Good Question

One of the comments to this post was made by our fair Amie who asked:

So I'm curious Wendy when do you give up on an auto-buy?

The short answer? Death.

The long answer? Oh sure, I might stop buying the offending author, but I won't necessarily stop reading them. Such is the downfall of being a librarian. I literally have access to millions of books, none of which I have to pay for. Plus, I seem to have attachment issues with series/authors I've been reading for a long time. Let's look at some examples:

Lilian Jackson Braun - Lord help me, I feel dirty admitting I still read her books. Longtime fans suggest that maybe the series is now being "ghostwritten." I contend that if they were being ghostwritten they'd be much better books. I stopped actually buying these books (I think) with #22, The Cat Who Robbed A Bank. Yet, I'm read up on the entire series, which will see #29 published in January. They're just plain bad. Once the bible for cozy mystery writers, the books have disintegrated with Stepford-like characters, little to no mystery, and pesky details left off like (oh I don't know) telling the reader the villains' motive! Hello?

Patricia Cornwell - Amazingly enough Blow Fly didn't push me over the edge. No it took Trace to do that, when it became very clear that the author was recycling her plots (alright, I'm a little slow). Seriously, if I read another Scarpetta book where Kay is dealing with office sabotage I swear I'll scream. I hate reading about victims, and that is what Kay has become. Also, I used to love the politically incorrect Marino - but he has since morphed from an intolerant, albeit excellent detective, to an intolerant sad sack who moons over Kay. And Lucy - could someone please shoot Lucy? That said, I still read the last book in the series, Predator, thanks to the library, and whenever The Book Of The Dead finally appears (I keep seeing conflicting pub dates) I'll borrow it from work as well.

Notice that both of these are series mystery writers. I don't seem to have a problem making a break from romance authors. Why? Because romances don't follow the same character through a series of books (they wouldn't be romances otherwise). There is little to no chance for me to get invested to the point that I can't stop myself. Also, a lot of my absolute favorites in romance have either 1) retired 2) started writing a different sub genre (and I didn't make the transition for one reason or another) or 3) haven't hit a skid yet.

Also, both of these mystery authors in question I started reading as a teen - so I have serious attachment issues to both. I keep telling myself the next book will be better. Let's call this The Danielle Steel Syndrome.

As it is, I think I have a serious problem - and as long as work can feed my habit, I'm not sure I'll ever make a clean break entirely.

(And for the record, while I was disappointed in the latest Gerritsen, I'll be buying her next book).

They Really Do Grow On Trees

Given that the Great ARC Debate pops up online every few months, I thought some of you might get a kick out of this story.

When I was in Reno for RWA last year, my business card made it's way to a rep from Warner Books, who in turn put my name on their ARC distribution list for the Warner Forever imprint. This was great. Shiny ARCs sent to me every month! Then I went and changed jobs.

So I e-mail Warner about changing my address and never hear a word from them. Next I try calling and get someone on the line who has no idea what I'm talking about.

"Yes, my name is Wendy Blah-Blah and I'm a librarian with the Blah-Blah library system. I'm on the ARC distribution list for Warner Forever and need to change my shipping address."

Now, that seems pretty clear doesn't it? Well apparently not to the lackey on the other end of the phone. After getting transferred three times, I finally get stuck in Voice Mail Hell where I leave a message. The person does call me back eventually, and changes my address. Problem solved right?

Wrong. I'm now getting ARCs sent both to the old and new work addresses. So no more monkeying around. This time I go straight to the top! Every ARC comes with a PR letter from the editor - and lookie right here, her e-mail address is on the bottom of the letterhead. So I e-mail her. Explain to her that I really only need one set of ARCs, please send them to this address. She e-mails me back within an hour (bless her heart), tells me she'll take care of it - and voila! Problem solved. Not only that, she must have added my name to another list, because since then I've received an ARC of Pink Jinx by Sandra Hill (which is under the Warner Vision imprint - whatever that is) and On Tall Pine Lake by Dorothy Garlock showed up today (which is just published under plain old Warner Books).

And to think it only took 6 months for me to get my address changed over. In Warner's defense, they changed ownership fairly recently, so I like to think they were just confused. However the lesson here is twofold: One - always go to the top when you need a problem solved. And two - if you're an author, before you go bit--, er complaining, about readers selling your ARCs on eBay, maybe you should look at your publisher's ARC distribution practices. Hell, if I were a dishonest person, I would have kept that second batch of ARCs and opened up my own online book selling business. Which I didn't, which means I don't pay off my student loans any earlier. Drat.

Not Happy

So I finished The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen over the weekend. I'm not sure I can avoid spoilers, but for the sake of my sisters (who will both be reading this one), I'll be as vague as humanly possible. Also, I'm going to try a new review format - one I'm sure I've seen around the blogosphere somewhere.

The Basics - Book 6 in the author's suspense series featuring Boston detective, Jane Rizzoli, and medical examiner, Dr. Maura Isles.

The Plot - Peccavi. Latin for "I have sinned." It's this chilling word, along with three upside down crosses written in the victim's blood that Jane finds scrawled at a Christmas Eve crime scene. If that weren't enough to tell her that the perp is seriously whacked out, the victim's severed head staring back at her from the kitchen floor surely does.

The Good - The mystery here is very good and the crime scenes suitably grisly. I like a good, gory read and this one delivers. Also, I enjoyed the sub plot involving Jane's parents. The boisterous Rizzoli clan always makes an appearance in every book, which I normally can take or leave. But this time, Mama Rizzoli is pissed off - and frankly as a long time fan of the series, I enjoyed her liberation immensely.

The Bad - The actual Mephisto Club. The satanic symbolism and subsequent killing rampage bring Jane into contact with The Mephisto Club and their leader, who got on my last good nerve. These are idiots with too much time and money on their hands, who believe that actual demons walk amongst us - and they're out to prove it. It's never explained with much satisfaction, but the leader has enough power and influence that he runs roughshod over the investigation for the whole blessed book. Frankly I kept waiting for Jane to punch him in the face. Unfortunately she never does.

Also, this book doesn't stand alone very well. Non-fans can still enjoy it me thinks, but they won't get nearly as much out of it (my ever so humble opinion).

The Ugly - What the F is up with Maura? I actually used to prefer her over Jane, but Gerritsen is taking her character into territory that just irritates the heck out of me. Originally written as calm, cool, collected and very smart - she's been reduced to a series of bad relationship decisions over the last several books. This time out she makes the Grand Daddy Of All Relationship Mistakes, falling in love with a man who is extremely unattainable.

Yeah, I know smart women make bad choices every day - and I know she's lonely, but given the technological advances in battery operated boyfriends over the years, the Maura character should be smart enough to know that being single is not the end of the world. But that's just me.

This development also reminds me of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series. I used to love the Marino character but over the years the author has neutered him to the point that he's a mere shadow of his former, fascinating self. But that's a whole other rant entirely.

As for Maura - I can see the road ahead and I am not happy.

The Verdict - A totally mixed bag, especially since it appears we haven't seen the last of irritating Mephisto Club. I suspect Gerritsen is going to keep the ring leader around to serve as an added romantic complication for Maura. Just shoot me already. Final Grade = C+

It's A Baseball Miracle!

After whomping on the Kansas City Royals this weekend (which is admittedly like shooting fish in a barrel these days - sorry KC fans) my Detroit Tigers have clinched their first playoff spot since 1987. 1980-frickin'-7.

I'm happy. I'm pleased. I'm trying to ignore the fact that I really think the Skankies win the World Series this year (should I beat the Christmas rush and start sacrificing goats now?). But whatever. My Tigers pulled it off. We still have a division to win - but even with some extremely rocky play this past month (and the Twins breathing down our necks) we're making the post season.

I think this is what they mean by "unknown territory."

Back to books tomorrow....

Wendy's Reading 101

I stole this idea from another blog, and given some of the reaction to this earlier post, I thought I better explain myself. Also, I've been blogging for almost 4 years now, and honestly I don't think anybody has been following me all that time. So here it goes:

What Wendy Likes To Read 101

Romance - I discovered romance in 1999 shortly after I took my first professional library job. I knew I was in trouble when I was placed in charge of buying adult fiction and I had no clue who Nora Roberts was. In my defense - when you go straight through college in 5.5 years, earning two degress in that time, you have zero time for pleasurable reading or browsing the NYT Bestsellers List. I think I might have read 5 books during those years that weren't assigned reading, and they were all mysteries. So there you go.

What I Like to Read in Romance - I'll try just about anything once. Even short-time readers of this blog know I love westerns, I also enjoy American-set historicals that don't take place in the Old West. I'm sick of the Regency. It has never been my favorite time period in British history (and I'd know, my undergraduate degree is in British history). So now that the glut is on I'm really burnt out. I'll still pick one up occasionally, but usually it's been sitting in my TBR for a gazillion years. I can't remember the last time I bought a Regency-set historical. Don't ask, it's been eons. Not even used. I like the Victorian era in pretty much any locale. I enjoy romantic suspense, erotica, erotic romance and have a soft spot for Harlequins.

I like the occasional paranormal - but again I'm getting a little more selective with those. And frankly this sub genre has too many tendencies towards rabid fangirls, which I admit sorta turns me off. I'm also a little tired of seeing the paranormal and erotic-romance sub genres mixed, but I suspect I'm the only one.

I also like gothics a lot - but only gothics that don't go in for the woo-woo. Trust me, this is a tall order.

Mysteries - I cut my teeth on mysteries, and I'll read anything here. Pulp, noir, cozies, female PIs, forensics, serial killers etc. However, I do not dip my toes into the true crime pool, and these days I tend to get most of my mystery fix through audiobooks.

Anything else? - I used to like to read history a lot, but frankly it takes me longer to read non-fiction and I just don't have the time these days. I like British history (I gravitate towards the Victorians), Irish history (give me a good book on the potato famine and I'm all over that sh*t), women's history, and Russian history pre-Soviet Union (love that wacky Rasputin).

What I Don't Get - Pretty much any author/series that inspires Rabid Fangirl Syndrome. I just don't get it. I mean, I do have fangirl tendencies for some authors (see Tess Gerritsen, Maggie Osborne), but I look at their work fairly objectively. Gerritsen has written very good books that entertain me, but I don't love all of them on the same level. Same with Osborne. She's written western romances that I think are masterpieces, but she's written a couple that I just haven't been wild about.

I suspect this sort of rabid fangirl mentality springs from a lack of good sex (yeah, I went there).

More likely it's that I'm a librarian and almost see books like a commodity. Yes fiction is great, yes fiction is fun, yes it's important to encourage people to read for enjoyment and pleasure - but it's not going to cure cancer, pay off my student loans, or even make me a better person. Sure a good fiction book can enrich my life. It can make me think. But will it make me a better person? No. I'd like to think that I'm in charge of my own destiny, and ultimately while a book might move me or even encourage me - I'm the one who has to put in all the hard work.

And that's our Wendy Reading History Lesson for today.

Special Ed

Ever see a book that looks kinda cute, sorta fun - a bit of fluff to wile away an afternoon when WHAM-O! Something in the back cover blurb smacks you in the face like Mr. Universe swinging a 2-by-4. Exhibit A:

Pink Jinx by Sandra Hill. She's got a new publisher in Warner books, this is the first book in a new series (naturally), and it's due out in November.

Description:

BAITED...
Caught! Straight-laced Boston lawyer Veronica "Ronnie" Jinkowsky knows something's fishy when her estranged grandfather lures her to his New Jersey treasure hunting business with woeful tales of old age and bankruptcy. But she never expected the salty old dog to shanghai her into a hunt for pink diamonds with her poker-playing, four-time ex-husband Jake Jensen in tow.

HOOKED...
Betting her heart on Jake was always a losing proposition; yet just the sight of his come-hither blue eyes is still enough to melt her steely resolve. Now she's on a high seas' adventure that throws together lost gems, lost ship, and lost love--not to mention a Mafia widow, her two goons, and an elderly Cajun matchmaker hankering for hanky-panky--

AND GOING DOWN FOR THE LAST TIME!
Ronnie is trapped with the man she could never learn to live with--and was never happy without. A jinx of the best possible kind.

Hello? Four-time ex-husband?! She-it, even a toddler learns not to touch the stove after the first time they get burned. This does not bode well. Now I can understand tap-dancing around an ex (hell, I've done it). I can even (almost) understand marrying the same guy twice. But wouldn't you think the idiot heroine (OK that's an assumption on my part - but seriously four times!) would learn her lesson here? And why go through the hassles of getting married and divorced...four bloody times? Wouldn't you think one of these morons would say after Divorce #2, "Hey honey, maybe we should stay the hell away from each other" or "Hey let's try not getting married and just move in together. Think of all the money we'll save on divorce lawyers!"

And yeah, I'm reading way too much into this (a nasty habit of mine), but seriously - married four times to the same guy? Geez.

Ignorant Me

I started reading romance in 1999 and almost immediately jumped into reviewing. This means there are many (and I mean many) "classics" and beloved authors I've never read. So don't be too shocked while you're going over my commentary on AAR's Top 100 Romances Poll (last done in 2004). Since a lot of other bloggers have been doing it, I thought I'd join in - but it really highlights the holes in my romance reading background. So I'm looking for advice. Which books do I have to read? Keeping in mind that you'll probably never convince me to try some of these authors (but I promise to listen to your opinion for what that's worth). Here it goes:

1) Lord Of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase - Uh, I think I might have this in the TBR.

2) Flowers From The Storm by Laura Kinsale - Gave up after 150 pages. Frankly, watching grass grow would have been less boring.

3) Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie - Never read this author (pick yourself up now), don't own any of her books.

4) As You Desire by Connie Brockway - In the TBR.

5) Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie - See #3.

6) Dreaming Of You by Lisa Kleypas - Hold yourself back KristieJ. Haven't read it, don't own it.

7) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - Will never read. Besides the fact that it's 7000 pages long, I hear Gabaldon suffers from verbal diarrhea. Hey, if I wanted to learn about Scotland's flora and fauna I'd pick up a botany book.

8) Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann - Never read author, don't own any of her books. I make no apologies for this. Brockmann is a very nice lady but her "fans" scare the crap out of me.

9) All Through the Night by Connie Brockway - In the TBR.

10) Sea Swept by Nora Roberts - Haven't read it, not in the TBR.

11) It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - Never read author, don't own any of her books.

12) A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh - Haven't read this one, not in TBR.

13) Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer - Le sigh, I've never read this author and have none of her books in my TBR.

14) The Proposition by Judith Ivory - In the TBR.

15) A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught - Never read this author, none of her books are in the TBR.

16) Ravished - Never read this author (OK, I have as Jayne Ann Krentz), this book not in TBR.

17) Frederica by Georgette Heyer - Yes, I've never read Heyer. No, I have none of her books in the TBR.

18) Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly - In the TBR.

19) MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard - Haven't read this one, not in TBR.

20) Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard - Listened to on audio and frankly didn't get the sheer majesty of it. Enjoyed the beginning with all the women bitching over happy hour, but after that? Eh.

21) The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer - See #17

22) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Haven't read and frankly never will. If I wanted to spend my free time reading Austen I'd go back to college.

23) The Bride by Julie Garwood - Have never read this author (I know, I know). None of her books are in the TBR.

24) Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens - Have never read this author, none of her books are in the TBR.

25) To Have and To Hold by Patricia Gaffney - Have never read this author, none of her books are in the TBR.

26) Born in Fire by Nora Roberts - The heroine got on my nerves more than once, but yummy hero. Rated it a B.

27) Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth - In the TBR.

28) Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann - See #8

29) The Viscount Who Loves Me by Julia Quinn - Another author I've never read and I have none of her books in the TBR. And is it just me or are her fans starting to resemble Brockmann's fans? As in, more than a little rabid?

30) Saving Grace by Julie Garwood - See #23

31) My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway - I read this one ages ago and remember zilch about it. I do vaguely recall liking it well enough though - so probably a B.

32) In the Midnight Rain by Ruth Wind - In the TBR.

33) The Windflower by Laura London - Never read this author, this book not in TBR.

34) Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - Listened to it on audio and found it pleasant enough. Just not enough to slog through the next 75 books in this series.

35) Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught - See #15

36) Nobody's Baby But Mine by SEP - See #11

37) A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux - Read this one in high school (that's dating myself) and wasn't pissed off over the ending. In fact, I liked it.

38) Paradise by Judith McNaught - See #15

39) The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale - Have it in the TBR, but not anxious to get to it due to #2.

40) Dream Man by Linda Howard - Haven't read it, don't have it in TBR.

41) Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann - See #8

42) Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney - Haven't read it, don't own it.

43) See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson - Haven't read it, don't own it.

44) Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney - Haven't read it, don't own it.

45) Thunder and Roses byMary Jo Putney - Haven't read it, don't own it.

46) The Duke and I by Julie Quinn - See #29

47) Heart Throb by Suzanne Brockmann - Le sigh, see #8

48) For My Lady's Heart - Haven't read it, don't own it.

49) Honor's Splendor by Julie Garwood - See #23

50) Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh - Haven't read it, don't own it.

51) Untie My Heart by Judith Ivory - In the TBR.

52) Dream a Little Dream by SEP - See #11

53) The Secret by Julie Garwood - See #23

54) This Is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland - Would have been a keeper if it had been 100 pages shorter. As it is, I found it too repetitive and the heroine started getting on my nerves. Final grade was somewhere around the C+ range.

55) Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh - Haven't read it, don't own it.

56) One Perfect Rose by Mary Balogh - Haven't read it, don't own it.

57) To Love and to Cherish by Patricia Gaffney - See #25

58) Kiss an Angel by SEP - Enough already. See #11.

59) Heaven, Texas by SEP - Do I really have to say it?

60) Venetia by Georgette Heyer - See #17

61) Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant - Haven't read it, don't own it.

62) The Prize by Julie Garwood - Deja vu, see #23

63) Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly - I think this one is in the TBR. Maybe. I'm missing a couple of Kelly's and this might be one of them.

64) Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann - See #8

65) The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh - Haven't read it, don't own it.

66) Heartless by Mary Balogh - Haven't read it, don't own it.

67) Son of the Morning by Linda Howard - Haven't read it, don't own it.

68) Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory - Haven't read it, don't own it.

69) Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas - Haven't read it, don't own it.

70) The Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer - See #17

71) The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - Haven't read it, don't own it, no interest.

72) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegar - Haven't read it, don't own it, no interest.

73) With This Ring by Carla Kelly - In the TBR

74) The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood - See #23

75) The Rake by Mary Jo Putney - Haven't read it, don't own it.

76) Fallen From Grace by Laura Leone - Loved it, although I traded my copy to Sybil. Really need to buy another copy.

77) Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath - In my TBR. I know, I know.

78) Castles by Julie Garwood - OK, I'm sick of seeing her name already. See #23.

79) One Good Turn by Carla Kelly - In the TBR.

80) Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts - Haven't read it, don't own it.

81) By Arrangement by Madeline Hunter - Haven't read it, don't own it.

82) Perfect by Judith McNaught - Shoot me already, see #15

83) My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth - Was I the only one annoyed by the appearance of the kid? Knocked my grade down to an A-.

84) The Defiant Hero by Suzanne Brockmann - Argh, see #8

85) The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann - Now honestly.

86) Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke - In the TBR and scared as hell to read it since it's the first book she wrote after getting eaten alive by the Avon monster.

87) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - See #22

88) Kill and Tell by Linda Howard - Haven't read it, don't own it.

89) After the Night by Linda Howard - See #88

90) More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh - In the TBR

91) Born in Ice by Nora Roberts - Loved this one. Best in the trilogy although I have an extreme soft spot for the hero of Born In Shame.

92) Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase - Haven't read it, don't own it.

93) The Charm School by Susan Wiggs - Hey, I liked it but nowhere near her best historical (that would be The Firebrand - although I still have oodles of her books in my TBR).

94) Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott - Haven't read it, don't own it.

95) How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn - See #29

96) Angel Rogue by Mary Jo Putney - Haven't read it, don't own it.

97) Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz - Listened to it on audio. It was OK.

98) Dancing on the Wind by Mary Jo Putney - Do you think she's on this list enough times? Geez. Haven't read this one, don't own it.

99) Once and Always by Judith McNaught - See #15

100) This Heart of Mine by SEP - Again, see #11

Is it just me or is list comprised of like 4 authors? I really need to dig through my own private keeper stash and highlight some of my favorites. Seriously, while I haven't read Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Gurhke - the fact that her early books Breathless and To Dream Again aren't on the list is just plain wrong. But that's just me.

My Mom Is A Bitch

I started my first "real" job is January 1999. Not only did this mean Y2K fun at the library, but it also meant that Wendy had thrown off the oppressive yoke of - yeah you guessed it - soap operas. Then The Boyfriend moved in with me, and with only one TV & VCR (and his refusal to watch the soaps with me), I gave them up entirely. It was just "too hard." Besides, by that point I had discovered romance novels - and I figured one guilty pleasure was enough for this girl.

But while The Parents were here, Mom had to watch The Young And The Restless. "It's really good right now Wendy! Victor is going crazy!" OK, Mom. Sure we'll watch. And now, after 7 years of being out from under the black cloud, I'm back. I'm hooked on Y&R. Smilin' Jack Abbott is starting to look old (I don't care, I still love him) - but Brad, Victor and Nikki (lay off the fake eyelashes honey!) still look the same thanks to the wonders of modern plastic surgery. Oh, and everybody's kids are now (at least) 16 since they contracted SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome).

Damn. Guess it's a good thing I have TiVo.

In reading news - I was able to run out on Tuesday to buy The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen on it's laydown date. Costco (The Happiest Place On Earth) had them out (bless them) and at a very good price ($14 and change if I remember right). Of course, I didn't actually start reading it until this morning (2 chapters in), but I was able to pet it, and stare at it longingly all week. Which is probably a sign that I need a 12-step program - but I don't care.

Signing Off With Burning Retinas

I'm afraid this will be a blog-free zone for the next week. My parents are flying into town tomorrow afternoon, so that means no posting for the entire week they are here. Sad, but true. In the meantime, I'm going to send you off with a hodge-podge of musings.

First, I got the new Romantic Times yesterday. A surprise since last month's issue didn't show up until around the 20th. Now, I expect RT to be something of a fanzine. I mean, it's not Ms. so I usually prepare myself for one side of the cover to be some oily, dumb-struck looking piece of beefcake. No problemo - I keep that side of the cover face down. So what the hell am I supposed to do with this month's issue which features these two oily mothers?

Seriously, who needs (or wants) to see this?!

It makes me long for the day when that woman wrote in complaining about the Nicole Jordan cover on the front of the magazine. She-it, at least that one had a little class to it. These guys just look sleazy. Note to self: Hide magazine from The Boyfriend. He would very likely question my sanity. Or my feminism. Or both.

Sorry about the retinas folks, but if I have to go blind, so do you.

Important dates to keep in mind while I'm not online pestering everybody. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen lands on September 12. I have a Romancing The Blog column going live on September 13. And my younger sister has a birthday on September 15. Go, go Lil' Sis!

What else? Am I the only person on the planet who's brain hasn't been sucked into the J.R. Ward series? Apparently yes. I read Lover Eternal and frankly am not getting it. Sure, hunky guys but..... um..... whatever. But I'm sure that's what you all say about westerns - so Viva La Difference!

Until next week, happy reading.

Get Along Lil' Doggies

Be sure to visit Sybil today, as Maureen McKade (of the most excellent A Reason To Live fame) is a guest blogger. Oooh, and you have a chance to win the book too! Like how cool is that?

In other news, I'm having a bitch of a time accessing Blogger accounts at work. As in I can't. I suspect it's the firewall or somesuchnonsense because I've had no issues from my home computer.

Soon We Will Be Together My Pet...

Oh, thank the Lord! My favorite trashy TV show is back on tonight. Yes, that would be Nip/Tuck. That means quality time drooling over that hunky Julian McMahon. (Don't feel sorry for The Boyfriend. There's plenty of T&A for him too!) Big, long, lusty sigh here. How I love that man. OK, so I don't actually know him - but since when is that a requirement for a crush?

I think one reason I adore Nip/Tuck so much (besides the complete trashiness of course) is that McMahon's character, Dr. Christian Troy, feeds into my J.R. Ewing fixation. He's morally bankrupt. He has the ethics of an alley cat. He's the poster boy for why women should stay far away from men that good-looking. However, he has his moments. Just when you think he's totally unredeemable he shows that deep down, there is a fraction of his soul that is "good." He is capable of love. He is capable of being "nice." He just chooses to be dirt bag most of the time. All that, and easy on the eyes. What more could a girl ask for? Oh yeah, Larry Hagman is guest starring this season! See, it all comes full circle.

Drive-By Reviews

I've finished three books in the last couple of days. Go Team Wendy!

The Jasmine Trade by Denise Hamilton - a mystery and the first book in the author's Eve Diamond series. Eve is a reporter for the L.A. Times and gets assigned to write about a car-jacking gone bad. A young bride-to-be (as in a senior in high school young) is shot in her posh Lexus at the shopping mall after picking up her bridesmaid dresses. This crime leads Eve into the world of "parachute kids" and organized crime. A good read, but felt the writing could have been a bit tighter in spots. That said, I ran out and bought the next three books in the series this afternoon. Grade = B+

A Mom For Christmas by Joan Kilby (Harlequin SuperRomance 1236) - Woman comes home on business and gets roped into babysitting for hero's daughter. Hero was married to her cousin, who died in a tragic skiing accident - or was it? ::cue sinister music here:: Can they fall in love and build a life together with the ghost of dead wifey and accusations hanging around? Pretty standard fare. That said, at times I found the heroine's jealousy of her dead cousin a bit creepy. That's just me though. Grade = B-

Silent Desires by Julie Kenner (Harlequin Blaze 98) - This one didn't do much for me I'm afraid, and I've liked Kenner in the past. While boss is out of town, heroine wants to revitilize their book business and come up with a plan to convince the boss to make her an equal partner. Hero is in town on business and meets heroine. Through series of misadventures heroine ends up in hero's hotel room where they burn up the sheets. This was OK, but honestly the way the author gets these two together was so over the top that it soured the book for me. They're essentially trapped in the hotel room because ::cue sinister music here:: The Bad Guy (who is after the hero naturally) has taken hostages in the hotel kitchen. Seriously, isn't it possible to have just a nice, straight forward, sexy romance without bringing in the pyscho gunman? Apparently not. Grade = C-

More to come. I want to burn through several Harlequins this weekend.

A Return To Form

Boy, those of you who used to come to this blog to get outrageous library stories must be going through some serious withdrawals. This is what happens when a librarian goes from working with the general public every day, to sitting in a sterile administration building.

Heaven, I'm in heaven. And my heart beats so I can hardly speak...

Have I mentioned how much I love the new job?

Anyone, My Replacement stopped by to see me the other day to see if I "knew" a homeless guy he had a run-in with. Seems Homeless Man was unhappy when The Replacement told him he couldn't sleep in the library. The Replacement's warning bells went off (danger, danger Will Robinson) when instead of throwing a belligerent fit, Homeless Man was deathly calm.

Then before leaving the library, Homeless Man asked the staff "What happened to the nice manager?" Ahem, that would be me in case you were wondering.

I told The Replacement that while I hadn't had any personal issues with Homeless Man, he scared the shit out of me (and I think those were my exact words). He's the kind of guy who could snap at any moment and start waiving a knife around. So I gave him a very wide berth. Cowardly of me? Hell yes! But being a girl (and knowing my limitations), I felt it was for the best to not invite trouble. That, and Homeless Man stopped coming around so much after another library in town opened up to 7 days a week (said library is now undergoing renovation which would explain his reappearance on the scene).

After The Replacement left, my coworker said, "Aren't you glad to be here Wendy?" Uh yes. I'm happier than you will ever know.