For fans of MaryJanice Davidson, here’s another one of her hilarious vampire books, UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED. (Berkley, July 05) Most women would love to live as royalty, but Betsy Taylor has found that being vampire queen has more problems than perks, except for always being awake for Midnight Madness sales. It may be easy to find blood (yuck) in the dark of night, but try finding a strawberry smoothie. And employees at her nightclub, Scratch, have been giving her nothing but grief since she killed their former boss. Some people...
But Betsy's "life" takes an interesting turn at a baby shower for her wicked stepmother, who lets it slip that Betsy has a long-last half sister. Now twenty years old, this woman just so happens to be the devil's daughter...and destined to rule the world.
Excerpt:
http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/U&U%203.htm
Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0425204332.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
ABOUT MARYJANICE DAVIDSON
MaryJanice Davidson has written in a variety of different genres, including contemporary romance, paranormal romance, erotica, and nonfiction.
MJ is the best-selling author of several romance novels, including UNDEAD AND UNWED and HELLO GORGEOUS. UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED is her first hardcover. Her books have been on the USA Today best-seller list, as well as the New York Times list. Starting in July, she has a release every month through February. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, two children, and dog, and is secretly addicted to Peanut Buster Parfaits.
REVIEWS
An amusing vampiric chick lit amateur sleuth tale worth sinking your teeth into. – Midwest Book Review
Davidson's witty dialogue, fast pacing, smart plotting, laugh-out-loud humor, and sexy relationships make this a joy to read. – Booklist
A hilarious rompful of goofy twists and turns, great fun for fans of humorous vampire romance. – Locus
MaryJanice Davidson is at her humorous biting best with this devilish tale of our favorite vampiress since Vampirella started seeking a blood relation. -- Harriet Klausner, BarnesandNoble.com
Entertaining, wicked and delightful -- Romance Reviews Today
Chick lit meets vampire action in this creative, sophisticated, sexy and wonderfully witty book. -- Catherine Spangler
Website: http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Monday, July 18, 2005
Weird Craft Project
Here's one of my weird craft projects. This spirea bush bloomed a month or so ago--with a few new blooms still popping out from time to time. The dead flower heads stay on the plant. So I sprayed a lot of them pink. Then I followed with a light burgundy spray.Voila! A bush that looks like it's blooming. I plan to tackle the astilbe next.
If you want try this technique in your own garden--make a cone of newspaper and grasp each bloom before you spray it. Do the pink layer first. Then when it's dry--in a half hour--do the burgundy layer. It would also work with a butterfly bush. Or anything else that leaves feathery brown flower heads.
Ruth
Thursday, July 14, 2005
CRIMSON CITY by Liz Maverick (Love Spell, July 2005)
CRIMSON CITY (Love Spell, July 05) looks pretty interesting to me. It’s my kind of dark paranormal.
Once, this was the City of Angels. The angels are no longer in charge.
From the extravagant appetites of the vampire world above, to the gritty defiance of the werewolves below, the specter of darkness lives around every corner, the hope of paradise in every heart. All walk freely with humans in a tentative peace, but to live in Los Angeles is to balance on the edge of a knife. One woman knows better than most that death lurks here in nights of bliss or hails of UV bullets. She’s about to be tested, to taste true thirst. She’s about to regain the power she’s long been denied. And Fleur Dumont is about to meet the one man who may understand her: a tormented protector who’s lost his way and all he loved.
Theirs is one tale of many. This is Crimson City, where desire meets danger and more than just the stars come out at night.
If you get hooked, you don’t have to wait long for more books in the Crimson series. Liz created the series for Dorchester. Liz and other authors will continue it.
Excerpt:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/crimsoncity.html
Cover:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/images/crimsonBig.jpg
Photo of Liz’s smiling mug:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/about.html
Once, this was the City of Angels. The angels are no longer in charge.
From the extravagant appetites of the vampire world above, to the gritty defiance of the werewolves below, the specter of darkness lives around every corner, the hope of paradise in every heart. All walk freely with humans in a tentative peace, but to live in Los Angeles is to balance on the edge of a knife. One woman knows better than most that death lurks here in nights of bliss or hails of UV bullets. She’s about to be tested, to taste true thirst. She’s about to regain the power she’s long been denied. And Fleur Dumont is about to meet the one man who may understand her: a tormented protector who’s lost his way and all he loved.
Theirs is one tale of many. This is Crimson City, where desire meets danger and more than just the stars come out at night.
If you get hooked, you don’t have to wait long for more books in the Crimson series. Liz created the series for Dorchester. Liz and other authors will continue it.
Excerpt:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/crimsoncity.html
Cover:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/images/crimsonBig.jpg
Photo of Liz’s smiling mug:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/about.html
Monday, July 11, 2005
Attack of the Killer Ants
Anybody remember an old SF movie where the L. A. cops battle giant ants? That's where I learned the word "mandible."
I'm not battling giant ants. But tons of little "piss-ants" want to get into my house. I was just outside spraying the corner of the house by the patio, where they look like they're nesting under the siding (oh goody). They keep coming into the sun room, too. No matter how airtight you think your house is, little bugs can get in. (Is this making me sound like Howard Hughes?) The sun room is a prime target because of all the plants. Please, Lord, don't let them get into the ficus tree. That would be a damn mess to clean out.
I have a special affection for that tree. About 25 years ago, my sister brought home two three-feet-tall ficus trees from the Safeway. She kept one and sold me the other. And they're both still going strong, although hers just underwent major surgery since it had to be moved from her husband's office to their home, and it was too big to fit in the car.
Mine has moved happily from the living room to the sun room. Sometimes I take it out in the summer. It's happy outside, but when I bring it in, I have to trim it back since it grows so well out in the sunshine.
Mine's about eight feet high now.
Okay, now I'm going back to my psychotic killer.
Ruth/Rebecca
I'm not battling giant ants. But tons of little "piss-ants" want to get into my house. I was just outside spraying the corner of the house by the patio, where they look like they're nesting under the siding (oh goody). They keep coming into the sun room, too. No matter how airtight you think your house is, little bugs can get in. (Is this making me sound like Howard Hughes?) The sun room is a prime target because of all the plants. Please, Lord, don't let them get into the ficus tree. That would be a damn mess to clean out.
I have a special affection for that tree. About 25 years ago, my sister brought home two three-feet-tall ficus trees from the Safeway. She kept one and sold me the other. And they're both still going strong, although hers just underwent major surgery since it had to be moved from her husband's office to their home, and it was too big to fit in the car.
Mine has moved happily from the living room to the sun room. Sometimes I take it out in the summer. It's happy outside, but when I bring it in, I have to trim it back since it grows so well out in the sunshine.
Mine's about eight feet high now.
Okay, now I'm going back to my psychotic killer.
Ruth/Rebecca
Thursday, July 07, 2005
CARPE DEMON, by Julie Kenner
Here’s a pretty neat book. I’d grab it off the shelf just for the clever title. It’s paranormal with a nice twist of humor.
CARPE DEMON: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, by Julie Kenner
(Berkley, July 2005).
Carpools. Crabgrass. Creatures from the depths of hell. Suburbia has its problems too...
Lots of women put their careers aside once the kids come along. Kate Connor, for instance, hasn't hunted a demon in ages...
That must be why she missed the one wandering through the pet food aisle of the San Diablo Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he managed to catch her attention an hour later-when he crashed into the Connor house, intent on killing her.
Now Kate has to clean up the mess in her kitchen, dispose of a dead demon, and pull together a dinner party that will get her husband elected to County Attorney-all without arousing her family's suspicion. Worse yet, it seems the dead demon didn't come alone. He was accompanied by a High Demon named Goramesh who, for some unknown reason, intends to kill off the entire population of San Diablo.
It's time for Kate Connor to go back to work.
Excerpt:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CarpeDemon.htm
Cover:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CarpeDemonMedium.jpg
CARPE DEMON: ADVENTURES OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM has been optioned for film by Warner Brothers & 1492 Pictures, and is scheduled for release as an audiobook from BBC America Audiobooks.
In addition, CARPE DEMON was recently honored by being selected by BOOKSENSE as a Summer 2005 Paperback Pick.
ABOUT JULIE KENNER
Julie Kenner is a USA Today bestselling author. She is also a former attorney who lives with her husband and daughter.
REVIEWS
"I loved CARPE DEMON! It was great fun; wonderfully clever... ninety-nine percent of the wives and moms in the country will identify with this heroine. I mean, like who hasn't had to battle demons between car-pools and play-dates?" -- Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of Falling Awake
"As if having a teenager and a toddler weren't challenge enough, Kate Connor has other problems, too. Take kids to best friend's house, check. Clean house for budding politician husband's party, check. Kill the demon coming in through the window, check. Then hide the body and put on a little black dress...This book, as crammed with events as any suburban mom's calendar, shows you what would happen if Buffy got married and kept her past a secret. It's a hoot." --Charlaine Harris, USA Today bestselling author of Dead to the World
"Smart, fast-paced, unique--a blend of sophistication and wit that has you laughing outloud!" --Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author of Oceans of Fire
"[A] sprightly, fast-paced ode to kick-ass housewives..." – Publishers Weekly
Website: http://www.juliekenner.com
CARPE DEMON: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, by Julie Kenner
(Berkley, July 2005).
Carpools. Crabgrass. Creatures from the depths of hell. Suburbia has its problems too...
Lots of women put their careers aside once the kids come along. Kate Connor, for instance, hasn't hunted a demon in ages...
That must be why she missed the one wandering through the pet food aisle of the San Diablo Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he managed to catch her attention an hour later-when he crashed into the Connor house, intent on killing her.
Now Kate has to clean up the mess in her kitchen, dispose of a dead demon, and pull together a dinner party that will get her husband elected to County Attorney-all without arousing her family's suspicion. Worse yet, it seems the dead demon didn't come alone. He was accompanied by a High Demon named Goramesh who, for some unknown reason, intends to kill off the entire population of San Diablo.
It's time for Kate Connor to go back to work.
Excerpt:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CarpeDemon.htm
Cover:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CarpeDemonMedium.jpg
CARPE DEMON: ADVENTURES OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM has been optioned for film by Warner Brothers & 1492 Pictures, and is scheduled for release as an audiobook from BBC America Audiobooks.
In addition, CARPE DEMON was recently honored by being selected by BOOKSENSE as a Summer 2005 Paperback Pick.
ABOUT JULIE KENNER
Julie Kenner is a USA Today bestselling author. She is also a former attorney who lives with her husband and daughter.
REVIEWS
"I loved CARPE DEMON! It was great fun; wonderfully clever... ninety-nine percent of the wives and moms in the country will identify with this heroine. I mean, like who hasn't had to battle demons between car-pools and play-dates?" -- Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of Falling Awake
"As if having a teenager and a toddler weren't challenge enough, Kate Connor has other problems, too. Take kids to best friend's house, check. Clean house for budding politician husband's party, check. Kill the demon coming in through the window, check. Then hide the body and put on a little black dress...This book, as crammed with events as any suburban mom's calendar, shows you what would happen if Buffy got married and kept her past a secret. It's a hoot." --Charlaine Harris, USA Today bestselling author of Dead to the World
"Smart, fast-paced, unique--a blend of sophistication and wit that has you laughing outloud!" --Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author of Oceans of Fire
"[A] sprightly, fast-paced ode to kick-ass housewives..." – Publishers Weekly
Website: http://www.juliekenner.com
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
MASTER OF THE MOON, by Angela Knight
MASTER OF THE MOON
by Angela Knight
(Berkley Sensation, May 2005)
I have a really big TBR pile. But Angela Knight’s MASTER OF THE MOON (Berkley Sensation, May 2005) is definitely on it. Angela Knight is one of my fave writers, and this is my kind of book–-paranormal and sexy.
The heroine is Diana London, who works hard in her day job as the city manager of a small South Carolina town. Yet she still finds time to moonlight for the Verdaville Police Department–-as a werewolf.
But while helping the police investigate a brutal murder, Diana discovers she’s not the only magical creature in town. A female vampire has also decided to make Verdaville her murderous playground. What’s worse, she has powers even Diana can’t match.
Fortunately, Diana is not the only one determined to stop her. Llyr Galatyn is the king of the Cachamwri Sidhe--a seductive otherworldly warrior with fantastic abilities. He’s sworn to hunt down the murderer, and he’s more than willing to give Diana any help she needs.
And not just with the case. Diana is in her Burning Moon, a time of sexual heat, when need rides her hard. Llyr is delighted to be the answer to her erotic prayers.
But as they hunt the vampire while desire runs hot between them, a deadly enemy urges the killer to turn her sights on Llyr. It seems Llyr isn’t the only king of the Sidhe --and his brother wants him dead.
Excerpt:
http://www.angelasknights.com/masterofthemoon.htm
Cover:
http://www.angelasknights.com/images/momcovers.jpg
ABOUT ANGELA KNIGHT
Angela Knight's first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. But her mother was enthralled, and Angela was hooked.
In the years that followed, Angela managed to figure out a way to make a living -- more or less -- at what she loved best: writing. After a short career as a comic book writer, she became a newspaper reporter, covering everything from school board meetings to murders. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. For more of Angela’s interesting bio, visit her website: http://angelasknights.com/bio.htm
REVIEWS
MASTER OF THE MOON, a Berkley Sensation novel, got 4 ½ stars and a Top Pick from RT. It also spent three weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and was #1 on the Waldenbooks Romance List for three weeks.
Another Angela Knight novel, THE FOREVER KISS, won the 2004 RT’s Critic’s Choice award for Best Erotic Romance.
Romantic Times Review:
“Picking up the storyline where MASTER OF THE NIGHT left off, Knight’s latest packs in tons more passion, danger and sizzling sensuality. While her novels are scorchingly hot, knight also manages to keep the stories intriguing and balanced.” – Jim M Smith, Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine.
Website: http://www.angelasknights.com
by Angela Knight
(Berkley Sensation, May 2005)
I have a really big TBR pile. But Angela Knight’s MASTER OF THE MOON (Berkley Sensation, May 2005) is definitely on it. Angela Knight is one of my fave writers, and this is my kind of book–-paranormal and sexy.
The heroine is Diana London, who works hard in her day job as the city manager of a small South Carolina town. Yet she still finds time to moonlight for the Verdaville Police Department–-as a werewolf.
But while helping the police investigate a brutal murder, Diana discovers she’s not the only magical creature in town. A female vampire has also decided to make Verdaville her murderous playground. What’s worse, she has powers even Diana can’t match.
Fortunately, Diana is not the only one determined to stop her. Llyr Galatyn is the king of the Cachamwri Sidhe--a seductive otherworldly warrior with fantastic abilities. He’s sworn to hunt down the murderer, and he’s more than willing to give Diana any help she needs.
And not just with the case. Diana is in her Burning Moon, a time of sexual heat, when need rides her hard. Llyr is delighted to be the answer to her erotic prayers.
But as they hunt the vampire while desire runs hot between them, a deadly enemy urges the killer to turn her sights on Llyr. It seems Llyr isn’t the only king of the Sidhe --and his brother wants him dead.
Excerpt:
http://www.angelasknights.com/masterofthemoon.htm
Cover:
http://www.angelasknights.com/images/momcovers.jpg
ABOUT ANGELA KNIGHT
Angela Knight's first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. But her mother was enthralled, and Angela was hooked.
In the years that followed, Angela managed to figure out a way to make a living -- more or less -- at what she loved best: writing. After a short career as a comic book writer, she became a newspaper reporter, covering everything from school board meetings to murders. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. For more of Angela’s interesting bio, visit her website: http://angelasknights.com/bio.htm
REVIEWS
MASTER OF THE MOON, a Berkley Sensation novel, got 4 ½ stars and a Top Pick from RT. It also spent three weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and was #1 on the Waldenbooks Romance List for three weeks.
Another Angela Knight novel, THE FOREVER KISS, won the 2004 RT’s Critic’s Choice award for Best Erotic Romance.
Romantic Times Review:
“Picking up the storyline where MASTER OF THE NIGHT left off, Knight’s latest packs in tons more passion, danger and sizzling sensuality. While her novels are scorchingly hot, knight also manages to keep the stories intriguing and balanced.” – Jim M Smith, Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine.
Website: http://www.angelasknights.com
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Weeds, Soup, and Pages
It can get very hot and humid here. Last week it was in the 90's all week. But the high today was only 84, so I ran outside first thing in the morning and pulled weeds. I made it all the way around the back garden and along the side of the house. What a feeling of accomplishment!
The backyard has no grass. I got rid of the grass years ago and made the main area into a garden with brick or stepping stone paths running through it. So there's a lot of weeding. There's a large ground-level wooden deck at one side and a patio on the other. One or the other will be shady at different times during the day.
After the weeding, I rewarded myself with iced coffee, the Saturday Washington Post, and my e-mail in the shade of the patio.
I left the screen open at the sliding glass door and two of my cats--Ozzie and Harriet--sat in the doorway breathing in the summer air. Ozzie would slip out if I let her. Harriet has never been out and wouldn't know what to do if she got there. She's the fraidy cat in the family.
The air conditioning was on inside, so I made soup for lunch. Even in summer, soup is one of my favorite meals. I made curried peanut and apple soup. But I added left over Kung Pao chicken that had been in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The flavors blended really well, and it all worked together.
Then I started a novella that's due September first. Starting a book is always hard for me, so I only got about five pages written. I hope I speed up a little tomorrow.
For lunch tomorrow I think I'll try a West African peanut and sweet potato soup.
Ruth/Rebecca
The backyard has no grass. I got rid of the grass years ago and made the main area into a garden with brick or stepping stone paths running through it. So there's a lot of weeding. There's a large ground-level wooden deck at one side and a patio on the other. One or the other will be shady at different times during the day.
After the weeding, I rewarded myself with iced coffee, the Saturday Washington Post, and my e-mail in the shade of the patio.
I left the screen open at the sliding glass door and two of my cats--Ozzie and Harriet--sat in the doorway breathing in the summer air. Ozzie would slip out if I let her. Harriet has never been out and wouldn't know what to do if she got there. She's the fraidy cat in the family.
The air conditioning was on inside, so I made soup for lunch. Even in summer, soup is one of my favorite meals. I made curried peanut and apple soup. But I added left over Kung Pao chicken that had been in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The flavors blended really well, and it all worked together.
Then I started a novella that's due September first. Starting a book is always hard for me, so I only got about five pages written. I hope I speed up a little tomorrow.
For lunch tomorrow I think I'll try a West African peanut and sweet potato soup.
Ruth/Rebecca
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