Me And Sharon Stone

I know. It's been nearly a week since my lost blog entry.

But it's like this; last week sucked. Really, really sucked. It was one of those weeks where I was either going to:

1. Quit my job
2. Start sobbing uncontrollably
3. Punch someone in the face
4. Drive an ice pick up my nose

So I didn't blog because I was too busy tamping down my homicidal tendencies. Maybe I should have blogged. I could have worked through my anger. I also could have scared the bejebus out of innocent bystanders - and really, I didn't need to do that!

I did wrap up Killer Chameleon by Chassie West over the weekend. Don't get me wrong, it was very good - but it's the first book in her Leigh Ann Warren series that I didn't absolutely love. It's also the first book in the series that didn't land in my coveted keeper stash. Still, it's a strong read and I ended up rating it a solid B.

Leigh Ann Warren, retired Washington D.C. cop thanks to a knee injury in the line of duty, is getting ready for her impending nupitals to Dillion Kennedy (AKA "Duck"). She's also been busy setting things up for her new job - starting a police force in a small Virginia coastal community home to a horde of her relatives. So she doesn't notice at first that something is very off.

Leigh soon realizes though that she has a stalker. A stalker who has stolen some of her personal financial papers right out of Duck's apartment, almost run her down in the street, spray-painted her car, stolen her wedding dress and cancelled her honeymoon tickets to Hawaii. Who is this nut job and what the heck did Leigh do to set them off?

West has a wonderful knack for writing warm, funny, endearing characters. Gosh if I don't just plain like them! I also enjoy the fact that Leigh is self-sufficient, smart and kicks butt, even with a bum knee. The final showdown is fantastic!

However, I had to wait a long time for this book (a couple of years) and I had forgotten some of what had occurred in the last book. And, I naturally didn't go back and reread - so Killer Chameleon doesn't stand alone entirely well. I also found the mystery a bit slow moving. It takes several chapters for all the shenangians to get under way.

Still, it's a very strong read. I cannot recommend West enough. But start with book 1, Sunrise. Lucky you, the 3 previous books in this series were recently reprinted - so they shouldn't be too hard to come by.

Rain, Rain, Rain

Some areas of Southern California have seen up to 6.5 inches of rain since Friday.

Is it just me or does that not sound like a lot? Must be my Midwestern upbringing.

The reason the rain is such a big deal out here is:

1. Californians can't drive in the rain. They really can't. It's like a blizzard to these people.
2. California's civil engineers don't believe in drainage.

Heck, it never rains in So. Cal.! Why would we need drains?! All that water can just run down the hills into the valleys! So what if the freeways flood?!

Dumb-asses.

In other news, I'm halfway through my 20th book of the year. I'm going to read 100 books this year or die trying! More on Killer Chameleon by Chassie West when I finish it. In the meantime, West is an author that not nearly enough of you are reading. This woman writes the best characters - and her heroine, Leigh Ann Warren, is smart, sassy, sexy and just plain cool. And her fiance' ain't half bad either. *wink*

I Think It Was South Beach

Jose Canseco is a scum bag.

There I said it.

However that doesn't mean I totally discredit the steriod allegations he lays out in his new book. This might be about the only topic Jose could ever discuss that I'd actually believe him on.

Still it pains me - because he pointed the finger at my boy, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. I've been in mourning. I've been damn near inconsolable. Pudge is the best thing that has happened to my beloved Detroit Tigers in a long time. He signed with that organization at a time when they were the laughing stock of MLB. So to think about him juicing is just too much for me to handle.

I was all set to live in denial until I made the mistake of going to the Detroit Tigers web site this morning. Seems Pudge came into spring training a little less pudgy. We're talking 20 lbs. lighter. Was it Atkins? South Beach? Or just no longer sticking a hypodermic needle in his butt?

Sigh

He does look great though.

Really, is any baseball fan out in cyberspace really suprised? I'm not. MLB shouldn't be surprised either. They condoned the use of steroids for years with their silence. Everyone else saw the elephant standing in the living room, MLB just decided to drape a sheet over it. Now the intregity of the game is in question.

You know who's got to be pissed off the most though? Pete Rose. Here's a guy who got a lifetime ban from baseball for gambling. Yet, the way things stand now, juicers (oh let's just say it - cheaters!) face little consequence. Wow - the 4th time they're caught juicing they get a one year suspension! Why not just slap them on the hand?

You know what should happen? They should be drummed out of the league, have all their records revoked, given a lifetime ban, and stripped of any chance of getting into the Hall Of Fame.

But it will never happen.

In happier baseball news, Uggi's mama has finally been rescued after having been kidnapped 5 months ago. Frankly, I'm amazed the woman is still alive. Hopefully Uggi will get her the heck out of there and buy her some swank digs in Florida.

So That's Why I Got My Library Science Degree...

It's time for Thursday Tid-Bits!

The current suggestions for rabbit names are:

1. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
2. Amos and Andy
3. Jermaine and Tito

We're more than happy to accept more suggestions.

I've been e-mailing my younger sister back and forth this week - and naturally we've been talking books. She reads almost as much as I do, and given that she's a teacher (currently 9th grade English), she reads a lot of young adult novels. Our e-mail exchange yesterday went like this:

Wendy's Younger Sister: "Hey, when is Meg Cabot releasing another Princess Diaries book?"

Wendy: "You know Sister Of Mine, most of these authors have web sites. According to Cabot's, Princess In Training will be out in March."

Wendy's Younger Sister: "Why go to the author's web site? I'll just ask my librarian sister. It's her job to know when books come out!"

So there you have it.

Wascally Wabbits

Just when I think I have this job figured out something truly bizarre happens. I'm really not making the following story up. I'm not this creative even with the help of alcohol.

We were closed on Saturday thanks to Lincoln's birthday. Or was it Washington? Whatever. So by Monday our book drop was chock full of library materials. I'm talking a mountain here. While I was sorting through all this stuff I looked out our front doors, which are all glass. Lo and behold I saw two very cute, very fluffy bunny rabbits. Not wild rabbits - pet rabbits.

Living in Southern Cali, the distinction wasn't hard to make. These fellas are cute, look fully grown, well fed and are black. Wild rabbits out here stay fairly small and scrawny looking - plus they aren't black. There are hordes of them living in the park near my apartment.

Now, I would like to think that these cute little guys escaped from their cage in someone's back yard. However, and this is more likely, their asshole owner decided they didn't want them anymore and abandoned them in the park that's adjacent to my library.

Bugs Bunny - Gee E.B., looks like we're screwed. Here we are in this wide open park.
Easter Bunny - Wait B.B.! Look over there!
Bugs Bunny - Hey, look at all the delicious ivy around that building. Let's move in.

So now I have two unofficial library mascots. Bugs and Easter aren't exactly original names. Maybe I should start calling them Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

Not knowing what else to do, I called Animal Control. Yes, I know the little guys will most likely end up euthenized. But better dying that way than:

1. Getting hit by a car (the library is located on very busy street)
2. Getting harassed by idiot kids - or idiot adults for that matter
3. Getting barbequed by one of the locals for a tasty dinner

Yesterday's call to Animal Control netted me voice mail. A voice mail that no one ever returned. I called again today to learn that they will not send an officer out to pick them up until the animals are contained. This means:

1. I catch them and put them in a box
2. I somehow convince the county (ha ha ha ha ha) to rent a humane trap

My direct superior is currently thinking on the matter, although she made it fairly clear she doesn't want staff trying to catch the little guys.

And no, I'm not looking to gain 2 pets. I already have the boyfriend. He's enough.

Who says library work is boring?

Wicked Women Whodunit

Happy Valentine's Day! And just in time, I have more good book news.

I wrapped up Wicked Women Whodunit over the weekend, which is Brava's first foray into mystery fiction. It is by far the most solid anthology I have ever read. Goofy, funny, and not too serious, there wasn't an outright dud in the bunch.

I'm also happy to report that I might at least marginally "get" MaryJanice Davidson now. I really actively disliked her last full-length novel, Derik's Bane, and thought perhaps I would have to add her to the list of authors that others love but I'm just not into. I have to say that her entry in this anthology, aptly titled "Ten Little Idiots", made me a believer out of her short story skills. I'm wondering if perhaps she might be one of those authors that works for me in one format but not another. I feel that way about countless authors who write in different time periods. I might enjoy their historical voice, but their contemporary style leaves me cold - or vice versa.

Also notable was the debut of Amy Garvey, who wrote the sexiest story in the bunch with "Single Dead White Guy." I can't wait to read her full-length debut when it hits the shelves this spring. As always, Jennifer Apodaca continues to amuse. I'm a big fan of her slightly wacky Samantha Shaw mystery series - and the Nancy J. Cohen entry was fun since a reality TV show was the backdrop. Of course, what's not fun about backstabbing?

The spine label on this one is aptly labelled "mystery anthology" but I'm sure countless romance readers will pick it up since it's being published under the steamy Brava banner. While I wouldn't classify any of the stories as straight romances, they still have strong romantic elements and are quite a bit of fun. The mysteries themselves are really light, but given the shorter page count that should be expected. The humor that all the authors add keep the pages turning, even if the mysteries aren't brain-benders.

I'm hoping to finish up another February Harlequin Historical title today, The Unlikely Groom by Wendy Douglas. Definately a book that has gotten better the further along I read. The heroine is a bit prissy for my tastes, which makes no sense because for most of the novel she's been screwed - and not in a good way. She and her brother travel to Alaska, only for her wastrel brother to get shot during a card game. She has no one, and the only person to come to her aid (against his better judgment) is the saloon owning hero. Our heroine is naturally a temperance gal and abhors spirits - but still she takes a housekeeping job at the saloon (because she has no other option) and continues to look down her nose at everyone in town. For a girl with limited options, who stubbornly refuses to travel back to San Francisco, she sure is uppity. But she's starting to come around now - thank goodness.

After that it's back to Harlequins. If I want to reach 100 books read this year I need to get crackin'.

Gift Giving 101

I have the best darn boyfriend in the whole world. Really I do. OK, so he's not perfect. He catagorically refuses to do the dishes. But he buys the best presents. I'm not just talking jewelry here. He really puts some thought into it.

So how can you get yourself a man who buys great gifts? So glad you asked! While there are exceptions to this cardinal rule, here is Miss Wendy's #1 Tip to scoring a man who gives great gifts....

Make sure he has sisters. And/or an overworked mother - take your pick. My man has 3 sisters and an overworked mother, so he's pretty with-it when it comes to understanding the female mind. Oh sure, he still gets flummoxed at times, but generally speaking he's smarter than the average bear.

Anywho, I got my Valentine's Day present early for a couple of reasons:

1. I work until 8PM on that particular day
2. The UPS man delivered my present last night

Let's rundown the last couple of gifts I've gotten:

1. A day trip to a local spa where I was pampered for 8 hours (birthday present)
2. Full English tea service (Christmas present)

This go-around I scored a bathrobe. Yes, only a bathrobe. But it's what I needed and wanted, plus it's uber-bathrobe! It's a chenille/microfiber blend and it's soooo soft. It's also a lovely dark shade of purple/red (the company calls it Merlot), so it won't suffer the fate of my last bathrobe, which was white and looked like something the cat coughed up when I finally got rid of it.

So that means I no longer have to putter around the apartment in my boyfriend's natty navy blue robe. Plus, this one is full length and has massive pockets in it.

Oh how I love that man!