10. I’m so ready to buy spring clothes and shoes! Have you noticed a big trend this spring is colorblocking? I keep seeing shoes like this.. Do I need a purple colorblock shoe? DO I?
9. All About Romance posted the results of their Annual Reader Poll. Favorite Romance Book – The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne. I adored this book, you can read my review here. There are many categories, (best pnr, best romantic hero, etc..) so go check them out. I think I agree with most of the results! Yay!
8. Courtney Milan has new information and covers up for her next series, the Brothers Sinister. The Governess Affair will be the introductory novella out this April, followed by:
A few notes about the series, in Courtney Milan’s words:
Each of the Brothers Sinister are, in fact, scandalous in their own right, although none of them are scandalous for the reasons you might expect in a romance novel. Robert is politically radical. (Not as in, Robert sponsors a few piddling bills that would be seen as liberal at the time. It’s more like this: Robert has given over his ducal estate to a farmer’s cooperative, and believes that the House of Lords should be abolished.) Oliver is a bastard. (In the sense of his birth. Not in the sense of his personal characteristics.) Sebastian is a famed scientist and an ardent supporter of Darwin.
This series takes place in the 1860s, which is a 20 year move from the era in which I normally write. I had to make the move for several reasons, but I’m enjoying the process of immersing myself in a completely different decade. 1836 is as much like 1866 as 1982 is like 2012.
So excited to read this series!! Go HERE for more details.
7. Keri Ford has a new series coming out this May, The Roughnecks and she has just posted the first chapter to Rough Ride on her website. I’ve read all of her Apple Trail series and enjoyed them. She writes very sexy, fun contemporaries and I can’t wait to try this series.
6. Free book alert! Bound by Honor by SE Jakes, book 1 in Men of Honor Series is free on Kindle and Nook. I just got it, and I’m going to sneak it in this weekend. For more book deals and book news, make sure to follow our Facebook Page.
![Character Love Letters at Vampire Book Club [2012]](https://i0.wp.com/vampirebookclub.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lovelettersbanner1.jpg?resize=193%2C254&ssl=1)
5. Recently, Chelsea from Vampire Book Club kindly asked me if I wanted to write a love letter to a favorite fictional hero. Of course I said, hell yes! But then I had to think of who to write to. After going through my fictional boyfriend list I decided to write to a hero that I have much love for, but I don’t recognize very often – Bran from Patricia Briggs. For those unfamiliar he is a supporting character in both her Mercy Thompson series and her Alpha & Omega series. He is the head werewolf of in North America, so he is extremely powerful, yet chooses to come across as “ordinary.” (kind of). He is very complex. Anyway! I wrote him a letter – and – he wrote back! *gasp* Exciting. (Thank you Patricia Briggs!!!!!) You can read my letter and his response HERE.
4. I caused a tizzy on Twitter this week when I announced I have never seen 16 Candles, or The Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, or – pretty much any of these types of movies from the 80’s. There was talk of deporting me from the country. I’m pretty sure Tori and Kate fainted. My husband threatened divorce. Nat even had to blog about it. *grins* I didn’t realize how serious y’all took your 80’s movies!!! I’ve failed that decade. I’m sorry! I have no idea why I’ve never seen any of them…blame my parents? I don’t know! Fortunately, Tori sent me my very own copy of 16 Candles, and I will watch it this weekend. I swear. I’ll report back.
3. Let’s talk Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead. If you are not caught up, don’t read this! It’s spoilery.
First of all – let’s all celebrate the fact that Matthew’s winkie is fully recovered! I was worried about that little winkie dude. Also – Lord G is kissing the maid? Tsk! Tsk! I’m so excited for Bates and Anna…although someone needs to go rescue Mr. Bates and get him out of jail. Not so sad Lavinia is out of the picture, although I was hoping for more drama with her. I thought she had something going on with Sir Richard, but maybe we will never know. I’d also like to state for the record that I want my very own Mr. Carson. Is he not the best guy? The way he cares for Mary? Come care for ME Mr. Carson!!!!
Walking Dead – okay – so slow episode last week, except for last ten minutes. Rick! You were a badass at the end of the episode. Go YOU! I loved that scene. However, Lori getting in her car to go find Rick made NO sense. I think the writers just did it so she could get in accident and maybe lose baby?? That is my guess. Still lame. Excited for next week though!
2. I don’t watch The Vampire Diaries (Should I be hiding because of this?) but these covers were too sexy to pass up. Hello girl in the middle. Umm..can I be you? Bonus covers:
Ian Somerhalder has sex eyes. There is no other way to describe them. And Paul Wesley, I don’t know if I know him but he is yummy too. Is this show awesome or corny? Or awesome corny?
1. My weekend – I’m going to a new wine bar for dinner. I’m excited. I’m also reading Demon Bound by Meljean Brook, I really like so far (never read this series before! I’ll talk about it more next Friday). I hope you all have a smexy weekend!
Vampire Diaries, IMO, is the best show on TV. The pacing is incredible, and it’s actually not corny in the least. Well, except for a few flashback scenes in Season 1, but they fixed that pretty quick. Characters die! Real characters, not just the throwaway ones. And the acting is awesome, which, if I’m being honest, is surprising for a CW show. Definitely start with Season 1, though.
Ok! This is what I like to hear!! I’m going to have to catch up on Netflix!!!
I have never read The Vampire Diaries books, but I LOVE the series on the CW. You’re missing out!
I don’t wanna miss out anymore!
Matthew has a small winkie. I bet Bates’ is a might one! OMG Anna and Bates nekkid bed scene made my month. TEAM BATES.
I’m lusting hard for Sir Richard!
As for the Walking Dead, there is a great deal of foreshadowing for Rick based on what Hershel says in the bar. I read what happens in the graphic novels and things get very interesting. and OMG shocking. As for what Rick did at the end, I was expecting that at all.
And you MUST watch 16 Candles or all your wine privileges will be taken away. I would take back Shavin’ Ken, but you don’t know how to play with toys. Poor, poor one leg Shavin’ Ken.
Bates is packin’ huh? That Anna is one lucky lady!!
Foreshadowing at the bar? Oh realllllly? Must go back and rewatch that scene. Yes ma’am.
Do NOT revoke my wine privies!! I’ll watch it this weekend..I swears.
*sobs*
how can we be friends now after this bitter betrayal?! I’m shocked and my world has been totally altered. No 16 candles?! Jake Ryan is epic teen hero.
Have you seen Dirty Dancing at least? srsly. I question all I know of you.
[bahahahaha]
Yes – I’ve seen Dirty Dancing! I win ! I win!
Milian’s books look interesting, the premise in particular is quite original and the covers are beautiful.
I’m so happy your reading the Guardians books! I love it, it’s my favorite series ever! I’ll remain happy as long as you understand that Michael is mine, so stay away from my man. If I see him in your boyfriends list we are going to have a problem….
I hope that now that Rick has finally found his balls he keeps them and uses them. Also hope Daryl gets mire screen time. Love him!
Yes Ma’am…Michael is yours (I say that for now! LOL)
Love the shoes! Purple is my favorite color. I need something with less of a heel though. I can barely walk wearing flats.
Love the covers of the new Milan series. I have all her books on my Kindle and haven’t read one yet. I shall remedy this…one day.
Must read Keri Ford. I love sexy, fun contemporaries. Sounds right up my alley.
I got Bound by Honor too. I’m looking for some good m/m books. Can’t wait to read it!
*sigh* You have totally and utterly failed with the 80s movies! I hope you enjoy 16 Candles as much as the entire WORLD does. If not, you’re getting voted off the island. I watch 16 Candles every single time it’s on TV. Without fail. Jake Ryan is the original swoon worthy hero in my eyes. Enjoy!
I think you would really like Keri Ford books! They are fun and sexy. I hope Bound by Honor is good
Oh, Bran is just enough of a gentleman to reply on love letter….:)
He is *swoon*
I look at those shoes and only see all the ways I’d hurt myself by wearing them.
LOL..Oh me too. I find ways to trip over my own feet every day. Graceful is never a word to describe me…LOL
Wow! Loved the shoes!!!!!! I have a thing for platforms and the orange ones above are like a wet dream!
I know, right?! I want those. *stares*
Might have to break down and get them.
I…I’m speechless…I mean 16 Candles is THE go to 80’s teen movie! I wanted to be Sam, JUST to get with Jake Ryan. Ah, that movie has so many moments, but I swoon, literally SWOON at the end of that movie. I won’t spoil it for you. You have to, nay MUST see 16 Candles!!!!
I know! I’ve failed. I need to meet this Jake Ryan dude! ;) I will! This weekend
Very pretty shoes! I love the colors. But I refuse to wear shoes that are prettier than me so I’ll have to enjoy looking at these on someone else. *sigh*
So excited about the new Milan series! Yay!!
LOL…I think you need purple shoes too. For reals!
Very excited about the new Milan series
Vampire Diaries!!! they are so hot :D I was swooning when I saw those pictures :D
I srsly need to check out this series
Of course you need purple color blocked shoes that you can probably wear with one thing you own! THey are gorgeous!
And yes you must watch Vampire Diaries. Ian Sommerholder has total sex eyes. Have you seen the episode where he dances? Drool. Here is a link. Ignore the girl in the beginning. The good stuff starts at about 50 secs in (and I may have watched the dancing on the balcony part over and over again. Don’t judge).
OMG. I LOVE that. I had never seen that clip before. I need to get this series on NetFlix!!!!
Off to watch clip again *grins*
Great news Mandy! O you really need to watch some favourite 80’s movies! Grease, Grease2, Dirty Dancing, Ghost, Top Gun, RoadHouse, to name just a few of my favourites!
Those shoes look hot, but can you walk in them?
Have fun at the winebar! And a great weekend to you all!
Grease 2! I frequently sing the chorus to Cool Rider.
Yes, finally! Somone who loves that movie! I so adore those people, and yes that song is uber cool!
I want a whole lot more than the boy next door, I want hell on wheels! I want a devil in skintight leather, who’s gonna be wild as the wind! And when by night, I’m gonna hold on tight! To a cooooool rider ….
Great 2? A 5 star on my Netflix! It’s so awesome with the racy songs! Look at Reproduction and Prowling, side-by-side. Yeah, no, those kids weren’t obsessed with sex at all.
I still think Charades is an awesome song.
With Cool Rider, I love how she’s singing and dancing, leaving while driving that not-wheel. And Michael
I mean Sexy Rexy,I mean Mr. Juliet Mills. I wanted a Michael. Oh, oh! And the Love Will Turn Back The Hands of Time? That whole scene? Or when Steph quits the Pink Ladies to get rid of Johnny?….I might be a Grease 2 Geek. Possibly.
*adds more movies to the “must be watched” list*
Shoes shoes shoes, of course you need some!
I can’t believe your epic fail in 80’s movies AND Vampire Diaries! Get thy butt before that TV & watch. 80’s movies are a right of passage for any generation and Vampire Diaries has some of the best writers in television. Also, it has endless eyecandy. Fantastic show.
So excited for the new Milan books, the Brothers Sinister is a great name for a series.
My butt shall be placed in front of the television soon!
YAY! Tori came through!
LOL -she did. She lurves me.
Ditto on the 16 Candles outrage. Not only is Jake Ryan the stuff of many a teen fantasy (and maaaaaaybe a few adult one’s too) but the movie is hysterical. Great cast. And Ferris Bueller too? *GASP* This injustice must be remedied immediately or no more wine for you! That said in my bestest soup nazi voice. Please tell me you’ve at least seen Seinfeld and know who I’m referring to there.
I’ve never watched Vampire Diaries but that cover with all three is HAWT! It would make a nice menage cover, don’t you think?
Just looking at the shoes made my arches cramp but more power to you!
I’ve caused much outrage – LOL. But I will remedy it! I can’t wait to meet these characters :)
Maybe my mind is in the wrong place today but when I first saw colorblocking shoes it came across as cockblocking shoes.
Grease. That is all.
I’m mad I didn’t think of the cockblock – ahahahahahaha.
I don’t even. You haven’t seen 80s movies?! I’m 3 years younger than you and I can quote Hughes have the time. Wanna see a young Anthony Michael Hall, but not too young, and a beautiful Kelly Lebrock?? Please watch Weird Science. Bonus? A very young Robert Downey, Jr. It’s like every geek’s wish. Other notables include Bill Paxton before he got creepy looking or chased tornadoes.
Funny enough? The Vampire Diaries are filmed down here – yet I’ve never met a single person from it. Of course, you film out in a very ritzy area and little chance. Ian is one of my “duh” standards for men. He’s not even sex on a stick. He’s just plain sex. I actually stopped watching Lost when he and Maggie Grace were killed off.
Milan is a auto-buy for me, so I can’t wait to read the series, and Ford’s sounds interesting (I love roughnecks).
Bran likes you! He really likes you! Maybe you can remove Leah from the picture via colorblock. Two uses for the price of one. And I’ve just started Downton (1st and latest episodes). I wanna be Grandmother when I grow up. Seriously. She’s scary as a grand dame of society.
Oh cool about Vamp Diaries! He IS sexy. Yum yum!!
LMAO about Leah. That cracks me up.
Maggie Smith is amazing as the Grandmother.
You so need purple colorblock heels. And I need those strappy purple ones in the first pic. Need. Seriously.
I bought some super cute colorblock heels at DSW last week, but had to return them. :( There’s tolerable ouchy, and there’s cripple-me-in-an-hour ouchy. They were in the latter group. But, plus side, now there’s an empty spot in my closet for new shoes. There’s a Khols by my house. I will be visiting it soon to get those strappy purple shoes.
This will be me. I’ll buy them and then cry as I trudge around with them on..LOL. We must suffer for fashion!
That trend makes me wish I could walk in heels.
And you know, I keep wanting to read one of Courtney Milan’s books! I need to check her out soon.
Oh yes you should!!
Shoeeeeees! That is all I am saying :D
Shoes make me happy too!
I don’t pay any attention to All About Romance’s polls, because the general demographic over there is fairly old and mainly of the historical romance persuasion (as older readers tend to be). They’re a very biased site.
I’m not an active participant but I did enjoy doing their poll. They had a lot of fun categories. I read their reviews but I don’t hang out on their boards.
Love the sound of the Courtney Milan books!
I know!! Can’t wait!
Okay, so I’m a bit late… I missed the twitter up roar, and as always, checking the blogs days after the post… BUT REALLY?! You never saw the John Hughes flicks? Oh dear God… you missed out! I hope you enjoyed 16 Candles. I know the entire movie by heart. Ferris Bueller is the best. Please watch it, soon!
AND YEA!! You are finally reading The Guardians! *swoon* You know how much I adore Meljean and this series. I’m sad you skipped a few – my favorite is DEMON MOON… but Yea!
I know you are a huge Meljean fan. We can squee over it in NOLA!!