My weekend roundup

I hate to complain but...I'm gonna. Welcome to my Whine Fest.

I mentioned in a previous weekend post that I was going to watch a new Harlequin DVD "Loving Evangeline" (based on the Linda Howard book) and a few more episodes of "True Blood" (season one).

The movie "Loving Evangeline" stunk. Sorry, there's just no other way to put it. First, the couple shown on the cover are NOT in the movie. I am baffled by that, I just don't even know what to say about that. Secondly, there was NO connection or chemistry between the hero and heroine at all. He was older...maybe late 50's (does the guy on the cover look like he's that old?) and she was in her 30's (I don't mind this in romance at all, but it didn't fit the cover or the book I had read so it really threw me off). And finally, it was so damn BORING that I turned it off and simply could NOT finish watching it after I was already an hour in. I was SO disappointed because this was a great book, with great chemistry between the characters and a plot full of suspense and romance - something the movie failed to bring to the screen completely.

So I yanked "Loving Evangeline" out of the DVD player and put in HBO's "True Blood". I had 3 episodes to watch and it had left off with drug addict Jason having blood drained from his engorged penis and Tara fawning over him like a love sick puppy (neither of which is in the books). While the Tara in HBO's "True Blood" is NOTHING like the Tara in Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse novels, I did feel bad for her and she does make me laugh at her. The only character that really comes across the same in the show as he does in the book (for me at least) is Dull Bill. He bores me in the book and bores me on the screen. The character of Eric is a HUGE disappointment for me because Eric in the book is very intense and right away intrigued by Sookie. Not so in the HBO version. In the HBO version he's indifferent and uninterested in Sookie and disgusted by Bill's claiming her as "his". In the book, vampires claim humans as their own all the time, it's part of their make up 'owning' humans and being territorial about them. When Sookie is called in to read the minds of Eric's employees and find out who is stealing for me, I was all set to like this actor playing Eric. I LOVED this scene in the book when Eric rushes to Sookies defense (while dull Bill sits back and watches) and actually kills a vampire to save Sookie and to dole out his own brand of justice. In HBO's version, Eric did nothing while Bill saved Sookie and then Bill is punished for saving her and has to 'turn' a human into a vampire. Huh??? What the fuck! (pardon my verbage). I was PISSED. Why change such a PIVOTAL point of the story?? Eric's actions in that scene are what sets the story for his going after Sookie as a love interest, it makes Eric the 'hero' who sacrifices one of his own for Sookie. I really don't understand why HBO did this unless they plan on making Bill something he's not and stripping Eric of his appeal in the book. HUGE disappointment. *sigh* And yes, this is a very naked Eric in the bathtub scene from True Blood...enjoy! :o)

OK, my Whine Fest is over. Now on to other things. Have heard about stinky Robert Pattinson (who by the way I read in an article is leaving acting after he finishes the Twilight movies to follow his music career)? I watched him on Jay Leno when the movie "Twilight" was first coming out and he talked about not showering much and not being too clean - anyone see that? It was gross, but Jay Leno made it hysterical and his guest (I think it was Victoria Secrets model Heidi Klum) moved far away from him on the couch. Here's the show:

Anywho...rumor has it that his stinky body odor is causing problems on the set of "New Moon" along with his jealousy of not having a big part in this installment. Here's more on that...

From my post yesterday, you know I was over on Barnes & Noble's website. I really shouldn't have purchased a single book, but those prices were just TOO good to pass up! I had to buy something and I had to spend at least $25 because then I get free shipping.

So here's what I got:
-"Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris

I bought this because it's by Charlaine Harris (she has become a must read author for me) and because it's another series for me to read once I finish with Sookie Stackhouse.

-"Dead Sexy" and "Tall, Dark and Dead" by Tate Halloway

I bought these because they sound great and I've been looking at them for months so when they were both priced so well ($1.99 and $3.99) I just couldn't put off getting them any longer.

-"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

OK, I had to get this one because everyone under the sun is in love with the hero of this book and all I hear are wonderful things about this story. It's been on my TBB list for months and I finally ordered it.

-"Hot Blooded" (paranormal anthology by 4 authors)

I got this one because it has stories from other series in it and if I like these short anthologies I will probably get the series related to them (I find the best series this way!).

-"High Stakes" by Erin McCarthy

I got this one because its the first in her Vegas Vampire series and I have her "Bled Dry" already sitting in my TBR pile, so I really needed the first book. It was only $1.99 and sounds like a fun vampire novel/series!

Looks like my summer reading is going to be dominated by vampires! I'm good with that! :o)

OK, now I need help with something. I have to read two more m/m books by the end of August to make my M/M Reading Challenge and I have no idea what to buy. If you have a favorite m/m romance would you PLEASE recommend it to me? I need to get going on that challenge, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

The $1.99 book sale...check them out!

Just a heads up on a GREAT summer book sale going on at Barnes & Noble online. All the books and prices I list are for NONmembers- if you're a B&N member the price is even LESS!

I have been looking at the Tate Halloway vampire books for a while now, and bought one of them but it's like the 5th book in the series so I have to get the others first and this book sale is perfect timing for me!

Here are some books you might be interested...(click on the titles to go to the books)

Tall, Dark and Dead by Tate Halloway

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: "A delightful new comedy about witches, vampires, and the search for the perfect man. Recovering witch Garnet Lacey manages Wisconsin's premier occult bookstore. And a fringe benefit of the job is getting customers like Sebastian Von Traum-piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he's dead. And that means trouble. So what's a girl to do if she's hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell-and take full advantage of the nights."

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Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny (Monere series book #1)

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: A smoldering debut novel exploring the passion, hunger, and danger that can break loose in the moonlight. From the time she was a child, Mona Lisa knew she was different-but she never knew how different until a man of otherworldly beauty appeared during her night shift in the ER. Gryphon is hurting and hunted and he attracts her as no man ever has before. He is a Monère, one of the children of the moon-and what's more, so is she. Long exiled from the moon, the men of the Monère serve-and mate with-imperious Queens who can channel the rays of their far-off homeland. Gryphon believes that Mona Lisa is a Queen- perhaps the first of Mixed Blood ever known. But her introduction to the nighttime court of the Monère, simmering with intrigue, casual lust, and calculated cruelty, is far from smooth.

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Voyeur by Lacey Alexander

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back Blurb: Suffering from writer's block and with no lover to speak of, novelist Laura Watkins is in a funk. She needs a getaway and a release. Fast. Fortunately, she finds both in the retreat of a friend's isolated Colorado home. It's hers and hers alone for as long as she needs it. Then she comes upon the webcam, and her curiosity is aroused. So is her secret fantasy-to be watched by a stranger. His screen name is Flyboy. He likes what he sees. He wants to open up for her, too. Now, they're only one click away from exploring an after-hours game of exhibitionist and voyeur where anything goes. But now it's time to take it one step further-by meeting in the flesh. This time, no rules, no limits, and absolutely nothing to come between them.

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High Stakes by Erin McCarthy (Vegas Vampire Series book #1)

PRICE $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: He's a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is actually a nice guy. Not to mention a very hot, wealthy, casino-owning vampire. It's an election year for vampires, which means he'll first have to escape his opponent's hit men. Then he'll have to find a suitable First Lady, preferably here in Vegas. Brittany Baldizzi fits the bill. She's smart, pretty- and sweeter than a glass of diabetic O-Negative. But her protective sister Alexis steps in with a message for Ethan: Bite me. It's then that he realizes it's the sexy, no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, Alexis wouldn't mind a romp in the coffin with him. But can a mere mortal, even one who risks her life for him, make a centuries-old, womanizing vampire feel something entirely new?

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Whipped: 20 Erotic Stories of Female Dominance by Carol Queen

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

*No back blurb- guess by the title you can figure it out! LOL

Original price: $14.95

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Demons are Forever: Confession of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back Blurb: Exciting new escapades for the demon-hunting stay-at-home mom-from the USA Today bestselling author of Carpe Demon. It isn't easy when your daughter's figured out that her mom's a demon hunter-and wants to grow up to be just like her. Or when you suspect your dead husband used the forces of darkness to filch the body of another human. And your living husband isn't the man you married anymore either. Moreover, Kate's acquired a precious but deadly item that every demon within commuting distance wants. With husband woes playing havoc with her emotions, an ambitious teenage protégée at her heels, and hell to pay, this stay-at-home mom's putting in a lot of overtime.

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The Wolf (Son's of Destiny series book #2) by Jean Johnson

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: The Sons of Destiny series continues in this breathtaking romantic fantasy from a fresh new voice.
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day-they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting their destiny, the brothers are exiled to Nightfall Island, where women are forbidden. When a childhood friend seeks refuge among the brothers, it triggers a confrontation with their mysterious enemy.
Alys arrives desperate and afraid, but welcomed by Wolfer, the second-born brother who harbors deep feelings for Alys. But she harbors a secret: her own uncle is tormenting the exiled brothers, and seeks to kill them to secure their ancestral inheritance for himself.
Confessing her uncle's plan to the brothers puts them at even greater risk, for their resistance against the evil mage has stirred his wrath. Alys fears her uncle is determined this time to exterminate the brothers once and for all-destroying the star-crossed lovers as well.

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More Than Fiends by Maureen Child (I thought this was "More than FRiends, but it's really 'fiends')

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: Cassidy Burke is finding it hard to believe that she's next in a long line of demon dusters-Burke women paired with centuries-old cleaning solution to shine windows and spot demons. Sure, her "Clean Sweep" maid service is taking off, but wiping out supernatural bad guys? Come on. But Cassie's surprised by her sudden fighting instincts and fierce new strength...both of which she's going to need. For one thing, her teenage daughter thinks her dad is dead, but in truth he just never knew about her...and now he's moved back to town. And after many dateless years, men are finally lining up on Cassie's doorstep. Sadly, most of them aren't human.

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Noah (Nightwalker series book #5) by Jacquelyn Frank

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: The Nightwalkers have lived in the shadows of our world for centuries, gifted with abilities few humans can comprehend. For Noah, duty is all-until he meets the woman who is his destiny.She Will Take Him Beyond His Wildest Dreams.As Demon King, Noah is dedicated to protecting his kind from their human and Nightwalker enemies. Yet for six months he has struggled with vivid dreams that threaten his very sanity. Every night he's tormented by images of a woman both achingly real and tantalizingly beyond his grasp. And his bone-deep need leaves him no choice but to force her to leave the life she's known and enter a world beyond her imagining.Every day, Kestra risks her life in perilous missions that veer just shy of the law, but she instinctively knows that the imposingly sensual figure before her is a danger unlike any she's ever faced. Kestra has sworn never to trust or need another man, but Noah's lightest touch scorches her with fevered desire, branding her as his mate, blinding them both to the terrifying truth. For within the ranks of their own people lies an adversary growing in number and power. And nothing and no one will be safe again.Desire awakens at night.

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Plum Loving by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum series) (hardcover)

PRICE: $1.99 (members $1.79)

Back blurb: Evanovich's latest "Between-the-Numbers" outing begins on St. Patrick's Day, when bounty hunter Stephanie Plum spots her Grandma Mazur dragging a mysterious duffel bag down the street. Then Grandma Mazur vanishes, and Stephanie's frantic mother begs Stephanie to track her down. Soon, Stephanie and her usual band of sidekicks (including sexy, inexplicably lucky Diesel) are on their way to Atlantic City and into a hilariously funny mess involving stolen mob money, a kidnapped horse and a thief/con artist who thinks he's a leprechaun. Lorelei King does the story justice, milking the prose for every drop of humor with her amusing, distinctive and superlatively accented rendition of each character. Her voices border on caricature, but that's entirely appropriate for this farcical, delightful New Jersey jelly doughnut of a novel, a satisfying snack for listeners anxiously awaiting Stephanie's 14th full-length adventure.

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There are dozens upon dozens more at this great price and even more books priced at just under $5.00 over on B&N's website. I know I am not supposed to be spending more, but at these prices I just can't help myself! :o)

My Saturday...

Anyone besides me a huge Linda Howard fan? I love her writing and she makes my top 5 authors list of all time. I reread EVERYTHING she writes and don't flinch to buy her hardcover stuff- I simply can't wait for her stuff to come out in paperback. My favorite Linda Howard book is still "All the Queen's Men"- which I am thinking I need to reread and do a review on (so far I've never done a Linda Howard review here, I need to rectify that!).

Actually, I've been playing around with the idea of picking a month to do nothing but reread old favorites. The problem is so many great new books keep coming out that I can't stop buying and reading them!

Anywho... while I was out shopping today a Harlequin DVD display caught my eye. I must be living under a rock because I didn't know Harlequin Romance did DVD's. There were several DVD's to pick from, but I was determined to be good and only purchase one DVD.

I got "Loving Evangeline" because I loved this book by Linda Howard back in the mid-90's when it came out. My plan for the evening is to watch a few more episodes of "True Blood" (still trying to see what the hoopla is over this show), then I plan on watching 'Loving Evangeline'. So it's a DVD movie night for me!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

My Friday Mishmash

I haven't done any reading since I discovered all those anthologies with Sookie Stackhouse. I don't want to read them out of order so I've halted my reading until all of them that I ordered get here - plus I want to hold off on more Sookie reviews until July 1st because of the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge (right sidebar) that begins on July 1st. I will find something to start reading this weekend because I can't go all weekend without a good book, but most of the books at the top of my TBR pile are series and I don't want to start another series when I am in the middle of the Sookie series, so I need to find a good stand alone...I'm thinking I need a historical romance. It's been a while since I've read a historical and I've got author Connie Mason (love her) latest novel "A Touch So Wicked" sitting on my desk just waiting to be read. Anyone read this one yet? I love this author, so I am confident I will enjoy this book.

I suppose I should mention something about Michael Jackson... truth is I've been "missing" Jackson for about two decades now because the old Michael Jackson I knew as a teen in the 1980's has sadly been missing for a very long time. My two favorite songs by him were "Thriller" and "Man in the Mirror". I remember being a screaming teen when Thriller came out. It was SUCH a big deal. Everyone was at home that evening, we made popcorn and sat in front of the TV waiting to see the long awaited and secretive "Thriller" that was supposed to rock our world - it did! When Vincent Price's voice came on and the dead began to rise we all screamed! Then we screamed more at the end when Jackson turns around with those evil eyes and Vincent Price gives an evil laugh. lol Never before had a music video told a sort of short movie story. He broke new ground with Thriller and he certainly thrilled us all. I loved it and that is the Michael Jackson I have missed for years. Regardless of his peculiar life, he will be missed by many. May he rest in peace...peace he never seemed to find in life.

This weekend I am also watching more of season 1 of "True Blood". Now don't throw rotten food at me, BBBUUTT...I still don't care for this series! I really don't like the actors very much or the directors interpretation of the book. The actor they got for dull Bill the vampire does a good job of being dull and uninspiring, so I guess for me he's dead on with the book. I like Jason, but that's it. The actress for Sookie is so NOT Sookie its distracting.

I am still iffy on Eric, the actor just isn't living up to my mental image of Eric (my mental image can been seen here & up in my blog banner - the long blond haired hunk is MY Eric *grins*).

I am sticking with this series purely out of love for the Sookie Stackhouse books and my curiosity to see how the book stories end up playing out on TV. I know I am in the minority with my views of "True Blood" with so many people going nuts over and not being able to wait for each episode but for me, its not even close to how much I loved "Moonlight". That to me was a much better vampire series with likable characters and actors who engaged you. Maybe "True Blood" is too gritty for me, I don't know. Anyone else not a big fan of "True Blood" but love the books?
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Friday's hunks...

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Have a great weekend everyone!

I gotta add this video from SmartBitches...

Whoa...back the Sookie Stackhouse boat up!

If you're tired of hearing me talk about Sookie Stackhouse, then skip down my post straight to the hunks, because this post is about me and my Sookie Stackhouse adventures! :o) And don't worry, there are no spoilers with the exception of mentioning one vampire you may not know about if you haven't read the fifth book yet.

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I am devouring the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. I purchased books #1 through #8 and have been working my way through them enjoying every moment. But... (there's always a but isn't there?), but a few things mentioned in the books had me scratching my head in wonder. For example when suddenly we hear about Sookie's vampire cousin whose dead- what vampire cousin? From the novels Sookie apparently already knows about her vampire cousin and her death and being the one to inherent the vampires estate. Where was I? When was that told?

I put the book down and dug out all the others I had read knowing perfectly well that no mention of this vampire cousin had occurred in the first books of the series, so what was going on? This wasn't like Charlaine Harris at all, the books didn't have any 'holes' in them prior to this story so what was going on?

I went on a Sookie Stackhouse hunt and found that I was missing (and what others who've read the series probably already know) numerous Sookie short stories told in several anthologies! This thrilled me- it means there is MORE SOOKIE to be read! Woohoo! Between novels #1 through #8, there are SEVERAL Sookie Stackhouse short stories found in anthologies! There is MORE Sookie out there that goes along with the novels and fills in all those holes I was finding (anyone else notice some novels were missing stuff? It was driving me nuts! I just KNEW I was missing out on something- that little voice or gut instinct was telling me to do some research on my dear charming friend Sookie!). I love research! It's always so rewarding. (see list below- that anthology title links to the book on Amazon.com if you want to purchase it) So yesterday I ordered ALL of the missing short stories for less than $70 from Amazon.com.

For any Sookie Stackhouse fans out there who didn't know about these short stories or are planning on reading all the Sookie books for the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge (right side bar) here is a list of ALL the short stories written between novels that go with Sookie's story.

Anthology "Powers of Detection" - the Sookie Stackhouse short story is "Fairy Dust" and it's a story about Sookie, Claudine and Claude.

Anthology "Bite" - the Sookie Stackhouse short story is "One Word Answer" and is the story of Hadley.

Anthology "My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding" - the Sookie short story is "Tacky"

Anthology "Many Bloody Returns" - the Sookie Stackhouse short story is "Dracula Nights" and this short story is ALL about Sookie, Eric & Pam (can't wait to read this one!)

Anthology "Wolfsbane & Mistletoe" - the Sookie Stackhouse short story is "Giftwrap" and it's about Sookie and Niall (Christmas theme)

Anthology "Unusual Suspects" - the Sookie Stackhouse short story is "Lucky" and it's about Sookie and Amelia

**"A Touch of Dead" (to be released October 2009)

*Harlequin book that is currently unavailable "Nights Edge" is about the Sookie universe, but doesn't have Sookie herself in it.*

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Today's Hump Day hunkage...

Guest Blogger: Cheryl Brooks!

Good morning everyone! Today I turn my blog over to one of my favorite authors... Cheryl Brooks!!

**After you visit with Cheryl, how about visiting me today over on the Island? I'm a DIK lady now! *grin* I give a shout out to one of Cheryl Brooks characters that makes me drool- can you guess which one? :o)


****Cheryl Brooks...

It’s all about illusion.
Just take a look at the cover of my latest book, Outcast. That’s a real man—almost, but not quite. If you look at the original (and I believe this fellow is it), you can see that he’s been altered ever so slightly to make him seem more romantic, more fictional, less real. The hard planes of his face have been softened, the pose is less intimidating, and the light is what makes him stand out from the background. If you were to meet the model himself, you would probably get a completely different vibe from him, but the man on the cover makes you think of mystery, adventure, heartbreak, and romance.
The characters we write about in our novels may be inspired by real people, but they aren’t the same by a long shot. I once mentioned to one of the crew who was remodeling my barn that I had used both him, and his boss (*sigh* who used to wear his hair in a long, blond braid), as characters in my novels. I think the idea scared him just a bit, and hastened to add that he wouldn’t recognize himself even if he were to read it.
To create a character, I take a tiny part of a person and use it as a springboard. In the beginning, I used his physical appearance more than his personality—he had the biggest, sexiest brown eyes you’ve ever seen, and, unlike most hunks, was relatively small, but lean and muscular—not from body-building, but from hard work. Dark, tousled hair completed the package, but something my neighbor (who had recommended this particular crew) said about him stuck with me. “Oh, yes,” she said. “You mean David. The sensitive one.”
I took those little bits and created a character—and fell for him just as the other characters around him did. He was warm, funny, wickedly sexy, but at the same time, vulnerable, and, yes, sensitive.
It doesn’t all have to come from the same place, either. Most of my characters are composites. I take the talents of one, the personality from another, add a physical appearance—which may come from two or three different people—and sexual talents from someone else altogether. Then that character gets run through my own mind—another filter, if you will—before being distilled into an entirely new entity. In the end, though a reader may have some vague idea as to the character’s origin, it’s difficult to say exactly where that might be.
Another thing that happens to my characters—particularly the heroes in The Cat Star Chronicles series—is that they become aliens. A reviewer once took issue with the fact that one of my heroes was mentioning the love aspect of a relationship long before the woman did, saying that a real man wouldn’t do that; that the need to form a lasting relationship isn’t as important to them. My husband disagrees, but also, you must remember that these men are not human. They come from another world with their own culture and mating habits, and their personality traits are slightly different, as well.
And then, there is the dastardly plot. Let’s face it. Adversity splits more people apart than it brings together, and reality is often too harsh a place for romance to flourish. We may crave adventure and the spice of danger, but we also dream of finding love in spite of it all, and we want that love to be true and everlasting. Romance novels can satisfy these cravings. We can put our lovers through hell, but all the while, we know they will survive, and that there will be a happily ever after.
Achieving that happy ending in our own lives is difficult, because, in reality, we cannot control the way another person feels, nor do we have control over the events that shape our lives; but it’s still what we wish for, what gives us hope in troubled times, and is at the heart of the stimulus for almost everything we do. It all boils down to the simple fact that all we really need—or want—is to love, and to have that love returned. Whether or not we can find it in our own lives doesn't matter; we still like to read about those who do.



-Cheryl Brooks-

"Dead as a Doornail" by Charlaine Harris

What I really love about these Sookie Stackhouse books...OK I love everything about them to be honest, but I just want to say that for a detective mystery fiction series (that's what B&N calls it) based continually on one main character I LOVE the fact that each book picks up right where the previous one ended. A few weeks may have passed, but everything is as it was and things are still moving along with all the characters. I really find this refreshing, not to pick up the next book and find that nearly a year or more has passed since the climax of the last book. OK, now on to the review!

*spoiler warning*

"Dead as a Doornail" by Charlaine Harris is the 5th book in the series and it's wonderful. It starts off with Sookie's brother having to deal with the effects of the werepanther bites he suffered in the previous book. The full moon is approaching and Jason is about to find out if he's now part werepanther or not. Sookie is worried about him, but werepanther leader (and hopeful husband to Sookie) Calvin is there to see Jason through the full moon - good thing too because Jason does change. Because Jason wasn't born a werepanther but bitten and made into a werepanther he doesn't completely turn into a panther. Instead he becomes a half human/half panther. He's shook up and a bit disappointed a first, but then loves it. Sookie is relieved Jason handled it so well- after all he just found out about the supernatural world that Sookie has known about for months.

Sookie has numerous men (all supernatural men) romantically chasing after her in this book. Dull cheating neighbor vampire Bill is still hopeful even though he insists on bringing his dates to Merlottes where Sookie works so Sookie has to serve them (bastard!), werepanther Calvin, rich werewolf Alcide, Sam her boss, and of course that hunky overly sexy Viking vampire Eric. *sigh*

Eric is still after Sookie and wants to know what happened between them while he had lost his memory. He knows that something happened and he was details! Sookie still doesn't want to fess up because she knows Eric will use that info to manipulate her somehow (giving a dominate "I get what I want" vampire leverage over you is not smart, and Sookie is a smart cookie!).

In this installment someone is shooting shapeshifters and Sookie's boss is one of the people who gets shot. Sam lives but has a broken leg and can't bar tend his bar, so he asks Sookie if she will go to Eric (*sigh*) and ask him for a favor- to lone Sam a bartender until Sam is back on his feet.

Eric being Eric doesn't nothing just to be nice and tries to get Sookie to tell him what went on between them, Sookie tells him off but does manage to get Charles and one eyed pirate (complete with patch) vampire to take over for Sam at Merlottes.

Sookie goes into detective mode again to solve who is shooting supes and finds herself nearly killed a few times and her house set on fire (which reminds me, don't you just love that each Stackhouse book cover gives a hint at what will happen in the story?). While vampire Charles is tending the bar and living in Sookie's "vampire hole" under the closet, another vampire is on the scene: Mickey. Mickey is a nasty vampire whose making Sookie's friend Tara miserable.

Between solving the shooting mystery and surviving near death events, Sookie has to help her friend Tara- so she turns to Eric. Eric names his price...tell him EVERYTHING that happened between them when his memory was gone. Sookie spills the beans and now Eric knows just how much he gave Sookie, promised Sookie and scariest to Eric of all, was learning just how much Sookie means to him. Eric has said in a few books now that he doesn't like to feel anything and Sookie makes him feel. He's not sure what to do about it or how to handle it, but he still wants more sex with her (of course!)...sex that he can remember this time. Sookie's not willing to go there with Eric now that he's back to his manipulating arrogant self.

Sookie and Eric are attacked and each saves the other (again- this happened in the last book too). Eric is impressed with Sookie's quick thinking and she just can't seem to help intriguing him all the time. Which means it's not just about having sex with her, it makes Sookie different and even more appealing to him. He kisses Sookie some more, makes it clear he's not giving up on having her.

Another 5 star book from Charlaine Harris. Highly recommend it & the entire series.

My Monday Mutterings...

Monday's get here way too fast! I was really enjoying this weekend and my little reading fest. I've got my review of "Dead As A Doornail" by Charlaine Harris coming up later today (have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE this series?). After this one I am holding off on my Sookie reviews until July 1st for the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge (right sidebar). Speaking of challenges...I've completed a few already (links in right sidebar).

The challenges I've completed are:

-The 2009 Romance Reading Challenge

-The Love Bites Reading Challenge

The Challenges I am still participating in are:

-The Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge (begins July 1st)

-The 2009 Contemporary Reading Challenge (1 a month for a year)

-The M/M Romance Reading Challenge (I need 2 more m/m romances to complete this one).

If you know of any new summer challenges you think I might be interested in, please give me a heads up or drop a link in the comments area. :o)

A reminder that tomorrow Cheryl Brooks is my guest blogger (WooHoo!!!). I hope you will all stop by and say hello.

I'm curious about where you all think romance is headed next. Right now, it's clear paranormal is the hot genre. Back in the 1980's it was historicals, then it moved into more contemporary romance and these past few years it's all about the paranormal. So what do you think is next? Could the Sookie Stackhouse success trigger more mystery romance?

OK, now I know I've been slacking off in my hunkage posting, so today I've got several cowboy hunks for your drooling pleasure (keyboard drool warning!). :o)

Now here is today's hunks... "cowboys"

Now I know where the term "Ride 'em cowboy" comes from! *grin*

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My Sunday Post...

What a great weekend of reading (and actually getting my reviews posted!) I am having! I still can not seem to put down the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris. On Friday I finished "Dead to the World" (and a Maya Banks Harlequin book) and got both those reviews up, then yesterday I finished "Dead as a Doornail" - plan to get that review up this afternoon - and now I am more than half way through "Definitely Dead"!


I love when I am able to read like this and have such great books to get lost in for hours at a time. The problem is a big part of me wants to slow down on the Sookie books because I only have a few left and I just don't want it to stop! Truly I am addicted to these wonderful books and the character of Sookie Stackhouse. She's wonderful. I have to say it again, I HIGHLY recommend these books.


And I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the great guys out there. I hope you enjoy your special day.

And Happy Birthday to author

Kendra Leigh Castle!!

Blow out your candles! *grin*

If you'd like help blowing out those

candles Kendra, just let me know! :o)

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(To visit Kendra's blog click: HERE)

"Dead to the World" by Charlaine Harris

I freaking LOVE this series! I confess to being a total Sookie Stackhouse ADDICT. I read this latest Sookie book in less than 12 hours because I could NOT put it down. I just finished "Dead to the World" (291 pages) the fourth book in the series by Charlaine Harris and I am so eager to start the next one I can hardly sit still! LOL Honest, I just can't get enough of this series and I am ever so happy that there are several more books already out that I don't have to wait for. I am also extremely pleased that the UPS guy was here yesterday delivering the next four books in the series. This review will include some spoilers so be warned.

In "Dead to the World" Sookie finds Eric (the hunky Viking-like vampire *sigh*) running near naked down the road in the middle of winter. He has completely lost his memory and doesn't know who he is or who Sookie is. Sookie doesn't know what is going on, but she feels compelled to help Eric while her ex-vampire boyfriend Bill (boo hiss!) is gone to Peru (woohoo, stay there!).

Apparently there is an evil, VERY EVIL nasty coven of witches who are drinking vampire blood (making them amazingly strong) and out to take over the financial businesses of Shreveport where Eric is making a lot of his money. They target Eric and threaten him if he doesn't cooperate with their demands. The vampires refuse and Eric ends up cursed with complete memory loss. That leaves vampire Pam (Eric's second in charge) to handle things. The first decision is that Eric is to stay in Sookie's house under her 'protection' until he regains his memory or they kill the witches- which ever happens first. Sookie isn't thrilled with this arrangement but thanks to her greedy brother Jason, the vampires agree to pay Sookie a huge amount of money to care for Eric.

Sookie doesn't like to admit it, but she likes having Eric around. He's very insecure and frightened by his memory loss so he attaches himself to Sookie. He doesn't hide the fact that he's sexually attracted to her (just like when he had his memory only now he's more charming and gentle about it). Sookie hasn't had sex in a long time (since her cheating low life ex-vampire boyfriend Bill ditched her for his ex-creator/lover) so she puts up very little resistance to the smokin' hot sexy Eric and soon they are having a sexual relationship that nearly catches the sheets on fire! And Eric, unlike Bill, doesn't want to feed off Sookie's neck, he feeds from the vein in her thighs (oh my that does things to Sookie she never dreamed of!).

But Sookie's got more problems than taking care of a cursed vampire who lights her body up into flames, and an evil coven of witches - her brother Jason has gone missing and most people think he's dead. Sookie can't find out anything about Jason's disappearance. The police think the worst has happened and that if Jason is found, it will only be his remains. Sookie goes into detective mode and does her own searching for answers to his disappearance. But when she comes up empty over and over again she begins to fear the worst too. She can't dwell on that at the moment because the Supernatural world is calling on her for help. The vampires and the werewolves need her help in locating "Hallow" the leader of the evil coven of witches. The witches are human so Sookie can read their minds and give the vampires and werewolves information they need to take down the coven.

This book brings back characters from the other books like the ever so hunky Alcide the Werewolf and vampires Pam and Chow. It also introduces some new supernatural beings like an amusing and mysterious fairy and some werepanthers! We learn about witches powers and that Sookie's small home town of Bon Temps isn't as boring and quiet a place as she once thought! And a new element of "cross roads" and magical powers begins to make it's appearance and I have a suspicion that those elements will play a larger part in the books to come.

There is a call to war and the vampires and werewolves join forces (never done before) to kill the never before seen powerful coven of witches and Sookie is called upon to lead the attack because she's the only one who can read the human minds of the evil witches. This is a GREAT battle scene! I loved it, every word on every page was great. Just when you think that was the climax of the story and everyone goes home to bandage their wounds (except for Pam the vampire who has to get one captured witch to undue the curse on Eric) there is more excitement! Sookie has to battle a supernatural being set on killing her and then the next day when a light bulb goes off in Sookie's mind she has to very carefully rescue her brother- if he's still alive!

Then surprise upon surprise when Eric wakes up he's the old Eric with no memory of the intimate time he spent with Sookie. He feels something has changed between them, but doesn't remember it and Sookie isn't offering up any details (she fears Eric will be Eric and use it against her to have his own way- the old Eric loves to manipulate if it means getting what he wants). So Sookie keeps quiet while Eric pushes to unravel the mystery of what happened between them. I hope and think this will continue in the next book. Eric isn't the type to let things go and he still wants Sookie. *sigh*

LOVED, just LOVED this book!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and entire series.

"The Tycoon's Rebel Bride" by Maya Banks

I hadn't read a Harlequin book in quite a while, then I found "The Tycoon's Rebel Bride" (Silhouette Desire) by Maya Banks and had to read it. I was not disappointed! This book is a great bargain at less than $5.00, full of romance and a sexually frustrated hero whom the heroine drives crazy with lust and desire! What fun! :o)

Back Blurb:

"Tycoon Theron Anetakis had only one problem—and she just walked through his door. With his business takeover complete, he'd intended to arrange a marriage for himself to further secure his future. However…
Little Isabella Caplan had blossomed into a voluptuous vixen with plans of her own, and they didn't include letting the executor of her father's estate also arrange a marriage for her to another man! She had pined for Theron long enough. Now it was time to seduce her hot-blooded hotel tycoon and bring him to one bended knee."

This is the second book in a trilogy about HOT SEXY Greek brothers and the women they fall for. I have not read the first or third books yet- but I will! I found this was fine as a stand alone that just hinted at the first brothers story- hinted enough that I have to go get the book and read it too!

Sexy rich Greek hunk Theron Anetakis is a hotel guru in New York. He's very traditional in his beliefs (like a wife should be a virgin and as husband it's up to him to teach her all she needs to know in bed). One day, he finds himself the guardian of Isabella Caplan whom he hasn't seen in years. He remembers her with braces and pigtails. What he doesn't expect is a 22 year old sexy woman with a belly button ring and tiny tattoo on her lower back that makes him want to lick it!

He is floored by the sensuality that Bella stirs in him and tries his best to deny it. On the other hand, Bella wants Theron and she's on the hunt to seduce him and make him fall in love with her because she's been in love with him since she was a child.

I loved this quick romantic read! Theron was all hot alpha dominant male (not to mention filthy rich and used to getting what he wants) and Bella was young but in love and doing her best to figure out how to get Theron to see her as a woman (little did she know!).

I give this book 4 stars out of 5!

"Club Dead" by Charlaine Harris

Book three in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris is "Club Dead" and its my favorite of the series so far. In this edition of the series, Sookie and her vampire boyfriend Bill are having problems with their relationship (this thrilled me since I don't like Bill). Bill is being even more secretive than usual and is shutting Sookie out and has turned off the sex - much to a frustrated and horny Sookie's dismay.

She knows something is up with Bill, but she doesn't know what and then Bill says he has to leave town for a while. All very mysterious. He says he's going to Seattle, but right away she knows he is lying and she's hurt. At this point I am thrilled with the book! I don't like Bill, I think he's cold (ya, I know he's a vampire but still...), distant, secretive and the only time I see him as affectionate is when he wants something from Sookie or to 'mark his territory' so to speak. I just never liked this guy and have wanted Sookie to kick him to the curb from book one.

(some spoilers ahead)

Sookie is upset with Bill and knows something is going on ...like another woman something, but she still loves Bill. *sigh* Bill is a cheating, selfish monster but because he was her first (in so many ways), she still feels that connection with him and while she's ticked off at him she still loves him. But...(and I love this) that love isn't strong enough to stop her from making out with not one guy but two! Go Sookie! :o)

Sookie agrees to help Eric (sexy, hot Viking looking vampire Eric) and find out what happened to Bill. Is Bill dead? Kidnapped? Or had he run off with another woman ditching Sookie? Sookie is determined to find out, but she needs help. That's were hot, hunky, sexy werewolf Alcide comes in. There's an attraction there between them from the get go, but both are leery of the other at first. They quickly find out that they like each other and get along well, though Alcide being a werewolf has his own problems - a crazy jealous ex and the full moon making him tense and aggressive. Sookie knows at this point that Bill left her for another woman- a vampire woman whom Bill was in love with long before Sookie. So she's feeling very betrayed and angry, but she still thinks she has some love left for Bill (the dirty rotten selfish cheating pig I'd like to stake- can ya tell I don't like this guy?).

While Alcide and Sookie are trying to find out what happened to Bill, Eric is never far from Sookie. He makes it perfectly clear that he wants her and he intends to have her one day (fanning self). While Sookie, Alcide and Eric are at "Club Dead" with assorted other supernatural beings like goblins, shapeshifters, werewolves and more vampires Sookie uncovers a plot to stake a vampire and in an effort to stop the attack ends up being staked herself! Her blood spilled in a club full of vampires and werewolves on a full moon causes a near riot and she is quickly whisked away by Viking Vampire Eric. To help heal Sookie, Eric feeds her his blood and it's such an erotic experience for Eric that he has a orgasm all over Sookie's back as she leans against him wrapped in his arms while he's moaning away in ecstasy. I loved that scene. :o)

When Sookie begins to heal she finds out Bill is alive and being tortured and its up to her to rescue him. After getting a sleeping wounded tortured Bill in the car truck (its daytime and she has to keep Bill out of the sunlight) she drives to an underground parking garage. Once there she goes to check on Bill only to be shoved into the trunk and locked in with him. When Bill wakes up from his slumber he's hungry and nearly kills Sookie as he tears into her throat in a feeding frenzy and begins to rape her until her pleas break through his foggy brain and he realises he has almost raped and killed Sookie. Sookie has very little blood left and is weak, but she survives Bill's attack. As soon as the sun goes down, Eric finds her almost dead and helps her come around by feeding her more blood. Once Bill is free he confesses to cheating on Sookie and planning on leaving her. Sookie leaves him (woohoo) and turns to Eric to help her get home (woohoo again!). On the way Eric and Sookie have quite an adventure and you can see Eric falling more and more for Sookie. I loved every minute of it!

Once home, Sookie and Eric have their first fight - it was looking like a great set up for a passionate kiss when Sookie takes off into her house only to find out she's got company waiting for her and it's not the friendly kind. Sookie takes the worse beating I have ever read a woman take in a fiction book, and both Eric and Bill are beside themselves with worry for her (after they killed and drained all eight of Sookies attackers).

Sookie is sore and badly beat up giving her a LOT of time to think about her life and the vampires in it. She is fed up with them and wants some space to heal and make some major decisions about what's next for her. There is a great final scene in this book that I loved, and that left me hanging for the next book "Dead to the World" (book 4).

Hands down this was my favorite so far of the series and I give it 5 stars out of 5 stars.

I can't wait to read me some more Sookie & Eric!! :o)

Thursday mutterings...

It's another rainy day here and that means I will have an excuse to stay in and read more today. My reading time has been severely cut down this month and I really hate that, especially since I know I have so many great books in my TBR pile just waiting for me.

I finished the 3rd book in the Sookie Stackhouse vampire mystery series ('Club Dead') and LOVED it! This one is my favorite so far. I hope to get a review up for "Club Dead" later this morning- this book will also be my final read for "The Love Bites Reading Challenge" (right side bar). I have one more book in this series "Dead to the World" in my TBR pile, so yesterday as soon as I finished 'Club Dead' I got online and bought the next four books in the series "Dead as a Doornail", "Definitely Dead", "All Together Dead", and "From Dead to Worse" by Charlaine Harris. I also added three books from Charlaine Harris's other series "Harper Connelly" to my B&N Wish List. This series sounds just as good as the Sookie Stackhouse series, so when I am finished with Sookie, I plan to dig in to Harper's story.

Here's the back blurb for "Grave Sight" (the first book in the Harper Connelly series):

Synopsis
"Harper Connelly has what you might call a strange job: she finds dead people. She can sense the final location of a person who's passed, and share their very last moment. The way Harper sees it, she's providing a service to the dead while bringing some closure to the living-but she's used to most people treating her like a blood-sucking leech. Traveling with her step-brother Tolliver as manager and sometime-bodyguard, she's become an expert at getting in, getting paid, and getting out fast. Because for the living it's always urgent-even if the dead can wait forever."
Publishers Weekly
"Ever since Harper Connelly survived a zap from a lightning bolt, she's been able to find dead people, a skill that makes the protagonist in the first installment of Harris's new series a tad more bizarre than the mind-reading heroine of the author's Sookie Stackhouse books (Dead as a Doornail, etc.). Harper travels to the Ozark town of Sarne, Ark., to find a missing teenage girl's body, accompanied by her stepbrother, Tolliver, who acts as her manager and bodyguard and with whom she shares a thinly disguised physical attraction that they manage to keep at bay by engaging in casual sex with various partners. Finding the body takes no time at all, but leaving town afterward isn't so easy. When Harper's life is threatened and Tolliver ends up in jail on trumped-up charges, it quickly becomes apparent that something sinister is going on in Sarne. Harris delivers a knuckle-gnawing tale populated with well-developed, albeit edgy characters. A nifty puzzle toward the end will challenge the most jaded mystery buffs. Agent, Joshua Bilmes at Jabberwocky. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information." (from B&N website)

And I have ordered HBO's hit series based on Sookie Stackhouse "True Blood" from Netflix. The first DVD should be here today! I hope I like it. :o)

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Here's some interesting hunk photos...

<--I really wouldn't recommend fencing while your nekkid - too many dangly parts to injure.

<-- hmm... nekkid helicopter rides!

<-- mermen are real!!!!!!!!! :o)

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***FYI: Author Cheryl Brooks will be guest blogging

here on June 23rd (Tuesday)***

It's Hump Day...

I've got a different sort of post today. No book reviews or hot hunks (sorry ladies, you'll have to make do with my banner). Today you find out that besides being a book addict and drooling hunk "researcher" (its a tough job, but someones got to do it)...I am also a HUGE muscle car groupie.

Yes...I love muscle cars. My very favorite in the world is the 1967 Pontiac GTO Hardtop (but the Coupe & convert. are drool worthy too). I go nuts when I see this car (especially if a hunk is driving it!), I just can't help myself.

Anywho...over on KristieJ's blog today, she is sharing what her desktop wallpaper is. My wallpaper & screen savers change weekly depending on my mood.

I use Webshots program as I like that it holds all my photos and shuffles them or goes by a theme that I pick. My current theme is Pontiac GTO's and today I am sharing a few of the photos I have as my wallpaper & screensavers.

<-- currently a screensaver

<--this front on red '67 GTO Hardtop is my current wallpaper.

<--screensaver orange '67 GTO

<--gold '67 convert. GTO in front of Mt. Rushmore

<-- my DREAM car... 1967 Starlight Black GTO Hardtop *drooling* (yes, I actually drool over this muscle car).

OK, that's something about me you probably didn't know (maybe wish you didn't! lol). Are any of you muscle car fans? Are your hubby's fans? I grew up in a family of muscle car fans so I guess I was doomed to be a GTO groupie. :o)

"Living Dead in Dallas" by Charlaine Harris

Another Sookie Stackhouse book finished and I am still loving this character! Sookie gets better and better with each book. Last night I finished "Living Dead in Dallas" and my impressions from the first book in the series were reinforced. I still love Sookie, I still dislike Bill and I still think Eric is the better choice for Sookie...though Sam is another excellent choice- especially since he's actually living and Eric and Bill are both technically dead.

In "Living Dead in Dallas", Sookie travels with Bill (her on a separate plane and him in his coffin) to Dallas so that Sookie can use her disability/gift of telepathy to ferret out the rat (???) in a nest of Dallas vampires and their human followers. Sookie meets a large group of vampires...creepy and scary and... of all things geeky- at least that's the impression the head vampire gives. Stan the man head vampire gives the impression of a geek but he's deadly and he needs Sookie to help him find his "brother" -a gay cowboy vampire whose gone missing. But there is a rat in the vampire household who let's a radical anti-vampire group know that Sookie is coming and this "Fellowship" group try to kidnap and murder Sookie.

Sookie has quite an adventure solving whose done what to whom, escaping with her life, meeting new vampires, new shape shifters, fighting with Bill, kissing Eric and meeting up with the most vile and nasty Callisto- whom I am still scratching my head over (she really gave me the creeps- a truly vile and icky character). Not to mention solving a murder back at home and getting involved in a sicko local orgy group who want her to join in their fun.

This is a great paranormal series that I am truly enjoying, it's not heavy on the romance but its a great read with an endearing phenomenal heroine who sucks you in and takes you for an adventurous ride that is really a delight to read. It's one of those books you don't want to put down because you HAVE to read more and see what happens next.

I give this book a 4.5 stars out of 5 and I highly recommend it.

On a side note, when I first looked at this series I picked up the forth book "Dead to the World" first and read the back blurb about finding a naked vampire (Eric) on the side of the road. It was THAT blurb that got me to buy the series (the first 4 books to start), so I might be a bit biased about Eric and my dislike of Bill. I had fallen for Eric on the back blurb of book 4 before ever read book one!! :o)

All I can say is BRING ON MORE ERIC!

On that note...here is Travis Fimmel the guy whom I always picture as Eric when I read these books. (I mentioned him today on Cheryl Brooks blog when she mentioned the need for a long blonde haired hunk). If he looks familiar, he's the Absolute Vodka hunk I had on my blog for months. :o)

Romance book covers

I began reading romance back in the early 1980's when I was a preteen. My first romance book was "A Fire In the Blood" by Mary Kay Simmons and I ADORED this book and read it over and over again till it was well worn. Then my Mother found my stash (snooping in my room!) and tossed 'that trash in the trash'. Mom wasn't a romance reader. *sigh- I still miss that book*
I had gotten my first romance book from an unlikely source...my 80 year old GREAT grandmother! She was the stereo typical little blue haired never miss church granny...on the outside. But in the privacy of her home, she had PILES upon PILES of romance books lining the walls of her den. She didn't see anything wrong with a preteen girl reading romance so she let me help myself to any books I wanted. I always picked the historicals because of the hot and sexy covers (I know a lot of you think they're tacky, corny and lame but to a preteen they were what dreams were made of!) and I loved those hot rippling muscled males ripping bodice scenes. In honor of those books and what got me started on romance reading, I have compiled some sexy romance art (compliments of Flickr).

Umm...umm...good. I just love these sexy romance covers...

makes me nostalgic for my early romance reading years. :o)
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So which romance cover is your favorite?

Did you start off with historical romances with covers like these?

What's your favorite historical with a cover like these?

Blog banner change

OK, I'm playing around with the blog banner again *grin*.
I am not sure if the background photo is going to stay, but I'm keeping the hot hunks on there! :o)
So you may see several different photos while I play around, but the hunks are staying.

Vampires, vampires and more vampires!

Today's post is all about the vampires! Vampire books, vampire movies, vampire jokes, vampire art and yes, even vampire BOOZE! Over the past year or two I have read more vampire paranormal books than ever before and I am loving them. Some of my favorites are my current read the "Sookie Stackhouse" series by Charlaine Harris, the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyers (great series I highly recommend), the "Black Dagger Brotherhood" series by JR Ward (another one I highly recommend- a MUST read for ANYONE who likes ANYTHING with vampires in it). These are just some of the vampire books I've enjoyed, there are many more and below are just some of the vampire movies I've enjoyed there are many more like 'Interview with a Vampire' that falls under the great book & great movie category.

As I've mentioned several times, my favorite TV vampire is still Mick St.John from the now canceled show "Moonlight". If you didn't get a chance to see this show, you can rent it from Netflix or buy the DVD in stores, on Amazon.com and even at Barnes & Noble. It's a good one.

So what are some of YOUR favorite vampire books and movies?

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The trailer for this fall's newest vampire TV series based on the "Vampire Dairies" books (which I am currently reading along side the Sookie Stackhouse series):

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Some vampire art...

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Some vampire movies I've enjoyed...

(while I was disappointed in the acting in Twilight,

I still liked that it stayed so close to the book

and that Robert Pattinson was picked to play Edward!)

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(Queen of the Damned)

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Some vampire fun & humor...

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And let's not forget Vampire Booze...

Yum...yum...yum...

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And if wine isn't strong enough for ya...

there's always Vampire Vodka for that "BLOODY Mary" *grin*

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