Completed - August Reading Challenge - Score 21

Hosted by Pizza's Book Discussion

The goal of this challenge is to see who can read the most books. Well it probably won't be me, but I can try. LOL, and I have a vacation week in the middle.

I'll be posting the books I read in August here. To sign up, click here.

1. Demon in My Vein - Amelia Atwater-Rhodes 8-1 Review
2. Wolf Moon - Charles DeLint 8-2 Review
3. A Caress of Twilight - Laurell K Hamilton 8-3 Review
4. The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong 8-4 Review
5. Gone With the Witch - Annette Blair 8-6 Review
6. Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews 8-8 Review
7. Kiss of a Demon King - Kresley Cole 8-10
8. Scent of Darkness - Christina Dodd 8-11
9. Touch of Darkness - Christina Dodd 8-16
10. Midnight's Daughter - Karen Chance 8-17
11. Magic Burns - Ilona Andrews 8-18 Review
12. You Are So Cursed - Naomi Nash 8-19
13. My Favorite Witch - Annette Blair 8-20 Review
14. Prey - Melinda Morel 8-21 Review
15. Seduced By Moon Light - Laurell K Hamilton 8-22
16. The Scott, The Witch, & The Wardrobe - Annette Blair 8-25
17. The Kitchen Witch - Annette Blair 8-26
18. Fangs 4 Freaks - Robar 8-27
19. Silent Thunder - Iris Johansen 8-27
20. Cindy Ella - Robin Palmer 8-28
21. Breath of Magic - Theresa Mediros 8-29

Domestic Witch's October Blog Party

October is filled with magic, mystery and creativity! So Domestic Witch is asking that everyone join in on an October Blog Party.



I know my life needs some mystery, spook, and imagination! Not to mention fall is my FAVORITE time of year! So I'm adding some wicked fun into my October. Here are some of the things I am planning to do! (notice the holes in case I get twitterpated for time)

1. Fall Clean the house (see next step)
2. Decorate the house
3. Watch a scary movie
4. Make Apple Cider

20. Create an ancestor altar
25. Decorate my cubicle
30. Bake & decorate cookies (date may change)
31. Celebrate the night

(it's late - I'll add more later)

Living Your Five

Wow - I read about this over at Fiona's and thought hmmm, I need to check it out.

Are you ready to Live Your Five?

We're delighted to have you joining us for our launch week as we introduce the world to the Living Your Five way of life. Living Your Five is all about knowing what matters most to you and making a difference in your world in ways large and small.Continue the article

I am soooo happy I did. See I did a LOT of thinking on my recent vacation and I know that I need to make some much needed changes to my life. I'm going to figure out where I want to go in so five aspects of my life and then I'll list them out as my five.

VACATION: Friday

Well it is official – today is my last alone day here at this wonderful beach. Now don’t get me wrong, people have been down here and all, but I could be as antisocial as I wanted to be and no one would be the wiser that that is not my usual habit.

So to celebrate my time here – I went back to Brookgreen Gardens. This time to tour the garden/sculpture side. OMG – this place is truly a work of art.

I spent a very pleasant 4 hours walking around the gardens – admiring the beautiful plants (Ginger Lilly smells HEAVENLY) and stunning art work.













The only blight on the morning was my so called lady at lunch. So many people had talked about the plantation dining room that I simply had to try it. BIG mistake!! I went in, was seated, and the lovely hostess brought out my lemonade right away – then it all went south. Maybe it is because I was there by myself or maybe the waitress just has issues with fat chicks. I’m not sure what happened, but the 4 tables near me (seated after I got my lemonade) were waited on super quick, the waitress came over all smiles, and how do you dos, and may I please take your order with a I recommend the shrimp basket thrown in right. She handled each of those 4 tables with 2 to 8 people at them with lightning quickness – and now I know that the waitress can not control the timing of the food coming from the kitchen – to the point that by the time she even noticed that I was there, the couple that came in right behind me were already receiving their meal. And if that was not bad enough – when she finally notices that I have been patiently waiting for her to come over to the table – I swear I was being waited on by Flo from Mel’s Diner – whatcha want? At that point I said no thank you – stood up and walked to the register, paid for my lemonade and I’m not joking she stood there going “what – you PMSing or something”

So my advice to you – if you go to Brookgreen Gardens – and you really must because it is freaking spectacular – do not I repeat DO NOT go to the fancy dining room for lunch. Either pack a picnic basket or go to the Lowcountry Trail snack bar. At least the prices there are more honest.

Okay deep breaths – enough negativity. Now the true wonder of my day was the sea turtle talk. That was awesome – I didn’t get a good picture of the naturalist Lisa and I will not even begin to embarrass the poor girl with the one that I did snap. Wow. So anyway – the sea turtle talk was very informative. First up, the loggerback sea turtle (SC state reptile) is a threatened species, grows to be between 5-6 long,

And then it rained – and I’m not talking about a nice delicate little sprinkle. I mean a torrential down pour. But hey it was super yummy to curl up in camper and hear the rain on the roof.

VACATION: Thursday

Woke up to a major problem – the camper was playing hostess to about a million ants, so I had to run outside and figure out where they were coming in at, seal up that hole and then deal with the ones inside. What a mess. And that was all before 5am & coffee. Aye Chihuahua!

Hung out around the camper most of the early morning after breakfast (salad) & yoga. Once again – no pictures LOL. After being a lazy bum for the early hours I decided to get up and head out – first stop, alligator class at the causeway.
Where we (the group) met Dean for an intriguing class on alligators. And Dean really I wasn’t trying to make it look like you didn’t know what you were talking about.

*side note – it is not my fault that I know quite abit about a reptile that lived literally down the street from me in Florida. I happen to have read A LOT and I retain information extremely well.*

The surf seining class got canceled due to weather, so I toured the Atalaya early and wow – that place is really cool. Looks like it could use some renovation, but still pretty cool. I really like the servant quarters – small but really super cozy – add a bed and you would be set. It’s amazing how much our expectations change over the years.

Next on my Daily Want To list – visit Ebb & Flow. A funky little art gallery/coffee house. Where I got the perfect breve – foamy & hot with a heart (but the picture didn’t come out *pout*). It was a perfect combo of hip art & snazzy localism with a dash of bohemian chic tossed in. From the driftwood reindeer & palm Christmas tree out front to the refurbished “door” tables in the gallery. I had a perfectly groovy time hanging out and listening to an Irish gig.







I also managed to do a bit of shopping today – picked up a stuffed alligator for Lucas (so what if he calls it a crocodile) & a beach towel for me. And I made it to BAM to get Tuesday & Wednesday up.

After I came back to the camper and fixed our dinner – I decided it was too early to call it quits for the day. So why not take Divo down to the beach and see what he thinks of the big water. Well that was all around a messed up walk. Divo hated walking down the path way, and then he really didn’t like the fact that he had to walk beside the ranger guy, and man the skeeters were awful, but nothing even comes close to his expression when he figured out that I wanted him to get wet. The first time down to the water he walked in with out a hitch. High stepped a bit, but no real big deal. Then he went out a bit further & decided he wanted mom to pick him up, which I did. No big. But when I sat him down at the water’s edge – he dug in all four feet and refused (I mean flat out refused) to step near the water again. Then he started hauling butt to the sand dunes – just as fast I would let him go.



To add insult to injury – we had to rinse off all the sand & salt water when we got back to the campsite – you would have thought I was killing him with all the noises he let loose with. Whimpers, whines, barks & howls. Wow. Wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t been there with him.

The only down fall to today – my vacation is officially half over now & I don’t wanna go back.

VACATION: Wednesday

I woke up bright & early. Yoga, a quick walk, shower & breakfast – and then hauled hiney out of the park to have some serious FUN. Well okay – after I stopped to take a bird watching “class”. LOL.


But I had more fun watching the crabs and alligator.






But I was a girl on a mission. See DH gave me an awesome present – the fee for the Ultimate Package (wand, topper, 90 minutes play & 5 duels) at Magiquest So I drove up to Broadway on the Beach.

(Got lost for a bit, but had a wonderful trip down memory lane of the summer my sister & I got to cruise Mrytle Beach by ourselves. Hanging out at the Teen Club & going to the Gay Dolphin & the rides at the Amusement Park. I probably stayed “lost” over there for an extra hour going – wow – movie in my head. Those are some great memories.)

Anyhoo – finally got back on the right track and located Broadway on the Beach & Magiquest,

found a really excellent parking place that had trees on 3 sides – so the car would stay shaded. And then it was off to find my wand & topper.

After a brief tutorial (listen to your guide) – let the game begin. You pick a quest such as the “Dazzle Rune Quest”. Watch the wizard tell you about it –

Seek out the five crystals with colors so bright, Red, Yellow, Blue, Black and – most powerful – white. The Lady in the Leaves, in the Forest so deep, Will grant the Dazzle Rune. It’s all yours to keep.

And then you get clues to locate the crystals.

On a wall facing the treehouse, not far from the well, it’s here you’ll discover where Red crystals dwell.

So you go to the well near the treehouse and the look for red crystals (or whatever you are searching for) point your wand and viola – you have claimed the Red crystal – now on to the next. Search for the other 4 crystals, and after you find them, you must find the Lady in the Leaves.


I completed all of the following Rune Quests – Lightning, Healing, Dazzle, Music, Enchant Creature, Reveal – and made it most of the way through Portal. After your game is “over” (Time runs out – and that was 90 minutes worth of running around like a chicken with her head cut off – let me tell you) you can still duel (fight another wizard) or do another game called the Garden Quest. You leave the building and go around Broadway at the Beach looking for characters. LOL. So I think I deserve lunch out and where else can you go but to Margaritaville. and I got a non-alcoholic Margarita and a burger. Wow – this was a super yummy lunch. I’ll have to do salad (no tops) and an extra walk to even out – but it was soooooo worth it.

VACATION: Tuesday

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Yep – this vacation has a purpose behind it. It is my birthday trip. For several years I always took a nice long trip on my birthday. Sometimes to the beach, sometimes to the mountains, few times to TRA, a cruise & even once to Washington DC. But I haven’t done it in a few years, and I decided that I needed a break.

I got up bright and early today & did yoga (sorry no pictures LOL). Then went for a walk around the campground & down to the beach.




I then walked up and down the beach for an hour – thinking about the past year & to be honest thinking about the past 36 years. I came up with a yearly milestone for every year – from birth to graduation to surgery to transformation.

I then did a little bit of spell work and let the ocean wash all the negative away.


After a long walk and a refreshing shower I decided to check out Brookgreen Gardens and WOW let me tell you – this place is beautiful!!! And if you stop & think about it a really good deal. $12 per person ($10 if you are staying at the state park) and the ticket is good for 7 days.




And I can not wait to see the OTTERS!!!! (My favoritist animal on the whole freaking planet)

When you enter Brookgreen Gardens – they give you a map & a schedule of events. Leave the Welcome Center and head out and around the gift shop (the circle of life statues are here), next up the St James Triad and then a stretch of hot unshaded walkway and next up the Lowcountry Center. Once around this building you are on your way to the Lowcountry Trail.

(While I was wondering the trail my dad called and sang me Happy Birthday, he can’t sing – but he tries so hard. A for effort, Daddy-O.)

You walk a shaded pathway that literally takes you through a rice plantation Archaeological site. You can stop and listen to a “recorded blips” about a day in the life of a Southern Rice Plantation at several different locations. And then you reach the Barn area. They have Red Devon cows, Marsh Tacky horses, and Tunis sheep. All of these are “rare” breeds because the animals have been SOOOOO cross bred. No one wanted to pose for any pictures. *pout*

Then on to the Lowcountry Zoo. And you guessed it – OTTERS!!!!!! I probably spent an hour just watching and talking with these funny little clowns. Now I’ll be honest I saw other animals – alligator, fox, bald eagle, owls, swan, turkey. But in truth – the otter footage “ate up” my camera batteries. Oops. After walking the Zoo, I walked all the way back up to the welcome center.

So I figured I deserved a break & decided to go check out *A Novel Idea* used book store. I was not impressed. It was across the street from Krystals and let me tell you that was temptation city, but I prevailed & overcame the overwhelming desire to eat a slider or two (or three) and drove down the road to Books A Million. Now usually I am not a big fan of chain anything while I am on vacation, but hey, free internet is free internet & I wanted to get at least Monday up and running.


On the way back to the campground – I got curious and decided to stop at the farmers market & I am ever so glad.

This store more than made up for the crappy used book store. They have abso everything there. Fresh veggies, pasta, coffee, meat, cheese – you name it. And the staff, well I can not say enough good things about the staff of this little joint. If you are ever in the area you must check in with Scott & Sketch (and try some of Sketch’s Chicken Salad YUMMY!!!!). This is the kind of store that I love going to.








Then it was back to my home away from home for a delicious dinner of chicken parm with fresh mozerralla & a salad.

VACATION: Monday

Left Fayetteville after noon due to Mom having a Dr's Appointment - drove down south having a good old time. Me and Divo cruising in the Honda, jamming. Sometimes I followed the RV sometimes I led, but no matter what - we made good time.

Got down to the beach and after some difficulty - finally found Huttington Beach State Park and WOW - it is sooooo pretty.












Got the camper mostly set up. I didn't want a bunch of "thing" I had to worry about, Dad staked out the carpet and put out a chair. Said "if you change your mind, you know where stuff is at" OMG - I just LOVE my dad. He is truly the BESTEST dad on the whole planet.

And then my parents took me out to eat at Crabby Mike's mmmmmmmm

- Crab Legs - all you can eat. I think I'm gonna be sick. LOL.

I'm gonna try to do a post a day - but will be running about a day behind.

Counting Crows

I'm adding this note because Kira in My Favorite Witch uses this form of intel a couple of times. Just an FYI post. LOL

Crow or Magpie Augury (the practice of foretelling the future based on the number of birds seen) has been around for centuries, and spawned many version of the "counting rhyme". These are a few of the ones I've collected. As you can see, there's quite a variety, but most follow the same themes.

Counting Rhyme (from The Folklore of Birds, by Laura C. Martin, 1993)
One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.

Counting Crows (Emailed to me by a 'Net acquaintance)
One for sorrow,
two for joy,
three for a girl,
for for a boy,
five for silver,
six for gold,
seven for a secret,
never to be told,
eight for a wish,
nine for a kiss,
ten for a time
of joyous bliss.

Magpie Rhyme (from Bird Brains, by Candace Savage, 1997. The Rhyme she quotes is from The Dictionary of Superstitions published by Oxford University Press in 1992)
One for sorrow,
two for mirth,
three for a wedding,
four for birth,
five for rich,
six for poor,
Seven for a witch,
I can tell you no more.

Counting Rhyme (another from an email acquaintance)
One crow sorrow,
Two crows mirth,
three, a wedding,
four, a birth,
five brings silver,
six takes wealth,
seven crows a secret,
More I can nae tell.

Counting Crows (again, from an email acquaintance)
One for sadness, two for mirth;
Three for marriage, four for birth;
Five for laughing, six for crying:
Seven for sickness, eight for dying;
Nine for silver, ten for gold;
Eleven a secret that will never be told.

Book: My Favorite Witch

Annette Blair
Romance
Berkley / January 2006)
Mass Market / 304 Pages
Series Accidental Witch 2

HE SWORE OFF WOMEN. SHE SWORE OFF MEN...
Jason Pickering Goddard's career as a playboy hockey star comes to a dramatic halt when he tragically damages his legs in a car accident. Swearing off women, he decides to stand in as Director of Special Events at the Pickering Foundation in the interim--knowing his celebrity status will greatly help the foundation's foster home for boys.

BUT NEITHER EXPECTED THIS KIND OF MAGIC.
A sexy witch cursed by a cheating ex-fiance, Kira Fitzgerald has closed the book on men. But a new chapter in her life opens when she's appointed as Jason's coordinator. The clash of their strong personalities ignites Jason's competitive streak and sparks an inner fire that threatens to melt the ice around his heart--a slow warm-up that weakens Kira's own defenses. And there's not a spell strong enough to save her...

I picked this book up because Her books are hit or miss for me, but I'm always willing to try.

What I liked the Most? The rhyming spellwork

What I liked the Least? The I'm a man hockey player complex at the beginning of the story

Review:My Favorite Witch has a little humor, a little magic, a little hockey, a little charity, a little romance and a lot of love. Both Kira and Jason are intriguing characters you are pulling for from the beginning. The boys from the orphanage and a murder of crows steal the show on more than one occassion. Jason's Gram is another great character you won't be able to get enough of. Melody, Logan, Shane, and Vickie from The Kitchen Witch make an appearance that fits perfectly with the storyline.

Annette's descriptions of the quirks of fundraising events and the little details are colorful and enchanting. This book was an extremely well-written funny story with heart. Overall, a delightful read.

Recommended to: Someone ready to laugh

Best Quote: "I have...an assortment"

Challenges:100+, August

The Lemonade Award

Fiona over at a reader's random ramblings... gave me this award and the name of "My number 1 commenter of late." I truly love going over to her blog and reading all the interesting posts on her class. Go check her out.



The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules for accepting this award:

•Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.
•Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
•Link your nominees within your post.
•Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
•Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.


1) Kellen over at Kellen's Book Blog - she has quick and fast reviews, that are really informative.

2)Eleni from LA FEMME READERS she has a cute & fun blog with great book posts.

3)The Crazy Book Slut herself, Tena. I just love her comment - you say slut like it's a bad thing.

4)Rhianna, RhiReading, specializes in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance news, book reviews, series guides, author interviews and related discussions.

5)Even though Joanne,The Book Zombie, is taking a short break her blog always has a really great personality. I hope everything gets better.

6)Trisha has turned me onto a bunch of really great books so Thank You.

7)I love how The Book Fairy Reviews blog is set up.

8)Suzanne, The Book Butterfly, reviews YA books and has a cute blog.

9)The Park Avenue Princess Amy - she has such a lovely spirit and blog, you simply must check her out.

and not book related
10)The Domestic Witch herself. I love reading about her friends and adventures.

Book:Prey

Melina Morel
Paranormal Romance
Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated / September 2008
Mass Market / 336 Pages
Series

Evil Stalks the city that never sleeps...

Vivian Roussel prefers to keep a low profile - she is, after all, a werecat, descendant of an ancient demigoddess, and highly regarded in Manhattan's nightworld. But when she's robbed of a priceless icon, she has only one recourse for protection.

Surveillance expert and werecat Pavel Federov never gets personal with his clients.But he's drawn to Vivian. Pavel soon discovers that the thief has something far more dangerous in mind - for he's marked Vivian as his next target.

I picked this book up because it was a gift, from a fellow 'abby' reader.

What I liked the Most? The concept

What I liked the Least? The story - I did not like the whole Russian mafia/were set up with the romance sections that read like what teenager think a love story should be.

Review: Okay - this was book was not a top finisher. Start off with the way in which the narrative is delivered to the reader - it's all telling, not showing and extremely repeatitive until readers are likely to feel impatient and/or condescended to. It’s very difficult to become immersed in a story when it’s just words on a page.

I was really looking forward to reading this tale of werecat society. Unfortunately, not only does the society seem ripped straight from the pages of plenty of pre-existing shape-shifter books, but it’s childish and add to it all the clans are named after house cat breeds. Really - I'm not bsing Russian Blues, Siberan Forest, Maine Coon.

Recommended to: I wouldn't

Best Quote: "Always let yourself be guided by your head and your heart, never letting one or the other dominate your thinking."

Challenges: 100+, Para 999, August

Book:Magic Burns

Ilona Andrews
Fantasy
ACE / April 08
Mass Market / 260 Pages
Series: Kate Daniels #2

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

I picked this book up because it's in a series

What I liked the Most? The strength explained

What I liked the Least? Not much at this point in time

Review:Ilona Andrews gets a big thumb up for letting Kate get her really bratty, smart-mouthed butt kicked several times in this book. She's really powerful, but there is a good explanation for a it - she's been to schools and she studies on her own to get better. What? A heroine who works at it?

This book starts up pretty much where the first book left off. Kate is financially and emotionaly - she no longer has any support system now that Greg is dead & the potential boyfriend dumped her. The interactions with other paranormal groups are a wonderful written surprise and she keeps trying to do good while staying as sassy and likable as before.

The storyline follows Kate through the advent of a major surge/spike in magic and the interactions of several different groups who are being affected. The Beastlord who she flirted/fought with during the first book remains a strong supporting character, but Ms. Andrews doesn't just throw them together for the almost mandatory sex that these books too often include without a good reason.

Recommended to: Everyone who likes strong feminine characters

Best Quote: "You've got delusions of grandeur 'Bubba' would've done hime just fine."

Challenges: 100+, Para999, August

Hey Pizza: So far no sex - a lot of innuendo in this book though

Book: Gifts From the Child Within

Dr Barbara Sinor
Self Help
Loving Healing Press (LHP) / 2nd ed 2008
Quality / 223 Pages

Gifts From the Child Within brings a refreshing approach to guiding its reader to understanding the initial or underlying basis to their emotional suffering due to past childhood trauma. This recovery book is geared toward both professional and layperson. Its pages are filled with offerings from psychological, physiological, and spiritual perspectives which takes the reader on a journey into the soul. It is written with sensitivity and clarity inviting the reader to search within for healing.

I picked this book up because Review Book

What I liked the Most? The exercises designed to help you get in touch with yourself.

What I liked the Least? Random disjointed quotes. For me they were distracting.

Review: Dr Sinor also does not believe that recovery should be forced upon anyone - as noted by her comment “Each individual must proceed through his\her life discoveries, or in therapeutic intervention at one’s own rate with one’s own sense of how things are and with one’s own resolutions.” And so she creatd the blueprint for empowering yourself by working with body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Now this sounds a bit like lunacy, connect all of the "aspects" of oneself - but it does lead to healing, holisticly. She encourages the person in recovery to proceed at their own pace for healing, don't rush.

This book teaches you how to get in touch with your inner child in order to release negative emotions. To truly live in the moment - you must be willing to let go of the past.

You could really tell that Barbara Sinor, PhD, has professional & personal experience in dealing in this type of recovery, as she uses self-disclosure to present some very powerful examples about her own healing.


Recommended to: anyone who has abuse in their childhood, friends and family of those abuse victims, anyone who wants to understand

Best Quote: "Mom, (codependency) just means that you cared so much for Daddy taht somewhere along the way you lost yourself."

Challenges: 100+

Book:Midnight's Daughter

Karen Chance
Fantasy
Penguin Group / Oct 2008
Mass Market / 373 Pages
Series: Dorina Basarab Series, #1 (Same world as the Cassie Palmer series)

Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Subject to uncontrollable rages, most dhampirs live very short, very violent lives. So far, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity by unleashing her anger on those demons and vampires who deserve killing.

Now Dory’s vampire father has come back into her life. Her uncle Dracula (yes, the Dracula) infamous even among vampires for his cruelty and murderous ways, has escaped his prison. And her father wants Dory to work with the gorgeous master vampire Louis-Cesare to put him back there.

Vampires and dhampirs are mortal enemies, and Dory prefers to work alone. But Dracula is the only thing on earth that truly scares her, and when Dory has to go up against him, she’ll take all the help she can get…

I picked this book up because I liked the title.

What I liked the Most? Wow - the whole book.

What I liked the Least? There was too much back story.

Review:Dorina is a dhampire. What is a dhampir you may ask? A dhampire is half human and half vampire.

Very complex. Very intense. Very dark. And I sucked it down like a vamp with O negative. This is really a dark urban fantasy with heavy emotional and relationship threads. Just about every character in this book could use the services of a good shrink and you can forget about trying to predict what will happen next! I loved it.

I want another Dorina book soon so I can see where she and maybe Louis too are headed.

Recommended to: Fans of the series - there's too much back story to not have read the other books.

Best Quote: "Claire is like a Virgo on steroids, Anal-retentive doesn't even come close." So many people have used this phrase about me. LOL.

Challenges: 100+, Para 999, August

Quote of the Day

"My theory is that if you look confident you can pull off anything - even if you have no clue what you're doing." ~ Jessica Alba

Book:Kiss of a Demon King

Kelsey Cole
Romance
Pocket Books / 2009
Mass Market / 432 pages
Immortals After Dark, Book 7

HIS OBSESSION...

Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions: the evil beauty who surrenders her body, but not her heart.

HER DOWNFALL...

Rydstrom Woede: the ruthless warrior who vows to keep her at all costs.

THEY WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO WANT EACH OTHER THIS MUCH...
With each smoldering encounter, their shared hunger only increases. If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice for her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to save his sorceress?

I picked this book up because It looked really cool and it was on sell

What I liked the Most? The world building

What I liked the Least? What's up with these series book not having ANYTHING on them about being part of a series? It is sooooo freaking distracting to get into a book only to realize that you missed about 200% of the story line because you don't know what's going on.

Review:I really, really wanted to like this book.

Now don't get me wrong - I love a good steamy sex scene with lots of tension and I'm not afraid of kinky sex - this book just didn't hold my interest. There was just too much tension, and I didn't really think that was possible, but the story line gets bogged down with it. I really didn't get why these two characters like each other. Unless you count being "fated" for each other. Now I know opposites can attract and when done well, it can be hot, but this book tries to force "hot" with too many sex scenes and fantasies. I think the possibility of Rydstrom and Sabine should have been great romance - there's this lost king wanting to save his people and win back his kingdom and this snarky queen who is totally wrapped up in herself and her sister not caring about right or wrong as long as she survives and survives well. This book could have been so much better. They could have taught each other a lot.

In the end, it just didn't work for me and I really wanted it to. Now that being said - I might go back and pick up the rest of the series start at the beginning and see where that takes me. Maybe reading everything in order will change my mind about this book.

Recommended to: Someone who has read the freaking series

Best Quote:"Gods give me anything but a good man's pity"

Challenges: 100+, August, Para 999

Book: Magic Bites

Ilona Andrews
Fantasy
Ace / April 2007
Mass Market / 260 Pages
Series: Kate Daniels #1

Atlanta would be a nice place to live if it weren’t for the magic…. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shape changers, blame each other for the bizarre killings – and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realises she’s way out of her league – but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

I picked this book up because I liked the "Narnia" inspired cover - I'm a visual person.

What I liked the Most? Hands down the characterization of Kate. She is a well-realized and interesting character, she's someone you can empathize with and she's got a pretty darn good sense of humor.

What I liked the Least? The vamps are anything but an erotic fantasy - I like my vamps sexy.

Review:Magic Bites has everything that you would expect in a fantasy novel, a well developed character who is fighting way above her weight, yet still doesn’t consider running away, a superbly envisioned world that is just an alt of our own, interesting plot, and wickedly graphic phrases.

Kate gains some more magical power during the story and has a secret heritage that hints at greater powers to come. There is a smorgasbord of supernatural beasties both good and evil, friend and foe. And just trying to figure out who is friend and who is foe is pivotal to the whole plot and Kate’s judgement proves to be somewhat impaired which leads to some great plot twists.

Magic Bites can be a bit gory with descriptions of the atrocities committed by the villain of the story but these aren’t gratuitous and this is in the dark fantasy genre after all. I would not recommend this book to a youngish or sensitive reader.

Recommended to: Someone who really likes fantasy - this is not another romance dressed up to look like fantasy.

Best Quote:"Most clairvoyants are slightly emphatic."

Challenges: 100+, Para999, August

Quote of the Day

"Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult." Charlotte Whitton

Yea - I'll hear about this one

For those of you in the know.

A scrub is a guy that thinks he's fly
And is also known as a buster (busta, busta...)
Always talkin' about what he wants
And just sits on his broke ass
So (no)

I don't want your number (no)
I don't want to give you mine and (no)
I don't want to meet you nowhere (no)
I don't want none of your time and (no)

Chorus:
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me

There's a scrub checkin' me
But his game is kinda weak
And i know that he cannot approach me
Cuz i'm lookin' like class and he's lookin' like trash
Can't get wit' no deadbeat ass
So (no) (yea, yea)

I don't want your number (no)
I don't want to give you mine and (no)
I don't want to meet you nowhere (no)
I don't want none of your time (no)

Chorus

If you don't have a car and you're walking
Oh yes son i'm talking to you
If you live at home wit' your momma
Oh yes son i'm talking to you (baby)
If you have a shorty that you don't show love
Oh yes son i'm talking to you (yea yea yea yea...)
Wanna get with me with no money
Oh no i don't want no (oh)

No scrub (no scrub, no love)
No scrub (no no) (no scrub, no love)
No scrub (no no no no no)
No scrub (no no)
No

Chorus

Chorus

Left eye:
See, if you can't spatially expand my horizon
Then that leaves you in a class with scrubs never risin'
I don't find it surprisin'
If you don't have the g's
To please me and bounce from here to the coast of overseas
So, let me give you somethin' to think about
Inundate your mind with intentions to turn you out
Can't forget the focus on the picture in front of me
You as clear as dvd on digital tv screen
Satisfy my appetite with something spectacular
Check your vernacular
And then i get back to ya
With diamond like precision
Insatiable is what i envision
Can't detect acquisition
From your friend's expedition
Mr. big willy if you really wanna know
Ask chilli, could i be a silly ho
Not really, t-boz and all my senoritas
Is steppin' on your filas
But you don't hear me though

Chorus

Chorus

Book: Dancing With Ana

Nicole Barker
Young Adult
The Golden Rod Press / 2009
Quality / 170 Pages
Standalone

"Beth is a lucky girl ... she comes from a loving family, she has three best friends. She loves to surf and lives five minutes from the beach. She also recently discovered that the boy she's grown up with has the most amazing green eyes ... Beth has every reason to smile. Every reason to be happy. Every reason to feel blessed.


Then why is she sticking her fingers down her throat?"

I picked this book up because Review Book

What I liked the Most? The language of the book - beautiful and moving.

What I liked the Least? The cover - off putting & not engaging at all

Review: To start off - Ana is anorexia. It is the desire to be in complete and total control over "something" in a persons life, the more awkward the social setting the more likely that need for control come into play. I've had many friends in my life flirt with "ana" - though most of the people in my life tend to eat their emotions rather than purge.

Beth’s life appears to be perfect - she has great friends, a great body, and a cute boy who likes her. There's only one problem - it’s all on the surface. Underneath everything her life is a mess. Her parents divorce eats at her slowly - she resents her father more and more so she begins to fixate on losing weight. Her friends join - mostly. The people close to her start to get worried.

There is a very healthy romance - boy next door kinda thing going on, for all of the characters really. I was a little "shocked" by the party scene and all of the booze but I do understand that children today are growing up a bit faster - or maybe it's I grew up a little slower.

Thank you very much, author Nicole Barker, I appreciate you sending me a copy of "Dancing with Ana" to review. I finished it in two hours - be prepared for a stellar read, but a very emotionally draining process.

(Side note - I am still a bit confused with the "blurb" why is she sticking her fingers down her throat - that's bulima, right???)

Recommended to: Female readers of all ages

Best Quote: "She danced out the pain, the sadness, the anger, the frustration, the disappointment, the disillusionment."

Challenges: 100+, August

My Blog Rocks - Fiona Said So

Yay!! I got an award from Fiona over at a reader's random ramblings... and you can see her post here.

She so totally deserves this award because I think her blog rocks (but you are not supposed to tag back) & I love all the school stuff she's been posting lately. Seriously check her blog out!



I've been blogging for myself for a couple of years now, I'm still pretty new to the "public" blogging, so this is totally cool. My very first award.

Now I have to pick the blogs that I want to share it with (oh me - I have to narrow it down to how many?). The list that I follow is growing so quickly (and covers alot of bases) - but I would like to share this award with the blogs that I visit frequently.

I stop by J.Kaye's daily. Love to see all her neat book reviews, world class challenges, tons of giveaways & read all the guest posts (if you haven't done so yet - read Ed's post on roller coasters - it is just too funny).

Gotta say Tena's blog title caught my eye before I even read anything else Crazy Book Slut but I love stopping over there to see what her views are on the series I read.

Can't comment much on Alaine's blog - for some reason there's a glitch, but I stop by every day to catch up on what she is reading - see her posts over at Queen of Happy Endings or at Royal Reviews (yet another great site).

Pizza Books Discussion is another daily stop. He's doing a really great job at getting the YA view point out there & doing it really well.

And I just started following the Domestic Witch and I love her posts on witchery.

Jenn of Not Exactly Bento posts totally yumminess. Pictures of bentos, food, shopping, and I just love her tutorials they are the best.

And I can't forget Shoppingmom over at Mothering Corner rocks some easy to make kid bentos. I'm using them as patterns for the Neffie!

Bento 80: Lasagna

Mom's thousand layer lasagna and salad with ranch dressing - yummy!!

10 Tips to Creating a New Life Direction

10 Tips to Creating a New Life Direction
By Laura Berman Fortgang,
Author of Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction

1. Make a list of all you can't stand about work/life
Those who are really stuck may complain that they don't know what they want. Not true. Make a list of all you do not want or like about your current situation and you will find on the flip side, something you DO want! Write it down.

2. Recognize that ALL change (good or bad) means loss
The 'evil' we know is sometimes less scary than the 'evil' we don't know. It is normal to be afraid to make a change because of what you stand to lose. However, the only way is forward, so you might as well accept whatever perceived loss of status, money or identity and realize that more happiness awaits. In fact, if everyone else is telling you you are crazy for making a change, you are on the right track!

3. Reframe 'I can't!' to 'I can!'
"I'm not good enough." "I'm too old." "I'm not qualified." NOT TRUE! Look for examples in your life, your surroundings, in the media or in books of people who have done things against the odds and use those examples as symbols of what's possible for you. Change your vocabulary and watch your results change.

4. Understand how the past got you stuck today
Many of us make vows when we are young that get us stuck as adults. "I'll never be like my parents!" "I won't be poor!" "I'll show them!" Whatever it is, the motivation you chose at some early point worked but is no longer working now. Determine what your old motivation for your life was, decide if it still serves you and if not, CHANGE it. Fast!

5. Realize that discovering your 'purpose' does not have to be hard or grand
Many people, when searching for direction in their life may also be putting their life's purpose into question. Most make the mistake of thinking they have to have a Mother Teresa-level of purpose to rate. It's just not true and that likely keeps you stuck or suffering. Who you are everyday and what you do naturally (whether it fits your job description or not) is your purpose. How you affect others positively is your purpose. What you contribute that is uniquely you is your purpose. It's right under your nose. Recognize it and try to make it central to whatever you do next.

6. Gain a criteria for happiness
Most people know they are not satisfied but really lack clear criteria for what will make them happy. Humans feel satisfied when their needs are met and they don't have to compromise their values. Write down what you truly need (emotionally, not financially) and value. Do you need stability? Honesty? Recognition? Do you value spirituality? Adventure? Education? These are not optional. Get purposeful about getting these things in your life and new directions become clear.

7. Research ALL that interests you
List all fields, jobs, careers, or areas of interest. Choose no more than three at a time to research. Besides the internet, try to talk to people who will let you have an informational interview or give you the real scoop on the areas you are interested in. A process of elimination will begin and one particular area may get traction through luck and coincidence that starts to feel like the front-runner.

8. Tell the truth about your money life
Money is usually the first thing that stops people from pursuing what they truly want. Don't let it stop you. Get straight with your money. Even if it's painful to see, know what you have and don't. Don't let it stop you. Moonlight, borrow or barter to move toward your new direction.

9. Put Yourself in Opportunity's Way
It's time to push the envelope. Take risks, get out of your comfort zone and get out there. See opportunity where it is -- everywhere -- and don't be shy about asking for favors or things that seem pushy. There are great rewards out there when you put yourself on the line.

10.Create a Plan and Get Support
Make a timeline for how you are going to cross over into something new. It usually takes 1-3 years to fully transition into a new direction. Don't fret. Make a monthly plan and get plenty of cheerleaders around you. No naysayers! Hire a coach or get a group of like minded folks around you and you will be settled in a new, satisfying direction before you know it.

And note: Unbearable situations seem more bearable when you know you are on your way out. Hang in there!

©2009 Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction

Author Bio
Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction, is a pioneer in the life-coaching profession. A renowned speaker and the president and owner of InterCoach, Inc., a full-service life-coaching business that works with individuals, small businesses, and corporations, she is also the author of The Little Book on Meaning, Living Your Best Life and Take Yourself to the Top. She lives in Montclair, New Jersey.


For more information please visit http://www.nowwhatcoaching.com/


Posted with permission from
Caitlin Price
Senior Publicist
www.fsbassociates.com

Book: Gone With The Witch

Annette Blair
Romance
Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated / May 2008
Mass Market / 304 Pages
Series: Witch Triplets Series #2

Shelter...

Beautiful bad girl Storm Wartwright can be charming when she wants to be. So when she hears the sound of a baby crying every time she's near Aiden McCloud, she turns on the charm. Because she's sure the weeping means a child is in need—and that the handsome antiques restorer is the key to finding that helpless child...

...In a Storm

From the start, Aiden is attracted to Storm. Yet this gorgeous goth girl won't stop talking baby nonsense. Then Storm sets up a seductive trap, kidnapping him in his very own RV! While Storm follows the sound of the cries, something magical starts happening between her and Aiden. But can they keep the magic alive once Storm finally finds what she's looking for?

I picked this book up because I wanted a fast paced para"romance" for the para999 challenge

What I liked the Most? Storm's go gettem attitude

What I liked the Least? If you read the story - youll understand "HER MOTHER"

Review:This was Storm's story, she's the misfit triplet, the goth, the loner - blue hair color and all. No one understands her power. You see she hears and sees the present, of all things. Mainly she has been hearing children crying. Her sisters, Harmony and Destiny, thought it was buried guilt making her hallucinate and they kept mute about it. In truth, Storm needs to go on a journey and learn what her spiritual psychic mandate is. Since Storm keeps hearing a baby cry whenever she is around Aiden (turtle, dragon, wanderer), so she decides to follow the sound of the cries, and kidnaps him for a road trip of emmense proportions - filled with laughter, passion and babies. Seems Storm is hearing more then one baby. Her gift leads her to more then what she bargained for as Storm and Aiden learn a lot about themselves and their pasts. Storm uncovers lost family, family she didn't know she had and embarks on healing old wounds. Aiden has to come to terms with what he lost, what he's gaining and learn to put down roots.

Recommended to: Anyone interested in a quick quirky read

Best Quote: "Magick lies in the fact that you wish good for someone. Saying what you wish for sends it into the universe."

Challenges: 100+, August, Para999

Bento 79: Steak Salad

Leftover steak salad with feta cheese and yummy roll