10. My week – I turned 33 this week. How the hell did this happen? Hooray. Present highlights include: A gnome candle, a new Kitchen Aid Mixer (my current one moans when it goes above the 2 speed), 2 pairs of shoes, 2 purses, and 5 bottles of wine (I have 1 bottle left – what? being 33 is hard). And, my friend had the above sign painted for me. Can you name the book this quote is from?? It came out recently….
A good friend of mine also bought me a flask with “Smexy” engraved on it. Do my friends know me or what?? A book and my flask and I’m set for life!
9. Operation Auction. Holy wow I LOVE this romance community. HARD. At the time I am writing up this post, I don’t have any final $$ numbers, but just watching the bidding this past couple of days has blown me away. Awesome, awesome involvement. Usually nasty drama takes center stage, and I am so psyched that something this positive did so well. You guys rock!
8. Looking at the Dabwaha GBLT category, I realized I had not read many of the m/m romances. So I immediately went to Amazon and bought books from two of the authors (I am starting with book one from each series.) I purchased Promises by Marie Sexton and Cheating Chance by James Buchanan. I finished Cheating Chance this week and really liked it. It is about Brandon, a cop in the closet and Nicky, an agent for the Nevada Gaming Commission. Not only is there a hot romance, where the conflict of Brandon being in the closet comes into play, but a murder mystery as well. I really like the author’s style of writing. Super hot, and really great characters. Starting book two very soon. Rating: B Amazon, Goodreads.
7. After a great rec from a friend, I stayed up late reading Promises last night – I could not put it down. I adore this book!! Matt is a cop who is more than just in the closet – he has convinced himself the few times he has been attracted to men has been a fluke. When he moves to a new town and meets Jared, who is openly gay, he slowly, oh so very slowly, goes from a friendship with Jared, to a relationship. I LOVE this slow progression of “No way I’m gay” to the “I love you” at the end of the book. Really well done. Very sexy book and I find her characters adorable. Starting book two tonight. Rating: B+. Amazon, Goodreads.
6. You can buy a mustache for your car. I can’t make this stuff up y’all. Patti from Book Addict saw this and thought of me. I do love a good ‘stache. My mini-van may need one. Maybe I will decorate my house with them too..like above every window. Link.
5. Jill Myles has lots of news to share with us this week. First, she has a new series coming out with Berkley under the name Jessica Clare. Woot! She also mentions a fourth Succubus Diary book will not be coming out with Pocket, rather she will self-publish it at some point. Yay! I NEED more Zane, Noah and Jackie. For reals. For all of her news go HERE.
4. You guys have all seen Awkward Family Photos, right? If not, go check them out right now! The most awkward, embarrassing photos of families you can find. Now they have put together a special wedding edition. OMG. Epic awkwardness. I love it.
3. Dear Author is hosting Ace/Roc Spring Giveaway. LOTS of great books up for grabs. Get over there and get your name in!
2. Smexy news – We have changed our Facebook Profile to a Facebook Page. Which means instead of “friending” us, you can now “Like” us. If you find us likable, go HERE to click the button ;) Also – we are setting up to change to WordPress (instead of blogger) I think everything is in place. If things go smoothly, you shouldn’t have to do anything. We do have a slightly new look. Nothing major. Hopefully it happens this weekend. We shall see!
Also – It is with great regret that I have to inform you Tori has decided to leave Smexy Books. Read her official post HERE. Really sad this news has to break on the first day of April. *ahem*
1. Weekend – My parents are keeping the kids Saturday night and my good friend is taking my kids to the circus on Sunday. What am I going to do with myself? Date night with hubs Saturday? Read Sunday? Good idea! I’m diving into Hot Chase by Erin McCarthy and A to Z by Marie Sexton this weekend! Happy Friday!
It was a good run Tori. A really good run. :)
I <3 the pink flask. Srsly. Who needs paper bags?
OMG-Awkward Family Photos is making me cry. Brilliant.
I love your flask! I've always said that I need to start bringing one to work! Hmmm…maybe I need to do some shopping this weekend.
I read Cheating Chance last year and loved it. I haven't read book 2, Inland Empire, yet. I'll get to it one of these days.
Have a great kid free weekend!
Happy birthday!
A belated Happy Birthday! And keep that wine coming. If you think 33 is hard, just wait for what comes later!
Happy Birthday!
Sorry to quibble with your side photos, but The Silver Fox is Mark Harmon! ;)
That pink flask is the SHIT! Can you drink wine out of it? *wink*
So jealous your starting Hot Chase. I need to go and pick it up!
The quote is from A Lot Like Love by Julie James, I loved that quote.
Awesome 10 as always :=)
I bid on a few things for Operation Auction but was out bid and I didn't mind it one bit because that means more money was being raised.
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
Happy Birthday, Mandi! A woman can never have enough shoes, purses or bottles of wine. You've just proved it again. ;)
Oh, I loved both Cheating Chance and Promises. I remember them keeping me awake until early morning. I also loved Inland Empire and Strawberries for Dessert. Even more than the first books.
ROFL! that's one of the most conspicuous April Fool's Day's jokes I've seen today. Good one, Tori!
Have a great kidless weekend. :)
Happy Belated Birthday!
FV – it was nice knowing Tori ;)
Tori – I think you need a pink flask too ;)
Marq – sooo looking forward to bk 2! I love Nick and Brandon :)
Chris – Thx!
LSU – what? I don't like the sound of this!
Reina – Gasp – there is a second silver fox? To me, Anderson Cooper will always be the originial *giggles*
Nicole – you bet wine will go in it ;)
Amanda – yes it is! Love that book and quote :)
Blodeuedd – thx!
PH – I know..it was fun to get outbid!
Janna…thanks! And Tori made me LOL. She didn't tell me she was going to do that.
Chris – Thanks!
Happy Birthday!
I love the carstache! That is awesome and I may have to get one to pay tribute to Tom Selleck and Lee Horsley!
Love the flask! Glad you like the 'stache…I told hubs since I won't let him have one on his face he can have one on his car ;)
Gasp, I needs Promises!
Duuuuuuude Happy Belated B-day. Don't worry, I have b-day amnesia I still think I'm 22 – whenever I'm asked I have to look at my license #truestory #indenial
Being 33 is hard. I've only been 33 for 2 days and it is weighing heavily on me. :)
My new iPad 2 and Jessica Simpson shoes are helping to alleviate the pressure though. Multiple bottles of wine rock, I only got one :(
I love your flask. I need friends.
Shoes and purses? Sounds like you had an awesome bday!! And you must get a 'stache for the mini-van.
Have a fun weekend! ;)
A belated Happy Birthday Mandi!
Oh, and I adored Promises!
I LOVE this slow progression of “No way I’m gay” to the “I love you” at the end of the book.
That's what made me fall in love with this book. I loved the slow progression…the development of the relationship. Marie Sexton writes so well. And you have some great books to look forward to!
I believe an awesome Flamingo beach towel should be included in the present highlights. just saying
Oh happy late birthday!! Purses and a flask, thats wonderful. I'm confused about Tori!! Is it a joke??? really, I am confused.
Great top ten! The April Fools joke was hilarious! Loved Tori's post! Your friends do know you so well to give you such awesome birthday gifts as well as sending you countless links to fun thinks like the mustache for your car and of course book recommendations! Your second M/M looks like a great read (Promises), however, the first one looks like a very weird cover…I'll look forward to the review to see if I'd stick it on my TBR list. :-D
Happy birthday! I had my birthday this week too! I'll have to check out Promises. I especially love the sign from the A Lot Like Love quote. (Loved that book!)
Christine – Hahaha
Patti – Let the hubs have a 'stache! ;)
Ava – Yes..my favorite shoes and purses!
Orannia – I just finished book 2. Onto book 3..loving this author.
Anon aka Maria – YES..the flamingo beach towel..how could I forget that?? ;p
yaquelin – Oh yes..a joke. It is April Fools Day – you are suppose to try to trick someone! That is all :)
Deanna – My reviews for the books are on Goodreads :) Don't let the cover put you off!
Kelly- Thx!
Holy crow… I've miss so much being gone from blog hoping. The Tori post scared the crap out of me, until I read her post. AWESOME! Thanks for the news on Tohr and Jill. I used to be SO ON TOP of these things and now I can barely keep my head on straight. Thank God for you keeping me in line.
Happy belated birthday – you are such a young lady! Can't believe you'll be rooming with an old fart like me!
xoxo Jen
Jenn!! I can't wait to be your roomie!!! ;)
Happy belated birthday Mandi – I always remember yours because it's the same as mine :)
I'm also a fan of the James Buchanan and Marie Sexton series'. A-Z and The Letter Z are so good and Strawberries for Dessert is even better – I just loved Cole!
Greetings friends! Analysis which went on for some number of years established that humans are programmed bio-robots. More info — Catalog of Human Population