RWA Literacy Signing

The signing started at 5:30 PM last Wednesday, and I was settled into my hotel room before noon, so I was rested and ready. I took five books with me when I went downstairs at about 5:00 PM. The books I chose:

• Anthology: Bewitched, Bothered and BeVampyred


• Anthology: Dates from Hell


• Anthology: When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys


• Meg Cabot: Boy Meets Girl


• Lorraine Heath: Always to Remember

The wait to get inside seemed long, and it was definitely a hint of what was to come. The doors opened, and once I got inside, my first thought was that I had forgotten how absolutely insane it was. After about 10 minutes, I decided last year hadn't been this crazy. At that signing, I'd been able to walk up and down the rows of authors, visiting them in order (reverse alphabetical order, more or less), taking pictures with authors as I went.

This year, I didn't go in any sort of order (although my list below is in alphabetical order to make it easier), and the room was so hot I didn't bring out the camera until the last hour or so of the signing, when the room had cleared up somewhat. Here's a picture I took of the signing. It's important to note that this was taken during the last hour, when the room had cleared considerably. At this point, there were less than half the number of people in the room that had been there at the beginning.



This year, I vowed to show more restraint. This sort of worked and sort of didn't. There were several authors whose tables I passed, knowing that I would probably be able to get their books at upcoming publisher signings (signings offered to RWA conference attendees, where you can get signed books free). But I still bought an insane number of books, which I've listed below.

• Anthology: Bad Boys of Summer*


• Anthology: Chocolate Kisses


• Anthology: Dreams of the Oasis II*


• Anthology: Pure Sex*


• Anthology: Sexy Beast*


• Gemma Bruce: Who Loves Ya, Baby?*


• Meg Cabot: Size 12 Is Not Fat


• Pamela Clare: Surrender*


• Kresley Cole: A Hunger Like No Other


• Kimberly Dean: Going Deep*


• Kimberly Dean: Tiger Lily*


• HelenKay Dimon: Viva Las Bad Boys*


• Amy J. Fetzer: Hit Hard*


• Lori Handeland: Crescent Moon


• Kim Harrison: A Fistful of Charms


• Lorraine Heath: Promise Me Forever
  
• Leslie Kelly: Here Comes Trouble


• Angela Knight: Master of Wolves


• Marjorie M. Liu: Shadow Touch*


• Susan Lyons: Hot in Here*


• Erin McCarthy: Heiress for Hire


• Terry McLaughlin: Learning Curve


• Patti O'Shea: Through a Crimson Veil*


• Julia Quinn: The Duke & I


• Julia Quinn: The Viscount Who Loved Me


• Shelby Reed: Midnight Rose*


• Shelby Reed: Seraphim*


• Stephanie Rowe: Date Me Baby, One More Time


• Michelle Rowen: Angel with Attitude


• Gena Showalter: Enslave Me Sweetly


• Maria Snyder: Poison Study*


• Evelyn Vaughn: Lost Calling


• J.R. Ward: Dark Lover


• J.R. Ward: Lover Eternal

The asterisk marks books by publishers who did not offer publisher signings, or whose books wouldn't have been offered at the signings (see story of Kimberly Dean, below). It's nice to look back on this now and admire my ability to get books I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. (If you're thinking this is a rationalization to justify how much I spent . . . you're right.) Truth is, at the time I was aware of this only in a peripheral way. I hadn't taken a close look at the publisher signing schedule. In fact, at the time, I figured Kensington was probably going to hold a signing. They didn't, but that doesn't change the fact that I have no willpower when it comes to resisting Brava.

I did buy a few books I already own. Those are noted in purple. I think I did better in this regard than I did last year, partly because I've been very careful about the books I've bought this year. That's one reason why I don't regret the amount of money I spent. Before I get to that, though, I'll share a few signing experiences.

Vivi Anna
Sexy Beast was my impulse purchase. I've seen Vivi Anna around online and decided to pick up her book. She also had Hell Cat available, but I enjoy anthologies, so I went with this one. I actually started reading this anthology while in Atlanta, but got distracted and set it aside. I'll get back to it.

Meg Cabot
Meg was one of the authors who was set apart from the rest at a table along the outside of the room. Her line wasn't too long by the time I got to her, and I did get one of the last books. I was hoping she'd have more of a selection of books to sign, but she didn't. This made me especially glad I brought Boy Meets Girl with me for her to sign. If the room hadn't been so crowded and hot, I probably would have asked to get my picture taken with her. But I didn't.

Gemma Bruce
My stop at Gemma's table went by quickly. I think (hope?) I mentioned that I liked her other book I read. I hate that my mind is a bit of a blur on this. The good news, though, is that at this signing, I didn't have much concern in general over what to say to people. Usually I have a bit of anxiety about what to say, but at this signing--and the conference in general, in fact--I didn't. It was nice.

Pamela Clare
I told Pamela that I'd heard good things about Surrender and was excited to give it a try. She was very nice and also gave me a flyer for her upcoming romantic suspense, which I think has an awesome cover.

Kresley Cole
Although I own an ARC, I decided to buy A Hunger Like No Other because I enjoyed it and wanted an autographed copy. I told her I enjoyed it and was looking forward to the next book in the series. I think the world she created is interesting and imaginative.

Sylvia Day
I've been a fan of Sylvia's books for a while, so I was really, really looking forward to meeting her. She's just as kind and friendly in person as she is online, and I bought a copy of the Dreams of the Oasis II anthology. I ran into Sylvia a few other times during the conference and only wish there had been more time to visit. She was pretty popular during the signing and always seemed to have people waiting at her table.



Kimberly Dean
The best word to describe my approach to Kimberly Dean's table is that I pounced on it. I've been trying to get her Black Lace books but they are very difficult to find. I was passing her table and saw them casually sitting there, calling for me to buy them. So I pounced on the books and blathered on about how I've been looking for the books for so long, etc. She told me that she's heard how hard the books are to find, and she brought them herself. I was very, very grateful.

HelenKay Dimon
I've been visiting HelenKay's blog for a while, and couldn't resist Viva Las Bad Boys. Yes, I have an ARC, but the actual book has such a pretty cover. Plus, I liked the book, so it's nice to have an autographed copy for my bookshelf. I met her husband, who graciously took this picture of us.



Amy J. Fetzer
I was excited to pick up Amy J. Fetzer's latest book. If I'd realized that there was no upcoming Kensington signing, I might have bought one or two more she had. She was one of the first authors I met, and I enjoyed meeting her.

Megan Frampton
I didn't buy Megan's book, but I stopped by her table a few times to chat. I've known her so long online it was really nice to visit for a while. Although I didn't get my picture taken with her. What was I thinking? Obviously I wasn't. I'll try for that next year.

Lori Handeland
By the time I got to Lori Handeland's table, I'd gone around the room a few times and my cart was fairly full. But I bought Crescent Moon and had her sign Dates from Hell for me.

Kim Harrison
Kim is one of the sweetest people, both in appearance and manner. I bought A Fistful of Charms (though I really need to start with Dead Witch Walking . . .) and got a postcard for her upcoming book, which is coming out in hardcover. The cover on that one is awesome, showing a woman in the mist holding a knife. She also signed Dates from Hell, so my copy is signed by three of the four authors of the anthology.

Lorraine Heath
I probably could have gotten Promise Me Forever at a publisher signing, but I bought it since I was asking Lorraine Heath to sign Always to Remember, which I'd brought with me. She mentioned that it was a hard-to-find title, which I definitely agreed with.

Leslie Kelly
Leslie was so nice. She recognized my name because I've reviewed some of her books. She asked how my writing was going and offered encouraging words, which I really appreciated.

Angela Knight
Last year, Angela Knight ran out of books before I got to her table. This year, I got there early enough to get a book and a signed copy of one of her covers.

Marjorie M. Liu
I have all of Marjorie's books, but I still stopped by to say hello. I also picked up a copy of Shadow Touch, since my copy is an unsigned ARC. She recognized me, though it may have been because I had my cart with me. It kind of makes me stand out. :) Marjorie was beautiful and gracious, as always.

Renee Luke
I enjoyed Making Him Want It, so I picked up Chocolate Kisses when I saw it at Renee Luke's table.

Susan Lyons
I enjoyed Champagne Rules, so I was pleased to see Susan's upcoming book, Hot in Here. I told her how much I loved her first book.

Erin McCarthy
If you know me well, you're likely to know that I love Erin McCarthy's books. I bought Heiress for Hire, because my copy is an ARC, and asked her to sign When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys. My copy now has signatures from two of the three authors in this anthology.



Terry McLaughlin
I heard good things about this debut novel, so I bought it when I stopped by her table. I told her that I had read Shannon Stacey's review of the book and was intrigued by it. She seemed very pleased to know I'd heard some buzz about it.

Patti O'Shea
The first time I passed Patti's table, she had two (maybe three?) books available. She also had a line of four or five people, so I moved on with a mental note to come back. Unfortunately, she had one book left by the time I returned. It is a good book, however, and I consoled myself with the thought of getting the others through the publisher signing. No such luck--Dorchester didn't have a publisher signing. Ah, well. She was very nice and I bought the book she had available.

Julia Quinn
Julia Quinn was out of her new book by the time I got to her, so I bought copies of the two books she had. Yes, I already have both of them, but you know how I love autographed copies. :) She recognized me from last year and gave me the best autographed inscription of the signing: "Long live the cart." Ha!

Shelby Reed
I believe I frightened Shelby Reed when I saw her table. I had no idea she would be at the signing, so I'm walking along her row when I saw her name. Then I pointed and squeeked, at which point she wondered if I was someone she should know. Well, no. But I know her and love everything she's written. I told her how much I love her books and got copies of the two books she had there. I quizzed her about the books she's working on now. She is working on the son's story from Midnight Rose, and she has an agent who is trying to sell a mainstream romance. A publisher needs to buy this woman's book already!

Stephanie Rowe
I've seen a number of blog reviews of Date Me, Baby, One More Time, so I picked it up when I passed her table. I told her there have been some good comments about it, so I was looking forward to reading it. I started this book later that night, but the conference became too busy, so I didn't get very far.

Michelle Rowen
I enjoyed Bitten & Smitten, so I made sure to stop by and meet Michelle Rowen. Once again, the cart made me easy to identify, LOL! It was great to finally meet her and spend a few minutes chatting. I look forward to reading her second book, Angel with Attitude.



Gena Showalter
Gena is so gorgeous and talented that you'd be tempted to hate her if she weren't so nice. She is nice, though, so you can't help but like her, even though she taunted me with a copy of Playing with Fire, which was innocently sitting at her table. Little did I know it wasn't available for sale--it was a promotional display piece. Since I couldn't buy that, I bought a copy of Enslave Me Sweetly. I was so glad I did, since it turned out I couldn't attend the Pocket publisher signing. Anyway, this picture was actually taken the next day, but I'm including it here.



Maria Snyder
I enjoyed Poison Study, which I checked out through the library. When I learned she was attending the signing, I decided to buy it, even though it's still in hardcover. I'm planning to reread it this month for an online book discussion, and it's definitely a story worth revisiting. I hope I enjoy the second book as much.

Evelyn Vaughn
I love Evelyn Vaughn's books, so I was thrilled to pick up her latest release, Lost Calling. The hero and heroine of this book have made appearances in some of the previous books, so I'm excited to read this one. I also want to postpone starting it to prolong the pleasure. Yes, I know that sounds weird. Does anyone else have books they feel this way about?

J.R. Ward
Here's one author who always had a lineup of people waiting to meet her. I waited for my turn and bought one of each of her books. Remember, I love autographed copies.



Sasha White
Sasha was another author who always seemed to have people waiting for her autograph. After walking down her row several times, I got in line and bought a copy of Pure Sex. I told her I could always use some of that. LOL! Sasha is another writer whose blog I visit regularly, so it was nice to finally meet her.

Random Thoughts
As with last year, the cart was a significant asset. A number of people recognized me because of it, and several others said bringing a cart was a great idea.

I had a few disappointments. The biggest was that Lisa Kleypas wasn't there. I was really looking forward to meeting her. I didn't see her at the Avon publisher signing, either. There were some books I later wished I'd bought because they either weren't offered at a publisher signing or there was no signing for that publisher.

All in all, I had a great time at the signing. I waited until the last half hour to go up to the registers. This seems to be the best time; before then, there are long lines to buy the books.

Supporting Literacy
After 2 hours and 45 minutes, I did my best to support the literacy cause. Do you want to know how much I spent?

392.80.

Yes, you read that correctly. So much for showing restraint. However, I did buy a number of trade paperbacks, which upped the total considerably. Still, I'm a bit worried about what this means for next year. Will I have to find a bigger cart?

Preview

I'm back from RWA, and I will post a report and pictures of the literacy book signing that was held on Wednesday night. Watch for it in the next day or two, but first I must go take a nice, long nap. In the meantime, here's a hint of what's to come.



Two words to describe the signing: completely insane.

Atlanta, Here I Come

I'm heading to Atlanta for the Romance Writers of America national conference.



I'll be back next week with pictures from the signing. Until then, happy reading!

Packing

On Tuesday, I'm off to Atlanta for the RWA book signing and conference. Now I'm packing, and I'm having dilemmas. No, I'm not worried about the clothes or shoes. Instead, I'm fretting about the books. It's always about the books, right?

The signing is Wednesday night, and I need to bring enough books to tide me over until then. Plus, I also need to bring five books to get autographed at the signing. I'm chafing about that limit. I'll probably bring 15 and hope I have enough time to run up mid-signing and get them all signed. As if I want to be making multiple trips to my hotel room during the signing, but I'd probably be sorry if I didn't bring them.

So, which of the hundreds of books I haven't read should I bring with me? And which books should I bring for autographing? Ah, decisions . . .

Tagged

I've been tagged by Megan and Sybil.

1. When did you first start blogging and why?
The sidebar helped me answer this one. I started blogging in September of 2004. I discovered blogs through Laurie's blog, and started branching out from there. For me, blogging appealed to me in a way message boards didn't. My plan was to have a dual focus on books and scrapbook pages, but the latter kind of fell by the wayside. Ah, well.

2. What don't you talk about?
Politics and religion. I don't talk about the former because I'm not very interested in politics. As for the latter, it's just a private part of my life that I'm reluctant to put out there for public consumption. I think I've mentioned it on my blog twice. I did get a kick out of the woman at Suzanne Brockmann's Target Tampa event who asked if I could get excommunicated because I read romance. Uh, no. LOL!

I also don't go into detail about where I work. I have complained about my job more than once and have talked about my work hours. But only one or two of you know the name of the company I work for; even then, I've told people in person, not by blogging the information. This is deliberate. Not because it's a bad place to work, although it has its moments like any other workplace. But I don't want to bring people here who either work for the company or who are looking for information about it. I'm here to talk about books.

3. Are you and your blogging persona the same person?
I'm not a different person at my blog, but I don't reveal everything about myself either. I guess I'd say that blog visitors see me but not a complete picture.

4. How do you use blogging to build friendships?
I wouldn't say that I blog to build friendships, but it's happened through the process. I've been visiting some people's blogs for years now, and you get to know people a bit through that process. I've really enjoyed it, and it's always fun to meet people whose blogs I visit.

5. How would you describe your writing style?
Hmmm. Well-edited? Ha ha. That's what happens when you're a writer and editor--it's not something I can compartmentalize.

What is the opposite of snarky? I'm definitely not a snarky blogger, and people who know me in person know I have more of a sense of humor than is evident on my blog.

I'm not tagging anyone this time because I'm getting ready to leave for my trip and don't have time to see who hasn't been tagged. Be prepared next time, though . . .

Working for the Devil and Dead Man Rising

I've had Lilith Saintcrow's Working for the Devil on my TBR list for a few months now, and when I was offered a chance to read Dead Man Rising, the second book in the series, I decided to read them together. I'll do my best to avoid spoilers, especially because Dead Man Rising isn't scheduled to be released until September.

Here are some things to keep in mind about both books.

• They aren't romances.
• I repeat, these books aren't romances. There is romance in them, but if you read either one of them expecting a conventional romance, you will be disappointed.
• If at all possible, read the two books together. Neither book is particularly effective as a stand-alone.
• Saintcrow doesn't hesitate to put her characters through hell, literally and figuratively. If you know this going in, you'll be better prepared to read them.

Now, moving on. I liked both books. Working for the Devil earns 3.5 out of 5 and Dead Man Rising receives 4 out of 5. I read them over three days, and I'm convinced this is the best way to go. In fact, it's better to think of these as one story, similar to the way The Lord of the Rings is one story with multiple parts.

Here's the blurb for Working for the Devil.

When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?
The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot-tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.

The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a renegade demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It's an offer she can't refuse.

The Catch: How do you kill something that can't die?

A review quote on the back of the book describes it as "dark urban fantasy with a splash of cyberpunk, a pinch of paranormal romance, and a dash of gritty crime thriller," and it's a pretty good description. This book draws on a combination of genres.

I've seen other reviews of this book praise its world-building, which I agree is good. However, I felt a bit like I'd been dropped into a strange environment, and I would have enjoyed a little more explanation of terms. This can be a tough balance, because you don't want to bring the story to a stop while launching on long explanations, but I needed a little more background than I got. For this reason, it was easy for me to set the book down after reading a few chapters, which is what I did for a few days.

The story picks up at the mid-way point, and once I reached this part I had a hard time putting the book down. My favorite character is Japhrimel, although he does something toward the end that made me feel a bit ambivalent about him. Still, the ending packs quite an emotional punch. And in case you missed this the first or second time, this isn't a romance. OK? Don't say I didn't warn you.

On to Dead Man Rising.

When the Dead Call, She Answers
Bounty hunting is a helluva job, but it pays the bills. And it lets necromance Dante Valentine forget her issues--like struggling with her half-demon side and the memory of her lover's death.

Now psychics all over the city are being savagely murdered--and a piece of the past Dante thought she'd buried is stalking the night with a vengeance. Too bad she's got no way to tell which fiend--or friend--to trust. Or that her most horrifying nightmares are gathering to take one kick-ass bounty hunter down for the count.

But that's only the beginning. The Devil just called. He's looking for Dante's lover--the one he killed.

I may have been able to put down Working for the Devil, but once I reached the mid-point, I raced through the rest and through Dead Man Rising. If the first book packs an emotional punch, the emotional impact of this one is like being run over. LOL! I've been brought to tears by a book, but this one had me sobbing. And that's the main reason I don't think these should be read separately. Someone who reads Dead Man Rising without reading the first book is likely to be very upset when something happens--see the fourth bullet point above. Actually, I had read the first book and I was still upset. In fact, my stomach hurts as I think about it, and I finished the book a few weeks ago. But something else happens, and it too wouldn't have the same impact to someone who hasn't read the first book.

I can only describe reading these books as a very emotional experience, which says just how talented a writer Saintcrow is. Will I read the third book in the series? To be honest, I don't know. The roller-coaster ride is still too close in my memory. And although I liked Dante as a heroine, I didn't love her. I think I'll make the decision about reading the next book later, and I may even seek out a spoiler or two so I know what to expect. If that makes me a wimp, so be it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

July is always a busy month at work, but the 12-hour days are behind me, at least for now. Since I finally have energy and time, I thought I'd share my thoughts about the new Pirates movie. I won't go into detail about the plot, but I will give away a couple of things to explain my point, so please stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers.

First of all, I liked it. There are some terrific funny moments, lots of action, and lots of Orlando--never a bad thing in my book. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and am looking forward to the next installment.

I did have a few problems, though. One of the things I really, really liked about the first movie was the fact that Elizabeth was able to see through Jack. She didn't dislike him, but she knew what kind of man he was. I loved how she used what she knew about him against him, such as when they were stuck on the island together. Scenes like this made me think of her as clever and astute, two things that made her a heroine I liked.

In Dead Man's Chest, we see a different Elizabeth, one who is fascinated by Jack and/or the pirate life. You can certainly argue about the level of her fascination, but it's there, like it or not. In my case, I didn't like it. I thought it changed her character in a disappointing way. I'm not sure how it will play out, but I'll go to the third movie feeling a bit cautious, I think.

Then there's the ending. I won't go into detail about how this installment concluded, but I can't call this a feel-good movie. As I mentioned, it was action-packed and funny (with more darker moments than in the first movie), but I was frustrated by the fact that not one thing was resolved by the end. Everything is up in the air. I don't have a problem with cliffhangers on principle, but I would have felt considerably better about the movie if there had been a tiny bit of resolution somewhere.

Ah, well. I'll still go see the next movie, but I can't say I'll go into it with high hopes. From what I've seen online, I suspect my mixed feelings about the movie put me in the minority. Anyone else have similar thoughts about it?

Ask For It

I discovered Sylvia Day's writing when I read Catching Caroline, and I've read her books ever since. She writes in a variety of subgenres, including paranormal, futuristic, historical, and contemporary. Her next book, Ask For It, is a historical romance: 4 out of 5.

A Matter of Dangerous Intrigue . . .
As an agent to the Crown, Marcus Ashford, the Earl of Westfield, as fought numerous sword fights, been shot twice, and dodged more than any man's fair share of cannon fire. And yet nothing excites him more than the primitive hunger his former fiance,
Elizabeth, arouses. Years ago, she'd jilted him for the boyishly charming Lord Hawthorne. But now the elegant wido is his to defend, and he will do so while tending to her other, more carnal needs, showing her the depth of a real man's desire . . .

. . . and Undeniable Pleasure
Dangerous secrets led to the murder of Lady Hawthorne's husband, secrets she now holds in a diary many would kill to obtain. But to entrust herself to the protection of the most seductive man she's ever known? Outrageous. Unthinkable. Irresistible. For it was Marcus's strong passions and burning desire that frightened her into abandoning him years ago--and her answering craving has never waned. Now he means to be at her service, in every sense. And perhaps the only sensible course isn't to resist temptation, but to surrender to it completely . . .

Ask For It is Day's second book for Brava, and it's an excellent story. You have to love a heroine who knows how to use a weapon. LOL! And I liked the twists and turns of the story--just when I thought I'd figured things out, the plot took an unexpected turn. It was a refreshing change from many of the predictable stories out there. One secondary character (spoiler: Christopher St. John) surprised and intrigued me, and I hope he gets his own story.

Day has a talent for creating realistic and unforgettable heroes. Marcus definitely fits in this category. I'm a sucker for a hero who falls completely in love despite all his best efforts, and that's exactly what happens here. Marcus is a forceful man who needs a woman willing to stand up to him. Although Elizabeth isn't as strong a character, she's a good match for Marcus.

I can't review one of Sylvia's books without mentioning the love scenes. Sex isn't always about simple pleasure; sometimes it's complicated, tangled with a variety of emotions. Day does these scenes very well, painting a visual picture of Marcus and Elizabeth's evolving relationship. It starts with ambivalence on both sides and develops into more in a way that's both absorbing and real. As a longtime reader of Day's work, I admire the fact that her love scenes are never the same, and she's willing to take risks in this area.

With Ask For It, Day proves again that she's a writer whose career is on the rise. She is under contract for several books from Avon Red and Brava. The only bad thing is that I have to wait until 2007 for the next book.

Kelley Armstrong

After reading Dates from Hell, I decided to pick up Kelley Armstrong's Bitten, which had been languishing on my TBR for several months. If I remember correctly, I bought it at Media Play . . . back when Media Play was still open.

Bitten completely blew me away. I've already reviewed it, so I won't repeat myself, but it was very, very good. I quickly bought and read the rest of the books in the series. Here's how I rate them.

• Bitten: 5 out of 5
• Stolen: 5 out of 5
• Dime Store Magic: 4.5 out of 5
• Industrial Magic: 4.5 out of 5
• Haunted: 4 out of 5
• Broken: 4.5 out of 5

Armstrong excels at world-building and story telling. The Otherworld is unique, vivid, and memorable. But it's the storytelling that makes me a fan. Bitten is particularly masterful. Another writer might have clogged up the beginning of the story with backstory, but that's not what Armstrong does. She gives just enough to tell the story, providing backstory through flashbacks or narrative as it's needed.

Case in point: Elena refers to being bitten or "the person who bit me" at least three times before we find out who that person was. (Don't worry--I won't spoil it in this post.) There are several places where Armstrong could have shared this information earlier in the story, but she doesn't. The choice is a good one because it adds to the emotional punch. It wouldn't have had the same impact if it had been revealed sooner.

Something that impresses me as a reader and a writer is how distinctive her characters are. Her men don't only look differently and act differently. They talk differently. Here are some examples.

Clayton, from Bitten
During a scene with Elena and Jeremy: "I'm staying. . . . If Elena thinks she can show up, then walk right back out, after I've been waiting for over a year--"

"You'll do what?" I said, stepping toward him. "Kidnap me and lock me in a hotel room again?"

"That was six years ago. And I was only trying to convince you to talk to me before you left."

"Convince? Hah. I'd probably still be there if I hadn't convinced you to set me free by hanging you off the balcony by your ankles. If I'd had any sense, I'd have let go while I had the chance."

"Wouldn't have done any good, darling. I bounce. You can't get rid of me that easily."

Clay rarely has long speeches--he's more of a doer than a talker. This exchange reveals his sense of humor, his casual speech, and his complicated relationship with Elena.

Jeremy, from Bitten
During a scene where he's telling Elena not to make any hasty decisions about leaving the Pack: "Adjusting to this has been more difficult for you than anyone else. You didn't grow up knowing you'd become a werewolf. Being bitten would have been bad enough, but the way it happened, the circumstances under which it happened, make it ten times harder. It's in your nature to fight something you didn't choose. When you make your choice, I want it to be because you've spent enough time out there to know that it's what you want, not because you're stubborn and want to assert your right to self-determination here and now."

This speech is classic Jeremy. Elena's father figure is patient and logical, both of which qualities are evident here.

Lucas, from Industrial Magic
During a scene where he's explaining to Paige how he'll handle an upcoming discussion with his father: "My intention is simply not to refuse as vehemently as I normally do, or he'll blame you, however illogical the reasoning. I will hear him out, and I will endeavor to be more receptive to his paternal attentions than is my wont."

"Uh huh."

Lucas smiled. "In other words, I'll make nice."

Lucas is a lawyer as well as a sorcerer, and his language tends to be more sophisticated. He's also aware of this tendency and is able to see the humor of it, as the last sentence shows.

Another thing I like in Armstrong's book is her use of humor. Instead of including moments of slapstick, her humor tends to be wry and understated, a type of humor I really enjoy. In Dime Store Magic, we learn that witches and sorcerers have a longterm animosity toward each other. I loved this moment when sorcerer Lucas bursts into a Coven meeting.

"Are there any questions?" Cortez said after his presentation.

Silence.

Eleven-year-old Megan, the youngest neophyte, raised her hand. "Are you a bad sorcerer?"

"I lack some proficiency in the higher-order spells but, at the risk of sounding overconfident, I must say there are worse sorcerers."

:)

Armstrong has a terrific site for readers. It has all the usual things on author sites, pages about the books, FAQ, and contests. It also offers free online reads, some of which chronicle Clay's past. One of them, Savage, is being released as an audiobook. This, too, will be available free on her website. There's also a fairly active message board.

She has two books out in the next year--one in October, not set in the Otherworld, and one next spring with Jaime, a celebrity necromancer. Next year's book will be out in hardcover. This will disappoint some readers, I'm sure, but I say good for her. By the time I read Industrial Magic, I found myself wondering why the series wasn't in hardcover already. Yes, the installments will be more expensive, but Armstrong has earned it. And that makes it even more likely to be released in audio versions, a definite plus for me.

Kelley Armstrong has joined my list of favorite writers. I'll be looking for a book signing opportunity so I can get autographed copies of all her books.

Dates from Hell

I know I said I wasn't planning to go back and write reviews for the books I read in the past. However, I decided that a review of Dates from Hell would be a good lead-in for my next author spotlight. (You don't have to ask who it will be, do you?)

I was planning to buy Dates from Hell, but then I won an autographed copy from Kelley Armstrong.

Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil
Kim Harrison takes us to the Hollows, where living vampire/homicide cop Ivy Tamwood, investigating a string of very nasty murders, finds herself caught between two very different men, who put every dating principle she holds dear to the ultimate test.

The Claire Switch Project
Lynsay Sands gives the power to shape-shift to a most resourceful woman, who uses it to her wickedly sexy advantage at her high school reunion.

Chaotic
Kelley Armstrong enters the Otherworld to help a beautiful half-demon tabloid reporter escape a disastrous blind date by giving her a hot lead . . . that leads her to an even hotter werewolf jewel thief.

Dead Man Dating
Lori Handeland gives the term "dating hell" a whole new meaning, when a Manhattan literary agent out on her first date in months, is forced to choose between a sexy devil and the rogue demon hunter who's out to destroy him.

I wondered whether I would like "Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil" because I tried to read Dead Witch Walking and set it aside after less than 100 pages. I just couldn't get into it. I liked this story, though. Ivy was an intriguing heroine, and I'd like to read more about her. Can someone tell me if any of Harrison's full-length books are told from her point of view? Even though I liked the book, I was very aware that this was part of a series and at times I felt like I was a step behind. 4 out of 5.

"The Claire Switch Project" was a disappointment. An incident in a lab gives Claire the ability to change her appearance, transforming herself into anyone as long as she has a picture as reference. First of all, Claire and Kyle have liked each other for years and haven't done anything about it before now. Then, at the high school reunion, Claire shifts into "Brad Cruise," a popular movie star to pose as her friend's date. I'm sure the plot was intended to be zany fun, but it struck me as juvenile and superficial. 2 out of 5.

Kelley Armstrong's "Chaotic" was the best story in the anthology. It's interesting to note that this is the first story I ever read by Armstrong. As with Harrison's story, it was clear that this book was part of a series, yet I never felt lost or behind. I'm sure readers of the series would catch things I didn't on the first read, but everything necessary to understand this story was explained. I'm planning to reread the story in the next week; it will be interesting to see the depth this adds to the story. I liked both Hope and Karl and only wish I'd seen more of them together at the end. 4.5 out of 5.

Lori Handeland's "Dead Man Dating" is the reason I wanted the anthology. I've enjoyed her paranormal stories in the past (Blue Moon especially). This one was good, but I wished it had been longer. Kit and Chavez are interesting characters and I would have liked to spend more time with them. I was surprised at the end when I realized I didn't feel like I knew Kit very well. Odd, since the story was from her point of view. Anyway, I'd love to see them again, even as secondary characters in another book. 3.5 out of 5.

The anthology as a whole rated 3.5 out of 5. It also introduced me to an author I now rank in my top five. But that's another story. :)

Good News

I love the J.D. Robb audiobooks. I have all the unabridged ones available and listen to them all the time in the car. Unfortunately, many of the books aren't available as unabridged audiobooks. After listening to Memory in Death for about the fifth time, I e-mailed Brilliance Audio (the company that records the other In Deaths) and asked if they planned to do unabridged versions of Rapture in Death through Betrayal in Death.

The answer? Yes. Starting in September, they'll release one unabridged a month, beginning with Rapture in Death (the fourth book). This makes me very, very happy. I will finally have some new audios to enjoy!

Now, if I could only convince them to do audiobooks for the Kelley Armstrong books after Bitten . . .

Viva Las Bad Boys

I read HelenKay Dimon's Viva Las Bad Boys some time ago and planned to blog about it. Then I caught a persistent stomach bug. I'm feeling a lot better these days (in other words, I no longer want to die, although I'm still consuming copious amounts of Sprite), so I'm hoping to get to some of the blog entries I've been wanting to make.

Now, enough about my stomach; onto the book. It's an excellent read: 4 out of 5.

Jackpot
Jack McAllister is looking to get lucky on his vacation, and the jilted bride sitting at the slot machine next to him might be his answer. Getting her up to his room is a breeze. Realizing Laine Monroe isn't a bride at all . . . also easy. The pretty blonde is there to catch Jack in a compromising position, and Jack's all too willing to compromise.

Player's Club
Consultant Jenna Barrister didn't get where she was in business by being a pushover. She just never expected to be assigned as playboy superchef Zach Jacobs' corporate babysitter. But when the lights go out, Jenna's resolve crumbles. She wants to experience the heat, and the rebellious chef knows just how to turn it up.

Two of a Kind
As the Casino faces its first blackout, Assistant Manager Alex Mitchell figures there are worse places to get stranded than in the soon-to-open spa with a mysterious and sexy guest. Alex doesn't know Caroline Rogers is a travel reviewer on a job, and she's not telling. When Caroline's business mixes with pleasure, Alex welcomes a game where the winner takes all.

I love good contemporary romance, and these stories are all strong. Each one tells the story of a couple who finds love during a casino blackout, and I found this to be an intriguing premise.

"Jackpot" gets the anthology off to an excellent start. Laine has ulterior motives for attracting Jack's attention. She picks an interesting approach, and I got a kick out of her explanation for wearing a wedding dress, especially when Jack begins to become suspicious and tries to get her to talk. I did wish Laine had been more forthcoming a little sooner, but that would have eliminated the conflict. The love scenes were very hot. 4 out of 5.

"Player's Club" is my favorite story of the three. I enjoyed seeing Jenna and Zach circle each other, as Zach pursued and Jenna tried to resist. Her resistance doesn't last long, although it was longer than I would have lasted. LOL! Zach and Jenna's first love scene was terrific, and I liked the way they made bets with each other--it gave the title of this story a fun double meaning. 4.5 out of 5.

"Two of a Kind" concludes the anthology, and although it's my least favorite of the three, it's still quite good. Alex and Caroline have strong chemistry, and I thought Alex was terrific. Caroline was a good match for him. I would have liked another 10 or 15 pages at the end of the story. The resolution seemed a little too quick, and another scene or two would have strengthened the ending. 4 out of 5.

I found it interesting that none of the stories feature a hero and heroine who have met before. With novellas, it can be challenging to create a meaningful connection between characters who meet for the first time, but the author does a fine job of that here. With Viva Las Bad Boys, Dimon proves herself to be a great new voice in contemporary romance.