My 2009 Book Reading List

This is my 430th post to my blog and also my last post of the year 2009. This is the first year I kept track of the books I read, so I don't know if I read more or less this year than any other year, but I was happy to see I read over a 100 books this year and almost all of them I really enjoyed.
My reading list clearly shows what happens when I discover a new-to-me author (which seemed to be my theme of 2009). Once I read a book by a new-to-me author that hooks me I go out and buy everything I can find by that author. A few of the new-to-me authors from 2009 that I simply ADORE are Lora Leigh, Maya Banks, Charlaine Harris, Kresley Cole, JR Ward (though her last few BDBH books were disappointments), Lisa Kleypas, Samantha Kane, Lisa Marie Rice and Tami Hoag. And two more new-to-me authors who I've not only fallen in love with their books, but also have the pleasure of calling friends are Cheryl Brooks and Kendra Leigh Castle. I have had a wonderful time getting to know these two amazing women this year. Thanks ladies, you rock!!
Also from my list you can see how my reading tastes altered during the year. I started out with historical or paranormal romances, moved into lots of erotica (OK, March Menage Month on the Moonlight to Twilight Blog had a lot to do with that- by the way, I think I am going to do that again this March so send me your menage book recommendations!). Then I read my first m/m book and read several of those before my discovery of all things Charlaine Harris. Her Sookie Stackhouse books rocked my world. When I had finished reading every single Sookie book, I dove into her Harper Connelly series and adored it. Then my reading moved into lots of YA books. I was craving them by the end of summer and into the fall. YA books are what started my passion for reading as a teen and I find I still adore them which is why I created my YA blog "The Cracked Spine". I plan on reading much more YA in 2010 and all the reviews of those will be on my new YA blog, but I will mention them right here so anyone interested in reading those reviews will get a heads up.
I want to thank ALL of YOU for making this past year so wonderful. It was my first FULL year of book blogging and without all your wonderful blogs, recommendations and comments I wouldn't have lasted or had the pleasure of your friendships. Thank you all, it's been a terrific year as far as books and blogging goes. We've lost several bloggers and I really hate that. I hope to see them back to blogging at least occasionally as I miss their posts and comments and most of all just seeing their names pop up in our blog world.

January 2009
1) “Into the Shadow” by Christina Dodd
2) “Into the Flame” by Christina Dodd
3) “Outrageous” by Christina Dodd
4) “One Moonlit Night” by Samantha James
5) “The Treasure” by Iris Johansen
6) “Dark Lover” by JR Ward
7) “The Decadent Duke” by Virginia Henley
8) “Ride the Fire” by Pamela Clare
9) “Lucky’s Lady” by Tami Hoad (Contemporary Reading Challenge Pick)
10) “Candle in the Window” by Christina Dodd
11) “Suddenly You” by Lisa Kleypas
12) “Seduction of an Unknown Lady” by Samantha James
13) “Lover Eternal” by JR Ward (favorite paranormal romance)
14) “Lover Awakened” by JR Ward
15) “Lover Revealed” by JR Ward
16) “Wicked Burn” by Beth Kery
17) “Broken Wing” by Judith James
18) “Lover Unbound” by JR Ward
19) “Lover Enshrined” by JR Ward
20) “Secrets of a Summer Night” by Lisa Kleypas
21) “Spellbound” by Nora Roberts
22) “It Happened One Night” by Lisa Kleypas

Feburary 2009

1) “Sugar Daddy” by Lisa Kleypas
2) “Viking Warrior” by Connie Mason
3) “Devil in Winter” by Lisa Kleypas
4) “Bad Boys of Summer” (anthology)
5) “Forever” by Judy Blume (YA)
6) “Heiress for Hire” by Erin McCarthy (Contemporary Romance Challenge Pick)
7) “A Well Favored Gentleman” by Christina Dodd
8) “Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One” by Sharon Lathan
9) “Jacob” by Jacquelyn Frank
10) “Nauti Boy” by Lora Leigh
11) “Dangerous Games” by Lora Leigh (favorite contemporary)

March 2009 (March Menage Month)

1) “3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys” by Lucy Monroe
2) “An Unforgettable Lady” by Jessica Bird (AKA: JR Ward)
3) “Wicked Pleasure” by Lora Leigh
4) “Slave” by Cheryl Brooks (favorite futuristic romance)
5) “Colters’ Woman” by Maya Banks (Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge Pick & favorite erotic romance)
6) “Sins of Summer” (anthology) (favorite erotic anthology)
7) “Virtual Reality” by Joey Hill
8) “Primal Heat” (anthology) (favorite erotic paranormal anthology)
9) “Nauti Nights” by Lora Leigh
10) “Nauti Dreams” by Lora Leigh
11) “Dangerous Lover” by Lisa Marie Rice
12) “Blackmailed” by Annmarie McKenna
13) “Submission/Seduction” by Lora Leigh
14) “Surrender” by Kimberly Zant
15) “The Courage to Love” by Samantha Kane
16) “Lover Under Siege” by Samantha Kane
17) “At Loves Command” by Samantha Kane
18) “Be With Me” by Maya Banks
19) “Marly’s Choice” by Lora Leigh
20) “Warrior” by Cheryl Brooks

April 2009
1) “Wicked Sacrifice” by Lora Leigh (erotic romance)
2) “The Assignment” by Evangeline Anderson -M/M romance (Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge Pick)
3) “A Hunger Like No Other” by Kresley Cole (paranormal romance)
4) “Rogue” by Cheryl Brooks (futuristic romance)
5) “Soul Deep” by Lora Leigh (favorite “Breed” book) (paranormal romance)
6) “Tempting the Beast” by Lora Leigh (paranormal romance)
7) “Passion” by Lisa Valdez (historical)


May 2009
1) “Wild Highland Magic” by Kendra Leigh Castle (paranormal romance)
2) “Lover Avenged” by JR Ward (urban paranormal romance)
3) “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer (reread) (YA)
4) “My Man Michael” by Lori Foster (futuristic romance)
5) “Male of the Species” by Kate Steele (M/M romance)
6) “Frost Fair” by Erastes (M/M romance)
7) “Six” by Opal Carew (erotic menage)
8) “Torn” by Sage Whistler (M/M romance)
9) “The Bargain” by Julia Templeton (historical)
10) “Switch” by Claire Thompson (M/M romance)
11) “Hidden Agenda” by Lora Leigh (Contemporary Reading Challenge Pick)

June 2009
1) “Dead Until Dark” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
2) “Living Dead in Dallas” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
3) “Club Dead” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
4) “The Tycoon’s Rebel Bride” by Maya Banks (Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge Pick)
5) “Dead to the World” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
6) “Dead as a Doornail” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)

July 2009
1) “Definitely Dead” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
2) “All Together Dead” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
3) “Unbroken” by Maya Banks
4) “Everlasting” by Iris Johansen
5) “Under Fire” by Jo Davis (Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge Pick)
6) “Gift Wrap” by Charlaine Harris (part of an anthology)
7) “Dracula Night” by Charlaine Harris (part of an anthology)
8) “From Dead to Worse” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
9) “Grave Sight” by Charlaine Harris (mystery series)

August 2009
1) “Pleasure Unbound” by Larissa Ione (erotic paranormal romance series)
2) “Swing” by Opal Carew (erotic romance)
3) “Mr.Darcy Vampyre” by Amanda Grange (paranormal historical)
4) “Nauti Intentions” by Lora Leigh (contemporary romance)
5) “Perfect Chemistry” by Simone Elkeles (YA) (Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge Pick & best YA book of the year)
6) “High Stakes” by Erin McCarthy (paranormal romance) DNF
7) “Outcast” by Cheryl Brooks (futuristic romance)
8) “Dead and Gone” by Charlaine Harris (paranormal mystery romance)
9) “Grave Surprise” by Charlaine Harris (mystery)
10) “An Ice Cold Grave” by Charlaine Harris (mystery) (favorite mystery book of the year)
11) “Wolf at the Door” by Christine Warren (paranormal romance) DNF

September 2009
1) “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare (YA)
2) “Leaving Paradise” by Simone Elkeles (YA)
3) “Beyond the Highland Mist” by Karen Marie Moning (Time Travel)
4) “The Tycoon’s Secret Affair” by Maya Banks (Romance)
5) “No Rest for the Wicked” by Kresley Cole (Paranormal)
6) “Desire Unchained” by Larissa Ione (paranormal, UF)
7) “Passion Unleashed” by Larissa Ione (paranormal, UF)
8) “City of Ashes” by Cassandra Clare (YA)
9) “City of Glass” by Cassandra Clare (YA)

October 2009
1) “Covet” by JR Ward (Paranormal)

November 2009
1) “Speak” by Laura Halse Anderson (YA)
2) “Blush” by Opal Carew (erotic, menage)
3) “Into the Mist” by Maya Banks (paranormal romance)
4) “Seeing Eye Mate” by Annmarie McKenna (erotic paranormal)
5) “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer (YA) *REREAD*
6) “Sticky Fingers” by Niki Burnham (YA)
7) “Eclipse” by Stephenie Meyer (YA) *REREAD*
8) “Checkmate” by Annmarie McKenna (erotic paranormal)
9) “Shameless Embraces” by Lora Leigh (Erotica/Menage)
10) “Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night” by Kresley Cole (paranormal romance)
11) “Worth Any Price” by Lisa Kleypas (historical romance)
12) “Coyote’s Mate” by Lora Leigh (paranormal romance)

December 2009
1) “Vampire Diaries” by L.J. Smith – DNF (2nd attempt to read)
2) “Wild Card” by Lora Leigh (contemporary romance)

Now for my "MUST READ" recommendations. If I had to name 5 books/series as 'must reads' from my 2009 reading list this is them...
1) Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series - PHENOMENAL!! Out of this world.
2) Perfect Chemistry -by Simone Elkeles was my hands down favorite YA of the year and possibly ever. I adored everything about this book, but it is not for young readers in my opinion.
3) If you like hot sex scenes, Lora Leigh is the author for you! Just about anything that woman writes will make you break out in sweat - even in winter!
4) I truly adored JR Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series the first 4 books (after that it was down hill but the sub stories were still good). This Urban Fantasy series hooked me completely and made me fall in love with one of my favorite heroes of the year: Rhage *sigh*
5) If historical romance is what you love, you MUST READ Lisa Kleypas. She wrote my favorite historical romances of the year. She does contemporary too, which I love, but I think her best stuff is her historical.

So those are my 'must read' books and authors of the year 2009, who are YOUR must read authors and books?? PLEASE tell me so they can be 'new to me' authors of 2010!!

Now for some "must see" movies I rented this year...
"Keith" - an indie film about first time love and a boy with a secret. Keith is played by music singer Jesse McCartney (I've had his music and videos on my blog during the year, now they are on The Cracked Spine blog).

"Disburbia" with the adorable Shia Labeouf. This is a thriller suspense movie about a teen boy in trouble with the law and on house arrest when he thinks he's discovered a serial killer in his neighborhood. There is romance in this one and it's great.

"Shelter" the m/m romance that I just reviewed this month. Sweet romance between two guys.

Best DVD TV series rental of the year... "Friday Night Lights" first 3 seasons. Adored it! This was a "new to me" television show that I will now be watching and not waiting for the DVD's to come out. Fell in love with all the characters, setting, plots...this show has it all.

Favorite British TV series I discovered on DVD this year...
"Vicar of Dibley" - LOVED this comedy series and plan on buying ALL the DVD's very soon. Hysterical series that ends with guest star Richard Armitage (swoons) in a fantasic ending.

And speaking of the lovely and smoldering Richard Armitage...another favorite BBC show is "Robin Hood". I've watched the first two seasons, the third season is being released in January and I can't wait to get my hands on it, though I've heard mixed reviews because of a new director and some changes, not to mention how the second season ended - didn't see that one coming!

"Skins" A BBC show about teens dealing with their problems, drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships and just plain living day to day. I loved getting to know these characters and they all found a place in my heart. Unforgettable.

Last WTF Wednesday of 2009

M/M Movie Review: "Shelter"

I watched "Shelter" last night on DVD. It's an m/m movie about a guy Zach (adorable- played by Trevor Wright) who doesn't know he's gay, but knows things aren't working with long time girlfriend/best friend. Zach's mother is dead, his father is ill and his sister is a judgemental self-centered slut with a young son that she barely acknowledges. She puts all her responsibilities on her brother Zach and has turned him into her full time babysitter so she can go out drinking and sleeping with assorted men, while Zach takes on raising her son. I hated her from beginning to end - a lot at the end. If you don't want to know details, stop reading my review now.

Zach gave up the chance to go to art school and pursue his dream of becoming an artist because of his family and his amazing feeling of responsibility to his nephew. His sister takes full advantage of him so that she can go off and party and sleep with assorted men - that she brings home to the small house she shares with Zach, her young son and her ailing father. She's beyond worthless in my view.

While Zach's friends go off to college and do their own thing Zach is stuck home caring for his nephew and working as a cook at a diner in a job that will go no where- but Zach NEVER complains. He has a heart of gold. He also has some pretty great friends including a girlfriend who is patient for a long time and suspects something might be going on with Zach. She doesn't judge him, but she is getting tired of the on again off again relationship they've had for years. She just wants Zach to make up his mind about what he wants for himself. Are they girlfriend/boyfriend or just best friends?

Speaking of friends, Zach's best bud is Gabe and Gabe is gone to college but stops home occasionally and meets up with Zach to go surfing or to a party. While Gabe is gone, Zach goes to his house to get one of his surf boards and finds Gabe's older - gay brother - Shaun back at the family home. Gabe just ended a relationship and is home until his new place is ready for him to move in. He's also working on his next book - the first book was about him coming out. A book that Zach admits he read and enjoyed. The two decide to go surfing together and find out they really enjoy each others company so they spend several more days together surfing, hanging out and meeting up with some of Zach's friends at a beach party. Zach's friends and sister begin to question his time spent with a gay man, but Zach brushes them off with the "It's Gabe's brother, we've known him for years!" excuse.

One night Zach and Shaun get to drinking and goofing around when Shaun gently caresses Zach then moves in for a kiss. Zach doesn't push away, he stays still and allows Shaun to kiss him. Nothing goes further and they both pass out. The next morning Zach is regretting the kiss and begins acting all weird. He won't talk to Shaun and is clearly fighting his feelings and the reality that he is in fact homosexual. This freaks him out and sends him into all sorts of turmoil. He knows what he wants, but he doesn't know if he can do it. If he can take that step or not. Here is one of my favorite scenes from the movie where you see Zach struggling to make his choice after weeks of ignoring Shaun and being an ass.

Now that Zach has made his decision things don't get easier because his relationship with Shaun is not "out", but a big secret and Zach is being torn apart trying to act like his old self, while he's fallen in love with a man. And not just any man, but his best friends older brother!

Zach's fear turns him into an ass again, and he pushes Shaun away and calls it all off. Shaun is clearly disappointed and has feelings for Zach but he doesn't push him.

Here's what I truly loved in the movie. His friends. Both his ex-girlfriend and his best friend Gabe (Shaun's brother) tell Zach they don't care if he's gay. They love him and it doesn't change anything - except his ex-girlfriend says she won't have sex with him anymore and he cracks up and hugs her. So cute, I loved it. And his best friend Gabe, tells him he loves him too and that he's happy for Zach and Shaun because it's his best friend and his brother both whom he loves. This totally had me crying. Then just as fast I was ticked off. The worthless sister drops even further on my respect scale when she tries to force Zach to raise her son so she can go off with her latest bed-buddy. She is repulsed by the thought of Zach being gay and thinks Shaun will somehow contaminate her young son, while she sees nothing wrong with the drunken losers she brings home, speaking to and treating her son like something to scrape off your shoes.

Zach has a lot of decisions to make all at once. Does he try to make a life with Shaun, out as a gay couple? Does he stay and raise his nephew? Does he take his second chance at art school? Does he have to chose or can he have it all? I had mixed emotions at the end. I was angry, happy and sad all at once. I was happy for Zach and Shaun, angry at the sister and both happy and sad for the nephew who will be better off, but what a sad excuse for a mother that poor kid had!

All in all, I really enjoyed this movie. I give it 4 stars! If you've dived into m/m romance books but haven't tried it on film, RENT THIS MOVIE. And even if you don't read m/m, this is a sweet romance movie with two great guys.

Happy Monday!

Hello everyone! Sorry I've been MIA lately, I hadn't intended to be. I probably won't be back daily on here until after New Years, but I do try to stop by at least every other day and peek at your blogs. I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday.
Today I am sharing some of my Christmas loot...

As you can see, I am jumping into Urban Fantasy with Patricia Briggs and Jeanine Frost for the adult stuff (I love the covers!) and trying out Richelle Mead in her YA "Vampire Academy" series that I've heard good things about.

I am currently reading "Moon Called" by Patricia Briggs, but I am only on chapter one so I really don't have any opinions of the book yet- other than I like the heroine being a 'grease monkey' and getting her hands dirty working on cars. Appeals to my love of classic cars I guess.

I also used one of my Amazon gift cards as soon as I got it and ordered three books that have been on my TBL for a while. I just love gift cards, don't you?
Here's what I've got coming from Amazon this week...(I hope this week)

"How The West Was Done" by Adam Carpenter (M/M cowboys!)
Synopsis: Men on horseback. Men in saloons swilling back shots of whiskey. Men alone on the trail. Men with desires unfulfilled. Men with an unstoppable passion for each other. This isn’t just the retelling of how the old west was won, it’s… HOW THE WEST WAS DONE In these eleven steamy stories, the archetypal image of the cowboy is given a fresh new spin as the virile man who shares his mind, his passion…and his body with other cowboys. Whether it’s a story set in the Wild West of the 1800s or an exploration of the modern-day cowboy, each author takes the cowboy fantasy to new erotic heights. From award-winning authors to fresh new voices, HOW THE WEST WAS DONE is sure to please anyone looking for tales of denim and leather, cowboys and Indians, real men and the men they love. So, saddle up for a fascinating ride in to the past, where the men who sought to settle the west also sought out the most primal pleasures. With hot action and fast-paced storytelling, this ultimate collection will have you wanting to ride off into the sunset. And not alone… Contributing Authors: • Gavin Atlas • Adam Carpenter • M. Christian • Curtis C. Comer • Ryan Field • Michael Luongo • Neil S. Plakcy • Cage Thunder • Jeff Wilcox • Kelvin Williams • Zavo

"Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater (YA)
Synopsis: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

"His Eyes" by Renee Carter (YA)
Synopsis: Amy Turner's about to graduate from high school and all she wants is a job. Actually, all she wants is to find a way to pay for college. Amy certainly isn't looking for love when she answers an ad to baby-sit a boy-she just needs the cash. But the job has a catch: The boy is blind...and he's her age.
Tristan Edmund may be hot, but he doesn't want Amy's help. Or so he thinks. After being blinded in a horse show-jumping competition, Tristan spends his days in the dark, refusing to accept his disability. Much to his annoyance, Amy bursts into his life and drags him into the light. But just as the two begin to see something in each other, Tristan's beautiful ex-girlfriend shows up. Will the temptation be too much, or will Tristan choose the girl who really sees him?

All the YA books will be reviewed on my YA blog "The Cracked Spine". So what are you currently reading? And what books did you recently get?

Happy Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas everyone! Be safe and happy!

Don't drink too much eggnog!! :o)

WTF Wednesday & Hump Day Hunks

Do They Know It's Christmas Time?

I was a teen when this song came out and I remember the first time it was shown on television (big lead up we were all waiting for) I watched it on MTV with my best friends. We all cried our eyes out while at the same time being so happy to see so many of our favorite singers and groups coming together to sing a song to benefit others. I love this song and the memories it brings back to me.

What song reminds you of Christmas' past?

I Need Help With Urban Fantasy Books

Color me stupid, but this confuses me. Actually, I thought I was doing fine until I started looking at book sites that called the books I read all sorts of different genres. Now I don’t know a damn thing (maybe I never did, I just thought I did).

For example, when I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris I thought I was reading a paranormal mystery. When I looked on Barnes & Noble they agreed. They call the Sookie Stackhouse books ‘paranormal mysteries’. But when I venture over to Borders, they call the same series “science fiction fantasy”. So then I went to Amazon and lost my mind (what I had left anyway). You see the folks at Amazon don’t want to limit themselves in any way; they refer to the Sookie Stackhouse books as “Thriller & Mystery” AND “Science Fiction” & “Fantasy” AND “Horror”.

So then I go to GoodReads and find the Sookie Stackhouse books in all sorts of genres much like Amazon has them. LibraryThing has them as assorted genres too (fiction, fantasy, mystery, paranormal romance, thriller, suspense and science fiction).
What gives? And why the hell do I want to know?

It all started with me plotting out where my blog and reading would head in 2010. One area of reading I have been sorely lacking in is URBAN FANTASY FICTION. So I did a GOOGLE search to find some popular Urban Fantasy books/series to add to my TBB list and plan for 2010. I was startled to find that Sookie Stackhouse was considered “urban fantasy” by several reviewers and sites. Urban? What’s “urban” about the Sookie Stackhouse books? I didn’t know so I began searching the Internet to find out what the difference was between ‘urban fantasy fiction’ and normal ‘fantasy fiction’ or ‘paranormal fantasy fiction’.

According to the gods and goddesses of Wiki, this is the difference:
"Urban fantasy is a subset of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many Urban fantasies are set in contemporary times or contain supernatural elements. However, this is not the primary definition of urban fantasy. Urban fantasy can be set in historical times, Modern times, or futuristic times. The prerequisite is that it must be set in a city, primarily rather than in a suburban or country setting, which have their own genre subsets.
Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting. Many works within the genre take place on fictional planes or planets where magic is common. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of scientific and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three (which are subgenres of speculative fiction)."

According to the prerequisite from Wiki I’d say that the Sookie Stackhouse books were clearly NOT ‘urban fantasy’ as some are listing them. Good! because to me, the Sookie books are clearly paranormal mysteries or fantasy fiction. I’m good with either genre titles, but ‘urban’ or ‘horror’?? If someone calls them that I’d say they never read the books. Also, I've seen some people refer to them as 'paranormal romance' books, they are not. While they might contain a bit of romance, they are not really a romance series according to nearly all the book sites, and I agree.

Enough of dear Sookie. What I really was getting at is the need to find some TRUE URBAN fantasy books for me to add to my TBB list. The only books I’ve read that I believe fall in the ‘urban’ fantasy genre would be the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward, possibly the Demonica series by Larissa Ione and the YA Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare (which I really liked). Off the top of my head I’d say those were the only ‘urban fantasy’ books I’ve read.

So I need your help. I don’t know who to buy. I see so many urban fantasy authors’ names like Jeanine Frost, Laurell K. Hamilton, Angela Knight, Rachel Caine, Nalini Singh, Kim Harrison, Gena Showalter, Patricia Briggs, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Richelle Mead etc., but I don’t know where to begin. Last winter I sent out a request for bloggers to share with me their favorite steamy romance authors and you all delivered. You introduced me to Lora Leigh, Lisa Kleypas, JR Ward, Samantha Kane and Maya Banks. All new to me authors and all authors I now adore.

So I am again asking all you book bloggers out there for help in finding some great urban fantasy authors.

**Some things to consider before you share your suggestions:
-I loved the first 4 books of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (the rest of the series was all downhill in my opinion)- anything like that will probably appeal to me.
-I have not yet found a ‘fallen angel’ book that I like, so I am stirring clear of them for now.
-I am looking for a great likable kick ass heroine
-I am also looking for another great “brotherhood” of badass ass-kicking heroes like the BDBH guys
-I want a book with some good romance in it, doesn’t have to be steamy, just romantic in some way (like the Sookie Stackhouse books)
-And since I live in New England, I have a special love for books that take place anywhere in the Northeast.

So if you can think of any books that I might like, PLEASE tell me. Leave me comments and links to reviews if you’ve got them. Tell me YOUR favorite urban fantasy books and authors. Why are they so great in your opinion? If you mention just an author, what series should I start with if an author has several available? How should I ease my way into urban fantasy? What urban fantasy series has you hooked and begging for more?

I appreciate ALL your thoughts and comments and look forward to diving into the urban fantasy genre in 2010!

Moonlight to Twilight Blog Anniversary!

It's my one year blog anniversary today so I thought I'd treat myself to a naked dude in the shower - nice huh?

I wasn't sure what to do for a post to celebrate one year of blogging. I thought about a contest or giveaway...but because it's right before Christmas it's just not a good time for me to be hosting some sort of giveaway or contest as I am busy with kids, the holidays and life off the Net, so I ditched that idea. Then I thought about reflecting back on all my favorites from the year, but rejected that too because I'll probably do that for New Years. So what did that leave me?
It leaves me with the two things people seem to really enjoy visiting my blog for. The WTF stuff and hot hunks. So in honor of my one year anniversary I give you more WTF shit and some smoking hotties to warm you this weekend!

First up is Twitter's "Sex Bed" couple. A true WTF-you've-got-to-be-fucking-kidding-me bit of fuckery. Have you heard this one? The best man at a couples wedding was sworn upon torture to do NO pranks before or at the wedding and he agreed. As soon as the couple said "I do" off the best man when to rig the newlyweds bed with a motion activated device so that each time the couple had sex in their bed it would go straight to Twitter. They now have over 20,000 people following their sex exploits. If you'd like to follow this couple's sex, you can join them on Twitter with all the other assholes who have no life: http://twitter.com/newlywedsontjob

Now for some funny Youtube WTF parody commercial (I love these).


Have you ever made music slamming your vehicle doors and flipping switches? Do people REALLY have time for this???



And now for the WTF photos...

And last, but never least...the hot hunkage...





Thanks to all of you who continue to stop by my blog and leave me comments. You've made this first year a blast and I truly look forward to many more years of blogging.