10. My Week – School is in full session, which means I get two hours a day to myself. I like it :) We also got a hot tub delivered! Woot! But it is sitting in my driveway because it weighs 500 pounds and we have no idea how to get it over our fence into our backyard. Unwoot.
9. JR Ward has scheduled an online chat to discuss Crave and the Brotherhood books on Friday, October 15th at 8pm EST. Here is a link to the chat room. Her chats are fun – crazy, but fun :)
8. Speaking of Crave , I just finished it this week. I will post my official review in a few weeks, but let’s have a tiny chat right now. In my opinion, it is better than Covet (Book one in her Fallen Angel series). The hero is all dark, and violent. The heroine is a very smart attorney (who watches reruns of Three’s Company..score. One of my favorite shows.) The first half of the book was so good. I was tweeting my joy. I was excitedly commenting on Goodreads. I was in hubs face telling him how good the book was and I was getting massive eye rolls from him. All was good in the Smexy household.
The sexual tension was hot, and the plot moved its booty right along. Then the second half everything fizzled. The romance went flat. The pacing became slow. The ending however had a nice twist. I actually really liked the ending. SO – I am giving it a 3.5/5. (I gave Covet a 3). I will blab more about it at the end of the month.
There is a Lover Unleashed excerpt at the end. Vishous is in it *bites lip* – oh and Manny and Jane.
7. Karen Marie Moning sends out a newsletter at the end of each month and she always includes a small excerpt from her upcoming book, in this case, Shadowfever. I LOVE getting these teasers, BUT I’m a little confused/worried about her past two. I don’t want to go into what they say in case some of you are staying away from them on purpose, but I feel like she is giving too much away. I mean – the August one – did it really tell us who and what Barron’s is?!? Or is she trying to throw us off track?? I know they are read out of context so they could be misleading – but I don’t want Barron’s past revealed until I read the darn book!
Do I read September’s tease? I don’t know. I’m so desperate for this book I don’t know if I can stay away from the newsletter. I might not make it until January y’all.
6. Tori’s Friday 56 – The Grimrose Path by Rob Thurman
“Aw, I feel for you sugar. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Always a duke, never emperor. Never Lucifer himself.”
I’d studied so much demonology in my day, I would’ve owned Aleister Crowley’s ass in Satanic Trivial Pursuit and had time left over to kick it in Unholy Pictionary too.
Releases-September 7, 2010
How to play Friday 56.
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Grab the book nearest you. Right now
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Turn to page 56.
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Find the fifth sentence.
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Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
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Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
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Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
Happy Friday!!
5. The lovely Kmont, who writes the blog Lurv a la Mode, which I hope you are all familiar with – she reviews mainly UF/Fantasy titles and always makes nice points about each book. But – I discovered this week she also writes a cooking blog, Full Fork Ahead (cute name, yes?). She just posted her Chewy Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. YUM! I love chewy cookies. I love even more taking cookies and a cup of tea into bed while I read. :) I tried these this morning and omg – so good! They get the smexy approval. The recipe she has posted is tailored to a standing mixer – which I have a lovely one. But I had to mix these by hand because I tried to be cool and have a garbage bowl like Rachel Ray – which has actually been great – except now I am missing half of my silverware, cooking utensils and steak knives and the flat beater to my mixer. Apparently I throw away more than just garbage. Check out her recipes – I’m trying her creamy orzo with shrimp next :)
4. My TV Week – Should I admit the crap I have watched? Really? I always say I don’t watch a lot of TV..and I really don’t. But when I do – oh um gee…it’s not good people. I may have seen an episode of Quints by surprise. Meh – been there, watched that. I started recording Friday Night Lights – ABC Family is showing them from the beginning. But who knows if I will actually watch them. And of course I have to watch the first twenty minutes of Regis and Kelly. I heart them. This morning Anderson Cooper was filling in. Rawr you silver fox.
3. So the paranormal apocalyptic book, Nightfall by Ellen Connor doesn’t come out until summer of 2011 – but I’m really excited for this one. Why? Ellen Connor is actually the writing team of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty! Hello!! They came up with their pen name by combining the character names Ellen Ripley from Alien and Sarah Connor from The Terminator. That is pretty awesome. I love Ann Aguirre’s work and although I have never read Carrie Lofty all I hear are wonderful things. Can’t wait for this one! Go HERE for their website, and HERE for the first chapter of the book. (Thanks to Katiebabs for the heads up.)
2. The Amazing Race is one reality show where I would totally fail. I have zero sense of direction and let’s just put it out there – I’m an indoor girl. Let me hide in my room with a book and film me – that is the only show my booty would be on. When I saw this video of a woman getting slammed in the face with a watermelon – it just proves to me I don’t belong outside..with large sling shots. Now on the other hand, my hubs and my friend Melissa, would make an awesome team. We’ve even come up with a dramatic, emotional back story – maybe one day they will try out. I’ll sit at home and run the DVR.
1. I’m off to the Maryland Renaissance Festival this weekend. Last year when I went it was the Scotland weekend –lots of men in kilts. Unfortunately, none that looked like any I’ve read in my books. I’m looking forward to cheesecake on a stick. I’m also reading City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane this weekend. I know, I know – I don’t know why I haven’t read it yet either. I’m coming for you Terrible!! Happy Friday!!!
Michelle Greathouse says
I'm looking forward to NightFall – and how cool is that pen name?
Have a great weekend.
M
Smash Attack! says
I don't even own the Stacia Kane series yet. Who knows when I'll get to them. So sad. :/
I LOVE Ren Fests! It is a tradition that hubs and I do every year. It was our very first date! :) HAVE FUN!
Fiction Vixen says
I nearly went pee in my pants when I saw that vid on you facebook.
Yay you're reading COG. Let's chat when you're done!!
Chris says
Have fun at the Ren Fest!
Also, I love the term "Unwoot" – thanks!
Penelope says
I love KMont's food site….thanks for the rec.
tori aka ggs_closet says
LOL on that vid.
Your just NOW reading COG??? Wha' happened?
Have fun this weekend!
The Book Pimp Blogs says
I too enjoy a little Regis and Kelly in the morning(even though I have to watch it at night). Love when AC360 co-hosts. I did see him this morning since I'm off today.
OMG at the Amazing Race video. I do enjoy me a litlle AR and like you have 0 sense of direction and wouldn't last past the 1st day. But to take that watermelon in the kisser – OUCH!
Love your top 10 and if I could eat cookies – KMONT's sound delish
KMont says
You crack me up! I'm pretty sure some of my silverware has ended up in the trash too! :D I'm glad the cookies worked for you! You're the second person that's made them this week, that I know of. I admit I was nervous they wouldn't work for folks.
Patti (Book Addict) says
I agree – KMM is killing me!!! In a good way. Or not in a good way. I don't know…is it January yet?
I know I said I was going to make it last but I just finished City of Ghosts. I'll admit it *whispers* I've got the Terrible fever :)
Bells says
Glad to hear that you will be reading City of Ghosts this weekend. LOL!
Mandi says
Michelle – I can't wait for that book!!
Ash – Renn fests are fun. And when you are done school, you have to hit the Downside series..for reals!
FV – omg…that vid makes me laugh every time..I would have been bawling my eyes out.
Chris – yay..you got my unwoot. I was hoping people wouldn't be like – wtf is that word..haha
Mandi says
Penny – Cookies…omg yum
Tori- I know..if I don't start COG..Bells will hunt me down!
Book Pimp – yay, another Live watcher :) And that watermelon – I would have crawled my way back home..screw this! LOL
Kmont – cookies are amazing..not kidding. I'm totally overloaded on them right now. They are the perfect consistency. I need more cookie recipes from you – kthxbai
Patti – Oh Terrible..damn that boy. I can't wait to start the book!!!
Bells!!!! Bells…I'm reading it…you don't have to hurt me now.
Julie says
OMG! Are you freakin' kidding me?! You are FINALLY reading City of Ghosts! I can't wait to know what you think, how you feel, how your heart will pitter patter!!! I can't believe you haven't read it yet…it's not like you have much else to read ;p
And I am super happy that there is a Lover Unleashed tease in the back of Crave…and one with V! I am shaking in my booties I'm so excited!
Happy Weekend Mandi!
Christy says
LOVE the cover for Nightfall :)
Ava March says
You mean hubs can't lift the 500 lb hot tub over the fence? Tell him he needs to work out. LOL
And OMIG the AM video!! Could they have shown that in slow motion any more times? And that blonde chick didn't seem all that concerned. b!tch!!
Kati says
Listen, I want you to watch Friday Night Lights. But I want to make it VERY VERY VERY clear to you, Taylor Kitsch is MINE.
Once you watch, you'll understand and have lusty feelings. And I'm telling you now, woman, back AWAY from Tim Riggins. He's mine, mine ALL MINE.
Mmkay?? MMkay.
Mandi says
Julie – yes, finally reading it!! Can't wait to talk to you about it!
Christy – It's just okay for me..the dude is a little too – look at my naked oily chest..but otherwise, the heroine looks cool!
Ava – I'm very disappointed in hubs. Here is his chance to prove his strength! And he fails.
If I had got hit in the face and my friend had that reaction – there would have been a brawl ;)
Kati – yes ma'am!! *backs away slowly*
Blodeuedd says
I do like top ten :)
Paranormal Haven says
I can't wait for Crave. BDB is still my favorite but her Fallen series helps to ease the long wait between books. Do you know if she is planning a virtual signing?
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
yaquelin says
I keep hearing about COG, I will wait for your verdict. thank you for the Crave info, I'm so freakin glad you liked crave a little better!! thank goodness. I don't care if the 2nd part wasen't awesome as long as SOME of it was!! Covet was just downright awful and from JR what what??!!! how did that happen???
shadowfever, shadowfever, woot woot!! are you kidding? she would never give anything away she just wants u confused till January and look- it worked!!
Danielle says
Aw, too bad about 'Crave'.
I seriously resent the 'Fallen Angels' series – I just think if the Warden wasn't writing those books, then we'd have 2 BDB books a year!
Artemis says
Ooooooo, cheesecake on a stick!
Smokinhotbooks says
I didn't care for the main characters in Covet so I'm sure I'll likey Crave and plus, I need a JR Ward fix because my Lover Mine is starting to wear out.
Twimom227 says
OMG – I have to get Crave for the BDB excerpt alone! Can't wait!!
heidenkind says
I'll have to put Crave on my Angel Month list again.
Do you dress up for the Ren Fair?
Dottie (Tink's Place) says
I'm always meaning to pick up the Stacia Kane books and I've yet to do it, don't know why…they look great!
Have a great weekend!
Dottie :)
orannia says
Great top ten Mandi! I do love the cover of Crave even though I'm not interested in reading the series :)
And good luck with the hot tub!
SpazP says
Meh, I'm bummed about Crave. Happy it got 1/2 star more than Covet – but I'd rather the second half of the book to be better than the first half if I had to chose. LOL… OH WELL!
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