Friday, January 28, 2011

Hiatus for a couple days....


I'm going to be offline for posting until Monday since this weekend is Double XP on my favorite MMORPG City of Heroes. (The picture above is my first character and my favorite. Her name is Scarlett Rowan) Here's some pics of my characters:



This is Kitty Norville. She's a Claw Scrapper.



This is Lucinda Dark. Also a Scrapper. (Monere, Children of the Moon Books)



And this is Rachel Morgan. She's a witch. I have another version of her that has whips and she summons demons! Soooooo perfect, right from the books!

Well that's it for now. Back on Monday.....

Ta ta!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Horrible, No good, Very bad day!



So its been one of those days. The not so fun kind. But rather than bring everyone down, here's some fun stuff. I got my Season 4 of Psych in the mail today. That show is so wonderfully funny. And the 80's references are the best. My leather boots my hubby bought me came in today too. I'm a bit disappointed because they have an issue on the inside of the boots but, I think I can deal with it by wearing nylons with them. They do look super sexy on! Aren't they just amazing???

And hopefully in a couple days my lovely new pajamas with matching slippers come in from Victoria's Secret. I'll post pics of then when they arrive. They're black with light pink flower shapes on them and light pink edging. Definitely going into the suitcase for our anniversary trip to keep me warm.

On to the book portion of this post.... I finished the next book
of The Dark Guardians, Dark Side of the Moon. Very good. Better than the first two in my opinion. I still have the same opinion on this series that I did in the last post BUT I enjoyed the romance more because I've been rooting for Brittany for two books now. Any girl who has felt like she's in the background next to her friends will identify with this character. She's pretty but not the model looking type like her best friend. The guys have never seemed to notice her and it doesn't seem to be changing until the book gets rolling. I really enjoyed how the two lovers got together in this one and I'm interested in the next book. Although I was confused as to who they were moving onto from this one because the "core" group is all paired up now.


I did pick up another book in paper format last night but I may not read it yet. The plot is intriguing but seems to be held together by steamy scenes. In other words it's probably a bodice ripper. That's alright. Most people consider Christine Feehan's Carpathians to be bodice rippers too but the plot that holds them together is SO amazing well done that skipping through the endless sex scenes is worth it.

Time for some relaxation and crime fighting....

Ta ta for now!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Knocked down 2.5 more!


I managed to get two more books read and almost a third in the last 36 hours. I read the first two of the Dark Guardians Series by Rachel Hawthorne and started the third. They are young adult novels about werewolves living in a National Park near the Canadian border.

I enjoyed the first book a lot and I was eager for the second. As much as I enjoyed it, there were many plot points that aggravated me. Some of my favorite authors write there stories as if they were real life. The lovers may end up together but they may have a lot of things against them if they do. Not true in these books. The main plot of each book seem
s to be neatly tied up by the end except for the plot line tying all the books together. Without giving too much away, let me explain one scene that pissed me off.

(Okay this does contain some *Spoilers* so if you want to read the book, don't read ahead. If you do, I warned ya so maybe put it back on the shelf for a bit until you forget what you read here...)



The scene begins with the heroine of the novel returning with her chosen. Not the boy her wasp parents wanted for her but a blue collar mechanic's son they would never bother to even cast their eyes upon except that he's a Dark Guardian. Instead of angrily demanding she fix it, they welcome her with open arms and say their chosen boy for her explained and they were just glad that she was happy. They all hug and make cutesy small talk. Right. And each night I transform into a superhero and fly on a purple unicorn to fight evil sea turtles. I don't think so. In the real world, her parents would have been ticked and maybe even disowned her. She would have probably never spoken to them again in return. (At least for a book or two) But no, we got rainbows and happiness. Even the spurned boy isn't all that upset. He's just annoyed he wasted time on the girl. (And a tattoo unfortunately!)

Back to my overall impression of the books? I still like them. I just wish the author had thrown more obstacles in the way of "true love" to make it more interesting. Because out of all the Young Adult fiction I've read, these come the closest to being for middle grade girls than for high school/college girls. I originally picked up YA books to get away from the increasing amount of erotica sneaking it's way into my urban fantasy section at the bookstore. I wanted detailed worlds with unpredictable plot lines where yes, the guy might still get the girl, but you never knew exactly how that would pan out and you didn't have to skip two or three chapters of R-rated loving to get to the next part of the story.

So if you want a nice light read to give you a break from the emotionally heavier stuff of Kim Harrison and P.C. Cast of late, these are perfect. If you're looking for something between these and say Kim Harrison? I can't recommend Rachel Caine enough. Her Morganville Vamps are my favorite reads of the last 6 months. She'll keep you guessing all over the place!

Ta ta for now!

Friday, January 21, 2011

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Photobucket

As part of my 6 Month Challenge I'm going to also do the Debut Author Challenge too. They will actually blend together very well as the the book I read for the DAC will count as one of my books for the each month. Out of January's picks I chose Alison Pang's "A Brush Of Darkness". And I will admit that I picked it for the Ipod and unicorns....

If you are interested in joining, head here to take a look at January's Authors.


Photo Friday (snagged from The Qwillery)

One of the blogs I read, The Qwillery, does Photos every Friday and I figured that would be a great way to start this post.

Sooooo I give you BUNNIES! These two cuties and their pals live around our house. On any given day we might catch one or two as we take out the trash or come home from dinner. They are adorable to watch. Although I do wish they'd leave the plants by the windows alone!


I'm still making headway on my 100 books in 6 months goal. I finished the most recent book in the Frost Series last night and started my next series. Silver Frost was even better than the previous book. The plot line moved forward quickly and then the end gave us one hell of a cliffhanger. Now I'm going to be on pins and needles until the 28th of Feb. waiting to find out what happens!


Next up on the To Be Read book list is Moonlight from The Guardians Series by Rachel Hawthorne. So far it seems to be about werewolves but I haven't read too far in. The writing is very well done. I got hooked just from the first chapter, which bodes very well for the rest of the story. (The last time that happened was The Morganville Vamps, those are GREAT!) I just wish there was more time to read. Between being sick, trying to keep the house in order, writing this blog, juggling the budget, and responding to calls and texts while trying to snooze here and there... I'm super busy.


In concert news, I just found out that 30 Seconds to Mars and OneRepublic will be playing at Universal in March and April. I want to go SOOOOO much! I missed Counting Crows last year and I haven't been to a concert since the one in Miami with S. (God what a horrid time trying to find the club! We almost missed the show, but a super fun time anyhow.) Hopefully we'll be able to catch at least one of the shows. And maybe drag a few friends along with us. ;)



Thursday, January 20, 2011

Sundance Films I'm looking forward to!


First off, let me say that I LOVE Eonline. I read it religiously.No judging me.... :P Besides, I skip all the stuff about reality shows because I can't really stand most of them. (Except for ANTM, I'm such a sucker for the photo shoots!) I skip all the rumors.... until substantiated. I skip anything that says Lindsay Lohan, Lady Gaga, or Britney Spears. BUT, I always check out their posts on movies and tv. Kristin (~TV writer~) is my hero when it comes to spoilers! Anywho, today I happened to come across a photo list of 15 Sundance Films getting a lot of buzz. These five caught my interest.



1.)Perfect Sense

Ewan McGregor stars in this story about two people who fall in love just as the world around them begins to fall apart.


2.)Another Happy Day

Demi Moore, Kate Bosworth and Ellen Barkin star in this comedy about good ol' family fun as a pair of siblings get dragged to a chaotic family wedding by their agitated mother.


3.)The Details

Tobey Maguire and Elizabeth Banks star in this comedy about a young couple whose lives are turned upside down when a pest problem sets off an absurd chain reaction of events.


4.)I Melt With You

Rob Lowe and Jeremy Piven star in this thriller about four friends who gather to celebrate their friendship. But when they reflect on the choices they've made in life and realize their paths are vastly different from what they set out to do.


5.) Flypaper

Stars Patrick Dempsey and Ashley Judd are caught in the middle of two simultaneous bank robberies and must team up to save the day. (The image at the top is from the movie! Ineteresting...hmm? Tee hee!)

In case you want to read about all 15 Movies-

Read more at Eonline.


I think I'm looking forward to Flypaper the most. I'm a sucker for thrillers with Ashley Judd in them. And adding in McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy= Awesome. I just hope he's better than he was in "Made of Honor". Although that wasn't really his fault. He was given a basic RomCom to capitalize on his McDreamy fame. It kinda worked and kinda didn't. I liked the movie, don't get me wrong, but I won't be owning it anytime soon unless it happens to be in the $5 pile at Walmart. Although remembering that Kevin McKidd is in it too is making me rethink that decision. McKidd is such an awesome actor. By far my favorite of the guys on Grey's right now. But back to the discussion: Ashley Judd rocks. To further my point here's my list of favorite movies she was in:

1.) A Time To Kill - I read John Grisham novels for a LOOOOOONG time. They were the first real adult books I took up and I devoured each one I came as they came out. This book/movie was very harsh to read and harder to watch but the story was very well done. I watch it occasionally when it comes on tv. Mostly for the scene right near the end of the trial that brings tears to my eyes every time. It's just so well done. Matthew M. is brilliant in his delivery of his lines.

2.) Kiss The Girls - She's just awesome. One, she goes through Hell and still maintains her inner strength. Two, it's Cary Elwes as a homicidal maniac! And three, Morgan Freeman. Need I say more?? I mean what movie isn't made better with the addition of a bit of Freeman???

3.) Where The Heart Is - Natalie Portman, Ashley J, Joan Cusack, Stockard Channing and the always awesome James Frain. (Frain was most recently in True Blood as the crazy-ass vamp that kidnaps Tara)

4.) Double Jeopardy - Ashley J and Tommy Lee Jones. She gets framed for her husbands murder...by her husband. After she gets out of jail, she finds him and kills him because after all... she's already been tried and convicted for it so Double Jeopardy applies. :) Maybe a bit predictable but I enjoy it every time.

Ta ta peeps!

Must...Read...More....Cough, cough.

Crawling out of bed to type this out seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I'm not so sure!



I finished Forever Frost early this morning. I have to say I liked it more than the first book. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Bitter Frost. The author just seemed to move the story forward very quickly without a lot of build up or getting to know the characters. Which in its own way was refreshing too. I've read too many books lately that drone on and on and on about the tiniest details and every bit of the past between characters. The story in BF was refreshing and the descriptions were vivid and yet wonderfully simple in their details.

Breena feels similar to me when I moved to FL as a pre-teen. She feels different, out of place... like she just doesn't belong. Her dreams were like the books I read, an escape to another world where I was who I was supposed to be and I could accomplish anything and the world was amazing.

The second book got me hooked even more and I'm quickly reading through the third. I should be done by the end of the night and then not so patiently waiting for the next book due Feb. 28th. Ack! That's the day I leave for my Anniversary trip! I guess I'll have something to read on the train....

So..... real quick, if you like fairies and want some light but interesting reads without all the um... erotica, check it out. I think it is labeled as a YA fiction but I am not entirely sure.

Ta ta for now!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

My resolution's for 2011

I don't usually make these lists because they bug me. I forget about them and then kick myself later or worse... I don't even care. So this time I'm going to pick stuff I actually have a hope of completing. The stuff I love.

1.) Read 100 books in 12 months.
2.) Drop some fat, not weight mind you, just that icky extra tummy pudge us ladies hate!
3.) Continue to maintain this blog.

That's it! Yes I know it is a little light. But I think the more you add can just weigh you down and make you feel a lot worse if you don't complete the list. Although honestly the first one should be rather simple. My record is over 100 books in one month when I was 12. Books were my safe haven and escape from the misery of my pre-teen years. Nothing made coming home crying from school once again a lot easier to take then a trip to a mystical world locked in the pages of a book.

Here's the beginning of my list:

1.) My Soul To Take, Rachel Vincent - JAN 3rd
2.) My Soul To Save, Rachel Vincent - JAN 4th
3.)
My Soul To Keep, Rachel Vincent - JAN 5th
4.)
My Soul To Steal, Rachel Vincent - JAN 8th
5.) The Accidental Demon Slayer, Angie Fox - JAN 16th
6.) Bitter Frost, Kailin Gow - JAN 18th
7.) Forever Frost, Kailin Gow - Reading

I think this is a pretty good start for the month. Although I only have 12 days left to get 10 more books read to keep up the average needed for each month. Honestly I think it will be easy. :)

I LOVED the Soul Series by Ms. Vincent. They are awesome. Reminds me a bit of the Morganville vamps series which I read in December. I highly recommend them. I enjoyed the Demon Slayer but it wasn't one of my favorites to be sure. I have started the second but I've set it aside for the Frost series. I can't help it, the cover images got me. Honestly a great looking cover will keep me coming back to look at a book even when I'm not all that interested in the story. And I really have found some gems that way. I was very iffy on Emma Bull's book "The War For The Oaks" and that book is one of my all time favorites. Kushiel's Dart is another good example. I haven't read past the first three in that series but I liked them all too. They stray a little farther into erotic subjects than I'm comfortable with but other than that.... the story was fantastic.

Well, it's time to level up Kitty a bit more while I wait for my medicine to kick in. It's January and time for cold and flu season. Whoo hoo! Soooo not.

Have a happy one all!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011


So I'm trying my hand at this blog thing once again. I've had a few and I always manage to go too long between posts. This time I'm just going to be random! See you soon....