway Book Review

The Summer Hideaway is my first Susan Wiggs book and I can see myself reading more in the future. She uses some beautiful metaphors and switches seamlessly between scenes in the present and stories from the past.

George Bellamy is terminally ill and wants to reconcile with his brother before he dies. He hires a private nurse, Claire Turner. The two of them travel to Camp Kioga, the place of George's boyhood and his brother's retirement.

George's grandson, Ross returns from duty in Afghanistan. At first he mistrusts Claire and her motives for being with his grandfather. As time moves on, he not only learns to trust but to care for her. The only thing is, Claire does have a big secret she isn't sharing. A secret that can harm not only her, but the people she cares for (it has in the past).

The Summer Hideaway is a story of first chances, second chances and learning whether pride is worth having to waiting for that second chance. Hang on to you heartstrings, because Ms Wiggs definitely knows how to pull them.

Where I would recommend reading this book:

In a nice patch of sun.

Are there any Susan Wiggs fans in the crowd that could recommend more of her books?

Halfway to the Grave Book Review

People who love to read paranormal: if you have not read it already, I would like to introduce you to Jeaniene Frost's Halfway to the Grave.

Take a tough, no-nonsense heroine with a taste for vengeance. Add a dark and moody hero with a (sexy, sexy, sexy) British accent. Sprinkle with high-action fight scenes and terrifying bad guys. Add a dash of interfering human law enforcement. Mix thoroughly.

Cat Crawfield is half-human, half-vampire (roll with it). Think of her as a regular person with the strength and abilities to take down a vampire - and the desire to take down every vampire until she finds her father (aka the man who raped her mother).

One night, Cat meets her match. A vampire bounty hunter named Bones. She tries to kill him, he takes her prisoner * insert battle royale here * she loses and as a result is commissioned to train with and work for him. The world he introduces her to is far different from her past life of indiscriminately taking down (weaker) vampires.

The story is fast-paced with a great plot, interesting characters and enough sexual tension to make a bad (or good) girl blush.

My final assessment:

ROWR

Somewhere else - the smell of peat

Sometimes the imagination is enough, but every now and then, a person wonders how close what they make up is to the real deal. I'm working on a story set in Scotland where the smell of peat smoke is described - but haven't actually smelled it. I came across the website for the Ardbeg Distillery in the Isle of Islay, Scotland. They sell incense cones. Peat incense cones.

What was my reaction?:

Sign me up.

It turns out, that's what I had to do. I figured I was just signing up for a random email list I would end up unsubscribing my email address from after.

Two weeks ago, a package arrived in the mail. Apparently, I've joined a committee. Yay! I even have a member number. Islay is an island with a population of less than 3500 people and 140 committees. It is officially on the list of places I want to live one day.

Anyway, part of being on the committee involves being sent a Rules and Regulations Handbook (and a sticker). It contains a combination of helpful tips on how best to enjoy Scotch (Ardbeg Scotch, of course. I need to support my committee), songs, old Scottish sayings, history and famous quotes.

My two favorite rules (both resulting in the office of the member being vacated):

• If a member becomes unsound of mind, as shown by the development of a preference for a spirit other than Ardbeg.

• If a member is directly or indirectly involved in diluting Ardbeg with anything other than water.

As someone who loves reading random awesomeness, this was a book nerd's dream come true. In the end, I learned more about Scotland from this little packet than I ever could had I found peat incense back home. Oh, the treasures we come across when we least expect it.

Slainte

Soulless Book Review

Hang onto your bustles: Alexia Tarabotti's in town.

In Gail Carriger's Soulless, Alexia Tarabotti is a preturnatural. What's that, you say? A being whose touch can cancel out a vampire or werewolf, making them human so long as she maintains contact.

This book takes us back to an earlier time where all living beings, supernatural or otherwise, are held to the social mores of London society. A simpler time. Or so it would seem...

Despite appearances, not all are pleased with the status quo. What those eager for change are willing to do places Alexia right in the middle of trouble. Lucky for her (and us), Alexia is not the kind of woman to sit idle while others try to snack on her, etc. I don't know if she has a motto or not, but I have a suggestion:

When in doubt, bring a parasol.

How should this book be classified?

Well, you could put this book in a box, but it would have to be octopus-shaped. Is it a fantasy? Is it a romance? Is it a mystery? Is it a paranormal? Is it a historical? Is it steampunk? Is there tea? Is it hilarious?

Yes.

(ps-What's steampunk? Think Wild Wild West)

This story came to a satisfying end, but left enough dangling threads for me to need to read the next book in the series, Changeless (I should say want. I need to read it, but even if I didn't, I would still want to).

(ps#2-Looking for a good kissing scene? This book should come with a warning.)

Have you read the book already? If so, tell me what you thought about it.

Feeling up for some fun? Check out this online dress-up doll (click here). I don't envy her the layers at all.

In the mood for some book cover déjà vu? Check out this online store (click here). They even have a special parasol made in Alexia's honour (click here).

Coffee girl

Today's best conversation was at a drive-through window:

Her: Welcome to (name of coffee store). How are you today?

Me: Fine, thanks. How are you?

Her: Great! Thanks for asking. What can I get for you today?

Me: Can I have Grande Dark Cherry Mocha?

Her: Thats a Grande Orange Blossom Mocha?

Me: Um, a Dark Cherry Mocha.

Her: Sorry about that. We sell Orange Blossom tea.

Me: Thats all right.

Her: All right, a Grande Dark Cherry Blossom.

Me: Cherry Mocha.

Her: Yep. We'll see you at the window.

I have no idea what it was, but it was delicious.

I want what I have

I picked up a magazine that believes I will be able to Walk Off Belly Flab in 4 Weeks. Time will tell. When I was walking into the house I dropped it and it fell open to a page. A little article suggests a mantra for the month, "I want what I have."

I want what I have.

I like the sound of it. The world is full of stuff. What is necessary? What is wanted due to power of suggestion (Do I want Rianna's mascara or Drew Barrymore's)? Maybe I should just want what I have. Next time I have my credit card in my hand, I will say this to myself. I will.

Here is where the wheels start turning:

Opposite the I Want What I Have is an ad for Advanced Anti-aging Serum. Huh. Want what you have, but if you change your mind, want fewer wrinkles.

I have trouble buying into it. Is this mantra truly to apply to spending habits, to make us appreciate the things (and People) in our lives? (ps-People in my life - I appreciate you.) What about wanting to know more, see more, live more, learn more? Isn't that what readers and storytellers are all about? Exploring something new? Something we don't have?

One of Virginia Woolf's (many) famous quotes is, "You cannot find peace by avoiding life."

What if all she said was, "I want what I have... and some anti-aging serum"?

Tiger Hunt

Searching for one tiger has led me to another.

(ps- No, not Tiger)

I've been searching for Marjorie Liu's Tiger Eye for a while now, but no matter where I look, its not in stock. I was in a local book store, sleuthing. It wasn't there, but I figured I would go check out a different book about a tiger instead. Yann Martel's The Life of Pi, the illustrated version (the pictures are beautiful).

I found The Life of Pi on a display shelf along with Yann's What is Stephen Harper Reading? and the newly released Beatrice and Virgil. Above them all, a sign was taped announcing an upcoming signing and that tickets for the event were being sold at the front desk. I asked at the front and they were only $8, so I think it was more for crowd control than to cash in on fans (the reading is in a little coffee shop section of the store).

Here is my dilemma: Should I buy a ticket?

I went one of his signings once in the same coffee shop a few years ago (my first, actually). This is what I learned: for everyone else there, it was a social outing. Making it a ticket-only event ups the anti. It might be a full-on party.

Question #2: Should I kidnap a book-loving friend to come with me?

I'm pretty good at doing loner-type things, but last time, when I tried to talk to him, it came out something along the lines of: "Babble, blunder, babble, blueberry. I mean, blueberry. Blueberry! kthxbai."

All right. That's it. I've made up my mind. I'm probably going to try to get a ticket. Probably ;)

I just need to practice saying, "I love your books," ahead of time.

Oh, and Eye of the Tiger: Amazon, baby. Clickety-click. Come to mama...

UPDATE: It appears I have a wedding to attend the same night. Maybe I'll pull off that scene in 27 dresses where Katherine Heigl's character rips around town to attend 3 weddings in one night. Simple.

Succubus Blues Book Review

In Richelle Mead's Succubus Blues, Georgina Kincaid is a disillusioned Seattleite succubus. By night, she works for a demon, feeding off the life energy of mortal men. By day, she works in a book store and is an absolute fan of author Seth Mortensen.

The same day her favorite author is scheduled to visit the book store for a signing, Georgina engages in a (retrospectively) embarrassing conversation with a customer. It is not until much later that she realizes this shy and introverted man is Seth. They begin a tentative relationship but a number of things get in their way:

Thing 1

The addition of Roman, a dark and sexy man who is full of mystery and genuinely interested in Georgina - and has no difficulties showing it.

Thing 2

Even a kiss from Georgina will drain the life energy of either man.

Thing 3

Local paranormal beings are being killed - from the "good" (ex. angels) and the "bad" (ex. vampires) sides.

Thing 4

The killer is leaving notes for Georgina. Clues about who will be targeted next.

Thing 5

Did I mention both men are really, really sexy?

With an exciting plot, a good pace and well-rounded characters, this book was a delight to read. Somebody High Five Me!!!

The Gargoyle Book Review

There is a quote I adore:

"This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force."

- Dorothy Parker

Based on the reviews I have read, some people have applied Dorothy Parker's quote to Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle (not all people - most can't put it down). To anyone who has read this book half-way and stopped, I implore you: take a break from it for a while if you need, but come back to it and carry on to the end.

The Gargoyle is the story of a man who survives a car accident but does not emerge the same person - physically or mentally. Left in a hospital with no family, friends (or funds), he is taciturn and miserable to everyone around him. One day, Marianne Engel, a psych patient in the same hospital pays him a visit, claiming to have known him in past lives.

Marianne Engel tells him stories of the past - all love story variants - including the story of when the two of them had known one another. I found myself looking forward to them as well, for Davidson's writing is quite strong and if a character feels pain, the reader will feel it. My favorite - the story of the glass blower.

While reading this novel, I know I commented a few times that I wasn't even sure what was going on all the time and wondered why Marianne Engel's stories were better than the man's. Why didn't Andrew Davidson just write a book for each of the stories and leave out the man's? I warn you - the man's misery is quite upsetting (there are a lot of references AND parallels to Dante's inferno). Why do they always refer to Marianne Engel by her first and last names when the narrator has no name? You will probably have similar questions.

But Keep Reading.

Everything slowly begins to weave together, culminating into what was simultaneously the most beautiful final chapter and final paragraph I have ever read. This won't happen if you skip to the final chapter, though. You will have to suffer along with the narrator first. It is the sort of ending that needs to be earned.

It will take a fair amount of strength to re-read this novel, but I know one day I will. Even now, every time I walk past it on a book shelf, I have to resist the urge to pat it. Its that good.

Be Passive-Aggressive

No, I don't mean leave the dirty dishes on your room-mate's bed every time they bake and don't clean up after themselves.

I mean be passive-aggressive, as in get rid of the passive tone in your writing. Aggressively.

How?

Turf "was" every chance you get.

Its hard to do since you can't erase "was" and still have a coherent sentence. There is rarely a single word substitution, but a little elbow grease never hurt anyone.

Until this morning, this is all I knew: Don't overuse "was." This blog post by Celia Yeary made it clear WHY. I recommend you check it out.

You want to use 'eh, 'eh?

Eh, or as I prefer to think, hey (the h is usually silent, but not always) is widely used by (and misused in the teasing of) Canadians. It is also I have to make a solid effort at NOT using in day-to-day conversation.

I am of the opinion that if you are going to use 'eh, you should use it right (Pepsi's 'Eh O Canada Go cheer is a prime example of a derailed 'eh train).

'Eh is not an audible representation of a question mark. 'Eh is a way of making a question from a statement where agreement is the desired result.

Here are a few simple examples of the right way to use 'eh:

Example: Its cold out, 'eh?

Translation: Do you agree with me that it is cold outside?

Example: This is good, 'eh?

Translation: Are you enjoying your meal?

Even Canadians can mess up 'eh (Ex. Tim Horton's):

Example: I mean, who does that stuff, 'eh?

- This is actually the translation (like on Jeopardy, where they give the answer and want the question) with an 'eh tacked on the end.

Proper use of the dialect: No one does that stuff, 'eh?

You can go ahead and use this for your next commercial or novel about slang-slinging Canadians ;)

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels Book Review

Close your eyes and - Wait! - for my friends who think you are funny, read this paragraph, THEN close your eyes and imagine you are trying to sleep.

It is late. You are tired but can't sleep because someone else is in bed with you and they have the lamp on. Not only do they have the lamp on but they are howling with laughter. When they aren't howling with laughter, they are snickering to themselves or nodding their head and saying things like, "That's totally true," and, "I can't believe I didn't notice the connection." To add insult to injury, they try to wake you to read passages out loud from the book they have grasped in their hands.

Did you do it?

Did you picture it?

Did you feel the exhaustion?

You now know how it felt to be my husband when I was reading Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan.

From page 1, I found the book informative. I especially enjoyed how the authors brought to my attention swear words I had no idea existed. Words like bugf_ck and a$shat. (There is nothing like a little unexpected profanity to start the day off right.) - I'm such a prude. I want to be a bad girl and write the swear words but there are too many Lucy Maud Montgomery books in my past. Maybe I'll build up my courage one day and come back to edit in the actual letters .

They were close to teaching me about mom pants, and would have if I hadn't come across Uncle Walter weeks earlier (by googling the name 'Uncle Walter' - oh, the places google takes us).

This book has everything: an in-depth look at romance novel covers (they can predict what a book will be like by what is on the cover), good retorts for when someone wants to insult your reading habits, a choose-your-own adventure.

I felt it lagged a bit at the end, but this may have been due to general lack of sleep by this point. *Note* When I say it lagged a bit at the end, it lagged in relation to this book, not in relation to other books on writing or other books in general. Compared to some other books I have read, the end powered on like a steam engine.

I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who:

• Reads romance novels.

• Writes romance novels.

• Reads any other type of novel.

• Writes any other type of novel.

• Has a sense of humor.

• Has a sense of wonder.

• Has a sense of smell.

• Does not mind the odd burst of profanity.

Let's go to the Hop - the Blog Hop that is

How to get rid of a messed up RSS feed

I've figured out how to fix messed up RSS feeds on Google Reader! - Deleting a blogger post does not delete it from Google Reader - This guy gives instructions on how to locate the ID of a post and update it with new information. All you have to do is follow the instructions. Your old post will pop up and you can replace it with something new and shiny, like I did here.

If you want, you can delete the old post, but it won't totally disappear - there will be an empty box.

Good luck to you.

Update: it seems if the post has already been deleted from blogger, the only way a post will change is if you actually posted the new blogger page to your site. It refuses to disappear into the ether. I guess there will be more posts in my future ;)

Do / say / write / the hard thing (Part II)

Quote of the Day:

"One day, you will conquer the world, but for now, you don't know how to send a letter."

- My Friend

This is the point I tried to make in last week's post: Its easy to do the easy thing. Its not always easy to do the right thing. For the entire week, I've wanted to retract that statement, but didn't bother since this is also the week I learned you can't erase your RSS feeds on Google Reader. C'est la vie.

I wanted to switch to: Its easy to do the easy thing. Its impossible to do the right thing.

Highlights:

While driving, I saw a girl (my age) run to catch a bus, trip and fall flat on her face. The contents of her purse spilled all over the sidewalk and she missed her bus. I thought, "Here is where you should do something nice," and slowed down. I waited for her to walk up and realized she was walking slow, waiting for me to leave. Okay, city people don't give strangers rides, got it.

I got a letter in the mail - my handwriting. I had sent someone a thank-you letter, only I had put my address in the Send To section of the envelope, not the Return Address section. I appear thankless. Resend.

Today started with me reading Victoria Lynn Schmidt's 45 Master Characters and finding my character archetype (although not a bang-on match) is The Maiden (but I don't Want to be a Maiden. I WANT to be an Amazon!), and ended with me blasting myself in the throat with a spray hose in a barn (think gentler than a pressure washer, but it would beat a garden hose in a fight).

It was coming to where I thought I would just add a, "That's What She Said," in a comment on the title and say I wanted to be naughty. There. Didn't worry about what others thought while paying homage to The Office.

Then it happened:

Mild scolding in a meeting led to me stand up for myself.

Was it exhilarating?

No.

Do I feel shorter?

Yes.

But I stood up for myself. Boy was it hard, but not impossible.

Bad Moon Rising Book Review

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Bad Moon Rising is the 26th book in the Dark-Hunter Series and if you ask me, it has been a long time coming. In the preceding novels, there are hints at their romantic relationship, but they are always furtive glances of Fang and Aimee. After putting us through the anticipation, Sherrilyn finally shares the story. It follows Aimee and Fang, how they came to be together and how they eventually find happiness with one another (I don't think this constitutes a Spoiler Alert - it is available in the Romance section of the book store).

For the most part, the Dark-Hunter books can be read as stand-alones. I do recommend keeping the reading order close to the written order, since each book takes you farther into their world and they all tie into one another. This, however, is one of the books I would suggest be kept to the written order. It connects scenes from various preceding books, showing a different viewpoint. If you read this first, you're going to find out about a whole lot of what goes down before you want to.

The want of a beer leads Fang to Sanctuary (a bar / sanctuary for paranormal beings) and general chivalrous manliness leads him to risk his life to save Aimee's (the waitress / daughter of the owner). Life goes from bad to disastrous for Fang when angry enemies (if you are an alpha male and save a girl's life, expect angry enemies) attack. People are killed, things are said, brothers are punished, Fang almost dies (and is rendered nearly dead. Mostly dead?). Aimee and Fang take turns saving one another (and being sexy) and there is a surprising scene near the end that had me crying inappropriately on a road trip. Plus there's a man hug.

I'm not going to say much more than that. Too much of a book report and you won't need to read it. What I will say is this:

I don't know what it is with Sherrilyn. Maybe its the mad skillz combination of Greek mythology, paranormal adventures and sexy men but there is always a scene or two in her Dark-Hunter books where I just want to shout, "SOMEBODY HIGH FIVE ME!!!!!" (if you've seen Shrek, use Donkey's inflection when reading this). This book is no exception.

It is not one of my favorite Dark-Hunter books, but I've always liked Fang and Aimee thus my Need To Read. Had it been my first, I probably would not have the same Kenyon Krush I have now. If you haven't read any of her books, read Fantasy Lover first (just reading the title makes me blush), then the Dark-Hunter novels, working your way up to this one. Its a quick read but it tied up some loose ends and made this reader happy.

I Just Can't Seem to Get it Right Today

Posting fiascos galore. Sorry about the crazy if you check out the RSS feeds on Google Reader. I am uploading a bunch of book cover pictures for book reviews (to clean off the desktop) and can't get the dates right thus a bunch of pictures of book covers posted and nothing else. Arg.

This Just In!

Fangirl moment:

For anyone who likes Melissa Marr's books, Wicked Lovely will be available as a free ebook on Harper (I think for the next 2 weeks). If you haven't read any of her books but like YA and / or paranormal, I suggest you give her first book in the Wicked Lovely series a peek.

Parts 1 and 2 up her upcoming book, Stopping Time are also available for free download (limited time offer) - I just did. Gossip to follow.

*It takes a bit of work to download a reader program at first (instructions are on the right hand side of the page), but once you get set up, you're golden - just click the Download for Free button and type in the coupon code.

Her website lists other places where downloading is possible such as Amazon and B&N, but I'm a Canadian and they didn't work for me (downloads for US only). Amazon is also supposed to be listing Wicked Lovely for free but when I click on the link, it is listed as $2.99. If someone from the US checks it out, could you please let me know if it is working on your end of the world?

... he howled

There are an amazing number of words used to replace the word said. These words can be both a blessing and a curse. The right combination and you feel like you are living in the book. Over-application and you want to pull your eyes out with a fish hook. At least I do.

Today, I tackle howl.

There is a certain gentleman in my life (I may or may not be married to him) who may or may not consider himself hilarious.

There is a strange thing about going "back home" for a weekend. My husband and I may not consider ourselves city people, but our dog is a city dog. She is a city dog who has access to a back yard, thus no sense of traffic. When we go "back home", despite the fact that we are visiting a farm, the dog requires leashing to ensure she does not run out to the highway, meeting an early demise.

It was cold(ish) out and my husband was feeling chivalrous. He took the dog for a walk.

Here is where the plot thickens:

My niece and her friend were having a sleep-over. They were outside (and feeling brave). They decided to talk to the coyotes. My husband decided to answer.

What did he do?:

He howled.

The result:

A couple of shrieking girls tearing into the house.

On using howl when howling is not occurring

The word is often used to invoke the charged feeling of the howl, usually to describe things like:

Loud, joyful - and perhaps manly - laughter.

Loud, broken-hearted crying.

Where is the commonality?:

The volume.

The exuberant expression of emotion (Dare I say raw, animal emotion? - I'm a drama queen).

The I-don't-care-if-you-hear-me-in-face-I-hope-you-hear-me attitude.

My recommended usage of the word howl: I suppose it depends on the situation. Ex. 1 sentence in coyote language requires 4 howls (Howl. Howl, howl, hooowwwwlllll. Yip. Yip.)

My verdict as self-appointed word police (think fun police, only nerdier): only use one variation of howl per chapter (Are they laughing? Are they crying? Are they coyotes?).

What do you think?

Brunchy food and Easter people

Everyone has a favorite holiday.

Call me Scrooge if you like, but Christmas is definitely not mine. People are cold and tired and overworked (so they are caught up when they return from "holidays") and in search of the elusive "perfect gift" for everyone they hold near and dear while smiling what they hope is an unfrazzled version of what they are feeling. Yes I know, I'm a Scrooge.

I think Easter might be my favorite because it is the exact opposite. Three days of friends and family (punctuated by the occasional road trip) mellowed by warm sun and fresh fruit where forks and fingers are perfectly acceptable to be used interchangeably. Getting started on "spring cleaning" but not feeling the same crunch of a deadline for cleanliness imposed by Christmas. Add liquid carbs made crunchy on the griddle and delicious candies hidden in your gym shoes and you have the perfect weekend. (Thanksgiving is a close second but the traffic is a little crazier and all candy is kept in plain sight).

For me, this weekend was a combination of the sweet and the bittersweet (yes, chocolate is included).

• A trip to "back home" where some people are recognizable, others are vaguely familiar and people will chat but will not use names for fear of saying the wrong one. Babies are kissed, compared and held awkwardly.

• Bike rides. Dog walks. Dog rides. (Two of these happened. You decide which.)

• Lunch in town only to find my favorite Japanese restaurant has gone out of business. (Small towns in Saskatchewan are hard on Japanese restaurants - or any specialty restaurants, for that matter, excluding restaurants where the specialty involves ground beef)

• Lunch at a hamburger-specialized restaurant.

• Fruit cut in finger-sized pieces.

• Time to read. (I can sense a few book reviews on the horizon)

• Time to write.

• Time for homework. (What's a nerd without a little homework)

• A tour of my niece's Bieber wall.

• Being read Dr. Seuss books.

• My sister's homemade olive relish.

• Homemade wine and silly chatter.

With weekends likes this, you can hardly blame me if you catch me saying, "Bah, humbug," next December.

Are there any weekend highlights you would like to share?

Do / say / write / the hard thing

There is a saying: .... well, I can't type it out in any semblance of order, so I'll give you the gist of it: Sometimes we are given choices in life but are not sure which one is the right decision. Chances are, the choice requiring the most difficult undertaking is the answer.

- Not always -

For example, programming your VCR. The most difficult undertaking would involve not reading the manual. The right choice is probably to read the instructions, otherwise don't come crying to me - actually, even if you have read the manual, don't come crying to me. Well... you can come crying, just don't expect me to do anything about it. Technology and I don't mesh well (the force is not strong with this one).

Anyway, here is my point: its easy to do the easy thing. Its not always easy to do the right thing.

They (the same people who use the opening saying I couldn't articulate) say that hard thing, those words you are too shy or polite or stubborn to say out loud are probably what you need to write down.

I am attempting to apply this to not only my story, but everyday life. We only get one chance and one day, I don't want to look back and see all I ever did was the easy thing - My husband would probably argue I make everything difficult ;)

As a kid, I was taught if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. For the most part, I stick to this. However, there are times where logistically, this does not make sense.

So I challenge you: some time in the next week, do that thing you've been putting off, that thing you know won't be easy but you're dying to try (and deep down inside you know you probably should). I'm not sure what my thing will be, but I'll keep you updated. Stop by and share yours if you like.